USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 21
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" Illinois, which with its vast additional territory became a county of Virginia on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the county organization, which was formally extended over the State by the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business was transacted by three commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, with quarterly sessions. During the period ending with the Constitutional Convention of 1847, a large portion of the State had become filled up with a popu- lation of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system." It was maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more thinly populated sections,- in short, that under the system, ' equal and exact justice ' to all parts of the county could not be secured. The township sys- tem had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back to 1635.
De Tocqueville, in his work entitled "American Institutions," in speaking of our political system, very properly remarks that two branches may be distinguished in the Anglo-American family whichi have grown up without entirely commingling,-the one in the South, the other in the North. He discovers the causes which led to this condition of things, which are apparent to the most casual observer. " They arise," he says, " not from design, but from the force of cir- cumstances at the beginning. The planting of the original colony of Virginia at Jamestown had for its design the single and naked
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object of pecuniary profit to the proprietors. Its mission involved no principle for the benefit of mankind. It recognized the crown of Great Britain, from whence it derived the charter of its existence, as the source of political power. There was no recognition of the prin- ciple of self- government.
" But the circumstances attending the first settlement of the Col- onies of New England, so called, were of an entirely different char- acter. The early colonists in this instance were non-conformists, or dissenters from the Church of England. They came as exiles, fleeing from the wrath of ecclesiastical tyranny, whose displeasure they had incurred,- cast out as public offenders, 'as profane, out of the inountain of God.' Whilst the colonists of Virginia came with the law, those of New England came against the law, or perhaps, more properly speaking, without law. Thereupon arose on the part of the latter a positive necessity for the establishment of law for their inu. tual protection. The result was a written compact,-this being the first written constitution extant, based upon the general good. It was the first time since the 'morning stars sang together' that the people themselves met in council and framed a government based upon equal rights."
The supervisor is the chief officer and representative of the town- ship, and it is his duty to prosecute and defend all suits in which the township is interested. The township clerk keeps the records of the township, and the treasurer takes charge of the funds. The establislı- ment, vacation and repair of the public roads is committed to the three commissioners of highways. The supervisor, the two justices of the peace whose terms of office soonest expire, and the township clerk constitute a township board for examining and auditing the accounts of the town.
On the 5th of April, 1853, each township in the county elected a supervisor under the township organization law which was then adopted. The Board of Supervisors first convened June 6, 1853, in the court-house at Knoxville. The following members were present: Daniel Meek, W. Selden Gale, Reuben Heflin, J. P. West, Geo. W. Manly, J. M. Foster, S. S. Buffum, John O. Stemley, Augustus Lap- ham, Win. M. Clark, J. H. Nicholson, J. L. Jarnagan, E. P. Dunlap, Peter Frans, Asa Haynes, E. Crane.
Since that time the business affairs of the county have been under the guidance of a Board of Supervisors, and there has certainly been no county in the State conducted on a more enterprising, yet judicious plan than Knox county. The Board made a bright record during the Rebellion,-a record that will grow brighter and brighter as years
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pass on. They have also been ever watchful of the poor. For many years the county house was a miserable affair, no credit to the county ; but through the labors of this body of officials Knox county now has accommodations for the unfortunate second to none in the State.
It would be unprofitable as unnecessary to present in detail the numerous orders, reports, resolutions, etc., etc., of the Board of Su- pervisors. Their proceedings partake a good deal of the nature of a legislature. Among so many men there are always some cool business heads, as well as a good many glib tongnes. Some of them are prac- tical, industrious workers, others are of the buncombe order, always ready to make a speech or a voluminons report. This has always been the case and will continue to be.
In the Congress of the United States, in State legislatures, a few men do the work, a few others do the talking. This is neither ro- mance nor exaggeration, but solid history, sustained by facts as old as eivilized government.
