USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 6
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we do think the surveyor and feel engineer of so respectable & company s cours ought to ride a large horse to support the firenity of his office." "As to that. "replied the sur- veyor, "many great men have been content to go on foot and some have rode donkeys, while others very finely mounted have never become famous in any respect. 1 bave observed that men of very refined taste in regard to riding fine horses seldom rise above the dignity of a country parson in these back- woods." A loud burst of laughter followed this sally, in which the whole party joined most heartily, but it was observed that the Rev. Mr. Rawlings was not so far carried away with this cachination as to lose the power of speech and sagely remarked. after the mirth had partially subsided, that it was "a happy circumstance that a man might be sharp enough to make an excellent surveyor, even though he should never rise to the dignity of a parson.'
Thus did our happy company make the wild woods glad with their merry langh. as they passed along near the borders of the bottom land that stretched away to the east- ward, until crossing Whitaker creek, when they ascended to the hill tops to contend with the "thick brush and grapevines," to which the young surveyor had allided. when, to their increased merriment, they saw his pre- diction verified by the simultaneous dis- mounting of about one-half of the company. Sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot. they groped along for three or four nules, which brought a handsome little prairie to
view. "Do you know what prairie this is, 'Squire?" asked John \Hen. "The Wal- trips, Thaxtons and Starkies have just along there," he continued, pointing out the direc- tion with his hand. "I think some of the Waltrips lived on our side of Apple creek
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one winter," said George. "Yes," replied the 'Squire, "Old Billy Waltrip, and old Billy Thaxton and his son Larkin, spent the winter of '19-'20 in a camp quite near my house, and moved over here in the spring." "I should have been pleased," said George, "to have passed nearer their houses to see what kind of improvements they have." "We thought it best to keep at a distance lest our appearance should alarm the women and children," replied the 'Squire, "seeing such a company armed and equipped, they might conclude there were Indians in the neighborhood."
The truth is that the leaders of our little company were so circumspect in planning their movements that they had purposely avoided the settlement lest the imposing ap- pearance they made should induce a belief on the part of the settlers that they were out on some improper business. They seemed fearful their designs would be understood by some one who might throw obstacles in the way of their success; they chose, there- fore, to follow the skirt of timber along the south side of Bear creek, toward the east, rather than strike boldly across the prairie through the settlement, toward the point of their destination.
However, they gradually directed their course more to the south, as they proceeded, until at length they found themselves on the summit of the highlands dividing the waters of Apple creek from those of Macoupin. They involuntarily reined up their horses, as the far-reaching prairie-running back to the horizon-fell on their vision from the southwest, and in silent wonder gazed upon the beauty and grandeur of the scene. To the north of the narrow strip of timber along Bear creek, appeared like a mere hedgerow dividing String prairie from another prai-
rie, which reached back far enough, appar- ently, to support Apple creek timber, which, like a long line of blue clouds lying along the horizon, put an end to the view in that direc- tion. To the east there was no limit to the range of vision but the horizon, though in that direction a herd of half a dozen nimble deer went leaping across the prairie with that freedom which they derived from a con- sciousness of perfect security while taking their daily exercise. A long line of beauti- ful green timber, gently waving in the west- ern breeze, stretched from a point two miles. south of them away to the eastward as far as the eye could reach. There was a peculiar richness in the appearance of the dark green foliage probably produced by the reflection of the sun's rays from the upper branches of the timber, contrasting finely with the shaded recesses below.
