Crawford County IL Archives History - Books .....Chapter VII 1883
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Book Title: HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS

CHAPTER VII.*
*By W. H. Perrin.

THE "RAGING" WABASH—IMPROVEMENT OF ITS NAVIGATION—BOATING IN THE EARLY
TIMES—OVERFLOWS, LEVEES, ETC.—DAMAGE DONE TO THE FARMERS—AGRICULTURE—EARLY MODE
OF OPENING AND CULTIVATING FARMS-PIONEER PLOWS AND HOES—CRAWFORD COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY—INCORPORATION AND LIST OF OFFICERS—HORTICULTURE—THE COUNTY
POOR, ETC., ETC.

THE improvement of the Wabash River is a question that has long agitated the
country contiguous thereto. The navigation of this stream in the early
settlement of Crawford County was a matter in which the people then were much
interested, as they relied chiefly upon it to reach the best markets for the
disposal of their surplus products. Fifty years ago boating on the Wabash was no
inconsiderable business. Flat boats loaded with grain, pork, hoop-poles, staves,
etc., etc., were taken out of the Wabash every season by scores, thence down the
Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans, which was then the best and most liberal
market this country could reach. Many steamboats used to come up the Wabash,
some of large tonnage, in high water, and load with grain and pork for the
Cincinnati, Louisville and New Orleans trade.

   Many efforts have been made to improve the Wabash so as to make it a
permanent, reliable and durable water highway, and the question has been
agitated in Congress from time immemorial almost. It was the opinion of many
wise men (who were interested in its improvement), that with but little work and
expense it might be made one of the best and most profitable water routes in the
whole country, while others, with an equal amount of wisdom perhaps, but less
pecuniary interest, did not think much of it as a water highway. Of the latter
class, was Dr. J. W. Foster, who, in a letter to the New York Tribune, gave his
opinion as follows:

   "With regard to the importance of the Wabash River as a great artery of
trade, I am not profoundly impressed. This stream, like Ohio, each year its
sources are cleared up and its swamps drained, appears to flow with diminished
volume. A survey with reference to the improvement of its navigation has just
been completed under direction of the United States Topographical Bureau, and
the plan contemplated is to remove the snags and sawyers, and excavate channels
through the sand-bars. This plan, while it might remove many impediments, would
not increase, but rather diminish, the average of water, by permitting to flow
more freely, and when completed would only admit of the navigation of the river
for a limited portion of the year by steamers of small capacity. To slack-water
the river would be impracticable, for the intervals bordering the stream are
broad, and large tracts of rich land, now cultivated, would be inundated and
rendered valueless. The only feasible method to render the Wabash thoroughly
navigable, is to start at the head of Lake Michigan, say at Michigan City, and
cut a canal, at least 100 feet broad on the bottom, to the northernmost bend of
the Wabash, and use a portion of the water of that great reservoir to keep the
river in a boatable condition, except when closed by ice. By this means water
communication far cheaper than any land conveyance, might be maintained
throughout the entire length of the State of Indiana and a good portion of
Illinois, thus uniting the commerce of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers with the
Great Lakes."

   The foregoing is perhaps the most practicable view to be taken of the Wabash
River improvement, and no doubt something like that sooner or later will be
done. The time is not very far distant, when water highways will receive more
attention than they do now; when they will be used by the people in
self-defense, that is, in competing with great railroad monopolies. The subject
of canals, as affording cheaper transportation for heavy freights than
railroads, is now being strongly agitated in many portions of the country, and
we believe it a question of but a few years, when the building of canals,
especially in the West, will become a reality.

   Boating on the Wabash, as we have said, was a big business years ago. Some of
our readers, whose memory extends back to the river period, will doubtless
remember, and will be interested in knowing the time and occasion of the
following wrecks on the Wabash: In 1836 the steamer Concord, which plied between
Cincinnati and Lafayette, Ind., was wrecked four miles below Clinton going up.
The Highlander sunk two miles below Montezuma in 1849; the Kentucky, a fine
boat, was wrecked in 1838 at York cut-off The Visitor collided with the Hiram
Powers in 1849 at Old Terre Haute. The Confidence struck a snag in Hackberry
bend and floated down two miles where she sunk, many years ago. "In those days,"
said an old river man to us, in speaking of the river business, "the Wabash was
an important stream. Large vessels constantly plowed her waters and an immense
trade was done." It was the only way the early settlers had of getting to
market, except by wagons and teams. As the country settled, and towns sprung up,
teaming to St. Louis and Chicago, relieved the river of much freight which had
formerly reached market through that source alone, and in later years the
railroads have almost entirely absorbed the river business.

