History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 45

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Illinois > Clark County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 45
USA > Illinois > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois > Part 45

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).

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

corn being dropped in every third furrow. In the woodland, of which the larger part of this township consisted, the object was ac- complished with more difficulty. During the winter about ten acres would be " cut over," the trees felled, cut into logs about twelve feet long, brush trimmed and limbs cut in suitable lengths to handle. Early in the spring an invitation was sent out for a dis- tance of five to twelve miles to a "logging bee." There was sure to be a full attendance, such a thing as " regrets " not being known to the crude society of the early day. A few would bring their ox teams, for which there was generally but little use, if any, in the logging. The timber was raised on " hand-spikes " and carried by five or eight men and placed upon the heap for burning. When all was pre- pared, the party invited would generally be able to pile up the whole ten acres in a day. The work was done with a hearty good will, and never taxed the strength of the workers sufficiently to prevent their enjoying the gen- erous meal and dance with which the occa- sion generally closed. This done, the heaps were fired and left to the care of the wife and boys, while the father responded to the invi- tations of his neighbors. Thus it was no un- common thing in the earlier years of the set- tlement for the male part of the community to spend a month or six weeks in the spring of the year, " logging up " the farms for sev- --- eral miles around. Then came the plowing among roots and stumps and putting in the crop. There was always an abundant har- vest. But a small part was needed for the family or stock and there was no market for the surplus. In fact, the inroads of game left very little surplus for the first year or two.

This abundance of game was altogether a mixed evil. When first planted the crop was subject to the attack of crows, black-birds and squirrels, when further advanced the thousands of wild ducks and geese and tur-

keys sometimes threatened to take all that was left. Geese were especially destructive to young wheat, cropping the blade close to the ground and their droppings killing what they could not eat. Deer were numerous, and wolves, while the timber swarmed with the chattering game that found shelter there. " Painters " were too numerous for a feeling of security though they were generally easily frightened away or left without danger of their pursuing a person. On one occasion a man riding along a trail in the woods was considerably frightened and his horse con- siderably scratched by one of these animals springing upon him from a tree, but it lost its hold and was soon left in the distance. Women out picking berries were often startled by seeing these animals crouched in neiglibor- boring trees evidently meditating the chances of an attack, but no serious results are known to have occurred from them here. Without this abundance of game it is difficult to deter- mine how much of the country would have been early settled. For a time this was the almost sole dependence of the pioneer for meat and added greatly to his comfort if it .did not render one of the essentials for an early settlement. The ease with which sup- plies could be got from the country without labor, and the sport which it afforded at the same time, led certain ones of every settle- ment to lose sight of the demand of the future and to rely upon this uncertain support. A few years brought a rude awakening. The game gradually decreased or were driven off by the merciless onslaught of the settlers and many found it easier and more suited to their tastes to follow the game than to turn to the more exacting duties of farming.

Darwin, like the settlement lower down on the river, removed from the advantages of older settlements, learned early to depend upon their own resources for the comforts of life. This was especially marked in the

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

clothing of the people and the adornment of the home. The sheep early brought in, sup- plied the wool which was carded by hand or taken two or three days journey to some mill which prepared it for spinning and weaving. Cotton was considerably grown and added an mnusual facility for varying the clothing for the hot and cold seasons. But deer-skin was very largely in use by the men because of its durability. It was not very good material to get into on a cold morning or to wear after get- ting wet, but these were minor discomforts which were not allowed to excite discontent. A compromise was early effected between the linsey-woolsey and buckskin type of frontier clothing, especially for holiday wear. Jeans were manufactured at home, and clothing reinforced at the knees and on the seat, and on the front of the coat, with buckskin, were thought exceptionally fine. Several of the women gained a wide-spread reputation for the taste and skill with which these somewhat ungainly patches were made to take on an ornamental character.

