USA > Illinois > DuPage County > Hinsdale > Village on the county line ; a history of Hinsdale, Illinois > Part 10
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
Depression came in 1874, and we learn that:
"O. J. Stough, who sold his real estate interests here early last fall, and is now boarding at the Sherman House in Chicago, having faith in this town, has re- purchased his residence property and a large quantity of land between Claren- don Hills and Hinsdale, which will occupy his attention . . for some time in the future."
The school building at Clarendon Hills was reported to be in use in 1874, and the West Hinsdale station was erected in the same year.
Independence Day undoubtedly was celebrated in Hinsdale in some manner even during the formative years of the 60's, but perhaps the earliest record of a Fourth of July celebration is this one that ap- peared in a Chicago paper of July 7, 1874:
The citizens of this town assembled in procession near the depot on the morning of the Fourth, and marched to Walker's Grove, where the Hon. Joel Tiffany and Rev. P. Cossitt entertained the assemblage with eloquent addresses on the prospects of the nation and the duties of the hour. The intel- lectual feast was agreeably interspersed with stirring music from the Hinsdale band, and a game of baseball played between the young men of Brush Hill and Hinsdale, in which the Brush Hill boys got beaten."
98
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
Yes, they did it differently in those days, for in the following year:
"The inhabitants of this place were aroused yesterday morning at 5 o'clock by the firing of cannon, which continued until nine."
There is no record of the number of years Walker's Grove (at the north end of Elm Street) was the scene of the Fourth celebrations. The next location was the west half of the Memorial Building site. Around 1910 the celebrations were held in the area south of Seventh Street, between Washington and Lincoln, next at Burns field on the north side, and finally at the Madison School area, the present site of the games, amusement booths, and fireworks.
It was about the year 1874 also that plans for a municipal water supply were taking form:
"Negotiations are now in progress for sinking an artesian well here which will give rapid running water through the town
But such practical considerations cannot swerve our attention from the social side for long; and what an event this must have been:
"A veritable calico hop is coming off this week, at which nothing but calico will be admitted either on ladies or gentlemen. At all events, some very original and recherche costumes are being constructed for the occasion by the gallant sex. Vive la calico."
In 1875 there appears the first mention of a "Hinsdale Club." Could this have been a forerunner of the organization that was des- tined to play such an important part in village life later on?
"The long looked for masquerade took place last evening at Stough's Hall, under the auspices of the Hinsdale Club."
Apparently Mr. and Mrs. Stough had relinquished their sponsor- ship of this event to another group, but the Hinsdale Club known to the present generation was not formally incorporated until 1889.
Things were happening on the other side of the county line, and our neighbors in Western Springs also were enjoying the abundant life:
"So confident are the owners of the springs here of their medicinal virtues that arrangements have been made for a free supply of their waters to the people of Chicago. To that end a barrel has been placed at the southeast corner of Clark and Washington Streets (in the city) which will be kept filled for the benefit of the afflicted.
99
THE ELEGANT ERA
"With the recently awakened interest in the subject of mineral springs throughout the country, it may be interesting to know that the mineral springs of this locality, from which the town is named, are achieving considerable reputation ..... as shown in the fact that there are at present from six to eight barrels of water per day shipped to various parts of the country
Here is another indication of the gradual lowering of the water table of this area. Today, none of those springs are flowing.
Returning to Hinsdale, a tragic accident takes the life of a well known citizen:
"Mr. F. W. Shewell of this place was very severely injured yesterday afternoon under the following circumstances: Desirous of having some walking exercise, he left the train at Riverside to walk along the tracks the six miles between the two towns, which distance he had nearly made, when, hearing the whistle of a train coming ahead, he stepped upon the other track just as a train was approaching from the opposite direction, which the wind prevented him from hearing. The result was that the train from behind struck him with the cow- catcher
Mr. Shewell died a few days later. Among other activities, Mr. Shewell had been associate editor of the Index, Hinsdale's first news- paper.
1875 to 1880
HINSDALEANS always have been travelers and this custom began at an early date, for we note that in 1876 Miss Belle Robbins went on a visit to Wisconsin and that when she left there was "a weeping and a wail- ing among the young men here in consequence." Also that the Misses Blodgett and others attended the Centennial in Philadelphia. The Wisconsin lakes became popular, especially Geneva Lake, as it then was called. In later years, before Florida gained its reputation, many went to Texas, Mexico, and California.
