USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 16
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At the Jacksonville Female Academy Miss Price was succeeded, as principal, by Mr. John Adams, afterwards LL. D., who had had a long and successful career as a teacher at the east, first for fifteen years in the Academies of Canterbury, Plainfield and Colchester, Connecticut, his native State, and then for twenty-two years as head of Phillips' Academy, at Andover, Mass., an institution of high grade, designed to give preparation for the colleges of New England and even for advanced standing in them, therefore requiring the best scholarship; and, as well, the highest qualities of a cultur- ed Christian manhood; likewise rendering necessary the utmost skill and prudence in the exercise ot government and discipline. All these qualifications Mr. Adams had, in an unusual degree. The great work of his life was done at Andover. While connected with that school he had under his care an aggregate of more than eleven hundred pu- pils, of whom about one-half afterwards graduated from colleges; and, to say nothing of other learned professions, more than two hundred of that number entered the minis- try. Mr. Adams came west, preceded by a great reputation as an educator of youth.
Dr. Glover says of him: Already advanced beyond the age of threescore, it is pre- sumable that he thought his work nearly done, and was meditating only what might concern the welfare of his family in the coming evening of his days; but on his arrival in Illinois he found that he was still in demand, and that opportunities of special use- fulness and of giving to his life-work a more rounded fulness, were by no means want- ing The principalship of this Academy was offered him. He accepted it in February, 1837, and his school opened May 17th, with twenty-three pupils. He entered upon the work with much of the enthusiasm of his youth, being assisted in it by his cultured daughters, Emily and Phebe, teachers brought up under his hand, and readily second- ing his views and methods. Mr. Adams had a long experience in educating, but he had no experience of the sort that was dawning upon him. He had taught in male, but not in female Academies. Girls direct from the prairie, the timber, and the creeks, and about as wild as any of the creatures which in the early days had their homes in those haunts crowded about him. Their manners were ungainly, their provincialisms were barbarous, and it was a question whether the venerable pedagogue from the neigh- borhood of Boston would understand such material or be able to make anything of it. But he saw the situation at once, and, unlike some in their profession, had the good sense and grace to adapt himself to it. He perceived no difference between the youth of the east and of the west, but such as resulted from circumstantial causes, and he well knew that the work upon which he was entering was the very work by which alone the scale could be re-adjusted and the equal balance restored. His policy in dealing with wild girls was first of all to win their hearts, then he had them secure and could mould them to any form he pleased. Love was the power by which he sub- dued them; this was his only threat, this his only penalty; he had no occasion to call in parents or trustees to help enforce authority. Often the wrong-doer was melted by his tender manner and tearful eye, often she threw her arms about his neck in token of unqualified and happy submission. His will was like iron, but his heart had all the soft tenderness of childhood. His law was like that of the Medes and Persians, but it was law in the hands of a mediator.
The school greatly flourished under his care, but as catalogues were not published and records are missing, it is impossible to give any exact statistics of that part of our history. But it is known that the numbers in attendance were such as rendered the completion of the building necessary, and it was accordingly completed and made ready for use toward the close of Mr. Adams' administration. The Academy under him was still in its forming period; struggling toward shape, and order, and classifica- tion; aiming at a regular curriculum, and a higher standard; also beginning to venture in the direction of artistic and ornamental branches; but the transition was slow, and Mr. Adams had the honor of laboring at the problem where its difficulties were great- est His term of service continued six years, or until the spring of 1848, when he re- tired from the work of teaching in which he had been almost continuously engaged for forty-eight years. But even then his work was not done, but for ten years he traveled and labored incessantly in an agency for the American Sunday School Union,
95
MRS. BANCROFT'S REMINISCENCES OF 1837.
accomplishing what would have been marvellous had he been in his prime, and not al ready past the boundary of human life. It is meet that they who live thus should live long, and we cannot be surprised that where there was such wisdom there should have been such length of days. Mr. Adams died in the 91st year of his age, April 24th, 1863.
