History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 102

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 102

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1010

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

county. Work was commenced on the line in December, and by June 1, 1870, cars passed over the road. The proposition was re- ceived from the officials of this road in November, 1869, that if they would raise $300,000 from Frederick to Bushnell, the road would be built through Fulton county instead of through Mc- Donough and Schuyler counties. This amount was readily voted. Astoria township led the van with $50,000. The town of Astoria, which at that time was not so large by 500 population as it is to-day, gave $10,000; Woodland township, which the road does not touch, gave $15,000; Vermont $24,000; Eldorado township, MeDonough county, 86,000; and Farmers' township $35,000. Of the very large subscription made by Astoria township, it not only has paid its interest promptly but has reduced the principal $15,000. The en- terprising town of Astoria has liquidated one-half the amount sub- scribed, and the interest on all of it has ever been paid with prompt- ness.

This road seemed to prosper for a time, but on account of the vast amount of money expended in its construction and the mis- management of the road afterwards, it proved to be a very unprofit- able investment to the stockholders. The rolling stock, which at first was all new, without repair or attention soon got into bad con- dition ; the road-bed was neglected, and the entire line came into disrepute. In 1876, however, the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co. purchased it and gave it the name of the St. Louis Division of the C., B. & Q. R. R. The road-bed was immediately put in repair, new rolling stock provided, and to-day it is one of the best roads in the State of Illinois.

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW RAILWAY.

This railway crosses the county in a line almost directly east and west, and is the principal railroad of Fulton county. It seems more especially identified with the interests of this county than any other road, and the people along the route take a commendable local pride in its welfare. The T., P. & W. is one of the principal ar- teries by which the produce of the Northwest is transported to the seaboard. It is the most direct route for the people of Fulton county to reach the thriving and growing city of Peoria. Not only is it the best route to that city, but it is the cheapest and quiekest route to Chicago. It connects with the famous old Illinois Central at Gilman, and the T. P. & W. coaches are whirled on into the Garden City without change or delay. This is also by far the best route to Burlington and Keokuk and the West. A branch leaves La Harpe from the Warsaw line for these cities, and one goes through in much less time and at cheaper rates than by any other available road. At one time, like most newly builded roads, it fell into disrepute ; but under its present management it has taken rank with the largest roads of the country. Its road-bed is level, well ironed and smooth, and its rolling stock, both freight ears and

EASTWARD

THE MOST

Direct Til

Direct

Route

BURLINGTON

KEOKUK OTTUMWA

DES MOINES

OMAHA

ATCHISON

ELEGANT

THE ONLY ROUTE RUNNING THROUGH CARS FROM

PEORIA TO BURLINGTON AND KEOKUK

ON ALL TRAINS. PALACE DAY COACHES ARE RUN THROUGHI FROM PEORIA TO LAFAYETTE, FORT WAYNE AND TOLEDO.

KANSAS CITY

And all points West.

W. F. MERRILL, Chief Engineer and Superintendent.

H. C. TOWNSEND, Gen'l Passenger and Ticket Agent.

WESTWARD

THE MOST

RAILWAY.

THE

BUFFALO

CONNECTING

OMAHA

BURLINGTON

LINK

TOLEDO

BOSTON

TOLEDO

IT.P. & W.

BUFFALO

KAN. CITY

BETWEEN

BALTIMORE

NEW YORK

THE

STJOSEPH

WEST EAST THE AND.

PHILADELPHIA

PHILADEL'A

NEW YORK

BOSTON

And all other Eastern Cities.

RECLINING + CHAIR . SLEEPING . CARS ARE RUN THROUGH FROM PEORIA TO LAFAYETTE AND INDIANAPOLIS, AND PALACE SLEEPING CARS FROM PEORIA TO CHICAGO.

A. L. HOPKINS. Gen'l Manager.

THE

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW

SIPAUL

Route TO

CHICAGO

INDIANAPOLIS

SAN FRANS

CINCINNATI

ST. JOSEPH

1013

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

coaches, is equal to that run by the oldest and most prosperous of roads.

The T., P. & W. Ry. Co. is a consolidation of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railway Company and the Mississippi & Wabash Rail- road Company, the former of which was incorporated Feb. 14, 1863, and the latter Feb. 16, 1863. These two companies were consolid- ated Dec. 1, 1865, and the entire road between the State line and Warsaw was put in operation Oct. 14, 1868. The Burlington branch, from La Harpe to Burlington, was opened in November, 1871.

