USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 12
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To the weasel family (Mustclidc) belong the well-known ani- mals, minks, skunks, otters, eommon weasels, &c., most of which have long, slender bodies, five-toed feet, and glands which seercte a liquid of very disagreeable odor. Otters and minks are hunted for their furs, which are very valuable. The former are amphibious, and are at present rarely seen. The costly fur called ermine is ob- taiued from a weasel which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia.
Weasels are brown in summer and white in winter, the tip of the tail being black. The color of minks is dark-brown, or black, throughout the year. The otter, (Lutra canadensis,) is blaek, and is noted for its size and strength. Its toes are webbed ; head large and flat ; ears short ; tail slightly flattened, and nails erooked. It is aquatie, and subsists on fish. Minks and weasels prey on birds, poultry and small animals of various kinds. The skunk ( Mephitis Americana) has a pointed nose, bushy tail, and is nocturnal. It feeds upon beetles and other small animals. It is also fond of eggs. It was very common a few years ago, but like most of the wild ani- mals, is gradually disappearing. Of the opossum family (Didel- phididæ), the only species here is the common opossum (Didelphys Virginiana). Opossums are small animals, about twenty inches long to the tail, which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length, nearly bare, and prehensilc. Its hair is whitish with dark-brown tips. When captured and wouuded, it feigns itself dead. It is a marsupial, or pouched animal, and carries its young, which at birth, weigh only a few grains, in a ventral pouch situated near its hind- legs. On emerging from this pouch, which occurs four or five
47
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
weeks from birth, the young twine their tails around that of their mother, and thus supported ride on hier back. The opossum lives on birds, eggs, inseets and other small animals. This animal, like the raccoon, is found in all parts of the United States and through- out most of North America.
RODENTIA, OR GNAWERS.
The animals of this order are casily distinguished by their teeth. In the front part of each jaw, they have two chisel-shaped incisors, between which and the molars is a considerable space, without teeth, these animals having no canines. The largest representative of the rodents ever known in this country is the American beaver ( Castor canadensis) and it is very doubtful whether it at any time had per- manent habitat in this county. The rats and mice (Muridc) constitute the most numerous family of the rodents. They number, in all, about three hundred species in the world.
Their appearance and habits are too well known to require description here. The black rat (Mus rattus) was formerly very common, but of late years it has been almost extirpated by the brown, or Norway rat (Mus decumanus), which is much larger and stronger.
Of the mice we note, as found here, the common house-mouse (Mus musculus), the field-mouse, the meadow-mouse, the jumping- mouse (Jaculus hudsonius, of the family Jaculidc),-which has a body about three inches long and a tail six inches,-and the tree- mouse. The musk-rat ( Oudatra zibethicus), allied to the beaver, has but one species. This animal is about the size of a cat, and has a strong, musky smell. It is amphibious, building its mud houses in ponds and shallow lakes. It is a native of North America, and is still quite common. Its fur, like that of the beaver, is valu- able. The fur of the latter is used for making the finest hats.
The squirrel family (Sciuridc) is represented here by the red (fox) squirrel (Sciurus hudsonius), the gray squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), the flying-squirrel (Pteromys volucella), the ground- squirrel (Tamtias striatus), the gopher (Spermaphilus), the prairie squirrel and the woodchuck or groundhog (Arctomys monax) all of which are so common that they need not be described.
Of the hare family (Leporidc), the common gray rabbit (Lepsus cuniculus), is the only representative now inhabiting this region. It is very prolific, and is destined to propagate its species long after some of the animals mentioned shall have become extinet.
Bats and moles-the former belonging to the order of animals (Chiroptera,) the latter to the order (Insectivora)-are still very numerous. Both are carnivorous (insectivorous), and during hiber- nation are semi-torpid.
CLASS OF AVES, OR BIRDS.
In the following list of birds indigenous to the county, the old system of groups, or orders, is used rather than the new classifica- tion of birds adopted provisionally by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. The former, as it contains fewer and less difficult technical terms, will, it is believed, be more readily understood by the general reader. The chief characteristics of all the birds belong- ing to each order are given first, and appended thereto are the names of such birds of the order as are indigenous to this region.