Our company proceeded, leaning to the southeast, as if to enter the timber one or two miles above the point to the south. "I think I see a cabin in that timber," observed one of the company. " 'Squire Allen, do you know whether that timber has any settlers in it?" "I take that to be Kinkead's Point," said Mr. Allen. "I have been told that some of the Kinkeads settled some where in this part of the county about five years ago this spring. I know 'Squire Kinkead and Cap- tain Kinkead very well, but I have never been at their house. The point where they live is called Kinkead's Point, and I think that is the place." "It appears strange to me," observed one, as they came near the timber, "that there is not a string of settle- ments along this timber. If this is Kin- kead's Point, old Fighting Jack's horse mill is somewhere near, and people coming to the mill and seeing such a beautiful country un- occupied would make it known to others if
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
they did not want a place themselves." "That is all very true, but men are too scarce yet to settle all the pretty country places." remarked the 'Squire, "but there is probably already a considerable settlement in this timber. Somewhere to the east, I think, you would find another settlement, not more than three or four miles from this. The space between will soon be filled up, and there will be a line of settlements all along the timber." "The man that bought old Jimmy Purnell, I believe, lives in Kinkead's Point." remarked one. "I heard them saying in town the other day that old Jimmy had run off and after a day or two returned, and tokl the man he lived with that he had been three miles up the point to the east, laying out a town, that it was the prettiest place for a town in the whole country. He said there was a nice little stream running along the east side of it and when he brought his lots into market the people would desert Carroll- ton and Mount Pleasant to buy lots in his town. He told Sam, I believe that's what he called his master's name-" "Samms," suggested 'Squire Allen. "Perhaps that is the name," rejoined the other-"anyway he told him that if he wouldn't be angry with him for running off he would give him a corner lot for a grocery." "Poor Jimmy." exclaimed Mr. John Allen, "the last time I saw him he had a gash cut in his head where somebody had struck him with the handle of an old iron shovel for merely coming into his house one cold night just before bed time. Every winter I think of Jimmy Purnell, and expect every time a cold spell comes to hear of his being frozen to death." "You arouse my sympathies," said Mr. Rawlings. "Pray how did it come that he was cold? I had not heard of that." "Don't you know him." said 'Squire Allen. "No, I never saw him.
but I think I have heard allego, we'd be a crazy man?" asked do witwer Voc he labors under an aberration of profit umes. and is perhaps never entirely ame fos he is a man who seems to have been well elfseated and is very shrewd and ready in answering questions and sometimes apper- very raty !- al in conversation. He has lived about from house to house for three or four years upon the bounty of the settlers, and though not generally troublesome, some hive abused him, and not long since the county took him in charge and hired him out to Mr. Samms. The people frequently gave him clothes and sometimes money, but he never kept any clothing only what he had on, and the money he would give to the first boy he found. 1 hope he will find a good home with Mr. Samms and be well taken care of."
The foregoing conversation closed as the party drew up their reins on the bank of the deep and narrow ravine which served to convey the water that accumulated on the prairie during the rainy season through Kinkead's Point down to Taylor's creek, some five miles farther to the south. Along the steep banks of the ravine might occasion- ally be found a little spring issuing from the black mould that covered the surface of the narrow bottom to the depth of four or five feet. Our party was not long in search- ing out one of these springs in the midst of a grove of wide spreading walnuts, where they spread their saddle blankets on the stunted growth of vegetation beneath the thick shade and, taking from their port- manteaus a small supply of shelled corn and oats, fed their horses, using their blankets as a manger. Then seating themselves on the ground they took their dinner in the simple and primeval style of the genuine backwoodsman.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
During dinner conversation flowed freely around the little circle, each relating in his turn the incidents of his past experience in hunting excursions and camp life. It was a subject the old settlers love to dwell upon, to the recital of which they listened with undivided attention. When dinner was over and an hour had been spent in resting their horses, they again mounted and proceeded in a lively mood to make their way over hills and ravines, through brush and brambles, frequently interwoven with grape vines. The sun had already passed the meridian and would soon be declining in the west; the whole party seemed to feel some apprehen- sion that night would be upon them before they had reached the point of their destina- tion. However, keeping their spirits up, they pressed forward through all obstructing ob- stacles, as if determined to make the best of the time allotted them. So wild was the appearance of the woods around them, so like an uninhabited wilderness, that our party despaired of seeing any in- dication of the habitation of man. For them there was nothing inviting in those sharp ridges, steep hillsides and the numer- ous narrow and deeply cut ravines that so frequently interrupted them in their march. They were, therefore, exceedingly anxious to escape from these annoyances by getting out in the prairie again. But at the very time when least expecting it, the sharp bark of a dog fell on their ears. At the same time Mr. Rawlings was observed to turn his horse's head to the right about, with the exclamation, "There's a house ! halt a min- ute, gentlemen !" He continued : "We must scatter out a little in passing this house ; let only two go together and afterward two more, until we shall met at a point over beyond the cabin. If we all go in com-
