USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 26
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sold? I had not heard of that." " Don't you know him ?" said 'Squire Allen. "No, I never saw him, but I think I have heard of him ; isn't he a crazy man ?" asked the other. "Yes, he labors under an aberration of mind, at times, and is perhaps never entirely sane, yet he is a man who seems to have been well educated, and is very shrewd and ready in answering questions, and sometimes appears very rational in conversa- tion. He has lived about from house to house, for three or four years, upon the bounty of the settlers, and, though not generally troublesome, some have abused him, and not long since the county took him in charge, and hired him out to Mr. Samms. The people frequently gave him clothes and sometimes money, but he never kept any clothing only what he had on, and the money he would give to the first boy he found. I hope he will find a good home with Mr. Samms, and be well taken care of."
The foregoing conversation closed as the party drew up their reins on the bank of the deep and narrow ravine, which served to convey the water that accumulated on the prairie during the rainy season, through Kinkaid's Point down to Taylor's Creek, some five miles farther to the sonth. Along the steep banks of the ravine might occasionally be found a little spring, issuing from the black mould that covered the surface of the narrow bottom to the depth of four or five feet. Our party was not long in searching out one of these springs in the midst of a grove of wide- spreading walnuts, where they spread their saddle blankets on the stunted growth of vegetation beneath the thick shade, and taking from their portmanteaus a small supply of shelled corn and oats, fed their horses, using the blankets for a manger. Then seating themselves on the ground, they took their dinner in the simple and primeval style of the genuine backwoodsman. During dinner conversation flowed freely around the little circle, each relating in his turn the incidents of his past experience in hunting excursions and camp life. It was a subject the old settlers loved to dwell upon, to the recital of which they listened with undivided attention. When dinner was over and an hour had been spent in resting their horses, they again mounted and proceeded in a lively mood to make their way over hills and ravines, through brush and bram- bles, frequently interwoven with grape vines. The sun had already passed the meridian, and would soon be declining in the west; the whole party seemed to feel some apprehension that night would be upon them before they had reached the point of their destination. However, keep-
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ing their spirits up, they pressed forward through all opposing obstacles, as if determined to make the best of the time allotted them. So wild was the appearance of the woods around them, so like an uninhabited wilderness, that our party despaired of seeing any indication of the hab- itation of man. For them there was nothing inviting in those sharp ridges, steep hill-sides, and the numerous narrow and deeply-cut ravines that so frequently interrupted them in their march. They were, therefore, ex- ceedingly anxious to escape from these annoyances by getting out on the prairie again.
But at the very time when least expecting it, the sharp bark of a dog fell on their ears. At the same time, Mr. Rawlings was observed to turn his horse's head to the right about, with the exclamation, "There's a house ! halt a minute, gentlemen," he continued, " we must scatter out a little in passing this house ; let only two go together, and afterwards two more, until we shall meet over at the point beyond the cabin. If we all go in company the people will think some very important movement is on foot, and they will arouse the whole neighborhood ; whereas by passing only two at a time we will get through without exciting suspicion." This mode of passing the house of Thomas Finley required a greater length of time than was desirable, for after passing the house a small prairie -- per- haps a mile in width-must be crossed, and when two of the company had started across it, so fearful were the others of showing themselves in all their force, that the starting of the next couple was delayed until the first had passed out of sight. But at length they had again assembled on the south side of the prairie, only to plunge again into the forest, where after slowly working their way for two or three hours over every variety of uneven ground, crossing Taylor's Creek and a great number of smaller streams, they found themselves at length entering the north side of another prairie, at the south side of which appeared a long string of timber reaching far to the east, and a short distance to the west seem- ing to unite with that from which they had emerged.
As the beautiful little prairie, almost as even as a floor, and adorned with millions of small opening flowers just bursting into life from among the rich growing herbage with all the richness and freshness of Spring, opened out before them, exclamations of surprise and admiration were heard from each member of the party as they continued to gaze around them. It was indeed a lovely sight, very unlike any they had witnessed on the more undulating prairies farther to the north.