   It would be of almost untold value to the country bordering the Wabash River,
if some plan could be invented, or some means adopted, to secure the lowlands
from inundation. Its periodical overflows annually destroy hundreds of thousands
of dollars worth of property, often sweeping away in a few short hours a whole
year's labor of the farmer. When the Wabash gets on the rampage, it can cover
more ground than any other river of its size in the world perhaps, and carry
away wheat shocks and stacks, and overflow cornfieds by wholesale. In the summer
of 1875, and again in 1876, it overflowed all the low country bordering it, and
the damage to farmers in Crawford County alone aggregated many thousand dollars.
Some farmers were almost totally ruined financially, while all who owned and
cultivated farms in the bottoms sustained more or less loss.

   A system of leveeing its banks was undertaken a few years ago, but has never
been of much, if any, benefit to the farmers of the county. Under a law of the
State, Commissioners were appointed to manage the work. They issued bonds and
taxed people according to the amount of benefit they would probably receive from
the levee. Much of the work was done, and the contractors were paid in bonds,
which they afterward sold, or endeavored to sell, as best they could. The levee
was never completed, a fact which rendered that portion built, valueless.
Squabbles and differences arose among those interested; law suits followed, and
finally the Supreme Court decided that the levee bonds were unconstitutional.
The matter thus ended in a grand fizzle. Some who invested in the bonds
sustained considerable loss, and are not yet through swearing at the enterprise.
Indeed, the subject of levee bonds is scarcely a safe topic of conversation to
this day in a miscellaneous crowd in the eastern part of the county.

   Agriculture.—This science is the great source of our prosperity, and is a
subject in which we are all interested. It is said that "gold is the power that
moves the world," and it might truthfully be said that agriculture is the power
that moves gold. All thriving interests, all prosperous industries, trades and
professions, receive their means of support, either directly or indirectly, from
the farming interests of the country. Its progress in Crawford for nearly three
quarters of a century, is not the least interesting nor the least important part
in its history. The pioneers who commenced tilling the soil here with a few rude
implements of husbandry, laid the foundation of that perfect system of
agriculture we find at the present day. They were mostly poor and compelled to
labor for a support, and it required brave hearts, strong arms and willing
hands—just such as they possessed—to conquer the difficulties with which they
had to contend.

   Johnston, in his "Chemistry of Common Life," gives the following graphic
description of the system of farming commonly adopted by the first settlers on
this continent, and which applies to a single county with as much force as to
the country at large. He says: "Man exercises an influence on the soil which is
worthy of attentive study. He lands in a new country and fertility everywhere
surrounds him. The herbage waves thick and high, and the massive trees sway
their proud stems loftily toward the sky. He clears a farm from the wilderness,
and ample returns of corn repay him for his simple labor. He plows, he sows, he
reaps, and from the seemingly exhaustless bosom of the earth gives back abundant
harvests. But at length a change appears, creeping slowly over and gradually
dimming the smiling landscape. The corn is first less beautiful, then less
abundant, and at last it appears to die altogether beneath the scourge of an
unknown insect or a parasitic fungus. He forsakes, therefore, his long
cultivated farm, and hews out another from the native forest. But the same early
plenty is followed by the same vexatious disasters. His neighbors partake of the
same experience. They advance like a devouring tide against the verdant woods,
they trample them beneath their advancing culture; the ax levels its yearly
prey, and generation after generation proceeds in the same direction—a wall of
green forests on the horizon before them, a half-desert and naked region behind.
Such is the history of colonial culture in our own epoch; such is the history 01
the march of European cultivation over the entire continent of America. No
matter what the geological origin of the soil maybe, or what the chemical
composition; no matter how warmth and moisture may favor it, or what the staple
crop it has patiently yielded from year to year; the same inevitable fate,
overtakes it. The influence of long, continual human action overcomes the
tendencies of all natural causes. But the influences of man upon the productions
of the soil are exhibited in other and more satisfactory results. The improver
takes the place of the exhauster, and follows his footsteps on these same
altered lands. Over the sandy and forsaken tracts of Virginia and the Carolinas
he spreads large applications of shelly marl, and the herbage soon covers it
again, and profitable crops; or he strews on it a thinner sowing of gypsum, and
as if by magic, the yield of previous years is doubled and quadrupled; or he
gathers the droppings of his cattle and the fermented produce of his farm-yard,
and lays it upon his fields, when lo! the wheat comes up luxuriantly again, and
the midge, and the rust, and the yellows, all disappear from his wheat, his
cotton and his peach trees. But the renovater marches much slower than the
exhauster. His materials are collected at the expense of both time and money,
and barrenness ensues from the early labors of the one far more rapidly than
green herbage can be made to cover it again by the most skillful, zealous and
assiduous labors of the other."

