Adams County, Illinois - Chapter 4, 1879 (part 2 of 2)

"The Governor has just arrived, and says all things shall be inquired into and all right measures taken. I say to all the citizens of Nauvoo : My brethren, be still and know that God reigns. Don't rush out of the city. Don't rush to Carthage; staj^ at home and prepare for an attack from Missouri mobbers. The Governor will render every assistance possible; has sent out orders for troops. Joseph and Hiram are dead, but not by the Carthage people; the guards were there, as I believe. We will prepare to move the bodies as soon as possible. The people of the county are greatly excited, and fear the Mormons will come and take vengeance. I have pledged my word the Mormons will stay at home, as soon as they can be informed, and no violence will be done on their part, and say to my brethren in Nauvoo, in the name of the Lord, be still - be patient - only let such friends as choose, come here to see the bodies. ;Mr. Taylor's wounds are dressed, and are not serious. I am sound.

destruction. I was at my residence when the horrible crime was committed. It will be condemned by three-fourths of the citizens of the county. Be quiet, or you will be attacked from Missouri. M. R. Deming."

The Governor, as well as the citizens of Carthage, were thunderstruck and fled. The Legion in Nauvoo was called out at 10 A. M., and addressed by Judge Phelps, Col. Buckmaster, of Alton, the Governor's aid and others, and all excitement and fury allayed, and preparations were made to receive the bodies of the noble martyrs. About 3 o'clock, they were met by a great assemblage of people, east of the temple, on MulhoUand street, under the direction of the city marshal, followed by Samuel H. Smith, brother of the deceased, Dr. Richards and Mr. Hamilton, of Carthage. The wagons were guarded by eight men. The procession that followed in Nauvoo, was the City Council, the Lieut. General's Staff, the Brigadier and Staff, commanders and officers of the Legion and the citizens generally, which numbered several thousands, amid the most solemn lamentations and wailings that ever ascended into the ears of the Lord of Hosts, to be avenged of our enemies. When the procession arrived, the bodies were both taken into the " Nauvoo Mansion." The scene at the " Mansion " cannot be described. The audience was addressed by Dr. Richards, Judge Phelps, Woods and Reed Eayrs, of Iowa, and Col. Markham. It was a vast assemblage of some eight or ten thousand persons, and with one united voice, resolved to trust the law for a remedy of such a high-handed assassination, and when that failed, to call upon God to avenge us of our wrongs. Oh ! widows and orphans ! Oh ! Americans ! weep, for the glory of freedom has departed.

This, it will be remembered, is an emanation from Mormon headquarters. On the other side, an extract from a hand-bill circulated throuo'h Qnincj, and Adams county, by the Warsaw people, asserts that "They, the Mormons, must leave or we must leave; and there are now but two questions to solve: Which party shall leave, and in what manner."

In the Quincy Whig, July 24th, there are nearly six columns, under different heads, devoted to discussion of the question. Mr. John Wood and E. Congers, and A. Jonas, of Quincy, had been to the scene of action, also Mr. Chambers, of the Missouri Repuhlican.

July 25th, 1844, Gov. Ford issued a proclamation to the " People of Warsaw, Hancock county," exhorting them to refrain from their intended expulsory measures towards the Mormons.

In September, 18.44, orders were received from Gov. Ford, directing the military commanders at Quincy to rendezvous at some point in Hancock county. The Quincy Whig says:

The reasons for this strange and unexpected movement on the part of the Governor, have not yet been made public, but from some inquiry we have made, we learn that the people of Hancock were about assembling in strong force, with a view to a fall M'olf hunt. As there is yet considerable ill-feeling existing between the Mormons and anti-Mormons, the Governor's fears were aroused that this wolf hunt meant something more than met the eye - that an attack was contemplated on the Mormons, and hence the necessity for troops on the ground, to preserve the integrity of the laws - a meeting was called at the court-house, of those capable of bearing arms, on Saturday, and on Sunday, the Quincy Riflemen and German Guards left for Hancock county.

On the 30th of September, Messrs. Thomas C. Sharp and Col. Levi Williams, of that county, in charge of soldiers, were brought before Judge Thomas, who was holding Circuit Court, at Quincy, to be examined for the killing of Joseph and Hiram Smith. Their attorneys were O, H. Browning

The followinof is the article of ao:reement entered into between the counsel for the State and the defendants, for their appearance at the Hancock Court:

The undersigned, counsel, respectively for the People of the State of Illinois, and Levi Williams and Thomas C. Sharp, admit and agree that in appearing and entering into recpgnizance to appear to answer to any charge preferred by them, they do not make or intend to make any admission of probable cause to bind them over; but that it is done to save time and delay, in consequence of the absence of witnesses, and for this reason only; and the said Williams and Sharp, in entering into said recognizence, do so under a protestation of their entire innocence of the otfences with which they are charged, and they also allege that they are now ready and willing to go into an investigation of the charge, before , a court of enquiry, under the stipulations entered into with them at the time of their surrender, and have no desire to shun or evade it, but enter into said recognizance for no purpose whatever, than that above expressed.