The sun was descending low in the west, shedding a flood of glow- ing light along the groves to the south and east, the tall tree-tops waving in the evening breeze, and the deep dark shadows below, presented a most beautiful variety of light and shade ; and an impressive silence like the stillness of midnight prevailed, except as the merry lark, perched on the waving top of some tall flower-stalk, poured forth her song for a moment, and flitted away to another perch more remote from the intruder.
As they proceeded, Mr. Rawlings recognized the spot they had been admiring as Taylor's Prairie, and rising in his stirrups and passing his hand along in the direction of the long line of timber in the foreground, he said : "Gentlemen, I think we are drawing near the end of our day's journey. That thick timber running along there is the Macoupin tim- ber, and this is Taylor's Prairie. Just over there in that point is where
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Jimmy lives. We will reach there by sunset. I think we will stay with him to-night, and make all necessary preparations for an early start in the morning. I am anxious to see what will come of this singular adven- ture." " Yes," replied 'Squire Allen, "It would be pleasant to know that we were on the road to a splendid fortune ; but if our explorations should prove a signal failure, and thus expose us to the ridicule of our friends, I am not in a hurry to find it out; notwithstanding it might be pleasant enough for one who has the faculty of enjoying it, to engage in a hearty laugh now and then, even if it be at his own expense. But as we are fully equipped with every thing necessary for camping out, I shall prefer spending the night in the camp. It is entirely unnecessary to trouble our friends with keeping us when we are so well prepared to keep ourselves." "That is very true," rejoined the other; "we will camp then, somewhere near, and Jimmy can come to our camp and spend two or three hours after night; we will get what information we can from him, and make arrangements for to-morrow. I hope we will get an early start in the morning, for I want to make as satisfactory a survey of the mineral region to-morrow as possible, and if we get a late start we may have to spend a day longer on the ground in consequence of it."
As Mr. Rawlings finished speaking, a dull, low sound fell upon their ears, much resembling the low tones of distant thunder. At this time our two friends between whom the above conversation was passing, were riding beside each other, and Mr. Rawlings perceiving - as he thought-that Mr. Allen was deceived in reference to the sound, said, "'Squire, I supposed you were more familiar with that kind of thunder than you seem to be. You may depend upon it there is no rain there." " But the reign of industry," replied Mr. Allen, " the kind of reign that produces both food and clothing, and what is better than all, it is a reign of our own making." "It is surprising what a train of reflections may be produced in the head of philosophic men by the hum of a spinning wheel," replied the surveyor, "but great minds often perceive great effects proceeding from very small causes." "If George will show us the silver mine to-morrow," replied Mr. Allen, " we will be prepared to admit the justness of his remarks."
The laughter that followed these sallies had scarcely subsided when the party halted in front of the rickety fence that enclosed the cabin of Mr. James Rawlings, and Mrs. James Rawlings answered the summons of her father-in-law by appearing at the door. After mutual inquiries. concerning the health of the respective families, the Rev. Mr. Rawlings learned from his industrious daughter-in-law that his son was not at hand, but would return some time during the evening. Upon receiving this intelligence, it was decided to proceed half a mile further and camp near the Macoupin Creek. "Tell James to come down to our camp when he comes home," said Mr. Rawlings to Mrs. James Rawlings, as he raised his rein to ride off, while she resumed her spinning.
Proceeding to the creek, the party erected their tent, and, after taking their supper, lay down on their blankets to await the arrival of Mr. James Rawlings, but as the time passed away and he did not appear, the elder Mr. Rawlings, accompanied by 'Squire Allen, set out to visit the house, and finding him then at home, they proceeded immediately to discuss their plan of operations for the morrow, and receiving assurances
A
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from the youngest Mr. Rawlings, that he would be prompt at their camp at sunrise in the morning, to accompany them on the expedition, they returned to their camp, and soon the whole party were buried in sleep. But whether it was that calm, quiet, and gentle sleep that wraps the soul in deep unconsciousness of all events transpiring in the outer world, or that wakeful, restless, dreamy, fitful slumber fraught with trouble, dreads and doubts, dangers and perplexities, that lifts the sleeper up the winding way that leads to some high, cragged peak, or from some giddy height impels him down the unfathomed depth of some profound abyss, let those decide who have roamed abroad in search of treasure.