The first work on the T., P. & W. through this county was done by the M. & W. R. R. This road passed through Canton and Cuba, its western terminns at Carthage. Some work was done be- tween Cuba and Spoon river; from Bushnell west to Carthage much work was done under the management of this company. From Carthage to Warsaw the road was completed and put in oper- ation. After the charter was obtained, a special act of the Legis- lature was passed dividing the road in this State into the Eastern, Western and Central Divisions, for its construction and management. Peoria was not a point on this road at that time; it crossed the Illi- nois river at Pekin. From Pekin east it was known as the Eastern Division, from Pekin to Bushnell as the Central, and from Bush- nell to Warsaw as the Western. Each division was a sort of inde- pendent organization. Thompson Maple, of Canton, and a Mr. Buell, had a contract for the construction of the Central Division of the road, or that part between Pekin and Bushnell, and Mr. Sample, of Keokuk, built the Western Division.

The total length of the road is 238 miles ; sidings, etc., 29 miles. Of this number 34 miles are in Fulton county.

Connections :- At State Line with P., C. & St. L. Railway, at Watseka C. & E. I. Railway ; at Gilman with I. C. and G., C. & S. Railways; Chenoa, with C. & A. Railway ; at El Paso with I. C. Railway (main line) ; at Peoria with P. & R. I., P., P. & J., C., R. I. & P., and C., B. & Q. Railways; at Bushnell with St. Louis Division and main line of the C., B. & Q. Railways; at Burlington with C., B. & Q., B. && C. R. and M. & B. and B. && S. W. Rail- ways; at Keokuk with DesMoines Valley Railway.

CHAPTER XX.

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE CANTON & LIVERPOOL PLANK-ROAD COMPANY.

Prior to the days of railroads in this part of the State plank roads and turnpikes were built on the main traveled routes to the principal towns, generally those situated upon the river. The Can- ton & Liverpool Plank Road was started from Liverpool to Canton in 1850. The road was constructed principally by Canton mer- chants, business men at Liverpool, and farmers in the vicinity of the road. The distance from the Public Square in Canton to Liver- pool was 13 miles, abont 1} miles of which is bottom land. The road-bed was graded 16 feet wide on the top, and the plank track was about 8 feet wide, laid upon one side of the road-bed. The plank was 2x6 inches and laid upon square oak stringers. The plank road was just wide enough for one wagon, and in passing, one vehicle would have to turn out upon the dirt road. There were three toll gates arranged along the line at different places for the purpose of collecting toll, which was so much per mile. One of these was located one mile south of Canton, one three miles further south, and one at Liverpool.

The Canton & Liverpool Plank Road Company did the grading under the immediate supervision of the Directors of the Company. Thompson Maple furnished the lumber and put it down. He built a saw-mill about three miles from Liverpool for the purpose of saw- ing the plank for this road. The " slab town " which originated by the construction of this mill still survives, and is known as Maple's Mill, which is on sections 10 and 11, Liverpool township. The total cost of this plank road was $40,000. It did not prove profitable to the company and but one dividend was ever declared, and this was when the road was in good order and no repairs were needed during the season. The Company got into debt and made an assessment to relieve this embarrassment, which some of the stockholders failed to pay. It became greatly indebted to Thomson Maple for repairs. As this indebtedness was never liquidated it was sold some years afterwards to satisfy the claimants, when Mr. Maple bid it in, took up the plank and put it to other uses. The line was run for about six years, and was the only plank road ever constructed in the county.

1015

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

There was a dike thrown up from Copperas Creek over the bot- tom for a distance of about 2 miles. Copperas Creek Landing was only 10 miles from Canton, whereas Liverpool was 13 miles ; and as this was a free road, it gave Copperas Creek Landing great advantage over the Liverpool Landing, and proved detrimental to the plank road. Had all the business of the country immediately interested been carried over the plank road it might have proven a profitable enterprise, both to the stockholders and to the people along the route ; but this dike was constructed by merchants. or men who had warehouses at Copperas Creek Landing, for the purpose of attracting trade to that point. Being nearer to Canton and reaching a good coal district, the farmers preferred Copperas Creek Landing to Liver- pool.

