Past and present of Greene County, Illinois, Part 4

Author: Miner, Ed. (Edward), 1835-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666

USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 4

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).

An thereupon the said Lee delivered to the court his bond, with Jacob Linder and Thomas Rattan his securities, for the faithful performance of the duties of his office. which bond is approved by the court.

On application of John Wilkins, it is ordered that license be granted him to keep a tavern at his place of residence, on the Piasa creek in said county, upon his entering into bond, with Samuel White as security, in the sum of one hundred dollars, condi- tioned as the law directs, and paying five

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY

dollars for the use of the county and the clerk's fees. ( Bond entered into and tax paid the clerk in court.)

On application of Thomas Rattan, it is ordered that license be granted him to keep a tavern in the town of Carrollton, upon en- tering into bond as the law directs with .1. S. Harbin, his security, in the sum of one hundred dollars, and paying a tax of seven dollars for the use of the county and clerk's fees.

It is ordered by the court that the follow- ing rates for tavern keepers of the county be, and the same are hereby allowed and established, to wit :

For each meal of victuals. .$0.25

For lodging in a bed per night. .121/2

For keeping a horse with corn or oats and hay or fodder per night or 12 hours .. .371 For keeping a horse without hay or fodder. per night, or twelve hours. .1834

For each feed for a horse. .121}

For French brandy, or wine, per pint. .50

For gin, or rum, per half pint. .25

For apple brandy, peach brandy. cherry bounce or cordial, per half pint .1834 For whiskey, per half pint.

The commissioners who were appointed by an act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois to fix the permanent seat of justice for Greene county, returned into court this report, together with the deed in said report mentioned, which were received and approved by the court, whereupon it is ordered that the said deed be filed and that the said report be spread upon the records of this court, and which is in words and figures following, to wit :

Be it known that we. Thomas Carlin, Thomas Rattan, John Allen, John Greene and John Iluitt, Sr., commissioners ap- pointed to fix the permanent seat of justice

for Greene county, by any any of De gro tal assembly of the state . I filmen, cotelor act establishing the county af Vivent Love met at the house of Isaac Pruitt, Is required in said act, and after examining the so t eligible situation in said county, giving ile weight and attention to the considerations set forth and required in said act as 1, the present and future population, situation. geography, etc., of the county, are of the opinion that a point eighty-eight poles south from the northeast corner of section No. twenty-two, in township No. ten north, in range No. twelve west of the third principal meridian is the most suitable price for the said sent of justice, and accordingly and in pursuance of said act, have fixed the perma- nent seat of justice for the said county of Greene at the point or place above described, the same being on the line between section No. twenty-two and section No. twenty- three. Thomas Carlin, the owner of said land, whereon the said seat of justice is fixed, having executed a deed to the county commissioners of the county as required in said act, for twenty-two acres and three- fourths of an acre of land, which is bounded as follows, to-wit: Beginning eighty eight poles south of the northeast corner of sec- tion No. twenty-two above described, thence running east ten poles, thence north ten poles, thence west ninety poles, thence sonth forty-three poles, thence east eighty poles to the line between sections twenty two and twenty-three. thence north twenty-three poles, thence east ten poles, thence nerib to the first corner mentioned after the place of beginning, and have given to the sand seat of justice the name of Carrollton

All of which is respectfully subuhttel to the county commissioners of sud county at

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.

their next term. Given our hands this 20th day of February, in the year 1821.

JOHN ALLEN. THOMAS RATTAN,

THOMAS CARLIN,

JOHN GREENE, JOHN HUITT.

Ordered that the clerk be authorized to procure two official seals, one for the circuit court and one for the county commissioners court of Greene county. Ordered that the twenty lots owned by the county in the town of Carrollton, be offered for sale on the 12th day of June next, at a credit of six and twelve months. And it is further ordered that a notice of such sale be inserted in the Edwardsville Spectator for four weeks suc- cessively.

Ordered that the clerk be authorized to procure one quire of blanks for the use of the court.

Ordered that Seymore Kellogg be rec- ommended to the governor of the state as a suitable person to fill the office of justice of the peace.

Ordered that the court be adjourned until court in course.

JOIIN ALLEN, JEHU BROWN, SEYMORE KELLOGG.

