USA > Illinois > Will County > History of Will County, Illinois, Volume One > Part 23
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Matthews went to Oregon when people first began to emigrate to that magnificent country. Another early settler of Plain- field was John Fish, who come to the place as early as 1833. He was from Indiana, and in a short time moved up on Salt Creek fourteen miles west of Chicago, where he died. Edmund Reed came from Kentucky in 1833-34, and finally moved up near Racine, and whether he is yet alive could not be learned. W. W. Wattles also settled here in 1833. He came here from Chi- cago, but his native place could not be ascertained. He bought out Timothy B. Clarke, finally sold out himself, and moved up north of Chicago. Robert Chapman, Scofield and a few other early settlers located about Plainfield and Walker's Trove.
La Cache Creet (familiarly known as Lily Cache) is inter- esting to the historial because the origin of the name connects it with very early times of Will County. The earliest map available (1858 or 1859) gives the name "La Cache" thus verify- ing the account here given.
Jean Gabriel Cerre' lived in Kaskaskia and St. Louis for many years. He came from France to a French country; later he became a subject of the English king; still later a citizen of Virginia and American; then he was a Spanish subject; and again a subject of the French Empire and then an American citizen once more. In this he was not unique for Will County territory followed the same rotation. Cerre' administered law as a Virginia judge, and made laws as a Spanish syndic. The full story of his life would form an interesting volume but we are concerned more especially with what happened in Will County.
Jean Gabriel Cerre' was born on August 12, 1734, at Mon- treal. Louis XV was the French King and Beauhernois acted as Governor-General of Canada. Peace prevailed throughout the country but the English on the south were inclined to agriculture and the French to adventure and yielded readily to the call of the wild and followed distant waterways and
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crossed wide plains. When Cerre' was nine years old, two brothers (La Verendrye) returned from a journey of discov- ery in which they reached the Rocky Mountains. Their ac- counts inspired him to seek adventure and at twenty-one he was at Kaskaskia. He sought wealth by trading with the Red Men.
In 1763 he was on his way from Montreal to Kaskaskia in loaded canoes bearing goods to be traded with the Indians who gathered at Kaskaskia twice each year. As he entered the Chicago Portage and the Des Plaines valley, the Red Men de- manded tribute for the right to pass through the Great High- way. This he refused abruptly. The Indians withdrew, held a council and decided to stop him on his way down as he passed their village. (At Channahon). What diplomacy could not procure, force might. In the council meeting some of the war- riors opposed the robbery. The majority prevailed but a friendly native reported the action to Cerre'.
Cerre' decided that he would pass by strategy in the dark- ness of the night if possible, and if this failed he would fight. To lighten his canoes to enable them to pass the shallow places readily, he unloaded most of his goods and hid them in the grove which bordered the creek to the west of the Des Plaines. Here the bales were buried in the ground and covered with care. The surplus earth was removed with care to conceal the burial places (caches).
Armed with guns, knives, and hatchets, the Indians moved down the river. At the village, he left the guards with the boats and called on the Indians for a talk. This was readily agreed upon. Cerre' represented that the Great Father, the French king, owned the land and had authorized him to travel and trade. The most dire consequences were promised to those who interfered. His "big talk" prevailed and he was granted permission to proceed. He said that presents had been pre- pared by the French king for them but that he had withheld
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them because of their treachery. They repented and he gave them the bundles which he had prepared for this purpose. The bundles contained a few pieces of bright calico, powder, and shot, tobacco, and flint and steel for making fire. The Indians were overjoyed and sent men with him to uncover the caches and carry the goods beyond the village where he reloaded his canoes and proceeded on his journey from where the Des Plaines and Kankakee join to form the Illinois River.
Thus La Cache Creek was named. Alliteration readily changed it to Lily Cache' as we now hear it spoken.