Closely allied with all this serious work of the community was its sources of recreation. The demands of modern development have changed all this. Work and play have been divorced and so changed in their natures that they have almost changed places. Divis- ion of labor and the application of machin- ery has relieved the serious occupations of life of much of their toil, while amusements are placed under such a tariff of social exactions that a life devoted exclusively to either shows very little difference in the outcome save per- haps to the advantage of a life of labor. This change is keenly felt by those who still sur- vive pioneer days, and they are few indeed, who do not speak with heart-felt regret at the passing of these "good old times." There was no spirit of caste in the settlement of Darwin. The richest were poor, and the poor lived in abundance, and each one who came

to share the responsibilities of the community were at once taken into the charmed circle of frontier hospitality. Logging and cabin rais- ings brought the men together for miles around, while quilting, cotton-picking, spin- ning, apple-paring, and husking brought together the young and old of both sexes. These occasions often closed with a supper and a dance when the men came in. Samuel Yocum and Thomas Carico were the violinists in demand and gave their services free of charge. On holiday occasions, Christmas, 4th of July, etc., a regular ball was the special entertainment, but " bussing-bees " as the old- er ones called them, or games of forfeit were the general feature of ordinary gatherings. Cards were generally played by both sexes and an evening call was hardly complete without a few games of eucher or whist. The sterner sex, however, seemed to demand a stronger excitement and shooting matches, horse-rac- ing and gambling rapidly grew into favor. In fact they became the absorbing pleasure and Darwin early gained a reputation for these excitements that was the reverse of flattering. With all this there was an un- stinted use of whisky which, contrary to the usual statement of "old settlers," did make the people drunk and incite to deeds of ruffian- ism. The women were generally " tee-total- ers." Occasionally they sipped a little toddy but their influence was, as a class, against the use of whisky, although their education did not lead them to any active persuasion against it. To this should be added a general dis- regard for the Sabbath. There were earnest Christian people in the early settlement, who had imbibed the Puritan notion of Sunday, but they were helplessly in the minority, and the Lord's day was a special holiday for this vicious class of excitements.

The land which was held by speculators came into market about 1831, by public sale, and the township to which the pages are de-

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

voted rapidly settled up. There had been some development of business interests before this, but the prosperity of Darwin dates from this change. The farmers found but little demand at home for their surplus crops and emulating the example of other settlements began very early to ship their produce down the river. When all were engaged it is dif- ficult to learn when or by whom the first boat was sent out from Darwin, but almost every farmer took part in this undertaking to a more or less extent. The boats were manufactured on the banks of the river by the farmer who used them though it subsequently became a considerable business to which some devoted their attention exclusively, selling a finished boat at a dollar per linear foot. The plan was to take a fine poplar or sycamore tree, hew it in rectangular shape about 18 by 24 inches. This was split through the middle leaving strips about 12 by 18 inches and of lengths varying from 55 to 75 feet. These were the " gunwales " and formed the main strength of the structure. The heart side was placed outward and on the inner lower corner was cut a "gain " large enough to allow the two-inch flooring to rest in it and come to the level of the bottom of the "gunwale." The width of the boats was from 15 to 20 feet and was established by cross-pieces framed in the " gunwales " at moderate distances apart. Lengthwise the boat was further strength- ened by " streamers " running parallel with the " gunwales " about four feet apart. Upon this frame work, securely framed and fastened together, a flooring of two-inch planks was laid double, pinned with wooden pins and heavy nails. The boat thus far constructed was bottom side up, and after being well caulked the difficulty was to turn it over to be finished. The practice was to choose a location on the bank of the river convenient for launching, and when the work reached this stage, to turn it on the land, though the

