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 5
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A year or two previous to the time of which we write, Elias Mc- Fadden, his son, David, and son-in-law, Wylie McFadden, with their families, came to this county and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by William Hunter, about one mile south of Macomb. If reports are correct, all were of an over-bearing and quarrelsome nature, and from the first trouble ensued between them and their neighbors.
John Wilson, the murdered man, came to the county about the same time, and settled on what is known as the " Ruthy" Wilson farm, adjoining McFadden's, now Hunter's place. Wilson was generally respected by all ; a good-natured, yet bold and fearless man.
The McFaddens and Wilson had not long been neighbors be- fore there was trouble between them in reference to some timber land lying near. Threats were made by the former against the latter, and at the time of the murder, as it afterward was shown, Wylie MeFadden was in Rushville consulting Judge Minshall as to whether they had the right to kill Wilson should he appear on their place.
In the early part of the month of November, 1834, an execution was placed in the hands of Nelson Montgomery, Constable and
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Deputy Sheriff of the county, against Wylie McFadden, directing him to levy on the property of said Wylie McFadden to satisfy a judgment against him in favor of Henton & Robinson, merchants in Macomb. Mr. Montgomery took the execution and called upon Wilson to accompany him, and take his team, that he might haul away a certain amount of corn he proposed to seize to satisfy the claim. Apprehending no danger, Mr. Wilson agreed to accom- pany him. Arriving at the place, they were met by Elias McFad- den, who engaged them in conversation, decoying them around to the north side of the house, and when in proper range, through the window, David MeFadden committed the foul deed, shooting Wilson down, without a word of warning. Mr. Montgomery caught him as he fell, and dragged him within a woodshed and hurried off to town and gave the alarm. A crowd of excited peo- ple at once proceeded out to the scene of the murder, and found Elias McFadden coolly repairing a fence, while near by lay Wilson in a supposed dying condition. McFadden was at once arrested, and search was made for the then unknown murderer. Search- ing the house, a rifle was found in the corner near the north win- dow unloaded ; a pane of glass was found broken out of the window ; a book laying upon the sill, and the sash and book both powder-marked. The question now arose who committed the deed. Wylie McFadden was supposed to be away, and David was not known to be near. Searching, footsteps were found leading from the house in the direction of the residence of David McFad- den, who lived just across the hollow on the west side. Follow- ing the tracks, they were led to the door of David McFadden's house : and going in they found him at work on a shoemaker's bench, as entirely unconcerned as his father, and acting as inno- cently as though no cold-blooded murder had taken place. He was at once arrested, and, in company with his father, brought to town and placed under guard, to await the result of the wound in- flicted upon Mr. Wilson. Wylie McFadden, coming home the sanie evening, was likewise arrested.
Mr. Wilson lived some days. On his death a preliminary ex- amination was had before James Clarke, Esq., Justice of the Peace, the evidence being as already narrated, and the three men, Elias, David and Wylie McFadden were committed to the county jail, without bail, to await the meeting of the Circuit Court.
On the fifteenth day of November, 1834, the grand jury found a true bill of indictment against the three, and a few days afterward
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they were brought before the court; a change of venne was asked and granted, and two of the party, Elias and David, were taken the following spring (1835) to Rushville, Schuyler county, for trial. Wylie MeFadden was discharged by the Judge, there being no evidence against him.
George Wison, Alfred Evans, Nelson Montgomery, Joseph Up- degraff, J. W. Brattle, Moses Henton, William J. Frazier, William Bowen, Daniel Bowen, Perry Keys, and James Anderson were each placed under bonds of $300 to appear as witnesses in the case.
In May, 1835, the case was called in the Circuit Court at Rush- ville, and Elias and David McFadden, father and son, were placed upon trial for their lives. Judge Young presided, and Cyrus Walker appeared for the people as Prosecuting Attorney, while Judge Minshall assumed the hopeless task of defending the mur- derers.
The trial lasted for several days, Mr. Walker, well known as the best criminal lawyer in the West, exerted all his powers to weave around the murderers a chain of unimpeachable testimony. Judge Minshall defended in a most admirable manner, doing all for his clients that it was possible for man to do, but without avail. In his speech, he charged the Judge, the attorney for the people, and the jury also, of not prosecuting, but persecuting his clients.