The Springfield Cadets, after being escorted to the outskirts of the city, by our volunteer companies, started for their homes on Wednesday last, as also did the Commander in Chief, his Excellency, Thomas Foi"d.

There were trials at Carthage but no convictions, and in the legislature of June, 1845, the Mormon charters were totally repealed, and in 1846 the great proportion of Mormons left the State, and Adams county had no more part to perform in this share of her state's history.

For further information we have had shown to us, by Gen. J. D. Morgan, the company books of the Quincy Riflemen, and these very carefully written records substantiate in dates many of the statements that have been in obscurity.

The Quincy Riflemen

This company was organized in 1843, and their preliminary meetings were held at the court house in Quincy, March 1st and 6th, with Edward Charles, Esq., in the chair and I. V. W. Dutchess as secretary. Oflficers were not immediately elected, but a drill- master was chosen and James D. Morgan was the man. From that time onward until the close of the Mexican war, his name occurs on every page in some capacity.

At the first election held in the court house on the ninth day of May, 1843, the following named persons were chosen, as follows: James D. Morgan received sixty votes for captain; Benj. M. Prentiss received sixty votes for first lieutenant; "William Y. Henry received sixty votes for second lieutenant; Chas. Everett, Jr., received thirty-six votes for third lieutenant; James C. Sprague received twelve votes for third lieutenant.

The following is a list of members' names attached to the constitution, as signed b}^ themselves in the order in which they subscribed their names:

The stj'le of uniform adopted was " for privates, gold lace upon the collar and cuffs, and twenty-four buttons, after the style of a coat exhibited

A called meeting was held June 26th, at 8 o'clock, a. m., on account of a request from Brig. Gen. Denny to assist in the search of the cit}- of Nauvoo. The invitation was declined, but on the 28th of June, having heard of the killing of the Smiths and the supposed peril of Governor Ford, the company placed themselves under the command of Colonel Flood, as did also the German Guards, the Irish company and a com])any of volunteers nnder the command of Captain A. Johnston. Tiie whole force was called the Quincy Battalion, and they embarked for Warsaw on the steamer Boreas; there were seven tj'-seven riflemen.

Once afterwards the Governor called out the company, and September 27th they again started for Warsaw by steamljoat. On the 3d of October, 1845, Major Warren mustered them out of service at Carthage. In less than a week they were under orders again, this time as a mounted company for Warsaw, and, under the general command of Major Warren, seemed to be engaged in keeping the peace and preventing lawlessness through the county of Hancock.

Thursday, Feb. 19tli, 1846. Sergeant Cliickering having sent from Quincy fifty pipes and fiftj' papers of tobacco as a present to the Quincy Riflemen, the company appeared at the morning parade each man having a pipe in his mouth, and upon motion three cheers were given for Sergeant Chiclcerinff, the pipes, tobacco, etc. A violent snow-storm continued throughout the day.

This campaign lasted until the iirst of May, 1846, and the riflemen had hardly got home and received their welcome ere they were invited by Major Warren to join in the brigade of Gen. Hardin for the Mexican war. We next see the company with its old otflcers and ninety-two strong ready to depart for Mexico.

The Mexican War

The Quincy Kiflemen left on Wednesday morning, June 14th, on the Di Vernon, for Alton. Previous to their leaving, swords were presented to Capt. J. D. Morgan and Lieut. B. M. Prentiss, by the citizens of Quincy. The swords were received by these ofticers in well chosen speeches, in which they pledged themselves and the company to do honor to the gifts, and to the county and city which sent them forth. The company marched to the boat, where thousands were assembled who greeted them with cheer after cheer, bidding them good-bye, and wishing them God-speed in the defense of their countr}^ and a safe return. They were all in as good cheer as men could be who were taking leave of dear friends, many of them for

County Clerk

The Quincy Riflemen were attached, on their arrival at Alton, to Col- Hardin's regiment, to whom afterwards they became greatly attached. They were the seventh company received in service, and were denominated Company "G." The following is from the Alton Telegra2)h, oi t\\?ii period:

The FmsT Regiment. - The First Regiment was organized on Tuesday, the 26th of July, 1846, and John J. Hardin elected colonel thereof, with but tw'o dissenting voices in the whole regiment. Col. Shields, G T. M. Davis and Wm. Martin, Esqs., were appointed by the Governor judges of the election, and on the result of the election being announced, Col. Hardin appeared on the ground, escorted by Col. Shields, and made one of the most appropriate speeches it has ever been our fortune to listen to. He riveted the attention of the vast concourse present, who, at the close of the speech, testified their respect for him, and their approbation of his remarks, by three tremendous cheers.

