History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 34

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704


USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 34
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 34


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jah and Gillum. The three brothers had their families along also, as they intended to make a permanent settlement in the town- ship. This they did, and all lived and died here, leaving many descendants who yet re- side in the surrounding country.


Another story we will here record as illus- trative of the "kind" feelings which the early settlers and the red men entertained for each other. During the timo of the war above spoken of, a son of Capt. Boltinghouse, a resident of the township also, was killed, supposedly by the Indians. Some time sub- sequently, the Captain, Isaac and Gillum Harris, and a man by the name of King, were out on a hunt, and while perambulat- ing around, accidentally came across the horse belonging to the murdered son of the Captain. The latter at once interrogatod the Indian who had charge of the animal with reference to his son's death, whereupon the red fiend stutteringly replied that the son had been killed in war; that it was right to kill in time of war. ete., and went on further to describe with barbarous delight how the son, with uplifted hands, had vainly begged and implored the savage to spare his life, etc. This was too much for Capt. Bolting- house, who was a sensitive, as well as a very resolute and determined man, and he imme- diately declared war, and advised the Indian to consider the present the time of such, but tho Jatter had hardly time to think over the matter, for he was dispatched on the spot at once. About the same time, the two Harrises and King bagged an Indian each out of four " braves," who, with three squaws, made up the camp, which had in the meantime been discovered in the immediate vicinity. The fifth savage started up an adjacent hill on a run, but found it inconvenient to carry a dog along with him, who, being desirous of ren- dering material assistance to his white mas-


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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


ter, had formed a close acquaintance with the calf of the Indian's leg. The savage man- aged, however, by sheer strength to shake the enterprising canine off, but not in time to escape several deadly bullets, which were fired by determined hands. Serious attention was afterward devoted to the squaws, and they were also sent to accompany their "brave" companions to their last resting place. The white party turned back triumphantly, taking along with them the horse belonging to the butchered son of Capt. Boltinghouse, and another which the Indians had, and this was known for many years as the " stray filly."


About the same time as Harris' second coming into Leech Township, there arrived old Cadwalder Jones, who was the father of John Jones, familiarly known as "Jacky" Jones, and who is yet living in Arrington Township, this county. The latter was born August 30, 1816, and was the first white child born in Leech Township, and also in Wayne County. Among other of the ear- liest settlers was Aquilla McCracken, who came with a large family from Georgia. His son-in-law, Pulliam Higginbottom, came also, and Harmon Horn. Charles Rollin and Richard Bircks came from North Carolina, and about the same time came Reuben, Hiram and Levi Shores from Alabama. John Burch came early from Ohio, as did also William Batson, from the same State. A man by the name of Johnson was an early settler here, and Benjamin Phillpot also; the latter came from Virginia. Ephraim, George and William Meritt and their father were among the earliest to locate within the pres- ent limits of Leech. They came from South Carolina. George is still living near where he first located. John Moffitt arrived in the country in the year 1818, but he located just across the line in Barnhill Township. Richard Locke and a man by the name of


Butler were also early settlers, and they erected at an early date a horse mill on Pond Creek, a branch of the Little Wabash. There is now no trace of the mill visible. The township settled up gradually in after years, and shows a present population of about 1,500.


Gen. Samuel Leech put up in an early day a water mill, with a saw mill in connection. For many years this mill, which was known as Leech's Mills, did the grist and saw work for the country for miles around. Trips, which would consume several days, were often made to this mill, from points twenty and thirty miles away in all directions. No trace of this mill remains at the present day. Just below its site, on the Little Wabash, John Pulleyblank and A. E. Scott erected a water mill about 1867. Something to eat was of course the first thing to claim the attention of the pioneer, and soon after their advent into a new country some kind of an arrangement by means of which their corn could be converted into meal was put into operation. The primitive stump mill, or the mortar and pestle, was succeeded by the horse mill, and that by the water mill, which in turn has made way for the subsequent im- provements in milling machinery.


