USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
Samuel Humberd records his mark, viz : A slope to a point in each ear. January 29, 1839.
Samuel C. Dewey records his mark, viz : The left ear ent en- tirely off' from his jaw and a long slit in the right hind leg, also, a brand next side to the fence. March 9, 1839.
Lewis Mason his mark, viz: A hole and a slit. January 12, 1839.
Timothy Robinson records his mark, viz : Two slits in the left ear and a half penny in the underside of the right car. June 2, 1845.
HI-16
246
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
James Greenwill records his mark as follows, viz : An under slope on under side of each ear, both ears foxed to a sharp point on the under side of the ears. August 13, 1873.
Jeremiah Sullivan records his mark as follows, to-wit: Letter S on the left side of the rump, ear mark ; a crop off the right ear and a split in the left ear. 1854.
Nancy Ryan records her mark as follows : Cattle branded on both horns with the letters N. R., and a split on the side of the right ear, the wrong side of the R turned down, and the N at the top of the horn. Hay mark: A split on the top of the right ear and a erop off the top of the ear with a notch on the side of the left ear and the tail cut short, lives in Colchester. March 3, 1858.
247
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XX.
NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
At the September term, 1868, of the Board of Supervisors a resolution was adopted setting forth that it was the sense of the Board that steps should at once be taken for the erection of a new court house. For some twelve or fourteen years the question of a building better suited to the wants of the county had been agi- tated, but no definite action taken. Almost every grand jury during that time condemned the old building as being insecure and a disgrace to the county, but the Board of Supervisors had not the nerve to say, we will build.
In May, 1863, James M. Campbell, Esq., was appointed by the Board to confer with the Council of the city of Macomb in refer- ence to the subject of a new building, the Board being of the opinion that "the city ought to contribute liberally in the con- struction of a new court house." At the September meeting of the Board Mr. Campbell reported, and a communication was also received from a special committee appointed by the council de- clining to take action in the matter at that time for certain reasons therein set forth. The communication from the City Council was answered, setting forth the necessity for a new court house and stating that nothing would be done unless the city should do its part. A small sum of money was offered at this session of the Board for the best plan of a new court house, and at its next ses- sion in December, 1863, W. C. McLeod, being the only person re- sponding, was allowed the amount.
At the September term, 1864, a resolution was passed request- ing our member of the Legislature to have an act passed author- izing the county to issue bonds to the amount of fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of applying the same toward the said building.
248
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
At the March term, 1865, the Board appointed a committee of three to confer with a like committee appointed by the Council of the city of Macomb in reference to the location of the proposed building. No further action was taken in the matter until the September meeting of the Board in the year 1868, when Super- visor Taylor, of Industry, offered the following resolution :
WHEREAS. It is apparent to all candid-minded men that the safety of our land records, upon which the title to the land of all our citizens rests, and of the records of both our Circuit and County Courts, as well as the Board of Supervisors, upon the preservation of which depends vast public and private rights of the whole body of the people of the county. now rendered the more striking from their narrow escape from destruction by the elements, and the dilapidated and crumbling condition of our present court house ; by many deemed not only unsafe for the people to meet in while the courts are being held, but, as all know, wholly inadequate to accommodate the jurors and others connected with the administration of justice, absolutely demands the laying aside all local feeling and prejudice, but acting solely upon a high sense of duty to the people of the whole county that we should at once proceed to take the necessary steps to build a court house adequate for the wants of the large and daily increasing population of our county, and a safe depository of its public records and archives ; therefore,
Resolved. That it is the sense of this Board that measures be taken at its present ineeting to secure, with as little delay as possible, the building of a suitable court house in this county.
Supervisor White submitted the following resolution, which was likewise adopted :
Resolved. That this Board appoint L. G. Reid a committee to procure plans and speci- fications for the erection of a new court house in McDonough county, and the probable cost of the same : and to confer with the City Council of Macomb, or others, for the purpose of knowing the amount said city or others will appropriate to build said house ; and to report to this Board, at an adjourned meeting of said Board, to be held on the first Monday in October next. at one o'clock P. M.
A feeling existed among the members of the Board that the city of Macomb should contribute largely toward the erection of the proposed building. At this adjourned meeting, held in Oc- tober, Supervisor Mustain submitted the following resolution, which was passed by the Board :
Rexolred, That this Board refuse to erect a Court House in the city of Macomb until said city become legally obligated to donate in aid of the construction of the same twenty thousand dollars.
