USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 28
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There are other buildings in the county, or decayed portions of them yet remaining, that have not been mentioned because there is no definite information obtainable regarding them. It does not indicate that religious sentiment has deteriorated because of these ruins, as the majority of the people who were connected with them united with other congregations of neigh- boring towns or cities, so that it was not deemed advisable to longer continue the support of so many churches in the outlying districts of the county. The lawless class that usually gathers along the frontier of a new county, robbing, thieving, stealing horses and committing all , manner of wicked depredations, had been pretty well cleared out of the country before Cass became a separate county, and therefore as a county Cass had but little experience with such people. Yet, if it had not been for the spirit which prompted Christian organizations, such as represented by these same abandoned churches, with their unmistakable influence for good, and the exemplary lives of the supporters of those churches which laid the foundation for Christian civilization, we might, possibly, be still living in ignorance and the semi-barbarism that pre- vailed when Illinois was but a county of the Old Dominion.
While there were many denominational churches, and even a greater diversity of opin- ions concerning the teaching of the scriptures, there appears to have been but one society in the early history of Cass County that possessed religious fanatics of such a character as to prove
a menace to the rights or liberties of individuals or the peace of the community. In 1834 the grand jury of Morgan County indicted some religious fanatics. This action presumably arose out of an incident which was said to have occurred in a small settlement .on Middle Creek, in Lucas, now Richmond Precinct, but the facts have not been fully verified, nor has the exact location of the sect been certainly determined. It is said they believed in witch- craft and if anything went wrong in the settle- ment, they charged it to some one in the com- munity, whom, they declared, was making use of devilish acts. They further claimed, so it is said, that such a person should be burned as an offering to appease the wrath of an offended deity, and they cast lots to determine who was the guilty person. Upon the last occasion of this casting of lots, the condemnation fell upon an old woman, She was bound and placed in one end of an old cabin where there was a large open fireplace, and a fire was kindled about her. She might have trusted to her martyr spirit, but it deserted her when the flames reached her and she screamed so loudly that she attracted the attention of a Mr. Elmore, who was in the neighborhood, hunting, and, breaking open the door with a rail, he scattered the fire and released the victim. The others concerned fled to the timber, but Elmore reported them to the authorities, and the indictment followed. That put an end to witchcraft in Cass County, or at least it ended the attempt by any sect to inflict so barbarous a punishment upon anyone sup- posed to be possessed by evil spirits.
The foregoing is a meagre but general history of all the denominational churches in the county. The great number of them and their various changes has necessarily limited the history to a general statement. Though there may be many whose names are not mentioned in this or any history, who are recalled by some of the present generation, and possibly many whose names are forgotten along with their particular efforts and sacrifices, yet the civilizing influ- ences of all who came in the early days and battled with the adverse circumstances and conditions of early pioneer life, that they might spread the gospel, has been such that the pres- ent generation does, and all succeeding genera- tions will forever, owe a debt of gratitude to those who long since have passed to their reward.
Anne M Grum
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
CHAPTER XVIII.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
EARLY PREJUDICE OVERCOME-THE FREEMASONS AND ODD FELLOWS FIRST IN THE FIELD-ODD FEL- LOW LODGES AT BEARDSTOWN-VIRGINIA-PREN- TICE - ARENZVILLE-CHANDLERVILLE-REBEKAH AUXILIARIES AT BEARDSTOWN AND VIRGINIA -- MASONIC LODGES - BEARDSTOWN -- VIRGINIA - CHANDLERVILLE-EASTERN STAR AT VIRGINIA AND BEARDSTOWN -- MODERN WOODMEN CAMPS - CHANDLERVILLE - VIRGINIA -- BEARDSTOWN --- ARENZVILLE --- ASHLAND-BLUFF SPRINGS-OTHER ORGANIZATIONS-COURT OF HONOR-KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-LOYAL LEGION-ROYAL BENEFIT- UNITED WORKMEN -- KNIGHTS OF MACCABEE- FRATERNAL ARMY OF AMERICA-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-RED MEN-ELKS-WOMEN'S CLUBS- BEARDSTOWN-VIRGINIA-ASHLAND-CHANDLER- VILLE --- WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION --- GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC-CASS COUNTY POSTS --- SOLDIERS' MONUMENTS.
