USA > Illinois > Henry County > Bishop Hill > A history of Bishop Hill, Illinois : also biographical sketches of many early pioneers in Illinois, 100 years > Part 5
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The real estate of the Bishop Hill colony subject to dis- tribution was ten thousand, eight hundred and fifty-seven acres. The other property, too, was considerable, so that the work of apportionment was a big undertaking.
It was generally understood that in 1860 at the time of the division of the property the debts of the colony amounted to about one hundred and twelve thousand dollars, and that the apportionment of the property was made with the stipulation that all the debts should be paid and that the members should not receive deeds to the respective pieces of land representing their shares until the debts were paid or until the individual shareholders had paid their due portion of the same. Likewise the said corporate property allotted to individuals should re- main charged with the lien of the debt, and should remain the property of the corporation till the whole debt was paid.
Owing to the fact that the colonists needed the immediate fruits of their toil and their immediate rents and profits of their land to make needful improvements it was decided that the corporation should try to get extensions from the creditors of the colony until such time as the members had obtained a reasonable start and could contribute their respective shares towards the liquidation of the debt.
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In the spring of 1861 the Johnson party perfected the in- dividualization of its property. In the same year the Olson party was subdivided into three subdivisions, headed respectively by Jonas Olson, Olof Stoneberg and Martin Johnson. Subse- quently this tripartite apportionment was succeeded by a com- plete individualization.
There were usually some persons who resided in the colony who were not members, but this number was not large. In 1858 the membership of the colony consisted of six hundred and fifty-five persons of whom one hundred and forty-seven were males and two hundred and fifty-eight females over twenty years of age; seventy-eight males and females between fifteen
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4.F
P. M. Wickstrom Capt. 57th Reg. Ill.
Sgt. A. G. Warner
Civil War monument in the Park.
Major Eric Forse
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and twenty years, and one hundred and seventy-two males and females under fifteen years.
Among the colonists were a few who had received consider- able training and experience along certain lines in the old country. Such a one was Eric Forsse who for twelve years had served in the Swedish army. He became the captain of a mili- tary company of twenty-six men, who, drilling for two years, acquired skill in the Swedish tactics. Dressed in blue coats with red trimmings, and white trousers, they could march with pre- cision and handle their flint-locks with ease. They were one of the attractions on July 4th and at the county fair. Little did they realize what would be the ultimate destiny of their organi- zation. Like a thunder-clap came the fall of Fort Sumter and the call for volunteers. The Bishop Hill military company en- listed on September 16, 1861, and two weeks later reached Camp Bureau, near Princeton, becoming a part of the sixth regiment. Here this regiment was secretly persuaded to join a number of regiments at St. Louis and one October night the regiment broke camp and embarked on the steamer Musselman, moored for the purpose at a convenient point in the Illinois River. When the Colonel of the regiment awoke the next morning he found the camp deserted, and took measures to intercept the run- aways. A battery was sent from Springfield to Alton to await the arrival of the Musselman and capture the regiment on board. At Alton the steamer was fired at and stopped and the deserters were lodged in the old state penitentiary, where as previously stated Eric Janson's murderer had been incarcerated some years before. The regiment was then brought to Camp Butler at Springfield for court martial but through the intervention of friends the boys were acquitted and sent to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, where they became a part of the Fifty-seventh Regi- ment, which was mustered in December 26, 1861. Company D of this regiment was practically a Swedish company, and the Bishop Hill boys formed a large part of it, while several were from Galva and Andover.
From Cairo the regiment started for the front. After tasting the realities of war at the seige and capture of Fort Donelson, Company D had two killed and fourteen wounded at Shiloh and lost three men at Corinth. In November, 1863, the company took possession of Mitchell's Mill, near Lynnville, Tennessee,
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and was engaged there for some time in cutting timber and operating the sawmill. In 1864 the term of enlistment expired and of Company D the members very generally reenlisted. A month's furlough at home followed, recruits were received, and the regiment presently joined Sherman's army at Chattanooga, finally taking part in the famous march to the sea, and in the grand review at Washington.
During the course of the war Eric Forsse, who was the first captain of Company D, was promoted major, resigning after the fall of Atlanta, 1864. The next captain was Eric John- son, the son of the prime founder of the colony, who resigned in 1862 and was succeeded by Peter M. Wickstrum. Among the second lieutenants was Andrew G. Warner, who rose from the rank of first corporal to the above rank, and in 1864 accepted the captaincy of a colored company.