As was expected, the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree, and upon Judge Young devolved the duty of pro- nouncing the sentence of death. This was done, and in due time, upon a scaffold, erected in a hollow near the city of Rushville, Elias and David McFadden paid the penalty for the crime com- mitted. Thomas Hayden, as Sheriff of the county, erected the scaffold, and his son, acting as Deputy Sheriff, pulled the drop that launched the souls of the guilty men into eternity. His bill of $1 50 for hanging the guilty wretches is now on file in the County Clerk's office at Macomb.
Such, in brief, is the record of the second murder that ever oc- curred in McDonough county. For the facts in the case we are indebted to James Clarke, David Clarke, John O. C. Wilson, J. M. Campbell, and others. We believe the story is as exact as it is possible to get it at this late day, and only in minor details can exceptions be taken.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES.
The first settlers of this county were principally from Kentucky and Tennessee, and brought with them the peculiarities, as well as the prejudices of the people of those States. All were kind- hearted and given to hospitality ; no poor wayfarer was turned hungry from their doors ; even the despised book agent, or light- ning-rod peddler would have met with a cordial welcome, though luckily they were never bored with these specimens of the genus homo. But there was one peculiar trait about these early settlers of the county-they had a strong prejudice against the Yankees, and hated them with a "righteous hatred". All persons born in the Eastern and New England States were Yankees in their estima- tion. Capt. Charles R. Hume, of Blandinsville, a York state man by birth, relates the following personal experience in illustration of this carly prejudice :
" I came to this State and county in 1837; purchased east half of section 19, 5 north, 4 west, and then went, to pass time, to visit my parents, then living in LaGrange county, Indiana.
" In the meantime I learned that on my land, so purchased, there were two families living, then called 'squatters.' As soon as I ascertained this fact I returned and called on these persons and informed them that I, a stranger, had bought the land on which they were settled, but with no knowledge that there was any set- tler on said land. I at once informed them that.I had bought said half section for $1000, cash, and it they would refund to me the money I had paid, all would be right ; that I did not buy with the knowledge that the land was occupied. Occupants at once informed me that they had no thousand dollars to pay for the land, nor did they ever expect to have so much money. I then II-4
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
informed them that if they wished to give me possession of the land, that they might pick two men, and I, a stranger, would pick one, the three to fix the amount I should pay for the improve- ments that had been made. To this they at once agreed. The men went out and fixed the amount I was to pay. I paid in cash on the day agreed, and so we separated. They went; I re- mained.
"A few days after said leaving, being an old ' bach,' and while preparing my morning meal, a man on a mule rode up and shouted :
" ' Who keeps house?'
"Being entirely unacquainted with this manner of salutation, I went to the door and inquired of the stranger what he wanted. IIe says,
"'Come down here and I will tell you what I want.'
"I walked down to see my newly-made friend. He inquired,
"'Is your name IIume ?'
"'Yes, sir; I never had occasion to deny my name.'
"'Do you know that you are in a dangerous place?'
" 'Will you be so good as to tell me as to my danger? Are there any wild beasts or venomous serpents that I should dread? I can hardly suppose my neighbors are worse than wild beasts or ven- omous serpents.'
"I then said to my visitor,
"'Come down off your mule and we will talk this over.'
"Ile replied,
"'I shall not get down. I have told you all I was sent to tell.'
"I then informed him that no friend of mine could come and go without partaking of my good cheer.
" 'Dismount,' I said.
"'I will not,' he replied.
"I then drew several shooters, and told my friend to come and see iny arrangements, for if he did not so come I would shoot him dead if my fire-arms proved true. Hle went in with me, and in- stead of cooking for one I cooked for two, and we ate as brothers.
"From that day to this I have suffered no reproach by being called a Yankee, and my best friends are those from the south."
