USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois with life sketches and portraits > Part 10
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Methodism in Metropolis dates back for more than sixty years. Rev. Samuel Boicourt and Rev. Samuel Peter were among the first to preach in this city. They used a private res- idence at first, and afterwards a log school house, as a place to hold their religious services. This state of things continued until about 1853 and 1854, when the first church building was erected in the City of Metropolis. The subscription was raised by Col. R. A. Peter. He was elass leader and Sunday school superintendent at that time. The church was begun in 1853 and completed in 1854. This church building was subsequent- ly remodeled and enlarged several times. The Methodist peo- ple of Metropolis have been served by some of the most eminent pastors of the church. The names and time of service cannot be obtained now, for the reason that all the records of this church, or nearly all, prior to 1870, have been destroyed by fire. Only a very few of the pastors' names can be obtained. Rev. M. N. Powers served this charge in 1861. In 1872 Strange P. Brooks, one year; 1873, A. B. Rohrbough, one year; 1874, J. H. Garrett, one year; 1875, C. J. Houts, two years; 1877, G. W. Scawthon, three years; 1880; J. J. Boyer, one year; 1881, C. P. Wilson, three years; 1884, L. W. Thrall, three years; 1887, T. J. Davis, three years; 1890, John F. Harmon, three years; 1893,
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J. H. Jones, two years; 1895, L. J. Granthan, one year; 1896, J. W. Jackson, three years; 1899, W. T. Morris.
Methodism in Metropolis has been progressive. The pres ent beautiful structure was begun in the labors of Rev. T. J. Davis in 1889, and completed under the ministry of Rev. John F. Harmon. In the issue of the Massac Journal, Jan. 13, 1892, we find the following description of the building:
"The new Methodist church building, which is now near- ing completion, is located on the corner of Ferry and Fifth streets, near the court house. It is an ornamental building of Gothic structure. The main building is 57x80 feet. It is six- teen feet posted with gable roof. The tower is situated in the northwest angle and is 12} feet square, and the spire, when completed, will reach an altitude of 90 feet. The infant class room is an annex to the main building on the south side and is an elegantly arranged room connected to the main roomu by glass doors suspended on weights, which can be raised at will. The gallery extends all around the west wing of the building. The windows are Gothic in shape, and finely selected stained glass is used throughout the building. The building is covered with tin shingles which make a very beautiful and lasting roof. The auditorium will be furnished with ash pews, sufficient to seat, including the gallery, about one thousand persons. The chancel front, in the east, is finished in one circular arch. The choir will be situated on the left of the chancel, and still fur- ther on is a door opening into the pastor's study. In the rear of the chancel is a beautiful circular window in the center of which is a life size figure of a dove. The main window of the south wing, was placed there in memory of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Bruner, and Sammy and Niles Daily; on the left is a small win- dow in memory of Shelby and Rhea Norris; on the right is a small window in memory of Mrs. F. A. Trousdale. The main window of the north wing was placed there in memory of Mrs. Abigail Bigelow, James S. Yost and Mrs. A. V. Cleveland. The main window of the west wing was placed there by the Ladies' Sewing Society of 1891; on the left of this is a small window, in memory of Abram Bruner. On the right of the chancel are three small windows, one in memory of Mrs. Margaret and B.
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O. Thrift; one in memory of Mrs. Mary Howard and one in memory of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Houts. On the left of the chancel is a small window in memory of the choir of 1891. Several other small windows were put in by different parties, contain- ing gem quotations from the Bible. The ceiling is covered with beaded lumber, and sub-divided into panels of graceful design by embossed gum of a beautiful figure. Planted to the ceiling are five diamonds. In the center is an octagonal star of elab- orate finish, from which will depend at present the main chan- delier, afterwards an electric light. From top floor to level of ceiling it is 26 feet. Gallery will contain 150 movable seats.
