History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 19

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 19

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Instances of adventures with wild hogs might be indefinitely multiplied, but space forbids. That these animals were dangerous those who have seen the tusks-in many cases still preserved-six and even in some instances eight inches long, will understand.

The Deep Snow .- The big snow of 1830 will be vividly remem- bered by all the old settlers. The snow began falling on the night of the 29th of December, and continued to fall for three days and nights, until it reached an average depth of about four feet, but drift- ing in places as high as from eighteen to twenty feet. Great suf- fering was experienced in consequence. The settlers relied for their daily food upon Indian corn which they were enabled to raise, together with wild game, which was abundant at that time. Plenty of the former was raised to supply the wants of all until the next season's crop ; but when the snow fell very little had been gathered. Game could not be had. The great depth of snow was a barrier to all travel, and it may be well imagined the sufferings of the people were very great indeed.

This was the heaviest snow that ever fell in Illinois within the memory of the oldest settler of this part of the State. According to the traditions of the Indians as related to the pioneers, a snow fell from fifty to seventy-five years before the settlement by the white people, which swept away the numerous herds of buffalo and elk that roamed over the vast prairies at that time. This tradition was verified by the large number of bones of these animals found in different localities on the prairies when first visited by the whites. The deep snow is one of the landmarks of the pioneer. He reck- ons, in giving dates of early occurrences, so many years before or so many after the deep snow. He calculates the date of his coming, his marriage and birth of his children from it, and well might it make a lasting impression upon their minds. Could we picture the suffering of that winter ; the dark forebodings that crept into every cabin, starvation staring the inmates in the face; the meagre meal that for months was their only portion, we, too, would never forget it. But human tongue or pen ean never adequately picture the trials endured by the pioneers who were here during that long and eventful winter. For weeks the sun was not visible, and so intense was the cold that not a partiele of snow would melt upon the south sides of the cabins. People were for weeks absolutely blockaded or housed up, and remained so until starvation compelled them to go forth in search of food.

So much extra work was to be done in the building of homes that in the fall the pioneers did not gather in and erib their corn. They let it remain in the field until winter came before gathering. The big snow therefore found many of the settlers without any prepara- tion for a long siege. They would go out into the field, and where they could see the top of a corn stalk sticking up through the snow they would dig down until they came to the ear. To get wood they would cut the trees at the top of the snow, and when spring came and

Hon. Jesse Benson

(DECEASED), ISABEL

LICITANT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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the snow had disappeared, they often found the stump long enough to ent into fence rails. The snow lay on the ground until about the first of April; and we have little doubt that many a weary one during that long winter sighed for the comforts of the "old home ;" still, notwithstanding its great dreariness and the greater sufferings of the people, none became disheartened, for we find them in the spring of 1831 as determined as ever to carve out for themselves a home in this truly beautiful country.

During this winter, from Dec. 29, 1830, till Feb. 13, 1831, it snowed nineteen times. After the snow had melted we are told that the bones of deer were so numerous in some places that for one- quarter of an aere one could step from bone to bone over the whole surface, so many deer had perished there. The season following the winter of the deep snow was a very late one, and frost came every month in the year. The crops were poor, as may be well supposed, and the eorn did not ripen.

The longest winter ever experienced since this country was settled by the whites was that of 1842-3. The cold weather set in No- vember 4, and lasted until the following April.

Sudden Change .- The most extraordinary atmospheric phenome- non occurring within the knowledge of the oldest settler took place in January, 1836. The intensest suffering was caused to man and beast by this sudden change. Quite a snow had fallen the day pre- vious to the change, and upon that day a slow, drizzling rain fell, making of the snow a "slush." The storm came from the north- west, and the clouds, upon its approach, assumed a threatening and extraordinary aspect, those higher being dark, and those below of a white frosty appearance. As fast as the storm advanced it instanta- neonsly changed the temperate atmosphere to that of frigid coldness. Incidents are related in connection with this sudden change which are indeed marvelous. During the sudden change John Walters tells us that he was out hunting, and had just killed a large buck deer. He heard a terrible roaring in the northwest, and upon look- ing in that direction saw a black cloud. The cold came on so suddenly and became so intense that he started for home on a run, leaving his game. Before reaching his home he had frozen his feet and ears very badly.