John Wilkins, who was granted license to keep a tavern at this the first term of com- missioners court. had his stand on the state road about one mile south of Delhi-now in Jersey county-and is still remembered by many of the older residents, who were accustomed to travel the state road between Jacksonville and Aton. Perley Silloway, che of the early sheriffs of Jersey county. married las daughter. Mr. Silloway re-

moved from Jersey county to Virden, where he died many years ago.

The regular June term of the commis- sioners court was held June 4, all the com- missioners being present. The county was at this time divided into nine military, or as they were called, company districts, and elections were ordered in each district for military officers.

The following were appointed to super- intend the election :

Dist. I. John D. Gellham, John Waddle and Samuel Kinkead.

Dist. 2, Gershom Patterson, William Adair and Nathaniel Rowden.

Dist. 3. John Greene, Walker Daniels and Harrison Higgins.

Dist. 4. Joel Meacham. James Caldwell and Absalom Clark.

Dist. 5. John Dunn, Young Wood and Phillip Fry.

Dist. 6, James McNeary. Alvin Coe and William Potts.

Dist 7. Samuel Scott, Benjamin Buchan- nan and Peter Shephard.

Dist. 8. Moses Nash, Thomas Arnet and Elisha Kellogg.

Dist. 9. Jedediah Webster, Samuel Atch- ison and Joseph Smith.

Those familiar with the names will read- ily see that the numbering of the districts began in the southern portion of the county. District I was near the north line of Madi- son county ; district 2 included what is now Jerseyville : district 3 near Kane : district 5 about Carrollton ; districts 8 and 9 in Mor- gan county : and so on.

The court during the remainder of the year was mainly occupied in appointing con- stables, in appointing road viewers and act- ing on their reports, etc. During this year action was taken with reference to main

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COLSTY

roads from Carrollton north, south, west and southwest, besides other less important highways. The road most traveled then was that leading from Carrollton to Alton. Starting from the southwest part of town, it led west to the site of Mount Pleasant, thence south by east past the improvement of Sam- tel Thomas to the ford of the Macoupin, about one hundred yards west of the present bridge, thence on southward. North of Mount Pleasant, or the "Mound" as it is now known, the road led to the Manvais- terre settlement by way of the farms since owned by Lucius S. Eldred, David Wright, Absalom Bradley and so on. The reason for this route was three fold: It followed a ridge of the prairie; it avoided timber to a considerable extent, and, most important of all, it led to a number of fine springs, which were an essential of good camping places.

During the summer the first courthouse was built. It was a frame structure situated on the west side of the square on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Carrie McGill as a milli- nery shop. It cost about seven hundred del- lars. It stood with its side to the street and is said not to have presented a very hand- some appearance. In later years it was cut assunder, turned around and fitted up and used for store rooms.

The jail was built early in the next year, John Dee and Henry T. Garden being the contractors. It stood on the lot now occu- pied by Ed. D. Johnson as a livery stable. It was built of heavy logs, and the door was very heavy and driven full of heavy nails. The proposals for bids, which were made December 20, 1821, provided that the size should be twenty-two feet by twelve feet. that it should be one story high, have two floors and a partition in the middle. The logs were required to be of white oak. ten

inches thick Bo cong to be -lundlesk sto the windows protector in dro Tar If mal two hundred and tuny siollaps Mocny jun of posts and mail was created about the same time for ten dollars by Baynard White

At this time there was Bo tixalle reif estate in the county. It had just Legg asid by the government, and the condition a onda which it was purchased expressty pohled that it should be free from taxation for five years. The revenue for county purposes was therefore derived exclusively irony per- sonal property, the tax for years never ev- ceeding one-half of one per cent, on the val- uation, from fines and from licenses to tav - ern keepers, ferrymen and pe ldlers.

