USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 20
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Sarah Shaw, 4th grade ; Vin A. Vedder, 3rd grade: Mary Richart. 2d grade; Ethel V. Duncan, Ist grade, B division; Mary F. Evans, Ist grade. A division; Bertha Bar- ton, musical instructor. I. C. Burbridge is janitor and B. F. Mann is truant officer.
The school board is as follows: F. F. Worcester, president ; E. J. Pearce, secre- tary : H. O. Tunison, H. A. Chapin, W. A. Winn, M. B. Ross. A. E. Vosseller, mem- bers.
MUNICIPALITY.
The municipal affairs of White Hall are at present in the hands of a wide-awake class of men who are ever ready to advance the interest of the town by assisting in the pro- motion of any new enterprise that springs up in which intelligent legislation is re- quired. The officers are: Mayor, F. M. Baldwin; clerk, J. H. Piper; treasurer, H. WV. North; marshal, B. F. Mann ; night po- lice, G. W. Clowder; aldermen : First ward, T. A. Smith, R. V. Smith; Second ward, C. E. King, T. J. Grant ; Third ward, H. W. Roodhouse, M. Brantzel.
The city officers are ably assisted in ad- vancing the material interests of the city by the Mercantile Club, an organization of business men, an article on which appears later.
The officers of the White Hall fire de- partment are : J. H. Fox, chief ; T. M. Hull, M. G. Brantzel, first and second assistants; M. G. Brantzel, treasurer. With our splen- clid waterworks system, the company, num- bering about twenty, gives excellent service, and has recently moved into its new quarters erected by the city, adjacent to the city hall.
COUNTY HISTORY.
To break the monotony for a while. we
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will give a little history of the early days m an oak frame erected of the Dayof Wight Greene county.
Some of our oldest inhabitants probably remember the "deep snow," which occurred in December and January, 1830-31. It was about five feet deep on the level, and in many places it drifted to a depth of twelve feet. To be a genuine "old settler" in Greene sounty, it is said, you arrival must date prior to the "deep snow."
The first murder committed in Greene county was near Carrollton in September, 1831. Patrick Cavanaugh, known as James Sullivan, killed a boy by the name of Samuel Lofton. As the story goes, young Lofton was sent by his father to collect a debt of about $15. and on his return home, over- took Cavanaugh, who was given a ride, the boy giving up the saddle and rode behind. allowing Cavanaugh to guide the horse. During the conversation the lad made known the success of his mission, and in a short time the horse was turned from the main traveled road, regardless of the boy's protests, and when a secluded spot was reached, Cavan- augh dismounted and brained the youngster with a club, took the money and skipped. About a week later the boy's corpse was found by a searching party which was di rected to it by vultures.
The following spring a citizen of Greene county chanced to meet Cavanaugh in New Orleans, recognized him, had him arrested and brought back to Carrollton where he was subsequently hung.
On the day of the execution Carrollton was thronged with people from all over the county. Cavanaugh was placed in a wagen seated on his coffin and the long procession started for the gallows, which consisted of
farm, about a nule northwest of (sollten Judge Alfred Ilmon was one #: the guarile appointed for the occasion, and Jacob br. was sheriff, and had charge of the execution After the procession had proceeded a short distance Cavanaugh expressed a desire to walk and his wish was granted.
Reaching the gallows the condemned man was placed in a wagon, the noose ad- justed, and the wagon driven from under him. Later his body was cut down and buried under a tree in the corner of the field.
Returning to White Hall as our subject. and yet speaking of episodes of early days. we will recall the murder of Avery Ballard, which occurred April 16. 1870. in the yard near the house owned by Mrs. Olivia Coates on West Bridgeport street.
This was one of the most brutal crimes in the history of White Hall. . A stranger, giv- ing his name as William F. Davis, engaged board for a few days at the Ballard home and on the day of the murder he and Mr. Ballard were at the wood-pile, when, at an unexpected moment. Davis struck Ballard with an ax. crushing his skill.
Davis immediately came up town and went to the White Hall House, where he registered as "William F. Davis, of Christian county, Ill., formerly of Logan county. Ohio. Got revenge. Don't rub this out til published."
