Edgar County IL Archives History - Books .....History Of Edgar County, Part II 1879 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 11, 2006, 1:10 am Book Title: The History Of Edgar County, Illinois The first letters of administration were issued on the estate of Url Murphy, deceased, and the second on the estate of Laban Burr, who were both early settlers on the "North Arm," in the eastern part of the county. A term of the Probate Court at present is said to be equal in amount of business it transacts to the first ten years of probate after the organization of the county. Lewis Murphy was the first Probate Justice, and held the office for several years. But we have not space to follow the different branches of the Courts through all their legal technicalities, and will pass on to other points of interest. We append herewith, what we deem of considerable importance, a full and complete list of all THE COUNTY OFFICERS. This list of officers from the organization of the county (January 23, 1823) to 1879, is furnished by the Secretary of State. Note.—The dates designate "date of commission" unless otherwise stated: COUNTY JUDGES. Lewis Murphy, February 17, 1823, January 18, 1825; William Lowry, July 4, 1826; Smith Shaw, July 4, 1827 (resigned August 8, 1828); Jonathan Mayo, September 27, 1828, January 23, 1829; Henry Neville, September 11, 1837; Samuel Connely, August 31, 1839, August 18, 1843, August 18, 1847, November 21, 1849; James Steele, November 19, 1853; A. B. Austin, November 13, 1857; George K. Larkin, November 15, 1861; A. Y. Trogdon, November 17, 1865; R. B. Lamon, November 10, 1869, November 13,1873; A. Y. Trogdon, December 1, 1877. RECORDERS. Jonathan Mayo, February 15, 1823; John M. Kelley, August 29, 1835; R. N. Dickenson, August 17, 1839, August 15, 1843, August 19, 1847. COUNTY CLERKS. Robert N. Dickenson, November 21, 1849; George W. Rives, November 19, 1843. January 26, 1858; A. B. Austin, November 15, 1861; O. H. P. Forker, November 17, 1865; A. J. Hogue, November 10, 1869; George W. Baber, November 11, 1873, November 1, 1877. SURVEYORS. Amos Williams, January 17,1823; Hugh Scott, February 2, 1827; William J. Mayo, March 12, 1829, March 22, 1831; Brown Wilson, January 10, 1833, August 29, 1835, August 17, 1839; N. Guthrie, August 15, 1843; Benjamin F. Lodge, August 19, 1847, November 21, 1849; C. B. Jones, December 7, 1853: Edw. Woolcott, November 12, 1855; E. F. Miller, November 21, 1857; John Y. Allison, November 14, 1859; B. F. Lodge, February 3, 1862; George Anthony, December 9, 1863; Lewis Wallace, December 8, 1865; George W. Foreman, November 20, 1869, March 7, 1872, November 15, 1875. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS. Elijah Austin, January 18, 1825; Robert J. Scott, March 4, 1843; W. B. Edwards, March 3, 1854; Joseph E. Dyas, March 30, 1874. CIRCUIT CLERKS. James M. Miller, elected September 4, 1848. November 11, 1851; William J. Gregg, November —, 1852, November 14, 1856; W. D. Latshaw; O. J. Martin, November 22, 1864; A. B. Powell, November 6, 1868, November 18, 1872; S. O. Augustus, November 29, 1876. SHERIFFS. William Reed, May 8, 1823, September 3, 1824; S. B. Shellady, April 18, 1826; William Whitley, September 1, 1826, September 9, 1828; Joseph Dunn, September 7, 1830, September 5, 1832, August 25, 1834, August 9, 1836; Robert M. Rhea, October 16, 1837, September 5, 1838, August 17, 1840; James Gordon, August 13, 1842, August 27, 1844; John Hunter, August 27, 1846; Robert Clark, August 17, 1848; James F. Whitney, November 20, 1850; James Gordon, September 29, 1851; Michael O'Hair, November 23, 1852; John C. Means, November 14, 1854; Michael O'Hair, November 11, 1856; William M. Snyder, November 10, 1858; M. E. O'Hair, November 26, 1860; William S. O'Hair, November 21, 1862; John W. Sheets, November 18, 1864; J. H. Magner, November 13, 1866; H. M. Swisher, November 6, 1868; W. S. O'Hair, December 1, 1870; Burt Holcomb, November 15, 1872, November 24, 1874; Charles L. Holley, November 15, 1876, December 2, 1878. ASSOCIATE JUSTICES. Joseph Neville (resigned), November 22, 1853; J. W. Parrish, November 22, 1853; John Ross, November 29, 1856. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. S. P. Read, R. N. Bishop, George Hunt, R. S. Cusick, December 1,1873;. W. H. Roth, December 1, 1877. CORONERS. George Govid, May 8, 1823; David Crosier, August 20, 1824; George Board, September 1,1826, September 11, 1828; L. R. Noel, August 12,1830; George Board, September 5, 1832; H. M. Elder, August 25, 1834; George Board, August 9, 1836, August 23, 1838, August 8, 1840, August 13, 1842, August 14, 1844; Levi James, August 27, 1846; Richard Childres, August 23, 1848; George W. Turner, November 20, 1850; Thomas Crimmings, November 23, 1852; Thomas Evans, November 14, 1854; Otis Brown, November 11, 1856, November 10, 1858; Levi James, November 15, 1860, December 6, 1862; George Titus, November 22, 1864; S. J. Young, November 13, 1866, November 6, 1868; Asher Morton, November 10, 1869, December 12, 1870, December 8, 1874; J. W. Garner, November 15, 1876, December 2, 1878. TREASURERS. J. H. Connely, A. J. Hogue; A. J. Baber, March 4, 1869; William J. Hunter, March 7, 1872; James L. Vance, December 1, 1873, November 11, 1875; A. J. Barr, December 6, 1877. GENERAL FEATURES. In the grand march of civilization, the changes that have taken place in this-part of our common country in the last half-century is almost beyond human comprehension. When we look around us at the beautiful cities, towns and villages, the magnificent residences and broad, productive fields, the manufactories of various kinds and the improved machinery in use, thus facilitating man's work and giving employment to hundreds and thousands of human beings, it is almost impossible to realize that fifty or sixty years ago these fertile plains were the abode of savages; and the few - whites, scattered here and there, as little dreamed what to-day would display as we can foreshadow what the next fifty years may produce. In contradistinction to the handsome residences of the present time, both in town and country, let us go back a few decades and take a glance at the houses our fathers were glad to find shelter in. Rude in their simplicity and simple in their rudeness, they were sometimes scarcely deserving the name even of cabin—much less that of house. In many cases, they were insufficient to keep out snow and rain, and a poor protection against wolves and panthers. Relating some of his experiences in the early times in Edgar County, J. W. Parrish, Esq., of Elbridge Township, speaks as follows of the houses of the pioneers: "When I came to Edgar County, in 1829, immigration was flowing freely in this direction, consequently it made it very difficult to obtain shelter. It was not uncommon for two or three families to be found in a little cabin built of round logs, sixteen or eighteen feet square. I found shelter for two weeks with N. W. Nunnally, after which I obtained leave of the neighbors to occupy a 'round-log' schoolhouse, with a partition wall across one end, making the fireplace the full length of the building." This is the experience, not only of Mr. Parrish, but all who came here at that early day. The usual mode of building their cabins seems to have been of round logs, with a kind of partition across one end, forming a fireplace the full width of the building, into which huge logs were piled as the state of the weather demanded. They were covered with "clapboards," or "shakes,"* laid upon "ribs," and held to their place by "weight-poles." (If any of our young readers are ignorant as to the meaning of such words as "ribs," "shakes" and "weight-poles," they can be enlightened by turning "Inquisitive Jack" and asking their meaning of some of the old settlers still left.) The first churches and schoolhouses were of this same primitive architecture, as will be found in another chapter. But the changes are not more observable in architecture than in everything else. Ignorance and superstition have given place to civilization and refinement. As pertinent to the point, we quote from the early reminiscences of Eli Wiley, Esq., of Charleston, Ill., whose father was one of the early settlers of this county. * The Hoosiers called them " clapboards," and the Yankees, " shakes." Speaking of a loss sustained by his father, in having a sum of money stolen from his cabin while he and his family were absent from home, Mr. Wiley says: "There was in the country at that time much ignorance and superstition, and it was evinced in connection with this transaction, by an old man named 'Bray,' living on Big Creek, who said he could find the money by divination, and to this end he sat for hours on the banks of that classic stream, with a forked hazel stick in his hand, which he caused to hop up and down, claiming that it would point out and indicate the whereabouts of the missing money." This was but a single instance of the ignorance of the times, and it is with no disparagement to the hardy pioneers who braved the dangers of the wilderness, in opening up the country, that we make the observation. It is a fact patent to all, that "where education is lacking, ignorance reigns," and the generations before our time, had none of the facilities of learning which we possess. In the plenitude of our refined surroundings, we look back with some pity, tempered with sorrow, as it