USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 9
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
93
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
President Thompson in the end telegraphed to have all trains stopped at Aledo. He went to the county seat, bringing back with him the telegraph car and all movable fixtures of the road and ordering the switches to be taken up. He then told New Boston that no trains would be run west of Aledo until a settlement was made in accordance with the previous action in regard to the bonds. This placed the matter squarely before the people there. It was railroad or no railroad at last. After two or three days' consideration the flames of repudiation burned out and a dispatch was sent to Mr. Thompson saying that New Boston was ready to issue the bonds. Shortly afterwards a committee from that village visited Mr. Thomp- son with the same offer. He went to New Boston, received $18,000 bonds of the township and $30,000 bonds of the village and the work on the road was completed.
In 1869 Abington Township voted $10,000 in aid of the Warsaw road. Viola had considerable trouble over the erection of the station in that village. It was finally erected on its present site.
At a large meeting in Aledo about this time efforts to secure help for the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Line were made but without much success. Perryton, Ohio Grove and Mercer town- ships were to be crossed by this line. The cost to the three town- ships would be $162,000. This was such a large amount that the people in the end declined to furnish the assistance asked. Finally the line instead of crossing Mercer Township was projected to cross Millersburg Township, which likewise refused to vote the bonds. About this time Richland Grove, Rivoli and North Henderson town- ships voted in favor of aiding the Rock Island & St. Louis road. Various other railway projects were considered during the next few years.
An eastern narrow gauge railroad was talked of in 1875 and in 1876 the Rock Island & Mercer County Line was projected and in the end was built to Reynolds and later branches were run to the coal fields in the northern part of Mercer County.
Various interurban electric lines were considered previous to 1908, but nothing definite occurred until July that year, when the Rock Island Southern Electric Line was projected and commenced. However, it was planned to cross the tier of townships east of Aledo, whereupon the latter began negotiations to secure a branch and in the end succeeded. At first Mercer Township and Aledo were asked to subscribe $100,000, but after due consideration it was found this amount could not be raised. But the township and city finally offered to give $50,000 in bonds and a $10,000 bonus to secure the
94
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
line. This offer was accepted and accordingly the line was extended to Aledo. The line was completed to this city in September, 1910. Regular service was in force by December of the same year.
CHAPTER VIII
MILITARY AFFAIRS
Mercer County furnished a few soldiers for the war with Mexico in 1848-exactly how many is not now known, but it is believed that eight or ten men left the county and joined the companies or squads that were organized at Galesburg and Monmouth. The facts cannot now be learned. Many of the first settlers of the county saw service in the War of 1812 and a few in the Black Hawk war; and very probably a few of the earliest settlers participated in the Revolution.
The people of Mercer County were keenly alive to all the great issues involved in the political controversies during the few years immediately preceding the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency and the fall of Fort Sumter. Very few here believed at first that the election of Mr. Lincoln and hence the curtailment of the slave extension program of the South really meant war; but as the Southern States one after another passed ordinances of secession, seized the property of the government and otherwise showed their disunion designs, it came to be realized early in 1861 that force would have to be used if the Union was to be preserved.
On January 15, 1861, the Aledo Record printed the following notice :
ATTENTION !
In pursuance of the recommendation contained in the message of the late governor of this state, that its citizens should speedily enroll themselves into volunteer military companies, and be in readi- ness to respond to any demand made upon them by their state or country, notice is hereby given that there will be a meeting at the store of A. Corken, Aledo, on Friday evening, January 18th, at 6.30 o'clock, for the purpose above indicated. Citizens of the county without respect to party are invited to attend.
In the same issue was the following article :
Be calm !- We are probably passing a crisis in our national affairs that will severely try our patience, courage, equanimity and patriot- ism. The old Ship of State is in a storm, pitching and laboring, but she will outride it, and whoever sticks to her will come safe to
95
96
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
the shore. We have no fear for the ultimate result, and we desire to exhort all to be firm and calm, doing nothing and saying nothing that will leave room for future regret. In times of excitement like the present we have need to take special care that we are guilty of no excesses in word or act. Stand fast by the Union, the constitution and the enforcement of the laws and all will be well.
