USA > Illinois > Jo Daviess County > The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States > Part 52
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In April, 1840, the Galena Literary Institute was established by A. B. Campbell. In May the United States Land Office for the Northwestern Land District of Illinois was removed from Galena to Dixon.
June 17, 1840, the public were informed by notice that the mail stage from Chicago to Galena, via Rockford-Frink, Walker & Co., proprietors, -would, through the Summer and Fall, be run " through in one day," to Rockford, three times a week, fare $5. J. D. Winters was the proprietor of the line from Rockford to Galena-fare $8-making $13 from Chicago to Galena.
In the Summer of 1840 Dr. Burhans delivered a course of private lec- tures on Phrenology to the excitable Galenians, who, following the custom of the town, forthwith organized a Phrenological Society on the 10th of August. Dr. Wyeth was chairman of the meeting, and E. H. Snow, secre- tary. Resolutions were in order, of course, and Messrs. Turney, Rice and Stevens were entrusted with the important duty of drafting them, which duty they performed admirably, and John Turney, I. P. Stevens, James Rice, W. C. E. Thomas and Moses Hallett were deputed to convey the afore- said resolutions to Dr. Burlians. Turney, Stevens, Rice, Hallett and Dr. P. B. Crossman were appointed to draft rules and regulations, and the meet- ing adjourned. Nothing further is known of the society. Perhaps it fol- lowed in the wake of some other organizations.
Before proceeding with the history of the City of Galena, brief mention should be made of some local celebrities, who, although walking in the humbler ranks of life, were, nevertheless, somewhat prominent features in Galena social life. Mention has already been made of "Uncle Swanzy," as he is called in Galena-Swanzy Adams, who is the last survivor of the slaves of Illinois, an aged colored man who still drives his water cart and
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supplies his old friends with spring water, as he has done for two-score years and more. No resident of Galena since 1827 will ever forget honest old Uncle Swanzy.
And what Galenian can ever forget Barney Norris? Genial, courteous Barney! who came to Galena as servant for Captain Thomas C. Legate, superintendent of lead mines, in August, 1834. He was footman for John Quincy Adams, President of the United States, from 1826 to 1828. The following sketch from the. pen of Captain G. W. Girdon will be read with interest when all now living shall have passed away:
Upon the occasion of the "wedding feast" this whitened head has reigned supreme at every wedding of Galena's belles; ever attentive to the guests, with light steps and digni- fied presence, seeking those who are most congenial to sit together and enjoy the feast. What wedding would be perfect without Barney Norris, the prince of caterers ? There is a gifted and talented lady among us, who, when at those wedding feasts, says that he reminds her of a " butler of ye olden time." And when spring-time comes, and house-cleaning is the order of the day, the ever dreaded time when we, " lords of creation," are banished from " the old arm chair," the mother tells us that Barney Norris is coming to paper and whiten the parlor. And she has no anxiety, for Barney handles his brush with as fine a touch as a Landscer. Do you want to go fishing? Tell Barney that at break of day you will be ready, and it will not be his fault if you do not bring home a heavy string of finest pike and bass. There is a trio of friends, fishermen of old, who for many years have made up a fishing party. Of that party, one is a great banker, who once claimed home here (Henry Corwith) and who still comes in the golden summer-time, to go fishing with Barney. Another, that genial " gentleman of the olden school," whose presence commands respect from all (Daniel Wann). Every one knows him, and the younger and happier he on returning from one of those day's fishing down at the "cut-off" with Barney. The other, whose hair has been whitened by the touch of old Time's ever busy fingers-the veteran "Izaak Walton " of the party (George Ferguson, Senior) but who would rather Barney would catch all the fish than not, so that he has a good day's recreation. These are all old friends, old settlers; the busy cares of life have made them old, but they all go back to youth again and Barney with them, when they go down the river for a day of sport.
For full thirty years has Barney Norris rang that old church* bell, calling together the faithful flock to hear their honored shepherd read from Holy Writ, and in strains of elo- quence divine soothe their sad and anguished hearts. Full many a bereaved heart-a mother or a daughter, or perhaps a father or a son, has found hope and consolation there where Barney rings the bell. Yes, full thirty years has the faithful Barney tolled the bell for some loved one who has gone, never more to return.
