USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
Jacob Mowvery PUTMAN TP
LE PRinsul
LEE TP
1
LIGIIMAY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS,
CHAPTER XI.
ARCHEOLOGY.
Perhaps no district of country in the West contains more of the traces of that mysterious pre-historic people known to us only as the "Mound-Builders " than docs Fulton county. There is not a township of land in the county which does not contain more or less of these traces, and in some of them are works which in extent and character will compare with any in the West.
These works of the Mound-Builders here are of four different classes : 1. Mounds, varying in size from two or three feet in diameter to immense pyramids, like one near Waterford, containing over an acre of ground, and of an altitude of over forty feet in its original condition, and the one in Otter Creek Valley near Otto, which looks in the distance like an immense hay-riek and is over two hundred feet long and between forty and fifty feet high ; 2. Excavations usually circular, in regular lines in most cases, some small, others of great size and considerable depth ; 3. Regular for- tifications, square, elliptical, or following the accidental configura- tion of the ground; 4. Terraced hills.
One of the most interesting pre-historic points in the county is located on sections 31 and 32 in Kerton township. Here, on the summit of a high bluff, is a field on the land of a Mr. Fisher, known as the "Mound field," containing, perhaps, twenty-five acres, that may properly be called a city of the dead. In this field there is a level space of five or six acres enclosed by two rows of circular, cup-shaped depressions, inside of which is one large mound which must originally have been thirty or forty feet high. To the south of this level the bluff line, with its indentations, forms the border of the field, and here are the remains of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand human beings buried literally by the cord ! Where the bluff begins to descend, it appears as though a step had been cut with the bluff face not less than ten feet high, and here were corded skeletons laid as one would cord wood, but with the bodies arranged just as one would preserve the level of the file best without regard to direction. This burial place follows the bluff line for some distance, where the skeletons appear to have been covered by a peculiar light-colored clay, which must have been brought from a considerable distance, as it is not found in the locali- ty. There are also two pits near the brow of the bluff on the side-
21
336
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
hill, which appear to have been originally about forty feet in diam- eter and of great depth, which have been walled up by placing skeletons around the outside, as one would wall a well, covering the work with the same clay as in the other burial place. These skele- tons are excellently preserved, in many cases the smallest processes of bone being in as sound a condition as though buried but a year ago. Over the entire surface of this field-which is in cultivation -the human hand cannot be placed without placing it on broken pottery, bones or shells.
At one point near the large mound an area of about two acres, which is evidently a " kitchen midden," or refuse heap, covered with broken pieces of the bones of animals, broken household uten- sils and broken tools, to a considerable depth. In this refuse heap are the bones of nearly every animal known to have inhabited this country. Baek of the square spoken of are a considerable num- ber of ordinary mounds, arranged without much regard to order.
Just opposite and north of Dunean's mill, on the north bluff of Spoon river, are extensive and in many respects singular remains extending for two or three miles. After leaving the Spoon river bridge going north on the Lewistown road, one observes running nearly parallel with the present road what appears to be an old dis- used road going up the bluff. A closer inspection discloses a ridge of earth several feet in height, extending from near the foot of the bluff to very near the summit, with a depression running parallel with it. On the crown of the bluff are mounds of earth. built out from the brow of the hill, not elevated above the surface level but as though they were dumps of earth for some projected railroad. These mounds continue close together for nearly a mile; on the bluff back of them runs a low ridge of earth which follows the tortuous ontline of the bluff, and still back of this ridge circular depressions, some of which are fully fifty feet in diameter and from three to five feet deep. Near this line of works is a low natural ridge on the top of which an earth-work exists, being an artificial addition to the ridge, building it up for a distance of two hundred yards, fully thirty feet higher than the natural elevation of the ridge. From the north end of this ridge the same class of mounds and embank- ment spoken of again appear. extending nearly a mile further up the river bluff.
