USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 39
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
William Elliott-Was a citizen of Fulton county, and was Pros- ecuting Attorney here for some eight years, embracing the period of our Mormon difficulties. He was regarded as a lawyer of medium ability, but not an eloquent orator. In the celebrated trials growing out of Mormon affairs, he usually had associated with him in the prosecution lawyers of more decided reputation. He afterward served as Quarter-Master in a volunteer regiment in the Mexican war, and died at home soon after the war was over.
George C. Dixon-Was a Quincy lawyer who sometimes-not often-practiced at our Court. He was from New York, where he had previously practiced; was a well-educated and well-read lawyer, and withal a good speaker, though he never became popular with our people. He removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he died some years ago.
417
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Robert S. Blackwell .- Genial "Bob Blackwell," admired and esteemed by all who knew him. Residing in Rushville, he was a frequent practitioner at our Bar. Urbane, companionable, witty, lively, generous, he soon gained a position among our lawyers, and might have made-did make-a shining light in our midst. Some of his speeches, while Prosecuting Attorney, it is remembered, were among the ablest ever made in our Court, and compared favorably with those of his opponents, among whom we may name Browning, Walker and others. Mr. Blackwell was evidently a rising man when he left our Courts and 'settled in Chicago, in a broader field of usefulness, where he died several years ago. Mr. B. had a most remarkable memory, was always ready with his authorities, quot- ing book and page with the greatest facility.
Jackson Grimshaw-Of Pike, afterward of Quiney, was for many years well known in our county and had considerable prac- tice at our bar. He was always regarded as a strong lawyer and able to cope with the best. Mr. Asbury says of him: "Mr. Grim- shaw possessed an active, perceptive and vigorous mind, was well grounded in the law, and was pre-eminently strong before a jury in any and every case where an analysis of the testimony and motives of witnesses might be brought into view. A prevaricating witness or a mean defendant had to suffer from his terrible denuncia- tions. Mr. G. would not pander to a mean prejudice in Court or jury, and his most seathing comments and denunciations only fell where he felt that the right, the honor and the virtue of the case was on the side he represented." But Mr. Grimshaw was, perhaps, best known to our people as a stump orator, having been on several occasions before the people of the District in that capacity, either as a candidate or a volunteer in aid of his party.
Almeron Wheat-Was a Quincy attorney, an able lawyer, who years ago had considerable practice in this county. Whether still living we are unable to state. The same may be said of
N. Johnson -- Excepting that he died a number of years ago. Mr. J. was an active member of the " Peace Committee of 100" from Quiney, during the last Mormon troubles, and through his influence and skill probably the destruction of much life and property was averted.
William H. Roosevelt-Was a seion of a rich family in -New York city. He settled in Warsaw about 1836 or '7, and acquired large interests there. His practice at the Bar was merely nominal, being better known as a politician, a trader and land speculator. He was intimately identified with the interests of Warsaw, and labored hard to advance her prosperity. He was genial, good- natured, high-minded and held many honorable positions. He was several times a candidate for the Legislature, and was elected to that position in 1858. His death occurred soon after the com- meneement of the Rebellion. .
Malcolm McGregor-Was a New Yorker, who came to Warsaw about the same time with Mr. Roosevelt; was also a Democratic
418
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
politician ; was a candidate for the Legislature in 1840, but defeated by Dr. Charles. In 1839 he had been elected to the office of Probate Judge; was afterward appointed by the County Com- missioners to the responsible position of School Commissioner, and died while holding the office.
Thomas Morrison .- This gentleman was'a Tennesseean, and settled in Warsaw about the year 1842 or 1843; afterward resided in Carthage. He was a good lawyer, though he never obtained a large practice. He was a politician of the Whig school, and was elected to the Legislature in 1846. His death occurred not long afterward.
Messrs. Roosevelt, McGregor and Morrison were brothers-in-law -- married to the Misses Wells, sisters of James M. Wells, one of the Warsaw proprietors.
Henry Stephens-Was a New Yorker, and is said to have read law in the office of Millard Fillmore. He settled in Warsaw about 1840, and arose to the rank of Brigadier-General in the Militia. Gen. S. was not an able lawyer, neither was he an orator, yet by his industry, energy and methodical habits, he attained to con- siderable practice.
