USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > Past and present of Iroquois County, Illinois > Part 71
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* "At Crete a fence has been built around a por- tion of this trail to preserve it as an old landmark and relic of early roads and times."
** Noel Vasseur died at Bourbonnais Grove De- comber 15, 1879, the year before Mr. Hubbard made his last visit to Iroquois. Mr. Vasseur's correct name was probably "Noel Le Vasseur" but in as much as Mr. Hubbard uses the form "Vasseur" we have re- tained it in these pages.
IROQUOIS COUNTY ILLINOIS
get his stock, and returned to hi lage Lockport by a new trail which afterwant to came known as "Butterfield's trail'
This trail is said to have hit the Hubbard tul at a place called Fickrel's point and bearing to the west crossed the south line of the county about three miles west of the present site of the city of Hoopeston, thence extending northwestern. crossed Spring creek at a point about two miles northeast of the present village of Buckles. thence following the general course of Spring creek to a point near the range line, when the creek turns in an easterly direction, thence nearly north leaving the present sites of Plate and 1. Erable to the right, crossing Prairie creek west of the present village of 1. Erable, thence north to Langam creek, which was then called "White Woman." The trail then followed the south bank of Langam creek up stream to a point about a mile east of where the Illinois Cen- tral Railroad now crosses Langam creek, where it crossed the creek.
The trail there extended in a northerly direc- tion to what was known as Sammons Point. The Kankakee river was forded at Hawkins.
It is said that for twenty years following the close of the Black Hawk war, Butterfield's trail was the greatest route for cattle and hogs in the state of Illinois. Much more might be said of these two early trails, as well as of others of minor importance, but sufficient has already been stated to give the reader a general notion of the carly routes across the county, one of which is now paralleled by the Chicago & Eastern Illi- nois Railroad, and the other by the Illinois Len- tral Railroad.
11.11NOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
By an act of September 20. 1850. 19 Statute at large p. 4(1) congress made certain grants to the state of Illinois for railroad purposes Section 1 provides : "The right of way through public lands be and the same is hereby granted to the state of Illinois for the constric tion of a railroad from the southern terms of the Illinois and Michigan canal to a post at or near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with a branch of the same to this go, on Lake Michigan, and another vit the town of
1. Wa, with the right ale to the necessary 1. ferial of earth, states, tuber off . for the call struction the rest
Also provides that the right of was half not aveces one hundred feet ch sich side of the length the real
The second section of the det provides that there be granted to the state of Il mais for the purpose of adding said railroad and branches, evers alternate section of land designated In even ningbers, for six sections in with on each ile of said road and branches, provided that the lands shall in no case In further than fifteen miles from the line of the road And further, that the work of construction should begin smul taneously at its northern and southern termmi and continued from each of said points until completed.
The fourth section of the act provides, that said road and branches shall be and remain a public highwas for the use of the government of the United States free from toll or other charge upon the transportation of an property or troops of the U'mited States.
It was further provided that if the road should not be completed within ten years the grant should be forfeited, that the United States mail should be transported on said road under the direction of the postoffice department, at such price as the congress That Is las direct
To Senator Stephen A. Douglas more than to any other man are we indebted for this legis- lation which made the Illinois Central Railroad possible The grant was accepted and the legs. laure of Union by an act passed February 10. 1851. incorporated the Blues Central Railroad tompans and in return for the grants and iam- thisis the company was by law required to as nto the state treasury send anfalls a sum of receipt of sale corporation, which was to be applied to the interest Learing mobielness of the state until it she ald be extinguisher.
(l'an 365 ch 120 K SI
He people tearing that this arrangement with the Minds Central Railroad Company night mercime be abrogated, In the constitution of
682
PAST AND PRESENT OF
"No contract, obligation or liability whatever, of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, to pay any money into the state treasury, nor any lien of the state upon, or right to tax property of said company in accordance with the provisions of the charter of said company, approved Feb- ruary 10. 1851, shall ever be released, suspended. modified, altered, remitted, or in any manner diminished or impaired by legislation or other authority; and all moneys derived from said company, after the payment of the state debt, shall be appropriated and set apart for the pay- ment of the ordinary expenses of the state gov- ernment, and for no other purposes whatever."
From March 24. 1855. to October 31. 1904. the total amount paid into the state treasury by the Illinois Central Railroad Company was twenty-two millions seven hundred and twenty- two thousand eight hundred ninety dollars and sixty-four cents.
It is said that at the time of the first annual meeting of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany in March, 1851, there were but ninety- eight miles of railroad in the state of Illinois, and the rails were strap iron.