were, at the limited chances our parents had of obtaining knowledge. The farming implements of that day, compared to those now in use, show as marked a contrast as in the improvement of houses and schools. Illustrative of the change, we quote from Robert J. Scott, Sr. In his "Recollections of the Past," he says: "A farmer settling on the wild prairie in those days, had a team, which consisted of about four yoke of oxen, and a plow, peculiarly constructed, to do the first breaking of the sod. (I used an ax to cut holes in the sod. in which to drop the corn.) The second year, a cary, or some other kind of a two-horse side-plow, was used to turn the dead sod back again. Besides this, a small side-plow, or shovel-plow and hoe, were the implements in common use, until harvest, when the old reap-hook, the cradle and the scythe came into play." We quote the following from Thomas H. Brown: "The implements used in farming were of inferior quality. For breaking prairie, we used the cary— mohlboard, part iron and part wood, hewed out of the beach or black walnut— and for cultivating our corn, we had a single shovel-plow made out of slab iron, and as for harness, we used chain-gearing altogether." One more quotation and we will pass on. From the recollections of Col. Mayo, we make the following extract: "We could not get good breaking plows; our two-horse plows had wooden moldboards, which we had to clean with a paddle once or twice in a forty-rod furrow. At first there was but one wagon in the whole settlement, owned by John Stratton, and one grindstone, owned by Remember Blackman, on which we ground our breaking-plows. We had none but wooden harrows for several years, and were compelled to go to Fort Harrison to get our blacksmithing done, for which we paid double price. Often we had to plow and travel by night, on account of the flies—'greenheads,' the people called them—which were so bad in daytime, horses could not stand them." As another feature of the time, we would say a few words as to the state of society, dress, provisions, etc., and for authority will quote from the reminiscences of those already alluded to in the foregoing pages. Said Mr. Parrish: "It was the custom of our people to manufacture, as far as possible, evervthing that was eaten and worn. Clothing was made by raising flax. Some few had sheep, and, consequently, made linsey and jeans. The women's clothing was made of linsey, also their children's, while the men's every-day wear was linsey hunting-shirts and pants, while once in a great while you would see a man who was able to have a suit of jeans. Religiously, people differed then as they do now. On the Sabbath some would attend divine service at a neighbor's house, or schoolhouse when opportunity offered while others would go into the woods with their guns. It was very common for young ladies to attend church barefooted, in homespun dresses and sun-bonnets. People were generally very social and neighborly, and at the log-rollings and house-raisings were always ready to lend a helping hand. There was but little tea or coffee, and our people used to go to the spice-wood thicket and sassafras grove, and, at our gatherings, this domestic tea was all the go. We had to live principally on wild meat for a considerable length of time, and the first settlers depended on the 'mast' to make, or fatten, their pork." Upon the same subject, Mr. Brown says: "The farmers mostly kept some sheep, and made their own clothing, colored, usually, with butternut bark. There were no factories for making cloth, other than to card wool into rolls, and the women spun and wove the cloth at home. So we all dressed pretty much alike. Some raised flax, and made cloth from it, of which were manufactured shirts and pants for men and boys; also into table-cloths, towels, sheets and pillow-cases." Says Mr. Scott: "There were many depredations committed in the southeast part of the county, such as burning barns, killing stock, burning stacks, etc., legal proof of which could not be obtained in our courts, and at length a company of Regulators was organized, which punished some, alarmed others, who left the country, and, when times became tolerable, the company disbanded. It was gratifying to the people when they could believe their property safe while they slept. I think the number of men in Edgar County, in 1825, did not exceed three hundred. Population increased slowly until after the Black Hawk war, in 1832, after which immigration to Illinois increased by the thousand." Referring to the mode of attending church. Col. Mayo says: "Once, as I was going to meeting, I saw some young women near the church, sitting on a log, putting on their shoes and stockings, having walked barefoot to the place to save their shoes." At the time of the first settlements in Edgar County, all kinds of game were plenty. It was no uncommon sight to see from fifty to one hundred deer in a gang. Wild turkeys, together with many others of the feathered tribes, were abundant. Prairie wolves were "as the grass of the field" or the trees of the forest." Raccoons, gophers, foxes, opossums and skunks, apparently, were a "spontaneous growth." Bee-hunting was not only a pastime much followed, but a lucrative business of many persons in the community. Honey was often brought from the Embarrass timber in barrels by the wagon-load, and sold, sometimes, at 50 cents a gallon. The circulating currency was gold and silver and United States bank-notes, but rather scarce, and what little could be obtained soon found its way to the Land Office. All kinds of produce and stock were extremely low. Corn sold as low as 10 and 15 cents a bushel; wheat, 37 1/2 cents a bushel; a cow and calf could be bought for $8 and $10, a horse for $40, etc, etc. These are some of the inconveniences labored under by the first settlers of this country, and from this primitive beginning it has developed into the luxurious state we find it to-day. And we, who are enjoying all the benefits of its wealth, can scarcely realize what our parents underwent when they came to it a wilderness. STORES, MILLS, ETC. When the first settlements were made in Edgar County, mill facilities were not so extensive as they arc at the present day. Col. Mayo says when he came to the county, in 1817, the nearest grist-mill was near Shakertown, in Knox County, Ind., and Maj. Markell built one the next spring on Otter Creek; another was built in 1819 by John Beard, near the mouth of Brouillett Creek. These were all across the line in "Hoosierdom," but patronized by the few settlers of this county. In 1820, James Murphy built a saw and gristmill at the forks of the Brouillett Creek, which is said by some to have been the first water-mill in the county There are others who believe the first mill to have been built by Andrew Ray in Elbridge Township. He built one on Sugar Creek at a very early day, for which a dam had been made of brush and corn-stalks; but we are of the opinion that it was not until after the one built by Murphy. About 1825, William Murphy and Aloysius Brown built an ox-mill near where the Catholic Church now stands in Hunter Township. This was a grist-mill, with ox instead of water or horse power, and had a large "tread-wheel," upon which the oxen were placed, thus giving power to the simple machinery. The first steam-mill in the county was built at Paris by by [sic] Leander Munsell, and is still in operation, known as the Paris City Mills. A carding machine was built in the neighborhood by William Newcomb about the time the ox-mill above alluded to was built, and to this same ox-mill was attached a "fulling-mill" by Alonzo Lapham. He fulled, colored and pressed such cloth asj was manufactured in private families. But these sources of industry and convenience to the early inhabitants will be more appropriately noticed in the township histories. The first goods sold in the county of which we have any account were by James Dudley, whose first effort in mercantile transactions was in the way of a peddler, and afterward he opened a small store at the house of Daniel Lane, living on the west side of the present township of Hunter. He afterward removed to Coles County, where he became a prosperous merchant. In Paris, the first store was kept by Milton K. Alexander, who occupied a little building on the corner of the square, where Sholem's magnificent store-house now stands in proud contrast to its humble predecessor. He was for many years one of the leading merchants of Paris, as well as its first Postmaster, and elsewhere a fitting tribute is paid to his worth. Leander Munsell was another of the early merchants of Paris, and had a store at the southeast corner of the square. A man named Jones also had a store in Paris at an early day. Others soon followed in the mercantile business, and the supply of goods kept up to the demands of the people. The early merchants had not the facilities for receiving their goods that we have at the present day. Then there were no traveling men (drummers) calling upon them every thirty or sixty days, and boring them into buying goods, whether they wanted them or not. But about twice a year (spring and fall) they would hire teams to go to the Ohio River, at Louisville or Cincinnati, load them with produce here, which they would carry to those points, and bring back goods to fill the unpretending stores. The first licensed tavern in