USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 17
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1891.
Staunton-H. W. Wall; Mt. Olive-Frank Friede; Cahokia-C. Drennan ; Honey Point-W. C. Dey; Shaw's Point-A. H. McAlister; Nilwood-J. H. Bailey; Girard-George W. Bowersox; Virden-Richard Ball; Dorchester- Nathan Smith; Gillespie-W. A. Steidley; Brushy Mound-W. H. Perrine; Carlinville-C. W. Gray, J. E. Parrottet; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter-William M. Drennan; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-J. F. Schultz ; Polk-W. E. Sanders; Bird-Robert Whiteley; South Palmyra-John W. Duncan; North Palmyra-J. B. Vancil; Brighton-J. T. Dickerson; Ship- man-M. Schultz; Chesterfield-D. T. Hall; Western Mound-John Hagaman ; Barr-John W. Dalby ; Scottville-Dred Dugger.
1892.
Staunton-H. W. Wall; Mt. Olive-A. J. Keiser; Cahokia-Calvin Drennan ; Honey Point-W. C. Dey ; Shaw's Point-J. P. Enslow ; Nilwood-J. H. Bailey ; Girard-George W. Bowersox; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorchester- Nathan Smith; Gillespie-W. A. Steidley; Brushy Mound-W. H. Perrine; Carlinville-B. M. Burke, J. E. Parrottet; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter-William M. Drennan; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-William Meehan; Polk-W. E. Sanders; Bird-Cicero J. Solomon; South Palmyra- John W. Duncan; North Palmyra-J. B. Vancil; Brighton-J. T. Dickerson ; Shipman-M. Schultz; Chesterfield-Samuel Barnstable; Western Mound-John Hagaman; Barr-John W. Dalby'; Scottville-James A. Sims.
1893.
Staunton-R. A. Hoxey; Mt. Olive-A. J. Keiser; Cahokia-Calvin Dren- nan; Honey Point-W. N. Culp; Shaw's Point-W. C. Dey; Nilwood-J. H. Bailey ; Girard-George W. Bowersox; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorchester -Nathan Smith; Gillespie-W. H. Whitefield; Brushy Mound-August Hacke ; Carlinville-John E. Parrottet, B. M. Burke; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter-William M. Drennan; Bunker Hill-A. D. Wood; Hilyard-William Mee- han; Polk-W. E. Sanders; Bird-Cicero J. Solomon; South Palmyra-E. C. Crouch; North Palmyra-Charles S. Steidley; Brighton-John E. Andrews; Shipman-M. Schultz; Chesterfield-Samuel Barnstable; Western Mound-Will- iam Davis; Barr-John W. Dalby ; Scottville-James A. Sims.
1894. -
Staunton-R. A. Hoxey ; Mt. Olive-Frank Helmbold; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-W. N. Culp; Shaw's Point-S. B. Dugger; Nilwood-J. H. Bailey ; Girard-Isaac F. Gibson; Virden-W. Kirkpatrick; Dorchester-Nathan Smith; Gillespie-W. H. Whitefield; Brushy Mound-August Hacke; Carlin-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
ville -- John F. Kasten, B. M. Burke; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter- John A. Wallace; Bunker Hill-A. D. Wood; Hilyard-Daniel H. Combes; Polk-W. E. Sanders; Bird-C. J. Solomon; South Palmyra-E. C. Crouch ; North Palmyra-Charles S. Steidley; Brighton-John E. Andrews; Shipman- M. Schultz; Chesterfield-Samuel Barnstable; Western Mound-William Davis ; Barr-John W. Dalby ; Scottville-S. E. Ruyle.
1895.
Staunton-A. Burns; Mt. Olive-Frank Helmbold; Cahokia-H. W. Rice ; Honey Point-Guy A. Snell; Shaw's Point-S. B. Dugger; Nilwood-J. H. Bailey; Girard-Isaac F. Gibson; Virden-W. Kirkpatrick; Dorchester- Nathan Smith; Gillespie-William Fuess; Brushy Mound-August Hacke ; Carlinville-J. F. Kasten, B. M. Burke; South Otter-William T. Conlee; North Otter-John A. Wallace; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Gillespie-Daniel H. Combes ; Polk-W. Sanders ; Bird-C. J. Solomon; South Palmyra-J. M. Dun- can; North Palmyra-C. L. Steidley ; Brighton-John E. Andrews; Shipman- J. T. Darnielle ; Chesterfield-Samuel Barnstable; Western Mound-John Haga- man ; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-S. E. Ruyle.
