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HISTORY
SIST CLAIR COUNTY)
ILLINOIS WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
OVEZHA
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE
Cornell University Library F 547S2 H67 ++ History of St. Clair County, Illinois. W
olin 3 1924 028 805 948
Overs
UN
Y S98L
N
DED
A.D
Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
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1686 ++++++++++
HISTORY
OF
ST. CLAIR COUNTY,
ILLINOIS.
dalith Illustrations
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY, AND
Bio ical Sketches of some of its rom It Aten and toneers.
-
BY BRINK, MCDONOUGH & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
CORRESPONDING OFFICE, EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
1881
+ Ru
F 547 52 H67++
A782005
Missing Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
COUNTY HISTORY.
CHAP. PAGE.
I .- Brief Sketch of north-
west Territory. . . 9
II .- Brief Hist'cal Sketch
of Illinois. . . . . 20
III .- Geography, Agricul- tural Resources and Railroad facilities . 30
IV .- Geology
37
V .- Flora
41
VI .- Fauna
42
VII .- Aborigines
44
VIII .- Pioneers and Early Settlers . 44
IX .- European Immigration 62
X .- Civil History
67
XI .- Bench and Bar
88
XII .- The Press .
98
XIII .- Common Schools. . . 109
XIV .- Patriotism
. 123
XV .- Ecclesiastical History 155
BIOGRAPHIES.
Abend, Hon. Edward . . . . 204 Adams, Capt. Lyman (dec'd) . 343
Anthony, D. D.
. 314
Askins, Chas. T.
. 257
Baird, E. (dec'd)
. 260
Barth, John .
. 359
Barthel, Henry
. 275
Bates, Dr. O. C. 292
Bangh, Levi .
320
Becker, Charles. 221 Becker, Chas. 280
Begole, J. (dec'd) . 290
Blanck, Charles (dec'd)
. 346
Blanck, Hermann J.
. 340
Bock, G. C. (M. D.)
. 366
Bland, Dr. E. P. . 350
Boemer, Caspar 259 Hilgard, T., Jr., (dec'd ) . 232
Brenfleck, G. V. . 257
Brosius, Jacob
. 223
Butler, John O. . 310
PAGE.
Chandler, Hon. S. B. (dec'd) . 200
Cornick, Dr. Boyd
. 360
Dake, C. R. (M. D.) . .
. 231
Darrow, Chas. B. (dec'd). . . 292
Dausch, G. W.
. 310
Deneen, Prof. S. H.
343
Dilg, Fred.
. 358
Dobschutz, M. J.
228
Eckert, Geo. M.
.370
Eckert, T. W. .
218
Eversmann, Louis
. 252
Fietsam, C. H.
. 276
Fietsam, S.
. 240
Fike Family.
. 277
Fischer, Chas. F.
. 294
Fischer, F. X. (M. D.)
.371
Forman, Isaac (dec'd) .
. 291
Gintz, Adam .
226
Graner, Louis
. 238
Graney, Thomas
. 312
Griffen, Charles
. 277
Griffen, Chas ..
. 244
Griffen, Joseph (dec'd)
. 243
Griffen, Joseph .
. 359
Grossman, George
. 365
Guthrie, George W.
. 267
Halbert, R. A. .
. 212
Hamilton, J. H.
. 266
Hartmann Brothers .
240
Hausmann, C. D.
. 370
Heim, F.
318
Heim, M.
316
Heimberger, R. W.
. 273
Heineman, H. A. .
238
Heinfelden, Curt
224
Henrici, J. E.
. 260
Herman, Peter, Jr. .
. 279
Herman, Peter, Sr.
. 280
Higgins, Robert .
. 364
Hoeltmann, John T.
. 251
Holder, Robert D. W.
. . 239
Horner, Hon. H. H.
. . 339
PAGE.
Houser, Elias, Jr.
289
Huber, Henry
258
Huhn Henry .
211
Hypes, Benj. .
340
Illinski, A. X.
332
Jennings, T. C. (M. D.)
313
Jones, Oliver V.
. 344
Kalbfleisch, Peter
257
Karch, Charles
357
Keim, Heinreck
367
Koeberlin, F. (M. D.)
280
Koerner, Hon. Gustavus
. 203
Kohl, Julius (M. D.) .
. 207
Krause, Dr. B. .
293
Laeuffert, Wm. H. (M. D.) .. 366
Land Family , .
. 277
Lebkuecher, L.
237
Richardson, James H. .
. 356
Lemen, Joseph
286
Ries, Michael.
. 238
Lindauer, G. J. . .
256
Little, J. M. (dec'd) .
260
Loelkis, George (M. D.)
