USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 39
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1876-Mayor, Silas Beason; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, S. Kahn; Attorney, C. J. Forsyth; Marshal, R. B. Fryar; Street
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Commissioner, Isaac Acken; Councilmen, First Ward, John Wyatt; Second Ward, James A. Hudson; Third Ward, William Hargadine; Fourth Ward, John J. Russell.
1877-Mayor, Silas Beason; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, S. Kahn; Attorney, W. W. Stokes; Marshal, William J. Pettitt; City Justice, P. B. Knight; Street Commissioner, Isaac Acken; Coun- cilmen, First Ward, N. E. Pegram and Abram Mayfield; Second Ward, Simon Rock; Third Ward, James H. Russell; Fourth Ward, Charles White.
1878-Mayor, D. L. Braucher; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, F. C. Maxwell; Marshal, Joseph Childs; Street Commissioner, Joseph Thompson; Councilmen, First Ward, George W. Webb; Second Ward, James A. Hudson; Third Ward, David Hummell and A. Crandall; Fourth Ward, David Reed.
1879-Mayor, James E. Hill; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, Lee Head; Marshal, W. H. Beach; Street Commissioner, Isaac Acken; Councilmen, First Ward, N. E. Pegram; Second Ward, E. N. Davis; Third Ward, William Hungerford; Fourth Ward, Peter Biwer.
1880-Mayor, Silas Beason; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, S. J. Woland; Marshal, Joseph Childs; Street Commissioner, John Savage; Councilmen, First Ward, H. G. Bramwell; Second Ward, James A. Hudson; Third Ward, John Ahrens; Fourth Ward, John Spotz.
1881-Mayor, D. H. Harts; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, S. J. Woland; Marshal, Patrick Mc- Cann; City Justice, P. B. Knight; Street Commissioner, John Savage; Aldermen, First Ward, R. B. Latham; Second Ward, E. N. Davis; Third Ward, William Hungerford; Fourth Ward, John F. Boy.
1882-Mayor, Abram Mayfield; Clerk, C. M. Knapp; Treas- urer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, O. C. Sharp; Marshal, Mark Storen; Street Commissioner, John Savage; Councilmen, First Ward, H. G. Bramwell; Second Ward, L. L. Hatton; Third Ward, Israel McCord; Fourth Ward, George N. Williams.
1883-Mayor, Albert Rothschild; Clerk, W. G. Starkey, Treas- urer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, Robert Humphrey; Marshal, Jo- seph Childs; Street Commissioner, Michael Coogan; Councilmen, First Ward, H. F. Elliott; Second Ward, E. N. Davis; Third Ward, Thomas Kenyon; Fourth Ward, Fred Goosman.
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1884 .- Mayor, Albert Rothschild ; Clerk, William G. Starkey ; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn; Attorney, Robert Humphrey; Marshal, John Bushell; Street Commissioner, Charles H. Glidden; Council- men, First Ward, John Q. Smith ; Second Ward, James A. Hud- son; Third Ward, Israel McCord; Fourth Ward, John J. Russell. 1885 .- Mayor, Albert Rothschild; Clerk, W. G. Starkey; Treas- urer, William A. Corwine ; City Justice, P. B. Knight ; Marshal, John Bushell; Street Commissioner, Jacob Werschay ; Attorney, O. C. Sharp ; Councilmen, First Ward, N. E. Pegram'; Second Ward, E. N. Davis ; Third Ward, P. H. Beach ; Fourth Ward, Charles A. Nicholson.
COAL MINES.
The Lincoln Coal Company was formed in December, 1867, . under the general incorporation law of Illinois, but afterward be- came incorporated under a special charter, adopted at a special session of the General Assembly of 1869. The stock of the com- pany was divided into 500 shares of $100 each. Two hundred and ninety were paid for in full, ten were donated to James Braucher, who had previously bored for coal about six miles south of Lin- coln, and had awakened some interest on the subject, and the remaining 200 shares were apportioned among the stock- holders, according to the number of shares each held, upon their paying $30 for each share. This company was composed of some of the most energetic citizens of Lincoln and vicinity, among whom were Silas Beason, Dr. A. M. Miller, Frank Frorer and James Coddington.