The committee appointed by the Board to confer with the City Council of the city of Macomb, met with that body and presented their report. The Council voted to donate the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and refused to advance above that a single dol- lar. The Board of Supervisors still maintained they would do nothing in relation to the building until the city complied with its demands. The city of Bushnell was endeavoring to effect the removal of the county seat to that point, and many of the citizens
249
HISTORY OF M DONOUGH COUNTY.
of Macomb became fearful they would succeed. At this juncture, N. P. Tinsley, Esq., went before the City Council of Macomb and offered to assume the payment of the extra five thousand dollars demanded by the County Board, giving his obligation to the city for that amount, provided the city would accede to the demands of the Board to donate the amount of twenty thousand dollars. Upon the eighth day of October, 1868, the following agreement was made and signed by the respective parties :
This agreement made this eighth day of October. 1868, between the city of Macomb, MeDonough county, Illinois, by Joseph P. Updegraff. Mayor, and William E. Withrow, Clerk of said city, agents of said city, duly appointed by the city council of said city for this purpose, and the county of McDonough aforesaid. by J. B. Kyle, Chairman, ap- pointed the agent of the Board of Supervisors of said county for the said purpose of the second part, witnesseth, that, whereas. the Board of Supervisors of said county have in contemplation the erection of a court house and jail for said county, and the parties herein having had mutual propositions involving the location of said house on certain conditions in the city of Macomb aforesaid which have been accepted by the parties, it is hereupon agreed as follows, to-wit : That the Board of Supervisors will erect a court house in the city of Macomb at such point as the said Board may determine, with which the said Board may, if they see fit. combine a jail for said county, the said court house with or without said jail to cost not less than seventy-five thousand dollars, and to be un- dertaken and completed in a reasonable time. It is moreover agreed that the said Board shall at this present session levy, and when the ordinary taxes for said county are col- lected for the current year, they shall cause to be collected towards the erection of said building the sum of one per cent. on the assessed property of said county. Also it is agreed that they shall take steps to carry forward the said building as fast as the late- ness of the season, and the extent of the enterprise will reasonably allow.
In consideration of said agreement it is also hereby agreed on the part of said city that there shall be paid by the said city to the said county for said purpose, in addition to the share of taxes laid by the said Board on the property in the said city, the sum of twenty thousand dollars. in three equal payments ; the first, on the first day of May, 1869 ; the second, on the first day of May. 1870; and the third, on the first day of May, 1871.
It is also agreed that should the said city pay the whole or any part of said moneys in manner as agreed, and the said Board for any cause should fail to complete the said house in a reasonable time, or should abandon the enterprise, that whatever the said city may have advanced in the enterprise shall be refunded to the city : provided, however, this "reasonable time" is not to be construed so as to hurry the said Board faster than a due regard to the quality of the building, the extent of the building, and the ordinary mode of erecting similar buildings of good grade in other counties of the State, will allow.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seal, the day and year just above written.
J. P. UPDEGRAFF, Mayor of the city of Macomb. W. E. WITHROW, Clerk of the city of Macomb.
J. B. KYLE,
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of McDonough county. Illinois.
250
IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
This settled the question of the ercetion of a new Court House. L. G. Reid, in behalfof the county, advertised for plans and speci- fications, and in due time one submitted by E. E. Myers, of Springfield, Illinois, was adopted. Rooms were rented in Bailey's new block, on the northeast corner of the square, for county offi- ces, and the offices were at once removed thereto. The work of demolishing the old building began, and the lot cleared for the erection of a building that would be an honor to the progressive county of McDonough.
On the twenty-ninth of December following, at an adjourned meeting of the Board, bids were opened for building the Court House, according to the plans and specifications agreed upon. The following comprised the number and the amounts bid :
B. F. Bushnell & Co. $160,000
Deakman & Messenger.
