USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 1
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25
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
977.358 P268 cop. 3
ILL. HIST. SURVEY
As.t.r.
1X
PAST AND PRESENT
OF THE
CITY OF DECATUR AND MACON COUNTY
ILLINOIS
ILLUSTRATED
"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote generations. "-MACAULAY.
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.
1903
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
PREFACE.
T HE publishers take great pleasure in presenting this volume to the public. For the general history of the county we are indebted to Hon. J. G. Keller and for the history of the public schools of Decatur to Prof. E. A. Gastman, both being well qualified for the work. The greatest of English historians, MACAULAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of the age, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." In conformity with this idea, the biographical department of this work has been prepared, our corps of writers going to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be pre- sented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with lim- ited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued the " even tenor of their way," content to have it said of them, as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy-" They have done what they could." It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after.
Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work, and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correct- ness in what has been written; and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to biographical sketches, por- traits of a number of representative citizens are given.
The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business.
December, 1903.
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO.
4 - ac
All. Heat Luse. 23. July 26 2 . ses :
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL
Geographical
Early Settlement. . 1-4
The White Settler. 1.
County Government. 20
County Officers 27
Agriculture 28
Railroads. 29
Black Hawk War 31
Mexican War ..
31
The Wabash Hospital. 85
Manufactories and Corporations
Bench and Bar .. .109
Our Honored Dead. 118
Christmas Reminiscences
121
Public Schools of Decatur
123
BIOGRAPHICAL
Abbott, Nirum. .610
Adams, Charles. 802
Adams, O. C. 833
Albert, G. F. 818
Alexander, James HI 769
.Allen, D. S. 822
.Allman, Edward. 586
Bottrell, J. 1). .549
Boyce, J. C .. 395
Boyd, James P .561
Boyer, Melvin F
575
Armstrong, William 453
Armstrong, W. C.
868
Arnold, Hiram .676
Baker, H. S. .815
Baker, N. M. 770
Baker, R. N. .429
Baldwin, James S. .236
Banton, H. J. .806
Barbey, L. D .. 379
Barnes, Dr. Ira N 273
Barnes, Dr. W. A. 225
Barron, John. .613
Harth, Jacob W 442
Bassey, Edward C. .383
Batchelder, David B. .831
Batchelder, John C. .663
Batchelder, J. J. 471
Batchelder, Moses E. 439
Bauer, C. R. .284
Baum, William .601
Reall, Hillory .826
Bean, C. H. .534
Berkler, Henry. .506
Betzer, George W .834
Betzer, Peter
433
Betzer, Reuben. .190
Bixby, J. G. .552
Black, Jobn H 753
Blank, William. .487
Conover, George. .582
Cooper, W. T .456
Cowen, Charles C. 11 423
Crabb, Frank A 875
Crane, J. W
Crary, Jobn M .. 209
Crawford, W. M. .342
Crocker, John 184
Crocker, John H 189
Crow, E. W .833
Crow, O. T. .374
Culver, J. H. .339
Cussins, Dr. J. S. C. 263
Daggett, Albion. .555
Dammeicr. Christian. 791
Danzeisen, George J. .345
Davidson, A. If. .556
Davis, Byrd L. .862
Davis, Jerome B .607
Davis, Thomas. . 281
Davis, Rev. W. 1I. .359
Deetz, Charles H1. 837
Delahunty, Walter 498
Dempsey, Michael. .690
Dempsey, P. J .644
Denise, D. E.
276
1)cnnis. Andrew 525
Childs, J. S. 390
Clark, J. B. 746
Clark, William .268
Clipston, Joseph K.
$50
Combs, Jabex F 435
Fire Department.
87
Water Works.
Greenwood Cemetery .. . ¥7
Things for which Decatur is noted. . 88 Societies
Banks 90
Decatur Traction & Electric Com- pany 91
Civil War.
33
Goodman's Band.
The Decatur Club. 85
Villages
68
Schools
72
The Country Club of Decatur
School Lands.
75
Parochial Schools 76
9
The James Millikin University.