the county was kept by William Murphy, in 1823. The license was issued by the County Court to him to keep a tavern at his house, in the "North Arm Settlement." Whether he kept a dram-shop in connection with his tavern, or whether he was one of the Murphys engaged in the blue and red ribbon temperance movement, the records are silent. But the next license for a public house was issued at the March term of the County Court, 1825, to Nathaniel Wayne, to keep a "tavern and dram-shop in Paris in the house formerly occupied by William Wayne," and the following prices were adopted by the Court and authorized to be charged the public: For 1 1/2 pint of wine, rum or French brandy 37 1/2 cents. For 1/2 pint of apple or peach brandy, gin, cordial or cherry bounce 18 3/4 " For 1/2 pint of whisky 12 1/2 " For a meal's victuals 18 3/4 " For a night's lodging 12 1/2 " For keeping one horse over night 37 1/2 " This tavern was near where the Opera-house now stands, and the license for keeping it and the "dram-shop" was three dollars. Abner Payne and James Archer were among the early tavern-keepers of the county. Archer's establishment stood on the corner where Walker's store is now located, and was subsequently purchased by James Gordon, upon his removal to Paris, in 1840. John Lycan kept the first blacksmith-shop in the precincts of Edgar County. Before his shop was opened, most of the work in that line was done for the settlers at Fort Harrison, for which, says Col. Mayo, they had to pay double prices. So that when Lycan opened a shop in the neighborhood, about 1820-21, it was a great convenience to the people, and everybody for miles around patronized it to a greater or less extent. Longfellow's "Village Blacksmith" seems so appropriate in connection with this first shop, and never having noticed it similarly used (which appears somewhat strange), we give it entire, without apology: "Under a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. "His hair is crisp and black and long, His face is like the tan; His brow is wet with honest sweat— He earns whate'er he can— And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. "Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow: You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, With measured beat and slow, Like sexton ringing the village bell, When the evening sun is low. " And children, coming home from school, Look in at the open door; They love to see the flaming forge And hear the bellows roar, And catch the burning sparks that fly Like chaff from a threshing-floor. "Toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees its close; Something attempted, something done. Has earned a night's repose. "Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus, at the flaming forge of life, Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus, on its sounding anvil shaped, Each burning deed and thought." This little gem contains more beauty and meaning than at first appears, and very truthfully portrays, as it is designed to do, the—village blacksmith. The old blacksmith-shop of Lycan's has crumbled into dust, and he has joined the shadowy host, while but few now living, perhaps, remember even where stood the "flaming forge" and the "sounding anvil." Hundreds of others, of like character, have risen up in its place to do the work it once did alone. Another of the early industries of the county was a tannery, opened by Isaac Sanford, as in those days the people had their "hides tanned" at home, and manufactured shoes for their own families. Nearly every man was cobbler enough to make his own shoes. Sanford also started the first brick-yard in the county. He seems to have been a public-spirited citizen, as at a very early date he made an effort to form a stock company for the purpose of erecting a steam-mill, which, however, failed. Thomas Brock started a tan-yard near Paris, in 1829, on land purchased from Smith Shaw for the purpose, and upon which there was a fine spring. Rev. John W. McReynolds opened the first cabinet-shop in 1824, where Abram Risser now lives, and James Johnson manufactured the first chairs. Col. Mayo says he bought the first chairs from him that he had after coming to the county, except some he made himself with a saw and auger. The first post office in the county was established on the North Arm, and Hon. John B. Alexander was commissioned Postmaster. He did not hold the office long, however, as it was soon removed to Paris, and his son, Milton K. Alexander was appointed Postmaster, as elsewhere noted. THE FIRST BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE. The first white child born in the county is supposed to have been Charlotte Stratton, a daughter of John Stratton, one of the first five white settlers, who is said to have been the first white man that ate his dinner in his own house on this side of the Wabash. The daughter above referred to was born in August, 1817, and, after arriving at maturity, married Andrew Hunter, a son of S. K. Hunter, of Paris. They had two children and then removed to Platte County, Mo., where the parents died. The children were brought back to Edgar County, and raised by their grandparents. The first marriage of which there is any definite information was that of Edward Wheeler and Miss Narissa Jones, a daughter of Jacob Jones, an early settler of the county. They were married in 1822, by Elijah Austin, one of the first Justices of the Peace. After marriage, they went to New York, his native State, where they remained several years, then returned to Edgar County and made it their permanent home. We would gladly describe the toilette of the bride and the bridal presents, for the benefit of our lady readers, who are always especially interested in such matters, but are unable to do so. However, we doubt not but that they were in accordance with the times and the then custom of the country. As to the truth of the poet's assertion that "Full many cares are on the wreath, That binds the bridal veil," we cannot answer: but as both were from good families, and of the highest respectability, we venture the prediction that they were as happy as they deserved to be. Since that day, there have been "marriages and giving in marriage" in Edgar County. The old, old story, and yet forever new, has been told over and over again, and still the good work goes on. In 1823, the year the county was organized, but two marriages took place. In 1824, there were thirteen couples joined the happy throng, and eighteen in 1825. In 1875, there were 276 marriage licenses issued, 271 last year, and yet people growl about the hard times. As to the first death occurring in the county, but little could be learned in regard to it. The time has been so long, and so few are now left of those who came here the first few years of settlement, that facts of such occurrences are now almost wholly unattainable. Many, very many of those whose names have been noted in these pages among the pioneers, have long since crossed the "dark river," and are waiting on the "other shore" for friends who still linger behind. "It was appointed unto all men to die," and pretty faithfully have the early settlers of Edgar County obeyed the mandate. The grass has grown over their graves in the "old church-yard," the flowers have bloomed and withered with the coming and waning years, and most of them are gone where the "deathless amaranths bloom." A few more rolling years, and the last of old landmarks will have passed away, and a new generation will fill their places. The reflection is a sad one, but it is in the regular course of human nature. "They died, aye ! they died; and we things that are now, Who walk on the turf that lies over their brow. * * * 'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath, From the blossom of health to the paleness of death." As already stated, there is little certainty regarding the first death in the county. The first that has come under our notice was that of Dr. Url Murphy, a younger brother of James and William Murphy, early settlers of the county. He died in 1822, and if not the first, was one of the first, that occurred. Horace Austin, a son of Elijah Austin, Esq., died soon after Murphy. Laban Burr was also among the early deaths. Several other deaths took place within a few years, but their names and date of death could not be obtained. EARLY ROADS. The first petition for a road in Edgar County was presented at the June term of County Court in 1823. It was to run "from the State line, near Jonathan Hayworth's, to the Vermilion Salt Works," also, "another road, beginning at the State line on the dividing ridge betwixt the two Vermilions, said roads to intersect as soon as convenient on the nearest and best ground." The petition was presented by James Butler. As soon as this petition was read, Seymour Treat presented another for a road "from the Saline on the nighest and best way to intersect a road from Coleman's Prairie, on the Wabash, at the State line, between the two Vermilions." The first petition for a road running to Paris, then only located, was also presented at this meeting by William Lowry. It was to run "from the place where the road from Durkee's Ferry crosses the State line near Mark A. Sanders', and from thence to Edward Purcell's lane; thence to James M. Blackburn's south boundary (of the quarter on which he lives): thence to William Lowry's south