165,768
D. J. Silver. . .
147,500
Same (modified). 133,650
A. Wałbaum & Co. 156,000
Mahannah & Dey. 125,000
W. A. Williamson. 146,300
C. R. Underwood & Bro. 159,250
Same (modified) 141,000
Martin & Thomas. 145,000
W. D. Richardson. 140,000
Same (modified). 142,600
The bids of all were rejected, and an effort made to have the house built according to the plans furnished by Mr. Myers, the county becoming its own contractor. A resolution to this effect was offered by Mr. Reid, but voted down. Advertisements were again inserted for proposals, and the time set for the disposal of the same on the second day of February, 1869. Accordingly, on the said day, the Board met, when the following proposals were opened :
D. J. Silver. $129,900
William Young 110,000
Walbaum & Co. 129,000
Deakman & Messenger 143,620
Johnson & Askew 137,000
Richardson. 138,750
Mahannah & Dey. 136,000
Peter Burns.
137,000
Martin & Thomas. 139,750
Underwood & Co. 143,800
A petition was presented at this meeting, signed by sundry cit- izens of the county, praying the board not to expend more than
251
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
seventy-five thousand dollars in the erection of the court house. A committee was appointed to act upon the same, who reported to the board that, recognizing the right of citizens to be heard, they would report it "inexpedient to go back on our work and open the door for new litigation," and that they were satisfied that a good fire-proof building, suitable for the purposes of the county, could not be built for that amount.
The bids being duly examined by the board, that of Walbaum & Co., of Chicago, was adopted as being the lowest and best. Messrs. Walbaum & Co. immediately entered into contract with the county for the erection of the building, and proceeded with the work. L. G. Reid, Esq., of Lamoine, was selected by the Board, at a salary of $1,200 per year, to superintend its construc- tion and entered zealously upon the discharge of his duties.
Although the contract called for the completion of the building by the first of November, 1870, it was not until the summer of 1872 it was finished. We now have a building in which every citizen of the county feels a just pride, and erected in a good sub- stantial manner, fireproof throughout. The following is the total cost of the building and the entire furniture and surroundings :
Contractor's price.
$129,000
Heating apparatus.
5,650
Furniture
5.777
Fence
6.289
Drainage
2,608
Architect .
1.800
Superintendent.
3.427
Bell. .
651
Lightning rods.
168
Total.
$155,370
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURT HOUSE.
The exterior of the building presents an imposing appearance and harmonious picture from whatever point of view it is approached. It is situated in the center of the square, in the city of Macomb, in the midst of a beautifully decorated yard, enclosed by a neat and substantial iron fence. This square is in the center of the city and within a few hundred yards of the exact center of the county. The building is one of the neatest and best in the State used for a like purpose, and one to which every resident of the county points with pride. The many valuable public records of the county are considered safe within it walls.
2.52
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
The building is of modern style of architecture, and is three stories in height above the basement. The basement story is built of Sagetown limestone, which gives the structure the appearance of solidity, and is in beautiful contrast with the red brick with which are built the exterior walls of the main and second stories. The openings and corners of the building are also trimmed with the same kind of stone. The outside walls of the fourth, or en- tresol, story are covered with slate and the roof with tin. The roof, which is Mansard, presents a neat appearance, and is ele- gantly trimmed with cast-iron trimmings.
There are four entrances leading into the corridors of the main story, one in the center of either side, and one in each end. Each of these open from a portico constructed of iron and stone, and reached by fine, wide stone steps. Under each portico, except the one on the north, and directly below the main entrances, are openings leading into the halls of the basement. The building is surmounted by a fine belfry, which rises from the west end. It contains a large town clock, the bell of which, weighing fifteen hundred pounds, peels forth the hours as they pass. On four sides, and in plain view from all points, are large dials, with huge hands pointing to the hour and minute. The entire frame-work of the belfry is constructed of wrought iron. From this belfry a fine view is obtained of the surrounding country for many miles, it being the highest available point in the county.
The ground plan of the building is 114 feet long, by 72 wide. The front walls are broken by projections forming an irregular outline. Large halls pass through the basement and main stories. The floors of the walls in the basement are made of stone, while those in the first and second stories are marble tiling, twelve inch- es square. The partition walls, with few exceptions, are made of brick, upon which rests heavy wrought iron beams and joints for the support of the floors. The ceilings are of corrugated iron, painted white. The halls are wainscotted throughout with black walnut and ash. The doors are large and heavy and made of ash, with black walnut trimmings, while the inside window shut- ters and casings are of the same materials.
