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977.3
1908
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GENEALOGY COL-L-ECTfoFl
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00877 8109
Publication Number Thirteen
OF THE
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL LIBRARY
TRANSACTIONS
Illinois State Historical Society
FOR THE YEAR 1908
Ninth Annual Meeting of the Society, Springfield, 111.,
January 30-31, 1908.
Published by Authority of the
Board of Trustees of the
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL LIBRARY.
SPRINGFIELD:
Illinois State Journal Co., State Printers
1909
140995
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
General Information, Editorial Note V
1— Officers and committees of the Illinois State Historical Society, 1908 5, 9-11
• PART I.— RECORD OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS.
1— Minutes of the Society 3-7
2— Minutes of the Board of Directors 7-11
3— Report of the Secretary and Treasurer 12-17
4— Reports of Committees 18-22
PART II.— PAPERS READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, 190S.
1— Horace White, Abraham Lincoln in 1854 2.5-47
2— Adlai. E . Stevenson, Stephen A . Douglas 48-73
3— Joseph B. Lemen, The Jefferson-Lemen A nti-Slavery Pact 74-st
4— Julia E. Parsons, Lewis Baldwin Parsons 8.5-100
5— J. Seymour Gurrey, Chicago's North Shore 101-113
6— Clara Kern Bayliss, The Significant o) tin Piasa 114-122
7— Isabel Jamison, Lin ralun and Lift rary People of Early Illinois 123-139
8— Edwin O. Gale, Chicago as It Was and Is 140-144
9— George M. McConnel, Recollect ions o) tin Northern Cross Railroad 145-152
10— William T. Davidson, Famous Men I hare Known in tin Military Tract 153-161
11— Henry Barrett Chamberlain, Elias Kent Kant 162-170
12— Howard G. Bronsoh, Early Illinois Railroads 171-183
13— John H. Bumham, Mysterious Indian Butth Grounds in McLean county 184-191
14— CharlesH. Rammelkamp, lUmoU Collegi and tin Anti-Slavery Movement 192-203
15— Eliot Callender, Mi mortal to Jlidgt David Met 'ulloch 204-208
16— James Affleck, William Kinney 209-211
PART HP-CONTRIBUTIONS TO STATE HISTORY.
1— John F. Snyder, James Harvey Ralston | Forgotten Statesman of Illinois) 215-232
2— Edward Joseph Fortier, The Establish ment of the Tamarois Mission 233-239
3— Paul Selby, The Lincoln- Conkling Letter, September 3, 1863 240-250
4 — J. F. Steward, Conflicting A ccou nts Fou nil in Early Illinois History 251-258
PART IV.— TRANSLATIONS AND REPRINTS.
1— An Earnest Invitation to tht Inhabitants o) Illinois by an Inhabitant of Kaskaskia -Translated
with an Introduction and Notesby I. yd/a Main Brauer 261-268
3— Samuel R. Brown, The Western Gazetteer, or Emigrants Directory I Extract describing tht Illinois
Territory) 299-310
4— The Illinois Monthly Magazine, 1831 [Article on Emigration) 311-316
TART V.— IN MEMORIAM.
1— Robert Bell, 1828-1906 321-322
2— Mrs. Eliza Kincaid Wilson 323-326
3— William Vocke 327
4 — John Berry Orendorff 328
5— James B . Bradwell 329-330
6— Peyton Roberts 331-334
7— Mrs. W. W. Marmon 335
8— Capt. J. R. Moss 336-337
9— Index 338-381
10— List of publications Illinois State Historical Library 382-383
PART I.
Record of Official Proceedings.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
NINTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ILLINOIS
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Business Meeting, Thursday, January 30, at 10:00 O'Clock.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Alfred Orendorff,
who said :
"The ninth annual meeting of the Illinois State Historical Society
is in session. The secretary will please proceed to read her annual re-
port."
The secretary, Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, read her report.
On motion of Mr. Eussel the report was received and adopted and
ordered placed on file. The report of the secretary was ordered printed
as a part of the transactions of the society.
Report of the treasurer being called for, it was read by the treasurer,
Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber.
President — "Does the society wish to have the items of expense read ?
If not what shall be done with this report?"
On motion the report of the treasurer as read was received and or-
dered placed on file:
Eeports of committees being called for, Miss Georgia L. Osborne read
the report of the Genealogical Committee, which was received and
adopted and ordered placed on file.
Mr. H. W. Clendenin made a motion for the appointment of a
Nominating Committee, which received a second, and on being put to
vote was carried, and the president appointed as such committee, the
maker of the motion,
Mr. Clendenin, as chairman, and Messrs. R. B. Carpenter, Belvidere; Mr.
John S. Little, Rushville; Mr. James H. Matheny, Springfield; Mr. W. T.
Norton, Alton.
President — "The gentlemen have leave, if they wish to retire and con-
sult about the matter of nominations."
Mr. Clendenin— "What offices are to be filled?"
President — "President, three vice presidents and board of directors.
You can get the list here at the desk."
The committee retired for consultation.
President — Is there a report from the publication committee?"
Professor Greene, the chairman being absent, Mr. C. W. Alvord spoke
brieflv of the work of the committee.
President — "Keports from local historical societies are in order.
"We will be glad to hear the report from the Colored Historical So-
ciety, by Mrs. Eickrnan."
Report was read by Mrs. Hickman.
President — "We would be glad to hear from Captain Burnham if he
has a report to make or any word to say in regard to local historical
societies."
Reporl of Committee on Local Historical Societies was read by
Captain J. H. Burnham, chairman of the committee.
President — "Gentlemen, this report contains several suggestions that
seem to be of importance. What course shall it take? Will yon discuss
any of these matters? If not, the report may he adopted. This means
that recommendations in the report he adopted."
Report of Captain Burnham was adopted.
E. ( '. Page — "In the report of the secretary was there not a suggestion
as to a change in the time for the annual meeting?"
Secretary — "Under the constitution, any change in the time for the
annual meeting must he made by making such change in the constitu-
tion/'
Mr. Clinton — "To what date was it proposed to change?"
Secretary — "Two different dates have been suggested, May and Oc-
tober. I think the concensus of opinion favors a May meeting."
Mr. J. \Y. Clinton — "I move that the time of the animal meeting C
left to the Board of Directors, but that they he instructed to fix the
time somewhere between the loth of May and the 20th of June."
Mi-. Chas. II. Rammelkamp — "Would the adoption of that motion
he the proper way to meet the requirements of the constitution as
to the making of such a change of date for meeting?"'
President — "I think so."
Mr. Rammelkamp — "I am in favor of the change."
Prof. J. A. dames — "Allow me to say that our examinations and
commene< ments come the latter part of May and early in dune. I
would suggest that the meetings of the society lie held 'from the 10th
to the 15th of Mav."
Miss Rutherford— "Will not that date interfere with the school com-
mencements ?"
After some further discussion. Prof, dames moved that the Board of
Directors he asked to lix the time for the meeting in the month of Mav.
and Mi-. Clinton accepted the amendment to limit the time to May.
Captain Burnham — "If this vote is taken, would it take effect at
once and settle the matter of the date for future meetings?"
President — "Yes,"
The fact that meetings had been held during the sessions of the
Legislature was referred to, and Mr. Page said that so far as that made
any difference the later date would be preferable to the time we have
been holding the meetings in January. And he also suggested that if the
time of the week could he changed so as to he more favorable for th •
attendance of those interested who are engaged in educational work, t
would accommodate many more teachers. "Say begin the meetings on
Thursday evening so that practically only one school day would be lost.
1 make this merely as a suggestion to the Board of Directors/'
President — "We would be glad to hear from any others on this subject.
Perhaps the ladies have some suggestions to make as to the time most
convenient for them."
• 31 rs. Taylor — "I prefer the month of May."
Mr. Crowder — "I also prefer May."
President — "It has been recommended by the Board of Directors that
Prof. Edwin Erie Sparks, who has been called to a college in another
state, be made an honorary member of this society."
Professor James — "Should we not make recognition of Prof. Sparks'
services to this society by resolution, or have the secretary write him of
this action?"
President — "I am sure the secretary will take pleasure in carrying-
out the wishes of the society and properly notify him of this action."
It was voted that Professor Sparks he made an honorary member of
the society and the secretary was directed to so inform him.
The nominating committee being ready to report, the chairman. Mr.
Clendenin. said that in accordance with the advice of Mr. Lincoln, thai
"it is not well to change horses in the middle of the stream/' the corn-
mil tee had thought besi to recommend practically no changes in the
officers of the society and read the report of the nominating committee,
and moved its adoption.
Mr. Clendenin's motion having received a second. President Oren-
dorff put the question and the report was adopted ; but in accordance with
the requirements of the constitution that the election of officers must
lie by ballot, and upon motion the secretary was instructed to cast the
ballot in accordance with the repori of the Nominating Committee.
President — "The secretary has cast the ballot, and I declare the offi-
cers named elected."
President, Gen. Alfred Orendorff, Springfield.
First Vice President, Hon. Clark E. Carr. Galesburg.
Second Vice President, Hon. Smith D. Atkins, Freeport.
Third Vice President, Hon. L. Y. Sherman, Springfield.
Board of Directors, Edmund Janes James, president of the University of
Illinois, Urbana; M. H. Chamberlin, president of McKendree college, Lebanon;
Hon. George N. Black, Springfield; J. H. Burnham, Bloomington; Evarts B.
Greene, University of Illinois, Urbana; Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, Spring-
field; Hon. Wm. H. Collins, Quincy; Hon. J. O. Cunningham, Urbana; Hon.
Andrew Russel, Jacksonville; George W. Smith, Southern Illinois Normal
University, Carbondale; W. T. Norton, Alton; Hon. Wm. A. Meese, Moline;
Hon. Jesse A. Baldwin, Chicago; Mr. J. W. Clinton, Polo; Rev. C. J. Esch-
mann, Prairie du Rocher.
Honorary Vice Presidents, The presidents of local Historical societies.
Captain Burnham inquired if the different localities where the Lin-
coln-Douglas debates were held were represented.
Mr. Elliot Callender of Peoria read a paper on the life and services
of Judge David McCulloch, late a director of the TUinois State Historical
Society.
A paper on the life of Gen: Lewis B. Parsons, to be read by his.
daughter. Miss Julia E. Parsons, was called for. The secretary reported
that the paper had been received, but Miss Pasons was unable to be
present, and owing to lack of time the paper was read by title.
Professor J. A. James — "Were we not to hear a report from Colonel
Carr on the plans for the Lincoln-Douglas Debate celebrations?"'
Colonel Carr being called upon, said :
"I have visited everyone of the places where the Lincoln-Douglas debates
were held, Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Alton and
Quincy, all the places where these debates were held. I notified beforehand,
the local committeemen about the time that I would be there and they as-
sembled in each place, representative men of both political parties.
"The meetings were usually held at some local club of the town.
"At these meetings I thereupon laid the matter before them to the best of
my ability, stating that the object desired to be attained was the awakening
of an interest in the coming anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in
that town.
"I found it very pleasant work. There were assembled a goodly number,
from 20 to 30, and they manifested considerable interest, appointed commit-
tees, usually the permanent local committeeman was made chairman, and
appointed executive committees to form plans to arrange for initial meeting
at each place. I gave them the best advice I could as to how to proceed.
. "We had an especially good meeting at Freeport. Mr. Atkins had made a
special effort to that end and there were about thirty at the meeting. Mr.
Atkins was made chairman.
"We had a good meeting at Jonesboro. All turned out and took an interest.
Anna is now the town. Jonesboro was then the town, the two are now
connected by trolley.
"1 found considerable interest at Charleston. At Charleston they are
trying to get Senator. Beveridge to be their orator. I saw him in Wash-
ington and had a little talk with him. He was doubtful whether he could
be there but he was their choice as he was a Coles county man and they
want him for their orator.
"There was a good meeting at Ottawa. Mr. E. C. Swift, chairman.
"At Alton a great interest was manifested. Mr. Norton, our committee-
man assembled them there, and they have made arrangements for a large
celebration.
"At Quincy, Mr. Wm. H. Collins was the local chairman.
"At all places much interest was manifested. The great question was to
get an orator worthy of the occasion. Most of them wanted the President of
the United States.
"At Galesburg the arrangements were not made until last week. They
have already had two celebrations. At one of these Governor John M.
Palmer was the orator. They also had Chauncey M. Depew and Robert T.
Lincoln.
"The year when McKinley was a candidate for re-election, 1900, they had
a most extraordinary celebration. The orator was the lately departed
Charles Emory Smith. President McKinley and Mrs. McKinley were there
and every member of the President's cabinet except Mr. Lyman S. Gage, Sec-
retary of the Treasury. Our people are taking a very great interest in the
approaching anniversary."
Mr. Eussel — "Has the date been set?"
Mr. Carr — "It is the intention to have these meetings opened exactly
upon not only the day, but the hour, when the debates were held, and
at the place where they were held."
President — "The people have selected as the place, the spot, where the
debate was held, on the Galesburg or Knox College grounds."
Gen. Smith D. Atkins of Freeport said it was expected to have on
the platform every survivor who was present at the debate fifty years ago.
President — "We would be glad to hear from local committees wherever
celebrations are to be held."
Mr. Atkins spoke of the meetings for Freeport, where committees
have been appointed. They will probably have two prominent speakers,
one to speak on Lincoln and the other on Douglas.
Mr. W. T. Norton of Alton reported that they had great pleasure in
meeting with Colonel Carr, and that matters were progressing.
Mr. Collins of Quincy was called for and he being absent, it was sug-
gested' that perhaps Mr. Ellis would report for Quincy.
President Orendorff asked if Mr. Ellis was present, but he had left
the room.
Prof. Page spoke of the interest taken in these celebrations by Mr.
Blair, Superintendent of Public Instruction, who has had prepared
pamphlets which are intended for the use of teachers in drawing the
attention of pupils to the facts mentioned ; and said the pamphlets re-
ferred to could be had by anyone interested, on application.
Mrs. Weber, Chairman of Program Committee, asked for the co-
operation of the entire society in the matter of the preparation of future
programs, and for their help in such preparation.
Prof. James spoke of the work of preparation, which had fallen almost
entirely upon the secretary and seconded her suggestion, asking assist-
ance from all members of the society.
Mr. Carpenter, who had been absent from the room during the meet-
ing of the Nominating Committee, asked if anything had been done in
regard to the suggestion in the secretary'- report favoring the printing
of a quarterly publication.
President — 'The adoption of the secretary's report carried with it the
adoption of the suggestions made therein."'
Mr. Norton, on account of circumstance- which made it necessary
for him to do so, resigned and nominated in his place, on the Committee
on Lincoln-Douglas Debates, Mr. E. M. Bowman of Alton. This recom-
mendation was referred to the Board of Directors.
On motion, the society adjourned to 1 :30 o'clock, to meet in the liter-
ary sessions to hear the papers and addresses, according to the program
of exercises.
DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Illinois State Historical Society met in
the room of the secretary, Thursday morning, January 30, 1908, at 9:30
o'clock. Present:
The President, Gen. Alfred Orendorff, Mr. Andrew Russel, Mr. J. W.
Clinton, Capt. J. H. Burnham, Mr. W. T. Norton, Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber.
The report of the secretary was read and received.
The report of the treasurer was read and received.
Mrs. Weber moved that the board recommend to the society the elec-
tion of Prof. E. E. Sparks as an honorary member of the society. Prof.
Sparks having tendered his resignation as a director of the society, owing
to his removal from the State to take up his duties as President of the
Pennsylvania State College.
Mr. Russel seconded this motion, and the motion was carried.
President Orendorff asked that a like honor be conferred upon Mr.
Eorace White of New York. This motion was seconded and carried.
Captain Burnham explained that General A. E. Stevenson was to de-
liver one of the principal addresses of the annual meeting, and Mr.
Horace White the other, and that General Stevenson is already an
honorary member of the society.
There being no further business, the board of director's meeting ad-
journed to meet later in the session at a convenient time, and at the call
of the president.
The Board of Directors of the Illinois State Historical Society met
in the secretary's room, Thursday, January 30, at 11:30 a. m.
Present — Messrs. Burnham, Russel, Clinton, Orendorff and Mis.
Weber.
On motion of Captain Burnham, General Orendorff was elected chair-
man of the Board of Directors, and Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber was
elected secretary and treasurer.
It was moved and seconded that the chairman be ex officio a member
of each committee. The motion was carried.
The directors' meeting adjourned to meet later in the sessions at the
call of the president.
DIRECTORS' MEETING.
January 31, 1908, at 11:15 A. M.
Present — Messrs. Orendorff, Burnham, Russel, Xorton, Clinton, and
Mrs. Weber.
Captain Burnham spoke at some length about an historical building,
and the plans of the society for the legislation necessary to secure it.
Captain Burnham urged the need of a periodical as a journal of in-
formation, for the society at large.
General Orendorff said the secretary had recommended such a period-
ical, and trie recommendation had" been adopted as a part of her report.
The secretary read a. letter from Prof.- Sparks, in which he spoke of
the plans for the Lincoln-Douglas Debates ; also of a pamphlet to be dis-
tributed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which had been
prepared by a committee from the Historical Manuscripts Commission
of the Illinois State Historical Library.
The question of the periodical or bulletin was again discussed, and Mr.
Xorton moved that Messrs. Orendorff, Russel, Burnham and Mrs. Weber
be a special committee on the periodical with power to act. This motion
was seconded and carried.
It was moved by Captain Burnham, and carried, that the president be
authorized to call meetings of the directors, their expenses to be paid
by the society.
The president and directors conferred at length on the appointment
of committees.
Mr. Xorton, of the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Committee, at this ses-
sion elected a director of the society, said that he could not act on the
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Committee and asked that Mr. E. M. Bowman
be made the local chairman of the Historical Society for the Alton
celebration. A motion to that effect was made by Mr. Xorton, and sec-
onded by Captain Burnham, and on being put to a vote, was carried.
The following committees were appointed:
Pobijcation Committee.
Evarts B. Greene, University of Illinois, Urbana, Chairman.
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield. M. H. Chamberlin, Lebanon.
J. McCan Davis, Springfield. Geo. W. Smith, Carbondale.
Geo. A. Dnpuy, Chicago. Stephen L. Spear. Springfield.
C. W. Alvord, Urbana. Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Program Committee.
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield, Chairman.
J. H. Burnham, Bloomington.
J. A. James, Evanston.
E. S. Willcox, Peoria.
"U m. A. Meese, Moline.
Dr. Otto Schmict, Chicago.
Cnarles H. Ramraelkamp, Jackson-
ville.
Mrs. Catherine Goss Wheeler,
Springfield.
Paul Selby, Chicago.
Charles P. Kane, Springfield.
F. J. Heinl, Jacksonville.
Logan Hay, Springfield.
Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Finance and Auditing Committee.
George N. Black, Springfield, Chairman..
E. J. James, Urbana.
M. H. Chamberlin, Lebanon.
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield.
Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Committee ox Legislation.
M. H. Chamberlin, Lebanon, Chairman.
E. J. James. Urbana.
E. A. Snively, Springfield.
O. F. Berry, Carthage.
Samuel Alschuler, Aurora.
R. V. Carpenter, Belvidere.
Henry McCormick, Normal.
Andrew Russel, Jacksonville.
Charles E. Hull, Salem.
R. S. Tuthill, Chicago.
Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Committee ox Local Historical Societies.
J. H. Burnham, Bloomington, Chairman.
J. Seymour Currey, Evanston.
George W. Smith, Carbondale.
Elliot Callender, Peoria.
J. O. Cunningham, Urbana.
Mrs. Charles A. Webster, Galesburg.
Horace Hull, Ottawa.
Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, Jackson-
ville.
L. J. Freese, Eureka.
Gen. John I. Rinaker, Carlinville.
J. W. Clinton, Polo.
Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Committee ox Membership.
Judge J "Otis Humphrey, Springfield, Chairman.
W. H. Stennett, Oak Park.
Charles L. Capen, Bloomington.
Daniel Berry, M. D., Carmi.
John M. Rapp, Fairfield.
Mrs. E. M. Bacon, Decatur.
A. W. French, Springfield.
Mrs. C. C. Brown, Springfield.
J. Nick Perrin, Belleville.
Wm. Jayne, M. D., Springfield.
Geo. E. Dawson, Chicago.
A. W. Crawford, Girard.
Alfred Orendorff. ex-offlcio.
Committee ox the Commemoration of tile Semi-Centennial of the Lincoln-
Douglas Debates of 1858.
Hon. Clark E. Carr, Galesburg, Chairman.
E. C. Swift, Ottawa. Smith D. Atkins, Freeport.
M. C. Crawford, Jonesboro. Sumner S. Anderson. Charleston.
Philip S. Post, Galesburg. Wm. H. Collins, Quincy.
E. M. Bowman, Alton. A. E. Stevenson, Bloomington.
H. W. Clendenin, Springfield. Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Committee on the Marking of Historic Sites in Illinois.
Mrs. M. T. Scott, Bloomington, Chairman.
Harry Ainsworth, Moline. J. H. Collins, Springfield.
Francis G. Blair, Springfield. Charles B. Campbell, Kankakee.
Reed Green, Cairo. Miss Lottie E. Jones, Danville.
John E. Miller, East St. Louis. Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
J. S. Little, Rushville.
Committee on Genealogy and Genealogical Publications.
Miss Georgia L. Osborne, Springfield, Chairman.
Mrs. E. S. Walker, Springfield. Mrs. John C. Ames, Streator.
Mrs. Thomas Worthington. Jack- Miss May Latham, Lincoln.
sonville. Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Committee to Determine the Correct Pronunciation of the Word
"Illinois."
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield, Chairman.
Jesse A. Baldwin, Chicago. E. J. James, Urbana-Champaign.
Francis G. Blair, Springfield. Mrs. Margaret M. Bangs, Chicago.
Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Special Committee to Confer With the Illinois State Library Associa-
tion on Relations Between the Illinois St\te Historical
Society and Libraries Throughout the State.
Miss Maude Thayer, Springfield, Chairman.
E. M. Prince, Bloomington. Mrs. Eliza I. H. Tomlin, Jackson
T. J. Pitner, M. D., Jacksonville. ville.
Dr. Grace Dewey, Jacksonville. Alfred Orendorff, ex-offlcio.
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield.
Special Committee to Formulate a Plan for a Periodical Publication for
the Historical Society.
Alfred Orendorff, Springfield, Chairman.
Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield. Andrew Russel, Jacksonville.
J. H. Burnham, Bloomington.
There being no further business the meeting of the Board of Directors
adjourned.
Report of the Secretary to tup; Board op Directors of the Illi-
nois State Historical Society, January 1907 to
January 1908.
Springfield. III., January 30, 1908.
Gentlemen — I beg leave to submit to you my report of the work
of the society for the year beginning January 24, 1907. and ending
January 30, 1908. The society has from its organization flourished
and grown and the report of each year has been that this year has
been one of greater prosperity than its immediate predecessor. The
year 190? has been no exception to this rule. The society has grown
and prospered in every branch of its numerous activities. It has
increased in membership and in influence. It now has ITT members,
18 of which are honorary members, three life members and 34 members
who have joined the society in accordance with our agreement with
the Illinois State Press Association. I wish to pay a tribute to these
press association members. Few of our members are in positions to
he more helpful to the society than are these editors of newspapers
throughout the State, ami they most generously respond to our requests
for assistance. We appeal to them for information in regard to matters
relating to their respective neighborhoods, they insert notices of our
meetings, and do all they can to extend the usefulness of the society.
They also send their newspapers to the library and these files will in
time, in fact they do now. furnish valuable history of the1 localities in
which they are published.
The society has lost by the hand of death nine of its members.
They are: Judge James B. Bradwell, one of our honorary members:
Mrs. Eliza Kincaid Wilson, also an honorary member; Judge David
McCulloch, one of the founders and a director of the society: Mr.
Charles A. Dilg, Hon. L. H. Kerrick, Mr. John B. Orendorff, Dr. A.
P. Coulter, Mr. Peyton Roberts and Hon. Win. Yocke, one of our
vice presidents. Suitable notices of these members will appear in the
transactions of the society.
I wish again to ask the members of the society to inform the sec-
retary of the deaths of any members of the society. Our membership
is now so large and extends over the entire State, and it sometimes
happens that deaths occur and that the secretary, not receiving notice
of them, is unable to record them.
The president and secretary of the society attended the meeting which
celebrated the semi-centennial of the Chicago Historical Society on Feb-
13
ruary 8, 1907. An interesting historical address was delivered by Mr.
Franklin H. Head, the president of the Chicago Historical Society and
interesting letters of greeting and congratulation to this pioneer society
were read from many individuals and societies. A number of the mem-
bers of the Illinois State Historical Society arc also members of the
Chicago Historical Society and we had the pleasure of meeting them on
this interesting occasion. The president and secretary of the Illinois
State Historical Society also attended the annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Historical Association at Madison, Wisconsin, on December 27th and
28th, 1907. They attended a meeting of the conference of historical
societies of which Prof. E. B. Greene was the secretary, and on the same
day attended the meeting of the Association of Mississippi Valley His-
torical Societies.
At this latter meeting the subject of cooperation of historical so-
cities in the collection and publication of historical materials was thor-
oughly discussed and several plans were suggested for cooperation in
the collection of source materials from the original records in the
older states, and foreign countries. The Illinois State Historical So-
ciety was' represented in this discussion by President Orendorff and
Prof. ('. W. Alvord. The Illinois State Historical Society is no Longer
one of the small societies, and there are several societies thai are not
as old as we are. 1 want to urge the members of this society to take
some of the work of these important matters in hand. Our com-
mittees are active, bul as I said to you last year there is still room
for improvement along tins line. I want each member of the society
to aid in the collection of local material. If you have a local
society, and I hope you have, collect first for your local society,
and if you have no place to store your material urge your
county authorities, or your city council to help you to secure such a
place. If you have not a local society, send to the State society local
imprints, hook- or sermons and addresses printed in your towns, or
collections of letters, that throw light on the earlier history of the
State or any part of it. The secretary has since the last annual meeting-
prepared and placed in the Illinois State building at Jamestown at
the Ter-Centennial celebration of the settlement of Jamestown an his-
torical exhibit relating to Illinois and its people, as usual placing
-tress upon the Lincoln exhibit. The Illinois State commissioners
were well satisfied with the exhibit and have written me that there
was no state exhibit at the exposition which approached it in interest,
and that it was visited by more than ten thousand people during the
progress id' the exposition. It may not be out of place to speak of the
work done by the Fort Massac commission in marking the site of of I
Fort Massac. The secretary of the Historical Society is also secretary
to the Fort Massac commission. Fort Massac park is the property
of the State of Illinois and is supported by the State as a free public
park. The Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution appropriated
one thousand dollars toward a monument to George Rogers Clark
and his 154 brave companions in arms who captured Kaskaskia and
the northwest for the state of Virginia and so for the United States.
14
The park is situated on a beautiful bluff of the Ohio river on the
outskirts of the city of Metropolis in Massac county, Illinois. It is
a beautiful spot, and the monument lias been erected and is a
most creditable shaft. The dedicatory exercises of the park and mon-
ument will occur in the early summer and the commission and the
Daughters of the American Revolution are most anxious that the His- .
torical Society take part. I suggest that delegates be sent to the dedi-
cation of this truly historic spot, which marks an era in the historical
work of the State. Also at Quincy a monument will be erected to the
memory and in honor of George Rogers Clark. r! 'his monument is
erected from an appropriation by the State Legislature of $5,000. There
are many more historic spots, which the State should own and preserve.
Fort Gage. Starved Rock, and other sacred and historic spots should
receive attention from the society. In this connection i desire to
suggest that occasional meetings of the society should be held in the
various localities of the State. Would not a summer meeting at
Starved Rock in connection with the LaSalle county historical society
be pleasurable and profitable? I think that the meetings in the several
towns where the Lincoln-Douglas debates occurred will take the place
of these local meetings for this year, and while I know that the committee
for the celebration of the semi-centennial of the debates will call your
attention to these matters, 1 can not refrain from urging that the
society give the local committees the fullest sympathy and assistance.
I think that special committees from the society should be appointed
for each of these local celebrations. I believe the time is at hand
when tlie society should publish a regular bulletin or some form of
serial publication. Through these publications the work of local his-
torical societies could be greatly facilitated. They may be quarterly,
or bi-monthly, and they might be bound as a part of the annual transac-
tions. The papers read or collected by the local societies might form
a part of these bulletins.
I have often said that the work of the secretary of the society and the
librarian of the library go hand in hand and it is hard to separate them
in a report. The library has increased largely in the past year. Our
genealogical department' is especially flourishing and our collection of
genealogical works is a surprise to visitors. The chairman of the
committee on genealogy will make a report, so it is unnecessary for me to
speak of it further, except to urge any members of the society who may
have histories or historical sketches, however brief, of their families to
donate copies of them to the library. The library purchases general
works, but of course it can not buy family histories, as their name is
legion. The librarian will welcome information or suggestions along
this or other branches of the work of collecting historical material.
'We are preparing a bibliography of Illinois authors which the library
board will publish in due time: We ask for information of Illinoisans
who have written books, poems, songs, magazine or newspaper articles,
or of books about Illinois people, places or events. The reference
work of the library and society is constantly growing and I with my
15
assistant do our best to meet it, and to respond to all inquiries and do
the reference work which our correspondence requires. We receive
dozens of letters each day, to answer which requires considerable labor
and research. We have no stenographer regularly, but we sometimes
employ one for short periods. We now have in the library more than
twenty thousand books and pamphlets. The work of cataloguing and
classifying them is well kept up and it is of course no light task. Since
our last meeting the transactions for the year 190(5 have been pub-
lished. Five thousand copies of this valuable book were issued and
the demand for it increases every day. It js a matter of deep regret
to me that the earlier numbers of our transactions are entirely out
of print. No day passes but we have inquiries from new members
and others who wish to make their sets of our publications complete.
It will certainly be necessary to take some steps to have them re-
printed. Our last year's book is still in the hands of the printers.
As the affairs of the State grow, so the demands for State printing-
grow, and it becomes more difficult to hasten the book, but I think
you will be rewarded for your patience by its excellence when it finally
reaches your hands. The publication committee deserves the highest
commendation, and the fact that its chairman, Prof. E. B. Greene,
gives so much of his valuable time to the editorial supervision of our
transactions before the manuscript is placed in the hands of the printer
should be especially appreciated by the society, as it ensures the value
of the book according to modern historical methods:
The library has issued Illinois Historical Collections, Vol. 2, of
which you have all received copies. This is edited by Prof. (_'. W.
Alvord, whose splendid introduction, which is a history of Illinois as
a county of Virginia, is a distinct contribution to State history.
I very much regret that I am obliged to present to you the resig-
nation of Prof. E. E. Sparks as a director of the society, though he
will retain his membership and interest in this society for which he
has labored so untiringly. He goes to the State college of Pennsyl-
vania, and while we congratulate the Keystone state we are sorry to
lose him from Illinois. He leaves us as a valedictory work his splendid
volume, a new edition of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, which the library
board will shortly publish.
These, I think, are the most important of the numerous labors in
our field of State history. I wish to call your attention to the fact
that next year, 1909, will be the one hundredth anniversary of the
birth of Abraham Lincoln. The Governor recommended to the State
Legislature the appointment of a commission to arrange for an ap-
propriate celebration of this great historic occasion. The Legislature
by joint resolution authorized the Governor to appoint a commission
of fifteen citizens of the State to arrange for §l celebration in Spring-
field on February 12. 1909. This will be one of the great dates of the
twentieth century. I most earnestly urge that the society take an
active part in connection with the commission to be appointed by the
Governor, in making this one of the greatest celebrations that has ever
l(i
been given in this country. We should invite historical societies from
all the states, from large cities, from other countries, to send delegates
to Springfield for this great event. It may be that when the subject of
the change of date for holding our annual meeting is discussed you
may decide that yon would like to hold it at the time or very near the
time of this great international celebration. I would like to suggest
that you each try to make a list of the persons of your acquaintance, or
of whom you have any knowledge who actually knew Mr. Lincoln or
Mr. Douglas. We would be very glad to have copies of the reminis-
cences of these persons in the library. I suggest that you get such
persons to write, or to dictate their reminiscences, and send copies to
the secretary of the society.
The library is now so crowded that a new book becomes a problem..
It may be that as the legal department of the State is moving over to
the new and beautiful temple of justice, that we may obtain more
room and thus relieve the congestion.
Once more let me say that the society is growing, rapidly, vigor-
ously and wholesomely. Teachers, preachers; lawyers, doctors, mer-
chants, farmers, housewives. Illinoisans from every walk of life are
taking an interest in your work and trying to help you along. 1 will
not speak of the local societies for the chairman of the committee for
that purpose will tell you far better than I can how hopeful and en-
couraging is that work.
We are certainly marching on. I congratulate you. but I beg for
help to secure original manuscripts, letters, etc. 1 am very sensitive
of our deficiency in this respect. That is our great weakness. We
have not what Wisconsin and Iowa have as yet, but we will have at
no distant day. Illinois does not long remain behind in any branch
of its work.
May I be pardoned if 1 say a word that may seem too personal.
1 wish to say to the society that its thanks are due to my assistant.
Miss Georgia L. Osborne. She lias worked early and late. She has
never been too ill or too tired to work for the interest of the library
and the society. She has been.- indeed, my faithful and sympathetic
right hand. I hope you will pardon me for making this statement a
part of the records of the society.
Eespectfullv.
Jessie Palmer Weber,
Secretary Illinois Shite Historical Society.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
B. F. Shambaugh, expenses
Bell Miller, supplies..
J. C. Newman, supplies
Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, expenses..
Postage
R. L. Berry, piano
Rex Underwood, services
R. Albert Guest, services
Grace Fish, services
Jane P. Hubbell, supplies
Maldaner & Son
..do
Leland Hotel
C. R. Coon, postage
Printing programs
$34 75
13 50
5 25
15 55
70 00
4 00
5 00
10 00
5 00
3 00
28 60
14 60
4 50
25 00
15 00
-2 H S
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.
Springfield, III., Jan. 30, 1908.
Illinois State Historical Society:
Your committee on local historical societies would respectfully re-
port that we consider the general condition of the local societies in
the State as quite satisfactory. Most of these are active; a few however,
are quite the reverse.
At the late meeting of the American Historical Association at Mad-
ison, Wis., our State Historical Society was represented at the con-
ference of state and local historical societies by our president and
secretary, and these delegates learned that very few, if any, of the
states can show a larger number of organized local societies. It is
very difficult for a committee whose members are remote from the
State Society's rooms to keep in proper touch with these local societies,
and the efforts of the committee to foster and assist such organization?
should, in our opinion, be supplemented by oversight from the State
Society's headquarters.
We believe the time has arrived when these local societies should
be in much closer relation to the State Society. We therefore recom-
mend that our State secretary call on all of the local societies for the
addresses of their officers and all of the members, in order that infor-
mation concerning the State Society with hints and suggestions to the
local societies may be sent occasionally to such officers and members.
We also suggest to our own society, in case it is decided to publish
its proceedings and some other historical material through a quarterly,
that in each issue there be a department of local history.
' It may also be a good plan to give notice to such local societies as
do not possess fireproof buildings, that in case copies of important
local papers shall be sent to Springfield they will be carefully preserved
for the benefit of these societies.
Other suggestions will naturally occur from time to time to the
officers of the State Society in case closer relations shall be found
desirable. Respectfully submitted,
J. H. BURNHAM,
Chairman.
19
KEPORT OF COMMITTEE OX GENEALOGY AND GENEAL-
OGICAL PUBLICATIONS.
Springfield, III., January 30, 1908.
To the Officers and Members of the Illinois State Historical Society:'
. Your Committee on Genealogy and Genealogical Publications, begs
leave to submit the following report :
So far as it lias been possible, the works on genealogy recommended
by the committee in our last report have been, purchased. Owing to the
illness of Miss Thayer, Librarian of the State Library, nothing has
been done in the matter of transferring the works on genealogy from the
State Library to the State Historical Library. The list recommended
at our last meeting has been submitted to the State Librarian.
We wish to acknowledge gifts of family histories to the society from
the following persons: Dr. Leffingwell of Knoxville, 111., Mr. V. C.
Sanborne of LaGrange, 111., and Mr. Norman G. Flagg of Moro, 111.
I wish to call the attention of the members of the society to this
department of the library and its usefulness and growing needs. The
library has made a fine beginning and now contains a good working
genealogical collection, which is in constant use.
We would like the cooperation of the members of the society in
securing works on genealogy, such as family histories, town histories,
and of local communities in the State. If you know of any family
history that has been compiled or is being compiled, and will notify
us as to the authors, so that we can communicate with them, and by this
means have a copy of the history deposited in the library, it will be a
great help along this line, as it would be impossible to purchase family
histories (save in cases of allied families) and by this means such his-
tories would be accessible to the public.
Georgia L. Osborne.
Chairman of Committee on Genealogy and Genealogical Publications,
Illinois State Historical Society.
There has recently been added to the genealogical collection in the
library the following important works on genealogy :
Connecticut — Colonial and Revolutionary Records of Connecticut. Published
by the Connecticut Historical Society.
History of Wallingford, Conn., from its settlement in 1670 to the
present time, including Meriden, which was one of its parishes until
1806, and Chester, which was incorporated in 1780. Davis, Charles
Stanley, M. D., Meriden, Conn.. 1870.
Georgia — Colonial Records of Georgia, Vols. 1-17. 1732-1774. Revolutionary
Records of Georgia, Vols. 1 and 2, 1769-1785; Candler, Allen D., compiler,
Atlanta, Ga. The Franklin-Turner Co., publishers.
History of Georgia, 2 vols.; Jones, Charles C, Jr. Houghton Mifflin
& Co., publishers, Boston, 1883.
History of Atlanta, Ga.; Reed, Wallace P., Syracuse, N. Y., 1889.
D. Mason & Co., publishers.
History of the Midway Church, Georgia; Stacy, James. Newnan,
Ga., 1903.
History of Georgia from its discovery by Europeans to the adoption
of the present constitution in 1798; Stevens, (Rev.) William Bacon,
M. D., N. Y., 1847. D. Appleton & Co., publishers.
Kentucky — History of the Presbyterian church in Kentucky, with a prelim-
inary sketch of the churches in the valley of Virginia; Davidson, (Rev.)
Robert, D. D., N. Y., 1867. Robert Carter, publisher.
Maine — Names of Soldiers of the American Revolution who applied for State
bounty under resolves of March 17, 1835, March 24, 1836, and March 20,
1838; House, Charles J., compiler.
Maryland— The Maryland Calendar of Wills from 1635 to 1685, 1685 to 1702.
Baldwin, Jane (Jane Baldwin Cotton), compiler, Baltimore, Md., 1904-1906.
Massachusetts — Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth; Davis, William T., Boston,
1883. S.- Williams & Co., publishers.
Colonial Society of Massachusetts, publications of, 1895-1900.
Dedham, Mass., Church Records, 1635-1845; Hill, Don Gleason, editor.
Dedham, Mass., 1888.
History of Cape Cod, 2 vols.; Freeman, Frederick, Boston, 1858-1862.
History of the town of Dtixbury, Mass.; Winsor, Justin, Boston, 1849.
History of the town of Medford, of Middlesex county, Mass., from its
first settlement in 1630 to 1855; Usher, James M., compiler, Boston.
1886. Rand, Avery & Co., publishers.
New Hampshire — New Hampshire Provincial and State Papers, Vols. 1-30,
1623-1768.
New Jersey — Documents relating to the Colonial and Revolutionary History
of the State of New' Jersey. Archives of New Jersey. Published by the
New Jersey Historical Society.
New Jersey as a Colony and as a State, 4 vols.; Francis Bazley, Lee
Publishing Society of New Jersey, 1903.
New York— History of New York during the Revolution. DeLancey, Edward
Floyd, editor; 2 vols. New York Historical Society, publishers, 1879.
History of Schoharie county and Border Wars of New York; Simms,
Jeptha R., Albany, N. Y., 1845.
Pennsylvania — Snyder County Marriages, 1835-1899; Wagenseller, George W.,
A. M., compiler, Middleburg, Pa., 1899. Wagenseller Publishing Co.
Rhode Island — Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, comprising three
generations of settlers who came before 1690, with many families carried
to the fourth generation; Austin, John Osborn, compiler, Albany, N. Y..
1887. Joel Munsell's Sons, publishers.
Vital Records of Rhode Island, 1636-1850, Vols. 1-15; Arnold, James
N., compiler, Providence, R. I., 1891-1906. Narragansett Historical
Publishing Co., publishers.
South Carolina — Historical Collections of South Carolina, 2 vols. N. Y., 1836.
Harper Bros., publishers. Carroll, B. R., compiler.
History of South Carolina under the Proprietary Government, 1670-
1719; under the Royal Government, 1719-1776. History of South
Carolina in the Revolution, 1775-1780; McCrady, Edward, LL. D.,
4 vols. N. Y., 1901-1902, The Macmillan Co., publishers.
History of South Carolina from its First Settlement in 1670, to the
year 1808; Ramsay, David, M. D.; 2 vols. Charleston, 1809. Pub-
lished by David Longworth.
Vermont — History of Bradford, Vt.; McKeen, (Rev.) Silas, D. D. Mont-
pelier, Vt., 1875.
Virginia — Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, Va.; Green,
Raleigh Travers, compiler, Culpeper, Va., 1900.
Parish Register of Saint Peters, New Kent County, Va., from 1680
to 1787. Va. National Society of Colonial Dames, publishers, Rich-
mond, 1904.
Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, Va., from 1653
to 1812. Virginia National Society of Colonial Dames, publishers,
Richmond, 1897.
Some Prominent Virginia Families; Belief, Louise Pecquet du; Rich-
mond, 1908.
Virginia County Records, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800; Crozier,
William Armstrong, F. R. S., editor. N. Y., 1905, Fox, Duffield &
Co., publishers.
Virginia Colonial Militia, 1651-1776; Crozier, William Armstrong,
F. R. S., editor. N. Y., 1905.
General Works.
A List of Emigrant Ministers to America, 1690-1811; Fothergill, Gerald,
London, 1904.
Bibliographia Genealogica Americana— An alphabetical index to American
genealogies and pedigrees, etc.; Durrie, Daniel S., Albany, N. Y., 1886.
Joel Munsell's Sons, publishers.
Colonial Families of the United States of America; Mackenzie, George Nor-
bury, LL. B., editor. N. Y., 1907, The Grafton Press (there will be future
publications).
Society of Colonial Wars, 2 vols., 1899, 1902, 1903, 1906. Published by the
Society.
The American Genealogist, being a catalogue of family histories, etc. Joel
Munsell's Sons, Albany, N. Y., 1900.
United States Department of Commerce and Labor; Bureau of the Census.
Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States taken in the
year 1790 in the following States: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Rhode
Island, Vermont and Virginia.
The following periodicals:
Virginia Magazine of Biography and History, Vol. I, 1893 to 1908. Richmond,
Va.
William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. I, 1892 to 1908. Lyon G. Tyler, ed., Wil-
liamsburg, Va.
The Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly, 1898-1908; published in Colum-
bus, O.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FROM THE ILLINOIS COLORED
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
General Advancement of the Colored People.
By Martha Hicklin.
The Illinois Colored Historical Society was organized on June 23,
1905, by Dr. J. H. Magee, and this paper gives a summary of the work
of this society and the general progress of the colored race throughout
the country with particular reference, however, to the city of Spring-
field, 111. It contained a list of prominent colored men and women with
some account of the responsible positions they occupy. Colored men
ind women are entering into the various walks of life' of the professional
and business world and taking a prominent position therein. The paper
also contained an account of the charitable and religious activities of
the race. The writer spoke in the most hopeful maimer of the future
of the colored people in America.
PART II.
Papers Read at the Annual Meeting
1908
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1854.
By Horace White.
When I was asked to address you on some particular event or feature
of Mr. Lincoln's career, I chose the period of 1854, because I then first
became acquainted with him and because he then received his first great
awakening and showed his countrymen what manner of man he was.
His debate with Douglas in 1858 became more celebrated because it
focused the attention of a greater audience and led to larger imme-
diate results, but the latter was merely a continuation of the former.
The subject of debate was the same in both years, the combatants were
the same, and the audiences were in part the same. The contest of
1858 has been more talked about and written about than any other in-
tellectual encounter in our national annals, and that is perhaps another
reason why I should address you on the earlier one which was its real
beginning.
The Political Situation in 1854.
The year 1854 began in a period of reaction in our politics. In 1848
the Free Soil party had polled nearly 300,000 votes for Martin Van
Buren for President. In 1852 its strength had dwindled to about half
that number. Franklin Pierce was President, Jefferson Davis, Secretary
of War, and Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice. Seward, Fish, Sumner,
Chase, Fessenden, Toombs and Douglas were the only Senators who are
now generally remembered. Two members of the House, Breckenridge
and Hendricks became Vice Presidents later; of the remaining 231
members only Banks, Benton, Grow, and Alexander H. Stephens can
be readily identified by the present generation. Among the governors
of states were Seymour of New York, Grimes of Iowa, and Andrew
Johnson of Tennessee. All the others have dropped below the horizon,
but it is doubtful if any of them is more obscure now than Abraham
Lincoln was in 1854. He had been a member of Congress for one term,
but had been shelved. He had made a speech in the House reviewing
the acts of President Polk in bringing on the war with Mexico. It was
a good speech. It contained the Lincolnian marks of logical force and
felicitous choice of words, but it was not the best speech made on his
26
own side of the House on that subject. The best speech was made by
Alexander Stephens of Georgia. So Lincoln himself said in a letter to
Herndon dated Washington, February 2, 1848., in these words:
"Dear William: I just take my pen to say that Mr. Stephens of Georgia,
a little, thin, pale-faced, consumptive man, with a voice like Logan's has just
concluded the very best speech of an hour's length I ever heard. My old,
withered, .dry eyes are full of tears yet."
Such praise from such a source prompted me to search the pages of
the Congressional Globe and read that speech of a Southern statesman
against a war waged in the interest of slavery. I found it replete with
legal and constitutional lore, with moral grandeur and righteous indig-
nation, and tinged with such glimpses of battle and death, and needless
suffering and sorrow, that I wondered not that Abraham Lincoln at the
age of thirty-nine wept over the picture. -How little did these two men
then think that they were destined to meet in conference seventeen years
later, charged with far greater responsibilities in a bloodier conflict.
Abraham Lincoln and Henry Clay.
Mr. Lincoln was a follower of Henry Clay. On the 16th of July,
1852, he delivered in Springfield a funeral oration on the great Ken-
tuckian in which, among other titles to distinction, he named him as
the chief actor in framing and passing the Missouri Compromise act of
1820. The Missouri Compromise was an agreement between the north
and the south, in Congress assembled, by which Missouri was admitted
to the Union as a slave-holding state on condition that slavery should
be forever prohibited in the territory west of Missouri and north of the
line of 36° 30' north latitude. In his eulogy of Clay, Mr. Lincoln
quoted a passage of noble eloquence from him in 1827, in which slavery
was spoken of as a detestable crime in its origin, and as the product
of fraud and violence against the most unfortunate portion of the globe.
Then Mr. Lincoln added these words:
"Pharaoh's country was cursed with plagues and his hosts were lost in
tne Red Sea for striving to retain a captive people who had already served
them more than four hundred years. May like disasters never befall us!"
What a fearful looking for, of judgment to come, was there fore-
shadowed !
In 1852 slavery was not the exciting subject of controversy that it be-
came a few years later, and a Henry Clay Whig in Central Illinois was
not likely to catch fire from the torch of Garrison in Boston, or even from
that of Elijah Lovejoy in Alton. Nevertheless, Mr.. Lincoln's mind
was brooding over the abyss, as we discover by some loose scraps of his
handwriting which have escaped the tooth of time, and to which I shall
allude presently.
Bepeal of the Missouri Compromise,
On the 4th of January, 1854, Senator Douglas of Illinois reported
from the Committee on Territories, a bill to organize the Territory of
Nebraska, embracing all the country west of the state of Missouri and
27
north of 30° 30' north latitude. It provided that said territory, or any
portion of it, when admitted as a state or states, should be received
into the Union with or without slavery, as their constitution might pre-
scribe at the time of their admission. The Missouri Compromise Act
of 1820 was not repealed by this provision, and it must have been plain
to everybody that if slavery were excluded from the Territory it would
not be there when the people should conic together to form a State.
Three days later a provision was inserted by Douglas that all questions
pertaining to slavery in the territories, and in the new states to be
formed therefrom, should be left to the decision of the people residing
therein by their representatives to be chosen by them for that purpose.
Even this did not repeal the Missouri Compromise. Although it allowed
the people while in the territorial condition to talk and vote on slavery
in the abstract, it did not open the door to any slaves, nor did it fix any
time when the talking and voting on the abstract question should be
decisive.
Twelve days after the Nebraska bill was first reported Senator Dixon
of Kentucky offered an amendment to repeal the Missouri Compromise
outright, and after some resistance Douglas accepted it, and a few days
later he brought in a new bill dividing the territory into two parts,
Kansas and Nebraska. The object of this division was to give the Mis-
sourians a chance to make the southernmost one a slave state, if they
could. ' The Missourians so understood it. In their eyes the Kansas-
Nebraska bill was a new Missouri Compromise founded upon the ruins
of the old one.
The bill passed both Houses of Congress and became a law May 30,
1854. By its terms it was based npon the principle of "popular sov-
ereignty," or "sacred right of self-government," or "right of the people
to govern themselves." Yet it was open -to more than one interpretation,
since it did not say at what period, or in what manner, the right to ad-
mit or reject slavery might be exercised. Should this decision be made
by the first one hundred, or one thousand, or ten thousand settlers in the
territory? Should the right to determine the question rest with the
Territorial Legislature or with a Constitutional Convention, and in the
latter case should the Constitution be submitted to a popular vote for
ratification or rejection? Only one thing was altogether certain, and
that was that the barrier which had excluded slavery from the territory
in question had been swept away.
Its Effect Upon Lincoln.
Herndon tells us that with the repeal of the Missouri Compromise his
office discussions with Lincoln on politics became more animated, Lincoln
insisting that the differences between freedom and slavery were becom-
ing sharper — that the one must overcome the other, and that postponing
the struggle would only make it the more deadly in the end. "The day
of compromise," he said, "had passed. These two great ideas had been
kept apart only by the most artful means. They were like two wild
28
beasts in sight of each other, but held apart. Some day these deadly
antagonists would break their bonds and then the question would be
settled."
The repeal of the Missouri Compromise opened Lincoln's eyes to the
fact that this country could not endure permanently half slave and half
free. His first public expression of that belief was given in Springfield
in his speech before the Eepublican State Convention, June 16, 1858,
but he gave private expression to it in 1854. Mr. Frederick Trevor Hill,
in his book on Lincoln as a Lawyer, says:
"Lincoln was attending court on the circuit when the news [of the pass-
age of the Nebraska bill] reached him, and Judge Dickey, one of his fellow
practitioners, who was sharing his room in the local tavern at the time,
reports that .uincoln sat on the edge of his bed and discussed the political
situation far into the night. At last Dickey fell asleep, but when he awoke
in the morning Lincoln was sitting up in bed, deeply absorbed in thought.
'I tell you, Dickey,' he observed, as though continuing the argument of the
previous evening, 'this nation cannot exist half slave and half free.' "
Thomas Jefferson said something very like this, but in less sententious
phrase, in 1820, when the Missouri Compromise was enacted. He then
said:
"A geographical line coinciding with a marked principle, moral and polit-
ical, once conceived and held up to the angry passions of men, will never be
obliterated, and every irritation will mark it deeper and deeper."
Lincoln had quoted these very words from Jefferson in his eulogy on
Clay in 1852, yet they did not cause his heart to burn within him — they
did not come to him as a revelation — they did not set the American
Union before him as a house divided against itself until the Missouri
Compromise was actually repealed. The repeal was like a blow on the
head, which causes a man to see stars in the daytime.
Its Effect on the Northern States.
When the Nebraska bill passed there was an explosion in every North-
ern state. The old parties were rent asunder and a new one began to
collect around the nucleus which had supported Hale and Julian in
1852. These elements, came together in mass conventions in 1854 in
Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, and voted to form a new party under the
name Eepublican. In Illinois, however, the movement was slower. The
elements were too discordant to crystallize readily. Eather more than
one-half the population of the State was of Southern birth or descent.
These people, whether classed as Whigs or Democrats, were very sus-
picious of anything which bore the taint of Abolitionism. Hence the
men in the northern counties, of New England origin, who were eager
to follow the example of their co-workers in the neighboring states, were
obliged to consider the situation of their friends in the central and
southern counties, and were thus restrained from taking immediate
steps to form a new party.
The opponents of the Nebraska bill in Illinois were ranged in three
camps, as Whigs, Anti-Nebraska Democrats, and Free-Soilers or Eepub-
licans. Of the first Mr. Lincoln soon became the recognized leader. The
second was without a distinctive head, but Lyman Trumbull, by the
29
promptness and energy he had shown in combating the Nebraska bill in
the St. Clair district, seemed to be the coming man. The Free-Soilers
were led by Owen Lovejoy and Ichabod Codding, two Congregational
clergymen, whose lips had been touched by a live coal from off the altar
of eternal justice.
These men were pre-eminently qualified for the tusk of moulding the
diverse elements of the State into an effective army. At the beginning
Lovejoy and Codding were the only ones who were entirely foot-loose and
had a clear view of the course before them. The others were constrained
by the fogginess of their environment to feel their way and to move with
caution. They were fitted for their work because they were in true
sympathy with their following. They were successful because they were
not precipitate.
Stephen A. Douglas.
Yet, highly gifted as they were, they had a hard task before them in
attempting to unhorse Stephen A. Douglas in Illinois. With him they
had grown into some local fame and prominence, but he had distanced
them in the race for public preferment and had reached a position of
world-wide celebrity, while they were still little known beyond their own
bailiwicks. He had achieved this distinction without external aid or
prestige; with no powerful friends to give him a start. Nobody ever be-
gan the battle of life in humbler surroundings or with smaller pecuniary
resources. Yet his advance was so rapid that it seemed as though he
had only to ask anything from his fellow citizens in order to have it
given to him more abundantly than he desired. He had filled the offices
of State's Attorney, member of the Legislature, register of the land
office at Springfield, Secretary of State, Judge of the Supreme Court,
Representative in Congress. Senator of the United States, and had been
a formidable candidate for the Presidency in the Democratic National
Convention of 1852.
In Congress, he had taken an active part in the annexation of Texas,
in the Avar with Mexico, in the Oregon boundary dispute, and in the land
grant for the Illinois Central Railway. In the Democratic party he had
forged to the front by virtue of boldness in leadership, untiring industry,
boundless ambition and self-confidence and horse power, engaging man-
ners, great capacity as a party organizer, and unsurpassed powers as an
orator and debater. He had a large head, surmounted by an abundant
mane, which gave him the appearance of a lion prepared to roar or to
crush his prey, and the resemblance was not seldom confirmed when he
opened his mouth on the stump or in the Senate chamber. Although
patriotic beyond a doubt, he was color blind to moral principles in poli-
tics and stone blind to the evils of slavery. In stature he was only five
feet four inches high, but he had earned the title of the "Little Giant"
before he entered Congress, and he kept it with the concurrence of both
friends and enemies till the day of his death. In 1854 he filled the
public eye in larger measure than any other American. He was the only
man then living who could have carried through Congress a bill to re-
peal the Missouri Compromise. He was the only northern man who
30
would have had the audacity to propose it. Douglas and Lincoln had
been rivals on many occasions and for many things, including the hand
of Mary Todd, but Douglas had so completely distanced his competitor
in the race for political honors that he hardly regarded him as a factor
in the campaign of 1854. He probably considered Lincoln out of poli-
tics, as indeed he was until he came back on the crest of a great moral
uprising.
• Lincoln Collecting His Thoughts.
I have said that Lincoln's mind was brooding over the abyss which the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise had disclosed. Some scraps of his
handwriting have been preserved, to which the date of July, 1854, has
been assigned in his printed works. They are doubtless part of the con-
tents of his hat, which Herndon tells us was the handy receptacle of the
thoughts that he occasionally jotted down and to which he desired to
have easy reference. Among these fugitive pieces was the following,
dated July, 1854 :
"The ant who has toiled and dragged a crumb to his nest will furiously
defend the fruit of his labor against whatever robber assails him. So plain
is it that the most dumb and stupid slave that ever toiled for a master does
constantly know that he is wronged. So plain that no one, high or low, ever
does mistake it, except in a plainly selfish way; for although volume upon
volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of a
man who wishes to take the good of it by being a slave himself."
Again, same date :
"We know Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired
laborers among us. How little they know whereof they speak! There is no
permanent class of hired laborers among us. Twenty-five years ago I was a
hired laborer. The hired laborer of yesterday labors on his own account to-
day and will hire others to labor for him to-morrow."
Again, same date:
"If A can prove, however conclusively, that he may of right enslave B,
why may not B snatch the same argument and prove equally that he may
enslave A? You say A is white and B is black. It is color, then; the
lighter having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule
you are to be the slave of the first man you meet with a fairer skin than
your own. You do not mean color exactly? You mean the whites are
intellectually the superiors of the blacks and therefore have the right to
enslave them? Take care again. By this rule you are to be the slave of
the first man you meet with an intellect superior to your own."
It happened that the Illinois Legislature was in Bession when Douglas
introduced bis Nebraska bill. In a letter to Joshua P. Speed, written
subsequently, Lincoln said that of the one hundred members of the two
Ileuses, seventy were Democrats and that they held a party caucus to
consider the measure. It turned out that only three of the whole number
favored the hill. But a day or two later orders came from Douglas
directing that resolutions be passed approving it. There was an immed-
iate "flop" on the part of these dissenting statesmen. The resolutions
were passed by a large majority, and the party in Illinois thus became
committed to the measure — a remarkable instance of the throttling power
of party discipline. Three Democratic Senators, however (Judd, Cook
31
and Palmer), refused to endorse the measure. Judd and Cook repre-
sented northern counties, where public sentiment was overwhelmingly
hostile to the Nebraska bill. Palmer was in a more difficult position.
His constitutents were mainly of Southern birth or descent — he was a
Kentuckian himself and he represented Macoupin in the Legislature.
To the Kepublican imagination fifty years ago Macoupin was as dark as
Erebus. A letter from Lincoln to Palmer dated September 7, 1854.
suggesting that since the latter had determined not to swallow the nau-
seous Nebraska pill, he should make a few public speeches stating his
reasons for dissenting, is in the published correspondence of the former.
The Debates of 1851.
Senator Douglas made his first appearance in Illinois after the passage
of his bill on the evening of September 1, 1854, at Chicago. Here he
attempted to defend his course in repealing the Missouri Compromise.
He had a chilling reception, and his friends asserted that he had been
refused a hearing and that the meeting had been broken up by an Aboli-
tionist mob. I was on the platform as a reporter, and my recollection
of what happened is still vivid. There was nothing like violence at any
time, but there was disorder growing out of the fact that the people had
come prepared to dispute Douglas's sophisms and that Douglas himself
was far from conciliatory when he found himself facing an unfriendly
audience. The meeting was certainly a failure, and Douglas decided to
make no more speeches in that part of the State during the campaign.
His next appearance was in Springfield during the week of the State
Pair, where the most notable people of the State were assembled. He
had announced that he would speak in the large hall of the State House
on the 3d of October. As soon as the announceihent was made Mr.
Lincoln decided to reply to him on the following day from the same
platform.
Douglas's justification of his Nebraska bill was that it established the
principle of popular sovereignty in the territories as it already existed
in the states. Why, he asked, should not the people of the territories have
the right to form and regulate their own domestic institutions in their
own way ? Did they lose any of their rights or capabilities of self-govern-
ment by migrating from their old homes to new ones? By ringing the
changes of popular sovereignty and "sacred right of self-government,"
he was able to raise a good deal of dust and to obscure the real issue.
The fallacy lay in the assumption that property in slaves did not differ
from other kinds of property, and that taking negroes to the new terri-
tories and holding them there as slaves, was to be regarded in the same
way as taking cattle, sheep and swine.
Lincoln's Speech at Springfield, October 4.
Mr. Lincoln began his speech with an historical sketch of the events
leading to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and then took up the
fallacy of Douglas's "sacred right of self-government," to which he gave
a merciless exposure, turning it over and over, inside and out, stripping
32
off its mask, and presenting it in such light that nobody could fail to see
the deception embodied in it. Such an exposition necessarily involved a
discussion of slavery in all its aspects, and here for the first time do we
find any broad and resounding statement of Mr. Lincoln's own attitude
toward the institution. Here perhaps was the first distinct occasion for
his making such a statement. He had voted in Congress some forty
times for the Wilmot Proviso, so that his opposition to the extension of
slavery into the territories was not doubtful. As a stump speaker he had
languidly supported the compromise measures of 1850. But until now
there had been no occasion which imperatively called upon him to de-
clare his position on the slavery question as a national political issue.
Such a call had now come, and he did not hesitate to tell the whole
truth as he understood it. The telling of it makes this speech one of the
imperishable political discourses of our history, if not of all time. It is
superior to Webster's reply to Hayne, because its theme is loftier and its
scope wider. The keynote of .Webster's speech was patriotism — the
doctrine of self-government crystallized in the Federal Union; that of
Lincoln's was patriotism plus humanity, the humanity of the negro whose
place in the family of man was denied, either openly or tacitly, by the
supporters of the Nebraska bill. I think also that Lincoln's speech is
the superior of the two as an example of English style. It lacks some-
thing of the smooth, compulsive flow which takes the intellect captive
in the Websterian diction, but it excels in the simplicity, directness and
lucidity which appeal both to the intellect and to the heart.
I heard the whole of that speech. It was a warmish day in early
October, and Mr. Lincoln was in his shirt sleeves when he stepped on the
platform. I observed that, although awkward, he was not in the least
embarrassed. He began in a slow and hesitating manner, but without
any mistakes of language, dates, or facts. It was evident that he had
mastered his subject, that he knew what he was going to say, and that he
knew he was right. He had a thin, high-pitched falsetto voice of much
carrying power, that could be heard a long distance in spite of the bustle
and tumult of a crowd. He had the accent and pronunciation peculiar
to his native state, Kentucky. Gradually he warmed up with his subject,
his angularity disappeared, and he passed into that attitude of uncon-
scious majesty that is so conspicuous in Saint-Gauden's statue at the
entrance of Lincoln Park in Chicago. I have often wondered how this
artist, who never saw the subject of his work, could have divined his
presence and his dignity as a public speaker so perfectly.
His Impassioned Utterances.
Progressing with his theme, his words began to come faster and his
face to light up with the rays of genius and his body to move in unison
with his thoughts. His gestures were made with his body and head
rather than with his arms. They were the natural expression of the mam
and so perfectly adapted to what he was saying that anything different
from it would have been .quite' inconceivable. Sometimes his manner
was very impassioned, and he seemed transfigured with his subject.
Perspiration would stream from his face, and each particular hair would
stand on end. Then the inspiration that possessed him took possession
of his hearers also. His speaking went to the heart because it came from
the heart. I have heard celebrated orators who could start thunders of
applause without changing any mans opinion. Mr. Lincoln's eloquence
was of the higher type, which produced conviction in others because of
the conviction of the speaker himself. His listeners felt that he believed
every word he said, and that, like Martin Luther, he would go to the
stake rather than abate one jot or tittle of it. In such transfigured
moments as these he was the type of the ancient Hebrew prophet as I
learned that character at Sunday-school in my childhood.
That there were, now and then, electrical discharges of high tension in
Lincoln's eloquence is a fact little remembered, so few persons remain
who ever came within its range. The most remarkable outburst took
place at the Bloomington Convention of May 29, 1856, at which the anti-
Nebraska forces of Illinois were first collected and welded together as one
party. Mr. John L. Scripps, editor of the Chicago Democratic Press, who
was present — a man of gravity little likely to be carried off his feet by
spoken words — said:
"Never was an audience more completely electrified by human eloquence.
Again and again during its delivery they sprang to their feet and upon the
benches and testified by long-continued shouts and the waving of hats how
deeply the speaker had wrought upon their minds and hearts. It fused the
mass of hitherto incongruous elements into perfect homogeneity; and from
that day to the present they have worked together in harmonious and fra-
ternal union."
The speech of 1854 made so profound an impression on me that I feel
under its spell to this day. It is known in history as Mr. Lincoln's
Peoria speech. Although first delivered in Springfield on October 1, it
was repeated twelve days later at Peoria. Mr. Lincoln did not use a
scrap of paper on either occasion, but he wrote it out afterwards at the
request of friends and published it in successive numbers of the weekly
Sangamon Journal at Springfield. In like manner were the orations of
Cicero preserved. In this way has been preserved for us the most mas-
terly forensic utterance of the whole slavery controversy, as I think.
The Humanity of the Negko.
Where the whole is of uniform excellence it is not easy to make ex-
tracts, but I shall make one or two, the first one touching the theme of
the humanity of the negro, which the Douglas doctrine of "popular
sovereignty'' ignored :
"The great majority, South as well as North (he said), have human sympa-
thies, of which they can no more divest themselves than they can of their
sensibility to physical pain. These sympathies, in the bosoms of the South-
ern people, manifest, in many ways, their sense of the wrong of slavery and
their consciousness that, after all, there is humanity in the negro. If they
deny this let me address them a few plain questions. In 1820 you joined
the North in declaring the African slave trade piracy and annexing to it the
punishment of death. Why did you do this? If you did not feel that it was
—3 H S
wrong why did you join in providing that men should he hung for it? The
practice was no more than bringing wild negroes from Africa to such as
would buy them. But you never thought of hanging men for catching and
selling wild horses, wild buffaloes, or wild cattle.
"Again, you have among you a sneaking individual of the class of native
tyrants known as the slave-dealer. He watches your necessities and crawls
up to buy your slave at a speculating price. If you cannot help it you will
sell to him, but if you can help it you drive him from your door. You de-
spise him utterly. You do not recognize him as a friend or even as an
honest man. Your children must not play v/ith his; they may rollick freely
with the little negroes, but not with the slave-dealer's children. If you are
obliged to deal with him, you try to get through with the job without so
much as touching him. It is common with you to join hands with the men
you meet, but with the slave-dealer you avoid the ceremony — instinctively
shrinking from the snaky contact. If he grows rich and retires from busi-
ness you still remember him and still keep up the ban of non-intercourse up-
on him and his family. You do not so treat the man who deals in corn,
cotton, or tobacco.
"And yet again. There are in the United States and Territories, includ-
ing the District of Columbia, 433,643 free blacks. At five hundred dollars
per head they are worth over two hundred millions of dollars. How comes
this vast amount of property to be running about without owners? We
do not see free horses or free cattle running at large. How is this? All
these free blacks are the descendants of slaves or have been slaves them-
selves; and they would be slaves now but for something which has operated
on their white owners inducing them at vast pecuniary sacrifice to liberate
them. Is there any mistaking it? In all these cases it is your sense of
justice and human sympathy continually telling you that the poor negro has
some natural right to himself and that those who make mere merchandise
of him deserve kicking, contempt, and death.
"And now why will you ask us to deny the humanity of the slave and
estimate him only as the equal of the hog? "Why ask us to do for nothing
what two hundred millions of dollars could not induce you to do?"
Another striking feature of this speech was the spirit of sympathy and
justice shown toward the Southern whites. He said :
"They are just what we should be in their situation. If slavery did not
now exist among them they would not introduce it. If it did now exist
among us we should not instantly give it up * * * When the Southern
people tell us they are no more responsible for the origin of slavery than
we are, I acknowledge the fact. When it is said that the institution exists
and that it is very difficult to get rid of in any satisfactory way, I can
understand and appreciate the same. I surely will not blame them for not
duiiig whatr I should not know how to do myself. If all earthly power
weir- gJvan me I should not know what to do with the existing institution.
My first impulse would be to free all the slaves and send them to Liberia,
to their own native land. But a moment's reflection would convince me
that whatever of high hope (as I think there is) there may be in this,
in the long run, its sudden execution is impossible. If they were all landed
there iu a day they would all perish in the next ten days; and there are
not surplus shipping and surplus money enough to carry them there in many
times ten days. * * * . But all this, to my judgment, furnishes no more
excuse for permitting slavery to go into our own free territory than it
would for reviving the African slave trade by law."
Senator Douglas sat on a front bench within ten or twelve feet of
Lincoln during the whole of the latter's speech.
First Steps to Organize the Eepublican Party.
William H. Herudon was an Abolitionist like Owen Lovejoy. Lovejoy
himself was present at this State Fair gathering, and he, too, heard the
Lincoln-Douglas debate. As soon as Lincoln had concluded his speech
Lovejoy or Codding moved forward from the crowd and announced that
a meeting of the friends of freedom would be held that evening. The
object in view was to take steps to organize the Eepublican party in Illi-
nois as it had already been organized in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio.
Herndon perceived at once that the atmosphere of central Illinois was
not yet tempered to such a movement. He knew that Lovejoy and the
fiery souls allied with him could not be restrained, and that they in-
tended to invite Lincoln personally to come to their, meeting and say
something cheering to them. He feared also that if Lincoln did not come
they would be offended and perhaps turn against him in the coming
contest for the Senatorship.
So he sought Lincoln at once, and urged him to get into his buggy
and drive to Tazewell county under pretence of having professional bus-
iness there, and to stay away from Springfield till this crowd of radicals
should disperse to the several homes. Lincoln did so. He kept out
of Springfield until the radicals had finished their work. But they put
his name on a list of members of a Eepublican State Committee with-
out consulting him, and a little later Mr. Codding sent him a notice to
attend a meeting of this committee. Lincoln replied to Codding in a
letter dated November 27, 1854, asking why his name had been used
without his consent. He said he supposed that his opposition to slavery
was as strong as that of any member of the Eepublican party, but that
the extent to which he was prepared to carry that opposition practically
was probably not satisfactory to the gentlemen composing the meeting.
As the leading men who were seeking to organize that party were
present on the 4th of October at the discussion between Douglas and
himself, he wished to know whether they had misunderstood him or
whether he had misunderstood them. What answer Codding made, if
an}', we are not informed. But we know that Lovejoy was elected a
member of the Legislature in November and that he voted for Lincoln
for Senator.
Lincoln Keeps Out of it in 1854. *-TcU«7HtJ
Although Lincoln kept out of this pitfall in the manner indicated,
Douglas met with a mishap in consequence of it. In the Ottawa joint
debate four years later he began his attack on Lincoln with a reference
to the meeting which Lovejoy and Codding had brought together im-
mediately after the Springfield debate of October, 1854. Finding Lin-
coln's name in the list of members of the Eepublican State Committee
there appointed, he assumed that Lincoln had been present and had taken
part in the proceedings. So he wrote to Charles H. Lanphier, editor of
the Register, the Democratic organ at Springfield, asking for a copy of
the resolution passed at the meeting. Lanphier renlied by sending him
two copies of the Register of October 16, 1854, which purported to give a
36
brief report of the meeting, including a copy of the resolutions in full.
But, for some reason, a different set of resolutions had been substituted
for the real ones in the Register s report. The bogus resolutions de-
manded, among other things, an entire repeal of the fugitive slave law.
The real resolutions contained no such demand. There were also other
material differences. Lincoln came to the conclusion eventually that
Lanphier himself had made the substitution in order to help Thomas L.
Harris in his local Congressional campaign against Kichard Yates, and
that when Douglas, four years later, called for a copy of the resolutions,
he had forgotten the circumstances of the change. At all events, the
resolutions were substantially a forgery. They had been passed at some
irresponsible gathering in Kane county and had been substituted for
the real resolutions of the Springfield meeting. Douglas was not a party
to the forgery, but, as it turned out, was the principal victim of it.
Douglas' Mistake.
At the Ottawa joint debate (1858) he read the bogus report, and pro-
ceded with an air of triumph to apply it as a blister upon Lincoln in the
presence of the assembled thousands. It was easy for Lincoln to reply
that he was not at the Codding-Lovejoy Convention at all and that he
had no responsibility for any action taken there. He supposed that the
resolutions read by Douglas had been actually passed at the Springfield
meeting. He did not learn the truth until some days later. At the
Freeport joint debate, however, he came armed with the real facts, and
Douglas was then thrown on the defensive and made a rather sorry figure.
He succeeded, however, in clearing his own skirts of any part in the
forgery, and he promised that on his next visit to Springfield he would
make a more thorough investigation of the matter. Several weeks passed
without any further reference to the bogus resolutions on either side.
Lincoln kept his eye on Douglas' movements, however, and observed that
the latter made a visit to Springfield early in September. As no report
of the promised investigation had been made when they met at the Gales-
burg joint debate (October ?), Lincoln made a scathing resume of the
whole affair, to the serious discomfiture of his antagonist.*
*The genuine and the bogus resolutions are subjoined:
GENUINE RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved, That as freedom is national and slavery sectional and local, the
absence of all law on the subject of slavery presumes the existence of a state
of freedom, alone, while slavery exists only by virtue of positive law.
That slavery can exist in a Territory only by usurpation and in violation
of law, and we believe that Congress has the right and should prohibit its
extension into such territory, so long as it remains under the guardianship
of the general government.
BOGUS RESOLUTION.
Resolved. That the times imperatively demand the reorganization of par-
ties, and repudiating all previous party attachments, names and predilections,
we unite ourselves together in defence of the liberty and Constitution of
37
Twelve days after the Springfield debate of 1854 the two champions
met again at Peoria. Douglas was evidently troubled by the unexpected
vigor of his opponent, for after the Peoria debate he approached Lincoln
and flattered him by saying that he was giving him more trouble on the
territorial and slavery question than the whole United States Senate, and
therefore proposed that both should abandon the field and return to their
homes. Lincoln consented. Douglas, however, broke the agreement by
making a speech at Princeton on the evening of the 18th of October. He
afterwards said that he didn't want to speak at Princeton, but that Love-
joy provoked him and forced him to do so in self-defense. Lincoln was
not satisfied with that explanation, but he considered himself released
from the agreement, and accordingly spoke at Urbana on the evening of
the 24th.
The Urbana Speech.
Henry C. Whitney heard the Urbana speech. He gives an account of
it in his book, "Life on the Circuit with Lincoln." Whitney was a resi-
dent of Urbana. He says that he called at the old Pennsylvania House
on the east side of the public square on the evening of the 24th, and that
he there found Mr. Lincoln and David Davis in a plainly furnished bed-
room with a comfortable wood fire. It was his first meeting with either
of them. He was received cordially by both. Lincoln was in his story-
telling humor, and after some time spent in that way they went over to
the court house opposite, where eleven tallow candles, burning on the
lower sashes of the windows, gave a sign of something unusual going on
in the town. The house was full of people, and Lincoln then and there
made his third speech on the mighty issue of slavery. Whitney was
impressed, as I had been twenty days earlier, that he had been listening
to "a mental and moral giant." The three men went back to the hotel
together, and Lincoln resumed his story-telling at the point where he
had left off, "as if the making of such a speech as this was his pastime."
Although speech-making had now come to an end, the campaign con-
tinued. Lincoln and his friend, Stephen T. Logan, were nominated for
members of the lower house of the Legislature from Sangamon county.
Lincoln had protested against the use of his name, but had finally yielded
to the importunities of his friends, who urged that the party ought to
bring forward its very strongest men. That this was a sound view was
shown by what followed. Lincoln and Logan were elected by about 600
majority. Then Lincoln resigned his seat in order to improve his chances
* the country, and will hereafter cooperate as the Republican party pledged
to the accomplishment of the following purposes: To bring the administra-
tion of the government back to the control of first principles; to restore
Nebraska and Kansas to the position of free Territories; that as the Consti-
tution of the United States vests in the States and not in Congress the power
to legislate for the extradition of fugitives from labor, to repeal and entirely
abrogate the fugitive slave law; to restrict slavery to those States in which
it exists; to prohibit tbe admission of any more slave States into the Union;
to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia; to exclude slavery from all
the Territories over which the government has exclusive jurisdiction; and to
resist the acquirement of any more Territories, unless the practice of slavery
therein forever shall have been prohibited.
38
in the coming Senatorial contest. Looking at the large majority cast at
the regular election for the Whig candidates, he did not doubt that at the
special election a Whig would be chosen. But the very opposite thing
happened. The day for voting turned out to be cold and rainy. The
Democrats pretended to take no interest in the special election, but
secretly contrived to bring out their full strength, and thus elected their
candidate by eighty-two votes. This made a difference of two in the
Legislature, where there were no votes to spare.
Struggle for the Sexatorship in 1854-5.
Notwithstanding this mishap, Lincoln made an active canvas for the
Senatorship. The term of James Shields was expiring, and Douglas was
moving heaven and earth to secure his re-election. Shields had supported
the Xebraska bill in a lukewarm way as a Democratic party measure, but
he professed to take no special interest in it. He was an Irish soldier of
fortune, and a very winning one personally. He was twice elected Sen-
ator of the United States after he lost his seat from Illinois — once from
Minnesota and again from Missouri. It seemed as though he only
needed to show himself in any state where a Senatorial vacancy existed
in order to be promptly chosen to fill it.
As soon as the legislative returns were in, Lincoln made an estimate
of the chances. He concluded that there was an anti-Xebraska majority
of one in the State Senate and of thirteen in the House. He wrote let-
ters to the members whom he personally knew, soliciting their votes, and
he sought to reach others by the influence of friends, especially Elihu B.
Washburne and Joseph Gillespie. Ideal justice certainly demanded that
he be elected if the anti-Xebraska forces had a majority. Such a ma-
jority existed, but it was heterogeneous. All the varieties and discord-
ances of opinion that existed in the State cropped up in the Legislature,
including some whose existence had not been suspected. Some men who
had been elected on the anti-Xebraska ticket actually voted for Shields
on grounds of personal friendship. Even that was not the strangest or
the most baffing element in the mixture, for Lincoln discovered ten days
before the voting began that Joel A. Matteson, Governor of the State,
had an ambition to fill Shield's place in the Senate and that he had been
able to recruit a small third party composed of members from the vicinity
of the Illinois and Michigan canal who were devoted to his personal
interests. Any such votes, if obtained, would be detached from Lincoln,
and their movement would be made comparatively easy by the fact that
Matteson had never committed himself either for or against the Xebraska
bill. So his supporters could say or pretend that Matteson was as much
opposed to it as Lincoln himself. The supporters of Shields, if they
should find it impossible to re-elect him. would naturally turn to Matte-
son. Although Lincoln and his friends had ample warning of this Mat-
teson diversion, they were utterly unable to head it off.
A Heterogeneous Legislative.
The Legislature consisted of one hundred members — twenty-five Sen-
ators and" seventy-five Representatives. Thirteen of the Senators had
been elected in 1852 for a four years' term and were now holding over.
"Among these were John M. Palmer of Carlinvill'e, X. B. .Judd of Chi-
cago, and Burton C. Cook of Ottawa, all of whom had been elected as
Democrats, but had refused to follow Douglas in support of the Nebraska
bill. These three men, with two representatives from Madison county,
named Baker and Allen, voted for Lyman Trumbull on every ballot.
Trumbull had just been elected a member of Congress in the St. Clair
district on the anti-Nebraska ticket. The first mention of his name in
Lincoln's printed correspondence is found in a letter to Joseph Gillespie
dated December 1, 1S:>J. in which he (Lincoln) asked the question
"whether Trumbull intends to make a push." Then he adds : "We have
the Legislature clearly enough on joint ballot, but the Senate is very
close, and Cullom told me today that the Nebraska men will stave off
the election if they can. Even if we get into joint vote we shall have
difficulty to unite our forces."
The State Senate consisted of nine Whigs, thirteen regular Democrats,
and the three anti-Nebraska Democrats above named. One of the holding-
over Senators (Uri Osgood) represented a district which had given an
anti-Nebraska majority in this election. One of the Whig members (J.
L. D. Morrison of the St. Clair-Monroe district was elected on the same
ticket with Trumbull, but he was a man of Southern leanings, and his
vote on the Senatorial question was considered doubtful.
The Whig Senators, in order to conciliate the anti-Nebraska Demo-
crats, voted to give the entire patronage of the Senate to them, includ-
ing good slices to Osgood and Morrison. In this way they secured an
agreement to go into joint convention, but they got no other quid pro
quo; for in the Senatorial election both Osgood and Morrison voted for
Shields. In the House there were forty-six anti-Nebraska men of all de-
scriptions and twenty-eight Democrats. One member, Randolph Heath
of the Lawrence-Crawford district, did not vote in the election for Sen-
ator at any time.
In the chaotic condition of parties it was not to be expected that all
the opponents of Douglas would coalesce at once. The chief obstacle to
such union was the dividing line between Whigs and Democrats. The
Whig party was expecting to reap large gains from the split in the Dem-
ocratic party on the Nebraska question. This was a vain hope, because
the Whigs were split also, but while it existed it fanned the flame of old
enmities. Moreover, the anti-Nebraska Democrats in the campaign had
claimed that they were the true Democracy and that they were purify-
ing the party in order to preserve it intact and give it new strength and
vitality. They could not instantly abandon that claim by voting for a
Whig for the highest office to be filled.
sift
40
Trumbull Elected Senatok.
The two houses met in the hall of Eepresentatives on February 8,
1855, to choose a Senator. Every inch of space on the floor and lobby
was occupied by members and their political friends, and the gallery was
adorned by well-dressed women, including Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Matte-
son, the Governor's wife, and her fair daughters. The Senatorial elec-
tion had been the topic of chief concern throughout the State for many
months and now the interest was centered in a single room not more than
one hundred feet square. The excitement was all-prevading, for every-
body knew that the event was fraught with consequences of great pith
and moment, far transcending the fate of any individual.
Mr. Lincoln had been designated as the choice of a caucus of forty-
five members, including all the Whigs except Morrison and most of the
Free-Soilers.
When the joint convention had been called to order General James
Shields was nominated by Senator Benjamin Graham, Abraham Lincoln
by Eepresentative Stephen T. Logan, and Lyman Trumbull by Senator
John M. Palmer. The first vote resulted as follows :
Necessary to a choice, 50 —
Lincoln 45
Shields 41
Trumbull = 5
Scattering 8
Total .' 99
Several members of the House, who had been elected as anti-Ne-
braska Democrats, voted for Lincoln and a few for Shields. The vote
for Trumbull consisted of Senators Palmer, Judd and Cook, and Eepre-
sentatives Baker and Allen.
On the second vote Lincoln had 43 and Trumbull 6, and there were no
other changes. A third roll call resulted like the second. Thereupon
Judge Logan moved an adjournment, but this was voted down by 42 to
56. On the fourth call Lincoln's vote fell to 38 and Trumbull's rose to
11. On the sixth, Lincoln lost two more and Trumbull dropped eight.
It now became apparent from the commotion on the Democratic side
of the chamber that the Matteson flank-movement was in progress, for
the seventh ballot resulted as follows :
Necessary to a choice, 50 —
Matteson 44
Lincoln -^ 38
Trumbull ." 9
Scattering 7
Total 98
On the eighth call Matteson gained two votes, Lincoln fell to 27, and
Trumbull received 18. On the ninth and tenth Matteson had 47, Lin-
coln dropped to 15, and Trumbull rose to 35.
The excitement now became intense, for it was believed that the next
vote would be decisive. Matteson wanted only thrc: c f a majority, and
the only way to prevent his election was to turn Lincoln's fifteen to.
41
Trumbull, or Trumbull's thirty-five to Lincoln. Obviously the former
proposition was the only safe one, for none of Lincoln's men would go
to Matteson in any kind of shuffle, whereas three of Trumbull's Demo-
cratic friends might easily be lost if an attempt were made to transfer
them to the leader of the Whigs. Lincoln was quick to see the impend-
ing danger and to apply the remedy. He was the only one who could
apply it, since the fifteen supporters who still clung to him would never
have left him except at his own request. He now besought his friends
to vote for Trumbull. Some natural tears were shed by Judge Logan
when he yielded to the appeals of his dear friend and former partner.
Logan said that the demands of principle were superior to those of per-
sonal attachment, and he transferred his vote to Trumbull. All of the
remaining fourteen followed his example, and there was a gain of one
vote that had been previously cast for Archibald Williams. So the tenth
and final roll call gave Trumbull fift}r-one votes and Matteson forty-
seven. One member (Waters) still voted for Williams and one (Heath)
did not vote at all. Thus the one hundred members of the joint con-
vention were accounted for, and Trumbull became Senator by a majority
of one.
This result astounded the Democrats. They were more disappointed
by it than they would have been by the election of Lincoln. They re-
garded Trumbull as an arch traitor. That he and his fellow traitors,
Palmer, Judd and Cook, should have carried off the great prize was an
unexpected and most bitter pill, but they did not know how bitter it was
until Trumbull took his seat in the Senate and opened fire on the
Nebraska iniquity.
Lincoln Satisfied with the Result.
Lincoln took his defeat in good part. Later in the evening there was
a reception given at the house of Mr. Ninian W. Edwards, whose wife was
a sister of Mrs. Lincoln, and who had been much interested in Lincoln's
success. He was greatly surprised to hear, just before the guests began
to arrive, that Trumbull had been elected. He and his family were
easily reconciled to the result, however, since Mrs. Trumbull had been
from her girlhood, as Miss Julia Jayne, a favorite in Springfield society.
When she and Judge Trumbull arrived they were naturally the centre of
attraction. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln came in a little later. The hostess and
her husband greeted them most cordially, saying that they had wished
for his success, and that while he must be disappointed yet he should
bear in mind that his principles had won. Mr. Lincoln smiled, moved
toward the newly elected Senator, and saying, "Not too disappointed to
congratulate my friend Trumbull," shook him warmly by the hand. Mr.
Lincoln's own testimony as to the facts and his own feelings regarding
them are set forth at length, and quite minutely, in a letter to Elihu B.
Washburne, dated February 9, 1855, the next day after the election.
He says in conclusion : "I regret my defeat moderately, but am not
nervous about it. I could have headed off everv combination and been
42
elected had it not been for Matteson's double game — and his defeat now
gives me more pleasure than my own gives me pain. On the whole it is
perhaps as well for our general cause that Trumbull is elected."
And so it seems to me now. Lincoln's defeat was my first great dis-
appointment in politics, and I was slow in forgiving Judd, Palmer and
Cook for their share in bringing it about. But before the campaign of
1858 came on I was able to see that they had acted wisely and well.
They had not only satisfied their own constituents, and led many of them
into the new Republican organization, but they had given a powerful re-
inforcement to the party of freedom in the nation at large, in the person
of Lyman Trumbull, whose high, abilities and noble career in the Senate
paved the way for thousands of recruits from the ranks of the Demo-
cratic party.
Personal Association with Lincoln.
As I have already remarked, my personal acquaintance with Lincoln
began in 1854. I had just passed my twentieth birthday. I was intro-
duced to him shortly before he rose to make the speech which has been
here feebly described. I had studied his countenance a few moments be-
forehand, when his features were in repose. It was a marked face, but
so overspread with sadness that I thought that Shakespeare's melancholy
' Jacques had been translated from the forest of Arden to the capital of
Illinois. Yet when I was presented to him and we began a few words of
conversation this expression of sorrow dropped from him instantly. His
face lighted up with a winning smile, and where I had a moment before
seen only leaden sorrow I now beheld keen intelligence, genuine kind-
ness of heart, and the promise of true friendship.
After this introduction it was my fortune during the next four years
to meet him several times each year, as his profession brought him fre-
quently to Chicago, where I was employed in journalism. I became
Secretary of the Republican State Committee and was thus thrown into
closer intercourse with him, and thus I learned that he was an exceed-
ingly shrewd politician. X. B. Judd, Dr. C. H. Pay and Ebenezer Peck
were the leading party managers, but Lincoln was a frequent visitor at
the campaign headquarters, and on important occasions he was specially
sent for. The committee paid the utmost deference to his opinions. In
fact, lie was nearer to the people than they were. Traveling the circuit,
lie was constantly brought in contact with the most capable and discern-
ing men in the rural community. He had a more accurate knowledge of
public opinion in central Illinois than any other man who visited the
committee rooms, and he knew better than anybody else what kind of
arguments would be influential with the voters and what kind of
men could best present them.
T learned also by tin's association that he was extremely eager for
political preferment. This seemed to me then, as it does now. perfectly
proper. Nor <li<l 1 ever hear any criticism visited upon him on account
of his persona] ambition. On the contrary, his merits placed him so far
in advance that nothing was deemed too good for him. Nobody was
jealous of him. Everybody in the party desired for him all the prefer-
43
ment that he could possibly desire for himself. In the great campaign
of 1858 I travelled with him almost constantly for four months, the
particulars of which journeying I have related in the second edition of
Herndon's "Life of Lincoln." After his election as President I was sent
by my employers to Washington City as correspondent of the Chicago
Press and Tribune, and thus I had occasional meetings with him until
very near the day of his death. In short, I was privileged to be within
the range of his personal influence during the last eleven years of his
life, when he was making history and when history was making him.
Lincoln as a Humorist and a Moralist.
Mr. Lincoln was a many-sided man and one who presented striking-
contrasts. He was the most humorous being I ever met, and also one
of the most serious. His humor was of the impromptu and contagious
kind that takes possession of all parts of the person as well as all the
parts of speech. As a master of drollery, he surpassed all of his con-
temporaries in Illinois, and yet his solemnity as a public speaker and a
political and moral instructor was like that of an Old Testament prophet.
He was the only public speaker I have ever known thus doubly gifted,
whose powers of mirth did not submerge or even impair his powers of
gravity. "He combined within himself," says Mr. Henry C. Whitney,
"the strangely diverse roles of head of the State in the agony of civil
war, and also that of the court jester; and was supremely eminent in
both characters." This sounds like a paradox, but it is quite true. The
Lincoln who fought Douglas on the stump in 1854 and 1858 took all
of his jocose as well as his serious traits to Washington in 1861.
How are we to account for these wonderful turns "from grave to gay,
from lively to severe ?" Well, he was not the only person thus doubly
endowed. The same genius that gave us Macbeth, and Lear, and Ham-
let, gave us Falstaff, and Touchstone, and Dogberry. Shakespeare was
the superior of Sophocles in tragedy and of Plautus in comedy. Lincoln
did not have the gift of poetry, but within the range of prose his power
of expression was akin to that of Shakespeare. I chanced to open the
other day his Cooper Institute speech. This is one of the few printed
speeches that I did not hear him deliver in person. As I read the con-
cluding pages of that speech, the conflict of opinion that preceded the
conflict of arms then sweeping upon the country like an approaching
solar eclipse, seemed prefigured like a chapter of the Book of Fate. Here
again he was the Old Testament prophet, before whom Horace Greeley
bowed his head, saying that he had never listened to a greater speech,
although he had heard several of Webster's best.
As an Anti-Slavery Orator.
The subject of human slavery, which formed the principal theme of
Mr. Lincoln's speech, has touched many lips with eloquence and lighted
many hearts with fire. I listened to most of the great anti-slavery
44
orators of the last half century, including Wendell Phillips, Owen Love-
joy, and Henry Ward Beecher, but I must say that Abraham Lincoln,
who was not classed as an anti-slavery orator, or even an anti-slavery
man, before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, made a stronger
anti-slavery impression upon me than any of them.
The reason why he was not reckoned by the anti-slavery men as one
of themselves was that he made the preservation of the Union, not the
destruction of slavery, his chief concern. But he held then, as he did
later, that the Union must be preserved consistently with the Constitution
and with the rule of the majority. Preserving it by infringing these,
was, in his view, an agreement to destroy it.
Mr. Lincoln quickly gained the confidence of strangers, and, if they
were much with him, their affection as well. I found myself strongly
drawn to him from the first, and this feeling remains to me now as a
priceless possession. James Eussell Lowell said that he counted it a
great gain to have lived at the same time with Abraham Lincoln. How
much greater the gain to have felt the subtle influence of his presence.
This personal quality whose influence I saw growing and widening
among the people of Illinois from day to day, eventually penetrated
to all the northern states, and after his death, to all the southern states.
It was this magical personality that commanded all loyal hearts. It was
this leadership that upheld confidence in the dark hours of the war and
sent back to the White House the sublime refrain :
"We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more."
Could any other man then living have grappled the affections and con-
fidence of the plain people and held them steadfast and unwavering as
did this homely giant of the prairies ? He was himself one of the plain
people. What was in his mind and heart was in theirs. He spoke
straight into their bosoms. He translated the weightiest political and
social problems this country has ever dealt with into language that all
could understand. Nobody was so humble, nobody so high, that he could
not draw new lessons and fresh inspiration from Abraham Lincoln dur-
ing that great crisis.
Looking back upon the whole anti-slavery conflict, is it not a cause for
wonder that the man who finally led the nation through the Eed Sea and
gave his own life at the very entrance of the promised land, was born
in a slave state, of the most humble parents, in crushing poverty, and
in the depths of ignorance, and had reached the age of fifty before he
was much known outside of his own state? Was there ever such un-
promising material from which to fashion the destrover of American
slavery ?
Lincoln's Growing Fame.
Abraham Lincoln has been in his grave more than forty-two years.
When he was stricken down by an assassin's hand it was said by many
of his contemporaries, and perhaps believed by most of them, that he
had passed away at the culminating point of his fame.
The world's history contains nothing more dramatic than the scene in
Ford's Theatre. The civil war. Hie emancipation of a race, the salvation
45
of our beloved Union, combined to throw the strongest light upon "the
deep damnation of his taking off." In spite of these blazing accessories,
we should have expected, before the end of forty-two years, that a con-
siderable amount of dust would have settled upon his tomb. This is a
busy world. Each generation has its own problems to grapple with, its
own joys and sorrows, its own cares and griefs, to absorb its thoughts
and compel its tears. Time moves on, and while the history of the past
increases in volume, each particular thing in it dwindles in size, and so
also do most men. But some men bulk larger as the years recede.
The most striking fact of our time, of a psychological kind, is the
growth of Lincoln's fame since the earth closed over his remains. The
word Lincolniana has been added to our dictionary. This means that a
kind of literature under that name, extensive enough to be separately
classified, catalogued, advertised, marketed, and collected into distinct
libraries, has grown up. There is a Lincolnian cult among us as well as
a Shakesperian cult, and it is gaining votaries from year to year. The
first list of Lincoln literature was published by William V. Spencer, in
Boston, in 1865. It included 231 titles of books and pamphlets pub-
lished after Lincoln's death, all of which were in the compiler's posses-
sion. This was followed in 1866 by John Bussell Bartlett's "Literature
of the Rebellion," including in a separate list 300 titles of Eulogies,
Sermons, Orations, and Poems, all published after Lincoln's death. In
1870 Andrew Boyd, a directory publisher of Albany, N. Y., published
his "Memorial Lincoln Bibliography," an octavo volume of 175 pages,
in which he gave the title and description of the books, pamphlets, and
relics then in his own collection. The introduction to this bibliography
was written by Charles Henry Hart, still living at Philadelphia. This
collection was sold to Major William H. Lambert of Philadelphia,
whose collection of Lincolniana is now one of the most important in
the country, and especially in autograph letters. Major Lambert was a
soldier in the civil war and is the author of a most interesting address on
the life and character of Lincoln, delivered before his fellow soldiers of
the G-. A. B. His collection embraces about 1,200 bound volumes, in-
cluding separately bound pamphlets, about 100 autograph letters and
documents of Lincoln, fifty broadsides, and many miscellaneous pieces.
LlXCOLXIAX LlTEKATURE.
A Lincoln bibliography was compiled by Mr. Daniel Fish of Minne-
apolis and published in the year 1900. It was revised, enlarged, and
republished in 1906, containing 1,080 separate titles. It does not in-
clude periodical literature, or political writings of the period in which
Lincoln lived unless they owe their origin to him as an individual. Judge
Fish has in his own collection of Lincolniana 295 bound volumes, 559
pamphlets, and 100 portraits.
Mr. Judd Stewart of Plainfield,' N. J., has a very notable collection of
Lincolniana, embracing 380 bound volumes, about 1,200 bound pamph-
let?, several unpublished letters, between 700 and 800 engravings, litho-
graphs and paintings, and many songs and pieces of sheet music. All
46
of these items have been passed upon by .Indue Fish as purely Lincoln-
iana. Mr. Stewart has more than 100 titles which are not included in
Fish's bibliography.
A very remarkable collection is that of John E. Burton of Milwaukee.
Wis., consisting of 2,360 bound volumes and pamphlets, the collection of
which, Mr. Burton says, "has been the restful and happy labor of twenty-
eight years." Among other things he has the original proclamation of
emancipation signed by Lincoln and Seward and attested by John G.
Nieolay and John Hay.
Mr. Charles W. McLellan of Chanrplain, X. Y., has 1,921 bound vol-
umes. 1,348 pamphlets, eight manuscripts, 138 autographs of Lincoln,
1,100 engravings, and 579 songs and miscellaneous pieces, in all more
than 5,000 items.
Mr. D. H. Newhall of 59 Maiden Lane. New York, has a list of 487
collectors of Lincolniana, for the most part unknown to each other, who
are now living; that is, persons who have such collections and who are
constantly adding to them. 1 have corresponded with some of them.
Mr. E. M. Bowman of Alton. 111., has 241 titles of bound and unbound
books and pamphlets; Mr. John S. Little of Bushville, 111., has 257, and
so on.
The existence of a demand for Lincolniana creates a supply. There
are dealers in it, some of whom buy and sell that literature exclusively,
while others make it a large part of their trade. In the former class is
Mr. D. H. Newhall, already mentioned. In the latter is Mr. A. S. Clark,
of Peekskill, X. Y. I have a recent catalogue issued by the latter con-
taining 496 titles, with the price of each annexed. Mr. Xewhall informs
me that he has 2,874 titles in his card list of books and pamphlets, i. e.,
that he knows of the existence of that number, not counting periodical
literature or broadsides. His list is still incomplete, and he believes that
it will reach 3,000 when finished. Mr. D. 8. Passavant of Zelienople,
near Pittsburgh. Pa., deals in Lincolniana in foreign languages. Lives
of Lincoln have been published in the French, German, Dutch, Swedish,
[talian, Russian, Japanese, Spanish. Portugese, Greek. Welsh, and Ha-
waiian tongues. There is a dealer in Lincolnian relics at No. 46 West
Twenty-eighth sheet. New York City. Mr. Oldroyd's great collection
of such relies, nmv placed in the house where Lincoln died in Washington
cit\. i- ton well known to need special description.
Equally significant is the daily citation of Lincoln's name and au-
thority by public writers ami speakers and in conversation between in-
dividuals, as an authority in politics and in the conduct of life. Every-
body seems to think that a quotation from him is a knock-down argu-
ment. II is sayings are common property. They are quoted as freely by
Democrats as by Republicans. All help themselves from that storehouse,
as they make ((notations from Shakespeare, or Burns, or Longfellow.
He is more quoted today than he was in his lifetime, and more than
any other American ever Avas.
47
Conclusion.
So we see that Mr. Lincoln's death did not take place at the culmina-
tion of his fame, but that it has been rising and widening ever since and
shows no signs of abatement. Of no other American of our times can
this be said. Can it be said of any other man of the same period in any
part of the world? I cannot find in any country a special department
of literature collecting around the name of any statesman of the nine-
teenth century like that which celebrates the name of our martyr presi-
dent. This mass of literature is produced and collected and cherished
because the hearts of men and women go out to Lincoln. It is not
mere admiration for his mental and moral qualities, but a silent re-
sponse to the magnetic influence of his humanity, his unselfish and
world-embracing charity. And thus though dead he yet speaketh to men.
women and children who never saw him. and so. I think, he will con-
tinue to speak to generations yet unborn, world without end. Amen.
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.
By Adlai E. Stevenson.
Mr. President, — History has been defined: "The sum of the bio-
graphies of a few strong men." Much that is of profound and abiding
interest in American history during the two decades immediately pre-
ceding our civil war, is bound up in the biography of the strong man of
whom I speak. Chief among the actors, his place was near the middle
of the stage, during that eventful and epoch marking period.
Stephen A. Douglas was born in Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813, and
died in Chicago, 111., June 3, 1861. Between the dates given lie the years
that make up a crowded, eventful life. Left penniless by the death of
his father, he was at a tender age dependent upon his own exertions for
maintenance and education. At the age of fifteen he apprenticed him-
self to a cabinet maker in the town of Middlebury in his native state.
Naturally of delicate organization, he was unable long to endure the
physical strain of this calling, and at the close of two years' service he
returned to his early home. Entering an academy in Brandon, he there
for a time pursued with reasonable diligence the studies preparatory
to a higher course. Supplementing the education thus acquired by a
brief course of study in an academy at Canandaigua, 1ST. Y., at the age
of twenty, he turned his footsteps westward.
One of the biographers says : "It is doubtful if among all the thou-
sands who in those early days were faring westward from New England,
Virginia and the Carolinas, there ever was a youth more resolutely and
boldly addressed to opportunity than he. Penniless, broken in health,
almost diminutive in physical stature, and unknown, he made his way
successively to Cincinnati. Louisville and St. Louis, in search of employ-
ment, literally of bread." By a sudden turn in fortune's wheel his lot
was cast in Central Illinois, where his first vocation was that of teacher
of a village school. Yet later — after laborious application — admitted to
the bar. he courageously entered upon his marvelous career.
His home was Jacksonville, and to the hardy pioneers of Morgan and
• neighboring counties, it was soon revealed that notwithstanding his
slight stature and boyish appearance, the youthful Douglas was at once
to he taken fully into the account. Self reliant to the very verge, he un-
hesitatingly entered the arena of active professional and political strife
with "foemen worthy the steel" of veterans at the bar, and upon the
hustings.
STEPHEN A DOUGLAS
49
The issues were sharply drawn between the two political parties then
struggling for ascendency, and Central Illinois was the home of as bril-
liant an array of gifted leaders as the Whig party at any time in its
palmiest days had known. Hardin, Stuart, Browning, Logan, Baker,
Lincoln, were just then upon the threshold of careers that have given
their names honored and enduring place upon the pages of our history.
Into the safe keeping of the leaders just named, were entrusted in large
degree the advocacy of the principles of the now historic party, and the
political fortunes of its great chieftain, Henry Clay.
As is well known, the principal antagonist of the renowned Whig
chieftain was Andrew Jackson. Earlier in their political careers, both
had been earnest supporters of the administration of President Monroe,
but at its close, the leaders last named with Adams and Crawford, were
aspirants to the great office. No candidates receiving a majority of the
electoral votes, and the selection by constitutional requirement devolving
upon the House of Representatives, Mr. Adams was eventually chosen.
His election over his principal competitor, General Jackson, was largely
through the influence of Mr. Clay; and the subsequent acceptance by
the latter of the office of the Secretary of State, gave rise to the un-
founded but vehement cry of "bargain and corruption" which followed
the Kentucky statesman through two presidential struggles of later
periods, and died wholly away only when the clods had fallen upon his
grave.
Triumphant in his candidacy over Adams in 1828, President Jackson,
four years later encountered as his formidable competitor his colossal
antagonist — the one man for whom he had no forgiveness, even when
the shadows were gathering about his own couch.
"The early and better days of the republic" is by no means an unusual
expression in the political literature of our day. Possibly all the gener-
ations of men have realized the significance of the words of the great
Bard :
"Past, and to come, seem best;
Things present — worst.
We are time's subjects."
And yet — barring the closing months of the administration of the
elder Adams — this country has known no period of more intense party
passion, or of more deadly feuds among political leaders, than was mani-
fested during the presidential contest of 1832. The Whig party — with
Henry Clay as its candidate, and its idol — was for the first time in the
field. Catching something of the spirit of its imperious leader, its
campaign was relentlessly aggressive. The scabbard was thrown away,
and all lines of retreat cut off from the beginning. No act of the party
in power escaped the lime light, no delinquency, real or imaginary, of
Jackson — its candidate for re-election — but was ruthlessly drawn into the
open day. Even the domestic hearthstone was invaded and antagonisms
engendered that knew no surcease until the last of the chief participants
in the eventful struggle had descended to the tomb.
—1 II S
The defeat of Clay but intensified his hostility toward his successful
rival, and with a following that in personal devotion to its leader has
scarcely known a parallel, he was at once the peerless front of a power-
ful opposition to the Jackson administration.
Such were the existing political conditions throughout the country
when Stephen A. Douglas at the age of 22 first entered the arena of
debate. It would not be strange if such environment left its deep im-
press, and measurably gave direction to his political career. The period of
probation and training so essential to ordinary men was unneeded by
him. Fully equipped, and with a self confidence that has rarely had a
counterpart — he was from the beginning the earnest defender of the
salient measures of the democratic administration, and the aggressive
champion of President Jackson. Absolutely fearless, he took no reckon-
ing of the opposite forces, and regardless of the prowess or ripe exper-
ience of adversaries he at all times, in and out of season, gladly wel-
comed the encounter. To this end, he did not await opportunities, but
eagerly sought them.
His first contest for public office was with John J. Hardin, by no
means the least gifted of the brilliant Whig leaders already mentioned.
Defeated by Douglas in his candidacy for re-election to the office of At-
torney General, Colonel Hardin at a later day achieved distinction as a
^Representative in Congress, and at the early age of 37, fell while gal-
lantly leading his regiment upon the bloody field of Buena Vista. In
the catalogue of men worthy of remembrance, there is found the name
of no braver, manlier man, than that of John J. Hardin.
With well earned laurels as public prosecutor, Mr. Douglas resigned
after two years incumbency of that office, to accept that of representative
in the State Legislature. The Tenth General Assembly — to which he
was chosen, was the most notable in Illinois history. Upon the roll of
members of the House, in the old capitol at Vandalia, were names insep-
arably associated with the history of the State and the Nation. From its
list were yet to be chosen two governors of the Commonwealth, one mem- "
ber of the Cabinet, three justices of the Supreme Court of the State, eight
Eepresentatives in Congress, six senators, and one President of the
TJnited States. That would indeed be a notable assemblage of law
makers in any country or time, that included in its membership; Mc-
Clernard, Edwards, Ewing, Semple, Logan, Hardin, Browning, Shields,
Baker, Stuart, Douglas and Lincoln.
In this Assembly Mr. Douglas encountered in impassioned debate.
possibly for the first -time, two men against whom in succession he was
soon to be opposed upon the hustings as a candidate for Congress; and
later as an aspirant to yet more exalted stations, another, with whose
name — now "given to the ages" — his own is linked inseparably for all
time.
The most brilliant and exciting contest for the National House of
Eepresentatives the State has known, excepting possibly that of Cook
and McLean a decade and a half earlier, was that of 1838 between
John T. Stuart and Stephen A. Douglas. They were the recognized
champions of their respective parties. The district embraced two-thirds
51
of the area of the State, extending from the counties immediately south
of Sangamon and Morgan, -northward to Lake Michigan and the Wis-
consin line. Together on horseback, often across unbridged streams, and
through pathless forest and prairie, they journeyed, holding joint debates
in all of the county seats of the district-— including the then villages of
Jacksonville, Springfield, Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Quincy, Joliet,
Galena, and Chicago. It was said of Hon. Richard M. Young, a noted
lawyer of the early days, that he possessed one eminent qualification
for the office of Circuit Judge — that of being a good horseback rider.
It can hardly be doubted that our candidates for Congress three score
and ten years ago, possessed this qualification in a rare degree. That the
candidates were well matched in ability and eloquence readily appears
from the fact that after an active canvas of several months, Major Stuart
"was elected by a majority of but eight votes. By re-elections he served"
six years in' the House of Representatives, and was one of its ablest and
most valuable members. In Congress, he was the political friend and
associate of Crittenden, Winthrop, Clay and Webster. Major Stuart
lives in my memory as a splendid type of the Whig statesman of the
Golden Age. Courteous and kindly, he was at all times, a Kentucky
gentleman of "the old school" if ever one trod this blessed earth.
Returning to the bar after his defeat for Congress, Mr. Douglas was
in quick succession, Secretary of State by appointment of the Governor
and Judge of the Circuit and Supreme Courts by election of the Legis-
lature. The courts he held as nisi rius Judge were in the Quincy
circuit, and the last named city for the time his home. His associates
upon the supreme bench were Justices Treat, Caton, Ford, Wilson,
Scates and Lockwood. His opinions, twenty-one in number will be, found
in Scammon's reports. There was little in any of the causes submitted
to fully test his capacity as lawyer or logician. Enough, however, ap-
pears from his clear and concise statements and arguments to justify
the belief that had his life been unreservedly given to the profession
of the law — his talents concentrated upon the mastery of its eternal
principles, he would in the end have been amply rewarded <fby that mis-
tress who is at the same time so jealous and so just." This, however,
was not to be, and to a field more alluring his footsteps were soon turned.
Abandoning the bench to men less ambitious, he was soon embarked
upon the uncertain and delusive sea of politics.
His unsuccessful opponent for Congress in 1842 was Hon. Orville H.
Browning with whom in the State Legislature, he had measured swords
over a partisan resolution sustaining the financial policy of President
Jackson. "The whirligig of time brings in his revenges," and it so fell
out that near two decades later it was the fortune of Mr. Browning to
occupy a seat in the Senate as the successor to Douglas — "touched by the
finger of death." At a later day, Mr. Browning as a member of the
cabinet of President Johnson acquitted himself with honor in the dis-
charge of the exacting duties of Secretary of the Interior. So long as
men of high aims, patriotic hearts, and noble achievements are held in
grateful remembrance, his name will have honored place in our country's
annals.
52
The career upon which Mr. Douglas now entered was the one for which
he was pre-eminently fitted, and to which he had aspired from the he-
ginning. It was a career in which national fame was to he achieved,
and — by re-elections to the House, and later to the Senate — to continue
without interruption to the last hour of his life. He took his seat in the
House of Eepresentatives, December 5, 1843, and among his colleagues,
were Semple and Breese of the Senate, and Hardin, McClernand, Fick-
lin and Wentworth of the House. Mr. Stephens of Georgia, with whom
it was my good fortune to serve in the Forty-fourth and Forty-sixth
Congresses, told me that he entered the House the same day with Doug-
las, and that he distinctly recalled the delicate and youthful appearance
of the latter as he advanced to the Speakers desk to receive the oath
of office.
Conspicuous among the leaders of the House in the Twenty-eighth"
Congress were Hamilton Fish, Washington Hunt, Henry A. Wise,
Howell Cobb, Joshua E. Giddings, Linn Boyd, John Sidell, Barnwell
Ehett, Eobert C. Winthrop the Speaker, Hannibal Hamlin elected Vice
President upon the ticket with Mr. Lincoln in 1860, Andrew Johnson,
the successor of the lamented president in 1865, and John Quincy Adams
whose brilliant career as Ambassador, Senator, Secretary of State and
President, was rounded out by near two decades of faithful service as
a Eepresentative in Congress.
The period that witnessed the entrance of Mr. Douglas into the great
commons was an eventful one in our political history. John Tyler,
upon the death of President Harrison had succeeded to the great office,
and was in irreconcilable hostility to the leaders of his party upon the
vital issues upon which the whig victory of 1840 had been achieved.
Henry Clay, then at the zenith of his marvelous powers, merciless in
his arraignment of the Tyler administration, was unwittingly breeding
the party dissensions that eventually compassed his own defeat in his
lasl struggle for the presidency. Daniel Webster, regardless of the
criticism of party associate, and after the retirement of his Whig col-
leagues from the Tyler cabinet, still remained at the head of the State
department. His vindication, if needed, abundantly appears in the
treaty by which our northeastern boundary was definitely adjusted, and
war with England happily averted.
In the rush of events, party antagonisms, in the main, soon fade from
remembrance. One. however, that did not pass with the occasion, but
lingered even to the shades of the Hermitage, was unrelenting hostility
to President Jackson. For his declaration of martial law in Xew Or-
leans just prior to the battle, with which his own name is associated
for all time — General Jackson had been subjected to a heavy fine by a
judge of that city. Eepeated attempts in congress looking to his vindi-
cation and re-imbursement. had been unavailing. Securing the floor for
the first time. Mr. Douglas, upon the anniversary of the great victory,
delivered an Impassioned speech in vindication of Jackson which at
once challenged the attention of the country, and gave him high place
among the greal debaters of that memorable congress. In reply to the
demand of an opponent for a precedent for the proposed legislation,
Douglas quickly responded : "Possibly , sir, no case can be found on any
page of American history where the commanding officer has been fined
for an act absolutely necessary to the salvation of his country. As to
the precedents, let us make one now that will challenge the admiration
of the world and stand the test of all the ages.** After a graphic descrip-
tion of conditions existing in New Orleans at the time of Jackson'.-*
declaration of martial law: "the city filed with traitors, anxious to sur-
render; spies transmitting information to the camp of the enemy, Brit-
ish regulars — four fold the number of the American defenders, advanc-
ing to the attack, in this terrible emergency, necessity became the para-
mount law, the responsibility was taken, martial law declared, and a
victory achieved imparalleled in the annals of war; a victory that avenged
the infamy of the wanton burning of our nation's capitol, fully, and
for all time."
The speech was unanswered, the bill passed, and probably Douglas
knew no prouder moment than when a few months later upon "a visit
to the Hermitage, he received the earnest thanks of the venerable com-
mander for his masterly vindication.
Two of the salient and far reaching questions confronting the states-
men of that eventful congress pertained to the settlement of the Oregon
boundary question, and to the annexation of the republic of Texas. The
first named question — left unsettled by the treaty of Ghent had been
for two generations the apple of discord between the American and
British governments. That it, at a critical moment came near involving
the two nations in war is a Avell known fact in history. The platform
upon which Mr. Polk had in 1844 been elected to the presidency as-
serted unequivocally the right of the United States to the whole of the
Oregon territory. The boundary line of "fifty-four-forty" was in many
of the states the decisive party watch word in that masterful contest.
Mr. Douglas, in full accord with his party upon this question, ably
canvassed Illinois in earnest advocacy of Mr. Polk's election. When at
a later day, it was determined by the president and his official advisers
to abandon the party platform demand of "fifty-four degrees and forty
minutes" as the only settlement of the disputed boundary, and accept
that of the parallel of forty-nine degrees, reluctantly proposed by Great
Britain as a peacable final settlement — Mr. Douglas earnestly antagoniz-
ing any concession, was at once in opposition to the administration he
had assisted to bring into power. Whether the part of wisdom was a
strict adherence to the platform dicta of "the whole of Oregon," or a
reasonable concession in the interest of peaceable adjustment of a dan-
gerous question, was long a matter of vehement discussion. It suffices
that the treaty with Great Britain establishing our northwestern bound-
ary upon the parallel last named, was promptly ratified by the Senate,
and the once famous "Oregon question" peaceably relegated to the
realm of history.
A question — sixty odd years ago — equal in importance witli that of
the Oregon boundary, was the annexation of Texas. The "Lone Star
54
State" had been virtually an independent republic since the decisive
victory of General Houston over Santa Anna in 1837 at San Jacinto,
and its independence as such had been acknowledged by our own and
European governments. The hardy settlers of the new commonwealth
were in the main emigrants from the United States, and earnestly
solicitous of admission into the Federal Union. The question of annex-
ation entered largely into the presidential canvas of 1844, and the "lone
star" upon democratic banners was an important factor in securing the
triumph of Mr. Polk in that bitterly contested election. In the closing
hours of the Tyler administration, annexation was at length effected
by joint resolution of Congress, and Texas passed at once from an in-
dependent republic to a state of the American Union. This action of
Congress, however, gave deep offense to the Mexican government, and
was the initial in a series of stirring events soon to follow. The Mexi-
can invasion, the brilliant victories won by American valor, and the
Treaty of Peace, by which our domain was extended westward to the
Pacific, constitute a thrilling chapter in the annals of war. Brief in
duration, the Mexican war was the training school for men whose mili-
tary achievements were yet to make resplendent the pages of history.
Under the victorious banners of the great commanders, Taylor and Scott,
were Thomas and Beauregard, Shields and Hill, Johnston and Sherman,
McClellan and Longstreet, Hancock and Stonewall Jackson, Lee and
Grant. In the list of its heroes were eight future candidates for the
presidency, three of whom, Taylor, Pierce and Grant, were triumphantly
elected.
Meanwhile at the nation's capitol was held high debate over questions
second in importance to none that have engaged the profound considera-
tion of statesmen, that literally took hold of the issues of war, conquest,
diplomacy, peace, empire. From its inception, Mr. Douglas was an un-
faltering advocate of the project of annexation, and as Chairman of
the Committee on Territories, bore prominent part in the protracted
and exciting debates consequent upon the passage of that measure in
the House of Bepresentatives. In his celebrated colloquy with Mr.
Adams lie contended that the joint resolution he advocated was in reality
only for the re-annexation of territory originally ours under the Louis-
iana purchase of 1803. That something akin to the spirit of '•manifest
destiny" brooded over the discussion may be gathered frorri the closing
sentences of his speech: '•'Our Federal system is admirably adapted
to the whole continent; and while I wQuld not violate the laws of nations
or treaty stipulations, or in any manner tarnish the national honor, I
would exert all legal and honorable means to drive Great Britain and
the Last vestige of royal authority from the continent of North America,
and extend the limits of the republic from ocean to ocean. I would
make this an ocean bound republic, and have no more disputes about
boundaries or red lines on maps."
Elected to the Senate at the age of thirty-four, Mr. Douglas took his
seat in that august body in December, 1847. On the same day Abraham
Lincoln took the oath id' office as a member from Illinois in the House
55
of Representatives. The Senate was presided over by the able and ac-
complished Vice President, George M. Dallas. Seldom has there been a
more imposing list of great names than that which now included the
young Senator from Illinois. Conspicuous among the Senators of the
thirty states represented, were Dix of New York, Dayton of Xew Jersey,
Hale of Xew Hampshire, Clayton of Delaware, Reverdy Johnson of
Maryland, Mason of Virginia. King of Alabama, Davis of Mississippi,
i>( II of Tennessee, Corwin of Ohio. Crittenden of Kentucky, Breese of
Illinois, Benton of Missouri, Houston of Texas, Calhoun of South Caro-
lina, and Webster of Massachusetts. It need hardly be said that the
debates of that and the immediately succeeding Congress have possibly
never been surpassed in ability and eloquence by any deliberative as-
sembly.
The one vital and portentous question, in some one of its many phases,
then under continuous discussion, was that of human slavery. This in-
stitution, until its final extinction amid the flames of war, cast its
ominous shadow over our nation's pathway from the beginning. From
the establishment of the government under the Federal Constitution
to the period mentioned, it had been the constant subject of compromise
and concession.
Henry Clay was first known as "the great pacificator" by his tireless
efforts in the exciting struggle of 1820 over the admission of Missouri,
with its constitution recognizing slavery, into the Federal Union. Bowed
with the weight of years, the Kentucky statesman from the retirement
he had sought — in recognition of the general desire of his countrymen —
again returned to the theatre of his early struggles and triumphs. The
fires of ambition had burned low by age and bereavement, but with earn-
est longing that he might again "pour oil upon the troubled waters"
he presented to the Senate as terms of final peaceable adjustment of the
slavery question, the once famous "Compromise measures of 1850."
The sectional agitation then at its height was measurably the result
of the proposed disposition of territory acquired by the then recent treaty
with Mexico. The advocates and oponents of slavery extension were at
once in bitter antagonism and intensity of feeling such as the country
had rarely known.
The compromise measures— proposed by Mr. Clay in a general bill —
embraced the establishment of territorial governments for Utah and New
Mexico, the settlement of the Texas boundary, an amendment to the
fugitive slave law, and the admission of California as a free state. In
entire accord with each proposition. Mr. Douglas had — by direction of
the Committee on Territories, of which he was the chairman — reported
a bill providing for the immediate admission of California under its
recently adopted free state constitution. Separate measures embracing
the other propositions of the general bill were likewise duly reported.
These measures were advocated by the Illinois senator in a speech that at
once won him recognized place among the greal debaters of that illus-
trious assemblage. After many weeks of earnest, at time vehement de-
bate, the bills in the form last mentioned, were passed, and received the
approval of the president. Apart from the significance of these measures
50
as a peace offering to the country, their passage closed a memorable era
in our history. During their discussion Clay, Calhoun and Webster —
"the illustrious triumvirate" — were heard for the last time in the Senate.
Greatest of the second generation of our statesman, associated in the
advocacy of measures that in the early day of the republic had given
us exalted place among the nations, within brief time of each other,
"shattered by the contentions of the great hall, they passed to the
chamber of reconciliation and of silence."
Chief in importance of his public services to his stair was that of
Senator Douglas in procuring from Congress a land grant to aid in the
construction of the Illinois Central railroad. It is but justice to the
memory of his early colleague, Senator Breese, to say that he had been
the earnest advocate of a similar measure in a former congress. The bill,
however, which after persistent opposition finally became a law was in-
troduced and warmly advocated by Senator Douglas. This act ceded to
the State of Illinois, subject to the disposal of the Legislature thereof,
"for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a railroad from the
southern terminus of the Illinois and Michigan canal to a point at or
near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with a branch of
the same to Chicago, and another to Dubuque, la., every alternate section
of land designated by even numbers for six sections in width on each
side of said road and its branches." It is difficult at this day to realize
the importance of this measure to the then sparsely settled State. The
grant in aggregate was near three million acres, and was directly to the
State. After appropriate action by the State Legislature, the Illinois
Central Eailroad Company was duly organized, and the road eventually
constructed. The provision for the payment by the company to the State
of seven per cent of its gross annual earnings, is one, the value of which
to this and future generations cannot be overstated. By wise constitu-
tional provision the Legislature is forever prohibited from releasing the
company from this payment.
The completion of the Illinois Central Eailroad marked the beginning
of the era of marvelous development in Illinois. The vast land grant,
in convenient holdings, was soon in possession of actual settlers, and a
new impetus quickly given to all projects along the line of material
progress. During the five years immediately succeeding the passage of
the bill, the population of Illinois increased from less than nine hundred
thousand to near a million and a half, the foundations were firmly laid
for the present unsurpassed prosperity of the great central State. A
recent historian has truly said "For this, if for no other public service
to his State, the name of Douglas was justly entitled to preservation by
the erection of that splendid monumental column which overlooking the
blue waters of Lake Michigan, also overlooks for long distance that iron
highway winch was in no small degree the triumph of his legislative
forecast and genius."
The measure now to be mentioned aroused deeper attention — more
anxious concern — throughout the entire country than any with which
the name of Douglas had yet been closely associated. It pertained di-
rectly to slavery, the "bone of contention" between the north and the
57
south — the one dangerous quantity in our national politics — from the
establishment of the government. Beginning with its recognition, though
not in direct terms, in the federal constitution, it had through two gen-
erations in the interest of peace been the subject of repeated compromise.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories, Mr. Douglas in
the early days of 1854 reported, a bill providing for the organization of
the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. This measure, which so sud-
denly arrested public attention, is known in our political history as the
"Kansas-Nebraska bill." Among its provisions was one repealing the
Missouri Compromise or restriction of 1820. The end sought by the re-
peal was, as stated by Mr. Douglas, to leave the people of said territories
respectively to determine the question of the introduction or exclusion
of slavery for themselves; in other words, "to regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way subject only to the constitution of the
t United States." The principle strenuously contended for was that of
"popular sovereignty" or non-intervention by Congress, in the affairs
of the territories. In closing the protracted and exciting debate just
prior to the passage of the bill in the Senate, he said : "There is another
reason why 1 desire to see this principle recognized as a rule of action
in all time to come. It will have the effect to destroy all sectional
parties and sectional agitation. If you withdraw the slavery question
from the halls of Congress and the political arena, and commit it to the
arbitrament of those who are immediately interested in,. and alone re-
sponsible for its consequences there is nothing left out of which sec-
tional parties can be organized. When the people of the north shall ail
be rallied under one banner, and the whole south marshalled under
another banner, and each section excited to frenzy and madness by hos-
tility to the institutions of the other, then the patriot may well tremble
for the perpetuity of the Union. Withdraw the slavery question from
the political arena and remove it to the states and territories, each to
decide for itself, and such a catastrophe can never happen."
These utterances of little more, than half a century ago, fall strangely
upon our ears at this day. In the light of all that has occurred in the
long reach of years, how significant the words : "No man is wiser than
events." Likewise, "the actions of men are to be judged by the light
surrounding them at the time, not by the knowledge that comes after
the fact." The immediate effect of the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska
hill was directly the reverse of that so confidently predicted by Mr.
Douglas. The era of concord between the north and the south did not
return. The slavery question, instead of being relegated to the recently
organized territories for final settlement, at once assumed the dimensions
of a great national issue. The country at large, instead of a single ter-
ritory became the theatre of excited discussion. The final determina-
tion was to be not that of a territory, but of the entire people.
One significant effect of the passage of the bill was the immediate dis-
ruption of the Whig party. As a great national organization, of which
Clay and Webster had been eminent leaders, and Harrison and Taylor
successful candidates for the presidency, it now passes into history.
58
Upon its ruins, the republican party at once came into being. Under
the leadership of Fremont as its candidate, and opposition by congres-
sional intervention to slavery extension as its chief issue, it was a formid-
able antagonist to the democratic party in the presidential contest of
L856. Mr. Buchanan had defeated Douglas in the nominating conven-
tion of his party that year*. His absence from the country, as minister
to England, during the exciting events just mentioned, it was thought
would make him a safer candidate than his chief competitor. Mr. Doug-
las. He had been in no manner identified with the Kansas-Xebraska
bill, or the stormy events which immediately followed its passage. In
his letter of acceptance, however, Mr. Buchanan had given his unquali-
fied approval of his party platform which recognized and adopted the
principle contained in the organic law establishing the territories of
Nebraska and Kansas as embodying the only ''sound and safe solution of
the slavery question." Upon the principle here declared, issue was
joined by his political opponents, and the battle fought out to the bitter
end.
Although Mr. Douglas had met personal defeat in his aspiration to
the presidency', the principle of "non-intervention by congress" in the
arf'airs of the territories, for which he had so earnestly contended, had
been triumphant both in the convention of the party, and at the polls.
This principle, in its application to Kansas, was soon to be put to the
test. From it£ organization, that territory had been a continuous scene
of disorder often of violence. In rapid succession three governors ap-
pointed by the president had resigned and departed the territory, each
confessing his inability to maintain public order. The struggle for
mastery between the free state advocates and their adversaries arrested
the attention of the entire country. It vividly recalled the bloody forays-
read of in the old chronicles of hostile clans upon the Scottish border.
The "parting of the ways" between Senator Douglas and President
Buchanan was now reached. The latter had received the cordial support
of Mr. Douglas in the election which elevated him to the presidency.
His determined opposition to the re-election of Douglas became apparent
as the senatorial canvas progressed. The incidents nmv to be related will
explain this hostility, as well as bring to the front one of the distinctive
questions upon which much stress was laid in the subsequent debates
between Douglas and Lincoln.
A statesman of national reputation, Hon. Eobert J. Walker, was at
length appointed Governor of Kansas. During his brief administration,
a convention assembled without his cooperation at Leeompton. and form-
ulated a constitution under which application was soon made for the
admission of Kansas into the Union. Tin"? convention was in part
composed of < . and in no sense reflected the wishes of the
majority of the bona fide residents of Ha' territory. The salient feature
of Ibe constitution was that establishing slavery. The constitution wad
not submitted by the convention to popular vote, but in due time for-
warded to the President, and by him laid before Congress accon
by a recommendation for its approval, and (he early admission of the
new slate into the Union.