boundary; thence to Paris, by the nearest and best route." This petition was followed by Thomas Jones, for a road from Paris to the county line, in the best direction to Darwin, county seat of Clark County; by a second from Smith Shaw, for a road from Paris to the Vermilion Salt Works, and by a third, from Paris to Terre Haute, by Samuel Vance. At the September term, a petition was presented by Thomas Carey for a road from Paris in a southwest direction to the county line, and one by Johnathan Mayo, asking for a road from near where James M. Blackburn lived, north to the north side of Town 14, and thence northwest until it intersected the road from Paris to the Vermilion Salt Works. Viewers were appointed for all these roads, who, after a time, come into court and report that they have viewed these routes, and recommend their being granted. In nearly all cases it was done. From this beginning until now of making roads, "there has been no end." As fast as the country was settled, new roads were petitioned for, viewed and established. The first State road in the county was established in 1825, by Charles Ives and Jonathan Mayo, appointed by Court to perform that duty. They make their return to the December term of Court. The road ran from Paris to the Wakefield settlement. The State road from Paris to Springfield was surveyed by Amos Williams, who made his return at the March term of Court, in 1826. This road as surveyed, ran from Washington street, in Springfield, through prairie, timber and swamps, past the north fork of the Sangamon River, to Buckheart Grove, and on to the east fork of Embarrass River, from where it ran into the west end of Court street, in Paris. When it was surveyed, the country over which it passed was almost wholly uninhabited. In order to secure safety to travelers, a furrow was run the entire length. Other State roads were added to these two as necessity demanded. GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY. Edgar County is rich in geological deposits and formations. For the benefit of our readers who take an interest in the subject of geology, we make a lengthy extract from the Geological Survey of Illinois, of the part pertaining to this county. The plates of this work were destroyed in the recent fire at Springfield, and no more copies of the survey can be issued without the expense of an entire new edition, which renders this extract doubly valuable in this history. We therefore deem no further apology necessary for copying it entire in this connection: "The beds of the Drift period do not show any very great thickness in this county, and only the bowlder-clay member is well developed. They may, perhaps, attain a depth of one hundred feet in the northern part of the county. Where any considerable quantities of these materials occur, they are generally underlaid by a heavy bed of water-bearing quicksand, apparently continuous with that found in Champaign and Vermilion Counties, in the same position. This was encountered at Grand View, in 1869, at a depth of fifty feet, in the shaft attempted by Messrs. Holding in search of coal. "The rocks exposed within the county all belong to that portion of the coal-measures which lies above Coal No. 6 of the Illinois Valley section, or No. 7 of the Wabash Valley section, as given in the report upon Vermilion County. Above that-level, no workable seam of coal is developed in this region. Immediately upon the borders of the county, however, we find the outcrop of No. 7 and No. 6 is not far below. Both seams are probably workable by shafts in all parts of the county. For the readiest understanding of the geology of the county, I give the following general section: Feet. 1. Soft clay shales 40 2. Coarse sand-rock and shales with limestone bands 95 3. Limestone, bottom often shaly 25 4. Green, dark-drab and black clay shales (level of 'No. 12?') 3 to 4 5. Greenish, shaly sandstone and sandy shales 12 " 15 6. Green and drab clay shales 30 " 40 7. Light-drab and greenish, very ferruginous sandy shales 15 " 20 8. Dark-drab clay shale, with few large iron-stones 5 " 6 9. Impure, shaly coal, 'No. 9' 1 1/4 10. Greenish clay shales 8 " 10 11. Sandy, argillaceous limestoue, containing pebble of black Limestone and fragments of fossils 1 2/3 " 3 12. Red and green, changing to green, sandy shales and shaly sandstones, locally heavy bedded, containing Caulerpites, and graduating below into 10 " 15 13. Green and drab clay shales, with iron-stones very numerous At bottom 30 " 35 14. Marly, argillaceous limestone, with fossils 1/6 " 1/2 15. Soft black shale 2 16. Coal. 'No. 8' 1/6 " 1/2 17. Fire-clay 3 to 4 18. Light-drab, sandy shales, weathering greenish, with heavy ironstones 40 " 50 19. Dark-drab, sandy shales, weathering greenish, coarsely concretionary 12 " 15 20. Light-blue clay shales 15 " 20 21. Coal, top shaly, 'No. 7' 5 " 6 22. Fire-clay 6 " 8 23. Sandy shales 10 " 12 24. Limestone 1 " 2 25. Sandy shales 8 " 12 20. Compact sandstones 3 " 6 27. Greenish, sandy shale, with few iron-stones 25 " 30 28. Black shale, some slaty, with very heavy pyritous iron-stone nodules 5 " 6 29. Coal, 'No. 6' 5 " 6 30. Fire-clay and soft clay shale 4 " 6 "Nos. 1 and 2 of this section are given in general terms from the report of the boring at Sutherland's distillery, two miles north of Paris. The outcrop of the corresponding beds on Sugar Creek, the only point where they were seen, is so disconnected that a detailed section cannot be made. With the exception of the limestone bands of No. 2, of which I can find no trace along the outcrop, I am inclined to accept them as generally correct. Apparently belonging near the top of No. 2, I found, at two or three points, about three inches of shaly coal, overlaid by from one to two feet of black, slaty shale, with pyritous nodules, apparently of coprolitic origin, though no fossils were seen. Of the shaly sandstone next beneath these beds, several layers will yield very fair-sized flagstones, though they do not appear very durable. The coal must represent seam 'No. 13,' according to the numbering adopted in these reports for for [sic] the Wabash Valley coals. "The bed of limestone numbered 3 in the section, was reported as being twenty-five feet thick in the boring. The best outcrop seen is at the Roman Catholic Church, one mile east of Baldwinsville, where a small stream runs over and exposes twelve or fifteen feet of its lower layers. These are partly compact, partly shaly, and near the base contain several thin layers of green shaly clay. Fossils are tolerably abundant, but only of the most common species. The higher layers of this bed are more solid, and have been quarried for culverts and foundations, at several points near the southeast corner of Township 14 north, Range 11 west. The lower layers have been quarried to a small extent, near Mr. Clinton's, on Lane's Branch, in the northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 13 north, Range 11 west. They are here also quite thin, and with shaly partings, and contain great numbers of firm fossils, such as Athyris subtilita, Spirifer cameratus, S. lineatus, Meekella striato-costato, Pleurotomaria tubiniformis, Cyathaxonia polifera, Heliophyllum (?) plates and spines of Palchinus, etc. On the main branch of Sugar Creek, there is exposed outcrop of this bed, though the large masses of it lying in the bed of the stream, a short distance above the railroad bridge, may be considered as indications that the bed is not far off. Tumbling masses of this rock are also seen in considerable numbers, just on the county line at Big Creek, but no outcrop was detected in this neighborhood. On Barren Fork of Big Creek, at the Big Creek Mill, in the southwest quarter of Section 1, Township 12 north, Range 13 west, the same bed outcrops with nearly the same fossils as on Lane's Branch. Not more than ten feet of the lower shaly portion of the bed is here exposed. In descending this fork, we come to shaly sandstones, which, near the county line, and especially in the neighboring part of Clark County, give place to very heavy, bedded sandstones, forming abrupt banks and cliffs of from ten to perhaps forty feet in height. The connection between these beds and the limestone was not exposed, and the dip was not strongly enough marked to decide their relations; but my impression at the time was the higher bed. I will not, however insist upon that interpretation of the facts, since it in no way affects my determination about the overlying beds; and Prof. E. T. Cox, who surveyed Clark County, though confessing that he nowhere saw the direct connection of the two sets of beds, is very strongly of the opinion that the sandstone is the higher. "From the Roman Catholic Church, before mentioned, there is an almost continuous outcrop down Brouillett's Creek, as given in the section, until we meet the first workable coal-seam just below the State line. A similar section is exposed upon Coal Creek, two or three miles further south, which joins Brouillett's Creek at the Indiana furnace. On both these streams, Nos. 13 and 18 furnish large quantities of ironstone nodules of fine quality. Number 11, of the section, with its numerous pebbles of black, bituminous limestone, furnishes a readily-recognized horizon for some miles along the creek, near and below Baldwinsville. Number 12, though quite variable in character within short distances, is