USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 20
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He went under aliases besides that of " Rande," among which were " Van Zandt," "Frank Holden," "Frank Durand," "Frank War- ner," "Frank Orton," " Frank Anderson " and "Frank Danvers." Rande was brought to trial Tuesday, December 11, 1877, but obtained a continuance until the February term, the defense claiming a too hurried arraignment and short date of trial, also pleading his physi- cal weakness on account of wounds received at the time of his arrest. Tuesday, February 5, 1878, the case was opened, Judge Smith pre- siding, Court convening in the opera house. The attendance was large, and throughout the 15 days' trial the interest or attendance was not diminished. The masses freely denounced the culprit and almost the universal public verdict was for hanging. Not only was there the in- tensest local feeling manifested in the proceedings, but the people throughont Illinois and the adjoining States exhibited no little interest in the case. The St. Louis Journal contained the following joyous po" etical effusion on Rande's being brought to this county for trial :
" There is a ruffian Rande Far, far away,- Manacles on either hand By night and day. Oh, how they'll sweetly sing. When they to the gallows bring This rogue to quietly swing, No more to stay !
The Chicago Tribune, and Times, Peoria Transcript, Burlington Hawkeye, St. Louis Post and Indianapolis Journal had reporters in attendance, and other papers special correspondents. The Galesburg Republican-Register was especially enterprising in giving an account of the trial, and to better accommodate its readers the issue was
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
changed from evening to morning, thus appearing each morning with a complete account of the previous day's proceedings.
L. J. Phelps was appointed as official reporter by the Court.
The selection of jurors was a long and tedious process, both the prosecution and defense being especially studious to discover objections to the men subpoenaed. Tuesday, Wednesday and the greater part of Thursday were spent in this work. Over 150 persons were examined, and finally the following jury were selected: J. P. Clark, William Overlander, P. M. Rodecker, H. R. Cashınan, Samuel Rankin, Wil- liam Fritz, Frank Barnes, Elvin Vestal, Martin R. Lowery, M. Pierce, J. H. Pence, J. W. Farr.
· The trial proceeded without any extraordinary event occurring The prisoner assumed and maintained an air of manifest indifference, seemingly satisfied in his own mind that his fate was not to die on the gallows. The prosecution was conducted by State's Attorney Tunni- cliff and James A. Mckenzie, the former making the opening address to the jury on the eleventh day of the trial. He discussed the law of the right of private citizens, as well as officers, to arrest, when a felony has been committed, and cited volumes of law, including Pleas of the Crown, and the right to arrest upon fresh pursuit under the Statutes of Illinois. He riddled the defense of insanity which had been at- tempted to be interposed in behalf of the prisoner, and made an elo- quent appeal for protection for the citizens from such characters as Rande. While it is impossible to give even a synopsis of an argu- ment which took seven hours in its delivery, we will give the verdict of the leading paper of the Northwest, the Chicago Tribune, which characterized the argument of State's Attorney Tunnicliff " as worthy of a place in a most praiseworthy prosecution." At the close he elo- quently said : " Myself and associate counsel do not ask of you any compromise verdict. We demand the infliction of the death penalty as the only atonement he can make. Send him not to be pardoned by some future governor, not to escape from an insane asylum, to fill the land again with mourning ; but inflict upon this human butcher of his fellow men the only punishment that can satisfy an outraged peo- ple. He has defied God's law and the law of the State, and he must die, die upon the gallows. My duty is fulfilled : yours is yet to be done."
State's Attorney J. J. Tunnicliff deserves special mention here for the ability, integrity and industry he has exhibited in all his official career. He has shown himself equal to the occasion in two of the most famous cases in the West,-those of Osborne and 'Rande,-which
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
.ndeed have attained almost a national notoriety. Although a young man,-perhaps we had better say because he is a young man,-he ex- ercises a scrupulous care at every point of the case he has in hand. In the management of noted cases lie has had not only the compli- ments of the Supreme Court but the indorsement of the people.
