USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 97
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 97
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OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
one of his class now here. September 30, 1874, he was married to Miss Lulu Bigelow, a daughter of Solomon Bigelow. She was born in Oquawka, October 26, 1854. They have two children, Helen H. and Hattie B. Mr. Hand is a member of the masonic fraternity. His father was for a number of years identified with the interests of Oquawka, having served here as postmaster during President Bucha- nan's administration. In 1864 he went west to the mountains, and never since being heard from it is supposed he met with some tragic death.
CHARLES F. W. SCHELL was born in Ulm, Germany, February 18, 1845, and came with his parents to America in 1851. While in Wis- consin he was married to Miss Mary E. Brooks, August 15, 1867. She was born March 27, 1844. They have five children, whose names are Unice A., Lida E., Charles, Caroline B., and William A. Early in life he learned the trade of blacksmith at Burlington, Iowa. Decen- ber 18, 1863, he enlisted as a soldier for the union, in Co. G, 25th Ia. Inf., and in May, 1865, was transferred to the 9th Ia. Inf., from which he was honorably discharged late in the summer of 1865. His father, Leonard Schell, settled in Oquawka in September, 1852, and has since been one of its honored citizens. He has been engaged in carriage and wagon manufacture for fifty-two years. He was born in Ulm, Germany, January 31, 1818. His wife, Anne Bielhald, died in 1862. His children are Charles F. W. (the subject of this sketch), William Henry, and Rudolph.
PETER GOEMPLER, stone cutter and mason, was born in Philippsthal, Province of Hesse, Germany, January 12, 1822, and was reared to the trade of his father and grandfather (stone cutter and mason). July 19, 1846, he married Amelia Bonn, a native of the same place. Octo- ber 7, 1853, he left the land of his birth, and, with his wife and little family, set sail for the new world, landing at New York January +, 1854, and on March 18, of the same year, permanently located in Oquawka, where he has since followed his trade, in connection with which he has for a number of years paid some attention to farming on land he now owns near town. He has seven children living, whose names are : Adam A., Louisa E., (wife of Jacob Guyer, of Keokuk), Emma, (wife of George Rodmaker), Mary, Christena, Panlina, and Karoline. Mr. Goempler is a constant member of the German Reformed church.
WILLIAM N. BODEN, blacksmith and dealer in agricultural imple- ments, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1836, and reared in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He received a fair com- mon school education, and early in life learned the trade of blacksmith.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
In May, 1858, he came to Oquawka, and at once engaged in black- smith business, and some later formed a partnership with Riner Schell & Co., and is now the company part of that active firm. April 20, 1872, he was married to Mrs. Florence Gould, a daughter of Lloyd Cunningham, Esq. She is a native of Warren county. Illinois. Their only child, Frank, was born in Oquawka.
JOHN KESSEL, son of Joseph and Charlott (Wessbecher) Kessel, was born in Baden, Germany, August 25, 1839. The parents of Mr. Kessel, in 1854, emigrated to the United States, first locating in Bur- lington, Iowa, where John learned the trade of barber. In 1861 he came to this place and opened a barber shop, soon after adding to the busi- ness the sale of tobacco and cigars, and in 1868 added also the manu- facture of cigars. July 10, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Rotana Frazell, who died August 28, 1878. His next marriage was on November 25, 1880, to Miss Louisa B. Grass, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Kessel's first wife was a native of Licking county, Ohio. By her he had three children, living, whose names are William G., Lottie, and Addie H. Mr. Kessel is a member of the masonic and odd-fellows' fraternities.
JACOB C. PETERMAN, wagon and carriage maker, Oquawka, is the son of John and Catherine (Olewine) Peterman, and is a native of Washington county, Maryland. When he was about one year old his parents removed to Richland county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and during his early life learned the trade he now follows. In 1850 he went with a company over the plains to California, and while there engaged in mining and working at his trade. He was also for a time employed as deputy sheriff in the collection of foreign tax. In 1856 he returned home, having made the enterprise a success. On June 30, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mickey, a native of Ohio. The next day, July 1, they started for Illinois, arriving at Oquawka, July 7. Here he permanently located and began the busi- ness of his trade. They have six children living, John R., Charles M., Carrie G., Burton, George, and Jennie B. He and wife and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ALEXANDER M. SMITH, the present manager of the Henderson county poor farm and jail, was born in Kentucky, February 16, 1846. His father, Ralph Smith, died in Kentucky in 1846, and our subject came to Illinois with his mother and brother Charles, in 1849. They settled and lived for a number of years on a farm about four miles southeast of Oquawka. At that time the county was new and but sparsely settled, and consequently Alexander enjoyed but few school advantages. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 16th Ill. Vol.