Sterling P. Delano-Was raised in Hancock county in the vicinity of Warsaw. He studied with Browning and Bushnell, of Quincy, and entered into practice in that city with Messrs. Buckley and Macy. He enlisted in the army, and was elected Captain of a company of cavalry. He was unfortunately wounded by a pistol ball accidentally discharged in the hands of his First Lieutenant, Catlin, which lodged in the spine and proved mortal. He died at his home in Quincy after months of extreme suffering. Mr. Delano's career as a lawyer was short but honorable. He was greatly esteemed by the members of the Bar, and died regretted. We are not aware that he had practice at the Hancock Bar, but as a Hancock boy this notice is due to his memory.
Of the Hancock attorneys now living away, we can recall the names of Jason H. Sherman, Jacob C. Davis, William C. Wagley, N. W. Bliss, George W. Batchelder, and Robt. W. Mckinney.
Of old attorneys, non-residents of the county, and who formerly practiced at this Bar, we mention Hon. Orville H. Browning, Hon. James W. Singleton and Calvin A. Warren, Esq., all of Quincy, and all now venerable in age. And we must not omit to mention the younger attorney, who though a Quincy man and a citizen there, is a native of Hancock county-Gen. Elisha B. Hamilton.
PRESENT BAR.
Of the present members of the bar in Hancock county, it does not become us to speak, only to name them. A number are elderly men of established legal reputations, who have long been in prac- tice among us and are growing gray in the service. Perhaps a majority are young men, who have yet, in a great degree, their reputations and fortunes to make.
419
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Residents at the county-seat are: Bryant T. Scofield, Thomas C. Sharp, Wesley H. Manier, Bryant F. Peterson, John M. Ferris, John B. Risse, Wm. E. Mason, Wm. Baird, George J. Rogers, T. J. Scofield, Apollos W. O'Hara, T. C. Griffitts, George Edmunds, David Mack, Henry W. Draper, Wm. C. Hooker, Hiram G. Ferris, O. F. Berry, John D. Miller, M. P. Berry, Charles J. Scofield, J. J. Williams, Samnel H. Benson, W. B. McIntyre, Mr. Shinn.
At Warsaw: John W. Marsh, John H. Finley, Edward E. Lane, George P. Walker, Wm. N. Grover, Benj. F. Marsh, P. W. Plantz, Cortez Maxwell, R. L. McDougal.
At Augusta: W. H. Mead, Nelson Comfort, B. P. Hewitt, Joab Green.
At La Harpe: Cornelius C. Preston, S. W. King, J. H. Hungate. At Nauvoo: Milton M. Morrill, Adam Swartz, William D. Hib- bard.
At Plymouth: L. G. Reid.
At Dallas City: B. F. Newton.
At Hamilton: Thomas Ruggles.
CHAPTER XIII
ANECDOTAL.
In this chapter we collect together numerous incidents, anec- dotes and occurrences, without reference to the order of their dates. Some of them were overlooked in the regular course, and some have come to light as we have progressed with our work.
When Sheriff Deming was in Warsaw looking for the defendants in the Smith murder cases, he was treated very shabbily. He put up for the night, and when he started to leave in the morning, he found that some ruffian had shaved his horse's mane and tail. He mounted him, however, and started to leave. Coming to where some citizens were standing, he halted, and remarked: "My horse got into bad company last night." " Most generally is, I reckon," retorted one of the by -standers. The General rode on, thinking it unnecessary to parley with such a crowd.
Here is a story told of a certain Rushville attorney. We don't give his name because we really have forgotten it, but no matter. He practiced at the Hancock Bar, or at any rate attended Courts here for that purpose. But, if the truth must be told-and there is where the joke comes in-he practiced also at the bar of Charley Main's grocery. It was in the early days, when Courts were held in the log cabin south of the square. But early as .it was, there had been a circus perambulating the country, and one had exhib- ited a few days before on the square, and left its ring in the soil. So one night after a parcel of attorneys and others had been "indulging " at Main's, our Rushville friend started to go to his hotel alone. Coming to the circus ring, he took the track and fol- lowed it round and round for some time, till others coming along, asked what he was doing. " Doing!" replied he; "I'm going home; but I didn't know this town was so big. I've been half an hour on my way, and I've passed ever so many houses just like that over there." The next day the story got out, and the lawyers had a high time over it. We believe it was Sidney Little's sugges- tion that he was going to be candidate for Judge, and was only practicing how to run the circuit.