Noticeable among the many substantial improvements made in Leech Township is that of the building of the iron bridge across the Little Wabash, on Section 21, Township 2 south, Range 9 east. Provious to the erection of this structure, great difficulty was ofttimes experienced in crossing the river, the course of which divides the township into two divisions, and the settlements on either side were quite distinct from each other. The bridge was built by contract for the county in 1865, at a total expense of about $4,000 and 12,000 acres of swamp land.


The little village of Scottsville, which con-


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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


sists of but a few houses and business places, is pleasantly located in the south part of Section 23, Township 2 south, Range 9 east. Robert Monroe laid it out partially, but no actual survey and plat has ever been record- ed. Wabash Post Office has been at this point for several years, but it was finally moved to Scott, or Scott Station, a little town of tender age, situated on the "Air Line" Rail- road. and on the south part of the south half of the southeast quarter of Section 11, Town- ship 2 south, Range 9 east, on land belong- ing to J. R. Parks and Frances W. Fawkes. The land was surveyed and platted by James W. Hilliard, Deputy County Surveyor, Oeto- ber 9, 1882, and was recorded by him three days later. Scott has a good location, and with proper care promises to grow in size and prosperity.


The religious history of Leech Township is much the same as elsewhere in the county. The early pioneers, amid all their trials and hardships, and the severity of their sur- rounding conditions, stood in great need of the consoling influence of Gospel truths, and the meetings at some little log cabin home of a neighbor were comparatively largely attended by people living miles away in every direction, who were anxious to hear the blessed words of the preacher, whose large circuit seldom permitted him to visit a vicinity more often than once or twice a year. In another portion of this work will be found sketches of the lives and doings of the early disciples of Christ, and we will not here repeat. William Keith was one of the earliest preachers of this section, though his meetings were held mostly in Edwards County. For many years religious meetings were held in the neighboring houses and the early school buildings, and it was some time before any building, to be used exclusively


for church purposes, was erected. The Mis- sionary Baptists built a substantial structure on Section 17, Town 3 south, Range 9 east, und this for years has been the principal church in the township. It is still strong in num- bers, and is healthy and prosperous in condi- tion. The Methodists built a church build- ing on Section 24, a little northeast of Scotts- ville, and this is used we believe for the ben- efit of general gatherings.


Educational matters have received in Leech the attention they unquestionably de- serve. A comparison of the little log cabin structures of the early times with the more substantial, commodious and pleasant school buildings of the present day, bespeaks great credit to the citizens of Leech, and of the material manner in which they regard the school question About 1823, a school was taught in Edwards County, by a man by the name of MeCowen, and this was attended some by the children of some of the early settlers in Leech Township. John Jones taught the first school in the township. The little log house was situated on Section 36, Town 2 sonth, Range 9 east, and Jones was the teacher for the first six months of school. He was succeeded by James Harrison, who was followed by Reuben Ewing, both of whom taught in the same house. In after years, school buildings were erected to keep pace with the increasing population, and the following statistics compiled from the County Superintendent's report will show the pres- ent status of the schools of this township. They are for the year July 1, 1882, to June 30, 1883: Number of school buildings, 10; number of pupils enrolled, 322; teachers em- ployed, 11. Average pay of same-males, $35; females, $25. Estimated value of school property, $4, 150.


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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


CHAPTER XXVIII .*


HICKORY HILL TOWNSHIP-TOPOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARIES-FIRST SETTLERS-WHO THEY WERE-FIRST BIRTH-FIRST FARMING-FIRST ROADS, ETC., ETC.


These brave men's bones are lying Where they perished in their gore; Their bones were left to whiten,


On the spot where they were slain; And were ye now to seek them,


They would be sought in vain .- The Pioneer.


A BOUT fifty years ago, the first settle- ment was made in Hickory Hill Town- ship. But with ns time is tested not by periods but by eras. Of how much value is one year in America, where life is so intense. We live as much in a day as the old Romans did in a month. Here, great, thronging events so crowd and jostle each other, and rapid de- velopment is such a very marvel, that the wild dreams of yesterday become the sober reality of to-day. Volumes of history are being made every hour, and to write of things that are past for the generations who are to follow makes one pause.


