USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 7
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October, 1812. Shadrach Bond, then a resident of St. Clair County, was elected the first Delegate to Congress from Illinois. Pierre Menard was chosen from Randolph County member of the Legislative Council, and George Fisher of the House of Representatives. The Legislature convened at Kaskaskia on the twenty-fifth of November, 1812.
In April, 1818, a bill providing for the admission of Illinois into the Union as a sovereign State was passed by Congress. A Convention to frame a Constitution assembled at Kaskaskia in the following July. The first election under the Constitution was held in September, 1818, and Shadrach Bond was elected Governor, and Pierre Menard, Lieutenant Governor. Illinois was now declared by Congress admitted to the Union as on equal footing in all respects with the original States. The Legislature again met at Kaskaskia in Jannary, 1819. This was the last session ever held at Kaskaskia. Vandalia, the same year, was selected as Capital of the State. It was stipulated that Vanda- lia was to be the Capital for twenty years. At the end of that period it was changed to Springfield. Below we give list of governors and chief officers of Illinois.
Illinois was constituted a separate Territory by act of Cou- gress, February 3d, 1809.
OFFICERS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
STA
SOVEREIGNTY
FROM 1809,
TO 1878.
ILLINOIS TERRITORY.
DATE OF COMMISSION
NAME OF OFFICER. OFFICE. OR INAUGURATION.
Nathaniel Pope,. Secretary of the Territory,.
March 7, 1809.
Ninian Edwards,
Governor
April 24, 1809.
HI JI. Maxwell,.
Auditor Public Accounts, .. 1816.
Daniel P. Cook,. "
January 13, 1816.
Joseph Phillips,
Secretary,
December 17, '13.
Robert Blackwell,
Auditor Public Accounts, April 5, 1817.
Elijah C. Berry
=
August 29, 1817.
John Thomas, Treasurer
1818.
STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Shadrach Bond, .Governor, . October 6, 1818.
Pierre Menard ..
Lieut-Governor,
6, 1818.
Elias K. Kane,.
Secretary of State, .. 11
6, 1818.
Elijah C. Berry,
Auditor Public Accounts,. 1818.
John Thomas,
Treasurer,
1818.
Robert K. MeLaughlin ....
August 2, 1819.
Edward Coles
.Governor,.
December, 1822.
Adolphus F. Hubbard, .... Lieut. Governor,
1822.
Samuel D. Lock wood,
.Secretary of State,. ¥
18, 1822.
Abner Field,
Treasurer,
January 14, 1823.
David Blackwell, ..
Secretary of State, .April 2, 1823.
Morris Birheck.
October 15, 1824.
George Forqner,
January 15, 1825.
Ninian Edwards, Governor, December, 1826.
William Kinney Lient-Governor, 1826.
James fall,
Treasurer, .. Febr'y. 12, 1827.
Alexander P. Field
.Secretary of State, January 23, 1829.
23
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
John Reynolds, Goveroor, December 9. 1530.
Zadock Casey. Lient-Governor, 9, 1830.
John Dement, Treasurer,
February 5, 1831.
James T. B. Stapp, Anditor Public Accounts, .August 27, 1831.
Joseph Duncan, Governor,
December, 1834
Alexander M. Jenkins, ... Lieut-Governor, 1834 =
Levi Davis, Auditor Public Accounts ..
Nov. 16, 1$35.
Charles Gregory, Treasurer,
December 5, 1836.
John D. Whiteside,
March 4, 1937.
Thomas Carlin, Governor,
Decetuber, 1838.
Stinson H. Anderson, ... Lieut-Governor,
1838.
Stephen A. Douglas, .. Secretary of State,. Nov. 30, 1840.
Lyman Trumbull,
March 1, 1841.
Milton Carpenter, .. .Treasurer,
1841.
James Shields, Auditor Public Accounts.
1811.
Thomas Ford, .Governor, December 8, 1842.
John Moore,. Lieut-Governor, 8, 1842.
Thomas Campbell, .Secretary of State
March 6, 1843.
William L. D. Ewing Auditor Public Accounts,.
6, 1843.
Thomas II. Campbell,
P. A. (to fill vacancy). 26, 1846.
Augustus C. French, .Governor, December 9, 1346.
Joseph B. Wells Lieut-Governor,
64 9. 1840.
Horace S. Cooley.
Secretary of State,
23, 1846.
