USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
Tenth, refers to classification of paupers. This cannot be done in our alms-house till the building is completed. [This has since beeu done and the inmates assigned to their various departments.]
Eleventh, "scarcely a county in the State in which any attempt is made to impart either secular or religious instructions to the pauper." The matron has assumed it as one of her duties to read to the family on the Sabbath, and from time to time the pastors of the city churches have exercises in the alms-house chapel. Publishers of the Galesburg Register and of the Knox County Democrat have kindly sent copies of their papers regularly to the alms-honse the past year; and in be- half of the pauper family I wonld return them grateful thanks and ask a continuance of the favor. There have also been Swedish papers sent to the family, but how many and by whom I am unable to state. For them, however, we return thanks.
262
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
The comforts provided by Knox county for the relief of paupers doubtless contributes to increase their numbers. For this the honor- able State Board suggests enforced industry.
The nature of the causes which have made a large number of our family fit subjects for public care will be understood from an inspec- tion of the annexed table, which gives nationality and sex:
Nationality.
Male. Female.
America
31
29
Sweden
24
21
Norway .
1
1
England
4
Ireland
7 3
Scotland
.
1
Wales
1
Switzerland
1
Denmark.
1
West Indies.
1
Germany .
1
-
Total 71 56
It may be a matter of interest to know that Knox county stands first in the amount invested for the care of its poor, $56,200 being value of buildings and farm. Peoria county stands next, having $55,550. Cook stands third, with $39,565.
These statements are made in answer to inquiries that are frequently made of persons that are in any way associated with the management of the institution.
WAR RECORD.
The Board of Supervisors, as more fully shown in the following chapter, made a bright record during the Rebellion. Scarcely a county in the State was more active or further took the lead in mat- ters relative to her soldiery than Knox county. From the first enlist- ment the Board was willing to aid, and indeed did appropriate money to help soldiers and their families. Especially did they carefully watch over families of soldiers and abundantly provide for them all during the war and afterwards. They paid out over $400,000 for bounties and providing for the families of those at the front.' In the chapter entitled "The War-At Home" some of their resolutions will befound. But among their most important acts was the great "Bounty
263
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Tax," which we will now refer to. In 1865, at the Jannary meeting, the Board of Supervisors offered large bounty for recruits. The Pres- ident had made another call for 300,000 men. Knox county, as many other counties, failed to fill her quota, and accordingly a draft was ordered. In order to induce enlistments Supervisor Gray offered a resolution giving $250 bounty. This was amended by a substitute offering $300 bounty. A committee of three was appointed to nego- tiate a loan to pay these bounties. This they however failed to do, as many of the capitalists feared the order was illegal, and therefore refused aid. Thus it was that funds could not be raised from that source. Accordingly a special meeting of the Board was held Feb. 27 to devise some measure by which to raise the required fund. At this meeting Supervisor Potter from a committee appointed at a special meeting held Jan. 27 to draft a bill authorizing the county of Knox to issue bonds for the purpose of procuring money to pay boun- ties to volunteers, (and to procure the passage of the same by the Legislature then in session) reported " that he had prepared such a bill and had been to Springfield to procure its passage; that when the bill was presented to the Legislature opposition was made to its pas- sage by citizens of this county, and through their influence the bill was defeated and the authority to issue bonds was withheld." Thus another scheme was killed. However, money must be had; so at this crisis a prominent official of the county proceeded to Springfield, drew up a bill, which was afterward denominated the "Burchard bill," and had it passed through both houses in two days, immediately return- ing home, even before the Governor liad approved it, to make prepar- ations to carry out the provisions of the bill. The Governor had, how- ever, before leaving the State capital, promised to approve it, which was done in due time. This bill provided for the assessment and col- lecting of a special tax for the payment of bounties. On his return to this county a special meeting was convened. The Board was ap- prised of the bill, and thus having the authority to levy a tax, did at this meeting order a tax of two cents to be assessed upon each dollar's worth of real and personal property in this county,-this to be known as the bounty tax; and it was famous for the promptitude with which it was paid. Many taxpayers who had let their regular taxes go delin- quent, paid the bounty tax on demand. The collector was ordered to make his return by May 18, thus allowing but 60 days for tlie assess- ment to be made, the books prepared, all taxes collected and returned. This is almost an unparalleled case. Over $300,000 was thus raised within 60 days. This order was unanimously adopted, and therefore, without delay and without the payment of a large amount of interest, the bounty fund was raised.
