Newspaper Article about the CARTERS and RILEYS - 1844 - Fulton County, Illinois The Floods of 1844 It will long be known as the “wet year.” The Illinois and Spoon rivers in June were the highest ever known, and all the best farms in Fulton county were flooded for many months. In that year our old townsman, Jackson Carter, was married to Harriet Jane Riley, who came to Fulton county in 1835, and well re- members the terrible storm of that year which blew Canton away and killed five people. Her father had died in Ken- tucky, but her brother, John Riley, was known as on of the noblest men in the early history of the county. Mr. Carter was born and raised in Fayette county, Kentucky, the home county of Henry Clay. Mr. C. first came on a visit here in 1839, and moved here in 1843, being married the next year. He commenced farming the black land east of Lewis- town in that “wet year,” and even in that year made money off the farm; and he tells us the farm has never failed to make him money in the 52 years he has owned and tilled it. But he has lost many thousands of dollars in lending money to men considered our safest and besst men. They have raised an honored family. He is 82, she 72. They are well, contented and happy in life’s closing days. Both are devoted to temperance and all good work for the uplifting of the generations. Peace to them and all such pioneers. This is typed from a newspaper clipping (Landon Times?) and presumed to be the year 1897 although no date is given. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shera Thompson