A tract of land comprising one and a half acres was leased at what is now the crossing of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis and Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroads, and on the 1st day of January, 1868, the company began to sink a shaft. The work was pushed forward until a depth of fifty two feet was reached, when a bed of quicksand and water, eighteen feet in depth, retarded their progress .. They labored long and at great ex- pense in overcoming this, and it was not until September, 1869, that the present vein of coal was reached, at a depth of 271 feet. Preparations were immediately made for putting in machinery for raising coal, and on the 15th of December, 1869, nearly two years after the commencement of the work, coal was brought to the surface. In sinking the shaft several veins of coal were passed. At a depth of 100 feet a vein eighteen inches thick was found ; at a depth of 150 feet, one of thirty inches ; and seventy feet 27
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farther down, one forty-two inches in thickness was passed. The vein operated is five feet in thickness, and proves to be of an ex- cellent quality. The cost of the shaft was $70,000, or $30,000 more than the amount of capital paid in. Bonds of the corpora- tion were issued to the amount of $10,000 and a trust deed was executed on the property of the company as security. These bonds maturing in August, 1871, and the holders refusing to extend the time, the property was advertised and sold on the 23d day of December, 1871. Frank Frorer became purchaser for the amount of the indebtedness of the company, for the use of all the stockholders who should join in forming a new company. and contribute thereto in proportion to the stock held by them in the old company. By this purchase a new company was formed, and a capital of $80,000 contributed. The name of the old company was the Lincoln Coal Company, that of the new, the Lincoln Coal Mining Company. The stock is entirely owned by Frank Frorer, D. H. Harts and Mrs. D. H. Harts. The company employs 200 men some of whom are used in the tile works, which have been operated since 1878. The mine produces 80,000 tons of coal annually.
The Citizens' Coal Mining Company was organized in June, 1882, by S. A. Foley, A. Mayfield, Peter Obcamnp, Henry Ahrens and Hiram Pierce. The officers are now : Hiram Pierce, Presi- dent ; Henry Ahrens, Vice-President, Superintendent and Treas- urer; A. Mayfield, Secretary. The company owns the coal in 240 acres of land adjoining the city of Lincoln, and employs 160 men regularly, besides about thirty more when the demand for coal warrants the use of an increased force. Four hundred and fifty tons are mined daily, and shipped to all points on the railroads leading from the mine, while the local demand is also large. The shaft is 266 feet deep, and the seam of coal is five feet four inches in thickness.
LINCOLN GAS COMPANY.
The works of this company were constructed in 1873, by the National Gas Works Building Company of St. Louis, and were operated by that company for several months. In 1879 S. A. Foley became owner, and in 1884 the Lincoln Gas and Electric Light Company was organized, consisting of S. A. Foley, W. M. Dustin, Frank Frorer, D. H. Harts, R. B. Latham and John D. Gillett. About 40,000 feet of gas are daily produced.
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BANKS.
Lincoln has one private and two national banks. The former is owned by William M. Dustin, who has conducted a banking busi- ness in Lincoln many years.
The First National Bank was organized in July, 1873, by Messrs. Gillett, Schuler and others, with $50,000 capital. They deposited with the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington $30,000 in bonds, entitling them to $27,000 in circulating notes. The bank at once began business, with John D. Gillett as President and H. B. Schuyler as Cashier. There has been no change in the former office, Mr. Gillett still retaining the presidency. Mr. Schuyler sold his interest in March, 1882, to Frank Hoblit, of Atlanta, and in the virtual reorganization which then took place Mr. Hoblit became cashier and has since held that position. Frank W. Cottle is teller, and has held that position for about eight years. The business has steadily increased, especially since Mr. Hoblit took charge, and is now in a highly satisfactory condition. All branches of banking business are carried on. The bank is located on Broadway, be- tween Chicago and Kickapoo streets.
Lincoln National Bank .- The Lincoln Savings, Loan and Trust Company began business July 1, 1877. There were then ten stockholders-S. A. Foley (President), J. A. Hudson (Cashier), John Happerley, Arthur Quisenberry, Mary White, F. S. Selley, S. E. Hudson, Ezra White, E. G. Hudson and G. B. Hudson. The authorized capital was $100,000, half of which was paid up. This company continued under the name first mentioned until August 1, 1885, when two organizations were effected, with prac- tically the same stockholders. One is the Lincoln Loan and Trust Company, formed to transact a real estate loaning business in Illinois and Kansas, with S. A. Foley as President, B. F. McCord as Vice-President and J. A. Hudson as Cashier; the other is the Lincoln National Bank, S. A. Foley, President; G. I. Harry, Cashier, and James A. Hudson, Vice-President. The bank has a paid-up capital of $60,000, and is doing a prosperous and profit- able business on sound principles.
