USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 37
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 37
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GEOLOGICAL PUZZLES.
Mr. Swayze, in digging a well near the northern line of the Township, in 1854, on Section 3, at the depth of twenty feet, in a stratum of blue clay, came upon a cube of coal of superior quality, the sides of which were about fifteen inches square. How it got there is a mystery which we can only solve on some far-fetched theory.
In another well further south, in the same town, a few years ago, at a depth of thirty-two feet, imbedded in common clay, were found numerous specimens of petrified grass, such as blue-joint and the coarse growth of the prairie. They were decomposed into fine ashes, growing upright through the clay, thus preserving their forms, stalks, leaves and the natural position and perfect drooping of the blades, as they grew, even leaving distict the delicate tracery of the veins in the leaves!
437
WATER-COAL-A WHIRLWIND.
Some years ago a person was digging a well in the vicinity, and forty feet below the surface came upon a rushing stream of water, tending west- ward, of sufficient volume to carry away pebbles of considerable size. He could not dam the stream and had to dig elsewhere.
Under the entire country, from the Vermillion to the Mississippi, coal exists in one or two, and in some localities three, veins. It was a wise provision of nature to thus spread under this treeless soil, a bountiful supply of fuel for the coming man.
A TORNADO.
Terrific whirlwinds, often exceedingly destructive, swept across these prairies in the olden times, and frequently left ruin and desolation in their track.
In the fall of 1846 a cyclone suddenly swept across the country, start- ing near Roberts' Point and sweeping a broad straight swath to a point near Minonk, where it spent its force and disappeared. Its track was from ten to twenty rods in width, the margins clearly marked by fences carried away, grass twisted into ropes, and tree tops mown through as if by a scythe. It blew wheat shocks to pieces and carried the bundles from field to field, rendering identification impossible.
A settler was breaking prairie a few rods from his dwelling, when he saw a funnel-shaped cloud coming from the north-west, and could discern objects whirling about in the air. It made a noise like the rumbling of a heavy train of cars crossing a long high bridge. Ap- prehending danger, he ran to the house to see to the safety of his wife and infant child. As he neared his frail domicile he saw her coming out with the baby, her long hair literally standing on end, while the house was just raising for a flight in the air. It was carried about four feet in the direction of the wind and set down on a gopher hill, which sprung the floor so that the doors could not be closed, rendering the building untenable. His hat, too, went gyrating off among the clouds in company with an incongruous mass of movable rubbish. The family were taken to a neighbor's, the men of the neighborhood summoned to a " raising bee," and the house was soon "set on its pins."
A NOTED DEER HUNT.
The deep snow of 1854 was very destructive to game. Quail and pra-
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
irie chickens were nearly exterminated, and deer perished in large num- bers. The severity of the storms drove them to the farm-yards for food, and they were often seen feeding along with the farmers' cattle. They congregated in groves, where a certain space was tramped down, but be- yond this it was death to venture, for their sharp hoofs cut through the crust, upon which wolves could run with impunity, and with their sharp fangs drag them down to death. One day in the latter part of February a drove of nine were descried in the vicinity of the Trowbridge and Skelton cabins in Bennington, and all hands were piped for a hunt. A warm day followed by a sharp freeze had left a crust upon the surface, through which the deer broke at every step, lacerating their limbs, and making locomotion tedious and painful. Soon as the deer were seen every- body was on the alert, and preparations were quickly made. Footmen were armed with guns and horsemen with stout clubs, the legs of the horses being bound with sacks as a protection against the cutting crust. The deer, when alarmed, separated and started at a gallop, but were run down by the horsemen in detail and despatched. The exciting game went on for hours, and afforded an immense amount of sport. In the open prairie a deer at bay is a dangerous animal, but in the deep snow they were at the mercy of the hunters, who rode up to their sides and des- patched them with clubs. Not a single one of the herd escaped.
LOSING A MID-WIFE.
On a certain occasion one of those events was about to occur by by which the census is increased, and the prospective father was dispatched in great haste to secure the services of Mrs. John Strawn, the good genius of "ladies who love their lords," whose fame as a mid- wife extended far and near.
Her home was several miles across the prairje, with scarcely a resident on the road, and as carriages were unknown he drove in an ordinary two- horse wagon. Mrs. S., by certain means known to the initiated, expected the call, and was therefore in a measure prepared, so that a short time sufficed to see them returning, she occupying a seat behind him in a com- mon kitchen chair.
