USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 12
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Temporary quarters were secured in the old Presbyterian church until October of the same year, when the library was moved into the old quarters in the Library Block. On the 11th of May, 1808, it was moved into the fifth story of the Orlando Powers block, where it remained until May. 1903. when it was transferred to its present home in the Carnegie Library Buikhing. This structure was erected at an expense of $60,- (x), donated, in town, to the city of De- catur. by Andrew Carnegie, on the condi- tions that the city agrees to appropriate a stipulated sum of money, each year, to the support of the library.
The building is a neat, modern, light stone, admirably equipped with all the latest facilities for handling an up-to-date library. Its location is on North Main street, op- posite the Public building used for the De- catur postoffice.
About twenty-five thousand volumes are in the library at present, and each year about two thousand volumes are added. Over six thousand persons have cards as patrons of the library. The total number of visitors during the past year was over twenty-five thousand; these people bor- rowed over ninety seven thousand books.
Our library is alive to the best interests of its patrons as to management and as to the acquisition of all the latest books when first placed upon the market.
The librarian attends all the meetings of
the National Library Association in order to keep abreast of the times in adjusting the library to the public needs. This, judg- ing from the patronage, the management has certainly accomplished. No pais are spared in rendering assistance to individ- uals, clubs or societies pursuing some spe- cial subject : on request, lists of books or magazine articles are gladly classified and prepared.
It is the aim, in the selection of new books, to cover as wide a field as possible with the money at the disposal of the board. each year, and at the same time not to overlook any of the various subjects.
Much new fiction is placed in the library to satisfy the popular taste, vet constant watch is kept for new treatises on science. history, literature and art that may become classic, thereby giving permanence to the reference department.
The reading room is the most widely used part of the library ; one hundred and thirty five publications are on file. One hundred and thirty thousand persons visited this room during the past year.
The papers consist of the leading daily and weekly papers adapted to this locality and about seventy-five monthlies.
The money for the support of the library is raised by a taxation of two mills on the dollar, which last year amounted to $7.449.
The surphis above the runnings expenses is used in the purchase of new books.
The Woman's Club.
The Woman's Club of Decatur has as large a membership as any outside of Chi cago. It was organized seventeen years ago and has a membership of three hundred. The club House on the corner of North Park and Franklin streets is owned by a stock company composed entirely of club women. and was one of the first club houses in the state built for women.
The members of the club pursue a varied
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
line of work, which is delineated by the following: Music. Art. Sorosis, Psalemas, Literature, Shakespeare and Child Study divisions. In addition to these the club con- siders many other subjects: educational, philanthropical, municipal, legal and social.
The Art Class is the oldest division, hav- ing organized twenty years ago.
Powers' Grand Opera House.
The Powers' Grand Opera House, built in 1889, by Orlando Powers. and now owned by his heirs, is the only opera house in the city. Until its destruction by fire Nov. 4. 1895. it was very successfully managed by Frank W. Haines. In less than three months after its destruction the building was again ready for use and was re-opened Feb. 10, 1896, under the management of J. F. Given, who is still in charge. The opera house, in the 100 block on South Water street, has its main entrance on this street. It contains a large lobby and reception hall, a par- quet and dress circle on the first floor ; a balcony and a gallery above : in all seating abont sixteen hundred people.
There are twelve dressing rooms, artisti- cally furnished for the actors. The house is heated with steam and lighted through- out with gas and electricity. Very few houses, outside of Chicago, surpass it in beauty and harmony of decoration, attrac- tiveness of appointments and convenience of arrangement.
The Anna B. Millikin Home.
The Anna B. Millikin Home for old ladies and children is located just across the street east of the James Millikin Uni- versity in a beautiful grove of forest trees. This is an outgrowth of the original home in the east part of the city, given to the city by Mr. and Mrs. Millikin. By and by the building became too small and so crowded
that Mr. Millikin gave them three acres of land, where the new building now stands, and agreed to give $10,000 if the directors of the home succeeded in securing $10,000 more. The directors raised the money and the result is a fine modern structure of red brick, trimmed with white stone.
The basement contains the kitchen, pan- try, play room, boiler room, fuel room, laundry and drying rooms ; on the first floor are dining hall, assembly room, library, ma- tron's room and a number of bed rooms. On the second floor is a large girls' dormitory and sixteen bed rooms: on the third floor are the boys' dormitory and bed rooms. There are large open fire-places on both floors : the stairways and hallways are spa- cious and the entire building is well ventil- ated. The building is lighted and heated by up-to-date apparatus and will accommo- date one hundred inmates.