It is told of a certain member of the Board of Supervisors, that when called upon to act as chairman, a mnotion was made, when he very solemnly rose to his feet and said, "Gentlemen, you hear the motion : 'tis very important ; and I hope you will second it, every one of you."
One of the most important questions ever brought before the Board, and one that proved a source of much trouble and vexation, as well as great expense to the county, was that of the removal of the county seat. As early as 1856 the question of removing the seat of govern- ment from Knoxville to Galesburg was agitated. The rapidity of tlie growtli of Galesburg, with its railroad facilities, was looked upon as more favorable for the location of the seat of justice than Knoxville. Previous to 1869 elections were held for the purpose of voting for or against the removal, at each of which the proposition was defeated. On the 6th of April of that year another vote was taken. The returns showed the defeat of the removal by 247 majority. The question of fraud was raised. The citizens of Galesburg claimed that the elec- tion at Knoxville was held in an illegal manner, tliat illegal votes were cast, etc. The case was carried to the courts by Geo. Davis ,who, on belialf of himself and the people of the county, sued the Board of Supervisors and county officials to impeach the election returns, and to purge the poll-book of illegal votes. The case came up in the Circuit Court of this county, when a venue was taken to the Cir_ cuit of McDonough county. Coming up in the September terin, 1871, Judge Higbie decided, after throwing out what he considered
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illegal votes, in favor of removal of the seat of justice to Galesburg.
The case was appealed to the Supreme Court of the State, and about three and one-half years after holding the election Judge Walker ren- dered a lengthy decision. confirming the decree of the Circuit Court.
January 30, 1873, the Board of Supervisors ordered all records to be moved to Galesburg, where the Board convened for the first time, February 27, 1873. They met in the county clerk's office, and without transacting any important business they adjourned to the Union Ho- tel, where the two following sessions were held. In consideration of the removal of the seat of justice to Galesburg, that city officially and citizens individually gave to the county the following lands and moneys :
A deed for the lots on Cherry street upon which stands the fire- proof building ; a deed for the lot where stands the jail on Prairie street (the latter was given by A. N. Bancroft); a deed from the city of Galesburg for the east half of College Park, provided the court- house should be constructed thereon, the city agreeing to furnish room for the Circuit Court for a period of 10 years, and to pay all necessary expenses incurred in removal of the county records and property. The city also gave two certificates for $2,000 each in money and $20,000 for the purpose of building a jail.
January 15, 1874, the Board of Supervisors ordered all the county property, consisting of the court-house and the jail, to be deeded to the city of Knoxville for the consideration of one dollar.
No court-house has yet been constructed; but doubtless within a few years the work of erecting one will be pushed forward; and as in all other enterprises the Board has undertaken, we may expect a building equal in all respects to any other in the. State.
ALMS-HOUSE.
For several years the committee on the poor-house farm, in making out their annual reports, spoke at length of the unhealthful condition of the buildings. As a sample of several statements of this nature submitted to the Board from 1856 till the alms-house was built, we give one appended to the report made in January, 1865. The com- mittee was composed of R. W. Miles, John S. Winter and Cephas Arms.
"Yonr committee do not feel willing to let this meeting pass witli- out calling the serious attention of this Board to the condition of these poor unfortunate beings whom God has committed to our especial care,-a trust that your committee feel this honorable Board has not discharged. There is but one very poor building for the poor-master's family, and the paupers have six rooms below and two small cham-
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bers above. A hall running through the building divides the lower rooms. Two rooms and a small store- room on one side are occupied by the family. On the other side the two larger rooms are used during the day by the paupers, and the small room has been fitted up as a grated cell for crazy Hannah, a grated partition separating her from the stove.
"At night the paupers, many of whom are idiotic or insane, are locked up in the two small chambers; and this with the present class of inmates has to be done, irrespective of number, and almost of tlie condition of the paupers. From this brief statement it will be seen how illy adapted the premises are to purposes of a poor-house, even when all are in health; but when any one is sick it is impossible to make them comfortable; and especially is this so, when, as in the case of the man with the frozen feet, it becomes as a loathsome pest- house, not only to the paupers, but to the poor-master and his family ; the stenchi from the gangrened foot filling every part of the build- ing, and sickening the inmates.