In the center of the south side, leading from the basement to the fourth floor is a broad, iron stairway, while one in the west end of the building, south of the main entrance, leads from the basement to the third floor. Leading from the fourth floor to the balcony of the belfry is an iron spiral stairway.
OLD JAIL, OR "CALABOOSE," AT MACOMB.
NEW JAIL BUILDING AT MACOMB.
25:
IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
In the basement is the room for the engine used for heating purposes, fuel and storage rooms, water closets and bath-rooms. The main floor has commodious apartments for the County Judge. County and Circuit Clerks, Sheriff, Treasurer, and School Super- intendent, with fireproof vaults for public records. On the third floor are several good offices, the private room of the Circuit Judge, office of the County Surveyor, jury room and council room of the city of Macomb, also the Circuit Court room, which occu- pies the eastern portion of the second and third stories. This room is quite large, with ample provision for the bar, witnesses, jury and spectators, being seated with about four hundred arm chairs. The rooms in the upper story are used principally for storage purposes. There are in the entire building thirty-four rooms, all of which are heated by steam, the principal rooms being provided, in addition, with fireplaces and mantles. Its ven- tilation is good and throughout it is supplied with all the modern improvements. The entire cost of the building was $128,000 and its furniture $27,000. E. E. Myers, of Springfield, was the archi- tect; A. Walbaum, of Chicago, the contractor; Martin & Thomas. of Macomb, carpenters and cabinet work; Frank Whitson, plas- terer; Ingram & Argenbright, painters.
On the completion of the new Court House, the subject of a new jail began to be agitated more than ever. The old rattle- trap was pronounced by the different grand juries unsafe and a great nuisance. Large bills of expense were continually being presented to the Board of Supervisors for guarding the jail and repairs, so that the members began to consider if it would not be more economical to build than to pay out the people's money in that manner. Several attempts were made to have the matter favorably acted upon, but it was not until the beginning of the year 1876 that it was successful. A committee had been ap- pointed to examine the Knox county jail and had made a report recommending the adoption of the same plan with some modifica- tions. Advertisements were inserted in the Macomb papers, one Quiney, and one Chicago paper, and in March the bids were opened and contract awarded to J. M. Price & Co., of Macomb, for the sum of $23,000. Without any delay the work was commenced and completed, and at present is occupied by the sheriff and fam- ily, with the prisoners of the county. The work was done in an excellent manner, and the prison is as safe as it is possible to make it. The front part of the building, which is occupied by the
254
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
sheriff, presents a very handsome appearance, and the whole is an honor to the county. It may be thought at times that our county authorities are a little slow, but when they do anything they do it not by halves-they make complete work of it. The following is the total cost of building, ground, &c. Building $23,000, lots $900, barn, fences, walks, &c., $1,722 99, making a grand total of $25,622 99.
Description .- The entire building is in height two stories, with basement; the front portion, or sheriff's residence, is 35x42 feet, the jail proper 35x40. The architectural design is modern, very neat and well proportioned, presenting, on the whole, a light, cheerful appearance. The basement is constructed of limestone, with the exterior surface rough ; the walls of the main building are of red brick, the openings being trimmed with stone trimmings. In the sheriff's residence are eight pleasant rooms, with closets, ward- robes and halls. There are three entrances, all leading into this portion of the building. In the jail are twenty-four cells, each 43x7 feet, and seven in height, the walls of which are of six-inch limestone flagging. The cells are arranged in six tiers, four in length and three in height, one-half opening toward the east and one-half toward the west, into corridors cleven feet wide. The upper cells are reached by stairway and balcony, which extends in front of each tier. Beneath each of the lower tier of cells are seven feet of solid conerete. In the north end is the prison din- ing hall, 12x35 feet. Separating the dining hall from the corridors are partitions of seven-eight inch iron grating, with an iron slide door, which is worked from the hall of the dwelling. The doors of the cells are all locked from the dining hall, so arranged that the sheriff' or attendants are not required to come into contaet with the prisoners. Above the cells are two large iron tanks, capable of holding eighty barrels each, from which the prisoners are supplied with water for bathing purposes. In the dining hall is a force pump leading from the well, which supplies drinking water. Extending from the basement through the roof is a ven- tilating flue, 3x4 feet, with which each cell is connected, and affording ample ventilation. The outer door, leading from the dwelling to the dining hall of the jail, is solid wrought iron ; the inner one a grated V door. The heating furnace and fuel rooms occupy the basement. In the rear portion of the second story of the dwelling are the female and debtor apartments, consisting of three large, well lighted rooms. There is also in this part the
255
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
sleeping apartment of the turnkey, and a large sized bath room. The jail proper has a bath room also, for the accommodation of the prisoners. A large vault is in the main part, for the storage of stolen property recovered. The entire building is covered with a tin roof. A neat iron fence surrounds the lot on which it stands, which adds much to its general appearance. The jail proper was first occupied the latter part of November, 1876, four prisoners being taken there from the old jail. Sheriff Hays took possession of the dwelling on the first of January, 1877.
