Edgar County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 11 of 24)

Accordingly, their plans had been announced to their neighbors ; a sale had been made of what they found to be superfluous articles, though perhaps with a view to realize a little ready money with which to make a substantial start in their new location and to liquidate a few debts that had been contracted at the stores, and all was ready for the journey. The wagon had been backed to the front door the evening before, and the cows and a few sheep that they had concluded to take with them and which had been reserved from the sale, had been penned up, that they might not stray away before the hour at which they wanted to begin the journey. The morning had arrived, the candles were lighted, the fire in the fire-place was soon crackling and the kettle boiling, pre¬ paratory to taking the last meal in the house. The breakfast was despatched in an unusually short time, and then commenced the exciting process of " pack¬ ing up.' Bedsteads were knocked to pieces, bed-clothes were thrown in all directions, crockery was smashed, and things in general soon presented a con¬ fused appearance. The children seemed to enjoy the excitement; the mother hastened about, but on her face there was a look of dejection ; but the father and husband moved around with a firm gait, attending to the work of prepara¬ tion. with no sign that betrayed the feeling of reluctance with which he was leaving the place which he had for so many years called home, though, doubt¬ less, much of his cheerfulness was assumed for the effect that his demeanor might have on the other members of the family. Soon, the few household effects, and the simpler class of farming utensils not disposed of at the "ven¬ due," were stowed away in the wagon, the bows to support the wagon cover were put in their staples and the white cover stretched on and tied. Then the oxen were hitched to the wagon, the sheep and cows turned into the road and all were ready to start. Numerous friends and relatives, by this time, had gathered around to bid them good-bv, looking on, in the mean time, with min¬ gled feelings of sorrow and wonder. When, at last, the moment for starting name, the wife broke into weeping ; and though the husband showed no out¬ ward signs of regret when he bid his nearest friends farewell, his hand shook a little and the voice was just a little husky. Such a trip as lay before these adventurers would now be considered comparatively a trivial undertaking ; but at the time of which we write, it was of a more serious nature.

It would compare well with the embarkation of the hundred pilgrims, who left their native shore two hundred years earlier, to make their way across the boundless deep, to find a home in the new world. Indeed the hardships of the wilderness road which lay before them, were greater than those experienced by the emigrants of the Mayflower. The length of time required to complete the journey was almost as great. The mother and the youngest children rode in wagon, while the father and oldest boy trudged along behind to a ttend to the stock. It would be interesting to listen to the account of all of the incidents of their long and tedious journey, but time and- space forbid more than brief allusions. The roads, even in Kentucky, wrere but poor, and, after crossing the . Ohio, consisted of mere trails, through sloughs and over hills, fording creeks and ferrying rivers. There were but few bridges across the streams then, especially on this side of the Ohio, and after some days out, some of the streams were found to be so swollen by recent rains that the emigrants were compelled to go into camp for several days, to wait for the flood to subside. On one such occa¬ sion, they became so impatient that, putting into the stream before it had fallen sufficiently, they all came near losing their lives. At another place, where there was a prospect of having to stay several days, a raft was constructed of timbers cut and prepared on the spot and lashed together with bedcords. On' this they -crossed to the other side, bringing over the last load after a whole day's work, thus camping only a few hundred feet from their camping place of the night before. Their little stock of provisions soon gave out; but they did not suffer for lack of food, as the timber was full of game and the rifle supplied them with plenty of meat. The cattle easily subsisted on the grass that grew alofig the road. However, the journey was a wearisome one, and all were well pleased when, at length, it was completed. Finally, at the close of a weary day, the company came to a halt, not with the design of locating at this stopping-place, but knowing that they must be in the vicinity of the point toward which they had been traveling, they concluded to camp for a few* days, and look around. Accordingly, the arrangements for more than an ordinary stop were made, and our pioneer, the next day, started out on foot to select a location for his future home, leaving the family at the camp. After a few days search he had fully made up his mind, and the camp was removed to the spot selected. Immediately they set about preparing a shelter from the approaching cold of the winter, and the wild animals which infested this region. As the habitation erected by them was a fair type of nearly all that had preceded it, and for some years after followed it.

we will give a general description of it. Small logs were cut and drawn from the forest to the spot designated for the future residence. The logs were then cut, each sixteen feet in length, and split in tivo parts. In the end of the slabs were cut notches, to admit others lying thereon. The slabs or half-logs, were now built up solidly from the ground, with the flat surface turned out. After the house or pen had reached a height of seven feet, openings for a door and window' wrere cut out. The small cracks between the timbers were filled with pieces of wood and plastered over with mud. A roof composed of clapboards, held in their places by poles laid thereon, was constructed; and then the few articles brought from the old home in Kentucky were brought in, and the house completed at the leisure of its occupants. A clapboard door, a paper window and a dried-mud fire-place wrere added before the frosts of winter made their appearance. The little cabin and some of its first occupants have long since crumbled to dust, and their places are now occupied by a more pretentious dwelling, though perhaps not by a more worthy, and certainly not by a braver or more self-sacrificing, inmate. Doubtless many of the first settlers of this region will recognize the experience of this family, thus far, as that of their own ; and many of the younger people will imagine they have heard the story before, as told by father or mother, who may have, long years since, been laid to rest in the little cemetery at Old Grand View', at Pleasant Hill or at the gap just beyond.

The experiences of the old settlers wTere so similar that a repetition of them destroys the novelty ; but it could never lose the charm or destroy the interest while, at the same time, it renders the faithful description the more valuable, applying, as it does, to so many. With the change of the name of the State, from whence the family came, and the addition or suppression of a fewr of the minor details w7hich marked their journey, we have no doubt the narrative might be made to fit the emigration to this section of almost every one of its earliest occupants.

The country west of wdiat is knowm as Harrison's Purchase, and embracing all of the towmships of Grand View and Kansas, wTas open to settlement in 1822. Prior to that date, the population of Edgar County wTas confined within the limits of the 44 purchase.'- As soon after as was thought safe, settlements began to be made along the creek in the west side of the county. Big Creek, in Grand View, as is stated on another page, began to settle in 1823, but from the best information that wTe are able to gather, the section now described as Kansas Township, had but two occupants until that year.

Along the North Fork of the Embarrass, nearer its mouth, in Clark County, some people had settled a year or two before, and the first to occupy any of the upper portion of the timber skirting the North Fork seem to have located here more to be outside of the settlements than on account of any lack of room there, as the west part of Clark County was then but sparsely settled. People then seemed to like a good deal of 44 elbow room,-' and rather courted than feared danger from the denizens of the forest. Doubtless it is true that very many of the pioneers were little else than hunters, and preferred a huntingground out of the hearing of the crack of another rifle. It is certain that much -of their subsistence came from the forest, and that, in the main, they were poor farmers. The first settlers in this part of the county were the Boyers, Jonathan Brown and Isaac Wait. These three families came in during the years 1823, 1824 and 1825, and all settled along the timber of the creek before mentioned. Of these, the Boyer family have continued to be one of the most influential in this sec¬ tion. They were from near Louisville, Ky., and some of these original pioneers continued to reside here until but a few years ago. Perhaps no set of men in Edgar County has exerted a more continuous and better influence, extending over so many years, than has this same family. Settling here as they did in the very early existence of the county, and continuing their residence in this locality, it is but natural that a just and proper course of conduct should have its effect. Abraham Boyer, who died June 7, 1870, was Justice of the Peace in this vicinity for twenty-five consecutive years. Certainly no better proof of the high estimation in which he was held by his neighbors is needed than this. While he held in one hand the " sword of justice, dividing unto every man his portion,' he held in the other the sword of the Spirit, and dispensed theology and morals to those who thought fit to patronize him in a spiritual way. Mr. Boyer was a preacher in the denomination designated as Christians, sometimes known as Disciples or Campbellites. Mr. Boyer was also somewhat of a politician, and as such "was a match for any, both in argument and invention. His wife was Harriet Shaw, to whom he was married in 1826. They raised a large family of children, most of whom are still living. Mrs. Boyer died about two years ago.

Philip Boyer was a brother of Abraham. He was also a good man, and had the respect and confidence of all with whom he was acquainted. He died here about eight years ago, at an advanced age.

Frederick Boyer, one of the two original pioneers, though, like his relatives, a good man and an upright citizen, was not so well known to the later residents of the community, as he died many years ago. He was the first blacksmith in the township, and worked at his trade for his own convenience and the accom¬ modation of his neighbors.

A number of the descendants of the above families still reside in this vicinity, and extended notices of them will be found in our biographical depart¬ ment.

Jonathan Brown also had a large family ; most of them, however^ we be¬ lieve, have moved to other parts. Mr. Brown died here about twelve years ago. Isaac Wait was an Englishman. Perhaps his name is scarcely rememered here now, as he died nearly forty years ago, and his family all removed to other places. His wife survived him, and resided in the township a number of years after his death.

