USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 3
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 3
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Coal .- The only coal in the county that promises to be of any value for practical
mining, is the eighteen-inch seam north and northeast of Fairfield. This might be worked in a limited way either by stripping, or by an inclined tunnel near its outcrop. But the seam is too thin to furnish an ade- quate supply for the general market. The main coals of the lower measures may be reached in the southern portion of the county, at depths varying from 4 to 600 feet, and in the northern part from 5 to 800.
Iron Ore .- Bands of iron ore of good quality occur at several places in the shales of this county, and have been noted in the sections already given. They seem to be in sufficient quantity in several localities to eventually become of some economical value. In Great Britain, bands six to eight inches thick are said to be worked successfully, and we find many localities in the coal measures where from twelve to eighteen inches of good ore can be obtained, from a vertical thickness of five or six feet of shale. The shale con- taining the iron ore observed in this county, underlies a considerable area in the center and western portions, mainly in Ranges 6 and 7 east. At Mrs. Williams' place on the northwest quarter of Section 29 of Township 1 south, Range 7 east, iron ore of good quality seemed to be quite abundant, and also at several places, in the ravines near Mr. McDaniel's place, not far from the north line of the county. Prof. Cox also notes an outcrop of clay iron ore in a grayish shale seven miles north of Fairfield, and also on Section 15, Town 1 north, Range 8 east.
Potters' Clay .- A good clay, suitable for pottery or fire-brick is found on Section 32, Township 1 south, Range 9 east, but at the outerop it was only one foot thick. Possibly it may be found at some other locality near by, where it is thick enough to be utilized for the manufacture of pottery or fire-brick.
Clay or Sand. - Materials for brick can be
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
obtained from the subsoils of the uplands, almost anywhere in the county, and from the abundant supply of wood for fuel, brick can be made in sufficient quantity to supply all future demands for this indispensable build- ing material.
Soil and Agriculture .- The soil in this county is mainly a dark ash-gray or chocolate: colored clay loam, less highly charged with organic matter or humus than the black prairie soil of Central Illinois, but yielding fair crops of corn, wheat, oats and grass, both clover and timothy, and with judicious treatment will retain its fertility without any expense for artificial fertilizers. The ridges afford excellent fruit farms.
Recent developments have taught the peo- ple of Wayne County that here is the home of the apple in all its varieties. The soil and temperature made it the favored spot in the great valley for the production of this valuable fruit. Either further north or fur- ther south than this, and the advantageous grounds are left for apple raising. The present season, 1883, has been marked in many parts of Illinois by a failure of much of the wheat and corn crops. It was too wet in the spring and too dry in the summer, but the apple crop in Wayne County has nearly compensated our people for the failure of corn and wheat.
CHAPTER II.
THE DARING DISCOVERIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE FRENCHI IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-SOME CORRECTIONS IN HISTORY-THE CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES-DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER-PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY-THE DOWNFALL OF QUEBEC-TIIE TERRITORY CEDED BY THE INDIANS-ILLINOIS SEPARATED FROM INDIANA-ETC., ETC.
" Naught telling how the victim died, Save faint tradition's faltering tongue."
T THE cradle of American history is the lower St. Lawrence River, and the great storehouse is the Mississippi Valley. And going back nearly four hundred years, it is one of the world's most wonderful tragedies, run- ning through nearly four centuries in duration. The thrilling story has been a grand epic of mankind, and while its recital thrills the stu- dent of those tremendous events with consum- ing interest, it may command the eager in- vestigation of the whole thinking world, because it is fraught with more mastering influences-forces that have shaped the desti- nies of mankind, and of civilization to a
greater extent, than has any other period in all the world's history.
The truths of history in reference to this spot upon the globe are only now being crit- ically examined; and the revelations they afford command a deep interest and a wide attention. For this empire of magnificent proportions (the Mississippi Valley), the lead- ing powers of the Old World contended for nearly three hundred years, and the savage Indian yet sharpens his scalping knife and lifts up in deadly revenge his tomahawk. The power of the Old World was the church, and it is a curious fact that these warlike nations that struggle for empire by the sword were guided and pointed the way to the
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
new and tempting continent-to the very heart of the homes of the most powerful and savage tribes of men that were here, by the missionaries of the Catholic Church, who carried nothing more formidable for attack or defense than their prayer books and rosa- ries, and the gentle and divine command of "Peace on earth and good will among men." The French Catholic missionaries were as loyal to their government as they were true to their God. They planted the lilies of France, and erected the cross of the mother church in the newly discovered countries, and chanted the solemn mass that soothed the savage breast, and smoke the calumet with wild men of the woods.
