USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 41
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Fred. A. Willoughby, dem. .. 1961
D. H. Clark, dem.
69
CIRCUIT CLERK.
Geo. L. Hannaman, rep.
4268
2209
Patrick H. Smith, dem.
.2059
SHERIFF.
24
August W. Berggren, rep.
4282
2337
Peter S. Nelson, liberal.
1945
Moses S. Carr, dem
40
John S. Garrett, ind ..
34
CORONER.
Albert S. Slater, rep ..
4325
2357
Edward H. Stilson, dem .
1968
ELECTION NOV. 8, 1873.
JUDGE.
Dennis Clark, rep.
.3603
133%
Rufus W. Miles, rep.
2271
COUNTY CLERK.
John S. Winter, rep.
.3440
Francis M. Sykes ..
2423
1017
COUNTY TREASURER.
Edwin T. Ellett, dem
.3378
935
Daniel Robertson, dem
.2443
SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS.
Mary Allen West, rep.
.3015
814
Bobb, dem.
2141
S. P. Lucy, lib
.622
ELECTION NOV. 7, 1874.
CONGRESS.
Richard H. Whiting, rep.
... 2883
556
Leonard F. Ross, liberal . .
.2327
REPRESENTATIVES.
Curtis K. Harvey, dem .
.. 516512
John H. Lewis, rep.
47501%
John T. McGinnis, rep.
391616
James M. Taylor, liberal. .
216412
Robert J. Cabeen, Ind.
10
SHERIFF.
August W. Berggren, rep.
.3551
1764
Samuel F. Patton, Ind.
.1789
SUPT. PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Wm. W. Powell, rep.
.3417
1522
Samuel W. Etter, lib. .
.1895
CORONER.
Albert S. Slater, rep.
3503
1672
J. C. Morse, lib. .
816
Chauncey Morse, dem
1015
ELECTION NOV. 7, 1875.
TREASURER.
James L. Burkhalter, rep
.1822
522
A. C. Clay, dem
1300
SURVEYOR.
Henry J. Vaughn, rep
1802
Ralph Voris, dem
1335
467
421
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
VOTE. MAJ.
ELECTION NOV. 2, 1876.
PRESIDENT.
Rutherford_B. Hayes, rep. .5235
Samuel J. Tilden, dem.
2632
Peter Cooper, ind ..
141
Jonathan Blanchard,
1
CONGRESS.
Thomas A. Boyd, rep
5004
2228
Geo. A. Wilson, dem. .
.2776
Watson W. Mathews, ind .
195
SENATOR.
Benjamin C. Taliaferro, rep .. 5224 2478 Franklin C. Smith, dem. .. .. . 2746 REPRESENTATIVES.
Alfred S. Curtis, rep.
7806
Joseph F. Latimer, rep.
7731
Abraham M. Brown, dem.
7868
Joseph E. Harroun, ind.,
510
STATE'S ATTORNEY.
John J. Tunnicliff, rep.
.5190
Robert Dollard, dem
2773
CIRCUIT CLERK.
2417
George L. Hannaman, rep.
.. 549
341
Orrin P. Cooley, dem ...
... 2085
50
24
SHERIFF.
August W. Berggren, rep.
. 5194 2476
Joseph Stafford, dem. .. ...
.. 2718
CORONER.
D. W. Aldrich, rep
.5228
2468
J. Harts Miller, dem
.2760
ELECTION NOV. 7, 1877. JUDGE.
Dennis Clark, rep.
.2478
542
Curtis K. Harvey, dem.
.1936
COUNTY CLERK.
John S. Winter, rep.
2402
408
Wm. J. Davis, dem.
1994
COUNTY TREASURER.
J. L. Burkhalter, rep.
. . 4375
COUNTY SUPT. SCHOOLS.
Mary A. West, rep.
.3182
2041
Henry Case, dem.
.1141
-
2603
VOTE. MAJ
422
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
.
CHAPTER XVII.
PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND MISCELLANY.
HISTORICAL ITEMS FROM REV. WRIGHT'S JOURNAL.
The following interesting items are taken from the journal of Rev. S. G. Wright, a Congregational preacher of Stark county; but as his labors were largely in Knox county, we find mention made frequently of locations and incidents here. He was in the employ of the Home Missionary Society, and lived in West Jersey township, which is township 12 north, range 5 east, and was formerly a part of Knox county. From his journal it may be gathered that for the first few years he had regular appointments at Walnut Creek, Victoria and Henderson.