EARLY PREJUDICE OVERCOME
A large number of fraternal societies, or, as they are more popularly known, secret orders, have been organized in Cass County, or es- tablished as subordinate lodges or camps of the general organization. The prejudice that once existed against all secret societies has almost entirely disappeared, and the helpfulness to society in general, and the community at large, and the special benefits to the individual mem- bers, are now recognized and appreciated. Probably the first fraternal society whose mem- bers were to be found among the early settlers here, was the Free Masons, although the Odd Fellows were, perhaps, the first to establish a local lodge.
ODD FELLOWS.
BEARDSTOWN .- Ark Lodge, No. 16, I. O. O. F., of Beardstown, was instituted May 13, 1846, with the following charter members: S. A. Carnau, J. H. Matheney, J. W. Crosby, Thomas P. Norton, Samuel Johnston, Thomas J. Burns,
Jacob Ritcher, O. M. Warner, John Throp, J. B. Taylor, George Moore, William Davis, R. F. Knippenberg, B. F. Rusk, David Black, and Warren Yaple. The first officers were: noble grand, Thomas P. Norton; vice grand, Samuel Johnston; secretary, Thomas J. Burns; treas- urer, John Throp. This lodge owns its build- ing, which is a large, two-story brick structure, on the corner of Washington and Main streets, on lot 5, of block 10, original town of Beards- town, with lodge rooms above and store rooms on the first floor. It was erected in 1889. Judge Henry Phillips of Beardstown was a member of Ark Lodge before he moved to Vir- ginia, in 1877, when he transferred his mem- bership to Saxon Lodge. He was grand master of the order for the state of Illinois trom Novem- ber, 1893, to November, 1894, after that time being a member of the judiciary and appeals committee. Subsequently he again transferred his membership to Ark Lodge. Goodwin Re- bekah Lodge, No. 192, the woman's auxiliary of the Beardstown Odd Fellows' lodge, was in- stituted on November 22, 1888. The following were the first officers : noble grand, Mrs. Stella Smith ; vice grand, Mrs. Max Deering ; secretary, Mrs. Hattie Garrison.
VIRGINIA .- Saxon Lodge No. 68, I. O. O. F. of Virginia, was instituted at Virginia, March 14, 1850, with the following charter members : P. O. Bryan, N. B. Newman, R. S. Lord, I. N. White, Charles Boyd, W. H. H. Carpenter, and William H. Collins. The first officers were : noble grand, Rufus S. Lord ; vice grand, W. H. H. Carpenter ; secretary, I. N. White; treasurer, N. B. New- man. Virginia Rebekah Lodge, No. 239, was in- stituted November 21, 1889, with a number of the brethren, and the following ladies as charter members : Mrs. Adah Henderson, Mrs. W. W. Walker, Mrs. Ella Walker, Mrs. A. A. Leeper, Mrs. J. F. Robison, Mrs. Belle Hiles, Mrs. Sue H. Downing, Mrs. M. Graves, and Mrs. Laura Kors.
PRENTICE .- Oak Lodge No. 341, I. O. O. F., was organized at Prentice, Morgan County, Octo- ber 9, 1867, but removed to Ashland, October 10, 1877. The first officers, who were also charter members were: noble grand, John M. Berry ; vice grand, John W. Crum; secretary, Albert Short ; treasurer, John L. Douglas. The other charter members were : John M. Brockman, John W. Daniel. Martin Berry, Sumner Daniel, Sam- uel Hart, and Benjamin Berry.
ARENZVILLE .- Arenzville Lodge No. 471, I. O.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
O. F., was organized October S, 1872, and the first officers were : noble grand, L. J. Walich ; vice grand, W. F. Bridgeman; secretary, Dr. Adam Wenger. Other charter members were: Calvin Ore, William L. Richardson, Henry Maule, John A. Smith, and William I. Richard- son.
CHANDLERVILLE .- Cass Lodge No. 1012, I. O. O. F., of Chandlerville, was organized. Decem- ber 1, 1911, and received its charter November 21, 1912. The following were the charter mem- bers and first officers: noble grand, B. F. Owens; vice grand, S. L. Watkins; secretary, John W. Cherry ; treasurer, H. S. Leeper, and Horace Sisson. Jacob Davis, Elijah Needham, F. B. Pickrel, S. E. Hutches, J. M. Milstead, H. J. Anderson, Gotlieb Zorn and Smith Work- man.