It was very evident that not only his regiment, but the entire population present, had the most unlimited confidence in his integrity as a citizen, and his valor and qualifications as a soldier, and the pledge he gave that he was determined " The First Regiment of Illinois Volunteers should not be inferior in discipline or bravery to any regiment on the field of battle," we entertain no doubt will be fulfilled. As a military officer he stands confessedly without an equal in the State ; and as such very appropriately commands the First Regiment of volunteers that go from Illinois.

The only two dissenting votes against Colonel Hardin's election were in the company from Green county. ******* ^\^q rifle company from Quincy, under the command of Captain Morgan, is confessedly the best drilled company on the ground. The strife among the residue of the volunteers seems to be whose company can ^come nearest being like them in soldierly-like bearing and drill. Captain Mowers, of Chicago, is a splendid disciplinarian, and his company are rapidly approaching that state of perfection already reached by the Quincy company. ****** Colonel John J. Hardin, ot the First Rerjiment of Illinois Volunteers, has appointed Lieutenant B. M. Prentiss, of the Quincy Riflemen, his adjutant. Lieutenant Prentiss is a fine officer, did himself great ci'edit while attached to the Quincy Riflemen, and without doubt will prove himself equally elflcient in the new office to which he has been elevated by Colonel Hardin.

In tlie Quincy Whig of July 8th, we see letters from " Camj) Necessity, near Alton, June 25tli, '46," from Captain Morgan's company, and stating their assignment to Colonel Hardin's regiment.

Another paper has the names of some officers engaged in getting uj) a ball for July 4tli, and among the names is Captain J. D. Morgan. Meanwhile we note in passing through newspaper Hies, that wheat was on the market for thirty-fi%^e and forty cents per bushel in July, 1846.

On the 14th of July, 1846, a letter was written by "B. M. P." from Alton. He says that Colonel Hardin's regiment is destined for Antonio, Tex. "The riflemen received their pay for twelve months' clothing yesterday, and are at present ilush^ and are resolved to give a dinner at the Alton House to-morrow at three o'clock, and regret exceedingly that we cannot have the presence of some of our old citizens of Quincy." /

About this time the river steamers refused to carry mails, pay being inadequate, and great complaints were made because the four-horse coach line was changed to a two-horse hack from Naples.

From this time the history of the " Quincy Riflemen " is obtained from a record in possession of its captain, J. D. Morgan, and we make ample quotations with his permission. The clerical accuracy displayed in the record is evidence in itself of a careful and thorough compilation.

On the 10th of July the company was mustered and inspected - every man passed inspection. Colonel Churchill being inspector-general, G. T. M. Davis elected third lieutenant on the 15th. On the 18th the company left Alton on the steamer " Missouri," under orders for New Orleans. On the 24tli the company landed on the battle ground below New Orleans. At this point we find the first case of military discipline recorded, '' six privates under arrest for passing the guard and being absent without leave." On the 25th they took the brig " Albertina " for Texas.

On the 3d of August they landed in Matagorda bay, and marched out twelve miles and encamped with the rest of the regiment at Camp Irwin. Rain and mud now made their marching disagreeable, but they kept on and reached San Antonia after fifty-one hours marching, a distance of one hundred and sevent}^ miles. On the 24th marched into town and saluted General Wool at his headquarters, and in a day or two after gave an exhibition drill on the square.

On the 11th of September Sergeant Everett, while attempting to arrest a disorderly person, a Texan, was shot in the leg. The "riflemen" brought the rowdy to camp. The sheriff got him out of military ])rison, but he was retaken through mistake, and again liberated. He goes down to history

On the 14th of September, 1st Lieutenant B. M. Prentiss was elected captain of Companj^ 1, in place of Captain Dickey, resigned. He Mas succeeded by 2d Lieutenant Henry, Henry by Sergeant Evans, Evans by Corporal Burns, and he by Private John T. Conyers. On the 10th of October, 1846, they first put foot on Mexican soil.

On the 8th of J!^ovember they were paid oif from period of enlistment, to 31st August by Major Butler, at the city of Monclova, where the " riflemen" were stationed to keep peace in the town. Here Companies I and A were formed into a battalion under Captain Morgan by general orders.

On the 23d of January, 1847, Companies A and I, Captains Morgan and Prentiss, under Major Warren commanding battalion, entered Saltillo' and passed through. On the 28tli they took up position at a pass in the mountains one mile south of Camp San Juan Buena Yista. On the 4tlii of February the same companies marclied in and gari-isoned Saltillo.

On the 22d of February Gen. Taylor engaged in battle with Santa Anna at a pass seven miles south of Saltillo. The battalion remained in Saltillo because it was thought Santa Anna would attack the place to get into Taylor's rear. However, by order of Gen. Wool, tlie battalion was bx'ought up and maintained a position upon the field at the foot of the mountains to sustain the artillery. Tlie first death occurred here, being that of William S. Taylor in the hospital on the 26th of February, 1847. March 2d, put on patrol duty in the city. The next deaths were on March 12th and 16th - Privates Fletcher Owens and Jordan Danard.

