Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 30

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126

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Of the fur-bearing animals, the otter and bea- ver were reported as habitats of this locality by the French explorers, but seldom were seen when the first settlers came. The mink. the weasel and musk-rat, whose furs were legal-tender in the early days of the country. have survived af- ter eighty years of constant warfare, and are prolifie enough to hold their own. even in the present day. The tur-bearing animals of Schur- ler formed a constant source of revenue for the pioneer settler, and. even as late as 1860, we find

that $2,752 was paid by one dealer for furs in this county, and there were many others buying. The list of furs purchased by James Beard in the winter of 1859-60, as furnished to the Rushville papers, was as follows: Opossum. 2.238; coon. 1.854; mink, 1.323; muskrat, $16; deer. 122; grey fox. 45; skunk, 33; otter, 17; weasel, 12: wild cat. 10; ground hog. 9; mole, s; swan, 3; coon, 3: beaver. I: gray wolf, 1 ; silver fox. 1.

The black rat, so common seventy years ago. left soon after the gray or Norway rat came, Now they come and go, at times swarming like the locusts in Pharaoh's time in Egypt. The common mouse was a native of the prairie, and soon took up his abode in the houses, and seems at home there to this day. The long-tailed, of jumping mice, are found in the timber, but are not numerous. The meadow mice are numbered by thousands.

The marvelous abundance of snakes in the early pioneer days is almost past belief. and were it not that the stories are told by some of our most reputable citizens of that period, we might doubt their authenticity. Robert .A. Glenn, an carly resident of Schuyler County, foresaw the importance of the snake in local history, and has handed down to us a tale that is worthy of being preserved among the historical incidents of the county. Mr. Glenn was one of the pioneer editors, and wielded a ready pen, and we here give the story as he has told it:

"When I arrived in Schuyler County, which was in the year 1831. there were but a few set- tlers south of Crooked Creek, the whole terri- tory now constituting the populous townships of Ripley and Cooperstown in Brown County, then containing only about ton or twelve families. The attention of the settlers had been drawn to the amazing number of rattle-snakes abounding in the woods, and also the fact that, at the com- mencement of winter, they congregated at cer- tain localities known as 'snake dens,' where they hibernated in a state of torpor. One of the most famous snake dens' was located on Section 15. 1 N., 2 W., near the Indian ford on Crooked Creek, and known as the Rocky Branch snake den.' Another was located about one and one- half mile south-east of Ripley, on Section 3. in the same township, and was called Logan's Creek snake den.'

"These dens were situated in cliffs of rocks. and were, from their situation, almost imprez- nable to human force. I say almost, for the

Dr. Ball.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

sequel will show that they were not quite so. I think these dens were discovered by the settlers observing the snakes entering them in great mmmber in the fall and leaving again in the spring. The den having been located. it was resolved to start a war of extermination; and a day in the middle of winter having been agreed upon, and due notice given every man and boy In the neighborhood. they assembled at Rocky Den armed with such mining tools as the county afforded, and very deliberately went to work mining for snakes.

"After several hours of hard and persevering labor, the mining party succeeded in forcing an entry to the rock chambers where the reptiles lay. all twined together in a hideous mass, but in that state of torpor in which they invariably spend the winter season. Rattlesnakes, black snakes, copperheads, and every variety of snakes, all mixed together indiscriminately. but by far the largest number being rattlesnakes. Oť course the party had no difficulty in destroying all they could get at; but, as the entry had only been made to the ante-room, as it were, and the main hall was entirely inaccessible by any means within reach, by far the larger part of this frightful community of reptiles escaped destruction. However, something over five hun- dred of the creatures were dragged from their winter quarters and destroyed-most of them rattlesnake-, and some of them as much as six feet long and as thick as a man's leg. They were all thrown into one vast pile, and for many years their bleaching bones sufficiently marked the spot. A few days afterwards a similar at- tempt was made at the other den referred to. but with less success, though still resulting in the destruction of two or three hundred of the reptiles.

"Another mode of destroying them adopted by the settlers, was to watch their dens on the first warm days of spring, when the snakes began to revive from their torpor, and seek the enlivening rays of the sun. and kill them as they emerged from the den -- which could be easily and safety done. as, at that time, they were incapable of escape or resistance. Many hundred snakes were destroyed in this way, the boys counting it fine sport. and after the county became more settled, many were destroyed by hogs, who are the nat- ural enemies of the snake, and by their peculiar physiological structure, are protected from injury by the reptiles.