1896.
Staunton-A. Burns ; Mt. Olive-W. H. Whitehouse; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Guy Snell; Shaw's Point-C. W. Switzer; Nilwood-G. W. Denby; Girard-C. E. Burnett; Virden-G. M. Chidester; Dorchester-L. S. Mize; Gillespie-W. J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-August Hacke; Carlinville- J. F. Kasten, B. M. Burke; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-W. J. Donahue; Polk-W. E. Sanders ; Bird-W. A. Craggs ; South Palmyra-J. M. Duncan; North Pal- myra-C. L. Steidley ; Brighton-John E. Andrews; Shipman-J. T. Darnielle ; Chesterfield-J. H. Duckles ; Western Mound-John Hagaman; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1897
Staunton-W. C. Seehausen; Mt. Olive-W. H. Whitehouse; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-H. I. Masters; Shaw's Point-C. W. Switzer ; Nil- wood-G. W. Denby; Girard-C. E. Burnett; Virden-G. M. Chidester ; Dor- chester-L. S. Mize; Gillespie-William J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-Clinton Da- vis; Carlinville-John F. Kasten, B. M. Burke; South Otter-W. T. Conlee; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-W. J. Don- ahue ; Polk-W. E. Sanders ; Bird-W. A. Craggs; South Palmyra-J. W. Dun- can; North Palmyra-J. J. Sims ; Brighton-Spencer Brown ; Shipman-J. T. Darnielle; Chesterfield-J. S. Duckles; Western Mound-John Hagaman ; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1898.
Staunton-W. C. Seehausen; Mt. Olive-Frank Friede; Cahokia-H. W. Rice ; Honey Point-H. I. Masters ; Shaw's Point-A. H. McAlister ; Nilwood-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
John H. Bailey ; Girard-George L. Tipton ; Virden-George H. Westlake; Dor- chester-David Thompson; Gillespie-W. J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-Clinton Davis; Carlinville-B. M. Burke, John F. Kasten; South Otter-S. T. Carmody ; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-H. M. Cof- fee; Polk-W. E. Sanders; Bird-G. W. Rhoades; South Palmyra-J. W. Dun- can; North Palmyra-J. J. Sims; Brighton-M. S. Brown; Shipman-H. S. Eaton ; Chesterfield-James Sawtelle; Western Mound-John Hagaman; Barr- J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1899.
Staunton-A. Burns; Mt. Olive-Frank Friede; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-H. I. Masters ; Shaw's Point-A. H. McAlister ; Nilwood-John H. Bailey ; Girard-George L. Tipton; Virden-George H. Westlake; Dorches- ter-David Thompson; Gillespie-W. J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-George C. Walton ; Carlinville-B. M. Burke, J. F. Kasten; South Otter-S. F. Carmody ; North Otter-R. E. Alford ; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-H. M. Coffee; Polk-L. B. Corbin; Bird-G. W. Rhoades; South Palmyra-R. E. Crum; North Palmyra-J. J. Sims ; Brighton-James J. Kelsey ; Shipman-H. S. Eaton ; Chesterfield-James Sawtelle; Western Mound-H. C. Duckles; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1900.
Staunton-A. Burns ; Mt. Olive-A. H. Fuchs ; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-H. I. Masters ; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree ; Nilwood-James D. Stead ; Girard-S. S. Huber ; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorchester-D. M. Thomp- son ; Gillespie-W. J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-George C. Walton; Carlinville- Robert S. Hemphill, J. F. Kasten; South Otter-S. F. Carmody ; North Otter- R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-H. M. Coffee ; Polk-L. B. Corbin; Bird-J. M. Sacre; South Palmyra-R. E. Crum; North Palmyra- J. J. Sims; Brighton-James J. Kelsey; Shipman-H. S. Eaton; Chesterfield- J. R. Duckles; Western Mound-H. C. Duckles; Barr-J. W. Dalby; Scott- ville-J. A. Turner.
1901.