"In view of these facts your committee most earnestly call upon this Board to take some steps to make such improvements, that it may no longer with truth be said ' that the poor-house is a disgrace to Knox county.' "
Crazy Hannah, referred to in the above statement, was certainly a pitiable subject of charity, and her sad condition touched the finer feelings of the committee, as shown in a report made to the Board in 1863. This committee was composed of John S. Winter and Cephas Arms. We give below the portion of this report referring to the unfortunate being who is still an inmate of the alms-house, althoughi in a much improved condition.
" We cannot pass this matter and justify our consciences without referring to a case known as 'Crazy Hannalı,' who has been confined in a small room over three years, unsafe to permit to go out and breathe the fresh air of heaven, compelled to live within four close walls until her destiny is fulfilled. During all the cold days and nights of winter that poor demented girl cannot approach tlie fire. Between hier and it, at a safe distance from her hands, has to be placed strong iron bars, lest she should set fire to the building. With all the modern improvements for heating buildings suitable for per- sons in her condition, are we, as citizens of Knox county, doing our duty to the unfortunate of our county?"
March 5, 1856, the Board of Supervisors purchased of M. G. Smith the west half of the southwest quarter of section 21, Knox township, for a county poor-farnı. The deed, as recorded, states the consideration to have been $3,000. Two additions were made in 1866 during the
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BAKER-CHICAGO
KNOX COUNTY ALMS HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
agitation of building the alms-house,-one June 15, of 36 acres from Win. Y. Miller. The deed states the consideration to have been $2,340, but by an order of the Board we find it to be but $17.50 per acre, which would be $630. The other was 33 acres from John Eads, June 17, for which, according to the deed, $3,000 was given. In 1866 the Board appointed Rufus W. Miles, L. E. Conger, and Cephas Arms a committee to build an alms-house. Considerable interest was worked up in selecting a location. The citizens of Galesburg tried to have it located near that city instead of the present site, which is that of the former building. At a meeting in April, 1866, a com- mittee consisting of the following members of the Board, were ap- pointed to select a location: E. S. Hardin, Orrin Beadle, L. E. Conger, and Cephas Arms. A majority of this committee selected and bought the northwest quarter of section 24, in Galesburg town- ship, for which they paid $8,000. While this action of the com- mittee was approved by the Board, yet the land was not used for the purpose for which it was purchased. It was afterward sold for $9,000. Supervisor Gale, on behalf of the city of Galesburg, offered to give $10,000 if they would erect the building on this site; but the Board secured additional land adjoining the old farm and decided not to remove or change the location. Thus the location was finally settled upon, and immediately the contract of erecting the building was let to Wm. Armstrong for the sum of $26,000. Only one wing and the main building were erected at this time. The full amount expended for the erection of this portion of the building, for furnishing heat- ing apparatus and stocking the farm, amounted to $39,037.21.
The following is a description of the building, which rates only second to the best county charity institution in the State: The plan was drawn by W. W. Boyington, of Chicago. The building is of Gothic style of architecture, and is constructed of limestone and red brick. It is two stories above the basement in height. The ground plan is 166 feet front by 80 in depth, relieved by projection bay win- dows, and a general irregular outline. The grounds are large, thickly set with shrubs and trees and well kept. The exterior view of the structure presents an imposing appearance from whatever point approached. From exterior observation it rather resembles a sea-side hotel than a country alms-house. The accompanying engraving so fully represents in detail the exterior of the building that any minute description would be but repetition.