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OQUAWKA TOWNSHIP.
Inf., when the regiment was home on veteran furlough, leaving home the day after his eighteenth birthday, and was honorably discharged at Springfield in the summer of 1865, having been with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. After his return home he engaged in farming. March 9, 1876, he was married to Miss Eliza M. Jackson, the daughter of Mr. Asa Jackson, of Greenville, Henderson county, Illinois. She is a native of Indiana. They have one child, Ralph, born April 12, 1881. In March, 1879, he took charge of the Hender- son county poor farm and jail, and is making the farm a decided suc- cess. His mother has been three times married. Her second husband was Thadeus Bird, now deceased. Her present husband is Mr. S. II. Crow. They are now residents of Greenville precinct. By each of her three husbands she has reared two children.
JOHN A. PENCE is a son of John and Elizabeth (Heaton) Pence, founder and builder of Pence's Fort, of historic note in Henderson county. He was born near Oquawka August 12, 1830, and is believed to be the first white child born within what are now the bounds of Hen- derson county. His earliest years were spent without the advantages and surroundings of the children of the present day. His playmates were the children of the Indians, who shared with him their rude playthings as well as their mother's breasts. His educational advan- tages were extremely meager. In March, 1850, he went to California, where he remained till June, 1859, when he returned to his home in Oquawka. In 1861, when red handed treason and rebellion threatened his country, he volunteered his services in defense of the national flag, as a member of Co. D, 7th Mo. Cavalry. After eighteen months war- fare, he was wounded and taken prisoner by Quantrell's band of guerillas, and was soon after paroled, first being sworn never to again take up arms against the confederate states. During his short term of service he filled the positions of acting adjutant, post-quartermaster, and lieutenant. December 19, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary A. Chapen, a daughter of Mr. Ebenezer and Catharine (Daggett) Chapen, who came to Henderson in 1839. They were formerly from Indiana and emigrated to Knox county, Illinois, in an early day. Mr. Pence has given much attention to the gathering and preserving of geological specimens, and has now in his possession one of the finest cabinets in the county.
JOHN MCFARLAND may be mentioned as among the early settlers now living and doing business in Oquawka, having come here in 1841. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, March 20, 1828, and came with his parents, William and Nancy (Stelley) McFarland, to Oquawka, as above stated. His father was by trade a carpenter, and
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
followed the business many years after his settlement here. John was married in August, 1855, to Miss Ella King, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Hensley) King, of Oquawka. She was born in Milton, Trim- ble county, Kentucky, February 28, 1838, and was brought by her parents to Burlington, Iowa, the same year. In 1856 Mr. MeFarland embarked in the lumber trade in this place, successfully following the business till the present. He has lately, to some extent, been turning his attention to farming, having bought a farm a short distance out of town. Mr. McFarland and wife are the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, as follows: Frank E., Harvey, Walter, and Mand. Mrs. McFarland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McFarland's parents are both dead and buried here.
JOSEPH S. LINELL, harness and saddle manufacturer and dealer, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, March 23, 1839. In 1849 his parents, William B. and Selecta (Stoddard) Linell, emigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where they remained until 1852, when they removed to Oquawka. Here our subject attended school during the next five years. Having at this time arrived at a sufficient age he turned his attention to learning a trade and began an apprenticeship with his brother, Philip S. Linell, then engaged in the harness and saddlery manufacture at Oquawka. After completing his trade in 1858 he went to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and there engaged in business for himself. While here he was united in marriage with Miss Francis A. Pixley, October 6, 1859, and the same year returned to Oquawka and formed a partnership with his brother, but one year later sold out and went to work for M. E. Chapen, at his trade, till 1864, when he enlisted in Co. D, 138th Ill. Vol. Inf. After his return home in 1865 he bought out Mr. Chapen, and in company with G. W. Adair, embarked again in the business of his trade. In 1870 he bought out his partner and has since been the sole owner of his present prosperous business. His children, named in the order of their birth, are : Annetta, Jessie B., Frank, Philip P., Charles, Fannie, Fred, and two deceased. Mr. Linell's father was a native of Birmingham, England, born in 1804. Early in youth he came to the United States and was through life a minister in the Universalist church. During the late war he enlisted in the 10th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was commissioned chaplain. He died September 6, 1867. His wife was a native of Vermont, and died at Vevay, Indiana, May 13, 1865,
BENJAMIN F. BROOKS (deceased), was born in Genesee county, New York, June 27, 1818. In the very early settlement of this county, his parents entered land and settled near Carman, where our subject early received that culture and education in the art of pioneer life and
1013
TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
industry that characterized his movements through all subsequent life. September 24, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Curts, the daughter of John and Temperance (Fredricks) Curts, who was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1823, and came with her parents to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1836. After his marriage Mr. Brooks engaged in farming till 1853, when he removed to Oquawka and embarked in the lumber trade, which he followed till the time of his death, which sad and untimely event occurred Novem- ber 28, 1862, at Hannibal, Missouri. He had gone there with a view of entering into the lumber trade at that place, and was busily engaged in starting a steam saw-mill when, on the day above stated, at a few minutes after 11 o'clock A.M., the boiler exploded witli terrific force. He was struck with a piece of flying timber, from the effects of which he died a few minutes after six the same day. His wife and friends were at once notified by telegraph, and his body was brought back to Oquawka for burial. He left, besides his wife, six children. Two have since died, and William F., Charles, Henry, and Edward, are still liv- ing. The two deceased are Annetta and Ella M. Col. J. B. Patterson thus spoke of him in the "Spectator" at the time of his death: "Mr. Brooks was one of the successful business men of this city, and always forward in his efforts to bring out the best development of his town. He was loved and respected in life, and in death lamented by all who knew him while here in Oquawka."
TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The attack on Fort Sumter precipitated in the north such a whirl- wind of patriotic wrath and gathering of men for war as no nation had ever seen. Events crowded in swift succession. Sumter fell on the 14th of April, 1861 ; on the 15th President Lincoln called on the states for 75,000 volunteers for ninety days, and the same day Governor Yates issued his proclamation convening the legislature on the 23d. On the 16th he issued general order No. 2, providing for the imme- diate organization of six regiments.
Benjamin M. Prentiss, of Quincy, was raising a company, and sent to Francis A. Dallum, of Oquawka, to bring 38 men, and a meeting was called at the court-house for the afternoon of the 17th. As soon as it was organized J. F. Powers, Esq., rose, and after making a few remarks, stepped forward and signed the enlistment roll, thus becom- ing the first volunteer from Henderson county. Then there was a per- fect rush ; no question then as to who would go, but who could get a
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HISTTRY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
chance to go. The enlistment of these men was reported as having occurred on the 23d, about the time they arrived at Quincy. On reach- ing there it was found that Prentiss had left for Cairo. Going on to Springfield, Gov. Yates furnished transportation, and Dallum and his men followed to the same place. The trip from Oquawka was a con- tinual ovation. At every station enthusiastic crowds greeted and cheered them, and along the route men in the fields, and women and children at the doors and windows, waved hats, flags, and handker- chiefs, showing to what mighty depth the popular heart was moved for the Union. But this fiery, glorious spirit waned to a chilling de- gree on approaching within forty or fifty miles of their destination, and soon it seemed that they were in the enemy's country. Sympathy with secession was greater there, in "lower Egypt," than love for the old flag. No false ideas should be allowed to conceal this sad truth in euphemism. The lightning had hardly yet flashed the thrilling senti- ments of Douglas, and Logan and McClernand had not thrown their influence into the scales. At Cairo, Dalluumn's little party was the nucleus for company D. Around it gathered the surplus numbers from over-full companies, and it was regularly formed, with Dallum for cap- tain : Benjamin Edson, first lieutenant ; and Samuel J. Wilson, second lieutenant. All these officers belonged to Oquawka. B. M. Prentiss, captain of company E, from Quiney, became colonel when the regi- ment was organized. It was mustered into service on the 29th by Capt. (afterwards General) Pope.
When the six regiments had reported at Cairo, Col. Prentiss was elected and commissioned brigadier-general, and took command of this, the first brigade of Illinois volunteers, with headquarters at Cairo. The 10th regiment was composed of seven companies of infantry and three of artillery. The. term was taken up with guard duty, drilling, and forays into Kentucky and Missouri to break up rebel camps. News of the battle of Bull Run was received just at the expiration of service, and that beloved officer, Lieut .- Col. James D. Morgan, (afterward General) asked the 10th if they would remain and go to Washington if needed. They gave unanimous and enthusiastic consent. The regi- ment was mustered out July 25th.