77
The Church. 78
City of Decatur. 82
The Free Public Library ×2
The Woman's Club. S3
Powers' Grand Opera House 84
The Anna B. Millikin Home 84
St. Mary's Hospital. 84
Boggs, Dr. William R .192
Bommersbach, Nicholas. .546
Allsup, Miner R. 310
.Archer, H. L. .876
Armstrong, J. H. .548
Bramble, W. Il. .618
Brett, David E.
441
Brewer, A. D. 710
Brookshier, William F. .655
Brown, Charles H.
.670
Brown, Henry 11.
.668
Brown, James E.
.624
Brown, Dr. Josiah .673
Brown, J. W. .427
Brown, Travis. .830
Buffmeyer, J. S. .684
Bundy, W. M. 347
Burgess, Sullivan
869
Busher, W. F. .303
Butzien, Frederick.
C: mean, W. H. 726
Carr, Dr. E. D. 386
Carter, J. W. 185
Chamberlain, W. D. 257
Chenoweth, Dr. W. J. .735
Dewein, Victor 199
Dickey, Il. E. 222
Dickson, Adam .599
Dinnecn, Daniel.
.565
Doake, Thomas B
545
Parks
Police Department 87
Connaghan, Charles. 777
Connard, Charles E. 228
Connard, Martin E. 229
203
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Downey, Charles U. 353
Downing, T. E .... .647
Downing, W. T . . .846
Drake, J. L. .547
Drury, Dr. G. W .180
Duker, G. F ..
.513
Dunston, .V. J. ... 880
Eberly, D. L. .850
Ehrhart, Joseph B. .819
Elwood, Casper C .741
Ewing, Charles .\
.179
.753
Ewing, F. X.
Ewing, Mrs. Sarah Ann.
.784
Eyman, J. 1.
.380
Faith, Charles 11. .373
Faith, George.
Faries, Robert.
Fitzgerald, J. R .540
Fletcher, J. W.
.881
Foulke, Edward.
.309
Foulke, W. L
.602
Frank, John ..
.235
Freeman, James.
Freeman, Mrs. Margaret .\. 416
Gage, Wilson S. 197
Garver, William S 422
Gastman, E. . \ .687
Gepford, S. R. 742
Gerber, Samuel.
247
Gilman, G. Fred.
756
Kaylor, G. W. 854
Keck, John A. 351
Keister, John F. 631
Keller, John G. 623
Kemmerly, J. F 557
Kepler, Mrs. Fannie
745
Kile, Isaac \\' .662
Kincaid, Robert F. 283
Knouff, A. S. 447
Koehler. Louis.
790
Kohr, Jacob W. 691
Kraschel, Frederick. .661
Kreher, Adam 724
Kreidler, Henry
Kretzer, David. 512
Krone, N. L. 459
Kuhns, Henry B.
404
Lanham, Benjamin F 460
Laux, Charles .. 765
Leavitt, T. V. 724
Leffingwell, L. B. C .. 614
LeForgee, C. C. >38
Lehman, Frank I' 712
Lehn, F. W. 994
Lelin, George W 367
Lehn, John P. ₣26
Lewis, Charles 409
Lewis, Dwight F 415
Lonergan, Dr. M. V. 403
Love, Joseph. .354
Lowe. G. F. .335
Lowry, Francis M. .324
Lowry, John MI 491
Ludwig, Charles. .845
Lunn, Ilenry. .858
Lyon, George S. .241
Lytle, R. P .327
MeCune, George. .564
McDonald, E. S. .357
MeEvoy, John. .593
AleLean, Dr. C. A. .360
MeLean, Dr. W. T. .515
Magee, William J .. 767
Major, Jacob. . .454
Malone, Jones. .708
Matthew, Dr. Jolm B. .479
Matthew, John L.
32>
Maxon, Maywood.
May, Dr. S. R ..
Melton, Dr. W. 1. .210
Melvin, L. A. 402
Meridith, F. M. .386
Merris, E. M. 365
Mettlen, Alexander T .463
Meyers, Mrs. Lovina. 170
Miller, John R.
Millikin, James .637
Mills, A. H. 221
Mills, Joseph .397
Mills, L. ... 275
Mittan, Dr. F. J 761
Moffett, W. T. 720
Montgomery, A. R. .371
Montgomery, James
. 533
Moore, Josiah A. .798
Mowry, Il. (* 197
Mueller, Hieronymus 799
Murphey, Martin P.