noticeable for containing the Caulerpites marginatus, which marks the same level along the Salt Fork, in Vermilion County. Number 14 contains a few fossils in good preservation, such as Spirifer lineatus, S. planoconvexus, Speriferina Kentuckensis, Pleutoromoria spharrulata, P. Gravillensis, Productus longispinus, Cyathaxonia prolifera, Astartella, etc. "The coarsely concretionary structure of No. 19 allies it with corresponding beds in Vermilion County, which there lie perhaps thirty feet higher than coal No. 7. With the exception of the limestone No. 3 of the section, whose distribution has already been spoken of, the small outcrops along the streams in the southern part of the county are so disconnected, and of such common character, that it would be next to impossible to determine their exact equivalents in the section. On Clear Creek, in northeast quarter of Section 7, Township 12, Range 11 west, a few feet of a soft, fine-grained sandstone, somewhat ferruginous, has been quarried to a small extent, principally for grindstones. It is underlaid by four or five feet of very dark drab clay shale. This may be the equivalent of No. 12 of the section, but I am rather inclined to believe that No. 7 has here taken the form of a sandstone. In either case, it is not impossible that the report may be correct that coal was struck at eighty feet, in a boring made in this neighborhood sometime since. The shales and irregular shaly sandstones, which outcrop just at the railroad bridge over the main branch of Sugar Creek, evidently belong to Nos. 4 and 5 of the section. In going down this creek, we find no beds of rock evidently in place, except about a mile north of Elbridge, where two or three feet of soft, drab clay shale make their appearance at two or three points, but give no indication of their position in the section. Upon the streams west of Big Creek, in the southwest corner of the county, and about the head of Embarrass River, in the western part of the county, no rock outcrop could be found. "The boring at Sutherland's distillery seems to have been put down at nearly the highest point in the county, geologically speaking; and a carefully-prepared record of it would aid very greatly in the determination of the geology of the county. Such a record was kept by Dr. Newell, of Paris, but was unfortunately lost in the burning of his store, and only general facts have been preserved by memory. It is stated, however, that one hundred and thirty feet of strata were found between the limestone No. 3 and the first workable coal, and about one hundred feet between this and the next one, below which no coal is reported. It would be queer if none of the lower seams should run under here; but two five-foot seams are enough for several generations, at least. "The following is reported as to the section of a boring made at Sanford's Station, in May, 1867: Feet. Inches. 1. Soil and subsoil 15 ... 2. Sand 6 ... 3. Sand and clay 4 ... 4. Hardpan 66 ... 5. Brown clay 10 3 6. Blue clay 8 4 7. Sandstone ... 4 8. Blue clay 37 2 9. Black shale 1 3 10. Fire-clay 4 5 11. Limestone 6 5 12. Red clay 2 ... 13. Limestone 3 ... 14. Soapstone 2 8 15. Limestone ... 9 16. Red slate 7 6 17. Hardpan 2 9 18. Limestone 3 ... 19. Sand and clay 4 ... 20. Limestone 1 9 21. Red slate 1 6 22. Sand and blue clay 5 3 23. Sandstone 3 10 24. Black slate 8 3 25. Hard stone ... 5 26. Black slate 4 2 27. Bastard lime ... 8 28. Slate 7 5 29. Soapstone 5 3 30. Rotten coal 4 7 31. Sandstone ... 6 32. Fire-clay 7 2 33. Sandstone 4 ... "The black shale of No. 9 of this section apparently represents coal "No. 7," while Nos. 24 to 26 may represent coal "No. 6." No. 30 may possibly be a parting of "No. 6," locally separated from the same seam. There are spots in every coal-seam where the coal is wanting, and this boring, if correctly reported, seems to have been sunk at a point where this is true of both seams. It is possible that the seams do not extend under the southern part of Edgar County; but I do not believe this to be true. I put no faith in the reports of the sections obtained in sinking several oil-wells in the northwest corner of Clark County and the southeast corner of Coles County, most of which, as reported, contain no coal. I judge that coal can be found under every section of the county, at a depth nowhere exceeding 350 feet; and along the line of the railroads, 250 feet would probably reach the first seam of coal, "No. 7," in nearly every case, the most doubtful point being at Paris. The distance from "No. 7" to "No. 6" is reported at 100 feet in the distillery boring; but this distance is probably about 70 feet on Brouillett's Creek, and less elsewhere. "No. 7" is quite impure in all this region, and in shafting for coal, it would probably be best to go on to the lower seam, No. 6, which is a much purer article, considerable portions of it being the so-called "block" coal, in most of its outcrops in this region. In consequence of the great variations in thickness in most of the beds exposed along Brouillett's Creek, I have been obliged to give, in the general section, very variable thicknesses for nearly every bed. In calculating from the section the probable depth to any particular bed, at any point, the average of thickness should be used. I had hoped that, before the publication of this report, at least one shaft might have been sunk, so as to determine the exact section at some one point; but the shaft proposed at Paris is apparently given up, and the one commenced at Grand View, by Holding Bros., has been temporarily stopped, through meeting with heavy beds of water-bearing quicksand at the base of the bowlder-clay." The State Geologist closes his report on this county with an allusion to Dr. Newell, of Paris, and Col. Blackburn, whose assistance in his labors he acknowledges. THE INDIANS. When the first white people came to Edgar County, there were plenty of Indians in the territory now embraced in its limits. Says Col. Mayo, in his early reminiscences: "The Indians were numerous and troublesome, and at one time Maj. Churm, the commandant at Fort Harrsion, sent us word to be on our guard, as an attack was threatened." In 1822, it was estimated that there were at least three hundred Indians in the county; also several Indian camps in its borders, and considerable hog-stealing and other little depredations committed by them. The Indians occupying this part of Illinois at that time were the Kickapoos. From the Indian history of the State we make the following extract: "The Kickapoos, in 1763, occupied the country southwest of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. They subsequently moved southward, and at a more recent date dwelt in portions of the territory on the Mackinaw and Sangamon Rivers, and had a village on Kickapoo Creek and at Elkhart Grove. They were more civilized, industrious, energetic and cleanly than the neighboring tribes, and, it may also be added, more implacable in their hatred of the Americans. They were among the first to commence battle, and the last to submit and enter into treaties. Unappeasable enmity led them into the field against Gens. Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne, and to be first in all the bloody charges at Tippecanoe. They were prominent among the northern nations, which, for more than a century, waged an exterminating war against the Illinois Confederacy. Their last hostile act of this kind was perpetrated in 1805, against some poor Kaskaskia children, whom they found gathering strawberries on the prairie above the town which bears the name of their tribe. Seizing a considerable number of them, they tied to their villages before the enraged Kaskaskias could overtake them and rescue their offspring. During the years 1810 and 1811. in conjunction with the Chippewas, Pottawatomies and Ottawas, they committed so many thefts and murders on the frontier settlements that Gov. Edwards was compelled to employ military force to suppress them. They claimed relationship with the Pottawatomies, and perhaps with the Sacs and Foxes and Shawnees. When removed from Illinois, they still retained their old animosities against the Americans, and went to Texas, then a province of Mexico, to get beyond the jurisdiction of the United States." But, beyond some petty troubles and annoyances, the citizens of Edgar County were not molested by their red neighbors. Collisions occurred some times, however, but who were in fault it is now impossible to say. In the southeast corner of the county, where had squatted some rather desperate characters, two Indians were killed—one by a man named John House, and another by John Foster; but as there were no witnesses except squaws, whose evidence would not be taken in the courts, nothing were done with them beyond an indictment by the grand jury, and a trial of one of the parties, who was acquitted. The line noticed on the map, running diagonally through the eastern part of the county, is known as the old Indian Boundary Line. It was the west boundary line of the purchase made by Gen. Harrison of the Indians in 1809. The two lines, the one already alluded to as running through Edgar County, and the other through Indiana, and crossing the Wabash, intersecting the first in Prairie Township, with a third line connecting the base, or the southern extremities of the other two, were the limits of a district known as the "Harrison Purchase." It was purchased of the Indians for the United States Government, as above stated in 1809, by Gen. Harrison, and surveyed and placed in market in 1810; while west of this diagonal line the land was not bought from the Indians until 1822, and was then surveyed and brought into market, though settlements had been made in it several years before by the whites. In 1832, the Indians concentrated for a last struggle in defense of their hunting-grounds, under the renowned chief, Black Hawk. The notes of war reached this sparsely-settled district, and more than three hundred men from this county responded to the Governor's call for troops. Milton K. Alexander, a merchant of Paris, had been commissioned Colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment of Illinois Militia. In 1830, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Gov. Reynolds, and accompanied him the next year to Rock Island, on business connected with the threatened outbreak. In 1832, he was elected and commissioned Brigadier General of the Second Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, and J. M. Blackburn, still living, and residing in Stratton Township, was commissioned Colonel of the regiment formed in this county, and which composed a part of Gen. Alexander's brigade. Following, we give the names of the officers and privates of the regiment, so far as could be obtained: J. M. Blackburn, Colonel; William Wyatt, Lieutenant Colonel; Stephen J. Shellady, Adjutant; Leonard Parker, Quartermaster; Drs. Ferris and Huff, Surgeons. In forming the regiment, the companies composing it drew lots for precedence, and Mayo's obtained the post of honor. It was originally officered as follows: Jonathan Mayo, Captain: Edward Y. Russell, First Lieutenant; William Wyatt, Second Lieutenant; Leonard Parker, Orderly Sergeant. Upon the formation of the regiment, Wyatt and Parker were promoted, as above, and John S. McConkey was elected Lieutenant, in place of Wyatt, and James Buchanan, Orderly Sergeant, in the place of Parker. The rank and file of Mayo's company (the only one of the three from this county which can now be given, and the roster of it is only on file in the active memory of its now venerable Captain) are as follows: Joseph B. Vance, M. M. Dill, E. P. Shaw, Thomas Pinson, Washington Alexander, James Pinson, Robert M. Ray, John S. Dill, Jacob G. Lycan, Isaiah Welsh, Simon Camerer, Matthew R. Scott, are all known to be yet living. The remainder are dead: Thomas Hobbs, William B. Vance, John Matthews, Martin Elder, James Bailey, James Hoskins, John Bradley, Rev. William Philips, Daniel Spencer, Abram Welsh, James F. Fletcher, David Crosier, _____ Montgomery, Thomas H. Dohhette, William Whitley, Enos Hobbs, Thomas Mogan, Patrick Whalen, Thomas Evans, Samuel Jones, Sanborn Basford, William C. Trimble, John Wilson, John Somerville, Enos Martin, Augustus Wyatt, Reubin Lowry, William Bond, Joseph Barkley, Martin Sisemore, James H. Tenery, Patrick C. Tenery and Willard Center, and John C. Calvin, wagoner of the company. After the troops started out in this campaign, the people who were left at home were often uneasy, and used to discuss the probability of a horde of Indian warriors sweeping down upon them some fine evening and taking a lot of scalps for amusement; but even in this they were doomed to disappointment. "We do not purpose following the troops through the campaign. The war and its results are matters of history, and familiar to every schoolboy in the country. It is enough to say that the disaster at Bad Axe proved the Waterloo of the Indians in Illinois, and buried forever their claims on this side of the Mississippi. A few years later, they were removed to reservations, made them by the United States Government, in the distant West, and, silently and sadly, they took up their line of march to their new possessions. It has been said that the Indians and negroes are the only two races that have been outraged by the American people; and who shall gainsay it? In the acts perpetrated by unprincipled white men upon the Indian, may we not find some excuse for the outrages committed by them in retaliation? Savage they are by nature, we admit, and, rendered cruel by the wrongs heaped upon them, who can blame them for defending their homes and their hunting-grounds? We do not mean to set up as an apologist or champion of the Indian, but are forced to acknowledge that in many instances he is as much sinned against as sinning. CELEBRATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS. The first Fourth of July celebration ever held in the county was in 1823, in a grove of timber on the place of Daniel Lane. It consisted, we believe, of the usual programme of such occasions, namely, a barbecue, speech, reading of the Declaration of Independence, etc. This is as it should be. The Fourth of July is a day with us that should be held sacred as long as the Stars and Stripes float over a free people. On this occasion, there were toasts and responses at dinner; the Declaration was read by Judge William Lowry, but the oration of the day—if there was one—has been permitted to pass into oblivion. We are sorry there is no record of it; it ought to have been preserved as a memento. Doubtless it did ample justice to the Pilgrim Fathers and the heroes of the Revolution; drew lessons of warning and instruction from ancient Greece and Rome, and, with visions almost apocalyptic, pictured the future glory of this great country. We say it is a pity that it was not preserved; its reproduction would be a handsome embellishment to these pages. But it is lost. Such is fame! In the early times, fifty or sixty years ago, when the modern games of croquet and base-ball were unknown, the people used to amuse themselves with marbles, "town-ball"—which was base-ball in a rude state—and other simple pastimes of a like character. Col. Mayo says, the first amusement he remembers in the county was a game of town-ball, on the day of the public sale of lots in Paris, in which many of the "young men of the period engaged." He also mentions a menagerie that used to pay periodical visits to the neighborhood, as early as 1821, and inspired the juveniles with all the interest that the circus does the small boy of the present day. It consisted principally of two or three cages of monkeys and a Shetland pony. The main performance was by a monkey, which rode the pony, would turn somersaults, jump through hoops (the monkey, not the pony), and perform all the usual tricks. The pony would throw him off, when he would pretend to be very angry, and would jump on again to the intense delight of the children. People would go just as far to "see the show" then, and undergo all the inconveniences to do so, that they will now to attend the modern circus. They cared nothing about it, themselves, you know, but only went with the children. Still other amusements consisted in log-rollings, house-raisings, "quilting-bees," dances, etc., while many spent their leisure hours in gunning, and some even carried it to such an excess as to infringe upon the Sabbath. These simple amusements were as great a source of enjoyment to the people then as the more refined and pretentious theaters, operas, balls and select parties are to us to-day. OTHER NOTES AND ITEMS. Prairie fires, those terrors to people living in a prairie country, were not unknown in this section in the early period of its occupancy by the whites. Much damage and loss of property often resulted from their fearful ravages. "In time of peace prepare for war" is a trite saying, and could well be applied to the people here. As soon as the grass began to die and dry up in the fall of the year, preparations against fire were commenced, by burning, or plowing roads around fields and farms. But even these barriers were sometimes o'er-leaped, and distressing consequences followed to the poor man, who had but little in the start, and, in these fires, lost that little in the twinkling of an eye, almost. This county, lying contiguous to the Grand Prairie, and interspersed with spurs running deep into it, the inhabitants were often witnesses to those "spontaneous conflagrations" that appeared so "glorious in their grandeur and gloomy in their ruin and waste." The dense smoke arising from them in the melancholy days of the Indian summer, often enveloped the land with the "shades of evening," reminding one of Milton's allusion to an eclipse— " The sun, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight Shed o'er half the nations." We referred elsewhere to the mode of dress in the early days, and of its home manufacture, from wool, flax, etc. The first sheep introduced into the county were brought here by John Stratton and Col. Mayo, in January, 1822. They purchased 130 head in Kentucky, brought them to Edgar County and sold them to people who were desirous of embarking in the business of sheep-raising, not for speculative purposes, but as a means of economy, and of producing their own and the family clothing. The experiment of growing cotton (as well as flax) for the same purpose, was quite extensively followed for a few years, but not, however, we believe, with any great degree of success, owing probably to the rigorous climate; and so the effort was abandoned. But these matters will be more fully noticed in the township histories, where every point of interest in the history