Mckenzie closed the case on the 15th day with a master effort, dwelling at great length upon the question of insanity which the de- fense had set up. The defense was ably conducted throughout, taking advantage of every circumstance and turn; for with the strong public feeling against their client they alone saved him from hanging. The jury returned with the verdict of "guilty," fixing the penalty at im- prisonment for life.
Fearing the prisoner might be molested, which interference had been threatened; the sheriff wisely hurried the convicted criminal to the depot and thence to Joliet, Sheriff Berggren and Chiet of Police Frank E. Fowler having him in charge.
The verdict was received at an early hour in the morning; and before the people were really aware that the jury had agreed he was hurried off to Joliet to escape the infuriated populace. The verdict was heard with astonishment and condemnation by many, as contrary to the law and evidence in the case, while by others it was all that was expected, and agreed with their prediction. All however agreed that he should have been hung on general principles; but for the one act for which lie was tried many thought that a life sentence was all that was justifiable. Landed safely in the Illinois penitentiary, where he is employed in making saddles, it is hoped that during the remainder of liis earth life society need have no apprehension of danger from him, and that his blood-stained hands will be forever restrained from again taking hu- man life.
Belle Spaulding.
Belle Spaulding killed Martin O'Connor, formerly her husband, on' the morning of July 12, 1878. He had been riding out with May Robinson, and arrived at O'Connor's livery stable, on Cherry street, at the same time Belle arrived, who had been riding out with Carrie Reed. This was about 3 o'clock. Belle reproached May for keeping company with "Mart," and, the conversation growing furious, O'Con- nor withdrew; but, returning to the stable, Belle commenced on liim, and the quarrel continued as they walked along Simmons street and south a little way on Prairie street, when she shot at him twice, one ball entering his breast and coming out over his abdomen. He walked back to the stable, but died in about forty minutes. Immediately
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
after shooting him she shot herself, the ball entering her left breast. For several days it was doubtful whether she would survive, but in a few weeks she recovered sufficiently to be removed to the jail, where she is now awaiting indictment and trial. She is a daughter of the late Dr. J. W. Spaulding, of Galesburg, who was in his day one of the leading physicians of Knox county.
HORSE-STEALING.
Some time previous to 1850 there was so much horse-stealing going on that the citizens of the county organized a "Society for the De- tection of Horse-Thieves." It was instrumental in breaking up a gang of thieves, which seemed to put an end to the nefarious business in this section of the country, and the society ceased to hold its meet- ings; but in the year 1850 a dozen horses were stolen within the limits of the county, which stirred up the citizens to organize again, forming "The Society for the Detection of Horse-Thieves and Bur- glars.". At the preliminary meetings Harmon G. Reynolds presided and John S. Winter acted as secretary. The society adopted a con- stitution and by-laws, and for permanent officers elected Peter Burt- nett, of Knox township, Captain, and a Lieutenant for each of the other townships, John S. Winter Secretary, and Hugh S. Woods Treas- urer. Five dollars was placed in the hands of each Lieutenant for ex- pense money. This association did a good work, and rendered satis- faction to all parties. More efficient statute laws have since superseded the necessity of voluntary associations.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
Fifty years have come and gone since white men began to exercise dominion in this region of country, erst the home of the red men. These years have been full of changes, and the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the county, could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has grown up a population of 50,000 people, wlio in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the people in the counties of older States. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well cultivated and productive farms, as well as cities, towns and busy manufactories, have grown up and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury. There is but little left of the old landmarks. Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are only remembered in name. The beginning of these changes was made in 1828, when the Robertsons settled in Henderson.
Of the inhabitants in 1840, representing a population of a few thousand, many removed from the county to find homes in other States, while the spirits of others were called to join the immortal throng gathered around the great white throne in the far-away realms of eternal life and light. Others preferred to remain in the homes they commenced in Knox county, and by the goodness and mercy of God have grown in wealth, wisdom and usefulness, until in their de- clining years they are respected and honored patriarchs in the com- munity that owes much of its character and great advancement to the influences they established in pioneer times.