First entry. "December 24, 1841 .- Started for Walnut creek. There had been a great rain; the creek was swimming; Richard C. and William Dunn were with me; had much difficulty in crossing the branch above Trickle's mill; had to break ice for near an hour, and go round by Fraker's Grove, in order to get to the bridge below Cen- treville; preached at Mr. Foster's Friday evening," etc., etc.
" April 18, 1842 .- Went to Knoxville to attend the debate between Kinney and Frazer; also to obtain a teacher, which I effected."
" May 2 .- Went to La Fayette to hear Mr. Harris expose Mormon- ism; rehearsed his lecture to my people at Mr. Webster's. Last week preached but twice; plowed the rest of my field, and sowed four and a half bushels of oats."
"September 14 .- Went to Henderson and Galesburg; made ar- rangements for a meeting at La Fayette; at Knoxville was hindered all the next day, endeavoring to get relief for five colored persons who were that day imprisoned because they could not produce full evi- dence that they were free."
"November 18 .- Last week I went to Galesburg to attend the asso- ciation; no minister present but myself. Preached four successive days, and was detained two days longer by the severity of the weather. How soon I can return I know not, as the snow is badly drifted and the wind yet high and cold." "
" December 24 .- Attended the first meeting for mutual improve-
SCHOOL BUILDING, WATAGA
ʻ
425
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
ment at Knoxville; also the other association,-indeed, had a promi- nent part in it, but was compelled to tear myself away, as my house and family needed my attention, for it is very cold, and our house has neither doors nor floors.
" I have spent all the week at hard work, and we have just got the lower floor laid, the doors in, and the upper floor battened a little."
"February 6, 1843 .- Last week had much severe 'cold weather; had to be at home most of the week; read ' Horne's Introduction,' etc. On Friday another fugitive from slavery came along,-making twenty- one that have passed through this settlement on their way to Canada. To-day it is extremely cold: the ink freezes in my pen as I try to write beside the stove."
" May 22, 1843 .- Last week was at home most of the time ; planted potatoes, corn, etc .; visited families; hope some good was done. Satur- day, went to the Emery settlement, but found so strong an antipathy against abolitionists that but few would hear me preach ; so I went on, and on Sabbath morning preached at Toulon to a large congrega- tion ; most of the seats filled. Report said the Mormons meant to encounter me here and draw me into a debate, but all passed off quietly."
"May 20 .- The grand jury found a bill against me and my Elder,
IM W. W. Webster, for harboring runaway slaves ! Some excitement exists, but hope good will result. Many sympathize with us and with the oppressed, who had seldom thought on the subject before ; and these wicked laws 'to be hated need but to be seen.' Rev. Owen Lovejoy, of Princeton, is also indicted. We have not yet been taken by the sheriff, but probably shall be soon."
" May 20, 1844 .- Heard there was to be an informal meeting of the presbytery at Knoxville, and went, returning the next day in the rain. Sabbath rainy, but preached twice ; we have more rain than ever before ; creeks are all full, bridges gone, and the earth perfectly saturated with water ; sickness beginning to prevail, lung fevers especially."
" May 24 .- Last week court sat ; no complaints against ' nigger- stealers' this time ; court held but one day."
" June 10, 1844 .- Last week started with wife and two daughters for Knoxville, Galesburg, Victoria, etc. Wednesday evening at Knox- ville, a most dreadful storm of wind, hail, rain and lightning broke over us; several houses were unroofed, and one new two-story house was upset and dashed to fragments. In it were a mother and three children; one child dangerously hurt. The storm raged from Gales- burg to Spoon river,-how much farther we know not. It seemed for
426
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
many minutes impossible that the house in which we were could withstand its force. Mr. Cole was absent, and no man present but myself. There seemed but a step between us all and death. God alone could understand our feelings. The lightning was almost con- stant, and in many places. seemed to be running all over the ground; persons riding in wagons saw the wheels apparently encircled with fire. This occurred on the 5th of June, 1844. Streams are all swim- ming, bridges gone, roads dreadful, still raining."
" June 24 .- Went to Knoxville as a witness for Rev. Mr. Cross, in the case of The People vs. Cross for harboring slaves; at length a nolle prosequi was entered, and I returned home. On Friday, went to Farmington to attend a convention for organizing a general asso ciation for the State. The constitution was changed in divers places, and the confession of faith slightly altered; strong resolutions passed on the subject of slavery."