William Quale, of Peoria, was the architect; J. M. Price & Co., of Macomb, contractors; W. O. Thomas did the carpenter work; Johnson & Co., mason work; Patrick Ferman, plasterer ; Ingram & Argenbright, painters, all being of Macomb. The en- tire work was superintended by William C. McLeod, of Emmet townships. The building stands upon the corner of West Jack- son and McArthur streets.
The following comprises a full and complete list of the names of all elective officers serving the county, and name of office :
County Commissioners .- James Clarke, John Hardesty, James Vance, James Edmonston, Enoch Cyrus, Nathan Ward, Caville Archer, Stewart Pennington, Asa Smith, William W. Bailey, John Vance, John Wyatt, Hugh Kinkade, John Huston, Isaac G. Smith, William Furguson, John G. Woodside, Robert Bean, Charles C. Hungate, Samuel Calvin.
Judge of Probate Court .- John Baker, James M. Campbell, Willam Willis, James Clarke.
County Judge .- James Clarke, Thompson Chandler, L. A. Sim- mons, J. B. Nickel, James Irwin, Jonathan H. Baker.
County Clerk .- Michael Stinson, John Baker, James M. Camp- bell, Isaac Grantham, J. H. Baker, James W. Matthews, William Ervin, Q. C. Ward, Allen A. Sparks, Charles W. Dines.
Circuit Clerk-M. L. Stinson, James M. Campbell, William T. Head, William HI. Randolph, J. B. Cummings, John H. Hungate. Benjamin F. Pinkley, I. N. Pearson.
Sheriff's-Wm. Southward, Lawson II. Robinson, Daniel Camp- bell, Wm. H. Randolph, D. Lawson, Sydnor H. Hogan, Francis D. Lipe, George A. Taylor, Silas J. Hopper, Amos Dixon, G. L. Farwell, Samuel Wilson, John E. Lane, Thomas Murray, Samuel Frost, J. B. Venard, Chas. C. Hlays.
256
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Coroners-Peter Hale, Isaac Bartlett, John Woodsides, Richard S. Lowe, John P. Head, Caleb T. Overton, Charles Chandler, James Anderson, Wm. Willis Clayton, John P. Head, Samuel II. MeCandless, David Reece, J. H. Epperson, J. H. Swigart, Isaac P. Monfort, Jeremiah Sullivan, Win. W. Head, J. HI. Epperson, D. W. Campbell, W. R. Pittman, W. II. Wayland, George W. Reid.
Treasurers .- John Huston, Resin Naylor, William Willis, Jessie M. Chapman, Iverson L. Twyman, John W. Westfall, William T. Head, Samuel E. Taylor, John S. Wooley, Theodore B. McCor- miek, John Knappenberger, W. H. II. Hainline, Sydnor H. Hogan, S. A. Hunt, Anthony Thornton, J. W. Siders, John Neff.
Surveyors .- Jesse Bartlett, James W. Brattle, Charles W. Bacon, Samuel A. Hunt, II. I. C. Averill, William H. Rile, Charles A. Gilchrist, A. J. White, J. B. Nickel, W. J. Edie, James Shannon, B. F. Howard.
School Commissioner .- James Vance, Benjamin T. Naylor, Isaac Grantham, Josiah P. Gates, Charles Chandler, John O. C. Wilson, James R. Simpson, Thomas E. Branan, Joseph C. Thompson, Louis A. Simmons, John Barge, D. Branch, L. II. Copeland, John M. Dunsworth, H. A. Maxwell.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.