COUNTY-SEAT CONTEST.

The question of moving the county seat from Lewistown to Can- ton began to be agitated in July of 1878. On Monday and Tuesday, August 5 and 6, the county was canvassed by men from Canton and other places, for signers to a petition praying for an election on the removal of the county seat to Canton. There were secured to this petition 7,131 names. It was presented to the Probate Court Sept. 18, 1878, and the Judge called an election to vote for or against the removal, fixing the time a week later than the regular November election. The canvass was begun and carried through with the utmost vigor by both Canton and Lewistown. Indeed efforts, un- precedented almost in the history of county-seat fights,-which are known to engender feelings more intensely bitter than any other public contests, were made in this canvass. That both Canton and Lewistown, with their allies, put forth tremendous efforts, we presume will not be denied by any person. Both cities exerted themselves almost to their utmost, one to gain what it had not, the other to re- tain what it already had. Speakers were in every school-house ad- vocating one side or the other. Canton sent out her Silver Cornet Band and Lewistown a martial band. Every available man in both cities was used. Farmers residing in the vicinity brought in their teams and hitched them around the squares ready for the use of any person who might desire to go out in the interest of the respective cities. The various papers throughout the county were filled with lengthy editorials, local squibs, slings, etc., on the subject. Here we will remark that papers have seldom advocated or opposed a measure with so much force, ability and energy, as the newspapers of Fulton county did this proposition during the exciting campaign. Circulars and posters were printed by the thousand and sent over the county by both sides. We can- not even give a synopsis of the arguments, promises and denials made by both parties, further than to briefly state the principal induce- ment Canton offered to the people if they would give her the county- seat, and those made by Lewistown if they would let it remain with

1016

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

her. Canton offered to the county a court-house worth not less than $40,000. The plans and specifications were the same as used in the construction of the court-house at Waukegan, Ill., large cuts of which appeared in some of the papers. This building, with jail attached, was to be when completed and ready for occupancy pre- sented to the county. Lewistown offered to make the Circuit and County Clerks' offices fire-proof, at an expense of not less than $2,000 (which she did at a much greater outlay), and to fix up the old build- ing.

As illustrating the efforts made to gain votes upon either side, we relate the following incidents, which actually occurred. We do it, not condemning either party, or any one, but as good-naturedly showing how much votes were prized, and how great the efforts sometimes put forth to secure them :

Shortly prior to the county-seat contest a great temperance revival had been held in one of the river townships, and this noble cause found many converts among the good people residing in that district, heretofore anything but staunch temperance folk. They had be- come teetotalers of pronounced and radical principles. It so hap- pened, too, that the majority of this community thought the removal of the county-seat advisable and should vote accordingly. Lewis- town had exerted her influence in the shape of arguments, but, seemingly, to no purpose, and the entire neighborhood was likely to go solidly for Canton, when by rights, owing to location, as Lewis- town thought, it should be given to her. It would not do to let them go in that way. Something must be done, and a few Lewis- tonians proved themselves equal to the emergency. One night a buggy was filled with jugs of whisky at Lewistown and driven into this township. . The newly made and enthusiastic temperance men were called from their slumbers, and in that quiet, confidential tone to which politicians so often modulate their voice and deportment about convention or election time, they were told that, knowing them to be strongly in favor of the removal they had brought them a jug of good old Bourbon for them to use among the " boys" in the interest of Canton. They visited many of the leading men in the same way, leaving or offering to leave a jug of whisky " in the in- terest of Canton." Their plan worked like a charm. It was one of the shrewdest schemes of the campaign, and none more effectual. The next day these leading men nudged each other in a confidential got-something-to-tell-you manner, and each related the experiences of the previous night, which, as was intended, turned them against Canton. They solemnly resolved to have nothing to do with men who would so grossly insult them, knowing of their recent strong temperance profession ; and the entire neighborhood came over in a body for Lewistown.

