USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 46
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SOLDIER'S DIARY IN REBEL PRISONS.
Isaac Bressler, 75th Illinois, captured at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863, , kept a diary during his confinement. Some was written with lead pencil, and some is gone, but he has kindly permitted us to make extracts from the frag- ments. The prisoners were taken through Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh, Weldon to Richmond.
Richmond, Oct. 1-Drew ten small crackers and half pound pork for day's rations.
Oct. 6-I am in prison.
Oct. 9-Our work consists in hunting lice. This is a hard place to kill time.
Nov. 9-Got eight loaves of bread for my old shoes. Making moccasins to wear.
Dec. 4-In hospital. Have only half a blanket, no other clothing except what is on my back.
Dec. 11-Took cars for Danville.
Dec. 15-Smallpox getting bad. Drew graham bread and raw sweet potatoes.
Dec. 25-For Christmas present, we got six government hard tack extra. Dec. 29-Vaccinated six soldiers.
April 5-Soldiers busy, splitting wood, making rugs, arguing politics, playing cards.
April 18-At Andersonville.
April 21-Went with guard to get wood and pine tops for bedding. Our
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rations 21/2 pints corn and 1/2 lb. pork for two of us. The first day two spoon- fuls of rice for two. There are eight acres in the bull-pen which is becoming crowded.
April 22-I and my partner building a hut.
April 24-Sights indescribable, where the dead and dying are lying around.
May 6-Rebels have a double guard on tonight because prisoners are bur- rowing to escape. Reading Benjamin Franklin.
May 16-Sentinel shot one of our men for crossing dead line.
May 21-Sun hot. Several thousand more prisoners brought in, some captured near Richmond, some from Danville.
May 23-More prisoners. Some from western army. The inside of the stockade getting pretty well crowded.
May 27-Boys still digging tunnels. Two escaped last night. Guards are firing on our men.
June 8-Beans for supper.
June 10-Gave $25 greenback for new boots. Gave $90 for two bushels beans and a box tobacco.
June 12-Some fellow stole my $25 boots.
June 13-Cold and wet. Horrible to see the poor prisoners lie in the rain and exposed to the weather.
June 19-Patching up my trousers. Drew corn meal for rations.
June 22-Prisoners suffering for want of shelter. Guard shot one of our men, said he was over the dead line. Got two shirts washed for forty cents.
July 11-Six union raiders hung on scaffold. One fell and ran, but was brought back. Some plead for mercy, and asked our prayers. The Dutch captain made a speech, saying that our men gave them a fair trial, and we could do with them as we thought best. May the Lord protect them and bless you and went away. The priest read to them till they were hung.
July 20-Saw some prisoners make their escape. They ran for all that was out.
July 24-I got a piece of pie for 25 cents.
July 27-Sent for potatoes, and got three the size of a walnut for a green- back dollar. Sliced them with a piece of onion and made soup with a little flour. Beans for supper. .
July 28-Bought a small apple for 25 cents. Slaves worked all day at fortifications outside the bull pen.
Aug. 2-Two ears of corn for supper. Bought a box of tobacco for $25 and two bushels beans for $25.
LETTER FROM GEORGE NEWTON, CO. D, 75TH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
FIELD HOSPITAL GA., VINING'S STATION, Aug. 12, 1864.
You want to know how I passed the Fourth. To tell the truth, I did not enjoy it at all, for I was in a dangerous place. Our company was detailed for picket duty, and we were marched out, and deployed in a skirmish line behind the one in front. Then we were ordered to lie down, and pile our blankets. In five minutes we were ordered forward double quick, and could see the rebs
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across the cornfield in their rifle pits on the hill. As soon as we jumped up, the rebs poured a volley of minie balls. After we had gone ten rods, we were ordered to halt and lie down, for the bullets were coming like hail. Very soon a bullet struck my shoulder and glanced off. It felt like a big stone. The ball tore a hole through my jacket and shirt, and made a hole in my shoulder into which you could put the end of your little finger. It will make a scar, I guess, to remind me of July 4, 1864. Our regiment is within three miles of Atlanta, but I am eight miles off. We can see the smoke and hear the booming of the cannon. I have a good place in the hospital, not much to do, plenty of good stuff to eat, a good bed to sleep, and that is all a soldier wants.
GEORGE NEWTON.
ISAAC NEWTON DAVIS, Sterling.
