Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 16

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 16

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This, like the preceding and several subse- qnent years, was a season of extreme financial depression. No one now, who was not conver- sant with that period. can realize the conditions of the "hard times" of 1836 and '37 and the few following years.

Among the early comers to the town and vicinity during this year were Wm. B. Powers, Timothy Rogers, Jared Blansett, John and Sam- nel Hutton. N. Flagg. U. S. Penfield. Dr. W. D. Rood. Paul Konantz, E. Littlefield, G. Walt- house, JJ. R. Hilborn, I. N. Morris. J. II. Best, F. W. Jansen, Oliver Gerry, George Baughman, Philip Schwabel, Vandorn. Miller, Iliggins, llazlewood. Abel, George Folkrod, O. H. Bishop, JJacob Wagner. Henry Kent. Byewater, Brad- bury. W. H. Cather, J. Schinn, C. Powell and others.

CHAPTER XVIII.

1840,

PROSPEROUS SEASON. DIVISION OF CITY INTO THREE WARDS. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. FIRST CITY ELECTION. EBENEZER MOORE, FIRST MAYOR. "WHIG." THE OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE CITY. PUBLIC SCHOOL QUESTION. CORNER STONE OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LAID BY DR. NELSON. FIRST MEDICAL SOCIE- TY. FIRST THEATRE. JOE JEFFERSON. BEAR KILLED AT LIMA LAKE.

Eighteen hundred and forty was an ambitions year for Quincy. Fifteen years earlier, the place had been chosen and christened as the county seat of Adams county; having then a population of three families, comprising in all. perhaps fifteen residents of all ages.

Throughont the nine years following from 1825. its government had been in the hands of the county commissioners, and during this period. with all the drawbacks of isolation : a thin and poor country population to support it : little capital of its own ; notoriously and truly reputed as being "unhealthy." sadly scourged

for several successive years by fever and cholera, and having a large, rough and reckless element in its scant population. it managed to struggle along to an incorporated existence as a town in 1834, with an estimated population of 700. It was less than that figure, however, since a somewhat carefully taken census in 1835, gave 735 as the correct number. Then, for the six succeeding years, it was controlled by its board of town trustees, with steadily increasing num- hers and wealth in 1840. it outgrows its youth- fnl character and becomes the third in the state in age and the second in population.

An estimate of its population at this period (1840) placed it at 1,850, but a statement pub- lished some years later by the Northern Cross Railroad Company, made it 2,310 in 1840. The first named figures. however, are probably near- ly correct. The valuation of property in the city at this period was $912.823.

The winter of 1839-40 was short but severe. Navigation was completely suspended from December 21st. 1839, to February 20th. 1840, but during this period, the flow of ice was un- usually heavy. and extended below the Ohio. mich farther than usual, proportionately im- peding navigation in the lower river. The pros- perity of the town, however, considering the general hard times, was less affected by these ice blockades than formerly. for there had been gradually growing up winter business, which afforded employment for labor. The flouring mills and the provision packing houses had now assumed good and permanent standing. being the beginning of large local industries, which during twenty and thirty later years swelled in- to large proportions. The ice business, for which the location of Quincy is so excellently adapted and which has since become so exten- sive. was not begun until some fifteen years after this date.

The town authorities were much busied by their increased duties and their preparation for the transfer of authority to the succeeding cor- poration.

In February a plan for a market house was prepared and its construction, at the corner of Hampshire and Third, ordered. At the same time. an election was ordered to be held on the third Wednesday of March. for a vote on the adoption of the city charter, which had passed the legislature this same month. The future city was divided into three wards: all north of llampshire forming the first: all south of Hampshire and between Hampshire, and Maine from the river east to Fifth, then south of Fifth to York, thence north of York to the eastern boundary of the city being the second, and all swith of the second making the third. These

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

divisions continued for sixteen years, when under a new city charter, the number of wards in 1857 was increased to six. At this election held over the adoption of the city charter the vote stood 228 for. to 12 against.

On the 18th of March the trustees ordered an election for city officers to be held on the 20th of April, the three voting places being. the Baptist church on Fourth, the courthouse and the Congregational church on Fourth, which places long continued to be used as such.