In these mounds-which are in the woods-considerable excavat- ing has been done in a desultory way, and many objects of interest exhumed, among which are wedges of hardened copper,-stone turned into the shape of a sleeve-button with a long shank, and plated with copper as skillfully as a modern jeweler could plate with silver. These works do not appear to have been purely defensive, as but few implements of warfare are found in or about them, while domestic tools and implements of peace are found in great abund- ance.
In Bernadotte township on the Dyckes farm is a low hill, ellip-
337
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
tical in form, which is terraced in a singular manner. All around the side of the hill at the same elevation is a terrace perhaps twelve feet wide, and rising from this a second terraec about four feet high. These terraces are uniform, of the same height, width and grade, with places on the upper terrace where the hill has been leveled back a few feet in a circular form. Near this terraced hill are the remains of ancient pottery works, the mis-shaped and over-burned fragments filling the side of a hill for an area of one or two acres. North of the village of Bernadotte about one mile there is an elliptical ditch which appears to have been a fortifieation, containing within the ditch fifty or sixty acres of ground. This ditch, although the plow has aided in filling it for years, is still quite deep and clearly defined. Near this place a stone was observed projecting from the earth, and parties guided by the dictum of a spiritual medium dug it up expect- ing to find buried treasure under it ; but did find a flat stone hearth at a depth of several feet, on which were fragments of burned wood and charcoal, showing that it had been used for fire.
At Waterford and in its vicinity are a great many ancient mounds, one of which is pyramidal with a road up the east side. There are also several ancient burial places near here, but none on so extensive a seale as that in Kerton township.
Liverpool township is also rich in pre-historic remains, including several very large mounds ; and some artificial hill terraces at Pol- litt's farm above the plank road, one on quite an extensive scale.
One of the most interesting archeological relies in this county are the ancient furnaces, evidently for the working of ores or metal. One of these in Kerton township was discovered by citizens engaged in cutting a road-way around a side hill. This furnace was built up with rock laid up in a circular form, and was surrounded by scoriæ and some metallic slag. There are several other furnaces of the kind in the county, one of which, on the old Dilworth farm in Farmer's township, shows by its immense quantity of cinder, coal, elinkers and metallic scoriæ that extensive works of some kind were carried on here with coal for the fuel supply.
Just north of Seville, on a bluff of Spoon river, are quite exten- sive works supposed to be defensive in their character, but which have not been fully investigated. Near London Mills in Young Hickory township, are quite extensive works, mostly mounds, which have received but little attention. In fact there is scarcely a stream in the county the banks and bluff's of which do not show traces of prehistoric population.
The mounds in this county are evidently of three classes: Saered mounds, which were used for the sacrificial fires ; burial mounds, which were erected over the last remains of important personages ; and mounds which were used for domestic habitations. In the lat- ter class hearths are frequently found, and domestic utensils. These were probably residences similar to those of some tribes of our present Indians. First, poles or logs set up in a circle, then covered
338
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
with brush or grass, and the whole with earth to a considerable depth. The sacrificial mounds always contain burnt earth, burnt bones and frequently, too, the charred bones of human beings. In the burial mounds only the bones of a few persons are found, prob- ably of some chief and his immediate family, and usually near them are utensils of the kitchen, arrows, pottery and such articles as were most prized in life by the departed.
In some localities immense shell heaps exist, while it is not uncommon to find in a mound shell from the sea, notably the conch shell and sea periwinkles, the latter very common. Implements of both hardened copper and copper in its soft state are often found, and a metal resembling iron in color and texture, but hard enough to cut glass, and which resists the action of almost all the acids. The writer has specimens of this metal which show under the action of acid only that copper enters into their composition. No file will affect this substance, yet it yields readily to the grindstone and can be sharpened to carry a fine but brittle edge. This metal was prob- ably a composition of copper and one or two other metals, tempered by a process not now known to the scientific world. Norman But- ler, a blacksmith in Toulon, Stark county, Ill., one day in 1853 accidentally tempered brass so that it would turn a file,-an experi- ment which he never afterward could successfully imitate.
