USA > Illinois > The centennial of the state of Illinois. Report of the Centennial Commission > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
The Winnebago County celebration was held at Rockford on July 4, at Camp Grant. In the forenoon General Martin and staff reviewed the entire 86th Division, the line of march being through the principal streets of the city. Officials, members of the G. A. R., and representatives of other patriotie organizations, occupied seats on the reviewing stand. At 6 p. m., a beautiful pageant was given at Camp Grant, witnessed by more than fifteen thousand people.
The Madison County Centennial celebration was held at Alton, on September 27. Governor Lowden was present and gave several addresses during the day at different places in the city where ob- servances were held. Features of the celebration were a proces- sion of the school children of the county. the unveiling of several historie markers, and an historical pageant given in the evening.
The Alexander County celebration on June 3, was given very largely by the schools of Cairo, under the management of Judge Dewey and County Superintendent Lanra 1. Miller l. assisted by Miss Laura A. Miller, who had immediate charge of the children. The Centennial celebrations held in Lake, Melean, Will, Woodford. Jersey, Grundy. Henderson. Pitt, DeKalb, Logan. Knox, Iroquois, Union, Macoupin, Jefferson, Kendall, Peoria, Vermilion, and Franklin counties are dewerving of mention. In the other counties of the State the celebrations were given largely under the auspices of some city, village, school or beal organize- tion, but many of these excelled both in programu and attendance some of the county celebrations mentioned. A complete list of thes? celebrations, so lor as they have been reported to the Commuis- sion, has been furnished the State Historical Library, the number being too large to be included in this report.
379
DOCUMENTS
A complete report of all the celebrations held in Cook County during the Centennial year would fill a voltane. The schools both in Chicago and in the suburbs deserve great credit for what they accomplished. A very lively interest was taken in the study of Illinois history, and many gave pageants worthy of particular note. The management of the parks and playgrounds of Chicago also gave outdoor pageants and plays of historie interest and value. Northwestern University, the Chicago Normal College, and a num- ber of the high schools gave pageants of their own production, which merit the highest commendation. Parochial and private schools were hardly second to the public schools in the interest taken.
On April 19, under the auspices of the Chicago Historical Society, a celebration was held at Orchestra Hall. In the corri- dors were displayed some of the very valuable historical relics of the society. Mr. Clarence A. Burley, president of the society, pre- sided at the meeting and gave a very interesting address on the early history of Chic go. Bishop Charles P. Anderson gave the principal address of the evening. Governor Lowden was on the platform but did not speak.
On May 11 was unveiled in Jackson Park, the Statue of the Republic, by Daniel C. French, the ceremonies being witnessed by ten thousand people. The Hon. Edward F. Dunne, former Governor of Illmots, gave the principal address on this occasion. On this same afternoon, the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs gave a pageant at the Auditorium, repeating it in the evening. On both occasions every seat was occupied and the production was received enthusia-tically by a very large ardience.
Chicago held its most important Contennial celebration be- ginning October 8 and ending October 13, under the management of a committee appointed by the State Council of Defense. Patriotic mass mePEREs were held in the Auditorium on the even- ings of October 8 and 12, and a beautiful historical pageant was given on the evenings of October 9, 10 and 11, and on the after- noon of October 12. On Sunday, October 13, the Illinois Cen- tennial Monument, created in Logan Square. was formally dedi- cated, Governor Houden delivering the principal address.
380
ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
The Centennial Commission urged thet a particular feature of the Centennial year should be the making of historic places throughout the State. In response to this request a number of historie spots were marked.
