USA > Illinois > Cass County > History of Cass county, Illinois > Part 7
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The only remaining locality in Cass County, where the older rocks appear at the surface, or are artificially exposed, is on Panther creek, near Chandlerville, in sections five and six, township eighteen, range nine. A shallow coal shaft in the southeast quarter of section six, afforded the following section :
feet. inches.
1. Surface soil 4
2. Gravel (blue bind) 4
3. Black slate .. 2
4. Clay shale (soapstone). 13
5. Coal ... 6 6. Fire clay, passing downward into nodular limestone 2
7. Clay, penetrated.
2
The shale and slate appear in the bank of the creek for upwards of half a mile above the coal diggings, seldom rising more than two or three feet above the water's edge. No
fossils were discovered. It seems quite prob- able that this seam of coal is the same as that in the exposures further west, although from the lack of continuity in the exposures, and other sufficient evidence, it may, perhaps, be best to refer to it only provisionally.
COAL .- All parts of Cass County appear to be underlaid by the coal measures, which here include the horizon of four or five different seams of coal. It seems highly probable, in - deed, that there is no portion of the county, excepting the bottom lands along the Illinois and Sangamon rivers, that is not underlaid by at least one coal bed of workable thickness. The lowest of these seams, which is exposed or worked anywhere in this region is prob- ably the coal No. 1 of the general sec- tion of the State, identical with the Exeter coal of Scott County, although it is possible that it may prove to be No. 2 of the general section, or the same as the Necleyville coal in Morgan County.
The absence of black slate in the roof and the great thickness of the sandstone above, are facts which seem to slightly favor this view, but are, however, not conclusive.
The absence of exposures in the southwest- ern portion of Cass County is to be regretted, as not affording the means of positively de- termining this question.
This seam of coal is now actively worked at only one or two points in Cass County, al- though it was formerly much more extensively mined along its out-crop on the side of the bluffs of the Illinois and Sangamon rivers. The seam will average three feet in thick- ness, and is of fair quality. The discontin- uance of the most of the mining operations was mainly due to the small local demind and the competition of other mines in the adjoining counties on the Illinois rive.r.
BUILDING STONE .- The brownish sandstone which occurs in very heavy beds above the roof shales of coal No. 2, promises well for
56
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
this purpose. It is usually of a reddish-brown color, though in some places it approaches a dirty white, or has a bluish tinge, is very soft and easily dressed when first quarried out, but is said to harden on exposure. At the junction of this rock and the underlying shales there is generally from one to three feet in thickness of limestone, which has been also quarried to some extent at a few points. The quantity of this sandstone is such that it is practically inexhaustible; it is probable, how- ever, that all parts of it will not be found to answer equally well as a building stone.
OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS .- Limestones suitable for the manufacture of a fine article of quicklime are found wherever limestone can be obtained for building stone. Some selection, however, has to be made among the beds at some points for a material which will afford an article of lime suitable to supply the local needs.
Clay and sand for brick making are found in abundance in all parts of the county, and will probably become one of the chief sources of building material in those parts distant from available stone quarries.
The general surface configuration and soils of the county have been noticed in this sketch, and but little more need be said on that branch of the subject. The soil of the upland prairies takes rauk with the best in Central Illinois in general agricultural valuc. The soil of the timbered portions is also pro- ductive when properly cultivated.
Along the Illinois and Sangamon rivers, in the bottom lands, there are occasional sandy tracts or ridges, generally covered, before being put into cultivation, with a dense growth of stunted oak and black-jack, and frequently with prickly pears, which are, of course, inferior in richness of soil, but which are of late years being successfully used in the cultivation of melons, sweet-potatoes, beans, grapes, etc .; but, as a general thing, the
soil of these bottoms is a deep rich arenace- ous loam, which, when sufficiently elevated, or properly drained, or guarded with dykes to prevent overflows of water from the rivers, is one of the most productive soils in the State.
