History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 2
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 2

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).

It is stated by one who belonged to this party, that some of the old ladies felt afraid to enter the first prairie they ever beheld ; fearful that the ground might give way and they be swal- lowed up as if in quicksand ; or that night might overtake them before getting across, and they have to wait in the darkness without wood or water until morning.

It was the general opinion that, on account of the scarcity and inconvenience of timber, the prairies would remain as vast pastures, and hence the first farms were made in or near the edge of the timber. A heavy growth of coarse

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

grass from four to eight feet high covered the prairies and all the upland portion of the tim- ber, as well as much of the bottom land ; its place in the woods is now supplied by serubby underbrush. When the grass became dry in autumn, or killed by the frost, it furnished ma- terial for vast conflagrations annually, sweep- ing over the country with destructive force, consuming everything of a dry nature in their pathway, and in some instances burning up wild animals overtaken by them in their devas- tating course. These fires broke out some- times by accident, but were often put out on purpose to burn the grass off, so that people could see to hunt to better advantage. Farms or settlements being few, this was not objected to. The neighbors united on a certain day agreed upon, and " burnt the woods," as it was termed, first making their farms or clear- ings secure by setting fire to the edge of the grass next to the farm and carefully watching it until a space was burnt all around it sutli- ciently wide to prevent the fire passing over. Fires were on some occasions set out by the Indians, many miles from the white settlements, and, driven before the wind, spread over exten- sive tracts of country, destroying everything in their course. As may be imagined from the height of the grass, a fire on the prairie at that time was a grand and fearful spectacle, more partienlarly at night. When fanned by a strong wind, the flames rose to a height of thirty or forty feet, presenting in the large prairies an unbroken wall of flame several miles in extent, having the form of a semi-circle with the convex side in front, and sending forth a roar that could be heard at a great distance. With a heavy wind, the flames advanced so rapidly that many instances occurred where persons, even on horseback, barely escaped being overtaken before reaching a place of safety.

On one occasion, a party of hunters from the settlements near Greenville, returning home

with a wagon load of honey and venison, when about a mile east of where Elm Point now is, set fire to the grass. for amusement. As the wind was from the south and blew the flames in a direction opposite to the way they were going, no danger was apprehended. After enjoying the sight to their satisfaction, they started on, when, in a short time, the wind changed to a strong gale from the north, bringing the fire directly toward them in all its fury, and so rapid was its advance, that they were forced to cut the horses loose from the wagon and, with all possible speed, escape for their lives. By great exertion they managed to outrun it, but the wagon, harness, venison and honey were consumed. Quite a number of marvelous ad- ventures of this nature were related by the early backwoodsmen, detailing feats of horse- manship in comparison with which John Gil- pin's perilous ride was mere child's play. In every public crowd would be found indi- viduals who loved to hunt, and tell of their adventures, or listen to those of others. There was nothing wrong in this, perhaps, so long as the truth was kept in view, but as every such collection contained some "hard cases," es- pecially when warmed up with whisky, they soon entered the regions of fancy, trying who could tell the " biggest tale," betting "drinks for the crowd " on the result. The narrators of these stories told them so often, that they grew into the belief that they were actually true.

One of these will be sufficient to give the reader. Its truth is not vouched for. but the substance of what the old hunter stated is here given. The hero of the adventure went by the name of "old Slaymush," and was ac- knowledged to be the " biggest liar" in Bond County at that time. with but one or two ex- ceptions, which was saying much for him in that respect, for in those early times there were some here " hard to beat " on frontier incidents. The old fellow said he had been out hunting " in the fall of the year, over on the Okaw, and