Henry Bull and sons came from Kentucky, about a year after those already named. Mr. Bull died here many years since ; but the sons, Henry and Jeffer¬ son, still reside in the township.

No other settlements of consequence were made here until about the year 1830, when the Pinnells and Wilhoits arrived ; the former from Kentucky and the latter from Virginia.

The Pinnell family is one of the largest in this part of the county, and perhaps no township in the county contains so many persons of the same name - not even the Smiths. In a little drive of a few miles, wq found nearly every other man of whom we inquired answering to that respectable title. Of these, the prominent ones of the pioneers were Abraham, Edward and Willis. Abra¬ ham Pinnell settled in what is called the Gap, which is a break in the timber, in the southwestern part of the township, where he still lives. Edward Pinnell, or "Uncle Ned," as he is familiarly called, was in the war of 1812, and, we believe, is the only one in the county who can rightfully lay claim to that honor. Indeed, there are but very few residents of the State who took part in that struggle of "America's second independence.5' Mr. Pinnell, now at a very advanced age, resides in the village of Kansas, and appears as young as many men of half his years.

Willis Pinnell came here when but a boy, and has been a very successful man, not only in his farming operations, but also politically, having served his district in the Legislature of the State with good satisfaction to his constituents. He still resides near the Gap, in the south part of the township.

Julius Wilhoit came to the township in 1830, but died a few years later. J. R. Wilhoit, a son of the above, still resides in the township, occupying the old Wilhoit homestead.

Lovell Wilhoit, another son, was well known to the people of this part of the county as a trading man. He died about eight years ago. Mrs. Wilhoit nowT resides in the village of Kansas.

Owen Snyder came about 1830, from Kentucky, and farmed for nearly twenty-five years, -when he removed to Grand A iew, and kept hotel at that place, until his death, which occurred about twelve years ago. After Snyder's death, his wife married Philip B. Smith, mentioned in Grand Ariew Township. After a few years. Smith having also died, Airs. Snyder, or Smith, removed to Coles County, where she now resides.

About the date mentioned as bringing to the township the Wilhoits, troubles with the Indians seemed imminent, and the township received no more acces¬ sions of note until they were fully over. In the mean time, an event took place in this township in wrhich these people were the actors, "worthy of mention, being no less than their exodus from this part of the State. The troubles with the Indians in the northwest part of the State were of frequent occurrence, and though the disaffection had not reached the tribe located in the Wabash Valley, they seemed less disposed to friendly relations with the whites, and as the

Government really desired their removal to reservations beyond the Mississippi, they prepared to leave. During the ten or twelve years in which the two peoples had lived together here, the Indians had adopted many of the customs of the whites, and it was thought by many that the Indians might settle here permanently. Indeed, there seemed to be but little objection on the part of the whites, and some regrets were expressed, when it was definitely understood that they were about to make their exodus ; for, despite the general bad character of the race, there were some specimens entitled to the epithet u the noble red man.'' They had associated together so long, had hunted together so often, and had so frequently 44 eaten salt together," as the Indian expressed it, that not only was the Indian beginning to adopt the customs of the white man, but the whites, in many things, were imitating the simple habits of their red neigh¬ bors. In one thing especially, were the Indians beginning to take on the teach¬ ings of the more enlightened race. Some efforts had been made by different parties to Christianize them, and with some apparent success. The style of religion best suited to their excitable natures seemed to be that taught by some of the earlier Methodist evangelists. One, J. Buel, came frequently to teach and to preach to them, wrhen they would, under his preaching, become almost uncontrollable in their demonstrations of religious enthusiasm. Mr. Buel's favorite method of instructing his red proteges, was by the exhibition of a chart which he had drawn, and on which he had delineated a straight and narrow road leading from earth to what he, in conformity to their idea of a better state of existence, called the 44 Happy Hunting-Ground."

Alongside of this road, for some distance, ran a broader road, which, sud¬ denly diverging from the narrow path, led, with rapid descent and with direct¬ ness, to the infernal regions below. At the end of the one path, the Kickapoo was represented as enjoying the victories of the easy chase ; while in the other, he was seen tied to the stake, while demons danced around his funeral pile, as they heaped up the fagots, wThich, though they burned, they never consumed. The preacher, while he traced out the straight and narrow way, at the same time describing, in the most glowing terms, the good qualities of those who traveled in that direction, was listened to with the most profound interest ; and when approaching the blessed country, described on the chart by an Indian sitting in the door of his tent, with wild turkeys, deer and other game lying around him in profusion, their exclamations of approbation, hitherto manifested by grunts, broke forth into loud acclamations of joy. But when their preacher began his description of the 44road that leadeth to destruction," their countenances beto¬ kened the approach of some impending evil ; and when, at length, having arrived at the point toward which the doomed are ever tending, they fell to the ground and groaned, as if already in the clutches of their tormentors. In the spring of 1831, the whole band, to the number of several hundred, met for the last time near the Gap, to listen to Father Buel, and then to take' up their line of march toward the setting sun. Mr. William Darnall was at the meeting, and gives us the following account of it : " This was the last meeting held by these people before their removal from these parts. The meeting was a most inter¬ esting and exciting one. Father Buel was on hand, and preached from his chart one of his peculiarly entertaining discourses, while one of his assistants, who spoke both languages, translated for the benefit of those who had not learned to speak English. The excitement and confusion which attended the graphic description of the two opposite states of man, beyond the dark river, can better be conceived than described. Suffice it to say, that no Methodist revival which I ever attended or heard described, compared with that mani¬ fested by these poor, ignorant creatures. After services, a great dinner was partaken of. This had been cooking in large camp-kettles all the forenoon. It consisted of meats of various kinds, boiled with wheat and herbs of different sorts, until the wThole mass was cooked to the consistency of thick soup, or more nearly of mush. Some of the white boys, by invitation, had intended to eat with them ; but when we saw meat, on which the flies had not only deposited their eggs, but the eggs had actually hatched, and the skippers traveled gavlv up and down, flung into the kettle, meat, eggs and all, we concluded we were not so hungry as we thought we had been, and respectfully declined. The savory (?) mess was swallowed by the reds with evident relish, some eating from dishes, and more dipping with wooden spoons or dirty hands from the kettles. After din¬ ner, a little incident occurred which came near getting us into trouble. Of course our motive in going to the meetings was, in a great measure, curios¬ ity, though we were not intent on mischief ; but while we were looking on, one of the squaws began beating her papoose, which, setting up a pitiful cry, one of our fellows proposed taking away from her, and interfered for the purpose. But the squaw, though she beat her child, still had the maternal instinct, that, while it would allow her to chastise, yet impelled her to resist the effort of our friends to dispossess her of her darling. In the squabble to possess the child, one had hold of the arms and the other the feet of the infant. It, in turn, set up a great cry, which our comrade interpreted as a desire to get away from the cruel mother, and which the squaw understood to mean just the opposite, and, consequently, each party grew more and more determined, until the child was in great danger of being torn asunder. Very soon the commotion brought a number of the bucks to the scene, and our boys crowded around to see the fun out. This the dusky boys took as an indication to impose on them, and knowing well their superiority in numbers, prepared to fight. Of course we were in no condition to combat such a number as would ultimately be brought into the fracas, and soon made up our minds that discretion in this case was the better part of valor, and set about trying to conciliate our red friends, which, finally, we succeeded in doing. '

Not long after the meeting, the whole band, with others from Indiana, removed from the State and have been seen in this place no more. In other parts of the State, however, the whites were not left in undisputed possession of the country. In the northwestern part, about Dixon, Galena and Rock Island, many murders were committed by the Indians, who recrossed the river from time to time to visit the places where they had formerly lived. But this being so far from the place to which they had been removed, none seemed ever to feel sufficient interest in their old hunting-grounds to undertake the journey.

The next year after the Black Hawk war, George Baber, with his family, came to the county and settled in Kansas Township, where he resided for thirty-two years. He died in 1864, at the age of seventy-seven. Before removing to this State, Mr. Baber had resided in Greene County, Ind., for a number of years, having come to that county about the date of its formation. He served the people of that county several terms as Sheriff, and the district to which Greene County belonged, as a member of the Legislature. In all, he held offices of various kinds, continuously, for more than twenty years. After removing to this county, he in a measure retired from active political life, pre¬ ferring to give his attention to his business. No man was more highly respected than was Mr. Baber, and, though engaged in many political contests, always treated his opponents so as not only to disarm them of prejudice, but to win their universal regard. He really had no enemies, either political or social, and never had but one lawsuit in his life. This was a case arising from a deed which had been forged, and by which certain parties attempted to dispossess him of some land. In the suit, he was defended by Abraham Lincoln. Judg¬ ment was rendered in Mr. Baber's favor, and the $15 fee paid to Mr. Lincoln for his defense was the first and last money spent for the benefit of court or lawyers. Mr. Lincoln was well-known in this part of the State while practi¬ cing his profession, long before he was thought of as a candidate for President of the United States. He practiced in the court in Paris, and in most of the counties of the southern part of the State, going from one to the other by his own conveyance. Doubtless many of the middle-aged and older men remember him as seen in his old rickety buggy, drawn by his little fat pony, as he drove to or from the court, but perhaps not one ever dreamed that this long, lank, homely, good-natured, story-telling, country lawyer was destined to fill the highest office in the gift of the people, and to direct the affairs of the Govern¬ ment through the most eventful period of its existence.

