USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell 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. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 18
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MONEY.
Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as all business was transacted by bartering one article for another. Great ingenuity was developed in the barter of their commodities, and when this failed long credits contributed to their convenience. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor credit system would answer, and
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
often letters were suffered to remain a considerable time in the post- office for want of twenty-five cents, which was then the postage on all letters from any great distance; nor were they carried on the fast express or mail trains. It was only every week or so that a lone horseman, with mail bag thrown astride, would ride into a set- tlement or village. If, however, the village was on the line of a stage route, the old stage-coach would make its appearance as often. It was not common, then, for persons to get many letters; indeed, one or two a month was considered a large mail. Nor did three cents pay the postage upon a letter at that day. It seldom took less than twenty-five cents, or two "bits," as Kentuckians would say.
THE BEAUTIFUL PRAIRIES.
The large prairies of the county presented a most beautiful sight before they were settled. The following very descriptive lines on " The Prairies of Illinois," by Captain Basil Hall, graphically por- trays their beauty in their wild and native state :
" The charm of prairie consists in its extension, its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, and the skirt of forest whereby it is surrounded ; the latter feature being of all others the most signifi- cant and expressive, since it characterizes the landscape, and defines the form and boundary of the plain. If the prairie is little, its great- est beauty consists in the vicinity of the encompassing edge of forests, which may be compared to the shores of a lake, being inter- sected with many deep, inward bends, as so many inlets, and at intervals projecting very far, not unlike a promontory or protruding arm of land. These projections sometimes so closely approach each other that the traveler passing through between them, may be said to walk in the midst of an alley overshadowed by the forest, before he enters again upon another broad prairie. Where the plain is ex- tensive, the delineations of the forest in the distant background appear as would a misty ocean beach afar off. The eye sometimes surveys the green prairie without discovering on the illimitable plain a tree or bush, or any other object save the wilderness of flowers and grass, while on other occasions the view is enlivened by the groves dispersed like islands over the plain, or by a solitary tree ris- ing above the wilderness. The resemblance to the sea which some of these prairies exhibit is really most striking. In the spring, when the young grass has just clothed the soil with a soddy carpet of the most delicate green, but especially when the sun, rising behind a
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
distant elevation of the ground, its rays are reflected by myriads of dew-drops, a more pleasing and more eye-benefiting view cannot be imagined.
"The delightful aspect of the prairie, its amenities, and the ab- sence of that sombre awe inspired by forests, contributes to forcing away that sentiment of loneliness which usually steals upon the mind of the solitary wanderer in the wilderness; for, although he espies no habitation, and sees no human being, and knows himself to be far off from every settlement of man, he can seareely defend him- self from believing that he is traveling through a landscape embel- lished by human art. The flowers are so delicate and elegant as apparently to be distributed for mere ornament over the plain ; the groves and groups of trees seem to be dispersed over the prairie to enliven the landscape, and we can scarcely get rid of the impression invading our imagination, of the whole scene being flung out and created for the satisfaction of the sentiment of beauty in refined men.
"In the summer the prairie is covered with tall grass, which is coarse in appearance, and soon assumes a yellow color, waving in the wind like a ripe crop of corn. In the early stages of its growth it resembles young wheat, and in this state furnishes sueh rich and succulent food for cattle that the latter choose it often in preference to wheat, it being no doubt a very congenial fodder to them, since it is impossible to conceive of better butter than is made while the grass is in this stage.
"In the early stages of its growth the grass is interspersed with little flowers,-the violet, the strawberry-blossom, and others of the most delicate structure. When the grass grows higher these disap- pear, and taller flowers, displaying more lively colors, take their place ; and still later a series of still higher but less delicately formed flowers appears on the surface. While the grass is green these beau- tiful plains are adorned with every imaginable variety of color. It is impossible to conceive of a greater diversity, or discover a pre- dominating color, save the green, which forms a beautiful dead color, relieving the splendor of the others. In the summer the plants grow taller, and the colors more lively ; in the autumn another gen- eration of flowers arises which possesses less clearness and variety of color and less fragrancy. In the winter the prairie presents a mel- ancholy aspect. Often the fire, which the hunters annually send over the prairies in order to dislodge the game, will destroy the
15
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
entire vegetation, giving to the soil a uniform black appearance, like that of a vast plain of charcoal; then the wind sweeping over the prairie will find nothing which it might put in motion, no leaves which it might disperse, no haulms which it might shake. No sooner does the snow commence to fall than the animals, unless already before frightened away by the fire, retire into the forests, when the most dreary, oppressive solitude will reign on the burnt prairies, which often occupy many square miles of territory."
