Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 130

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058


USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 130


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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The existence of the Christian church in Robin- son dates from 1876. Its place of worship, begun in the following year, was finished in 1882. The more active of its first members were Mr. and Mrs. James M. Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Brown, Mrs. Mary Callahan, Hickman Henderson and M. C. Shepherd.


Robinson Mission Catholic church was organ- ized by Father Kuhlman, of Marshall, Ill., in 1882, with a membership of fifteen families. its place of worship costing $700, and being built during that year.


LAMOTTE TOWNSHIP CHURCHES .- Among the arrivals in Lamotte Township were a few min- isters of the gospel, the Methodists and Hard- shell Baptists being the first denominations rep- resented. Thomas Keunedy was a preacher of the latter sect, and, expounding the doctrine 01 the former, were John Stewart, John Fox and "Father" McCord. The first church in Lamotte Township was the Lamotte Baptist church, or- ganized by Elder Daniel Parker, and worshiping in a building on Lamotte Prairie. In 1848 Elder John Bailey and fifty others united to found the East Union Christian church in the southern portion of the township, the congrega- tion then assembling in a log schoolhouse. Among the early pastors after Elder Bailey's time were Elders L. Thompson, John Mullins, David Clark, and G. W. Ingersoll.


Richwood's Baptist church, in the southern portion of the township. was organized by Elder D. Y. Allison, with eight members, in 1871, hold- ing its meetings in the Harding schoolhouse. In 1873 it built a frame church edifice and its pastors, succeeding Mr. Allison, have been J. L. Cox, Jacob Clements and Isaiah Greenbaugh. The Union church. built in 1871, through sub- scriptions from different denominations, stands at the Jack Oak Cemetery, in the northern part of the township, where lie the remains of many of the pioneers, among them Thomas Gill, a soldier under Gen. Putnam, and others buried as early as 1825, including several Indians. Near this cemetery is a church built by the Dunkards in


1882. In the southwest part of the township stands Sweariugeu Methodist Episcopal Chapel, whose first pastor was Rev. J. B. Reeder. Har- mony church, built by popular subscription and usable by all denominations, stood in the north- west corner of the township.


FIRST CHURCH IN PALESTINE .- The first church organization in Palestine was the Methodist Episcopal, which was started in 1828 or 1829, its first preachers being "Father" McCord and Rev. John Fox. In 1872 the congregation, after occupying various places of worship, purchased a building erected for a town-hall and adapted it to their religious services. Rev. Thomas J. Massey was the first minister occupying the pulpit of the new church, with Arthur Vance as Sunday School Superintendent.


In 1831, Rev. John Montgomery and Rev. Isaac Reed, of Pennsylvania and New York, respective- ly, organized the first Presbyterian church in Palestine at a meeting held May 14-16, the original members being Ann Malcom, Haunah Wilson, John Houston, John Malcom, Phoebe Morris, Nancy Houston, Anna Piper, Jane Hous- ton, James Caldwell, Alfred Lagow, Eliza Hous- ton, Henry Lagow, Margaret Eagleton, Wilson Lagow, Mary Ann Logan, James Eagleton and Wilson Lagow. The elders then chosen were Wilson Lagow and John Houston. Succeeding them in this capacity, at an early date were H. T. Beam, J. C. Ramey, Dr. J. S. Bringle, James Eagleton, Dr. E. L. Patton, J. H. Richey, James C. Allen, J. M. Winsor. Andrew McCor- mick and Finley Paull. All of the original mem- bers of this church have long since finished their earthly course. The reverend gentlemen ininistering to the church for a period of some fifty years included John Montgomery. Reuben White, James Crawford, Isaac Bennett, E. W. Thayer, R. H. Lilly, Joseph Platt. John Crozier, J. M. Alexander, Joseph Platt (a second time), A. McFarland, Thomas Speucer, J. E. Carson and S. W. Lagrange. At the time of its semi- centennial anniversary, in 1SS1, the number of persons connected with the church, from the date of its organization, was stated to have been 440, two other churches in the meantime having becu formed from this membership. The con- gregation, at the outset, held its services in a carpenter shop, and, in 1849, built a church edifice 38 by 50 feet, and costing $1.300, which in course of time was enlarged and remodeled. The church of the Christiau denomination in


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Palestine is of early origin. Its first house of worship was destroyed by fire and in 1874 a brick edifice replaced it.