RAPTORES, OR BIRDS OF PREY.
These are generally of large size and stout form; bills hooked and very strong; claws sharp and curved; wings extensive and muscles powerful ; females larger than males ; live in pairs and choose their mates for life (?). Under this order and belonging to the hawk family (Falconidc), are the sparrow-hawk ( Tinnunculus alandarius) ; swallow-tailed hawk (Nauclerus furcatus) ; hen-harrier
(Circus cyaneus) ; goshawk (Falco palambarius) ; sharp-skinned hawk, red-tailed hawk (Butco borcalis) ; red-shouldered hawk, pigeon-hawk (Falco Columbarum); white-headed ("bald") eagle (Halietus leucocephalus) ; ring-tailed, or golden eagle (Aquila chry- «ctos).
To the owl family (Strigidc) belong the great horned owl ( Bubo Virginianus) ; snowy owl (Strix nisa); barred owl (Syrnium nebu- losum, or "hoot-owl"); American barn or sereech-owl (Stric flam- mc) ; spotted owl, marsh owl Kennicott's (?) owl.
Of the vulture family ( Vulturide), the only representative is the turkey-buzzard ( Cuthartes aura).
RASORES, OR SCRATCHING BIRDS.
Birds of this order are characterized by their stout bodies, strong legs and feet, and their general adaptation to living on the ground. It includes the wild turkey (Melcagris gallopavo), prairie-hen ( Tetrao cupido), ruffled grouse, or " partridge" (Bonasa umbellus), quail (Ortyx Virginianus), turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), wild or passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratoria).
GRALLATORES OR WADING BIRDS.
These have long necks, long bills, very long and slender legs, and slender bodies. Their general form is well adapted to wading. This order includes the plover (Charadrius), common snipe (Scolopax gallinago), American woodcock (Philohela minor), Wilson's snipe ( Gallinago Wilsonii), mud-hen (Fulica Americana), kill-dee (Aegialites vociferus), red-breasted snipe ( Gambetta melano- leuca), tell-tale snipe ( Gambetta flavipes), water-rail (Rallus aquati- cus), sand hill crane ( Grus Canadensis), blue crane (Grus Ameri- canus), yellow-legged and upland plover, white crane ( Grus albus), and heron (Ardea cinerea).
NATATORES, OR SWIMMING BIRDS.
These are broad and flat; feathers compact and well oiled; legs wide apart; femur short; and feet webbed. Under this order are found the common wild goose (Anser Americanus), summer or wood duck (Aix sponsa), Canada goose (Bermicala Canadensis), American Swan (Cygnus Americanus), brand-goose, or " brant " (Anser bernicla), butter ball (Bucephala albeola), mallard (Anas boschas), blue-winged teal (Boschas crecca), American widgeon (Mareca Americana), red-head duck (Aythaya Americana), canvass- baek duek (?) Aythaya vallisneria), green-winged teal (Nettion Carolinensis), pintail duck (Dafila acuta), trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator).
INSESSORES, OR PERCHING BIRDS.
The perchers differ greatly among themselves; all have three front toes and a single hind one; feet well adapted to perching. To this order belong the majority of birds, of which we note, as belonging here, the wood thrush (Turdus mustelinus), mocking bird (Mimus polyglottus), blue-bird (Sialis Wilsonii), cat bird (Mimus Carolinensis), robin (Turdus migratorius), brown thrush, or "thrasher" ( Turdus rufus), titmouse, or chickadee (Parus atricap- pillus), brown creeper ( Certhia familiaris), nuthatch (Sitta Caroli- nensis), winter wren ( Troglodytes hyemalis), cedar bird (Ampelis cedrorum), rose-breasted grosbeak (Guiraca ludoviciana), chewink (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), meadow-lark (Sturnella magna), blue jay (Cyanura cristata), wren (Troglodytes domestica), warblers, barn- swallow (Hirundo hordeorum), bank-swallow ( Cotyle riparia), blue martin (Progne purpurea), cardinal red bird (Cardinalis Virgin- ianus), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla), indigo bird ( Cyanospiza cyanca), great northern shrike, or butcher bird (Collurio borealis), yellow, or thistle bird (Sylvitica (estiva), swamp, or red winged black bird (Sturnus predatorius), cow blackbird ("cowbird "), common
.
