Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 65

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 65

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By special act of the Legislature under date of April 6, 1840, Springfield was incorporated as a city, and under this form of government the present police organizatlon came into exist- ence. The Act underwent several changes by amendment until 1852, when the original charter and severai amendments were consolidated in a singie act, which remained in force until 1882, when by popular vote the city came under the jurisdiction of the General Incorporation Act.

The office of City Marshal has always been appointive under jurisdiction of the Mayor. The force, according to statistics of 1911 amounted to 54 men of whom 31 were regular patroimen, 10 detectives and sergeants, with the remainder occupying various positions, all under Jolin H. Underwood as Chief, with headquarters at 615 East Jefferson Street.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

As is usually the case in every newly devel- oped city, the "volunteer bucket brigade" ren- dered the first service as a fire department for the protection of property in the city of Spring- field. This service was accomplished by drawing water from the nearest well or stream, and has- tening with it, in any vessel obtainable, to the seat of the fire in order that the conflagration might be checked as speedily as possoble. When the "bucket brigade" had undergone a species of training, this was sometimes accomplished by the brigade ranging itself in double line, one line passing the bucket from the weli or spring towards the fire, while the other iine returned the empty vessel to the starting place for a new suppiy.

In later years the system underwent a change when the "bucket brigade" gave way to a ma- chine propelled with ievers by the hands of a sufficient number of volunteers to force a stream of water upon the fire. This system served its purpose even in such a city as St. Louis, untli tile 'fifties, the spectators who had gathered to watch the flames, often volunteering to take the places of the regular firemen in propelling the levers. At first Springfield had but one hand engine, with a hose-cart for the convenient carrying of hose to the place of service. This was later increased to two engines of similar

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

character, and finally to four, all propelled hy hand-power.

In 1865, a new steam engine was purchased, this also being drawn hy hand power upon the street. In 1868 the equipment of the Fire De- partment was made up of these four-hand en- gines and the steam engine, but during the fol- lowing year, under ordinance of the City Coun- cil, a paid Fire Department was organized with two regular steam engines drawn hy horse- power.

This equipment has since been increased until, according to the statistics of 1911, it now con- sists of four steam-engines, one extension ladder- truck, five hose and chemical wagons, one hook and ladder truck, four hose carts-all housed in eight engine houses or stations-with 33 horses for moving the engines and other machinery. The Department has at present a total of 3,000 feet of 21/2 inch rubber hose in service with 5,000 feet of new rubber-lined Calton hose under a three-year guarantee. The total value of apparatus and other movable property, according to estimate of 1911, was $40,000, and of real estate $100,850.

STATISTICS OF FIRES, 1909 .- The number of fire alarms responded to hy the department dur- ing the year ending February 28, 1910, accord- ing to the report of the Fire Marshal for that period, was 329, of which 172 resulted in more or less loss. The total loss during the year with- in the city limits amounted to $74,358.04 upon property insured at an aggregate of $510,235.60, the total loss of property not covered by insur- ance heing only $1,300.60. The small percentage of total loss indicates the efficiency of service rendered hy the Fire Department.

PRESENT FORCE .- According to statistics of 1911, the role of the Springfield Fire Depart- ment embraces a total of seventy men, with Henry L. Bolte, as Fire Marshal, at its head. This is a position which Mr. Bolte has occupied ever since his appointment hy Mayor Schnepp in 1909, and in which he has demonstrated his efficiency and devotion to duty.

Henry Miller, whose connection with the Vol- unteer Fire Department began in October, 1858, still survives at the present writing at the age of nearly seventy-one years and after a continu- ous service of fifty-four years, during that period having occupied nearly every position in the de- partment.

STORY OF A NOTABLE FIRE .- On Saturday even- 1

ing, Fchruary 13, 1858, occurred one of the most destructive fires in the history of Springfield. It began in the crockery store of William Mc- Cabe & Co., located on the east side of the puh- lic square, thence east extending to the drug- store of Corneau & Diller, adjoining McCabe & Co. on the north. The next building involved in the conflagration was that of Benjamin Piatt. Here the fire was checked for a time, hut it finally spread to a wooden building in the rear of the hook-store of Paine, Booraem & Company, being communicated from the smouldering ruins of the McCahe store. The building newly at- tacked was destroyed in spite of the efforts made to save it. With the destruction of the latter huilding, the fire was supposed to he com- pletely under control, and other buildings in the vicinity free from further danger. About two A. M., however, the fire alarm was again sounded, and it was discovered that the dry- goods store of Charles W. Matheny had caught fire just under the roof. Every effort was made to check the fire here, but without success, as it soon spread to three other buildings, which were totally destroyed. The heaviest losers were McCahe & Company ; Corneau & Diller ; Paine, Booraem & Company; C. W. Matheny; John Cook and N. H. Ridgely. The total loss hy this fire amounted to ahout $50,000.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

CITY PARKS.

ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL PARKS OF SPRINGFIELD- PROGRESS OF EIGHTY YEARS-SPRINGFIELD AS THE THE "FLOWER CITY"-ADVENT OF THE PARK SYS- TEM IN 1900-FIRST PARK BOARD AND SUBSE- QUENT MEMBERS-WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN PARKS ESTABLISHED-OTHERS OF A LATER PERIOD -PRESENT PARK SYSTEM WITH AREA OF EACII PARK-NINE SPRINGFIELD PARKS OCCUPY AN - AREA OF 37234 ACRES-INFLUENCE UPON CITY'S OROWTII AND PROPERTY VALUES.

(By E. A. Hall.)

It is a far cry from the Sprinfield of today to the Springfield that history tells us was located

WASHINGTON PARK PAVILION, SPRINGFIELD

NORTH PARK, SPRINGFIELD

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

January 20, 1821, at a certain point on the prairie near Jolın Kelly's field on the waters of Spring Creek. No thought of artificial parks then en- tered the minds of the scattered settlers-nor was there need. Tbe geutiy undulating prairie, stretching from the Sangamon River on the north to the timber lands that iined its tributaries upon the south, made one of the most magnificeut parks in the world.

While the people of that time knew iittie, if anything, of landscape effect, either in picture or reality, they loved trees, flowers and shrubs. They ioved and worshiped Nature. Through their descendants in later years, Springfield became justly famed as the "Flower City," because of the devotion of its residents to the cultivation of choice flowers, and because of the profusion and iuxuriance in which they were to be found in the gardens and lawns throughout the city.

Today Springfield possesses many beautiful homes with grounds showing the art and skill of the landscape gardener; but here and there about some of the old homes, still left by the march of improvement, may be seen straggiing masses of old fashioned flowers-a memory and a beautiful expression of the love for the beau- tiful that existed in days that are gone.

Wbiie Springfleid retained her city homes sur- rounded by ample grounds, each in itself a park, but littie thought was giveu to the question of Public Parks. But as hlocks were subdivided, homes restricted to smaller iots, a sentiment be- gan to grow which' culminated in the filling of a petition in the County Court, November 29, 1899, for the organization of "The Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Springfield." In this peti- tiou was embraced ali of Springfield and Capi- tai Townships, the two nortberninost tiers of sections of Woodside Township. and including the city of Springfieid and village of Ridgely.

An election was held on Janury 9, 1900, re- sulting in favor of the establishment of said Park District, and an order directing organiza- tion was issued January 11th following. The County Judge issued a caii on January 17, 1900, for an election of a President, and six Trustees, and said election was held February 10th fol- iowing, resulting in the selection of the following officers :

President .- George N. Biack.

Trustees for Two Years .- B. H. Ferguson, J. C. Pierik, E. A. IIall.

Trustees for One Year .- G. A. Ilulett, W. H. Colby, George Reisch.

This board of Trustees was continued in office until 1905 and 1906, with the exception of Mr. B. H. Ferguson aud Judge W. H. Coiby, whom the Board lost by death.

The following gentlemen have served as mein- bers of the Board of Trustees :

Eruest H. Ilelmle. .. 1903

C. F. Kuechler .1903 and 1905

Harry L. Ide. 1904, 1905 and 1908

John A. Barber (President) . .1905 and 1907

Fred. Long 1905 and 1907

James Quinn 1905 and 1907

J. R. B. Van Cleve. 1905 and 1907

John G. Friedemeyer .1905 and 1908

Chas. H. Robinson. 1906 and 1908

Lewis N. Wiggins, Pres. .1907 and 1909

A. B. McPherson 1907 and 1909

Frauk M. McGowan 1907 and 1909

Chas. E. Hay 1907 and 1909

Jobn W. Scott 1909

Jas. A. Easley 1909

WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN PARKS .- The first Board of Trustees took oath of office, February 18. 1900, and entered upon their duties. Many park sites were considered, resulting in the seiec- tion of two tracts, one southwest of the city known as the Wiggins' Grove (uow "Washington Park"), the other north of the city, known as the Carpenter Tract (now "Lincoln Park"). The Board wisely deciding that, instead of con- centrating park improvement upon one iarge area, there should be a diversion of interest by so iocat- ing parks that citizens residing in various quar- ters of the Park District, would enjoy the bene- fits that might accrue to property from parks located in their vicinity and within reasonabie dis- tance from their homes. As a "Driveway and Boulevard Systemu" was embraced in the general plans, it was thought desirable that this system should form a link between the various parks.

