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 3
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The act creating the county and appointing the first board of county com- missioners specified that when the capital was located it should be called Brownsville. Conrad Will, who at that time was engaged in salt manufac- ture at the wells, near where the capital was located, offered to donate 20 acres as a site for the county seat, which offer the commissioners, after inves- tigation, accepted, and a deed was made some time after by Conrad and his wife Susanna to Jesse Griggs, Nathan Davis, and James Hall, Jr., the justices of the first county commissioners' court who represented the county. Contracts were made by the commissioners for the building of a court house and jail. The court house was erected by Marion Fuller, was enclosed and made fit for occupancy, but was never completed. Edward Miller had the contract to build the county jail. Brownsville never was large or flourish- ing, and was not platted until 1825 ; the plat was recorded by the then county clerk, Joel Manning, which record being destroyed by fire, was re- stored by order of the Board of Investigation. Jesse Griggs moved at once to the county seat. At the time that Jackson county was created by legisla- tive enactment, Illinois had been for four years under the second grade of territorial government, or since 1812. Previous to this date, or for nearly four years after the organization of Illinois territory, no legislature existed in Illinois.
The ordinance of 1787, q. v., authorized the governor to exercise both executive and legislative powers. The only governor who has been charged with arbitrarily exercising these extraordinary powers was Governor Arthur St. Clair. The people were loud in complaint and in demand for an extension of the right of suffrage. Congress, by act of May 21, 1812, raised Illinois to the second grade of territorial government, in compliance with the wishes of the people, if not the desire of the governor. Previous to this the political privileges of a citizen were few. He could not vote unless he was a free- holder of fifty acres. "The people could not elect justices of the peace, county surveyors, treasurers, coroners, sheriff's, clerks, judges of the inferior courts, nor even choose the officers of the militia." These were appointed by the executive. After the entrance upon the second grade of government short sessions of the legislature were held.
FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATOR.
Three territorial legislators were elected by the people. Jackson county elected her first representative in 1817. This was Nathan Davis. The next, year the bill for the admission of Illinois into the Uuion having passed Con- gress, April 18, 1818, a couvention was called to draft the first coustitution of the state of Illinois. Conrad Will and James Hall, Jr., were chosen to represent Jackson county in that conventiou.
Some observatious upon the laws of Illinois while under territorial govern- ment may be fouud instructive and interesting. Some features of the terri- torial code are in marked contrast to those of the present. The penalties prescribed for offences against laws were whipping upon the bare back, standing in the pillory, confinement in stocks, brauding with hot irons, besides fines and other methods of punishment. The burglar received 39 stripes ; the thief, or receiver of stolen goods or perjurer, 31 ; horse stealing, first offence, froni 50 to 100 lashes ; hog stealing, from 25 to 39 ; altering or defacing brauds on domestic auimals, at large, 40 stripes " well laid ou ;" bigamy was punished by from 100 to 300 stripes ; children and servants might, upon conviction of disobedience, before a justice of the peace, be beaten with 10 stripes.
The Legislature of 1817-18, which was the first in which Jackson county had a representatiou, as a political organization, is chiefly notable as the one that granted the "Cairo City Charter," which had for its object the estab- ment of a great city at the confluence of the two great rivers, the Mississippi aud Ohio. The scheme proved a failure, as a matter of course. At this session also, was incorporated a company for the cutting of a canal a few miles north of Cairo, via the town of America, then in Johnson county, to connect the waters of the two rivers; nothing resulted from this, however.