One of the greatest difficulties which a large portion of the farmers of Cass County will have to encounter in the future, is the washing of hilly uplands by heavy rains, and the consequent covering and ruin of rich bottom lands by sand and poor clay silt. Al- ready much damage and many lawsuits have grown out of it, and unless some concerted and united action is had by the parties inter- ested, the future will bring much greater damage and increased litigation. Another important matter that should be taken into consideration, is the frequent and destructive overflow of the creeks. This could be rem- edied in most instances by straightening the creeks by cutting channels across the bends, and removing the drift wood from the bed, by a combination of neighborhoods, all those interested working together for the common good ; or a remedy could be had under the drainage law.
But the above remarks are sufficient for a general description of the county and its wealth-producing qualities. For the geo- logical facts herein contained I have mostly drawn on the " Economical Geology of Illi- nois," a work of undoubted authority.
The following are the names of the resident representatives of Cass County in the Legis- lature :
William Holmes for the years 1838-40
Amos S. West.
66 66 1840-42
David Epler
66
1842-44
John M. Pratt .€ 1842-46
Francis Arenz
1844-46
Edward W. Turner
1846-48
Richard S. Thomas
1848-50
Cyrus Wright
1852-54
Samuel Christy
1856-58
57
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Hy. E. Dummer, Senator
1860-64
Frederick Rearick.
1860-62
James M. Epler
4 € 1862-64
James M. Epler
1866-68
James M. Epler, Senator
1868-72
William W. Easley 16
1870-74
John F. Snyder
1878-80
John W. Savage.
1878-80
J. Henry Shaw.
1880-82
The principal officers of Cass County since its formation, are as follows :
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CASS COUNTY.
Joshua P. Crow
Amos Bonney. Elected August 7, 1837.'
George F. Miller
Joshua P. Crow.
Amos Bonney. Isaac C. Speuce .... Elected August 6, 1838.
Amos Bonney.
John C. Scott.
Elected August 3, 1840, for 3 years.
Marcus Chandler.
66
2 64
John C. Scott. Marcus Chandler.
W. J. DeHaven Elected August, 1841.
John C. Scott.
W. J. Dellaven. Robert Leeper Elected August, 1842.
John C. Scott. W. J. De Haven. 1Ienry Mellenry ... Elected December 26, 1842. W. J. DeHaven. Henry Mellenry. Jesse B. Pence .. Elected August 7, 1843.
Henry MeHlenry. J. B. Pence. George B. Thompson . Elected August, 1844.
J. B. Pence. George B. Thompson. Wm. Mellenry ... Elected 1st Monday of August, 1845. J. B. Thompson. William McHenry. Henry McHenry .. Elected 1st Monday of August, 1846. William McHenry. Ilenry Mellenry. George II. Nolte. . Elected Ist Monday of August, 1847.
Henry McHenry. George II. Nolte. Geo. W. Weaver .. Elected 1st Monday of August, 1848.
COUNTY COURT, ESTABLISHED 1849.
James Shaw, Judge. William Taylor, Associate & Elected November 6, 1849. Thomas Plaster, Associate
James Shaw, Judge. Thomas Plaster, Associate. Jacob Ward, Associate. Elected May 19, 1851.
John A. Arenz, Judge Isaac Epler. Associate Elected November, 1853. Sylvester Paddock
John A. Arenz, Judge. Sylvester Paddock, Associate. John M. Short, Associute .... Elected November, 1855.
H. C. Havekluft, Judge ... - Wm. McHenry, Associate. Elected November, 1857. G. W. Shawen, Associate.
F. H. Rearick, Judge. Elected November, 1861. Wm. McHenry, Associate. G. W. Shawen, Associate.
John A. Arenz, Judje. ..... Jennings G. Mathis, Associate & Elected November, 1865. Samuel Smith, Associate. ...
Alexander Huffman, Judge Andrew Struble, Associate. Elected November, 1869. Jepthah Plaster, Associate.