It is not strange that among the pioneer settlers of any new coun- try a deep-seated and sincere friendship should spring up, that should grow and strengthen with their years. The incidents peculiar to life in a new country-the trials and hardships, privations and destitu- tions-are well calculated to test, not only the physical powers of endurance, but the moral, kindly, generous attributes of manhood and womanhood. Then are the times that try men's souls and bring to the surface all that there may be in them of either good or bad. As
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a rule there is an equality of conditions that recognizes no distinc- tions. All occupy a common level, and as a natural consequence a brotherly and sisterly feeling grows up that is as lasting as time; for "a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind." With such a commu- nity there is a hospitality, a kindness, a benevolence and a charity un- known and unpracticed among thie older, richer and more densely pop- ulated commonwealths. The very nature of the surroundings of these pioneers teaches them to feel each other's woe and share each other's joys. An injury or a wrong may be ignored, but a kindly, generous, charitable act is never forgotten. The memory of old associations and kindly deeds is always fresh. Raven locks may bleach and whiten; full, round cheeks become sunken and hollow; the fires of intelligence vanish from the organs of vision; the brow become wrinkled with care and age, and the erect form bowed with the accumulating years; but the true friends of "long ago" will be remembered as long as life and reason endure.
The surroundings of pioneer life are well calculated to test the "true inwardness " of the human heart. As a rule the men and women who first settle a new country-who go in advance to spy out the land and prepare it for the coming people -- are bold, fearless, self-reliant and industrious. In these respects, no matter from what remote sections or countries they may come, there is a similarity of character. In birtlı, education, religion and language there may be a vast difference, but imbued with a common purpose,-the founding and building of homes,-these differences are soon lost by association, and thus they become one people, united by a common interest; and no matter what changes nay come in after years, the associations thus formed are never buried out of memory.
In pioneer life there are always incidents of peculiar interest, not only to the pioneers themselves, but which if properly preserved would be of interest to posterity; and it is a matter of regret that the formation of the " Old Settlers' Association " has not been continuously and enthu- siastically maintained in Knox county. Such an association, with well kept records of the more important events, such as dates of arrivals, births, marriages, deaths, removals, nativities, etc., as any- one can easily and readily see, would be the direct means of preserv- ing to the literature of the country the history of every community, that to future generations would be invaluable as a record of refer- ence, and a ready and sure method of settling important questions of controversy. Such records would possess facts and figures that could not be had from any other source. Aside from this historic impor- tance, such associations would serve as a means of keeping alive and
R. L. Hannaman.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
further cementing old friendships, and renewing among its members associations that were necessarily interrupted by the innovation of increasing population, cultivating social intercourse, and creating a charitable fund for such of their old members as were victims of mis- fortune and adversity.
· Pursuant to a previous call, about 400 old settlers assembled in the court-house at Knoxville, April 3, 1867, for the purpose of organiz- ing an " Old Settlers' Society." The meeting was called to order by Major Thomas McKee, who nominated Daniel Robertson, the first settler of the county, for president; Robertson not being present, Major McKee, who was elected vice-president, presided. Dennis Clark and R. L. Hannaman were elected secretaries. John M. Combs, Thomas McKee, Major M. D. Coy, Rev. W. M. Clark, Rev. Edward Sellon and R. L. Hannaman made speeches, relating remi- niscences of early life in Knox county. Major Coy in a rather humor- ous vein described the life of the early settler,- the hardships and pleasures endured. Mills were then scarce, and often they had to go from 60 to 100 miles to one, and remain a week before they could get their work done. During the first winter and spring grain was very scarce, and only to be obtained at Prophetstown, some 80 miles dis- tant; and tlien, in order to keep it, it had to be buried in the sand. This was the only corn in the county to be had for planting. He further said he cut the first log for the first school-house and church ever built in Knox county.
