USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 35
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RODNEY C. CROOK is a native of Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, and was born August 24, 1836. In 1838 his father came to Whiteside with the family, and located in Prophetstown. Mr. Crook married Miss Mary C. Brydie, in Livingston county, Illinois. His farm in Hume is situated on sections 30 and 31, and is one of the most finely cultivated ones in the township. He has been School Director, School Trustee, Commissioner of Highways, and is the present Supervisor of the township. The frequency with which public positions have been conferred upon him, show the estimation in which he is held by his fellow townsmen.
CHAPTER XV.
HISTORY OF HOPKINS TOWNSHIP-COMO-GALT-EMPIRE-BIOGRAPHICAL.
HISTORY OF HOPKINS TOWNSHIP.
The present township of Hopkins first formed a part of Harrisburg and Crow Creek Precincts, and in 1837 became attached to Elkhorn Precinct, by action of the County Commissioners' Court of Ogle county, where it remained until June, 1839, when that part lying west of the east line of township 21, range 6 east, and Elkhorn creek, was placed in Round Grove Precinct, the part lying cast of Elkhorn creek remaining in Elkhorn Precinct. When the town- ships were organized in 1852 under the township organization law by the Com- missioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court, Hopkins was given all of Congressional township 21 north, range 6 east, with the exception of a small fraction of section 25 on the east, and four acres of section 34 on the south. Shortly after, when the township of Como was dropped, Hopkins gained parts of sections 2, 3 and 4 of township 20 north, range 6 east, north of Rock river, the balance north of that river going to Lyndon. The township is made up principally of rolling prairie and timber land, the large tract of timber known as Round Grove lying wholly within its limits. Besides this grove, consider- able timber skirts the banks of Elkhorn creek and Rock river. The prairie land is exceedingly fertile, well cultivated, and produces abundantly. The township is watered by Elkhorn creek, which comes into it on section 13, and flows at first westerly until it reaches section 14, and thence in a direction a little west of south through sections 23, 26, and 35, until it reaches Rock river. A mill-race commencing on section 26, and running through the village of Como, connects this creek also with Rock river. Spring creek, rising in Genesee township, runs through sections 3, 11, 13, and 14, and unites with the Elkhorn a short distance southwest of Empire. Elkhorn creek has also a tributary rising on section 9, which flows into it in a southeasterly direction. The west part of the township is watered by Deer Creek and its tributaries.
The first settlement made in the territory now comprising the township of Hopkins was made by Jason Hopkins and Isaac H. Brittell, where the village of Como now stands, in 1835. In the autumn of 1832, as the troops which had been engaged in the Blackhawk War were returning to their homes, Mr. Hopkins, with a party, came to Rock river, and in coasting along its banks came to the site of the present village of Como. Being impressed with the beauty of the place, he made a claim covering the whole tract, known in pio- neer parlance as a " jack-knife claim," by cutting his name in the bark of trees. The claim was on the north bank of the river, bounded on the cast and south by the river; on the west by Elkhorn creek, and on the north by a line from the river running due west to Elkhorn creek, about where the track of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad is now situated. It had a southern exposure, and was interspersed with groves of shell-bark hickories, without undergrowth, and cov- ered with luxuriant prairie grass. Mr. Hopkins often spoke of the location as being as " beautiful as the Garden of Eden." He was then as rich in land as Alexander Selkirk, being monarch of all he could see, yet with only the shadow
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
of a title. In 1835 he returned with his family and Mr. Brittell, and surveyed the claim, establishing the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and run- ning furrows through the prairie with an ox-team and prairie plow. He after- wards purchased the claim. It comprised sections 25, 26, 35, and 36, and as much adjoining as made 3,200 acres, a portion being on the south side of the river.
