USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 13
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HARRISON AND MORTON.
Possessed of great independence of character and persistence in carrying out policies once determined upon, President Cleveland often aroused criticism and hostility in the ranks of his own party, and while he was again made the candidate for president, he was defeated in the election of 1888 by Benjamin Harrison, of the Republican party. The vice-presidential candi- dates were Levi P. Morton and Allen G. Thur- man. Four other parties received no electoral votes : Clinton B. Fisk and John A. Brooks of the Prohibition party ; Alson J. Streeter and C. E. Cunningham of the Union Labor party ; Rob- ert H. Cowdry and W. H. T. Wakefield of the United Labor party ; and James L. Curtis and James B. Greer of the American party.
CLEVELAND AND STEVENSON.
In 1892 General Harrison, with Whitelaw Reid as running mate, again entered the lists as the hope of the Republican party, but by this time the able and persistent attacks of the Democracy on the high tariff policy led to a gen- eral revulsion against it, and he was defeated at the election by Grover Cleveland, the success-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
ful candidate for the vice-presidency being Adlai E. Stevenson. There were three other parties in the field : the People's, with James B. Weaver and James J. Field; the Prohibition, with John Bidwell and James B. Cranfill; and the Socialist Labor, with Simon Wing and Charles H. Matchett.
MC KINLEY AND HOBART
Some of the greatest issues in the history of the country were brought before the people in the campaign of 1896, which resulted in the election of William McKinley and Garret A. Hobart, of the Republicans, over William Jen- nings Bryan and Arthur Sewall, representing the Democratic ("Free Silver") party. These were the only two parties to receive electoral votes, although there were a number of others in the field, including the People's, or "Populist," party, represented by William Jennings Bryan and Thomas E. Watson; the Prohibition, repre- sented by Joshua Levering and Hale Johnson ; t'te National Democratic, or "Sound Money Democracy," party, represented by John M. Pal- mer and Simon B. Buckner ; the National Silver, represented by William Jennings Bryan and Arthur Sewall; the Socialist Labor, represented by Charles H. Matchett and Matthew Maguire; and the National, or "Free Silver Prohibition," party, represented by Charles E. Bentley and James H. Southgate.
MC KINLEY AND ROOSEVELT.
The first term of President Mckinley is memorable chiefly for the occurrence of the Spanish-American War and its unexpected re- sults. That his policy during 1896-1900 was ac- ceptable was shown by his unanimous renomi- nation in 1900, and his re-election by a plurality of 849,000, and an electoral majority of 137. His vice-president was Theodore Roosevelt. His sec- ond term began most auspiciously, but he was not destined to see much of it, for September 5, 1901, he visited the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York, that day having been set aside as "President's Day." On the following afternoon, while holding a public reception, he was shot twice by Leon F. Czolgolz, an anarchist. He survived until September 14, and then passed away, being succeeded by President Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan and Adlai E. Steven- son again carried the hopes of the Democratic
party ; the Prohibitionists nominated John G. Woolley and Henry B. Metcalf; William Jen- nings Bryan and Adlai E. Stevenson were the choice of the People's, or "Populist," party ; Wharton Barker and Ignatius Donnelly secured the nomination of the People's, or "Middle of the Road," party; the Social Democrats nomi- nated Eugene V. Debs and Job Harriman; the Socialist Labor, Joseph F. Moloney and Valen- tine Remmel, and the Union Reform for Direct Legislation, Seth H. Ellis and Sam T. Nicholson.
ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS.
Having continued the policies of President McKinley, President Roosevelt remained as a popular idol, and in 1904 was again elected to the presidency, with Charles W. Fairbanks as vice-president, defeating the Democratic candi- dates, Alton B. Parker and Henry G. Davis. The Prohibition, Socialist, People's, Socialist Labor and Continental parties also put candi- dates in the field, but the vote cast respectively for Swallow, Debs, Watson, Corregan and Hol- comb, was comparatively small.
TAFT AND SHERMAN.