"It may be supposed that, where snakes were so numerous, there must necessarily have been many instances of persons being bitten. This, although sometimes occurring, was not so fre- ment as might have been expected. The rattle snake, although a fearful reptile to look at, and very venomous, is peaceable in its disposition, and will rarely bite unless compelled to in self- defense. I have. however, known a number of persons bitten, and, never knew a case that re- sulted fatally. The early settlers were ae- quainted with several remedies, some of which were always applied, and, in every instance within my knowledge, it was successful. In some instances which I have known, the patient suffered from the effects of the virus more or loss for several years, and finally recovered en- tirely, but in one case total blindness was the result."

Jonathan D. Manlove, another early resident, tells how the snakes were fought in Birming- ham township at what is known as "Round Prairie." "The first settlers one spring left the grass unburnt : it was barrens and the grass was high. The grass extended for half a mile around a snake den, and when they had come out pretty thick. the grass around the edges was fired and the settlers followed the fire, armed with clubs, and. I think I am right in saying, that in one day they destroyed well on to a thousand. There were grooves worn in the sand rock there of truly serpentine courses, from a quarter to half an inch thick, showing this to he an ancient den, perhaps as old as the pyra- mids of Egypt."

BIRDS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

At an early day a large part of Schuyler County was covered with dense timber, which afforded a welcome home for countless numbers of birds, many of which are seen in their old haunts no more. Various reasons are assigned for the disappearance of some of our song birds, and the pugnacious little English sparrow is. no doubt, partly to blaine for it, but not altogether so, for the settlement of the country has, no doubt, driven away many birds that delighted in the seclusion of the forests, but have sought other homes, where they could raise their little broods without molestation. In the discussion of the birds of the county, we will consider them under separate classifications, that they may be more easily studied.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

TURDAE FAMILY, OR SONG BIRDS-The robin, probably the most common of our birds, was not generally seen here for several years after the first settlement of the county. The orchard and garden, their favorite home, did not then exist, but when they did, the robin came and soon be- came plentiful. Robin redbreast is sometimes persecuted for the few cherries he eats, but be does good by destroying grubs and insects that are injurious to crops.

The Brown Thrush, the sandy mocking-bird, is a good singer. He came a little earlier than the robin.

The Cat Bird came in later. He is a sweet singer and a great scold. building his nest in the thiekets and groves, and there raises bis nomer- ous family.

FAMILY SAXICOLIDAF-Everybody knows the blue bird that comes to us on the first warm days of February and March. The note of the blue bird, though not musical, is to most ears grateful.

FAMILY PARIDAE-The titmice, or chickadees, are a hardy bird, and can stand the coldest win- ters, and for this reason, none of them are mi- gratory. There are a large number of species. The plumage is beautiful, often gay. They are bold, extremely active, flitting from braneb to branch in quest of insects, and often cling to the underside of branches with their back down- ward. They feed not only on insects, but on grain and seeds. They are musical after their fashion, chirping a ditty on a cold winter's day. when no other birds are to be heard. Most of these birds lay at least six eggs, and some of them as high as ten. The young are ted chiefly on caterpillars, and are useful in preventing the increase of noxious insects.

FAMILY NUTHATCH-The nut-hatches are very ninible, running up and down trees with great agility, with equal case in either direction, and without hopping, so that the motion is rather like that of a mouse than of a bird. They feed ou inserts, also on seeds.

FAMILY TROGLODYTIDAE-The wren family is very numerous. It is a bold and very pugnacious bird; is spiteful toward the martins, oft driving them from their nests. The song of the house- wren is very sweet. The marsh wren is found in the vicinity of water. They live on insects. and cheer the solitude with their sweet songs.

FAMILY SYLVIACOLIDAE. OR WARBLERS-These are small birds, embracing a large number of spe-

cies-are migratory, and spend the winter months. in southern regions. They live mostly in the thick woods, build their nests on the ground. and are sweet singers. The summer yellow bird belongs to this class.

FAMILY TAXAGRIDAE-Of Tanagers there wie but one kind. the scarlet tanager, a bright red. except the wings and tail, which are black. The . belong to warm regions, but come north in the spring and return early in the fall. They als good singers.

