Henderson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1882 (part 23 of 23)

In 1836 Isaiah J. Brook came to this section of country, seeking a location for a home. He purchased the N. E. ^ of 8ec. 34, in T. 10 N., P. 5 W., in the present limits of Henderson county, and the follo-w-ing year removed with his family to his purchase, and made it his future home. The country' was new, and he improved his lands, and from time to time added to the same until he could claim the ownership of many broad acres. Industry, economy, and a peculiar aptitude for business soon placed him among the foremost business men of the county. His fauiilj of sons and daughters grew to maturity beneath the family roof, and are now all situated in homes of their own. Only a few weeks since his two remaining single daughters wedded husbands of their choice, and Mr, Brooks, finding himself and his estimable wife again alone, disposed of his home-farm and now will seek that repose and freedom from active business cares which his merited success will enable him to enjoy.

Another of the early settlers of the county was Matthew Findley, who settled near the Yellow Banks. He was of Irish parentage and born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1793, where he resided with his yjarents until he was seventeen years old, when his family removed to Muskingum county, Ohio. In the latter place on reaching manhood he married Miss Elizabeth Blackburn, and settled down to farming.

In October, 1835, he removed to Warren county, and spent the following winter on a farm near the present site of Kirkwood. In the spring of 1836 he removed to and settled in Sec. 36, T. 11 N., R. 5 W., in then Warren county, where three of his sons and one unmarried daughter still reside. He raised a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him: David M., Alexander, Matthew M., John Q., Sarah, and Eliza Jane. David, one of the brothers, resided near the old homestead, a prosperous and respected citizen, until 1875, when, on account of his health, he removed to San Luis Obispo county, California, where he now resides, engaged extensively in farming. The other three brothers still reside on or near the place upon which their father first settled, engaged in extensive and successful farming. The father died at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, April 1, 1863. He had been chosen by the votes of his fellow citizens to county ofiices, the duties of which he discharged with signal fidelity. He was justly entitled to the reputation he enjoyed among his fellow citizens of an honest man. His wife did not long survive him, and in her death a tragic event occurred.

It was on September 25, 1863, that Mrs. Findley, who resided with her son and daughter on the old home place, told her daughter that she was going out to pick some wild gra])es that grew near the edge of a corn field not far from the house, in a skirt of timber, as she was very fond of them. Her daugliter sought to dissuade her from going, as she was old and feeble, although in good health, but the old lady replied that she could go alone, as the distance was short, and she would not be absent long. She took her little tin bucket and started out at about three o'clock in the afternoon. Her daughter being engaged in work did not fear any danger, although her motlier was absent for a considerable length of time. At last, her mother not returning, the daughter grew anxious, looked out for her. She became alarmed and sought her brother and told him of the mother's absence. The}', together wnth other members of the family, went in haste to make search for their mother. Kiglit set in and they found her not. They searched every path and jdace where she might have wandered, the friends assisting, and with lanterns and torches they still continued their efforts until at last some time after (hirkncss had set in they came upon the lifeless remains of their mother. She lay near a small tree, uj)on the ground where she had been picking grapes, her bucket by her side. At first it was supposed that she had fallen, perhaps with some sudden attack incident to old age, and had thus died. They took her up and mournfully proceeded to carry her to their home. She was buried in the family cemetery. The friends felt that a mystery was connected with her death. On the day following her burial it was learned that two boys from Oquawka had been in the vicinity where the body was found, on the afternoon of her death, huntins:, and that they had told that one of them had fired at something in a grapevine or tree in the thicket, that he thought was a turkey, and that he saw something like a person fall. The boys were frightened and fled without looking to see what they had shot. The body was exhumed, and K. "VV. Eichey, county judge, acting as coroner, held an inquest on the body. Upon surgical examination being made, it was found that a leaden shot had penetrated through the upper lid of the eye and entered the brain, causing death in a short time. The boys, Frank Dallam and Greely Mathews, aged res])ectively fourteen and and ten years, admitted being in the \icinity and shooting as above described, but claimed that they had no knowledge or intention of doing an3-thing wrong. The friends of ]\Irs. Findley never charged or believed that the act was an intentional one, but felt that it was the result of that reckless habit of neglect on the part of parents in permiting such mere boys to have the control of fire-arms to use at their pleasure. Many casual ities, for we cannot call them accidents, have occurred in this county by allowing such reckless, not to say criminal, use of fire-arms by inexperienced boys. This should have been a sufficient lesson, teaching those who have charge and care of such boys, to lay a more careful restraint upon them in this dii-ection. The coroner's jury, in this case, found a verdict in accordance with the facts herein stated.

