USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 90
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 90
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. 935
OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
Capt. William R. VanPelt, merchant ; Joseph C. Graham, Norman Patterson, Ebenezer Chapin, very early ; James R. Moffett, Hiram Bigelow, carpenter ; John Lour, grocer, 1875 ; John Pollock, physic- ian ; Joseph Eames, John Cumming, millwright, 1856; Joseph Linell, harness, 1852 ; William Odendahl, confectioner, 1850 ; John W. Pence, dry goods, 1877; John W. Brown, hardware, 1872 ; Justice Schlotzhaur, wagon maker, 1857 ; Charles Schlotzhaur, livery, 1857 ; J. C. Peterman, mechanic, 1857 ; Charles Haffner & Son, furniture, 1852 : T. C. Smith, hotel, 1851.
A LITERARY RELIC.
The following scrap in relation to Warren county from Mitchell's Rambles in Illinois, published in 1837, will doubtless prove interesting to many readers : "Oqnawka, or Yellow Banks, is a town recently settled. It is situated on the Mississippi river, about midway between the Des Moines river and Rock Island rapids, and is the principal depot for freight between those points. The town is laid in two sections on an extensive scale. There are two large warehouses in the town, one store, one grocery, two taverns, and several dwell- ing-houses. There is a good flouring and saw mill about two miles distant, and a steam mill is about to be erected.
" The site of this town was sold by the original to the present pro- prietor for $200, by whom a fourthi part was transferred last autumn to an enterprising land dealer for $24,000, who has since realized from the sale of individual lots the full amount paid for the whole, and yet has parted with only a small part of his purchase. The lots sold a year ago have, in many cases, changed hands at an advance of 100 per cent. The proprietors of the town purpose making a railroad from hence to Peoria, on the Illinois river."
POSTOFFICE.
Conveniences for carrying mail fifty years ago were somewhat dif- ferent from those of the present. When Mr. S. S. Phelps was ap- pointed the first postmaster in 1834, he kept the office in his cabin store. No mail came four times a day at stated hours, but as oppor- tunity offered he sent the mail across the country to Monmonth, and in like manner sent after it. In time the mail routes were established, which facilitated conveyance. Mr. McNeil, postmaster of Monmouth, who carried the mail in his hat, came over to do the carpenter work on the new postoffice. Mr. Phelps concluded to have a nice office. Slabs were split and shaved for weather boards, walnut lumber was bought at Jack's Mills for trimming, and the office made neat. Part of
936.
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
the weather-boarding is now on a Sagetown building. In 1837 Mr. Phelps sold his store.
About 1838 Col. J. B. Patterson received the appointment of post- master. He performed the duties of the office till 1855 (March 14), when he was displaced by James A. Caswell. It was but a short time till Col. J. B. Patterson was again possessor of the office. The colonel subsequently resigning was succeeded by F. A. Dallam, of the "Plain- dealer," who in turn was followed by Lewis Leslie, also editor of the "Plaindealer."
November 5, 1864, Charles W. Green, a brave and honored soldier, was sworn the recipient of the official honors. Since that date he has efficiently performed the duties of postmaster. In Phelps' and Patterson's day a letter stamp cost twenty-five cents. The postmaster credited his friends, and some accounts might be shown to-day yet unpaid.
TOWN PLAT.
The town plat of Oquawka is best understood by quoting from the records of 1836. It is quite full, except in stating the number of lots for public purposes. It is well to state, as the county history shows, that 200 lots were donated to the county by the Phelpses that Oquawka might be a permanent seat of justice. The county history treats this question fully.
"OQUAWKA, STATE OF ILLINOIS,
WARREN COUNTY. -
"Oquawka is situated in Warren county, on the fractional sections numbered fifteen and twenty-two, in township numbered eleven north, of range numbered five west of the fourth principal meridian. Each street in Oquawka is seventy-five feet in width, and each alley twenty feet ; lots fifty feet front by one hundred and fifty feet in depth, excepting the lots in fractional blocks on and near the river and those fronting on North and South Market, which have the depth indicated on the lines of lots. Survey made from a stone for a corner at the intersection of Knox street with the center landing at the corner of block No. 55, and all the corners established as required by the laws of the State of Illinois. All of which is hereby certified at Oquawka, in the county of Warren, and State of Illinois, this ninth day of July, A.D. 1836, by Alexis Phelps, deputy for
WILLIAM C. BUTLER, County Surveyor.