That these Mound-Builders were not of the same race as our Indians, is at once apparent from the bones of the latter being of a reddish hue, while those of the Mound-Builders are of a differ- ent shade and much larger. Dr. Schenck, of Duncan's Mills, has a large collection of these prehistoric bones collected with especial reference to diseased bones and surgery. Some of these specimens show fractures which have been set with considerable skill; some indeed which would not disgrace the average surgery of this age. Some of these skeletons belonged to men who were giants, some over seven feet high ; some have skulls equal to the average European skull in shape and brain capacity, while the general average is much superior to the Indian or negro skull.
It is our opinion that the Mound-Builders were a pastoral people who had made considerable progress in civilization. In the winter, doubtless, they drove their flocks and herds to the bluffs and rich, sheltered bottoms where they could obtain shelter, and in the summer drove them to the prairies for pasturage. Doubt- less, like the Chinese of to-day, they esteemed their native hills sacred and sought to be buried there no matter where the iron hand of death overtook them; and their friends, respecting this desire, were in the habit of bringing the bones of each family or tribe to these sacred burial places, after they had been stripped of their flesh, for permanent burial.
Perhaps some future archæologist will delve among these ancient ruins and find a key to the mystery of the builders of whom we to- day know next to nothing; and unless some means are taken by the
339
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Government or societies organized for the purpose, and these meas- ures at no distant day, they will have become so far obliterated by the plow and by unskilled diggers that the slight clues they con- tain will be buried in an oblivion greater than now enshroud the history of their builders.
CHAPTER XII.
MEXICAN WAR.
When war was declared against Mexico in 18-46 by our Govern- ment, enlistment of troops immediately began all over the country, but nowhere was greater promptitude manifested than in Fulton county. Several other companies were raised and offered besides the one' accepted, but were refused by the Governor, the quota of the State being already more than filled. Capt. Lewis W. Ross raised Co. K, tendered it to the Governor, and it was accepted and assigned to the Fourth regiment, Col. Ed. D. Baker commanding. The company was mustered in at Alton July 4, 1846, and moved to Jef- ferson Barracks, Mo., and then proceeded to the front, where no company did more valiant service for our country than Company K, of Fulton county. Veterans never fought more nobly or effectively than did the volunteers to the Mexican war from this county. Their brave commander, Col. Baker, won for himself and men a never- perishing name.
At the glorious capture of Vera Cruz and the not less famous storming of Cerro Gordo, these troops did valiant service. In the latter action, when, after the brave Gen. Shields had been placed hors de combat, the command of his force, consisting of three regi- ments, devolved upon Col. Baker, this officer with his men stormed with unheard-of prowess the last stronghold of the Mexicans, sweeping everything before them. Such, indeed, were the intrepid valor and daring courage exhibited by Illinois volunteers during the Mexican war, that their deeds should live in the memory of posterity through future ages.
Many of the veterans of this war enlisted a few years later to defend the same old flag from the insults of a domestic foe that they had so bravely against a foreign one. Among them were Col. Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff, and Lieutenant Ross, who became Brigadier General and won laurels that will wreath his name with honor for generations after he has passed from earth.
The Company was mustered out at New Orleans, La., May 26, 1847, and returned to their homes and resumed the various occupa- tions which they had quit a year previous to defend our country.
In rumaging through the old records and papers on file and stowed away in the County Clerk's office we were fortunate enough to find a complete official muster roll of the men of this company, which we give below.
341
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
In the list e. stands for enlisted, m. o. for mustered out, res. for resigned, dis. for disability, and disch. for discharged.
4th REGT. ILL. INF. VOL.
COMPANY K.
Captain.
Lewis W. Ross, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. First Lieutenants.
Geo. W. Stipp, e. July 4,'46, res. Aug. 30,'46. Leonard F. Ross, e. July 18,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Second Lieutenants.
