USA > Illinois > Madison County > Alton > Gazetteer of Madison County : containing historical and descriptive sketches of Alton City, Upper Alton, Edwardsvile, Collinsville, Highland, Troy, Monticello, Mairne, Bethalto, and other towns, including some account of the resources of the various townships, to which is added a directory of the Altons,. > Part 2
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CHURCHES, CHURCH PROPERTY, ETC.
NUMBER OF CHURCHES.
AGGREGATE ACCOMMODATION 5,220
VALUE CHURCH PROPERTY' $ 29,550 200
Christian
1
100
Episcopal
4
1,350
11,900
Lutheran
6
1,250
4,850
Methodist
13
4,000
24,500
Presbyterians
12
4,000
25,500
Roman Catholic
5
2,000
46,200
Union
20
5,450
15,500
Minor Sects
3
530
1,750
Grand Total
78
24,200
$159,950
The following table of Population is from the United States Census of IS50 :
FREE COLORED.
TOTAL.
MALES.
WHITES. FEMALES.
TOTAL.
MALES. FEMALES,
TOTAL,
Alton, 1st Ward.
501
287
788
10
4
14
802
2d Ward
313
276
580
5
12
17
607
3d Ward
597
473
1,070
26
41
67
1,137
4th Ward
505
464
968
36
36
72
1,040
Total
1,915
1,500
3,415
77
93
170
3,585
Upper Alton
677
592
1,269
23
17
40
1,309
Highland
396
308
704
...
...
...
704
Marine Settlement.
439
401
S10
...
...
...
840
Marine Town
77
49
126
...
...
126
Semple
136
133
269
6
7
13
282
Total
3,640
2,983
6,623
106
117
223
6,846
--
NOTE .- The last table is incomplete, though an exact copy from the U. S. Census for 1550.
Baptist
14
Irish Potatoes,
270,204
15
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
GEOLOGY.
The Geology of the county though varied as compared with that of the inland counties is not of special interest. The strata exposed along the Mississippi shore are, beginning with the lower which only appear about the northern line of the county, subcarboniferous rocks mostly limestones, carboniferous limestone, coal sometimes cropping out in the ravines, loess and other quarternary deposits. The strata seem dipped southward and inland. These river strata furnish valuable building material, particular- ly in the older limestone; excellent lime, which is largely manufactured at Alton; and cement stone, a vein of which over six feet in thickness has been lately discovered at Clifton, three miles above Alton. Fire clay of superior quality is also found among the river hills and is largely manu- factured at Upper Alton into ware and stone pipe. Fire clay of valuable quality is also found in the clod of the coal mines farther inland. Coal is mined north of Alton on the Chicago railroad, where, however, the beds are thin, at Bethalto and Moro on the Terre Haute railroad, where the beds are five to seven feet in thickness; at Edwardsville, Collinsville and to some extent at Highland. These are often, but not invariably rock-roofed, the coal sometimes lying immediately next the earth and endangering the miner.
COAL MINES OF MADISON COUNTY.
The following analysis is from the State Coal Report of 1858, and gives the thickness of beds and composition of several of the mines:
Jeffrey's Mine .- Near Alton. Thickness of the bed two feet six inches. Coal bright, hard, compact; fracture tolerably even; layers thin regular and separated occasionally with very thin seams of carbonaceous clod. There is but little carbonate of lime in the joints; overlaid with eleven inches of black slate, which is capped with shales; underlaid with fire clay. Specific gravity 1.2859. Loss in Coking 48.75; total weight of Coke 45.25-100.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 11.00; Volatile Matter 37.75; Carbon in Coke 47.35; Ashes (gray) 3.90-100.00.
Carbon in the Coal 51.48.
Richard Cartlidge's Mine .- Near Moro. Thickness of Coal varies from four feet to six feet. Coal bright, brittle; layers thin and alternately dull and bright, with occasional separations of carbonaceous clod, easily separa- ble in the horizontal partings; fracture even to hackly-contains thin vertical seams of sulphuret of iron; overlaid with six inches of marly clay, which is capped with ten feet of limestone; underlaid with fire clay.
Specific Gravity 1.3137 .- Loss in Coking 44.39; Total weight of Coke 55.61-100.00.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 8.30; Volatile Matters 36.09; Carbon in Coke 45.01; Ashes (gray) 10.60-100.00.