Christopher E. Yates tells us this story-and it must be true- that " once upon a time," about 1834, during Court, a certain jury
(420)
421
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
got " hung " under a cottonwood tree not far from the court-house which had been appropriated for a jury room. Mr. Constable Duff had been deputed to watch them, and make them hang together. But the case was a knotty one, and they couldn't agree. One of them, becoming tired and saucy, said he was going home, and started. Duff told him he could not go without first whipping him. At it they went, and Duff whipped him into obedience. But still they could not agree upon a verdict. Again the refrac- tory man began to rebel, and go home he would. Duff was again under the necessity of whipping him in; and thus kept him until a verdict was rendered.
Jesse B. Winn, a citizen of Carthage, had a mule that strangely enough died a natural death, during the session of one of these early Courts. The fact caused great comment among the lawyers. Among them was one from Quincy, a native of Kentucky, who had no business at the town; but his associates started the story that he came to attend the mule case; that it was good law in Kentucky that a mule never died, and their associate came especially to investigate the reason why the law was not equally good in Illinois. The attorney decided that the mule in qustion had lost his bray, and consequently had to give up the g-gho-o-st!
J. H. Lawton, of Plymouth, tells a story of this same Winn mule, and his mate. Traveling once from Warsaw to Carthage, and near where Elvaston now stands, he found these mules hitched to a wagon load of corn, stuck fast in the mud, and no owner to be seen. He had stalled, and had gone off to town for help. An idea seized Lawton; truth was, the mules had not been well fed. So he took an armful of corn from the load and laid it on the ground a little way from the mud-hole, before the mules, when they quietly walked out with the load, up to the corn, and he left them eating.
The morning after the murder of the Smiths, Gen. Deming gave Mr. Joshua C. Hobert authority to collect all the men he could find in town and guard the place. He did so, and at breakfast time had mustered thirteen men, all told. Among the countrymen who came in during the day was Mark Phelps-everybody knows Mark. He was mustered into the company, a musket put into his hands, and ordered to guard in a certain district. This he did to perfec- tion. Another countryman, Mr. Thomas M., came along, and was about to start for home. This Mark forbid; he couldn't go until he had first obtained a pass from Gen. Deming. Hobert came along and found them in a high state of excitement. "Shall I shoot him?" exclaimed Mark, ready to execute military orders.
422
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
H. told him he had better not, but succeeded in persuading the refractory Tom to go and get a pass from the General.
At Fountain Green, at the store of C. C. Tyler, we were shown the journal belonging to the firm of Tyler & McClaughey (Stephen H. Tyler and Matthew McClaughey) doing business as merchants in 1844, in that place-both now deceased. In it is a memorandum in the hand-writing of C. C. Tyler's father, then the bookkeeper, in the following words:
"This night, at five o'clock P. M., Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, his brother, were mobbed and shot at Carthage, Ill." Dated June 27, 1844.
Whose was the boot with a foot in it, found in the woods a mile or two from the village of St. Mary's, a quarter of a century or so ago? Or, rather, whose foot was in it ?- not so much matter about the boot. That is one of the questions which has never been solved to the satisfaction of the people in that vicinity. There was likely a dark deed committed in connection with that boot and foot, which " somebody " could explain. Many were the guesses and surmises; but that is all. They were said to have been found in the vicinity of the Northern Cross R. R. track, which was then building, or had just been built. Who was that "somebody "?
Several glass beads attached to a ribbon or piece of cloth were, in the early days, found up in the forks of a tree, in St. Mary's township, by hunters. How did those beads get there, and what were they there for? are questions the people frequently ask. Two theories are suggested; one, that they were ornaments about some Indian, who died or was killed near there, and that the beads were carried into the tree by bird or beast, in devouring the dead body. Another is, that after his death, his remains were suspended up in the tree, after an Indian custom of disposing of dead bodies, sometimes practiced by them.
The old settlers about Carthage used to tell the following good one on a certain young mail-carrier in the olden time. An old gentleman in the county, well known, and who has held many honorable positions, had the contract for carrying the mail east from Carthage to Rushville. On the route, distant from any post- office, resided a farmer to whom the nearest P. M. had been in the habit of sending his papers by the hand of the carrier, outside of the mail. One day the contractor being sick, his son was put on to go the trip. As he passed the house of the farmer alluded to, he
James & Manifold DURHAM TP.