59
When the Lecompton constitution came before the Senate, it at once
encountered the formidable opposition of Mr. Douglas. In unmeasured
terms he denounced it as fraudulent, as antagonistic to the wishes of
the people of Kansas, and subversive of the basic principle upon which
the territory had been organized. In the attitude just assumed, Mr.
Douglas at once found himself in line with the Kepublieans, and in op-
position to the administration he had helped to place in power. The
breach thus created was destined to remain unhealed. Moreover, his
declaration of hostility to the Lecompton constitution was the beginning
of the end of years of close political affiliation with southern democratic
statesmen. From that moment, Mr. Douglas lost prestige as a national
leader of his party. In more than one-half of the democratic states he
ceased to be regarded as a probable or even possible candidate for the
presidential succession. The hostility thus engendered followed him to
the Charleston convention of 1860, and throughout the exciting presi-
dential contest which followed. But the humiliation of defeat, brought
about as he believed by personal hostility to himself, was yet in the
future. In the attempted admission of Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution, Mr. Douglas was triumphant over the administration and
his former political associates from the south. Under what was known
as the "English Amendment," the obnoxious constitution was referred
to the people of Kansas, and by them overwhelmingly rejected.
The close of this controversy in the early months of 1858 left Mr.
Douglas in a position of much embarrassment. He had incurred the
active hostility of the president, and in large measure of his- adherents,
without gaining the future aid of his late associates, in the defeat of the
Lecompton constitution. His senatorial term was nearing its close, and
his political life depended upon his re-election. With an united and
aggressive enemy, ably led, in his front ; his own party hopelessly divided
— one faction seeking his defeat, it can readily be seen that his political
pathway was by no means one of peace. Such in brief outline, were the
political conditions, when upon the adjournment of Congress, Mr.
Douglas returned to Illinois -in July, 1858, and made public announce-
ment of his candidacy for re-election.
In his speech at Springfield, June 17, accepting the* nomination of his
party for the Senate, Mr. Lincoln had uttered the words which have
since become historic. They are quoted at length, as they soon furnished
the text for his severe arraignment by Mr. Douglas in debate. The
words are: "We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was
initiated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting an end
to slavery agitation. LTnder the operation of that policy, that agitation
has not only not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion,
it will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. 'A
house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this country cannot
endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union
to be dissolved, I do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it will
cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either
the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it and place it
where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of
60
ultimate extinction or its advocates will push it forward until it shall be-
come alike lawful in all the states, old as well as new, north as well as
south."
This, at the time, was a bold utterance, and it was believed by mam-
would imperil Mr. Lincoln's chances for election. Mr. Blaine, in his
"Twenty Years of Congress," says: "Mr. Lincoln had been warned by
intimate friends to whom he had communicated the contents of his
speech in advance of its ' delivery, that he was treading on dangerous
ground that he would be misrepresented as a disunionist, and that he
might fatally damage the republican party by making its existence
synonymous with a destruction of the government,"
The opening speech of Mr. Douglas at Chicago a few days later,
sounding the key note of his campaign, was in the main an arraignment
of his opponent for an attempt to precipitate all internecine conflict, and
array in deadly hostility the north against the south. He said: "In
other words, Mr. Lincoln advocates boldly and clearly a war of sections,
a war of the north against the south, of the free states against the slave
states, a war of extermination, to be continued relentlessly until the one
or the other shall be subdued, and all the states snail either become free
or become slave."
The two speeches, followed by others of like tenor, aroused public in-
terest in the State as it had never been before. The desire to hear the
candidates from the same platform became general. The proposal for
joint debate came from Mr. Lincoln on the 24th day of July and was
soon thereafter accepted. Seven joint meetings were agreed upon, the
first to be at Ottawa, August 21st, and the last at Alton, October 15th.
The meetings were held in the open, and at each place immense crowds
were in attendance. The friends of Mr. Lincoln largely preponderated
in the northern portion of the State, those of Mr. Douglas in the
southern, while in the center the partisans of the respective candidates
were apparently equal in numbers. The interest never nagged for a
moment from the beginning to the close. The debate was upon a high
plane; each candidate enthusiastically applauded by his friends, and re-
spectfully heard by his opponents. The speakers were men of dignified
presence, their bearing such as to challenge respect in any assemblage.
There was nothing of the "grotesque" about the one, nothing of the
"political juggler" about the other. Both were deeply impressed with
the gravity of the questions at issue, and of what might prove their far
reaching consequence to the country. Kindly reference by each speak- ;■
to the other characterized the debates from the beginning. "My friend
Lincoln," and "My friend, the Judge." were expressions of constant oc-
currence during the debates. While each mercilessly attacked the polit-
ical utterances of the other, good feeling in the main prevailed. Some-
thing being pardoned to the spirit of debate, the amenities were well ob-
served. They had 1 o personally well known to each other for many
years, had served together in the Legislature when the State Capital
was at Vandalia, and at a later date. Lincoln had appeared before the
Supreme Court when Douglas was one of the judges. The amusing
Gl
allusions to each other were taken* in good part. Mr. Lincoln's pro-
found humor is now a proverb. It never appeared to better advantage
than during these debates. In criticising Mr. Lincoln's attack upon
Chief Justice Taney and his associates for the "Dred Scott decision/'
Douglas declared it to be an attempt to secure a reversal of the high
tribunal by an appeal to a town meeting. It reminded him of the say-
ing of Coloned Strode that the judicial system of Illinois was perfect,
except that "there should be an appeal allowed from the Supreme Court
to two justices of the peace." Lincoln replied: "That was when you
were on the bench, Judge." Eef erring to Douglas' allusion to him as a
kind, amiable and intelligent gentleman, he said : "Then as the Judge
has complimented me with these pleasant titles, I was a little taken,
for it came from a great man. I was not very much accustomed to
flattery and it came the sweeter to me. I was like the Hoosier with the
ginger bread, when he said he reckoned he loved it better and got less
of it than any other man." Mr. Douglas, referring to the alliance be-
tween the Eepublicans and the federaroffice holders, said: "I shall deal
with this allied army just as the Russian dealt with the allies at Sebas-
topol, the Russians when they fired a broadside did not stop to inquire
whether it hit a Frenchman, an Englishman or a Turk. Xor will I
stop to inquire whether my Mows hit the Republican leaders or their
allies who hold the federal offices/' To which Lincoln replied : "I beg
the Judge will indulge us while we remind 1dm that the allies took
Sebastopol."
In opening the debate at Ottawa, Mr. Douglas said: "In the remarks
I have made on the platform and the position of Mr. Lincoln, I mean
nothing personally disrespectful or unkind to that gentleman. I have
known him for twenty-five years. There were many points of sym-
pathy between us when we first got acquainted. We were both compara-
tively boys, and both struggling with poverty in a strange land. 1 was
a school teacher in the town of Winchester, and he a flourishing grocery
keeper in the town of Salem. He was more successful in his occupation
than 1 was in mine, and hence more fortunate in this world's goods.
Lincoln is one of those peculiar men who perform with admirable skill
everything which they undertake. I made as good a school teacher as
I could, and when a" cabinet maker I made a good bedstead and table
although my old boss said I succeeded better with bureaus and secre-
taries than anything else. I met him in the Legislature and had a sym-
pathy with him because of the up hill struggle we both had in life. He
was then just as good at felting an anecdote as now.. He could beat
any of the boys wrestling, or running a foot race, in pitching quoits or
tossing a 'copper, and the dignity and impartiality with which he pre-
sided at a horse race, or a fist fight, excited the admiration and won
the praise of everybody. I sympathized with him because he was strug-
gling with difficulties, and so was I." To which Mr. Lincoln replied:
"The judge is woefully at fault about his friend Lincoln being a grocery
keeper. I don't know as it would be a sin if I had been ; but he is mis-
62
taken. Lincoln never kept a grocery anywhere in the world. It is true
that Lincoln did work the latter part of one winter in a little still house
up at the head of a hollow."
The serious phases of the debates will now be considered. The opening-
speech was by Mr. Douglas. That he possessed rare power as a debater.
all who heard him can bear witness. Mr. Blaine in his history says:
"His mind was fertile in resources. He was master of logic. In that
peculiar style of debate which in its intensity resembles a physical com-
bat, he had no equal. He spoke with extraordinary readiness. He used
good English, terse, pointed, vigorous. He disregarded the adornments
of rhetoric. He never cited historic precedents except from the domain
of American politics. Inside that field, his knowledge was comprehen-
sive, minute, critical. He could lead a crowd almost irresistibly to his
own conclusions."
Douglas was, in very truth imbued with little of mere sentiment.
He gave little time to discussions belonging solely to the realm of the
speculative or the abstract. He was in no sense a dreamer. What
Coleridge has defined wisdom: "Common sense, in an uncommon de-
gree"— was his. In phrase the simplest and most telling, he struck at
once at the very core of the controversy. Possibly no man was ever less
inclined "to darken counsel with words without knowledge." Positive,
and aggressive, to the last degree, he never sought "by indirections to
find directions out." In statesmanship, in all that pertained to human
affairs, he was intensely practical. With him, in the words of Macaulay
"one acre in Middlesex, is worth a principality in Utopia."
It is a pleasure to recall, after the lapse of half a century, the two men
as they shook hands upon the speaker's stand, just before the opening
of the debates that were to mark an epoch in American history. Stephen
A. Douglas ! Abraham Lincoln ! As they stood side by side and looked
out upon "the sea of upturned faces" — it was indeed a picture to live
in the memory of all who witnessed it. The one stood for "the old
ordering of things," in an emphatic sense for the government as estab-
lished by the fathers, with all its compromises. The other, recognizing,
equally 'with his opponent, the binding force of constitutional obligation,
yet looking away from present surroundings "felt the inspiration of the
coming of the grander day." As has been well said: "The one faced
the past — the other the future."
"Often do the spirits of great events
Stride on before the events,
And in today, already walks tomorrow."
Few survive of the vast assemblages who listened spellbound to the im- •
passioned words of the masterful debaters. The conditions mentioned
by Webster as essential to true eloquence had arisen: "The orator and
the occasion had met." The people of the entire State were aroused,
the interest profound, the excitement at times intense. The occasion
was indeed worthy the great orators; the orators worthy the great oc-
casion. The debaters were to note a mighty epoch in American politics.
The immediate arena of the struggle was Illinois, and the prize of
victory, a senatorship. But to those who read the signs, aright, it was
but the prelude to the contest for the presidency soon to follow. Within
less than two years from the opening debate, Lincoln and Douglas were
opposing candidates for the presidency, and the area of the struggle en-
larged from a state to a nation. And following close upon its determin-
ation, the momentous questions involved, were transferred from hustings
and from Senate to find bloody arbitrament on the field.
The name of Lincoln is now a household word. But little can be
written of him that is not already known to the world. Nothing that
•can be uttered or withheld can add to, or detract from, his imperishable
fame. But it must be remembered that his great opportunity and fame,
came after the stirring events separated from us by the passing of fifty
years. It is not the Lincoln of history, but Lincoln, the country lawyer,
the debater, the candidate of his party for political office, with whom
we have now to do. Born in Kentucky, much of his early life was spent
in Indiana, and all of his professional and public life up to his election
to the presidency, in Illinois. His early opportunities for study, like
those of Douglas, were meagre indeed. Neither had had the advantage
of the thorough training of the schools. Of both, it might truly have
been said: "They knew men rather than books." From his log cabin
home upon the Sangamon, Mr. Lincoln had in his early manhood volun-
teered, and was made captain of his company, in what was so well known
to the early settlers of Illinois, as "the Black Hawk War." Later he
was surveyor of his county, and three times a member of the State Legis-
lature. At the time of the debates with Senator Douglas, Mr. Lincoln
had for many years been a resident of Springfield, and a recognized
leader of the bar. As an advocate he had probably no superior in the
State. During the days of the Whig party he was an earnest exponent
of its principles, and an able champion of its candidates. As such,
he had in successive contests eloquently presented the claims of Har-
rison, Clay, Taylor and Scott to the presidency. In 1846, he was elected
a Eepresentative in Congress, and upon his retirement, he resumed the
active practice of his profession. "Upon the dissolution of the Whig
party, he cast in his fortunes with the new political organization, and was
in very truth one of the builders of the J^epublican party. At its first
national convention in 1856, he received a large vote for nomination
to the vice presidency, and during the memorable campaign of that year
canvassed the State in advocacy of the election of Fremont and Dayton,
the candidates of the Philadelphia convention.
In the year 1858, that of the great debates, Mr. Douglas was the better
known of the opposing candidates in the country at large. In a speech
then recently delivered in Springfield. Mr. Lincoln said : "There is
still another disadvantage under which we labor and to which I will ask
your attention. It arises out of the relative positions of the two persons,
who stand before the State as candidates for the Senate.
"Senator Douglas is of world wide renown. All the anxious politicians
of his party have been looking upon him as certainly at no distant day
to be the president of the United States. They have seen in his ruddy,
jolly, fruitful face, postoffices, land offices, marshalships, and cabinet
appointments, and foreign missions, bursting 'and sprouting out in
wonderful exuberance, ready to be laid hold of by their greedy hands.
On the contrary, nobody has ever seen in my poor, lean, lank face that
any cabbages were sprouting out,"
Both, however, were personally well known in Illinois. Each was by
unanimous nomination the candidate of his party. Mr. Douglas had
known sixteen years of continuous service in one or the other House of
Congress. In the Senate, he had held high debate with Seward, Sumner
and Chase from the north, and during the last session, since he had as-
sumed a position of antagonism to the Buchanan administration, had
repeatedly measured swords with Toombs, Benjamin, and Jefferson Davis,
chief among the great debaters from the south.
Mr. Lincoln's services in Congress had been limited to a single term
in the lower House, and his great fame was yet to be achieved, not as
a legislator, but as chief executive during the most critical years of our
history.
Such in brief were the opposing candidates as they entered the lists
of debate at Ottawa on the* twenty-first day of August, 1858. Both in
the prime of manhood, thoroughly equipped for the conflict, and sur-
rounded by throngs of devoted friends. Both gifted with marvelous for-
ensic powers, and alike hopeful as to the result. Each recognizing fully
the strength of his opponent, his own powers were constantly at their
highest tension.
"The blood more stirs
To rouse a lion than to start a hare."
In opening, Mr. Douglas made brief reference to the political con-
dition of the country prior to the year 1854. He said : "The Whig
and the Democratic were the two great parties then in existence; both
national and patriotic, advocating principles that were universal in their
application; while these parties differed in regard to banks, tariff, and
sub-treasury, they agreed on the slavery question which now agitates
the Union. They had adopted the compromise measures of 1850 as the
basis of a full solution of the slavery question in all its forms, that these
measures had received the endorsement of both parties in their national
convention of 1852, thus affinrrfhg the right of the people of each state and
territory to decide as to their domestic institutions for themselves; that
this principle was embodied in the bill reported by me in 1854 for the
organization of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska; in order that
there might be no misunderstanding, these words were inserted in that
bill : Tt is the true intent and meaning of this act, not to legislate
slavery into any state or territory, or to exclude it therefrom, but to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their do-
mestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the federal con-
stitution.' "
Turning then to his opponent, he said : "I desire to know whether
Mr. Lincoln today stands as he did in 1854 in favor of the uncondi-
tional repeal of the fugitive slave law; whether he stands pledged today
G5
as he did in 1854 against the admission of any more slave states into
•the Union, even if the people want them; whether he stands pledged
against the admission of a new state into the Union with such a consti-
tution as the people of that State may see fit to make. I want to know
whether he stands today pledged to the abolition of slavery in the Dis-
trict of Columbia; I desire to know whether he stands pledged to pro-
hibit slavery in all the territories of the United States north as well as
south of the Missouri Compromise line. I desire him to answer whether
he is opposed to acquisition of any more territory unless slavery is pro-
hibited therein. I want his answer to these questions."
Mr. Douglas then addressed himself to the already quoted words of
Mr. Lincoln's Springfield speech commencing : "A house divided against
itself cannot stand." He declared the government had existed for
seventy years divided into free and slave states as our fathers made it;
that at the time the Constitution was framed there were thirteen states,
twelve of which were slave holding, and one a free state ; that if the
doctrine preached by Mr. Lincoln that all should be free, or all slave
had prevailed the twelve would have overruled the one, and slavery
would have been established by the Constitution on every inch of the
republic, instead, of being left as our fathers wisely left it for each
state to decide for itself." He then declared that "uniformity in the local
laws and institutions of the different states is neither possible nor de-
sirable ; that if uniformity had been adopted when the government was
established it must inevitably have been the uniformity of slavery every-
where, or the uniformity of negro citizenship and negro equality every-
where. I hold that humanity and Christianity both require that the
negro shall have and enjoy every right and every privilege and every
immunity consistent with the safety of the society in which he lives.
The question then arises, what rights and privileges are consistent with
the public good ? This is a question which each state and each territory
must decide for itself. Illinois has decided it for herself."
He then said : "Now, my friends, if we will only act conscientiously
upon this great principle of popular sovereignty, it guarantees to each
state and territory the right to do as it pleases on all things local and
domestic instead of Congress interfering, we will continue at peace one
with another. This doctrine of Mr. Lincoln of uniformity among the
institutions of the different states is a new doctrine never dreamed of
by Washington, Madison or the framers of the government. Mr. Lin-
coln and his party set themselves up as wiser than the founders of the
government which has flourished for seventy years under the principle
of popular sovereignty, recognizing the right of each state to do as it
pleased. Under that principle, we have grown from a nation of three
or four millions to one of thirty millions of people. We have crossed the
mountains and filled up the whole northwest, turning the prairie into a
garden, and building up churches and schools, thus spreading civilization
and Christianity where before there was nothing but barbarism. Un-
der that principle we have become from a feeble nation the most power-
ful upon the face of the earth, and if we only adhere to that principle
— 5H S
we can go forward increasing in territory, in power, in strength and in
glory until the Eepublic of America shall be the North Star that
shall guide the friends of freedom throughout the civilized world. I
believe that this new doctrine preached by Mr. Lincoln will dissolve the
Union if it succeeds; trying to array all the northern states in one body
against the southern; to excite a sectional war between the free states
and the slave states in order that the one or the other may be driven to
the wall."
Mr. Lincoln said in reply: "I think and shall try to show that the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise is wrong; wrong in its direct effect,
letting slavery into Kansas and Nebraska, wrong in its prospective
principle, allowing it to spread to every other part of the wide world
where men can be found inclined to take it. This declared indifference,
but I must think covert zeal for the spread of slavery, I cannot but hate.
I. hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery itself. I hate it
because it deprives our republic an example of its just influence in the
world, enables the enemies of free institutions with plausibility to taunt
us as hypocrites. I have no prejudices against the southern people ; they
are just what we would be in their situation. If slavery did not exist
among them, they would not introduce it. If it did now exist amongst
us we would not instantly give it up. This I believe of the masses north
and south. When the southern people tell us they are no more respon-
sible for the origin of slavery than we, I acknowledge the fact. When
it is said that the institution exists, and that it is very difficult to get
rid of it in any satisfactory way, I can understand and appreciate the
same. I surely will not blame them for what I should not know how to
do myself. If all earthly powers were given me, I should not know what
to do as to the existing institution."
Declaring that he did not advocate freeing the negroes, and making
them our political and social equals, but suggesting that gradual systems
of emancipation might be adopted by the states, he added : "But for
their tardiness in this, I will not undertake to judge our brethren of the
south. But all this to my judgment furnishes no more excuse for per-
mitting slavery to go into our free territory than it would for the re-
viving the African slave trade by law." He then added : "I have no
purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery
in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so,
and I have no inclination to do so. I have no purpose to introduce po-
litical and social equality between the white and black races.
But I hold that notwithstanding all this there is no reason in the world
why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the
Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white
man. I agree with Judge Douglas he is not my equal in many respects,
certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral and intellectual endowment.
But in the right to eat the bread, without the leave of anybody, which
his own hand earns, he is my equal, and the equal of Judge Douglas,
and tl qual of every living man."
67
Referring to the quotation from his Springfield speech of the words:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand/' he said: "Does the
Judge say it can stand ? If he does, then there is a question of veracity
not between him and me, but between the Judge and an authority of
somewhat higher character. I leave it to you to say whether in the his-
tory of our government the institution of slavery has not failed to be a
bond of union, but on the contrary been an apple of discord and an ele-
ment of division in the house, if so, then I have a right to say, that in
regard to this question the Union is a house divided against itself; and
when the Judge reminds me that I have often said to him that the insti-
tution of slavery has existed for eighty years in some states and yet it
does not exist in some others, I agree to that fact, and I account for it
by looking at the position in which our fathers originally placed it,
restricting it from the new territories where it had not gone, and legis-
lating to cut off its source by abrogation of the slave trade, thus putting
the seal of legislation against its spread, the public mind did rest in the
belief that it was in the course of ultimate extinction. Now, I believe
if we could arrest its spread and place it where Washington and Jeffer-
son and Madison placed it, it would be in the course of ultimate extinc-
tion, and the public mind would, as for eighty years past, believe that it
was in the course of ultimate extinction."
Referring further to his Springfield speech he declared that he had
no thought of doing anything to bring about a war between the free
and slave states ; that he had no thought in the world that he was doing
anything to bring about social and political equality of the black and
white races.
Pursuing this line of argument, he insisted that the first step in the
conspiracy, the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, followed soon by the
Dred Scott decision, the latter fitting perfectly into the niche left by
the former, "in such a case, we feel it impossible not to believe that
Stephen and Franklin, Roger and James, all understood one another
from the beginning, and all worked upon a common plan or draft drawn
before the first blow was struck."
In closing, Mr. Douglas, after indignant denial of the charge of con-
spiracy, said: "I have lived twenty-five years in Illinois; I have served
you with all the fidelity and ability which I possess, and Mr. Lincoln
is at liberty to attack my public action, my votes, and my conduct, but .
when he dares to attack my moral integrity by a charge of conspiracy
between myself, Chief Justice Taney, and the Supreme Court and two
Presidents of the United States, I will repel it."
At Freeport, Mr. Lincoln, in opening the discussion, at once declared
his readiness to answer the interrogatories propounded. He said : "I
do not now, nor ever did, stand in favor of the unconditional repeal of
the fugitive slave law ; I do not now, nor ever did, stand pledged against
the admission of any more slave states into the Union; I do not stand
pledged against the admission of a new state into the Union with such
a constitution as the people of that state may see fit to make; I do not
stand today pledged to the abolition of slavery in the District of Colum-
bia ; I do not stand pledged to the prohibition of the slave trade between
G8
the different states; I am impliedly, if not expressly pledged to a belief
in the right and duty of Congress to prohibit slavery in all the United
States territories."
Waiving the form of the interrogatory as to being pledged he said :
"As to the first one in regard to the fugitive slave law, 1 have never
hesitated to say, and I do not now hesitate to say, that I think under the
Constitution of the United States the people of the southern states are
entitled to a congressional fugitive slave law. Having said that, I have
had nothing to say in regard to the existing fugitive slave law further
than that I think it should have been framed so as to be free from some
of the objections that pertain to it without lessening its efficiency. In
regard to whether I am pledged to the admission of any more slave states
into the Union, I would be exceedingly glad to know that there would
never be another slave state admitted into the Union; but I must add
that if slavery shall be kept out of the territories during the territorial
existence of any one given territory, and then the people shall, having
a fair chance and a clear field when they come to adopt the constitution,
do such an extraordinary thing as to adopt a slavery constitution unin-
fluenced by the actual presence of the institution among them, I see no
alternative if we own the country, but to admit them into the Union.
I -should be exceedingly glad to see slavery abolished in the District of
Columbia. I believe that Congress possesses constitutional power to
abolish it. Yet, as a member of Congress, I should not be in favor of
endeavoring to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia unless it
would be upon these conditions : First, that the abolition should be
gradual ; second, that it should be on a vote of the majority of qualified
voters in the district- third, that compensation should be made unwilling
owners. With these conditions, I confess I should be exceedingly glad
to see Congress abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and in the
language of Henry Clay. •Swoop from our capitol that foul blot upon
our nation.' "
These carefully prepared answers will never cease to be of profound
interest to the student of human affairs. They indicate unmistakably
the conservative tendency of Mr. Lincoln, and his position at the time
as to the legal status of the institution of slavery. But, "Courage mount-
eth with occasion." Five years later, and from the hand that penned
the answers given came the great proclamation emancipating a race.
"The hour had struck", and slavery perished. "The "compromises"
upon which it rested were in the mighty upheaval, but as the stubble
before the flame.
Eecurring to the Freeport debate, Mr. Lincoln propounded to his op-
ponent four interrogatories as follows: First, if the people of Kansas
shall by means entirely unobjectionable in all other respects adopt a
state constitution and ask admission into the Union under it before they
have the requisite number of inhabitants according to the bill, some
ninety-throe thousand, will you vote to admit them? Second, can the
people of a United States territory in any lawful way. against the wish
of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from its limits
CD
prior to the formation of a state constitution? Third, if the Supreme
Court of the United States shall decide that states cannot exclude slavery
from their limits, are you in favor of acquiescing in, adopting and fol-
lowing such decision as a rule of political action; fourth, are you in
favor of acquiring additional territory in disregard of how such acquisi-
tion may effect the nation on the slavery question ?"
The questions propounded reached the marrow of the controversy, and
were yet to have a much wider field for discussion. This was especially
true of the second of the series. Upon this, widely divergent, irrecon-
cilable, views were entertained by northern and southern democrats.
The evidence of this is to be found in the respective national platforms
upon which Mr. Douglas and Mr. Breckenridge were two years later
rival candidates of a divided party. The second interrogatory of Mr.
Lincoln clearly emphasized this conflict of opinion as it existed at the
time of the debates. It is but just, however, to Mr. Douglas, of whom
little that is kindly has in late years been spoken, to say, that there was
nothing in the question to cause him surprise or embarrassment. It
would be passing strange if during the protracted debates with Senators
representing extreme and antagonistic views a matter so vital as the in-
terpretation of the Kansas-Nebraska act, as indicated by the interroga-
tory, had never been under discussion. Conclusive evidence upon the
points is to be found in the speech delivered by Senator Douglas at
Bloomington, July 16th, forty-two days before the Freeport debate, in
which he said: 'T tell you, my friends it is impossible under our in-
stitutions to force slavery on an unwilling people. If this principle of
popular sovereignty, asserted in the Nebraska bill be fairly carried out
by letting the people decide the question for themselves by a fair vote,
at a fair election, and with honest returns, slavery will never exist one
day, or one hour in any territory against the unfriendly legislation of
an unfriendly people. Hence, if the people of a territory want slavery
they will encourage it by passing affirmatory laws, and the necessary
police regulations ; if they do not want it, they will withhold that legis-
lation, and by withholding it slavery is as dead as if it was prohibited
by a constitutional prohibition. They could pass such local laws and
police regulations as would drive slavery out in one day or one hour if
they were opposqd to it, and therefore, so far as the question of slavery
in the territories is concerned, so far as the principle of popular sover-
eignty is concerned in its practical operation, it matters not how the
Dred Scott case may be decided with reference to the territories. My
own opinion on that point is well known. It is shown by my vote and
speeches in Congress."
Becurring again to the Freeport debate, in reply to the first interroga-
tory. Mr. Douglas declared that in reference to Kansas it was his opinion
that if it had population enough to constitute a slave state, it had people
. enough for a free state ; that he would not make Kansas an exceptional
case, to the other states of the Union ; that he held it to be a sound rule
of universal application to require a territory to contain the requisite
70
population for a member of Congress before its admission as a state into
. the Union ; that it having been decided that Kansas has people enough
for a slave state, I hold it has enough for a free state."
As to the third interrogatory, he said : "Only one man in the United
States, ah editor of a paper in Washington had held such view, and that
he, Douglas, had at the time denounced it on the floor of the Senate.
That Mr. Lincoln casts an imputation upon the Supreme Court by sup-
posing that it would violate the constitution; that it would be an act
of moral treason that no man on the bench could ever descend to. To
the fourth, which he said was "very ingeniously and cunningly put"
he answered that: "Whenever it became necessary in our growth and
progress to acquire more territory he was in favor of it without reference
to the question of slavery, and when we have acquired it, he would leave
the people to do as they pleased, either to make it free, or slave territory
as they preferred."
The answer to the second interrogatory, of which much has been
written, was given without hesitation. Language could hardly be more
clear or effective. He said : "To the next question propounded to me I
answered emphatically, as Mr. Lincoln has heard me answer a hundred
times, that in my opinion the people of the territory can by lawful means
exclude slavery from their limits prior to the formation of a state con-
stitution. It matters not what the Supreme Court may hereafter decide
as to the abstract question whether slavery may or may not go into a
territory under the constitution, the people have the lawful means to
introduce it, or exclude it, as they please, for the reason that slavery
cannot exist a day, or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local
police regulations. Those police regulations can only be established
by the local legislatures, and if the people are opposed to slavery they
will elect representatives to that body who will by unfriendly legislation
effectually prevent the introduction of it into their midst. If, on the
contrary they are for it, their Legislature will favor its extension.
Hence, no matter what the decision of the Supreme Court may be on
that abstract .question, still the right of the people to make a slave ter-
ritory or a free territory is perfect and complete under the Nebraska
bill."
The trend of thought, the unmeasured achievement of activities look-
ing to human amelioration, during the fifty intervening years, must be
taken into the account before uncharitable judgment upon what has been
declared the indifference of Mr. Douglas to the question of abstract right
involved in the memorable discussion. It must be remembered that- the
world has moved apace, and that a mighty gulf separates us from that
eventful period in which practical statesmen were compelled to deal with
institutions as then existing. And not to be forgotten are the words of
the great interpreter of the human heart:
"But — know thou this, that
Men are as the time is."
The great debates between Douglas and Lincoln, the like of which we
shall not hear again, had ended and passed to the domain of history.
To the inquiry: "Which of the participants won the victory?" — there
can be no absolute answer. Judged by the immediate result — the former,
by consequence more remote and far reaching — the latter. Within three
years from the first meeting at Ottawa, Mr. Lincoln, having been elected
and inaugurated president, was upon the threshold of mighty events
which are now the masterful theme of history ; and his great antagonist
in the now historic debates — had passed from earthly scenes.
It has been said that Douglas was ambitious.
"If 'twere so, it was a grievous fault
And grievously hath he answered it."
We may well believe that with like honorable ambition to the two great
popular leaders of different periods, Clay and Blaine, his goal was the
presidency.
In the three last national conventions of his party preceding his death,
he was presented by the Illinois delegation to be named for the great
office. The last of these, the Charleston convention of 1860, is now his-
toric. It assembled amid intense party passion, and after a turbulent
session, that seemed the omen of its approaching doom, adjourned to
a later day to Baltimore. Mr. Douglas there received the almost solid
vote of the northern, and a portion of that of the border states, but the
hostility of the extreme southern leaders to his candidacy was implacable
to the end. What had seemed inevitable from the beginning, at length
occurred, and the great historic party, which had administered the
government with brief intermissions from the inauguration of Jefferson,
was hopelessly rent asunder. This startling event, and what it might
portend, gave pause to thoughtful men of all parties. It was not a mere
incident, but an epoch in history. Mr. Blaine in his "Twenty years of
Congress" says: "The situation was the cause of solicitude and even
grief with thousands to whom the old party was peculiarly endeared.
The traditions of Jefferson, of Madison, of Jackson, were devoutly
treasured; and the splendid achievements of the American democracy
were recounted with the pride which attaches to an honorable family in-
heritance. The fact was recalled that the republic had grown to its
imperial dimensions under democratic statesmanship. It was remem-
bered that Louisiana had been acquired from France, Florida, from
Spain, the independent republic of Texas annexed, and California, with
its vast dependencies, and its myriad millions of treasure ceded by
Mexico, all under democratic administrations, and in spite of the resist-
ence of their opponents. That a party whose history was interwoven with
the glory of the republic should now come to its end in a quarrel over the
status of the negro in a country where his labor was not wanted, was to
many of its members as incomprehensible as it was sorrowful and ex-
asperating. They might have restored the party to harmony, but at
. the very height of the factional contest, the representatives of both sec-
tions were hurried forward to the national convention of 1860, with
principle subordinated to passion, with judgment displaced by a desire
for revenge."
The withdrawal from the Baltimore convention of a large majority
of the southern delegates and a small following, led by Caleb Cushing
and Benjamin F. Butler from the north, resulted in the immediate nom-
ination by the requisite two-thirds vote of Senator Douglas as the presi-
dential candidate. The platform upon the question of slavery was in
substance that contended for by the candidates in the debates with
Lincoln. The democratic party divided, Breckenridge receiving the sup-
port of the south, Mr. Douglas' candidacy was hopeless from the be-
ginning. But his iron will and courage, that knew no faltering, never
appeared to better advantage than during that eventful canvas. De-
serted by former political associates, he visited distant states and ad-
dressed immense audiences in defense of the platform upon which he
had been nominated, and in advocacy of his own election. His speeches.
in southern states were of the stormy incidents of a struggle that has
scarcely known a parallel. Interrogated by a prominent citizen at
Norfolk, Va. "If Lincoln be elected president, would the southern states
be justified in seceding from the union?" Douglas instantly replied:
"I emphatically answer, no. The election of a man to the presidency in
conformity with the Constitution of the United States would not justify
an attempt to dissolve the union."
Defeated in his great ambition, broken in health, the sad witness of
the unmistakable portents of the coming sectional strife, the few re-
maining months of his mortal life were enveloped in gloom. Partisan
feeling vanished, his deep concern was now only for his country. Stand-
ing by the side of his successful rival whose wondrous career was only
opening, as his own was nearing its close, he bowed profound assent to
the imperishaMe utterances of the inaugural address: "I am loath to
close. We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies.
Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of af-
fection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from every battlefield
and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad
land, will yet swell the chorus of the union when again touched, as surely
they will be, by the better angels of our nature." '
Yet later, immediately upon the firing of the fatal shot at Sumpter
that suddenly summoned millions from peaceful pursuits to arms, by
invitation of the Illinois Legislature, Mr. Douglas addressed his country-
men for the last time. "Broken with the storms of State," the fires of
ambition forever extinguished, standing literally upon the threshold of
the grave, his soul burdened with the calamities that had befallen his
country, in tones of deepest pathos he declared: "If war must come,
if the bayonet must be used to maintain the Constitution, I can say
before God, my conscience is clear. I have struggled long for a peace-
ful solution of the trouble. I deprecate war, but if it must come, I am
with my country, and for my country, in every contingency, and under
all circumstances. At all hazards our government must be maintained,
and the shortest pathway to peace is through the most stupendous prep-
aration for war." Who that heard the last public utterance that fell
from his lips, can forget his solemn invocation to all who had followed
his political fortunes, until the banner had fallen from his hand —
"to know only their country in its hour of peril!"
73
The ordinary limit of human life unreached ; his intellectual strength
unabated; his loftiest aspirations unrealized; at the critical moment of
his country's sorest need, he .passed to the grave. What reflections and
regrets may have been his in that hour of awful mystery, we may not
know. In the words of another: ''What blight and anguish met his
agonized eyes, whose lips may tell? What brilliant, broken plans, what
bitter rending of sweet household ties, of strong manhood's friendships !"
In the light of what has been disclosed, may we not believe that with
his days prolonged, he would during the perilous years have been the
safe counselor, the rock, of the great President, in preserving the nation's
life, and later "in binding up the nation's wounds."
Worthy of honored and enduring place in history, Stephen A. Doug-
las, statesman and patriot, lies buried within the great city whose stup-
endous development is so largely the result of his own wise forecast and
endeavor, by the majestic lake whose waves break near the base of his
stately monument and chant his eternal requiem.
THE JEFFEBSON-LEMEN ANTI-SLAVEEY PACT.
By Joseph B. Lemen.
At the close of the war for independence, Thomas Jefferson (though
a slave holder), believing the system to be a curse and being loyal to
the immortal truth concerning human rights and liberty, which he had
written for the ages in our chart of independence, resolved to dedicate
to freedom, the northwestern territory, which Virginia then held. But,
well knowing that a knowledge of his purpose by the far south would
defeat its success, as well as his own laudable ambition for future pre-
ferment, he made the matter a profound secret. At that time a few
pioneers were settling in the western boundaries, and Jefferson formed
the purpose to send a capable and confidential agent into the Illinois
section of the territory to shape events in the new settlements toward
anti-slavery. For this mission, he selected his young friend, James
Lemen, living near Harper's Ferry, Va., believing his courage, ability
and resolute honesty fitted him for a leader.
Several meetings were held to talk the matter over, and at length, at
their last meeting, at Annapolis, Maryland, on May 2, 1784, all the
details in their secret anti-slavery pact or agreement, under which Mr.
Lemen was to come to Illinois to oppose slavery, were agreed upon;
and Jefferson shortly after sailed as an envoy to France. Mr. Lemen
was delayed by illness for some time, but on December 28, 1785, Jef-
ferson's financial agent gave him some funds for his family in case of
sickness or emergencies, though they were never used except for other good
causes, and he and his family came to Illinois in 1786, and finally
settled at the New Design in Monroe county, where, in due time, they
made themselves a comfortable home. In 1787, Mr. Lemen was con-
verted to the Baptist faith, and he immediately set about converting
others and creating or collecting Baptist churches for the duly author-
ized Baptist ministers to constitute. He was the founder of the first
eighl Baptist churches in Illinois, and before each was constituted, he
held a preliminary meeting, with the proposed members, pledging them,
among other things, to oppose the doctrine and practice of slavery, thus
faithfully carrying out the spirit of his anti-slavery pact with Jefferson
by every means possible. He did not make opposition to slavery an ac-
tual test for the religious faith of his followers, but by apneals to their
reason and sense of right, he induced the constituents of every church
he formed to make a pledge against slavery.
When Senator Wm. Henry Harrison was made governor of the north-
western territory, though at heart opposed to slavery, its pressing de-
mands swept him and his territorial council into its service, and they
finally plied Congress through several years in several sessions to estab-
lish slavery in the territory. In his pro-slavery efforts, Governor Har-
rison recognized Mr. Lemen's leadership in Illinois, made overtures for
his approval and support ; but he replied, that as good a friend as he was
to Governor Harrison, "that while his blood ran warm" he would-
oppose slavery to his latest hour, and to make that declaration good, he
sent an agent to Indiana, paying him with some of Jefferson's funds,
to stir up the people there to sign and send anti-slavery petitions to
Congress to counter-act Governor Harrison's pro-slavery petitions. The
agent called on Jefferson's anti-slavery agent, whom he had sent into
Indiana to work for the same purpose, and on the same basis as Mr.
Lemen's mission to Illinois, but the agent had lost his wife and child
and, in fact, had proved a disappointment. But other noble workers
rallied to the cause, and a great anti-slavery petition was circulated,
signed and sent to Congress, Mr. Lemen securing some signers here. At
length, that body (Congress) denied and defeated Governor Harrison's
request and purpose; and it was understood that President Jefferson,
loyal to the cause for which he had sent Mr. Lemen to Illinois to estab-
lish, through some of his powerful friends in Congress caused them to
secure the defeat of Harrison's demands.
This practically ended the contest in the territory but the tremendous
pressure under Governor Harrison and his Legislature, gave Mr. Lemen''?
churches or a controlling element in them, a pro-slavery trend, and he
determined to bring them back to their original anti-slavery basis, or,
failing, to call a division and from a new anti-slavery church to lead
that cause in Illinois. In 1808 President Jefferson was informed of this
purpose, by their mutual friend, S. H. Biggs, and he, greatly pleased,
sent a message by this friend to Mr. Lemen to proceed at once to call
for a division, and make a new anti-slavery church to lead the contest
for freedom. Dreading the tremendous responsibilities of a division,
Mr. Lemen, for some months, labored earnestly to recall the churches
to their former basis, but, failing in this, he prepared to carry forward
Jefferson's orders, and he called for a division at a great meeting at
Eichland creek church, on July 8, 1809, which was to consider the
matter. The movement was taken under advisement until another meet-
ing was called to act, when the division was granted, and Mr. Lemen and
his followers withdrew and formed their anti-slavery church the next
day, December 10, 1809. It was called the Canteen creek church, "The
Baptized Church of Christ, friends to humanity," now the Bethel Bap-
tist- church near Collinsville. The division and creation of the new
church gave the anti-slavery cause such a impetus over all of Illinois,
that in their confidential letters to Mr. Lemen, Senators Douglas and
Trumbull and Abraham Lincoln, who, in 1850, had been made familiar
with all the facts, declared that the event sounded the death knell of
slavery in Illinois and finally. made it a free State. Had Illinois been a
slave State, and in the great conflict of 1861-65 had it launched its
mighty armies against instead of for the Union, what might we have
been today?
The persons above named, with Dr. J. M. Peck, and a few others,
were the only ones to whom Eev. James Lemen, Jr., as long as fifty or
sixty years ago, had told the facts of the "Jefferson-Lemen anti-slavery
pact," or who had seen the papers relating to it. It should be added here
that the above facts are taken from Dr. Peck's history of that pact or
agreement, which he wrote in 1851, from the old family notes of Eev.
James Lemen, Jr., when he wrote the history of the Bethel church, and,
in fact, it comprises a part of the history of that church, as it was or-
ganized to leaji the anti-slavery contest in Illinois after the first seven
Baptist churches formed by Bev. James Lemen, Sr., had gone over to
pro-slavery cause under the pro-slavery influence of Governor Harri-
son's rule. But that part of the Bethel church history of Dr. Peck,
included in the history of the "pact," was not then made public, while
the other part of it was recorded in the old church book of records of
that period.
The so-called "Old Lemen Family Notes," embraced the notes of Bev.
James Lemen, Sr., which he began to keep in Virginia during the war
for independence, about a dozen of them being made by him during his
campaign as a soldier in the Yorktown siege, and a little later they de-
scribed his friendships and meetings with Jefferson and refer to their
anti-slavery pact of agreement, and he continued them in Illinois down,
nearly, to the time of his death, which occurred in 1823, at New Design,
Monroe county, Illinois. In 1805 his son (my father) Bev. James
Lemen, Jr., began keeping his notes, and as lie was in public life for
many years, being a member of the State Constitutional Convention in
1818, and a member of the territorial legislatures in Kas-
kaskia, "and the State Legislature in Vandalia and Springfield,
and also a minister of the Gospel, he knew every public man
in Illinois, down to the time of his death in 1870, and his
notes comprised sketches, histories, letters and notes of all kinds ; and the
so-called "family notes" covered a period of nearly a century and a
quarter from the present, or the whole period of Illinois history, and
several years of notes in Virginia, counting my father's and his father'?
notes, all of which finally came into my father's hands and keeping.
A.s these notes are the foundation of all that has been written on the
Jefferson-Lemen matter and many other historical matters of general in-
terest, something should be said of their authenticity. According to
Governor Beynolds and Dr. J. M. Peck, these "family notes" were the
only written, connected and authentic set of such notes ever kept in
Illinois. Both Beynolds and Ford received and used many of them from
parties who had read them, not wishing to come to Bev. James Lemen.
Jr., to actually gel them for themselves, for fear of a little cost, though
he would have charged them nothing. But they sent their work to him
to examine, and they had gotten so many of the facts wrong that be
simply marked off, that i>. scratched out the words, "Lemen family
77
notes," not wishing them to appear as sponsor for such statements, and
returned their manuscripts to the writers. Shortly before Dr. Peck's
death, he had made a little book which he called "an index of errors
corrected," and he used the family notes to correct them. The errors
were those in early Illinois histories, but he died before his book was
published and it was lost, with his papers and some of our family notes,
which he had borrowed. These notes consist of observations and papers
written largely by people who were witnesses of or actors in the events
they describe, and, of course, are more authentic than statements resting
on mere hearsay, or oral traditions.
We will now explain a little more fully than we have ever yet cared
to do in the newspapers the whole Jefferson-Lemen matter, and it will
divest it of a good deal of the glamor and glory with which people in-
vest it, that do not know all the inside facts.
Jefferson was always strangely infatuated with Lemen. When he
was a little child he made an idol of him and in his young manhood,
it was his soul's delight to help him. Lemen was a born enthusiast
against slavery, and he got up his scheme of the "'pact'' and an anti-
slavery mission to Illinois as much to get Lemen to go as for his own
ends. He wanted to make the northwest territory free, and as he be-
lieved, Illinois held grand opportunities for any young man of Lemen's
tastes and grit and that he would grow into a great leader and would be
just as likely to do as much toward making the young territory free as
any of his acquaintances, and his trap worked and Lemen went. And
that is all there is of it. It was nothing but an incident in Jefferson's
great love for Lemen, and as this pact was well known in the early days,
his sons were indifferent about publishing the mere "pact" or facts of
the agreement. Another reason for their indifference in the matter,
was that some one, shortly before Mr. Lemen's death, told him that
Jefferson was or had become an infidel. This greatly distressed him
and he wept bitterly lest it should be said that in his great life work
of forming churches he was in alliance with an infidel, for other ends,
if his "pact" with Jefferson were known, and he exacted a pledge from
his sons, his brother-in-law, Eev. Benjamin Ogle and S. H. Biggs, the
only parties then living who knew the facts, except General Harrison,
that during his life and theirs, the matter should not be published and
they all kept their pledges in spirit, only a few warm friends, Douglas,
Trumbull, Lincoln and a few others, being entrusted with the secret.
The country enjoying all the benefits springing from the "pact," his
sons finally concluded that the mere matter or agreement itself should
never be published, but as the pact, or rather its results were a part of
the history of Bethel church, that church itself being one of the results
of Lemen's anti-slavery mission under the pact, Rev. James Lemen, Jr.,
had Dr. Peck write a history of it to be kept by his family when he
wrote the history of Bethel church in 1851. In that history, Dr. Peck
advised my father to have the pact, with all its facts, published some-
time, and Lincoln, Douglas, Trumbull and others, a little later on, also
advised it. Shortly before my father's death, in 1870, he instructed my
78
brother, Sylvester, and myself to have the matter published, subject to
certain conditions, if the family wished, but my brother died soon, and
it was decided to hold it with some other matter to go into a proposed
history of our father, Rev. James Lemen, Jr., and his father, and thus-
several causes have operated to delay publication, with some others not
yet mentioned.
Some years ago assisted with information by the family in Illinois,
Virginia and elsewhere Frank B. Lemen of Collinsville, Illinois, com-
piled and published "The Lemen Family History," but only brief men-
tion was made of the fact that Eev. James Lemen Sr., came to Illinois at
Jefferson's wish to oppose slavery, and the meetings of Abraham Lincoln
and Eev. James Lemen, Jr., covering a period of nearly twenty years,
were only briefly alluded to, as it was then our purpose to reserve these
matters in detail for the proposed history of Eev. James Lemen, Jr., and
his father, but more recently, our friends insisted on the publication of
the Jefferson-Lemen pact or matter, and it was published in the news-
papers, except a few facts of a more personal nature, which have not
yet been published. Our newspaper men have been the most persistent
in seeking the publication of these old family papers and notes and have
even sought to purchase them. Before my father's death in 1870, they
offered five hundred dollars for the whole stock of old original notes,
sketches, papers, etc., and would now give more, and would also pay a
good price for a full copy of them, but we have never sold any. The
older and more important set, at my father's orders, was placed in a
safe deposit in St. Louis, before his death. They embraced letters from
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Lincoln, Douglas, Trumbull, the martyr
Lovejoy, Dr. Peck, Dr. Buckley and many others, with brief histories,
sketches, notes in diaries and much other matter, but full copies of all
were first made for use, except a sketch by Dr. Peck for the history of
Eev. James Lemen, Jr., and the letters which were too numerous tq
copy, but the full facts and extracts of all of them, of any public- im-
portance were made. All of the old set will remain in St. Louis, until
after the "Eev. James Lemen, Jr. history" is made and out, and then it is
expected that all the papers, old, original, later or copies, now in the
vaults or in the hands of the family, will be collected and placed in a
safe vault in the keeping of a member of the family, where all can see
them and get copies, if desired, though that will be unnecessary, as it
is intended to publish everything of any interest in all the family notes
in the Eev. James Lemen, Jr. history, now in contemplation. In a
letter recently, I promised some of our friends to have photographic or
fac simile copies of some of our most important letters made for the
book, but I now recall that copies so taken once were said to be scarcely
readable, as the originals were too much worn to give good impressions
and that will not be possible, but all will be printed or published in the
book.
By use and abuse in loaning out the copy of the. family notes made
before the old set was taken to St. Louis, it was much worn, and the
steady use of many of the notes in making the "Lemen family history"
79
rendered them too indistinct .for use, and a complete new copy of all was
made, which is to be given to the State Baptist Historical Society when
that body shall have made for it a safety deposit vault; in the meantime
the copy will be kept in a safe deposit vault at Collinsville, Illinois, where,
as different papers are needed in making the Eev. James Lemen, Jr.
history, it will be convenient to draw them out temporarily. And as
to the copy made before Eev. James Lemen, Jr., sent the' old notes to
St. Louis, a part of that is in a safe deposit vault of one of our families,
while the other notes were taken possession of by friends. It should
be understood that if the copy made for the Baptist Society is delivered
before the Eev. James Lemen, Jr., history is out, that such notes as are
not then published will be withheld until the book is made.
I should have added that Douglas and Lincoln's letters to my father
in a paragraph or two, showed that they rather expected that he and his
brothers might finally determine to never have published the facts of the
pact, and Jefferson's letter to their father referring to the matter, when
he wrote him to get counter petitions against Harrison's pro-slavery
demands before Congress, and that Douglas asked the privilege to print
the general facts. He knew they had promised their father not to
publish the facts of the pact during his life time and theirs, and he said
that he would not print them but just state that Lemen, Sr., had Jef-
ferson's advice and help in his great anti-slavery contest and that he
helped Lemen's anti-slavery church which was formed to lead the
movement, and the matter would be believed by all, as common sense
would teach that Lemen, single-handed and alone could never have ac-
complished the results he did without some great power behind him, but
the request of Douglas was not granted, and Dr. Peck said the same — he
said if the Lemen brothers would just publish that Jefferson was behind
their father in the anti-slavery contest, that nobody would doubt it,
if nothing else were ever said or published as the results were so vast
and far reaching. He said the inherent evidence of the statement would
establish it. Douglas said the matter added a new star to Jefferson's
crown of glory, and all the pioneer Lemens were great admirers of Jef-
ferson and Lemen, Sr., loved him to his latest hour, but he and his
sons, by reason of his reputed unbelief did not seem to relish the idea of
publishing his connection with him in his church work, but my father
thought he was not quite the confirmed unbeliever as some held him to
be, and that was Dr. Peck's view of him, and. I might add. the writer's.
There is something a little misleading in the expression "The Jeffer-
son-Lemen anti-slavery pact," which Dr. Peck and the other writers on
that matter used, as it rather conveys the idea of a formal and written
contract, whereas it was simply a verbal agreement in which Lemen on
his part was to perform certain specific duties and Jefferson on his part
was to comply with certain understandings, but there were no formal
writings on this point.
Senator Douglas, in one of his letters to James Lemen, Jr., says, sub-
stantially, that as the pact was necessarily secret to insure its success.
so
it was necessarily an oral agreement, as a written contract would imply
or pre-suppose some means of enforcing it in case of a breach; and this
would have disclosed and destroyed its secrecy. The nature of the pact
or agreement and Lemen's anti-slavery mission under it arc fully set
forth in a note or entry made by James Lemen, in his secret diary in
which he recorded his several meetings with Jefferson on this matter, and
its meaning is confirmed by Jefferson's letter to him to get np and send
anti-slavery petitions to Congress to counteract Harrison's pro-slavery
demands before that body, and at a later date, by Jefferson's message by
Biggs to Lemen to call for a division of the churches in Illinois, and
form a new anti-slavery church to lead the cause in Illinois. Lemen's
notes and Jefferson's letter and message fully disclose the terms of the
anti-slavery pact between the two men, but there was no formal written
agreement.
There have been some articles in the newspapers relating to the Jef-
ferson-Lemen matter by writers who wrote from memory or hearsay, that
were a little in error in some respects. One article says James Lemen
and his big sons made their voyage on the Ohio river to Illinois, under
Jefferson's orders to settle here and oppose slavery, with a flag over their
flat boat bearing the good words "Friends to humanity;" which in spirit
was pretty nearly true, though the big boys were only babies then, but
later he had plenty of big boys who helped him battle for freedom.
And another article says, Jefferson gave James Lemen $30.00 when he
was to come to Illinois, to give the man who would build the first pro-
test ant meeting house in the northwestern territory, and this was nearly
true. When Mr. Lemen was sick in Virginia, in 1785, which, with his
wife's sickness, prevented him from coming to Illinois in that year,
Jefferson's financial agent gave him $30.00 to help his family (which
had no connection with the funds he gave Lemen in December, 1785,)
(heretofore mentioned) ; he did not want to take it, and, as Lemen had
said before, he could serve Jefferson's anti-slavery mission better by
forming churches in Illinois than any other way, if he were a Christian
or professor of religion. The agent laughingly told him to take the
$30.00 for the first church he built in Illinois, and so that story was not
very far from the fact. This story was based on a note made by Rev.
James Lemen, Sr., when he was ill in Virginia, and the fact is also men-
tioned in the writings of l>ev. James Lemen, Jr.
The foregoing facts. I believe, comprise everything of general interest
which I can now state about the "Jefferson-Lemen anti-slavery pact,"
and the Lemen family notes, until after the Eev. James Lemen, Jr.,
history is out. And I greatly regret that I can put them in no better
shape for the Historical Society, but my increasing illness makes it im-
possible.
O'Fallon, Illinois. Xovember 19, 1907.
After considering the matter a little more fully, and recalling that
this will probably be put on file by the State Historical Society, it has
occurred to me that some further facts of considerable importance, but
not. bearing on the Jefferson-Lemen matter should be incorporated in the
81
paper. In this connection, it might be of interest to give some of the
facts and details in what is called the "Lincoln-Lemen interviews," which
cover a period of about twenty years of the intimate friendship and as-
sociations and confidences of Abraham Lincoln and Rev. James Lemen,
Jr. Mr. Lemen was a member of the State Constitutional Convention
of 1818, being one of the several anti-slavery members who were chosen
at the secret suggestion of the anti-slavery church (or a council of its
members) created under the Jefferson-Lemen pact at Jefferson's sugges-
tion, to lead the movement in Illinois. For many years he was a mem-
ber of one or the other of the Houses, and sat in the three capitals, Kas-
kaskia, Vandalia and Springfield. His first meeting with Mr. Lincoln
was at Vandalia in 1837. The men seemed singularly constituted and
especially destined and qualified for each other. The first evening they
met, they sat till midnight with each other and from that on for twenty
years they were often thrown together for weeks at Vandalia, Springfield
and elsewhere, and as Lemen was a preacher, Lincoln seemed to make
him his religious adviser, as he said he found his advice and labors good
antidotes for his melancholy, which, as I know, was his burden of life,
and they generally devoted two or three evenings per week to each other's
company. Lemen's cousins, the older Mathenys and Ward Lemen, would
often drop in on their interviews at Springfield, but as Lincoln's wish
was generally to be alone with Mr. Lemen, the others were not late
sitters, but often Lincoln and Lemen would sit to twelve or two o'clock,
and at their last meeting at Springfield, in 1856, they sat all night.
Their talks were chiefly on the bible and kindred subjects, and Lincoln
often had Lemen offer prayers, tand on several occasions he made prayers
himself, though, strange to say, it greatly embarrassed him, and he freely
confessed it. On the last meeting Lincoln made a prayer of such force
and beauty that Lemen asked if he could repeat it, which he did and he
[Lemen] made a copy, which the family now have. At their parting
Lincoln expressed a wish for an agreement that, they should always re-
member each other in prayer, and another rather singular one, that the
one surviving, at the other's demise would offer a prayer that his life
and labors might prove a blessing to the world. After Lincoln's death,
Mr. Lemen called his family in and made the prayer agreed upon, and
when the Lemen's made their family history some years ago, they put
that prayer in it, with a brief mention of the Lincoln-Lemen friendship,
but did not give the details. In fact, the family did not feel at liberty
to do that until Robert Lincoln had first seen the matter, as the confi-
dence of the two men was so profound and their friendship so devoted.
In 1866, Rev. James Lemen, Jr., who had kept a record of all their
meetings, made the matter, with his prayer and Lincoln's into quite a
little history, of nine pages of legal-cap paper, and more recently we
sent Mr. Robert Lincoln a copy of it, and as he returned our family a
neatly made typewritten copy and kept one for himself, with a letter of
warm thanks for our paper, we take it that we can publish the matter
now with propriety, and we expect to insert it in the Rev. James Lemen,
—6 H S
Jr. history. It might be added here, that Ward Lamon, Lincoln's law-
partner, was James Lemen's cousin, and that he spelled his name
"Lamon" to retain the old sound of our name in Scotland, twenty-five
or fifty years ago, but his brothers spelled their name "Lemen." My
father introduced him to Lincoln, and commended him for his partner.
"Lemen" (Lamon) was a good, warm friend of Lincoln's but his history
of him shows he had no correct or adequate idea of Lincoln's true moral
constitution, nor of his profound views of sacred and holy matters, and
Lincoln liked him, but on occasion had no reverence nor regard for
Lamon as a theologian, as on one occasion when he and Lemen were dis-
cussing a bible theme, Lamon "butted in" so to speak with his observa-
tion, when Lincoln told him he "knew less about theology than Balaam's
mule did of Heaven." It will interest our friends to know something
about the old notes kept by Eev. James Lemen, Sr. His first twelve or
thirteen notes which have been preserved tell of the progress of our allies
at the Yorktown siege. He was in that contest and one of his notes
made on the field tells about his bearing a message from his Colonel to
Washington whom he personally knew. Another tells of his being de-
tailed with some others to assault and carry one of the British redoubts
under LaFayette, where he lost nine killed, and thirty-four wounded.
At a later date he tells, in several notes, of meeting Jefferson, their
first meeting, about Lemen coming to Illinois was mentioned in a note
dated at Harper's Ferry, Va., December 11, 1782, as well as I can make
out the figures, the purport of which discloses that Jefferson then had a
secret purpose to dedicate the northwest territory to freedom. Lemen'?
notes shed a good deal of light indirectly on the causes leading up to the
anti-slavery clause in the ordinance of 1787. Jefferson's secret hidden
power and purpose had more to do with that than some people are
aware of. One of his notes describes their meeting at Annapolis, Mary-
land, on May 2, 178-1, when Jefferson and he made their anti-slavery
"pact." Another tells of Jefferson's letter to him, requesting him to get
counter (anti-slavery) petitions signed and sent to Congress to meet
Harrison's pro-slavery demands before that body, and another tells of
Jefferson's letter to him warning him against Aaron Burr's schemes
and agents, but it says the letter reached him after Burr's agent had
called and departed, otherwise he would have arrested him. These letters
are among the old family notes in the vault in St. Louis. In its proper
connect ion we should have mentioned and corrected an error which,
by an oversight, was printed in the "Lemen family history," which made
it appear that Eev. James Lemen, Sr., was curtailed by reason of his
anti-slavery views and labors, one-half in his land rights as an old Revol-
utionary, soldier, which was wholly erroneous, as the records will show.
The statement grew out of the fact that Lemen's wife only shared in
her father's lands aboul one-half of her equitable interests, as was the
case with her sisters; and by mistake, her husband was mentioned as
the sufferer.
The so-called "Lemen family notes," contain the only true facts of the
early church histories of both the Baptist and Methodist churches in
83
Illinois. Eecently, Dr. Peck's brief early Baptist church history of
Illinois, which he had collected and arranged from these notes some fifty
years ago was completed and published in the papers. It was among
Dr. Peck's last works, and he died before he fully completed the sketch.
The only correct history of the M. E. churches in Illinois was ob-
tained from these notes. It tells where, when and by whom the first,
second and third M. E. churches in Illinois were formed, names their
class leader, gives the day the first M. E. meeting house was raised and
here the ladies gave a dinner on the grounds; gives the day that Bishop
McKendree constituted the first M. E. church in Illinois, and a verbatim
copy of his address to it, and many other facts about our early churches.
It was always a mystery how Governor William Henry Harrison got
hold of the secret that Jefferson sent Lemen to Illinois on an anti-slavery
mission. Eev. Lemen, Sr., thought that Jefferson might finally have
given him the matter as a hint not to further press for the pro-slavery
interests in the territory ; but Lemen said Harrison never gave Jefferson
away, so far as he could learn.
A few words about our old family relics would perhaps interest our
friends. Old spinning wheels, reels, winding blades, looms, bed steads,
with posts seven feet high, and six inches square, hand cards for carding
wool or cotton rolls, etc., our family preserved all these, but different
branches of our family have mostly carried them away. We have an old
wooden clock, still running, that has been keeping time for ninety years,
and the clock makers say it will run another hundred years ; also a little
rude black walnut box, 20 x 12 x 7 inches, with wooden hinges, made
by Eev. James Lemen, Sr., with axe and hunting knife, in Fort Piggott,
Monroe county, Illinois, 1787, to hold his papers when our old pioneers
were collected there on account of Indian threats. It has contained
some of our family papers for eighty years, as it fell to my father as a
keepsake. It has also accumulated something more of historical interest
on account of having held Abraham Lincoln's law papers for a week.
In 1856 Mr. Lincoln had expressed a wish to read our old family notes
and papers, and during my father's visit to Springfield in that year,
he took the papers with him in the little box, and when Lincoln learned
its history he said, for its association, he would like to keep his papers
in it and removing our notes, he placed his papers in it and kept it on
his table in his office for a week.
At the late Baptist State Convention at Bloomiqgton, our friends up
there asked us to send some old reminder of Eev. James Lemen, Sr., for
the people to see, as the Baptists had proposed to make a fund for his
monument as the founder of their first churches in Illinois, and we sent
the box, and it received quite an ovation and the convention added
$300.00 to the monument fund in a few minutes.
In addition to the leading facts and results of the "Jefferson-Lemen
anti-slavery pact," mentioned in this paper, some other facts from the
old "Lemen family notes" have been given. All these facts were hastily
collected from the "notes" for the purpose of re-writing into a better
arranged and more methodical address to be read before the Chicago
Historical Society, but my rapidly increasing illness makes it impossible
84
for me to perform the added labor, and I ask my friends just to consider
it in the nature of 'a long, rambling letter comprising the facts, but not
intended as a formal or well arranged address.
I regret very much that I cannot make a good, readable copy of it,
but I am too ill to attempt it, and as I may not be much better for some
weeks, I will just send it as it is, to be certain to give the reader time
to translate or master it before your January meeting.
I have scarcely been able to make this paper at all, and if there are
any discrepancies or disagreements in the facts or dates and a line is
sent to me, I will compare them with the "notes" and correct them.
O'Fallon, Illinois, December 9, 1907.
LEWIS BALDWIN" PARSONS.
By Julia E. Parsons.
Among the various causes which have contributed towards giving to
the great State of Illinois the position which she holds among the first
of her sister states in the Union, perhaps no single one has had greater
influence than the character of the men, who, coming from different sec-
tions of the country, both north and south, during the three decades pre-
ceding the war, to make their homes within her borders and to in-
fluence the future, not only of the State of their adoption, but of the
entire country. In our minds arise at once the names of Lincoln, Grant,
Trumbull, David Davis, McClernand, Washburne, Palmer and others,
men who brought honor to their State; and who, in the great struggle
for human liberty then impending, stood as leaders, whether in the
councils of the nation of facing the foe on the battle field.
Among these adopted sons of Illinois, we find the subject of this sketch,
Lewis Baldwin Parsons, who, with the exception of the period of the
civil war and a few years preceding and subsequent to that time, was
a resident of the State from the time of his leaving Harvard Law School
in 1844, until his death, March 16, 1907.
Of Puritan ancestry, he was descended, on the paternal side from
Cornet Joseph Parsons, who came from England with William Pyncheon
and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1636; and on the maternal
side from Charles Hoare of Gloucester, England, whose widow came to
this country in 1640 and who was the ancestor of the well known Hoare
family of Quincy and Concord, Massachusetts. Charles Parsons, the
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a captain in the Revolu-
tionary army, serving from October 1775, until peace was declared in
1783, having been with Washington during the terrible winter at Val-
ley Forge and with him also at the final surrender of Cornwallis at
Yorktown. His son, Lewis B. Parsons, Sr., emigrated about 1811 to
Western New York, at that time a remote wilderness, where he soon after
married Lucina Hoar, who was like himself, a native of Massachusetts.
The life of these early pioneers was full of hardships, battling with
the trials incident to the development of a new country and the struggle
made strong, brave men and women. Into this family, which was both
by inheritance and training of the most rigid Puritan faith, standing
"strong for the right as God gave them to see it, "was born on April
8C
5, 1818, the year which also gave birth to the State of Illinois, a son,
Lewis B. Parsons, Jr. His early life was spent in Homer, New York,
but when ten years old his father removed to St. Lawrence county in the
northern part of the State, which was then but little settled and largely
a native forest. Here school advantages were very limited but with the
same earnestness and perseverance which characterized his later life, the
boy made the best of his opportunities and at the age of sixteen was
teaching a small country school in what is now known as the Thousand
Island region. That even then he showed more than ordinary originality
and force of character, is evidenced by the fact that when visiting that
section sixty years after, he found two of his former pupils still living,
who distinctly recalled him and his manner of teaching.
He continued his studies as best he could, until 1836, when at the
age of eighteen he started for New Haven to enter Yale college. It was
at this time he saw a railroad, the first in the State having been recently
opened from Utica to Albany, from which point, he went by boat to New
York and thence to New Haven. Entering Yale college with the class
of 1840, he found himself so poorly prepared that it was only by the
closest application he was able to keep up with his class, with the result
that while the end of Sophomore year found him with a good standing,
the over-study had seriously affected his health. At this time, more-
over, his father, having now a family of ten children, of whom the subject
of our sketch was one of the oldest and having only a moderate income,
became unable to give his son further assistance and advised his giving
up college and going into business. With characteristic courage and de-
termination the young man, after careful consideration, decided to finish
the course, borrowing money from a relative and depending upon his
Own exertions in the future to repay it. To this end he taught a class-
ical school in Western New York during the winter of his senior year,
having among his scholars Thomas Cooley — afterwards Judge Cooley,
the great authority on Constitutional law, who became a life long friend.
Of this period, with its struggles, he wrote later in life, "Having de-
termined to graduate, my ambition sustained me in the effort and though
I could not secure the standing I desired, yet I believe it was such as to
gain for me the respect of instructors and classmates, and their kindly
regard through life. I have never regretted my persistence. The train-
ing I secured, the tastes then formed, the life long friendships of so
many men of influence and high character, with many of whom my
relations have been intimate, have been sources of great enjojonent."
After graduating from college he and two classmates took passage in
a sailing vessel for New Orleans to try their fortunes, but yellow fever
being then of frequent recurrence there, Parsons decided to go farther
north, where he had other college friends and finally made his way to
Noxuba county, Mississippi, where he took charge of a classical school,
remaining for nearly two years.
His residence there had a very important effect upon his later life,
as he learned by personal observation more fully to understand the evils
of slavery. At first, charmed with the agreeable social surroundings and
87
with the delightful hospitality then customary on Southern plantations,
so different from his earlier experiences in the north, he thought of set-
tling permanently in the south. But as time passed and he learned more '
of the injurious effects of slavery upon the individual as well as the com-
munity, his opinions changed and in 1842, the earnest solicitations of his
father, added to his own inclinations, decided him to return to the
north. Although he never regretted his decision, still he always looked
back upon the time spent in the south as among the happiest years of
his life and the friendships formed there were a lasting pleasure.
Going north by way of the Mississippi river, he landed at St. Louis,
then went on to Galena and by stage across Illinois, which he describes
as "almost entirely unsettled, but one of the loveliest countries" he had
ever seen; thence to Milwaukee and around the Lakes to Buffalo. His
school had proved most successful and he had now accumulated enough
money to pay his college indebtedness and to enable him to carry out the
plan formed early in life of studying law. Thus the autumn of 1842
found him settled at Cambridge and hard at work among the group of
earnest ycung men, some of whom became life long friends. Judge Story
of the United States Supreme Court and Judge Greenleaf were then at
the head of the Harvard law school and to the ambitious young man,
it was of the greatest value to have the opportunity for training and dis-
cipline under these eminent lawyers. He often described in later years,
the impression also upon his mind at this time, by seeing Webster, then
at the height of his fame; and whom he would turn to follow, as he
walked along the streets of Boston, seizing every opportunity also, of
hearing him speak.
On leaving Cambridge in 1844, Parsons determined to seek his for-
tunes in the west and, buying a small law library in New York, he
started out like many other young men of the period, with only such cap-
ital as came from his natural ability, his education and his determination
to succeed. Stopping in Washington, he spent some weeks listening to
the debates in the Senate on the tariff question, which were then exciting
deep interest and which were led by Webster, Clay, Benton, Silas Wright
and others of our greatest men. Previous to that time, his political
opinions had not been fixed, though his father having been a strong
Whig, it would have seemed natural that the son should have had sim-
ilar views, but after hearing these discussions he became through con-
viction a Democrat and having once decided, his principles never
changed.
From Washington he went to Wheeling, Cincinnati, Dayton, where
he was strongly inclined to settle, and thence to St. Louis, at that time
a place of 27,000 inhabitants and beginning to attract much attention.
Here he expected to remain, intending to open an office and begin the
practice of his profession, but meeting some Yale graduates, he learned
from one of them, Mr. Hall, that he had recently come from Alton,
where his former partner, Newton D. Strong was still practicing and,
having a large business, was anxious to take in a younger man as partner.
It being a question of necessity with Mr. Parsons to secure as promptly
88
as possible some means of support, he accepted the offer of Mr. Hall
to go up the river and the following day found him in Alton with a
group of Yale men, Mr. Strong among them, enjoying the reminiscences
of college days. After a most agreeable evening they separated and on
the following day, April 5, 1844, Mr. Strong made him an offer of full
partnership. This, to the young man without experience in the practice
of law, was most unexpected and he accepted it gladly, being admitted to
the bar within a few days and at once entering upon the practice of his
profession with the energy and singleness of purpose characteristic of
him through life. Of the next ten years, he has left few memoranda,
for it was a period of intense activity, not only in his private business
and his profession, but also in affairs pertaining to the general develop-
ment of the country.
His partner, Mr. Strong, was of a good old New England family, a
brother of Justice Strong of the Supreme Court of the United States,
a man of great natural ability, as well as thorough training in his pro-
fession and of high moral character and refinement, and the business
connection thus formed, proved not only advantageous to Mr. Parsons,
but eminently agreeable and satisfactory to both partners. At the end
of two years, however, Mr. Strong returned to the east to live and Mr,
Parsons formed a partnership with Judge Henry W. Billings, which
continued for several years, until he removed to St. Louis.
Of his character at this time the history of Madison county says :
"He had the reputation of being a sound, industrious lawyer; his forte,
however, consisted in his remarkable business capacity. At the bar, he
was always confided in, as an enterprising attentive, successful and hon-
orable member of the profession.'"' During his residence in Alton not
only was he eminently successful in the practice of law, but he also ac-
cumulated a competency through the purchase of lands, which could then
be bought at a very low price, increasing greatly in value in a few years.
He, moreover, made an acquaintance with the foremost men of his pro-
fession, as well as with leading men throughout the State and formed
friendships which gave him great pleasure and which proved of value
to him later when conducting the duties of his office as chief of trans-
portation throughout the west.
In 1847 he married Sarah G. Edwards, the daughter of Dr. Benjamin
F. Edwards and niece of Governor Ninian Edwards, who died not long
after, and in 1852 he married her younger sister.
In 1854 he removed to St. Louis, continuing the practice of his pro-
fession. Among his clients was the banking firm of Page and Bacon,
who at that time were engaged in the building of the Ohio and Missis-
sippi Railroad, now the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern, from St.
Louis to Cincinnati, and holding a controlling interest in it, they induced
him to leave his general practice and give his entire attention to their
affairs. He removed temporarily to Cincinnati, where he became deeply
interested in the building of the road, as attorney and financial agent,
and after its completion in 1857 retained his connection with it for many
years, being at various times, treasurer, director and president.
89
It was while traveling on horseback in 1854 over the proposed line
of this road through southern Illinois, that he first saw the tract of land
which he bought soon after and which eventually became his home. At
that time an unbroken prairie, crossed by the old "Vincennes Trace/'
with deer, prairie chicken and other wild game abounding, it was a
beautiful sight, and its gradual improvement and cultivation became a
great source of interest to him.
Soon after the opening of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, General,
then Captain George B. McClellan became its vice president and a warm
attachment between him and Mr. Parsons was formed.
Having lost his wife in 1857, he planned to give up business as soon
as he could arrange his affairs and go abroad, but the unsettled condition
of the country and fears for the future, caused him to change these plans,
and in 1860 retiring from active connection with the railroad, he re-
turned to St. Louis to watch the progress of events, later spending the
winter of 1860-61, in Washington as a deeply interested spectator. His
letters written during this time show his intense feeling against the
course pursued by Buchanan and his advisers, together with the fear that
no way would be found of settling the great question at issue, except
through a terrible civil war.
In the spring of 1861 he returned to St. Louis where the secessionists
were largely in control and aided by the Governor and Legislature, had
planned to turn the state of Missouri over to the confederacy. This was
prevented by the prompt action of General Lyon and at the capture of
Camp Jackson, May 10, 1861, Mr. Parsons was beside General (then
Colonel) Frank P. Blair, serving as volunteer aide. Eealizing the cer-
tainty of war, although past the age of military service, he determined as
he wrote "to give all aid in my power, for the preservation of the govern-
ment, as my grandfather had given seven years of his life during the
Revolutionary war," and beginning at once to arrange his private affairs
so that they could be left, he wrote in the early autumn to General Mc-
Clellan, offering his services in any position where the general thought
he could be of use. In response, McClellan desired him to come to
Washington and on his arrival there, gave him a position on his staff,
with the rank of captain. Soon finding that this position "involved no
special duties or responsibilities" and being exceedingly anxious to go
into active service, Captain Parsons asked permission to resign, that he
might return to the west and raise a regiment. General McClellan,
however, having knowledge of his business ability, urged that he could
be of more service to the government by remaining in the quartermaster's
department and he was therefore transferred to the west and assigned to
duty under General Robert Allen, then chief quartermaster in charge at
St. Louis.
Here his first service was on a commission with General (then Cap-
tain) Phil Sheridan and Captain Hoyt, to examine the great mass of
claims that had arisen under Fremont^ administration. These claims
proved to be of such irregular and in some cases, fraudulent character.
90
involving such large amounts of money and requiring such careful in-
vestigation, that it was finally decided to turn them over to a civil com-
mission, composed of Judge David Davis and Joseph Holt, Judge Ad-
vocate General of the United States.
Being released from this service, Captain Parsons sought again to be
permitted to go to the front, but he had already so clearly shown his
superior business and executive ability, that his personal wishes were not
heeded, and soon after he received from General Allen the following
order, dated December 9, 1861 : "You will take charge of all the trans-
portation pertaining to the department of the Mississippi by river and
railroad and discharge all employes not required to facilitate this par-
ticular service." As this department included the Mississippi and its
tributaries, the territory it covered "extended from the Yellowstone to
Pittsburg and New Orleans," the lower Mississippi coming under actual
control, as fast as the Confederates were driven back.
By the country at large, this vast work of transportation "behind the
scenes," as it were, in the great drama of war then being enacted, was
but little known or considered and even after so many years, has never
yet received its due recognition. John Fiske, the historian, writing to
General Parsons in January, 1901, said, "I am hoping to make use of
your reports when I come to treat of the civil war as a whole, which I
hope to live long enough to do," but not many months later, the pen of
this gifted writer was laid down forever and this chapter of the history of
the civil war, still waits to be written.
But by the leaders in that struggle, the generals in the field, planning
for battles, where delay in any particular might mean defeat and fearful
disaster, the importance of the proper management of the transportation
department was fully understood, and it was most fortunate that the
officer now put in charge of this department was a man with remarkable
talent for organization, of great executive ability and the highest in-
tegrity, united to the most intense loyalty to his country, and devotion
to duty in her service.
The army regulations of that time being intended for an army of some
• 15,000 men in a time of peace, were totally inadequate for the great
numbers thus suddenly brought into service, who must be transported
over long distances and who required enormous quantities of supplies
of every kind, which must be forwarded with utmost promptness and
dispatch. Great confusion had therefore resulted and Captain Parsons
first turned his attention to remedying the evils connected with the
railroad service, where owing to the fact that any officer could give orders
for transportation, the railroads, though loyally struggling to meet every
demand upon them, were not able to furnish the large amount of requis-
ition?. At the same time they held vouchers in great quantities, for
which they could not receive payment, the consequence being that there
were endless complaints and general discontent on the part of the rail-
road?, with constant delays and resulting danger to the armies in the
field. A few simple, concise regulations and forms fixing responsibility
were prepared by Captain Parsons, which proved so successful in bring-
ing about svstom and order and were so satisfactory to the railroad?.
91
that they were adopted throughout the west, as the basis of government
transportation throughout the war; and subsequently, with other regula-
tions added by General Parsons, became the basis of general rules for
army transportation, still in use.
The system thus introduced in railroad transportation proving so
satisfactory, Captain Parsons next sought a remedy for the evils con-
nected with the steam-boat transportation, which were even greater than
those of the railroads. During Fremont's administration large numbers
of boats had been engaged by charter, and while still receiving pay for
their services were much of the time lying idle at enormous expense
to the government, A large majority of both steamboat owners and
employes on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers were sympathizers with
the confederacy and with the exception of a few loyal steamboat men in
St. Louis, were united in their efforts to prevent any change in the system
of chartering boats, and consequently the effort to remedy the wrong
existing, involved far greater difficulty than with the railroads. Captain
Parsons advertised for bids on government transportation on an ordinary
business basis, and it at once became evident that the opportunity for
making large profits out of the government service would soon be at an
end. Hence great antagonism to the new system was aroused, every effort
being made to prevent its being put into successful operation, as well as
to secure the removal of Captain Parsons from office. Finding appeals
to his immediate superiors unsuccessful, a protest was sent to the Sec-
retary of War, which Mr. Stanton referred to- Quartermaster General
Meigs and which the latter returned to Captain Parsons for explanation.
In the meantime the changes made were beginning to bring about such
great improvement in the service, that when in reply Captain Parsons
sent a statement of facts, offering to resign if his course met with the
disapproval of government, the only answer he received was a letter
from General Meigs in which he said: "I am glad to recognize the
fidelity with which you have performed your duty to the department and
to the country."
From this time Captain Parsons had the increasing confidence of
Secretary Stanton and General Meigs, and was able to carry through the
reforms he desired, with the result that the business was done with
system and order, at a greatly reduced cost to government, and with an
efficiency and promptness which enabled it to be said that "seldom have
any requisitions been in this office over two days and the great majority
have been answered within twenty-four hours."
The importance of systematic river transportation throughout the
Mississippi Valley can only be properly estimated by recalling the armies
operating in that region, the enormous quantities of supplies necessary
for them and the great battles fought there, wherein "the victories of
action were made possible by the victories of organization." The diffi-
culties in the way of such organization seemed almost insurmountable,
requiring the utmost vigilance and unremitting labor, while even with the
most carefully prepared rules and regulations and the assistance of effi-
cient and capable officers there were incessant complaints, rendering the
position one most distateful to a man of Captain Parsons' temperament,
who desired the more active duties of field service. He therefore again
requested to be allowed to resign from the quartermaster's department,
this time addressing himself to Secretary Stanton in person, who re-
plied in his emphatic manner: "It is the duty of a good officer to go
where his superiors think he can be of the most service. You, as well as
I know where that is, and you must stay there." His retention in this
department was therefore settled and in April, 1862, he was promoted
to the rank of colonel and assigned as aide on the staff of General Hal-
leck, then in command at St. Louis.
At the opening of the war the government held no point south of
Cairo and to this place Captain Parsons was ordered in December, 1861,
to consult with General Grant in person, as to the boats necessary for the
proposed movement on Forts Henry and Donelson, and on the 2d and 3d
of February, 15,000 men were put on transports, proceeded to Paducah,
thence up the Tennessee, and on the 6th, Fort Henry was captured. A
part of the forces were then re-embarked — moved down the Tennessee
and up the Cumberland, a distance of one hundred and ten miles and
joining with the troops that had marched overland, captured Fort
Donelson on the 16th. After the fall of these forts, the Tennessee and
Cumberland rivers were opened and the capture of Corinth a few months
later, opened the Mississippi to Memphis, but it was not until after the
fall of Vicksburg that the river to New Orleans was passable and even
until the close of the war, bands of guerillas made transportation dan-
gerous.
The great extent of river navigation, as well as the constant diffi-
culties and dangers under which it was carried on may be shown by an
extract from General Parsons' final report in 1865 in which he says:
"From Brownville, the head of navigation on the Monongahela in Penn-
sylvania, via Pittsburg, down the Ohio to Cairo; up the Mississippi to
the Missouri, then to Fort Benton, the head of navigation on the Mis-
souri, a distance of 2,500 miles, the south or west of these rivers has,
during the war been constantly subject to incursions of the Eebels, or In-
dian savages, instigated by them to hostility ; while the 400 miles of the
Tennessee, 300 miles of the Cumberland, 350 miles of the White river,
650 miles of the Arkansas to Fort Gibson, 150 miles of the Yazoo. 620
miles of the Bed river, and 1,150 miles of the Mississippi below Cairo.
were long under their control."
To give in the space of a brief article any comprehension of the vast
amount of supplies required for armies thus scattered over thousands
of miles, or to show the rapidity and safety with which large numbers of
troops were moved from point, to point is impossible. In a report cover-
ing the first three years of his service. Colonel Parsons was able to say
that up to that time, there had been "no accident to any boat in Govern-
ment service, resulting in any material loss of life, and this too. when
93
there was an extended organization for the sole purpose of the destruc-
tion of river transports." While General Sherman bears testimony to
the fact "that no military movement in the west has failed or faltered
for lack of transportation" and that "the wants of armies in the field
have been anticipated and met with alacrity and dispatch." Again
quoting from a report of Colonel Parsons, "it will be seen that at this
time, the large armies of Grant, Sherman, Eosecrans, Banks and Steele
were almost exclusively dependent upon river transports for their re-
inforcements and immense supplies."
In May, 1862, Colonel Parsons accompanied General Halleck south
as a member of his staff, expecting to see active 'service in the field,
but was able to remain only long enough to witness the evacuation of
Corinth, when his duties necessitated his return to St. Louis.
Early in December, General Grant, then near Oxford, Mississippi,
made the first order for gathering forces for the attack on Vicksburg
and on the 11th, Colonel Parsons was ordered to have transportation at
Memphis by the 18th to move General Sherman's army of 40,000 men,
with cavalry, artillery and animals, to Vicksburg. Notwithstanding the
great difficulties involved in collecting the large number of boats neces-
sary, with fuel sufficient for the movement, in the short space of time
allowed, the order was carried out, sixty-seven large boats arriving at
Memphis on the 18th, besides many smaller transports. Within forty
hours the army was embarked and on its way south and on the 26th"
was again dis-embarked and ready for the battle of Chickasaw Bayou.
After a desperate but unsuccessful engagement of two days, the army,
being in a dangerous position, "was re-embarked within sixteen hours,
transported more than three hundred miles up the Mississippi and Ar-
kansas rivers, again landed, fought a successful battle under General
McClernand, captured the strong fortification of Arkansas Post with
7,000 prisoners, destroyed the •enemies' works, dispatched its prisoners
northward, re-embarked, returned more than 300 miles south and com-
menced the siege of Vicksburg." During all these movements Colonel
Parsons took personal charge of the transport fleet accompanying the
army, first as Volunteer Aide on General Sherman's staff, later on the
staff of General McClernand, who held command at Arkansas Post ; and
after the commencement of the siege, on General Grant's staff, until he
was called north at the end of February.
In connection with his return to the north at this time, an incident
occurred, illustrative of General Grant's thoughtfulness and kindness
to his subordinate officers. Colonel Parsons had especially desired to
serve under General Grant and expressing to him his regret that he was
called away before Vicksburg was taken, the General quietly answered,
"that will not be soon. However, if you would really like to be present,
I will try to let you know, so that if your duties will permit, you can
come down." Colonel Parsons attached no importance to this remark
but in the latter part of June, he received a letter from General Grant,
in which he said, "I think if your duties will permit of your coming;
clown here soon, you will be in time to see the end of the siege." Greatly
to Colonel Parsons' regret however, this was not possible.
5)4
A few other brief reports might be given of movements made about
this time. In June 1863 General Burnsides' army of 10,000 men then
in jcentral Kentucky, being needed to reinforce General Grant at Vicks-
burg, "was with its artillery, transported rapidly by rail through a part
of Kentucky and Ohio, across southern Indiana and Illinois to Cairo,
where transports were waiting and within lour days reached its destin-
ation, over 1,000 miles from the point of departure." During this
same summer of 1863, the Indians being troublesome on the upper
Missouri, one of the largest expeditions ever fitted out by government,
was sent against them, consisting of about 5,000 men, with several thou-
sand tons of stores, under the command of Generals Sully and Sibley,
being transported some 2,000 miles up the Missouri and the Yellowstone,
while in the following summer another large body of troops with several
thousand tons of supplies was sent to the same point.
During the autumn of 1863, plans began to be made for Sherman's
march to the sea, and as he had gathered over 100,000 men near Nash-
ville, the amount of supplies required was enormous, not only for daily
consumption for men and animals, but to provide for the future, when
his army should be marching through the enemy's country. This diffi-
cult problem was given to Colonel Parsons to solve and he at once began
plans for accumulating at Nashville during the few months in which the
Cumberland river was navigable, thousands of tons of supplies of every
kind, so that they could be quickly transported as needed during the
following summer to other points in eastern Tennessee, Alabama and
Georgia. There being no light draught boats suitable for use on the
rivers, saw-mills were fitted up, a machine shop built at Bridgeport,
Alabama, on the upper Tennessee and within nine months, thirteen
steamboats, four of which were partially iron-clad, were completed.
The one line of railroad through this section was repaired and equipped,
material being brought from the north for the purpose, and large quan-
tities of lumber were sawed to make sheds in which to store the sup-
plies as fast as unloaded. In the meantime there had been gathered
at St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati and other points in the north, im-
mense quantities of stores, which were pushed forward as soon as naviga-
tion opened, pouring into Nashville, so that "by the time the season per-
mitted General Sherman to open the campaign, the store-houses were
filled, and in addition, immense stores of forage, grain, and hay were
stacked under shelter of tarpaulins as provision again?! all possible wants."
As a result General Sherman's Chief Quartermaster reported that in July,
1864, "the army was 250 miles from Nashville with 100,000 men and
80,000 animals, but notwithstanding this formidable force and its great
distance from its base of supplies, connected by a single line of railroad
running through mountain fastnesses, liable to be cut at any time, it
never suffered for any essential supply hut had abundance of evervthi ng
needed, from the moment it left Chattanooga to the fall of Atlanta. "
Anpther officer writing a few months later to Colonel Parsons, said.
95
"But few will know how to trace Sherman's success and present brilliant
prospects to that problem (of transportation in the solution of which you
jou were the guiding spirit."
In August, 1864, Colonel Parsons was given charge of all rail and
river transportation of the armies of the United States and ordered to
Washington, where he was stationed during the remainder of the war.
In January, I860, General Grant desired Colonel Schofield's army
brought from Mississippi to aid in the movements around Richmond,
but hesitated to order it, thinking it would be impracticable at that
season of the year to safely bring so large a body of men over the
mountains and in sufficient time to answer his purpose, forty to sixty
days being the shortest period thought possible. Colonel Parsons said
he thought it could be done in thirty days, but the army of 20,000 men
with all its artillery and over 1,000 animals was transported a distance
of nearly 1,400 miles, during the severest cold of the winter, within
an average time of eleven days, or less than seventeen days from the
embarkation of the first troops until the arrival of the last in Washing-
ton, and without loss of property or of a single life. It was this move-
ment which called forth from Secretary Stanton the remark that "it
was without a parallel in the history of armies," and which elicited
highest praise for the marvels of our transportation service, from
English, French and German writers, while as recently as during the
Spanish war a newspaper editorial stated that "the American Civil War
still holds the record for transporting a large body of troops, over a long-
distance in the shortest time."
Colonel Parson's services in this department had now extended over
nearly three years and had been of the most arduous and responsible
nature, but though uniformly successful, they had received no recog-
nition from the government in the only way. in which they could be
recognized — by the promotion which his many friends thought he had
so richly earned. There had been numerous promotions in his depart-
ment from the regular army but few from the volunteer service and the
reason for this was given at a cabinet meeting held about this time,
an account of which was given to Colonel Parsons as follows : "Recently,
when the subject of the promotion of a Quartermaster to the rank of
Bragadier General was being discussed at a cabinet meeting, the Pres-
ident mentioned Parsons. Some urged that the promotion should be
given to an officer of the' regular army — that such officers were regularly
educated and trained up in the service for that sort of position and were
better fitted by such special training. Mr. Lincoln said, "That may all
be well as to your stall fed fellows, but Colonel Parsons is about the
best grass fed Quartermaster we have got. I think he should have the
promotion now."
The opinion of President Lincoln thus expressed in his homely, char-
acteristic manner, was soon put into effect by the following order:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, D. C, March 17, 1865.
Hon. Secretary of War:
Dear Sir — I have long thought Col. Lewis B. Parsons ought to be pro-
moted, and intended it should have been sooner done. His long service and
the uniform testimony to the ability with which he has discharged his very
responsible and extended duties render it but just and proper his services
should be acknowledged, and more especially so, since his great success in
executing your orders for the recent movement of troops from the west.
You will therefore at once promote Col. Parsons to the rank of a Brigadier
General, if there is a vacancy which can be given to the Quartermaster's
Department, and if not you will so promote him when the first vacancy
occurs.
Yours truly,
A. Lincoln.
This resulted soon after in the promotion of Colonel Parsons to the
rank of Brigadier General.
After the surrender of Lee, General Parsons being much out of health
from his long continued and incessant- duties, tendered his resignation,
which Secretary .Stanton declined to accept, retaining him in his position
while the enormous army of nearly one million men was disbanded, the •
soldiers transported -to their homes, and many matters of detail connected
with his department finally settled. He was also at this time ordered
to make a draft of army transportation regulations, which subsequently
became the basis of all army transportation. It may be interesting to
add, in connection with the more recent discussion in regard to main-
taining a larger standing army, that the possibility of this was in the
mind of Secretary Stanton, when in October, 1865, General Parsons was
requested by the secretary to give his "views as to the proper organiza-
tion, to adapt the Quartermaster department to the necessities of a per-
manent army of 100,000 men."
In May, 1866, when he again tendered his resignation, Secretary
Stanton offered him the position of Colonel in the regular army, the
highest position which could be given to a volunteer, saying that Amer-
icans were naturally brave and it was not difficult to find good soldiers,
but that it was not always easy to secure men of business capacity and
talents for organization. General Parsons' health was such that he de-
clined this offer, when the secretary conferred on him the rank of Brevet
Major General and he retired after a service of four and a half years
with only twenty-one days' leave of absence during that time.
Before leaving this period of General Parsons's life, an extract is here-
with given from an editorial in the New York Times of July 31, 1865,
by the celebrated editor, Henry J. Raymond, whom General Parsons
did not know, but who had been present at the interview between Secre-
tary Stanton and General Parsons after the. movement of General
Schofield's army and who therefore probably wrote at the inspiration of
the secretary himself. Mr. Raymond says, in part, "No officer of the
United States army could speak with a more correct knowledge than
General Parsons of the numbers and efficiency of the armies of the
Union, for no one perhaps had more experience than he in their organ-
ization, subsistence and handling. We venture the assertion that if
Secretary Stanton were called on to name the officer who more than
any other had distinguished himself in the task of wielding the vast
machinery of the Union armies during all the stages of the conflict, in
response to the plans and requirements of our generals, he would, with
little hesitation, designate General Lewis B. Parsons. It is to his match-
97
less combinations that must be attributed much of the efficiency and suc-
cess that almost invariably marked every military movement in the
west. When the climax of General Grant's western renown was reached
in the battles before Chattanooga and he was transferred to the com-
mand of all the armies, with headquarters at Washington, he lost no
time in bringing General (then Colonel) Parsons to Washington to
direct from that center the machinery of which he had became so com-
pletely the master. When every department of the public service during
the war comes to have its true place in history there will be few with a
more brilliant and enduring reputation than General Lewis B. Parsons."'
To this may be added the tribute of General Grant in a farewell letter
to General Parsons, as he was leaving the service. He says :
Headquarters Armies of the United States.
Washington, D. C, May 20, 1865.
Dear General — I have long contemplated writing yon and expressing my
satisfaction with the manner in which you have discharged the very respon-
sible and difficult duties of superintendent of river and railroad transporta-
tion for the armies both in the west and east.
The position is second in importance to no other connected with the mili-
tary service, and to have been appointed to it at the beginning of a war of
the magnitude and duration of this one and holding it to its close, provid-
ing transportation for whole armies with all that appertains to them for
thousands of miles, adjusting accounts involving millions of money and do-
ing justice to all, never delaying for a moment any military operations de-
pendent upon you, meriting and receiving the commendation of your superior
officers and the recognition of Government, for integrity of character and
for the able and efficient manner in which you have filled it, evidences an
honesty of purpose, knowledge of men, business intelligence and executive
ability of the highest order, and of which any man ought to be justly proud.
Wishing you a speedy return to health and duty, I remain,
Yours truly,
U. S. Grant,
lit. Gen.
When finally relieved from service, General Parsons' health was found
to be so seriously affected that his physicians ordered entire rest and
arranging his private affairs as rapidly as possible, he went abroad in
the folowing year, accompanied by his oldest daughter. The next two
years were spent most delightfully in traveling over Europe, as far as
eastern Eussia, thence to Constantinople; through Egypt and the Holy
Land, returning to America in the autumn of 1869.
General Parsons now took up his residerfce in St. Louis and in the
following winter he married Miss Elizabeth Darrah of New York City.
He again became interested in business, being a director in the Ohio
and Mississippi Eailroad, now the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern,
was also a director in the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern, now a
part of the Wabash system, and for three years also the president of a
hank in St. Louis.
In 1873 occurred the death of his oldest daughter in Minnesota after
a long illness, followed in January, 1875, by the death in Colorado, of his
oldest son, a young man of great promise, a graduate of Yale in the
class of 1872 and universally beloved and respected by his classmates
— 7 H S
9S
and friends. Crushed by these sorrows, broken in health and having
experienced business reverses, General Parsons determined to go to the
country and in the spring of 1875 returned to Illinois making his
home on the farm at Flora which he had owned since 18.: 5, and where
he continued to reside during the following thirty-two years.
His life, though now a quiet one in comparison to that of the previous
years, was not lacking in occupation. He again became interested in
politics, having never renounced his Democratic principles, although
strongly urged to change his party, especially during the administration
of General Grant, but always responding to such solicitations that "if
principles counted for anything, they should do so in politics as well
as elsewhere." .In 1876, he took an active part in the election of Gov-
ernor Tilden, being on the .State Central Committee and giving his en-
tire time to conducting the campaign in Illinois and on that eventful
5th of March, 1877, when Hayes was being sworn in as president, spend-
ing the morning with Governor Tilden at his home in Xew York.
In 1877 he was elected president of the Ohio and Mississippi Rail-
road, but in the following year, when the road passed into the control
of the Baltimore and Ohio, he retired.
In 1878 he was urged to accept the nomination for Congress, but
though his nomination would have been equivalent to an election, he de-
clined, not caring for public office. Two years later, however, his
friends throughout Illinois so strongly urged him to accept the nomin-
ation for Governor that he consented, provided that Judge Lyman
Trumbull, who was his choice for the nomination should positively re-
fuse to accept it. When the convention met, Judge Trumbull was nom-
inated but immediately declined and in a most eulogistic speech nomin-
ated General Parsons. He, in turn refused the nomination for himself,
seconding that of Judge Trumbull, who was finally induced to ac-
cept, Genera] Parsons being then nominated for Lieutenant Governor.
During the following months of the political campaign they traveled
together throughout the State and though they were unsuccessful at the
election, the renewal of a friendship begun in the days when General
Parsons first commenced to practice law before the Illinois bar, was a
great pleasure to him, continuing with frequent correspondence until
the death of Judge Trumbull.
In L884, General Parsons was much interested in the Presidential
election, was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, and it
was largely through his influence that the Illinois delegation united on
Cleveland, rendering his nomination possible. In L893 he was a delegate
to the State Convention which nominated John P. Altgeld for Governor,
and after the election was appointed president of the Board of Trustees
of the Soldiers' Home at Quiilcy, an office which broughl him much
pleasure, recalling as it did, the active military service of earlier years
and which he retained during the four rears of Governor Aitgeld's ad
ministrat ion.
This was the lasi public position with which he was connected, but it
}>\ no means followed that even a! the age of nearly 80 years he ceased
to feel an active interest in the affairs of State or Nation, for as long-
as he Lived his keen mind with its broad comprehensive vision, watched
99
the progress of events not only at home, but throughout the world,
while his firm faith in the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness
kept him in sympathy with the younger generations and prevented the
pessimism natural to old age.
The development of his large farm from an open uncultivated nrairie.
had .caused him to take deep interest in everything connected with
agriculture and in 1877 being then president of the Ohio and Mississippi
Railroad, he delivered an address before the State Dairymen's Associa-
tion on "Transportation, as connected with production and exchange,"
for which his large experience in such matters, peculiarly fitted him.
In the present day when the great question of proper railroad manage-
ment, either under government supervision or with absolute government
ownership, is being so earnestly discussed, it is interesting to read the
remedies then suggested by General Parsons for the evils only beginning,
but whose increase he foresaw, when he said the time might be coming
when the question would have to be decided whether the government
would possess the railroads or the railroads possess the government,
while the general principles he laid down as a basis for such remedies
as would prevent either alternative, are so broad and wise that they
are as applicable to the present situation, as to that of thirty years ago.
In his own immediate neighborhood he was always interested in every-
thing that would be of benefit or wTould tend to improve and beautify
the country, and he gave to the town of Flora at different times over
5,000 shade trees raised in his nurseries to be planted along the streets
of the town, while on his own property he planted many more thousands,
both of shade and fruit trees.
In the early days of his first coming to Illinois he had identified him-
self with the Presbyterian Church in Alton, then under the charge of
the Pew A. T. Norton, well known as the "Father of Presbyterian ism
in southern Illinois,,, and after his removal to Flora in 1875, the Pres-
byterian Church there became an object of special interest to him.
and in the absence of a regular pastor, he often conducted the services
and read the sermon.
The subject of education had been dear to him since the brave struggle
he made for it in his own college days and when his father died in 1855,
leaving his property for founding an educational institution in Iowa,
the son, with his two brothers, accepted the trust. The college was
opened in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1875, bearing the family name and from
that time became to General Parsons an objecl of unremitting care
through the remainder of his life, and his annual visits were considered
by him as a sieved duty, as well as a great pleasure. His love for his
own Alma Mater .Yale, never ceased, and his frequent visits to New
Haven for class reunions were occasions of much enjoyment, when he
seemed to renew his youth, while he kept up a correspondence with some
members of his class until the last year of his life. After meeting him
at a Yale reunion in 1901, President Hadley wrote him: "Nothing
in all my visits to Yale Alumni Associations gives me more pleasure in
the remembrance than your charming speech at the Alumni dinner in
St. Louis and your vet more charming personal conversation."
100
General tarsons also greatly enjoyed the meeting with old army
friends and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the
Loyal Legion and vice president of the Society of the Army of the
Tennessee, as also a member of the societies of Colonial Wars and of
the Sons of the Revolution. He had always since the close of the war,
longed to see a restoration of kindly understanding and sympathy be-
tween the north and the south. And when a subscription was being
raised to erect a monument in Chicago to the confederate dead, he sent
a contribution, accompanied by a letter expressing his deep interest in
the success of the undertaking.
The year 1887 brought him a great sorrow in the death of his beloved
wife, leaving of his family only two children, a daughter who lived with
him in his home and a son who resided in Colorado, both of whom sur-
vived him.
During the last twenty years of his life lie spent his winters largely
in Florida, varying them with trips to California and Mexico, while the
summers generally found him at his home in Flora. On New Year's
day, 1907, at the request of the Grand Army Post in Flora, he met the
old soldiers at their rooms and for the last time talked over the days
of the past, when they were all in their different ways working together
for the same great end. With voice as strong and clear as in his younger
days and with his old time vigor, he spoke for two hours, of the pari
he had taken in the struggle, his hearers listening with the deepest in-
terest and attention and at the close, to Ids surprise and pleasure he
was presented with a chair in memory of the occasion. Though fully
retaining his mental vigor, the last few years had brought increasing
feebleness of body. most, patiently and uncomplainingly borne, and it
had seemed at times, as if only his indomitable will enabled him to re-
tain his hold on life. He expressed a wish to live for his 89th birthday
on April 5th, but on March 16th, after an illness of only a few da\>.
the brave, tireless soul answered the roll call and freed from the in-
creasing limitations of the body, passed into the fuller, richer life, which
he felt assured was awaiting him.
On one of the last days, his mind wandered back to the past and he
was again giving directions For the transportation of armies and order-
iii"' that the trains should not be moved so rapidly, lest the lives of the
soldiers might be endangered. So it was fitting that in the final simple
services rendered in his honor, in the town with which he had been so
long identified, he should res! for a few hours in the church he had so
faithfully served, watched by representatives of the men who had fought
with him and covered by the flag he had loved.
CHICAGO'S N'ORTH SHORE.
By J. Seymour Currey.
I. Pioneer Period.
It is well known that the southern portion of the State of Illinois
was settled long before the northern portion was. The accessibility
of the territory lying contiguous to, or within easy reach of, the river
systems of the Ohio and Mississippi, rendered it easy of access for settlers
from the east, who arrived mostly by way of routes on those rivers.
When Illinois was admitted as a State in 1818, the population was
50,000, largely distributed throughout the southern portion. At this
time Fort Dearborn had been but recently rebuilt after the dreadful
massacre of 1812, and the country surrounding it was scarcely known to
the settler.
At the time of the Black Hawk war in 1832, the entrance to the
Chicago river had become a convenient landing place for vessels on the
lakes, though it was as yet an open roadstead. It was not until some
years later that the government dredged out the channel so as to permit
larger vessels to enter the river. Steamers, however, had begun to ply
the lakes at this period, and a few years later (1839) a regular line of
steamers was established connecting Buffalo and Chicago. The vear
1832, in which the Black Hawk war occurred, was an epoch in the "his-
tory of Chicago and the regions surrounding it, because of the great in-
flux of troops and supplies at this point, under the direction of the
government; thus establishing a route from the east which was followed
by settlers afterwards when seeking entrance to the fertile prairie lands
and woodlands of this portion of the State of Illinois, and the territory
of Wisconsin to the north. The war itself was little more than a series
of skirmishes with the Indians who were finally driven across the Missis-
sippi, and they troubled the country no more. The accounts of the
war caused an immense sensation throughout the country, and after
its conclusion very important consequences followed. The attention of
the country was called to the advantages in the soil and climate possessed
by Illinois. The officers and men of the army, on their return from the
campaign throughout the northern portion of Illinois ami Wiscnn°in,
102
brought home with them wonderful accounts of the country. Settlers
began to arrive shortly alter in a constantly increasing stream which
soon became a tide.
The history of Chicago has been told so many times that it is un-
necessary for me to give more than an outline sufficient for a general
understanding of the beginnings of pioneer life in the regions surround-
ing it. After the abandonment of Fort Dearborn on August 15, 1812,
by order of General Hull then in command of the American forces at
Detroit — an order given with the .intention of concentrating all avail-
able forces at Detroit to resist a British attack — the small company of
troops with their families and a few friendly Indians began their fatal
retreat. They were pursued by hostile Indians, and at a point about
two miles south of the fort they were completely overwhelmed, after a
brave defense; and the greater part, including most of the women and
children, were killed. Those who survived were tortured and some put
to death, a few eventually escaping. The fort was burned by the Indians
and thereafter no white man lived on or near the spot for a space of four
years.
John Kinzie, an Indian tra'der, came in 1801, but escaped the mas-
sacre of 1812 by embarking with his family in a small boat on the lake.
He returned in 1816 after a variety of adventures and soon afterwards
the government, having meantime made new treaties with the Indians,
began the erection of the new fort. Few but military people lived here
during the next ten years; and it was not until 1832 that a few scatter-
ing houses had been built on the surrounding spaces within cannon shot
of the stockaded walls of the fort; and a population, outside of the gar-
rison, .of some 130 persons dwelt and pursued their various occupations.
The importance of this point as a trading center was as yet dimly
perceived by the residents, and other places seemed preferable to many.
There were places north and south of this point which were thought to
have advantages superior to the wretched little settlement on the low
flat lands at the mouth of the Chicago river. However, the Black Hawk
war, showing as it did the great value of Fort Dearborn as a base of
supplies, clearly indicated that here was the most convenient place from
which military operations could be carried on. Here was landed the
force of IT. S. regulars, to the number of 1,000 men under General
Winfield Scott, to take part in the campaign. After the hostile Indians
had been driven out of the State the few frightened settlers who had
taken refuge at the fort returned to their holdings. Chicago then began
to increase in population, and in 1835 there were sonic 1,500 inhabitants,
though the importance of the place was much greater than might be
inferred from its small population. Arriving settlers in most cases did
not cure to stay in the place; it was "too uninviting" one relates, and they
moved on to more attractive scenes. Thus the prairie lands to the west
were rapidly taken up, and in the later "thirties'* settlers began to turn
their attention to the wooded regions lying to the north. It was about
1835 that the first pioneers penetrated the wilderness in that direction.
103
The term "North Shore" is descriptive of the region bordering the
shore of Lake Michigan to the north of Chicago. How far the region
thus described might extend it is difficult to state. In this address I
will consider that the term applies to the region along the shore of the
lake as far north as Waukegan which is near the State line. People
in Boston use the term "North Shore*' to describe the coast as far north
as Gloucester at least. The expression was not used, so far as I can
find, by the residents of this region previous to about 1890 ; but start-
ing as a colloquial expression it has become a most useful addition to
our local vocabulary and has been utilized in the names of transportation
and other companies.
In the "thirties" and "forties" the name of Gross Point served to in-
dicate the locality situated along the shore generally within the space
later known as "Kidgeville township." Up to 1850 the locality was
known as "Gross Point voting district," having no definite boundaries;
but in that year the township of Kidgeville was organized and the voting
district passed out of existence. Gross Point is a name that has come
down to us from the French voyagcurs, who passed and repassed this shore
for a hundred and fifty years in their batteaux, engaged in the fur trade
long before the pioneers came. The correct spelling in French would be
Grosse Pointe, but current usage has settled the spelling as indicated
above. A point of land forming an obtuse angle projects into the lake
about thirteen miles north of the mouth of the Chicago river, and here
the land rises into bluffs of a moderate height. This was called Gross
Point by the early voyagears, and in common with many other names up
and down the lakes also of French origin, the name has remained as a
picturesque remnant of the period when all this extensive lake region
was a part of the dominions of the French kings. The wooded shores
of the lake wore a lovely aspect to the passing voyageur or sailor; and
Gross Point especially loomed up as a most attractive spot and became
known by the romantic name of "Beauty's Eyebrow." The point, how-
ever, was a place to be dreaded in storm and darkness, and there is a
long list of wrecks and loss of life associated with its history. Since
1874 a tall lighthouse with a revolving light serves as a landmark and
guide to the mariner.
In 1836 a small schooner called the "Dolphin' dropped anchor in
the Chicago river after a stormy voyage from Lake Erie. On board was
Arunah Hill, his wife and eight children, who with their household
goods, were landed and soon after placed on a wagon and driven by ox-
team to their new home, which was a small cabin located on what we
now call Eidge avenue, directly west of Calvary station with-
in the present city limits of Evanston. A small clearing in the woods
surrounded the cabin, which was built of boards, but without windows
<;r a chimney. The cabin had been built the previous year by
Major Edward H. Mulford, who had taken up land from the govern-
ment and had made some slight improvements. Major Mulford. who
had become a resident of Chicago (where he engaged in the jewelry bus-
iness), had doubtless begun this improvement with the idea of living
upon the place. After occupying this place one year. Hill removed some
10-1
three miles to the m nth, west of the present village of Wilmette, where
he located permanently; and Mulford began living in his cabin and re-
resided on his place the remainder of his life.
Hill and his family were among the earliest arrivals in this region,
and one of his sons, Benjamin F. Hill, who was six years old when the
family came upon the scene, resided here up to the time of his death
in 1905.
B. F. Hill has left on record a very intelligent account of life and
experiences in the pioneer times of this section. He relates that on ar-
riving in Chicago he saw groups of Indians, who were a great curiosity
to the newly arrived settlers; and after reaching their cabin on the Mul-
ford place they found it in the midst of the forest which after nightfall
resounded with the cries of wolves and owls. Other settlers soon joined
them, among whom were Abraham Hathaway, John Carney, George
and Paul Pratt, Henry Clarke, George W". Huntoon, William Foster,
Benjamin Emerson — names familiar in the early annals of Evanston,
and who arrived previous to 184U. During the next decade came John
O'Leary, Samuel Reed, David Burroughs, Ozro and Charles Crain, Ed-
ward Murphy. Alexander McDaniel, Eli Garfield, Philo Colvin, Sylvester
Beckwith, Oliver Jellison. dames Hart ray. Otis Munn and many others.
The township of Ridgeway was organized in 1850 with a population of
443.
Previous to 1846 the residents of the Gross Point district were obliged
to get their letters at Chicago, or at Dutchman's Point, now Xiles.
December 28, 1846, the post office was kept at the houses of the post-
masters, and changed its location at each change of the incumbent. Most
of the homes of the settlers were strung along the Green Bay road, now
Ridge avenue, extending sonic three miles. The forest was gradually
cut away by the settlers, who found a ready market for wood at Chicago,
then growing by leaps and bounds, and by L850 the country was covered
by well tilled farms.
The road north from Chicago, instead of being lined by villages and
towns, as at present, was marked by taverns, or "hotels," as they were
often rather grandiloquently called in those days, at intervals of a few
miles. The first of these, after leaving Chicago, was Britton's, which
was situated about where the old Lake Yiew town hall now stands. The
next was Baer's tavern at Rosehill ; the next. Traders at Calvary.
Others along the Green Bay road (which was the general name for the
road north) were Tillman's tavern. Buckeye hotel. Stebbins' tavern, etc.
These taverns were later known after the stage coaches began to run. as
••Seven-mile lionse.** •'Ten-mile house," etc., according to their location.
The road- followed the low ridges which begin to rise gradually towards
the north, and were generally sandy; which is the usual characteristic
of the surface on the higher undulations of the land, though in the low
portions between the ridges the soil is dark and fertile.
Tn quite recent geologic times the waters of hake Michigan stood some
twenty feet higher than at present and poured a flood over the divide
into the Desplaines river valley, taking the same course through which
the great drainage canal was cut some years since at immense labor and
105
cost. The present site of Chicago was then the bottom of a shallow bay
extending westward to the higher lands some twelve or fifteen miles from
the present margin of the lake ; and northward in long tongues of shallow
water between the ridges which formed low promontories. At that time
the first land appearing above the surface of the waters was in the
neighborhood of Kosehill, and from this point northward the land rose
gradually, until at Waukegan, the bluffs attained a height of fifty or sixty
feet above the surface of the lake. These facts account for the sandy
ridges, gravelly sub-soil and old beach marks which are characteristic
of the region. The glacial action of a more remote period is evident
in the occurrence of boulders, some of great size. One may be seen
near the railway station at Waukegan. and one on the campus of the
Northwestern University at Evanston.
The settlers arriving previous to 1850 came by boat and by overland
routes from the east; many of them were former residents of eastern
states, but German immigants formed a large element. The descend-
ants of these German settlers remain today as prosperous market gard-
eners and flower growers occupying the lands on the beautiful rolling
country a few miles back from the lake shore. Chicago was incorpor-
ated as a city in 1837, at which time it had attained a population of
more than 4,000, and was a ready and convenient market for everything
the settlers had to sell — wood for fuel and cooperage, farm produce,
etc. Thus there was a larger measure of prosperity among these settlers
than was usually found in pioneer communities. They began to sur-
round themselves with a better class of improvements, built frame houses
to replace the log cabins of the earlier period, and provided better school
facilities for the young. April 26, 1850, the name of the post office was
changed from Gross Point to Ridgeville. At this time the places towards
the north were as follows, and in the adjoining columns is given the
names they are at present known by:
Original Name.
Present name.
Distance
from Chicago.
Rosebill
Calvary
Evanston
Wilmette
Winnetka ....
Glencoe
Highland P'k.
Highwood
Ft. Sheridan..
Waukegan.. ..
Ten -mile House
Gross Point 1
The northern limits of Cook county are some twenty-one miles north
of Chicago, the remainder of the distance along the north shore to the
State line lying in Lake county.
The life of the people living along the north shore, as may well be
imagined, was in an early day closely interwoven with that of Lake
Michigan, with its vicissitudes of storm and calm, its busv commerce and
attendant disasters, its navigation and its life afloat. From the shore=
10G
an illimitable horizon stretched away to the eastward, and fleets of sail-
ing craft flecked the broad bosom of its waters. Marry families had one
or more members engaged in the occupation of sailing the lakes, and
among the older inhabitants are captains and sailors, now retired,
who spent years of their lives in lake navigation. The last twenty
years has witnessed a great diminution in the numbers of sailing vessels,
their places being supplied by the great steamers which carry, in one
cargo, as much as ten or dozen schooners formerly did. Tales of mari-
time adventures could be gathered in volumes from the older inhabi-
tants and their descendants today: and many of the early settlers on this
shore were attracted thither by the bosky woodlands and pleasant up-
lands seen from passing vessels.
Captain Sylvester Beekwith. in command of the schooner "Winslow/'
which he had sailed fourteen years, was wrecked off the shore where
Winnetka is now located in 1841 ; and with his crew found shelter at
Patterson's tavern, then the principal stopping place at that point for
stages and road travel on the Green Bay road. He abandoned life afloat
and took up land near old Gross Point and remained there the rest of
his life, becoming one of our prominent and substantial citizens. Cap-
tain Fred Canfield and Captain Eobert Kyle likewise settled here after
many years of sea-faring life. Every mile of the shore has its record of
wreck and loss of life, and since the life saving station was established
at Evanston, in 1877, the saving of some four hundred lives during the
thirty years of its existence gives some idea of the disasters and loss of
life which must have occurred in previous years, when no record was
kept. For while the shores are not rock-bound as on many dangerous
coasts, the peril to navigators when forced on a sandy beach, especially
when skirted by bluffs approaching close to the margin of the lake, has
proved to be a very serious one. It was for this reason that the govern-
ment has established at short intervals along this shore light houses, fog
horns and life-saving stations.
In 1850, the population of Chicago was upwards of "is. Odd: and, as by
that time telegraphic lines had been established between important
points, the residents of the north shore were well served by the enter-
prising press of the city. The news of the world was at their command,
and among the leading events of that time the accounts of gold dis-
coveries in California attracted wide-spread attention and profoundly
affected the farmers ami woodsmen of the neighborhood. Already Ozro
Crain, a man of an adventurous disposition, in the spring of flu1 previous
year (1849) had made his way across the plains and returned in the
fall with glowing accounts from the land of gold. During the following
winter a party was organized ready for a start westward in the spring,
the men who composed it planning to be absenl a few years, to try their
fortunes in the gold mines of the new El Dorado. There were about thirty
men in the party whose name-, as far as ascertained, wrvr as follows:
107
Ozro Cram, leader; Charles Cram, Erwin Crain, Leander Grain, brothers
of Ozro; Orson Crain, a cousin; Alonzo Burroughs, William Foster and
his son, John; Oliver Jellison, Alexander McDaniel, Eli Gatheld, Syl-
vester Beckwith, Andrew Robinson, Benjamin Emerson. James Har-
tray, Azel Patterson, Joel Stebbins, James Dennis,. George Eeed, Henry
Pratt, Smith Hill, James Bowman and others whose last names only can
be given — Hazzard, Eox. Webley, Fluent, Miller, Rice and Aekley,
There were others who also went across the plains to the same destina-
tion, but not with the party above mentioned. Some of these were B.
F. Hill, Samuel Reed, Abraham Hathaway and John O'Leary.
On the 8th of April, 1850, the party started from the Buckeye hotel,
a small frame house still standing on Ridge avenue in Evanston. There
were seven or eight wagons for the party, and a horse for each man. The
scene at the departure was an animated one, and after the farewells had
been spoken and the keepsakes exchanged, the party began their long
journey to California. The "California widows,'' as the wives of the
adventurers were called, went on with the work of the farms and shops,
and in most cases managed their affairs well during the absence of their
husbands. Their conduct affords as fine an example of constancy and
devotion as can be found in the annals of romance. Just as the crusaders
of old, rallying from every country in Europe and following the banner
of the cross to the- far distant land of Palestine, found on their return
from an absence of years their faithful wives true in their affections
and to the trusts confided to them, so our California Argonauts found
on their return the warmth of heartfelt affection and welcome to their
homes after their long absence in the land of gold. And when we con-
sider what those homes were, far on the frontier of civilization, devoid
of many of the comforts and conveniences which we deem so necessary
in the homes of this day. we can form some idea of the true hearted
faithfulness of the women of pioneer times. It is to these women who,
in the pioneer life we have attempted to depict, have maintained the
honor and purity of these homes of the early times, and to whom are
due the best elements in the institutions and life we now enjoy.
We have some interesting records of the long journey of the party
across the plains. Alexander McDaniel methodically kept a diary during
the two years of his absence, ami when possible wrote long letters to his
young wife at home. Letters from Ft. Leavenworth, Ft. Laramie and
Salt Lake City were received, and finally, after a journey of some two
and one-half months, the party, at least most of them, reached their
■ lest ination on the western slopes of the Sierras.
Some members of the party did not remain with their associate:- to
the end of the journey, preferring to return from various points on the
way. Those who at last reached the gold diggings took up claims and
began work in earnest. McDaniel records in his diary the amount of
"dust" taken out each day. and the .amounts varied from three or four
108
dollars to over thirty dollars as the result of the day's work, and some
exceptional days much larger sums. As last as he accumulated the
precious metal in sufficient quantities to make shipments, it was sent
by Wells, Fargo & Company's Express (the same company and name we
are familiar with today) to his faithful wife at home, who cared for it
safely until his return some twenty-one months later, having gained some
three thousand dollars as the result of his trip. The Crains also did
well, generally speaking, and also many of the other members of the
party. They mostly all returned within a couple of years, either across
the plains, the way they had gone, or by the Panama route. Benjamin
Emerson was robbed of four thousand dollars of his gains while on his
way home. Oliver Jellison disappeared and was never more heard off;
Joel Stebbins, Mr. Webley and Azel Patterson never returned.
A party of California adventurers also started from Waukegan.
Among those who were members of the party were Isaiah Marsh, George
Ferguson, George Allen Hibbard, D. H. Sherman, William and James
Steele, and Jacob Miller with his two sons. Hibbard was frozen to
death while crossing the mountains, and Jacob Miller died from the
exposures and .privations suffered on the journey.
During the fifteen years from 1835, when the first settlers came, in any
appreciable numbers, to 1850, the land had been cleared of the greater
part of its forest growth, and farming had become the principal occupa-
tion of the people. From Chicago north to the State line, a distance of
some forty-five miles, there had grown up a succession of small com-
munities, the most important of which was Waukegan, which previous
to 1849 had been known as Little Fort. This town, in 1850, had a popu-
lation of over 3,000, possessed a thriving trade in lumber and grain, and
had become a port of call for a line of steamers. During the year just
mentioned there had been over a thousand arrivals of lake vessels and
steamers at the port of Waukegan and the government had begun work
to improve the harbor. At one time the people of the place regarded it
as a rival of Chicago, but after the completion of the railroad between
Chicago and Milwaukee a few years later its commercial importance de-
clined, though as the county -cat of Lake county it has become an at-
tractive and well built city and the center of trade for a prosperous
country population.
Anion-- flic early residents of Waukegan. were Henry W. Blodgett,
in later years well known as a federal judge: and Elijah M. Haines,
who came to kittle Fori as early as 1843. Haines published a history
of Lake county in 1852, the county being then but thirteen years old.
Eaines was an industrious and careful historian of the events in which
lie himself had a large share, and his writings, now scarce and difficult
to procure, are among the mosl valuable of our pioneer sketches.
II. Modern Period.
On the :;ist day of May. L850, a meeting 0f a few gentlemen was held
in the office of Granl Goodrich in Chicago, the object of which was
to take ~te|is towards Founding a university, "to be under the control and
109
patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church/' Among those present
were Grant Goodrich, Rev. Zadoc Hail, Rev. Richard Haney, Rev. R. H.
Blanchard, Orrington Lunt, Dr. John Evans, J. K. Botsford, Henry
W. Clarke and Andrew J. Brown. The result of this meeting was an
application to the State Legislature for a charter, which was granted in
an Act passed January 28, 1851. Pursuant to this act the Northwestern
University was organized June 11, 1851. The president of the first
Board of Trustees was John Evans, who soon after arranged, on behalf
of the board, for the purchase of the block of ground in Chicago on
which now stands the Grand Pacific hotel and the Illinois Trust and
Savings Bank. The purchase price was eight thousand dollars. The
purpose in view was the establishment of a preparatory school, though
this purpose was afterwards abandoned. The land, however, was retained
and is now a valuable asset of the university. "This was the smartest
thing we ever did/' said Mr. Lunt many years later. "There was noth-
ing particularly smart in the purchasing, but the smart thing was in the
keeping of it, for it is now (1888) worth a million dollars.'"' June
£2, 1853, Clark T. Hinman was elected the first president of the faculty
of the university, though no buildings had been erected as yet and no site
even selected. Several locations were considered and finally a Dart,
visited the lake shore in the township of Ridgeville and decided on the
site now occupied by the university. A tract of 380 acres was purchased
from Dr. John H. Poster in August, 1853, and a part of the land was
laid out for a campus, a building erected, and the university was opened
to students November 5, 1855. A year or more before this time
(October, 1851) Dr. Hinman died and no successor was elected until
the following year.
During the winter of 1853-1 a plat of a village was made under the
superintendence of Rev. Philo Judson, who had been appointed by the
board of trustees as the business -agent of the university, and the village
thus platted was named Evanston, in honor of Dr. John Evans, the
president of the board of trustees. This was on February 3, 1851. The
plat of the village was recorded July 27, 1851. The name of the post
office, however, was not changed until August 2]. 1S55, when it ceased
to be called Ridgeville, and was thereafter officially named by the post
office department, Evanston. James B. Colvin was appointed the first
postmaster under the new name. The name of the township of Ridgeville
was changed to Evanston, February 17, 1857, accompanied by a change
of boundaries. Lakeview township, formerly a part of Ridgeville town-
ship, was at the same time created, and has since been included within
the city limits of Chicago.
When the Northwestern University decided on locating its campus
and buildings where they are now situated, the community, thereafter
known as Evanston, entered upon a new era in its history. It became a
seat of learning and a center of interest to the large body of Methodists
throughout the west, and attracted a class of residents who were con-
nected with the work of the university. The friends and sympathizers
with the new institution also came in constantly increasing numbers,
110
so that a tune and atmosphere was created that vitally influenced the
later development of the place. The prohibition against the sale of
liquors within a limit of four miles from the principal buildings of the
university, such a provision having been included in the charter of the
institution, guaranteed to the community absolute immunity from the
evil influences of the liquor traffic. Previous to this time, in the older
pioneer period, liquor selling had been carried on at all the taverns,
"■groceries," and road houses scattered along the highways; and these
places had become a resort for thieves and fugitives from justice, and
especially counterfeiters, who flourished greatly in those days — to the
great scandal of the quiet and law abiding settlers of the vicinity. This
was now dime away with completely; and, since the establishment of the
university, the prohibition against liquor selling has lent character and
distinction to the place, and continues to be one of the most carefully
guarded and cherished institutions of the people.
The Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, founded for the purpose
of preparing young men for the ministry, began its work in 1856. It
is interesting to note that a part of the endowment of this institution
consisted of property in Chicago on which was built the "Wigwam" in
1860. In this building Abraham Lincoln was nominated for the presi-
dency.
In 1860 occurred a most appalling steamer disaster off the shore op-
posite Highland park, resulting in the loss of some 300 lives. The
steamer "Lady Elgin," a large side wheel steamer, and the finest one on
the lakes, left Chicago late on the evening of September 7 with some
400 passengers, most of whom were bound for Milwaukee. While pro-
ceeding on her course some three hours later, that is, about two o'clock
in the morning of September 8, the steamer came into collision with
the schooner "Augusta" bound for Chicago. Immediately after the
collision the captain of the schooner shouted to the people on the
steamer inquiring if they had suffered any damage or whether help was
needed, but receiving an answer that no assistance was needed, the
schooner proceeded on her course. On its arrival in Chicago harbor next
morning the captain learned from the papers that the steamer had gone
down in half an hour after the collision, and a large number of lives were
lost.
When the ill fated steamer sank she was three miles from the shore
and a gale was blowing from the northeast. Three boats had been
lowered immediately after the collision, manned by sailors provided with
mattresses and sail-cloth for the purpose of stopping the hole in her
side; but the oars were broken in the attempt and the boats drifted
away, eventually arriving on the neighboring shore with their occu-
pants in safety.
Large quantities of wreckage were loosened as the steamer went down,
and the passengers seized upon any object that would keep them afloat.
In the cargo was a drove of cattle and the struggling animals were pre-
cipitated into the water among the passengers. Many found a precarious
hold on their backs. A large piece of the hurricane deck became de-
tached at the moment when the steamer went down, and on this the
Ill
heroic Captain Wilson (who himself lost his life) gathered more than
fifty people and navigated the improvised raft towards the shore at
Winnetka. The raft ran on a sandbar at some distance from the shore
and went to pieces, and most of those who had so nearly reached a place of
safety were lost in the boiling waves.
The wreckage from the scene of the disaster drifted ashore in great
quantities at a point near where the Winnetka water tower now stands
and was scattered along the beach for miles to the south. The bluffs
at Winnetka are some twenty or thirty feet in height and below them is
a narrow beach, in some places completely submerged by the surf. When,
in the gray of the morning, the survivors neared the shore the residents
of the neighborhood came to the edge of the bluffs in great numbers
ready to assist in the work of rescue. "The unfortunate passengers
seemed to come safely to the point where the waves broke on the shore,"'
relates an eye witness of the scene, "but unless assistance was then at
■hand they were carried. back by the undertow. The only persons I saw
rescued were saved by some one from the shore running out into the
surf with long branches hastily cut from trees near at hand. These
branches would be grasped by the ones in distress, and. once over the
critical spot, they were safe." *
All that day portions of the wreck, with the unfortunate survivors
clinging to them, continued to come within view of the hundreds of
spectators who lined the bluffs. Often a survivor was seen holding to
some support which was torn from his grasp in the surf, and he would
be immediately swept back and drowned. At some places the -waves beat
directly against the face of the bluffs, and the survivors could be seen
helplessly drifting to almost certain death. It was at such points that
some of the brave rescuers would let themselves down by ropes held *by
those above, and when possible seize a person as he came within reach,
too often in vain. Many of the students from the Northwestern Univer-
sity and Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston joined in the work of
rescue. One of them, Edward W. Spencer, was successful in saying the
lives of seventeen men and women. Others among the students and
townspeople performed heroic deeds in this rescue work.