The settlement of the West and the first discoveries were made by the French, and it was long afterward the country passed into the permanent possession of the English ; the letter people wrote the histories, and tinged them from first to last with their prejudices, and thus promulgated inany serious errors of history. Time will always produce the icon- cclast who will dispassionately follow out the truth, regardless of how many fictions it may brush away in its course. Thus history is being continually ro-written, and the truth is ever making its approaches, and the glorious deeds of the noble sons of France are becoming manifested. as the views of our history are brought to light, particularly their occupancy of the valley of the Father of Waters.
As early as 1504, the French seamen from Brittany and Normandy visited the fisheries of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. These bold and daring men traversed the ocean, through the dangers of ice and storms, to pursue the occupation of fishery, an enter. prise which to-day has developed into one of gigantic magnitude.
France not long after this commissioned
James Cartier, a distinguished mariner, to explore America. In 1535, in pursuance of the order, they planted the cross on the shores of the New World, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, bearing a shield with the lilies of France. He was followed by other adventurous spirits, and among them the im- mortal Samuel Champlain, a man of great enterprises, who founded Quebec in 1608. Champlain ascended the Sorel River, ex- plored Lake Champlain, which bears his name to-day. He afterward penetrated the forest and found his grave on the bleak shores of Lake Huron. He was unsurpassed for bravery, indefatigable in industry, and was one of the leading spirits in explorations and discoveries in the New World.
In the van of the explorations on this con- tinent were found the courageous and pious Catholic missionaries, meeting dangers an death with a crucifix upon their breastsd breviary in hand, whilst chanting their, matins and vespers, along the shores of our majestic rivers, great lakes and unbroken forests. Their course was marked through the trackless wilderness by the carving of their emblems of faith upon the roadway, amidst perils and dangers, without food but pounded maize, sleeping in the woods with- out shelter, their couch being the ground and rock. Their beacon light, the cross, which was marked upon the oak of the forest in their pathway.
After these missionaries had selected their stations of worship, the French hunters, courriers de bois, voyagers and traders, opened their traffic with the savages. France, when convenient and expedient, erected a chain` of forts along the rivers and lakes, in defense of Christianity and commerce.
France, from 1608, acquired in this conti- nent a territory extensive enough to create a great empire, and was at that time untrod by
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
the foot of the white man, and inhabited by roving tribes of the red man. As early as 1615, we find Father LeCarron, a Catholic priest, in the forests of Canada. exploring the country for the purpose of converting the savages to the Christian religion. The following year he is seen on foot traversing the forests amongst the Mohawks, and reach- ing the rivers of the Ottewas. He was fol- lowed by other missionaries along the basin of the St. Lawrence and Kennebec Rivers, where some met their fate in frail barks, whilst others perished in the storms of a dreadful wilderness.
In 1635 we find Father Jean Brebeauf, Daniels and Gabriel Lallamand leaving Que- bee with a few Huron braves to explore Lake Huron, to establish chapels along its banks, from which sprung the villages of St. Joseph, St. Ignatius and St. Louis. To reach these places it was necessary to follow the Ottawas River through a dangerous and devions way to avoid the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Sonecas and Iroquois, forming a confederacy as the "Five Nations, " occapy- ing a territory then known as the New York colony, who were continually at war with the Hurons, a tribe of Indians inhabiting Lake Huron territory.
As early as 1639, three Sisters of Charity from France arrived at Quebec, dressed in plain black gowns with snowy white collars, whilst to their girdles hung the rosary. They proceeded to the chapel, led by the Governor of Canada, accompanied by braves and war- riors, to chant the Te Deum. These holy and pious women, moved by religious zeal, immediately established the Ursuline Con- vent for the education of girls. In addition to this, the King of France and nobility of Paris endowed a seminary in Quebec for the education of all classes of persons. A pub- lic hospital was built by the generous Duchess
of D'Arguilon, with the aid of Cardinal Richelieu. for the unfortunate emigrants, to the savages of all tribes and afflicted of all classes. A missionary station was established as early as 1641, at Montreal, under a rude tent, from which has grown the large city of to-day, with its magnificent cathedral and churches, its massive business houses and its commerce.