William Wilson came from Randolph county to act as Clerk of the first Commissioners' Court, and assist in getting the political machinery of the new county to running smoothly. This is the Wilson who, for nearly 30 years, was one of the Supreme Judges of our State. His home for many ycars was about two miles from Cairo, the county seat of White county, and here he exercised genuine old Virginia hospitality. When the Constitution of 1848 went into effect, he retired to private life. He died at his home April 29th, 1857, at the good age of 63 years, and met the king of ter- rors with that serenity that accompanies the consciousness of a well-spent life. Mr. Wilson soon vacated the office of clerk and was succeeded in that office by Edward Humphries, and he in turn was followed by Timothy Nash, who was appointed,-for nearly all officers were appointed in those times. He was . Recorder, Judge of Probate, Clerk of County Court and of Circuit Court. Mr. Nash held these offices till his death, which was about the year 1820. He was a faithful officer, and his untimely death was regretted by all who knew him. There were two applicants.for the position thus vacated, Singleton H. Kimmel, son of Peter Kimmel, was indorsed by Captain Boon, but his application was unsuccessful. Joel Manning was the other applicant, and secured the appointment. He held the offices for a long term of years, and retired to be succeeded by Col. D. H. Brush, now a resi- dent of Carbondale. Joel Manning was of medium size, weighing probably between 150 and 160 pounds, positive, and some thought, even crusty in speech. He was brother-in-law to Gov. A. M. Jenkins, having · married his sister Diza at Brownsville, in 1823. He was a very efficient officer. He resigned his office on the 5th day of September, 1836; moved to the north- ern part of the State and died there. The first Sheriff of whom any record can be found, was Jesse Griggs, previously mentioned as one of the members of the first County Court. He held this position for many years, the last year he served being 1836. He soon after this moved to Stoddard county, Missouri, where he died.
14
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
The first election under the Constitution that had been formed for the infant State, Illinois, for State officers and members of the general assembly was, as specified by the Convention, held on the third Thursday and the two following days in September, 1818. All white males who were residents of the State at the time of the adoption of the State Constitution, were entitled to the elective franchise. Shadrach Bond was elected Governor, and Pierre Menard was elected Lient. Governor for a term of four years. The State Legislature met, Oct. 5th, 1818, at Kaskaskia, the old seat of government, to formerly induct the officials into the high offices to which they had been chosen, and sct in motion the machinery of State Government.
FIRST SENATOR ELECTED.
The voters of this county elected as their first Senator for a term of four years, William Boon, and as their second representative Conrad Will. This Legislature had important work before it. Two Senators were to be elected to represent the State at the Nation's Capital, and Ninian Edwards, the last territorial Governor, and Jesse B. Thomas, one of the territorial federal Judges, were elected. John M'Lean was representative in the House of Rep- resentatives. This Legislature also elected a Supreme Judge and three Asso- ciate Justices, who were required to do cireuit duty. An Auditor of public accounts, a State Treasurer, an Attorney General and two state printers were also elected by them. At this time, Jackson county was one of a family of 15 counties, the farthest north being Bond.
The census of 1820 showed the population of Jackson county to be 1542, of whom 39 were returned as slaves, the rest being all whitc. The total popu- lation of the State was 55,211, or an increase of over 300 per cent. during tbe preceding decade. The amount of State tax paid in Jackson county, was not more than $250, and the total State revenue was less than $8,000. The first Legislature fixed the salaries of State officers as follows : Governor and Supreme Judges, $1,000 each, per annum ; Auditor, $700; Secretary of State, 8600 ; Treasurer, 8500. Messrs. Boon and Will, as members, received $4.00 per day, for their services. "The county revennc was raised by a tax upon personal property, including slaves and indentured servants, and by a resident land tax. Lands were divided into three classes of $2, 83, and $4 per acre respectively."
"The Constitution of 1818, was the first organic law of any State, to abolish imprisonment for debt." The worse feature of it was the absence of a most necessary limitation upon the Legislature, preventing it from loaning or pledging the State credit and faitlı, in aid of, or the undertaking of, any pub- lie or private enterprise, or to the assistance of private individuals or cor- porations. The absence of such a limiting clausc, proved the source of many woes for a serics of years,'and even threatened to bankrupt the State.
The session of 1819 was held at Kaskaskia, and since that period thie ancient village, in early days, the emporium of trade and the resort of fashion, has steadily declined. The student of history who is thither lured by the historical recollections that are grouped about it, finds that its glory has departed. A few inhabitants remain to occupy the dilapidated buildings. The flood of 1844 put the finishing touches to the work of decay.
In 1823, the Legislature in session at Vandalia, passed a law clearly de- fining the boundary line hetween Jackson county and Randolph.
In the celebrated Enabling Act, passed by Congress April 18, 1818, occured among others, this proposition, " That all salt springs within said State, and the land reserved for the use of the same, shall be granted to the said State, for the use of the said State, and the same to be used under sueh terms and conditions and regulations, as the Legislature of said State shall direct. Provided the Legislature shall never sell nor lease the same for a longer period than 10 years, at any one time."