Staunton-Henry Burns; Mt. Olive-A. H. Fuchs; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Charles York; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood-James D. Stead; Girard-S. S. Huber; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorchester-D. M. Thompson ; Gillespie-W. J. Fuess; Brushy Mound-Clinton Davis; Carlin- ville-Robert S. Hemphill, J. F. Kasten; South Otter-S. T. Carmody; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood; Hilyard-H. M. Coffee ; Polk-J. W. Anderson ; Bird-J. M. Sacre; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-V. E. King; Brighton-J. E. Andrews; Shipman-M. B. Thompson ; Chesterfield-J. R. Duckles ; Western Mound-Elmo Etter ; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1902.
Staunton-Henry Burns; Mt. Olive-Jacob Klein; Cahokia-H. W. Rice ; Honey Point-Charles York; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood-James
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
D. Stead; Girard-John J. Stowe; Virden-Henry Noll; Dorchester-David Thompson ; Gillespie-George G. Enslow; Brushy Mound-Clinton Davis; Car- linville-Robert S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates ; South Otter-S. T. Carmody ; North Otter-R. E. Alford ; Bunker Hill-R. H. Wood ; Hilyard-Samuel Drew ; Polk- J. W. Anderson; Bird-J. M. Sacre; South Palmyra- R. T. Ross; North Pal- myra-V. E. King; Brighton-J. E. Andrews; Shipman-M. B. Thompson ; Chesterfield-Elmer Day; Western Mound-Elmo Etter; Barr- J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1903.
Staunton-George Luker; Mt. Olive-Jacob Klein; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Charles York; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood-James D. Stead; Girard-John J. Stowe; Virden-Henry Noll; Dorchester-David Thompson; Gillespie-P. H. Dorsey; Brushy Mound-August Hacke; Carlin- ville-Robert S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Carmody; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-Joseph Welch; Hilyard-Samuel Drew ; Polk-J. W. Anderson ; Bird-J. M. Sacre; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-V. E. King; Brighton-D. D. Goodell; Shipman-Fred H. Kohl; Chesterfield-Elmer Day; Western Mound-Elmo Etter; Barr-J. W. Dalby; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1904.
Staunton-George Luker; Mt. Olive-Henry Engleman; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Charles York; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood- Frank B. Huber; Girard-J. J. Stowe; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorches- ter-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-P. H. Dorsey; Brushy Mound-August Hacke; Carlinville-Robert S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Car- mody; North Otter-William A. Gardner; Bunker Hill-Joseph Welch; Hil- yard-Samuel Drew; Polk-J. W. Anderson; Bird-George Duckles; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-V. E. King; Brighton-D. D. Goodell; Shipman-Fred H. Kohl; Chesterfield-E. E. Day; Western Mound-Elmo Et- ter ; Barr-J. W. Dalby; Scottville-J. 'A'. Turner.
1905.
Staunton-P. H. Carroll; Mt. Olive-Henry Engleman; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-W. E. Sharp; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood- Frank B. Huber; Girard-J. J. Stowe; Virden-Walter Kirkpatrick; Dorches- ter-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-M. W. Clark; Brushy Mound-Louis Miller ; Carlinville-Robert S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Carmody ; North Otter-William A. Gardner; Bunker Hill-J. H. Welch; Hilyard-Sam- uel Drew; Polk-F. L. Rhoades ; Bird-George Duckles; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-R. L. Conlee; Brighton-W. W. Rhoades; Shipman-
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
F. H. Kohl; Chesterfield-E. E. Day; Western Mound-Elmo Etter; Barr-J. W. Dalby; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1906.
Staunton-P. H. Carroll; Mt. Olive-Henry Engleman; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-E. D. Nantz; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood- F. B. Huber; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-Charles Muhlenbeck; Dorches- ter-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-W. N. Clark; Brushy Mound-Louis Miller ; Carlinville-R. S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Carmody; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-J. H. Welch; Hilyard-D. M. Wadsworth ; Polk-F. L. Rhoades; Bird-Q. H. Bates; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-R. L. Conlee; Brighton-W. W. Rhoades; Shipman-F. H. Kohl; Chesterfield-James W. Hall; Western Mound-Elmo Etter; Barr-J. W. Dalby ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1907.