264
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Many efforts were made by even members of the Board to exempt all soldiers and soldiers' widows from paying this tax ; but seemingly no legal way could be found, and several years after an effort was made to refund to them such tax as they had paid but was never done.
The following resolution, although on the subject of railroads, shows better than anything we might say, how the people viewed the war as it was, the results, and the financial condition of the county at the time of its unanimous passage, which was January 8, 1866. It was offered by Supervisor Gale, from the committee to whom was referred a certain resolution in regard to railroad freights :
Resolved, That the war for the preservation of our country and the free institutions bequeathed to us by our fathers has left our country burdened witli a debt vast in proportions, and testing to the utmost extent the endurance of the American people. The lionor of the na- tion requires that all this debt, and the obligations incurred in this great struggle, shall be fully met and paid to the last dollar.
That the credit and commercial prosperity of the country are pro- moted by such legislation as will insure at an early day the resump- tion of specie payment by the Government, and the return to coin as a measure of value in commercial transactions.
That the people of Knox county are ready and willing to accept their responsibilities and bear their full proportion of the public bur- dens.
That, asking no other relief and no other favor, they have a right in common with their fellow-citizens, to expect from the National and State legislatures such legislation as will properly adjust and appor- tion these burdens,-as will develop to the uttermost the industry of the country, and protect the people from plundering monopolists and office-holders.
That we approve of a tariff on foreign importations sufficiently higli to protect the infant manufacturing enterprises of the country, and secure the development of our vast mineral resources.
That we believe it the duty of the Government to secure the open- ing of every natural channel from the grain-growing districts to the seaboard, which is worth the necessary outlay, and to secure within a short period a railroad communication across the continent, and with the rich mines of the interior.
That we believe the control of the great highways of the country has been too long intrusted to the exclusive management of men who have no responsibilities to the public, and who are expected to seek only the promotion of private interests, without any regard to the wants, necessities and interests of the public, except so far as attention thereto may promote such private interests.
265
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
That while we do not propose to indicate what legislation is called for in the case, we are satisfied there is something which requires cor- rection,-when a railroad from the city of Galesburg to the city of Chi- cago can in one year, without running to its full capacity, earn a sum of money equal to its entire cash cost, and when the road through this county to Peoria can collect rates of freight which will afford a fine compensation for wagons drawn by horses.
That there is something requiring correction, when we are entirely deprived of the important markets of St. Louis and Cairo, except in times of navigation, notwithstanding we have froin this county rail- road communication with both ; from the fact that the connecting rail- roads are the property of different companies, and permit the passage of no freiglit except with the loss and delay of repeated changes of cars, and rates of freight double those charged for similar distances on single lines of road.
That the construction of a new competing line of railway is not the remedy for those evils, requiring as it does an impossible outlay of capital, and utterly inefficacious in securing that connection of lines and transfer of freight without suitable provision for which we can never realize the full benefits of railroad transportation.
That in our opinion prompt and wise legislation to effect the open- ing of new channels of trade, the improvement and proper control of the old, protecting all the vested rights of corporations and the in- alienable rights of the people, is essential to the prosperity of the coun- try, and absolutely required to enable the people to support those burdens which must be borne if the national honor is to be sustained.
