USA > Illinois > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 21
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
V
Higher Algebra
Geometry .
Trigonometry and Surveying
+
+
+ +
I
II
Grammar
66
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
We present here a statement of the number of our students for the year, and of the work done by our teachers. The Primary Department was dis- continued after the Fall Term :
FALL TERM, 1876.
In the Normal Department . 134
In the Preparatory Department 41
In the Primary Department 16
Total 191
WINTER TERM, 1876-77.
In the Normal Department and Special 137
In the Preparatory Department 47
'Total 184
SPRING TERM, 1877.
In the Normal Department . 190
In the Preparatory Department. 73
Total
263
Total for the year by Terms . 638
It will be instructive and interesting to learn from what ranks in the com- munity our pupils come-747 in number. Our record of their parentage shows the callings of their fathers to be as follows, viz. :
Farmers, 381; merchants, 105; physicians, 56 ; carpenters, 26 ; ministers, 23 ; lawyers, 21; teachers, 20; millers, 19; agents, 11; traders, 11 ; mechan- ics, 9; fruit-growers, 8: laborers, 8; hotel-keepers, 7; druggists, 6; shoe- makers, 5 ; surveyors, 4; miners, 4 ; telegraphers, 4 ; jewelers, 3; blacksmiths, 3 ; bankers, 2; railroad builders, 2 ; cabinet makers, 2; masons, 2 ; manufac- turers, 2; engineers, 1; upholsterers, 1 ; painters, 1. Total, 747.
Of this 747 there have been in the school the present Term, 263; 236 of the total number have paid their tuitiou, and the number who have taught schools in our State, as ascertained by actual inquiry, is 336; some of those now in school have taught before coming to us, and are counted as teachers ; some of those who have paid tuition have also taught ; 48 only of those who pledged themselves to teach have thus far failed to find schools ; some of them will eventually teach ; nine have died, and twelve of the young women have married, as has been reported to us; seven women and four men had married before they entered the school. Such facts as these are often in- quired for by the public, and we frankly communicate them that all may know the whole workings of our Normal School. In the future they will be inore valuable than now, and if the collection and preservation of them shall be continued, they will materially aid in making a complete history of the institution.
In addition to the duty of general supervision, I have, during the year taught classes as follows, viz. : Mental Philosophy, Logic, English Litera- ture, Moral Philosophy, Criticism, Constitution of the United States, Illinois School Laws, and Methods of Instruction. I have also given lectures on Etymology, Order of Study, and the Art of Teaching.
I am happy to state that I conscientiously believe the teaching in most of the classes has been above praise, and has met the wants and should com- mand the approval of the community.
The appropriations made for the maintenance of the University were ample for all purposes. The library will receive this year a large addition of books, to be placed in the new and elegant cases provided. The Cabinet of Chemical, Philosophical and Illustrative apparatus, will be greatly in- creased and made very complete. The cases for the preservation and exhibi- t on of specimens, are now completed, and the museum of the Normal will ere long rank as one of the best in the State. The laboratory is handsomely titted up for the work of the students of Chemistry in qualitative and quan- titative analysis. The building is lighted brilliantly with gas, manufactured on the premises.
LITERARY SOCIETIES.
The students have organized two literary societies for purposes of mutual improvement. They are THE ZETETIC SOCIETY, and the SOCRATIC SOCIETY. They meet every Friday evening. These afford one of the best means of culture, discipline and instruction in the practical conduct of business. They
have commenced the foundation for a library, and deserve the countenance and patronage of all the students and their friends.
The hot air furnaces, that for three years have so greatly vexed the souls of pupils and teachers, with their soot and dirt, and which in cold weather failed to properly warm the building, have been removed and a steam heat- ing apparatus has taken their place. The increase of comfort in the elegant building is very marked, while, we doubt not, the health of the pupils will be better preserved.