For days floating debris and bodies from the wreck continued to be
washed up on the beach, and such of the latter as were not claimed by
friends were given a decent burial. Out of 400 passengers
who left Chicago the night before only about one-fourth of
the whole numbei were saved. Mr. Spencer, whose daring-
deeds of rescue attracted the attention of the whole country at the
time, is still living in California in broken health, never Inning re-
covered from the terrible strain of that day's work. That was before the
days when medals for life saving were given by the government, and Mr.
Spencer received no other recognition than the applause of his friends
and neighbors. But lately a movement has been started by Evanston
people having for its object the passage of an Act of Congress to bestow
a medal, even at this Late daw on Mr. Spencer tor his heroic work.
112 ;
In the early "fifties" the people everywhere were immensely inter-
ested in railroad building. Their' imaginations were all on lire when
considering the future development of the country, and railroads proposed
were to be built over the great routes of trade. In the previous decade
lines had been opened in various parts of the State, and the pioneer resi-
dents of the North Shore were anxiously looking forward to the time when
a line would be built from Chicago to the north. Major Mulford used
to stand at the door of his house, and, looking towards the flats between
his house and the opposite ridge, would say to his neighbors, "'Some day,
nry friends, you will see the iron horse following the path along this
valley." In fact the line was built precisely where he had indicated.
Mens minds were keyed up expectantly for the advent of the railroad.
Few had seen one in operation, but the people longed passionately for
its arrival among them. The enthusiasm with which every project for
railroad building was received by the people is scarcely conceivable in
these days when railroads, their managers and their affairs generally,
are the targets for every man's abuse and criticism. Counties all over
the State freely issued bonds in aid of new railroad projects, and the
National government granted to the Illinois Central Railroad every
alternate section of land along its entire line from one end of the State
to the other. Late in the fall of 1854 the Chicago & Milwaukee Rail-
road was completed as far as Waukegan, and in the following year
trains were running over the entire distance from Chicago to Milwaukee.
This road and others were merged many years later and became a part
of the great system of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
Lake Forest began its existence in 1850. In the previous year a
number of Chicago gentlemen, among whom were H. M. Thompson,
Dr. C. H. Quinlan, David J. Lake, Rev. R. W. Patterson, and others, had
formed an association to establish at some point in the vicinity of Chi-
cago, a college and other kindred institutions under the auspices of the
Fresbyterian denomination. A location was decided upon and the Lake
Foresi Association was organized February "is. L856. The beautiful
situation of Lake Foresi attracted a line class of residents, ami in the
year ls">; a building was erected for the academy the purpose of which
■..I- i be preparation of young men for college. "Ferry Hall.** for a young
helie-' seminary, was completed in 1869. and a building for Lake Foresi
College was completed in 1876. These three institutions, the Academy,
. Ferry Hall and Lake Forest College, are affiliated under the name of
Lake Forest University.
Lake Foreei is laid out on a plan similar to a public park with many
winding driveways, and is the place of residence of a large number if
Chicago's well-to-do business and professional men. The height of the
1. lull's there is at some points eighty feel above the lake and are inter-
sected by picturesque ravines. Like Evanston the University is for-
tunate in being provided with a charter which prohibits the liquor traffic
within the limits of the city of Lake Forest.
I have not space within the limits of this address to speak of the
glorious record made by the people of the North Shore in that period of
their history covered by the four years of the Civil war. when the martial
113
spirit was awakened among them and great numbers of their young men
flocked to the standard of their country. It would be interesting to treat
of this period and to give some account of the young soldiers who honor-
ably bore their part in many campaigns and on many battle fields.
The life and activities of our people in the succeeding "piping times
of peace," the growth of movements, religious and intellectual, that here
found a fruitful soil — are worthy of extended historical treatment. The
men and women who have been identified with causes of world-wide fame
and importance, and who have attained to eminence and renown in
scholarship, reform, literature and statesmanship, might well occupy
our attention and interest. But we have seen enough in this brief and
inadequate sketch to demonstrate that whatever of success we have had,
and our measure has been by no means insignificant, is due, not only to
the courage and determination of the men of these pioneer times, but
far more to the fortitude and constancy of those noble women, who,
in the formative period of our community life, distinguished themselves
by their unshrinking loyalty and devotion.
H S
114
"THE PIASA BLUFFS."
(By Frederick Oakes Slyvester.)
A Romantic Spot on the Mississippi.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PIASA.
By Clara Kern Bayliss.
FOREWORD.
[The writer thinks it entirely possible that Douay may have been right in
saying that Marquette's description of the Piasa was exaggerated, — although
Douay was bitterly hostile to the Jesuits. She also thinks it highly probable
that the modern pictures of this Bird-Serpent are more detailed and perfect
than the original etching by the Indians, although Marquette is reported by
Hennepin as saying of the original "our best painters could hardly do better."
But, making allowance for all embellishments, both ancient and modern
writers agree that such an image was depicted on the rocks and that it was
an object of awe and of sacrifice among the Indians. This being conceded,
and the mythology of the Algonkins taken into the account, it seems im-
possible to escape the conclusion arrived at in this article, (in which smooth-
ness and literary form have been sacrificed to scientific explicitness).]
On the Mississippi Eiver between Alton and the mouth of the Illinois
River a small stream known as the Piasa Creek empties into the Father
of Waters. At its mouth, on a lofty sandstone cliff at a height of eighty
feet above the river, there were in the latter part of the seventeenth cen-
tury and until well into the nineteenth century two carved and painted
representations of a monster known to the Indians as the Piasa or Piasau.
the "man-devouring-bird." It was a combination of bird and serpent.
Father Marquette, the first white man known to descend the Father
of Waters to the Mis.-ouri. saw these figures in August. 1673, when he
made his first trip; and in his "Discoveries of the Mississippi," published
in Paris in 1861. he says of them:
115
"As we were descending the river we saw high rocks with hideous
monsters painted upon them, and upon which the bravest Indian dare not
look. They are as large as a calf, with heads and horns like a goat; their
eyes are red, beard like a tiger's, and face like a man's. Their tails are
so long that they pass over their heads and between their legs under their
bodies, ending like a fish's tail. They are painted red, green, and black."
Again lie says :
"Passing the mouth of the Illinois River we soon fell into the shadow of a
tall piomontory and with great astonishment beheld the representations of
two monsters painted on the lofty limestone front. Each of these frightful
figures had the face of a man, the horns of a deer, the beard of a tiger, and
tne tail of a fish, so long that it passed around the body, over the head, and
between the legs. It was an object of Indian worship."
Hennepin, in his "jS'ew discover}- of a vast country in America." pub-
lished in 1698, mentions "a horse and some other beasts painted in red
upon a very steep rock on the river where the Illini said a great
number of Miamis had been driven into the river by the Mestchegamis
and drowned. And since that time the Savages going by the rock use to
smoke and offer tobacco to the beasts to appease the Manitou."
Hennepin says that he asked M. Joliet if he had ever seen these rep-
resentations and he replied that the Outtaouats had often spoken to him
of these monsters but he had never gone so far down the river.
Hennepin also asked Marquette about them and the latter described
them in the language already quoted from his book, with this addition :
"Their body is covered with scales, their tail is so long that it goes over
their heads and then turns between their fore-legs under the belly, ending
like a fish-tail. They are well drawn, and the rock is so steep that it is
a wonder how it was possible to draw these figures."
St. Cosme, in his "Voyage down the Mississippi/' says that he saw
them in 1699, but that they were then much effaced. Douay and Joutel
saw nothing terrible in them, but say that the Indians made sacrifices to
them.
Such is the testimony of the early explorers.*
Miami Traditions.
The Miamis claimed that long ago they lived near the present site
of Alton, and were one of the tribes composing the great Illini con-
federacy. About the year 1827, Hon. P. A. Armstrong obtained from
them the following legend, published by him in 1887 in his monograph
on the Piasa.
"Many thousand moons before the coming of the white man, in the caves
of the Piasa bluffs lived two monsters with wings of an eagle only much
larger, and with claws of an alligator. (Otherwise as already described.)
T^iey spent the greater part of their time resting and dozing on the rocks
or flying over the country. The voice of one was like the roaring of a
buffalo bull; of the other like the scream of a panther. They swooped down
and carried off young deer and elk, which they bore to their cavern home
to devour at their leisure. But they never molested the Indians until one
* These figures were incised into the rock and painted, thus lessening the wear
of the elements. McAdams tells of other petroglyphs farther up the river, sim-
ilarly treated, which, though dim, showed no deterioration in thirty years.
t Michigamis.
116
morning when the Miamis and Mestchegamist met in battle array in the
Piasa canyon to do each other to death. In the midst of the carnage, just
when the Mestchegamis were wavering and about to fly, these two horrible
monsters came flying down the canyon uttering bellowings and shrieks, while
the flapping of their wings roared out like so many thunder claps. Passing
close over the heads of the combatants, each picked up a Miami chieftain
and bore him, struggling, aloft, leaving the tribe terrified and demoralized.
"The Mestchegamis, thinking the Great Spirit had sent the monsters to aid
them against their enemies, gave a great war-whoop and renewed the battle,
which now became a rout and massacre. The Miamis fled across the country
and dared not stop until they had crossed the Wabash river.
"Long after, when they had helped to nearly exterminate the Mestchega-
mis at Starved Rock, they visited the scene of their ancient defeat, and there
on the rocks were the petroglyphs of the monsters."
Illini Tradition.
A. D. Jones, in his "Illinois and the West" published in 1838, give* the
Illini tradition, which says that the "Man-destroying-bird" which took
up its home in the lofty peaks near Alton, had "wings clothed with
thunder, making a most fearful noise in its heavy flight; its talons, four
in number, were like the eagle's; its tail was of huge dimensions. It
one day descended into their midst and carried off one of their bravest
warriors, and thereafter, other braves, squaws, and papooses. They* lived
in terror, until their chieftain, Waw-to-go, obeying a dream he bad bad.
offered himself as a sacrifice, and stood out in full view of the cliff to
tempt the bird. It soon swooped down upon him, but was pierced to
the heart by the arrows of twenty concealed warriors. All had expected
that Wawtogo as well as the bird would be slain, but he miraculously
escaped without a scratch.
Then they cut the image of the bird on the cliffs and painted it : and
thereafter no Indian passed the spot without discharging Ins arrows at it.
Later Testimony.
Marquette, Hennepin, St. Cosme, Douay. and Joutel mention two
birds and rock pictures. When A. D. Jones visited the spot in 1838
there was but one remaining. By this time the Indians had obtained
firearms from the whites, and Jones says :
"I visited the place in June, 1838, and the ten thousand bullet marks on
the cliff seemed to corroborate the tradition of the neighborhood. So lately
as the passage of the Sac and Fox delegations down the river on their way to
Washington, there was a general discharge of rifles at the Piasau Bird. On
arriving at Alton they went ashore in a body and proceeded to the bluff
where they held a solemn war-council, concluding the whole with a splendid
war-dance."
Professor John Russell of Jersey county, Illinois, visited the bluff m
March 1848, and in July of that year published in the "Evangelical
Magazine and Gospel Advocate*" of CPtica, X. V. the description of the
image and the Illini tradition as given above. Be says:
"No human art could reach the elevation of the figure on the smooth face
of the cliff. * * * Even at this day an Indian never passes the spot
without firing his gun at the figure of the bird. The marks of the balls are
almost innumerable.
PAW £ ":f:
117
"My curiosity was principally directed to the examination of a cave con-
nected with the tradition as one of those to which the bird had carried its
victims. * * * After long and perilous clambering, we reached the en-
trance, about fifty feet above the river. * * * The shape of the cave
was irregular, but so far as I could juuge, the bottom would average about
twenty by thirty feet. The floor of the cave throughout its whole extent
was one mass of human bones."*
And he adds this significant remark: "The Mississippi was rolling in silent
grandeur beneath us; high over our heads a single cedar hung its branches
over the cliff, on the blasted top of which was seated a bald eagle. No other
sound or sign of life was near."
Hon. P. A. Armstrong, from whom we already have quoted exten-
sively, says that there were petroglyphs of two monsters, not exactly
alike, cut into bluish gray sandstone overlying the limestone which
Marquette mentions; that they were in horizontal line, heads east; were
thirty feet long and twelve feet high, (Marquette not taking into ac-
count the distance of his canoe from them) ; that they had the wings
of a bat but shaped like an eagle's, and elevated, not extended: four
legs, each supplied with claws like an eagle's ; that the figures were
quite distinct when white people first settled in the locality, and that
traces of them remained until the rock was quarried away by the con-
victs of the penitentiary about the year 1856. As to the Lnaecesible situa-
tion of the figures the same gentleman suggests that when they were
made there probably was at the base of the cliff a slope of talus which
has since been carried away by some of the many changes in the course
oi the river.
The late Win. McAdams of Alton, perhaps the greatest archeologist
of Illinois during the nineteenth century, furnished to the Smithsonian
Institution at Washington the picture of the Piasa used in this article,
and made by Win. Dennis, April :>. L825; and also another less elaborate
•one made by H. Lewis, and published in Dusseldorff, Germany, in 1839,
which shows a ragged crevice as of a fracture in the bluff, just behind
the rather dim head of a second Piasa. He says, "Part of the bluff's
face might have fallen, and thus destroyed one of the images, for in
later years writers speak of but one figure," (Ethnolooical Report, X.
p. .78.")
Parkman, the historian, says that a drawing of the two beasts made
by Marquette has been lost; but that he (Parkman) has a map decorated
with a representation of the Piasa which he believes to have been copied
from Marquette's drawing.
Thus much to prove the existence of the Piasa petroglyph.
But what of its signiiieance?
Was this bird-serpent with its human face a combination of the
thunder-bird and lightning-serpent in which all the Algonkin tribes
believed ?
In support of this theory we give fads gathered from many different
sources, beginning with those from such unquestioned authority as the
Jcxuii Relations, hut first stating that the Indians thought the clouds
were some kind of huge birds because they soared in the air like birds.
, though it has been sug-
118
The black storm-clouds of summer were thunder-birds or their shadow,
and the zigzag lightning was a serpent darting like a snake from out the
thunder-bird.
"The myth of the Thunderbird was common to all North American tribes
from Mexico to Hudson's Bay, and from the St. Lawrence to Behring's
Straits; and it is still current among most of the northern and western
tribes. They explain the thunderstorm as proceeding from an immense bird,
so large that its shadow darkens the heavens. The thunder is the sound
made by the flapping of its wings; the lightning is the winking of its eyes;
and the deadly thunderbolts are arrows sent forth by the bird against its
enemies. The Indians dread this bird, often addressing prayers to it dur-
ing a thunderstorm. The tribes around Puget Sound and in Alaska perform
a thunderbird ceremony." (Reuben Gold Thwaites in Jesuit Relations, X.
319.)
The Montagnais say the thunder is a bird ; and when a Frenchman
answered "Yes" to their question whether thunderbirds were captured
in France, they begged him to bring them a French one — but a very
little one because a large one would frighten them. (J. E., V. 57.)
The Hurons believe the thunder to be a very large bird ; but the
Montagnais clo not know what kind of an animal it is only it eats snakes
and sometimes trees. (VI, 225.)
Another Huron said the thunder was a man like a turkey-cock. The
sky is his palace, but when the clouds are rumbling he comes down to
earth to get his supply of reptiles. (X. 195.)
The Hurons east of Lake Huron say there is a serpent like an armored
fish which pierces everything that it meets on the way. trees, bears, and
even rocks, without ever deviating from its course or being stopped by
anything. (XXXIII. 213, note 68.)
A savage told Father Buteau that the thunder was caused by the
(storm) Manitou trying to vomit up a serpent he had swallowed. One
could know that by the sinuous lines stamped on the trees when one
of these spewed-up serpents struck a tree in its fall to earth. (XII, 27.)
The Ojibwas, Illinois, and many oilier northern tribes relate legends
of lightning serpents that an1 fond for the thunderbirds — the thunder-
bird being perhaps the most general of any of our aboriginal myths re-
garding the thunderstorms. (XII, 270. Thwaites.)
The Objibwas of LaPointe worship the sun and the thunder. They
say tlw sun or (he thunder has said this or thai to (hem. ( LI Y, 187.)
During a storm on Menominee River the chief medicine man (priest),
ran about in the woods naked, crying aloud and invoking the (bunder,
who. be said, was a powerful divinity. (LVIII, "279.)
'I'll- [ndians of Bay'de Puants offer sacrifices to (lie sun. the thunder,
and various animals. (LXI, 1 I'.).)
Father Jacques Gravier of (he Illinois mission saw three or four
snakeskins and several birdskins hung up in (lie cabin of a medicine
man. and at another time a little dog suspended from (he top of a pole,
the latter to appease the lightning. (LXIV, 187.)
Tn the myths of many people a greai bird is the agent of the chief
deity if not the deity himself. The sweep of his wings is the thunder;
the -lance of his eve is the lightning. (Bancroft. Native Races, TIL
132.)
119
The Ahts of Vancouver's Island call their thunderbird, Tootooch.
The flapping of her wings shakes the hills with thunder and when she
puts out her forked tongue lightning quivers across the sky. (Ibid, 96.)
The Tlinkits say that once during a flood the thuncler-and-lightning-
man parted from his sister telling her she never would see him more,
but would hear his voire. He clothed himself in the skin of a great
bird and flew toward the southwest. She never has seen him since;
but whenever a tempest sweeps over the land the lightning of his eyes
gleams down on her, and the thunder of his wings re-echoes through the
subterranean caves.
The Tinneh say that before man existed the world was a great ocean
fiequented by an immense bird, the beating of whose wings was thunder,
the glance of whose eve was lightning. (Ibid, 104-5.)
The flash of thunderbird's eye breaks sticks. ( Algic Researches, 111 )
The Passamaquoildv of Maine think the thunderbirds are very like to
human beings only they have wings. They say that the thunder and
lightning are two spirits, young men of great beauty but of awful mien,
who dwell in Mt. Kataehdin, whence they fly out among the clouds every
few days, shooting arrows at their enemies. (Algonkin Legends. 261.)
They relate that once an Indian was whirled up in a roaring wind,
taken up in a thunderstorm and set down in the village of the thund-
erers, whom he found very like human beings only they had wings which
could be taken off and laid aside. They carry bows and arrows. The
crash of thunder is the sound made by their wings. The low rolling of
the thunder is the sound made by their ball-playing. And sometimes
when the thunder-boys are playing, they drop tin' stone. The Indians
have picked up these fallen "thunder-bullets."
Some years after the wind carried the Indian up to dwell with the
thunder-boys he came down again on a streak of lightning.
The giant bird. Kaloo, of the Micmacs of Nova Scotia could catch a
man in his talons and soar to the stars with him. ( Ibid. )
Badawk, the thunderer who makes the loud crash, and his sister who
makes the lightning, live in a high mountain with their father. Badawk
married a woman who had given birth to twelve serpents. She bore
him a son to whom the grandfather fastened wings ; and with these
wings the little lad makes the distant, rolling thunder which greatly
pleases the old man.
The Algonkins on the north shore of the St. Lawrence Paver believed
in the thunderbird.
At Scugog, Ontario, an old Mississanga woman said the thunderbird
lived and hatched in the sky. The young birds flew ail about, restless
and squawking, causing great thunder and lightning storms.
The Ottawas east of Lake Huron believed the thunder was caused by
a great bird.
The Ojibwas (Chippewas) of Wisconsin say the thunderbird is a
god in the form of an eagle, which feeds on serpents, and lives in a high
mountain where it lays its eggs and hatches its young. It sallies forth,
shooting its arrows and snatching up reptiles in a flash of lightning.
An Indian once climbed to its nest and found bones of serpents scattered
about. They say that a party of Indians once found a tlmnderbird's
nest on the plain and destroyed the young birds. The old birds re-
turned and killed all but one Indian.
The Tetons of Dakota say the thunderbirds live in the sky; have
curved beaks like buffalo humps; loud voices; and wings. They make
lightning by opening their eyes wide. They can kill human beings.
The rattlesnakes were their ancient Joes, and the bones of the latter are
now found on the bluffs in Nebraska and Dakota, whither the birds
carried the reptiles to devour them.
The Omahas. Poncas, and Sioux of Dakota and Minnesota have
thunderbirds and thundermen, and tell of a visit to the tlmnderbird's
nest. (Chamberlain in Am. Anthropologist, II, 329.)
The Five Thunders (that is. the thunder that rolls and reverberates
from the hills, now almost dying out, not renewing its volume) are
brothers living in an earth lodge. They bring home as food, human be-
ings struck by the lightning. The Dakota picture the Five Thunders
as five streaks of lightning issuing from the mouth of the thunderhird.
The Modocs of southwestern Oregon in their Marten myth, say that
Skelamatch exterminated the wind and hid a woman from the Five
Thunders. He entered their hut and found them and the two old thund-
ers feasting on human flesh. He killed them all and destroyed their
hut. (Gatschett, Contrib. Am. Eth. II, Ft. 1, 114.)
The Arapaho say that the summer storms are made by the thunder-
bird, the winter ones by the White Owl. (Traditions of the Arapaho,
331.)
The Wichita say that the thunderhird always carries two black and
two red arrows. They tell of a thunderbird-woman who went to the
south and called herself the rain woman. (Mythology of the Witchita,
103, 123.)'
The Tupis, Iroquois, Athapascas, and perhaps all the families of the
red race believe in a bird that causes the thunder and lightning; and
with most of the Indians the easde is the emblem of that mystic bird.
(Brinton, 104.)
The Acachemerj worshiped a species of vulture and sacrificed one
annually in the sweathouse (sacred chamber) of each village, "yet
believed it was the same bird sacrificed each year in each of the villages."
says Father Boscana, (not perceiving that the natives were as metaphy-
sical as he. ) ( Brinton, 105.)
In Mexico, tin' god Quetzalcoatl was called the bird-serpent.
At. Palenque is a cross (indicating the four winds and four points
of the compass) surmounted by a bird and supported by the head of a
serpent, | [bid, lis.)
Among the Algonkin tribes of the east, the Sioux, Cheyenne. Arapaho.
Kiowa. Comanche, and prairie tribes generally, as well as among those
of the northwest coasl and some parts of Mexico, thunder and lightning
are supposed to he produced by a huge bird whose shadow is the
thunder-cloud, the flapping of whose wings makes the thunder, and the
dashing of whose eyes repeatedly opening and closing, sends forth the
lightning.
121
Within the territory of the myth there are several places designated
as the thunder's nest. Thunder Bay in lower Michigan derives its name
in this way. The Pottawottomies say that when they lived there they
found a nest of young tlmnderbirds on a high peak on the shore of the
bay. Such a place within the old territory of the Sisseton Sioux is in
the neighborhood of Big Stone Lake in southeastern Dakota. Near
there, a number of large round bowlders are pointed out as the eggs of
the thunderbird. The Comanche know a place on the upper Eed Paver
where a thunderbird once alighted on the ground, the spot being still
identified by the grass being burned oil' over a space having the outline
of a bird with outstretched wings.
The same tell of a hunter wounding a bird and. being afraid to attack
it alone, he went for help; but when the party approached the spot they
heard thunder rolling and saw flashes of lightning shooting out of the
ravine where the wounded bird lay. On coming nearer, the lightning-
blinded them so that they could not see the bird, and a flash killed a
hunter. The frightened Indians fled 'back to camp, for they knew then
that it was the thunderbird. (Ethnological Rep't. XIV, 968.)
The Tlinkets have a thunderbird. (Eth. XVII, 459.)
The Indians of the lower Yukon say that long ago there were many
giant eagles and tlmnderbirds in the mountains, but they all disappeared
except a single pair which made their home in the mountaintop over-
looking the Yukon near Sabotnisky, whence they soared like clouds in
the sky, or swooped down carrying off reindeer and even fishermen and
their boats, to the nests of their young. (Eth. Pep't. XVIII, 486.)
The Haida of Alaska and Queen Charlotte's Isle have tlmnderbirds
tattooed on each hand. The two are not exactly alike, one having a cap
•or crest probably denoting the male. The" colors of the tattoo are red,
blue and black. The name of their thunderbird is Skamson, and they
have a carving of it grasping a whale. (Eth. X., 479.)
The Xavahoes of Arizona in their wonderful Mountain Chant, have a
song lo the thunderbird.
* * *
Some tribes have separate images and carvings to represent the
lightning serpent. On the walls of the sacred chambers of the ancient
cliff-dwellers in New Mexico and Arizona are found etchings of the
lightning serpent : and their descendents, the Moki and Zuni. still have
rain ceremonies in which wooden effigies of this serpent are used.
In Zuni, a large effigy of Koloowisi, the plumed serpent, with its
head thrust through a tablet ornamented with cloud symbols, is borne
through the village and thrust in at the opening of the ceremonial
chamber. Behind it comes a bird effigy ; and a conch shell is constantly
blown to make it appear that the serpent is keeping up a continual roar-
ing. Live reptiles used to figure in this ceremony.
The Moki of Arizona, in their rain ceremony, still carry live, ven-
omous serpents dangling from their mouths, grasping the animal just
behind its head so that it cannot strike. They, too, have a large effigy
of the lightning serpent, which they call Baho-li-kong-ya.
122
The Moki have also a Kwataka or Man-Eagle which closely resem-
bles our Piasa. (.See Eth. XVII, Part II, 692.) A representation of it,
carved on the rocks near Walpi has the same position as the Piasa. wings
elevated, body covered with scales or arrow markings, head round with
feathers or horns on top, legs with three talons; and in one claw it is
grasping a serpent-like animal which it seems about to devour. It :s
-aid In live in the sky and to surely trouble people.
There is a great serpent mound in Adams county; Ohio; others have
been reported in Warreu county, Ohio, and in British America. (Rec-
the Past, Oct. 1908.) There are many bird mounds in
Wisconsin and many thunderbird mounds on the coast around Puget
Sound. Mound-effigies, pietographs, petroglyphs, tattoos, carvings,
and textile representations of the thunderbird and lightning - ;-
pent are found among the Micmacs of Nova Scotia, the Ojibwas of the
Great Lakes, the Sioux of the Dakotas, the Kwakiutl of the Sound, the
Centra] Eskimo, Tlinkets, and Haida of Alaska, the Crees of the Can-
adian northwest, the Wichitas, Arapaho, and other tribes of the western
plains, the Pueblos of Ww Mexico and Arizona, and the Aztecs of
Mexico.
Among the Chippewas, Dakotas, and Arapaho of the United States,
and the Indians of Vancouver and Alaska the eagle was taken as the
representative of the thunderbird.* Observations of the habits of i agles,
living in pairs, building nests in the crag-, screaming, and swooping
down to carry off animals and children to feed their young, undoubtedly
lent details to the myth of the thunderbird which was said to do all these
things. One can easily see how the Miami and Illini legends given
above, may have grown out of the depredations of eagles and of death
by lightning stroke, always m mysterious to the'redman.
We have traced this myth from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from
Behring's Straits to the Isthmus of Panama. The tribes of Illinois
belonged to the same great Algonkin family as the Micmacs, Passimo-
quoddy, Ojibwas, and Sioux. They had the same myths. And in all
human probability the image with the face of a man. the wing- and
claws of an eagle, and the tail of a serpent, carved on the rocks at Alton,
was the great thunderbird or storm-spirit of the Illini.
* The writer is the possessor of a Thunderbird carved in wood by Klalis, a
Kwakiutl Indian from Vancouver. The carving clearly represents an eagle. Klalis
saiil that tin- Tbunderbird formerly lived with his family on the top of a high
mountain near 1'imet Sound. He could be a man or a bird at will. When he
wished to fly down the mountain side, he pulled down the visor of his cap, making
it a beak. By pushing it up he returned to human form.
LITERATURE AND LITERARY PEOPLE OF EAELY ILLINOIS.
By Isabel Jamison.
The advance guard of daring souls who have, in all ages, followed the
star of empire westward, has been made up. to a large extent, of minds
whose initial impulses were to i'eel and to act; instead of to reflect and
to study; to whose hands the ax and rifle were more accustomed, and, in
the circumstances, more practical, implements than the pen. Many of
our sturdiest pioneers, hanging hardily upon the outermost fringe of
civilization, were unable to either read or write: and, with, the great,
wonderful book of nature always open before them, they probably did
not greatly feel the deprivation of being without literature manufac-
tured by mere men.
It was not the day of cheap editions, dime magazines, quick mail
service, and a life that makes reading a habit ; books were luxuries ; an
occasional magazine, a novelty — something to be looked forward to, and
to be treasured afterwards as a triumph of mind over matter ; and the
long, toilsome journey by wagon or flat boat, to the "western wilderness"
did not admit of any unnecessary impedimenta. Therefore the average
family coming over the mountains in the day of which I write, did
well if they managed to reach the promised land, with the family bible,
Pilgrim's Progress and last year's almanac intact.
The early explorers who pushed ever southward to the gulf, wrote
accounts of the country in their official reports. The Jesuit "Relations"
present a fruitful field to the student of Illinois history, for this reason.
Father Hennepin published his first volume in 1683, and LaSalle sub-
mitted concise sketches of the important features of the expedition,
while Tonti also published a small book on the subject. When Charle-
voix descended the Mississippi in 1721, he also left an interesting sketch
of what he observed in passing through the Illinois Country. Charles
Phillippe Aubry wrote of the forts, but all this belongs to the literature
of France. In 1770 Captain Pittman published a detailed account of
his investigation of the European settlements on the Mississippi, which
he had undertaken for the Colonial Government, the forts in the Illinois
Country being included among them ; and Judge Brackenridge also re-
viewed them, in his book, in connection with other matters. Later on,
in 1823, Lewis C. Beck published his Gazetteer of Missouri and Illinois,
which was considered quite a valuable work, and the "Historical sketches
of Louisiana," published by Maj. Amos Stoddard, in 1804, contained
some excellent descriptions of the Illinois.
124
Morris Birkbeck was not only a pioneer, he was a literary pioneer, and
one of the first and most important contributions to the literature of the
new territory, was his "Xotes on a Journey in America/' begun in 181?
on board the " 'good ship," America.*' in the shape of a journal in which
he jotted down his impressions and observations. These "Notes" pub-
lished in London in 1818, had a wide circulation in his native country
and there is no question that they, m connection with his "Letter- From
Illinois'* published later in the year, had much influence upon emigra-
tion to Illinois. In fact, if Mr. Birkbeck had no other claims to the
laurel wreath of fame, he might have won honorable recognition as a
good press agent. He not only boomed his adopted country in true
western style, but he gave to it, the beginnings of a literature, as a swarm
of Englishmen immediately set sail for the newly-discovered "land of
milk and honey," to investigate, and evidently to discredit, if possible,
Mr. Birkbeck's reports.
Among the fir&t of these to publish a criticism of Mr. Birkbeek's nar-
ratives, was Henry Bradshaw Fearon, who gave to the public the result
of his observations in a book entitled, "Sketches of America*' in 1819.
It contained, among other things, extremely adverse criticism of Mr.
BirkbeckV publications, polite abuse of him personally, and laborious
satires upon America generally, with all the telling points carefully
italicized, so the public would not miss any of them. But, as he was not
writing for the American public, it is hardly worth while to quarrel with
hi in about that.
Criticisms of various degrees of virulence were also published by
William Cobbett, W. Faux, A. S. Farrall, Dr. C. B. Johnson, Adam
Eodgson and Adlard Welby, in books of titles "long drawn out," and all
appear to agree that he is a visionary, or worse.
On the other hand, James Stuart, in his "Three Years in America,"
and John Wood-, in his "Two Years Besidence' in the Settlement on the
English Prairie in the Illinois Country," bear witness to Mr. Birk-
beek's honesty of purpose; and the latter work, written by an actual
colonist and practical farmer, may lie regarded as especially valuable
testimony.
It i- true thai person§ coming from a country possessing an old and
settled state of society, febored under many misapprehensions in regard
to the American people, for which they were not wholly to blame. Mr.
Birkbeck evidently did not wholly understand the situation, himself,
when first he wrote of his neighbors and their limitations. He spoke
regretfully of their lack of interest in scientific pursuits, being himself
greatly interested in chemical experiments, and lamented the Tact thai
their reading was confined principally to history, politics and poetry.
Apparently he had not yet arrived at a realization of the fact that men
and women who were engaged in raising a family and subduing a stub-
born wilderness, might be too busy to cultivate the arts and sciences.
Shooting bear and deer, tanning their skin- and making them into
clothing, spinning, weaving, building, farming, fencing, grinding corn,
125
dipping candles and fighting Indians in the pauses of more absorbing
occupations, did not leave our forefathers and mothers very much time
in which to improve their minds along the lines Mr. Birkbeck indicated.
Another discovery which he claims to have made in regard to the
character of the Americans generally, is that indolence was their beset-
ting sin. A few pages farther along, he desired to call attention to the
"get-rich-quick" character of the Illinois country, and cites the case of
a farmer who had, at the start, nothing but his two hands, his little
family, and an uncleared quarter-section of land. At the end of three
years, this farmer had thirty to forty acres of land cleared and fenced,
a cabin, barn, stables, with horses, cows, hogs, implements, furniture,
grain and other provisions — all of which would seem to indicate that
somebody on that quarter-section had been busy.
Morris Birkbeck was a radical on the question of slavery, and is said
to have selected Illinois as his "place of residence because it was a free
State. Later, when the attempt was made to make a slave state of it,
his articles against slavery, published in the newspapers and in pamphlet,
form, both over his own signature and his nom-de-plume of "Jonathan
Freeman," exerted an enormous influence. His untimely death in 1825,
when he was drowned while returning from a visit to Mr. Owen at New
Harmony, was an irreparable loss to the new state.
Although George Flower, Mr. Birkbeck's associate at the English
Settlement, did not publish his history until Illinois literature could no
longer be considered as "early," yet I cannot pass it without a mere
mention of this valuable work. Biehard Flower, the father of George,
is said to have been the founder of the public library at Albion, Illinois
in 1818, the books therein being a donation from the Flower family
and their friends in England. It was kept in one end of a brick build-
ing that was used as a market place, and was open Sunday afternoons.
James Hall, born in Philadelphia, August 19, 1793, was one of the
most prolific western writers, and appears to have inherited his literary
talents from his mother, Sarah Hall, a woman of great erudition and
fine intelligence, who was one of the chief contributors to the "Portfolio,"
established by Dennie in 1800 ; and she afterwards aided her son Har-
rison in its publication. James Hall emigrated west, and in 1820, began
contributing articles descriptive of the west and its people, to the "Port-
folio." About 1828, he became interested in the "Illinois Intelligencer,"
at Vandalia; and in October, 1829, he, with Mr. Robert Blackwell, issued
the first number of the "Illinois Monthly Magazine," the first attempt at
periodical literature in the state. This magazine ran for two years,
but, owing to the difficulty of getting labor and material at Vandalia,
the second volume of the magazine was published partly at St. Louis
and partly at Cincinnati ; and in January, 1833. Judge Hall removed
it to Cincinnati, where it was continued for three years under the
name, "The Western Monthly Magazine, A Continuation of The Illinois
Monthly Magazine."
As a writer. Judge Hall was both fluent and entertaining, but as his
contributions to literature are considered in detail in another paper,
I will not dwell upon them here.
12G
Robert S. Blackwell, who was associated with Judge' Hail in the pub-
lication of the Illinois Monthly Magazine, and who died at the age of
38, was the author of a noted legal work, "Blackwell on Tax Titles,'"
which was considered an excellent work, and was a standard treatise
throughout the United States.
A small volume entitled, '"Observations made upon a Journey Through
the Interior of the United States of North America in the Year 1819,""
was published in the German language by Ferdinand Ernst, in 1823 ;
and in 1821, John Messinger. whom Governor Reynolds characterized
as the most profound mathematician and best land surveyor in Illinois,
published a text book on surveying. He lived at Clinton Hill, a few
miles northeast of Belleville, and surveyed much of the public domain
in Randolph and St. Clair counties.
Dr. David Nelson, born at Jonesboro, Term., September 24, 1793.
was the author of the religious poems, "The Shining Shore," "A
Fairer Land," '"Rest in Heaven," and, in 1836, wrote a work entitled.
"The Cause and Cure of Infidelity," which was followed later by another
book, "Wealth and Honor." He died near Quincy, Illinois in 1844.
In 1805, Col. Donaldson came to Illinois from Baltimore, to investi-
gate land titles at St. Louis. With him came his sister, a young lady
of a romantic turn of mind, whose fancy had been caught by reports of
the western wilderness, and, while sojourning upon the prairies, she met
and married Robert Morrison, an official of the Territorial Government,
residing at Kaskaskia. Mrs. Morrison had received an excellent educa-
tion, and possessed a strong, original and cultured mind. She remod-
eled in verse the orthodox Psalms of David, and presented the volume
for the consideration of the church dignitaries in Philadelphia, pro-
posing its use in the church. After a critical examination, her work
was rejected ; more, it was said, on account of the obscurity of the author
than from lack of merit. She wrote many poems of high order, and her
contributions to the scientific publications of Mr. Walsh in Philadelphia.
were numerous and popular. At the request of her friends, she often
wrote petitions and memorials to Congress and to the President, which
were not only of a high order of composition, but were sound in judg-
ment as well. She died in Belleville in 1843.
In 1828, Timothy Flint, a missionary stationed at St. Louis, who
traveled through the Illinois country, and who resided for a time on the
Cahokia prairie, wrote a romantic novel in which the hero and heroine
were shipwrecked in the southern ocean, and after various wanderings
and adventures, settled down to rural felicity on the Illinois prairies.
Soon after this, he wrote "George Mason, the Young Backwoodsman;"
and in 1833. published "Flint's History and Geography of the Missis-
sippi Valley." in which he refers to the valley of the Sangamon as "an
Arcadian region in which nature has delighted to bring together her
happiest combinations of landscape."
Dr. J. M. Peck, born in 1787, in the parish of South Farms, Conn.,
received the rudiments of education in the free schools of his native
parish, laboring with his parents on their farm in the long vacations.
127
Neither the means of the family nor the leisure of the boy afforded oppor-
tunity for a collegiate education, and the high school, or academy of the
same parish, finished his course of schooling. But with his vigorous
mental endowments and unceasing energy and industry, he overcame
the lack of college training, and. became one of the most intellectual
men of his age.
After making an early marriage, Dr. Peck moved west and settled for
a time in New York, removing some years later to what was then called
"the Far West," and which was rather indefinitely located "somewhere
on the banks of the Mississippi," according to Governor Eeynolds. After
some years spent in teaching school, Dr. Peck entered the ministry of
the Baptist church, and continued preaching the gospel for nearly a
half century. Governor Reynolds considers it worthy of note that Dr.
Peck never allowed politics or any other irrelevant matter to enter into
his sermons, which he declares were "masterly efforts of pulpit preach-
ing/'"
It was late in the fall of 1817, when Dr. Peck, his wife, and probably
one child, reached Shawneetown, Illinois from New York, part of the
journey having been accomplished in a small wagon with one horse.
Later in the season, the family arrived in St. Louis, where Dr. Peck
began teaching and preaching. He was also appointed agent of a bible
society, and traversed the settled parts of Missouri in every direction
in pursuit of his labors. He is described as never being idle a moment,
and his journals and the sketches of his travels testify to his energy and
activity. He thus became personally acquainted with many of the pion-
eers of the country, and collected much of the history of Daniel Boone
from the lips of Boone himself. In later years he put this material into
the shape of a biography. The sketches of Dr. Peck on the early settle-
ment of Missouri, were published in the Western Watchman and other
papers.
By nature, Dr. Peck was strong and robust, more than six feet tail
and possessing a remarkably muscular frame. He was lean and athletic,
weighing about 180 pounds. His head was large and well-developed, his
complexion fair, eyes blue, and his habitual dress was that of a "neat,
well-informed agriculturist," according to his friend, Governor Eey-
nolds.
In 1821, Dr. Peck established a seminary of learning at Eock Spring.
Illinois in St. Clair county, cutting the timber of which it was con-
structed, in the dead of winter, with the assistance of his hired men.
On New Year's day, he gave a dinner to those of his friends who were
interested in education, and at this dinner was founded the "Theological
Seminary and High School" of Rock Spring. The land around Eock
Spring, Dr. Peck entered in 1821, and built his home seven or eight
miles northeast of Belleville, on the old Vincennes Post Eoad. To the
literature of Illinois, Dr. Peck contributed many articles on agriculture
and aborginal and western history. He also published a "Guide for
Emigrants" and a "Gazetteer of Illinois," and edited Perkins "Annals
of the West" with so much energy and thoroughness that it was practi-
cally a new work when he had finished with it.
128
Dr. Peck died at Eock Spring, Illinois in 1858 and was interred in
Bellefontaine cemetery, St. Louis. After his death, Governor Eeynolds
published at Belleville, a pamphlet entitled, "Friendship's Offering, a
Sketch of the Life of John Mason Peck," in which he relates the early
struggles of Dr. Peck, both before and after coming to Illinois. In his
sketch, Governor Eeynolds expressed regret that Dr. Peck's duties as a
teacher and preacher had so sadly interferred with his possibilities as
an author. He also touched lightly upon the fact that Dr. Peck was so
absorbed in his zeal for the education of the general public that he over-
looked the needs of his own family in that direction, and as a result,
his children shared the traditional fate of "blacksmiths' horses and
shoemakers' wives," receiving only a common school education, "be-
cause," as Governor Eeynolds quaintly puts it, "the doctor was so in-
tensely occupied in his other avocations that he did not take time to at-
tend to his own family."
When repeatedly solicited by Governor Eeynolds, to write a history
of Illinois, Dr. Peck urged the objection that he had been unable to
collect sufficient authentic material for a history. He was, however,
named as chief historian of an association formed in 1837 for the purpose
of compiling a history of Illinois, to be written without prejudice, poli-
tical, religious or local. A number of sub-historians were appointed to
assist in the collection of historical data, and as we may conclude that
these names embraced the cream of Illinois' literary talent, I will give
them : Sidney Breese, Nathaniel Pope, William Brown, James Lemen,
William Kinney, Samuel McEoberts, Samuel D. Lockwood, Zadoc Casey,
Thomas Ford, Cyrus Edwards, John Eeynolds, Prof. John Eussell,
John Hay, Richard M. Young, James M. Eobinson, Pierre Menard,
John Mckenzie, William Thomas and Eev. Gideon Blackburn. Unfor-
tunately this magnificent enterprise perished for lack of financial sup-
port.
Dr. Peck is said by Governor Eeynolds, to have been engaged upon a
more ambitious work than any he had yet produced. "The Progress of
the Mississippi valley" — when death claimed him, and it remained un-
finished. "The reason I urged Dr. Peck to write more and preach less,
was because I thought he could do the human race more service by
presenting his great and extraordinary fund of knowledge in an im-
perishable form in books/' Governor Eeynolds explained in his memorial,
and adds that in all Dr. Peek's works. Ids statements may be accepted
as standards.
The first edition of Dr. Peck's "Gazetteer." was published by the
pioneer publishing house of E. Goudy, of Jacksonville, Illinois, which
concern also issued a greatly-prized edition of the ubiouitous household
almanac of those days.
Professor .John Russell, an associate of Dr. Peck at Eock Spring, who
lived at a beautiful spot called Bluff Dale, was a finished and elegant,
though not a voluminous writer, and many of his articles were published
anonymously. This latter fact made possible the pirating of his storv
129
of the legend of the Piasa Bird, by a Frenchman, living in this country,
and which attracted quite a little attention in the literary world at that
time.
In 1826, William Biggs, who was one of George Eogers Clark's
soldiers, and was granted three sections of land in recognition of his ser-
vices, wrote an account of an adventure with the Indians, in which his
companion was killed and he was taken prisoner. Biggs secured his
liberty by paying a ransom of $260.00. Another narrative of an Indian
captive, was Mrs. Jane Lewis' capture by a band of Sac and Fox Indians,
supposed to be commanded by Black Hawk.
In the next few years, several books relating to Black Hawk were
published, among them being that of John Wakefield, printed at Jack-
sonville, Illinois in 1831, in which the writer posed Judge Sidney Breese
as a hero. On the strength of this favorable mention, it is said that
Wakefield afterwards solicited a particular favor at the hands of Judge
Breese. On being refused, Mr. Wakefield indignantly assured the Judge
that he would re-write the history of the Black Hawk war, and that he
would figure very differently in the revised edition.
In 1839, Benjamin Drake published a "Life and Adventures of Black
Hawk, with Sketches of Keokuk and the Sac and Fox Indians," fol-
lowed in 1848 by. another book on the same subject, published by George
Conclin, while in the same year a poem by E. H. Smith appeared, en-
titled, "Black Hawk, and Scenes in the West."
As a result of his tour of the prairies in 1833, the well known writer,
Charles Fenno Hoffman produced a book entitled, "A Winter in the
West," which obtained wide popularity both in America and England.
About the same time, Francis Parkman, the historian, made a tour of
the prairies on his way to the Eocky Mountains, which lie described in
his own style of easy narration ; and a few years later, Harriet Martineau
published a book on "Strange Early Days in Chicago."
"Illinois in 1837" published in Philadelphia by S: Augustus Mitchell,
containing a letter on "The Cultivation of the Prairies," by Hon. H.
L. Ellsworth, and "Letters from a Eambler in the West," acknowledges
its author's obligation for information contained therein, to such un-
deniable authorities as Eev. J. M. Peck, Flint's "Geography and Gazet-
teer," Beck's "Gazetteer," Schoolcraft, and others; in spite of which,
we find A. D. Jones publishing the following year, a little volume
entitled, 'Illinois and the West,'" in which he solemnly warns the
public to beware of "a book bearing on its covers the title, "Illinois in
1837; it is full of high-wrought and false colored descriptions, and can-
not safely be relied upon as a gazetteer." The same author pays a very
florid compliment to the literary and classical attainments of a large
number of the inhabitants of Illinois.
Elijah Parrish Lovejoy. who removed to Alton with his anti-slavery
paper, "The Observer," in 1836, was an earnest and forcible political
—9 H S
writer, as well as being the author of several poems, one of which, en-
titled, "My Mother," was much admired. After his tragic death at the
hands of the mob, his brothers, Joseph C. and Owen Love joy, prepared
and published his memoirs in 1888.
Philander Chase, the pioneer Bishop of the Mississippi valley, pub-
lished his "Reminiscences" in 1848, besides many letters and pamphlets.
Another clerical writer, William Henry Milburn, known as "the blind
preacher," was twelve years old when he came to Jacksonville, Illinois
with his father. He achieved considerable prominence by his lectures
and writings. Among the latters were : "Ten years of Preacher Life"
(1858) ; "Rifle, Ax and Saddle-bags" (1856) ; "Pioneers, Preachers and
People of the Mississippi Valley" (1860).
Sidney Breese, who had resided in the State since 1818, compiled
the first volume of State law reports in 1831, which is said to have been
the first book printed in Illinois. His discourse upon the history of
the State, delivered by request, before the General Assembly in 1842.
was afterwards made the basis of a history of Illinois, published after
his death.
II en rv Brown's "History of Illinois^ from its Discovery to the Present
Time," was' published in 1844, and is a readable book, although not
possessing for the general reader the charm of Governor Thomas Ford's
"History of Illinois'" published ten years later, and which, next to
Reynold's "Pioneer History" is probably quoted more frequently than
any other authority on the history of the State.
In 1857 Gerhard published a sort of history and gazetteer combined,
intended for the encouragement and guidance of prospective settlers,
entitled, "Illinois As It Is" ; and in 1856, "Waubun, or Early Day in the
Northwest," by Mrs. J. II. Kinzie, made a notable addition to both the
history and the literature of the State, being one of the most interesting
accounts that has ever appeared of pioneer life.
In 1850, Daniel S. Curtiss published a little volume entitled, "West-
ern Portraiture;" Dewitt S. Drown followed with his "Record and His-
torical View of Peoria, from the Discovery by French Jesuits to
." and his "Almanac for 1851, Calculated for the Latitude and
Longitude of Peoria;" and a little later, Mrs. Sarah Marshall Haydcn,
daughter of John Marshall, published "Florence" and "Early Engage-
ments/' the first books written by an Illinois woman.
In 1842 Illinois was honored with a visit by diaries Dickens, at that
time an eager, intolerant young man of thirty years, possessing de-
cided opinions upon many subjects, and a trenchant pen with which
to disseminate them. His "American Notes" aroused a storm of criti-
cism, particularly his diatribes against the then honorable institution of
slavery. As he only penetrated Illinois as far as "Looking Glass
Prairie," which he characterized as disappointing in comparison with
the English Downs, and teeming with miasma, mud and pigs, he was
manifestly unable to form a correct idea of the real beauties of the
Illinois prairie under favorable conditions. The subject nearest the
American heart and most frequently upon the American tongue, of
131
'"dollars., dollars, dollars/"' and the American tendency to expectorate
upon all occasions ; the ceaseless "chirping" of the frogs and the equally
unceasing attentions of bugs and mosquitos, developed in the young
traveler an honest nostalgia that expressed itself in his letters in the
form of a hearty disgust of most things American, although he admits
that his hosts fed him upon "wheat bread and chicken fixings" instead
of "corn bread and common doings," and is more than once betrayed
into a grudging commendation of the cuisine. Looking back upon
those strenuous days, we can now afford to admit that Dickens probably
saw things, and described them, very much as they were, not with the
eye of faith in the great west, hope of the day when those desolate muddy
prairies should blossom with the result of their own hardy labors/ and
charity for the unlovely aspects of pioneer life that we may be proud
to claim* as the foremost attributes of our American forefathers, and
which has made the Illinois of today one of the greatest states of the
Union.
Turning to the Mormon invasion of the State in 1839, we find that
they contributed little to our early literature, outside of their religious
works. An- American edition of the Book of Mormon, revised to date,
was published at Nauvoo in 1842, and the "Millennial Star" published
the autobiography of the Prophet on the installment plan, while many
of his addresses to his followers appeared in "Times and Seasons," a paper
published at Nauvoo. "General" J. Arlington Bennett, of the Nauvoo
Legion, who expected to be elected Governor of the State with the aid
of the Mormons, was a writer of some note, and mentions in a letter
to Joseph Smith, having received two thousand dollars from the
Harpers' publishing house for his articles. Eemoving to New York
where he engaged in law practice about 1844, he wrote much for the
New York papers, and also published a book exposing the iniquities of
his former friend, Joseph Smith. Orson T. Pratt, emigration agent at
Liverpool for the Mormon church, contributed a •little volume entitled,
"Eemarkable Visions," and about 1852 an English writer who had made
a tour of the west, published a little volume entitled, "The Mormons,"
in which the correspondence between Joseph Smith and Henry Clay is
made a feature. W. W. Phelps, a Mormon journalist, wrote many letters
and pamphlets explaining the religious tenets of the sect. After the
murder of Smith, an eye witness of the affair named Daniels, published
a small book giving the particulars.
The Icarians appear to have been still more chary of leaving any
literary remains in Illinois, although there must have been many bril-
liant minds among the little group of men and women who had come to
the new world in search of their ideals. Their official organ, "The
Icarian," which was issued somewhat irregularly, was the medium through
which they communicated their ideas to the world, among the names
of the contributors being those of Pierrot, Mourot and Cottet, although
Etienne Cabet was, of course, the chief contributor.
Hooper Warren, for some years publisher of the Edivardsvilh Spec-
tator, at which time it was considered the best newspaper in the State,
132
was a writer of marked ability, and during the slavery controversy,
exerted a great and far-reaching influence upon the minds of the people
through his newspaper articles.
John Ludlam McConnel, born at Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1826, was
a brilliant writer as well as a lawyer of marked ability. His father,
Murray McConnel was a pioneer of the State, having fought in the
Black Hawk war and served in both branches of the State Legislature.
The son studied law in his father's office, and later, graduated from the
law school of Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ivy. He enlisted
as a private in the Mexican war in 1846, and rose from the ranks until
his appointment as captain of his company after the battle of Buena
Vista, at which time he was twice wounded. After the close of the war.
he returned to Jacksonville, where he practiced law until his death in
1862, of an illness resulting from his Mexican campaign. He wrote
a number of books illustrating western life and character, among them
being "Talbott and Vernon" (New York, 1850) ; "The Glenns" (1851) ;
and •"Western Characters or Types of Border Life" (Boston, 1853.)
At the time of his death he was engaged upon a work to be entitled,
•'History of Early Explorations in America," having reference especially
to the labors and heroism of the early Catholic Missionaries.
A man who made some of the most important contributions to the
historical literature of Illinois, was John Reynolds, fourth Governor
of the State. In an article published in the Western Advocate, the
authorship of which was unacknowledged, but which was generally con-
sidered to be from the pen of Governor Reynolds, himself — the writer
says : "No man in the State ever possessed so much personal popularity
with the masses as Governor Reynolds did." At the same time, the
article states positively that the Governor has no taste for politics.
Referring to his Pioneer History of Illinois, the article continues:
"This book, and, in truth, all his works, are written in that singular,
unpretending style of'naiveness that makes his writings so acceptable
to all classes of people. In his style and composition there are no
labored nor rounded paragraphs to show the reader what an elegant
writer he is; but he moves straight on with his thoughts like a person
narrating the truth from the heart." The Pioneer History is without
any doubt, very interesting reading, although some of his political rivals
have hinted that sundry of the statements contained therein should be
taken with a grain of salt.
Bis next book was a collection o'f sketches of a journey from Belle-
ville to New York, and a visit to the Crystal Palace; and, in the
Belleville JSagle of August 1, 1853, sandwiched between a marriage an-
noimeement and a lurid advertisement of Mustang Liniment, we find
the following:
"Notice.
A few copies of the "Life and Adventures of John Kelly" are for sale at
the bookstore of Harvey Walker & Co., Belleville.
Get a copy before they are all sold. The perusal of the pamphlet will im-
prove you.
July 27, 1853."
This small pamphlet, however, did not meet with the success that
Governor Reynolds anticipated.
Again quoting from the article in the Advocate, and referring to his
recent book, "My Own Times," the writer says : "On this work, the ex-
Governor has labored with energy and activity, and his efforts have been
crowned with, success. Having resided in Illinois since 1800, the
author was able to give a history of the country from his own personal
observations. His memory is remarkably retentive, and it has, together
with his sound judgment, given him the power to relate the history of
the times through half a century, with all the details and circumstances.
No one knew the western people better than the 'Old Banger' himself, as
he was one of them. * * * Although this work is just out of the
press, it is hailed as the best history of the subject of which it treats, that
has yet been published. There is little doubt that 20,000 copies of this
work, and perhaps more, will be sold in the State of Illinois alone."
If Governor Reynolds really was his own biographer in this instance,
he certainly gives every evidence of a hearty appreciation of his own
merits. "My Own Times," was published in 1855, an edition of prob-
ably not more than 400 volumes being printed at a job office in Belle-
ville, and it was taken for sale by a single bookseller of Chicago, at the
author's suggestion. Before it had fairly been placed on the market,
the entire stock at Chicago was destroyed by fire, and for a time it be-
came one of the lost books of literature. Fortunately, a few copies were
afloat through the State, and many years later a reprint was issued.
In, 1860, Governor Reynolds published at Belleville, a rather remark-
able pamphlet entitled, "Balm of Gilead," which he termed "An In-
quiry into the Right of Human Slavery.''* In his introduction, he states
that he deems it his duty to present the question to the public, and
asserts that 'slave' property, like other property, must be sustained
both by public opinion and the power of the government, or otherwise,
the Union cannot, and will not, be continued. No reasonable man who
is not blinded by fanaticism, or who is not riding fanaticism into office,
will believe that four millions of slaves can be emancipated in the
southern states in direct violation of the Constitution, and the Union
withstand the shock." He asserts further, in his opening chapter that
"The laws and Constitution protect slave property more firmly than
any other property; but, notwithstanding the government protection of
this species of property, the right of slavery stands on moral, virtuous
and equitable principles." He goes back to the ancient philosophers of
Greece and Rome to prove that the greatest good to the greatest number
should be the basic principle upon which the fabric of society should
rest. He brings forward many ingenious arguments to prove that the
people of the African race are only grownup children, and that, having
remained stationery in the scale of civilization for so many ages, nature
evidently prescribed these limits for them. He compares the cohesion
of the Abolitionists to the religious organization of the Mormons, and
the followers of John Brown are declared to be of the same class as
those in the French Revolution, who "fiaternized on pikes, and feasted
134
on blood." His conclusion is that "we, in the United States at this
day, with slavery, enjoy the most perfect and the most free government
on earth, and I pray that it may be continued forever !"
There were many other writers whose productions were given to the
public in the form of pamphlets and hand-bills, which, although
meritorious were too unsubstantial to survive the wear and tear of time.
Other brilliant minds were too busily engaged in making history, to stop
to write it. Consequently this paper does not pretend to even make
mention of all the vigorous and intellectual sons of the State who helped
to build an empire upon the Illinois prairies. But having considered in
a brief manner, some of the prose writers whose works are most avail-
able for study at the present day, I will pass on to the poets.
Prior to 1845, newspapers and infrequent magazines were the only
vehicles for embarking the poetical effusions of pioneer Illinois upon the
troubled sea of literature. During the time Judge Hall was publishing
the Illinois Monthly Magazine at Vandalia, Anna P. Dinnies, a native
of South Carolina, who was then living in St. Louis, became a contrib-
utor to the magazine under the nom-de-plume of "Moina." Her poems
were most devoted to portraying the domestic affections.
In 1825, Micah P. Flint, son of Timothy Flint, wrote a poem on "The
Mounds of Cahokia," which his father deemed worthy of being incor-
porated in his own book, "Ten Years in the Mississippi Valley." Dur-
ing the short time which the family spent in a farmhouse on the Ca-
hokia prairie, young Micah Flint, being at an impressionable age, fell
under the spell of the virgin prairies of Illinois, and wrote several other
poems suggested by his novel surroundings, one of which was of un-
usual merit for a youth, and was entitled, "The Silent Monks." The
poem had for its subject the "Trappist Fathers," who had their resi-
dence near the largest of the Indian Mounds in the American bottom,
and who were vowed to a perpetual silence that might be broken only
when the angel of death came to summon them. The mystery of their
quietly-tragic lives touched a sympathetic chord in the heart of the boy,
and he pondered much over their somber existence, and the probable
reasons for this death-in-life.
" 'Twas said around
That they had deeply sinned beyond the seas.
Haply they thought to fly from their dark hearts;
And they came o'er the billow, wandering still,
Far to the West; here, amidst a boundless waste
Of rank and gaudy flowers, and o'er the bones
Of unknown races of the past, they dwelt."
The first volume of poems by one author, published in Illinois, was
printed in Chicago by James Campbell & Co. in January, 1845. It
was a small book of 208 pages, entitled. "Miscellaneous Poems," to
which were added prose sketches on various subjects. The author,
William Asbury Kenyon, was a native of Hingham, Mass., who had
taught school in the rural districts of Illinois, and traveled quite ex-
tensively through the State. The poems refer mainly to prairie scenes,
but also contain a number of satires on such of the local backwoods
customs as had impressed this scion of the effete and cultured east.
135
It is painful to be obliged to chronicle the fact that the poetical merit
of the satires is quite as open to ridicule as were the customs they
satirized.
Elijah Evan Edwards, born in Delaware. Ohio in 1831, came to
Illinois as principal of Lamont Seminary, in Cook county, and his
writing both prose and verse, were published in the magazines and news-
papers of the day. Frances A. Shaw, a native of Maine, who taught
in the schools of Galena, contributed occasional poems to the newspapers
in the early fifties. Her best known poem was "■Minnehaha," printed
in 1855. Luella Clark, a teacher in the Northwestern Female College at
Evanston, in 1860, wrote a number of miscellaneous poems for the
papers. Emma Alice Brown, of Bloomington, a blood relative' of Felicia
Hemans, is said to have composed poems before she possessed the ability
to put them into writing. Another schoolmaster who came west to train
the young intellects of pioneer Illinois, and who, like Silas Wegg, "often
dropped into poetry," was William Dana Emerson, a native of Ohio.
He became, as a matter of course, thoroughly acquainted with the ups
and downs of pioneer life on the prairies, a fact that exerted a marked
influence upon his writings. In 1850, he gathered these scattered off-
spring of his brain into a volume entitled, "Occasional Thoughts in
Verse," which he had printed for private circulation, only.
William H. Bushnell, born in Hudson, N. Y., made his debut as a
poet before the Junior Lyceum of Chicago, on the anniversary of Wash-
ington's birthday, in 1843. Later he wrote graphic sketches of Indian
life under the nom-de-plume of "Frank Webber," and also a novel en-
titled, "Prairie Fire."
Journalism and literature proper, were so closely connected in the
early days of Illinois, that it was but a step from one to the other, with
journalism, in most cases, figuring ' as the stepping-stone. Thomas
Gregg, a native of Ohio, was for some years connected with the Warsaw
Signal; later he moved to Hamilton, Illinois, and during his residence
in the State, he was the author of a. number of short poems, those best
known being "Tha Winds," and "The Whippoorwill." He also wrote, a
book entitled "The Prophet of Palmyra."
. In 1850, Benjamin F. Taylor came to Chicago from New York, to en-
gage in newspaper work. In 1855 he published a volume of poems and
sketches entitled, "January and June." He was also in much demand as
a lecturer, and his newspaper articles written at his home in Wheaton,
Illinois were widely copied in contemporary papers. One, at least, of
his poems — "God Bless Our Stars !" — will recall to the minds of some,
the little, unpainted schoolhouse, riding, desolately at anchor in a sea
of billowing prairie grass, and an uneasy line of trowsered and aproned
pupils painfully toeing a crack in the rough, plank floor, as they firmly
grasped their Sanders readers, and droned in concert:
"Oh, long ago at Lexington,
And above the minute-men,
The old Thirteen were blazing bright, —
There were only thirteen then! —
God's own stars are shining through it,—
Stars not woven in its thread;
Unfurl it, and that flag will gleam
"With the Heaven overhead!"
136
They used to rub patriotism in, five days in the week, in the old dis-
trict schoolhouse.
It was early in 1831, when John Howard Bryant, a brother of William
Cullen Bryant, became a squatter on Illinois lands in Bureau county;
and when the public lands of the State came into the market, he pur-
chased a large farm. He was twice sent to the Legislature from Bureau
count}', and while he was devoted to agriculture even more than to
politics, he still found time to exercise the poetic bent of mind which
he, like his talented brother, had inherited from a literary father. In his
work on the "Poets and Poetry of America/' Eufus Wilmot Griswold
said of him : "His poems have the same characteristics as those of his
brother. He is a lover of nature, and describes effectively and minutely
what he sees. To him the wind and stream are ever musical, and the
forests and prairie" clothed in beauty.*'" Mr. Bryant collected his poems
in a volume of 93 pages, in 1855.
To anyone who possessed a scrap of poetic fire in his nature, Illinois
offered one attraction that never failed to inspire a song of tribute to
those far-reaching stretches of verdure set with myriad gems of wild
flowers in spring; waving in blue-green, sinuous billows beneath a
fervent summer sky; writhing and roaring in the clutch of an autumn
prairie-fire; or, -lying cold and white under the pitiless light of the
winter moon, silent, except for the quivering howl of some prowling
wolf.
"These are the gardens of the desert; these
The unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful,
For which the speech of England has no name,—
The Prairies."
"I behold them for the first,
And my heart swells, while the dilated sight
Takes in the encircling vastness."
Thus sang William Cullen Bryant, after his first visit to the Illinois
prairies. In the earlier days of travel in Illinois, there was necessarily,
much stage-coaching, which gave the traveler an opportunity of enjoy-
ing the beauties of nature — always providing the condition of the roads
left him in a proper frame of mind to do so — and that the valley of the
Sangamon in its early summer garment of leaf and flower, must have
been a rarely beautiful sight, is evidenced by Bryant's little poem.
"The Painted Cup/'
"The fresh savannas of the Sangamon,
Here rise in gentle swells, and the long grass
Is mixed with rustling hazels; scarlet tufts
Are glowing in the green like flakes of fire.
The wanderers of the Prairie know them well,
And call that flower the Painted Cup."
The "Judaid," a classic detailing the Bise and Decline of the Jews from
the Exodus from Egypt to the destruction of their temple by the
Romans, was published in 1844 by Prof. Johnson Pierson, of McKendree
College, Lebanon, Illinois, of which he was one of the first graduates.
He was born in Virginia in 1813. In his introduction, the author states
that his poem was not begun with a view to publication, a part of it
137
having been composed and recited as an exercise at the Commencement
at McKendree in 1838, under the title, "The Destruction of Jerusalem.".
He adds, "The subject is one I have loved from my boyhood. The
events connected with the fortunes of the Jewish nation are of such a
character as to endear their history to every individual of the human
family." The poem recites the history of the Jewish nation in excellent
verse, closing with the fall of Jerusalem before the invading Romans:
"Ah, mitred Queen, whose scepter, and whose throne
Has made the Eastern empire all thine own,
How art thou fallen! — in the dust laid low,
And all thy splendor wrapped in weeds of woe!
"All, all is gone, for ruin widely now
Lifts his grim visage o'er thy princely brow;
Nor aught remains of all thy pride, to tell
Where thou once was, or where thy glory fell.
But yet shall thou among thy wastes arise,
And clear the night of ages from thy skies!"
Edward Reynolds Roe, who published in 1852, in the Altcn Courier,
a serial story entitled, "Virginia Rose," later published several volumes
of prose and poetry, one of them being "Prairie-land and Other Poems,"
while Dr. Edward Taylor wrote a volume of poems which were pub-
lished under the title of "Moods, and Other Verses." Sarah Rumsey,
of Springfield was a writer of both prose and poetry under the nom-de-
plume of "Catherine Gordon" and "Evangeline," but death cut short
her literary career. Her poems were collected in a volume after her death.
In* 1857, Benjamin F. W. Stribling, second son of Benjamin Strib-
ling, of Virginia, Illinois, published a little volume of poems on various
subjects, which was printed at the office of the Beardstown Illinoisan.
Frank Stribling, as he was called, possessed a limited education, but
considerable poetic energy as well as matrimonial enterprise, he having
been married three times. His little book of 238 pages, embraces a wide
range of subjects. That he was inclined to be progressive is shown by
his poem, "The Railroad Song," in which he advocates the construction
of a railroad to carry their wheat to market.
"Then let us join and build a road
That's good when dry and when there's mud.
Come, rise up, boys, no more delay!
Procrastination will not pay.
Let's pledge our faith and yellow dust
To build the road — we can, we must!"
Generally speaking, his poetry would indicate that he was the pos-
sessor of a religious mind, yet we are told .that he was not a church
member. Like a number of other unfortunates, who, in their day have
been cursed with a poetical temperament of no commercial value, Mr.
Stribling lived and died in an atmosphere of respectable poverty, as his
closing poem would indicate :
"Now I must work for daily bread,
"While thoughts poetic fill my head, —
Imagination's work.
And in my pockets not a cent
But what has been already spent —
As poor as Job's old turk!"
138
About the same, time, in the northern end of the State, another poet
was sighing over the sad fate that condemned her to live and die un-
appreciated. Sarah Lett was born in Chatham, Ontario, in 1824,
afflicted with a frail body, and, in her early years, an impediment in
speech. Nevertheless she possessed an intelligent mind and a poetic
nature, as the sequel showed. Having lost both father and mother,
the remnant of the family, after various wanderings, drifted to the
northern part of LaSalle county, where Sara married a young farmer
named Cotteau, whose family had settled a short distance from the Lett
homestead.
Being of a sensitive disposition, she lived among her books and flowers,
as quiet a life as was compatible with the manifold duties of a pioneer
fanner's wife; reading her weekly newspaper at night by the light of
fire-place and tallow candle. And all the while, she was singing blithely
or sadly, her own little songs, almost as soontaneously and uncon-
sciously as the birds sang in the trees about her door. Some of these
little poems found a haven in the columns of the weekly newspapers
of the day, and a few were set to music, that she never heard sung.
She sang of the e very-day things that hedged her in — of her joys and
sorrows, but most of all she sang of patriotism — of the heroes of her
own Canadian home, of her adopted country's flag, of the gallant deeds
of the boys in blue, of the sorrow and pity of slavery and oppression
everywhere. That she longed for a larger audience and more intelli-
gent appreciation, is shown by her half-ironical, half-sad author's pre-
face :
"Oh, isn't it hard to he a poet,
And live and die, and let nobody know it!
To sing your songs to the passing breeze,
Or jot them down when nobody sees, —
Poor little pitiful things like these!"
Years after her death, her poems were painstakingly gathered from
hither and yon, by her daughter, Ida Cotteau, of whom she sang, as a
child :
"She stood by the pasture bars,
And she looked so pretty and sweet;
Her eyes were like luminous stars;
There was dust on her little bare feet."
The problem of finding a publisher for the little old-fashioned songs,
was solved by means of an advertisement in a Chicago paper; and, after
half a lifetime, Ida Cotteau had the satisfaction of completing her labor
of love, and only just in time, for, a few weeks ago, she, too, passed away.
The poetry of early Illinois may need an occasional twist in the pro-
nunciation to help out a rhyme, or it may now and then be necessary
to use artificial means to keep its metrical feet from "interfering," but
three characteristics it undoubtedly possessed — religious fervor, patriot-
ism and appreciation of the beauties of nature.
That some of our early Illinois poets were crude in their manner of
expressing the message that clamored "to be heard of mankind," there '.s
no use denying; but, when all is said and done, I doubt very much
whether the newspaper jingles of the present day will stand very much
higher in the estimation of coming generations than those perpetrated
by our forefathers and mothers. Our aim nowadays, seems to be solely
to amuse, but these pioneer verses, almost without exception, bring in
their hands some underlying admonition, precept or moral to justify
their presence upon the sea of literature. It may be more practical to
hitch your Pegasus to a fence-post, but even the frustrated attempt to
hitch him to a star ought to be more uplifting.
140
CHICAGO AS IT WAS AND IS.
By Edwin 0. Gale.
It was a beautiful morning on the twenty-fifth of May, 1835, when
the brig Illinois cast its anchor some half a mile from Fort Dearborn,
and birch bark canoes, yawls and lighters assembled to transfer from the
tiresome craft to the uninviting shore the timid immigrants and their
household treasures. As the first vessel of the season, our modest sail
excited a 'great deal of interest, especially among the Indians, who
succeeded in inducing a few fearless whites to accept their services.
Their light canoes scarcely ruffled the placid lake as their dextrous
paddles brought them swiftly to the shore.
The writer, being but a triflle over three years of age at this eventful
period, does not recall the landing nor does he distinctly remember many
of the circumstances that occurred while the mass of the Indians still
lived in Chicago, for the majority of the red men moved, under the
terms of their treaty, to Iowa in the fall of 1835 and 183G. But for a
number of years straggling bands from Wisconsin and Michigan fre-
quently arrived to sell pelts, maple sugar and the ornamented handi-
work of the skillful squaws, which surviving girls and boys of that
period joyfully remember. As we pass from these happy exper-
iences of our childhood and recall the floating years of three quarters of
the century, which mark the marvelous progress of that early Chicago
with its six hundred, venturesome whites and eight times that number
of its passing aborigines, it seems like a fairy tale or a fabulous story
conceived by some gifted romancer.
Among the most prominent young people of our earliest days were the
families of Jean Baptiste Beaubien, familiarly known as Col. John
Beaubien, and his younger brother Mark, the children of whom were
among our most constant playmates. Alexander, the son of John, was
born January 28, 1822. Although ten years the senior of the writer,
yet time on its fleeting wing commenced in a few years to obliterate the
difference in our ages, and so mutual and earnest a friendship had been
established that when he died, as an honorary pall-bearer I served my
friend.
It was on the twenty-seventh of March, 1907, that this veteran of
85 years closed his eyes upon the marvelous city — the fifth in size of the
world — which claims some two and a half million citizens, while when iio
EDWIN O. GALE.
141
first beheld the light of day the hamlet contained but one white family —
the Kinzies — beside his own. His cherished mother, Josette Laf ram-
boise, saved from the Fort Dearborn massacre, had been a useful and
esteemed member of John Kinzie's household. She had an Indian
mother, but, as the second wife of John Beaubien was beloved and
venerated by their children. Our friend inherited the tastes and at-
tributes of his mothers progenitors, and he told me that in 1833, at the
age of 11, he shot and killed a black bear in the timber where Franklin
street and Jackson boulevard now are. By 1840, game became too
scarce in Chicago to suit the tastes of the Beaubiens, and the family
removed to the Des Plaines, returning to the city in 1855.
One bright Sunday morning in 1814, Alexander, with his brother
Philip and four other comrades, chased a gray wolf through the Des
Plaines timber for a long distance. When the foaming horses, panting
dogs and nearly exhausted victim at length reached my father's farm, ■
now the site of Galewood, I hastily mounted a horse and joined in the
chase with a fresh, powerful dog. We soon had the wolf killed, and I,
being the youngest boy there, Aleck gave me the -brush," much to my
pride and delight. Years ago that farm was taken into the city.
But to return to the advancement of Chicago and vicinity.
Schoolcraft, who attended the Indian council in 1821, in the north
side grove, opposite the fort as a protection, states that "all the white
men living between Chicago and the Mississippi as far north as Green
Bay were present, and there were less than twenty in attendance." Even
as late as 1825, there were but thirteen taxpayers in the place, their ag-
gregate possessions being estimated at $8,947, upon which they were as-
sessed one per cent, yielding the munificent sum of $89.17. That prac-
tically included most of the personal possessions held in our ■ present
county of Cook, organized in 1831. Today, the wealth is placed by the
Board of Eeview at over two and one-third billion dollars ($2,375,-
078,435.)
The county of Cook previous to 1831, included the present counties
of Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake and McHenry.
The thirteen illustrious patriots who grandly paid $89.47 taxes in
1825, took great pride in organizing ' the county in 1831. Two years
after that commendable event, they felt that it would be a proud duty
to stimulate their fellow voters to convert the modest trading post into
a legal town. Therefore, on the 10th of August, 1833, twenty-eight of
our energetic fathers met in Peter Pruyne & Co.'s drug store on Wrater
street and in spite of one opposing the measure, twenty-seven favored it,
and five days after the incorporation every man of them again assembled
and of the patriotic number thirteen were so earnest in the good cause
that they were willing candidates for office. J. V. Owen, Medore Beau-
bien, John Miller and Dr. E. S. Kimberly were elected as trustees.
It required four years after the organization of the town and two
years succeeding our arrival before Chi-ca-GO, blossomed out as a city.
When the town first dawned upon us there was not a foot of side-
walk in the place nor anything to denote a street excepting the stakes
of the surveyor, James Thompson, who wfis appointed in 1829, by the
canal commissioners to survey the section of canal land one mile square
142
bounded by Chicago avenue, Madison, State and Halsted streets.
Thompson reported that he only found seven families in the place out-
side of the garrison, and he naturally concluded it would not require so
much land for such a town so he placed the limits between State, Des
Plaines, Madison and Kinzie streets. In locating the lots, which the
commissioners considered of more importance than indicating where the
streets would ultimately be, should they ever be needed — Thompson
was so successful in surveying that in the following year on September
27, 1830, 126 of the plated lots, 80 by 180 feet, were sold by the com-
missioners, bringing from $10.00 to $60.00 each, the average price being
$31.00, making in the aggregate $4,284.00. (The sales of 190 ; were
about $175,000,000 in the city.)
Nor did the closing sale of canal lots add much to the construction of
the canal, the establishing of our highways or the improvement of our
unfortunate streets even in the canal section. Nor can we today say that
we ever felt exalted on account of the condition of our mirey streets and
alleys. Our present superintendent of streets, Michael J. Doherty has
prepared a table showing that where we had no streets nor alleys in early
days, we now have 4,100 miles, of which only about a third are paved,
while of the paved streets and alleys only a little over a third are in good
repair. He estimates that $700,000.00 or $800,000.00 is needed at once
for repairs. "If the Legislature will give Chicago a chance to raise the
money the improvement will begin soon," he says in his report. In order
that the legislative body might form some opinion as to the volume of
the city traffic, the mayor and the street superintendent, one day put
men on eleven of the sixty-four city bridges to count the number of
vehicles that passed over them between 7:00 o'clock a. m. and 7:00
o'clock p. m. The number was 56,349. Of these 10,916 were street
cars, 2,070 automobiles, leaving a total of 43,363 vehicles drawn by horses.
Of the latter 28,213 were one horse teams and 15,150 two horse teams,
without a single Indian pony and its rider to remind us of the early
thirties, when our floating log bridges were used mostly by them.
Before we cross any of the bridges that we have had our attention
drawn to we are naturally inclined to view in memory the river with its
modest charms as its old time mirrored surface reflected the beautiful
trees and bowing flowers that clustered along its banks, while the inno-
cent waters flowed for many years down stream e*re the Gnthries edu-"
cated them to flow up. Previous to that event it was the custom of a few
useful water men to drive their two wheeled one horse carts into the
river and load their reclining hogsheads with long handled wooden
pails as they stood on the shafts. They usually obtained their supply for
the scattered settlers from the most convenient places in the stream,
delivering to their customers, as a rule, for ten cents a barrel. That
the treacherous winds roiled the lake water was the usual plea for fur-
nishing from the river.
But those useful, watermen, horses and carts no longer meet the re-
quirements of the people. Even the little. hydraulic mill at the foot of
Lake street, with its twenty-four horse power engine, pumping 1,250
barrels in fifty minutes, and its ten foot cedar logs with three and one-
143
half inch bore that supplanted the faithful watermen in 1840, in spite of
our admiration, soon failed to meet the wonderful demand of our rapidly
growing city. The constantly increasing consumption of water seems
incredible. In the month of August, 1900, more than ten and one-half
billions (10,685,709,442) gallons of water were used. It is estimated that
the quantity taken in that month would fill a square quarter of a mile
in the lake to the depth of one-eighth of a mile. In 1905 there were
pumped more than 150 billion (150,254,419,682) gallons yielding a
revenue of nearly five millions of dollars ($4,092,559.24.) In 1907,
165 billions of gallons were pumped, with the expenditure of nearly
three hundred million pounds of coal (272,218,300.) The collection
amounted to more than four and one-half million dollars ($4,510,000.)
The Stock Yards alone require nearly one billion gallons a year. And
what is of more importance, the city health department reports that
"Chicago's water supply is now among the best and purest of any large
city on earth."
The canal that we previously referred to has long since retired from
business, but its successor, the drainage canal, is inclined to take still
another step in advance, as Lyman E. Cooley, one of' the country's lead-
ing authorities on canal construction and costs, shows with statistics ac-
cumulated during a life time of experience with canal work that the
deep water way now so earnestly considered would secure to the city of
Chicago by the power to be developed eighty millions of dollars, beside
the value of the canal from a sanitary point of view and as a commercial
proposition.
Those who have lived in Chicago three-fourths of a century are not
inclined to doubt any statement of the future progress of our city. And
if some of us may have forgotten our glorious canal celebration of July
4, 1836, and do not at this hour feel like saying much about canals, they
may wish us briefly to say something about Chicago railroads.
Let us consider the first railroad that ventured in Chicago, the Galena
and Chicago Union, (consider the significance of that Union) which
was chartered by the State Legislature in 1836, when railroads were
hardly known, and about the time when no one could pay five miles fare.
But how proud we were on July 10, 1848, when the first strap rail was
laid. It is true that we were greatly afraid of railroads and the city
council made the terrible thing go outside of the city limits, clear out
to Halsted street (now claimed to be the longest street in any city), to
protect us from probable catastrophes. It was treated as dangerous as
shooting prairie chickens would have been on State and Twelfth street a
few years before. How we hurrahed when the engine pioneer showed
that it could actually move, and on October 26, 1848, drew two cars
seven miles, to Sand Eidge, now Austin.
Our friend, W. H. Stennett has for years been making a profound
study of the development of that road, now called the Chicago and North-
western, and has given us in the perfect history. "Yesterday and Today,"
1905, many statistics, from which we learn that the system proper
"covers over nine thousand miles of main track; that it has cost $335,-
000,000.00 ; that it earns $65,000,000.00 per year ; that it furnishes work
144
for nearly 40,000 employes, and promptly and generously pays them In
wages about $30,000,000.00 per year, and sustains at least 225,000
souls. A pretty good growth from strap iron, and this is yet more im-
pressive when we consider that with the other railroads entering here
"the records of Dec. 31, 1902 proved Chicago to be the greatest railroad
center in the world, and the statistics compiled by the Railway Age show
that 1,839 trains enter and leave the city every 24 hours, 1,190 passengers
and 649 freight.
With the freight is included much material for the stock yards. Bear-
ing in mind that our city claims to be the greatest grain, lumber and
wholesale dry goods market on earth, it may surprise our people engaged
in those lines to know that it is maintained by the men doing business in
the Stock Yards that they do more and handle a larger volume than all
of the others put together. I am not prepared to prove this statement,
but $650,000,000.00 a year is a pretty good mark. They also say that
they employ 75,000 men. If that be true, allowing that each employe"
represents a family of four persons, it follows that the number who de-
rive support from that 320 acres is greater than the population of the
entire State at the time of my arrival, which in 1835, was 272,427.
Their records show that from 15,000,000 to 20,000,000 creatures are
slaughtered there annually for the collection of which more than 250,000
ears are sent all over the country.
Archibald Clybourn, avIio supplied the northern garrison and the people
of Chicago in early days with meat drove his cattle in on foot. As
sheep, hogs and calves could not be driven any distance, the neighboring
farmers brought in the few they had in wagons, but the Hoosiers, as the
Indiana husbandmen were called, were mostly depended upon for these
supplies, as well as for hams, bacon, poultry, eggs, butter, lard, cheese
and the fruit, which they brought in their covered wagons many of
them being the old time Pennsylvania mountain wagons drawn by eight
or ten yoke of oxen, or five or six span of horses. These prairie schooners
as they were called, were especially attractive to the boys when loaded
with enticing peaches and apples, as was frequently the case.
But Prairie Schooners all have left, they sail our streets no more,
They came with centers downward swayed, curved up both aft and fore.
Their sunburnt owners, lank and tall, no more we see today;
The snap of their loud-cracking whips, forever's passed away.
And on the lake shore, where at night their flickering fires glowed,
And care upon their homely fare was earnestly bestowed,
Where we the frying bacon heard, the coarse corn dodgers saw,
Where we the fragrant coffee smelt and heard the horses paw,
That spot by them deserted is, yet those familiar scenes
By pioneers will cherished be, though scarce then in their teens.
145
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE XOETHEEX ('BOSS RAILROAD.
By George M. McConnel.
It is not possible for rue to adequately put in words my deep regret that
a removal from my native State of Illinois, determined upon after the
receipt of. the Historical Society's flattering invitation to put on record
my recollections of the Northern Cross Railroad, has so engrossed ray
time that 1 have been unable to comply and at almost the last Hay find
myself obliged to merely write down a few of them in disjointed fashion.
Let me first express my mosi grateful sense of the distinction implied
in the invitation and repeat my keen regret that circumstances have pre-
vented me so entirely from doing even my small best to comply.
To any observant visitor from older countries who looks now at the
"Central west."' the five states north of the Ohio river that Virginia
gave to the nation, and their neighbors on the west, it may well seem
amazing that they have changed to what they now are from almost un-
broken wilderness within little more than a -ingle lifetime. It will seem
even more incredible that men now living cau remember the time when
the wild shriek of the locomotive steam whistle hist woke the echoes of
Ohio forests or shook the long lances of the grass on Illinois prairies.
Yet such is the fact, and the rate of the world's development within
this life time as compared with what it was in the past, rise- at once
into a conspicuous wonder as one thinks of it. From the far away age-
when what we call a "'great civilization"' arose in the narrow valley of
the Euphrates of the Nil'' or the Tiber, and each in its turn dominated
human destiny, the mosi conspicuous fact has been the steady westward
trend of these successive waves of civilization: Poets and historian- and
philosophers have seen it ami spoken of it till "westward the course of
empire takes its way" has grown a commonplace for all who read or
think.
But not so many have remarked the fact that from the birth of civil-
ization— so far as we know of its birth — in the Euphrates valley, where
at least, three or four successive civilizations lie buried under each other
in the hundred or two hundred feet of surface earth, the theater over
which each successive civilization dominated has steadily expanded in
area, and its influences widened in scope. Babylon looms large in ancient
history, but the stage on which it played its part was Little larger than
itself. Borne boasted that it ruled the world, hut its "world" was but a
—10 H S
146
principality in comparison with the empire ruled by the English speak-
ing race of today. From the scope of Babylon to that of Rome was a
long stride in expansion, but it must be a far longer one from Eome's
world-influence to that of the civilization which will govern the historic
drama of the next few centuries whose stage will be the world, and its
great central scene be bounded by the eastern and western shores of the
Pacific ocean.
In the great historic movement this increasing area of stage has been
a fact scarcely less conspicuous than its westward drift. From Assyrian
to Roman dominance its growth was slow. With Eome's rule of the
Mediterranean, ocean navigation by oar and sail entered on accelerating
growth. Steam navigation still further contributed to the rate of growth,
but not until land transportation by steam did man acquire the real
power to rule the world. He held, indeed, the sea coasts and the river
shores, but until the advent of the railroad the vast interior empires and
granaries of the continents as we know them, were impossible.
The railway has been by far the largest single factor in the tremendous
acceleration and expansion of the civilization of the past century and
if we may argue "from the past to the future the civilization whose stage
center will be the Pacific, will be greater than was that of the Mediter-
ranean by as much as the huge western ocean is greater than the little
sea, land locked between Europe and Africa.
In the light of these reflections the historic development of the railway
becomes of exceeding interest and of as great significance in the develop-
ment of any particular region. No doubt wooden tramways, tracks of
rails, of one kind or another, were in some kind of use for moving certain
articles in many parts of the world, long before the railway — distinc-
tively so called — was born, but the crucial pang in the evolution of the
railway, as it has come to be known, was the application of steam
power. George Stephenson brought this about when he put
in operation the Hetton coal railway in 1822 and crowned
that achievement by opening for business the Stockton and
Darlington Passenger Eailway less than three years later. Less than a
year later than this General Van Eensselaer and others of New York
obtained authority from that state to build the Mohawk and Hudson
Eailway running from Albany to Schenectady in New York on practi-
cally the same line now occupied by part of the New York Central line.
And this was opened for business in 1831. only six years after the birth
in England, much of which time was taken up in solving new problems
not known in England.
Illinois had been a State only since 1818, was territorially a very
considerable empire, over the southern one-third or one-half of which
was scattered a population scarcely numerous enough to make a tenth
rate city of today. Yet even then its people were agitating questions
of a canal from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river and a lew prophetic
souls were hinting at railways though with little conception of that where-
of they hinted. In a certain sense it was not a wilderness or frontier
population, but one nearly all of whose members bad been born in far
147
older states, and were mentally in close touch with the people of the
Atlantic states from Boston to Florida and along the gulf beyond to
New Orleans. And among all these, in Massachusetts, in New York,
in Maryland, in South Carolina and in Louisiana, there were projects
of railways of one kind or another very soon after Stephenson's English
achievement. ^
The Illinois people were too weak financially to do more than talk
until in February, 1837, the state as such took up the work on its own
credit and struck out a great system of "internal improvements," in-
cluding the building of eight distinct lines of railway; first, the" Cen-
tral from Cairo to Galena; second, a branch of same from Hillsboro
eastward to the Indiana state line; third, the Southern Cross road from
Alton to Mt. Carmel; fourth, the Northern Cross road from Quincy,
via Jacksonville, Springfield and Decatur, to the Indiana state line
nearly due west from Indianapolis ; fifth, from Peoria to Warsaw ; sixth,
from Alton eastward to intersect the Central, though there seems now
some doubt whether this was not included in the Mt. Carmel-Alton pro-
ject; seventh, from Belleville to intersect the Southern Cross, and eighth,
from Bloomington to Mackinaw with branches to Peoria and to Pekin,
all of which it was estimated would cost nearly ten million dollars.
While the bill was pending, Senator Vance of Vermilion county, one
of the strong opponents of the whole scheme down to that time, sud-
denly declared, for some unknown reason, that if the friends of the bill
would insert a provision that the Northern Cross road should be built
first of all, he would support the bill and this was accordingly done,
though the result showed that the bill would have passed without his
vote.
It seems absurd, now, that a road from Quincy eastward through
Spring-field should be called the Northern Cross, but the fact that it was
so named is clear proof of where the vast preponderance of the population
of the State then lay. Except for the little lead mining city of Galena,
the trading post at Peoria and a few other isolated communities, the
great mass of the State's people then dwelt south of the Springfield
line of latitude.
Early in March, 1837, the Legislature elected a "board of public
works," one member from each judicial district, to carry out this scheme,
relatively more vast than it would now be for the present State to under-
take the construction of three or four Panama canals. The member
chosen by the Legislature from the Jacksonville district was Murray
McConnel, a lawyer, then in the prime of life, full of fire and energy,
active and tireless. He took instant action and within two months of
his election had employed James M. Bucklin as chief engineer, drew
from near his old boyhood home in New York near the Pennsylvania
line, two or three of his own relations who had some knowledge of what
had been done in New York, and within another two months had com-
pleted the survey and location of the whole fifty-five miles from Merc-
dosia to Springfield and had closed contracts for its construction.
Within a year after the survey was begun, and it is to be remembered
that the builders had no advantage of any kind of connection with or
148
access to any railroad already built, and so everything had to be, so io
speak, "hand made," within a year, or on May 9, 1838, the first rail
was laid and early in November of the same year "the first locomotive
that ever turned a wheel in the Mississippi valley'* was put in operation.
The tremendous difficulties and discouragements overcome by these
pioneers in Illinois railway building can hardly be imagined by those
who know only the railway building of today. They not only had no
proper tools for such work but most of them knew only theoretically and
by hearsay as it were, of what the work they had undertaken was.
Only a few weeks after construction began in is:};, the great financial
panic of that year broke out and thence forth the work was urged against
an increasing sea of difficulties that might have appalled the managers
had they better known the real proportions of their task. So great were
they that though the western half of the fifty-five miles, or nearly half,
was in active operation earlv in 1839, the road was not completed to
Springfield till in May. 1842.
In the enthusiasm of May. 1837, Commissioner McConnel had or-
dered iron, ears, a locomotive and other needed equipment, through the
fund commissioners appointed by the State to raise money for the work,
and reported that they had been bought agreeably to his requisition, but
it is one of the strange facts of that time of delirium, beginning in
enthusiasm and ending in financial panic and crushing debt, the loco-
motive bought by the fund commissioners and shipped from New York
by sea to Xew Orleans, thence to come to St. Louis and thence by Illinois
river boat to Meredosia, was never heard of more. Somehow or other,
how, probably nobody now can ever know, it was "lost in its passage"
as one of the fund commissioners afterwards reported to the Legislature.
Tt is another curious fact that though this locomotive was so mysteri-
ously lost in transit. Commissioner McConnel of the board of works
received a locomotive which was said to have been bought by the fund
commissioners for the Bloomington-Mackinaw mad. though that road
did not then, and probably never did. have any use for a locomotive.
And this alleged 15. & M. Locomotive was rolled from a steamboat at
Meredosia on to the Northern Cross tracks and set to work.
Unless greatly misled by memory it is a mistake, however, to say, as
some Illinois historians have said, that this old railroad never had but
this one locomotive. Whether the one reported to have I n "losl in
transit" afterwards "turned up" in some way. or it another was bought,
recollection now i> that during part of 1839, L840 and two or three
years more, there were two locomotives used more or Less regularly, and
this appears to he made quite certain from two facts, neither of which,
it would seem, memory could err about. These locomotives, whether
one or two. were many hundreds of miles away from any other railways
ami equally distant from any repair shops. As they fell the wear and
tear of use Little repairing could be done on them save such as might
be worked out in any ordinary country blacksmith's shop. Accordingly
by 1844, or thereabouts, they had become incapable of more than
crawling about. They were put out of use, the cattle guards at the
different farm lines were floored so that nude- could travel on the trade.
141)
and for two or three years the flat cars — I incline to think but very few,
if any, box cars — were used for carrying freight from Meredosia to
Springfield and intermediate points, drawn by three or four mules
driven tandem.
When so put out of use, one locomotive was turned over by the State
to James M. Semple, then one of the XJ. S. Senators from Illinois, to
experiment with in carrying out a dream he indulged of Constructing
a huge prairie steam wagon, with long drums faced with planks for driv-
ing wheels, with which he planned to carry passengers over the then un-
occupied prairies of the State, so little did even so able a man as he,
dream of the short time it would be before those prairies would be
practically filled with occupied farms.
This was turned over to him near Berlin in the western edge of San-
gamon county, where after many strange experiences by him, some of
them amusing, some of them pathetic and all of them costly and dis-
astrous, it was abandoned by him within a few yards of the railway
track, and gradually went to pieces under the wear of weather and the
appropriation of those who wanted a bit of metal or of wood which they
could- pick out of the wreck. I often saw its dwindling carcase lying
there for some years after.
But memory says there was another locomotive, which went to Mr.
Ridgely of Springfield, when in 1847, he bought from the State at
public auction the road and all its belongings. This, it is remembered,
wras rebuilt in the Springfield shops, after the re-organization effected
by Mr. Ridgely, under the careful direction of Mr. Tilton, who for some
years managed the rehabilitated road, was named the "Phoenix," a queer
looking machine even for fifty and more years ago, and was used for
doing a variety of light work through several years.
The road was built by laying parallel lines of mud sills, eight or ten
inches square, under where the rails would come, save where the earth
bottom was judged firm enough to lay cross ties much as is now done,
only much further apart than now. On these ties were laid "stringers"
of oak probably 4x6, or 4x8 inches, notched and pinned together and on
these were spiked flat strap iron rails, some 2% inches wide, five-eighths
of an inch thick and probably twelve or fifteen feet long, with ends
mitred, or slanted, so as to take the weight of a wheel on each rail before
it had quite left the other. The frequent result may be easily imagined.
These ends gradually curled up as the wheels rolled over them, till the
points, rising higher than the wheel center, became what were called
"snake heads," were under-run by the wheels and shot up through the
car and sometimes through an unfortunate passenger or employe.
The only passenger coaches the road possessed were about of the size
and "build" of the big omnibuses of the past generation. The seats
ran along each side, like those of the omnibus, and the coaches were
equally destitute of any and every other appliance for the comfort or
convience of the traveler, other than to sit down and "hang on" — if he
could. The speed of the trains was very low, as speed is now measured,
but it was. relatively to that to which that generation was accustomed,
nearly as high as we now habituallv know, the roadway was very uneven.
150
there were no straps to hang to and the lurching about of passengers
unfortunate enough to be obliged to stand, their stumbling over and
trampling upon the feet of the seated travelers, into whose surprised
embraces they not infrequently stumbled and sprawled, were often vastly
amusing to onlookers howsoever exasperating to the participants. It was
often equally disagreeable when passengers were few. There were no
divisions of any kind in the seats. Along each wall of the coach ran a
smooth stretch of bench like seat and a sudden lurch of the coach would
often slide a sitter half the length of the coach and land him, or her,
with a gruesome bump in the middle of the floor.
These were specimen inconveniences for travelers, while the want of
some of the simplest of the railway devices of the past twenty years
brought serious hardships and hazards to the employes. Cars were
coupled only with the long link and pin, operated by hand and result-
ing in any train of a number of cars suddenly stretching or shrinking in
length with sudden changes of speed as much as a score or more of feet,
with sudden jars and hazards unknown on modern trains. There was no
means then known for warming the water in the tank of the locomotive
tender and the only known means of conveying it from the tank to the
boiler was by ordinary leathern hose swinging freely enough between
the two to assure immunity from breaking in any one of these sudden
elongations of the train. Often a stop of two or three minutes at any
station exposed to the bitter cold blasts of winter would suffice to freeze
the water in these hose, tying up the train for from a few minutes to
several hours, destitute of any means of informing anybody of the cause
and probable duration of the delay. A few minutes of delay in pushing
through a snow-drift far from any station would bring the same frozen
hose, far from even the useless but sympathetic knowledge of the den-
izens of a bit of prairie station.
Then it became necessary for the train crew to take wood from the
locomotive tender — the art of burning coal in a locomotive furnace had
not then been discovered — and carefully build a fire on the ground be-
tween the rails and under the hose where it passed in festoons from tank
to boiler, watching it like a hawk lest it scorch the leather, in which case
the hose would crack and burst and the locomotive be left hopelessly
'•dead," till drawn away by some force other than its own.
What this task must be for two or three men crouched in the narrow
space under a. locomotive cab, with a maniac-like northwest wind howl-
ing like a legion of devils across the. open prairie, driving clouds of
stinging snow before it. may be partly guessed by those who have seen
a prairie blizzard but can never be fairly appreciated save by him who
has taken part in the torturing task.
The facilities for supplying locomotives with fuel and water were
very meagre, and when the train stopped at any "wooding" station, the
whole train crew and not infrequently some of the passengers, joined in
throwing the sawed wood into the great box of the tender, sometimes
even having to add to the labors of the sawyers to fill the needed quan-
titv." In many cases some slight accident has caused a stop at some point
151
remote from the scanty water stations, and lines of disgusted passengers
trudged back and forth for hours between the impotent train and the
nearest creek or farm well, often a distance of miles, each with one or
two pails of some kind, carrying water to put into the tank.
These are but a few of the embarrassments of railroading in those
days. There were scores of others, for the signal code, the air brake,
the automatic coupler, the toilet devices of today, the sleeping car, the
dining car, steam heated cars, all lights save candles alone, the use of the
telegraph in operating trains, these and many another commonplace of
today, were as yet undreamed of. I speak only of such as I saw some-
thing of in my boyhood.
The observer of today, if he stops to think, will feel a new respect
for the general sagacity of the men who projected the eight lines of road
before spoken of. Little of the vast area covered was much beyond the
wilderness stage, most of it not at all beyond. Yet the majority of the
lines they laid down are now literally or substantially parts of more or
less important railway routes. The main line of the Wabash railway of
today, pushed southwestward from the head of Lake Erie, intersects
the line of the old Northern Cross about at Decatur, and follows it
almost foot by foot westward to the Mississippi.
The sound judgment of those green railway builders of 1837 is cur-
iously witnessed by the fact that the line they surveyed and located from
Meredosia to Springfield is followed in detail to this day by the great
railway before mentioned.
One incident I recall witnesses the human quality of that day not a
wdiit different from that of our day. As surveyed by Engineer Bucklin
under the official supervision of Commissioner McConnel, the railway
line passed along the northern verge of the village of Jacksonville, pre-
cisely where the line of the Wabash now passes. But certain of Commis-
sioner McConnel's townsmen insisted that this was because McConnel
"owned property on that side of towm," and they were highly indignant
that he was thus benefiting himself. "The whole town," they said,
"should be benefited by locating the road right through the middle of
town, along State street and through the public square !"
"Why! bless you," said McConnel, though he may not have used the
word "bless," but its next door neighbor on the theory that "extremes
meet," — "the engineers did not know I owned any property when they
located the line. You can have it on State street if you wish and see
how you like it."
And so, to the disgust of the engineers two long transverse curves
were interjected into an otherwise straight road, turning it into West
State street over the ground where the high school now stands, and send-
ing along the chief street and through the central square of the town,
the locomotives belching their smoke in the aristocratic front windows
of Col, John J. Hardin as the road left State street on the eastern
verge of town and went back again to the surveyed line.
The indignant citizens who thought they should share in a "graft"
that existed only in their imaginations, were glad enough to get the
15.2
track back again on the survey ten years later after the sale to '.
but none of them ever made public acknowledgement that the Commis-
sioner and the engineers were in the right from the first.
Once more let me remark that the fact that along these fifty-five miles
of road the line of today follows foot by foot the survey of seventy years
ago, is no small testimony to the sagacity, the foresight, the sincerity,
the intelligence of the men who established these lines when there was
yet no historic past in railway building by which they could guide their
footsteps. They broke a way for civilization in the Mississippi valley,
and a way whose fashion was yet wholly new to mankind.
153
FAMOUS MEN I HAVE KNOWN IN THE MILITARY TRACT.
By William T. Davidson.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — Permit a personal explanation
of my relation to this subject. I was taken to Lewistown by my family
when I was eighteen months old, in 1838. My father, as a minor official,
was a good deal about the court house in those days during the circuit
court terms. As a frail little chap I was much with him during court
and from my fifth year was permitted very often to stand or sit near
the presiding judge, the first of whom was Judge Stephen A. Douglas.
From childhood 1 was thrilled by oratory rather than music or painting;
so I ever haunted the court house to hear the mighty men of the Illinois
bar who traveled the circuit sixty to seventy years ago. In 1844 my
older brother, the late James M. Davidson, of the Carthage Republican,
became a publisher and an editor, and thus I came in touch with the
types, and ink, and exchanges, and so conversant with the shop talk
relating to politicians and the prominant Whigs and Democrats of that
time. In- 1852 I belonged to a quartette of singers who attended all
the democratic rallies in our section of the military tract for Franklin
Pierce. The following April I entered a printing office as "devil" and
was helping to "edit" the paper the next week. In 1855 I became as-
sociated with the Fulton Democrat at Lewistown. Three years later I
became its sole editor and proprietor, as I am today.
Thus from childhood I have been in close touch with the prominent
men of Illinois, particularly those of the military tract, a few of whom
I shall reverently, lovingly and briefly allude to in this paper.
Edward Dickinson Baker (the famed "Silver-tongued Ned Baker").
First of all I remember him as the most dashing and brilliant young
orator who ever appeared in our court house. He was born in London.
England, in 1811, and early in the thirties was reading law and entering
upon its practice in this city of Springfield. Here in 1837 he was
elected to the Legislature, in 1840 to the State Senate, in 1X11 to Con-
gress. During these later years he was following- Douelas and Lincoln
about the court circuits, appearing in Lewistown in many court terms up
to the Mexican war, when he raised a regiment in this Springfield coun-
try and in the military tract. From my sixth or seventh year I vividly
recall that splendid specimen of young manhood as he appeared in the
old court house, always crowded by the people of the county to meet
154
their favorite party leaders and to feast upon their oratory. But Ned
Baker was in a class by himself. If he only spoke for five minutes to
the court on some point of law, the crowded court room was all atten-
tion. But if in a murder case he spoke for hours, his audience was
thrilled to the verge of collapse. Two-thirds of a century has passed,
but I can see that straight, lithe, graceful, blond youth as he swayed
his audience, jurors, the bar and even the judge upon the bench, with
the music of his voice, his word pictures, his irresistable logic and illus-
trations, and the unconscious, spontaneous, prefervid oratory that come
as fresh to me as when a child, like the musk of the ancient queen that
fills her apartments an age since she is dead. Glorious Ned Baker, who
led our Illinois troops from victory to victory in Mexico, and, while an
United States Senator from Oregon, was shot dead at Balls Bluff, in
1861, while leading a brigade in that heroic battle for the Union.
James Shields, the distinguished orator and soldier, was often in our
town before and after the Mexican war in which he won, with Marshal
Nov. the soubrequet of "Bravest of the brave."' He was elected United
States Senator as a Democrat from three different states — Oregon, Min-
nesota and Missouri, an honor achieved by no other American citizen.
He was also a conspicuous and brilliant general in our Civil war and
held many distinguished posts of honor in our civil service. I recall as
if it were yesterday his strong, fine, impressive Irish face and oratory
as he spoke in our old court house of the achievements of the Illinois
soldiers in the Mexican war.
Peter Cartwright was often a guest at my father's home, both in
Petersburg and Lewistown, ever the Methodist preacher's hotel. In
1856 the Illinois Methodist Conference was held in our village. I had
been absent some weeks, but suddenly went home on a steamer from
Peoria to Liverpool, and walked thence on a dark night ten miles to
my home in Lewistown. I thought I would give my people the surprise
of their lives by slipping into our always unlocked home, going to my
room, and having them find me in my own bed next morning. All went
well in the midnight darkness as I entered the house and was softly
walking to my bedroom. But I struck a heavy satchel lying on the floor
and down I went like a hod full of brick.
"What in God's name has broken loose?" howled the hoarsest and
most terrifying voice T had ever heard, and from my bedroom!"
"Oh Peter/' replied a gentle, pleading voice. "It's only someone mov-
ing about the house."
"Say it's a herd of Texas steers on a stampede, and I'll believe you!"
snorted the other.
I knew T was having a nightmare1 or had broken into the wrong house.
pnd wmdd be shot for a burglar. I cot to my feet and made a bolt in
the direction of the door as best T could guess it on" in my terror and the
pitch d'irkness. Agflin I sprawled over the obstruction with a bigger
bang linn before. There was an alarming creaking of the corded bed-
stead— the monster was tumbling out with a louder roar: "Til see!
rt's Sat -in unchained. Whoof!"
155
In the nick of time my mother in her nightrobe opened the door with
a lighted candle in her Hand, i was cowering m a dark corner, she
could not see me. But in tnat sweetest mortal voice i ever heard, she
said :
"It's all right, Uncle Peter, it's only my buy come home."
"lour boy! fearah Ann, its nothing but a mustang pony hitched to
a harrow cavorting around here \"
Peter Cartwright and dear old presiding elder Henry Summers, the
latter as sweet and gentle as a woman, the former a holy cyclone in
pantaloons, both occupying my room and bed. I knew Uncle Peter
fifty-two years ago as a stout, heavily-built man with a head as round as
a base ball. Prom all appearances, he could wear a derby hat put on
any side to the front ana it would ht him perfectly, lie then wore a
rather rusty and close-fitting black suit. He was in an eternal roar of
debate through the conference, stamping up and down the aisle and
swinging his arms like hails at threshing. Morning, noon and night,
mother was sewing up the rips in the back, shoulders and elbows of
Uncle Peters coat. And Peter Cartwright was the greatest and most
successful pioneer minister in the annals of Illinois.
Hezekiah M. Wead was one of the strongest earlier sledge-hammer
lawyers of our Fulton county bar, and very able and effective as a
Democratic speaker, in the early hfties he -was elected circuit judge
and was one of the ablest and most useful men of that time. He after-
wards occupied a high place in the Peoria bar and in that city died,
revered by the bar and judiciary.
William Kellogg located in Canton, also in the early forties, and as
a Whig, and a very brilliant and polished orator, became Judge Wead's
friendly but ever-active opponent politically and as an attorney. Mr.
Kellogg followed Judge Wead as circuit judge in the Pulton circuit
court, retiring to enter Congress in 185 T where he served three terms,
closing his brilliant and distinguished congressional career in 1863,
when he followed his earlier competitor to Peoria where he died full
of honors and midst the lamentations of all who knew him. He was
one of the handsomest men I ever knew, and among the most forceful,
brilliant, and effective orators. There is one event in Judge Kellogg's
public life that is known to few. He was Abraham Lincoln's closest
friend and adviser from the birth of the Eepublican party until Judge
Kellogg quit Congress. They were in frequent correspondence during
the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, and during the presidential cam-
paign of 1860, and many of Mr. Lincoln's letters to him are still pre-
served by one of Judge Kellogg's daughters. It will be recalled that
after Mr. Lincoln's election and previous to his inauguration, many
plans of compromise were submitted to Congress to heal the breach be-
tween the sections of the Union, each in its turn to meet ignominious
defeat. Among these were a very able set of resolutions presented by
Judge Kellogg and for which he made one of the very great speeches
of that Congress, ever memorable for the mighty forensic debates that
characterized both houses. At the close of Judge Kellogg's speech,
General John A. MeClernand, then Democratic member for your Spring-
field district, arose and complimented his Republican colleague from
Illinois upon the able, just and patriotic tenor of his resolutions, in-
ferring that, because of Judge Kellogg's close personal relations with
the president elect the compromise resolutions certainly were "inspired"
and therefore were of transcendant importance as voicing the views
and wishes of the coming administration. Judge Kellogg courteously
interrupted General MeClernand, (as the Congressional record shows)
with the declaration that he (Kellogg) was absolutely alone in the
preparation of that plan of compromise — was alone responsible for its
presentation to Congress. And yet I have the highest authority for the
statement that this plan of compromise was suggested by Mr. Lincoln
in all its terms. .
Establishing this interesting fact, the following autograph letter is
still in the possession of one of Judge Kellogg's daughters:
"Springfield, III., December 11, 1860.
"Hon. Williavi Kellogg:
My Dear Sir — Entertain no proposition for a compromise in regard to the
extension of slavery. The instant you do, they have us under again; all our
labor is lost, and sooner or later must be done over. Douglas is said to be
again trying to swing (or ring) in his 'Pop Sov.' Have none of it. The tug
has to come and better now than later.
"You know I think the fugitive slave clause of the Constitution ought to
be enforced — to put it in the mildest form, ought not to be resisted. In haste,
"Yours as ever,
"A. Lincoln."
The Kellogg plan of compromise, like all other suggestions to that
end, was howled down by the radicals in Congress with fierce denuncia-
tions of their author. Mr. Lincoln promptly notified Judge Kellogg
that he would assume responsibility for this plan of compromise and
face the radicals with the fact at any cost. But the equally great-souled
Kellogg assumed the sole responsibility in his reply to General Me-
Clernand— sacrificed himself — went to the staki — gave up forever his
political lil'< — rather than permit the great President-elect to become
the target of popular denunciation and abuse that might have disrupted
the Eepublican party and assured the success of secession and the down-
fall of the Eepublic.
Colonel Lewis W. Koss was the son of Ossian M. Ross who came From
New York to the site of Lewistown in 1821, who laid out and organized
Fulton county and Lewistown as its county sent in L823, the town being
named Lewistown for the son. Colonel Ross was educated at Jackson-
ville College and became one of our earliest and most distinguished
attorneys and Democratic politicians. He was a popular officer in the
Mexican war, was a member of the Legislature several times, was one of
the distinguished and broad-minded members of our last Slate consti-
tutional convention, and served two terms in Congress during the Civil
war with greal ho • to his constitutents and the Shite of Illinois. He
was a fine lawyer, an impassioned orator and one of the greatest and
most highly honored men of the military tract.
157
General Leonard F. Ross, a younger brother of Lewis W., was born
in Lewistown in 1823 and was a brilliant and intrepid commander both in
the Mexican and Civil wars. He preferred the vocation of the farmer
and raiser of fine stock to politics or the legal profession. A more
widely-known or more highly-honored or more useful citizen never was
produced in the Military Tract.
William C. Goiulv came to Lewistown in the forties, a penniless school
teacher from the east, and here he studied law under Judge Wead, ulti-
mately locating in Chicago where he became the ablest lawyer in that
city and of national renown. He was peculiar as a cold and unimpas-
sioned speaker and was wholly lacking in the power to win warm friends
and admirers, and could not succeed as a politician.
William Pitt Kellogg came to Canton, perhaps in 1856, from the east,
and formed a law partnership with Judge William Kellogg, to whom J
have alluded. There was only a remote relationship between the two.
"Pitt," as he was familiarly known, was a very handsome and elegantly-
d-ressed young man. lie probably was a fair office lawyer, but he de-
spised tlie court room and the drudgery of trying cases. In 1858-60
he would regularly drive to Lewistown during circuit court terms, but
during the sessions spent his time in the Fulton Democrat office or in
his room at the hotel. He had a singular fondness, although himself
a radical Republican, for telling the young editor of the Democrat all
the secret plottings of the Canton Republican leaders and editors —
startling exposures that greatly mystified and annoyed the victims of
Pitt's jokes, for the Democrat gave plenty of space to the stories. Pitt
in all such ways seemed to be indifferent and negligent of every duty as
an attorney or politician. But in I860 he became a Lincoln elector
for our district and held a joint debate with the distinguished S. Corn-
ing Judd. the Douglas elector, in which Mr. Kellogg surprised all who
knew him by the lode wit and power of his speeches. He was. there-
fore, made governor of the territory of Nebraska, and. later on.
reconstruction governor of. and then United States Senator from
Louisiana. In the meantime he became a millionaire and is now living
in Washington City with his boyhood wife, a noble Canton girl of fifty
vears ago. Ex-Senator William Pitt Kellogg is one of the few living
"delegates to the famous Bloomington Convention of 1856 and in which
Mr. Lincoln delivered the celebrated "Lost Speech."
I have also a vivid recollection of the scholarly lawyer and states-
man, 0. H. Browning of Quincv : of that grand pioneer lawyer of Knox-
vill'e, Julius Manning, revered by all pioneers who knew him: the
erratic and brilliant Willhm O'Brien of Peoria, who was a strong and
popular attorney at our court terms — each of them worthy of larger
mention.
Colonel Robert C Ingersoll was a radical Democrat up to the opening
of the war in 1861. having in I860 been Judge Kellogg's unsuccessful
opponent f,,r his seat in Congress. They held joint debates through the
dietrict. and Judge Kellogg more than held his own with tin1 brilliant
and audacious Bob. who never had his superior on the platform of this
158
or any land. Colonel IngersolFs Democratic speeches were the fiercest
and most vicious ever heard on the stump of Illinois. But after his
conversion to Bepublicanism, Bob didn't do anything else for the rest
of his brilliant and remarkable career except to abuse God and the
Democratic party. Yet my friend Colonel Ingersoll was one of the
gentlest and truest of friends, with a heart as sweet and loving as a
woman's.
Judge Chauncey L. Higbee of Pittsfield from early in the Civil war
and for nearly a score of years later presided on the circuit bench in the
old fifth judicial district covering the lower part of the Military Tract,
including Fulton county. He was a very able Democrat of the old. con-
servative school and a very able speaker. But after he became judge he
never permitted himself to take a part in politics, except as he was
nominated for judge in Democratic conventions. After his first term
the Bepublicans declined to nominate a candidate against him. Judge
Higbee was the ablest and most universally adored judge we have
ever had in western Illinois. No man was more universally respected
in this section by men of all parties, even in that time of very bitter
political alignments. When Higbee decided a case, with very rare
exceptions it was accepted by all sides as law and justice. Very seldom
was there an appeal from his decisions — more rarely was he reversed.
No mortal had more devoted friends, but he did not know them on the'
bench. He was not only the just judge, but he was almost infallible in
his decisions. He was very peculiar in having no fear x>f the Supreme
Court, no dread of reversals. Hence he was ever prompt in his decisions.
He could handle more court business in a week than any other judge
I have known could handle in twice the time. He has been dead many
years, but no man is remembered in the Military Tract with sincerer
affection than Judge Chauncey L. Higbee.
These men, and many others of earlier days in the Military Tract
quite worthy of honored mention in this paper, were in the main peculiar
and honored friends of this boy editor who now has no words at his
command to paint them in the glowing colors they deserve.
But in closing I must not fail to speak of a few of our old-time bril-
liant and brave editors of the Military Tract who were to me as older
and beloved brothers.
S. S. Brooks, the boyhood editorial friend of Douglas in Jacksonville
in the early thirties and father to Austin Brooks, sixty years ago the
famous editor of the Quincy Herald, came to Lewistown in 1840 and
here started the Fulton County Ledger which, in 1853, was moved to
Canton and is still edited there by my friend, Hon. S. Y. Thornton, who
lias had the sole control of it for over fifty years.
Austin Brooks was one of the great editors of the Military Tract, fifty
to sixty years ago. His Quincy Herald became1 famous for its warlike
and impetuous attacks upon the Whigs, and later the Bepublican
politicians and editors of that time. Many were the physical combats
that Austin had and stonnv was his editorial career, but he came out
victorious in every battle. In 1860 he was a member of the Illinois
Senate, but resigned his seat in a sudden passion over some partisan
159
question and returned home to make the Quincy Herald a trifle hotter
than before. As I remember at this distant day, the remarkable thing
happened to my friend Austin that he was converted in a Methodist
revival and thereupon lost his grip as a Democratic editor.
Among the other great editors of the Military Tract of that time, all
of them gone to their rest, were:
George W. Scripps, of the Rushville Citizen.
J. Merrick Bush, of the Pike County Democrat.
Zachariah Beatty, of the Knoxville (later Galesburg) Republican.
George W. Raney, who started Peoria's first daily paper, The Herald, in
1853.
Mr. Prickett, of the Peoria Republican.
Enoch Emery, of the Peoria Transcript.
The elder Patterson, of the Oquawka Spectator.
Joseph Sharpe, of the Carthage Gazette.
James M. Davidson, of the Lewistown Gazette in 1844, the Fulton County
Democrat in 1855, and later of the Carthage Republican.
Charles H. Whitaker, of the Macomb Eagle.
Benjamin Hampton of the Macomb By-Stander,
And other very able editors who profoundly impressed upon their con-
stituents their noble citizenship, learning and unspotted patriotism.
These men were Whigs (afterwards Eepublicans) and Democrats, ac-
cording to their varying temperament and environments, each as firm
in his political faith as the crusader in his religious faith. No one of
them had a collegiate education; few of them more than a meagre
acquaintance with the three R's of the "pay" country school. But each
of them had his printing office equipment, and, to any bright and re-
ceptive mind, that is practically a liberal education. That was Horace
Greeley's only equipment, and he was America's very greatest editor.
Very seriously I affirm that the editors named, and scores more of them
in the Military Tract and in Illinois, knew all of the politics of their
time that Lincoln, Douglas, Seward, Trumbull, Toombs, Palmer or
Alexander Stephens knew. They printed the speeches of these statesmen
in full. They knew by heart the famous arguments and epigrams of
each. The yellow old files of their papers today are the wonder of the
average provincial editor of this time with his lazy man's patent sheets
and boiler plates. Local news ! a man had to commit murder, steal a
horse or break his leg to get his name into the paper. Painting barns,
mending chicken-coops, "Sundaying" in some neighboring hamlet —
never a line of it. But the editorial page was ever so bright and virile
as to even challenge debate with the biggest papers in New York and all
the cities; and they wonderfully molded or confirmed public sentiment
among the pioneers as did no other power in the land. Aside from
their political features, the pages reserved for reprint selections blos-
somed weekly like gardens in June with the classical prose and poetry
of that golden age when Longfellow, Lowell, Whittier, George D. Pren-
tice, "Fanny Fern" and N. P. Willis were in their prime. Family ob-
ligations and untoward environments kept these men away from the
great cities and great opportunities that gave the Greeleys. Bennett?. "Ray-
160
monds, Danas, Medills, Storeys and Wattersons their pre-eminence ;
but my brother provincial editors did their part well in developing
Illinois from the wilderness of one hundred years ago into the imperial
commonwealth of today that challenges the wonder and admiration of
every sister state.
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
The fact that you are to have special papers respectively on Lincoln
and Douglas, makes it superfluous for me to allude to them, although I
was in close touch with Douglas, particularly, from 1854 until his death,
and also knew Mr. Lincoln only a little less familiarly. But since above
paper was written, the following item relating to this honored Historical
Society has come to my notice:
"A special volume will be issued by tbe library commemorating tbe semi-
centennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. This will consist' of the debates
themselves, of historical material explanatory of the times, of the two great
contestants, and of reprints of interesting documents relating to the debates
and the times, photographs and maps illustrative of the subject matter. The
book will be handsomely printed and bound, and a very large edition will be
printed. The book will be edited by Dr. Edwin Erie Sparks, and the editor
hopes to have it ready for distribution in a very short time."
I fear that our honored Illinoisan, former Vice President Stevenson,
who addresses this society tomorrow night on Douglas, may not be aware
of the important fact I beg permission to lay before you. I have little
doubt that it will be a new and valuable addition to the side-lights of
that great debate. In the files of my humble paper, the Fulton County
Democrat, in its issue of June 23, 1860, I find tin's letter from Senator
Douglas :
(From The Fulton Democrat of June 23, 18G0.)
THE DOUGLAS AND LINCOLN DEBATES.
Letter from Mr. Douglas.
The Ohio Statesman, printed at Columbus, Ohio, has published the follow-
ing important letter addressed by Mr. Douglas to the publishers of the
"Douglas and Lincoln Debates:"
Washington, June 9, 18(30.
Gentlemen — I have received by the express one dozen copies of your pub-
lication of the joint debates between Mr. Lincoln and myself in 1858, sent
by the order of Mr. Cox, who will pay you the amount of your bill. I feel it
my duty to protest against the unfairness of this publication, and especially
against the alterations and mutilations in the reports as published in the
Chicago Times, which, although intended to be fair and just, were necessarily
imperfect, and in some respects erroneous.
The speeches were all delivered in the open air, to immense crowds of peo-
ple, and in some instances in stormy and boisterous weather, when it was
impossible for the-reporters to hear distinctly and report literally. The re-
ports of my speeches were not submitted to me or any friend of mine for
inspection or corroboration before publication; nor did I have the opportunity
of reading more than one or two of them afterwards, until the election was
over, and all interest in the subject had passed away.
In short, I regard your publication as partial and unfair, and designed to
do me injustice, by placing me in a false position. I saw in the preface to
the first edition of your publication, which is omitted in the copy sent to
me, a correspondence between Mr. Lincoln and the Ohio Republican commit-
tee, from which it appears that Mr. Lincoln furnished his speeches and mine
for publication — his in the revised and corrected form, and mine as they
came from the hand of the reporter, without revision. Being thus notified
that his speeches had been revised and corrected, this fact ought to have re-
minded you that common fairness and justice required that I should have an
opportunity of revising and correcting mine. But to deny me that privilege,
and then to change and mutilate the reports as they appeared in the news-
papers from which they were taken, is an act of injustice against which I
must he permitted to enter my protest. In order that the injustice which you
have done me may be in some degree diminished, I respectfully request that
this letter, together with the correspondence between Mr. Lincoln and the
committee, which led to the publication, may be inserted as a preface to all
future editions of these debates.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedient servant,
S. A. Douglas.
Messrs. Follet, Foster & Co., Columbus, Ohio.
I call your attention to these facts : The "Debates" were printed as a
partisan campaign document; first, to aid in Mr. Lincoln's nomination
for the presidency, and then to aid in his election over Senator Douglas.
It was printed in vast numbers in cheap and crude pamphlet form for
free circulation by an obscure job printing firm in Columbus, Ohio,
weeks or months before Mr. Lincoln was nominated at Chicago, as the
date of above letter shows. It could not have been expected in the
heated partisan campaign of 1860, nor even in any milder campaign
of recent years, that a Bepublican or Democratic campaign committee
would go out of its way to help, or even do justice to an opponent. As
"campaign literature," if honestly labeled, I would not object to the
only text available of those great debates. But to embalm the Columbus
version of them as history, the soul of fair play and truth must revolt
against it.
I would not take one star from the deathless diadem of Abraham
Lincoln. His was the gentlest, sweetest, truest soul the earth has known
since Christ. His fame fills all civilized lands and grows brighter with
the fleeting years.
I am only courteously asking this great and honored Illinois His-
torical Society to grant to the dead Douglas the fair play and justice
he implored in vain forty-eight years ago; that your beautiful edition of
the "Lincoln-Douglas Debates" shall bear as a preface the above courtly
letter from one of Illinois' noblest sons and one of the nation's very
ureal est statesmen and patriots.
-11 H S
162
ELIAS KENT KANE.
[United States Senator from Illinois, and Author of its First Constitution.]
By Henry Barrett Chamberlin.
In old Kaskaskia, the first capital, and the abiding place of seven
state makers whose names have heen given to as many counties, rest
the mortal remains of him whoso influence upon the commonwealth
was most pronounced. A graduate of Yale, he brought culture to a
pioneer community. An able lawyer, he played a most prominent part
in its formative political movements and gave dignity to the bench as
judge of the territorial circuit court. As a member of the first consti-
tutional convention, he is credited with the authorship of the basic law
and was influential in dictating the thought and the policy of Illinois as
a territory and for many years after it had reached statehood. As first
Secretary of State, he left his impress upon the administration of Gov-
ernor Bond to the advantage of the people. As a member of the upper
house of the General Assembly, he was a factor in determining legisla-
tion. As a Senator of the United States, his concise, accurate quality of
mind commanded respect and attention from a body including such
men as Benton of Missouri, Randolph of Virginia, Hayne of South
Carolina, Johnson of Kentucky, Cobb of Georgia, Calhoun of South
Carolina and Webster of Massachusetts. He was associated with and
held the respect of John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay,
Eoger B. Taney, Levi Woodbury, John H. Eaton, Amos Kendall, B.
F. Butler and Lewis Cass. He was one of the really great representative
men of his time, and the prestige of Illinois was enhanced because of his
service to her people.
Elias Kent Kane, United States Senator from Illinois, was the
youngest son of Captain John Kane, in his youth, an Irish sailor, after-
wards a successful and wealthy merchant until his business was ruined
by the war of 1812. The family connections were of the best, including
such well known personages of the Empire state as the great Chancellor
James Kent, whose name the senator bore, the Van Rensselaers, the Mor-
rises and the Yateses. Elisha Kent Kane, the famous Arctic explorer,
was a cousin, though of a younger generation, his lather having been a
college mate of the senator. The exact date of Elias Kent Kane's birth
is still a matter of dispute, the latest authority upon that subject, George
W. Smith, giving it as 1794. In an address before the Illinois State
Bar Association, January 24, 1895, Mr. Smith quoted a letter written by
163
a cousin of Senator Kane dated at Yale College, April 28, 1814, also
another letter dated at Albany, September 20, 1814, from the senator's
father and addressed to him at Kaskaskia, Tennessee, in support of his
contention that the birth year of the senator was 1794, and not 1786,
1791 or 1796, as has been variously stated.
Elias Kent Kane was graduated from Yale in 1812. At this time
his father and his uncles were extensive merchants at New York wTith
branch stores at Utica, Whitesboro and Albany. They were all educated
men and possessed of ample means. Elias, after graduation, prompted
by a spirit of adventure and enterprise, mingled with political ambition,
left his comfortable home on the Hudson and turned his face toward
the territory of Illinois. In 1813 or 1814, he appears to have reached
Tennessee, but the period of his residence there was short, and as early
as 1814 he located at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the Territory of
Illinois and the metropolis of the upper Mississippi valley for half a
century.
When the young Yale graduate arrived at Kaskaskia. the town,
originally a French-Indian village, had already assumed a decidedly
American aspect. ' The second war with Great Britain was well on.
The British forces had taken Detroit and Mackinaw, and their Pottawat-
tomie Indian allies from the St. Joseph, Calumet, Kankakee, DuPage
and Illinois rivers, had massacred many Tvdiites and burned Fort Pear-
born, at the present site of Chicago. Ninian Edwards, at one time chief
justice of the court of appeals in Kentucky, was the territorial governor.
The pre-emption act for Illinois had been passed by Congress and Kane
took an immediately active part in affairs in his new home.
He was considered a son of Illinois when Fort Dearborn was rebuilt
in 1816, the same year that the law was enacted establishing banks at
Shawneetown and Edwardsville. He saw the first steamboat, the General
Pike, which ascended the Mississippi river above Cairo, and was active
in politics when — April 18, 1818 — Congress passed the act enabling the
people of Illinois to form a constitution. In August of the same year
the constitutional convention, which had been elected in July, adopted
and proclaimed a constitution.
The population had been increasing rapidly and the territorial Legis-
lature, when in session at Kaskaskia during January of 1818, prepared
and sent to Nathaniel Pope, delegate in Congress and one of the seven
Kaskaskians having counties named for them — the others being Ninian
Edwards, territorial governor and afterward Governor of the State ;
Shadrach Bond, first Governor of Illinois as a State; John Edgar, in
whose house Lafayette was entertained; Daniel P. Cook, member of
Congress; Peter Menard, first lieutenant governor, and Elias Kent
Kane — a petition praying for the admission of Illinois into the Union
on an equal footing with the original states.