Very early on the next morning the inmates of the camp were astir, feeding their horses, preparing breakfast, and packing up their equipage, ready to be off as soon as Mr. James Rawlings should make his appear- ance. As the first rays of the sun peered through the thick forest that lined the banks of the stream, they stood in front of the camp fire, bridle in hand, ready to mount and pursue their journey at a moment's notice. And as he crept higher up in the eastern sky, and sent down his glowing rays to wipe away the heavy dew-drops from the grass and the wild flowers, many anxious glances were cast along the narrow path that led to the house of Mr. Rawlings, but he came not. The morning was wasting away, the sun rising higher up in his course, and the air growing warmer around them ; the dew had fled from the rich foliage, and the lark commenced her song for the day, but still Mr. Rawlings did not appear.
By this time the impatience of the party had reached its culminating point, and several voices at once exclaimed, " Let us be off: it's useless to stay here and await the motions of Jim Rawlings," and, reining up their horses, they prepared to ride off. "Gentlemen," cried Rev. Mr. Rawlings, "if you can have patience to wait only a few minutes longer, I will ride out that way a short distance and see if he is coming ;" and, putting his horse into a gallop, he was soon out of sight. On and on he went, unwilling to turn back. He constantly applied his heels to his horse's sides, endeavoring to increase his speed, until he reached the house of his son, and to his surprise and even astonishment, found him quietly sitting astride of a shaving-horse, putting a piece of hickory into the shape of a yoke for one of his horses.
" Why, James, what are you doing there ?" cried he, " we have been waiting these three hours for you at the creek, looking for you every moment. The boys were just going to leave you, and I begged them to wait till I could come and see what you are about. Come now, don't spend another moment ; be on your horse in an instant or they will be gone." "I can't go just yet," replied the other, rather sheepishly ; " a gentleman is to be here in a few minutes with whom I have some busi- ness that must be attended to without delay ; it will, however, detain me but a short time. Tell the boys that I will meet them at Coop's Creek by noon, and if they can't wait they can go on up there."
After receiving instructions from his son as to how they should find the way to Coop's Creek, the reverend gentleman hurried back to com- municate the result of his hasty visit to his son's house. The party was in motion immediately, with Mr. Rawlings and 'Squire Allen at its head. Their route lay along the Macoupin bluffs. A string of lakes and
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marshes stretched along their way on the left, and beyond them arose the heavy timber bordering on the Macoupin Creek. Coop's Creek is a small stream rising fifteen or twenty miles back in the country, and flow- ing in a northwesterly direction, empties its waters into the Macoupin on the south side, just before that stream crosses the line now separating the counties of Greene and Macoupin. Just at the point where it issues through the Macoupin bluffs, stands a wall of perpendicular rock, quite conspicuous to persons within the range of vision from that place. It was at this cliff where Mr. James Rawlings proposed to meet the parties at noon.
The distance being found less than was anticipated, they arrived at the spot before 11 o'clock, dismounted, fed their horses, and, while some prepared dinner, others explored the country in the immediate vicinity to ascertain whether anything indicative of the existence of silver could be found.
Along the banks of the stream were found gneissoid stones, mica, slate, etc., in considerable abundance, together with other stones not common in the country. These our party took for favorable indications of something richer, and after dinner made a more thorough examination of the premises. Mr. Rawlings drew the mystic rod from his capacious saddle-bags, and, climbing to the top of the cliff, proceeded to satisfy him- self in regard to the existence of silver ore at that point, which he con- sidered the most favorable for making observations. The manner of using the rod was something like the following: Taking the ends between the thumb and finger, and turning the bow down horizontally forward, he walked slowly and carefully forward, observing the leathern sack at the bow or loop as an angler would watch the cork on his fishing tackle to see when it was drawn down by the fish on his hook. Mr. Rawlings knew, or at least thought, that whenever he passed over a spot where silver was deposited, its attraction for the contents of his buckskin sack would bring it suddenly down towards the earth, and show as clearly as anything could just where the precious metal was to be found. After having perambulated that elevated position for some time with only partial success, he descended to the plain, and examined in like manner the debris along the foot of the bluffs, as also some other points putting into the Macoupin bottom, but received no very satisfactory assurances that anything like silver existed in the neighborhood. Not yet discour- aged, our little company again mounted their horses and struck boldly across the Macoupin bottom. Mr. James Rawlings had not yet joined them, nor did they expect or desire him to do so. In truth, his character for veracity seemed to have suffered with some members of the company, and they did not desire to see him during the expedition.