In these days of the telephone and television it comes as an interest- ing surprise to learn that communication by wire had been established in a few Hinsdale homes twenty years before telephones came to the village. This 1876 news item informs us that,
"Hinsdale has better telegraphic communication with the outside world than any other village in America perhaps. The main line runs into at least 15 private houses, the residences of railroad officers and others, who thus have direct connection in their homes with Chicago."
100
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
Presumably, those who had telegraph instruments in their homes knew how to operate them. And how intriguing they must have been for the youngsters of the household.
The Village Board was not always punctual in its attention to busi- ness in those years, for we find statements such as these in the records: "The regular meeting was not held last Monday evening," after a good deal of procrastination it has been decided ' and "The regular meetings of the village board have ceased lately, owing to the severe weather." On one occasion the board deliberated at some length over "the case of Mr. Finch's cow," the particulars of which case were not revealed in the item of news.
Nevertheless, the streets were graded and ditched as the necessity arose, and downtown Washington street was covered with gravel fur- nished by the railroad. Stone bridges were set up over Flagg Creek on Lincoln, Washington, and on Garfield; plank walks were author- ized in the order of their urgency, and the artesian well eventually was sunk, the first one being a well of the open type.
As noted by Reverend Saunders when he arrived here from the East, and by several others, early Hinsdale homes were not built around a central point; they were well scattered. Only near the business district were they within fifty or a hundred yards of one another. A news item of 1876 says, "The new houses in West Hinsdale are progressing rapidly, and will be completed in a few weeks." There were the ele- gant early dwellings of H. L. Story and the Reeds at the Highlands, the Ayres and Walker places on the northern edge of town, and William Robbins on the south, with many newcomers building in between.
To protect the citizen in his person and property, a police "force," consisting of Constable Clark, was engaged in the year 1877. Repeated thievery of horses was the immediate cause of this move, but tramps also were beginning to pass through, and a news item of that year says,
"Burrows, the fellow who was arrested on last Saturday evening in this city (Chicago) by Constable Clark of Hinsdale, suspected of being the perpetrator of the recent burglaries there, was taken to the latter place on yesterday, and locked up to await examination."
After meeting for a few years at the depot, the Village Board met in the assembly hall of the stone school house. Later it convened over the Fox Brothers' Store at an annual rental of $25.00. Not until 1886 was there to be a village hall.
101
THE ELEGANT ERA
1880 to 1885
THIS PERIOD opened with news of hunting parties, politics, and base- ball. An item of 1880 says, "Hinsdale has the satisfaction of having waxed Downers Grove at baseball, 7 to 2." But three days later it was announced that "Hinsdale is low down in the valley of humiliation, her baseball club having been beaten by a scrub nine from Brush Hill in the presence of a large crowd of people."
Turning from baseball to politics, the national election of 1880 revealed much partisan feeling throughout the village, but then, as now, this ardor was mostly one-sided. For we learn that:
"The Republicans of Hinsdale are waking up and will form a Garfield and Arthur club. A Hancock club is hardly probable, as not enough members could be drummed up to take the offices. A pole 90 feet high has been raised in the school house yard from which a Garfield and Arthur flag will soon float."
Judging from this incident, and from the various political rallies and parades that took place during the 80's and 90's, Hinsdaleans in those days were more demonstrative, if not more decisive, in their political convictions. Soon after this election, the street called "Main" was changed to "Garfield."
Clubs and organizations, social, cultural, and civic, had their start at an early date. They have always been numerous, but during this period they were of a different character. The Cultivator's Society was previously mentioned. There were also The Equestrians, The Archers, The Pleasure Club, Seven-Up Club, The Baker's Dozen, and later, The Ace of Clubs.
A typical club of the 1880's was The Baker's Dozen. For a picture of this group and some of its "Penny Rolls" (the boys) see Page 102. Here are Lucia Irish Van Inwagen, Edith Shannon, Jimmy Bush, Louie Tryon Fee, Frances Tiffany, Jenny Bowles, Cora Bedford, Eva Middleton, and others. Says one of the club's former members:
"We helped at church suppers, and served refreshments at Miss Ella Warren's dancing class receptions. When one of our town boys was going West to make his home in Nebraska, we searched the fields for flowers and weeds, making huge bouquets, and formed a line from the depot to half a block down the track. When the Omaha Express went through and we saw him on the platform of the observation car, we each hurled a bouquet at him, calling 'goodbye.' He, in turn threw off a large package, which was found to be a box of candy. It being leap year, each of us wrote him of our good qualities."