. 230
Lorenzen, John . . .
. 235
McBride, W. J. (dec'd)
. 258
McConaughy, T. A. .
. 227
McCracken, N. .
. 331
Mccullough, J. W.
239
Schubkegel, Philip .
. 361
McLean, John J. .
. 309
Meints, A. M.
. 312
Messick, J. B.
. 316
Metschan, F. F.
. 226
Miller, Hon. J. R.
. 249
Moore, R. A.
209
Nairn, Hugh .
267
Nearen, James
. 290
Nichols, Wm.
. 341
Noetling, C. F.
. 220
O'Brien, H. D. .
. 322
Ogle, Joseph . . . 206
Padfield, J. R. .
. 351
Padfield, Wm. R. .
. 349
Perrin, Francis,
. . 360
PAGE.
Perryman, J. L. (M. D.) . . . 215
Pitthan, Louis
236
Ploudre, Louis
333
Poigneé, Frank .
. 293
Postel, Philip
354
Price, Daniel .
246
Probstmeyer, C. L.
259
Quick, Hon. Thomas
219
Rayhill, J. J.
357
Reichert, J., Jr.
272
Reith, J. . .
. 370
Renshaw, J. W.
. 321
Rentchler, D. .
220
Rembe, Dr. C. H. E. E. .
. 273
Reuss, Adolphus (M. D.) .
.
. 245
Reynolds, Ex-Gov. John . .
. 197
Saltenberger, John (M, D,) . . 256
Scheel, Fred E ..
239
Scheel, John .
. 202
Schmahlenberger, D. C.
. 259
Scott, Benjamin (dec'd)
288
Scott, Felix
.205
Sehlinger, Anton .
359
Seibert, Peter
359
Miller, Lloyd T. (M. D.) .
. 251
Seiter, Henry
. 342
Semmelroth, George . . 232
Shultz, John .
. 249
Sikking. J. B.
. 314
Smith, J. P.
. 280
Smith, Samuel G. . . 344
Stack, P. H.
. 322
Starkel, L. C.
214
Stauder, John A. .
.237
Stolberg, George H. .
232
Stookey, Dr. L. P.
.213
Ropiequet, F. K. .
. 218
Rubach, Dr. Ferdinand . . . 219 Saffold, David (M. D.) . ... 230 Sager, Charles H. . . 344
Kempff, William
222
Reinecke, C. :
. 225
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Swahlen, Rev. Wm. F.
. 345
Thomas, James H.
. 222
Thomas, Hon. John
201
Tiedemann, C. A. .
294
Tiedemann, E. J. .
295
Business Houses, Lenzburg“
264
Calbreath, J. H.
350
Catholic Ch., Mascoutah
353
159
City Hall and Central Market,
East St. Louis .
. . facing 328
County Buildings
=
County Map .
=
9
Van Court, B. J. .
. 287
Veile, Hon. Joseph .
.366
Ward, James . .
293
Wastfield, A. J. (dec'd)
. 294
Watts, R. I. (M. D.) .
. 268
Waugh, James
. 211
Weir, M. W. .
. 206
West, B. J., Jr. .
. 222
West, Washington, (M. D.). . 217
White, John K. (dec'd) . .
. 268
Whittaker, James M. . .
. . 350
Wider, E. W. (dec'd)
.
. 311
268
Wiggins, J. L. (M. D.) .
. 250
Green, J. W. (dec'd) .
=
Griffen, Charles
bet. 242 & 243
Griffen, Joseph . .
. facing 359
Guerdan Hat Co. . .
=
310
Guthrie, G. W. .
262
Guthrie, S. J.
264
=
Halbert, R. A.
212
Hall's Metal Separator.
306
Heim's Brewery
=
318
264
Hendren, J. H.
=
268
Thomas, Col. John
204
Tiedemann, C. A.
294
Trendley, John
314
Van Court, B. J. .
287
Watts, Dr. R. J.
266
322
West, Dr. W.
198
257
White, John K.
262
Whittaker, J. P. .
=
348
Williame' Carr'ge Fact'ry "
226
Workingmen's Bank
314
PORTRAITS.
Barthel, Henry
275
Baugh, L. . .
320
Miller, D. D. .
366
Brosius, Jacob .
223
Chandler, Hon. S. B.
. 200
Dake, C. R. (M. D.)
. 231
Dilg, Fred
. 358
PAGE.
Dobechutz, M. J. .
228
Fietsam, C. H. .
. 276
Griffen, Joseph (dec'd) . .
. 243
Griffen, John (dec'd) . . facing 277 Grossman, George and wife. . 365 Halbert, R. A. . 212
Hamilton, J. H.