Rev. W. H. Williams, A. M., succeeded to the principalship of the Academy in 1843. He had been for a short time pastor of the First Presbyterian church and was a gentleman of liberal culture and finished manners, and, aided by his accomplished wife, he did much, during his five years of service, by way of promoting classification with reference to required courses of study looking to graduation, thus stimulating the am- bition of pupils and encouraging them in the pursuit of a more lengthened, systematic and thorough training. Primary and advanced departments were organized, the latter including junior, middle and senior classes with distinct lines of study running through three years, with the promise of honorable testimonials at the end of that period. Painting and music were more formally introduced than before. Daily records of scholarship, manners, deportment, were kept and the result disclosed at the end of each term Regular study hours were appointed and enjoined. Catalogues were pub- lished and scattered abroad; public examinations were held.
Mr. Adams was aided by his two daughers, one of whom, Mrs. J. H. Bancroft, survives. Mr Williams was aided by his wife, Mrs. Abby L. Williams, Miss Lucretia II. Kimball, Miss Catherine Murdock and Miss Marie P. Fitch.
At the Academy semi-centennial celebration in June, 1880, Mrs. Emily Adams Bancroft, who came in 1837 and is still spared to a life of usefulness and honor among us, gave some interesting reminiscences from which we quote as far as they relate to the period considered in this chapter :
As one of the early settlers, and a witness to the many trials through which pioneers are called to pass, you will permit me to pay a tribute of love and affection to that noble band of men and women, who stood so firmly for truth and battled for the right-per- sons of enlarged views and generous with their means, laying the foundations of society broad and deep. A few of these are still spared and are with us to-day; their children and other residents are enjoying the benefits of their labors. The thousands who now live in this city do not and cannot realize the struggles of the few hundred, who came to this place to establish institutitions of learning and build our churches. They laid their plans not on the narrow scale of that age and this world, but with a wise reference to all coming time. They were thinking of the millions of immortal souls who were to occupy this western valley, of the future influence of their exertions, and that other generations would soon sit in judgment upon their works. I am thankful that I am present on this occasion, and cau testify to the earnest, self-denying efforts of those to whom we owe so much.
Many of the customs, habits and fashions have passed away, and of some of these we are glad. We shall never forget our feelings as we approached this building forty- three years ago. It was standing solitary and alone. with but one house between it and Illinois College. No trees, or grass, or shadows. Our parlor was in the basement. The second story was the school and recitation rooms; the third sleeping apartments; the fourth the attic. We could roam and ride over this prairie with not a house or fence to obstruct our passage. We were homesick and sad, but as we had been four weeks travel- ing day and night, we did not care to retrace our steps. Our mirrors (in whose face we had often gazed) were crushed, our tables and chairs broken; all for a few days seemed desolate Soon the furniture was mended, the Brussels carpet (the third brought to this town), was spread, and happiness and cheerfulness filled the place. We are glad to-day that the old east wing has given place to this large and commodious building. We never passed this spot without admiring it; for the taste and neatness displayed, for the beauti- ful lawn, and the dear old trees, but dearer than all is the old basement. It was there. morning and evening, we gathered around the family altar, while the dear old father read from the book be loved so much. There, we spent our evenings in social chat with the young gentlemen, (now the grey-headed men of our city). There, in her youth and beauty, my sister was married. There the farewell word was spoken. Though all else be removed, let not the tender associations connected with the old basement ever pass away. We found here some educated, refined persons. The people generally were hospitable, free, easy, sociable; in some localities a fear was expressed at the importation ot so many Yankeee. All were on an equality as to houses. Log cabins, basements, smoke houses, were occupied; anything, which would afford a shelter. Some of the most pleasant par- ties were in those good old times. Friendships were formed, which have continued, cemented by age, severed only by death.
The style of the dress of the western people was peculiar, in size shape, quality, etc. Six yards of calico were ample for a dress, no trails or overskirts were worn. The old fashion has given place to the new, the plain skirt to the polonaise, with its ruffles and plaits, its loops and bows and fringes, its beads and bugles and jets, its velvet and pas. simentary trimmings, until we lose sight of the wearer and gaze upon what is worn.
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THE FIRST PIANO-MUSIC TEACHING-FLOWERS.
The sun bonuet, so universally worn, was made of calico or gingham, with pieces of pasteboard, in size and shape like a lath, removed at pleasure. This has given place to the turban, or to the crown, with a front turned up at one side, or both, worn either on the front or the back of the head, or sideways, or to the almost invisible hat. Surely "the fashion of this world passeth away."