From this early history of Plainfield Township and the city of Plainfield, we see that it furnished lumber for Chicago and was quite a village before Joliet or Lockport had made a start. The city has held its own through the century, for the first set- tlement was made there 100 years ago. For many years it was without a railroad. The communication with the outside world for half a century was by means of the stage line. The coming of the E. J. & E. Railroad brought transportation facilities and later, the interurban electric line from Aurora to Joliet made it easy for the people to get back and forth between both cities. The building of the concrete road, Route 22 of the Illinois sys- tem of highways, made the interurban useless, but it made it possible for that organization to establish bus lines from Aur- ora to Joliet, passing through Plainfield. These seem to be prosperous at the present writing.
The listing of the business houses of the city is not always the most interesting history, but no better way can be found to indicate the condition of a city. Therefore, we give the fol- lowing list: Grocers, Harry H. Bayles, Nicholas Seleman, Louis A. Thompson; General Merchants, Ralph W. Hill and A. C. Steiner; Meats, Fred Selfridge, Oscar Howard; Plumbing, Dar- ius V. Maltby and W. L. Brockway; Hardware and Agricul- tural Implements, J. R. Jones and Lambert & Fiddyment. Two garages, Cromer Motor Company and N. W. Hartong; Drugs,
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Chas. W. Hallock and Krebb's Bros., two doctors, R. A. Har- court and J. C. Owens; Furniture, Geo. C. Luce and Men's Furnishings, Edw. Whitley. Plainfield State Bank is a pros- perous institution.
The Plainfield Enterprise is a growing paper published by U. S. G. Blakely. It is the oldest country township paper in Will County. It has always maintained Republican politics, and has been a help in building up the county.
The Evangelical Church is maintained quite regularly, the new pastor being installed at this writing. The Rev. Thomas Charters has charge of the Congregational Church, Rev. A. Annette of the Baptist Church, Rev. Samuel Taylor of the Methodist Church and Rev. Herman Ezell has charge of St. Mary's Catholic Church. All of these are prospering institu- tions.
Reed Township .- This is now the smallest township in the county, containing only the west half of the Congressional Town 32, Range 9, east of the Third Principal Meridian. For the fifteen years ending 1875, it was the largest, embracing within its limits all of that territory now constituting Custer. The first name given to the township, by the Commissioners, was Clinton, which, however, was changed, at the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors, to Reid, in honor of one of the pioneers of this section. On the first maps and in the first re- ports, the orthography of the name is found as here indicated; but on the later maps and reports it is spelled as indicated at the head of this article. For what reason this change has been made, or if made by common consent or practice-the later method being the more natural way-we are unable to inform our readers.
The land, for the most part, is a level plain or prairie. In some portions, more especially in the southern, it is covered with timber of a small growth. In this portion the surface is
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more broken, but cannot be considered hilly. It is not crossed by any stream of water, but all of that supply is obtained from wells. Good water abounds at a depth of from twenty to forty feet. The land is of a poor quality for agricultural purposes, the soil being quite thin, with a species of quicksand under- lying.
The surface of the township of Reed, to look upon, like the apples of Sodom, is all that is desirable; but like that deceptive fruits to the agriculturist, it is only a source of sorrow. For a number of years after the first settlement was made, and a compensation for his expenditure of strength and time, it was believed that this section was a failure and numerous tracts were sold for taxes from year to year, and the epithet "land poor" seemed to apply with propriety to its owners. But be- hold the wisdom of the Creator! In this region, which man so irreverently denounced, was stored by Him, for many thou- sand years, an article for the use of man's extremity, which renders this one of the most valuable tracts in the State. All hoarded up, eighty feet under the ground, and condensed into a small space, is suddenly found the fuel with which to supply the deficiency that had always been felt existed in the prairie country; and, all at once, the land which could have been bought "for a song" jumps to $100 per acre, and, within the space of ten years, a city of five thousand inhabitants buds and blossoms, as it were, by magic.
