USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 20
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One card in particular is of interest. It is that of the Henderson, which is shown at the levee in Bellevue, with a company of soldiers drawn up on deek ready to leave for the front in 1861.
And the raft boats will soon be a memory. Only three on the river in 1908. They are the North Star, the Lizzie Gardner and the Hershey. Last year there were five boats going over the LeClaire rapids. Ten or twelve years ago there were over sixty raft boats on the upper river and at one time the number in commission was over ninety. The white pine industry for this seetion has faded and the fleet of raft boats with the hundreds of pilots have gone never to return to these waters.
THE ARTESIAN WELL.
The present well was begun in December, 1890, and completed in six weeks. The contraet called for $2.15 a foot, the well to be drilled to the depth of 1,200 feet and $200 additional for a guaranteed flow of twenty-six pounds pressure. The provisions at that time were that the well should be eight inehes in diameter and eased down to solid roek. The flow pipe, which is six inches in diameter, was carried down 235 feet and seeurely ealked. A flow was obtained at a depth of 480 feet.
The well was drilled to a depth of 1,214 feet and when completed and accepted it had a flow of 300 gallons a minute and had sufficient foree to raise water to the height of nearly sixty feet. As an increased supply is needed, at a late meeting of the city eouneil, it was voted to enter into a eon- tract with J. D. Shaw, of Clinton for a ten-ineh well with an eight-inch flow pipe to the depth of 1,200 feet for $2.25 a foot and if the flow pipe was ear- ried below a depth of 225 feet he was to receive $1.40 a foot for additional depth.
This committee also reported the bid of the Smedley Steam Pump com- pany of Dubuque for a steam pump, $675, be accepted. This report was received and it was voted to purchase the pump.
A special election will be called to vote upon a proposition to bond the eity so as to raise money to pay for a well and pump and for extensive addi- tions to the pumphouse.
According to Mr. Shaw's bid the well will eost the eity at least $2,700.
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Fulton has the facilities afforded by three great railroads: Chicago and Northwestern, which crosses the Mississippi at Clinton, six miles below, the Milwaukee and St. Paul, striking the river at Savanna above and running to Rock Island, and the Burlington, which, with its numerous branches connect in every direction. The Burlington station is on the river bank, the Mil- waukee at its intersection with the Northwestern in the extreme east of the city, and the Northwestern not far from the lower section of the city. All through trains on the Northwestern do not stop, and it is necessary to board them at Clinton.
THE CHURCHES.
Time has dealt severely with some of the societies that had once a fair membership. The old families have died out, and no others were ready to take their places. Christ Episcopal church, started in 1869 by Orrin Cowles, Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Griswold, W. H. Pratt, A. J. Webster, F. L. Norton, E. Wyatt, Mrs. Sayre, continued but a few years when it was given up.
The Baptist church was organized in 1855 with Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Starkweather, A. McFadden, J. Peterson, Mrs. Meeker, James and Maria Booth, Mrs. Webb. A brick church was started in 1856, and worship was held in the basement. As the people were in debt, Rev. A. A. Sawin was invited to fill the pulpit and also to solicit funds to complete the building. His labors were successful, and in 1860 Dr. Evarts of Chicago assisted in the dedication. Among the ministers were Storrs, Roney, Burnham, Evarts. But the membership, always feeble, gradually declined, and ceased to have pastoral supply. The edifice, the result of so much struggle and devotion, is now the headquarters of the Mystic Workers.
The early history of the Presbyterian church is united with that of the Congregational, as members of both societies were in the same organization. The First Congregational church was organized in 1854 with Mr. and Mrs. D. Reed, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Bradstreet Robinson, Mrs. Sayre, Mrs. Woodward, and Mrs. Bassett. In 1856 Rev. Josiah Leonard became pastor, continuing twelve years. The church was erected during his ministry at a cost of $6,000. In June, 1862, the society adopted the title of the Second Presbyterian church at Fulton. The First had been organized in 1856 by Rev. W. C. Mason, with a membership of thirteen. Mr. and Mrs. D. Miller, Mrs. McCoy, Mrs. Sayre, Mrs. Curtiss, and others. Their church was dedicated in 1864, and cost $16,000. In 1868, these two churches were united. It was then that Rev. A. Keigwin of the First, and Rev. Josiah Leonard of the Second, withdrew from their charges, and assisted in the organization of the Presbyterian church of Fulton, and in 1868 voted to occupy the edifice of the First Presbyterian, the building owned by the Sec- ond, having been sold to the Methodist. Additions to the structure were made in the form of a bell tower and spire. The last minister to occupy the pulpit was Rev. Cary F. Moore, who after a ministry of several years, resigned to accept a call in Kentucky. The oldest member associated with the society is W. P. Culbertson, born in 1819, who came to Fulton in 1855. A venerable gentleman with faculties in good preservation, and who enjoys his daily
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promenade on the streets. The present membership of the church is 181, with 90 in the Sunday school. The ladies have a missionary society and a thimble society.