F. II. Rearick, Judge .. .. Elected February 24, 1872. Andrew Struble, Associate. Jeptbah Plaster, Associate. John W. Savage, Judge .. .Elected November, 1873. Jacob W. Rearick, Judge. Elected November, 1877.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Wm. Campbell .. John H. Melone. Elected Nov. 1873.
Robert Fielden ..
William Campbell. John M. Melone. Luke Dunn Elected November, 1875.
John M. Melone. Luke Dunn. Robert Crum Elected 1876.
5S
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Luke Dunn.
Robert Crum.
Robert Clark Elected 1877.
Robert Crum.
Robert Clark.
Thomas Knight Elected 1878.
Robert Clark. Thomas Knight.
Robert Crum
Re elected 1879.
Thomas Knight.
Robert Crum.
Lewis C. Hackman Elected 1880.
Robert Crum.
Lewis C. Hackman.
Luke Dunn.
Re-elected 1881.
PRODATE JUSTICES-1837 TO 1849.
John S. Wilbourne Elected August 7, 1837
Joshua P. Crow.
1839
Alexander Huffmann
1841
H. E. Dummer
66 1843
Hulett Clark
16 1847
H. E. Dummer
May 13, 1849
SHERIFFS.
Lemon Plasters Elected August 7, 1837
John Savage
66 1841
Joseph M. McLcan
66
1848
J. B. Fulks
November, 1850
William Pitner
66
66 1852
James Taylor
1854
James A. Diek
1856
Franeis 11. Reariek
66 66
1858
James Taylor
1860
Charles E. Yeek
66
1862
James A. Dick
1864
Charles E. Yeck
1866
Thomas Chapman
66
1868
Ilorace Cowan
1870
George Volkmar
1872
William Epler
66
1874
A. H. Seilschott
66
66 1876
1878
1880
CLERKS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
John M. Pratt
Eleeted in 1837
II. 11. Carpenter. 66 1845
Lewis F. Sanders
1847
CLERKS OF THE COUNTY COURT.
Lewis F. Sanders, elected iu. 1849
Allen J. Hill, 1857
James B. Black, 1873
CLERKS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
Nathaniel B. Thompson, appointed by the Judge 1837 James Berry,
date of appointment not known.
Reddick Horn, appointed by the Judge, date of appointment not known.
Thomas R. Sanders, elected in. 1848
Sylvester Emmons, 66
1852
James Taylor, 1856
1860
C. F. Diffenbacher, 1868
Albert F. Arenz,
1872
Thomas V. Finney,
1876
Finis E. Downing
1880
SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
Richard S. Thomas, 1845
John B. Shaw, 1849
Frank Holenger,. 1857
James K. Vandemark,
1861
Ilarvey Tate, 1869
John Gore,
1873
Allen J. Hill, 1877
STATE'S ATTORNEYS.
Linus C. Chandler, elected in 1872
Arthur A. Leeper,
1876
Reuben R. llewitt,
1880
COUNTY ASSESSORS AND TREASURERS.
*Thomas Wibourne,
Isaac WV. Overall
1837-1838
William W. Babb,
*NOTE .- Thomas Wilbourne was elected Treasurer, Ang. 7, 1837, and afterward resigned, and Isaac W Overall was elected December 16, 1837, to fill the vacancy, and took pos- session of the office and entered upon its duties, but his elec- tion was contested by William W. Babb, and Babb was de- clared the rightful incumbent.
Martin F. lliggins was re-elected Assessor and Treasurer. November 8, 1853, but died shortly afterward, and Phineasr T Underwood was elected to fill the vacaney, and re-elected in 1855.
John L. Cire died during his last term of office, and John Rahn was appointed by the County Commissioners to fill the vacancy, and he was cleeted by the people November 1851, to fill a constitutional interim of one year.
lienry Phillips,
59
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
William H1. Nelms.