Hickory Hill Township is bounded on the north by Brush Creek Township; on the east by Arrington Township; on the south by Four Mile Township; and on the west by Jefferson County. It comprises forty-two sections. The name Hickory Hill originated from a hill by that name located in the north- west part of the township, and now part of the farm owned by William Irvin. In an early day this hill was covered with a heavy growth of hickory timber. To the south and east of this hill was a prairie, about three miles long and two wide, and this was also called Hickory Hill Prairie; so that the township now bears the name of the highest


hill and largest prairie within its boundaries. Besides the prairie above referred to, there were originally two other smaller prairies in the township; one, Locust Prairie, was in the northwest part of the county, and was about half a mile square. Another still smaller one was in the southwest part of the township. It has been noticed that of late years, where the prairie land has not been kept in perfect cultivation, that a thick growth of timber is being formed. Besides these three prairies, the township was orig- inally covered with timber. Considerable water oak, pin oak, white oak, sweet gum and maple are found, together with some sycamore and elm. About half of the town- ship is at present in cultivation. Probably a fourth of the latter is devoted to pasture and grazing, the remainder being confined about equally to corn and wheat growing. Of the timbered land, most of it is in the eastern part of the township, along the banks of Skillet Fork. At one time, the timber was of a very heavy growth in this bottom land, but of late all the best trees have been cut away, until now but little if any remains.


There are three creeks in the township. Of these the largest is Skillet Fork, which enters the township from the north, in the northeast quarter of Section 5. It flows through the township in a general south- eastern course, and leaves the township in Section 2. Although generally a quiet, in- significant stream, it sometimes overflows its banks, and covers the bottom land for a mile


*By l'. S. Tyler.


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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


each side of the creek. In Section 3, Brush Creek empties into Skillet Fork. This creek has its head in Brush Creek Township, of this county, and flows in a southwesterly course until its conjunction with Skillet Fork. Flowing through the southern part of the township is Horse Creek. It enters the township from Jeffer- son County in Section 31, going south into Section 6, and then continues in an easterly course until it leaves the township in Sec- tion 3. About a half mile south of the town- ship line, Horse Creek empties into Skillet Fork. The first bridge in the township was probably built about 1850. It was across Skillet Fork on the old Xenia & Fairfield road. Since that time that bridge has given way to another, that in turn to another, and in the spring of 1883 a new structure was erected. In an early day there was also a bridge built across Skillet Fork, where the Fairfield & Xenia road crosses it. That also rotted away. Two others were afterward built, but they, too, have been carried away, until now there is no bridge at this point at all. About 1870, there was a bridge erected across this creek on the Fairfield & Mount Vernon road, at what is known as Roek Bluff.


Owing to the great abundance of timber land in this township in an early day, there was consequently an abundance of game, and accordingly the first settlers in the con- fines of what is now Hickory Hill Township were hunters and trappers. Probably the first settler was an old hunter by the name of James Nees. He came in an early day and settled on the banks of Horse Creck. He built a cabin on a little rising knoll, but left the county some time before 1830. In that year some later settlers discovered the empty cubin, and it was supposed that its lonely occupant had gone West. About 1830,


several families immigrated to this township. About the first to come was Samuel Carter, accompanied by histwo step-sons, Josiah and Elijah Blanchard. They were from Gray- son County, Ky., and pre-empted land in Section 21. Carter died here and afterward the Blanchards emigrated West. Elijah died in Arkansas. Josiah, however, is now liv- ing in Colorado. William Ellis was another settler that came that year. He settled in Section 7, and there resided until his death in the summer of 1883. He raised a large family of children, ten of whom, five sons and five daughters are now living. Mr. El- lis, the present member of the County Board, in this county, is from this family. The Gregorys were another large family that came to this township. There were five brothers of them-Jacob, Daniel, Benjamin, Joseph and Absalom. They settled in the extreme southwest part of the township- three of them on this side of Horse Creek, and the two others finally settled across the line in Jefferson County. All are now dead, but there is a numerous family of their de- scendants in the western part of the town- ship. Elijah Harris had settled in the northern part of the county some years prior to this, but in 1830 he removed into the township. After a few years' residence there, he went West, where he died. The year after, Ashford Keen came to this township from Sumner County, Tenn., and settled near the present site of Keenville P. O., on land now owned by John Webber. There he died in 1835; his two sons, John Keen, Sr., and James Koen, are still living and are now among the oldest pioneers in the county. William, the third son, had come to Marion County. Ill., from Tennessee, in 1829, but in 1831 came to this county and settled in this township, where he resided until his death on December 7, 1881. His children, 16


