USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 20
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
On the 21st of May, 1874, the words "Christian County " were omitted, and the word " Taylorville " substituted, since which time the paper has been known as
THIE TAYLORVILLE DEMOCRAT.
Mr. Martin continued as editor and publisher until August 2d, 1875, when George W. Weber became a partner in the Democrat. The partnership was dissolved June 1st, 1877, Mr. Weber retiring, and Mr. Martin continued the publication up to January 1st, 1880, when he sold out the office to Benjamin A. and Philip A. Richards, of Springfield, Illinois, who at present are the editors and owners of the paper. Mr. Martin is a practical printer, and under his administration the Democrat flourished and gained a large circula- tion. The present editor, Benjamin A. Richards, is a veteran printer and journalist, having spent thirty-five years at the case and in the sanctum. His long experience and ability as a ready writer will aid him materially in placing the Democrat in the front rank of journalism in the State of Illinois.
THE CENTRAL ORIENT.
The first number of the above-named paper was issued June 20th, 1866, J. F. Harner, publisher, and C. S. Hilbourn, editor. The firm name was J. F. Harner & Co. The Orient was deeided- ly democratic in tone, if we may judge from the salutatory to the public. The following is an excerpt : "The Orient will at all times advocate economy in public expenditures, and the reduction and equalization of taxation, so that its burdens shall fall alike upon the rich and the poor; it will vigorously oppose all attempts to engraft negro suffrage upon our statutes, and all legislation by Congress tending to centralization of power at Washington, or the subversion of the inherent and constitutional rights of the states." The publication of the Orient continued under the same manage- ment until May, 1868, when it was discontinued for want of proper patronage. The paper was a model of typographical neatness, like all the journals of which Mr. Harner had the mechanical charge.
THE PANA PALLADIUM.
After the exit of the Orient, Pana was without a democratic paper for over a year and a half, when the Palladium made its appearance, the first number of which was issued by S. D. Rich,
10
74
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
editor and proprietor. It was an eight page folio, and had forty columns. Politically it was democratic. It was conducted with ability, and exhibited taste in its mechanical management. On the 23d of April, 1870, Mr. Rich disposed of the office and paper to Messrs. P. A. & J. J. Farley, young men of ability and experi- ence in the newspaper business. After several years' connection with the paper, P. A. Farley retired, and its publication was con- tinued by J. J. Farley, editor and proprietor. He on the 15th of March, 1877, sold the office to A. W. Chabin. Three months later Mr. Chabin sold a half interest to Jacob Swallow, and in three months from that time Mr. Swallow retired, and Mr. Chabin again became sole proprietor and editor, and so continued until March 10th, 1879, when the office reverted to Farley Bros., who on the same date sold it to Jacob Swallow, who continues to the present, editor and proprietor. The Palladium is a five column quarto. It is ably edited, and is recognized as the organ of the temperance cause in Pana.
THE ASSUMPTION INDEPENDENT,
No. 1 of vol. I., was issued April 22, 1871. The paper was printed at the office of the Pana Gazette, and shipped by mail to Assumption and distributed. R. M. Carr was the proprietor and J. M. Birce local editor. The Independent was neutral in politics. Mr. Carr continued the publication of the paper until the 15th of April, 1872, when he sold to I. V. Park sufficient material and presses to continue the publication at Assumption. Mr Park gave his note in payment for the office, with four good and responsible citizens of Assumption as sureties on the note. Six months later the note matured, and Mr. Park was unable to meet it. The sure- ties paid the note, and the office passed into their hands. They formed a joint-stock association, and issued shares of stock. They placed John L. Marnell in charge as manager and editor. He was not a practi al printer nor a good manager. The Independent, under his management, was somewhat erratic, and made its appear- anee semi-occasionally. In July, 1874, the stockhollers secured the services of Richard Couch, a practical printer, to take charge of the office. He changed the name of the paper to
THE ASSUMPTION RECORD.