more skillful turned them in the water. If it was done on the land, the neighborhood was invited, and all joined in lifting the one side of the wooden leviathan and letting it fall on brush heaps and a multitude of hoop-poles somewhat inclined to break its fall. This was attended with considerable risk of damage and the other way was preferred. This was to place a temporary board railing on one side and the ends. Against this an embankment, of earth was placed on the boat, and thus pre- pared it was launched into the stream and towed by yawls into the deep water. The side of the boat weighted with earth was placed across the current up the stream and while held in this position the embankment of earth was broken in two places to allow the water to run over the top. The weight of the earth held one side considerably lower than the other and on being broken down the current got such hold of it as to turn it right under the stream. Great care was necessary to prevent the embankment from being broken prematurely, and for those who man- aged the turning to escape a serious wetting by leaping in a small boat kept near at hand. When turned, it was hauled to shore by a cable previously fastened to it and then com- pleted. The " gunwales" were trimmed off at the prow to give the boat the proper " rake"; sides about four feet high were added by nailing clapboards on studding framed in the sills or "gunwales," and then the whole was roofed over with boards projecting over the sides to shed the water perfectly, and rounded from one side to the other, the center being about five and a half to six feet high. About six feet of the stern was boarded off for a cabin, provided with bunks on either side and a stone fire-place with "cat and clay " chimney. About three feet of the front end was left inclosed to prevent the greater dam- age of snags, and when provided with sweeps on each side and a steering oar in the rear,

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the craft was complete. These boats dif- fered in size and would carry from two to five thousand bushels of grain. At first each man was his own pilot, but as the business increased there were those whose frequent trips down the river gave their judgment a money value, and providing themselves with published charts of the river, they set up as pilots. These men were subsequently hired to navigate the boats and were paid at first from $50 to $75 a trip, and later, according to the length of the boat, a dollar per linear foot. From three to eight hands were employed as crew at about $30 per trip, all employes being boarded on the trip, and all paying the en- tire expense of their return. The whole cost of such a trip including boats was from $300 to $400, though a part of this was recovered by the sale of the boat in New Orleans, which lessened the net cost by some twenty-five to seventy-five dollars. If the boat was made of carefully selected lumber, and the market was favorable the cost of the boat was some- times realized.

The quickest trips from Darwin to New Orleans were one in fourteen days, and one in sixteen days, the average trip being some- what longer and depending upon the weather. The start was generally made upon the spring flood and if the nights were clear and light, no snags were encountered, and no delays occasioned by "tying up" to the bank at night as a matter of prudence, the quickest time mentioned could be attained. But such a favorable combination of circum- stances were seldom known. These trips though accomplished by men unfamiliar with the science of navigation were not free from serious risks of personal danger and financial embarrassment. After steamboats began to ply the Mississippi and Ohio the danger of being run down by them was very great in dark nights, and the general practice was to

lie by on such occasions. At first the only signal lights were torches, and later, lanterns. An experience is related when one of these boats had entered a shute near one of the islands in the Mississippi, the crew heard a steamer coming up the stream. The channel ran close to the island and the night being dark there was the greatest danger of a col- lision. A man was placed on the bow with a lantern but the steamer seemed to be coming directly on the boat. The lantern was waved and everything possible was done to indicate the location of the boat to the steamer's pilot but seemingly of no avail; but just at the point of contact the steamboat sheered off, but with so small space between that the name of the boat could be read by the light of the lantern. On another occasion a snag struck the rake of the boat so far back as to let the water into the cargo and as it could not be reached the boat began to sink. For- tunately it was loaded with corn on the ear and after settling down more than half way the boat floated and was subsequently saved. Though such incidents were common the voy- agers from this settlement never suffered any serious losses or accidents. This river traf- fic attained vast proportions, from fifty to seventy-five boats passing the settlement in a day during the season, and this continued up to about 1861 with almost unabated vigor.