The Republican party continued to be success- ful in 1908, electing William Howard Taft and James Schoolcraft Sherman. The Democratic candidates that year were William Jennings Bryan and John W. Kern, while there were also in the field the Prohibition, Socialist, People's, Independence, Socialist Labor and United Chari- ties parties, represented by Chafin, Debs, Wat- son, Hisgen, Gillhaus and Turney.
WILSON AND MARSHALL.
With the nomination at Baltimore, Md., of Woodrow Wilson in 1912, there was brought to the front one who led the Democratic party back into power. The election of the Princeton Uni- versity president was assured when there oc- curred a break in the ranks of the Republican party, which had placed into nomination William Howard Taft, the party being accused of break- ing faith with Theodore Roosevelt, who forth- with became the standard-bearer of the newly- formed Progressive party, with Hiram W. John- son as his vice-presidential nominee. However, there had not been time to properly organize the new party, which ran a poor second to the Dem-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
ocrats, although defeating the Republicans. Mr. Wilson was swept into office by an overwhelm- ing vote, with Thomas R. Marshall as his vice- president. In 1912 James S. Sherman, the can- didate of the Republican party, died just prior to the election and no attempt was made to fill his place. The Republican electors cast their eight votes for Nicholas Murray Butler of New York. An informal poll of the members of the Republican National Committee taken after Mr. Sherman's death showed a strong sentiment for Herbert S. Hadley of Missouri for vice-president, but a meeting of the committee was called off and no formal action was ever taken on the subject. The other parties in the field were the Socialist, Prohibition and Socialist Labor, rep- resented respectively by Debs, Chafin and Rei- mer.
WILSON'S SECOND TERM,
Woodrow Wilson was re-elected in Novem- ber, 1916, defeating Charles Evans Hughes. He received also a majority of the popular votes. For the first time in the history of Illinois, women were allowed to vote in this election. Christian County's vote was as follows :
Wilson-Men, 4,463; women, 3,519; total, 7,982.
Hughes-Men, 4,012; women, 2,011; total, 6,923.
Total-Men, 8,475 ; women, 6,430 ; total, 14.905.
CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENTS.
According to the various congressional appor- tionments, Christian County has been included in the following districts : Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Twelfth, Thirteenth. Since 1903 it has been a part of the Twenty-first district. The other counties comprising this district are Ma- coupin, Montgomery and Sangamon.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
Since 1840 Christian County has been repre- sented in the lower house of the National Assem- bly by the following men : John T. Stuart, 1839- 1841; John J. Hardin, 1843-1845; E. D. Baker and John Henry, 1845-1847; Abraham Lincoln, 1847-1849; Thomas Harris, 1849-1851; Richard Yates, 1851-1853, 1853-1855; Thomas Harris, 1855-1857; Thomas Harris and C. D. Hodges, 1857-1859; John A. McClernand, 1859-1861, 1861-
1863; John T. Stuart, 1863-1865; Shelby M. Cul- lom, 1865-1867, 1867-1869, 1869-1871; James C. Robinson, 1871-1873, 1873-1875; William M. Springer, 1875-1877, 1877-1879, 1879-1881, 1881- 1883, 1883-1885, 1885-1887, 1887-1889, 1889-1891, 1891-1893, 1893-1895; James A. Connolly, 1895- 1897, 1897-1899; Ben F. Caldwell, 1899-1901; 1901-1903, 1903-1905; Zeno Rives, 1905-1907 ; Ben F. Caldwell, 1907-1909; James M. Graham, 1909-1911, 1911-1913, 1913-1915 ; Loren E. Wheeler, 1915-1917, 1917-1919.
CHRISTIAN COUNTY IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The first constitution of Illinois which was adopted at Kaskaskia in 1818 provided that the number of representatives should not be less than twenty-seven nor more than thirty-six, until the number of inhabitants in the state should amount to 100,000; and that number of senators should never be less than one-third, nor more than one-half of the number of representatives.
Christian County has been represented in the General Assembly from time to time by a num- ber of capable men. The names of Christian County men only appear in the succeeding para- graphs. H. M. Vandeveer served as a repre- sentative in the Thirteenthi General Assembly which convened at Springfield December 5, 1842. William S. Ricks was a member of the House of Representatives in the Fourteenthi General As- sembly which convened in December, 1844, and Dorice D. Shumway represented the county in the Fifteenth General Assembly which convened December 7, 1846.
