Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 4

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In the flat and swampy portions of the county, swamp grasses abounded, growing at the high tide of the summer to such proportions as to conceal cattle and horses which in that day were allowed to roam unrestrainedly on the prairies, and it was sometimes found expedient to hang a bell from the neck of a milch-cow in order to locate her in the swamp grass when she tarried there beyond milking time.

The higher prairie lands were covered in the summer season with the common prairie grasses. and were ravishingly beautiful with wild flowers.

The wild rose grew abundantly and its five- petaled flowers made an especial appeal to early settlers, and, even now the old wild rose, in its most favored state, is a formidable rival of its

648

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

more gorgeous and many-petaled descendants, which, in some instances, have lost the delicate fragrance characteristic of the older and simpler flower.

Sunflowers and rosin weeks were abundant. In every direction scarlet clumps of sweet-wil- liam attracted attention and delighted the eye. and really; nuisance though it was, the spanish needle, when at the height of its glory in the late summer or fall, covering, as it often did, a large expanse of country, presented a most gorgeous spectacle when viewed from a distance. And nothing was much more attractive than the delicate coloring of the flowers of the jimson- weed, which the farmer wisely sought to ex- terminate, but which is represented in our flower gardens of today by some of the more preten- tious, but not more beautiful, varieties of the datura.

Wild strawberries abounded. The berries were small, but sweet, and had a flavor superior to that of the cultivated varieties. The children were often given the irksome task of gathering these berries for the family use. It was never an irksome task for these youngsters to gather them for the individual mouth.

There were large blackberry patches in many parts of the county, which furnished a delicious fruit to the early settler. One of the most im- portant of these lay southwest of La Crosse at what was known as Shakerag. Those who wanted blackberries went to Shakerag the evening before and camped so as to begin gathering the berries with the first approach of dawn, as the blackberry patch was ordinarily gone over and the berries were appropriated by the early risers, leaving practically nothing for the late comers.

No scene was more beautiful or inspiring than the large stretches of prairie land, wild, unculti- vated, covered with grasses and flowers, and those who lived through the old times look back longingly to the days of these "unshorn fields," these "gardens of the desert," for which, as Bryant says, "the speech of England has no name."

cation, but the names, are here given, without special arrangement, for the information of the reader. The list is a long one and yet it is not supposed to be complete, and doubtless the cata- logue will receive valuable additions as Dr. Haupt continues his investigations. In most instances the common names only are here given, although the scientific names have also been furnished by Dr. Haupt.

Soft maple, American elm, Slippery elm, Snow trillium, Arbor-vitae, Balsam poplar, Squill, White willow, Cottonwood, Snowdrop, Dande- lion, Quaking aspen, Box elder, Golden crocus, Hyacinth, Daffodil, Chionodoxa, Sweet violet, Spring crocus, Hepatica (acutiloba), Rue ane- mone, Dutchman's Breeches, Shepherd's Purse, Silver poplar, Spring beauty, Pepper root, Golden bell, Virginia cowslip-bluebell, Poet's Narcissus, Red cedar, White violet, Golden osier willow, Bloodroot, Grape Hyacintlı, Apricot, Paper birch, Tulip, White ash, Hard maple, Everlasting, Dwarf Iris, Japanese apricot, Rus- sian Mulberry, Wood sorrel, Common blue violet, Japanese quince, White adder's tongue, Cherry, Red-bud, Wild plum, Peach, Ironwood, Hepatica (triloba), Pear, Plum (domestica), White spruce, Bell-wort, Golden currant, Ohio buckeye, Bleeding heart, White birch, Wild mulberry, Prickly ash, Myrtle, Lilac, Spiraea, Flowering almond, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Wild ginger, Trillium (cractum), Wild strawberry, Everlasting, Wind flower or Wood anemone, Wild gooseberry- Smooth gooseberry, Crab-apple, Flowering dog- wood, Squirrel-corn, Bud's foot violet, Puccoon, Bell wort, Violet wood sorrel, Blue phlox, Butter- cup (common swamp), Red trillium, Bird's foot violet, Hair yellow violet, River or black birch, Japanese spiraea, Narcissus, Plain's violet, Siberian crab-apple, Jacob's ladder, Small flowered buttercup, Japanese barberry, Common horsetail, Wild crane's bill, Shadbush, Horse- radish, Red currant, Apple, Large flowered trillium, Yellow adder's tongue, Pawpaw, Neck- weed, Sassafras, Wilson's spiraea, Norway maple, Hawthorne (punctata), Black oak, White oak, Pansy, Hawthorne (macauleyae), May- apple, Lily-of-the-valley, Single peony, Kentucky blue-grass, Yellow dock, Snowball, Columbine, Shingle oak, Rhubarb, Scotch pine, Norway spruce, Butternut, Black walnut, Cypress spurge, Field sorrel, Japanese lilac, Strawberry, Choke cherry, Red brown flag, Bush honeysuckle, Marguerite, Carolina allspice, Hoary willow,