High Water .- We have spoken of the deep snow and the sudden atmospheric change; we now wish to record the seasons that the greatest amount of water fell. It is claimed that the greatest rain- fall that has ever occurred in this country was in 1835. There was no record kept of the amount of water that fell by any of the methods in use at the present time, and all we have to judge by is the high water in the streams. The Illinois, Spoon river and their tributaries are said to have been higher than at the breaking up of the big snow in the spring of 1831, or at any time since. The rains commenced falling in the early springand continued throughout the early sum- mer. There have been, perhaps, other seasons just as wet, but the

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streams were never so high at any other time. During this period there were many hard rains. In the early part of July a storm of rain, thunder and lightning occurred, which for severity has scarcely ever been equaled. It spread throughout the West. The great prairies, then uncultivated and undrained, were a vast lake, and fish were plenty in almost every locality. The large ponds found here and there over the prairies in an early day contained fish large enough for domestic purposes. These ponds would dry up in the summer but in spring-time were well filled with water, and how the finny tribe managed to get there is a query the "old settler" cannot answer in a more satisfactory way than "they rained down when small." During this season but little in the way of crops was attempted to be raised. Hogs were fattened in the fall upon the mast, and those that were not killed for food had to subsist during the winter upon acorns ; with them it was literally "root hog or die."

The Severe Winter of 1842-3 .- To add to the popular excitement occasioned by Rev. Miller's prophecy of the end of the world, and by the unprecedented comet of 1843, etc., one of the longest and severest winters ever known in this region, happened to be that of 1842-3. Nov. 7, 1842, it commenced to rain ; the 8th was cloudy ; and on the 9th 18 inches of snow fell, which did not go off alto- gether until the 12th of the following April! Soon after the snow fell a rain came upon it, and a crust froze so strong as to make it almost impossible for a time to work or travel. A hunter, how- ever, could walk on the ice-covered snow, and deer were more easily caught than domestic swine are nowadays. When alarmed by the proximity of the hunter they would attempt to run, but breaking through where the snow was very deep, they would lodge there almost helpless. Turkey and other wild game were abundant and easily obtained. On account, however, of the abundance of game and a sufficiency of grain, the people lived very comfortably.

The first plowing done was in May, but a good crop was raised.

The years of 1844, 1851, and 1858, are also notable as years of great rain-fall. During the early history of the county, when there were no bridges, great difficulty was experienced in getting from place to place in the spring-time on account of the high waters. At such times ferrymen were allowed to charge double fare for carrying people or goods across the streams. It is remarkable that so few lives were lost during these seasons of high water, but the pioneers were all expert swimmers, and it was very seldom one was drowned.

Money .- Money"Iwas an article little known and seldom seen among the earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as all business was transacted by bartering one article for another. Great_ingenuity was developed in the barter of their commodities, and when this failed long"credits contributed to their convenience. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain a considerable time

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in the postoffice for want of twenty-five eents, which was then the postage on all letters from any great distance; nor were they car- ried on the fast express or mail trains. It was only every week or so that a lone horseman, with mail bag thrown astride, would ride into a settlement or village. If, however, the village was on the line of a stage route, the old stage-coach would make its appearance as often. It was not common, then, for persons to get many letters ; indeed, one or two a month was considered a large mail. Nor did three cents pay the postage upon a letter at that day. It seldom took less than twenty-five cents, or two "bits," as Kentuckians would say.

