USA > Illinois > McLean County > Normal > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 14
USA > Illinois > McLean County > Bloomington > History of Bloomington and Normal, in McLean County, Illinois > Part 14
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One day in 1849, the thermometer was twenty-six degrees below zero, and the duy after, thirty below.
The summer of 1854 will long be remembered as the " dry season," almost as long as that of 1811 will be spoken of for its opposite characteristic. Sugar Creek went entirely dry ; wells dried up all over the city ; water was purchased by many people, and at one time it began to be feared that Bloomington would not be able to obtain a supply. People traveling through the country often suffered with their teams before they could obtain water, and cattle ran wild with thirst, rushing to the Mackinaw and streams that were not exhausted, like droves of demons. Some of our citizens con- ceived the idea of artesian wells, and efforts were made in that direction, but none of them gave any encouragement.
January 9. 1856, was remarkably cold, the thermometer being twenty-eight degrees below zero. There were several intensely cold days during the winter, some of them having followed soon after warm weather, and thus causing the death of apple and peach trees all through this region. All the peach-trees were killed down to their roots, and many whole orchards of apple-trees were entirely, others partially, ruined.
The summer of 1858, was another wet season-nearly as bad as that of 1844. Mclean County suffered very severely during that summer, as wheat and corn both were injured. Wheat was killed the winter previous, and us at this time, the whole county was raising winter wheat-induced by the high prices of the Crimes war-it happened that great financial distress was caused by the unfavorable yield of both wheat and corn.
June 7, 1859, a severe cold spell formed ice in Bloomington one-eighth of an inch thick. The frost cut all the corn to the ground and killed the young leaves on hickory and other forest trees. The curn crop was supposed to be ruined, but, fortu- nately, the weather was so favorable that late-planted corn matured finely. The largest and earliest of the crop was the most injured, that which had just come out of the ground at the time of the frost or that which was only two inches high, came up from the roots again and went forward at once. Some of the early corn was six inches high and was, of course ruined. Most of the youngest corn that was left to nature came on better than that which was replanted, and there was a fair crop.
The year 1963, is noted as the one in which there was frost every month in the summer. In August, a very heavy frost destroyed much of the corn, and in September. another ruined most of that which had escaped in August. Owing to this cause and the war demand, the price of corn ran up to $1.15 a bushel in Bloomington before the next crop was harvested.
January 1, 1864, occurred a terrible snowstorm. The wind blew a perfect gale from the northwest, and at the same time a heavy fall of light snow filled the air and made travel almost impossible. The thermometer was twenty degrees below zero during the storm and it continued us cold for the next two days. Cattle and sheep gave
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up to the fury of the storm, drifted away before the wind and large numbers of sheep lost their lives. The railroads were blockaded, the Chicago & Alton trains not being able to pass from Springfield to Bloomington for three days, nor from Bloomington to Joliet for eight or nine days.
The great sleet of January 13, 1871, was an event that should be noted. The forest trees around Bloomington and the shrubbery in private yards were irreparably injured. The sleet was equivalent to more than an inch of rain. Telegraph poles were broken, and in many cases all the large limbs broke from trees. Nearly one-third of the foliage-bearing branches were thus crushed ; whole trees fell down and the dam- age to our fruit and shade trees is still plainly visible.
In the winter of 1873, during an intensely cold spell, when the thermometer had fallen about twenty degrees below zero, the wind changed in the night to the south, and, for a few hours, there was most a remarkably low temperature, with a high south wind. At one time, the thermometer was from twenty-six to thirty-two degrees below zero, according to the instrument and its exposure.
The winter of 1877 and 1878, will long be remembered on account of its extreme mildness. At no time was the ice in the vicinity of Bloomington over three inches in thickness. The entire winter was about as mild as average April weather. Rains were frequent, often very heavy, and, before the Ist of January, the roads were impassa- ble, and remained so from about January 1 to the middle of March. Business of all kinds was nearly suspended, and a general gloom pervaded the community.
The following winter was just the reverse. Snow fell early in December, followed by fifteen inches of level snow on the 13th of December, which remained for nearly six weeks. The sleighing was the best ever known, and was enjoyed to the fullest extent. Washington street was, by general consent, given up to the fast-stepping horses for which Bloomington is so famous, and was crowded with gay and happy parties every afternoon-often as many as fifty-five teams being visible at one time. Near the close of the sleighing season, on the 11th of January, 1879, there was a grand sleighing carnival, or free ride, for all the children of the city, participated in by nearly three thousand. It was a sight long to be remembered. There were over two hundred sleighs, of all sorts and sizes, many of them gayly decorated with flags and streamers. Thousands of spectators lined the streets, and the excitement and enthusiasm were both novel and pleasant.