After the battle of Buena Yista the name of Col. Weatherford appears as commander of the regiment. On the 2d of April the company was paid off again up to Feb. 28. April 18th is recorded the death of Private Charles R. Knapp. For a month, or nearly, the troops remained inactive waiting for news from Gen. Scott and Yera Cruz.

On the 26th of May news was received that Gen. Shields died of wounds received at Cerro Gordo, so that it is evident that false rumors can be carried without aid of press or telegraph, and all were glad to receive some time later a contradiction of the report.

At this time, much climatic sickness occurred, dysentery prevailiijoextensively, and the feeling in favor of a re-enlistment " for the war " was weak.

On Friday, May 28, our record says: "All is now preparation for the march homeward. The body of Col. John J. Hardin (killed in the famous charge at Buena Yista) was disinterred yesterday and enclosed in a lead coffin preparatory to taking it home with his regiment. The bodies of Capt. Zabriskie and Lieut. Houghten will also be taken home."

lack of transportation, but on the 1st of June the Quincy Riflemen marched out of Saltillo with happ}' hearts on their homeward journey. On Monday, Jan. 12, the company turned over their rifles. There was only one missing rifle, belonging to C. J. Sellon, who, after a somewhat eventful career as an editor and soldier in the late war, is now dead. A cartridge box was lost, belonging to J. W. Yandenburg, On Thursday, June 17, 1847, the company was mustered out, paid off', supplied with fifteen days' rations, and took the steamer Del Norte on the Rio Grande for the States next day.

The Picket Guard was a little paper printed in Saltillo by members of the battalion, and they allude to a meeting held by the citizens to protest against Col. Warren and Capts. Morgan and Prentiss being sent away. They use the highest words of eulogy in regard to the discipline of the men. Gen. Wool also congratulated these companies for being exceptionally well governed and reliable men.

In addition to Capt. Morgan's company, another company was raised in Quincy by Timothy Kelly's exertions, but family ties and influences were brought to bear so strongly that there were only twelve who departed for the field. Without flags or swords Kelly's fragment of a company erabarked for Alton. Here they were consolidated with Capt. Deutch's company from Oswego, Kendall county, and from Madison county, and placed in the Second Illinois Regiment. The names of these men from Adams were:

After arrival in Texas an election was held at San Antonio, Texas, to fill vacancies, and Peter Lott, of Quincy, was chosen captain, and Timothy Kelly second lieutenant. They continued their march across Texas and crossed the Rio Grande at Presidio. The Second Illinois Regiment bore an honorable part in the battle of Buena Yista, and Capt. Lott's company took their share in the engagement. Lieut. Timothy Kelly was killed in front of his company, and Private Thomas O'Conners, w^ho was once a schoolteacher in Adams, met a like fate. James Ryan was among the missing. Mr. James O'Conner, now living in Quincy, helped to bear away the body of his friend, Lieut. Kelly. Life was extinct when he was brought to camp. Yandenburg Miller and Capt. Lott assisted. He fell near Thomas O'Conner, in the head of a ravine where the conflict had raged with great fury.

On the 19th of June, 1846, the company was mustered out at Camargo and started for home. Capt. Morgan furnished conveyance for Lieut. Kelly's remains to the steamboat on the Rio Grande, and in due time they arrived in Quincy in charge of James O'Conner and other company friends. He was buried from the Catholic Church, with appropriate services, and a military escort furnished by Capt. Morgan and his company.

On the first week in April there departed from the city of Quincy, with teams, to cross the plains, the following persons. They were to go to Lagrange, by ferry boat, and then steer away for St. Joseph,

There were three and four persons to a wagon. Several of the wagons were drawn by four mules, though the majority of them were drawn by three or four yoke of oxen. All of them were fitted out in a substantial manner, with everj^ necessary required for the trip.

* We hear of Gov. "Wood's party being at Chagres about this time, and waiting, with two thousand others, for transportation to San Francisco. Dr. S. W. Rogers wrote from there that there was general good health in the company.

On July 23d, 1849, there appears a notice of the Sanajamon & Morgan Railway as being on that day opened for business from Naples to Springfield, G. L. Huntington being secretary. This would, with the stage line, bring Quincy into closer eastern mail communications.

On August 7th, 1849, the first news was published "From John Wood & Co.'s California Company." They arrived in good health, and were thirty miles from San Francisco, on the 19th of May, 1849, on their way to the mountains.

"News from the Plains" arrived in September, 1849, being in a letter from Mr. George Adams to his brother James, dated at Green River Junction, Jaly 28th, seventy miles from the South Pass. He mentions Mr. Ireland and lady, himself and wife, Mrs. Pope and two children, Mr. Houghton, T. Arrowsmith, James Cox, and Mr. Wooisey. Mr. Joseph Pope died from cholera, about eighty miles from Fort Laramie. Mr. A. says that they saw nothing to discourage them until they reached the Black Hills, where they were never out of sight of a dead ox, and could sometimes count a dozen in view at one time.