One of the original second lieutenants was Eric Berglund, son of Andrew Berglund. He was promoted first lieutenant in 1862. In the fall of 1864 he received an appointment as cadet at the U. S. Military academy at West Point, but did not enter till July 1, 1865. Four years later he was graduated at the head of the class, having the further distinction of being the first Swede to be admitted to that noted institution. Commissioned a second lieutenant he was successively promoted first lieu- tenant, '72, captain '84 and major '95, retiring the following year, and has since resided at Baltimore. During his active service he was engaged in various engineering duties and was also instructor of military engineering and mathematics and assistant professor of ethics and law at West Point, and was later instructor of civil engineering at the government engineer- ing school at Willet's Point, New York. In 1878 he was married to a cousin of the wife of President Hayes.
In the early part of 1862 the Colonel of the Fifty-seventh Regiment bought a beautiful and expensive silk flag which he offered as a reward to the best drilled company in the regiment. Several month's time was allowed. In July the competitive drill took place with three regular army officers as judges. Company D was commanded by Lieutenant Eric Berglund. When this company and Company G a German organization- had drilled the companies still remaining thought it best to withdraw from the competition. As the standing of the Ger-
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man and Swedish companies was very close they were obliged to repeat the drill, when the flag was unanimously awarded to Company D. This trophy was for many years brought out at public celebrations at Bishop Hill. It is now faded and so fragile that its appearance at such gatherings is a thing of the past.
Going back once again to the internal affairs at Bishop Hill following the dissolution of the colony, it appears that a fire destroyed the broom-corn crop in 1861 valued at about forty thousand dollars, together with the sheds, machinery and much other valuable property, through the pranks of some boys,, it is said, smoking broom-corn. In the latter part of the colony much broom-corn was raised and the crop of 1861 was held in common and was designed to apply to the corporate debt. In addition to this loss, there were high rates of interest, litigation resulting from non-payment of debt, sums paid in compromise, attorney's fees, and taxes-all contributing to raise the debt, while the income was insufficient.
The Studwell mortgage for forty thousand dollars due in 1861 and remaining unpaid, there was considerable expense in renewing the security for a new mortgage, which in its turn fell due and remained unpaid. This resulted in a suit, a decree was entered, but time was given to pay it by installments. In case of sale the land secured should be sold in parcels, allowing occupants a chance to bid at such sale and have the right of redemption. This mortgage was secured by four thousand, eight hundred and seventy acres.
In 1862 a loan of four thousand dollars was obtained from Wm. Nelson of Peekskill, New York, and was secured by five hundred and sixty-eight acres of land. Another loan of eight thousand was made in 1863 of A. Chittenden, a trust deed therefor being issued to H. G. Spofford, of Chicago, and was secured by one thousand, five hundred and eighty-eight acres.
In August, 1865, the trustees felt justified in assessing upon the members two hundred dollars per share to be applied on the debts-dollars payable at or about the time of assess- ment, fifty dollars about three months later and the balance about four months thereafter. Deeds were made out and left in escrow for the members who should pay and discharge their shares of the corporate debt. But the response was not gratify-
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ing and only about fifty-five thousand dollars were realized and were applied on the debt.
All the Studwell claims becoming due, Studwell decided to sell on his decree, whereupon Hiram Sibley, of Utica, New York, was induced to buy the decree and take an assignment thereof and give the colony further time to pay it. So in October, 1866, Sibley bought the Studwell decree, paying Stud- well in full. The colony was to pay the decree by installments and the interest yearly.
In March, 1868, the trustees proceeded to devise means for a complete legal individualization of the colony and the full payment of all of its liabilities. At that time, according to the trustees, the debt amounted to about one hundred and fifty- eight thousand dollars, while they estimated that it would re- quire nearly one hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars, besides the individual property and assets of the colony to pay the debts. A claim of the colony for about sixty thousand dol- lars against the Western Air Line Railroad for grading done in 1856, brought only six thousand, and five hundred dollars, through the failure of the company to complete its road, but until 1865 this claim was considered good by the colony.
A second assessment was accordingly levied upon the mem- bers of the colony, account being taken of the amount each mem- ber had paid on the first assessment. But believing at that the majority of the members were unable to pay their assessments in money, the trustees thought it was necessary to find some capitalist who would advance money or assume liabilities for said members, in case they were unable to pay their respective assessments, and give such members such time and terms as would enable them respectively to meet the same without sac- rifice of property. So the trustees entered into an agreement with Elias Greenbaum, of Chicago, to perform this service for those members who desired it upon their giving him security on such individualized property or personal notes with interest at ten per cent semi-annually. Had this plan been observed by all concerned the trustees claimed that all of the debts might have been paid by the fall of 1868.