48
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
blackbird (Merula musica), kiug bird, or bee martin (Tyrannus Carolinensis), Raveu ( Corvus corax), common crow ( Corvus Ameri- canus), Summer red bird (Pyrangra æstiva), scarlet tanager, Balti- more oriole (Icterus Baltimore), pewee, or Phœbe bird, (Sayorius fuscus), kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), ruby-throated humming-bird (Trochilus colubris), yellow-billed cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), ruby- crowued kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, whippoorwill (Antrosto- mus vociferus), grass sparrow, or black throated buntiug, lark sparrow, or fineh, snow bird (Junco hyemalis), chipping sparrow (Spizella socialis), night hawk ( Chordeiles popetue).
SCANSORES, OR CLIMBING BIRDS.
Birds of this order have their toes in pairs, two iu front and two behind. Under this order aud indigenous to this county are the swift, or chimney swallow ( Cypselus pelasgius), red headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythroccphalus), golden-winged wood- pecker ( Calaptes auratus), Caroliua paroquet ( Conurus Carolinen- sis), sap sucker (Picus pubescens).
(CLASS) REPTILIA OR REPTILES.
Under this class we find represented here the order Testudi- nata, or turtles, and including such individuals as the box turtle (Cistudo virginea), suapping-turtle ( Chelyara serpentina), wood tor- toise ( Glyptemys insculpta), and soft-shellcd turtles including mud turtles. Of the order Lacertia (lizards), the common striped lizard (Ameiva scxlineata) is the only representative we have found here. Under the order ( Ophidia), or serpents, we note the common black- snake (Bascanion constrictor), water snake (Serpens aquaticus), rattlesnake (crotalus horridus), moccasin ( Toxicophis atrapiscus), copperhead (Trigonocephalus contortrix), garter snake (Eutania sirtalis), house snake, joint snake, blue racer, and green snake. Of these, the rattlesnake, copperhead, and moccasin are very poisonous, and therefore most to be dreaded. The blowing, or hissing adder, a venomous serpent, is rarely seen here.
The class Batrachia, or frogs, has as representatives, the leopard frog (Rana halecina), bull frog (Rana pipiens), wood frog, trec frog ("tree toad ") (Rana hyla), marsh frog (Rana palustris), common toad (Bufo vulgaris), tadpole, salamander (Amblystoma punctatum), triton, or water newt (Diemictylus viridescens), and mud puppy (Menobranchus lateralis).
The class of Pisces, or fishes, is represented, in the streams of the county, by the white, the black, and the striped bass, cat-fish, pike, sturgeon (rare), gar, goggle-eyed perch, sun-fish, chub, white perch (" croppie " ?), white and black suckers, buffalo, and a few others of minor importance.
CHAPTER VIII. FLORA.
BY J. PIKE, M. A.
HIS chapter, like that on the Fauna of the county, and for the reasons given there, is not intcuded to be specially scientific or exhaustive. Our only purpose is to give, in a succinct form, a catalogue of the principal native trecs, shrubs, and grasses, found withiu the limits of Macon county. To add a detailed botanical description of each plant, or of all the species, genera, or even families, represented here, would fill a large part of this volume, to the exclusion of other more appro- priate matter. By way of prefacc, it may be stated that vegetation is a surc index of the character of the soil in which it is growing. No class of persons realizes this fact so fully as docs the practical, observant farmcr. If he wishes to buy uncultivated land, the kinds of trees, shrubs, or grass growing in the locality decide for him the
approximate depth and fertility of the soil, and the consequent value of the land for agricultural purposes. According to its flora Illinois has been divided by botanists into three parts ; the heavily timbered regions of the south, whose densc vegetation is remarkable for its variety ; the central portion, which, except in the vicinity of the water-courses, is mostly prairie, and noted for the great number and variety of its grasscs, and other eudogenous plants; and the northern section, which is about equally divided between woodland and prairie. This couuty lies withiu the great prairie belt, a region famous for the fertility and depth of its soil, and the luxuriance of its flora. Plants, like animals, are greatly influenced in their growth and development by surrounding circumstances. As man and the domestic animals have driven many species of the native animals from this region ; so numcrous kinds of indigenous plants have disappeared before the onward march of civilization. Hence, we find to-day in the fields and meadows few of the grasses and other plants that flourished in their native beauty here fifty years ago. Thus, under the great laws of evolution and succession, all animated nature, from age to age, moves gradually, but grandly, forward toward the eternal destiny which the Almighty, in the be- ginning, ordained for all His creatures. For this regiou, the fol- lowing is a complete
LIST OF NATIVE WOODY PLANTS.