The Board had done a noble part by the soldiers while in the field or at home. But there were many who went to the South who uever returned, sacrificing their lives for their country. Many members of the Board wished now to honor these, desired to perpetuate their memory by erecting a monument to their honor. Accordingly at the September meeting of the Board of Supervisors in 1867, Super- visor Sumner offered the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, many of our fellow citizens fell in the war of the Rebellion, it is but just that a tribute to their worth and patriotism be erected by the county, and their memories preserved by a grateful commu- nity ; therefore, resolved, by the Board of Supervisors, that a suitable monument be erected upon the public square at the city of Knoxville, upon the tablet of which the name of each citizen of the county who so lost his life in the service of his country shall be engraved, and such other memoranda as may be deemed proper by a committee hereafter to be appointed to carry out this resolution. Supervisor
.
266
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
McKee moved to amend by inserting that when the monument was built it should be at the county seat. The subject tabled on motion of Supervisor Whiting. On the following day Supervisor. Vaughn offered the following resolution in regard to the matter: . "Resolved, that in the opinion of this Board it is not now prudent for the county to make an effort to erect the proposed monument, inasmuch as large expenditures have lately been made by the county, and that we are not now in a condition to do justice to this matter, and that the reso- lution for the present be laid upon the table." This was favorably acted upon, when Supervisor Miles offered the following substitute, which was adopted: "Resolved, that Messrs. Sumner, Vaughn and Beadle be appointed a committee to report at the next meeting of the Board the probable cost of erecting a suitable monument to the soldiers of Knox county who fell in the service of their country dur- ing the war of the great Rebellion." Nothing more was ever done with this matter. The county-seat question so engrossed the minds of the people that 'for a time the dead soldiers were forgotten. We hope, however, that at no distant day the sons of Knox who gave their lives for our country will be honored by having a monument erected to their memory.
The question of building a new jail had been agitated for many years, even as far back as 1856; and as the county-seat question had been settled, it was thought advisable to build a new prison. There had been paid out for repairs, guards and other necessary expenses on the old jail, enough money to have built a substantial and secure structure. These expenses would have been unnecessary and un- called for if the county had had a good prison. Besides, many crim- inals have gained their liberty through the worthlessness of the old prison. On the 14th of January, 1874, there were presented to the Board which had previously advertised for them, nineteen bids for the construction of a prison according to a plan drawn by Wm. Quagle, and adopted by the Board. These bids ranged from $31,500 to $39,950. Besides these, there were bids for different portions of the work. On the following day the bid of Ira R. Stevens was ac- cepted. This was for $34,900. Stevens immediately gave bonds for $10,000, for the faithful performance of his contract. Friday, the 16th, the Board bought of A. Burlingham the lot adjoining the one given by the city of Galesburg to build a jail upon, for which they paid $2,650.
Without any delay the work of construction was commenced and soon completed, and since October 3, 1874, the .building has been oc- cupied by Sheriff Berggren, he having moved in upon that date.
KNOX COUNTY JAIL, GALESBURG.
FIRST JAIL, KNOXVILLE.
269
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Shortly afterward the prisoners were conveyed from the old jail at Knoxville and placed within the stone walls of the new structure. Since then there has been a large number of persons incarcerated here, none of whom have ever permanently escaped. On one occa- sion three of them broke out but were soon recaptured. The work on the construction of the building was done in an excellent manner, and the prison is as safe as, and presents an appearance equal with any similar structure in the State, with one or two exceptions. The front part of the building, which is occupied by the Sheriff and his family, presents a handsome appearance, and the whole reflects honor to the county.