The home is an asylum for babies, boys under eight years, girls to the age of twenty and old ladies : those who have money for their support are expected to pay what they can afford. while those who have no means are maintained by the home. Who would cherish a monument other than this: "By Our Acts Shall We Be Judged."
St. Mary's Hospital.
St. Mary's Hospital, at the corner of East Wood and South Webster streets, was es- tablished over twenty years ago. It is a fine stone building, with a frontage of eighty feet on Webster street and one hun- dred and twenty feet on East Wood street ; three stories high. It is modern in all its appointments. There are over forty rooms for the sick, several operating rooms, bath rooms and a chapel.
Sisters who are experienced nurses are in charge of the patients. The institution is in the entire charge of the Roman Catholic church, but persons of all denominations
PAST AND PRESENT ON CON WHAT
are cared for, those who are able financially are charged, while charny is extended to the pour.
The hospital is becoming more and more popular among those who can pay to have their friends cared for at a hospital, and the great majority of the physicians highly recommend it.
The Wabash Hospital.
The Wabash hospital, in the Waggoner Block, on Warren street, built by the em pluses of the Wabash Railroad, is one of the wrest buildings in the city. It is built of stone to the first floor, then of yellow terra cotta trimmed with stone, it is three stories high, and with its beautifully laid out grounds occupies half of the block.
The management of the building is in the hands of the Wabash officials and is devoted to the use of their employees. The building is perfectly modern in all its appointments. heated by steam and lighted by gas and electricity. The money for the construction of the building was given by the employees of the Wabash Railroad ; raised by a small monthly assessment upon each one con- nected with the road ; the running expenses will largely be kept up by the same method. This entitles each and every employe of the road to free medical services.
Goodman's Band.
The Goodman Band, organized in 1857. at once ingratiated itself into the hearts of the people and has constantly grown in favor, not only with the Decatur people, but with every one who has been privileged to hear it.
It is one of the best bands in the state. both as to the excellent musical education of its members and the rare ability of mas tering everything new. other popular or classical, as fast as presented by the musical world The most intricate classical music is rendered with skillful and pleasing effect
This class of muse has been largely re spon sable for its popularity; no hand out sale of a concert band can claim pre emi
. Robert Walter, the leader and instructor, is net surpassed as a band master by any one. Through his efforts the band has ac guired a very high grade of proficiency. The aggregation is constantly strengthened by adding expert musicians to the various parts. about forty members are in active Service at the present time. It is always the favorite at the numerous band tourna ments held by groups of bands through Indiana and Illinois. Recently it has been taken into military service as the Fourth Regiment Band.
The Decatur Club.
The Decatur Club, one of the oldest social organizations in the city, was instituted May 22. 1883. The membership is made up of our leading business and professional men, numbering about one hundred and fifty. The club rooms, located in the lla worth Block, on North Water street, are among the finest in the state. The apart- ments of the club consist of card rooms. reading rooms, billiard and pool rooms, of fice, dining room and kitchen.
The Country Club of Decatur.
The Country Club of Decatur, organized m &m with a membership of about sixty. is located southeast of the city, adjoining Riverside park. The grounds contain one hundred and twenty acres of land jutting up against the Sangamon river. Linely located golf links are connected with it. The build ings were created and the grounds im proved at a cost of about eight thousand dollars The house contains a reading rooms, a reception room, a dining room, a Smoking and card room, a dance hall and a The grounds are well laid out. indeed :sol kept in elegant condition.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Fairlawn Park.
This park, consisting of forty acres, lies a mile and a half west of the city. Some years ago when the county fair was an annual attraction the county, through the board of supervisors, purchased this tract for a fair ground. Not only the county fair, but also the state fair graced these grounds.
Later the fairs were abandoned and the park leased to the city for a period of thirty years. The terms of the lease were as fol- lows: One hundred dollars per year for the first ten years, two hundred dollars per years for the next ten years, and three hundred dollars per year for the next ten years. This lease took effect in 1890, and in 1903, seventeen years before the termin- ation of the contract, the board of super- visors voted it to the city, the county receiv- ing therefor the sum of eight thousand dollars.
The tract is square, the center being level, is surrounded by low, heavily timbered hills, giving it the appearance of an amphitheater. A commodious pavilion. of pressed brick, occupies the center of the park, while two large, bristling siege guns guard its gate- ways. This is one of the beauty spots of Decatur, and is not surpassed by any for natural scenery.