Dr. Arthur W. Haupt of the Biological De- partment of Carthage College, who has con- ducted an investigation, wonderfully thorough, . Waterleaf, Shooting star, Bur oak, Ground ivy, to ascertain and catalogue trees and flowers, now growing in woods, field, yard and garden in Hancock County, has generously furnished the editor the result of his researches for use in this history. There is no effort here at classifi-

649

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

White mustard, Rough bedstraw, Marsh fox-tail grass, Asparagus, Green dragon root, Small Solomon's Seal, Wild Hyacinth, Star grass, Celandine poppy, Weeping birch, False Sol- omon's Seal, Hound's tongue, Prickly ash, Mouse-ear chickweed, Pennsylvania spring cress, Pepper grass, Cat's foot, Water elm, Daisy flea bane, Blue-eyed grass, Iris, Star-of-Bethlehem, Wild crab-apple, Red-osier dogwood, Bridal wreath, Common mallow, Silverberry, Five finger-Cinquefoil, Sandwort, Peppergrass, Gar- den columbine, Red mulberry, Ellisia Nyctelea, Currant, Iris, Palmate-leaved violet, Rye, Car- rion flower, Kerria Jopomica, Horse-gentian, Viburnum, Tumblemustard, Arrow-leaved violet, Skull cap, Yellow clover, Prairie phlox, False indigo, Wild parsnip, Viola Striata, Sorrel, White clover, Anemone (tall), Larkspur, Lark- spur, Seneca snake root, Waterleaf, Henbane, Quince, Bush honeysuckle, Neibena Canadensis, Raspberry, Dewberry, Garden pea, Horse chest- nut, Red clover, Iris Pseudacorus, Luzula Com- pestris, Dentzia, Golden ragwort, Chinese wis- taria, Hoarhound, Moneywort, Spring cress, Red raspberry, Creeping cinquefoil, Locust, Vitaceae, Tansy, Pale dock, Sand bar willow, Frost grape, Cornflower, Spideruset, Black Medick clover, Clover, Siberian Pea Tree, Blue spruce, White pine, Evening Primrose, Figwort, Austrian pine, Golden Alexanders, Syringa, Bristly locust, Shellbark hickory, Dog fennel, Milkweed, Pota- to, Spinach, Wheat, False dandelion, Oat, Orien- tal poppy, Honeysuckle, Charlock mustard, Clematis Lawsoniana, Eglantine rose, Rose, Bittersweet, Wild rose, Ground Cherry, Timothy, Early meadow rue, Wild onion, Barnyard grass, Smoke tree, False jessamine, Smooth sumac, Large Solomon's Seal, Hop tree, Motherwort, Wormwood, Persimmon, Sage, Alfalfa, Panicled dogwood, Honey locust, Sweet alyssum. Cali- fornia poppy, Day lily, Small snap-dragon, Yellow day lily, Hordeum Jubtum, Basswood, Black-eyed Susan, Catalpa.

HANCOCK COUNTY BIRDS IN GENERAL

The following list has been compiled from the records of the Biological Department of Carthage College by Prof. Earl Logan Lambert, Instructor in Science and Assistant in the Biological Laboratory of Carthage College. The following prefatory statement also was prepared by Prof. Lambert.

Carthage is located in the center of Hancock

County, 12 miles east of the Mississippi River, 60 miles west of the Illinois River and about 100 miles north of their junction. The region used to be prairie, with woods along the streams. At the present time virtually all of the area is under cultivation. Woods are limited to the im- mediate vicinity of the more pronounced water- courses. Dense woods occur only along the larger streams. Many of the streams in the county dry up during the summer.

The wooded and marshy conditions along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers are very at- tractive to a large number of birds. Carthage, lying between these two prominent water- courses on open uplands, does not attract many birds in competition with river conditions to the north and south of Hamilton. Consequently the birds seen in the vicinity of Carthage represent those relatively independent for a living or as a line of migration.