May 21, 1851. the first engineering party was organized in Chicago for the purpose of making the necessary preliminary surveys for the road, but by the middle of the summer seven other surveying parties were in the field.
According to the Chicago Daily Press, of No- vember. 1856, several sections of the road were opened for traffic as follows: From Chicago to Calumet, May 15. 1852. Calumet to Kankakee, July 14, 1853. Kankakee to Spring creek, De- cember 2. 1853. Spring creek to Peoria, May 28, 1854. Peoria to Champaign, July 24, 1854. Champaign to Mattoon, June 25, 1855. Mat- toon to Centralia. September 27, 1856. The main line from Cairo to La Salle was completed January 8, 1855.
The Galena branch from La Salle to Dunleith was opened for traffic June 12, 1855. The Chi- cago branch of the Ilinois Central traverses the western portion of the county, diagonally from northeast to southwest, and through a very fertile country. The stations in the county along the line of the road are as follows: Chebanse, Clif- ton. Ashkum, Danforth, Gilman, Onarga. Del- rey, Buckley and Loda. The building of the
road contributed much to the development of the county.
What is now known as the Springfield branch of the Illinois Central extends from the Chicago branch at Gilman and runs southwesterly through Ridgeville and Thawville. This road was completed in September, 1871, and was known as the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad.
The Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad Company was chartered in 1867. Like many other companies during the period, it had finan- cial difficulties. This road is now an important branch of the Illinois Central system.
The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad has also been an important factor in the develop- ment of the county. It is the only line crossing the county from east to west.
It was first known as the Peoria & Oquawka Eastern Extension Railroad. Later in 1859 it was styled "Logansport. Peoria & Burlington." and afterwards was called Toledo, Peoria & War- saw. The road was completed to Gilman Sep- tember 21. 1857. and completed across the coun- ty, the first train running over the road through the county the last days of the year 1859.
The main line and branches were not fully completed until 1871. This line of road crosses the Illinois Central at Gilman, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois at Watseka, the Chicago South- ern between Eastburn Station and Sheklon and the Big Four at Sheldon. Other stations lo- cated along the line of the road in the county are : La Hogue, Leonard and Crescent City. This road was also constructed under adverse circumstances.
The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was completed through the county during the sum- mer of 1871. This road was formerly known as the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad.
The line was originally surveyed through Sheldon and Concord and doubtless would have been constructed along the east side of the coun- ty, had it not been for the vigorous efforts of the citizens of Watseka.
The road enters the county on the north at St. Anne, and crosses the county's south line at Hoopeston. Between these points along the line of the road are Papineau, Martinton, Pittwood, Watseka, Woodland, Milford and Wellington.
The road now has a double they for the county, with a calling station al und mal Sam In fine .. . about one and a half miles sath of What-
What is now known as the Cisti Puretech some of oal tais ei sunt de lui of the Chicago & Easteri Mmeis Raffred Bas completed in January, 1882
This line was projected meler do punk Strawn & Indiana State Line Rail | logis actually constructed only from the main line et the Chicago & Rastern Iligonis Radread at a point near Wellington to Cisma Park.
Anther spur of the Chicago & Eastern Himnols railroad in this county was In ft in ton, Vart ing from the main line a short distance smith et Milford and extending cast through the town of Stockland to Freeland Park, Indiana Since this road was built, the thriving village of Stock - land has been built up near the point where thus branch is crowed by the Chicago Southern. The last few years have witnessed much activity in railroad building in Iroquois county.
The Eastern Illinois & St. Louis branch with completed early in the year 104. This road extends from the main line, front a point thereon about one-half mile south of Woodland, m a southwesterly direction to the city of St. Louis In the county it passes through the villages of Bryce and Goodwine.
The Cincinnati, Lafayette & Chicago Railroad was built in 1871-72, and put in operation a year later. It enters the county in Sheldon township near the village of Sheldon and ex- tends across the northeast corner of the county. in a northwesterly direction, crossing the north line of the county near St Anne The stati me along the line in this counts are Sheldon, Iro quais. Donovan, St. Mary, ( Beavervillet. Itis an important link in the Big Four system and affords a direct line from Chicago to Cinci natt.
The work of building the Chicago Southern Railroad through this county is of recent dite The right of was was secured In purchase and condemnation during the spring and suhler of 1905. The roadbed has been graded through the county and much of the steel has been land The construction was arrested In the financial difficulties of John R. Walsh the Printm The road traverses the county the truth and south, through the townshion [ Roumy Cor cord, Sheklon, Ste -11. nd
humation which @lowof The hitta of
CHAPEER I\.