By grading, laying out drives and walks, arranging flower beds, clusters of shrub- bery, walling the springs, building bridges and carrying water to all parts, much of an artistic nature as well as convenience has been added.
The traction company has extended its line, practically uniting the park with the city, thus enhancing its value as a pleasure resort many fold.
Central Park.
Central Park is a large block in the bus- iness part of the city, filled with well kept forest trees, and covered with velvet lawn ;
with a fountain in the center spraying in glittering sheen the mirroring pool below. Bordering the pool is a circular, cement walk, which directs its rays to all the cardinal and intermediate points of the com- pass. Artistic flower beds please the eye ; ornamental, refrigerated drinking foun- tains quench the thirst; arc lights guide your footsteps and two mortars, presented by the government, protect you during your sojourn within its enchanting environments.
Riverside Park.
The Riverside Park, while the private property of D. A. Maffitt and W. H. Starr, has been for a number of years a very popu- lar resort.
It is a tract of about thirty acres, lying south of the city, along the banks of the Sangamon river; is sparsely covered with forest trees and sufficiently rolling to make it picturesque ; a site for a park that for natural rugged scenery is seldom sur- passed.
The traction company has leased this park and erected a pavilion for summer theaters and amusements of various kinds.
It contains a natatorium; also a boat- house on the landing is supplied with a number of boats for those who enjoy row- ing.
The Decatur Trotting Park.
The trotting park is owned by the De- catur Trotting Association, organized in 1890. It lies northeast of the city along the I. C. railroad tracks, and contains about fifty acres. It has an oval mile track, said to be the fastest in the west.
There is an amphitheater that will seat 4,500 people, and a barn that will stable 200 horses, on the west side of the tracks.
This park is not only used for the race meets, held once a year, but is fast be- coming popular as an athletic field. Inter- scholastic contests, foot ball, base ball and
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD
bicycle races are given to large and appre ciative au hendes.
The annual band festival, given by the Goodman band and its neighboring bands, can find no other place so well a lapted to it's needs.
The Police Department.
The city of Decatur boasts of a police force, metropolitan im system, well officered and effective in administration, The total number of men on the force, including mer- chant police, is twenty four.
The headquarters are in the court house and the city prison is in the basement of the building ; Short street also has a station for emergency calls. There is a night and a day shift, thus giving the city a constant service. A fine patrol wagon is in readiness day and night for use in case of acculent or arrest. A burglar alarm at headquarters 15 connected with the banks and many other leading business houses of the city. A rogue's gallery and a complete record of all arrests and accidents is kept by the depart- ment for future reference.
The Fire Department.
Decatur is justly proud of her splendidly equipped and well manned fire department . it has a fire fighting record that no city neel be ashamed of.
There are three hose houses, one located an West Man in the mono block, one on North Morgan street near the manufactur- ing district, and one, recently erected, m the 140 block on North Main street.
There are two steam engines, two them kals, four hose wagons, one book and ladder truck and one chief's wagon : about oghteen trained horses and 5,000 feet of hose ; about twenty five then are employed. W. C. De- vore is chipi , he has been in the department since 18-8 and its chief since 1884.
Recently a system of fire alarms has been instituted with stations in all parts of the city.
The Water Works.
The water works plant is in he ping with thất of most cities the size of Decatur. The supply of water has always been equal to the demand, even in the greatest emergencies. Lour pumps are installed in the plut, two doing the work, except in case of fire, when More.
"The capacity is about 10,000,0%) gallons. 2,000,000 gallons being the average daily consumption. The filter plant alone cost $40,000. The entire expenditure will ap- proximate $400,000.
There are two principal water mams, a twelve-inch main extends north on South Main street to Lincoln Square where it con- meets with a sixteen-inch mam that extends to the north part of the city ; the other, a sixteen inch mam, extends on Broadway to Orchard street ; smaller ramifications from these supply the entire city.
The water is pumped from the river ! pass- ing through a filter it reaches the reservoir. from which it is pumped into the mains.
About a dozen men are employed ; these are subject to the directions of the chief engineer.
Greenwood Cemetery.
This cemetery is located south of the city. on the Bluff skirting the river, and for nat- ural adaptation, it is as pretty a burying ground as can be found anywhere. The plat, originally small, now contains about forty tetes. It is almost impossible to buy a lot near the entrance, the few that are left are very high in price.