William Boon was succeeded as senator by Joseph Duncan. This noted man, whom our older citizens remember, was born at Paris, Kentucky, Feb- ruary 23d, 1794. He had distinguished himself while a youth, in the war of 1812, and was with Col. George Croghan at Fort Stephenson. He settled in this county in 1818, and his military fame procured the position of Major- general of Militia. He introduced the first bill for the establishment of free schools in Illinois, and his memory is revered by all friends of popular edu- cation. In 1826 his fame was greatly increased by his election to Congress over his distinguished competitor, Daniel P. Cook. This seat he retained till he was elected Governor, in August, 1834. At the same time Alexander M. Jenkins was chosen Lieut. Governor.
Duncan was a man of fine abilities, but his education was somewhat limit- ed. He gathered a store of knowledge through long official service, that served him to good purpose.
" He possessed a clear judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral courage to carry out his convictions of right. His intercourse with the pub- lic, was affable, courteous and dignified. He inspired confidence, and attached to himself unswerving friends."
From 1820 to 1830, the progress made by our county in wealth and popu- lation was scarcely perceptible. The waves of immigration had entirely subsided, or beat but feebly on our shores, and the census reports evince the fact that the increase for the decade was only 287, or a small fraction more than 12 per cent. The citizens were without good markets for their produce to stimulate them to activity. Inhabitants of a new country seldom labor hard. During this period, but little wheat was sown, because fields grew yellow for the rude sickle at a time when the sun shot down his fiercest rays. It was not until 1830, that the work of clearing away the primeval forest was energetically begun.
The causes for this stagnant condition of the county, are to be found in the general condition of the State and nation. We have stated that the Ter- ritorial Legislature, shortly before the organization of the State had char- tered several banks. Before this, other States and territories had granted charters to a large number. There were many banks in Ohio and Kentucky, and there were two at St. Louis. The whole country was flooded with paper currency ; times became flush, "credit was unlimited," immigrants crowded westward with means to invest, and property rapidly inereascd in value. The pulse of the west beat high, but as the result of disease, not health. The spirit of speculation was rifc. Merchants bought heavily, and people forsaking that simplicity which had before characterized them, began to be comparatively extravagant in dress and habit. All contracted debts, based on hope, promises and expectations of the future. Dreams of vast fortunes flitted across the heated imaginations of the citizens. Towns werc platted which they ordinarily believed were destined in a short time to become cities In short, the same condition of affairs existed, that was induced by the im- mense sums of money sct afloat by our government during the great rebel- lion, only greatly aggravated by vast inferiority of the wild eat currency to the greenbacks.
As early as 1819, the more thoughtful were awakened from their dream of hope by unmistakable signs of reaction. Paper money began to depreciate, and banks to tremble, while specic was forced to retire by the irredeemable paper currency. The Legislature vainly sought at the session in 1819, to stay the overcoming tide of disaster, by incorporating a new bank of Illinois with a capital of $2,000,000, but it might as well have attempted to turn the stars in their courses Books were opened in many towns, but confidence was shaken, and succeeded by distrust, and "not a dollar of stock was taken."
Immigrants came without money in their purses, trade became depressed, the paper towns grew far less rapidly than Jonah's gourd, or than had been anticipated ; real estate was a drug on the market; men could not ineet their obligations, and wide-spread ruin stared people in the face. The necessity for some great scheme for relief was felt, and the aid of the new Legislature, which was elected in Angust of 1820, was invoked.
STATE BANK CREATED.
It addressed itself to its impossible task, and created the " Illinois State Bank," with a capital of $500,000, based upon state credit. The notes were of denominations from $1 to $20, and were loaned to the oppressed people on personal and real-estate security. The issues of the bank soon fell below par, and eventually became worth but 25 cts. on the dollar. Change was made by cutting bills in two, as once they had cut the silver rix-dollars. This depreciated currency was a sad curse to the State for four years, and pro- duced an incalculable amount of distress. The financial idiocy, cost the State the full amount of the capital of the bank, and retarded the growth of State and county. The advantage to a people of a stable currency has been the theme of declamation of statesman and sophomore, and cannot be too strongly emphasized. Without such a medium, trade sickens and commerce languishes, and prosperity is impossible : with it the progression of a people is only limited by their energy and ambition.