Hle continned the publication of the Record for one year, when he retired, and A. W. Chabin assumed the management. He con- tinued for nine months, when the office was sold to A. M. Ander- son, and removed to Windsor, Shelby county, Ill. Afterward the materials and presses were removed to Shelbyville, where it was purchased by a joint-stock company, and at present it is doing duty in the office of the Herald, the Greenback organ of Shelby county.
THE MORRISONVILLE TIMES.
The first number of the Times was issued August 20th, 1875, Thomas Cox, editor and proprietor. The paper was started as an independent journal, and so remains to the present. It was, when started, a six-column folio. Mr. Cox changed it to a five- column quarto. It was afterward changed back to its original form, which it still retains. The publication of the Times con- tinned under Mr. Cox's administration inntil December 30th, 1875, when he sold out to M. J. Abbott. The latter gentleman remained in possession of it until May, 1877, when he sold to George H. Palmer & Son. F. M. Palmer assumed editorial control. He was a first-class printer. In the spring of 1878 F. Grundy be- came associate editor. August 16th, 1879, the office was leased to Messrs Said & Poorman, Pahner & Son still retaining own- ership of the press and material. On the 2d of October, 1879,
Steen Bros. purchased the office of Palmer & Son, and from that date to the present, George II. and Joseph W. Steen, have been the editors and publishers. The Times has a good circula- tion. It fairly represents the business growth and prosperity of Morrisonville. It is cdited with considerable ability, and alto- gether it is a fair specimen of the enterprising western country journalism.
In this advanced and progressive age all societies, organizations political or otherwise, demand an exponent or proper medium through which they may speak to the world and make their wants known to mankind. The newspaper offers the simplest and quick- est way of reaching the masses. With this idea in view, the Granger and Greenback element of Christian county proposed to start an organ. Their desire culminated in action the result of which was :-
THE INDEPENDENT.
The first number made its appearance in Taylorville, March 25th, 1875, Messrs. Mallory & Danley proprietors with R. V. Mallory as editor. After publishing some thirteen numbers, the editor states " that with this issue will elose his connection with the Independent, and that now he turns over the business to Noyes B. Chapman of Stonington. Mr. Chapman continued the publication with C. F. Tucker as editor until July 30th, 1875, when it passed into the hands of M. A. Bates, formerly of Bennet, Ills., as editor and pub- lisher. On the 14th of January, 1876, it was discontinued, being then in its forty-third month, for the want of support, or as ex- pressed by the editor, " hereafter the Independent will be known as one of the things of the past." The paper was a four page, twenty- eight column sheet. It was published in Morrison's Brick, east side square, Taylorville.
THE FARMERS' JOURNAL.
The first issue of the Journal appeared March 2d, 1876. It was resurrected from the Independent. Messrs. Lewis & Brown were the editors and publishers. Neither of the parties were practical printers, and knew nothing of the mechanical part of a newspaper office. The enterprise was therefore to some extent a failure. The paper was continued as the Granger and Greenbaek organ. The office came into the possession of J. F. Harner on the 31st of August, 1876, with E. W. Anderson as editor. After the Journal had been published one year by Mr. Harner he changed the political tone and made it democratic, and it has remained so to the present. No changes have taken place in the management or editorial depart- ment since it came into Mr. Harner's possession. The Journal office is the best equipped for all purposes, in the county. Mr. Harner, as a printer, is perhaps more widely known than any other member of the eraft in Illinois. Ilis artistic designs and wonderful ingenuity in bending and shaping brass rule, so as to create designs and figures typical of trades, professions, or business, have been wide- ly copied both at home and abroad. His skill has received flatter- ing recognition in all parts of the country where artistie art is ap- preciated. The Journal is ably edited by Mr. E. W. Anderson. He is a gentleman of versatile talent, and a writer of recognized ability. He brings to the sanctum a highly cultivated mind, aided by long experience, extensive travel, and a close observation of men at home and abroad.