"Know all men by these presents that the undersigned, owners and proprietors of Oquawka, do hereby give and set apart for public use all streets, alleys and public grounds as marked on the plat of said
937
OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
town, excepting fifty feet square between the west end of Knox street and the river, on which is situated the store and warehouse of S. Phelps & Co., which they are to continue to use and occupy until required to remove their buildings by the corporation of said town, which is not to be done until the expiration of two years from the first of May next, after which said fifty feet square to be appropriated for public use.
"Lot twelve in blocks seventy-five and thirty-seven, and lots ten in block forty-eight and eight in block seventy-five, appropriated and set apart for a Protestant Episcopal church, Methodist Episcopal church, Presbyterian church, and Baptist church, each of said denominations of Christians to have their choice of said lots as they may first be pre- pared to build thereon. Lot No. 9 in blocks No. 5, 37 and 75, and lot No. 7 in block No. 48, appropriated for the use of schools.
"In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seals at Oquawka, this nineteenth day of July, A.D. 1836.
"STEPHEN S. PHELPS. [SEAL
" ALEXIS PHELPS. SEAL]
"JOSEPH DUNCAN. [SEAL]
"CORNELIA PHELPS. SEAL]
"PHEBE PHELPS. SEAL]" L
STATE OF ILLINOIS, ss. WARREN COUNTY.
Personally appeared before me this ninteenth day of July, 1836, the above named Stephen. S. Phelps and Phebe, his wife, Alexis Phelps and Cornelia, his wife, and Joseph Duncan, all personally known to me, and severally acknowledged the foregoing deed by them made to be their act and deed for the purpose therein expressed, and the said Phebe Phelps and Cornelia Phelps, wives of the said Stephen S. Phelps and Alexis Phelps, having been examined by me separately and apart from their said husbands, acknowledge that they signed the same, knowing the contents thereof, freely and voluntarily withont fear or coercion of their said husbands, for the purposes therein expressed. Given under my hand and seal the date above written.
J. B. PATTERSON, J. P. [SEAL]
Filed and recorded July 20, 1836, Warren county records.
CERTIFICATES OF SWARTS' FIRST ADDITION.
STATE OF ILLINOIS,
WARREN COUNTY.
Swarts' addition to the town of Ognawka is situated on the S. E. 22, 11 N., 5 W. Each street in this addition is seventy-five feet wide, and
938
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
each alley twenty feet, and each lot fifty feet in front by one hundred and fifty feet in depth. Survey made from a stone at the northeast corner of this addition and all the corners established as required by the laws of the State of Illinois. All of which is hereby certified at Monmouth, in county of Warren, State of Illinois, this fifteenth day of October, A. D. 1836. WILLIAM C. BUTLER, Surveyor.
Acknowledged by Abraham D. Swarts, before Gilbert Turnbull, J. P.
A. D. Swarts' second addition was made in 1853, including blocks 10 and 11. His third addition, including blocks 12, 13, 14 and 15, was made in 1854. Both additions were surveyed by A. N. Arm- strong. In 1854 Moffit made an addition of blocks 1 and 2 from the N. E. Į of Sec. 22. In 1857 William S. Chenoweth added one and a half blocks of the S. E. } of Sec. 22. James R. White, surveyor.
OQUAWKA INCORPORATED.
As the population of Oquawka increased, as its business enlarged, the importance of internal improvements became manifest. Private subscription for public benefits were not always successful. It became necessary to improve the river landing by building wharfage. Prior to 1842 Oquawka had no town organization, hence no public moneys for expenditure. Necessity is the mother of invention, and so proved in this case. Oquawka was incorporated by vote of the citizens July 9, 1842, under the village laws of the State of Illinois, electing for its first board of trustees John Harris, who received twenty-eight votes ; W. E. Ellet, twenty-seven votes ; J. U. Monhart, twenty-three votes ; J. B. Patterson, twenty-two votes; Daniel Hubbel, twenty-one votes ; also Alexis Phelps received nineteen votes ; Dr. Alpheus Russell, fourteen votes. Says the meager record, Alexis Phelps was made president, and John S. Pollock, clerk of the board.