102
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
The Baker's Dozen.
Sleigh ride parties out into the country on winter nights were popu- lar. They usually ended with large bowls of hot oyster stew. Hay-rack rides took their place in the summer.
Invitations to social functions were worded differently in those days, as revealed in this invitation to a dance:
EDITH, CARL, AND ERNEST WARREN'S COMPLIMENTS FOR
FRIDAY APRIL 17
STOUGH'S HALL
7 P.M.
A new Union Station at Adams and Canal, in the city was com- pleted, so the Burlington trains discontinued using Central Station on Randolph Street. This made the trip to and from Chicago a little shorter.
The neighborhood was not free from afflictions during these times. Several cases of hydrophobia occurred in the village in 1882, and there was a good deal of petty thievery, this probably being traceable to the seemingly endless procession of tramps seen here and in other suburbs.
103
THE ELEGANT ERA
The latter epidemic became so troublesome ten years later that the village established a rock pile on the west side near the tracks. There, "knights of the road" who loitered too long within the village limits were put to work.
Another affliction was the large number of mishaps involving herses and rigs, of which these are only two isolated examples:
"Mrs. Marie S. Robbins, wife of Mr. William Robbins, was killed yesterday afternoon by falling from her carriage."
"Mrs. Dodge, mother of Mrs. J. Webster, was thrown from her carriage by a runaway horse while driving near York Center."
"It is a poor day when there is not some kind of a runaway accident in Hinsdale."
We might conclude that the horse and buggy mishaps were almost as numerous as those that now involve automobiles. The accidents were frequent because the vehicles were many. Carriages or surreys, phaetons, buggies, buck-boards, spring-wagons, sulkies, and pony carts were present in large numbers in those days. Most of the rigs were owner-driven. Some carried footmen or coachmen, and many had solid rubber tires, an improvement over the iron tires that had been so universally employed on all horse-drawn vehicles. In muddy weather the attendant would carefully place a wicker guard over the rim of the wheel nearest the step of the vehicle so the ladies, upon entering or leaving, would not soil their dresses.
The following story from The Chicago Evening Journal of Febru- ary 13, 1882, describes one of the few cases, if not the only case of mysterious death that has occurred in the village. The killing was never solved, and this newspaper account is suggestive of the murder mys- teries of fiction. The victim lived in the house now numbered 428 So. Lincoln Street.
THE HINSDALE TRAGEDY
No New Developments in Regard to the Sad Fate of Lake Ransom
"The mystery attending the death of Lake Ransom at Hinsdale is still unsettled. Some people are inclined to lean toward the theory of suicide, but the bulk of the facts point toward the commission of a murder. The general sentiment at Hinsdale is that Ransom was foully dealt with. It is not thought possible that
104
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
the deceased could have fired the shot with his left hand and fallen where he did. He could not have fired the shot while on the ground as the tree nearby would have prevented him from using his arm. Mr. J. W. Russell, a resident of Hinsdale was on his way to the 6:50 train to Chicago, Saturday morning, coming down Washington Street toward the depot, from the south side. When near First Street he saw Mr. A. M. Weir, a resident of the south side, coming toward the depot on Lincoln Street, between Second and First Streets. As the train was not yet in sight, Mr. Russell thought he would go across First Street and join Mr. Weir on Lincoln Street. As he approached Lincoln Street he saw Mr. Weir stop a short distance south of First Street, and as he came on to Lincoln Street he noticed that Mr. Weir was looking at a man near the walk. Mr. Russell's first thought was that it was someone drunk, who had fallen off the walk and probably gone to sleep. He walked in that direction and within about seventy-five feet of the supposed drunken man found a hat on the sidewalk. This he picked up and carried with him. About half way between the hat and the body he found a bag of shot, which he also picked up and carried along. About this time a young man named Shannon joined Mr. Weir. Mr. Russell came up near the body and placed the shot bag and hat where they were subsequently found. Mr. Shannon's father joined them about this time. None of them recognized the body, although Mr. Weir and Mr. Russell were well acquainted with the deceased. These parties were on the ground but a moment, as the train was approaching, but they notified the parties of
THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY
who next appeared on the ground, and whose testimony appeared in the inquest begun yesterday. These parties have been summoned to appear today before the Coroner's jury.