The entire building is in height two stories, with basement. The architectural design is modern, very neat and well proportioned, pre- senting, on the whole, a light, cheerful appearance. The basement is constructed of limestone, with the exterior surface rough; the walls of the main building are of red brick, the openings being trimmed with stone trimmings. In the sheriff's residence are ten pleasant rooms with closets, wardrobes and halls. There are three entrances, two at the side leading into a corridor between the jail and the residence. In the jail are thirty cells, each 4} by 7 feet and 7} in height, the walls of which are of six-inch limestone flagging. The cells are arranged in six tiers, five in length and three in height, one- half opening toward the north and one-half toward the south, into corridors eleven feet wide. The upper cells are reached by stairway and balcony, which extends in front of each tier. Beneath each of the lower tier of cells is seven feet of solid concrete. In the west end is the prison dining hall. Separating the dining hall from the cor- ridors are partitions of seven-eighth-incli iron grating, with an iron slide door, which is worked from the hall of the dwelling. The doors of the cells are all locked from the dining hall, so arranged that the sheriff or attendants are not required to come into contact with the prisoners. Above the cells are large iron tanks, from which the pris- oners are supplied with water for bathing purposes. Extending from the basement through the roof is a large ventilating flue, with which each cell is connected, and affording ample ventilation. The outer door, leading from the dwelling to the dining hall of the jail is solid wrought iron; the inner one a grated V door. The heating furnace and fuel rooms occupy the basement. In the rear portion of the sec- ond story of the dwelling are the female and debtor apartments,"con- sisting of three large, well lighted rooms. There is also in this part the sleeping apartment of the turnkey, and a large-sized bath-room. The jail proper has also bath-rooms for the accommodation of the 16
270
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
prisoners. A large vault is in the main part for the storage of stolen property recovered. The entire building is covered with a tin roof. A neat fence surrounds the clean, well kept grounds, which adds innch to its general appearance.
Since 1872 there have been incarcerated in the county jail 426 per- sons, consisting of men and women both young and old, white and black, and of almost every conceivable occupation and nationality. Since March 4, 1873, 86 prisoners have been conveyed from the jail to the Pen- itentiary and 13 to the Reform School. The largest number ever con- fined at any one time was in the month of June, 1876, when 36 pris- oners were held. At present there are ten; half of the number being boys incarcerated for larceny. But one prisoner ever paid the death penalty of the law,-he, Osborne, who was executed by Sheriff Berg- gren in the jail-yard at Knoxville on the 14th of March, 1873.
A. W. Berggren has held the responsible office of Sheriff for six years, which is longer than any other man save Peter Frans, who continued in the office ten years. Berggren, however, is again the Republican nominee for the office, which is equivalent to an election. He is a man eminently qualified for the position, possessing indoin- itable will-power, with unwavering firmness and decision of character, particularly suiting him for handling the worst class of humanity. Coupled with these traits, which are especially essential, he is gifted with a pleasant, genial disposition, safe judgment and fine business ability.
At times considerable interest has been manifested among the members of the Board in the selection of chairman. Perhaps the greatest excitement and persistency was manifested in the choosing of a chairman in 1871. Supervisor Gale nominated A. C. Clay, and Supervisor Lacy nominated H. J. Vaughn. The first ballot resulted in 13 votes cast for each candidate. The second and third ballots were the same, while the fourth stood 12 to 13. But there not being a majority of all the members, balloting ceased for awhile, when again four more ballots were taken, resulting in 13 for each candidate. The Board having adjourned to the following day, it was again re- sumed, the 9th ballot bringing no different result. The 10th ballot was taken between Vaughn and John Junk, resulting 13 for each, the 11th and the 12th the same. At this juncture a committee was ap- pointed to select the standing committees, showing that the members feared they would be unable to elect a chairman. The Board ad- journed until afternoon. When they convened they again resumed the balloting. On the 13th ballot J. W. Hensley received 12 votes, Junk 13, and Vaughn 1.
271
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
It was here decided that a majority of votes cast should elect. The 14th ballot resulted in Beadle 13, Vaughn 12, Charles 1. The 15th resulted in Vaughn 12, Beadle 12, Junk 1; 16th, Charles 1, Vaughn 12, Morse 2, Beadle 11; 17th, Vaughn 12, Beadle 13, Charles 1; 18th, Beadle 13, Peter Lacy 12, Vaughn 1; 19th and 20th were equally divided between Lacy and Beadle.
Here the Board adjourned until Thursday. Convening, they resumed balloting. The 21st ballot, Charles 13, Beadle 13; 22nd, Charles 13, Beadle 10, Morse 1, Clay 1, Junk 1; 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th was a tie between Junk and Charles.
