USA > Illinois > Kane County > History of Kane County, Ill. Volume I > Part 7
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Such was the life of the pioneer. rough and free: filled with toil from day to day, for men, women and children, with an hour of pleasure and pastime between. An unending contest with nature. That results have justified those who came here and laid the foundations of a civilization that is
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unsurpassed in attainments, material, spiritual and moral, none will deny ; and that what has resulted has come from the wisdom of those hardy men who here first turned the soil who will gainsay ?
From a wilderness of wood and prairie communities second to none have been built. In 1834, those who came found no inhabitants but the primitive Indian. At once they set about establishing the civilization and standards of white men. Roads were laid out and opened, bridges built, mills erected from Dundee to Aurora. Tilled fields everywhere gave their products. Saw mills followed. Manufacturing plants were not long in coming. The first rail- road was laid and opened for traffic in -. Progress, material and social, advanced until today Kane stands third in population and wealth in the state; its cities send goods to the far ends of the world, and their names are known and respected in every place.
MARRIAGE SCENES IN PIONEER DAYS. Excerpts from Judge Caton's reminiscences.
I stood up before them and asked them in English if they wished to enter into the contract of marriage. When Kinzie, acting as interpreter, asked them if they wanted to get married they both answered "We! We!" with an inclination of the head and an emphasis which showed that they were in earnest. I then told them to join their right hands, which, when it was interpreted, they obeyed. I then went through with a rather short cere- mony, making them promise enough, if they kept all, to secure a life of happi- ness, which Kinzie interpreted sentence by sentence, and then I pronounced them man and wife in as solemn a voice as I could assume, and told the groom to kiss his bride, which, when he understood the command. he did with anima- tion, while the bride seemed becomingly embarrassed. It was evident that she would have preferred to have had that part of the ceremony a little more private.
After this all were seated on benches, boxes and stools, except the bride and groom and myself, who occupied the only three chairs in the house, which had probably been borrowed for the occasion. Some refreshments were then served, including a sort of whisky punch; after this I left them to have a good, jolly time among themselves. As I left, Kinzie slipped into my hand the silver dollar allowed by law.
Not many days after the matrimonial event last described, a couple of rather ragged, barefooted boys called at my office and told me that I was wanted at their house to marry their sister. Careful inquiry informed me that they lived in a log house in the woods about two miles north of town, that their name was Cleveland, and that the party was already waiting for the squire. I recognized the house by their description as one which I had seen when out hunting in that direction, and as soon as I could prepare myself properly. I procured a horse and rode out to the rural abode of Mr. Cleveland. On ar- riving, I hitched my horse to a sapling near by and went in. I was greeted by the matron of the house, who was a fat, robust looking woman, while Mr. Cleveland was a tall, spare man with a very fair complexion; I may say he
-
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was a pronounced blonde. There was but one room in the house, though that was of good size. It served as kitchen, drawing room, reception room, parlor and dressing room, and, no doubt, as sleeping room for the whole family, though no sign of a bed appeared.
The old lady bustled about till she found the washboard, which she deftly clapped onto the frame of a chair from which the splint bottom had long since disappeared, and invited me to be seated, and I was seated, and wiped from my forehead the fast flowing perspiration provoked by a very warm July day. A survey of the reception room disclosed no furniture except a deal table, the seat which I occupied and several benches of different lengths, not to mention some pots and kettles in the corner of the great fireplace, and some shelves in one corner on which were some tin plates and cups and other table furni- ture, by no means extravagant. Near this sat the master of the mansion, who might have been fifty-five years old, and opposite to him sat, on another stool, a soldier from the garrison, as I judged from the clothes he wore. I soon observed that one corner of the room was cut off by old quilts and other articles of bedding, and by the agitation and whispering, this was evidently occupied. As it proved this was the dressing room in which the bride was being adorned.