The news of the murder quickly sprend i'd excitement was at a fever heit In short time. Davis, after watching the everal movements of the people, stepped up Thomas Dodsworth and stated that he - the man who killed Ballard, and dont lie fal it for revenge He was quickly taken to the
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calaboose by Deputy Sheriff Thomas Davis and it was with great difficulty that the offi- cers prevented a lynching. Fearing mob vio- lence, Sheriff Davis, D. F. Shipman and T. P. Hackney hurried the prisoner to the de- pot amid a howling mob, where he was placed in the caboose of a freight train and taken to Carrollton. An exciting scene was enacted as the crowd reached the railroad. In the attempt by the mob to get Davis from the officers a skirmish took place, in which Hackney's revolver was taken away from him, his hands and wrists being consider- ably disfigured in the mix-up. After a futile attempt to uncouple the caboose from the train, the engineer pulled out, and Davis was soon landed in the Carrollton jail, where he cheated the gallows by deliberately starving himself to death.
SOLDIERS' REUNION AND SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT.
The largest gathering that ever assembled in White Hall was that on August 23, 1877, the date of first soldiers' reunion held here. The executive committee, consisting of W. MI. Potts, Col. J. C. Winters, A. O. Vossel- ler, J. S. Judd, G. B. Danforth, George Hill and W. C. Baker, chartered three special trains, one each from Medora, Chapin and Jerseyville, with Ed. North, T. P. Hackney and J. S. Judd as conductors of the trains in the order named. It was estimated that 20,000 people were present. Eight bands furnished music for the occasion. Col. J. C. Winters was grand marshal and Major E. A. Giller, chairman of the day.
.After paying $500 each for the trains, and defraying all the other expenses of the gathering, the executive committee found itself in possession of about $700, and as a
result of this monstrous gathering, origin- ated the idea of erecting a soldiers' monu- ment. From that time forward it was talked of until in May, 1896, when the White Hall Soldiers Monument Association was incor- porated under the laws of Illinois. The first board of directors consisted of T. A. Smith, WV. M. Potts, G. S. Vosseller, W. C. Baker, Ed. North and Mark Meyerstein. Decem- ber 5, 1903, the Association let the contract for the erection of a monument at the en- trance of the White Hall cemetery, the grounds having been secured from the White Hall Cemetery Association. The monument which has been dedicated to the memory of the soldiers and sailors of the republic, is twenty-five feet in heigh, eight feet square at the base, and cost $2,000. It was com- pleted July 2, 1904, but the dedicatory ex- ercises were not held till October 6, 1904. Hon. Mark Meyerstein presided at the meet- ing and Col. A. C. Matthews, of Pittsfield, and Judge O. P. Thompson, of Jacksonville, delivered the principal addresses.
The present officers of the Association are W. M. Potts, president; R. B. Pearce, secretary ; G. S. Vosseller, treasurer; Mark Meyerstein, Ed. North and W. C. Baker, di- rectors. Two pyramids of 10-inch shells and a concrete walk are soon to be added to aid in beautifying the grounds.
BANKRUPTCY.
Many of our citizens (especially the farmers) remember the firm of Peter Tufflie & Co., millers and grain buyers. They will also remember that when the firm suspended operations, the farmers had been touched to the tune of from $50,000 to $75,000.
This occurred late in November. 1869, and our people were very much surprised to
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learn that the firm had left town between two days, having first shipped out all the wheat, flour, etc., until nothing of value was left. The mill was located on South Main street. It burned down about twenty five years ago and was never rebuilt.
MERCANTILE CLUB.
The White Hall Mercantile Club was organized January 15, 1902, for social and business purposes. The original organiza- tion was composed of Dr. E. J. Hume, presi- dent : H. O. Tunison, vice-president ; R. B. Pearce, secretary: 11. W. North, treasurer, and twenty-one members.
At the second annual meeting, February 14, 1903, the office of industrial secretary was created and II. O. Tunison was chosen to fill the office, to which place he has been elected each year. February 8. 1902, the club took formal possession of its elegant hall at the corner of Main and Sherman streets, fitted up for the special use of the club by Capt. H. W. Starkey. The hall was furnished with a piano and other furniture at a cost of over $350.
The usefulness of such an organization as this is shown in its business features, hav- ing one of the best methods of promoting the material welfare of the city to be found anywhere, and it has been the model for similar organizations formed in neighboring cities. While combining the social and busi- ness features, it holds up "Greater White Hall" as its motto, and is pushing forward in a practical manner its fore- most object, thus making the motto a reality. It has on its present membership list forty. representatives of every industry, bank and profession in the city. The present organ- ization consists of C. B. Stahl, president ;
Claude Lowersten, vice president, K. B. Pearce, secretary ; H. O Jumam, folded ml secretary : Ward Evans, treasurer It- membership is increasing and it is the ad vance agent of the city's progress
WATER SYSTEM.