PRAIRIE FIRES.
Fires would visit the grassy plains every autumn. The settlers who had pushed out from the timber took great precaution to prevent their crops, houses and barns from being destroyed, yet not always did they succeed. Many incidents are related of prairie fires. Kezer Hancock, after assisting in cutting about twenty tons of hay in 1838, most of which he mowed himself by hand, saw, to his great sorrow, one of those devastating prairie fires in its onward course toward it. On it came with great rapidity, and before any- thing could be done to save his hay it was converted into a black- ened mass.
The first winter J. M. Roberts came to this county, he, with his father and brother, made 9,000 rails and laid them up around their fields. A hunter set fire to the grass in November to find a wounded deer. The fire spread and swept off all their fences; their 9,000 rails, 16 acres of corn, their main crop, and only by great efforts were their house, barn and hay saved.
The great conflagrations were caused either accidentally, or design- edly from wantonness, or with a view of bewildering the game. The fire often spread further than it was intended it should. Where- ever were extensive prairie lands, one-half was burned in the spring and the other half in the autumn, in order to produce a more rapid growth of the naturally exuberant grass, destroying at the same time the tall and thick weed stalks. Violent winds would often arise and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach, of a prairie fire the farmer would immediately set about "burning back,"-that is, burning off the grass close by the fences, that the larger fire upon arriving would become extinguished for want of aliment. In order to be able, how- ever, to make proper use of this measure of safety, it was very es- sential that every farmer should encompass with a ditch those of his
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
fences adjoining the prairie. When known that the conflagration could cause no danger, the settler, though accustomed to them, could not refrain from gazing with admiration upon the magnificent spec- tacle. Language cannot convey, words cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of such a conflagration during the night. It was as if the pale queen of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens, had despatched myriads upon my- riads of messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one long and continuous blaze.
"O, fly to the prairies and in wonder gaze, As o'er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze : The earth cannot boast so magnificent a sight,- A continent blazing with oceans of light."
The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by a traveler through this region in 1849 :
"Soon the fires began to kindle wider and rise higher from the long grass; the gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the magician's wand, into one boundless amphitheater, blazing from earth to heaven and sweeping the horizon round,-columns of lurid flames sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke curl- ing away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon, while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all around ; it screamed for victims ; yet, notwithstanding the imminent peril of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to with- draw or seek refuge."
CHAPTER II. IMPORTANT LABORS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSONERS' COURT.
FIRST MEETINGS.
T HE FIRST meeting of the County Commissioners' Court of Tazewell county was held at the house of William Orendorff, April 10, 1827. Mr. Orendorff's cabin stood in the edge of the timber just south of the present village of Hopedale. Jas. Lotta, Benjamin Briggs and George Hittle, the Commissioners, were all present. They seemed to have had the county's interest solely at heart, and their proceedings attest that they were judicious, honest and upright officials. They were sworn in on the previous day by William Oren- dorff, Justice of the Peace. Who it was that administered the oath of office to him we are unable to learn, but all things must have a beginning, and we surmise that after 'Squire Orendorff had admin- istered the oath to them, he in turn was sworn to faithfully perform the duties of his office by one of the Commissioners.
The records of this Court open with the simple statement that the Court held a " special term April 10, 1827." It gives us no inform- ation whatever concerning its organization or previous history, but, like the Holy Scriptures, begins with unqualified statements and records its acts with greatest simplicity.
The first order of the Court was, "that Mordecai Mobley be appointed Clerk." Bonds for the faithful performance of the duties of the office were immediately demanded, whereupon William Oren- dorff and William H. Hodge stepped forward as his surety. The second order was to the effect that the Court be held at the house of Ephraim Stout, in Stout's Grove, until public buildings could be erected. This grove is located in the northern part of McLean county, but at the time was a portion of Tazewell.