But there were some of the "favored ones" who did not have it in their hearts to condemn this unfortunate class, and were ever
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
ready to extend a helping hand to them as well as others, feeling it both a privilege and a duty to do a kind act for all such. It is related of Rev. William McKamy, familiarly known as "Uncle Billy MeKamy," that at an early day a "Yankee" settled in his neighborhood, and, upon one occasion, being in need of some kind of an agricultural implement, borrowed it of Fim. On re- turning it, he thanked Uncle Billy for the favor, and enquired of him how much he should pay for its use. "Pay !" says Uncle Billy,. "look here, my friend, you don't know me, do you? Now, sir, I want you to understand that whenever I have anything that you wish, all you have to do is to come after it; and, when through with it, if it suits your convenience to return it do so ; if not, I will come after it when I need it. I want you to under- stand farther, sir, that whenever you have anything I want, I shall come and get it, and if it suits my convenience to return it, I shall do so; if not, you can come and get it." The point was very plain to Mr. Yankee.
As illustration of a neighborly turn the old settlers were always ready to show, we will state that some years ago in the eastern part of the county, an unoccupied quarter of land was entered at the same time, by Messrs Judd & Gowdy, a prominent firm of lawyers in Lewistown, Ill., and a Mr. Grimm, of this county. The former gentlemen desired it for speculative purposes, while the latter gentleman desired it for a place of residence. The party first occupying the land, would, of course be entitled to it. Both parties hurried their preparations, but Judd & Gowdy were a little too fast for Mr. Grimm. The neighbors, (those living anywhere within ten miles) all sympathized with Mr. Grimm. and desired that he should occupy the land rather than any one Judd & Gowdy would send there. After Judd & Gowdy had erected their building and placed a man in possession, those sympathizing with Grimm met to consider the matter. Various suggestions were made as to how they should get rid of this obnoxious neighbor; finally, one suggested that if fifty or one hundred yoke of oxen should gather around that house some night, and that house should follow them off in the direction of the creek no one would be to blame ; there was no law against cattle running at large. Nothing more was said, Grimm was advised to build a house as close to the line as possible and await developments. This was done. A short time after, Judd & Gowdy's man went to Lewistown. That night a large number of
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
oxen strayed in the direction of the house, and the next morning it was no where to be seen ! Grimm's house was found over the line on the quarter in question !
On the return of the man employed by Judd & Gowdy, he discovered the situation in a moment, and returned post-haste to Lewistown, and the would-be-owners came over, and with the aid of a search warrant found the house down on the creek! The aid of the grand jury was invoked at their next sitting, but no one could be found who knew how it came there. Grimm got the land. We would not recommend the practice of such neighborly turns being practiced at this time. Trouble might ensue-our officers being quite vigilant.
About 1832 a young couple living in the neighborhood of In- dustry concluded to marry, which proceeding was opposed by the parents of both parties. But whoever knew such opposition to avail anything ? " Love laughs at locksmiths," and noimpediment placed in the way of a loving couple is too great to be removed. This young couple had determined to marry, and marry they would ; so one morning, bright and early, they left their homes on foot for this purpose. Their destination was Nauvoo, then the county seat of Hancock. When a little way beyond Macomb, they were overtaken by brothers of both parties, who urged them to return and be married at home, telling them their parents had consented that the ceremony might proceed. Having their " dan- der up," in consequence of the opposition previously made, they refused to return. The brothers went back to report, and the fair couple proceeded on their way to Nauvoo. They arrived at the creek west of Macomb about dark, and could find no way to eross, the water being high, and no bridges built. They would not turn back to seek shelter for the night, but lying down beside of a large log, slept sweetly, dreaming, doubtless, of the joy in store for them in the future. When the morning came they searched up and down the stream until they discovered a log thrown aeross, on which they passed over in safety. Arriving in Nauvoo, the young man called upon the County Clerk for the papers. Being a little nervous, as one is apt to be under such circumstances, he could not make his wishes known. The Clerk, witnessing his embar- rassment, kindly inquired as to his desires. Coloring up, he blurted out, " Have you got any nails ?" " Nails," said the Clerk, " why, no ; this is not a store, it is the office of the County Clerk." " We-1-1, then, wh-what do you ask for a pair of license?" The
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
sum was named, the amount paid, the papers made out, and the Clerk, being also a Justice of the Peace, kindly offered to " tie the knot." The blushing bride was brought in, the ceremony per- formed, and the twain went on their way rejoicing.