With such business activity the develop- ment of a village was certain, but long before the business had attained any considerable proportions a beginning for a village had been made. A town was platted very early on a part of, or near, the site of Darwin Village, probably by Doctor Patrick and John Essarey. Septer and Charles Patrick were emigrants from Auburn, near New York, and came here in 1818. Septer Patrick was a physician of more than ordinary ability, and both were active, enterprising men, who appreciated the advantages of the landing and laid out

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

the village of Sterling. In the following year the county was formed and in connection with Chester Fitch, Doctor Patrick laid out Aurora on the bend of the river above Darwin, securing the location of the county seat at that point. It is probable that though the site of Sterling was more eligible for a town, the persons interested did not command land enough to make the investment profitable and so moved up the river. The site chosen had but a single feature to recommend the lo- cation. The landing is one of the best on the river, but there was no room for the town without climbing a bluff which would be the death of any village enterprise. Neverthe- less, the county seat was fixed at Aurora, a court house was built, but that was the end of the project. The court house still remains to do service as a stable, and a single resi- dence, that of O. C. Lowell, marks the site of the ambitious village. The county seat was subsequently changed to Darwin, which was laid out on land contributed by John Mc- Clure, and it is said received its name from Doctor Patrick after the father of Charles Darwin, the celebrated naturalist and author. The prestige of the county seat did little for the growth of Aurora. The Leonard brothers and Doctor Patrick moved there and began some business enterprises, and Silas Hoskin opened a tavern, but the failure of this enter- prise was a foregone conclusion. Darwin flourished as though it had no near rival. John Essarey was licensed to keep a tavern " at his now place of residence, situate near John Mc- ('lure's at the head of Walnut Prairie," and MeClure was licensed " to keep a ferry across the Wabash River at his house ." Thus com- petition was fairly begun between the rivals at the first term of the commissioners' court. There was no difference of opinion in the minds of the people upon the merits of the two situa- tions, and it was simply a contest between the energy and influence of Doctor Patrick

on one side, and the judgment of the whole county backed by the manifest advantage of the Darwin location on the other. The out- come could scarcely be in doubt and yet it was delayed until January, 1823, when by act of the Legislature the county seat was changed. The early competition seems to have aroused no active jealousies, and the course of Darwin seems to have been hence- forward as smooth as could be, in the nature of things. Acquiring the county seat did little more for Darwin, at first, than to give it a recognized position as a village and rid it of an annoying rivalry. In 1824, it received a valuable accession, in W. P. Bennett, a native of New York, and a prominent attor- ney. In the same year, John Stockwell, a native of Massachusetts came. He had wan- dered to New Hampshire, and in 1823, had gone down the river as one of a flat boat crew to New Orleans. Here he met Dr. Patrick and through his influence, in 1824, came to Darwin. In the following year, Justin Harlan came from Ohio, and Uri Man- ley from Massachusetts. These accessions, with others of about the same time, gave to Darwin that which it most stood in need of, an element fitted to discharge the new respon- sibilities laid upon it by the removal of the seat of justice, with credit and ability.

In 1825 the village was regularly platted and recorded. The original village compris- ing sixteen blocks of eight lots each, laid out parallel with the river, on what was known as McClure's bluff. It was situated on the first " bench," commanding one of the pleas- antest outlooks on the river, and overlooking a considerable extent of sloping bottom land, which served as an admirable boat landing. With the beginning of such individuality came the hotel. Succeeding Essarey, came Samuel Baldy; in another part of the town, Mrs. Nathaniel MeClure kept hotel for a number of years, and James P. Jones. The