PANA WEEKLY ARGUS
Was organized and issued by Mr. A. W. Chabin upon his re- tirement from the Palladium. The first number made its appear- ance March 15th, 1879. The first five numbers were printed in Shelbyville, Illinois, and brought to P'ana and distributed. After
75
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
that time Col. J. A. Hayward, a capitalist, and one of Pana's most enterprising men, purchased material and presses, and became joint owner with Mr. Chabin. The office was established in Pana. The politics of the Argus was democratic. The partnership of Chabin & Hayward continued until January 1st, when Col. Hayward became sole proprietor and editor. He changed the politics of the paper, and it is now republican in tonc. Col. Hayward is yet young in journalism, but we have no doubt judging from the characteristic and vigorous manner with which he steps into the sanctum, that ere long he will make the Argus one of the best newspapers in Central Illinois.
There have been several small papers and monthlies published at different times in the county. Among these were :-
THE POST-OFFICE REGISTER.
Published by E. C. Reece and printed at the office of the Gazette. Mr. E. P Sanders also published a monthly called :-
THE CENTRAL HOMESTEAD.
The first number appeared in February, 1878, and the last in No- vember of the same year. It was also printed in the office of the Puna Gazette.
CONCLUSION.
The history of the press of Christian county has been briefly traced. There have been some trials and obstacles, and it has wit- nessed a few failures, but it is fairly representative of the business growth of the county.
The influence and character of the press have grown with the material wealth and intellectual growth of those they have repre- sented. No industry or business can show a much better record, or less failures, or number more enthusiastic and patient workers. The number of newspaper enterprises organized and supported in the county, speaks well for the liberality of its citizens, and it further shows the power and appreciation of printer's ink and editor's pen when used for the intellectual advancement of the people and the material wealth of the county.
CHAPTER XII. THE COMMON SCHOOLS. BY R. W. ORR, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT. .
N 1855 the present system of free schools may properly be said to have been inaugurated and entered upon. That date proved to be the turning point in the history of Illinois. It is a fact that every person is a factor in the State or society in which he or she lives. Our State, carly recog- nizing this fact, sought to provide liberal means and facilities for the proper cducation of those into whose hands the affairs of state would soon pass. The influences growing out of the system of public education inaugurated at that time, are worthy of the at- tention and critical study of the historian and philosophier. They have affected not the average intelligence alone, but the character of every calling, and have developed advantages previously un- realized.
The work of 1855 was not the beginning. The germ of the free school system had been planted long anterior to this date, and by proper cultivation it had grown to be a prolific system. The idea of making knowledge common reaches far beyond the existence of Illinois as a separate territory. Article third of the cele- brated ordinance of 1787 declared that " knowledge is necessary to
good government and the happiness of mankind," and enjoined that "schools and the means of education shall forever be en- couraged."
Paper manifestoes are not often dreaded ; the edicts of potentates seldom survive the age in which they are decreed, and proclama- tions rarely have existence longer than that of the paper on whichi they may be written. They lose their efficiency or become inopera- tive with the vicissitudes of time. This ordinance seems to be an exception. It became the nucleus of the grand system of education, the benign influence of which is felt and recognized in every home and sphere of business in our State; and in 1887 the people of Illi- nois who will not reap benefit from the influences of its declara- tions and injunctions, will be the exception-will be a blank in society, and but little above the serf.
Some of the encouragement referred to in this document came in a material forin in 1818. The convention which framed the consti- tution under which the state was admitted, accepted in August of that year a proposition made by Congress in the "enabling act " for this State, and made April 18th, appropriating section 16 in cach township to the State for the use of the inhabitants of said township for school purposes ; also three-sixths of five per cent. of the proceeds of public lands within the State sold by Congress after January 1st, 1819, should be appropriated by the legislature for the encouragement of learning. One-sixth of this amount was to be applied to a college or university, and thirty-six sections, or one entire township, with one previously reserved for that purpose. should be reserved for the use of a seminary of learning. These funds may be thus classified ; the State school fund from the sales of public lands, less one-sixth, which is the university fund; the seminary fund, derived from the sale of seminary lands; the town- ship fund resulting from the sale of the sixteenth section. The State school fund in 1876 amounted to $613,362.96. The seminary fund in the same year was $59,838.72. The college fund in 1876 was $156,613.52. The proceeds of the three per cent. fund werc blended in 1835, and were increased by the addition of the surplus county funds in the hands of county commissioners. In 1836 was added to this, by act of Congress, the surplus revenue fund then in treasury, and the whole distributed among the states and loaned at six per cent. per annum interest. This fund to the State alonc amounted to $335,592.32. The interest from these funds was to be distributed annually to the counties for school purposes. These funds under the control of the State, exclusive of the county fund, amount to $1,165,407 52.