Our list will close with the mention of the five cold mornings in January, 1879. January 2, the thermometer was twenty degrees below zero; on the 3d, twenty-eight ; on the 4th, seventeen; on the 5th, twenty; and on the 6th, ten degrees below-mak- ing, probably, five of the coldest days ever known in such close connection.
EVENTS DURING THE WAR.
Bloomington is entitled to rank with the most patriotic cities in the land. It call show a proud record from the time when its citizens volunteered to aid the settlers of the exposed northern frontiers of Illinois to the last day of the civil war. Its list of heroes must be included in the county's record, as there is no way of fairly separating the city from the county ; but it is proper that we mention some of the stirring events that took place in the city itself.
When Fort Sumter was fired on, and the President's call for volunteers appeared, in April, 1861, our city was not behind the rest of the land in its readiness to respond,
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A public meeting was held at once, when speeches were made that gave evidence of the patriotic feelings of the people The enthusiasm for the old Hag was de pand earnest. Cheers, shouts and excitement abounded. Volunteers were called for, and in au incredibly short time, a company was raised for the three-months service called for, largely made up of energetic, enthusiastic young men from this city. In the or four days, the company left for Springfield, under Capt. Harvey, and it served its time at Cairo.
As soon as this company was full, several other companies were at once organiz d. For a few days it seemed as if every able-bodied man would volunteer. Four or five companies were drilling daily, made up from all classes of citizens. Had the Govern- ment been able to take all the troops offered, there is no doubt that at least six hundred men would have enlisted at once, in the month of May, from Bloomington alone. The day that the first company, under Capt. Harvey, left town, and also the day of their return from Cairo, are memorable events. On both occasions, the streets were literally crowded with spectators. The first was a time of the deepest and most poignant afflic- tion; the last was a season of joy and gratitude. These two events were repeated over and over again during the next few years ; but never were equaled in intensity of feel- ing. except on the days of the leaving and returning of the entire MeLean County regiment-the Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers-which left August 25, 1562, and returned Augus: 9, 1865.
August 26, 1861, about three hundred of the men of the Thirty-third Illinois Regiment left this city and county for Springfield, and again was there leave-taking and patriotic excitement in our streets. This regiment included one company ( A ) of students from Normal, and one company made up largely from Bloomington. The latter was Company C, of which E. R. Roe was Captain. Roe edited the Democratic Statesman at the time. He was soon promoted, and his place was filled by Capt. E. J. Lewis, who enlisted in the company as a private soldier. Lewis edited the Pantagraph at the time the war broke out, served with great credit until the close of the war, and again edited the same paper for five or six years after his return.
It was noticed, as the war became an old story, that the departure of troops grew to be more and more an individual matter, left by the public mainly to those interested -the departing soldier and his intimate friends and relatives; but at the close, every detachment that returned was welcomed most enthusiastically.
The excitement caused by the destruction, in August, 1862, of the Bloomington Times, a sheet with Southern sympathies too strong for this latitude, was most intense. The soldiers of the Ninety-fourth Regiment performed this job, aided by uncontrollable spirits who were willing to assist when sure that the blame or praise would be awarded to the departing volunteers.
On the 20 of September, 1802, a dispatch was received from Springfield at about midnight, calling for 200 men, instantly, to guard a large detachment of rebels stationed at Camp Butler. The fire-bells were rung; the public responded; the state of the are explained ; the required number was enlisted in a few hours, and a little after day- light made their appearance at Springfield, creating the utmost astonishment at the patriotic promptitude with which our citizens volunteered Old men, boys and cripple- went on this expedition ns readily as the able-bodied. It appeared some one at Spring- field had an idea the rell prisoners might make an attempt to escape, and relied on Bloomington's well known habit of prompt and instantaneous action, to call together,
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suddenly, a force that should overawe the prisoners who had been carelessly left with too small a guard.