217
Myers, Dr. N. D.
270
Nelson, William E 195
Nesbitt, .A. S
>39
Newell, William B. 843
Nicholls, R. 1 816
Nichols, J. K ...
Nottelmann, J. II. 392
Oren, John II. .681
Osborne, J. E
Ontten, G. C. 573
521
Hladwin, James 847
llagan, llenry $59
Haines, Frank W 257
Ilamman, John W 592
Hamman, Philip I' 741
Hammer, W. L. .871
flamsher, William. .396
Hankins, Charles S. 849
Hardy. J. K. 643
Harpstrite, Angustus. 675
llarpstrite, Edward. 650
Hartley, C. J. G94
lays, Charles. 402
Heckler, Anthony $56
Henard, J. R. 579
llendricks, Jacob C 79%
Henshie, David. .841
Highly, II. L. 820
Hight, John R. 532
Flight, Robert W' .. 30G
Ililbrant, S. ( ... .169
ihildebrandt, Theodore. .503
Ilill, Douglas D).
.867
Ifil, II. W.
255
HIilvety, W. F.
836
Hobbs, Kev. James .505
Ilodge, II. D. M.
635
.434
.805
Holman, Carey L 648
ttooper, W. J. .911
Ilostetler, George F
244
Ilousley, Mrs. N. J 789
Iloy, Simon I'. 703
Ilunter, W. B.
269
llurst, C. M. 821
Imboden, C. MI
626
Imboden, J. G.
739
Jacobsen, Ilenning $12
Jimnison. G. A .. 641
Johns, Dr. II. ('.
Johnson, Milton. 219
Johnston, William.
842
Jones, Charles $40
Jones, Thomas B. 707
Jones, William O 649
Jones, Yong P'. 825
Jostes, Henry
667
Joynt, J. J
566
Given, J. F. .807
Gilore, Capt. J. 11.
.682
Gogerty, John 567
Goode. F. R. 673
Gorın, Jerome R 173
Gorin, O. B .207
Graves. J. W. 249
Gray, Dr. James L.
803
Green, Joshua. 713
Greene, O. Z. 311
Griffith, James G. .591
Grimm, Samuel. 656
Gushard, William
Guthralge, C. K. $16
Owen, 11. M.
Packard, Silas. .167
Parker, Benjamin 363
Parker, James II 264
l'arker, J. P. 421
l'arker, Dr. O. F. 401
l'atterson, David. 329
l'edicord, J. J. .864
Persinger, J. M. 410
l'fister, Charles C 734
Pharo, Isaac F. 771
Phelan, Mr. and Mrs. Michael. 1.778
Pickle, Newton F
Pitner, Thomas W. 57G
Pollock, Dr. M. D. 697
Pope, Walter .. 140
l'orter. Dr. D. W. .389
Powers, Orlando. .163
l'owers, Samuel. 201
Holiday, Ilarry L
IJollinger, James
430
152
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
l'owers, Thoms,
Pratt, Frank M Price, lacob K Pritchett, Waller
Pros s. L. R .
,11
I lers. 1 .11
thierry, laut Query, Titus
Race. James 11
starr. W 11
Randolph. ( !
Stein, lekhardt ‹
Randolph, Liny A
sterrett, 11 !.
Ritchie, Mas t MI
Stober, John 6.
:1.
Walker, 1 W
1
R bert-, 1Ja n !
Stoner. 1 L
W.tt. Robert
Roberts, I !'
ston key, Damel
r
Warburton. Triseğiti
Koger . 1 1
:1.
11
Kuchl, Charles 1
1
1
W.wer, Sarım 1
RoTrautf, Harry
Stoutenbrough.
-
1 >
Stilart, Oliver 1
1. 1'
me urer. Vichilas
· 1
Milanl. J. G ..
" rogler, Kindle In !!
700
Wuhan s. J. C.
w tt. Owen
Ilionmas, Dr E. H.
Wilhams. Robert !
shanklin, J. G ..
790
Thompson. . A. J ..
610
Williams, W Il .. 461
Na Charger, D. S
46.
Thompson, & apt. George W.