The most valuable donation from Congress for school purposes was the sixteenth section of every township. In fractional town- ships not having this section, lands equivalent to the amount were given for school purposes. This donation amounted to 998,- 449 acres. Properly managed the revenucs derived from these lands would have released forever the people from local taxation for school purposes. These lands were nearly all sold when there was but little demand for land.
The proceeds of the sale of these lands were placed under the control of a board of trustees elected for each township, and were to be loaned, and the interest derived from them was to be used for the support of schools. In 1876 this " township fund " in the State amounted to $5,081,629.91. In 1828 the legislature unani- mously authorized the sale of these lands, and borrowed the money to defray the current expenses. But the returns from these mag- nificent gifts were too meager to support the schools, and taxes had to be added. In 1835 a county fund was created by an act of the legislature, which provided that the teachers should not receive from the public fund more than half the amount due them, and
76
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
that the surplus should constitute the principal of the "county fund," which amounted to $348,285.75.
In 1876 the common school fund was $1,513,693.27, yielding an annual interest of 890,821.60. The same year the township fund of the State was $5,081,629.91, yielding an income on the amount loaned of $40,248.54. In 1835 the interest on school moneys bor- rowed by the State was first distributed to the counties.
This distribution was based upon the number under twenty-one years of age, and one half of these funds was to be paid to teachers, and the remainder was to constitute a county fund forever as given above. The aggregate of these funds in 1876 was over six and one-half millions of dollars.
In 1824 the balance of the overflowed and swamp lands, after paying for drainage and levees, was granted to the counties for educational purposes. In 1853 all fines and penalties imposed in courts of records, and criminal forfeitures on bails were added to school-resources, and school-property was exempt from taxation.
The first free school system was adopted in 1825. In that year Governor Coles, in his message to the legislature, advised that pro- vision be made for the support of common schools. During the same session Senator Joseph Duncan, of Jackson county, introduced a bill to establish a system of free schools. The main points in this school-system were: 1. The schools were to be open to all classes of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one. 2. Per- sons over twenty-one years of age might be admitted on consent of the trustees and upon agreed terms. 3. Districts of not less than fifteen families were to be formed on petition of a majority of the voters. 4. Officers were to be elected and sworn in. 5. The legal voters at an annual meeting could levy a tax, in money or mer- chantable produce at cash value, not exceeding one-half of one per cent., subject to a maximum limitation of ten dollars for one per- sou.
6. The state appropriated annually two dollars out of every one hundred received into the treasury. Five-sixths of this was added to the interest received from the school-fund, and the sum was apportioned to the counties according to the number of white children under twenty-one years of age. The counties distributed this among the districts; but no district was to receive any part of this fund unless it had sustained a school of three months for the year in which the distribution was made. This distribution was based on the report of the clerk of each county commissioners' court, which was made to the secretary of state, and contained an abstract of the reports made by the trustees of schools, giving the school-population, school-attendance, and expense attending this. This system of schools, designed as a means of affording an educa- tion for all the children within the state, was truly in advance of the times. It met with violent opposition from its numerous cnc- mies. Opposition to taxation was great, and the legality of the appropriation from the state treasury was denied. So violent was this opposition that it became inoperative, and was virtually an- nulled by an act approved February 17th, 1827, which repealed the fifteen-family clause, made taxation for the full or half support of district schools optional with the voters of the district, and for- bade the taxation of any one for the support of any free school without his or her written consent had first been obtained. But neither legislation nor personal opposition could impede the growth nor destroy the germ of the freeschool system. It was deeply rooted in the fertile soil of the public mind, and was fostered by the true friends of education. Subsequent legislation had but little effect on the schools for a decade, when an act providing for the incorporation of the townships became a law. It provided for a board of trustees who should have the superintendence of " the business and affairs of the township in relation to education and
schools generally." In this law appears the first requirement for a certificate of qualification from the township-trustees, before any teacher could be paid out of the school-funds. For a time it seemed that all the virtue of this system had departed, and so great was the educational darkness that prevailed that it might very properly be said that Egypt included almost the whole state. But some energy and educational enterprise remained among those old citi- zens, and their first object, after securing for themselves a home, was to provide educational facilities for their children.