With the winding up of the affairs of the town corporation, preparatory to its becoming a city, reports were ordered and made to the trustees, covering its past year's business and present financial condition. These reports were made by the treasurer and clerk of the final meetings of April 20 and 21, 1840. That of the treasurer, Enoch Conyers, who was afterward three times made mayor of the city (dying while in office in 1849) showed that he had dur- ing the past twelve months, received $6,483.90, and paid ont $6,137.76, leaving a balance in his hands of $364.14. This sim, which was all in county orders, he was directed to pay over to the treasurer of the incoming administration. This at the proper time was done, and the above amount was the "pin money" with which the young city started upon its career, before taxes, licenses and the usual sonrees of revenne conld commence bringing funds into the city treasury. A detailed fiscal statement was prepared by the clerk, I. O. Woodruff, who was one of the most accurate of clerical men, and who then and sinee in such positions proved himself to be of peculiar publie value. This report, agreeing with that of the treasurer, is as follows:

RECEIPTS.

Balance from late treasurer 956.88

Subscriptions to Hampshire Street. 80.00

Theatre and circus license 105.00

Grocery 912.50

Store 767.88

Real estate taxes 3,276.64

('emetery sales

385.00

Total

$6.483.90

EXPENDITURES.

Streets $3,222.47

Fire department and engine 2,003.13

Salaries, etc

443.99

Sundries 324.86

Cemetery

143.31

Total

$6,137.76

Balance

346.11

$6.483.90

These reports are suggestive, since they con- trast the necessary expenses of the growing town with what they had been a few years earlier. Four years before, in June, 1836, the second year of the town incorporation, it ap- pears from the town treasurer's report, that he had within the twelve months, preceding, re- reived $254.82, and had during that time ex- pended $258-quite a contrast this with the later conditions. These reports are also still more suggestive in their exhibition of the sources of revenue upon which the town did then and the coming city must rely; as also the proportionate degree of expenditure that should be provided for. These receipts and ex- penses, as will be seen, graded at the time very much as now, though it will be noted that in the above statements two costly and necessary fac- tors in a city's expenditures (panper and police accounts) do not appear. And to these may be added the other now expenses of a growing city, such as light and water.

The first election for city officers, held on the 20th of April, was important and exciting. Be- side the importance of the offices to be filled and the patronage connected therewith, this was the first occasion when the relative strength of political parties in Quiney was definitely deter- mined. although a partial test had been made at the election for magistrates in the preceding year. lleretofore at all the elections any resi- dent of the county, who was a qualified voter, could east his vote at whatever precinct of the county he chose. The voting was then, and continued until 1848, viva voce. Party lines now became at once closely drawn. Excellent nominations were made by both parties. The whigs selected as their candidate for mayor, Ebenezer Moore, a much respected man, long known as a magistrate ; a lawyer by profession, but more specially engaged in various business agencies. About thirteen years later, he en- gaged in banking in which he was unfortunate, and removed finally to Washington City, where he died.

The democrats nominated General Sanmiel beech, a very worthy and well known "old eiti- zen" who came to Quiney some years before as register of the public land office and was ap- pointed receiver, which office he held at this time. Eight or ten years later, he moved to Minnesota, where he held a similar appoint- ment. General Leech was at this time one of the town trustees.

The whigs nominated for aldermen-two in each ward -- I. E. Jones, I. Asbury, R. R. Wil- liams, F. W. Jansen, J. N. Ralston and John Wood: the democratic nominees were B. F. Osborne, W. P. Reeder. T. Munroe, E. Conyers

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

and A. Delabar. two of the seven trustees- Conyers and Jones-were nominated as candi- dates for aldermen.

The contest was earnest, but good-natured. Everybody engaged in it. Everybody knew everybody. There was a large proportion of active, jolly young men here then, and many of the most intimate friends found themselves fighting each other.

Fun, newspaper squibs and lampoons were the order of the day. One young man, who had been for many pears past drawing upon other banks than that of Ilelicon, reaped quite a success as a poetic satirist, a vocation which he has long since abandoned. Perhaps his two veais association in classie Europe, away from the "root of all evil," may tend to rekindle some portion of his former juvenile fire.

