USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 34
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Charity
$ 1,842.56
Paupers.
4.293.17
Roads
20,244.70
Bridges.
0,340.80
Supervising roads.
731.75
Road viewers
120.00
County farm (current expenses).
5.211.76
County farm repairs ...
46.45
County farm permanent improvements
233.28
Salaries ...
9,476.45
Stationery and printing
2,279.92
Court house
1,918.43
Jail.
1.716.10
Criminals.
1,476.25
Elections.
613.57
Inquests.
168.10)
Miscellaneous
1,247.10
Debt and interest .
9.946.17
Insurance
525.00
273.955
$ 270,467
Agricultural tools, implements and machinery
33,376
34,671
208
THE THREE STATE INSTITUTIONS IN 1880.
Wolf scalps
$145.00
Attorneys fees.
1,625.00
Grand jury.
64,35
Per diem ..
669.48
State Institutions.
701.06
Interest coupons on bonds
8,000.00
Jury warrants, circuit court.
3,348.50
Jury warrants, county court
669.80
Total, 1880 . $86,637.05
The Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane, located in our city, is not only the oldest in the state, but the number of patients it cares for is the largest. On the 30th of September, 1880, it had 633. The admissions up to October 1, 1882-the close of the biennial period-were 514. The number discharged during the period was as follows: Recovered, 141, or 27 per cent. : improved, 178; unimproved, 86; "eloped"-the Jack- sonville euphemism for "escaped"-7; died, 95, or 8 per cent. The whole number under treatment during the period was 1,147; remaining September 30, 1882, 639; re- maining to date 631; daily average presence, 639. The number of recoveries in the cases of those deranged for a period of three months and less prior to their admission was 70 per cent .- a fact which speaks volumes in favor of the management.
In 1878, at the Illinois Institution for the Education of Deaf Mutes the number of pupils in actual attendance was four hundred and twenty-six. The value of the property is estimated to be $325,000.
The present prosperity of the institution is owing in no small degree to the untir- ing labors of the present superintendent, Dr. Gillett. The State Board of Charities in their report to Governor Beveridge, say: "With the advent of Mr. Phillip G. Gillett, from Indiana, to the superintendency, in 1857, the institution entered upon a new career of vigorous growth and expansion. His energetic spirit has driven the school, the pub- lic, and even the Legislature before him ; when this has been impossible, he has some- times gone in advance, himself, and waited for the rest to come up." Asbury Universi- ty, in Indiana, in 1871, conferred on Mr. Gillett the title LL. D. The institution has grown to be an honor to the State of Illinois, and occupies a position second to none in this country.
Dr. Rhoads, owing to failing health, resigned his position as Superintendent of the Blind Asylum in 1874, and F. W. Phillips, M. D., for many years a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was appointed to the vacancy. The school con- tinues to prosper. There were in 1876, 120 pupils in attendance. Additions and improve- ments have been made from time to time, as necessity demanded. It is hoped by the friends of the institution, that the east wing will before many years be erected. When this is completed, Illinois will have furnished ample provision for all this class of un- fortunates, within her borders. The inventory and appraisement of the buildings, grounds and property belonging to the institution, on the 30th of September, 1876, was $167,558.91.
Dr. Rhoads continued as principal of the institution through a period of twenty-four years ; during which time, many improvements were made, and the institution brought to the front rank.
Dr. F. W. Phillips the present superintendent, speaking of Dr. Rhoads, says :
"Since my last report, my predecessor, Dr. Joshua Rhoads, has died. His health, feeble at the time of his resignation, continued to fail until February 1, 1876, when death relieved him of his sufferings. A graduate of the Pennsylvania University of Medicine, he was engaged in the active practice of his profession for a number of years. He was principal of the Pennsylvania Institution for the blind for four years. In 1850, he was elected principal of this institution, which position he occupied for twenty-four years. Possessed of a good mind, which was well cultivated, he was qualified both by nature and habit, for the work to which he gave so much of his life. Methodical, earnest, and in love with his work, the institution was well conducted and successful under his administration. At the time of his death he had entered upon his seventieth year."
CHAPTER XII .- 1881-'84.
The Present Condition and Prospects-City and County Officials-Churches and Schools -Criminal-Meteorology of 1883, Including the Disastrous Liter Tornado -- Realty and Personal Property Values-Manufactures-Public Improvements.