" Silence whilst he marks the hour By the bell of yonder tower."
Many whose willing feet have hastened to the House of God when Barney rang the bell, have gone to the higher house above. Some who have occupied that pulpit have gone to their reward; others to other fields of labor; but Barney still remains faithful at his post, in sunshine or storm, opening the doors of God's house alike to rich and poor, neglecting no duty, and beloved by all. No Galenian will ever forget him. He still lives among us, hale and hearty, although the frosts of many winters rest upon his faithful head. "Faithful to duty " has been liis motto ever, and ever will be, until he tolls that bell no more.
And then, old " Uncle Isaac " and " Aunt Edy," with faces of ebony hue, but with hearts as white as the clothes they always wore, who, in the days of trial and fearful foreboding in the days long ago, when the fearful war-whoop of the Indian rang over the prairie, did the washing for the defenders of the fort at Galena. They have gone, with many another busy actor in those stirring scenes, but they are not forgotten by those who remain.
And " old Tom Jasper" and his old roan horse; an old, old negro, whose highest ambition was to sit in the sunshine and sleep, beside his old nag as sleepy as he. What old settler will ever forget him ?
Another peculiar character was Leopold De Mussier, the first baker of
* Barney Norris has been sexton of the First Presbyterian Church for more than thirty years.
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Galena, who claimed to have been one of Napoleon's old guard. He was a character in Galena, penurious and miserly, and was the butt of the town. When he died he left his property to St. Mary's Church.
Still another familiar character was Jack O'Neal, who had been a sol- dier in the United States service, and came here from Prairie du Chien prior to 1829. A native of the Emerald Isle, he was naturally a man of superior ability, finely educated, and possessed poetic talent, contributed for the newspapers, and was the author of a song well known in those days, en- titled " The beautiful Maiden of Prairie du Chien." But he was the slave of the cup, and was frequently seen lying drunk in the gutter, guarded by - his faithful dog. He afterwards reformed somewhat, taught school in Car- roll, and subsequently returned to Ireland, where, it is said, he inherited a title and an estate.
Of the many who were here prior to 1828, but few remain now to tell the story of their early trials. The young men and maidens, the boys and girls of fifty years ago, are now nearly all gone. Those who still remain on " this side of the river " are rapidly nearing the end of their long and toil- some journey of life. Among those whose names are not on the roll of the Early Settlers' Association may be mentioned Daniel Wann, Esq., Allen Tomlin, Esq., George Ferguson, Esq., Mrs. Sophia Farrar, Mrs. Charlotte M. Girdon, of Galena; Gen. A. L. Chetlain, Capt. Orrin Smith, Mrs. Adile (Gratiot) Washburne, wife of Hon. E. B. Washburne, of Chicago; Captain Robt. S. Harris, of Dubuque; Abel Proctor, Esq., Alexander H. Gear and Wm. O. Gear, of Iowa; Samuel Warner, of Apple River; James S. Hunt, of Hanover; Mrs. Susan Rouse, of Guilford; Hanly, of Florissant, Mo .; Mrs. Dorcina (Hunt) Johns, of Kansas; Captain Abraham Hathaway, of Guilford; Andrew J. Harris, and Edward and Solon M. Langworthy, of Dubuque; Mrs. Orrin Smith (Mary Ann Langworthy), of Chicago.
THE CITY OF GALENA.
On the 29th day of May, 1841, the first mayor elect, Charles S. Hemp- stead, and the first alderman elect, took and subscribed the oath of office, and the first city government of Galena was duly organized. Elsewhere will be found the list of officers. June 6, Capt. H. H. Gear was elected to fill the vacancy in the first ward.
June 23, 1841, the Finance Committee made a report in relation to funding the debt of the Corporation of Galena, which was referred to a special committee consisting of Aldermen Brush, Charles and Morrison. On the 28th this committee reported an "Ordinance for the funding and payment of the corporation debt of the Town of Galena," which was passed at the next session. This ordinance provided that for all those debts (which include of course the depreciated corporation paper), the City Council " shall and will, issue promissory notes in sums not less than one hundred dollars," payable in ten years with interest at six per cent, per annum, payable annually. The ordinance took effect on the 1st of September, 1841, and the work of funding commenced immediately.
