USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
977.37 D14c
Ill. Hist. Surv.
1682.
56
COMBINED HISTORY
OF
EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH
COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
DESCRIPTIVE OF THEIR SCENERY
AND
Biographical Sketches of some of their Prominent Hien and Pioneer
PUBLISHED BY J. L. MCDONOUGH & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
CORRESPONDING OFFICE, EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
1883.
9
977.37 Ⅱ14c
PREFACE.
-
HE publishers desire to return their sin- cere thanks to those who have aided in making this work thorough and com- plete. For the incidents relative to the early settle- ment of these counties, we are indebted to a few early pioneers, who have seen a wild frontier country develop into a wealthy and populous com- munity ; especially are we under obligations to the writings of George Flower and Morris Birkbeck, whose graphic articles shed much light on the early settlements in this section of the state. For other facts we are under obligations to a class of intelligent men, who, amid the ordinary pur- suits of life, have taken pains to thoroughly in- form themselves in regard to the past history and resources of their county. Among those who have specially contributed to the history of Ed- wards county are :- Charles Churchill, Alexander Stewart, Jesse Emmerson, John Woods, John Tribe, Philander Gould, Ansel A. Gould, George Lopp, Enoch Greathouse, Benjamin Ulm, Francis Great- house, Thomas Coad, George Michels, Elisha Chism, and Dr. F. B. Thompson.
The gentlemen who have assisted us in Law- rence county are :- J. W. Crews, David D. Lanter- man, J. M. Miller, Samuel Sumner, A. I. Judy, George McCleave, Dr. W. M. Garrard, Richard King, Francis Tougas, Renick Heath and William Laws.
In the preparation of the history of Wabash coun- ty we have been materially assisted by Judge Robert Bell, James M. Sharp, Judge E. B. Green, Dr. Jacob Schneck, Joseph Compton, Dr. James Harvey, John Dyar, E B. Keen, Thompson Blackford, Henry Lov- ellette, Dr. A. J. McIntosh, J. J. Smith, Wmn. Ulm, Thomas N. Armstrong, Ira Keen, John Rigg, D. L. Tilton, A. B. Cory, J. Zimmerman, Mrs. Elizabeth Litherland, John Wood and John Higgins.
To the county officials of the respective counties we extend our thanks for the many courtesies extended, during the compilation of this work.
Among the chapters most fruitful in interest to ·a great number of our readers, will be found those which treat of the early history of the churches. Many persons are now living whose fathers and grandfathers, in the humble log cabin, which was then the only house of worship, assisted in founding organizations which have been of the greatest good to subsequent generations. To the clergymen of the different denominations, and to many of the older members of these societies, we are indebted for much valuable information. The editors of the several newspapers have also rendered assistance in that prompt and cheerful manner so characteristic of the journalistic profession.
We have endeavored, with all diligence and care- fulness, to make the best of the material at our command. We have confined ourselves, as nearly as possible, to the original data furnished. The sub- ject matter has been carefully classificd, and will be a great help to the public as a book of reference con- cerning the past history of the county. The facts were gathered from many different sources, and de- pend largely, not on exact written records, but on the uncertain and conflicting recollections of different individuals l We have tried to preserve the inci- dents of pioneer history, to accurately present the natural features and material resources of this por- tion of the state, and to gather the facts likely to be of most interest to our present readers, and of greatest importance to coming generations. If our readers will take into consideration the diffi- culties of the task, we feel assured of a favorable verdict on our undertaking.
THE PUBLISHERS.
206789
3
3
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
PAGE
Geographical Position, 9; Early Explora- tions, 9; Discovery of the Ohio, 15; English Explorations and Settle- ments, 16; American Settlements, 22; Division of the North- West Territory, 23; Present Condition of the North- West, 24 . 9-25
CHAPTER II.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ILLINOIS. French Possessions, 25; The first Settle- ments in Illinois, 26; Founding of Kaskaskia, 27; As a part of Louisi- ana, 27; Fort Chartres, 28; Under French rule, 29; Character of the Early French Settlers, 30; A Possession of Great Britain, 30 ; Conquest by Clark, 32; The "Compact of 1787," 32; Land T'enures, 34; Physical Features of the State, 35; Progress and Development, 35; Material Resources of the State, 36; Annual Products, 36; The War Record, 38; Civil Government, 39; Territorial and State Officers, 40 ; Mis- cellaneous Information . .
. . 25-45
CHAPTER Il1.
