USA > Illinois > Clark County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 39
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
and north of Daviess streets, lot number 7 of this addition, containing 4 and 9-100 acres, being donated by the proprietor to the town as a cemetery.
The area thus made a part of the village satisfied its growth and ambition until Feb- ruary, 1850, when Woodford D. Dulaney made an addition on the south side of town embracing all that part of the west half of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 24. A large part of this was at that time meadow land and was not opened to the public until the fall of 1851. This addition increased the size of the town by seventy- four lots. May 11, 1852, Uri Manley made an addition consisting of the southwest frac- tional quarter of section 12 and the east half of the northwest quarter of section 13. This was on the north of town, Michigan, or its ex- tension, Chicago street, forming its eastern boundary, with Newton and Archer, as inter- mediate cross streets. In February of the following year, Stephen Archer made an ad- dition on the south of Dulaney's addition, consisting of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 24, and that part of the east half of the southwest quarter of the same sec- tion lying east of the Charleston and Darwin turnpike. This was divided into sixteen lots varying in area from three and a fraction to five and a fraction acres. The last addition was made by F. R. Payne in 1870, which includes the square about the depot of the St. Louis, Vandalia & Terre Haute railroad.
The area of the new town thus had a rapid and satisfactory growth; but in the meantime its political organization remained latent, its des- tiny being shaped by the justice of the peace, the constable and the supervisor. The prin- cipal part of the large timber which was orig- inally sparsely scattered over the site of the town, had been removed by the proprietors, an improvement which served but little bet- ter purpose than to make the under-brush
more apparent. The National Road, which passed through the village as Cumberland street, was neatly graded and in the dry sea- son pre-ented a handsome appearance. Un- fortunately the sod, which is counted the best road-making material, was stripped off and cast aside by the contractors, and the sub-soil thus broken up and exposed be- came, in the wet season, a very quagmire, through which horsemen were obliged to lead their floundering animals. Through Michi- gan street passed the State road, which had been cut out and somewhat traveled, and though in better condition for a year or two than the newly made road that crossed it here, it shared the general fate of things and was often nearly impassable. Streets had only a theoretical existence, but the irregular paths that led from one neigh- bor's house to another's, and even the open lots, only served to swell the aggregate of mud. It is related of a family, in the early years of the town, that they undertook to go to a neighbor's, about three quarters of a mile away, and were forced to give up the attempt. They started out on foot, but soon found it necessary to remove their shoes, and before accomplishing one half the distance, they found themselves miring to their knees, the little ones unable to extricate themselves, and the older ones completely tired out with their efforts. This was not an exceptional case, and as late as 1845, Judge Harlan would have his black man harness his horses to a wagon and gather the women of the village for church service. The town was innocent of sidewalks, and the wagon drove from the door-step of the house to the threshold of the church building, and this was the only way in which an audience could be secured, even in times of revival interest. Another feature which gave the place an unprepos- sessing appearance, was the absence of wood- ·
land grasses. Where there was space to
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
stand, the rank. wild grass of the prairies had taken root, and it was not until about 1840, when Woodford Dulaney secured a bushel of bluegrass seed from his native State, that the village made the first step toward civilization, and began to make a showing of tame grass. Lots were regularly laid out at the start: frame and briek buildings early made their appearance; stores, schools and church influences followed in regular se- quence, and some attempts had been made in a private way to secure sidewalks and im- prove the highways; but just how the town of 1855 was evolved out of the muddy, back- woods condition of things at the beginning, can not be accurately set down; its story has gone into oblivion unhonored and unsung. A manifest dissatisfaction with the state of public affairs had been apparent for several years, when an effort was made by a few pub- lic-spirited mien to seeure a charter of incor- poration. This was granted by the Legisla- ture in an act approved February 15, 1855. Its acceptance was submitted to a vote of the people in the following April. when the question was decided affirmatively and the following officers elected: Howard Harlan, mayor, and Wm. C. Eaton, D. A. Critchard, James Wright and John Clark, aldermen. The act provided that the jurisdiction of the corporation should extend over " all that dis- trict of country within the following lim- its, to-wit: one mile from the public square, and including all the present additions and subdivisions to said town, in each direction, or two miles square, [shall constitute the city of Marshall],"-a generous territory for that time, and which there has since been no oc- casion to enlarge.