Carbon in the Coal, 51.38.
16
A GAZETTEER OF
Charles Groshaay's Mine .- Near Alton. Thickness of the bed from two feet six inches to three feet. Coal alternately bright and dull, hard; fracture hackly; layers thick, wavy and separated with thin layers of car- bonaceous clod.
Specific Gravity 1.3221 .- Loss in Coking 37.56; Total weight of Coke 62.45-100.00.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 7.50; Volatile Matters 30.00; Carbon in Coke 54.85. Ashes (brown) 7.60-100.00.
Dunford's Mine .- Near Alton. Coal bright, hard, compact; fracture un- even; layers thick with partings of carboneous clod; contains thin vertical seams of carbon of lime.
Specific Gravity1.2587-Loss in Coking 47.26; Total weight of Coke 52.74 -100.00.
Carbon in the Coal, 54.62.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 5.80; Volatile Matters 41.46; Carbon in Coke 47.44; Ashes (gray) 5.30-100.00.
Specific Gravity 1.3191-Loss in Coking 42.60; Total weight of Coke 57.40-100.00.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 10.30: Volatile Matters 32.30; Carbon in Coke 53.90; Ashes (reddish brown) 3.50-100.00.
Carbon in the Coal 54.39.
Wood River Coal Mining Company .- One and a half miles West of Moro. Thickness of the bed six feet; overlaid with a few inches of clay shalo capped with fourteen feet of limestone; underlaid with fire clay. It is one of the best mines in Madison County.
Top Coal .- Coal tolerably bright, brittle; layers thin and separated with carbonaceous coal plants; fracture even, contains rather thick veritical seams of carbonate of line and a few streaks of sulphuret of lime between the horizontal layers.
Specific Gravity 1.2916-Loss in Coking 55.3; Total weight of Coke 41.7 -- 100.0.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 11.0; Volatile Matters 44.3; Carbon in Coke 37.2; Ashes (gray) 7.5-100.0.
Carbon in the Coal 45.45.
Middle Coal .- Coal bright, brittle; fracture even layers thin and not easily separated, with very little carbonaceous clod between them contains thick vertical plates of carbonate of lime and a few thin ones of sulphuret of iron.
Specific Gravity 1.3158-Loss in Coking 50.00; Total weight of Coke 50.00 -100.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 10.0; Volatile Matters 40.0; Carbon in Coke 42.7; Ashes (pink) 7.3-100.0.
Carbon in the Coal 49.08.
Cook's Mine .- This is the same bed worked by the Wood River Coal
17
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Mining Company, and the appearance of the Coal is the same. It differs slightly, however, in composition.
Specific Gravity 1.3017-Loss in Coking 51.15; Total weight of Coke 48.45 -100.00.
ANALYSIS .- Moisture 8.00; Volatile Matters 43.15; Carbon in Coke 38.85; Ashes (gray) 10.09-100.00.
Carbon in Coal 47.1.
Edwardsville Mine .- Coal bright, brittle; fracture uneven; layers alter- nately thick and thin; contains vertical seams of carbonate of lime.
Specific Gravity 1.346-Loss in Coking 46.85; Total weight of Coke 53.15 Besides the above extensive, mines are being worked at Bethalo in the northwestern part of the county, and at Moro two miles distant.
The following is a statistical account of the amount of coal produced, in Madison County, for the months of July, August, September, October. November and December, 1864:
July
4,790 Tons.
August
4,540
September
3,940
October.
6,453
November
5,252
December
4,714 66
Total
29,689
SOIL.
The soils of the county are varied and interesting. That of townships 3 9, 4 9, 3 10 and 4 10, and part of 3 8 and 4 8, is the rich alluvial of the American Bottom; a soil unsurpassed probably by any in the world for inexhaustible fertility. Along its northern border stretches the "Sand Ridge," a large sand bar four or five miles in length and one or two in breadth, that some convulsion of nature has left some miles away from the river. The Loess or Bluff formation of the Alton river bluffs is found also along the inland range of bluffs, and proves a most valuable fruit soil for the more susceptible and delicate fruits. The Peaches and Grapes of Alton have already a wide celebrity. Ridge Prairie extending nearly through the county in a north and south line and lying nearly on the "divide" between the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers we have al- ready mentioned as of notable fertility. The northern and eastern portion of the county, though less fertile, is without exception of good quality, and specially fitted for Winter Wheat and fruits.
