USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 8
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Messrs. Blackwell & Stapp.
The letter attached, written to the Secretary of State by one of his party- politicians, goes to prove that in politics everything is fair, as well as in love and war; no doubt the participants in the Barbecues on both sides were well
satisfied to receive a substantial repast free of all expense, a piece of libe- rality which would doubtless be remembered when election-day rolled round ; and the inducements held out to the Secretary himself were such that he would not be likely to resist them.
MOUNT CARMEL, June 12th, 1840.
DEAR SIR :
The Whigs of this county intend to give a FREE BARBECUE, on the 4th proximo, and they feel an anxious desire that you should make one in our midst. The Democrats have established a press here, and are straining every nerve to organize their scattered forces; with that view they have pro- posed to give a free Barbecue on the 4th, and it becomes necessary that we should defeat their plans by giving one that may far outnumber theirs.
Could you make it convenient to pay us a visit on that occasion? If so, you may rest assured of receiving a most cordial reception. The Whigs, in this section, are not ungrateful for favors of that character, and it may be of benefit to you personally, if you could mingle with us, and stir up the Democracy with a stump speech. I have written a letter to you, directed to Vandalia, not knowing precisely your whereabouts. Please give me a speedy answer. Yours, very respectfully, JAMES MCDOWELL.
A. P. Field, Esq., Springfield, Ill.
We give below the copy of a letter addressed to Alexander P. Field, Esq., Secretary of State, Vandalia, Ill., which shows the troubles and anxieties politicians labored under nearly half a century since. We presume, although we have no evidence of the same. that A. P. Fields, Esq., took the friendly hint furnished him by his friend Smith, and at least saved his skin, although his honor seemed somewhat under a cloud.
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, 6th June, 1835.
SIR :
Gov. Reynolds has just passed through this place on his way to Chicago. While here he stated to numbers that you had informed him of your having received a letter from A. P. Herndon, inviting you to attend a public meet- ing in this place on the 13th instant, for the purpose of addressing the citi- zens on the subject of the next presidential election ; and that you had also informed him that Gen. Maxwell had been written and was expected to at. tend. This day's paper also contained a notice of the meeting, and it was therein stated that you would be here. This news has caused great excite- ment against you among the people. Your enemies have been industriously circulating the story of your having sold your vote for fifty dollars to a Mr. Harrison, with wonderful effect. If you come here, I very much fear you will be treated rudely, and that your presence will injure the cause we both have at heart, to wit, the elevation of a man over the head of the one re- commended by that old foolish tyrant, Jackson. Herndon is indiscreet, and our people who are naturally jealous, may and doubtless will be told that you have come to dictate to them. Besides you hold an office, and we, you know, have used that against the administration with effect. Already are we threatened with placards concerning you, and you are threatened with personal violence.
You know, my good sir, that these low infuriated Jackson pack are capa- ble of anything; and some ruffian will doubtlees be selected to attack you. Under all the circumstances it is submitted to your better judgment, whether you had not best decline your contemplated visit. Your friend, JOHN H. SMITH.
Col. A. P. Fields.
The following letter was sent by Gen. James Shields to A. P Fields, Esq., (Secretary of State), Springfield, and doubtless is relative to his appointment as State Auditor, for we find he was elected to that office in 1840. Three years later, he officiated for a short term as Circuit Judge in Vandalia ; and in 1846 was elected Judge of the Supreme Court. In Vandalia he be. came acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A Douglas. John J. Hardin, Edward Baker, and many others who have since prominently figured in the history of the country. He afterwards held several important posi- tions, and figured with distinguished honor in the wars of Mexico.
QUINCY, Nov. 19th, 1839.
MR. FIELDS-DEAR SIR :
I have now been three days in this place; saw his Excellency. He has not yet determined on any course in relation to the matter about which we conversed. He will make a nomination, but cannot pledge himself, he says, until all are assembled in Springfield. So far as appearances go, he would be willing to nominate me. One thing I find would not be to his wish-that you should make any arrangements to resign. This would defeat me. Indeed I was always aware of that. He requested me to see him to. day again, and I shall then know more. I have been well received by him, and well treated, and it would seem he has taken some fancy to me . . . . and I trust you say nothing about resigning-or going to Belville. I shall write you again in a day or two. Your friend, JAS. SHIELDS.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The following letter touches upon the condition of the State Banks of Illinois in 1840, and the feelings of the Whig party in connection therewith :
WHITE HALL, May 3d, 1840.