West of Carnegie Library on Fourth street is the home of Christ Eisele, a veteran of seventy. He was born in Baden, Germany, came to this country in 1851, and in August, 1861 enlisted at New Albany, Indiana, in a company that became part of Col. August Willich's famous 32nd Indiana, one of the hundred fighting regiments of the war. It saw the fiercest of battles: Mum- fordsville, Shiloh, Stone River, Chattanooga, Resaca, Atlanta. Most of the time under Thomas in Army of the Cumberland. The regiment lost 171 men in the service. Mr. Eisele has a chart published in 1864 soon after their dis- charge, of which he is very proud, showing the names of the company and casualties to each, the battles, and the officers of the regiment, brigade, and division. His brother, Jacob, also of Sterling, was in the same regiment of Col. Willich. Christ gave the writer a vivid account of the charge on Mission Ridge. Grant issued the order to take the rebel rifle pits, and then halt, while Hooker on the right, and Sherman on the left, were to close up, and surround Bragg on the heights. But when the boys drove the rebs from the rifle pits, a halt would have exposed them to a tremendous fire from the batteries above, so, disregarding instructions, our troops ran the rebs up the hill, and started a stampede in the whole rebel line, so that Bragg and his army had to make a desperate run to save their bacon. Christ's eyes sparkled as he described the charge.
Among the veterans who have died within a year or two are John Buyers, of the 13th Illinois, who fell unconscious while taking his cow to pasture, Reuben Rich, six years in the navy, who passed away after a gradual decline, E. C. Whitman, five years on the battlefield, Charles Mack, printer, of the famous 13th Illinois. Of the heroes still living, most move daily on the street or about their work, like Capt. Niles, Capt. Hershey, Will Stocking, Andy Haberer, Capt. Morgan, H. L. John Bursk, Gordon Pierce, John Aument, James and Richard Arey, John Davis. And they all continue to agree with John A. Dix, "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot."
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
The burning soul, the burdened mind, In books alone companions find .- Mrs. Hale.
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The library stands on the corner of avenue A and west Fourth street. It owes its existence to the enterprise of R. S. Phillips, who made application to Andrew Carnegie in Dec., 1902, and in March, 1903, received a favorable an- swer, agreeing to give $15,000, providing the city would purchase a lot, and appropriate annually ten per cent of the investment to maintain current ex- penses. In April, 1903, the offer was accepted by the city council. Emory Stanford Hall, architect of Chicago, was authorized to draw plans.' It was soon found that $15,000 were not sufficient, and Mr. Carnegie agreed to give $2,500 more, provided the city would add $3,000. Bids were advertised for, and in March, 1904, the contract was let to T. P. Ruth, of Polo, for $19,500. By early autumn, the building was completed with the exception of plumbing, heating, electrical work, and some fixtures. The structure is practically fire- proof. The first floor and the attic floor are of metal reinforced concrete, sup- ported on brick walls, or on steel columns incased in concrete. The entire finish of cement, and the stairways of iron. A brick wall rises from the base- ment to the roof between the stack room, containing the books, and the rest of the building, permitting no danger of fire. Brick walls surround the boiler and fuel apartments, and the doors are all steel. All partitions on main floor are of cement on steel studding and metal lath.
The building is constructed of brown paving brick and gray Bedford stone, copper architrave and cornice, and green slate roof. The style is Ameri- can Colonial. Two circular cement walks from each corner of the lawn lead over the high terrace to the ten stone steps in front of the main entrance.
Passing the vestibule with its monolith and mosaic border, you enter the general delivery rotunda covered. with a beautiful stained glass ceiling, sup- ported by eight Greek Corinthian columns. In front is the delivery desk, on the right the general reading room, on the left the children's and reference room, and, further back, the librarian's room, and accommodations for cata- logue cases and wardrobes.
Back of the delivery desk is a doorway leading to the book stack room, designed for three stories of stacks, affording shelf space for over 30,000 vol- umes. The stacks are steel, and the floors rough plate glass. The cost of the stacks, with various appurtenances, desks, chairs, tables, doors, was about $6,000. This includes the steel wall cases in reference, children's and reading room, with sufficient shelving for 2,000 volumes. There is sufficient space in the basement for committee and small lecture rooms, and the attic approached by an iron stairway, would make an ideal home for a museum of science, a gallery of art, or a historical collection, all demanding security from ravages of the flames.
The decorations of the interior are in green, ivory and gold. The cement floors are covered with a cork carpet. The stained glass ceiling over the ro- tunda has a pleasing effect by night and by day. By the way, this was the gift of two generous citizens. The ventilation is by admitting fresh air from the outside through direct-indirect radiators in the reading rooms, and by the exhaustion of foul air through ventilating ducts. Careful drainage prevents all dampness in the walls.