Another special term of the Court, being the second meeting, was held Wednesday, April 25, 1827, with all the above named Com- missioners present. John Benson was appointed Treasurer, William
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Orendorff and Absalom Funk going on his bond. At a meeting held the following day, William Orendorff was allowed $7 to replace the money expended by him for advertising for the formation of Tazewell county.
FIRST COUNTY-SEAT.
The commissioners appointed to locate the permanent seat of justice made the following report :
"Be it remembered that we, the undersigned, Commissioners appointed under the authority of the 'act ereating Tazewell county,' to locate the seat of justice for the aforesaid county of Tazewell, agreeably to the provisions of said act, having satisfactorily explored and examined the county with that view, do unanimously agree upon and select the northwest quarter of section number seventeen, township 24, north of range 2 west of the Third Principal Meridian, as the seat of justice of said county,-the court-house to be situated at or near the spot where the said Commissioners drove down a stake, standing nine paees in a northeastern direction from a large white oak blazed on the northeastern side.
"Given under our hands and seals this 22d day of March, 1827.
" JOB FLETCHER, " WILLIAM LEE D. EWING, "TOM M. NEALE."
The site selected was that of the present village of Mackinaw. It was christened with the Indian name of the river near which it was - located. Neale and Fletcher each received $13.50 for their labor of locating the county-seat, while, for some eause unknown to us, Ewing was paid more liberally, he receiving $19.50.
FIRST TAX LEVY.
Thursday, April 26, 1827, the Commissioners again convened in official capacity. A revenue to defray the expenses of the newly organized county must be raised. Accordingly a tax of one-half of one per cent. was "laid on the valuation of the following description of property, to-wit: On slave or indentured negro or mulatto ser- vants ; on pleasure carriages, distilleries, stock in trade; on all horses, etc., etc." There was not at that time any levy made upon real estate.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
MACKINAW LAID OFF.
William H. Hodge, County Surveyor, was ordered "to survey and lay off the town of Mackinaw." This was to be completed by May 20th. The Clerk was ordered to have an advertisement inserted in the Sangamon Spectator for three weeks, to the effect that on the second Monday in June, 1827, a public sale of lots in Mackinaw would be had. He was also ordered to have 100 handbills of the same nature printed. Thus we see the pioneer fathers appreciated the good results of advertising.
FIRST SALE OF LOTS AT COUNTY-SEAT.
According to the time specified, June 11, the settlers gathered from all parts of the county upon the site of their proposed town and county-seat. No doubt they looked forward with fond expectation for a bright and prosperous future for their capital. This, however, they peacefully enjoyed but for a short season, for soon the public buildings were removed elsewhere, and the flattering prospects of Mackinaw were overshadowed. Lots were sold on a credit of four, six and eight months, and we should judge at unu- sually large figures.
Mathew Robb was appointed "eryer,"-for which service he received $1.50-William Lee, clerk, and the great sale began. Abra- ham Funk bid in the first lot, being lot 1 of block 1, for which he gave the handsome sum of $51. The sale went on, evidently with considerable animation, for good prices were obtained and ready sales made. The following is a full and complete list of lots sold, with name of purchaser and amount paid :
Name. Lot. Block. Price.
Name. Lot. Block. Price.
Abraham Funk 1 ... ..
1 ... $51 00
1 29 50
Isaac Funk. 2. 9 .....
34 50 John Funk. 3. 1 15 25
... 35 00 William Gilston. 4. 1
Robert McClure.
35 00
William Council 3 .. 10.
... 23 00
Mathew Robb 4. 6. 15 25
Martin Porter. 5. 11 15 00 ...
Jonas H. Hittle 8. 7.
. .. 25 00
Jacob Judy 7. 7
... 20 50
Abraham Dillon 1.
7 85 00
Thomas Briggs 5 ..
9 11 00
Thomas Dillon. 2. 7. 2 50 Henry Stillman 1
J. B. Harbert. 3.
7 30 00
Samuel Judy
6 ... 9 ..... 15 00
Daniel Dillon 4 9 .... 83 00 -
00
Joel Hiatt. 4 .. 10. ...