The petition was presented, and in time the Committee on Territories
reported a bill for the admission of Illinois with a population of 40,000.
This was considered a very audacious proceeding, for the ordinance of
1787 required a population of at least 60,000. Mr. Pope, however,
was a shrewd and able statesman, and not only succeeded in carrying his
164
point regarding the mere admission of the territory as a State, but also
succeeded in amending several important features of the bill as it came
from the committee. He was a man of great foresight : he saw the future
of the State and he worked to make possible the ureal commonwealth of
the present day.
One of his amendments contemplated the extension of the northern
boundary of the State to the parallel of forty-two degrees, thirty minutes
north latitude. The fifth section of the ordinance of 1781 required that
at least three states should be formed from the northwest territory.
The section denned the boundary of the western states as the Mississippi
river, the Ohio and the Wabash and a line running due north from
Vincennes to Canada. This included the present states of Wisconsin
and Illinois. There was a proviso, however, which said "'that if the
Congress shad hereafter find it expedient they shall have authority to
form one- or two states in that part of said territory which lies north
of an east and west line drawn through the southern bend of Lake
Michigan."
The line of forty-two degrees, thirty minutes extended the boundary
line fifty miles farther north and enabled the state to secure a part of
the coast of Lake Michigan. Had it not been for the vigilance of
Nathaniel Pope the city of Chicago would have been the metropolis of
Wisconsin ami Milwaukee would not have had the proud distinction of
being the commercial capital of the Badger state. Not only that, Illi-
nois would have missed the northern terminus >d' the Illinois and
Michigan canal and the lead mines of Galena, for all of them come
within the extension secured by the finesse of Mr. Pope. It was. how-
ever, upon the language of the ordinance of 1787, which was declared
a compact to remain unalterable forever, that Wisconsin afterward
based hei' claim to the fourteen northern counties of Illinois — Jo Daviess,
Stephenson, Winnebago. Boone, McHenry, Lake. Carroll, DeKalb. Kane,
DuP'age, Whiteside, Cook, Ogle and Lee. To Nathaniel Pope the people
of Illinois owe a debt of gratitude. An able lawyer, he was the soul
of integrity in his official relations and ever faithful to bis trusts. He
was one time secretary of the territory and in 1816 was elected delegate
to Congress. After procuring the enabling act for the admission of
Illinois as a State, be was appointed United States district judge, in
which capacity he served lor many years, his residence being Springfield.
He died in 1870.
Judge Pope foresaw the possibilities. His amendment made Illinois
fbc key in the western arch of states. The southern extremity pene-
trated far between the slave states down to the Mississippi, affording
an outlet to the null' all the year; she was skirted with hundreds of
miles of navigable rivers on either side. Given a fair coast on the lake,
she was enabled to unite her interests, through the strong bonds of trade
and commerce, with the north and east. Thus bound to the north and
south in hei- geographical position, she lias ever been enabled to exert
a controlling influence upon the nation.
165
'The question of the northern boundary agitated the people- of the
section concerned for many years. It entered into their political con-
flicts and exercised a most important influence upon their local affairs.
Many of the settlers condemned this striking departure, which fixed the
boundary line fifty miles farther north than the ordinance of 1787.
Boundary meetings at various places in the fourteen counties were held
from time to time showing that the feeling was deep and widespread.
One important meeting, largely attended, was held at Oregon City,
January 22, 1842, the purpose of the people being to transfer their al-
legiance to Wisconsin or carve out a commonwealth for themselves. Tins
resolution was adopted :
"Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting that part of the northern
territory which lies north of an east and west line through the southerly
bend or extreme of Lake Michigan belongs to and of right ought to be a
part of the- state or states which have been or may be formed north of said
line."
Wisconsin was si ill a territory; the people favorable to her preten-
sions resolved further that the ordinance of 1787 could not be altered
or changed without the consent of the people of the original states and
of the northwest territory ; that as part of the people of the
territory they would not so consent; that the lines designated in the
ordinance were better suited to the geographical situation and local
interests of their region ; that they were decidedly opposed to placing
any of the territory north of the line within the jurisdiction of a state
south of it; that they recommended the legislature of Wisconsin to apply
for admission to the union, claiming the line of the ordinance as their
southern boundary; that they disclaimed any intention to absolve them-
selves from any pecuniary responsibility created by the Legislature of
Illinois on account of the internal improvements, etc.
The resolution being unanimously adopted, a committee of nine was
appointed to proceed to Madison, with full power to consult with the
governor and the legislature of the territory of Wisconsin. Governor
Doty and the legislature gave the committee their assurance of hearty
cooperation in petitioning Congress toward the end of the view. Noth-
ing, however, came of all the clamor. The essential point was whether
the Acts of the Congress of the confederate states are of such binding
force that a Congress of the United States cannot amend or annul
them — whether the former possessed a higher power than the latter.
When the first constitutional convention of Illinois was assembled ;il
Kaskaskia in July. 1818. the counties represented were: St. Clair.
Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson. Edwards, White, Monroe, Pope.
Jackson. Crawford. Bond. Union, Washington and Franklin. Jesse B.
Thomas was chosen president and William C. Greenup secretary of the
convention, but to Elias Kent Kane the delegates looked for advice. He
had been a judge of the territory by virtue of an appointment from
the President of the United States, and was one of the five lawyers
among the delegates. His ability and learning were recognized, and he
had been in cases where he opposed Webster, Clay and other of the grcaf
166
legal luminaries of the day. He was perhaps the chief spirit in the fram-
ing of the constitution, and is credited with stamping the document with
many excellencies.
The constitution was not submitted to the people for their approval
cr rejection. The people had very little to do with the election -of
officers under its provisions and could vote only for governor, members
of the General Assembly, sheriffs and coroners. The trainers of the
constitution evidently did not trust the people to any considerable ex-
tent. The people had nothing to say with reference to the appointment
of their judges, supreme, circuit or probate. They could not elect their
prosecuting attorneys,- county or circuit clerks, recorders or justices
of the peace. The appointment of nearly every officer of the State was
vested in the General Assembly, and that body was not slow to avail
itself of the powers conferred, to the very fullest extent. Here is the
language of the appointing power: ."An Auditor of public accounts,
an attorney general, and such other officers of the state as may be neces-
sary may be appointed by the General Assembly, whose duties may be
regulated by law." It was a question for many years as to what consti-
tuted an officer of the State.
From time to time the governors were permitted to appoint State's
attorneys, recorders, State commissioners, bank directors and the like,
but the legislators finally took over all these appointments. Now and
then, when in full political accord, a governor would be given consider-
able appointing power, to be shorn of it by a succeeding Legislature.
In the administration of Governor Duncan, who had broken away from
Jackson and the dominant party, he was stripped of all patronage and
his appointing power confined to notaries public and public adminis- .
trators.
Those days were the days of place hunters and the chief occupation
of the members of the General Assembly was to pacify the hordes of
office seekers. Intrigues, corruption for place and power and the game
below the surface were the order of the day. It was a situation which
would warm the cockles of the heart of any gray wolf. Politics as
played today is simply angelic compared to the days when the times were
good for the grafter under the first constitution.
The Governor did not have the veto power in those days, but he,
with the four judges of the Supreme Court, revised all bill- passed by the
Genera] Assembly before they became laws. For this purpose the judges
were required to attend the sessions of the Legislature without compen-
sation. This scheme was a good one in a way. It lessened litigation,
for the validity of all laws was decided in advance.
This constitution was the first organic law of any state to abolish
imprisonment for debt. It did not prohibit the legislature from grant-
ing divorces, and this was a fruitful source of legislation, as the old
statutes will abundantly testify. Against the advice of Kane, this and
other features, which were afterward cured, became the law of the new
state. Perhaps its worst feature was the lack of limitation against the
legislature loaning or pledging the credit and faith of the state in aid
Iu7
of any public or private enterprise. Because of this the state was re-
peatedly connected with banking schemes, undertook a vast system of in-
ternal improvements in 1837, and finally became so harassed and in-
volved that repudiation was openly advocated and became an issue which
narrowly escaped ruining the credit and good faith of the common-
wealth.
All this, however, was not the fault of Kane. He did all that man
could to make the constitution a safe-guard and was credited with fram-
ing the really good sections as well as combating the adoption of those
clauses which afterward worked to the disadvantage of the people.
One of the interesting incidents of the first constitutional conten-
tion is told by Governor Ford. "During the sitting of the convention,
the Eeverend Mr. Wiley and congregation of a sect called Covenanters,
in Eandolph county, sent in their petition asking that body to declare
in the constitution that 'Jesus Christ was the head of .the government
and that the Holy Scriptures were the only rule of faith and practice/
The petition was not given much attention, whereupon the Covenanters
refused to recognize the state government and declared it to be a ^heathen
and unbaptized government.' For a long time they refused to vote,
and did not until 1824, when the question was whether Illinois should
be made a slave State. Then they voted for the first time against
slavery. Before that time they constantly refused to work the roads,
serve on juries, hold office or do any act which might be construed as a
recognition of the government of the State.
On the seventeenth of September, 1818, was held the first election
for State officers. October 5 of the same year the first General Assembly
. met at Kaskaskia, and on the day following Shadrach Bond was inaugur-
ated as the first governor. By gubernatorial appointment, Judge Kane
became the first Secretary of the State and was an able assistant to the
new Governor, a man without school training. In 1819 the Legislature
provided for the selection of a new capital, and in 1820 removed the
State office to Vandalia. The political pot began to boil at a lively rate.
The Legislature chartered the State Bank of Illinois in 1821 and the
financial condition became so bad that in 1823 a resolution was passed
by the General Assembly calling a constitutional convention. It was in
December of this year that the State House was destroyed by fire.
It was on August 2, 1824, that the pro-slavery men attempted to call a
convention to amend the constitution. The ordinance of 1787 prohibited
slavery or involutary servitude in the northwest territory, but the deed
of cession from Virginia, executed in 1784, provided that the inhabi-
tants who had been Virginia citizens should have their possessions and
titles confirmed to them. It was early contended that the deed of cession
from Virginia guaranteed to the holders of slaves a right of property
in them. Article six of the constitution of 1818, which provided that
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude should be introduced in the
State, tacitly recognized the rights of the slave holders, resident of Illi-
nois at the time. But this was not sufficient for the pro-slavery men.
They wished to make possible the recognition of slavery as an institution
1G8
in the State. They controlled the Legislature and succeeded in having
adopted a resolution authorizing a constitutional convention. But under
the constitution the vote of the people on the convention resolution could
not take place until the following election for members of the General
Assembly, a period of eighteen months. This gave ample time for dis-
cussion and both parties threw themselves into the contest with vigor.
Not only the leaders, but the rank and file of the people entered into the
struggle. Governor Ford says:
"The anti-convention party established newspapers to oppose the conven-
tion, one at Shawneetown, edited by Henry Eddy; one at Edwardsville, edited
by Hooper Warren, with Governor Coles, Thomas Lippincott, George Churchill
and Judge Lockwood for its principal contributors; and finally, one at Van-
dalia, edited by David Blackwell, the Secretary of State. The slave party had
established a newspaper at Kaskaskia, under the direction of Mr. Kane and
Chief Justice Reynolds; and one at Edwardsville, edited by Judge Smith;
and both parties prepared to appeal to the interests, the passions and the
intelligence of the people. The contest was mixed up with much personal
abuse; and now was poured forth a perfect lava of detraction, which, if it
were not for the knowledge of the people that such matters are generally
false or greatly exaggerated, would have overwhelmed and consumed all
men's reputations. * * * The principal partisans in favor of a convention
were Judges Phillips, Brown and John Reynolds, Jesse B. Thomas and Gover-
nor Edwards, our senators in congress. Lieutenant Governor Kinney, Judge
Smith, Chief Justice Thomas Reynolds, John McLean, Judge McRoberts,
Governor Bond and Elias K. Kane. And the principal men opposed to a
convention and slavery were Morris Birkbeck, Governor Coles, Daniel P. Cook,
our member of congress, David Blackwell, George Churchill, Samuel D. Lock-
wood, Thomas Lippincott, Hooper Warren, George Forquer, Thomas Mather
and Henry Eddy. The odds in the array of great names seemed to be in
favor of the convention party. The question of slavery was thoroughly dis-
cussed. The people took an undivided and absorbing interest in it; they
were made to understand it completely; and as this was long before the
Abolition excitement of modern times, the introduction of slavery was re-
sisted, not so much upon the ground of opposition to it in general, as sim-
ply upon the grounds of policy and expediency. The people decided, by
about 2,000 majority, in favor of a free state."
The attempt to introduce slavery into Illinois was not afterward re-
vived to the extent of trying to make it constitutional provision, although
the pro-slavery people were a wonderful factor in politics and remained
strong until the time of the civil war. They demonstrated their strength
by electing Elias Kent Kane, one of the principal leaders of the de-
feated convention movement. United States Senator, November 30,
1824, for the term commencing March -I. 1825, and terminating March
3, 1831, to succeed Senator McLean.
Senator Kane's attitude toward slavery may have 'been somewhat de-
termined by his marriage to Felicite Peltier, a woman of French ex-
traction and an owner of slaves. It is certain that the first constitution,
framed largely by him, showed a spirit of sympathy with free institu-
tions quite at variance with the part he played in the later convention
movement.
At the tii »f Senator Kane'- election, Senator McLean was a can-
didate for the long term. He had 1 o elected i<> serve the three months'
unexpired term of Senator Edwards and. confidenl of his re-election, had
169
departed fur Washington but seven days before the Legislature acted.
But a new candidate appeared in the field and after a protracted struggle
Senator McLean failed to succeed himself, and Elias Kent Kane was
elected. This was on the tenth ballot, when Kane received twenty-eight
votes and Samuel D. Lockwood, the next highest, twenty-three votes.
Senator Kane took his seat March 1, 1825, and on that day he wrote
to his wife : "Whilst the whole world seems to have pressed into the
capital to hear John Quincy Adams make his inaugural speech, I have re-
tired to the Senate chamber."
If 1794 be accepted as the date of his birth, Senator Kane was at
this time but thirty-one years of age and therefore one of the youngest
men to have won the toga. The late Senator Bryan, appointed by Gov-
ernor Broward of Florida to complete the unexpired term of Stephen
E. Mallory, and who was thirty-two years old, has been described as the
youngest man to enter the senate since Henry Clay, but it is a distinction
which he must perhaps yield to his predecessor from Illinois.
The records of the senate show that Senator Kane was an active
member. He was an accurate thinker, and although his speeches indicate
no nights of oratory, he was earnest and eloquent. A man of good judg-
ment, kindly, courteous, and in debates at times when party spirit rau
high, he was not drawn into acrimonious discussion and personalities.
December 11, 1830, he was re-elected to the senate by the General As-
sembly on the first ballot, J. M. Robinson, his principal opponent, receiv-
ing six votes. Before the expiration of his second term his health,
which had long been poor, gave way, and he died at Washington, De-
cember 12, 1835. The National Intelligencer of the fourteenth of the
same month had this editorial comment concerning him :
"It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce the decease
of another member of the national legislature, being the third whose
departure from life we have been called upon to deplore within the brief
space of five days after the assembling of congress. Honorable Elias
Kent Kane, a senator from the State of Illinois, expired at the residence
of his father in this city Friday last, after a severe illness of a few days,
aged forty-three years. He was an urbane and amiable gentleman,
estimable in his domestic and social relations and a useful and respected
member of the senate, in which elevated body he had held a seat for ten
years, the strongest proof of the high respect in which he Avas held by
his fellow citizens at home."
His funeral was held in the old senate chamber, now the Supreme
Court, and was attended by the President and heads of departments.
The committee of arrangements consisted of Senators Benton of Mis-
souri, Clayton of Delaware, Hendricks of Indiana, Crittendon of Ken-
tucky and Wright of New York.
In the dedication of the first volume of the reports of the Supreme
Court of Illinois, known as "Breese," the author, Judge Sidney Breese,
afterward to sit in the seat occupied by Senator Kane in the Senate,
speaks of him as his early legal instructor and friend, "one who had
always held the first rank at the bar of the State," and one with whom
he had been associated in the practice of an honorable profession for
170
several years; who had never proved deficient in answering any require-
ments that had been made upon his abilities and against whose integrity
as a man and a lawyer no imputation had ever been made.
Governor Thomas Ford, noted for the bitterness and scathing quality
of his writings, says of him in his history of Illinois : "His talents were
both solid and brilliant." Says George W. Smith: "Tall, florid, of a
kindly expression, scholarly and affable, Mr. Kane was deservedly pop-
ular, even to the degree of commanding the support of his political ene-
mies. For the lawyer, legislator and man let there be a revival of recol-
lection, and to his memory let further honor be given."
171
EARLY ILLINOIS RAILROADS.
The Place of the Illinois Central Railroad in Illinois History
Prior to the Civil War.
By Howard G. Bronson, Ph. D.
From the time of LaSalle and the early French traders down to the
present the history of Illinois, in both its political and social aspects,
has been closely connected with the economic development of the State.
The peculiar geographic location of the commonwealth, the growth of
certain industries, the extension of commerce and trade, and, above all,
the creation of adequate means of inland transportation have left a deep
impress on the thought of the people, their social customs and even their
attitude towards political movements. Likewise, these conditions of
thought, custom and politics have affected the industrial growth of the
community.
In this interplay of economic, social and political influences the ques-
tion of internal transportation has held first place among the many
problems confronting the people in the long period from 1830 to the
. close of the Granger agitation. A glance at the map shows that while
Illinois is practically encircled by natural waterways, the interior of the
State, which is by far the most fertile portion, is without means of
transportation except that provided by man. Before the introduction of
the railroad the central counties such as Coles, McLean, Macon and
Champaign, were practically isolated from the remainder of the country
and were entirely dependent upon the local highways for any communi-
cation with the outside world.
The condition of these early country roads was wretched to an extent
almost beyond description. There were a few old corduroy roads and
three or four government turnpikes, but they were short and ill kept.
Elsewhere, former Indian trails or newly made section roads were the
only semblances of highways that existed. In summer these roads were
little better than the surrounding prairies, often worse; in winter they
were mere mud holes. Fortunate, indeed, was the traveler who was not
compelled to help pry the coach out of the deep mud or wait until morn-
ing for a yoke of oxen to pull him out of some worse than ordinary
172
slough. Mails were often delayed and, during the winter storms and
spring rains, not only farm houses, but even large towns were entirely
isolated. Moreover, the State had shown itself utterly unable to remedy
these evils. The statute books were covered with enactments declaring
certain trails or mud roads public turnpikes, but even a sovereign state
cannot legislate a mud hole into a turnpike Charters, almost without
number, were granted private corporations, but without tangible results
of any importance.1 Local enterprise was equally fruitless and the
efforts of the counties to improve the public roads had generally failed.
This absence of good highway Facilities greatly retarded the economic
development of the State and especially the central portion. The cost
of carrying freight over ordinary country roads or even on well-built
highways under the most favorable circumstances is very great.2 On
such roads as existed in Illinois prior to the civil war the expense of
moving heavy freight for any distance was practically prohibitive and
ten to twenty miles was as far as grain or other bulky goods could be
hauled with any degree of profit. As nearly all the products of the
interior counties consisted of articles of small value compared with their
bulk, this meant that an extensive network of railroads or canals was
necessary to the proper economic development of the State. Instead
of such a system of internal transportation Illinois had nothing but
execrable country roads, supplemented to only a slight extent by the
few navigable or semi-navigable streams. The farmer living in the in-
terior of the State could carry only a small part of his crop of wheat
or corn to market to be exchanged for "store goods" and the total amount
of grain received at Chicago, St. Louis and Peoria from the interior
counties of Illinois was insignificant.
The great hulk of the population in the forties and fifties was engaged
in agriculture and the inadequate system of transportation had a de-
pressing influence on that occupation. Farmers living near the water-
ways found good markets for their produce, but those not so favorably
situated shipped little grain or meat outside the State. Only slight
cultivation was necessary to have the rich prairie soil bring forth abun-
dant crops and the immediate needs of the farmer and his family were
easil} supplied. Labor saving machinery was not in general use and
the work of gathering the crops had to be performed by hand, with farm
labor scarce and commanding high wages. As a result, there was no in-
centive to raise large crops, while the amount of physical work involved
made it impossible for the farmer to plant or gather more than a mod-
erate yield. Shiftless methods of farming were the natural consequence
and only a small portion of the arable land was under cultivation.
Out of a total area of thirty-five million acres, slightly over three mil-
lion were planted iii (lie live staples, wheal, corn. oats, rye and potatoes.3
One third of the entire area, or eleven and a half million acres, was
iSeSsicm l/iws of Illinois. is;:i: to 1850.
2 The cost m|' r;iiTv'nm a inn of freight from Hut'talo Id Xew York by wagon was
$100. or about 20 rents per ton per mile. (Bosart. Kconomie History of the United
States, page 191.) This was over good roads, and the cost per ton, per mile, for
carrying grain in Illinois must have averaged considerably more.
3 Letter of Rolit. Uantoul. Documents Relating to the Organization of the Illinois
Central Railroad.
173
still unoccupied government land,1 and much of the remainder had never
been broken by the plough.2 At the same time, the yield per acre was
much less than could have been expected from the almost virgin soil of
the prairies.3
Inadequate transportation and backward agricultural conditions
greatly retarded the settlement of the commonwealth and influenced the
social' and political life of those within its borders. The earliest settle-
ments were made by the French at Cahokia and Kaskaskia near the
Mississippi river and until the end of the third decade nearly all subse-
quent settlements were also near the banks of the Ohio, the Mississippi
and Illinois rivers, especially in the southern counties. At the begin-
ning of the fourth decade the majority of the population were immi-
grants from Kentucky, Tennessee and other parts of the south, or their
descendants.4 Then, from 1830 to 1850, there occurred a heavy immigra-
tion into the northern and central counties; most of the new settlers
coming from the eastern states or Europe.5 By 1850 Illinois had a
population of eight hundred and fifty thousand and three-fourths of the
inhabitants were living north of Vandalia and were of northern or
European stock.6 Furthermore, despite the absence of good transporta-
tion, three hundred and seventy-five thousand people were in the thirty-
six counties which possessed neither a canal, a river nor a railroad ; and
the number living more than ten miles from such means of communica-
tion must have been considerably larger.7
In the very earliest white settlements in Illinois the lack of good
highways' and the economic isolation of the interior proved a serious
check to the growth of the community, but as the population was small
and distributed along the few navigable rivers slight attention was given
to the matter of transportation. Nor did the heavy immigration from
the southern states make necessary a radical improvement.
The settlers had always been accustomed to poor roads; they were
settled near the Ohio, the Mississippi and the Illinois: and the number
of people of the State was still small.s However, the enormous growth
of population from 1830 on — the increase was from a hundred and fifty
thousand in the former year to eight hundred thousand in 1850 — made
necessary the solution of problems which before had been borne' as an
unavoidable accompaniment of frontier life.
This was particularly true of the central counties. In 1830 a few
thousand log huts scattered over the heart of the State were the onlv
Ubid Seventh Census of the United States (1850), page 730.
2 Ibid.
3 Compenlum TJ. S. Census, 1850, page 170. Average yield per acre was: Wheat,
11 : rve. 14; corn. 33; oats. 29; barley, 40. bushels.
4 Sixth Census of the United States C1830) ; Greene, Government of Illinois, page
26: cf. various essavs of Prof. C. W. Alvord, of the University of Illinois, on this
subiect in publications of Illinois State Historical Library.
5 Seventh Census of the United States (18501.
6 Seventh Census (1850), pp. 117, 118. The 30 counties south of Vandalia had a
population of 219.863 : the 69 north of that town, 631,607. Tip foreign born popu-
lation was as follows: England, 18,628; Scotland. 4.661: Wales, 572: Ireland.
27,786 ; British America, 10,699 ; Germany, 38,446 ; total, 110,593. Native born
of foreign parents not given.
7 Seventh Census. The 36 counties without railroads, canals or navigable rivers
had a population of 375,529 in 1850, or 44.1 per cent of the total.
8 Cf., page 3 and 4.
174
signs of civilization. But every succeeding year witnessed an increase
in the number of homestead entries, the thickening of settlements and
the rapid extension of cultivated land. The settlers were no lunger
shiftless, easy going trappers or their hardly less shiftless companions on
the clearings; in their place were energetic and progressive newcomers
from New York, New England and even Ireland, Germany and old
England. x\s population and wealth grew and the disadvantages of the
isolated economic conditions became mure burdensome, greater and
greater attention was given to the question of local and through trans-
portation which could do away with the unbearable frontier life. The
demands of the interior counties for a closer economic connection with
the remainder of the State found a natural expression in the political
Held and for some fifteen years from 1835 to 1851 the solution of this
problem was the subject of political debate, legislative action and popu-
lar vote. The center of the held was occupied by plans for some form of
a central railroad and it is the political aspects of this project that
forms the theme of the remainder of this paper.
A great central highway connecting the northern and southern coun-
ties of Illinois had always been a favorite project with the legislatures
and executives of the State. As early as 1830 Governor Coles suggested
that Lake Michigan might easily be tapped and the water taken by
canals not only into the Illinois, but on the dividing line between that
river and the Wabash down through the center of the. State.1 Only two
years later, Lieutenant Governor A. M. Jenkins proposed in the Senate
that a survey be made for a central railroad from Cairo to Peru2 and,
though somewhat premature, the proposal created- considerable discus-
sion, both in and out of the Legislature. By 1835, the building of the'
"Central" had become one of the important issues in State politics.
The project was ably advocated by such newspapers as the Sangamon
Journal3 and also a number of leading citizens, prominent among them
being Sidney Breese, whose fifteen years of service in promoting the
undertaking entitles him to be called the "Father of the Illinois Central
Railroad."4
With such support it was not long before definite measures were un-
dertaken and on January 18, 1836, the Illinois Legislature incorporated
the (Illinois) Central Railroad Company to construct a railroad from
"the mouth of the Ohio" to a point on the Illinois river at or near the
termination of the Illinois-Michigan canal.5 Darius B. Holbrook, a New
York speculator and promoter who had lately come to the west, was the
leading spirit in the company and with him were associated Governor
Reynolds, Lieutenant Governors A. M. Jenkins and Pierre Menard,
Judge Sidney Breese, and Albert K. Snyder,6 besides fifty-three others
of less note. These gentlemen constituted the first board of directors
1 Illinois Monthly Magazine, Vol. I, No. 1, October, 1830.
2 Newton, Early Railroad Legislation in Illinois, page 7 ; Ackerman, Historical
Sketch of the Illinois Central R. R., pp. 6 and 7.
3 Sangamon Journal, October 31st, 1835.
4 Cf. Appendix, Early History of Illinois, by Sidney Breese.
5 Laws of Illinois, Session, 1835-36, pp. 129ff.
6 Ibid.
175
and a capital of two and a half million dollars was authorized. From
the first this road was regarded as a peculiar state institution and, lest
its policy should be dominated by a foreign monopoly, provision was
made that no person could subscribe to more than five shares of stock
and that at least one-fifth of the capital should be offered for sale in the
State.1- Provision was also made that whenever the company earned
more than twelve per cent on the cost of construction for a period of ten
years the Legislature could so reduce earnings and tolls for the next ten
years that the earnings would not exceed that amount; reports being
made to the State to show cost of construction and gross and net re-
ceipts.2 In return for this restriction on the powers of the company
the Legislature inserted a clause in the charter agreeing not to incor-
porate any competitive railroad for a period of fifty years.3
While not a direct issue in State politics the incorporation of the
Central Company shows the strong hold the project had upon the minds
of the people. The incorporators were leading politicians and men of
affairs of the community and the company itself enjoyed many privil-
eges not usually granted to a "foreign" company. At the same time,
like most western corporations, it was without financial backing and its
incorporation is only an evidence of popular interest.
Hardly was the company organized when it was swept aside by a move-
ment of far greater general interest. So long as canals' were the only
artificial means of cheap land transportation their prohibitive cost pre-
vented the people of the western states from making any attempt to
create a general system of internal improvements. The introduction
of the locomotive into England and soon after into the eastern states
provided a cheap yet efficient means of inland communication. As if an
accompaniment of this invention there took place in the United States
a period of unprecedented financial prosperity, while the speculative
spirit among the State legislatures was fostered by the treasury dis-
tribution act of 1837 and other fiscal measures of the national govern-
ment. Thus, the financial and technical difficulties in the way of an
extensive system of internal improvements were apparently removed.
Like one of her own prairie fires the demand for State construction of
an extensive system of internal improvements spread over the State of
Illinois. Mass meetings, conventions, parades were held in all parts of
the State ; the newspapers took up the movement and their columns were
filled with editorials and contributed articles ; finallv, the politicians
seized it as a means of personal and party popularity, and the Legis-
lature passed the celebrated Internal Improvement Act of 1837. The
political "deals," log rollings and tricks adopted to secure the passage
of the measure, even by such men as Douglas, Logan and Lincoln, are
familiar to every reader and need not be repeated.4 It is interesting to
lLaws of Illinois, Session, 1835-36, p. 134.
2 Ibid., p. 133.
3 Ibid., section 6.
i Cf. the accounts of the passage of the Internal Improvement Act as given in
Davidson and Stuve's History of Illinois ; also Moses, Illinois Historical and Sta-
tistical.
176
note, however, that it was the influence of the central portions of the
State, i. e. the portions most in need of railroads, which finally secured
the passage of the measure.
The system of internal improvements provided for by the act extended
to all parts of the State and was a worthy conception of the strongest
General Assembly ever held in Illinois. The backbone of the system was
a central railroad from Cairo northward, via Vandalia, Shelbyville, De-
catur, Bloomington and Savannah, to Galena, at the time the most im-
portant city in the State.1 In addition there were several cross lines ex-
tending from the main stem to the important cities on the eastern or
western boundaries. The entire system amounted to about twelve hun-
dred miles, but the estimates as to cost of construction were surprisingly
low. Three and a half million dollars was regarded as sufficient to build
the four hundred and fifty miles of the main line, while the Shelbyville
and Alton branches were to. cost $650,000.00 and $600,000.00, respec-
tively, or from seven to ten thousand dollars per mile; less than one-
fourth what it cost the present company fifteen years later.2 A loan,
based on the credit of the State, was to provide the funds, while a board
of seven commissioners was appointed to manage the enterprise during
its construction and after completion.3
From the political viewpoint the internal improvement plan is inter-
esting as the first and fullest expression of the celebrated Illinois "State
policy." With a narrow State loyalty, almost inconceivable now, the
central and northern parts of the State insisted that every railroad
passing through the territory of Illinois should terminate at an Illinois
city. In other words outside or "foreign" centers should not be built
up at the expense of local towns with a deep seated ambition to be the
London or Xew York of the west. The internal improvement system
was the ideal of these narrow seetionalists ; and Galena. Quincy, Alton,
Cairo and Mount Carroll were made the termini of the railroads and
were established as the commercial centers of the State in so far as the
Legislature could do so by enactment.
Despite the enthusiasm of the populace: despite the reckless generosity
of the Legislature — with other people's money, despite the strict adher-
ence to the Illinois State policy, the project was doomed to failure. Im-
mediately after the passage of the act, the commissioners commenced
work and for a while it seemed as if this collossal undertaking might be
finished. Grading was commenced at Cairo, Galena and intermediate
points; tens of thousands of dollars was expended on the dikes and
levees at Cairo: large quantities of rail were purchased; about forty
miles of embankment north of Cairo completed : and. altogether, some-
thing like a million dollars was expended on the central route and
branches, although certainly not in the most effectual manner.4 But the
task was entirely beyond the ability of the Stale: financial difficulties
1 Laws of Illinois, Session 1836-1837, p. 121; Newton, Early Railway Legislation
in Illinois, pp. 21-23.
■■ Laws <>t' Illinois, Session 1 SMC.-l S3T, p. 121; Bronson, History of the Illinois
Central Railroad, page 181 (in mss.).
3 Ibid.
4 Chicago Daily Democrat, December 24, 1849. Editorial.
177
prevented the floating of the necessary bonds, while extravagance, graft
and mismanagement exhausted the money already procured, and a hun-
dred miles of grading and a few thousand tons, of iron were the only
tangible results of this second attempt to construct a railroad through
the center of Illinois.1
Even this failure did not deter the State or its citizens from endeavor-
ing to complete the project, and on March 6, 1843, only six years after
the passage of the Internal Improvement Act, the Legislature incor-
porated the Great Western Railway Company, better known as the
Holbrook Company.2 To understand this act it is necessary to go back
six years to March 4, 1837.
On that date, the Cairo City and Canal Company was incorporated
with power to hold real estate in Alexander county, especially the tract
of land now included in the corporate limits of Cairo, and to carry on
general industrial enterprises.3 Mr. Darius B. Holbrook, of New York,
the promoter of the company of 1836, was elected president and for
twenty years the enterprise was dominated by his masterful personality
until the two became synonymous.4 During the prosperous period just be-
fore the panic the company borrowed between two and three million dol-
lars, largely from English capitalists ; purchased several thousand acres of
land at the mouth of the Ohio river; established industries of all kinds;
laid out an extensive city at what is now Cairo, protected it by em-
bankments and levees, carried on a general mercantile business, and
enacted ordinances for the government of the citizens of Cairo.5 How-
ever, the resources of the company were not equal to the demands made
upon it and the failure of the internal ■ improvement policy in 1840,
following closely after the severe panic of 1837, forced the enterprise
into bankruptcy. English investors refused further financial support
and the stoppage of work on the State railroad destroyed the unde-
veloped industries at Cairo. The directors neglected the undertaking;
the property in and near the city was abandoned, and for a time the
place was occupied only by squatters and disreputable characters from
the river boats.6
The extreme depression existing in Illinois after the panic of 1837
and the failure of the State policy prevented Mr. Holbrook from doing
anything with the Cairo City and Canal Company until 1843. Realiz-
ing the possibilities of the "Central" railroad he induced the Legislature
to pass the Great Western Eailway Act of that year. According to the
charter the president and directors of the Cairo City and Canal Com-
pany were incorporated as the Great Western Eailway Company and
were given authority to construct a railway from Cairo to the Illinois-
Michigan Canal.7 In many ways this act was quite favorable to the
1 Ibid.
2 Laws of Illinois, Session 1843-4, pp. 199-200; Newton, Early Railway Legislation
in Illinois, p. 33 ; Ackerman, Earlv Illinois Railroads.
3 Laws of Illinois, Session 1837-8. March 4, 1837.
4 Cf. Newspaper reports of the time, especially in 1850 and 1851.
5 Anon. History of Cairo. Publications of the Cairo City and Canal Company;
Henry Long, History and Prospe'cts of Cairo.
6 Ibid.
7 Laws of Illinois, Session 1842-43, pp. 199 ff.
—12 H S
178
State. The otherwise worthless grading done in 1837 and 1840 was to
be purchased at a fair valuation ; twenty-five per cent of the net receipts
from operation, after a twelve per cent dividend had been paid on the
stock, were to go to the State ; and the Legislature could alter the charter
of both the Great Western and Cairo City and Canal Companies after
all the indebtedness of the former was paid. But, for half a dozen years
the Cairo company had been known as a flagrant example of speculative
and corrupt corporate management, and to turn over to such a company,
without reasonable compensation or even adequate safeguards as to the
completion of the work, the most important industrial enterprise within
the State, was, to say the least, a short sighted policy. Moreover, a
clause was inserted in the closing section of the act surrendering to the
company any public lands which might come into the possession of the
State of Illinois during the life of the charter. Not even a guarantee
was demanded that such lands should be used for the construction of
the railroad. This legislation shows the wretched financial condition the
State was in in 1843 and illustrates the lack of foresight characteristic
of the General Assemblies during the period.1
For a time it seemed as if the company was seriously determined to
proceed with the "Central" railroad. Large sums were borrowed and
expended in finishing the original State surveys and completing the
grading. Numerous buildings were erected at Cairo and an extensive
system of levees was planned and partially constructed.2 But conditions
were not favorable and the company could not obtain capital to continue
the work. Several millions had already been expended by the Cairo
company without dividend paying results; all Illinois credit, both State
and private, was under suspicion on account of the partial repudiation
of the State debt, and eastern and European capitalists refused to risk
further investments in Illinois.3 Lack of funds stopped all construction
within a few months after the charter was secured and the directors
finally gave up in despair. On March 3, 1845, with the consent of
the company, the charter was repealed by special act of the Legislature ;
all work done by the company reverted to the State,4 and the third and
most promising attempt to construct the "Central" railroad ended with
heavy loss to the promoters and no profit to the State.
For six years after the incorporation of the Great Western no further
attempt was made to build the railroad and the energies of the sup-
porters of the project were spent in various attempts to secure aid from
the national government, but without success.5 However, it seemed
reasonably certain that the difficulties would be removed and a definite
grant of land made in some session of the 30th or 31st Congresses.
Any measure would undoubtedly be of considerable value to the State
of Illinois or to private parties who might build the road and the Cairo
City and Canal Company determined to make use of the apparently
favorable conditions. Accordingly, after the failure of the land grant
bill in the first session of the Thirtieth Congress the Cairo City and
lLaws of Illinois, Session 1843-44. pp. 199 ff ; page 203, section 18.
JAckerman, Historical Sketch of the Illinois Central R. R., p. 10.
3 Laws of Illinois, March 3, 1845.
4 Cf. Sanborn, Congressional Grants of Land in Aid of Railways.
5 Laws of Illinois, Session 1849-50, February 10, 1849.
179
Canal Company petitioned the Legislature for a renewal of their previous
rights, which had been lost by the act of March 3, 1845. Although the
Holbrook companies were disliked throughout the State they represented
the wealthiest aggregation of capital in Illinois and apparently were the
best able to complete the Illinois Central Railroad. In recognition of
this fact the Legislature on February 10, 1819, re-incorporated the Great
Western Railway Company, with all its former privileges, including the
obnoxious clause surrendering to the company whatever lands the federal
government should grant the State. Moreover, this was done without
any restriction of importance being placed on the disposal of these
lands.1
Such action by the Illinois Legislature was almost fatal to any federal
land grant and Senator Douglas at once attempted to have the charter
repealed. With the assistance of his colleagues at Washington and
prominent citizens of the State he was able to induce the president and
directors of the Cairo City and Canal Company to execute a release of
the Great Western .charter. However, the surrender was conditioned
upon acceptance of the release by the Legislature at its next session and
the incorporation of another company to carry on the project.2
At the following session of Congress the Illinois delegation secured a
grant of land to the State of Illinois to assist in the construction of the
railroad, the total amount of land thus given varying from two and a
half to three million acres. The mere passage of the federal land grant
act was the least difficult of the many problems confronting the friends
of the Illinois Central. For some years the questions connected with this
railroad had been before the Legislature and the citizens of the State,
and, now that success was probable, all the previous conflicts were re-
newed with additional strength. The most troublesome of these con-
flicts involved the method of construction and the route.
There were four possible ways of utilizing the land grant, each of
which had its vigorous adherents. (1) State construction of the rail-
road by means of the grant, along the line of the internal improvement
plan of 1837. (2) Surrender of the grant to the bondholders and con-
struction by them on terms similar to those made by the holders of
canal bonds in 1840. (3) Completion by the Great Western Rail-
way Company under its charter of 1849, including the retention of all
State lands. (4) Creation of an entirely new private corpora-
tion and the transfer to it of the land grant under certain restrictions
and with certain payments to the State.
To many citizens State construction was still a feasible project. From
1831 to 1843 the various plans for the railroad depended on govern-
ment support and despite the collapse of the Internal Improvement Plan
of 1837 there was considerable talk of direct construction by the Legis-
lature. The cost of building the road was under-estimated, while the
value of the land was over-estimated. It was thought possible to build
the road without recourse to bond issues and the profits from operation
180
would then quickly retire the old State debt.1 But the panic of 1840
and the depressing influence of the debt was still vivid in the minds of
the citizens of Illinois and they generally condemned any further work
by the State.
Another form of semi-legislative management was contained in the so-
called ''bond-holders" plan, which was submitted to the Legislature in
January, 1851. As a result of the internal improvement legislation a
debt of some fifteen million dollars had been accumulated and the
State was unable to meet the full interest charges. In fact bankruptcy
or repudiation had been barely escaped and the creditors supposed there
would be difficulty in attracting capital for the construction of the road.
Under the circumstances, certain eastern bond-holders suggested an
arrangement somewhat similar to the one under which the Illinois-
Michigan canal was built. A company, composed largely of bond-
holders, was to be chartered and given power to construct the railroad.
Four dollars of stock or three dollars of bonds, entitled "new internal
improvement stock/' was to be given for each dollar of cash paid in.
The State was to receive stock of a par value equal to the value of the
land sold, and in addition pay all expenses of surveys, etc. The stock
belonging to the State must be set apart to retire the State debt. The
stock of the new company, in addition, could be made the basis for State
banking.2 On the whole, the terms were about as onerous as could be
imposed on a bankrupt state and are in striking contrast to the Illinois
Central charter. The project never received serious attention from
either the newspapers or the Legislature.3
Construction by the Great Western was of much greater importance.
The charter of 1849 was evidently obtained with the distinct object of
securing the federal land grant and no work was done on the railroad
until it was almost certain Congress would pass the act. Then con-
struction work was started and it was stated that large quantities of
rail were purchased in England. At the same time active efforts were
made to defeat any bill repealing the charter.4 It is uncertain whether
this company intended to carry on the work, or, as Senator Douglas
alleged, merely sell the charter in Europe.5 At any rate the opposition
to the Great Western, especially in the southern part of the State Waa
bitter and deep seated.
The last plan was to turn the grant over to a private corporation, other
than the Cairo City and Canal Company, under proper restrictions. The
memorial of the Boston capitalists (they -later built the road) was the
first direct proposition of the kind, but it is probable that the memor-
ialists had suggested to the leading Legislators of the State a plan along
the lines of their memorial. In all probability, other capitalists were
1 For instance, Mr. J. S. Wright of Chicago published a pamphlet in which he took
the ground (hat tlio grant being of such immense value, the State should hold the
lands and again attempt the construction of the road. Ackerman, Early Illinois
Railroads, p. 35.
2 Cf. Newspaper reports for October and November, 1850.
3 Chicago Daily Democrat, January 11, 1861.
4 Illinois Weekly Journal, January 29. 1851. Editorial.
5 Letters of Douglas to Breese, Springfield Daily Register, January 20, 1851.
181
also deeply interested in the railroad. However, there was no definite
project of the kind before the people during November and December,
1850.
Congress passed the land grant act in September, 1850, and the Legis-
lature was elected the following November. On account of the release
of the Great Western charter it was necessary to settle the matter at the
first session of the General Assembly and the selection of proper repre-
sentatives and senators was of vital importance. As soon as it became
evident that the federal Congress would act favorably on the Illinois
Central bill the advocates of State construction and the friends and
opponents of the Cairo City and Canal Company commenced an active
campaign to secure a majority of the members of the Legislature. Other
State issues were consigned to the background and the question of the
land grant and the acceptance of the Great Western release were the
important factors in the election of members to the Fifteenth General
Assembly. The newspapers of the State had numerous editorials and
contributed articles defending or opposing the respective plans, or else
emphasizing the importance of one route over another. Mass meetings
and conventions were held at various points along the line of the pro-
posed railroad and the excitement often was at fever heat. By November
the controversy had become bitter and personal. Individual motives
were impugned; the character of some of the leading newspaper editors,
of Mr. Holbrook, Senator Douglas, Judge Breese and others, was ma-
ligned, and charges of bribery and fraud were frequent. By the time the
Legislature convened in January the whole discussion had degenerated
into a typical Illinois political fight. On the whole, the opponents of
both State ownership and the Holbrook company had much the better
of the argument. Only a few newspapers, such as the Benton Standard
and the Cairo Times, and a few politicians, the most prominent of them
being Sidney Breese, openly defended the Cairo City and Canal Com-
pany, or its subsidiary company, the Great Western. However, the latter
company was already in possession of the desired charter and, condi-
tionally, of the land grant. Thus, inaction on the part of the Legisla-
ture meant success for the Holbrook party and the Cairo City and
Canal Company exerted every effort to block legislation and prevent the
incorporation of a rival company. On account of the many minor fights
it was not at such a disadvantage as indicated by newspaper editorials.
Many of the plans had been thoroughly discussed during the campaign
and when the Legislature met the first day of January, 1851, its mem-
bers were well acquainted with the main points at issue. In the organiz-
ation of the house the Holbrook faction secured a temporary advantage
by the election of Judge Breese as speaker and during the first two weeks
of the session they were strong enough to prevent radical action. Bills
were presented in both houses repealing the charter of the Great West-
ern, but both were strongly opposed. The senate passed a bill in re-
gard to the Illinois Central, though it did not accept the release; the
house passed a bill accepting the release and refused to adopt the senate
182
measure.1 A large majority of the members of each body favored ac-
cepting the repeal of the Great Western charter, but so far in the session
the Holbrook proposition was the only reasonable measure before the
Legislature and many preferred to retain the Cairo company rather
than to be entirely without a means of building the road.
At this stage of the contest affairs were entirely altered by a business-
like memorial presented by Mr. Bobert Eantoul of Massachusetts, acting
in the interest of a group of wealthy New York and Boston capitalists.
In brief the plan of the memorialists was as follows : The Legislature
should create a corporation and surrender to it the federal land grant.
In return the incorporators agreed to build a railroad "equal in all re-
spects to the railroad running between Boston and Albany with such
improvements thereon as experience has shown to be desirable and ex-
pedient; to complete the road by July 1854, and to pay the State
per cent of the gross receipts in return for the land."2 The memorialists
were men of considerable capital and had had experience with railroad
promotion in other parts of the country. On the whole they made a
more favorable offer than could have been expected.
Coincident with the transmission of this memorial Mr. Gridley intro-
duced in the senate a bill "for an act to incorporate the Illinois Central
Railroad."3 On February 5th Mr. J. L. D. Morrison offered a substitute
for the original bill4 and on the next day it passed by a vote of 23 to 3.5
Four days later it passed the house by an almost unanimous vote of
seventy-two to two,6 and was immediately signed by Governor French.7
The passage of the charter through both houses was not as easy as
the vote indicates. Shortly after the receipt of the memorial the whole
matter was referred to a committee and the members, in connection with
Mr. Eantoul and Colonel Bissell, the representatives of the promoters
spent considerable time in preparing the measure. As the duration of
the session was limited to forty days the Holbrook interests made every
effort to delay the bill and during the last week of January and the
first of February it looked as if their efforts would meet with success.
At last, as noticed above, the bill was passed by both houses only a few
days before the close of the session. The main difficulty came in the
selection of a route and the Legislature was finally forced to leave the
exact location of the road to the incorporators.8 The other point of
conflict was the percentage to be paid the State. This was finally fixed
at seven per cent of the gross receipts, but, at the same time, the com-
pany was freed from paying any State or local taxes.9
1 Illinois Daily Register, January 15, 1851.
2 Documetns relating to the Organization of the Illinois Central R. R.
3 Aekerman, Early Illinois Railroads, page 39.
4 Ibid.
5 Illinois Weekly Journal, February 12, 1851.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 In the original memorial the amount paid to the State was left vacant. It was
proposed in the House that 10 per cent be given, but the company, through the
efforts of Robert Rantoul and Representative Bissell. manag"d to reduce the per-
centage to 7. The real reasons for the action of the Regisluture in this matter are
not known and in his campaign for election as Governor Colonel Bissell was accused
of having obtained the reduction to the disadvantage of the State.
183
With the incorporation and construction of the Illinois Central ended
the long struggle to secure railway communication for the interior of
the State. The way was blazed for new railroads in all sections of Illi-
nois and their completion opened up to settlement the hitherto un-
occupied counties. The economic isolation of the interior ceased and the
State became an economic whole.
Politically, the effects were equally far reaching. The construction
of the "Central" and the chartering of other companies satisfied the need
of good transportation and the demands of the interior counties for
internal improvements carried on by the State died away as the need
became less and less. The important, and at times dominating, issue
of State construction of canals and railroads, which entered so deeply
into the political life of the commonwealth from 1830 to 1850, ceased
to be of popular interest. The construction of the railroads and the
broadening influence of improved communication also eliminated from
the field the celebrated question of "State policy," for twenty-five years
a bone for contention between the northern and southern counties. In
brief the chartering of the Illinois Central marks the close of the polit-
ical agitation for State internal improvements. After 1851 these
matters which had repeatedly agitated the community disappeared and
their places were taken by other questions.
184
MYSTERIOUS INDIAN BATTLE GROUNDS IN McLEAN
COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
By John H. Burnham.
I. Indian Old Town.
Historical students are now taking a very deep interest in all that per-
tains to early Illinois history, whether it be early Indian, early French,
British, Virginian or later American history. New light is occasionally
thrown on obscure events and we may hope that a few rays may yet
shine brightly on many more dim, puzzling, mysterious, past occurrences.
Two of the most interesting and most wonderful events of our un-
recorded past took place within the present limits of McLean county, and
it is in the hope that the attention of some of our acutest and ablest
historical investigators may be attracted, that this brief sketch is under-
taken.
In the central eastern part of McLean county is a large grove about
fifteen miles in length from east to west, which was called Old Town
timber before our first settlers arrived. At its eastern end had long
existed an ancient Indian town called Old Town. On some of the early •
maps it is called the Great Kickapoo Village. The site of the town has
never yet been cultivated, and it still bears many evidences of Indian
occupation, though it needs our early settlers or their children to trace
the remains. Here were locations of cabins or wigwams where even yet '
may be dug up occasional fragments of copper kettles or other Indian
implements. A large burying ground was plainly to be seen original^,
in the immediate neighborhood, and very many bones have been disin-
terred, together with silver brooches and Indian ornaments. A silver
cross was once found which may be taken as a proof of the conscientious
work of some French missionary. A few years before the first settlers
arrived, the town is said to have been practically annihilated by a ter-
rible visitation of smallpox and it had been abandoned. One, and per-
haps two, circular foot race tracks, existed just outside the village.
These were called foot race tracks by our early settlers, but were most
likely the levelled sites of Indian war dances, which have been described
by more than one traveler conversanl with early Indian villages. There
can be little doubt this was for a long time the headquarters of a large
Indian tribe.
185
This Kickapoo Indian town was a well known point when those ter-
rible Indian raids were made into Kentucky, and authentic evidence
exists concerning the imprisonment here of whites captured in these
forays.
Tradition informs us that about eighty years ago a Iventuckian visited
Old Town and identified the site as the place where he was confined
by the Kickapoo Indians sometime between 1780 and. 1812. His story
was to the effect that he made his escape in company with a young white
woman and her father, having in the flight killed several Indians, that
the father died, the young man and the young woman escaped, married
and lived happily together. The story was published in a Peoria or
Springfield paper many years ago, but we are unable to state whether
it was given as a fact or as fiction in the "story corner" of the enter-
prising journal, but true or false, there is no doubt that romantic as well
as tragic and horrible incidents occurred at the mysterious Indian
capital. ,
A little to the east of the Indian village site outside of the timber
line, our first settlers found the remains of a stockaded Indian fort. The
area of this structure' was about two acres. The lower ends of a row
of timber posts or pickets had been set in the ground and a ridge of
prairie dirt from one to three feet high had been thrown up against the
row of posts. Pieces of the pickets were still left in the ground and the
whole ridge of earth indicated the outline of the fort. An opening or
gateway had apparently been left at one corner. Some burials had
evidently taken place within the fort but not near as many as in the
•large burying ground in the vicinity. The site was on very high land
overlooking a large extent of prairie, and may very well have been used
as an outpost to the Indian town half a mile distant. No spring or well
of water has ever been discovered inside of the fort. Very few bullets
or arrow heads have been found in the fort or its neighborhood. It is
difficult to imagine that this fort could have possessed any military
value, although our lack of knowledge of Indian methods of fighting may
lead us to form wrong conclusions. It is possible that the inhabitants of
the village near-by could have been transferred on short notice to the fort,
where it would have been possible for the Indian defenders to have de-
tained an attacking party until the slight provisions of such a party
would have been wasted, forcing an abandonment of the seige. The
general opinion of modern white men has been that this fort was a mili-
tary failure.
At the time of the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, the Indians were said
to have occupied this fort and it may have been used earlier than 1811.
Soldiers who were at the battle of Tippecanoe have asserted that after
the battle, General Harrison sent out a cavalry expedition as far as this
fort, which found there only a few sick and aged Indians, the rest hav-
ing departed towards the northwest.
This statement is no doubt correct, as General Joseph Bartholomew,
one of the early settlers of McLean county, who was second in command
at the battle of Tippecanoe, has given this explanation.
186
In the political campaign of 1840, at which time General Harrison
was elected president, it is stated that a large Whig delegation contain-
ing some survivors of the battle of Tippecanoe, on their way to a con-
vention at Springfield, stopped at the site of this fort where they talked
over the events of 1811, and were addressed by General Bartholomew.
The late Hiram W. Beckwith, the first president of the Illinois State
Historical Society, was greatly interested in this relic. On June 30,
1880, he brought a civil engineer from Danville and in company with the
Hon. S. H. West of Leroy, myself, and several others, surveyed the
dim, rapidly disappearing earthen outlines of this fort, and made a care-
ful surveyor's record of its metes and bounds.
In the fall of 1905 the McLean County Histrical Society, at the
urgent solicitation of the Hon. S. H. West, placed a granite monument
near the center of this ancient earth work on which is this inscription:
"Site of Ancient Kickapoo Indian Fokt.
Erected by the McLean County Historical Society.
* 1905."
The Hon. Geo. W. Funk deeded to the McLean county board of super-
visors four square rods of ground, and the county record of this tract
gives the metes and bounds of the site of the fort as surveyed in 1880.
2. The Arrowsmith Battle Ground.
At the time Mr. Beckwith and others made this survey it was not
generally known, excepting in its immediate neighborhood, that about
seven miles northeast of these remains, were still more remarkable traces
' of an Indian battle ground, though a few of the early settlers had pre-
served the tradition of a great Indian battle having been fought not far
from Cheney's Grove.
About ten years ago, owing to the increasing interest in historical in-
vestigations, public attention was directed to this Indian battle site,
and an effort was made to learn something more of its situation and
history.
In the present town of Arrowsmith, McLean county, Illinois almost
exactly at the center of section 24, about one mile and a half west of
the western extremity of Cheney's Grove, is a small tract of timber or
woodland, formerly known as Little, now Smith's Grove. In order to
distinguish this from the site of the fort just described we call this the
Arrowsmith Indian battle ground.
Originally there were about fifteen acres covered with trees, nearly
one-half of which is still in this condition, mostly small trees, of the
second growth. The first settlers of this county noticed that about an
acre of this space, centrally situated on a rounding knoll, about twentv-
five feet in height above the level of the surrounding low ground near
the Sangamon, contained ridges and depressions of rather peculiar ap-
pearance, which were said by the Indians or early settlers, or by common
report, to be the remains of pits or caches where the Indians had at
different, times buried their corn or other valuables. The first appear-
ance of these ridges or depressions, as near as I have been able to ascer-
tain, seemed to be circular, irregularly shaped and irregularly placed,
187
with edges or sides which were sloping, inclined to be steep in some
places, but generally very sloping at the sides ; and in depth, not over
one and one-half to two and one-half feet from the tops of the ridges
to the lowest parts of the depressions.
About fifty rods toward the northeast, in the prairie, just where the
same commences to decline or to roll off to the lower ground, our first
settlers noticed some military appearing earthworks, or zig-zag rifle-pits.
They extended about ten rods from north to south, and there were about
ten or a dozen of them after the fashion of a Virginia rail fence. They
were not dug very deeply into the earth, were evidently hastily thrown
up, and while plainly to be seen before the prairie sod had been broken,
they have now disappeared. From all accounts these must have been
designed after the plan of military rifle pits such as are used in military
approaches to an entrenchment.
While we cannot help regretting that these markings have not been
more carefully noted, we must bear in mind the fact that until the
prairie all around this locality had been broken, no one supposed any
of the traces I have tried to describe had any relation to an ancient
battle field. About fifty years ago, it began to be noticed, after the land
had been cultivated, that great numbers of bullets were found, mostly
outside of the peculiar pits at the location in the center of the grove,
and generally at a distance of about a gun-shot therefrom.
One beautiful day in May, 1897, a party consisting of several pioneers
of eastern McLean county and a few of the members of the McLean
County Historical Society made a very interesting exploration of the
central attraction of the grove, and we shall never forget our intense
interest as we made our discoveries. We dug into four or five of
the dozen or fifteen of the pits or depressions, which were scattered ir-
regularly over the acre of land at the top of the little knoll, and found
the apparent bottoms of these pits at depths not exceeding three feet,
and mostly two feet from the apparent average natural level of the
ground. The largest was about fifteen feet in diameter at the top, and
eight or ten feet at the bottom. Bones were found in nearly all of them,
but they nearly all appeared to be bones of animals, and most of them
perished rapidly on exposure to air. We found no bullets, and learned,
that but few bullets or arrow heads have ever been found in the pits,
most of the bullets having been picked up east and south of the knoll;
and many even across the present channel of the Sangamon, on the
level ground beyond. Very few balls have been found west, north or
northeast of the knoll, which circumstance seems to indicate the main
attack was made from other directions.
It does not appear at first sight quite plain why I call this a fortifi-
cation, but I think a little reflection, taken in connection with the find-
ing of the bullets, and our explanation of the situation, will show that
the?e pits and the ridges surrounding them, formed a real fortification.
It will be seen that if holes or pits were dug about two feet deep and
from ten to fifteen feet in diameter, that the loose dirt thrown up would
188
surround these pits or holes with walls which could easily be three or
four feet in height, counting from the bottom of the holes to the top
of the ridges. Within these pits, thus surrounded, quite a large number
of men, by keeping close to the bottoms, would be entirely safe from
musket balls.
We are told in a French official report, that in 1712 at the siege of
Detroit, the Foxes and Mascoutens resisted, "In a wooden fort, for nine-
teen days, the attack of a much larger force of French and Indians. In
order to avoid the fire of the French, they dug holes four or five feet deep
in the bottom of their fort." Here we have a record of an occurrence
where Fox Indians, who inhabited this region of northern Illinois and
were sometimes allied with the Kickapoos, in 1712, actually resorted to
digging holes for protection, and it is entirely safe, from what we know
now, to assume this little knoll to have been used as a fortification in
a similar manner ; though we have as yet, no right to assume that a real
fort with wooden walls surrounded these excavations.
The list of the articles which were found, or presented to us, mostly
at the time of our visit is as follows: A few arrowheads or points;
200 bullets, of four different calibers, some of which appear to have
been hacked with knives, either to form them out of bar lead, or to cut
down large bullets to a smaller calibre, charcoal and ashes from the
bottoms of the larger pits; pieces of knife blades, which may have been
scalping or dirk knives, or may have been applied to ordinary uses,
pieces of copper ornaments, a piece of pistol barrel, pieces of nearly
straight deer-horn prongs, part of a link of an iron chain, a peculiar
pieces of iron, flattened at each end, looking as if it might have been used
on deer skins as a scraper, it is apparently of rude Indian or European
blacksmithing ; a section of a gun barrel a foot long flattened at each
end by blacksmithing curved like a letter "S" and each of these ends
formed into a sort of a spoon or scraper, another section, of gunbarrel,
open at one end and flattened at other end as above described, a gun
lock of the kind known as flint-lock, part of a steel blade, possibly the
blade of a dirk knife, but more likely a razor blade on which the maker's
name, Pierre Minan, can be read while the other letters can not yet be
deciphered, but further examination may reveal the name of the city
where it was manufactured.
In addition to these, I have made inquiries and find that at different
times in the past, various other articles have been found, either around
the site of these excavations, or within the distance of a gun-shot, among
which were several flint gun-locks, pieces of brass or copper kettles ; iron
pot-hooks used to hang kettles over the fire; a piece of lead ore, prop-
erly called Galena, a piece of bar lead, said to have weighed three pounds
and a half; knife blades, which may have been scalping knives, iron
hatchets called tomahawk? : several silver trinkets ; a piece of sword
blade; several pieces of gun barrels and large numbers of bullets. At
first T considered the estimate of five or six hundred as probablv an exag-
geration, but later inquiries have convinced me that one thousand is much
189
more likely to be near the number. I have heard of seventy-five bullets
being found at one time, and there is plenty of evidence of the finding of
a very large number.
The fact that some of the bullets have been cut or hacked has given
the impression that they were cut out of bar lead with knives, but I
consider it much more probable that the calibres of the muskets varied,
and that some of the bullet moulds were so large that the balls had to
be cut down to enter the rifle, as I find this was once a common practice,
especially on the frontier, or among the Indians who were glad to obtain •
guns of almost any calibre.
It is quite remarkable, if we consider this as an ancient Indian
battle ground, that so few arrow heads have been discovered. It is true
that in the aggregate quite a number of these have been picked up, but
the proportion preserved is not one-tenth as many as have been found
of leaden bullets.
Enough bullets have been found to indicate that a very severe struggle
must have taken place, as we must infer that a very large number of the
bullets used must still remain in the soil. We must bear in mind that
at the time this event occurred, powder and balls, and even arrows, were
too valuable to be wasted after the style of modern battles, and we thus
have good reason to believe that more than a mere skirmish took place,
though this is again entering the region of conjecture, and after all,
the skulking Indian was likely to keep himself so well concealed during
an action, that very few fatalities occurred until the combat took place
at close quarters, when the carnage was usually fearful.*
We need not consider that it was beyond the ability of the Indians to
dig these holes or pits, and throw up the dirt for protection, during or
before an attack, because the reference I have made to acts of similar
Indians at Detroit in 1712, proves them to have been adepts in this kind
of defense.
Neither are we surprised at evidences of regular rifle pits or ap-
proaches within gunshot of the works to the northeast, because the
Indian tribes after the introduction of fire arms, nearly always contained
more or less French or English hunters, often called renegade whites,
and also half breed Indians, who taught the Indians as much as they
could of the modern or European methods of fighting, as has been re-
.peatedly shown in the history of border warfare.
When Mr. Beckwith was informed of these investigations at the Ar-
rowsmith battle ground he became deeply interested, and was inclined
to believe that the engagement had taken place between French and
Indians and called my attention to the following from one of his valu-
able French records :
"Confirmatory of this is a reference in a letter written by M. de Longueil,
the French commander at Detroit in 1752, where, referring to the difficulties,
the French were encountering with their Indian subjects between the Illinois
and Wabash rivers, it is stated among other matters of grievance the "Pianke-
shaws, Illinois and Osages were to assemble at the prairies of the Mascoutens,
the place where Messrs. de Villiers, and M. de Noyelle attacked the Foxes
about twenty years previous, and when they had built a fort to secure their
families, they were to make a general attack on all the French. M. de Vil-
liers and M. de Noyelle, as is well known, were officers at Fort Chartes."
190
This would indicate if the time was twenty years previous to 1752,
that somewhere about 1730, at a time when hostilities existed, French
troops from the Kaskaskia region attacked the Foxes at some point
between the Illinois and Wabash rivers. Possibly the attack may have
been at this very place, but at present we have no definite knowledge
of the result of the engagement or whether the engagement actually took
place here. A few months before his death, Mr. Beckwith informed me
that he had, through French sources, obtained what he believed to be
' fairly good proof that the French and the Indian tribes had fought at
this remarkable battle site, and thrit the French had there overcome the
Indians. I was endeavoring to meet him with a stenographer to obtain
his historical evidence, but in a very few weeks his useful life came to
its final conclusion. Let us hope that whatever proof he found will again
be brought to light.
There appears to be, to my mind, fairly good evidence that these ex-
cavations were made by Indians, and that a battle between Indian tribes
was fought there, probably between 1712, the time of the siege of Detroit,
and the coming of the British in 1765. In Long's expedition, published
about sixty years ago, Vol. I, page 121, we find the following remark-
able reference which was furnished me by Mr. Beckwith :
"With a view to collect as much information as possible on the subject of
Indian antiquities, we inquired of Robinson (a Pottawotame half breed of
superior intelligence) whether any traditions on this subject were current
among the Indians. He observed that these ancient fortifications were fre-
quent subjects of conversation, and especially those in the nature of excava-
tions, made in the ground. He had heard of one made by the Kickapoo and
Fox Indians on the Sangamo river, a stream running into the Illinois. The
fortification is distinguished by the name of Btnataek. It is known to have
served as an intrenchment to the Kickapoos and Foxes, who were met there
and defeated by the Pottawatomies, the Ottawas and the Chippewas. No
date is assigned to this transaction. We understood that the Etnataek was
near the Kickapoo village on the Sangamo."*
The half breed, Eobinson, referred to here, lived in northern Illinois
and was a very intelligent and reliable man, as we are told, but we must
not allow ourselves to rely implicitly on any Indian traditions. We shall
find, however, on examination, that this tradition fits well into all the
circumstances of the case in hand, and that the best historical authori-
ties never have been able to assign any other location to this traditional
Indian battle between tribes.
The history of this central Illinois region, as given by the French
authorities, seems to show that from about 1769 down to the settlement
of this State it was inhabited by Kickapoo Indians who were on friendly
terms with the. Foxes of northern Illinois ; and also that the Pottawa-
tomies, Ottawas and Chippeways, who lived in Michigan, and the ad-
jacent country, were apt to be affiliated during wars, and were liable to
* I examined a book in Mr. Beckwith's historical library and verified the above
quotation, but regret, I must confess, that owing to some unexplainable blunder I
failed to make, or lost, the proper title of the book. An attempt lately to again
verify this quotation by reference to "Long's Expedition" has shown my careless-
ness, and I am giving this lame explanation in the hope that the quotation which
is here given correctly, may enable some careful student to identify the proper
volume. Were Mr. Beckwith living he would certainlv lie ashamed of his pupil. —
J. H. B.
191
fight against the Foxes combined with the Kickapoos who held this
region, which was then the great buffalo hunting ground coveted by ail
the eastern and northeastern Indian tribes.
I consider it, therefore, as very highly probable that the half breed
Robinson's tradition, as quoted, referring to a battle between the Kick-
apoos and Foxes on one side who were defeated bv a union of the Potta-
watomies, Ottawas and Chippewas on the other side, at the site of cer-
tain excavations on the headwaters of the Sangamon river, is the true
solution of the problem under consideration.
In saying this I feel that 1 am perhaps not giving proper credence
to Mr. Beekwith's belief that a battle between French and Indians oc-
curred at this point, but as I have never heard of any other Indian
excavations made in the ground on the Sangamo river, I feel that it is
at least a fair assumption that here was the site of some great Indian
battle, and I most earnestly hope that competent historians will in-
vestigate all possible sources of information, and then take pains there-
after to give as great publicity as possible to the result of their examin-
ations.
It is quite possible that either at New Orleans, which was the French
headquarters for this territory for many years, or' at Montreal, or Quebec,
or perhaps in Paris, may even yet be discovered official or clerical reports
which will prove that at the site in question a conflict took place between
the French and Indians. Careful researches should be made by his-
torical students, as all has not yet been published concerning the French
occupation of the northwest. These records are as likely to throw light
upon the recent Indian history of Illinois, as upon the operations of the
French. History teaches us that tribe after tribe of the Indians who
occupied this region were barbarously and murderously annihilated and
destroyed, that these fair and fertile regions were again and again bathed
and deluged in human blood. Could we possess a correct history of the
horrible scenes and terrible massacres witnessed here, we should doubt-
less consider it a mercy that a kind providence has drawn a veil of im-
penetrable obscurity over the centuries of blood-shed these prairies
have witnessed.
It is highly probable, judging from our knowledge of the Indian
character and of their ancient methods of warfare, that the vanquished
in the engagement, if vanquished, in the places under consideration,
were literally bathed in their own blood in the bottoms of these exca-
vations, and that in spite of our irrepressible curiosity, it is a mercy to
us that we are not able to learn any or all of the particulars of the un-
known event.
192
ILLINOIS, COLLEGE AND THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT.
By Charles H. Rammelkamp.
The role which Illinois College played in the anti-slavery movement
has always been a story of vital interest to the alumni of the college
and the people of Jacksonville. But the relation of Illinois College to
the great struggle over the slavery question possesses more than a merely
temporary or local interest. The importance of the issues involved,
the prominence of the men who participated in the struggle, the bitter-
ness of the dispute in a community where people from New England
and the South met face to face, give the story a significance that extends
beyond the walls of the college and the limits of the city of Jacksonville.
Some of the leaders in the local conflict, notably President Edward
Beecher, Professor Julian M. Sturtevant and Professor Jonathan B.
Turner, were men of such pronounced influence upon the moral and
educational development of Illinois that any movement with which
they were connected at once becomes generally important.
The characteristics of the early population of Illinois are well known.
The fertile prairies of the State invited the ambitious Yankee to seek
his fortune in their soil. Furthermore, the fact that Illinois was for-
ever dedicated to freedom by the ordinance of 1787 also may have in-
fluenced the pioneer from New England to settle within the bounds of
the State. The New Englander naturally brought with him his antag-
onism to the system of slavery. But these fertile fields were just as
attractive to people from the slave states of Kentucky and Missouri.
Although the Southerners could not bring their slaves to till the free
prairies of Illinois, and although some left the south because they de-
sired to escape direct contact with slavery ;* they could not entirely
shake off their pro-slavery sympathies. Indeed many of them had
hoped to see Illinois eventually become a slave state,2 the South-
erners, as might be expected, settled chiefly in the southern counties of
the State while the New England ers selected farms in the northern and
central counties. It happened that Jacksonville, where the college had
been established, was situated in the borderland region where the streams
1 E. g. Mr. Joseph Capps left his father's plantation in Kentucky and settled in
Jacksonville, chiefly on account of his opposition to slavery ; David Smith freed hi3
slaves in Alabama and came north to Jncksonvi1!^. C. P. Koford. Puritan Influ-
ences in Illinois before 1860 in Trans, of 111. State Hist. Society. No. 10.
2 Recall the contest in 1823 to amend the state constitution so as to permit
slavery.
J. M. STURTEVANT
193
of migration from the north and south met. Mingling waters are
usually turbulent. The conflicts over the slavery issue in this region
were, therefore, numerous and bitter.
The men who had founded Illinois College and were directing its
policy belonged mainly to the New England element. The result was
that the college although placed in a community where a large pro-
portion of the inhabitants were opposed to the abolition of slavery, be-
came identified with the anti-slavery movement. This attitude of the in-
stitution tended to check its growth and prosperity. Indeed, there are
those who assert that had it not been for the anti-slavery position of the
college, it would have grown into one of the largest colleges in the state.
Whatever may be the truth in this assumption, certain it is that a strong
opposition to the school developed. Since the college was receiving some
of its students from families of southern sympathies, the anti-slavery
attitude of the faculty drove away patronage. William . H. Herndon,
later to become the law partner of Lincoln, was a student at the college
and has testified in his biography of the great Emancipator regarding the
anti-slavery influence of the college, and its effect in leading pro-slavery
families to withdraw their sons from the institution. Mr. Herndon is
writing of the death of Lovejoy in 1837 and continues : "This cruel and
uncalled for murder had aroused the anti-slavery sentiment everywhere.
It penetrated the college and both faculty and students were loud and
unrestrained in their denunciation of the crime. My father, who was
thoroughly pro-slavery in his ideas, believing that the college was too
strongly permeated with the virus of abolitionism, forced me to with-
draw from the institution and return home. But it was too late. My
soul had absorbed too much of what my father believed was rank
poison."1 Very similar was the experience and testimony of the oldest
living alumnus of the college, Judge T. J. C. Eagg, of Louisiana, Mis-
souri, who was graduated in 1842. He entered college from a town in
southern Missouri. His father was not only intensely pro-slavery in
sentiment but owned a large number of slaves. As Judge Fagg writes
he had imbibed most of his father's sentiments and feeling on the sub-
ject of slavery, but his career in Illinois College materially changed the
young man's views.
He remarked on one occasion to the author : "The greatest opposition
I had to contend with in my professional, political and social life here
in Missouri was the fact that I had graduated from Illinois College."
At a meeting of the candidates for the Legislature at the town of
Prairieville, Missouri, in July, 1850, Mr. Fagg announced himself as
an independent Benton candidate for the Legislature. His enemies at
once denounced him as an "abolition emmisary from Illinois College
sent over to Missouri to run negro slaves out of the state." "The only
thing that prevented personal violence to me," writes Judge Fagg, "was
the fact that I had a small number of resolute and determined friends in
the crowd who would have stood by me to the death."2 Further evidence
—13 H S
194
of the anti-slavery influence of the college and the consequent unpopu-
larity of the institution among its pro-slavery patrons will become ap-
parent as our story proceeds.
It will be interesting to examine somewhat more- in detail the atti-
tude of the faculty and founders of the college. The story of the Yale
band,1 the company of seven consecrated Christian student- of Yale
Seminary, who entered into a compact with one another and with certain
missionaries in Illinois to found a college on the western frontier is
well known to every student of Illinois history. They were young men
whose training and inheritance fitted them to become leaders in any
movement for the betterment of their fellowinen,- either white or black.
Kirby, Baldwin, Sturtevant and Asa Turner, all became more or less
identified with the anti-slavery movement of the middle west. The
president of the college, a member of that family famous in American
history for the vigorous blows which it struck at the institution of
slavery, allied himself with the anti-slavery cause. It would indeed
have been strange if Edward Beecher,2 brother of Henry Ward and
Harriet Beecher, had not taken the side of freedom. However, the presi-
dent of this pioneer college of the middle west, anxious for the welfare
ot the struggling institution, could not fail to perceive that his conduct
on the slavery question would involve more interests than his own. He
had left the pastorate of a flourishing church in comfortable Boston to
help organize this college in the undeveloped west. He had sacrificed
much and worked hard to build solid foundations for the college. Should
he endanger the prosperity of the school by assuming a position on the
slavery question that would antagonize many of its patrons?3 AVhen
he came to the State in 1830, and for several years after, Beecher was
opposed to the idea of immediate emancipation. He wanted a "cool,
dispassionate" discussion of the subject and he preferred himself to re-
main rather passive in the discussion. "I had up to this time," he
writes, "not participated at all in the public discussion which was so
deeply exciting the nation, but had been merely an attentive and thought-
ful spectator. Such was the magnitude of the subject, and such the
consequences involved in its proper management, that, until the provi-
dence of God should make it my duty I was glad to retire from the con-
flict, and spend my time in preparing for the hour, should it ever arrive,
in which duty would allow me to be silent no longer. My views, when
I came to this state, were decidedly hostile to the doctrines of immediate
emancipation; and it was not until the year 1835 that I became satis-
fied, from a careful examination of the history of experiments on this
subject, that the doctrine of gradual emancipation was fallacious, and
that of immediate emancipation was philosophical and safe. From that
time I felt it to be a matter of immense importance that measures should
be taken, kindly, but thoroughly, to convince the slave states
of the fact, and to urge claims of duty. Still, however, con-
sidering the magnitude and importance of the subject; and the in-
1 This was known originally by its members as the "Illinois Band." J. M. Sturte-
vant, Autobiography, 136.
2 He was not a member -of the "Yale Band."
3 E. Beecher. Narrative of Riots at Alton, 36, 37.
195
terest, ignorance and prejudice to be encountered, I felt that more was to
be hoped from deep and thorough discussions in a cool and dispassionate
style, than from popular appeals and excitement."1
Few men connected with Illinois College have been more progressive
or exerted a profounder influence upon the institution that did Professor
Julian M. Sturtevant. From the cold January morning of 1830, when
standing before nine young students in the unfinished room of Beecher
Hall, he began the work of instruction, to the last days of his life, Mr.
Sturtevant constantly exerted a strong influence upon the policy of the
college. He was one of the leading intellects of his day in the middle
west. Naturally he was closely associated with President Beecher in the
days of conflict over the slavery question but he probably was less radical
than the president. Like Mr. Beecher he appreciated the delicate posi-
tion of the college in a somewhat pro-slavery community, although no
one could imagine Mr. Sturtevant ever permitting mere expediency to
control either his views or actions. He was inclined, however, even more
than Beecher, to counsel moderation. This will be evident especially
when we discuss the relation of the college to the murder of Elijah P.
Lovejoy. As Sturtevant himself remarks in his autobiography, "1 wen:
too far against slavery to win the favor of its advocates and not far
enough to gain the approbation of its opponents."2 Sturtevant was an
intimate friend, of Abraham Lincoln.3 He belonged to that large class
who hesitated to advocate total and immediate abolition in the slave
states themselves but who looked with fear and abhorrence upon the
threatened spread of' slavery to free territory and the attempt of the
"slavocracy" to stifle free speech. Mr. Sturtevant very soon came to
regard the slavery question as. the paramount political issue before the
country. For years he refused to unite with either of the two great
political parties because neither Whigs nor Democrats would frankly
oppose the system of slavery; in fact, it was not until 1848. when he had
reached the age of forty-three years, that he cast his first ballot in a pres-
idential election. Not until the Free Soil party nominated a candidate
could Mr. Sturtevant find a political party worthy of his suffrage.4
Much more radical than either President Beecher or Professor Sturte-
vant was a third member of the faculty, Professor Jonathan B. Turner.
He was the most versatile and independent member of the faculty.
The term abolitionist might much more appropriately be applied to
him than either of the others. Both in the expression of his views and
his activity on the Underground Eailway, Mr. Turner showed himself
a most determined opponent of slavery. When others hesitated on oc-
count of natural conservatism or expediency, Turner moved forward
with a decisive step. As we shall see, he frequently united with the
abolitionists of the city in helping some poor slave on the way to freedom.
Truman Marcellus Post was another New England scholar, graduate of
Middlebury College and student at Andover Theological Seminary, who
IE. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 21, 22.
2 J. M. Sturtevant, Autobiography, 223.
3 J. M. Sturtevant, Ibil, 286.
4 J. M. Sturtevant, Autobiography, 279.
196
had joined the college faculty in 1833 as Profesor of Ancient Lan-
guages. His convictions were strongly in favor of the anti-slavery cause
although he hesitated, perhaps more than the other members of the
faculty, frankly to express his opinions. Professor Post, speaking on the
same platform with President Beecher, declared, years before Lincoln
made his famous speech, that "American slavery and American liberty
cannot co-exist on the same soil." When the excitement over the
murder of Lovejoy was at its height, Post sent an anonymous commun-
ication, "An address to the people of Alton," to the New York Emanci-
pator. The article was a lengthy and severe arraignment of the people
of Alton for the murder of Lovejoy and their outrageous attack upon
the freedom of the press. We must not judge Dr. Post too severely
for his failure to sign the article. The annoyance and even physical
violence which a signed article would probably have brought upon the
head of the author, made him hesitate to sign his name. He
remarks: "I had to keep the whole matter as secret as the
grave."2 Dr. Post was later called to the pastorate of the
First Congregational Church of St. Louis where he did heroic service
for the Union cause during the trying times at the outbreak of the war.
Most of the early trustees of the college, such as the Honorable Samuel
D. Lockwood, the Reverend Gideon Blackburn, Thomas Lippincott, and
David A. Smith, not to mention the members of the Yale band, who were
trustees of the college, were in general opposed to slavery.
Eeference has already been made incidentally to the relation of the
institution to the Lovejoy tragedy at Alton. A "fuller account of the
connection of the college with this event which stirred so deeply the ani-
mosities of people not only in Illinois but in other parts of the Union
ought to be given. We noted President Beecher's inclination "to retire
from the conflict" and spend his "time in preparing for the hour, should
it ever arrive, in Avhich duty would allow" him to be silent no longer.
That hour apparently arrived when the slave power began to attack
freedom of speech and the press. Mr. Beecher was a warm friend of
Elijah P. Lovejoy. He often corresponded with Lovejoy and
when the latter was advocating the calling of a convention to
found an anti-slavery society in Illinois, he wrote Beecher ask-
ing his advice and urging him to 'lend his name to the call.3 Beecher,
however, hesitated preferring decidedly to stand on his own ground,
"to join no society, and to speak as an individual," if he spoke at all.
At the college commencement of 1837, Lovejoy was the guest of the
president and the college; indeed the resolution to re-establish the press
of the Observer at Alton after its second destruction was re-enforced
by a conference of friends at Jacksonville on that occasion. It was un-
animously the opinion of his college friends gathered at that conference
that "in order to maintain the principles of free discussion, it was of
great importance that the paper should be again established at Alton
with Mr. Lovejoy as its editor."4 On the occasion of this friendly visit
the head of the college and Mr. Lovejoy discussed at greater length the
IT. A. Post, Biog. of T. M. Post, 94.
2 T. A. Post, Ibid, 96.
3 E. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 21.
4 E. Beecher. Narrative of Riots at Alton, 24.
197
project for a state anti-slavery society. Mr. Beecher was anxious that
the plans for the proposed convention should be changed so far as to
permit all friends of free discussion, including even those who were not
in favor of organizing an anti-slavery society, to attend. A better name
for the organization, he suggested, would be "the society of inquiry on
the subject of slavery." He wanted to remove as effectually as possible
"causes of irritation" and danger of violence. Love joy did not sym-
pathize with the president's opinions, but he apparently was convinced .
by some of his arguments. At any rate he yielded consent to the broad-
ened scope of the convention, although he would not change the name of
the proposed society. On these conditions, President Beecher was will-
ing that his name should be used in the call for the convention at Alton.1
It seems that when Lovejoy actually issued the call, he did nevertheless
limit the invitation to those who believed "the system of American
slavery to be sinful." This action was a disappointment to Mr. Beecher,
and he went to Alton to remonstrate. Again he urged his friend to
call all who believed in a frank discussion of the slavery issue into the
conference. Friends of the movement seem to have been persuaded to
adopt Beecher's point of view, and he accordingly ventured to publish
in the "Alton Telegraph," notwithstanding the terms of the official in-
vitation, an article suggesting that "all friends of free inquiry" should
come.2 Beecher held a nice theory, but the actual meeting of the con-
vention demonstrated that calm, deliberate discussion of the slavery
issue was impossible.
Meanwhile the State Synod of the Presbyterian Church held its meet-
ing %at Springfield. The delegates must have been vitally interested in
the issue raised at Alton. Of the college faculty. Beecher and Professor
Sturtevant were in attendance. The latter, although a warm friend
and admirer of Lovejoy, did not approve of the establishment of his
press at Alton, and when the subject was under discussion at an in-
formal meeting of the delegates he was about the only person who advo-
cated "the more moderate and cautious view of the situation."3 Sturte-
vant argued, to quote his exact words, "that the bringing of another
anti-slavery press to Alton would produce nothing but disaster." Pres-
ident Beecher was anxious to get a unanimous protest against the in-
terference with the right of free discussion at Alton, but when it was ap-
parent that some delegates would not favor such a vote, he withdrew
the resolution.4 Beecher advised all who could to attend the Alton
convention.
A detailed account of the Alton convention and the events which led
to the murder of Lovejoy, would be foreign to the purpose of this paper,
hut we are interested in the actions of the president of the college.
Events proved the utter futility of his plans for the convention. That
body had already convened when Mr. Beecher arrived in Alton.
When he stepped into the meeting he discovered that the con-
vention had been virtually "captured" by the opponents of Lovejoy. The
IE. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 25.
2E. Beecher, Ibid, 27.
3 J. M. Sturtevant, Autobiography, 223.
4E. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 28.
198
'"friends of free inquiry" were mostly pro-slavery sympathizers, and thay
were claiming seats in the convention principally on the ground of
Beecher's article in the Alton Telegraph. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, a trus-
tee of the college, was chairman of the meeting. A committee on resolu-
tions, consisting of Mr. Beecher, the Eev. Asa Turner, and W. F. Linder,
a representative of the "free inquiry" element, was appointed.1 When,
however, the report of the committee was brought in, the convention re-
fused to adopt the suggestions of the majority. On the contrary, it
adopted a minority report in favor of pro-slavery views and adjourned
sine die.2 The hopes of the president of the college had not been real-
ized. Disgusted with the tactics of the opponents of free discussion, he
now became less compromising and exerted himself more strenuously to
maintain the cause of a free press. At a meeting held at a private house,
the State Anti-Slavery Society was organized. Mr. Beecher prepared the
declaration of sentiments,3 while Elihu Wolcott, a resident of Jackson-
ville, who was closely associated with the faculty of the college was
elected president of the society. Among those elected vice presidents of
the organization were the Eev. Asa Turner and Wm. Kirby, founders of
the college. On Sunday, by special request of the newly organized
society, Mr. Beecher preached a sermon on the subject of slavery. Again
on Monday and Wednesday he preached to the citizens of Alton. Al-
though the St. Louis papers called the addresses abolition sermons, their
main thought seems to have been not so much the evils of slavery as the
evils of a muzzled public opinion. Some violence was attempted during
the delivery of the third sermon, but no serious outbreak occurred.4
President Beecher remained in Alton until the day of the tragedy.
He went down to the warehouse with his friend in the early morning
of the fatal seventh of November to witness the storing of the press.
The two remained on guard until daylight, when they returned to the
home of Mr. Lovejoy. After very solemn family prayer, Mr. Beecher
bade good-bye to his friends and returned to Jacksonville.
The tragic culmination of the troubles at Alton demonstrated the
serious nature of the conflict and brought into prominence many of the
friends of the martyr. Through the activity of its president, the college
was closely associated with the controversy, especially in the mind of the
pro-slavery element. Criticism and vituperation were aimed at Mr.
Beecher and vigorous protests made against the anti-slavery influence
of the college faculty. The papers of St. Louis were violent in their at-
tacks upon the president and the college. The Missouri Republican
was particularly outspoken in its denunciations of Beecher and most
frank in its advice to the college. Even before the death of Lovejoy
1 Notes by Samuel Willard in H. Tanner's Martyrdom of Lovejoy, 221, 222.
2E. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 28; Mo. Republican, Nov. 4, 1837.
3 E. Beecher, Narrative of Riots at Alton, 38 ; Notes by Samuel Willard in H.
Tanner's Martyrdom of Lovejoy, 222, 223.
4 Mo. Republican, Nov. 4, 1837; H. Tanner's Martyrdom of Lovejoy, 136. "Mr.
Beecher's discourse was interrupted for a short time in consequence of a stone
being cast through one of the church windows, and he probably would have been
mobbed then but for the fact that the mayor was in the meeting and we had made
provision to repel any attack." See, also, testimony of Mayor J. M. Crum in W. S.
Lincoln's Alton Trials, 37.
19 U
it had regretted "that the head of Jacksonville college had become iden-
tified with the course of these fanatics." Policy and propriety, in the
opinion of this newspaper, "should have induced the reverend gentle-
man to have been at least a silent spectator, rather than a busy partici-
pator in the movements of a party, whose every step is viewed with
jealousy and every act attended with more or less excitement."1 Beecher
was held responsible for the trouble. Love joy would never have held
out as he did if Beecher and others had not urged him to maintain his
ground.2 The paper published a communication signed by "a sucker"
who claimed that he had heard Edward Beecher and his father, Lyman,
pleading for funds in the East and that they had both argued that con-
tributions to western colleges would advance the cause of abolitionism.
The communication was headed :
"Edward Beecher — Abolitionism — Illinois College/' — The
writer was convinced that "Messrs. Beechers were at heart abolitionists"
and that they deserved "the execration of every friend of the American
union." The writer was sure that "the people of the east, and particu-
larly of New England, had been grossly humbugged in relation to the in-
tellectual and religious wants of the West and by no individuals more
effectually than the Messrs. Beechers." The public voice should speak
to Beecher "in terms of thunder to vacate the presidency of the college."3
Friends of President Beecher in Jacksonville naturally resented these
attacks upon the president of the college and "the Jacksonville News"
insinuated that the attacks of the Missouri Bepublican were due to
jealousy. According to the News, it was "the first opportunity the Be-
publican has had -to show its disappointment in consequence of seeing
Illinois College go ahead of the St. Louis University, notwithstanding
the latter institution receives so much patronage from "the Pope and
the Popish clergy in St. Loui^."4 This insinuation from a Jacksonville
paper led the Bepublican to devote another editorial to Mr. Beecher
and his college. "The doctor is now esteemed by every one as an aboli-.
tionist and by the mass in a much more odious light than was the con-
duct of the deceased Lovejoy. Upon him rests the censure clue for the
late violent proceedings, and morally and politically he stands answer-
able for the fatal consequences which have followed. His conduct in
the late meeting, on the second and third instant, shows that under the
specious pretext of maintaining abstract principles, he was pushing
forward his friend and co-laborer to certain and inevitable destruction.
We have ever with pride and pleasure marked the advance of the Illi-
nois College. Not that State but this and the whole West are interested
in its prosperity and the sentiments and professions of those who may
preside over its destiny. Many of the young men of Missouri have been
sent there for their education, and under proper auspices, we trust this
would continue to be the case; but with one so deeply identified with the
abolition cause as the Bev. E. Beecher now is esteemed by all to be, it
1 Mo. Republican, Nov. 4, 1837.
2 Ibid., Nov. 18, 1837.
3 Mo. Republican, Nov. 18, 1837.
4 Ibid., Nov. 18, 1837.
200
cannot expect either a continuance of the support of the citizens of this
or of many of that state. For ourselves, we would much rather see a
host of such men, as we esteem the president to be, sacrificed than that
the prosperity of the college should in the least be affected by retaining
him at its head/'1
But these criticisms did not alter the views of the faculty or frighten
all of the members into silence. Professor Turner, as already indicated,
took a very prominent part in the activities of the Underground Rail-
way in Jacksonville. Together with certain students and radical aboli-
tionists of the town, he helped several escaping slaves on their way Lo
freedom. He tells in a reminiscent article in the Daily Journal of
August 2, 1884, of his part in aiding three colored women to escape in
1846.2 The women had run away from St. Louis in order to avoid being
sold and shipped away from relatives and friends to a southern planta-
tion. It was "a bitterly cold night in December'' that Mr. Henry Irv-
ing came to Professor Turner's house and told him "that there were
three colored women escaped from the St. Louis slave market whom
their friends had secreted and concealed in an old abandoned cabin" on
the outskirts of the town Turner cutting "a heavy hickory bludgeon
from the wood pile" went forth to aid the escaping slaves. With much
difficulty he piloted them to the house of a certain Azel Pierson whence
they were eventually taken north to the Canadian line. When Pro-
fessor Turner somewhat later in a prayer meeting boldly confessed his
part in this affair an effort was made to secure his arrest but the matter
apparently was not pressed.
Among the students, Samuel Willard,2 William C. Carter and J. A.
Coleman were strongly abolitionist in their sympathies; in fact, ail
three belonged to families prominent on the Underground Eailway.
One episode may be mentioned to illustrate student activity in the aboli-
tionist cause. A southern lady, Mrs. Lisle, from Louisiana, came to
Jacksonville to visit relatives. She brought with her a child and its
nurse, a negro slave of about eighteen years. Illinois being free terri-
tory, the slave, it was contended, could legally claim her freedom.
Probably through the assistance of friendly abolitionists, the colored
girl' became aware of this fact. Young Samuel Willard took her to the
home of his college mate, W. C. Carter, and arrangements were made
by Julius A. Willard, father of the student, to pilot the girl northward
on the Underground Eailway. The elder Willard had actually started
with her towards Greenfield when the two were overtaken and brousrht
back to Jacksonville. The girl was sent to St. Louis to be restored to her
mistress who had proceeded to that place on her way home. But before
the men who were conducting the fugitive back to her mistress arrived at
their destination, they were overtaken by Mr. Parvin and the student
J. A. Coleman, who shrewdly obtained a writ for the arrest of the men
in charge of the girl. The men gave bond, however, and were allowed to
lMo. Republican, Nov. 18, 1837.
2 Jacksonville Daily Journal, Aug. 2, 1884.
3 Willard's father was an intimate friend of E. P. Lovejoy. The family lived in
Alton at the time of the tragedy.
201
proceed with the slave to St. Louis. The episode aroused great excite-
ment in Jacksonville. A notice signed by thirty-six citizens called a
public meeting "for the purpose of expressing their feeling in relation
to the late outrage committed upon the property of a widow lady visit-
ing our town by one of the citizens."1 The meeting was held at the
Court House February 23, 1843, and resolutions were passed reciting the
details of the "abduction." The citizens gathered at this meeting feared
that the public might imagine the town as a whole indorsed the action
of the abolitionists and therefore took pains to rehearse the facts. The
sentiments of the meeting were expressed in the following four resolu-
tions :
"Resolved, That although a judicial investigation will be had upon the mat-
ter we feel it our privilege and our duty to say, that we do not consider this
is a question of slavery or anti-slavery, or abolition or anti-abolition, but a
flagrant and high-handed infraction of one of the penal laws of our land.
Many of us believe that slavery as an institution is one which has been, and
will be a curse upon the nation. Many of us have been raised in the midst
of it, and from an honest conviction of its evils, have come out from among
it. Yet we all admit that it is an institution recognized and protected by
the laws of our common country; that it is an institution honored and re-
spected by many persons whom we know to be as honest men, as patriotic
citizens, and as devoted christians as the world can produce. The modus
operandi of abating the evil of slavery is not the province of this meeting
to point out. We only know that stealing them is not the most honest way.
Resolved, That the citizens of Jacksonville will at all times extend the
hand of friendship and hospitality to their acquaintances in the South, and
will be pleased to reciprocate the friendly relations of neighbors, ready at
all times and on all occasions, promptly and efficiently to aid and protect them
in the enjoyment of their property. And to that end, having reasons to be-
lieve that there are regular bands of abolitionists, organized with depots and
relays of horses to run negroes through our State to Canada, and that one
of them is in this town, we will form an Anti-Negro Stealing Society, as we
heretofore formed an Anti-Horse Stealing Society, and that we will, in this
neighborhood, break up the one as we broke up the other.
Resolved, That although young Willard who stole the negro, and young
Carter who assisted to conceal the negro, and Coleman who pursued Messrs.
Branson and Neely, are all students of Illinois College, and as yet have not
been dealt with by said College; yet it may be proper for this meeting to
abstain from any action in relation to the case, leaving it to the College to
defend her own reputation.
Resolved, That these proceedings be signed by the President and Secretary,
and that they be published in the Illinoisan, Missouri Republican, and that
the Southern papers generally be requested to copy the same. "2
The faculty of the college took no action against the students. How-
ever, Julius A. Willard and his son Samuel were indicted by the grand
jury for a "misdemeanor for knowingly harboring and secreting a slave.''3
1 Broadside in possession of Mrs. W. C. Carter. Mrs. Carter, a venerable lady
now living in Jacksonville, is the widow of the student mentioned above. She has
on several occasions spoken to my class in American history and has written a very
interesting paper on the "Underground Railway" for the Morgan County Historical
Association.
2 Broadside in possession of Mrs. W. C. Carter of Jacksonville.
3 S. Willard in letter to author, Feb. 9, 1908. Mr. Willard writes that it was
suggested to him that since he was injuring the college, he should leave, but Prof.
Post "warmly protested that such action on my part was not to be thought of; that
he should be very sorry to have mo leave the college, and that he was sure all his
colleagues agreed with him."
202
The attorneys of the elder Willard filed a demurer to the indictment.
Among other reasons mentioned in the demurer, it was claimed that
the act under which the indictment was framed was in conflict with the
constitution and laws of the United States, the Constitution of Illinois,
and the ordinance of 1787, and therefore void. It was claimed further
that by the law of the State, the negro was not a slave and therefore it
was no violation of the criminal code to secret or harbor her. The court
allowed the demurer except on one unessential point.1 The State's At-
torney did not prosecute the indictment in the case of the son.2 A few
years later, after he had graduated from college, young Willard was
again indicted for secreting a slave. This time he pled guilty and the
court entered a fine against him of one dollar and costs.3
It may he imagined that under these circumstances opposition to the
college from the pro-slavery party did not decrease. Members
of the faculty continued to suffer the criticisms that were the
common lot of abolitionists or suspected abolitionists. Professor
Sturtevant in a letter to a friend in 1844 laments the trou-
bles of the faculty of the college.4 "It was to the college," he
writes, "a time of great and sore trial and especially to the faculty, ii
is certain that from that time to the present the faculty have passed few
days which have not been rendered more or less unquiet by the relations
of the college to the slavery question; while at some times our anxiety
has been extreme. I would not consent to suffer what I have suffered
on that subject in the last seven years, and am still suffering, for any
other consideration than the most imperious sense of duty. When and
how the Lord is to send us deliverance I know not. I think it can never
come until God shall have taken some good (?) men to Heaven or made
them ashamed of their complaisance to such a monstrous system rs
American slavery." The bitterness of the opposition to the college is
further evident from a very threatening anonymous letter sent to Pro-
fessor Turner from Louisville, Kentucky in 1842.5 The letter came
from a person who professed sympathy with the anti-slavery views of
Mr. Turner. It warned him that an association of the slave holders in
Missouri were conspiring to kidnap him and destroy the college. If
kidnaping failed, the professor was comforted with the assurance that
"a little poison, or a hemp cord on your necks, or a messenger of lead,
or a bowie knife, would be certain in time." There may have been ab-
solutely no ground for such a warning but the mere existence of the
letter is an indication of the hostility towards the college.
We must avoid over-estimating the anti-slavery influence of the col-
lege. The pro-slavery element in Illinois and the South, always super-
sensitive to criticism may have exaggerated the active opposition of the
college faculty to the institution of slavery. Furthermore, with the
1 Mss. Records of Circuit Court of Morgan County. Indictment. The People v.
Julius A. Willard, filed March 17, 1843 ; Ibid., The People v. Samuel Willard, filed
March 18. 1843.
2 Mss. Records, Oct. 24, 1843. People v. Samuel Willard. "This day came the
State's attorney and entered a nolli prosequi to the indictment in this cause."
3 Ibid., May 29, 1845.
4 Mss. Letter. J. M. Sturtevant to Thos. Lippincott, March 13, 1844.
5 Mss. Letter to Prof. J. B. Turner, dated Louisville, Ky., Sept. 10, 1842.
203
resignation of President Beecher and the accession of Professor Sturte-
vant to the presidency, the college possibly became more conservative
on the slavery issue. Some persons now alive who are familiar with
the attitude of the public towards the college before and during the war,
do not recall it as an '•'abolition institution."'1 On the other hand, they
may simply have been disappointed because the college did not maintain
a more radical position on the slavery question. From the facts pre-
sented it is clear that Illinois College was one of the potent anti-slavery
forces in the State. In spite of severe criticism and the loss of patron-
age, the college maintained its anti-slavery attitude. Through its faculty
and the young men who had studied within its walls, like Herndon,
Willard, Fagg, Yates, and a host of others, the college exerted an in-
fluence that powerfully molded the public opinion of the State on the
slavery issue.
1 E. g., Mrs. W. C. Carter in a letter to the author, dated Jacksonville, January
17, 1908, seems "greatly surprised to learn that Illinois College was ever at any
time, anywhere, called an 'abolition college,' as Judge Fagg describes."
MEMOEIAL TO JUDGE DAVID McCULLOCH.
By Eliot Callender.
As an almost next door neighbor for thirty-five years, of Judge David
McCulloch, and as a brother-officer for the same length of time, in tbe
church of which he was such a leading and devoted member, I find it
almost impossible to frame a memorial that will do justice, in the time
assigned me, to this most distinguished and remarkable man. And so,
for the sake of condensation, and to free this paper from possible charge
of bias born of a generation's friendship and intimacy, I have not hesi-
tated to draw freely from the proceedings of the United States and Peoria
circuit courts, relative to Judge McCulloch's death.
Chronology.
David McCulloch was born near Big Spring, Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, January 25, 1832; received his early education in one of
the primitive log school-houses of that period; entered Marshall College,
Mercerberg, Pennsylvania in 1848.
In 1852", he opened a classical school in the basement of the old First
Methodist Church at Peoria, Illinois. Two years later, he studied law
in the office of Manning & Merriam, two of the most celebrated lawyers
of the State. In the fall of 1855, he was elected school commissioner
for Peoria county, a position he filled for two terms, six years.
Admitted to the bar September 2, 1858; appointed prosecuting at-
torney by the judge, to fill out Charles P. Taggart's term of office 1865
and 1866. Elected circuit judge, and re-elected in 1879. Assigned to
duty on the appellate bench, serving for six years. In 1880, elected
President of the State Bar Association. In 1883, he was an unsuccess-
ful candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court in opposition to Justice
A. M. Craig. Eesumed the practice of law in 1895. In 1898 Judge
McCulloch was appointed by Judge Grosscup of the United States Dis-
trict Court, referee in bankruptcy for Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Mar-
shall, Stark and Putnam counties. Reappointed in December, 1900 by
Judge Kohlsaat, which position be held up to the time of his death.
A memorial to Judge McCulloch must necessarily chronicle the fact
that in his death there passed from the pale of human existence, a most
unique and impressive character "Whether we consider his as a citizen,
or as a judge, or as a lawyer, in his social life or religious life ; it can be
205
truthfully said, his was a striking figure amongst those that were just
and feared not, and all the ends they aimed at, were their country's,
their God's and truth." Early in his youth he set his face towards
righteousness, and ever afterward through a long life he hewed to that
line, let the chips fall where they may. To those who really knew him,
the thought that temptation of any kind or character or strength could
make him falter or turn from the straight and narrow path, an iota,
seemed simply impossible. Our nearest and best loved friends, those
we admire, respect and love, frequently pain us by acts of weakness or
•thoughtlessness — Judge McCulloch, never. He passed away at a ripe
old age, without one blot on his escutcheon that his nearest friends were
ever able to discover. A peer amongst the few that "face life manfully
and live as best they can a life in harmony with God's wishes." He
absolutely knew no such thing as compromise. He did not seek friends,
nor did he avoid them.
A close and hard student, an incessant worker, he seemed to have
neither time nor disposition for social pleasures. Yet, no one ever ap-
proached him for help or advice, that did not only receive it, but dis-
covered that his apparently cold exterior but masked a kind and tender
heart. At the memorial exercises in Peoria, one after another of
the younger attorneys arose and gave testimony to the debt of gratitude
they owed him for advice and counsel he gave them unrecompensed, when
they were in difficulty with their cases. Often he would put in days of
his valuable time, looking up law points for others, in which he was
not interested a penny's worth; and when remonstrated with by those
who had raised the question, he would reply, "But I want to know, my-
self, what the law says on this point."
He was as far removed as the east is from the west, from that class
of attorneys that see nothing but the fees in the case. He seemed to care
nothing for money, and died a comparatively poor man, when his talents
and experience would have yielded large returns if he had not been so
utterly devoid of the spirit of commercialism that controls at the present
time. What was right as the law defined it, not how much money there
was in it, ruled this great jurist all his life. He scorned to mislead a
jury, and had no consideration or patience for a Pettifogger. The law
and the Gospel settled everything with him. If his opinion conflicted
with the law, it was no longer his opinion ; he must be wrong. With the
unadulterated Calvinism born in him, no rule of faith or practice was too
trying to be accepted by him, if he was satisfied that a "Thus saith the
Lord" was behind it.
He early found himself out of touch with the rising generation, both
at the bar and in the church ; but while his warm personal friends might
have been few, he had the universal respect of all. Consistency even with
those with whom we differ, challenges our respect. Judge McCulloch's
life, like the magnetic needle, pointed but one undeviating way, and
hypocracy, vacillation and uncertainty wTere unknown to him. Like
Enoch of old, he walked with God and feared not.
It has been well stated, that while Judge McCulloch was upon the
appellate bench of the third district, no court in the State of Illinois
ever commanded higher respect for its decisions than that court with
Judges McCulloch, Davis and Higbee of the bench. They were, per-
haps, three of the most independent judges that ever sat on any bench —
utterly and absolutely fearless every one of them, of consequences. Not
one of those- three judges ever held out his finger when cases were pre-
sented before him either upon the circuit court bench or upon the appel-
late court bench, to take the pulse of the public to see whether a de-
cision would be popular or otherwise. It was "Thus saith the law" and
that was enough for them.
Judge McCulloclrs life was one of incessant activity, I never knew,
so busy a man, and at the same time one who had so much time to
devote to any matter that came up that was of interest to him. He was
at work always. As Hon. Geo. T. Page in the memorial meeting of the
Peoria County Bar states: "The lines and work of his life did not
end in the practice of the law, but like some great river that runs on to
the sea watering on its way, the flocks and the fields — quietly and un-
ostentatiously, Judge McCulloch went about this life touching, in an
undercurrent if you please, the lives of many men and the lives of many
institutions. He was, as stated by Dr. A. M. Little who preached his
funeral sermon, "deeply interested in many things which many of us
know nothing about, but which lifted up and strengthened the lives of
many men in different walks of life."
The temperance cause, early and late, in this State had a defender
in him without fear and without reproach. , His love for research soon
allied him with the Illinois State Historical Society. He was a con-
tributor to General Palmer's ''Bench and Bar of Illinois." His history
extending over fifty years of the Second Presbyterian Church of Peoria,
its members and its work, was the labor of years of painstaking research.
His history of Peoria county is a monument that will perpetuate his
memory as long as time shall last.
But this long and busy life ended, and who shall come up to fill its
place ? Our loss, as we reflect on all he was and all he did, seems irre-
parable.
As Judge Slemmons, in the proceedings in the United States Circuit
Court says : "The weight of advancing years, makes many men sluggish,
and creates an aversion to study and investigation — a tendency to rely on
knowledge previously acquired, rather than labor necessary to keep
abreast of the latest and best thought. Not so with Judge McCulloch.
He was as careful and methodical in his research in later years, as when
he was in the vigor of his earlier manhood. He was a man of diversified
talents, a learned and upright judge, an historian of unusual ability and
an authority on church and ecclesiastical history and procedure.
"He was called home in the bright sunshine of the morning, before
the sun had reached its meridian glory, talking cheerfully of the future
and his plans to resume the activities of life. Yet he was, and always
was, prepared for the summons — however suddenly it might come.
207
"It may be forgotten in the future that Judge McCulloch ever held
a judicial position or other places of honor and trust, but it can never
be forgotten by anyone who ever knew him, that he died without a blot
on his character/
How beautiful it is for a man to die
Upon the walls of Zion; to be called
Like a watchworn and weary sentinel
To put his armor off and rest in Heaven.
It seems to me appropriate to add to this memorial, the touching
tribute of the Peoria County Bar penned by the Hon. John S. Stevens.
Memorial by the Bar to Judge David McCulloch.
Death has again invaded our ranks and removed from our midst Judge
David McCulloch, the oldest member of our bar. It came to him in
the full possession of the strength of his stalwart manhood, and in the
possession of undimmed, unimpaired mental powers, all of which he
was over-using in the practice of his chosen profession.
Tor more than forty-five years Judge McCulloch devoted himself to
the study and practice of law in this community, and to judicial duties
upon the bench, which be ornamented and honored. He belonged to
that class of lawyers who "loved justice and loved the law as the means
by which justice is done/' He cared very little for the commercial as-
pects of his profession, but had a profound respect for the law, and
an earnest honest desire to see it administered in all its purity and
effectiveness in the interest of justice. He was an ardent, diligent stu-
dent, and an indefatigable worker, often finding his only compensation
in the satisfaction resulting from his increased knowledge of law, and its
enforcement in the interests of humanity.
In his profession be was a man of the highest probity, never stooping
to or countenancing any of the so-called tricks of the profession, seek-
ing to win only in the open, fair and righteous administration of law.
He was above, and abhorred trickery in every form. His sensitiveness
in this direction often made him seem intolerant of and impatient
with the conduct of some of his professional brethren. But he was
never actuated by personal malice, or by jealousy of any of his associ-
ates. He was intolerant of success won in any other way than by the
administration of the law, righteously and justly, in vindicating the
right and punishing the wrong.
As a judge, both upon the Nisi Prius and Appellate Benches, he won
the esteem, confidence and love of the local bar, and of the entire bar of
the State, with which, as judge, he was brought in contact.
A few years ago he was touched by an unutterable sorrow in the loss
of his beloved wife and his only daughter — a sorrow to be borne quietly
and silently only by one possessed of his abiding and unalterable faith
in the religion which he had professed and embodied in his life and acts
during all the years. Sustained by that faith in a reunion, and made
more humane and tolerant by the things he suffered, he turned his face
to the front, and resolutely and uncomplainingly devoted all his ener-
208
gies to the practice of his profession, an,d so continued until death came
to him suddenly and painlessly, opening to him the reunion to which
he constantly looked and for which he hoped.
Our bar has lost a profound, upright, honest and honorable lawyer;
the city a man in every sense of the word — one who always stood for what
was best in its social, civic and political life; the church of his choice
a faithful, devoted Christian, whose faith in its teachings was always
unwavering, and who adorned in his consistent life its belief and its
doctrines.
We, the surviving members of the bar, here now place of record this
sincere testimonial to the life, character and work of our
brother.
WILLIAM KINNEY— A BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
By James Affleck.
William Kinney was born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1781, and
came to Illinois with his father and mother in 1793, the family settling
at New Design, in Monroe county. He was the eldest himself. Mrs.
James Marney, Mrs. Postlewait, and Mrs. Joseph Lemen were three of
his sisters. Mrs. Lemen, much to the credit of her husband, was sent to
school after she was married, and learned to read and write, and be-
came an intelligent woman; and died the mother of a large and re-
spectable family. William Kinney was a gay, wild boy, with good
natural abilities but illiterate, and with his brothers and sisters, all grew
up to maturity without any schooling whatever; for the principal reason,
perhaps, that' there were no schools for them to attend. Mr. Kinney
was married at the age of nineteen. After this event he discovered the
need of some education, having sobered down and gone to work for a
living. His wife, with some assistance from John Messenger, taught
him to read, write and cipher as far as the "rule of three," and from that
.beginning he became very intelligent and one of the most influential
characters of the day.
In 1803 he selected a beautiful site for a home, four miles northeast
of Belleville, on the road to Lebanon, and to the eighty acres of land
he first entered there, he gradually added more until his home farm
comprised six hundred and forty acres. Gov. Reynolds says, in his
"Pioneer history of Illinois," "in 1809, Mr. VonPhul (a merchant of
St. Louis) persuaded Kinney to take some few articles of merchandise
and sell them ; if he could not sell them he might return them to VonPhul
again. After some hesitation, he took the goods. They consisted of a
few bolts of domestic manufactured cotton cloth, and Kinney packed
them before him on his horse from St. Louis to his farm." From this
modest commencement, his mercantile business grew to large propor-
tions. He built a storeroom on his place and stocked it with a large as-
sortment of such goods as were then mostly in demand. He traded in
everything that had any value in it, and always at a profit. He lived
well and his hospitality was known far and near ; and lie kept an ample
supply of liquor on his sideboard, his house was well patronized and often
crowded with social friends. About the time he commenced merchan-
dising he experienced a change of heart and joined the Baptist church ;
—14 H S
210
and soon thereafter became a Baptist preacher. He was a very effective
speaker and had a good deal of strong natural uncultured eloquence.
As he grew in prosperity and popularity, his zeal for the church sub-
sided and was replaced by a mania for official position. He went into
politics with all the zest of his ardent nature ; and was elected senator
to represent St. Clair county in the first General Assembly in 1818.
James Lemen, Jr. succeeded him in the second General Assembly; and
he was again elected to the Senate in 1822 to represent St. Clair county
in the third General Assembly, and James Lemen again succeeded him
in the fourth, in 1824. In 1826, Mr. Kinney was elected Lieutenant
Governor at the same time that Ninian Edwards was elected (the third)
Governor of Illinois. Mr. Kinney's success in politics proved ultimately
his greatest misfortune, as it inflamed his aspirations and at the same
time caused him to contract habits of dissipation that undermined his
energies, impaired his intellect and finally wrought his social and finan-
cial ruin. In politics he was ultra pro-slavery in sentiment and a local
leader of the party then styling itself Democratic-Republican, the pro-
genitor of the Jackson Democracy of later years. In 1830 Mr. Kinney
was a candidate for Governor in opposition to John Eaynolds, and was
defeated. In 183-1 he was again a candidate for Governor against Gen-
eral Joseph Duncan and suffered a far worse defeat than in 1830.
But for his exuberant convivial disposition and consequent unfortunate
habits, Mr. Kinney would probably have been the wealthiest citizen
of St. Clair county and one of its most, popular men. He was a slave-
holder and extensive farmer, and shipped (by wagons) large amounts of
produce to Cahokia and St. Louis. His domestic relations were all that
one in his social position could desire. He had an amiable and intelli-
gent wife and six children; three sons and three daughters. His eldest
son, Samuel Kinney graduated from West Point, having chosen the
military profession; but shortly afterwards died of consumption. His
second son, George D., a bright and promising young man, died a short
time after the close of the Black Hawk war, in which he served as a
member of Capt. Adam W. Snyder's company. His third son, William
C. Kinney, studied law, and practiced that profession in Belleville until
his death. He, at one time, represented his native county in the Legis-
lature. His wife was the daughter of Hon. Elias K. Kane who died
while representing Illinois in the United States Senate. Col. Kinney's
eldest daughter was the wife of Col. John Thomas one of St. Clair
county's wealthiest men, a thorough business man and active politician,
having represented St. Clair county repeatedly in both branches of the
Legislature. Gov. Kinney's second daughter married John Adams, a
neighbor farmer; and after his death she married his brother, Parker
Adams. The youngest daughter married Mr. George A. Bradford a
merchant of Belleville, and died but two years ago, the last survivor of
Gov. Kinney's family.
Another great misfortune that befell Gov. Kinney was' his election by
the Legislature, in 1836-7 as a member of the Board of Public Works ;
and by the board on its organization to its presidency. The habits lie
211
had contracted totally unfitted him for the grave responsibilities of that
important position, ^nd he became the easy prey and dupe of shrewd,
designing scoundrels. During his incumbency in this office, several
millions of dollars were expended in public works — particularly the Cen-
tral Eailroad, as then known, which were all abandoned, almost bank-
rupting the State, and casting all over it a general financial blight.
While president of the Board of Public Works, Mr. Kinney was instru-
mental in bringing Lyman Trumbull to Illinois from Connecticut and
installing him in a subordinate position in the office of the board. In
the liquidation and settlement of the board, after the crash and collapse
Gov. Kinney was sued by the State for funds that he could not account
for satisfactorily. This litigation was continued until after his death,
and even after the death of his son, William C. Kinney, the executor
of his estate, resulting in its total bankruptcy, without reimbursing any
of the State's losses. With age, Gov. Kinney's habits of dissipation be-
came more and more confirmed. He was wanting in moral courage to
overcome his disappointments and reverses. Death kindly relieved him
of his unhappy conditions, at his home, in St. Clair county, on the first
day of October, 1843.
January 1, 1900, Belleville, 111.
PART III.
Contributions to State History.
JAMES HARVEY RALSTON.
215
FORGOTTEN STATESMEN OF ILLINOIS.
James Harvey Ralston.
By Dr. J. F. Snyder.
Early in the eighteenth century the Ralston and Neely families emi-
grated to the United States from Londonderry, one of the nine counties
constituting the province of Ulster, in the northern part of Ireland.
They stopped temporarily in the state of New York; then moving to
the western wilderness settled permanently in the region now known as
Bourbon county in Kentucky. They were the progeny of intermingled
Scotch and Irish — the Ealstons tracing their descent, according to their
family records, "from Ealph, son of MacDuff who slew Macbeth and re-
stored the rightful monarch to the throne of Scotland,"' while the Neely'-s
"sprung from the Clan MacNeil, known in Scottish history and romance
as the 'Lords of the Isles,' the histories of these families filling a large
space in the annals of Scotland. Many marriages have occurred between
them in succeeding generations, and their kinship and clanship are
marked by strong physical resemblances, and similar trails of character."
Among the products of the American interblending of those families
in our recent history were Gen. John J. Neely, Judge James H. Ralston.
J. Neely Johnson who was elected Governor of California in 1854, and
others who served their country with distinction both in civil and
military life.
One of the several intermarriages mentioned of members of those
noted families was that of John Ralston, a young Kentucky farmer and
Miss Elizabeth Neely, who were united in Wedlock, in Bourbon county,
near the close of the eighteenth century. Though environed from their
birth by the institution of slavery, young Ealston- and wife were not of
the patrician class, or included in the blue-grass aristocracy, as they
owned no slaves, or possessed, besides their farm, little more than sound
health, industry, and contentment. From their prolific union were born,
as the years went by, fourteen children — four sons and ten daughters —
an exuberant fulfillment of their sole mission of life. To rear and
properly train that swarm severely taxed the resources of the parents;
but the youngsters, as they grew up, scattered away to search out for
themselves their destined spheres in the world wherein to achieve their
216
individual fortunes. Occupying no higher station himself than that of
an ordinary farmer, John Ralston seems to have been ambitious that
his sons should rise to a higher intellectual level than mere tillers of the
soil. Or, it may be that he perceived in them indications of superior
talents that he considered it his duty to develop at the cost of any reason-
able sacrifice to himself it might involve. Possibly, and very probably,
he may have been influenced in so doing by the boys giving free expres-
sion to their aspirations to higher mental culture, and more refined
vocations than his. At any rate, after duly discussing the matter with
his wife, he determined to give his son, Thomas Keely Ealston, a thor-
ough education which would prepare him for the ministry. In that
course he was doubtless guided by the boy's natural predilection for the
church, inherited from some far-back Scotch Presbyterian ancestor. In
his limited financial circumstances, with a rapidly increasing family,
principally of girls, to give the boy a collegiate education was really
a grave undertaking for John Ealston. However, by diligent labor,
economy and frugality, he accomplished it. Thomas graduated at Tran-
sylvania, was ordained, attained the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and
for many years was a famous pulpit orator and divine of Lexington,
Kentucky. Another son, Joseph Keely Ealston, born January 25th,
1801, .was also educated at Transylvania University, choosing for his
calling in life the profession of medicine. He left Kentucky in 1832
and located in Quincy, Illinois, where he continued the practice of medi-
cine until his death, in June, 1876. Of Dr. Ealston, Hon. Wm. A.
Eichardson says, "He was one of my patron saints, a fine gentleman and
noble man, respected and loved by every one." He is thus mentioned in
the History of Adams County, Illinois, published in 1876, "Of his emi-
nence in the profession it is sufficient to say that for more than forty
years he held a leading position among the physicians of Quincy and
Adams county. He was one of the founders, and the first president of
the Adams County Medical Society, and was at several subsequent periods
re-elected to that position. Weighed down through his long life with the
cares and anxieties of the most exacting of professions he never forgot
the duties of a citizen, maintaining to the last his interest in public af-
fairs. Identified with every movement promising to promote the public
welfare, he was keenly alive to the educational interests of his adopted
"home, enjoying a leading social position, and maintaining always a large
practice. He was rather tall and spare in figure, dignified in carriage,
courteous almost to punctiliousness in manner, clean and precise in
speech, self-poised, quick in his perceptions, steadfast in his convictions,
sagacious in counsel — the sturdy virtues which commanded for him uni-
versal respect and confidence."
William H. Ealston, a third, and younger son of John and Elizabeth
(Ncely) Ealston, was a lawyer, who also resided for awhile in Quincy,
then moved to Leavenworth, in Kansas, where he became quite eminent
in his profession, and was a very prominent citizen.
James Harvey Ealston, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bour-
bon county, Kentucky, on the 12th of October. 1807. His boyhood
years were passed on his father's farm, not in luxury and idleness; but,
early initiated in the arts and toil of agriculture, he grew up to man-
hood as an ordinary farm laborer, industrious, energetic and self-reliant.
A prominent trait of his youth was pride of character, inciting a desire
to learn, in order to improve his mental and social condition. But he
could only occasionally be spared from his post on the farm for a few
weeks in the winter time to attend the country schools in his neighbor-
hood, where little more than the simplest rudimentary branches were
taught. What he acquired there increased his yearning for more learn-
ing; but he understood his father's situation well enough to know that
the paternal resources would be totally exhausted by the heavy expenses
incurred in educating his brothers, Thomas and Joseph, so that no as-
sistance for himself could be expected from that quarter, or cessation of
his farm work be permitted, to advance his own schooling. Driven,
therefore, to depend upon his own efforts, he resolutely applied himself
to study at home, taking advantage of every spare moment — by fire-light
at early dawn, and aid of the grease lamp, or tallow dip, at night when
the day's drudgery was ended — to enlarge his store of knowledge from
the few books within his reach. With such restricted opportunities, and
no systematic instruction, his education was necessarily very defective.
That drawback, -however, occasioned no depression of his ambition, or
of faith in his own abilities. Having one brother in the ministry and
another in the medical profession, neither of whom, in his estimation,
was his superior, notwithstanding their higher education, and unwilling
that he should in any way cast discredit upon the family, he aspired to
rank with them in literary and social position. Thereupon, without the
essential foundation of scholastic training he embarked in the study of
law.
Arriving at the age of legal emancipation from servitude to his father,
he left Kentucky in the fall of 1828, and made his way to Quincy, Illi-
nois to begin there the shaping and upbuilding of his own career. One
of his sisters, married to a Kentuckian named Stamper, who had pre-
ceded him to Quincy, was probably the influence that induced him to
settle in that frontier village. History is silent regarding the occupation
he engaged in for the first two years after getting there — if in any ; but
that during that time he steadfastly kept his high aims in view, and per-
sistently continued his legal studies there, must be inferred from the
following record in Vol. B. of- the Law, Chancery and People's Eecorcls in
the circuit clerk's office of Adams county, Illinois ; "At a circuit court
begun and held at the court house in Quincy for the county of Adams and
State of Illinois on Thursday, the twenty-first day of October in the
year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty. Present, the
Hon. Eichard M. Young, judge of the fifth judicial circuit of the State
of Illinois. • On motion of George Logan, Esq., an attorney of this court,
James H. Balston, Esq., appeared and was sworn as an attorney and
counsellor at law, he having presented a license according to law, signed
by two of the judges of the Supreme Court."
218
A short time before his admission to the bar, Mr. Ealston was elected
a justice of the peace in and for the county of Adams, and served in
that capacity for three or four years, or until he became well established
as a lawyer in the higher courts. Responding, in the spring of 1832, to
the call of Gov. Eeynolds for a force of armed men to repel the hostile
incursion of Black Hawk and his band, Mr. Ealston at once volunteered
and was enrolled, along with Orville H. Browning, a brother attorney
of Quincy, as a private in Captain Wm. G. Flood's company of mounted
riflemen, which subsequently was incorporated in the second brigade com-
manded by Brigadier General Sam. Whiteside. On the company's roster
he is reported, "Absent on duty," and was honorably mustered out of
service, at the mouth of Fox river, on the 28th of May, 1832. His career
as an Indian fighter was brief and not very eventful, but from* another
record at Quincy it is learned that a few months later he again enlisted,
in a more peaceful cause and for a longer period of service. That record
states that on the 11th day of October, 1832, James H. Ealston was
united in marriage with Miss Jane Alexander, daughter of Col. Sam.
Alexander, a well known substantial citizen of Adams county. She
was born on the 6th day of October, 1811, and was at the time of her
marriage, a sprightly, intelligent, and very attractive girl. Before the
approaching winter had set in, Attorney Ealston and bride were settled
down to housekeeping on their own account in a modest home near the
northeast corner of Eighth and Hampshire streets, in Quincy, where the
residence of Mr. Nehemiah Bushnell now stands, adjacent to the post
office. They were, for the following fourteen years among the most con-
spicuous and highly esteemed members of Quincy's best society, taking
a leading part in all social gaieties and entertainments, as well as in
every public movement for the improvement of the town and welfare of
its citizens.
Esq. Ealston began the practice of law in the courts presided over by
Judge Richard M. Young, whose circuit originally embraced all the ter-
ritory between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers from the mouth of the
latter to Lake Michigan. Of that bar he was for many years, excepting
when in public office, one of its busiest and most successful practitioners.
For some time he was in partnership with Almeron Wheat, and later
with Joseph Warren, Quincy lawyers of marked ability. In the terrible
epidemic of Asiatic cholera brought west by General Winfield Scott's
troops about the close of the Black Hawk war. which visited Quincy as
it spread swiftly down the Mississippi the next year (1833) with ap-
palling fatality, about its first victim in that village was Mrs. Sarah
Stamper, sister of Dr. Joseph and J. H. Ealston.
In August. 1836, James H. Ealston and George Galbraith were elected
to represent Adams county in the lower house of the tenth General As-
sembly— that historic legislature made famous by its enactment of the
wild system of internal improvements that proved such a disastrous
failure. Mr. Galbraith died during the first session, (which convened
at Vandalia on December 5, L836, and adjourned March (i. 183; >. and
his vacancy was supplied by election of Archibald Williams at a special
219
election in the spring. That legislature is also famous for the number
of its talented members who later achieved high distinction in the public
affairs of Illinois and of the nation. In the senate were Orville H.
Browning, Cyrus Edwards, Wm. J. Gatewood, Archer G. Herndon, Henry
I. Mills, William Thomas, John D. Whiteside and John D. Wood.
With Mr. Ealston in the house were James Semple, James Shields.
Robert Smith, Edward D. Baker, Milton Carpenter, Xewton Cloud,
Richard M. Cullom, John Dougherty, Stephen A. Douglas, Jesse K.
Dubois, Ninian W. Edwards, Abraham Lincoln, Augustus C. French,
Wm. L. D. Ewing, Wm. A. Richardson, John A. McClernand, Usher F.
Binder and John Moore; names interwoven everlastingly in the fabric
of our State and national history, an aggregation of intellectual strength
seldom, if ever, equalled and never surpassed, in any other legislative as-
sembly of Illinois. And yet, the State, with all its immense resources,
was forty years in recovering from results of the stupendous folly of their
legislation in that one session.
Mr. Ralston, of course, voted for the internal improvement measures.
He would have been ostracized by his party and by the community he
represented had he opposed them. As was the result with all his em-
inent associates in that legislature who voted, as he did, for the crazy
scheme, its total and disastrous failure subjected him to no public cen-
sure or loss of popularity. On the 14th of December, 1836, the tenth
General Assembly in joint session elected Hon. Richard M. Young U.
S. Senator for the full term of six years to succeed Hon. W. L. D. Ewing
who was elected by the preceding legislature -for the unexpired term of
Hon. Elias K. Kane deceased. Up to the time of his promotion to the
national senate Judge Young had presided over the old fifth, or Quincy,
judicial circuit since his election to that position in 1828. His resigna-
tion immediately after the senatorial election left the Judgeship vacant,
which the Legislature proceeded to supply, by ballot, in joint session on
the 14th of January, 1837, with the following result: Sixty-three bal-
lots were cast for James H. Ralston, forty-two for Wm. A. Minshall, and
nineteen for George P. W. Maxwell. The commission for Judge Ral-
ston's new office, the duties of which he at once entered upon, was dated
February 4, 1837. If he resigned his seat in the legislature when ele-
vated to the circuit bench no record of that fact can be found ; no one was
elected to succeed him in that General Assembly, and his name does not
appear in the house journal of its second session, held for the purpose of
legalizing suspension by the banks of specie payments, which met at
Yandalia on the 10th and adjourned on the 22d of July, 1837.
Judge Ralston was but twenty-nine years and three months old when
elected to the Judgeship — a young man of striking personality, six feet
tall, straight and well-formed, with auburn hair, blue eves and faultless
features. Polite and agreeable in address, he was as courtly and digni-
fied in bearing and manners as the Virginia gentleman of colonial days.