266
Heim, F.
.318
Higgins, Robert
364
Horner, Hon. H. H.
339
Pitts, Wm.
278
Houser, Elias, Jr. .
289
Illinski, A. X. .
.332
Jenning, T. C. (M. D.) . . 313
Lorenzen, John
235
246
McConaughy, T. A.
227
Richardson, J. H.
356
McLean, John J. .
309
St. Agness Asylum
159
Messick, J. B.
. 316
St. Elizabeth Hospital .
159
Moore, R. A.
209
157
Moore, Mrs. R. A.
. 209
McCracken, N. .
331
Schmahlenberger, D. C.
259
Ortrance Brackett
Scott, Mrs. Elizabeth .
=
Seiter, Henry
"
342
Shiloh M. E. Church
296
Shultz, John .
=
324
Starkel, Louis C. .
=
198
"Star Mills" . . . bet. 354 & 355
Stauder, Peter .
. facing 220
Postel, Philip
354
Stephens, M. M.
310
Reinecke, C. .
. 225
Reichert, Joseph,
.272
Stookey, J. D.
=
Stookey, M. M
=
238
Taylor, Henry .
=
204
Hermann, Peter
=
280
Hoeltmann, J. T.
250
Houser, Elias
=
Howe Literary Institute 122
Jones, Ambrose
Kalbfleisch, P. . .
=
Ladies' Academy
=
Lebkuecher, L. .
201
Lindauer, G. J.
257
Log School-house
=
109
Lortz, John
=
280
Maule, John .
=
220
Mayor's Office & Police Headquartere =
328
McKendree
115
Miller, Joseph E.
218
Miller, W. J.
=
232
Monk, C. A. .
218
PAGE. Morbach, D. . facing 250
Mueller, Solomon
=
226
Nairn, Hugh
=
266
Nehrings, John
=
366
Nuernberger, L.
=
266
Ogle, David . . . bet. 240 & 241
Ogle, Joseph .
. . . facing 206
Old Court House, Cahokia“
328
=
Orth, John
266
Heim, M.
319
Padfield, W. R.
=
348
Perryman, J. L.
215
Reichert, Joseph
=
273
Reinecke, Conrad . bet. 224 & 225
Reuse, A. C. .
. . facing 246
360
Engelmann, Theodore . =
=
Falling Spring .
296
Finger, Henry (M. D.).
266
Fischer, Chas. F. . . .
=
294
Fischer, Christian
=
259
360
Friedewald, H.
159
Forman, Mrs. Rebecca,
292
Ger. M. E. Ch., Mascoutah " 359
Wilderman, J. C. .
. 279
Wilderman, A. S. .
. 229
Willoughby, J. A.
. 237
Winkelman, Wm.
. 216
Yoch, Joseph . .
. 233
PRECINCT HISTORIES.
Athens
261
Belleville
. 183
Caseyville .
. 247
Centerville
. . 252
Cahokia . .
. 325
East St. Louis
. 298
Fayetteville
. 269
French Village
. . 323
Lebanon
. 334
Mascoutah .
. 351
O'Fallon
. 281
Prairie Du Pont
. 296
Richland
. 361
Shiloh
241
Summerfield
. 347
St. Clair
. 367
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Appel, P. H. . facing 216
Backer & Sterns
254
PAGE.
Bates, Dr. O. C. (office) . facing 328
Bevelot, Clement .
=
322
Boul, Nicholas
=
324
266
Tiemann, August .
234
Tissier, M. F.
317
Touchette, Baptiste
330
Trendley, John . .
315
Turner, L. D.
. 224
Underwood, W. J.
. 226
Vahlkamp, S.
. 274
Costello, Wm.
¥
250
360
Eisenmayer. Philip E ..
=
"Emerald Isle Mills " .
=
360
St. Peter's Church
.
=
Saltenberger, J. (M. D ) 260
287
Nichols, Wm.
341
Padfield, Wm. R. and wife . . 349
Park, James
. 243
Perryman, Dr. J. L. . . facing 215
Pitthan, Louis
236
Ploudre, L.
333
Renshaw, J. W.
.321
. Reuss, Adolphus (M. D.) . . 245
Reynolds, Ex-Gov. John . . 197
Richardson, James H. . . . . 356
Rubach, Ferdinand Dr., facing 219
Rutter, Henry
facing 370
Scheel, John
. 202
Seiter, Henry
. 342
Starkel, L. C.
214
Thomas, Hon. John . . facing 201
Tiemann, August
234
Tissier, M. F,
.317
Trendley, John
. 315
Vahlkamp, S.