The total cost of the library building was over $32,000: Andrew Car-
BLISHED
CARNEGIE LIBRARY, STERLING
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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negie, $17,500; city of Sterling, $13,700; gencrous citizens, $1,050. The city bought the lot, $4,700. This was enlarged on the west by the purchase of a strip ten feet wide, by a private donor for $550.
At the ercction of the library, the board consisted of C. C. Johnson, presi- dent; H. C. Ward, secretary ; Henry Green, Thomas Diller, M. C. Ward, George E. Ely, W. W. Davis, E. LeRoy Galt, and A. A. Wolfersperger. At the invi- tation of the board, Henry Green assumed charge, of the finishing details, and much of the elegance of the completed structure is due to his good taste.
Under the direction of Mrs. Haviland, assisted by Miss Murphy, the entire library was overhauled four years ago, the books carefully classified, and a modern card catalogue system installed. This gives ready access to any book on the shelves, and permits also convenient additions to the list.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
By Miss Sadie F. Murphy, Librarian.
The Sterling Public Library was formed under the revised statute of 1874. The city council of the city of Sterling passed an ordinance authorizing the establishment of a free public library, and appointed a board of trustees of the following members: James E. McPherran, Alfred Bayliss, Thos. A. Galt, Geo. W. Brewer, R. B. Witmer, Bradford C. Church, Wm. H. Bennett, Mar- tin H. Kreider, and R. B. Colcord.
On the 27th day of April, 1878, the board organized and elected J. E. Mc- Pherran president, who held that office for twenty-five years, or until his death in 1903, and Alfred Bayliss secretary. The library was installed in a room in the Academy of Music block, which was given by Messrs. Galt and Tracy, rent free, for ten years.
The board received by donation a collection of valuable books from the Sterling Library Society, which had been absorbed by the Christion Associa- tion, to the number of nine hundred and forty-three volumes, and fifty-two volumes by individual gift. These books formed a nucleus for a library which was increased by one hundred thirty-two (132) books purchased, making a total of eleven hundred twenty-seven (1,127) volumes, and on the 9th day of September, 1878, the library was formally opened to the public with Miss Caroline E. Bowman installed as librarian, who held the position for five years. The vacancy left by her resignation in 1883 was acceptably filled by Miss Belle Hubbard.
For five or six years the members of the board formed an association which gave lectures, musical and other entertainments from which were derived several hundred dollars annually, which was added to the annual appropri - tion from the city, toward the maintenance of the library.
The library was removed from the Academy of Music to rooms in the new city building in the winter of 1889.
The resignation of Miss Hubbard, as librarian, soon followed and Miss Sadie F. Murphy, the present librarian, was appointed.
Several gifts of books, not very considerable, and small sums of money, less than four hundred dollars, have been given to the library by generous citizens.
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In the last five or six years many changes have been made. The most effective change to increase its usefulness was the reorganization of the library, begun in May, 1903, by a trained cataloguer, with the assistance of the libra- rian, whose competency to continue the work thus systematized has been shown by the fact that our library is on a par with the best libraries of the same size in the state.
For several years it was evident that we were outgrowing our quarters in the city hall with no prospects of improving conditions, until, through the efforts of Mr. A. S. Phillips, one of Sterling's well-known business men, the situation was so successfully presented to the Hon. Andrew Carnegie that on the 22nd day of November, 1905, our beautiful new building was opened for operation.
LITERARY AND MUSICAL.
How charming is divine philosophy! Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose, But musical as is Apollo's lute .- Milton.
During the last sixty years, Sterling has had the privilege of seeing a large number of men and women, eminent in every department of activity- soldiers, statesmen, musicians, orators, preachers, reformers, politicians.
We have had Grant and Logan, Banks and Kilpatrick, Oglesby, Howard, and Palmer, among soldiers; President Mckinley, Roosevelt before his elec- tion, Douglas in 1855 at the railroad opening, and Lincoln the year before.
A long list of ministers, Bishops Bowman and Fitzgerald, in the Fourth street Methodist church; Dr. T. M. Eddy, at Broadway; Dr. Lorimer, in the Baptist; Bishop Whitehouse, in the Episcopal; Father Chiniquy, in the Pres- byterian; Dr. Swing, in the academy ; Dr. Thomas, at the Congregational.
