History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 4

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 4

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HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

was, by whom they were immediately shot. This was the first irritation of the Winnebagoes. Red Bird, a chief of this tribe, in order to avenge the execu- tion of the four warriors of his own people, attacked the Chippewas, but was defeated; and being determined to sat- isfy his thirst for revenge by some means, surprised and killed several white men. Upon receiving intelligence of these murders, the whites who were working the lead mines in the vicinity of Galena formed a body of volunteers, and, reinforced by a company of United States troops, marched into the country of the Winnebagoes. To save their na- tion from tlie miseries of war, Red Bird and six other men of his nation volun- tarily surrendered themselves. Some of the number were executed, some of them imprisoned, and destined, like Red Bird, ingloriously to pine away within the narrow limits of a jail, where for- merly the vast forests had proven too confining for them.

BLACK HAWK WAR.

In the year 1804, a treaty was con- cluded between the United States and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations, who had fought with great bravery in the service of Great Britain during the war of 1812. Black Hawk had always taken ex- . ceptions to this treaty, pronouncing it void. In 1831 he established himself, with a chosen band of warriors, upon the dis- puted territory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining, Governor Reynolds dis- patched General Gaines, with a company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers, to the scene of action. Taking the Indians by

surprise, the troops burnt their villages and forced them to conclude a treaty, by which they ceded all lands east of the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on the western side of the river. Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into submission, which made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having rallied around him the war-like braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1832. Upon learning of this invasion, Governor Reynolds hastily collected a body of 1,800 volun- teers, placing them under command of Brigadier-General Whiteside. The army marched to the Mississippi, and having reduced to ashes the Indian village known as "Prophet's Town," proceeded several miles up the river to Dixon, to join the regular forces under General Atkinson. They found at Dixon two companies of volunteers, who, sighing for glory, were despatched to reconnoi- tre the enemy. They advanced, under command of Major Stillman, to a small creek, afterwards known as "Stillman's Run," and while there encamped, saw a party of mounted Indians at a distance of a mile. Several of Stillman's party mounted their horses and charged the Indians, killing three of them, but being attacked by the main body under Black Hawk, they were routed, and by their precipitated flight, spread such a panic through the camp that the whole com- pany ran off to Dixon as fast as possible. On their arrival, it was found that eleven of their number were missing, having been killed by the Indians.

In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band of 150 warriors, attacked Apple

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

River Fort, near Galena, defended by 25 men. This fort, a mere palisade of logs, was erected to afford protection to the miners. For fifteen consecutive hours the garrison had to sustain the assault of the savage enemy; but knowing very well that no quarter would be given them, they fought with such fury and desperation that the Indians, after los- ing many of their best warriors, were compelled to retreat.

New forces having been sworn into the service, Generals Atkinson and Henry determined to pursue the retreating foe. They followed them into Wisconsin, and hearing that Black Hawk was encamped on Rock river, at the Manitou village, issued orders to continue the pursuit. The officers of General Henry handed to him a written protest; but he, a man equal to any emergency, ordered the officers to be arrested, and escorted to General Atkinson. Within a few minutes after the order was given, the officers all collected around the general's quarters, and pledged their word that if forgiven, they would return to duty, and never do the like again.

The battle of Bad Axe immediately followed, resulting in a loss to the In- dians of three hundred, besides fifty prisoners. The whites had but seventeen killed and twelve wounded. Black Hawk, with twenty of his braves, escaped, retreating up the Wisconsin river. The Winnebagoes desiring to secure the friendship of the whites, went in pur- suit, and captured and delivered them to General Street, the United States Indian agent. Among the prisoners were the son of Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. These, with Black Hawk,

were taken to Washington, D. C., and were soon confined as prisoners at For- tress Monroe. Thus ended the Black Hawk war.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

At the general election in 1834, Joseph Duncan was chosen governor by a hand- some majority. A reckless and uncon- trollable desire for internal public im- provements seized the minds of the people. In his message to the legisla- ture, in 1835, Governor Duncan said: "When we look abroad and see the extensive lines of inter-communication · penetrating almost every section of our sister states; when we see the canal boat and the locomotive bearing with seeming triumph the rich productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes and oceans, almost annihilating time, bur- then and space, what patriotic bosom does not beat high with a laudable am- bition to give Illinois her full share of those advantages which are adorning her sister states, and which a magnificent Providence seems to invite by a wonder- ful adaptation of our whole country to such improvements."