AGRICULTURAL.
The principal production of the county are corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, and some buckwheat; corn being the staple, though considerable quanti- ties of excellent fall wheat are also raised in some parts of the county. 3-
18
A GAZETTEER OF
Among grasses, timothy, red top, blue grass and Hungarian are the most common. All the common root crops do well, and are raised in large quantities for the market. Madison County is well known as an extensive fruit growing country, and ships yearly large quantities of apples, peaches, pears, etc., to the St. Louis and Chicago markets. Considerable attention has been paid of late years to the introduction of choice breeds of cattle, and especially sheep, of which there are a number of fine flocks in the county, principally of fine wooled Merinos, the wool from which is often not inferior in quality to that of the best varieties in the Eastern and New England States.
The Madison County Agricultural and Horticultural Societies are live institutions-and are doing a good work in the county in diffusing en- lightened and correct views, in their various departments among the farm- ing community. A history of each of these Societies will be found by reference to the index.
STATISTICS OF 1840-U. S. CENSUS.
POPULA-
TION.
NO. OF
SCHOOLS
NO. OF
SCHOL'RS
Alton City.
2,340
8
253
Upper Alton, Town clo do Precinct.
1,002
3
90
Choteau and Gabaret Island.
616
1
45
do Precinct
248
1
25
Highland.
1,151
5
1:29
Indian Creek and Rattan's Prairie.
331
1
25
Madison.
589
3
70
Marine
1,038
187
Monticello
788
2
50
Omphghent.
742
3
80
Ridge Prairie
2,690
7
205
Silver Creek
524
3
65
Six Mile
1,034
4
110
. .
1,103
4
111
Edwardsville Town ..
232
..
..
There was also one University, with 101 students; one Academy, with 60 students; one Academy, with 84 students.
Of the citizens, 39 were engaged in Mining; 3,336 in Agriculture; 268 in Commerce; 749 in Manufacturing and Trade; 54 in Navigation; 120 in Pro- fessional pursuits.
The increased prosperity and improvement of the county may be estima- ted somewhat imperfectly by reference to the following tables, compiled from the United States Census of 1860, and the Reports of the State Auditor's Office, for the years 1861-62-63-65.
STATISTICS MADISON COUNTY, 1863, 1862, 1861, 1860 .- AUDITOR'S REPORT.
TABULAR STATEMENT of the number and value of domestic animals and average value per head; number and value of enumerated articles, and average value of each article; the value of merchandise, bankers' property, manufactured articles, moneys and credits, bonds, stocks, ete .; unenumerated property, town lots and lands, and railroad property, listed for taxation in Madison County, for the years 1863, 1862, 1861 and 1860, as returned to the Auditor's Office of Illinois.
1863.
1862.
1861.
1860.
NO.
VALUE.
AVER. VALUE.
NO.
VALUE.
AVER. VALUE.
NO.
VALUE.
AVER. VALUE,
NO.
VALUE.
AVER. VALUE.
Horses.
10,206
423,658
41 51
9,243
358,631 $
38 80
9,243 $
358,631
S 38 80
9,225
406,288 $ 11 04
Neat Cattle ..
26,477
201,048
7 59
24,270;
195,000
7 21
24,270
195,000
8 03
24,269
194,816
8 03
Mules und Asses
1,914
92,490
48 32
1,500
81,824
54 55
1,500
81,8244
54 55
1.317
80,825
61 37
Sheep
6,455
9,889
1 53
4,570
4,934
1 08
4,570
4,934
1 08
4,062
4,235
1 0.4
1logs ..
33,778
60,0434
1 78
29,042
53,145
1 83
29,0-12
53,145
1 83
26,085
50,002
1 92
Carriages and Wagons.
5,940
140,014
23 57
4,065
120,900
29 74
4,165
120,900
29 02
3,709
119,971
32 35
Clocks and Watches.
2,617
13,396
5 12
2,525
12,080
4 78
2,525
12,080
4 79
2,430
11,086
4 56
Pinnos
183
1.1,840
81 09
108
10,800
100 00
108
10,800
100 00
102
10,762
105 51
Goods and Merchandise
410,019|
373,000
373,000
473,872
Banker's Property ......
88,246
78,000
81,000
78,650
Manufactured Articles
346,490
310,000
310,000
385,770
. ..