The water-works system of the city of White Hall has, on account of some of the unique features, attracted the attention of the electrical and mechanical world. The water supply is obtained from the city reser voir, which has an area of about 22 acres, with an average depth of thirteen feet The water is admirably adapted to all uses, soit and free from impurities. It is especially fine for boiler use, all the factories and the Burlington railroad using it for that pur- pose.
The supply is furnished in an 80,000 gallon tower, 125 feet high, by the WInte Ilall Electric Co., under contract with the city. The ordinary pressure is about fifty pounds and a fire pressure of 100 pounds or more can be maintained. The pumping plant is located in a brick building at the reservoir, about one mile east of the city, and consists of a Smith-Vaile triplex pump with a ca- pacity of 15.000 gallons per hour. operated by a direct connected motor. The auto- matic starting device is operated at the elec- tric company's plant in the city. When the machinery is started it is automatically re- lieved of the tower pressure until its gets up to speed, when it is again changed so as to pump directly into the tower. This is ac- complished by the machine itself. . All ina- chinery at the pumping station is lubricated with a self-oiling device.
There are about five miles of water mam ; the fire-hydrants are latest pattern of Corey
10
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
standard fire-hydrants. The investment in the system represents about $30,000, and the revenue derived from the use of water makes it almost self-sustaining. The plant is fre- quently visited by delegations from other cities, it being generally conceded that White Hall has a model water system.
It has been in operation for more than five years and never for one minute has there been a shortage in the supply, and at this time thousands of gallons more water are being used than had heretofore been thought of.
LIGHTING SYSTEM.
The White Hall Electric Co. was incor- porated December 4. 1894, with a capitaliza- tion of $10,000. O. F. Griswold is presi- dent : H. O. Tunison, secretary ; and W. A. Winn, superintendent. April 10, 1896, the company entered into a contract with the city to pump water from the city's reservoir, one mile east, into the tower near the elec- tric light plant. An electric motor was in- stalled at the pump-house at the reservoir and is automatically operated from the plant. A large number of Main street residences are heated by the exhaust steam piped from this plant. It is one of the best and most economical heating systems found in any country town.
This plant runs 24 hours a day, thus giv- ing continuous power and lighting service. We are putting it mild when we say that White Hall has one of the best systems of lighting in Illinois.
CREAMERY.
The White Hall Creamery Company was organized June 1. 1901, with a capital stock
of $1,000. The officers are : E. M. Prindle, president; H. O. Tunison, secretary; C. I. McCollister, treasurer. J. C. Spencer is foreman.
The company leases its plant to the St. Louis Dairy Co., which ships milk from it ยท for the dairymen of this and adjoining com- munities, the average daily shipment being 135 cans. The profits on this business have been so gratifying that a company has just been formed to establish a milk condensing plant, which will soon be in operation. The latter company was chartered April 7, 1905, as the White Hall Condensed Milk Com- pany, with a capital stock of $30,000. Its officers are : F. D. Moulton, president : A. C. Griswold, vice-president ; H. O. Tunison, secretary ; Edward Ross, treasurer.
A contract for the installation of neces- sary machinery has been made, a building will be erected and it is thought the plant will be in operation by June 1, 1905.
MACHINE SHOP.
Established by Winn Bros. & Co., in 1877. In 1880 the name of the firm was changed to Winn Bros., being then composed of George W. and Richard B. Winn. From that time to the present, the name of the firm has never been changed, although the busi- ness has changed hands several times, each time being to different members of the Winn family.
The first change was made in 1893, when Richard B. sold his interest to E. A. Lapp. In 1895 William .A. and G. E. Winn bought it. WV. A. retired from the firm December I. 1896, and assumed control of the electric light plant, and was succeeded by G. E. Winn, who conducted the business until his death, which occurred May 7. 1903. since
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
which time his widow has continued the busi- ness successfully with (. W. Manker as fore- man.
PUBLICATIONS.
White Hall Republican, Daily and Weekly.