. 274
Wider, E. W. (dec'd)
. 311
Wilderman, A. S. .
. 229
West, Washington, (M. D.) . 217
Yoch, Joseph.
. 233
Partial List of Patrone. . 372
Constitution of Illinois.
386
Declaration of Independence. 393
Constitution of United States . 394
Burr, J. C.
=
City Hall, Belleville .
=
80
Helbron, J. R.
=
289
120
Stookey Homestead .
216
238
Fischer, Dr. F. X.
=
Reuss, Dr. A. (dec'd) .
=
INTRODUCTION.
HERE are few studies more interesting and pro- fitable to mankind than that of the past expe- riences, deeds, thoughts and trials of the human race.
The civilized man and the untutored savage alike desire to know the deeds and lives of their ancestors, and strive to perpetuate their story. National patriotism and literary pride have prompted many, in all times, to write and preserve the annals of particular peoples. But narrow prejudice and selfish interests too often have availed to suppress the truth or to distort facts.
It is the aim of this work to collect and preserve in enduring and popular form some of the facts of the early settlement and sub- sequent growth of a great county of a grand State. The families whose ancestors were early on the ground, and whose members have made the county what it is, are worthy of remembrance; and their difficulties and sorrows, customs, labors and patriotism, should not be allowed to fall into oblivion. By a knowledge of these the present generation will be instructed, and the future will be guided.
All history, if properly written, is interesting ; and there is not a country, or a city, or a hamlet,-nay, we might say, not a family or an individual on the globe,-whose history might not be more or less valuable to posterity.
From the ancient days, away back in the dim and shadowy past, when the human race first arrived at a state of intelligence suffi- cient to enable them to transmit a traditionary or written account of themselves, all along down the teeming ages, our progenitors have left in various ways, and by different means, information, more or less mythical, of the age and generation in which they played their ephemeral part on the world's ever-changing theatre of action. It is graven in bronze on the wonderful works of the central nations of Africa, around those "dim fountains of the Nile ;" the gray old pyramids in the valley of "twenty thousand cities " are covered with the hieroglyphical language of the
" shadowy past." The vast and mighty " palaces and piles stu- pendous," hoary with the dust of unknown centuries, that bewilder the traveler 'mid Egypt's drifting sands, upon the plains of the Eu- phrates, and hidden away in the tiger-hunted jungles of the "farthest Ind ;" the gigantic ruins of Southern and Central America, under the snow-capped Cordilleras and among the wondrous forests of Yucatan ; the seamed and wrinkled pyramids of the Aztecs, in Mexico and California, and the ten thousand crumbling evidences of a power- ful civilization scattered throughout the great valley of the Missis- sippi, all bear testimony of countless attempts to transmit knowl- edge to posterity.
The written history of the American Continent dates back scarcely four centuries, yet within that comparatively short period its pages have garnered from her hills and mountains, from her grand rivers and mighty inland seas, valuable additions to the world's stock of knowledge.
Like the Eastern Continent, our own has its historic points,-its nuclei around which cluster the memories of heroic deeds, the story of martyrs, and the legends of a barbarous past. St. Augus- tine, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Quebec, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Detroit, are localities about which gather volumes of history.
The advance of civilization on the North American Continent has been more rapid than in any other portion of the globe ; and, within the memory of living men, the fairest and richest portions have been wrested from the dominion of the wilderness and the savage, and changed into a highly-cultivated region, filled with a race of industrious and thriving people. Prominent among the localities rich in historic lore is the region around the Mississippi river. It early claimed the attention of two of the most powerful nations of Europe, whose pioneers and avant couriers were boldly pushing into the then unknown countries lying towards the " Great South Sea," eagerly looking for gold and precious stones, for fabled Eldorados, and fertile lands.
Dim traditions, fragmentary legends, stories of bloody warfare,
8
INTRODUCTION.
of disaster and defeat ; essays, letters, and public documents, all bearing, more or less, upon the history of the county, have been carefully examined.
To collect and arrange in one volume these various fragments, this abundant material, and to give the cream of all the best authors who have treated the subject, together with all addi- tional information it was possible to obtain, and present it in readable form, has been the object of the publishers of the present work.
We know, full well, the task is not a light one; the contempla- ted work is by no means a holiday frolic. Hard, steady, close ap- plication and untiring energy are necessary to accomplish it, and we have approached the subject with the greatest diffidence, not unmindful of our shortcomings, yet, at the same time, fully deter- mined to do our best, and trust a generous and discriminating pub- lic to do us justice, hoping and believing that our labors shall not have been wholly in vain.