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

latter occupied the Patrick residence, near Sackrider's home, and was for the time the leading hotel. Here the court officers lodged, and many a tale of frontier fun and hospi- tality is told of this early hostelry. On one occasion, when the august minds of the coun- ty officials were wrapped in slumber, though the " busy housewife plied her evening care," the whole house was aroused and startled by the screams of Polly Jones, the landlady. It appears that she had gone to the smoke- house, intent upon the morning meal, and had been startled by an unusual stir within the dark precinct. On investigation an opos- sum was found and brought in, and the guests having appeared on the scene in various states of dishabille, the matter was brought up in a committee of the whole and ended by deciding to eat the opossum for breakfast. The com- pany had hardly returned to their be Is before a second series of screams from Mrs. Jones once more summoned the household. Again the disturber of the peace was found to be an opossum, and the offense seemed so grave that it was decided to bring the culprit be- fore the court. Judge John Richardson pre- sided, Major Bennet and John M. Robinson appeared for the prosecution, and Bell, an attorney here on business before the court, was assigned to the defense. A jury was empanneled, and when all was ready the sheriff, John Stockwell, brought in the pris- oner. The appearance of the culprit was very much against it, and nothing could in- duce him to plead to the indictment. But little time was taken to prove the facts, and the defense seemed to rely more upon its ability to work on the sympathy of the court and jury, than upon the merits of the facts. The pleadings of the lawyers are said to have been masterly in their way; that of the prosecution loudly demanding the protection of a helpless community, and praying for the interposition of the ægis of just law; while

the defense made an eloquent appeal for helplessness under compromising circum- stances, and pictured the grandeur of justice tempered by mercy. The prisoner was ev- idently alive to the necessity of the occasion and slowly crawled under the chair of the judge, an action which his lawyer turned very effectively. It was apparent, however, that nothing but the satiated feeling of the court at the prospect of its first victim, could save the accused from the extreme penalty of the law; and it was doubtless a cause of con- gratulation to the defense that the result was no worse. The jury brought in a verdict for the prosecution, and the judge solemnly declared that the least outraged justice could demand, was that the culprit should be crop- ped, bobbed and transported for life to In- diana. The penalty as to the ears and tail was summarily inflicted, without eliciting a murmur from the victim, and the sheriff, ac- companied by the whole court, repaired to the river to see that the further penalty of transportation was effected. Arrived at the river, the prisoner made his first effort at evading the mandate of the law. Mutilation was severe, but the prospect of a life in In- diana was too much even for a 'possum, and in spite of the dignity of the assembled offi- cials and sundry sticks and stones, he swam back to face indignant justice rather than the "Hoosier " shore. It was in vain! Even such heroic patriotism awakened no sympathy in the court. Thrown into the river again and assailed by a shower of mis- siles, he made for the farther shore, though doubtless with strong mental reservations. It will be a cruel blow to those who believe in the reformatory character of the law, and denounce the theory of "total depravity," to learn that in the following year this same cropped and bobbed 'possum was found in the same smoke-house, seized and eaten.

The first store was opened by Worden &

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Wooster, in a cabin fronting on the river, just north of the Harlan residence, which was erected by Mr. Kibbey. These mer- chants first made their appearance in Dar- win about 1829. They were traders on a keel- boat, and were in the habit of tying up op- posite a village for a few days, to supply such trade as the local stores did not furnish. They were persuaded by some of the citizens to locate here, though they stayed only about a year. They were succeeded in the fall of 1830 by John and James Waters, who used the log cabin for a while, but subsequently erected a brick building, which still stands on the river bank in the northern part of the village. These men were active, enterpris- ing men of business, and began buying grain and produce of the farmers in exchange for goods. The grain they marketed in New Orleans, sending from six to a dozen boats down the river in a season. James became somewhat dissipated and did much to hinder the success of the firm, and subsequently sold his interest to his brother. John carried the business on until his death in 1847, amass- ing considerable property, which he lost, however, in unfortunate speculations. In the meanwhile, Knott & Philips opened a small grocery store in a building which stood on the river front, near the present mill. Knott subsequently succeeded to the sole proprie- torship of the business, and built a large frame structure, which he sold soon after to Clark & Geer, who carried on a large gen- eral store for a number of years.

The agitation in reference to a removal of the county seat, which occurred from 1833 to 1837, had a very depressing influence upon the prosperity of Darwin. It was felt by its citizens that the town would sink into insig- nificance; and this impression had such an effect upon outsiders, that these years were years of stagnation in business matters. Con- trary to all expectation, however, when once

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History of Crawford and Clark counties, Illinois, Part 45

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 826

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 826