Mr. Baber was always a warm supporter of Mr. Lincoln, and felt it an honor even, to have paid him an attorney's fee. Mr. Baber had eight children, of whom A. J. and George W., of Paris, and Adin, a large stock-dealer of this township, are sons.

Just near the line, between this and Grand View Township, live Riley and John McDavitt. They came to this place with their father Knotley, near the time at which the Babers settled. The first named has given much attention to the bee business, and, as a producer of honey, is probably the largest in this part of the State.

As mentioned in the history of Grand View, the year 1837 brought to that part of the county some valuable accessions to their population. At the same time that the Steeles and their associates settled in that township, John Y. Allison located in Kansas. Perhaps but few men have left a deeper, broader and brighter mank on this part of the county, or of the whole county, than John Y. Allison. While some may have outranked him in education, and while others may have had the gift of oratory in a higher degree, his impress was doubtless of such a nature as to make him the acknowledged mark of manly character, and of all that makes up the respected citizen. Among the many positions of honor and trust which he occupied, were those of County Surveyor and Representative in the State Legislature, in all of which he gave to his con¬ stituency the best of satisfaction. Mr. Allison died about ten years ago.

John, James and William Laughead were among the early settlers of this part of the county, coming to this township in 1838. They were from Penn¬ sylvania. After a residence here of twenty-seven years, William removed to Ohio. James still resides in the township, latterly in the village of Kansas.

Joseph Clemens came from Ohio soon after the Laugheads, and settled within a short distance of the village of Kansas. He still resides in the township.

Rev. John Shields was born and raised in the township of Elbridge, and, though a man of but little education, was yet a man of large influence and power as a preacher of the Gospel. He built up and almost sustained the Baptist Church at Dunca's Point, and was the Pastor of the same for a quarter of a century. The Church was established by him about forty years ago, and has always been one of the strongest church organizations in the county.

The oldest living resident of the township is John K. Boyer, who was born in Kansas Township in 1824, having lived here all his life - a period of fiftyfive years. Upon the organization of the county, in 1823, the territory now embraced in Kansas Township, with Grand View, and parts of Sims, Paris, Edgar, Buck and Embarrass, constituted the township of Fairfield. At the first, this one-third of the county was designated the Fairfield Precinct, and its voting-place was Paris. By and by a voting-place was established at Grand View, and the precinct was made to embrace that township and Kansas. The voting, however, was done at any convenient point, wherever the voter hap¬ pened to be on election day. The boundaries of this precinct remained about the same until 1856, when a proposition was made to adopt the township organ¬ ization act. A petition having been signed by a number of citizens of the countv, the County Board submitted the question at the fall election of that year. A majority of votes being cast in favor of the act, it went into operation on the first Tuesday of the next April, by the election of township officers. In the mean time Commissioners had been appointed by the County Board, author-

The law which authorized the division of the county into townships also conferred upon the citizens of the toAvnship the privilege of naming their own. It Avill be remembered that the election at which the act had been adopted by this county was one of the most exciting presidential contests ever held in the country. Two years before, Congress had passed what is known as the Kansas- Nebraska Bill and the struggle to settle the Territory of Kansas so that it might become a Free State according to a provision of the bill was very great in the North as opposed to the Southern people, who were as anxious to make it a Slave State. The troubles in the Territory of Kansas caused great excitement all over the country, and the eyes of politicians, philanthropists and religionists were turned in that direction. Several counties, about that time, adopted the act of township organization, and it is not strange that in nearly every one of them a township was named " Kansas; " and although the law provides that no two in the State shall have the same name, several of them still retain the title of " Kansas." We believe, however, that this is the only one entitled to the name, as it was the first in the State to adopt it, and others still retaining it, on notification from the Auditor of the State, wTould be obliged to seek another.

The organization of Kansas ToAArnship took place April 7, 1857, at which the folloAving officers were elected : J. Y. Allison, Supervisor ; W. F. Boyer, Town Clerk ; W. 0. Pinnell, Assessor, and George Baber, Sr., Collector. The present officers of Kansas ToAvnship are : N. R. Kester, Supervisor ; W. W. Bishop, Clerk; W. H. BroAvn, Assessor; E. E. Hurst, Collector; D. H. Bennet and J. F. Hogue, Justices of the Peace ; John Laughead and Robert McIntyre, Constables, and John Barber, J. W. Winn and William Nay, Com¬ missioners of Highways.

In 1869, the toAvnship voted $50,000 in aid of the Danville & Ohio River Railroad, on the condition that the line should be built through this toAvnship. It Avas built ; and, in 1878, the debt Avas funded, and $40,000, with a less rate of interest, wTas accepted by the company, and the old bonds Avere taken up by the town.

Kansas claims to be the banner township in the part taken in the suppres¬ sion of the rebellion in 1861-65. No doubt, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, this toAvnship did turn out more soldiers than any other. It is difficult at this time to determine just how many volunteers did go from this locality, as a large number Avho enlisted Avere accredited to other townships. At one time there were as many in the army as equaled the Avhole number of persons liable for duty, remaining at home. Probably tAvo hundred and twentA7- five wrould be a fair estimate.

The people of this township, for some years previous, had taken strong grounds against the extension of slavery, in voting on resolutions, and, finally, in naming their township in honor of the State with which they sympathized, in its efforts to preserve it a Free Territory. Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself, they declared they would "fight as they voted.'' and hence we find them, as soon as the call was made, flocking to the standard of the Union determined on preserving it as far as their power would assist. Most of those who went from this part of the county, enlisted in the Thirty-fourth, Fiftyninth and Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry.

Indeed, several companies in these regiments were almost wholly made up in this neighborhood. Notably was this the case with Company H, of the Sev¬ enty-ninth Regiment. The fatality in this company was very great, there being no less than sixteen of those who enlisted from this township either killed or carried off bv the effects of wounds or disease contracted in the armv. Among this large number were Asa Williams, P. H. Zink, Henry Smith, Wes¬ ley Wait, Benjamin Fuller, Pleasant Hendricks, Thomas R. Ogden, Samuel Hickey, Julius T. Wilhoit, John Clemens, Albert Burton, William Pearman, Robert McNanny. William H. Smith, Aaron Moody, A. J. Campbell, Harri¬ son Nay, John N. McIntyre, Theodore Arterburn and James E. Johnson. The first eight named were killed in actual conflict. There were others in this and other companies : but, from absence of records, we were unable to learn their names. They will, however, appear with the names of all who enlisted from the county on another page, specially prepared as a war record. That the fighting qualities of the Kansas soldiers were properly recognized, the numer¬ ous selections for officers from their ranks fully prove. Of Company H, Seventy-ninth Regiment. W. 0. Pinnell was chosen Captain; James T. Braddock. First Lieutenant, and A. J. Bigelow, Second Lieutenant. Bigelow was afterward promoted to Captain, and P. P. Boyer to First Lieutenant. Henry Wiley and Albert Anthony were Captains in the Fifty-ninth Regiment, and F. N. Boyer, W. S. Brown and Joseph Hollis were Lieutenants in the same. Dr. 0. Q. Herrick went out as a Captain in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, and was afterward promoted to the important office of Medical Director of the Fourteenth Army Corps.

One of the most important events in connection with the history of this part of the State was the building of the Terre Haute k Alton Railroad. Especially was this section cut off from the outer world in the matter of travel : and. in regard to markets, the landings along the Wabash and Ohio Rivers afforded the only means of disposing of the products of this rich soil. Is it not strange that some should be found who opposed the building of the railroad r Yet, there were those who claimed that it would increase taxes; that the engines would set fire to the grain-stacks and fences ; and it was even argued that it would be a means of importing disease, as it would increase travel through the country. The road, however, was built, notwithstanding the fool- ish opposition, and none of the dreaded calamities have come upon us. The greatest misfortune following the location of the road was scarcely predicted by any one, and that was the utter ruin of villages and towns already founded. These, by the location of the line outside their range, were left to compete with others which immediately sprang up along the route.