The localities in which the work was carried on are here given.

Carthage : The city of Carthage is fairly open, with many trees and shrubs, and is favorable for a considerable number of birds, both during the winter and summer.

Moss Ridge Cemetery : At the northern edge of Carthage is a medium sized cemetery in which are a large number of pines and spruces as well as such deciduous trees as white and black oak and birch, and quite a number of shrubs. Parts of two ravines which terminate at Long Creek have their beginnings in this cemetery. On the whole this is a rather favor- able spot for bird work, although capable of considerable improvement by increasing the number of shrubs and desisting from burning and otherwise devastating the ravines and the slope down to Long Creek. West of this ceme- tery are ravines, wooded with oaks and hick- ories, which are frequently worth visiting.

Long Creek: This stream, averaging about 20 feet in width but very shallow, is suitable for certain shore and water birds, but is quite over- shadowed by conditions along the Mississippi River. The banks of Long Creek are quite largely wooded with elm, soft maple, buckeye, sycamore, honey locust, river birch, basswood and hackberry. Away from the creek along the ravines oaks and hickory are in abundance. This area, extending for several miles, is ex- cellent for bird work.

Prairie Creek : This creek rises in Carthage and passes by the East Cemetery and east, and

650

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

north and east, into Crooked Creek. The last eight to ten miles of its course is through wooded and bottomland country and is good for bird work.

Crooked Creek: This is the largest stream in the vicinity. It flows through lowlands which it occasionally floods. Wherever human activ- ities do not interfere, a dense lowland forest of soft maple, sycamore, elm, swamp white oak, honey locust, hackberry, basswood and wahoo, several shrubs, and many herbaceous plants, develop. This is the best area close to Carthage.

Hamilton and vicinity : This region presents conditions which are unsurpassed in the county. To the south of the dam the lowland is marshy and therefore suitable for shore and marsh in- habiting species. The slopes, between the low- lands and the uplands, which are inundated dur- ing the early spring months, are densely wooded and have an abundance of shrubbery. The lake and shore conditions north of the dam are ad- inirable for water and shore birds.

In addition to the places mentioned, the road- sides, hedges, farmyards and similar places fur- nish suitable conditions for different kinds of birds.

The following is the list of birds (with A. O. U numbers).

Order I. Pygopodes. Grebes and Loons- Family Colymbidae : 3, Horned Grebe; 6, Pied- billed Grebe. Family Gaviidae : 7, Loon.

Order II. Longipennes. Gulls and Terns- Family Laridae: 51, Herring Gull; 54, Ring- billed Gull; 60, Bonaparte's Gull; 69, Forster's Tern ; 77, Black Tern.

Order IV. Steganopodes. Pelicans and Cor- morants-Family Pelicanidae : . 125, American White Pelican.

Order V. Anseres. Ducks and Geese Family Anatidae : 129, American Merganser; 130, Red- breasted Merganser; 131, Hooded Merganser ; 140, Blue-winged Teal; 143, Pintail Duck; 147, Canvasback Duck ; 148, Scaup Duck; 149, Lesser Scaup Duck; 150, Ring-necked Duck; 153, Buffle-head ; 171a, American White-fronted Goose ; 172, Canada Goose.

Order VII. Herodiones. Herons, Starks, Ibises-Family Ardeidae: 190, American Bit- tern ; 191, Least Bittern ; 194, Great Blue Heron ; 200, Little Blue Heron ; 201, Green Heron ; 202, Black-crowned Night Heron.

Order VIII. Paludicolae. Rails and Coots- Family Rallidae : 212, Virginia Rail; 214, Sora Rail; 221, Coot.

Order IX. Limicolae. Shore Birds .- Family Scolopacidae : 228, Woodcock; 254, Greater Yellowlegs; 255, Lesser Yellowlegs; 256, Soli- tary Sandpiper; 261, Bartramian Sandpiper ; 263, Spotted Sandpiper. Family Charadriidae : 273, Killdeer Plover.

Order X. Gallinae. Grouse and Patridges- Family Odontophoridae: 289, Bob-white; Fam- ily Tetraonidae : 205, Prairie Chicken.

Order XI. Columbae. Doves, and Pigeons- Family Columbidae : 316, Mourning Dove.