"J. F. Stuart of the American Express office, of Chicago, a resident of Hinsdale, says he came out from Chicago Friday evening on the train that arrives at Hinsdale at 7:20, and that he saw Mr. Ransom on the train. He noticed him last within at least a half a mile of Hinsdale station, but did not see him get off. He was well acquainted with Ransom, and from several incidents that occurred on the way, is certain of the train and the day. This is the only evidence yet secured that anyone who knew Ransom, saw him on his way home from Chicago Friday evening.
"Charles Hinds, of Hinsdale, while standing in front of the residence of C. P. Clark, on First Street, about half past seven Friday evening, heard one shot coming from the direction of the place where the body was found, which would be 250 or 300 feet away. He heard nothing more.
"A member of the Call Board stated last night that Ransom lost $50,000 by speculation during the past four years. The Coroner impaneled a jury Saturday, but the inquest was postponed until this afternoon (Monday) . Detectives Wiley and Elliott of this city have worked hard on the case for the past two days, but nothing definite was discovered by them Saturday or Sunday. Some tramps who were found in the vicinity of Hinsdale have been placed under arrest.
"There are no new particulars this morning. Detectives Wiley and Elliott left on an early train for Hinsdale, and resumed their investigation."
Looking north through the business district in 1883.
106
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
Even today, among those who were living here then, opinions on this case differ. A killer, some claim, would have been seen at seven in the evening. Others say that Lincoln Street near First is rather an odd spot for one to choose for such an event. Was Lake Ransom murdered, or did he die by his own hand?
*
A HAPPENING which caused some consternation in the village for many . months, and which drew the fire of editorial writers in Chicago, was the naive neglect of the Village Board to make its annual appropriation for the year 1883 on time, for then it became necessary to improvise an appropriation and to borrow money to meet expenses, a move that aroused the ire of many taxpayers. The citizens generally were in much of a huff, and decided "to test the matter by legal action."
In February of that year the citizens group obtained an injunction to prevent further collection of taxes; but "inasmuch as some had al- ready paid, it was hoped that the matter could be adjusted without further trouble." On March 6, however, according to a Chicago paper, "The matter of tax collections in Hinsdale is likely to become compli- cated still further. On Saturday evening last, the board voted, after some sharp discussion, to seek legal advice (concerning the injunction that had been served upon it). The attitude of both parties (the Board and the taxpayers) is determined and defiant."
On March 22, the case having been taken to court: "The excite- ment over the tax injunction case is still high. The decision of Judge Kellum on motion to dissolve is eagerly awaited." Apparently the Judge found no malevolent intent on the part of those at fault, for soon a new finance committee was appointed, and the collection of taxes was resumed.
With that out of the way, the village again settled down to its social routine. The Seven-Up Club, and the Philomathian Society, were ac- tive, their erudite proceedings being punctuated on occasion by vocal selections from Barnaby or Gabussi on the part of the "We Three Trio." But a more important event of the year 1883 was foretold in the following announcement:
"The graduating exercises of the fourth year class of the High School will take place June 22. This is the first class to graduate since the High School was organized, and the event is looked forward to with considerable interest."
107
THE ELEGANT ERA
The class of 1893, the first to graduate from Hinsdale High School.
From left to right: Alice Warren, Grace Redfield, Minnie H. Robbins, Mrs. John Hall.
During the winter of 1883-84 Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Fox, Fullers- burg residents since 1853, celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniver- sary. They were the parents of Charles, Jarvis, and Heman Fox.
Also, there was "quite a panic" in the Congregational Church one Sunday, caused by the falling and smashing of a chandelier. "The oil ignited but was put out promptly."
Great surprise and regret were manifested when it became known that the John H. Bradley family was moving away. Mr. Bradley had
The Washington Street crossing, looking north, 1883.
109
THE ELEGANT ERA
been Superintendent of the Illinois Division of the American Express Company, and was taking a higher position in another city. Other items tell of receptions at the homes of Dr. Van Liew and Anson Ayres, of Mr. Sydney Collins leaving to join his family in Montreal, and of a rousing Republican mass meeting being held in the old Baptist Church. "It was probably the largest and most enthusiastic demonstration held this year in Du Page County
But striking a different note:
"Complaints are constantly heard of damage done by cattle roaming at large through our streets, especially at night. After months of labor to produce a fine garden, to have it destroyed in a single night as many have been, is anything but pleasing."