Willams 1. Solomon
1-1
Dominion, Thomas W
Willoughby. W 11
shochiaker Andre
Wilson, lame »
sort. Georg =
Wil on. R D
sbri. Dr R. F
Trimmer. Abral.um
W.c. 11 11
sepn, Ilutier
Ironmer, Andrew J
201
Munlock Harold R.
Wennleoch, RH 261
smith. Mr Mars 1
Frimurer. John 1. .
Wonls. Robert
Smith, 5 K
Iri mer, Joseph F 20.
Fruitman Jacob. .
. .
211
Junker Joseph I'
4.
hopper, Cool $ 11 44.
Spotler, ficare 1:
lyler, 1.int . 16
start , William 11
Vm Deventer. ( !
1.1 .
-10
Sturer, Dr \ !
:21
W.alt 1 flerient (
Kohs. h. 1!
=
Ward. 1 1
Kutlf .. . Andrew
Stuart. 1 1
1.amır.
I Rgart, Robert
ochtuciler. W. R.
Thatcher, Charles P.
MLTOURS, W. R.
I. rrence. Frank 1)
I wnc. l. P ...
singletin, llirtm
:05
Past and Present of Macon County
By John G. Keller.
In the geographical center of the state, midway between Chicago and St. Louis, the leading cities in the Northern Missis- sippi Valley, lies Macon county. It is one of the banner counties in the famous corn belt of Illinois; bounded on the north by De Witt, on the east by Piatt and Moultrie, on the south by Moultrie, Shelby and Christian, on the west by Christian and Sangamon counties.
Its extreme length is twenty-seven miles and its width is twenty-five miles, contain- ing an area of five hundred and seventy- seven sections or three hundred sixty-nine thousand two hundred eighty acres which is divided into seventeen townships as fol- lows: Austin 36 sections, Friends Creek 48, flickory Point 36, Niantic 20, Blue Mound 32, Mt. Zion 39. Pleasant View 30, Oakley 273. Milam 24, Maroa, 42, Whit- more 36, Illini 36, llarristown 36, South Wheatland 30, South Macon 36, Decatur 29. Long Creek 381.
But a few years ago, much of the prairie land was used for grazing purposes only ; at present no wild lands are to be found. Its physical geography differs but little from that of its immediate neighbors. The surface, generally, is undulating containing more prairie than timbered lands.
Originally much of the prairie was very low and level, making it unfit for cultiva- tion. This land, which lies in the south, cast and north parts of the county, was known as swamp land, and sokl by the United States Government at twenty-five cents per acre. These localities now pro-
duce more corn than any other in the coun- ty, and command a very high price.
No locality has better drainage. "The Ridge," as it is familiarly called, extends from Maroa west to the low lands of Aus- tin township and culminates in a round- top in section seven, known as the David Davis farm; this point has an altitude of over seven hundred feet above that of the Sangamon river where it leaves the county. AA ridge extending almost due south from this point forms a mound of about the same altitude as that of the Davis ridge, two miles northeast of Warrensburg on the Powers' farm ; extending south to the ex- tremes of the county another mound of sim- ilar altitude is left as its parting farewell. This ridge extending the entire length of the county north and south forms the water shed of the county, the Sangamon river be- ing the only stream large enough to break through. The ridge affords an enchanting view of the surrounding country ; for this reason and from the fact that this land could be cultivated without artificial drain- age, the early settlers, who ventured away from the timber's edge located along this elevation.
The Sangamon river with Friends creek and Stephens creek as tributaries from the north, Findley creek and Sand creek from the south, enters the county on the east within seven miles of its northern boundary, trends toward the southwest passing be- tween Whitmore and Oakley townships, through Decatur, Harristown and Blue Mound townships, leaves the county within
1
10
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
eleven miles of its southern boundary ; its exit being the southern boundary of Niantic township ; the drainage of the entire county is eventually effected by the Sangamon river. Comparatively few springs remain since the advent of underground tile drain- age, which has almost entirely eliminated the surface water, the source of the spring and the shallow well. Some of the old land marks as the Imboden Springs in the south part of Decatur, those in Fairview Park, the Boiling Springs near Bearsdale, the Sul- phur Springs near Mt. Zion, and the Dan- town Springs remain. The Sangamon river, including its tributaries, is bordered by rugged timber lands, among whose bluffs are found the only remaining springs of the early settler. The supply of water on the farms comes from deep wells, averaging at least a hundred feet in depth.