Staunton-P. H. Carroll; Mt. Olive-Henry Engleman; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-W. E. Sharp; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood- F. B. Huber ; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-Charles Muhlenbeck; Dorches- ter-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-M. W. Clark; Brushy Mound-John T. Clower; Carlinville-D. M. Bates, R. S. Hemphill; South Otter-S. T. Car- mody; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-J. H. Welch; Hilyard-D. M. Wadsworth; Polk-Benjamin Woods; Bird-Q. H. Bates; South Palmyra- R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-August Zelmer ; Brighton-John W. Darlington ; Shipman-F. H. Kohl; Chesterfield-James W. Hall; Western Mound -- William Killam ; Barr-W. C. Huson ; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1908.
Staunton-P. H. Carroll; Mt. Olive-L. C. Reilly; Cahokia-H. W. Rice ; Honey Point-W. E. Sharp; Shaw's Point-E. D. Nantz; Nilwood-F. B. Huber; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-Charles Muhlenbeck; Dorchester- D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-M. W. Clark; Brushy Mound-John T. Clower ; Carlinville-R. S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Carmody; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-J. H. Welch; Hilyard-R. D. Roach; Polk -Benjamin Woods; Bird-Q. H. Bates; South Palmyra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-August Zelmer; Brighton-John W. Darlington; Shipman-F. H. Kohl; Chesterfield-E. E. Day; Western Mound-William Killam; Barr-W. C. Huson; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1909.
Staunton-Charles W. Soapes; Mt. Olive-L. C. Reilly; Cahokia-H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Charles Bruce; Shaw's Point-E. D. Nantz; Nilwood- F. B. Huber; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-Charles Muhlenbeck; Dorchester -D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-M. W. Clark; Brushy Mound-W. P. Kaleher; Carlinville-D. M. Bates, R. S. Hemphill; South Otter-S. T. Carmody; North
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-Charles Schoeneman; Hilyard-R. D. Rhoades ; Polk-William H. Robinson; Bird-Q. H. Bates; South Palmyra- R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-George W. Stults; Brighton-W. W. Rhoades; Shipman-Samuel French; Chesterfield-E. E. Day; Western Mound-George Bauer ; Barr-W. D. Huson; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
1910.
Staunton-Charles W. Soapes; Mt. Olive-A. R. Scheiler ; Cahokia-H. W. - Rice; Honey Point-Charles Bruce ; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nilwood -. F. B. Huber ; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-Charles Muhlenbeck ; Dorches- ter-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-M. W. Clark; Brushy Mound-W. P. Kale- her ; Carlinville-R. S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter-S. T. Carmody ; North Otter-R. E. Alford ; Bunker Hill-Charles Schoeneman ; Hilyard-C. M. Bullman; Polk-William H. Robinson; Bird-A. H. Bates; South Palmyra- R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-George W. Stults; Brighton-W. W. Rhoades; Shipman-Samuel French; Chesterfield-John H. Duckles; Western Mound- George Bauer; Barr-W. D. Huson; Scottville-John A. Turner.
19II.
Staunton-C. W. Soapes, C. Godfrey ; Mt. Olive-Arno Scheiter ; Cahokia- H. W. Rice; Honey Point-Charles Bruce; Shaw's Point-C. B. Crabtree; Nil- wood-F. B. Huber; Girard-T. W. Brendle; Virden-C. Muhlenbeck; Dor- chester-D. M. Thompson; Gillespie-George W. Behrens; Brushy Mound- William P. Kaleher ; Carlinville-R. S. Hemphill, D. M. Bates; South Otter- T. B. Weller; North Otter-R. E. Alford; Bunker Hill-C. Schoeneman; Hil- yard-Charles Bullman; Polk-W. H. Robinson; Bird-Q. H. Bates; South Palymra-R. T. Ross; North Palmyra-George W. Stults; Brighton-W. W. Rhoades ; Shipman-G. G. Reno; Chesterfield-J. H. Duckles; Western Mound- George Bauer; Barr-S. M. Hicks; Scottville-J. A. Turner.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PRIMITIVE.
THIS CHAPTER TELLS OF HOW THE PIONEER MANAGED TO LIVE-ALSO HOW THE EARLY SETTLER ENDURED MANY HARDSHIPS AND PRIVATIONS-HEROISM AND FORTITUDE OF NOBLE WOMEN, THEIR SACRIFICES AND WONDERFUL RESOURCE- FULNESS-THEY WERE BRAVE, TOO, IN THE FACE OF DANGER.