On a farm within a few miles from one of the towns of the county, (neither Canton or Lewistown) were two men, one in favor of the removal of the county-seat, the other thinking that things were well

1017

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

enough as they were. They had reasoned among themselves and had many animated discussions. At last the Lewistown man seemed to get the better of his Canton friend, a cousin, we believe. At least he so far converted him as to cause him to give up all notion of voting for Canton. He would remain at home and work, and not vote at all. This was indeed a great victory his friend had achieved, and so jubilant was he that he went to the town in question and re- lated the intentions of his cousin not to vote. This was unfortunate for him, for voters were at a premium and no efforts would be spared to bring a delinquent to the polls where one was known to be. It was noised about that Farmer was not going to vote. That would not do; so thought a prominent editor and a leading town official, who inclined toward Canton. These gentlemen im- mediately put off in their buggy for Farmer 's fine farm. They found the gentleman, who had just driven into a corn-field with a two-horse wagon and began to gather a load of corn. They pressed him to go back to town with them and vote, but no; he was obstinate : din't care about going. Anyway he would not go until he got his load of corn gathered and that would make it too late for him to vote. The editor proposed to the alderman that they join in and help gather the load of corn. He readily assented, their coats were thrown off and "ye editor" and official were soon throwing corn right and left. At last the large wagon box was filled and they thought Farmer

would start right to town with them ; but no; he loved to see his visitors work too well. He drew the load of corn to his barn and there made them shovel the cereal into the bin. They never flinched once, however, for they were after a " vote," which they finally got.

At Farmington, which is near the Knox and Peoria county lines, there was a full corps of workers from both Canton and Lewistown on election day. It is said they had an abundance of liquors in quart and pint bottles. Of course there were two kinds : One would show its drinkers the importance of removing the county-seat, the other would be equally forcible in proving the importance of letting it remain where it was. The parties who pretended to represent the two cities Canton and Lewistown, at Farmington, were comparatively strangers there, and of course did not know the men who lived in the adjoin- ing counties of Knox and Peoria ; and it may be remarked that an unusual number of these gentlemen were in Farmington upon elec- tion day. One of them would be cornered, quietly presented with a quart bottle of the ardent and then urged to vote according to the views of the donor, when, to the chagrin of the " worker," he would cooly reply : "Oh! I live in Knox county," or, "I can't vote for I'm a resident of Peoria county."

A week after the regular November election, after a most exciting campaign, the voters of the county decided not to remove the county-seat to Canton. It required a majority of two-thirds of all the voters in the county to carry the measure. There were cast for removal 4,785 ballots, against, 4,349, thus defeating the measure.

1018

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

MATRIMONIAL.

One of the very first items recorded in the original record of this county was a certificate of marriage. Since then matrimony has en- joyed a long and prosperons "run." It is true, at times a slight dullness prevailed. The market fluctuated, as it were. The great financial panies which have brought hard times upon the country at different periods have proven highly disastrous to matrimony. It will be noticed that in the following table the years immediately succeeding the great crashes, the number of marriage licenses issued have fallen off remarkably. For instance, in 1838, the year after the great financial crash of 1837, when the internal improvement system of the State collapsed, there were only 88 licenses issued, whereas the previous year there were 126. As the county regained its for- mer prosperity the number of marriages increased, until 1854, the year preceding the pressure of hard times of the previous year. 1855, '56 and '57 proved prosperous seasons for matrimony, but 1858, the following year after the crash of 1857, the decrease in num- ber of marriages is quite perceptible. From 1860 till the close of the war and the boys came marching home, matrimony waned. In 1865, '66 and '67, however, the figures show an unprecedented sea- son of prosperity in matrimony. Again after our last panic, that of 1873, we find a noticeable decrease.

In 1823, the first year after the county was organized, no marriage licenses were issued. In lieu thereof, however, the officiating preachers or justices of the peace had an article certifying to the marriage filed in the office of the County Clerk. The first certificate thus recorded was for the marriage of Thomas L. Ross and Susan Nve, in July, 1823. The first couple ever married in Chicago was when that city was under the jurisdiction of this county. They were Alexander Woolcott and Eleanor Kinzie, daughter of the famous John Kinzie, the first settler of Chicago.

In primitive times, when money was seldom seen among the pio- neers, coon-skins were used as a medium of trade. Marriage licenses were often secured by the brave young pioneer boys with coon-skins. At one time Stephen Dewey, County Clerk, had as many as 250 coon-skins on hand which he had received for licenses. Garen Thompson proenred the license which authorized his marriage with Susana Cole in 1828 of Stephen Dewey, for which he paid him four coon-skins. He had no money and as coon-skins were considered a legal-tender, they were readily taken. Nathaniel C. Bordwine was present at the time. We would infer from this transaction that the price of a marriage license was four coon-skins.