Notably so was this the case with a number of villages in Edgar County. Grand View, Baldwinsville, Logan, Bloomfield and Warrington are examples ; while the old village of Hitesville, in the edge of Coles County, vanished, as it were, in a night. The road was in running order by 1853, and from that year

Description

Kansas Township is in the extreme southwestern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Embarrass, on the east by Buck and Grand View, on the south by Clark County, and on the west by Coles. It consists of forty and one-half sections, being parts of Congressional Towns 12 and 13 north, and Ranges 13 and 14 west. In this township is found one of the finest tracts of land in the Embarrass Valley. In former times, the central and western part of the township, about the village, was supposed to be worthless, the early set¬ tlers occupying the timber-belts along the streams ; but later years have dis¬ closed the fact that this rejected land is by far the most productive. A small portion was considered wTet and swampy ; but the new system of drainage has put this, too, in the list of first-class land. Immense quantities of hay, grain and stock are raised here, and all of the vegetables and fruits common to this climate are produced.

Village Of Kansas

The railroad had but just been completed, when towns began to spring up at convenient points all along the line. Quite a number of the towns now found on this road, of course, had been founded years before ; but some of the important ones have been entirely built since that time. Kansas, or " Midway," as it was then called, was laid out for Lovell Wilhoit and John Saunders by County Surveyor Benjamin F. Lodge, assisted by Elijah Boyer and D. W. Zink.

Mr. Zink, to whom we are indebted for almost the entire history of the village, delivered an address to the citizens of Kansas on the 4th of July, 1876, in which he says that the survey was made, as above stated, in June of 1853. The plat was recorded on the 16th of the following month, and thus was the foundation of the village laid. At that time, the site of what is now a flourishing little city, was the secure haunt of the prairie-wolf and the rat¬ tlesnake ; and here could be seen the graceful deer quietly grazing or in playful gambol, and rarely disturbed by the pioneer's rifle.

, The only disturbing element then was the prairie fire, which at times would sweep across the plain with the velocity of the wind ; and frequently for both man and beast it made a race for life, which sometimes resulted in death. The

The growth of the town began much after the fashion, and was attended with the same inconveniences, of all inland towns in a muddy country. A few months after the platting of the village, the*T. H. & A. Railroad was comoleted. As soon as it was certain that a station was to be made here, a number of enter¬ prising men realized at once that this was destined to be a place of importance. "Midway '' as it was between the cities of Charleston and Paris, and with a splendid farming country lying adjacent, with produce to dispose of, and dry goods, groceries and farming implements in demand, it could not be otherwise.

J. W. Hogue was the first to venture into trade here, displaying his w'ares in a small building located between the Kansas House and the railroad. This building differed in many respects from the brick blocks now occupied by the merchants of Kansas. In size it was about 16x30 feet. In its construction but few square timbers were used, the joists and studding being black-jack poles, hewn on one side to make a smooth surface to which boards could be nailed. The building and contents made several changes in ownership in a brief period of time. Mr. Hogue sold out to J. W. Saunders, a subcontractor in the con¬ struction of the railroad. Mills, Herrick and Kester were the next owners, but soon retired from the business, the first two to practice their profession - that of medicine - and the other to preaching. Samuel Birch, J. D. Thrasher and J. K. and W. F. Boyer in turn succeeded as proprietors of the " Midway Store. ' The last named gentlemen, in the spring of 1854, erected a very good two-story building, sufficiently large to accommodate a good-sized stock of goods below, while the upper portion served as a residence for W. F. Boyer.

The following winter Midway grew rapidly, in consequence of the removal of many of the buildings of the town of Hitesville, once a thriving little place, four miles southwest on the State road. It was at about this time that the grade, which raised the whole of the city of Chicago several feet was adopted. Many of the buildings were removed to other parts of the city, and hundreds of the most substantial ones were to be seen perched away up on jack-screws, while new foundations were being laid for them. Correspondents of eastern journals were wont to denominate it the "city on wheels, " and the " city on stilts.'' With as much propriety could we apply the same epithets to Old Hitesville, as it really presented the spectacle of a "town on runners." The moving of the buildings was under the supervision of Uncle James Laugh ead, who took advantage of the deep snow that prevailed that winter; and to place the skids under a building, attach sixteen yoke of oxen and move it four miles, was but the work of a day. Many of these buildings are still in use.

For a period of eighteen years, Messrs. Boyer were the leading merchants of the place, and, by their untiring efforts and strict business integrity, have not only amassed a good portion of the world's goods, but have made a name of which they may well be proud. W. F. Boyer was the first railroad

Postmaster and express agent. Messrs. Boyer & Sefton succeeded in the dry goods trade, and as express agents. Other dry goods houses were -opened, of which Charles Lesure, James Sheron, Hogue & Brown, Hanks, Zink & O'Hair, R. Mosley, Hanks & O'Hair, Mosley & Zink, J. & J. S. Kester, Burson & Edmiston, P. A. Terry & Co., Cash, Jenkins & Co., J. C. & C. W. Owens and Hanks & Tyler were prominent. Many of the earlier merchants suffered greatly on account of the universal credit system then in vogue. For a merchant to refuse a person credit was an unheard-of occurrence. A man's ability to pay was never called in question, and when in need of an article, he went to the store and got it. The crash of 1857 was a hard time for business men all over the country, and many good business men had to sus¬ pend. Added to this the evil to which we have alluded, it is not surprising that some of the merchants of Kansas have failed. Selling goods, and collect¬ ing the pay for them, were two different things, although they belonged to the same business. The footings of a year's sales and the collections were never the same, but showed a difference that would astonish the merchants doing business here at present. Along with the dry goods store, came the grocery ; but time and space will not permit even the mention of all of their names. Closely connected with the early-day grocery, was the whisky trade. In fact, but few did business without that article making part of their stock. The first regular saloon was kept by one Burdette. As he understood the compounding of fancy and mixed drinks, he was looked upon by the drinking payt of the population with admiration ; and after his customers learned the names of his various drinks, and became fully acquainted with their taste, he did a thriving business. Numbers have been engaged in this doubtful business ; but, with this single exception, none have emerged from it in better condition, financially or morallv.

The grain and hay trade at this point, previous to the building of the Paris & Decatur Railway, was immense, and Kansas monopolized the trade for a distance of twenty miles north, and half that distance south. In the grain trade, J. K. & W. F. Boyer were the pioneers. These gentlemen, being fully acquainted with the producing qualities of our soil, at once made extensive arrangements to handle the vast quantities that they rightly supposed would find a market here, and, to handle it, erected the warehouse just opposite the depot. This building, with a few rail pens, enabled them to handle the grain for a time. Among those since engaged in this business, have been Moses Pierce, Mosley & Zink, William Ross, B. Lord and Ross & Brown. The hay trade has been carried on by a number of persons, all of whom have been more or less successful. George Brown erected the first hay-press, about the year 1858, since which, six others have been erected. This business has furnished employment to a large number of men, at good wages, and given the farmers good prices for thousands of tons of hay. During the war, this was the first point on the line of road in the shipment of hay.

The product was bought by army contractors, for the use of the cavalry and horses used for transportation. A single press can prepare five or six tons a day, or eight hundred tons a year. The business, though still good, has greatly fallen off since then. The Government is not buying hay now, and sales have to be made in the markets furnished by the large cities. Messrs. James Paxton, Calvin W. McVey and D. W. Zink still carry on the business quite extensively.

A business that has lately sprung into prominence in this place, is that of tile-making. It is beginning to be realized by agriculturists that great advan¬ tage is to be derived from having lands properly drained. Doubtless a single wet season would more than pay the cost of putting in the tile. It is estimated by some of the best informed on the subject, that a thorough system of under¬ draining would double the products of the State, to say nothing of the benefit to highways, in rendering them firm and solid at all seasons of the year. To supply this want in this vicinity, Messrs. Paxton & Tichenor, in 1875, em¬ ployed J. W. Miller to superintend the erection and running of a factory for the manufacture of the article. The buildings and machinery cost $3,300, and the manufacture of tile was begun that year. The demand for the goods was so great from the first, that it was impossible to supply it. Accordingly, in the spring of 1877, John S. Paxton erected another factory at an outlay of $4,000.

Each of these establishments turns out about twenty kilns in a season, or about 800,000 tiles. The expense of running each factory is about $1,800 per year. Eight or ten hands are employed at each establishment.

It is estimated that the whole cost of drainage including ditching, does not exceed $1 a rod. Though these factories turn out such a large amount of this article, it is almost all sold in Edgar and Coles Counties.

The shipment of live-stock has been an extensive business. Previous to the breaking-out of the rebellion, Lovel Wilhoit was the chief operator, and handled nearly all of the stock in this vicinity. Since his death Messrs. W. O. and W. I. S. Pinnell, James Paxton and A. Baber have been regularly engaged in the business.