Acer Saccharinum, Rock Sugar Maple A. Nigrum, Black
f Dirca Palustris, Leatherwood
Enonymus Americanus, Strawberry
Tree
Fraxinus Americana, White Ash
F. Viridis, Green Aslı
F. Sambucifolia, Black Ash
A. Negundo, Box Elder, Ash Leaf Maple
Æsenlus Glabra, Stinking Buckeye
A. Serrulata, Smooth Leaf Alder
Amelanchier Canadensis, Truc Ser- vice-Berry
Amorpha Fruticosa, False Indigo Shrub
A. Canescens, Lead Plant
Juglans Cinerea, Butter Nut
J. Nigra, Walnut
Asimina Triloba, Papaw
Betula Nigra, River or Red Birch
Menispermum Canadense, Moonseed
Morus Rubra, Red Mulberry
Ostrya Virginica, Hop-Hornbeam, Iron-Wood
P. Angulata, Cotton Tree
Platanus Occidentalis, Buttonwood Sycamore
Populus Tremuloides, Quaking Asp, Aspen
P. Monilifera, Necklace Poplar, Cot- ton wood
Prunus Americana, Wild Plum
Pyrus Coronaria, Crab Apple
Quercus Macrocarpa, Burr Oak
Q. Obtusiloba, Post Oak
Q. Alba, White Oak
Q. Prinus, Swamp Chestnut Oak
Q. Bicolor, Swamp White Oak
Q. Imbricaria, Laurel Leaf Oak
Q. Nigra, Black Jack Oak
Q. Tinctoria, Yellow Bark Oak, Quercitron Oak
Q. Coccinea, Scarlet Oak
Q. Rubra, Red Oak
Q. Palustris, Swamp Spanish Oak, Pin Oak
Rhus Glabra, Sumaclı
C. Tomentosa, White Heart Hickory
C. Glabra, Pig-nut Hickory
R. Toxicodendron, Climbing Poison Ivy
Three
Gymnocladus Canadensis, Kentucky Coffee Tree
Hamamelis Virginica, Witch Hazel
Ampelopsis Quinquefolia, Virginia- Creeper
Juniperus Virginiana, Red Cedar Lonicera Grata, Woodbine
Carpinus Americana, Bluc Beach, Hornbeam
Ceanothus Americanus, Red Root
C. Ovalis, Great Red Root
Cercis Canadensis, Judas Tree, Red Bud
Celastrus Scandens, Bitter Sweet, Wax Work
Celtis Occidentalis, Hackberry
Cephalanthus Occidentalis, Button Bush
Prunus Virginiana, Choke Cherry
P. Serotina, Black Cherry, Cabinet Cherry
Cornus Alternifolia, False Dogwood
C. Sericea, Kinnikinic
C. Circinata, Pigeon Berry
C. Stolonifera, ¥ Red Osier
C. Paniculata
C. Sanguinea, Corylus Americana, Hazelnut
Cratægus Coccinea, Hawthorn C. Tomentosa
C. Crus-galli
Carya Alba, Shaghark Hickory
C. Sulcata, Thick Shellbark Hickory
F. Quadrangulata, Blue Ash Gleditschia Triacanthos, Thorned Acacia, Honey Locust
A. Dasycarpum, Soft Maple, Silver Leaf Maple
49
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Ribes Cynosbati, Prickly Gooseberry R. Hirtellum, Smooth
R. Rotundifolium,
R. Lacustre, Swamp R. Floridum, Black Currant Rosa Lucida, Prairie Rosc R. Blanda, Wood Rose Salix Tristis, Rosc Willow S. Humilis, Cone Willow
S. Eriocephala, Silky-head Willow
S. Nigra, Black Willow
S. Fragilis, Joint Willow, Brittle Willow
Sambucus Canadensis, Elderberry S. Pubens, Red Fruit Elderberry Sassafras Officinale, Sassafras Shepherdia Canadensis, Buffalo Berry Smilax Hispida, Greenbrier Spiræa Opulifolia, Vinebark Spiræa Spiræa Tomentosa, Hardhack, Willow Spiræa
| Staphylea Trifolia, Rattle-box, Wood- Bladder Nut