pany the people will think some very im- portant movement is on foot and they will arouse the whole neighborhood; whereas, by passing only two at a time we will get through without exciting suspicion." This mode of passing the house of Thomas Finley required a greater length of time than was desirable, for after passing the house, a small prairie-perhaps a mile in width- must be crossed, and when two of the com- pany had started across it, so fearful were the others of showing themselves in all their force that the starting of the next couple was delayed until the first had passed out of sight. But at length they had again assembled on the south side of the prairie, only to plunge again into the forest, where after slowly working their way for two or three hours, over every variety of uneven ground, cross- ing Taylor's creek and a great number of smaller streams, they found themselves at length entering the north side of another prairie, at the southwest side of which ap- peared a long string of timber reaching far to the east and a short distance to the west seeming to unite with that from which they had just emerged.
As the beautiful little prairie, almost as even as a floor and adorned with millions of small opening flowers just bursting into life from among the rich growing herbage with all the freshness of spring, opened out before them, exclamations of surprise and admira- tion were heard from each member of the party as they continued to gaze around them. It was indeed a lovely sight, very unlike any they had witnessed on the more undulating prairies farther to the north. The sun was clescending low in the west, shedding a flood of golden light along the groves to the south and cast, the tall tree tops waving in the evening breeze, and the dark, deep shadows
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY-
below, presented a most beautiful variety of light and shade ; and an impressive silence like the stillness of midnight prevailed, ex cept as the merry lark, perched on the wiv- ing top of some tall flower stalk, poured forth her song for a moment and flittered away to another perch more remote from the intruder. . As they proceeded Mr. Rawlings recognized the spot they had been admiring as Taylor's prairie, and rising in his stirrups and passing his hand along in the direction of the long line of timber in the foreground. he said : "Gentlemen, I think we are draw- ing near the end of our day's journey ; that thick timber running along there is the Ma- coupin timber and this is Taylor's prairie. Just over there in that point is where Jimmy lives ; we will reach there by sunset. I think we will stay with him to-night, and make all necessary preparation for an early start in the morning. I am anxious to see what will come of this singular adventure." "Yes," replied 'Squire Allen, "It would be pleasant to know that we were on the road to a splendid fortune ; but if our explorations should prove a signal failure and thus ex- pose us to the ridicule of our friends, I am not in a hurry to find it out ; notwithstanding it might be pleasant enough for one who has the faculty of enjoying it, to engage in a hearty laugh now and then, even if it were at his own expense. But as we are fully equipped with everything necessary for camping out, I shall prefer spending the night in the camp; it is entirely unnecessary to trouble our friends with keeping us when we are so well prepared to keep ourselves." "That is very true," rejoined the other, "we will camp, then, somewhere near, and Jimmy can come to our camp and spend twor or three hours after night : we will get what information we can from him and make ar-
rangements for tomorray I Toopr 000 call get an early start in the narmine free Point to make as satisfactory a survey so llo juin. eral region tomorrow as possible amint we get a late start we may have to speolx ny longer on the ground as a consequence
As Mr. Rawlings finished speaking a dull, low sound fell upon their eur. mach resembling the low tones of distant thatbiler. At this time the two friends, between who m the above conversation was passing. were riding beside each other, and Mr. Rawkings perceiving-as he thought-that Mr. Alen was deceived in reference to the sound, sad : " 'Squire, I supposed you were more fam liar with that kind of thunder than you seem to be." "Yon may depend upon it there is no rain there." "But the reign of industry." replied Mr. Allen, "the kind of reign that produces both food and clothing, and what is better than all, it is a reign of our own making." "It is surprising what a train of reflections may be produced in the head of a philosophie man by the hum of a spinning wheel." replied the surveyor, "but great minds often perceive great effects proceeding from very small causes." "If George will show tis the silver mine tomorrow." replied Mr. Allen, "we will be prepared to admit the justness of his remarks." The laughter that followed these sallies had scarcely sub- sided when the party halted in front of the rickety fence that enclosed the cabin of James Rawlings, and his wife answered the summons of her father-in-law by appearing at the door. After mutual inquiries concern- ing the health of the respective families, the Rev. Mr. Rawlings learned from his datigh- ter-in-law that his son was not at home but would return some time during the evening.