A. P. FIELDS, ESQ .- DEAR SIR:
Will you be so good as to let me know when Judge McLean holds his Court at Springfield ? It is important I should know in season, so as to give Starr timely notice. Please state if you have all things in readiness for a trial at the next term. How prospers Old Tip with you, and the good cause? I hope the Whigs of Illinois will not be d-d fools enough to identify his cause with that of your worthless Banks. I very much fear such will be the case. If so, Illinois will be lost to the Whigs. Write soon, and oblige Your friend, A. G. SLOO.
The subjoined lengthy, but humorous letter, may afford some amusement to our readers. It was addressed to A. P. Fields, Secretary of State, by his friend A. F. Grant, the unsuccessful candidate for office in Gallatin County. It is not every unsuccessful aspirant for honors that can carry off their defeat as lightly as he. We trust the country did not materially suffer from the loss of his valuable services either politically, or professionally.
EQUALITY, SEP. 11, 1834.
DEAR ALLICK.
The postponement of our court until the 26th inst, affords me inducement, while the alleviation of the general ill health, though slight, affords me op- portunity, and strengthens my inclination, to inflict upon you an epistolary torture. My physical powers of writing, as well as my intellectual resources, (generally very ample you know), are somewhat impaired from the influence of the long, continual and copious potations, which I have been reluctantly compelled to swallow, by way of stimulants, by which I have thus far been enabled successfully to resist the common enemy. I have happily been able to keep him as yet at bay, but how long before he will make an overpower- ing lunge at me is beyond my ken, and we haven't got a reglar doctor in the field. Gatewood and I have assumed the pestal and mortar * * * &c., as our arms, and having the advantage of Dake, Watkins and Dunn, have achieved for ourselves considerable fame ; though we have not yet contribu- ted any settlers to the region of Styx, all who have gone to render their long account having departed without any passport from us. We have kept Dake, Watkins & Dunn, flat on their back for some weeks, but they are now threatening to rise in their might and drive all usurpers from their domin- iona. As an evidence, Watkins who has been plunged into a tolerably deep typhus, was up with his clothes on and his cane in his hand (a fearful omen) on yesterday. Dake yesterday demolished a half bushel of milk porridge, mush, &c. Dunn has at length shot out in obedience to Captain Calomel oceans of bile, and on the whole " obstinately refuses to die," so you see there is some danger of their threats.
I heard to-day that your family and the Vandals generally, were all get- ting better, and as I know the penchant (I have learned a little French) you have for the company of great men, I supposed you would be glad to know the time on which you could be among us, with most likely chance of enjoy- ing our recherche society in its full bloom and fragrance. At the regular time of our courts sitting there was so much sickness about and so little brandy in the place, that the peoples authorities thought it best to suspend the dispensation of justice until the 26th. when it was hoped there would be less of the former, and more of the latter.
I missed your company so much, and felt consequently so surcharged with ennui, that I readily acquiesced in any measure which promised a chance for you to be among us. Jeff I believe partook of the same sentiment. You will therefore add as much to our happiness as you will to your own by being with us. We may safely anticipate a joyous feast of reason, and a rich flow of soul.
Gallatin County bespeaks the sympathy of all her sisters for the awful calamity which befel her on the first Monday of last month-the loss of my services. Some people (I don't know upon what authority, for the records show that two representatives were elected, and neither of them as I have understood is a fictitious person) .- Some people pretend to compare Gallatin in the House of Representatives of our Legislature to the District of Colum- bia in Congress; and say that there must be a standing committee establish- ed specially charged with her interests. Although this must be a mistake, and although it wouldn't be safe to charge every man with stealing, a bull yearling-yet you will unhesitatingly agree with me-that the interests of Gallatin and the public councils, must buffer greatly. by the withholding of my services. Had I thought the importance so great I certainly would have yielded, and bestowed my care and attention upon the affairs of the country.