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

there was a heap of bear and deer over thar," but it seemed like "Inck was agin " him, hav- ing shot several deer, but failing to kill them instantly, or "drap them in their tracks," as he " ginerally done," they ran off and he lost them. lle "snapped" six times at the " big- gest bear that ever was seen," when the animal took fright and ran off. Attributing his bad luck to some newly-purchased powder, and ex- pressing the modest desire that the individual who sold it to him might be safely domiciled in a region where powder woukl ignite without flint and steel, he started home, taking a west- erly course through the prairie lying in the eastern part of this county. It was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and he was within two miles of the timber, on the west side of the " perara," when thick clouds of smoke ap- peared, stretching to some distance along the edge of the woods. At the first glance he " knowed the perara was a-fire, and that old Slaymush and his boss would have to git out o' thar, or be roasted alive," and as there was a high wind from the west, something had to be done immediately. Putting whip to his horse, he set out in a northern direction, hop- ing, by this flank movement, to get around the fire to a place of safety, but this was soon found to be unavailing, for the flames extended too far in that direction, and had already ap proached so close that the heat and smoke almost stifled him. The only remaining chance was to turn back and keep ahead of the fire to the Okaw timber-a distance of six miles. He said he never was as "nigh skeered" in his life as when he "seed " the race that was before him. Wheeling his horse, he took out his hickory rammer to urge him on, but his " hoss was the worst skeered of the two," and when he " sort o' leaned forred and fetched a big yell, the critter actually cum very nigh jump- ing from under " him, causing him to " drap his ramrod and lose his cap ;" but holding on to his gun " like a possum to a simmon-tree limb," he

sped on like the wind, with the fire advancing and roaring behind him like a hurricane. It often got so close that " great rolls of it, big- ger than a kivered wagon, would bust loose " and run past him "roarin' like all natur," sometimes on one side and sometimes on the other. Occasionally one of these "big rolls" would rush " clean over " him, when he would throw himself forward on the neck of his horse till it passed over and then straighten up again. Fortunately, none of the fiery billows happened to envelop him entirely, and, with the jaws of destruction snapping at his heels, he flew on- ward, leaping gullies, one of which was " forty foot wide." In crossing this, he and the fire were side by side, and "jest the instant his hoss struck t'other bank, it was thar too." Thus he went on with his fearful race, anxious- ly looking ahead for the timber, near which the grass had been burnt some weeks before, know- ing that there he would be in a place of safety. Though nearly blinded and suffocated with smoke, he thought of making one more desper- ate effort to increase the speed of his horse, although he seemed to be doing his very best already. So leaning forward and straining his voice to the utmost, he "fetched another big yell," when the animal "jumped clear from under " him. When he struck the ground, the momentum caused him to roll over two or . three times and lose his gun, besides stunning him considerably. On rising to his feet, he found himself on the open, burnt ground, and, of course, safe. The fire having ceased in a few moments, he looked around a little, and found his gun, which had received no further damage than being discharged as the fire passed over it. He saw his horse standing at a distance of a hundred yards, gazing at him most intently ; going up in front of the faith- ful animal and looking at him, he seemed un- burt-not a hair showed the least sign of having been in the proximity of fire ; for this he was thankful, as also, his own preservation

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

-" there was not a har of his head even singed." He took his horse by the bridle and turned him round, when a sight presented itself that was horrible to behold. Every par- ticle of hair and skin was burnt off his tail and hind legs, the tail itself being literally roasted. The hair was also burnt off his hips and back, as far forward as the loins, but no farther ! The old man would relate this story whenever the subject of prairie fires was mentioned, evidently believing it to be the truth, for if any of his hearers showed any signs of incredulity, he appeared much offended.

There being no mills in the country at the time the forts were occupied, and for sev- eral years afterward, the inhabitants used much less bread than at present; it was all made of corn meal, procured in the following manner : A large block of wood, two or three feet in length and from one to two feet in diame- ter, was set up endwise on the ground, the up- per end being scooped out so as to make a hol- low capable of holding from a peck to a half bushel of grain. The corn was put into this and pounded with a manl, or other heavy weight made on purpose. This was, in the fullest sense of the term, "earning bread by the sweat of the brow," but there being no other chance, it was better to procure it in that manner than to do without. These " machines," called "mor- tars," were sometimes made in the stump of a tree when conveniently situated. Hominy was much used, being considered a saving of bread.

The inhabitants, at first, depended mostly for meat on the game, with which the country abounded. Nearly every article of clothing worn by either male or female, was manufact- nred at home by the women, on the old-fash- ioned spinning-wheel, cards and loom. The man dressed buckskins, out of which were made pantaloons, huuting-shirts, moccasins, and oc- casionally pillow-cases, and dresses for the women.