No end of political speakers: Tom Reed, Foraker, U. F. Linder, Leffing- well, Farnsworth, Washburne, John P. Hale, Henry Wilson, Richard Yates, Emery Storrs, Sehurz, Cullom. Fourth of July orations by Gunsaulus, Mc- Intyre and Hillis. Frances Willard on purity and Francis Murphy in a course of temperance speeches at Wallace hall. Morrison has had such well known men as Senator Trumbull, Teller, and R. G. Horr.
Various lecture courses season after season brought famous speakers to our platform. Henry Ward Beecher on "The Ministry of Wealth;" Wendell Phillips on "Street Life in Europe;" James T. Fields on "Cheerfulness;" Theodore Tilton on "Problem of Life;" Mrs. Livermore on "Our Daugh- ters ;" Fred Douglass, Anna Dickinson, Mrs. Stanton and Susan B. Anthony on politics and reform; John S. C. Abbott on "France;" John G. Saxe and Josh Billings on humor; George Francis Train in a characteristic talk about everything; and Ingalls, of Kansas, in a racy address at the academy. Joseph Cook's "Ultimate America" at Presbyterian church was a grand effort. Bryan at Chautauqua. Bayard Taylor on Egypt.
While the city is not large enough to afford any of the reigning stars in opera or soloists on instrument, Theodore Thomas' orchestra and Sousa's band, Camilla Urso and Wilhemj, on the violin, have appeared. Many excellent coneerts. time after time. An encouraging feature in this field is the increased
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attention given to music by the various churches. The choirs seek the best singers, and under drill of skilled leaders, render classical compositions. In the published programs for Sunday services may be seen selections by Men- delssohn, Handel, Tannhauser, Gounod, Dykes. At vespers, which have be- come a happy feature of Sunday observance, the anthems are choice and de- lightfully given.
University extension lectures were once popular, and for many seasons, a course was regularly given in Sterling by professors from the University of Chicago. Zeublin spoke on English Fiction and Social Reform; Sparks and Harry Pratt Judson, on American history; Nathaniel Butler, on American literature; Jerome Raymond, on European Capitals; R. G. Moulton, on Shakespeare. There was a fee for the course, but the lecturers brought a box of text books which were frec to the members who wished to read on the sub- ject between the dissertations. To realize the full benefit of such a scheine, intermediate study is necessary.
The academy orchestra frequently ministers to the music lovers of the city. It is composed of W. P. Cochran, first violin ; Ross Hull, second violin ; Charles Morris, viola; Charles Hewitt, bass; James Jarvis, clarinet; Lester Hendricks, first cornet; Joe Kanaple, sccond cornet; Arthur Hubbard, trom- bone; L. D. Halsey, traps; E. E. Holdridge, piano. James Jarvis is conductor and Earl Holdridge, general manager. These are not mere amateurs, who have picked up a little superficial practice on their instruments, but earnest and ambitious players who have had the benefit of skilled training in schools of scientific instruction.
The Banda Verde is the newest organization, dating from 1904. There are 22 pieces. It is not the common brass cohort that makes the welkin ring or the crowd howl at a political caucus, but more of the concert order, the philharmonic type for university convocations. James Jarvis, W. P. Coch- ran, and E. E. Holdridge are among the leading members. They are young men, who have grown up in Sterling, and who are determined by careful ap- plication to give their troupe a creditable position in the harmonious direc- tory.
Yea, music is the Prophet's art; Among the gifts that God hath sent, One of the most magnificent. .
What is now known as the Sixth Regiment Band was organized as the Rock Falls Band. In 1874 Sam Moore took the baton, and in 1881 John Kadel. At this time the name was changed to Keystone Band. In 1897 Prof. Nixon became the leader, and a year later Director Prestin took charge. The band became the regimental band of the Sixth Regiment I. N. G. in 1896, and continued in that capacity to 1905. It served through the campaign of Porto Rico in the Spanish-American war. In 1907 it again became the regi- mental band of the Sixth Regiment. The boys are in demand on all patriotic occasions at home and elsewhere, and always excite admiration by their in- spiring music and gallant bearing.
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WHITESIDE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
This was founded in Feb., 1903, by W. W. Davis, and its collection of curios has grown steadily by contributions from all parts of the county. The articles are arranged as far as possible in sections, and placed in show cases. The scope of the society is wide, embracing everything of general as well as local interest. A variety of early papers: Pennsylvania Gazette, 1754; Lan- caster Journal, 1801; Lancaster Examiner, 1831; Columbian Sentinel, Bos- ton, 1805; the first Chicago papers after the fire, Oct. 10, 1871; a Gazette of 1858 with report of Lincoln and Douglas debate; dailies with death of Grant and of Logan; Frank Leslie, of 1861.
