History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 93

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 93

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).

1879 .- Mayor-R. L. McGuire; Aldermen - First Ward, John Brennan, M. Affonso, J. E. Rosette; Second, Daniel Taylor, R. Hellweg, A. Orendorff, Dennis O'Brien; Third, Joseph Wal- lace, J. W. Smith, B. W. Ayres; Fourth, Richard O'Donnell, Edward J. Scanlon, Fred MeCarthy; Fifth, E. S. Johnson, John O. Rames, William H. Staley; Sixth, E. P. House, J. T. Rhodes, Chris. Wolf.

1880 .- Mayor-Horace C. Irwin; Aldermen- First Ward, J. E. Rosette, John Brennan, A. Vieria; Second, Dennis O'Brien, R. Hellweg, James Williams; Third, B. W. Ayres, Joseph Wallace, Henry Grubb; Fourth, Frederick Mc- Carthy, Richard H. O'Donnell, George Kern; Fifth, William H. Staley, Edward S. Johnson, William C. Wood; Sixth, Chris. Wolf, Elon P. House, J. T. Rhodes.

1881 .- Mayor-John McCreery; Aldermen- First Ward, John Foster, F. Jacoby, A. Vieria; Second, George Ritter, R. IIellweg, James Wil-

liams, John Fitzgerald; Third, J. W. Smith, Joseph Wallace, Henry Grubb; Fourth, B. Con- lin, Richard II. O'Donnell, George Kern; Fitth, Edward S. Johnson, J. O. Rames, William C. Wood; Sixth, H. Fayart, William Drake, Elon P. House, J. T. Rhodes.

REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.

Attention has already been called to this sub- ject in a previous part of this work, but a few words here will not be out of place. The act for the removal of the capital was approved Febru- ary 25, 1837, but the efforts in that direction had been made at every session for several years previous. The system of internal improvements was then pending in the legislature and before the people. The means used to pass this system through the legislature cannot be left without notice. First, a large number of the people were interested in the success of the Illinois and Michigan canal; the canal was, therefore, threat- ened if other sections of the State were denied the improvements demanded by them. Thus the friends of the canal were forced into the system. Next the system was made to include roads and improvements everywhere, so as to enlist every part of the State; several efforts were made to legalize a smaller system, and with each failure, the bill would be amended by the addition of other roads. Thus the friends of the other system were gradually increased. Next, those counties which could not be accom- modated with a road or some other improve- ment, were to share in a fund of two hundred thousand dollars. To conciliate and win over the interest and influence of Alton, three rail- roads were appointed to center at that city. Then the people of Springfield desired to have the seat of government removed here. Sanga- mon county had nine representatives in the Gen- eral Assembly. It was by the efforts and in- fluence of these men that Springfield attained its present position. Among them were some very dexterous managers in politics, whose whole object was to obtain the seat of govern- ment for Springfield. This delegation, from the beginning of the decisive session, threw itself as a unit in support of, or in opposition to, every local measure of interest, but never with- out a bargain for votes in return on the seat of government question. Most of the other coun- ties were small, having but one representative, and many of them had but one for a district composed of several counties. This gave to Sangamon county a decided preponderance in the log-rolling system of those days. By such

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means the "Long Nine" rolled a log like a snow-ball, gathering accessions of strength at every turn, until they swelled up a considerable party for Springfield. This party they managed to take as a unit in favor of the internal im- provement system, in return for which the active supporters of that system were to vote for Springfield to be the seat of government. Thus it was by log-rolling on the canal measure, by multiplying railroads, by terminating three railroads at Alton, that Alton might become a great city in opposition to St. Louis, by dis- tributing money to some of the counties, the system of internal improvements was adopted, and the seat of government removed to Spring- field.

The spring of 1837 did not open favorably for the new capital. That spring the banks throughout the United States suspended specie payments. The banks of Illinois soon followed the example of others. The location of Spring- field was made upon conditions. One condition was, that the State should receive $50,000 for the erection of the capitol. Another was, that the grounds necessary for the public buildings should be donated to the State, and for this purpose the county court was empowered to convey the public square, which was done. But the payment of the sum of money specified was found to be a much harder task than was at first anticipated. One-third of the amount-$16,- 666.67-was raised by assessments upon the Owners of property within the town. The as- sessments were not paid for five years, for the reason other satisfactory arrangements were made.