It sometimes happens that when the arrangement are duly made, with the consent of both parties, and, seemingly, the truth of the old proverb that " true love never runs smooth " is proven false, that circumstances will arise by which all arrangements will be frustrated. One evening in September, 1844, a large party assem- bled for the purpose of witnessing the marriage ceremony of Mr. Zachariah A. Gatton and Miss Elizabeth Alison, at the residence of the latter, a few miles southwest of Macomb. Great prepara- tions had been made for the event, and invitations sent out to friends throughout the country. Just before the hour arrived for the performance of the ceremony it was made known to the bride- groom that the bride was an Abolitionist. Seeking her out, he inquired if this was so. She responded by saying it was, when he urged her to renounce her principles, stating he could never wed an Abolitionist. " Very well," said she, " I will not renounce my principles for the best man living." After further parley, it was agreed, and the announcement made that no wedding would oc- cur. The guests were invited to partake of the supper, after which the would-be bridegroom returned to his home minus a " better half."
Some rich scenes have occurred in our Justices' Courts, among which we relate the following :
A gentleman having failed in business was thought to have disposed of his property in such a way as to defraud his creditors, some of it being placed in the hands of a Mr. P., who was arrested on a charge of concealing the goods. In the trial before the justice the ease was ably argued pro and con, when the justice delivered his opinion as follows: "It is the opinion of the court that Mr. P. is not guilty ; but, look here, Mr. P., let me admonish you never to do the like again."
The same justice, who, by the way, was an Irishman, of course, was trying another case, in which a man was charged with steal- ing a log-chain. The taking of the chain was clearly proven, and not denied by the defense, who set up the plea that there was no felonious intent, it being customary in this country when one desired to use some article owned by a neighbor, to take it with- out asking. When the justice arose to give his opinion, he said :
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
" It is the opinion of the court that Mr. A. is guilty." "What," said the counsel for the defense, jumping to his feet, " do you mean to say that my client is guilty of felonious intentions in taking the chain ?" "O, no, no;" replied the justice, "it is the opinion of the court that Mr. A. is not guilty." And so it was recorded on the docket.
Another justice, who, at that time, was in the habit of partak- ing a little too much of the "ardent," but who for nearly forty years has been a staunch teetotaler, was engaged in trying a case in a room used by himself as a saloon, when a half-drunken man who was sitting on an old-fashioned spinning wheel, fell over and broke it, which called forth an oath. The justice exclaimed : " By -, I fine you five dollars for swearing in court." "Why, your honor swore, too," said the man. "Did I? Well, I fine myself five dollars, also."
Some forty years ago there lived in this county a man who imagined himself bewitched by a woman living in this neighbor- hood. He was told that he could dispossess himself of the evil influence by making a drawing of the woman, placing it upon a tree and shooting it with a silver bullet. This he did. The woman died the same night, and the man was told he would be. haunted no more, as the woman was dead. "I know it." he replied, " I killed her." The same confession he made to many others, and at length it was proposed by some to arrest him for the crime. He acknowledged his guilt, and no murderer should go unpunished. He was promptly arrested, tried, and convicted on his own testimony and acknowledged guilt. The justice ex- amining the case, immediately sentenced him to be hung, but in consideration of the fact that he was an unconverted man, remanded him to the jail at Macomb for spiritual consolation, and to make due preparation for eternity.
It is needless to say the man was not hung.
In the early settlement of this county, when newspapers, circus shows and minstrel troupes were a thing unknown, the people had to devise other means of amusement wherewith to while away the weary hours. We find them occasionally indulging in a lit- tle "wee bit of row," "just for the fun of the thing," after which they would shake hands and take a drink 'round. But in prac- tical jokes they took especial delight. Hon. James Mr. Campbell was frequently the subject of them. Being the peoples' servant,
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
they considered they had a better right to make him the butt of their jokes than an ordinary man, but none were exempt.