The first settlement at the timber land now known as Round Grove was made by William Pilgrim, Clement C. Nance, and Joseph Jones, in the summer of 1836. Their wives were sisters. All were from Indiana, and, to distinguish them from other settlers, they were called Hoosiers. Pilgrim and Jones, after a few years, went back to Indiana, and Nance moved to Genesee Grove. Being of the Campbellite or Christian persuasion, he occasionally preached the Gos- pel, and became a physician when past middle age, practicing his profession until his death, which occurred suddenly five or six years ago of heart disease. These families were not possessed of much of this world's goods. Moccasins were worn instead of boots and shoes, and the children were fortunate if they obtained any covering for their feet, even in the winter. Still they were tough and healthy. Many now living can attest the sanitary influence of pioneer life as being peculiarly adapted to physical development. William Beebe came in 1837, made a claim and remained a few years, and then departed for some other country. In 1838 the Thompson brothers came, but, like Mr. Beebe, left after a few years' residence, and did not return.
From the time the first settlements were made in the townships until the Government land sales took place, some six or seven years elapsed, thus giving the settlers sufficient time to make the money from the products of their acres with which to purchase their lands. As a measure of relief, also, the lands were not taxable until they had been entered five years. The land sales took place in June, 1842.
In December, 1838, H. H. Perkins and family, from New Hampshire, and Simeon Sampson and family, from Massachusetts, came to Como, followed in September, 1839, by H. B. and William Sampson and families, also from Mas- sachusetts. W. S. Wilkinson, a native of New York State, came in October, 1839, from Jacksonville, Illinois. S. P. Breed and family and J. N. Dow came in the spring of 1839 from Alton, Illinois. J. M. Burr came in the autumn of 1840, from Boston, and purchased Soule's share of the claim; and William Pollock and family arrived in the spring of 1841 from Beardstown, Illinois. Mrs. Susan Cushing and sons, of Providence, Rhode Island, belonged to the colony at Delevan, Tazewell county, Illinois, but, desiring to change, joined the Como colony early in the spring of 1839, and settled on the south side of the river. Their house had been framed and fitted in Rhode Island, shipped to Delevan, Illinois, and put up, but was taken down and reshipped to Como, where it was again put up and occupied as a part of their dwelling as long as the family lived there, and is yet in use. Mrs. Cushing died at South Man- chester, Connecticut. S. B. Cushing died in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1873. William and Henry B. Sampson were brothers. Capt. Simeon Sampson married William Sampson's daughter. They were natives of Duxbury, near Plymouth, Massachusetts. Capt. Sampson followed the sea until he came West. He was every inch a commander; inflexible in discipline, yet, when called upon or prompted by duty to alleviate the distress and sufferings of oth- ers, was as tender and sympathizing as the Good Samaritan. The sick and wounded of the 75th Illinois Volunteers, after the battle of Perryville, in Ken- tucky, had ample proof of that noble trait in his character. He returned to his native State a few years ago, and is now living in East Boston. Frank Ad-
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HISTORY OF HOPKINS TOWNSHIP.
ams came to Como in 1836, and assisted Jason Hopkins in holding his large claim. He was a genial, fun-loving, kind-hearted gentleman. His death oe- curred many years ago. Gershom H. Kirby settled in Como in 1839, and worked at his trade as a carpenter. He emigrated to California several years ago, where he has since resided. Ira Silliman settled in Como at an early day, and remained there until his death in the winter of 1872-'73. The Sells brothers emigrated from Ohio in 1836. Anthony settled west of the Elkhorn creek, and afterwards sold his claim to Elijah Wallace for $1,500 cash. He then went further West and died. Benjamin sold his claim to John Galt, and then settled in Rock Island county, where he died a number of years ago. Jacob was offered $2,000 for his claim by the father of Elijah and Hugh Wal- lace, but refused it, and, after building a frame house and making other im- provements, sold the whole to Edward Vernon and Frank Adams for $600. He afterwards settled on Green river, in Bureau county, where he laid out a village called Tailholt, and still lives there keeping a country tavern.