1838-1839
Robert. G. Gaines,
1839-1847
John Craig,
1847-1851
Martin F. Higgins,
term of office
1851-1853
Phineas T. Underwood,
1853-1857
Frank A. Hammer,
1857-1859
David C. Dilley,
185J-1871
Phillip H. Bailey,
1871-1873
John L. Cire,
1873-1881
John Rahn,
66
1881
ILLINOIS RIVER MEMORANDA .- The follow- ing we have collected from various sources, as well as largely from our own observation:
1640 .- Twenty years after the settlement of Plymouth Colony, the Illinois river was first navigated by white men in pirogues and birch canoes, and Illinois was colnoized by French- men, and added to the French Dominion.
1673 .- Marquette and Joliet with five fol- lowers, crossed Wisconsin in eanoes to the Mississippi river, down that stream and up the Illinois to Lake Michigan, the point of their departure, the entire route being at that time, and for a hundred years later, navigable for pirogues and eanoes, the route being via Green Bay, and the Wisconsin, Mississippi, Illinois, Kankakee and St. Joseph rivers. There was another navigable connection, during the whole of that period, between the Illinois and Lake Michigan, by means of the DesPlaines and Chicago rivers, which men now alive have traveled in pirogues, all the way.
1670, Dec .- The Illinois, Kankakee and St. Joseph route was navigated by La Salle and thirty-three followers.
1681, Aug .- Illinois, Kankakee and St. Joseph route again navigated by La Salle and party.
1682 .- La Salle and party navigated the waters from Lake Michigan, across Wiscon- sin, down the Mississippi, up the Illinois, Kankakee and St. Joseph, to the lake. At that time Beardstown was upon an island, the water surrounding it the year round, perm unently.
1687, Sept .- The Illinois, Kankakee and St. Joseph route navigated by seven French- men, mutineers and murderers of La Salle, on their way from Arkansas to Lake Michigan.
1693 .- Gravier and his followers settled at Kaskaskia, Cohokia and Peoria, and from this time for fifty years the Illinois was continually navigated by canoes, pirogues, and other small boats.
1725-The first of the four greatest floods of the Westen rivers.
1750-Vivier says that forty vessels from the Illinois River landed at New Orleans, laden with lumber, brick, beef, tallow, cotton, myrtle, wax, leather, tobacco, lead, iron, cop- per, wild game, tar, skins, furs, pork, bears' oil, flour, and other articles of produce.
From this time on for many years, the principal part of the produce received at New Orleans was shipped from the Illinois River.
1263-LaClede founded St. Louis, which gave a new impetus to commerce in the Illi- nois River, it being a nearer market. At this time the Illinois country was eeded by France to Great Britain, which elosed the French war.
1772-Second great flood.
1778-Illinois was conquered and taken from Great Britain by Virginia, and was added to that State, and named Illinois County.
1785-A great flood on the Illinois and all Western Rivers, the third highest ever known.
1786-Another great flood. The Ohio rose fifty-nine feet above low water mark. The stage of water in the Illinois River is not recorded that I can find, but known to be very high.
1792-Another great flood. The Ohio rose sixty-three feet above low water mark. Stage of the Illinois not recorded, but very high.
1800-The population of Illinois, on the borders of its rivers, 3,000.
1810-Great flood in all the Western rivers. The Ohio at Pittsburg higher than
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
ever before known. Stage of the Illinois not recorded. Steamer "Orleans," the first on Western rivers, built.
1811-On the 16th day of December began the most remarkable phenomena that ever occurred in North America : an earthquake, the continued shoeks of which lasted for the space of three months, a longer period than ever before known ; the effects of which were felt in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, the focus of which seemed to be about the mouth of the Ohio. It made great commotion in the rivers, the banks of which caved in by whole aeres at a time. Large islands disappeared under the waters. The town of New Madrid, Missouri, was destroyed, and the river now runs over part of its former site. The balance of it is lower by twenty-five feet than it was before. The bed of the river just below the mouth of the Ohio raised up like a bow and turned up stream, until its pent-up waters with accumu- lated force swept over the barrier and poured into the craters and fissures of the ground, when they were again thrown out in huge streams higher than the trees.