Moneys and Credits.
359,980
360,000
360,000
379,892
Bonds, Stocks, etc ..
69,900
27,100
Unenumerated Property.
301,476
182.19-4
182,194
180,384
...... .....
Deductions
12,1-47
65,500
56,470
19,479 .
Total Personal Property
2,479,042
2,075,008
2,084,038
2,363,17-4
Town Lots.
1,966,938
1,906,183
2,291,086
2,309,252
. .... ......
Lands
3,968,830
3,969,560
3,954,860
4,010,812
Railroad Property.
208,442
219,559
248,491
248,915
Total Real and Per'l Prop'y ..
8,623,252
8,170,300
8,578,475
8,932,153
Acres Wheat
36,490
37,0.10
Acros Corn ..
64,807
66,4
Other Field Products
45,715
4,820
.
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
.
.
...
.
..
..
..
...
...
...
. ...
. ..
....
.
. . .....
..
...
. .
..
....
..
.. .
..
..
...
......
...... .. .
..
..
...
..
...
... .....
..
..
....
.
. .
.
·
. ..
·
20
A GAZETTEER OF
MANUFACTURES OF MADISON COUNTY .- U. S. CENSUS OF IS60.
MANUFACTORIES.
NO.
CAPITAL
INVESTED.
COST OF
RAW
MATERIAL,
NO. HANDS EMPY' D.
ANNUAL
COST OF
ANNUAL
VALUE OF
PROD'TS.
Agricultural Implements
3
$ 10,000
3,036
9'
4,780
$ 9,445
Ploughs
3,450
3,320
12
3,000
9,100
Threshers, Horse Powers
1
40,000
3,550
40
14,400
45,020
Bells
1
2,000
1,915
3
720
5,000
Boots and Shoes.
10
10,250
13,055
37
11,600
35,626
Brass Foundery
1
2,000
1,915
3
720
5,000
Brick ...
4
4,750
2,070
21
2,875
7,900
Carriages
9
S,750
4,115
21
5,400
12,367
Cooperage
3
2,420
12,450
30
11,280
27,375
Flour and Meal.
9
160,000
916,330
67
25,800
1,087,680
Furniture Cabinet.
3
2,700
1,020
14
4,080
3,640
Lime
3
17,500
12,774
50
13,140
75,420
Liquors, Distilled.
4
188,000
277,150
46
18,000
521,331
Liquors, Malt.
7
83,000
29,756
35
10,800
75,330
Lumber Sawed
8,000
12,000
11,760
28,800
Mineral Water
2
6,500
5,015
10
2,160
12,700
Machinery.
1
50,000
8,050
45
14,400
60,000
Pottery Ware
5
6,500
4,198
19
4,800
14,200
Saddlery and Harness ....
6
27,200
11,672
23
4,980
22,480
Sash, Doors and Blinds.
-11
10,000
6,000
20
4,800
11,300
Copper, Tin, S. I. Ware ..
35,200
21,286
25
11,160
41,945
rotal.
88 $678,220 $1,350,676
552
$180,595 $2,111,659
ASSESSMENT MADISON COUNTY, 1865.
Horses
12,7:27
$ 644,025
Neat Cattle
15,414
181,921
Mules and Asses.
1,520
197,419
Sheep
.14,515
28,725
Hogs.
24,800
56,101
Carriages and Wagons.
5,109
186,038
Clocks and Watches.
5,615
29,710
Pianos
280
37,799
Goods and Merchandise
614,179
Bankers, Brokers and Stock Jobbers Property
64,040
Manufactured Articles
26,040
Monies and Credits
465,873
Value of Money in Bonds, &c.
34,495
Capital Stock of State Banks
Unenumerated Property.
405,364
Aggregate
2,961,729
Deductions
23,924
Total Value of Taxable Personal Property.
2,837,805
Town Lots.
1,968,855
Railroad Property
310,094
Lands
4,137,910
LABOR.
M. F.
21
MADISON COUNTY ILLINOIS.
Total Value Lands, Railroad Property and Town Lots. 6,447,859
Total Value Real and Personal 9,384,664
State Tax at 52 cents
48,800 25
State School Tax at 20 cents
18,769 32
State Tax of 1864 in forfeited Property reduced.
133 75
State Tax and Interest for 1864
37,397 80
County Tax at 50 cents.