GEOGRAPHY, AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES AND RAILROAD FACILITIES.
EDWARDS COUNTY, 46 ; LAWRENCE COUNTY, 46; WABASH COUNTY, 47. Railroads, Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, 48; Ohio and Mississippi, 49; Louisville, Evansville and St. Louis, 49; Peoria, Decatur and Evansville, 49; . . . 46-50
CHAPTER IV.
GEOLOGY.
EDWARDS COUNTY, 50; WABASH COUNTY,
51; LAWRENCE COUNTY, 53. . . . 50-54
CHAPTER V.
FLORA.
List of Native Woody Plants, Grasses, etc., etc. . . 55, 56
CHAPTER VI. FAUNA.
Treating of the Various Families of Ani- mals and Birds that have existed in these counties . ... . 56-58
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEERS AND EARLY SETTLERS.
EDWARDS COUNTY, First Settlers, 58; Early Marriages, 66; The Deep Snow, 67; The Sudden Freeze, 67. LAWRENCE COUNTY, First Settlers, 68; WARASH COUNTY, First Settlers, 73; Pioneer Mills, 77; The Cannon Massacre, 78; Habita and Modes of living in Pioneer times, 78. . 58-80
CHAPTER VIII. CIVIL HISTORY.
EDWARDS COUNTY, Act creating the Conn- ty, 80; County Government at Pal- myra, 81; Second Court, Third Court, Justice's Conrt, 84; First and Second Commissioner's Court, 85; County Government at Albion, County Com- missioner'e Court from First to Fonr- teenth, 86-88; County Courts, from First to Seventh, 89, 90; Boards of County Commissioners, 90,91; Pub- lic Buildings, 91; Taxable Property, 92; Circuit Courts, First Murder Trial, 93; Second Murder Case, 94; First Naturalization, Judges of Circuit Court, First Probate Business, The First Will, Probate Judges, 95; First Deed Recorded, Delegates to Constitu- tional Convention, The County in the General Assembly 96; County Officers 97.
PAGE
LAWRENCE COUNTY, 97; County Gov- ernment, 100; Militia Districts, 101 ; Public Buildings, The First Court- house, 102; Early Ferries, Early Revenue, Fiscal Statement of De- cember 6, 1827, 105; Election Pre- cincts, 104-106 ; County Finance since 1827, 106-108 ; Circuit Courts, 1821 to 1848, 108-110; United States Census 1850, County Government from 1849 to 1883, Swamp Lands, 110; Finan- cial Notes 1849 to 1883, 111 ; Officers Representing and Serving Lawrence County, 111-115.
WABASH COUNTY, Organization, etc., 115- 120 ; Public Buildings, 120-123; Tax- es and Debts, 1825 to 1850, 123, 124 ; Railroad Debts, 124; Officers Repre- senting and Serving the county, 125- 127. . . 80-127.
CHAPTER IX. THE BENCH AND BAR.
Circuit Judges & Non-resident lawyers, 128. EDWARDS COUNTY, Former Resident Law- yers, 129; Present Bar, 129. LAW- RENCE COUNTY, Former Resident Law- yers, 130; Present Bar, 130; WA- BASH COUNTY, Former Resident Law- yers, and Present Bar, 132. . . . 127-138
CHAPTER X. THE PRESS.
Giving the Names of all the News- papers that have been printed in each of the Counties . . . 133-137.
CHAPTER XI. PATRIOTISM.
Black Hawk War, 137-141; War of the Rebellion, 141; A List of Names of the volunteers from each of the Counties, with a short historical Sketch of the Regiments to which they belonged 137-156
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER XII.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The School Systema of the State-their
Growth, Resources and Management etc., 156; EDWARDS COUNTY, 159 ;
LAWRENCE COUNTY, 161; WABASH
COUNTY, 162. 156-163
CHAPTER XIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
EDWARDS COUNTY .-- Methodist Church, 163;
Protestant Episcopal, 165; Baptist, 167;
Church of Christ, 268; Cumberland Presbyterian, 172; United Brethren, 176; Evangelical Association, 179; LAWRENCE COUNTY .- Presbyterian Church, 181 ; Christian Church, 182; United Brethren, 200; Disciples of Christ, 183; Methodist Protestant, 184; Methodist Episcopal, 185. WA- BASH COUNTY .~ Christian Church, 186; M. E. Church, 189; Presbyterian, 192; Evangelical, 195; Catholic, 198; Ger- man Lutheran, 198; Evangelical As- sociation of N. A., 199 ; United Breth- ren in Christ, 200. . . .