The new government met for the first time at the " Wright House," July 7, 1855, and proceeded to complete their organization by appointing J. P. Cooper, clerk, J. A. Gossett, supervisor of streets, Stephen: Archer, as-
sessor, Lyman Booth, treasurer, and W'm. D. Wilson, marshal. The town was divided into two wards, all that part north of Cumberland street to constitute the first ward, and that part south of the same street to constitute the second ward, and then followed a code of corporation laws consisting of thirty-four sec- tions. By these ordinances, in addition to regulating the routine of municipal business and the ordinary police restrictions, it was provided that the salaries of the city officers should be as follows: mayor, $50 per annum and the usual fees pertaining to the judicial functions of his office; aldermen, each $1.00 per day for each day's attendance upon the duties of his office; marshal, $100 per annum, and such legal fees as were allowed constables for similar duties; clerk, $2 00 for each day's service in dis- charge of his public duties; assessor, $2.00 for each day actually employed; supervisor $1.50 per day; collector and treasurer, the usual percentage. It was further provided, that the city taxes should be collected in "gold and silver coin, and city drafts or orders on the treasurer;" that peddlers, shows and exhibitions should pay a license fee of from three dollars to one hundred, in the dis- eretion of the mayor; and "that if any person or persons shall barter, exchange, sell, or give away, within the limits of the incor- poration of the city of Marshall, any spirituous or mixed liquor, wine, beer or ale, by less quantity than one gallon to any person or persons, at one time, upon conviction thereof, before the mayor, upon information being given to him in writing, under oath, by any person, shall be fined not less than ten dollars for the first violation of this ordinance, and for the second offense, twenty dollars, and for the third offense, fifty dollars; and for further violation of this ordinance the house, place, inclosure, possession and premises, where the same may be so sold or given away,
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
shall be and the same is hereby declared a nuisance, and shall be removed and abated by the mayor under the power and authority given to him under the provisions of the charter of the city of Marshall."
The municipal board upon which greatness had thus been thrust, possessed radical, pro- gressive tendencies, but its influence seems to have been greatly impaired by legislation which bore evident marks of its being illy- considered and much too far in advance of the sentiment of the community. It was re- peatedly called upon to correct such manifest errors as in the original ordinance which re- quired all male persons above the age of twenty-one to labor on the streets; to strike out the nuisance clause of the ordinance reg- ulating the saloon business; restricting the operations of the whole ordinance to persons keeping a place of business for the purpose of dealing in liquors, ete. There seems to be little doubt that there was a public demand for the plaeing of some restraint upon the sale of liquors in the town, but the radical measure instituted at the beginning caused a reaction and the board was foreed to yield its ground. This subject became a shuttle- cock which, tossed from one board to another, gained little respect for the sagacity or honesty of the various publie officers, and no tangible advantage to the good morals of the city. The board of 1857 inaugurated the li- eense system and provided for the sale of liquors in quantities of less than one gallon under a license, the fee for which should be one hundred dollars, while the board of 1858, with an entire change of members, aiming at the golden mean, repealed the provision for a liquor license and made the sale of ale and heer free. The salary of officials also proved here, as is the case in all small municipalities, a fruitful souree of legislation, and a cheap way to manufacture a claim for economical administration. The board of 1856 signal-