EDUCATIONAL.
Previous to July, 1867, the public schools of the city were under the control of a Board of Directors, in accordance with the laws of
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the State of Illinois, the Superintendent of Schools for Logan County having general supervision over the same.
In October, 1866, the number of children between the ages of six and twenty-one years was found by the census to be 893. The aggregate attendance during the year ending July, 1867, was 619, and the average attendance during the same time was 353, and eight teachers were employed in the schools. At that time there were only five school buildings in the city, containing seven rooms, as follows: The grammar school, one house in the First Ward, and one in the Second, with two rooms each; and one room in each of the Third and Fourth wards. The school-rooms were poorly seated, and very little furniture and conveniences for teacher and pupil were found in them.
On the 1st day of July, 1867, the city council passed an "Ordi- nance in Relation to Public Schools," thereby creating the " Board of School Inspectors," and giving them exclusive control of the city schools, independent of the State and county organization. On the third Monday in July the council appointed, as provided by said ordinance, the first Board of Inspectors, which consisted of:
A. M. Miller, First Ward; J. F. Hyde, Second Ward; W. J. Ross, Third Ward; D. H. Warren, Fourth Ward; G. S. Dana, F. C. W. Koehnle, city at large.
The first meeting of the board was held on the 17th of July, at which time A. M. Miller was elected chairman, and committees were appointed.
The city council had, in the months of July and August, built a new house in the Third Ward, and added a story to the Fourth Ward house (which was of brick); re-seated all the old rooms with good seats; furnished each room with a clock, desk, bell, chairs, etc., for the comfort and convenience of teachers. During the first month the schools became so much crowded that it was found necessary to rent three rooms, and employ two more teachers (there being 440 pupils in six rooms, with eight teachers).
By the census of July, 1867, there were found to be 1,296 chil- dren between the ages of six and twenty-one years, and during the year closing July, 1868, there was an aggregate attendance of 914, and the average was 487, showing a gain over the previous year of 48 per cent. in aggregate, and 38 per cent. in average attendance. Yet it appears that many who were eligible to attend school, as seen by the census, could not be admitted and receive that share of instruction which pupils ought to receive in public schools.
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However, there was a marked improvement in the schools. The superintendent was constantly employed in visiting, and aiding the teachers in their work ; monthly meetings were held for consulta- tion; pupils manifested an interest in their studies, and all worked faithfully and harmoniously together, from day to day, during the whole year.
To remedy in part the want of sufficient accommodations, the city council caused to be erected two new buildings, in the sum- mer of 1868, one in the First Ward, and one in the north part of the Fourth Ward.
The office of superintendent having been dispensed with, no general record of the progress of the schools was kept for the suc- ceeding two years.
In the summer of 1869 preparations were made to erect a large central school-house. A lot of ground known as the Wright block, situated between Union and Maple, and Seventh and Eighth streets, in the central part of the city, was purchased at a cost of $5,000. The plan of the building furnished by T. F. Ladue, Esq., was adopted by the council, the building commenced and enclosed be- fore the end of the year. This structure is 64 x 95 feet on the ground, three stories high above the basement, and seventy-five feet to the top of the dome, containing eleven good-sized school- rooms-four on each of the first and second floors, and three on the third-together with one recitation room, a large hall, and numer- ous wardrobes, closets, etc., for the convenience of teachers and pupils. During the spring and summer of 1870 the house was finished and furnished with the most improved seats and furniture of the present day. The whole cost of the lot, building, furniture and heating apparatus (Ruttan's patent) is about $60,000, and is one of the best school edifices of its size in the State. It is an or- nament to the city, a credit to the mechanics who constructed it, and a monument of pride to the citizens generally, who have to defray the expense of the same.
The schools are divided into eleven grades, the eleventh being the lowest, and the first the highest grade. They are further des- ignated as primary, intermediate, grammar and high school depart- ments. The primary consists of the eleventh, tenth and ninth grades ; the intermediate, of the eighth, seventh, and sixth grades; the grammar, of the fifth, fourth, third and second grades; and the high school, of the first grade.