The tribes of Huron Lake and neighboring savages, in 1641, met on the banks of the Iroquois Bay to celebrate the "Festival of the Dead." The bones and ashes of the dead had been gathered in coffins of hark, whilst wrapped in magnificent furs, to be given an affectionate sepulcher. At this singular festival of the savages, the chiefs and braves of different tribes chanted their low, mournful songs, day and night, amidst the wails and groans of their women and children. During this festival appeared the pious missionaries, their cassocks with beads to their girdle, sympathizing with the red men in their devotion to the dead, whilst scattering their medals, pictures of our Savior and blessed and beautiful beads, which touched and won the hearts of the sons of the forest. What a beautiful spectacle to behold, over the grass of the fierce warriors. idolatry fading before the Son of God. Father Charles Raymbault and the indomit- able Isaac Joques in 1641 left Canada to ex- plore the country as far as Lake Superior. They reached the Falls of St. Mearay's and established a station at Sanlt de Ste. Marie, where were assembled many warriors and braves from the great West, to see and hear these two apostles of religion and to behold the cross of Christianity. These two mission- aries invoked them to worship the true God. The savages were struck with the emblem of the cross and its teachings, and exclaimed. " We embrace you as brothers; come and dwell in our cabins."
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
When Father Joques and his party were returning from the Falls of St. Mary's to Quebec, they were attacked by the Mohawks, who massacred the chief and his braves, who accompanied him, whilst they held Father Joques in captivity, showering upon him a great many indignities, compelling him to run the gantlet through their village. Father Brussini at the same time was beaten, mutilated, and made to walk barefooted through thorns and briers and then scourged by a whole village. However, by some miraculous way they were rescued by the generons Dutch of New York and both after- ward returned to France. Father Joques again returned to Quebec, and was sent as an envoy amongst the Five Nations. Con- trary to the savage laws of hospitality, he was ill-treated, and then killed as an en- chanter, his head hung upon the skirts of the village and his body thrown into the Mohawk River. Such was the fate of this courageous and pious man, leaving a monu- ment of martyrdom more enduring than the pyramids of Egypt.
The year 1645 is memorable, owing to a congress held by France and the " Five Na- tions " at the Three Rivers, in Canada. There the daring chiefs and warriors and the gal- lant officers of France met at the great coun- cil-fires. After the war-dance and numerous ceremonies, the hostile parties sinoked the calumet of peace. The Iroquois said : " Let the clouds be dispersed and the sun shine on all the land between us." The Mohawks ex- claimed: "We have thrown the hatchet so high into the air and beyond the skies that no man on earth can reach to bring it down. The French shall sleep on our softest blank- ets, by the warm fire, that shall be kept blaz- ing all night." Notwithstanding the eloquent and fervent language and appearance of peace. it was but of short duration. for soon
the cabin of the white man was in flames, and the foot-print of blood was seen along the St. Lawrence, and once more a bloody war broke out, which was disastrous to France, as the Five Nations returned to the allegiance of the English colonies.
The village of St. Joseph, near Huron Lake, on the 4th of July, 1648, whilst her warriors were absent, was sacked and its people murdered by the Mohawks. Father Daniel, who officiated there, whilst endeavor - ing to protect the children, women and old men was fatally wounded by numerous arrows and killed. Thus fell this martyr in the cause of religion and progress.
The next year the villages of St. Ignatius and St. Louis were attacked by the Iroquois. The village of St. Ignatius was destroyed and its inhabitants massacred. The village of St. Louis shared the same fate. At the latter place, Father Brebeanf and Lallemand were made prisoners, tied to a tree, stripped of their clothes, mutilated, burned with fagots and rosin bark, and then scalped. They per- ished in the name of France and Christianity.
Father de la Ribourde, who had been the companion of La Salle on the Griffin, and who officiated at Fort Creve Cœur, Ill., whilst re- turning to Lake Michigan, was lost in the wilderness. Afterward, it was learned he had been murdered in cold blood by three young warriors, who carried his prayer book and scalp as a trophy up north of Lake Su- perior, which afterward fell into the hands of the missionaries. Thus died this martyr of religion, after ten years' devotion in the cabins of the savages, whose head had become bleached with seventy winters. Such was also the fate of the illustrious Father Rine Mesnard, on his mission to the southern shore of Lake Superior, where in after years his cassock and breviary was kept as amulets among the Sioux. After these atrocities,
.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
these noble missionaries never retraced'their steps, and new troops pressed forward to take their places. They still continued te explore our vast country. The history of their labors, self-sacrifice and devotion is connected with the origin of every village or noted place in the North and great West.