John Moore,
Treasurer, (to fill vacancy ),
August 14, 1:45.
William McMurtry,
Lieut-Governor,
.January, 1×49.
David L. Gregg,
Sec'y. of State (to fill vacancy ), April 3, 1850.
Charles P. Swigert,. Anditor Public Accounts,.
10, 18$1.
Edward Rutz, .. Treasurer,
= 10. 1581.
Believing that it will be interesting to the younger readers of our work, we snbjoin the following list of Presidents of the United States :
PRESIDENTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
TERM OF SERVICE.
George Washington .1789 to 1797, eight years. Virginia,.
John Adams. Massachusetts, .... 1797 to 1801, four years.
Thomas Jefferson
Virginia, .... ..... .1801 to 1800, eight years.
James Madison Virginia ....... ... 1809 to 1817, eight years.
James Monroe ..
Virginia, .1817 to 1825, eight years.
John Quincy Adams
Massachusetts, .... 1825 to 1829, four years.
William Butler,.
Treasurer (to fill vacancy ). .September 3, 1859.
Andrew Jackson
Tennessee,. J829 to 1837, eight years.
Richard Yates,
Governor,
January 14, 1861.
Francis A. Iloffinan,.
= Lieut-Governor 14, 1861.
William H. Harrison.
Ohio ..
1841, one month.
Ozias M. Hatch,
Secretary of State,
14, 1861.
John Tyler.
Virginia, ... 1$41 to 1845, four years.
Jesse KK. Dubois.
Auditor Public Accounts,
= 14, 1361.
William Butler,
.Treasurer,
14, 1861.
Newton Bateman,
Super't. Public Instruction,
= 14, 1861.
Millard Fillmore.
New York. 1850 to 1853, three years.
Franklin Pierce
New Hampshire,.1 3 to 1857, four years.
James Buchanan Pennsylvania, ..... 1857 to 1801, four years.
Abraham Lincoln, | murdered | .. Illinois,
.1861 to 1865, 4 yrs. 1 mo.
William Bross, Lieut-Governor
=
16, 1805.
Andrew Johnson.
Tennessee, .. 1865 to 1569, four years.
Sharon Tyndale, Secretary of State,
Orlin II. Miner, Auditor Public Accounts,
Dec. 12, 1864.
James II. Beveridge, ...... Treasurer,
January 9, 1865.
James A. Garfield
.Ohio,.
.. 1881,
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS, BY COUNTIES.
COUNTIES.
POPULATION.
18.0. 1850.
COUNTIES.
POPULATION. 1870.
1880.
Adams ..
50,362
59,148
10,564
14,809
Edwards.
7,505
8.000
Kankakee
24.352
24,961
Montgomery ...
27,314
28,05G
Bond
13,152
14,873
Effingham
15,053
18,924
Kendall.
12,009
13.01-4
Morgan ..
23,463
31,519
Boone ..
12,942
11,527
Fayette.
19.638
23,243
Knox.
30,522
34,060
Moultrie ..
10,385
13,705
Vermillion .. .
30,388
41.600
Brown ..
12,205
13,044
Ford ...
9.103
15,105
Lake.
21,1114
21,299
Ogle ....
27,492
29,046
Wabash
8,541
9,945
Bureau ...
32,415
33,189
Franklin.
12,032
16,129
La Salle
60,792
70,420
Peoria
47,340
55,419
Warren ...
23,174
22,940
Cathoun
6,562
7,471
Fulton.
38,291
41,249
Lawrence.
12,333
13,003
Perry
13,723
16,008
Carroll
16.705
16,895
Greene.
20,277
27,014
Livingston ..
31,47L
38,450
Champaign
32,737
40,869
Grundy.
14,938
16,738
Logan
23,033
25,141
Pope
11,437
13,256
Christian
20,363
28,232
Hamilton
13,014
16,712
MeDonough
26,509
27.0×4
Clark
18,719
21,900
Hancock
35.035
35,32
MeHenry.
23,712
24,014
Clay.
15,675
16,195
Hardin.
5.113
6,024
12,562
10,755
Macon ...
26.1-1
30,671
Rock Island ...
20,783
3,314
Cook
39,966
6117,408
Iroquois
25,782
35.457
Madison ..
Marion
2011 23
23,5711
Salın >
13.711
1,'140
Cumherland ...