Specimens of campaign tickets: Lincoln and Hamlin, Lincoln and John- son, Cleveland and Hendricks, Greeley and Brown, Harrison and Morton. A Harrison Badge of 1840. A fine case of Indian arrows, axes, spears, and the skull of a chief. Numerous pictures. A combined group of 400 old settlers. Portraits and woodcuts of dead and living citizens. A case of autographs of Sumner, Thad Stevens, Dr. Chalmers, Douglas, Washburne, Joseph Henry. Documents with the signatures of Calhoun, Monroe, Pierce, and Grant. A commission signed by Gov. John Reynolds, 1834, when the capital was at Vandalia. An assortment of postals with pictures from places at home and abroad.
Among the treasures of the library are several books that are out of print, and will yearly grow in value. The Pioneer History of Illinois from its dis- covery in 1673 to 1818, when the state government was organized. By John Reynolds, Belleville, 1852.
A History of Illinois from its commencement as a state in 1818 to 1847. By the late Gov. Thomas Ford. Chicago, S. C. Griggs & Co., 1854.
Letters from Illinois, by Morris Birkbeck, Philadelphia, printed for the author. Dublin, reprinted for Thomas Larkin, 1818.
Illinois as it is: its history, laws, plants, animals, land, railroads, etc. By Fred Gerhard. Chicago, Kecn & Lee, 1857.
Journal of the Voyages and Travels of a corps of discovery, under com- mand of Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke, during the years 1804, 1805, 1806. By Patrick Gass. Printed for Matthew Carey, Phila., 1812.
Discourses on Intemperance, preached in Brattle Square church, Bos- ton, April 5, 1827, and April 8, the Lord's day following. By John G. Pal- frey. A. M., pastor. Nathan Hale, 1827.
Life of Oliver Hazard Perry, with an appendix comprising a memoir of the late Capt. James Lawrence, also a biography of Gen. Pike, and leading events in the lives of Commodores Decatur, Porter and Gen. Harrison. By John M. Niles, Esq. Hartford, 1821.
Bound volume of an early magazine containing a speech of John Ran- dolph in House of Representatives, 1806, against right of England to impress our citizens. A political article by William Cobbett, 1800. A letter of Joel Barlow to his Fellow Citizens, on certain political measures, 1799.
Then three regimental histories: The Seventy-Fifth Illinois Infantry, by William Sumner Dodge, Chicago, 1866. The Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, prepared by a committee of the regiment, 1892. The Thirty-Fourth
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Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, by Edwin W. Payne, Sergeant Co. A, regimental historian .. These were all kindly contributed.
All sorts of relics: A grain cradle, a wooden fork, candle molds, bread basket, spinning wheels, saddlebags, tongs, bellows. A rebel rifle from a southern battlefield. A temperance sign that hung before Como tavern, 1840. On the shelves a miscellaneous array of books, old readers, travels, histories, geographies, religion, poetry, law. Some valuable Smithsonian publications on ethnology and scientific research. A large quantity of minerals which need proper classification. More spacious quarters are badly needed for orderly arrangement of the material which is constantly increasing. The present room is the alcove in the city hall formerly occupied by the public library.
THE COUNTY'S GREATEST FACTORY.
By G. H. Fonken, General Secretary.
Most of the factories in our county are running full. Several of them are doing night work. There is a factory on the corner of First avenue and Fourth street, Sterling, Ill., that starts up at 8:00 o'clock in the morning and runs until ten every night. It runs Sundays also. This factory is called the Young Men's Christian Association, and its products are character and effi- ciency ; the main by-product is wholesome enjoyment.
The association was organized in 1889. Charles Bradley was the first general secretary. Previous to that time E. L. Galt acted as corresponding member of the state association and member of the state executive committee. Through his influence the district convention was held in the basement of the Fourth street Methodist church. At that time the association was organized. Mr. Bradley took charge of the first rooms which were located over the Hend- ricks drug store in the Academy block. Later, these rooms became too small and the association moved to the Lawrence block, where it remained until the present buildng was erected. The first president was E. L. Galt. He and the presiding president, J. K. Chester, are the only members of the board of directors who were members of the first board.
The membership in the Young Men's Christian Association is open at all times to any man or boy over 12 years of age, of good moral character, with- out regard to creed, and will upon payment of the required fees be entitled to the following privileges: Reading rooms, game rooms, parlors, gymna- sium, natatorium, bowling alleys, baths (tub and shower), camera room, prac- tical talks, educational classes, etc.
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