THE FREE MASONS.
BEARDSTOWN .- Cass Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., of Beardstown, was organized in Octo- ber, 1843, and on the 4th of that month, the charter was granted, but whether at Jackson- ville and afterwards moved to Beardstown, or granted at Jacksonville for Beardstown, is not made exactly clear, but the presumption is that it was granted at Jacksonville, for the organi- zation of the lodge at Beardstown. That would make the Masonic lodge the first and oldest in the county. The original charter was destroyed by fire, January 23, 1876, but was replaced Jan- uary 26, of the same year. The first officers were : worshipful master, O. Underwood ; A. Bonny, senior warden; W. Basset, junior war- den. The names of other charter or early mem- bers are not now attainable. The present wor- shipful master is G. M. Humphrey, and the present secretary is W. F. Thron,
VIRGINIA .- Virginia Lodge No. 544. A. F. & A. M., was organized at Virginia, April 3. 1867, and received its charter October 1, of the same year, with the following charter members: G. F. Hillig. W. A. Harding. L. P. R. Yaple, Casper Magel, P. Underwood, H. H. Hall, James Smith, James M. Rodney, William Cox, L. S. Allard. Lee Carpenter. and H. Barden. The first officers were : worshipful master. G. F. Hil- lig : senior warden. William A. Harding, and junior warden, L. P. R. Yaple.
CHANDLERVILLE .- The Masonic lodge at Chand- lerville was chartered October 7, 1874, with the following charter members: Linus C. Chand-
ler, C. C. Brown, John Chandler, J. A. Paddock, L. M. Dick, Robert Clark, N. H. Boone, H. T. Chandler, N. S. Reed, Isaac Butler, John Ker- shaw, John Mullen, J. M. Telles, William Swart- wood, T. A. Skaggs, Henry C. Neff, Somodore Silvernail, and John Morse. The first officers were: worshipful master, L. C. Chandler ; and secretary, John Morse.
EASTERN STAR.
Adah Robinson Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was formed in the fall of 1894 or 1895, at Virginia. A fire occurred a few years later, and the records having been burned, the exact date of organization cannot now be ascertained. The following were the first officers: worthy matron, Mrs .. Lillie Downing ; worthy patron, A. A. Leeper, and associate matron, Mrs. Laura Kors. Other charter members were: Harry F. Downing, Mrs. Eva Leeper, H. F. Kors, Mrs. Maggie Mann, R. H. Mann, Mrs. Sue Downing, Finis E. Downing. Mrs. Jennie M. Dunaway, Thomas Dunaway, Mrs. Louis Montgomery, C. S. Montgomery, Mrs. Maggie Gordley, C. A. Schaeffer, Mrs. Mary J. Robinson, J. F. Rob- inson, A. J. Coons. A. G. Dunaway, Mrs. Louise Davis, A. L. Anderson, D. H. Salzebstein, and L. A. Petefish. Beardstown Chapter No. 113. O. E. S., has been organized for some years, and has a large membership, it being in a prosper- ous condition. Its helpfulness towards its members and its uplifting influences have been felt very materially in the social affairs of the city and community.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
CHANDLERVILLE .- Pecan Camp No. 530, M. W. A., was organized at Chandlerville, February 29, 1SSS. with the following charter members : A. M. Pendleton, J. H. Kinney, H. S. Leeper, L. M. Dick, I. N. Reed. Herman Rethorn, S. C. Fielden, J. J. Clegg. J. C. Morse, F. H. Morse, J. O. Upp. Moses Crowell, and Eb. Spink. The first officers were: venerable counsel, L. M. Dick ; worthy advisor, H. S. Leeper ; esteemed banker, J. J. Clegg; clerk. A. M. Pendelton ; watchman, Ed. Spink ; Escort, I. N. Reed ; senl-, try, Moses Crowell ; managers, Herman Reth- orn, J. C. Morse, and S. C. Fielden.