HUTSONVILLE CHURCHES .- Religious work in Hutsonville Township was first undertaken by the Quakers in the early '20s, holding their meetings in a double log house, and some years later in a log church in the same vicinity. Next. they built a frame church at the "cross roads," and subsequently another, on "Quaker line." The Baptist denomination organized a church at Hutsonville in 1856, through the efforts of Elders J. W. Riley and E. Frey, who were sent by the Baptist Missionary Board at Palestine. The first pastor was Elder Frey, who was followed in turn by Elders Asa Frakes, A. J. Fuson, and J. L. Cox. The first members were Hezekiah Winters, Daniel S. Downey, Jane Barlow, Anna Paine, Maria Vance, Phœbe Downey, Joseph Medley and Mary Medley. A frame church, 24 by 36 feet, was built in 1865, at a cost of $1,000. It was located three and a half miles northwest of Hutsonville and in the next two decades the membership increased to 140.


On the Sunday before Christmas in 1832, in a small partly finished building in Water Street, owned by T. C. Moore, the first sermon was preached in Hutsonville by Rev. James McCord, an itinerant Methodist minister, and eight years later a Methodist church was organized in this locality, the pulpit having since been occupied by a long list of preachers of that denomina- tion. In the early '50s, a brick church was erected.


The Christian church of Hutsonville was or- ganized in the '40s, and built a frame edifice in 1860. It had as its early pastors Elders Alfred F. Small, William Tichnor. James Morgan, aud William P. Black.


The Universalist church of Hutsonville was organized in 1870 by Rev. Robert G. Harris.


LICKING TOWNSHIP CHURCHES .- Religious work in Licking Township is believed to have been first undertaken by the Quakers, who organized a society in its northern part, using the dwelling of James Dixon as a meeting place for several years. Thomas Cox, William Dixon, I. Beeson and William Lindley, with their families, Mrs. James Dixon, Mrs. Thomas Cox, and Nathau Musgrove and his family were the original mem- bers. After keeping up their organization for twenty years, most of the time worshiping in the schoolhouse on the Dixon farm, the society


was dissolved, the last preacher being Andrew Tomlinson. In 1848 the Methodist denomina- tion formed a class in the Mount Pleasant school- house, where their services were held until the building was torn down, after which they con- tinued to worship in the Union schoolhouse. A Methodist church was organized at Portersville with twenty members, who met in the old log schoolhouse until the erection of the Union church building in 1875. The original organiza- tion was under the auspices of the Protestant Methodists, who gave way to the Methodist Epis- copal Society in 1878. Some of the early pastors were Jackson Anderson, Daniel McCormick, R. Travers, R. Wright, J. D. Dees, Newton Stauf- fer and J. M. Jackson.


In 1866 Rev. Richard Belknap started the United Brethren Mission at Annapolis, with a membership of about fifty persons. After preach- ing two years he was succeeded by Rev. James Page, and he in turn by the following ministers : Messrs. Shepherd, Samuel Starks, John Helton, Samuel Slusser, Ephraim Shuey, Daniel Buzzard, William Hillis, and others.


In 1875 the Methodists of Annapolis, together with some of the society which worshiped at Willow church, formed a class consisting of twenty-three members. Some of its ministers have been R. Wetherford, Ira King, Allen Bart- ley, Newton Stauffer, James G. Dees and John M. Jackson. Jointly with the United Brethren the society used the Union church building. an edifice 32 by 48 feet in dimensions, which was erected by popular subscription in 1875 and dedi- cated in August of that year.


In the same year, Elder Wood organized the Christian church, of Portersville, with twelve members, soon increasing to seventy. To this society have ministered in succession the follow- ing pastors : William Beadle, and Elders McCash Lockhart, Conner, Boor, Grimm, and others. The church building, 35 by 50 feet in size, was erected by the general public, and is open to all denom- inations. The West Harmony Christian church, which was organized at White's Prairie. in the western portion of the township, and included among its members many of the most worthy people in that locality, built its place of worship about 1876.