Order XII. Raptores. Vultures, Hawks and Owls-Family Buteonidae : 331, Marsh Hawk ; 332, Sharp-shinned Hawk; 333, Cooper's Hawk ; 334, Goshawk; 337, Red-tailed Hawk; 337b, Western Red-tailed Hawk; 339, Red-shouldered Hawk; 347a, Rough-legged Hawk; 349, Golden Eagle; 352, Bald Eagle; Family Falconidae: 360, Sparrow Hawk; 364, Osprey ; Family Alu- conidae : 365, Barn Owl; Family Strigidae : 366, Long-eared Owl; 367, Short-eared Owl; 368, Barred Owl; 372, Saw-whet Owl; 373, Screech Owl; 375, Great Horned Owl; 376, Snowy Owl.

Order XIV. Coccyges. Cuckoos and King- fishers-Family Cuculidae: 387, Yellow-billed Cuckoo; 388, Black-billed Cuckoo; Family Alcedinidae : 390, Belter Kingfisher.

Order XV. Pici. Woodpeckers-Family Pici- dae : 393, Hairy Woodpeckers; 394c, Northern Downy Woodpecker; 402, Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker ; 406, Red-headed Woodpecker; 409, Red- bellied Woodpecker; 412a, Northern Flicker.

Order XVI. Macrochires. Goatsuckers, Swifts and Hummingbirds .- Family Caprimul- gidae : 417, Whip-poor-will; 420, Nighthawk. Family Micropodidae. 423, Chimney Swift. Family Trochilidae : 428, Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird.

Order XVII. Passers. Perching Birds .- Family Tyranidae : 444, Kingbird ; 452, Crested Flycatcher; 456, Phoebe; 459, Olive-sided Fly- catcher; 461, Wood Pewee; 465, Acadian Fly- catcher ; 467, Least Flycatcher. Family Alaud- idae: 474b, Horned Lark, Prairie. Family Corvidae : 477, Blue Jay; 4SS, Crow. Family Icteridae : 494, Bobolink; 495, Cowbird; 497, Yellow-headed Blackbird (rare) ; 498, Red- winged Blackbird ; 501, Meadowlark ; 501i, West- ern Meadowlark; 506, Orchard Oriole; 507, Baltimore Oriole; 509, Rusty Blackbird; 511b, Bronzed Grackle. Family Fringillidae : 517, Purple Finch ; 528, Redpoll ; 529, Gold- finch; 542a, Savanna Sparrow; 546, Grass- hopper Sparrow ; 552, Lark Sparrow; 553,

651

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Harris's Sparrow ; 554, White-crowned Spar-

row ; 558, White-throated Sparrow ; 559, Tree Sparrow; 560, Chipping Sparrow ; 561, Clay-colored Sparrow; 567, Slate-colored Spar- row ; 575a, Bachman's Sparrow ; 581, Song Sparrow ; 583, Lincoln's Sparrow; 584, Swamp Sparrow; 585, Fox 'Sparrow; 587, Towhee ; 593, Cardinal; 595, Rose-breasted Grosbeak ; 598, Indigo Bunting; 604, Dickcissel. Family Tanagridae : 608, Scarlet Tanager ; 610, Summer Tanager. Family Hirundinidae: 611, Purple Martin ; 612, Cliff Swallow ; 613, Barn Swallow; 614, Tree Swallow; 616, Bank Swallow; 617, Rough-winged Swallow. Family Mimidae: 618, Bohemian Waxwing; 619, Cedar Waxwing. Family Laniidae: 622, Loggerhead Shrike. Family Vireonidae: 624, Red-eyed Vireo; 627, Warbling Vireo; 629, Blue-headed Vireo. Fam- ily Mniotiltidae : 636, Black and White Warbler ; 637, Prothonotary Warbler ; 645, Nashville War- bler ; 647, Tennessee Warbler; 648, Parula War- bler; 652, Yellow Warbler; 654, Black-throated Blue Warbler ; 655, Myrtle Warbler; 657, Mag- nolia Warbler; 659, Chestnut-sided Warbler ; 660, Bay-breasted Warbler; 661, Black-poll Warbler ; 662, Blackburnian Warbler; 667, Black-throated Green Warbler; 671, Pine War- bler; 672, Palm Warbler; 674, Ovenbird; 675, Water Thrush; 681, Maryland Yellow-throat; 686, Canadian Warbler; 687, Redstart. Family Mimidae : 704, Catbird ; 705, Brown Thrasher. Family Troglodytidae: 718, Carolina Wren ; 719, Bewick's Wren; 721, House Wren ; 724, Short-billed Marsh Wren ; 725, Long-billed Marsh Wren. Family Certhidae: 726, Brown Creeper. Family Sittidae: 727, White-breasted Nuthatch ; 728, Red-breasted Nuthatch. Family Paridae : 731, Tufted Titmouse; 735, Black-capped Chick- adee. Family Sylviidae: 748, Golden-crowned Kinglet; 749, Ruby-crowned Kinglet; 751, Blue- gray Gnatcatcher. Family Turdidae: 755, Wood Thrush ; 756, Wilson's Thrush ; 757, Gray- cheecked Thrush; 75Sa, Olive-backed Thrush ; 759b, Hermit Thrush ; 761, Robin ; 766, Bluebird.