12,223
13,762
Jasper
11,234
11,515
Marshall
10,0 0
15,026
Sangamon
46,352
52,002
De Kalb
23,265
26,774
Jefferson ..
17,864
20,186
Mason .
10,154
16,244
Schuyler ..
17,419
16,249
De Witt.
14,708
17,014
Jersey
15,054
15,546
Massac ..
9,581
10,443
Scott.
10,530
10,745
Douglass.
13,484
15.857
Jo Daviess.
27,820
27,534
Menard,
11,7:35
13,028
Shelby ..
25.47G
30,282
Du Page.
16,085
19,187
Johnson
11,248
13,079
Mereer
18,709
19,501
Stark.
10,751
11,209
cot NTIES.
1870.
30,008
31,070
Edgar
21,450
25,504
Kane ,
39,001
44,056
Monroe ..
12,982
13.682
Stephenson .....
Tazewell
27,903
29,679
Alexander
11,540
14,434
Whitesides .....
27,503
30,858
Will
43,013
53,424
Clinton.
16,2×5
18,718
27,055
Henderson ... Henry
35,50G
36,009
Macoupin
34,726
37.705
50g141
St. Clair.
51,068
61,850
Crawford.
13,889
16,190
Jackson
11,134
12,862
Lee.
27,171
27,494
Piatt
14.953
15,483
10,758
21,297
Pike
314,768
33,761
White ....
16,846
23,089
Pulaski
8,752
9,507
Putnam
f2-0
5,555
McLean.
53,958
60,115
Rand ilph.
20,-39
25,691
Winn-hago ....
20,301
30,518
Woodford
18,936
21,630
George W. Smith ... Treasurer, .
.January, 1867.
Julin MI. Pahuer,
Governor, .
.January 11, 18G9. 4€ 11, 1869.
Edward Rummell, .Secretary of State ... 11, 1869.
Charles E. Lippincott. ..... Auditor Public Account, 11, 1869.
Erastus N. Bates, Treasurer.
11, 1869.
Newton Bateman, Super't. Public Instruction, ..... January, 1871.
Erastus N. Bates,
Treasurer, Nov. 8, 1870.
Richard J. Oglesby,
.Governor,
January 13, 1873. = 13, 1873.
George H. Harlow
.Secretary of State,
13, 1873.
Charles E. Lippincott,
Auditor Public Accounts,
13. 1873.
Edward Rutz,. Treasurer,
John L. Beveridge,
Governor,
23, 1873.
John Early Lieut-Governor
23. 1573
S. M. Cullom Governor,
8,1877.
George H. Ilarlow,
Secretary of State,
8, 1877.
Edward Rutz, Treasurer,
8, 1877.
T. B. Needles, Auditor Public Accounts,
8,1877.
S. M. Etter Super't. Public Instruction,
8, 1877,
J. P. Slade, ..
J. C. Smith, Treasurer
8, 1879.
S. M. Cullom, Governor. 10. 1881.
John M. Hamilton, Lient .- Governor.
10. 1SS1.
Henry D. Dement .. Secretary of Sate,
10, 1881.
Joel A. Matteson,
Governor,
Jannary, 1853
Gustavus Koerner,.
Lient-Governor,
1853.
Alexander Starne,.
Secretary of State, ..
1853.
Ninian W. Edwards,.
.... Super't. Public Instruction, ... .March 24, 1954.
William H. Bissell, .. Governor,
January 12, 1857.
John Wood, Lieut-Governor, 12, 1857.
Ozias M. llatch. Secretary of State,.
12, 1857.
Jesse K. Dubois
Auditor Public Accounts,.
12, 1457.
James Miller,.
. Treasurer
12, 1857.
William II. Powell,.
Super't. Public Iostruction, 12, 1857.
Newton Bateman,
10. 1959.
John P. Brooks,
Super't Public Instruction
12, 1803.
Richard J. Oglesby .Governor
10, 1865.
16, 1865.
Ulysses S. Grant 1869 to 1877, eight years.
Rutherford B. Hayes
Ohio, .....
1577, to 1881, four years.
Newton Bateman, ..
Super't. Public Instruction ...... January 10, 1865.
UNTIES.
PUIULATION.
18:0.
1880.
COUNTIES.
POPULATHIN. 1870. 1850.
POPULATION. ISSO.
Washington ... Wayne ..
17,599
21,117
Martin Van Buren
New York, 1837 to 1841, four years.