The fall term of 1877, opened on Sept. 10th, and the enrollment is larger than for any previous fall term, being 235. The number of new students being near 60 makes the number of individual students that have been con- nected with the Normal, something above 800 .Surely this is a good showing. It is to be remembered that the Southern Illinois Normal was started in a time of great financial depression. We are glad to know that this cloud is rolling away, and that the long-wished for "good times " are rapidly journeying towards us. The halls and recitation rooms of this noble university, in which the people of Jackson County feel so deep an interest, will soon be filled to overflowing with the sons and daughters of Southern Illinois.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed by a grateful people upon the able and enthusiastic gentlemen, representatives from this and other parts of the State, who worked diligently to secure from the State that aid without whichi its light would have been extinguished. Prominent among these for ability and zeal in the cause of education and the Normal, we mention the names of Hon. Wm. A. Lemma, Hon. F. E. Albright aud Hon. W. H. Woodward, all sons of Jackson County, and sons too, of whom she may well be proud. In years to come, when the southern part of the State is inhabited by throng- ing millions, whose footsteps, in imagination we now hear; when she takes the commanding position to which her soil and boundless resources entitle her ; when 1200 young men and women, thoughtful and earnest, tread the halls of her great university, then sha"' these names of her early friends be remembered with honor.
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.
The history of education in Jackson County, using the term in its widest sense, would be iucomplete without a uotice of an association for the advance- ment of science, which was organized in the County in 1876, but which is designed to include friends of learning throughout the State. The title of this body, which is incorporated, is the Academy of Science of Southern Illinois, and owes its origin to the exertions of the Faculty of the University, and of Professor Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D., State Entomologist, and one of the United States Commissioners of Entomology. After considerable correspondence a call for a meeting was issued, which was held at Carbondale on the evening of December 2, 1876. The objects of the Academy are as follows : To in- vestigate and study, (1) the Ethnology and History of Southern Illinois, in- cluding its Antiquities and Aboriginal Remains ; (2) the Geology, Botany, and Zoology of this section, and (3) to encourage generally the production and preservation and publication of original papers on the above, aud on special, philosophical, mathematical, astronomical and meteorological sub- jects, as well as on the origin and meaning of the names given to localities by the Indians or the first settlers of the country.
To promote these purposes the Academy is organized into departments each of which may act separately or in connection with one or more of the others. The departments are: 1, Ethnological ; 2, Historical; 3, Geologi- cal ; 4, Botanical ; 5, Zoological; 6, Philosophical ; 7, Mathematical ; 8, Astronomical and Meteorological, and, 9, Microscopical: The constitution also provides for County Auxiliary Academies, the presidents of which are vice-presidents of the parent society.
Since the commencement of the year a committee composed of Robt. Allyn. D. D., Principal of the University, and Prof. D. B. Parkinson, have made several explorations of mounds, yielding a large number of Archæological specimens. In addition to these the Museum has been enriched by several valuable donations of specimens which space forbids us to name in detail. At present a part of the rooms devoted to the Museum of the University is used for the Museum of the Academy.
The officers of the Academy are as follows : T. M. Perrine, Esq., of Anna, President ; Prof. Granville F. Foster, Secretary ; Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D., Curator of Museum ; E. J. Ingersoll, Esq., Treasurer. Chairman of Depart- ments as follows : Ethnological and Philological, Dr. Robt. Allyn ; Histo- rical, Prof. G. C. Ross ; Botanical, Prof. G. H. French, of Irvington ; Zoo- logical, Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D .; Geological, J. H. Engleman, Esq., of
67
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Belleville ; Philosophical, Prof. D. B. Parkinson ; Mathematical, Prof. John Hull, and Astronomical and Meteorological, Prof. Alden C. Hillman.
This association now numbers seventy-three members, representing three states, and twenty-one counties of Illinois. The meetings which are held quarterly at different points are gaining in interest and influence. The col- lections are already respectable, and at present are displayed in the museum room of the Normal at Carbondale. Among the distinguished educators, scientists, and friends of learning, who have connected themselves with this deserving body are found Robt. Allyn, LL.D., President Southern Illinois Normal; Chas. F. Noetling, Esq , of Belleville, Illinois; Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D., State Entomologist, of Illinois; Prof. G. H. French, Irvington, Ill. ; J. Schneck, M. D., Mt. Carmel ; Hon. John H. Oberly, Cairo; Judge John Dougherty, Jonesboro ; A. T. Barnes, M. D., Supt Southern Illinois Hospital for Insane, Anna, Ill. ; T. M. Perrine, Anna; President John Washburn, Ewing, Ill. ; Chas. Bondlier, E. M. Hale, M. D., Chicago; Col. Engleman, of St. Clair Co .; B. G. Roots, of Tamaroa, better known by the title "Father Roots ;" A. C. Brookings, Du Quoin ; James Robarts, M. D., Carbondale, Col. Forbes, of Anna, and Hon. I. Clements of Jackson. The objects of the association are stated above, are noble, and should attract to it all who feel an interest in the work of scientific research. It is often charged against this section of the state that it is inferior to the northern part in scientific culture. The existence in our midst of such an intellectual body of men as this, organized to promote the love of knowledge and to engage in the work of adding to that which is now known, gives no color to such an accusation. Its rapid growth is evidence that many are the lovers of scientific truth throughout the woods and valleys of Southern Illinois.
