USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 6
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"- spacious mansions firm and strong, In place of forests dark and dense: And now instead of underbrush Runs many a line of even fence.
"But times will change! The verdant hills Are covered o'er with growing grain ; And white men till the fertile soil, Where once the red man used to reign.
"The Indian's voice is hushed and still; Existing but in Mem'ry's hall,
Where now with echoes of the Past We hear his war-whoop rise and fall!""
37
A HARD WINTER-THE FIRST PHYSICIAN.
The winter of 1819 and '20 proved to be an unusually severe one. The long grass of the prairies had been destroyed by fires lighted by the Indians or hunters, and much of the undergrowth in the woods was destroyed by the same element. Before the close of the winter, the provisions gathered by them for their stock, from places where it had escaped the ravages of the fire, gave out and they were compelled to cut down trees, from the boughs of which the cattle and horses could procure a scanty supply of food. Many of these wandered away and were lost, while several of them died from the effects of cold and hunger. The supply of food for themselves and families proved to be suf- ficient, yet their suffering from the cold was often intense.
Early in the spring Charles Collins returned to Edwardsville with his wagon and team, to aid his father, should he be sufficiently recovered, in bringing his family to the new settlement. It was just before his start to Edwardsville, that the three explor- ers, whose names and exploration we have already recorded, came, and one of them, Mr. Roe, settled at the place to which he gave the name "Diamond Grove." Mr. Col- lins with his family started on their journey about the first of March. On the way they were compelled to camp out two nights, there being no settlers between Edwardsville and their destination. On their arrival, they remained one night with Seymour Kel- logg, and then went to an unfinished cabin, erected by Mr. Olmstead who had been ex ploring this country, and had built the cabin entered temporarily by Mr. Collins. The location not being a desirable one, Mr. Collins selected his claim, erected a cabin thereon as soon as possible, and moved his family to it. When Mr. Olmstead returned with his family, he was not satisfied with the claim he had selected, and chose another, afterwards known as "Olmstead Mound," where he made his permanent home.
In 1820 Dr. George Cadwell, the first physician located in the county.
We have now fully described the earliest settlement in what is now Morgan county We have also stated the names of others who came here during the spring of 1820, and noted the places of their settlement. We have described at some length the settlement of the Kelloggs (Charles Collins being then a young man, not making a claim or found- ing a home for himself, can hardly be termed one of the early settlers) because they were the first settlers of the county, and deserve more than a passing notice. The in- formation can be relied on as correct, as Mrs. Richards distinctly remembers the emi gration and settlement of these families.
These and the other pioneers came from the southern part of the state, generally ahont Edwardsville, where some had remained but a short time on their journey to a western home. They came in emigrant wagons over the unbroken prairies, through the wild forests, fording unbridged streams, and encamping wherever the shades of night overtook them. They were seeking a home that in old age would afford them protection and comfort. Upon reaching their destination, their first care was the erec- tion of a cabin in which to shelter themselves and their families, As these primitive abodes were generally built alike by all pioneers, we will give an old writer's account of their construction, in addition to what we have written already about them.
The cabins of the pioneers were of various sizes, and generally made of round logs. Some of the more favored ones, however, had hewed log cabins, and were re- garded by their neighbors as more fortunate than themselves. "These round-log cabins were made by taking two logs, generally about one foot in diameter, and, we will suppose, thirty and twenty feet long. This length of logs would build a tolera- bly sized cabin. The logs were notched in near the ends, the shorter lald upon the longer, forming the first round, and leaving a small space between the first tier and the second, which was laid in the same manner on these. In this way round after round was laid, until the sides of the cabin were ten or twelve rounds high, as the owner might desire. The last two end logs laid were made long enough to project over the corner three or four feet, thereby forming eaves to carry the water, during a rain, that distance from the cabin. This projection also afforded a diminutive porch, and in the summer kept the hot rays of the sun from the side of the house. After these logs were laid on, completing the walls of the cabin, two logs, cut slanting at the ends, and just long enough to fit between the notches, were laid on at each end of the cabin; two more, cut in the same manner, and shorter than the first, were laid on these, and so ou until an apex was reached. On the last one, generally about one foot
38
CABIN-RAISING-THE LATCH-STRING-PROTECTING STOCK.