France ordered, by Colbert, its great min- ister, that an invitation be given to all tribes West for a general congress. This remark- able council was held in May, 1671, at the Falls of St. Mary's. There were found the chiefs and braves of many nations of the West, decorated in their brightest feathers and furs, whilst the French officers glistened with their swords and golden epaulets. In their midst stood the undaunted missionaries from all parts of the country. In this re- markable congress rose a log cedar cross, and upon a staff the colors of France.
In this council, after many congratulations offered, and the war dance, the calumet was smoked and peace declared. France secures here the friendship of the tribes and domin- ion over the great West.
Marquette, while on his mission in the West, leaves Mackinac on the 13th of May, 1673, with his companion Joliet and five Frenchmen and two Indian guides, in two bark canoes freighted with maize and smoked ineat, to enter into Lake Michigan and Green Bay until they reached Fox River in Illinois, where stood on its bauks an Indian village occupied by the Kickapoos, Mascoutins and Miamis, where the noble Father Alloues offi- ciated. Marquette in this village preaches and announces to them his object of discover- ing the great river. They are appalled at the bold proposition. They say: "Those distant nations never spare the strangers; their mutual wars fill their borders with bands of warriors. The great river abounds in monsters which devour both men and
canoes. The excessive heat occasions deatlı."
From Fox River across the portage with the canoes they reach the Wisconsin River. There Marquette and Joliet separated with their guides, and in Marquette's language, " Leaving us alone in this unknown land in the hands of Providence," they float down the Wisconsin, whose banks are dotted with prairies and beautiful hills, whilst surrounded by wild animals and the buffalo. After seven days' navigation on this river, their hearts bound with gladness on beholding on the 17th day of June, 1673. the broad expanse of the great Father of Waters, and upon its bosom they float down. About sixty leagues below this, they visit an Indian village. Their reception from the savages was cordial. They said: "We are Illinois, that is, we are men. The whole village awaits thee; thou shalt enter in peace our cabins." After six days' rest on the couch of furs, and amidst abundance of game, these hospitable Illinois conduct them to their canoes, whilst the chief places around Marquette's neck the cal- umet of peace, being beautifully decorated with the feathers of birds.
Their canoe again ripples the bosom of the great river (Mississippi). When further down, they behold on the high bluffs and smooth rock above (now Alton) on the Illinois shore, the figures of two monsters painted in various colors, of frightful appearance, and the position appeared to be inaccessible to a painter. They soon reached the turbid waters of the Missouri, and thenco floated down to the mouth of the Ohio.
Farther down the river stands the village of Mitchigamea, being on the west side of the river. When approaching this place, its bloody warriors with their war cry embark in their canoes to attack them, but the calu- met, held aloft by Marquette, pacifies them. So they are treated with hospitality and es-
2
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
corted by them to the Arkansas River. They sojourn there a short time, when Marquette, before leaving this sunny land, celebrates the festival 'of the church. Marquette and Joliet then turn their canoe northward to retrace their way back until they reach the Illinois River, thence up that stream, along its flowery prairies. The Illinois braves con duct them back to Lake Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where they arrived in September, 1673.
Marquette for two years officiated along Lake Michigan; afterward visited Mackinaw; from thence he enters a small river in Michigan (that bears his name) when, after saying mass, he withdraws for a short time to the woods, where he is found dead. Thus died this illustrions explorer and re- markable priest, leaving a name unparalleled as a brave, good and virtuous Christian.