Owing to a scarcity of timber and a want of water, the township was one of the latest in the county to settle. Twenty years before, settlements had been made along the Des Plaines and Kankakee. Not until the opening-up of the railroad could an emigrant be induced to lose sight of the belt of timber lying along the banks of the streams of water. When that event transpired, and fuel and other commodities were transported to a distance from their place of growth or manufacture, a life on the prairie began to appear possible, and this section began
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to develop. Prior to 1854, the date of the event named, prob- ably not more than four or five families had shown the hardi- hood to venture so far from the original settlements. William Higgins, who came to this vicinity (being just a few rods west of the township line, in Grundy County) in 1850, said that when he arrived here, James Curmea had been living on Section 6 about six months. Curmea was a native of Ireland, had been peddling through the country, and, becoming tired of the busi- ness, settled at the point mentioned. He entered all of the section, and, though a large land-owner as regards real estate, he was poor, the soil proving to be of a very unfruitful nature. He lived on his land until 1865, when the discovery of coal in this section suddenly made him a rich man. His farm, which had cost him $1.25 per acre, and which, a few weeks before, could have been bought for $10, was considered worth $100; and shortly after, he actually sold it for the last price named. The tract now belongs to the Wilmington Company. Curmea took his money, removed to Morris and started a bank.
William Smith was a Yankee, from the hills of Vermont. He could scarcely be called a "settler," as his business was that of hunting, and his home was wherever his dog and gun could be found. His range was from the head of the Kankakee to its mouth, but his headquarters were in this township. The report of his rifle years ago ceased to be heard, and then it was known that "Smith the hunter" was gone to a "happier hunting ground." Patrick and James Dwyer came in 1850. Wm. Sterrett and Timothy Keane were also old settlers. Den- nis Glenny was a stone-cutter on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. He was another native of Erin. He came to the township in 1856, and his descendants still reside here. Besides those al- ready named, there were but few who could lay claim to being permanent settlers; and neither were there any additional set- tlements until the discovery of coal. Even in 1878, there were,
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perhaps, not more than twenty families outside of the city limits.
Though Reed Township was organized in 1850, the portion now embraced in Custer contained, until 1865, nearly all the inhabitants; and, though Custer is but three years old in name, it, and not Reed, is the original township; so that in reality, what is now called by the name of Reed, is a new town with the old name. The division occurred in 1875, on the petition of citizens of the eastern portion of the township. As now con- stituted, the west eighteen sections were organized April, 1875.
City of Braidwood.
In many respects, this city is peculiar, and in its growth certainly is a wonder; and, to any but inhabitants of the West, who are somewhat used to such phenomena as a large city springing from the ground in a decade, it would be considered a marvel.
In 1865, where Braidwood now stands, was nothing but a sea of tall grass, or in the winter a boundless field of snow, reaching out to meet the horizon, with scarcely a cabin inter- vening. As stated before, it was considered worthless with only a few farmers who were almost starving.
In 1878, Braidwood had a population of 5,000, with seven churches, three schools and gigantic systems of mining mach- inery.
In 1864, William Henneberry, while digging a well discov- ered the first coal. He had already sunk the well to a reason- able depth, but had failed to find water. Procuring a drill he continued his search, by boring to a greater depth. When about eighty feet below the surface, he came upon what proved to be a fine vein of coal. As soon as the fact became known, great excitement prevailed, and a shaft was sunk at a point known at Keeversville. This shaft fully realized the expectations of
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its projectors, and but a short time intervened before works of simple character were erected for the purpose of raising the product.
Individual and small company enterprises were thencefor- ward organized with varying success. The parties originating the same usually having more enthusiasm than capital, their efforts generally proved comparative failures.
In 1865-66, J. D. Bennett, M. B. Killbourn, C. L. Whitcomb, Seth Turner and C. D. Wilbur leased some land, proposing to operate for coal. Wilbur was the State Geologist, and was a great enthusiast on the subject of coal desposits.
Their work was, however, but scarcely begun, when a com- pany of gentlemen from Boston completed an organization for the same purpose, and Bennett and his company sold out to them. The Boston organization became known as the Wilm- ington & Vermillion Coal Company, J. M. Walker being the President, and A. T. Hall, Treasurer. With ample means at their command, the success of the work was fully assured, and the company continued in successful operation for forty years.