The milling interest first received attention from Robert Downs, since a citizen of Sims Township, who converted a warehouse built by Messrs. Boyer into a mill, on the site of what has since been called the "Old Mill." After a fewT years' run it was destroyed by fire. It was soon rebuilt and passed into the hands of Levi Foulke. After changing owners several times, it finally fell into the hands of W. P. West, who, a few years ago, removed the ma¬ chinery to Scotland, Ill., and sold the building and lot to Thomas Paxton. About 1865, Messrs. Paxton and McVey built the Ensign Mill, one of the best outside of the largest cities.

Shortly after the platting of the " Original Town,'' the Kansas House was erected by William Coffman, and J. R. McDavitt was installed as first landlord. Dr. A. K. Spears, since of Charleston, succeeded Mr. McDavitt as landlord. Dur- ing the war, it passed into the hands of D. W. Zink, who fully sustained the good reputation which it has ever borne. The Kester House has been in exist¬ ence but comparatively a short time, but, under the good management of its proprietor, has worked its way into general favor.

Soon after the erection of the first few houses, William Brown made an addiof thirty-seven lots. Since then, additions have been made by others, until now, there are over one hundred and sixty acres occupied by business houses and residences.

The name "Midway," as before intimated, was given this place from its being located about half way between the cities of Paris and Charleston. A change in name was found necessary, from the fact that another post office was in existence in the State bearing the name.

The citizens of Kansas take a just pride in referring to their schools, which they claim are second to none in the county or neighboring cities. The first school-building, since used as a harness-shop by John Arterburn, was situated on an acre of ground, the present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was donated by William Brown. The first teacher was John McDavitt, since,, one of the wealthy farmers of the township. This first was a country school, in every sense of the word. It was, of course, small, and the children, com¬ ing as they did from several different neighborhoods, brought almost as great a variety of books as equaled the number of scholars. For the commodious and convenient building in use since the abandoning of the little primary building the community is indebted greatly to the influence of J. K. Boyer. But for his strenuous efforts, a building would have been erected sufficient for the wants of that time, but entirely inadequate to the demands of the present.

Religious

Hand in hand with the schools came the churches. In 1853-54, the Methodist Protestant Church was erected on the lot since occupied by the Kester House. This building was, for a number of years, generously opened for the free use of other denominations, until they had also made arrangements to build ; and, in the early days of the village, it also served the purpose of a towrn hall. As in all country churches, a quarter of a century ago, the brethren and sisters occupied different sides of the house during service. A good story is related which illustrates the change in fashion in regard to church matters. No such thing as a church organ, or any kind of a musical instrument, was then thought of for use in the sanctuary. The substance of the story is that, soon after the dedication of the church, a young man from New England appeared in the community who, having a good voice, was pleased to assist in the singing. This young man was the possessor of a tuning-fork, and, when the hymn was announced, produced the sound from that instrument which was to guide the singers in that part of the service. This, at once, brought to his feet an " old father in Israel," who informed the young man that he "must put up the pinciting thing, and that, if he disturbed the meeting again, he would be for¬ cibly ejected."

The society worshiping in this house was organized forty-one years ago, at Walnut Grove, southeast of the village about three miles. A log church and parsonage were erected, and services regularly held until the town of Kansas was started. The society was organized by Rev. R. McDaniels, then an old man, and long since dead. The first members of the church were John and Mary Simpson, Enoch Mayfield and wife, James Laughead and wife, and Andrew Thompson and wife. Of these only James Laughead and Mrs. Mayfield are still living. Isaac Wait was the first regular minister. He preached a year for the congregation when he died, and was buried near the Gap.

The Christian Church was erected in 1856-57. Its building was brought about by a rather odd and amusing circumstance. Mrs. Catharine Brown was one of the thirteen original members at the organization of the Church. Her husband was not a member of any denomination, nor was he noted for his piety, though he was a liberal contributor toward the preaching of the Gospel. Mrs. Brown, on a certain occasion, went to the M. P. Church - then used by the Christian denomination - to hear Elder A. D. Filmore, of Cincinnati. The Methodists also had an appointment for the same hour, and, being the owners of the building, would not give way. On her return home, Mrs. Brown reported the conflict of appointments, when Mr. Brown, in his English style and in language more forcible than elegant, said, "D - n 'em, we ll 'ave an 'ouse of our hown"! The next morning he was in town early, and a subscription paper was started with his name at the head donating a town lot and a certain amount in cash. The congregation here have had as Pastors some of the most eminent men in that denomination. This denomination also have a neat and substantial brick church in the southeast part of the township, which was built at the instance of Reinhart Ratt, Harvey Hinds and a few others, on the dis¬ solution of the old Christian Church, as mentioned in Grand View.

The Presbyterian Church was built in 1862. A number of its original members were formerly members of the Grand View Presbyterian Church. The house of worship erected by this society is the largest and best finished in the village. This denomination has maintained a healthy and steady growth since its organization. The society has also erected a very neat and conven¬ ient parsonage.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1863, the organization of the society having taken place five years before. Among the original members were James Owens, D. W. Zink and E. J. Rinker, with their wives, Rebecca and Sarah Owens and Mary Allhands. Rev. Jesse Cromwell was instrumental in organizing the Church and was the first Pastor. The congregation worshiped, at first, in E. J. Rinker's carpenter-shop, and afterward, for a time, in the Protestant Methodist Church and the hall. This society is in a very flourish¬ ing condition and wields a large religious influence in the community.

One of the most flourishing churches in this part of the county is the old Harmony Church, just north of the village. This Society was organized, about thirty years ago. Joseph Welch, William Lucas and William Blood, with their wives, and Sarah Welch were the original members. In 1857, the congrega¬ tion erected a neat and substantial house of worship, costing about $1,300. Rev. J. A. Burks is present Pastor of the last two mentioned congregations.

Kansas Lodge, No. 280, A., F. & A. M., was instituted October 6, 1858, with Orson Q. Herrick as Worshipful Master, Isaac N. DeLong, Senior Warden, .and William L. Laughead, Junior Warden. J. R. McDavitt, J. H. Hockett, Robert Mosley and George Brown were also charter members. Since its organ¬ ization, W. F. Boyer and Samuel Shy have each served the Lodge as Master three years; W. H. Brown, six years; Cyrus Stout and Dr. G. A. Ringland, each one year; and the present Master, D. W. Zink, five years.

Kansas Chapter, No. 125, R. A. M., was chartered October, 1869, with A. P. Forsyth, High Priest; Samuel Shy, King, and A. J. Hogue, Scribe. D. W. Zink, Nelson McCullom and W. S. Brown were also charter members. The present principal officers are: W, H. Brown, H. P. ; G. A. Ringland, King ; Isaac Comstock, Scribe ; W. F. Boyer, Captain of the Host, and D. W. Zink, Principal Sojourner. Meetings are held on each Monday evening, on or before the full moon. The membership numbers twenty-seven.

Kansas Lodge, No. 633, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized October 10, 1877, and a charter granted to William Dulin, Abraham Kline, William M. Lauher, John W. Miller and John F. Bailey, who were also the principal officers at its first opening. The Lodge meets in Masonic Hall every Saturday evening. The present membership is about fifty-five. The officers at present writing are : W. C. Pinnell, N. G.; George H. Gordon, Y. G. ; John W. Miller, Per. Sec.; James F. Hogue, Rec. Sec., and James Brading, Treas.

The Press

In 1868, E. F. Chittenden began the publication of the Kansas Citizen. The paper was published under that name for nearly four years, when its publi- cation was suspended. Soon after this, W. W. Bishop commenced the publica¬ tion of the Kansas News, the first nmnber appearing in October, 1873. The News is a newsy paper, and has a good circulation and advertising patronage, It is independent in politics and religion, but claims to be neutral in nothing, defending or ^combating whatever question may be sprung, as suits the opinion of its proprietor. The Republican Sun commenced to cast its refulgent rays on the village of Kansas only a few months ago, its first appearance being April 15, 1878. S. TV. Rose is editor and proprietor. The Sun seems to have a good patronage, both in subscription and by way of advertising. It is a Republican paper in politics. May the dawn of that day be far distant when it shall be said, 44 The Sun Rose not."

The only fire of consequence that ever occurred here was the burning of Mosley k Zink's store, with several other business houses, on the night of the 10th of January, 1862. The fire broke out in Mosley k Zink's store, and con¬ sumed the building and goods, entailing a loss of about $10,000. It then spread to a restaurant east, then to a tin and stove store, consuming, finally, a saloon and grocery store. The whole loss was estimated at $20,000. The fire was supposed to be incendiary, but no certain clue was ever discovered to the perpetrator. A significant coincidence, however, points strongly toward a man named Charles Brooks. A few months before the fire, Brooks was caught in the act of burglarizing Mosley k Zink's store, and, while attempting to break open the safe, was shot in the neck and captured. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to the Penitentiary for seven years. He was, however, pardoned by the Governor three months after his incarceration. While confined in the Jail, before his trip to Joliet, he swore that he 44 would live long enough yet to burn out Mosley & Zink.'' Ten days after his release from prison, the fire occurred, indicating that Brooks had carried his threat into execution.

