USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 31
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
The present confirmed membership is 635. . The enrollment of the Sunday school the past year (1913) including Home De- partment and Cradle Roll was 580. Total contributions of the church for all objects during the year over four thousand seven hundred dollars. The business affairs of the congregation are administered by a church council of ten men elected by the mem- bership.
Dixon is indebted enormously to the Lutherans for buying the old farm along Rock river always conceded to be the most
*Deceased.
350
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
beautiful of all our scenie spots. This they converted into a Chau- tauqua or assembly grounds which Dr. Altman has told about herewith. I have included it with our church life.
ROCK RIVER ASSEMBLY. By Rev. F. D. Altman.
This institution had its beginning in the summer of 1887 at an ammial pienic of Lutherans at Hazelwood, about three miles northeast of Dixon. Rev. J. M. Ruthrauff, at that time pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Dixon, may properly be termed the father of the movement which has developed into the present annual Rock River Assembly.
With the cooperation of others on this territory a stock com- pany was formed. Capital stock of $10,000 was subscribed in shares of $25.00 each, and in 1890 a charter was secured from the state. Later the capital stock was increased to $20,000. Three- fourths of the shares must be held by members of, or persons affiliating with the Lutheran Church. The management of the association is vested in a board of nine directors elected by the stockholders at the annual meeting. The object of the Assembly corporation is to maintain and conduct annually on the premises of the assembly a Chautauqua, consisting more particularly of lectures, concerts, Bible conferences, round tables, religious services, and such other entertainments and exercises for the mental, moral and spiritual improvement of the community, also to afford proper recreation and other advantages for its people. It is not for financial profit. Its officers and board of directors serve without compensation, and any excess of receipts above ex- penses is used in making improvements upon the grounds and keeping up the standard of the talent employed.
A beautiful tract of land containing about forty acres was secured. The location is along the north bank of Rock river adjoin- ing the city of Dixon on the east. Here the river banks are high and extend in a great retiring enrve for half a mile. For camp- ing purposes the grounds are ideal. Nature has done its best in furnishing an attractive and restful place. The singing of birds lends enchantment to the scene. while families of squirrels frolic fearlessly about the walks and drives and upon the branches overhead.
But the superiority of Rock River Assembly is in its pro- grams. For over a quarter of a century it has won a unique place
--
ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, DINON
351
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
in the number of interesting and essential features presented. Some of the most famous lecturers and singers and characters of America and other lands across the sea have appeared on the assembly platform. The aim of the management has been to bring within the vision and hearing of the people of this part of the state, the best talent along different lines that could be pro- cured within reasonable limitations.
The effort has been appreciated, and the assembly has devel- oped beyond all expectations until it has become a permanent in- stitution of the city of Dixon. Thousands come every year to enjoy the splendid programs rendered and have an onting in nature's quiet and refreshing abode. Improvements have been made gradually and extensively. On these grounds are a large circular auditorium capable of seating 5,000 persons, numerous school and administration buildings and comfortable cottages; the Assembly Hotel, on the river front, with magnificent view, good accommodations at moderate expense. Electric lights are installed throughout the premises. Electric cars bring the visi- tors to the gates. An abundant water supply, furnished in sani- tary perfection from artesian wells, is distributed upon the grounds for publie use. The outdoor sports, boating, tennis, cro- quet, base ball, fishing, swimming, can be enjoyed to the extent of one's capacity. For sixteen days each year, beginning the last Saturday in July, the assembly affords a rich feast of good things for the people, the best which education, art and science have to offer. Rock River Assembly probably ranks third among the Chautauquas of America. The following are the members of the board of directors at this time, 1914: A. E. Thumnel, president ; Theo. Trouth, vice-president: H. M. Rasch, secretary; W. E. Trein, treasurer; A. A. Krape, C. E. Derr. A. L. Geisenheimer, Geo. W. Bruner, F. D. Altman.
SAINT LUKE'S CHURCH, DIXON. By Rev. A. B. Whitcombe.
The first services in Dixon were held by Right Reverend Phi- lander Chase, D. D., Bishop of Illinois in 1837, soon after his con- secration. He had made a visit to Grand Detour, at that time a prosperous village, and finding a few people at what was then called Dixon's Ferry he stopped over for a service. Soon after a
352
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
priest, the Reverend James De Pui, was settled here, but just when he came or when he went away are uncertain dates.