July 17, an ordinance was passed for the collection of assessments of taxes due to the Corporation of Galena.
The work of funding the old corporation debt continued for several years, and amounted in February, 1847, to $82,579.13, of which there had been paid and cancelled $1,212.36.
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Feb. 3, 1849, there had been $4,775.07 of these promissory notes paid, leaving $77,844.06 outstanding. At that date the city authorities com- inenced re-funding them, and up to 1857 had re-funded $62,806.85.
At this date (March, 1878) there are, of the original promissory notes issued in 1841-'2 -- '3-'4-'5, $1,019.28 still outstanding, and of the bonds issued for them subsequently, $19,427.47, making $20,446.75 of the debt of the town in 1841, still outstanding against the city.
The total amount of old and matured bonds at this date is $45,000. In 1872 the City of Galena issued its bonds, in aid of the Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad (narrow gauge), amounting to $57,000. Since July 3, 1873, under a funding ordinance of that date, city bonds amounting to $49,- 532.77 have been issued. The total city debt, therefore, in Marclı, 1878, amounted to $151,532.77, of which $20,446.75 is the balance of the old town debt assumed by the city in 1841, and still remaining unpaid. In thirty- seven years this amount alone (saying nothing of the balance that has been paid after running from ten to thirty years), at simple interest, has amounted to $65,838.53, and at compound interest to $175,000 in round numbers. The accrued interest on the $20,446.75 has been $45,391. A careful com- pilation of the interest paid on the original amount, $82,579.13 until $62,- 132.38 of the principal was paid, would show the people a somewhat start- ling amount of interest paid on the old corporation paper which was issued for 333 per cent of its face. The annual interest paid on the whole amount was nearly $5,000 a year. In 1857 the city had re-funded $62,806.85 of the promissory notes first issued, on which had been paid annually $3,768 interest. In fifteen years they had paid $56,500 interest on that sum alone. Taking into consideration the statement confidently made by the old citi- zens conversant with the matter, that the town authorities issued three dollars of their paper to pay one, which would show an actual debt of only about $27,526, instead of $82,579 as paid by the city, the good people of Galena can imagine what a burden that debt has been to them. The interest on the present debt at 6 per cent amounts to over $9,000 a year. With interest compounded at that rate the city debt in ten years will amount to about $300,000. In time the American people will learn that a public debt is a public calamity.
Until the necessities of the people demanded the erection of a market house, there was nothing out of the usual routine of business to demand the attention of the city legislators, nor to distract the minds of the people from their ordinary business pursuits. The grading of streets, granting of licenses, wharf improvements, assessment and collection of taxes, for city purposes, were the principal subjects of aldermanic attention, so that up to the time when it was determined to build a market house, city hall, etc., there is nothing worthy of historic mention.
At a stated meeting of the City Council, held on the 28th of January, 1845, the market house question was taken up, and the following proceed- ings and ordinance in relation thereto entered of record:
WHEREAS, sundry citizens have expressed a wisli and earnest desire to the City Council, to have a public market house erected on Market Square, comprising lots 61, 62, 63, and 64, as described on the plat of this city, and have signified their willingness to advance to the city, by way of a loan, 'funds sufficient to erect said market house, and to await the return, and reimbursement of such advance, till the same can be realized from the rent of said market house.
AND WHEREAS, The City Council being desirous of carrying into effect the wishes of those public-spirited individuals, and to secure them in the repayment of their advances of money to the city for the purpose aforesaid; therefore,
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Be it Ordained, by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City Council of Galena, in Council :
SECTION 1. That books be prepared by the City Clerk of the city, for the subscrip- tion of stock to build a market house on Market Square, in the City of Galena, and to be opened immediately after the passage and publication of this ordinance, and to be kept open until the stock is all taken.
SEC. 2. That said stock shall consist of the sum of two thousand and five hundred dollars, to be divided into shares of five dollars each, to be paid in installments, as follows, to-wit .: one fifth part thereof to be paid at the time of subscribing, and the same proportion when the City Council shall, by resolution, require the samc, and give ten days' notice of such requirement in the newspaper which publishes the proceedings of the City Council; that upon the final payment of the stock subscribed, the City Clerk shall issue a certificate thereof to the person entitled thereto, stating the number of shares; which certificate shall be transferable by assignment, drawing eight per centum interest, and be redeemable at the pleasure of the City Council: And should any subscriber fail or refuse to pay his, her, or their installments, in pursuance of this section, he, her, or they shall forfeit to the city the amount already paid.