STUPENDOUS SYSTEM OF IMPROVEMENTS INAUGURATED.

The legislature responded to the ardent words of the governor, and enacted a system of internal improvements with- out a parallel in the grandeur of its con- ception. They ordered the construction of 1,300 miles of railroad, crossing the state in all directions. This was sur- passed by the river and canal improve- ments. There were a few counties not touched by the railroad, river or canal,

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

and they were to be compensated by the free distribution of $200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond credence, it was ordered that work should commence on both ends of each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river crossing all at the same time. This provision, which has been called the crowning folly of the entire system, was the result of those jealous combinations emanating from the fear that advantages might accrue to one section over another in the commencement and completion of the works. We can appreciate better, perhaps, the magnitude of this grand system by reviewing a few figures. The debt authorized for these improvements in the first instance was $10,230,000. But this, as it was soon found, was based on estimates at least too low by half. This, as we readily see, committed the state to a liability of over $20,000,000, equivalent to $200,000,000 at the present time, with over ten times the population, and more than ten times the wealth.

Such stupendous undertakings by the state naturally engendered the fever of speculation among individuals. That particular form known as the town lot fever, assumed the malignant type at first in Chicago, from whence it spread over the entire state and adjoining states. It was an epidemic. It cut up men's farms without regard to locality, and cut up the purses of the purchasers without regard to consequences. It was estimated that building lots enough were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the United States.

Chicago, which in 1830, was a small trading post, had within a few years grown into a city. This was the starting

point of the wonderful growth and marvelous career of that city. Improve- ments, unsurpassed in the annals of the world by individual effort, were then begun, and have been maintained to this day. Though visited by the terrible fire fiend, and the accumulations of years swept away in a night, yet she has arisen and to-day is the best built city in the world. Reports of the rapid advance of property in Chicago spread to the east, and thousands poured into her borders, bringing money, enterprise and indus- try. Every ship that left her port car- ried, with it maps of splendidly situated towns and additions, and every vessel that returned was laden with immi- grants. It was said at the time that the staple article of Illinois exports was town plats, and that there was danger of crowding the state with towns to the ex- clusion of land for agriculture.

ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL.

The Illinois and Michigan canal again received attention. This enterprise is one of the most important in the early history of Illinois, on account of its magnitude and cost, and forming as it does, the connecting link, between the great chain of lakes and the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Governor Bond, the first governor, recommended in his first message the building of the canal. In 1821, the legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route, This work was performed by two young men who estimated the cost at $600,000 or $700,000. It cost, however, when com- pleted $8,000,000. In 1825, a law was passed to incorporate the canal company, but no stock was sold. In 1826, upon

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

the solicitation of Daniel P. Cook, con- gressman from this state, congress gave 800,000 acres of land on the line of the work. In 1828, commissioners were ap- pointed and work commenced, with a new survey and new estimates. In 1834-5 the work was again pushed for- ward, and continued until 1848, when it was completed.

PANIC-REPUDIATION ADVOCATED.