So rapid has been the improvement in machinery, and the progress in the arts and their application to the needs of man, that a study of the manner in which people lived and worked only three-fourths of a century ago seems like the study of a remote age.
It is important to remember that while a majority of settlers were poor, that poverty carried with it no crushing sense of degradation like that felt by the very poor of our age. They lived in a cabin, it is true, but it was their own and had been reared by their hands. Their house, too, while inconvenient and far from water proof, was built in the prevailing style of architecture and would compare favorably with the homes of their neighbors.
They were destitute of many of the conveniences of life, and of some things that are now considered necessaries, but they patiently endured their lot and hopefully looked forward to better. They had plenty to wear as protection against the weather, and an abundance of wholesome food. They sat down to a rude table to eat from tin or pewter dishes, but the meat thereon-the flesh of the deer or bear, of the wild duck or turkey, of the quail or squirrel-was superior to that we eat, and had been won by the skill of the head of the house or of that of his vigorous sons. The bread they ate was made from corn or wheat of their own raising. They walked the green carpet of the grand prairie or forest that sur- rounded them, not with the air of a beggar, but with the elastic step of a self- respected freeman.
The settler brought with him the keen ax, which was indispensable, and the equally necessary rifle-the first his weapon of offence against the forests that skirted the water courses, and near which he made his home; the second that of defence from the attacks of his foe, the cunning child of the forest and prairie. His first labor was to fell trees and erect his unpretentious cabin, which was rudely made of logs, and in the raising of which he had the cheerful aid of his neighbors. It was usually from fourteen to sixteen feet square, and never larger than twenty feet, and was frequently built entirely without glass, nails, hinges or locks.
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METHODIST CHURCH. MEDORA
BAPTIST CHURCH, MEDORA
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
The manner of building was as follows : First large logs were laid in position as sills ; on these were placed strong sleepers, and on the sleepers were laid the rough hewed puncheons, which were to serve as floors. The logs were then built up till the proper height for the eaves was reached; then on the ends of the build- ing were placed poles, longer than the other end logs, which projected some eigh- teen or more inches over the sides, and were called "butting pole sleepers ;" on the projecting ends of these was placed the "butting pole," which served to give the line to the first row of clapboards. These were, as a matter of course, split, and as the gables of the cabin were built up, were so laid on as to lap a third of their length. They were often kept in place by the weight of a heavy pole, which was laid across the roof parallel to the ridge pole. The house was then chinked and daubed with a coarse mortar.
A huge fire place was built in at one end of the house, in which fire was kindled for cooking purposes, for the settlers generally were without stoves, and which furnished warmth in winter. The ceiling above was sometimes covered with the pelts of the raccoon, opossum, and of the wolf, to aid to the warmth of the dwelling. Sometimes the soft inner bark of the bass wood was used for the same purpose. The cabin was lighted by means of greased paper windows. A log would be left out along one side and sheets of strong paper, well greased with coon grease or bear oil, would be carefully tacked in.
The above description only applies to the very earliest times, before the rattle of the sawmill was heard within our borders.
The furniture comported admirably with the house itself, and hence, if not elegant, was in most perfect taste. The tables had four legs and were rudely made from a puncheon. Their seats were stools, having three or four legs. The bedstead was in keeping with the rest, and was often so contrived as to permit it to be drawn up and fastened to the wall during the day, thus affording more room to the family. The entire furniture was simple and was framed with no other tools than the ax and auger. Each was his own carpenter, and some dis- played considerable ingenuity in the construction of implements of agriculture and utensils, and furniture for the house. Sometimes they had knives and forks and sometimes they had not. The common table knife was the pack knife or butcher knife. Horse collars were sometimes made of the plaited husk of the maize sewed together. They were easy on the neck of the horse, and if tug traces were used, would last a long time. Horses were not used much, how- ever, and oxen were almost exclusively used. In some instances carts and wagons were constructed or repaired by the self-reliant settler, and the woeful creakings of the untarred axles could be heard at a great distance.