   There is a great deal of truth in the above extract, and we see it
illustrated in every portion of the country. The farmer, as long as his land
produces at all plentifully, seems indifferent to all efforts to improve its
failing qualities. And hence the land, like one who has wasted his life and
exhausted his energies by early dissipation becomes prematurely old and worn
out. When, by proper care and timely improvement, it might have retained its
rich productive qualities thrice the period.

   The tools and implements used by the pioneers of Crawford County, were few in
number and of a poor quality, and would set the farmer of the present day wild
if he had to use them. The plow was the old "bar share," with wooden mold-board,
and long beam and handles. Generally they were of a size between the one and two
horse plows, for they had to be used in both capacities. The hoes and axes were
clumsy implements, and were forged and finished by the ordinary blacksmith. If
any of them were broken beyond the ability of the smith at the station to
repair, a new supply had to be procured from the older settlements. There was
some compensation, however, for all these disadvantages under which the pioneer
labored. The virgin soil of the Wabash Valley, when once brought into
cultivation, was fruitful, and yielded the most bountiful crops. As a sample of
the corn produced, under poor preparation and cultivation, we learn from Mr.
Leonard Cullom that his father planted ninety acres of sod corn in 1815, the
next year after he came to the county, from which he raised a large crop, and
shipped a flat boat load to New Orleans, retaining enough at home to last him
plentifully until he could grow another crop.

   The first little crop consisted of a "patch" of corn, potatoes, beans and
other garden "truck." In some instances a small crop of tobacco and of flax were
added. Quite a number of the settlers also raised cotton for several years.
Indeed, it was thought in the first settlement of Southern Illinois, that cotton
would eventually become the staple crop. But the late springs, and the early
frosts of autumn soon dispelled this belief. Cotton was produced more or less,
however, for a number of years, and the people were loth [sic] to give up the
attempt to grow it successfully, but, in time, were forced to yield to the
un-propitious seasons.

   But with the settlement of the country, the increase of population, and the
improvements in stock, tools and agricultural implements, the life of the farmer
gradually became easier, his farming operations greater, and agriculture
developed and improved accordingly. The change was not made in a year, but the
growth and development of the farming interests were slow, increasing by
degrees, year by year, until it reached the grand culmination and perfection of
the present day.

   Agricultural societies, as an aid to farming and the improvement of stock
were formed, and fairs were held to promote the same end. The first agricultural
association of Crawford County was organized about 1856-7. Grounds were
purchased and improved in the northeast part of Robinson, adjoining the
cemetery. In 1870 these grounds were sold for some $500, and the present
grounds, one mile west of town, were purchased. They comprise twenty acres, for
which the society paid $30 per acre. The grounds have been enclosed, good
buildings erected, stalls put up, trees planted, wells sunk, so that now the
society possesses in them a very good property.

   About the year 1871, it was incorporated under the general law of the State
relating to such organizations, as the Crawford County Agricultural Board. Since
that period, the officers of the board have been as follows: For 1872—Hickman
Henderson, president; A. J. Reavill, R. R. Lincoln and Wm. Updyke,
vice-presidents; Guy S. Alexander, recording secretary; Wm. C. Wilson,
corresponding secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1873—Hickman Henderson, president; A. J. Reavill, R. R. Lincoln
and Wm. Updyke, vice-presidents; Guy S. Alexander, recording secretary; Wm. C.
Wilson, corresponding secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1874—James S. Kirk, president; I. D. Mail, D. B. Cherry and G.
Barlow, vice-presidents; W. Swaren, recording secretary; W. L. Heustis,
assistant secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1875—Wm. Updyke, president; Oliver Newlin, Sargent Nevvlin and
A. J. Reavill, vice-presidents; W. Swaren, recording secretary; W. L. Heustis,
assistant secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1876—I. D. Mail, president; J. M. Highsmith, J. H. Taylor and T.
J. Sims, vice-presidents; W. Swaren, recording secretary; W. L. Heustis,
assistant secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1877—J. S. Kirk, president; McClung Cawood, W. A. Hope and Wm.
Athey, vice-presidents; W. Swaren, secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1878—P. P. Connett, president; Alva Burner, McClung Cawood and
W. A. Hope, vice-presidents; L. V. Chaffee, secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1879—P. P. Connett, president; Alva Burner, G. Athey and J. H.
Taylor, vice-presidents; W. Swaren, secretary, and Wm. Parker, treasurer.