S WE reach the present prosperous era in our city's history we find the work of glancing over the whole field in a single chapter as difficult as it is delightful. The condensation necessary in such summarizing will destroy all attempts at descriptive writing and all enlivening details, confining us to statistics and briefest possible statements, although the period covered is less than three years, or only one-half the time embraced in the other divisions of this historic view of Jack- sonville.
The city government from April 1880 to 1881 was as follows: John R. Loar, mayor ; J. W. Melton, city clerk ; C. Harry Dummer, city attorney; John Pyatt, city marshal ; J. F. Nagle, street commissioner : William H. Beastall, keeper city prison: Dr. C. G. Brown, health warden.
Aldermen-M. H. Walsh, Charles Widmayer, W. E. Capps, W. H. Thompson, J. M. Goodrick, W. C. Wright, George Hayden and Abram Wood.
From April. 1881 to 1882, it was: John R. Loar, mayor ; J. W. Melton, city clerk : George J. Dod, city attorney : B. F. Beesley, treasurer : Peter Rabbitt, city marshal ; Arch. Norris, street commissioner : Lee G. Minter, keeper city prison ; Dr. C. G. Brown, . health warden.
Aldermen-M. H. Walsh, Charles Widmayer, Phillip Lee, Jonathan Neely. W. C. Wright, D. M. Simmons, Abram Wood, Dr. C. K. Sawyer.
From April, 1882 to 1883, it was: Charles Widmayer, mayor: George E. Sybrant, city clerk ; Peter Rabbitt, marshal: Frank I. McDonald, treasurer ; C. A. Barnes, city attorney; John F. Nagle, street commissioner : Lee Minter, keeper city prison : Dr. W. H. H. King, health warden.
Aldermen-William Eppinger, James J. Murphy, Fred L. Sharpe, John E. Brad- bury, George Jameson, James Montgomery, W. Chauncey Carter, Felix G. Farrell.
From April. 1883 to 1884, it was: Edward S. Greenleaf, mayor ; George E. Sybrant, clerk : Peter Rabbitt, marshal; John A. Ayers, treasurer: C. H. Dummer, attorney ; Lewis R. Mitchell, street commisioner : Lee Minter, keeper city prison: Dr. Morris H. Goodrick, health warden.
Aldermen-William Eppinger, James J. Murphy, Robert D. Russell, William A. Oliver, George Jameson, Wesley Snyder, John W. Hall, W. Chauncey Carter.
From April, 1884 to 1885, it is: Joseph Tomlinson, mayor, (Rep.); George E. Sybrant. clerk, (Rep.): Charles E. Goodrick, marshal, (Rep.); D. M. Simmons, street commissioner, (Rep.); John A. Ayers, treasurer, (Rep.); C. H. Dummer, attorney, (Rep.)
Aldermen-W. P. Callon. (Dem.,) Wm. Eppinger, (Dem,.) M. H. Carroll, (Dem .. ) John Hopper, (Rep .. ) W. Snyder, (Rep.,) Thomas Rapp. (Rep .. ) John W. Hall, (Rep.,) W. C. Carter, (Rep.)
Fire department James Mitchell, chief ; Charles Meade, assistant. Health warden, Dr. T. M. Cullimore. Sextons, Diamond Grove cemetery, E. R. Walters; Jacksonville cemetery, Caleb Letton. Policemen, E. M. Allen, John Hoban, Joseph Vieria, James Rutledge and Isaac Hicks. Board of Education, 1st ward George W. Smith (Dem.,) 2d ward Ensley Moore. (Rep .. ) 3d ward Thomas J. Bronson. (Dem .. ) 4th ward Julian P. Lippincott. (Rep.) Superintendent of Public Instruction, Prof. H. M. Hamill, (Dem.)
210
COUNTY OFFCIALS-CHURCHES-HOMICIDES.
Board of Water Commissioners, Felix G. Farrell, (Dem.,) W. Chauncey Carter, (Rep.,) Alex. Platt, (Rep .; ) superintendent, D. C. Fry, (Rep.,) engineer, Alex. Armstrong, (Rep.)
It will be observed that the dominant political party of the nation, from 1860 to 1884, have complete control of all branches of the municipal government. On the other hand turning to the list of county officials we find the reins in Democratic hands.
1881-'82 .- Sheriff and collector, W. H. Hinrichsen; assessor and treasurer, W. H. Wright; circuit clerk and recorder, John N. Marsh ; clerk of county court, Benjamin R. Upham; superintendent of schools, C. M. Sevier; Surveyor, James Cain; Coroner Daniel Riley ; commissioners, M. S. Kennedy, Charles Heinz, John H. Matthews.