By 1880, the demand for coal had fallen off because mines were opened in other places. Seven hundred men were in the employ of the company at Braidwood. Of these one-half were colored. The colored miners worked by themselves. In the summer season the miners were employed about one-half of the time. They received eighty-five cents per ton in the sum- mer and ninety cents per ton in winter. The miners averaged 21/2 tons per day. Two shafts were operated to the capacity of 30,000 tons per month. General stores operated by the com- pany for the sale of food and clothing were common then as they are now.
The Company employed at their two shafts, 425 men, about 300 of whom were at work all of the time, the remainder wait- ing their turn for employment, which was given to all from two to four days each week. About 130,000 tons of coal were
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raised per year, the capacity of the shafts being over 200,000. The total expense of the Company amounted to about $18,000 per month.
James Braidwood has, perhaps did more than any single in- dividual to develop the coal industry in this region; especially, was this the case in its early history. He came from Scotland to America, in 1863, and to this vicinity, in 1865, and assisted in sinking most of the early shafts. In 1872, he, in company with some others, sunk the Braidwood shaft. Subsequently, the works were burned, and, in 1876 he started on his own resources, the shaft later known as the Braidwood shaft. He was not connected with the pool, but employed his men and sold his coal at prices independent of all corporations, most of his product being disposed of to the Bridgeport Rolling Mills at Chicago.
The history of Braidwood and Reed would be incomplete without an account of the strike. This account comes from Maltby's History. The panic of 1872-73 caused capitalists to withdraw their money from manufacturers and other enter- prises which formerly gave employment to people without money or credit. Thus thousands of men and women all over the country were without the means of gaining a livelihood. As a consequence, a competition amongst laborers reduced wages, and still many, who would gladly have worked for smaller hire, had nothing to do. Labor arrayed itself against capital and manufacturers continued to withdraw thier means and invest in bonds and mortgages which were not threatened, and which, therefore, they considered safer, though not affording as great profits. This apparent conflict kept increasing until absolute necessity on the one hand and safety on the other have led to the organization of opposite parties. In 1877, this general strife culminated in a strike on the part of employes in all de- partments requiring labor. Mechanics, miners, railroad men and common workmen were infected with a premature desire
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to suddenly right their fancied or real wrongs. Trains were stopped, shops were closed and machinery of all kinds stood idle. This was the state of affairs in July, 1877. On the 1st of April, of the year mentioned, the coal companies of Braid- wood had asked of their employes a reduction of 15 cents for Summer and 25 cents for Winter on each ton of coal mined, the reduction to take effect at once. The men would not accede to the terms proposed, and at once they stopped work, arguing that an unfair advantage was being taken of them in that many of them had bought lots of the companies and had im- proved the same, making it impossible for them to remove with- out serious loss. The companies were determined, however, and to keep their works in operation brought in miners from other localities, whom they employed by the day. After a month, several hundred colored miners were brought, who went to work for the companies at the reduction formerly proposed. Though deep mutterings were heard on all sides and some threats were made, nothing serious took place and hopes were entertained that the threatened trouble would finally blow over. But toward the last of July the general strikes occur- ring, and riots becoming common in many places throughout the land, the spirit of defiance took possession of the strikers, and they determined to drive out the "blacklegs," who, upon being apprised of the intention of the strikers. though promised protection by their employers and the county authorities, fled from the city. Some went to Wilmington, some to Morris, and others, who could obtain no means of conveyance for themsel- ves and families, camped on the prairie. At this juncture, the Sheriff despairing of preserving order, the Governor was called on to furnish soldiers to quell the hourly-expected outbreak. Accordingly, Gov. Cullom ordered 1,300 soldiers to the scene of the trouble, 200 of whom occupied the city about three weeks, the others returning to their homes in a few days. On the ap- pearance of the soldiery, the "blacklegs" returned to the city
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and resumed work. At the end of the three weeks alluded to, the excitement attending the riot, as well as the disturbances themselves, ceased, railroads were in operation, factories were opened, and business generally was as brisk as before, and this community partaking of the modified sentiment prevail- ing in other parts, the trouble which had for some weeks threatened bloodshed was at an end. Many of the strikers took their former places in the mines, and some, with some of the "blacklegs," departed to other fields of labor. Peace and good feeling was so far restored that the visitor saw no trace of the once threatened rebellion. While the excitement was at its highest pitch, Gov. Cullom visited the city and spoke to the people, counseling peace and good order, and promising pro- tection to the laborers to the extent of the full power of the State or of the United States army. The soil of the surround- ing country, though but poorly adapted to agricultural pur- suits, is yet quite well adapted to grazing and the dairy busi- ness, and this latter industry is just now receiving attention.
