USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 31
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Hats off ! Along the street there comes, A blare of bugles, a rattle of drums, A flash of color bencath the sky, Hats off! The flag is passing by !
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On Tuesday, May 17, the regiment left Camp Tanner in Wagner sleep- ing cars, Company I by chance having the "Maine." The route was by the Wabash, the Baltimore and Ohio, through Virginia to Camp Russell A. Alger, eight miles southwest of Washington. It contained six hundred acres, bordered by timber with a small strcam coursing through the edge. Some complaint at first as rations were short, and the water bad, but this was soon remedied. The troops at Camp Alger werc designated as the Second Army Corps, and the Sixth Massachusetts, Eighth Ohio, and Sixth Illinois regi- ments formed the Second Brigade. Two events threw a gloom over the camp. Private Louis Bloodsoe of Company A from Rock Island died of typhoid fever the first night, was buried with military honors at Falls church, from which the body was afterwards removed to his home. On the follow- ing day word was received of the death of Lieutenant Cole, of Monmouth, assistant surgeon, who died at the hospital in Fort Wayne, of pneumonia con- tracted at Camp Tanner.
Duncan is in his grave! After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.
Mrs. Electa E. Smith, former postmistress of Sterling, now in the Treas- ury Department at Washington, who has given repeated instances of her sympathy with the soldiers, was a frequent visitor, and on the first Sunday in camp gave the boys of Company E a royal spread. So, too, came Sena- tors Cullom and Mason, of Illinois, and Representatives Hitt and Marsh, to see that the Illinois troops had every needful comfort.
Major Anthony gave the boys daily thirty minutes of instruction in regard to treating wounds before medical assistance could be secured. Roy Eshleman was granted a discharge on account of failing health, and returned to Sterling in June. As the government decided to fill every regiment to its maximum, officers were detailed to visit the home stations, and recruit each company to the number of one hundred and six. First Lieut. Dillon of Company E was appointed recruiting officer of the first battalion of the Sixth regiment, and Sergeant Osborne of Company I and private Bensinger of Company E were detailed to accompany him. They left Camp Alger for Illinois, June 7. The recruits werc secured at Sterling and Morrison, and Companies E and I had their full complement.
When the companies were increased to 106 men, new appointments of non-commissioned officers were necessary. Capt. Lawrie made the follow- ing promotions on June 23: Privates Deyoe, Reese Dillon, Triggs, Burk- hart, Bert Johnson, and Lineberry to be corporals; Clark, musician to supply place of Eshleman, discharged. Private Hess was appointed company artifi- cer, and Smith for duty at the regimental hospital. Sergeant Cushman was detailed to assist ordnance officer Eick as sergeant, and Corporal Dillon was assigned to duty in the quartermaster's department. In Company I the appointments were: Privates Burr, Hyatt, Berry, Everhart, Sherwood, and Snyder as corporals, and Willcox, lance corporal. Jenks was given spe- cial duty at post-headquaters, and Kingery was appointed acting veterinary surgeon of the Sixthi regiment, and placed in charge of the officers' horses.
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The old folks at home, at Lyndon, Albany, Prophetstown, Erie, Morri- son, Sterling, Rock Falls, showed their affection for the absent boys by fre- quent consignments of cake, pie and sweetmeats. The members of Company E, to show their appreciation of Mrs. Smith's kindness, presented her a sil- ver card receiver, which she gracefully acknowledged. On July 4, 1898, the members of Company I presented Captain Colebaugh and Lieutenant Law- ton each a gold-mounted sword, which elicited a cordial response. Mean- while our forces elsewhere on the map were driving Spain into the last ditch. Dewey on May 1st had demolished the Spanish fleet at Manila, giving us the Philippine archipelago in the Pacific, Shafter carried El Caney at San- tiago, Cuba, by assault July 1st, and on the morning of July 3rd, Commodore Schley knocked Admiral Cervera's ancient squadron into a sorry wreck. It was Perry of 1813 over again: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours !"
For the front at last. July 5th the Second Brigade received orders to prepare for departure, and the next morning, the Sixth Massachusetts and the Sixth Illinois boarded day coaches and box cars for Charleston, the band playing,
"The Girl I Left Behind Me."
July 8th, Companies E, I and F were transferred at Charleston to the Cruiser Columbia, and July 11 the steamer arrived at Santiago just after the bombard- ment had ceased. The remaining companies of the regiment with the band, Colonel and staff, came on the steamer Rita the following Friday.
