USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume One > Part 17
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Next to the grain interest, and perhaps even surpassing it in importance and as a source of actual wealth to the city, was stone quarrying. Joliet stone is known throughout the state, and to a considerable extent in many other states. From the inexhaustible supply of the finest building and flag stone, the large number of stone buildings and most excellent sidewalks, the city has justly received the pseudonym of the "Stone City." The neighborhood of Joliet is as prolific of stone as some neigh- boring sections of coal. Indeed, from a ramble among the quarries, we should judge the supply to be sufficient almost to build a "Chinese Wall" around the entire state. So far, it has been impossible to form any accurate idea of the extent or quantity of stone in this vicinity, as the number of quarries in successful operation required no labor to open them other than the scraping off of the trash from the surface, and no cause exists for going to any depth for superior qualities of the "raw material." As pertinent to the subject, we quote from the Geological Survey of Illinois: "Only from twelve to fifteen feet of beds furnishing 'dimension stone' are now quarried, as the bottom of this brings the quarryman down to the water- level, and the supply has thus far been so abundant as to make
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deeper explorations unnecessary. The stone itself is a very compact, fine-grained, clinking, magnesian limestone, but thin seams of greenish clay run irregularly through the whole mass, which, upon long exposure in situations alternately wet and dry, must ultimately cause the most solid layers to split up. The separation in the quarry into 'ledges,' often twen- x ty-four, thirty and forty inches in thickness, simply results from the presence of somewhat thicker partings of this same greenish, shaly clay. These beds were formerly described as composed of light buff stone, while the deeper portions of the quarries now furnish 'blue stone'. The difference results from the difference in amount of oxidation of the small portion of iron disseminated through the whole mass, the change having resulted from atmospheric influence. The same change must ultimately take place in all the 'blue stone' which is brought to the surface."
Who was first to engage in quarrying, as a regular business, we have been unable to ascertain, but are of the opinion that as the city grew, and developed, enterprising individuals grad- ually and mechanically, as it were, drifted into it to supply the increasing demand for building stone. M. H. Demmond, who is mentioned on another page as having built the first stone house in 1835, must have been the first quarryman, though it does not appear that he extended the business beyond his own immediate wants. From that insignificant beginning the stone business has continued to increase until it had reached vast proportions, and the quarries in and around Joliet, in ordi- nary times, gave employment to more than five hundred men. One of the large quarries here in operation was that of W. A. Steel, who employed a large number of men, and shipped im- mense quantities of stone to every part of the country, and commanded a large trade throughout this state, having shipped some sixty thousand carloads to the Government works at Rock
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Island alone. The custom houses at Des Moines, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin, and the capitol of Michigan were built principally from his quarries. But our space forbids a more extended notice of Mr. Steel's well-known quarries. Bruce & Co. had one of the oldest quarries in the vicinity and employed a large number of men. From having been long in the business, they commanded a large trade and shipped extensively to other sections of the country. The Joliet Stone Company's quarries were among the largest and best in operation. The company was organized in 1877, under the state law, with G. H. Munroe, president; G. M. Campbell, secretary and treasurer, and D. C. Hays, superintendent. They employed from twenty-five to one hundred men and had the most complete steam machinery for sawing and rubbing stone in use. The company purchased and opened a quarry in Alabama, which they worked extensively. The Werners were largely engaged in the stone business. Charles, William and Adam Werner operated separate quar- ries, of which Charles, perhaps, did the largest business. Wil- liam Davidson & Bro. opened their quarries in 1845, and shipped largely to different parts of the country. Their quarries were on the Rock Island Railroad and the canal, thus affording them excellent facilities for shipping. Bannon and Kronmeyer both owned and operated large quarries, the former on the west side of the river and the latter on the canal, just south of the prison, and had a large trade both at home and abroad. There were other quarries around the city, perhaps, some of which we believe were doing but little business while others were standing wholly idle. In this brief glance at the stone interests of Joliet, it will be seen that the business was one of immense volume and value. Concluding our brief sketch, we would note the fact that the United States Government had subjected this stone to new and critical tests, as compared with the stone from all the important quarries in the country, and both the
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War and Treasury Departments for years recognized its su- periority and drawn on Joliet for immense quantities of it for the erection of public buildings throughout the country.