At this stage of the excitement Supervisor Nettleton moved that Messrs. Gale and Charles be a committee to nominate a candidate. This committee reported that they could not agree upon a candidate, but that they had cast lots and would report in favor of Clay. They went into the Treasurer's office and flipped a silver half dollar, Super- visor Gale being the winner. The 27th and last ballot was then taken, resulting as follows: Clay 15, Vaughn 11. Clay was therefore declared elected. Thus the two gentlemen that were first the candi- dates closed the heated contest. This protracted contest was based upon the county-seat question, and therefore was merely a sectional fight.
From the organization of the county till the present time the sub- ject of roads and bridges lias been one of vast importance to the citi- zens of the county. Perhaps there is no county in Illinois that has been more liberal in the construction of bridges than Knox. Large amounts have been expended each and every year. For instance, in 1874 two bridges were built at a cost of $8,254. One was the Court Creek bridge, $3.523, and the other the Peoria bridge, $4,731.
During the great national excitement over the demonetization of silver by the 45th Congress, the Board of Supervisors evinced con- siderable interest, as expressed in the following resolutions, which were passed unanimously by that honorable body Thursday Jan. 10, 1878. It also expressed quite generally the views of their constituents.
Whereas, From the most remote ages, and among all nations, gold and silver, either exclusively or in common with other metals, have by common consent and universal custom, as well as by enactments of the law-ınaking power, been established, recognized and used as the representatives of value, and the medium of exchange of property, in other words, as money; and
Whereas, The value of all property has been measured, and the rights of the creditor and the liabilities of the debtor class in every comínunity have been fixed, limited, and defined, by the conjoint money power of these two metals; and
.
e k
1-
272
IIISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Whereas, During the years 1873-4, in an obscure, indirect, oblique, if not in a clandestine, surreptitious manner, silver was, in these United States, deprived of its main money power, this in its immedi- ate and remote consequences (if persisted in) causing a greater dis- turbance in values, and a greater convulsion in every civil and social relation, than any event that has transpired in the history of the country, whereby the purchasing power of the money remaining, that is, gold, is generally increased, but only in the great depression in the selling power of property, whereby the value of all securities and profits of all creditors are greatly increased, but only by a great in- crease in the burdens and liabilities of all debtors; whereby the rich are to be made richer and the poor poorer; and
Whereas, Acts of legislation are pending in the Congress of the United States having in purpose the repeal of this unjust, unequal, and injurious legislation and the restoration to silver of its original full money power; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors, representing in this ex- pression the almost unanimous voice of the people of Knox county, that we denounce as unjust, unequal, partial, and injurious, the legislation that was resorted to for the demonetization of silver, and demand its repeal.
Resolved further, That the Senators and members of the House of Representatives from this State have our hearty approval and sup- port in their efforts to secure such repeal.
Resolved further, That we respectfully but earnestly present these views to the President of the United States, with the hope that he will unite with the other department of the government in restoring silver as money, to the circulation of the country.
Resolved further, That these resolutions be spread upon the records, and a copy thereof be furnished to the members of Congress from this District, to the Senators from this State, and to the Presi- dent of the United States.
The following are the present (1878) members of the Board of Supervisors, with the name of the township each represents:
J. W. Butler, Indian Point; J. S. Latimer, Cedar; G. W. Gale, Galesburg; W. S. Gale, G. V. Dieterich, Thomas McKee, Nels Nel- son, T. J. Hale, City of Galesburg; H. M. Sisson, Henderson; L. G. Bair, Rio; Samuel McFarland, Chestnut; T. W. Sumner, Orange; D. M. Eiker, Robert Higgins, Knox; William Robson, Sparta; G. L. Stephenson, Ontario; L. W. Benson, Maquon; D. W. Aldrich, Haw Creek; R. W. Miles, Persifer; James W. Temple, Copley; Nelson Multer, Walnut Grove; John Sloan, Salem; William G. West, Elba;
273
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Samuel Tucker, Truro; Homer Gaines, Victoria; Edward Sellon, Lynn.
Hon. W. Selden Gale is the oldest member of the Board, having served continuously since its organization, with the exception of three years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.