425
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
was hailed-" Say, have you brought my papers to-day ?" " I don't know; I'll see," replied the sagacious youth; and jumping from his horse, he took the mail bag and began to fumble at the lock; then feeling in his pockets, he exclaimed, " Blame that Postmaster! he's forgot to give me the key!"
NEAR NEIGHBORS.
Allen Melton, of Plymouth, tells the following:
"Soon after the arrival of his company to settle, they had occa- sion to use a cross-cut saw and a frow, to make clap-boards for a cabin. Hearing that Mr. Phillips, a few miles below, had the articles, he was called on by them and asked if he could lend the articles. He replied that he could; but at present another neigh- bor had them, Mr. Ebenezer Rand, who resided at Camp Point, 25 miles away. Mr. R. was accordingly interviewed and the tools obtained."
A military muster and election in the early days of Carthage, is thus described by one who was there: There was to be an election of officers and a parade and drill that day, and all the warlike people were in town, and the groceries had plenty of whisky on hand for the occasion. The crowd had been brought together on the public square-a goodly number-and the electioneering began. The two principal candidates for Captain were a Mr. Howard and a Mr. Perkins. The respective merits of the two men 'were being dis- cussed, when Howard called out, " All who wish to belong to Captain Howard's company come over to the grocery and take a drink!" Nearly all started. Perkins tried the same experiment, but he was too late; the boys were already drinking Howard's whisky. "No use, boys," said he to the few around him; " let's go over and make it unanimous." And they went. So, through the list, the crowd each time drinking at the successful man's expense. Perkins, failing of the Captaincy, was, by way of soothing his feelings, chosen First Lieutenant. After election, they went out on the square and tried to drill. But it was poor work. "Shoulder arms!" they could not, for they had none to shoulder. "Right about face!" always turned them the wrong way. But when the officer, giving it up in despair, shouted, " All who belong to Capt. Howard's company come and drink; forward, march !" they reached the grocery with alacrity, if not in good order. And the election and muster were over.
It is not generally known that the township of St. Mary's-four north, five west-has no military bounty land in it. The reason for this is said to have been, that when the grant was made to the
26
426
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
soldiers the survey of that township had not been completed, or was in some way defective, and hence was excluded from the grant. The survey was finished at a later day. Hence all the settlers in that township came into possession of their homesteads through entry at the Quincy Land-office, and there are fewer controverted titles there than in other parts of the county.
Mr. Valincourt Van Ausdal, of the "Point," though never a citizen on this side, was often at Fort Edwards, and had much inter- course with our people. He says he came to the Point with his brother-in-law, Stillwell, to trade with the Indians, and had permits from Government. At the time of the Black Hawk war, during the scare, the women and children were taken down to the fort, while the men remained on guard. The American Fur Company then had a station at the Point. Mr. V. assisted often to ferry people across the river. In answer as to how they got wagons and teams across in those days, he replied: "They were taken across on two ' dug-outs,' lashed together just near enough for two wheels to stand in each; and the horses were swam aeross at another trip, the men in the canoes guiding them." In that way, wagon, horses, family and " plunder" were got across in safety. Mr. V. remem- bers the following steamboats on the river before the Black Hawk war: Indiana, Mexico, William Wallace, Josephine, and Warrior.
Bear stories are always in order: so here is one of the Carthage bear: " A bar! a bar! take the children in! a bar! " rang out one afternoon in the fall of 1835, from the stentorian lungs of Mr. , a North Carolinian, as he sprang down from a building on which he was at work, and ran toward his home on the south side. And sure enough there was a large bear, pursued by a couple of horsemen and a lot of dogs, who had chased it from the Big Meadow, a few miles south of town. Of course the sight of a bear in the street was an occasion for alarm, and "a bear! a bear! " was re-echoed from house to house through the village. The animal had been chased so long that he was quite tired, and now being closely pressed he made for a pond of water that stood in the ravine southeast of the publie square. Here he lay for some time in the water, while men and boys were gathered around pelting him with clubs and stones, and with all the dogs in town snarling and barking around him. Now and then a luckless eur, encouraged by the men, would approach too near, and get a hug and a clawing for his temerity, that would send him off limping and howling. At length Bruin spied a cottonwood tree that stood a short distance away, and running to it, climbed it up to a fork, where he found a good resting place. In the meantime a gun had been brought, but it took several shots from the excited crowd to bring him down. As he fell tumbling and crashing through the dead branches, the forty-seven dogs around concluded that their time had come, and ran yelping and howling from the scene. . And so
427
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the trophy was won. As all had had a hand in the slaughter, or had at least been spectators, it was decided that the carcass should be divided, giving all a taste of bear meat. And the Carthage bear story is told even unto this day.