Organization

The village of Kansas was incorporated in 1858. Dr. John Mills was President of the meeting, and the Councilmen selected were J. K. Boyer, E. J. Rinker, E. A. Boyer, J. R. McDavitt and Daniel Curd.

In 1871, the organization was changed to correspond to the general law of the State, and under this organization the authorities have been elected and acted until the present.

The present Board of Trustees consists of W. F. Boyer, President, and James Braden, Samuel J. Payne, W. W. Barr, Joseph Sallee, and D. W. Zink, Councilmen. W. S. Pinnell is Treasurer; E. G. Rose, Clerk; David Cham¬ berlain, Police Magistrate, and John Laughead, Marshal.

In one of Shakespeare's comedies he makes one of the players to say that " All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man, in his time, plays many parts." He further describes the acts of man as being of seven ages: the infant, the schoolboy, the youth, the soldier, the civil officer, then old age, and lastly the end of life, which waits us all. It would be hard to find, in the lit¬ erature of the world, words that would more fully express the idea of the history of nations, localities or individuals, than these of the great poet. In some of the Chinese theaters, it is said, some of the plays have been going on for many years. Some of the actors in the drama having died since the beginning of the play. The government of the city thus utilizes the stage to impress upon the people of that country the events transpiring, and which have transpired in the history of the world, and especially that which pertains to the Chinaman's own country. The history of every locality has its comedy, its pantomime, its melodrama, and, perhaps, its tragedy. Though the history of Ross Township cannot be said to be highly sensational, yet, in all the phases of the drama, it has had its representation.

The history of the township dates back to comparatively an early period. While whole counties to the north and west were, as yet, without a single inhab¬ itant, and while the site of the now great city of Chicago was yet a marsh, this part of the State was beginning to show signs of population.

Indeed, in one sense of the word, it may be said that the territory now known as Ross Township also embraced that city. At the first meeting of the County Commissioners, in 1823, the county was divided into four townships, or voting precincts, the south and east parts being called the townships of Fairfield, Pike and Wayne, and the settlements about the north branch of Brouillett's Creek receiving the name of Carroll. The territory embraced by Carroll Township consisted of parts of Edgar and Embarrass, all of Young America, Ross and Prairie, and all of the territory north to an indefinite point. The fact is, none of the counties north were organized for some years after. In 1826, the county of Vermilion was organized, and became cumbered with the territory now embraced in Iroquois, Kankakee, Will and Cook ; and thenceforth the boundaries of this township were somewhat more clearly defined.

On the west side of the north branch of Brouillett's Creek, the first perma¬ nent settlement was made in 1825, by William Trimble, from Kentucky. He settled in the east part of what is now known as Ross Township, near the Prairie Township line. This was two years after the county was organized, and about eight years after the first settlement was made in the county. Five or six years before, Capt. Truman Blackman, Lambert Bona, Remember Black¬ man, Peter Allen, George Beckwith, Seymour Treat and Francis Whitcomb had made up an exploring party to the Vermilion River, four miles west of Danville, to prospect for salt. Salt was found and Treat was left in possession of the lands, about the point at which the salt-springs had been discovered. Most of these persons were from this vicinity or further south, on what was termed the North Arm of the prairie. The design of these men was to erect, at the point named, works for the manufacture of salt. The enterprise was ulti¬ mately carried out by other parties. By the time that Mr. Trimble settled here, a few families had located at the " Salt Works,'' and a few more on the Little Vermilion. Besides these, the county of Vermilion was a " desert waste. To the east, quite a number of settlements had been made; and on the south, or the North Arm, a number of families had settled, some of whom had entered land. It will be seen, therefore, that Mr. Trimble was on the bor¬ ders of civilization. There were plenty of Indians still in the country, and though their headquarters were at other points, they often came to this vicinity to hunt. They were quite friendly, and did not seem disposed to interfere with the settlers, except occasionally to steal a pig, and, if it were a dead one, they seemed quite as well satisfied. The squaws were not notorious cooks, or, rather, they were not notorious for cleanliness. The only culinary process with which they seemed to be acquainted was that"of boiling. Wheat, corn - green or ripe - the entrails of a sheep, deer or pig, and a few herbs, thrown together into a kettle, were, when boiled, a common diet. After the mess was well mixed by ebullition, it was partaken of by dipping wooden spoons into the pot in which it was cooked. Mr. Trimble continued to reside here about twenty-seven years, when he removed to Texas, where he died a year ago. None of the family now reside in the county.

About two years after Trimble's settlement, Frank Lowry came from Ken¬ tucky and settled near Trimble's. ' He had lived, for a short time, on the North Arm. The farm settled by him was afterward owned by John Somerville, and is now in the possession of Charles Caraway. Lowry resided here about three years, sold out to John Somerville and removed to Piatt County. Som¬ erville was also from Kentucky. He came to this place in 1830, and bought out the claim of Lowry. Some years after, he removed, with his family, to Oregon, where he lived, with his children, until about ten years ago, when lie returned to Bloomfield, saying that he "had come back to be buried by the side of his wife,'' who had died before his removal. Not long after his return, his wish was granted, and the faithful couple lie side by side, awaiting the morning of the resurrection, when they will be re-united on the shore of the newer and better country. Somerville and Trimble both took part in the campaign against the Indians in 1832.

Enos Martin was a son-in-law' of Somerville, having married one of his daughters. He lived with his father, Joshua Martin, on what was afterward known as the Stage farm, in Edgar Township. When Somerville and his family removed to Oregon, Martin accompanied them. Horatio Blanchard is now the longest resident of the township, having lived on the same place, just east of the village of Chrisman, since the year 1835. Five years before, he had removed from Ohio, and settled in Prairie Township, only a few miles east of his present home. Mr. Blanchard has been a close observer of all that has passed in this vicinity, and, having a remarkable memory, especially as regards the earlier events, we are able to congratulate our readers that whatever is here recorded is as reliable as it is possible at this date to obtain it. Mr. Blanchard says that, when he came to the township, there were not exceeding a half-dozen families, scattered up and down the edge of the timber, among which were the ones named, and a few others, whose names appear further on. lie says that all lived in very humble style, and were satisfied with the simple necessities of life. He describes society, though quite rude and simple, as being much more cordial and neighborly than at present. When a hog or a beef was butchered, all of the neighbors were remembered with a piece. When a cabin or a stable was to be raised, everybody for miles around was asked and expected to work all day, or until it was completed, without pay ; and, were a neighbor, by acci¬ dent, missed in the invitations, he would consider himself slighted ; and the other party, on the discovery of the omission, would feel himself bound to apologize. Sometimes, however, when such a mistake occurred, the neglected party would reason that " certainly Mr. A did not mean to slight him, and would feel sorry if he were not present to give his assistance and cheer on the occasion," and would, accordingly, mount his horse and be among the first on the ground, to find that his reasoning had been well based, and that he was among the most welcome. Such occasions were universally enlivened by imbibitions of the " beverage that, while it cheers, also inebriates." He also says that styles of clothing then in fashion would now appear quite novel. Buckskin pantaloons were quite common, and coonskin caps, with the highly - decorative tail hanging down the back, a la Crockett, were to be seen. Almost every man was the shoemaker for his family, and manufacture of this class was but little superior to the moccasins in use by their red neighbors, the Indians. Farming was done mostly by oxen, and many were too poor even to own a team or wagon. Mr. Blanchard relates that, to obtain money with which to pay for his land, he made several trips to Chicago, on foot, to work for Gurdon S. Hubbard, in the erection of the first brick building that was ever put up in that city. At that time, there were not a dozen families on the road from this point to the then village. Each of the families, however, constituted a hotel or tavern, in connection with farming operations ; and the traveler was always sure of a welcome, with fare consisting of corn-bread, bacon and milk. Indeed, at the time of which we write, though all did not charge for such entertainment, every cabin was open ; and nobody was suspected of being a tramp, but was welcomed and treated to the best the house could afford. Mr. Blanchard is now seventy-four years of age, but bids fair to turn another score, as he is quite as lively as most men of fifty.

Augustus Wyatt was one of the earliest settlers in the township. He came from Virginia, and settled here in 1830. In 1832, he volunteered in the service of the United States as a soldier, to rid the State of the presence of Black Hawk, mentioned in a general way elsewhere, and more particularly with reference to ijiis county in the history of Grand View Township. Mr. Wyatt died soon after his return from that expedition. A son of Mr. Wyatt now resides near the village of Hume.

Thomas Holden also arrived about 1830. He was a native of Kentuckv, and had lived there till he was well advanced in life. He lived here until his deaths which occurred many years ago, being one of the very few old men who seek the hardships, excitements and privations of a pioneer life. Edgar County, in this regard, presents a very different aspect from what it did forty years ago. Then the proportion of aged people was comparatively small ; now the proportionate number is as great as is found in other localities.