They made shoes from leather tanned at

home by themselves. To do this a tree, three or four feet in diameter, was cut down, and as large a trough as possible dug out of it; this constituted a kind of vat, into which the hides, after being duly prepared, were placed along with oak bark, broken to pieces, and pulverized a little by pounding, the whole being filled up with water. They were kept in this condition until tanned. Some of the leather manufactured in this way was very good, but most of it rather indifferent. These primitive tanners put no blacking on their leather, for the very good reason that lampblack could nowhere be ob- tained. Of course this kind of material made rather a rough shoe, but being the best that could be procured, the people were content. In fact, such shoes best suited the rough jaunts taken on foot by many of the pioneers, through brush, briers, swamps and grass, wet with dew and rain. Boots were seldom worn, except in the towns, and then only by professional men ; no better evidence could be adduced of a man being a preacher, doctor or lawyer, than his appearing in public with boots on. This scarcity of boots continued for several years. Many old ladies seemed disposed to consider them as belonging especially to the legal fraternity, styling every man who wore them a "dandy lawyer."

Everything not manufactured at home was termed a "store " article, as "store shoes," " store hat," " store bonnet ;" and any one wholly or even partially attired in "store " articles, excited envy in the breasts of the younger and more shallow-brained portion of the community, and many a young lass, when appearing in public, considered herself highly honored, if so fortunate as to secure the attentions of a " feller with store clothes on," furnishing an instance of that weakness in human nature, too common even yet, judging persons by external appear- ances.

The scarcity of the necessaries of life will not be wondered at, when we consider that St. Louis

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

was the only market, and a very poor one at that, being then a small town of only a few thousand inhabitants, having but two ways of obtaining everything of foreign growth or manu- facture, one by keel-boats rowed or pushed by poles up the Mississippi from New Orleans ; the

other from Philadelphia, by means of wagons across the Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburgh, thence down the Ohio River, in keel-boats, float- ing with the current to its mouth, and from this point, pushed up the Mississippi in the same manner as from New Orleans.

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

CHAPTER II .*

TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS OF THE PIONEERS-SKINS AS A CIRCULATING MEDIUM-THE WAR OF 1812-ITS EFFECT UPON THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS PORTION OF THE COUNTRY-MURDER

OF COX AND HIS SON-THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE-PROGRESS OF EMIGRATION-

BUILDING OF CABINS-EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS-PIONEER COURT-

SIIIPS AND OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS.

"Oh, the waves of life danced merrily, And had a joyous flow, In the days when we were Pioneers, Fifty years ago "'-Gallagher.

H ROM the time the first settlements were made in what is now Bond County until the close of the war of 1812, money was scarcely ever seen. Skins of the mink, musk- rat, raccoon and deer composed the circulating medium of the country. Tobacco, powder, lead and whisky were the principal articles purchased, and the merchant or grocery-keeper when asked the price of any of his goods, replied hy stating a certain number of skins per pound or gallon.

A story is told of a party of fellows on a Christmas spree, who, finding themselves about out of whisky, and not having the wherewith to replenish. hit upon the following expedient to obtain a supply : They went one night to a little grocery, having one raccoon skin with them. This paid for whisky enough to furnish them all a drink or two round, including the proprietor, who of course was fond of the article and imbibed rather freely, soon becoming quite hilarious from its effects. The party observed this, and each one, on placing the liquor to his lips, merely tasted it, but the grocery-keeper, whenever it came his turn, took a good drink ; consequently objects soon began to assume a confused appearance to his vision. This was just what they wanted, and getting him " about

right," as they expressed it, one of them slipped back where the pile of skins lay, took one and put it through a large crack in the wall of the hut, to the outside ; then going ont at the door he went round, took up the skin, and after waiting a few minutes came in -- being saluted by the others as a fresh arrival, -and presented his raccoon skin in payment for a certain amount of whisky. This offer was readily accepted, the whisky measured out and the skin thrown back on the heap with the rest. This feat was repeated every few min- utes till they obtained all the whisky they wanted, having actually sold the grocery-keeper his own raccoon skin six or seven times in a few hours. After the close of the war money was brought into the country and gradually took the place of skins.