In disposition he was sociable, kind and generous, though impulsive.
spirited and ambitious. Strictly honest in personal affairs and the dis-
charge of public duties, actuated in every relation of life by a high sense
220
of honor, he was an eminently respectable citizen, moral, sober, and of
unblemished character. In some instances, no doubt, his judgment was
at fault, but in the main his motives were pure, and he perhaps never
wilfully violated his conceptions of right and justice. He was a plaus-
ible, showy, man in public, entertaining in conversation, and a fluent,
impressive speaker, though not invariably grammatical in his language,
or exactly correct in his logic or rhetoric. As before stated, his early
education was only rudimentary, and tho greatly improved in after years
by promiscuous reading and desultory study, he probably never was a
student of close, systematic application, consequently his learning in
some directions had advanced little beyond general principles and com-
mon-sense deductions. A prominent characteristic of Judge Ealston is
said to have been his firmness and determination of purpose ; yet, he was
weak in resisting flattery and blandishments ; and was easily influenced
by those in whom he had implicit confidence.
He was a member of the Masonic Order, but not attached to any
church, having very liberal views on the subject of man's so-called spiri-
tual nature and future responsibilities. He was fond of music, of gay,
lively society, and had quite a taste for literature; poetry particularly,
which he often quoted. One of his favorite quotations, consonant with
his own sentiments, from the tragedy entitled "Pizarro," was this :
'"Should the scales of justice poise doubtfully, let mercy touch the
beam and turn the balance to the gentler side."
As all contemporaries of Judge Ealston of that period have long since
gone to their final rest, the only means accessible for forming an estimate
of his ability as a jurist are the records of his court. The unavoidable
inference to be drawn from them, notwithstanding the scurrilous criti-
cism of Gov. Ford,1 is that he acquitted himself as a judge with credit
and honor. During the two and a half years he presided over the Quincy
circuit very few of his decisions were taken to the Supreme Court om
error or appeal and of those few, only two were reversed.2 He may in
some instances have erred too inflexible adherence to forms and techni-
calities ; but certainly nothing can now be found in the history of the old
fifth judicial circuit to sustain the malignant strictures of Gov. Ford.
The annual salary of circuit judges at that time was seven hundred dol-
lars, a sum less than the wages received by some of the skilled mechanics.
Dissatisfied with that meagre pay, and assuming that he could earn a
larger revenue by the practice of his profession, Judge Ealston resigned
his position on the bench, on the 31st of August, 1839, and resumed his
place at the bar.
Gov. Ford's vilification of Judge Ealston evidently did not express the
estimate placed upon him, at the time, by the people of Adams county.
His judicial services, instead of disparaging him in public opinion, seem
to have increased his popularity in that community. In 183S a majority
of Whigs were elected in both branches of the Illinois Legislature, and
that party came nearer electing its State ticket than it ever did before
or afterwards. Thomas Carlin. the candidate of the Democrats for Gov-
221
ernor, being elected over Cyrus Edwards the Whig, by the majority of
only 996. Two years later, in 1840, the Whigs made stupendous efforts
to retain their ascendency gained in 1838, and also to carry the State
for their national ticket, Harrison and Tyler. The Democrats were as
equally determined to regain their lost supremacy in the Legislature and
to secure the electoral vote of the State for their presidential candidate,
YanBuren. In order to sway the people in their favor both parties pre-
sented their strongest and most available men for local candidates in each
of the several counties. In Adams county the Whigs brought out Archi-
bald Williams to head their county ticket as their candidate for State
Senator. He was an able man, well known all over the Military Tract;
was a volunteer in the Black Hawk war, stood high in the esteem and
confidence of the people of Adams county whom he had served well as
Senator in the eighth and ninth General Assemblies and as a member of
the House in the tenth General Assembly in which he received a respec-
table vote for U. S. Senator, but was defeated by Hon. Richard M.
Young.
After mature deliberation the Democrats of Adams county selected
Judge Ralston to oppose him. The political campaign of 1840 far sur-
passed any in the previous history of the State for strenuous exertions
and excitement, for expensive and spectacular displays, and impassioned
oratory, particularly by the Whigs. In Adams county the fury of the
contest centered in the race for -State Senator. In their eagerness to
elect Williams the Whigs exceeded all bounds of legitimate party con-
tention, carrying their opposition to Judge Ralston to the extreme of
personal enmity. He was invulnerable however, to all their attacks, and
at the election, on Aug. 3, 1840, was elected, receiving 1,546 votes to
1,447 cast for Williams, a clear majority of 99. At the November elec-
tion of that year he was also elected presidential Elector for that district.
The first, or called, session of the twelfth General Assembly convened
at Springfield on the 23d of November, and adjourned December 5th.
The second, or regular sessiori commenced on the following Monday.
December 7th, and adjourned March 1, 1841. Judge Ralston was there
again in company with many of the leading politicians and statesmen
of the State, some of whom, as himself, had been promoted since their
service in the House, four years before, to seats in the upper chamber.
With him .in the Senate were Edward D. Baker, Richard M. Cullom,
Wm. J. Gatewood, John Moore, Archer G. Herndon, Wm. A. Richard-
son, Adam W. Snyder and John D. Wood. Among the great commoners
in the House were Wm. H. Bissell, John J. Hardin, John Dougherty,
Cyrus Edwards, Joseph Gillespie, W. L. D. Ewing, Wickliffe Kitchell,
Abraham Lincoln. John A. McClernand, Lewis W. Ross, Lyman Trum-
bull and David M. Woodson. There was in each branch of the Legisla-
ture a decided majority of Democrats. The Governor, Thomas Carlin,
and Lieutenant Governor, Stinson H. Anderson, were Democrats, and of
that party General W. L. D. Ewing wras elected Speaker of the House
defeating Abraham Lincoln the Whig candidate. Three of the justices
of the Supreme Court, however, were Whigs, and but one a Democrat.
222
In the seventy working days of that regular session of the twelfth
General Assembly a surprising amount of legislation was enacted,
which comprised some measures of weighty importance to the public,
and others of questionable policy. Political parties at that time were
divided chiefly upon the bank question. As a part of the great internal
improvement scheme of 183(3 the State was made a stock holder in the
State bank to the amount of $3,100,000.1 The banks were prohibited
by law from issuing notes of less denomination than live dollars; and
the law of 1838 provided that any bank having suspended specie pay-
ments, and failed to resume such payments before adjournment of the
next session of the Legislature thereafter, would forfeit its charter and
close its doors unless that session of the Legislature sanctioned the sus-
pension and permitted it to continue. All the banks had suspended
specie payments, and had not resume the paving of specie when the
twelfth Legislature came together. The Democrats, supreme in that
body, were divided on the State banking system. The radicals among
them favored enforcing tin.- forfeiture penalty and closing up the banks
at once; but the other faction, known by the radicals as the "week-kneed'*
voted with the Whigs7 not only to legalize suspension of the banks, but
to permit them to issue bills of less denomination than five dollars. Judge
Ealston was one of the "week-kiieed" and in that matter voted with the
Whigs.
Though really hostile to the banks, and loyal to all the main princi-
ples of the party. Judge Ealston and the other "bolting" Democrats very
plausibly justified their course by the reason that the woeful depression
of business, extreme scarcity of money, and unprecedented hard times
generally, rendered the leniency they extended to the banks absolutely
necessary for relief of the commercial interests of the country, and for
averting further hardships to the people. And the end, in that emerg-
ency, certainly did justify the means.
Party lines were not observed in much that was accomplished by the
Legislature at that session. The member of both parties voted together
in desperate attempts to provide ways and means for paying the semi-
annual interest on the enormous State debt, and for trying to devise
plans to extricate the State from its crushing embarrassments. They
were also united, actively or passively, in granting the infamous Mormon
charters, neither party daring, by its opposition, to offend that new
powerful voting element.2 The crucial test of party fealty, however, was
presented in support of the bill concocted by Democratic leaders for
"Reorganizing the judiciary,''* an audacious scheme for converting the
Supreme Court from a Whig to a Democratic tribunal by an addition to
it of five Democratic justices, and legislating the circuit judges out of
office, which was passed by a constitutional majority of both houses, and
passed again over the Council of Revision's veto. There is no better
proof of Judge Ralston's fidelity to his party than the fact that he voted
llinois History. 1906. Pp. 406-408 et
223
. with it throughout for that high-handed revolutionary measure. He was
an active, vigilant and influential senator, a member of the judiciary
committee and chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts and
Expenditures, on all occasions watchful of his constituents interests as
well as those of the public.
At that time the State was apportioned into three Congressional dis-
tricts, the first comprising the western half, and the second the eastern
half, of southern Illinois, the third embracing the balance of the State
north of Greene county, from the Mississippi to the Wabash. In the
third district the numerical strength of the parties was very nearly equal,
Major John T. Stuart, the Whig candidate, having defeated Stephen A.
Douglas for Congress at the August, 1838, election by only thirty-five'
majority, receiving 18,248 votes to 18,213 for Douglas. The act of
February 15, 1839, changed the date of the next Congressional election
from its regular biennial time in 1840 to August 2, 1841, and biennially
thereafter. It was known that Major Stuart would be a candidate for
re-election. Douglas could not again be his competitor, having been
elevated by the "Eeorganization of the judiciary" to the Supreme Court
bench. Upon consultation, the Democrats choose Judge Kalston for their
candidate to oppose Stuart. He made the race, and was defeated by the
surprising plurality of 2,164, with 19,562 votes for him in the district,
21,726 for Stuart, 507 for Frederick Collins (Abolitionist), and twenty-
six scattering.
Governor Ford attributes that overwhelming defeat of Ealston to his
course in ignoring the Democratic policy regarding banks, and voting in
the Senate with the Whigs to legalize the bank suspensions.1 That ex-
planation is in part correct, but only in part. Opposition to banks was
a Democratic article of faith, fixed and sacred as the dogma of a high
protective tariff is with the ^Republican party of today. But there was
another, and far more potent, factor responsible for the failure of Eal-
ston's election, overlooked, or purposely ignored by Governor Ford. That
was the votes of the Mormons given as a unit for the Whig ticket. In
the three years, from 1838, when a total of 36,461 votes were polled in
the district, to 1841, when the number of votes was 41,821, an increase
of 5,360 — there had been an astonishing influx of Mormons into Hancock
and adjoning counties of the district. They had been driven out of Mis-
souri by the Democrats in power, and on coming to Illinois voted solidly
for the Whigs in retaliation. All white males among them, over the
age of 21, voted (constitutionally) after a residence here of six months.
and many voted in less than six weeks after their arrival, as none were
challenged, and all voted for Major Stuart. Hence Judge Ealstou';-
Waterloo.
At the general election in August, 1842, the Democrats, aided by the
Mormons who then had turned against the Whigs, swept the State, elect-
ing the Governor, Thomas Ford, with a plurality of 8,317, the entire
State ticket, and a large majority in both houses of the Legislature.
In the thirteenth General Assembly, that met at Springfield on December
l Ford's History of Illinois, p. 30o
224
6th, Judge Ralston, not having resigned to run Congress, was, with E.
D. Baker, Richard M. Cullom and others, one of hold-over senators in-
dustriously attentive to his duties, as before. The earnest work of that
session, proving of inestimable value to the people, marked the begin-
ning of a new era for Illinois.
The law-makers had recovered from their lunacy of 1836, and returned
to methods of sanity and sound common sense. Getting together, re-
gardless of party differences, they passed a bank adjustment bill, a bill
for completion of the canal, one for securing the State's portion of pro-
ceeds of public lands sales, another for redemption of outstanding Macal-
lister and Stebbins bonds; they appointed the Governor the State Fund
Commissioner, and, as a crowning act of wisdom, provided a "two mill"
tax (20 cents on the $100.00) on all property, which ensured the prompt
payment of maturing interest, and placed the gigantic State debt in pro-
cess of ultimate honorable extinction. The bank adjustment bill was a
"compromise''' entered into by Gov. Ford and the bank directors, where-
by the banks agreed to go into liquidation, call in their circulating "shin
plasters" and surrender to the State their bonds to the amount of $2,050,-
000.00 in exchange for an equal amount of bank stock held by the State.
That was Gov. Ford's pet measure. He claimed that he wrote the bill,
and that it was passed by his personal influence.
Although it was adopted by the Legislature almost unanimously, for
some reason not now apparent, Judge Ralston opposed it. Lyman Trum-
bull, then Secretary of State, did all he could to defeat it, and Stephen
A. Douglas, Supreme Court Justice, as one of the Council of Revision,
voted to veto it after it had passed both houses.
Governor Ford was one of the ablest jurists in the State, a man of
singularly clear, philosophical mind, largely endowed by nature with
vigorous, comprehensive intellect which was reinforced by a fair educa-
tion and much study. In stature he was small with thin, homely fea-
tures, deep-set gray eyes, and long, sharp nose turned slightly at the
point to one side. Well supplied with vanity and self-esteem, his preju-
dices were invincible, and his arrogance at times, intolerable and ludi-
crous. As insignificant in body and soul as he was admirable in mental
power, lacking in physical and moral courage, vindictive, obstinate and
spiteful, he hated those whom he could not control, and, when oppor-
tunity offered, caused them to feel the sting of his resentment. His
spirit of vengeance outlived the lapse of time. He might forget a bene-
faction, but never forgave an injury. Of those who opposed his bank
compromise bill, Douglas was beyond his reach, but Trumbull who was
at his mercy, was immediately dismissed from the office of Secretary of
State and replaced by Thompson Campbell. Having no chance to punish
Judge Ralston he "nursed his wrath to keep it warm" until he wrote his
History of Illinois several years later, in which he fully vented his pent-
up malice. However, expecting to publish the book soon, and knowing
that Judge Ralston was still living, he was too cowardly to designate
him by name in his contemptible villification.1 When General Shields
1 Ford's History of Illinois, pp. 307-308.
226
published Fords History in 1854, Ralston was on the Pacific slope, and
probably never saw in what terms his fellow Democrat, whom he had
helped to make Governor of Illinois, had so meanly maligned him.
When the Legislature adjourned Judge Ralston again took his ac-
customed place at the Quincy bar, giving to his profession his undivided
attention. It is not to be presumed, however, that he abjured further in-
terest in politics, or renounced all political ambition. Few. indeed, in
this great Democratic republic who have once enjoyed the subtle charm
of office-holding voluntarily relijiquish it, or lose the ardent desire to
regain it. The Judge was doubtless at all times, as all politicians are,
in a receptive mood, willing to "make the sacrifice for the public good,"
but was not openly a candidate for any position. Yet, he was accused in
1845 of coquetting with the Mormons, his erstwhile foes, who still voted
the Democratic ticket, and held the balance of power in that district,
but he stoutly denied the (Whig) impeachment.1 It is though, alto-
gether probable that his hold on popular favor had waned, and the fickle
public was fawning upon new idols, as it often does.
To the class of "has been," or of "would like to be," politicians, the war
with Mexico in 1846 opened up grand vistas of glowing opportunities.
It also stirred the martial spirit of thousands of worthy citizens who
only saw that their country's honor was at stake. Of that multitude
Judge Ralston's patriotism was so aroused that he offered his services
to the Polk administration, which were accepted by his appointment,
June 26, 1846, to the position of Assistant Quartermaster General for
the Illinois Volunteers, with the rank of Captain, and he was ordered to
San Antonio, Texas. Closing up his business at Quincy, he left Illinois
and arrived at his destination on the 13th of October. After resting a
few days he started for the seat of war in Mexico, but his train was
overtaken before it had gone far by an order from headquarters, at
Washington, assigning him to duty at San Antonio. Returning there
he relieved Captain Wall, the officer in charge, and remained there until
the war closed. Though never within three hundred miles of the fight-
ing line, the work Captain Ralston did was of more value to the army,
and the cause it was engaged in. than the services of many officers in the
field of higher rank. Vast quantities of supplies obtained upon his
requisitions from Xew Orleans and elsewhere, droves of beef cattle, hun-
dreds of horses, mules and oxen, wagons, harness, and other property
ry for the subsistence and tranportation of the northern division
of our army in Mexico, purchased by his disbursement of many thousands
of dollars, were forwarded from his post and distributed to the soldiers
beyond the Rio Grande.
He employed for his chief clerk Mr. Edward Everett, a young man of
education and very superior business qualifications, a nephew of the dis-
tinguished Massachusetts statesman of the same name, and at the time
a sergeant in Captain Morgan's Quincy riflemen in Colonel Hardin's
regiment, who was then incapacitated from active military service by a
l Quincy Whig of Sept. 24th, 1845.
—15 H S
severe wound in tlie knee inflicted by a drunken Texan ruffian. Quarter-
master Ealston took possession of the historic Alamo buildings, then iu
a ruinous condition, and converted them into a depot for supplies, store-
houses, quarters for his men, and offices for himself and clerks. As-
suming that he would probably be stationed at that post for some time,
he sent for his wife who joined him there early in March, 18471. Xot
of robust constitution, her health failed as the heat of summer advanced,
and she soon fell a victim of that enervating climate. She died on the
3rd of July, 1847, at the age of 35 years, eight months and twenty-seven
days, and was buried there. She had lost four children in their in-
fancy, there remaining but one left to her, a daughter named Elizabeth,
who subsequently married Marcel lus Tilden, a lawyer of Sacramento,
California.
Captain Ealston's clerk, Mr. Everett, was, in politics, as his illustrious
uncle, a staunch Whig, passing in later years by easy transition into the
ranks of Illinois Eepublicans. In his highly interesting ''Military Ex-
perience"— donated by him to the ^uincy (Illinois) Historical Society,
he says of his superior, "Captain James H. Ealston was a Kentuckian
who had settled in Illinois, tall in, person, and sallow complexion, with
that formality of address, and assumed dignity so often seen in the
western lawyer. In politics he was a Democrat, and as he termed it, a
strict constructionist, though moderate and non-partisan in his views.
He was mild and pleasant in his intercourse, and was quite popular with
the citizens of the place, and no unkind word ever passed between us —
though- on occasion, as a delinquent once observed after a reprimand, 'he
could use a fellow up in very few words.' " From this last sentence it
must be inferred that the Captain when provoked employed harsh ex-
pletives to emphasize his utterances; yet, he was not usually profane in
conversation. He was addicted to the use of tobacco, as all Kentuckians
are; but, though a native of Bourbon county, very seldom tasted liquor
of any description. Mr. Everett adds, "He was occasionally called on
to make speeches on public occasions, as his delivery was good and his
manner impressive, but as his early education had been very deficient,
he would make out a rough draft of what he had to say. and then hand
it to. me to improve the language, and write it out clearly. His letters
and reports to the heads of the departments at Washington were gotten
up in the same manner."1
In November, 1848,2 Captain Ealston was relieved of his duties as
Assistant Quartermaster at San Antonio by Captain M. Morris, A. Q.
M., II. S. A. Then followed for several weeks the work incident to
turning over to the new officer the military stores, and settling up the
business of the post. That transfer and settlements completed, Captain
Ealston, with Mr. Everett, departed for Port Lavacca ; thence took
steamer to New Orleans, from there up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to
Wheeling, Virginia, and on to Washington. "Here." says Mr. Everett,
"we made our final accounts, and explained such points as were objected
State Historical Society, p. 216.
to by the auditors. The sum of public money expended by Captain
Ealston while in Texas was a very large one, besides which the property,
mostly means of transportation, passing through our hands, not included
in the above, was very considerable. The accounts passed a very rigid
examination and everything was finally allowed and Captain Ealston and
myself honorably discharged." In the meantime the gold discovered
by Jim Marshall in the tail-race of Capt. Sutter's mill at Coloma, Cali-
fornia, Jan. 4, 1848, had frenzied the nation with the lust for riches.
Captain Ealston received his discharge from military service on the 3d
of March, 1849, and hastened back to Quincy. He was much disheart-
ened by the changes time had wrought there in his former domestic and
social surroundings during his absence of almost three years. His wife
dead, his home desolate, his law business gone, many old and cherished
friends passed away and replaced by strangers, saddened and discour-
aged, he concluded to join the mad rush of argonauts for the New Eldo-
rado, and there commence life anew. Quickly disposing of his property,
and making provision for his daughter, he set out on the long and un-
known journey. Arriving there at the age of forty-two, in the prime
and vigor of manhood, he found himself in a strange world of infinite
possibilities, teeming with people of all races and stations, wildly
scrambling for sudden wealth. Shunning the gold mines, so attractive
to the multitude of immigrants, the Judge located at Sacramento City,
where, in partnership with Thomas Sunderland, he engaged in the
practice of such law as was then recognized to be in force. Making a
specialty of protecting and defending the rights of miners and squatters
against those who claimed titles to their properties by virtue of Spanish
grants, he gained wide popularity and prospered.
The civil government of California was at that period in chaotic con-
dition, with no one in authority, and without so much as territorial or-
ganization. Its American population1 was daily increasing by thousands,
and already a horde of hungry politicians were clamoring for its admis-
sion as a state into the union. In pursuance of a call issued, they selected
delegates who met in convention in Colton's hall at Monterey, on Sept.
1, 1849, and framed a State constitution which expressly excluded the
institution of slavery. By its provision a legislature was elected which
convened at San Jose on December 15th, and petitioned Congress for- a
State government. In response to their appeal Mr. Clay, early in that
winter, introduced in the U. S. Senate his celebrated omnibus bill, or
"Compromise/ by the terms of which California was admitted as a state,
and New Mexico and Utah were organized as territories. That measure
pas-ed the lower house of Congress on the 7th. and was approved by
President Fillmore on the 9th of September, 1850.
The political turmoil preceding and attending the birth of the new
state (Sept. 9, 1850), awakened in Judge Ealston the old office-seeking
instinct that for a few years past had been semi-quiescent. He was again
an active politician, keenly interested in watching the machinery of the
228
young state set in motion, and also watching incidentally for his oppor-
tunity. It came in 1852, when he was nominated and elected by the
Democrats to represent Sacramento county in the State Senate, that
county constituting a senatorial district. The legislature of California
then met annually. Representatives were elected for one year, and
senators for two. The state's capitol had not yet been located, the several
towns were making strenuous efforts to secure it, occasioning much
jealousy and ill-feeling, with some scandal. The third General Assembly,
to which Judge Ralston was elected, convened at Vallejo on the 5th of
January, 1852, and on the 12th of that month moved to Sacramento,
remaining there until it adjourned on the 1th of May. Senator Ralston
was made chairman of the Standing Committee on Corporations, and a
member of the Committees on State Library and Enrolled Bills.
In its then formative stage the infant state required much careful
legislation to regulate its many diversified interests, define its land ten-
ures, and establish constitutional government in place of the capricious
exercise of authority by Alcaldes and priests to which as a province of
Mexico it had long been subjected. Judge Ralston was one of the most
attentive members of the Senate, taking an active and conspicuous part
in all the important work of the session. The estimate in which he was
held by that body may be inferred by the fact that in the election by
joint ballot of a IT. S. Senator, though not a candidate for the position,
he received eight votes on the first and second ballots, and nine votes on
the third, when he withdrew his name. The contest then narrowed
down to David C. Broderick and John B. Weller, with selection of the
latter on the eighth ballot.
The extraordinary amount of rain that fell in upper California during
the winter of 1851-52, by raising the Sacramento river over its banks,
inundated a large area of its valley. No levee having then been thrown
up to. protect Sacramento City from the annual overflows of the river,
it was for several weeks another Venice, its traffic and business carried
on by boats over the streets covered with water from two to six feet deep.
The writer of this sketch went down to Sacramento from the mines in
March, 1852, and while there visited the legislature on several occasions
in a canoe or skiff, the means of transportation employed by the legisla-
tors, state officials, and others, from their hotels or residences to the
building used temporarily for a state house.
The fourth general assembly of California was convoked at Vallejo
on the 3d of January. 1853. and moved from that place to Benecia on
the 4th of February, continuing there its deliberations until it adjourned
on the 19th of May. Those towns, built on low sand flats on Napa Bay.
are six miles apart, and twenty-three miles northeast of San Francisco.
Each town was in succession made the State capital. General Vallejo's
offering to the state a large quantity of land and $350,000.00 in money
as an inducement to locate it in his town, Vallejo; but, it was totally
unsuitable and without houses or other requisites in either town for a
state capitol, the seat of government was, in 1854, permanently fixed at
Sacramento, a more central point, seventy-five miles in direct line east
229
of San Francisco. Upon organization of the legislature, in recognition
of iSenator Ralston's ability and party leadership, he was given the post
of highest honor and responsibility, that of Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee. He was also placed on the important committees on Finance
and Corporations. For fidelity to his duties, for industry, capability,
and influence, during that session he was not surpassed by any member
of either branch of that assembly.
He was not an applicant for olfice that year having in consideration a
matter of much weightier concern to engage his personal attention. For
seven years he was a widower, solaced in a measure for his great loss by
the care and affection of his only child, his daughter Elizabeth. But
the inevitable occurred. A rising young lawyer of Sacramento found
favor in her eyes, married her, and took her to a new home. Eealizing
then the dreary loneliness of his situation, he decided that the wisest
course to pursue would be to look around for another life companion to
replace the one taken from him by death in Texas. With that view he
went to New York City, having doubtless arranged all necessary pre-
liminaries by correspondence, and there, on the 20th of October, 1853,
was united in marriage with Miss Harriet 1ST. Jackson, daughter of Rev.
Aaron Jackson, a Baptist minister of that city, who several years before
had been stationed in charge of a church at Quincy, Illinois.
Returning with his bride to Sacramento he applied himself with re-
newed diligence to his profession, having apparently exorcised for all
time the ignis fatuus of political ambition he had so long been chasing.
Its fascination was, however, too strongly intrenched in his nature to
be permanently shaken off by such a trivial affair as marriage. Yield-
ing to the persuasion of friends, he again entered the arena in 1850 as
a candidate for chief justice of the Supreme Court on the Democratic
ticket. Up to that time the old-line Democrats had dominated Cali-
fornia politically; but the disaffection, and disintegration, of the party
in the eastern states, owing to repeal of the Missouri Compromise and its
consequences, in 1854, had spread to the Pacific slope with tin' result
of arraying against it the united elements of all opposition, including
the Whigs, Free-Soilers and Know-Nothings. Still, the Democrats car-
ried the state for Buchanan in 1856 though routed in many of the coun-
ties and for most of the state offices. Judge Balston was one of the vic-
tims of the Douglas heresies, and went down in defeat before the forces
of the political revolution that, rapidly gaining strength, in a few years
swept the country. In 1860 and 1864 California gave its electorial vote
to Lincoln, and assumed its place in the column of Republican states.
That disaster to his party was intolerable to Judge Ralston. On re-
ceiving the official returns of the 1860 election he immediately settled
up his business and left the state, going over the mountains to Virginia
City in Nevada, where he once more established himself in the practice
of law. Nevada then had a population of about 15,000, which, upon
development of the amazing deposits of silver and gold in the Comstock
and other mines, quickly grew to nearly 50,000. Politicians were there
230
early and in force, having some time before begun, and continued, agita-
tion for territorial organization, which Congress granted in March, 1861.
That act, instead of allaying political ebulition, stimulated it to in-
creased activity in the direction of a demand for admission of the terri-
tory into the union as a state. In furtherance of that object a call was
issued in 1863 for a convention to frame a state constitution. In that
call was presented to Judge Ealston a tempting opportunity he could not
resist. Offering his services to the people he was elected a delegate to
represent Storey county, of which Virginia City is the county seat, in that
convention. In a private letter received from Mr. Wm. Epler, at present
a citizen of Jacksonville, Illinois, he says, "During the fall of 1863 it
was my good fortune to become intimately acquainted with Judge James
H. Ealston. We first met as members of the first constitutional conven-
tion of Nevada, he a delegate from 'Storey county, and I a delegate from
Humboldt county. For the forty days of the convention we occupied
seats and desks within arms length of each other.
"The fact that he formerly resided in Quincy, Illinois, and I in Jack-
sonville, brought us in close touch at once. In that convention Judge
Ealston won the respect and esteem of the entire body by his dignified,
modest and gentlemanly manners, his evident ability, and close attention
to business. He came over to Nevada territory from California, as did
nearly all the other members, my own case being an exception, as I never
lived in California before becoming a citizen of Nevada. Not long after
adjournment of the convention, early in 1864, he moved from Virginia
City to Austin, in Lander county, near the center of the territory, and
there resumed his practice of law ; but, which was destined not to con-
tinue long."
At that period Judge Ealston was physically and mentally vigorous
and active, with every prospect of many years of exertion and usefulness
in store for him. Of optimistic temperament he looked forward with
cheerful expectancy to the admission of Nevada into the Union in the
near future, and perhaps was planning to play an important part in the
political affairs of the new state. The human familv surely has few
greater blessings than that impenetrable veil excluding the future from
its vision. Nevada was made a state by Act of Congress in October of
that year (1861) ; but five months before that event the public was
shocked and saddened by the melancholy death of Judge Ealston. The
mournful story of its occurrence, learned from various sources, was pub-
lished in full in the Quincy Wing (Illinois) of June 26, 1864. and is in
substance as follows:
"About the 1st of May (1864) the Judge, with another man, left Austin on
horseback to visit his ranch in Smoky Valley, thirty miles distant. They
soon separated, his companion going to some other point, and he went on
alone. Mrs. Ralston says 'he was caught in a blinding snow storm on the
desert,' and no doubt lost his way. When he did not return after the lapse
of two or three days, his family and friends, apprehensive that he may have
met with some accident, organized a party to go in search of him, but with-
out success, having ascertained at his ranch that he had not been there. A
number of experienced plainsmen then, with a skillful Indian guide, starting
from Austin, upon going some distance 'struck his trail, and followed it in
231
the direction of San Antonio for a distance of ninety miles, then crossing
Smoky Valley at the Indian Wells opposite Coyote Springs, keeping a
southern course, passing Link Barnes' ranch, a few miles farther fell, in with
some Indians who told them that Judge Ralston was dead, and directed them
to his body which they found but eight miles northeast of San Antonio, and
five miles from the Barnes' ranch.' Lost and bewildered he traveled for
days without food or water until finally he fell from his horse exhausted,
and there expired. From all the 'signs' and circumstances observed it was
concluded that his tragic death occurred on the 8th of May (1864), when
56 years, 6 months and 26 days of age.
Some Shoshone Indians (Root Diggers) were the first to discover the dead
body, which was considerably mutilated by the coyotes. To prevent its
further mutilation by those little wolves, the Indians in accordance with their
tribal custom of cremating their dead, piled dry sage brush over the remains
and burned them. The searching party gathered up all that remained of the
dead statesman and jurist, placing them in, a sack for transportation on
horseback, and conveyed them to his home in Austin. With his remains were
found some gold coins he had in his pockets, together with his spectacles
and watch, the latter ruined, of course, by the fire, 'but valuable as melan-
choly relics of his sad fate.'
"His body upon its arrival in town was taken in charge by his brother
Masons, of which order he had attained the rank of Knight Templar. At
an early hour yesterday, the members of the legal fraternity met at the
court house and resolved to attend in a body the funeral of the honored de-
ceased. The procession formed in front of the court house at one o'clock
and, headed by the Austin brass band, followed by the Masons in regalia,
members of the bar, firemen, hearse, the family of the deceased, citizens on
horseback and in carriages, the cortege marched to the cemetery. This was
the most imposing funeral that has yet occurred in Austin. The worth,
position and high esteem, the melancholy circumstances attending the death
of Judge Ralston, gave a solemn and universal interest to the occasion. Af-
ter the interment the procession returned, marching to a lively tune, to the
court house, and dispersed."*
In publishing the foregoing account, the Quincij Herald of June 29,
1864, said: "The old settlers of this part of the State, and, indeed, of
the whole State, will regret to learn of the death of Judge Ralston. The
particulars concerning his death we give in this article below, copied
from the Whig. He was one of the early settlers of this part of the
State, where he earned a high reputation as a lawyer, and achieved dis-
tinction as a leading politician. He was universally respected for his
integrity and candor, both as a public man and private citizen, and was
sincerely beloved as a citizen and neighbor." The dreary, sandy waste
in which Judge Ralston so wretchedly died was then named "Ralston's
Desert," a name it still bears, and is so designated on the government
maps.
From the marriage of Judge Ralston and Miss Jackson two children
were born, a daughter, Mary Aurora Ralston, who died in early life, and
a son, Jackson H. Ralston, now and for several years past, an eminent
attorney of Washington, D. C, "who was counsel representing the United
States in the Pious Fund case, the first tried before the Hague tribunal.
He was also the umpire between Italy and Venezuela in the Court of Ar-
bitration at Caracas a few years ago.'' Mrs. Harriet X. Ralston, the
Judge's widow, is also at present (1908 ) a resident of Washington.
* Austin Star, May 12th, 1864.
232
It is not certain that any relationship existed between Judge Ealston
and William Chapman Ealston of San Francisco, though Mrs. Harriet
1ST. Ealston asserts they were second cousins. Wm, C. Ealston, a native of
Plymouth, Ohio, and a "Napoleon of Finance/' it may be remembered,
was for three years president of the great Bank of California at San Fran-
cisco, until deposed from that position by the directors, and the bank
closed its doors about noon on the 26th of August, 1875. That afternoon
the dethroned president took his customary bath in the Bay at North
Beach. Swimming far out from shore he "seemed to be taken with a fit"
and drowned before a boat could reach him. The cause of the bank's sus-
pension, it was soon known, was the abstraction of four and a half millions
or its funds by President Ealston, which he converted to his own use and
lost it all in wild speculation.1
[To Mrs. Harriet N. Ealston of Washington, Hon. Wm. A. Eichard-
son of Quincy, Illinois, and Hon. James A. Johnson of Oakland, Cali-
fornia, I am greatly indebted for special information, without which the
foregoing biographical sketch of Judge Ealston could not have been
written— J. F. S.]
l History of San Francisco. By John S. Hittell. 1877, pp. 407-40!
233
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TAMAEOIS MISSION".
By Edward Joseph Fortier.
The time of the founding of Tamarois or Cahokia has been a disputed
question, the date given varying from the time of LaSalle in 1683 to
1699.1 Never has the exact date of the establishment of the mission been
determined. The letters which follow prove that the event fell within
the year 1699, sometime between March 28 and May 20.
It may be well, without going into too many details, to review the his-
tory of the Illinois missions before taking up the letters which help
more particularly to determine the date of the Tamarois mission. It is
not necessary to give the history of the struggle between the Jesuits and
the Seminary of Quebec as that has been done elsewhere,2 but to speak
ot the struggle only in so far as it will help clear up the matter in hand.
The care of the Illinois mission was first confided to Marquette and
at his death it was committed to Father Allouez also a Jesuit. When he
died exhausted by the great hardships he had undergone, Father Jacques
Gravier, of the same society, was appointed Yicar General about 1690.
Evidently Gravier planned a mission among the Tamarois, for he
writes :3 "About the middle of May the deputies of the savages of this
village (Illinois) accompanied by two Frenchmen went to seek the alli-
ance of the Missouri and of the Osages. These French merchants, with
the view of carrying on an advantageous trade with those tribes, made
some proposals of peace to them ; to these they agreed solely out of
complaisance to the French, through consideration for whom they be-
came reconciled with the Osages. I would willingly have performed
that journey to see for myself whether anything could be clone there for
the glory of God among Tamaroa and the Kaoukia who are Illinois ; and
to sound the Missouri and Osages in order to ascertain what could be
obtained from them in respect to Christianity ; for I have no doubt that
I would have found many dying children and adults to baptize. I con-
tented myself with telling them that I would cheerfully have undertaken
the journey with them, as its difficulties and fatigues would have been
1 Peck, J. M., Gazetteer of Illinois, etc., 2d edition, Philadelphia, 1837, p. 85;
Beck, L. C, Gazetteer of Illinois, etc., Albany, 1823, pp. 52, 94 ; Baird, Robert, View
of the Valley of the Mississippi, etc., Philadelphia, 1834, p. 47 ; Winsor, Mississippi
Basin, p. 5.
2 Shea, The Catholic Church in Colonial Days, New York, 1886, pp. 536-544.
3 Thwaites, Jesuit Relations, LXIV Letter by Father Jacques Gravier in the form
of a Journal of the Mission of 1' Immacule Conception de Notre Dame in the Illi-
nois Country, February 15, 1694, p. 161.
234
agreeable to me while working for the interests of God." Further in
the journal he says:1 "But, as I am alone, I cannot assist or visit the
other village of the Illinois, which are on the banks of the Mississippi. ''
The Seminary of Quebec, an outgrowth of the "Missions Etrangeres,"
at Paris felt that it also, would like to do something for the faith and
establish missions in New France.2 M. de St. Valier, Bishop of Quebec,
approved their plans for founding a mission in the Tamarois country
and May 1, 1698 gave his authorization to the Seminary, The Seminary
was to send a superior who would be Vicar General over the field in-
habited by nations on both banks of the Mississippi and its tributaries.
They wished to plant their first mission at the Tamarois ; but, when the
Society of Jesus heard of this, an objection was raised as the Society
considered this tribe, since it belonged to the Illinois, already in their
care. The Seminary of Quebec, however, looked upon the Tamarois ter-
ritory, "as the key and necessary passage to reach the more distant
nations." By letters patent of July 17, 1698, the very Eeverend Francis
Jolliet de Montigny, Eeverend Anthony Davion and Eeverend John
Francis Buisson de Saint Cosme were empowered to go to the Missis-
sippi and establish .a residence among the Tamarois, the V. Eev. Mon-
tigny was to be Vicar-General and helped defray the expenses of the
journey.
The party set out and reached Michillimackinac from which they set
out on September 14,3 accompanied by Tonty who was to be their guide
for the greater part of their journey. On the 4th of October they came
to a small Peoria village where Father Marest had planted a cross.4 They
then stopped in Chicago at the mission of Father Pinet.5 "I cannot ex-
plain to you, Monseigneur, with what cordiality and marks of esteem
those reverend Jesuit Fathers received and caressed us during the time
that we had the consolation of staying with them. Their house is built
on the banks of a small lake on one side and a fine prairie on the
other. If we may judge of the future by the little while that Father
Pinet has been on this mission, we may say that God blesses the labors
and zeal of this holy missionary."'
On November 19 they arrived at Fort Peoria where they found the
Reverend Father Marest.6 "All the reverend fathers gave us all possible
welcome" and Father Marest says :7 "Three gentlemen of the Quebec
Seminary sent by Monseigneur the Bishop to establish missions on the
Mississippi, passed through here. We received them as well as we were
able, lodging them in our own house, and sharing with them what we
could possess amid a scarcity as great as that which prevailed in the
village throughout the year. On leaving, we also induced them to take
1 Thwaites, vol. LXIV, p. 171.
2 Shea, Catholic Church, etc., p. 538 ; Abbe Gosselin, in Congres des Americanistes.
Vol. 1, p. 31.
3 Shea, Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi, New York, 1861. Letter of
J. F. St. Cosme to the Bishop (of Quebec), p. 46.
4 Ibid., p. 50.
5 Ibid., p. 53.
6 Ibid., p. 59.
7 Thwaites. Jesuit Relations LXV, p. 83. Letter of F. G. Marest, Illinois Country,
April 29, 1699.
235
seven sacks of corn that we had left, concealing our poverty from them,
so that they might have less objection to receiving what we offered them.
In another of our missions, we also fed two of their people.
"As the gentlemen did not know the Illinois language, we gave them
a collection of prayers, and a translation of the catechism, with the notes
that we have been able to make upon that language, in order to help
them to learn it. In fine, we showed them every possible attention and
kindness."
About noon of December 7, 1698, St. Cosme's party arrived at Tam-
arois.1 '"The Tamarois were cabined on an island lower down than their
village, perhaps to get wood more easily, from which their village, which
is on the edge of a prairie is somewhat distant, perhaps too for fear of
their enemies. We could not well see whether they were numerous.
They seemed to us quite so, although the greater part of their people
were hunting. There was wherewith to form a fine mission by bringing
the Kahokias, who are quite near, and the Michiagamias who are a little
lower down on .the Mississippi, and said to be quite numerous." The
party left Tamarois on the 8th of December and finally arrived at the
Arkansas where Mr. de Montigny remained for some time.
I have dealt at some length upon St. Cosme's voyage so as to give an
idea of the causes at work for the founding of the Tamarois mission.
I have also shown the good feelings with which the Jesuits received the
Seminary priests. There was soon to be such friction between the two
orders that the Y. Eev. M. de Montigny was compelled to give up his
Vicar- Generalship and go to France with clTberville. Let us now turn
to the letters.
Letter No. I.2— This extract dated at the Tamarois March, 1700, is
written by. St. Cosme in answer to a letter written him by Mgr. Laval.
The letter was sent by the Kev. Mr. Bergier and young M. de St. Cosme
who had not yet taken the priestly vows. In order to give the Missis-
sippi mission more effective force, the Seminary at Quebec had sent out
the Rev. M. Bergier and the Rev. M. B. Boutteville in 1699. Young M. de
St. Cosme accompanied Mr. Bergier.
M. de Montigny in a letter from the Arkansas in 1699 says :3 "As for
Mr. de St. Cosme he remains at the Tamarois.'4 Thaumur de La Source
writing also from Arkansas says:4 "Mr. de St. Cosme is at the Tam-
arois, which is eight leagues from the Illinois. It is the largest village
we have seen. There are about three hundred cabins there."5
It is seen then in reading the letter that both Montigny and St. Cosme
are at Tamarois and as the former speaks of what he did during the
1 Shea, St. Cosme's letter, p. 66.
2 These letters from the archives of Laval University, Quehec, were called to
my attention by Prof. Alvord. I thank M. l'Abbe Amedee Gosselin of Laval Uni-
versity for furnishing us with a copy of them.
3 Shea, Voyage Up and Down. Montigny's letter, p. 76.
4 Ibid., La Source's letter, p. 79.
5 Abbe Gosselin, Americaniste. I, p. 34. Note 1 says that according to the Quebec
census there must have been 1,500 people or five people to a hut, and he says
further : "This La Source is not the missionary Thaumur de La Source as com-
monly supposed, but one of the twelve men who accompanied the missionaries who
left in 1698. La Source, the priest, went to the Mississippi in 1718.
23G
absence of Montigny who had left for Chicago on March 28, 1699 and
returned May 20 of the same year, it may be said that the real founding
took place between March 28 and May 20, 1G99.
The letter ends: "I was very much surprised at Father Bineteau's
arrival. He had left Peoria to come and settle in this mission. Father
Bineteau and Father Marest were stationed on the Illinois river. Bine-
teau in his letter of January, 1699 says:1 "I am at present spending
the winter with a portion of our savages who are scattered about. I have
recently been with the Tamarois, to visit a band of them on the banks
of one of the largest rivers in the world, which for this reason we call
the Mississippi or 'the great river.' I am to return to the Illinois of
Tamaroa in the spring."
"Extracts from a letter of Mr. de St. Cosme to Mgr. de Laval dated
at Tamarois, March, 1700."
"I have received that (letter) which your highness has done me the
honor of sending by Mr. Bergier and my brother who have arrived here the
seventh of February. It would be useless for me to describe the difficulties
which they have encounterd during their journey. Mr. Bergier will tell you
about it at some length. I will inform you simply of that which took place
in this mission since our arrival from the Arkansas, and since Mr. de Mon-
tigny left it to go to Chicago, March 28 of the preceding year 1699. He left
me here with two men. I worked toward having my house built and had
wood gathered for my chapel. I baptized several children and upon Mr. de
Montigny's return from Chicago I had baptized thirty. Upon his arrival,
May 20, 1699, he found my house built and the lumber for my chapel all
ready. We had it (chapel) completed and erected a fine cross. But I was
very much surprised at Father Bineteaus arrival. He had left Peoria to
come and settle this mission."
Letter No. 2.2 — Shortly after the arrival of Bergier and young St.
Cosme, the older St. Cosme descended to Natchez.3 M. de Montigny left
for France not long after as we have said and Bergier became Vicar-
General. The Eev. M. Bergier remained at the Tamarois post with La
Source who in his letter says :4 "M. de Montigny inclines to put me at
the Tamarois with M. de St. Cosme I should not be displeased."
M. Bergier wrote the Bishop of Quebec during the latter part of Feb-
ruary, 1700:
"I related to your highness our trip to the Illinois, from which place I
wrote you all I had found out about the condition of the missions and that
which concerns the government of your church. There remains but to in-
form you of the condition of the latter.
"I arrived there the 7th of this month with young Mr. de St. Cosme. I have
counted there a hundred cabins in all, or thereabouts, of which nearly half
are vacant because the greater part of the Cahokias are still in winter quar-
ters twenty or twenty-five leagues from here up the Mississippi.
"The village is composed of Tamarois, Cahokias, some Michigans and
Peorias. There are also some Missouri cabins, and shortly, there are to
come about thirty-five cabins of this last named nation who are winterquar-
tering some ten or fifteen leagues from here below the village, on the river.
1 Thwaites, Jesuit Relations. LXV, p. 71. Letter of Father Julian Bineteau, of
the Society of Jesus, to a father of the same society.
2 Part of this letter has been quoted by Abbe Gosselin in Congres des Ameri-
canistes, 1906, Vol. I, p. 34.
3 Bernard de la Harpe, Journal Historique, in Margry, V, p. 404.
4 Shea, Voyages Up and Down, La Source's Letter, p. 85.
237
We must not, however, count this nation as forming part of the village and
of the Tamarois mission, because it remains there only a few months to make
its Indian wheat, while awaiting a day to return to its village, which is more
than a hundred leagues away, upon the shores of the Missouri river. This
it has not dared to undertake for the last few years for fear of being sur-
prised and defeated on the way by some other hostile nation.
"The Tamarois and the Cahokias are the only ones that really form part
of this mission. The Tamarois have about thirty cabins and the Cahokias
have nearly twice that number. Although the Tamarois are at present less
numerous than the Cahokias, the village is still called Tamaroa, gallicized
"Des Tamarois," because the Tamarois have been the first and are still the
oldest inhabitants and have first lit a fire there, to use the Indian expression.
All the other nations who have joined them afterwards have not caused the
name of the village to change, butjaave been known under the name Tamarois
although they were not Tamarois."
Letter iSTo. 3.: — Bergiers second letter is a description of the condi-
tions at the Tamarois post. Father Pinet1 mentioned here is the one
who received St. Cosme at the Chicago mission. He founded the Guar-
dian Angel at Chicago. He had to give it up through Frontenac's hos-
tility and resumed it through Laval's influence. He probably went to
Tamarois in 1700 where he labored with Father Bergier. Gravier says :2
Father Pinet discharges peaceably all the functions of missionary and
M. Bergier, who gets along very well with us, has care only of the French,
and this is a great relief for Father Pinet."
In a letter without address dated at the Tamarois. June 14. 1700,
Mr. Bergier says :
"We have frequent alarms here and we have several times been obliged to
receive within our walls nearly all the women and children of the village.
Pentecost Sunaay there was one [alarm] which was not without consequences.
Four Sioux on the edge of the woods of the Tamarois, in plain sight of the
village, cut off the neck of a slave belonging to a Frenchman; stabbed two
women to death and scalped them; wounded a girl with a knife and crushed
another under foot. They were all picking strawberries. We were about to
finish singing compline when the chief ran to our door to warn us that the
Sioux were killing them. He threw himself into Mr. de St. Cosme's canoe,
with some Indians and "Frenchmen to reconnoitre, partly by water and then
by land. Great excitement prevailed. Finally the Sioux were discovered and
three were captured, killed, burned and eaten. This is a horrible detail.
It partakes less of man than of the wolf, the tiger and the demon. The
last of these three Sioux, who was burned only the next day was baptized by
F. Pinet who made use of the "Lorrain" as an interpreter. He (Sioux) was
the nephew of Ouakantape chief of the Sioux, and because of this everyone is
very much afraid that the Sioux will want to avenge this' death and destroy
the village some day. On the other hand the Shawnee who are enemies
of the Illinois are feared.
"One may say that we are "inter lupos, in medio nationes pravae et per-
versae." Their greatest and most universal passion is to destroy, scalp and
eat men, that, is all their ambition, their glory; an essential drawback to
Christianity, as long as it will last. But the mercy of Jesus Christ is all
powerful. Beseech him that he diffuse it very abundantly over this mission
and over the missionaries and that he make them 'Prudentes ut serpentes,
simplices ut comumbat. — Amen.' "
Letter Xo. 4. — M. Bergier' s letter of April 13, L701, gives us the story
of the separation of the tribes. The news of the settling of the French
238
at the mouth of the river doubtless had great influence upon them as
they thought they might get refuge from their enemies. Father Pinet
became the Missionary of some of the Tamarois and was followed by the
Eev. Bineteau.1 Bergier and La Source remained at the Tamarois who
as Bergier says "will leave soon and there will remain only Cahokia."2
Letter of Mr. Bergier, without address, but dated April 13, 1701,
Extract :
"If I did not wish to assure you -of the continuance of my respect it would
not be necessary to write to tell you what is happening here, because the
French will not fail to tell you all I have to say on the subject.
"1. The Kats to the extent of about thirty cabins have established their
new village two leagues below this one on the other side of the Mississippi.
They have built a fort there and nearly all the French hastened there.
"2. The chief of the Tamarois followed by some cabins joined the Kats,
attracted by Rouensse who promises them much and makes them believe him
saying that he is called by the great chief of the French, Mr. dTberville, as
Father Marest has told him.
"3. The remainder of the Tamarois numbering about twenty cabins are
shortly going to join their chief, already settled at the Kats. So there will
remain here only the Cahokias numbering 60 or 70 cabins. They are now
cutting stakes to build a fort."3
Letter No. 5. — The following passage having no date, address or au-
thor's name is an interesting description of the Tamarois or Cahokia
country. It has been impossible for me to date it but I would place it
shortly after 1720 after the completion of Fort Chartres.
THE TAMAROIS OR CAHOKIAS.*
"The Tamarois or Cahokias are situated about fifteen leagues above the
establishment of the French fort of the Illinois called Fort Chartres, and
five leagues below the mouth of the Missouri. The Mississippi flows nearly
to the north and south in a plain which is enclosed between mountains on
both sides, which slope differently from the river, because to the west, upon
ascending the course of this river, it runs along more closely.
"One usually counts twelve leagues, by land, from the establishment of
Fort Chartres to the Cahokias, by going by way of the heights, so as to
shorten the journey, which is too difficult to allow vehicles conveying pro-
visions to pass. This one may hope to develop in time by work, so that it
would seem more necessary to establish communications from one place to
the other by the valley than by traveling over the heights. One could build
bridges there to facilitate the passage of some drained rivers which come
together at that point. These rivers are filled with water when the Mis-
sissippi overflows. One could also establish different habitations in this
space where there are a number of prairies which become larger or smaller,
as the river is nearer the eastern side.
"The woods% which we usually see upon the bank of the river from the"
establishment of the French up to the Cahokias are possibly, in their great-
est width, three-quarters of a league wide, and about a quarter of a league
in width in the narrowest places. They are good for building and heating
(sic) and must be better husbanded for the establishments than those of the
coasts which are slender, crooked, and of medium height, the greater part
being red tortuous oaks.
lThwaites, Jesuit Relations, LXV, 263.
2 Jesuit Relations, LXV. Gravier's Journal, p. 101.
3 For further references see: Thwaites, Jesuit Relations. LXIV, 161, 264; LXV,
262, 264; LXVI, 339, 348; LXX, 310; Margry, Vol. IV, 431; Margry, Vol. V, 444,
490, 634; Magazine of American History, Vol. 6, 160; Shea, Voyages Up and Down,
Le Sueur, 87 ; Wisconsin Hist. Collections, Vol. XVI, 179, 180, 181, 331, 332.
4 Copy without author's name or date.
239
"The edge of these coasts is filled with rocks from which one can extract
freestones, grindstones and millstones. Numerous springs gush from this
place at the base of which it would be easy to build watermills. These
springs form marshes which are found for nearly the whole length at the
base of the mountains where the land seems to be lower than elsewhere.
From the source of these marshes to the edges of the woods which are
found along the river banks, one from time to time sees prairies, which are
more or less long or wide depending upon the river, as has already been
noted.
"The real prairie of the Cahokias, (where the gentlemen of the missions
are established, as well as the Illinois who have named the village of the
Cahokias), is about two leagues long from the southwest to the northeast,
by three-quarters of a league wide in the most prominent place, so that it
nearly forms a long square. It is bounded to the northeast by a small
fringe of woods about half a league wide. This projects from an arm of the
Mississippi nearly up to the heights, beyond which there is another prairie
at least as extensive as the preceding, but I have never seen it.
"The soil of the Cahokia is very easy to cultivate, being at least two feet
deep where it is found to be black, fertile and light. Then there is found a
reddish soil which forms a fine sand mixed with light earth. This soil may
without great cultivation produce French wheat, tobacco, corn and in season
a variety of vegetables in abundance. It may be used as pasture for a num-
ber of cattle, which are -not hard to care for in winter because only those
which are actually working are enclosed in stables or stalls. The others are
left to pasture in the open in summer as well as in winter. An island about
a league in length by a half league in width has already been determined
upon for a "commune." This island forms the arm of the Mississippi upon
which are established the gentlemen of the missions and the savages. This,
to prevent the cattle from harming the dwellings which may be put up later.
"The prairie of which we have just spoken may abundantly furnish lands
for 150 good workmen.
"Between this prairie and another to the south there is still another fringe
of woods about half a league in extent. A little river which sometimes dries
up divides it. This prairie may be also from two leages or thereabouts in
length, by three-quarters of a league in width situated between the moun-
tains and the fringe of woods, by the banks of the river. It is like the
preceding and is about the same shape. It may also hold 50 good inhabitants
and serve as pasture for all the cattle they may need. The inhabitants, how-
ever, will have a little further to haul their possessions upon the river bank.
"The soil found upon the heights varies. Some of it is in extended prairies
and others are covered with woods, the greater part of which are red oaks.
Good settlements may be developed there in the future, either to gather wheat
or to plant vines granting that some may be had from Europe which are
already rooted cuttings. It seems, however, more proper to settle on the
banks of the river because of the convenience of transportation. There
are already at Kaskaskias, at the settlement of Fort Chartres and at the Caho-
kias more than 1500 horned animals and 150 horses, without counting those
belonging to the Indians.
"The distance from Kaskaskia to Cahokia is reckoned as being 21 leagues
by land, so that one will be able to establish settlements in this space suf-
ficient to sustain many inhabitants and to shelter oneself from the outrages
of the Indians.
"The flour and other provisions (sic) can be carried down the river to"
give the inhabitants who are there more commodities for their livelihood,
and will give returns to those of the Illinois for their subsistence as well as
the necessary provisions."
THE LINCOLtf-CONKLING LETTER.
Read Before a Union Mass-Meeting at Springfield, III., Sept. 3.
1863 — An Explanation of Lincoln's Most Famous Epistle.1
By Paul Selby.
Following is the title of the article as it appeared in the Chicago
Tribune, Sunday. June 23, 1S95 :
LIGHT ON A FAMOUS LINCOLN LETTER.
What the Martyr President Really Meant in His Epistle to James C. Conkling.
Popular opinion has been practically unanimous, for the last thirty years,
in the sentiment that the most noteworthy speech of an unofficial character
ever uttered by Abraham Lincoln, was delivered by him in the old Represen-
tatives Hall of the Illinois State Capitol at Springfield, June 16, 1858, when,
in response to the resolution of the Republican State convention declaring
him the choice of his party 'for United States Senator, he announced the doc-
trine of a "house divided against itself" as applied to the institution of
slavery. While his two inaugurals were accorded a greater importance and
commanded a more profound attention, both at home and abroad, by virtue
of their official character and their appearance during a great national crisis,
and his brief speech at Gettysburg took rank beside the noblest specimens of
Athenian eloquence belonging to the age of Pericles and Demosthenes, be-
cause of the simplicity of its diction and the touching pathos which went
directly to the heart of a nation already bowed at the bier of its patriotic
dead, the Springfield speech startled the country with the first clear-cut and
incisive statement of the issue opening up before it, and foreshadowing the
result which was to follow the coming struggle. It thus assumed at once the
character of admonition and prophecy, and furnished the keynote to the
remarkable forensic contest of the same year between its author and his bril-
liant rivaL Stephen A. Douglas. It ante-dated the "irrepressible conflict" of
Seward and indicated more clearly what might be expected as the outcome.
Among the letters of Mr. Lincoln on public topics there is one which is
likely to be regarded, as time advances, as most unique and characteristic
of the man and displaying the peculiar sublety of his intellect in a most
striking manner. Reference is had here to what is known as the "Lincoln-
l The original article, of which the one herewith presented is a copy, was pub-
lished in the Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune June 23, 1895, accompanied by a
portrait of President Lincoln and an editorial endorsement which will b? found
quoted on a following page. To the original text as it appears in this issue, have
been added some facts relating to the event of which it treats — some of them being
incorporated in the body of the article and others added as foot notes.
JAMES COOK COXKLIXG.
241
Conkling letter," written by Mr. Lincoln on the 26th of August, 1863, to be
read before a State mass-meeting of "unconditional Union men," held at
Springfield, 111., Sept. 3 of that year. Some of its expressions border so
closely on the enigmatic as to have given rise to some controversy as to its
proper construction, when read with different predilections and degrees of
care.
This is more remarkable in view of the fact that Mr. Lincoln is one of the
most lucid, as well as logical, of writers on any subject on which he chooses
to express himself with clearness and accuracy. That this difference of
construction is due to careless reading is, I think, capable of demonstration
from the context of the letter itself, as well as from the circumstances which
called it out and the relation of its writer to the man through whom it was
addressed to the public.
This letter was written at a critical period in the history of the war.
The final proclamation of emancipation had been before the country for a
period of eight months, and had, during that time, been the object of per-
sistent attack from the opponents of the administration.
Although Vicksburg had fallen and the bloody battle of Gettysburg had
been won during the last few months, the government was in serious finan-
cial straits, the drafts had been forcibly resisted in some of the states, and
the enemies of the Union cause in the North were more than usually active
and defiant, as shown by the "peace meetings" held at various points, espe-
cially at Springfield on the 17th of June previous.i The elections of the pre-
vious year had resulted disastrously to the administration, and many of its
most earnest supporters were becoming disheartened, as they saw the fate of
the republic trembling in the balance. It was in this condition of affairs
that Mr. Lincoln's personal and political friends, at his old home, conceived
the idea of calling a "grand mass-meeting of the unconditional Union men of
the State, without regard to former party associations, who are in favor of
a vigorous prosecution of the War," the object being to counteract the effect
of the peace meetings already referred to, and sustain the hands of the gov-
ernment in its efforts to subdue the rebellion.
The interest taken in the meeting, as well as its State character, is shown
by the fact that the call received the signatures of several hundred citizens,
including representatives of two-thirds of the counties of the State, and in
order to make the occasion the more impressive, President Lincoln was
invited to be present, besides a score or more of the most distinguished
orators of the Nation. 2
1 At the Springfield meeting, held under the leadership of Gen. J. W. Singleton, a
series of twenty-four resolutions was adopted, of which the twenty-third aroused
special criticism on the part of the supporters of the government war policy. This,
among other things, declared that "a further offensive prosecution of this war tends
to subvert the Constitution and entails upon this nation all the disastrous conse-
quences of misrule and anarchy." and proposed that there be held "a national con-
vention to settle upon terms of peace, which should have in view the restoration of
the Union as it was, and the securing, by constitutional amendment, of such rights
of the several states and people thereof, as honor and justice" (in the estimation of
its advocates) "demand." As this was after the issue of the Emancipation Procla-
mation of Jan. 1, 1863, it amounted practically to a proposition to rescind that
measure and re-establish slavery under conditions that would perpetuate its ex-
istence for an indefinite period. In the light of this feature, it is not difficult to un-
derstand to what class Lincoln meant to apply his argument while addressing a
meeting of "unconditional Union men."
2 The list of signatures to the call, as published in the Illinois State Journal at
the time, occupied one and a quarter columns of the paper in solid agate type, con-
taining the names of citizens of sixty-six out of one hundred and two counties of
the State, and ranging from one to fifty-five names from each countv. Pike i-oimty
taking the lead with the larger number and being followed by Grundy county with
fifty-three signers, Morgan with fifty-one, McLean with forty-five, DeKalb with
forty-three and Sangamon with forty-one — making a total of 1,000 to 1.200 names
for the whole State and indicating the wide interest in the meeting. The call re-
quested that all loyal men rally together from the remotest parts of the State;
"from the farm and the workshop, the office and the counting-room;" that "the
farmer leave his plow, the mechanic his tools, the merchant his store, the profes-
sional man his business, and devote a few hours to th.- interests of his country
and the demands of the government." That it was answered in tin- spirit in which
it was expressed, is shown by the fact that, in spite of the absence of 150.000 of
—16 H S
242
We have the assurances of Mr. Lincoln's biographers, Messrs. Nicolay and
Hay — who, as his private secretaries at the time, must have been aware of
his purposes and desires — that for a time he "cherished the hope of going to
Springfield, and once more in his life renew the sensation, so dear to politi-
cians, of personal contact with great and enthusiastic masses," but that he
was compelled to forego this pleasure in consequence of the demands of
public business. Instead he ient a letter addressed to the Hon. James C.
Conkling, of Springfield (who, as Chairman of the Committee of Arrange-
ments, had written the letter of invitation), which letter he requested Mr.
Conkling to read to the assembled thousands who would compose the meet-
ing.i It is to be presumed that, understanding thoroughly the existing emer-
gency in the Nation and the momentous character of the occasion when this
the stalwart citizens of the State in the field struggling for the perpetuity of the
Union, citizens came from a distance of fifty to sixty miles from Springfield on
horseback or in wagons, many bringing their wives and children with them, while
many single individuals came from the remotest parts of the State or from other
states. The streets were crowded, and in the absence of hotel or other accommoda-
tions, many were compelled to sleep in their wagons or on the streets — the crowd
being confessedly the largest that, up to that time, had ever assembled in the State
on any public occasion, and being estimated by opponents of the movement as high
as 40,000, and by its friends from 60,000 to 75,000, and by some even higher.
The meeting wras held in what is now the western part of the city of Springfield,
on the ground on which the first State fairs were held, but which, during the first
year, of the war, was a recruiting camp and drilling field under the name of "Camp
Yates." An imposing procession marched through the principal streets and to the
ground und°r the direction of Col. John Williams as chief marshal, and speeches
were delivered from half a dozen different stands with a presiding officer at each —
among these being Hon. S. M. Cullom, Col. John Dougherty, Hon. S. W. Moulton
and Judge Mark Bangs, the fifth stand being occupied entirely by German speak-
ers. After the firing of a national salute, the first business was the reading of
President Lincoln's letter from each stand, followed by letters and telegrams from
those who had been unable to accept invitations to be present and participate in
the proceedings. These included responses from Edward Everett of Massachusetts,
Senator Dickinson of New York, Governor Blair of Michigan. Schuyler Colfax of
Indiana. Congressman Bingham of Ohio, General Benj. F. Butler, and General
John A. Logan and Owen Lovejoy of Illinois, both of whom were prevented from
being present on account of illness. Speeches were delivered from the various
stands by Senators Chandler of Michigan and Doolittle of Wisconsin, Henry S.
Lane of Indiana, Governor Yates, General R. J. Oglesby, General Isham N. Haynie,
General John A. McClernand, General B. M. Prentiss. Colonel John Dougherty,
Congressman E. C. Ingersoll, Hon. Isaac N. Arnold and many other home speakers.
The principal speakers at the German stand were Hon. Casper Butz of Chicago,
H. Goedeking of Belleville, and Emil Pretorius of St. Louis. This, however, does
not exhaust the list of orators who stirred the hearts of their hearers by their
patriotic eloquence, appealing for the preservation of the Union without regard to
party. A stirring meeting was also held in the evening in the public square in
front of the court house.
, 1 The correspondence with Mr. Lincoln by telegraph and otherwise, while he was
considering the possibility of visiting Springfield in compliance with the invitation to
be present at the Union mass meeting, and the final announcement of his intention
to send a letter instead, includes the following, the first being a message by tele-
graph written on a blank of the old "Illinois and Mississippi Company — Caton
Lines" (the predecessor of the "Western Union"), of which the late Colonel J. J. S.
Wilson was superintendent, with headquarters at Springfield, and which is care-
fully preserved with the other papers :
"Springfield, III., Aug. 20, 1S63. — (By telegraph from Washington. 10:30 a. m..
Aug. 20. 1863.) — The Hon. James C. Conkling: Your letter of the 14th is received.
I think I will go or send a letter — probably the latter.
"A. Lincoln. President."
On the lower left-hand corner of the message appears the following note from
the operator, which may serve to indicate the means then thought advisable to keep
the plans and movements of the President from becoming matter of public noto-
riety :
"Mr. C. — Mr. Wilson got this in cypher. Operator."
A few days before the date of the meeting, Mr. Conkling received the following
letter from Mr. Lincoln, written on a War Department letterhead, and enclosing
his letter designed to be read at the meeting:
"War Department, Washington City. D. C. Aug. 27. 1863. — My Dear Conkling:
I cannot leave here now. Herewith is a letter instead. I have but one suggestion —
read it very slowly. And now, God bless you and all good Union men.
"Yours as ever,
"[Private.]" "A. Lincoln."
On the bottom of this letter Mr. Conkling added the following memorandum :
"The above letter was sent with the letter published in Holland's 'Life of Lin-
coln,' on page (420-21). and which was intendedno be read at the Republican con-
vention held at Springfield, September (3), 1863, and which was read at that time.
"James C. Conkling."
243
■letter was to be made public, he threw into it all the power of persuasion and
logical argument, of which he was so capable a master. Some of the pass-
ages in it, upon which have hinged the differences of construction alluded to
in the opening part of this article, are as follows:
"You desire peace, and you blame me that we do not have it."i
"You are dissatisfied with me about the negro. Quite likely there is a dif-
ference of opinion between you and myself upon that subject."
"You dislike the emancipation proclamation and perhaps would have it re-
tracted. You say it is unconstitutional. . . . Some of you profess to
think its retraction would operate favorably for the Union."
"You say you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to
fight for you; but no matter. Fight you, then, exclusively to save the Union."
It has been claimed — not generally, it is true, but in a few instances —
that these passages were addressed primarily and mainly to the active pro-
moters (Mr. Conkling and his associates) of this meeting of unconditional
"Union men," called for the avowed and express purpose of sustaining the
hands of the government in its struggle for the preservation of the Union,
and that such extracts as these prove that Mr. Lincoln regarded these men
as, in some way, hostile to his war policy and meant to rebuke them for their
position, while' using them as a medium to reach the Nation. That so dis-
tinguished an author as George Bancroft erred on this point is shown by
the fact that, in his eloquent and inspiring address delivered before a joint
session of the two Houses of Congress on February 12, 1866, in celebration
of the first anniversary of Lincoln's birth after the date of his assassination,
in introducing some extracts from the Lincoln-Conkling letter, he said: "He
(Lincoln) wrote in reply to another cavileri — implying that Mr. Conkling,
to whom the letter was addressed, was a "caviler," or unfair critic of Lin-
coln's policy. That he had found reason to change his opinion on this sub-
ject is shown by the modification of his language when this address appeared
a few months later in book form, then saying, "He (Lincoln) wrote in reply
to other cavils"-1 — indicating that the brilliant author had then learned that
Lincoln's reply to his critics was not intended as a rebuke to Mr. Conkling
and his associates connected with the Union mass meeting of September 3,
1863, but to his own enemies who were clamoring for "peace at any price"
without regard to the preservation of the Union.
Indeed, it has been charged that there was a conspiracy among leading
Republican politicians of Illinois, including those intimately connected with
the State administration at that time, "to remove Mr. Lincoln by fair means
or foul from his exalted position as leader of the political and military forces
of the country and replace him with one of its own creatures," of which
this meeting constituted a part: and it has been claimed that Mr. Lincoln
used the occasion successfully to circumvent these schemes of his enemies
within his own party.
To state such a proposition as to Mr. Lincoln and his most intimate and
trusted personal and political friends, is to disprove it. Among the score or
more of authors who, attracted by Mr. Lincoln's great name and illustrious
career, have attempted to write his biography — all of whom, with a few
unimportant exceptions, quote this remarkable letter and recognize the
wonderful sweep and power of its argument — I have met with only one who
takes the view of its purpose here controverted. This author goes to the
point of speaking of the promoters of this meeting as "posing for the moment
as unconditional Union men," and charges them with sending Mr. Lincoln "a
written invitation to be present and hear himself discussed."
In order to give the color of plausibility to the construction of Mr. Lin-
coln's letter for which these writers contend, they are compelled not only to
disregard the well-known character of Mr. Lincoln's friends in his own
1 "Congressional Globe" (1866), First session Thirty-ninth Congress (p. 804).
2 "Memorial Address on the Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln" (in book
form, p. 29).
244
State, who had steadily adhered to his political fortunes a quarter of a cen-
tury, but to ignore the opening paragraphs of the letter itself, which furnish
the keynote of its spirit and meaning as a whole. The letter is addressed
to the Hon. James C. Conkling, one of Mr. Lincoln's most intimate personal
and political friends, who had been a member of the Republican State Cen-
tral committee and candidate for Presidential Elector for Mr. Lincoln's own
district in 1860, as he was again for the same position in 1864. These facts
indicate clearly the relations existing between him and the President. As
already stated, he was Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for the
Springfield meeting, and in this capacity had written the letter inviting Mr.
Lincoln to be present. In this letter, as quoted by Messrs. Nicolay and Hay
in their Life of Lincoln, Mr. Conkling, in urging Mr. Lincoln's acceptance,
had said:
"There is a bad element in this State as well as in others, and every public
demonstration in favor of law and order and constitutional government will
have a favorable influence. The importance of our meeting, therefore, at the
capital of a State which has sent so many soldiers into the army and which
exercises such a controlling power in the West cannot be overestimated."
Mr. Lincoln's reply was not only addressed to Mr. Conkling, but was ac-
companied with a request that he should read it to the approaching mass-
meeting. In the opening paragraphs, after expressing the satisfaction it
would give him to meet his "old friends" at his "own home," which he is
precluded from doing by the exigencies of the public business, and after
recognizing the character of the proposed meeting in the fact that it was
"to be composed of all those who maintain unconditional devotion to the
Union," to whom he tenders "the Nation's gratitude," as he does to those
"other noble men whom no partisan malice or partisan hope can make false
to the Nation's life," he says: "There are those who are dissatisfied with me.
To such I would say."
Then follows that marvelous argument in proof that the only hope of
peace with preservation of the Union is to suppress the rebellion by force of
arms — in defense of the emancipation proclamation, the employment of
negroes as soldiers, and of the war policy of the administration in general,
closing with an encouraging enumeration of the signs of final triumph and
an appeal to the patriotism of all — that stirred the hearts of Union men
throughout the Nation. How absurd to say of the argument in defense of
the emancipation proclamation that it was intended for those who, if they
differed with Mr. Lincoln at all on this question, did so because it was
not issued as early as they desired. And so of the rest.
It is evident that Mr. Lincoln had in mind, first of all, the objectors to his
policy who were obstructing the measures taken for the preservation of the
Union, and meant, after answering them, to arouse all alike to the duty of
preserving the Nation's life. And that it had the desired effect is shown in
the response it evoked wherever the national flag gave protection to com-
plete freedom of opinion. i
But this construction of Mr. Lincoln's intention in penning this memorable
letter is not dependent upon the opinion of any single latter-day reader. The
Hon. James C. Conkling, who received it and by special request of Mr. Lin-
l Other examples of Lincoln's peculiar style of argument, aiming at his opponents
while addressing his friends, might be cited, one of the most noticeable being in a
speech delivered bv him at Galena during the Fremont campaign in 1856, a "frag-
ment" of which is preserved in the Nicolay and Hay edition of the Lincoln "Ad-
dresses and Letters," (Vol. I, pp. 220-221). In this he says:
"We, the maim-itv, would not strive to destroy the Union: and if any attempt is
made, it must he vou. who so loudlv stigmatize us as disuni. mists. But the Union
in anv event will not be dissolved. We don't want to dissolve it, and if you attempt
it. we won't let you. . . . All this talk about the dissolution of the Union is
humbug — nothing but folly. We don't want to dissolve the Union ; you shall not."
The same sentiments, and almost the same language — whether accurately or
not — are used in the Whitney report of the "Lost Speech.'' as delivered at Bloom-
ington on May 29, 1856.
245
coin, read it at the meeting of September, 1863, and who still lives i at his
old home and that of his friend, the martyred President, should of all living
men be best qualified to state what was the true meaning of its author. In
a letter to the writer of this article during the present year, with the original
of Mr. Lincoln's letter lying before him, Mr. Conkling wrote as follows:
"Springfield, III.. March 16, 1895.
Paul Selby, Esq.:
My Dear Sir — Your esteemed favor of the 15th inst., is received. There
seems to be some misunderstanding as to the meaning and intent of a por-
tion of President Lincoln's letter to me dated August 26, 1863. I have the
original letter now in my desk before me.
"A charge is now made that, although the letter was addressed to those
who promoted or composed the mass-meeting, yet some of its leaders were
conspirators against Mr. Lincoln and opposed his aspirations for the Pres-
idency a second time, and that they assumed the title of unconditional Union
men when, in fact, they were dissatisfied and criticised the policy of the ad-
ministration. This charge is perfectly absurd. The Executive Committee
and leaders of the movement would not stultify themselves by assuming a
name to which they were not entitled. At that period the great mass of the
Republican party were terribly in earnest. They needed no concealment of
their plans and purposes. Our armies had recently achieved glorious vic-
tories. Vicksburg had fallen and the battle of Gettysburg had been won.
The emancipation proclamation had been issued and the rebellion was being
crushed. The rifle was placed in the hands of the ex-slave and he became
an efficient part of our armies and bravely fought for the preservation of the
Union and his own liberty. This was one of the grandest measures of the
administration and Mr. Lincoln naturally felt solicitous for its complete
success. After acknowledging the receipt of the invitation to attend the
mass-meeting of unconditional Union men on the 3d of September, 1863, he
immediately commences an argument, not with the unconditional Union men,
but with others who criticised his policy and attempted to defeat his plans.
He rebuked those who were for peace at any price and denounced those who
proclaimed their treasonable utterances so boldly at that period and claimed
the war to be a failure. Mr. Lincoln's letter opens as follows:
"'The Hon. James C. Conkling — My Dear Sir: Your letter inviting me to
attend a mass-meeting of unconditional Union men to be held at the capital
of Illinois on the third day of September has been received. It would be
very agreeable to me to there meet my old friends at my own home, but I
cannot just now be absent from here so long as a visit there would require.
" 'The meeting is to be of all those who maintain unconditional devo-
tion to the Union, and I am sure my old political friends will thank me
for tendering, as I do, the national gratitude to those other noble men whom
no partisan malice or partisan hope can make false to the Nation's life.'
"From this it can be seen that Mr. Lincoln knew he was invited to address
men who preferred the preservation of the Union to every other considera-
tion. They had no criticisms to make upon his policy. They submitted to
his superior wisdom and judgment. They were gratified with his success
and were willing to trust him for the future. There was no necessity for
arguing with such men. They were already convinced that Mr. Lincoln was
right, and they were willing to adopt his policy unconditionally and with-
out any objection.
"But Mr. Lincoln proceeds: 'There are those who are dissatisfied with me.
To such I would say. you desire peace and you blame me that we do not
have it.'
"But these persons did not belong to said convention. They had no
sympathy with it. They wanted peace at any price. They preferred the dis-
solution of the Union to the abolition of slavery. They gave aid and com-
l Mr. Conkling died in his home at Springfield, March 1. 1899.
2-M
fort to the enemy. They strove to make the rebellion triumphant over the
Union. Yet Mr. Lincoln reasoned with them fairly and honestly and en-
deavored to convince them of their errors and their folly.
"The argument was made for their benefit, although the letter was read to
a mass-meeting of unconditional Union men. Yours truly,
James C. Coxklixg-"
Testimony like this, coming from the man to whom this historical paper
was addressed and who knew the spirit, and motives of the men whom he
had represented in penning the invitation which called it forth; who had
been the close political ally and personal friend of Mr. Lincoln through his
whole public career, and was familiar with all his modes of thought arid ac-
tion, and who twice cast the vote for Lincoln's own district in the Electoral
College of Illinois for his friend, should be conclusive on this purpose. It
would be the height of absurdity to charge. Mr. Lincoln, even by implication,
with using an occasion of such transcendent importance to the Union cause,
when the fate of the Nation was at stake, to promote the chances of his
renomination for the Presidency one year later, and with offering a scarcely
veiled insult to his "old friends" in his "own home," by asking one of them
to read a paper intended to be a rebuke and a reproach of the reader and his
associates. Abraham Lincoln was neither a political trickster seeking his
own advancement by the arts of the demagogue, uor was he an ungrateful
friend seeking to humiliate his most earnest supporters.
If any further evidence were needed on this point, it is furnished in the
closing sentence of the private letter (quoted in a footnote on a preceding
page of this paper), in which he enclosed the letter, to be read at the Union
mass-meeting. In that letter, speaking with an earnestness and emphasis
that seemed almost impassioned, he said: 'God bless you and all good
Union men.' "
That the importance of this letter has not been overestimated is capable
of demonstration, from contemporaneous and subsequent tributes to it,
Messrs. Nicolay and Hay, in their "Life of Lincoln," say of it:
"Among all the state papers of Mr. Lincoln from his nomination to his
death this letter is unique. It may be called his last stump speech; the only
one made during his Presidency. We find in it all the qualities that made
him in Illinois the incomparable political leader of his party for a generation.
There is the same close, unerring logic, the same innate perception of polit-
ical conduct, the same wit and sarcasm, the same touch of picturesque elo-
quence, which abounded in his earlier and more careless oratory, but all
wonderfully heightened, strengthened, and chastened by a sense of weighty
responsibility. ... It was, like most of his speeches, addressed mostly
to his opponents, and in this short space he appealed successively to their
reason, to their sympathies, and to their fears. . . . The style . . .
is as remarkable as its matter; each sentence, like a trained athlete, is
divested of every superfluous word and syllable, yet nowhere is there a word
lacking any more than a word too much."
It met instant approval alike from the ablest politicians, statesmen, and
rhetoricians. Charles Sumner wrote, indorsing it as "a noble letter," "a
historical document," and declared "it cannot be answered." Henry Wilson
spoke of it as "noble, patriotic, and Christian," and predicted that it would
be "on the lips and in the hearts of hundreds and thousands this day." The
venerable and scholarly Josiah Quincy pronounced it "happy, timely, con-
clusive, and effective," and declared, in view of the assaults made upon Mr.
Lincoln's character, "the development is an imperishable monument of wis-
dom and virtue."i
1 Nicolay and Hay's "Abraham Lincoln— A History" (pp. 379-385).
217
It is due, not alone to Mr. Lincoln's personal and political friends in his
own State, who, whatever might have been their differences on minor details
of policy, always stood true in support of his great measures, but to the
memory of Mr. Lincoln himself, that this now famous letter should be under-
stood as its sagacious and illustrious author intended.
Paul Selby.
Tribune Comment.
The original communication of which the preceding article is a copy.
with some added facts in foot-notes, was published in the Chicago Trib-
une of June 23, 1895, under the title, "Light on a Famous Lincoln
Letter — What the Martyr President Eeally Meant in his Epistle to
James C' Conkling.'" 'On the editorial-page of the' same issue appeared
the following paragraph from the pen of the late Joseph Medill, then
editor-in-chief of the paper :
"The Tribune prints on another page of today's paper, the notable or
"unique" letter written by Abraham Lincoln, to James C. Conkling. of Spring-
field, in 1863, and read at the mass-meeting of. Union men held at the State
capital September 3 of that year. This is accompanied by a communication
from Paul Selby, in which he controverts successfully the claim. which has
been made sometimes that some of the passages of Mr. Lincoln's letter were
addressed primarily to some of the promoters of the mass-meeting in ques-
tion, who, it has been alleged, were unfriendly to Mr, Lincoln and were con-
spiring against him. Mr. Selby shows that the passages of the letter on
which this claim has been based — such as "You desire peace, and you blame
me that we do not have it," or, "You dislike the emancipation proclamation,
and perhaps would have it retracted" — were not intended for the benefit of
the Union men who called, or who attended, the mass-meeting, but were ad-
dressed to a very different constituency — that is, to those who were openly
and avowedly opposed to his policy. The letter was a stump speech of re-
markable ability, and which had a wonderful effect. It is worth reading as
an admirable example of Mr. Lincoln's political sagacity, his logical and
argumentative powers, and his terse, forcible English."
BRIEF SKETCH OF MR. CONKLING.
James Cook Conkling- was horn in New York City. Oct. 13, 1816
from Princeton College, New Jersey, in 1835; studied law and was adn.iu.-'l to the
bar at Morristown, Now Jersey, in 1838, When he removed to Springfield, 111., and
had for his first partner in the practice of his profession Cyrus Walker, an eminent
lawyer of his time, later being associated in the same capacity with General James
Shields, a soldier of the Mexican War, who also served as United States Senator
at different periods from Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. Always a political and
personal friend of Abraham Lincoln after coming to Illinois, Mr. Conkling served
one term as mayor of the citv of Springfield (1844-45), and two terms as Represen-
tative in the General Assembly from Sangamon county (1851-52 and 1867-68) ;
was a member of the Committee on Resolutions in the Republican State convention
at Bloomington in 1856, and by the same convention was appointed a member of
the State Central Committee; also, in 1860 and again in 1864, was chosen Presi-
dential Elector for the Springfield District, on both occasions casting his vote in
the Electoral College for Abraham Lincoln for PresiU in. P.. -sides holding various
appointive offices during the war period, for the the last thirty years of his life
he served as a member of the Lincoln Monument Association and as Postmaster of
the city of Springfield from 1890 to 1894. His death occurred March 1. 1899.
LINCOLN'S FAMOUS LETTER.
Full Text of the Document Writtex to James C. Coxklixg ix 1863.
Executive Maxsiox,
Washingtox, D. C, August 26, 1863.
Hon. James C. Conkling:
Dear Sir — Your letter inviting me to attend a mass-meeting of uncondi-
tional Union men, to be held at the capital of Illinois on the 3d day of Sep-
tember, has been received. It would be very agreeable for me thus to meet
my old friends at my own home, but I cannot just now be absent from here
so long as a visit there would require.
The meeting is to be of all those who maintain unconditional devotion to
the Union, and I am sure that my old political friends will thank me for
tendering, as I do, the Nation's gratitude to those noble men whom no par-
tisan malice or partisan hope can make false to the Nation's life.
There are those who are dissatisfied with me. To such I would say: You
desire peace and you blame me that we do not have it. But how can we
attain it? There are but three conceivable ways: First — to suppress the
rebellion by force of arms. This I am trying to do. Are you for it? If you
are, so far we are agreed. If you are not for it, a second way is to give up
the Union. I am against this. Are you for it? If you are, you should say
so plainly. If you are not for fo'rce, nor yet for dissolution, there only re-
mains some imaginable compromise.
I do not believe that any compromise embracing the maintenance of the
Union is now possible. All that I learn leads to a directly opposite belief.
The strength of the rebellion is its military, its army. That army dominates
all the country and all the people within its range. Any offer of terms made
by any man or men within that range in opposition to that army is simply
nothing for the present, because such man or men have no power whatever
to enforce their side of a compromise if one were made with them.
To illustrate: Suppose refugees from the South and peace men of the
North get together in convention and frame and proclaim a compromise em-
bracing a restoration of the Union. In what way can that compromise be
used to keep Lee's army out of Pennsylvania? Meade's army can keep Lee's
army out of Pennsylvania and, I think, can ultimately drive it out of exist-
ence. But no paper compromise to which the controllers of Lee's army are
not agreed can at all affect that army. In an effort at such compromise we
would waste time, which the enemy would improve to our disadvantage, and
that would be all.
A compromise to be effective must be made either with the rebel
army or with the people first liberated from the domination of that army by
the success of our own army. Now allow me to assure you that no word or
intimation from the rebel army, or from any of the men controlling it, in
relation to any peace compromise has ever come to my knowledge or belief.
All charges and insinuations to the contrary are deceptive and groundless.
And I promise you that, if any such proposition shall hereafter come, it shall
not be rejected and kept a secret from you. I freely acknowledge myself
to be the servant of the people according to the bond of service, the United
States Constitution, and that, as such, I am responsible to them.
But to be plain. You are dissatisfied with me about the negro. Quite
likely there is a difference of opinion between you and myself upon that
subject. I certainly wish that all men could be free, while you, I suppose,
do not. Yet I have neither adopted nor proposed any measure which is not
consistent even with your view, provided that you are for the Union. I sug-
gested compensated emancipation, to which you replied you wished not to
be taxed to buy negroes. But I had not asked you to be taxed to buy negroes,
except in such a way as to save you from greater taxation to save the Union
exclusively by other means.
249
You dislike the emancipation proclamation, and perhaps would have it
retracted. You say it is unconstitutional. I think differently. I think the
Constitution invests its Commander-in-Chief with the law of war in time
of war. The most that can be said, if so much, is, that slaves are property.
Is there, has there ever been, any question that, by the law of war, property,
both of enemies and friends, may be taken when needed? And is it not
needed whenever it helps us and hurts the enemy? Armies the world over
destroy enemies' property when they cannot use it, and even destroy their
own to keep it from the enemy. Civilized belligerents do all in their power
to help themselves or hurt the enemy, except a few things regarded as bar-
barous or cruel. Among the exceptions are the massacre of vanquished foes
and non-combatants, male and female.
But the proclamation, as a law, either is valid or is not valid. If it is not
valid it needs no retraction. If it is valid it cannot be retracted any more
than the dead can be brought to life. Some of you profess to think its
retraction would operate unfavorably for the Union. Why better after the
retraction than before the issue? There was more than a year and a half
of trial to suppress the rebellion before the proclamation was issued, the last
100 days of which passed under an explicit notice that it was coming unless
averted by those in revolt returning to their allegiance. The war has cer-
tainly progressed as favorably for us since the issue of the proclamation as
before.
I know, as fully as one can know the opinion of others, that some of the
commanders of our armies in the field, who have given us our most import-
ant victories, believe the emancipation policy and the use of colored troops
constitute the heaviest blows yet dealt to the rebellion, and that at least
one of those important successes could not have been achieved when it was
but for the aid of the black soldiers.
Among the commanders who hold these views are some who have never
had an affinity with what is called "abolitionism" or with "Republican party
politics," but who hold them purely as military opinions. I submit their
opinions as entitled to some weight against the objections, often urged, that
emancipation and arming the blacks are unwise as military measures and
were not adopted as such in good faith.
You say that you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing
to fight for you; but no matter. Fight you, then, exclusively to save the
Union. I issued the proclamation on purpose to aid you in saving the
Union. Whenever you shall have conquered all resistance to the Union if I
shall urge you to continue fighting, it will be an apt time then for you to
declare you will not fight to free negroes. I thought that in your struggle
for the Union, to whatever extent the negroes shall cease helping the enemy,
to that extent it weakened the enemy in his resistance to you. Do you think
differently? I thought whatever negroes can be got to do as soldiers leaves
just so much less for white soldiers to do in saving the Union. Does it ap-
pear otherwise to you? But negroes, like other people, act upon motives.
Why should they do anything for us if we will do nothing for them? If
they stake their lives for us, they must be prompted by the strongest motives,
even the promise of freedom. And the promise, being made, must be kept.
The signs look better. The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the
sea. Thanks to the great Northwest for it; nor yet wholly to them. Three
hundred miles up they met New England, Empire, Keystone and Jersey, hew-
ing their way right and left. The sunny South, too, in more colors than one,
also lent a helping hand". On the spot, their part of the history was jotted
down in black and white. The job was a great national one, and let none
be slighted who bore an honorable part in it. And while those who have
cleared the great river may well be proud, even that is not all. It is hard
to say that anything has been more bravely and well done than at Antietam.
Murfreesboro, Gettysburg, and -on many fields of less note. Nor must Uncle
Sam's web feet be forgotten. At all the watery margins they have been
present, not only on the deep sea, the broad bay, and the rapid river, but
also up the narrow, muddy bayou, and wherever the ground was a little
damp they have been and made their tracks. Thanks to all. For the great
republic — for the principle it lives by and keeps alive — for man's vast future
— thanks to all.
Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon and
come to stay, and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time. It
will then have been proved that among freemen there can be no successful
appeal from the ballot to the bullet, and that they who take such appeal
are sure to lose their case and pay the costs. And there will be some black
men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clinched teeth, and
.steady eye, and well poised bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this
great consummation, while I fear there will be some white ones unable to
forget that, with malignant heart and deceitful speech, they have striven to
hinder it.
Still let us not be oversanguine of a speedy, final triumph. Let us be quite
sober. Let us diligently apply the means, never doubting that a just God,
in his own good time, will give us the rightful result.
Yours very truly,
A. Lincoln.
.251
CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS FOUND IN EARLY ILLINOIS
HISTOEY.
!'By J. F. Steward.
So many are the conflicting statements left by the trappers, traders
and explorers of the Illinois country that only by years of research can
the exact facts be sifted out of the accumulation of historical rubbish.
Often the events that were recorded in the early accounts found their way
into print only after passing from mouth to mouth, the result of which
was that the time of events and the definite places became lost, and the
facts became decidedly mixed.
No less is it true that the early map makers were often guided by
vague descriptions ; the errors once delineated were often for a long time
repeated by other cartographers. The attempt of Franquelin, in 1684,
to delineate the Illinois country, may well be considered to have resulted
in a map which, in general outline, was more nearly correct than those
of many who came after.
LaSalle had planned and partly perfected his "Colonie du Sieur de
LaSalle," had passed several times from his newly built Ft. St. Louis,
on what is now known as Starved Wink, to the Chicago portage, by way
of the trail that touched Fox river at its many bends, and had given to
Franquelin the only details available; hence the tortuous river shown,
the Pestecuoy — the river of the Buffalo.
The "Great village of Maramech," as referred to by the French offi-
cials, the Miami town, is found on the map near what is now known as
Sylvan Spring, in Kendall county. Over the borders of this beautiful
stream, then as now, the great trees interlocked their densely clothed
branches, and 'neath these, near the spring, no doubt, were the principal
cabins of the town so often referred to by Parrot, the official represen-
tative of New France, among the middle western tribes. Here, quite
likely, was one of his trading posts. Be that as it may, the trinkets of
French make, found in the graves, on the sunny bluff bordering the
stream, tell of the nearness of the French traders. La Potherie, in his
"Histoire de L'Amerique Septentrionale," 1722, tells us much about the
Miami town ; and the accounts found in the New York "Colonial docu-
ments" often refer to "that great village," where, in 1094, "Na-nan-
gous-sis-ta and Ma-ci-ton-ga" were the chiefs. The dread of the "five
nations," the Iroquois, more than that of any other, prompted measures
of defense among the tribes of the west, and the villages located near
strategic points were usually well stockaded.
252
Near the site of the Miami village a great rounded wooded island-like
hill rises between two small streams on the east and south, and on the
west and north is bounded by a swamp. My researches, during the last
thirty years, have resulted in the accumulation of details that have
enabled me to restore much of the lost history of the region. The graves
have also yielded up their secrets, and the plows that have turned over the
fields of Maramech have turned to the eyes of eager collectors the treas-
ures that speak, though without a tongue. By common consent the
eminence above referred to is now called "Maramech Hill." By what
names the smaller streams that add their mites to the greater one along
whose banks were the cabins and iields, we shall not know. The prairies
through which course those beautifully wooded streams, more than else-
where in the west, were the homes of the buffalo before the arrival of the
French. This true, very naturally we find the river to have been named
after that majestic beast. We now know it as Fox river, and it is of one
of the most sanguinary tragedies of our State, of which I write, that led to
the name it now bears.
From the northmost height of Maramech Hill, a little more than two
miles down the greater stream (a little less than an old French league,
2.42 miles) rise beside the river two great rounded rocky mounds, thirty-
five feet above the stream, the larger an acre in extent. After came the
traders in canoes, both from the north and the south, the stream was
christened anew, as "Eiviere du Eocher" — Eiver of the rock — while what
we know as Eock river retained its original Algonquin name Assinnisipi,
Stony river.
The new name given to our river, by the French, was adopted by some
of the English map makers, as late as 1756.
It was only prominent characteristics and important events that led
to changes of names long used. A little more than a hundred miles to
the north is another river known by the French, from the beginning, as
"Eiviere des Eenards," which name translated into our language is Fox
river. It seems clear to me that it could have been but an event of great
importance that led the French to duplicate a river's name, the name of
a river so near by and in their own dominion.
With all of the above in mind, I am now prepared to repeat, notwith-
standing newly discovered proofs to the contrary, that the slaughter of
1730, by the French and their Indian allies, here took place. "Eiviere
des Eenards," river of the slaughter of the Fox tribe. How appropriate
the name the French last gave it! Well may it be so known until some
greater event warants a change.
When the fragment of history I am correcting was being written the
rock which still characterizes it, despite the quarryman's labors, was
considered a landmark. Our river, a few miles below, washes the bases
of cliffs, the planes of which pass off far inland beneath the wooded river
border and prairies beyond. The French word "rocher" refers to high
rounded rocky eminences.
Tt applies well to Starved Eock, within about eight miles of which
our river enters the Illinois. Educated Frenchmen confirm rav inter-
253
I ;i station of the term vvLich as applied to our river has reference to a river
characterized by a rock, rather than to a river the course of which is
somewhat near another landmark known as "the Rock/'
Aside from the obscure military reports, many of which I unearthed
in Paris, and for the first time translated into our language, the fact
that a second "rock" existed other than that about thirty miles to the
southwest, on which Fort St. Louis stood, might long have remained
unknown. This accounts for the fact that the place of the tragedy of
1730; partly told of by Ferland, merely referred to by three other well-
known writers, has not been known until my discoveries, ripened during
the last thirty years.
Davidson, in ••Unnamed Wisconsin," says "the worst of the war oc-
curred near Rock St. Louis, on the Illinois river." He does not say how
near the rock, nor do the military accounts say that the defeat of the
Foxes, September 9th, took place near the Illinois river. It was the
burning of the son of the chief of the Illinois tribe, some time before the
preceding July, that occurred near the Illinois river. (Correspondent
General, 1732, CLYII, p. 316, quoted in "Lost Maramech and Earliest
Chicago," p. 375). All of the Illinois tribe were at first called Illinois of
the Rock, because as early as 1673, when Joliet and Marquette passed up
the river, the principal Illinois village, Kaskaskia. was located opposite
the landmark we know as Starved Rock. They were driven away by the
Iroquois to the new Kaskaskia, on the Mississippi river; the Peoria
branch of the tribe remained in the vicinity and were known as the Illi-
nois of the Rock, while the branch that fled to the south were known
principally as the Cohokia branch.
If, by any construction, the account can be inferred to mean that the
tragedy was enacted near the Rock on the Illinois river, then I say twelve
leagues between it and Maramech Hill is not far if the distance DeLery
places the site of the fort, fifty leagues away, is "near," as he states.
Hebbard, in "Wisconsin under French Dominion," speaks of the tragedy,
but makes no mention of the place. Parkman, in his "Half century of
conflict," says : "The account of the affair is obscure and not very trust-
worthy. It seems that the Ontagamies (Foxes) began the affair by an
attack on the Illinois at LaSalle's old station, "LeRocher," on the Illi-
nois river." I admit that the accounts are confusing, which fact calls
for this article, but I can say that it is clear that Parkman has no au-
thority for saying that the affair, as he terms it. took place at the "Rock."
It seems that, for the moment, when writing the above, he did not recall
the fact that the Illinois had long before 1730 abandoned their old home.
For a number of years the region had been no-man's-land : it was merely
a hunting ground into which only the brave dared to step.
In order to make clear my interpretation of the accounts. I have pre-
pared a map of Maramech Hill, and vicinity, which the reader will see,
checks up with every detail found in the military reports that is in any
way descriptive. We read that there had been fighting between several
tribes and the Foxes, and that on August 22, 1730, a letter was written
by the commandant at Detroit, saying fighting had taken place "be-
254
tween the Rock and the Ouatonons." (Miamis, on the Wabash.) The
Foxes had endeavored to pass on eastward but were compelled to retreat
to a sate place.
"Les Eenards sont dans un islet de bois," wrote Beauharnois, October
10, 1730. (The Foxes are in an islet of woods, that is, in a wooded
island, or at least a bunch of woods.) As a matter of fact, Maramech
Hill is an island, as stated, and on its summit was, until a few years past,
a grove of large fine trees, so that, whichever the interpretation, it will
apply.
The letter written by Hoquart. enclosing a copy of a letter previously
written by him ami Beauharnois, dated January 16, 1731, informs us
that the Foxes were to go to the Iroquois, from their home on the Wis-
consin river, by the way of Ouatanons. Now, to the Rock on the Illinois
would have taken them out of their way.
The Kickapous, Mascoutins and Illinois of the Rock, we read, had in-
tercepted the Foxes and the latter '"had constructed a fort at the Rock.
a league below them.'' This statement must mean one of two things :
either that the Rock was a league from the place of the warriors of the
three tribes named, or that the Fox fort was a league from the Rock.
In either case DeLery's statement, to which I shall soon refer, is over
forty-eight fiftieths in error, if we credit the military officers who were on
the spot, while the map maker was at Quebec, a thousand miles away.
We are told that St. Ange was informed by one of his scouts, on the
12th of August, that he had counted one hundred and eleven cabins where
the Foxes were located. If the Foxes were on the "gentle slope," as we
gather from the accounts, then they were easily counted from any place
southeast thereof. The march, we read, was continued through covered
country for three days. This true, the French and allies from Cahokia
and Kaskaskia, must have followed the trails along the Illinois and Fox
rivers.
Except small groves on the prairies, no timberlancl is found but cover-
ing the bluffs and valleys of streams. Forty hunters were 'driven into
their fort. "It was a thicket," etc. "A trench was dug on the following
night, and each worked to fortify himself at the post assigned him."
Made in one night, and each to protect himself, we may well conclude
that the trenches were irregular, as are the scars of trenches in the sod on
the north part of Maramech Hill.
As the main trench on Maramech Hill approaches the site of the en-
closure diagonally, relative thereto, it becomes more regular, as if later
dug as an approach, which we read was attempted.
De Noyelle arrived with the Miamis. He was in command of the
French on the Wabash, which river at its nearest point is about fifty
French leagues, 120 miles, from the Rock on the Illinois river and also
the Rock on Fox river.
He was southeastward from one, or in fact, both of these places, where
if the attack was made, as told De Lery, the Foxes had placed themselves
in too close proximity to the French troops, on the Wabash, for their own
safety, which is not reasonable.
We read in the reports that St. Ange constructed a small fort at the
distance of two pistol shots, which was to cut them off from communica-
tion with the river.
■Now, this fits Maramech Hill well, where, on its southern summit, to
which the "gentle slope" reaches, is a semi-circular ditch, in places three
feet deep, and a ridge that, with the brow of the hill, completes a circle.
This enclosure must have been palasaded as was the custom of the sav-
ages. After the hill was stripped of the great trees (where oft 1 sou -lit
the summer shade) with nothing left to check the flow resulting from
heavy storms, the abrupt hillside became gullied. Where now the gravel
is laid bare was plainly seen a continuation of the ditch yet so plain upon
the hill. Until turned by the hand of man, to turn his wheels, the smaller
creek ran at the foot of the hill, and there the ditch leading to the water
met it. In the wide gully, cut out by the heavy rains, a French axe. such
as was exchanged for furs, was found. This axe, no doubt, was used in
constructing the nalasade and covering over the waterway, of which the.
accounts speak.
About two pistol shots southward from the foot of the hill, where the
ditch terminated, is a point of bluff, and here, it seems, must have been
St. Ange's little fort.
The accounts also say that the Foxes escaped during a cold, stormy
night, were followed at dawn and soon overtaken. Upon a hill, across
the valley and a mile to the northeast, in a plowed field, where, not many
years ago was heavy timber, I found arrow points more abundant than
ever elsewhere. No evidence of a village site is there seen, and T can
250
in no other way account for the many arrows than that there must have
been an engagement, or that there some or all of the captives, a thousand
or more, may have been shot to death.
The letter written by Marupas, December 18. 1731, says: "They (the
Foxes) had gained a bunch of woods, where they had fortified themselves."
De Lery's map, however, shows the fort on the open prairie.
On the 10th of August, we are informed, De Villiers left his post, on
the St. Joseph river (where is now South Bend) and arrived on the
scene on the 20th. Now. if the Foxes were near Bock on the Illinois
river, or the Rock on the Fox river, then, even though he carried the two
small pieces of artillery, he must have made exceedingly slow progress,
for the distance is about 120 miles, from either place. But if the Foxes
were fifty leagues, 120 miles, east, southeast, of either of the Bocks, then
the distance traveled by De Villiers was not far from half as great, a five
mile rate of travel, per day is ridiculously small.
The military reports put the fort in a bunch of woods in a vast prairie,
but, De Lery places it on a prairie. We read that St. Ange had camped
on the left of the river, and De' Villiers on the right, but De Lery re-
verses the positions.
About two years ago I learned that somewhere might be found two
maps purporting to show the location of the fort where the Foxes were
defeated, and at once began efforts to find them, with the result that I
am able to here present them.
Upon the margin of the map is a legend. With reference to this
French, it looks as though it had been written by an ignorant man, in ad-
dition to the fact that it was written some two centuries ago. The trans-
lation reads:
"The three sides B C, B D and D E were enclosed with two rows of
stakes planted in the earth. The rows six feet apart were leaning like-
wise and crossed at the upper ends. The interval formed in the profile
was filled with earth which formed a sloping wall on the outside and one
inside supported by stakes that they had covered with earth and sod to
protect them from fire and there appeared outside only the ends of the
stakes above the place where they crossed. All this parapet erected on the
the plat of ground was about twelve or fourteen feet in height marked
on profile F. "Without these three sides there was a ditch adjoining
marked (! of about five or six feet wide and five feet in depth of which
the earth served to fill the interval between the stakes forming the en-
closure. The Foxes came out of the fort into the ditch by small passage
descents underground four feet in height marked H. whose entrance into
the fort passed under the parapet and went to the bottom of the ditch
to permit shooting over the esplanade in such a way that they were not
seen. On the side of the river B E there were only two rows of stakes
on the edge which is steep. At this place about fifteen feet high they
had made underground passages, marked 1, 1. 1, in order to go after
water in safety. They began in the cellars at the fort and went to the
river ; they were made like the passages in the ditch. There is a height
marked K which commanded the fort, they had made an underground
gallery marked L which had its entrance in the fort and the exit went to
the top of the height which they had occupied, of a parapet like that of
25?
the fort. In the fort they dug several ditches like cellars marked in the
profile M seven or eight feet in depth and of different shapes with com-
munications among themselves. The whole was covered with pieces of
wood with dirt on top and above each ditch there was a roof with different
slopes covered with dirt and sods provided with holes. Their design was
to make use of the ditch outside to retard the approach (of the enemy),
the parapet to prevent the entrance into the fort, if they were obliged
to shut themselves under the roofs to shoot, and not being able to hold
out there, to escape by the passages underground which go to the river
that is ford able."
If the reader will consider the De Lery maps carefully, he will find
them to correspond in no respect, except as to the prairie country gener-
ally, and the date of the escape, with the reports of the military writers,
all of whom agree in some details and do not contradict each other in any
particular. De Lery, the map maker, was a military engineer, at Quebec,
and it is quite likely that the details from which he worked were given
him by some irresponsible person : the military reports are dated later
than tlie maps, which show October 15, 1 730.
Beauharnois and Hoquart, at Quebec, on November 2. 1730, reported
to the minister saying that the son of De Yilliers "had just arrived, de-
spatched by his father, to bring us the news of the almost total defeat of
the Foxes," etc. They say that the report was hastily prepared as the
vessel by which it was to be sent was about to depart. Neither this nor
any military report I have been able to find has reference to any maps
or plans.
Now, although De Lery's map is dated October 15, we see that the offi-
cial information had just arrived, before the writing of the report. De
Lery's maps are full of details, and large as they are (the copies here-
with being very much reduced) must have required several days" time to
make, and hence it is unreasonable to suppose that De Lery had gotten
his information a month, more or less, before the official report was re-
ceived. All this confirms my belief that the map maker worked hastily
from incorrect accounts, or that he got two or more stories mixed.
Now, De Lery tells us that the fort was fifty leagues (a little over 120
miles) cast, southeast of the Rock, and shows it as located on an abrupt
bluff along a little river. Referring to the fort, one of the official reports
savs: "It was a little thicket of woods enclosed [merely] with stakes,
and situated upon "a gentle slope which rose in the direction of the west
and northwest along a little river; so that, from the south and southeast
one saw them plainly."
DeLery places the fort by a "Little river near the Macopin." Be-
ferring to French maps of that day. we find that the Macopin (the name
on some of them spelled Masopin) was where it now is, near the mouth A
the Illinois river, over one hundred miles southwestward from one of
the Bocks I am considering, and about thirty miles farther from the
other. St. Ange knew the river well, as it enters the Illinois less than
one hundred miles above his old station, at Fort Chartres, and his report
—17 H S
258
does not mention it as being naar the fort. Its mouth was a landmark on
two of the routes between Canada and Louisiana so often followed by the
French, which shows the confusion to have been in De Lery's mind only.
De Lery's abrupt bluff rises in- but one direction, while the reports re-
fer to the gentle slope rising in two directions, "west and northwest."
Now. a sloping piece of land cannot rise in two directions unless the
hill is part of an amphitheater, as, lor instance, the curve in Maramech
Hill.
De Lery's maps show his little river running due east along an abrupt
bluff, while the military reports indicate, clearly', that the little river
must run southeast along the slope, a, as the larger creek of the Rock
runs, shown on the map of Maramech Hill and vicinity, which I have
prepared.
The scars at c, in the sod of the northern summit of the hill show
where the French trenches were made. The ditch h. is still about two
feet deep, at its eastern terminus. The rirlle pits, at </. on the southern
brow of the hill are plain. The ditch e to the little creek was plain until
gullied out. The enclosure until recent years was a grove of large trees.
In the gully, in the clean gravel, was found a fine French axe. a French
gun flint was found nearby.
Fox river, at the time of the affair, was called river of the Rock. Now,
may it not be that De Lery's informant, in his confusion, gave the river
nearby the wrong name ?
It will be seen that De Lery's plan of the fort is minute in every detail,
although the accounts say it was merely a staked enclosure, the style
of the fortification being well shown. If DeLery may be relied upon,
the Fox fort must have equalled anything in modern warfare. The
bomb-proofs, as we well may call them, were very spacious, and the entire
underground work of immense capacity, the whole very unlike what the
military accounts refer to. "mere holes, like the dens of foxes."
A- a matter of fact, the Foxes laid but recently been driven to their
place of defense and could not have built works so extensive in so short a
time. Furthermore, no work.- equalling those shown were ever found,
made by the Indians, in any part of the country. The Iroquois fort
shown by Champlain is comparatively insignificant.
De Lery was a military engineer, as stated, and. it seems probable, was
desirous of making a good showing. It may be. however, that it was his
informant that overdrew.
IV.
Translations and Reprints.
261
EAENEST INVITATION TO THE INHABITANTS OF ILLINOIS
BY AN INHABITANT OF KASKASKIA.
Translated with Introduction by Lydia Marie Brauer.
[Only one copy of the pamphlet, — translated below, is known to have been
preserved, and is to be found in the Ridgeway branch of the Philadelphia
Library Company. On this copy has been printed by Du Simitiere, in whose
library it formerly was, the date 1772 and the name of Philadelphia as the
place of publication. Further information in regard to the pamphlet is not
evident on title page or cover.
In 1908, Messrs. C. W. Alvord and C. E. Carter edited the pamphlet for
the Club of Colonial Reprints of Providence, Rhode Island. By a careful
study of the conditions existing in Illinois at the time, they concluded that
the pamphlet was written by a member of the French party of Illinois, that
was attempting to persuade the British ministry to establish some form of
civil government in this country.
By the famous proclamation of 1763, the King of Great Britain had re-
served for the hunting grounds of the Indians the land west of the Alle-
ghanies, so that the French villages on the Great Lakes and in the Illinois
country were left without any form of civil administration. There were
several attempts in the succeeding years to persuade the ministry to create
a colony in Illinois; but by 1768, a decision that seemed final was reached
that no settlements west of the Indian boundary line established during that
and the following years, should be allowed for the present.
This decision of the British government left the French in the West in a
hopeless condition, all the more aggravating on account of the petty tyranny
of Major Wilkins, the military commandant. The leading French citizens,
therefore, took the matter into their own hands, instead of trusting to the
American traders on whom they had hitherto leaned. In 1770 they ap-
pointed one of their number, Daniel Blouin to represent their grievances to
General Gage and through him to the ministry. It was while Blouin was in
New York petitioning Gage, that this pamphlet was printed in Philadelphia;
and it is possible that it was written by the French agent, but there is no
decisive proof of this fact.
The only result of this agitation was that the British ministry realized
more fully the injustice that had been done the French in the West, so that
when, at last, the conditions in Canada came under consideration, the sub-
ject of the West was also, taken up. The consequence was the Quebec Act of
1774, by which the Old Northwest with its French population was added to
Canada and assured the protection in civil cases of the French law, to which
they had been accustomed. The outbreak of the American Revolution pro-
hibited, however, the inauguration of the civil government in Illinois, that
had been planned.]
262
AX EARNEST INVITATION TO THE INHABITANTS OF ILLI-
NOIS.
By An Inhabitant of Kaskaskia.
My Brothers. Knowledge is of little use when it is restricted to mere
speculation ; but when speculative truths are reduced to practical ones,
when theories based upon experience are applied to the habits of life,
and when, by this means, agriculture is perfected, commerce extended,.
the facilities of life rendered more easy and more agreeable, and conse-
quently, the development and welfare of the human race is augmented,
then knowledge is advantageous.
All the members of a society who have the ability and the power are,
without doubt, under obligations to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge. Those who cannot by the communication of their ideas and
of their experiences, do this, ought to listen carefully to the instruction of
those who can and do contribute with truth and goodness of heart, par-
ticularly, the inhabitants of new settlements in order that they may ob-
tain the necessary knowledge : and by this means, the perfection of their
settlements.
The inhabitants of Illinois suffer from great difficulties on account of
the disadvantages and the great discouragements which oppose their ef-
forts in trying to improve their agriculture, their commerce and all the
other necessary arts. But if each one of us, according to his state and
power, wishes to strive to improve our situation, and our country, we
could, in a few years, render this colon}", the happiest of the continent.
For that purpose, let us unite heart and interest in order to encourage
the agriculture and commerce of our native land throughout its extent;
let us unite to oppose also, the introduction of all foreign things with
which we could dispense with ease and without inconvenience or which
we could manufacture ourselves. The following articles could immedi-
ately be removed from our list of imports, and in a few years, we should
be in a condition to do without a number of others which we shall be able
to procure for ourselves and which we are, at present, obliged to import
from Europe, or from some American colony.
1. Sheet Lead for Bullets and Shot.
2. Salt.
3. French Brandy, rum and Strong Liquors of all Kinds.
4. Wine, and
5. Sugar.
For a Long time, we have complained of the lack of money, and of our
inability to pay the debts which we have contracted for the above men-
tioned articles and although we appear to be convinced that we could
avoid importing them, nevertheless, we continue to do it. and therefore,
are obliged to contract new debts ; without making the least effort to rid
ourselves of thai dangerous disadvantage. It is true, that a number of
good and virtuous inhabitants of Kaskaskia have already seen their mis-
take and have commenced to remedy it: in order to avoid the dangers,
2G3
which menace their negligence, 1 myself do no1 doubt, that in a short
time, we will unite in our efforts to encourage and to improve everything
that can be cultivated or manufactured in our colony.
In order to contribute to this, and to render the inhabitants of Illinois
as rich and happy as they are affectionate and humane, I purpose to con-
vince those among us who have not already attentively considered this
matter.
First — That we are in a position where we can cultivate or manufac-
ture each of the above mentioned articles of as good a quality and perhaps
better than those which we import.
Second — That, the sum saved or the profit which that would give to
the few inhabitants who are at present in Illinois would amount in the
beginning to two hundred and twenty-five thousand livres a year, which
in the course of fifty years will amount to the sum of eleven million, two
hundred and fifty thousand livres : such a sum would render us the richest
and most flourishing colony of America and would place, our posterity
in a position, either to retire to Europe in a condition to establish them-
selves comfortably or better to settle down in this happy country to enjoy
here the fruits of our industry in exploiting with care the resources which
we actually have in our power.
Some of us are in truth advanced in age and it is often difficult to per-
suade ourselves to abandon a path marked out and frequented by our
fathers and ourselves: others, for want of knowing better, are prejudiced
in favor of methods in which they have been raised and, as savages who
do not wish to be instructed, persist in their foolish ignorance, but as I
flatter myself, that there are only a very few of that last number among
ii- and that the others have a sincere desire to improve our situation and
that of our posterity, let us work then I pray you conjointly to inspire in
all the inhabitants without distinction, the necessary knowledge for that
happy end; and I have not the least doubt of the most fortunate success,
Because :
First — We have many lead mine- which without much work would
give us all more of this metal than would be necessary for the use of all
the inhabitants, and for the commerce with the Indians: and in the
course of a few years, we would be in a position to furnish it not only
to all the ports of America but even to a great part of Europe if they re-
quire it. Thus, I hope that we will agree without difficulty that we were
wrong in introducing into this colony sheet lead for bullets and shot,
besides, some of this ore is mixed with silver and we have every reason
to believe that within a few years, we will be able to procure workmen
who will be capable of separating this precious metal to our great ad-
vantage. The same investigations which those mines would occasion us,
would lead us to the knowledge of the iron and copper ones, metals of a
value more real than the gold and silver of Peru.
Second — Our country abounds in salt springs, from which we could
extract more than twice the quantity of salt necessary for our consump-
tion at a much better price than we could buy it. and almost equal in
quality : we could then do without salt from Europe and other places.
264
Third — From wines made from our raisins and from our cultivated
grains, we could make brandy, equal as to quality and flavor to the best
of cognac, and rum much superior to that which we import from New
Orleans, and other places ; and at less than half the price which we pay
for those articles. Of this, we have a convincing proof in the manufac-
tury lately established at Kaskaskia which if it were supported without
jealousy or prejudice among the proprietors would have been of great
benefit to us. It is in truth to be desired that we could do without all
spirituous liquors, but as that is almost impossible and since the best and
the most learned doctors are agreed that the liquor extracted from good
grains, in the manner which is actually practiced in France, in Holland
and in North America, is the most wholesome and the best of all, we
ought certainly to follow that happy plan which we could do with so much
ease, and distil our spirituous liquors ourselves ; without buying them
either from New Orleans, Philadelphia, or other places : Mr. Tissot, a
celebrated French doctor, and author of many estimable and very valu-
able works, in his instructions for the preservation of health, says : "The
liquors extracted from grains are nourishing and strengthening, and
could be of great benefit, rich and stimulating as wine, much more nour-
ishing, capable of serving for food and drink." Boerhaave, whose name is
everywhere famous in medicine, says : "The liquor extracted from grains
is the most stimulating and the most useful."
The industrious English have introduced among us, a drink for ordin-
ary use, which was not known to us, except for the little which the Eev-
erend Jesuit Fathers made for themselves; you perceive that I speak of
beer, they sell it to us very cheaply, and offer to instruct our families
how to make it of a much better quality, and at a very small expense;
that is not the only necessary art which they have introduced among us;
one of them has brought here at considerable expense, a large number
of fruit trees, of almost all kinds, and besides hemp, flax, barley, sweet-
potatoes, turnips, and many other things which we have never seen here
before, which he has distributed to all those who wished to take the
trouble to cultivate and propagate these things, so necessary and ad-
vantageous to this part of the world.
There is not the least doubt, that many of the individuals who carry
on the commerce from here with New Orleans, and Philadelphia are
angry at the English, our benefactors, and seek to injure their commerce,
by decrying the worth and the quality of their wares, because their little
commerce is in some way injured by the distillery and the brewery estab-
lished here ; but let us not listen at all to what those people say, whose
interest it is to hold us in ignorance upon which they wish to establish
their advantage. For certainly, no reasonable man can say that we should
introduce brandy or rum from New Orleans, Philadelphia or other places,
since we are able to make better ourselves, and in sufficient ouantity for
our consumption and for the commerce with the Indians without im-
poverishing our country by the exportation of the money necessary to
purchase those articles, which have cost, up to the present, more than a
hundred million livres per year.
2G5
Fourth — In regard to foreign wines of all kinds, we have no need of a
single cask, if we wish to take the trouble to cultivate the different species
of vines which grow naturally in this country and to introduce the shoots
from France and from other places, which could be done at very little
expense. Besides, since the cold and length of winter increases, the far-
ther we ascend the Mississippi, and the farther we descend, the cold and
the length of winter are more moderate, we could choose the most suit-
able climate for the culture of the different species of vines, without fear
of lack of suitable and excellent ground for that purpose, for we all
know, that there is no stretch of bad land on either side of the Missis-
sippi, from the sea up to the Falls of St. Anthony, a distance more than
800 leagues along the great river. Numerous hills are not lacking, nor
suitable plains for that cultivation, Divine providence has given us all
those precious advantages which might be regarded as a recompense for
the distance at which we are situated from the sea. and for our difficulty
in communicating with other peoples.
Despite the difficulties which we undergo in the gathering of raisins,
the lack of necessary vessels and the most suitable method, experience
has shown us that in our various villages, we could make annually of wild
vines, 150 casks of red wine of good quality and of good strength; and
if we wish to be careful not to cut or destroy the vines as we do" in pick-
ing the raisins, with a view to doing it quickly, we could in a few years,
make a quantity very much larger and of a better quality. Pieason does
not dictate that, in this wa}', we should destroy or do great injury to a
number of vines and hinder their growth, but if instead of breaking and
destroying them in that manner, we wish to take the trouble to cut them
with care, their yield would advantageously recompense us. Our hills,
our valleys and our plains are filled with vines which are native, they
grow in all soils and are adapted to all climates, without being cul-
tivated they are loaded with fruits in abundance, many of them a rich'
and excellent flavor, by which nature unites with reason to show us.
That if we wish to take the trouble to plant small vineyards and give
them the necessary care, within a few years, their produce would be of
great advantage to us; and by means of some small compensation, we
could find persons to instruct us in the management of the vintage, and
the way to make the wine which would be much more profitable" to us.
which we could make better than that we import and as cheaplv as
one drinks it in Paris; we could even in the course of time, send it to
the English and to their colonies.
Some Europeans may mock at that which I have here advanced, and
will say that I have proposed an impossibility: if we ask them upon what
they base those opinions, they will say that the Creoles [a name which
they apply to us in derision] are too ignorant and too indolent, to take
such trouble, that we have no experience in such affairs, that labor is verv
expensive among us. and a number of similar reasons, which in my
opinion, have not the least weight, force or foundation.
It is in fact but too true that up to the present, we have been held
in great ignorance, but that does not prove that we should continue it.
We must also confess, that we have very much neglected the pursuit of
knowledge necessary for our welfare and that of our future posterity, let
us determine then to no longer abandon ourselves to that indolence, and
as we have already demonstrated, in the various campaigns of the past
war, that we are equal and in many cases superior to the Europeans, in
the same way, let us vie with them, by our industry and by our efforts
to procure for ourselves the wealth and knowledge necessary for our wel-
fare and thai of our posterity and instead of passing our lime smoking
tobacco in vanity and indolence with which they reproach us, let us de-
termine at once to regulate our conduct in quite a different manner.
Fifth — Sugar is an article of which we have no need, tins country here
being tilled with sugar-makers from whom many of the families are al-
ready drawing sufficient quantities for their consumption, and even to sell
to others. A few of the people by moderate work during the course of a
month, could make a quantity sufficient for the consumption of all the
inhabitants of Illinois and besides, we have reason to believe that the
tree from which in the Indies they make Arrack, is the same as our maple
from which we obtain sugar, if it is so, the syrup which we get would be
a spirit, much superior to all those that we have ever seen in this part of
the world. In the western part of Virginia, they obtain all the sugar
which they consume from the maple, although they are but a very short
distance from the sea.
Besides the above mentioned articles, we should also give attention to
the cultivation of hemp, of flax and of the cotton-herb. All those articles
grow here very much better than in any of the New England colonies;
from these products, our wives and our daughters could make all the linen
accessary for the household, for our use and that of our domestics, stock-
ings and other articles of our clothing; that would be a very considerable
economy for us, I have not the least doubt that the women would be in-
clined with much satisfaction to the success of a project so advantageous.
Another article which seems well adapted to this country and to this,
climate is silk; from that manufacture if properly established, we could
hereafter hope for immense wealth. The inhabitants of both Carolinas
and of .Pennsylvania have commenced it and found it already a consider-
able profit although those provinces are not in any way as suitable as this
one here, the quantity of mulberry trees in which our country abounds,
clearly proving it to us.
1 ought not to omit to inform my country that the cultivation of to-
bacco in Virginia [which is only a small colony in the country which we
call New England] yields annually to the king of England a revenue of
three hundred thousand pounds sterling, equal to six million,' six hundred
thousand livres of our money: besides the principal sum which belongs
to the cultivators and to the traders who buy it and are reimbursed with
greal profit by the French to whom they sell the goods; besides that ad-
vantage, this commerce employs at the least, four million sailors to trans-
port that article to Europe in their vessels; if then the little isle and city
of New Orleans should belong to Great Britain [which could not fail to
happen in case of a new war with Spain] tobacco would he a very consid-
erable and advantageous article for those who wish to cultivate it on the
267
banks of the Mississippi, for the soil of Virginia is almost exhausted and
could not continue long to produce that commodity as it lias done before.
Moreover, the lands on the Mississippi are by their quantity and quality,
so much superior for the production of tobacco that if the English come
to possess it. we could in a short time become the most flourishing colony
of the world; and by prudent conduct and obedience to the laws of Eng-
land, to the duties of our sacred Catholic religion and maintaining uni-
versal charity towards all men. we ought to be the most bappy people of
the human race. It is true that up to the present, we have received little
advantage from having become English subjects, although we have formed
the most advantageous ideas of the moderation, of the Liberty and the
wisdom of the laws of that brave nation; but we should attribute that
disappointment to the distance at which we are situated from the sover-
eign and from the Parliament of Great Britain who. if they were fully
informed of the importance and consequence of this colony to their em-
pire, would have without doubt before this time granted a civil govern-
ment, by means of which we would not have been subjected to the impos-
itions and oppressions of our past tyrants. Nevertheless, we ought to
acknowledge with gratitude that we are fortunate to have a commander1
who detests all unjust action or arbitrary deeds and consequently we
ought to convince him that we are the true and zealous subjects of his
Britannic majesty and we doubt not at all that in a short time, the enjoy-
ment of our religious rights will be confirmed to us and the administra-
tion of civil government will be established among us. We are able at
present only to desire these happy results; and at the same time, I strive
to prove the advantages which will result if we cease hereafter to import
the following articles to-wit : Lead, salt, brandy, rum. wine and sugar,
and use only those same articles, produced and made among us to-wit,
20,000 pounds of sheet lead for bullets and shot:
This I suppose will sell on the average at 15 sous 15,000
1,000 lb. box of salt at 15 livres 15,000
2,000 jugs of brandy at 7 livres 10 sous 15,000
20,000 jugs of English and French rum at 5 livres 100,000
150 casks of wine at 400 livres + 60,000
10,000 lbs. of sugar at 40 sous 20,000
225,000
It appears by this calculation which is very moderate, that we dispense
225,000 livres a year for those six articles which we could at a very
small price, manufacture ourselves, that in the course of fifty years, those
same articles will cost us the siim of 11,250,000 livres, which we could
save and remit to England or to France, in accordance with our inclina-
tions. If to that sum. we add that which we could saw by the culture
and manufacture of flax, hemp and cotton, we could not estimate that
sum at less than 15,000,000 livres, that is to say, that at the end of fifty
years we would be richer than we now are by 15,000,000 livres, provided
we cease to import the said articles and commence to manufacture them
ourselves, unless we persist in our present conduct. Let us all resolve
l Major Isaac Hamilton.
268
then with courage and affection to shun evil and choose the good
while we have it still in our power, and let us cease at last to be a re-
proach among our European brothers that they with just reason cease to
sneer at our indolence and our folly.
Before taking leave of you, permit me, my dear brothers, with the most
sincere affection for you, lastly to remind you again of our posterity, that
it is an absolute duty to procure for them the most beneficial and the
most extended knowledge. That being the case, how can we permit our-
selves to see them loitering in our streets more like vagabonds and savages
than like Christians. We have already had a long experience in the com-
passion and the exemplary virtue of ou.r venerable fathers Murrain and
Gibeault, let us then employ a school-master in each of our villages and
ask those respectable superiors to inspect their conduct. We are all ready
and I flatter myself animated by good intentions, to have a school built
in the midst of every village and to pay the masters to their satisfaction;
the strangers who have come among us have observed that the value of
tobacco which we smoke in idleness would suffice for that sum ; but there
is not a doubt that we could pay the sum in the produce of the country
which would be equally as suitable for a school-master who has a family :
I would wish then to propose that all the young people be taught to read
and write correctly their mother tongue, and elementary arithmetic at
least. It would be also in my opinion necessary that some and even all if
it were possible should study the English language, which would be a
very great advantage to them.
I wish with all my heart that the opinions above given should be ac-
cepted by my country-men with the same sincerity and the same affection
as I give them and I flatter myself that after maturely considering them,
they will lead to their advantage and to the foundation of their future
happiness. — An Inhabitant of EasMsJcia.
VICTOR COLLOT, A JOURNEY IX NORTH AMERICA.
[The writer of the following account of Illinois first saw America during
the time of the American Revolution, when he was on the staff of the French
army under Marshal Rochambeau. At that time he desired to make a tour
of the country, but the opportunity was not given him.
Collot sided with the party of the revolution in France, was rapidly ad-
vanced in the army, and was finally appointed governor of Guadeloupe,
which he governed until its capture by the British, by whom he was sent to
the United States. Scarcely had he arrived in the United States, when he
was arrested at the suit of a merchant of that city on a charge connected
with certain condemnation proceedings at Guadeloupe, and Gollot was forced
to promise on his honor to remain in this country until the suit was decided.
According to his introduction, the French minister to the United States
proposed that he make a tour of the West and write a report on the political,
• commercial, and military situation. At this time, 1796. France was partic-
ularly interested in the conditions of the great valley. This proposal suited
his inclination and the results of his journey were afterwards published in
French and in an English translation. Before the book was ready for the
market Collot died, and the administration of his estate determined to in-
crease the value of the book by destroying all copies except three hundred
French and one hundred English. The consequence is that copies are ex-
ceedingly rare and expensive. There was printed at the same time a volume
of maps and other plates, which are counted among the most valuable
early maps of the west.
The passages here reprinted are taken from the English edition of 1826,
beginning at page 175 and continuing through chapter XVII, with the
omission of chapter XIV. The title of the reprinted passage was the choice
of the editors. — Ed.]
A Visit to Illinois in 1796.
We proceeded seven miles and a half, and reached the mouth of Wa-
bash River, opposite which is situated a great island, called Wabash Island,
two miles and a half long, and which is high and well wooded.
Both passages are equally good, we choose that on the right, in order
to inspect the mouths of this river. The depth of water in the right
channel is from ten to fifteen feet.
The mouth of the Wabash is situated thirty-seven degrees forty-one
minutes north. It is about seven hundred yards wide, and continues the
same breadth as far as Post St. Vincent's; the distance from the mouth of
the Wabash1 to Post St. Vincent's is computed at sixty leagues, though
in a straight line it is not forty. In the whole of this space there are
only two rapids, one twelve leagues from St. Vincent's, and half a mile
i by a barge-master, who made this voy-
270
above White river, and the other fifteen leagues from the mouth of this
last river, called the Great Chain, where may be seen, when the waters are
very low, a long line of rocks, which at a certain distance resembles a
mill-dyke. This chain of rocks has forced the waters to form a channel
on the left side, where boats may pass at all times, excepting the winter
and during the ice.