The Centerery Association was organized March 3. 1857. All persons who own lots in the cemetery are entitled to vote in the election of officers, which consist of a presi- lent. a secretary, a treasurer and a board of directors, all of which serve but one year sich The receipt of the association last Lotr were 54.844. the expenditures were
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
$4,141. The balance at the end of each year is placed in a fund which is used to buy more land and to improve the cemetery.
J. E. Bendure is now entering upon his twenty-fifth year as custodian. During the quarter of a century in which he has had charge he has seldom failed to be present when duty called. Over 10,000 bodies re- pose here, almost half as many as there are inhabitants in the city of Decatur.
Things for Which Decatur is Noted.
The first G. A. R. lodge was organized in Decatur.
The first slot machine, "The Fairest Wheel," was made in Decatur.
The first cereal mill was built in Decatur. The first corn oil mill was built in De- catur.
The first hog ring was made in Decatur. The first check-rower was made in De- catur.
The first wire mat was made in Decatur. The first three-row corn planter was made in Decatur.
The first burial slipper was made in De- catır.
The first cattle dehorner was made in Decatur.
The first patent "fly killer" was made in Decatur.
Masonic.
Macon Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., was chartered October 5, 1841, by the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois. Its charter members were: George A. Patterson, Jo- seph King, William Laforgee, Henry Prather, Elijah League, Leonard Ashton, and James Ashton.
The officers were: George A. Patterson, W. M .: Joseph King, S. W .; William La- forgee, J. W. This lodge owns the building in which it is domiciled. Its membership is very large.
Ionic Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A. M., was chartered October. 1859, by the Grand
Lodge of the state of Illinois. Its charter members were: A. B. Bunn, George R. Moffett, W. C. Ilardy, S. S. Good, Jo- seph Lowenstein, J. M. Lowrey, and George Goodman. This lodge has quarters in the Loeb Time Block on North Water street; it also has a very large membership.
Macon Chapter No. 21 was organized September 29, 1855, by the Grand Chapter of the state of Illinois. Its officers were : D. P. Bunn, H. P. ; J. R. Gorin, king ; Henry Prather, scribe ; Josiah Hunt, C. H. ; W. W. Oglesby, P. S .; Joseph King, R. A. C .; J. C. Weaver, M. 3rd V .; J. J. Peddecord, M. 2nd V .; W. H. Ennis, M. Ist V.
Beaumanoir Commandery No. 9. K. T., was organized November 3, 1859, by the Grand Commandery of the state of Illinois. The charter members were: Robert Green, S. T. Greer, I. C. Pugh. C. H. Fuller, John N. Fuller, George W. Bright, J. R. Gorin, Henry Hummel, William Dewees, William Martin. The officers were: A. A. Murry, E. C .: D. P. Elwood, generalissimo; W. M. Camp, C. G .; J. 11. Babbitt, S. W .; J. N. Baker, J. W .: W. L. Hammer, T .; J. S. Hand, recorder; J. T. Barnett, standard bearer; W. J Wayne, sword bearer; C. M. Imboden, warden; William Towling, C. of G.
Decatur Council No. 16. R. & S. M., is also a Masonic organization.
Decatur Chapter No. IHI, O. E. S., is the ladies Masonic organization.
Decatur Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. M. . St. Francis Court No. 11.
Odd Fellows.
Decatur Lodge No. 65, 1. O. of O. F., was organized July, 1850, by the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois. The charter members were : S. K. Thompson. H. Hummel, J. R. Turner, B. F. Oglesby and John Koehler.
Celestial Lodge No. 186, I. O. of O. F., was organized October 12, 1855, by the Grand Lodge of the state of Illinois. The
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COLATY.
charter members were: W. W. Oglesby, ' D. Che, S. K. Thompson, Henry 1. Veterans. Elliott, R. F. Jones, Joseph King, James Shoaff. J. L. Peak, A. J. Wolf. C. 11. Fuller, George W. Baker, B. H. Cassell, and John J. Ballentine.
Decatur Encampment No. 37. 1. 0, of 0) F., was organized December, 1850, by the authority of the State Encampment. The charter members were: G. A. Smith, II. Kain, 1 1. Mccoy, William T. Peak, Ste phen Grimes, Peter Ferrell, and Monzo l'urée.
There is also ( anton No. 19, 1. 0), of O. F., located in Decatur.
Progress Lodge No. 141. 1. of R. is the women's adjunct of the Odd Fellow's organ- izatı n.
Knights of Pythias.
Coeur de Lem Lodge No. 17, K. of 1.