A not bad hit and repartee passed between two friends at the polls. Gen. Leech, as all who knew him will remember, was a stiff, awkward, ungainly man, walking as though he had no joints. Said a whig, pointing to Leech, "Look at that movement, do you call that a gait or a pair of bars? fle can't run. " "You'll find," retorted his democratie friend. "by the time the polls close that its a flight of steps."

But it did not so prove. Moore was elected by 43 majority, and the whigs secured all of the aldermen except Asbury in the first ward, who fell three votes short of success. All of these men then elected, the first of our city fathers, now dead, and of all the men who served as trustees during the six years of the town existence, only one, Robert Tillson, is (1886) now living.

As it may be supposed, there was now a busy time and much work before the authorities of the young city. For the first month or two the vouneil meetings were frequent. Organization was made on the 23rd of April, when the six elected aldermen were by lot divided into two classes- Osborn, Jansen and Ralston drawing into the first class, to hold for one year, and Jones. Williams and Wood to the second class. whose term continued for two years. Later in the season-in October-Alderman Jones, of the First ward. resigned. An election was ordered to be held in November to fill the vacancy, but when the day came around the judges of the election forgot all about it, and another election was held on December 21st. when Charles MeDonald was chosen. At the second and succeeding meetings the corps of officers allowed under the charter and neces- sary for the complete organization of the city government were chosen. Then. under the first city charter, only the mayor and alder- men were elected by a popular vote. all other

officials being chosen by the council- a system far preferable to that which has succeeded.

S. P. Church was appointed clerk, with a salary of $200 and his bond fixed at $1,000. Andrew Johnston, treasurer, with a required bond of $4,000; Jacob Grnell, marshal and col- lector, with a bond of $200 for the first and $1,000 for the latter office: I. O. Woodruff, assessor ; John R. Randolph, attorney : George Wood. sexton: JJ. D. Morgan, fire warden; Enoch Convers, overseer of the poor, and Wm. King, Harrison Dills and John Odell, street supervisors.

These men completed and constituted the first year's city government, and, so being-the first city fathers-their names are entitled to be given and to receive such amount of immortal- ity as their own merits and this mention may secure.

The conneil meetings were held at the court- house until abont the first of Nevember, and after that time at the mayor's office. The town ordinances were continued until the 30th of May, when a system of city ordinances was adopted. A troublesome question of authority came up almost at the very first, which created some public embarrassment and aroused con- siderable feeling. Gov. Carlin, an honest but narrow-minded man, of strong partisan pro- elivities, refused to commission Mayor Moore as a justice of the peace, which he became under the charter by virtue of his election as mayor, and the case at once assumed a political hne. The conneil took the matter up: de- manded of the governor his reasons: passed some pretty sharp resolutions in regard to his conchet : obtained decided legal opinions : com- menced legal movements and for some months there seemed to be a small civil war on paper between the city and the state, or rather be- tween the city commeil and the governor. It was finally settled in favor of the mayor.

The ordinances, proceedings and advertise- ments of the council were ordered to be printed in the Whig for $75 per annum. The many petitions against the issuing of "grocery" or "dram shop" licenses, which had been before the late town board and were there dismissed for the reason that they did not represent a majority of the legal voters, early came up again before the city council and were once more dismissed for the same reason as before. The grading of Maine street from the public square to the river and the extension south- ward of the public landing. which then was a narrow piece of new made ground at the foot of Hampshire, were ordered and contrarted for in December. the landing to be extended with the earth taken from Maine street. Also at

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the same time a contract was made for the fencing of the public square. All those im- provements, then commenced, which met with much popular and some council opposition, were completed during the coming year.