These financial troubles which dogged the colonists caused worry and bitter feeling. In July, 1868, a bill of complaint was filed in the Henry county circuit court of six colonists as com-
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plainants and the Bishop Hill colony and its seven trustees as such and as individuals as defendants. W. N. Gest, of Rock Island, was appointed as special master in chancery, who after an examination, certified that the trustees since 1860 had re- ceived money and property to the value of two hundred and forty-nine thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three dollars, and paid out on account of the colony, one hundred and forty thous- and, one hundred and forty-four dollars, leaving the sum of one hundred and nine thousand, six hundred and nineteen dol- lars to be accounted for.
The case dragged its slow length along until in 1879 when, apparently through an agreement by the attorneys in the case, a sort of settlement of the case was made. The trustees were held accountable for the one hundred and nine thousand, six hundred and nineteen dollars mentioned. Excepting the claim of Olof Johnson for twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and seventy-three dollars, and salary for the years he had acted as attorney in fact having served in that capacity since 1861, the business of the corporation being in the interval transacted chiefly through him, all other claims were allowed, including new obligations amounting to fifty-seven thousand, seven hun- dred and eighty-two dollars. This new sum included a contingent fund of sixteen thousand dollars, and costs on both sides. On account of this law suit many thousands of dollars had to be paid to the attorneys in the case and to those prosecuting and de- fending the suit, while the special master in chancery alone received nine thousand dollars in fees.
Under the decree entered April 25, and July 28, 1879, many tracts of land were sold by the special master of chancery, deeds were made out to the purchasers who were notified at the sale that the owners would not voluntarily yield possession of their lands. Therefore some of the grantees filed petitions for writs of assisstance to help them get possession of land purchased. Among the lands sold was that of John Root, which had been bought for the benefit of C. C. Bonney, who was one of the complainant's attorneys in the colony suit. A writ of assisstance was granted, directed the sheriff to put the petitioner, Lyman M. Payne, acting for Bonney, in possession of the land. Root appealed the case to the appellate court where the judgment of the lower court was reversed. Payne carried the case to
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the supreme court, where the judgment of the appellate court was affirmed, the opinion of the court being rendered May 12, 1887, by Justice Mulkey.
The law which governed the remaining cases was thus de- termined, and these were then dismissed. The original Bishop Hill case thereupon remained deserted. When the clerk of the Henry county circuit court was making up the docket of the court for the February term, 1888, a member of the county bar suggested that the case be omitted from the docket. This was done.
On February 2, 1870, the voters of Bishop Hill decided in favor of incorporating the town. On February 11th the following trustees were elected : Jonas Olson, Jacob Jacobson, Jonas Headberg, P. O. Blomberg, and Peter Johnson. On Febru- ary 28th, Olof Headlund was elected police magistrate. The board organized with Jonas Olson, president ; P. Q. Blomberg, clerk; Jacob Jacobson, treasurer.
On February 10, 1894, ordinances were adopted in accord- ance with the general laws of the state, and a village organiza- tion was the result, the elective officers consisting of a president, clerk, six trustees and a police magistrate.
As a process of division took place in economic affairs with the breaking up of the colony, so the religious life underwent a change. Some became indifferent to religion, some adopted liberal views. But others affiliated with the Methodist belief, Methodist preachers visiting the village and the neighborhood and conducting meetings. A Methodist organization was formed in 1864, in a room in the colony church, which room has since been partitioned off, part being taken up by the present stair- way leading upstairs to the church proper, and the remaining part devoted to portraits of colonists and colonial scenes painted by a colonist, Olof Krans, of Altona. In 1867 the Seventh Day Adventists propounded their doctrines at Bishop Hill and in 1870 an organization was effected. Jonas Olson and Olof Os- berg serving as its ministers until old age and its infirmities overtook them.
The Adventists continued to use the colony church while the Methodists, who worshipped in a hall in the colony black- smith shop, for the first few years, built a church of their own in 1868, which was remodeled in 1900. Andrew Berglund and
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Olof Stoneberg became local preachers and served in that ca- pacity until they crossed into the beyond. A society of the Mis- sion Friends existed at one time, and a small edifice was erected. But the building was sold a few years ago and was moved to Galva to be remodeled into a private residence.
