USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 4
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The following, taken from Governor Ford's history, will, perhaps, best explain the then existing ideas upon the subject :
"During the sitting of the convention, the Rev. Mr. Wiley and congrega- tion of a sect called Covenanters, in Randolph County, sent in their petition asking that body to declare in the Constitution that 'Jesus Christ was the head of the government, and that the Holy Scriptures were the only rule of faith and practice.' The petition was not treated with any attention, where- fore the Covenanters have never fully recognized the State government. They have looked upon it as an 'heathen and unbaptized government,' which denies Christ, for which cause they have constantly refused to work roads, serve on juries, hold any office, or do any other act showing that they recognized the government. For a long time they refused to vote, and
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
never did until the election of 1824, when the question was whether Illinois should be made a slave State, when they voted for the first time, and unani- mously against slavery."
The subjoined are the acts: [Approved June 12, 1823.]
An Act to authorize the Governor to convey certain lots of land and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the Gen- elal Assembly, that the Governor of said State be and is hereby authorized and required to convey to Robert K. Mclaughlin, John Warnock and Jobn F. McCullom, as trustees of the inhabitants of the town of Vandalia, and to the successors of the said trustees, a piece of land to contain one acre and one half of an acre, south of and adjoining to the town of Vandalia, for the purposes of a burial-ground, and to include the place which the citizens of said town have used as a grave-yard.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted That, for the purpose of erecting a house of Divine worship,-which shall be free to all denominations to preach in,- the said Governor is hereby required to select five lots in the town of Vandalia, and to convey the same to the said trustees and their successors, for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the said town, on one of which said lots the said house of Divine worship shall be erected by the said trustees or their successors, and the four lots shall be by them sold for the purpose of defraying the expense of the said house of Divine worship.
SEC. 3. Be it furtber enacted, That the said piece of ground and the lot on which the said building may be erected shall forever remain and be under the control of said trustees and their successors, to be appointed by the actual settlers and persons of families in the town of Vandalia, in such manner as a majority of them may agree upon.
In 1825, on the occasion of the visit of General La Fayette to the country to which he had lent such timely and valuable aid, Governor Coles, in the name of the people of Illinois, extended him an earnest invitation to extend his visit, and do Illinois the honor of receiving and welcoming him. To the invitation General La Fayette replied as follows:
"It has ever been my eager desire, and it is now my earnest intention, to visit the Western States, and particularly Illinois. The feelings your distant welcome could not fail to excite. have increased that patriotic eagerness to admire in that blessed spot the happy and rapid results of republican insti- tutions-public and domestic virtues I shall, after the celebration of the 22d of February anniversary day, leave this place ( Washington) for a journey to the Southern, and from New Orleans to the Western States, so as to return to Boston on the 14th of June, when the corner stone of the Bunker's Hill monument is to be laid ; a ceremony sacred to the whole Union, and in which I have been engaged to act a peculiar and honorable part."
He arrived at St. Louis in April, 1825, and was received by Governors Clark, of Missouri, and Coles, of Illinois. A large and enthusiastic gath- ering of the people welcomed the distinguished patriot. Every attention that a grateful people could devise was paid to him.
He soon after paid a visit to Kaskaskia, where a no less enthusiastic throng than at St. Louis, awaited his arrival. Governor Coles received him and delivered an address of welcome on behalf of the people of the State. He also visited Vandalia and Shawneetown, where Judge Hall delivered an address of welcome.
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CHIAPTER VIII.
FAYETTE COUNTY IN THE BLACK-HAWK WAR.