To illustrate how very scarce money was in an early day we record the following incidents : Mr. Joseph H. Gardiner, of Joshua township, tells us that although he owned a farm of six hundred acres, with stock, grain, etc., he could not raise cash sufficient to pay postage on letters that came to him. They would often have to lie in the postoffice for weeks before he could get them out. At one time in the early history of the country he had a legal dispute and was sued, the party getting judgment for $50 or $60 against him. He sent East for money and it came in a $100 bill. He offered it in payment of judgment ; they could not change the bill, nor could they find enough money in Canton to do it with ; conse- quently the judgment was not paid for some time afterwards.

A member of one of the leading business firms in Canton had noticed that his partner had charged to himself fifty cents cash each week. This.caused him so much uneasiness to know that cash was being withdrawn from their business that he took his partner to task about it. He admitted the fact, of course, and explained that it was to pay postage on letters received from a young lady in the East, perhaps his sweet-heart, which, though money was scarce, must be attended to.

Coon-skins passed as currency in many places up to 1835, and values were frequently expressed in coon-skins. Whisky was one coon-skin per quart. Childs & Stillman, of Canton, were selling it at that price, and their store was a place of resort in consequence. The counter of this store was a rude affair, and the front of it not closely jointed : indeed, there were interstices between the clap- board panels through which a coon-skin could be readily pulled. One day Jesse Dollar called for a quart of whisky, and in payment handed over his coon-skin. The coon-skin was tossed under the counter, and the whisky drank among the crowd. Dollar had a ramrod in his hands with a wiping-screw on the end. This he slyly inserted through the cracks in the front of the counter, and, twist- ing it into the fur, drew it out, and with it paid for the second quart, which was also passed through the admiring crowd. Dollar was liberal, generous, indeed prodigal, with his one coon-skin, making it pay for five quarts of whisky in almost that number of minutes. Childs & Stillman were pleased at their prosperous trade. The crowd were pleased at the joke, and Dollar was glorious.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

The Beautiful Prairies .- The large prairies of the county pre- sented a most beautiful sight before they were settled. The follow- ing very descriptive lines on "The Prairies of Illinois," by Captain Basil Hall, graphically portrays their beauty in their wild and native state :

"The charm of prairie consists in its extension, its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, and the skirt of forest whereby it is surrounded ; the latter feature being of all others the most signifi- cant and expressive, since it characterizes the landscape, and defines the form and boundary of the plain. If the prairie is little, its greatest beauty consists in the vicinity of the encompassing edge of forests, which may be compared to the shores of a lake, being inter- seeted with many deep, inward bends, as so many inlets, and at in- tervals projecting very far, not unlike a promontory or protruding arm of land. These projections sometimes so closely approach each other that the traveler passing through between them, may be said to walk in the midst of an alley overshadowed by the forest, before he enters again upon another broad prairie. Where the plain is ex- tensive, the delineations of the forest in the distant background ap- pear as would a misty ocean beach afar off. The eye sometimes surveys the green prairie without discovering on the illimitable plain a tree or bush, or any other objeet save the wilderness of flowers and grass, while on other occasions the view is enlivened by the groves dispersed like islands over the plain, or by a solitary tree rising above the wilderness. The resemblance to the sea which some of these prairies exhibit is really most striking. In the spring, when the young grass has just elothed the soil with a soddy carpet of the most delicate green, but especially when the sun is rising be- hind a distant elevation of the ground and its rays are reflected by myriads of dew-drops, a more pleasing and more eye-benefiting view cannot be imagined.

"The delightful aspect of the prairie, its amenities, and the ab- sence of that sombre awe inspired by forests, contribute to forcing away that sentiment of loneliness which usually steals upon the mind of the solitary wanderer in the wilderness; for, although he espies no habitation, and sees no human being, and knows himself to be far off from every settlement of man, he can scarcely defend himself from believing that he is traveling through a landscape embellished by human art. The flowers are so delicate and elegant as apparently to be distributed for mere ornament over the plain ; the groves and groups of trees seem to be dispersed over the prairie to enliven the landscape, and we can searcely get rid of the impression invading our imagination, of the whole scene being flung out and ereated for the satisfaction of the sentiment of beauty in refined men.