Messrs. Brink and Cushman commenced building the saw-mill near Empire, known as Brink's mill, in 1837, and finished it in 1838. Cushman lived at Buffalo Grove, in Ogle county, and after the mill was built sold his interest to Brink. A saw-mill was built by Elijah Wallace in the summer of 1838, on Spring creek, just west of the present village of Empire, and near where the school-house now stands. Messrs. Badger and son, of Lee county, were the millwrights, and kept bachelor's hall during the time of its ercetion in the Sells' cabin. The next saw-mill in the township was put up by Joel Harvey on Deer creek, in Round Grove, in 1839. Mr. Harvey built a high dam on the stream, and thereby received a supply of water sufficient to run the mill three or four months each spring and summer. The mill was afterwards run by Hiram Har- mon, and still later by Whiting R. Van Orman.
The first school taught in the township was at Round Grove, in 1840, Miss Higley being the teacher. The first school-house was built at Como in 1842, the funds for the purpose being raised by subseription among the inhabitants. Now there are six good school-houses in the township, those at Como, Galt and Empire being large and commodious structures.
The first child born in the town was William Tell Hopkins, son of Jason Hopkins, the first settler, the birth occurring February 22, 1837. He died about 1862. It is claimed that he was the first male child born in the county.
The first parties around whom was slipped the matrimonial noose were Isaac II. Brittell and Jane Scott, the event occurring in 1840. The example so carly and wisely set by Mr. and Mrs. Brittell was not lost upon some of the gay bachelors and rosy maidens of the township, and on November 10, 1841, Win- field S. Wilkinson and Miss Frances E. Sampson, and Frank Cushing and Miss Mary D. Breed, called in the Justice and were made happy. This double wed- ding was regarded as the great event of the time. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have long been respected residents of Morrison, and Mr. and Mrs. Cushing of Portland.
The earliest traveled road in the township was the Dixon and Rock Island stage route, running along the river near the line of the present road. A road was surveyed, laid out, and platted by Charles R. Rood, County Surveyor, in 1839, and viewed and reported by Joel Harvey and Elijah Wallace to the County Commissioners' Court on the 1st of November of that year. The road led from Wright Murphy's farm on Rock river, now owned by William HI. Pat- terson, to Brink's mill, now Empire mills, on Elkhorn ereck; thene west half a mile to the Wallace mill on Spring creek; thence west through Round Grove and past Harvey's mill on Deer creek; thence through Union Grove and across
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Rock creek, between Morrison and Unionville, to the Cattail slough under the bluffs, where it intersected the road from Como to Fulton. The first legally laid out road after the township organization was the one running along Rock river, formerly the old Dixon and Rock Island stage road.
In the early days Indians were plenty in Hopkins, as in other townships, and like other Indians were given to stealing horses, food, and trinkets. The mothers of that day were very careful also of their children, as instances had been related of Indians stealing the tender lambs of the household. The moth- ers would not stir from their houses, in the absence of the men folks, without taking all of the little ones with them, even when going down to the river at Como for water.
Game, such as deer, wild turkey, prairie chickens, etc., was abundant at the time the first settlements were made. The prairie and the black wolf were also plenty, and very troublesome. These pests were very fond of young pork, and when the settler was not present to defend the infant swine, the older and more muscular members of the fraternity would rally to their rescue. It is related that when Joel Harvey was, at one time in the early days, in search of ' a sow with pigs, he was attracted to a spot by an unusual disturbance, and upon arriving there found that a gang of wolves had attempted to get at the pigs. To his surprise a lot of hogs had come to the aid of their kindred, and formed a complete circle around the pigs, with their faces to the enemy. The wolves made repeated charges on the circular line, but were each time successfully re- pulsed. The first hogs introduced into Hopkins township was in 1838, by Joel Harvey and Thomas Matthews, each obtaining a small one from J. W. MeLemore, who then lived two miles east of Sterling.
Of the old settlers of Hopkins township who came in 1835, we can name Jason Hopkins and Isaac H. Brittell; in 1836, Frank Adams, James Cleveland, James Brady, William Pilgrim, Clement C. Nance, Joseph Jones, Jacob Sells, Benjamin Sells, Anthony Sells; in 1837, James D. Bingham, Mrs. Margaret Adams and family, Thomas Matthews, William Beebe, Joel Harvey, W. F. Hop- kins; in 1838, Horatio Wells, H. H. Perkins, Simeon Sampson, Thompson Brothers, Frederick Simonson, Elijah Wallace; in 1839, Henry Briggs Sampson, William Sampson, Winfield S. Wilkinson, Jesse Scott, Ger- shom H. Kirby, N. A. Sturtevant, Geo. Sturtevant, E. C. Whitmore, A. C. Merrill; in 1840, S. P. Breed, J. M. Dow, J. M. Burr, Mrs. Susan Cushing.