The Major then paid a high tribute to Jacob B. Gum, the first preacher in the county. He thought the old settlers were the best people he ever knew, saying that the first settlers of Galesburg were the best people who ever settled any where in the West. "There was life and sociability then, which now is not to be found; and those days were the best, and ,now, as soon as the roads are good, I am going farther West to find in southwestern Iowa the old sociability once enjoyed by the first settlers of this county."
Rev. Edward Sellon related his early experience, and those of the early settlers, detailing the vicissitudes attendant upon the pioneers of a new country. He closed his remarks by an appropriate and feel- ing tribute to the brave and worthy pioneer women, who had shared the hardships and struggles in laying the foundation for a great and rich county.
September 9, 1869, another meeting was held, but this time at Galesburg. William McMurtry addressed the assemblage, giving an account of the first settling of the county, when there were a few set- tlers about Henderson Grove. Old Jacob Gum was their minister,
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Esquire Miles their lawyer, and himself the justice of the peace. He had but one case in six years on his docket, and that was amicably settled by the disputants.
Another meeting was held at Gilson camp-grounds, September 9, 1871. The old settlers assembled the following year at the fair- grounds, at Knoxville, and in 1877 they again met at Knoxville- The annual meeting for 1878 was held at that city September 20. Although there has not been that interest manifested in the meet- ings of the association their importance deserves, they afford consider- able pleasure and satisfaction to those participating in the annual reunions.
Thomas McKee is President of the Association and R. L. Hanna- man Secretary.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER XII.
IMPORTANT LABORS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
COUNTY COURT.
In 1847 a State election was held for members of the Constitutional Convention, which convention prepared and submitted to the people a new constitution, which was adopted by a large majority. By this constitution, in place of the Commissioners' Court a County Court was organized in each county. This court consisted of a County Judge, and, if the Legislature saw proper to so order it, two Associate Justices. This the Legislature favorably acted upon. The last meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held Oct. 12, 1849. After the transaction of such business as properly came before them, they adjourned until court in course, but never re-assembled.
On the 3d of December of the same year the first regular term of the County Court was held. The duties of the court in a legislative capacity were precisely the same as those of the County Commission- ers' Court. In addition to the legislative power the members of this court were permitted to exercise judicial authority, having all the rights and privileges of justices of the peace, together with all probate business. This court consisted of a County Judge and two Associate Justices. The Judge and Associate Justices acted together for the transaction of all county business, but none other. The Justices had an equal vote with the Judge, and received the same salary while holding court, which was $2 per day. Two of the three constituted a quorum.
Geo. C. Lanphere was chosen the first County Judge, being elected Nov. 6, 1849,-the first November election held. The first Associate Justices were James M. Hunter and Alfred Brown. During the existence of this court the people were agitating the question of town- ship organization. Many counties of the State, since the new con- stitution, had adopted that mode of conducting county affairs. The constitution gave counties the privilege of adopting either the County Court or the Board of Supervisors. At the fall election in 1849 a vote was taken "for," or "against township organization," which re- sulted in 728 votes in favor of the new measure and 420 against.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
The election precincts at this time were 12 in number, and comprised the following: Brush Creek, Pope Creek, Fraker's Grove, Spoon River, Littler's Creek, French Creek, Cherry Grove, Victoria, Haw Creek, Galesburg and Knoxville. According to the result of the election as this court viewed it, the proposition for township organiza- tion had been carried by a handsome majority. Accordingly at their first meeting they appointed Joel Lee, Martin B. Mason and John Arnold commissioners to divide the county into townships. These commissioners constituted each Congressional township a separate town. They then appointed Monday, Jan. 14, 1850, as a day for the citizens of the different townships to meet at the usual place of hold- ing election, and determine by what name their respective townships should be called. Accordingly upon that day the people assembled and selected the following names:
Old Name,
Present Name.
Old Name.
Present Name.
Indian Point,
Indian Point.
Maquon,
Maquon.
Cherry Grove,
Cedar.
Ohio,
Haw Creek.
Galesburg,
Galesburg.
Persifer,
Persifer.