In 1845 Rev. Abraham J. Warner was appointed missionary at Grand Detour and parts adjacent. He held regular services in Dixon, Sterling, Elkhorn Grove and other places.
From 1851 to 1858 the services were held by missionaries gen- erally located at Grand Detour, whose names cannot be ascer- tained.
In 1858 a parish organization was effected by the election of the following wardens and vestrymen. A small frame church was erected on Peoria avenue, near Third street. In 1871 the new stone church was built. and consecrated on October 18, 1872. The rectors of the church have been as follows: The Reverends John Wilkinson, Abraham J. Warner, George C. Street, James W. Coe, H. H. De Garno, D. W. Dresser, D. D., William A. Wil- liams, Marison Byllesby, Samnel Edson, W. Henry Jones, Wil- liam W. Steele, John Wilkinson, Henry C. Granger, John C. Sage, John M. Ericcson, Albert B. Whitcombe.
$
CHAPTER XXIII
EAST GROVE TOWNSHIP
Hamilton's immediate neighbor to the east, was nearer the Peoria trail, and so was much sooner settled. In the thirties David Welty, while building his log house just over the line in Marion, lived in East Grove. When set off in 1865, Fenwick Anderson was elected first supervisor.
In 1836 "Squire" Charles Falvey purchased a claim from one William T. Wells, and the next year he moved upon it, the north 1% of section 34, in a grove, from which the township derived its name. Over in Marion, six miles away, lived his nearest neighbor, a Mr. Robinson, who in 1839, sold his claim to David Welty. Mr. Falvey lived right there until the day of his death, with brief exceptions when he stepped over into Bureau county to lands he owned there. In 1832 he enlisted in the company of Thomas Car- lin, later Governor, and served in the Black Hawk war.
And right here appears probably the most interesting character in Lee county's history. Joseph Smith. " Dad Joe, " as he was called familiarly. Dad had a voice like a fog horn and it was said of him that people thirty miles away knew when it was 4 o'clock in the morning because they could hear Dad Joe calling up his cattle.
In 1833 he settled in the grove bearing the name Dad Joe's grove just into Bureau county, to the southwest of East Grove, some three miles. Under the older boundaries, he was about the same distance into Jo Daviess county. He too was a Black Hawk war veteran, serving as spy under Col. Zachary Taylor. H. W. Bogardus too was a very prominent old settler.
Fenwick Anderson was another old settler. From Canadaigua, New York, he migrated to Dixon in 1844. There he remained until 1849. In that year he moved down to East Grove and settled on the south 1% of section 34. He purchased his claim from Robert
353
354
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
Tait, who had been a workman for John Deere in his plow shops at Grand DeTour for many years. The rude log house on this place was the stage house for years on the old Galena, Dixon, Peoria road. In 1852 Fenwick Anderson, with S. P. McIntosh, put up a kiln of 200,000 brick in the south part of the grove, which when burned proved to be a first class article and from them he built his residence in 1853. This experiment may be said to con- stitute the whole range of manufacturing effort in East Grove township, although it may be asked why it was not continued when such excellent results were secured.
Thomas Shehan came to Bureau county in 1844 and moved to section 35 in the year 1849, having bought a claim from Joli Kasbier.
S. P. MeIntosh came up from Alton, Illinois, to attend the Dixon land sales and in the course of his visit he bought the east 1/2 of 36. But he did not move here until the year 1856.
John Downey, A. A. Spooner, John Flynn, M. Coleman, A. Bar- low, D. Sullivan, Henry Hubbell and Simon Tubbs settled soon afterwards.
East Grove has been the scene of more than one tragedy and it furnished a Lee county grand jury with the first mirder for which an indictment was returned.
John W. Harrison, in 1842, was a deputy sheriff from Toronto, Canada. While on a visit to this country he was murdered by James S. Bell, on a spot near the northwest corner of section 35. David Welty, justice of the peace, bound Bell over to the grand jury and the fellow was taken to Dixon and lodged in jail.
Sept. 13, 1842, the indictment was returned into court. Motions to quash the indictment and to continue the case were made by counsel and were denied by Judge Thomas C. Browne and on a motion for a change of vene the case was sent to Whiteside county. There he was tried and convicted of manslaughter and sent to the Alfon penitentiary. After serving a part of his sentence he escaped and never afterwards was heard from.