CHURCHES IN OBLONG TOWNSHIP .- The first re- ligious services in Oblong Township were held in the cabins of the pioneer settlers and the old Mount Comfort church near the southern


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part of the township was probably the first or- ganized body of worshipers. The Methodists were early in the field, and among the original ministers of that denomination were William St. Clair, C. C. English, John Leeper, J. P. Ruther- ford, and Messrs. Wallace and Noll. In 1856 the Oblong church was formed, the first meet- ings being held in the home of Owen Jarrett, Lydia Leech, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Jarrett and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dulaney being the first members, and David Caudman and his wife join- ing at the second service.' About 1866, the Bap- tists erected their house of worship. The Prairie Methodist church in the northern part of the township had its beginning in 1857, and through the efforts of Rev. John Leeper, about sixty persons became members. The congregation be- ing scattered, was divided in 1879, each division building a church in 1881, the Prairie and Dog- wood, which have since been ministered to by the following reverend gentlemen (besides some already mentioned) : Messrs. Taylor, Hardaker, Sappington, English, Glatz, Lopas, Grant, Carson and others.


In 1862, the Wirt Chapel Christian church was organized in the Wirt schoolhouse by Elder G. W. Ingersoll, and its house of worship. in the western portion of the township, was built in 1875. Among its first pastors were Elders Inger- soll, Daniel Conner and Daniel Gray. Several Baptist ministers held irregular services at Ob- long village in early days, amoug them Daniel Doly, Richard Newport, Daniel Parker and Thomas Canady. The denomination built a church in the eastern part of Oblong and or- ganized a society in 1872. The members at that time were Margaret and D. W. Odell, Margaret Eaton, John B. Smith, Christian Eoff, Nancy Smith, Samuel R. Mock, Eliza' Ellis. Amelia Mock aud Blanche Gill.


The Universalist church of Oblong, with a membership of twenty, was organized in 1873, and built a house of worship the same year, Rev. Mr. Harris being the first pastor. He has been followed by Rev. C. C. Neff, Rev. M. L. Pope, Rev. S. S. Gibb and others.


MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP CHURCHES .- In the matter of religious work in Montgomery Town- ship, Wesley Chapel (Methodist Episcopal) takes the lead in seniority, having been organized in 1825 by Rev. John Stewart, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers in the Wabash Valley. Among the persons who participated in its forma-


tion were Smith Shaw and his wife, L. B. Carter, James and Nancy McCord, John and Mary Fox, Nancy Funk, Margaret Carter, Ed- ward L. Cullom, Mary Cullom, Jacob and Wil- liam Garrard and their wives, and Daniel and Christian Funk. Its first place of worship, a 26 by 40 feet frame structure, was built in 1845, and in 1879 auother edifice, 30 by 50 feet, was erected. This congregation has had a number of offshoots, among them being one at Palestine. The list of early pastors includes the names of Rupert De- lapp, William McReynolds, John McReynolds, Samuel Hulls, James M. Massey, Asa McMurtry, James F. Jaquess and many more.


Canaan Baptist church was founded about 1820, by Elder Daniel Parker, and was first called the "Little Village Baptist church." It was organized near Fort Allison, and later moved to Montgomery Township. Liberty Baptist church was orgauized July 15, 1843, by Elders William S. Bishop and Stephen Kenuedy. Among its original members were Rebecca Rush, Amos Rich, D. Y. and Sarah Allison, Elizabeth High- smith, Sina Allen, Isaac Martin, Thomas F. Highsmith, William V. Highsmith, Mary Martin. and Benjamin and Jane Long. The first house of worship, a log building, was 18 by 20 feet in size, to which au addition of the same dimen- sions was afterwards made. Its list of early pastors include Elders Hezekiah Shelton: A. J. Fuson, Solomon D. Monroe and D. Y. Allison The Society built its second church edifice in 1874. From its membership two other churches were organized.