On a certain occasion, Mr. Campbell had advertised, in the manner common at that time, for some men to split rails for him. J. P. Updegraff, well known to all our readers, and Joseph Hemp- stead, a brother-in-law of Mr. Campbell, concluded they would have a little fun at his expense. Hempstead was a slim-built man, but Updegraff held his own then as now. Hempstead dis- guised himself by obtaining the largest pair of pants, vest and coat he could find, and encased himself in them, filling up with pillows, making himself very heavy, fleshy-looking. Mr. Upde- graff put on the roughest suit he could find, topping off with a slouchy hat that came down over his ears. Each taking an old maul, wedge and axe upon his shoulders, and giving the cue to a lot of their friends, who preceded them, they went over to the old court house, where Mr. Campbell held forth as circuit clerk, county clerk, &c. Passing into the office, they enquired for Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell who was engaged in writing at the time, replied, "I am the man."
" We understand you desire some rails split," says Mr. Updegraff, who acted as spokesman.
" I do."
" What will you give ?"
" Sixty-two and a half cents per hundred."
"Is it good, sound timber ?"
" Yes."
" How do you pay ?"
" Cash."
"Every Saturday night?"
" Yes."
" You won't ask us to take trade?"
" No."
" Well, then," said Mr. U., who, during the interview, had been standing with maul and axe across his shoulder, throwing them down on the floor, " if you want your rails split, bring on your timber."
" By Jiminie, you get out of here," said Mr. Campbell, as the crowd began to roar, and he perceived the joke played upon him.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
A correspondent of Clarke's Monthly furnished the following "good one " on Mr. Campbell, for the March (1876) number of that paper :
When the Quincy House, Quiney, Illinois, was first built, it was considered a "big thing on ice," and the pride of the citizens of the "Gem eity." Our honorable Senator, in company with Judge Henry L. Bryant, of Lewistown, visited the city about the time of the formal opening of the house, and, of course, registered there. They were assigned rooms in the third story of the building, and were there but a few hours when they were honored with calls from General John Tilson and other dignitaries of the eity.
At this time total abstinence did not prevail, and our friend, with his visitors, had wine, brandy, old bourbon, ete., brought up to the room, and a good time was enjoyed by all. After having imbibed a few times, General Tilson invited our Senator to go through the house with him. Showing him through from cellar to garret, the last place visited was the kitchen, in it was placed a new steam cooking apparatus. Eyeing the thing suspiciously for a moment or two, Mr. Senator remarked to General Tilson,
"By-, I should consider this a dangerous thing. Suppose the whole thing should bust up, what would become of us ?"
"O, there is no danger," replied the General, "they have an ex- perienced cook employed; one who thoroughly understands the principles governing steam."
Returning to their room, and having been absent about two hours, of course it was time to take another drink. As they were in the act of raising the glass to their lips, a man came through the hall beating a gong. Never having heard the musical tones of this wonderful instrument, and still thinking of the danger arising from the steam cooking apparatus, our honorable friend dashed his glass down and yelled out,
"By-, I told you so ; the whole d -- d thing is busted up!"
" Better Kill My Half Now."-One year David -, of Macomb, had a large number of hogs, but no corn to fatten them, and as corn was very high and very scarce, he felt as did the man who drew the elephant-he did not know what to do with them. No one then was disposed to buy on account of the difficulty in ob- taining grain to fatten them. Phillip -, living north of town some four or five miles, had a large quantity of grain and but few
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
hogs, so David male a proposition to him to take the hogs and fatten them on shares, each party to have half the number when killed. Phillip agreed to the proposition, but when he called for the hogs he desired to make a proviso to the original contract that if he found the hogs were eating too much of his corn he should have the privilege of killing and delivering David's half of the numberat any time. " By -," said David, "if that's your game you had better kill my half now, and save yourself the trouble of driving them out to your farm !" Suffice to say, the hogs were not taken with the proviso.
Judgment for the Plaintiff .- A case for the recovery of a certain sum of money, said to be due from A to B, was brought before 'Squire -, and, on trial, no evidence was produced that A was indebted to B at all, yet the learned 'Squire gave judgment for the plaintiff. The attorney for the defense objected to the verdiet, for the reason set forth above, that no evidence had been shown that anything was due. "By -," said the 'Squire, " do you think a man such a - fool as to bring suit when there was nothing owing him ?"
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