Pupils are not entitled to promotion unless they have taken all
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of the studies of their grade, and have passed a creditable exami- nation in each.
The school year is divided into three terms, the first beginning on the first Monday of September, and ending on Friday before Christmas. The second begins on the first Monday after New Year's, and ends the last Friday of March. The third term begins on the first Monday of April, and closes the Friday before the middle of June. There are now five school-houses. The Washing- ton School, in the First Ward, has four school-rooms and two reci- tation rooms ; the Adams School, in the Third Ward, has two rooms; the Jefferson School, in the Fourth Ward, has two rooms; the Monroe School, in the Fourth Ward, has one room, and the High School has eleven school-rooms and one recitation room. In all, twenty-one teachers are employed. The annual expenditures for school purposes amount to $12,000. The present School Board consists of A. M. Miller, President ; David Gillespie, Vice-Presi- dent ; Thomas J. Pegramn, R. N. Lawrance, William H. Rigdon and Henry Mohn. Dr. Miller has been a member of the board for twenty years, and president of the same nineteen years.
LINCOLN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
On the 18th of April, 1874, a public meeting was held at the Cumberland Presbyterian church, for the purpose of establishing a public library and free reading-room. At this meeting Colonel R. B. Latham was chosen Chairman and Prof. D. M. Harris, Sec- retary. S. A. Foley presented a constitution, which was adopted. A committee of fourteen ladies was appointed to solicit subscrip- tions to the capital stock of the association. At a meeting held ten days later, this committee reported 144 shares of $10 each sub- scribed, and the association was fully organized by the election of the following officers : R. B. Latham, President ; M. Hinrichsen, Vice-President ; D. M. Harris, Corresponding Secretary ; P. P. Murray, Recording Secretary, and W. M. Dustin, Treasurer. S. A. Foley, F. Fisk, B. H. Brainard, Mrs. N. E. Pegram, M. W. Barrett and Mrs. D. M. Harris were made Directors, who appointed a purchasing committee, consisting of Dr. A. M. Miller, Dr. S. Sargent, Rev. L. P. Crawford, Mrs. J. A. Lutz and Mrs. J. T. Hoblit.
A room for the use of the association was fitted up and the first purchase of books put on the shelves about the 1st of September following, when the library room was formally thrown open to the
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public. At this time there were 700 volumes belonging to the library, which number has been added to till it is now over 2,300. The leading periodicals of the country and some newspapers are kept on the tables.
The room is open every evening and Saturday afternoons, free to all. It is self-sustaining and is destined to be one of the perma- nent institutions in the town. The present directors are: Dr. A. M. Miller, President; John A. Lutz, S. A. Foley, Robert Hnm- phrey, Dr. R. N. Lawrance, N. E. Pegram and Frank B. Mills. S. C. Nash is secretary of the board and librarian of the association.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.
This institution was created by an act of the Legislature in 1865. The first action in relation to the establishment of the in- stitution was taken by the State Medical Society at their annual meeting held in Bloomington June 5, 1855. A committee of three of'its members, consisting of Drs. David Prince, E. R. Roe and J. V. Z. Blaney, was appointed to memorialize the Legislature " with regard to the establishment of an institution for idiots." This committee was continued for four years, and presented a written memorial to each of the two succeeding assemblies. The first memorial was printed.
In 1856 Dr. Andrew McFarland, Superintendent of the State Hospital for Insane at Jacksonville, suggested an inquiry by the Legislature into the number and needs of this unfortunate class. Dr. P. G. Gillett, Superintendent of the Institution for Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1860 called attention to the same subject, as many persons whose friends made application to him for admission properly belonged in an institution for the feeble- minded.
The act creating the institution placed it in charge of the trus- tees of the institution of the Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, and they appointed Dr. P. G. Gillett Superintendent ex officio. The grounds and buildings of the Governor Duncan estate in Jackson- ville were rented, and the school opened with three children, May 25, 1865. To Dr. Gillett great credit is due for his warm personal interest and labors in behalf of the institution during its early ex- istence.
In September, 1865, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur was elected super- intendent of the institution. Dr. Wilbur had previously been con- nected with a similar institution in New ; York, Connecticut
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and Ohio. Under his superintendency the institution progressed favorably and it became necessary to secure more room, in conse- quence of the increasing number of applicants.