In December, 1821, we find recor led the following action of the commissioners com- cerning ferries. License was granted John Evans to operate "the ferry commonly known as Simon's ferry." This was across the Illinois river, near the mouth of Macou- pin creek. It landed its passengers on the other side at a point near where Hardin, in Calhoun county, is located. He was also licensed to manage Jacoway's ferry across the Illinois river near the present location of Grafton, in Jersey county. At this same ses- sion permission was granted to Lewis Wil- liams and David, his brother, to carry pas- sengers, etc., across Macoupin creek, south of Carrollton, at the point where the new

iron bridge which was recently constructe 1 by the present board of supervisors, was erected to take the place of the all wooden covered structure that was built by Thomas Rattan and had stood for many ver- k- ! land mark to travelers who journey In stage on the old "state road" from Jack-010 de to Alten. Isaac N. Piggott -Twee. a Vous meet- ing. receive 1 license to run t ferry across the Mississippi river at a point between Gt jon

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.

and Alton. The rates to be charged at these ferries were fixed by the commissioners as follows : Carriage drawn by more than four oxen or horses, including team, one dollar and twenty-five cents; carriage drawn by four oxen or horses, one dollar; carriage drawn by less than four, or more than one, ox or horse, seventy-five cents; carriage drawn by one horse, fifty cents; man and horse, twenty-five cents; footman, twelve and one-half cents; led horse, six and one- fourth cents ; cattle, each, six and one-fourth cents : sheep, each, two cents; hogs, each, two cents.

The first marriage in the county, accord- ing to the records in the county clerk's office. took place May 6, 1821, the contracting par- ties being David Hodges and Miss Louisa Wentworth, the ceremony being performed by John Allen, a justice of the peace. Mr. Hodge was well known in the county and for a long time kept a store on Apple creek prairie. The record further shows that in October of this same year David Miller and Miss Mourning Finley were united in mar- riage by Rev. Aaron Smith. Miss Finley was the adopted daughter of John Finley, mentioned elsewhere. He found her, an in- fant. on his door-step one morning, and as the waif looked sad and sorrowful, he named the foundling "Mourning" Finley.

The first deed we find recorded in the books of the county is a mortgage dated May 12. 1821, in which Richard Wilhelm con- veys to Elizabeth Leamon the cast half of the northwest quarter of section 24, town- ship 7, range 7, to secure the payment of one hundred dollars. The land is now in- cludel in Jersey county.

The first deed to land within the present limits of Greene county is that whereby, in 1822. Robert Hobson sells to Elijah Wood-

man the land on which Mount Pleasant was to have been built. This land is now owned by Mrs. Mary B. Perry and Miss Emily Bowman, of Carrollton, and Mrs. Ben White, of St. Louis.

EPISODES.

In Clement L. Clapp's history of Greene, written twenty-six years ago, I find two epi- sodes of 1821 which I deem of sufficient in- terest to demand a place in "Past and Pres- ent."

THE LOST CHILD.

Mr. Clapp says : "During the early sum- mer of 1821 the whole county was stirred with feeling by a protracted search for a lost child. The following very graphic and ac- curate account of the thrilling incident is from the pen of W. A. Tunnell, Esq., of whom mention has elsewhere been made, and will serve two valuable purposes, in giving a very complete, vivid and accurate account of the whole affair, and at the same time in paint- ing a striking and correct picture of life and the condition of the county about the time of its organization. 'The late Mrs. Alfred Hinton was visiting her cousins, the chil- dren of James Pruitt. She and one of the older girls started out to the woods in search of "greens" for dinner, when little Matilda. without knowledge, followed, and unable to keep near them, became bewildered and lost. She was found very near the spot where English's Mill was afterward located. The lost child is still living in the person of Mrs. Iliram Parr, who resides about three miles west of White Hall in this county. (Mrs. Parr died in 1882 .- Editor Past and

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY

Present. ) Mr. Anderson Headrick, well re- members that a religious meeting at his father's house was broken up by the an- nouncement that the child was lost. Judge Alfred Hinton was one of the company who started from Madison county to aid in the search. But read the affecting tale as it fell from the facile pen of Mr. Tunnell :

"Early in the spring of 1820, one Major Pruitt, erected his log cabin in the edge of Apple creek prairie, three miles northwest of where Bell's mill now stands. He was one of a numerous family of that name who had previously settled in Madison, and a portion of whom had come to Greene when it had been explored and its fertile lands, its beautiful prairies and its shady groves began to attract attention. The country was at that time sparsely settled, a few hardy pio- neers had scattered themselves over a large extent of territory, isolated from the more populous districts, and with brave hearts and strong arms, engaged like a band of brothers in a common cause against the dangers and distresses incident to their ex- posed condition. The savage still lingered on the hunting ground of his fathers; his wigwam sent up its blue smoke among the tall trees on the banks of the Illinois; his footprints had scarcely faded from about the doors of the white man's cabin. The forests teemed with venomous serpents and fero- cious beasts. It was only during the previous year that the white man's rifle first broke the silence of the primeval forest. The hillsides and the little valleys reaching from the prai- · rie down toward the southwest where the . ravines fell into AApple creek were clothed with a luxurious growth of vegetation, so rich and dense that with its accumulated weight it sank down into a tangled and con- fused mass of briars, thorns, nettles, grape