After a while the curtain was raised, and the bridal party came forth from the secluded corner and burst upon us like-like-I am at a loss to find a fair comparison. First came the two younger sisters. They were of medium height for their ages, and slightly built, and really handsome, one perhaps fifteen and the other eighteen, decently and plainly dressed, but neatly. One of these, the eldest, I recognized as having seen at Ingersol's hotel at Wolf Point, waiting on the table. They were followed by the bride, gayly decked out in furbelows.
Two boys walked into the house covered with perspiration and dust, each one having a gallon jug strapped to his back. Our hostess soon undid the straps and placed the jugs on the table, scolding the boys roundly for their tardiness, while they protested they had fairly run their legs off, in order to get back in time to see the fun. Madame soon found a milk pan, into which she put a cup of molasses from one jug, and then a cup of whisky from the other, and then a cup of cold water from a pail standing under a table; after she had thus measured out about six quarts, she went at it with a large wooden spoon and stirred it up lively. When sufficiently mixed, the good and hospitable lady took a tin cup and dipped it partly full and presented it to me, saying, "Squire, are you fond of blackstrap? I always had a knack for making blackstrap, and you shall try it first, though you ain't the oldest, I guess."
I protested that blackstrap was my delight and the only drink I ever indulged in, and after putting it to my lips pretended to drink heartily. I was so busy praising the beverage that I doubt if she observed whether I drank or not. I then pased the cup to mine host, who smacked his lips after a few swallows as if he were well used to the exercise. He refilled the cup and passed it to the son of Mars, who did ample justice to the skill of his future mother-in-law and then passed it to the bride, and thence it proceeded to the
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other members of the family. This refreshing scene occurred before the mar- riage ceremony, an innovation no doubt born of the belief that it was the most important.
One Saturday in March, 1835, I was called upon at my office by a stout, vigorous young farmer named Powell, and requested to go the next day about sixteen miles up the north branch, and unite him in marriage to a young lady living in a log house at Dutchman's Point.
The low, flat prairie was covered with water for the first eight or nine miles which splashed up at every step, and frequently the horse would step close beside a crawfish hole, with which the prairie was honeycombed, when the water would shoot up like a geyser to the height of several feet, often giving me a good sprinkling of the muddy water and more than once striking me fairly in the face. I had taken the precaution to tie a wrap around my neck so as to protect my shirt collar and bosom. . long leggins protected my lower garments, and the overcoat received most of the showers of mud which came above my knees. But the boots! Nothing could be done for them, and they were soon so soiled that their color was indistinguishable. But that was no matter. Everybody was prepared to make allowances for that condi- tion of things, so I gave myself no trouble about it.
At length, after I had covered eight or nine miles of this low, wet prairie, I struck higher ground and it was possible to increase my speed, which I did. for I saw I was likely to be late to the wedding. I. however, arrived at the designated place in good time. The house was a large, commodious log structure with several rooms on the ground floor. What was most cheering to me was a great wood fire in an old-fashioned fireplace at one end of the house, which would admit great logs four or five feet in length, and seemed big enough to roast an ox. The fire was occupied by the culinary operations, which were going on. A fine turkey and a plump pig, which were suspended before it and were constantly being hasted by a ten-year-old boy, whose face was as red as a beet, diffused through the room an appetizing fra- grance which made me rejoice that dinner time was rapidly approaching, and my mouth fairly watered at the thought. A nice party of well dressed country people occupied the room, who were as chatty and as jolly as the occasion required. Powell met me at the door and without giving me time to take off my muddy wraps led me direct to the bride, to whom he intro- duced me with a flourish, which showed that the situation produced in him no more embarrassment than as if he had been married once a week for the last five years. Not so, however, with the girl; she seemed considerably embar- rassed as all eyes were turned upon her. She was taller than the average of women. and fairly stout in proportion. Indeed, she was a large, well formed woman of fair complexion. She was decidedly awkward in her actions, evidently having seen but little of even country society. This might have been expected when neighbors were miles away, and she probably had not a single acquaintance in town, and had never been there more than to pass through it on her way west. In fine, she was troubled to know where to put her hands and feet.