VIRGINIA .- Virginia Camp No. 5SS, M. W. A., Was organized at Virginia, April 25, 1SSS, with the following members who became the first
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
officers : venerable counsel, J. F. Robinson ; worthy advisor, C. M. Tinney ; esteemed banker, L. A. Petefish ; clerk, Matt Yaple; escort, J. I. Parkhurst; watchman, R. L. Duncan ; sentry, David Weh; local physician, C. M. Hubbard ; managers, J. A. Jones, F. E. Downing, and Wil- liam M. Henry.
BEARDSTOWN .- Muscooten Camp No. 579, M. W. A., was organized at Beardstown, May 22,' 1888, with the following charter members: R. L. Fulk, J. T. Iston, L. J. Golden, J. H. Swope, T. C. Harris, Peter Flannery, J. S. Townsley, Peter Gilson, F. Rutzen, Dr. George Bley, W. O. Self, A. H. Noe, F. A. Horton, E. E. McKen- zie, A. S. Coil, L. J. Selby, H. W. Carter, J. L. Kramer, N. Hiltner, J. Weal, N. R. Brash, J. D. Colburn, and E. Meyers. The first officers were : venerable counsel, F. C. Harris; worthy advisor, Edward Meyers; esteemed banker, Dr. George Bley; clerk, A. S. Coil; escort, J. L. Selby ; watchman, E. E. Mckenzie; sentry, N. Hiltner.
ARENZVILLE .- Arenzville Camp No. 685, M. W. A., was organized at Arenzville, August 18, 1SSS, with the following charter members who were also the first officers: venerable counsel, W. L. McCarthy ; worthy advisor, John Rahn; es- teemed banker, H. A. Bridgeman; clerk, P. J. Arenz; escort, T. A. Eaton; watchman, J. S. Batis ; sentry, H. F. Arenz ; camp physician, Dr. J. M. Swope; managers, Joseph Polite, W. L. McCarty and C. H. Dahman. C. Triebert and W. F. Arenz were also charter members. The present clerk is Harry F. Triebert, a son of C. Triebert.
ASHLAND .- Mulberry Camp No. 1436, M. W. A., was organized at Ashland July 14, 1890, with the following members who became the first officers : venerable counsel, A. F. Burnham ; worthy advisor, J. N. Dorand ; esteemed banker, Frank Cox; clerk, J. L. Martin ; escort, B. A. Edwards; watchman, W. E. Johnson ; sentry, E. W. Grogan; managers, D. Lyons, J. N. Do- rand and C. . W. Grogan ; camp physician, Dr. A. F. Burnham. The present clerk is John N. Blank.
BLUFF SPRINGS .- Bluff Springs Camp No. 1489, was organized at Bluff Springs, Septeni- ber 30, 1890. The names of the charter mem- bers are not available, but the first officers were : venerable counsel, F. P. Matson ; worthy ad- visor, A. W. Blohm; esteemed banker, C. Dupes ; clerk, C. E. Parry ; escort, John Reichert ; man-
agers, Dan. Hewit, William Steel and Engel- bert Cramer; camp physician, Dr. George Bley.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
There are a number of other fraternal in- surance orders in the county that have not made so much of the fraternal or social side of the order as have the Woodmen, and have thereby attracted less attention from the gen- eral public, but nevertheless have been of in- calculable benefit to their members, and also, indirectly, to the community at large. Among them are: the Court of Honor, with several organizations at various points in the county ; the Knights of Columbus; the Loyal Legion ; the Royal Benefit Association; the United Workmen ; Knights of Maccabee, and the Fra- ternal Army of America. There are also sev- eral other orders well represented that are so- cial and beneficial in their character, such as the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men of America, the Elks, and probably some others. The Knights of Pythias have a large and pros- perous lodge at Beardstown, and the Red Men have quite a large membership at both Vir- ginia and Beardstown. The Elks own a splen- did building on the north side of the Public Park, on Second street in Beardstown, and have a large membership.
WOMEN'S CLUBS.