By 1885 an orchestra leader named Theodore Thomas was begin- ning to attract suburbanites to his concerts in Chicago, and Chautau- qua had reached Hinsdale:
"The Hinsdale Chautauqua Circle held its closing meeting for the year, on Monday evening, at the residence of Dr. L. P. Haskell."
Not to reflect upon Dr. Haskell's meeting, but merely to show how the early reporters of such gatherings over-bid their hands at times, the item continues:
"The exercises were varied and unexceptionally interesting. . ..... An original paper on Socrates, by Dr. Keeler, and recitations by Miss Lizzie Bowles and Nettie Brown. The singing was admirable, including two Scotch songs by Mr. Chapin, beautifully rendered. The whole concluded with refreshments and a general chat-talk-away."
Chautauqua was an epic in America. In 1874 a young New Jersey minister named Vincent opened an outdoor summer school at Lake Chautauqua, N. Y. It was attended mostly by young people, and was an instantaneous success. At first religious, the courses later were broad- ened to cover general cultural subjects. The movement spread to other parts of the country, in the form of permanent outdoor pavilions, and by means of traveling circuit tents. Many prominent educators and speakers were enlisted. One lecture alone, Russell Conwell's "Acres of Diamonds," was delivered before six thousand Chautauqua audiences.
The Chautauqua "Literary and Scientific Circle" was the home study phase of the Chautauqua movement. It grew from the early stu- dent's request for something to study after the summer school had
110
VILLAGE ON THE COUNTY LINE
Miss Blodgett's first grade, 1883.
From left to right-Back row: 1. Not known, 2. Not known, 3. Johnnie Elmers, 4. Wallie Wads- worth, 5. Robert Childs, 6. Tom Murray, 7. Earl Needham, 8. Not known, 9. Claude Bird, 10. Will Farr, 11. Not known. Middle row: 12. Not known, 13. Lillie Overstreet, 14. Mabel Chambers, 15. Miss Blodgett, 16. Not known, 17. Lizzie Hoft, 18. Jessie Johnston, 19. Mabel Edwards, 20. Helen Humphrey, 21. Charles Wakeman. Front row: 22. Charles Prouty, 23. Mary Mills, 24. Not known, 25. Edith Sandy, 26. Mrs. Walter Bebb (Edith Wylie), 27. Emma Bradley Bliss, 28. Ruth Peabody, 29. Mabel Warren Lamb, 30. Belle Richards, 31. Rhoda Whitmore.
ended, and it preceded the present-day correspondence school, exten- sion course, and book-club. Dr. Haskell was sponsor of a Chautauqua Circle in Hinsdale.
The radio, the movies, and more accessible educational facilities, eventually out-bid Chautauqua in public favor.
At about this time, south of Hinsdale in the neighborhood of Cass, a general store was opened by John J. Keig, a Manxman. The location of his store required a name, so he called it LACE, that having been his mother's maiden name, and soon Mr. Keig was appointed Post- master of Lace. It was here too that Mr. and Mrs. Keig's son Marshall was born. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Keig now live at 444 East Fourth Street.
111
THE ELEGANT ERA
In the summer of 1885 the Young Ladies' Guild of Grace Church parish gave a successful "fete champetre" at the Highlands, at the residence of Judge C. G. Beckwith:
"The extensive grounds of the Judge, comprising some ten acres of wooded lawn, with a ravine, through which runs a brook lately transformed into a lake of considerable dimensions, were lighted in a tasteful manner. with hundreds of Chinese lanterns, which, in conjunction with a remarkably brilliant moon, produced a romantic and pretty effect, especially on the water. The air being cool, dancing was chiefly confined to the house; the boats on the lake received their share of patronage, and the evening was most enjoyably spent."
Many guests from the city attended this affair, including Adrian Honore, Eugene Wood, and J. B. Mitchell. In all probability some local youngsters named Alex Dawson, Tom Murray, et al, attended too, but off behind the bushes as spectators. A little later, on their way home, they would squeeze through the fence with their blouses filled with grapes from Judge Beckwith's vines.
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.