Unless Don Carlos and Don Miguel insist upon my co-operation with their friends, and those of the Duchess De Berri and the Pope, in the effort about to be made, to restore those amiable princes to their late fortunes and dignities, I shall be in Vandalia this winter; when I shall unquestionably (unless on the score of a monetary capital) be a very great man, holding no office, owing no responsibility-seeking none, very much, and probably getting none at all. If I can raise a fine coat I'll be a perfect Beau Brummel. No man under a Secretary of State need approach me except cap in hand.
Major Henry L. Webb with divers others, are willing to represent our dis-
trict in Congress-that is, he don't want to go there along with divers others, but he is willing with divers others. You perceive the distinction.
Some very respectable men have to my certain knowledge wished they could get a chance to vote for you, but I suppose you won't let 'em. Mr. Fleming will receive an immense support here. " He's a very sensible man."
I would tell you the nature of our sickness here if I thought you'd under- stand my terms, but in fact you'd be surprised to hear Jeff and me talk " words of learned length and thundering sound." It might be well said if you got a fair specimen, that
- still you gazed, and still your wonder grew, That two such head- could carry all we knew."
Remember me to all, whose good opinions you think worthy of my consid- eration, and believe me Most affectionately yours,
ALEX. F. GRANT,
To ALEXANDER P. FIELD, EsQ .; Late Candidate, &c., &c.
VANDALIA, ILL.
We give the public the benefit of a letter written by John Reynolds, formerly Governor of Illinois, to his friend Col. A. P. Field, Secretary of State. The letter is characteristic of the man, and the times in which he lived :
DEAR SIR:
WIGGINS' FERRY, 4th Sept., 1829.
Some time past I received your letter informing me that Kinney will get . but few votes in your section of country. It is the same in this part of the country. In the upper country it is quite impossible for him to get support.
The friends of this man, and particularly his late Washington tools, are urging it on the people that he is the exclusive Jackson man, when in fact he went in for Crawford at the election before the last. This does not take, except with his bribed friends. I leave no stone unturned; our policy as to putting down certain men are the same.
I start soon for the White Circuit Court. I will continue on the circuit to Vermillion County, then I will see your county. You see by this I am hot. We must beat this old Crawford faction. They are not the people. God forbid they were.
It is useless for me to say anything to you in relation to my friendship and feeling towards you. You have no friends who can be elected gov- ernor that will do more for you than I will. You have the evidence of that for many years past.
Col. Wight, who has received a little Jackson pap, as a little agent at the mines, says to the people on his way to the mines, that I got only the Adams men in the South, and K. the Jackson. This is not true. I must calculate on his being told on me. By all hands hanging on, we can succeed ; if we are all divided, things may be wrong.
I saw Judge Brown.' He will pull a trace hard. I go in for the State and our friends more than for myself.
About Bellville there will be no opposition. All will harmonize. I will I hope see you at your court. Your friend,
JOHN REYNOLDS.
Col. A. P. Field.
A letter bearing date May, 1836, by a former resident of Vandalia, will give some idea of the value of property in this city at that time; and if the writer's opinion goes for anything, there were not the same pleasant, genial kind of people then residing here as are to be met with at the present day :
VANDALIA, Ill., May 5, 1836.
DEAR SIR :
Not myself only, but a great many others, are wishing your immediate return to this place, as many false and malicious allegations have been pub- lished in the Advocate by those who are known to be your inveterate politi- cal and personal enemies.
Myself and Shaffer have, after much dispute and difficulty, broken off the trade between us, yet not without considerable cost on my part. This is one of the reasons why I very much wish your return.
I am very much displeased with Vandalia, and particularly with the treatment of a great many here, who have pretended to be my best friends. When you return, which I hope will be soon, I will endeavor to make arrangements to push my time in another quarter.
I have written to the Union Agency Company at Washington, offering them two hundred town lots at $20 each lot, which, if it can be got, will be a very considerable price. I remain, dear Sir,
With much esteem, Your most obed't Servant, DAVID WOOD.
Col. A. P. Fields.
The author of the following epistle evidently went to school when "the schoolmaster was abroad;" but as he claimed to know " which way the wind lay," it is very probable he succeeded in stirring up a breeze against the gentleman of that name, for his bold utterances concerning General Jackson, and for the criminal charge of challenging another party to fight a duel.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BELLVILLE, June 1st, 1831.