. 163-202
.
BIOGRAPHIES.
Adams, David . 300
Armstrong, Thomas N. . 298
Armstrong, Berkley (deceased)
. 297
Bear, James ..
. 220
Bell, Hon. Robert
. 247
Belles, Philip . . 830
Berninger, Isaiah
. 307
Blood, John M. (deceased) 276
Bockhouse, William
325
Bower, George
228
Brause, August . 302
Briggs, Jonathan
. 216
Burkett, John T.
. 262
Campbell, Joseph M.
226
Churchill, Joel
. 215
Colyer, Walter
226
Compton, Van Buren . 298
Curdliog, Robert W . 227
Dalby, Samuel Nelson
214-B
Dickson, Dr. Henry L. . 224
Edwards, Eld. Caleb
. 227
Emmerson, Morria
226
Ewald, George C. . 323
Files, Dr. Chesterfield . 220
Flower, George
. 212
Flower, Mrs. Eliza Julia
214-A
Flower, R. C . 224-4
PAGE
Foster, Blasliel 315
Foster, William F. 224
Fox, Jeremiah
299
Frazer, Dr. Milton D.
330
Freeman, Samuel
. 324
French, Dr. Zeba D.
269
Friend, Dr. William
. 310
Frost, James P. .
. 275
Gill, Thomas
274
Glaubenaklee, Henry
225
Gordon, Robert S.
. 262
Gould, Ansel A.
. 314
Gould, Philander
. 814
Gray, Dr. F. S.
. 800
Green, Hon. Edward B.
249
Groff, lion. John
. 322
Smith, John
218
Hallam, John .
. 224
Harris, Gibson
. 217
Harrison, John M.
. 261
Havill, Frank W.
. 253
Higgins, John
308
Hoopes, Caleb
267
Jaquesa, Hon. Isaac N. .
253
Joy, Thomas L.
. 261
Keen, Hon. E. B.
. 335
Keen, George W.
. 306
Keniepp, Captain G. M.
258
King, Henry (deceased)
299
Landes, Ilon. Silas Z.
252
Leacher, Dr. Jacob
259
Lewis, Harlie V.
329
Low, Dr. Lyman W
. 219
Manley, Alfred P.
. 257
Manley, Frank C.
. 325
Manley, Dr. Paul G.
. 336
Mayo, Walter L.
. 221
Marx, Samuel
. 307
Marx, Philip H.
. 308
McClane, Dr. C. T.
324
Mcclurkin, Dr. John C.
. 225
McDowell, Dr. James O.
268
McIntosh, Dr. Andrew J.
. 296
McJilton, Dr. Edward L.
308
WCoffee
Medler, William Il.
225
Michels, George
. 214
Miller, Edward
254
Miller, Dr. Charles J.
259
Morgan, Maxwell W ..
218
Murphy, Dr. Hugh A.
267
Parkinson, Robert (deceased)
260
Parmenter, Henry . 326
Petty, G. W.
268
Pixley, Asa (deceased) . . 816
Price, Isaac F.
. 256
Putnam, Samuel R.
. 255
PAGE
Rice, Cyrus . 220
Rigg, Henry H. . 323
Rigg, James W. . 260
Rodgers, Augustine J. . 309
Rude, David S.
218
Samoniel Brothers
257
Schaefer, Dr. H. M. 316
Schneck, Dr. J.
256
Schrodt, John .
245
Sears, Dr. Paul
244
Seibert, Charles.
310
Seitz, Jr., William
258
Sentance, John
222
Shearer, Joseph B.
306
Smith, Dr. James E.
.297
Smith, Valentine
255
Smith, Rozander
. 309
Stewart, Alexander
223
Stoltz, George
307
Strahan, John (deceased).
324
Trihe, William B.
. 216
Ulm, Captain William
321
Utter, Abraham (deccased)
246
Kamp, Louis
. 263
Vandermark, Simon
. 288
Vandermark, Cyrus
288
Waller, Dr Fay K.
309
Wilkinson, Thomas
.283
Wilkinson, Hon. William R. .
. 284
Wood, Joseph .
216
Woods, Thomas T. .
227
Wood, Hon William (deceased)
250
Zimmerman, Hon. Jacob
. 248
TOWNSHIPS.
Allison
276
MBellmont
819
Bond
342
Bridgeport
. 327
City and Precinct of Albion .