A few families, mainly from East Tennessee, coustituted the uucleus of the United Presby- terian church of the village of Morea. as well as the Associated and . United Presbyterian churches of Duncauville, which were under the supervison of the Northern Indiaua Presbytery and were organized by Rev. James Dixon. A. J. Rankini was the first pastor, beiug installed iu 1852. Some years afterwards a church edifice was erected which served as a place of worship until the early '70s. Mr. Raukin was succeeded by Rev. J. D. McNay, and during his pastorate the societies were united under the name of the United Presbyterian church. This church was split into two factions, one portion being or- ganized under the care of the Presbytery of Southern Indiana, with thirty-eight members. Rev. Alexander McHatton, becoming the pastor in 1861. They erected the first building in the


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village of Morea. An offshoot of this society erected a church edifice at Duncanville, the min- ister being Rev. Hugh MacHatton who was fol- lowed in turn by Rev. O. G. Brockett.


The Green Hill Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the early '50s, with twelve members, the church · edifice being dedicated by Presiding Elder C. J. Houts, and being used also by the Christian denomination as their place of worship.


Good Hope Baptist church, one of the earliest religious organizations of the township, held its first services in a log building in 1848. among its first members being George Parker, Hiram Jones, Sampson Taylor and wife, W. F. Allen, William Croy, S. Goff and William Carter.


The United Brethren church at New Hebron was built by public subscription in 1855, Rev. Mr. Jackson being one of its early ministers, and Samuel Bussard and the Gear family among its first members.


MARTIN TOWNSHIP CHURCHES .- The first reli- gious exercises in Martin Township were held in a barn belonging to Daniel Martin, and were conducted by Elder Stephen Canady, a Baptist preacher. The men took their wives and chil- dren to the place of meeting, waiting outside until the end of the services, when they shoul- dered their guns and hied to the woods to spend the remainder of the day in hunting.


Jesse York, of Oblong Township. started the first Methodist society in the dwelling of Joseph Garrard, about the year 1846, the original mem- bers of the class being Mr. and Mrs. Samuel R. Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. John Haskins, Jacob Garrard and his wife, Polly Garrard, Lillis Peacock and his wife, Caroline Donald and Margaret Higgins. Rev. Mr. York, a very earnest and diligent miu- ister, preached a number of years, and Dr. Hally, an equally devoted worker in the cause, added considerably to the congregation. Periodical ser- vices were later held in the schoolhouse until 1881, when, together with the United Brethren the church erected a house of worship just north of Hardinville.


The Hardinville Christian church was organ- ized in 1850, services being held in the school- house until a church edifice was erected in 1858 by general subscriptions. Among the pastors and stated supplies have been Elders Morgan, Allan G. McNees, F. M. Shirk, Messrs. Beard and Lockhart, P. C. Cauble, John Crawford and Salathiel Lamb.


HONEY CREEK CHURCHES .- The first religious service in Honey Creek Township of which any account has been handed down were held in the old Lamotte schoolhouse, and were conducted by Elder Daniel Parker, who preached in all the counties in this part of the State. John Parker, his brother, also of the Hardshell Bap- tist persuasion, likewise preached first in the cabins, and afterwards in the schoolhouse, and Thomas Kennedy was one of the pioneer Baptist preachers of the township.


Bethel Presbyterian church, founded in 1853 by Rev. Joseph Butler had among its first mem- bers John Duncan and Mrs. S. M. Duncan, A. D. Delzell, Mrs. M. E. Delzell, William Delzell, Mrs. M. J. Delzell and L. B. Delzell.


Beckwith Prairie Presbyterian church was or- ganized by Rev. E. Howell, Rev. Allan McFar- land and Elder Finley Paull, with twenty-eight members, and built its house of worship in 1859. The first elders were James Richey, Samuel J. Gould and William Delzell, and its early min- isters included A. McFarland, J. C. Thornton, Aaron Thompson, Thomas Spenser, and John E. Carson.