In 1875 the Legislature made an appropriation of $185,000, and appointed a Board of Commissioners to select a site for the perma- nent location of the institution.
The commissioners, after examining several different locations, decided in favor of Lincoln, and purchased forty acres of land known as Wyatt Grove. Plans for the buildings, submitted by Messrs. Furness, Laing & Fehmers, architects, of Chicago, were adopted with the approval of the Governor, and the trustees ad- vertised for sealed proposals for the construction of the building. Among a number of proposals that of T. E. Courtney, of Chicago, was accepted. Work was commenced November 5, 1875, and the buildings were completed in June, 1877.
The main building is of brick, and consists of a center three stories in height, connecting wings two stories, extreme wings parallel with center, three stories. The general style is modern gothic, with slate roof, dormer windows and towers. The rear buildings and engine house, built at the same time, are of brick and of the same general style. The main building faces to the east, fronting on State street. Its extreme length, front, is 324 feet; depth, 215 feet; depth of wings, 165 feet. The tower of the center building has an elevation of 100 feet, and those on the wings 85 feet. The buildings are heated by steam throughout, both direct and indirect radiation being used.
Additional buildings have been erected from time to time, among the most important being a two-story brick laundry building, completed in 1884, and a detached cottage hospital com- pleted and occupied in 1886. These buildings, with the barn, carpenter shop, ice house, etc., are all in the rear of the main build- ing.
In September, 1883, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur tendered his resig- nation, and was succeeded by Dr. William B. Fish, who at the time of his appointment was assistant superintendent of the Penn- sylvania Institution for Feeble-Minded, at Elwyn.
The object of the institution, as defined in the act of 1875, reg- ulating the State charitable institution, is to "promote the intel- lectual, moral and physical culture of its inmates, and to fit them as far as possible for earning their own livelihood, and for future usefulness in society."
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School-rooms are provided for such children as are capable of school training, and children are graded according to their mental capacity. Physical exercise in the calisthenic room and gymnasium is required, and classes are detailed at different times from the different school-rooms for this purpose.
Industrial training is an important part of the work of the insti- tution. All of the inmates, who are able, are expected to assist in the work of the household. Many of the children take pride in their work and earnestly strive to deserve the commendation of their instructors.
In 1885 a shoe shop was started, and six of the boys are receiv- ing instruction. After a year's training, the six boys and their in- structors have succeeded in making all the boots and shoes used in the institution, and are doing all the mending required. Knitting machines have been introduced during the past year, and all the stockings used by inmates are made on the premises. The older girls render excellent service in the sewing room and laundry. Many of them have been taught to use the sewing machine, and to make their own clothing. The larger boys are employed at farm and garden work. The recent acquisition of some forty acres of land will now give them an opportunity for training which has long been needed.
Within the past year a class in hammered brass work has been organized. Some twenty children of both sexes are employed part of the day. Many beautiful and useful articles have been made, which are meeting with ready sale. Wood carving is also taught in the same department.
Many children of this class have a taste and fondness for music. This talent has been developed as far as possible. A brass band of sixteen pieces has been recently organized and the experiment has been very successful.
The institution now has 361 inmates, the largest number present since its organization. Of them 201 are males, 160 females. The buildings are crowded to their utinost capacity, and over 200 ap- plications are on file, awaiting an opportunity for admission. It is but a question of time when it will be necessary to erect addi- tional buildings to accommodate the most urgent cases, and appli- cation for a building to accommodate 100 females will doubtless be made at an early day. The institution is doing a noble work.
The measure of its usefulness is most forcibly felt by the par- ents whose children are committed to its care, and to those who
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have from time to time carefully inspected its working. At least 20 per cent. of the pupils discharged are capable of self- support and of becoming useful members of society under proper supervision and associations. The institution owns about 100 acres of land adjacent thereto. The admirable condition of the institution at present, the thorough system which prevails, and the evidence of advanced ideas everywhere apparent are a sufficient commentary upon the skill and judgment of Dr. Fish, the present superintendent.
Children between the ages of eight and eighteen who are feeble- minded, or so deficient as to be incapable of being educated at an ordinary school, and who are not epileptic, insane, paralyzed, ex- tremely helpless, or afflicted with contagious disease, may be ad- mitted, upon receiving certificate of admission from the superin- tendent.
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