The utmost pains have been taken to read thoroughly and com- pare carefully the various writers, and to sift out and reconcile discrepancies, for historians not unfrequently disagree upon minor points. The work of reading and comparing has been no ordinary one, and the difficulty has not been so much in collecting as in making a judicious and truthful use of the abundant material at hand.
The traditions of the Indians, as given by Heckewelder and others, have been quoted quite extensively, and as an important factor in the sum total of knowledge concerning this region ; and the early discoveries of Marquette, La Salle, Hennepin, and other French adventurers in the valley of the Mississippi and the basin of the great lakes of the Northwest, have also demanded a large share of attention, as preliminary to the troubles which grew out of the conflicting claims of the French and English crowns, resulting in a contest for supremacy, and in which not only all the con- tiguous region, but the entire French and English possessions in America, a large share of Europe, and immense regions in Asia and the islands of the sea, were interested and involved.
Another object to be gained by this work, is to bring to the no- tice of the people, the immense resources which a bountiful Provi- dence has bestowed upon them, and which it becomes, not merely a privilege to use, but a duty to improve. How little is now known of these treasures, and how greatly profitable such information may be, needs only a thought to comprehend. Our fertile soils, our noble timber trees, our genial climate, our inexhaustible mineral treasurers, and our easy facilities for commerce, are, in a great de-
gree, unknown even to our own population. This volume seeks to develop an appreciation of them, and to stimulate a desire to im- prove and extend them.
Then, local customs, old family traits and anecdotes are so rich in interest and so full of instruction to the young, that they ought never to be forgotten. These, so many as time and diligence could gather, are here recorded and will be found to form no unimportant or uninstructive portion of this volume.
Among the most influential agencies in building a nation, and in establishing a character for its people, are the efforts of its citizens to educate their children and to provide for social religious wor- ship. These two interests will, therefore, show most accurately the tastes, the habits and aspirations of a community.
Hence they have been made prominent in the ensuing narrative, and it is confidently hoped that they will not only interest our readers, but will be studied and appreciated.
The work will be found embellished with views of public and private property, in various parts of the County, and with por- traits and biographies of many of the prominent men of the past and present.
The chapter on the early history of the State, will be found inter- esting and instructive.
The Constitution of the United States and of this State, and a roster of the soldiers of the late war, have been inserted with a view to make the work more creditable, alike to the publishers and people of the county.
The work may be incomplete in some particulars. Nor indeed is it possible for it to be otherwise; but we hope, so far as it goes, it is truthful and accurate.
We trust, however, that it will be the means of preserving from the empire of decay a host of incidents, recollections, and anec- dotes, relating to the hardy pioneers and first settlers of the county, which, in the estimation of the historian and student of history, are of priceless value, but which otherwise would soon fade from the memories of the living.
Whether this has been well done, is not for us to say. A gener- ous and intelligent public must decide. It is not permitted any man to attain perfection. Its regions lie beyond our reach. We feel, however, in submitting this work to the inspection of the pa- trons, whose public spirit made possible its preparation, that satis- faction which results from a consciousness of faithful endeavor and an earnest desire to fulfil the expectations of all.
Our work is accomplished, and its result is submitted, with tran- quility, to your inspection.
HISTORY
OF
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH 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 between the Ohio and Mississipi rivers; and north, to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the states of Wiscon- sin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and that portion of Min- nesota 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 Virginia, executed a deed 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 extended 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 thousands of miles through its rich alluvial valleys and broad, fertile prairies.
Its lakes are fresb-water seas, upon whose bosom floats the commerce of many states. Its far-stretching prairies have more acres 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 population 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. Juan had been led to undertake the discovery of strange lands partly by the hope of finding endless stores of gold, and partly hy the wish to reach a fountain that was said to exist deep within the forests of North America, which pos- sessed 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 Mi- ruelo, had visited the coast first reached by Ponce de Leon, and in his barters with the natives had received considerable quan- tities 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 un- dertook 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 wan- dered. They suffered untold privations 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.
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 conquer 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
* Pascua, the old English " Pash " or Passover; "Pascua Florida " is the " Holy- day of Flowers."
10
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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 & deter- mination 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 mountains 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 35th 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 north- ward, into the neighborhood of New Madrid; then turning westward again, marched more than two hundred miles from the Mississippi to the highlands of White river ; and still no gold, no gems, no cities-only bare prairies, and tangled forests, and deep morasses. To the south again they toiled on, and passed their third winter of wandering upon the Washita. In the fol- lowing 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 disappointed 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 the Mis- sissippi. Deprived of their energetic 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 themselves by land, they proceeded to pre- pare such vessels as they could to take them to sca. 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 ; 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.
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