During the early part of the year 1862, several soldiers' funerals took place at Bloomington, stirring the city to its very heart. Among the most noted; we may men- tion that of Lieut. Joseph G. Howell, who had enlisted at the first call in 1861, resign- ing his place as Principal of the Model School at Normal. He was a noble young man, with troops of warm friends. He was killed at Fort Donelson. Capt. Harvey, killed a little later, at Pittsburg Landing, was honored with a public funeral, and the city was plunged in grief once more. We should also mention Col. Hogg's and Col. William Mccullough's funerals, and others.
Immense sums were given in aid of the families of soldiers in the early part of the war; but later, the public sympathy was mainly directed through the Sanitary Com- mission, to the assistance of those in the field. In 1864, as much as $10,000 was sent in money in one donation, of which Isaac Funk gave $5,000. There was a constant stream of charity pouring in this direction, whose dimensions in the aggregate must have been magnificent.
At the Presidential election, in 1864, there was tremendous excitement. Many of the soldiers were at home; some discharged for disability, others by expiration of three years' enlistment, and many were at home on furlough. These were well aware that during the whole time of their absence there had been a "fire in the rear ; " and from a variety of causes, great feeling was manifested. At that time, the whole township of Bloomington, polling 1,774 votes, had one voting place-the old jail-building, on the northwest corner of the Court House square. The election, after all, was one of the quietest on record, though probably one-third of the voters carried pistols, ready for any outbreak that might occur. The Judges of the election were A. B. Ives, John Dawson and J. H. Burnham. In spite of the rapidity with which they were obliged to decide all cases of challenged votes, their decisions were acquiesced in by the leading men of both parties most cheerfully, and their feat of taking votes at the rate of three per minute, at a time of such a hot contest, can scarcely be paralleled. Mr. Lincoln had a majority of about six hundred in the township of Bloomington.
During the winter of 1864, Company K of the Twenty-sixth Illinois Regiment of which Gen. I. J. Bloomfield was the Captain, returned to this county on " veteran furlough," and were kindly welcomed by the citizens of Bloomington.
On the 14th of March, 1864, the entire Thirty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers arrived at Bloomington on their "veteran furlough," on their way from Texas to their different homes in Illinois.
There were over four hundred of these heroes, of whom quite a number were from Bloomington. The citizens gave them a warm-hearted reception at Royce Hall, which was unlooked for by the veterans, and was a fitting tribute to the brave men who so nobly continued in the service of the country. This class of soldiers, entitled to more praise than any other, have generally been treated like ordinary volunteers. Now the fact is, they really stand the highest in the list of the nation's defenders. Their vol- unteering in the face of danger, after three years' service, was convincing proof to the rebels that they never could succeed in their undertaking.
The day before the Presidential election, in 1864, large bodies of suspicious look- ing men came from Southern Illinois to this city, and changed cars for Chicago. James
Allin, Jr., then Postmaster, telegraphed the circumstances to John Wentworth and others, and the result was, that the men were arrested before they reached the city It afterward transpired that they were concerned in the famous plot to rescue the rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas, and the dispatch from Bloomington was one of the indica- tions that proved something unusual was being attempted.
In the early part of the war, it seemed that the volunteers paid little attention to filling the muster rolls correctly, and it often happened that nearly a whole company would be credited to Bloomington, when, in fact, it was raised in the county at large. Besides this, all who lived in three or four of the adjacent townships whose post-office addresses were at Bloomington, were generally credited as residents, and the result was that the city's quota was more than filled. When the first draft was threatened in Mclean County, in 1864, it was discovered that Bloomington's quota was already made up, and a good deal of bad feeling resulted. By a liberal county bounty, and the gen- eral co-operation of the citizens of both city and county, the first draft was avoided. February of March, 1865, the last draft barely touched a few districts in Mclean County. Most of the towns, as well as the wards in Bloomington raised liberal subscriptions, which, in addition to the county bounty, proved effectual. In Blooming- ton, out of a good many thousand dollars raised, quite a large proportion, in some of the wards, was returned to the subscribers.
The news of peace, or rather the surrender of Gen. Lee, the capture of Jeff Davis and the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston-the whole equivalent to a declaration of peace-caused intense satisfaction and extravagant rejoicing in the same manner as Union victories had done previously. The usual way was for a few men to run around the public square, call for a collection, buy some powder, which Pres. Butler would burn in his cannon, while the boys would join in a general rejoicing. Sometimes we fired a little too soon, or the news would turn out to be unimportant, but we kept up the prac- tive till the news of the last surrender.