Now came a great disappointment. The boys had looked forward to marching with the victorious troops into the Spanish city.
'Twas ever thus from childhood's hour, I've seen my fondest hopes decay.
They were tired of their cramped quarters on the boat, disgusted with their rations of hash and weak coffee, and longed to have the freedom of the shore. At noon, July 21, they steamed from Santiago, not having been permitted to land, with an effective force of about 3,300 infantry and artillery. Porto Rico was occupied by 8,233 Spanish regulars, and 9,107 volunteers, and San Juan on the northeast coast was their destination. At ten on the morning of July 25th, Company E landed at Guanica. The first American troops to land on Porto Rican soil were a company of marines who hoisted the stars and stripes.
It proved to be a peaceful occupation of the island, as the Spanish troops did not act on the offensive. The regiment had only one small skirmish with the enemy. Orders were given to proceed to Ponce, and on July 30tlı, Gen. Henry's division, of which the Sixth was a part, broke camp. It was a trying march. The roads were wretched from rain, the beef not fit to eat, the ground alive with centipedes, half-ripe bananas fried in grease a luxury, and their outfit so heavy that even ammunition and bayonets were thrown away. Eight days in Ponce with a population of 20,000 or more. Primitive style of life. Everything is toted on the head. No milk in bottles, but cows milked at
V
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the door of the customer. Clothes are taken to a stream, pounded on a flat stone, and spread on the grass to dry.
Gen. Miles' plan was to drive the Spanish troops to the center of the island, and hemming them in, force a surrender. In pursuance of this- scheme, our boys made several tiresome marches, to Arecibo, to Adjuntas, to Utnado, back to Ponce. They eventually looked the worse for wear. Some were barefoot, some had no trousers, all had beards, and all were half- starved. Even at Ponce, where tons upon tons of supplies were in store, the regular ration was hardtack and sowbelly. But the campaign was at an end, and orders were given to turn faces homeward.
No rumor of the foe's advance, Now swells upon the wind.
Clothing was issued that the boys might make a respectable appearance on their return, and on Sept. 7th they sailed on the Manitoba, an English trans- port, after, a stormy experience of six weeks on the island of Porto Rico.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 13, the vessel passed the statue of liberty in the harbor of New York, but the regiment did not go ashore till the next. day. Our Congressman George Prince was prompt to welcome the lads, and gave each captain ten dollars towards furnishing civilized food. Wed- nesday night they boarded the cars for Springfield, and on Friday night were in Camp Lincoln. On the Sunday following a committee of citizens from Sterling and Rock Falls invited Company E to attend a banquet at the Leland. How good the steaks, omelets, and coffee, prepared by delicate cookery, tasted to famished appetites after coarse army rations. Cigars and toasts were in order. C. L. Sheldon as toastmaster led a succession of speeches by Col. Foster, Chaplain Ferris, Captain Colebaugh, Major Anthony, Mayor Miller, Ex-Mayor Street, Lieutenants Dillon and Wahl, and Robert McNeill for Rock Falls. At one on the morning of Sept. 21, the train with the- returning soldiers left Springfield over the Burlington, and reached Sterling at ten, and Morrison a little later. . A magnificent welcome. Bells rang, whis- tles blew, crowds lined the streets, a day of jubilee. It was a Roman triumph without barbaric spoils.
Home, home, sweet home! There's no place like home!
Four sick privates of Company E were left in hospital at Porto Rico: Fred Sneed, Ernest Kahl, Leo Bushnell, and George Rounds. Corporal Luther Allpress was placed on board a hospital ship. Of the sick members of Com- pany I, fourteen were left on the island: Q. M. Sergeant Mathews, Ser- geants Osborne and Rockey; Corporal Berry ; and privates Brearton, Sweeney, Sears, Andrews, Freek, Smith, Lepper, Lueck, Wilkins, Patterson. Ralph Humphrey of the hospital corps was detained in the mountains. Four mem- bers of Company I died on ship or in hospital: Schuyler Sweeney, Ross Wilkins, Thomas Phillips, and Ralph Humphrey.
8
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Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows no waking; Dream of battlefields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking.
After the sixty days' furlough expircd, the boys returned to Springfield, signed payrolls, received two and a half months' pay with balance due on clothing and rations, and on Nov. 25th were again citizens instead of soldiers.