And right here is met the most dramatic criminal episode ever enacted in Lee county. In the portions of this book relating to the old trails, the Cleaveland turnpike will be recalled. It was built over the creek on section 3 in East Grove township.
A peddler had been robbed by the banditti of the prairie and murdered.
Croft's house was the end of the turnpike and was the toll house. It was situated in a lonesome God-forsaken place. Title
355
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
to it came to Charles Croft from the heirs of a Mr. Millard, who in turn bought the pike and toll house from Cleaveland. Croft came into possession before the year 1849. Subsequent to the murder of the peddler, strange persons visited the toll house and held many conferences with Croft. Living with Croft was a hired girl named Montgomery, aged about fifteen.
Shortly afterwards the young girl went home to visit her mother at Dad Joe's Grove and to her she expressed her fears and refused to return. As a reason, she said she feared for her life, to remain. But she was persuaded to return and did return.
Shortly afterwards this Charles Croft who was reputed to be a member of the banditti came to one Hyra Axtell, and the two came "to my house inquiring if I had seen or heard anything of Croft's hired girl. Her name was Silena Montgomery, aged about fifteen years. Neither myself nor family could give any tidings, not hav- ing seen or heard of her for some time. Croft claimed that she had disappeared without saying anything to the family of her intention of going away, and what had become of her was a mystery. Axtell took an opportunity to communicate with me, unobserved by Croft, and said he believed there was something wrong in the matter, and that the neighborhood should be informed and a search made. I agreeing with this suggestion, we accompanied Croft to his house (being connected with the toll gate on the south end of the turn- pike) and went with him about the premises. There were three men mowing not far from the house, Eli Shaw, and the names of the other two I cannot remember, except that the first name of one was Dennis. There was also in their company one Samuel Perkins, usually called 'Sam Patch,' having a rifle with him. After being there some time and having conversation with them in various phases, Axtell and myself became more fully convinced that a mis- demeanor had been committed. We concluded to go in different directions and inform the mother of the missing girl, who resided in Dad Joe's Grove, or in that vicinity, and the neighborhood gen- erally. He went west and south and I north and east, and by night nearly a hundred people had gathered. We searched that night through the woods and grass and the next day until noon, and finally Croft's house. Croft had stated that the girl had taken all her clothes with her. While searching the second story, we dis- covered that one of the ceiling boards had marks of having been moved and replaced. We took off the board and found the best clothes of the missing girl, and under them implements for making counterfeit half dollars. These incidents strengthened the con-
356
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
victions of foul play. A consultation of the crowd was had, and two (W. B. Stuart and James Blainsen), were deputed to go to Dixon for a boat with which to explore Green river. There was an element of the credulous who sent two, Samuel Meek, Jr., and Patrick McFadden, to consult a fortune teller. The search was continued while these committees were gone but without success. The committees returned ; the one with a boat and Nathaniel G. H. Morrill, the owner, and the other reporting that the fortune teller said a murder had been committed, and five persons were impli- rated; that the one who had committed the overt act had neither boots on nor was barefooted ; that he was ragged and wore a straw hat ; that the law would never be enforced against any of them, and yet the public would be satisfied that they were the ones who were concerned in the matter. Perkins wore moccasins and otherwise answered the description of the first one spoken of. The search went on. This N. G. H. Morrill was peculiarly well adapted for working in business like this. About this time Stuart and Blair, each with a party of men, went to their respective homes for din- ner, and when Blair arrived his wife informed him that Perkins had been there during the forenoon looking pale and haggard, and inquired of her if they had dragged the lower bayou. She told him she did not know, and he went away hurriedly. Blair deemed this important tidings, hurried through his dinner and came to Stuart's with the information, and on consultation a complaint was made and a warrant was issued by Squire Stuart for the arrest of Per- kins, and it was placed in the hands of Constable Willard and Rich- ard Meek. Previous to this Perkins had been living in a shanty in the grove, about half way between Croft's and the bayou. On the search being instituted, he removed his family and effects to his father-in-law's, Reuben Bridgeman, a little north of the pres- ent limits of the city of Amboy. The constable, with his assistants, proceeded to Mr. Bridgeman's and were informed by him that Perkins had taken his rifle only a short time before and gone into the cornfield (of abont thirty aeres ) to hunt chickens.