Chevalier Bayard Lodge No. 189, K. of P. En Ami Lodge No. 593. K. of l'.
Myrtle Temple No. 2. Rathbone Sisters.
Fern Leaf Temple No. 18. Rathbone Sis- ters.
Decatur Division No. 36. U. R. K. of P.
Ladies' Assembly No. 1. Decatur Divi- sion. U. R .. K. of P.
Section 184. E. R. K. of P. Section 2028, E. R., K. of l'.
Other Secret Societies of Decatur.
Ancient Order of Pyramids. Decatur Council No. 101.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Decatur Lodge No. 401.
Court of Honor, Decatur District Court 10. 39.
Fraternal Crystal Light. Hoyland Lodge
Fraternal Tribe, Home Tribe No. 13.
Grand Army of the Repubhe, Dunham Post No. 141.
Woman's Relief Corps No. 4.
Sons of Veterans, Col. I. C. Hugh Camp No. 14.
Liches And Spenty, Auxiliary to Sons of
Home Forum Benefit Order, Forum No. 270.
Independent Order of Foresters, Decatur Court No. 3108.
Independent Order of Good Templars, Decatur Lodge No. 304.
Faithful Lodge No. 410. Jumer Templars
Independent Order of Mutual Aid, Cen tral Lodge No. 8.
Royal Templars of Temperance, Decatur Conneil No, 12, Haworth Council No. 50.
Knights of Honor, Decatur Lodge No.
Knights of the Maccabees. Decatur lent No. 1,30.
Fraternal Army of America, Post No. 6; R. B. Clary Post No. 142.
Modern Woodmen, Decatur Camp No. 144. Easterly Camp No. 1020; W. C. Rowe Camp No. 7201 ; Royal Neighbors of Amer ica, Bay Leaf Camp No. 29. Golden Crown Camp No. 120, Olive Branch Camp No. 218.
National Union, W. T. Sherman Council No. 472.
Patriotic Sons of America, Washington Camp No. 57.
Princes of the Orient, Lucullus Council No. 1.
Royal Circle, Decatur Circle No. 17.
Royal League, Decatur Council No. 92.
Tribe of Ben Hur. Triumph Court No. 17.
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. 1.
Catholic Knights of America, No. 404.
American Home Circle, Decatur Circle Vo. 19.
Independent Order of Red Men, Sanga- mon IribeNo. 145. Knights of Columbus, Decatur Council 10. 577.
Knights of Friendship, Lodge No 1.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Ladies of the Maccabees, Decatur Hive No. 172.
Knights of the Modern Maccabees, Lin- coln Tent No. 1039.
Loyal Americans, Decatur Lodge No. 8.
Modern American Fraternal Order. Deca- tur Lodge No. 48.
Mutual Protective League, Decatur Coun- cil No. 465.
Mystic Workers of the World, Decatur Lodge No. 443.
Order of the White Cross, J. L. Deck Council No. 28.
Royal Arcanum No. 1432.
Royal League, Decatur Council No. 92. Washington League, Decatur Council.
Yeomen of America. Decatur Council No. 121.
Catholic Order of Foresters No. 27.
Citizens' National Bank.
This bank was incorporated in 1891 ; capi- talized for $100,000. The surplus is $31,000. The officers are: President, Harry Shlaud- eman ; vice-president, W. H. Starr ; cashier, Milton Johnson; assistant cashier, J. N. Baker. Including the above officers with the following named gentlemen we have the board of directors: J. D. Good, J. B. Bul- lard. G. J. Danzeisen, and F. M. Gaddis.
The domicile of this bank is a fine modern three-story brick building on the corner of Merchant and Prairie streets. Its busi- ness has made very rapid increase in the last few years ; in fact its per cent of increase has been larger than that of any other bank in the city.
The Millikin National Bank.
The private banking firm of J. Millikin & Co. was founded by James Millikin in 1860, and has established the reputation of being one of the strongest banks in the state outside of Chicago. The Millikin Na- tional Bank, incorporated in 1897, is the suc- cessor of the above named bank or firm; its
capital is $200,000. Its surplus and un1- divided profits aggregate $290,000; the de- posits at present foot up $3,000,000.
This bank occupies the lower floor of the Millikin Building, corner East Main and Water streets : this building is seven stories high and is one of the most handsome, con- venient and modern in the city. The offi- cers are: James Millikin, president ; O. B. Gorin, vice-president ; J. M1. Brownback, cashier ; S. E. Walker, assistant cashier.
The National Bank of Decatur.
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