FAMILY HIRUNDINDAE-Of swallows there : nifmierous, varieties. The barn-swallows built their nests in barns and outhouses. The clin swallow builds on high overhanging cliffs, and sometimes under the eaves of barns, nearly cover ing the sides of the building. They live on ili and other insects. The bank swallow, or sao 1 martin, makes boles for its nest in some band or river bluff. The blue or forked tail martin make their nests in boxes, or under the eaves buildings-are a noisy set of birds, and feed " insects. The chimney swallow builds its ne in unused chimneys, and like the martin, lea' for the south soon after the breeding season over. Of the waxwings, there are the Carotin . waxwing, cedar bird and cherry bird. They ... not remain here, but come to visit only once awhile. They are very destructive to cherry a flock will clean a cherry tree in a short the. without saying "by your leave."

GREENLETS OR VIREAS-These birds are like !! warblers in their habits. They love to hla their home and rear their young in the the woods. Their dress is in contrast to the verdu Standing on a still summer day in the ile woods, "that heart must be callous to emot. that does not. while listening to the wild no . of the songster, echo thoughts he can never. peet to clothe in words," The Shrike, or Butch bird, is a bold. quarrelsome bird. They ferd insects and small birds, and have a habit of paling their prey on thorns and in other v They kill and impale many insects they ' eat. leaving them to dry in the sun.

THE FAMILY PRINGILLIDE embraces the

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

white-winged blackbird. red-bird, towhee or che- wink. all are of the same family.

FAMILY ICTERIDAE-These embrace the bobo- Enk of the north or rice bird of the south, crow blackbird, field or meadow lark. They were here in early days and remain still. The or- chard oriole, golden robin. firebird. or hangnest, are of a fiery, red color, with black wings and tail, are good singers, and hang their nests to the end of small branches.

FAMILY CORVIDAE-This embraces the erow, jaty and raven. The raven is known from the crow by larger size and its croaking voice. A homesick woman said : "Everything here in the West was changed, even the erows were so hoarse they could only croak." Crows like to pull up young corn, and will pick up and carry to their nests any small article that is bright. They live mostly on insects, and do a great deal more good than harm to the farmer. All know the jay, with its blue dress and topknot on its head. Ile is a noisy fellow, and he sometimes eats an apple. and has a bad habit of killing the young of other birds. He lives on insects, seeds and grain, is hardy, and lives with us the year round.

FAMILY TRYANIAS-The fly-catcher, king bird or bee-martin is always at war with other birds, will even tackle the bawk. and has few friends. It is charged with killing and eating bees, but is unjustly accused. lle is a good fly- catcher, and destroys a thousand noxious insects to one bee, but on the church dogma, that a good deed done by a sinner is yet a sin, so the poor king-bird will receive no credit for any good work he may perform. The pewee, or pewit, Is a small bird of brown color. It comes north in April and hatches a brood by the middle of May. and another by the first of Angust. In october it returns to the south, migrating at : ght. Like the barn swallow, it makes its nest of mind, grass, etc .. lining it with down and other -f1 materials. This bird has been seen in Ne- braska by Prof. Aughey, who found in its stom- ich locusts and other insorts-in one instance Ending 43 locusts. Its flight is rapid when dart- ing after its insect prey, which it pursues in the 1.ight.

FAMILY COPRIMULGSDAE (Goatsuckers) -The whippoor-will is the most noted of this family. It receives its name from the fancied resem- lance of its notes to the words. "Whip-poor- will." This bird is seldom seen during the day, but seeks its food by night, catching moths,

beetles and other insects on the wing. Its flight is near the ground, zigzag and noiseless. Its notes are heard only during the night, and are elear and loud. The night hawk belongs to the same family as the whip-poor-will, but not to the same genus. The night hawk flies by day toward evening, catching insects for its tood.

HUMMING BIRDS-There are said to be 500 species of this beautiful bird. all American. It does not, as was long supposed, feed on honey alone, but some feed on insects, not rejecting spiders. It is very small, and if stripped of its feathers, is not larger than a bumble-bee.

FAMILY ALCIDINIDAE ( Kingfisher )-This bird is not much larger than the sparrow. frequents the banks of rivers and other streams. and is often seen flying near the water. Its food consists of small tishes, such as minnows, leeches and other water insects. When it has caught a fish, it often kills it by beating it on a branch. Shakespeare makes repeated allusion to the popular notion that if the stuffed skin of a king- fisher is hung by a thread, the bill will always point to the direction from which the wind blows.

FAMILY CUCULIDAE (Cuckoo)-The yellow- billed cuckoo is common, is a shy bird, and is seldom seen, except on the wing. It frequents orchards, where its note, sounding like "Cow, cow." is heard.