The first regular meeting of the voters of Hopkins township was held April 6, 1852. The first officers chosen were Simeon Sampson, Supervisor; Henry B. Sampson, Town Clerk; Simeon Sampson, Assessor; Nelson R. Douglass, Col- lector; Grant Conklin, Overseer of the Poor; Henry B. Sampson and Walter Harmon, Justices of the Peace; Ira Silliman, Wm. Manahan and Fred. Simon- son, Commissioners of Highways; Nelson R. Douglass and Porter J. Harmon, Constables; Poor Masters, Chas. Holmes, O. C. Stolp, Fred Simonson. Whole number of votes cast, 71. Jesse Scott, Joel Harvey, P. J. Harmon and Josiah S. Scott were appointed Overseers of Highways. It was voted that all cat- tle, horses, mules, asses, sheep and goats be "free commoners;" a lawful fence was defined as one " at least four feet high, the bottom space between the fence and mother earth to be not more than twelve inches, all other spaces not more than ten inches." To prevent "pound breaking," it was voted that anyone breaking a lock thereof should be fined not less than five dollars and pay all damages; also that all animals found within the lawful enclosure of any one throughout the year shall be impounded, and all animals proved to be unruly shall be impounded at all times when found running at large. If it is proved that any enclosure intruded upon is not enclosed by a substantial fenee, all damages and
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HISTORY OF HOPKINS TOWNSHIP.
costs shall be paid by the owner or tenant. A tax of $200 was voted to defray township expenses. In 1853 "the cattle laws" were continued; $20 appropria- ted for the improvement of the sloughs between Round Grove and Como; $40 appropriated for a Pound in Como, and $24 each for Pounds in Round Grove and Empire; $100 was voted for township purposes, and a tax of 20 cents on each $100 of taxable property voted for road purposes. In 1855 $150 was voted for township purposes, and $150 for bridge repairs. In 1856 township expenses voted was $150, and $300 for bridge repairs. In 1857 it was decided by vote to issue $2,000 in script bearing 10 per cent. interest, payable in one year, to rebuild the bridges at Como and Empire swept away by the floods. In 1858, by resolution, dogs were taxed. In 1865 it was voted to issue script not to exceed $5,000, payable out of the tax of 1865-'66, for bridge purposes at Como and Empire. In 1865 the citizens of the town subscribed $6,105 to pay bounties of volunteers. This was in addition to the large sums paid before by the township. Owing to the depredation of horse thieves, in 1866 the citizens of Hopkins authorized their Supervisor to use his best influence to induce the county to offer a reward of $500 for horse thieves. Hopkins is at more expense for bridges than any other township in the county, the bridges over the Elkhorn at Empire and Como being a yearly source of expense. The benefit that the township of Hopkins derives from these bridges is small in comparison with neighboring towns, yet under existing circumstances it is obliged to keep the bridges in repair. The township is out of debt, and is in a prosperous condition generally.
Supervisors :- 1852-'54, Simeon Sampson; 1855-'56, Geo. Willson; 1857, Fred. Simonson; 1858-'63, Wash. Loomis; 1864, W. M. Law; 1865-71, JJas. Dinsmoor; 1872-73, B. R. Watson; 1874-175, Henry Keefer; 1876, John Buy- ers; 1877, S. J. Baird.
Town Clerks :- 1852, Henry B. Sampson; 1853-'56, H. C. Donaldson; 1857, Chas. N. Russell; 1858, Joel Burdick; 1859, John Phinney; 1860, Chas. Patridge; 1861-'62, T. S. Barrett; 1863-'65, Jas. Fraser; 1866-'69, Daniel June; 1870-'72, Geo. T. Reed; 1873-'77, D. MeIntyre.