The persons assessed went to the State Bank and gave a note, dne in five years, interest at twelve per cent. for the amount. A copy of this note will be found on a previous page. The bank advanced the money, and the lot owner, by paying his interest annually, was allowed five years' time. Another third of the amount, the town, in its corporate capacity, agreed to pay. Upon the written obligation to that effect, a large number of the leading citizens of the place, perhaps a hundred in all, became sureties. When it became due the town was not able to pay, and the State Bank, which had advanced the money to the town, was about to press the securities to payment, when a com- promise was made. Men of capital came for- ward with the money and paid the bank, taking city bonds for their re-payment.

The offices of the State Government were removed here in July, 1839.

SPECULATION AND HARD TIMES.

It was in 1836 that the great town lot specula- tion began to spread through the towns and vil- lages of Illinois. But it did not assume its full proportions in Springfield until the year follow- ing, after the removal of the capital was a cer- tainty. This speculation in this State commenced in Chicago, and was the means of building up that place, in a year or two, from a village of a few houses to be a city of several thousand in- habitants. The story of the sudden fortunes made there, excited, at first, wonder and amaze- ment, next a gambling spirit of adventure, and lastly an all absorbing desire for rapid and splen- did wealth. The example of Chicago was con- tagious. It spread to all the towns and villages of the State. New towns were laid out in every direction. In fact, the number of towns multi- plied so rapidly that it was a common remark to say the whole country was likely to be laid out in towns, and that no land would be left for

farming purposes. In this time of wild excite- ment, Springfield had her full share. The judg- ments of all the business men were unsettled. Their minds were occupied with only one idea- the all-controlling desire of jumping at once into a fortune. As all had bought more town lots and lands than many of them could pay for, and more than any of them could sell. the idea was gradually diffused through the State that if the country could be rapidly settled, its resources developed, and wealth invited from abroad, that all the towns then of any note would become cities, and that the other towns, laid out only for speculation, and then without inhabitants, would immediately become thriving and populous vil- lages, the wealth of all would be greatly in- creased, and the town lot market be rendered perfectly secure.

It was with a view to this consummation, that the system of internal improvements, already noticed, began to be successfully agitated in the summer and fall of 1836. The system became law, and three years trial of it plunged the State so hopelessly in debt that publie credit went down with a crash; individuals, of course, did not escape unharmed. Many of the soundest men in all the towns were driven to utter ruin. There were many in Springfield who suffered in this time of calamity. The whole community found that the growth of the town had been re- tarded for years by these events. As we have seen, the banks were all compelled to suspend, and the money was paper. So great was the burden of debt felt to be, that after July, 1841, no further attempt was made by the State for

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

several years to pay the interest on the public debt. Here in Springfield, as elsewhere through the State, the people found they had enough to do in providing food and in paying the debts they owed to each other.

To add to the general calamity and the terror of the people, in February, 1842, the State Bank, with a circulation of $3,000,000, tumbled into ruin with a great crash, not only injuring Spring- field greatly, but carrying wide spread poverty all over Illinois, and into the neighboring States and Territories. For the next ten years there were hard times indeed. Speculation had seen its day, and the people were done with it. Hard work and economical habits were ideas fixed in the minds of most. Under such circumstances it is no wonder the city grew slowly. In eight years, commencing with 1840, the population only increased by about fourteen hundred. Still the place did gradually increase in numbers and wealth, year by year. As the county was slow- ly settled up, and its resources developed by the two railroads, this growth became permanent, in form.

HEALTHFULNESS OF SPRINGFIELD.