In those days, the Associated Press dispatches usually arrived at the Pantagraph office a little before noon, and any very special news was printed speedily on slips of paper and sold by boys as " extras." On the morning after the assassination of Presi- dent Lincoln, J. H. Burnham, editor of the Bloomington Pantagraph, was at Chicago. He saw the news in the morning paper there, and knew at once that the Pantagraph could not possibly have the dispatch. He went to the telegraph office before it opened, and sent the first dispatch of the morning, telling his paper, over his own signature, in about sixty words, the terrible news. This was known on the streets of' Bloomington at about 9 o'clock, and it caused intense grief and astonishment. Mr. Lincoln was known and loved in Bloomington as well as anywhere obe in the world, and for several hours, grief, anger and revenge swayed the public, crowds of people being in the streets, discussing the sad event. A man of the name of John Hinzey, boarding at the Ashley, was heard to rejoice over Mr Lincoln's death, and thoughtlessly applauded or was understood to applaud the assassin. When this was reported on the streets, the whole mass se med carried away by frenzy, and at once moved toward the Ashley House to take out the offender to be hanged. His life was in such danger that it was only saved by the stratagem of a few of the cooler heads, who organized a committed to give him a trial, to which the crowd consented, and while this was going on, Mr. Hinzuy was hustled into a carriage, several blocks west of the hotel, basing
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been passed out in disguise at the rear, and he was driven rapidly toward Peoria. In a few hours after his escape, the crowd became glad it had not taken human life.
FREEMASONS.
As it takes many people to make a world, so various methods for doing good have been organized, and will be carried on till the end of time. One of the oldest, and, perhaps, one of the most permanent, of the different orders or societies that we can men- tion, is that of Freemasonry. This Order was established in Bloomington at an early day. In 1847, Peoria Lodge recommended the application for a new lodge in Bloom- ington. The first meeting of Bloomington Lodge, No. 43, was March 1, 1847. Its first Master was John Foster. The first member admitted was W. C. Hobbs, who became the second Master, and, afterward, was Master of the Grand Lodge, being the only member from Bloomington who has ever attained this distinction. Dr. Hobbs was one of the leading citizens of Bloomington from this time down to the time of his death, February 10, 1861. He was, perhaps, the most genial, the kindest-hearted, most generally useful man who has ever lived in Bloomington. The Masters of this Lodge who followed Dr. Hobbs were E. Thomas, M. C. Baker, John M. Scott, Good- man Ferre and others. The Masonic Order has always included a large proportion of leading citizens, making it one of our " institutions " of merit, and it has accomplished a vast amount of good. There are three lodges, all meeting on different nights in one hall, which, since 1877, has been in the upper part of the fine building at the corner of Center and Front streets, where may be found one of the most completely fitted lodge- rooms in the State. Besides the three lodges of inferior degrees, there are two or more of the higher, made up mostly of those who belong to the lower lodges, of which we will mention the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Commandery of Knights Templar. Bloomington Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch March Masons, was organized March 19, 1855. Its leading officers are : High Priest, J. Brewster ; Treasurer, Good- man Ferre, and its Secretary is John D. Fowle.
De Molay Commandery, No. 24, was constituted October 22, 1867. Its officers are Charles F. Webb, Eminent Commander; James Clark, Generalissimo ; William M. Stevenson, Captain General; Jabez Brewster, Treasurer, and J. D. Fowle, Recorder. These Knights are well drilled, and make a fine appearance when seen in public.
Bloomington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, held its first meeting, as we have stated above, March 1, 1847. Its present officers are W. R. Bascom, Master ; Thomas W. Stevenson, Senior Warden ; Michael Gee, Junior Warden; N. N. Winslow, Treas- urer; Charles Strehorn, Secretary. The Lodge has about two hundred members.
Wade Barney Lodge was organized August 8, 1866, and now contains 123 mem- bers. Its Master is L. L. Burr ; Senior Warden, C. W. Kirk ; Junior Warden, A. M. Goodfellow ; Treasurer, J. E. Eastman ; Secretary, C. J. Northrop.
Mozart Lodge, No. 656, is composed of Germans, and contains about forty men- bers. It was organized in October, 1870. This Lodge transacts all business in the German language.