" February 9, 1846 .- Last week, went to Galesburg to attend the installation of Brother Kellogg *; was unexpectedly called to give the charge to the people. After preaching, we had a conference of breth. ren in reference to uniting our presbytery and central association in a sort of convention, so there should be one and not two bodies. Tuesday, went to Galesburg to attend the commencement exercises of Knox College. They were quite flattering to the institution. Mr. Blanchard, however, so far forgot the spirit of the age, and of the West, as to appear in a 'toga,' and to wear his hat, etc., etc., while giving his inaugural address."
"January 5, 1847 .- Went to attend the ordination of Brother Blanchard at Knoxville; very muddy, bad roads. Arriving at home on Friday evening, found two fugitives from slavery had been along with only 'Christmas papers.' Messrs. Smith and Gordon, of Farm- ngton, pursued, got out a search-warrant for two stolen horses, and two colored men who were supposed to have stolen them. Neither horses nor men were described, except that one man called himself ' Major.' They searched our premises in vain, however, for the birds had flown, having got a wink from friends at Farmington that they were pursued. Several constables and others followed them to Osceola, but before they reached there the fugitives were safely ont of the county."
Shall we ask pardon of our readers for introducing so many extracts from this journal, or rather express regret that we can give no more?
* First President of Knox College; but this must have been his installation as Pastor of the First Church of Galesburg.
427
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
-not on account of their intrinsic worth, of themselves considered, but on account of the memories they awaken, and the light thrown on the " long ago." Such simple allusions to matters then current come to the early settlers now, with their far-off date, like echoes from a land they shall see no more.
Rev. Mr. Wright is residing in Burlington, Kansas, at the present time, and is still a missionary.
INDIAN BOY KILLED.
In 1837, when the Pottawatomie Indians were being removed west by Colonel Sands, they were several days in passing through this county. When camping near Abingdon one of the Indian boys ac- cidentally shot another, killing him. This aroused the parents of the unfortunate boy, who, as the rule was among the Indians, demanded the life of the boy that killed him. Colonel Sands knew that the killing. was accidental, and therefore did not want the boy to suffer death for the act; so, in order to appease them and settle the matter, lie called them all up, and made a fatherly speech to them; and as a price for this son gave to the parents of the deceased boy blankets, cloth, and a pony or two. The boy was buried near Jonathan Latimer's house, the spot being marked by a small cross, cut into a hickory tree. For many years the little mound over the grave remained un- disturbed.
BIG STORMS.
On the 5th of June, 1844, occurred one of most destructive wind and rain storms that ever visited Illinois. The damage done in this county was largely in the northern part. Houses and barns were un- roofed and demolished, and the demon of destruction prevailed on every hand.
A temperance meeting was being held in the school-house on sec- tion 32, Ontario township. A reformed drunkard by the name of Thomas addressed the meeting under tlie auspices of the Washing- tonian movement. The meeting was broken up by the fury of the storm. Every liouse for some distance was unroofed except Mr. Camp's, which was probably saved by the protection afforded by a grove. Some forty persons, rendered homeless by the storm, staid at this house during the night. As the people drove up to the house, the drivers held their horses from the windows, but the wagons were uncoupled and blown to fragments. A. S. Clearwater, who was liv- ing with I. M. Wetmore, took a load of young people to the temper- ance meeting with an ox team. This load consisted of Misses Hettie
428
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Morse, Emma Crane, Leah Keyes, and Deacon Wetmore. On their return the storm struck them with great fury. Urging on his oxen, they reached Ezra Chapman's big gate, when the driver, finding he could go no farther, unhitched the team. They then went with the wind out upon the prairie. This moment the heavy gate was blown around upon the fore part of the wagon, holding it fast while the hind part fluttered in the wind. Miss Keyes jumped from the wagon; the others remained in. At this critical juncture the roof of Mr. Chapman's house was blown off and over the heads of those in and around the wagon; this was quickly followed by the roof of the large hog-pen and a shed roof, all passing in the same line. When the house roof was taken off the eighteen or twenty sheltered there scattered, some going to the smoke-house, in which the water was a foot deep, some to the hog-pen, which was soon unroofed, and some to the shed and barn, while others went to the wagon. Just then a 200-pound Miss was being whirled by, when Mr. Clearwater caught her.
After the storm somewhat abated they set about getting home,- at least those who had any left. Amos Wilmot's cabin was unroofed, and the family took shelter in the out-door cellar.
Ezra Chapman left the temperance meeting with the rest, but being lame, stopped at the corner of his yard for the wind to lull, when he was struck by a missile, as he supposed, knocking him senseless, in which condition he remained for quite a while, coming to, to find his buildings unroofed. He describes the cloud, when approaching, as like a large wheel, 100 feet in diameter, rolling over and over, filled with debris.