The public school question, which had been here, as everywhere else in the west, a disputed issue between two conflicting ideas, received early and earnest attention from the people and the city authorities. The growth of this invaluable, inestimable interest against chilling and distrustful influences up to its present con- dition and strength is interesting. There was then a huge hostility to common schools, partly growing out of a sectional distrust of education, partly ont of a feeling, which, to some extent, still exists, that publie moneys should not be expended upon that which every one did not want, and that no one should be taxed to pay for what his neighbor thought to be needed and himself did not. This had to be met. At a publie meeting held on the first of August, a call was made upon the city council to make an appropriation in behalf of a common school sys- tem. The conneil took the matter under advise- ment.

Dr. Ralston, one of the most excellent and exemplary men, both in publie, and private life, that the city ever had, gave to this subject his special interest and attention, bringing the matter continually before the commeil, where, as with the public, bis intelligence and integrity gave him more than an average influence. It was ordered in October, at his recommendation, that city public schools should be established ; that "the surplus revenue of the city, after pay- ing ordinary and contingent expenses," should be devoted to that purpose, and that a consulta- tion should be had with the township school trustees in regard to buying ground and the building of two school houses. Later, after these conferences were had, the council, in December, ordered the building of a school house in the oldl cemetery lot, where the court- house now stands, and the purchase of a lot on block 30, where now is the Franklin school house. From these plantings, which did not fully bear fruit until in the succeeding year, our present city school system has grown.

The building of a market house, which had been proposed in the town board in the pre- ceding spring, was again brought forward and a proposition made to the county authorities to sell a portion of the market lot for a sufficient sum to bnikl or partially build a market house on the remainder of the lot. This, however, laid over until the next year.

The matter of a market house and also that of a courthouse involved a vexations question

between the city and county concerning the ownership and control of publie property lying within the city limits, which for a full half cen- tury later was the cause of much bitter and senseless strife, fostered by local demagogues so long as the county vote largely prepondered over that of the city. This has recently been resolved and settled, and it is to be hoped for- ever.

This jealous controversy delayed for many years much needed improvement, and to some extent also embarrassed for awhile the effective establishment of the publie school system, be- fore alluded to, which had been practically in- angurated during this year.

Mail facilities were not as yet what they should have been, considering the size and growing business importance of the place. The tri-weekly mail from Springfield, was still the main medium through which was received east- ern news. Another tri-weekly mail from St. Louis alternated with the above. No river mail had as yet been established, although it was by private conveyance of newspapers on the daily arriving of steamers that the earliest special news from abroad was obtained. Navigation was long continued, and the river did not finally close until the 18th of December. This will be remembered as one of the longest known periods of open water in the Mississippi, which was surpassed by the yet longer con- tinned navigation, free from ice, of the two fol- lowing years, 1841-42, when the river remained open all winter.

This was notably an organizing period. Many of the present permanent associations, and some temporary ones which served their purpose, but have passed away, date their origin from this time.

A medical society was formed in March, which, though its existence lapsed at times, was the germ of the present institution of that char- arter. A theatre, under the management of "Joe Jefferson," had been established during the preceding winter, and was operated with a good share of success and credit for nearly two years. An argricultural society was in existence. but with a feeble life, and it was not until some fifteen years later that such an institution be- rame successfully organized. There was also formed a historical society, composed of very capable membership, which promised well at first, and gathered a good deal of the then fresh. erade material of infant history for future use. but it has unfortunately been allowed to dwindle out of existence. An institution of this kind is an essential of measureless valne, and should be organized as early as possible in every young growing community; since with each

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

passing year more scant and uncertain become the sources from which after times can enll the curious and valuable traditions of old days.

The Presbyterian church, an offshoot, like most of the early religious societies, from the old Congregational, was organized at the court- house on the 19th of January, and on the 31st of August the corner stone was laid of the brick church building on Maine street, which they occupied for nearly forty years. Dr.

David Nelson conducted the ceremonies. This, when finished, was the most imposing church structure in the city. The Unitarian was formed about this time, under the pastorship of the Rev. George Moore, a most excellently educated and popular clergyman. This denomination, then small, now perhaps the wealthiest in the city, built a small frame church on the north side of Maine street. between Third and Fourth from which they moved a few years later to the corner of Jersey and Sixth, and thence to their present handsome home on Maine street be- tween Sixth and Seventh.