CERTAIN GAME BIRDS

Formerly, when there was much uncultivated land, the depressions were filled with water in the rainy season, and were sometimes called duck-ponds. These ponds, and the low, marshy, water-covered lands of the Mississippi River bottoms and of the creeks of the county, were frequented by ducks and geese and other water-

fowl in the spring and fall of the year, and these became the prey of hunters, who shot them with the old-fashioned muzzle-loading single-barreled shot-gun, which later gave place to the double- barreled shot-gun, and that, in turn to modern rapid-fire guns. In flight, these birds went in flocks, sometimes in a single line, straight or a little curved, but generally in the shape of the letter V, with the leader in advance at the apex. The honking of the geese gave notice of tlie passing of the flock.

Another game-bird of the early days was the prairie chicken. This was a large bird, much prized for food. It built its nest on the ground in secluded parts of the prairie. The writer found a nest on one occasion beside a hill of corn in the middle of a corn-field. There were 15 or 16 eggs in the nest. In early days, and even in the days of the Civil War, prairie chickens were very abundant in this county. Large flocks of them were to be found, not only in the unploughed prairie lands, but also in the meadows of cultivated lands. When disturbed they would fly to some distance and alight, and then, if approached, indulge in a similar flight. They were heavy and flew ordinarily close to the ground. It was easy in that way for the skilled hunter, even with the single or double- barreled shot-gun to bag many prairie chickens in a short time. During the Civil War one hunter killed about 75 in half a day. The birds were shipped to distant points for use in tlie larger cities.

Quail abounded also, and there were pheasants and other game-birds. It was a land of plenty for those who were able to avail themselves of their opportunities and were industrious enough to seek them.

There were also flocks of wild turkeys, al- though these were not so numerous as the prairie chickens and other game-birds we have mentioned.

Wild ducks and geese still visit this county, but to a comparatively limited extent, while prairie chickens have almost wholly disappeared. Now and then a few prairie chickens may be found, and in the springtime, one who rises early and listens attentively may yet be able to hear the distant drumming noise made by these birds.

We take the following items from the Car- thage Republican.

"THE PRAIRIE CHICKEN AND QUAIL TRADE-We venture the assertion that no town in Illinois of equal or twice the size of

652

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Carthage has done the business in chickens and quails, that our business men can, with pride, boast of. We do not pretend, to day, to give the result of the season's work, but hope to give the number shipped, in our next issue. The fol- lowing is the result of one week's shipments by Granger & Thomas, alone, others not having reported :

Prairie chickens. 2724

Quails

300

"Of quails nearly three times the above amount have been sold for home consumption. In the above estimate of chickens, 972 were received and shipped on Saturday.

"Our country friends and sportsmen generally must remember that the 1st of January closes, by law, their slaughter of chickens and quails, and that dealers will not receive them on and after that date. All will acquiesce in the wis- dom of the law and take an interest in its observance.

"Granger & Thomas advertise that they will receive dressed poultry at usual prices, after this date."

"Carthage Republican-Jan. 7, 1864.

"Game .- Messrs. Granger & Thomas have furnished us with the total of their shipments of game this season as follows:

Prairie chickens. 5000

Quails 500

"More quails were consumed at home than were shipped. Other parties in the business here doubtless, shipped 500 to 1000, in addition to above."