ized its accession to power by an attack on the salary of the marshal and reduced it to $50, subject to be increased at the diseretion of the council to any sum not ex- eceding $100. In 1858, the whole list was revised as follows: mayor, $25 per annum; aldermen, each fifty cents per day; marshal, $40 per annum, subject to an increase not to exceed $70; clerk, $1.50 per day; and super- visor, $1.00 per day. . Under the date of April 4, 1859, the following ominous entry, suggestive of Piekwiek's "tomato sauce and the warming pan," oeeurs: " that T. W. Cole be allowed for cash advanced by him for copy of the act repealing the city charter, and for candles, $1.85." It is hardly prob- able that the latter articles were to be used at the obsequies of the city eharter, however suggestive the connection, but it indicates the beginning of the end. The organization under the city charter had continued four years. The change from a simple unorgan- ized village to a city had been too sudden and novel an innovation to be easily accepted by many, and the new and thankless duties imposed upon officials who could bring no special experience to their performance was a combination of circumstances not at all calculated to lead to the highest achieve- ment. The result was a growing dissatisfac- tion with the experiment, and in this year the people decided to give up the charter at the end of that municipal year. The principal complaint seems to have been that the ex- periment " did not pay." What this may mean it is difficult, after the lapse of thirty years, to determine. The first council found the town without systematie improvements. The streets were graded in the usual way of coun- try roads, and some sidewalks of various kinds had been built by private means. These ef- forts the city council aided, but adopted no sys- tem that should gradually embrace the whole corporation. The first action in this matter was
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
taken in 1858, when it was ordered that all sidewalks in the city to be thereafter con- structed, should be ten feet wide, and that where sidewalks were repaired they should be narrowed or widened as the supervisor should deem wise. The sidewalks at that time very generally consisted of a slight em- bankment covered with sand or gravel, while here and there were board sidewalks varying from one plank, ten inches wide, to four planks wide. These were protected by a fine from injury by the leading or driving of ani- mals thereon, and the construction of new ones of the various kinds encouraged by the city bearing one half of the expense. The im- provement of the streets was principally confined to the repair of bad spots in the various streets, and the sparing application of gravel at various points. In 1857, the question of protection from fire was taken up and discussed, and the following ordi- nance promulgated: " Be it ordained, etc., that the hooks, ladders, ropes and all other fire ap- paratus now or hereafter to be provided for the use of the city, shall be placed under the im- mediate care and supervision of the City Marshal, who shall keep the same in some safe and secure place, easily accessible in case of fire, and until some building shall be erected for the purpose.
Sec. 2. Whenever an alarm of fire is raised every house-holder is required to bring with him to the fire a bucket, and if such bucket should be lost or destroyed at such fire, the owner may get the value thereof from the city treasury on proof or affidavit of such loss.
Sec. 3. The City Council shall appoint good men in each ward to act as guards over the different streets, and parts of their re- spective wards during the prevalence of any fire in the city; and whenever an aların of fire is raised it shall be the duty of said guards
diligently to watch over the different places assigned them.
Sec. 4. The City Marshal is hereby in- vested with full authority to act as chief at any fire in the city; to direct persons and de- tail as many as he may think proper to bring on to the ground where the fire is, the hooks, ladders and other fire apparatus of the city, whenever no person or persons shall volun- tarily bring them.
Sec. 5. It is hereby made the special duty of the Mayor, the Aldermen and other city officers to assist and be active in forming the necessary iines for the supply of water to those engaged in extinquishing the fire.
Sec. 6. Any able-bodied person who shall refuse when called upon by the Marshal or any of the city officers above named, or any regularly appointed fire warden, to enter into line, shall be liable to a fine of not less than one dollar, nor more than ten," etc., ad finem.