From Post St. Vincent's to the High Land is forty leagues, and the
navigation excellent. From the High Land to Vermilion River is reck-
oned twenty leagues, and the navigation continues good. From theme
to Ouiah is twenty leagues, and the navigation improves.
From Ouiah to the river Tipiconow are six leagues- of excellent naviga-
tion, and from thence to Pisse Vache two leagues. At this place is a
rapid, about ten fathoms in Length, and which sometimes has not ten
inches of water. This is the first point where the navigation becomes
difficult.
Four leagues higher is another rapid from fifteen to twenty fathoms
in length, with eight inches of water; the channel is always on the left
side in ascending. Six leagues beyond this last rapid is Little Eock
River. There is a rapid at this spot, extremely violent, but with sufficient
water. About this place the river is sometimes shallow and sometimes
deep, according to the depot of sand which the waters have left or washed
away.
From thence to Eel river are two leagues of good navigation, and a
league higher is the Great Rapid ; its length is twenty fathom, with six.
seven and eight inches of water at most ; and above is a shallow, half a
league long, with six inches of water.
Four leagues beyond the great rapid is the river of the Great Calumet.
Here is another rapid, ten fathoms in length, with a sufficient depth of
water.
From the river of the Great Calumet to a small island, without a
name, is one league; this island must be left on the right in ascending,
and above is a shallow with six inches of water.
From this small island to the rapid St. Cyr is three leagues: this rapid
is half a league in length, and with sufficient water.
From this rapid to the river Mussissinoe is two leagues, lien' is
another rapid, twelve fathoms long, with twelve inches of water.
From hence to l'ildpital is seven Leagues, during which there is very
little water; the barks are obliged to onload during the space of a League.
At this spot is a rock of enormous size, situated on the northern side.
From lTIopital to the river Salaminique is three leagues. Here is a
small island, the passage is on the southern side, and there is a rapid of
three fathoms length, with sufficient water.
From thence to Bended Maple one league. From Bended Maple to
the Little River four league-.
Leaving here the Wabash, we followed the course of the Little River.
From its mouth to the village of the Miamis. situated at its source, ^s
twelve leagues; in this place is a portage of three Leagues, and a half to
271
reach the sources of the river Miamis from thence to Wolf Eapid is fifty-
one leagues, during which there are a great number of small rapids, but
with sufficient water to leave the navigation free. From Wolf Rapid the
boats unload only in dry seasons. To Roche-de-bout is three leagues;
here is another rapid three leagues long, but every where sufficient depth
of water.
Prom Roche-de-bout to Lake Erie is six leagues. From thence to the
river Detroit twelve leagues, and to Detroit Fort six leagues.
In the season of the high waters, as in the months of March, April
raid May, there is sufficient water at the portage of the Miamis. It is
in this place that the waters divide, and run on one side into Lake Erie,
and on the other into the Wabash. It is to be noted that all the depths
of the rapids and shallows have been calculated when the waters were at
the lowest during the year, none of the rapids being seen or felt when the
waters are high.
From the mouth of the Wabash great barges are used, which carry from
twenty to thirty thousand weight, as far as St. Vincent's; but from this"
post barks are employed in carrying four, five and six thousand weight.
St. Vincent's is a small mean village, containing one hundred families,
the greater part French, ruined by General ('lark during the last war, as
were also the Illinois. A bad wooden fort, in the usual mode of construc-
tion, is built here.
The course of the Wabash is in general slow; it traverses a*fine country
sufficiently elevated, and less liable to inundations than any other parts
of this continent. Vast natural meadows form a part of this country.
The Wabash rolls over a bed of sand and gravel, in which precious stones
are often found; the emerald and topaz have been observed to be of the
number. The banks are clothed with line woods of the same kind as those
of the Beautiful RiveT w the Ohio, and the black and white mulberry
grow in the greatest profusion on this spot. Salt springs and coal mines
have also been discovered.
The inhabitants of Post St. Vincent's cultivate in general wheat,
maize, and tobacco equal to that of Virginia ; but hunting and trading
with the Indians are their principal occupations. The exportation of fine
furs and skins of roebucks amounts annually, on an average, to one hun-
dred and twenty thousand livres.
Hemp grows naturally, and the vine is also in great abundance, and of
a very peculiar kind; the grape is black, small, and the skin extremely
delicate. The inhabitants make a kind of wine which is agreeable to the
taste, bui cannot long be preserved.
One hundred and ten miles above Post St. Vincent's is a small French
establishment, called Ouia, or Ouiatanon, containing ten or twelve fam-
ilies, of which the occupations are also hunting, trading, and a little
fanning; but as this settlement lies further hack than that of Post St.
Vincent's trading is the most lucrative employment of the inhabitants.
The exportation from Quiatanon in furs and roebuck skins was estimated
upon an average at one hundred and ninety-two thousand francs a year:
hut this branch of commerce diminishes sensibly because as the adjacent
country becomes populous, the game retreats further back into the coun-
try.
172
slough. Mails were often delayed and, during the winter storms and
spring rains, not only farm houses, but even large towns were entirely
isolated. Moreover, the State had shown itself utterly unable to remedy
these evils. The statute books were covered with enactments declaring
certain trails or mud roads public turnpikes, but even a sovereign state
cannot legislate a mud hole into a turnpike. Charters, almost without
number, were granted private corporations, but without tangible results
of any importance.1 Local enterprise was equally fruitless and the
efforts of the counties to improve the public roads had generally failed.
This absence of good highway facilities greatly retarded the economic
development of the State and especially the central portion. The cost
of carrying freight over ordinary country roads or even on well-built
highways under the most favorable circumstances is very great.2 On
such roads as existed in Illinois prior to the civil war the expense of
moving heavy freight for any distance was practically prohibitive and
ten to twenty miles was as far as grain or other bulky goods could be
hauled with any degree of profit. As nearly all the products of the
interior counties consisted of articles of small value compared with their
bulk, this meant that an extensive network of railroads or canals was
necessary to the proper economic development of the State. Instead
of such a system of internal transportation Illinois had nothing but
execrable country roads, supplemented to only a slight extent by the
few navigable or semi-navigable streams. The farmer living in the in-
terior of the State could carry only a small part of his crop of wheat
or corn to market to be exchanged for "store goods" and the total amount
of grain received at Chicago, St. Louis and Peoria from the interior
counties of Illinois was insignificant.
The great bulk of the population in the forties and fifties was engaged
in agriculture and the inadequate system of transportation had a de-
pressing influence on that occupation. Farmers living near the water-
ways found good markets for their produce, but those not so favorably
situated shipped little grain or meat outside the State. Only slight
cultivation was necessary to have the rich prairie soil bring forth abun-
dant crops and the immediate needs of the farmer and his family were
easily supplied. Labor saving machinery was not in general use and
the work of gathering the crops had to be performed by hand, with farm
labor scarce and commanding high wages. As a result, there was no in-
centive to raise large crops, while the amount of physical work involved
made it impossible for the farmer to plant or gather more than a mod-
erate yield. Shiftless methods of farming were the natural consequence
and only a small portion of the arable land was under cultivation.
Out of a total area of thirty-five million acres, slightly over three mil-
lion were planted in the five staples, wheat, corn. oats, rye and potatoes.3
One third of the entire area, or eleven and a half million acres, was
1 Session Laws of Illinois, 1837 to 1S50.
2 The cost of carrying a ton of freight from Buffalo to New York by wagon was
$100, or about 20 cents per ton per mile. (Bogart, Economic History of the United
States, page 191.) This was over good roads, and the cost per ton, per mile, for
carrying grain in Illinois must have averaged considerably more.
3 Letter of Robt. Rantoul. Documents Relating- to the Organization of the Illinois
Central Railroad.
173
still unoccupied government land.1 and much of the remainder had never
been broken by the plough.- At the same time, the yield per acre was
much less than could have been expected from the almost virgin soil of
the prairies.3
Inadequate transportation and backward agricultural conditions
greatly retarded the settlement of the commonwealth and influenced the
social and political life of those within its borders. The earliest settle-
ments were made by the French at Cahokia and Kaskaskia near the
Mississippi river and until the end of the third decade nearly all subse-
quent settlements were also near the banks of the Ohio, the Mississippi
and Illinois rivers, especially in the southern counties. At the begin-
ning of the fourth decade the majority of the population were immi-
grants from Kentucky, Tennessee and other parts of the south, or their
descendants.4 Then, from 1830 to 1850, there occurred a heavy immigra-
tion into the northern and central counties; most of the new settlers
coming from the eastern states or Europe.5 By 1850 Illinois had a
population of eight hundred and fifty thousand and three-fourths of the
inhabitants were living north of Vandalia and were of northern or
European stock.6 Furthermore, despite the absence of good transporta-
tion, three hundred and seventy-five thousand people were in the thirty-
six counties which possessed neither a canal, a river nor a railroad; and
the number living more than ten miles from such means of communica-
tion must have been considerably larger.7
In the very earliest white settlements in Illinois the lack of good
highways' and the economic isolation of the interior proved a serious
check to the growth of the community, but as the population was small
and distributed along the few navigable rivers slight attention was given
to the matter of transportation. ISTor did the heavy immigration from
the southern states make necessary a radical improvement.
The settlers had always been accustomed to poor roads ; they were
settled near the Ohio, the Mississippi and the Illinois : and the number
of people of the State was still small.8 However, the enormous growth
of population from 1830 on — the increase was from a hundred and fifty
thousand in the former year to eight hundred thousand in 1850 — made
necessary the solution of problems which before had been borne' as an
unavoidable accompaniment of frontier life.
This was particularly true of the central counties. In 1830 a few
thousand log but* scattered over the heart of the State were the only
llbkl Seventh Census of the United States (1850), page 730.
2 Ibid.
3 Compenlum U. S. Census, 1850, page 170. Average yield per acre was: Wheat,
11 ; rye- 14 ; corn, 33 ; oats. 29 ; barley, 40. bushels.
4 Sixth Census of the United States (1830) : Greene, Government of Illinois, page
26 : of. various essays of Prof. C. W. Alvord, of the University of Illinois, on this
subiect in publications of Illinois State Historical Library.
5 Seventh Census of th° United States r 1850).
6 Seventh Census (1850), pp. 117, 118. The 30 counties south of Vandalia had a
population of 219.863: the 69 north of that town. 631,607. Tb - foreign born popu-
lation was as follows: England, 18.628: Scotland. 4.661: VValps. 572: Ireland.
27,786 : British America, 10,699 ; Germany. 38,446 ; total, 110.593. Native born
of foreign parents not given.
7 Seventh Census. The 36 counties without railroads, canals or navigable rivers
had a population of 375.529 in 1850, or 44.1 per cent of the total.
8 Cf., page 3 and 4.
274
and opposite the end of the island. The passage is very difficult. We
left the island and the first two sand-banks on our left, and the two others
on our right.
It is ehiefhy between the second and third of these banks that the
greatest skill of the mariner is requisite ; the channel, in this place, makes
several windings, and is not more than three or four feet in its greatest
depth.
After passing the island, the heights close upon the banks on the right
side; they are no longer rocky, but consist of rich lands covered with
very fine wood.
Five miles from the last island, not comprising its length, which is
three miles and a half, we found on the left a large creek, delineated too
much to the west in the American charts. It is navigable ten miles at
all seasons for canoes.
Opposite to this creek is a great sand-bank on the right side, and which
is half dry; we avoided it by steering to the left. Care must be taken
also not to approach too near to this side, to avoid an eddy which is found
immediately after the creek, and which occupies a space of four hundred
yards.
A mile and a half lower, on the same side, is a second creek, not de-
scribed in any chart.
A mile and a half below this last creek we perceived an island, which is
separated from the main land only by a small channel. We left this
island on our right, and three miles lower, including the length of the
island, we reached another, marked five miles too much to the westward
on all the American charts ; we took the channel on the right, that on the
left being full of sand-banks, and choked by driftwood. In the channel
we had taken we found ten, fifteen and eighteen feet of water, the nav-
igation from the great island to this place is good.
The aspect of this country continues the same, both sides are lined
with heights.
At a short distance from this island, we left a defile on the right, and
■ three miles lower, reckoning from the head of this island, we found three
others, which follow each other at nearly equal distances. The two first
are connected by a great sand-bank, and take up a space of nearly four
miles. We passed these three islands on our left, as well as a great sand-
bank, which is at the end of the third, and which is a mile in length
under water. Opposite to this sand-bank, and to the last of these islands,
we perceived on the right two creeks, neither of which are navigable.
The channel on the left is altogether impracticable ; that on the right has
from fifteen to twenty feet of water.
Two miles below the sand-bank we found an island, situated in the
midst of the river, very high, which we passed on our left : and three
miles lower than the head of this island, Ave found a second of the same
elevation: we left it on our right, the channel on the left being the only
practicable. Three miles further down than this last island we found a
third, situated exactly opposite Cumberland river: we passed it on the
275
left, the channel between the island and the mouth of Cumberland river
being often filled with driftwood, brought down by that river, which ren-
ders the passage on that side sometimes difficult.
From the three small islands above mentioned to Cumberland river,
which is nearly fifteen miles, the navigation with little attention is every-
where good. The soundings gave fifteen, eighteen, twenty and twenty-
five feet of water.
After passing the last of these three small islands, the country
changes its aspect, the heights on the right side disappear altogether, and
we perceived nothing but a vast extent of low and swampy ground.
Cumberland River is from six hundred to seven hundred yards wide at
its mouth, it is navigable for boats of all sizes one hundred and eighty
miles, and its banks are already inhabited. The mouth of this river :s
surrounded by small eminences very advantageously situated for protect-
ing the entrance.
Ten miles below Cumberland Eiver, we reached Tennessee River, the
entrance of which is marked by two islands, situated so close to each
other, that without great attention we should have passed without perceiv-
ing that they were separated.
On the left side, between Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, we ob-
served a small wooden fort, the object of which was the protection of the
navigation of those two rivers, and also of the Ohio, during the war with
the Indians; but the fort is placed at too great a distance to answer this
triple view, and is really useful only for the Ohio. From Cumberland
Eiver to Tennessee the navigation is excellent, the height of the water is
from twelve to sixteen and eighteen feet. The lands are low and swampy
on both sides. Tennessee River is nearly of the same breadth as Cumber-
land River, and is navigable for all kinds of boats as high as Muscle
Shoals.
After passing Tennessee River, the bed of the Ohio widens considerably,
and at the end of eleven miles, leaving several defiles on both sides, with
the navigation uninterrupted, we reached Fort Massac. The depth of
water in this distance is sixteen, eighteen and twenty feet. The lands
on both sides are low and swampy.
Fort Massac, so called by the Americans, and Fort Massacre by the
Canadians,1 is a post anciently established by the French, and abandoned
at the time of the cession of Louisiana : it has lately been repaired, and
has been occupied two years past by the Americans.
This fort is erected on a small promontory, it is built with wood, and
has four bastions surrounded with palisadoes, of the same form and con-
struction as all those mentioned in the course of this work. The garrison
is composed of an hundred men. commanded by a captain : the batteries
are mounted with eight pieces of twelve. The fault of this position, with
respect to the navigation of the Ohio, is, that the channel being on the
opposite side, the passage may be effected, especially during the night,
without any fear of the batteries.
It is, nevertheless, very important to keep this point, because it com-
municates by two different roads with the country of the Illinois. One
1 The Canadians informed us that the Indians having one day surprised and mas-
sacred all the French who were within the fort, it was on that acount called Fort
Massac.
276
of these, called the lower road, and which is the shortest, is practicable
only in very dry seasons, and when the waters are very low, because there
are several creeks to pass, which are not f ordable in high waters ; in this
case, the other, called the upper road, must be taken, which is much
longer, and which leads along the heights, crossing the creeks or rivers
at their sources. This road is passable for carriages, whilst the lower
road is practicable only for horse or foot passengers. The distance from
hence to Kaskaskias by the lower road is reckoned eighty miles, that by
the upper road one hundred and fifty.
The platform, on which the fort is erected, is about seventy feet above
the level of low water, and has consequently nothing to fear from inun-
dations. But the bank being perpendicular, and the fort placed very
near the precipice, which is daily giving way, two of the bastions that
face the river are in danger of being borne off by the first floods ; the ditch
and palisadoes having already shared that fate.
Near the fort are seven or eight houses or huts inhabited by Canadians,
whose sole occupations are hunting, or dragging boats ; they appeared poor
and miserable.
The commander of this fort was Captain Pike, who treated us with
great hospitality during the two days which we spent with him; but at
the moment of our departure, whether from reflection, or whether he
had received orders to that effect, as he told me verbally, he thought it
prudent to arrest us. At five in the morning, Capt. Pikje, attended by
four fusileers and the whole of his staff, including the surgeon, planted
himself in my boat, declaring to me with an air of dignity, that he
thought himself obliged in conscience to arrest us, having been informed
that I was indefatigable in taking the survey of the Ohio, and of all the
Western States. I immediately showed him the whole of my manuscripts,
observing that they contained nothing but geographical notes and a few
local remarks, which were more fitted to benefit than injure his fellow-
citizens. He advised with his council, but neither any of its members or
himself could read French, and there was a moment of suspense with
respect to his decision ; when an idea, which alarmed me extremely, pre-
sented itself to him ; that of sending my papers to Philadelphia, and tak-
ing the orders of government. The distance from Fort Massac to Phil«
adelphia is at least a thousand miles. Fortunately, the surgeon, who was
a man of sense, observed, that eight months must elapse before we could
obtain an answer, and that it would be cruel to detain me and my sufft
during the whole of the winter, if, as he belived, I had nothing contrary
to the laws of the country; since every one had a right to travel in the
United States, and even without a passport. Captain Pike was struck
with the wisdom of this observation, and it was unanimously resolved
that I might continue my journey, taking, however, on board an officer
to attend me as long as I should remain in the territory of the United
States; this commission was entrusted to Captain Taylor. Of Captain
Pike's conduct we had upon the whole no great reason to complain : he
appeared to be a good man; and this little adventure proceeded rather
from the jealous suggestions of some persons who surrounded him, than
any hostile intention of his own.
277
Two miles below Fort Massac, on the left, we found a creek, called
Massac's Creek, which is not navigable.
Immediately below Fort Massac the Ohio widens still more, and its
course becomes slower, flowing along a low country. On the right we
perceived a kind of -natural dyke, which runs parallel with the banks of
the river, but the lands behind are in general low and swampy.
We proceeded without finding any variation in the soil twenty-three
miles. In this space the Ohio, which had run for some time towards the
west, takes a sudden bend towards the south. We reached Cash Island,
after having passed two creeks on our right and left, neither of which
are navigable. The navigation during these twenty-three miles is per-
fectly good, and the depth of water from fifteen to twenty-five feet.
Passing Cash Island on our left, we took the channel on the right; care-
fully steering, however, as close as possible to the island, to avoid a sand-
bank jutting out from the right.
Three miles below Cash Island, we left on the right Cash Creek, and
six miles below this creek we reached the mouth of the Ohio. The coun-
try continues low and swampy, the navigation regularly good, and the
depth of the river scarcely ever varies from twenty to twenty-five feet.
The Ohio at its mouth offers nothing remarkable, its breadth is nearly
the same as that of the Mississippi, and its banks are low and marshy,
as well as the country on each side.
Opposite to its mouth the Ohio has deposited a great quantity of sand,
which, forming a very considerable bank, bars a part of the Mississippi,
and renders this passage extremely difficult ; this we shall explain in the
chapter that treats of -the navigation of this river.
In general the distances marked in Hutchins' charts, and others, are
too great, particularly from the rapids to the mouth of the Ohio.
Chapter XV.
Military Description of Part of the Mississippi, from the Mouth of the
Ohio to the Illinois Country. — Important Remark. — Buffalo Island. —
Temperature. — Elk Island. — Pointe a la Perche. — Charpon Islands. —
Courcy Islands. — Unlucky Accident. — English Islands. — Vines. — Chains
of Rocks. — Rapidity of the Current. — Cape a la Cruche. — Quicksands.
— Pelicans. — Cape Girardot. — Observations Respecting the Beavers. —
Du Verrier Islands. — False Bays. — Marl River. — Apple River. — Muddy
River. — The Tower. — Wandering Indians. — Necessary Precautions. —
Winged Islands. — Five Men Cape. — Dung Islands. — St. Mary's River. —
Recapitulation of the Distances. — Reasons why a good map of the course
of the river can never be obtained.
Before we speak of the Mississippi, that great artery of North America,
it is necessary to make an observation.
Obliged, on leaving the Ohio and entering the Mississippi to ascend a
part of this last river, in order to gain the Missouri ; and anxious to give
a successive view of objects such as we beheld them, our account of the
Mississippi will necessarily be interrupted; that is to say, we shall first
treat of the Mississippi from the Ohio to the Missouri, and shall not re-
sume our account of that river as far as New Orleans, till we have finished
our expedition into the country of the Illinois and the Missouri.
278
We began our course on the Mississippi the second of August. This
day was one of the hottest we had felt in North America; Earenheit's
thermometer had risen to ninety-seven. An hatchet exposed to the sun
during an hour had acquired such a degree of heat, that we would not
hold it in our hands. The wind was south, and the weather thick and
hazy.
Immediately on entering the Mississippi, and after doubling the nor-
thern point which separates the waters of this river from those of the
Ohio, we passed on the left a great sand-bank, called in the language
oi the country batture, formed by this last river. The sand-bank is
long, flat, and covered with young poplars. At this point both
sides of the river are low and swampy, and we saw nothing on the hori-
zon which indicated that there were any lands more elevated within a
certain distance. For this reason, the right side of the river, opposite
to the mouth of the Ohio, will never be proper for the construction of
any works, unless at an expense which would be useless in a country that
is yet a desert.
Three miles from the mouth of the Ohio, in ascending the river, is
an island on the left, called Buffalo Island, which is about a mile in
length, well wooded, and high, with a blackish soil. We observed on
both sides of the river, ranks of willows, all of the same height, resem-
bling the finest Lombardy poplars, and arranged with so much symmetry
that each tree seemed placed at equal distances, which viewed from the
water produced a most beautiful effect.
After doubling Buffalo Point, we reached, at the distance of half a
mile, Elk Island, which is newly formed. The willows we saw on this
spot were not more than from two to three years growth. Both passages
are equally good; nevertheless, when the waters are low, and in going
up the river, the right side is to be preferred, leaving the island on the
left.
We rowed by Elk Island, a mile, and a mile and a half higher we
reached on the right Point a la Perche, so called on account of the great
quantity of willows with which it is bordered; these willows are still
loftier than those we have just mentioned, some of them being sixty feet
in height.
Between Elk Island and Pointe a la Perche the current is more gentle
than from this island to the mouth of the Ohio, where it is so strong that
we proceeded scarcely more than a mile in two hours ; .and this with such
difficulty, that the best Canadian rower could not handle his oar more
than a quarter of an hour without resting.
Half a mile higher than Pointe a la Perche, we reached on the right
Charpon Islands; these are three in number, and they follow each other
in succession, each is about a mile long, including the canals by which
they are separated. The lands continue low and swampy to a very great
distance on both sides, but they are of a fine quality, having from twelve
to eighteen feet of vegetable earth.
Three miles above those islands we reached Courcy Islands; these are
four in number, and occupy a space of two miles. The towing line is
used for these three miles.1
i The towing line is made use of when the waters are low and the sand-hanks
dry ; in high waters, or when the banks are steep, this mode is impracticable.
279
Before we reached Courcy Islands, we passed between two great banks,
in order to gain the right side, leaving the islands on the right. This
is the only side practicable for the towing line, the other being perpen-
dicular and encumbered with trees, which renders this passage extremely
difficult. With a line of fifty fathoms, though the waters are low, we
found no bottom.
Immediately after passing the last of Courcy Islands, we steered to the
left, in order to avoid a very dangerous sand-bank; there is a passage on
the right, but tne current is so strong, that it is practicable only in de-
scending the river.
In crossing over, we met with a disagreeable accident; our boatmen,
exhausted in striving to master the current stopped on a sudden, when
the boat drove with such violence and with so much force on a stump,
which broke in its ribs, that we had only time to throw ourselves on the
nearest of one of the islands, where we passed the rest of the day to re-
pair the damage.
We learned with certainty, on leaving the Ohio, that from thence to
the Missouri, we could never proceed faster than three leagues in a day,
and sometimes only two. Although our boat had twentv oars, the rap-
idity of the current, the immense quantity of trees heaped together on
both sides the river, and which sometimes filled half its bed ; the trans-
versal position of these trees, which changes the current of the river and
increases its rapidity, render this navigation very difficult and dangerous ;
we were continually in the alternative of breaking on the trees, or strik-
ing on the sand-banks.
We estimated the current of the river in this place at six or seven miles
an hour, and often nine in channels formed by the islands. The country
continues to be low and swampy.
We proceeded nine miles and reached the English Islands, cRlled by
the Canadians Great Courcy Islands, and by the Indians Taiouwapeti.
These islands occupy a space of six miles, and are twelve in number,
ranged in groups of different sizes, and each affording; a passage ; it is,
however, safest to leave them all on the right ; not only because the cur-
rent is less strong, but that nearly six miles are gained bv taking the
channel on the left. The navigation from Little Courev Islands hither
is good, the banks which are formed between them, and which are dry,
make it very easy for towing.
We saw a great quantity of game of everv kind on these islands, roe-
bucks, bears and buffaloes: we killed one of the latter. From the mouth
of the Ohio to this spot we found neither creek nor river, nor saw any
source whatever.
After passing the English Islands, we perceived that the lands began
to rise, and cease to be swanky : the soil, nevertheless, is poor, being
either rocky or gravelly, mixed with reddish earth. At a distance we
perceived a chain of heights, called Taiouwapeti Mountain, which runs
north and south, parallel to the river.
The whole of this quarter is covered with vines of the large kind,
which differs, however, from that which we found in the north, the wood
not being so thick: the fruit is less, of a deeper red and sweeter: these
vines climb to the tops of the loftiest trees.
280
At half a mile distance from the last of the English Islands, we found
on the left side a chain of rocks, called the Little Chain. We kept to
the right, and two miles higher we found a second, called the Great
Chain, which extends into the middle of the river, and is a mile in length.
The rocks that form this last chain being detached from each other,
leave a number of small passages, which, although perilous, may be
passed with less danger, aided by a good pilot, than the channel alto-
gether on the right, where there is a current so strong, that it cannot
be stemmed without much loss of time and considerable efforts, while
amidst the rocks the water is almost stagnant.
After passing the Great Chain of rocks, keeping constantly to the left,
the navigation continues gentle and easy. We sometimes proceeded a
mile and a half an hour.
Here the ground on both sides rises in gentle slopes, and is no longer
swampy; it is a mixture of rocks, gravel, and good soil. We beheld at
intervals small rivulets, which take their sources in the heights of
Taiouwapeti. The quality of their waters is very inferior to that of the
river.
The banks of the river are extremely dangerous in this place, from the
quicksands which often shift, and on which no one can step without the
risk of being swallowed up ; our hunter had nearly perished in this
manner, and was saved only by placing his fowling piece in a cross direc-
tion, when we instantly threw out cords and hawled him on board the
vessel. These quicksands may easily be known by their lustre, which
have the polish of glass, and by their humidity which resists the hottest
beams of the sun.
We proceeded six miles, and reached, on the left side, Cape a la Cruche ;
it is a very elevated and perpendicular point, in front of which, and level
with the water, is a nest of rocks which extends to some distance, and
which is very dangerous. These rocks may easily be distinguished by
the breakers.
The navigation during these six miles is good, if care be taken to keep
on the left side.
Having reached Cape a la Cruche, we crossed a part of the river to
gain an island on the opposite side, which it bordered by a great sand-
bank, very conveniently situated for towing. We thus avoided a very
strong current on the left, and which beoins after doubling Cape a la
■Cruche.
Three miles above Cape a la Cruche, we passed on the left the small
island of La Ferriere.
Towards four o'clock in the afternoon, we perceived in the horizon a
kind of white riband of great length, which was a flock of pelicans, called
by the Canadians great throats, coming from the north in their passage
to the southward. They begin to arrive in this latitude, in the month
of June, as the cold approaches. In the month of December, therefore-
an innumerable quantity are seen at New Orleans, where they generally
pass the winter, and hatch their young. These birds travel always in
•flocks, when they reach any great river, they range themselves all in one
line, their heads turned against the stream, and thus suffer themselves
•to be carried down; they swallow all the fish that come in their way. and
2S1
deposit them in the great bag. When the river is too narrow to contain
a whole nock, they place themselves in a line of two deep; they prefer
the Mississippi and the Missouri to every other river, on account of their
Muddy waters.
At the distance of a mile and a half above the island of La Ferriere,
we reached Cape Girardot. We kept to the left side, to take advantage
of a very strong eddy that reaches from this last island to Cape Girardot,
which is the first military point on the river, from the mouth of the
Ohio,1 both sides being either swampy or broken by rocks.
Cape Girardot, on the contrary, is a block of granite, covered with a
vegetable earth, about a foot in depth; it commands the whole river,
which by means of a point, or very considerable alluvion, on the opposite
side, is narrowed to the breadth of a mile at most. In order to avoid
the shallows with which this alluvion is surrounded, all vessels that pass
are obliged to keep very near the right side, which is within half cannon
shot of the Cape.
The upper part of the block or eminence A, is commanded by no
height: that part which fronts the river is steep and inaccessible; a large
and deep defile surrounds it to the north and east, on the south is a gentle
declivity, which finishes in low and sometimes marshy lands. The foot
of the cliff affords shelter and excellent mooring for vessels.
Cape Girardot is, therefore, so situated as to supply what is* wanting
on the right bank of the Mississippi, at the point which corresponds to
the mouth of the Ohio. Placed at forty-three miles and a half only above
its mouth, this point commands whatever issues from that river, and
covers perfectly on this side the place of St. Louis, from which it could
receive succour in twenty-four hours. This leads us to think that the
true station of the gallies is at this spot, where there is a fort respectable
enough to protect them.
The importance of this post did not escape M. Laurimier, a French-
man in the Spanish service, whose military talents and great influence
with the Indian nations are very useful to this power. He has estab-
lished himself there with the Chawanons and the Loups, whom he com-
mands, and has a very fine farm, on which he resides.
The river in great floods rises here as high as seventy feet.
In one of the villages of the Loups which I visited whilst I remained
at Cape Girardot, I found a white who had formed an establishment.
This planter in clearing had destroyed a settlement of beavers ; on exam-
ining, with the proprietor, the devastation which had been made in the
dwellings and dikes of these industrious animals, we were struck with the
appearance of one among those we had killed, the skin of which was
totally without hair, and his body covered with scars. I conjectured
at first that this was the effect of some malady natural to this species
of animal ; but my host, to whom I made the remark, informed me that
he was the slave of the family, and that a similar one was found in al-
most every habitation of the beavers.
"In each family," said he, "there is one, which on his entrance into
the world is destined to be the slave. The most servile and laborious
l It will be seen at the end of this survey, that this is also the first point on the
west side of the river from New Orleans, which renders it so much the more im-
portant.
282
occupations are his lot, among- which is that of his serving as a traineau
for the conveyance of wood. When the heavers have resolved on cutting
wood, and it remains only to be carried off, the slave takes the stick be-
tween his fore feet; the free beavers, seizing him by the tail, drag him
in this manner, nor is he permitted to quit his hold till he reaches home."
If this be a fact, and I relate it with the same simplicity that it was
recounted to me, it is not astonishing that the body of this animal should
be scarified and deprived of its hair, by the continued friction he must
have undergone, when dragged through briars, over stones and rocks.
This at least is certain, that the beaver I saw was without hair, and
covered with scars both old and newly made.
At the distance of half a mile from Cape Girardot, and on the left
side, is a creek which is almost dry during the summer ; and half a mile
higher is the island Du Yerrier, which .he left on the right. The naviga-
tion during this mile is easy, but the island being very large, and nar-
rowing the bed of the river, there is a very strong current in both chan-
nels. We quitted the left side, and crossed to gain the island, which is
surrounded with banks, that facilitate the use of the towing line.1 The
left side of the river, independents of its extreme rapidity, is also
rilled with a considerable quantity of drift-wood, which chokes up half
the channel ; but these kinds of obstacles are but momentary ; the next
year they may totally disappear, and may probably embarrass some other
point of the river.
After rowing by the island Du Verrier, which is two miles long, and
proceeding three miles further, we reached False Bays, situated on the
right side ; we crossed again a part of the river, to gain a great sand-bank
which is dry, and where the current is less strong. We left on the right,
a mile from False Bavs, an island without a name, which has been onlv
formed within these two years. Two miles and a half above this island,
we nassed another on the right, of which the name is also unknown.
The current during these last two miles and a half is moderate, and
the navigation easv : we kept to the right side, which is bordered with
flat rocks, and convenient for mooring boats. A mile above this last
island, perpendicular rocks rise on the right bank to the height of two
hundred feet: the left side, on the contrarv. is swampy.
We rowed the length of a mile along this iron rarrmart. and reached
on the same side Marl river, (Riviere de (liaise), which is full of a clav
of this nature. The river is about fortv or fiftv.vards wide at its month,
runs through low and swampy lands, and is almost dry during the
summer.
Four miles above, and on the same side, Annie river ("Riviere aux
Pommes) empties itself. This river is from eiffhtv to ninetv vards in
breadth at its month, and though its waters are low in dry seasons, there
is nevertheless enough for the navigation of canoes.
Directlv onnosite to Anple River, Mud River (Riviere aux A^ase^1 flows
into the Mississippi. Its month is concealed bv a verv considerable
island, which forms two passages: the first, in ascending the river, is the
1 These crossings are made with extreme difficulty
one and two miles are often lost in the passage
avoided as much as possible.
2S3
best. This river is navigable sixty miles for canoes, during the whole
year; the country through which it flows is extremely fertile, but swampy
to a great distance.
Four miles above Mud river, and on the right side of the Mississippi,
is the Tower; a name given to a great mass of rocks, at nearly fifty yards
distance from the right bank, its round form, isolated siuation, and
lofty height, led the first navigators to give it this appelation. This rock
offers nothing curious,1 excepting the immense quantities of birds of
every kind to which it affords an asylum. Six weeks previous to our
arrival here, an American family, composed of twelve persons, were all
massacred. They had taken their station, at the close of the evening,
opposite to the tower, on the left side of the river. Soon after their
landing, two Chickasaws came to visit them with a friendly air, asking
them for provisions and rum, which were given to them, and they ap-
peared to go away highly satisfied. But at daybreak a troop of twenty
Indians fell upon this unfortunate family, and massacred men, women
and children, without mercy. These murders are very common, and are
committed almost always by Indians proscribed and driven from their
tribes of robbery or some bad action; the vagabonds then wander
through the woods, and rob and kill all they meet. These depredations
are in general committed by the Chickasaws ; sometimes, however, massa-
cres take place by way of reprisal. If an Indian be killed by a White,
as soon as the news reaches the tribe, the whole nation swears vengeance,
and that the same quantity of blood which has been taken shall be shed ;
after which, the first White that presents himself, whether a stranger
or not, becomes their victim. When such attacks are to be apprehended,
it is prudent to encamp in one of the small islands, after having well
examined it; or what is still better to anchor always at a little distance
from the shore To this precaution which we cannot too strongly recom-
mend to those who travel in these deserts we owe the preservation of our
own lives
Leaving the Tower, we proceeded three miles and a half, and reached
Winged Island (Isle aux Ailes), which we left on the right. In this
space there are several eddies on the left side, which favor the ascent of
the river ; the current is very strong on the right.
Four miles and a half above Winged Island is Five Men Cape (Cap
des cinq Hommes) , situated on the left side, it is known by the long line
of rocks which precedes it, and which though joined to the bank, extends
far into the river. These rocks form very violent currents, but beyond
them the navigation becomes smooth and easy.
Three miles above Five Men Cape are Dung Islands (Isles a la
Merde) ;2 these are four in number, and extend nearly three miles. We
passed them on the left, and half a mile higher we reached the river
St. Mary, situated on the same side. Opposite its mouth is a little island,
called Perch Island (Isle a la Perche). which we left on our right.
A mile and a half above Perch Island, we reached the Island of Kas-
kaskias.
1 If this rock were not commanded by the right bank, it would form a very im-
portant military point.
2 The disgusting appellations seem to characterize the state of the people.
284
From Five Men Cape the navigation is good, and even easy, but care
must be taken when at Perch Island, to cross the river and gain the
right side, where the current is much more gentle than on the left.
A mile above the island of Kaskaskias, we reached the mouth of the
" river which bears this name.
The appearance of the country from Cape Girardot to this place,
varies but little, every where we find small rocky heights, intersected by
valleys, which are often over-flowed. Excepting Cape Girardot, the^
whole of this country, from the Ohio to Kaskaskias, is uninhabited.
The river Kaskaskias is nearly one hundred and twenty yards broad
at its mouth, and affords in every season a gentle and safe navigation for
all kinds of boats. The village of Kaskaskias, situated ten miles from
the mouth of the river, is the first settlement in the country of the Illi-
nois.
From Kaskaskias to Salt River is reckoned ten miles; from thence to
St. Genevieve, four; from St. Genevieve to Fort Chartres, twenty; to
Joachim Paver, eighteen; to Marimeck River, fifteen; to the village of
Carondelet, fifteen; to St. Louis, ten; and to the Missouri, four.1
The whole navigation from the river Kaskaskias is excellent, and tra-
verses a country very well inhabited, called the Illinois.
RECAPITULATION OF THE DISTANCES.
From the mouth of the Ohio to that of the Missouri.
From the mouth of the Ohio to Miles.
Buffalo Island 3
Its length 1
Elk Island Y2
Its length 1
Point a la Perche .' 1%
Charpon Islands %
Their length 3
Courcy Islands 3
Their length . 2
English Islands 9
Their length 6
Little Chain of Rocks V2
Great Chain 2
Cape a la Cruche 6
Island a la Ferriere 3
Cape Girardot 1%
Island du Vertier 1
Its length 2
False Bays 3
Marl River 5%
Apple River 4
The Tower 4
Winged Island 3^
Five Men Cape 4%
Dung Islands 3
Their length 3
River St. Mary 1
Kaskaskia Island lV-j
Salt River 10
St. Genevieve 4
l See the description of the country of the Illinois, Vol. I.
Fort Chartres 20
Joachim River 18
Marimeck River 15
Carondelet Village 15
St. Lewis 10
The mouth of the Missouri 5
176%
The most valuable information which we acquired during this short
passage, respecting the navigation of this river, as well from our own ob-
servations as the different accounts which we could procure, was, that
whatever talents, patience, and courage may be exercised in undertaking
this expedition, there are obstacles which will forever render it impos-
sible to obtain either charts or any certain details respecting the course
of this river, which can serve either as a guide or instruction to travelers.
The Mississippi has not only the inconvenience of being of an im-
mense extent, of winding in a thousand different directions, and of being
intercepted by numberless islands; its current is likewise extremely un-
equal, sometimes gentle, sometimes rapid; at other times motionless;
which circumstances will prevent as long as both sides remain unin-
habited, the possibility of obtaining just data with respect to distances.
But an insurmountable obstacle will always be found in the instability
of the bed of this river, which changes every year; here a sharp point
becomes a bay, there an island disappears altogether. Further on, new
islands are formed, sand-banks change their spots and directions, and
are replaced by deep channels ; the sinuosities of the river are no longer
the same; here where it once made a bend it now takes a right direction,
and there the straight line becomes a curve ; here -ravages and disorders
cannot be arrested or mastered by the hand of man, and it would be ex-
treme folly to undertake to describe them, or pretend to give a faithful
chart of this vast extent of waters, as we have done of the course of the
Ohio, since it would not only be* useless but dangerous. It is for these
reasons that we shall confine ourselves, as we proceed, to general ideas
with respect to the navigation of this river, and treat in detail only of
the most striking military points situated on its current. If from the
Ohio to the river Kaskaskias we have deviated from this rule, it is be-
cause that part of the river is reckoned the most difficult, and also varies
less on account of the two chains of heights which bound its banks, and
which fix and master its course.
CHAPTER XVI.
Country of the Illinois. — Period at Which the French Established
Themselves. — Character of the Inhabitants. — Sketch of the Country. —
Observations on the Mountains. — Conjectures. — Objections. ^Communi-
cations.— Meadow of the Rock. — Fort St. Charles.- — St. Philip. — New
Design. — Hull's Station. — Salt Works. — Bound Station. — Indian Tombs.
— Meadow of the Bridge. — Observations. — Kaokias. — Singular Coun-
try.— St. Lewis. — Fort. — Military Position of St. Lewis. — Florissant. —
Marais des Liards. — St. Genevieve. — Lusiere. — Mines. — Water Carriage.
— Nomenclature of Different Gramine. — Plan of an Intrenched Camp.
The country of the Illinois is situated between the thirty-seventh and
forty-fifth degree of northern latitude. The French took possession of
this province in 1681, at the same period that William Penn laid the
foundation of Pennsylvania.
The settlements on the Spanish side begin from Salt Eiver and termin-
ate at the Missouri, on the right bank of the Mississippi; those on the
American side begin at the river Kankaskias, and end at Dog's Meadow
(Prairie du Chien.)
The French settlements which still remain, situated on the Spanish
side, are St. Genivieve, St. Lewis, Florissant, and St. Charles. This
last is formed on the left side of the Missouri.
On the American side there are still some French at Kaskaskias, the
Meadow of the Eock (Prairie du Eocher), St. Philips, Kaokias, Piorias,
on the Eed river, at Dog's Meadow, near the Ouisconsin, Chicagou, on
the Lake Michigan, and at Post St. Vincent's, on the Wabash.
These people are, for the most part, traffickers, adventurers, hunters,
rowers and warriors ; ignorant superstitious and obstinate ; accustomed to
fatigue and privations, and stopped by no sense of danger in the under-
takings they form, and which they usually accomplish.
In domestic life, their characters and dispositions are similar to those
of the Indians with whom they live; indolent, careless and addicted to
drunkenness, they cultivate little or no ground, speak a French jargon,
and have forgotten the division of time and months. If they are asked
at what time such an event took place, they answer, "in the time of the
great waters, of the strawberries, of the maize, of potatoes ;" if they are
advised to change any practice which is evidently wrong, or if observa-
tions are made to them respecting the amelioration of agriculture, or the
augmentation of any branch of commerce, the only answer they give is
this: "It is the custom, our fathers did so, I have done well, my children
will do the same." They love France, and speak of their country with
pride.
The province of the Illinois is perhaps the only spot respecting which
travelers have given no exaggerated accounts; it is superior to any de-
scription which has been made, for local beauty, fertility, climate, and
the means of every kind which nature has lavished upon it for the facility
of commerce.
This country is a delightful valley, where winds one of the most ma-
jestic rivers on the globe, and which, after receiving the vast Missouri,
is still augmented by an infinite number of smaller rivers and creeks, all
navigable, and fitted for the construction of mills and machinery of al-
most everv kind.
This valley is full of small lakes and villages, and interspersed with
woods and natural meadows, strewed ' with medicinal and odoriferous
plants. Across these meadows flow numerous rivulets, sometimes mur-
muring beneath the flowers, and sometimes displaying their silver beds
and their transparent waters, pure as the air which is breathed amidst
those romantic spots. On each side of these vast meadows, which are
level as the surface of the calm ocean, rise lofty and venerable forests,
which serve as boundaries, while their thick and mysterious shades fill
the mind with reverential awe and enthusiastic contemplation.
This valley is bounded on the right and left by two small chains of
. mountains running parallel with the -banks of the river, but never more
distant than four or five miles.
The chain on the east begins to be perceived from the mouth of the
river Kaskaskias, and runs in the same direction as far as the Dog"s
Meadow, situated two hundred and forty leagues higher.
The western chain is visible from Cape Girardot. and runs in the same
direction, nearly at the same height, and following the same bendings as
that of the east".
These small chains rise commonly one hundred and fifty and some-
times two hundred feet above the level of the lands which separate them
from the waters of the river. These masses of rock' are composed some-
times of greystone, flint, with which the Indians tip their arrows, or mill-
stone, but most frequently of limestone.
The lands which run along between these chains and the bed of the
river, form, as I have already observed, vast meadows intersected with
small woods ; the whole of these lands are the product of successive depots,
occasioned by the overflowings of the river. Trees half burnt are often
found in digging, together with pieces of earthen and iron utensils. The
whole is a bed of sand, the surface of which is covered by a vegetable
layer, four or five feet in thickness.
It is probably that both these chains have been washed by the river ;
the different shells which are found incrusted, the constant parallelism
of their layers with the horizon, and which is seen marked in the rocks,
lying in the same direction, "and the correspondent angles of these chains,
are indications which support this conjecture. Here, nevertheless, a
great difficulty presents itself; which is that of knowing how the river
could at once have covered these two chains.
Many persons, and we were of the number, perplexed at the idea of
the quantity. of water necessary to cover this surface, suppose that the
Mississippi may several times have changed its bed, and have flowed at
different epochs over certain parts of these two chains ; but the corres-
pondence of the angles, the constant opposition of the concave with the
convex parts, which so well demonstrate the course of the waters, oppose
this hypothesis, and we are brought back almost irrestibly to believe
that these two chains were once the two banks of the river.
In fact, had not the Mississippi washed at the same time both these
chains, they would not always have run parallel and without interrup-
tion, and breaks would have been found at intervals, such as are ob-
served in the current of the Ohio.
288
It may be inquired what is become of all the water which was neces-
sary to till so broad and deep a bed. The following is the most satis-
factory solution which we could find of this difficult question.
When in descending the Mississippi we consider with attention the
direction of these two chains of mountains, we observe that the nearer
we approach the sea, the further they fall back from each other; till, at
length, that on the western side flies off, and disappears altogether to-
wards the Attakapas; whilst that on the east directs itself towards the
mountains in the south of Florida.
From the point where these two chains are no longer visible, we find
a prodigious extent of productive land, sometimes fifty leagues in
breadth.
At thirty leagues from the mouth of the river is situated New Orleans,
which is distant from the Gulf of Mexico on the right and left, only
two leagues. In the midst of this peninsula runs, in different channels,
the Mississippi, by which alone it could have been formed.
We know, also, that formerly this town was very near the mouth of
the river, and consequently at a small distance from the sea shore. Ad-
mitting this to be the case, if we could carry back in our imaginations,
above the Illinois, all the earth which has been washed down and de-
posited by the current in the stretch of land, which is now below New
Orleans, we shall be convinced that the quantity of water necessary to
fill and cover the space which then existed between the two chains, could
not be immense, and that its volume appears insufficient at present, only
from the changes which the water has itself rtroduced. Besides, in the
month of April, 1784, when a considerable inundation took place, the
river reached from one chain to the other, and carried a barge from
Kaskaskias to Kaokia, across the meadows and low lands which were
under water. There are, moreover, strong conjectures that the lakes
Michigan and Superior emptied their waters formerly into this river.
The evidence for this conjecture is, that when the waters are high. '
carrying from fifteen to twenty thousand weight pass from the Illinois
river to the Lake Michigan, without portage, by traversing a marsh which
joins the sources of the river Illinois with those of the river Chicago,
which now discharges itself into the Lake Michigan. The Ouiscousin
affords a similar proof.
No one is ignorant that Canada has suffered very considerable earth-
quakes; such, for example, as happened in 1663, when in a single night
twenty-six shocks took place. The history of this colony informs us, that
these earthquakes were felt over an extent of country more than one
hundred leagues in breadth, and three hundred in length, from the mouth
of the river St. Lawrence running to the West.
It is very probable, therefore, that the bed of granite which forms the
cataract of the Niagara has been sunk in one of these violent commo-
tions, and that previous to this convulsion of nature the waters of the
lake emptied themselves into the Mississippi, this hypothesis explains
easily how the waters of the river might have washed at the same time
both the chains which filled the vast void that now exists; since the
greater part of these waters at present discharge themselves into the
river St. Lawrence.
289
But I offer this solution as the opinion of an individual little enlight-
ened on a subject so abstruse, and which I leave to the meditation of
those who are more conversant than myself with the secrets of nature.
There are two communications by land from Kaskaskias to Kaokia,
one called the lower road, the other the upper. The first is practicable
only during the summer, the second the whole year.
From Kaskaskias to the Meadow of the Eock is reckoned fifty miles,
and the road lies across natural meadows and a soil extremely loamy,
which renders it impracticable in rainy seasons. The vegetation of this
soil is so luxuriant, that a man on horseback is covered by the height of
the grass; we measured some stalks, which were twenty-one feet high.
The Meadow of the Eock is a small village situated at the foot of the
chain of rocks, of which we have given the description; its population
is composed of eighty or a hundred inhabitants at most, and the greater
part are the produce of a mixture with the Indians.
At the Meadow of the Eock are two roads ; that on the right goes across
the heights; the left, which is the continuation of the lower road, tra-
verses the meadows. A mile beyond the Meadow of the Eock, on the left,
is a path now covered with grass, the track of which is scarcely to be
seen. This path leads to F.ort Charles, situated on the banks of the river,
at the distance of a mile; its ruins are the only vestiges that remain
of the power by which it was erected. This fort was begun by the French
India Company in 1754, and finished in 1762, precisely at the period of
the peace by which we lost our territorial possessions on this continent.
Its form is square, with four bastions finely proportioned and covered
with freestone. A wall surrounds it six feet thick and twenty high, with
crannies and embrasures; opposite and parallel to the curtains are four
large and magnificent buildings, one of which was destined for officers,
one for the garrison, and the two others for military stores. The whole
of these buildings are made of freestone, and raised on arches. This
establishment was constructed with so much solidity and care, that .in
spite of time and the neglect in which it is left, the wall and buildings
are still in good preservation; the timber has been taken away.
In front of the curtain which faces the river, are seen the remains of
a very fine battery of six pieces of twelve that defended the passage of
the river, by means of an island which is opposite, and narrows its bed.
At a quarter of a mile from the fort, on the left, are the ruins of Char-
tres, covered with wild herbs.
Proceeding seven miles by the road on the right, reckoning from the
point where it separates, leading to St. Charles, we reached St. Philip,
which is a new settlement, and contains seven or eight families, among
which are a few Americans. This space is intersected with woods, with
natural meadows, and some marshes, which render St. Philip's unhealthy.
Two miles from thence is another crossway ; the road on the right goes
to New Design, and meets that which leads to the Meadow of the Eock;
the road on the left goes into the valley.
Five miles further we reached Hull's Station, which is agreeably situ-
ated at the foot of the chain of mountains, on a small platform, high
—19 H S
290
enough nut to be incommoded by the thick and foggy air which spreads
over the meadows. This station is composed as yet but of two houses,
inhabited by Americans.
Eight miles beyond Hull's Station are the Salt Works ; two roads lead
to this place; that on the right is the most direct and the best, follow-
ing the base of the mountain; the left leads through the meadows.
From the Salt Works to Bounds Station is a distance of five miles,
which lie across a country alternately wood 'and meadow ground. On
the left is a very considerable pond, tilled with an innumerable quantity
of water fowl of all kinds; this point is unhealthy during the summer.
A few miles beyond Bound's Station we passed some small huts on the
left, newly constructed. Sixteen miles farther, following the course of
the meadows, which are of an immense extent, we found several small
mounds regularly ranged in a circular form: these were ancient Indian
tombs.
Three miles further we reached the meadow of the bridge, leaving on
the right a road which leads to the heights. The whole of this space is
intersected with large ponds, some of which are three or four miles long,
and one broad ; these stagnant waters occasion, by their exhalations,
many fevers in the autumn, and on this account the Meadow of the
Bridge is very little peopled, the greater part of the inhabitants having
gone over to the Spanish side.
Observing the level of the waters of the river, when it is low. and
that of the waters of the lakes, we perceived that it would be very easy
to dry up the latter by means of a few draining?, which might be cut
across the meadows; but indolence and the want of population are im-
pediments to this measure, and the inhabitants prefer changing their
settlements to the labor of ameliorating those they already occupy.
From the Meadow of the Bridge to Kaokia is only a mile.
RECAPITULATION
Of the Distances of the Lower Road.
Miles.
From Kaskaskias to the Meadow of the Rock 14
To St. Philip 8
Hull's Station 7
Salt Works - 7
Bound's Station 5
Indian Tombs 16
Meadow of the Bridge 3
Kaokia 1
61
Leaving the Meadow (if the Rock, the road turns short to the right,
passing a hollow which is very narrow, and following on the left a riv-
ulet which is fordable at the distance of two miles. After climbing dur-
ing a mile a very steep ascent, we reached a platform, which presents
the view of a very singular country.
This country can neither be termed wood nor meadow ; the trees with
which it appears to lie covered, are so thinly scattered, that the intervals
are so large as not to intercept the light. Neither a thorn nor a shrub
291
are to be seen, and only one kind of wood, the post oak, the trees of which
are all of the same size and height. The ground is covered with grass
of an excellent quality for cattle.
The singular aspect of this country can he attributed only to a custom
among the Indians of setting fire every autumn to the grass and dead
leaves of the forests, which destroys the whole, except this kind of oak.1
It is to be observed also, that this oak is smaller, and not so lofty as
those of other forests, where this accident has not taken place, and its
bark is almost black. It is clear of branches, both great and small, to
the height of twenty or twenty-five feet. The principal use of this timber
is for inclosures or barriers, and it is as serviceable as cedar for these
purposes.
The whole of this country is a gentle undulation, not a single rivulet
is to be found, but there are a great number of springs of pure and lim-
pid water.
The quality of the land is excellent; its vegetable layer is about three
feet in depth. Great holes of a singular form are frequently seen, which
have the figure of a cone reversed, or kind of funnel, the upper part of
which is about one hundred yards broad, and thirty, forty and fifty feet
in depth. Several of these have very plentiful springs of water: others
are entirely dry during the summer: the issue cannot be traced by which
the waters run off.
The same country and the same aspect continues without any varia-
tion till within three miles of Kaokia, when the upper road falls into
the plain at Pickset's Station, and yours six miles further on the lower
road.
The upper road is very good except for carriages; it is military, not
only as it holds the summit of the whole country, hut that by means of
it- undulations, every movement may be kept out of sight of the enemy.
DISTANCES OF THE UPPER ROAD.
From Kaskaskias to the Meadow of the Rock 14
To New Design 20
Belle Fontaine 2
Pickset's Station 16%
Kaokia 12
64%
Independently of these two roads, there is another which communi-
cates from Kaskaskias with Post St. Vincent's, and leads almost con-
tinually across fine natural meadows. Idle distance is computed at one
hundred and fifty miles, which may be passed in five days on horseback;
but this road is impassable for any carriage.
l When a traveler is surprised by one of these fires, which happens commonly in
the autumn, and sees the conflagration advance, which generally spreading over
the whole extent of the meadow, runs rapidly on when aided by the wind, the only
measure to adopt, in order to preserve himself from a danger so immeinent. is to
light a fire behind him : by this means the grass is already burnt when the de-
vouring flame reaches the spot, where finding nothing more to consume, it stops
and is necessarily extinguished. For this reason every one who travels in the
autumn, amidst these plains, cannot be too strongly recommended to provide him-
self with a tinder-box, which the inhabitants of the country are careful to do,
since their lives are so nearly concerned.
292
These natural meadows are highly agreeable to the traveler, who passes
them without suffering any of the inconveniences which he finds in the
forests, such as reptiles and insects, since it is well known that the mos-
chettoes, with which the woods are filled, and which are so troublesome,
cannot bear the light ; much less the rays of the" sun, by which they perish ;
they can only exist amidst damps and darkness. With respect to rep-
tiles, they must be extremely rare in these meadows, which are consumed
every autumn by the Indians.
Two miles above Kaokia, and on the right bank of the river, is situ-
ated the town of St. Lewis, or Pincour. on a platform high enough to
be at all times out of the reach of inundations.
The population of this town is estimated at six hundred inhabitants,
of whom two hundred, all French,1 are capable of bearing arms.
Kaokia is situated at the extremity of this immense and beautiful
valley, it contains about three hundred families, of which there are a
hundred men capable of bearing arms.
These men are less degenerate than the race which dwell on the Amer-
. ican side; we found among them that sentiment of attachment to their
country which characterise the French nation ; they appeared to be excel-
lent patriots, whose lives and fortunes are devoted to France; families
of laborers in easy circumstances, and prosperous merchants. The
people in general would be happy, were it not for the viciousness of the
administration, which grants exclusive privileges to strangers for the fur
trade : privileges always odious to the people and ruinous for the states,
since they annihilate industry and destroy emulation.
It might easily be presumed from the situation in which we found the
forts, and the weakness of the garrison, which consisted of seventeen
men, that Spain had the intention of abandoning Upper Louisiana.
At the time this post was menaced by Genet's expedition, ill combined
and still worse directed, a paltry square redoubt was constructed, flanked
by four bastions, the sides of which were preeiselv two feet and a half,
(the space of a single man) and surrounded with a ditch two feet deep
and six in breadth, with an inclosure of crannied planks. A garrison of
seventeen men and the inhabitants, all devoted to France, were charged
with the defense of this post.
lA circumstance worthy of notice, with respect to our .national character, is.
that we never incorporate, generally speaking-, with any other nation : wherever we
go. we wish to plant ourselves, to introduce our own tastes, manners, customs, and
language. It is to this .srenerous pride that we must attribute that marked differ-
ence which exists in the mode of our forming settlements in foreigri countries, from
that of oth»r emigrants. The French unite, and form themselves into towns and
villages, whilst others disperse and melt into the mass of the people amongst whom
they dwell, as may be observed in the United States.
This love of our country, this national prejudice, far from being a subject of
ridicule, as it has been treated by some modern writers, ought rather to b" regarded
as a virtue, of which wise governments know how to take advantage. Who knows
if Louisiana and Canada would not have balanced the immense influence which
England has obtained in the United States, if France had supported her colonies,
as those of the English have been protected by their government. England owes
her influence to the introduction of her manners, her customs, her language, her
religion, and her marine : I say, her marine, because to be master of the world, it
is necessary to be sovereign of the sea. This political axiom is of ancient date:
the Greeks transmitted it to the Romans, and it his since been adopted by everv
nation: it is in this sense that one of our tragic writers (Lemierrel says:
"Le trident de Neptune est le sceptre du monde."
293
The order of the commander was the only thing reasonable in this
extraordinary defense of Upper Louisiana; it stated in substance, that
immediately on the appearance of the enemy, the garrison should retreat
to New Madrid. We shall speak of that place at the end of the work.
The position of St. Lewis, five leagues from the mouth of the Mis-
souri, and eight from that of the Illinois, considered in a military point
of view, is one of the best on the river Mississippi. If it were put into a
respectable state of defense, it would cover Upper Louisiana, and prevent
every irruption by the Upper Mississippi, the Illinois and the Missouri;
commanding, at the same time, the Western States and Upper Canada,
each of which might be invaded by three different roads; the first in as-
cending the Mississippi, and the Ouiscousin, from whence a carrying-
place of three miles leads to Fox Eiver and Green Bay, which makes pait
of Lage Michigan, the second by ascending the Illinois river, and gain-
ing by Chickago the sources of the river Kennomick. which empties it-
self likewise into the same lake ; this may be effected in high waters with-
out carriage, by traversing a marsh where there is four or five feet of
water; and the third, in proceeding from Kaskaskias, and gaining the
post of St. Vincent's by a fine communication of one hundred and fifty
or one hundred and sixty miles across a country of natural meadows.
and afterwards ascending the Wabash as far as the sources of the river
Miamis, the waters of which fall into Lake Erie.1
St. Lewis can also oppose every irruption by the Ohio against New
Madrid; that town being situated above the mouth of the river at the
distance only of fifty leagues, this space might be run in thirty-six hours
with gallies ; the advantages of being master of the current, in the naviga-
tion of a river, are still more decisive than having the wind at sea.
If we consider St. Lewis in a commercial point of view, we shall find
its position still more fortunate. This place will stand in the same re-
lation to New Orleans, as Albany to New York; it is there that will be
collected all the produce transported by the great rivers which meet near
this point, after traversing such fine and fertile countries. It is there
that the traders would bring all the fine furs of the Missouri, and other
adjacent rivers; a source of inexhaustible riches for more than a century.
It is at St. Lewis that a stop may be put to the invasions and usurpa-
tions of England. St. Lewis will become the military point for the de-
fense of the head of the Mississippi, and the mouth of the Missouri, and
to support the different posts which might be formed upon this river; it
will be the central point for all internal administrations, and from which
the traders will take their departure.2 Upon the whole, it will be by St.
Lewis that the communication will be opened with the Southern Ocean,
and its waters connected with those of the Gulf of Mexico; and this may
be effected with more facility, more safety, and with more economy for
trade and navigation, than in any other given point in North America.3
These considerations, which even the peace cannot annul, decided the
French plenipotentiary to propose to the Spanish minister on my return
lSee the particular description of each of those rivers.
lThose who are here called traders, are persons who traffic with the Indians
for furs.
2See'the description of the Missouri.
294
in the month of January. 1797, the plan of defence which will be found
at the end of this chapter; a jDian which may be considered as only tem-
porary, but which may one day serve as the basis of a plan of defence
more mature and complete, when circumstances, time, and experience
shall have furnished easier means of examination, and more exact details
than those which could be collected in a situation so delicate as that in
which we undertook the survey of this place.
Four leagues to the north of St. Lewis, and a league from the mouth
of the Missouri, a new settlement has been formed, called Florissant,
which contains already thirty families, the greater part American, and
all good farmers.
A mile west of Florissant is another settlement formed by the French,
called Marais des Lairds, which contains an hundred families. Two
leagues and a half farther on towards the northwest, and on the left of
the Missouri, is situated the last settlement of civilized men, called St.
Charles, containing two hundred families, all traders or hunters.
Twenty-four leagues to the south of St. Lewis, and on the same side,
is situated the small town of St. Genevieve, vulgarly called by the people
Misere. It was originally built on the banks of the river, but the fre-
quency of the inundations forced the inhabitants to transport their settle-
ment two miles back at the foot of a small height; there are still a few
huts remaining, inhabited by the traders of the old village.
This little town contains at present twelve hundred inhabitants of both
sexes, whites and blacks, slaves and freemen, of which two hundred and
forty bear arms ; but out of that number, sixty only can be considered as
soldiers. ■
On the upper part of the platform on which St. Genevieve is situated,
stands a small fort, of the same form and constructed with the same kind
, of materials as that of St. Lewis ; that is to say, square, and surrounded
with planks to support the earth, and serve at the same time for palisa-
does. Two pieces of iron cannon of two pounders, a corporal and two
soldiers, were at this time the sole defence of the place.
This position on the whole is extremely bad, being much too distant
from the river to protect its navigation. The fort on the southeast is
entirely under the command of the platform on which it is built, the far-
ther you go to the back of this position, the more the ground rises grad-
ually ; and these heights being connected with each other a great length of
space, and commanding each other successively, it is impossible to occupy
them all at once. This situation ought therefore to be abandoned as an
intermediary point between St. Lewis and the Ohio, as had been once
projected. We shall take occasion to point out another far superior in
all respects.
Two miles to the southeast of St. Genevieve, on the height, is an in-
creasing settlement, called Lusiere; this is a concession which has lately
been made by the government to a French refugee of this name, who fled,
like many others, from assassins and executioners.
Two leagues from St. Genevieve, towards the sources of a rivulet which
empties itself into the Mississippi, is a lead mine and a lime quarry, both
295
of which are at present worked, on the heights of Marimeek. An iron
mine, extremely rich, has been lately discovered, but is not worked for
want of hands and means. Mr. Burd, an inhabitant of Xew Jersey, and
in partnership with Robert Morris, has visited it and extracted several
pieces of ore, which have been found by professional men to be of the first
quality; this mine is so much the more precious, as it is the only one of
the kind hitherto known in Upper Louisiana. We brought away speci-
mens of these various minerals.
All conveyances from St. Genevieve to St. Lewis are made by water;
no communication by land for carriages having yet been opened ; the road
at present is practicable only for horsemen and foot passengers.
The passage of the river, in the communication of St. Lewis with
Kaokia, either from St. Genevieve to Kaskaskias, or across the Missouri
from St. Lewis to St. Charles, is made with canoes of different sizes ; but
these boats are not large enough to carry either borses or carriages; the
horses are commonly made to swim across the stream.
RECAPITULATION OF THE DISTANCES
From St. Lewis to the Neighbouring Villages.
Spanish Side. Leagues,
From St. Lewis to Florissant 4
To Marais des Liards 4%
To St. Charles 6
To St. Genevieve 24
Independently of the description which we shall give under the article'
of agriculture, of the vegetation that clothes and the productions that en-
rich this fine country, we deem it necessary to add, that it abounds in all
kinds of gramen, from dog's grass to reeds thirty feet high ; the great
and lesser kinds of mallows, violets, nettles, dandelions, maiden hair,
ferns, horsetail, thistles, briars, squinant, iris, cresses, milfoil, St. John's
wort, centaury, hen bane, pellitory, of the wall, vervain, mint, thyme,
burdock, endive, hops storksbill, purslain, sowthistle, woodsorrell, melilot,
trefoil, luzerne, Venus-navel, ginger, gentian, the second and fourth
species of ipecacuanha, the bastard senna, the bastard indigo, three kinds
of sensitives, camomile, bugioss, comfrey, wild marjaram, sage, mother
wort, wormwood, poppy, terragon, pumpkin sorrel, strawberry plant, as-
paragus, golden rod, scabious, the winter cherry, lilac, palma-ehristi, In-
dian fig-tree, rosemary, marjoram, several of the flowers cultivated in
Europe, the great blind nettle, blind oats, white root, red root, the spindle
tree, the liana, dragon's blood, geranium, and fumitory, friendsroot,
white meadow wood, the tea-tree of Labrador, and the Obelia.
The trees most common are five or six kinds of walnuts trees and of
oaks, the mulberry tree, apple tree, pear, plumb and cherry trees; the
ash. the willow, the elm, the hawthorn, the poplar, the beech, laurels,
acacias, plane trees, pines, firs, red and white cedars, the cypress, peach
trees, fig trees and chestnuts : pomegranates, the thorny ash. the small
cotton tree, and the little oak. We found also, the orange, lemon and
lime trees, with every other production of the most favored climes.
Every season presents its peculiar vegetable productions; it would,
therefore, be almost impossible for a single individual to examine and
give an exact enumeration of the whole. We collected our information
on this subject from Mr. Perron, who had resided in Upper Louisiana ten
years, and who had been continually employed in the study of natural
history.
CHAPTER XVII.
Description of the River of the Illinois.
The river of the Illinois is situated towards the thirty-ninth degree
thirty minutes northern latitude, and six leagues above the Missouri,
on the eastern side of the Mississippi. This river is about five hundred
yards wide at its mouth.
The chain of rocks and high monies which begins at the mouth of the
Kaskaskias, and which runs parallel with the Mississippi, passing be-
hind the Meadow of the Eock, St. Philips, Kaokia, and de Piasas, turns
near the mouth of the river of the Illinois, and keeps at greater or less
remote distances, on its eastern side, the same direction as this river.
After ascending the river eighteen miles, on the eastern side, we
reached a small river, called Macopin, which signifies in the Indian lan-
guage White Yam. This river is about twenty yards broad at its mouth,
and is navigable nine miles.
In this space, the maple or sugar tree, the ash and other wood fit for
construction, are very common.
At slight distances on each side of the river, are fine natural meadows ;
the earth on these banks does not break off like those of the Mississippi.
We passed several islands, some of which were from nine to twelve miles
long and three miles broad; after which the breadth of the river con-
tinues to be about four hundred yards, and runs N. N. W.
Thirty-six miles above the Macopin is the village of the Priorias, sit-
uated at one mile distance from the left bank, and behind which are
several small lakes, that communicate with each other, and are sur-
rounded with natural meadows of great extent. The passage which these
lakes have opened to the river is very narrow, and practicable only for
small canoes. The high chain, which follows the river, falls back here to
a considerable distance.
Twenty-seven miles farther up the river are several small islands, cov-
ered with a great quantity of animals, and eighteen miles beyond is
another island of some extent, called Pierre a fleches. Near this island
mountains not lofty, border the western side of the river ; on these heights
the Indians find the stones with which they point their arrows.
The eastern side is bordered by natural meadows to a great extent ; the
land is very fertile, and watered by a multitude of small rivulets which
are never dry. The heights are covered with the tallest ash trees ; the
banks of the river are high, its waters are limpid, rolling over a bed of
sand and white clay.
Eighteen miles farther up is Mine River, called by the Canadians Bad
Land (Mauvaise Terre.) During this space, the aspect of the country
297
continues the same ; on the east lie natural meadows, which are sometimes
nine, twelve and fifteen miles broad; on the west is the chain of small
hills, that runs parallel with the course of the river.
Mine river is not more than fifty yards wide at its mouth ; its current is
very rapid, and its banks on each side are low, but rise afterwards gradu-
ally. The lands along this river are of a very fine quality, particularly
for corn and pasturage.
Twenty-one miles above Mine river is the Sagamond, situated on the
western side, at the extremity of the chain of small mornes. This river is
about one hundred yards broad, and is navigable one hundred- and eighty
miles for small canoes, the right side is very low, and the left bordered
during a space of six or nine miles by small mornes.
Twenty miles from the Sagamond is the river Demi Quain, on the same
side. This river is fifty yards broad, and is navigable one hundred and
twenty miles.
Nine miles above this river is Demi Quain Lake situated on the western
side. This lake, of a circular form, is at least six miles in diameter, and
empties itself into the Illinois river by a smallchannel, which is always
four feet deep. The banks are bordered by natural meadows, especially
on the western side, where the view is unbounded. This part of the coun-
try has little wood, the lands are fine in every direction, and the waters of
the river and lake perfectly limpid. The course of the river, preceding
from the lake, is eastward, and the navigation excellent. -
Twelve miles above the lake, and on the same side, is the river of
Sesme Quain. This river is forty yards broad, is navigable for canoes
sixty miles, and flows through a very fertile country.
Nine miles higher, and on the same side, is the river March, thirty
yards broad, and navigable nine miles only for small skiffs. The country
here begins to rise gradually towards the west.
Nine miles higher, on the eastern side, is the river Michilimackinac.
fifty yards broad, and navigable ninety miles. There are thirty or forty
small islands at its mouth, which at a distance have the appearance of a
village. On the banks of this river there is excellent timber ; the red and
white cedar, the pine, the maple and walnut tree. The land is high on
TDoth sides, and the woods are intersected at certain distances by fine
natural meadows, covered with grass of the best quality for cattle.
The river Michilimackinac 'forms the line of separation of the counties
of St. Clair and Knox from the state of the Northwest Territory.
Twelve miles above the Michilimackinac is the village of Pioria, called
also by the Canadians the Piss ; it is inhabited by fifteen Canadian fam-
ilies, who till the land and trade with the Indians. There is an old fort
situated at the southern extremity of a considerable lake, called the Illi-
nois lake. In this lake there is neither rock, shoal, nor current. The ruins
of the block house that formed the fort are still seen. On the north the
lake*opens in its whole extent ; on the west vast natural meadows close the
horizon, and towards the east of the lake terminates the chain of rocks,
which taking its rise behind the Kaskaskias, the Kaokia, etc., follows con-
stantly the same direction as the Illinois River.
RECAPITULATION OF DISTANCES
From the mouth of the Mississippi to Miles.
The River Macopin 18
Priorias 36
Several Small Islands 27
Island Pierre a Fleche 18
Mine River IS
The Sangamond 21
Demi Quain River 21
Demi Lake * . . . !>
Semi Quain River 12
March River 9
Michilimackinac River 9
Piss Village 12
210
299
THE WESTERN GAZETEER OR EMIGRANT'S DIRECTORY,
By Samuel R. Brown, Auburn, N. Y., 1817. Pages 17-35.
Illinois Territory.
The boundaries of the Illinois territory are defined by law — the Ohio
washes its southern border, extending from the mouth (if the Wabash to
its junction with the Mississippi, a distance of 160 miles; the Mississippi
constitutes the western boundary from the mouth of the Ohio to the Rocky
Hills, in north latitude 41.50, a distance, measuring- the meanderings of
that river, of more than 600 miles; a line due east from the Rocky Hills
(not yet run) divides it from the Northwestern Territory: the Wabash
separates it from Indiana, from its mouth to within sixteen miles of Fort
Harrison, where the division line leaves the river, running north until it
intersects the northern boundary line in N lat. 41.50. The length
of the territory in a direct line from north to south is 347 miles — its
mean breadth 206. Its southern extremity is in 36.57 N. lat. It
contains 52,000 square miles, or 33,280,000 acres.
The form of this extensive country is that of an imperfect triangle —
its base being the northern boundary of the territory, or the parallel of the
southern extremity of lake Michigan ; and the Mississippi its hypothenuse.
The present population is estimated at 20,000 souls; all white. It in-
creases, it is supposed, in the ratio of thirty per cent, annually, which is
accellerating. Slavery is not admitted. The inhabitants principally re-
side on the Wabash below A7incennes, on the Mississippi, Ohio and Kas-
kaskia.
No state or territory in North America can boast of superior facilities
or internal navigation. Nearly 1,000 miles, or, in other words, two-thirds
of its frontier is washed by the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi. The placid
Illinois traverses this territory in a southwestern direction, nearly 400
miles. This noble river is formed by the junction of the rivers Theakaki
and Plein in N. lat. 41.48. Unlike the other great rivers of the western
country, its current is mild and unbroken by rapids, meandering at leizure
through one of the finest countries in the world. It enters the Mississippi
about. 200 miles above its confluence with the Ohio and IS above the
mouth of the Missouri, in 38.42 N. lat. Is upwards of 400 yards wide
at its mouth, bearing from the Mississippi N. 7 5 dog. west. The tribu-
taries of this river entering from the north or right bank, are 1. The
Mine, 70 miles long, falls into the Illinois about 75 miles
300
from its mouth. 2. The Sagamond, a crooked river, enters the Illinois
130 miles from the Mississippi. It is 100 yards wide at its entrance, and
navigable 150 miles for small craft — general course southeast. 3. t)emi
Quain, enters twenty-eight miles above the mouth of the Sagamond; its
course nearly southeast, and it is said to be navigable 120 miles. On the
northern bank of this river is an extensive morass called Demi Quain
Swamp. 4. Sesme Quain is the next river entering from the northwest,
thirty miles above the mouth of Demi Quain, sixty yards wide and boat-
able sixty miles. The land on its banks is represented to be of superior
excellence. 5. La Marche, a little river from the north — navigable but a
short distance. 6. Fox river comes in nearly equi-distant between the
Illinois lake and the junction of the Plein and Theakaki rivers, is 130
yards wide — heads near the sources of Rocky river (of the Mississippi),
and pursues a northeastern course for the first 50 miles, as though mak-
ing effort to get into Lake Michigan, approaches to within two miles of
Plein river, it then takes a southern direction and is navigable 130 miles.
7. Plein. or Kickapoo river, interlocks in a singular manner, with the
Chicago ; running into Lake Michigan ; 60 miles -from its head it expands
and forms Lake Depage. five miles below which it joins the Theakaki
from the northeast. Those streams united, are to the Illinois what the
Alleghany and Monongahela, are to the Ohio — they water parts of In-
diana and the X. W. Territory.
The rivers of the left branch of the Illinois fall in the following order :
1. The Macopin, a small river, twenty-five yards wide, twenty miles
from the Mississippi : boatable 9 miles to the hills. 2. The Little
Michilimackinac. 200 miles from the Mississippi; navigable 90 miles,
comes from the S. E. It interweaves its branches with the Kaskaskia —
has several considerable forks. 3. Crow Meadow river, heads in the
Knobs, near the head waters of the Vermilion (of the Wabash), its course
is N". W.. is but 20 yards wide at its mouth, and navigable about 15 miles.
4. Vermilion River, from the S. E.. 30 yards wide, rocky and unnavig-
able, falls into the Illinois 160 miles from the Mississippi, near the S. E.
end of the Little Rocks. 5. Rainy Island River, from the S. E. narrow
ami navigable but a few miles.
'The banks of the Illinois are generally high. ' The bed of the river being
a white marble, or clay, or sand, the waters are remarkably clear. It
abounds with beautiful islands, one of which is ten miles long; and adjoin-
ing or near to it, are many coal mines, salt ponds, and small lakes. It
passes through one lake, two hundred and ten miles from its mouth, which
is twenty miles in length, and three or four miles in breadth, called Illinois
lake."— A Late Officer of the U. S. Army.
The Kaskaskia is the next river in magnitude. It heads in the exten-
sive prairies south of Lake Michigan, its course is nearly north. In enters
the Mississippi 100 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and 84
below the Illinois, and is navigable 130 miles. Its tributaries from the
west and northwest are Water-cress and Lalande creeks, those entering
from the east are Blind river, Bighill creek, Beaver, Yellow creek and
Copper mine creek.
301
A respectable correspondent, residing on the Kaskaskia, gives the fol-
lowing interesting sketch, under date of January 20, 1817:
"The Kaskaskia river waters the finest country I have ever seen — it is
neither flat or mountainous, but maintains a happy undulating medium be-
tween the extremes — it is suited to the growth of Indian corn, wheat, rye,
oats, barley, hemp, tobacco, etc., etc. The climate is too cold for cotton, as
a staple, or for sugar. On the streams of this river there are already built,
and now building a great number of mills — it is navigable at least 150
miles on a straight line — it is generally conceded that the permanent seat
of government for the State, will be fixed on this river, near a direct line
from the mouth of Missouri to Vincennes, in the State of Indiana. The in-
habitants residing on this river and its waters, may not be as polished as
some; but I" will say, without fear of contradiction that no people have a
more abundant stock of hospitality, morality, and religion. On the bank of
this river, a few miles above its mouth, is situated the town of Kaskaskia,
the present seat of government. Here is a fine harbor for boats.
The great American bottom of the Mississippi begins at the mouth of the
Kaskaskia river, extending nearly to the mouth of the Illinois river, sup-
posed to contain six hundred square miLes. No land can be more fertile.
Some of it has been in cultivation one hundred and twenty years, and still
no deterioration has yet manifested itself — it is unquestionably tbe Delta
of America. Great numbers of cattle are bought in that country for the
Philadelphia and Baltimore markets — it is undoubtedly a very fine stock
country."
Au Vase river empties into the Mississippi fifty-five miles above the
mouth of the Ohio; it is boatable 60 miles, through a fine prairie
country. It drains a district 70 by 25 miles. The little river
Marie waters a district between the Au Vase and Kaskaskia. Wood river
is the principal stream between the mouths of the Kaskaskia and Illinois.
Rocky river waters the northwest corner of the territory. It heads in
the hills west of the south end of Lake Michigan, and is 300 yards wide
at its entrance into the Mississippi — it bears from the Mississippi almost
due east — about three miles up this river is an old Indian town, belonging
to the Sac nation. Sand Bay river discharges itself into the Mississippi
between the mouths of Rocky and Illinois rivers.
The streams falling into the Ohio, from this territory, below the mouth
of the Wabash, are few and inconsiderable in size. The Saline is the
first — it empties -its waters 26 miles below the mouth of the Wabash.
It is 150 yards wide at its mouth — navigable for keels and batteaux
for 30 miles. The famous U. S. Salt-Works, are upon this stream,
twenty miles up by the windings of the river, but not more than ten in
a direct line. Sandy Creek between this and Fort Massac; and Cash
River, 15 miles below Wilkinsonville, are the only ones deserving men-
tion, though there are others sufficiently large to afford mill seats.
In addition to the rivers and rivulets already described, the eastern
part of the territory is watered by several respectable rivers running into
the Wabash. 1. Little Wabash River, from the northwest — 60 yards
wide. 2. Fox river, which interlocks with eastern branches of the Kas-
kaskia— enters the Wabash about 50 miles below Vincennes. 3. The
Embarras or river of Embarrasment, enters the Wabash a little below
Vincennes — course southeast. 4. Mascoutin, from the north-west, 50
yards wide. 5. St. Germain, from the west; a mere rivulet. Tortue,
302
from the west, a crooked, long river. The three last mentioned rivers
enter the Wabash, in the order named, between Vincennes and Fort Har-
rison. 7. Broutte. 8. Duchat. 9. Erabliere. 10. Rejoicing. These
rivers all head in the Illinois territory, and enter the Wabash, between
Fort Harrison and Tippecanoe. The last is 100 yards wide at its mouth.
There are many small lakes in this territory. Several of the rivers have
their sources in them. They abound with wild fowl and fish. On the left
bank of the Illinois. 40 miles from its mouth, are a chain of small lakes
communicating by narrow channels, with each other, one of them dis-
charges into the Illinois. The prairies bordering these lakes constitute the
Peorias' wintering ground. Illinois and Depage lakes are merely ex-
pansions of the Illinois and Plein rivers. Demiquain lake is situated on
the right bank of the Illinois, above the mouth of the river of the same
name — it is of a circular form; six miles across; and empties its waters
into the Illinois. There are also several small lakes in the American
Bottom, such as Marrodizua, five miles long, twenty-two miles below the
mouth of Wood River; Bond lake three miles further down : their outlets
discharge into the Mississippi. On their margins are delightful plan-
tations.
Face of the Country.
There are six distinct kinds of land in Illinois. 1. Bottoms, bearing
-honey locust, pecan. Mack walnut, beach, sugar maple, buckeye, pawpaw,
etc. This land is of the first quality, and may lie said to be ripe alluvion,
and is found in greater or less quantities, on all the rivers before enum-
erated. It is called the first bottom. It is almost invariably covered with
a pretty heavy growth of the foregoing trees, grape vines, etc.. and in au-
tumn tbe aii' (if these bottoms is agreeably impregnated with an aromatic
smell, caused no doubt by the fruit and leaves of the black
walnut. This land is inexhaustible in fecundity, as is proved by its
present fertility, where it has been annually cultivated without manure,
for more than a century. Tt varies in width from 50 rods to two miles
and upwards. 2. The newly formed or unripe alluvion : this kind of land
is always found at the mouths and confluences of rivers; it produces syca-
more, cotton wood, water maple, water ash, elm. willow oak. willow, etc.
and is covered in autumn with a luxuriant growth of weeds. These bot-
toms are subject to inundations, the banks being several feet below high
water mark. There are many thousand acres of this land at the mouth
of the Wabash, and at the confluence of the Mississippi. Woe be to the
settler, who locates himself upon this deleterious soil. 3. Dry prairie,
bordering all the rivers, lies immediately in the rear of the bottoms; from
30 to 100 feet higher: and from one to ten miles wide, a dry rich soil.
and most happily adapted to the purposes of cultivation, as it bears-
drought and rain with equal success. These prairies are destitute of trees.
unless where they are crossed by streams and occasional islands of wood
land. The prairies of the Illinois river are the most extensive of any east
of the Mississippi, and have alone been estimated at 1,200,000 acres. This
soil is some place- black, in others of the colour of iron rust interspersed
303
with a light white sand. In point of productiveness, it is not inferior
to the first rate river bottoms, and in some respects superior.
I. Wet prairie, which are found remote from streams, or at their sources,
the soil is generally cold and barren, abounding with swamps, ponds, and
covered with a tall coarse grass. 5. Timbered land, moderately hilly,
well watered, and of a rich soil. 6. Hills, of a sterile soil and destitute of
timber, or covered with stinted oaks and pines.
Between the mouths of the Wabash and the Ohio, the right bank of the
Ohio, in many places presents the rugged appearance of bold projecting
rocks. The banks of the Kaskaskia and Illinois in some places present a
sublime and picturesque scenery. Several of their tributary streams have
excavated for themselves deep and frightful gulfs, particularly, those of
the first named river, the banks of which near the junction of Big Hill
creek, present a perpendicular front of 140 feet high, of solid limestone.
The northwestern part of the territory is a hilly, broken country, in
which most of the rivers emptying into the Wabash from the north, have
their heads. A great part of the territory is open prairie, some of which
are of such vast extent that the sun apparently rises and sets within their
widely extended borders.
"The large tract of country through which the Illinois river and its
branches meander, is said not to be exceeded in beauty, levelness, richness
and fertility of soil, by any tract of land, of equal extent, in the United
States. From the Illinois to the Wabash, excepting some little distance
from the rivers, is almost one continued prairie, or natural meadow, inter-
mixed with groves, or copses of wood, and some swamps and small lakes.
These beautiful, and to the eye of the beholder, unlimited fields, are cov-
ered with a luxuriant growth of grass, and other vegetable productions/'
Travelers describe the scenery skirting the Illinois as beautiful beyond
description. There is a constant succession of prairies, stretching in
many places, from the river farther than the eye can reach, and elegant
groves of woodland. The trees are represented as peculiarly handsome ;
having their branches overspread with rich covering of the vine. Never-
theless, it is the empire of solitude, for the cheering voice of civilized men
is seldom heard on this delightful stream.
According to the late General Pike, the east shore of the Mississippi,
from the mouth of the Missouri to that of the Illinois (20 miles) i>
bordered by hills from Si) to 100 feet high; above, they are of gentle
ascent, alternately presenting beautiful cedar clifts and distant ridges.
The bottoms afford many eligible situations for settlements. Above and
below the mouth of Rocky river are beautiful prairies.
Trees. Plants. Minerals.
The oak family may he -aid to ho the prevailing forest tree of Illinois.
There are four species of white oak; two of chestnut oak, mountain and
Illinois; three of willow oak, upland, swamp and shingle, so called from
its being an excellent material for shingles, and which is used
for that purpose by the inhabitants. It is found on all the rivers
of the territorv. Its height is from 40 to 50 feet, grey hark, straight
304
branches, large, sessile, dark green leaves, a little downy underneath;
spherical acorns. Black jack, black oak, swamp oak, scarlet oak, so called
from its scarlet colored leaves in autumn; grows to the height of 80
feet, useful for rails. The honey locust is found in all the swails, bot-
toms and rich hills of the west, from the lakes to the latitude of Natchez.
It invariably rejects a poor soil, grows to the height of 40 or 60 feet,
dividing into many branches, which together with the trunk, are armed
with long, sharp, pithy spines of the size of goose quills, .from five to ten
inches in length, and frequently so thick as to prevent the ascent of a
squirrel. The branches are garnished with winged leaves, composed of
ten or more pair of small lobes, sitting close to the midrib, of a lucid green
colour. The flowers come out from the sides of the young branches, in
form of katkins, of an herbaceous colour, and are succeeded by crooked,
compressed pods, from nine or ten to sixteen or eighteen inches in length,
and about an inch and a half or two inches in breadth, of which near one-
half is filled with a sweet pulp, the other containing many seeds in sep-
arate cells. The pods, from the sweetness of their pulp, are used to brew
beer, and afford for hogs and many other animals a nutritious and abund-
ant food. I have myself been in situations, when I was obliged to resort
to them as a substitute for something better, and always found them to
allay hunger, and renew almost exhausted strength. The black walnut is
found on the bottoms and rich hills — it often rises to the height of 70
feet; large trunk, dark, furrowed bark; winged leaves, which emit an
aromatic flavor when bruised ; fruit round and nearly as large as a peach.
The wood is light and durable. Butternut is a companion of the black
walnut. Besides all the species of hickory found in the northern states,
the pecan or Illinois nut grows plentifully in the rich swails and bottoms ;
the nuts are small and thin shelled. The banks of the Illinois are the
favorite soil of the mulberry, and of the plum. Sugar maple, blue and
white oak, black locust, elm, basswood, beech, buckeye, hackberry, coffee-
nut tree, and sycamore, are found in their congenial soils, throughout the
territory. White pine is found on the head branches of the Illinois.
Spice wood sassafras, black and white haws, crab apple, wild cherry, cu-
cumber and pawpaw, are common to the best soils. The last yields a
fruit of the size of a cucumber, of a yellow colour, in taste resembling the
pine apple. They grow in clusters of three, four and five, in the crotches
of a soft straight and beautiful shrub from ten to twenty-five feet high,
it is rarely found on the hills however rich their soil. The forests and
banks of the streams abound with grape vines, of which there are several
species ; some valuable. The herbage of the woods varies little from that
of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Copper and lead are found in several parts of the territory. I am not
informed as to the existence of iron ore. Travellers speak of an allum
hill a considerable distance up Mine river, and of another hill, produc-
ing the fleche or arrow stone. The French while in possession of the
country, procured millstones above the Illinois lake. Coal is found upon
the banks of the Au Yase or Muddy River, and Illinois 50 miles above
Peoria Lake; the latter mine extends for half a mile along the right bank
of the river. A little below the coal mines are two salt ponds one hundred
3^ards in circumference, and several feet in depth ; the water is stagnant,
305
and of a yellowish colour. The French inhabitants and Indians make
good salt from them. Between two and three hundred thousand bushels
of salt are annually made at the l". S. Saline, 26 miles below the
mouth of the Wabash. These works supply the settlements of Indiana
and Illinois. The salt is sold at the works at from fifty to seventy-five
cents a bushel. Government have leased the works to Messrs. Wilkins and
Morrison of Lexington. Beds of white clay are Found on the rivers Illi-
nois and Tortile. The prevailing stone is lime.
Villages., Roads and Settlements.
There are several old French villages on both hank.- of the Illinois,
which are antique in appearance, inhabited by a people inured to the
habits of savage life.
Cahokia i.- situated on a small stream, aboul one mile east of the ZNIis-
KisH|)]ii. nearly opposite to St. Louis, it contains about Kin houses,
mostly French, who were it< founders. "This town, although apparently
of considerable elevation, is still a damp and disagreeable situation, owing
to its being too level to permit the rains to run oil' very easily.'* It form-
erly enjoyed a considerable share of the fur trade. At present the in-
habitants confine their attention chiefly to agriculture, but not with much
spirit. There is a postoffice and a chape] for the Roman Catholic wor-
ship; and is the seat of justice for St. Clair county.
Si. Philippe — In the American bottom, C> miles below Cahokia.
a pleasant old French village.
Prairie du Rochers — Twenty miles below St. Phillippe, contains from
sixty to seventy French families; the streets are narrow; there i- a Cath-
olic chapel. The country below and above is a continued prairie of the
richesl soil.
Kaskaskia — Situated on the right shore of the river of the same name,
eleven miles from it- mouth, and six from the Mississippi, in a direct line.
It is at preseni the seat of the territorial government -and chief town of
Randolph county: contains Hit) houses, scattered over an extensive plain;
son f them are of stone. Almost every house has a spacious picketed
garden in it.- rear. The houses have a clumsy appearance; it is 150 miles
southwe-t of Vincennes, and '.mid from the city of Washington. The in-
habitants are more than half French; they raise large stocks of horned
cattle, horses, swine, poultry, etc. There i- a postoffice, a land office for
the sale of the public lands, and a planting office, from which is issued a
weekly newspaper entitled the "Illinois Herald.'* 'this place was settled
upwards of 100 years ago, by the French of lower Canada. The surround-
ing lands are in a good state of cultivation.
The villages on the Ohio, below the Wabash are: Shawneetown, above
tin- mouth of the Saline, containing 30 or 40 log buildings; the in-
habitants live by the profits of the salt trade. The growth of the town
has keen greatly retarded in consequence of the United States having; re-
served to themselves the property of the cite of this place, the .-alt licks,
as well as the intermediate tract between this and Saline river. 9 miles
—20 H S
306
distant. It is a place of great resort for boats, and in time will no doubt
become a place of consequence, as the lands in its vicinity are of a good
quality. Here formerly stood an Indian village of the Shawannoe nation.
Wilkinsonville — About half way between Fort Massac and the mouth of
the Ohio, stands upon a beautiful savanna of 100 acres, 60 or 70
feet above the river. It is a place of little or no trade at present, and
has sensibly declined since it lost the governmental patronage of a garri-
son. It has a fine eddy for boats.
There are several other small villages, such as Belle Fontaine, L'Aigle,
Edwardville, etc. A new village is about to be laid out at the mouth of
Cash. There are two roads leading through the Ohio to Kaskaskia. The
first leaves the Ohio at Robin's ferry, 17 miles below the Saline ;
distance to Kaskaskia, 135 miles. The other leaves the river at Lusk's
ferry, 15 miles above the mouth of Cumberland. This is the shortest
route by 15 or 20 miles. A post route passes from Vincennes to Kas-
kaskia, about 150 miles long — travellers are obliged to camp out two
or three nights. Government have leased out a number of lots upon these
. roads, and receive the rents in repairs of a given distance of road. There
is a tolerable roail between the mouth of Au Vase and Wood river, passing
through Kaskaskia, Prairie du Eochers, St. Philippe and Cahokia. Most
of the settlements are connected by practicable roads, at least for packers
and travellers on horseback. The bulk of the population is settled upon
the Mississippi, Kaskaskia and its branches. There are a few detached
settlements on the Wabash, and some of the streams entering the west
bank, and detached ones on the Ohio. Those on the Illinois are small,
insulated and sometimes 50 miles apart. The American and Turky
hill settlements, between the Illinois and Wood rivers, are flourishing;
the inhabitants are mostly from Kentucky and the southern states.
Natural Curiosities, Antiquities.
The "Cave-in-Bock," nineteen miles below Saline, has been often vis-
ited and described by travelers. The entrance into this cave is of a semi-
circular form, twenty feet above the ordinary level of the river, in a per-
pendicular rock, thirty feet high. A few yards from the mouth you enter
a spacious room, sixty paces in length, and nearly as wide. Near the
centre of the roof is an aperture resembling the funnel of a chimney,
which, according to Ash, the British traveler, leads to an upper room,
"not unlike a Gothic Cathedral." At one end of this vault, our traveler
found an opening, which served as a descent to another vault, of very
great depth, as he judged, since "a stone cast in, whose reverbration was
not returned for the space of several seconds." Our adventurer, who is
always full of the marvelous, found the remains of several human skele-
tons, in this "drear abode ;" while searching for others, he got bewildered,
and was unable to find the place of his descent. He fired his pistol, as
a signal of distress — its effect was "terrific" — its report "tremendous."
"No thunder could exceed the explosion, no echo return so strong a
307
voice I"1 Mason's gang of robbers made this cave their principal rendez-
vous, in 1797, where they frequently plundered or murdered the crews of
boats descending the Ohio.
The Battery Bocks, so called from their resemblance to a range of forts
and batteries, are noticed by travelers, as a natural curiosity. They are
nothing more than the perpendicular bank of the river, seven miles above
the Cave-in-Bock. The Devil's Oven is situated upon an elevated rocky
point, projecting into the Mississippi, fifteen miles below the mouth of
Au Vase. It has a close resemblance to an oven. On the large prairies
are frequently found sink-holes, some of which are 150 feet across, cir-
cular at the top, gradually narrowing to the bottom, and frequently so
steep as to make the descent difficult. At the bottom, the traveler finds
a handsome subterranean brook, in which he can conveniently allay his
thirst. These sinks have, doubtless, been formed by the waters' under-
mining the earth, the weight of which produces successive excavations.
Ancient fortifications and mounds, similar to those found in Kentucky,
Ohio and Indiana, are also met with in Illinois. Four miles above the
Prairie du Bochers, are the ruins of Fort Chartres, built by the French,
at the expense of one hundred thousand dollars. At the period of its
construction, it was one quarter of a mile from the river, but at present ;s
nearly undermined by the Mississippi. Fort Massac, forty-five miles
above the mouth of the Ohio, built by the French about the middle of the
last century, and occupied by the Americans for many years after the
close of the revolutionary war, is at present dismantled.
Animals, Birds, Fish, Serpents.
The buffaloe, which formerly roamed at will, and in vast numbers,
through the immense prairies of Illinois, have lately disappeared, prefer-
ring the more distant plains of the Missouri. Deer, elk, bear, wolves,
foxes, oposum and raccoon, remain in considerable numbers. (The in-
habitants of a fine breed of horses from the Spanish stock.) Their cattle
have a lively and sleek appearance. Hogs are easily raised.
Wild turkies abound in the hilly districts. Quails are plenty; pheas-
ants, scarce. Greese and ducks frequent the ponds, lakes and rivers, par-
ticularly the head branches of the Illinois, and small lakes towards Lake
Michigan, whither they are attracted in prodigious numbers, in quest of
the wild rice, which furnishes an abundant and favorite ailment. Buz-
zards, pigeons, black birds, paroquets and several species of hawks, abound
in the same numbers, as in other parts of the western country.
Most kinds of fish which are found in the Mississippi and the great
norther lakes, frequent the rivers of this territory. Sturgeon are found
in Peoria or Illinois lake.
The only venomous serpents, are the common and prairie rattlesnakes,
and copper-heads.
l See Ash's Travels, page 234.
Indians.
The Sacs or Saukies, inhabit the country bordering on Sand Bay and
Rocky rivers — they have three villages. A part of this tribe reside on the
west side of the Mississippi. Tike give the total number of souls at
2,850. Four miles below Sand Bay, the U. S. had an agricultural estab-
lishment, under the direction of a Mr. Ewing. It did not succeed, be-
cause these Indians hold labor in the greatest contempt. The Kaskaskias,
Cahokias and Peorias, are remnants of formidable tribes. They have been
nearly annihilated in their wars with the Saukies and Foxes, originally
provoked by the assassination of the Saukie chief Pontiac. They are re-
duced to 250 warriors — reside principally between the Kaskaskia and Illi-
nois. The Delewares and Shawanese have a summer residence four miles
hclow An A'ase river. The Piankashaws and Mascontins mostly inhabit
the Mascontin, Tortue and Rejoicing branches of the Wabash ; their total
number of souls about 600.
Age i cu i tike Products.
Corn is at present the staple — no country produces finer. The traveler
often meets with cornfields containing from 100 to 1,000 acres, these are
cultivated in common by the people of a whole village or a settlement.
By this method the inhabitants obviate the expense of division fences,
where it would he necessary to haul timber several miles to the centre of
a vast prairie. Cotton is raised for domestic use There is no doubt, that
ultimately, considerable quantities will be produced for exportation. To-
bacco grows to great perfection. Wheat does well, when properly man-
aged, except on the bottoms where the -oil is too rich. Flax. hemp. oats.
Irish and sweet potatoes do as well as in Kentucky. Notwithstanding the
abundance of wild grapes to be found in the forests, it is very doubtful,
I think, whether the French inhabitant- ever made SO hogsheads of
good wine, in any single year. The successful experiment at Yevay. in
Indiana, warrants the belief that vineyards, at no remote period, will em-
bellish the hills of the southern half of this territory.
Manufacturers.
The-,, are all of the domestic kind. In 1810, according to the Mar-
shall's returns, there were ;
Spinning wheels 630
Looms 460
Cloth produced, (vards) 90,039
Value, ( dollars) 90,028
Tanneries 9
Value of leather dressed 7,750
Distilleries 19
Produced (gallons) 102,000 7,500
Flour, 6,440 barrels— value (dollars) 32,200
Maple sugar, 15,600 lbs.— value (dollars) 1,980
The population has nearly doubled since that period, and the manufac-
tures have advanced in a corresponding ratio.
Military Bounty Lands.
The lands in this territory appropriated to reward the valor of our
soldiers, during the late war, amount to 3,500,000 acres. This tract li-s
on the north hank Of the Illinois, near its junction with the Missippi. it
has never been particularly described. Mr. Tiffin, commissioner of the
general land office, declares it to be of the first quality. A gentleman,
high in office in that territory, writes: "1 have never been on the north
side of the Illinois river, but my information authorizes me to saw that d
is a very good country." Another correspondent writes: "This tract is
of good quality, and desirable to settlers, it is inferior t,i none of the
public lands of the United States."" The l'. S. are now engaged in survey-
ing them. They are watered by seyeral respectable streams, and are ad-
vantageously situated, either for the lake or Orleans trade, having the
Mississippi west; Illinois south: .Mine river east: and lands belonging to
the Sac and Fox Indians, north. The growth of vegetation is so luxuriant
that the surveyors can make no progress in summer.
Lands, Titles, Prices.
The public lands have rarely sold for more than $5.00 per acre, it
auction. Those sold at Edwardsville in October, 1816, averaged $4.00.
Private sales at the land office, are fixed by law, at $2.00 per acre. The
old French locations command various prices from $1:00 to $50.00.
Titles derived from the United States government are always valid, and
those from individuals rarely false.
There are upwards of sixteen milions of acres belonging to the United
States, obtained at different cessions from the Indians, ami consequently
a wide field open for purchase and selection.
The lands belonging to the aboriginal proprietors lie principally be-
tween the Wabash and the Illinois, north of the head of the ivaskaskia.
They have large reservations north of the Illinois, upon Pocky river, Sag-
amond, etc. The United States have obtained a cession of six miles
square at the easi m*\ of Peoria lake, north of the Illinois river.
Future Population.
The territorial population being at this moment 20,000 souls, and the
ratio of increase thirty per cent per annum, it will require ten years to
give Illinois the necessary qualifications for being admitted into the
Union. It is capable of sustaining a denser population than Xew York,
and contains nearly as man)- acres. Comparatively speaking, there are
no waste lands. It would, therefore, allowing twenty souls to the square
mile, conveniently sustain a population of 1,000,000. But on the ratio
of fifty-four square miles, which was that of Connecticut, at the 'census
of 1810, it would contain, in time, 2,600,000.
Extent of Xavigable Waters.
Xature has been peculiarly bountiful to Illinois, for not only has she
blessed this favored region with a temperate climate, and highly produc-
310
tive soil, but has prepared convenient channels of communication, for the
transportation of products to market, and to facilitate settlement and in-
ternal intercourse. The Illinois, which hitherto has been little navigated,
except by the Northwest company's boats, must in a few years become the
theatre of an active commerce. American enterprise will force its way
thither. The tide of navigation, like water, will overspread the fine vallies
of Illinois, Mine and Demi-Quain. A trifling expense, comparatively to
the importance of the undertaking, will unite the Illinois to the Chicago
in all seasons of the year. Then the lead of Missouri, and the cotton of
Tennessee will find their way to Detroit and Buffalo. The following
rough estimate, which does not exceed the actual distance, will enable
uninformed readers to form a pretty correct idea of the extent of frontier
and internal navigation, for boats, which the future State of Illinois will
enjoy.
FRONTIER NAVIGATION.
Miles.
Wabash 240
Ohio 164
Mississippi G20
1,024
INTERNAL NAVIGATION.
Miles.
Illinois, navigable 320
Tributaries from the N. W 550
Ditto, from the S. E 200
Kaskaskia, and branches 300
Tributaries of the "Wabash 500
Minor rivers, such as Au Vase, Marie, Cash, etc 200
Internal 2,070
Frontier 1,024
Total 3,094
The distance by water, from the mouth of the Illinois to New Orleans,
is 1,174 miles, and to Buffalo, through the lakes, 1,400.
EMIGKATIOX.
[Taken from Illinois Monthly Magazine, Vol. I., Edited by James Hall, Van-
daiia, 1831, pages 417-423.]
James Hall. The editor of the Illinois Monthly Magazine, James Hall,
was a prominent man of letters in the first half of last century, although
the pursuit of literature was but an incident in his busy life. He was born
in Philadelphia. August 19. 1793; and during his early days was surrounded
with the influences of a family engaged in literary and educational pur-
suits. The law was his chosen profession, but this he abandoned for a time
to enter the army as a volunteer in the war of 1812. He saw hard service
and was promoted to a lieutenancy in the 2d U. S. artillery. After the war
he accompanied Decatur to Algiers.
In 1818 he resigned from the army and was admitted to the Illinois bar
and opened an office in Shawneetown in 1820. His advance in his profes-
sion was rapid and he was shortly appointed judge of the circuit court. In
1827 he removed to Vandalia where he held the office of State Treasurer.
From the first he devoted a portion of his time to literary pursuits. While
at Shawneetown he was editor of the Illinois Gazette, and after his removal
to Vandalia, he edited the Illinois Intelligencer and in 1831 the Illinois
Monthly Magazine. The latter had but a short life, for James Hall moved
in 1835 to Cincinnati to become cashier of the Commercial bank and later
its president. The name of the Illinois Monthly Magazine was now changed
to that of the Western Monthly Magazine. Besides his editorial work, he
wrote many books on western history, which have preserved many facts and
traditions. He died July 5, 1868.]
We have heard lately of several colonies which have been formed in the
eastern states, for the purpose of emigrating to Illinois ; and always hear
such information with regret. Not that we have any objection to emigra-
tion in itself; on the contrary few have done more than we, to encourage
and promote it. We ardently long to see the fertile plains of Illinois cov-
ered with an industrious, an enterprising, and an intelligent population;
we shall always be among the first to welcome the farmer, the mechanic,
the school teacher, the working man, in short, of any trade, mystery or
profession, and we care not from what point of the compass he may come.
With the unrivaled natural advantages presented by our state, we need
nothing but human ingenuity and labor, directed by a wholesome moral
sentiment, in order to assume the first rank among our sister republics;
and every patriotic man is bound to lend his aid, to accelerate by all
proper means the consumation of the greatness of his country. Our ob-
jection lies to the plan of colonization, fraught as it is in our opinion,
with evil to the country, and to those who adopt it. We shall endeavor
£12
to explain our views on this subject, abstractly, without any reference to
individuals who may differ from us in opinion or who may have en-
gaged in schemes at variance with our sentiments.
So far as our personal observation has extended, emigrating societies
have not been successful in the western country : and it will not be difficult
to show that such associations are generally injudicious. When composed
of foreigners, they have almost uniformly failed: while individuals and
families, who have come untrammelled by such connections, have gener-
ally prospered in proportion to their means and their industry. We would
>et down the following, as some of the operating causes of these results.
Foreigners who emigrate, must leave behind them all their prejudices,
and many of their customs: the former would be odious to their new
neighbors , and the latter inappropriate to their newly adopted situation.
Their language, their feelings, their habits, are so many trammels, that
must be shaken oil'. They must not only conform to the laws of the coun-
try to which they go, hut must adapt their labors, ami mode of living,
to the exigencies of a state of society which is novel to them. A farmer
from England. France or Germany, finds his agricultural skill of little
avail in Illinois, and the only plan by which he can succeed, is to forget
his own husbandry, and adopt that of his new neighbors. When such
persons come in societies, they associate too much with each other, and too
little with the other residents of the country, and thus deprive themselves
of the opportunity of profiting by the example of older settlers. The very
object of forming a society of this description, is, that ks members shall
mutually aid each other in their business, and form a circle for the pur-
poses of social intercourse. In this manner they preserve their own
language and instead of having their prejudices and customs worn off
by collision with the people of the country, they keep alive those very cus-
tom- and prejudices, by the countenance and encouragement which they
afford to each other, and even feel a pride in retaining this distinctive
character. Their settlement gets a nana — it is called the Dutch, or the
English settlement — they lay off a village, and call it after the place of
their nativity, and become attached to every little vestige of their nation-
ality, which recalls their early homes. The difference of character be-
tween themselves and the people around them, creates of itself a line
which for a time would keep them asunder but they have adopted a plan
by which that imaginary line is distinctly traced out. marked, and pub-
lished. Their neighbors view them with jealousy and distrust — for every
society or combination of men, which is exclusive in its character, excites
these feelings. The new comers have every thing to lose, and nothing to
gain, from a state of rivalry and ill will with their neighbors; but such
feeling's will invariably be created by any set of people who emigrate in
large bodies, and attempt to organize a community of their own, in the
bosom of a settled country. They remain ignorant of all they ought to
learn, adhere tenaciously to their own habits, repel the advice, hospitality
and aid, of those who came before them, and axe reduced to beggary before
they learn that their mode of cultivation is wrong, their manners unpop-
ular, and their prejudices unwise. They then dissolve their bonds of
313
union, scatter themselves over the country in which they live. From these
observations the Harmonites form the only except ion 'within our knowl-
edge; hut they form also an exception from all general rules.
If what we have said, is true in reference to foreigners, it is not less
so in relation to people emigrating from their older states. It will be
easily seen that they too, have their peculiarities, though they may not
he so strongly marked; and that a company of New Englanders or Vir-
ginians, removing into a new country, and settling as such, will be less
welcome, and less prosperous, than the same number of persons, coming
separately, and dropping all local distinctions. Although they speak our
language, and have been accustomed to tin' same general system of civil
government with ourselves, there are a number of points <>i' minor import-
ance, but which are intimately interwoven with the business of life, and
the happiness of social intercourse, in which they differ from us mater-
ially. It is worthy of remark, that parties, and party dissentions, do not
always grow out of differences of opinion about important matters, but
more frequently arise out of the veriest trifles; and the reason for this,
may perhaps be, that men may be induced to reflect and to act rationally,
about matters of moment, while those little peculiarities of belief or prac-
tice winch are non-essential, are not submitted to the test of reason, yet
are tenaciously adhered to on one side, and contemptuously spurned on
the other.
Many persons who emigrate from older to younger states, set out with
the spirit of reformers; and aware of the superior advantages which they
have enjoyed, and of the higher degree of civilization and improvement
to which they have been accustomed, fondly imagine that they can easily
transplant these to their nvw places of residence. One thing is forgotten;
if any improvement which is proposed to be introduced is new to the
western people, they must first be convinced of its value before they will
consent to adopt it, and such conviction can only be produced by persons
who have conciliated their kindness, and won their confidence. People
do not, in general adopt the sentiments of those to whom they are hostile,
nor will the}' learn much from any except those with whom they, live on
terms of amicable intercourse. When a company of people therefore, set
down in a country in such a way as to excite unpleasant feelings in those
around them, they will not be apt to exert any salutary influence upon
their neighbors. There is an appearance of arrogance in the conduct
of those who settle in the heart of a civilized community of their own
countrymen, but yet in a new country to them, and bring with them their
own society, their own mechanics, their own customs, and affect a kind of
independence of the civil community already organized. If a colony of
backwoodsmen should settle in Massachusetts, and resolutely determine
to raise nothing but corn and tobacco, to wear blanket coats and leggins,
and to make stump speeches, there would be a sad outcry about it, yet
they would do no greater violence to the feelings of that people, than a
colony coming from the east, who should pertinaciously resolve upon
planting all their own customs among us, would do to ours.
314
We desire not to be understood, as throwing out, in the above remarks,
any sneer at those patriotic individuals, or institutions, in the older states,
through whose exertions such noble streams of benevolence have been
poured into our country. Our known sentiments, as expressed on many
occasions, must redeem us from being thus misconceived. We honor every
man who from patriotic or christian principles, endeavors to improve the
condition of his country, or species. We know that there are thousands
beyond the mountains, who consider our great valley as destined to become
the center of population and power, and who see the policy of planting
literature, science, morality and religion here, as in the future heart of
the republic. Our remarks are addressed to individuals, in reference to
their personal comfort, prosperity, and influence. We wish to see them
come to Illinois, with a manly confidence in us, and with the feelings,
not of New Englanders, or Pennsylvanians, but Americans. The bane of
society and improvement in a new country is found in those sectional dis-
tinctions, which keep men asunder and create parties — by which the best
men in our country are thrown into hostile ranks, and prevented from act-
ing together for the common good. No one cause contributes so much,
in our opinion, to keep alive such jealousies, as the imprudence of emi-
grants in adhering to those very distinctions which mark them as stran-
gers, instead of sacrificing every peculiarity, which is non-essential, to
the promotion of harmony.
Especially is it unnecessary for mechanics, and wealthy farmers, to
come thus in herds. The farmer who brings with him the means to pur-
chase and stock a farm, is the most independent man in our country.
Nature is so prolific here, that a man thus provided, may securely calcu-
late upon competence, and even abundance, with but little labor. Me-
chanics of all kinds are so much needed, as to be sure of a welcome re-
ception, and profitable employment. They require no other associates
but health, skill and industry.
If the object of any emigrant is to be useful to the country, by dissem-
inating knowledge, piety, or any valuable art, and we know that there are
many such — can they hope to accomplish that design by confining their
labors and affections within the bounds of a circle of select friends ? We
apprehend not; and that such individuals especially, should throw aside
every weight, cast off all the trammels that would embarrass them, and
gain that kind of influence which springs from companionship and con-
fidence.
But the fact is, that persons who emigrate to the west, have to learn
from our people here, a vast deal more than they can possibly teach them.
This is especially true in respect to farmers. Our climate, soil, and
products are new to them, and they are obliged to remodel their whole
system of agriculture, in order to adapt it to the circumstances in which
they are placed. On their arrival here they will not find skillful me-
chanics, ready to build up their houses, and provide for all their wants.
"But we will bring them," says the colonist; sir, you cannot bring them.
You may fetch your carpenters, your blacksmiths, and a few more, but
the wants of human life are so numerous, that you would find yourself
continually obliged to step out of your own circle of chosen associates, and
315
to claim assistance from others. Your carpenters and blacksmiths would
have their own houses to build, and their own wants to provide for, and
you would have to shiver in the cold and starve, until their wants were
supplied, their families fed, and their dwellings finished. In the mean
while, the people around would be laughing in their sleeces at the ill-
contrived, ill-managed, ill-sorted combination, which, though perfectly
ignorant and helpless, in regard to all practical and useful knowledge in
relation to the getting of a livelihood, yet affected a kind of independence.
The truth is that the man who removes into a strange country with the
intention of making it his home, should determine to abandon at once his
predelictions, prejudices and local attachments, and conform himself
without reserve to the customs of the land of his adoption. Instead of
bringing society with him, he should cultivate the intimacy of the inhabi-
tants, and by imbibing their feelings and sentiments learn to relish their
society. Those who come here with minds predisposed against us, who
have already resolved in their own hearts that they cannot find suitable
associates, in this country, will be always "'strangers in a far land." They
will never feel at home in Illinois. We feel "proud when we see a young
man strolling into our State, on foot, with one shirt on his back and
another in his pocket. He brings neither money, nor friends, but expects
to find both here. That man intends to stay. He will soon forget when
he speaks of home, to turn his face to the east. He will not give as a
reason for every opinion that he advances, "we do so in Connecticut," '
"we say so in Massachusetts," but will discover that he has a great deal
to learn from backwoodsmen, and that our own manners and customs
may in many cases be best suited to our circumstances. Such a man is of
more value to the country, than any colony which ingenuity can devise.
He throws himself into the bosom of our society — adopts it, for better and
for worse, and soon loses all perception of any difference between it and
that to which he has been accustomed ; while .their whole enterprise is
founded on distrust, and local prejudice.
There are other objections to this kind of social system, which will
strike every reflecting mind. One man will be industrious and another
indolent — one peaceful, another litigious— one honest, another dishonest;
and however guarded may be their bond of union, there must exist to a
certain extent, a joint interest and responsibility, and the whole com-
munity will be affected, more or less, by the misdeeds, or misfortunes, of
each of its members. However, much therefore, any man may fancy that
he multiplies the chances of success, and the sources of leizure, by bring-
ing his friends with him, he certainly increases, in at least an equal ratio
the chances of failure, and the sources of unnanpiness. An individual
knows how to make calculations for himself, and his own household he
knows what they can do and suffer; but he ventures into the regions of
conjecture, and brings many contingencies to bear on his fate, when he
unites it with the uncertain fortunes of others. Men were not made for
such confederacies: they arc too narrow for patriotic feeling and christian
benevolence, too wide for domestic security and comfort. Thev are built
on a wrong basis. A man has one set of affections and responsibilities for
his own fireside, another for his country and human nature. These are
316
natural, and whatever, is attempted to be compounded out of them, and
aside from them, is artificial.- The ordinary ties of kindred country,
neighborhood and benevolence, are strong enough, without forming those
artificial confederacies which sooner or later always crumble into their
original elements. The industrious member of such a society gets tired
of helping his lazy neighbor, the peaceable man grows sick of the quarrels
of his litigious friend, and the whole society feels degraded if one of its
members happens to fall into the hands of the sheriff for an unlucky
felony. After all every one is the best manager of his own business, and
the best judge of what is good for his own family; and he who emigrates
will consult his own happiness and interest, by trusting to Providence, to
his own exertions, and to the hospitality of those among whom his lot
may be cast.
PART V.
In Memoriam.
Members Illinois State Historical Society, deceased, January, 1907 to
January, 1908.
Eobert Bell, James B. Bradwell,
Eliza Kincaid Wilson, A. B. Coulter,
William Vocke, L. H. Iverrick,
John Berry Orendorff, Peyton Boberts,
David McCulloch, Mary A. Cheney Marmon.
ROBERT BELL.
ROBERT BELL, 1828-1906.
Judge Bobert Bell, Mt. CarmePs most widely known citizen, passed
away at 7 :25 Sunday evening, Sept. 30, 1906, at the home of his son, Mr.
Collins S. Bell, after a brief illness of heart trouble. But slight mention
had been made of Judge Bell's illness, and the news of his demise came
in the nature of a surprise and shock to the majority of the people of the
city. He had been able to be about during the day Sunday, but in the
evening suddenly complained of feeling worse. He was assisted to his
bed and in a few moments his life had passed away.
Robert Bell was the son of General Hiram Bell, who came to this state
from Virginia in 1818, and who held the office of circuit clerk of Wabash
county continuously from 1824 to 1860. The son, Bobert Bell was born
in Lawrence county, Illinois in 1828. After receiving his education in
the schools and the Indiana state university he studied law with his
brother Victor B. Bell, a prominent lawyer of that time, and embarked
upon a career in law and politics which made him for a period of many
years one of the foremost citizens of southern Illinois. He commenced
practice in Fairfield in 1855, but in 1857 returned to Mt. Carmel, and in
1864 formed a partnership with Judge E. B. Green, then a rising young
attorney. Their association continued for a third of a century, and Bell
and Green were known everywhere as one of the strong law firms of the
State.
Judge Bell was originally a Democrat, but when the war came on his
union sentiment led him into the Republican party, with which he affili-
ated until his death, being for many years one of its leading members in
this portion of the State. In 1869 he was appointed county judge to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Judge T. J. Buchanan. From 1868
to 1872 he was a member of the Republican State Central Committee and
in 1878 was the candidate of his party for Congress in the Nineteenth
District. In 1879 he was sent to California by the treasury department
to investigate alleged frauds, and in 1881 President Garfield appointed
him special commissioner to examine into railroad matters in the far
west. He was on intimate terms with the leading politicians of the
country, and was a close friend of General John A. Logan, who, had he
lived, would no doubt have conferred much higher favors upon him. For
the past several years he had been serving as city attorney for the city
-21 H S
of Mt. Carmel, having been three times elected to that position in spite of
the strongest opposition. His death created a vacancy in the office.
Judge Bell was married November 17, 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Shepard,
in Madison, Conn. She was a woman of great brilliance and until her
death in August, 1903, she played a leading part in the intellectual life of
Mt. Carmel. Nine children were born to Judge and Mrs. Bell, of whom
only two, Mrs. J. D. Beemer and Mr. Collins S. Bell, an engineer on the
Cairo division, now survive. Two sisters are living, Mrs. B. B. Cravath
of Denver and Mrs. Pillsbury of Fremont, Neb.
Mt. Carmel never possessed a more progressive citizen, and he was
always an enthusiastic supporter of every public enterprise, being gener-
ous both as to time and means. He did much to secure the building of
the Cairo division, and as president of the old air line, now the southern,
succeeded in having the line extended from Princeton to Albion. Bell-
mont was named after him, and Maud takes its name from one of his
daughters, who died in 1880.
As an orator Judge Bell enjoyed almost a national reputation, and
many of his word pictures have become classics, rivaling the best efforts
of the most noted writers and speakers.
In disposition he was one of the most generous of men. He had a
good word for every one and made friends of all with whom he came in
contact. He was kind to the poor in his days of prosperity, and many
have cause to remember him with gratitude. In losing him, Mt. Carmel
loses a man whose memory is inseparably associated with its growth. Its
progress was his pride, and its sincere advocate he always was.
The funeral was held from the residence and the services were con-
ducted by Bev. G. J. E. Bichards, and was under the auspices of the
Masonic fraternity, of which Judge Bell was almost a life long member.
The interment was in Bose Hill cemetery.
MRS. ELIZA KIXCAID WILSOX.
An Honorary Member or the Illinois State Historical Society.
Born at Sharpsburg, Kv., May 13, 1813; died at Sterling, 111., March
5, 1907.
Mrs. Eliza J. Wilson, widow of Colonel Eobert L. Wilson, passed away
at her home in Sterling, Illinois, March 5, 190T. Dissolution came
quietly and peacefully and the aged lady fell asleep, her death was as
beautiful and calm as was her life. For many years she enjoyed splendid
health, although for the past ten years she spent the greater portion of
her time at the borne where she had resided for over a half a century.
The funeral services were held at the historic Wilson home. The ser-
mon was preached by Rev. Charles Gorman Eichards of the Presbyterian
church and the remains were laid away in the Wilson vault in Riverside
cemetery beside those of the husband.
Eliza 3. Kincaid was a daughter of Scotch-Irish parents, and she was
born May 13, 1813, at Sharpsburg, Ky., where she grew to womanhood.
She attended the school of that place and on March 28, 1833, she was mar-
ried to Robert L. Wilson, and immediately after the marriage they moved
to Indian Point, Sangamon county, now Menard county, Illinois. At that
time Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were among the pioneer settlers of Illinois.
They became fast friends of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Wilson served in the
State Legislature with Lincoln and was a member of the famous "Long
Nine" who went to the Legislature for the purpose of moving the capital
of Illinois from Vandalia to Springfield, and this they accomplished. In
order to accomplish this great task, it was necessary for the seven repre-
- sentatives and the two senators to make combinations and they succeeded.
They participated in the famous "internal improvement" act of Illinois.
When Mr. Lincoln made his famous campaign for the Legislature in
1836, he became the fast friend of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Lincoln not
being possessed of a great amount of this world's goods at the time, bor-
rowed Mrs. Wilson's saddle horse and rode it over Sangamon county
during that famous campaign electioneering, making speeches from the
saddle, and at the conclusion of the fight he returned the horse to Mrs.
Wilson. On scores of occasions Mr. Lincoln was entertained at the
Wilson home in Sangamon county.
As elsewhere stated in this article. Mr. Wilson moved to Sterling in
1840, and in 1816 in March they moved into the present quaint and now
324 , '
historic home. It was through the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson that
Abraham Lincoln was induced to go to Sterling to deliver a speech in the
famous campaign of 1856, the historic spot being now marked by a
bowlder on the Sterling school grounds.
Mrs. Wilson was making elaborate preparations to entertain the dis-
tinguished speaker, but four days before Lincoln arrived here she met
with an accident resulting in a severe injury to her neck. For eleven
months she was confined to her bed, hovering between life and death.
Nature alone was relied upon, and while she was bed-fast the muscles and
cords of the neck became almost like iron and when she finally recovered
nature performed its work hardening the muscles and tissues, and after
that time her neck was rigid.
History has it that Mrs. Wilson entertained Lincoln at her home here
in 1856, but this was not done on account of the serious illness of the
lady. When Mrs. Wilson was seventy years of age she journeyed to
Clarke, South Dakota, where she took and proved a soldier's widow's
claim, going months without seeing a woman and days without looking
upon a human being.
When Mr. Wilson was appointed paymaster in the army Mrs. Wilson
remained here the greater portion of the time, although she visited him
at St. Louis and Nashville. Mrs. Wilson's life, it will be seen, circled
around the home she loved so dearly.
To mourn the death of this illustrious woman, two children, ten
grandchildren and three great grandchildren are left, a worthy legacy.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson six children were born, they being Mary Jane,
who died in childhood; Silas E., who passed away in 18T0; Dr. Anne W.
Nixon, Mrs. Emma W. Edwards, both of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Robert H.,
who died at Nashville, Tenn., and Lee, who died at the age of sixteen
years. Dr. Nixon, her daughter, came from California in 1905 to remain
with her mother during the remainder of her life. Anne E. Edwards, a
granddaughter, has been here for the past week, constantly at the bedside
of the aged lady.
The State Historical Society at its last annual meeting took cognizance
of Mrs. Wilson and she became an honorary member of the society, to-
gether with Senator Cullom, Jane Addams and others.
The passing of this venerable woman closes an epoch for Sterling in
several phases. She was the last representative of the men and women
who marched into the wilderness of the west and through their efforts
and those who followed in their footsteps, made the desert into a garden
and the wild places tame, subject to the dominion of men. She came a
mother — at the head of a family, and took her place as a member of the
community — one of the workers at once.
As has been said, Robert L. Wilson and Eliza J. Kincaid were united
in marriage at Sharpsburg, Ky., on March 28, 1833, and in the autumn
of the same year they emigrated to Illinois where they established their
home in Sangamon county where they made their home for six year-.
During this time the husband came into prominence and served his
county in the State Legislature for two terms. He was contemporary
325
with Lincoln and other great Illinoisans of his day and lived to see the
greater part of his old friends gathered into their last homes beneath
the sod in the State they had served so well. The Kincaid family fol-
lowed the daughter and her husband from Kentucky to the young state
and settled in Sangamon county where the seven children spent the re-
mainder of their lives. All of these, save one, with their parents sleep
there. The aged mother of Mrs. "Wilson did not die until after she had
seen her ninety-second birthday anniversary'.
In 1840 Judge Brown offered Mr. Wilson the position of county clerk —
an appointive office at the time — in either of several counties in the
northern part of the State and Whiteside was chosen. Mr. Wilson came
to Sterling in that year and in the year following his family arrived.
For twenty years Mr. Wilson was the county clerk, and he was also the
registrar of deeds for sixteen years and probate judge for eight years.
Nearly all of the documents relating to the transfer of lands in the
twenty years that followed the settlement of the Wilson family in the
county bear his signature in some official capacity.
During these years the Wilson home was almost an open house and the
fame of its hospitality spread throughout the northern part of the State.
It was in 1846 that the brick house in which she spent the remaining
sixty-one years of her life was built on the prairie north of the strangling
village that stretched along the banks of Bock river. As befitted the
most prominent citizen, it was the most pretentious house in the com-
munity and it stands today almost as it was when it was first erected.
Much of the material in it was brought from Chicago by teams, for it
was not until nine years had elapsed after its building that the first train
steamed into Sterling.
When the Presbyterian church of Sterling was organized in November,
1844, Mrs. Wilson was one of the charter members, and is the last of that
devoted nine to answer the call of the Master of life. In all the many
years that followed she was devoted to her church, and even after the
weight of years had pressed heavily upon her, was regular in her attend-
ance at all of the services of her church. Mrs. Maria Gait was for many
years the only other of this little band that kept company with her sister
in the faith, but she passed into the shadow nine years ago past ninety
years of age.
Mrs. Wilson had the manner of the grand dames of the southland ami
the warmth and cordial hospitality for which the chivalrous people of
Kentucky have been noted. Her tall figure was the personification of
dignity and the warmth of her smile won all who came in contact with
her even to the end of her days. She was one of the finest types of the
women of her day and of the section of the country in which she was
born. She was a deeply religious woman all of the days of her life and
up to the time when she was stricken with the weakness that came by
reason of her great age, was active in the work for all mission effort, both
at home and abroad.
Those who knew her in her prime remember her for many graces as
a hostess and the open generosity and ready sympathy of her kindly
nature. She held her friends with bands as strong as steel, and in the
326
years since she has been unable to leave her home, old and young who
had come to love her were frequent callers at the low brick mansion
which for sixty-one years she has called her home.
Many will regret her passing, biit none can say that she has not filled
her place in life to the fullest. On march 7, 1880. she was widowed, and
her obsequies were held one day previous to the twenty-seventh anni-
versarv of that event.