vines, per vines and every Ting mobile kitil of vine or shrub bearing miits dasco 01 thorns. But there were few evil: whose our fathers were unable to turn it Some good account, and they found Summerlong De which to be thankful, even our flere clark brambles, from which they obtained many valuable substitutes for those vegetables van- ally grown in our kitchen gardens and feasted on their simple dish of slad- plekel from the dark, cool shades of the forest. with as sweet a relish as ever an epicurem partook of his dainties from beyond the sea, pouring out their souls in thanks to God for so bountifully supplying them with a provis- ion so nicely adapted to their wants.

"Major Pruitt was the father of several children, of whom Matilda was the young- est. She was a bright eyed little girl of scarce three summers: the very center around which clustered the fondest affec- tions and the liveliest sympathies of the family circle. When with blooming cheek and laughing eye she played and prattled around the hearthstone of the humble cabin. all eyes were turned to catch the fascinating smile that dimpled on the check of chill- ish innocence. But when the hand of sick- ness seized her delicate frame, a heavy gloom hung over the anxious household, and a (leep stillness pervaded the lonely cabin. Oft. in the late hours of the night, her aching head reclined on the patient arm of the kind father, as with slow and silent steps he pace 1 the dimly lighted cabin, while the weary mother 'caught her short hour of rest. Oft had the anxious parents sat for weary hours beside her bed. watching her fitful slumbers and administering the coolng dranghe- of water of the remedy that was expected to return their darling child to health and cheerfulness.

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.

"These alternations of sickness and health touched every sympathetic cord vibrating in the hearts of the fond parents and their dutiful children, and to them there was no object in the world so dear and so essential to their happiness as their dear little daughter and sister. It was on a Monday about the middle of May, while Mrs. Pruitt was prostrated on a bed of sickness and the duties of the household devolved upon her daughters, that one of them, accompanied by a cousin near the same age, left their carding and spinning and went into the woods to procure from the rich vegetation materials for the coming dinner. The sun shone brightly from the clear sky, the earth was richly arrayed in her dark robes of green, fairly bespangled with bright and beautiful flowers. The sparkling dew, the balmy air, the waving groves, the babbling brooks that danced with joy along their way, the gentle slopes-moss-grown or carpeted with new grown grass-all contributed to inake up a picture at once so lovely and so enchanting that our young friends uncon- sciously lingered in the cool shade, enjoying the grateful breeze that played beneath the out spreading branches and listening to the melodies of the happy birds until the morn- ing was far advanced and the sun, now ap- proaching the meridian, admonished them that their presence was needed at the house. "When dinner was announced the family drew around the table, but the place of Ma- tilda was vacant. 'Where is Matilda?' was asked and repeated several times, but no one could answer. Mrs. Pruitt called to her husband and said: 'When the girls went into the woods this morning Matilda cried to go with them and I told her to go out where you were shearing sheep and stay with you till they came back.' 'Then I fear

she is lost,' replied the father, 'for I have not seen her.' 'Matilda is lost,' cried the children, and in a moment all was excite- ment. The family were soon running hither and thither as if scarcely knowing what they did. The name of Matilda soon resounded through the forest, but no voice responded. The dark brought upon its bosom no tiny voice to gladden the troubled heart or re- lieve the bitter anguish of the bereaved par- ents. When death has done its work and torn the tender infant from its mother's arms, she calmly gives herself to grief and seeks relief in tears; many comforts press their suits and consolation finds its way into her heart. But from the agony of the par- ents, produced by this awful shock, there was no escape; their suspense was more ter- rible than death itself. Visions of poison- ous serpents, prowling wolves. and screaming panthers stole across their minds and in imagination they beheld the great black bear already winding his leisurely way across the hill in the direction of the wandering child. No time must be lost-every moment the child was wandering farther from home and the difficulty of finding her increased. Run- ners were at once dispatched to different parts of the neighborhood for assistance and soon the whole settlement was on the qui vive. Before night many men, armed with guns, and carrying trumpets or horns, came loping into the woods and engaged in the search. They pressed on vigorously to re- cover the child, if possible, before the close of the day. Apprehensions that she must suffer the horrors of the night, unrescued, in that dark wilderness of danger, pressed heavily upon their minds and grated on their nerves, stimulating them to increased exer- tion. There were no privations they would not suffer, no obstacles they would not op-