In Part County was marked the place where Lincoln and Douglas met and arranged for the famous L'ncom-Douglas debates. At Albion was marked the Location of the Old Park House, the home of Richard Flower, which was the finest residence in the Mississippi Valley during the early history of Illincis. At Alton was mounted the remains of the Lovejoy Printing Press, which was thrown into the river at the time Mr. Lovejoy was a-enssinated, and which was excavated a few years ago. In Bloomington the Daughters of the American Revolution marked the place where Lincoln delivered his famous Lost Speech. Decatur marked the place where Lincoln stopped when he first came with his family into Macon County. In Rock Island County was marked the first water power site on the Mississippi River, and in Sangamon County, the site of the fist school house. In Williamson County was marked the spot where John A. Logan delivered his famous speech at the beginning of the war. In Lee County was marked the site of a famous old block house, and several historie markers were erected in Ottawa. Jersey County marked what is claimed to be the alte of the first free school in Illinois, and Franklin County, the site of the first church in the county. At Libertyville was marked the site of the first po-toffee in Lake County. In a number of localities in the State were marked places where Abra- ham Lincoln delivered an address. Morgan County marked the location of the home of Governor Duncan and the site of the first medical college in Illinois. The Jewish Historical Society placed a marker on the southwest corner of the Chicago postoffice, mark- ing the location of the first Jowi h tiborrasle in the Stute.
Credit should be given to the church - of Illinois for the part taken by them in the proper observance of the Centennial year. There is probably not a church in the State in which some men- tion of the important events of Illinois history was not made at some service held during the Centennial year.
381
DOCUMENTS
The services of Mr. Horace HI. Bancroft, Assistant Director, were most valuable and much of the success of the statewide cele- bration is due to his efficient work as an organizer and speaker. Thoroughly familiar with all phases of Illinois history, he always delighted and instructed his audience by the eloquent and effective manner in which he presented his subject. During the year he prepared a booklet entitled "Illinois. An Historical Re-ume," which was published by the Cononi-sion and furnished free to "chools, churches and societies throughout the State. This little booklet gives a concise and authentie account of the principal events in Illinois history.
All who were engaged in the Director's office gave more than mere formal service. Their hearts were in the work, and each one took a personal interest and pride in the success of the Centennial. For hundreds o.' little personal attentions which made the vast amount of work undertaker move smoothly and rapidly, they de- serve great credit.
To the thousands of good people throughout the State who gave such hearty and cordial cooperation and assistance in promot- ing a successful Centennial observance. we express our deep ap- preciation. Had they not responded so wholeheartedly all our efforts would have been in vain.
REPORT OF JIALBERT O. CREWS, MANAGER OF PUBLICITY, TO THE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
-- OF- THE ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
REV. FREDERIC SIEDENBURG, S. J., CHAIRMAN
Much of the success of the Centennial Celebration was due to the press of the State. The fine spirit of cooperation with the Commission and loyalty to the State displayed by the newspapers of Illinois during Cente mid year deserves the highest eommen- dation. Harassed by the business problemis growing out of war conditions, overwhelmed with patriotic appeals for publicity for various war work activities and hammered by the necessity for
382
ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
conservation of paper. the publishers nevertheless gave a great deal of time and space to Centennial publicity and thereby compelled attention.
The great problem in promoting the Centennial Celebration in the midst of the world war was to bring it into harmony with patriotic activities. The sentiment of the public would, of course, have been against any celebration which distracted attention from concentration of war work. Since the majority of people believed the celebration was likely to be merely a jollification, there was somne opposition to it at first. This opposition was reflected in the press. During the summer of 1917, a number of newspapers, com- menting editorially upon the forthcoming celebration, recom- mended its abandonment on the ground that it would interfere with war activities.
The eloquent statement of the patriotie purpose of the cele- bration made by Governor Lowden in his proclamation calling for the celebration of December 3, 1912, and the further explanations made by the Director of the Centennial. Hon. Hugh S. Magill, Jr., and by members of the Commission presented the matter in a different light, and every editor in the State, I believe, adopted the celebration as an opportunity for aronsing the people to greater war activity. From that time on they gave it every encouragement possible.