Springfield is noted as being one of the most healthy cities in this country, and affords a pleasant retreat during the hot summer months to those living in the cities of the South. The St. Louis (Mo.) Republican, noticing the sum- mer resorts convenient to citizens of the eastern cities, says:

"There are many in St. Louis who would gladly have such summer advantages at com- mand, but who are not prepared, with their fam- ilies, to take the long and expensive journey to the East. Many of our business men cannot afford the time to do it. They must be within reach of their counting-rooms and warehouses, and so they pass their long summers here with- out rural recreation or pleasure jaunts of any sort, denying to their families, as well as them- selves, the salutary pleasure of a country resi- dence during the summer. But still there is, only one hundred miles away, a very agreeable spot to pass the summer. We mean Springfield, Illinois, which is quite as desirable and comfort- able a place for summer recreation as many others of greater celebrity. It is as marked for healthfulness as Saratoga, and has as pure air. It is a city, yet it is so laid out and built that it presents a pleasing combination of town and country. There are many pleasant drives about the city, and livery stables supplied with the best horses for the saddle or buggy. It abounds in churches and schools, and is distinguished for

the intelligence, courtesy and hospitality of its citizens. With days no hotter than at Niagara, its evenings, nights and mornings delightfully cool. To a St. Louisian it is accessible in four hours, and when there the telegraph and mails place him in prompt communication with this city, or any other place requiring correspondence. It is a safe and quiet place for families, free from the costliness of places of fashionable re- sorts, for which one must prepare with startling equipments of elegant and fashionable ward- robes. No city in the Union has a finer hotel than Springfield, where families may find most desirable accommodations. We refer to the Leland Hotel. A St. Louis merchant can de- posit his family there, come down to the city, and pass half or two-thirds of the week, and run up again on Friday or Saturday, and pass a glad Saturday or Sunday with his family and friends, and so beguile the hot weeks with varied enjoyment for himself, while wife and children are safe, healthy and happy, all summer long, in that pleasant city. Let no one ask for a place of summer resort with one so accessible as Springfield right at hand. We speak of the place knowingly, having passed there many weeks and months during the past twenty-five or thirty years, dating back to the day when it had only three thousand inhabitants. It is really a most desirable place to spend the sum- mer."

SPRINGFIELD TO A STRANGER.

Springfield when visited in the winter, or in the early spring when the frost is first out of the ground, does not present that attractive appear- ance it does later in the spring and in the sum- mer and autumn months. Like other cities in Central Illinois and almost throughout the entire State, in the early spring and in open winters it is quite muddy, the mud frequently being an embargo to all travel. Springfield has often been condemned by the stranger for the mud upon her streets, while at the same time it was no worse than hundreds of other places in the State, and much better than many. Of one thing it is quite evident, the cities of Illinois will always be muddy if not paved.

Coming to the city in the summer the stranger finds it presenting a far different appearance. With its palatial residences, with handsome, well kept lawns; its magnificent business blocks, with large store rooms filled with goods of every description to suit the tastes and pockets of all; large, stately shade trees lining the streets, all going to make up one of the handsomest cities of its size in the country. In 1854, a corres-

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pondent of the Democratic Press, of Chicago, who chanced to be in the city thus wrote of it: "Every citizen of the Prairie State, from Chicago to Cairo and from the Wabash to the Mississippi, should be acquainted with the real character of, and take a pride in, our pleasant and hospitable capital. Pleasant and beautiful, and flourishing will I term it, though very oppo- site adjectives have been prefixed to it by many of those editors and politicians who have seen it during winter's cold wind, and cloudy sky and foggy air -- when an unusual, an ill-assorted and turbulent crowd of visitors are here from the highways and byways of 'Suckerdom,' when bird and bee and blossom have given place to pelting rain, and driving wind, and general gloom. But Springfield in the spring time of the year is a different place. Indianapolis is famed for beauty and prosperity; yet with an infinite knowledge of all it has and a strong predilection in its favor, I am constrained to say it has nothing to boast of over our own capital. In railroads and population it has a few years the start; but in pleasant places of residence, in taste as displayed in shade trees and shrubs and flowers, and fences and grassy lawns, Springfield is far ahead; and in churches, banks, court and State house, it is at least her equal. The State has not granted to Springfield her buildings for the blind, insane and dumb, nor have the benevolent orders of Odd Fellows and Masons done for her what they have done for Indianapolis. Herein is a difference against us. Like Washington, Springfield is a 'city of magnificent distances.' It might be termed the 'Emlowered City,' as in no western town have I seen more fine elms, maples, locust, oak and other shade trees flourishing. 'He who plants trees loves others besides himself.' Spring- fielders love and benefit posterity and all strangers that visit the city and enjoy its luxu- riant shade. How snug, neat, cool and com- fortable, says Thrifty, do trees and shrubbery, which have been tastefully planted, make a dwelling appear, and how naked, dry and barren does a residence look without them."

