History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 56

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 56

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).

THE MEARA TRAGEDY.

Martin Meara, an Irishman and a farmer, who resided between Onarga and Gilman, in this county, was charged with having, about June 15, 1871, whipped his son, a lad of about eleven years of age, to death. The body of the boy was found and Meara arrested, about the first of July, and upon an examination he was committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury upon the matter. For a more particular account of these occurrences the reader is referred to the history of the town of Onarga. On Sunday morning, July 2, 1871, Meara was brought to jail, and at his request Roff & Doyle visited him as counsel. On the next day his wife came to see him. On Tuesday, the 4th, there was a celebration at Milford, which many of the citizens of Watseka attended. In the evening the writer, who had attended with others, returned, and was informed by the sheriff

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

that Luther T. Clark, of Onarga, had arrived and had intimated that a mob might be expected that night to hang Meara. The writer advised lim to summon a guard, which he did, of a few determined persons. The niob came, as it was afterward learned, but being notified by Clark that they would meet with resistance, they left. For greater safety, however, the prisoner was taken to the woods by the sheriff, in the latter part of the night, and returned to jail in the morning. It was presumed that this would be the end of the matter, and early in the morning the writer went to Chicago on important business, and did not return until the next day. Circuit court was then in session, Judge Charles H. Wood presiding, but had adjourned from the Satur- day before until the afternoon of the 5th. During that day rumors were rife in Watseka that another mob was gathering about Onarga and would be over in the afternoon. At half past two Judge Wood arrived from Onarga on the train, and with him many persons from the west side of the county, supposed to be implicated in the mob. When Judge Wood came through Gilman Dr. Elias Wenger presented lim a petition, signed by twenty-three of the best citizens of that place, requesting him to call a grand jury to act upon the Meara case and put him upon trial. This Judge Wood refused to do, which had the tendency to further excite the mob spirit. Soon after court opened. Sheriff Soutlı, with W. S. Kay, Esq., consulted the judge as to the propriety of removing Meara for safety, and he advised them that the jail was the proper place for him, but gave no further specific advice or directions in the matter. The mob gathered about two o'clock in the timber at the mouth of Sugar creek, just west of the " Old Town." They came on horseback and in wagons, with arms and bludgeons, sledges and crowbars. They organized by electing E. J. Barber, of Onarga, leader, who declined, and nominated Athiel Simms who was then elected. He remained quiet and said nothing. Dr. B. J. Daniels, a disreputable practitioner of Gilman, itching for notoriety, thereupon announced that he would act as leader, and got upon his horse and went to Watseka. Here he distributed a large number of printed accounts of the murder, for the purpose of exciting the sympa- thies of the citizens in favor of the mob. In the evening, after bor- rowing an old hat and clothes in which to do his murderous work, he returned, but in the meantime the mob liad been formed and was marching for Watseka, and was met half-way by Daniels, who harangued them. They then made a dash upon the court-house, about six o'clock, and just after court had adjourned, and were met at the gate by Sheriff South, who commanded them to "halt !" The mob disre- garded his command and wrested the arms from the hands of the guard.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

They then battered down the outside door which had been barred, demanded the keys of the jail of the sheriff, who refused to give them up, and then with sledges battered down the door of the jail and also the cell containing Meara. Meara was both handcuffed and shackled and utterly defenseless, and in this condition he was dragged out of the jail and court-house, and thus to a wagon, over one hundred yards distant, into which he was thrown. Daniels then mounted the wagon and again harangued the mob, in which he said that : " We are aware that he (Meara) could only be indicted for manslaughter, which would simply send him to the penitentiary for a few years." Meara was then driven to the timber west of Sugar creek, and under a leaning mulberry tree. It was then announced to him that he could have but a short time in which to prepare for death. He then called for a Catholic priest, and the response was that there was none present. He then asked if there were any Catholics present, and the answer being " Yes," he asked them to pray for him. Rev. C. H. Palmer, of the Presbyterian church, then made a lengthy prayer, after which Meara spent a few moments in giving directions as to his property and accounts. He then said that when he joined the Masons he had made many enemies, and he then made the grand hailing sign of distress in Masonry, and this eliciting no response, he renounced Masonry and said he wanted to die a Catholic. In the meantime a rope had been prepared with a hangman's knot upon it. Meara had been a very short time in an attitude of prayer when he was told to stand up, which he did, and the rope was passed down to Daniels, who placed the noose around Meara's neck and tied a handkerchief over his face, and the wagon was then driven out and Meara launched into eternity. After he had been hanging but a short time Daniels shot two balls through his body, out of a revolver. The crowd then dispersed and the body was left hanging over night.