BRARY & PEACE OHNENA LIDACLOTHING EMPORIUM
LOOKING UP NORTH BROADWAY, AURORA, ABOUT 1855.
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Well, I married them good and strong, but at the conclusion I thought I would not gratify the groom's love of display and increase the bride's em- barrassment by directing him to salute his bride, yet he did it all the same, and she submitted meekly, as if it were inevitable, as he had no doubt in- formed her that it was indispensable to a good marriage.
It was dark when we arrived at the log cabin of the settler, who was among the first to locate in the O'Plane timber. It was a good sized, com- modious house for a frontier settler, and all about bespoke neatness and respectability. Several of the neighbors were assembled to witness the cere- mony. Angeline introduced me to them all, for she had made the acquaint- ance of nearly all of the settlers for miles around. She had given me no description of the bride or groom, only that they knew nothing of what is called society, but had only associated with frontier life, and that the bride's family belonged to the Society of Friends, and so I must expect to see every- thing plain-very plain. As my family belonged to that society and I had been brought up under its teachings, I was glad to learn that I should meet some of that faith which my mother so much loved, out on this remote frontier.
Angeline had already told them of my antecedents in this regard, and doubtless this had its influence in the selection which was made of the offici- ating officer, for the Friends will tolerate a marriage ceremony performed by a civil magistrate, while they cannot, with a clear conscience, be present at one celebrated by a preacher of another denomination.
The bride was young, and the groom was not many years her senior. She was quite plain looking, but he was one of the handsomest young men I ever saw. His was not an effeminate, delicate beauty, but a manly, sturdy beauty, if that term be proper when speaking of one of medium size, yet of a powerful build, uniform features, a frank, open and winning counte- nance, toward whom one felt oneself drawn as if by a cord of friendship, not to say admiration, at first sight. He was a decided brunette, but this rather added to his manly beauty. I soon learned that he was as unacquainted with the ways of the world as one who had spent his life on a farm well could be, and had never been in any town more than to pass through it, and had only associated with those in similar conditions. He was of good natural parts and a clear intellect.
He soon intimated to me that he would like to see me alone, so we took a walk out of doors, when he told me that he had never seen a wedding, and would like to be instructed as to the mode of proceeding and what he was expected to do. I then rehearsed to him the order of the ceremony to its conclusion, that he would have nothing to do but to assent to the ques- tions which I should ask him, and to join right hands with the lady. That at the conclusion of the ceremony I should direct him to salute his bride. which he must do as an evidence that he recognized her as his lawful wife; this meant that he should kiss her then and there.
In the meantime Angeline had been getting the bride ready for the dread event. She, too, had never witnessed a wedding and knew nothing of its proceedings, but had some idea of its consequences.
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The bridesmaid gave her minute instructions as to how she should act her part, but carefully abstained from any intimations to the concluding performance, about which I was so particular to instruct the groom.
When we returned to the house the party seemed to be in waiting for us. The bride and bridesmaid were seated by themselves at one end of the room, while the company were seated as far away as they could get. As . I saw everything was ready, I told the groom to take his place at the right hand of the bride, who, with the bridesmaid, rose to her feet in good order. She was dressed in white muslin, as was befitting, but the pattern of the wedding garment was very domestic and unique. In short, it was precisely that of a lady's nightgown with a yoke at the top and a most elaborate skirt and large sleeves. This Angeline had gathered around the waist with a broad, red ribbon, which I think she had brought along for the purpose, as a sort of wedding present, for I afterward learned that she had planned that wedding costume to suit her own fancy, or, I may say, freak. It was in the main well adapted to the plain and simple taste of the Friends, though the red belt and big bow in front were a reluctant concession to the vanities of the world. The hair of each of the ladies was disposed of in the plainest possible way and without the least ornament, and I, who had in early life been taught to admire plainness in everything. thought they really looked beautiful.