James K. Polk.
Tennessee .. .1845 to 1849, four years.
Zachary Taylor
Louisiana, .. 1949 to 1850, one ycar.
Illinois,.
12,503
17,546
Coles.
25,235
Total ............ 2,530,801 3,078.769
White, 3,032,174 ; Colored, 46,- 5075, including 214 Chinese, and 153 Indians.
Williamson
17,429
19,326
Richland.
I'nion
16,518
18.100
John L. Beveridge.
Lieut-Governor,
13, 1873.
8, 1877.
Andrew Shuman
Lieut-Governor,
8, 1879.
Alexander Starne .. .Treasurer,
12, 1863.
Cass ...
Gallatin.
10,104
44,131
Jolin Dougherty,. Lieut-Governor,
30
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER III.
GEOGRAPHY, AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES, AND RAIL- ROAD FACILITIES. -
E WITT COUNTY is situated nearly cen- tral in the state, the geographical centre of Illinois, being located but a few miles from the southern boundary. It lies between the fortieth and forty-first parallels of north latitude, and is bi-sected by the twelfth me- ridian west from Washington; while the third Principal Meridian forms the western boundary. Its greatest length from east to west is thirty miles, and from north to south sixteen miles, and contains an arca of about 393 square miles, or 251,657 acres. In comparison of acres of improved and nuimproved lands, there are probably but few counties in the state, that can show a better record. The following is the official data taken from the record for 1880. Acres, improved lands, 232,662: va- lue, $3,188,691: Acres unimproved, 18,995: valne, 8142,799. Number improved lots, 2,814; valne, 8273,239. Unimproved lots, 1,393; value, 816,721. We are further informed by Mr. A. L. Barnett, the first and present surveyor of the county, that De Witt does not contain a single acre of land not susceptible of improvement. It is bounded on the north by MeLoan ; east by Piatt, south by Macon, and west by Logan county. Clinton, the capital, is situated nearly central, and equidi-tant from the two great cities of Chicago and St. Louis, being about one hun- dred and fifty miles from each. When the county was organ- ized in 1839, its territory was considerable in excess of its pre- sent boundaries. Nearly a whole township on the north-west has been lopped off and joined to Logan, while on the south and east, quite a portion of territory has been given over to form a part of what is now Piatt county. It embra es seven full, and six frac- tional parts of congressional townships, making thirteen voting precinets as follows : Waynesville, Wapella, Wilson, Rutledge, Santa Anna, De Witt, ITarp, Clintonia, Barnett, Tonbridge, Texas, Creek, and Nixon.
The first land entries were made the 31 day of November, 1827, as follows: James K. Scott entered the E ! of the N. E.], s ction 27 ; and Samuel P. Glenn the E ! of the S. W.}, section 26; both being in town 21, range 1, east. Prior to the first of May, 1830, there were not to exceed 2,500 acres of land en- tered in the county.
Population .- The first settlers were principally Americans, who were natives of Kentucky and Teunessee. The present nation- ality is a mixture of English, Irish, Swedes, Germans, aud a few French, and Negroes. The former largely predominates. Fifty- one years ago-1830-there were not to exceed 250 inhabitants within the present limits of the county. Below we give the offi- cial census of the several decades, from 1840 to the present time. Iu 1840, the records show a population of 3,247; 1850, males 2,554, females ( white) 2,447 ; females (colored > 1 ; total, 5,002. The following is the census by townships since 1860.
1860.
1870.
1880.
Barnett,
804
1,078
1,122
('lintonia ( Township).
1.984
2,638
3.308
City (Clinton ), .
1,362
1,800
2,702
Creek, .
794
1.022
1.211
De Witt, .
1,018
1,061
1,116
Ilarp,
743
1,164
1,077
Wapella, (Township),
1.016
1.437
1.181
Village, ( Wapella),
362
Nixon, .
337
648
893
Rutledge
546
664
647
Santa Anna,
833
1.276
2,166
Texas, .
893
1,064
950
Tunbridge,
636
1,105
1,605
Waynesville,
872
970
1.042
Wilson,
314
640
666
Totals,
12,182
16,567
20,054
It should be borne in mind that the census of 1840, included that portion of territory, afterwards lopped off from the east and north-west, which has already been mentioned. From the fore- going table it is easy to discover the gradual and healthy growth of the county in population.