While the Sixth Illinois regiment led no forlorn hope, executed no brilliant charge, they did their duty faithfully, and nobly responded to every call for service. During their short term, they covered 3,000 miles by rail, three thousand on the sea, besides tramping over two hundred miles of mud and hill in Porto Rico. A general told Chaplain Ferris: "You should be proud of your men. They are soldiers, every inch of them." Gen- eral Miles had the same opinion: "I had two regiments of Illinois volun- teers in Porto Rico, and in justice I must say they stood the fatigue better than the eastern troops. The Sixth Illinois was brigaded with the Sixth Massachusetts, and I must say the boys from the prairies stood the cam- paign better than the boys from the mills of New England."
A second company was organized in Sterling and Rock Falls with Walter N. Haskell as captain. W. L. Emmons, first lieutenant, and G. A. McKelvey, second lieutenant, to be part of a provisional regiment organized by Gen. Clendenin, of Moline, but the speedy close of the war rendered their services unnecessary.
Within a year or two after the war, several of the boys died of disease, doubtless, of exposure in camp. Leo H. Bushnell, Bugler Roy Eshleman, and Frank Aument, all of Company E, and Lieut. Ed Lawton and Albert Anstett, of Company -I.
Sleep, soldiers, still in honored rest, Your truth and valor wearing! The bravest arc the tenderest, The loving arc the daring.
A few were so enamored of the pomp and circumstance of glorious war that they joined the regulars: Leslie Sheldon, Company M, Fourth U. S. Infantry, Richard O. Jones, Company H, Nineteenth U. S. Infantry, served in the Philippines. Wilson R. Byers, Company E, Eighth U. S. Infantry, served in Cuba. James P. Kereven, of Sterling, was at Santiago and El Caney, and afterward died of typhoid fever at Montauk Point. Frank D. Ely, an original member of Company E, subsequently graduated from West Point, and was with his regiment at San Juan Hill and El Caney. Will H. Allen, Morrison, was a lieutenant on the Oregon when that battleship made her memorable run from the Pacific to participate in Sampson's fight off Santiago. George H. Fay, Morrison, was the original captain of Company I, a veteran of the Civil war, and during the War of 1898 was in the pay- master's department with the rank of major. Henry C. Thompson, Fenton, medical student, enlisted in Company E, Second Wisconsin volunteers, and was later transferred to the ambulance corps.
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Since the war, both companies have kept up their organizations, meet- ing for frequent drill in their armories. As to be expected, several changes in the officers by resignation or promotion. But the boys are justly proud of their patriotic experience, and grew as enthusiastic over San Juan or El Caney as the veterans of the Civil war in their camp fire memories of Chattanooga or Gettysburg.
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah, hurrah ! We'll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah, hurrah ! The men will cheer, the boys will shout, The ladies they will all turn out And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home."
SOLDIERS' REUNIONS.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min'? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' lang syne ?- Burns.
It was a happy thought of the boys in blue to start their yearly meet- ings soon after the war, and keep fresh the friendships of the camp and the field. The veterans of this section have forined the Northwestern Sol- diers' and Sailors' Association with meetings at the different cities in the territory comprised. In 1886 it was held in Sterling, and five hundred soldiers were in attendance. August 24, 25, and 26 were the days of jubilee. H. S. Street, Mayor of Sterling, gave the address of welcome at the amphi- theater, to which Hon. J. D. Crabtree, of Dixon, replied. Short speeches also by Hon. T. J. Henderson, H. D. Dement, and Chaplain Stillwell. The expenses for tents, music, printing, drayage, and lumber were $265. A free dinner was given on the last day by Will Robinson Post, of Sterling, to all comrades and their wives. Entertainments were offered at the academy of music. One evening at dress parade, two hundred soldiers were in line. It was voted that the next year's Reunion be held at Dixon, August, 1887. Time has passed on, the soldiers have kept up their annual jubilees, and before us as we write is the program for the twenty-second reunion of the soldiers and sailors at Sterling again, Sept. 11 and 12, 1906. A feast of reason and flow of soul. The first day after a parade, there was at Central Park a varied program of solos, welcome by Mayor Lewis, music by drum corps, address by Comrade McConochie of Rock Island. In the evening, music, recitations, and addresses by Gov. Van Sant, Rev. E. Lce Fleck, and others. Wednesday was occupied with regimental reunions. In the middle of September, 1907, the association gathered at Morrison, and 240 of the grizzled heroes registered. Dozens of regiments, cast and west, were repre- sented from New York to Kansas. The attendance was larger than usual.