"In the summer the prairie is covered with tall grass, which is coarse in appearance, and soon assumes a yellow color, waving in the wind like a ripe crop of corn. In the early stages of its growth

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it resembles young wheat, and in this state furnishes such rich and succulent food for cattle that the latter choose it often in preference to wheat, it being no doubt a very congenial fodder to them, since it is impossible to conceive of better butter than is made while the grass is in this stage.

"In the early stages of its growth the grass is interspersed with little flowers,-the violet, the strawberry-blossom, and others of the most delicate structure. When the grass grows higher these disappear, and taller flowers, displaying more lively colors, take their place ; and still later a series of still higher but less delicately formed flowers appears on the surface. While the grass is green these beautiful plains are adorned with every imaginable variety of color. It is impossible to conceive of a greater diversity, or dis- cover a predominating color, save the green, which forms a beauti- ful dead color, relieving the splendor of the others. In the summer the plants grow taller, and the colors more lively ; in the autumn another generation of flowers arises which possesses less clearness and variety of color and less fragrancy. In the winter the prairie presents a melancholy aspeet. Often the fire, which the hunters annually send over the prairies in order to dislodge the game, will destroy the entire vegetation, giving to the soil a uniform black ap- pearance, like that of a vast plain of charcoal; then the wind sweeping over the prairie will find nothing which it might put in motion, no leaves which it might disperse, no haulms which it might shake. No sooner does the snow commence to fall than the animals, unless already frightened away by the fire, retire into the forests, when the most dreary, oppressive solitude will reign on the burnt prairies, which often occupy many square miles of territory."

Prairie Fires .- Fires would visit the grassy plains every autumn. The settlers who had pushed out from the timber took great preeau- tion to prevent their crops, houses and barns from being destroyed, yet not always did they succeed. Many incidents are related of prairie fires. The great conflagrations were caused either accident- ally, or designedly from wantonness, or with a view of bewildering the game. The fire often spread further than it was intended it should. Wherever were extensive prairie lands, one-half was burned in the spring and the other half in the autumn, in order to produce a more rapid growth of the naturally exuberant grass, destroying at the same time the tall and thick weed stalks. Violent winds would often arise and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds could scareely escape. On the approach of a prairie fire the farmer would immediately set about "burning back," -that is, burning off the grass elose by the fences, that the larger fire upon arriving would become extinguished for want of aliment. In order to be able, however, to make proper use of this measure of safety, it was very essential that every farmer should encompass with a ditch those of his fences adjoining the prairie. When known that the conflagration could cause no danger, the settler, though

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accustomed to them, could not refrain from gazing with admiration upon the magnificent spectacle. Language cannot convey, words cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of such a conflagration during the night. It was as if the pale queen of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon myriads of messengers to light their torehes at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one long and continuous blaze.

The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by a traveler through this region in 1849 :-

"Soon the fires began to kindle wider and rise higher from the long grass; the gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor ; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the magician's wand, into one boundless amphitheater, blazing from earth to heaven and sweeping the horizon round,-columns of lurid flames sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke curl- ing away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon, while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all around; it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the immi- nent peril of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to withdraw or seek refuge."

Incidents of Pioneer Life .- The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to themselves. Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man was expected to work. A load of produce might be taken to "town" for sale or traffic without violence to custom, but no more serious labor could be tolerated. When on Saturday afternoon the town was reached, "fun commenced." Had two neighbors bus- iness to transact, here it was done. Horses were "swapped." Diffi- eulties settled and free fights indulged in. Blue and red ribbons were not worn in those days, and whisky was free as water; twelve and a one half cents would buy a quart, and thirty five or forty cents a gallon, and at such prices enormous quantities were con- sumed. Go to any town in the county and ask the first pioneer you meet, he will tell you of notable Saturday-afternoon fights, either of which to-day would fill a column of the Police News, with elaborate engravings to match.