Robert Caralin La Salle, a native of Nor- mandy, an adventurer from France, arrived in Canada about 1670. Being ambitious to distinguish himself in making discoveries on this continent, he returned to France to solicit aid for that purpose. He was made chevalier, upon the condition that he would repair Fort Frontenac, located on Lake Ontario, and open commerce with the savages. In 1678, he again returned to France, when. in July, 1679, with Chevalier Tonti, his Lieutenant, with thirty men, he left Rochelle for Quebec and Fort Frontenac. Whilst at Quebec, an agree- ment was made by the Governor of Canada with La Salle to establish forts along the northern lakes. At this time he undertook with great activity to increase the commerce of the West, by building a bark of ten tons to float on Lake Ontario. Shortly afterward he built another vessel, known as the Griffin. above Niagara Falls, for Lake Erie, of sixty tons, being the first vessel seen on the North- ern lakes. The Griffin was launched and
made to float on Lake Erie. "On the prow of this ship armorial bearings were adorned by two griffins as supporters ;" upon her deck she carried two brass cannon for defense. On the 7th of Angust, 1679, she spread her sails on Lake Erie, whilst on her deck stood the brave naval commander La Salle, accom- panied by Fathers Hennepin, Ribonrde and Zenobi, surrounded by a crew of thirty voy- ageurs. Ou leaving, a salute was fired, whose echoes were heard to the astonishment of the savages, who named the Griffin the "Great Wooden Canoe." This ship pursued her course through Lakes Erie, St. Clair and Huron to Mackinaw, thence through that strait into Lake Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where she anchored in safety. The Griffin, after being laden with a cargo of peltries and furs, was ordered back by La Salle to the port from whence she sailed, but unfortunately on her return she was wrecked. La Salle during the absence of the Griffin determined, with fourteen men, to proceed to the month of the Miamis, now St. Joseph, where he built a fort, from which place he proceeded to Rock Fort in La Salle County, Ill. La Salle hearing of the disaster aud wreck of the Griffin, he builds a fort on the Illinois River called Creve Coeur (broken heart). This brave man, though weighed down by misfortune, did not despair. He concluded to return to Canada. but before leaving sends Father Hennepin, with Piscard, Du Gay and Michael Aka. to explore the sources of the Upper Mississippi. They leave Creve Cœur February 29, 1680. Hoat- ing down the Illinois River, reaching the Mississippi March S. 1680 : then explored this river up to the Falls of St. Anthony; from there they penetrated the forests, which brought them to the wigwams of the Sionx, who detained Father Hennepin and compan- ions for a short time in captivity: recoveri: g
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
their liberties, they returned to Lake Superior 'Salle here builds a fort; then undertakes by in November, 1680, thence to Quebee and land to discover the Balize. After many hardships he returns to his fort, and again attempts the same object, when he meets a tragical end, being murdered by the desper- ate Duhall, ono of his men. During the voyage of La Salle, Chevalier Tonti, his friend had gone down the Mississippi to its mouth to meet him. After a long search in vain for the fleet, he returned to Rock Fort on the Illinois. After the unfortunate death of La Salle, great disorder and misfortune occurred to his men in Texas. Some wan. dered among the savages, others were taken prisoners, others perisbed in the woods. However, seven bold and brave men of La Salle's force determined to return to Illinois, headed by Capt. Jontel and the noble Father Anatase. After six months of exploration through the forest and plain, they eross Red River, where they lose one of their comrades. They then moved toward the Arkansas River, where, to their great joy, they reached a French fort, upon which stood a large cross, where Couture and Delouny, two Frenchinen. had possession, to hold commu- nication with La Salle. This brave band, with the exception of young Berthelney, pro- coeded up the Mississippi to the Illinois forts; from thence to Canada. France. During the explorations of Father Hennepin, La Salle, with a courage unsur- passed, a constitution of iron, returns to Canada, a distance of 1,200 miles, his path- way being through snows, ice and savages along the lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario. Reaching Quebec, he finds his business in a disastrons condition, his vessels lost, his goods seized and his men scattered. Not being discouraged, however, he returns to his forts in Illinois, which he finds deserted; takes new conrage; goes to Mackinaw; finds his devoted friend Chevalier Tonti in 1681, and is found once more on the Illinois River to continue the explorations of the Missis- sippi, which had been explored by Father Marquette to the Arkansas River, and by Father Hennepin up to the Falls of St. An- thony. La Salle, from Fort Creve Coeur, on the Illinois River, with twenty-two French- men, amongst whom was Father Zenobi and Chevalier Tonti, with eighteen savages and two women and three children, float down until they reached the Mississippi on Feb- ruary 6, 1682. They descend this mighty river until they reach its mouth, April 6, 1682, where they are the "first to plant the cross and the banners of France. La Salle, with his companions, ascends the Mississippi and returns to his forts on the Illinois; re- turns again to Canada and France.
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