of the county will be particularized in a manner that our space forbids in this connection. This, perhaps, is as appropriate a place as any to say a few words of the poor, and the arrangements adopted for their accommodation. The first step taken in Illinois, looking to the care of its indigent people, was the adopting of orphan children, or, rather, the binding of them out to be raised and brought up to the state of men and women. When parents died and left a family of children destitute and poor, they were taken charge of by the Court, and bound to benevolent (?) persons, who in turn were "bound" to raise, educate and clothe them, and, when of age, to give them $100 with which to make a start in the world. As paupers increased, and grown-up people were added to the class, they were also "bound out," upon the stipulation that they were to be clothed, fed and worked. This latter clause was the way by which the party taking them got his pay for the outlay of clothes and provisions furnished. This system not working well, however, led finally to the present mode of caring for the poor. The first "Poor-farm " owned by Edgar County, was south of Paris, and situated in Sims Township. The county owned and used this place as an asylum for its paupers for about ten years, when they sold it and purchased the farm now occupied, and which is located in Hunter Township, about the year 1855. In that year, John W. Moffatt was appointed Superintendent of the Poorhouse, and received as compensation for his services $365 a year. Joseph Fisk kept the first Poorhouse in the county, which was that stated as being located in Sims Township. He was succeeded by James Crafton, who is still living in Paris. Moffatt was the keeper or Superintendent at the time of the change from Sims to Hunter Township. It is at present in charge of Mr. Mapes, and will be again referred to in the history of Hunter Township. In that chapter, a full history of it, since its removal to Hunter, will be given, together with all statistical information of any importance. RAILROADS OF THE COUNTY. The earliest attempts to construct railroads in the West originated in the insane desire to enrich that empire by the system known as "internal improvements." This fever of speculation broke out in several parts of the United States about the year 1835. It appeared in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois nearly the same time, and, when past, left an enormous debt on each municipality. In Illinois, it amounted to nearly fifteen millions, while in Pennsylvania it was more than double that amount, and in Ohio and Indiana did not vary far from it. Examination of the legislative acts of the Prairie State, at that period, discloses an almost unbroken line of acts for the construction of some highway, which was destined only to partially see the light of day in detached parcels, some of which still remain as silent monuments of a supreme legislative and popular folly. When the collapse came, in 1837, and work on all was entirely suspended, only the old Northern-Cross Railroad—now the Wabash—was found in a condition fit to warrant completion, and that only a short distance. It was originally intended to extend from Meredosia through Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur and Danville to the eastern State line, where it was expected it would be joined to some road in Indiana and be continued eastward. A vast quantity of old flat-bar rails had been purchased in England by the agents of the State, at an enormous expense, too; and quite a quantity had been brought to Meredosia, preparatory to being laid on the track. In the spring of 1838, some eight miles of this old track were laid, and on the 8th day of November, of that year, a small locomotive, the "Rogers," made in England, and shipped here in pieces, was put together and made a trial trip on the road. It was the first that ever turned a wheel in the Mississippi Valley, and, on the day of its trip. carried George W. Plant, as engineer; Murray McConnell, one of the Commissioners of Public Works; Gov. Duncan, James Dunlap and Thomas T. January, contractors; Charles Collins and Myron Leslie, of St. Louis. The first rail on this road had been laid, with imposing ceremonies, on May 9 of the spring before; and, on through the summer, the work progressed slowly until when, as has been stated, the locomotive made the pioneer trial trip in the valley of the Great West. Only twelve years before, had the first railroad train made a trip in the new continent; and, only a year or two before this, had the first application of steam been successfully made in this manner in England. The first practical locomotive was probably invented by a Frenchman, Joseph Cugnot, of Void, Lorraine, France. He made a three-wheeled road-wagon in 1770, which was used with some success in experimenting; but, owing to the French Revolution breaking out about this time, the machine was abandoned, and is now in the museum at Metiers. One of the first locomotives built for use in America was made for Oliver Evans, who, owing to the incredulity existing at that day, could not get the necessary permits required by the State Legislature to erect one here, and sent to London, where, in 1801, a high-pressure locomotive was built for him. It was not, however, until 1830 that one was built in the United States. That year, the venerable Peter Cooper, then an enterprising mechanic and builder, constructed an excellent one for the day, with which, on the 28th of August of that year, he made a public trial, running it from Baltimore to Ellicott's Mills, twenty-six miles, at an average speed of twelve miles per hour. From that date, the erection of American locomotives became a reality. Now they are the best in the world. The first railway in the world was a simple tramway of wooden rails, used in the collieries of the Old World. It is hard to determine when they began to be used—probably early in «the seventeenth century. The covering of the wooden rail with iron was only a question of time, to be, in its turn, displaced by a cast-iron rail; that, by a malleable one, which, in turn, gave way to the present steel rail. When the use of steam applied to road-wagons came to be agitated, one of the first uses it was put to was the hauling of these coal-cars to and from the mines. By and by, passengers began to ride on them; then cars for their use were made; the roads were built between important commercial points, and, with the improvement of the locomotive and increase of speed, the railway-carriage came to be a palace, and the management, construction and care of railroads one of the most stupendous enterprises in the world. The first tramway, or railway, in America was built from Quincy, Mass., the home of the Adams family, to the granite quarries, three miles distant. The first railway built in America, on which steam-cars were used, was the Mohawk & Hudson Road, completed in 1831. On the 9th day of August, the pioneer passenger-train of America was hauled over this road, drawn by the third American locomotive, Mr. John B. Jervis, engineer. The train consisted of three old-fashioned coaches, fastened together by chains, which, in the sudden starting and stopping, severely jolted the passengers—so much so, that fence-rails were placed tightly between the cars, thereby keeping the chains taut. From the rugged Eastern States, the transition to the level prairies of the West was an easy matter, culminating in the efforts we have already noted. When the great collapse of the system of internal improvements came, in 1837, and with its fall left only one small road so far completed as to warrant work to be continued on it, the shock was so great that it was twelve years before another was begun and put in working order. In February, 1850, the Chicago & Elgin, now Chicago & Northwestern, was completed to Elgin, and a train of cars run from one city to the other. From that date until now, the march of progress in this part of the great enterprises of the day has been uninterrupted and constant. INDIANAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD. The oldest road in Edgar County is the present Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, whose earliest inception may be traced to the speculative fever of 1835. Indeed, three roads in this county may be traced to that period. When the appropriations for different roads were made, a route from Terre Haute to Alton was one designated, and work performed on it in many places. On the eastern end, Mr. Sanford had a contract for getting out timber for bridges and ties, and had considerable prepared when the crash came. Others had graded portions of the road, and were paid in State paper, which, when the system began to decline, partook of a downward tendency and left the creditors in rather a sad plight. Mr. Sanford took his lumber back in part pay, and afterward sold it down the river, realizing enough to bring him out a little in advance of his outlay. The country was not aroused from its dormant condition until about 1849, by that time, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad had reached the eastern line of Illinois, and stood at that door knocking, that it might come in and cross the State on its way to St. Louis, its western terminus. At this point, it met with a check which took it years to overcome. A "State Policy" party