At one time during the war Hill's Station and Jones' Fort were abandoned, on account of Indian hostilities, and all the white inhabitants left the country except one man named Kenson, -generally called " Old Kenson." There is no account given of this man " showing whence he came or whither he went," but we are told he loved the spirit, but whether he was born of it or not is quite another question. IIe was as impervious to the angelic smiles and charms of the softer sex, and had never realized the truth, that

" The world was sad, the garden was a wild. And man the hermit sighed till woman smiled." but lived in the enjoyment of single blessed-

* By R. O. White.

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

ness, in a large hollow sycamore tree, situated in Shoal Creek Bottom, near where the Van- dalia Railroad now crosses. "Old IIenson" remained alone in this primitive residence to look after his hogs and hunt. returning to his tree each time by a different route, to avoid being tracked by the Indians. He stayed there unmolested until the rest of the people returned to the neighborhood, after which no further trace of him can be found. But the presumption is that he joined some band of Rocky Mountain trappers, spending his life in the wild seclusions of the land of sunset.

While the war of 1812 was in progress, but few emigrants came to the county, and these settled in the vicinity of the forts, or stations, on account of the hostile incursions of the sav- ages. Occasionally a settler erected his cabin, and made a " clearing " at quite a distance from the station, remaining there with his family as long as there were no signs of Indians about, but as soon as they made their appearance in the neighborhood, he would remove, with all his responsibilities and household goods, into the fort for safety, returning home when the danger had passed. Families thus situated moved to and from the forts, perhaps, several times in a year, and, while living at their homes, were in constant danger of being attacked by Indians ; yet they appeared contented, and in the enjoy- ment of more happiness than seems possible, under the circumstances.

There was a man named Cox, who, in spite of the warnings and entreaties of others, persisted in staying at home instead of coming with his family, into IIill's Station, the savages being then encamped on Indian Creek, four miles nearly west from Greenville. His house was near Beaver Creek, a little below where Dudleyville is now situated, and several miles from the station, but he insisted there was no danger. As a re- sult, however, of his imprudence, the Indians attacked his house one day during his absence, stole several articles of value, captured his

daughter, Sally Cox, and carried her off with them. Intelligence of this melancholy event reached the station in a few hours. A party of men was instantly raised, the savages pursued, over- taken, and the girl rescued and brought back safe to her parents, all within the space of twenty-four hours from the time of her capture. After this occurrence, Cox was willing to remove his family to the fort, especially in times of imminent dan- ger, but, notwithstanding the remonstrances of others, he would go out to his house once or twice a week, "to see how things were getting along." On one of these occasions he was ac- companied by his son, a small boy. both being on horseback.

When they came within a short distance of his residence, he sent the boy to water their horses at the creek, while he proceeded on foot to the house. As he approached he noticed In- dian tracks, which aroused his suspicions, but being a brave man he went on, almost fearing to enter. The savages were concealed in the house, standing on both sides of the door with rifles cocked and presented, ready to shoot him the moment he entered. He came up to the door, and on opening it, was shot by an Indian and instantly killed. They then ran down to the creek where the boy was, and gave him to understand they would not hurt him, that they only wanted the horses. Being greatly fright- ened he endeavored to ride toward them, or hold the horses so that they could come near enough to take hold of the bridles, but the poor ani- mals were so alarmed at the Indians he could not manage them. Hence, quite a struggle en- sued ; the Indians trying to get to the horses and they struggling away from them, while the boy was using every exertion to hold them, no doubt thinking his life depended on his efforts to do so. In this manner they gradually got farther from the creek, when, suddenly emerg- ing into the prairie, the boy thought to escape, and started off at a rapid pace. The Indians perceiving this, one of them leveled his gun

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

and shot the little fellow off his horse as he ran. The house in which this tragedy occurred was standing but a few years since.