WILD ANIMALS

We quote from Mr. Gregg's history (published in 1880) the paragraph relating to wild animals, which is as follows :

"Under this head we group together the pro- ductions of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Of the animal, the buffalo, once so common all over the western prairies, has entirely disap- peared. Indeed, it is doubtful if one of the species has been seen in the county by any of its pioneers. The same may be said of the elk. Bears, though not common, have occasional- ly been seen and taken; but have now forsaken us. Wild-cats were quite plenty in the early

days, and almost all the old pioneers have wild-cat stories to tell. Wolves, the black and gray, formerly abounded, and the bounty on scalps still draws money from the county treas- ury. They find retreats among the fastnesses of Bear and Crooked creeks. The little prairie wolves,-so numerous 40 years ago, and whose laughlike bark awoke the echoes of the night, around the farm houses, and even in the village streets, like the still smaller prairie dogs-have fled before the tramp of civilization. Panthers have been seen, and killed, and today one of these animals, or something else, produces an occasional scare in the neighborhood. That 'same old coon,' the opossum, the mink, and the skunk still abound, as many settlers can testify ; an occasional fox is seen ; but the beaver, badger and otter have disappeared. Wood-chucks and . musk-rats still find holes, and a variety of squirrels tempt the sportsman's shot. Deer, so numerous 40 years ago, are now very scarce, and many a pioneer longs for the 'saddle of venison' he once procured so cheaply, and so richly enjoyed."

Mrs. Eudocia Baldwin Marsh in an article on "Pioneering in Illinois," published in Social Progress of February, 1918, quotes from an article recently contributed to a county paper as follows :

"When we came here, in 1837, the country was a veritable wilderness, scarcely any land broken, except in patches of eight to eleven acres. What roads there were ran straight from one point to another in whatever direction. There was an abundance of prairie chickens, turkeys, and deer. Many times have I seen' ten to thirty deer in a drove ; so many wild turkeys in a flock that they could not be counted; and prairie chickens so numerous that when they arose from a cornfield, the noise sounded like thunder."

Before Hancock County was organized, and thence until comparatively recent times, wolves gave the farming population much annoyance and were the subject or object of many an act of the Illinois Legislature.

The territorial legislature at its fourth session, held at Kaskaskia, in 1815-16, passed an act to encourage the killing of wolves, with a preamble that the raising of sheep ought to be encouraged by every possible means, and the destruction of wolves would greatly tend to so desirable an object. It was enacted that every person of the age of ten years and upwards, who should kill

٠٠

٠٠٠

ـرمـ

١٤ ١٥١٤٠

٠٠

١٤٠

my And the

ــيه

- 1

٠٠.

20 2 ard Mad a Mariety nt Deer, 20

١٠٠

H .. W W e arce,

after

٠٠

401000 080

حـ

٦٠٠

١١٤

WIGp

Eng by E. G. Wilhams & Bro.NY

W & Banter

653

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

any wolf within six miles of any of the settle- ments in any county within the territory, should receive fifty cents for every wolf he should kill, not exceeding six months old, to be adjudged of by the justice before whom the head or scalp thereof should be taken, and should re- ceive seventy-five cents for every wolf of the age of six months and upwards. The affidavit to be made by the claimant was of the most stringent character. In order to obtain his four "bits" or six "bits," depending on the age of the wolf, it was necessary for him to swear that he had not "wittingly or willingly spared the life of any bitch wolf, in my power to kill, with a design of increasing the breed." Evidently the territorial legislature was opposed to the busi- ness of breeding wolves for revenue purposes.

The legislature at its next session increased the bounty to $2.00 for every wolf killed, regard- less of its age.

In 1825, the same year in which there was a delimitation of Hancock County by a legislative act, although the county was not organized until four years later, the legislature granted a bounty of one dollar, or its equal in state paper, for each wolf killed or taken by any person within this state. In order to obtain the reward, it was necessary to produce the scalp entire to the clerk of the circuit court and take a stringent oath "that the scalp or scalps produced by you, were killed or taken by you (evidently meaning that the wolf, and not the scalp, was killed), within this State," since May 1, 1825, Thereupon thie clerk was required by law to cause the ears to be destroyed in his presence, but whether by cremation or by delivering them to a dog, is not indicated. An order was given the wolf-scalper on the state treasury, and the person receiving such order was required to pay the clerk twenty-five cents. The collector of taxes on land was re- quired to receive any such order as a payment on such taxes. The commissioners of any county were authorized to raise the bounty to any sum not exceeding two dollars, which addi- tional bounty was to be paid out of the county treasury.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 4

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174