1883-'84-Representatives, I. L. Morrison, (R.,) E. M. Kinman, (D.) Sheriff, W. C. Wright, (D.) Treasurer, Irvin Dunlap, (D.) County Clerk, B. R. Upham, (R.) County Judge, M. T. Layman, (R.) School Superintendent, C. M. Sevier, (D.) Coroner, A. H. Hocking, (D.) Commissioners, Job W. English, (D.,) M. S. Kennedy, (D.,) Charles Heinz, (D.)
First Presbyterian church burned in 1861 and the brick building, taking its place, having been dedicated January 6, 1867, was burned in 1883. Rev. L. M. Glover, for a third of a century, was the faithful and beloved pastor of this church, and passed from earthly scenes mourned and regretted by all regardless of church bias or sectarian creed. The Rev. J. R. Sutherland D. D., was the pastor for 1882-'84, resigning his charge June 22, 1884, to accept a call to Rockford. This people were for a second time made home- less through fire on the 26th of September, 1883. The work of rebuilding began in July, 1884, upon what was known as the Dr. Cassell property corner of West State and North Church streets, where, at present writing, a very handsome brick edifice is rap- idly rising. No steps have been taken towards filling the vacant pulpit.
Since January 1881, Rev. H E. Butler has been pastor of the Congregational church with a growing church strongly attached to him.
The M. E. preachers have been as follows :
Brooklyn-George B. Wolfe, 1881-'82; D. Gay, 1883; James Leaton, 1884.
Centenary-Horace Read, 1881; M. D. Hawes, 1882-'83-'84.
Grace-W. H. Webster, 1880-'82; W. N. McElroy, 1883-'84.
Presiding elder, George Stevens, 1880-'83; J. A. Kumler, 1884.
As to the latest criminal cases affecting human life :
George Hutchinson was indicted for the murder of Miss McNamara by assisting in performing an abortion, was indicted by the grand jury and plead guilty to manslaughter May 15th, 1882, being given 18 months in the penitentiary.
Matheson Munday was indicted in Greene county for the murder of James Sheriffs, but brought his case here by change of venue. McDonald and King prosecuted and English and Carr defended. A trial was had in May 26th, 1883; the defendant being found guilty and sentenced to Joliet for 14 years. This was a bad case and created much excitement in Greene county.
George W. Cooper was the last person to be indicted and tried for murder, his trial taking place November term of court 1883. He was charged with the murder of John Stewart. E. L. McDonald, states attorney, prosecuting, and Wilson and Epler defending. The jury found the defendant not guilty.
By a general review of the homicide trials of the sixty years under consideration in this work we find that 43 persons have been charged with murder in Morgan county. We are glad to state that none of the accused persons were women. Of the 43 indicted 13 were found "not guilty," and eight cases were stricken from the docket. The highest penalty was death, though the escape of the prisoner prevented an execution. The next most severe sentence was that of Isaac Berry, who was sent up for life. The other periods run thus: one for 22 years; one for 21; two for 20; three for 15'; one for 14; two for 10; one for 8; three for 5; one for 2; one for 18 months; and three for 1 year. Of these the average sentence is ten years and one month. Include in the average those who were acquitted and the average punishment for all indicted is about five years
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS-PRESIDENT TANNER. 211
in the penitentiary. In conclusion, we might say that Morgan county, considering its population, is much below most of the other counties in the state, in the number of in- dictments for murder, that have been found, and that the average sentence is above the general average punishment. We can only hope, that this list will not be added to, in many years.
To the people of Illinois there is, perhaps, nothing of more importance than the public schools. They have grown into a vast agency-an agency that is attracting much attention in the country. Illinois is spending yearly from $7,000,000 to $8,000,000 for the maintenance of her public school system. The general verdict in intelligent circles is that it is money well spent.
Hon. James P. Slade, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and his assist- ants, were longand busily engaged recently in revising and reviewing the reports of coun- ty superintendents for the year 1881. The report from this county, prepared by Prof. Henry Higgins, shows up as follows :
Persons under twenty-one. 16,137
Persons between sixteen and twenty-one
10,338 Public Schools. 110 Pupils enrolled. 6,882
Teachers employed. 186
New school houses
1
Amount received during the year .$133,976.23
$87,917.03
Amount expended.