How long the corporation may have continued, what measures it may have passed, and what improvements made, neither records nor memory of men are able to disclose. All records seem to have been lost. Circumstantial evidence, and, in fact, recollections of some two or three men, plainly indicate the abandonment of town corporation at a date not many years after organization. In 1849, when cholera threatened, the question of incorporation was discussed as a means of quarantine if necessary. It is known that some dispute arose as to money bor- rowed by the corporation for wharfage improvements, which money is denied having been paid by the then existing corporation.
In 1850 many citizens made a call for a ballot, wherein they might determine whether or not Oquawka should be incorporated agreeably
939
OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
to the general incorporation law of the state, said ballot to be taken November 16, 1850. Whether or not such action was carried out does not appear, but if the trial was made it failed. It was about this time that county and town donations to perfected railroads were the order of the day, and Oquawka was deeply desirous of securing the Peoria & Oquawka road; any appropriation having been voted down by the county ; also plank-road improvements calling for money necessitated an incorporation that the town might herself make appropriations to her own interests. April 12, 1851, a ballot was taken, and incorpora- tion voted. April 22, same year, election for trustees resulted, as the official tables indicate. In 1852 the town voted $10,000 to the plank- road project. Sixty-one votes for, and but one against. In 1853 Oqnawka voted $25,000 toward the Peoria & Oquawka railroad, and finally secured the charter, but through legislative chicanery lost road and money. Bonds are discussed in county history. In 1854 Oquawka voted to extend the town limits one mile each way from the court house, except on the river side. Election was confirmed by the board January 9, 1855. Dr. John S. Pollock prepared the extension act. It was the topic of considerable amusement at the time, as the wording would indicate, around town, but the further and particular description make the intention of the act clear, to-wit :
Commencing at the center of the court house in said town, thence running due southi one mile (set a stake), thence east one mile (set a stake), making the distance on the south line from the river one mile and 168 rods; thence north two miles (set a stake), thence west to the Mississippi river.
: In 1856 a suit was pending and was carried to the supreme court in which the validity of the incorporation of Oquawka was in question. Plaintiff's setting forth that the president and trustees of the town of Oquawka were exercising the powers and franchises of a corporation without authority, and sought to raise the question of existence of suel a corporation. At the vote for incorporation the result was determined by ballot instead of vira voce ; an error considered by some to be inex- cusable in the eyes of the law, and upon this error raised their ques- tion.
The supreme court held that "municipal corporations are created for the publie good ; are demanded by the wants of community, and the law, after long continued use of corporate powers and the public acquiescence, will indulge in presumptions in favor of their legal existence." Further : "It is unnecessary to decide upon the materiality of the mode of voting under the statute and constitution of 1848. The acts of the legislature referred to are public acts, and authorized the
940
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
president and trustees of the town of Oqnawka, as a corparation, to subscribe stock in a certain railroad company, and also to subscribe stock in a certain plank-road company, upon conditions in said acts mentioned." In brief, the incorporation was sustained, and Oqnawka continued as before. In time the citizens became aware their town would be benefited under city government. Accordingly, February 21, 1871, there were but four opposing votes to the scheme. At the next meeting of the board, February 25, 1871, an ordinance was passed dividing the city of Oquawka into three wards as follows, to-wit: All that portion lying north of a line drawn from the Mississippi river eastward along the center of Warren street to the eastern boundary of said city, to constitute the first ward. All that portion bounded on the west by the Mississippi river, on the north by the south line of the first ward, on the east by the eastern boundary of the city, and on the south by a line running from the Mississippi eastward along the center of Pike street to the east boundary of said city, to constitute the second ward. All that portion lying south of the second ward, to constitute the third ward. The city election, March 3, 1871, for mayor, marshal, and two aldermen from each ward, resulted as indicated in the official table. The six aldermen were divided by lot into two classes. One class for one year's service, William Boden, Robert Hodson, and Joseph Linell, and second class for two years' service, J. A. Caswell, James F. Francis, and Samuel Wadleigh. City government continued for nearly ten years, when the citizens voted, August 2, 1880, to re- sume village organization, and September 4, 1880, elected a board of trustees. The last meeting of the city council was held September 9; the 13th, following, the village board met. They divided themselves into classes as before, Robert Hodson, Joseph Linell, and Leonard Schell for one year, and S. S. Phelps, J. A. Caswell, and J. A. Pence for two years. The town continues under village laws.