John B. McDowell, e. July 4,'46, res. Aug. 30,'46. Robert Johnson, e. July 4,'46, res. Dee. 20,'46. Joseph L. Sharp, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Sergeants.
Marvin Scudder, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Stephen B. Webb, e. July 4,'46, died at Matta- moras, Oct. 24,'46.
Robert Carter, e. July 4,'46, disch. Nov. 9,'46, dis.
Samuel D. Reynolds, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Milton C. Dewey, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26.'47. Jas. B. Anderson, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Corporals.
Thomas W. Head, e. July 4,'46, disch. Nov. 26, '46, dis.
Tracy Stroud, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Jas. W. Anderson, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26, '47.
Edward Brannon e. July 10,'-16. m. o. May 26,'47. Simcon Cannon, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Jas. Dunsmore, e. July 4,'46, died Oct. 1,'46, at Matamoras.
Privates.
Ackerson, Garrett, e. July 4,'46, m.o. May 26,'47. Andrews, Hannon, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26, '47.
Bennington, Geo .. e. July 4,'46, mo. o. May 26, 47.
Bervard, John, e. July 4,'46, ditch. Dec. 20,'46, dis.
Beadles, Wm., e. July 4,'46, disch. Mar. 7,'47, dis.
Bristow, Isaac M., e. July 18.'46, m. o. May 26, 47 Clark, David, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Crittenden, Uriah, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47 Crawford, Jas., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Collins, David, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Carter, Simeon, e. July 2,'46, m. o. May 26.'47. Coon, Ross, e. July 4'46. m. o. May 26,'27.
Cannon, John, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Carter John S. S., e. July 4,,46, died Oct. 27,'46, at Carmago.
Dalley, Chas., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Dobson, Joseph, e. July 4.'46, disch. Feb. 8,'47' dis. Dobbins, John F. P., e. July 4,'46, disch. Nov. 9,'46, dis.
Deiter, John, e. July 4,'46, disch. Aug. 24,'46, dis.
Deiter, Joel, e. July 4,'46, disch. Aug. 24,'46, dis. Ellis, John, c. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Ellis, Jacob, e. July 4,'26, m. o. May 26,'47.
Engle, Wm, II., e. July 4,'26, m. o. May 26,'47. Foot, Zach., e. July 4,'46, in. o. May 26,'17. Freeborn. Philip T., July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Fitzpatrick, Michael, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Gregory, Jesse, July 20,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Hoover, Richard e. July 20,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Hannum, Joshua B., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Kelly, Ephraim, e. July 20,'46, disch. Sept. 18, '46, dis.
King, Horaee B., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Kimball, Myron, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Lyon, Ely, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Land, John, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Mason, Wm. C., e. July 18,'46, disch. Aug. 30, '46, dis.
McNeil, Malcolm, e. July 18,'46, disch. Oct. 8, '46, dis.
McKee, Patrick, e. July 18,'46, disch. dis.
Monroe, Thomas, e. July 20,'46, disch. Feb. 8. '47 dis.
Morton, Richard W., e. July 4,'16, m. o. May 26,'47.
Mayall, Joseph, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Milslagle, Elias, e. July 4,'46, in. o. May 26,'47. Moover, William, e. July 4,'46. m. o. May 26,'47. Myers, Jonas HI., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Murphy, Wm., e. July 20,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Patton, Hugh, e. July 4, 46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Painter, Wm., e. July 4,'46, disch. Nov. 9,'46, dis.
Pig, John, e. July 20,'46, disch. Sept. 26,'46, dis. Powell, Andrew M., July 4,'46, m. o. May 26, '47. Reid, John H., July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Rigdon, Stephen, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26"47. Ross, Pike C., e. July 4.'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Shields, David, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Steele, John, e. July 4,'46, mn. o. May 26,'47.
Smith, James H., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Smith, David, e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Stevenson, Thomas, e. July 20,'46, m. o. May 26,'47.