Bonds of the state were recklessly dis- posed of, both in the east and in Europe. Work was commenced on various lines of railroads, but none were ever com- pleted. On the Great Western Railroad, from Meredosia east eight miles, the first locomotive that ever turned a wheel in the great valley of the Mississippi was run. The date of this remarkable event was November 8, 1838. Large sums of money were being expended witlı no as- surance of a revenue, and consequently, in 1840, the legislature repealed the im-

provement laws passed three years pre- viously, not, however, until the state had accumulated a debt of nearly $15,000,- 000. Thus fell the most stupenduous, extravagant and almost ruinous folly of a grand system of internal improvements that any civil community, perhaps, ever engaged in. The state banks failed, specie was scarce, an enormous debt was accumulated, the interest of which could not be paid, people were disappointed in the accumulation of wealth, and real es- tate was worthless. All this had a tend- ency to create a desire to throw off the heavy burden of state debt by repudia- tion. Men, true, honest and able, were placed at the head of affairs; and al- though the hours were dark and gloomy, and the times most trying, yet our grand state was brought through and prosper- ed, until to-day, after the expenditure of millions for public improvements, and for carrying on the civil war, it has, at present, no public debt whatever.

CHAPTER IV.

MORMON, MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS.

In April, 1840, the "Latter-Day Saints," or Mormons, came in large num- bers to Illinois, and purchased a tract of land on the east side of the Mississippi river, about ten miles above Keokuk. Here they commenced building the city of Nauvoo. A more picturesque or eli-

gible site for a city could not have been selected.

The origin, rapid development and prosperity of this religious sect are the most remarkable and instructive histori- cal events of the present century. That i an obscure individual, without money,

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

education or respectability, should per- suade hundreds of thousands of people to believe him inspired of God, and cause a book, contemptible as a literary production, to be received as a continua- tion of the sacred revelation, appears almost incredible; yet, in less than half a century, the disciples of this obscure individual have increased to hundreds of thousands; have founded a state in the distant wilderness, and compelled the government of the United States to practically recognize them as an inde- pendent people.

The founder of Mormonism was Joseph Smith, a native of Vermont, who emi- grated while quite young with his father's family to western New York. Here his youth was spent in idle, vagabond life, .roaming the woods, dreaming of buried treasures, and in in endeavoring to learn the art of finding them by the twisting of a forked stick in his hands, or by look- ing through enchanted stones. Both he and his father became famous as "water- wizards," always ready to point out the spot where wells might be dug and water found. Such was the character of the young profligate when he made the ac- quaintance of Sidney Rigdon, a person of considerable talent and information, who had conceived the design of found- ing a new religion. A religious romance, written by Mr. Spaulding, a Presbyter- preacher of Ohio, then dead, suggested the idea, and finding in Smith the requis- ite duplicity and cunning to reduce it to practice, it was agreed that he should act as a prophet; and the two devised a story that gold plates had been found buried in the earth containing a record inscribed on them in unknown charac-

ters, which, when inspired by the power of inspiration, gave the history of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

After their settlement in and about Nauvoo, in Hancock county, great dep- redations were committed by them on the "Gentiles." The Mormons had been received from Missouri with great kind- ness by the people of this state, and every possible aid granted them. The depre- dations committed, however, soon made them odious, when the question of get- ting rid of them was agitated. In the fall of 1841, the governor of Missouri made a demand on Governor Carlin for the arrest and delivery of Joe Smith as a fugitive from justice. Smith was sub- sequently arrested, but was released by Judge Douglas upon the ground that the writ had once been returned before it had been executed. In 1842, he was again arrested, and again escaped. Em- boldened by success, the Mormons be- came more arrogant and overbearing. Many people began to believe they were about to set up a government for them- selves in defiance of the laws of the state. Owners of property stolen in other counties made pursuit into Nauvoo; and were fined by the Mormon courts for daring to seek their property in the holy city. About this time they peti- tioned congress to establish a territorial government for them in Nauvoo.