Typography .- The surface of the country presents a pleasing variety of gently undulating prairie land, interspersed with belts of timber, that hug the water-courses in their various mean. derings. Originally, about one-tenth of the county was covered with a fine growth of timber consisting of oak, walnut, elm, syca- more etc. Along the creeks the surface is somewhat broken, and at various points assume the nature of small bluff's, especially along the Kickapoo iu the north-west. There are two principal divides or water-sheds, one lying in the north and west, between the Kickapoo and Salt Creek, and the other extending along south of the latter creek, midway between it and the southern boundary of the county. In many parts of the state, the prairies, from their peculiar forms or other causes, received various names in an early day, and are yet familiarly known as such. But one, however, appears in De Witt county ; and it is doubtful if there are half a score of people to-day that conld name or locate it. It lies between the north and south forks of Salt Creek, and is known by the oldest settlers as Fork Prair'e. Prior to the con- struction of the railroads, or any artificial drainage, there were a few acres of land that were not considered tillable, and were com- monly known as Swamp Laods. Iu 1853, the governor of the state appointed Mr. A. L. Barnett county surveyor, to ascertain and report to the State the number of acres of said lands. After making a careful survey, Mr. Barnett reported but 2,000 acres, all of which at this writing is under cultivation, or susceptible of improvement.
Hydrography .- The county is fairly well supplied with water courses suitable for natural drainage. The largest and most important stream is Salt creek, which enters the county at the north-east. Here two branches, North and South fork, trend in a south-westerly direction a few miles apart, when they unite in the southern central part of the county. These form the main stream, which then takes a westerly course, aud crosses the county line at Tonbridge township. The Kickapoo with its tributaries form excellent drainage for the north-west. Fish of fine quality abonnd in these streams, and afford the sportsman ample recrea- tion and pleasure. Bass, croppy, pike, and cat-fish are the principal species. Other small streams abound, which meander through the prairie depressions, and finally empty their waters into Salt creek.
Artificial drainage is now being carried on to a great extent, especially that of tiling. But a few years ago an under-ground diteb was scarcely thought of, and much less practiced. Time and experience, however, has developed the fact that if the hus-
31
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
bandman would prosper, and succeed in getting out of the soil what it is capable of producing, the surface must be made warm ; and it has been further demonstrated, that man can do nothing in the way of tillage that is more conducive to this end thau the system of under-drainage. No portion of the state is more largely engaged in the work of tiling than the farmers of De Witt. Hundreds of miles are already buried beneath the fertile prairies, branching out in every direction, like the veins of the human circulatory system. Thus are the surface waters at ouce carried away, leaving the soil to perform its complete and normal func- tions.
Climate .- The climate of Central Illinois is a happy medium between the extremes of heat and cold, and specially adapted to the raising of all kinds of productions peculiar to the temperate zones. The winters are comparatively short, and the summer seasons long and delightful. Snow falls seldom to exceed six inches in depth ; in fact, so light are the snows that the covering needed, so necessary to the production of winter wheat, makes this cereal an uncertain crop ; yet it is largely planted, and often yields very remunerative returns to the husbandman.
Perennial Springs abound in various parts of the county, but are mainly found along or near the water-courses ; a few, how- ever, appear upon the open prairies. The largest and most im- portant spring is situated on the premises of Mrs. Weldon, a few miles south-east of Clinton, in Creek township. It gushes forth in considerable quantities, forming quite a brook of ever- running water. This spring is strongly tinctured with sulphur, and the same may be said of nearly all others in the county, but few consisting of pure water. In dry seasons these provi- sions of nature are of almost incalculable value to the farmer and stock-raiser.