in length, a long log, smaller than those laid in the sides of the building, was placed from one to the other, and also projecting over each some three or four feet. To se- cure these short, slant pieces, forming the apex of the cabin, a cleft of a small tree was placed on the outside and securely pegged on, and also fastened to the last men- tioned log or pole. One or two poles of the same length as that forming the "comb of the roof," as it was called, were generally laid between the eaves and the comb, sup- plying the place of rafters. On these, clapboards-split boards about four feet in length-were laid nearly double, so as to cover the joints; the boards at the top of the cabin projecting a little over those on the other side. When the roof is thus covered, some poles were laid along the building to keep the shingles on. These poles were kept at about three feet distance from each other by pieces of wood laid on the roof be tween them These poles were called weight poles, and sometimes stones were used in their stead. When all this was complete, the cabin was "raised," and where sev- eral neighbors joined in a day's work for some new comer, or some newly married per. sons, such a cabin would be constructed in one day. It was simply now a pen without any openings, save the cracks between the logs. A door was made by sawing out a section in the logs to the lower one, which was generally sawn about half through and cut out to form a door-step. The top of the door was made in the same manner, and secured closeness. A stout piece of wood was pegged on each side, forming a jam, as it was termed, wooden hinges were made, and a door, made of split puncheon, hung thereon. A wooden latch, with a leathern string hung outside, fastened it. This old fashioned latch string was always out, and owing to the known hospitality of the pi- oneer, has given rise to a very suggestive aphorism. A door was often made on each side of the cabin. Windows, after glass came into use, were made in the same manner, though smaller, and instead of being capable of raising and lowering, as in modern times, were hung on hinges, made to slide, or taken entirely out in warm weather. The floors were made of split puncheon, in most cases joined neatly and closely to- gether, and laid on the ground, or on cross pieces. The chimney was generally placed at the end of the building, and made as follows: first, four or five logs were cut out, as for a door or window place, of whatever width the occupant chose. It was gener- ally four or five feet in width, and often wider. Then some logs were cleft and placed so that the ends came just inside the cabin wall, and projecting outward formed a square pen. These were placed one on the other until they rose as high as the open- ing in the wall The chimney was carried up, as was the cabin, until it reached the top, when it was drawn in and constructed of sticks It was drawn in gradually from the bottom upwards, until the top was generally about one foot square. It was then thoroughly chunked and "daubed;" often stones were placed at the bottom and some distance up the sides, so as to effectually prevent the action of fire. Next the cabin itself was chunked and daubed-that is, the cracks between the logs were filled with split pieces of wood, held in with pegs, and securely closed by daubing with mud It was also plastered with loam or clay, and sometimes the inside was covered with well made split boards, pegged on. It was often whitewashed where lime could be ob. tained. A ceiling was made by taking stout poles and laying them on the upper tier of logs, their ends projecting through under the eaves, and being placed from two to four feet apart. On these split boards were laid, forming a floor. Sometimes the chimneys were walled several feet in height, and were always so carefully construc- ted that fires seldom occurred.
This completed the cabin. It was now ready for occupancy, and iu it, many who now live in opulence, the fruit of years of labor, stoutly affirm they passed their hap- piest days. One room served all purposes, and when friends or travelers came, a bed was made on the floor, and every convenience offered in their power. Two cabins were often built near together, between them a space of ten or twelve feet was left, covered with a roof, and under this cover the pioneer stored many articles One side of it was generally walled up, leaving the front open A covered porch was also often seen in front of the cabins. Here the farmer could rest at noontide, and a common sight was the busy house-wife spinning under this porch on a warm summer's day.
These cabins are yet used in many parts of the state, especially in the southern and western portion. Some have more modern conveniences, and are equal to many frame dwellings now built. But in the early days of the country, none other could be made. There were no mills for sawing lumber; the pioneer was almost always poor, and was compelled to endure many privations. Yet these dwellings were comfortable, and healthy, such diseases as consumption and bronchial affections being entirely un- known.