The three great Press Associations and the Western Newspaper Union also deserve the thanks of the Centennial Commission. Mr. Luther R. Frame, manager of the Associated Press Bureau, Mr. Harold J. Riefler, manager of the United Press Bureau and Mr. HI. G. Bro'in, manager of the International News Bureau in Springfield aided materially in spreading news of the Centennial not only throughout Illinois but throughout the United States. The Western Newspaper Union save very liberal space to Cen- tennial news and Centennial pictures in its plate service. The Newspaper Enterprise Association, the New York Herald Service, the International Pictures Film Service, and other newspaper syndicates which supply pictures and features for newspapers. dis- tributed many Centennial features among the newspapers of the United States.
383
DOCUMENTS
In fact, this department has had much more cooperation and assistance in promoting Centennial publicity than it could reason- ably have expected in view of the stress of war conditions.
I wish, therefore, at the very beginning of my report to express the gratitude of the Pubheity Department and of the Centennial Commission for this able assistance, without which the Centennial Celebration could not have been a success.
The first Centennial Commission, created by the Forty-eighth General Assembly, selected MIr. S. Leigh Call of Springfield as its publicity manager. Mir. Calf served the Commission very ably dur- ing the formative period of the plans for the celebration. He laid the foundation for the publicity that was to follow and by giving the public a comprehensive idea of what was to be attempted in Centennial Year made the work of the present manager much casier.
Upon the reorganization of the Commission following the next General Assembly, Mr. Joseph M. Page of Jerseyville was selected as publicity manager and he served until the appointment of the present Commission. He performed his daties very efficiently and through his personal acquaintance with many of the leading news- paper publishers of the State accomplished a great deal of good.
The Commission selected the present publicity manager in August, 1917. 1s practically no publicity work on the celebration had been done for several months. it was necessary to form a com- plete program for publicity and to prepare an educational cam- paign. With the approval of the Publicity Committee and the Centennial Commission, the following program was prepared :
A news-letter was to be sent to all the daily and weekly papers in the State every week. This letter was to contain short news articles on the Centennial and also a weekly historical feature.
In addition, frequent news articles were to be prepared and submitted to the three daily press associations for circulation throughout the State, and on occasions throughout the nation.
An effort was to be made to encourage feature articles on the Centennial in the Chicago newspapers.
When practical, ents and matrices o Centennial pictures were to be secure l and sent to the daily pres: of the State.
38:
ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
Pictures of persons or events of national interest were to be sent to the services supplying newspapers throughout the country and to the plate houses.
Newspapers were to be encouraged to publish special Cen- tennial editions during the year.
A monthly bulletin for circulation throughout the State was to be published, giving important facts relative to the Centennial Celcoration.
Such other inatter as would best serve publicity purposes was to be printed and circulated.
Commercial and industrial concerns were to be encouraged to circulate Centennial souvenirs.
Centennial posters, the design for which had already been approved by the Commission, were to be hung in conspicuous places throughout the State at times best suited to advance Centennial publicity.
This plan has been followed throughout and has proved very satisfactory.
The weekly news-letters averaged about seven hundred to eight hundred words each and the historical feature articles were from four hundred words to seven hundred words in length. Once each mouth, also, an historical calendar was included. Both the news features and articles were used very extensively, many papers showing an eagerness to receive them. The historical calentar was made a daily feature by most papers. The first historical artieles were prepared by the manager of publicity from the volume "Illinois in 1818." by Solon Justu- Buck. These were short features of not over four hundred words, telling in simple and direct language some striking feature of the life in Illinois one hundred years ago. This series ran for several months and was followed by a series of short historical sketches on the beginnings of Chicago, written by William Lightfoot Visscher of Chicago. Mr Visscher devoted considerable time to the preparation of these articles and they met with favor generally throughout the State. They ran for ten weeks and were followed by a series of sketches on the Governors of Illinois by William R. Sandham of Wyoming. This series continued until October and closed this phase of Cen-
385
DOCUMENTS
tennial por ity. Mr. Sandham made a gift of the-@ articl - to the Content Commun-ion. They were very securately worked out and very interesting.