I placed myself in the space in front of the bridal party and then asked the company to arise. I proceeded to deliver a lecture upon the solemnity of the occasion and the great responsibilities which these parties were about to assume, and how they should bear themselves toward each other in order to insure the greatest amount of domestic happiness, and all of that. During this delivery I tried to imagine myself a person of fifty, who knew well what he was talking about, instead of a young squire of twenty-three.
I knew Miss Talcott was all the while trying to catch my eye so that by some ludicrous or grotesque look or expression of countenance she could make me break down or make me laugh. but I refused to gratify that desire, and kept my eyes steadily fixed upon the two interested parties, who were a real study at that time.
At the close of my lecture I proceeded with the ceremony proper, which I soon concluded and pronounced them man and wife, when I directed the groom to salute his bride. As this was the part he had no doubt most held in expectation, he made a fierce grab at his new-made wife and attempted to execute the order. This was entirely unexpected by her, and as she probably had no idea of the meaning of the direction which I had given, she, no doubt, thought the young man had lost his mental balance as she had nearly done herself; she rushed away from the supposed madman in real terror and actually fought back in a cat-like manner. But he was equal to the occasion, and followed her up with such manly vigor, quite to the corner of the room, to which she retreated. that by his superior strength he accom- plished his purpose with such a smack that it could have been heard out of doors.
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When she was released from the embrace of her stalwart husband, she had nearly fainted, but Angeline came to her support and assured her that it was all right and a necessary part of the ceremony which she had unfor- tunately neglected to explain to her. It took some time, however, to recon- cile her to having been kissed by a man in so public a way, and Angeline ยท said she much doubted whether he had ever kissed her before in his life.
This rumpus was enjoyed by the mischievous bridesmaid beyond meas- ure, and she could hardly refrain from laughing outright and boisterously at the ludicrous figure which the scene presented. Her plans had worked to a charm and just as the ingenious girl had hoped. Most of the company stared upon the scene as if a cataclysm was actually taking place, though a few plainly understood and enjoyed it.
After this funny episode had terminated and Angeline had got the parties back to their places. though it was difficult to make the timid bride under- stand that all was not yet over, I stepped up to the married couple and shook their hands and warmly congratulated them on the happy change which had now taken place in their life history, though I doubt if the abashed girl understood a word I said: but the groom evidently enjoyed the situation in a calm and confident manner. I was stubbornly blind and deaf to all the winks and nods of the roguish bridesmaid to go further and kiss the bride myself. I felt it would have been a cruelty to have further embarrassed the timid creature, especially as I felt sure that Angeline would have assured all the rest that it was the proper thing for each one to do the same thing.
When I turned away, leaving half of the program unexecuted, the brides- maid hastened up to the father and mother of the bride and by mere force rushed them up to the wedded pair to kiss and congratulate their daughter, and assured the good lady that it would be a clear slight if she should omit that mark of respect for her son-in-law. Her confident impetuosity carried her point, and the young man took the salute of his new mamma, if not with a hearty relish. at least with a benign resignation. The father kissed his daughter with an affectionate tenderness which plainly bespoke the depth of the love he felt for her, and she received it as if it was a daily occurrence and carried a blessing with it. All efforts to get the rest of the company to follow up the assault proved abortive, and soon the order of the gathering was broken up. Then we did our best to inspire a lively mood and not en- tirely without success. I talked with all of the oldest people in the room on such subjects as I thought would most interest them, and it was not difficult to get on free and easy terms with them all.
CHAPTER VII.
LETTERS OF JAMES C. HANKS.
The following are authenticated letters of James C. Hanks, the first white man who settled in the northern part of Kane County and who is credited with having written letters (possibly the same here presented)
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that induced the Giffords and other pioneers to come west. The series cover the period from 1834 to 1838. during which year Mr. Hanks died. His grave is still to be seen in the old cemetery at Elgin in Channing street, where the remains of his father. B. Hanks, are also interred. The originals, of which the following are true copies, are now owned by Mr. Arthur B. Hinsdell, by whose kindness they are here presented. The series show, as does no presentation of facts, the struggles of the pioneers, the conditions they met and the character of men they were.