REPRESENTATIVES IN UPPER HOUSE.
Gabriel R. Jernigan of Christian County served in the senate in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth General Assemblies covering the period of 1852- 1856. The Twentieth General Assembly had as a member of the house Calvin Goudy of Taylor- ville, who has received mention elsewhere in this history.
Horatio M. Vandeveer represented the district of which Christian County was a part as a mem- ber of the honse in the Twenty-second General Assembly (1860-1862 and as a member of the senate in both the Twenty-third and Twenty- fourth General Assemblies (1862-1866). The Twenty-third General Assembly which convened January 5, 1863, at a most critical period in our national affairs, has a somewhat varied history.
Warren boz me
Emma Corzine
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
It was adjourned February 10, 1863, till June 2, 1863 ; was prorogued by the governor on June 10, 1863, until December 31, 1864, upon which date it convened and adjourned.
John B. Ricks of Taylorville served in the house in the Twenty-fifth General Assembly, 1866-1868. This was the last representation the county had under the Constitution of 1848.
By the Constitution of 1870 the state was di- vided into fifty-one senatorial districts-each of which elects one senator, whose term of office is four years; and three representatives, whose term of office is two years. The following con- tains the names of Christian County men who have served in the General Assembly since the adoption of the present constitution :
William B. Hundley, Twenty-seventh General Assembly, 1870-72, District 35, House.
Thomas Finley, Twenty-seventh General As- sembly, 1870-72, District 35, House.
Benjamin Dornblaser, Twenty-seventh General Assembly, 1870-72, District 35, House.
William B. Hundley, Twenty-eighth General Assembly, 1872-74, District 34, Senate.
Hiram P. Shumway, Twenty-eighth General Assembly, 1872-74, District 34, House.
William B. Hundley, Twenty-ninth General As- sembly, 1874-76, District 34, Senate.
Levi Scott, Twenty-ninth General Assembly, 1874-76, District 34, House.
John C. Hagler, Twenty-ninth General Assem- bly, 1874-76, District 34, House.
William E. Morrison, Thirtieth General As- sembly, 1876-78, District 34, House.
John B. Jones, Thirty-first General Assembly, 1878-80, District 34, House.
William Y. Crosthwait, Thirty-first General Assembly, 1878-80, District 34, House.
W. T. Vandeveer, Thirty-second General As- sembly, 1SS0-82, District 34. Senate.
George A. Sharp, Thirty-second General Assem- bly, 1880-82, District 34, House.
W. T. Vandeveer, Thirty-third General Assem- bly, 1882-84, District 40, Senate.
E. E. Cowperwait, Thirty-third General Assem- bly, 1882-84, District 40, House.
John B. Ricks, Thirty-third General Assembly, 1882-84, District 40, House.
Robert A. Gray, Thirty-fourth General Assem- bly, 1SS4-86, District 40, House.
Robert A. Gray, Thirty-fifth General Assem- bly, 1886-88. District 40, House.
Coleman C. George, Thirty-fifth General As- sembly, 1886-SS, District 40, House.
Hiram P. Shumway, Thirty-sixth General As- sembly, 1888-90, District 40, Senate.
Josiah A. Hill, Thirty-sixth General Assembly, 1888-90, District 40, House.
Hiram P. Shumway, Thirty-seventh General Assembly, 1890-92, District 40, Senate.
W. W. Weedon, Thirty-seventh General Assem- bly, 1890-92, District 40, House.
A. B. Herdman, Thirty-eighth General Assem- bly, 1892-94, District 40, House.
James E. Sharrock, Thirty-ninth General As- sembly, 1894-96, District 41, House.
James E. Sharrock, Fortieth General Assem- bly, 1896-98, District 41, House.
J. N. C. Shumway, Forty-first General Assem- bly, 1898-1900, District 41, Senate.
J. N. C. Shumway, Forty-second General As- sembly, 1900-02, District 41, Senate.
.J. C. Hunter, Forty-second General Assembly, 1902-04, District 40, House.