Most everything has its ludicrous side, and this case was not an exception. A short time after the crowd had dispersed, which was after dark, a family of emigrants with a wagon came along and camped near the place. They had heard nothing of the affair, and the first they knew of it was in the morning when they discovered Meara hanging upon a tree ! They then supposed that the whole thing had occurred after their arrival and during the night. Fearing that they might be charged with the crime, or perhaps be the next victims, they inconti- nently fled without preparing breakfast.

In the morning the body was taken down by citizens of Watseka, and the coroner being absent an inquest was held by Justice L. Arm-

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

strong. After an examination of several witnesses the jury brought in the following verdict :

" STATE OF ILLINOIS, Iroquois county, ss :

"In the matter of the inquisition on the body of Martin Meara, deceased, held at Watseka, on the 6th day of July, A.D. 1871, we, the undersigned jurors, sworn to inquire of the death of Martin Meara, on oath do find that he came to his death by being hanged by the neck, and shot with a pistol, by the hands of B. J. Daniels, Alvin L. Bates, Samuel Higginson, Samuel Hannah, John Lowe, Otto Myers, H. C. Mosher, and others whose names are at present unknown to the jurors ; that the body of Martin Meara was shown to this jury, lang- ing to a tree, and with two wonnds in his body, in Middleport town- ship, Iroquois county, and state of Illinois, about one mile west of Watseka, near the bridge crossing of Sugar creek; that the said Martin Meara was killed on the 5th day of July, 1871."

A warrant was issned on this verdict and some of the parties arrested, and some fled the country. Moslier, Myers and Lowe were taken before Judge Wood, after arrest, on a writ of habeas corpus, and by him discharged. Daniels was taken before Judge S. D. Puterbauglı, of Peoria, and by him held to bail in the sum of $5,000, which was given. The grand jury at the following November term of the court, failed to find indictments against the parties.

For an account of the execution of John McDonnell and Francis Marion Harper alias Johnson, see General History of the county.

SECRET SOCIETIES AT THE COUNTY-SEAT.

The first Masonic lodge organized in the county was at Middle- port, in 1850, and William E. Russell, of Danville, was the first master ; Dr. Nathaniel Wilson, senior warden; and Isaac Courtright, junior warden. This lodge was chartered as " Iroquois Lodge, No. 83, A.F. and A.M." We find a record of the election of its officers, December 23, 1853, as follows: William E. Russell, W.M .; M. Hogle, S.W .; Isaac Conrtright, J.W .; A. O. Whiteman, T .; John Harwood, Sec .; J. A. Graham, S.D .; George P. Wolf, J.D .; Daniel. Parker, tiler; and William Pearce and Hamilton Jefferson, stewards. This lodge existed until September 15, 1857, at which time the following were its officers : C. F. McNeill, W.M .; James Fletcher, S.W .; H. O. Henry, J.W .; C. R. Brown, T .; Jolm Harwood, Sec .; M. V. B. Harwood, S.D .; John Fagan, J.D .; and R. Talliaferro, tiler; and the follow- ing Masons were within its jurisdiction : S. A. Washington, Michael Hogle, John Panl, John L. Donovan, John A. Strickler, Chester Nobles, A. O. Whiteman, William Roberts, William S. Torbet. M.