About 1900 the women of Cass County became interested in the organization of clubs, both literary and social, and there are excellent clubs and societies now organized for mutual study and general helpfulness of women. That they may keep pace with the advancing mental ac- tivities of the sterner sex and fit themselves for the newer problems and the newer ave- nnes of life opening to them in the twentieth century. Among these clubs are : the Woman's Club, of Beardstown; the Travelers' Club, of Virginia : the Woman's Club, of Ashland ; and the Bay View Club, of Chandlerville. The last of these societies to organize was the Woman's Club, of Virginia. Most of the clubs have departments for social, literary, domestic and civic study and investigation, and since the act of the legislature, approved June 26, 1913, granting to women additional right of suffrage, considerable attention lias been de- voted to acquiring a more definite knowledge
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
of the particular subjects and branches of municipal government upon which they may be called to exercise the elective franchise.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is a county wide organization, having for its pur- pose the curbing of intemperance by Christian influence. It is non-sectarion and non-political, and has the highest respect of all classes for the excellent results it is accomplishing.
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC IN CASS COUNTY.
The Grand Army of the Republic is a patri- otic and fraternal association limited to men who were soldiers or sailors in the Union army or navy during the Civil war, and were hon- orably discharged. It was founded by Dr. Ben- jamin F. Stephenson, a resident of Springfield, Ill., who had enlisted and served in the Four- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry from Peters- burg, Ill. His principal assistant was Rev. Wil- liam J. Rutledge, chaplain of the same regi- ment. The system provides for grand and state encampments and local posts. "Its aims are to foster and strengthen fraternal feelings among members; to assist comrades needing help or protection, and aid comrades' widows and or- phans, and to inculcate unswerving loyalty." Its first department commander of the Depart- ment of Illinois was Dr. Stephenson, its foun- der. Gen. Charles E. Lippincott of Chandler- ville, Cass County, Ill., was department com- mander of Illinois during the year 1871. The first post was organized at Springfield, Ill., in 1866.
CASS COUNTY POSTS.
McLean Post No. 97, G. A. R., was organized at Beardstown, May 12, 1SS1, with the following charter members : James P. Sailor, Capt. B. F. Thacker, F. M. Davis, Christ Pilger, Charles Opits, John H. Wedeking, David R. Vincent, R. B. Fulks, Ezra Fish, M. L. Treadway, Edwin C. Foster, M. N. Parsons, N. Parsons, C. May- ries, G. F. Allen, August Christianer, J. F. Kaufenberger, and Fred L. Wells.
Downing Post No. 321, G. A. R., of Virginia, was organized August 6, 1SS3, with the follow- ing charter members: William Murray, Charles Kilendall, Joseph Lynch, George Davidson, E. J. Bingham, J. H. Gruer, John Fisher, G. R. McKee, Francis M. Davis, Eli M. Dale, John W.
Plummer, William Calvert, Joseph L. Wright, Henry H. Berry, Gustave Hillig, Samuel Miller, John T. Evans, Henry C. Millner, Joseph Hunt, James S. McLin, Richard W. Mills, Martin Fox, and nine of the above are still living. There are a few soldiers now living here who did not enlist from Cass County, but who are now mem- bers of the post, they being: F. M. Felix, Two Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry ; William W. Hare, Eighteenth Ken- tucky Volunteer Cavalry; W. S. Hurst, One Hundred and Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer In- fantry ; Reuben Lancaster, Sixth Kentucky Vol- unteer Cavalry; John E. Lacy, First Missouri Volunteer Cavalry ; Thomas A. Peters, Fifteenth U. S. R .; C. M. Jacobs, Sixth Missouri Volun- teer Infantry.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENTS.
Under the auspices of the Grand Army Posts, many soldiers' monuments have been erected in the cemeteries and public squares throughout the state. There are two monuments in Cass County, and one memorial rock. One is at Vir- ginia and the other two at Beardstown.