327
WILLIAM YOCKE.
Vice President of the Illinois State Historical Society.
Born in Minden, Westphalia, Germany, April 4, 1839; died in Chi-
cago, May 13, 1907.
Captain Vocke was born- in Minden, Westphalia, Germany, on April
4, 1839, and landed in New York in 1856. A year later he settled in
Chicago and obtained employment as a newspaper carrier. WThen the
civil war broke out he enlisted as a private in the Twenty-fourth Illinois
Infantry and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war as
captain of Company K.
Subsequently he became city editor and then editorial writer on the
Staats-Zeitung. In 1865 he was made clerk of the police court, and dur-
ing his four years' service studied law and was admitted to practice. In
1870 he was elected a member of the Legislature, previous to which, time
he had been a member of the board of education. Captain Vocke was an
active Republican and one of the leading German campaign orators.
Despite the fact that his later years were taken up mostly with the
practice of law, he kept in close touch with literary men and affairs, and
was noted as a writer of historical sketches, especially those pertaining to
the doings of the Loyal Legion, with which he was identified.
As a member of the Legislature he was the author of the "Burnt
Record Law." Under it those who lost deeds to property through the
great fire of 1871 were privileged to establish proof of their holdings and
after a term of years this proof became conclusive and then full title was
given by the court.
Captain Vocke lost all his possessions in the fire, but later accumulated
considerable wealth. At the time of his death he owned a large tract near
Chicago Heights and also other property in Cook county.
He was married in 1867. The surviving members of the family are
Mrs. Elizabeth Wahl Vocke, his widow; four daughters and two sons.
They are Mrs. Olivia Bopp, wife of Franz Bopp, German Consul at San
Francisco ; Mrs. Fredia Doak, wife of D. P. Doak, president of the
Pan-American railway of Klamath Falls, Oregon; Mrs. Elsa McMynn,
wife of John C. McMynn of Chicago; Mrs. Bella Bird, wife of T. A.
Bird, a newspaper man of Chicago; Fred Vocke of Chicago, and William
Vocke of Oklahoma.
32S
JOHN BEERY ORENDORFF.
John Berry Orendorff was born in Blooming Grove, May 3, 1827. His
father was Thomas Orendorff, one of the first settlers of Blooming Grove,
who came in 1823, the next year after the very few first families arrived.
Mr. Thomas Orendorff was one of the leading men of the new county of
McLean, having been selected in 1830 to go to Vandalia to secure the
passage of the special act for the organization of McLean county.
Mr. John Berry Orendorff was vice president of the McLean County
Historical Society for the last six years of his life. He took a very deep
interest in local history, wrote articles for the society himself, and as-
sisted many other writers to acquire an accurate knowledge of pioneer
times.
He was one of the first members of the Illinois State Historical Society
and was deeply interested in its welfare. He was a cousin of General
Alfred Orendorff, the president of our society. He died in August, 1907,
at tbe age of eighty years.
JAMES B. BBADWELL,
An Honorary Member oe the Illinois State Historical Society.
Born in Loughborough, England, April 16, 1828; died Chicago, 111..
Nov. 30, 1907.
James B. Bradwell was born April 16, 1828, at Loughborough, Eng-
land, and came to this country with his parents when he was two years
old. The family first settled at Utica, N. Y., and three years later started
for the Illinois frontier. They remained for a short time at Jacksonville,
111., and then came to Chicago, then a mere frontier military and trading
post. Judge Bradwell often recited the tale of the journey and the first
entrance to Chicago.
"Our journey from Jacksonville was made in a prairie schooner drawn
by two horses and two oxen," he was wont to begin. "Though we trav-
eled every hour, sleeping in the wagon, we were twenty-one days en route.
The spring was late, the trail was all mud, and the prairies were mostly
under water. It was May 20 when we arrived in Chicago and made our
camp on the lake shore at what is now Kandolph street."
The Bradwells located at Wheeling, near the Desplaines river, and
took up a claim of government land. Often Judge Bradwell has de-
scribed his boyhood days and the difficulties of frontier life.
"Wolves would howl outside the log cabin during the winter. We had
hard work to keep from starving. Once the presiding elder of the district
came to beg some provisions. We had none to give him. I was only a
small boy. but believed in the efficacy of prayer. There were two prairie
chickens on the fence near the house. I prayed that I might kill them both
with one shot, promising to give the fattest to the minister. The prayer was
answered, and the elder was a long time picking out the fattest bird."
"Once a band of drunken Indians attempted to break into our cabin. My
father armed himself with his rifle, my mother with a shotgun, and I had a
redhot poker. Just as the door gave way an interpreter appeared and pre-
vented bloodshed. I never pass an Indian cigar sign that I don't feel re-
sentment."
When he had reached the age of sixteen he came to Chicago. Ship-
building and blacksmithing occupied his efforts until he entered Knox
college at Galesburg, where he took the full college course. Then he
wont to Belvidere to study law and teach school. He was admitted to the
bar in 1854 and began legal practice. Two years before that date he
married Miss Myra Colby, who lived in Schaumberg township. In 1861
he was elected county judge with jurisdiction in all probate cases.
330
It was during his term as judge that the civil war broke out, and in
connection with the "great rebellion" many thrilling stories of Judge
Bradwell's loyalty and devotion to the union cause are told.
Illinois swarmed with secessionists and "copperheads." Judge Brad-
well daringly organized the Home Defense Association, the only officer,
the only member. Whenever he heard of a "copperhead" the Judge
wrote him in the association's name, signing himself secretary, com-
manding the man to come to take the oath of allegiance. A prominent
merchant, a personal friend, was summoned. He begged the Judge to
state the penalty for refusing to swear.
"I have no idea what this powerful association will do with you/' im-
pressively replied the Judge. They may tar and feather you, they may
burn your home or destroy your business. In any event your life and
liberty are in peril if you decline to take the oath."
"But, Judge," said the merchant, "it will be a serious reflection on my
character were it known that I was forced to come here and take the oath.
Let me see some of the other officers and try to prevail on them to make
me an exception."
"None of the officers," replied the Judge, "except the secretary of this
association is ever known to the world, unless it is necessary to force its
decrees. There is no choice but for you to take the oath or suffer the
consequences."
The merchant, white with terror, held up his hand and was sworn.
During the war time he gained the reputation and title of which he
always has been most proud, that of the "sweet singer of Cook county."
Through his songs and impassioned addresses he gained many lukewarms
over to the union cause.
After eight years on the bench Judge Bradwell returned to the practice
of law and formed a partnership with Gen. John L. Beveridge, afterward
Governor of Illinois. Gradually he yielded up his legal practice and pro-
fession to take up the larger questions of good citizenship in a rapidly
growing city. He became a founder and president of the board of direc-
tors of the Union League Club, for several years president of the Chi-
cago Bar x\ssociation, president of the Chicago Press Club, and he was
president of the convention held in Cleveland, Ohio, which resulted in
the American Woman Suffrage Society. Later he was elected president
of the Illinois Bar Association in recognition of his legal attainments.
In his legal practice and works on law Judge Bradwell had the assist-
ance of Mrs. Bradwell, herself a talented lawyer and the founder of the
Chicago Legal News in 1868. Of this journal she was editor until her
death in 1894, when Judge Bradwell succeeded her in the position and
also became a publisher. In the work he had as assistant, his daughter,
Mrs. Bessie Bradwell Helmer, a graduate of the Chicago high schools and
the University of Chicago.
With the aid of his daughter Judge Bradwell edited and published the
revised statutes of the State of Illinois and a number of volumes of the
Illinois Appellate Court records. The edition is said to be one of the
finest of which any state can boast. Judge Bradwell also served as a
member of the State Legislature from 1873 to 1877.
PEYTON ROBERTS.
PEYTON ROBERTS.
In the long procession of men and women who have lived in the world
for a time and passed on, there are some whose lives stand out like guid-
ing stars for humanity ,and leave an impress for good thatjs ineradic-
able. They prove the worth of a life rightly lived. Peyton Roberts was
one of these. He was distinguished for his nobility of character, his un-
blemished morality, his generous and kindly nature. He achieved suc-
cess worthily and honorably, and entirely by his own efforts. His battle
with the world was heroic. His conservative judgment, absolute integ-
rity and unswerving honor in all things, won the respect and confidence
of all with whom he came in contact, and formed the capital which made
his business life a success. He was proud of being a native of Illinois,
proud of having lived his whole life in the State, almost every acre of
which he knew and loved.
The Roberts family were of Welsh ancestry, and left Wales in the fif-
teenth century because of religious persecution. They settled in Switzer-
land, where James Roberts, great grandfather of Peyton Roberts, was
born in 1754. James and his brother John came to Wythe county, Vir-
ginia in 1775. John enlisted in the English army and was never heard
of afterwards. James joined the Continental forces, and was wounded at
the battle of King's Mountain, in 1780. He recovered, remained in the
army, and was present at the surrender of Cornwalls at Yorktown. He
married Nancy McKelvey, a native of Ireland, and their eldest son John
was born in 1781. John lived in Campbell county, Tennessee, and there
his eldest son, James Esmon, was born Aug. 28, 1807. The family moved
to Breckenridge county, Kentucky, in 1827, and October 30, 1830, James
E. was married to Sallie M. Cox, whose English ancestors settled in
Switzerland in 1675, and came to Pennsylvania in 1712. John Roberts
and his family, with the exception of the eldest son, moved to Fountain
Green, Hancock county, Illinois, in June, 1835. James E. followed with
his family in June, 1837. His children were Elbridge, Bainbridge, Ad-
dison, Adaline, Peyton. Chauneey and Elmore.
Peyton Roberts was born at Fountain Green, Hancock county. Illinois,
January 21, 1839. His boyhood days were spent upon the farm, his
evenings occupied in eagerly devouring every book he could secure. He
attended school in the village of Tennessee, and in order to obtain money
for a college education, learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked
in the evenings and on Saturdays. When he had earned and saved six
332
hundred dollars in gold, he entered Hedding College at Abingdon, Illi-
nois. He made his home with the family of Henry Frey, and did the
chores for his board. During his college course he secured the agency
for a fife insurance company, and by soliciting business after school
hours, and clerking on Saturdays, paid the entire expense of his educa-
tion.
On January 1, 1861, he went to Monmouth and made that city his
headquarters during the two years he acted as special agent for an insur-
ance company. On April 3, 1866, he began a general insurance and loan
business, opening an office on the south side of the square, which he oc-
cupied continuously for forty-two years, until the time of his death. His
industry and ambition soon built up the largest business of its kind in
western Illinois. To secure the agency of an insurance company was a
difficult matter in those days, but with characteristic vim, Mr. Roberts
went east and applied in person for a number of the strongest companies.
Many of these remained with him throughout his life, making him the
oldest agent in point of service in the State.
During his forty-four years residence in Monmouth, he was interested
in and worked for every movement tending to the betterment and devel-
opment of the city. He gave much time and energy to founding Mon-
mouth Hospital and was its first president. He was one of the founders
of the Second National Bank of Monmouth, and of the bank of Biggs-
ville, and a stock holder in the former from the time of its organization
until his death. He was a stock holder of the National Bank of the Re-
public of Chicago, of the Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Com-
pany and the Monmouth Plow Company.
He was one of the active Republicans of the State, having served thirty
years on the county central committee, and six years on the State Cen-
tral Committee.
He was a devoted member of many of the secret orders and found much
happiness in their work. He was made a member of the Masonic Order
on April 11. 1861, by Abingdon (Illinois) Lodge No. 185, transferring ,
his membership later to Lodge No. :!;. A. P. & A. M.. at Monmouth. He
was also a member of Galesburg Commandery Xo. 8, Knights Templar,
Medinah Temple Lodge of the Mystic Shrine of Chicago, Oriental Con-
sistory of Chicago, Monmouth Lodge Xo. 577, I. 0. 0. F., Monmouth
Lodge Xo. 397, B. P. 0. E., Monmouth Lodge Xo. 277, 0. E. S., and
Maple City Lodge Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Roberts was known as the friend of the poor, the widow and the
orphan, for scores of these went to him for assistance, and not one Avas
turned away without being helped. Many of them placed their business
affairs unrestrictedly in his hands, and although this meant much labor
and oftentimes great expense to him, the work was always done gratis.
His numberless acts of kindness and generosity will never lie known ex-
cept to those he helped. His sunny, happy disposition, his breadth of
view, his keen intellect and wise judgment, were inherent in a man whoso
life was the gospel of brotherly love. One of his associates said of him:
"I never saw Mr. Roberts discouraged or looking on the dark side of
333
things. AYhen business men would get together and deplore unsettled
conditions and hard times, Mr. Roberts was always looking on the bright
side. He was a continual inspiration to all of us."
Although prevented by ill-health from taking part in the civil war,
Mr. Eoberts was a close student of all matters relating to it, and pos-
sessed an extensive private library on that subject. He was- familiar with
the details of all the important battles and enjoyed visiting the battle
fields, and recalling the scenes he knew by heart.
Peyton Eoberts was married May 8, 1866, to Elizabeth Katherine Cox,
and to them three children were born; Emily, the wife of Lee J. Hubble;
and Corinne, the wife of C. L. Miller. The third daughter died in in-
fancy. Mr. Eoberts' love for and devotion to his family were the most
beautiful traits of his character. Although he was as affectionate and
tender as a child, he possessed the courage, strength and force which con-
tribute to a fearless life. During the last few years of his life, although
in rapidly failing health, he gave unremitting attention to business, often
raying he wished to die "in harness." This wish was realized. On the
evening of January 12, 1908, he returned from an absence of two weeks
at Excelsion Springs, Missouri, for the benefit of his health. A large
amount of mail had accumulated during his absence, which he took to
his home. This he read through and arranged in the order in which he
wished to take it up the next morning; then with a smile, he lay down up-
on his couch and passed into his last deep sleep, as sweetly and gently as he
had lived. The funeral was held in the Presbyterian church on January
16, and was in charge of the Masonic brothers he loved so well. The fol-
lowing tribute is taken from the Monmouth Atlas of that date:
The Maple City, fraternal brothers and scores of warm, personal friends
paid their last tribute of love and respect to the memory of Peyton Roberts,
one of Monmouth's foremost citizens.
And this tribute to the dead was most fitting; it was typical of the man
whom city, brothers and friends mourn today — quiet, simple and unos-
tentatious, yet sincere and heartfelt. All that was mortal of a beloved man
they consigned to the tomb, but in the citadel of everlasting friendship and
honor his memory remains sacred.
Seldom has the Maple City witnessed such tribute of sorrow as was paid
the memory of her late resident this afternoon at the Presbyterian church,
in the silent cortege which followed the body to the cemetery, and in the
simple, but effective Masonic ritual with which the body was lowered into
its last resting place — the tomb.
Everywhere, in accordance with the wish of the family, which would have
been the wish of the deceased himself, the utmost simplicity prevailed. The
services at the church, conducted by Rev. D. E. Hughes, assisted by Dr. W.
R. King, were simple in the extreme. Dr. Hughes referred with feeling to
the life of the deceased, but briefly for the life of the departed needed no
eulogy.
Fraternal Representation.
And yet the scene at the church, and as the funeral cortege wended its
way to the cemetery, was almost without parallel in the Maple City. The
deceased had been a well known member of the Masons and other lodges.
All were represented at the funeral.
From Galesburg came a large delegation of Knights Templar in the full
regalia of their rank. In this commandery Mr. Roberts had been an es-
teemed member. His home Masonic lodge, No. 37, was present en masse,
334
paying with sorrow the last tribute within its power. The Knights of
Pythias and Elks, also mourning the deceased as a brother, were repre-
sented, as were the Eastern Stars, and other organizations of which Mr.
Roberts had long been a member.
Services at the Grave.
From the church at the close of the services the funeral party, com-
posed of the family, scores of friends and the representatives of the different
orders, wended its way to the cemetery. There the Masons were in full
charge and the casket was consigned to the tomb with the beautiful Masonic
service.
The pallbearers were all Masonic brothers and were Rufus Scott, Frank
W. Harding, D. D. Dunkle, V. H. Webb, John S. Brown and Arnold Bruner.
MRS. W. M. MARMON.
Mrs. Mar}* Ann Cheney Marmon was among the very first to join the
Illinois State Historical Society, and was very deeply interested in its
welfare. She will be remembered by many who attended the State So-
ciety's session at Bloomington in 1904, as one of the ladies who assisted
so generously in the local arrangements.
She came of pioneer ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides.
Her grandfather was John Wells Dawson who came to Bloomington in
1822 with the only other family of the country's first settlers. Mrs.
Dawson's little daughter Maria, afterwards the mother of Mrs. Marmon,
was a great favorite with the Indians of Blooming Grove and was often
borrowed by the Indian squaws as a charming visitor at their wigwams.
She lived with her daughter Mrs. Marmon for many of the last years of
her life and died in 1906 at the age of eighty-nine years.
Mrs. Marmon's maiden name was Mary Ann Cheney and her father
was Owen T. Cheney, son of Jonathan Cheney who came to McLean
county in 1824, and from him the well known township of Cheney's
Grove took its name. Mrs. Marmon was a lady of culture and refine-
ment and contributed valuable articles on social life of pioneers for the
McLean Countv Historical Society of which she was a charter member.
She died Jan. 25, 1908.
33C
CAPT. J. E. MOSS.
Capt. John Eiley Moss died at the home of his son. Dr. Harry Moss,
in Albion, Illinois, on the afternoon of October 2. He was born in Jeffer-
son county, May 13, 1830, and had always made that county his home.
He was the son of Eansom and Annie Moss. A farmer by birth, he
continued along the line of farming and stock raising for many years,
and imported from Canada the first Cotswold sheep ever brought to this
county. He delighted in raising fine stock, and when he lived on a farm
he had fine Jersey cattle and Berkshire hogs. The farm on which Capt.
Moss lived was in Shiloh township, and was the homestead first settled
by ex-Governor Casey.
His home life was simple, but systematic. When he had a duty to per-
form it was performed, and performed well. He was married Jan. 30,
1853, to Parmelia C. Allen, and the marriage was blessed with six child-
ren, as follows : Angus, Norman H., Adda M., Anna E., Harry C, and
Grace S. The children, with one exception survive him. He was pre-
ceded to the great beyond by his loving wife, who departed on the 16th
of March, 1908. Fifty-five years of happy married life were enjoyed by
Capt. Moss and his wife. They celebrated their golden wedding five
years ago.
A more public-spirited man than Mr. Moss never lived in Jefferson
county, and it was his desire to see Jefferson county and Mi. Vernon
excel in everything. He was several times honored by being elected
supervisor from Shiloh township and was a member of the first board
after the township organization became effective. He was a member of
the building committee that contracted for the construction of the court
house that was destroyed by the cyclone.
In politics he was a Eepublican. In 1878 he was elected to the Thirty-
first General Assembly of the Illinois Legislature, having been elected
on the Independent ticket.
October 10, 1861, Capt. Moss enlisted in Company C, 60th Illinois
Infantry, and was made captain of the company, hence the title. He was
discharged in 1863, on account of physical disability, and appointed pro-
vost marshal for the 11th district, comprising all of southern Illinois,
and remained in the service until the close of the war. With a detach-
ment of soldiers he arrested a party of men who resisted draft, in a
fort they had built of logs, on Skillet Fork. The men were taken to 01-
ney and turned over to the authorities. He was supervisor of enrollment
and draft for southern Illinois. He was a member of Coleman Post,
337
G. A. R., and was prominently identified in G. A. R. circles. Religiously
he clung to the Methodist church, and through his efforts, churches have
been built and Sunday schools started. In the pioneer movement he took
a great interest and was president of the Jefferson County Pioneer As-
sociation. In state history he took a decided interest and was a member
of the State Historical Society. There was no man who ever lived in
Jefferson county who was more familiar with the early history than Capt.
Moss, and he could tell in an interesting manner what he knew.
The funeral was held at the First M. E. Church at Mt. Arernon, and
the service was attended by a large concourse of the friends of the de-
ceased. The service was in charge of Rev. C. D. Shumard, and he was
assisted by Rev. E. B. Surface, Rev. J. T. Payne and W. Duff Piercy.
Capt. Moss took great pride in Shiloh township, and from a literary
sense, it was the leading township for many years. This was largely due
to the efforts of Mr. Moss. He organized a debating society and among-
the members were : Z. T. Galbraith, J. B. Piercy, C. P. Harper, J. M.
Galbraith, Jas. R. Driver, L. C. Johnson and J. T. Payne; some of the
members have gone on before Later this society developed into a liter-
ary society, and among the members were: Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Francis G. Blair, W. Duff Piercy, W. C. Blair, J. T. Ellis,
and Norman H. Moss. These men have been heard from in the prom-
inent walks of life.
The pall bearers were six nephews, W. S. Maxey, Henry Maxey, R. 1ST.
Hinman, W. D. Moss, J. R. Piercy and W. A. Piercy. Coleman Post,
G. A. R. formed an escort from the residence to the church. The body
was laid to rest in Oakwood beside the loving wife who' preceded him
just a few months.
-22 H S
INDEX.
Page.
Abolitionism— mention 28 , 249
Missouri Republican Nov. 18, 1837. Ex-
tract from communication in, on
Edward Beecher, Abolitionism and
Illinois College 199
Abolit ionist 223
Abolil ionists 133
Abraham Lincoln in 1854- address before the
Illinois State Historical Society, 1908, by
Horace White 25-47
Acachemen, Indians — customs of 120
Ackerman, Win. K — Early Illinois railroads,
quoted— foot notes 174, 177, 178, 182
Acklev— anions the gold seekers from Evans-
ton, 111. to California, 1850 107
Adam W. Snyder, and His Period in Illinois
History— quoted— foot note 222
Adams County, 111., History of— published in
1876— quoted 216
Medical Societ y 216
mention .' 218, 221
Volume B, of the Law Chancery and
People's Records, Adams county, 111. —
quoted 217
Adams County, Ohio — (Ireat Serpent Mound
in — reference to 122
Adams, John, of Illinois— son-in-law of Gov.
Wm. Kinney 210
Adams 54
Adams, John Quiney— Ambassador, Senator,
Secretary of State, President, and Congress-
man
..49,
President of the United Stat
Adams, Parker 210
Addams, Jane 324
Affleck, .lames- write- biographical sketch of
\\ in . Kinney 209-211
Africa 146
African Slave Trade 33 , 34, 66
Agricultural Products in the Illinois Territory 308
Agriculture— population of Illinois in lsio to
1850, generally engaged in 172
Ahts— Indians of Vancouver Island 119
Ainsworth, Harry7— member committee 11
Alabama, State— foot note 192
mention 55, 94
Alamo Building, San Antonio, Texas 226
Alaska— Indian tribes in, perform a thunder-
bird ceremony 118
mention 121 , 122
Albany, N . Y.— foot note 233
mention ...20, 21, 45, 86, 146, 163, 182, 293
Albion, 111— mention 322 . 33ti
Richard Flower, founder of the public
Page.
Algiers , Africa 311
Algonkin Indians— mention 122
legends of, quoted 119
mythology of 114
tribes of, in the east 120
" Alleghanies " < The Mountains) 261
Alleghany river 300
Allen, G. T.- (Madison county, 111.) his vote
on the United State. Senatorship in 1855. ..39,40
Allen, Parmelia C. — wife of Capt. John Riley
Moss .336
Allen, (Gen.) Robert-Chief Quartermaster,
War of the Rebellion, in charge at St. Louis 89
mention 90
Alloues (Allouez), Father Claude .lean, Jesuit
Priest— born i probably i Province Toulouse,
France, 1620. Died, Fort St. Joseph, 1690.. 233
Allouez, Father Claude .lean- Illinois Mission
in care of 233
Almanac for 1851— for Peoria and vicinity —
by Dewitt S . Drown— reference to 130
Alschuler, Samuel —member committee 10
Altgeld, John P.— nominated for Governor of
Illinois 98
Alton, 111.— address to the people of Alton, on
the murder of Lovejoy— by T. M. Post— in
the New York Emancipator— reference to.. 196
Courier (newspaper) 137
foot note 200
Mention 3, 5, 6,
7, 9, 11, 26, 46, til), 87, 114, 115, 116, 117, 122
Narrative „f Lints at Alton by Edward
Beecher reference to foot notes ..194-198
d— foot
, Vol. 2
pamph-
mi- des
Stuart reference 10 . '. 124
"America" 4 he Ship 124
Ymerieau \ nt hropologisl . Vol. 2— writings of
Chamberlain in quoted 120
American Lotlom mf the MLdssippi begin
at the mouth of the Ka-kaskia river 301
Delta (The ) of America 301
Indian mounds in 134
mention 302, 305
I American charts 274
340
Index — Continued.
Page.
American colony 262
American Democracy— achievements of 71
American Ethnology— vol. 2, part 1, Gaschett
—quoted in 120
American Familv— massacred— by Chickasaw
Indians .283
American Forefathers— attributes of 131
American Government 53
American Historical Association— annual
meeting of 1907. at Madison, Wisconsin— ref-
erence to 13 , 18
American History 48, 53, 184
"American Notes"— by Charles Dickens— ref-
erence to 130, 131
American People. 124
American Politics 62
American Revolution 20, 261 , 269
American Settlement— between the Illinois
and Wood rivers 306
American Traders— Illinois country 261
American Union 54
American Valor 54
American Woman .Suffrage Society 330
Americanistes ( Congres des)— vol. 1,— by Abbe
Gosselin— foot notes 234, 235
Americans 275, 289, 290, 314
Ames, (Mrs.) John C— member committee. . . 11
Anderson, (Lieut. Gov.) Stinson H 221
Anderson, Sumner S — member committee... 11
Andover Theological Seminary 195
Anna, 111 6
Annapolis, Md 74, S2
Antietam, Battlefield — reference to 249
Anti-Horse Stealing Society 201
Anti-Nebraska Democrats in Illinois— opposed
to the Nebraska bill 28
Anti-Nebraska Democrats in Illinois Legisla-
ture 38, 39, 40
Anti-Negro Stealing Society 201
Anti-Slaverv. Church-Canteen Creek Church
formed Dec. 10, 1809 75
JeSerson-Lemen Anti-Slavery Pact— ad-
dress before the Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908— by Joseph B. Lemen ... 74-84
Petitions to Congress 80 , 82
Society in Illinois— plans for, officers of,
etc .
Apple river ( Riviere aux Pommes) .277, 282, 284
Appleton, D. & Co.— publishers 20
Arapaho Indians— mention 120 , 122
traditions of — quoted 120
Arden, Forest of— reference to 42
Arizona 121 , 122
Arkansas Mission— Illinois country 235
Arkansas Post— Gen. Jno. A. McClernand in
command at 93
Arkansas River 92
Army of the Tennessee i Society of) 100
Armstrong, (Hon.) P. A.— mention 117
Monograph on the I'iasa -quoted 115-116
Arnold , (Hon.) Isaac N .—foot note 242
Arnold, James N.—comp. vital records of R. I. 20
Arrack— made from a tree in the East Indies
—reference to 266
Arrowsmith, McLean County, 111., Battle
Ground — French and Indians probably
fought at between the years 1712 and 1765
186, 190, 191
Ash A<he . Th 'in as British traveler — men-
-in Rack on Ohio river 306, 307
Ashe. Thomas Travels in America— London,
, 111..
S33 . .
Atkins, i Cen.) Smith I).— mention 6, 7,
Atkins, i Hon. i Smith D — second vice presi-
dent Illinois State Historical Society
Page.
Atlanta, Ga., Fall of— reference to 94
20
Atlantic Ocean 122
Attakapas— name applied to a portion of
Louisiana from name of an Indian tribe 288
Aubry, Charles Phillipe— French officer,
builds Fort Massac 123
"Augusta" (The) Schooner 110
Aurora, 111 10
Austin, 111 143
Austin, John Osborn — comp. genealogical
books 20
Austin, Nevada (Lander Co.)— mention. 230, 231
Austin, Nevada — "Star" (newspaper), May
12, 1864— quoted— foot note 231
Autobiography of J. M. Sturtevant— quoted
" 194, 195, 197
footnotes 194, 195, 197
Au Vase River 301, 304, 306, 308, 310
Aztec Indians— of Mexico 122 '
Babylon, Ancient City of— reference to. . .145, 146
Bacon, (Mrs.) E. M.— member committee 10
"Badger State," (The) Wisconsin 164
Baer's Tavern at Rosehill, Cook Co., Ill 104
"Baho-li-kong-ya"— Lightning Serpent of the
Moki Indians 121
Baird, Robert— View of the Valley of the
Mississippi, etc., Philadelphia, 1S34*— quoted
—foot note 233
Baker, Edward Dickinson— biographical
sketch of 153-154
brilliant orator, called "silver tongued
Ned Baker" 153
member Tenth General Assembly, State
of Illinois, 1836-37 50, 219
mention 49, 221 , 224
Baker, Henry S— (Madison Co.) vote on the
United States Senatorship, 1855 39, 40
Baldwin, Jane (Jane Baldwin Cotton)— com-
piler genealogical book 20
Baldwin, (Hon.) Jesse A.— member of Board
of Directors, Illinois State Historical Society 5
mention— member committee 11
Baldwin, Theron — identified with the Anti-
Slavery movement of the middle west 194
"Balm of Gilead"— pamphlet— by Governor
John Reynolds 133-134
Baltimore," Md— mention 20, 126. 301
National Democratic Convention held
in 71-72
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 98
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad. 88, 97
Bancroft, George— Memorial Address on the
Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln —
quoted— foot note 243
quoted on the Lincoln-Conkling letter... 243
Bancroft, Hubert Howe— Native Races of the
Pacific Coast, vol. 3— quoted '.118, 119
Bangs, (Mrs.) Margaret M— member com-
mittee 11
Bangs, (Judge) Mark— foot note 242
Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss— member of Con-
gress, soldier and twentieth governor of
'Mass., born at Waltham, Middlesex county,
Mass., Jan. 30, 1816: died, Waltham, Mass.,
Sept. 1, 1894 25
Banks, Nathaniel P— Union Major-General,
War of the Rebellion 93
Baptist Church— Bet lid Baptist Church, near
< ollinsville, 111 7.3-76, 77
mention 127, 209
Baptist Churches in Illinois (Early) 74
Baptist. Churches in Illinois, Earlv History
of— contained in the Lemen Family Notes. .82-83
341
Index — Continued.
Page.
inois State—
tes to be given
Baptist State Convention— held at Blooming-
ton, 111 83
Barley— mention 301
foot note— amount raided in Illinois 173
Barnes' (Link i Ranch, Nevada 231
Bartholomew, (Gen,) Joseph— second in com-
mand ai the Rattle of Tippecanoe 185, 186
, Bartlett, John Russell— "literature of the
Rebellion"— quoted 45
Battery Rocks- on the Ohio river 307
Battle of Ball's Blufl— Edward Dickinson
Baker, killed at 154
Battle of Buena Vista 132
Battle of Gettysburg — reference to. . .241 , 2 1~> , 2i!t
Battle of Lexington -reference to (old poem). 135
Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811— reference to 185, 186
Bay de Puants (Green Bay) Indians 118
Bavliss, Clara Kern— owner of an image of the
fhunderbird carved by a Kwa-Kiutl Indian
from Vancouver— foot note 122
"The Significance of the Piasa,"— address
before the Illinois State Historical Soci-
ety, 1908 114-122
118, 124, 273, 307
Bear Hunting
" Beardstown Illinoisan "—newspaper 137
Beatty, Zachariah— editor of the Knoxville
(later Galesburg i Republican 159
Beaubien, Alexander 140 , 141
Beaubien, Jean Baptiste — known as Col. John
Beaubien 140
Beaubien, (Col.) John— (see Jean Baptiste
Beaubien) 140
Beaubien, Mark 140
Beaubien, Medore— early trustee of Chicago.. 141
Beaubien, Philip 141
Beauharnois, M.Le Marquis-al Quebec makes
French commandant :
India
vith Fox
Beauregard, Pierre Gustave Toutant—
confederate general
"Beauty's Eyebrow"— romantic name given
to Gross Point, Cook Co., Ill 1
Beaver Creek— tributarv Kaskaskia river 3'
Beavers 277, 281, 2
Beck, Lewis C— Gazetteer of Missouri and
Illinois, published in 1S23— reference to. 123, 1
foot note 2
Beekwith, Hiram W— first president Illinois
State Historical Society 1
investigations at Indian Fort, McLean
county, 111 1
mention— foot notes 190, 1
quoted on the probability of the French
and Indians having fought at or near the
Anow-mith Battle Ground 1
valuable French records of— quoted 1
Beekwith, Sylvester — among the Evanston
gold seeker-' to California, 1850 1
hicago, 111..
—in command of
1
Anti-Slavery lead-
Beck with. I p1
the schooner "'
Beecher, (Pres.)
er President 1
Beecher, Kdward -Attitude on the Anti-
Slavery Society in Illinois... 194, 195, 196, 1
in Alton, 111'.— witnesses the storing of
Lovejoy's press 1
Missouri Republican, Nov. 18, 1837— ex-
tract from communication in, on Ed-
ward Beecher— Abolitionism and Illi-
nois College 1
Missouri Republican of Nov. 4, 1S37 —
quoted on ' '
Beecher, Edward— Condu ded. Page.
Alton, 111.— foot note 198, 199
Narrative of Riots at Alton— quoted—
foot notes 194-198
personal friend of Klijah P. Lovejov ..196-197
President of Illinois College— his a'ttitude
toward slavery 194-195
resigns as President of Illinois College. .202-203
Sermons on Slavery— preached in Alton,
111— reference to 198, 199
Beecher, Harriet 194
Beecher, Henry Ward t4, 194
Beecher, Lyman 199
Beemer, (Mrs.) J. I) 322
Behring Straits 118, 122
Bell and Green law firm, Mt. Carmel, 111 321
Bell, Collins S 321 , 322
Bell, (Gen.) Hiram * 321
Bell, John— United States Senator from Ten-
nessee 55
Bell, Robert — biographical sketch of 321-322
Bell, (Mrs.) Robert (Sarah K. Shepard) 322
Bell, Victor B 321
Bellefontaine Cemetery, St . Louis, Mo 128
Belle Fontaine, 111 ... ". 291 , 306
Bellet, Louise Pecquet du—comp. genealogical
•'Belleville Eagle" (newspaper) 132
Belleville, 111— foot note 242
mention . . 10 , 126 ,127,1 28 , 1 32 . 1 33 , 209 , 210 , 21 1
railroad projected to be built from, to
intersect the Southern Cross 147
Bellmont, 111— named in honor of Judge
Robert S. Bell 322
Belvideiv, 111 3, 10, 329
Bench and Bar of Illinois— by Gen. John M.
Palmer— quoted 206
Bended Maple in Illinois country 270
Benecia, Cal. at one time eapital of California 22s
General Assembly of California convened
at, 1853 .' 228
Benjamin, Judah P 64
Bennett, (General) J. Arlington— Mormon
writer of note 131
Bennet, James Gordon 159
"Benton Standard"— newspaper 1S1
Benton, Thomas Hart— statesman. Born
near Hillsboro, < >range county, N. C, March
14, 17X2; died in Washington, D. C, April
10,1858 2.5
Benton, Thomas H— statesman of Missouri
55, 87, 162, 169
Bergier (Berger), (Rev.) Jean— Seminary
Priest, Superior of Mississippi Missions-
arrives at Illinois mission 235
letter to the Bishop of (Quebec, dated Feb-
ruary, 1700— concerning the Illinois
missions 230-237
letter from Tamarois, dated June 14, 1700. 237
letter dated April 13, 1701, without ad-
dress 237, 238
letter of, from Tamarois mi-. ion April 13,
1701
ment ion 235-238
Vicar-General Tamarois mission 236
Berlin, 111 149
Berry, (Dr.) Daniel— member committee 10
Berry, Orville F— member committee 10
Berry, R. L 17
Bethel Baptist Church near Collinsville, 111
75, 76, 77
Bethel Church, History of -by Dr. J. M. Peck
76, 77
Beveridge, (I'nited States Senator) Allien
Jeremiah, of Indiana 6
Beveridge, Mien.) John L— Governor of Illi-
nois.. 330
Bible 81, 82, 123
Bible Society 12 7
342
Index — Continued.
Page.
Big Cave 272, 273
Biggs, S. H — Knowledge of the Jefferson
Lemen Anti-Slavery Pact 75, 77, SO
Biggs, William— narrative of his capture by
the Indians -reference to 129
Biggsville, 111 332
Bit; Hill Creek 303
Bighill Creek tributary Kaskaskia river
300 , 303
Big Spring, Cumberland county, IVnn 204
Big Stone Lake, Southeastern Dakota 121
Billings, (Judge) Henry W 88
Bineteau ( Bin not can. I '.in loan ), father Julien
—Jesuit. Born at LaFleehe, Match 13, 1653;
died at the Illinois Minion, Dec. 24, 1699... 236
Bineteau, (Father) Julien— extract from a let-
ter of, January, 1699 236
foot note— reference to 236
Binneteau, Father— missionary to the Tama-
rois Indians 238
Bingham, John A.— (Congressman) of Ohio-
foot note 242
Bird, (Mrs.) Bella 327
Bird, T. A 327
Birkbeck, Morris— attitude on the slavery
question 125, 168
Pioneer of Illinois Literal tire, works of 124
Bissell, (Gov.) Wm. H.— foot note 182
mention 221
Blackburn, (Rev.) Gideon— mention 128, 198
opposed to slavery 196
Black, (Hon.) (ieorge N— member of Board of
Directors, Illinois State Historical Society.. 5
mention— member committee 10
Black Hawk books relating to, mentioned... 129
Black Hawk War Abraham Lincoln, captain
in 63
mention 101, 102, 132, 210, 218, 221
Wakefield's History of the Black Hawk
War, published iii ls'U reference to 129
Blackwell, David-editor; Secretary of State
of Illinois 168
Blackwell, Robert s.~ editor, with James Hall
of The Illinois Monthly Magazine -reference
to 125
"Blackwell on Tax Titles"— reference to. 126
Blaine, James G.— quoted on Stephen A.
Douglas 62
"Twenty Years of Congress"— quoted. 60, 71
Blair, (Gov.) Austin, of Michigan— foot note. . 242
Blair, Francis G — Superintendent of Public
Instruction, State of Illinois 7, 9, 11, 337
Blair, (Gen.) Frank P., of Missouri 89
Blair, W.C 337
Blanchard, (Rev.) R. H 109
Blind River tributary, Kaskaskia river 300
Blodgett, Henry W — early resident of Wau-
kegan 108
Blooming drove, 111 328, 335
Bloomington, 111.— Baptist State Convention,
heldat 83
Lincoln's "Lost Speech" at— reference to
—foot note 244
Bloomington-Mackinaw Railroad 147, 148
Bloomington— mention
5, 10, 11, 51, 69, 135, 176, 335
railroad from Bloomington to Mackinaw,
projected 147
State convent ion of 1856 held at 33, 157
Blouin, Daniel French agent to represent
citizens Illinois country in petition to Gen.
Thos. Gage 261
Bluff Dale, 111.— home of Prof. John Russell. 128
Boerhaave, Herman— Dutch physician and
philosopher. Born at Voorhoiit near Ley-
den, Dec. 31, 1668. Died Sept. 23, 1738 264
Bogart, Ernest Ludlow— Economic History
of the United States— quoted— see foot note 172
Page.
Bond Count v, 111 165
Bond Lake/Ill ' 302
Bond, Shadrach— first Governor of Illinois
under statehood 163 , 167
mention 162, 168
Boone County, 111 164
Boone, Daniel- biography of, by Dr. John M.
Peck — reference to 127
Bopp, Franz— German consul at San Fran-
cisco 327
Bopp, (Mrs.) Olivia 327
Boscana, Father 120
Boston, Mass.— capitalists. Memorial to Illi-
nois Legislature on Railroad proposition..
180, 181, 182
mention 20, 26, 45, 87, 103, 132, 147
Botsford, J. K 109
Bound Station 286
Bound's Station 290
Bourbon County, Ky 215, 216, 226
Boutteville, (Rev.) B.— Seminary Priest at
Quebec, sent to the Mississippi Mission 235
Bowman, E. M— Lincolniana Collection of... 46
local chairman Lincoln-Douglas debates
celebration, Alton, 111 9
member of committee on celebration
Lincoln-Douglas debates, Alton 7
mention 11
Bowman, James among the Kvanston, 111.
gold seekers to ( 'alifomia , 1850 107
Boyd, Andrew — "Memorial Lincoln Bibli-
ography," quoted 45
Boyd, Linn— member H. R. U. S. 28th Con-
gress 52
Brackenridge, H. M. — early writer on western
history— reference to 123
Bradford, George A 210
Bradford, Vt 21
Bradwell, James B. biographical sketch of..
329-330
Bradwell, (Judge) James B — honorary mem-
ber Illinois State Historical Society, de-
ceased 12
Bradwell, (Mrs.) James B. (Myra Bradwell).. 330
Brandon, Vermont 48
Branson of Jacksonville, 111.— connected with
the attempted abuduction slave nurse girl.. 201
Brauer, Lvdia Marie—translation and intro-
duction 'to the Earnest Invitation to the
Inhabitants of Illinois, by an inhabitant of
Kaskaskia 261-268
Breekenridge County, Ky 331
Breckenridge, John Cabell— vice president of
the United States. Born near Lexington,
Ky., Jan. 21, 1821; died in Lexington, Ky.,
May 17, 1875 25
mention 69 , 72
Breese, Sidney— called "Father of the Illinois
Central Railroad" 174
Historian of Illinois 128
History of Illinois— quoted— foot note 174
letter of Judge Douglas to, published in
Springfield Daily Register, Jan. 20, 1851
— reference to — foot note 180
menber Board of Directors, Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad 174-175
member, Senate United States, from Illi-
nois 52, 55, 169
mention 129, 181
Supreme Court of Illinois, reports of 169
United States Senator from Illinois 55, 169
work in behalf of the Illinois Central R.
R., United States Congress 56
writings of— reference to 130
Bridgeport , Alabama 94
Brinton, Daniel ( ;. --quoted on Indian worship,
myths, etc - 120
British America— foot note > 173
In dex — Continued.
British America, Serpents Mounds in 122
British Government 53
Britton's Tavern-early tavern near Chicago- 104
Broderick, David C. -Candidate for United
States Sena! i' from California 228
Bronson, Howard G — early Illinois railroads.
The place of the Illinois Central Railroad in
Illinois history prior to the Civil War— ad-
dress before the Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908 171-183
History of the Illinois Central Railroad
(manuscript (—quoted— foot note 176
Brooks, Austin— editor of the Quincy Herald
sixty years ago 158 , 159
Brooks, S. S — earlv friend of Stephen A.
Douglas ." 158
editor the Fulton County Ledger 158
Brouette River 302
Broward, (Gov.) Napoleon— Governor of Flor-
ida 169
Brown, Andrew J 109
Brown, (Mrs.) C. C— member committee .... 10
Brown, Emma Alice— earlv writer of poetry
in Illinois 135
Brown, Henry— historian of Illinois— refer-
ence to 130
Brown, John, (Ossawatomie Brown) Followers
of— reference to 133
Brown, John S 334
Brown, Samuel R.— The Western Gazetteer
or Emigrants Directory, 1817. Auburn, N.
Y., reprint 299-310
Brown, (Judge) Thomas C, 1840 325
Brown, William 128
Brown, William H 168
Browning, Orville H.— lawyer and statesman
of Quincy, 111 157
member Senate, 10th General Assembly,
State of Illinois 50, 219
mention 49, 218
Secretary of the Interior, Cabinet of Presi-
dent Johnson 51
Brownville, Pa 92
Bruner, Arnold 334
Bryan, William J.— United States Senator
from Florida 169
Bryant, John Howard— early poet of Illinois. 136
Bryant, William Cullen — extract from poem
on Illinois prairies 136
Buchanan, James — mention 89, 229
minister to England 58
opposed to Douglas' re-election to the
United States Senate 58-59
Buchanan, (Judge) T. J 321
Buckeye Hotel, Evanston, 111 104, 107
Bucklin, James M— Chief Engineer to the
Board of Public Works of Illinois 147 , 151
mention 151
Buffalo— disappearance of, in the Illinois
territory 307
mention 115, 252
Buffalo Island 277, 278, 284
Buffalo, X. Y.— cost of carrying a ton of freight
from Buffalo, to New York by wagon— see
foot note 172
first line of steamers between Buffalo and
Chicago 101
mention 87, 310
Buffalo Point 278
Burd, (Mr.)— resident of New Jersey, visits
the iron mine in upper Louisiana 295
Bureau County, 111 136
Burnham, (Capt.) J. H — Chairman Com-
mittee on Local Historical Societies, Illinois
State Historical Society, report of 4, 18
member of Board of Directors, Illinois
State Historical Societ y 5
mention 8, 9, 10, 11
Burnham, (Capt.) J. H— Concluded. Page.
Mysterious Tndian Battle <; rounds in Mc-
Lean County, 111. -address before the
Illinois State Historical Society. l'.insls] pi,
Burnside, (Gen.) Ambrose E 94
Burns, Robert 46
"Burnt Record Law," State of Illinois-
William Yocke, author of 327
Burr, Aaron 82
Burroughs, Alonzo— among the number of
Evanston, 111. gold seekers to California, 1850 107
Burroughs, David early settler of Chicago, 111 104
Burton, John E. — Lincolniana collector." 46
Bush, J. Merrick— editor the Pike County
I )emocrat 159
Bushnell, Nehemiah— residence at Quincy, 111.
—reference to ' 218
Bushnell, William H.— early poet of Illinois-
works of 135
Buteau, Father (see Buteux i lis
Buteux, Jacques (Jesuit i born at Abbeville,
April 11, 1600: died May 10, 1652, while as-
cending the St. Maurice river 118
Butler, (Gen.) Benj. F.— foot note 242
mention 72, 162
Butz, (Hon.) Casper, of Chicago— foot note. . . 242
Cabet, Etienne— leader of the Icarian
munity in Illinois
Cahokia 1
. i "£ or Tamarois- date of the founding
tahokiasj ofj disputed * 2:
foot note— reference to date of founding of 2;
early descriptions of 238 . 239, 3i
early French sett lenient in Illinois 1
Indians 236, 237. 238, 31
mention 210, 23s, 239, 254, 306, 3i
prairie 126 , 21
Cairo, 111.— Cairo City and Canal Company,
incorporated March 4, 1*37, history of. ..177-1:
Cairo Citv and Canal Company -mention
178, 179, 180,181,1!
Cairo City and Canal Company, publica-
tions of— mentioned— foot note l
Central R. R., from Cairo to Galena con-
templated 147, 1
Henry Long's History and Prospects of
Cairo, — quoted — foot note i
mention 11, 92, 94, 163, 1'
proposed Central Railroad from Cairo to
Peru, 111.— reference to 1
foot note 1'
Times (newspaper) II
Calhoun, John Caldwell one of the illustrious
triumvirate I'nited States Senate ;
United States Senator from South Caro-
California— admitted as
Argonauts from Ev;
ceded to the United
convention at Mont
frame a state cons
discovery of gold in
General'Assemblv.:
General Assembly <•
KepuMiean Stale lMHiaiid
"Willows," wives of tht
from Evanston, Illinois si
U4:
Index — Continued.
Page.
Callendar, Eliot— Memorial to Judge David
MoCulloch— read at the Illinois State His-
torical Society meeting, 1908 5, 204-208
mention 10
Calumet River 163
Calvinism 205
Calvary Station, Evanston, 111 103, 104, 105
Cambridge, Mass 87
Campbell, Charles B .—member committee ... 11
Campbell Count v, Tenn 331
Campbell, James A: Co.— publishers in Chicago
111., 1845 134
Campbell, Thompson— Secretary of State of
Illinois 224
Camp Jackson. Mo., capture of. Mav 10, 1861.. 89
Camp Yates, Springfield, 111.— foot note 242
Canada— Correspondence General, 1732, Vol.
CLVII— quoted 253
earthquakes in 1663 288
footnote 292
mention 164. 201, 258, 305, 336
Quebec, Act of 1774 261
Canadian Line— fugitive slaves escape across. . 200
Canadians— foot note 275
mention 273, 275, 276, 2S0
Canals— see Cairo City and Canal Co., also,
Illinois and Michigan canal, etc -.
( ■anandak-ua . X • Y 48
Candler. Allen P. --compiler of a genealogical
hook 20
Canfield, tCaptaini Fro,' ; 106
Canteen Creek Church, Madison County, 111.
—"The Baptized Church of Christ, Friends
to Humanitv." Xow Bethel Baptist Church
' 75, 76
see Bethel Church
Canton, 111 155 , 157
Cap des Cinq Homines i Five Men Cape) .283, 2S4
Cape a la Cruche 277, 280, 284
Cape Cod, Ma-., Hisiorv of— bv F. Freeman
-mention . 20
Cape Girardot 277, 281, 284, 287
Capen, Charles L. — member committee 10
Capps, Joseph— opposed to slavery— foot note 192
Caracas— Court of Arbitration at— reference to 231
Carbondale, 111 5, 9, 10
Carlin, ( Gov. i Thomas 221
Carlinville, 111 10
Carmi, 111 10
Carnev, John— earlv settler of Chicago, 111.... 104
Car
eof..
. 284
—member 10th General
A.-emlilv. Suite of Illinois, 1836-1837 2
Carpenter.' Richard V.— member of nomina-
ting committee, Illinois State Historical
Society
Carpenter. Richard V— mention 7,
(in. Hon. Clark E.— First Vice President
report on celebration of the Lincoln-
Pouglas debates
Carriel, (Mrs.) Mary Turner— member com-
mittee
Carroll County, 111 1
Carroll, B. R.— compiled genealogical book...
Carter, Clarence E— edits the pamphlet,
Invitation Serieuse aux Habitants des T 111-
. nois; by un Habitant des Kaskaskia— refer-
ence to" 2
Carter, Rol >ert —publisher
Carter, William C— abolitionist, his work for
the underground railway 2
connection with the attempted abduction
of slave nurse girl in Jaekson-
Page.
Carter, Mrs. W. C— broadside in possession
of, concerning resolutions adopted by the
citizens of Jacksonville on the abduction of
the slave nurse girl— foot note 201
letter to Chas. H. Rammelkamp, Jan. 17,
1908, in reference to the term "Abolition
College"— foot note 203
Underground Railway, Paper on— before
the Morgan County Historical Societv —
reference to— foot note ... 201
Carthage, 111., Gazette (newspaper)...
10
Republic; ■■ (newspaper) 153,
Cartwright, Peier— pioneer Methodist Preach-
er of Illinois, anecdote concerning. . . . 154, 155
Casey. Zadoc 128, 336
Cash Creek 272, 277
Cash Island 272 , 277
Cash River 301 , 306, 310
Cass, Lewis 162
■ • Catherine Gordon ' ' — Xom-de-plume of Sarah
Rumsev 137
Catholic Church in Colonial Pays, Shea, X. Y.
1886. quoted— foot note '. 233 , 234
Cat holic Church— mention 132 , 267
Caton (Judge) John Dean 51
Cattle 110, 225, 239, 301, 307, 336
Cave-in-Rock, Hardin county, 111. on Ohio
river, early description of 306, 307
Chambering M. II.— chairman legislative com-
mittee, Illinois State Historical Society 10
member of board of directors, Illinois State
Historical Society
..9, 10
Chamberlin, Thomas Crowder— in Am
Anthropologist, vol. 2, quoted 120
Champaign count v, 111 171
( 'hampaiun. 111. . ." 11
Champla'in, X. Y 46
Champlain, Samuel de— French explorer 258
Chandler, (Senator) Zachariah. of Michigan-
foot note 242
Charleston, 111 6
Charleston, S. C— mention 20
Charleston, S. C— National Democratic Con-
vention of I860, held in 59, 71
Charlevoix, (Father) Francois Xavier de-
French explorer 123
Charpon Islands 277, 278, 284
Chase, (Rev.) Philander— pioneer Episcopa-
lian Bishop of the Mississippi Valley, writ-
ings of 130
Chase. Salmon Portland— Chief Justice U. S.
Supreme Court. Born at Cornish, X. H.,
Jan. 13, 1808. Died May 7, 1873 25, 64
Chatham, Ontario 138
Chattanooga, Tenn 94, 97
Chawanon Indians 281
Chenev, Jonathan 335
Cheney. Owen T 335
Cheney's Grove. McLean county. Ill 186
Chester, Conn. 19
Cheyenne Indians 120
Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad 112
and Northwestern Railroad 112, 143. 144
••As It "Was and Is", address before the
Illinois State Historical Societv, 1908, by
Edwin o . i ; ale 140-144
Bar Association 330
Beaubien, Medore, early trustees of Chica-
go 141
Confederate dead, proposed monument to,
in Chicago, reference to 100
Daily Democrat, Dec. 24, 1S49, reference to,
foot note 176
Paily Pemocrat.Jan. 11, 1S51, reference to,
foot note 180
Deep Water Way project, benefit to 143
345
Index — Continued.
Chicago— Concluded.
Page .
quoted.
early railroads in Chicago 143, 144
early taverns or "hotels" near 104
183:2, Epoch in the history of 101
first line of steamers between Buffalo and
Grand Pacific Hotel in 109
Greatest Railroad Center in the World.
By t he .tat isties of Dec-. :si, 1902 144
Heights, 111 , 327
Historical Society, mention 83
Semi-Centennial celebration of 12 , 13
incorporated as a city in 1837, population
of..
. 105
Junior Lyceum of, reference to 135
Kimberly, (Dr.) E. S., early trustee of
Chicago 141
Legal News 330
list of early settlers of. . . 104
Lost Maramech and Earliest Chicago, by
J. F. Steward, quoted '. 253
mention 5,
9, 10, 11, 31, 32, 39, 42, 48, 51, 56,
100-106. 108-112. 133, 134, 135, 138, 140,
145, 163, 164, 172, 325, 327, 329, 332
foot note 242
Miller. John, early t rustee of ( liieago 141
Mission of Chicago, in the •• Illinois Count-
ry 234, 230
Chicago's North Shore, address before the
Illinois State Historical Society. 1908, by J.
Seymour Currey 101-113
North Shore, "Modern Period," of... 108-113
North Shore, "Pioneer Period" 101-108
"North Shore," region bordering the
shore of Lake Michigan to the north of
Chicago 103
Organization of the town of 141
Owen, J. V., early trustee of Chicago 141
Peter Pruvne A Co.'s Drug Store, 1833 141
population of in 1835 102
population of in 1850 106
portage 251
Press and Tribune ( newspaper) 43
Press Club 330
river 101, 102, 103, 142, 300, 310
sale of lots in lvio, valuation of, etc 142
saleof canal lots in 1907, valuation of, etc. . 142
Stock Yards of Chicago 143 , 144
Strange Early Days in Chicago, by Har-
riet Martineau, reference to 129
Times (newspaper) 160
Tribune, June 23, 1895, quoted on the
Lincoln-Conkling letter 240-247
foot note 240
water supply 142 , 143
Chicagou i Chicago) Indian form of the word
Chicago 286
Chickago i Chicago) 293
Chickasaw Bayou, battle of 93
Chickasaw Indians 283
Chippewa Indians- mention 122, 190, 191
Thunderbird 119
Christ Church, Middlesex county, Va.— par-
ish register 21
Churches. Baptist chun-hc in 111. (early) 74
Baptist Churches in 111,, early history of,
contained in the "Lemen Family
Churches— Concluded. Page.
N. Y., 1S86, quoted, foot notes 233, 234
mention 132, 267, 305
Christ Clinic! i, Middlesex count v, Va 21
Congregational (First i of St. Louis 196
Methodist Church, 111. conference of 1856,
reference to 154
Methodist Episcopal church 109, 337
Methodist < FitM >, Mt. Vernon, 111 337
Methodist Church i First ), I'eoria, 111 204
Methodist Churches in Illinois, early his-
tory of, contained in the Lemen family
notes S2
Midway Church, Georgia 20
Mormon Church 131
Presbyterian Church, Alton, 111 99
Presbyterian Church of Illinois, State
Synod at Springfield, 111., reference to.. 197
Presbyterian i Second i of I'eoria, 111 206
Presbyterian ( hurehof Kentucky, history
of 20
Presbyterian Church, Monmouth, 111 333
Presbyterian Church, Sterling, 111.... 323, 325'
Richland Creek ( 'hurc-h 75
Roman Catholic Church 132. 167, 305
Saint Peters, New Kent county, Va., par-
ish register ' 21
Churchill. George 168
Cicero, — orations of preserved, reference to 33
Cincinnati, Ohio— commercial bank of 311
Civil Government in the Illinois Country-
efforts to establish 261
Civil War 44, 45, 48, 85, 90,
95, 112, 154, 156, 157. 171, 172, 196,215. 330
Clan MacXeil, called the " Lords of the Isles,"
Clark, A. S., of Peekskill, N. Y— collector of
Lincolniana 46
Clark, George. Rogers— mention 129, 271
monument to, at Fort Massac 13 , 14
monument to be erected to, by the State
of Illinois at Quincy, 111 14
Clark, Luella- teacher arid writer 135
Clarke,Henrv— early settler of Chicago, 111.104, 109
Clarke, South Dakota 324
Clay, Henry— Abraham Lincoln, a follower of,
writes funeral oration on, reference to 26, 28
candidate and idol of the Whig party,
1832 49-50
compromise measures of 1850 55, 56, 227
one of the illustrious triumvirate U. S.
Senate 56
known as "The Great Pacificator" 55
Lincoln's Eulogy on, reference to 26, 28
mention 49,
51, 52, 57, 63, 87, 131, 162, 165, 169
quoted on evils of slavery 68
Clayton, (.Senator) John Middleton, of Dela-
ware 55 , 169
Clendenin, H. W— chairman nominating
. committee, Illinois State Historical Society. 3,5
mention 11
Cleveland, Grover— president U. S 98
Cleveland, Ohio : . . 330
Cliff Dwellers of Arizona and New Mexico 121
Clinton Hill, 111 126
Clinton, J. W— member of board of directors,
Illinois State Historical Society 5
mention 4, 8, 9,10
Cloud, Newton— member loth General Assem-
bly, State of Illinois., 18.36-1837 219
Clybourn, Archibald— supplied Chicago in
early days with meat 144
Coal Mines- in the Illinois territory 304-305
Cobb, Howell— member H. R., U. S. 28th
Congress 52
statesman of Georgia 162
346
Index — Continued.
Page.
Cobbett, William 124
Codding, Ichabod an Abolitionist 35
leader of the Free-Soilers, in Illinois, op-
posed to the Nebraska bill 29
Codding— Lovejoy convention, 1854, Spring-
field, 111., resolutions at , genuine and bogus 36
Cohokia Branch of the Illinois Indians— re-
erence to 253
see Cahokia.
Colbv, Myra— later Mvra Bradwell, wife of
James B. Bradwell 329
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor— English poet, critic 62
Coles county, 111 6, 171
Coles, (Gov.) Edward 168
Coles, (Gov.) Edward— quoted on proposed
canals in Illinois 174
Coleman, J. A— Abolitionist, student in Illi-
nois College 200
connection with the attempted abduction
of the slave muse girl in Jacksonville 201
Coleman Post, G. A. R 336, 337
Colfax, Schuvler of Indiana -foot note 242
Collins, Frederick-candidate for U. S. Con-
gress, defeated bv Major John T. Stuart 223
Collins, ( Prof.) J. H — member committee 11
Collins, Wm. H— chairman Lincoln-Douglas
debate celebration, Quiney, 111 6
Collins, (Hon.) Wm. II— member of board of
directors, Illinois State Historical Society.. 5
mention 7, 11
Collinsville, Madison county. Ill 75, 78, 79
Collot, Victor -traveler and author— Governor
of Guadeloupe 269
journey in North America, reprint of part
of English edition of 1S26 269-298
Coloma, California— Jim Marshall discovers
gold at Coloma, Cal., Jan. 4, 1848 227
Colonial Documents, State of New York—
' quoted 251
Colonial Reprints Club of Colonial Reprints
of Providence, R. I— reference to 261
Colonial Wars— society of 100
Colonie du Sieur de LaSalle 251
Colorado, State of 97, 100
Colton's Hall at Monterey, California 227.
Columbus, Ohio 21, 160, 161
Colvin, James B- first postmaster of Evans-
ton, 111 109
Colvin, Philo— early settler of Chicago, 111 104
Comanche Indians 121
"Compromise Measures of 1S50," introduced
intheU.S. Senate by Henry Clay. ..55, 56, 227
Co mstock Mines, Nevada reference to 229
Conclin, George -publisher of book entitled,
"Great Indian Chief of the. West," or "Life
of Black Hawk," pub. 1848— reference to. . . . 129
Concord, Mass 85
Confederate Dead— proposed monument to,
in Chicago— reference to 100
Congres des Amerieanistes - by Abbe Gosselin
—quoted— foot notes 234-236
Congressional Globe (1886)— foot note 243
reference to 26
Conkling, (Hon.) James C— biographical
sketch of— foot note 247
candidate for presidential elector 1860, 1864 244
chairman of the committee of arrange-
ments, mass meeting, Springfield, Sept.
3, 1863 242, 244
letter of Abraham Lincoln to, dated War
Dept., Washington, D. C, Aug. 27, 1863,
foot note 242
Lincoln-Conkling letter, read before a
Union Mass Meeting a1 Springfield, 111.,
Sept. 3, 1863— an explanation of Lin-
coln's famous epistle. Contribution to
State hisl orv, by Paul Selby 240-250
Lincoln's famous letter, full text of the
document written to James C. Conkling,
Aug. 26, 1863 248-250
Conkling, (Hon. James C— Concluded. Page.
mention 242, 243, 244, 245, 246,
247, 24,8— footnote 247
member of the Republican State Central
Committee 244
Connecticut State— first census of, 1790 21
Historical Society 19
mention 19, 126, 211, 309
Constantinople, Turkey 97
Constitution of the United States 72
foot note 37
Constitutional Convention, State of Illinois,
1818— held at Kaskaskia, counties represen-
ted at, etc 165-167
mention 76, 81
provisions of the constitution 166, 167
Cook, Burton C— Anti Nebraska democrat,
Illinois State Senator 39
mention 42
Refuses in Illinois Legislature to endorse
the measure of Congress on the Nebraska
bill..
■oteon the I'.S. Senatorship, 1S55 39
Cook county, 111.— Judge James B. Bradwell
styled "The Sweet Singer of Cook County." 330
northern limits of 105
organization of 141
previous to 1831, included Cook, DuPage,
Will, Lake and McIIenry counties 141
Cook, Daniel Pope— Cook county, 111., named
after 163
mention 50, 168
Cooley, Lyman E— authority on canal con-
struction 143
Cooley, (Judge) Thomas— authority on con-
st it iit ional law 86
Coon, Charles R 17
Cooper Institute— speech of Abraham Lincoln,
reference to 43
Copper— in t he I II i noi - Territ ory 263 , 304
Copper Mine Creek Tributary, Kaskaskia
Creek 300
"Copperheads"— Illinois swarms with 303
Corinth, Miss.— capture of 92
Corwin, Thomas— U. S. Senator from Ohio .. . 55
Corn— foot note 173
mention 124, 172, 235, 239, 308, 313
Cornwallis, Lord Charles— surrender of, at
Yorktown, reference to 85, 331
Cosme(St.)— cousin of St. Cosme de 236
Cosme, M. de St. (Rev. J. F. Buisson)— ex-
tract from a letter of, to Mgr. de Laval dated
Tamarois, March, 1700 236
Cotswold shoe]) from Canada 336
Cotteau, Ida— compiler of the poems of Sarah
Lett Cotteau 138
Cotteau, Sarah Lett— early Illinois writer of
poetry, ext ract s from poems of 138
Cottet , Jules— member of the Icarian commun-
ity in Illinois 131
Cotton 301, 308, 310
Cotton, Jane Baldwin— compiler of genealogi-
cal book 20
Coulter, (Dr.) A. P.— member Illinois State
Historical Society, deceased 12
Courcy Islands 277, 278, 279, 284
Covenanters, religious sect in Randolph
County, 111. -petition of to constitu-
tional 'Convention of Illinois, 1818 167
Cox (Mr.) 160
Cox, Elizabeth Catherine 333
Cox, Sallie M 331
( 'ovote Springs, Nevada 231
Craig, (Judge) A. M 204
Crain, Charles— among the number of gold
seekersto California, 1S50 107
early settler of Chicago, 111 104
Crain, Erwin— among the number of gold
seekers to California, 1850 107
Crain, Leander— among the number of gold
seekers to California, 1850 107
347
Index — Continued.
Page.
Crain, Orson — among the number of gold
seekers to California, 1S50 107
Crain, Ozro— among the number of gold seek-
ers to California. Mil, lv',0 106, 107
early settler of Chicago, 111 104
Crains, from Evanston— successful in Califor-
nia, 1S50 venture 10s
Cravath, (Mrs.) R. B 322
Crawford, A. W— member commit fee 10
Crawford county, 111 165
Crawford, M. C. 11
Crawford , William Harris 49
Cree Indians— of the Canadian Northwest 122
Creoles— name applied in derision by the
Europeans to the early inhabitants of Kas-
kaskia 265
Crittenden, John J, — U. S. Senator from Ken-
tucky 51, 55 ,69
Crow Meadow River 300
Crowder, Thomas J 5
Crozier, William Armstrong, F. R. S — editor
tienealodcal book 21
Crum, J. M.— Mayor of Alton, foot note 19S
Crystal Palace 132
Cullom, Richard X member 10th General
Assembly State of Illinois, 1S36-37 219
mention 39, 221, 224
Cullom, Shelby M.— foot note 242
Cullom, (Senator) Shelby M 324
Culpeper, Va - 21
Culpeper county, Va 21
Cumberland count?, Penn 204
Cumberland River 92, 94, 272, 274, 275
Cunningham, J. O— member of board of
directors, Illinois State Historical Society.. 5
Currey, J. Seymour— Chicago's North Shore,
address before Illinois , tate Historical So-
ciety, 1908, by 101-113
Currey, J. Seymour— mention 10.
Curtiss, Daniel S— Western Portraiture, re-
ference to 130
dishing, Caleb 71
Dairymen's Association, Illinois State
I >akota, State 120, 1
Dakotas (The]- Sioux Indians of 1
Dallas, Oeorge M.— President U. S. Senate...
Dana, Charles A 1
Daniels— publisher of a book on the death of
Joseph ami Hiram Smith, reference to 1
Danville, 111 11,1
Darrah, (Miss) Elizabeth— wife of Lewis
Baldwin Parsons !
Davidson and Stuve History of Illinois— quo-
ted— foot note 1
Davidson, James M.— editor of the Carthage
Republican 1,
editor of the Lewistown Gazette, the Ful-
ton County Democrat and the Carthage
Republican 1,
Davidson, (Rev.) Robert, D. D.— history of
the Presbyterian church in Kentucky, by. . :
Davidson, Sarah Ann 1,
Davidson, William T— editor and proprietor
of the Fulton Democrat from 1S58 to date.. 1,
"Famous Men I Have Known in the Mili-
tary Tract," addles before the Illinois
State Historical Society, l'.ios, by..l53-li
Davidson's "Unnamed Wisconsin"— quoted 2,
Davion, (Rev.) Anthony Priest of Missions
Etrangeres, sent to the Illinois Country 2'.
Davis, Charles Stanley, M. D— history of
Wallingford, Conn, from its settlement in
1670to the present time, pub. Meriden, Conn
1870
Page.
, 90, 206
Da\
I Pr
3,lM).s,inthal part of ChrLtian. now in Todd
county, Ky. Died at New Orleans, Dee. 6,
V . S. Senator from MLd-sjppj..
Davis, J. MeCan
Davis, William T- Ancient land marks of
' Plymouth. Boston lsv,
Dawson, ( ieoi'Lr E
Dawson, John' Wells
Dawson, Maria
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, William Lewis— U. S. Senator from
New Jersey 55
Decatur, 111.— mention 10, 151,
Northern Cross R. R. Quincv via Jack-
sonville, Springfield and Decatur to the
Decatur, Stephen -naval hero United States..
Declaration of Independence
I >ed ham, Mass
Deer s9, 115 124
D 'Iberville
DeKalb county, 111— foot note
mention
DeLaneey, Edward Floyd -editor history of
New York during the Revolution, pub. 1879.
Delaware Indians
I Delaware, < >hio
Delaware, state of 55,
DeLery— quoted a- to location of the "Fort of
the Rock" 257-
DeLery— map of the Illinois country .255.256,
DeLery— (Map-Maker), Military engineer at
Quebec ' 256,
DeLery— quoted on the attack of the Illinois
by the Foxes, location of the "Fort"
I )eini Lake
Demi t^uain Lake 297
Demi-Quain River 297, 29s, 300,
I let ni-(,i nain Swamp
Democratic National Convention of 1S52,
Stephen A. Douglas formidable candidate
for the presidency in
Democratic Party— mention . 39 . 5s ,64 . 158,195,
Stephen A. Douglas leader in
Democratic-Republican progenitor of the
Jackson Democracy
Democrats
..28, 87, 153, 159, 221, 222, 223, 226, 228,
Demost henes Creek orator
Deneen, (Coy.) Charles S— recommends to
the State Legislature appointment ofacom-
mission to arrange for celebration of the one
hundredth aniversary of birth of Abraham
Lincoln
Detinie — •' Portfolio" (Periodical) established
Dennis, James among the gold seekers to
California. ls..()
Dennis, 'William- picture of the Piasa, made
De 'Xoyelle.Sr. de, xu Noyelle -in command
of the French on the Wabash
officer at Ft . Chartres
Denver, Colo
I >epage Lake
I lepew, ( hailllcey M
Dcs Plaines, 111...
Dosplaines River
hesplaines River Valley
Detroit Citv, Mich.....'
Detroit Fort
General Hull in command of the American
forces at
mention 163 ,
it:
20
348
Index — Continued.
Detroit— Concluded. Page.
Detroit river 271
.i.'L'c of Detroit, reference to 190
De Yilliers, set Villiers— French commandant
in Indian wars 189, 256, 257
Devil's oven fifteen 'idles below the mouth
of the Au Vase river 307
Dewey, (Dr.) Grace— member committee 11
Dickens, Charles— ''American Notes"— refer-
ence to 130
visit to Illinois in 1842, reference to... .130, 131
Dickey, Theophilus Lyle 28
Dickinson, i -Senator i Daniel Stevens, of New •
York-foot note 242
Dilg, Charles A.— member Illinois state His-
torical Societv, deceased 12
Dinnies, Anna "P.— contributor to the Illinois
Monthly Magazine 134
District of Columbia— attempts to abolish
slavervin 68
foot note 37
mention 34, 65, 67, 68
Dix, John Adams— U. S. Senator from New
York 55
DLxon, (U. S. Senator i Archibald— amend-
ment to the Missouri Compromise bill, refer-
ence to - 27
Doak, D. P.— President of the Pan-American
Railwav of Klamot h Falls, Oregon 327
Doak, (Mrs.) Fredia 327
Dog's Meadow— (Prairie du Chien) 286, 287
Doner tv, Michael J— street commissioner of
Chicago, report of— reference to 142
"Dolphin (Thei— (Small schooner) 103
Donaldson, (Col.) James Lowry 126
Doolittle, (Senator) James Rood, of Wisconsin
—foot note 242
Doty, (Gov.) James D.— Second Territorial
Governor of Wisconsin (1S41-1S44). Born
in Salem. Washington county, New York
in 1799. Died in Salt Lake city, Utah, June
13, 1865 165
Douav, Anastasius.Mecollei Missionary, His-
torian—connected with La.Salle's expedition
1684rl688 114, Ho, 116
Dougherty, (Col.) John 221, 242
member 10th General Assembly State of
Illinois, 1836-1837 219
Douglas, Stephen Arnold— Born at Brandon,
Rutland county, Vermont, April 23, 1813.
Died at Chicago, 111., June 3, 1861
proposal for joint debate with
Abraham Lincoln 60
address on, before Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908. by Adlai E. Steven-
son 48-73
anxious to secure the re-election of James
Shields to the U. S. Senate, 1855 38
Attv-iieneral, State of Illinois 50
bill in Congress to organize the territory
of Nebraska ' 26-27
biographical sketch of 48
Bloomington speech. July 16, 1858, quoted 69
Buchanan's opposition to the re-election
of Douglas to the U. S. Senate 58-59
career in Illinois to the year, 1S54 29-30
career in U . S . Congress 29 , 52-59 , 64
chairman committee on Territories U. S.
Senate 55,57
contest with John T. Stuart for member
V. S.H. R 50-51, 223
debates with Lincoln. ls5S, reference to..
25. 64-74. 154. 155
earned the title of "Little Giant" 29
James G. Blaine, quoted on 62
Judge of the Circuit and Supreme Courts,
State of Illinois 51
"Kansas-Nebraska Bill," reported by,
provisions of , etc 57-58
last speech before the Illinois Legislature. 72
Douglas, Stephen Arnold— Concluded. Page.
letter to Follett and Foster, publishers of
the first volume of the Lincoln-Douglas
debates 160-161
letter to Sidney Breese in Springfield
Daily Register, Jan. 20, 1851, reference
>,foot n
. 180
letters to Rev. James Lemen, Jr., reference
tO 78. ,y
Lincoln-Douglas debates. ..25, 64-, 4, 154.155
member II. R., loth General Assembly,
State of Illinois, 1^6-1837 50, 51, 219
mention 7, 25. 33, 34, 39,
43,48-73,75, 77, 78, 79, 153, 157, 158,
159, 160, 161, 175, 180, 181, 224. 229.240
Missouri Compromise, congressional re-
cord on 26-27
monument to, in Chicago, reference to 56
presidential candidate." 71-72
quoted on, The Jeflerson-Lemen Anti-
Slavery Pact 79-80
reputation of, at the time of the Lincoln-
Douglas debates 63-64
rival of Abraham Lincoln for the hand of
Mary Todd 30
Secretary of -State of Illinois 29, 51
speech in Chicago, Sept. 1, 1854, in defense
of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
reception of 31
speech at Princeton, 111., Oct. 18, 1854, ref-
erence to 37
speeches in Chicago and Springfield in
defense of the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise, extracts from 31
LT. S. Senator 54-55
vindication of Cen. Jackson 52-53
work in behalf of the Illinois Central R. R.,
U. S. Senate 56
work to secure the repeal of the Great
Western R. R. charter 179
Drake, Benjamin "Life and Adventures of
Black Hawk, " by— reference to 129
Dred Scott Case 69
Dred Scott Decision— reference to 61 , 67
Driver, Jas R 337
Drown, DeWitt S.— Record and historical
view of Peoria, other works of, reference to. 130
Dubois, Jesse K— member 10th General As-
sembly, State of Illinois, 1836-1837 219
Dubuque, Iowa 56
Duchat River 302
Duncan, (Gov.) Joseph 166, 210
Dung Islands i Isles a la Merde) 277, 283, 284
Dunkle, D. D 334
DuPage countv, 111 141 , 164
DuPage Liver 163
Durri
DuS
. 21
. 261
Dutchman's Point 104
Du Vender Island 282
Du Vender Islands 277
Duxbury, Mass.— history of 20
Eagles 115, 116, 121, 122
"Early Engagements"— title of book by Mrs.
Sarah Marshall Harden, reference to 130
Early Illinois Railroads— The place of the
the Illinois Central Railroad in Illinois his-
tory prior to the Civil War. Address before
the' Illinois Stale Historical Society, 1908,
liv Howard G. Bronson, Ph. D 171-183
Earnest invitation to the inhabitants of Illi-
nois.—By an inhabitant of Kaskaskia. Tran-
slated with introduction by Lvdia Marie
Brauer .' 261-268
Earthquakes— in Canada in 1663, reference to. 2S8
349
Index — Continued.
Page.
East St. Louis, 111 11
East Indies, Arrack— made from a tree in 266
Eaton, John H 162
Eddy, Henry— newspaper editor 168
Edgar, John Edgar county. 111. named for. . . 163
Education and Educational Institutions—
Andover Tin 'illogical Seminary 195
Chicago Hoard of Education 327
Ferry Hall. Lake Forest, 111 112
Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston, 111.
11(1. Ill
Illinois College and the Anti-Slavery
Movement, address before the Illinois
State Historical Society, 1908, by Chas.
H . Rammelkamp 192-203
Illinois College. Jacksonville, 111., mention 156
Illinois Country, education urged for the
young people of 26S
Indiana State University 321
Junior Lyceum of Chicago 135
Knox College. Calesburg, 111 6
Lake Forest College 112
Lake Forest Universit y 112
Lament Seminary in Cook county, 111 135
Laval Universitv, Quebec, foot note 235
McKendree College. Lebanon, 111. .5, 136, 137
Marshall College, Men-orbing, I'enn 204
Middlebury College, Connecticut 195
Northwestern Female College at Evan-
,111..
Northwestern University, Evanston, 111.,
organization of, etc 109-110, 1
Pennsylvania State College, State College,
Pa
Princeton College— foot note 2
Quebec Seminary 233, 2
Rock Spring Seminary 1
St. Louis LTniverslty .' 1
''Sanders Reader", reference to 1
Southern Illinois Normal University,
Carbondale, 111
Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky
132, 2
University of Illinois 5,
foot note 1
West Point, U.S. Military Academy 2
Yale College, New Haven" Conn *
135
Edwards, Annie E 3
Edwards, i Dr. ) Benjamin F
Edwards county, 111 1
Edwards, Cyrus- mention 128, 2
Senator loth General Assembly, State of
Illinois, 1836-1837 2
Edwards, Elijah Evan early educator and
writer in Illinois II
Edwards, (Mrs.) Emma XV 3:
Edwards, Xinian- Chief Justice of the Court
of Appeals in Kentucky 1
Governor of the State of Illinois I
mention 88, 168, 2
Territorial Governor of Illinois 1
Edwards, Xinian Wirt --member 10th General
Assembly, State of Illinois, I.s36-ls37 50, 2
reception at the home of, for members of
the Legislature, 1855— reference to
Ed wan Is, Sarah (.. daughter of Dr. Hen jam in
F. Edwards i
Edwardsville, 111. --establishment of State
bank at li
mention 168, 3(
"Spectator," (newspaper), Hooper War-
ren, editor of 131 , i;
Eel River 2
Elk Eland..... 277. 278, 2:
Ellis, J.T :■;:
Ellis, Perry, of Quincy, 111
Ellsworth, (Hon.) H. L.
Cultivation of the Prairi
Egypt— " Exodus of the J(
Page.
r on the
Emancipation Procla
matio
n, Jan. 1, 1863—
Emancipation Procla
natio,
— reference to
44. 245.
Embarras River (or River of Embarrassment ) 301
Emerson, Benjamin— among the Evanston
party of gold seekers to California, 1X50 107
early settler of Chicago 104 , 108
Emerson, William Dana— early poet of Illinois 135
Emery, Enoch — editor of the Peoria Tran-
script 159
Emigrating Societies Unsuccessful in the
Western Country , causes of 312-313
Emigration, (reprint)- by James Hall— taken
from Illinois Monthh Magazine, Vol. 1,
1831 311-316
Empire State, XTew York 162
England, Country of— foot note 173
England — James Buchanan, Minister to Eng-
land 5S
mention »
52,85,125,129,136,140, 153, ISO, 267,293, 312
English Army 331
English, (Wm. H.) — amendment to bill in
LT . S . Congress 59
English capitalists furnish money for the
Cairo City and Canal Company 177
hunters 189
Islands, called by Canadians, Great
Courcy Islands 279, 280
Islands— mention 277, 280, 284
map makers — reference to 252
writers 95
Englishmen, Emigration of— to the Illinois M
Country 124
Epler, William— quoted on James Harvey
Ralston 230
Erabliere River 302
Ernst, Ferdinand -observations Made upon
a Journey Through the Interior of the
United States of America in the Year 1819,
by— reference to 126
Eschmann, (Rev.) C. J.— member of Board of
Directors, Illinois State Historical Society.. 5
Eskimo Indians central tribes 122
"Establishment (The) of the Tamarois Mis-
sion"— contribution to State history — by
Edward Joseph Fortier .233-239
Ethnological Reports of the LTnited States,
Vols. 10, 14, 17, 18— quoted 121
Ethnological Report, United States— Vol. 10,
quoted 117
Etnataek— Indian fortification near the Kicka-
poo Village on the Sangamo 190
Etrangeres, Missions of— at Paris 234
Euphrates River 145
Euphrates Valley 145
Eureka, 111 10
Europe— mention
97, 107, 146, lso, 239, 262, 263, 295
European Blacksmit hing 188
European capitalists refuse further invest -
n lllm
see Laws of Illinois, Mai
—foot note
European Governments . .
European Settlements oi
River— by ('apt. Philip I
" London, f~"
-quoted
Ei
rope
350
Index — Continued.
"Evangeline"- nom-do-plume of Sarah Rum-
sey 137
Evans, (Dr.) John— Evanston, 111., named in
honor of . : 109
President Board of Trustees, North-
western University 109
Evanston, 111— Buckeye Hotel in 107
Calvary Station 103, 104, 105
first postmaster of, James B. Colvin 109
Garrett Biblical Institute located at. .110, 111
Life Saving Station established at, in 1877 106
list of early settlers of 104
list of gold seekers from, to California in
April, 1850 106-107
mention 10 , 135
named in honor of Dr. John Evans 109
Ridge ave. in— reference to 103
Everett, Edward, of Massachusetts -foot note 242
Everett, Ed wan 1 ( nephew of t he distinguished
Massachusetts statesman)— Chief Clerk to
Assistant Quartermaster General, Illinois
Volunteers, War with Mexico 225
quoted on ('apt . James H . Ralston 226
Ewing, William in charge of agricultural
establishment of the I'nited States in the
Illinois territory 308
Ewing, Wm. L. D — member House Represen-
atives, 10th General Assembly, State of Illi-
nois, 1836-1837 50, 219
mention 221
Excelsior Springs, Mo 333
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C 95
F
Fagg, (Judge) T. J. C, of Louisiana, Mo 203
foot note 203
letters of, to Charles II. Kammelkamp on
Illinois College and its anti-slavery in-
fluences— foot note 193
quoted on Illinois College and its anti-
slavery influence 193
Fairfield ,111 10, 321
Fairfield, Iowa 99
Falls of St. Anthony, Mississippi River.
False
Dai
. Mel
■ Mil
, 284
Fer
Payson Willis Barton
Farrall, A. S
"Father of Waters" (M
Faux, W.- English wri
Fearon, Henry Bradshi
ica, published in 1819
Ferguson, George Cali
from Waukojan, 111.
16, 1MI6; died in Bo
. 1869
Ficklin, Orlando B.-
senatives, I'nited St
Fillmore, < Bres.) Mil
Aug. 3, 1808; died al his country residence,
Glen-Clyffe, Sept. 7, 1893
Fish, Hamilton— Concluded. Page.
member House Representatives, United
States 28th Congress 52
Fiske, John— historian 90
Flagg, Norman G 19
Flax 308
Flint, Micah B— Early poet of Illinois, poems
of — reference to 134
Flint, Timothy History and Geography of
the Mississippi Valley— reference to .... 129
mention 134
missionary and writer in the Illinois
country 126
Flora, 111 98, 99, 100
" Florence"— title of book by Mrs. Sarah
Marshall Harden reference to 130
Florida— acquired from Spain 71
mention 100, 147, 169, 288
Florissant, Mo 286, 294, 295
Flour 239
Flower Family— and their friends in England
donate books to the Albion, Illinois, library. 125
Flower, George — History of the English
Settlement, Edwards "Co., Illinois, Pub.
1882— reference to 125
Flower, Richard founder of the public library
at Albion, 111., in 1818 125
Fluent— anions the gold seekers to California,
1850 107
Follett, Foster and Co.— publishers of the first
edition of "The Lincoln- Douglas Debates,"
Douglas' letter to 160-161
Ford, (Gov.) Thomas— characteristics of, de-
scription of 224
early jurisl , State of Illinois 51, 224
historian of Illinois 12S
History of Illinois— quoted— foot notes..
History of Illinois reference to'. 130, 225
" Lemen Family Notes," used by 76
quoted on Flias Kent Kane 170
quoted on Judge Ralston's defeat for
United States Congress 223
quoted on the convention of 1824 168
quoted on the First Constitutional Con-
vention of Illinois 167
State Fund Commissioner 224
"Ford's Theatre," Washington, D. C 44
Forgotten Statesmen of Illinois- James Har-
vey Ralston— contribution to State history
—by Dr. J. F. Snyder 215-232
Forquer, George earlv Illinois statesman and
office holder '. 168
Fort Benton— head of navigation on the Mis-
souri river 92
Fort Charles begun by the French India Co,
Kon Chartres -completion of— reference' to!!! 238
ruin- of reference to! . . .'. '. ! ! 3(17
massacre. 1M2 ' reference to .!'.. .101 , 'l41,~ 163
mention 140
rebuilt in 1816 163
Fort Donelson , -apt lire of 92
Fort Cage 14
Fort Gibson 92
Fort Harrison 299, 302
Fort Henry - capture of 92
Fortier, Edward Joseph ■'The Establish-
ment of the Tamarois Mission," contribu-
tion to Stale history, by 233-239
Fort Laramie, Wyoming.'. 107
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 107
Fori Massac Collofs description of 275, 276
foot note 275
marking the site of, work of the Fort
Massac Commission 13
mention 272, 301, 307
Zebulon Bike in command at 276
351
Index — Continued.
Page.
Pa
GE.
Fort Massac Park— dedication of Monument
French People— national character — see foot
to George Rogers Clark at 13-14
Fort Massacre— Fort Massac so called by the
261
Americans
275
French Population in the Old Northwest
261
Fort Peoria
234
French Revolution
133
Fort St . Charles
286
French— take possession of the Illinois Coun-
Fort St. Louis, mow called Starved Ruck !.•_>. 11 ,
253
try in 1681
286
Fort Sheridan, Illinois
105
French Traders in the Illinois Country
251
Fort Sumpter
Foster, John— among the Evanston gold seek
72
French troops from the Kaskaskia "region —
reference to
190
ers to California in is.lt)
107
French Villages— in the Illinois Country
261
Foster, (Dr.) John H.— mention
109
on the Great Lakes
Foster, William- among the Evanston gold
seekers to California, ls.10
107
French wheat
230
earlv settler of ( 'hicago, 111
104
French writers
95
Fothergill, Gerald— list of emigrant mini-dors
Frey , Henry
332
to America 1690-1S11
21
"Friendship Offering"— by John Reynolds-
Fountain Green, Hancock count y, 111
331
reference to
128
Fox— among the gold seekers to California
Fugitive Slave Law reference to 55
, 68
1850
107
Fulton county, Ill.-bar, Hezekiah M. Wead
Fox. Dullield ,vt'n publishers. New York...
21
early member of
155
Fox Fort, (Fort of the Rock )- Do Lory's plan
Fulton county— Democrat i newspaper)
Fox Indian Fort— authorities quoted on the
160
location of 253-256
Ledger (newspaper)
organized by Col. Lewis W. Ross
158
Fox Indians— mention 116, 129,
188
1.16
lsy, 252, 253, 2.14. 2.1.1, 256, 2.17, 2.1s, Mils,
309
mention ..." 111.
1.16
Fox River- -mention 21s, 2.14. 293, 30(1,
301
Funk, (Hon.) George W
186
F.ix River (Riviere des Renards)
2.12
Fox River ( River of the Rock )
258
France— foot note
292
Literature of France- reference to
123
G
Louisiana acquired from
71
312
Gailield, Eli— among the gold seekers to
Thomas Jotferson envoy to
74
California, 1850
107
Franklin County, 111
165
earlv sett ler of Chicago, 111
104
Franklin-Turner Publishing Co., Atlanta, Ca.
20
Gage, (Hon.) Lyman S. secretary of the
United States Treasury. Mckinley admin-
Franquelin Map, I'M reference to
251
Fraternal Societies. KnMii Templar's ...231.
333
istration
Masons 231 333,
334
Gage, (Gen. Thomas commander of British
Freeman, Frederick Hi -lory of ( ape Cod . . . .
20
forces in America
Free man, Jon it ban iiom-de-plume of, Morris
Galbreath, George member of the loth Gen-
Birkbeck
125
eral Assembly, state of Illinois.
21 8
Freeport. 111. —Lincoln-Douglas debate at .36, 6
■-69
Galbreath, J . M
337
mention 5, 6, 7
Galhraith, Z. T
337
Freese, L.J
10
Gale, Edwin O. Chica-o As it Was. and Is—
Free-Soilers- mention 40,
229
an address before the Illinois State Histori-
Free Soilers or Republicans in Illinois— op-
cal Society, 1908, by I4i.
-144
posed to t he Nebraska bill
( ; alena A ( 'hicago Cnion R . R
143
195
Galena, 111. -Illinois Central R. R. from Cairo
vote for Martin Van Buren for president
to Galena..
149
Fremont Campaign of ls.1i; speech of Mr
mention68 °. . . .............. '. '. '. '. '. .51 '. '$?',
135
Lincoln at Galena, 111.— reference to— foot
note
244
plated, 1837
147
icorporate Illinois Central
1
member committee
Senator loth General
nois. L836-1837 : .219,
. S.— quoted
ud Illinois, 1823— by
352
Index — Continued.
Page.
General Assembly— State of Illinois— see Illi-
nois Legislature and General Assembly 166
•'General Pike"— first steamboat which as-
cended tbe Mississippi river above Cairo 163
Genet's Expedition— reference to 292
"George Mason, the Young Backwoodsman"
—by Timothy Flint— reference to 126
Georgia, State of 20, 26, 52, 94, 162
Gerhard, Fred— Illinois As It Is, 1S57— quoted 130
Germany, Country of 117, 312
Germany— emigrants from, to Illinois 174
foot note 173
German language , 46, 126
German Settlers of Chicago 105
German military writers approve United
States management of transportation during
Civil Wat 95
Gettysburg, Battle of— reference to 241
Gettysburg, Pa.— Lincoln's speech at— refer-
ence to 240
Gibault, (Rev.) Pierre— French priest at Kas-
kaskia and Cahokia 268
Gibeault, (Father) Pierre— see Gibault 268
Giddings, Joshua R— member House Repre-
sentatives, United States 2Sth Congress.... 52
Gillespie, Joseph— extract from a letter of
Abraham Lincoln to, dated Dec. 1, 1854 39
mention 221
personal friend of Abraham Lincoln 38
Girard, 111 10
Gleason, Don, ed — Dedham, Mass., church
records, 1635-1845 20
Glencoe, III 105
•'Glenns, The"— title of book by J. L. Mc-
Connel— reference to 132
Gloucester, England 85
Gloucester, Mass 103
Goedeking, H.— of Belleville, 111.— foot note.. 242
Goodrich, Grant 108, 109
' ' Gordon, Catherine ' '— nom-de plume of Sarah
Rumsey 137
Gosselin, M. L'Abbe Amedee — of the Laval
University, Quebec— foot note 235
Gosselin, M. Abbe Amedee— Congres des
Americanistes— quoted— foot notes. 234, 235, 236
Gothic Cathedral— room in Cave-in-Rock
compared to 306
Goudy, Robert— publishing house of, in
Jacksonville, 111 —reference to 128
Goudy, William C. able lawyer of Chicago.. 157
Grafton Press (The), N. Y 21
Graham, (Senator) Benjamin- nominates
James Shields for United States Senate. .
. 40
. 100
Grand Army Post in Flora, 111 100
Grand Pacific Hotel. Chicago, 111 109
Granger Agitation in Illinois reference to ... 171
Grant, (Gen.) Ulysses S— Eighteenth Presi-
dent United States 54
mention 85, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98
tribute in a farewell letter to Lewis B.
Gravier, (Father) Jacques— Jesuit priest. Born
at Moulins, France, May 17, 1651; died in
America. April 23, 1708 118, 233
Journal— quoted— foot note 238
letter from the Illinois Mission— quoted .233-234
letter, by Fat her Jacques Gravier in the
form of a Journal of the Mission of Im-
maculee Conception de Notre Dame in
the Illinois Country, Feb. 15, 1694—
quoted— .see foot note 233
quoted on Father Pinet at the Tamarois
Mi-
. 237
1 Illinois Mission, 11
Great Britain— famous proclamation of the
King of Great Britain. 1763 reference to. . . 261
mention 53 , 54 , 266, 267
Parliament of G reat Britain 267
second war with— reference to 163
Page.
Great Calumet River 270
Great Chain 270, 284
Great Chain Rapids 270
Great Chain of Rocks 280
Great Courcy Islands 279
Great Island" 272
Great Kickapoo Village (Old Town), McLean
county. Ill 184, 185
Great Lakes— French villages on— reference to 261
mention 122
Great Rapid 270
Great Spirit ( Manitou) 116
Great Western R. R. Co.— Senator Douglas'
work to repeal charter of 179
State of Illinois, history of 177-182
Greece, country of 133
< i reek language 46
Greeks— foot note 292
Greeley, Horace— America's greatest editor.. 159
quoted on, Abraham Lincoln's Cooper
Institute speech 43
Green Bay Road, Evanston, 111 104, 106
Green Bay, Wis 141, 293
Green, (Judge) E. B 321
Green, Raleigh Travers — compiled Genealogi-
cal and Historical Notes onCulpeper County
Virginia 21
Green, Reed 11
Greene county, 111 223
Greene, (Prof.) Evarts Boutell— Chairman
Publication Committee, Illinois State His-
torical Society 3,r9
editorial work of transactions Illinois State
Historical Society 15
•'Government of " Illinois"— quoted— see la*
foot note 173
member of Board of Directors, Illinois
State Historical Society 5
mention 9, 13
Greenfield, 111 200
Greenleaf, (Judge) Simon— head of the Har-
vard Law School 87
Greenup, William C— Secretary of the First
Constitutional Convention of Illinois 165
Gregg, Thomas— author and journalist, work
of 135
Gridle'y, (Senator) Asliael— introduces bill in
the Senate for an act to incorporate Illinois
Central R. R 182
Grimes, James Wilson — third Governor of
Iowa, (1854-1858). Born at Deering, Hills-
boro county, N. H., Oct. 20, 1816; died at
Burlington, Iowa, Feb. 7, 1872 25
Griswold, Rufus Wilmot— " Poets and Poetry
of America"— reference to 136
Grosscup, (Judge) Peter S 204
Gross Point 1— "Beauty's Eyebrow," ro-
Grosse Pointe mantic name given to 103
mention 104, 106
name given by the French Yoyageurs to
the north shore, Lake Michigan 103
name of postoflice, changed in April 26,
1S50, to Ridgeville 105
present name Evanston, III
Grow, Galusha Aaron- Congressman. Born
at Ashford, Windham county, Connecticut,
Grundy county. 111.— foot note 2
Guadeloupe Victor Colkn appointed Govern-
or of 2
Guardian Amrel Mission at Chicago— founded
by Father Pinet 2
Guesi , R. Albert
Guide for Emigrants— by (Dr.) John M. Peck
—reference to 1
Gulf of Mexico 288, 2
. 103
353
Index — Continued.
Page.
Hague Tribunal— Pious Fund Case, first case
tried before- reference to 231
Haida Indian- of Alaska and Queen Charlotte
Isle— tatooed with thunderbirds on each
hand 121
Haida Indians -mention 122
II due.. Elijah M. earlv resident of Wauke-
gan, II
pub)
18c
of a
of Lake
■y, in-,
Hale, John Pa
and Minister 1
county. New
died at Dovei
1873. . .
United Stat
i in. i
7 Hainp-
55
ill, James bioL-ra]. Ideal sketch of 311
earlv w.-i.Tii writer, works of 125
Emigration, Article on, taken from Illinois
Month'y Magazine, Vol. 1, 1831, re-
printed 311-316
publisher of the Illinois Monthly Maga-
.12.1
Hall, Junius— early lawyer of Edwardsville,
134
r W — Union General,
Hs
President United
Hamilton, 111 1
Hamilton, ( Major ) Isaac - foot note 2
Hampton, Benjamin— editor of -'The Macomb
By-Stander" 1
Hancock county, 111.— Mormon invasion —
reference to 2
Hancock, Mien.) Winfield S
Haney, (Rev.) Richard 1
Hardin, (Col.) John J— Colonel of the First
Illinois Volunteers, war with Mexico. Killed
at the Battleof Buena Vista, Feb. 27,1847.50, 2
home of, in Jacksonville, 111 1
member House Representatives 10th Gen-
eral Assembly , State of Illinois
member House" Representatives 12th Gen-
■ eral Assembly, State of Illinois 2:
member House Representatives, United
Whig leader .....V." .' .' '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '. Vi9, '
Hardin-. Frank \Y 3.
llarmonii. ~. New Harmony. Indiana 3
Harpe, Bernard de la - "Journal Historique,"
in Margry Vol. V- quoted— foot note 2.
Harper Bros, publishers, N. Y 20, 1;
Harper, C. P 3.
Harper's Ferry, Va 74, !
Harris, Thomas L.— candidate for Congress
against Richard Yates
Harrison, William Henry-
mention 57, 63, 75, 77, 83, 185, 186,2:
pro-slaver v demands before Congress 75,79,
Hart, Charles Henry ■
Ilartray, James— among the gold seekers to
California, 1850 H
early set t ler of ( 'hicago, 111 H
Harvard Law School
Harvey, Walker & Co. Book-tore earlv pub-
lishers of Belleville, 111. reference to. i:
Hathaway, Abraham among 1 he gold seeker.,
to California, 1850 H
early settler of Chicago, 111 H
Hawaiian language
Page.
Hay, John— biographer of President Lincoln. 128
"Secretary to President Lincoln 46
Hay, Logan' member committee 10
Havden. (Mrs.) Sarah Marshall author of the
first books written by an Illinois woman,
works of 130
Hayes, Rutherford B — President of the U.S. 98
Ha'yne, Robert V. - statesman of Smith Caro-
lina 32, 162
Haynie, (Gen . ) Isham N .—foot note 242
Hazzard— among the gold seekers to California,
1850 107
Head, Franklin H.— President Chicago His-
torical Society 13
Heath, Randolph— member Illinois Legisla-
ture, House Representatives, 1855 — did not
vote on United States Senatorship 39, 41
Hebbard's Wisconsin under French Dominion
—quoted 253
Hedding College. Abingdon, 111 332
Heinl, Frank J.— member Program Commit-
tee. Illinois State Historical Society 10
Helmer, Mr-.' Be.-je lira Iwell .laughter of
Judge i ones B Bradwell 330
Henians. Felicia Englishwoman, writer of
poetry 135
Hemp .' 301 , 308
Hendricks. Thomas Andrews— Vice President
United States. Born on a farm near Zanes-
ville.Ohio, Sept . 7, l.sl'.i; died Nov. 25, 1885.25,-169
Hennepin, (Father) Louis— Franciscan (Re-
collect) priest. Born Belgium about 1640:
died Utrecht, about 1720— French explorer;
companion and historian of LaSalE's expedi-
tion 114, 115, 116
historian of LaSalle's Expedition in the
Illinois Country— published in 1863— ref-
erence to -' 1-3
Hennepin— New Discovery of a Vast Country
in America— published in 1698— quoted 115
Henrotin, (Mrs.) Ellen M 17
'Hermitage"— home of Andrew Jackson,
near Nashville, Tenn 52, 53
Herndon, Archer G— mention 221
Senator 10th General Assembly, State of
Illinois, 1836-1837 219
Herndon, William H— an Abolitionist 35
Life of Lincoln — quoted - - - 43
Lincoln's law partner discussions with
Lincoln on politics, ls54 27-28
mention 203
student in Illinois College— quoted on its
ant i-slaver v influence 193
Herndon, W. H. A- J. W. Weik— Life of
Lincoln, Vol. 1— quoted— foot note 193
Hetton Coal Railway. 1*22 146
Hibbard, George Allen California adven-
turer, 1850 108
Hicklin, Martha— report on the ... > s
Colored Historical Society 4, 22
Highbee, (Judge Chaunce'v L. -mention.... 206
tribute to .... 15.8
Highland Creek 272
Highland Park. Chicago. HI 105, 110
Highwood, III -. 105
Hill! Arunali pioneer sei't'ler'of in ago"i03", 104
wife and eight children of. passengers on
the "Dolphin," 1836 - 103
Hill, Benjamin F.— among gold seekers to
California, 1S50 107
earh resident of Chicago, 111 104
Hill, Frederick Trevor— "Lincoln the Lawyer
—quotation from 28
Hill, Smith- among the gold seekers to Cali-
fornia, 1S50 107
Hillsboro.Ill 147
Hingham, Mass 134
-23 H S
?54
Index — Continued.
Page.
Page.
Hinman, (lark T— first president Xorth-
Illini Indian Confederacy— reference to
115
western CniversiH 109
Illini Legend- reference' to
12.
Hinman, R. X 337
Illini mention
US
Histoire de 1. Amerique Septentrionale 1722—
Piasa Bird great thunderbird or storm-
Historical Maun . npi - Commission— ilYinois "
tradition ".'.".'.""'."."'."."".'iiej
117
Stati Qi torical Library 9
liimoisan (The , (newspaper)
.'ill
Historical Sketches of Louisiana— published
lllinoi- and the \\ r.t by A. I). Jones— pub-
in 18(M by Maj. Aum- Stoddard— reference
lished in ls:-;s quoted on the- Piasa"
IK
to.. - _ 123
J. L.'McCoiinr! "reference io '. 13.'
Illinois' and .Mississippi' V'oinpan v 'Te'legr.ip'li
181
Hittell. John S .-History of San Francisco by
Co.i Cat on Lines reference to footnote.
242
-quoled-foot note 232
Hoar, Lucina 85
Hoare, Charles -of Gloucester, F.ngland So
182
Hoarc family of Massachusetts So
Hod-son, Adam 124
ci^t' Vefer'nce to "".":::::::".""::"
117
180
Hoffman, Charles Fenno-"A Winter in the
charter of, marks the" close oYthepolit'icai
West ' '—reference to 129
Hogs 304, 307, 336
1S3
Holbrook, Darius B.— New York speculator
Company, ineorporat ion of
and promoter— member of Board of Direc-
documents relating to organization -ref-
tors Illinois Central R. R ... .174, 175, 177, 181
erence to — foot note
182
president of the Cairo, City and Canal Co. 177
documents relating to the organization
Holbrook Companies- disliked in the State of
Illinois 179
Holbrook Company history of 17,-1X2
of — letter of Robert Rantoul — quoted —
see foot note
Early Illinois Railroads. The Placeofthe
i
Holland, John G — Life of Lincoln— quoted—
Illinois Central R. R. in Illinois History
foot note 242
Prior to the Civil War — address before
Holt, Joseph— Judge Advocate General of the
the Illinois State Historical Society, 190S
United States 90
— bv Howard G. Bronson, Ph.D 171-
183
Holy Land 97
early 'legislation on 181-
is.;
"Home Defense Association"— organized by
graiit of land. CJ. S. utilization of 179-
1X1
Judge James B. Bradwell 330
mention 29, 112.
211
Homer, X . Y 86
Sidney Lives,, rolled the Father of the
Hoosiers— Indiana husbandmen so-called.... 144
Illinois Central R. R
174
Hoquart -at Quebec 257
Sidney Breese's work Tinted States Con-
quoted on the Fox Indians 254
gress, in behalf of
Horses 225
Stephen A. Douglas' work in behalf of,
Houghton, Mifflin A Co- publishers, Boston,
United States Senate
56
Mass 20
Win. K. Ackerman, historical sketch on-
House, Charles J.— compiler names of soldiers
quoted— foot note 174 ,
of Maine of the American Revolution, who
Illinois College— Abolition College— term mis-
applied for State bounty under resolves of
March 17. 1S35: March 24, 1S36: and March
applied
.'03
foot note
203
20, 1S38 20
Illinois College and the Ami-Slavery Move-
Houston, (Gen.) Samuel— mention. 54
ment—address before the Illinois Suite His-
Cnited States Senator from Texas 55
torical Society, 190S— by Charles II. Ram-
Hovt, (Capt.) Henry M 89
melkamp 192-
203
Hubbell, Jane B . . .*. 17
Illinois c.ilege anonymous !,.•;,.,■ u, prof. J.
Hubble, (Mrs.) Lee J. i Fmilv Roberts! 333
B. Turner, threatening kidnaping and the
Hudson Rav ' 118
202
Hudson, N. Y 135
Hughes, ( Rev. ) I). E 333
Flijoh P. Lovejoy, guesl of. at commence-
Hull, Charles E 10
196
Hull, Horace 10
.1. M. Siurtovant's influence and work in
195
Hull's Station 286, 289, 290
Jacksonville, 111. mentioned
156
Hull, ((Jen.) William— in command of Ameri-
Missouri Republican, Nov. 18, 1837 ex-
can forces at Detroit 102
tract front communication in, on Ed-
Humboldt county, Nevada 230
ward Beecher Abolitionism and Illi-
Humphrey, (Judge) J. < » 1 i s Chairman Com-
nois College.
199
mittee on Membership, Illinois State Histor-
St. Louis newspapers violent in their at-
ical Society 10
Huntoon. George W. early settler of Chicago,
1837.. '
198
111 ' ' 104
(Judge) T. J. C. Fagg quoted on its anti-
Hunt, Washington member House Repre-
slavery influence, etc. — foot note...
sentatives, I nited States L'Stli Congress 52
' 193,
203
Huron Indians lis
196
Hutchins' Charts 277
1
Wm. 11. Herndon, student in, quoted on
103
I'berville Pierre le Moyne d' 235
Blouin, I'aii'iel "Frenelt'ageiit'hi'YYYY
123
Icarian (The) newspaper 131
British domination in
J.il
Icarians, in Illinois, contributed little to
civil government in, efforts to establish
21 d
Illinois literature 13]
Collot's visit to. in 1796 1 reprint i 269-
JOS
Index — Continued.
Illinois Com
— I)V Edward Joseph Fortier 233-239
foot QOte 284
Franquelin Map of. 16.M- reference io 251
French merchants in 233
Indian tribes 122
Injustice to the French Citizens of— refer-
ence to '. 261
John Wilkin-. British major, military
eoimnandant in 261
John Woods -'Two Years" Residence in
the Settlement on the English Prairie
in the Illinois Country" reference to.. 124
Kaskaskias. fir-i <> ■ t i 1 > ■ i i i • ■ i i t in the country
Of..
. 284
lead mines in
letter of Father F.G.Marest, dated Illinois
Country April 29, 16'.i9— quoted— foot
note 234
Marest, (Father) Gabriel— Jesuit priest at
Peoria village in 234
123V 126^ 239] 261 ', 262, 263', "275^ 277
mines in 286
Mission of Immaculee Conception de
Notre Dame in the Illinois Country,
journal of— foot note 233
Nomenclature of di tie rent Gramme in — 286
opposition to slavery in 74, 75
plan ofan intrenched camp in mention . -N.
prairies of
... .51, 101, 126, 130, I34r-136, 143, 149
17.;. 192, 238, 239, 252, 254, 256, 257, 307
-I ''inns in 263
-alt works in-mention 286
Seminarvof «./ii>l»-.- e-iaMi-lie- missions
in ihelllin n- Country
of, fi
■ailed T 111-
Ulinois Lake
Illinois Mission — Fath
Jesuit priest at
Illinois River - descripl
French villages on-
mention
146, 148, 163, 17:
"~, 254, 256, 25
Illino
301, 302. 303,
-Early Illinois Rail-
1 notes 174. 177.
r, and His Period in 1111-
luoted
. 222
. 222
admi-ion ,.f. int., iV I'nion 16.3-ltil
Anti-Nebraska Di mora its 2s
Am i-Shverv S,.ci, I v., Ml for, plans.ete 1%-lHS
Appellate Court records 330
attempt to introduce -laverv in H',7-1'"N
bank adju-tment bill reference to 224
bank and it- connection with the internal
improvement scheme 222
Bank, of Illinois, chartered j„ is21 167
banking system 222
Baptist Historical Society 7'J
Illinois State— Continued. Page.
Bar Association 162, 330
Beck, (L. C), Gazetteer of Illinois, quoted
—foot note . _
Birkbeck's work- „„ Illinois History
Bloomim-iton Convention, May 29, 1856...
Board of Public Work., eleciod by the
33
Legislature, \i
"Bond-holder's" plan To construct rail-
road in the State of Illiiuis ISO
Brown, (Henry i— History of Illinois— ref-
erence to 130
Bronson's History of the Illinois Central
Railroad, (mss.) quoted— foot note 176
"Burnt Record Law" — William Yocke,
author of 327
Cahokia Prairie 134
Cairo Citv and Canal Companv incorpor-
ated, history of 177-182
capital of 12, 215, 248, 323
Capitol i bid"-. >, stale House, at Yandalia,
dest roved bv fire, 1S23 167
Capitol (building i Representative Hall,
Springfield, 111., June, 16 ls.Vs 240
Central Committee i Republican) 332
Colore. I Historical Societv, report of 4, 22
Const it ut ion, ( first j ' 163
Constitutional Convention t First i. assem-
bled at Kaskaskia, July, 1818 165-167
Constitutional Convention of lsls, held at
Kaskaskia, counties represented at 165
Constitutional Convention of 1818— men-
tion 76 , 81
Constitutional Convention, 1818, (First),
provisions of 166, 167
counties in, named after Kaskaskians,
list of 163
Convention scheme of is24, plan to amend
the constitution, history of scheme. 167, 1
Dair
99
Daughters of the American Revolution
mark site of Fort Massac 13
Davidson and Stuve History of Illinois-
quoted— foot note 175
deep waterway project, benefit to Chicago 143
F.aiiv Illinois Railroads— The Place of the
Illinois Central Railroad in Illinois His-
tory Prior to the Civil Wrar— address
early population of, largely from Kentucky
and Tennessee 173
early settlement of, retarded on account
Electoral Colleg
...1 ,n,.- I' Conkling, lsiiti-
ls.il ca-t TOte
Of 246
Elias Kent ka
e, i nited States Senator
from Illinois,
Constitution-
address before the Illinois
State Historii
.1 Society, 1(10- bv Henrv
berlin 162-170
ncouraged bv advantages
' 311, 314-315
Enabling Let,
pa sed April is, 1818... 163
El
fthel
. 178
Fair— reference to 35
Fairs, first ones held at Springfield, Ill-
foot note 242
"Famous Men I Have Known in the Mil-
itary Tract "—address before the Illinois
siat'e Ili-toiioal Societv. poos |,v Wil-
liam T. Davidson 153-161
fool notes 182, 242, 247
foreign born population of, in 1*50— foot
note 173
Forgotten Statesman of Illinois, James
356
Index — Continued.
Illinois State— Continued. Page'.
Harvey Ralston— by Dr. J.F. Snyder 215-232
Ford, Thomas Hi iorv of Illinois, quoted
224, 225
footnotes 220, 222, 223, 224
mention 130, 220, 225
Free Soilers or Republicans in Illinois
opposed to the Nebraska bill 28
Gazette, ( newspaper) 311
Gazetteer of Illinois— by Dr. John M. Peck
—reference to 127 , 128
Gazetteer of Missouri and Illinois, 1823—
by Lewis ('. Beck— reference to 123
General Assembly -i Legislature)—
first, 1818 210
second, 1820 210
third, 1822 210
fourth. 1824 210
eighth,
ith, l
tenth, 1
twelfth:
General A
221
50, 176, 218, 219, 221
221, 222
nteenth, 1851 52
is — foot nolo 247
y-flrst, 1S7S-1SS0. 330
e of Illinois, 1837,
irhad 170
General A.sseml . .
Gerhard's "Illinois As It Is", 1857-^rei-
erence to 130
< Granger agitation in, reference to 171
grant' of land to construct R. R 179, 180
Great Western Railway Co. of 111.— history
of.
.177
Herald, published at Kaskaskia —reference
to 305
Historical Library— Illinois Historical Col-
lections, volume 2 15
collections, vol. 3, Lincoln-Douglas
debates 160-161
genealogical department in, work of,
reference to 14
genealogical wanks recently added to
the collection in the library list 19-21
historical manuscripts commission of. 9
publications of 15
list of, fly-leaf in the back of tins
volume.
publications of, quoted— foot note 173
to publish a volume on the Lincoln-
Douglas debates 160
work of 14-15
Historical Society— business meeting of. .3-9
committees of 9-11
finance and auditing 10
genealogy and genealogical pubs.
—report of 3 , 19-21
historic sites 11
Illinois, pronunciation of the
name 11
legislation 10
Lincoln-Douglas debates, semi-
centennial celebration of 11
local historical societies report of
4, 10, 18
membership 10
periodical for the society 11
program 10
-p ci .1 committee to confer with
Illinois Mate Library Associa-
tion 11
onnirihuii.li- in Siale history.... 213-258
David McCulloch— member of the
board of directors, memorial to. 204-206
exhibit at Jamestown Exposition 13
Hiram W. Beokwith— first president 186
plans for building discussed.
..80,
It:.. 323, 324, 327, 328, 329, 335, 337
Illinois State Historical Society— Cont'd. Page.
papers read at the annual meeting,
pt.II 23-211
periodical or journal of, information,
publication of, recommended 9
president and secretary of, attend
■■*■- -— lial celebration Chicago
His
ialp
2-13
secretary and treasurer's report 12-17
translations and reprints 259-316
transact ions of, for 1905, quoted — foot
Illinois Stale hi-torv, early explorers, ac-
counts of 123
Ilolbrnok Companies disliked in 179
House (Capitol Bldg.) 31
Iearians in, left little if any literature in
111 131
immigration to, from foreign countries 1,4
(Illinois) Intelligencer, (newspaper.) pub-
lished at Vandalia 125, 311
Internal Improvement , Act , ls37 175
foot note 175
internal improvement agitation closed by
chartering Illinois Central K. B 183
Internal Improvement venture of 1831 a
failure 176-177
Internal Improvements venture. ._.
James Hall— article on Emigration (re-
print) taken from 111. Monthly Mag izine.
1831 311-316
John M. Palmer's Bench and Bar of Illi-
nois," quoted 206
John Reynolds, Historian of Illinois,
works of, quoted 132-134
John Reynolds, "My Own Times," quo-
ted..
. 133
John Reynolds, Pioneer History of Illinois,
quoted 130, 132, 209
Journal, (newspaper) Springfield, 111.,
foot note 241
Journal (weekly) Jan. 29, 1851, quoted,
foot note ..,..' 180
Journal (Weekly) Feb. 12, 1851, quoted,
foot note 182
Law of Illinois, session 1835-36, quoted,
foot notes 174, 175
Laws of Illinois, session is:;ti-ls;;7, quoted,
foot notes 176
sessions, ls;7-ls.,n, quote. 1, foot note. 172
session 1S43-1M4... 177, 178
sessions 1845, L849-1850, foot notes 178
Legislation on the slavery question 168
Legislature, Action on the Nebraska bill
introduced bv Douglas in Congress 30
IS55. vote for U.S. Senator in 3S-42
mention .50, 60, 61, 63, 72, 109, 142,
143, 153, 165, 176, 177, 17s. 179,
ISO, 181, 220, 222, 323, 324, 330, 336
see Gent ml Assembly.
"Letters from Illinois," by Morris Birk-
beck, reference to 124
Literature and Literary People ,,f Early
Illinois, an address before the Illinois
State Historical Society, 190s, bv Isabel
Jamison " '-.... 123-139
Library, reference to 19
mention 13-16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 28,
29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 38, 42, 43, 44. 46.
48-51, 53. 56, 59, 60, 61-65, 67, 71, 72,
7.". 76 77 78, 79, 80-87, 98, 99, 101,
116, 117, L23, 124, 125, 126-138, 145,
J, 119, 153-156, 158-184,
186,
206,
202,
, 219,
!21-226. 229. 230, 231, 232, 240, 241,
243, 245, 248, 251, 310, 311, 312, 313,
314, 315, 321, 323, 324, 330, 331, 332, 336
357
In dex — Continued.
Illinois State— Concluded. Page.
Methodist Church conference of 1856,
reference to 154
Mitchell's ■•Illinois in iv,7," reference to. 129
"(Illinois) Monthly Magazine," edited bv
James. Hall and Robert Bhekwell, ref-
erence to L25, 126
Illinois Monthly Magazine, published by
James Hall 134
Monthly Magazine, vol. 1, No. 1, Oct.,
1830, quoted, see foot note 1,4
Mormons in, contributed little to the
literature of 131
Morris Birkbeck's works on Illinois his-
tory 124
Moses' Illinois Historical and Statistical,
quoted, foot note 175
Nathaniel Pope and the noil hern bound-
ary of the State, Illinois's debt to Pope
164, 165
New England pioneers settled in 192
Newton— early railroad legislation in Illi-
nois, quoted, see foot notes 174, 177
northeastern boundary of, definitely set-
tled, reference to 52
northern boundary of, resolution adopted
at the meeting held at < >regon City, 111., 165
Peck, J: M., Gazetteer of Illinois, 1837
(2d ed.), quoted, foot note 233
poets and poetry of Illinois 134-139
population of, in 1818 101
population of, in 1850 173
population of, in 1850, foreign and native
born, foot note 173
prairie soil, slight cultivation of in the
early days, results, etc 172
pre-emption act for, reference to : 163
Presbyterian Church State Synod, held
at Springfield, 111., reference to 197
Press Association 12
Register (Daily) (newspaper), Jan. 15,
1851, reference to, foot note 182
Register (newspaper 35-30
Republican party, in first steps to organ-
ize 35
Republican State (invention, Blooming-
ton, 1856, reference to, foot note 247
S. Augustus Mitchell, Illinois in 1837,
reference to 129
60th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, War of
the Rebellion 336
Soldiers' Home, Quiney, 111 98
southern and middle counties of, largely
settled by people from Kentucky.. .192-193
Southern Illinois Normal University,
Carbondale, 111 5
statutes of, (revised) 330
see La
Supreme Court 60, 61, 166, 217. 220, 221
Supreme Court of Illinois, reports by
Judge Sidney Breese 169
Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago 109
Twenty-fourth Infantry, Illinois Vols.,
Company K 327
University of Illinois 5,9,173
Whigs in Illin >i- opposed to the Nebraska
bill 28
Illinois Territory-agricultural establishment
of the United States in the Illinois Territory 308
agricultural products in 'ids
animals, birds, fishes, serpents in 307 -308
boundaries of 299
Brown, Samuel R— The Western Gazet-
teer or Emigrant's Directory, Auburn,
N. Y., 1817 (reprint ) .' 299 3in
coal mines in the Illinois Territory 304-305
copper and lead in 304
description of, soil, prairies, timber, plants,
minerals, etc., etc 302-305
Illinois Territory— Concluded. Page.
French inhabitants of 305
Indians in 308
lands, titles, prices in 309
manufactures in
v 1 11
, 163
. 309
villages, roads and settlements in. .. .305-306
■•Illinois" (The i (Vessel) 140
Immaeulee Conception de Notre Dame —
mission of, in the Illinois Country, foot note 233
Indianapolis, Indiana 147
Indiana state fool note 242
mention ....03. 147. 109, 229, 301, 304, 307
Indiana Ter
. 321
.lexico 122
blaeksmithing 188
Bu-hii-dl. Win. 11. writer on Indian
life 135
Cahokias 230, 237, 2".v tils
Central Eskimo, tribes .. 122
Chawanon 281
Cheyenne 120
( hick a saw '-'vi
Chippewas 119. 122, 190, 191
Cohokia 253
see Cahokia
Comanche 121
council at Chicago, 1821, reference to 141
Creos of the Canadian Noll Invest 122
Dakotas 122
Delaware. 308
Eskimo, central tribe.. 122
Fort, r .mains ,,f. ;„ McL.mii county, Illi-
nois. '..185, 186
'.'.". .'.'. .' . .'. .'u',;. "l29 lss. "isy;'i9o\'i9U
252. 25-t, 25 1. 255. 250, 257, 25s
Haida Indians ,,f Alaska and Queen
Charlotte Isle 121, 122
History of Illinois Indians, records may
throw light on 191
limit inu grounds of, reserved bv the King
of cteat Britain for use of Indians 261
Huron 118
Illini ( onfederae v - reference to 115
[llini [.-ends...' 122
mini Traditions 116-117
358
Index — Continued.
Indians— Continued. Page.
Illinois— mention 118, 189, 237, 253, 308
Indian corn 301
Indian Point, 111 323
Indian wheat 237
Indian Town on Rock River 301
implements of, found in McLean county. . 184
Iroquois Indians 120 , 251 , 253
Kahokias Indians 235
Kaskaskia Indians 308
Kats, village of, on Hie Mississippi 23s
Kickapoo Indian Fort, site of, marked by
McLean Count v Historical Society 186
Kickapoo Indians, mention 185, 190
Kickapoo Indian town, McLean county,
HI 184-186
Kickapoo Village ( ( Jreat ) 184
Kickapoo Village on the Sangamo 190
Kickapous Indians 254
Kiowa 120
Kwakiutl Indians of Vancouver, foot note 122
Kwakiutl Indians of the Sound 122
Loups 281
Legends, Illini, reference to 122
Legends, Miami, reference to 122
Mascoutens ]
Mascoutins \ mention .... 188 , 189 , 254 , 308 '
Mascoutin J
Massacres, Fort Dearborn, reference to 141, 163
mention 283
mention 94, 101, 102, 114-122,
125, 129, 140, 185, isti, 188, 189, 190,
191, 231, 233, 237, 239, 258, 261, 263,
264, 271, 277, 279, 281, 283, 286, 287,
291, 292, 296, 297, 305, 308, 309, 335,
and foot note 293
Mestchegamis 115,116
method of defense at the siege of Detroit,
reference to 188, 1S9
Miami Legends 122
Miami Traditions 115-116
Miamis of the Wabash 254
Miamis •. 115
M icliigamis— foot note 115
Miehigans 236
Micmacs of Nova Scotia 119, 122
Missouri Indians 233 , 236
Mississanga Indian woman 119
Modocs of southwestern Oregon 120
Moki Indians 121
Montagnais 118
Mysterious Indian Rattle (irounds in Mc-
Lean count v Address before Illinois
State Historical Societv, 1908, by John
H . Burnham 184-191
Mythology. Wichita Indians 120
Myths, Modoc Indian. Marten Myth 120
Thunderbird Myth 118-122
Navahoes of Arizona 121
Objibwas 118
Ojibwas Indians 118, 119, 122
Old Town, ancient Indian town in Mc-
Lean county, 111 184-186
Omaha Indians 120
Ontagamies (Foxes) : 253
Osages 189
Ottawas 190, 191
Onatonons (Miamis of the Wabash) 254
Outtaouats 115
Passamaquoddy Indians 119
Passimoquoddv Indians 122
Peoria Indians 236, 302, 308
Perry A. Armstrong, Monograph on Hie
Piasa, quoted '115-116
Piankashawa 308
Piankeshawa 189
Poncas 120
Pueblos 122
Raids 185
Indians— Concluded. Page.
Sacs (or Saukies) 116, 129, 301, 308. 309
Shawnee Indians 237
Shawanese 308
Shawa'nnoe (Shawneese) Indians 306
Shoshone Indians ( Root-Diggers) 231
"Significance (The) of the Piasa."— Ad-
dress before the Illinois Slate Historical
Society, 19(18, by Clara Kern Rayliss. 114-122
silver ornaments, etc. of, found in McLean
county 184
Sioux at Tamarois 237
Sioux of the Dakotas 120, 122
Tamaroa Indians 233
Tamarois Indians 236 , 237
of Dakota
leh..
. 119
Tlinket Indians of Alaska 121, 122
Tlinkils '. 119
Tombs 286, 290
"Tootooch," Thunderbird of the Ahts of
Vancouver Island 119
Tradit ions 190
Traditions of the Arapaho, quoted 120
Tupis Indians 120
V illages 184
Milage, Shawannoe Nation 306
war dances of 184
" Waw-to-go" chief of the Illini 116
Wells, opposite Coyote Springs, Nevada.. 231
Wielutas, mention' 122
Wichita Indians, mythology of the Wichi-
. 120
Zuni Indians 121
Ingersoll, E. C. (Congressman from Illinois)—
foot note 242
Ingersoll, (Col.) Robert G- debates with
Judge Wm. Kellogg 157
radical Democrat up to the opening of the
1 18(11..
. 157
Internal Improvement Act, Illinois, 1837 175
foot note 175
Internal Improvements, State of Illinois-
railroads contemplated by, etc 175, 176
Internal Improvement Scheme, State of Illi-
nois—mention 175, 176, 177, 222
Iowa, state 25, 56, 99, 140
Ireland— emigrants from, to Illinois 174
Ireland, country of 215, 331
Irish Sailor 162
Iron mine— upper Louisiana 294
Iron ore 263
Iroquois Indians 120, 251 , 253
Iroquois Fort 258
Irving, Henry -aids escaping slaves 200
Island a la Ferriere 284
Island du Vertier 284
Island of Kaskaskias 283, 284
Isle a la Perehe i l'erch Island) 283
Isle aux Ailes (Winged Island) 283
Isles a laMerde (Dung Island) 288
foot note 283
Isthmus of Panama 123
Italian language 46
Italy, country of 231
Jackson, (Rev.) Aaron Raptist minister of
New York City 229
Jackson, Andrew — mention. . .49, 50, 52, 71, 162
Jackson, (Gen.) Andrew— Stephen A. Doug-
las' vindication of 52-53
Jackson county , 111 165
Jackson democracy 210
Jackson, (Miss) Harriet N . -second wife of
Judge James Harvey Ralston 229, 230, 231
Jackson, Stonewall 54
359
Index — Continued.
Page.
Jacksonville, 111.— Anti-Horse Stealing So-
ciety at- 201
Anti-Xegro Stealing Society at 201
citizens meet ins Feb. 23, 1S43, and
resolutions regarding the abduction of
slave nurse girl 200-201
Daily Journal, Aug. 2, 1884, quoted 200
foot note 200
mention 5, 10, 11,
48, 51, 128, 129, 130, 132, 156, 158,
192, 196, 198, 199, 200, 201. 230, 329,
and foot notes 192, 200, 201, 203
News (newspaper! quoted 199
Northern Cross R. R., Quincy via Jack-
sonville, Springfield and Decatur to the
Indiana state line 147
Northern Cross R. R., proposed route of,
through Jacksonville, anecdote concern-
ing 151-152
James Campbell A: Co.— publishers in Chi-
cago, 111. in 1845 134
James, Edmund Janes— member of board of
directors, Illinois State Historical Society.. 5
member of committees, Illinois State
Historical Sociel v 10
James, (Prof.) James A 4 6 7 10
Jamestown. Virginia- Illinois state Histori-
cal exhibit at Jamestown Exposition 13
Jamison, Isabel -Literature and Literary
People of Early Illinois. Address before
the Illinois State Historical Society, 1908.123-139
Japanese language 46
Jayne, Julia— later wife of Lyman Trumbull . 41
Jayne, (Dr.) William— member committee. . . 10
Jefferson county, 111.— mention 336
Jefferson County Pioneer Association 337
Jefferson-Lemen Anti-Slavery Pact— address
before Illinois State Historical Society, 1908,
by Joseph B . Lemen '. 74-S4
Jefferson-Lemen Anti-Slavery Pact— news-
paper articles on, reference to 80
notes on, partly published in the news-
papers 78
Stephen A . Douglas quoted on 79-80
to be kept for time unpublished 77
Jefferson, Thomas Envoy to France 74
Sr..