Henderson,
Henderson.
Prince Albert, Copley.
North Prairie, Rio.
Walnut Grove,
Walnut Grove.
Chestnut,
Chestnut.
Salem,
Salem.
Orange,
Orange.
Liberty,
Elba.
Knoxville,
Knox.
Chester,
Truro.
Sparta,
Sparta.
Worcester,
Victoria.
.Ontario,
Ontario.
Fraker's Grove,
Lynn.
Previous to this the county was divided into 13 election precincts. Beginning at the southwestern corner of the county they were as fol- lows: Cherry Grove, Galesburg, Henderson, Pope Creek, Brush Creek, Knoxville, Littler's Creek, Haw Creek, Salem (formerly French Creek), Spoon River, Chester, Victoria and Fraker's Grove.
Considerable dissatisfaction began to be expressed in regard to the township organization. It was discovered that according to the law it did not receive a majority of all the legal votes of the county, the votes cast at the last presidential election being taken as the number of legal votes. According to that it fell 500 or 600 short of a major- ity. At a meeting held at the school-house in Abingdon, Feb. 23, the following resolution was adopted showing the feeling then existing in parts of the county in reference to the new law: "Resolved, That it is a sense of a majority of this meeting that the law passed at the last session of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, in relation to town- ship organization, is unconstitutional." It has not yet been proven that the law was unconstitutional, as the voters of Cherry Grove precinct announced by their resolution. This shows however that they were dissatisfied with the new mode, and perhaps knew of no other way to console themselves than to declare the law unconstitu-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. -
tional. In the issue of the Knoxville Journal of March, 1850, Julius Manning, a wise counsellor at law and a man in whom the people had great confidence, had a lengthy and able article upon the con- stitutionality of the plan of township organization as adopted by the Legislature. This elaborate opinion was given at the request of the County Court of this county, and was regarded with great interest by other counties who were discussing this same question. While Mr. Manning thought the law was constitutional and would be so held by the courts, yet he thought that it was not legally adopted by this county, in that a majority of all the voters in the county had not cast their ballots in favor of it. Subsequently the Supreme Court con- firmed the able counsel given by Mr. Manning.
In the spring of 1850 an election was held in the various townships to elect Supervisors. On the 6th of May the Board met. There were present M. Brown, E. H. Jordan, J. Bunce, S. W. Brown, D. K. Moore, I. M. Wetmore, J. DeLong, S. E. Hale, J. Huff, J. H. Sumner, G. W. Manly, John Stanley, A. Gross, J. Arnold, G. Cad- well, Samuel Tucker and J. White. Some unimportant business . was transacted when the Board adjourned never to re-assemble.
The County Court soon ordered another election to vote for or against township organization. This vote was taken at the fall elec- tion Nov. 5, 1850; 673 votes were cast in favor of and 317 against. While this was a decided majority of the number of votes cast, it was not a majority of all the legal voters in the county.
The Knoxville Journal of Feb. 4, 1851, in speaking of the town- ship organization, says: "Twice has this measure been voted upon in this county, and yet it has not been adopted. The reason, in part, no doubt, may be found in the fact that under the present formn of county government our county has prospered, has kept clear of debt and has a surplus in the treasury; and there has been an evident dis- position on the part of the majority to wait and see how township organization works in those counties where it has been adopted."
The last meeting of the County Court was held on the 4th of March, 1853. It then adjourned sine die.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
This system of county government is so entirely different in origin and management from the old niode by county commissioners, which had such a long and favorable run, that we deem a brief synopsis of the differences quite pertinent in this connection.
Elijalı M. Haines, in his " Laws of Illinois Relative to Township Organization," says the county system "originated with Virginia, 15
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristo- cratic in feeling, living apart in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area. The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was, moreover, consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from which the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were organ- ized in Virginia, and the system extending throughout the State, spread into all the Southern States and some of the Northern States, unless we except the nearly similar division into ' districts ' in South Carolina, and that into 'parishes ' in Louisiana from the French laws.
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