The monument at Virginia is a shaft of Bed- ford stone, 11 feet high, surmounted by a life- size statue of an infantry soldier at parade rest The monument was erected under the auspices of Downing Post No. 321, and cost $550, in addition to the donation by the sculptor, the late John S. Martin, who was a resident of Virginia, and whose father lost his life as a Union soldier during the Civil war. The life-size figure is a portrait statue of George W. Cunning- ham, of Virginia, an ex-soldier, a member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Cunningham was a friend and fel- low laborer with the sculptor for years, helping him in the erection of many of the finest monu- ments in the Virginia cemetery, and other ceme- teries in this and adjoining counties. He was a faithful soldier, a good citizen, and one worthy of the honor thus bestowed upon him by his departed friend. The monument stands in the Grand Army lot in the beautiful Walnut Ridge Cemetery, a mile north of the city of Virginia. It was dedicated to the "Soldiers and Sailors of Illinois," May 30, 1895, Hon. Richard Yates making the principal address on this occasion. Near this monument lies the body of the only Revolutionary soldier, so far as known, buried in Cass County, that of Phineas Underwood. He
RESIDENCE OF DR. HENRY HALL Founder of Virginia. Built in Virginia in 1834. Robert Hall born here in 1835
MAIN STREET, AASHLAND
RESIDENCE DISTRICT, MAIN STREET, ASHLAND
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CATHOLIC CHURCH, ASHLAND
HIGH SCHOOL, ASHLAND
BAPTIST CHURCH, ASHLAND
RESIDENCE OF DR. CHARLES CHANDLER, CHANDLERVILLE Built in 1836
M. E. CHURCH, ASHLAND
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
was born in Vermont in 1763, enlisted in 1781 in the Vermont line of troops, under Capt. Josiah Fish. He came to Illinois in 1826, locating near what is now Virginia, entered land in township 18, range 9, there remained until his death. He was buried in a country graveyard but later was by Downing Post, G. A. R., removed to the Walnut Ridge Cemetery, and a government marker placed at the head of his grave.
At Beardstown, in Oak Grove Cemetery, was erected by popular subscription, under the aus- pices of McLean Post, No. 97, at a cost of $800, a marble statue of an infantry soldier of heroic size. It was dedicated to the "Soldiers and Sailors of Illinois," June 16, 1891.
In the city cemetery, at Beardstown, has been erected, under the auspices of the Women's Re- lief Corps, and dedicated to the soldiers and sailors, a granite boulder, 7 feet high, sur- mounted by cannon balls. This boulder was brought from Schuyler County, under the direc- tion of Christ Bradman, an ex-soldier, now de- ceased. The cost, which was nearly $450, was defrayed by popular subscription.
CHAPTER XIX.
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS-MANY EARLY PHYSICIANS COLLEGE GRADUATES-HARD LIFE AMONG PIO- NEERS-FIRST PHYSICIAN IN CASS COUNTY- OTHERS DURING FIRST DECADE-SEVERAL FOUN- DERS OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES-DR. CHARLES CHANDLER-DR. HENRY
HALL-DR. THOMAS POTHICARY-PHYSICIANS WHO CAME LATER- THEIR PART IN BUILDING UP THE COUNTY-A PROMINENT PHYSICIAN AND CHEMIST-PHYSI- CIANS OF THE PRESENT TIME -- COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.
Aside from the miasmatic districts of the low lands along the river bottoms, and around the stretches of sloughs and stagnant ponds on the prairies, the early climatic conditions of Cass County were fairly good. Since the formation of drainage districts in the river bottoms, and
the introduction of tile draining whereby the boggy prairie lands have been all under-drained, and both localities relieved almost entirely of miasma, Cass County is probably as healthful a county as can be found in all Illinois. Not- withstanding the general healthfulness of the county the early settlers were subject to ail- ments that baffled the skill of the old men and women herb doctors, and it was hailed as a providential circumstance that brought the regu- lar, educated and skilled physician into the wild and sparsely settled districts of this western country. Many of these physicians were grad- uates of some eastern college and some of a university of a foreign country, and might well have located in any of the populous towns or cities of the east, and in the course of time might have secured a lucrative practice, and some there were who did try the experiment. Armed with a diploma, which they had secured with so much hard mental toil, and which they looked upon as a sure passport to immediate wealth and fame, they selected a propitious lo- cality and hung out their "shingle." Sick people, however, cared little for diplomas, and neg- lected to call the youngsters, but persisted in their simple-minded notion of sending for the old and experienced family physician who had long since forgotten he had ever possessed a diploma. It was this lack of encouragement on the part of civilization together with the lure of glowing accounts of the beauties of the west- ern country and its rapidly increasing popula- tion, that led the young doctors to pack up their diplomas, their pill bags and lancet, and start west for the land said to be flowing with milk and honey.
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