The following list includes all the officers of importance since 1851, the date of permanent incorporation. The records are not complete :
1851 .- Ebenezer Chapin, president; John S. Pollock, William D. Henderson, John McKinney, Julius Gifford, trustees; R. M. Patter- son, clerk ; William C. Rice, treasurer ; James Mitchell, constable.
1852 .- William D. Henderson, president ; Julius Gifford, John S. Pollock, Ebenezer Chapin, Benjamin Harrington, trustees; Charles S. Cowen, clerk; William C. Rice, treasurer; H. N. Ives, constable.
1853 .- Julius Gifford, president ; Paul Birdsall, Asa Smith, G. A. Russell, E. G. Allen, trustees; J. S. Pollock, clerk; W. C. Rice, treasurer.
1854 .- W. R. Jamison, president; E. Benner, John M. Fuller,
941
OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
David McFarland, E. Chapin, trustees; C .- S. Cowen, clerk; W. C. Rice, treasurer; Jacob Spangler (resigned), James Mitchell, constable.
1855 .- W. R. Jamison, president ; S. S. Phelps, William Moir, Frederick Ray, B. F. Brooks, trustees ; C. S. Cowan, clerk ; W. C. Rice, treasurer ; James Mitchell, constable.
1856 .- William Moir, president ; William H. Phelps, Frederick Ray, Josiah Ziegler, Joseph Hand, B. F. Brooks (appointed vice William Moir, deceased), trustees ; C. S. Cowan, clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; William Foster, constable.
1857 .- B. F. Brooks, president ; Joseph S. Hand, Joseph Ziegler, W. H. Phelps, Frederick Ray, trustees ; C. S. Cowan, clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; William Foster (succeeded by David Welsh), con- stable.
1858 .- J. S. Hand, president ; W. H. Phelps, J. H. Ziegler, George Shores, Julius Gifford, trustees ; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; J. R. White, constable.
1859 .- B. F. Brooks, president; S. S. Phelps, George Shores, David MeFarland, Samuel Mickey, trustees ; W. W. Collins, clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; James Craig, constable.
1860 .- R. W. Richey, president ; B. F. Brooks, John M. Wilson, David McFarland, J. A. Caswell, trustees ; C. S. Cowan, clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; C. E. Crandall, constable.
1861 .- Frederick Ray, president ; George Shores, Joseph S. Hand, J. H. Ziegler, Samuel Mickey, trustees ; C. S. Cowan (succeeded by M. F. Button), clerk ; S. S. Phelps, treasurer ; D. P. Kimerer (suc- ceeded by Elisha Hinds), constable.
1862 .- William Wiegand, president ; Hiram Rose, Sr., C. B. Mathews, William Montgomery, S. Megnire, trustees ; E. H. N. Pat- terson, clerk ; E. H. N. Patterson, treasurer ; Elisha Hinds, constable.
1863 .- James F. Francis, president ; James Cunningham, David McFarland, Leonard Schell. John M. Fuller, trustees ; H. L. Thom- son, clerk ; George N. Connelly, treasurer ; C. E. Crandall (succeeded by James Mitchell), constable.
1864 .- James F. Francis, president ; John M. Fuller, James Cun- ningham, Lewis Rapp, Lewis Schell (Francis resigned, and John Mckinney, Jr., appointed), trustees ; H. L. Thomson, clerk; Elisha Hinds (succeeded by N. D. Parks), constable.
1865 .- W. H. Montgomery, president ; A. W. Lehew, John McFar- land, George Cunningham, Christopher Stripe, trustees; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; W. S. Sterling, constable.
1866 .- W. H. Montgomery, president; A. W. Lehew, M. A. Mulliner, P. H. Chapin, C. Stripe, trustees ; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; John Wilson, treasurer; Jacob Spangler, constable.
942
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
1867 .- Luke Strong, Jr., president ; Robert Hodson, A. W. Lehew, M. A. Mulliner, C. Stripe, trustees; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; John Wilson (succeeded by Robert Hodson), treasurer ; Rufus Scott (succeeded by L. H. Fullerton), constable.