Gen. Prentiss obtained authority from Washington to reorganize the six regiments, and this was mustered in on the 29th for three years, with Morgan for colonel, and during several months was re- cruiting its ranks. Charles S. Cowan, of Oquawka, at once began to raise a.company, which was nearly full by the last of August. The organization took place there, and Cowan was selected for captain, Samuel J. Wilson for first lieutenant, and Collin McKenney for second
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TENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
lieutenant. Taking the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad at Sagetown, the 79 enlisted soldiers went to Mendota, and from there by the Illinois Central to Cairo, where they were sworn into the United. States service August 30th by Col. R. J. Oglesby. In a few weeks company E was raised to the minimum standard. Company G, in the reorganized regiment, was made up of men from Clark, Lee and Hen- derson counties, the latter sending 30, who were enlisted between No- vember 20, 1861, and March 1, 1862. The recruiting was done by David R. Waters, of Oquawka. The men were taken to Mound City, where they found a part of the company in camp with the regiment, which had been removed from Cairo. On January 19th the company organized by electing John D. Mitchell, of Clark county, first lieuten- ant, and D. R. Waters second lieutenant. The sergeants were : E. A. Wilson, John Ferguson. G. W. Blanchard, and Thomas C. Boyer. When the company was full the line officers were promoted one grade, and Sergeant Blanchard was commissioned second lieutenant. The company was armed at Mound City with smooth-bore muskets. The regiment lay there till December, then moved to Bird's Point and wintered.
In conjunction with the 7th cavalry, on March 1, it dispersed Jeff Thompson's guerillas, and took two guns and some provisions. It joined Pope's army, and on the night of the 12th, in company with the 16th Illinois, advanced on New Madrid to within 800 yards of the rebel intrenchments, and 100 yards of the picket line, threw up works, planted four guns, and in the morning opened fire. They lay in the trenches all day, receiving the combined fire of two gunboats, and Forts Thompson and Pillow. The rebels evacuated New Madrid that night, and April 7 Gen. Pope embarked the 10th and 16th on trans- ports, and hurried them down to Tiptonville, where they inter- cepted the rebels retreating from Island No. 10, and captured Gen- eral Mackall and 2,500 of his men. Company E, while on picket at night, took 300 prisoners. Pope's success resulted in the taking of 6,000 prisoners, and a large quantity of stores and munitions, besides several gunboats. The regiment soon after moved with Pope's army to the siege of Corinth, and was in all the engagements he had with the enemy, and on May 3d and Sth was under the fire of the rebel batteries. After the evacuation of Corinth it was foremost in the pursuit of the enemy to Booneville. Through June and a part of July it was lying in camp at Big Springs, then it moved to Tuscumbia, and from thence, under Gen. Palmer as division commander, to Nashville, where it remained during the blockade caused by Bragg's invasion, on half, then quarter rations, and at last on something less, meantime
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
building Fort Negley and doing some fighting, until relieved by Rose- crans. July 20, 1863, it moved from that city to New Fosterville ; August 24 reached Bridgeport, and October 1, Sequatchie Valley, from which it assisted McCook's cavalry to drive out Wheeler's. It sup- ported Sherman in his attack on Missionary Ridge, and pursued the flying rebels, to Ringgold. It marched to the relief of Knoxville, and returned to Chattanooga and went into winter quarters in rear of Ross- ville, Georgia, where it veteraned on the first day of January, 1864. The campaign against Atlanta next commanded its energies and cour- age, and it was in action at Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Resacca, Rome, Dallas, New Hope church, Lost and Kenesaw mountains, Chatta- hoochee river, Atlanta, and Jonesboro. It followed Hood back to the Tennessee, then returned with Sherman to Atlanta, and marched through Georgia. From Savannah it went by water to Beaufort, and thence moved to Pocotaligo. These last movewents were in January, 1865. On February 3 the third brigade of Mower's (first) division, Seventeenth Corps, crossed the Salkehatchie at River's bridge. The swamp at this point was a mile wide, and cut up with numerous chan- nels. The water varied from one to five feet in depth, and was cold. The men crossed under heavy fire, and routed the rebel brigade, which defended the passage, the 10th losing forty men. It is said that Gen. Howard, who witnessed the proformance, declared it was "the best thing of the war." On the 9th the regiment pontooned the South Edisto, at Binicker's bridge, in face of the enemy, and after night waded nearly half a mile through a lake, struck the rebels in flank, drove them from their trenches, and made several captures. It went through South Carolina like a destroying angel, passing Orangeburg, Columbia, Winnsboro, and Cheraw. Reaching Fayetteville, North Carolina, March 11, it pontooned the Cape Fear river, made a lodg- ment on the farther side, killing one lieutenant and five men. It bore a chief part in the battle of Bentonville, and on the last day, with the rest of the division, pierced the enemy's line, and captured a part of Johnson's headquarter material. The regiment participated in all that followed in connection with Sherman's army, until the close of the grand review in Washington. On June 4 it moved to Louisville, Ken- tucky, where it was mustered out July 4. On the 11th it received final payment and discharge at Chicago.