Now, to a better understanding of what follows, it needs be said the man was slightly deaf, and intent only on the business in hand, urged forward his team regardless of his charge.
439
LUDICROUS ACCIDENT TO A MID - WIFE.
The road was rough and the case urgent, so the driver plied his whip industriously, while the wagon rattled and bumped along until crossing a rut the chair in which the "Howdy " sat upset and she landed in the road happily without any harm. The driver, thinking mayhap of his suffering wife alone in the lonely cabin, was in blissful ignorance of what had oc- curred, and drove on, totally unconscious of his loss until his home was reached and he alighted. Great was his consternation at sight of the empty chair, but divining the cause, he drove hurriedly back and met his'charge making her way on foot. Owing to his infirmity he had not heard her calls, but she had escaped unhurt and was making the best time circum- stances admitted, hoping to arrive before her services were required.
The little juvenile who heedlessly insisted upon his advent into the world at this unseemly and inconvenient season is now a useful citizen of Kansas, whose name we refrain from mentioning.
3
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
EVANS TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XLIII.
TOPOGRAPHICAL.
VANS TOWNSHIP, named from its first settler, has few equals in beauty, fertility and general adaptedness to the husbandman's requirements. It embraces thirty-six sec- tions, nearly every acre of which is susceptible of and under a high state of cultivation. With the exception of the region bordering on Sandy Creek, the settlements are comparatively new, yet in substantial improvements, costly residences, fine barns, orchards and well kept hedges it were hard to find its superior. It is drained by the creek above named and its tributaries, and the soil is admirably adapted to raising stock or cereals. Along its eastern borders the Illinois Central Railroad extends, crossed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad, giving the settlers two outlets to market.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
The pioneer settlers on upper Sandy appear to have been Thomas Brooks, who built a cabin on the eastern end of the timber in 1824; Pat- rick Cunningham, who claimed and built a cabin on the Edward Clifford place; Benjamin Darnell, whose house stood upon the ground now within the enclosure of Cumberland Church Cemetery; James Larkin, living with the Darnell family; Joseph Smith, Horace Gaylord, Alva Humphry, Abel Estabrook, William Hart, Samuel Hawkins and George B. Hollenback.
Mr. Darnell's family consisted of himself and wife, and Enoch and Benjamin, Jr., his sons, and his daughter Lucy, who sickened and died that season, and was the first interment in Cumberland Church Cemetery.
In the spring of 1830 came Joshua Evans, who made his claim on the north side of Sandy Creek, near the head thereof, and hired Patrick Cun- ningham to build him a log cabin thereon for a mare worth one hundred
441
EARLY SETTLERS OF EVANS TOWNSHIP.
dollars. The old house was occupied by Mr. Evans for many years, and until recently was a well-known landmark of the Township.
During the season, also, came James Reynolds, Thomas Dixon, John S. Hunt, John Darnell, Lemuel Gaylord, John Griffith, Stewart Ward, Kirby and Jeremiah Hartenbower.
In 1831, Justus Jones, Ira Jones, Barton Jones, Abram Jones, Thomas Judd, Mr. Ransberger, Mr. Simpson and Abram Darnell.
James Reynolds died and was buried in the cemetery, the second inter- ment, and his family moved away.
These constituted the settlers up to the spring of 1832, when the Black Hawk came with its terrors and rumors of massacre and murder. One dark and rainy night the residents of the locality gathered with their wives and children, and met at log house in Roberts Township, on the place now owned by Mrs. Hutchinson Croft, and resolved to build a fort for mutual protection. The next day each able-bodied man, with guns, axes and spades, repaired to the farm of Benjamin Darnell, now owned by Robert Mann, nd dug a deep trench, enclosing sufficient space, into which were inserted split logs ten feet high, with port-holes where re- quired for riflemen. A well was dug in the enclosure, and into this the settlers brought their families for mutual protection. They were as follows:
Benjamin Darnell, Joshua Evans, Thomas Brooks, Patrick Cunning. ham, George Basore, Mr. Holderman, from La Salle County, Thomas Judd, John Ward, G. B. Hollenback, Thomas Hollenback, Alvah Hum- phrey, Jeremiah Hartenboner, Stewart Ward, Abram Darnell, John Dar- nell, George Martin, Justus Jones, and the wife of Thomas Dixon, her her husband having gone as a teamster with the volunteers. John Dar- nell and George Martin promptly enlisted in Capt. Wm. Hawes' Rangers, and afterward John S. Hunt. In a few weeks peace was restored, and the settlers gladly returned to their homes.