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

Stanley, John Hedge, J. A. Whiteman, James Lawrence, Samuel Hueston, Hamilton Jefferson, Ray W. Andrews, Thomas A. Norvell, William C. Moore, William Pearce and Daniel Parker; and who, with said officers, were the only Masons then in the county, so far as known. The charter of this lodge was surrendered for the purpose of forming a new organization, and a dispensation was granted, October 7, 1857, to C. F. McNeill, James Fletcher, H. O. Henry, Cyrus R. Brown, John Harwood, M. V. B. Harwood, John Fagan and Richard Talliaferro, to form a new lodge, and the following members were named as officers : C. F. McNeill, master; James Fletcher, senior warden; and H. O. Henry, junior warden. This lodge was afterward chartered as "Iro- quois Lodge, No. 289." The last mentioned lodge existed until about 1863 or 1864, when its charter was surrendered. Both lodges were at Middleport, and meetings were first held in an upper room in the old court-house, until the fall of 1854, after which they were held in the upper story of the three-story building formerly known as the " King and Hogle Building."

A dispensation for a new lodge at Watseka was granted January 13, 1865, and J. W. Flowers was named as W.M .; L. N. Pittwood, S.W .; and L. M. Peck, J.W .; and D. Parker was appointed treas- urer ; A. B. Roff, secretary ; William M. Coney, S.D .; J. L. Horton, J.D .; and William Munson, tiler. This lodge was chartered in Octo- ber following, as Watseka Lodge, No. 446, and the following offi- cers elected and installed : L. N. Pittwood, W.M .; L. M. Peck, S.W .; F. Blades, J.W .; Daniel Parker, treasurer ; A. B. Roff, secretary ; W. M. Coney, S.D .; William Munson, J.D .; and E. Kice, tiler. This lodge is still existing, and has a large membership, and meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Watseka Chapter, No. 114; dispensation issued April 22, 1867, and charter granted October 4, 1867, with the following members: L. N. Pittwood, D. L. Jewett, C. F. McNeill, G. A. Woodford, Jolın L. Donovan, W. M. Coney, J. H. Bishop, James Wasson, James Cauvins, Daniel Weston, H. O. Henry, W. H. Sommers, J. L. Horton, S. B. Norton, D. Reinhard, E. Dalton, A. B. Roff, Robert Doyle, L. D. Brown, A. M. Gillfillan, George Good, Joseph Good and H. A. Til- linghast. On December 11, 1867, the following officers were installed : G. A. Woodford, M.E.H.P .; L. N. Pittwood, E.K .; C. F. McNeill, E.S .; D. L. Jewett, C.H .; A. B. Roff, P.S .; W. M. Coney, R.A.C .; Daniel Weston, G.M. 2d V .; J. L. Donovan, G.M. 3d V. ; James Wasson, G.M.1st V .; E. Dalton, secretary ; W. M. Coney, treasurer ; and J. H. Bishop, sentinel. This chapter has sixty-eight members, and meets on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month in Masonic Hall.