SIR :
I hereby acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 27th ult., in which you request me to relate the charges that Mr. Brees should have made against General Jackson at the Jackson convention at Kaskaskia.
he red a number more than I can recollect. Some of them I do recollect. I believe he charged this General with procuring Boats and provision for Burr at the Clover Bottom. I perfectly recollect that he charged him with the murdering of nine Indians or having it done at the . . . . of the horse
shoe (on the Day after) . . . he said was murder after the Battle was over. Those charges he red from pamphlets and papers, but put the hiest colers on them he cold, and to make the people believe that they were true, as to the Challenge I did not see it myself, but it was said that Mr. Breese was the challenger and he did appear and opened the Debate, etc.
Yours, with respect, &c.
JOHN MIDDLEOFF.
Mr. A. P. Field, Vandalia, Ill.
The following letter shows how Pierre Menard, an old and prominent citi- zen of Kaskaskia, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, &c., &c., in co-operation with his friend, the Secretary of State "did a little note toge- ther" and what was likely to come of it
KASKASKIA, 29th March, 1837.
A. P. FIELD, EsQ., Vandalia.
DEAR SIR :- On the 25th inst., I was served with a summons to appear at Equality on the first Monday in April, to answer in a case where the Bank of Illinois is plaintiff against me as endorser on a certain note. I pre- sume you have been served with a similar summons as you are also an en- dorser. I am anxious to hear from you, on this subject as soon as possible, for if the drawer of the note (Mr. Brown) in your favor, will not honor and pay it and if you do not arrange it yourself as endorser, and having re- ceived the money from the Bank, it would be needless for me to attempt to defend such a suit.
Respectfully, Your ob't servant, PIERRE MENARD.
The removal of the Capital also brought to Vandalia the celebrated U. F. Linder, one of the brightest members of the Bar of Southern Illinois. He was for a time Attorney General. He had few equals at the bar for wit and humor, brilliant repartee and remarkable eloquence.
Judge Levi Davis, (now of Alton), was for several years a citizen of Van- dalia, was elected Auditor of Public Accounts in 1836, and retained the of- fice until 1841, when he was succeeded by Gen. James Shield.
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Another prominent character of the early times was Gen. Wm. L. D. Ewing, one of the first resident lawyers of the county. He was a native of Kentucky, and a man of liberal education and good natural endowments, was fond of company and all the sports of that period. He was always iden- tified with the Democratic party. He represented his district many times in the Legislature, was prosecuting attorney of the District several times. Ew- ing was for a time Indian Agent, and by order of the General Government he removed the tribes of the Sauk and Fox Indians west of the Mississippi.
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He was Auditor of Public Accounts from 1843 to 1846. He also repre- sented his district in Congress, and was appointed United States Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Richard M. Young. As a public spi- rited citizen he was highly respected.
Another pioneer was Col. Robt. Blackwell. He wasa lawyer, and published the first newspaper in the county. A man of versatile talents, and of a genial and clever disposition. Blackwell became an Editor in 1816, at Kas- kaskia, and on the seat of Government being removed he came to Vandavia, where for many years he ranked among the prominent and bright intellects of the State. His first wife was a sister of Dr. Stapp, now a resident of Decatur.
Col. Elijah C. Berry, & Kentuckian, settled in Vandalia, in 1819. He had a large family of children some of whom became quite prominent in the State.
C'laibourn and William Berry, also brothers of Elijah, were among the early settlers.
The most prominent of the Berry family was the son of Elijah C, Col. James W. Berry, who was probably one of the most popular men in the county, a Kentuckian by birth. He removed to Vandalia with his father, from Kaskaskia. For a short time he was Clerk of the Clinton County Court, and in 1826 he was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette county and held the office until 1856, a period of thirty years. This will attest his popularity with the people. He was a man highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Ilis genial and courteous manners made him a welcome guest in any company
Mr. Berry was an artist of much skill. During his time he painted por- traits of many distinguished men. He painted a portrait of Gov. Bond, the first governor. That portrait now adorns the walls of the office of the secre- tary of state at Springfield. In early life he was a Whig. On the dissolution of that party he became a democrat, and remained auch during life. He died January, 1877.