203
City and Township of Lawrenceville
228
WCity and Precinct of Mt. Carmel .
235
Christy
264
331
Dennison
285
Dixon . 289
French Creek . 337
w/Friendsville
. 278
W Lancaster
303
W Lick Prairie
340
Lukin . 801
Petty 317
Russell 269
Salem
.311
Shelby .
272
Wabash
291
vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PORTRAITS.
-
PAGE
Armstrong, Berkley .
Facing 296
Blood, John M. (dec'd) Facing 276
Churchill, Joel . 215
Flower, George
. 212
Flower, Mrs. Eliza Julia
214-A
Flower, R. C .
224-A
Foster, Blashel
. 315
Frost, James P
275
Gill, Thomas
274
Gould, Philander,
. Facing 314
Gould, Martha L
Facing 314
Gould, Mrs. Sarah (dec'd)
Facing 314
Gould, Ansel A .
Facing 314
Gould, Chloe S .
Facing 314
Groff, John and Wife
Facing 322
Harris, Gibson
. 217
Lescher, Dr. Jacob
. 259
Low, Dr. Lyman W
. 219
Mayo, Walter L .
. 221
Pixley, Asa (dec'd) .
Facing 316
Rice, Cyrus .
Facing 220
Rude, David S. (dec'd)
Facing 218
Sears, Dr. Paul .
. 244
Stewart, Alexander
. 223
Utter, Abraham (deceased)
. 246
Utter, Mrs. Elizabeth
. 246
Wood, Hon. William (dec'd)
. Facing 250
Wood, Joseph (dec'd) .
Facing 216
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Landes, Mrs. Between 248-249
Manley, Dr. P. G. .
. Facing 332
Map of Counties Facing 9
Medler, Wm. H.
Facing 272
Miller, Edward .
. Facing 336
Parmenter, Henry
Facing 836
Pixley, A., Jr.
. Facing 310
Public Buildings, Edwards County . Facing 84
Public Buildings, Lawrenceville . . Facing 232
Rigg, H. H.
. Facing 280
Rigg, J. W.
. Facing 256
Sears, Dr. Paul
Between 248-249
Seibert, Charles
. Facing 304
Seiler, Jacob .
. Facing 236
Sentance, J. and Son
. Facing 226
Smith, Rozander
Facing 308
Smith, James N.
Facing 274
Tribe, R. M.
. Facing 280
Tribe, W. B.
Facing 226
Utter, Abraham (deceased)
. Facing 247
Wood, Joseph
. Facing 216
Wood, Oliver II.
Facing 280
Wood, Thomas
Facing 342
Wright, David P.
Facing 256
Kamp's Mill
. Facing 240
Partial List of Patrons
345
Constitution of Illinois
360
Declaration of Independence
372
Constitution of the United States
378
Amendments to Constitution of U. S. .
. . 876
1
PAGE
Adams, David (deceased) .
Facing 308
Armstrong, Berkley
. Facing 290
Bear, James W, .
Facing 342
Blood, Mrs. A. .
. Facing 264
Bond, L. C.
Facing 226
Buxton, Dr. W. E.
Facing 264
Churchill Bros.' Business Block . . Facing 208
Churchill, James, Residence
Facing 208
Churchill, Mrs. Joel, Residence
Facing 208
Court-House, Mt. Carmel
Facing 120
Curtis, John
Facing 268
Dreibelbis, F. and J. Mill
Facing 232
Ewald, George C.
Facing 284
Foster, Blashel
Facing 326
Frost, James P. .
. Facing 272
Gawthorpe, Thos.
Facing 284
Gill, Thomas
Facing 274
Glaubensklee, Henry and Sarah
. Facing 226
Gould, Deuel .
Facing 204
Gould, Ansel, Jr.
Facing 288
Gould, Philander
Between 312-313
Gould, Ansel A.
Between 318-319
Groff, John .
Between 820-321
Keen, E. B.
. Facing 298
Keen, G. W.
. Facing 308
Keen, W. E.
. Facing 332
King Henry (deceased)
Facing 800
٠
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
-
CRAWFORD COUNTY .
R. 13 E
R. 12 E.
R. NIE .
R .10 E.V
Chaunicy
Birds Sta
T.S N.
Charlottsville
Russellvier
Paragon
BOND
13
CO.
PETT
RUSSELLVILLE
OUTLINE MAP
EDWARDS, LAWRENCE
WABASH-COUNTIES
T.3 N.