The interior of the edifice is in keeping fully with that of the exterior. It is finished throughout in a neat and substantial style, and furnished with all the modern conveniences, which are especially
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
adapted to the accommodation of the class of inmates that are retain- ed there. The many improvements adapted in the construction of the east wing were suggested by the matron, Mrs. Cleveland, whose experience, coupled with her superior judgment, eminently qualified her to dictate alterations and additions to the plans of the architect. Each and every room is amply ventilated, and the provisions for lighting are all that could be desired, tliere being a large double window in even the smallest chamber.
There are 97 rooms in the building, besides large, well liglited cor- ridors. Of tliese, 27 [are sleeping-rooms for inmates under medical treatment, 23 are cells or, properly, screened rooms for the insane. The remaining 47 rooms are devoted to various purposes, each class or condition of inmates having a' department to which they are assigned.
The western portion of the structure is used for men, and the east- ern part for women. In the men's department on the main floor are dining-hall, sitting-room and chapel (in the latter apartment re- ligious services are held semi-monthly), and sleeping-rooms, with bath-rooms attached. On the second floor in this division is the department for the insane, being a tier of screened rooms, sick rooms, school-room and nurse's roomns. The eastern division lias similar apartments, and in addition has a large sitting-room, quiet room for old women, convalescent department, and working department, where all clothing is manufactured. . Every article of clothing, except boots and hats, are manufactured within the building. In the basement story is the department for the uncontrollable insane, the laundry, ironing room, and the culinary department, which includes bread room, grocery room, milk-house; and large kitclien. The building, besides these apartments, is well supplied with bath-rooms, closets, and numerous miscellaneous rooms. The whole is heated by steam radiators supplied from heating apparatus in the basement of the west wing.
The following items of an historical and statistical nature will be found of interest, and are compiled after careful research. Their cor- rectness may be relied upon :
From October, 1872, to September, 1878, 439 paupers were admit- ted as inmates of this charitable institution. These included 15 different nationalities. Of this number 229 were natives of the United States, 104 of Sweden and Denmark, 55 of Ireland, 1 of France, 13 of England, 12 of Germany, 4 of Switzerland, 1 of the West Indies, 2 of Norway, 4 of Canada, 1 of Poland, 9 of Scotland, 3 of Wales, and the nativity of 1 not known. Total, 439. Of this number 287 were
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
mnales and 152 females. There are at present 109 inmates, of whom 66 are males and 43 females. Of tlie 109 inmates, 25 are insane. The largest number ever admitted any one year was in 1870, when 121 were received. The number of deathis occurring since 1863 are 69, none having occurred since January 1, 1878. The number of births, 30. Number of married persons admitted, 153.
The following item connected with pauperism in this county should be noted by the tax-payers. Though startling, it is based upon stab- born facts, and should be a warning to those who indulge in a mod- erate use of intoxicating liquors, and to the young man whose lips . have never been tainted by the wine cup. When we consider that three-fourths of all the persons admitted in the Knox county almns- honse are brought there from the curse of intemperance, we learn some of the direful effects and consequences of the use of intoxicating liquors. No contagious diseases have ever prevailed to any extent. The oldest person ever admitted was George Felter, who became an inmate January 16, 1877, at the age of 89. Mr. Felter, who is still an inmate, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and is probably tlie only one living in the county who fought the British foe at that time, or indeed that ever did. The oldest person in the house at present is 91 years old.
In 1874, in consequence of the failure of a supply of water at the alms-house, it was deemed expedient to bore in one of the wells, which was done to the depth of 175 feet. At 119 feet a vein of good coal, four feet in thickness, immediately below three feet of slate, was passed through. Failing to find water at that depth, they abandoned the boring and sunk a large well.