At a congregation meeting of the Presbyterian society of Fulton, held in the church auditorium Thursday, April, 1908, Rev. W. C. Crofts of Mor- rison presided as moderator. By a unanimous vote a call was extended to A. R. Zeimer, of the McCormick theological seminary of Chicago, to accept the pastorate of the Fulton Presbyterian church. The trustees selected were Oscar Summers, J. M. Fay, Jr., Samuel J. McCullaugh, Mrs. Nathaniel Green and Mrs. Almet Chapman.
The installation of Rev. A. H. Zeimer took place in May: The church was handsomely trimmed with flowers, and there was special music for the occasion and a solo by Mr. Townley.
The Rev. Smiley of Geneseo, the moderator of the Presbytery, presided; the Rev. McAuley of Lyons, Iowa, offered the opening prayer; Rev. C. G. Richards of Sterling read the Scriptural lesson; Rev. J. W. Stuart of Garden Plain delivered the sermon, followed by the ordination and installing service ; charge to the pastor by Rev. Crofts and to the congregation by Rev. Richards.
The sermon founded on Ephesians 3:5 was an eloquent plea for Chris- tianity and membership in the church and the need and effect of the church in the world. The charges to pastor and people were exceedingly timely.
The new pastor, Rev. A. H. Zeimer, a recent graduate of the McCormick Theological seminary, comes to the church, his first pastorate, under the most favorable circumstances. Of fine pulpit presence and address, in his few Sun- days here has pleased and attracted the church and congregation, and scems well fitted for his profession and to carry forward the work of the late pastor.
Before 1840 services were held in Fulton by the early circuit riders. School houses or log cabins furnished a meeting place. From 1842 to 1852, Union Grove circuit included all the Methodist appointments in the county. In 1856 the Fulton circuit was established with Rev. M. Hanna as resident pastor. He was followed by a long line of ministers, who remained two years or sometimes only one: Among them W. H. Smith, M. H. Plumb, Schoon- maker, David Bales, Davis, Griffin, Larash, Snyder. The new church was built under the pastorate of Rev. M. M. Bales, at a cost of nearly $6,000, and dedicated in fall of 1888 during ministry of Cass Davis. The parsonage by the church has been recently refitted by the ladies, and the whole property is now in excellent condition. The Sunday school has an enrollment of 140 with nine teachers. There are fifty members in the Epworth League, and 50 in the Junior. "Three societies managed by the women: Ladies' Aid, Dorcas Sewing Circle, Young Ladies' Guild, with fifteen in each of the first two, and thirty in the last. Also, a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. An enthusiastic choir of twenty men and women, sopranos, altos, tenors, bassos. The present pastor, Rev. Wilmer Jaggins, is in his first year, and new in Illinois, having spent 17 years of his ministry in the Wilmington Con- ference, embracing part of Maryland and Virginia.
A small frame church is occupied by the Christian society, one of the later organizations, but the membership although earnest, about fifty with a
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Sunday school of forty, is hardly able to support a regular pastor. The last was Rev. G. W. Hughes.
Fronting to the south, standing on a hill, is the brick church of the Immaculate Conception. The first building was erected in 1862, the present has 1906 on the corner stone. There are seventy or more members. The · parsonage is near. Father J. L. Maloney has been in charge for fourteen years. Originally from Ireland, but educated at the Jesuits College in Chicago. The largest church building in Fulton and the largest congregation is the Dutch Reformed. There are 300 members, six elders and six deacons. Sometimes a thousand present at the morning services. Preaching in Dutch, both morning and evening because the members prefer the tongue of the fatherland. About 300 members in both Christian Endeavors. William Wol- vius, the pastor, is much attached to his people, and as most live in the country, he devotes a part of each week to pastoral visitation. He was born in Hol- land, but educated in this country. The Dutch Reformed, it will be remem- bered, is Roosevelt's denomination. It is not strong, although dating from 1628 in United States, having only 600 ministers. A large parsonage.