Jefferson-Lemen Anti-Slavery Pact, ad-
dress before Illinois State Historical
Society, 190.x, by Joseph B. Lemen. .. .74-84
letters from, to Rev. James Lemen, Sr.,
reference to 78
mention 28, 67, 71, S2, 83
Jellison, Oliver— among the Evanst.'on, 111.'
party of gold seekers to California, 1850 107
early settler of Chicago, 111 104, 108
Jenkins, (Lieut. Gov.) Alexand t M.— mem-
ber of the board of directors, Illinois Cen-
tral R. R 174_175
Jersey cattle 336
Jersey county, 111 " ik;
Jersey State 9i9
Jerusalem 137
Jesuit Relations, vols. 5, 6, 10, 12 33 54 58 "
61, 64, quoted '....'.. ' 118
vol. LXIV, quoted, foot notes
--y™ 233, 234, 237, 238
vol. LXV, quoted. See foot notes
234 , 236 238
quoted LXVI, LXX. See foot note. ... 238
reference to 117 123
Jewish Nation 137
Jews, Exodus of the Jews from Egypt— refer-
ence to 13g
J. F. S. (Initials of John F. Snyder)— signed
to note & 939
Page.
J. H. B. (John H. Burnham)— signed to foot
note 190
Joachim River 2x4 2X5
Jo Daviess county, 111 ] m
Johnson, Andrew- Governor ol Tennessee.... 25
17th President of the U. S. Born in
Raleigh, X. C, Dec. 29, 1808, Died
July 31, 1875 •>.-, -,, -.,-
Johnson, (Dr.) C. B.— author ' 'i'm
Johnson county, 111 . 165
Jchnccn, (Hen ) Janifs \ cf Oakland. Call """
forma 939
Johnson, John Xeely— Governor of California "'
in 1S54 : 91-
Jzlmscc I . C ,.,
Johnson, Reverdy-C. S. Senator from Mary- ' ' '
land • --
Johnson, Richard M. -Statesman ' of" Ken-
tucky j,..,
Johnston. Mien.] Albert Sidney "' -,7
Joliet, 111 £?
Joliet 1 0I
Jolliet r Louis— French Canadian Explorer
Jollyet J Born, Quebec, 1645. Died in
Canada, 1700. Companion of Mar-
. quette 115
•'Jonathan Freeman," nom-delpiume of \Yor- "''
ns Birkbeck ^0-
Jones, A. D„ "Illinois and "(lie West "'— pub-
lished in lx.ix- quoted (m the " Piasa" 116
"Illinois and the West," reference to 1^9
Jones, Charles ('., Jr. history of Georgia ^0
Jones, ( Miss ) Lottie E .—member of committee 11
Jonesboro, III 6 jj
Jonesboro, Tenn "" 'ini
Joutel, M Jjg
"Judaid, (The)"— by Prof. Johnson Pierson"
reference to, extracts from 131; ' 137
Judd, Norman B.— Anti-Nebraska Democrat' 39
mention ' 49
refuses to endorse in Illinois Legislature
the Nebraska bill before Congress... 30-31
vote on the U. S. senatorship. 1x55 39
Judd, S. Corning— debate with Wm Pitt
Kellogg, reference to 157
Julian, George Washington Mate- man . lion,
near Centerville, Indiana, May 5 1x17 9g
Junior Lyceum of Chicago— reference to 135
Kahokias Indians 135
"Kaloo"— (iiant bird of the Micinacs of Novia "
Scotia n9
Kane, Charles P.— member commit tee 10
Kane county, 111 36' 164
Kane, Elias Kent.. -United States Senator
from Illinois and author of Its First Consti-
tution, address before the Illinois State His-
torical Society, lllOX, by Henry Barrett
Chamberlin _ 162-170
attitude on the slavery question!!!"". " 168
biographical sketch of 16M63
death of, in Washington Dec. 12, 1835
Washington National Intelligencer
(newspaper), quoted on.... 169
first Secretary of State, Illinois ' i67
George W. Smith, quoted on 170
Thomas Ford, quoted on.......... ' 170
U. S. Senator from Illinois 168-169-
Kane, Elisha Kent, art ic explorer 162-
Kane, (Capt.) John father of Elias "Kent
Kane iao.
360
I n dex — C ontinued.
Page.
Kankakee, 111 11
Kankakee River 163
Kan-. -Nebraska Act 69
Kan-a-Ni-iTa-ka liill iii Congress
27-29, .",7, 65, 66, 67
Kansas-Xebraska Bill- New Missouri Com-
promise, founded on the old 27
provisions of, etc .57-58
Kansas State 216
Kansas Territory Kansas-Nebraska bill, New
Kaokiu I ( 'ahokia I
288, 289, 290. 291. 292, 295, 296, 297
see Cahokiu
Kaokias (Cahokia >..... 286
see Cfohokia
Articles listed by an inhabitant
Kaskaskia of Kaskaskia, which might be
Kaskaskias produced there and imports
saved on 267
cereals, grain, fruit trees, vegetables, etc.,
introduced by an Englishman in an
early day ' 264
Constitutional Convention, State of Illi-
1..11 . lMs. i first i held at.; 165, 166
cultivation i.f the cereals, vegetables,
fruits, urged bv an earlv inhabitant of
; _ 265-266
irb lescription of 305
e;,i!>. Fi- :,-!: -ii lament in Illinois 173
Earnest invitation m the inhabitants of
Illinoi-. hv mi inhabitant of Kaskaskia.
Tran-laied with introduction, bv Lvdia
Marie Urauer - .....201 26s
education urged for the young people of.. 268
first capital of Illinois 162
first settlement in the country of the Illi-
nois - 284
French-Indian village 163
Indians 308
Island of Kaskaskias 283, 284
list of goods imported to, given by an
earlv inhabitant of 262
mention.'. -1 12-.. 230. .'51. 261, 262,
276, 2s6. l>ss-l»io. 293. 295, 301, 305, 306
new Kasl lussissippi river. . 253
old or fir-' Ka-ka-kia on the upper Illi-
nois river, opposite Starved Rock 253
region, French troops from, reference to.. 190
silk industry urged for 266
territorial legislature held in, reference to. 76
vineyards, cultivation of, urged 265
wines and liquors which might be man-
ufactured in 264
river (Kaskaskia River; 284. -'-',
287, 296, 297, 299, 300, 303, 306, 309, 310
sketch of, country about, etc 300-301
Kaskaskia. Tennessee - 163
■Kats, Indians— village of, on the Mississippi,
reference to 238
Kellogg, (Judge William— early judge in
Illinois, cluse friend of Abraham Lincoln. 155-156
compromise plan on slavery question, set
letter of vbi Amu Lincoln to, in regard to
the extension of slavery, dated Spring-
field, 111., Dec. 11, I860.' 156
•mention 157
Kellogg. William Pitt— lawyer, politician, U.
S . Senator 157
Kellv, John— "Life and Adventures of John
Ke'llv, bv John Reynolds" 132-133
Kendall, Amos 162
Kendall county, 111 251
Kennomick river 293
Kent, James of New York— great chancellor. 162
Page.
Kentucky State— Illinois southern and middle
counties largelv settled with people from..
' .192, 193
mention 20, 27, 32, 49, 63, 94,
132, 162, 169, 173. 185, 202. 209, 215,
216, 217. 226, 304, 306, 307, 30s. 3J5,
and foot notes 192. 202
Kenvon, William Asburv— early poet of Illi-
nois 134, 135
"Keokuk," Indian Chief -reference to 129
Kerriek. i Hon. L. H.— member Illinois State
Historical Society, decea-ed 12
Kickapoo Indian Fori site of, marked by
McLean Count v Historical Society 186
Kickapoo Indian' Milage '.184, 185, 190
Kickapoo Indians— mention
Kickapous 185, 188, 190, 191, 254
Kickapoo River i Hem) 300
Kimberh , < Dr. ) E. S.— earh trustee of Chica-
go ' '. 141
.Wilson.... 32
Kiln-aid. Eliza J-
e Wil
. Khz
r Mrs R.
Kincaid family 325
King of England— revenue of, from the tobac-
co of Virginia 266
King, (Dr.) W. R. -mention 333
King, William R— U. S. Senator from Alaba-
55
King's Mountain— battle of
Kinney, George D— son of Lieut . Gov William
Kinney 210
Kitmev, Samuel— son of Lieut. Gov., William
Kinney 210
Kinnev, William— biographical sketch of, In
James Affleck 209-211
mention 128, 16s
Kinnex . William Reynold's Pioneer History
of Illinois, quoted on 209
Kinnev. Willi-': u < -hi-- i -on of Lieut. Gov.
William Kinney -.210, 211
Kinzie family ... For, Dearborn 141
Kinzie, (Mrs.) J. !!.—•• Wau-Bun, or Early
Hay in the Northwest," reference to 130
Kinzie, John-Indian trader, escapes the
Fort Dearborn 102, 141
wa lie
. 120
Kirl.v, William identified with the Anti-
Sla'ven Movement of th« middle west iLJ4
Vice-president Ami-Slavery Society in
Illinois 198
Kiichell, Wickliffe 221
Klamath Falls, Oregon 327
■•Klalis"— A Kwakiutl Indian of Vancouver,
foot note 122
"Know-Nothing Party ' (The ) 229
Knox College, Galesburg, 111 6, 329
Knox county I Indiana now in Illinois 29.
Knoxville, 111.— mention 19. 157
Knoxville Republican (later Galesburg Re-
..d::r
India
of the Zuni
Kwakiul 1 Indians 122.
Kwaiak-i or Man-Eagle of the Moki Indians—
resemblance to the Piasa 122
Kyle, .(apt.) Robert 106
Labrador— Tea-Tree of, reference to 295
"Ladv Elgin"— steamer, lost off the shore of
Lake Michigan. Se],t. s. lstio 110-111
LaFayette - tfarquis de), .lean Paul Roch
Yves uiibert Metier -born at Auvergne.
Franc. Sept.,,. 1757. died May 20, 1834.. S2, 163
La Ferrlere Maud '. 280, 281
Laframboise, .losette -member of household
John Kinzie HI
361
Index — Continued.
La Orange, 111
L'Aigle, Ills
Lake county. 111. -hi
Elijah M. "Haines in
Lako'eounty, 111.— me
Lake, David J
Lake Del'age
Lake Erie— mention..
Lake Forest Associati
1856
college, completed
Illinois — began its
ling of liquor prohi
Lake Foresl Ohiver
Lake Huron
Lake Michigan geol
Lake Super
Lakeview 1
Page.
Page.
19
Legislature of Illinois-see Illinois
General
Assembly 147, 148, L66, 323, 324 K
Wished by
L'Hopital
ice to 108
Leland Hotel, Springfield, ill
..105, 141, 164
Lemen Family Bistory eompiled and pub-
300
Lemcn Family \otes aiuhenticit vof.
7(> ' -z
begun in \ irginia, by Rev. James
ed Eeb. 28,
76
112
in safe deposit vault . St . Louis, Mo
.--.78, 79
iggg— aei' 112
80, 82, 83
Lemen Family Helics, etc
n limits of
Lemen, Frank B.— compile! aiei pi
a 112
of the "Lemen Family Biston "....
118
Lemen, Lev.! Jam.-. Jul ;
tion along
with Abraham Lincoln
104, 105
, 146, 164,
Lmeoln-I.emen interview •
....81, 82
, 300. 301, 307
member of both territorial and
288
legislatures in Illinois. .
...76, 210
104
member of the State Constitution!
1 Con-
109
vention of 1818
....76, 81
i II of Philadelphia
La l'ointe, Lake Superior country
La Potherie- "Hisloire de L'Amerique Sep-
tentrionale" 1,22, quoted :
LaSalle county, 111.— Historical Society, refer-
14
mention 138
LaSalle, Rene' Robert Cavalier Sieur de.123, 171
La Source — oneof the twelve men who accom-
panied the missionaries from the Seminary
at Quebec to the Illinois Country 235
foot note 235
missionary to the Tamarois Indians 238
La Source, Thaumur de— letter written by,
from Arkansas mission, reference to 235
also foot note 235
Latham, (Miss) May— member of the genealog-
ical committee Illinois State Historical So-
ciet y 11
Laurimier. M 281
Laval, Mrg. do— extracts from a letter of M.
de. St Cosme to; dated Tamarois March, 1700. 236
St Cosme letter to, dated, Tamarois March
1700, extract from 235
Laval University Quebec— letters of St. Cosme
written from Tamarois Mission in the
Archives of the Laval University. See foot
note 235
Lawrence count v, 111 39
Lead 304, 310
Lead mines 294
in the Illinois Country 164, 263, 304
of Galena, 111 L64
Leavenworth, Kansas 216
Lebanon, Illinois 5, 9. 1", 136, 2u'.i
"Lecompton Constitution" of Kansas— oppo-
sition to 59
Lecompton, Kansas convent ion assembled
at to form a constitution for Kansas 58, 59
Lee count y, Illinois 164
Lee. Francis Bazley compiler history X. J. . 20
Lee, (General) Robert E- mention... 54. 96, >is
Lellingwell, i Dr. i Charles W, ejft to Illinois
State Historical Society 19
111., in 1823 ..:. 76
founder of the fir-t Baptist churches in
Illinois 74, 76
Jeiierson dves financial aid to.. 80
JelVei'son-I.emen Anti-Slavery Pact. Ad-
dress before the Illinois State Historical
Society 1908, by Joseph B . Lemen 74-84
mention 80, 82, 83
secret diary of, reference to 80
mien, Joseph B.— Jefferson-Lemen Anti-
slavery |\e' VMte-- l.e fore the Illinois
-; ■ - ill Meal Society, PJOS, by 74-s4
■met,. M J. j.l: i ler of \\ illiam Kin-
Le Rocher" ("The Rock"
river — Parkman quoted on
'-" Illinois
-foot 11
238
Lei
LeS
"Lett Homestead" (The <— in LaSalle count v
Illinois '.. . 138
Lett, Sarah -.•.-., •• < ;,!>,■• >/ " 138
Letters — Abraham Lincoln to Kliim B. Wash-
burne on his defeat for the Cup.- i
Senile. Hated Feb. ii, 1 s.v, 41-42
Abraham Lincoln to Iehabod Ooddine.
Nov. 27, 1854, reference to 35
Abraham Lincoln to James C. Conkling,
dated War Department, Washington
City, Atii. 27. Imm. foot note 242
Abraham Lincoln to James r. Conkling
(Lincoln's famous letter, full text of the
document. \nu'. 26, l^-'ir! > 24S-256
m Lincoln-Conkling letter
Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Oillespie,
dated Dec. 1, 1854, extract from 39
Abraham Lincoln to John M. Palmer,
dated Sept. ,, 1854, reference to 31
Abraham Lincoln to Judge William
Kellogg, in regard to the extension of
slavery, dated Springfield Dec. 11, I860 156
anonymous letter to Prof. J. B. Turner.
dated Louisville, Kv, Sept. 10, 1842,
threaietiiti _'. ki In iiiiiu- and the des-
truction of Illinois College 202
also fool note 202
Bergier letter date I April 13, 1701, with-
out address 238
Bergier, M letter of. .from Tamarois Mis-
sion, dated April 13. 1701
Index — Continued.
"Letters— Concluded. Page.
Bergier— letter from Tamarois, dated June
14,1700 237
Bineteau ( Father) Julian— letter of, to a
Father of thi' same Society (S. J.) extract
from 236
also foot note 236
Birkbeek, Morris—letters from Illinois,
reference to 124
Conkling, James C. to Paul Selby, dated
Springfield, 111., March lti, 1S95, on the
Lincoln-Conkling letter 245, 246
Conkling, James C— see Lincoln-Conkling
letter, contributed to State history, by
Paul Selby 240-250
Carter, Mrs. \V. C. to Charles H. Rammel-
kamp, dated Jacksonville, Jan. 17, 1908,
foot note 203
Cosme, M. de St. to the Bishop of Quebec
foot note 234
Cosme, (M. de St.) to Mgr de Laval, dated
Tamaroas March, 1700 235, 236
Douglas, (Stephen A.) to Follett and
Foster, publishers, Columbus, Ohio.
First edition of the Lincoln-Douglas
debates 160-161
Douglas, to Sidney Breese, in the Spring-
field Daily Register, Jan. 20, 1851, refer-
encs to, foot note 180
Ellsworth, H. L— letter on the cultivation
of the prairies of Illinois, reference to 129
Fagg (Judge) T. J. C— letters to Charles H.
Rammelkamp, foot note 193
from a " Rambler in the West ", reference
to 129
Grant, (Gen.) Ulysses S. to Gen. Lewis
B. Parsons, dated Washington, D. C,
May 20, 1865 97
Gravier-, Father Jacques journal of the.
Mission Immaoulee ( 'once] it ion de Notre
Dame in the Illinois Country, Feb. 15,
1664, quoted, see foot notes 233
La Source, Thaumur de La— letter written
from the Arkansas Mission, reference to. 235
also foot note 235
Lincoln-Conkling letter contribution to
State history, by Paul Selby 240-250
Marest. (Fat lien Cabriel- letter from Illi-
nois Country, A prill".), If.'.)!), quoted, foot
note 234
Marupas- letter by, dated Dec. 18, 1731.. 256
MontLmv, M. de- letter from the Arkan-
sas Mission in Hi'.)'.), quoted 235
also foot note 235
Rantoul, Robert— letter of Robert Ran-
toul, documents relating to the organi-
zation of the Illinois Central Railroad,
see foot note 172
Sturtevant, J. M. to Thomas Lippincott,
dated, March 13, 1844, foot note 202
Willard, Samuel to Charles H. Rammel-
kamp, Feb. 9, 1908, foot note 201
Lewis Baldwin Parsons address before the
Illinois State Historical Society, 1908, by
Julia E . Parsons 85-100
Lewis, H — picture of the "Piasa" made by,
reference to 117
Lewis, (Mrs.) Jane -narrative of the capture
of, by Indians, reference to 129
Lewistown Gazette ( newspaper) 159
Lewistown, Illinois 153, 154, 156, 157, 158
named for son of Ossian M . Ross 156
Lexington— battle of, reference to 135
Lexington. Kentucky mention. .. .132, 216, 305
Library (Public), Albion. 111. founded in 1818
by Richard Flower 125
Life and Adventures of John Kelly, by John
Reynolds— reference to -. . .132, 133
"Life on the Circuit with Lincoln," by
Henry C . Whitney— quoted 37
Page.
Lime quarry 294
Lincoln, Abraham -Abraham Lincoln in 1854.
Address before the Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908, by Horace White 25-47
acquaintance with Rev. James Lemen, Jr. 78
Bancroft, George— memorial address on
the life and character of Abraham Lin-
coln 24
foot note 243
candidate for U. S. Senate 1854-1855, de-
feated 1854-1855 38-42
captain in t he Black Hawk War 63
celebration of the one hundredth anniver-
sary of the birth of, suggestions and
recommendations, etc 15-16
compared to an Old Testament Prophet. . 43
congressional record of 2.5-26
conspiracy among leading Republicans of
Illinois ' to remove Lincoln from his
high office, 1863 243
Cooper Institute speech, reference to 43
discussion with Herndon, his law partner,
on politics, 1854 27
elected to the lower hoii-e. Illinois Legis-
lature, resigned, lv-,4. 37, 38
Emancipation Proclamation, reference to
44, 245, 249
eulogy on, Henry Clay, reference to. ...26, 28
extract from his speech at Springfield, 111.,
June 17 , 1858 59-60
extracts from some of his writings on sla-
very, 1854 30
fame of, growing wit h t he years 44-45
follower of, Henry Clay, funeral oration on 26
foot note 247
Henry C. Whitney, quoted on 43
Herndon and Weik's Life of Lincoln, vol.
1, quoted , foot note 193
Herndon's Life of Lincoln, quoted 43
Holland's Life of Lincoln, quoted, foot
note 242
Horace Greeley, quoted on the Cooper
Institute, speech of 43
Horace White's personal association with
42-43
humorist and moralist 43
in 1858, the country lawyer, debater, can-
didate of his party for political ollice 63
James Russell Lowell, quoted on 44
Lemen familv notes, examined by 83
letter to Klihu B. Washburne, dated Feb.
9,1855,on his defeat for the U. S. Senate
41-42
letter to lehabod Codding, dated Nov. 27,
1854, reference to 35
letter to John M. Palmer, dated Sept. 7,
1854, quoted 31
letter to Joseph Cillespie, dated Dec. 1,
1854, extract from 39
letter to Judge William Kellogg, in regard
to the extension of slavery, datodSpring-
field, 111., Dec. 11, 1860 156
letters to Rev. James Lemen, Jr., reference
to 78, 79
life of, published in foreign languages 46
"Life on the Circuit with Lincoln," by
Henry C. Whitney, quoted 37
Lincoln-Conkling letter, read before a
union mass meeting at Springfield, 111.,
Sept. 3, 1863. An explanation of Lin-
coln's famous epistle, Contribution to
State History, by Paul Selby 240-250
Lincoln-Lemen interviews 81-82
Lincoln literal ure, collectors and publish-
ers of 45-46
Lincoln's Famous Letter— full text of the
document w ritten to James C. Conkling,
Aug. 26, 1863 248-250
"Lincoln the Lawyer," by Frederick
368
Index — Continued.
Lincoln, Abraham— Concluded. Page.
Trevor Hill, quoted 28
■'Lost Speech" of, reference to 157
"Lost S) cli," liloomington, 111., refer-
ence to, foot note 244
member of Congress .54- 55
member H. R. loth General Assembly,
State of Illinois .51 >, 21!)
mental am 1 moral giant 37
Missouri Compromise, repeal of, its effect
upon Lincoln 26-2S
Monument Association, foot note 247
most noteworthy of Mr. Lincoln's speeches
of an unollieiai character.. .: 240
Name placed on the Republican State
Committee of Is". J, without consent of 3.5
Xicolay and Hay "Abraham Lincoln,"
a history, quoted, foot note 246
Xicolay and Hay— biographers of, refer-
nominated for the presidency,- Ls60, in the
"Wigwam," Chicago, reference to 110
nominated for the U. S. Senate by Rep-
resentative Stephen T. Logan. . .'. 40
obscurity of, in 1854 25
one of the builders of the Republican
Party 63
orders the promotion of Col. Lewis Bald-
win Parsons to Brigadier-General 95-96
praise of the speech made by Alexander
H. Stephens in 1848 26
prayer of, as related by the Rev. James
Lemen, Jr 81-82
proposal for joint debate with Stephen A.
Douglas 60
reputation of at the time of the Lincoln-
Douglas debates 63-64
resolutions of the Codding-Lovejov Con-
vention explained 35-36
rival of Stephen A. Douglas for the hand
of Mary Todd 30
Saint Gauden's, statu* of, in Lincoln
Park, Chicago, reference to 32
speech of, at Galena, 111. during the Fre-
mont campaign of 1856, reference to,
foot note 244
speech at Springfield, 111., Oct. •!, 1854, ex-
tracts from, and impressions of, by an
eye witness 31-34
speech at Springfield, June 17, 1S5S, quoted
65, 67
speech at I'rbana, 111., in ls.54, Henry C.
Whitney, quoted —
Wl,i,, 1.. ...i,.,- ;,, rii;,,.
Lincoln, (Mrs.) Abraham (Mary Todd) 40, 41
Lincoln-Conkling letter— Bancroft, George,
quoted on 243
Chicago Tribune comment 247
fulltext of the document written to James
C. Conkling, by Abraham Lincoln, Aug.
26, 1863 24X-250
letter of James c. Conkling to 1'aul Selby
on, dated- Springfield, 111.. March 16,
1895 ..245-246
Xicolay and Hay, quoted on 211-215, 246
read before a union ni:i.- meeting at
Springfield, 111., Sept. 3, 1x63, an ex-
planation of Lincoln's most famous
epistle, contribution to State history,
by Paul Selby 241 1 -25i )
Quincy, Josiah, quoted on 246
Wilson, Henry, quoted on 246
Page.
Lincoln-Douglas debates, 1854 31-34
Lincoln-Douglas deflates of 1\",\ begun at
Ottawa, 111., Aug. 21, 1858, ended at
Alton, 111., Oct. 15. 1858 Ro
Edwin Erie Sparks, editor of edition of,
..15
~, 160
Freeport, 111., reference to 36
Galesburg, 111., reference to 36
Illinois historical collections, vol. Ill
foot note 161
letter of Stephen A. Douglas to Follett
and Foster, pubs, of the first edition of
160-161
mention 5, 7, 14, 58, 60-71, 155
Ottawa, 111., reference to 35, 36, no
plans for the semi-centennial celebration'
of, discussed 9
publication of a volume on, by the Illinois
State Historical Library...." 160
report on, celebration of, l>v Col. Clark E.
Cat
Lincoln Exhibit- Jamestown Exposition.
Lincoln, 111
Lincoln the Lawyer — by Frederick Trevo:
Hill, quoted "
Lincoln-Lemen interviews
Lincoln Literature collector- and publisher:
13
of..
Lincoln ^
Lincoln
statue 0
Lincoln,
?oln..
.6, 81
Lincoln, W . S. -Alton trials, quoted, foot m.. .
Lincolniana word added to our dictionary.. 45
Linder, Csher F. member loth General As-
sembly, State of Illinois. 1x36-1x37 219
Lippineott, Thomas— letter of J. M. Sturte-
vant to, dated March 13, 1x44. reference to,
foot note 202
mention 168
opposed to slavery 196
Liquor (Alcoholic) prohibition against the
sale of, within pre .erihed limits, Northwest-
ern University, Kvanston, 111 110
prohibited within the limits of the city of
Lake Forest ". . . . 112
Lisle, (Mrs.) of Louisiana-anecdote concern-
ing her visit to Jacksonville and her slave
nurse girl 200-201
Literature and Literary People of Early Illi-
nois—address before the Illinois State His-
torical Society, 190.S, by Isabel Jamison. .123-139
"Literature of the Rebellion," by John
Russell Bart let t— quoted 45
Little, (Dr.) A. M., of Peoria, 111 206
Little Chain of Rocks 280, 284
Little Courcy Islands 279
Little Fort— original name of Waukegan, 111.. 105
Little Grove, (now Smith's Grove) McLean
count v, 111 186
Little, John S., of Rushville, 111.— collector of
Lincolniana 46
member of nominating committee, Illi-
nois State Historical Society 3
mention, member committee A _jl
Little River 7270
Little Rock River 270
Little Rocks 300
Liverpool, England 131
Liverpool, 111 154
Lockwood, (Judge) Samuel Drake— mention
51, 128, "16S, 169
opposed to slavery 196
Locust (honey) trees' described 304
Logan, George. Esq. attorney, Ouincv, 111.. 217
Logan, (Gen.) John A— foot note ". 242
mention 175
364
Index — Continued.
Page.
Logan, Stephen Trigg— elected to the lower
House, Illinois Legi.-lat ure. 1854 37
mention 49
nominates Abraham Lincoln for I". S.
Senator 40
notable lawyer, Slate of Illinois 50
Lombanlv Poplar (trees ) 278
London, England -mention 21. 124. 1.7.1, 176
Long, Henry— history and prospects of Cairo,
quoted, foot note. .'. 177
Long, (Major) S. H.— of the U. S. Top. En-
gineers account of an expedition from Pitts-
burg to the Rocky Mts. peformed in the
real- ism, 1820, quoted 190
foot note 190
"Long Nine"— Sangamon count v members
of tile Legislature of Illinois 323
Longfellow, Henrv Wads worth 46, 159
Longstreet , f Gen.) James 54
Longueil, M. de— French commander at De-
troit 189
Longworth, David— publisher 20
■'Looking Class Prairie" in Illinois— reference
to 130
"Lorrain," (The) interpreter Tamarois Mis-
sion 237
Los Angeles, Cal 324
Lost Maramech and Earliest Chicago— by J.
F . Steward, quoted 253
''Lost Speech" of Abraham Lincoln — refer-
ence to 157
foot note 244
Loughborough, England 329
Louisiana— acquired from France 71
(Major) Amos Stoddard Historical
Sketches of Louisiana— reference to 123
mention 147. 15. , 258
foot note 292
Louisiana ( Upper i - description of the vegeta-
tion, trees, flowers, fruits, etc. in 295 296
iron mine in, reference to 295
mention 292,293
Louisiana, Missouri— foot note 193
Louisiana Purchase of 1S03— reference to 54
Louisville, Kv.— mention. ..48, 202, 209, 272,
foot note 202
Loups (Indians)— village of 281
Lovejov, Elijah Parrish— death of, reference
to 193, 196
editor the Alton Observer, Alton, Ill-
writings of, reference to 129, 130
guest of President Beecher and Illinois
College at the commencement of 1S37.. 196
H. Tanner's "' Martyrdom of Lovejov"—
quoted 198
and foot note 198
mention...: 26, 78, 198, 199
Lovejoy , Joseph C 130
Lovejov. Owen— Abolitionist 35
leader of the Fr Soilers in 111., opposed
to Mi- X-bra-ka bill 29
.. 37, 41, 130
Lowell, .lain-- Lit- — 11 mention 159
quoted on, Abraham Lincoln 44
Loyal Legion patriotic society 100
Loyal Legion (patriotic society)- William
Vocke identified with 327
Lunt, Orrington, of K van-ton, 111 109
Lusiere, Illinois Country 286
named for a French refugee 294.
Lusk's Ferry 306
Luther, Martin... 33
McAdam-, YViKhm— Concluded. Page.
quoted on the petroglyphs on the Missis-
sippi river footnote 115
Macallister and Stebbins bonds— reference to. 224
McClelidli,' 'lien': Ceorge H ..'.'.'. '. ...'..'..'.[ i.Vi , ,S9
McCIernand, (Gen.) John A.— foot note 242
McCleraand, John A— member H. R. U. S.
Congress from Illinois 52
member loth (General Assembly. State of
Illinois, 18-36-1837 .' 5(i. 219
McClernand, (Gen.) John A.— mention
85, 93, 156, 221
McConnel, George M. — recollections of the
Northern Cro-- Railroad. Address before
the Illinois State Historical Society, 1908, by
145-152
McConnel, John Ludlam— served in the Black
Hawk War and Mexican War 132
writings' of 132'
McConnel, Murray- anecdote concerning his
connection with the building of the North-
ern Cross R. R. through Jack<on\ ille, route
of 151
member of the board of Public Works
elected by the Legislature March, 1837
147, 148
mention 132
McCormick, Henry — member committee 10
McCradv, Edward", LL. I.V-hLtorv of South
Carolina ." 20
McCull ic-h. 'Judge. David -director and one
of the founder- Illinois State Historical
Society, decea-ed 5, 12
M-Culloeh. [>avid memorial to Judge David
McCulloeh by Eliot Callendar, read before
the Illinois State Historical Society, l'.nis
.5, 204-20S
Peoria County Bar Association, tribute
to '. 207-208
*!■■!' :!(■■!. i ■ . . e: ,.■■■■
ers to California. 1850 107
diarv of, a-ro-- the plains to California,
: :• l ic to... 107
early --it ler of Chicago, 111 104
McHenry county, 111 141, 164
•Ma-ci-t'oii-L'a" Chief of "The Great Village
of Marameeh" 251
McKeen. R.-y.. Silas D. D. history Brad-
ford. Vt. ' 21
M-K-lv-v, Xancv 331
McKendree College, Lebanon, 111.. 5, 10, 136, 137
McKendree, ( Bishop) William 83
MacKenzie, George, Norbury, LL. B.— editor
historical book 21
McKenzie, John 128
Mackinaw- (Island of Mackinac) 163
Mackinaw, 111.— Railroad from Bloomington
to Mackinaw, projected 147
MeKinlev. i Pivs.t William 6
McKinle'v, (Mr-.. William 6
McLean county. 111.- foot note 241
McLean County Historical Society -members
of, explore Indians Mounds, etc 1*7, lss
mention 328, 335
place tablet on site of ancient Kickapoo
Indian Fort 186
McLean county, 111.— Indian Fort, remains of 185
mention «--171, 328, 335
and foot note 241
Mysterious Indian Rattle Crounds in Mc-
Lean County, by John H. Burnham.184 191
McLean county. 111. pioneers of, explore
Indian mounds... 187, lss
\i-i ean. rohn mention 50
l'. S. Senator from Illinois 168-169
McLellan. Chatl-- \V . collector of I.incoln-
iana 46
Macmillan Company— publishers 20
365
Index — Continued.
Page.
McMynn, (Mrs.) Elsa 327
McM'vnn, John C 327
Macomb, 111., •• Eagle" (The)— (newspaper).. 159
"Bystander" (newspaper) 159
Macon county, 111 171
Macopin (Macoupin) Creek— Indian name
"While Yam " 296
Masopln } River (Macoupin) 257, 298, 300
Macoupin county, 111 31
Mc Roberts, (Judge ) Samuel 128, 168
Madison, Conn 322
Madison county, 111 88, 165
Madison, James— letters of, to Rev. James
Lemen, Sr., reference to 78
Madison, 'Wisconsin 13, is,
Mag.'i/.ini' of American History, vol. 6— quoted,
• foot note
Maine (State) first census of, 1790
Maldaner 'v SonYspriiYdieYd,' Hi.'.'. ......'.'....
Mallory, Stephen R., I". S. Senator of Florida.
Maniieu Indian name for spirit s or divinity
115",
Manning and Merriam celebrated firm of
lawyers, Peoria, 111 :
Manning, Julius pioneer lawyer of Knoxville,
li;.-,
111..
Manufacturers in the Illinois Territory 3
Maps, I'el.erv's map Illinois Country
254, 256, 257, 2
Franquelin map, 1681 2
French maps 2
Maramech Hill— map of, and vicinity, by
J. F. Steward 2
showing the fort where the Foxes were
Marais des Liards 286, 295
Marais des Liards (Mo.)— .settlement founded
by the French 294
Maramech Hill— an Island of woods 254
Maramech— "Great Village of Maramech,"
location of 251
Maramech Hill— French axe, French gun
flint, found in 255
Maramech Hill French trenches in 257
map of, and vicinity 253
mention 258
researches in history of 252
rifle pits in 258
Marc River 297, 298
Marest, (Father) Gabriel— Jesuit priest, born
at Laval, France, Oct. 14, 1662, died Sept.
15, 1714 234
Marest, (Father) (Jabriel— Jesuit priest at
Mission, Peoria Village, Illinois Country.. 234
Marest, (Father)— letter of F. (J. Marest, Illi-
nois Country, April 29, 1699, quoted, foot
note. 234
Marest. (Father) Gabriel quoted on the
missionaries sent out from the seminary of
Quebec : 234
Margry, Pierre— historical writings, vol. V,
quoted, foot note...- 236
vol. IV, vol. V, quoted
Marie Riv
Mai
and lime quarry worked
, 310
Marl Iiiver ( Riviere de Glaise) 277, 2S2, 2
Marmon, (Mrs.) Mary Ann Cheney 3
Marmon, (Mrs.) \V. M— biographical sketch
Page.
Marquette, Father James (Jacques) Jesuii
priest, born, Laon, France, 1637, died 1675
on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, on
St. Joseph river, near present Ludington.
Remains removed to St. Ignace, 1676, and
finally buried there
description of the " Piasa" 114, 115
Marquette — discoveries of the Mississippi,
pub. 1861, reference to 114
Marquette, Father James (Jacques)— Illinois
Mission first intrusted to the care of 233
Marquette, Father James— mention. 116, 117, 253
Marrodizua Lake small lake in the American
bottom 302
Marsh, Isaiah -California adventurer, 1850... 108
Marshall College, Mercerberg, 1'a 204
Marshall count y , 111 204
Marshall, Jim— sold discovered l,v atColoma,
Cal., Jan. 4, 1848 227
Marshall, John 130
Marshall's Table of Manufactures, Illinois
Territory, 1810 308
Marten Myth of the Modoc Indians, quoted... 120
Martineau, Harriet "Strange Early Days in
Chicago," reference to 129
Marupas— letter of, dated Dec. 18, 1731, refer-
ence to 256
Maryland State— first census of, 1790 21
mention 20, 55, 74, 147
Mascouten Indians 189
Masco nt in 1
Mascouten | Indians 188 , 254 , 308
Mascoutin J
Mascoutin River 301
Masopin River (Macopin, Macoupin) 257
Mason, D. & Co.— publishers 20
Mason, James M— U. S. Senator from Vir-
Mason's gang of robbers on the Ohio river and
surrounding country 307
Massac county, 111 14
Massac Creek 272, 277
Massachusetts, state— colonial society of, pub-
lications of .* 20
foot note 242
first census of, 1790 21
mention
....20, 55, 85, 134, 147, 162, 225, 313, 315
Matheny, James H. member of nominating
committee, Illinois State Historical Society. 3
Matheny's (Matheny family )— cousins of the
Lemen family 81
Mather, Thomas 168
Matteson, Joel A.— candidate for I". S. Senate,
1855, vote on, etc 38-42
Governor of Illinois 38, 42
Matteson, (Mrs.) Joel A 40
Maud, Wabash count y. Ill 322
Mauvaise Terre (Bad' Land )— Mine river so
called by the Canadians-. 296
Maxey , Henry 337
Maxey, W. S. 337
Maxwell, George P. W — vote for in Illinois
Legislature for judgeship, ,'ith judicial dis-
trict , Illinois 219
Meade, (Gen.) George G 218
Meadow of the Bridge 236
Meadow of the Rock ( Prairie du Rochsr) —
distance from Kaskaskias ...2s'.i. _"iu. Jul
mention
population of 289
Med fon 1, Mass 20
Medill, Joseph editor-in-chief Chicago Tri-
bune 247
Mediterranean Sea 146
'l> e Hon.) Wm. A..— member of board of
directors, Illinois State Historical Society 5
Index — Continued.
Page.
- of program committer.
-
. mery C. — quartermaster
- Rebellion 91
Memorial - eh, bv
read at the Illin
Histories - - - 304-208
ulloch, David
Memphis. Term
Menard eountv. m.— mention 323
in honor of Pierre Menard 163
: :-rre 12S
first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois—
. county. Illinois named aft
member of board of directors. Illinois Cen-
tral R . R 174-175
Menominee River 118
Mercerburg. Pa 204
ill 14S
Meriden. Conn 19
. "ohn— mention 309
John— text book on surveying.
to 126
. is Indians 115, 116
Methodist Episcopal Church 109 . 337
■ v in Illinois in
- nee to 1.54
-hodist Church. Mt. Vernon. I1L- 337
I earia, 111 204
liurches — Illinois, early history of.
contained in the Lemen familv not-r- -. •
Metropolis. Ill '. 14
Mexican Government 54
--nee to
54. 132, 1.53. 1-54. 1.56, 157
also foot note 247
Mexico — countrv of. Aztecs of Mexico 122
California ceded to the I . S. hv 71
mention 55. 100. 118, 133. 225. 22S
Miami Indian Legend— reference to 1- J
Miami Indians— mention 115 . 116
Miami Indian Traditions 11-5-116
Miami Town— Great \ illage of Maramech
. .251 ,
Miamis River 271 . 272 .
Miamis Village ' .
Michigamis Indians— foot note 115
Michigan Indians 236
Michigan State — formation of Republican
partv in 1854, reference to 28
mention 140, 190
also foot note
7 ublican party first organ-
ized in 35
Michffimackinac River 297 - i
Michillimackinac . 234
::.- :.-
-Pa an
Middlebury College. Conn 195
Middleburv. Vermont 4>
62
Mass 20
21
. -history of, by
Stacy ' 20
Milbum. I Rev.i Wm. Henry — writings of.
to 130
Militarv Bountv Lands— in the Illir. . ,
. - 309
publication of •'.
mons. reference to 131
Miller— among the Evanston gold seekers to
California. 1>50 . 1
Miller. Bell 17
Miller. C . L 333
Miller. Jacob fand two sons )— California
10S
Miller. John— ?arly trustee of Chicago. 141
Page.
Miller. John E. — member of committee on
making historic sites. Illinois State Histori
cal Society n
Mills. Henrv I.— Senator L"th Gener;.
blv. State of niinoi- 18 -1837 219
Milwaukee. Wis
Minan. Pierre 1S-S
-■:.l:.:".i.t. Germany 327
Mine River— called by the Canadians Bad
296. 297
298, 2
Mines— in the Illinois Country 286
- . Minn 45
'Minnehaha"— poem of Frances A. Shaw.
reference to 135
Minnesota Indians .... - 120
Minnesota State— mention 38, 97. 1-54
also foot note 247
Minshall. Wm. A.— vote received by, for ,
judgeship, in Illinois Legislature, 5th judi-
cial district, Illinois 219
•enevieve called i 294
Missions Etrangeres at Paris. France— semin-
ary of Quebec, out growth of 234
. Indian woman 119
Mississippi River— called ■ ' The Great River". 236
discoveries of the Mississippi, by Mar-
quette, pub. in Paris. 1861, reference to. 114
General Pike — first steamboat which as-
cended the 163
Mississippi River— mention
.56. 87, 90. 91. 92. 93. 101. 114. 115.
117. 123. 127. 141. 151, 164. 173. 21S. 223.
226. 233. 234. 238, 239. 25? _• " _■ " ."
278 281 282 28 285 28 287 288 298
299, 300. 301, 302. 305. 306. 307. 308, 309. 310
military description of part of the I
sippi" from the mouth of the Ohio to the
Illinois Countrv 277 -
Pittman. (Capt.) Philip— account of Mis-
sissippi river, published 1770. reference
. 123
Shea. John Gilmary— early voyages up
and down the Mississippi. X.i". 1861,
quoted . foot notes 234 . 235-238
Winsor. Justin — Mississippi. Basin, quo-
ted, foot note - 2:53
Mississippi. n 5-5, S6. 93. 95
Mi— i— it pi Vallev— Baird. Robert.view of the
vallevof the Mississippi. Phila.. 1S34, quoted
foot note 233
Mississippi Valley— Chase. Philander, pioneer
Episcopal bishbp in 130
Mississippi Valley— first locomotive in 14S
Historical Association 13
mention 152 . 163
Pioneer Preachers and People of the Mis-
sissippi Vallev— by Rev. Wm. Henry
Milbum— reference" to 1:30
"Progn pi Vallev"— un-
finished work of Dr. J. M. Peek— refer-
ence to 12S
r-ation through-
out the Mississippi Vallev during the
..ion.:...: 91-92
•Ten Y I :— ippi Valley"—
bv Tin. r.oe to 134
Missouri Compromise— an agreement between
the North and the South by which Missouri
was admitted to the Union as a slave holding
state on condition that slavery should be
forever prohibited in the territorv west of
Missouri and north oftbe fine 36°, 3CN. L.. 26
i Senator I Dixon's amendment to. repeal
the .
)f upon
: of
Index — Continued.
Missouri Compromise— Cond uded. Page.
repeal : : - ■ -
field, 1854— extracts from 31
Missouri Indians - 236
- toted—
footnotes
Missouri Republican. Xov. IS. 1837— extract
from communication on. "Edwar : I
—Abolitionism . Illinois College ' " 199
foot note 199
quoted — foot note
Missouri Republican 'newspaper i— mention. 198
Missouri Republican— quoted on Edward
Beecher and his sermons on slavery in Alton,
etc.— foot notes
Missouri River— mention
91, 94, 238, -77. 279 2J
. . _ . . 296, 299, 301, 303, 307
also foot note
Missouri state— admitted to the Cnion as a
slave-holding state 26
admission to the Union causes exciting
struggle of 1820
Gazetteer of Missouri and Illinois, 1823 —
neneeto 123
mention ..3^. 55, 89. 127. 154, 162. 193, 310
also foot note 247
Mormons driven out of— reference to 223
Mitchell, S. Augustus— ••Illinois in 1837"— by
nee to. 129
Modoc Indians of Southwestern Oregon —
Marten Myth quoted " 120
Mohawk and Hudson Railway 46
••Moina'"— nom-de-plume of Anna P. Pinnies 134
Moki Indians 121
Moline.ni 5, 10, 11
Monmouth. 111.— mention 332
Monongahela River 92, 300
Monroe countv. 111.— mention
39, 74, 76. 165, 209
Monroe. James— letters of, to Rev. James
Lemen. Sr.— reference to 78
mention 49
Montagnais I Indians i 118
Monterev, California— convention at. Sept. 1.
1849. to frame a constitution for California. . 227
Montigny. (Rev.; Francis Jolliet de — Semin-
arv priest — came from Paris to Canada.
ordained at Quebec in 1693—
in the Louisiana Mission I 1698-1700 j-^died
in 1725. aged 64 years 234
established at the Arkansas Mission 23-5
Montinev. M. de— letter from the Arkansas
Mission of. in 1699— quoted 235, 236
foot E
Montpelier. Vt 21
Montreal. Canada 191
Monument to Confederate Dead— proposed
monument to, in Chicago — reference to 100
Moore. John— member 10th General Assembly
State of Illinois. 1836-1837 219
mention
Morgan county. 111.— Morgan County Histori-
cal Society — paper before, on the Under-
ground RaUway— by Mrs . W . C . C- :
erence to— foot "note 201
mention -
foot note 241
records of Circuit Court indictm- •:
People vs. Julius A. Willaid I
People vs. Samuel Willard— foot note.. 202
Morgan, iCapt.1 James D — Captain Quincy
riflemen. War with Mexico 22-5
Mormon Charters— granted bv State of Illinois 222
Mormon Church 131
Mormons— book of. published at Xauvoo. in
1842— reference to 131
Mormons— Concl uded. Page .
contributed lit'. of Hli-
131
r.-ion. 131
mention 133
publication of 131
Pratt .
Liverpool for the M 131
Time- —pub-
lished by the Mormons at Xauvoo. HI.. 131
vote solidfly for the Whigs in Til in sis
vote the Democratic ticket in mint
Moro. m 19
Morris Family of Xew York
Morris. (Capt-) M— Acting Quartermaster.
C. S. A., relieves Capt. Ralston li -
Antonio, Texas
Morris, Robert
Morrison. J. L. D.— member Senate. Illinois
Legislature. 1855 39
substitute offered by. for the original bill
to incorporate the Illinois Central R.
R.— reference to
Morrison. Robert— of Kaskaskia 126
ert— poems of— r-
to. : -
Morristown, X . J.— foot note 247
Moses" John— ••Historical and Statistical His-
torv of Illinois— quoted— foot note 175
M 336
Moss. Angus 336
Moss, Anna E 336
Moss . Annie 336
336
Moss. Dr. Harrv 336
Moss, Harrv C 336
TohnR ....336,337
Moss, Xorman H ..336, 337
»n 336
Moss. WD 337
Moulton. "Hon .) S. W .—foot note
Mounds. I The Cahokia) poem by Micah Flint
134
Mt. Carmel, HI.— mention 321 . 322
Southern Cross R. R. from Alton to Mt.
Carmel. HI 146
Mount Carroll. HI.— mention 176
Mount Kataehdin 119
Mount Vernon. HI 336. 337
Mourot— contributor to the 'The Icarian,"
published at Xauvoo, HI
Mud River
Muddy River 277
Mulford . I Major I Edward H .—pioneer :
of Chicago 103. 104, 112
-lerof Chicago. HI 104
Munsell. -Joel' Sons— publishers 20. 21
: . Battlefield— reference to 249
-of Chicago, HI. 104
Murrain. FaJ
River
••My Own Times "'—by John Reynold-
ehee to 133
Mvsterious Indian Battle Grounds in M
Countv— address before the Hon' . -
Historical Societv. 1908— by John H. Burn-
ham '.
N
Xa-nan-gous-sis-ta— chief ol
imech"
Xapa Bay— California
-ical Publishing Com-
pany—Providence. R. I.— publishers
: Riots at Alton— bv Edward
Beecher— quoted— foot notes
Xashville. Tennessee
Xatchez. Mississippi
3GS
Index — Continued.
Page.
National Intelligencer (newspaper), Washing-
ton, D . C 169
Xauvoo, Illinois 131
• • Xauvoo Legion •' 131
Xavahoe Indians of Arizona 121
Xavigable Waters in the Illinois Territory-
frontier navigation, internal navigation. 309-310
Xebraska, State of 120
Xebraska Territory- Kansas-Nebraska bill,
new Missouri Compromise founded on the
old .
mention 57, 58, 66
also foot note 37
Stephen A. Douglas' bill in Congress to
organize the territory of 26-27
William Pitt Kellogg— Governor of 157
Xeely— of Jacksonville. 111., connections with
the abduction of the slave -nurse girl) 201
Xeelv, (Miss) Elizabeth— wife of John Ralston 215
XeelV Familv— emigrated to the United
States from Londonderry Ireland, early in
1 lie 1st h century .* 215
Xeelv, (General) 'John J 215
Xegroes— Ant i-X euro Stealing Society 201
" humanity of the negro 33 , 34
mention' 64, 65, 71, 243, 24s, 249
Xelson, (Dr.) David— religious poems and
other works of 126
Xevada state— admission as a State to the
Union, October, lstit 230
first constitutional convention of, reference
. 230
Xevada territory— mention 230
population of in 1860 229
Xew Design- Monroe count v, Illinois— men-
' tion...... 74, 76, 209, 286, 289, 291
Xew England Colonies— reference to 266
New England -emigrant - from, to Illinois 174
mention 48, 249, 266
northern counties of Illinois largely popu-
lated with people from Xew England.. 28
pioneers of. settle in Illinois 192
Xew Englanders— in a new country find it
hard toedant themselves to conditions 313
. 314
234
Xew France— Seminary of Quebec establishes
Xewhall, Daniel H— old book dealer of Xe
York City, collector of Lincolniana 46
Xew Hampshire state— first census of, 1790. . . 21
mention 55
provincial and state papers of 20
Xew Harmony, Indiana 125
Xew Haven, Connecticut 86
Xew Jersey— archives of Xew Jersey 20
Historical Societv, publication-; of 20
mention 45, 55, 295
and foot note 247
Xew Madrid 293
Xewman, J. C 17
Xew Mexico — mention 121 . 122 , 127
Xew Orleans, Louisiana— mention
52, 53, 86, 90, 92, 191,
225, 226, 2(4. 266, 277, 280, 288, 293, 309, 310
and foot note 281
Xewspapers— Alton Courier 137
Alton Observer 196
Alton Telegraph 197, 198
Austin Xevada Star, May 12, 1864—
quoted— foot note 231
Beardstown Illinoisan 137
Belleville Eagle 132
Benton Standard 181
Cairo Times 181
Carthage Gazette 159
Carthage Republican 153 , 159
Chicago Daily Democrat, Dec. 24, 1849-
foot note . .'. 176
Chicago Daily Democrat, Jan. 11, 1851—
Xewspapers— Co ncluded. Page.
Chicago Daily Democrat— foot note 180
Chicago Democratic Press 33
Chicago, Press and Tribune 43
Chicago Times 160
Chicago Tribune— foot note 240.
. Chicago Tribune— mention 240, 247
Editors of the Military Tract, list 159
Edwardsville Spectator 131, 132
establishment of newspapers to oppose the
proposed convention of 1824, in Illinois. 168
Fulton Democrat 153, 157, 160
Fulton County Ledger 158
Galesburg Republican 159
Icarian (The), of Xauvoo, Illinois 131
Illinoisan 201
Illinois Gazette 311
Illinois Herald ." 305
Illinois Intelligencer 311
Illinois (State) Journal.— foot note 241
Illinois (State) Weekly Journal, Jan. 29,
1851— foot note 180
Illinois (Daily) Register, Jan. 15, 1851-
foot note 182
Illinois (Dailv) Register, Jan. 20, 1851-
foot note. 180
Illinois Register— mention 35, 36
Jacksonville Daily Journal 200
also foot note 200
Jacksonville Xews 199
Knoxville Republican (later Galesburg
Republican) : 159
Lewistown Gazette 159
Macomb By-Stander 159
Macomb Eagle 159
"Millenial Star;" Mormon publieation... 131
Missouri Republican Nov. 18, 1837— foot
note 200
Missouri Republican 198
foot note 198,' 199
Xational Intelligencer, Washington, D.C. 169
Xew York Emancipator 196
Xew York Times, July 31, 1865 96
Ohio Statesman 160
Oquawka Spectator 159
Peoria Herald 159
Peoria Republican 159
Peoria Transcript 159
Pike County Democrat 159
Quincy Herald, June 29, 1S64 231
Quincy Herald 15S , 159
Quincy Whig. Sepl . 24, 1S45— foot note... 225
Quincy Whig, June 26, 1864 230. 231
Register 35, 36
foot notes ISO , 182
Rushville Citizen 159
Sangamon Journal 33, 174
Springfield Dailv Register, Jan. 20, 1851-
foot' note 180
Times and Seasons: published by the
Mormons at Xauvoo, Illinois 131
Warsaw Signal 135
Western Advocate 132, 133
Xewton— Early Railroad Legislation in Illi-
nois— quoted -ee foot notes 174, 176, 177
Xew York Central Railroad 146
Xew York City Capitalists— memorial to Illi-
nois Legislature on railroad proposition. .- ... 182
foot nofe 182
Xew York City— cost of carrying a ton of
freight from Buffalo, to Xew York by
wagon— see foot note 172
Emancipator (newspaper) 196
mention 8, 86, 87,
97. 131, 132, 159, 163, 176, 229, 293, 327
foot note 234
Xew York Trime-, Julv31, 1865 96
Xew York state— Colonial Documents, quoted 251
emigration from Xew York State to Illi-
nois 174
369
Index — Continued.
:w York State— Concluded.
"Empire State"
first census of, 1790
first railroad in— reference to. .
Page.
.162, 249
... 242
Historical Society of 20
Mention ..20, 21, 25, 45, 46, 48, 55, 85, 86,
116, 127, 135, 146, 147, 169, 215, 261, 309
Ney, Marshal 154
Niagara— cataract of 288
Xicolay and Hay— Abraham Lincoln, a his-
tory—quoted—foot note 246
biographers of Abraham Lincoln— refer-
eto..
. 242
quoted on the Lincoln-Conkling letter..
244, 245, 246
Nicolav, John G.— 46, 242, 244, 246, 247
Nile River of Egypt 145
N iles. Illinois 1 104
Nixon, (Dr. i Anne W 324
Norfolk. Virginia
10
North America-mention
54, 126, 264, 277, 278, 299
Northern Cross Railroad— beginnings of, sur-
vey from Meredosia to Springfield, etc. .147, 148
completion of, 1842 148
construction, equipment, etc., etc 149, 150
lost locomot ive of, history of 148
Quincy, via Jacksonville'. Springfield, and
Decatur to the Indiana State Line 147
Recollections of the Northern Cross Rail-
road—address before tlie Illinois State
Historical Society, 1 90S— by George M.
McConnel 145-152
Northwestern— female college at Evanston, 111 135
University, Evanston, 111., charter granted
to, Jan. 28, 1851 109
University, Evanston, 111.— mention Ill
University, Evanston, 111., organization
of , etc 108-110
University, Evanston, 111., sale of liquor
prohibited within prescribed limits of.. 110
Northwest territory 165, 299, 300
Ordinance of 1787, defines that three
states should be formed from territory
embraced in 164
Norton, (Rev.) A. T— "Father of Presbyter-
ianism" in southern Illinois 99
Norton, W . T — member of Board of Directors,
Illinois State Historical Society 5
member of Nominating Committee Illi-
nois State Historical Society 3
mention....* 6, 7, 8, 9
"Notes on a Journey in America"— by Morris
Birkbeck— reference to 124
Nova Scotia 119, 122
Noxuba county, Mississippi 86
Noyelle, M .de— officer at Fort Chartres 189
Oak Family— prevailing forest tree of the Illi-
nois territory 303 , :
( lakland, California :
oak Park, Illinois ,....
Oukwood cemetery ;
Oats— mention 172, 301, I
and foot note
ohjibwayl
Ojibiway [ l
O'Rrion Willi
■ Ojibwa.,118, 119, 1
O'Brien, William— pioneer lawyer of Peoria,
Illinois 1
Observations Made Cpon a Journey Through
the Interior of the Cubed States of North
America, in the Year, 1819— by Ferdinand
Ernst— reference to 1
O'Fallon, Illinois
Page.
Ogle, (RevjJBenjamin 77
Ogle count v, Illinois 164
Oglesby, Richard J.— foot note . . ". 242
Ohio and Mississippi Railroad —mention
88, 89, 97, 98, 99
Ohio River — mention
14. 56, 80, 92, 122, 145, 164, 173, 177
271, 272, 273. 275, 277, 278, 279, 2S1, 284,
285, 287, 294, 299, 300, 301, 303, 307, 310
villages on 305 , 306
Ohio state— formation of Republican party
in ls.54 reference to - 28, 35
mention 55, 94, 135, 160, 161, 304, 307
and foot note 242
Ohio Statesman (newspaper) 160
Ojibwa Indians (Ojibways, Chippewasj... .
118, 119, 122
Thunderbird of the ojibwas 119
Oklahoma 327
"Old Northwest"— French population in. . . . 261
"Old Ranger"— nickname given to Governor
John Reynolds 133
Oldroyd, Osborn H— Lincolniana collection
of— reference to 46
Old Testament Prophet— Abraham Lincoln
compared to 43
Old Town Timber— McLean county, Illinois. 184
O'Learv, John— among the Evanston. 111. gold
seekers to California, 1850 107
early settler of Chicago 104
Olnev. Illinois 336
Omaha Indians 120
Out agamies (Indiana i Foxes) 253
Ontario, Canada 119 , 138
Oquawka Spectator (newspaper) 159
Ordinance of 1787— mention. . .bit. 165, 192, 202
prohibits slavery in the Northwest terri-
tory 167
Oregon Boundary Dispute- reference to 29
question in I'nited Stales Congress 53
Oregon. City, 111.— resolution adopted at, con-
cerning the northern boundary of the State
of Illinois 165
Oregon state 154
Oregon territory 53
Orendorff, (Hoh.i Alfred -attend- the Ameri-
can Historical Association at Madison, Wis. 13
attends Semi-fVntennial Celebration of
Chicago Historical Society 13
President Illinois State Historical Society;
ex officio member of all committees of tne
Illinois State Historical Society
3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 328
Orendorff, John Berry biographical sketch of 328
member of the Illinois State Historical
Society, deceased 12
Orendorff, Thomas 328
( isatre Indians 189
Osborne, Georgia I..- Assistant Librarian Ill-
inois State Historical Library, work of com-
mended ' 16
Chairman of < 'onitnit tee on Genealogy and
Genealogical publications Illinois State
Historical Society 3, 11
report of ". 3, 19-21
Osgood, Uri— member of Illinois Legislature,
L855 • 39
Ottawa Illinois -first Lincoln-Douglas debate
held at. Aug. 21, 1858 ....35, 36, 60, 61, 64, 71
mention 6, 10, 11. 39, 60, 64, 71
Ottawa Indians 119, 190, 191
Ouakantape-chiefof the Sioux Indians 237
Ouatonons Indians i Miamis of the \\ abash). . 254
Outtaouat Indians 115
Ouiatonon I -French settlement 271
inhabitants of, hunters and traders 271
24 H S
370
Index — Continued .
Page.
< Hiiah near Vincennes, Ind 270
Ouiltnette Reservation — former name of Wil-
mette. Illinois 105
< )uisconsin River i Wisconsin i 286
< tuiseousin River 286, 288, 293
Owen, J. V.— trustee of early Chicago 141
Dwen, Robert— of New Harmony, Indiana. . . 125
O xen 171,225
Oxford , Mississippi 93
P
Pacific Ocean 54, 122, 146
Paducah, Kv '.. 92
Page & Bacon hanking firm of St. Louis 8S
Page, (Prof.) E.C 4, 7
Page, i Hon. i (Jeorge T. of the Peoria County
Bar 206
-'Painted Cup" (The)— poem of Bryant's,
extract from 136
Palenque, Mexico 120
Palestine, country of 107
Palmer, John M— Anti-Xebra-ka Democrat. 39
Palmer, John M — Bench and Bar of Illinois,
quoted 206
letter from Abraham Lincoln to, dated
Sep1 . 7, 1854, quoted 31
mention -. 6, 42, 85, 159
nominates Lvman Trumbull for the C.
S. Senate... - 40
refuses to endorse the measure in Illinois
111:
the U.
Panama (';
Paris, Frat
Parsons, Mien.) Lewis ti.— Concluded. Page
president of the Ohio and Mississippi R.
R..
promotion to Brigadier General urged. .95-96
religious affiliations 99
i Cen. i riysses S. <; rant's letter to 97
work of, in supplying Sherman's army
provision-, etc.. in his march to the sea
...' 94-95
Parvin— part in the abduction of the slave
Pass
Thunderbird
. 119
niou .
California, 1850
Patterson, J. B.— editor of •'The Oquawka
Spectator" 1
Patterson, ( Rev.) R . W 1
Patterson's Tavern. Cook county. 111 1
Payne, T 3
Pa'vne, (Rev. i J. T 3
Peck, Ebenezer— leading Republican poli-
tician, 1S54-5
Peck, (Dr.) John M — biographical sketch of,
his work as an educator, historian of Illinois,
Peck, J. M.
edition, qu<
Peck, (Dr.)
i-l; f
John
M.-ii
Illinois, is
7, 2d
Sethi)]
••Index o
knowledg
f Erro
e of t
Pact,
"amib
rs Corrected," book
tie Jefferson-Lemen
by-
Anti-
"Lemen
' Xoles
" used by..
...76
Peekskill, X.
Y...
Pelicans call
•<1 53
the <
anadians "
the Foxes al " 1. 1 Rocher" 2.53
Parliament of.,reut Britain .-. 267
Parrot— official representative of Xew France,
among the western Indian tribes 251
Parsons, Charles— captain in the Revolution-
ary Arm v 85
Parson-, C.irnei Joseph 85
Parsons, Lewi- Baldwin— assigned to the
"West." quartermaster's dept., War of the
Rebellion 89-92
biographical sketch of 85
Brevet -major general V. S. A 96
Brigadier General U.S.A......... 96
Halleek, War..!' the Rebellion 92
death of. March 16, 1907 100
education, interest in 99
final report of, 1865, War of the Rebellion. 92
Henry J. Raymond— quoted on 96-97
identified with patriotic societies 100
in charge of all rail and river transporta-
tion of the armies of the I*. S., stationed
at Washington 95
in charge of all the transportation pertain-
ing to the dept. of the Mississippi by
river and railroad, Civil War 90-91
lawyer in Alton, 111 87-88
Lincoln's order, on the promotion of, to
Brigadier General 95-96
nominated for Lieutenant (Governor, State
of Illinois 98
Parsons, (Gen.) Lewis B — paper on the life
of, by Julia E. Parsons 5. ... s.vioii
political affiliations of 87, 98
president board of trustees, Soldier's
Home, Quincy, 111 98
Peltier,
Pennsyl
Pennsyl
Peoria County Bar Association— tribute to
Judge David McCulloch 2U7-:
history of, by Judge David McCulloch,
aha
Peoria, 111
1851. reference to
Herald, newspaper, 1
mention 5, 10, 3<, ol,
147, 154, 155, 157, 172, 185, 204. 205, 2
railroad from Peoria to Warsaw projected
building of 1
record and historical view of Peoria, by
Hewitt S. Drown, reference to 1
Republican i newspaper) 1
Transcript ( newspaper i 1
Peoria Indians 236, 302, 3
Peoria Lake 304, 307, 3
Peoria Mission, Illinois Country 2
Peoria Village— Illinois Country, Father Mar-
est, Jesuit priest at 2
Perch Island ( Isle a la Perche) 2
Pericles,— ( Ireek orator 2
Periodicals— annals of the west, edited by
John M. Peck 1
Illinois Monthly Magazine, edited and
published I. v. tames Hall. 125. 126, 134, 3
Illinois Monthly Magazine, vol. 1, Xo. 1,
Oct. 1830, quoted, see foot note 1
371
Index — Continued. *
Periodicals— Concluded. P&ge.
Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly,
published at Colli minis, < >hio. - 21
"Portfolio," established by Delink' in 1X0! > 125
Virginia Magazine ot Biography and His-
tory... 21
Western Mom lily Magazine (formally Illi-
nois Monthly Magazine.. 12."), 311
■•Western Watchman" 127
William and Mary Quarterly, published
at Williamsburg, \"a '. 21
see newspapers
Perkins, James II.— annalsof the West, edited
by Dr. John M. Peck, reference to 127
Perrin, J. Nick— member commit lee Histori-
cal Society 10
Perron, Mr.— describes the vegetables, trees,
(lowers, fruits, etc., etc. of upper Louisiana
295-296
Peru, county of — gold and silver mines of,
reference to 263
Pestecuoy River (River of the Buil'alo) 251
Peter Pruyne & Co.'s Drug Store, Chicago,
111., 1833! 141
Phelps, W. W .-Mormon journalist 131
Philadelphia, Pa.— Library Company, Ridge-
way branch of, reference to. 261
mention .4.-), 125, 126, 129. 264, 276, 301, 311
National Republican Convention of 1856
held at 63
Phillips, (Judge) Joseph 168
Phillips, Wendell 44
"Phoenix" (The)— name of locomotive used
on the Northern Cross R, R 149
Plainfield, X.J 45
Plein River (Kickapoo) 299, 300, 302
Plymouth, Mass 20
Plymouth, Ohio 232
Piankeshaw Indians -mention 189, 308
Piasa Bird— Great Thunderbird or Storm
Spirit of the Illini 122
legend of, account, by Prof. John Russell,
reference to 128, 129
Piasa Bird— Moki Indian Kwataka or War
Eagle, resemblance to the Piasa 121-122
Significance of the "Piasa" — address
before the Illinois State Historical Soci-
ety, 190S— by Clara Kern Bayliss. .. .114-122
Piasa Bluffs 114, 115
Piasa Creek 114
Piasa or Piasa u— "Man devouring bird" 114
Piases (de > ( Piasa) 296
Pickset 's Station 291
Pierce, Franklin- fourteenth President of the
United States. Born in Hillsborough, N.
H., Nov. 23, 1X04; died at Concord, N. H.,
Oct. 8, 1869 25, 54, 153
Piercy, J. B 337
Piercv, J. R 337
Piercy, W . A 337
Piercv, W. Duff 337
Pierre a Fleche island 298
Pierre a Fleches island in the Illinois river 296
Pierrot— contributor to the "Icarian," pub-
lished at Nauvoo, 111 131
Pierson, Azel-of Jacksonville, 111., aids escap-
ing slaves 200
Pierson, (Prof.) Johnson— author of "The
Judaid" 136-137
Pikecounty, 111. Democrat i Then newspaper) 159
Pike county. 111.— foot note 241
Pike, (Capt.) Zebulon— in command at Fort
Massac 276
Pike, (Maj.) Z. M— quoted on the Indians
along the Mississippi river 308
quoted on the Mississippi river, etc 30.3
Pilgrim's Progress— (John Bunvan)— refer-
ence to 123
Pillsbiiry, (Mrs.)— of Fremont, Nebraska,
sister of Judge Bell 322
Fr;
(St. Louis) !
•ancois— Jesuit priest at
Born at Periqueux,
1660; died at Cahokia,
Pinet, Father al I he Tamarois Mission 237
founder of the Guardian Angel Mission at
Chicago 237
missionary to the Tamarois Indians. .237-238
Pioria Village (called by the Canadians the
Piss) 297
Piorias '(' Peoria j '. ........... ..... ..... '.'. ..... 286
"Pious Fund Case" — first case tried before
the Hague Tribunal— reference to 2.31
Pisse Vache 270
Piss Village Peoria Village so called by the
Canadians 297, 298
Pitner, (Dr.) T. J.— member Special Commit-
tee Illinois Stale Historical Society 11
Pittman, (Capt.) Philip— The Present State
of the European Settlements on the Missis-
sippi, with a geographical description of that
river, published in London, 1 770— reference
to 123
Pittsburg, Pa 46, 90, 92
Pittsfield . Ill 158
"Pizarro"— quotation from the tragedy of 220
Poets and poetry of Illinois 134-139
Point a la Perche
Pointe a la Perche— mention 277 , 2X4
named on account of the willows with
which it is bordered 27s
Political situation in the United Stales in 1X54_
Polk, James K.— eleventh President of the
United Slates. Born in Mecklenburg, X. ('.,
Nov. 2, 1795; died Nashville, Tenn.. June
15,1849 25, 53, 54, 225
Polo, 111 -5, 10
Poncas Indians 120
Pontiac (Saukie Chief) 308
Pope county, 111 - 165
Pope. Nathaniel delegate in Congress from
Illinois Territory 163
his work in extending the northern bound-
ary of the State of Illinois 164
Illinois' debt to 164
Port Clinton— early name of Highland Park,
m i
' Pan folio" (periodical) established byDen-
nie " in 1800— reference to 1
Port Lavacca, Texas 2
Portuguese language
Post, St. Vincent 269, 270, 286, 2
Post, T. A.— Biography of Truman Marcellus
Post — reference to— foot note 1
Post, Truman Marcellus biography of. by
T. A. Post— quoted— foot note 1
foot note 2
instructor in Illinois College— attitude on
slavery 195, 1
Pastor First Congregational Church of St.
Louis 1'
Post lewait, (Mrs.) sister of William Kinney. 2
Potatoes...:....; 172. 3
Pottawattomie f
Pottawottomie 1 —Indians 121. 163. I'D. I
Prairie du Chien (Dog's Meadow .2x6. 2
Prairie du Rocher (Meadow of the Hock) 2.
ment ion
Prairie du Roehers i Prairie du Rocher)—
twenty miles below Si. Phillipe. . .3(15, 306, 3i
" Prairie Fire" (novel)— by William H. Bush-
nell — reference to II
" Prairie-land and other Poems"— by Edward
Reynolds Roe reference to I-
Prairie Schooners extract from poem on-
quoted 1
372
Index — Continued.
Page.
Prairie steam wagon of James Seniple—
reference to > 149
Prairies— Cultivation of the Prairies, letter on
—by Hon. H. L. Ellsworth— reference to... 129
Prairies of Illinois. 101, 134, 13.5, 136, 145, 149, 173
175, 192, 238, 239, 252, 2.54. 256, 302, 303, 307
Prairies, Western— Charles Fenno Hoffman's
tour of, 1833— reference to 129
Pratt, George— early settler of Chicago, III 104
Pratt, Henrv— among the Evanston gold
seekers to California, 1X50 107
Pratt, Orson T— Remarkable Visions— work
of— reference to "131
Pratt, Paul— earlv settler of Chicago, 111 104
Prentice, George D 159
Prentiss, (Gen.) B. M.— foot note 242
Presbyterian Church, Alton, 111 99
Presbyterian Church of Kentucky— History
of— by Rev. Robert Davidson 20
Presbvierian Church (Second)— of Peoria, 111. 206
Sterling, 111 325
State Svnod of Presbyterian Church, held
at Springfield, 111 .—reference to 197
Pretorious, Emil— of St. Louis, Mo.— foot note 242
Prickett, Thomas J.— editor; The Peoria
Republican 159
Priests hi California— reference to 228
Prince, Ezra M.— member of Special Commit-
tee, Illinois Slate Historical Society 11
Princeton College, N . J .—foot note 247
Princeton, 111.— Douglas' speech at, Oct. 18,
1854— reference to 37
mention 322
Priorias (Peoria i - Village of 296
"Progress of the Mississippi Valley"— unfin-
ished work of Dr. J. M. Peck— reference to. . 128
"Prophet of Palmyra"— by Thomas Gregg-
reference to 135
Providence, R. I.— mention 20, 261
Pruyne, Peter & Co.'s Drug Store— Chicago,
111., 1833 141
Psalms of David— remodeled in verse by Mrs.
Robert Morrison — reference to 126
Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and Arizona.. 122
Puget Sound— foot note 122
mention 122
Putnam, county, 111 204
Pyncheon, William 85
Quebec, Act of 1774— reference to 261
Quebec, Canada— mention 191 , 254 , 257
Quebec— Seminary of Quebec, established
missions in the Illinois Country 234-235
mention 233, 234
Queen Charlotte Isle 121
Quetzalcoatl— Indian God in Mexico, the
Bird-Serpent 120
Quincy, 111.— Asiatic cholera in, 1x33 218
"Herald" (newspaper) June 29, 1864—
quoted 231
"Herald" (newspaper) 158, 159
Historical Society 226
mention 5, 6, 7, 11, 51, 126
157, 216, 217, 21S, 22(1, 225, 229, 230, 232
monument to George Rogers Clark, to be
erected by the Stale of Illinois at 14
Northern Cross R. R.— Quincy via Jack-
sonville, Springfield and Decatur to the
Indiana state line 147
Whig, Sept. 24, 1X4.5— quoted— foot note.. 225
Whig, June i>i>, ixi>4 account of the tragic
death of Judge Ralston 230-231
Quincy, Josiah— quoted on the Lincoln-Conk-
ling lei ter 246
Quincv. Mass 85
Quinlan, (Dr.) C. H 112
Railroads— Ackerman, Wm. K — Early Illi-
nois Railroads — quoted — foot notes
174, 177, 178, 182
beginning at Alton running eastward to
intersect the Illinois Central, projected
building of 147
Baltimore and Ohio R. R 98
Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern R. R.. 97
Belleville to intersect the Southern Cross,
projected 147
Bloomington and Mackinaw R. R 147, 148
Cairo division Qlinois I antral R. R 322
Chicago-Milwaukee R. R 112
Chicago & Northwestern R. R., History of
— by W . H . Stennett— reference to . . 143 , 144
Chicago & Northwestern R. R— mention 112
Chicago's early railroads 143, 144
Chicago, greatest railroad center in the
world, statistics of Dec. 31, 1902 144
Early Illinois Railroads - The Place of the
Illinois Central Railroad in Illinois His-
tory Prior to the Civil War— address
before the Illinois State Historical Soci-
ety, 1911.x by Howard G. Bronson, Ph.
D. 171-183
first locomotive in the Mississippi Valley. 148
Galena and Chicago Union R. R 143
grant of land (federal) to assist in building
railroad in Illinois 179
greatest factor in the expansion of civiliza-
tion 146
Great Western Railway Co., of Illinois,
History of 177-182
Hetton Coal Railway in England, 1822... 146
Illinois Central R. R — Bronson, Howard,
Early Illinois Railroads— The Place of
the Illinois Central Railroad in Illinois
History Prior to the Civil War. . . .171-183
charter— reference to 180
documents relating to the organization
of — reference to — foot note 182
First Board of Directors of 174-175
from Cairo to Galena 147
incorporated 174
legislation on 181-183
mention 29, 112, 211
Sidney Breese, called the "Father of
the Illinois Central Railroad" 174
Sidney Breese's work in United
States Congress in behalf of 56
Stephen A. Douglas' work in behalf
of, in United States Senate 56
J. S. Wright of Chicago, pamphlet on
—quoted— foot note 180
Mohawk ami Hudson Railway 146
Newton— Early Railway Legislation in
Illinois— quoted— foot notes. . .174, 176, 177
New York Central Railroad 146
New York's first railroad reference to. . . 86
Northern Cross R. R.— completion of 148
Northern Cross R. R ., Quincy via Jackson-
ville, Springfield and Decatur, to the
Indiana State line 147
Northern Cross Railroad, Recollections
of— address before Illinois State Histori-
cal Society, 1908— by George M. McCon-
nel 145-152
Peoria to Warsaw— projected building of. 147
Ohio and Mississippi R. R.88, 89, 97, 98, 99
Railroad Song, (The)— by Benjamin F. W
Stribling— extract from 137
St. Louis, Kansas ('it vand Northern R. R 97
SouthernCross R. R— from Alton to Mt.
Carmel 147
Stockton and Darlington Passenger Rail-
way, England 146
Wabash R. R 97, 151
" / n dex — Continued .
Page .
Rainy [sland River 300
Ralston Kli/abeth Xeely)— wife of John
Ralston --- 216
Ralston Family emigrated to the United
Stales from Londonderry, Ireland, early in
the ISth century -. .215
Ralston, (Mrs.) Harriet X. Jackson second
wife of Judge H. X. Ralston ::■< :•< J ;i - ■ -'
Ralston, Jackson H.— prominent lawyer,
Washington, L>. C 231
Ralston, James Harvey -Assistant Quarter-
master General, War with Mexico, stationed
at San Antonio, Texas 22.5- 226
biographical ;ke,ch of 216-224
criticism ot iMiM'inoi I' old on -J)
defeat for bulled Stale- Congress, (iov.
Ford quoted on 223
delegate loth., lii'-i coim iimional conven- -
tion, State of Nevada 230
description of, pergonal appearance ...219-220
Edward Everett chief clerk of, quoted on 226
elected judge Fifth Judicial District, State
of Illinois 219-220
Forgotten Statesman of Illinois, James
Harvey Ralston by Dr. J. F Snyder,
locates
parte
derlai
.215-
'alhornia— forms
Tho
'"'lllinoK I.s3ll-is37. '...'..'.' :.'- 219
record in legislature, California 228-229
services in the Mexican \\ ar 22o
tragic death of- account of,- from the
quincv Whig, June 26, 1S64 230-231
William Kpler quoted on 230
Ralston, (Mrs.) James H. (first wife of
James H. Ralston) death of, at San Anton
io, Texas, Julv 3, 1847 --'"•
If mention 230, 231 , 232
Ralston, John 215, 216
Ralston, (Dr.) Joseph, mention 21S
Ralston, (Dr.) Joseph Xeely— (Hon.) Wm.
A. Richardson of Quincy, 111.— quoted on.. 216
Ralston, Mary Aurora 231
Ralston, Thomas Xeely famous pulpit orator ■
and divine of Lexington, Ky 216
RaDton, William Chapman— of San Francisco,
( 'alifornia -mention 232
called a "Napoleon of Finance" 232.
Ralston, Wm. H— son of John and Elizabeth
(Xeely) Ralston 216
Ralston's Desert— dreary sand waste in Ne-
vada, so called on account of the tragic
death of Judge Ralston at that place 231
Rammelkamp, Charles H., Illinois College
and the Anti-Slavery Movement— address
before the Illinois State Historical Society,
1908— by 192-203
letter' of Mrs. W. C. Carter to, dated
Jacksonville, Jan. 17, 1908— foot notes .. 203
letters of Judge T . J . C . Fagg to, on Illinois
College and Anii-Slavery Influences
foot note 193
mention ■* , 10
Ramsav, David. M. D.— History of South Car-
olina'from its First Sett lenient in 1670, to the
Year, 1808 20
Rand, Avery & Co.— publishers 20
Randolph countv. 111 126, 16.5, 305
Randolph, Edmund- -statesman of Virginia. . 162
Randolph Street , ( hicago 329
Raney, George W. editor of Peoria Herald,
[853. 159
Rantoul, Robert of Massachusetts
Letter of Robert Rantoul, Documents
Relating to the Organization of the Illi-
nois Central R. R .—quoted— see foot
note 172
Rantoul, Robert— Co ncluded. Page.
presents the memorial of Xew York and
Massachusetts capitalists to the Illinois
Legislature in regard to railroads— foot
note 182
Rapp, John M., member of Committee on
Membership, Illinois State Historical So-
ciety .. 10
Raw i Dr.) C, 11. Leading Republican Poli-
l tcia n, 1854-1855 42
Raymond, Henry J., editor— mention 159, 160
"in editorial quoted on Lewis Baldwin
Parsons 96-97
Recollect ions of the Northern I Yos.s Railroad-
address before the Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908— by George M. MoConnel. .145-152
"Records of the Past," Oct. 1908 (periodical).
—quoted 122
Red Bank 272
Red River 92, 121 , 286
Red Sea— reference to 26, 44
Reed, George— among the gold seekers to
California, 1850 107
Reed, Samuel— among the gold seekers to
California ls5i> ---- 107
early settler of Chicago, 111 104
Reed, Wallace 1'. History of At lanta, ( ieorgia 20 ■
Religions set chinches
Religion "Govenanters"— religious sect in
Randolph county, 111 167
Republic of America 66
Republican Party -first attempts to organize
Hie Republican Pari y in Illinois 35
formation of, in Michigan, Ohio and Wis-
consin , in 1854 -reference to 28
in Illinois in 1854, bogus and genuine,
resolutions adopted at Codding- Lovejoy
convention — see foot notes 35-37
Lincoln one o| t he builders of 63
mention 59, 155, 156, 159, 223, 245, 249, 321
i foot note
Re]
f Illi-
. 321
Blooming! on, 18.50- footnote 247
Republican Slate Convention held at Bloom-
ington, 111., June 16, 1858— Lincoln's speech
at— reference to 28
Resolutions at the Convention of Codding-
Lovejoy, Springfield, 1854, genuine and_ _
bogus— foot notes 35-37
Revolutionary Army 85
Revolutionary Soldier 82
Revolutionary War 74, '6
Reynolds, (Gov.) John— estimate of John Mes-
singer • '26
Friendship's < dtering, sketch of Dr. J. M.
• Peck— reference to 128
historian of Illinois, works of 128, i:;_\
; 133, 134
"Lemen Family Notes"— used by 76
member of the Hoard of Directors, Illinois
Central R. R 171-175
mention 127, b>s . 218
"My Own Times"— reference to 133
"Old Ranger"— nickname given to Gov.
John Reynolds 133
Pioneer History of Illinois quoted.. 130, 132
Pioneer History of Illinois quoted on
William Kinney 209
Reynolds, (Chief Justice i Thomas 168
Rhett, Barnwell -member House Representa-
tives, United States 2Mb Congress 52
Rhode Island state first census of. 1790 21
mention 20, 261
Rice— among the gold seekers to California,
1850.. ..y.—- 107
Richards, (Rev.) (diaries Gorman 323
Richards, (Rev.) G. J. E 322
374
In dex — Continued .
Page.
Richardson, Wm. A— member 10th General
Assembly, State of Illinois. 1X36-37 219
member 12th < Jeneral Assembly 221
Richardson, (Hon.) Wm. A. -of Quincy, 111.. 232
Richland Creek Church 75
Richmond , Va 21 , 95
Ridge Avenue. E vansloii, 111 107
Ridgely. Nicholas H. mention 152
purchases the Northern Cross R. R 149
Ridgeville, 111. earlvnameof Evanston, 111..
105, 109
"Ridgeville Township "--mention 103, 105
name changed to Evanston, 111, is:,;, 109
Ridgeway Branch of the Philadelphia Library
Company 261
Rinaker, (Gen.) John I.— member of Commit-
tee on Local Historical Societies, Illinois
• Ri\
Pol II
Rol
;. Ei
Mrs. 1
e J.Hubble)..
. 333
. 331
Roberts, James
Roberts, James Esmon 331
Roberts, Peyton - biographical sketch of. .331-334
member Illinois Stab' Historical Society,
deceased 12
Robinson— (A Pottawotame half-breed), ref-
erence to • 190
Robin's Ferry-on the Ohio River 306
Robinson, Andrew— among the gold seekers
to California, 1S50 107
Robinson, James M 12S
Robinson, J. M — opponent of Elias Kent Kane
for U. S. Senator 169
Rochambeau, Marshal— (of the French army) 269
Roche-de-bout '. . 271
Rock River— mention 325
•original Algonquin name Assinnisipi,
Stonv River 252
Rock Spring, ill 127, 128
Rock Spring Seminary established by Dr.
John M. Peck 127
" icky Hi"
Rod
Pom
Mm
io lie
Romans —
mention 136, 137, 1
Rome, Italy 133, 145, 1
Poseerans, ((Jen.) William S. t'nion general.
War of the Rebellion
Pose Hill Cemetery. Mt. Carmel, 111 3
Kosehill, 111 104, 1
Ross, (Gen.) Leonard F — commander in the
Mexican and Civil Wars 1
Ross, (Col.) Lewis W. Lewistown, 111. named
for, officer in the Mexican War, politician,
etc..
mention i
Ross, Ossian M —organized Fulton county,
inois— Lewistown named for son of :
Page.
Rouensae— Promises to the Kats (Indians)... 238
Rumsey, Sarah early writer of poetry and
prose in Illinois 137
Rushville (111.) Citizen (The)— newspaper. .. . 159
mention 3, 11, 46
Russel, Andrew— member of board of direc-
ors, Illinois State Historical Society 3, 5, 6, 8, 9
member of legislative committee, Illinois
State Historical Society 10
member of publication committee on
periodical for Illinois State Historical
Societ y 11
Russell, ( Prof! John -associate of Dr. J. M.
Peck at Rock Spring . 128
ment ion *. 128
also foot note 117
quoted on the "Piasa" 116-117
- writings of, reference to 128, 129
Russia 97
Russian language 46
Russians 61
Rutherford, (Miss) Adelaide- mention 4
Rye- mention 172, 301
foot note 173
Sabot niskv, Alaska
Sac Indians ((>r Saukies). .116, 129, 301. 308,
Sacramento i ( 'ity ), California - inundated
ad (
Ulgal
;r)..
St. Ange, Louis ile— constructs a small fort
Illinois Country
ment ion
scout informs St. Ange of the loc;
the Fox Indians
St. Anthony— Falls of St. Anthony, Mississip-
pi river '.
St . Charles, Mo.— mention
population of
St. Clair count v, 111
"...39, 126, 165, 210, 211, 297,
St. Cosme, ( Rev.) Jean Francois T
ed by a band of ( hetimacha sav
end of the year 1702 :
letter of, dated Tamarois,
of
lii-
Un
235
quoted mi the Piasa Ho
"quoted.../....... " ' 115
St. Cosine's voyage to the Tamarois Mission
234-235
St. Cosme, Jean Francois II— cousin of St.
Cosme, born 1660, ordained 1683, died 1712. . 236
SI. Clyde Papid 273
St. Genevieve— mention 2S4. 286, 295
population of 294
St . ( Jermain ( Rivulet ) 301
Saint Cauden's Statue of Abraham Lincoln,
in Lincoln Park, Chicago reference to 32
St. John, 111. former name of Highwood. 111. 105
St. Joseph Piver 163
S1 . Lay rence count y, N. Y 86
St . Lawrence Piver' 118, 119, 288
Si. Lewis iSt. Louis) distances from to the
neighboring villages 295
375
Index — Continued .
St. Lewis (St. Louis)— Concluded. Pagi
five leagues from the mouth of the Missis-
sippi and eight from the Illinois 2
St. Lewis i St. Louis. Mo.)- mention
285 293, 2
military position of 2
Si Lewis or " Pincour"— population of 2
St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern R. R
SI . Louis, Mo.— foot note 2
Lemen family notes in a safety vault in..*.
mention ' 4*. 7*. S7, ss, *9,
111 92 '.17 99, 127., 12ii. 127. 128, 172.
196, 19*. 2U1, 2(HI, 21(1, 2*1, 2*1. 305, -
Pope and the clergy in St . Louis give aid
St! Mary's River".".".!!".!!!!!!!!.*.!" ! -
Saint Peters parish register of, New Kent
county, Va..
Old French village
, 290, 290. :;n.".. :ioo
St. Vali"i\ M. de Li-hop of Quebec, appr
the plan for founding a mission in the
marois country
St. Vincent's Post
Salaminique
Salem, 111...
Saline Creek
on the Saline river, Illinois Territory 3(
San Antonio, Nevada 2:
San Antonio, Texas 2:
Sanborne, V. C, of La Orange, 111. present -
genealogical book to Historical Society
Sand l'.av 3(
Sand Bar River 3'
Sander-' Header— extract from poem of Ben-
jamin F . Taylor in 1
Sand Ridge, (now Austin) 111 1
Sandy Creek 3
San Francisco- history of, by John S. Hittell,
quoted, foot note 2
ment ion 232 , 3
Sangamon county. 111. -foot notes 241, 2
mention 51, 149, 323, 324, 3
Sangamon Journal 33 , 1
foot, note 1
Sangamon River- mention. 03, 130, 1*0, ls7, 1
Sanga'non River Valley- Flint's description
of ' 1
Sangamo River 1
San Jacinto, Mexico
San Jose, California 2
Santa Anna, (Gen.) Antonio Lopez de
Savannah, 111 1
Seammon's Illinois Reports -1st and 2d, quo-
ted, foot note 2
Scates, (Judge i Walter Bennett
Schaumlierg township. Cook count v. 111 3
Schmidt. (Dr.) Otto I '.
Schenectady, NY 1
Sohofield, (Gen.) John McAllister 95,
Schoolcraft, Henry R 129, 1
Schoharie counly, N. Y.— history of Sohnoarie
county and Border wars of New York, by
J. R.Simms
Scotland— foot note 1
mention 2
Page.
Scott. (Mrs. i Matthew T. chairman commit-
tee on Marking Historic Sites in Illinois,
Illinois State Historical Society 11
Scott. Kufus 334
Scott, (Ren.) Winfield in command of the
forces of I" . S. Regulars, Ft . Dearborn 102
mention 83 . 218
L'nited State- General in the Mexican War 54
Scripps, George W. editor The Lu-hville Cit-
izen 159
Scripps, John L. -quoted on Abraham Lin-
coln's speech at the Bloomington convention
of 1856 ■■■-■■ 33
Scugog, Ontario 119
Sebastopol 01
Selbv, Paul— letter of the Hon. James C. Conk-
ling, to dated Springfield, March 10, 1*95, on
the Lincoln-Conkling letter 245-247
(The) Lincoln-Conkling letter, read before
a union mass meeting at Springfield, 111.,
Sepi :;, 1S03, an explanation of Lincoln's
most famous epistle, contribution to
State history, by Paul Selbv 240-250
member of trie program committee, Illi-
nois Slate Historical Society 10
Seminars of Quebec -establishes missions in
the Illinois Country 234-235
Seminary of Qu.J.ec outgrowth of the Mis-
sions Est ramzeres in Pans 234
SemiQuain River.. 298
"hly, State of Illinoi-, .ls:;<;-is:-j7. ."....".. !.50, 219
prairie steam wagon built by— reference to 149
U. S. Senator from Illinois 52, 149
105
Fk
10. 1*01,
N.Y.,Oct.l0,1872
: 25. 40, 04, 1
Seymour. Horatio— Governor of New York
1*53-55, 1 1*03-05 >. Born at Compoy Hill,
Onondaga county. X . Y .. Mav 31, 1*10;
died Feb. 12, 1886
Shakespeare, William reference to ... .12, 13,
Shambaugh, Benjamin F
Sharpe, Joseph— editor the Carthage Cazctte. 1
Sharpshurg, Ky
Shavv
Frai
ichet
Shawn.
establishment of State bank at 1
mention 127 , 10* , 3
Shawanese Indians 3
Shawnee Indians 2
Shea, John < (binary The Catholic Church in
Colonial Days, New York, 1**0— quoted—
foot note 233, 2
Earlv Voyages Up and Down the Mi i--
sippi- X. V., 1861, edited hv. quoted...
234. 235, 230. 237, 2
Sheep ( ( '.it su old ) 3
Shelbyville, 111 l
Shepard, (Miss) Sarah E— wife of Judge
Robert Bell 3
Sheridan, ft'apt.) Phil
Sherman. I>. II California adventurer, 1850. 1
Sherman, (Hon.i Lawrence V. Third Vice
President, Illinois Slate Historical Society.
Born in Lai
New York I
Shields, (Ger
the Mexican \\ ar
member loth General Assemblv.
Illinois, 1*30-1*37
rigadier-Ceneral in
376
Index — Continued.
Shields, (Gen.) James— Concluded. Page.
nominated for the United States Senate
by Senator Benjamin Graham 40
Shields," James— United States Senator from
three States— foot note 247
mention 38, 154
vote cast for in Illinois Legislature, for the
United States Senate, 1S55 40
Shiloh Township, Jefferson county, Illinois,
336, 337
Shoshone Indians (Roo1 Diggers) 231
Shumard, (Rev.) CD 337
Sibley, (Gen.i Henry— First State Governor
of Minnesota (1858-60). Born in Detroit,
Michigan, Feb. 20, 1811; died in St. Paul,
Feb. 18, 1891 94
Sidell, John— member House Representatives,
United States 2M 1 1 Congress 52
Siege of Detroit, 1712 reference to ,188, 189
Sierras (the Siena Nevada Mountains) 107
"Significance (The) of the Piasa"— address
before the Illinois State Historical Society,
1908— by Clara Kern Bayliss 114-122
"Silent, Monks" (The)— poem, by Micah
Flint— reference to ■. 134
Simitiere Du, Library of— reference to 261
Simms, Jeptha K. History of Schoharie
■ County and Border Wars of New York. .... 20
Singleton, (Gen.) J. W — leader of the Spring-
field Mass Meet ing, Sept . 3, 1863— foot note. . 241
Sioux Indian- at Tamarois— atrocities of 237
Sioux Indians of the Dakotas 120, 122
Sisseton Sioux 121
"Skamson"— Thunderbird of the Haida
Indians of Alaska and Queen Charlotte Isle. 121
"Skelamatch"— in the "Marten Myth" 120
•' Sketches of America" — published by Henry
Bradshaw Fearon in 1S19 -reference to 124
Skillet Fork— fort built of logs on— reference to 336
Slavery— Abraham Lincoln's letter to Judge
Win'. Kellogg, in regard to the extension of
slavery, dated Springfield, 111., Dec. 11, 1860 156
Anti-Slavery Society in Illinois .
f 167-168
slavery into Illinois.
' 167-168
I ween the North and
56-57
; of 1850 55
s opposition to— foot
■rmons on, in Alton,
. 192
Edward Be
111 198
extracts from some of the writings of
Abraham Lincoln on slavery in 1854 30
Fugitive slave Law, amendment to— ref-
erence to 55
ment ion 36, 64
Henry Clay, quoted on 68
Illinois College and the Anti-Slavery
Movement— addre-s before the Illinois
State Historical Society-, 19US— by
•Charles II. Kammolkamp 192-203
Illinois contest , 1*23, to amend the consti-
tution to permit slavery— reference to—
foot note 192
(Gov.) John Reynolds- writingson .1133-134
Joseph Capps. of Jacksonville, 111. -oppo-
sition to— foot note 192
"Kansas-Nebraska bill" provisions of,
etc 57-58
mention 30,
33-36, 43, 44, 55, 64-69, 70, 72, 74-80,
86, 87, 133, 134, 167, 192-203, 215, 294
also, foot notes 37, 241
Missouri Compromise or restrict ion of, ls2o .".7
Morris Birkboek's altitude on 125
"Narrative of Riots at Alton"— by
Slavery— Concluded. . Page.
Edward Beecher-quoted-foot notes. .194-198
New Englander, antagonistic to 192
not lawful in the Illinois territory 299
( irdinanee of 1787— prohibits slavery in the
Northwestern territory lt>7
Speech of Alexander H. Stephens against
a war waged in the interest of slavery—
1S48, reference to 26
Underground Railway operated by anti-
slavery men 195
(Judge) William Kellogg's compromise
plan on 155, 156
Slemmons, (Judge) W. 1 206
Smith, (Hon.) Charles Emory 6
Smith, (Judge) David A.— opposed to slavery 196
foot note 192
Smith, E. H— "Black Hawk, and Scenes in
the West ' ' — poem — reference to 129
Smith, George W— quoted on Elias Kent
Kane 1 70
quoted on date of birth of, Elias Kent
Kane 162-163
Smith, (Prof.) George W— member of Board
of Directors, Illinois State Historical Society 5
mention ] o
Smith, Joseph— Mormon leader 131
Smith, Robert— member 10th General Assem-
bly, State of Illinois, 1836-1837 219
Smith, (Judge) Theophilus W 168
Smith's Grove, McLean county, 111 186
Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C. 117
Smoky Valley, Nevada 230, 231
Snivel v, E. A 10
Snyder, Adam— "Adam W. Snyder and His
Period in Illinois, History"— quoted— foot
note 222
Snyder, (Capt.) Adam W— mention 210, 221
Snyder, Albert K.— member Board of Direc-
tors, Illinois Central R. R 174-175
Snyder county, Pennsylvania 20
Snyder, (Dr.) J. F— Forgotten Statesman of
Illinois, James Harvey Ralston — contribu-
tion to State History— by 215-232
Society of Colonial Wars. . *. 100
Society of Colonial Wars —publications of 21
Society of Jesus— Jesuit Missionaries of, in the
Illinois Country 234
Society of the Army of the Tennessee 100
Sons of the A merican Revolution — Society of 100
South Carolina state— first census of, 1790. . . . . 21
mention 20,55, 147, 162
South Farms, Connecticut 126
Southern Cross R. R— from Alton to Mt.
Carmel 147
Spain, (Country of)— Florida acquired from. . 71
mention 266
Spanish- A merican War 95
Spanish Grants in California 227
Spanish language 46
Spanish settlements in the Illinois Country* . 286
Sparks, (Prof.) Edwin Erie— editor of the Lin-
coln-Douglas Debates Volume 15, 160
Honorary Member, Illinois State Histori-
cal Society 5 , 8
resigns as a 'member of the Board of Direc-
tors of the Illinois State Historical Soci-
ety 15
Spear, Stephen L— member committee 9
Speed, Joshua F. personal friend of Abraham
Lincoln : 30
Spencer, Edward W. -saves the lives of many,
from the ill-fated steamer, " Lady Elgin".. Ill
Spencer, William V.-- publisher of the first
list of Lincoln lit erat ure 45
Spotsylvania count v, Virginia 21
Springfield, 111. -car shops reference to 149
Daily Register, Jan. 20, 1851— reference to
—foot note " 180
footnotes 241, 242, 245, 247
377
Index — Continued.
Springfield, 111— Concluded. Page.
(Col.) J. J. S. Wilson, Supt. Telegraph Of-
fice. Springfield , 111. 1863-foot note .... 242
Lincoln-Conkling Letter, Read before a
Union Mass Meeting at Springfield, 111.,
Sept. 3, 1863— An Explanation of Lin-
oln's most Famous Epistle— Contribu-
tion to State History— by Paul Selbv
240-250
mention ! 3, 5, 9,
10, 11, 12, 1.5, 18, 19, 26, 29, 31, 33,
35, 36, 37, 51, 59, 63, 65, 67, 76, 81,
83, 14S, 149. 151, 153, 156, 164, 185, 186,
197, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 247, 248, 323
and foot notes 241, 242, 245, 247
Northern Cross R. R., Quincv via Jack-
sonville, Springfield and Decatur to the
Indiana State line 147
Springfield. Mass 85
Staats-Zeitung, Chicago (newspaper) 327
Stacy, James Newnan 20
Stamper, A. -Keniuekian, married sister of
J. H . Ralston 217
Stamper, (Mrs.) Sarah— sister of Dr. Joseph
and J . II . Ralston: died of Asiatic cholera. . . 218
Stanton, Edwin M Secretary of War
91, 92, 95, 96
Stark count v . Illinois 204
Starved Rock mention 116, 251, 252
suggestion for holding meeting of Histori-
;]S,
State Hou;
Ill.-dest
.lilding)— Vandalia.
, 1823 .
—first linr of steamers between Buf-
falo and Chicago 101
Stebbins, Joel— anions the gold seekers to Cal-
ifornia, 1850 107
mention 108
Stebbin's tavern 104
Steele, (Gen.) Frederick— Un
eral, War of the Rebellion
Steele, James — California adven
Steele, William— California advt
Stennett, W. H — mention— me
Major-Gen-
lturer, 1850.. 1
iber commit -
Stennett, ( Dr. ) W. H —Yesterday and Today,
historv of the Chicago and Northwestern R.
R —reference to 143 , 144
Stephen A. Douglas— address before Illinois
State Historical Society, 1908— by Hon.
Adlai E. Stevenson *. 4S-73
Stephens, Alexander H— member of Congress
from Georgia. .'. 52
mention 25, 159
speech in Congress in 1848, praised by
Lincoln 26
Stephenson county, Illinois 164
Stephenson, George— great early English rail-
road builder 146, 147
Sterling, Illinois 323, 324, 325
Stevens, (Rev.) William Bacon, M.D.— His-
tory of Georgia 20
Stevenson, (Gen.) Adlai E — Honorary mem-
ber Illinois State Historical Society." 8
mention 11 , 160
Stephen A. Douglas— address before the
Illinois State Historical Society, 1908—
by 48-73
Steward, J. F. — Conflicting Accounts Found
in Early Illinois History— contribution to
State History— by *. 251-258
Lost Maramecli and Earliest Chicago— by
—quoted '. 253
Steward, Judd— collector of I.incolniana 4.5-46
Stock Yards of Chicago 143, 144
Stockton and Darlington Passenger Railway
in England 146
Stoddard, (Maj.) Amos— Historical Sketches
of Louisiana -published in 1*04 reference
Page.
Stony River 252
Store'y county, Nevada 230
Storey, Wilbur F. — editor Chicago Times 160
Story, (Judge) Joseph— United States Su-
preme Court 87
Streal or, 111 n
Stribling, Benjamin— of Virginia, 111— men-
. 137
Stribling, Benjamin F. W.— early poet of Illi-
nois—extracts from poems of «■/
Strode, (Col.) James M— quoted on the Judi-
cial System of Illinois 61
Strong, Newton D 87, 88
Strong, William— Chief Justice United States
Supreme Court 88
Stuart, James— "Three Years in America"—
reference to : 124
Stuart, John T.— contest for member United
States House Representatives, with Stephen
A . Douglas 50-51
defeats Stephen A. Douglas for Congress-
reference to 223
notable lawyer. State of Illinois, 49, 50
Sturtevant, (Prof.) Julian M — anti-slavery
leader professor in Illinois College 192
Sturtevant, J. M.— Autobiography of J. M.
foot n
. 195
194, 195, _..
disapproves of Lovejoy establishing his
press at Alton 197
extract of a letter from, to Thomas Lip-
pincott on slavery and Illinois College. . 202
identified with the anti-da very move-
ment of the Middle W.--t 194
influence and work in Illinois College 195
letter to Thomas Lippincott, dated March
13, 1844— foot note 202
President Illinois ( 'ulWe 203
Sugar-Makers in the Illinois Country 266
Sully, (Gen.) Alfred— born in Philadelphia,
1821; died at Fort Vancouver. Washington,
April 27, 1879 94
Summers, Rev. Henry— presiding elder in
Methodist Church 155
Sumner, Charles— mention 25 , 64
quoted on the Lincoln-Conkling letter 246
Sumpter, Fort (Sumter) 72
Sunderland, Thomas— law partner of James
Harvey Ralston at Sacramento, Cal 227
Supreme Court, state of Illinois— mention. . .
166, 217, 220, 221
Supreme Court of the United States. 67, 69, 70, S8
Surface, (Rev.) E. B 337
Sutter, (apt.) John A.— mill of, at Coloma,
California, gold found at— reference to 227
46
Switzerland 331
Syracuse, N.Y 20
Sylvan Springs. Kendall county, 111 251
Taggart, Charles P 204
Taiouwapeti— English Islands so called by
the Indians 279
Taiouwapeti Mountains 279. 280
Tamarois or Cahokia— date of the founding of,
disputed question
foot note— references 233
Tamarois or Cahokias— Illinois Country, de-
scription of
Tamaroa Indians 233, 234. 235, 236. 237
Tamarois Mission— Illinois Country, letters
from 235-239
378
Index — Continued.
Page.
T-iiii-mii- Minion in the Illinois Countrj— St.
Cosine's voj age to 234-235
Tamarois M'i-sion Illinois Country— Sioux
Indian atrocities at the Mission 237
Tamarois Village— eight leagues from the Illi-
nois—reference to - 235
St. Cosine and party arrive at, Dec. <,
L698 235
Taney. Roger Brooke-Chief Justice of the
Calvert ^iniv/Maryl'md. March 17. 1777;
died Oct. 12,1864 25, 61, 67, 162
Tanner, H.— "Martydom of Lovejoy. quoted
—foot note IfJ
Tavlor, Captain : - • • -,b
Taylor, Zachary— twelth President I nited
gtates 54 > 57, 63
Taylor, (Uen.) Zachary— United States Gen-
eral in the Mexican War 54
Taylor, Benjamin F — poet, journahst and
lecturer .- 135
Taylor, (Mrs.) Harriet Rumsey— mention o
Tazewell count v, Illinois 35 , .'ill
•'Ten-Mile-House"— early name given to tav-
ern near Chicago present name Calvary,
HI 104 . 105
Tennessee, 111— village of - - - 331
Tennessee River— mention 92. 94. 2,2, 2,.i
Tennessee.state 25, 55, 94, 126, 163, 173, 310
Teton Indians of Dakola Thunderlurd 120
Texas— annexation of the Republic of.. .29, 53^54
Texas State Boundary— settlement of— refer-
ence to ) - •.'•'
Texas— "Lone Star State" 1o3-.>4
mention 225 , 226 . 22 , , 229
Thayer, (Miss) Maude -Assistant Librarian
Illinois State Library 19
mention H
Theakaki River 299, 300
Thomas, (Gen.) George H o4 .
Thomas, Jesse B.- mention 16S
President of the First Constitutional
Convention of Illinois 165
Thomas. (Col.) John 210
Thomas, William 12s
Thomas, William- member. 10th General As-
sembly of Illinois 219
Thompson, James -early surveyor in Chicago
....:....' 141, 142
Thompson, H. M 112
Thornton, (Hon.) S. Y — editor the Fulton
County Ledger after it was removed to
Canton, 111 158
Thousand Islands— of the St. Lawrence river. 86
"Three Years in America"— by James Stuart
- reference to 124
Thunder Bay, Michigan— derivation of its
name 121
Thunderbird- Indian Myth 118-122
Thwaites, Reuben Gold— Jesuit Relations-
edited by— quoted 118
Jesuit Relations, Vol. LXIY— quoted—
footnotes 233. 234. 237, 23S
Jesuit Relations, Vol. LXV— foot notes,
234, 236, 23S
Jesuii Relations, Vol. LXVI, LXX—
quoted foot note 23S
Tiber River of Italy 145
Tilden (Mr-.' Elizabeth Ralston daughter
of James II. Ralston 226. 229
Tilden, Mareellus lawyer of Sacramento, Cal. 226
Tilden (C.ov.i Samuel J.— of Xew York 98
Tillman's Tavern 104
Tilton— manager of the N'orl horn Cross R. R.
after it passed out of the hands of the State
of Illinois 149
'•Times and Seasons"- newspaper, published
b v the Mormons at Xauvoo, Illinois 131
Tinneh Indians mention 119
Page.
Tinneh ( Indian ) Thunderbird 119
Tipicouow River 270
Tippecanoe, Indiana 302
Tissot, (Simon Andre)— celebrated Swiss
physician. Born at Grancv, in the Canton
deVaud.in 172s; died in 1797 264
Tlinkets and Haida Indians of Alaska 122
Tlinket 1 T ,. ,,. ,m
Tlinkit f— Indians 119, 122
Tlinket ' 1
Tlinkits f —Indians— Thunderbird 119, 121
Tobacco— cultivation of, in Virginia— revenue
from, to the King of England 266
cultivation of. urged for the Kaskaskians.
266-267
mention 239, 301, 313 '
Todd, Mary wife of Abraham Lincoln-
Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
rivals for the hand of Mary Todd 30
Tomlin, (Mrs.) Eliza I. H — member commit-
tee 11
Tonti 1 — Henri de — account of the Illinois
Tonty Country 123
Tonty. Henri— guide to the missionaries sent
out" by the Seminary of Quebec to the Illi-
nois ( xmntry 234
Toombs, Robert -oldi> r and statesman. -
Born in Washington, Ga., July 10, 1810: died
Washington, Wilkes county, Ga.,
L885
159
of
Thunderbird of tht
Vancouver Island u»
Tonne River 301, 302, 305
Tower ■ Ureal Mass of Rocks 1 on the Mississip-
pi river 283, 284
foot note 2S3
Trade Creek 272
Trade,-- Tavern at Calvary 104
Transylvania Universiu, Lexington. Ky
....". 132, 216
"Trappist Fathers"— extract from a poem on 134
Treat. (Judge) Samuel Hubbel 51
Treaty of Ghent 53
Trumbull. Lyman— Anti-Nebraska Demo-
erat " 28, 29
elected to the United States Senate in
1855, history of 39-42
mention 75 , 77 , 78 , 85, 159, 221
Trumbull, (Judge! Lvman— nominated for
( iovernor ,S1 ate of Illinois 98
Trumbull, Lyman— nominated for the United
Slates Senate, by John M. Palmer.. 40
Secretary of the sine of Illinois 224
Trumbull, ("Mrs. i Lvman (Julia Jayne) 41
Tupis Indians 120
Turkey Hill Settlement— between the Illinois
and Wood River- reference to 306
Turner, Vsa identified with the anti-slavery
movement of t he Middle West 194
Vice President, Anti-Slavery Society in
Illinois 198
Turner, Jonathan B— aids escaping slaves—
his work in 1 he Underground Railway. 2ni>
Turner (Prof.) J. B.— anonymous letter to.
from Louisville, Kv., threatening kidnaping
and the destruction of Illinois College— foot
note 202
Turner, Jonathan I'., anti-slavery leader, pro-
fessor in Illinois College 192
opponent 1 0 slavery l.'->
Tut hill. R s member committee hi
•■Twenty Ye:,ts of Congress"— by James (I.
Blaine' quoted 60, 71
••Two Veals' Residence in the Settlement on
the Engli-h Rrairie in the Illinois Country"
by John Woods reference to 124
Tvler', John -tenth President of the United
States 52, 54, 221
Tyler, Lyon < ; .—editor historical book 21
379
Index — Continued.
u
Page.
Ulster, province, Ireland 215
•• Uncle Sam" — reference to 249
Underground Railway— Jonathan B. Turner
aids escaping slaves, his work in the under-
ground railway 200
Mrs. W. C. Carter's paper on, before the
Morgan County Historical Society, ref-
erence to, foot note 201
Underwood, Rex 17
Union county, 111 165
Union League Club 330
United States Artillery, U.S. Arm v 311
United States census— 6th, 1S30, 7th, 1850,
quoted, see foot note 173
United States Circuit Court 204 . -'in;
U. S. Congress — Anti-Slavery petitions to SO
Blaine's "Twenty Years of Congress,"
quoted 60 , 71
Harrison's pro-slavery demands before. 75, 79
Land Grant Act parsed in September, 1850 181
mention 26, 29, 36, 50,
51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 63, 64,
65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 111, 126, 155, 156,
157, 163, 165, 180, 223, 227, 230, 243, 321
foot note 37
pro-slavery demands before 75, 79, so
39th Congress, 1st session, reference to,
foot D
. 243
.180, 1S1
U.S. Constitution
U. S. Department of Commere
bureau of the census, pubs, o
U. S. District Court
U. S. Land (Irani of ls.Vj
United States— mention
.13, 21, 53, 54, 57. 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70,
95, 97, 122, 126, 134, 269, 276, 303, 305, 309
foot notes 227 , 292
U.S. Saline Works twenty-six miles below
- the mouth of the Wabash! 305
U. S. Statutes at Large— vol. 9, quoted, foot
note 179
Urbana, 111.— mention 5, 9, 10, 11, 37
Pennsylvania House at 37
speech" of Abraham Lincoln at, in 1854,
Henry C . Whitney quoted on 37
Usher, James M.— compiler genealogical book 20
1 '1 ah Territory— mention 227
territorial government for 55
Utica.N. Y sti, 116, 163, 329
Utopia 62
Universities — Illinois, University of Illinois. .5, 9
foot note 173
Universities— Chicago, University of Chicago. 330
Vallejo, California— at one time state capital
of California 2
general assembh (4th. 1S53) convened at,
reference to 2
Vallejo (Gen.) Mariano Cuadolupe— oilers
land and money to locate capital of Califor-
nia at Vallejo 2
Valley Forge— Washington at , nuclei i
Van Buren, Martin eighth president of the
United State,, horn at Kinderhook. N. V..
Dec..",, 17S2, died July 24, ""
Fre
I Tart
e for, i
John W., of Vermilion
county -supports the bill for the Northern
Cross K, K 1
Vancouver, B. C— mention, foot note 1
Vancouver's Island 1
Vandalia, III.— capital of the State of Illinois
..50, 60
Vandalia, 111. -Concluded. Page.
foot note 173
mention 76 81
125, 134, 167, 176. 21s, 219, Mil .
State House at, destroyed by lire in ls-j;-;. . p;;
Van Rensselaer family of New V,,rk u;2
Van Rensselaer, (Gen.) of N. Y— railroad
promoter 146
Venezuela, country of 231
Venice, Italy 228
Vermilion River ._ 270, 31 H I
Vermont state— first census of , 1 , 9< i 21
mention 21. 4s
Vevav, Indiana 30S
Vicksburg, Mis,, fall of, reference to. 92. 241. 245
mention 93, 94
Villiers, (apt., Neyon de— officer at Ft.
Vineennes ' ment ion '. '. .'.'.'. 164 ", ' 299 \ ' 301 ', ' 302 \ 31 15
Vincennes Post Road ... 127
Vineennes— post route from Vincennes to
Kaskaskia, reference to 306
"Vincennes Trace" 89
Virginia City. Nevada 229, 230
Virginia, 111' 137
Virginia National Society of Colonial Dames—
publishers 21
"Virginia Rose"— title of book, by Edward
Reynolds Roe, reference to 137
Virginia— slate of. deed of cession (,, the U.S.
of the X. W. Territory, provisions of 167
firsl census of. 1790 21
Virginia state mention 1.;. 21, K -,.-,.
dapl
the]
313
Vocke, (Mrs.) Elizabeth Wahl
Vocke, Fred 6&t
Vocke. William hiogr ipid.-;l -^vh u[ 327
Vocke, (Hon.) Win. vice-president, 1 Ill-
inois State Historical >oeiet v, decease, 1
L2 127
Von Phul, Henry— merchant of St . Louis. . . . 209
W
Wabash Island .269 .
Wabash Railroad 97.
Wato h Little River
Wabash Rivei mention 116, 164, 174.
L89, 190 223 254, 269, 270, 271, 272 286
precious stones found' in.. '.....'.....'. '.....'.
Wagenseller, George W., \. M
Waa ' Uei pul lishing Co
Wakefield ,h,hn history of the Black Hawk
War, pub. .Jacksom ill,-, is:i4, reference to..
foot note
Walker, Cyrus- eminenl lawyei of Springfield,
111., foot note
Walker. Mi-. F.dwin S
logical committee, Illinois state Historical
\V ilk. .-.' Hun Bohei I territorial": governor
Wallingford, i onn history of. bv Charles
Stanley Davi^ M.I)
Wall, (Capt.) William (). M. U. S. A., war
with Mexico, located at San Antonio. I
relieved by Capt. .1. II. Balston
Walsh, Robert early publisher of Philadel-
phia
War of 1812 -second war with Croat Britain,
reference to
War of the Rebellion
ut Civil War
217
380
Index — Continued.
Page.
War otthe Revolution 307
War with Mexico— reference to 25, 29, 225
see Mexico
Warren county, Ohio— Serpents Mound in,
reference to.." 122
Warren, Hooper— publisher of the Edwards-
ville Spectator 131, L32, L68
Warren, Joseph— law partner of James H.
Ralston, Quincy, 111 218
Warsaw, 111 -railroad from Peoria to Warsaw,
111., projected building of 147
Was'hbunie, Elihu B — letter from Abraham
Lincoln to, dated Feb. 9, 1855, on his defeat
for U.S. Senator 41-12
personal 'friend of Abraham Lincoln '. '. '.'.'.'. 38
Washington county, 111 165
Washington, D . C— mention
6, 43, 70, 87, 89, 95, 97, 116,
117, 157, 160, 169. 225, 226. 231, 232, 248, 305
Washington, George— at Valley Forge, refer-
ence to -85
Washington. George— birthday of, reference
to - 135
mention 67, 82
Water Cress Creek -tributary Ka^kaskia riv-
er 300
Waters, Louis H— his vote on U. S. Senator-
ship, 1S55 41
Watterson, Henry— newspaper editor and
writer of Louisville, Ky 160
"Wau-Bun, or Early Day in the Northwest,"
—by Mrs. J. H. Kinzie", reference to 130
Waukegan, 111.— California adventurers from,
list of 108
known as Little Fort, previous to 1849 108
mention 103, 105, 112
population of, in 1850 10S
Waw-to-go— chief of the Illini 116
Wead, Hezekiah M.— early lawyer of the Ful-
ton Count v Bar 155 , 157
Webb, V. H 334
Weber, Frank— nom-de-plume of William H.
Bushnell 135
Weber, Jessie Palmer— attends American
Historical Association at Madison, Wis 13
attends semi-centennial celebration Chi-
cago Historical Society 12-13
member of committees, Illinois State
Historical Society 9-11.
member of board of directors, Illinois
State Historical Society 5, 8, 9
mention 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
secretary and treasurer, Illinois state
Historical Society, report of.... 3, 12-16, 17
Weblev— among the gold seekers to California,
1850 107 , 10S
Webster, Mrs. Charles A.— member of com-
mittee on local historical societies, Illinois
State Historical Society 10
Webster, Daniel -mention
32, 43, 51, 52, 57, 62, 87, 165
statesman of Massachusetts 55, 162
one of the illustrious triumvirate of the
U.S. Senate 56
Weik, (Jesse W.) and W. H. Herndon's Life
of Lincoln— vol. 1, quoted, foot note 193
Welby, A.llard -English writer ,.. 124
Weller, John B.— U. S. Senator from Califor-
nia 228
Wells Fargo Express Co 108
Welsh language 46
Wentworth, John— member II. R. V . S. Con-
West Point , New York 210
West, (Hon.) S. H 186
•'Western Advocate" (The)— periodical. .132, 133
by J
Western Monthly Magazine (The)— continua-
tion of The Illinois Monthly Magazine, edited
by James Hall 125, 3
Western Portraiture— by Daniel S. Curtiss,
reference to 1
Western Union Telegraph Company— refer-
ence to, foot note 2
■'Western Watchman" — periodical 1
Wheat— foot n
.172
Wheeling, Cook count v , 111 329
Wheeling, Va. (now W. Va.) s7 . 226
Whig Part v— disruption of 57
mention 28, 39, 49, 63, 64, 87,
153, 158, 159, 195, 220, 221, 222. 225, 229
Whigs in Illinois opposed tothe Nebraska bill. 28
Whitaker, James H— editor of the Macomb
Eagle 159
White county, 111 165
White,- Horace— Abraham Lincoln in 1854,
address before the Illinois State Historical
Society, 1908 25-47
correspondent of the Chicago Press and
Tribune 43
honorary member Illinois State Historical
Society 8
personal association with 'Abraham Lin-
coln 42-43
secretary of the Illinois Republican State
Committee 42
"White House," Washington, D. C 44
White Owl"— traditions of the Arapaho
India
White River 92 , 270
"White Yam"— Indian name for Macopin
river (Macoupin river) 296
Whitesboro, N. Y .• , 163
Whiteside count v. Ill : 164, 325
Whiteside, John D— Senator 10th General
Assembly. State of Illinois. 1836-1837 219
Whiteside, i Brigadier General) Samuel— com-
mander in the Black Hawk War 21S
Whitney, Henry C— " Life on the Circuit with
Lincoln, " quoted 37
quoted on Abraham Lincoln 43
Whitney's report of the "Lost Speech" of
Abraham Lincoln at Bloomington, May 29,
1856— reference to, foot note 244
Wichita Indians— mention 122
Wichita Indians— Mythology of the Wichitas,
quoted 120
"Wigwam"— Chicago, in which Abraham
Lincoln was nominated for the presi-
dency of the I". S., 1860, reference to 110
Wilkin's and Morrison ( Messrs)— lease the U.
S* Saline works 305
Wilkins, (Col.) John— military commandant
Illinois Country 261
Wilkinsonville, Ohio— early description of 306
menl ion. ' 301
Willard, Samuel— Abolitionist
indicted by the grand jury, Morgan
county
aslai
d by the grand jury Morgan
ty, 111., for harboring arid secreting
1-202
letter to Chas. II. Rammelkamp, dated
Feb. 9,- 1908— reference to, foot note 2oi
Mss. records, circuit court . Morgan county
—People vs. Samuel Willard, Oct. 24,
1843, foot note 202
mention 203
381
Index — Concluded.
WiUard, Samuel— Concluded. Page.
Morgan County Circuit Court Indictment,
The People vs. Samuel Willard, March
18, 1843, foot note 202
notes by, in H. Tanner's Martyrdom of
Lovejby, quoted, foot note 198
student in Illinois College 200, 203
Willard, Julius A.— incident concerning his
part in trying to free a slave nurse girl. .200-201
indicted by the grand jury of Morgan
county, Illinois, for harboring and se-
creting a slave 201-202
intimate friend of Elijah P. Lovejoy,
foot note 200
Morgan County Circuit Court, indictment,
The People vs. Julius A. Willard. March
17, 1843, foot note '. 202
Willcox. E. S. — member of program commit-
tee, Illinois State Historical Society 10
Williams, Archibald— member 10th General
Assembly, State of Illinois 218-219
Senator 8th and 9th General Assembly,
member of the House 10th General
Assembly 221
vote cast for in Illinois Legislature for U.
S. Senator 41
Williams, (Col.) John— chief marshal mass
meeting, Springfield, 111., Sept. 3, 1863,
foot note 242
Williams, S. & Co. -publishers 20
Williamsburg, Va 21
Willis, N.P 159
Wilmette, 111 105
"Wilmot Proviso" (The)— reference to 32
Wilson, (Capt.)— of the ill-fated "Lady Elgin"
(steamer) Ill
Wilson, (Mrs.) Eliza Kincaid— biographical
sketch of 323-326
honorary member, Illinois State Histori-
cal Society, deceased 12
Wilson, Henry— quoted on the Lincoln-Conk-
ling letter 246
Wilson, (Col.) J. J. S— supt. telegraph office,
Springfield, 111, 1S63, foot note 242
Wilson, Mary Jane : 324
Wilson, Robert H 324
Wilson, (Colonel) Robert L 323, 324
Wilson, Silas R 324
Wilson, (Judge) William 51
Winchester, 111 61
Wines and liquors— manufacture of in Kas-
kaskia , suggested 264
Winged Island i Isle aux Ailes) 277, 283, 284
Winnebago county, 111 164
Winnet ka, 111 105 , 111
"Winslow" (Schooner)— wreck of, of! the
shore of Lake Michigan, 1*41 106
Winsor, Justin— history of the town of Dux-
bury, Massachusetts 20
Mississippi l!a~in, quoted, foot note 233
Winter in the West (A)— by Charles Fenno
Hoffman, reference to 129
Winthrop, Robert C— speaker H. R., U. S.
28th Congress, mention 52
Wisconsin State, "Badger State" 164
Hebbard's •■Wisconsin under French
Wisconsin State-Concluded. Page
Dominion"— quoted 253
historical collections, vol. XVI. quoted,
foot note 238
mention.... 13, 16, 18, 51, 119, 122, 140, 164
also foot note
Republican part v in, lS.i4 28, 35
Wisconsin Territorv." 101 , 165
Wise, Henry A. -member H. K.. 1". S. 28th
Congress 52
Wolcott, Elihu president Anti-Slavery So-
cietv in Illinois 198
Wolf Rapid 271
Wood, John D .—mention 221
General Assembly, State of
Woo.
'l-lsn
219
301, 302, 306
Woods, John — "Two Years' Resilience
Settlement on the English Prairie i
Illinois Country." reference to.
ithe
the
. 124
Woodson, David" M . .
Worthington, (Mrs.) Thomas 11
Wright, J. S. — quoted on Railroad Building
in Illinois, foot note 180
Wright, Silas 87
Wright, (Senator) William— of New York. . . . 169.
Wvnetka, 111.— former spelling of name of
Winnet ka, 111 105
Wythe county, Va 331
Yale College, New Haven Conn. — mention
86, 97, 99, 162, 1
Yates family of Xew York 1
Yates, Richard (Sr.)— candidate for Congress.
mention 2
War Governor of Illinois— foot note 2
Yazoo River
Yellow Creek— tributary Kaskaskia river 3
Yellowstone River
"Yesterday and Today"— history of the
Chicago Northwestern R. R., by Dr. W. H.
Stennett, reference to 143, 1
Yorktown, Va.— siege of, reference to 76,
surrender of < 'ornwallis at , reference to 3
Young, (Hon.) Richard M.— elected to the C.
S. Senate 2
Judge of the fifth judicial circuit of the
State of Illinois 2
mention 128, 218, 2
notable lawyer of Illinois
Yukon River, Alaska Indians along the low-
er Yukon, ideas about the Eagles and
Thunderbirds 1
Publications of the Illinois State Historical Library
and Society.
No. 1. *A Bibliography of Newspapers Published in Illinois prior to
1860. Prepared by Edmund J. James, Ph. D., professor in the University
of Chicago; assisted by Milo J. Loveless, graduate student in the Univer-
sity of Chicago. 94 pages, 8 vo., Springfield. 1899.
No. 2. information Relating to the Territorial Laws of Illinois, passed
from 1809 to 1812. Prepared by Edmund J. James, Ph. D., 'professor in the
University of Chicago. 15 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1899.
No. 3. *The Territorial Records of Illinois. Edited by Edmund J. James,
Ph. D., professor in the University of Chicago. 170 pages, 8 vo., Springfield,
1901.
* No, 4. " transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1900. Edited by E. B. Greene, Ph. D., secretary of the society, 55 pages,
8 vo., Springfield, 1900.
No. 5. *Alphabetic Catalog of the Books, Manuscripts, Pictures and Curios
of the Illinois State Historical Library. Authors, Titles and Subjects. Com-
piled under the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Library, by the
librarian, Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber. 363 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1900.
No. 6. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1901. 122 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1901.
No. 7. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1902. 246 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1902.
No. 8. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1903. 376 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1904.
No. 9. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1904. 701 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1904.
No. 10. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1905. 500 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1906.
No. 11. transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1906. 437 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1906.
No. 12. Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1907. 436 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1908.
No. 13. Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year
1908. 383 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1909.
♦Illinois Historical Collections, Vol. 1. Edited by H. W. Beckwith. presi-
dent Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library. 642 pages,
8 vo., Springfield, 1903.
♦Illinois Historical Collections, Vol. 2. Virginia series, Vol. 1. Edited by
Clarence W. Alvord, CLVI and 663 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 111., 1907.
♦Illinois Historical Collections. Vol. 3. Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.
Lincoln Series, Vol. 1. Edited by Edwin Erie Sparks, Ph. D., 627 pages.
S vo., Springfield, 111., 1908.
*Out of print.
383
*Bulletin of the Illinois State Historical Library. Vol. 1, No. 1. Sept., 1905.
Illinois in the Eighteenth Century. By Clarence \V. Alvord. University of
Illinois. 38 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1905.
Bulletin of the Illinois State Historical Library. Vol. 1, No. 2. June I, L906.
Laws of the Territory of Illinois, 1809-1811. Edited by Clarence W. Alvord,
University of Illinois. 34 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1906.
Circular Illinois State Historical Library, Vol. 1. No. 1, Nov.. 1905. An
outline for the study of Illinois State history. Compiled under the direction
of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, by Jessie
Palmer Weber, librarian of the Illinois State Historical Library and secretary
of the Illinois State Historical Society, assisted by Georgia L. Osborne, assist-
ant librarian. 94 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1905.
*Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Vol. 1, No. 1, April, 1908.
19 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1908.
♦Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Vol. 1, Nos. 2 and 3, July-
October' 1908. ■ 45 pages, 8 vo., Springfield. 1908.
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Vol. 1. No. 4. Jan., 1909.
42 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1909.
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Vol. 2, No. 1. April, 1909.
.67 pages. 8 vo., Springfield. 1909.
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Vol. 2, No. 2. July, 1909.
94 pages, 8 vo., Springfield, 1909.
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. 2, No. 3, October,
1909. 118 pages, 8 vo.. Springfield, 1909.
*Out of print.
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