The river was navigated at that time by many flat-boats from the Illinois, Upper Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, some of which were swallowed up in the great chasins of the river. There was much loss of life and property. Fortunately at that time the coun- try was sparsely settled; for no building could have withstood its fury.
This calamity checked the commerce of the Illinois River, as indeed also the general pros- perity of the Western States. All immigra- tion stopped, and the impression became gen- eral in the Eastern and Middle States that Illinois and Missouri were so subject to earth- quakes, as to be forever unsafe as a place of habitation. But in a few years this impres- sion with its attendant fears wore away, and immigration again was resumed.
There have been but two earthquakes in Illinois since that time, one in 1840 and the other in 1862; both slight shoeks; the one in 1840, however, doing some little damage to brick buildings and chimneys.
1815-The steamer "Enterprise " built, and run from New Orleans to Louisville. the first steamboat which ever run up stream in the Western rivers. The "Orleans" was able only to run down stream, and had to be cordelled back. From 1815, steam- boats multiplied very fast, and the pirates, who in large numbers had infested the west- ern rivers, began to disappear, and finally ceased their depredations altogether.
1826, June 2 .- The Illinois and Mississippi were higher than before known for forty years. The river was up to Main street, in St. Louis, which caused great destruction of property.
1827 .- Steamer "Mechanic," John S. Clark, captain, first steamboat ever up the Illi- nois river.
1828 .- Another great flood, supposed to be as great as that of 1.92.
1829 .- Beardstown was founded by Thomas Beard.
1830, 31 .- The great snow, six feet deep.
1836 .- The Illinois and Mississippi again flooded. The water at St. Louis was fifty- four feet above low water mark, being nine feet ten inches higher than in 1810.
1837 .- Steamer "Wave " burned near Peru; one man lost, a passenger, who was drowned.
1844 .- This was the greatest flood on rec- ord in this or any other country, since the days of Noah. Every river west of the Alle- ghanies and north of the gulf of Mexico, rose simultaneously, and the channel of the Miss- issippi was unable to pass out the vast amount of water which came into it. Four hundred human beings, and a great number of horses cattle and other stock lost their lives.
The water was one foot deep on Main Street, in Beardstown, and this city again
61
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
became an island, with ten feet depth of water between it and the bluffs. The water rose to a level with the second story windows on Front Street, St. Louis. A great many towns were inundated and houses washed away.
The four greatest floods on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, within the last 150 years, are those of 1725, 1772, 1785 and 1844.
1848-" Planter " exploded and burned at Jones' Ferry on the Illinois River. Five persons were killed and many sealded, some of whom afterward died. The captain escaped harm, but was shortly afterward killed by the explosion of the "Saluda," on the Missouri River.
1849 -- Another flood this year. The water was on a level with Main Street, in Beards- town, and again it became an island. The people on the lower Mississippi suffered more than in 1844, on account of crevasses, their losses amounting to $60,000,000. The water was ten feet deep in some of the streets of New Orleans. At this time, and for several years afterward, steamboating on the Illinois River arrived at the zenith of its glory and prosperity. During these years it boasted the finest vessels which ever floated on its waters ; among which were the Die Vernon, Prairie State, Cataract, Garden City, Ocean Wave, Belle Gould, Polar Star, and many others ; they were truly floating palaces, and the travel was upon the river and eanal ex- clusively, there being no railroad convenient for that elass of travelers. On May 17th of this year, occurred the great conflagration in St. Louis, by which several whole bloeks of buildings and twenty-three steamboats were burned, among which were the Prairie State and Acadia, Illinois River packets.
1850-Financier, an Illinois River packet, exploded at Alton. Seven lives lost.
1851 - August 20, Dacotah exploded at Peoria; eleven lives lost. November 27, Die
Vernon and Archer collided three miles above the month of the Illinois River; the Archer sank immediately; twenty-three persons were drowned, whose names were known, also quite a number on deek, whose names were un- known. In this year there were two floods, the two continuing so long as to cause more damage than any former one. The water was highest on the 11th of June, when it was four feet nine inches lower than the high water mark of 1844.