One vestibule, which is located in the base of the tower, opens into the auditorium by three large doors, the other, which is located on the south side, opens into the auditorium by two doors. All the casings are of embossed lumber finished off with Berry Bros.' Hard Oil Finish. The building is heated by two Peninsular furnaces at a cost of about $350. Good taste and judgment are displayed in every detail. The church is a conspicuous ornament to the city. It will cost when com- pleted about $12,000." -- The Metropolis Republican, Jan. 13, 1892.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL.
This congregation was organized in 1869 as an independent protestant church and the brick building erected on the pres- ent site.
From 1869 to 1876 the ministers who served the congre- gation were the Reverends Winneke, Laurence Kruger, Sapper and Schmitz, and the records of their ministry have been lost.
In 1876, the Rev. D. Eschenbremer, of Paducah, reorgan- ized the church, preached every Wednesday night and occasion- ally on Sunday until August, 1877, when the Rev. J. R. Rausch was appointed pastor, serving until July, 1886.
In 1878 the congregation joined the German Evangelical Synod of North America. Iu 1880 the parsonage was erected and enlarged in 1892. In 1888 the steeple was built, a bell added, and the church remodeled.
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The pastors from 1886 are the Reverends G. Thomas Meyer, F. Eggen, F. Hempleman, J. Bungeroth, and F. Seffzig, who occasionally preaches for the church yet. From Novem- ber, 1876, to September 1, 1886, there were 193 baptized, 69 confirmed, 41 couples married, and 119 buried. At present the church has no regular pastor. Many of our best citizens have been enrolled as members of this church.
CHAPTER XVIII.
METROPOLIS CITY.
GENERAL HISTORY.
I N the name of Metropolis is wrapt the dream of its founder, William A. McBane, Sr., who was at- tracted by the inviting and beautiful location for a modern city, considered by experienced boat- men, as the most beautiful on the Ohio and lower Mississippi. Mr. McBane was also a practical en- gineer and a New Orleans and Pittsburg mer- chant, whose business necessitated trips on the river. He reasoned that a railroad bridge must span the Ohio, connecting the North and South, and that this was the most natural and available crossing. Up- on landing from a flat-boat of merchandise, he found J. H. G. Wilcox, the owner and occupant of perhaps 1,000 acres of the land which had struck his fancy, and he immediately purchased with his stock of goods a half interest in the virgin soil, April 18, 1839. MeBane & Wilcox laid out what the former dreamed would become a mighty city and named it without a duplicate in all the world "Metropolis" -(largest city). It was his opin- ion that railroads would cross the river here, as it presents the best banks and interior roadbed, according to the opinions of official engineers. Fate has decreed his hopes a dream.
The records are very meager and the traditions uncertain; hence the modesty of our account. City lots were sold in 1840. Washington and Franklin parks, the court house square, and a lot to the Christian church were their benefactions to the public.
Near the city lay the historic site of the early French mis-
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sion and trading post, founded as early as 1702 by Jucherau and Father Mermet and called "Assumption." The same spot on which the French soldiers afterward built Fort Massar, over an hundred years ago-a spot as historically sacred and renowned as any in the rich annals of Illinois.
James Hendricks Gains Wilcox owned and occupied the only residence. It was situated on the lot where Joseph G. Brown, his nephew and an old citizen, now lives. Immediate- ly after the birth and christening of the city, Mr. Wilcox erect- ed a splendid brick residence on Front street. This building was used as a dwelling, a store, and later a hotel under differ- ent names. When conducted by B. O. Thrift, father of John 'Thrift, it was called the "Thrift House," and the "Parker House" when operated by John and Thomas Parker.
Tradition relates, that the Master Writer, Charles Dickens, occupied one of its apartments while on his way from Nash- ville to St. Louis. Nothing in his American notes or its re- hash, Martin Chuzzlewit, bears cut this story, unless it be his reference to "New Thermopylae," as a name for Metropolis. This place was three days' journey from Eden, while his de- scription of the "barn like hotel upon the hill and the attend- ant wooden buildings and sheds" was iu keeping with Metrop olis at that time.