But all this stone business passed, and 1928 finds but little rubble stone quarried. The coming of concrete for buildings ard bridges, and roads, created a demand for crushed stone. Today one finds mountains of crushed stone of several sizes. Trainloads leave Joliet each day for Chicago and other cities.
The following "Joliet City Directory" published in 1858, is interesting. It shows many changes and shows how some fam- ilies and some institutions and perpetuated :
Banks: Merchants and Drovers', Will County, Osgood's Exchange Office, Hatton & Co.'s Exchange Office.
Lawyers: Bowen, S. W., Fellows, E. C., Goodspeed & Bar- tleson, Hilderbrant, T. Q., Osgood, Uri, Parks & Elwood, Ran- dal & Snapp, Roberts, J. Mc., Street, J. E. R. E. Barber will furnish abstracts of titles from Will County records.
Physicians: Bailey, F. K., Brownson, M. K., Danforth, W., Harwood, E., McArthur, A. L., McCann, J., Meade, A. B., Reece, J. H., Simonton, W. B.
Druggists: Brown, J. H., Bray, E. M., Gankhoffer, Jos., McCann, J., Simonton, W. B., Woodruff, G. H.
Ironmongers: Mills, J., Strong & Co.
Land Agents: Bowen, S. W., Parks & Elwood, Reese, J. R., White & Lowe.
Lumber Merchants: Elliott & Co., Fish & Adams, Hardy, Otis, Hollister & Co., Wheeler & Co.
Joliet Stone Works: Anderson, Spencer & Co., Hart, P., Hauser, S., Kelly, J., Walworth & Co., Wilson & Cunningham, Schwalm, F., Taylor & Co.
Marble Works: Munger, C. E., Ward, G. H.
Iron Founders and Plow Factors: Jones & Cagwin.
Newspapers: True Democrat, Joliet Signal.
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Sash and Door Factors and Steam Plaining Mills: Hunt & Ward.
Shingle Factor: King, M. J.
Dry Goods Merchants: Curry, J., Duncan, R. C., Dutton, O. B., Reichert, J., Swain & Hebbard, Worrell Brothers.
Merchant Grocers: Belz, J., Godard, H. B., McEvoy, M., Nicholson, F., Potter & Co., Simonds & Scarrett, Stone, S. W., Sleeper, D. C., Whittemore, A. F.
Booksellers: Bray, E. M., Fox, O., Savage, E.
Hotels: Bissell's, Central, Exchange, National, Joliet.
Cabinet Makers: Blackwell & Kimball, Daley, E., Hecht, C., Walker, J. H.
Warehousemen: Cagwin & Higginbottom, Dow, A., Wheeler & Co.
Flour Merchants: Howke, Hyde & Co., Grinton, W.
Watchmakers and Jewelers: Kinney, T., Verley, J. D., Put- ney, D. F.
Boot and Shoe Merchants: Fuller, N., Mack, F., Shaw Brothers.
Merchant Tailors: Quinn, J. H., Stephens, S., Williams, J. C., Webber, J.
Clothiers: Loner, C., Einstein, M., Mack, Brothers & Co., Kaufman, F., Metzgar, Is.
Milliners: Bray, Miss, Kavanagh, Mrs., Stevens, Mrs., Si- monds, Miss.
Dentists: Carpenter, E. R. E., Thompson & Allen.
Painters: Adle & White, Beaumont, J., Dorr & Schott, Wright & Cook.
Carriage and Wagon Makers: House, R., Hyde, E., Lamp- ing.
Hatter: Keeler, R. R.
Harness Makers: Mendsen, Jas. Ruger & Kaffer, Schra- der, H.
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Wholesale Liquor Dealers: Devanny & Kelly, Droesler, V. Daguerreian: Balch, H., Compton, Mrs.