Joseph Fisher had been to Henderson to have some blacksmithing done, and on his return he was overtaken by the storm, which took off the body and hind wheels of his wagon, leaving the front wheels attached to his horse, which he held by the bit. After the storni had abated he proceeded toward home as he thought, but after trav- eling for some time he bronght up at Samuel Randall's, who lived within a mile of Henderson. He found his log cabin partly unroofed. Mr. Fisher was so chilled he could not speak. On returning home to Mr. Robbin's the following day, he found his house, which he was building, completely demolished.
Thomas Corder rode into the timber on horseback just as the storın struck it. He put spurs to his horse, riding with full speed. The trees fell fast, just whipping in behind him. Some fifty in number fell across the pass just behind him.
The roof of James Maxwell's house was taken off and set down on
429
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the ground. When he went out the wind took him along with the roof. He made long strides! Lighting in the hazel brush, he caught hold of it to save himself, and the wind, he avers, whipped him up and down, giving him a tremendous thrashing.
In the northern part of Ontario township, it is said, two cows were pinned together by a rail running through them both.
T. P. Wetmore had the roof of his house torn off, a feather-bed car- ried several rods, a tin boiler taken five miles, and crocks of milk and lard were hurled about in various ways. Two carpenters-Fairfield and Stillman-were at Mr. Wetmore's, building a barn. Stillman was caught by the wind, whirled down, one of his shoes torn off, and he rolled over and over in company with some sheep that were pass- ing, being driven by the same power. He was carried some thirty rods and thrown into a large slough with the sheep, before his clutch- ing to the grass could stop him. He was very glad to be found for once among the sheep, and not the goats!
Several hard-wood planks were blown sixty rods, and only two fence posts remained standing on Mr. Wetmore's place. In plowed fields the wind was so severe and powerful as to blow the soil away as deep as it was plowed.
SUDDEN CHANGES.
The many sudden changes in the weather during the winter of 1836 are often referred to by old settlers. The following is especially worthy of note. Gaddial Scott took a load of dressed hogs to Hen- derson, a distance of six miles. There were several inches of snow on the ground, but rain was falling slowly, and consequently the snow was turned to slush, and it was with great difficulty that he could proceed with his heavy load. The road continued to grow softer all the way until he reached the town. No change in the weather was noticed when he begun to unload his hogs, which took him about twenty minutes. Before he had taken the last hog from his sleigh, the horses, previously wet by perspiration, were covered with ice. A great cloud from the northwest came up, and the ground, covered with snow, and water were so suddenly frozen, that, in his own words, he "drove home just as though he was on a sea of ice."
COLD WEATHER.
In 1834-5 two men started from Persifer township to Peoria with pork. They landed there with good success and soon started home. On their way they got very cold as it was in the dead of winter. One had three yoke of oxen, while the other had four horses; and, after
430
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
traveling some time, the one driving the ox team saw that the other would freeze to death; so, in order to save the man, and having a large whip, he struck him with the lash a few times, and continued doing so until the man became so enraged that he got down from his wagon. He was then so stiff he could hardly walk; but the other kept strik- ing him with the whip, keeping out of the way, and running along by the side of the ox team in order to break the wind from him. By so doing he kept himself warm and saved the other's life. They remained over night at Kickapoo, four miles out, traveling eight miles the next day, finally returning to their homes in safety.
WET SEASONS.
In this section the " wet seasons " seemed to come on the seven- year plan several times in succession, the years 1844, 1851 and 1855 being particularly characterized by rain and high winds. In the spring of 1858 the village of Ellison, southwest of Galesburg, was en- tirely swept away by a whirlwind; and in Galesburg during another storm, on the 13th of April, the only church spire (the one on "Beecher's " church-First Congregational) was blown down, crush- ing the building to a great extent. Repairs were made, and the base of the spire finished off into a low cupola, the citizens generally be- lieving that this country was too much subject to hurricanes to admit of tall steeples. Scarcely any venture was made to erect a magnifi- cent spire until 1864, when the Second Presbyterian church build- ing was surmounted with a graceful structure of this kind. Other churches followed, until this last summer the old "Brick " church ventured again on another trip heavenward.
(fm, A part of the roof of Isaac Merrill's dwelling was carried away, leaving just sufficient over two rooms to protect a bed in each, and the remaining patches of roof not extending more than six inches beyond the edges of the beds.