kokon, on the Mississippi river. At first he engaged in farming and stock raising as it was carried on in that early day. He had come from the State of Pennsylvania, and was educated in early life in those habits of industry and economy, which lay the sure foundation of competency and wealth. He had three sons and five daughters all of whom reached the age of majority. He rapidly, by his business capacity, acquired property, and, assisted by his two sons, Horatio and John Fredericks, he managed a large farm to which he gradually made additions. To make a better market for the products of his farm he shipped his pork and grain to the Wisconsin })ine regions, taking in exchange pine lumber which he brought by river to Shokokon and established a lumber trade. Finding this a profitable trade his son Horatio located in Wisconsin, purchased largely of pine lands, and thus with his two sons Mr. Curts carried on a successful and profitable business. Three of his daughters married and settled in Henderson county. One married in Texas, and one in Iowa. His son Thomas lived and died in Pennsylvania. Horatio died in Shokokon. The father, John Curts, purchased' a beautiful home in Burlington, Iowa, just south of the railroad bridge, and removed there to spend the evening of his davs, leaving John Fredericks Curts, his son, in possession of the home place known as the "Bear Grove'' farm in Henderson county. In 1874 the old gentleman met with a severe accident bj falling down the basement stairs of his dwelling which resulted in his death in a few days. He died at Burlington March 12, 187-1. Upon opening his will it appeared that he had left nearly all of his property, which consisted of lands in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Arkansas, bank stock, and other personal property to his son, John Fredericks Curts. For so doing he felt his reasons were sufficient. His son thus favored had been a true and faithful son, companion and assistant to his father, and his loyalty to liis father found this return. The other legal heirs, feeling that they had been dealt unjustly with by the terms of the will, commenced in the circuit court of Des Moines, Iowa, legal proceedings to set aside the will on grounds of undue influence, and mental incapacity.

The case was tried before Judge Drayer and a jury, in the city of Burlington, in 1875, and attracted much attention in this county on account of the magnitude of the amount involved, the interest manifested by the citizens of this county, the length of time consumed, and the array of counsel })articipating in the trial. The trial lasted about four weeks, and on account of the engagement of attorneys in the case belonging on this circuit, the Henderson county circuit court was compelled to adjourn for one week to enable them to complete the case. Mr. Jolin Curts had Umg resided in tliis county, and a deep interest was felt in the determination of the contest. For the proponents of the will there appeared Hon. B. J. Ilall, of Burlington, Charles M. Harris, Jonathan Simpson, James H. Stewart, and J. H. Jennings, of Illinois. For the complainants there ap])eared Hon. P. H. Smytlie, Messrs. Tracy cVr Son, Thomas Hedges, and Mr. Antrobus, of Burlington, and Hon. John J. Glenn, of Illinois. After a long contest, as above stated, the case was finally submitted to a jury, who, after a deliberation of two days, were unable to agree, and were discharged by the court. Then a change of venue was applied for, and the case sent to Fairlield, Jefferson county, Iowa, for trial. Not long after, the attorneys, with the consent of all parties interested, made an amicable adjustment of the matter by dividing the property. By this decision John Fredericks Curts received two-thirds of all the estate of his deceased father, and the other heirs received the other third, to be di^dded among them. Thus ended a contest which gained more notoriety than any case that had been tried in any of our courts for manv vears. John Fredericks still lives on the old home farm, known as Bear Grove farm, happy, prosperous, and contented. On an eminence near his house he has laid out and beautified a private cemetery. In this spot repose the remains of his father, mother, and brother Horatio, (^n their graves he has erected three costly marble monuments, to mark the spot where rests all that remains of that father, mother, and brother, whom in life he loved so weU. It is his constant care to adorn and beautify this place, and thus keep green the memories of his departed ones. May he long live to enjoy his surroundings, which he has so justly earned.