This hotel was also conducted by John M. Cunningham and wife, parents of Mrs. Mary S. Logan, wife of General John A. Logan. Her residence here was during her early years. Petersburg, Missouri, now extinct, was her birthplace, Aug. 15, 1838. She and the General were married at Shawnee. town, Nov. 27, 1855. Along with her husband she became a national character.
Contemporaneons with the Wilcox hotel was another brick dwelling on Front street, between Ferry and Metropolis streets It was built by Mary, familiarly called "Polly" Orr. In the flood and storms of 1884, the wind and waves drove the wharf- boat against the Wilcox building and driftwood against the Orr building, wrecking both of these old land marks.
W. A. McBane, Sr., lived the life of a bachelor in company with his aged mother until her death, when he adhered to the
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life of a recluse. He was an agnostic, but possessed of many sterling virtues, and was particularly given to acts of charity toward the poor. He sleeps near the boundary of the Masonic cemetery, in a neglected grave. As the founder of Metropolis he deserves more at the hands of the public.
FERRY.
One of the founders, J. H. G. Wilcox, also owned the Me- tropolis Ferry-operated first as a hand and then as a horse ferry. William A. MeBane, Sr., uncle of our fellow-townsman, W. A. McBane, Jr., purchased the ferry interest in the early "'40's," and operated it until 1873. This property was then and long afterward a valuable franchise, because of the vast amount of traveling over what was practically the only avail- able route. Mr. Wilcox moved to a farm a few miles up the river and later died there. In 1874 W. A. McBane, Jr., bought the ferry franchise of his uncle and built the first steam ferry- boat, the "W. A. McBane, Sr.," at a cost of $4,000.
Charles P. Farrow, a resident of Metropolis, purchased the franchise in 1879, and introduced the tug boat "Uncle Tom." Later he built without any aid by the citizens, the "Massac" and operated the ferry until 1890, when he sold it to Colonel R. A. Peter, who sold the boat to Major L. W. Copland and built the "Nettie." Messrs. Joe Grace and W. N. Smith purchased the franchise, 1898, and Grace soon became the sole proprietor. The Nettie was remodeled and re-christened the "Grace Smith." Later she was withdrawn from the trade and for a while no ferry was maintained. A sort of flatboat propelled by a gaso- line pleasure boat is all that now remains of a once valuable but now seemingly abandoned ferry franchise.
INDUSTRIES.
The industries of Metropolis have been chiefly of wooden products, dependent upon the vast timber fields accessible by the Ohio and its tributaries-the Wabash, Tennessee and Cum- berland.
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W. R. Brown, Sr., father of Colonel W. R. Brown, estab- lished the first enterprise, a cooperage, employing forty coop- ers and furnished sugar, whisky and lard barrels in vast quan. tities.
Benjamin Kimball operated the Kimball saw mills on the site of the present power house, while he and Alfred Cutting conducted extensive "ways" and shipyards, being the builders of many steamboats. Each erected, what were then, magnifi- cent dwellings, the only evidence today of their prosperity.
Messrs. Yost and Biglow in the '''60's" began the manu. facture of spokes and hubs. Their plant assumed extensive proportions and continued until the panie of 1893.
The Messrs. Loud established quite a factory for the man- ufaeture of building materials and veneering, but never re- sumed business after the high water of 1884, and later on the same site was built the Metropolis Pipe factory, under the management of Mr. J. M. Choat. This plant was forced into idleness in 1893 and is now extinet.
Near this site is the brick yard of John L. Turnbo, a lead- ing colored man, and also elose by is the large heading factory, where modern machinery ents barrel heads ready for use. This is the property of Rampendahl & Sons, who also operate one of the largest stave factories to be found. Their products are shipped all over the country.
J. Q. A. Conner put in operation the Conner Spoke Works which are now controlled by the Mutual Wheel Works of Mo. line, Ill. In connection with this plant, Captain E. G. Whyers conducts a plow handle factory, doing a good business.