Symphoricarpus Vulgaris, Coral Berry Tecoma Radicans, Trumpet-Creeper Tilia Ancricana, Bass-wood Ulmus Fulva, Red Elm
U. Americana, White Elm
U. Racemosa, Cork Elm, Hickory Eln
Viburnum Prunifolium, Black Haw, Arrow Wood
V. Lentago, Sheepberry Vitis Aestivalis, Summer Grape
V. Cordifolia, Frost Grape
Zanthoxylum Americanum, Prickly Ash
Lendera Benzoin, Spice Bush Rubus Strigosus, Red Raspberry
Occidentalis, Black Raspberry
Villosus, Blackberry
Robenia Pseudocacia, Black Locust
Of the forest trees the most valuable deserve special mention. Rock Sugar Maple is excellent ; the Black Cherry is used by cabi- net makers and is a wood of good color and grain. The Shag-bark hickory is perhaps the most valuable of its kind. The White Oak is much used in making furniture and agricultural implements. The Blue Ash is capital for flooring. The Honey Locust is a very durable wood and shrinks less than any other in seasoning. The Walnut is nearly all gone. The Plane trec or Sycamore is used by cabinet makers. Of the Oak family the most and valuable kinds are the Burr oak, Panel Oak, and the Pin Oak.
GRASSES.
In the following list of grasses, the common grain plants, not being indigenous to the county, are omitted Some of the grasses given are not native, but are among those best adapted for animals. Hence we include them :
Phileum Pratense, Timothy Agrostis Vulgaris, Red-top Muhlenbergia Diffusa, Nimble Will Calamagrostis Canadensis, Blue-joint, a native grass of the prairies, where it grew from ten to fifteen feet in height.
Dactylis Glomerata, Orchard-grass Poa Pratensis, Kentucky Blue-grass Poa Compressa, Wire Grass Festuca Elation, Meadow Fescue Bromus Secalinus, Comnion Cheat Plıragmites Communis, Common Reed
Arundinaria Macrosperma, Large Cane
Lolium Perenne, Darnel Rye-grass Anthoxanthum Odoratum, Sweet- scented Vernal-grass
Phalaris Arundinacea, Reed Canary- grass
P. Canariensis, Canary Grass Panicum Sanguinale, Crab Grass Panicum Glabrum, Smooth Panicum Panicum Capillare, Witch Grass Panicum Crus-galli, Barn-yard grass Setaria Glauca, Common Foxtail S. Viridi:, Bottle Grass
S. Italica, Itallian Millet Andropogon Scoparius, (?) Brown- beard grass
CHAPTER IX. CIVIL HISTORY.
NE great distinction between the present inhabitants of this country and the "lost race " of America known as " Mound-Builders," who far back of the Indian race, occupied portions of the Mississippi Valley with a dense population, is that the people of the present day, with their superior intelligence, preserve and transmit to their posterity, in permanent form, the records of their thoughts and deeds, their progress in science and art, and in all the humanizing influences 7
that tend to make us a nobler, grander and better people. And this is well. The future of nations, like that of individuals, is lighted up by the experience of the past.