Henry O. Minnis, Forty-third General Assem- bly, 1902-04, District 40, House.
Walter M. Provine, Forty-fourth General As- sembly, 1904-06, District 40, House.
Henry O. Minnis, Forty-fourth General As- sembly, 1904-06, District 40, House.
Walter M. Provine, Forty-fifth General Assem- bly, 1906-08, District 40, House.
John C. Richardson, Forty-fifth General As- sembly, 1906-08, District 40, House.
John C. Richardson, Forty-sixth General As- sembly, 1908-12, District 40, House.
Walter M. Provine, Forty-seventh General As- sembly, 1910-12 District 40, House.
John C. Richardson, Forty-seventh General As- sembly, 1910-12, District 40, House.
William H. Harp, Forty-seventh General As- sembly, 1910-12, District 40. House.
Walter M. Provine, Forty-eighth General As- sembly, 1912-14, District 40, House.
John C. Richardson, Forty-eighth General As- sembly, 1912-14, District 40, House.
Walter M. Provine, Forty-ninth General As- sembly, 1914-16, District 40, House.
John C. Richardson, Forty-ninth General As- sembly, 1914-16, District 40, House.
John J. Bullington, Fiftieth General Assembly. 1916-18, District 40, House.
SENATORIAL APPORTIONMENT.
Since 1902 Christian County has formed a part of the Fortieth Senatorial District. The other counties which help to make this district are
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Shelby, Fayette and Cumberland. Frank Wend- ling of Shelby County was elected senator in 1916 to represent the Fortieth District.
CONVENTION OF 1847.
On June 7, 1847, a Constitutional Convention which formulated a new constitution for Illinois convened at Springfield. This constitution was ratified by the people on March 6, 1848, and is known as the Constitution of 1848. D. D. Shum- way of Taylorville was one of the 162 delegates to this convention.
THE CONVENTION OF 1862.
The writer feels that it is not out of place at this time to record herein the work of a con- vention which failed to realize its purpose, since it is directly connected with the history of Chris- tian County. The third Constitutional Conven- tion of Illinois met at Springfield January 7, 1862, and adjourned March 24 of that year after forming a new constitution. The proposed con- stitution was rejected by a vote of the people June 17, 1862, but many of its best parts were subsequently incorporated into the Constitution of 1870. Horatio M. Vandeveer of Taylorville enjoyed the distinction of being one of the sev- enty-five delegates to this convention.
SUPREME COURT OF ILLINOIS.
Christian County was represented in the high- est tribunal in the State of Illinois from 1901 to 1906 by Hon. James B. Ricks of Taylorville. Judge Ricks served one year as Chief Justice. Other Supreme judges who either sat upon the bench in Christian County or practiced law in its courts were: Samuel H. Treat, Anthony Thornton and Jesse J. Phillips.
FORTUNATE IN ITS OFFICIALS.
Christian County may be said to have been singularly fortunate in the men who have repre- sented it in office. For the greater part its citi- zens have shown good judgment and acumen in casting their vote, whether for national candi- dates or for merely local officers. A number of men of excellent ability and statesmanlike tal- ents have been developed within its borders and have so directed their abilities as to forward the
best interests of their county and keep the pages of its history free from stain or blemish. As before stated, taken as a whole, the political his- tory of Christian County is a record of good service, fairly-won battles and honest represen- tation, comparing favorably with that of the other counties of the state.
CHAPTER XI.
THE PRESS.