The White Hall Republican, weekly, was started in 1877 by E. J. Pearce as editor and business manager, and with Clement L. Clapp associated with him as publisher. The paper was printed at Carrollton until May, 1883, when the senior partner bought Mr. Clapp's interest and C. Weis' plant at White Ilall and has since been sole owner. The Scott County Arrow was started in 1878. and the Evening Republican in 1884. The newspaper press and two of the job presses are operated by electricity. There are also two hand presses in the office.
No issue of any one of the papers has ever been omitted, even for a holiday. They have never wavered from advocacy of edu cation, sobriety and good citizenship along all lines.
White Hall Register.
The White Hall Register was founded August 21, 1869, by Frank Glossop and S. 11. Davis. The paper changed hands a great many times from that date to July, 1883. when W. J. Roberts took charge and continued the paper until June, 1901, when George C. Mel'arland and J. D. Rowe pur- chase ! the plant, the latter retiring in March the following year. Harry E. Bell, the pres ent owner, succeeded to the proprietorship in June, 1902. Ile advocates the best interests of White Hall in each issue of his piper. It is Democratic in politics and a newsy. wide awake paper.
CIR ROLIES
BAPTISI CIL RETE
The White Hall Baptist Church wx8 4- ganized October 9. 1826, by David R. Chance, minister of the gospel. with zeven charter members. Abraham Jones was the first church clerk. Rev. W. W. Lewey- the present pastor, and the church ha membership of 176. On April 26. 1801, the dedication of the modern brick edifice took place. This neat little structure is located on Carrollton street, and cost $0.500. 1 has a seating capacity of about 500 in both rooms. The average attendance at Sunday school is 107. An active B. Y. P. U. SO- ciety ; a Ladies' Aid Society, and a Young Ladies' Guild, working in their respective fields of labor, add greatly to the strength of the church.
We may add that this church has one of the best choirs in this part of the State, be- ing strengthened by the Duncan Sisters, whose fame as church workers and assist- ants in revivals is far reaching.
M. E. CHURCH.
This society was organized as a class about the year 1823, and for several you- services were held wherever they could find a room; but it was not until the year 1835 that they had any recognized place of wing- ship.
lo that year, in connection with the Bau- tist congregation, they erected 00 church. In the year 1837, the Metlouliste put up a separate building on o la alice the old Electric Light Point pris note which they used for \ place of Oslon fr- til the erection of the present splendid
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
on North Main street in 1872. The latter is of brick, and cost about $23,000.
The first regular pastor of this Society was Rev. Bankston, in 1830. Since that time the church has been served by some of the best representatives of the Illinois Con- ference, among them, Rev. W. W. Ever- hart and Rev. Robert Stephens, the latter being now presiding elder.
They also own a beautiful parsonage ad- joining the church, where the pastor, Rev. H. E. Greening, resides. The present mem- bership numbers about 300, and the church is in a splendid financial condition.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian Church was organized September 11, 1870, by Rev. S. H. Hyde, with twenty-three members. The building is of red brick with stone trimmings, and has a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty. The building is neatly furnished and equipped with modern improvements, being recently graced by the installation of a fine pipe organ. A movement has been started to enlarge the building.
The membership is one hundred and fifty. In addition to the church, there is a nine room parsonage located on East Bridge- port street. Nine ministers in all, have served the congregation. Revs. J. S. Ed- wards, Hugh Lamont, D. R. Thompson, E. L. Hurd, D. D .. W. F. Goff, W. H. Cooper, M. H. Kerr, and the present pastor, J. A. Johnston, graduate from the McCormick Seminary, in class of 1904.
Like all churches, the Presbyterians here have had a struggle for existence, and some of the past has been clouded with obstacles which have hindered the work. But the
church has lately taken on new life, and promises better things in future.
During the present pastorate fifty-six have already been added to the roll. All departments of the work are alive and ag- gressive; the Sabbath school numbers eighty, and there is a Christian Endeavor Society of thirty-four members.
ALL SOULS CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was organized with Father Metzler of Brighton as pastor. The place of worship is a neat brick structure located on South Main street, and was erected in 1883 at a cost of about $4,000. At that time the membership was small and it was quite a struggle for the little band to raise enough money with which to build a church, but by persistent efforts it was done, and we have been informed that the church debt has long since been liquidated. The congregation now represents about twenty- five families and J. B. Wand is pastor.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian Church was organized March 11, 1883, with twenty-one charter members. Elder J. W. Miller was the first pastor.