CHAPTER XVI.
CLIMATE OF JACKSON COUNTY.
BY GRANVILLE F. FOSTER.
ACKSON County lies between the parallels of 37° 35' 43" North, and 37° 58' 16" North. While the city of Carbondale, which is situated a little south of the centre of the county, is in lati- tude 37° 45' 11" North. For the sake of comparison it may be well to say, that Carbondale lies nearly in the same latitude with the following named cities, viz .: Richmond, Virginia, (37° 32' N.) Naples, Italy (38º 11') and Athens, Greece (37° 58').
The general reader needs here to be informed that meteorologists speak of two kinds of climate, which they denominate Astronomical and Physical, meaning by the former such temperature as a place at the level of the sea, would have in virtue alone of the intensity of the sun's rays, which intensity will depend upon the latitude of the place, and will uniformly vary through- out the year, according to the declination of the sun ; while by the latter, Physical, is meant the actual observed climate of a station, or it may be con- sidered as the astronomical climate of a station, modified by such grand agencies as winds, ocean currents, &c., or by any local influences depending upon altitude above sea level, quality of soil, slope of land, position and height of contiguous mountain ranges, &c., Should we suppose an astrono- mical climate as actual and universal, the earth maintaining its present de- gree of inclination to the plane of its orbit, every place on the same parallel of latitude would have the same mean daily, monthly, seasonal and annual temperatures, and these would be invariable from year to year. There would of course be at any given parallel a daily and seasonal variation in temperature, depending on the height of the sun above the horizon, and the sun's northern or southern declination, but such variations would be abso- lutely uniform. Though no place properly speaking, possesses an astronomi- cal climate, yet it must invariably be taken as the standard, by which after making due allowance for each physical modifier, we are enabled correctly to judge of the causes which have produced the observed or actual climate of any given station.
The temperature of any station will depend upon its altitude above the sea level. Aeronauts observe, that in ascending from the earth's sur- face. the thermometer falls about one degree for every 330 feet, or nearly 3º
for every thousand feet. The causes of this decrease in temperature are as follows : First, air is but very slightly heated by the passage of the sun's rays through it, hence, excluding exceptionable cases, such as the cold northern waves of air, in fall and winter, seeking the lowest levels. The hottest stratum of air will be found at or near the ground, where the sun's rays are enabled to exert their greatest effect. 2d. Another cause may be found in Mariotte's law : "The volume of a given mass of gas or vapor is ceteris paribus, in inverse ratio to the pressure it sustains." Accordingly at the level of the sea, the density of the air is greatest as it sustains the weight of the whole superincumbent atmosphere, and the density of each successive stratum of air from the sea level upwards will be (temperature not con- sidered) inversely as the pressure. Though not strictly correct, let it be supposed that in any given locality equal weights of air, from the sea level upwards contain equal amounts of heat, yet the mere fact that a certain mass or weight of air in one of the upper strata, occupics greater space than the same weight in one of the lower strata, would indicate that the intensity of the heat must be less in the former than in the latter. In this connection it may be well to say for the benefit of the general reader, that there is a great difference between intensity and amount as applied to the forces of nature, a ton of ice may contain more heat than an incandescent match, but the in- tensity of the heat of the latter is high and of the former low. 3d. The last cause will be found in the laws of Rinetic heat. All bodies in expanding ap- pear to consume a certain amount of heat, and this too after making all al- lowances for difference in intensity resulting as stated in the second cause. This amount of heat apparently consumed, is used to effect certain mole- cular changes, absolutely essential to the phenomena of expansion, and will all be cooled without loss, when the body returns to its former bulk. Air then not only decreases the intensity of its contained heat by the mere act of expansion, but also decreases the intensity by consuming or rendering insen- sible a portion of its heat to effect the expansion.