1868 .- J. F. Francis, president ; Thad. A. Kinsloe, J. H. Zeigler. Julius Poershman, W. H. Montgomery, trustees ; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; Thomas Hickman, constable.
1869 .- John Mckinney, Jr., president ; W. II. Montgomery, vice- president ; James Cunningham, Christopher Stripe, T. A. Kinsloe, W. H. Montgomery, trustees; E. HI. N. Patterson, clerk; Robert Hodson, treasurer; Thomas Hickman, constable.
1870 .- J. H. Ziegler, president; T. A. Kinsloe, vice-president ; James Cunningham, C. Stripe, Julius Poershman, trustees ; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; E. I. Jempson, constable.
1871 .- S. S. Phelps, mayor; aldermen : J. A. Caswell, W. M. Boden, 1st ward ; Robert Hodson, J. Francis, 2d ward ; Samuel Wad- leigh, J. S. Linell, 3d ward; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk; Robert Hodson, treasurer; E. I. Jempson (succeeded by P. F. Cauldwell), marshal.
1872 .- S. S. Phelps, mayor; aldermen : J. Spangler, 1st ward ; Robert Hodson, 2d ward; J. S. Linell, 3d ward; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; P. F. Cauldwell, marshal.
1873 .- S. S. Phelps, mayor ; aldermen : J. Poershman, 1st ward ; W. H. Montgomery, 2d ward ; Samuel Wadleigh, 3d ward ; E. H. N. Patterson, clerk; Robert Hodson, treasurer ; Jeremiah Loucks, mar- shal.
1874 .- Robert Hodson, mayor; aldermen: J. Kissel, 1st ward ; James Cunningham, 2d ward ; S. S. Phelps, third ward; J. B. Pat- terson, clerk ; Robert Hodson treasurer ; J. Loueks, marshal.
1875 .- Robert Hodson, mayor; aldermen: J. Loucks, 1st ward; W. H. Montgomery, 2d ward ; Samuel Wadleigh, 3d ward ; J. B. Pat- terson, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; Thomas Hickman, marshal.
1876 .- Robert Hodson, mayor ; aldermen : John Kessel, 1st ward ; James Cunningham, 2d ward; S. S. Phelps, 3d ward; J. B. Patter- son, clerk; Robert Hodson, treasurer; Thomas Hickman, marshal.
1877 .- Robert Hodson, mayor; aldermen : Patrick Purcell, 1st ward; James Montgomery, 2d ward; S. S. Phelps, 3d ward; J. B. Patterson, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; II. Watson, marshal.
1878 .- S. S. Phelps, mayor; aldermen : Asa Smith, 1st ward ; Robert Hodson, 2d ward; J. S. Linell, third ward; J. B. Patterson, . clerk; Robert Hodson, treasurer; E. I. Jempson, marshal.
1879 .- D. C. Hanna, Mayor; aldermen : James Peterson, 1st
943
OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
ward ; James Cunningham, 2d ward; R. Cooper, 3d ward ; G. F. W. Froehlich, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer ; E. I. Jempson, marshal.
1880 .- S. S. Phelps, mayor ; aldermen : Asa Smith, 1st ward ; J. A. Pence, 2d ward ; J. McFarland, 3d ward ; L. H. Hand, clerk ; Robert Hodson, treasurer; E. I. Jempson, marshal.
1880 .- Robert Hodson, president ; S. S. Phelps, J. S. Linell, J. A. Pence, J. A. Caswell. L. Schell, trustees ; G. F. W. Froehlich, clerk.
1881 .- Robert Hodson, president; John Kessel, J. B. Linell, L. Schell (to fill vacaney), trustees; G. F. W. Froehlich, clerk ; J. B. Linell, treasurer; Martin Walters, constable.
1882 .- Robert Hodson, president; J. A. Pence, L. Schell, D. C. Hanna, trustees ; G. F. W. Froehlich, clerk ; J. B. Linell, treasurer ; J. Loucks, constable.
Other officers, the dates of whose service cannot be ascertained, and tables of whom cannot be made anything like complete, are town or city attorney, filled mostly by J. Simpson, Esq., and town sexton, filled altogether by Joseph Nealy. Other offices are of minor impor- tance.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE OF OQUAWKA PRECINCT.