In 1844 a "common-school convention" was held in Pcoria. This assembly appointed John S. Wright, H. M. Weed and Thomas Kilpatrick a committee to draft a memorial to the legislature on the subject of Common Schools. The paper drawn up by them was an able and exhaustive one, and pleaded for a state superin- tendent with a salary of nine hundred dollars, and recommended local taxation for school-purposes. This movement among the teachers served to bring the matter before the legislature. In Feb- ruary, 1845, an act was approved making the secretary of state ex- officio state superintendent of common schools, and the county school-commissioners ex-officio county-superintendents, whose duty it should be to examine and license teachers. It also provided for local taxation on a favorable majority vote. All the district-tax for schools in 1846-47 did not reach one mill on the one hundred dollars. The auditor, by this bill, distributed the interest on the school-funds in proportion to the number of children under twenty years of age in the county.
This was then distributed to the districts by the county su- perintendent. This same act made the qualifications of teachers embrace a knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history. But it required little more than an elementary knowledge of these branches. Because of the excessive apathy among the people on educational matters, very little was done. Though living on the borders of civilization, they failed to recog- nise the fact that education is the distinguishing characteristic between civilized and savage society. The relations between an intelligent ploughman and a school-room were unrecognized, and scholars were not wanted in frontier life. In 1847 the standard of qualification of teachers had to be lowered because of an insuffi- eient number of teachers to supply the schools. A ecrtificate could be obtained for a knowledge of any one of the above-named branches. Schools were by no means numerous even with this regulation.
In 1849 the standard of qualification was again raised to the former grade. The directors could grant special privileges as to any branch. This was something like the provisional certificate of 1872-3, which authorized the directors to employ any one who it was thought might give general satisfaction, and absorb the public funds. Little did the average school officer then know of the necessary and judicious discrimination as to the local needs in the choice of a competent teacher. When we see employed first, in our public schools, the poorest teachers who are licensed by the county superintendent, we are made to feel that the same weakness pre- vails to some extent among them to-day.
In this year local taxes for school purposes were changed from fifteen to twenty-five cents on the hundred dollars, except in incor- porated towns and cities, where fifty cents was the maximum.
The rate of taxes was raised in 1857, to one dollar on a hundred, by a majority vote. The taxable property of the state was at this time one hundred millions, which should have furnished a fund of one million of dollars for school purposes; but the amount actually raised did not exceed $51,900. This shows to what extent inactiv- ity prevailed among the masses, and that the law was a dead letter.
77
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The supervision of schools was given to the district officers, who were often narrow-minded, and unfit for directing school methods and school work. It soon became apparent that something more than this was needed, as the schools increased and the interest in them was growing.
The spirit of progress had been aroused. The press took hold of the matter, and strong leaders urged the necessity of better schools. From the east and south came a better class of citizens, to make this country their home. They brought with them advanced ideas of education, and urged its importance to the people here.
Convocations met and discussed the question. These influences stirred the people up in their own interests. In 1854 the legisla- ture created the separate office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a salary of $1,500 per annum. The first state superintendent was to be appointed by the governor, and should hold his office till his successor could be elected and qualified.
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.