None of the Holden family, to our knowledge, now reside in the county. Joshua Van Fleet wTas a carpenter, or what was then called a " framer." After a few years, subsequent to the first settlements, the character of the buildings in this vicinity changed very greatly, the little log-cabins giving place to the more pretentious frame structures. In the building of these, Mr, Van Fleet was a skillful workman. This class of buildings, in vogue for a quarter of a century - from about 1835 till 1860 - was of heavy, hard-wood timbers, hewed and framed together with mortise and tenon, and fastened together with wooden pins. Many of the buildings constructed in this vicinity during the first part of the period named bear Mr. Van Fleet's marks. Van Fleet was a native of the East, but of what State we are unable to inform our readers. He removed from this county to Coles County a good many years ago, where he has since died. None of the family now reside here.

Christopher Ward, a brother-in-law of John Somerville, lived in this town¬ ship three or four years. He was an early settler in the vicinity of Logan, coming to that place about 1830, and residing there till 1844, the date of his removal to Ross Township. While a resident here, he studied medicine under Dr. Hopkins, of Baldwinsville, and, on the completion of his studies, he removed to Piatt County. He has since become one of the leading physicians of that county, and, from his practice, has become wealthy. In the early times of this locality, though it was comparatively a " sickly " region, it was scarcely a good location for a physician. Almost every new importation from the hilly country of the East or -South was sure to have a siege of the chills and fever, or "ager " as it was commonly termed; and, until the new arrivals had become thoroughly acclimated, they were more or less liable to attacks of the " shakes." This disease, though exceedingly annoying, and rendering its subject sick in the extreme, was not considered a very dangerous one, and was seldom fatal. It usually attacked its victim in the fall of the year, at the time the rank veg¬ etation of this region began to decay. There were three marked stages to the disease, the cold, the hot and the sweating, all of which were usually completed and a return expected in forty-eight hours. During the first stage, the patient experienced excessive cold, which no amount of artificial heat could counteract, his teeth chattering and his limbs shaking all the while, as if frozen. In the second stage, the covering, which had been heaped upon the sufferer,' was kicked off, and the windows raised, the patient the meantime being consumed with a burning fever. The fever finally terminated by the afflicted party break¬ ing out in a profuse sweat, which was the third stage. After this, the patient arose from his bed, and went about his usual avocations ; and, with the excep¬ tion of being a little weakened by his conflicts with his relentless enemy, he seemed as well as usual for the next twenty-four to thirty-six hours. On the second day, however, at about the same hour, the streaks of cold would again commence meandering up and down the victim's spine, preparatory to another attack ; and, though he might brace himself against his adversary, or however much his friends, might encourage or ridicule, yet he was soon in his grasp, and submissive to his chilling embraces.

"We remember as though it were but yesterday, or scarce so long ago," says one of our informants, " our first initiation into the mysteries of this queer complaint. We had just come from the hills of Pennsylvania, where the disease is almost unknown. We had arrived in the spring of 1856, and spent a very pleasant summer, with nothing but the best of health. We had written numer¬ ous letters to our friends, whom we had left behind, describing our new home, and making frequent allusions to the healthfulness of the country. We had been warned of this disease, and it was with congratulation that we reflected that we should escape. But alas to human calculations ! about the 1st of Octo¬ ber, one member of the family showed unmistakable symptoms of the disorder, and in a few days we were all shaking.

" I was helping a neighbor to peel and cut apples, preparatory to drying the same in a building erected for the purpose, called the 4 dry-house.'

" This dry -house was heated, I believe, to a temperature of about two hundred degrees. I had sometimes ridiculed the other members of the family for giving way to the influence of what I called simply imagination. One day, when the weather was quite warm, I had thrown off my coat to be more com¬ fortable. All at once I began to feel chilly ; and I imagined that there was a change in the weather, and made some observations to see whether the wind had not shifted to the north. Directly I became so chilly that I drew on my coat and buttoned it up tight. Still I was cold, though the other men were working in their shirt-sleeves. Some of them noticing my blue look and observ¬ ing that I had donned my coat, asked me if I 'wa'n't gittin the ager? ' and though I scouted the idea, I half suspected they were right. I grew colder and colder, and finally began to shake, but still I held on, resisting the advances of my tormentor. At length a happy thought came into my mind. I remem¬ bered the dry-house, and made an excuse to go there. I opened the door, entered the overheated room and shut myself in. I was sure of demonstrat¬ ing one thing, either that I had the ague, or that I could, with a strong will aided by the excessive heat, 'withstand its assault. The atmosphere was almost suffocating, but my teeth continued to chatter. Though the big stove was redhot I stuffed it fuller of fuel, until the apples on the drawers almost baked, but I kept on shivering. I held on to the chair, till it seemed I would break it with my agitation. It was all in vain ; I was racked and shaken till I was thoroughly convinced that I was undergoing a double penalty for the ridicule I had heaped upon other victims. After a couple of hours, I found the weather somewhat changed, and then not only could I endure the weather, but I longed for the snow-banks of old Pennsylvania's midwinters."

Sometimes remedies were taken, and sometimes the disease was allowed to -'wear itself out." Finally, quinine began to be used to break the periodicity, and thus the disease was brought under control.

Of late years, the lands being all occupied and drained, and but compara¬ tively little vegetation being allowed to go to decay, the disease has become very rare.

Joseph Munn was from one of the Eastern States. He came here about 1835, and lived five or six years when he removed to Douglas County, where he has since died.

The foregoing embraces about all who came during the first ten years, and who settled in the edge of the timber. As in all parts of the county and State, the little fringes of timber were selected first, no one supposing that the prairies, which are now considered the best land, would ever be settled. The early resi¬ dents of the towTnship were all from the heavily-wooded States East and South, and had never had any experience with the prairie. They had seen their fathers clear away the forests, preparatory to planting, and quite naturally fol¬ lowed their examples. It was argued, too, by some, that as the prairies would not produce trees, therefore the land must be of a weak nature and would doubt¬ less soon wear out, though a crop or two might be obtained therefrom. Then, too, it certainly did look a little lonesome and bleak, as compared with their old homes in Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia.

The first to venture any distance out on the prairie was Abram Smith, who moved to the township in about 1840. He entered the land, owned later by Matthias Chrisman, and now the site of the village bearing that name. Smith resided here until 1851, when he sold out to Mr. Chrisman and removed to Oregon. He afterward returned and settled in Bloomington, Ind. It is said that Smith was a little peculiar in some respects, one of his peculiarities being in the marvelous yarns which he told in regard to himself. Among numerous other stories, the following is a fair sample from his prolific brain : " Some years before moving to these parts," he relates, "I was living in a smalltown in Ten¬ nessee. One night, just about the time that I was thinking of retiring, suddenly the cry of fire resounded through the streets, and all outside was commotion and alarm. Quicker than it takes to tell it, I had jerked on my boots and, -without hat or coat, was at the scene of destruction. I never knew, before that night, how strong I was. Excitement sometimes paralyzes a man; but, in my case, it seems rather to add strength, or at least to bring out whatever I possess. I saw at once that it was my friend's hardware store, and my friendship to him seemed rather to add to the excitement. Without stopping a moment to think, I ran into the burning building and seized upon the first object that met my sight. I seized and carried it out and across the street ; and then I realized what I had done. The burden which I had carried was a bag of shot, and, by actual measurement, there were in the bag four bushels of shot. Afterward, it was discovered that where I had trod on the brick pavement the bricks were con¬ siderably sunken in the ground, from the great weight that lay on my shoulders. I could scarcely believe it myself, but, as several persons had seen the feat per¬ formed, there could be no doubt." The above is sufficient. We will not stop to relate how he cured his wife of a liver disease, and numberless other yarns. Mr. Blanchard has heard them so often that he verily believes that Smith, hav¬ ing repeated them so many times, actually thought them true.

In 1844, Elijah Bacon and his son-in-law, Joseph Conover, came from New York and settled here. Both are dead, the former having passed away two years ago and the latter nearly twenty. Mr. Bacon was an enthusiastic fruit¬ grower, and was the earliest to plant the finer varieties of evergreens in this part of the State, or of the whole State. He raised fine grapes and manufactured a superior wine therefrom.

No other permanent settlements of importance are remembered than those already given, prior to the date last named; but about this time, and within the next few years, quite a number of new faces might have been seen in Ross Township.