Early in the previous year a destructive fire swept away several business blocks on Cum- berland street, and the question arose of doing something to assist in such an emergency here- after and it was proposed in council to purchase four ladders, four hooks, four poles, 200 feet of inch and a quarter rope, and a light wagon to carry them. The matter was debated and de- ferred until some time in 1858, when the lad- ders and hooks were procured, but the fate of the charter changed their destiny, and in May, 1859, the marshal was directed to col- lect and expose to public sale " all the prop- erty belonging to the city, including hooks, ladders, plows, scrapers, etc." This officer made return of the sale on the 16th of the month to the effect that ten dollars had been realized from this sale, of which sum oue dol- lar was allowed the marshal for his services. Thus ended the regime of the city, and if but little was accomplished, the cost was similarly small. The entire expenditure of the first
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
municipal year was $302.37, and while the "journal of the council " does not give the expenditures, it may be safe to put the aver- age expenditure at $500 per annum, for the five years under the original charter.
During the two succeeding years the vil- lage went back to its original political con- dition, and when in the fall of 1862, the peo- ple voted to organize the town as an "Incor- porated Village " under the general law, there was but little to show for the expense and trouble of the five years of city life. The Board of Trustees which was elected had their first meeting on November, 27, 1862, at the court house. They began de novo, and prepared the usual list of ordinances by a series of parliamentary rules. Beside this innovation in the ordinary practice of such bodies, the new administration was not marked by any special vigor, wisdom or originality. They followed in the old beaten tracks of the city organization, dickering over the salary of the constable, aiding the building of side- walks, patching up broken roads, and placing the liquor traffic under a license of fifty dol- lars, obliging dealers, however, to give in ad- dition, an indemnifying bond of five hundred dollars. In 1866, a new board of trustees, consisting of R. L. Dulaney, J. P. Greenough, E. S. Janney, Mumford Laws and D. Legore. The members of this board were evidently animated by an intelligent comprehension of the duties imposed upon them by the position, and their prompt and vigorous action indi- cated no hesitation in declaring the policy of their administration. The ordinances were at once concisely revised so as to increase the sources of revenue, to restrain illy-considered expenditure, and to secure a regularly em- ployed corporation attorney; and the whole career of the board was so marked by vigor- ous, business-like executive ability that it gave the city government a much higher standing with the people than it had hitherto
attained. This was largely characteristic of the succeeding board, until 1820, when the present city organization was adopted. The deciding vote was cast on July 9, 1820, the decision for city organization under the gen- eral law being effected by a majority of 80 to 2. On August 20th following, the town hav- ing been divided into four wards, substan- tially as at present, the following officers were elected: James McCabe, mayor; William Shaw, alderman for first ward; O. G. Ste- phenson, for second ward; N. S. McKeen, for third ward, and Patrick Conohy, for fourth ward. In 1824, the offices of clerk, city at- torney and treasurer, which hitherto had been appointments in the discretion of the council, were made elective, and are filled every two years, alternating with the other elective of- ficers of the city.
The town had now grown to such propor- tions as to demand a departure from old mu- nicipal traditions, and the new form of city administration seemed in a measure, to re- spond to this demand, but there have not been wanting instances, during the past twelve years, when a broad, progressive spirit has been signally wanting in the city council chamber. But while a conservative policy has generally marked the city government, it has not proven an unmixed evil. Public plans have been formed entirely within the actual resources of the treasury, and while this policy has frequently resulted in vexa- tious delays of needed repairs, in greatly re- tarding public improvements, and effectually hindering any systematic plan of public ex- penditure, the city has never had a debt to carry. A strict code of police regulations was among the earliest legislation of the new administration, which, though it has suffered some strange amendments since then, is still sufficient, if actively enforced, to satisfy the most exacting citizen. Up to the time of this enactment the unruly citizen had been
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
the chief object of police restrictions, but in this ordinance the liberty of animals to wan- der about the streets was placed under limit- ations. By this law all " dangerous, unruly or mischievous animals" were forbidden the liberty of the city, and " horses, mules and asses," were not allowed to run at large be- tween the months of December and May, both inclusive. In 1813, hogs of all ages were placed in the list of tabooed animals, between February 1st and the 15th of May in each year, unless they were incapacitated to root by " taming or ringing their noses." In the following year, however, the hog was again the favored object of animal restrictions, and, provided they were incapacitated as aforesaid, were alone of all brute creation allowed to wander " fancy-free " throughout the city. At the very next meeting of the council but one, the friends of the cow ral- lied, and expressed through the law-making power the opinion, that "it is deemed inad- visable, under our present status as a city to prohibit or regulate the running at large of co.vs, in view of the fact that it will tend to oppress a majority of our citizens who are in possession of such animals." In 18:9, the pendulum of change swung to the opposite extreme, which is now the law, only " tamed or ringed pigs" being allowed the freedom of the streets. These legal fulminations, how- ever, do not prevent the unmolested prome- nade of these animals, lunching out of farm- er's wagons, and annoying teams and pedes- trians as their inclination serves. The ordi- nances in relation to offenses against the pub- lie peace and quiet, against public morals and decency, against public safety, conven- ience and health, etc., etc., have always been notably stringent, and have been creditably enforced. Drunkenness in public is made a misdemeanor, and does not frequently fail of punishment. The police force of the city, under the present organization, has generally
consisted of two day officers, with one night watchman, who is sustained partly by the city and partly by private subscription.