In 1836, J. B. Patterson ; 1839, J. B. Patterson ; 1843, Harry Jennings, R. W. Young, Samuel Darnell ; 1846, Thos. D. Jones ; 1847, R. M. Patterson and James H. Stewart ; 1849, Peleg Gifford, R. M. Patterson, J. Rust, James Scott, and Jno. M. Fuller ; 1850, Paul D. Birdsall ; 1854, James Scott, Jno. M. Fuller, Wm. H. Jenkins ; 1857, John Geddis, Julius Gifford ; 1858, A. S. Waterhouse ; 1861, James Scott, Jno. M. Fuller, D. P. Kimerer; 1865, James Scott, Jno. M. Fuller ; 1869, Ira -Putney, Joseph Froehlich, Luke Wadleigh ; 1873, Win. H. Montgomery ; 1874, Richard W. Richey ; 1877, Ranseldon Cooper, W. H. Montgomery ; 1880, Joshua F. Powers ; 1881, Joshua F. Powers and W. II. Montgomery.
OQUAWKA AND WASHINGTON PLANK ROAD.
Across the Mississippi river was a large scope of Iowa territory whose trade Oquawka desired to secure. To do so it was necessary to construct a passable highway over the low flats on that side of the river, and also to institute a ferry. The question of a plank road was agitated in 1850 or 1851, but nothing was accomplished till July 12, 1852, when the corporation of Oquawka voted $10,000 toward the enterprise, sixty- one votes being cast in favor, and but one against the project ; highly significant of the interest manifested. Prior to this, stock had been subscribed, and at a meeting of the stockholders July 21, 1852, held
.
944
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
at the house of Mr. A. Banta. of Des Moines county, Iowa, John Salladay presided, and E. H. N. Patterson was secretary. Judge Wm. C. Rice stated the object of the meeting ; articles of incoporation were adopted, and officers elected preparatory to legal organization. The officers elected were Win. D. Henderson, president; Charles S. Cowan, secretary; E. Benner, treasurer, all of Oquawka; and E. R. Adams and Judge Wmn. C. Rice, of Oquawka, and W. W. King and James Welch, of Iowa, directors.
After considerable efforts, defeats and successes, the bonds of the road were taken by private parties ; S. S. Phelps, $3,000; W. and J. Moir & Co., 82,000; Mckinney &' Adams, $2,000; John Edwards, $500; E. Benner, $500; William C. Rice, $500; B. Nettleton, $500. It was not until April 6, 1853, that all difficulties were removed and the contract was let to W. W. King, with William C. Rice as engineer. The length of the road was to be a little more than four and a quarter miles. The eastern terminus opposite the urpermost house in Oquawka, and the western terminus near the house of Mr. Salladay. A. Banta contracted to furnish the piles and Mr. King erected a saw- mill and furnished the lumber from his own timber. Work was begun and Oquawka watched its progress with satisfaction. In 1855 all was ready for the ferry boat. A ferry company was organized, and James Moir, James Findley and William Van Pelt went to Pittsburgh, the third week in June, 1855, to bring the steam ferry boat, via St. Louis. William Van Pelt was made captain, and James Findley pilot. The boat, built at Wellsville, Ohio, at a cost of $5,700, was christened "Oquawka," and was the subject of universal conversation. Septem- ber 29, 1855, an immense crowd thronged the banks of the Mississippi to greet Captain Van Pelt and behold the Oquawka. The boat was large and roomy, combined with strength and speed, and supplied with two engines. Transportation was soon begun; emigrants westward crossed the river at Oquawka: in the streets of the town strangers were numerous; trade from Iowa became good, and all Oquawka needed to consummate her provisions for a great destiny was the Peoria & Oquawka railroad, the history of which may be found in general history. (We may add in this parenthesis that instead of bringing corn from Iowa to Oquawka, as was expected, the first fall it carried corn from Oquawka for Iowa consumption). The boat was operated by the company about two years when Robert Moir pur- chased it. In 1859, probably, it was sold to Zach. Morgan, of Bur- lington. It finally sunk near Fort Madison. The plank road was finally abandoned, as the Iowa territory, of which it was the ontlet to Oquawka, failed to prove of much advantage. The bonded indebted-
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