The particulars of the murder of Cox and his son were related by the Indians themselves, at the treaty made near the close of the war. He was a large, powerful man, an experienced In- dian fighter, and had sent many a " brave " to the " happy hunting grounds." flad he cer- tainly known they were concealed in the house, it would have cost them many lives to have taken his, for he was considered a match for two or three Indians at any time. Most of them knew him, and acknowledged that, as they watched through a small crevice in the house, and perceived, from his looks and actions, that he had discovered their tracks, and yet was boldly approaching the door, they felt afraid of him, although ten to one in numbers.

An incident occurred at Jones' Fort, about the time Cox was killed, which is of interest in this connection. At a little distance from it stood a large elm tree, which at the height of several feet separated into three prongs, all branching out at the same distance from the ground. Each of these being very large afforded sufficient shelter to conceal a man standing in the space thus formed. An Indian, observing this, conceived the idea of climbing up into the ambuscade thus furnished and shooting at persons inside the fort. From this elevated position, he could see over the wall and fire on the people, which was impossible from the ground. One evening, near sunset, he ascended the tree and took his station ; soon the report of a rifle was heard and one of the men in the fort fell dead. This was so sudden and unexpected that no one could tell from whence the firing proceeded, though all were satisfied it came from an Indian concealed somewhere outside the inclosure. This was repeated on several evenings nntil four or five white men had been shot down without any one being able to find out the whereabouts of the

murderer. lle was finally discovered, however, in his hiding place, and shot by a man watch- ing for him.

Another attack by Indians took place at Hill's Station in the latter part of August, 1814. As there have been several versions of this fight already published it is but proper to mention that the following statement is in uo particular derived from any of them, as they are not entirely correct. It coincides with them, however, in many of its details. It is obtained direct from persons now living who had the seene described to them by those residing in the station at the time of its occurrence, be- sides from the statement of the hero of the conflict himself, and may be considered relia- ble.

A few rangers, under the command of Maj. Journey, were stationed at the station in order to afford the settlers better protection against the savages. Benjamin Henson, a resident in the station, while out hunting one day, saw an Indian, which circumstance he related on his return in the evening, adding that he believed they were in danger of an attack. This story was discredited by many, both officers and men, who believed he had manufactured the whole thing merely to get up an excitement and alarm. On the evening of the day in ques- tion some of the women found grains of parched corn scattered about the spring, situat- ed a little distance from the station, and as none of the white people had been using any at that time, this was conclusive evidence that the "red skins" were about.

Strange as it may seem, however, some of the rangers still refused to believe that there was any danger. One Lieut. Boucher, on hear- ing IIenson's statement, called him a liar to his face, and treated with contempt every sugges- tion of danger.

After disputing and quarreling awhile over the matter, they decided to send out a squad of men on the following day to look for Indians.

HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

Next morning Maj. Journey started out, taking all the men with him, thus leaving the fort in a defenseless condition, the gates all wide open and the women milking the cows, apparently unconscious of danger. The party of rangers proceeded along a narrow path leading down a narrow ravine, when they were suddenly fired upon by a large party of Indians, concealed behind trees and in the grass on both sides of the path. Maj. Journey, Capt. Grotz and two of the privates, --- Lynn and William Pruitt, were instantly killed. The fifth man, Thomas Higgins, was shot in the thigh and fell from his horse, which ran off. The others, seeing danger ahead, left the path immediately, scattering in different directions and taking po- sitions at some distance from each other, man- aged to engage the enemy as best they could. Having seen Higgins fall from his horse with the other four, they supposed him killed also and took no further notice of him at that time. There was a small field of corn close to the fort, on the north side, in which several Indians had concealed themselves, for when the firing commenced the women saw three or four run ont of this field and pass round to the scene of conflict. They had doubtless been watching the whites, intending to commit some depreda- tion as soon as the men all left. Immediately after Iliggins fell from his horse he was attacked by three Indians armed only with spears, evidently believing him entirely within their power. His wound had disabled him so that it was with difficulty he could stand with- out support, but the knowledge that his life was at stake seemed to give him super-human strength. Cocking his rifle, he presented it whenever one approached nearer than the others, as if intending to shoot, determined, however, not to do so until he could make sure of his game. The Indians, being uncertain whether his gun was loaded or not, were afraid to rush on him. Thus he held them at bay for a short time ; but they kept circling round

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758