   The constitution was amended at this time by adding a fourth vice-president
to the board, and one or two other subordinate officers.

   Officers for 1880—Wm. Updyke, president; J. M. Highsmith, Sing B. Allen, B.
Wood and J. L. Wood worth, vice-presidents; L. V. Chaffee, secretary, and Wm.
Parker, treasurer.

   Officers for 1881—L. E. Stephens, president; Wm. Athey, Wm. Wood, D. M. Bales
and J. L. Wood worth, vice presidents; L. V. Chaffee, secretary, and Wm. Parker,
treasurer.
  Officers for 1883*—L. E. Stephens, president; Wm. Wood, J. M. Highsmith, Wm.
Fife and Bennett Wood, vice-presidents; L. V. Chaffee, secretary, and Wm.
Parker, treasurer.

  * No fair was held in 1881, on account of the great drouth, and the old
officers held over.

   Horticulture.—Gardening, or horticulture in its restricted sense, can not be
regarded as a very prominent or important feature in the history of Crawford
County. If, however, we take a broad view of the subject, and include orchards,
small fruit culture and kindred branches outside of agriculture, we should find
something of more interest and value.

   That the cultivation of fruit is a union of the useful and beautiful, is a
fact not to be denied. Trees covered in spring with soft foliage blended with
fragrant flowers of white, and crimson, and gold, that are succeeded by fruit,
blushing with bloom and down, rich, melting and grateful, through all the fervid
heat of summer, is indeed a tempting prospect to every landholder. A people so
richly endowed by nature as we are should give more attention than we do to an
art that supplies so many of the amenities of life, and around which cluster so
many memories that appeal to the finer instincts of our nature. With a soil so
well adapted to fruits, horticulture should be held in that high esteem which
becomes so important a factor in human welfare.

   The climate of this portion of the State, and of Crawford County, is better
adapted to fruit culture than further north, though as a fruit-growing region it
is not to compare to some other portions of our country. The same trouble
mentioned in connection with cotton-growing, applies as well to general
fruit-culture, viz.: the variability of temperature, being subject to sudden and
frequent changes, to extreme cold in winter, and to late and severe frosts in
spring, as well as to early and killing frosts in the fall.

   The apple is the hardiest and most reliable of all fruits for this region,
and there are probably more acres in apple orchards, than in all fruits
combined, in the county. The first fruit trees were brought here by the
pioneers, and were sprouts taken from varieties around the old home, about to be
forsaken for a new one, hundreds of miles away. A Mr. Howard, who settled in
that portion of Crawford County, now in Lawrence, is supposed to have planted
the first apple trees in this section, and to have brought the scions with him
when he came to the country. Apples and peaches are now raised in the county in
considerable quantities, and small fruits are receiving more attention every
year —especially strawberries and raspberries. Many citizens, too, are engaging
in grape culture to a limited extent.

   County Paupers.—"The poor ye have with you alway." It is a duty we owe to
that class upon whom the world has cast its frowns, to care for them, and
furnish them those comforts and necessaries of life which their misfortunes have
denied them. None of us know how soon we may become a member of that unfortunate
portion of our population. "The greatest of these is charity," and to what
nobler purpose can superfluous wealth be devoted than to succoring the poor, and
relieving the woes of suffering humanity.

   Crawford is far behind many of her sister counties in the care of her
paupers. A large majority of the counties in the State own large farms, with
commodious buildings upon them, where their paupers are kept and kindly cared
for. This county seems to always have "farmed" out the poor, as it were, or, in
other words, to have hired anybody to keep them who was willing to undertake the
charge. This does not strike us as the bes [sic] method of exercising charity,
nor the most economical. Where the county owns a good farm well improved, the
institution, if properly managed, can be rendered well-nigh self-supporting.
Verbum sat sapienti.


Additional Comments:
Extracted From:

HISTORY OF CRAWFORD AND CLARK COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS,
LAKESIDE BUILDING.
1883.

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