Vincent
A
· ILLINOIS
N
tto
DENNISON
A
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Raccoon
S. Francisville
1
RICHLAND
c O.
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Mier 2,50. LANCASTER
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SALEMS
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USHELBY
Samsville
1.0
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VILLET!
Base Line
PRAIRDE
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Gards Point
Bonet Gap
3
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Friends Grove.
MT CARMEL
T. I S.
0
BELLMONT
Mt Carmel
ALBIJON
L. E. & ST . R. RO
Fete
Albion
Bellmont
27
Wanborough
Browns
Keensburg
E
E
Cowling
2
1
T. 2 S.
1
Buk
VAREN CH
1
A
DIXON
EMCREEK
3
Grazville
T.3 S.
R.10 W.
R.JI W.
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c O.
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| BRIDGEPORT
LAWRENCE 1
Lawrenceville
ALLISON
Hadley
9. & M. aBridgeport ARI
Remarais
Griswold
ISUMNER
Indian Cr.
NRICHLAND
T. 2 N.
Creek
D
Orio
RIVER
/
West Salem
WABASH Allendale
Tills Fratrie
2.
APaton
OF
WABASH
Creek
Michester Mills.
COFFEE
Creek.
Brent
A P
. 5
Pinkstaff
Brushy
T.4 N.
Muddy
Centerville
Summer
Westport
W.ST.L.& P. R.R.
N.
HISTORY
OF
EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILL.
CHAPTER I. A BRIEF SKETCII OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
N 1784 the North Western Territory was ceded to the United States by Virginia. It embraced only the territory lying be- tween the Ohio and Mississippi rivers; and north, to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and that portion of Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi river. On the first day of March, 1784, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Monroe, delegates in Congress on the part of Vir- ginia, executed a decd of cession, by which they transferred to the United States, on certain conditions, all right, title and claim of Virginia to the country known as the North- western Territory. But by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was ex- tended to the Rocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles, being greater than the united areas of the Middle and Southern states, including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected eleven sovereign states and eight territories, with an aggregate population at the present time of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one-third of the entire population of the United States.
Its rivers are the largest on the continent, flowing thous- ands of miles through its rich alluvial valleys and broad, fertile prairies.
Its lakes are fresh-water seas, upon whose bosom floats the commerce of many states. Its far-stretching prairies have more aeres that are arable and productive than any other area of like extent on the globe.
For the last quarter of a century the increase of popula-
tion and wealth in the north-west, has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
In the year 1512, on Easter Sunday, the Spanish name for which is Pascua Florida,* Juan Ponce de Leon, an old comrade of Columbus, discovered the coast of the American continent, near St. Augustine, and in honor of the day and of the blossoms which covered the trees along the shore, named the new-found country Florida. Juau bad been led to undertake the discovery of strange lands partly by the hope of finding endless stores of gold, and partly by the wish to reach a fountain that was said to exist deep within the forests of North America, which possessed the power of renovating the life of those who drank of or bathed in its waters. He was made governor of the region he had visited but circumstances prevented his return thither until 1521; and then he went only to meet death at the hands of the Indians.
In the meantime, in 1516, a Spanish sea-captain, Diego Miruelo, had visited the coast first reached by Ponce de Leon, and in his barters with the natives had received con- siderable quantities of gold, with which he returned home and spread abroad new stories of the wealth hidden in the interior.
Ten years, however, passed before Pamphilo de Narvaez undertook to prosecute the examination of the lands north of the Gulf of Mexico. Narvaez was excited to action by the late astonishing success of the conqueror of Montezuma, but he found the gold for which he sought constantly flying before him; each tribe of Indians referred him to those living farther in the interior. And from tribe to tribe he and his companions wandered. They suffered untold priva- tions in the swamps and forests ; and out of three hundred followers only four or five at length reached Mexico. And still these disappointed wanderers persisted in their original fancy, that Florida was as wealthy as Mexico or Peru.
* Pascum, the old English "Pash " or Passover; " Pascua Florida " is the "Holyday of Flowers." 9
10
HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Among those who had faith in that report was Ferdinand de Soto, who had been with Pizarro in the conquests of Peru. He asked and obtained leave of the King of Spain to con- quer Florida at his own cost. It was given in the year 1538. With a brilliant and noble band of followers he left Europe and in May, 1538, after a stay in Cuba, anchored his vessels near the coast of the Peninsula of Florida, in the bay of Spiritu Santa, or Tampa bay.