Building for stock and for the protection of farming machinery were the result of after days. Says an old writer: "When pigs are shut up for fattening, it is common to make a fence for them of rails, in the same manner as for fields; sometimes one corn- er is covered over to make a lodging for them, but it is more common for them to be
39
KELLY LOCATES THE FIRST SPRINGFIELD HOME.
left to the mercy of the winds and weather; but as they are hardy animals, and accus- tomed to hard living and lodging, it does not appear to hurt them. There are hut few cattle yards and sheds. The cattle are most left abroad in the winter, and no other shelter but what the leafless trees afford. There were few granaries, except corn-cribs, and a few poultry houses, built generally the same as cabins, as were the stables also. The stables were often carried higher, to provide for a hay-loft; some had a rack made out of a hollow log, which answered for a manger. These out-houses were built in the forest-as well as were all the cabins-and were sheltered from the blasts of the winter thereby." As the country improved, the buildings were made better, and after the ad- vent of the railroads good substantial buildings were erected, which now appear on every hand. It is doubtful if many counties in the state excel Morgan in the fine dwellings and barns scattered over her prairies.
Before we leave this epoch, so fruitful of pioneer settlements in Morgan, we may be pardoned for glancing at our county neighbors upon the east, within whose bounds towers up the great State House, of which, although unfinished, Illinois is so justly proud. A Springfield "Visitor's Guide" says:
"In 1818, there were no white inhabitants north of Edwardsville. In the same year an old bachelor, named Elisha Kelly, a hunter from North Carolina, emigrated to this locality, and was much pleased with the country and the abundance of game.
He returned to his native state and induced his brothers to move with their families to this point. In 1819 his brother, John Kelly, built a log cabin north of the town branch, near what is now the corner of Jefferson and Klein streets. Another brother, William Kelly, built his cabin further north, on the grounds where the beautiful resi- dence of C. A. Gehrmann now stands. Other families settled around them on the edge of the timber, as all early settlers thought the prairie lands would never be settled, but would remain free pasture for those along their edge for all time.
In 1821 the county of Sangamon was formed by an act of the legislature, including what now comprises the counties of Sangamon, Logan, Mason, Menard, Tazewell, Cass and parts of Morgan, Christian, McLean, Marshall, Woodford and Putnam The same act provided for the appointment of three commissioners to select a temporary seat of justice for the new county. After thorough investigation they learned that besides the Kelly settlement, no other neighborhood contained a sufficient number of inhabitants to board and lodge the members of the court, and those who would attend its sessions. At a meeting held in John Kelly's cabin, the proper action was taken settling the question of a temporary county seat, and on account of its proximity to Spring Creek it was named 'Springfield.' Notwithstanding the efforts made at different times to change its name to Calhoun, Sangamo and Illini the name of Springfield has clung to the settlement, village and city through all its hardships and successes, until It is now a name at the mention of which its citizens feel a thrill of worthy pride, and which has achieved not only a local and state, but also a national and world-wide reputation.
The first court in the new county was held in John Kelly's cabin in May, 1821. A log court house and jail were built in the latter part of the year, at corner of Second and Jefferson streets. In 1825 the county seat was permanently located in Springfield, and a frame court house was built corner Sixth and Adams street, where the clothing house of Hall & Herrick now stands. This was in turn abandoned upon the building of a brick court house in the center of the present square in 1831. This was demolished in 1837 to give place to the State Capitol, which was that year located here and for which the citi- zens donated the ground and $50,000. The court was held in the Edwards building, at 109 North Fifth street, now occupied by Thomas DePleaux, until 1845 when the court house was built on the corner of Sixth and Washington streets, which was used until the county offiees were moved into the old state house, which had been purchased from the State for 8200.000 and interest for eight years. Upon the site of the old court house a beautiful three story stone front block of four stores was erected, an ornament to the city.
We have given the different steps taken in building of court houses as showing the rapid and steady growth of wealth and cultivation in the community, from the simple log court house costing $84 to the substantial stone structure costing over $300,000. Springfield obtained a village charter in 1832, and, prospering under its village organiza- tion .secured a city charter in 1840.