The women corresponded well with the description of the virtuous woman in the last chapter of Proverbs, for they "sought wool and flax, and worked willingly with their hands." They did not, it is true, make for themselves "coverings of tapestry," nor could it be' said of them that their "clothing was silk and purple;" but they "rose while it was yet night, and gave meat to their household," and they "girded their loins with strength and strengthened their arms." They "looked well to the ways of their household and ate not the bread of idleness." They laid "their hands to the spindle and to the distaff," and "strength and honor were in their clothing."
Vol. 1-10
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
In these days of furbelows and flounces, it is refreshing to know that the ladies of that ancient time considered eight yards an extravagant amount to put in a dress. The dress was usually made plain with four widths in the skirt, the two front ones cut gored. The waist was made very short, and across the shoulders behind was a draw string. The sleeves were enormously large and tapered from shoulder to wrist, and the most fashionable-for fashion, like love, rules alike the "court and grove"-were padded so as to resemble a bolster at the upper part and were known as "mutton legs," or "sheep shank" sleeves. The sleeve was often kept in place by a heavily starched lining. Those who could afford it used feathers, which gave the sleeve the appearance of an inflated balloon from elbow up, and were known as "pillow" sleeves.
Many bows and some ribbons were worn, but scarcely any jewelry. The tow dress was superseded by the cotton gown. Around the neck, instead of a lace collar or elegant ribbon, there was disposed a copperas colored neckkerchief.
In going to church or other public gatherings in summer weather, they some- times walked barefoot till near their destination, when they would put on their shoes or moccasins. They were contented and even happy without any of the elegant articles of apparel now used by the ladies and considered necessary arti- cles of dress. Ruffles, fine laces, silk hats, kid gloves, false curls, rings, combs and jewels were almost unknown, nor did the lack of them vex their souls. Many of them were grown before they ever saw the interior of a well supplied dry- goods store. They were reared in simplicity, lived in simplicity and were happy in simplicity.
It may be interesting to speak more specifically regarding cookery and diet. Wild meat was plentiful. The settlers generally brought some food with them to last till a crop could be raised. Small patches of Indian corn were raised, which, in the earliest days of the settlements, was beaten in a mortar. The meal was made into a coarse but wholesome bread, on which the teeth could not be very tightly shut on account of the grit it contained. Johnny cake and pones were served at dinner, while mush and milk was the favorite dish for supper. In the fireplace hung the crane, and the dutch oven was used in baking. The . streams abounded in fish, which formed a healthful article of food. Many kinds of greens, such as dock and polk, were eaten. The "truck patch" furnished roast- ing ears, pumpkins, beans, squashes and potatoes, and these were used by all. For reaping bees, log rollings and house raisings, the standard dish was pot pie. Coffee and tea were used sparingly, as they were very dear, and the hardy pioneer thought them a drink fit only for women and children. They said it would not "stick to the ribs." Maple sugar was much used and honey was only five cents a pound. Butter was the same price, while eggs were three cents. The utmost good feeling prevailed. If one killed hogs, all shared. Chickens were to be seen around every doorway in great numbers and the gabble of the turkey and quack of the duck were heard in the land. Nature contributed of her fruits. Wild grapes and plums were to be found in their season, along the streams.
The women manufactured nearly all of the clothing worn by the family. In cool weather gowns made of "linsey woolsey" were worn by the ladies. The chain was of cotton and the filling of wool. The fabric was usually plaid or
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
striped, and the differing colors were blended according to the taste and fancy of the fair maker. Colors were blue, copperas, turkey red, light blue, etc. Every house contained a card loom and spinning wheels, which were considered by the women as necessary for them as the rifle was for the men. Several dif- ferent kinds of cloth were made. Cloth was woven from cotton. The rolls were bought and spun on little and big wheels, into kinds of thread; one the "chain" and the other the "filling." The more experienced only spun the chain; the younger the filling. Two kinds of loom were in use. The most primitive in construction was called the "side loom." The frame of it consisted of two pieces of scantling running obliquely from the floor to the wall. Later, the frame loom, which was a great improvement over the other, came into use.
The men and boys wore "jeans" and linsey woolsey hunting shirts. The "jeans" were colored either light blue or butternut.
Many times when the men gathered to a log rolling or barn raising, the women would assemble, bringing their spinning wheels with them. In this way some- times as many as ten or twelve would gather in one room, and the pleasant voices of the fair spinners were mingled with the low hum of the spinning wheels.
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