Further south on the extreme edge of Fulton is a branch of the same denomination, calling themselves Christian Reformed. It is younger than the other, and one essential point of difference is opposition to secret orders. There are 83 families, with a Sunday school of 100. In the young people's societies are fifty, a Ladies' Aid of sixteen, and a catachetical class of eighty. Rev. E. J. Krohne is in his fifth ycar, educated in Michigan, and preaches in Dutch. A linguist, at home in English, German, and Dutch. These Hol- landers are generally farmers, a substantial class of citizens, too much inclined perhaps to keep up their native traditions in America, as is shown by their favor to Dutch in the pulpit.
FIRST NEWSPAPER IN WHITESIDE.
A. W. Bastian, editor of Fulton Journal, has kindly loaned the writer for examination a copy of the Whiteside Investigator. It is the second number, and bears date March 4, 1854. Published weekly in the second story of Phelps & McCoy's brick building, by Alfred McFadden. Terms, two dollars per annum. This copy shows the effect of age, and is yellow, creased and torn. On the first page is Burns' "Man Was Made to Mourn," and the bill of Senator Foot of Vermont for the construction of the Pacific railroad, occupy- ing four columns. The paper has four pages, six broad columns to a page. On the fourth page two columns of advertisements. Four men have bought lots at tax sale, and give notice that the time of redemption will expire June 14. The name is signed below each notice. Wm. J. Benjamin, James McCoy, John Phelps, H. C. Fellows. Merrill and Son are proprietors of the City Hotel. J. L. Briggs has a good assortment of furniture. James McCoy is attorney at law, solicitor in chancery, and notary public. The second page of the paper is editorial and miscellaneous. W. H. Knight has purchased a new steam ferry boat, to ply between Fulton and Lyons, beginning to run April 15. This is the shortest ferry on the river below St. Paul, being less than half a mile from bank to bank. On the third page, A. W. Benton, M. D.,
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keeps a full assortment of drugs and medicines, also a few pure liquors ex- pressly for medicinal use. This Dr. Benton was previously in Sterling. There is a corner for the markets. Flour $7.50 per barrel, wheat 90 cents, potatoes 25, beef 5 to 6 cents, pork 4, smoked hams 9, lard 10, butter 15, eggs 10, wood $3.00 per cord. A half column of foreign news, fifteen lines from the legis- lature speaking of a debate on the Rock Island ferry. Some advertisements from outside. W. C. and B. Snyder, Union Grove, have domestic and fancy dry goods, A. Fassett of Sterling, endless chain pumps. The weather was pleasant, ice moving off the river, and steamboats were expected to run in a few days.
THE MYSTIC WORKERS.
In an old church fitted with offices for the purpose are the headquarters of a secret order that has grown more rapidly than any other in the west. In Fulton alone there are over 600 members, and in the order 45,000 mem- bers in good standing. Doctor Clendenin owns the ancient church which survived its devotees, and has leased it to the association.
The Mystic Workers of the World, a fraternal benefit society with head- quarters at Fulton was organized temporarily by Dr. G. W. Clendenin and his associates in 1891, but owing to circumstances beyond their control, little was done in perfecting the organization until during 1895. Edmund Jackson having at this time become interested in the society, employed solicitors, set them at work and began the prosecution of the plans for securing a charter from the state. By February, 1896, a sufficient number of applicants had been secured for this purpose and on the 24th of that month, the charter was issued by the proper state authorities.
From this time on the growth of the society was prosperous and steady. Each year saw a material increase in membership and assets and during all the time since it received its charter it has been the proud and truthful boast of its managers that no person has ever come to its office with a just claim and proper proof and gone away without his money.
It has paid out in benefits to the first of January, 1908, the time of this article, $1,653,795.33 and is now paying benefits at the rate of over a thou- sand dollars each day.
By reason of its accident benefits it protects a member and his family during life and his family after death with the death benefit.