Far West, Galena Lead Mines. October 17, 1834.
Beloved and kind parents :
After a stroll of three miles out of town to see the waters of the Mississippi. I find time to ease your anxiety for the present concerning your far distant son.
You. I suppose, have heard by John's leter that I started afoot and alone for the far West. From Chicago about fifteen miles west the land is poor and level; after this there is but very little level land to the Mississippi. For the first hundred miles in my travel I saw none but what was tillable and the greater part of it as fine a soil as I ever saw, the land just rolling enough for convenience and beauty. Since that not one-fourth of the country is tillable. It outdoes the turnpike for steepness and continuation of hills though not so high. I found the boys Tuesday noon within six miles of the highest settlers on Fox river. This handsome river is about fifty rods wide, a shallow stream with gravel bottom. We spent two and a half days up the river looking for locations and in justice to the country I must say that in goodness it sur- passes anything that I have yet seen : so much so that I am perfectly satisfied with the choice I there made.
My claim and Elisha's are joining, six miles above any settlers and about three miles from the river on the east side on a stream of water about the size of Spaldings spring run with a gravel bottom. three feet bank. and dry. The land begins to rise from the banks. For beauty, convenience and goodness take the three together, and I think my choice surpasses any lands I ever saw. The soil when plowed up and wet is so black that it would be difficult to distinguish by the color between a pile of charcoal and of earth the distance of thirty rods. The prairie is on the creek, and timber back, which is an uncommon thing in this country. The prairie land rises from the creek about three feet in a hundred. the timber more: for further particulars look at my map. John's claim is about ten miles from mine on the other side of the river in the settlement. His is a good claim; creek on one side. There is a chance for a number of good farms joining mine not yet taken. They are now running a straight road from Chicago to Galena, which will go somewhere between John's and my claim ; then I shall not be more than thirty miles from Chicago. But from these pleasing news to my sad tale. The boys started for Chicago. I started for Galena alone; down the river for fifteen miles, the most of the way my road nothing but an Indian trail. I got within two miles of the Galena road and a man told me that if I would strike across the prairie I would gain two miles and would reach a house where they keep travelers.
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About 4 o'clock, I had three crackers in my pocket, so I thought I would do without my dinner for the sake of gaining two miles. I soon reached the Galena road, the best one for walking I ever saw ; I pushed cheerfully along, not knowing any more about the road than you do, except that the houses were scattering and that it was necessary for a fellow to have his pockets full of provision, which I had intended doing when necessary. I kept the main road though there were paths ; put off until 5 o'clock looking for a house and I saw none. I began to mistrust that I might have come past it, but could not fully believe it until 7 or 8 o'clock, then I gave it up that I had passed it.
The prairies were afire all around me; I had to pass through one chain. A prairie fire is about as large and handsome as that hill fire which came from Mr. Farnum's two years ago. At 8 o'clock I came to a creek on the edge of the prairie, and as the prairies were from three to ten miles across, and finding some straw which assured me no house was near, I gathered the straw in one arm and found a bush in which I fastened my umbrella to break off the wind from me, I committed myself to the care of my Maker and laid down. Here you may think not to sleep, but I can assure you that I was not afraid and I slept half of the night. The fires that were burning on all sides of me at night had disappeared in the morning. In the morning I was faint from fasting, but moderately traveled on, expecting that I would soon find a house. My first prairie was about ten miles across, and half the way I could not see a tree in any direction. The smoke prevented my seeing more than three miles, when I espied a woods ahead. Hope revived and I pushed on in hopes of finding a house, but alas, I soon found to all appearance an unbounded prairie before me again. I gathered some acorns and passed on to a brook; there sat down to breakfast on cold water and bitternuts. I traveled on till noon and then met a boy on horseback and from him I begged two small biscuits and found that I had but ten miles further to travel before I would find a house. Thus ended my troubles, except that my boots blistered my feet some. I reached the house between 3 and 4.
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