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SIXTEENTII ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Having provided for the six regiments under the president's call, the legislature passed the Ten-Regiment bill, which took effect May 2d, authorizing ten regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one battalion of light artillery, to be raised for the state service. All persons enlist- ing under this act were required to go into the service of the general government, if called for. One regiment was to be raised from volun- teer companies then at Springfield, and one in each of the nine con- gressional districts. On the 3d the president called for 82,714 addi- tional troops for three years, and requisition was made on Gov. Yates for six more regiments. Meantime the people in fervid patriotism were crowding the recruiting places and clamoring for acceptance by the government. The state government exhausted all powers of soli- citation on their behalf. Finally, when the disaster at Bull Run had brought the war department at Washington to its senses, Secretary Cameron notified Gov. Yates, July 28, that he would "accept the thir- teen additional infantry regiments, three additional cavalry regiments, and an additional light artillery battalion. The light of stern facts had so relieved the obfuscated vision of the war secretary that on the 14th of August he telegraphed Gov. Yates : "You are authorized to accept all companies of troops willing to enter the service." Henceforth the military spirit had free course. Co. F, 16th Ill. Inf., was mostly raised in Henderson county. Like others of the earliest companies, this was not raised by special effort of any person, but was a spontaneous for- mation. Two young men in the north part of the county returning from church on Sunday, sat down under a tree, with Saturday's " Hawkeye," full of war news, and the fall of Sumter. They dis- cussed the situation, deliberated on leaving behind aged parents who needed their care, and the result was they resolved to go to Oquawka on Monday and enlist. This is a sample of the patriotism which im- pelled men with the force of a religious conviction. It was thus that this company was raised. It was organized at Oquawka May 9th. James Fritz, of Terre Haute, was chosen captain, John W. Herbert, of same place, first lieutenant, and James G. Stewart, of Biggsville, second lieutenant. The company went with teams to Sagetown, and from there on the cars to Galesburg, where the men stayed over night in a livery stable, and next morning proceeded to Quiney. There the regiment was sworn into service on the 24th. Co. F had about 60 men from Henderson county ; the remainder were gathered up in various places. The regiment went into active service at Hannibal, Missouri,
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
June 9, 1861, under Col. Robert F. Smith, and on the 12th it moved to Grand river and was posted along the railroad to guard it. July 10th the force at Monroe station was attacked by 1,600 mounted rebels, but Col. Smith defended his position until the arrival of reinforcements, when the assailants hastily departed. On the 16th two were killed and two wounded at Caldwell Station. The regiment moved to St. Joseph September 10, and on the 14th skirmished at Platte City. . It was. ordered to Bird's Point January 27th, and to New Madrid, March 3d, 1862. In company with the 10th Illinois it was thrown forward to within 800 yards of the rebel main line, threw up works, planted four heavy guns, and in the morning startled the enemy with their un- expected fire. They received the concentrated cannonade of the rebel gunboats and forts throughout the day, and that night the place was evacuated by the enemy. In his report, Gen. Pope made the fol- lowing special mention of the 10th and 16th : "The 10th and 16th Illinois, commanded respectively by Colonels Morgan and J. R. Smith, were detailed as guards to the proposed trenches and to aid in con- structing them. They marched from camp at sunset on the 12th inst., and drove in the pickets and grand guards of the enemy as they were ordered, at shoulder arms, without returning a shot ; covered the front of the intrenching parties, and occupied the trenches and rifle pits dur- ing the whole day and night of the 13th, under furious and incessant cannonading from sixty pieces of heavy artillery. At the earnest re- quest of their colonels their regimental flags were kept flying over our trenches, though they offered a conspicuous mark to the enemy. The coolness, courage and cheerfulness of these troops, exposed for two nights and a day to the furious fire of the enemy at short range, and to the severe storm which raged during the whole night of the 13th, are beyond all praise, and delighted and astonished every officer who wit- nessed it." On April 7th these two regiments were sent down the river and across to Tiptonville, and captured 6,000 retreating rebels. The 16th took part in the siege of Corinth, and joined the rest of Hal- leck's army in the pursuit of Beauregard to Booneville. July 29th it. crossed the Tennessee river at Florence, and September 15th reached Nashville, after a march of seventeen days, beset with no little gne- rilla fighting. It remained there during the rebel blockade, and November 5th aided in repelling the attack of John Morgan on Edge- field, where it was encamped. It continued in the vicinity of Nash- ville until July 19, 1863, when it commenced the march to Chat- tanooga. It marched to the relief of Knoxville. It re-enlisted in the winter of 1863-4, and after its return from veteran furlough was organ- ized with the 10th and 60th Illinois and 10th Michigan infantry into
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