CHANGE OF NAME.

In 1853, the qustion of a change of name for the city was discussed publicly and privately, for a considerable length of time, but without result. It was argued that Springfield was a too com- mon name, that in the Union there were about forty Springfields, or one in nearly every State and Territory, and but two or three rose above the rank of the most obscure village in the country. Letters destined for Springfield, Illi-

nois, were often mis-sent, traveling from one State to another, and taking months to reach their destination. Among the names suggested for the change, were Sangamo and Illini. The latter name was advocated to perpetuate the re- membrance of the aboriginal people, from whom was derived the name of the chief river of the State, and of the State itself; the former for the Sangamo river, and because of its more musical sound, especially when written in connection with the name of the State. The efforts of the advocates of a change were unavailing, and the city yet retains the popular name of Springfield, and Springfield let it be.

GROWTH OF THE CITY.

Springfield, in common with every other city in the Union, was affected by the hard times of 1837, which continued during one entire decade, or until 1847. In this latter year property which had gone down, down, until it could go no lower, began to take an upward stride. The confidence of people was again restored and they began to invest their savings in various ways and prosper- ity again reigned. In 1853 there was such an urgent demand for dwelling houses in this city that it could not be filled. Says a local writer of that date:

" Every inhabitable house in this city is filled to overflowing. Even should one happen to be vacated no one would dare notify the public through the papers. The din of applicants would destroy the best nerves in town. Of course our city is much the loser by this deficien- cy. Scores of families who would be induced to remain in our city are forced to seek other local- ities. Both men and capital are diverted from our city, and others are allowed to reap the ad- vantages of our stupidity. Now cannot this mat- ter be remedied? Is it not for the interest of our land owners and monied men to build houses to rent? Are not the inducements sufficient on the score of profit, to say nothing of patriotic con- siderations? In this respect we believe no city in the west can hold out greater inducements to building capital than Springfield. True we have not been in the habit of making such a blow about ourselves as our neighbor, at Alton. Nor have we gone into the puffing game like Blooming- ton and 'little Decatur.' We havn't filled all the earth with the cry of our 'corner lots.' Still 'lit- tle old shanty Springfield' has actually done bet- ter in real estate transactions than the tallest figures can show at Chicago."

THE POST OFFICE.

The early settlers of Springfield had little to boast of in the way of postal facilities. From

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

the first settlement of the place, in 1818, up to 1823, they had no post office nearer than Edwards- ville, eighty miles distant, and were therefore obliged to patronize the postmaster at that place for what little mail matter they received. They got their letters semi-occasionally-sometimes by the hand of wagoners, and sometimes by means of a hack which John Dixon sent to Edwardsville whenever he could secure a load of passengers. Mr. Dixon lived on Fancy Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon. He left here years ago and laid out the pretty town which bears his name, on Rock river, Lee county.

The post office was established and Major Iles appointed postmaster, in 1823, but while he held the office his official duties did not interfere with his private business. Previous to his appoint- ment, letters addressed to "Springfield, Illinois," would visit nearly every other Springfield in the United States, and finally bring up at Edwards- ville; after his appointment and the name of the post office had been made known to Uncle Sam's officials, he received letters that had traveled around the country for several months. IIe held the office for about three years, and kept it in a small frame building about two hundred yards west of the Chicago & Alton depot.

In 1824, a semi-monthly mail route was estab- lished from Springfield to Kaskaskia by way of Edwardsville and Belleville. The mail was carried on horseback. Letters from this place to St. Louis went by way of Edwardsville and Belleville, and on arriving at the latter place were taken charge of by the postmaster and transferred to the agent carrying the mail be- tween St. Louis and Louisville.