This was a memorable, almost unprecedented year of party strife and excitement. Since 1828 no such wild wave of partisan enthusiasm had swept over the land, so sharply changing existing political conditions. As in 1826, this great upheaval occurred most conspicuously in the west, and its great coming was but par- tially foreshadowed by the summer state con- tests. Still the evident tendency of public sen- timent shown in the August elections, gave increased strength and certainty to the almost unanimous national success of the whigs in the following November.

At the state election in August, J. II. Ral- ston to the senate. Wm. Langhlin and I. C. Ilumphreys to the house, and Thomas Jasper as sheriff, were elected by the democrats, over Archibald Williams, N. Bushnell and R. W. Starr. and Wm. Il. Tandy (whigs) by major- ities ranging from 20 to 100. These figures were more than reversed three months later, when the whigs carried the county by 265 and the city by 72 majority. The abolition party then first appeared as a factor in politics, poling 42 votes.

The August election was influenced and prob- ably determined by the large Irish vote, which work upon the railroad had brought into the county. At this election was witnessed the first, and indeed the only political riot that has ever occurred in Quincy. The railroad hands took entire possession of the polls and the mob had to be dispersed by the calling out of the militia. Beyond there being many knock downs, bruises and bad sears, no great injury resulted. though some men of political promi-

nence then and since made most astonishing runs at the point of the bayonet. or were care- fully placed under military guard. The war- fare of that day was long a subject of amuse- ment.

A special session of the legislature was called in November. Why or what for it was difficult to know, since the session lasted but sixteen days and adjourned withont passing any bills.

The gradual disappearance of some of the earlier species of game was noted by a bear being killed (probably the last one in the county ) near Lima Lake, by Wilson Land and Swartont, which weighed three hundred pounds.

CHAPTER XIX.

1841.

POLITICAL. CUTTING A CANAL FROM WOOD

SLOUGH TO RIVER. FERRY RATES ESTAB- LISHED. QUEER ORIGIN OF THE FIRST CITY SEAL. COUNTY SEAT STRUGGLE, LIBRARY. FIRST ENGRAVED BONDS. THE "YAGERS." FIRST GERMAN MILITARY COMPANY. A DAILY LINE OF STEAMBOATS. QUINCY HERALD.

PROGRESS OF SCHOOLS.

At the session of 1840-41 a new legislative apportionment was made which gave Adams county one senator and five representatives. No elections, however, was held under this law until the summer of 1842. The judiciary system of the state. as organized under the constitution of 1818 and which had been legislatively changed in 1824, 1827, 1829 and 1835, was now radically recognized at this session by legislating out of office all the cir- enit judges and creating five supreme court jus- tices, who, with the four life office judges, hold- ing office under the constitution of 1813. should constitute a supreme court and each of them also required to perform cirenit court duty. This act dismissed from the bench Judge Peter Lott. of this circuit, and his place was filled by the appointment of Stephen A. Douglas, Judge Douglas, who had previously presided in Jack- sonville, became now a resident of Quincy. Here he lived, representing the district afterward three times in congress, until after his election to the U. S. senate, when he removed to Chi- cago some eight or ten years later.

The congressional election in August resulted in the success of the whig ticket, John T. Stu- art having been rechosen to congress over J. II. Ralston, carrying the county by a major- ity of 136 in a total vote of 2,978. Ebenezer Moore was again elected mayor at the city elec-

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

tion in April over Daniel Atkinson and Robert Evans. J. H. Ralston and John Abbe were elected as aldermen and Samuel P. Church was reappointed clerk. In August of this year died Alderman R. R. Williams, one of the pioneer men who had been almost constantly connected with the town and city councils. He had an excellent professional standing as a lawyer and was equally regarded as an exemplary and useful citizen. His place in the board was filled by the election of H. V. Sullivan.

There had long been an apprehension that the steady eneroachment of the tow-head bar might ultimately destroy the public landing. and to avert this danger the city appropriated :62,000. in connection with a publie subscrip- tion, for the purpose of cutting a canal from the river into Wood slough so as to bring a constant enrrent into the bay. This work was commeneed in February and soon completed. Its value, however, was doubtful.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 16

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228