1852 -- Prairie State No. 2 exploded April 25th, at Pekin; twenty lives lost. In April, the Illinois was very high, but no nnusual damage was done. The Ohio rose as high as in 1832, doing an immense injury to prop- erty.
1856-Illinois River on a level with Main street, running over at one place, Lafayette Street. March 22, Tropie and Challenge first boats up. Ocean Spray, burned. De- eember 14, river elosed.
In 1852 and 1856, during the high water, first-class steamboats went entirely around Beardstown without any difficulty.
1857-February 18, Brazil first boat np. River moderate. November 19, river closed. December 1, opened and remained navigable until February 19, when it closed.
1858-March 11, river opened; Adriatic first boat up. River did not elose again. Prairie State collapsed a flue; one man killed. This spring the river was very high, being nearly as high as in 1844. The water erossed over Main Street, and all the lower parts covered. The city again an island, and a first- class steamer, loaded with passengers, went around it.
1859 .- January 21, River closed for the first time. Open to St. Louis on the 28th. February 3, closed again. February 16, F. X. Aubry first boat up. December 15, elosed.
1860 .- February 21, Polar Star first boat up. Belle Peoria burned. November 24,
62
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
river closed. December 7, Sam Young came up. December 13, river closed. January 1, deep snow ; very cold ; railroads generally blocked up ; mails stopped ; and traveling suspended two weeks.
1861 .- February 16, Polar Star first boat up. Still very cold ; some ice running. Feb- ruary 22, Minnesota Belle came up. Decem- ber 26, river closed.
1862 .- - March 12, Minnesota Belle first boat up. December 6, river over the Schuy- ler bottom lands, and closed. December 12, river open. La Salle first boat up.
1863 .- February 3, river closed until Feb- ruary 13. Lacon first boat down. December 9, river closed.
1864 .- February 2, Schuyler first boat up. February 16, river closed. February 22, riv- er open. From September 1 until October 13, only two feet of water in channel, and nav- igation suspended. December 9, river elosed
1865 .- February 20, City of Pekin first boat up. December 12, river closed. De- cember 21, thermoneter 14° below 0, Fahren- heit. December 23, 14° below.
1866 .- January 21, six o'clock P. M., ther_ mometor 4° above, with heavy rain, freezing as it fell, and heavy thunder and lightning mercury falling rapidly meantime, until nine o'clock p. M. it stood 8° below, where it stood until morning. Thunder and lightning listed one hour, say until seven o'clock P. M. It will require a skillful meteorologist to explain these phenomena. February 15th, thermoin- eter 26° below at Beardstown, which was the coldest day ever knowu in this county. In the northern counties of this State it ranged from 30 to 40° below. February 16, ther- mometer 16° below. March 1, Schuyler first boat up; river over bottom lands. Steamer Farragut collided with the Meredosia bridge, whereby the canal boat Ajax, with entire cargo was lost, and John Quigg drowned. The Ajax was in tow of the Farragut. March
17, thermometer 7º above, but river remained open. Fall quite warm and pleasant until December 11; turned cold, mercury 8° above. December 12, 4° above, and ice running thin. Illinois run down in the morning, cutting her way through. Same day river got clear of ice and Farragut went down. December 15, snowed six inches; weather moderate; 26° above, but ice running; 17th, 2° below; 19th, river opened and boats run until Christmas; 25th, ice running; and 26th, river closed, 2 above.
1864 .- February 9th and 10th, thermome- ter 10° below. March S, river clear of ice; Farragut and Gem started down. Boats run all the week. March 13, weather turned sud- denly coll, 6° below, ice running; and March 14, river closed. March 20, river open; water all over the low lands and within three feet of the surface of Main street, Beardstown. June 14, Peoria City's last trip down; low water began. July 20, Illinois' last trip down. Augnst 8, City of Pekin's last trip down. Gem collapsed a flue; two men killed. September 18, Lancaster's last trip down. December 1, Lakin's last trip down. December 5, Beardstown's last trip up. River closed.
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