In 1830, owing largely to the wisdom of Governor Edwards-(1826-30) -the fiscal affairs of the State were in good condition. Immigration set in strongly for the fertile lands of Jackson county, and during the ten years fol- lowing, the increase in population of the county was 1738, or nearly 95 per cent. as against 127 of the preceding decade. The jovial Irishman came to our borders to find welcome, the cheerful, industrious German, the impetu- ous son of the South and the shrewd Yankee, whose quaint speech seemed out of place, so far west of New England, here selected their home. The
15
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
progress of Jackson in numbers and wealth, has since been constant and rapid.
The Legislature passed at Vandalia in 1831, the following Act, by which, it will be seen, that our county was to get a share of the proceeds of the sale of saline lands, and that this was to be expended for a certain purpose.
An act appropriating a portion of the avails arising from the sale of the saline lands in Gallatin county, to internal improvement.
SEC. 1. This specifies that as soon as Congress grants permission to this state to sell twenty thousand acres of land, now asked for by the Legislature of this state, and the following sums are realized from the sales of said lands, the commissioners of said sales were to pay to the county commissioners' court of Jackson county one hundred and fifty dollars, to be expended under the direction of said commissioners in building a bridge across Big Crab Orchard creek, on the road leading from Frankfort, in Franklin county, by way of Eight Mile Prairie, to Brownsville, in Jackson county.
The same session another law was passed, of which we give only a portion : SEC. 1. Of an act to encourage the manufacture of salt, and for the benefit of Conrad Will and others, authorized the governor to execute a lease to Conrad Will, free of rent, which lease was to end on December 1st, 1840, and com- mence at the expiration of the lease granted to James Pearce. Two years later, or in 1833, an appropriation of $500 to improve the Big Muddy river was, by act of Legislature, applied to the improvement of the above men- tioned bridge and road.
The earliest record of the grand jurors is the list selected in 1835 at the next May term of the Circuit Court. It was " ordered by the court that the fol- lowing persons be selected as grand jurors to serve at the next May term of the Circuit Court, to wit : Reason Wright, Charles M. Robarts, Josiah B. Deming, John Cline, John Provence, Andrew Jones, Sr., Richard Bradley, Thomas Parrish, Thomas L. Ross, George Schwartz, Richard Taylor, George Holliday, Benjamin Henderson, John Tyner, Thomas Stewart, Titus Hinch- cliff, Clement C Cornway, James Ozburn, Stephen Ellis, Simon Hiller, Urbane E Robinson, William Elmore, Henry Casey, and - Harris."
The court further ordered that the following be selected as traverse jurors to serve at the next May term of the Circuit Court : Jesse Henson, Joel Chitwood, Gabriel Bilderback, Isaac Jarrett, Jr., William Talbert, - Bar- ron, William Peak, Archibald F. Kilpatrick, Casper Butcher, Samuel Road, John Creekaum, William Cheatam, John Holliday, Jesse Crow, William Deason, Imri Byars, Abraham Hanson, James Ripley, Peter Keefer, Ezekial Lee, John Davis, Isadore Cripps, Christopher Gregory, and John Lipe.
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
The County Court in 1835 consisted of Phillip Davis, Alexander Cochran, and Benningsen Boon. This court granted the first recorded license to re- tail liquor. The entry in the books is as follows : " William B. Axtell came, and it appeared to the court that he had filed his notice that he would com- mence retailing liquors, on the 13th day of November last, and would apply for license therefor ; and he now applies for license to keep a tavern and re- tail liquors at his residence. Ordered by the court that the same be granted, at the tax of five dollars and the usual fees for one year, from the said 13th day of November, 1835.
PHILLIP DAVIS. ALEXANDER COCHRAN. BEN. BOON."
License to sell goods was granted to the above for $8.00.
The following facts, as showing the financial condition of Jackson county, are taken from the records of 1835. Joel Manning, the clerk of the court, at the request of the commissioners, prepared and submitted to the court a statement of moneys owing by the county and to the county. It will be seen from this that the ideas entertained by the people of that day, as to the proper method of conducting county affairs, were exceedingly primitive. They seem never to have realized what seems now to have been generally adopted, namely, the idea that a county debt is a county blessing ; and these upright, honest men, positively so conducted county matters as to not only make the receipts equal, but exceed the disbursements. In this fast age the balance is always on the other side of the ledger.