The village dwellers generally depend upon private wells, with the exception of Maroa, Macon and Blue Mound, which have water works, the supply coming from deep wells. Decatur's water supply is taken from the Sangamon river.
Some peculiar conditions have been dis- covered in sinking wells. In the Westfield schoolyard, located about three and a half miles southeast of Niantic, at a depth of twelve feet, a strattim of well preserved drift wood was encountered. In the Major schoolyard, two miles south of Warrens- burg. a similar stratum was encountered at about the same depth.
The soil is of diluvial origin, the whole county at some remote period having been covered with a rich alluvial deposit. The prairie soils are extremely productive, very deep and free from rocks. They produce abundantly, year after year, without arti- ficial fertilizing, luxuriant crops of corn, hay and oats. The soil in the timbered por- tion is lighter in color and not so deep, but it is better adapted to the production of
tame grasses and wheat; here, too, is the native heath of the far-famed blue grass.
In the bluffs along the streams, and espe- cially the Sangamon near Decatur, are scores of seemingly inexhaustible banks of sand and gravel. Not only the entire supply for building in the county, including street paving, street car tracks, and about seventy-five miles of graveled roads has been taken from these, but hundreds of car loads have been shipped to outside points. It is said that section eleven in Austin town- ship contains enough gravel, at a depth of six or seven feet, to gravel all the roads in the township.
A superior quality of brick and tile clay is found here, which has resulted in large investments in equipments for the manu- facture of the same. Coal, at a depth rang- ing from three to seven hundred feet under- lies the county ; four mines are in operation, three of which are in Decatur and one in Niantic ; while a shaft is being sunk in Blue Mound.
Discussing the coal deposit leads us back to a history of Macon county beyond even the time of the pioneer, the Indian or the Mound Builder. This history is held sacred by those who can, in reality, claim priority by right of possession ; these are the rocks. No traces of the carly geological revolu- tions that are so remarkable in the moun- tainous localities have here been noticed. While the Rockies and Alleghanies and the heights of land were standing as the nuclei of the North American continent. this coun- ty with the rest of central Illinois was, probably, the bed of a seething, rushing tor- rent.
The work of the drift or glacial period is more in evidence ; that being the time when the entire North American continent north of thirty-nine degrees seems to have been overburdened with accumulations of snow and ice, which in its movement southward carried with it soil and surface material de-
11
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
positing it as the temperature of the climate melted the ice. In this way we account for the large boulders as well as the clay, sand and pebbles in this region.
The following is a list of plants growing spontaneously in this county. Plants are an index to the producing quality of a lo- cality. Prairie, timber, low lands and high each has its peculiarity of productions. We give the family and one example of each :
Begonia
trumpet creeper.
Ebony
persimmon.
Plantain
common plantain.
Figwort
mullein.
Vervian
nettle-leaved vervian.
Mint
catnip.
Polemonium
wild sweet-William.
Convolvulus morning-glory.
Night shade
common night shade.
Dogbane
Indian hemp.
Family.
Example.
Crowfoot
larkspur.
Birthwort
wild ginger.
Custard-apple
paw paw
Goose foot
lambs quarter.
Moonseed
moonsced.
Buckwheat
water smartweed.
Barberry
May-apple.
Laurel
sassafras.
Water-lily
pond-lily.
Nettle
the clm.
Poppy
bloodroot.
Spurge
thirce-seeded mercury.
Fumitory
Dutchman's breeches.
Plane tree
sycamore.
Mustard
black mustard.
Walnut
black walnut.
Violet
blue violet.
Oak
white oak.
Pink
catchfly.
Willow
weeping willow.
Purslane
common purslane.
Pinc
cedar.
Mallow
rose-mallow.
Arum
Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Linden
bass-wood.
C'at-tail
cat-tail.
Flax
common flax.
Water-plantain
arrow-head.
Geranium
touch-me-not.
Orchis
showy-orchis.
Ruc
prickly ash.
Amaryllis
star-grass.
Cashew
poison ivy.
Iris
blue flag.
Vine
grape.
Yam
wild yam-root.
Buckthorn
buckthorn.
Smilax
greenbrier.
Staff-tree
burning-bush.