The history of Reed Township as well as the city of Braid- wood is so closely connected with the coal industry that they cannot be separated., In 1880, Braidwood had a population of about five thousand. It was perhaps the most important min- ing town in Illinois. Soon after that, coal was taken out in many regions farther south. As they went southward in the State they found veins of coal which were much thicker than at Braidwood. Some of these reached a thickness of eight feet in Franklin County and at Springfield. These heavier veins made it cheaper to lift coal because the miner could take out more in a day. Gradually the industry weakened at Braid- wood. The production decreased from year to year. In 1916, the mine at Godley just a little ways from Braidwood was closed. In 1918, the one at Torino ceased to operate. In both of these villages, a large number of men were thrown out of employment. They removed their families nearer to their
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work, most of them going to Southern Illinois. At this writ- ing, Godley contains perhaps ten houses which are occupied. Torino has been almost entirely abandoned. Only two or three of the houses in the village are occupied and they are almost unfit for use. In 1923, South Wilmington mine was closed down. While this was in another county it has a part in our history because some of the people at Godley, Torino, and Braidwood, found employment in South Wilmington. In 1928, one small mine without a railroad was operated north of Braid- wood. In July of that summer, Skinner Brothers sold the mine to the Northern Illinois Coal Corporation, familiarly spoken of as the "strip mine". This company closed the Skinner mine at once thus throwing out of employment 60 men. Skinner Brothers almost immediately opened up the old mine at South Wilmington where they will give employment to many of those who worked for them in the mine at Braidwood.
This brings us to the history of the "strip mine" which has been in operation about four months. The name of the com- pany which operates this mine was given above. It is the latest development for mining coal in Illinois. For three years pre- ceding this summer, they made careful survey of the territory and found that there are thirty-three million tons of coal in Will County. This lies near the surface, from thirty to forty- five and fifty feet below the ground. The new way is to take off the top soil and thus leave the coal exposed. It lies more or less evenly distributed to the depth of three feet. After the top has been taken off the coal is taken up by electric shovels and placed in the cars.
The machines which are used to strip off the covering of dirt are the latest and most ponderous electric machinery. One weighs 800 tons. They move forward and backward and are adjusted by means of machinery so that the revolving platform is level and all of this is done by means of electricity. One man operates the entire machine. He is assisted by two oilers and
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two pit men who work below with shovels to help clean up over the coal. This machine is operated for six days without stop- ping, in shifts of eight hours each. It moves forward 300 feet in 24 hours taking off soil for a width of 30 feet exposing three thousand tons of coal ready to be loaded on the cars. On ยท August 10, they took out twelve hundred tons of coal. This has been the average run for a number of weeks. Another ma- chine is being installed which will make the capacity three thou- sand tons a day. All of this machinery is the very latest for operation by electricity. It is impossible to describe the strength of this outfit. One may get some conception of it when he knows that the steel cables which are used in handling the scoop are two inches in diameter.
When the coal industry of former years was at its heighth thirty thousand tons a month was a good run. One-hundred and thirty thousand tons a year was a good average. The re- cords tell us that those old mines had a capacity of two-hun- dred thousand tons per year with five-hundred men employed. In this modern way we have one machine which lifts into the' cars thirty thousand tons a month with one hundred thirty-five men concerned in the entire operation.
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