Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 988


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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