" The clerk having made out a statement of the funds of the county, and presented the same, it appears that the debtor side amounts to eight hundred and thirteen dollars and 45} cents ($813.45}), and the credit side to the sum of twelve hundred and forty-eight dollars and 63} cents ($1,248.63}); leav-
ing a balance due the county of four hundred and thirty-five dollars and 18 cents ($435.18)."
Jefferson Allen served as treasurer from June 1st of this year to June 1st of the ensuing year. Emanuel Canaday had preceded him in office, but how many years he was an incumbent of it is not known by the records.
Urbane E. Robinson and Richard R. Taylor, at a regular term of county commissioners' court, held at Brownsville, on Monday, the 5th day of Sep- tember, 1836, took the several oaths specified by law, and these, with Alexander Cochran, who held over, constituted the court for 1836. In this year Joel Manning resigned, and D. H. Brush was appointed to the vacancy thus created.
The next county court was composed of Richard A. Bradley, George Schwartz, and Richard Worthen, as appears from the following : "At a regular term of the county commissioners' court, at Brownsville, on Sept. 3rd, 1838, Richard A. Bradley, George Schwartz, and Richard Worthen- who were at the August election duly elected county commissioners-took the several oaths prescribed by law." By lot Bradley held for three years, Schwartz two years, and Worthen one year
In August of the next year, Urbane E. Robinson was duly elected county commissioner, vice Mr. Worthen, whose term of office expired. At the regular September term, 1839, he appeared and took the prescribed oaths. Mr. R. A. Bradley did not serve out his term, but on the 21st of June, 1840, resigned. His reason was given in his letter of resignation, which was couchied in these terms :
" To the Hon. Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court : Sir,-Having become a candidate for the Legislature, I hereby offer my resignation as one of the county commissioners of said county, this the 2nd day of June, 1843.
R. A. BRADLEY."
In the following August two members of the court were chosen, namely, George Butcher and Thomas B. Hill. They qualified September 1st, 1843. Mr. Butcher drew the long term, and Mr. Hill filled the vacancy for one year.
The following persons have been members of the county commissioners' court, in addition to those already mentioned :
The court, in 1843, was composed of George Butcher (chairman), Thomas B. Hill, Peter Gill
1845-Peter Gill, George Butcher, Jefferson Allen.
1846-George Butcher, William Doty, Jefferson Allen.
1847-William Doty, Jefferson Allen, Phillip Kimmel.
1848-William Doty, Phillip Kimmel, W. E. Robinson.
1849-Andrew Jones, Phillip Kimmel, W. E. Robinson.
After this period the members were elected for four instead of three years.
1850-54-Jefferson Allen, William Bradley, W. E. Robinson.
1854-58-William Bradley, Peter Gill, M. F. Swartzcope.
1858-62-John B. Clinton, William Hagler, Thomas Parrish.
1862-66-Thomas B. Clinton, Joseph B. Davis, Ed. Dively.
The members of the last court were-Robert A. Beasley (chairman), Edward McGuire, Henry E. Williamson,
Present Board-R. A. Beasley, Henry E. Williamson, Phillip R. Davis. It should be stated that prior to the year 1872 one member of the court attended to the probate business.
A change in the statute was made, which took effect that year, and pro- vided for the election of a county judge, who was to have control of all pro- bate matters.
FIRST COUNTY JUDGE.
William Bradley, Jr., at the time the change was made, was a member of the commissioners' court. He was the first county judge. He is a man of great popularity, and it is needless to say was efficient in the discharge of its duties. He was succeeded in office by Judge C. H. Layman, whose legal attainments are of the first order. At the November election in 1877, Geo. W. Andrews, a courteous gentleman and good lawyer, was elevated by the people to this important position.
Dr. John Ford, of Murphysboro', served most wisely and well the people in the office of county superintendent of schools. He succeeded in awaken- ing much interest in the cause of popular education. Dr. L. H. Redd, of De Sota, a capable and earnest man, filled this position for the first four years, ending in 1877. Mr. John M. Reeder, a young man of experience in teach- ing, and of good attainments, now fills the office.
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