On the 20th of February, 1850, Mr. John Wood, his two sons, David Woods and Benj. Mikerell returned. They only spent about four months in the mines. They seemed somewhat reticent regarding their own success, but gave no discouragement to others.

The excitement continued throughout the year, and many emigrated during that period, and we give below a list of as many names as we have been able to obtain, who went prior to May 1st, 1850. There are neighborhoods in the county from which we have been unable to obtain information,'and the list is necessarily incomplete.

The Asiatic Cholera Of 1849-'50

This devastating scourge left the shores of Adams county unscathed until the beginning of the warm weather, in '49, and did not obtain a foothold in Quincy until brought by immigrants or passengers from the river.

One of the first important names in the roll of mortality was tliat of Capt. C. L. Wight, of Galena, who died on the steamer "War Eagle, while passing down to St. Louis, between Quincy and Louisiana. He was on his way to California. This was on the 20th of April. Previous to this, however, there had been some cases at Leonard's Mill. On the ITtli of March^ three deaths occurred in the city, viz.: Daniel Casey, Timothy Hurley and while in St. Louis, occupied a room in which a person had recently died ot the disease. Dr. Ralston and some other physicians, at that time, denied their belief in the infectious or contagious nature of the disease.

While other remedies were being suggested for Cholera, we find the following, copied into a paper, as a method adopted by the " Latter Day Saints," in the case of two young ladies, attacked with the disease:

" The process consisted in anointing with oil, prayer, brandy, psalmsinging, flannels, exhortation and hot water. The prescription was carried into effect with great vigor and peVseverance, throughout an entire night, and in the morning the patients were quiet and without pain, both being dead."

But the disease soon became too serious a matter for joking, and we find the fears of the people taking hold upon them. By the 22nd of May, we notice a mortality report, furnished by Mr. Adam Schmidt, of ten deaths in the previous week, among tlie German emigrants and their relati(ms. Among the number, Mrs. Gertrude Gost and child; Mrs. Adam Elder, Philip Zink, Adam Elder and Mrs. Cook.

A paragraph states, concerning the death of one of the above, that she enveloped herself in the blankets in which her husband had died, and died also from the disease, a snicide.

County Treasurer

On the 30th of July, it is stated that on the previous Saturday afternoon and night, there were five deaths from cholera. Much uneasiness was manifested, and many talked of leaving the city. A gloom was upon the countenances of all, and it was a trying time in the history of the place. Travel upon the river and country trade were suspended, to a great extent. In the succeeding week, there were, up to July 15, forty-five interments, of which thirty-five were from cholera. This number included the wife of Capt. B. M. Prentiss. The next week there were fifty-five deaths, and, among the number, Enoch Conyers, the Mayor. He was interred by the Masonic fraternity, with the usual honors of that body, and generally honored by the citizens. Charles Gilman, Esq., an attorney, also fell a victim. He was the author of Gilman's Supreme Court Reports, and editor of the Western Legal Observer.

Notice. - Friday, the 3d of August, being recommended by the President as a day ot general prayer and supplication, our offices will therefore be closed on that day.

The proclamation was signed by President Z. Taylor, July 3d, and recommended due religious observance, on account of the pestilence prevailing the country over.

The next week's deaths decreased to 27, but the pestilence still lingered. On August 13, we notice the death of Artemus Ward, an old and honored citizen.

The sum total of deaths from the epidemic,, up to the fourth week of August, wore as follows: In March, six; Aj^ril, none; May, fifteen; June, twelve; July, 139; August, 114. Total, 286. From other causes during the meantime, 120 deaths.

Chapter Yii

Township Organization - Origin - Report of Commissioners - Division | OF County Into Townships - First Meeting of Board - Names of ij Members - Election Precincts - Aid to Soldiers' Families - Diffi- ! cuLTiES IN Paying Taxes - Bounty Act - County Line. i

The county of Adams was one of the first to adopt the system of l| township organization. The board of this county from its earliest adopt- j ion, has been composed of the best representative men of the different '.' townships, and we doubt if any county in the State has had its affairs wiser ;' or more prudently managed than Adams. So popular has the manage- ' ment of the county government been under this system that we suppose it I would be impossible under any considerations in this county to return to ! the old plan, by the voice of the people. Of the origin of this system of ; township government in this county Mr. Haynes says:

" The system of township organization, as at present existing in the ; northern and eastern states, originated in New England, and is an evidence of the confidence which the early patriots of those colonies entertained in j the ability of the people to govei'ii and legislate for themselves. !