The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Bishop Hill coloney was celebrated on September 3 and 24, 1896, when a granite monument consisting of a single large shaft was dedi- cated to the memeory of the founders. Two of the trustees were still living, Jonas Olson, and Swan Swanson, who have since joined the majority of the first settlers who are resting from their labors and cares. Every year since 1896, a reunion has been held on September 23, excepting when that date has fallen on Sunday, when the reunion has been held either on Saturday or Monday. A program has been given in the village park, or in the colony church. Ordinarily there have been basket dinners, but sometimes union dinners in the old bakery building, in re- cent years fitted up into a hall. Afternoon coffee has also be- come a feature of these reunions, being usually served in the village election hall.
As the fall of the year mellows the colors of the trees and the fields, and softens the rays of the sun, so in the autumn of their lives the colonists, as they meet at their annual reunions reveal none of the friction which they sometimes must have felt in the days of the colony. Some of those who moved away to other localities and states, come back about that time to meet again their old chums and comrades. The great majority of those who were identified with the beginnings in Sweden have gone to the realm where no trouble exists. Those who were chil- dren in the colony are already besprinkled with the snows of age. Their descendants have multiplied into a numerous body scattered far and wide.
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1
CEMETERY
Bishop Hill, Ill.
Though they sleep, 'tis not forever, There will be a glorious dawn, We shall meet to part no never, On the resurrection morn.
From the deepest caves of ocean, From the desert and the plain, From the valley and the mountain, A countless throng shall rise again.
Though they sleep, 'tis not forever, In the lone and silent grave, Blessed be the hand that taketh, Blessed be the hand that gave.
In the bright eternal city, Death can never, never come, In His own good time he'll call us, From our rest to that sweet home.
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ENTRANCE TO BISHOP HILL CEMETERY
These four trees were planted in memory of local boys who gave their lives in World War I.
Erniel Johnson-Fred Chester Peterson-Rudolph Nordeen- Wilber Hagberg.
ENTRANCE TO CEMETERY
Bishop Hill
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:
AF ISOS:
Daj. m 1:50.
Monuments of Eric Janson and son, Capt. Eric Janson. In Bishop Hill Cemetery.
MARTI
JOHNSO
BORN
ERDERILA PAR
APRIL 10 5
Nov 14.1
Martin Johnson Monument
Bjorkland Monument
SWANSON
STONEBEREI
Stoneberg Monument
Eric Janson Monument. Inscrip- tion in Swedish.
BERGLAND
Swanson Monument
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SCHOOL HOUSE
Bishop Hill
The bell, now calling Bishop Hill children to school, summoned the colonists to their meals 100 years ago.
METHODIST CHURCH
Bishop Hill
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INTERIOR, COLONY CHURCH
The old colony church with its pews of glistening black walnut over which the voice of the "prophet," Eric Janson, once boomed.
INTERIOR, COLONY CHURCH
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The brick dairy building still stands in a well-preserved con- dition. It now serves as a three-apartment house, which is owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Krans and son, Willard, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Nordstrom, and Miss Effie Winroot. The mother of Albert and Julia Krans of Bishop Hill and the mother of Mrs. L. L. Otto, of Cambridge, were dairymaids.
%%
One of several Colony wells
POST OFFICE - Built in 1853, postmistress Mrs. Evelyn Swan- son Craig is the grandchild of Mary Malmgren Olson, first woman born i colony, Dec. 27, 1846.
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THE "CARRIAGE AND CARPENTER" SHOP
"THE BAKERY AND BREWERY"
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Photo Taco. Anderson
BJÖRKLAND HOTEL TODAY
Every brick of these buildings was molded by hand, every beam and joist was cut and sawed by the pioneers from their own walnut, maple and red oak trees.
BJÖRKLAND HOTEL TYBO
BJÖRKLAND HOTEL, 1850
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.
5
"WEBELAN EXCHANGE
3955
Any EWE DOLLARS /h heart
FIVE
NAFIVE
If a stranger came to town, he could put up at Bishop Hill's hotel, and there he could pay his bill with Bishop Hill's money. For during the Civil War, Bishop Hill, like many other commun- ities, printed its own money which was legal tender within its own boundaries.
OMANIA CITY, XXLLLALLORA
WESTERN EXCHANGE
DO
S
1. FOR THREE DOLLARS
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The Bergren Home, Bishop Hill, Ill., where friends and worthy strangers are always welcome.