B EFORE entering much into detail of that war, its causes and results, we give to our readers a brief sketch of Black- Hawk, the celebrated warrior, who figured so conspicuously in those campaigns. Macuta Mabicatah is the Indian name for Black-Hawk. He was born in the Sauk village in the year 1767, and was an Indian of considerable talent and sagacity, shrewd and eloquent in council; he, however, deported himself in that demure, grave, and formal manner incident to almost all Indians. It is said he possessed a mind of more than ordinary strength, but slow and plodding in its operations. In comparison he could not be classed with the great Indian characters, such as Philip, Brant, Logan, Tecumseh, and such illustrious men. By the portraits of him now extant, the reader of character will readily observe in his large, high forehead and the lines worn by care in his face, massive jaws and compressed lips, a character indicative of more than ordinary ability. His ambition was to distinguish himself as a great warrior; yet he was merciful to the weak, the women and children. The only road for an Indian to distinguish himself and become a great man, is in war. So soon as he kills an enemy he may paint on his blanket a bloody hand, which will er title him to a seat in the councils. In 1810 and 1811 Black-Hawk and comrades were "nursing their wrath to keep it warm," against the whites. A party of Sacs, by invitation, went to see the prophet at Tippecanoe. They returned more angry against the Americans. A party of Winnebagoes had massacred some whites, which excited for mur- der the Sac band headed by Black-Hawk. A part of bis band and some
Winnebagoes attacked Fort Madison in 1811, but were repulsed. Black- Hawk headed the Sacs in this attack.
In 1812 emissaries from the British arrived at Rock Island with goods, and secured Black-Hawk with five hundred warriors to go with Col. Dixon to Canada. When they reached Green Bay there were assembled there bands of the Attowas, Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes, and Kickapoos, under the command of Col. Dixon. Black-Hawk and band participated in the battles of River Rasin, the Lower Sandusky, and other places, but getting dissatisfied with the hard fighting and small amount of spoils, he, and twenty comrades, left for the Sauk village at Rock Island, where he remained for many years at peace, with the exception of a small battle on the Quiver River settlement in Missouri, in the present limits of St. Charles County, where one white man and an Indian were killed.
The principal cause of the Indian troubles in '31-'32, better known as the Black-Hawk war, was the determination of Black-Hawk and his band to remain in their ancient village, located on Rock River, not far from its junction with the Mississippi. The government having some time previously, by various treaties, purchased the village and the whole country from the Sac and Fox tribe .of Indians, had some of these lands surveyed, and in 1828 some of the lands in and around the ancient village were sold ; the collision between the two races for the possession of the property produced the first disturbance between the Indians and the government. Seeing that war was inevitable the Governor of Illinois made a call on the militia of the State for seven hundred men on the 26th of May, 1831, and appointed Beardstown, on the Illinois River, as the place of rendezvous. The call was responded to with that promptness characteristic of the early pioneers of this State. Their habits of life were such that all were familiar with the rifle. After marching eight days, the mounted militia reached a point a few miles below the Sac village on the Mississippi, where they joined the United States forces under Gen. Gaines, and encamped in the evening. The next morning the forces marched up to the Indian town prepared to give the enemy battle; but in the night the Indians had escaped and crossed the Mississippi. This ended Black-Hawk's bravado and his determination to die in his ancient village. The number of warriors under his command was estimated at from four to six hundred men. Black-Hawk and his band landed on the west side of the Mississippi, a few miles below Rock Island, and there camped. "Gen. Gaines sent a peremptory order to him and his warriors that if he and his head men did not come to Rock Island and make a treaty of peace, he would march his troops and give him battle at
once. * -* In a few days Black-Hawk and the chiefs and head men to the number of twenty-eight, appeared in Fort Armstrong, and on the 30th of June, 1831, in full council with Gen. Gaines and Governor John Reynolds, signed a treaty of peace."
THE BLACK-HAWK WAR IN 1832.
During the winter of '31-'32 rumors were rife that Black-Hawk and his band were dissatisfied, restless, and preparing for mischief. A chief of the Winnebago Indians who had a village on Rock River, some thirty miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, joined Black-Hawk, who was located on the west bank of the Father of Waters. The chief had great influence with Black-Hawk and his band. He made them believe that all the tribes on Rock River would join them, and that together they could bid defiance to the whites. By this unwise counsel Black-Hawk resolved to re- cross the river, which he did in the winter of 1832. That move proved to be their destruction. Through his influence and zeal Black-Hawk encour- aged many of the Sacs and Foxes to join him at the head of his determined warriors. He first assembled them at old Fort Madison on the Mississippi ; subsequently, marched them up the river to the Yellow Banks, where he pitched his tent April 6th, 1832. This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers, and a general panic spread through the whole frontier, from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and ¡farms, and the Governor decided, on the 16th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with Gen. Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. We give Governor Reynolds' circular which he addressed to the citizen-soldiers in the crisis then pending :
" To the Militia of the Northwestern section of the State: "FELLOW-CITIZENS :
" Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed a hos- tile attitude, and have invaded the State in violation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black-Hawk, are in possession of the Rock River country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontiers to be in imminent danger. I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from Gen. Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts I have hesitated not as to t . course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded, and the helpless part of the community are in danger. I have called out a large detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abundance. I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations, and offer their services, as heretofore, with prompti- tude and cheerfulness in defence of their country. £ JOHN REYNOLDS."