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

Iroquois Lodge, No. 74, I.O.O.F., was instituted in Middleport, on Monday, July 15, 1850, under a dispensation granted by the grand master, G. W. Woodward, countersigned by S. A. Corneau, grand secretary, dated June 15, 1850. The following were the petitioners : James D. Wilson, John Fagan, Asa B. Roff, John F. Wagner and Winthrop Patterson. The lodge was instituted by district deputy grand master J. F. McDougal, assisted by William E. Little, acting grand warden; F. L. Cagwin, acting grand marshal; C. C. Smith, acting grand guardian ; and Franklin Mitchell, acting grand secretary. Henry W. Hogle, Joseph Myers, Ezekiel Bowman, R. V. Chesley, E. W. Arehart and William Gray were the first initiates. The first offi- cers were : A. B. Roff, N.G. ; John Fagan, V.G .; John F. Wagner, secretary ; and James D. Wilson, treasurer. The lodge continued to meet in Middleport until September, 1866, when it was removed to Watseka, and in October, 1868, the name was changed from Middle- port to Iroquois Lodge. This lodge has in its time done muchi good, and exerted a healthful influence among thie people, by whom the order appears to be much esteemed in Watseka. During its thirty years of existence, Iroquois Lodge, No. 74, has embraced in its ranks many of the most respectable and enterprising citizens of the vicinity. At present it holds, in the name of its trustees, its own lodge-room, which is the pride of its members. The exterior of the building, being in modern style, presents a very attractive appearance, the three sym- bolic links, in gilt, adorning a shield in front, being a conspicuous object for all eyes. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and one of the stanchiest benevolent institutions in Watseka. The officers the present year are : M. H. Peters, N.G .; John M. Burton, V.G .; H. A. Butzow, secretary ; John H. Bishop, treasurer ; and C. Secrest, deputy and representative to the Grand Lodge.

Iroquois Encampment, No. 81, I.O.O.F .- This advanced branch of the order was instituted in Watseka November 25, 1867, with the following charter members: Thomas Vennum, N. P. Petts, Conrad Secrest, A. W. Hogle, Ransom Munson, John H. Bishop, John G. Wagner, Polite Laroche, J. Baldwin, A. B. Roff, George C. Harring- ton and M. H. Peters. The ceremonies of institution were conducted by N. C. Nason, of Peoria, deputy grand patriarchi, assisted by R. J. Bliss, of Fairbury, high priest; S. S. Buckner, Fairbury, senior war- den ; J. L. Starley, Peoria, junior warden ; John Highlands, Eureka, scribe ; and patriarchs J. A. Sellman, M. B. Gately and - Frank- houser, of Fairbury, and patriarch J. L. West, of Eureka. The first officers were : Thomas Vennum, chief patriarch ; N. B. Petts, H.P .; C. Secrest, S.W .; A. W. Hogle, J.W .; G. C. Harrington, scribe ; and

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

J. H. Bishop, treasurer. The present officers are: G. C. Harrington, C.P .; Charles E. Barber, H.P .; M. H. Peters, scribe; and J. H. Bishop, treasurer.

The Order of Knights of Honor, although of very recent origin, has taken a very strong foothold in Watseka. Watseka Lodge, No. 1086, Knights of Honor, was organized May 24, 1878, by Deputy Gr. Dict. L. G. Roberts, of Mattoon, with the following charter members : Alex. L. Whitehall, L. W. Watson, F. E. Foster, M. H. Peters, Richard Car- roll, H. M. Towne, D. W. Arnold, L. W. Roberts, Henry Upsall, B. W. Nelson, Carl Drumın and L. C. Marsh. M. H. Peters was its first representative to the Grand Lodge of the state, and for 1880 the repre- sentative of the Grand Lodge to the Supreme Lodge of the United States. The following is a list of its present officers : Dictator, Fred E. Foster ; vice-dictator, D. W. Arnold ; assistant dictator, Richard Carroll ; reporter, C. C. Arehart; financial reporter, M. H. Peters ; treasurer, George C. Harrington ; chaplain, Josiah Williams ; past dic- tators, M. H. Peters, A. L. Whitehall, L. F. Watson and Henry Upsall. The order embraces in its ranks many of the leading men of Watseka.

The temperance movement in the county, and which finally thor- oughly revolutionized the county, originated in Middleport, away back in the " forties," by public lectures and speeches, and Don Alonzo Falkenbury, a local Methodist preacher, who came there in 1842 and remained about ten years, was the prime mover in the reform.