Smith soon began to play the tyrant over his people. Among the first acts of this sort was an attempt to take the wife of William Law, one of his most talented disciples, and make her his spiritual wife. He established, without author- ity, a recorder's office, and an office to issue marriage licenses. He proclaimed

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HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

that none could deal in real estate or sell liquor but himself. He ordered a printing office demolished, and in many ways controlled the freedom and busi- ness of the Mormons. Not only did he stir up some of the Mormons, but by his reckless disregard for the laws of the land, raised up opposition on every hand. It was believed he intro- duced the Danite band, which he had chosen as the ministers of his vengeance, that no blood, except that of the church, was to be regarded as sacred, if it con- travened the accomplishment of his ob- ject. It was asserted that he inculcated the legality of perjury and other crimes, if committed to advance the cause of true believers; that God had given the world and all it contained to his saints, and since they were kept out of their right- ful inheritance by force, it was no moral offense to get possession of it by steal- ing.

It was currently reported that an estab- lishment existed in Nauvoo for the manu- facture of counterfeit money, and that a set of outlaws were maintained for the purpose of putting it in circulation. Statements were circulated to the effect that a reward was offered for the destruc- tion of the Warsaw Signal, an anti-Mor- mon paper, and that Mormons dispersed over the country threatened all persons who offered to assist the constable in the execution of the law, with the destruc- tion of their property and the murder of their families. There were rumors also afloat that an alliance had been formed with the western Indians, and in case of war they would be used in murdering their enemies. In short, if only one- half of these reports were true, the Mor-

mons must have been the most infamous people that ever existed.

William Law, one of the proprietors of the printing office destroyed by Smith, went to Carthage, and procured a war- rant for the arrest of Smith and others in the deed. The prophet, his brother Hiram and others, surrendered them- selves at Carthage, June 24, 1844, on a charge of riot, and all entered into a recognizance before a justice of the peace for their appearance at court. They were again arrested, and thrown into prison at Carthage. The people of Han- cock, McDonough and Schuyler counties had assembled, armed and ready to avenge the outrages that had been com- mitted by the Mormons. Great excite- ment prevailed. All were anxious to march into Nauvoo. The 27th of June was appointed for the march, but Gov- ernor Ford, who at the time was in Car- thage, apprehended trouble if the mi- litia should attempt to invade Nauvoo, disbanded the troops, retaining only a guard for the jail.

Governor Ford went to Nauvoo on the 27. The same morning about two hun- dred men from Warsaw, many of them disguised, hastened to Carthage. On learning that one of the companies left as a guard had disbanded, and the other stationed 150 yards from the jail, while eight men were left to guard the prison- ers, a communication was soon estab- lished between the Warsaw troops and the guard; and it was arranged that the guard should have their guns charged with blank cartridges and fire at the as- sailants when they attempted to enter the jail. The conspirators came up, jumped the fence around the jail, were fired

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

upon by the guard, which, according to arrangement, was overpowered, and the assailants entered the prison to the door of the room where the two prisoners were confined. An attempt was made to break open the door; but Joe Smith, be- ing armed with a pistol, fired several times as the door was broken open, and three of the assailants were wounded. At the same time several shots were fired into the room, by some of which John Tay- lor, a friend of the Smith's, received four wounds, and Hiram Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith, severely wounded, attempted to escape by jumping out of a second story window, but was so stun- ned by the fall that he was unable to rise. In this position he was dispatched by balls fired through his body. . Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful im- poster of modern times. Totally igno- rant of almost every fact in science, as well as in law, he made up in construct- iveness and natural cunning what he lacked in education.

Many feared the Mormons would as- semble in force and attack Carthage for the purpose of avenging the death of the prophet. But this was never done. In the fall of 1845, a convention, con- sisting of delegates from eight of the adjoining counties, assembled to concert measures for the expulsion of the Mor- mons from the state. The Mormons se- riously contemplated emigration west- ward, believing the times forbode evil for them. Accordingly during the win- ter of 1845-46, the most stupendous preparations were made by the Mor- mons for removal. All the principal dwellings, and even the temple, were converted into workshops, and before

spring, 12,000 wagons were in readiness; and by the middle of February, the leaders, with 2,000 of their followers, had crossed the Mississippi on the ice.

Before the spring of 1846, the major- ity of Mormons had left Nauvoo, but still a large number remained.

THE BATTLE OF NAUVOO.