SEC. 3 That to secure the subscribers of said stock in the repayment of their advances to the said city, the stockholders shall have and enjoy all the rights and advan- tagcs, and the same lien on the said market house and square, for the term of ten years, as mechanics and others have under, and by virtue of an act of the legislature of this state, entitled " An act to provide for securing to mechanics and other's, liens for the value of labor and material," in'force from the 10th December, 1844.
SEC. 4. So soon as the stock shall all be taken, the City Council shall commence the erection of said market house, and shall complete the same within six months thereafter.
SEC. 5. That ordinance No. 65, passed October 1, 1843, entitled an ordinance to enable the City Council to build a market house on Market Square, and all other ordinances coming within the purview of this ordinance, are hereby repealed.
Passed January 28, 1845.
On the 4th of February, 1845, the superintendent of ways and bridges was directed to advertise for sealed proposals for bids for the erection of a market house, according to the plans and specifications on file in the office of the city clerk. On the 17th of February the bids offered were opened, and the bid of H. J. Stouffer considered to be the lowest and best, and the contract for its erection was awarded to him -- the building to be completed within six months, whichi contract was faithfully performed. It was built on lots No. 61, 62, 63 and 64, as described on the city plat.
The law of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, entitled " An Act to amend an 'act authorizing the laying off a town on Bean River, Illinois, and for other purposes,' approved 5th February, 1829," and publislied else- where in full, provided in the last clause of section three, thiat the receiver of the land office, after paying all expenses incidental to the survey, should pay over the residue of the money to the County Commissioners of Jo Daviess County, to be expended by them in the erection of public buildings and the construction of suitable wharves in the Town of Galena.
This law was very plain, but as shown in the local history of the county, it seems there was a clear violation of the provisions quoted in the last paragraphi above, in that they appropriated the entire amount so received to tlie erection of the court house, jail, etc., and that they never gave a single dollar to the improvement of wharves, or any other city undertaking. Several attempts were made by the city authorities to recover part of the money, but they were never successful. The last effort of this kind was niade about the first of September, 1842, when a resolution was passed by the city council "instructing tlie city attorney and solicitor to call upon the County Commissioners of Jo Daviess County and require them to comply with certain acts of Congress," etc. This resolution was presented to the County Commissioners while in session on the 9th of September. "The court, after considering (see county commissioners record of that date) the same, takes further time for answering the demand, until the next
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special term of this court to be holden on the 19th day of September, instant."
The commissioners did meet on the 19th, but the matter was not taken up until the 20th, when the following order and learned legal decision was rendered :
The court having sufficiently considered and being fully advised upon the demand made by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Galena, by their attorney and solicitor, at the last regular term of the court, requiring this court to comply with the laws of Congress passed in the years 1829 and 1836 appropriating the moneys arising from the sale of town lots in the Town of Galena for the erection of public buildings and the construction of suitable wharves in the said town, are of the opinion that they can not comply with said demand.
And although the court conceive that their predecessor, in not appropriating any part of the proceeds of said sale of town lots to the construction of suitable wharves in Galena, have not complied with the letter of the acts of Congress above referred to, yet they believe that so far as said money has been expended in the erection of public buildings the spirit as well as letter of said acts of Congress have been complied with.
The last amended act of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, was passed upon applica- tion by petition of the County Commissioners of Jo Daviess County, and two of the peti- tioners who made the application and were then county commissioners, constitute at this present date a majority of the board of county commissioners, and whatever might have been the intention of Congress in passing said act, it was the intention of the county com- missioners, upon whose petition the said last named act was passed, to appropriate the pro- ceeds of said sale of town lots to the erection of public buildings of a similar character to those in the erection of which said money has been expended. And under that impression and with that view the county commissioners relinquishied all claim to any other quarter section of land, which under a law of Congress they would otherwise have had a right to insist upon to enable them to erect suitable public buildings, the court are further of the opinion that liad it been the intention of Congress to appropriate the proceeds of said sale of town lots exclusively to the benefit of the Town of Galena, they would have made tlie president and trustees of Galcna tlie trustees or agents for its expenditure, but as Congress expressly made the County Commissioners trustees or agents for the performance of specific. duties, they believe they are responsible for the discharge of those duties alone to the power that delegated to them that authority.