· Division 88, Sons of Temperance, was organized at least as early as 1850. The first election of its officers which the writer has been able to obtain was April 2, 1851, at which time the following officers were elected : L. Phillips, W.P .; A. P. Davis, W.A .; James M. Smith, R.S .; J. A. Graham, A.R.S .; C. Turner, F.S .; S. A. Washington, T .; J. J. Scofield, C .; J. B. Dille, A.C .; M. Scofield, I.S .; and J. E. Harris, O.S.

Union No. 19, Daughters of Temperance, was organized about the same time, and April 9, 1851, elected for the quarter : Julia Bennett, P.S. ; Elizabeth Scofield, A.S .; Sarah Harwood, R.S .; Ellen Brown, A.R.S .; Mariah Frazier, F.S .; Elizabeth Haviland, T. ; Ann E. Hav- iland, C .; Mary Haviland, A.C .; Lavina Little, I.G .; and Ann Roff, O.G.

The Cadets of Temperance were organized June 24, 1852, by Dr. M. V. B. Harwood. We have no record of their officers, but the mem- bership consisted of most of the young of Middleport. These organi- zations existed until abont 1856, with a large membership, when Banner Lodge, No. 62, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized. We are not able to give the first officers of this lodge, but can state that it existed at Middleport for several years, and exerted a

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

powerful influence, not only in the village but throughout the county, in conjunction with the press of the place, which, to its honor be it said, was always on the side of temperance.

As early as 1850 there was also a Washingtonian Society organized at Middleport, of which James Fletcher was president, and M. V. B. Harwood, secretary. And we find that on February 15, 1854, a 'tem- perance meeting was held in favor of the " Maine law," at which J. L. Samington was president ; A. O. Whiteman, secretary ; and addressed by Dr. Jesse Bennett, S. A. Waslington and S. G. Bovie. A vigi- lance committee was appointed at this meeting, consisting of W. F. Patterson, S. G. Bovie, Daniel Fry, A. O. Whiteman, Benjamin Scott, Dr. Bennett and William F. Keady.

At Watseka there have been an organization of the Sons of Temper- ance and two Lodges of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and for two or three years past a Temperance Reform Club, which has held weekly meetings, and in which much interest has been taken. All these efforts have culminated in making Watseka a thorough temper- ance city, in which a saloon does not exist.

" Know Nothings."-As early as 1854 "Sam " might have been found in Middleport without much inquiry, although when you ask the old citizens as to this, they " know nothing " about it. But the American party nominated James C. Steely for sheriff in 1856, and he received 71 votes in Middleport and 172 in the county. A Union League was organized in Middleport in 1861, and had a large men- bership. . At the same time there existed an organization of either the " Knights of the Golden Circle," or "Sons of Liberty," which it is well known occasionally met in the brush.

We have an advertisement, dated June 11, 1851, for a meeting of the Independent Order of Turgeorareans, at their grand council room, in Middleport, on the first Saturday after the second Monday after the next Gibbous Moon. What this all meant we will leave the reader to guess.

CEMETERIES.

The first cemetery at Middleport was donated by Henry Troup, in E. ¿ of N.W. ¿ of Sec. 32, and adjoining the plat of the village. This is 100 feet square, and was fenced by James Egbert in 1845. The first person buried liere was the wife of David Cantner, who was a carpen- ter engaged on the court-house. She died in 1846, and her grave was dug by Henry Kelner and James Egbert. Many of the old citizens are here buried, and among them Henry Troup. Another cemetery of one acre was conveyed by Samuel M. Ayres, in N.E. ¿ S. W. + of Sec. 32, in August, 1855, as heretofore stated. To this an addition was after-

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

ward made by Chamberlain and Lawrence, both of whom are buried here, with many other citizens. In this cemetery are many fine mon- uments.

The Oak Hill Cemetery was laid off in October, 1873, and com- prises 271% acres in S.E. ¿ N.E. ¿ of Sec. 34, T. 27 N., R. 12 W., about two miles east of the city; Capt. George E. King, proprietor. It is on a high knoll, covered with oak timber, and a beautiful place. This is now used by the city and surrounding country for burial purposes. Much taste has been manifested in beautifying this cemetery, and it also contains several monuments.