In pursuance of this call a number of citizens assembled at A. Corken's drug store. Col. W. D. Henderson was made president of the meeting, and John J. Glenn, secretary. S. W. McCoy, J. H. Reed and J. F. Henderson were appointed a committee on resolu- tions. While they were thus engaged the meeting was addressed by Doctor Craig, who pointed out the importance of having military organization and portrayed the distracted condition of the country. Other speeches were made by Colonel Henderson and Messrs. Reed and McCoy. Doctor Craig, H. Scott and Doctor Coe were ap- pointed a committee to report a plan for the organization of one or more military companies in this county and be ready to report at the next meeting to be held on the following Wednesday evening. The resolutions prepared, read and adopted by this meeting ran as follows :
Whereas, Believing, as we do, that this Government is one of the people and not a mere league between sovereign states, and
Whereas, It is well understood that there are large portions of the citizens of several of the states of this Union in arms against our Government, repudiating its authority, trampling upon its laws, in- sulting its flag and committing the crime of treason under the name of secession, and
Whereas, It having been recommended by the late governor of this state, in his recent message, that our citizens organize volunteer military companies and place themselves in a position to respond to any demand that may be made upon them to put down rebellion, enforce the laws, uphold the Constitution and thus preserve the in- tegrity of the Government, therefore
Resolved, That it is expedient for the citizens of this county to cheerfully and promptly respond to that call by organizing one or more military companies within its limits for the purpose above indicated should their aid in that direction become necessary.
The meeting closed with three rousing cheers for the Union.
On February 19, 1861, the Republican County Convention passed a long series of resolutions insisting that no compromises with the South should be made, expressing the greatest confidence in Lincoln's ability to handle the existing crisis, and expressing emphatic disap-
97
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
proval of the conduct of Congressman William Kellogg "in his late compromise resolutions and his speech thereon" and demanding that he resign his seat that the voters of this district might elect a man who would carry out their will and wishes. At this convention there were men who favored compromises with the South, but they were greatly in the minority and accomplished nothing.
Early in February, 1861, the citizens of Greene Township held a preliminary meeting at Viola to consider the propriety of forming a military company. At this meeting B. C. Perkins presided. A committee of three was appointed to solicit members for such a company and the meeting then adjourned to assemble again on Feb- ruary 16th. Over the adjourned meeting G. L. F. Robinson presided. The committee reported the enrollment of fifty-nine names for the proposed company. Dr. J. V. Frazier was elected captain. The secretary of the meeting, C. S. Richey, was instructed to let the readers of the Record know that the people of Greene Township were Union men and were ready and willing to do their duty in upholding the Constitution. This was no doubt the first company formed in the county for the war.
The plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his way from Springfield to Washington roused the greatest indignation in this county. The act was denounced in severe language by the Record. That paper said :
The present administration has an herculean task before it. All its resources of wisdom, firmness and patience will be called into requisition. Its first duty will be an adjustment of our national difficulties in a manner that shall secure the integrity of the Govern- ment and at the same time preserve its dignity. We have not seen Mr. Lincoln's Inaugural, but we venture the prediction that while it contains no word of compromise, it does not breathe coercion in the sense of sending an army at once into those states where madness and treason rule the hour. He will probably strengthen the old ship at every accessible point and embrace every opportunity that may arise to wipe out treason and its authors. Those who have expected, if there be such, that he will heal divisions by counselling concessions of principle and those who have anticipated that he will immediately blow up rebellion with gunpowder, have both alike no doubt been mistaken. But the work of redemption will be accomplished and Abraham Lincoln will be known in history as the second Father of his Country.
Congressman Kellogg's compromise resolutions in the House late in February were condemned by the republicans of this county gen-
98
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
erally ; so were those of Mr. Crittenden. But the Corwin resolutions which passed the House by the vote of 153 to 136 met the approval of all in this county who favored maintaining the Union. The democrats of this county openly insisted that compromises were the only measures that would restore the Union. The Force Bill in Congress, which provided for calling out the militia to suppress insur- rections, repel invasions, etc., was favored here by republicans but bitterly opposed by the democrats. But in this county, as everywhere else over the whole country, individual opinions and principles were undergoing revolution and hence there was great diversity of ever- changing thought. Meetings held at Keithsburg, New Boston, Viola, Millersburg and elsewhere showed wide divergence of political views. A so-called Union festival held at the Barton House, Aledo, on March 8, 1861, favored the "Union as it is," and advocated conces- sions. This was really a democratic meeting or a meeting that was opposed to coercive measures by the administration of Mr. Lincoln. There were present about fifty men representing that shade of thought.