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
To the stirring appeal of the Governor the patriotic citizens of the State and Fayette County nobly responded in both campaigns of '31-32. Many of the best and most prominent men of the county enlisted to protect the fron- tier and preserve the honor of the State, and did signal service in the memo- rable events of the. Black-Hawk war. Among the citizens of Fayette County who figured prominently in this war were Col. Frederick Reamau, Col. Robert Blackwell, William H. Lee, Lieut. John Watwood, Capt. Samuel Houstin, Lieut Benjamin Moore, Lieut. William Bradford, Col. Wm. L. D. Ewing, Col. Stapp, William Terry, Henry Lorton, Abraham Stearns, Mitchell Rayburn, Hezekiah Thompson, Mordacia and John Fleming, Richard Austin, William Losson Austin, Washington Hickerson, Andrew Hickerson, John H. Welch, John Shirley, Augustus Snyder. Pey- ton R. Bankson, Seymour Powell, Benjamin Sellers, Harvey Doyle, Joseph Carter, Henry Miller, Amos Eagle, Col. E. C. Berrey, James Alley, Bryant Whitfield, Major Allen Wakefield, William Jackson, Thomas Pickens, and Bolen Neeley. The force marched to the mouth of Rock River, where Gen. Atkinson received the volunteers into the United States service and assumed command. Black-Hawk and his warriors were still up on the Rock River. The army under Atkinson commenced its march up the river on the 9th of May. Gov. Reynolds, the gallant "Old Ranger," remained with the army, and the President recognized him as a Major-General, and he was paid accordingly. His presence in the army did much toward harmonizing and conciliating those jealousies which generally exist between volunteers and regular troops. Major John A. Wakefield and Col. Ewing acted as spies for a time in the campaign of '32, to discover the location of the enemy, if possible. A Mr. Kinney acted as guide for them; he understood the Sac dialect. On the 14th of May, 1832, Major Stillman's command had a sort of running battle with the Indians at or near what is now known as Stillman's Run, a small, sluggish stream ; in the engagement eleven white men and eight Indians were killed. Black-Hawk and warriors fought with the spirit born of desperation. Black-Hawk says in his book that he tried at Stillman's Run to call back his warriors, as he thought the whites were making a sham retreat in order to draw him into an ambuscade of the whole army under Gen. Whiteside. The hasty retreat and rout of Stillman and his army was in a measure demoralizing to the entire forces; undoubtedly the cause of the defeat was a lack of discipline. When Gov. Reynolds learned of the disaster of Major Stillman, he at once ordered out two thousand additional volunteers. With that promptitude characteristic of the old " War Governor," he wrote out by candle light on the evening of Stillman's defeat, the order for the additional troops, and by daylight dis- patched John Ewing, Robert Blackwell, and John A. Wakefield to distri- bute the order to the various counties. The volunteers again promptly responded; however, the soldiers from this County did but little fighting. On the 10th of July the army disbanded for want of provisions. Gen. Scott arrived soon after with a large force at the post of Chicago, to effect if possible a treaty with the Indians. Small detachments of Black-Hawk's warriors would persistently hang on the outskirts of the main body of the army, thieve and plunder, and pounce upon and kill the lonely sentinel or straggling soldier. On the 15th of July the soldiers were reviewed, and those incapable of duty were discharged and returned home. Poquette, a half-breed, and a Winnebago chief, the " White Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black-Hawk and band. Several battles and skir- mishes occurred with the enemy, the principal of which was on the banks of the Mississippi, where the warriors fought with great desperation; over one hundred and fifty were killed in the engagement and large numbers drowned in attempting to swim the river. After the battle the volunteers were marched to Dixon, where they were discharged. This ended the cam- paign and the Black-Hawk war. At the battle of the Bad Axe, Black- Hawk and some of his warriors escaped the Americans, and had gone up on the Wisconsin River, but subsequently surrendered himself. Fort Arm- strong, on Rock Island, was the place appointed where a treaty would be made with the Indians, but before it was effected that dreadful scourge, the cholera of '32, visited not only the regular army, depleting its ranks far more rapidly than the balls of the Indians had done, but it also sought out its many victims in the dusky bands of the Black-Hawk tribe.