Ere a decade had passed, the alms-honse had become too small to afford the best accommodations to all the inmates. Accordingly, at the July meeting of the Board, in 1876, the alms-house committee recommended the building of the east wing. In the original plan all arrangements were made for any necessary additions that inight be needed. Thus in less than ten years this addition is re- quired, although the unfortunate could and did receive better care with the capacity of the portion already constructed than in most of the counties in the State. At a special meeting in August, 1876, 21st day, the contract of building the east wing was awarded to Parry & Stevens, their bid being $17,000. The construction of this addition was rapidly pushed to completion, and to-day the structure stands a harmonious whole, complete in detail, beautiful in design, and perfect in ordonnance and symmetry of architecture. Thus perfected, as shown in the accompanying engraving, Knox county unquestionably has one
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of the most beautiful and superior alms-houses in the Northwest. The Superintendent, Mrs. Cleveland, is endowed with native ability that especially qualifies her to have the charge of such a motley class of humanity as are gathered under the care of an institution of this nature. In referring to the excellent manner in which Mrs. Cleveland discharges every duty devolving upon her, Dr. McClelland, the county physician, in his report of January, 1878, in speaking of the house, says: " As usual, and in accordance with our duty, we passed through the house, closely examining every division of it, and to our satisfac- tion we realize that the care exercised over it was manifest in the order in which we found it. Its condition throughout entitles the inatron having the care of the premises to the heart-felt gratitude of all who have an interest in those who are kept there from necessity." Again we quote the Doctor's language. In his report to the Board of September 12, 1877, he says: "In passing through the. house, closely examining every department of it, we have realized what has frequently been stated by the agent of our State public charities,- that for cleanliness, freedom from offensive odor, and a manifest bestowal of vigilant care exercised over the premises, the Knox county alms-house stands unrivaled in our State as a model of praiseworthy order, and worthy of imitation by other institutions of the same char- acter in the State. Our worthy matron is not especially limited in her capacity for keeping affairs therein in order, but slie possesses ad- ditionally the rare ability essential to the managing and keeping sub- ject to her will all those unruly elements that are submitted to her charge."
We can give no better detailed description of the manner of caring for the unfortunate of this society than is found in Dr. McClelland's report to the January meeting of the Board of Supervisors of 1872, which we give bodily, as it also compares the mode of conducting this institution with that generally adopted by public charities:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors, Knox County, Illinois :- The undersigned beg leave to submit the following report: Since the last annual meeting 127 persons have received aid at the almshouse. Of this number 85 are at present inmates,-an increase of 10 over the number present Jan. 1, 1871. During the year there were deaths, by apoplexy 1, old age 1, exhaustion incident to insanity 1, typho-mala- · rial fever 1, albuminuria 1, consumption 3; total 8. There have been during the same time 3 births. Of the inmates at present in the house 84 are white and 1 colored. Those not protected by previous small-pox or vaccination have been recently vaccinated. The good con- dition of the house in respect to ventilation and cleanliness forbid the
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occurrence of auy endemic disease. If not considered intrusive, I would desire to call the attention of the lionorable Board to certain faults found by the Board of State Commissioners of Public Chari- ties in the management of paupers in the various counties of the State, to show that so far as Knox county is concerned we can plead " not guilty."
First, the farming out of panpers to the lowest bidder.
Second, the payment, under any circumstances, of a weekly stipend per capita for food and other necessaries of life.
The third fault found has reference to the medical care of the famn- ily. Whatever medicines or medical appliance, the pauper family need they receive, the county at no time restricting the physician in this matter.
Fourth, has reference to a certain annoyance which in this county is reduced to a minimum.
Fifth, pauper children are almost without exception uninstructed and untrained. This county is an exception. Children of the proper age are sent to the city schools, and the fault is with them if they are not instructed.
Sixth, refers to the condition of the insane and idiotic. This class receives an abundance of light and air, are kept clean and warm, have an abundance to eat and good beds to sleep on.
Seventh, refers to epileptics. Same answer may be returned as to fault sixth.
Eightlı, clothing and bedding plenty and good.
Ninth, " houses slovenly in appearance and inmates unsupplied with proper appliances for personal cleanliness." Knox county alms- house speaks for itself. Our paupers would not be known by their clotlies.
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