After reading President Lincoln's Inaugural the Record said that it was one of the best that had ever been delivered ; that the president's duty had been delicately performed ; that the president was correct in denying the right of secession and in his determination to enforce the laws; that while President Buchanan for three months had repeatedly violated his oath of office, President Lincoln, under the same obliga- tions, would fulfill all his duties; that while many would be pleased to have him violate his oath and permit the grand carnival of treason to go on unchecked until the Government should be disintegrated, there was every indication now that he would enforce the laws and uphold the Union.
In March, soon after Mr. Lincoln's inauguration, the rumors that Fort Sumter would be evacuated, caused great consternation here, where exactly the opposite course was expected. It was shown that the evacuation might become necessary if the Government was not permitted to provision the fort. On the other hand it was urged that it was the duty of the Government both to provision and to reinforce the fort. But all then saw that such a step would mean war when it was hoped that diplomacy would accomplish the desired re- sult without bloodshed, without evacuation of the fort and without causing the Government to commence the conflict. The defiant atti- tude of the democrats in Congress that Fort Sumter should not be reinforced caused intense indignation among the unflinching and
99
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
unfaltering Union men of Mercer County. This feeling was voiced in the Record.
On April 16th came the news that Fort Sumter had surrendered to the rebels and that war had commenced. The news caused much suppressed excitement and all citizens anxiously awaited the next scene in the tragedy of war. Enthusiastic meetings in favor of upholding the administration and preserving the Union were held on the Saturday following at New Boston and Keithsburg. The former promptly commenced the formation of a company of volunteers, in fact led in this war measure, though Keithsburg was not far behind. Companies were also started at Aledo and Viola. Thus on Sunday following the call for 75,000 volunteers there were four companies well started in this county. A thorough military organization of the whole county was called for by the newspapers at Aledo, Keithsburg and New Boston. On the evening of April 16, 1861, a crowd assembled at the Barton House, Aledo, to hear the news, and upon being told that war had actually begun and that Fort Sumter had been forced to surrender after a gallant defense, it was proposed to take down the two flag poles-democratic and republi- can-that had been erected during the political campaign of 1860, united them, and raise aloft the stars and stripes on the combined pole. All agreed and the change was promptly effected on Friday morning, with a streamer at the top, bearing the words, "All for the Union." When the old flag was run up, all swore new and eternal fidelity to the Constitution and the Union and then listened to stirring and patriotic addresses from Judge Tyler, Colonel Henderson, War- ren Shedd, Dr. I. Edwards, W. E. Riley and others. At this time nearly all men at Aledo admitted that party considerations should be sunk and loyalty alone be considered.