Rough, ready to fight, as these pioneers were, their latch-string was always out. No stranger ever stopped at their cabins without receiving a hearty welcome. Mrs. Commodore Joshua Barney, whose husband was famous in the war of 1812, and who was a daughter of Elbridge Gerry, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, in her old age told a chapter of her experience in Fulton county in 1829 that graphically illustrates pioneer life. She had gone with her husband from Washington City overland to

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the Mississippi river, and crossing the Illinois at Ft. Clark (now Peoria), the party stopped late at night at a log cabin near Utica. The hail, "Hallo! the house," was given, and in answer to the inquiry, "Can we get to stay all night with you?" they were told, "Certainly ; come in ; there is always room in this country." "On entering the cabin" says Mrs. Barney, "we found a room twelve feet by sixteen in which there was a fire-place, table, bench or two, a couple of rude chairs and three beds ; but worse than all, when our party got in, there were nineteen persons to stay all night! Supper was almost ready when we arrived. It consisted of the usual corn bread, fat bacon, honey and in this case genuine store coffee. When bed-time came the men were ordered to step out of doors, and beds were spread, consisting of blankets and buffalo robes, over the whole floor, and we women-there were ten of us -- told to go to bed, married women in the center. The men were now called in and each husband lay down by his wife, the single men outside. We were so thick, occupying the entire unappropriated space of the floor, that when we desired to turn over the word of command would be given, 'Spoon,' and we would all turn over at once."

Mrs. Barney said this was an actual occurrence, and that similar cases occurred åt other points during her trip.

The settler in the early days was not only hospitable but also philanthropic, and never neglected an opportunity to aid a neigh- bor. Honse-raisings were his special delight. Let a new-comer arrive in the neighborhood and all were ready to help him. One would send a bushel or two of potatoes, another a piece of meat, another some other article that could be used to eke out the larder ; but when the new-comer had his logs cut and all ready for the raising, then the fun commenced. Teams, men, axes, all were on the ground at an early hour, logs were hanled, scored, one side hewed, it may be, and before night willing hands had erected a resi- dence as comfortable and commodious as any in the settlement, and at night was ready for the "house-warming," where dancing was kept up until the "wee short hours," and where all enjoyed them- selves in a manner unknown to the people of to-day. Let a neigh- bor get sick in the fall, as frequently occurred, and some neighbor would inaugurate a "chopping bec" or corn-gathering for his bene- fit, when all his fall work would be done in a day,-corn gathered and cribbed, wood chopped and hauled, and everything put in good shape for winter. After the day's labors were completed, song and dance were in order, and until morning perhaps the younger mem- bers of the community would keep up their hilarity.

The only amusements of the pioneers had a hospitable, kindly core and were connected with some helpful act for needy neighbors. It was not only in amusements, but in all other acts of life that this kindliness was manifested, as an anecdote which living witnesses can testify to will illustrate.

Some time prior to 1833 a traveling preacher of the M. E.

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Church sent an appointment into a neighborhood in what is now Isabel township, to preach. The house where services were to be held did not belong to a Church member, but no matter for that. Boards were raked up from all quarters with which to improvise seats, one of the neighbors volunteering for this work, while the man of the house, trusty rifle on shoulder, sallied forth in quest of meat,-for this was truly a " ground-hog" case, the preacher coming and no meat in the house. The preacher had to come from the "Sangamon Settlements," and the few neighbors had assembled on his arrival. In the mean time the host of the occasion killed a deer and sent a boy on horseback with directions on what "point" to find it. After services, which had been listened to with fixed attention by the pioneers, "mine host" said to his wife, "Old woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher is pretty hungry, and you must git him a bite to eat." "What shall I get him ?" asked the wife, who had not seen the deer ; "thar's nuthin' in the house to eat." "Why, look thar," said the old gentleman ; "thar's a deer, and thar's plenty of corn in the field ; you get some corn and grate it while I skin the deer, and we'll soon have a good supper for him." It is needless to add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for any pioneer preacher, and was thankfully caten.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 19

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