77 06
County Tax and Interest 1864
37,397 80
County Tax Special at 50 cents
74,872 66
Total Tax.
142,575 98
Acres in Cultivation, Wheat.
39,089
do
do
Corn.
.48,764
do
do
Field Products
41,135
The following figures of Population, Militia, Coal and Wool Products, Schools, &c., &c., of Madison County, are from the State Census for 1865:
TOWN-
SHIP.
POPULA-
TION.
MILITIA.
VALUEOF
PROD'TS
OF COAL
MINES.
VALUEOF
OF MANU-
FACTOR'S.
VALUEOF
STOCKN.
NO. OF
OF WOOL.
NO. COM.
SCHOOLS.
NO. OF
SCHOL'RS
3- 5 ...
2,268
327
S
28,200 $
61,445
345
615
4- 5 ...
990
164
116,263
1,947
207
5- 5 ...
471
91
70,200
1,013
159
6- 5 ...
S38
173
5,400
92,315
3,279
303
3- 6.
1,389
277
1,550
123,500
9,675
5
39S
4- 6.
1,624
275
1,000
138,890
2,070
5
242
5- 6 ...
818
154
6,300
97,730
2,439
285
6- 6 ..
838
148
99,864
3,380
448
4- 7.
972
133
SI,400
1,960
5
198
5- 7.
997
214
115,464
1,323
4
209
6- 7.
1,059
190
3,300
92,980
2,150
379
3-
2,389
340
850,988
94,966
1,419
6
510
4- 8.
2,970
376
est 9,000
68,800
10,375
8,195
3
351
6- 8.
1,136
228
900
95,123
7,351
4
332
3- 9.
1,367
153
96,808
3
214
5- 9.
3,542
658
5,800
55,669
109,910
3,370
11
1,028
6- 9.
1,868
226
156,541
21,461
113,667
1,992
4
403
3-10.
981
112
4-10.
93
12
7,450
21
5-10.
873
148
26,300
24,700
25,160
160
2
266
6-10.
1,854
284
25,000
39,630
950
505
Alton.
1st W'd
2,748
711
763,200
50,525
3
733
2d
2,780
549
457,400
32,630 |
4
792
3d
66
2,797
519
3,616
184,425
28,245
5
783
4tlı 6
829
106
122,900
16,350
3
177
Totals ..
42,042|
7,212 |§ 240,080|
$ 2,597,393|$ 2,039,548
53,698; 117
#11,237
...
289
3- 7
-1,500
285
71,240
5- 8.
1,291
256
1,000
9,800
115,495
...
4- 9.
...
760
103
58,125
41,005
210
576
311
NO. R.
PROD'TS
LIVE
POUNDS
* These do not include the Private Schools of the county, nor the Institutions of "Shurtleff," at U'pper Alton, nor "Monticello," at Godfrey.
22
A GAZETTEER OF
CLIMATOLOGY.
By comparison with Blodget's Climatology of the United States, we find that the mean temperatures of this region are :
Spring. 55° Same as Louisville and Washington.
Summer
75°
Autumn
55°
Winter
30-35°
66 Philadelphia ?
Mean for the year.
55°
Washington, San Francisco.
RAIN FALL.
Spring
12 inches.
Summer
14
66
Autumn
9
Winter
7
66
Total for the year
45
The following is a table of Lowest Temperature observed at Highland, in township 3, north range, 6 west and Latitude 38° 40', by Dr. Ryhiner from 1841 to 1852 inclusive :
Jan| Feb Mr Ap My | Jun Ply A'g' Sep
Oct Nov| Dec
IS41
o
O
-2 º 19
o 33
° 34
o 48
54
· 51
0 43
0 17
14
15
1842
-2
23
37
37
38
48
36
35
28
3
-3
1843.
40
50
50
49
23
18
9
1844
5
14
21
33
39
51
62
48
34
24
15
-7
1845
18
12
16
20
35
50
54
57
38
21
31
7
1846.
16
-1|
17
30
50
50
49
56
49
27
16
18
1847
5
0
13
29
43
52
56
57
43
27
19
4
1848.
5
8
2
33
47
53
60
62
41
37
15
5
1849
6
-3
27
33
41
61
60
53
48
40
29
7
1850
-8
19
22
42
54
66
59
48
30
25
4
1851
15
24
36
36
63
61
62
38
27
25
-7
1852.