On the 15th September, 1832, a treaty was made with the Winnebago In- dians. They sold out all their lands in Illinois and all south of the Wis- consin River and west of Green Bay, and the government gave them a large district of country west of the Mississippi and ten thousand dollars a year for seven years, besides providing free schools for their children for twenty years, oxen, agricultural implements, etc., etc.
September 21st, 1832, a treaty was made with all the Sac and Fox tribes, on which they ceded to the United States the tract of country on which a few years afterwards the State of Iowa was formed. In consideration of the above cession of lands, the government gave them an annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty years, forty kegs of tobacco and forty barrels of salt, more gunsmiths, blacksmith shop, etc., etc., six thousand bushels of corn for immediate support, mostly intended for the Black-Hawk band.
The treaties above mentioned terminated favorably, and the security resulting therefrom gave a new and rapid impetus to the development of the state, and now enterprising towns and villages, and beautiful farms adorn the rich and alluvial prairies that before were only desecrated by the wild bands who inhabited them. Agricultural pursuits, commerce and manu- factures, churches and schools are lending their influence to advance an intelligent and prosperous people.
Any correspondence emanating from the pen of such a prominent man as John Reynolds, Governor of this State, we feel assured will have some inter- est in the eyes of our readers. The following letter is in relation to a claim made upon the Government by Col. A. P. Fields for services rendered as Aid-de-Camp ; also, pertaining to matters in which he himself was interested ; he feared the machinations of some of the cut-throat politicians as he felici- tously termed them, would be detrimental to some of the old office-holders, himself particularly.
WASHINGTON CITY, 17 FEB., 1840.
DEAR SIR:
I called on the Secretary of War and had a communication with him on your case. He did not conclude anything; but seemed to doubt the power, as I was not in the service when you were my aid-de-camp.
I thought you claimed for service done as aid to Genl. Atkinson. Please write me the facts as I have forgotten them to some extent.
If it is not in direct opposition to facts in law, your claim will be allowed. I will act and do all things in my power for you, and hope I may succeed. Yet let me say to you, that all the officers are, as they ought to be, very sorupulous about allowing accounts. I will write you again.
I have, no doubt, many midnight arrangements were made last winter at Springfield amongst the small cut-throat politicians, and are tending to put some of us ole horses de combat. I say, that our state is in a bad box. I hope for better times and rulers.
Your friend,
JOHN REYNOLDS.
COL. FIELD.
P. S. Please write me all the news, as the General Assembly have ad- journed. You can write me the results of much intrigue performed last winter. It is strange, that the election for Congress was not brought in during my absence.
We publish the subjoined letter without comments, permitting our readers to form their own conclusions of the Governor's friendly suggestions. We find however by later correspondence between these gentlemen that the claim was not allowed by the government upon the original claim for the very ostensible reason that John Reynolds was not in the service at the time his Aid-de- Camp claimed remuneration. Another name was substituted subsequently for that of Reynolds, and the claim allowed.
WIGGINS FERRY, 19 FEB., 1834.
DEAR SIR :
I saw Mr. Dever yesterday and he was making a fuss, so that I deem it my duty as your friend to write you. I would advise you as a brother to au- thorize me to sign your name to some accounts so you could draw your pay, $742, for your services with Genl. Henry, and when you battle it out with the government for the balance give it to him. If you authorize me, I have and will sign your name.