Fort Nonsense was built upon the hill now occupied by St. Peter's Lutheran Church. The hill was a round knob difficult of ascent in those days. The bluff at the right was broken and abrupt, and a silvery cascade during some seasons of the year, with a cedar-lined dell, formed a picturesque background. The fort was of the stockade order, with a blockhouse at the north- east corner, projecting beyond the stockade, with portholes for downward, as well as "straight-out" shooting. This was built by a part of the regiment which was sent to the relief of the settlers of Danville, through the efforts of Gurdon S. Hubbard, who was there at the time. In this old fort the Zarley family, including "our Cal," found a refuge for some weeks. The stock- ade and blockhouse were still standing when the writer came to Juliet in 1834, but was torn down soon after, and we presume its logs were appropriated to the profane use of boiling some- body's dinner. The old blockhouse, however, served during one summer (1834) for the first school taught here by Miss Persis Cleveland, of which more will be said when we come to schools. 13
The Historical Joliet Mound .- Mrs. John Frazer, 624 Ham- ilton Street, Lockport, formerly of Hawley's Hill, now known as Mount Hawley in Homer Township, contributed the follow- ing account of Joliet Mound. This account was published in the Joliet News in 1913.
"One of the time-honored land-marks in this vicinity is the Joliet Mound. The pioneers knew it as one of the most beautiful and picturesque bits of scenery in this section of the country. Even as far back as 1877, it had not yet been robbed of its beauty in forest and native shrubs and flowers. One of the News fraternity was superintendent of a little Sunday school at the east of this Mound. At that time Jacob Stryker
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was the moving spirit in the original Mound corporation that manufactured tile of various kinds. A very well written article is herewith published regarding the business history of the plant. Next Monday, what there is left of the machinery and utilities will be sold at public auction by Fred R. Stryker. There will be many regrets in losing the Stryker family in this vicin- ity, as they have been active in every good word and work. Here is the article above referred to:
The site known for these many years as the "Mound," was, in its original state, a very beautiful spot, it being an eleva- tion averaging about 80 feet in height, and about twenty-four acres in extent. Large trees bordered its sides, and its grassy expanse with trees at picturesque intervals, made a natural park commanding a charming view of the surrounding coun- try.
But being a "thing of beauty" did not insure its being a "joy forever," unless one counts as joy the financial gain reaped from its destruction.
The uppermost stratum of this glacial deposit was about 60 feet in depth, and consisted of coarse gravel. A great part of this gravel was removed and shipped in boats on the I. & M. canal to Chicago, where it was used to build streets.
This first stratum was underlaid with potter's clay to a depth averaging 12 feet. Underneath this were large boulders, hard-pan and sand deposit.
In the year 1858 the ground was broken by the three circuit judges of Cook county, J. M. Wilson, Grant Goodrich and W. W. Farewell. These men were the organizers and first officers of the Joliet Mound Co. It was not incorporated until 1862. It was the first factory of its kind west of Ohio, and one of the first in the country.
For over 20 years, from the time of its organization, the products manufactured were fire-brick, bath brick and sewer.
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pipe. The material for the same was shipped on the I. & M. canal in boats from La Salle county. The shipping facilities were excellent at that time, due to the proximity of the canal and the private slip and wharf constructed by the company. In later years the shipping facilities were made still better by the C. R. I. & P. railroad running through the property for about three-fourths of a mile. At a still later date a street railway was constructed north of the property, and an electric railway on the south.
Later a change took place in the officers of the corporation. Due to the panic of 1873, the organizers were financially em- barrassed, and the property went through a long litigation and was re-organized in 1880 by the present stockholders who were their creditors.
The factory was re-built and transformed into an exclusive drain tile factory. This change necessitated the re-modeling and re-building of the works. This was done under the super- vision of F. R. Stryker, who, since that date, has been general manager of the works, and is now closing out-the business. The company was compelled to stop manufacturing tile for want of material.
During the 32 years there was produced over one hundred million feet of drain tile ranging in size from 3 to 18 inches in diameter. It may be of interest to know that the patterns for the first power tile machine manufactured were built and pat- ented in the shop of the Joliet Mound Co.
During a period of 35 years there were a number of the workmen who labored continuously in the works from 10 to 30 years, and during this time all the horses which became dis- abled or aged were kept on the premises while able to enjoy life, and at the end of that time were shot. The manager never allowed an animal that did good service to go into the market.
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The Mound elevation is now all gone and the ground leveled and prepared for sub-divisions. The old landmark will soon be a thing of the past.