Assessors :- 1852, Simeon Sampson; 1853-54, W. S. Wilkinson; 1855, Wm. Pollock; 1856, J. C. Miekle; 1857, Wm. Pollock; 1858, Asa Scott; 1859- '62, Wm. Platt; 1863, O. C. Stolp; 1864, Reuben King; 1865. C. D. Sandford; 1866-69, O. E. Fanning; 1870, Wm. Pratt; 1871-73, O. E. Fanning; 1874 '77, R. A. Galt.
Collectors :- 1852, N. R. Douglas; 1853-'56, T. M. Burr; 1857, Geo. (. Willson; 1858-'59, T. M. Burr; 1860, R. B. Stoddard; 1861-'63, J. B. Linds- ley; 1864-'65, O. E. Fanning; 1866, S. C. Harvey; 1867, Ira Silliman; 1868 771, G. T. Reed; 1872, Ira Silliman; 1873. L. E. Tuttle; 1874, J. W. Lyttle; 1875, L. C. Lincoln; 1876, Chas. Tobey; 1877, G. T. Reed.
Justices of the Peace :- 1852-'55, Henry B. Sampson, Walter Harmon; 1856-'59, Geo. C. Willson, Walter Harmon; 1860-'63, Geo. C. Willson, Walter Harmon; 1864-'67, Geo. C. Willson, R. C. Wharfield; 1868-71, Wm. Crum, G. C. Willson; 1872-'77, Wm. Crum, R. C. Wharfield.
Hopkins township contains 20.556 acres of improved land, and 817 acres of unimproved. The Assessor's books show the number of horses in 1877 to be 747; cattle, 2,137; mules and asses, 28; sheep, 1,025; hogs, 3,353; carriages and wagons, 347; watches and clocks, 245; sewing and knitting machines, 113; pianofortes, 12; melodeons and organs, 22. Total assessed value of all prop- erty in 1877, $582,582. Value of railroad property, $44,702.
The population of Hopkins township in 1870, as shown by the Federal cen-
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
sus, was 1,436, of which 1,130 were native born, and 306 foreign born. In 1860 the population was 1,113. The estimated population in 1877, is 1,600.
COMO.
About 1837 the whole claim of Jason Hopkins was sold to Judge Bigelow and Peter Menard, of Peoria. Dr. Harding, a son-in-law of Judge Bigelow, came up and settled on it. Soon afterwards a colony was formed at Tremont, Tazewell county, in this State, and a committee consisting of S. B. Cushing, William Sampson, A. D. Jones, H. H. Perkins, and F. J. Williams, sent up to purchase the claim from Bigelow and Menard. This purchase was effected, about six thousand dollars being paid for the claim, most of which belonged to Mr. Hopkins. In July, 1838, the whole claim was surveyed by this committee, most of whom were surveyors, the village of Como platted, aud the balance of the claim divided into farm and timber lots.
The village of Como was laid out at the southern end of the tract, on the river, and comprised nine blocks, making one hundred and forty-two lots. The first street running parallel with the river was called Front, and the two next Second and Third. At right angles with these, and commencing on the west side of the town, were Grove, State, Court, and Walnut streets. The ferry landing was at the foot of State street. Hopkins, Brittel, Dr. Harding and George C. Willson, who were then living on the claim, were each to have a share of the village, farm, and timber lots. The lots were put up, and the mem- bers bid for choice, which resulted as follows as to farm lots: Lot 1, Jason Hopkins; 2, A. D. Jones; 3, M. G. Atwood; 4, Geo. P. Plant; 5, C. Jones and N.'S. Seaver; 6, H. H. Perkins; 7, S. P. Breed; 8, John P. Pool; 9, W. S. Wil- kinson; 10, F. J. Williams; 11, Richard Soule, Jr .; 12. H. B. Sampson; 13, W. Sampson; 14, Simeon Sampson. Lot 15 was afterwards bought by Jesse Seott. The following lots were on the south side of the river: 16, L. Bigelow; 17, Al- fred Dow; 18, Dr. Harding; 19, B. H. Brittell; 20, G. W. C. Jenks; 21, S. B. Cushing; 22, Win. Pollock; 23, Geo. C. Willson; 24, H. H. Perkins. The original agreement was that members were to forfeit the amount they paid in case they failed to settle or build a house on their respective lots. About this time speculation in western lands collapsed, and the ardor of several of the Company cooling down, they returned East, either selling or forfeiting their claims. A. D. Jones, F. J. Williams, R. Soule, Jr., J. P. Pool, Geo. P. Plant, M. G. Atwood, C. Jones, and N. S. Seaver, never made a permanent settlement.