"More assistants were procured, and the cornfield was sur- rounded. By this time it was abont 10 o'clock at night, with a bright moon. The family of Mr. Bridgeman's were in bed except Perkins' wife. The old gentleman got up and stated that Perkins had not yet returned since going into the cornfield in the after- noon. He pointed to a cottonwood tree, which he said was in the direction Perkins had taken ; that a little before sunset they had heard the report of a gun which they supposed was a shot at a
357
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
prairie chicken. Constable Willard, with Richard Meek, JJames Keeling, W. B. Stuart and F. R. Dutcher, went in the direction of the tree, and a few rods before reaching the tree they found Per- kins lying on his back, dead. Notice was given to those around the field, and a crowd was soon there. Perkins was still grasping his gun with both hands, and the toe of his moccasined foot was in the guard on the trigger, the muzzle on his breast. A portion of his skull was found nearly a rod from his body, the inside powder burnt. The coroner, Solomon Parker, was sent for, who sum- moned a jury of inquest. They investigated the case and reported the following verdict: 'The undersigned, being duly summoned and qualified by the coroner of Lee county, as a jury of inquest on the dead body of Samuel Perkins, found dead in the cornfield near Reuben Bridgeman's, believe the said Perkins came to his death by shooting himself with a rifle gun, through the head. (Signed) Jesse Hale, Francis H. Northway, Joseph Farwell, William M. Hopkins, Samuel Bixby, Elisha Pahner, John C. Church, Ira P. Hale, John Skinner, R. P. Treadwell. Inlet Precinct, August 3, 1849.' Meanwhile the search for the missing girl had been going on. This Mr. Morrill adopted the plan of going down the stream to where it loses itself as to having a channel, by spreading over the swamp, and by wading upward, thoroughly searching every part. It was a dry time and the water was quite low. This plan was followed, and when the month of the little bayon (as the cor- oner termed it in his report ) was nearly reached, the body was found. The upper part of the face was bruised as though struck with some heavy substance, and some insist that a bullet hole was in the forehead. The excitement ran high ; the male portion of the country for a dozen miles or more in every direction had come out. Coroner Parker was among the number and at once impaneled a jury of inquest, who took possession of the body and held their inquest. The following witnesses were examined as the records show: Drs. J. B. Gregory, of Dixon, and Harmon Wasson of Amboy, as physicians : Samuel Meek, Sr., Eli Shaw, John Koons, Hyra Axtell, N. G. H. Morrill, Richard Meeks, T. L. Dennis, Charles Croft, Sally Perkins, Catherine Shaw and Lyman Hub- bard. After the examination closed, the following verdiet was rendered: 'We the undersigned, having been summoned and sworn to hold a jury of inquest on the dead body of Silena Mont- gomery, found dead in Inlet Creek, in Winnebago precinct, Lee county, and state of Illinois, and having attended to their duty by a faithful examination of the said body, and by an examination of
358
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
witnesses in the case and all diligent inquiry they have been able to institute, do report their verdiet to be, that the said Silena Mont- gomery came to her death by violence, and that one Samuel Per- kins, late of Lee county, was the immediate agent in procuring her death, as we verily believe. (Signed) George E. Haskell, fore- man : Joseph Gardner, Sabin Trowbridge, I. Means, Alva Hale, L. D. Wasson, Lewis Clapp, Cyrus Williams, Philip Mowry. Jo- seph Lewis, Ozias Wheeler, and B. F. Brandon. Winnebago pre- cinet, August 4, 1849.'