The following tradition is from Historical Edition of Joliet News published in 1884:
There is an interesting tradition of this period which re- lates to Mound Joliet. The great Indian Chief Pontiac, of Michigan, could not be reconciled to this transfer to the Eng- lish whom he cordially hated. He continued to contest their claims to possession, and beseiged Detroit for six months, but was finally worsted. After a treaty had been concluded be- tween the English and the Western tribes in 1764, disgusted with the outcome he left the region where he had been for so many years a great leader and warrior, and with the remnant of his Ottawa warriors (about 200) with their families, retired farther West. According to a tradition, which we are dis- posed to accept as true, he settled on the banks of the beautiful Kankakee near the present city of Wilmington. The same
tradition gives us an account of his death, altogether different from the one found in most early histories of the time. He had merged the remnant of his tribe into that of the Potta- wattamies, who disputed with the Illinois the possession of Northern Illinois. In 1769 a council of the two nations was called at Mound Joliet to settle these claims. During a speech which Pontiac was making in behalf of the tribe with which he had identified his fortunes, he was assassinated in the most cowardly manner by Kineboo, head Chief of the Illinois. This act of treachery not only broke up the council, but led to a long and bloody war which resulted in the destruction of the great Illinois village "La Vantam," which occupied the ground where the town of Utica was laid off in 1835, and to the tragedy of Starved Rock, and to the almost complete destruction of the once great nation of the Illinois.
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Building .- The building record for July, 1928, sets a new high mark in construction in Joliet. It means that Joliet has a good future. The following account is from the Herald News:
"The greatest month in the history of Joliet construction has just passed with the issuance of nearly a million and a half dollars in permits by the city building inspector.
Two factories, a large office building, a distributing plant for the Standard Oil Company, a garage, a clinic, a church and a store are included in permits totaling $1,386,635 issued dur- ing July.
The figure is more than five times the total for June. Per- mits for $261,300 building were issued during that month. The nearest approach this year was made in April when about one- third as much building was allowed. The total then was $478,- 725.
These figures for July would be considerably augmented with the addition of building outside of the city, according to John F. Neiswender, city building inspector.
The Kaiser-Ducett company has three contracts outside the city which amount to $450,000. There is about $350,000 in residential building going on outside of the city. These pros- pects have been included in the amount listed for July by the building inspector.
This leaves $564,068 which consists of building in the down- town and residential districts alone, and $22,567 in repairs and remodeling.
The largest permit for the month was $350,000 issued to the Public Service Company for the building in process of con- struction at Ottawa and Cass streets. The building will eventu- ally comprise ten stories to be used as quarters for the com- pany's offices and displays, quarters for the Western United Gas and Electric Company and general office purposes.
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Hansen and Petersen are in charge of construction to be finished shortly after the first of the year.
The Kaiser-Ducett Company is constructing a $200,000 dis- tributing plant for the Standard Oil Company on its property on Cass street, near the Farrell Manufacturing plant.
Three large buildings and several smaller structures are in- cluded in the plant to be used for the distribution of petroleum products of the oil company in the northern Illinois territory outside of Cook County.
This company also has a contract for a new felt mill for the Ruberoid Company which will represent an investment of ap- proximately $200,000 when completed. The building is being put up to house machinery for a complete process in the manu- facture of the company's products.
The Watson garage is under construction on West Jeffer- son Street. The building when completed will have cost $30,000.
A building to cost $37,500 will house the Woodruff Clinic at Ottawa and Webster streets.
A new church is being erected by the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church listed with the building inspector at $30,000.
The remainder of the construction is made up of smaller shops and residential buildings together with repair and re- modeling jobs going on about the city.
More than $1,335,000 is represented in twelve large build- ing projects now in process in and about the city.
Some of these are represented in the total figure of $1,386,- 635 in building permits for July, the largest in the history of Joliet. Others were started months ago. Five of these build- ings will be finished early in the fall.
Concrete pouring for the foundation of the Public Service building the largest of these, is now finished and the erection of steel about to begin. The building represents an invest- ment of $350,000.
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Work on buildings to be used as a distributing plant for the Standard Oil Company, on its property on Cass Street near the Farrell Manufacturing plant is well under way. The work is being done by Kaiser-Ducett Company and will cost $200,000.
Steel work is completed on the $140,000 building to house Dinet and Company at Ottawa and Cass streets. Efforts are being made to have the building ready for occupancy some time in October.