B& The storm of 1858 brought the severest wind that has ever visited Galesburg, but several hailstorms of later years have done immense damage in this region. An extensive gardener in the northwestern portion of the city, in 1868, saw $5,000 go out of pocket in three- quarters of an hour!
A FEROCIOUS DOG.
One evening, during the times when the Indians were troublesome to the early settlers, a daughter of Mr. William Lewis went out to milk. She was accompanied by a large dog. While engaged in milking, an Indian jumped over the high log fence into the barnyard,
431
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY ..
where she was. The dog immediately gave chase to the Indian, who jumped back over the fence. In the course of the evening the dog came back covered with blood. He had never been known to bark much before, but that night kept up a continuous growling and bark- ing, causing the family to think that the Indians were near, and in- tended an attack on them; but the night passed without any further trouble. A few days afterward, in a ravine not more than a quarter of a mile from the house, the body of an Indian was found with the head nearly eaten off, and it was supposed that the dog had caused his death.
LOST CHILDREN.
In November, 1862, George Flynn, the little 23-year-old son of John Flynn, of Persifer township, strayed from home and was lost. It was about noon when the child was first missed, and no one re- membered seeing it about the house later than ten o'clock that morn- ing. Mrs. Flynn was entertaining a number of visiting friends, and intent on the hospitalities of the occasion the absence of the little boy was unnoticed.
It was soon noised through the neighborhood that a child was lost. This startling announcement soon spread all over the country, and in the afternoon as many as 200. friends and neighbors were searching up and down North creek for little George. They brought with them baskets of food, intending to continue the search until the little fellow was found, either dead or alive. So many came that, as night drew on, Mr. Flynn, fearing the horses would tramp on the child, begged most of them to go home, and he, with a few others would continue the search through the night. This they did; but when morning dawned no trace of the child had been found. Early in the day crowds again assembled, with increased determination not to give up. The agony of the parents over the lost child no words can describe. The mother was fairly wild with grief and anxiety, while the father was excited nearly beyond the bounds of human endurance. They now expected to find only the lifeless form.
About ten o'clock word was sent along the line that Frank Wilson had found near the stream the tracks of a little child. Investigation proved that an attempt had been made to cross the stream. As the water on measurement was found to be two feet deep, nothing re- mained for them to do but to drag the stream. This they did for a distance of nearly two miles, without success, when they became al- most discouraged, fully believing the child had been eaten up by the wolves which were known to infest the woods at that time. About
432
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
noon of the second day, Mr. William Taylor, who lived at a distance, heard that the child had been lost. Without finishing the dinner just begun, he filled his pockets with biscuits and started to join the hunt. About five o'clock he, in company with E. M. Beach, found tracks on the other side of the stream,-such tracks !- so faint in their outline that they could scarcely believe a child had made them. On they went-another little foot-print. Was there ever anything so small and of so much significance ? Great was their surprise when at last they came upon the little fellow alive and apparently in no wise dis- concerted by his night's adventure and hazardous surroundings. These strong men shed tears of joy, and great was the shout that went up from all around when the lost child was found.
He had strayed three miles from home, and had lived on black haws during his sojourn in the woods. He was thinly clad, having on no garments but a calico frock; was without shoes or hat, but was found in a most excellent state of physical preservation, and was borne home with great demonstrations of joy to liis parents, who had given up all hope of ever seeing their child alive again.
A little boy by the name of Lee, and only three years of age, was lost in the timber on North creek, for about two days. He started out one morning with a tin cup, to go to a neighbor's for some milk for breakfast, but in some manner lost. his way, and was not found until on the evening of the second day. He was then wandering about in the woods, and when asked where he was going, replied that he was going for milk. He was quite weak and frightened, but held on to the cup. The loving parents were so frantic over their lost son that the whole neighborhood and vicinity were out on the search, and all were made happy when the lost was found.
One day in July, of the year 1872, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Owen went to market, leaving their little daughter Corrilla, who was but three years of age, at home and in care of an elderly man that was about the farm. They left her fast asleep, but npon awakening, after they had been gone some time, and not being able to find her parents, the little one concluded that they had gone to town and that she also would go. She accordingly started, and after wandering about for some time toward the vicinity of Spoon river, she came upon the farm of Mr. Isaac Sherman, on section 3, in Haw Creek township. In the evening Mrs. Sherman discovered her in the field, and going to her, found from lier story that she was lost. She could not tell her name, so Mrs. Sherman took her to the house with her. In the mean time the parents, almost crazed with fears and excitement that they should never again see their little daughter, were searching the country over
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