It was very difficult to arrange or organize a school, there was such a diversity as to what and when certain studies should be pursued; a restlessness and uneasiness for fear of too much or too little taught. One instance on this point will suffice. A man called one morning, saying to my father as he entered the room, I hate came to see if you are qual- itied to teach my daughter. "What do you wish her to study?" "I don't want no arith- metic, I don't want no grammar, I want geometry, geology, philosophy, and rhetoric." "Well," says my father, "I will examine her, and see what she is prepared to study." "I don't want her examined," he said, "I have came to examine you." "Well, please pro- ceed." After asking a few questions and receiving ready replies, he said, "I think upon the whole, you will do." About two weeks after, two ladies called. "We hear you are about to form a class in Natural Philosophy?" "Yes," was the reply. "We do not think young ladies should study the sciences; if they can read and spell, write and count, it is all they need to know." We thought the examination of teachers had passed away, but we hear that in the public schools of our city, they are examined and re-examined quite frequently.
We take pride in the musical taste and the appreciation of art, high art in our city, and justly too; but this is not all new, We had music and drawing in those old times. When we came here there were six pianos in the place. Dr. Beecher brought the first. The one rented by the Academy was from London, small, having five octaves. Its legs resembled in size and general appearance, a modern stick of candy. It gave forth uncertain sounds, sometimes discordant but never in harmony. With all our tuning, we could not get it up to concert pitch without snapping first one, then another ot the strings. I say we, for we then did our own tuning. The first music teacher was a young lady from Philadelphia, Miss Dwight, now Mirs Wolcott, who is with us to-day. She taught classical music, too. Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and other music so popular at the present time. My sister gave some lessons in drawing, but the first one who organized a class was Mrs. B. F. Stevenson, who, with some of its members, is present. The first geranium brought here adorned the basement window of the old building. This can be proved by Mrs. Wadsworth, who has since shown her fondness for flowers. A slip was given her, with the injunction to watch it, and see it put forth little tendrils. She was faithful and pulled it up each night to see how much it had grown through the day. The first calla lily was brought by Mr. J. 0. King. The musical circles, the Art Association and Horticultural Society, must remember that they are enjoying what was commenced years ago in this Academy.
The subject of female education was agitating the public mind then as now. We have neither time or inclination to dwell upon this theme only as it relates to the estab- lishment of this Academy and the formation of the Ladies' Education Society. That we may fully appreciate the motives, which brought them into being, we must invert the telescope and take a view of this town and surrounding as it then stood. These prairies, covered with flowers which bloomed and faded, had but recently been trod- den by the foot of civilization. Five years before, the logs were drawn to erect the first building in this place. Illinois College was in its infancy. Small communities, which could not boast the name of villages, were found here and there in different parts of the Sate. Influenced by social feelings, they had brought their houses near together, while their farms were scattered far and wide. Moral dearth was visible amid the luxuriance of an earthly paradise No Sabbath, no sanctuary, no school. Families were found with four and five adults; not one could read. There were in the Southern and Western States not less than 1,400,000 children destitute of common school instruction; forty-six counties in one of our Western States, in which there Was not a single female teacher It needed no prophetic eye, as they glanced over those boundless fields and saw the tide of emigration pouring in to see the rise of towns and cities, and to imagine the time when they would be surrounded by a dense and still increasing population. With the exception of Carrollton, an unbroken prairie lay between this place and St. Louis-the northern part of the State was then the home of the Indian. The Catholics were selecting places where to establish institutions. A few benevolent ladies were aroused to action, resolved to labor 'till the cloud of mental darkness was rolled away.
In Illinois College new teachers were employed and new hopes were entertained. Then followed the financial crash of 1837, ruining most of the subscribers and making their paper worthless. For ten years the struggle continued, the college became more and more involved financially, until, in 1838, it cleared itself from debt, by giving up the larger part of its property. Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., served as president from 1821 to 1544.
97
Towy TRUSTEES AND LEGISLATORS THE FIRST NEWSPAPER.