Upon receiving this intelligence it Was decided to proceed half a mule further doit
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
camp near the Macoupin creek. "Tell James to come down to our camp when he comes home." said Mr. Rawlings to her, as he raised his rein to ride off, while she resumed her spinning. Proceeding to the creek the party erected their tent, and, after taking their supper, lay down on their blankets to await the arrival of James Rawlings, but as the time passed away and he did not ap- pear, the elder Rawlings, accompanied by Squire Allen, set out to visit the house, and finding him then at home. they proceeded immediately to discuss their plans of opera- tions for the morrow, and receiving assur- ance from the younger Mr. Rawlings that he would be prompt at their camp at sunrise in the morning, to accompany them on the ex- pedition. they returned to their camp, and soon the whole party were buried in sleep. But whether it was that calm, quiet, gentle sleep that wraps the soul in deep uncon- sciousness of all events transpiring in the outer world, or that wakeful, restless, dreamy, fitful slumber fraught with trouble, dreads and doubts, dangers and perplexities, that lifts the sleeper up the winding way that leads to some high, craggy peak, or from giddy height impels him down the unfath- omed depth of some profound abyss. let those decide who have roamed abroad in search of treasures.
Very early the next morning the inmates of the camp were astir, feeding their horses, preparing breakfast, and packing up their equipage, ready to be off as soon as James Rawlings should make his appearance. As the first rays of the sun peered through the thick forest that lined the banks of the stream, they stood in front of the camp fire, bridle in hand, ready to mount and pursue their journey at a moment's notice. As the sun crept higher up in the eastern sky and
sent down his glowing rays to wipe away the heavy dewdrops from the grass and wild flowers, many anxious glances were cast along the narrow path that led to the house of Mr. Rawlings, but he came not. The morning was wasting away, the sun rising higher up in his course and the air growing warmer around them; the dew had fled from the rich foliage, and the lark com- menced her song for the day, but still Mr. Rawlings did not appear.
By this time the patience of the party had reached its culminating point, and sev- eral voices at once exclaimed : "Let us be off, it is useless to stay here and await the motions of Jim Rawlings," and reining up their horses, they prepared to ride off. "Gen- tlemen." cried Rev. Mr. Rawlings, "If you can have patience to wait only a few mo- ments longer I will ride out that way and see if he is coming ;" and, putting spurs to his horse, he was soon out of sight. On and on he went, unwilling to turn back. He constantly applied his heels to his horse's sides, endeavoring to increase his speed. until he reached the house of his son, and to his surprise and even astonishment, found him sitting astride of a shaving-horse, putting a piece of hickory into the shape of a yoke for one of his horses. "Why, James, what are you doing there?" cried he, "we have been waiting these three hours for you at the creek. looking for you every moment. The boys were just going to leave you, and I begged them to wait till I could come and see what you are about. Come now. don't spend an- other moment : be on your horse in an instant or they will be gone." "I can't go just yet," replied the other, rather sheepishly, "A\ gen- tleman is to be here in a few minutes with whom I have some business that must be attended to without delay : it will, however,
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detain me but a short time. Tell the boys 1 will meet them at Coops creek by noon, and if they can't wait they can go on up there."