35 00
Abraham Funk 6. 11 ... 44 25 Mordecai Mobley 2. 6. 45 00
Richard Latham. 6. 6 23 00 Eli Redman. 8. 6. 20 00
James Lurley 1
9.
6.
.... 85 00
Hugh L. Welch 3 ..... 9. 46 75 Thomas Dillon. 2
The aggregate amount received for the twenty-five lots was $858.50.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
PETITIONS FOR ROADS.
A meeting of the Court was held at Stout's Grove, Monday, June 4, 1827, Commissioners Hittle and Lotta being present. William H. Hodge brought in his bill for surveying 93 lots in Mackinaw, which, amounting to $35.50, was ordered paid, although we are at a loss to know where the funds came from, as we have no record of any being raised previously.
For several years the petitions for roads occupied a very large proportion of the Court's time and attention, and consumed more space to record than all other proceedings. They are similar in con- struction and it would be useless, and worse, to speak of them as often as they occur. We give, however, as a fair sample, the first one presented, which was at this session. It was offered by George Hittle, and was "for a road from Mackinaw, the county seat, the nearest and best route to where Christopher Orendorff is building a mill on Sugar creek, thence as near as practicable on a direct route to the bridge over Kickapoo creek. Which was read and ordered that said route be viewed, marked and staked, and that Robert MeClure, Mathew Robb and Mara Stout be appointed to view, mark and stake the same." These gentlemen viewed the route and returned a favorable report, and were allowed for the three days' labor it took, $2.25 each. Rob't MeClure was given 75 cts. extra for " furnishing wagon to haul stakes in for three days."
COUNTY DIVIDED INTO PRECINCTS.
At the regular term in June, 1827, the Commissioners divided the county into election precincts as follows: That part of the county east of the third principal meridian and north of township 22 composed Blooming Grove precinct; all south of township 23, east of the third principal meridian and including also one range west of the same line, to the southern boundary of the county, comprised Kickapoo precinct ; all lying west of range 1 west of the third meridian and south of township 23, composed Sugar Creek precinct ; all west of the third meridian and north of township 22 . and east of range 3 west, composed Mackinaw precinct; all west of range 2 west and south of the center of township 25, and north of township 22, composed Sand Prairie precinct; all west of range 2 west and north of the center of township 25 north, composed Ten Mile precinct.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
PLACES APPOINTED FOR HOLDING ELECTION.
Election was ordered to be held in Blooming Grove precinct at the house of John Benson, and William Orendorff, Henry Vamickle and Ebenezer Rhodes were appointed judges.
In Kickapoo precinct at Michael Dickeson's house, with George Hand, James Burleson and Isaac Funk, judges.
In Sugar Creek precinct at the house of a Mr. Walters, with John Judy, George Miles and Walker Miller, judges.
In Mackinaw precinct at. M. Mobley's house at the county-seat, with Robert McClure, Abraham Stout and Paton Mitchell, judges.
In Sand Prairie precinct at the house of Samuel Woodrow ; judges, Isaac Perkins, Nathan Dillon and William Eades.
In Ten Mile precinct at the house of Thomas Camlin. Austin Crocker, Jacob Funk and Hezekiah Davis were appointed judges.
For many years there was a constant change going on in regard to election precincts and road districts. At almost every meeting of the Court some alteration was made.
FIRST COURT-HOUSE.
Tuesday, June 26, 1827, H. Warren, editor of the Sangamon Spectator, brought in his bill for advertising the sale of lots at Mackinaw, which, for six insertions, and 100 blank notes, 100 blank bonds and 100 handbills, amounted to $16.62}. This the Court deemed just, and directed the Clerk to draw an order on the Treas- urer in favor of Mr. Warren for said amount.