However, soon afterward, the Keithsburg Press, edited by Mr. Shouf, came out with scathing strictures on the course of the North. All republicans and many democrats so promptly and so emphatic- ally resented this step that he subsequently modified his severe statements. A loyal meeting held at Aledo on Friday evening was addressed by J. C. Pepper, Captain Henderson, W. P. Baker and others. All the speakers favored saving the Union. At a called meeting held at the courthouse, Aledo, on April 22d, a large crowd assembled to take action relative to the war. Colonel Henderson called the meeting to order and George Simms, of North Hender- son, was made chairman and J. H. Reed, secretary. Rev. J. S. Poage offered prayer and the band played in spirited fashion one of the
100
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
national airs. A committee of one from each township was then appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, as follows :
North Henderson, Nicholas Dowell; Rivoli, R. R. Cox; Rich- land Grove, Warner Kinsey; Suez, Doctor McClannahan; Greene, W. M. Pinkerton; Preemption, J. Rodgers; Ohio Grove, W. I. Nevius; Mercer, George B. Burnett; Perryton, J. G. Gilmore; Ab- ington, J. C. Main; Millersburg, J. Haverfield; Duncan, C. Vernon; Keithsburg, V. B. Shouf; New Boston, R. S. Cramer; Eliza, J. J. Hueston. While the committee were preparing their report the meeting was addressed by.W. L. Campbell, Dr. E. P. Wood and J. H. Reed. The committee reported many resolutions which were adopted; they pledged earnest and willing support to the Federal Government; declared that party difference should cease until the Union was saved; promised that the stars and stripes should never be trailed in the dust if they could prevent it; extended sympathy to the earnest and insulted Union men in the South ; cordially welcomed the promise of Stephen A. Douglas that he would support the admin- istration ; pledged protection to the wives and children of all men who should volunteer from this county; and appointed a committee of one from each township to carry out the promise contained in the above last resolution. After addresses by Rev. J. S. Poage and G. B. Burnett, the following committee was appointed as above: Keithsburg, R. C. Cabeen; New Boston, James Thompson; Eliza, D. F. Noble; Abington, Frederick Frick; Millersburg, R. Kiddoo; Duncan, A. R. Sutton; Ohio Grove, W. I. Nevius; Mercer, J. Mc- Coy; Perryton, J. G. Gilmore; Suez, Charles Caldwell; Greene, W. M. Carnahan; Preemption, H. M. Boone; North Henderson, Thomas Jones ; Rivoli, J. W. Miles; Richland Grove, E. S. Roberts. The proceedings of this meeting were interspersed with patriotic music by the New Boston band. All sang the Star Spangled Banner when the meeting adjourned.
Following the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, Governor Yates called for six regiments of volunteer milita for active service. This caused prompt action in this county. Ac- cording to previous notice the volunteer company of Aledo and Viola met at Masonic Hall on April 27th and elected the following officers: Dr. W. D. Craig, captain; Hardy Moorhead, first lieu- tenant; A. T. Waterbury, second lieutenant; John A. Gilmore, third lieutenant; C. Doty, flag sergeant; John C. Welliver, sergeant; Rus- sell A. Osborn, Archie S. Corken, Oscar Dungan and Joseph Hoover,
101
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
corporals. The name "Union Company of Mercer County" was adopted. Of this meeting Thomas F. McClintock was chosen chair- man and John C. Welliver, secretary.
The citizens of Keithsburg, irrespective of party ties, met at the old courthouse on April 20, 1861, to consider the call of the president for volunteers and to commence the formation of companies. W. J. Ungles was chosen chairman and W. R. Calhoun, secretary. The meeting was addressed by D. B. Ellett, Reverend Mills and J. C. Pep- per. The latter, a strong democrat, took an eloquent and patriotic stand for the maintenance of the Union. D. B. Ellett, B. P. Frick, H. G. Calhoun, R. C. Cabeen and Isaiah Willits were appointed a com- mittee on resolutions. While they were out speeches were delivered by Doctor Kelley and B. C. Taliaferro. The resolutions adopted declared it to be the duty of all patriots to aid in raising volunteers for immediate service; stated that the sense of this meeting favored the enlistment of all who could do so and pledged care of the families of volunteers during their absence. Volunteers were then called for and the following names were at once enrolled: Edward S. Bruington, Samuel J. Morrison, Hugh Campbell, Freeman Dorse, Sr., Hugh Morrison, Osborne Holland, Robert B. Ungles, Columbus O'Leary, George W. Elliott, A. H. Thompson, H. F. Perry and Elisha E. Beal. Three cheers were given for the volunteers and three for Major Anderson and his gallant men and the meeting adjourned to meet the 22d.
At the adjourned meeting W. J. Ungles served as chairman and W. R. Calhoun, secretary. Patriotic addresses were delivered by Reverend Mills, Doctor Wood, of New Boston, and Doctor Marshall. As Reverend Mills concluded the New Boston volunteers made their appearance and were received with three rousing cheers, and their band played Hail Columbia in attractive style. Then a quartette sang the Star Spangled Banner, after which Doctor Marshall called for volunteers for a calvary company. At this meeting the follow- ing volunteers were enrolled: John R. Galbreath, W. A. Lorimer, O. H. Dennis, Jr., James Kile, Jr., James F. Dorse, E. J. Foland, William Gutgar, Harry Weaver, W. H. Davis, Albert Lisk, Thomas Taylor, Henry Hiatt, E. M. Humbert and Bethuel Adams. All of the Keithsburg volunteers were invited to New Boston for the pur- pose of uniting all into a single company to be in readiness for the first call from the governor.