De Soto entered upon his march into the interior with a determination to succeed. From June till November of 1539, the Spaniards toiled along until they reached the neighborhood of Appalachee bay. During the next season, 1540, they followed the course suggested by the Florida Indians, who wished them out of their country, and going to the north-east, crossed the rivers and climbed the moun- tains of Georgia. De Soto was a stern, severe man, and none dared to murmur. De Soto passed the winter with his little band near the Yazoo. In April, 1541, the resolute Spaniard set forward, and upon the first of May reached the banks of the great river of the West, not far from the 35tlı parallel of latitude .*
A month was spent in preparing barges to convey the horses, many of which still lived, across the rapid stream. Having successfully passed it, the explorers pursued their way northward, into the neighborhood of New Madrid ; then turuing westward again, marched more than two hun- dred miles from the Mississippi to the highlands of White river; and still no gold, no gems, no cities-only bare prai- ries, and tangled forests, and deep morasses To the south again they toiled on, and passed their third winter of wander- ing upon the Washita. In the following spring (1542), De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, descended the Washita to its junction with the Mississippi. He heard, when he reached the mighty stream of the west, that its lower portion flowed through endless and uninhabitable swamps.
The news sank deep into the stout heart of the disap- pointed warrior. His health yielded to the contests of his mind and the influence of the climate. He appointed a successor, and on the 21st of May died. His body was sunk in the stream of tho Mississippi. Deprived of their ener- getic leader, the Spaniards determined to try to reach Mexico by land. After some time spent in wandering through the forests, despairing of success in the attempt to rescue them- selves by land, they proceeded to prepare such vessels as they could to take them to sea. From January to July 1543, the weak, sickly band of gold-seekers labored at the doleful task, and in July reached, in the vessels thus built, the Gulf of Mexico, and by September entered the river Paunco. One-half of the six hundred t who had disem- barked with De Soto, so gay in steel and silk, left their bones among the mountains and in the morasses of the South, from Georgia to Arkansas.
De Soto founded no settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and disheartened
" De Soto probably was at the lower Chickasaw bluffs. The Spaniards called the Mississippi Rio Grande, Great River, which is the literal meaning of the aboriginal name.
› t De Biedna says there landed 620 men.
such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by De Soto's defeat. As it was, for more than a century after the expedition, the west remained utterly unknown to the whites.
The French were the first Europeans to make settlements on the St. Lawrence river and along the great lakes. Quebec was founded by Sir Samuel Champlain in 1608,* and in 1609 when Sir Henry Hudson was exploring the noble river which bears his name, Champlain ascended the Sorrelle river, and discovered, embosomed between the Green moun- tains, or " Verdmont," as the chivalrous and poetic French- man called them, and the Adirondacks, the beautiful sheet of water to which his name is indissolubly attached. In 1613 he founded Montreal.
During the period elapsing between the years 1607 and 1664, the English, Dutch, and Swedes alternately held pos- session of portions of the Atlantic coast, jealously watching one another, and often involved in bitter controversy, and not seldom in open battle, until, in the latter year, the English became the sole rulers, and maintained their rights until the era of the Revolution, when they in turn were compelled to yield to the growing power of their colonies, and retire from the field.
The French movements, from the first settlement at Quebec, and thence westward, were led by the Catholic missionaries. Le Caron, a Franciscan friar, who had been the companion and friend of Champlain, was the first to penetrate the western wilds, which he did in 1616* in a birch canoe, exploring lake Huron and its tributaries. This was four years before the Pilgrims
"Moored their bark on the wild New England shore.""
Under the patronage of Louis XIII, the Jesuits took the advance, and began vigorously the work of Christianizing the savages in 1632.
In 1634, three Jesuit missionaries, Brébeuf, Daniel, and Lallemand, planted a mission on the shores of the lake of the Iroquois, (probably the modern Lake Simcoe), and also established others along the eastern border of Lake Huron ..
From a map published in 1660, it would appear that the French had at that date, become quite familiar with the region from Niagara to the head of Lake Superior, includ- ing considerable portions of Lake Michigan.
In 1641, Fathers Jogues and Raymbault embarked on the Penetanguishine Bay for the Sault St. Marie, where they arrived after a passage of seventeen days. A crowd of two thousand natives met them, and a great. council was held. At this meeting the French first heard of many nations dwelling beyond the great lakes.
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