We make the following extract from a lecture delivered at Vandalia by
Rev. W. S. Prentice, on Recollections of Vandalia thirty years ago. " Take for example the legislature of Illinois thirty years ago, and the legis . lature of Illinois to-day or at any time during the last ten or fifteen years. Why among the men who assembled here thirty years ago to enact our laws and guide the ship of state were :- Stephen A. Douglas, of Morgan, Abraham Lincoln, of Sangamon, Wm. Gatewood, of Gallatin. O. H. Browning, of Adams. James Shields, of Randolpb. Cyrus Edwards, of Madison, W'm. A. Richardson, of Schuyler, Wm. H. Davidson, of White, John T. Stuart, of Sangamon, John Hogan, of Madison, James Semple. of Madison, John Moore, of McLean, R. K. Mclaughlin, of Fayett., E B. Webb, of White. and last and most brilliant and eloquent of them all, the unstable and unfor- tunate U. F. Linder, of Coles. And besides these we had Peter Warren, the Davy Crockett of the senate, and the inimitable wit. John S. Hacker, of Union These all were members of the legislature in Vandalia in 1836. And at the next session came in Lyman Trumbull, of St. Clair, Wm. Lee D Ewing, of Fayette, E. D. Baker, of Sangamon, Wm. F. Thornton, of Shelby, and Archibald Williams, of Anderson, .
Lincoln and Douglas, and Hardin and Baker, and Gatewood and Mc Roberts. This sounds like the roll call of the mighty men of David of old. Take two of these names, Lincoln and Douglas: and it is no disparagement to any other of the worthy sons of Illinois to say, that these, like the tall son of Kish, stood a head and shoulders above all other competitors while living; and now that they are dead, their names fall upon the ears, and linger in the memories of their grateful countrymen, like the loved notes of sweetest music.
But I come more particularly to Vandalia and the Vandalians. Orpheus C. Kerr's famous" Mackerel Brigade" which "by strategy," as you will remem- ber, did such fearful execution during the late war on the commissary stores, of its friends, was composed exclusively of Brigadier Generals. Every man in the Brigade was a General, and every General of precisely the same grade. All were Brigadiers, and it was this eminently wise and satisfactory organization of the " mackerels," which gave them their terrible efficiency, and which rendered their sudden charges upon straying pigs and chickens so utterly irresistible.
The male population of Vandalia, thirty years ago, was made up almost ex- clusively of gentlemen of a military turn of mind. And the rank to which all seemed to aspire and attain was that of colonel. If there was a Major in town I failed to make his acquaintance. We had two Captains,-Captain Eccles and Captain Linn, but, as all old settlers know, Captain Linn was a steamboat captain, and not a military captain,-and not, therefore, subject to " the articles of war," as was the balance of the gentlemen in town. .
. The following. to the best of my recollection, is a correct list of Col- onels commanding at this post and having Vandalia for their headquarters in 1836. Col. E. C. Berry, Col. R. K. Mclaughlin, Col. W. C. Greenup, Col. A P. Field, Col. George Leidig, Col. Jas. Black. Col. Robert Black- well, Col. Chas. Prentice, Col. T. B. Hickman, Col. Wm. Hodge, Col. F. Reamann, Col. J. T. B. Stapp, Col. John Dament, Col. Abner Black, Col. Lem. Lee, and Col. Asa Lse. And I am proud to say the first vote I ever cast in Vandalia at a militia election in 1837, was for Col. Wm. A. Denning, * * * * * * * * *
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Col Greenup, he, too was a favorite among the young men. Tall, slender, dig- nified, deliberate, communicative, always in a good humor, and always smok- ing,-a walking encyclopedia of political knowledge. He knew all the boys, and they all knew and loved him, and he was the political Gamaliel at whose feet we took our first lessons in political economy.
Another character who we must not fail to mention is Thomas Higgins, a man whose eccentricities and Indian fights gave him much notoriety among the pioneers, for his patriotism and intrepid bravery in the war of 1812.
Hill's Fort, situated six or eight miles south-west of the present town of Greenville, Bond County, in 1814 was the scene of a thrilling adven- ture, which took place between a few men under the command of Lieu- tenant John Journey, the commander of the fort, and the Indians. The hero of the day was one Thomas Higgins, who in turn owed his rescue to the courageous conduct of a woman in the fort, named Pureley.
Thomas Higgins was born in Barren County, Kentucky, in 1790, and emigrated with his friends to this State in 1807, settling down near some relatives who had come to Illinois some time before.
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