The Wiggins Tract, now "Washington Park," was obtained by purchase and work commenced upon it at once. Tbe Carpenter Tract, now "Lin- coin Park," it became necessary to obtain by con- demnation, and work was retarded by the iaw's delays until 1903.

LAUREL PARK .- March 14, 1903, the city of Springfield conveyed by deed to the Park Board a tract of land, south of the city, containing 10.47 acres, kuowu as "Iles Park," possession of which

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

was taken by the Board; shrubbery and ffowers planted, playgrounds laid out, and it was made available as a pleasure resort to the residents of the thickly settled south end.

ENOS PARK .- This smallest addition to the Park System, containing one city block, was donated by Miss Susan P. Enos. This little Park, by judiclous treatment, has been made a dellghtful breathing place, where children may play, and where people way rest and enjoy its beauties.

MILDRED PARK .- Southeast of the city, the latest acquisition to the Park System, contains 115 acres, is ideally situated, and, with its natural features, has great possibilities of development.

RESERVOIR PARK .- In the northeastern part of the city, rounds out the chaln of Parks. Because of Its connection with the city water supply, it is not included In the Park System, or cared for by the Park Board. being owned and controlled by the city. Here is the large reservoir which is kept constantly filled with emergency supply of water. It is a beautiful spot and will be reck- oned within the boulevarding park connections, as well as will be the State Fair Grounds aud "Camp Lincoln,"-the latter a field aud timbered tract of 200 acres belonging to the State where annually is held the encampment of the State Mllitia.

The areas of the Springfield Parks are reported as follows :

Washington Park 132.16 acres

Willlams Boulevard 18.17

Lincoln Park 85.44 66

Lincoln Park Boulevard. 3.30 66

Laurel Park 10.47

Enos Park

2.37

South Grand Boulevard. 2.12 66

Sangamou Boulevard .71

Mildred Park 115 66

Total 372.74 acres

Springfield is justly proud of her parks, which, within a decade, have taken high rank among parks either East or West. Their natural beauties are enhanced by art of laudscape effect each park having distinctive features giving pleasing variety to the visitor.

Washington Park, with its boulevard entrance, its Ideal drives, its natural spring,-the waters . of which are sald to have great medicluai quali- ties,-its lake, aud its beautiful views of wood-

land and lawn, possesses qualitles which give it a character all its own.

Lincoln Park, with its athletic field ou the north, the rugged glen that runs through It on the south, its noble forest trees, and woodland drives, Its attractive, artistic Casino Inviting rest .- ail unlte in giving It its individual attrac- tiveness commanding the admiration of all classes · of visitors.

Mildred Park, the third of the larger parks, aud the last to be acquired, possesses natural features which, with the plans of the present Board worked out, give promise of being the Gem of the Park System.

The establishment of this great Park System stands today a monument to the foresight and enterprise of Springfield's citizens, a reward which they are reaping, not only in the comfort and pleasure the parks give, but in the impetus given to the city's growth, and the enhanced value of every business block and every home In the city.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

REAL ESTATE VALUES.

STABILITY OF REAL ESTATE-GROWTII IN VALUE- LAND OWNERSHIP AS A BASIS OF PATRIOTISM- CHANGES OF FORTY YEARS-ADVANCEMENT IN AGRICULTURAL METHODS-COUNTY ORGANIZATION -SPRINGFIELD THE COUNTY SEAT-FIRST SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS-VALUE OF EARLY TOWN LOTS- PHENOMENAL DEVELOPMENT OF LATER YEARS- SOME NOTED BUSINESS LOCATIONS-REMINIS- CENCES BY REAL ESTATE OWNERS OF TODAY- ASSESSMENT VALUATIONS OF REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN SANGAMON COUNTY FROM 1877 TO 1909.

(By Edwin A. Wilson. )

Real estate possesses stability. Its growth in value is often phenomenai. It has the elements of safety and security. It does not grow in size, but, under normal conditions, its appreciable enhancement in value is assured. Ownership in land, whether it be confined to a humble home or

847

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

has its dignity in great acreage, suggests a high- . er type of manhood. The man who contributes to the support of the government to willch he owes allegiance, brings something of merit to citizenship. The man who possesses property is Ilkely to recognize the property rights of others. The men and women who contribute thelr money to the support of a government are likely to stand together for its defense. The man who has no tangible wealth holds indifferently to the institutions of hls native land.