POWER OF THE PRESS-DIGNITY OF JOURNALISM -- CHARACTER OF EDITORS-PANA WEEKLY HERALD -PANA PLAIN DEALER-INDEPENDENT PRESS- TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL-CENTRAL ILLINOIS DEM- OCRAT-PANA WEEKLY ENTERPRISE-PANA PUB- LIC-TAYLORVILLE FLAG-ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN - SATURDAY REPUBLICAN - PANA GAZETTE - CHRISTIAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT - TAYLORVILLE DEMOCRAT-CENTRAL ORIENT-PANA PALLADIUM -ASSUMPTION DEMOCRAT-ASSUMPTION REC- ORD-ASSUMPTION NEWS-PRAIRIE STATE TRI- BUNE-MORRISONVILLE TIMES-THE INDEPEND- ENT-FARMERS' JOURNAL-TAYLORVILLE JOUR- NAI-TAYLORVILLE NEWS-THE BREEZE-WEEK- LY ARGUS-PANA BEACON LIGHT-EDINBURG HERALD-OWANECO PROGRESS-PEOPLE'S CHOICE -STONINGTON STAR-SCHOOL NEWS AND PRAC- TICAL EDUCATOR-GENERAL REVIEW.
POWER OF THE PRESS.
Of the agencies which shape and influence public opinion and action, there is none so powerful as the Press. Where the individual comes into contact with his hundreds, the press reaches its thousands ; the spoken word, even when coming from the lips of the most widely recognized authority, can never hope to gain the circulation of the printed one, without be- coming a printed one itself. Under our form of government the Fourth Estate is a mighty force in public life. In questions of great import tlie newspapers of our land have been known to change even national policies, and in the shaping of the platforms of the great political
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
parties the power of the press has served to change the destinies of some of our greatest statesmen.
DIGNITY OF JOURNALISM.
In merely local affairs the great organiza- tion of journalism is one which may make for discord or peace; for the building up or break- ing down of reputations; for the advancement of community interests or for their retrogres- sion. No individual's interests are so safe- guarded that they may not be brought into the glaring light by the investigations of the news- paper ; no corporation's influence is so strong as to withstand the attacks of the journalistic organ when the public interest is aroused; few candidates for public office have succeeded in defeating the relentless persecution of a con- demnatory press. On the other hand, the news- paper is a great force in the cause of educa- tion, bringing into the lives of its readers a broader outlook and more varied interests ; properly conducted, it is one of the greatest promoters for public-spirited enterprises, and therefore for business prosperity and commercial activity ; while in the pursuance of those who break the laws of our land, it may become an untiring, unforgiving nemesis, unmoved by pity, unswerved by pecuniary offers.
CHARACTER OF EDITORS.
The newspapers of Christian County have had their full share of criticism, but they have also come in for their full meed of praise. For the greater part they have been conducted by men of wise judgment, broad public spirit and great enterprise, who have labored earnestly in behalf of the public weal and have been repre- sentatives of the best type of journalism.
PANA WEEKLY HERALD.
The first number of the first paper ever printed in Christian county was placed on sale December 23, 1857, when there appeared the initial issue of the Pana Weekly Herald, ed- ited by Milan S. Beckwith, who had purchased the material for the new venture from Doctor Chenoweth, of Decatur, Ill. This paper was established with the idea of promoting the in- terests of and encouraging settlement in Chris- tian County, where Editor Beckwith was large-
ly interested in real estate, and, it is said, "its pages sang of the fertility of the soil and the desirability of the climate in no uncertain tones, but it failed to record the deaths from chills or fevers unless the person so dying possessed more than a local reputation." The Herald, which was independent in politics when it first started, became Democratic in 1858, but did not long last to support that party, passing out with the 41st issue of Volume II.
PANA P'LAINDEALER.
The successor of the Pana Weekly Herald was the Pana Plaindealer, which was issued first October 7, 1859, its editor being Eli F. Chittenden. It continued publication at Pana until November 1, 1860, when it was discon- tinued and the office removed to Shelbyville.
INDEPENDENT PRESS.
The second paper printed in the county was the Independent Press, first issued January 19, 1858, at Taylorville, by Benjamin Winters, a practical printer, who made the publication fer- vently Democratic. Like his paper, Mr. Win- ters was independent in thought and action, and, being a vigorous and effective writer, his invectives and bitter denunciation of his party's principles when he believed them in the wrong, lost him much support. However, he continued the publication of the paper until November 28, 1868, when the presses and equipment were practically worn out. These had seen service as early as 1808 in the plant of the Missouri Re- publican, the same press having subsequently been used in 1831 in establishing the Sangamon Journal, at Springfield, Ill. It was brought from Springfield to Taylorville, where it was finally demolished. Complete files of the Inde- pendent Press may still be found in Christian County, doubtless having survived because of the forceful style of its editorials.
TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL.
About a year after the birth of the Inde- pendent Press there appeared a paper known as the Taylorville Journal, the first issue of which bore the date January 27, 1859. The publishers were Messrs. Corr, VanKirk & Company, who shortly became involved in financial difficulties, and whose office was sold under a mortgage
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
after the Journal had been printed nine times. It was also a Democratic sheet, but could not secure the support given its competitor of the same party.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT.
The Central Illinois Democrat was issued at Pana, January 7, 1860, from the material and presses formerly used by the Taylorville Jour- nal, the backers of the new venture being E. P. Sanders, proprietor and publisher, and J. B. Butler, editor. W. F. Phelon joined the edito- rial staff February 23, 1860, but November 9, 18GO, the office changed hands, G. W. Harper and F. J. Black becoming editors and publishers.
PANA WEEKLY ENTERPRISE.
The new proprietors of the Central Illinois Democrat, Messrs. Harper and Black, immedi- ately changed the name of the organ to the Pana Weekly Enterprise, but this lasted not long enough to gain the merest recognition at the hands of the public, for but one issue was printed under that name, and November 24, 1860, the office and equipment were sold to O. F. Morrison and M. M. DeLewis, who again changed the name.
PANA PUBLIC,
Thus came into existence the Pana Public, an independent sheet, with Mr. DeLevis in the ed- itorial chair. This was an attractive, well printed and well edited newspaper, and flour- ished until June 1, 1862, when it was removed by its owners to Clinton, Ill.
TAYLORVILLE FLAG.
The first journalistic representative of the Republican party in Christian County appeared at Taylorville, July 26, 1864, bearing the name of the Taylorville Flag. It was first edited and managed by I. D. Munday, but after three weeks he resigned, being succeeded in charge by Paul Conner, who soon purchased the of- fice. The .latter gentleman remained as editor until April 12, 1866, when Jolm J. Squier purchased a half interest, and November 15 of the same year Mr. Squier came into full owner- ship of the paper by purchase.
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN.
On March 24, 1870, John J. Squier changed the name of the Taylorville Flag to that of the Illinois Republican, a paper which continued to be published for many years. On November 18, 1870, Mr. Squier sold a half interest in this paper to his brother, W. B. Squier, and this association continued until March 19, 1874, when John J. Squier again became sole owner.
SATURDAY REPUBLICAN.
The Saturday Republican began publication August 19, 1876, under the management and editorship of John J. Squier, who printed it in addition to the Illinois Republican. Some time during the year 1887 Mr. Squier sold the paper and all its equipment to Joseph Tor- rey who continued its publication for a year or more, the Courier Printing Company then assuming its ownership and management. This became the nucleus around which the present Courier, daily and weekly, was built. This was some time during the year 1893.
PANA GAZETTE.
Richard Couch and R. M. Carr purchased some new material and added it to a job office owned by Mr. Couch, at Pana, and from the combination was issued the first number of the Pana Gazette, July 27, 1865. On April 17, 1866, Mr. Carr purchased the entire interest in the publication, of which he continued to be editor and publisher until December 11, 1868, when he sold a half interest to R. W. Coon, the partner- ship of Carr & Coon continuing until February, 1871, when the latter gentleman retired. Mr. Carr continued alone in the publication of the paper until 1889, when J. C. Essick, an able lawyer with aspirations of a journalistic char- acter, purchased the outfit and greatly improved the plant. A year or two served to satisfy Mr. Essick's desire for newspaper experience, and he sold out to Kelliger & Son, who in turn were succeeded by Burch & Merry, and in a few weeks Mr. Merry retired, Mr. Burch sell- ing out to E. Gorell several years later. Mr. Gorell also kept the paper only a short time, when the Gazette was bought by W. S. Chil- dress. Some time during the year 1895 Mrs. Liz- zie Weaver became owner by purchase, but the
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