And here is another-a bear that was not a bear: In dividing up the aforesaid bear, among others, Mr. John H. Lawton, then in his teens, obtained one of the paws. This he kept about as a relic for some months. In the early spring he had occasion to pass on foot from Montebello to Fort Edwards, along the river road. In doing so he was surprised and alarmed at discovering a bear track in the snow, at a point near where the Hamilton depot now stands. He hurried on to the fort and informed Mr. James Gregg, then resid- ing there, of his discovery. "But are you sure it was a bear track?" inquired Mr. Gregg. " Of course I am. Haven't I had one of the paws of the Carthage bear at our house all winter? and I reckon I know a bear track by this time." Well, a bear hunt was just the sport for Gregg, and procuring a companion and trusty rifles, with Lawton for a guide, they started for the chase. A walk of five miles or so brought them to the place where the bear tracks had been seen. Lawton triumphantly pointed them out, and said, "There! isn't that a bear track?" Gregg looked, examined it more closely, and " Humph! Squaw!" with a laugh that made the woods resound, was the answer he gave.
The early settlers of Hancock and adjoining counties were much subject to the prevalent diseases of fever and ague; and during the fall months, and often far into the winter, many of the citizens of all ages would take their turn at the " shakes," as the disease was called. Sometimes whole families would be stricken down with it; yet a death very seldom occurred. A doctor relates that on one occasion he visited a large cabin, the residence of an early settler, on business. He wrapped at the door for admission, and receiving no answer, he pushed it open, and on looking about, counted ten persons, old and young, big and little, some on beds and some on the floor-all shaking with the ague. On inquiring of them if they needed anything, the old man replied, between shakes, that he g-g-g-uessed t-t-t-hat if they h-h-ad s-s-ome q-q-q-ui-nine, and the h-house w-wouldn't f-f-fall down, they w-would g-get along." It is needless to add that the kind doctor furnished the needed remedy, and got them on their feet again.
Hon. Thomas H. Owen was a man well remembered by old citi- zens of the county. Besides being a minister of the gospel, he was a strong politician, and a popular one at that, for he was several
-428
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
times elected to the Legislature. His friends tell the following good joke on him; and if they tell it, there is no harm in recording it here. Once,"'when traveling in the north part of the county on an electioneering tour, he saw a man as he supposed some half mile away in a field; and not wishing to pass any one without giving his views, he hitched his horse to the fence and struck out on foot to speak to him. He had quite nearly approached the object, before he discovered it to be a " scare-crow," placed there to frighten the birds away. He didn't secure a vote on that occasion, but he thought the joke too good to keep.
Samuel Gordon, Esq., of Montebello, tells the following: "In the month of May, 1832, on one pleasant afternoon, while the inhabitants of Montebello were quietly pusruing their usual voca- tions, some one happened to look across the river and spied a large fleet of canoes quietly floating down the current, and not a person to be seen. It was at once surmised that the fleet was loaded with hostile Indians, intending to land below town, and on the return of darkness destroy the settlement. The alarm was quickly spread, and a council convened to determine upon the best plan to be pur- sued. It was soon decided to fortify the court-house, as a place of safety for the women and children of the neighborhood. All hands went energetically to work, and by dark the windows and doors of the court room, which was about 20 feet square, were secured by thick oak shutters, and the women, children and other valuables were gathered into the fort.
The veterans of the war of 1812, and of the Indian wars subse- quent thereto, collected and organized to defend their homes and little ones from the dreaded attack of a savage foe. They were armed with a great variety of weapons known to a knew country. Guards were stationed, and the small force at hand was posted to the best advantage, to ward off the expected assault.
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.