-15
15
19
22
48
54
59
58
48
40
20
12
Destructive Frost .- On the night of the 26th, April, 1834, this county was visited by a frost which killed the leaves of the White Mulberry, Black Locust, Honey Locust, Catalpa, Coffee Nut, Black Walnut, Hickory, Sycamore, Ash, Persimmon, and perhaps some other trees, to the hight of about twenty feet. The foliage of the Apple tree was not injured, but its fruit, as well as other kinds of fruit, was generally destroyed.
FLORA OF MADISON COUNTY.
The following is a partial list of the trees and plants of this county: Asimina Triloba, or Papaw is found very abundant in the American and creek bottoms. Nelumbium luteum, Water Lily, common.
Podophyllum peltatum or May Apple, very abundant in shady places. Sanguinara Canadensis or Bloodroot; Lepidium Virginicum or Wild
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MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Pepper-grass; Portulaca oleracea or Purslane; Tilia americana or Lin- den, not abundant.
Zanthoxylum americanum, Prickly Ash, scaree.
Rhus typhina (?) sumach; Rhus toxicodendun, Poison Oak; Vitis aestiv- alis, Summer Grape, common.
Vitis cordifolia, Frost Grape, abundant.
Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Virginia Creeper; Aesculus pavia, Buckeye, scarce.
Acer saccharinum, Sugar Maple; Acer dasycarpum, White Maple; Neg- undo aceroides, Box Elder; Baptisia tinctoria, Indigo Weed, not abundant. Cercis canadensis, Red-bud, abundant.
Gymnocladus canadensis, Kentucky Coffee-Tree. (?)
Gleditschia triacanthos, Honey Locust; Prunus americana, Red Plum. abundant.
Prunus Chicasa, Chickasaw Plum. (?)
Prunus ecrotina, Wild Cherry; Fragaria virginiana, (?) Wild Straw- berry; Rubus occidentalis, Black Cap Raspberry; Rubus canadensis, Dew- berry, common.
Rubus villosus, Blackberry, abundant.
Rosa setigera, Climbing Rose; Rubus lucida, (?) Dwarf Wild Rose, common.
Crategus, two species or more.
Pyrus coronana, Wild Crab, abundant.
Ribes cynosbati, Wild Gooseberry, common.
Cornus florida, Dogwood; Sambucus canadensis, Elder, common.
Eupatorium perfoliatum, Thoroughwort, not common.
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Ragweed; Xanthium strumarium, Cockle Bur; Bidens bipinerata, Spanish Needle; Bidens chrysarthemoides, Beg- gar Ticks; Manta cotula, Mayweed; Leuearthemum vulgare, Ox-eye Daisy, common.
Erecthites hieracifolia, Fire Weed, not common.
Cirsium lanceolatum, (?) Common Thistle; Lappa major, Burdock; Tar- axacum densleonis, Dandelion, common. Introduced during the last thirty years.
Diospyros virginiana, Persimmon; Plantago major. Plantain, Verbas- cum thapsus, Mullein, common.
Hedeama pulegioides, Pennyroyal, not common.
Monarda didyma, Horsemint; Nepeta cataria, Catnip, common.
Marrubium vulgare, Hoarhound; Solanum nigrum, Nightshade; Physa- lis viscosa, Ground Cherry, not common.
Datura stramonium, Jamestown Weed; Asclepias cornuti, Milkweed; Fraxinus Americana, White Ash; Fraxinus Sambucifolia, (?) Black Ash; Phytolacca decandra, Poke Weed; Amarantus hybridus, Pig Weed; Rumas crispus, Sour Dock; Sassafras officinale, Sassafras; Benzoin ordor- iferous, Fever Bush, (?) common.
Ulmus americana, White Elni, abundant.
Ulmus fulva, Red Elm; Morus rubra, Red Mulberry; Urtica dioica, Stinging Nettle, common.
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A GAZETTEER OF
Cannabis sativa, Hemp; Humulus Lupulns, Hop, not common.
Platanus occidentalis, Sycamore, abundant.
Juglans cinerea, Butternut, not common.
Juglans nigra, Black Walnut, abundant.
Carya olivaeformis, Pecan, not common, (abundant in township 4 9.) Carya alba, Shell Bark Hickory, common.
Carya tomentosa, White Heart Hickory, (?) abundant.