Forty years ago much of the farming land of Sangamon County, now changing hands at $175 to $250 per acre, was a drug at thirty-five to forty dollars an acre. No tlling, poor methods of farm- ing, hog cholera and kindred drawbacks kept the land-owners poor. Many of them were cursed with burdensome obligatlons in the shape of mort- gages. They were paylng five per cent. commis- sion for loans and agreeing to pay interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum, semi-annually. They did not know how to farm to the best ad- vantage. Almost all of them belonged to the Illinols ring, the motto of which was to "buy land to raise corn to feed hogs, to sell and buy more land to raise more corn to feed more hogs," ad infinitum. Every year many of them had less to show for thelr toll and trouble under the imperious rule of the Illinois ring, when snd- denly they awoke to the fact that thelr land was more versatile than Its owners. A few of them got out of the old ring and began sowing wheat and rotating crops, when presto, change! their mortgaged burdens lifted themselves like the death-dealing miasma above the horizon, only to be dissipated by smiling suns of better days. From that time to the present, prices have ad- vanced in the lands of this county, and the farm- ers have become correspondingly more prosperous. Coextensive with the advance in farming lands on the principle that the country makes the town, the increase In city and suburban prop- erty was apparent. /

Sangamon County, containing an area of 875 square mlles or 550,000 acres, got Its corporate existence through an act of the Illlnols Legisla- ture approved January 30, 1821. Springfield superseded the village of Calhoun, but seems to have been chosen as the temporary county seat of Sangamon County, April 10, 1821, while the first plat. now a part of Springfield, then known as Calhoun, seems to bear the date of February, 1822.

The first sale of publle lands in Sangamon County took place November 7, 1823. At that sale the lands were purchased upon which the county-seat was laid out, the plat of which was recorded Deeember 5, 1823. Under a law ap- proved December 22, 1824, the county-seat was located at Springfield and confirmed March 18, 1825. An act permanently to locate tile seat of government for the State of Illinois was approved February 25, 1837. Springfield was incorporated as a town in 1832, as a city in 1840, and under the General Incorporation Act of 1872 in 1882.

The best town lots in the town of Springfield in its incipiency at the time that it was legislated into being, were like the best acres In Sangamon County, of little comparative value. A quite noted example is found in the first transfer of Lot No. Five (80 feet frontage), of Block No. Thirteen of the original plat, which was pur- chased by Rev. Peter Cartwright, November 29, 1826, for the munIficent sum of $36.50. Tlils lot Is worth today $3,000 per front foot, with- out improvements, which might be considered a falr estimate of the relative value of other lots as favorably located.

About this time slavery was rampant here as in other parts of our country. The late Ste- phen A. Douglas, worthy son of an illustrious sire, was invited to speak in a town In Massa- chusetts on the anniversary of Its natal day. He was curious to know something of its ear- lier history, and, in the search for items of Interest, he found that slavery had existed there and that they had sold thelr negroes to Vir- ginia. Our escutcheon, too, was stained some- what in the same way, notwithstanding the vigor with which we fought the principle of slavery In 1861. The following will prove that we have been living in glass houses all these years, and many of us did not know it. The authority to sell three negroes was recorded 9th March, 1822, In Book "A," Page 2, and reads as follows :

"I do hereby certify that I do by these pres- ents authorize Joseph Reavis to sell and dispose of three negrocs (to-wit) : A girl named Alse, 19 years old; a boy named Jack, aged 6, and girl child named Doll, aged 3 years, and to make a good and lawful bill of sale in my name for the use of the purchaser for ready money in silver, or upon such credit with sufficient se- curity as the said Reavis should adjudge to be good and valid. and If the sald negroes, or any of them, shonld die occasionally or accidentally or misfortunately, the said Reavls shall In no wise

848

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

be accountable, unless it be made to appear that . and years ago entertained the hope that new and the sald Reavis has neglected or it was through neglect or misconduct of sald Reavls Also lf the said Reavis should see cause to keep the negroes or any of them for his own use, he is hereby at liberty to do so, but if the said Reavis should keep any or all of them, he is lierehy bound to pay ine one thousand dollars in silver, and these shall be a sufficleut author- ity for the said Reavis to do accordingly.

"Given under my hand the twenty-second of February, 1822.

HENRY

His X REAVIS.