The memorable deeds of our ancestors while founding in this western wilderness the great Republic of the world, will be cherished and admired as long as the English language shall be used as a medium of communication. To collect carefully and compile faithfully the records of the most important facts in the civil his- tory of this county, is the sole purpose of this chapter.
Prior to 1829 the territory included within the present boundaries of Macon county formed a part of the county of Shelby. Before the assembling of the Legislature in 1829 a committee of three, con- sisting of Benjamin R. Austin, Andrew Smith and John Ward, had been appointed to go to Vandalia, then the capital of the State, and secure the passage of an act dividing Shelby county and creating a new county out of the territory thus divided.
The committee succeeded ; and during the session the following Act establishing the county of Macon * was approved.
" AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A NEW COUNTY TO BE CALLED THE COUNTY OF MACON.
"SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That all that tract of country lying within the following boundaries, to wit: beginning at the southwest corner of section numbered eighteen, in township num- bercd fourteen north, of range numbered one east of the third principal meridian ; thence due north with the said third principal meridian line to the northwest corner of township numbered twenty north, of range numbered onc east ; thence due east with the line between townships numbered twenty and twenty-one nortlı, to the northcast corner of township numbered twenty north, of range numbered six east; thence due south with the line between ranges numbered six and seven east, to the southeast corner of section numbered thirteen, in township numbered fourteen north, of range numbered six east ; and from thence due west along through the middle of townships numbered fourteen north, to the place of beginning, shall constitute a county, to be called the county of
* Macon county derived its name from Hon. Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina, whose fame, at the time of the formation of the county, extended throughout the nation. He was born in Warren county, N. C., in 1757, and died in the same county, June 29th, 1837. He was educated at Princeton, N. J., and was there at the opening of the war of the Revolution. In 1777 he left college, and served for a short time as private in a company of volunteers. At the expiration of his term of service, he commenced the study of law, but soon re-enlisted in the army under his brother John. He continued in the service until peace was declared. He was present at the fall of Charleston. For all his arduous services in the war, he steadily refused compensation, nor would he accept a pension after the government had provided one. Before he left the army he had been elected to the State Senate, in which he served until 1785. When the Constitution of the United States was proposed, he, like Patrick Henry, thought " it squinted too much in the direction of monar- chy," and therefore opposed its adoption. He thought the general govern- ment proposed was too independent of the States. Mr. Macon was elected to the lower house of Congress in 1791, where he continued to serve until 1815, serving as speaker from 1801 to 1806. From the lower house he was trans- ferred to the U. S. Senate, in 1816, where he remained until 1828, and was President pro tem. of that body in 1825-27. He was thirty-seven years in Congress uninteruptedly-tlie longest continuous service of any one man. Twice during Jefferson's administration lie declined the office of Postmaster General. He was a Democrat in politics, and had an earnest conviction in the ability of the people for self-government. Jefferson said he was "the last of the old Romans," and Randolph called him "the wisest man he ever knew." In his temperament he was a stoic, disregarding style and conven- tionalities, and in all things practiced the strictest economy .- Smith's History Macon County.
50
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Macon ; and the seat of justice therein, when located, shall be called the town of Decatur .*
"SEC. 2. For the purpose of locating the seat of justice of the said county of Macon, the following named persons are appointed Commissioners, to wit: John Fleming, Jesse Rhodes and Easton Whitton, whose duty it shall be to meet at the house of James Ward in said county, on the first Monday in April next, or within ten days thereafter, and after being duly sworn before some justice of the peace of this State, faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties imposed upon them by this act, shall proceed to deter- mine upon a place for the location of the said seat of justice, having due regard to the situation of the settlements, the convenience of the people, and the future population of said county.
"SEC. 3. The said commissioners are hereby anthorized to locate the said seat of justice on the land of any person or persons who may be the fee simple owners thereof, if the proprietor or proprietors of such land shall donate and convey, with covenants of general warranty, to the county commissioners, for the use of said county, a quantity of land not less than twenty acres, in a square or oblong form, upon which to erect the public buildings ; or otherwise, the said commissioners may, in their discretion, locate the said seat of justice on any of the public lands in said county, as may seem to be the most advantageous to the future interest of said county.
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