In public improvements the city govern- ment seems to have been particularly ham- pered by its conservative policy. The side- walks had generally outgrown the turnpike and gravel period, and were being gradually replaced by board walks, under the regime of the village trustees. Public funds were em- p'oyed in assisting their construction, the village treasury bearing one half of the ex- pense of such improvements. The city council, however, took the matter into its own hands, and on petition constructed board walks or pavements only, and then assessed the expense upon the property benefited, in certain cases bearing a small proportion of the cost out of the public moneys. In De- cember of 1825, a brick pavement was or- dered to be constructed on the north side of Cumberland street in patches, in front of places of business. These walks were to be twelve feet wide, made of good paving brick, with five inches of sand foundation, and fin- ished with a white oak curbing, one half of the cost to be paid out of the public funds of the city. This has been supplemented by walks of the same character in other parts of the business part of the city, and the con- struction of wooden walks within the " fire limits " has been forbidden. Stone gutters were placed on the north side of Cumberland street, opposite the public square, and in 1880 the same improvement was extended to the east side of the Court House block, on Hamil- ton street. Progress in street improvements has not been so marked nor so rapid. While their original condition has been greatly im- proved, there remains much to be done to put them in a satisfactory condition. The county is poorly provided with material for road making, and much of the gravel used has been secured along the line of small
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
streams, and has been of little value. The superintendent of the Vandalia Road on one occasion furnished the city with gravel at simply the cost of loading, which proved more serviceable. During the summer of 1882, fifty-five yards of macadamized road was made on Hamilton street, at a cost of $49.50. Street lighting is one of the more recent improvements. In the summer of 1815 a committee of the council was ap- pointed to look up the subject, and subse- quently a few lamps were secured and placed on trial. The whole matter dragged along, however, uutil March 7, 1881, when fifteen lamps were purchased and placed in position; since then, some half dozen more have been purchase i by individuals, which the council supply and eare for.
All attempts at creating an efficient de- fense against fire have thus far proved futile. The earlier attempt has been noted. In 1874 the project of getting a hook and ladder truck and " Babcock extinguisher " was sub- mitted to a vote of the people, which resulted in 58 for to 52 against the purchase of the truck, and 2 for and 111 against the purchase of the " extinguishers." A nondescript ma- chine was subsequently bought on trial, and an old house set on fire to give an opportu- nity to test its efficiency as a fire extinguish- er. The result was a sorry farce and the machine was laughed out of town. The only protection beside an "extinguisher " or two owned by individuals is the restrictions of the " fire limit " ordinance. This was first passed in May, 1875, and prohibited the ercc- tion of wooden buildings upon "any lot in the original plat of Marshall, fronting or con- tiguous to the public square in said city, or on any lot on cither side of Cumberland street, fronting said street, as far east as Michi- gan street." Its provisions were afterward enlarged, so as to prohibit the use of wooden
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