This panic of 1537 wa- the greatest money panic that ever occurred. The banks all sus- pended, and until 1540 there was no money seen. But they lived through it, and we honor the energy and enterprise which survived it all. It yet remains with the young. er men of today to occupy the land with equal energy. They should say that they are chips off the old block. and determined to do as well as their fathers did.
By 1840, according to the United States census, and notwithstanding seriou- draw. back- the population of Jacksonville numbered 1900.
The town trustees during this period 1537- 43 inclusive. were :
William Miller. 1937: Wm. P. Warren. 1537; George Mc Henry. 1-36 '38: Garrison W. Berry, 1837-3> : James Dunlap, 1837 ; Samuel W. Prosser. 153s : Philip Coffman, 153 ; Nathan Ge-t. 1935: Matthew Stacy, 1-39-40-41: John Hurst. 1-39-40-41-42: E. T Miller, 1-30-40-41-42-43: * Wm. Branson, 1:30: Robert T. Mc Neely. 1:39: * I-ase D. Rawlings. 1840-41-42-43; Cornelius Hook, 1540-41-42-43: Peter Hedenburg. 1845 : John Henry, 1543.
The result of the elections during the period embraced in this chapter was as follows :
1537 .- For creating Cass county. 500: against creating Cass county. 479. For Repre- sentative to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Stephen A. Douglas John Wyatt.
1938-40 .- For Congress, Jonn T. Stuart beats Stephen A. Douglas 119 vote- For State Senator. * Win. Thomas. For Representatives. John Henry, John J. Hardin. Wm. Gilham. N. Cloud. W. W. Happy. For Sheriff. A. Dunlap. Coroner. Anthony Arnold. County Commissioners, W. L. Seargent, John White, Wm. Woods.
1539 .- For Probate Justice. D. Pat Henderson : County Recorder. James Mckinney : County Clerk. Joseph Heslep: County Treasurer. John Green: County Surveyor. H. Saunderson: County Commissioner, Isaac Ward.
1840-42 .- For State Senator. John Henry : Representatives. Jeremiah Cox. J. Park- inson. J. J. Hardin : Sheriff. Ira Davenport : Coroner, Robert Saunderson : County Com- missioner. George Englebach.
1841 .- Congress, John T. Stuart, re-elected : County Commissioner. Harvey Routt. 1842-'44 .- State Senator John Henry: Representatives, Newton Cloud. Wm Weatherford. David Epler. Richard Yates: Sheriff. A. Dunlap: Coroner. Samuel Reaugh : County Commissioner Jacob Ward.
1843 .- County Recorder, Josiah M. Lucas.
Newspapers and periodicals have not been supported with the degree of patronage that we would naturally expect from such an educated centre. It was not until long after the population was large enough to need a local press that the first attempt to establish a weekly new-paper wa- made. Afterward- quite a number of efforts were made, and proved failures. But the first paper of which we can hear that continued any length of time was the Illi ix Patrie, with J. G. Edwards as editor and proprie- tor. In the latter relationship he was succeeded by Gov. Duncan. In 1-3s Josiah M. Lucas became the owner. He changed the name of the sheet to the Ilimnice. and for a while Buckner & Hardin (Col. John J.) were the editors, afterwards Lucas him- self. Cotemporaneous with the Illinois i was the Jacky wille Sin diri, a democratic sheet, published and edited by ยง S. Brooks, of the Qinry Herold. It ran a course of two years and fainted away for want of circulation, but afterwards revived for a spell only to soon die sive die.
Mr. Lucas continued in control of the Remise until about 1-45, when he was elected recorder of Morgan county, which office he resigned. He wa- re-elected that same year and retired from the Illie is ..
Major Lucas, later in life, became the representative of his government in Foreign land- as United State- Consul at Tunstall. England, and today is a residentof : Lqui -. Missouri.
* Now living here.
98
STATE NEWS IN 1838-THE LINCOLN-SHIELDS DUEL
As giving an insight into affairs in 1838 we will quote from an issue of his paper, of November 10th, when A. H. Buckner, was associated with him as editor. The first editorial is to the familiar tune of "Pay Up." The patrons are informed that it takes no small amount of cash to buy paper, ink, etc., and "to pay our journeymen." It seems that the paper then had a weekly circulation of 1,200.
A quotation is made from the Springfield Journal announcing "the departure of the postmaster at Pekin for Texas," with $600 of the people's money.