Mounds .- It may be known to but few citizens of the county that they have within their territory relics of a pre-historic race kuown as Mound Builders; but from the best authority there are unmistakable evidences that such is really the case. Men of close observation and scientific knowledge, after careful inves- tigation, have pronounced them beyond question the work of the same race that have left evidences of their existence along the Father of Waters, and other portions of the West. The largest of these is found in the south-west corner of Clintonia township, on the premises owned by Bushrod Munson. It is oval iu shape, from eight to ten feet in altitude, and thirty yards in diameter. There are two smaller ones within bow-shot of the former. None of these have been excavated, only in taking portions of gravel, from time to time, from their sides. It may be asked, why do scientists arrive at the conclusion that these are really artificial mounds? This question can be answered iu a few words. Io the first place, they are rather uniform in shape ; and secoudly, they do not partake of the same nature of material as the soil around them. The bulk of their substance is composed of sand, gravel, and numerous small stones, the same as may be found in the creek bed two or three miles distant. Other small mounds are seen near Salt Creek, in Texas township. It is said, aud by very reliable authority, that some of these have been exhumed, and human bones taken from their interior ; hence all the evi- dences go to show that the extinct race of centuries ago once roamed over the prairies and through the forests of this particu- lar territory. Another peculiarity of the surface near some of the creek bottoms should not be neglected or passed by in this connection. These are certain depressions of a rotund shape, and from two to three feet in depth. In an carly day, herds of thousands of buffaloes roamed wild over this part of the Missis-
sippi Valley. Their main stamping ground was near the river or creek bottoms. Here they would seek the shade to rest and recreate. The theory is, and a very plausible one, that in their numerous stampings and wallowings these hollows or depressions were formed. To the student of history and the scientist these formations are familiarly known as Buffalo Wallows. Years and ages may glide by, yet they will exist, like the mounds of the unknown race, to inform the historian that other beings and other animals once inhabited this part of the globe.
Soil .- In fertility and richness of soil, the county of De Witt is probably unsurpassed by any in the State. It is situated in the famous " Grand Prairie," which extends through the cen- tral part of Illinois, and is widely known as the garden spot of the West. Indeed, it possesses but one drawback, and that consists in its extreme productiveness. So inexhaustible is it in its yield, and so easy of cultivation, that the average farmer hardly deems it necessary to give it proper culture, or to return to the soil a portion he has received ; in other words, to feed as it has fed him. This is not an idle thought, but one that it may be well for the agriculturist to stop and consider. It may be said that there are three distinct classes of soil, to wit, the prairie, the timber land, and the creek bottoms. The former, which con- stitutes about nine-tenths of the county, is a black peaty Joan, from two to five feet in depth, and commonly known as a vege- table decomposition, the formation of which took place centuries ago, thus preparing these vast plains to yield abundant crops for the present generation and the millions yet to come. The timber land is more or less broken, the soil of which has a light yellow- ish color, and is but few inches in depth. It contains more or Jess lime, and all other properties necessary to produce excellent wheat. Indeed, it is considered the most valuable land for this cereal, and for the production of blue grass, of any soil in the county. The bottoms are composed of a deep sandy loam, com- bined with silt-deposit, and specially adapted to the raising of corn. The bottom lands are not extensive, but when not incon- venienced by overflow, the yield of maize to the acre exceeds that of the prairies.
Agriculture and Horticulture .- The growth and prosperity of a country depends largely upon its agricultural resources ; in fact, the world could not move if it were not for this industry. Nothing is truer than the aphorism, " The success of the hus- bandman is the success of the country." He is the bone aud sinew of the land, the engine, as it were, that drives the whole machinery which fosters life, gives wealth, and creates happiness for mankind. When this industry fails, famine, misery, and tears prevail in the land. Ireland, and other countries of Europe have, in times past, been striking examples of the famine fiend ; but thanks to a kind Providence, in our own country, and espe- cially in central Illinois, have the people never had to knuw what it is to want for the necessaries of life
The means and facilities for tilling the soil, a half-century ago, would be considered a burlesque on farming to-day. Then they scratched over the land as best they could with the old wooden mould-board plow, and gathered the harvest with a reap-hook. The threshing was as slow and laborious as the reaping, the pro- cess being by tramping out the grain by the use of cattle, or beating it from the straw with a flail. Presto change ; fifty years have glided by, and we cast our eye out upon the prairie landscape, and what a transition! The old mould-board has given place to the elegant sulky-plow, the reap-hook is trans- formed into the wonderful mechanism known as the self-biuder, and the tramping of the cattle and the thud, thud of the flail
32
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
have yielded to the steam-engine and the hum of the gigantic thresher. The change in the variety of crops raised is nearly if not quite as great as the use of utensils. The first settlers were not so much engrossed in money-making and money-getting as the people of to-day, but were laboring more for a mere sub- sistence. They raised patches of flax and some cotton, from which products they manufactured their own apparel. Corn was then the staple, as now, but produced in very limited quan- tities, as transportation facilities were so meagre that it was not a profitable crop only as it was used for home consumption. Wheat was rarely cultivated in the early days.
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