Mark

"Attest : JOHN KELLY."

STATE OF ILLINOIS

SANGAMON COUNTY. S

{ ss.

"Be it remembered that, ou this 9th day of March, 1822, personally appeared hefore me, the subscriher, a Justice of the Peace, for Sanga- mon County, Henry Reavis, and acknowledged the within to be his act and deed for the pur- poses therein contained.

"Given under my hand and seal this day and date above written.

"JOHN LINDSAY, J. P.

"Recorded 9 March, 1822, In Book "A," Page 2.

"C. R. Matheny, R. S. C."

In the transfer of property the name of an occasional celebrity arrests the attention of the examiner. In the examination of the title to lot No. Five of Block No. Thirteen O. T. P., upon which the handsome Pierik bullding now stands, the name of Peter Cartwright appears as the Grantee, he having purchased this lot November 29, 1826, for Thirty-six Dollars and Fifty Cents ($36.50). On August 26, 1833, the North 48 feet by a depth of 148 feet, was sold hy him for $1,230. Under the same description, the State Bank of Illinois, having in the mean- time acquired the title, sold this site for $6,000, June 26, 1843. In 1849 John M. Burkhardt pur- chased this identical lot for $3,500. The Burk- hardt heirs sold to Amasa S. Booth twenty-eight feet November 2, 1891, at what was considered then the exorbitant price of $28,000. The Farmers Bank became the owners within three months, at an advance of $1,000, and selling to the Pierik Brothers at the consideration ex- pressed of $28,000; going to W. F. Workman July 1, 1908, at a nominal consideration of one dollar.

A number of people will be interested in know- ing that the genial and popular President of the Ridgely National Bank was born on this spot,

commodious quarters for his bank would yet be located on the site that marked his birth. This, however, will hardly be reallzed as the Ridgely National has lately acquired the Frank- lin Life Building, located at the southeast corner of Fifth and Monroe streets. Mr. Ridge- ly, at our earnest request, furnishes items of Information with reference to the enhancing values of Springfield real estate, relating to the present location occupled by his banking Insti- tution, in the following communication :

"Springfield, Ill., June 28, 1910. "Mr. Edw. A. Wilson, "Springfield, Ill.

"Dear Sir :- I am in receipt of your favor of the 16th inst., and believe I can best comply with your request by giving you as au illustration a brief history of the property on the west side of the square, known as 117 and 119 South Fifth Street, Springfield, Illinois, and owned hy Charles and William Ridgely :

"On Feb. 17, 1852, John Cook and wife deeded to my father, Nicholas H. Ridgely, the south 18 feet 10 inches of this property, now occupled by the Ridgely National Bank, for a consideration of $3,900.

"On September 15, 1902, tbe Estate of Nicholas H. Ridgely purchased from Mrs. Elizabeth Clover the north 22 feet, for $47,000.

"On December 24, 1904, Charles & William Ridgely bought all of the ahove 40 feet 10 inches, paying therefor the sum of $80,000.

"The Ridgely National Bank has recently pur- chased new quarters, and expects to move into them soon, when the above property will be sold. Charles & William Ridgely have already received an offer of $100,000 for it.

"The above facts show that the 18 feet 10 inebes now occupied by the Ridgely National Bank, has increased in value from February 17, 1852, to the present time, a period of 58 years, about 1100 per cent.

"Trusting the above may he of some assistance to you, I remaln,

"Yours very truly, "WM. RIDGELY."

The obligation assumed in the preparation of this article seemed colossal at its inception, when viewed as an original, personal, unaided production, but the difficultles dissipated some- what when, through the kind, prompt and ef- fective promised cooperation of "many men of many minds," the writer assumed the role of a compiler rather than that of a literary editor. The breadth and value of the investi- gation will be greatly enhanced in the introduc- tion of many writers rather than in the common- place results of one.

VIEW OF CLEAR LAKE, CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP

SCENE IN OAK RIDGE CEMETERY, SPRINGFIELD

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

In the discussion of realty values in the past and present, recourse must be had to the County Records. If the records are found incomplete at any point, the force of any testimony when Introduced from them will be found more or less ineffective. There is a method pursued in the item of consideration as defined in the in- strnment which is misleading and confusing. For example: the nominal consideration of One Dollar in deeds of warrauty destroy the worth of any examination of the records in valnes of the property transferred, and the evil habit of inserting an excessive and false sum to de- note the stipulated price for which the property is sold, is not only confusing, but dishonest in purpose and clearly reprehensible.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 65

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864