Carya glabra, Pig Nut Hickory; Quercus macrocarpa, Overcup Oak, common. (Found here only on lowlands.) Quercus obtusiloba, Post Oak, abundant.
Quercus alba, White Oak, common.
Quereus Prinus, Chesnut White Oak, Quercus Castanea, Yellow Oak, not common.
Querens imbricaria, Laurel Oak, abundant.
Quercus nigra, Black Jack, common.
Querens tinctoria, Black Oak, abundant.
Querens rubra, Red Oak; Quercus palustris, Water Oak, common.
.,Castanea pumila, Chinquapin. (?)
Corylus Americana, Hazel Nut, abundant.
Carpinus Americana, Horn Beam, not common.
Betula, (?) Birch, scarce. (I have seen this in only two localities.) Alnus Serulata, Alder. (?)
Salix, Willow, several varieties.
Populus angulata, Cottonwood, abundant.
Juniperus Virginiana, Red Cedar, not common. (On the river bluff's above Alton.)
Arisaema triphyllum, Indian Turnip; Typha latifolia, Cat-tail; Sagitta- ria varabilis, Arrow Head; Cypripedium pubescens, Yellow Lady's Slip- per; Cypripedium candidum, (?) White Lady's Slipper, common.
Scipus pungens, (?) Bulrush.
Poa pratensis, Spear Grass, Poa compressa, Blue Grass, common.
FAUNA OF MADISON COUNTY.
The following is a list, also partial, of the animals of the county :
The Bats, Shrews and Moles are common, but we know nothing of the species. The Panther, (Felis concolor,) was occasionally seen in the early time, as also, still later, and more common, the Wildcat; (Lynx rufus.)
The Gray Wolf, (canis occidentalis,) and Prairie Wolf, (Canis latrans,) may perhaps still exist within our limits. The Gray Fox; (Vulpes Vir- ginianus,) is still not unfrequently found, particularly along the cliff's of Mississippi, which furnish numerous hiding places.
The Weasel, one or more species; the common Mink; (Putorius Vison:) American Otter; (Lutra canadensis;) the Skunk; (Mephitis mephitica;) the Badger, (Taxidea Americana;) the Raccoon; (Procyon Lotor;) the Black Bear, (Ursus Americanus,) have all been seen in the county at one time or
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MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
another, though the Bear and the Otter are probably now extinct.
The Opossum; (Didelphys virginiana,) still lives.
Of the Squirrel family we still have the Fox, Gray, Flying, Ground and Prairie Squirrel; (Scirns, Ludovicanus, Carolinensis, Volucella, Striatus and Spermaphilus.[?) the Woodchuck; (Arctomys monax,) and probably once had the Beaver; (Castor canadensis.)
Of the Muridae we have the introduced species of Rats and Mice, but what natives besides the Meadow Mouse, I am not able to mention except- ing the still common Musk Rat; Fiber zibethicus.)
Of the Hares we have (Lepus sylvaticus,) the so-called Rabbit still in great plenty.
Of the ruminating animals we had the American Elk; (Cervus cana- densis,) and still have the Deer; (Cervus virginianus) and at no remote period the American Buffalo (Bos americanus, ) must have found pastures in this part of the State. The heads, horns and bones of the slain animals were still numerous in 1818.
Of BIRDS we have or have had the following : *
Cathartes aura, Turkey Buzzard; Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk; Nanclerus furcatus, Swallow-tailed Hawk; Icteria mississippiensis, Mississippi Kite; Buteo borealis, Red-tailed Hawk; Haliatus leucoce- phalus, Bald Eagle; Falco fulvus, Ring-tailed Eagle.
Bubo virginianus, Great Horned Owl; Syrnium nebulosum, Barred Owl; Nyctea nivea, Snowy Owl.
Conurus carolinensis, Carolina Parrot.
Picus villosus, Hairy Woodpecker; Picus pubescens, Downy Wood- pecker; Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-Headed Woodpecker; Colaptes auratus, Golden-Winged Woodpecker.
Trochilus colubris, Ruby-Throated Humming Bird.
Chatura Pelasgia, Chimney Swallow.
Antrostomus vociferus, Whippoorwill; Chordeiles popetue, Night Hawk. Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.
Tyrannus carolinesis, King Bird; Sayornis fuscus, Pewee.
Turdus migratorius, Robin; came less than thirty years ago; Sialia sialis, Blue Bird.
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