In 1851, Matthias Chrisman came to the farm formerly owned by Smith. He thinks that, at the time of his arrival here, there were twenty or more fami¬ lies in the township, among the more prominent of which were Elijah Bacon, Robert Knuckles, William Wyatt, Zachary Riley, John R. Green, Charles Clark, James Gaines, John Somerville, Johnson Ross, Benjamin Dixon, Calvin Reynolds, Silas Dixon, Eugene Hoult, Matthew Hoult, Jacob Wyatt and Robert Swank. All except the last four were living along the creek, in the eastern part of the township, while the Hoults, Swank and Jacob Wyatt had settled at the little grove in the west part, called Cherry Point. Somerville moved, the next year, to Oregon. Quite a number of the above list will be recognized as present residents, having earned the title of "old settlers," though the date of their coming to the township was comparatively recent. A number of them have also earned the title of "good citizen" in addition, to designation of "well-to-do." Mr. Gaines is doubtless the wealthiest citizen of the township, and, perhaps, in the county.

The township was organized as a separate precinct in 1857, being one of the original "thirteen" to accept the township organization act. The legal voters met, according to previous notice, on the 7th of April of the year named, and elected Joshua Games as Moderator; Johnson Ross and William Adams were appointed Judges of Election, and Barret Smith and T. A. Tuttle, Clerks. The result of the ballot was the election of John R. Green as Supervisor ; Franklin F. Barber, Clerk ; Robert Swank, Overseer of the Poor ; C. A. Clark, Michael Kizer and William Adams, Commissioners of Highways ; Girard M. Osborn and Joseph Doherty, Constables, and James Gaines, Assessor.

The township is supposed, by some, to have been so named in honor of Johnson Ross, an old settler and ojie of the Judges of the first election ; but the honor is disclaimed by him, and it is known definitely that the name was given by James Gaines, in honor of the county by the same name in the State of Ohio, from which Mr. Gaines had removed. Ross County, Ohio, is one of the oldest settled in that State, and its county seat - Chillicothe - was one of the earliest organized towns in the State.

Perhaps the most important public actions taken" by the township, in an organized capacity, were those by which the location of the Paris & Danville, and the Indianapolis & Decatur Railroads were secured through this section. The latter road had really been located and much work done a number of years before, but the panic of 1857 coming on, work was suspended and the organiza¬ tion of the same was disbanded. In 1870, the Legislature of the State having previously passed an act favorably to voting township aid to railroad corpora¬ tions, a company was formed for the completion of this line, provided the town¬ ships through which it was located should render substantial assistance. Among others, Ross Township voted for the scheme and agreed to subscribe $12,000. This action took place in 1869, the terms being that the road should be completed by 1878. The provisions agreed to by the company being com¬ plied with, the proper authorities issued the said amount of bonds to the cor¬ poration as stipulated. This, however, did not give this section an outlet to Chicago, and it was not long before a scheme was started by which that desir¬ able end should be accomplished. The Paris & Danville Railroad to connect with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois line at Danville was incorporated, and township aid solicited. To this line, Ross Township contributed most liberally, donating $50,000 in May, 1870. The vote by which this was done was very close, being only one majority in its favor. Both of these roads are compara¬ tively new ; but their prospects for becoming popular and well-patronized lines, it is said, are quite flattering. The management of the roads at this point is such, in both cases, as to render them popular.

The present officers of the township are as follows ; C. T. Caraway, Supervisor; William S. Waltrip, Clerk; John Mitchell, Collector; Allen Warner, Assessor; Joseph Weaver and Daniel Rogers, Justices of the Peace; J. P. Crawford and J. Elsbury, Constables ; and L. W. Stigleman, Benjamin Dickson and Amos Watson, Commissioners of Highways. The number of

The subject of education has, from an early date, received a good deal of attention in this township. Even before the law authorizing a system of pub¬ lic schools was in force, the pioneers of Ross Township took steps toward the education of the youth in the primary branches of learning. Comparatively few of the early settlers were men of letters. Most of them had been children when the matter of book-learning in the States where they were brought up was yet considered a matter of minor importance. And yet, these people seemed to fully realize the losses they had sustained in the neglect of their own schooling, and were, therefore, anxious to do the next best thing, by making amends in the case of their children. It will be found by consulting the map that the belt of timber which lies along Brouillett's Creek is mostly in the adjoining township of Prairie. Within, and along this timber, the first settlers located. The center of population was, therefore, in reality east of what is now fixed as the eastern boundary of this township. The timber strip was not then, as since 1857, divided by any arbitrary line, and a school for one portion was the school for the whole settlement. It was, indeed, a single settlement, and matters of public consequence were common to the whole region about the creek. This, then, will explain why for a number of years after the first set¬ tlements were made in what are now the bounds of Ross, there were no schoolhouses here, they being built nearer the center of population which was east of the creek and the present east line of the township. The first school was kept in a little log building about two miles east of Chrisman, in the year 1836. The pioneer teacher was a man by the name of Haines, but as in the case of Melchisedec, priest and king of Salem, we are unable to state whence he came or whither he went. No records of certificates granted were then kept, as no such document was required, so we are unable to inform our readers as to Prof. Haines' qualifications. It is quite certain that the requirements of the school of the pioneers were not such as exist at present. A story is related in this connection that will not be considered out of place.

Soon after the new school law came into force, in 1855, one of the provis¬ ions of which was that a teacher should not only have a certificate of good moral character, but that he must obtain from the School Commissioner license, in which the said officer certified that the would-be pedagogue was quali¬ fied to teach specified common branches - a certain young man, aspiring to pedagogic honors, went from this township down to Paris to obtain that very necessary instrument, the certificate ; but-, much to his chagrin, failed to pass muster and was rejected. With sorrowing steps he returned to his school, which, by the wTay, he had already opened, and for a few days revolved in his mind the best course to pursue under the embarrassing circumstances. He was almost on the point of giving up his school, and thus proclaiming to the neigh- borliood his lack of ability, when he was struck by a happy thought. He would call in one of the Directors, who, by the way, was a man of good sense, but somewhat rough in manners and appearance. The young man would have the Director see the school, and certify, from a personal inspection, to the Com¬ missioner, the teacher's ability to conduct a common school. Accordingly, the lessons were " fixed up," as many teachers too early learn to prepare for an occasion, and the school was in readiness for the dignitary's approval and recommendation. The morning came, and with it the Director. He took his seat, and began his inventory, as the teacher began the exercises of the day. They had but just begun to be favorably impressed with each other, when, pop ! a report like that of a pistol resounded through the room, and at the same moment a ball of tow, as large as an ounce musket-ball and almost as hard, bounced from the bald pate of the Director. Of course, nobody knew from whence the volley came (nobody ever does know anything of the origin of such offenses) ; but the impression made on the mind of the dignitary was exceedingly bad. A great outburst followed this mishap ; but order was finally restored, and the duties of the schoolroom proceeded. The little episode was nearly forgotten, when another charge, from another quarter, and of a different character, took effect in the teacher's eye. It had been observed that the School Director's son had been for the last quarter of an hour industriously chewing, as a cow chews her cud, a large wad of paper ; and, after the professor received the charge of pulp, his other eye noticed that the youngster had ceased his ruminating, and, for the first time in a week, was intently studying his element¬ ary spelling-book, though he also noticed that the book was upside down. Of course, as he was the Director's son, it would not do to investigate, and the master complacently raked the pulp out of his eye, and tried to proceed in his efforts to impress his visitor. At this point, the official, quite disgusted, arose to go ; but the young man detained him, and unfolded to him his wish for a recommendation for a certificate to the Commissioner. The Director, at first, protested stoutly ; but finally the persuasions of the young man prevailed, and he consented to recommend him, provided he could put it in his own phraseol¬ ogy. He then took a pen, wrote, sealed and delivered to the young man the following certificate :

" To the School Commissioner of Edgar County : This certifies that the bearer is competent to teach a common school in Carroll Township and nowhere else, and a d - d common one at that."

The second term of school taught in this vicinity was by Thomas Murphy, who, it will be remembered by some of the older citizens, was afterward killed by the falling of a tree.

A couple of years after the first school-building was erected, another was found necessary in the north part of the settlement, and this, too, was east of the creek. The creek, though somewhat of a natural barrier to those on the opposite side, to school advantages, did not prove such to the pioneer children.

It was quite unfashionable, in those times, for children to wear shoes in -summer ; and for the boys and girls to wade the cool waters of the little stream, it was an enjoyable exercise. In the winter the ice formed a natural bridge, across which they passed to and fro in safety most of the time.

It was not until 1847 that a school-building was erected in this township. This was a little frame structure, put up on the site of old an schoolhouse, now occupied as a dwelling by James Tucker. The little building stood a few years, and was then burned down, after which, what is now called the " Old Schoolhouse," and occupied by Mr. Tucker, was erected. A few years later, schoolhouses were erected further up the creek, and also at Cherry Point, the settle¬ ments having so grown that neither one nor two would longer answer the demands. At present no township in the county offers better facilities for the education of the youth than does this ; and in the matter of schoolhouses, especially the one at Chrisman, no more substantial and better adapted to the purpose for which it was designed can be found in this part of the State.