Loan of dist. funds 65.00- 87,982.03
Balance $ 45,994.20
Amount paid teachers. 60,323.54
The present system of public schools has been in operation eighteen years. They have constantly advanced until now they have reached the front rank of any in the state. They have been under the most complete and thorough system and governed in the most satisfactory manner. They have always held first rank for their thoroughness and good scholarship, and have been a great blessing to the county. .
A special meeting of the trustees of Illinois College was held in this city on Mon- day, March 6th, 1882, to take into consideration the question of filling the office of pres- ident of the college, rendered vacant by the resignation of Dr. J. M. Sturtevant. The meeting was fully attended, all the trustees being present except two, and by a hearty and unanimous vote, Rev. E. A. Tanner, D. D., the professor of Latin language and lit- erature in the college, was elected president, to assume the duties of the office, at the close of that scholastic year. Of the appointment the Journal, at the time, said :
Prof. Tanner is a graduate of Illinois College, of the class of 1857, and has been engaged in teaching ever since his graduation. with more than ordinary success. In 1861 he was appointed Professor of the Latin Language and Literature, in the Pacific University of Oregon, a position which he held until 1865, when he was elected to the same chair in Illinois College, which he still holds. While teaching in Pacific Uni- versity Professor Tanner also studied theology and was ordained as a minister of the Congregational church.
During his residence in Jacksonville he has often filled the pulpit in various eburches in this and other cities, and his success as a pulpit orator has been co-exten- sive with his experience. We venture to predict that Prof. Tanner will meet the de. mands of the presidential office as fully, and with as much credit to himself and those who have chosen him to this office, as he has hitherto met the demands made upon him as student, professor and preacher. We cannot ask that he should do more.
Throughout its history, like all other western institutions of learning, the college has found its current expenses largely exceeding its income, and to balance its yearly accounts, has felt forced to borrow from its principal. This has prevented its unpro- ductive property and endowment funds from increasing as rapidly as might have been expected by those unacquainted with the situation. The trustees have, however, recently adopted a rule to which they will rigidly adhere, namely : "The current expenses of the college shall be kept within its income." This principle is vital to the prosperity of the institution. Had there been no "Illinois" there would be in Jacksonville few, probably none, of the female seminaries and state institutions. Its location here brought the
1
x
Illiteracy-Persons in the county between the ages of 12 and 21 unable to read and write FINANCIAL EXHIBIT-RECEIPTS.
212
ILLINOIS COLLEGE, ITS RESOURCES AND FACULTY.
others in its train, by directing public attention throughout the state to this place, as a center best suited to foster the interests of liberal learning and christian philanthropy. Silent forces generated here have contributed not a little to the higher civilization which is our delight. Strong men drawn this way by the college, directly or indirectly, have developed all these resources, material and immaterial. Of its four hundred graduates not a few have occupied, and still occupy, important positions in different parts of the republic, while thousands of others, who have passed a shorter period within these halls of learning, have aided greatly in elevating the standard of good citizenship throughout the country. In short, Illinois College has been a better maker of history than of money.
The resources of the college, in 1884, are as follows :
Interest bearing notes secured on real estate. $ 45,000
Interest bearing subscription notes. 20,000
Farm yielding fair rent .. .. 6,000
Farm taken on mortgage, probably yielding income next year. 4.000
City lots yielding no income 3,000
17,000
Subscription notes, soon productive
60,000
Site.
Buildings, libraries and apparatus
75,000
Total $260,000
The college is free from debt, and we consider this a fair valuation ; but, to nse figures easily remembered, you may call the clean assets a quarter of a million, half in productive and half in unproductive property. The income from endowments is about $7,500; that from term bills about $4,500, total, $12,000, -- the amount of current expenses.
Whipple Academy is the preparatory school of Illinois College, and it is under the control of the same board of trust, and instruction is given by the same corps of teachers.
The college library numbers about 10,000 volumes. An extensive collection of mechanical apparatus for the illustration of the principles of chemistry and physic, has also been added to the college equipment.
The two literary societies -- Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha-each possess valuable libra- ries and convenient halls.
Of Illinois College now at its highest point of prosperity with grounds and build- ings in best of condition, it should be mentioned that the members of faculty are the following :
Edward A. Tanner, D. D , president and professor of the Latin language and litera- ture.
Julian M. Sturtevant, D. D., LL. D., professor of mental science and science of gor- ernment, and instructor in political economy, moral philosophy and evidences of Chris- tianity.
Rufus C. Crampton, LL. D., Hitchcock professor of mathematics and astronomy.
Henry E. Storrs, A. M., PH. D., Hitchcock professor of natural sciences and in- structor in German.