Closely allied with Masonry is the Order of the Eastern Star, composed of Free- masons, their wives and daughters. Bloomington Chapter, No. 4, was organized Janu- ary 1, 1870. Worthy Patron, W. C. Stevenson ; Worthy Matron, Mrs. A. Kettle ; Treasurer, Mrs. W. Stevenson; Secretary, Mrs. E. C. Roberts. There are 110 members.
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INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
There is perhaps no more systematic charity than is dispensed through the Inde pendent Order of Odd Fellows. This society is peculiarly fortunate in Bloomington, having been established at an early day, and its first members being men of high moral aims. their successors have followed in the way first marked out by the original members, have always kept the ancient landmarks well in sight, and have attained great proficiency in all the proper work of the Order.
Remembrance Lodge, No, 77, was organized October 20, 1551 Among its charter members we find the names of H. S. Herr and William Nightwine. John M. Scott was initiated the same night the Lodge was instituted, and has with the above-named continued a member until the present time.
Several of those most prominent in the Grand Lodge of this jurisdiction have been members of Remembrance Lodge, among whom we will mention H. S. Herr and Thomas F. Mitchell, both of whom have been Grand Officers. Mr. Mitchell has been delegate to the National Grand Lodge, where he was one of the most active and efficient representa- tives. The present Noble Grand of Remembrance Lodge is C. S. Strayer ; Vier Grand, C. M. Ross: Recording Secretary. Amos Kemp : Permanent Secretary, L. B. Elledge ; Robert Thompson, is Treasurer, a position he has filled for twenty years. Evergreen City Lodge, No. 265, was instituted September 30, 1858. Its present number of mem- bers is 100. Its Noble Grand is George T. Heritage; Vice Grand. E. Huhn; Record- ing Secretary, F. B. Augustus; Permanent Secretary, H. J. Higgins; Treasurer. Peter Rockwell.
Uhland Lodge, No. 305, was organized July 1, 1863. Its charter is in the Ger- man language, and its meetings are all condueted in German, and its membership made up of that nationality. A. Schlegel is Noble Grand ; Fred. Kersten, Vice Grand ; H. Moratz. Recording Secretary ; W. D. Penner. Financial Secretary and William A. Ger- ken, Treasurer ; Representative to Grand Lodge, Charles Lamp.
MeLean Encampment, No. 29, was organized April 11, 1855. It contains at present about seventy-five members. This Lodge is made up from members of the other lodges, being a higher degree of the same Order. William McComb is C. P .; George T. Heritage, H. P .; Charles Lamp, S. W .; A. C. Atkins, Scribe ; R. Thompson, Treas- urer. Remembrance Lodge owns a business house, next to the northeast corner of Main and Washington streets. It was purchased in 1878, at a cost of nearly $10,000. This purchase was made from the permanent funds of the Lodge, and shows a financial stand- ing that is to be commended. The amount of funds on hand in the different lodges of the Order amounts to abont $14,000. This money is a revenue to be used in case the annual dues shall not be equal to the demands of its members who may happen to be sick or disabled, and indicates a flattering degree of prosperity.
Many of the wives of Odd Fellows, with their husbands, are members of the Order of the Degree of Rebecca. Bethlehem Lodge, No. 32, was incorporated November 11. 1870, though a lodge was in existence previously. It- Noble Grand is Oliver Beebe; Vice Grand, Mrs. Nelson Taylor ; Mrs. E. R. Hallett is Recording Secretary; Mr. W. D. Hallett is the Permanent Secretary : the Treasurer is Mrs. William J. Hurrill. There are seventy-five members.
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Abraham Lincoln Lodge, No. 85, of the Degree of Rebecca, meets at the hall in Liberty Block. These Rebecca Lodges are mainly for social purposes, though there are some obligations and duties imposed upon the members.
VARIOUS SECRET SOCIETIES.
One of the most important of our secret organizations is the Knights of Pythias, which meets at 112 and 114 South Main street, in Liberty Block. It contains 109 members. Richard Osborne, P. C .; M. B. Jeter, C. C .; J. E. Espey, V. C .; C. D. Myers, Prelate ; William Van Schoich, M. of E., and Frank Johnson, Jr., M. of F. Its Trustees are J. W. Fifer, J. W. Trotter and Dr. C. R. Karr. Whenever this society appears in public in uniform, it invariably attracts great attention, the appear- ance of its members being highly indicative of discipline and good fellowship.
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