Messrs. Samuel W. and George A. Daly are the hustling proprietors of a large saw and planing mill. They also deal extensively in the retail lumber trade. These gentlemen were reared in Metropolis. Near them is the immense plant of Har- ris & Cole Brothers, manufacturers of every imaginable kind of ornamental finishings in building for the wholesale trade only.
One of the largest plants in the world devoted to the man- ufacture of fruit boxes, baskets, ete., is situated in Metropolis. It is the Roberts' factory, managed by C. C. Roberts, a genial
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gentleman. C. P. Treat is head bookkeeper and superintend- ent. Orders have been received from Europe for their product. Excellent veneering for center tables and sewing machines is also made by them.
H. Quante & Brother own and operate the large "Riverside Mills, which enjoys a wide trade in flouring products. The Em- pire Flouring Mills, managed so successfully by another Me- tropolis boy, Eugene Lafont, is continuously in operation.
The Metropolis Pottery was first operated by J. W. Kirk- patrick in 1867, who sold it to Shick and Slater, Mr. N. Shick later becoming the proprietor, upon the death of Mr. Slater in 1879. January 1, 1897, W. H. Roberts took charge and Walter McCawley joined him Nov. 8, 1898. The pottery was operated from that time under the name of Roberts & McCawley until L. P. Stalcup succeeded Mr. Roberts. The factory produces the finest quality of hand-made jugs, crocks, flower-pots, churns, etc., to be found on the market.
One of the substantial factories of Metropolis is the Cigar Manufactory of W. H. Kraper, which has steadily increased in the volume of its business and today ranks with the best. Wil- liam F. Heideman also operates a successful cigar factory, while W. H. Kurtz, one of the oldest cigar manufacturers, still continues in that business.
STREETS, ETC.
The streets of Metropolis are noted for their width, beauty and surface, about seven miles composed of conglomerate gravel has become hard and impervious to water. The homes are built on large lawns, growing beautiful grass, flowers, and so many roses that it has been called the "City of Roses."
SCHOOLS.
The public school system comprises a Fourth Ward school. Main High school, and First Ward building. The first two are for white pupils and Prof. Clarence Bonnel, principal, and Mesdames Rose E. Cutting and Magenta Kennedy, assistants,
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have charge of the High school. The Misses Mabel Houts, Lottie Johnson, Arminta Armstrong, Nina Shimpert, Laura Nordeman, Mesdames M. A. Dugger and Laura Love, and John N. Weaver are the grade teachers. The colored schools have four teachers, Mr. G. S. Murray, principal; Mrs. Lena Phillipps, Irene Brown and Mrs. Luella Crouse for the grades.
Prof. Edward Longbons, a graduate of the Southern Illi- nois Normal, Carbondale, is superintendent of the whole sys- tem. He has proved himself thoroughly competent and a four years' course of study is maintained which admits the gradu- ates to the State University and Normal schools.
The Board of Education is composed of C. P. Treat, presi- dent; J. M. Elliott, Secretary; L. C. Flanagan, Edwin Corlis, M. Smith, Edward Cowling, and A. N. Starkes.
LIBRARIES.
For several years a small library was maintained by public subscription. Hon. R. W. McCartney, deceased, left rooms and a liberal donation for books when the city should foster the library under the statutory provision. This was done in 1898 and today a popular public reading room and library is enjoyed by the city. Aside from this the women have a local branch of the Women's Literary club, and several reading circles.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal church has a commodious, well furnished, brick building and a regular pastor; also the C'on- gregationalists, the Presbyterians, Christian, Baptist, United Brethren, Baptist colored, and A. M. E., each own modern frame churches and maintain regular pastors. The Catholics have a neat frame, the German Lutherans a brick, the Episco- palians have no house, yet each have services, though at inter- valg
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BANKS.
In the "'50's" wild cat banks were organized and chartered for Metropolis and Brooklyn, one each, but never went into operation, although an office was opened.