"Is not this," says the Illinoian, "carrying out the sub treasury scheme? What a glorious band of fellow laborers against the bank will be found in the young repub- lic of Texas; all boasting how they have profited by this experiment of the 'powers that are! "
And is it at all surprising that such fellows should be warm in the support of Van Buren, etc. There is also considerable denunciation of "Loco-foco" leaders and presses.
In State news we find that Mr. Goug has been elected to the Lower House from Macon county, vice Dr. Reddick, deceased ; that Gen. James Turney, of Greene county, has been appointed to the Galena land office, vice H. B. Truett, resigned ; that Bishop Chase bas located a college on the Vermillion river, LaSalle county, near Ottawa, styled the "Jubilee College ;" and that a branch of the State bank has been located at Belleville.
Reference is made editorially to "a rencoutre at Burlington, Iowa Territory," to the election of Hon. S. S. Phelps as United States Senator from Vermont, and of Jennison, the Whig candidate, for Governor by 5,507 majority.
Nathaniel Coffin has a column communication in regard to Illinois College, in re- ply to an article previously published, with manifest tendency to injure the College in its pecuniary concerns as well as its general character." He gives this serap of history :
"This seminary was opened January, 1830. It was then a mere school for young men and boys and was opened for all, withont regard to age, and almost without re- gard to qualifications. It began with nine and gradually increased in numbers till 1835; it then had become a college," etc., etc. He says also that, "Catalogues have been yearly published in the month of January, commencing in 1835, and on examin- ation of them I find the number of regular college students, commencing with that year and ending in 1838, to have been eight, sixteen, twenty-six, thirty, thirty-three, and thirty-seven."
It might properly be mentioned that Major Lucas is the only man now living who was an eye-witness of the alleged duel Mr. Lincoln and J. W. Shields, across the Mis- sissippi River, at Alton, in 1842. Details of that now almost forgotten "affair of honor" are still present to his mind, although he is rather reluctant to call it up out of the past, where, as he says, it is as well it should be buried. The idea of Abraham Lincoln going to the field armed with a broadsword to fight a duel seems to those who knew him in his later days, so inconsistent with his pacific character, that many have doubted the authenticity of the story. But it verily did occur, says Major Lucas, who rode down to the spot, and was there when the affair was amicably adjusted.
The challenge of Shields arose out of a quizzical newspaper article, which was written by the sister of Mrs. Lincoln, who yielded a peppery pen. This gave such of- fense to Mr. Shields that he went to the editor and demanded to know who the writer was. The editor of the paper was in a quandary, and, meeting Lincoln on the street, asked him what he had better do. "O," said Lincoln, "just tell Shields thatit was me." The editor sent a challenge to Lincoln, who had just gone to Tazewell county to attend a lawsuit.
Lincoln accepted the challenge, and the weapons selected were broadswords, which Uncle Abe knew well how to handle, having been thoroughly drilled in its use by Maj- Duncan, a brother-in-law of Maj. Lucas. The field selected for the combat was near Alton.
Major Lucas possesses a great many letters of Lincoln, written in a free, off hand spirit, and full of spirit and anecdote, which would be quite interesting to read now, only they are of a private nature, and the major would not be induced to give them publicity.
Before we leave the political field we should note the fact that Jacksonville was
90
ABOLITIONISTS HERE IN 1837-MORE CHURCHES.
peopled by many who were in conscientious and hearty sympathy with the carliest of- forts to rid this land of the curse of human bondage. An anti-slavery society was in existence in the county in 1822, and the "underground railroad" had an oft used station in this vicinity. At the famous Lovejoy convention held in upper Alton, October 26-'98, 1837, among the members enrolled were the following from Morgan county: Edward Beccher, Elihu Wolcott, Win. Carter, E. Jenney, A. B. Whitlock, and J. B. Turner. The convention was broken up by a mob of outsiders, but next day a State anti-slavery society was formed. In the election of officers Mr. Elihu Wolcott was chosen as presi- dent. An "address" to the people of the State was issued, prepared by Messrs. Wolcott, Beecher and Carter, all of Morgan county.
In regard to the first day's proceedings, with charming innocence the newspaper report, at the time, reads:
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