The citizens of Keithsburg again assembled on the 24th and listened to speeches from Reverend Hart, Reverend Mills and Mr. Ellett. The following resolution introduced by H. G. Calhoun was Vol. I-7
1
102
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
passed unanimously : That we the citizens of Keithsburg, lovers of our country and our country's flag, do abhor and detest traitors, come from where they may, and that we will not patronize, countenance or suffer such persons to advocate such principles among us. Doctor Marshall introduced the following, which was also adopted: That in case any of our citizens shall at any time be accused of treason or dissatisfaction with our present Government, a committee be ap- pointed to investigate such charge in order that innocent parties may not suffer thereby. R. C. Cabeen, S. M. Evans and C. P. Elder were appointed such committee. E. D. Ellett, J. Cooper, J. Harvey, J. C. Humphreys and H. G. Calhoun were appointed a committee to hoist the stars and stripes upon the new pole on Main Street. The enrollments at this meeting were F. M. Gruwell, Alonzo Fish, Ben Cummins, Thomas Wolfe, Samuel C. Willit, John W. Nelson, Tru- man Rhodes, J. W. Bates, James Hiers, W. A. Hubbard, William Patterson, William P. Kelley and James Nelson.
On April 24th the Keithsburg and New Boston volunteers assembled at the latter city and were presided over by R. S. Cramer, with C. O'Leary secretary. It was found that the rolls contained the names of 104 volunteers, of whom eighty-five were present, the others being excused on account of business. Dr. E. P. Wood was elected captain of the company. Other candidates for the same position were William K. Trabue, William Avery and E. S. Bene- dict, all of whom received votes. Doctor Wood declined the honor unless the company should elect him unanimously, which they at once did. The other officers elected were as follows : First lieutenant, George W. Sanders, New Boston; second lieutenant, Dr. E. S. Bene- dict, New Boston; third lieutenant, Thomas I. Simmons, New Boston; orderly sergeant, C. O'Leary, Keithsburg; second orderly sergeant, William A. Lorimer, Keithsburg; third orderly sergeant, C. Holway, New Boston; fourth orderly sergeant, R. B. Ungles, Keithsburg; corporals, Albert Beach, Hugh Campbell, James Fergu- son. With everything in readiness Captain Wood started for Spring- field to tender the company to the Government.
At this time the Record advised that while outspoken traitors merited severer treatment they should be given a sound thrashing only for the present. It was suggested that the Mississippi River should be patrolled to prevent the rebels from receiving supplies or recruits from up the river. Two members of the Aledo-Viola Company were over sixty years of age-Henry Kimmel, of Ohio Grove, and James Haverfield, of Millersburg. William, the colored barber at the Barton House, offered to shave Union men for a dime and traitors
103
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
for nothing; the inference was that he expected to cut the throats of the latter.
In Preemption Township, on May 3, 1861, a company of twenty- eight was enrolled as Home Guards. At this meeting H. M. Boone served as chairman and E. S. Roberts as secretary. The following offered by John Whitsitt was adopted : Whereas, Our beloved country is in a state of rebellion and her Constitution and institutions are seriously threatened; therefore, Resolved, That we, the citizens of Preemption, do pledge our honor and means and if necessary our lives for the support of our national honor and flag. A band present furnished music.
The citizens of Ohio Grove met on April 30th and called A. Carns to the chair and chose W. H. Gilmore as secretary ; several patriotic speeches were delivered, and resolutions pledging the patriotism of the township for the support of the families of volunteers were passed. Samuel G. McClure, James B. Gilmore, T. S. Robb, W. R. Mc- Creight and John Allison were appointed a committee to look after the wants of the families of volunteers.
Early in May the Mercer County volunteers-two companies- left here without much ceremony and went into camp at Peoria under the call for 90-day men. In the hurry, though the citizens did all they could to make them comfortable, they were sent away without many blankets and with few food supplies and accordingly suffered much in camp at first. Immediately other companies were com- menced at half a dozen places in the county.
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.