So ended all attempts to secure to the city a part of the money arising from the sale of the lands at Galena-money to which the city was as clearly entitled as the county.
The building of the market house, the school-houses, bridges, etc., etc., embrace about all the enterprises undertaken and completed by the city. A. fire department has been maintained from an early day, but this is properly noticed under the caption of "The Fire Department." With a reference to 1 the bridges, a list of city officers from 1841 to the present, and our history of Galena will close.
BRIDGES.
The first means of crossing Galena River was by a ferry boat, estab- lished by Bouthillier. This he continued to manage until the coming of A. G. S. Wight, who purchased and run it until about 1842, when he, by sub- scription, secured the erection of a wooden bridge at Bouthillier Street, an- other bridge being built at Franklin Street, by John L. Slaymaker & Co. These were carried away by an ice flood, and in 1847 Darius Hunkins and John Lorrain built two draw bridges, at Spring and Meeker Streets, having obtained permission from the city to use them as toll bridges. But the city soon after purchased and made them free bridges. These remained until they were condemned, when the present bridges replaced themn.
The iron draw bridge at Spring Street was built by Thomas F. Gay- lord, for $14,180, and completed April 25, 1859. It was, when new, a bridge of much credit to the City of Galena, having a fine iron railing, and,
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in all parts, showing a beautiful and skillful construction. It is no longer used, except for foot passage. The King truss, iron bridge, at Green Street, was erected in 1875, at a cost of $6,500, one half of whichi was borne by the county.
In 1867 a small iron bridge, costing $700, was erected at the Meeker Street crossing of Hughlett's Branch.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
November 8, 1836, the first fire company of Galena was organized with a roll of sixty-six members, many of whom have since been prominent in Galena's history. This company was called the "Galena Fire Association No. 1." At the next meeting recorded, the Association is termed the " Cat- aract Engine Co. No. 1." Meetings were held on the first Saturday of each month, the Secretary being Geo. W. Mitchell. At a meeting held at the Engine house on Bench Street, on February 4, 1837, a committee was appointed to act with a similar committee from " Neptune Fire Co. No. 2," which was then organized, to solicit subscriptions for their use. May 6, the joint committee reported $188.50 as having been received on subscrip- tions in aid of the companies.
Among the officers elected for 1838, were, Captain, Robert W. Carson; 1st Lieut., F. Stahl. In January, 1838, a fireman's ball was given, from the proceeds of which a hose carriage was procured. At this ball the members were designated by a blue ribbon in the button-hole. This, according to Capt. Girdon, was the grandest social affair that had ever been given in Galena. In February, 1839, Neptune Fire Company No. 2, disbanded and handed their books and accounts over to the Cataract Company. In this month, a Fireman's Benefit Hop was given, but, notwithstanding the assistance re- ceived, it was not sufficient to maintain the organization, and in Novem- ber, 1839, the company disbanded. The association was reorganized May 17, 1842. -
.On July 26, 1843, this company held a joint meeting with the Nep- tune and Mechanics' Fire Companies, at which time all companies disband- ed. At this time there were in the city the Cataract, the Neptune, and a Hook and Ladder Company; the latter was probably the " Mechanics'."
On October 28, 1851, Liberty Fire Company No. 1, was organized and the constitution of the old Neptune Company adopted. Of this, Jolın Lor- rain was elected Foreman. The Neptune Fire Company No. 2, was soon after reorganized and the companies purchased two first-class engines, cost- ing $1,600 each, of Agnew, Philadelphia, and one thousand feet of double- riveted leather hose, of Adam Dialogue, Philadelphia. G. H. Mars as their agent went to Philadelphia and made these purchases. The engines arrived in Galena on January 5, 1855. In 1854, Galena Fire Company No. 4, was organized and took possession of the old "St. Louis" side-brake engine, which Capt. H. H. Gear purchased in St. Louis, in an early day. This they transformed into a double-brake engine. In November, 1860, Relief Fire Company No. 4 was organized, having a hook and ladders truck and a side brake engine for use on the hill.
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