The Cube.to newspapers throughout the year showed com- mendable interest in the Centrumial. A number of pictures sent to them by the manager of publicity were ri pauluced in their daily and Sunday editions: some papers used the historical series sent from this office: special photographer- were sent to celebrations held at Springfield to secure pictures for use in the papers: and Centennial supplements were published. The Chicago Tribune, during this 191, pablistud a series of rotogravure supplements on the Centennial which were very attractive and interesting.
Among the pierres need extensively in the daily press in Minois and throughout the United States during Centennial Year may be mentioned especially those of the statues of Abraham Lin- coln and Stephen A. Dotales, which were elected in the capitol ground ; the picture of Miss Florence Lowden, who played the part of "Illinois" in th . Centennial Masque given at Springfield and the photograph of Mr. Sarah J. Saundor-, sister of Ann Rutledge. sent out in connection with the Contennial Celebration at New Salem.
A large number of Centennial editions have been issued by the newspaper of di Suite during the year. The News-Record and the Illinois Say Register of springfield published very elaborate editions. The Peoria Journal and se veal eth r large papers also have published op iel olitions devoting many columns to the history of the State and to beat history, This has aided materially in arousing put the interest in the Upromial Celebration.
The first Conseil luchting was issued in October, 1917. Since that time an to and melading October, 1918, bulletins have been issued esch menth with four exceptions. These bulletins have served two percival purposes: they have aroused interest in the celebration iman dentoly flowing the date of their issue and have given a report of the col bintien hold immediately prior to their jeste. They have been sent to between ton thon and and fiftoon thousand person. lected berate of their connection with local Contemial colastion, or with or nistions which would be ex-
-
380
ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
pered to have particular interest in the Centennial. Newspaper frequently have copied articles from the bulletins. The bulletin- were illustrated with half tones of persons prominent in the feature of the Centennial observance under discussion. They will be valu- able for reference ] urpers in the future and no doubt a file of the in will be available in practically every library of the State.
Among other manter published for publicity purposes may be mentioned the Following :
"Suggestions for County and Local Celebrations."
"The Governors of Illinois," a reprint of the souvenir used at the Governor's Bay Banquet given by the Contennial Commission in Springfield on December 3, 1911.
"The Illinois Centennial," a small folder giving an outline of the plans for Cont omal Your, issued in the fall of 1919.
A eard showing a picture of the Cen emial banner and giving, on the reverse sile, a brief statement of the plans for the Cen- tenuial, also pubh-hel in the fall of 1912.
An address by Director Hugh S. Magill, Jr., delivered before the Illinois State Bankers' Association at Quincy. September 19, 1917.
"The Press," a reprint of a number of wirwspaper editorials on the Centennial, publi hel in January, 1918.
"Pageaut Building," by florence Megill Wallare, published early in the spring of 1915 for the purpose of assisting local com- munities in giving page. bts.
"Illinois, An Historical Reshimno," by Horace H. Bancroft, assistant director of the Coat mial, publi hed in the fall of 1918 for the purpose of a string school teachers in calling attention to the signifienice of th Centennial.
Pageants, little plays, a prompt book, music, etc., for the use of communities desiring to give paycants.
A great many emin cial establishments used Cent nil souvenirs for advertising parposes throughout the year. The de- sign mest favored, apparently, was a small reproduction of the Centennial bamtar on en chameled pin. This was used very ex- trusively in muy lowalith - throughout the State.
387
DOCUMENTS
Something owe sh : thou-anl Centennial posters were used during Centennial year. Most of these were window cards but some were large postere printed on paper. These posters were distributed to the banks, schools, railway stations, and public buildings throughout the State. They were provided for use of local Centennial organizations in calling attention to their com- munity celebrations. A small supply of Centennial buttons also was distributed. Three hundred thousand Centennial stickers were printed and us d on mail sent out from State departments.
The Centennial banner, designed by Wallace Rice, pageant writer of the Contenirl Commission, proved very popular and was a distinct aid in publicity. The Centennial Commission presented to each county organization a large Centennial banner ; the retail stores throughout the State purchased supplies of cheap banners and these were u-el in every local celebration. Throughout the year, the Centennial banner and the American flag have been dis- played side by side at every important publie gathering in Illinois.