ARTESIAN WELLS.

There are about 140 artesian wells within the corporate limits of Watseka, and about 120 of these are flowing wells. The first well was sunk by Hon. M. Stanley, in 1857, at his residence, on elevated ground, but this did not flow. He sank another on lower ground, at his hotel, in 1860, and this also failed to flow. It was then supposed that flow- ing artesian water could not be procured in the city, and nothing further in that direction was done until 1865, when Drs. Fowler and Secrest tried the experiment at the southeast corner of the depot grounds, which also failed. The city council and several enterprising citizens, in order to have the thing more thoroughly tested, in the spring of 1870 pledged to George Platt and Adrian Egbert $500 if they would procure a flowing well within the city, and a point near the northwest corner of block 28 was selected. After boring down 120 feet a very small flow was procured. They then sank a well for the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad Company, near their road, and just west of block 30, and at 140 feet in depth they procured a very large flow. The former well was tlien sunk by them eighteen feet deeper, and from which depth a very good flow was procured. This is known as the Town well, and is still flowing. From that time forward the number has steadily increased to the present time, and tliese wells are pretty evenly distributed, so that nearly every family can procure the water, which is but slightly mineral, cool, pure and healthful, and good for all culinary and domestic purposes, and also for running steam machinery. Having tliis large number of artesian wells makes Watseka the best watered country place in the state and remarkably healthful, and will also, in time, make it a manufacturing city, which, with the fact that it is the county-seat of one of the largest counties in the state, a good distributing point, free from near competition, and where cheap fuel can be had, will eventually make it a large and pros- perous city.

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Under this head we propose to give extended biographies or personal sketches of a large number of the leading citizens of Watseka and vicinity,-not only of early settlers, but also of the more modern. Many of them have already been mentioned in the preceding pages, but we think it will add vastly to the value of the work as a book of reference, and as a basis for the future historian, to give this depart- ment the most minute detail. As far as practicable they have been arranged in chronological order, or rather in the order of coming to the township or county.

George Courtright, merchant, Watseka, is one of the first settlers of Iroquois county, who was born October 11, 1811, in New Jersey, near the Delaware river, and is the son of Jacob Courtright, who was engaged in farming and milling. Mr. Courtright remained in New Jersey until he was about four years of age, when with his parents he moved to Ohio, and located on a farm in Coshocton county, they being among the early settlers of that locality. Here Mr. Court- right's father died when he was about nine years of age, leaving a wife and four children in poor circumstances. Mr. Courtright was then placed in the hands of his brother, and there remained in Coshocton county until about 1827 or 1828, when he removed to Fountain county, Indiana, and there remained until 1830, when he started, in company with two brothers and John H. Miller, who are all dead, to Illinois, and on April 2, 1830, located at Bunkum, Iroquois county. Here Mr. Courtright began to break the prairie with five yoke of oxen. In 1830 he made a trip to Chicago for Gurdon S. Hubbard. He took one wagon with three yoke of oxen, and one cart with two yoke of oxen, loaded with furs, in company with a Frenchman and five or six Indians for an escort. The trip was long and tedious, they being with- out anything to eat for two days. At the Calumet river they had to put the furs on their heads and thus carry them across, as the river was too high. In making the trip it took them about eight days. This was, perhaps, the first trip ever made by a white man to Chicago from Iroquois county. Mr. Courtright in being with the Indians so much was able to speak their language. He was recognized in his boyhood days as the stoutest lad in the neighborhood. When coming from Indiana to Illinois the wagon often mired ; Mr. Courtright would take a barrel of flour out of the wagon, and carry it to terra-firma. He was known to be a fine ox-driver. Mr. Courtright has been mar- ried three times : first, October, 1833, to Agnes Newcomb, of Ohio, who came to the county in 1830. They were married near Bunkum, 4

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History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 56

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903 Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180