Harvey W. Milligan, A. M., M. D., professor of history and English literature.
Edward B. Clapp, A. M., Collins professor of the Greek language and literature.
Harold W. Johnston, A. M., instructor in Latin.
Lieut. N. H. Barnes, U. S. N., instructor in natural sciences and mathematics. Joseph R. Harker, principal of Whipple Academy.
During the past few years the Jacksonville Female Academy has made rapid and substantial gains in all that renders an institution of learning valuable to its patrons. Its friends are justly proud of its record of fifty-four years of successful work. This. in itself, with all its associations and memories, is a rich endowment for any institution.
The present standing of the academy in excellence of appointments and instruction, healthfulness and beauty of location, stability and independence of character has given it deserved command of a large and discriminating patronage.
The school year 1883-'84 was the most happy and successful in the history of the
213
FEMALE ACADEMY ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE.
institution. The entire capacity of the building was filled from the opening of the year, and many applicants declined for want of room. The excellence of instruction, the high character of pupils in attendance, the spirit of earnestness that pervaded all departments, the general good health and freedom from all forms of interruption, have secured results highly satisfactory to all connected with the institution.
The institution is provided with a good library and reading room, furnished with the best periodicals of the day, to which the pupils have daily access.
The government of the school is in the hands of the principal; it is designed to be mild and genial, but watchful and strict in the enforcement of all wholesome rules of study and propriety. It aims to secure a prompt and cheerful obedience to rightful authority ; to lead pupils to act from right principle, and to discipline to truth and hon- esty in all the relations of life. This year a new building was erected, running directly south of chapel, fifty-four feet in length by forty wide, with first story joined to walls of main building. The basement room of the new building is divided north and south into two divisions, the east division devoted to music rooms, the west division entire-forty- four feet in length by sixteen wide-devoted to play room and gymnasium. This room is furnished with apparatus for physical exercise, and in care of a teacher skilled in this department. It will also afford abundant room for roller skating.
The south wall of first story of main building has been removed, and the chapel enlarged by an extension of ten feet south. The first floor, in addition to extension of chapel, is divided into an entry-way and cloak room on each corner, east and west, a hall running through center north and south, with two large recitation rooms on each side.
The second and third floors of new building are twelve large rooms for young la- dies, with spacious closets framed into the walls.
There is also an extension of the study and reading room, and an extension for bath rooms, closets and water pipes, all outside of main walls of both buildings. The total improvements aggregated a cost of $12,000.
The whole establishment, including new and present buildings, is now heated with steam. A new and complete system of ventilation has been introduced in connection with the steam heat, which secures for the institution perfect sanitary regulation, and all that can be desired for convenience, comfort and safety.
With these improvements completed, the academy is one of the best equipped in- stitutions in the country for the education of young ladies.
The Illinois Female College has been in successful operation since 1847, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The location of this institution- in a town favorably known throughout the west for its social and literary advantages, for the absence of most of the vices of larger cities and the presence of many virtues- is an item worthy of consideration with those having daughters to educate.
Though this college has been partially destroyed by fire at three different times, yet at present it is entirely free from financial embarrassment; this and the foregoing advantages should entitle it to the confidence of the entire community.
Rev. W. F. Short is the worthy president of the board of instruction at this time. The accommodations of the Illinois Female College are as full and satisfactory as those of any school of like grade in the west. The teachers have been selected, not alone for their high qualifications as educators, but also for their worth as christian ladies. It has its classical, scientific and musical departments, and is arranged on the President's Home plan, with his family and the teachers living in the college, and having charge not only of the intellectual, but of the social and religious instruction of the students. The college has, without interruption, continued its prosperous career till its graduates number four hundred and forty-three ; and several thousandothers have received partial education within its halls, many of whom are the first women in the church, in society, and in usefulness in the communities where they reside.
The buildings are commodious and substantial, and are equipped with the most modern facilities and appointments, such as suitable and completely furnished rooms,
214 ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE-Y. L. ATH .- CONSERVATORY.
gas-light, water-hot and cold, &c., &c. There is hardly another school building in the west that combines equal advantages for comfort, health and safety.
The president and teachers reside in the college, and exercise constant watchful- ness over the deportment, application and health of the pupils.
Mrs. Sarah B. Short, wife of the president, has entire charge of the household de- partment, and possesses the highest adaptation to the position of matron; and, having had experience in rearing daughters to womanhood, she is capable of that motherly and christian sympathy and counsel which young ladies constantly require.
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