"The circumstances surrounding led to the conclusion that Croft, Eli Shaw, and the two others that were found mowing hay for Croft at the commencement of the search, were implicated in the affair. Warrants were issued, and W. B. Stuart and Curtis were deputed to arrest Croft and Shaw. They, with Hyra Axtell. started, and on the way, near Samuel Meek's, they found a team and humber wagon, and in it lay Eli Shaw, dead. One report is that he died from strychnine and whiskey, and that it was found that he had purchased some of the former at Dixon, of Doctor Gregory, on that day. From the records in Dixon, it is found that a coroner's inquest was not held until March 1, 1850. As his death occurred so long before this he was probably buried and exhumed when the inquest was held. The verdict was as follows: 'Verdict of the coroner's jury, impaneled to ascertain how and in what man- ner the body of Eli Shaw came to its death. We, the jury in said case, do find that Eli Shaw came to his death from causes to the jury unknown. Dixon, March 1, 1850. (Signed) John Dement. foreman ; A. L. Porter, A. H. Eddy, 1. Means, N. F. Porter, J. W. Davis, J. M. Cropsey. C. A. Smith, John V. Eustace, Thomas H. Avres, Cyrus Williams, N. G. H. Morrill.' After leaving the body of Shaw in the care of Meeks, the three before mentioned went on to Croft's house, arriving there at a late hour of the night. Near the door they found a horse and spring wagon and a trunk in the wagon. Croft was about ready to go away. Through a rift in the window curtain they saw him load one pistol and lay it upon the table near him and take up another and commence to load it. At this juncture the door was burst open, the loaded pistol and Croft grabbed at the same time, and Croft duly ironed by the arresting party. The trunk was taken from the wagon, Croft placed in it, and Start hurriedly drove to Dixon and delivered the prisoner to the jailer. Croft's wife and her brother, John Bryant, were in the house at the time of the arrest but did not attempt to interfere. The remaining two implicated ones left the vicinity, but were heard
359
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
of at Peoria, and the officers having the warrants for their arrest proceeded there, found and took them in charge. They were ironed and placed upon a steamer for Peru. there to take the stage for Dixon. Not long after leaving Peoria, the prisoners, having the privilege of walking abont the boat, watched their opportunity and simultaneously threw themselves overboard and were drowned, the irons upon them facilitating to make an effectual taking off in this way. Of the five implicated, only Croft now remained alive. He remained in jail, having been indieted by the grand jury Ang. 23, 1849, and the case continued to the next term. His wife visited him occasionally, and a few days before the term and shortly after one of these visits the jailor, calling at the cell, found Croft with his throat cut, and life extinct; a razor lay by with which the deed was done. The next day, a coroner's inquest was held, which resulted in the following verdict : 'Upon the view of the body of Charles Croft, now lying dead in the jail of Lee county, at Dixon, Illinois, we the jury of inquest duly impan- eled and sworn diligently to inquire, and a true presentment make, how, in what manner, and by whom or what, the body of the said Charles Croft. which here lies dead, came to his death, do find that the said Charles Croft came to his death by cutting his own throat with a razor, on the afternoon of the 22d of November, A. D. 1849, while confined in the jail of Lee county. (Signed ) William W. Heaton, foreman ; Charles Dement, E. W. Hine. J. B. Brooks, James Benjamin, A. M. Pratt. R. B. Loveland, James Campbell, Horace Preston, E. B. Blackman. Gilbert Messer. Elias B. Stiles. Dixon, Lee County, Illinois, November 23, 1849." The theory gen- erally held in relation to this matter, which caused the murder of the girl Salina, is as follows: Croft's premises was considered a rendezvous of the banditti of the prairie of those times. Croft owned the turnpike across the Winnebago swamps and kept the toll gate at the south end. it being near the center of section 3, of East Grove. Several individuals had been known to pass over the turnpike from the north and were not heard of afterwards, especially a peddler, who had formerly frequented those parts. and it is supposed this hired girl knew so much of the workings of this banditti, that they concluded it was not safe for her to live and as 'dead men tell no tales,' they murdered her. Croft planned the mode of the proceeding, Perkins was guilty of the overt act. and the other three helped to secrete the body. So all were, as princi- pals or accessories, participants in the matter." ( From the papers of the late William B Andruss).
360
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
The conclusion of this series of fearful tragedies is best related by the late Mrs. Grace Everett Johnson, daughter of Dr. Oliver Everett, who lived on the corner opposite, to the north. The jail at that time was located upon the southeast corner of Second street and Ottawa avenue. Across the street to the north, where the present Elks clubhouse has been built, was the location of the old Everett home.
"The county jail in those days was in the northwest corner of the lot now owned by Mr. George Steel, and just across the street from our house. When Croft, one of the men who committed those terrible murders on Green river in the early days, cut his throat with a razor accommodatingly supplied him by his wife, the sheriff rushed over for my father. When he got there he at once saw that nothing could be done to save the man's life, and, indeed, it was but a few minutes until he breathed his last, thus closing another chapter in that terrible record of crime."
The manner of supplying the razor was'as follows: The wife had been permitted to visit him at the jail many times. At last just before his trial was to be called, she baked the razor in a loaf of bread and with it the wretch cut his throat.
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.