FAMILY PICIDAE ( Wood-peckers)-There are several varieties of these birds. We have the red-headed wood-pecker, known to all: also the golden-wing wood-pecker, the highloder, flicker or yellow hammer. There are several other varie- ties, and they are all useful, living on the larvae of beetles, which they get out of the trees. They have the tongue fitted to serve as an important instrument in obtaining their food : a peculiar arrangement of muscles, enabling them to ex- tend the tongue beyond the bill. Its tip being horny and furnished with barbed filaments, is thrust into the hole made by the grub or borer, as he is sometimes called, and the bird draws out and eats the precious morsel. There is a smaller variety. called the sap-sucker, whose tongue is not sharp, but broad and covered with fine sharp papillae. These birds sometimes prey upon evergreens by drilling a row of round holes entirely around the trees.

FAMILY STRIGIDAE (Owls)-The owls are all birds of the night. The little screech-owl is the smallest of this family, and is quite common. The

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

long-eared or cat-owl. is of medium size, and is the only variety that breeds here, except the above. The great gray owl and the white owl are natives of the far North, but travel south in the winter in search of food.

FAMILY FALCONIDAE ( Hawks ) -- It is said that there are in round numbers. 1,000 species of hawks in all parts of our globe. But of these large numbers, but three or four varieties make their homes in Schuyler County. The red-tailed buzzard. or hen-hawk. is common and well known by all. It will grab up a chicken and doesn't seem to mind the women who try to scare him away by shaking their aprons at him, when he makes a raid on the chicken yard. The falcon or sparrow hawk, is small and feeds upon small birds. Prairie hawks were common in carly days. They were on the wing and came close to the ground in search of mice and insects. Fish hawks are common along large streams, and live mostly on small fish.

BALD EAGLES-These were not numerous, and no one regrets it. They were regular pirates, and lived by robbing some other bird of its fish when caught.

VULTURES-The turkey buzzard is the only member of this family. It is a land scavenger. filthy but otherwise harmless, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals.

PIGEONS -- The wild pigeons were only visitors. They come and go, like all wild birds, where food is most plentiful. The turtle-doves are common, and remain here all the time : they have a peculiar note, but are not musical.

GAME BIRDS OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

We get the following list of game-birds of Schuyler County from a list arranged by Junius P. Leach, and published in "Forest and Stream." Mr. Leach was an experienced hunter and an amateur naturalist of marked ability, and his classification, made in 1886. is here given :

Sandhill Crane (Grus americana)-A large, snowy-white bird, with black wing tips.

Trumpter Swan ( Olor bucinnator).

Blue-Winged Goose (Chen coerulesecus), known by western hunters as bald brant. They are easily recognized by their white heads and upper part of the neck. The rest of the phuu- age is somewhat the color of a blue heron.

American White-Fronted Goose (Anser albi- frous gambeli)- This is the standard and uni- versally known brant of the West. They are

very much like a tamo goose in color, except the black on the breast.

Canada Goose ( Bernicla canadensis)-A very common species along the llinois River.

Hutchin's Goose ( Bernicla canadensis butch- insi)-These birds are marked like the Canada goose, of which they are a variety.

DUCKS

Mallard (.Inds boxchas), sometimes called greenhead.

Black Mallard (.Inas obscura).

Gadwalls (Chantelasmus streperus), locally known as gray duck.

l'intails ( Dafila acuta), known universally in the West as sprictails. This duck often crosses with the mallard, producing a hybird, partaking of the qualities of both in an equal degree.

Baldpate (Mareca americana), generally known as widgeons.

The Shoveller (Spatula clypeata), always called spoonbill by hunters.

Blue- Winged Teal (_Inas discors).

Green-Winged Teal (Anus carolinensis).

Cinnamon Ta! (Querquedula cyanoptera).

Wood Duck (lir sponsa) is the only species which breeds in the vicinity in any considerable nuniber.

The Seaup Duck ( Full martla) and Little Blackhead ( Fulis affinis) are both known locally as blue bills.

Ring-Billed Blackheads ( Fulix collaris) would not be recognized here under any other name than "blackjack."

Canvasback (.Ethyia vallisneria) is the prince of ducks, and is frequently seen along the Illi- nois River.

Redhead (Ethyia americana) occasionally called redneck.

Barrow's Golden Eye (Clangula islandica) not at all common in the West.