In 1833 we find Justus Jones and family on the Edward Clifford farm; Joshua Evans on the homestead where he first began and ever after resided; Thos. Judd comfortably started on the place of late years occu- pied by Alfred Judd; Benjamin Darnell "holding the fort" or stockade farm; John S. Hunt just across the Putnam County line, then in Evans, now the Beckwith land; Geo. Martin where his surviving widow and children still live. Martin married Miss Lucy, daughter of Samuel Gay- lord, an old settler. Their family were Aaron G. and Sylvia Martin, well known residents of Sandy. The widow after the death of her husband
442
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
married James Gibson, and he too died in 1855. She is the last surviv- ing citizen of Sandy Creek, who arrived after the age of maturity, and still remains a dweller there, the others having all moved away or are dead. Alvalı Humphrey was then on the farm now owned by David F. Griffin; Horace Gaylord on the McCall place, and Thomas Dixon on that of Mr. Adams.
SURVEY OF THE LANDS.
In 1834 the general Government caused the lands of this region to be surveyed, but the lines, as run, did not conform to the boundaries which the settlers had staked out around their claims, and much trouble might have been anticipated in consequence. To avoid all disputes, a public meeting was held August 7, 1837, of which Justus Jones was chairman, and George Martin secretary, and a resolution was adopted to the effect that each settler should have the lands he had selected, and that upon the entry of the same the settlers should deed to one another according to their original claims. Thomas Judd, Joshua Evans and James Caldwell were appointed a committee on the subject, who met August 26, at the house of Thomas Judd, where they reported a series of resolutions, declar- ing that the original claims should be respected, and this was satisfactorily managed after the sales of 1838, so that beyond innumerable conveyances to one another so as to conform to the ancient land-marks, no disputes arose or difficulties followed.
This will account for the labyrinth of curious lines, which divide the timber lots on Sandy Creek to this day.
OTHER SETTLERS.
In 1834 Alvah Humphrey and Benjamin Darnell sold their respective claims to David F. Griffin, who had just moved thither from Pennsyl- vani. He afterward sold the Darnell land to Joseph D. McCarty, who came in the spring of 1835. Mr. Griffin has owned and lived on the Humphrey place ever since. Benjamin Darnell moved to Kendall County, Illinois, where his sons Enoch and Abram also made homes, all others of the family being dead. Mr. Humphrey moved to Rock River, Ills.
June 19, 1834, Congress passed a law, giving the right of pre-emption to each actual settler of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and provided that he should live on the same until it was brought into market, which
445
PIONEERS OF EVANS TOWNSHIP:
would give him the right of entry thereof at $1.25 per acre; or, if two persons jointly pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land they should be entitled to a "float" of eighty acres each.
In many instances the early settlers had neglected to set out an orchard as soon as they might, an orchard being considered almost con- clusive evidence of actual settlement. When this was not done fears of speculators outbidding the occupant at the land sales were felt, but no such occurrence is remembered among the settlers on Sandy Creek.
In August, 1835, the new-comers since the former election, as shown by the poll books, were David Burch, Archibald Owens, William Brown, George Beatty, James Beatty and William Galloway. Wm. Brown made a claim on the David Moore farm, at the head of the creek; George Beatty, on the Albert Evans land; Achibald Owens commenced on the western portion of Albert Judds' farm, and Martin Kennedy on the D. Morse place.
The lands having been surveyed, an almost interminable time seemed to elapse before they were brought into market, as the impatient and anxious settlers thought. They had made valuable improvements upon their, claims, and the long continued delay caused them much uneasiness. They feared that the speculators were plotting to steal their homes, and perhaps were responsible for withholding the lands from public sale.
In the spring of 1838 the Government ordered all the lands east of the Third principal meridian and south of the north line of the present town of Evans, to be offered at public sale to the highest bidder in the month of September, of that year, at Danville, Illinois. Then every available dollar was brought forth from its hiding place, for the time of all others had arrived.
As it was not possible for all the settlers to attend in person, nor even necessary, since a few clear headed persons could better do the work at the state capital, yet, to see fair play, and back up their claims by wit- nesses, a goodly delegation attended, provided with ample provisions and suitable outfit for camping out by the way.
William Brown entered the Daniel Moore place.