About 1869 Manning Mayfield, who had come to Metrop- olis, induced R. G. B. McKee to build a banking building on Third street in connection with his business block. A bank was opened under the name of M. Mayfield & Co., and Nov. 1st it was understood that Mayfield's brother Abram was his asso- ciate. In 1871, W. R. Brown was admitted as a partner and Mayfield removed to St. Louis. Under the management of W. R. Brown the firm continued until June 12, 1883, as that of M. Mayfield & Co., when the name was changed to that of Brown and Bruner by the admission of W. P. Bruner. This firm con- tinued in business until June 12, 1895, when an assignment of the bank's assets was made to E. P. Curtis and D. W. Helm, as- signees.
During the life of the Brown & Bruner bank, business growth demanded an additional one, and Aug. 1, 1881, Messrs. H. & A. Quante, R. G. B. McKee, A. P. Oakes and J. M. Choat, under the firm name of McKee, Quante & Co. opened a bank on Third street, and May 5, 1884, turned over the company's as- sets to the First National Bank, then organized. R. W. Mc- Cartney secured the charter and became its first president, serving until elected circuit judge, when J. F. McCartney suc- ceeded him. After the expiration of the judicial term, R. W. McCartney was again elected president and served until his death. Hiram Quante has been president since then. The capital stock is $50,000. J. M. Choat was cashier from 1881 to 1889; W. H. Armstrong, 1889 to 1897; J. M. Choat, 1897 to the present. The directors are Messrs. H. and A. Quante, D. Arens- man, R. H. Austin, W. H. Kraper, Ed. J. Cowling, and Henry Miller.
Immediately after the failure of the Brown & Bruner bank, J. F. McCartney, who had sold his stock in the First National Bank, promoted the organization of the State Bank of Metrop.
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olis, which was chartered and opened its doors for business, Dec. 2, 1895, in the new State Block. The directors were J. M. Elliott, D. H. C. Borman, F. M. McGee, G. W. Smith, William Wright, L. W. Copland and J. F. McCartney, who was elected president and still serves. J. M. Elliott was chosen vice-pres- ident and James L. Elliott, cashier.
In May, 1896, the capital stock was increased to $50,000 from $25,000 and the bank merged into a National Bank under the National Banking laws, with the name of "The National State Bank of Metropolis, Illinois."
NEW CHARTER.
At a special meeting of the village trustees March 7, 1859, an election was called for the second Monday of March to vote upon the adoption of a new charter, changing the organization to that of a city. J. C. Burden was the president; and W. R. Brown and Tillman Roby the other two members of this board of trustees. To hold the election they divided the city into three wards, as follows: First ward included all the city be- tween the limits and the upper boundary of Market street, poll at the court house; Second ward included the city between the upper boundary of Market street and the lower boundary of Metropolis street, poll at Burden's cooper shop; and Third ward the remainder, poll at J. B. Hick's office.
To hold the election Messrs. Wm. McDowell, J. J. Critten- den and Daniel Bowker were appointed judges and Messrs. R. Laughlin and Robert Russel, clerks. Ninety votes favored the charter, one opposed and one voted a blank.
In the first city election the judges of the election for the first ward were: J. J. Crittenden, William Gregg and Wm. V. McGee. The clerks were Lewis Lafont and James K. House. In the second ward the judges were: Daniel Bormer, II. S. Lightfoot, Michael Zrandtley; and R. Laughlin and Thomas Davis, clerks. In the third ward the judges were: Daniel Bowker, D. H. Diers and Jason L. Stone; the clerks were John W. Foster and J. T. Stewart. As a result of the election Wil- liam V. McGee was elected mayor, 162 votes; John B. Hicks,
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magistrate, 105 votes; over William McDowell, 78 votes; J. Dayhuff was chosen marshal at 91 votes; his opponents and votes were: J. H. Tucker, 68; J. W. Hoagland, 5, and G. B. Choat, 16; The aldermen and votes are as follows: First ward, L. A. Lafont 31, W. L. Cooped 22,-J. T. Brown 21, J. R. Gates 9, J. C. Roberts 17, and R. S. Rankin 1; Second ward, G. W. Bunn 61, John T. Rennie 35,-W. R. Brown 26, H. R. Lightfoot 12, W. H. Scott 6; Third ward, John C. Burden 43, Tillman Roby 27,- J. F. Mears 15.