TOPOGRAPHY.
TEN BRINK I. MANN. I
Irogues is situated on the east border of the state, and bas an arer of 1, 120 spare miles, ben s exceeded in size only in Mclean and La Salle counties. Watska, the county selt, is located a few miles cast of the center of the arts. The drainage of the county as alniest entirely through the Iroquois river and its tributaries, At Wat- seka the river recoves ats princ pal tributary, Sugar creek, and below Watscha there enters Spring creek, Langon crack and Beaver creek. In the lower five miles of its course before jen ing the Kankakee rver, c asiderable descent is nade, Ist almove this the strethe is generally his- grish as are also the tributaries. The Iroquois river also drames a large Andi arca m Indan that lies with of the Iraque . morale river passes through thes merane before reaching Watschab. Sogar creek drains the waiter face ci the Iroquois moran so theast of Watseka, and Beaver creek draufs the eter tice i rthwest ci Watscht Spring creek dran . the Hangto till sheet that Les south of the Carga moraine. Login creek drans the outer face of the Mar selles nora're northwest pertion of the county. That part of Irimpels courts that lies wirth of the Ofarga sud ridge arl extending to w tl n a short distance of the northern Bedin ars, and
684
PAST AND PRESENT OF
that lies west of near Eastburn and extending to near the west county line, constitutes the major part of the glacial lake known as the Iroquois lake. From the manner of its formation not much variation in altitude could be expected. It will be seen from the table of altitudes that the extreme variation in elevations within this region is but about thirty-two feet, the low point being . where the T. P. & W. R. R. crosses Sugar creek, 625 fect above sea level, and the high point being at Clifton with elevation of 657 feet. Such uni- form elevations over so large a territory has made artificial drainage of utmost necessity, but of serious difficulty, and requiring the working out of almost new problems in drainage engineering.
That part of the county not included within the lake basin lies principally in the southern and eastern portions, though there is a strip along the western and northern boundaries. These por- tions are largely moraine formation and the ele- vations are higher than in the lake basin. The table shows that the highest elevation is at Loda, being 774 feet, and very few observations give an elevation of much less than 700 feet.
With slight exceptions the north, west and south boundaries of the county lie in the divide of the water shed. Very little water falls within the county lines that does not find its way to the general outlet of the county-the Iroquois river. The following table of altitudes is furnished by Prof. C. W. Rolfe of the State University, under whose supervision they were prepared : Geodetic Stations.
Sec. IT, T. 26 N., R. 13 W. The N. E. corner of Sec. 2 lies 2,174.4
M. N. 3 degrees. 39 minutes and 26 seconds E. 668.85
Sec. 3. T. 28 N., R. 14 W. The N. E. corner of the Congregational church lies 251 M. S. 45 degrees, 54 minutes E.
661.08
Scc. 35, T. 25 N., R. 13 W. The N. E. corner of this section lics 1,003.8 M. N. 87 degrees, 43 min- utes E.
665.78
Sec. 6, T. 25 N .. R. 14 W. The middle of the south side of Sec. 31 lies 1,588.9 M. N. 26 degrees and 28 seconds E.
665.48
Aslıkıım. I. C. R. R. 656
Belmont T., P. & W. R. R .. .. 681
Buckley .I. C. R. R. 698
Chebanse.
663
Cissna Park .. C. & E. I. R. R. 674
Cissna Junction 66
695
Claytonville
66
668
Clifton I. C. R. R. 657
Crescent City . T., P. & W. R. R .. 645
Danforth I. C. R. R. 647
Donovan
.C., C., C. & St. L. R. R. 672
Del Rey I. C. R. R. 665
Effner T .. P. & W. R. R. 66
683
Gilman
650
Goodwine C. & E. I. R. R. 674
Hickman
66
673
Iroquois . C., C., C. & St. L. R. R. 673
Loda I. C. R. R .. 774
La Hogue . T .. P. & W. R. R .. 668
Martinton C. & E. I. R. R. 629
Milford
66
666
Wellington 700
Onarga
I. C. R. R. 676
Papineau
C. & E. I. R. R. 635
Pittwood
66
6.45
Ridgeville
I. C. R. R. 671
St. Mary
.C., C., C. & St. L. R. R. 667
Sheldon 688
Spring Creek T., P. & W. R. R .. 630
State Line. .C., C., C. & St. L. R. R. 694
Sugar Creek .T., P. & W. R. R .... 625
Thawville I. C. R. R. 692
Watseka T., P. & W. R. R .. 638
Woodland C. & E. I. R. R .. 639
L'Erable R. M. Hood. 640
Plato
. 635
Schwer
. 655
Stockland
. 700
Woodworth ..