The altitude of the signal service station, at the Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale, has been found to be 421 feet above the mean sea level, and according to what has already been said, this ought to make the mean of C. 1}º colder than if it was situated (ceteris paribus) at the level of the sea, but on making accurate observations and calculations, it has been ascertained that the meau annual temperature of the station is not affected more than }º from this source alone, and the reason is that since extensive plains and plateaus, in consequence of the direct effect of the sun's rays on their surfaces, are much warmer than isolated mountain peaks of the same altitude. Carbondale being. situated on an extensive plain, will feel the full effects of this modification of the former stated law, Jackson County being far from sea influence, and over three hundred miles from lake influence, possesses pre-eminently a continental climate, which is characterized by ex- treme changes, especially in autumn and spring. The range between the extreme of winter about 20° and the extreme of summer 108° in the shade, is 128°. In winter and spring, the writer has in this latitude frequently wit- nessed a change of more than 80° in less than twelve hours, from summer warmth of 70° to winter cold of 10°. It is these excessive changes, which of late years, are making such sad havoc with the fruit crops of Southern, Illinois.
Are not these extreme changes in autumn and spring, so much more no- ticeable in Southern Illinois during late years than formerly, owing in a great measure to the destruction of the forests, for it is a well-known fact that extensive forests serve to temper the heat of Summer, and to prevent excessive changes in the transition periods between winter and summer, and summer and winter. In connection, it may be said, that Gibbon in Chapter XI., Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, asserts that the great changes between the climate of Germany and Sweden in the time of Julius Caesar, and that observed in these countries now, are owing almost entirely to the cutting away of the vast and almost impenetrable forests which once covered these countries ? And Gibbon further remarks, that places once celebrated for their perennial rains and their abundant harvests, are to-day dried up, barren, sterile, as witness the condition of the Holy Land, once flowing with milk and honey, but now reduced almost to a desert, an instance most cor- roborative of what the destruction of forests is able to effect in changing the most fertile country to one of the mnost sterile. May it not be, that the fre- quent droughts, as well as the extreme rapid changes in temperature, may in a great measure be due to the same cause? The following are the mean monthly temperatures for one year, from July, 1875, to July, 1876, together with the maximum and minimum of each month :
July-max. 96°, min. 68°, mean 78°.9. August-max. 87º, min. 61°,
68
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
mean 73º.6. September-max. 92°, min. 45°, mean 67º.5. October-max 79°, min. 34°, mean 55°.2. November-max. 74°, min. 22°, mean 45°.9. December-max. 72°, min. 7°, mean 45°.6. January-max. 70°, min. 18°, mean 44°.1. February-max. 73º, min. 8°, mean 43º.9. March-max. 76°, min. 11°, mean 43º.2. April-max. 79°, min. 41°, mean 59°.4. May -max. 90°, min. 45°, mean 68°.2. June-max. 93°, min. 58°, mean 74°.2. By Seasons-Summer, 75°.56. Autumn, 56°.2. Winter, 44°.4. Spring, 53º.6. Mean of the entire year, 57º.44.
From observations carried on through several years, the mean annual tem- perature of Carbondale may be correctly stated as 57°, that of St. Louis, Mo., being 55°.4, and that of Cairo, Ills., being 57º.5. Some years, however, give as high a result as 59°, while others, extra cold, have dropped below 55°. In the interval between the last frost of spring and the first of autumn there is a very great difference in different years, there being one year in the memory of the writer that there was no frost from the first of March to the tenth of October, but usually the season free of frost, lasts from the first week in April until the third or fourth week in September, though it is a very common thing to see not even the slightest frost until the first week in October.
Richmond, Virginia, is slightly cooler in summer and somewhat warmer in winter, with less changes in spring and fall than at Carbondale. Naples and Athens, from their position on the Mediterranean, with the dry, hot Sahara of Africa south of them, enjoy a much warmer climate in winter, than at Car- bondale, though their summers are slightly cooler, but it is the warm winters of these two points which allow of the growth of the mulberry, olive, orange, lemon and other semi-tropical fruits for which both of these cities are noted.