In accordance with said, act of the general assembly of the state, the first meeting of the commissioners met at Oquawka, the county seat, April 19, 1841, and organized a term of the county commissioners' court of Henderson county, by entering upon their records the following proceedings :

"-According to the provisions of an act of the general assembly of the State of Illinois, passed at the session commencing the first Monday in December, A.D. 1840, entitled 'An Act to Establish the County of Plenderson,' an election was held at the different precincts of said county on the fifth day of April, 1841, when Preston Martin and Benjamin C. Coghill were duly elected county commissioners, who, together with James C. Hutchinson, who had previously been elected county commissioner of Warren county, and being included in the new county of Henderson was retained in office by said act, met at the town of Oquawka, the county seat of said county of Henderson, on Monday, the nineteenth day of April, 1841, agreeable to a further provision of the above-recited act, to hold a term of the county commissioners' court therein provided for, and the said Preston Martin and Benjamin (\ Coghill, being duly qualified as the law directs, proceeded to business."

Alfred Knowles, who had at said election been elected clerk of the county commissioners'' court, tiled his bond and was duly qualified. William D, Henderson, who was elected sheriff of said county at the same time, was duly qualified as sheriff. John McKinney, recorderelect, was likewise duly qualified as recorder of the county.

Then after transacting some routine business adjourned until the following day, when it again convened for the transaction of business. On this day an order was entered of record for a venire for the first grand jury that convened in the county. As these names are among the early settlers of the county, and are composed of a class that will ever be remembered as pioneers of sterling worth, whose examples in life are worthy of being imitated, we give the list in full : Isaac Crenshaw, James Scott, William Rhodes, Edward R. Adams, Sidney Owens, Matthew Findley, Michael Crane, Daniel Drew, Frederick Davidson, George P. Rice, Obadiah Edmunds, Joseph AYatson, Isaiah J. Brook, S. S. Leet, Jonathan Perkins, James Jamison, Hugh Lee, John R. McQuown, William L. Stockton, Samuel W. Lynn, Thomas D. Wells, Ebenezer Chapin, Jesse L. Ellett. These were men of sterling qualities, well qualified by nature to perform the duties of pioneers, who would lay properly the foundations of society in a new country. The most of these men have gone, after attaining an honored old age, and left bright examples of a well-spent life to be imitated by those who have succeeded them. A few of this list still reside among us, with lives bounteously lengthened out in order that they might behold the almost magicial prosperous change in the country of their adoption. At this first meeting of the commissioners of the county, Stephen S. Phelps and Alexis Phelps, the proprietors of the town of Oquawka, in compliance with the conditions of the location of the county seat at Oquawka, as set forth in the act of the general assembly, presented to the board a deed, conveying to the county 200 town lots, of average value of the lots in the town of Oquawka, for the purpose of erecting public county buildings from the proceeds of the sale of the same.

It was at this first meeting of tlie board, that the first sah)on license was issued for Henderson county ; John A. Lynn, thus, for the sum of twenty-five dolhirs, being authorized to vend at retail in Oquawka intoxicating liquors, without having attached the dangers that beset the dealers of to-day, by virtue of the provisions of the dram-shop act.

April 21, 1841, at the same session of the board, "William R. Jamison, who had been elected treasurer of the county, filed his bond and was qualified. The board appointed William D. Henderson collector of taxes for the current year. The board also appointed Samuel McDill assessor of the county for the same time.