FRATERNAL ORDERS .- Robinson Lodge, No. 250, A. F. & A. M., of Robinson was organized in 1856, the charter members being John T. Cox, Charles Meilley, Joseph H. Huls, John D. Smith, Daniel Perrine, J. C. Ruddell, J. M. Alexander, and Irving Heustis. Its first master was John T. Cox, with Daniel Perrine as Senior Warden, J. H. Huls as Junior Warden, D. M. Mail, Treasurer and Irving Heustis, Secretary.


Robinson Royal Arch Chapter, No. 149, was organized December 1, 1871, the more prominent charter members being W. F. Fleek, S. Taylor, J. O. Steel, Johu Newton, I. D. Mail, J. L. Cox, J. M. Jarrett, S. Midkiff, A. J. Haskett, C. M. Patton, E. Callahan, William C. Wilson, William C. Jones, George W. Harper and William Dyer. The charter of this organization was allowed to lapse. The charter members of Crawford Lodge, No. 24, I. O. O. F., formed in 1855, were James S. Barbee, William Barbee, William C. Wilson, S. H. Decius and A. W. Gordon.


In August, 1880, was organized Robinson Lodge, No 1744, Knights of Honor, among the charter members being: I. L. Firebaugh, Peter Walker, Zalmon Ruddell, C. H. Grube, A. B. Houston, J. P. Murphy, J. C. Olwin, M. C. Mills, A. H. Waldrop and T. S. Price.


Hutsonville Lodge, No. 136, A. F. & A. M. was


CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROBINSON


1


M. E. CHURCH, ROBINSON


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROBINSON


FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. ROBINSON


ROBINSON CLUB


HIGH SCHOOL, ROBINSON


THE.ROBINSON


ROBINSON HOTEL


CARNEGIE LIBRARY, ROBINSON


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organized October 5, 1853, under E. B. Ames, Grand Master. Its first officers were B. F. Robinson, Master; Joshua Davis, Senior War- den ; and J. J. Petri, Junior Warden. Hutson- ville Lodge, No. 106, I. O. O. F., was organized October 15, 1852, under W. L. Rucker, Grand Master, the charter members being Andrew P. Harness, J. M. Wilhite, W. T. McIntire, Liberty Murphy and J. N. Cox. Osmer Lodge, K. of H., was organized June 9, 1881, among the charter members being C. Rodgers, John Olwin, C. V. Newton, C. W. Keys, William Eaton, M. P. Rackerby, Daniel Holderman and J. L. Mus- grave.


GRAND ARMY POSTS .- There are four Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic at the present time in Crawford County, viz .: Alfred Harrison Post, No. 152, Palestine; Henry Longenecker Post, No. 171, Robinson ; Albert Wood Post, No. 175, Oblong ; and Joseph Shaw Post, No. 235, Annapolis.


CHAPTER X.


EDUCATIONAL.


EARLY SCHOOLS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY-SOME OF THE OBSTACLES WHICH THE PIONEER SETTLERS HAD TO MEET-PRIMITIVE SCHOOL HOUSES AND LACK OF ACCOMMODATIONS-SOME EARLY TEACH- ERS-SCHOOL HISTORY BY TOWNSHIPS.


The progress of education in the early days of Crawford County, as elsewhere in this section of the State, was slow. Many of the pioneers came from the South, where interest in educa- tional matters was at a low ebb. Moreover, the population was scattered and composed of per- sons of small means, and there were neither schoolhouses nor funds for building them, while means were lacking for paying the wages of teachers. Text-books were wanting, also, and persons competent to teach but physically robust, were needed to carry on the preliminary work of establishing homes and developing farms. As the population increased, and progress was made in material, the different neighborhoods began to


open schools, using vacant cabins and empty stables or other outbuildings for school purposes. The schoolhouses built,- both in villages and country, by the united labor of the residents, in their respective localities were usually cabins of the most primitive character, with clap-board roofs, crude fire-places, slab desks, puncheon floors and glassless windows. The teachers were paid by individual subscription, each parent agreeing to pay from fifty to seventy-five cents monthly per scholar. In these humble places were trained the minds of many a child who afterwards bore a conspicuous part in the affairs of the county, State and Nation.