All through Centennial Year, by special arrangement with the postoffice department at Washington, a special Centennial can- cellation stamp was used on all mail passing through the Spring- field postoffice. This also helped to keep the Centennial before the public.
The Illinois State Board of Agriculture rendered valuable assistance in publicity in connection with the Contennial State Fair which was advertised as "The Illu is Centennial State Fair and Industrial Exposition." For several months prior to the Fair, which was held from August ? to August 26, publicity matter was sent out calling attention to its special Centennial significance. Calendars, posters, folders and other literature were sent broadcast by the Fair Board and newspaper publicity was used liberally. All of this aided in spreading the Centennial idea.
Practically every county fair in Illinois adopted the same policy, calling the 1918 fair "The Centennial Fair." This de- partment assisted all of these local fairs in their publicity by pro- viding Centennial posters for display in windows of business houses.
Another source of publicity was the State conventions held during the year. Practically every State association called atten-
388
ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
tion a' it - 191S convention to the Centennial and to the significance of the worston. Many of these organizations provided -tu cial Con- tennial badges to be worn by the delegates and most of them gave up port of their progr ins to Centennial addresses.
The churches of the State also affleJ materially in Centennial publicity. October 6 was set aside by the Centennial Commission as Centennial Sunday and a great many churches hell special services on that occasion. Some desommations, however, entered into the spirit of the Centennial even more fully. Centennial songs were sing on frequent occasions and Centennial histories of the work of many denomination : in the State were prepared.
Advocates of the Constitutional Convention proposition, the Sixty Million Dollar Good Roads proposition and the amendment. to the Banking Law, doing away with private banks, made good use of the argument frit because this was Contennial year the State should prepare for the new century by adopting these con- structive measures.
All of these. by constantly keeping the Centennial thought before the people, contributed to the success of the celebration.
How the press, both of the State and of the nation. entered into the spirit of the Ceptennini is shown by the following brief excerpts from editorials in some of the leading newspapers:
THE ST. LOUIS GLOBE DEMOCRAT. Yesterday was the one hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Enabling Act which admitted the State of Illinois to the Union. On that, and the day preceding. there were services commemorative of the event hold in the Illinois State House at Springdell. under the auspices of the Illinois Contennial Conmi sion and D'. Illinois State Historical Society. Early in the present year this rnor Lowden issued an appeal to Ilinoisans to assemble in how I meetings in the counties for the purposes of inspiring themselves in the work of making the Illinois Comennial Year one worthy not only of the State's illus- trious p.s. but of lone remembrance in the future. It may have been felt at that time that the absoncion of the public interest in the world war in which this country is engaged, would lead to a partial forgetfulue of the duty of remembering how this nation. and it- third State. have grown into proportions now making the
389
DOCUMENTS
United States the hope of freedom in many land. The father, who builde I so wi- dly and so well that their works do follow them as now, are worthy of remembrance in every state which, in its foundations, is the work of their hands.
THE BURLINGTON (Iowa) HAWKEYE .-* The only way of guessing at the future is by measuring the past. If Illinois makes as marvelous progress in the second century of her life as a State as was made in the first, it will inde, d be beyond the ability of the prophet to presage and depiet what the State will be like in 2018. And yet, there is no good reason for assuming that progress should not be just as swift, just as preat in the new century as it has been in the old.
Illinois is going to start the new century right, by setting a monument to the old, that will be the source of pride to her owu people and a cause for envy in some of the other states of the Midab. West. She is planning a system of real roads, of 365-dove- in-the-wear roads, which will traverse and connect all of the 10? comties of the State. She is going to build this truly marvelons tr-tem of roads without asking the more or less patient taxpayer for a dollar. And hence it is to be assumed that at the November election the plan will have the unanimous enloroment of the peopk of the State.
There will truly be the beginning of a new era in Ilinois, and people will date events of greater or less importance as happening before or after they got real roads.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.