After crossing to the north side of the Macoupin they directed their course down its northern bank, soon arriving at the furnace and all the evidences of mining operations mentioned by the young Mr. Rawlings in his letter to his father. There were several mounds of earth over- grown with briers, young cottonwood and sycamore, and at their base were the pits from which they had been taken. Immediately on the banks of the creek stood the dilapidated furnace, with coals, ashes, and lumps of mineral lying around. They were not only surprised, but greatly pleased to find the representations of the younger Rawlings, in
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his letter to his father, correct., His inexplicable conduct in the morning had thrown a shadow of doubt over their minds, and they had viewed his assertions in reference to the silver mine with distrust; but now the evidence was before them that he had adhered to the truth without exaggeration. But still his conduct was as much a mystery as ever. After having written to his father and induced him to take so much trouble to come from home to examine the spot, why did he not accom- pany the party ? This was a mystery which none could solve. No doubts were now entertained of the existence of some kind of minerals about these ancient mines. Many specimens were to be found of good size and apparent richness lying around on the surface, and the truthful brass rod of the Rev. Mr. Rawlings, clearly indicated that below the surface large quantities might be found by digging. For some reasons, unknown to the writer at this day, no analysis was made to test the value of the mineral found ; nor were the services of the surveyor called into requisi- tion at that time. The party were probably satisfied with their discovery without pushing their investigations further. The day was fast hasten- ing away, and they manifested a wish to return home, and were soon on their way. On their return, they seemed quite as desirous of passing the settlements unobserved as on their journey out. They arrived in the vicinity of their respective residences late in the afternoon of the follow- ing day, and scattering out in different directions, rode slily along the by-ways, behind the farms, and entered their cabins under the shade of night.
The men composing this company were blessed with good conversa- tional powers ; they were remarkable for sociability and the easy manner in which they entertained their friends, and possessed a freedom of speech that at all times made them pleasant and communicative companions, but it is a remarkable fact that they always showed a disinclination to dwell upon the subject of their visit to the silver mine ; when that subject was introduced in their presence, they instantly became taciturn, and seemed to know less about it than any one else. They showed a desire to the last to keep the matter a secret, in which they partially succeeded, for, notwithstanding the fact that thirty-four years have passed away since that day, this expedition has been known to but a very few persons. It has afforded us material for a long story, which we hope will repay the reader for perusing it. It is no high-wrought work of the imagination, no fancy sketch, and if it possesses not the interest of a highly-finished romance, it yet has the merit of being true in every important particular.
EVENTS BEFORE THE DEEP SNOW.
During 1821, the first settlement was made at Kinkaid's Point, which was for a long time a landmark in the county. The point was an angle of timbered land, projecting into the prairie. which was so situated that it could readily be seen many miles away. Before roads were laid out or fences built the pioneers, in going from the Macoupin to the Mauvais- terre, would steer first for Kinkaid's Point, then for a similar landmark farther on, and so on. The first settler at this point was Andrew Kinkaid.
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He was followed very shortly by his son, William Kinkaid, who was well known in the county as Esquire Kinkaid. Martin Burt also erected a cabin at about the same time. Two or three years later James Kinkaid, another son of the original settler, arrived. Every one knew him " with his blue hunting shirt fringed with red and encircled by a belt, to which a sword was suspended, and wearing a tall hat with a feather." As he commanded a company he was a prominent figure at the musters at Carrollton.