"Township organization is of modern date, and no scheme having much similarity to it can be found in ancient history. The municipal ' divisions of Athens and the other ancient republics were rather into castes i or social ranks than territorial; although the 'denies' of ancient Athens, the Roman and Grecian colonies, and, at a later day, the free cities of mediasval Europe, possessed more or less of the privileges of a municipal , corporation, such as choice of voters, election of officers, possession of a seal, j management of funds, and the like. These cases, however, are exceptions; isolated instances of the universal instinct for self-government which is born with all men, but repressed under non-elective and irresponsible governments,

" We now come to consider the first rise of the town organization. in America. This appears, so far as the records show, to have been substantially a result of the experience of practical inconveniences, which the Puritans took such means to remedv as were suffijested to them bv their

"The 'New England colonies were at first governed by a ' General Court,' or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They made laws, ordered their execution by ofiicers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and in fact did all the public business of the colony.

" The first legal enactment to establish towns, that of tlie General Court of Massachusetts, of March, 1G35, so far as it indicates any motive implies convenience only as the reason of the law. It provides that whereas * particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own aft'airs, and disposing of business in their own town,' therefore ' the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said towns; to grant lots, and make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court.' They might also impose fines if not more than twenty shillings, and ' choose their own particular ofiicers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like.' Evidently this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal details, without any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general measures or public policy. Probably also a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt, for the control of their own home concerns.

" Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639; and the plan of township organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficacy, and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became universal throughout JNew England, and went westward with the emigrants from New England into l^ew York, Ohio and other western states, including the northern parts of Illinois.

" But a different policy determined the character of the municipal institutions of the southern part of our State. This was the 'county system.' This plan originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area. The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their own ideas or wishes might direct, was moreover consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1634, eight counties were organized in Virginia; and the system extending through the State, has spread into all the southern states, and some of the northern states, unless we except the nearly similar division into ' districts' in South Carolina, and that into 'parishes,' retained by Louisiana from the French laws.

" Illinois, which, with a vast additional territory, became a county of Virginia on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the county organization, wliich was formally extended over the State by the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business was transacted by three commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, with quarterly sessions. During the period ending with the constitutional convention of 1847, a large portion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. Under the influence of this feeling the constitutional provision of 1848, and subsequent law of 1849 were enacted, , permitting counties to adopt township organization; according to which all the counties north of the Illinois river, and a large number south of it, have so organized.

"The main argument for township organization is, perhaps, its extreme value as a school of political action. It is not claimed, of course, that each township should exercise so unbounded an authority as belonged to the ancient republics; but only that they should use it in reference to local matters, which interest them only, and which no others can understand or direct so well. In the immense territories which form the States of the Union, or in the Union itself for federal concerns, it is impossible for all the voters to meet and transact the business of government. Hence that modification of a ' pure democracy,' which has given us our representative system of government. If such a universal meeting were conveniently practicable, it would be practiced; in that case, no voter would delegate by authority; but it is not. In town business, however, it is practicable. The people of a township can readily meet for conference, and discuss and decide all the multitude of local interests which concern their i township, with a far better understanding of them than any agent or representative could exercise.

" The great extent of the territory of the State of New York, from which the township system, as adopted in this State, is chiefly derived, rendered it impossible, or at least impracticable, to send a representative from each town to the popular branch of the State legislature, as was done in the New England States. Under these circumstances an intermediate board was created in each county, called a board of supervisors, and composed of one delegate from each town. This board formed a deliberative ^jj or kind of legislative body, taking a large portion of the powers delegated in the New England States to the State legislatures. It has been made an objection to this plan of organization, that it increases the expenses of transacting the business of the county. But the answer is believed conclusive; that the only additional expense, if any, arises from the excess of compensation paid to the additional members of the county board; while the fact is that the business of the county is much reduced under the town organization, and not one-fourth of the time is required to transact tlie business. Besides, a cheap government is not necessarily the best. Cheapness is not the primary object in choosing a government, but excellence. If cheap governments were the only thing required we should abolish the legislative branch of our State government, and leave our laws to be made by the executive or the Supreme Court. Or, which would be be still cheaper, perhaps, we could let out the making of our laws by contract and competition to the lowest bidder, or to whomsoever would pay the State most for the privilege. There would be no want of proposals."

Eeport Of Commissioners

On Tuesday, December 6th, 1849, an order was made by the County Commissioners' Court appointing Thomas Eniow, Augustus E. Bowles and William Berry, commissioners, to divide the county into towns or townships, as provided by an act of the Legislature, providing for the township organization of any county, after having so determined by a majority vote being cast in its favor, at any general election. The report of the commissioners, as the writer has it from official sources, was filed in the County Court, on the 8th day of March, 1850, and was as follows:

The undersigned, commissioners, appointed by your Honorable Court, iu pursuance ot I an act entitled " An act to provide for township and county organization, under which any I county may organize, whenever a majority of the voters of such county, at any general i election, shall so determine," in force April 16th, 1849, to divide said county of Adam ! into towns, according to the provisions of said act, respectfully report that they have divided I the said county into twenty towns, and laid the same otf by metes and bounds, and adopting a name for each, in accordance with the expressed wish of the inhabitants of said towms, I respectively, and when said inhabitants have been unable to agree on such name, the under- 1 signed have selected a name.