The place of worship was on East Bridgeport street, where the little organiza- tion struggled along for many years, trying to raise money enough to erect a new home, and in 1902, work was begun on the neat lit- tle edifice on the corner of Main and Bridge- port streets, which was dedicated Sunday, September 27, 1903. Elder L. L. Carpen- ter, of Wabash, Indiana, delivered the dedi- catory sermon. The present membership is 150, and it is in a prosperous condition.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
O. C. Bolman is the present pastor. For several years the church had no permanent pastor, but services were held by Ellers John Dunn or Francis Fowler, almost every Sunday.
ORPHANS' HOME.
The Orphans' Home Association came into existence on November 5, 1902. Fran- cis Fowler is president ; HI. C. Morrow and E. J. Pearce, vice-presidents ; J. F. Greer, secretary and treasurer; W. L. Winn, coun- selor : Dr. H. A. Chapin, medical attendant and Rev. J. N. Dewell, superintendent.
Through the efficient management of Rev. Dewell a large number of children have been placed in good homes during the past two years, and there is scarcely a week that a child is not either brought to or taken from the llome and placed with a good family.
RAILROADS.
CHICAGO & ALTON.
The Chicago & Alton railway, which is fast building up a reputation as "The Only Way," was extended south from Manches- ter through White Hall about the year 1865. and has since met the demands of the people of this city and adjacent territory to a mark- ed degree. J. M. Leighton was the first agent. He is now and has long been a prom- inent business man of Manchester.
This road has rock ballast and its man- agement is always on the alert to better its condition by way of improvements along its lines. It will be remembered that "The Only Way" put on a special World's Fair train for the accommodation of patrons on this division.
G. W. Secor has charge of the com pany's interests here, having been ticket
agent for thirty four years. He has prob- ably sold as many tickets and answered as many questions as any agent on the road outside of the cities.
CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail- way system is one among the greatest in the United States. It has 8,850 miles main track, 480 miles second track and 24 miles third track. The company owns 1.323 lo- comotives, 1,117 passenger coaches, 47,167 freight cars, and 6,879 cars of miscellaneous nature and employs about 40,000 persons.
The beginning of the Burlington system was February 12. 1849, when the Illinois legislature granted it a charter to build a road from Aurora, Illinois, to connect with the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad in Dupage county, and on November 1, 1850, the first trains from Aurora passed into Chi- cago over these lines.
The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railway was built from Beardstown through White Hall to East St. Louis in 1870, and was purchased by the C. B. & Q. May 18. 1876. The first depot was destroyed by fire October 9, 1884, and the present one was ready for occupancy by December following. A man by the name of Hesser was the first agent. J. W. Conlee, the present incumbent. has managed the affairs of the company in White Hall for the past twenty years, and has been in the company's service nearly thirty-five years.
FLOUR MILLS.
This enterprise, known as the Superlor Flour Mills, is at present under the man- agement of Frank Frech and WA John-
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SO11. In April, 1897, Frech & Wilton suc- ceeded M. E. Blatchley, and conducted the business until November, 1901, when Mr. Johnson purchased J. A. Wilton's interest, since which time the firm name has been Frech & Johnson.
The daily capacity of this mill is 150 . the banks of White Hall can rest assured barrels, and at some seasons of the year day and night shifts are worked to keep orders filled. Mr. Frech is recognized as one of the best millers in the state, having taken THE PEOPLE'S BANK first premium at the state fair two different times. In connection with the mills are two elevators with a capacity of 35.000 bushels.
LUMBER COMPANY.
The Worcester Lumber Co., is one of the oldest establishments in the city, as it dates back to 1852, when it was owned by Judge L. E. Worcester. Since that time the name of the firm of company has changed several times, but has never been without the "Worcester" part of it, being Worcester & Blaichley, F. F. Worcester & Co., and finally Worcester Lumber Co. This name was adopted January 17, 1898. when the company was incorporated with a capital of $15,000 paid np stock.
The present officers are F. F. Worcester, president ; Wm. F. Dillman, secretary ; John A. Dillman, treasurer.
From a financial point of view, White fall ranks with the best towns in Illinois. Her monetary institutions are in keeping
with the agricultural, manufacturing and other business interests, and the manage- ment of the different concerns is first-class in every particular. The officers in charge are men of sterling integrity, of influence and wealth, and depositors and patrons of that they are dealing with safe and reliable people.
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