Benefit certificates are issued for five hundred, one thousand, and two thousand dollars, as applied for and approved by the Supreme Medical Exam- - iner. These certificates are issued on the accumulative plan, by means of which if a member dies during the first year of membership, sixty per cent is paid on his certificate; if death occurs during the second year, seventy per cent is paid and during the third year, cighty per cent. After the close of the third year no further deductions are made for this reason. All such deductions are placed in the surplus fund as are also all interest earnings and all amounts on hand in the benefit fund at the close of each calendar year after making provision for pending claims. This surplus fund now amounts to over two hundred thousand dollars and is increasing at the rate of over six thousand dollars per month.
·
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The society publishes a monthly fraternal paper with a present issue of fifty thousand copies with which the family of every member is supplied and in which is printed monthly statements of the financial and numerical con- dition of the society and such other details in relation to its business as may be of interest to the membership. Social, fraternal and news columns are also maintained that the paper may be a welcome visitor to every family and be interesting and instructive.
Both men and women are accepted on equal terms, at the same rates and enjoy equal privileges and benefits which is considered a great advance over the plans of similar societies which confine their membership to one sex.
OFFICERS OF THE CITY.
Mayor, W. H. Mitchell; Aldermen in first ward, Thomas Bennett and Henry Burt; second, M. W. Ingwersen and B. E. McElhiney; third, J. H. Allen and Peter Sparck. Attorney, C. C. McMahon. Treasurer, Peter Lor- ·enzen. Clerk, John Sanger.
Population is about 3,000.
THE PUBLIC SCIIOOLS. Learning by study must be won, Twas ne'er entailed from sire to son .- Gay.
The public school work of Fulton is done in two buildings. The northi building. It contains the high school assembly room and recitation rooms, of the city and much of the surrounding country. It adjoins a beautiful park, which makes a very suitable school ground. This building has recently been remodeled and now is as conveniently arranged as it is possible to make a building. It contains the high school assembly room and recitation rooms, the superintendent's office and six grade rooms. The south school has four grade rooms.
The teaching force are Harry B. Price, superintendent; Miss Clara M. Penstone, principal of the high school; Miss Fae Wharton, high school assist- ant; Miss Nellie Rennie, teacher of the eighth grade; Mr. G. Frank Townley, principal of the south school and teacher of the seventh grade; Miss Anna Long, sixth grade; Miss Amy Westbrook, fifth grade, Miss Nina Whecler, fourth grade; Miss Elfreda Kliensly, third grade; Miss Katherine Stichter and Mrs. Lizzie Heller, second grade; and Mrs. Ella M. Cowan and Miss Elnora Farley, first grade.
The high school course requires four years for completion, all the sub- jects of which are accredited by the University of Illinois, thus making it pos- sible for a graduate to enter any college in the University without examina- tion and unconditioned. The school is well equipped with apparatus and working library, and the pupils have access to the city library of 500 well chosen volumes. There have been approximately 200 graduated from the Fulton High School, all of whom have become useful men and women, occupy- ing responsible places. The present senior class are Irene Mathers, Zella Rathgeber, Joseph Ferry, Peter Starck, Roy Wythe and William Rice.
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During this year the school has condueted a course of literary and musi- cal entertainments which was of an excellent character. This course has been well patronized and has been highly appreciated, proving a means of gen- eral social and educational profit.
The Athletic Association supported during the fall a football team which won every game played. Both a boys' and a girls' basketball team played in the winter. At the beginning of the spring term, track work and baseball is being organized. The athletic games have proven a real benefit to the sehool by stimulating loyalty to the school and pride in its good standing.
In a recent visit, the superintendent of public instruction paid a high compliment to the neatness of the rooms by saying there is not a cleaner building in the state.
The board of education consists of J. M. Eaton, president; J. C. Snyder, secretary ; and Dr. L. Barber, Peter Lorenzen, Dr. W. H. Durkee, Frank Dana, and Dr. H. J. Hensinkweld.
The enrollment for 1907-1908 is 350.
For this article, both in its facts and preparation, the writer is indebted to Prof. Harry B. Price, superintendent, whose labors are highly appreciated by his pupils and by the entire community.
The present building dedicated in the summer of 1858, is of brick, and oceupies a commanding position on a plateau, in the central part of the town. It is three stories, and contains seven rooms with the usual halls and labora- tories. The total cost was $14,643. G. G. Alvord was the first principal, with numerous successors, the best known being George C. Loomis. The first school in Fulton was taught by James McCoy in 1840. Various persons taught independent schools. In 1847 the district was organized and called number one, and a stone building erected, then considered the finest school- house in the county.