American Golden Eye ( Clangulu glancium americana) generally known here as whistler. Butterball : Bufflehead ( Clangula albcola). Ruddy Duck ( Erismatura rubida).

American sheldrake ( Hergus merganser amer- icanusQ. Red-breasted sheldrake (Mergus serra- tor) and Hooded sheldrake ( Lophodytes cuculla- tus), three species of fish-duck. all visit this sec- tion, but are not pursued by regular hunters.

Wild turkey ( Mckagris gallopro) now rarely seen, except in extreme southern counties of the State.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellux), commonly calied pheasant.

Pinnated grouse ( Tympanuchus americanus), or prairie chicken.

Quails ( Colinas virginianas).

American Golden Plover (Charadrius domin- irux).

Kill-dee Plover (.Egialitis rocifera).

American woodcock ( Philouclo minors).

Wilson's snipe ( Gallinago deticata), generally called jacksnipe.

Sandpiper (Tringa minutilla).

Yellow legs ( Tolanus fluvipex ).

Bartram's sandpiper ( Bartramtin longicanda), or Upland Plover.

Spotted sandpaper (Actitis macularia), com- mouly called Tip-up or River snipe.

Long-billed curlew (Numenius longirostis).

American coot (Fulica americana), or mud hen.

Florida gallinule ( Gallinala galcata).

Virginia rail ( Rillas virginiaaux).

King rail (Rallus elegans ).

Sora rail (Porcuna carolina).

Passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), now extinct.

Mourning dove ( Zenaidara macroura).

These were at one time plentiful in Schuyler County. In addition to these. the State is now stocking the county with various kinds of pheas- ants, quails and partridges supplied from the State Game Farm, at Auburn, Ill.

CHAPTER VII.

PIONEER SETTLERS.

JOLIET AND MARQUETTE FIRST WHITE VISITORS TO SCHUYLER COUNTY IN 1673-FIRST RECORD OF WHITE MEN IN THE COUNTY FURNISHED BY GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS IN 1815-17-SCHUYLER COUNTY A HONEY AND BEES-WAN PRODUCING REGION-FIRST PERMANENT . SETTLEMENT MADE BY CALVIN HOBART, FEBRUARY 19, 1823 -- STORY OF HIS MIGRATION TO SCHUYLER COUNTY-PIO- NEER HOSPITALITY IN A CROWDED CABIN-SIX CABINS BUILT IN THE COUNTY IN 1823-COMING

OF A BACKWOODS METHODIST PREACHER AND FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES-SETTLERS WHO AR- IIVED IN 1821 AND 1525-THE FOREIGN SETTLERS IN THE COUNTY-INDIANS STILL IN THE COUN- TY, BUT PEACEFUL -THEY ARE DRIVEN OUT BY SETTLERS WITHOUT COMBAT - SOME FIRST EVENTS.

From the time that Schuyler County was first visited by civilized men to the date of actual settlement there elapsed a century and a half, and this period is forever a hidden mystery, so far as the historian is concerned. Situated as 11 was upon the great natural waterway between the lakes and the Mississippi River. the county was first visited by Louis Joliet and Father Mar- quette in their memorable voyage of exploration in 1675 and. long before the land trails crossed the prairie, Schuyler's border land was familiar to the hardy French voyageurs and the ever- zealous friars, who penetrated deep into the wilderness to carry the gospel to the savages. No palisaded torts were built in Schuyler Coun- ty by these early French explorers, and there is no more record of their coming than of the migratory birds that come for a season and are gone.

The first authentic record of white men in Schuyler County is furnished through the gov- ernment survey, which was begun in 1815 and completed two years later. And. even then, the only record is the work that was accomplished and the names of the hardy pioneer surveyors who braved the danger of the trackless wilds to lay out land boundaries in this portion of the Military Tract. For years afterwards very little was known regarding Schuyler County and the date of actual settlement did not begin until 1823.

Early in February of that year Samuel Gooch. Orris McCartney and Sammel Bogart crossed the Illinois River on the ice at Downing's Landing (now Beardstown), with about three hundred hogs, to give them the benefit of the range which was very abundant. They had come from the Swinerton neighborhood, six miles west of Mt. Pleasant (now Jacksonville) and brought with them only such things as were essential for their camp. Gooch and McCartney remained to look after the hogs and built a camp of logs with walls on three sides and open in front. on the southeast quarter of Section Sixteen in Rush- ville Township. They remained in the county

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 30

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126