It would appear that the County Clerk kept a regular " junk shop," almost, for besides taking coon skins in payment for official papers he would receive almost anything. One of the old settlers of Ver- mont township had met the girl he resolved to make his bride, and after the usual arrangements between the willing couple the day

1019

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

was set for being married. The young man was poor but full of pluck and energy. He could not raise the necessary amount of cash with which to procure the license, and as there were no coons in his " neck of the woods," or else he was a poor marksman, he could not even get the coon skins to trade for a license. Undaunted, however, he was determined to try another way. He was the happy possessor of an old bridle. Hanging this upon his arm he made his way to Lewistown, where he procured the necessary license and tendered the bridle in payment thereof. The county official looked over the well worn article with some hesitancy, but soon bid the young man to depart in peace.

Rev. Wm. Rutledge, a pioneer Methodist preacher now living in Sangamon county, relates the following interesting incidents with respect to marriages : After the ceremony he performed on one oe- casion the groom asked him how much he charged. Mr. R. replied that he made no charge, but the young man could pay what he chose. The groom took from his pocket three silver quarters, and holding them out in his open hand, said, "There : take till you are satisfied." One young man who Mr. Rutledge married had no shoes of his own fit for his wedding, and therefore borrowed his mother's shoes for the occasion. He agreed to pay for the ceremony when he dug his potatoes. Another benedict paid Mr. Rutledge $5 at the time of the ceremony, and a year or so afterward the matri- monial alliance had turned out so well that he handed the clergy- man $5 more. Mr. Rutledge relates the case of a Dutchman who went to Lewistown, obtained his license, got married, and on his way home in the wagon he recollected that he did not have the license with him, and suddenly exclaimed: "Och ! I forgot mine license ; I pays mine money for him; I goes back and gets him." Of course the parson kept the license.

There are some quaint documents on file in the matrimonial de- partment of the County Clerk's office. Often when a young man went after a license the Clerk would not give it unless he knew the girl was of proper age and her parents did not object to the marriage. Among the letters we take the following verbatim :

June the 23: This is to show that thire is now oposition in this mach this I give from under my hand this 23 June 1832 Mary Brown.

HENRY HAMPTON to

PARMELIA ANN BROWN.

hereby i do approbate and Consent to this marriage and do give my daughter mary tanner to John Cammel, Roda Tanner, seal.

sir i have given my consent that levi jewel shll have my daughter beulah.

WM. BUSH, ELIZABETH BUSH.

1020

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

The following table gives the number of marriage licenses issued each year since 1824 :

YEAR.

NO. ISSUED.

YEAR.

NO. ISSUED.

YEAR.

NO. ISSUED.

1824.

1844.

146

1863

24S

1825.

1845.

171

1864

301

1826

1846

179

1865.

376

1827

1847.

188

1866. 450

1828

1848.

201

1867

405

1929.

1849.

234

1868.

335

1830

1850

240

1869

390

1831

1851

277

1870

340

1832

1852

234

1871

357

1833

1853.

243

1872

328

1834.

1854.

223

1873.

373

1835.

1855.

333

1874.

324

1836.

1856.

360

1875.

339

1837

126

1857. 1858.

327

1877

373

1839

136

1859.

386

1878.

363

1840.

135

1860.

311

1879 to Oet. 17

278

1841

125

1861.

294

1842

134

1862.

274

Total

13,148

1843

164

SCHOOL STATISTICS.

HON. JAMES P. SLADE,

Supt. of Public Instruction;

DEAR SIR :- I have the honor to submit this my Annual Report, hoping that you may find it accurate and satisfactory.

The Board of Supervisors in their wisdom saw proper to limit the time of the County Superintendent (100 days each year) ; hence I have but little or no supervision over the schools in this county. This neglect of visiting the schools is the very best of reason why our schools are not in a better condition ; also the reason why that very many of the 3,381 children who are eligible to attend school do not attend. A majority of our experienced and best teachers have left this county and our schools for the past few years have wofully retrograded. from the fact that most of the schools outside of the towns are in the hands of the young and inexperienced, and there is no one who has the time or author- ity to instruet, or to drill in the great art of teaching, that would better enable teachers to asume the vast resposibility, so that they would discharge every duty in a conscientious manner and with a pure and honest purpose.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 102

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096