One of the features will be an open court in the center of the building from the first to the third stories. The court, 36 feet long by 25 feet wide, will be so arranged that every portion of the store will obtain an ample amount of light.
Steel is beginning to go up for the Sears-Roebuck building on Ottawa Street. The building is to cost $85,000.
Excavation has been finished for the new Woodruff Clinic being erected on the northeast corner of Ottawa and Webster streets, and work on masonry is being started.
The building will be two stories high, approximately 65 by 75 feet, fronting on Ottawa Street.
It will be built of steel and tile with a stucco exterior finish. The architectural design will be similar to the Chamber of Commerce.
On the first floor of the building there will be a central reception room similar to the patio in the Chamber of Com- merce. There will be a mezzanine balcony on the second floor, around which the offices of doctors, will be located. Another reception room will be provided on the second floor. The build- ing is to cost $50,000.
Excavations for a new $30,000 building for the Watson garage are being finished on Jefferson Street.
Schools .- The following year's report of the Joliet City Schools is interesting, especially when presented along with
INTERIOR OF CELL HOUSE, NEW ILLINOIS STATE PENITENTIARY, JOLIET, ILL.
# # Two
CONTROL WORKS, LOCKPORT, ILL.
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earlier history. The report covers the school year ending on July 1, 1928.
When the city school board closed its fiscal year July 1, its books show that it had a balance of $3,242.31 according to the annual report that is being compiled by Miss Hazel Cowell, assistant county superintendent of schools.
The balance this year is approximately a thousand dollars less than that of last year.
The report shows that the receipts of the city schools for the past year were $642,686.53 and the expenditures totaled $639,444.22.
The biggest item in the list of expenditures is that of sal- aries which amount to $375,473.63.
It cost $555,444.22 to operate the city schools last year. This figure included salaries, repairs to buildings and grounds, re- placement of equipment and all maintenance costs. Added to this total is $40,000 applied on the principal of the bonded in- debtedness and $44,000 interest on bonds. The bonded indebt- edness of the city school at this time is $870,000.
It cost the high school $529,676.26 to operate that school and the junior college. In addition to these expenses the high school board paid out $60,000 on the principal of the bonded indebtedness and $46,498.22 on interest.
Total receipts for the high school board were $708,200.34 so that it had a balance on July 1, of $72,025.86, the report shows.
Penitentiary .- In 1857, the Legislature authorized the building of a new penitentiary, to be located at Joliet. Com- missioners were appointed to superintend the work. They purchased a tract of land on Section 3 of this township, of 72.19 acres, with a front on the Canal of 55 rods. No better selection could probably have been made. The ground is underlaid by our limestone strata to such a depth as to render all tunneling
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out an impossibility. There was a fine natural spring on the property, and considerable stone, valuable for its construction, and large quarries in the vicinity. The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad passes between it and the Canal .
Boyington & Wheelock, of Chicago, were selected as the architects, and a most extensive and beautiful plan was projected. John B. Preston was appointed superintendent of construction and engineer, but served only a short time, as his duties as superintendent of the Canal required his time. On his resignation, George R. McGregor was appointed to fill the place. Work was commenced in August, 1857, and by January 1, 1858, $125,000 of work was under contract with Sanger & Casey. Sixteen acres were inclosed by a wall six feet thick and twenty-five feet high. A beautiful warden's house occu- pying the center of the south front, with wings which contain the cells, was commenced on the plan drawn by the architects we have named, furnishing 900 congregate cells and 100 soli- tary and 100 female. In May, 1859, prisoners began to be re- moved from Alton, and by June, 1860, all were removed.
At the start, the prison was leased, but in June, 1867, the state assumed control, and three commissioners were tempo- rarily appointed. They were subsequently elected by the people. A warden, deputy warden, chaplain, matron and physician were chosen, and the work has been completed on the original plan. Within the walls, also, many buildings, sheds, etc., neces- sary for the mechanical operations carried on, have been from time to time erected, and for many years the walls inclosed an immense amount of mechanical and manufacturing establish- ments, and it was a vast hive of industries, where those who have forfeited their right to freedom are required to serve the state.
The original estimate of the cost was $550,000. The sum of $300,000 was originally appropriated to operate it. In 1869, $350,000 more were appropriated, and in 1871, $175,000. In
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