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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


three sons and four daughters, are all living in the county. Soon after the arrival of the Keen family. a family by the name of Gra- ham came to this county, but they first set- tled in the edge of Arrington Prairie. This consisted the mother and a large family of sons. The mother died in Arrington Town- ship. but Josiah Graham came to this town- ship in 1$30, and first settled in Section 20. He afterward removed onto Section 13, and there lived until he died.


The first child born in this township was William Ellis, a son of William Ellis, al- ready referred to. He was born either in 1831 or 1532. The first death of which any record has been kept was that of Mrs. Rebecca Carter. wife of Samnel Carter, another of the early pioneer settlers. She died in 1537, and was buried in the first burying ground in the county. It was a small piece of ground, and was surrounded by ten oak posts. From that it gained its name, and was known for a long time as " The Ten Post Oaks." It is said that this Mrs. Carter was an own sister of the famous Hartz brothers, of Kentucky, who in an early day were companions of Daniel Boone.


The first marriage was that of a young man by the name of Edward Millner to Miss Rebecca Carter, a daughter of Mrs. Carter. already mentioned. The twain lived in this county for a few years, and then went West.


Early Incidents. - As we remarked above, the great growth of timber in the township furnished secure hiding places for all kinds of game. The numerous fur-bearing ani- mals that were so much sought after in those days were especially abundant. The first settlers that came found the game to be nn- limited, and spread the news. The first comers only proved forerunners to many, many more trappers that soon flocked to this township. It was not long before several


Eastern fur companies had agents in this part of the county. Among the most noteworthy and most prominent of these fur agents and trappers was John Keen, Sr .. now an old and retired farmer, but in those days one of the most daring of the many brave and courageous men. The company of whom he was the representative gave him unlimited sway over several counties in this part of the State. About two-thirds of the time he was on the road. and no matter what kind of weather it was, or how high the streams were, he never stopped in his travels. So fearless, indeed, was he, that he soon gained a name for himself far and wide. He was a famous swimmer. and both summer and winter he was in the habit of swimming fearlessly the largest and most langerons streams along his ronte. In fact. he performed so many perilons feats that he was given the sobri- quet of "Sumter" Keen, and this title has clung to him ever since.


So plentiful did the game continue to be that for a number of years no attention was paid to anything else besides hunting and trapping, and it was not until about 1540 that the first ground was broken, and then only corn was planted. Not until about 1850 did the settlers finally turn from the pur- suit of the deer, bear and other animals and give their attention to the tilling of the soil. The large trees in an early day also formed a home for the wild bees, and at one time al- most as much attention was paid to the gath- ering of the wild honey as to trapping and hunting. Indeed this honey was one of the principal articles of commodities among these early pioneers; and upon what was considered good bee days the woods would be filled with both men and women, who hunted both far and wide for this delicacy. So great. it is said. was the desire to gather this honey, by both great and small, that it


HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


is related of a good old preacher that in making an appointment upon one occasion he said. " Brethering and sistering-Provi- dence permitting. I will be with you one month from to-day providing it is not a good bee day."


The first road to be surveyed or made through this township was the old Salem & Fairfield road. As early as 1531. there was a blazed path through the timber. It entered the township at Secticz 15. and crossed Skillet Fork, in Section 10. where a bridge was afterward built. Extending in a northwesterly course. it left the township at Section 6. As early as 1585 there was also a road extending from McLeansboro to Salem: it crossed the township from south- east to northwest It ran by way of the old town of Keenville, and over it a mail and stage line was run as early as 1550. The first road from Fairdeld to Mt. Vernon originally ran about a half mile south cf Hickory Hill Township. through Four Mile Township. As early as 1500. a new road was surveyed through this township, and the latter road is now the main Fairfield & Mr. Verson road. It enters the township on the section line between the Sections 24 and 25, crossing Skillet Fork in the western part cf Section 26. where a new bridge has lately been built I: leaves the township on the section line between Sections 30 and 31. crossing the township almost due eas: and west.