. 675
Sec. 36, T. 29 N., R. 13 W ...
. 660
36, T. 29 N., R. 10 E ... .
. 655
66
26. T. 28 N., R. 10 E ... . 66
. 640
66 23. T. 29 N., R. IT W ... 66
. 650
66 25. T. 28 N., R. JI W ... 66
. 720
66 27, T. 26 N., R. II W ...
. 710
24. T. 25 N., R. II W ... 66
. 720
23. T. 24 N., R. II W ... 66
. 710
66
GEOLOGY.
Iroquois county seems to have been covered by three great ice sheets, as indicated by well borings made in different parts of the county.
1 .-
IROQUOIS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The borings show for the . W . drift a depth of got to je, and for de tal drift a thickness of 20 to 40 ist, and a w drift that has rarely bet penetrate I. Leveret thinks it can not be decided is if present day will of his the new whether the two lower drifts are I war and his mae the sun is ann re et ipsi 50 10 linoian, or are Ilinotan and pre Una 11 - 1 r- upper drift is the early Wisconsin cest on the side Ile an teri cin the
eastern portion where the late Wisconsin : if some evidence. Where drifts are frequently found having a black soil d vision between them and the lower drift has been krowy to have a deposit of peat several fest in thickness. The upper drift is composed principally vi a oft bluish clay that is easily penetrated with augur or spade, but the two lower drifts are a hard gravelly clay very difficult to penetrate Che ar tesian sand seems to be just below the top of the lower drift. The Wisconsin ice sheet made it de cided change in the contour of northeastern Il linois. Before the passage of this drift water flowed from Lake Michigan through the Des I'laines and Ilinois rivers to the Mis -pp. With the disappearance of the ice sheet lake Michigan water took an eastern outlet, the Mar- seilles moraine acting as a far to the passage of the waters of the Des Plaines and Kar kaku mers. With the holding back of these waters came the formation of the Kankakee lake, as well as the Iroquois lake whose outlet was into the former. The condition of Ir x Bon county then. after the recession of the last ice sheet was that a large portion of it constituted the Is ques lake, and this lake being boarded on nearly all sid - In moraine formations. That this lake existed it considerable time is evidenced In the deep de posits of prat frequently forul. With the cure ting of a channel through the Marseilles njordre near the town of Marseilles by the ilbei river came drainage to the Kankakee lake and! per- mitted the Iroquois river to chaind through the castern end of the same moraineand giving dra age to the Iroquois lake.
A moraine on the cast side of the comty 1 of series. It forms the divide between the Ir incas and Kankakee rivers in Indiana, and offers this county near its northeast corner with a curve to the south, crossing the dragon's river between Watseka and state live. d i can -@ DOWI the southeast and again e rig boQue. Irm
toi t' sheet that his singele the godb . le et
-
-
in the onity and ot wirth ouren s su. ted
vi Sugar creck is tardy moore thân twenty five
the where the withwet erner i the courts, where it to minutes in the ve ils of
are sind dieliste will immer the
mal to be sle hwvery Man water special I. Il it it might be .I to produce hereyes re-
vers ierte Her mel wellen the del fick of the parties, Jest the Jack or forany other
sidered to be the oldest of the late Wach walls, aver great with fire
Ileirales that water ro phe lat
686
PAST AND PRESENT OF
is also a very rich soil, though having somewhat less organic matter than in the lake basin. The soils in the eastern part of the lake basin seem to have been greatly modified by the outwash from the morainic formation to the east, which distri- buted sand quite generally in the soil.
The soils of the moraines on the south, west and north sides of the county are quite fertile, though generally somewhat deficient in organic matter and the elements of plant food, nitrogen and phosphorus. The moraine on the east side of the county is quite sandy, and like all sandy soils are apt to be deficient in all elements of plant food.
The types of soil found in this county and re- cognized in the state soil survey, are as follows :
Upland Types-Brown silt loam, black clay loam, gray silt loam, yellow silt loam, sand, sandy loam, dune sand. Swampy Types-Sand, sandy loam, shallow peat on sand, shallow peat on clay, medium peat on sand, medium peat on clay, peat on stone, deep peat-over 30 inches-peaty loam, loam, muck.
The brown silt loam is the ordinary soil of the corn belt. It will vary from light brown to dark brown according to the amount of organic matter included. This is by far the most abundant type found in the county. The gray silt loam is the ordinary timber soil and the yellow silt loam is the timber soil eroded.