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY

pose and no effort they would not make to restore her to her parents before the coming darkness placed it out of their power. But the evening sun still glided down the west- ern sky ; his last rays lingered for a moment on the distant hills, then vanished and left the world in night. With blazing faggots to dispel the darkness, they urge l their toil- some way through the dense foliage, as if determined to take no rest and spare no effort until the object of their search should be accomplished. Hunger and fatigue pressed their calls in vain, those strong limbs, inured to toil, and those stout hearts, accustomed to self-support, flagged not. but gathered new support from each opp: sing obstacle. During the long night those torches lighted every hill ; the savage leasts, amazed, forsook their revels and crept to some securer spot ; the timid bird. affrighted, twittered from its perch to some more distant place, and the voice of man, before unheard among these rugged hills, now echoed down the narrow vales, inspir- ing strength and courage to pursue the search.

"Down the deep valleys and up the steep hillsides, through the entangled brushwood. with anxious hearts and unabated strength, they urged their way until the morning's glimmering light arose and ushered in the day. Then, at the sound of a trumpet, came men from all the woods around, in tattered garments, drenched with dew, to take the first refreshment since the search began. They spent an hour rehearsing what was past and planning for the future. then mounting their faithful steeds, urged them once more into the thorny brushwood. or. on foot, pressed through the thickest bram- bles.

"During the night men had been dis-

patched to Madiren county By further ja! and instructed to reuse the setillse on tidy way. No sooner w . the intelligence po- ceived that their aid was wanted du ffer men leaped from their heds. faltabed they rifles, mounted their horses atil galliped of to assist in the search. As they arriveland mingled with those already on the gromol. the growing number swelle 1 the long ev- tending line, which, taking in a wife range. increased the chances of success.

"The sad news spread as if by magic and men came pouring in from many miles away The woods were closely scanned in every ali- rection, no spot of ground was left un- searched and when the day had gone and left no tidings of the lost child, it was a matter of the gravest surprise that she hudl not been found. But the search did not close with the day; after taking refresh- ments, the labors of the previous night were repeated, its cares, its anxieties and its disto- pointments again experience l. and men toile 1 long and patiently till morning came. With the morning came a host of friends from Madison county. They were greeted with a wild shout of joy. It was the first time since the sun shown on this fair land that the voices of so many white ment had echoed through the wild woods of Greene county. AAnd never did men enter more fully into all the feelings or sympathize more heartily with their bereaved friends They banished all care of home. si ther business and of their families, and entered upon the search with all the zeal and deter- mination that could have been expected vi men whose lives depended on their efforts "The day soon became dark and drocy, The north wind moaned through the way ing trees, \ murky darkness hung -es the forest and dendened its colores Nechal

PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.

was heard save the voices of men, the sigh- ing of the wind or the rustling of the branches. Distant objects were unseen or fell upon the eye in undistinguishable con- fusion, and the line defining the horizon was shut out from view. A cold, gloomy vapor shrouded the groves, and men drew their thick coats around them and quickened their step. the better to resist the chilling blast. It may be imagined, then, with what anxiety they sought the tender child, then roaming in some unknown part of the forest, clad only in a thin 'slip' of check cotton, worn as a protection against the heat prevailing when she was lost, when now the piercing winds caused the teeth to chatter, though wrapped in jeans or blankets. They labored most assiduously during the day; many be- came weary and discouraged with the length and fruitlessness of the search and almost dispaired .of its successful termination. But the report of a rifle came feebly up through the dark vapors from a ravine below, bring- ing the welcome news that some traces of the missing child were discovered.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of Greene County, Illinois, Part 4

Author: Miner, Ed. (Edward), 1835- Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 666

Author: Miner, Ed. (Edward), 1835-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 666