The first school in Crawford County was established in the town of Palestine and, for a long period, that place was known as the prin- cipal point in Southeastern Illinois from which school influences emanated. The county records show that as early as May, 1818, Joseph Kit- chell, Harvey Kitchell, Asa Kitchell and William Wilson entered into a contract by bond with Smith Shaw. John Cowan, and Benjamin Eaton, Trustees of the School at Palestine, the condi- tion of which was that Joseph Kitchell, the principal founder of the town of Palestine, should furnish to the said trustees a deed for Lot 1, in said town, to be used for school pur- poses within three years from date. As the village grew more populous, another schoolhouse was erected in the town with the aid of the Masonic Fraternity, which reserved for its use the upper story for lodge meetings.


SCHOOLS IN ROBINSON TOWNSHIP .- The advance of education in the new county-seat kept pace with its business development. Although records of the early schools are meager, the first one is believed to have been started in the late '40s (about 1848) in a log house, with William Grimes as teacher. For a considerable period space in the court house was appropriated to school purposes, and in later years a two-story frame building was erected for the occupation of the public school. In the early '80s the at- tendance with Prof. S. G. Murray in charge, assisted by D. G. Murray, W. G. Hale, Mrs. Flora B. Lane and Miss Mary Firman.


PALESTINE EARLY SCHOOLS .- Of the early schools of Palestine, but scanty records are avail- able, it being known, however, that a school was taught there by George Calhoun in 1820, and ten years later, a building. previously referred to herein, and jointly owned by the School


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Board and the Masonic Order, was occupied for school and lodge purposes, until the dissolution of the lodge, being afterwards devoted in its entirety to educational work until its space failed to accommodate the pupils. The old court house was used in its stead when Robinson became the county seat, continuing in such oc- cupancy until a new schoolhouse was erected in the old public square about 1871. The attendance then amounted to about 250 children. Among the early teachers were Prof. James A. Maxwell, Principal, Prof. Buzzard, Miss Lizzie Alexander, and Miss Mary Goram.


LICKING TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS .- It is believed that one of the first schools in Licking Town- ship was taught by "Ricks" Arnold. in 1837. Among the teachers next following him was Sarah Ann Curran, who taught in a log house which stood in the northern part of the town- ship, and was formerly the home of James Dixon. The number of scholars was about twelve, and they recited their lessons to her for three months. The teacher in 1841 was named Hampton. He was held to be a very competent instructor, and his subscription term _ church purposes. The second schoolhouse, also lasted for a like period. Two teachers were employed in 1843,-Sarah Handy, who taught in a room of Jonathan Dixon's house in the northern portion, and Huldah Woods, who used a deserted cabin a few miles southwest of An- napolis. For several years afterwards both of these ladies, who were quite efficient in their work, continued as teachers in different parts HONEY CREEK SCHOOL .- Of the first school- house and teacher in Honey Creek Township, no records are available. As elsewhere in the county, any vacant cabin was utilized at the outset for school purposes. and the regular schoolhouses of that time were built of logs and presided over by subscription teachers. of the township. In 1844 John Metheny had charge of the school previously taught by Miss Woods, and in that year Ann Lamb conducted the school near Bellaire, Alice Vance and Louisa Vance teaching, about two years later, near the middle of the township. The Mount Pleasant School House, standing three miles south of Annapolis, was erected in 1846, and used for thirty years, the first teacher there being Elias Wilkins. From 1847 a hewed-log schoolhouse. CHAPTER XI. built in the northeast corner of the township. was also occupied by the Quaker for "meeting" purposes during a period of ten years. It was sold in 1859, moved to Annapolis, and long used THE PRESS. as a dwelling. The free-school system went into effect in 1855, districts being arranged and suit- able and convenient frame buildings erected. Within a few years fifteen good schoolhouses EARLY NEWSPAPERS ESTABLISHED IN CRAWFORD COUNTY-GEORGE . W. HARPER. A PROMINENT FACTOR IN NEWSPAPER LIFE-WABASH SENTINEL. were built and the schools were conducted seven months each year. It is probable that the first




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