Few cities have been honored as the home of so many illustrious men-Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, E D. Baker, Stephen T. Logan, James Shields and many others whose names havs been inscribed high on the roll of fame and will be handed down as undying legacies to generation yet unborn. While Springfield has been maligned and misrepresented on all sides, and burdened almost beyond endurance by a municipal in- debtedness, she has ever, Job-like, retained her integrity, and now, re-organized under the
40
SANGAMON AND GREENE COUNTY ITEMS.
general law. her bonds refunded at low interest, her streets paved, business blocks and comfortable homes building in every direction, new manufacturing enterprises clustering about her, she can proudly point to her past record. of obligations honestly met and her garments free from even the slightest taint of repudiation
In these days of railroad progress, when towns spring up as if by magic, we fail to realize the difficulties under which our fathers labored and the obstacles an inland town had to contend with in early days.
High hopes were raised and much excitement was created in Springfield in 1832 when it was announced that the Steamer Talisman, would leave Cincinnati for Spring- field. Ill., and intermediate points. The arrival of the boat was anxiously awaited and in due time arrived in the Sangamon River near Springfield, but the problem of cheaper freights was not yet solved, as owing to the narrow channel the boat had to back down stream, and the inhabitants still had to rely on hauling their goods and produce until re- lieved by the building of railroads
Richard Matthews, Sr., and his sons Samuel, Cyrus, John and Richard, his wife, his daughter and Samuel's family, came to this county in 1821, settling on what is still known as the Matthews farm some eight miles northeast of Jacksonville. and his de- scendants are still living there and in other parts of the county.
Mr. Edward Harvey, one of the old settlers of this county, is still living in Lynnville precinct and claims that he went to school to Mr. A. K. Barber in 1821.
From a historical sketch of Jersey county, delivered at Jerseyville, July 4, 1876, by Elder B. B. Hamilton, postmaster of White Hall, we learn as to Greene county, which was organized by act of legislature in 1821, that
The first session of the county commissioner's court was held in Carrollton on the first day of May, 1821, and there were present Jobn Allen, Jehu Brown and Seymour Kellogg as commissioners, and Samuel Lee, Jr., was appointed clerk At this session the commissioners to locate the seat of justice reported, under date of February 20, 1821. This report was signed by Thomas Carlin, John Allen, Thomas Rattan and John Huitt. Of these, John Huitt is the sole survivor. The county-seat was located at Carrollton, on land donated to the new county by Thomas Carlin At this session John Wilkins was licensed to keep a tavern on the Piasa, about one mile south of Delhi. In later times Mr. Wilkins was known to many of the citizens of this county as the father-in-law of Perley Silloway, one of our early sheriff's. Twenty lots owned by the county in the town of Carrollton were ordered to be sold. * * *
Hon. Joseph Philips was judge of the circuit court at the spring term of 1822 At the October term of that year Thomas Reynolds was judge, and again at the spring term of 1823. In the September term of 1823. and then until the May term of 1825, John Reynolds was judge. From the latter date until the April term of 1827, John York Sawyer was judge. From this date until Jersey county was organized, Samuel D. Lockwood was judge. John G. Lofton was the first probate judge, as I find an allowance made him of $20.12}, in full for his service as judge of probate until he went out of office, and $5 for recording deeds. This was at the December term of the county court in 1822. He had been in that year a candidate for lieutenant governor.
Elder lIamilton tells us that Greene county records show that Seymour Kellogg, when commissioner was allowed $1 extra pay because of having to travel so far- from Apple Creek to Carrollton.
The spot where the town of Manchester now is was first settled in 1821 by Mr. Marks. The place was called at that time; "Burnt Hay Stack Spring," from the char- red remains of a stack of prairie hay that was burned by the side of the passing trail, and was afterwards known as Marsh's Point.
CHAPTER IV .- 1825-'29.