Turner, Oren, e. July 20,'46, disch. 8,'46, dis. Taylor, Julius J., e. July 4,'46, m. o. May 26,'47. Wilson, Samuel, B., e. July 4,'46, disch, Oet. 4, '46. dis.
Yaw. Alonzo, e. July 4,'46, died Sept. 10,'46.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE REBELLION.
FIRST INDICATIONS OF THE WAR.
When, in 1861, the war was foreed upon the country, the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do,-working the mines, making farms or eulti- vating those already made, establishing homes, founding eities and towns, building shops and manufactories ; in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the North were buoyant with hope, looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for comfort and competence in their declining years. They little heeded the mutterings and threatenings wafted from the South. They never dreamed that there was one so base as to attempt the destruction of the Union their fathers had purchased for them with their life-blood. While thus surrounded with peace and tranquillity they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh, of others.
The war elouds grew darker and still darker, the thunders of treason grew louder and louder until April 12, 1861, when the fear- ful storm burst upon the country and convulsed a continent with its attendant horrors.
On that day the rebels, who for weeks had been ereeting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For hours an ineessant cannonading was continued ; the fort was being damaged severely ; provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to haul down the stars and stripes,-that dear old flag which had sel- dom been lowered to a foreign foe; by rebel hands it was now trailed in the dust. How the blood of patriotic men of the North boiled when on the following day the news was flashed along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender ! And nowhere was greater indignation manifested than in Fulton county.
343
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
THE FIRST CALL FOR TROOPS.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lin- coln, America's martyr President,-who but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive,-issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled, and men and money were counted ont by hundreds and thousands. The people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through overy heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house,-every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity. Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and for- given, and, joining hands in a common canse, they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman, " By the Great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserred."
Call the young men in the prime of their life; Call them from mother, from sister, from wife ; Blessed if they live, revered if they fall,- They who respond unto Liberty's call.
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the Rebel- lion ; nor were ten times the number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response ; and it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to offer themselves as a sacrifice on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the sons of Fulton made a conspicuous and praise- worthy record.
VARIOUS MEETINGS HELD IN THE COUNTY.
The tocsin of war was sounded, meetings were held in every township, village and city, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and resolutions adopted admitting of but one interpre- tation,-that of unconditional allegiance and undying devotion to their country and their country's flag ; that, at whatever cost of blood or treasure, the stars and stripes, wherever floating, must be honor- ed ; and the supremacy of the law of the National Union sustained.
A meeting was held at Canton, April 20, 1861, at the old Con- gregational church. Ira Johnson was called to the chair, and stated the object of the meeting to be, to express the feelings of the people in regard to the difficulties then in our country, and to re- spond to the call of Gov. Yates for military force to aid the
344
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Federal Government in sustaining the laws. The "Star-Spangled Banner " was effectively sung by a number of young ladies, after which the military band rendered several national airs with good spirit. A committee of five was then appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. This committee was com- posed of the following gentlemen : John W. Ingersoll, W. H. Haskell, William Babcock, G. W. Fast and Tracy Stroud. The meeting was then addressed by Hon. William Kellogg, W. H. Haskell and James H. Stipp. Resolutions were adopted, which showed this people to be patriotic and ready to sacrifice all for the Union. After this an opportunity was given for enlistments, and forty names were enrolled.
At the court-house in Lewistown, on Tuesday evening, April 23, a meeting was held with George Humphrey in the chair. The com- mittee on resolutions were H. B. Evans, R. B. Stevenson, M. Eich- elberger, S. P. Shope, L. W. James, James Hasson and Robert Campbell. The meeting, which resolved to support the Govern- ment, was addressed by L. F. Ross, R. R. Me Dowell, M. S. Kimball, L. W. Ross and S. C. Judd.
A large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Farmington was held Saturday evening, April 20, for the purpose of discussing the condition of the country. A. K. Montgomery presided, and Dr. J. Gregory acted as secretary. The following resolutions were adopted with but one dissenting voice :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.