The writer in his observations has noticed that the climate of Carbondale partakes more of that common to the Ohio Valley, than that common to the Mississippi, notwithstanding the fact that the county has the latter river on its western border. In the probabilities issuing from the signal service office, more of those headed " For the Ohio Valley," have been verified for the lati- tude of Carbondale, than those headed " For the Mississippi and Lower Mis- souri." The writer has not yet data sufficient to enter fully into the details of the climate, but as observations are continued and are compared with those taken at St. Louis, Cairo, and other contiguous places, more light will be thrown on this subject.
There are many other points in the climate of the County to which the writer might refer, but as they are contained in the following extracts from " Rain-Fall and Temperature of Illinois," by Elias Colbert, of Chicago, the reader is referred to them.
" The rain that falls on the State of Illinois, would average a depth of 40 inches a year, if there were no evaporation or drainage to carry the accumu- lated waters away. This is equal to more than 160,000,000,000 tons per annum on the 55,405 square miles of land in the State.
The average rain-fall varies, rather irregularly with the position. It is about 41 inches in Jackson, Union and Alexander Counties, on the southern part of the western boundary; 42 inches on a curved line running near Alton, Decatur and through Crawford Counties.
The amount of rain decreases as we proceed from Alexander County to the north-eastern part of Lake County, where it is less than 30 inches. The reason for this variation is found in the fact that the principal rain-bearing clouds come from the south-west, borne by the wind which blows from that point of the compass during fully two-thirds of the year. The wind gradu- ally parts with its moisture in passing over the State, and therefore contains less and less moisture as it proceeds on its journey towards the St. Lawrence Valley. The altitude of any particular section, with the character of its vegetation, causes slight changes in the quantity of deposited moisture, as due to the distance from the commencement of the cloud journey over the State. The wind coming from the north-west by west, also causes rain. It is most prevalent over a belt which extends from north of Rock Island to a little south of the head of Lake Michigan. Hence, the greatest rainfall in summer, is met with on a section which averages 30 miles in breadth, and
passes nearly from West to East, through Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, La Salle, Grand, Grundy and Kankakee Counties ; while but little rain falls in summer, between the parallels of latitude of St. Louis and Springfield. In winter, the least quantity of rain falls in that part of the State which is north of the latitude and east of the longitude, of the State Capital.
The section of country situated near the Mississippi River, below Rock Island, being out of the central track of both these winds, has less than the average rain-fall due to latitude.
The water raised from Lake Michigan by evaporation, is carried eastward by the prevailing winds from the South-west and North-west ; hence, it adds little or nothing to the rain-fall of Illinois, except within a short distance of the shore.
The actual rain-fall of any one year, may vary as much as 25 per cent. from the average, above or below it; but the usual variation is within the limits of 20 per cent. from the average of a series of years.
The mean annual temperature varies from 57}º Fahrenheit at Cairo, to 48° at Rockford. It is 47º near Chicago, owing, doubtless, to the influence of the lake, which cools the summer more than it warms the winter. The average at Peoria is 51°, which is a little less than the mean, between the ex- tremes of the State. The temperature in this State varies one degree for 42 miles of distance from the equator. The mean isothermal line of 50° passes near Pekin, in China; Puget Sound ; Burlington, Iowa; Rock Island and Ottawa, in Illinois ; Pittsburgh, New Haven, Dublin, Brussels and Vienna.
The average summer temperature of the State is 75°, which is considerably above the average of the Continent for the same latitude. The summer isothermal lines dip northward curving around the head of the lake. Hence, the northeastern portions (which includes Chicago) is cooler in sum- mer than other places which are in the same latitude, but further inland. For the same reasons, the agricultural productions of Illinois are nearer to the tropical character than those of the country. It is principally this warmth that makes her the great corn producing State of the Union.
The average winter temperature is a little less than that of other States on the Continent in the same latitude; hence, we have a wide annual range of temperature. In winter, the isothermal lines wend southward as we proceed towards the West. Chicago and its vicinity in winter, are warmer than the average due to latitude. These differences of temperature are most strongly marked in the middle of the summer and winter seasons. Lake Michigan,
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.