The Government land sales took place in 1842, when W. S. Wilkinson, Geo. C. Willson, and William Pollock were selected to bid in the lands, the lot holders furnishing the money to buy the same at $1.25 per acre. After the sale these gentlemen conveyed to the owners their several farm and timber lots, as follows: Farm lot 1 and timber lot 1 to Jason Hopkins; farm lot 2 and tim- ber lot 2, to A. D. Jones; farm lot 3 and timber lot 3, to James N. Dow; farm lot 4 and timber lot 4, to Wm. Pollock; farm lot 5 and timber lot 5, to James D. Bingham; farm lot 6 and timber lot 6, to H. H. Perkins; farm lot 7 and timber lot 7, to S. P. Breed; farm lot 8 and timber lot 8, to James N. Dow; farm lot 9 and timber lot 9, to W. S. Wilkinson; farm lot 10 and timber lot 10, to Judith Sampson; farm lot 11 and timber lot 11, to James M. Burr; farm lot 12 and timber lot 12, to Capt. H. B. Sampson; farm lot 13 and timber lot 13, to Wm. Sampson; farm lot 14 and timber lot 14, to Simeon Sampson; farm lot 15 and timber lot 15, to Jesse Scott; timber lot 16 to Dr. L. Harding; part of timber lot 18 to James M. Burr; timber lot 19 to John Scott; timber lot 4 to J. II. Brittell; timber lot 22 to Wm. Pollock; part of timber lot 23 to Josiah Scott; part of timber lot 23 to Geo. C. Willson; timber lot 28 to Josiah B.
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HISTORY OF HOPKINS TOWNSHIP.
Harding; house lot 22 to Judith Sampson; part of house lot 25 to Josiah B. Harding; part of house lot 25 to Geo. C. Willson; house lot 26 to Jason Hop- kins; house lot 27 to Elizabeth Harding. All the farm lots were very soon im- proved by their owners, and as early as the land sales Como was the leading set- tlement in Eastern Whiteside, stores, factories, and the largest grist mill being built and successfully run.
The Postoffice at Como was established in 1840, and Dr. L. Harding ap- pointed the first Postmaster. The present Postmaster is A. II. Atherton. The grist mill was erected in 1845-'46, by Messrs. Smiths & Weber, at a cost of $42,000, and was the first mill of the kind built in the township or county. For many years it did an extensive business. The Congregational Church building was erected in 1854, and was the first church edifice built in Hopkins.
Of the early settlers of Como, Mrs. B. S. Sampson was the eldest member of the colony: Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Sampson, Mrs. Breed, Mr. Wm. Pollock, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hopkins, William Tell Hopkins, Dr. and Mrs. Harding, J. M. Burr, Mrs. Geo. C. Willson, Mrs. J. B. Harding, Mrs. Jesse Scott, Mrs. J. D. Bingham, and Mrs. Mason, the mother of Mrs. Pollock, all died at that place. H. H. Perkins was drowned at the falls of St. Croix, in Wisconsin. in the spring of 1850. Mrs. Perkins died at St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1873. S. P. Breed died in New Hampshire. William Sampson died in Chicago in 1851, where he had resided for some years; his wife, Caroline Sampson, died at her home in that city, September 28, 1877, aged 84 years.
The original proprietors of Como consisted of six civil engineers and sur- veyors, three ship captains, one elergyman, one editor, one printer and editor, one physician, one miller, one merchant, three shoe and leather dealers, and two farmers. The colonists were mostly natives of New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts, and were well educated, moral and hospitable people.
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