sprung up, denying the right of any foreign corporation to cross the State, especially when the effect would be to enrich the neighboring city of St. Louis, a city Alton was vainly endeavoring to outstrip in the march of progress, and which she then confidently expected to do. The "State Policy" party held several rousing meetings in furtherance of their scheme, a scheme delusive in its effects upon the State at large, and confined mainly to the Alton interest. Counter-influences were aroused, meetings held, and an antagonistic party, much the inferior at first, began to appear. The culmination came when the Terre Haute, Vandalia & St. Louis road asked for a charter. The Baltimore & Ohio road had succeeded in their endeavor to build their track across the State, mainly brought about by the press foreign to the State. It had, with one voice, denounced the "policy" as narrow, selfish, mean, contemptible and invidious. It was sustained by the press in the northern parts of Illinois, and had already begun to open the eyes of many influential persons belonging to the Policy party. When the Vandalia road asked for their charter, the Policy party exerted themselves to the utmost to defeat that, and for a time prevailed. While these affairs were agitating the State, Congress had passed the act granting a magnificent domain of land in aid of the Illinois Central Railroad. The Senators from Illinois wrote letters to many influential men at home, urging upon them the necessity of being more liberal in their acts to foreign corporations, and not attempt to arrogate to the State a right she could not expect to possess. They further urged that the donation from the General Government could not have been secured had not they pledged their earnest effort to wipe out this disgraceful policy. These influences had their effect. The "Brough" road, so called from its principal projector, afterward Governor of Ohio, gained a charter and were enabled to begin work on their proposed Vandalia line. In the mean while, influences were working to build anew the projected roads of the improvement period. The grade on the old route from Terre Haute to Alton was, in many places, in a tolerably good condition, and only needed energy to push it to a conclusion. A company was formed, the name Terre Haute & Alton Railroad adopted, and work began. Edgar, in common with other counties on the route, subscribed aid, giving bonds to the amount of §150,000, bearing 7 per cent interest, and redeemable in twenty years. The Road was completed through this county, and as far west as Mattoon, where it intersected the Illinois Central, then uncompleted. From the west end eastward, it had been finished quite a distance, and in January, the breach was closed, and a passenger train made the entire trip from Terre Haute to Alton. For a while, it transferred freight and passengers here to boats, and sent them to St. Louis, so strong was the Alton interest against that city. This, however, could not always endure, and the coal road, from one city to the other, was purchased and trains run down on that. That changed the name to the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. When the route was extended eastward from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, the name was changed to the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, by which it is now known. P. & D. R. R. The Paris & Danville Railroad dates its origin as far back as the Indianapolis & St. Louis. It originated at the same time, work was done at different places along its route only to be abandoned as its contemporaries were, for want of funds. In 1872, a company was formed for the purpose of utilizing the grade, and work on the line renewed. It was continued until the spring of 1874, when the cars began running. In 1875, work on the southern portion was begun, and vigorously prosecuted until done to Lawrenceville, on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, where it ends. The trains are, however, run into Vincennes on the track of the Ohio & Mississippi road, making that city its southern terminal point. At Danville, it connects and runs in junction with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad to Chicago. This latter road was chartered February 16, 1805, as the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad. It was completed in November, 1872. In June, 1875, it passed into the hands of a receiver, and in April, 1877, was sold for the benefit of the bondholders, for $1,500,000. A new company was at once organized, the name changed to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, and important Southern connections made. It opens a direct route north and south for the products of Edgar County. The Paris & Danville road operates in connection with it, and affords all needed facilities. When this Road was organized, John C. Short was made President, Hiram Sanford, Vice President, and F. Maxom, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers remained until the sale of the road, in October, 1878. In August, 1875, the road was placed in the hands of Mr. James A. Eads as receiver, who is yet in that position. Mr. B. F. Mathias is General Ticket and Freight Agent, with his office at the Depot in Paris. THE ILLINOIS MIDLAND. The Illinois Midland Railroad was originally three separate roads, each receiving a separate charter. The first of these, the Paris & Decatur, was chartered February 16, 1865: the second, the Peoria, Atlanta & Decatur, March 16, 1869, and the third, the Paris & Terre Haute, March 1, 1872. Each one was completed and operated by itself, though in conjunction with the others, until the last one was finished and had been operated a short time. Not paying separately, they were consolidated in 1875 under one management, and the name changed to Illinois Midland. Mr. J. Reese was appointed receiver, which position he held until the latter part of December, 1878, when he resigned. Mr. Louis Genis was appointed to the vacancy. When the third part of this road was finished, an excursion train was run from Terre Haute to Paris (Monday, February 16, 1874), where the excursionists were treated to a dinner and speeches at the Court House. It was made a gala-day for all. The total length of this road is 176 miles, its terminal points being Terre Haute at the eastern end, and Peoria at the western. I., D. & S. R. R. The Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railroad, passing through the northern part of the county, like the Indianapolis & St. Louis and the Paris & Danville roads, traces its origin to the days of the internal improvements. It went down with the rest, its grades lying dormant until 1872. A short time before this, a company was organized who regraded it and began laying a track. It is now open from Guion, in Indiana, to Decatur, Ill. In its route through this county, it passes on an air line through the villages Illiana—at the State line—Bonwell, Scotland, Chrisman—where it crosses the Paris & Danville road—Cherry Point City. Met calf and Hume. At Decatur, it connects with Western roads, and at Guion with the Logansport & Southwestern. D., O. & O. R. R. R. A narrow-gauge road is now in course of construction through the western part of the county. It was chartered as the Danville, Olney & Ohio River Railroad, March 10, 1860. Work was begun in 1871, and has since been prosecuted with varying success. Eight miles from Kansas south are already complete, and trains making regular trips. Thirteen miles farther south are graded and ready for the iron. This road already pays expenses, a principle fully demonstrated now in favor of this class of roads. It is expected to complete the line to a point near the south line of Jasper County, where a junction will be made with the Grayville & Mattoon Railroad, on whose track a third rail will be laid, and the trains run into Olney. The terminal points of this road when fully complete, will be made at Chicago on the north, and a point on the Ohio River opposite Paducah, Ky., on the south. The present officers of the road are James Dawson, President; James K. Boyer, Vice President; W. H. Brown, Secretary; W. F. Boyer, Treasurer, and Samuel Shy, Attorney. All these officers, with the exception of the President, live at Kansas. Mr. Dawson resides at Westfield. It will be seen by the foregoing sketch that Edgar County is very well favored by railroads. She has, indeed, given pretty liberally in aid of these several lines, to the no little fear of some of her people who have a dread of debt, no matter how contracted. Yet it is confidently affirmed that all these investments have been of much and lasting benefit. Additional Comments: Extracted From: THE HISTORY OF EDGAR COUNTY, ILLINOIS, CONTAINING A History of the County—its Cities, Towns, &c.; Directory of its Tax-Payers; War Record of its Volunteers in the late Rebellion ; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; General and Local Statistics; Map of Edgar County; History of Illinois, Illustrated; History of the Northwest, Illustrated; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c, &c. ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO: WM. LE BARON, JR., & CO., 186 DEARBORN STREET. 1879. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/edgar/history/1879/edgarcou/historyo22gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 78.4 Kb