The early pioneers had to e: to an old mill that used to stand south :: Fairdeld and as it was about twenty-one miles from Keenville to the mill. sometimes two wh. le days were consumed in going and coming and in grind- ing perhaps a single bash.i .: como. S:me time between 1540 and 1:50. a man by the name of Samuel Haney built and ran the Erst horse mil ever used :r. Hick ... H.l


Township. It was located about a mile and a half southwest of Keenville. A few years after that a man by the name of Stephen Corz- stubble built a mill about a mile and a Zali north of Keenville. on the old Keenville & Xenia road This structure mood for a zum- ber of years. but finally romed away. In the extreme north part of the township. a may by the name of Isaac Garrison. in an early day. ran both a comon gin and a horse mill. As early as 1545, there was an old water-power saw mill in Section 11. on the bank of Skil- let Fork. This in ram, in 1550. gare place to a steam mill that was fret ram by Ayers & Wickersham. These men sold their interest in the mill to Keez & Williams. Williams afterward retired, and the =ill was ran by John Keen for a number of years.


As early as 1545. John Keez. Sr. opened a store on his land in Secticz 26. Besides selling goods. he bought a good many furs. and in that day and for years afterward as there was a great deal of Tobacco raised in this township. Mr. Keen purchased a.l the tobacco in that part of the country. For a number of years. he sold at immerse amouzi of goods, and Lad the conti trade for miles around. In 1550. he conceived the idea of forming a town at this point and laid out a plat of ground io which he gave the name :i Keenville A day of sale was apprinted in which the dots were id be bid off and a =mm- ber of them were Smally bonghi Bai wing io some reason or ciber the deeds were never signed. and the project Smally fell through. Howerer. in ibst same year Le Lad a post ofice established at that point ic which ite name of Keenville Post Office was a.vez. He was appointed Postmaster. and held the Sce until 1668. In that year. he sold out his store is a Mr. Williams. who was alec appointed Postmaster. This store was e D- :inned at this point until 1550 or losl wLer


280


HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.


Mr. Williams took his stock of goods to ' building of about the same size and abont Keen's Station, in Four Mile Township. Al- the same cost was erected on land donated by Albert Gregory. The enrollment of that school is about the same as the other. Be- sides these two schools, there are two others -one near the eastern edge of the township, and another near the north line of the town- ship, close to Brush Creek. though the town was never laid out, the neighborhood in the vicinity of Mr. Keen's residence still bears the name of Keenville. In 1881, the post office was, however, moved a mile south of the old location, where Mr. A. F. Atteberry is now running a store. The mail is now brought by carrier twice a week from Xenia via Keenville, to Keen's Station. Besides the store of Mr. Atteberry, there is one in the southeast part of the township, near the conjunction of Horse Creek with Skillet Fork, near the Fairfield & Mt. Vernon road. Business has been carried on there since 1880 by a James Crask.


Schools .- In a very early day there were a few subscription schools held at some of the farmhouses in the township. But the first schoolhouse was built as early as 1845, in Section 29. It was of hewn logs, with puncheon floors, and was erected by the peo- ple of the neighborhood on land donated by Harvey Braddy. It was eighteen feet wide by twenty feet long, and was built by plans furnished by J. B. Bozarth. School was held in this building every season until 1879, when the building finally burned. Among the persons who taught there were Asa F. Atteberry, A. K. Atteberry and T. M. Atte- berry. A short time before the building burned it was decided to divide the district, as the school was becoming large. In con- sequence, after the fire it was decided to erect two buildings. Accordingly, one building was erected in Section 28, on land donated by Stout Atteberry. It was a frame build- ing, 24x36, and cost when completed about $650. At present the enrollment of the dis- triet is about sixty, with a general attendence of about forty. At the same time another




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