I will draw for you the amt. as my aid-de-comp.
I saw Judge Smith, who is in for Johnson for President. Get his nomination, but do not be yourself committed, as things may work at Washington so as to make it improper for a course which we may adopt at this time. Leave a little dodging room so that we may do right hereafter. God bless you,
COL. FIELD. JOHN REYNOLDS.
CHAPTER IX.
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE CAPITAL PERMANENTLY. AN ACT CONCERNING THE TOWN OF VANDALIA. PRIVATE LAWS, &C., &C. REMOVAL OF CAPITAL.
TRONG efforts were now being, made for the removal of the capital by the northern part of the state, which was filling rapidly with settlers. By the terms of the first act this could not be done until the expiration of twenty years. 'But it was becoming evident that the geographical centre of the state would be some distance north of Vandalia. This did not, however, prevent her from asserting her claims with a number of other cities. The following act was approved Feb. 5th, 1833.
An Act permanently to locate the seat of government of Illinois.
Be it enacted, that at the next election to be held in the several counties of this State for members of the legislature, there shall be opened at such place of voting a book, in which shall be entered the votes of the qualified voters in favor of the following named places, as their choice for the perma- nent location of the seat of government of this state, after the expiration of the time prescribed by the constitution for its remaining at Vandalia, to
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
wit : The geographical centre of the state, Jacksonville in Morgan County, Springfield iu Sangamon County, Alton in Madison County, Vandalis in Fayette County, and Peoria in Peoria County. The place or point receiving the highest number of votes shall forever hereafter remain the seat of govern- ment for the State of Illinois.
As the city of Springfield received at the general election the highest number of votes, it was therefore selected as the permanent seat of govern- ment for the state. Springfield had few inducements to offer for its selec- tion. It was of hardly any importance, and poesessed nothing to raise it above the grade of a country town. New representatives were instructed to vote for the removal of the capital, to that place, and by a system of wire pulling they accomplished their purpose. The subjoined acts were also passed about this time.
An Act concerning the town of Van lalia. Approved Feb. 6th, 1835.
SECTION 1. * That all that part of the south exterior street in the town of Vandalia, lying between. Third Street and the eastern boundary of said town, be, and the same is hereby declared vacated, and annexed to, and made a part of, the public burial ground of said town.
SEC. 2. That out-lot number three in said town, be, and the same is hereby granted to the president and trustees of the town of Vandalia, to be used by them as a public burying ground for said town.
SEC. 3. That Harvey Lee, Joseph T. Eccles, and James W. Berry, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners to lay off one-half acre of said out-lot number three, to be used exclusively for the burial of members of the senate and house of representatives, and other officers of the government, who may decease here in the discharge of their public duties, and enclose the same with a strong and substantial fence, and it shall be the further duty of said commissioners, after having performed the duties herein enjoined to remove the remains of John B. Emanuel Canal, late a member of the house of representatives of this state, within the said inclosure. The auditor of public accounts is hereby authorized and required to issue his warrant, on the treasurer, in favor of said commissioners, for a sum not exceeding fifty dollars, to enable them to carry the provisions of this act into effect.
Five persons died, while in the discharge of their duties as members of the legislature and state officers, and were buried in the old cemetery, and through the munificence of the State a monument was erected to their memory. After the New "South Hill " Cemetery was laid out, the monu- ment was then moved to and erected on a desirable platt, near the entrance. The names of the gentlemen were as follows: Hon. John B. Emanuel Canal. a representative from Madison County, was born at Baltimore, Md., June 24th, 1809, and died at Vandalia Dec. 31st, 1830; Hon. William McHenry, representative from White County, born October 3d, 1774, died in Vandalia Feb. 3d, 1835; Hon. Benjamin A. Clark, representative from Wayne County, born Feb. 17th, 1799, died in Vandalia June 9th, 1836; Hon. John Thompson, representative from Randolph County, died at Vandalia during the winter session of 1836; Judge A. F. Grant born in Inverness, Scotland, March 27th, 1805, died in Vandalia, June 17th, 1836.
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