Lily
tiger lily.
Soap-berry
buckey.
Spiderwort
spiderwort.
Pulse
clover.
Sedge
bulrush.
Rose
black-berry.
Grass
timothy.
Saxifrage
goose-berry.
Fern
fern.
Evening primrose
enchanters nightshade
Parsley
carrot.
Genseng
spikenard.
Dogwood
silky cornel.
Honeysuckle Madder
butter-bush.
Composite
sunflower.
Lobelia
Indian tobacco.
Campanula
Primrose
Venus looking glass. cowslip.
It is to be regretted that not more of our people incline toward a knowledge of ani- mal life. Many look upon the study of in- sects and animal life in general as mere pastime; the sooner, however, that we ac- quaint ourselves with nature the better will we be prepared to utilize her donations and receive the benefits derived from meeting difficulties with nature's means.
black-haw.
common milkweed.
Milkweed Olive
white ash.
12
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Some years ago the potato bug became such a pest that it was almost impossible to grow a crop of potatoes. But just at this juncture a small insect made its appearance and attacked the ranks of the potato bug with such energy that the bug is now al- most extinct in this locality.
The lady-bug and squash-bug destroy in- numerable eggs and young beetles, it might be possible to aid these insects in the de- struction of their more predatory neighbors il we thoroughly understood their habits. The State Agricultural Department has dis- covered a method of causing a fungus growth to attack the chinch bug, which in . a very short time destroys it. The quail, the swallow, and many other kinds of birds are instrumental in the destruction of mill- ions of destructive insects.
The snake, the most despicable of all liv- ing things, is constantly waging war upon the mice, grub-worms and many kinds of in- sects that persist in injuring the growing crops. The rattle-snake is really the only poison snake in the county; the viper cop- per-head and adder, sometimes so consid- ered. are not capable of inserting poison into a wound.
When the Indian claimed this country as his undisputed hunting ground, the buf- falo, the black bear, the Virginia deer, the badger, the Canada lynx and the wild boar were found in abundance, but at present are not in evidence. The following are some of the leading animals found: the wolf, fox, weasel, mink. otter, skunk, rac- coon, bat, mole, squirrel, chipmunk, gopher, woodchuck, rat. mouse, rabbit, opossum.
There are so many kinds of birds that it will require too much space for their cnu- meration. Some of these pass through to the north or south in their migrations, stopping but a few days for food, others rear their young, later departing for the south to spend the winter. While some are with us all the year. The following are the
names of some of our most common birds : the robin, thrush, mocking-bird, cat bird, tit- mouse, nut-hatch, house-wren, lark, scarlet tanager, swallow, martin, wax-wing, shrike, wild canary, gold finch, snow bird, bunting, indigo bird, bobolink, cow-bird, black bird, meadow lark, oriole, crow, blue-jay, king bird, pewee, fly-catcher, whippoorwill, night hawk, swift, humming bird, king fisher, tur- key buzzard, pigeon, dove, grouse, wood- pecker, owl, hawk, prairie hen, quail, plover, woodcock, snipe, sandpiper, heron, bittern, crane, brant, goose, duck and grebe.
A few only of the lower class of animals have been identified. There are three tur- tles : the snapping turtle, the soft-shelled turtle and the mud-turtle. We have no lizards ; the salamander is, however, usually called a lizard. The glass or joint snake is a nearer approach to the lizard. The snakes are : the black, blue racer, fox, milk, garter, rattle and moccasin. The Batrachia are : the salamander, frog, toad, and mud-puppy. In fish the following are noted : catfish, buffalo, sun-fish, bass, pike, gar-pike, perch and carp. Many other species exist, but little in the way of investigation of fishes has been done.
Among the destructive insects is the Col- orado potato bug, propagated in the wild potato region of the Rocky mountains, which made its appearance about 1854. The wild potato bug comes occasionally, doing but little harm. The cabbage butter fly is a great pest to cabbage growers. The cut worm is the larva of a little gray moth ; an- other is the larva of a beetle called the June bug or May beetle. The army worm is the larva of a small gray moth, which appeared about 1844. The chinch bug, which came about 1845. is the most destructive of any that has yet made its appearance. It not only destroys the wheat fields but also the adjoining oat, timothy and corn fields.
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