In September a writ was issued against several prominent Mormons, and placed in the hands of John Carlin, of Carthage, for execution. Carlin call- ed out a posse to help make the arrest, which brought together quite a large force, in the vicinity of Nauvoo. Car- lin, not being a military man, placed in command of the force, first, General Singleton, and afterward Colonel Brock- man, who proceeded to invest the city, erecting breastworks, and taking other means for defensive as well as offensive operations. What was then termed a battle next took place, resulting in the death of one Mormon and the wounding of several others, and loss to the anti- Mormons of three killed and four wounded. At last, through the inter- vention of an anti-Mormon committee of one hundred, from Quincy, the Mor- mons and their allies were induced to submit to such terms as the posse choose to dictate, which were that the Mor- mons should immediately give up their arms to the Quincy committee and re- move from the state. The trustees of the church and five of their clerks were permitted to remain for the sale of Mor- mon property, and the posse were to march in unmolested, and leave a suffi- cient force to guarantee the perform- ance of their stipulations. Accordingly

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

the constable's posse marched in, with Brockman at their head. It consisted of 800 armed men, and 600 or 700 un- armed, who had assembled from all the country around, through motives of curi- osity to see the once proud city of Nau- voo humbled. and delivered up to its en- emies. They proceeded into the city slow- ly and carefully, examining the way for fear of the explosion of a mine, many of which had been made by the Mor- mons, by burying kegs of powder in the ground, with a man stationed at a dis- tance to pull a string communicating with the trigger of a percussion lock af- fixed to the keg. This kind of a con- trivance was called by the Mormons "hell's half acre." When the posse. arrived in the city, the leaders of it elected themselves into a tribunal to de- cide who should be forced away and who remain. Parties were dispatched to hunt for fire-arms and for Mormons, and to bring them to judgment. When brought, they received their doom from the mouth of Brockman, who remained a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour or two, and by rare grace some of them were allowed until next day, and in a few cases longer time was granted.

MEXICAN WAR.

In 1846, when the war with Mexico commenced, Illinois sent her quota of six regiments to the tented field. More men were offered, but only the six reg- iments could be accepted. These six shed imperishable honors, not only upon the state, but upon the American union. Veterans never fought more nobly and

effectively than did the volunteers from Illinois. At the battle of Buena Vista, by the coolness and bravery of the Second regiment, under Colonel Bissell, the day was saved. The con- flict began early on the morning of Feb- ruary 22, 1847, and was continued till nightfall of the next day. The solid columns of the enemy were hurled against our advancing forces all day long, but were met and held in check by the unerring fire of our musketry and artillery. A portion of General Lane's division was driven back by the enemy, who appeared in such formidable num- bers as to be almost irresistible. At this time the Second Illinois, under Colonel Bissell, with a squadron of cavalry and a few pieces of artillery, came handsome- ly into action, and gallantly received the concentrated fire of the enemy, which they returned with deliberate aim and terrible effect. Every dis- charge of the artillery seemed to tear a bloody path through the columns of the enemy. Says a writer: "The rapid musketry of the gallant troops from Illinois poured a storm of lead into their serried ranks, which literally strewed the ground with the dead and dying." But, notwithstanding his los- ses, the enemy still advanced until our gallant regiment received fire from three sides. Still they maintained their position for a time with unflinching firmness against that immense host. At length, perceiving the danger of be- ing entirely surrounded, it was deter- mined to fall back to a ravine. Colonel Bissell, with the coolness of ordinary drill, ordered the signal " cease firing" to be made; he then, with the same de_

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

liberation, gave the command, " face to the rear, battalion about face; forward march!" which was executed with the regularity of veterans to a point beyond the peril of being outflanked. Again, in obedience to command, these brave men halted, faced about, and under a murderous tempest of bullets from the foe, resumed their well directed fire. The conduct of no troops could have been more admirable, and, too, until that day they had never been under fire, when, within less than half an hour, eighty of their comrades dropped by their sides.

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 4

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150