After receiving instructions from his son as to how they should find the way to Coops creek, the reverend gentleman hurried back to communicate the result of his hasty visit to his son's home. The party was in motion immediately, with Mr. Rawlings and "Squire Allen at its head; their route lay along the Macoupin bluffs. A string of lakes and marshes stretched along their way on the left. and beyond them was the heavy timber bordering on the Macoupin creek. Coops creek is a small stream, rising fifteen or twenty miles back in the country, and flow- ing in a northwesterly direction empties its waters into the Macoupin on the south side, just before that stream crosses the line now separating the counties of Greene and Ma- coupin. Just at the point where it issues through the Macoupin bluffs, stands a wall of perpendicular rock, quite conspicuous within the range of vision from that place. It was at this place that James Rawlings proposed to meet the parties at noon. The distance being found less than was antici- pated. they arrived at the spot about eleven o'clock, dismounted. fed their horses, and. while some prepared dinner, others explored the country in the immediate vicinity to as- certain whether anything indicative of the existence of silver could be found. Mong the banks of the stream were found gneissoid stones, mica, slate. etc .. in considerable abundance, together with other stones not common in the country. These our party took for favorable indications of something richer and after dinner made a more thorough ex- amination of the premises. Mr. Rawlings drew the mystic rod from his saddle bags. and, climbing to the top of the cliff. pro-
ceeded to satisfy himself in regard to the existence of silver ore at that point, which he considered the most favorable for making observations. The manner of using the rod was something like the following: Taking the ends between the thumb and finger, and turning the bow down horizontally forward, he walked slowly and carefully forward, ob- serving the leather sack at the bow or loop as an angler would watch his cork on his fishing tackle to see when it was drawn down by the fish on his hook. Mr. Rawlings knew, or at least thought, that whenever he passed over a spot where silver was depos- ited, its attraction for the contents of his buckskin sack would bring it suddenly down toward the earth and show as clearly as any- thing could just where the precious metal was to be found. After perambulating that elevated position for some time with only partial success, he descended to the plain and examined in like manner the debris along the foot of the bluffs, as also some other points jutting into Macoupin bottom, but received no very satisfactory assurance that anything like silver existed in the neighborhood.
Not yet discouraged our little company again mounted their horses and struck boldly across Macoupin bottom : James Rawlings had not yet joined them, nor did they expect or desire him to do so. In truth his charac- ter for veracity seemed to have suffered with some members of the company, and they did not desire to see him during the expedition. AAfter crossing to the north bank of the Macoupin they directed their course along its northern bank, soon arriving at the furnace and all the evidences of min- ing operations mentioned by the young Mr. Rawlings in his letter to his father. There were several mounds of earth overgrown with briars, young cottonwood and syca-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
more, and at their base were the pits from which they had been taken. Immediately on the banks of the creek stood the dilapidated furnace, with coals, ashes, and lumps of min- eral lying around. They were not only sur- prised but greatly pleased to find the repre- sentations of the younger Rawlings, in his letter to his father, correct. His inexplica- ble conduct in the morning had thrown a shadow of doubt over their minds, and they had viewed his assertions with reference to the silver mine with distrust; but now the evidence was before them that he had ad- hered to the truth without exaggeration. But still his conduct was as much a mystery as ever. After having written to his father and induced him to take so much trouble to come from home to examine the spot, why did he not accompany the party? This was a mystery none could solve. No doubts were now entertained about the existence of some kind of mineral about these ancient mines. Many specimens were to be found of good size and apparent richness lying around on the surface, and the truthful brass rod of Mr. Rawlings clearly indicated that below the surface large quantities might be found by digging. For some reasons, unknown to the writer at this day, no analysis was made to test the value of the mineral found; nor were the services of the surveyor called into requisition at that time. The party were probably satisfied with their discovery with- out pushing their investigations further. The dlay was fast hastening away, and they mani- fested a wish to return home and were soon on their way. On their return they seemed quite as desirous of passing the settlements unobserved as on their journey out. They arrived in the vicinity of their respective residences late in the afternoon of the follow- ing day, and scattering out in different direc-
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