On the same day the Court proceeded to let the contract for build- ing the court-house. The following specifications of this structure are spread upon the court records :
" The body of the house to be of hewn logs 24 feet long and 18 feet wide; the logs to face at least one foot; one story and a half high, nine feet to the story. The roof to be of joint shingles well nailed on ; two batten doors of black walnut plank, one inch thick, to be hung with three-inch butts. The doors to be well cased with good timber. Two twelve-light windows in the first story, and one four-light window in the end of the house in the second story. The window lights to be 8 by 10 inches ; the windows to be well cased, glass put in and put in the house. A lower floor of puncheons well hewed and jointed. A floor overhead of sawed plank one inch and one-quarter thick. Ten joists to be put in the house, 5 by 7 inches,
OF Shurtleff COUNTY CLERK.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
to be sawed or hewed. The house to be well chinked and daubed, and the corners sawed down. The gable ends to be weather-boarded with shaved boards. Each window to have a shutter made of one- inch plank, and the same to be hung with two and one-half inch butts. A chimney place to be sawed out at one end of the house, say the four lower logs seven feet wide. The whole to be completed in a workmanlike manner on or before the first day of October next."
The bid for the construction of this building was "cried off to Amasa Stout," he being the lowest bidder and agreeing to erect the house for $125. Evidently the contract was let in the manner of the present mode of selling goods at auction, save it was "knocked down" to the lowest instead of highest bidder.
This court-house was rather an imposing structure for the time, being a story and a half in height, with glass windows. True, the architecture was not of ancient grandeur or elegance, nor of our more modern style ; but we doubt not, when the building was com- pleted, it was looked upon with as much pride as the people of to-day view the showy structures built after the latest and most improved plan. The site selected was lot 1 of block 11.
HOSPITABLE COMMISSIONERS.
George Hittle, one of the Commissioners, was allowed $1.50 for helping lay off the town of Mackinaw. He was also allowed $1.25 for money expended for whisky on the day of the sale of lots,-thus evincing that the Commissioners were liberal and hospitable. They would not invite the settlers to a wild, uninhabited place to attend the sale without providing refreshments. John Benson, County Treasurer, was given $24.50 for taking a list of the taxable property and assessing the taxes for 1827.
FIRST GRAND JURY.
The following are the names of the gentlemen composing the first grand jury. They were appointed in June, 1827, to serve at the October term of the Circuit Court :
William Orendorff, John H. Rhodes, William Walker, Sandy Hurst, Peter Mccullough, William Gilston, Thomas Rutledge, George Hand, Robert Guthrie, William Johnson, Robert Stubble- field, John Judy, Walker Miller, Mathew Robb, Ephraim Stout, Nathan Dillon, James B. Thomas, Thornton Dillon, James Scott, Seth Williams, Jacob Funk, William Holland, and Horace Crocker.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
CHANGE OF TREASURER.
William H. Hodge returned into court, during the month of August, 1827, the amount of taxes he had succeeded in collecting, which was $100.67. He was allowed for his services seven and one- half per cent. of this sum. Thus we see the compensation for riding over what is now five or six counties, and collecting the yearly tax, was but a little over $7.50.
At the March term, 1828, the County Treasurer came into court and settled his account with the county, handing over to the Com- missioners county orders to the amount of $4.81}, and $15.00 in money collected on fines. Mr. Benson then retired from the arduous duties of a public official to the humbler sphere of private life.
Another Treasurer must be selected, and a very singular method was adopted for choosing Benson's successor. The office was let to the lowest bidder. The man who would agree to accept the position for the least amount was the one selected. The record puts it in the following terse language : "The Commissioners proceeded to let out to the lowest bidder the office of County Treasurer for the present year, 1828, which was purchased by Isaac Waters at $21.87}." There was evidently close figuring for the office, caused, perhaps, by competition, for we see that Waters even divided a cent on his bid. What remarkable changes half a century has wrought in the manner of choosing public officials as well as in every thing else.
FUNK VS. BOGARDUS.
At this meeting Jacob Funk petitioned the Court to revoke the ferry license of John L. Bogardus for non-attendance to his duties. It appears that the fault-finding Jacob looked with covetous eyes upon Bogardus, and by pure selfishness was prompted to thus peti- tion the Court. Bogardus was contentedly ferrying the people with their goods and chattels across the Illinois opposite Peoria, while Funk sat upon the bank and sought to find fault that would rob Bogardus of that right, which he would then himself seize. After summoning Bogardus before the Court and a careful investigation of the charges the petition was refused. Unable to gain his point in this way Funk applied for a license at or near the same point where Bogardus was engaged, but the Court desired no competition and so refused the application.
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