Very soon after Kinkaid's Point was settled, John Finley, better known, however, as " Fighting Jack," erected a horse mill south of the pres- ent site of Greenfield. Although very loosely constructed, it was a great convenience for the dwellers for many miles around. Men and boys visited this mill from beyond Carrollton, riding on their sacks of corn and leading horses enough to turn the mill. Strange as it may seem, this mill was supplied with neither wheel nor cog. At an elevation of six feet from the ground, a number of arms were passed horizontally through the driving shaft. They were of equal length, and their outer ends were deeply notched for the reception of a rawhide band twisted like a rope. This was passed around the end of the arms or spokes, resting in the notches, and thence to the " trundle," being crossed, however, between the latter and the driving wheel, to prevent slipping. To the same shaft that carried the arms was attached a long lever, to which the horse or horses were fastened. This was all the gearing belonging to the mill, and from its great simplicity it was easily repaired when out of order. A few hickory withes usually secured any part that needed attention. John Finley and his son Thomas afterward entered the site of the Rock- bridge Mills. The old gentleman settled on the bluff south of the creek, and his son made a home in Taylor's Prairie, just north of Rockbridge.
June 10, 1822, the following persons, then living in Cumberland, in the north of England, left their homes for the far off West: James Hobson, Elizabeth Hobson, Peter Hobson, John Hobson, Thomas Hobson, Mary Hobson, Robert Hobson, Jane Hobson, sister of the former, John Hobson, Margaret Black, John Black, David Black, Wm. Black, Thomas Black, Elizabeth Black (mother of Dr. Hobson, of this city). John Armstrong, Isaac Richardson, Chas. F. Hobson, Ruth Richardson, Jeremiah Richardson, Elizabeth Richardson, and Geo. Baty. In about two weeks they took shipping at Liverpool, and after a perilous voyage of forty-seven days, landed in New York City. From there they pro- ceeded in wagons to this county, where they safely arrived, after the lapse of about four months, making the entire period, from the time of leaving home, six months. These all settled near Carrollton. Of this pioneer band the following are still living: Peter, Thomas, Robert, and John Hobson, Mrs. Elizabeth Hobson (formerly Elizabeth Black), and William and Thomas Black, making the entire number of this company, now living, seven. Thomas Black, one of the survivors, who is quite extensively known throughout the county, has lived in the house he now occupies, fifty-two years, and it is still a good, commodious, and comfort- able dwelling. Those who remain of this company of old settlers all live in and near Carrollton, except John Hobson, who now resides in New Orleans. For several years the survivors have been in the habit of meet- ing at the residence of one of their number, having a dinner in keeping
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with the occasion, and spending the day in talking over the past, and recounting the events and memories of former years. The last meeting was held at the residence of Dr. E. B. Hobson, in this city.
Concerning the settlements east of Carrollton soon after the organi- zation of the county, Mr. Tunnell says, in an article in the Carrollton Press, 1860: " The first improvement east of Carrollton was made in 1818 or 1819 by Martin Wood, who is now living near Athens, in this county. It is now the residence of Mr. Curtius, a farm well known by every man in the country about Carrollon. Young Wood was a brother of Martin. By an unfortunate accident, while young, he was severely burned, disfiguring his face and disabling his hands to such a degree as to render them useless but for the skill acquired by long practice in using them, and which enabled him to write quite legibly and, indeed, to attend to most kinds of business with a readiness and dispatch really surprising. He was for a long time sheriff of Greene County, and occupied at an early day rather a prominent position in politics. He died many years ago. His cabin was on the place known as the Turpin Farm, and stood just where Mr. Turpin's house now stands. Passing from thence east- ward and northward over a piece of very muddy land to the place now occupied by Mr. Hinton, you would find the cabins of John Dunn and Davidson James. To reach the next cabin you would travel eastward as far as the next sixteenth section, perhaps four or five miles, to where John Cooper had settled, about the spot where Father Boyd resided a few years ago. The John W. Huitt place was settled by Thomas Finley, who was well known by the early settlers. He afterward resided many years near Greenfield, and removed from there to Texas. Messrs. Headd and Broghton improved the land now occupied by Mr. Ballinger, near Dover. One Mr. Blaney soon became its occupant, however, but before he had moved into the cabin, after Headd and Broghton had left it, one Levi Reynolds took shelter under its roof, and remaining there alone for a time, took provisions and water, and probably whisky, to the corps of surveyors engaged in the neighborhood."
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