Division into Townships. - The names and boundaries of each town so laid off are as I follows, that is to say : 1 Clayton. - The whole of Congressional township 1 north, o west.

North Bast. - The whole of Congressional township 2 north, 5 west. Camp Point. - The whole of Congressional township 1 north, 6 west. Houston. - The whole of Congressional township 2 north, 0 west. Honey Creek. - The whole of Congressional township 1 north, 7 west. : Keene. - The whole of Congressional township 2 north, 7 west.

' Ursa. - The whole of Congressional township 1 north, 8 west, and of fractional townj ship 1 north, 9 west, and all that portion of couutiy in townships 2 north, 8 west and 2 north, '9 west, which lies south of Bear creek.

Lafayette. - All that portion of country in townships 2 north, 8 west, 2 north, 9 west, and fractional township 2 north, 10 west, which lies south of said Bear creek.

EllinfjUm. - The whole of Congressional townsliip 1 soutli, 8 west, and fractional township 1 south, 9 west, except that portion of said fractional township included in the corporate limits of the city of Quincy.

First Meeting Of Board

As the official records relate, "Through the call of the County Clerk, bj the approval of man)'- of the Board of Supervisors," the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors, as provided by the law of townsliip organization foi" this county, convened on the 3d day of June, 1850, in the court-room, in the old court-house, which was destro^'ed by fire, in 1875, and which stood on 5th street, between Maine and Hampshire, in Quincy, and the following members took part in the proceedings of that session of the Board :

Names Of Members

John p. Itobbins, John M. Ruddle, Grason Orr, Babtist Hardy, Jabez Lovejoy, John T. Battell, Joseph Kern, Alexander M. Smith, David Wolf, Williston Stephens, Solomon Cusick, Thomas Bailey, William H. Tandy, Robert G. Kay, Thomas Crocker, Stephen F. Safi'ord, and Edward Sharp. The first business was the election of W. H. Tandy, chairman of the board for that session. Thomas Bailey, who was a member of that board, the first held in the county, is the chairman of the present [March, 1879] board of supervisors. The first business transacted by the first board ot supervisors, after their organization by the election of Mr. Taud}'-, chairman, was the renaming the following towns, notice having been filed with the county clerk, by the auditor of the State, that their names should be changed, viz: Lafayette to be called Lima, Benton to be called Fall Creek, Dover to be called Gilmer, Richland to be called Richfield, Jackson to be called Concord. Among the subjects of business disposed of at that term of the board was the delinquent taxes of lS-1-9, the allowance for the keeping of the paupers of the county, the sheriff's bill for services rendered in the County Commissioners' Court, claims allowed by the board to persons who had previously rendered the county services, rendering the opin- ion of the board that thej^ had no jurisdiction to render judgments on the delinquent lands, fixing the salary of P. A. Goodman, county judge, fixing compensation of county jailor, county clerk's bill for tax list, erroi-s in certificates of sales, fixing manner in which road taxes shall be paid, compensation of county clerk for services rendered, directions to county treasurer relative to collections made by him, resolution that the board would grant no license to any one to sell ardent spirits in the county, the election of the following named persons to serve as grand jurors for the following October term of the Circuit Court: James Wood, John Ryler, Wilson Lierle, Shannon Wallace, Jacob M. Nichols, Asaph Francis, Lafayette Frazer, James Shinn, Stephen Guthiie, Robert F. Coats, Lewis McFarland, Alexander Walker, T. B. Warren, Samuel G. Blenin, Samuel Woods,. James Carpenter, G. B. Dimock, Robert Tillson, Hiram Rogers, Henry Kent, James Richardson, Orrin Kendall, and William H. McClynient; and the following named persons as the petit jurors for the same term of the Circuit Court: Edward Ogle, Richard Cleaver, Henry Whitford. John P. Groves,William Gilliland, L. J. Simpson, Samuel Wilks, Mitchell Alexander, James A. Young, Joseph Young, John G. Brown, George Starr, John P. Ansmus, A. L. Weed, Abner Percy, Josiah Reed, James Nelson, E. W. Chapman, Noah Lane, C. L. Demuree, Adolph Keltz, J. H. Cnftey, James Fish'er, and George Hogan. The ofiicial report of J. J. Fielding, treasurer, which was as follows, is here presented as showing something relating to the finances of the county at that time:

The treasurer of the county was ordered to borrow the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, to meet expenses of the county for one year, on interest, not to exceed ten per cent. John P. Bobbins was appointed a committee of one, to report to the board at its next meeting, rules of order for the government of the board at its future meetings. This meeting of the board convened on the third, and adjourned on the 5th day of June, 1850.