We quote from an appreciative report in the Morrison Sentinel :
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A fine picture was presented when on our strects marched the soldiers of the various regiments-the 34th, 140th, Army of the Potomac, and the 75th,- the old 75th, carrying the historic flag which led them during those long months of war. The veterans kept time to the stirring martial music and they straightened up and marched with almost as quick tread as on that day long ago when they bade goodbye to loved ones and went bravely forth to face the danger and horror of war.
The address by Hon. Thomas H. Gault of Chicago on Wednesday after- noon was a fine effort and was fully appreciated by the large number of people who gathered at the Auditorium to hear the excrciscs of the after- noon.
Chaplain Smith was called upon for an address and gave one of his characteristic lively and interesting talks which everybody enjoyed. His recital of incidents coming under his observation during the war held the attention of the audience and received hearty applause at the close.
The regimental reunions were of much interest and were well attended.
The 75th Illinois had a business meeting, and after thanking the ladies of the W. R. C. for dinner, the boys decided to take a short march under the comamnd of Cap. Frost, led by the old 75th flag and the drum corps. This was done after the meeting adjourned. They marched several blocks up and down Main street, stopping in front of the hotel to give the "old flag" three cheers.
The deaths in the 75th during the past year as near as could be ascer- tained were eight and were as follows: Lieut. P. S. Bannister, Co. C; George R. Shaw, Co. C; Wm. M. Lane, Co. C; W. W. Wilkins, Co. B; Russell D. Hopkins, Co. E; John Lanphere, Co. B; M. E. Lovan, Co. A; A. B. Cady, Co. B.
Their ranks are thinning, and every reunion witnesses a shorter march and a scantier registry.
Slowly and sadly we laid him down, From the field of his fame fresh and gory; We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone -- But we left him alone with his glory .- Wolfe.
In 1907, J. V. McCarty, adjutant of Will Enderton post, G. A. R., Rock Falls, received the following communication from Vespasian Warner, per sion commissioner :
"Thanks for your report of the death of Captain William Parker, Com- pany A, Seventy-fifth Illinois infantry. Yes, it is a little tough on us old chaps. 32,666 died last year, which is about the harvest of death for ten years past, over 300,000 deaths having been reported to this bureau during that period.
"360,000 soldiers have applied for pensions under the act of February 6, 1907, which indicates that few are under the age of sixty-two and many are seventy-five and upward. As some compensation for their advancing age the law wisely provides a larger pension for the old men.
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"As the setting sun shines in our faces as we march down the western slope of life to our bivouac in the valley, let us go forward with the same unfaltering step as when in the brave days of the sixties we bore Old Glory to the front on many a hard fought field, nor furled it until victory was won."
VISIT TO THE COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.
Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door, Whose days have dwindled to the shortest span,
Oh, give relief, and Heaven will bless your store. -Thomas Moss.
The easiest way to reach our public sanitarium from Sterling, is to take the morning train at half past ten, and return at half past three. This will permit a stay of four hours, enough for a satisfactory examination. You get off at Round Grove station, and walk a mile to the west, unless an automobile awaits you at the cars.
There is a cluster of houses, about twenty, at the station, two stores, . the elevator of J. A. Mathew, a pumping apparatus to furnish a tank hold- ing 51,000 gallons to supply the numerous freight trains that take water. An extensive creamery that receives 3,000 pounds every other day in the fall, and 6,000 in summer. It is controlled by the John Newman Com- pany, Elgin, and has been in operation for several years. R. J. Koepsell is manager. The most spacious mansion in the village is that of Mrs. Knox, which is conspicuous on the ridge, and belongs to the Simonson farm of 400 acres, left by that early family.
As we pass through the village and up the hill, to the east is a Union church, supplied by a minister from Morrison. To the west at the corner a handsome new schoolhouse, frame, painted white, two rooms, built in 1906 at a cost of $4,000. Two young ladies from Morrison in charge, Mary Ward and Edna Stone. Flowers in the window give a home air to the common routine of study. An excellent feature in the construction of the basement. There is a cement floor with the furnace on one side, and on the other sepa- rated by a partition, a commodious room where the children can play in the bleak days of winter.
Now we turn west for the county house. What stately buildings. Seen from the railroad by the tourist, they might be taken for the country seat of a wealthy banker. The main edifice is 72 feet front, 60 feet deep, three stories and attic, surmounted by a cupola, commanding a wide view over a rich landscape. The first story is of stone, and divided into a dining room, kitchen, vegetable and fruit cellars, men's sitting rooms. The upper stories are brick, and contain eleven sleeping rooms of various sizes, for two or four beds. An annex to the kitchen for a store room. On the second floor are apartments for the family of the superintendent.