The largest manufacturing industry in Fulton is the Chicago Stove & Range Company, operating in the old Mississippi Valley Stove Company building, a long three story structure south of the Northwestern railroad. A hundred men are employed. All elasses of stoves and ranges are made, and displayed in engraved catalogs which are issued for the trade. Their product is sent to Chicago for distribution, and the wares find sale as far west as Seattle.
The youngest industry is the Patent Novelty Company, which make small specialties in hardware for five and ten cent stores. The best seller is a tin dust pan with a broom handle so that the good wife can sweep up dust without bending her back. Thirty-six hands employed. Of these 3,000 are made a day.
CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK.
Sometimes an old settler disappears and his entire family scattered, so that nothing is left but a memory. However if you look into the Fulton Journal, you will find an advertisement of lime, coal and wood, and if you walk along the river, you will find in his office, J. C. Snyder, who has inherited much of the courteous bearing of his father, Dr. Wm. C. Snyder, who was one of Fulton's representative citizens for over forty years. Prominent in
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every public call, supervisor, drainage commissioner, postmaster during sev- eral presidential terms. An active and honorable politician. He came from New Jersey, and settled in Fulton in 1854.
THE WOODMAN IN ARMS. That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown, Are spread o'cr land and sea, And would'st thou hack it down ?- Morris.
New York had her Astor Place riot in 1849 when Forrest and Macready's friends met in mortal combat. Fulton, although a city of brotherly love, had her little scene of violence, in which no one was hurt, but which for awhile raised a tremendous excitement. Dr. C. A. Griswold, who was a wit- ness of the semi-tragedy, courteously furnishes the following graphic account:
The Modern Woodmen of America was founded by Hon. Joseph Cullen Root of Lyons, Iowa, the originator of Woodcraft.
The first camp, Pioneer Camp No. 1, was instituted in that city Jan. 5, 1883. The second camp, No. 2, was established in Fulton, Ill., on Feb. 10, 1883. Plans were soon arranged for obtaining a charter for the Order from the State of Illinois, and a formal certificate of association with application for a charter-the majority of the incorporators being citizens of Fulton -- was sent to the Secretary of State, Springfield, Illinois, April 29, 1884, and on May 5 the charter was issued and executed.
The Order thus cradled and nursed in Fulton with its head office and place of business located here for several years, was remarkably successful, rapidly increasing in membership and number of camps. From some errors in management or unfortunate circumstances creating a dissension in the Order, a change in the directors and head offices was affected, resulting in the formation of the "Woodmen of the World" by the founder. Under its new management, its success continued, gaining such a growth and stand- ing among the beneficiary orders as to excite larger cities to covet its location, and the plotting of its head officers and directors for its removal to some larger place with more ample means for gratifying their luxurious tastes and carly environment, and more modern hotel accommodations and gilded plates to dine off.
As schemes developed for removal much bitterness and ill feeling was ex- cited between the citizens and the Order, resulting in the "Woodman Fight," heralded far and wide by the public press, as far as the Order extended, giving Fulton "a name and local habitation." The case finally reached the courts in many legal battles-one of the causes celebres of Whiteside county with injunctions-upon Ossa-ad infinitum. To recount all the ludicrous semi- tragic scenes and incidents in the riotous proccedings for the stealthy removal of the office, the pranks of the small boys played upon the state officials con- nected with the office, the repulse of the assailants with the hose, the holding the train mob in durance vile till they were glad to escape, and the ordering of a company of the state militia to the scene of conflict only to find a Sabbath .
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quiet reigning in the city, and to be hospitably received and entertained, quietly returning to their camp with unfixed bayonets, smelling the battle from afar would be a humorous story, more fitting for reminiscence and the fireside than the page of classic history.
Though long and strenuously contested by the citizens at much expense and time, its removal was finally adjudged, and a peaceable transfer of the office and effects to Rock Island was effected, Sept. 30, 1897, where in gilded housing-the dream of its management-its success has placed it among the first of the beneficiary orders, though the fact remains its founding and growth was started and assured in Fulton. The echoes of its removal have ceased, and like the Blue and the Gray, the contestants have shaken hands across the bloody chasm. 1
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