The first meeting was held in John B. Hicks' office and the first recommendation of the mayor-elect was one in favor of granting liquor license, which at the same meeting was fixed at $200 a year, and they prohibited the sale of liquor to the intoxicated and boys under eighteen. John Kebler took out the first license. An annual license was placed on ten- pin alleys, then popular, and it also covered billiard tables. April 22, 1859, C. W. Lusk was authorized to publish the pro- ceedings required by law at one-half his regular rate in "The Sentinel." April 23rd, they returned $10.00 borrowed by the city of W. H. Green, and allowed each alderman 50 cents for each regular and called session.
May 18, 1861, a resolution was passed authorizing the city clerk to purchase three kegs of powder, two sacks of buckshot, and 100 bars of lead for the "Home Guards" to be used in de- fense of the city from threatened attacks by the rebels.
MAYORS.
The first mayor was William V. McGee, 1859 to 1860, and until 1901 are as follows: W. H. Scott, 1860-2 elected twice; Abram Bruner, 1862-3; Joseph T. Browne, 1863-4; John F. Challes, 1864-6; Joseph T. Browne, 1866-7; T. J. Parker, 1867-8; J. C. Burden, 1868-9; Joseph Walmsley, 1869-70, resigned Jan. 8, 1870, and J. E. Roberts elected pro tem .; J. E. Roberts, 1870-1; J. C. Willis, 1871-2; Geo. W. Corlis, 1872-3; Dr. J. H. Scott, 1873-5; being the first mayor elected for two years under the statute of 1872, and re-elected, 1875-77; H. Rampendahl, 1877-9; Dr. J. H. Norris, 1879-81; T. S. Stone, 1881-3; Benjamin
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Rankin, 1883-5; Dr. J. H. Norris, 1885-7; Benjamin Rankin, 1887-9, dying after thirteen months' service, and May 14, 1888. the council elected Alderman A. Quante to fill out the unex- pired term; Dr. J. H. Norris, 1889-91; August Quante, 1891-7, serving three consecutive terms; Frank Adams, 1897-1901, serving two terms.
The present population of Metropolis will reach about 4,500 inhabitants, and the city has four wards. Robert K. Bur- den is city clerk; John H. Guinn, treasurer, and Gus Crouch, marshal. A. J. Peter and John L. Turnbo, aldermen for the First Ward; Dr. John T. Cummins and W. A. Fitch, Second Ward; T. S. Stone and P. R. Finney, Third Ward; James H. Jones and W. P. Baynes, Fourth Ward.
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CHAPTER XIX. POPE COUNTY HISTORICAL REMINISCENCES.
(J. E. Y. HANNA).
P
OPE County was organized 1816 from Gallatin and Johnson counties, and extended on the Ohio river from Cave-in-Rock to old Fort Massac. The county seat was located at Sarahsville since Golconda-on the banks of the Ohio river, about midway between the points mentioned.
The first county officers were: Robert Lacy, Benoni Lee and Thomas Ferguson, county com- missioners; Joshua Scott, recorder; Hamlet Ferguson, sheriff; Samuel O'Melvaney, treas- urer, and Thomas C. Browne-afterward Judge Browne-pros- ecuting attorney.
At the first term of the commissioners' court, among other business, the court fixed the price of meals, lodging, stable and horse-feed, and the price of whisky. About the year 1839, the upper part of Pope county was organized as the county of Har- din, fixing the line near Grand Pierre creek. In the year 1843 the lower portion of Pope county, with a part of Johnson, was organized as Massac county, and by act of the legislature, Geo. H. Hanna, the county surveyor of Pope county, was directed to locate the line between Pope and Massac counties. At the first term of the commissioners' court of Massac county, the first county orders were issued to George H. Hanna and his assistants for said service, and were sold to John W. Read, the sheriff, for 75 cents on the dollar.
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