The Infant Town of JJacksonville-Locating the County Seat-The Early Settlers Arrir- ing-Churches, Schools and Colleges Founded-Judge Thomas' Arrical and Experi- enrex-The Winnebago War-County Officers-Liquor in the Harvest Field-The First License-Recollections of early times by Dr. Sturtevant, Anderson Foreman, John R. Harney, Murray MeConnel and Judge Samuel Woods-First Court House, JJoil and Poor Farm-John J. Hardin's Death.
"The world moves on, The years roll slowly by ; Youth comes of age, The aged droop and die. New faces crowd the ever bustling scene, And tell to me what I have been."
OOKING back with justifiable pride over a life covering more than half a cen- tury Jacksonville may well be thought to have forgotten not only her appear- ance, but many of her deeds during the infantile period of her history. For the benefit of the Present and the Future let us recall all that we can of those days of small beginnings.
In 1825, two years after the creation of Morgan county, by Legislature, and five years later than the arrival in this region of some-two at least, Mr. Huram and Miss Keren Reeve -- who are still here, after 64 years of residence, the town of Jacksonville was duly laid out. To the great disappointment of a rival town, older in years, the em- bryo city was selected as the seat of justice instead of Naples, Scott county, then in Morgan.
Our city, the county seat of one of the wealthiest, and most fertile counties of the noblest state of the Union, has not been in a hurry to climb the hill of fame ; the increase in her population has been slow until within a year or two. Her citizens have been attracted to the place by beautiful rolling prairies adjacent, and later by the unusually good school privileges of the town. Thus the villagers were gradually increased by the addition of such as came to educate their children, and who, allured by its attractions, remained ; others came to enjoy and dwell in the midst of the growing circle of literati which was gathering in the embryo "Athens." Speculators, with no settling intentions, sordid business men, and the riff-raff of society, on the contrary, found no attractions in the place. A truly fortunate fact.
We say that the growth of Jacksonville was slow, we mean slow in comparison with the cities, which, like Jonah's gourd, have arisen in a night, for although now numbering over twelve thousand inhabitants it is yet young in history. The time does not seem far distant when the Indian chose his hunting grounds upon the banks of the Mauvaisterre, and the rich soil of the county furnished a tempting pasture to the roam- ing herds of deer and buffalo. Not being near a navigable river the present site of the city was not early chosen as a home by the hardy pioneers of the great west. Many towns were in full vigor, and Illinois had entered the sisterhood of states while yet the twang of the how by day and howl of the wolf by night were the only sounds heard here. Only a few years have passed away since the aboriginal chieftains paid their adoration to the rising "orb of light," where now on every Sabbath so many church bells summon Christians to the worship of the true God.
42
JACKSONVILLE SURVEYED AND NAMED.
It was in January, 1825, that the legislature passed the act appointing John How- ard, John Lusk and Abraham Pickett commissioners to select a permanent seat of jus- tiee for Morgan. The government then owned the land selected-now the site of Jack- sonville, but two shrewd gentlemen, learning of the commissioners' decision, immedi- ately purchased the Jand from the government, and were at once ready to lay out the new town. The act providing for the location of the permanent seat of justice stipulated that the owners of the land selected should donate not less than twenty acres to be laid out into lots and sold for the erection of the necessary county buildings.
On the 10th of March, Mr. Johnston Shelton, the county surveyor, began the sur- vey by laying out a public square of little more than five acres, directly in the centre of the site, partly on the land of Isaac Dial, partly on land owned by Jacky Anderson, and partly on the land of Thomas Arnett, the three who had bought in the "quarter" selected by the commissioners.
Previous to that time there had been a public road laid out from Springfield, the then recently located county seat of Sangamon county, to the town of Naples, on the Illinois River, in Morgan county. This road, by way of eminence and distinction, was called the State road. This State road passed east and west on top of the ridge of land directly over the spot selected for said county seat. The surveyor began the survey by laying out the square directly in the center of the said one hundred and sixty acre tract, the State road running through the square. Upon this State road he located a street, sixty feet wide, intending it to run due east and west across said one hundred and sixty acres, and on the north line of the land belonging to the proprietors. Thus locating one-half of said square and one-half of the width of the street on the land of said private owners, and the other half on the land of the county. This street was called State street.
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