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Bergren
THE GIANT OF THE COLONY
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Johnson "Colonists," parents of Mrs. Jonas Bergren.
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Jonas Bergren in his shop
From the Jonas Bergren collection
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From the Jonas Bergren collection
From the Jonas Bergren collection
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From the Jonas Bergren collection
From the Jonas Bergren collection
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Mr. and Mrs. Ch. Falk
August Naslund
Hans Dahlgren holds portrait of his father, "a colonist."
Ch. Nelson, "the Village Blacksmith."
Old Timers of Bishop Hill
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John Johnson (Clop John)
Albert Krans, nephew of Olof Krans "The Artist."
View near Bishop Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Spiegel
Old Timers of Bishop Hill
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Town Clock - Made 1859 by Bjorkland Blomberg Soder- quist, Bishop Hill.
Olof Moline Monument in the cemetery
STEEPLE BUILDING
The clock, running since 1859, has no minute hand; as a villager explained: "In Bishop Hill we don't watch the minutes. Even the hours don't need watching here."
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THE BIG BRICK DESTROYED BY FIRE
The Big Brick building, finished in 1851, burned in 1928. The kiln-dried bricks were made on the premises. Lime-stone from which lime was made was hauled from Spoon River, twenty- five miles distant. Men and women worked side by side on the construction.
The Old Colony Church built in 1848 which now houses the collection of paintings by the colony artist, Olof Krans.
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When the first emigrants came to Red Oak, near Bishop Hill, they purchased 80 acres of land on which stood a small log- house. This loghouse sheltered many the first winter. Later it was moved to Bishop Hill and was used as a bakery and later again moved to its present site. This house with its original timber underneath the siding is the oldest house in Bishop Hill and one of the oldest in this part of Illinois. Located 1 mile east of Bishop Hill.
Cradle in Colony Church
This building was used as a hospital.
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"SPINNING AND WEAVING"
From one of the yearly celebrations.
"PILE DRIVING"
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AXEL SHOLEEN ON THE "REAPER"
ON THE OLD "BAND WAGON"
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INDIAN FLOAT
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BRYCE NORDSTROM-"Prairie Schooner"
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BROOM MAKING
Galen Chilberg, Phyllis Anderson
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PART II
M. A. Mikkelsen Story of A Religious Communistic Settlement in Henry County, Illinois
1891
Mrs. Walberg and "Jarna" Anna
Jonas Danielson, "Doodle"
"Forsva Kare" Danielson
Old Timers of Bishop Hill
The Bishop Hill Colony
I-Devotionalism in Helsingland from 1825 to 1842
The history of devotionalism in Helsingland from 1825 to 1842 revolves around the person of one man. Jonas Olson was born December 18, 1802, in Söderala Parish, in the province of Helsingland. The environments of his boyhood were not of a character to encourage the development of a religious dispo- sition. His father, Olof Olson, a coarse and illiterate peasant, was an habitual drunkard, who when in his cups was in the habit of brutally maltreating wife and children. Nor was his mother a Monica to lead him to Christ, although she loved her son after a fashion, and encouraged him in his endeavors to obtain an education. For Jonas was a bright lad, and was not satisfied with knowing how to read the hymn-book and the catechism, but aspired to learning how to write and cipher, uncommon accomplishments among the peasantry at that time. It was in these unlawful aspirations that his mother encour- aged her son, by procuring the necessary writing materials, which as soon as they were discovered by the angry father were ruthlessly destroyed, with the remark that such things were not intended for peasants' sons. At the age of fifteen, when he had been confirmed in the faith of the Established Lutheran Church, Jonas was compelled to shift for himself. For five years he served an unele on the fathers' side as a farm-laborer. It was here, among the peasant-fishermen on the banks of the river Ljusne, near the Gulf of Bothnia, that he learned the art of preparing salmon for the market in Stockholm. For two years he served an elder sister, and then, at the age of twenty-two, returned home to take charge of his fathers' estate, for the eldest son-there were three sons and two daughters-had, like his father, become incapacitated for work by strong drink. He found everything in a deplorable condition, but with the vigor of youth he set to work to repair the buildings and re- claim the waste land. In the summer-tim , while employing common laborers to attend to the work in the fields, he him- self bought large quantities of salmon, which he cured and dis- posed of to good advantage on the market in Stockholm; so
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