The following is the result of a chemical analy- sis of samples of brown silt loam from this county made by Dr. C. G. Hopkins :
Stratum sampled.
0.7 in
7.18
20.40
Total Nitrogen.
.261
.186
.066
Total Phosphorus.
.050
.0.49
.039
Total l'otassium.
2.065
2.131
2.571
Organic Carbon.
3.161
2.186
.468
Calcium Carbonate present
.000
.000
3.392
Calcium Carbonate
required
.002
.00I
Insoluable in 11. C. L.
sp. gr. 1.115. ..
79.684
79.459
74.538
Soluable in H. C. L.
sp. gr. 1.115.
Phosphorus
.048
.038
.029
Potassium
.648
.651
.990
Calcium
.443
.431
1.750
Magnesium
.430
.490
.530
Iron
2.143
2.30I
2.417
Sulphur
.027
.021
.000
Sodium
.036
.059
.074
Aluminum
3.39I
4.135
5.694
The small amount of phosphorus shown in above table would indicate a soil that is below normal in this element. The experiment field at Bloomington located on the same type of soil re- ports that when phosphorus was added to the soil a gain was made of thirteen bushels of corn to the acre. The experiment field at Urbana on the same type of soil reports about the same gain from phosphorus. Several private experiments made in this county report about the same gain for this element. Some of the more highly situ- ated and longest worn soils are perhaps as much below normal in nitrogen and organic matter as they are in phosphorus, and both elements must be added to bring it to higher state of fertility.
An analysis of peaty land shows it much be- low normal in its amount of potassium, and the experiment field on peaty land near Momence re- ports gains of fifty to sixty bushels of corn per acre from the addition of this element to the soil.
The sandy types of soil are usually deficient in organic matter, as well as the principal elements of plant food, and the desirability of such soils depends a great deal on the physical abilities it possesses to withhold such fertilizers when ap- plied. Some of the sandy types offer an excellent opportunity for the building up of a very rich and fertile soil.
CHAPTER V.
IROQUOIS.
The following lyric, adapted to the tune of "Maryland, My Maryland," was written by Major M. H. Peters, of Watseka, at the sug- gestion of Honorable S. C. Rutherford, who was at that time county superintendent of schools; the idea being that it should be used in the public schools throughout the county. It was first sung at the county teachers' institute.
IROQUOIS COUNTY ILINENS
i the song & the ungite the south w th
veneration for these whe ed red the pistons and braved the dangers and hardships is joner Hie feled the forest, reclame the swamps. transforming a wilderness the hands of sallethe Ben and wild beasts, inter a lasel af fertile theles. green pastures and happy hours- heritage !! peace and plenty, fraught with still gre. ter
May we appreciate and enjoy the e blessing vauchated to us, and forever cherish the memory of those who "through their courage, toll and tears bequeathed to its this tur domain."
IROQUOIS.
INSCRIBED TO HON. S. C. RUTHERFORD. Superintendent of Schools of Iroquois county. Illmois, at whose suggestion and request these lines were written.
1. My own beloved Troques.
Of all the earth land of my choice. Iranguess, dear laquo- Beneath thy grateful sun and shade, Within thy bosom gently lund. Repose the ashes of our dead. Iroquois, dear Iroquois.
2. The memory of the pioneers,
Irespois, dear Iranglos Who thro' their courage, toul and tears.
Bequeathed to us this far domain. Inspiring in our souls this stran- Their names linked with the sweet reiram. Iranguess, dear drogues
3 When treason with its impron- hand.
Assailed the flag of our free land.
:
Ihn noble daughters, true and brave
thered on their brothers when the give lo freeden . Union, and the grave,
5. Als heart with proud contin swells.
Trongtions, dear logos- In rapture on the story dwells.
Thy placid streams and flowing wells. Entrance me with their magic spells- Each scene I view my song napels. Trompes, dear Iraque
On hill and plam where'er 1 gaze, Trongtions, dear brothers Contented herds serenely graze.
While warbling birds from bush and tree Pour forth their jovens melody To jour my song in prave of thee. Iroquois, dear Iroquois
7. Hone of my heart, home of my pride. Iroquois, dear Iroquois- Three grief of joy, whatever betide.
Still would I revel in thy charnis. Sing of the forests, fields and farms, And rest at last within thine arins.
11. let this song esultent rise.
Until it reach the vallied which.
I bere angels 'round the throne rejoice And listen while my ardent voice Pren lammmis thy charts, dear Iroquois- Iroquois, dear Iroquois
40
688
PAST AND PRESENT OF
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
BY MAJOR M. H. PETERS.
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