Justus Jones 66 Clifford
Joshua Evans
Evans 66 Geo. Beatty 66 Albert Evans 66 James Caldwell 66. 66 Love 66 .
446
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
Vincent Bowman entered the Hamilton Griffin place.
Samuel Cox
66 Adams
John S. Hunt
Beckwith
Jos. D. McCarty
66 Robert Moore
Thos. Judd
" Old Judd farm.
Geo. Martin having died in July, 1838, this farm was entered by his widow, for his heirs, he having made his pre-emption claim in his lifetime.
No difficulty was experienced in securing these lands; no speculator interfered and the settlers came home in a most happy frame of mind. They had secured homes for their wives and children. They began their labors with renewed energy and joyful hearts. Every improvement made was their own beyond the peradventure of a doubt. They planted out orchards, erected small additions to their cabins, some of their sons and daughters intermarrying and setting up for themselves.
The young people had grown quite numerous around the settlement, and little social gatherings and visitings to and fro were much in order.
VALUABLE IMPROVEMENTS.
The want of a saw-mill had been sorely felt by the early settlers, and in 1838 Joshua Evans put one up near the M. E. Church, and John S. Hunt built another the same season on the afterward Beckwith farm, both being actively employed for years.
John Evans had set up a turning lathe, a new enterprise here in 1834, which proved of great utility, as he made chairs with split bottoms, a few of which may yet be found in the neighborhood. He also turned table legs and a variety of household articles.
Benjamin Darnell had a blacksmith shop at the Fort in 1832, which for years was the only one near, and of indispensable worth to the farmer.
The first settlers tried sod fences around their patches or fields. A ditch about three feet wide and deep was dug, the dirt piled up as an embankment from the inside and the sod carefully laid up at a proper angle on the outside. It was expected these embankments would turn stock, but nothing delighted the cows better than to "horn" them down. To this day traces of these old fences can be found around the neighbor- hood.
LATER SETTLERS - THOROUGHBRED CATTLE.
In 1840 or 41, Thomas Alexander came from Kentucky and bought
447
THOROUGHBRED CATTLE-BLOODED HORSES.
the old Darnell or fort farm, from Jos. D. McCarty, also the now David Moore place from Wm. Brown, and the following year sent hither his sons Hiram and Hugh who took possession, and the next season came with his family consisting of himself, wife and son Thomas, Jr. and daugh- ters, and William C. Alexunder, a son-in-law. Mr. Alexander and Mr. Clarkson, each brought with them a herd of thorough-bred cattle, as fine short-horns as could be found in the celebrated blue grass region. This stock was a valuable acquisition to the region, and from it has descended numerous specimens of superior graded stock. To Mr. Alexander also the community is indebted for fine blooded horses.
. Mr. Alexander transferred to an unmarried daughter and to Mr. Clarkson the south end of the fort farm, and the latter built the first house on what is now known as the Wilson estate in 1845. This was the first house built on the prairie, south of Sandy Creek timber. He was the lone pioneer in that direction for years. C. W. Barnes had settled upon and improved the first farm north of the timber some years previous. He afterward moved to Whitefield, where he now resides a prosperous and prominent citizen.
James Miller and D. F. Griffin both, have engaged extensively in rais- ing short-horn cattle, Mr. Griffin continuing to this day, and to him there is much due for success in introducing and keeping up a breed of pure- blooded stock.
The first school house was built three miles down the creek, on the land now owned by Geo. Martin. It was built in the fall of 1831, and Ira Jones taught school therein, the winter of 1831-2, four months.
The first sermon preached in this Township was by William Royal, a Methodist minister and missionary, in the spring of 1832, at the cabin of Thomas Brooks. This pioneer "Man of God " then lived at "Roberts town," in Enoch Dent's house.
Among the first white children of Sandy Creek settlement, who were born here, were Jarvice and Lucy Evans, whose births were in December, 1834.
SANDY PRECINCT.
This was once an important political division of Marshall County. In 1833 it belonged to the jurisdiction of La Salle County, and on the 30th day of March of that year an election was held for justices of the peace and Constables. The exact spot whereon this important event trans-
448
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
pired is not certain, but the best sources of information point out as the probable one a large log near the center of the settlement.