Some years ago a brick annex was built on the east side, occupied by insane patients before the law was passed requiring their removal to state institutions. Watertown, near Moline, is now the most convenient. In
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front of both edifices is a large yard containing grass, flowers, evergreens, and shrubbery. Cement walks everywhere. All the necessary out-buildings in the form of ice and milk houses. Two pumps furnish water to the house and the stock tanks in the barn yard. East of the main edifice is a garden for vegetables, grapes, cherries, and strawberries. In front, across the road an old orchard with walnut and butternut trees, and also a young orchard bearing fall and winter apples.
The present population of the place comprises 24 men and seven women. In various conditions of health. Those who are able help about the kitchen, laundry, farm and garden. Wholesome food in bountiful supply. Break- fast is generally of hot cakes, butter and syrup. Dinner of meat and gravy, vegetables and tea, with turkey, pie or pudding on holidays. Supper of tea, bread and butter, fried potatoes, sauce and cake.
To keep this family in proper condition, carcful housekeeping is essen- tial, and C. L. Houck and wife are equal to the situation, who have been here three years. Huge loaves of bread, three times a week, 150 sacks of flour a year. Delmonico could not have equaled our dinner at twelve.
As there is an extensive farm of 192 acres of land, numerous build- ings arc necessary, and seldom will you find so complete and substantial a set of every kind of structure for all the needs of modern agriculture: a bank barn with stone basement with stalls for twelve head of horses and fourteen cows, with bins for grain and mows for hay above, a long corn crib, a hen house, a hog pen with four acres attached for exercise, a cattle shed, another corn crib, another hog house with concrete foundation and oak floor, and a commodious shed for shelter of wagons and implements. The live stock varies. At present, 12 horses and mules, 36 head of cattle, 120 hogs and 13 milk cows, which supply the wants of the institution.
Whoe'er has traveled life's dull round, Where'er his stages may have been, May sigh to think he still has found His warmest welcome at an inn.
These forlorn inmates would gladly endorse Shenstone's familiar stanza, for they are really enjoying more comfort than some ever had in their earlier days.
The institution dates from 1869, when the Board of Supervisors ap- pointed James M. Pratt, L. S. Pennington and H. R. Sampson to select a site for a poor farm near a railroad, and also to erect suitable buildings. The farm of William Knox on the Morrison road was selected at $45 per acre, 108 acres, and buildings were authorized at a cost not to exceed $15,000. The main building and barn were completed in 1870. The Insane Annex was added in 1875 at a cost of over $7,000.
THE CEMETERY.
West of the county house along the Morrison road is the last resting place of the loved and lost of many a home of the neighborhood. At the entrance of wrought iron is the inscription, "This fence and arch donated
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by Mrs. C. G. Curtis, 1906." We notice the graves of several soldiers of the Civil war. Thos. Mason, Co. G, 75th Illinois Infantry. Peter Barbery, . Co. H, 8th Illinois Cavalry. David Symonds, Co. B, 13th Illinois. Wm. P. Crump, Co. B, 34th Illinois. J. S. Green, Co. B, 75th Illinois. Sergeant O. A. Seeley, Co. C, 75th Illinois.
Rest on, emblamed and sainted dead, Dear as the blood ye gavel
The oldest tomb is that of Thomas Mayhew, 1808-1892. In one corner are numerous monuments of. granite to members of the Knox family. There are two acres in the enclosure.
Our visit to our county infirmary was made very pleasant and instructive by the courtesy of Mr. A. D. Hill, who was in charge of the reception room, and who is thoroughly acquainted with the affairs of the institution. He began his career as a teacher, founded the Prophetstown Spike, and has had long experience in editorial work. He wields a ready pen, and much of the information in this sketch was derived from an exhaustive article which he contributed to the Prophetstown Echo.
Since the infirmary was opened five superintendents have been in charge, Hurd, King, Barnum, Ely and Willsey. Since the death of Mr. Willsey, Mrs. Willsey has shown great efficiency in the discharge of the onerous duties.
THE ANNUAL BANQUET.
But the crowning event of the year at the sanitarium is the feast given the supervisors after their regular inspection of the property. A red letter day for the officials and the charitable inmates. Mrs. Ira Willsey was mis- tress of ceremonies at the function given in December, 1907, and she ac- quitted herself to the admiration of her official guests. Perhaps as a speci- men of Whiteside festal enjoyment at the opening of this century, the fol- lowing description contributed by A. D. Hill to the Gazette, will be found curious and entertaining :
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