Stephen Stillman succeeded Major Iles and held the office between one and two years. He was succeeded by Asa Shaw who remained in the office about three years.

Edward Mitchell stepped into Mr. Shaw's place, and was postmaster for nearly seven years. He died soon after retiring from office.

William Carpenter was appointed in 1837 and remained in office till about 1839. He kept his office in a building that stood on the northwest corner of the square The same building was also used as a market house.

John S. Roberts succeeded Mr. Carpenter. He was in the office but a short time. The build- ing occupied by him was located east of the Chenery House.

J. W. Keyes was appointed to serve out Mr. Roberts' time, and he attended to his duties faithfully while he remained in office; but the election of Harrison in 1840 led to his removal.

He kept the office near the southeast corner of the square, and it was retained in the same place by his two immediate successors.

G. W. Spottswood held the office from 1841 to 1844, dying before the expiration of his term. During a portion of his term the State officers could not raise money enough to take their letters from the post office, and he was thus com- pelled to keep important public matter for months at a time. Nobody had money in those times, and the State was as poor as individuals.

Jonathan R. Diller was appointed by Presi- dent Tyler to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Spottswood's death. He remained in office during Polk's administration, and being a Demo- crat, of course his official head fell when Taylor became President, in 1849. Shortly after his removal he died.

A. Y. Ellis held the office under Taylor and Fillmore's administration. He kept it in the building for some time afterwards occupied by John Williams & Co. as a grocery store. Some time during the spring of 1853 he was informed by the Postmaster General under Franklin Pierce, that the department could dispense with his services. He was too much of a Whig to expect to be retained in office, and so took his removal philosophically.

Isaac R. Diller succeeded Mr. Ellis, remaining in office till the close of Pierce's term. Buchanan then gave him a lucrative counsulship at Bremen, and appointed J. W. Keyes in his place. Dur- ing the time of the trouble between the Admin- istration and Stephen A. Douglas, in 1858, Mr. Keyes was removed for the reason he was supposed to favor the latter.

Morris Lindsay succeeded Mr. Keyes, and retained the office during the remainder of Mr. Buchanan's term.

John Armstrong, in 1861, received an appoint- ment as postmaster from President Lincoln, and retained the office four years.

Presco Wright was appointed by President Lincoln in the spring of 1865, and held the office three years, being removed by President Johnson for political causes.

J. Taylor Smith was next appointed, and filled out the unexpired term of Mr. Wright.

When Grant came in he appointed J. L. Crane, who served eight years. President Hayes then appointed D. L. Phillips, who served until his death, in 1880. Paul Selby, the present in- cumbent, was then appointed.

Springfieldiwas made a money order office, No- vember 1, 1864. The first order was drawn by John Brotherton, in favor of Shields & Co., of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Philadelphia, for $3.50. During the first year, the business of the office was as follows: Orders drawn, $13,244.80; orders paid, $8,430.78. In 1880, there were drawn $108,238.54, and paid $100,078.33, on domestic orders alone, showing a handsome increase.

During 1880, the number of letters forwarded from this office was eight hundred and twenty- three thousand, three hundred and sixty-eight; postal cards, two hundred and fifty thousand, five hundred and thirty-six; total number pieces mailed in all classes, two million, four hundred and nine thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight. Of second class matter, fifty-eight thousand, three hundred and eighty-eight pounds were for- warded.

SPRINGFIELD AS A MANUFACTURING POINT.

The idea is generally prevalent that interior cities or towns can never be made manufactur- ing points. But this theory is certainly exploded; at least, so far as Springfield is concerned. The causes operating against interior cities in com- peting with those along a water course no longer exists. No longer is the manufacturer depend- ent upon the steamers of our lakes and rivers for means of transportation. The invention of the locomotive and the building of railroads has effectually solved the transportation problem.

A beginning has been made in Springfield, which is widening year by year, and already it has out- stripped many more pretentious river towns in the extent of its manufactures. Another point has been established by the building up of these manufactories here, and that is that a State Cap- ital can be something else than a huge boarding house, where the people all make their living keeping boarders.

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 93

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084