The poll books, in possession of Thomas Judd, Esq., do not mention more than that the voters were: Dudley Humphrey, John S. Hunt, John Darnell, Thomas Dixon, Benjamin Darnell, Thomas Judd, Abram Darnell, Barton Jones, Justus Jones, George Martin, Josiah W. Martin, Joshua Evans, Alvah Humphrey, Horace Gaylord and Lemuel Gaylord.
Justus Jones and Richard Hunt were elected Justices of the Peace, and Barton Jones and George Martin, Constables. The officers of the election were: Alvah Humphrey, Joshua Evans and Horace Gaylord, Judges, and Thomas Judd and George Martin, Clerks.
The Justices are said to have exercised their judicial functions with credit, and the Constables were sufficiently alert and active. There was but little legislation in those days. The law of kindness and mutual for- bearance governed, and few sought to take advantages of a neighbor. Business transactions were conducted on the principles of riglit and per- fect justice, and crime was unknown in this orderly community, so the officers and minions of the law had nothing to do. When misunder- standings arose friendly arbitration was invoked by both sides, and no appeal was sought.
On the 4th day of August, 1834, the electors met at the new log school house and voted for State officers. Joseph Duncan had fourteen votes for Governor, and William Kinney two; Benjamin Mills, ten for Representative in Congress; William Stadden, twelve for Sheriff; William Richey and Isaac Dimmick had a majority of all the votes cast for County Commissioners of La Salle County. There were in all sixteen votes cast at this election, being the same persons with one or two exceptions who voted at the first meeting.
In August, 1835, Thomas Judd and Justus Jones were elected Jus- tices, and William Brown and Horace Gaylord, Constables.
In August, 1836, Stephen A. Douglas and John T. Stewart were can- didates for Congress.
The former, on the Democratic side, received nine votes, and the latter, the Whig, ten votes. Up to this date politics had been little discussed in public. The settlers had come from the east and south, and each had brought with him some party predilictions, but party agitation had caused the voters of Sandy to take sides, with the result as indicated.
William Stadden and William Reddick, prominent citizens of Ottawa,
.
449
POLITICS IN THE OLDEN TIME.
were well known to the votei's of this Precinct, and at this election the former was elected State Senator and the latter Sheriff.
At the Presidential election, November 7, 1836, party lines were drawn, and eight citizens of Sandy voted the Democratic ticket. The electors voted openly for the candidate of his choice.
In those days political papers had not begun to circulate and stir up that bitterness of feeling so characteristic of their efforts, and while men voted on different sides but little was said, and no violent language or work at the polls disturbed the good nature and serenity of the people.
The only newspapers in the West were at Galena, Springfield, Chicago or Vandalia, or at Terre Haute, Indiana, and when one happened to stray into the settlement it was a month or two in coming. Election tickets, a necessity of the secret ballot, had not been invented. The voter merely thrust his head in at the window of the polling place, and announced his preference of candidates, the clerks recording his name and tallying the vote opposite that of the candidate.
After a county election it was two or three weeks before the poll books were all in and the vote counted, and often a month or more would clapse before the result was definitely known throughout the county, and it required as many months to disseminate the result of a Presidential contest.
The general election of 1840 brought out the most of the voters of Sandy Precinct, as it did all over the country, and thirty-three votes were polled, sixteen Democratic and seventeen Whig, and this was the first time that Abraham Lincoln's name was conspicuously brought before the public. He was on the Whig ticket as one of the Presidential electors.
One of the voters at that election was Joseph Warner, who was then one hundred years old, and another was Lemuel Gaylord, also a very aged man, both soldiers of the revolution.
In April, 1843, the question of being attached to Marshall .County was submitted to the legal voters of Sandy Precinct. The great distance from the County seat, Ottawa, seemed to be the only argument in favor of the proposition. But it was sufficient, and every vote was cast for the change. Bennington did the same. There was not then a single inhab- itant in the present towns of Osage or Groveland, in La Salle County.
The next election, after this region had been attached to Marshall County, in August of that year, was held at the house of Enoch Dent,
450
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
the name, "Sandy Precinct," being still retained, and including then the territory of what is now Evans and Roberts Townships.
Thomas Judd and William B. Green were elected Justices of the Peace, and W. T. Dimen and Albert Myers Constables. Among the well known citizens who voted were John O. Dent, R. E. Dent, Enoch Dent, Livingston Roberts, Andrew Burns, Thomas Patterson, Joshua Myers, C. S. Edward. Jervis Gaylord, Albert Myers, David Stateler, David Myers, George H. Shaw and James Hoyt-in all forty-eight votes.
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