The county having thus adopted, so to speak, a new form of government, whicli in its nature placed the management of the affairs of the county more compeletely in the people, it became necessary to create election precincts, conformably to the "new dispensation," or rather, to carry out completely the new form of government just begun.

The next meeting of the board of supervisors was a special session, called for the purpose of dividing the county into election precincts and appointing judges of elections to be held. This meeting of the board convened on Friday, the 1st day of November, 1850. The complete history of the adoption of township organization in this county we think would be incomplete without the proceedings of this meeting, and for that reason it is subjoined in full from the record of the board proceedings, so far as it relates to the subject in hand.

Quincy. - The town, or city, of Quincy be one precinct, with two places of voting, known as the first and second polls, and that the court-house, in Quincy, be the place of voting.

Circuit Clerk & Recorder

Burton. - The town of Burton to constitute one precinct, and the place of voting to be the wagon shop of Mr. Enlow in the village of Bui'ton.

Payson. - The town of Payson to constitute one precinct, and the place of voting to be at the house of Benjamin Hoar, in the village of Payson.

It is now ordered by the Board of Supervisors that the following named persons be appointed judges or elections in the following named precincts, to serve as such judges at the election to be held in the county of Adams on Tuesday alter the first Monday in November, 1850, being the fifth day of said mouth, and until their successors shall be appointed, to-wit. :

At this session of the board tliere was no btisiness before it except the matter referred to, which it transacted and adjourned on the same day of its convening.

In May, 1861, the board of supervisors for tlie county then in session took action under the law wliich had been passed by the Illinois Legislature, authorizing the different counties in the State to render aid in the prosecution of the war. The war had been commenced; hundreds of men from the county, at the first call of duty, had left home, friends and family, and in many instances, in consequence of the suddenness of the call, the latter without sufHcient means for their support. The county board, recognizing the fact, and sensible of the patriotic duties that the public owed to 1 the families of those who had sacrificed home, family and their comforts in I defense of country on the field of strife, took prompt action to render aid ! to needy families. The first resolution introduced was by Supervisor J. J. I Graham, authorizing the appropriation of one thousand dollars for such { purposes. To this resolution an amendment was offered by Supervisor I Perry Alexander, of Melrose township, and adopted by the board, authorj izing the supervisors of the different townships to render aid to families, j and report from time to time to the board such money as they had j expended under the resolution.

The following is the text of Mr. Alexander's resolution: "Whereas, bj an act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois at the last special session, counties are authorized to make appro])riations to aid in the support of the families of such volunteers of the United States service from the State of Illinois as may be in need, and whereas this board deems it proper that the county of Adams should give such aid as the country demands,

" Therefore, resolved that the supervisors be authorized to furnish all necessary aid to destitute families of volunteer soldiers in their respective towns at the expense of the county, and report at eveiy meeting of the board, and that the supervisors shall have no pay for such service." Under the resolution, liundreds of dollars were distributed over the county, and many a worthy family of the patriotic soldier received substantial aid and the practical sympathy of our people.

Difficulty In Paying Taxes

In 1862 the difficulty of paying taxes in specie, which the State laws required, produced a memorial from the board of supervisors, whicli we copy from record.

Whereas, The laws of Congress making treasury notes a legal tender for the paj-raent of debts, and other etfects of the present desolating war, have driven tlie constitutional currency of the country, gold and silver coin, into tlie coffers of the money-changers and the pockets of peculators and contractors, and whereas the law of the State requiring the taxes of the State to be collected in gold and silver coin is oppressive to tlie tax-payers, while the exigencies of the war shall render the paymen-t in specie impracticable and ruinous; therefore be it unanimously

Mesolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Adams county, on behalf of said county, respectfully liut earnestly request our representatives, both in the Senate and House in General Assembly convened, to mitigate the evil of exacting specie for taxes while the evils of the present war exist, by making treasury notes receivable for the payment of the taxes due to the State and county ;

Resolved, That the clerk of the Board of Supervisors furnish our senators and representatives with copies of the foregoing proceedings, and that the same be also published in the newspapers of the county.

In September, 1862, at a regular meeting of the board, a resolution, which was not finall}'- disposed of in August, came up and was adopted by a unanimous vote. Yeas, 18; nays, none. This resolution pledged support and aid to families of all volunteers or drafted men in the United States service.

Bounty Act

Proceedings of considerable interest occupied the board at their September term, 186-1, mainly relating to the levy of taxes to furnisli recruits for the army, and avoid the conscription.

This meeting called for a special meeting, which convened October 3, 1864, and passed a bounty act that was to be submitted to the vote of the county. Subsequent to this we find a resolution offered in a meeting on the 14:th September, 1865, and adopted, to this effect: a tax of thirty cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property, to pay the indebt-

County Line

Resolved, That B. F. Chatten be appointed in conjunction with the county surveyor of Brown county, to survey and establish permanently said line, and report to this board.

The next important labors of the board were the location and carrying on the building and completion of the present magnificent court-house, which is treated of in the next chapter.