At a regular meeting of the board September 5, 1841, Joseph B. Jamison filed his bond as school commissioner and was duly qualified. William C. Rice who was elected county surveyor at the same time as other county ofticers were elected, was duly qualified. At this meeting of the board Thomas McDill, "William Graham and James Jamison were appointed trustees of school lands for townshij) No. 10 N., 5. West. Jeremiah Baker, John Hopkins and William P. Toler were appointed to like offices for township 12 N., 4 West. Thomas M. Bonham, Wilburn AValker and Joseph DeHague were appointed to like oftices for township 9 N., 6 West. Peter Nichols, Obadiah Edmunds and John A. Smith were appointed to like offices for township 8 N., 5 West. Asahel Johnson, George W. Penney and George Huston* were appointed to like offices for township 8 N., 4 West. Alexander Rankin, Frederick Davidson and John Pogue were appointed to like oflices for townshi]:> 9 N., 4 West. Abner Drew, John Bay and T. Morgan were appointed to like offices for township 10 N., 6 West. Matthew Findley, Thaddeus Fames were also api>ointed to like offices for townshij) 11 N., 5 West.

At this meeting the clerk of the county court and the clerk of the circuit court were authorized to procure seals for their respective offices, the design of the seal for the county commissioners court to be an Indian in a canoe, and that for the circuit court to be the temple of liberty. At this meeting of the board the first action was taken looking to the erection of a court-house, as appears by the following order entered of record : " Ordered, that the clerk give public notice that on the 28th day of October the commissioners will contract at iniblic sale for the delivery of 175,000 of brick and 227 perch of stone in the town of Oquawka, on lot Nos. 13 and 16 in block 58 ; one-half of the brick to be delivered the first of July next, the other half by the twentieth of the same month ; the stone to be delivered by the middle of April next. Also twenty-two window frames and six door frames."

At tliis time the first ferry license was granted by the board, to keep and maintain a ferry across the Mississippi river at Burlington, Iowa, to land on the east bank of said river at any accessible point, to William H. Mauro, not however to trespass upon the established rights of others engaged in ferrying at the same point.

Called meeting of the board of commissioners August 15, 1842; the following proceedings were had : the court proceeded to open and compare the proposals received for building the court-house, according to a notice previously given, and Alexis Phelps offered to do the work proposed for the sum of $1,219, which was the lowest offer; it is therefore ordered that Alexis Phelps have the sum of $1,219 for laying the walls and putting on the roof of said court-house, and that he receive payment therefor eight months after the work is done, and if not then paid to receive eight per cent until paid. Said Phelps filed his bond, with James Pyason and Samuel Darnell for sureties, for the completion of the work. Ordered further that the foregoing contract is approved by the court, and filed by the clerk in his ofiice.

James C. Hutchinson continued to hold the ofiice of county commissioner until the September term of the commissioners' court, when he was succeeded by Francis J. C. Peasley, who held the ofiice until September, 18-12, when he was succeeded by Michael Crane, who, with commissioners Martin and Coghill, constituted tlie board until September, 18^3, when Mr. Cogliill was succeeded by Isaiah Brook. The court remained thus constituted until Se23tember, 1844, when William Cousland succeeded Preston Martin on the board. In September, 1845, Ira Miller succeeded Michael Crane. In September, 1846, Matthew Findley and Jeremiah Rose succeeded Brook and Cousland. In September, 1849, Ebenezer Chapin succeeded Matthew Findley, and Charles S. Cowan having been elected clerk succeeded Alfred Knowles. In September, 1848, Matthew Findley succeeded Ira Miller, and the board thus constituded continued until December, 1849, when the county government was organized under the new constitution.

Township organization has not been adopted in this county, but the old system of county government is still maintained, the county being divided into precincts for election purposes, and the county government composed of a board of three commissioners, manage the affairs of the county. This constituted the county government until the adoption of the constitution in 1848, when, under a provision of which, the general assembly of the state passed an act in relation to the government of counties, in force April 13, 1S49, by which each coimty elected a county judge and two associate justices of tlie peace, who were directed to hold a regular term of court for the transaction of county business, on the first

Mondays of March, June, September, and December, in each year ; the county judge being authorized and directed to hold a probate term of court on the third Monday of each month for the transaction of business pertaining to the estates of deceased persons, and for the purpose of attending to all cases that might arise under general jjrobate jui-isdition. The two associate justices of the peace so elected by the voters of the county at large, were county justices of the peace, and were vested with justices' jurisdiction for the whole county. The county judge was likewise ex-officio justice of the peace for the entire county. On the third day of December, 1849, William C. Rice, county judge, Daniel Edmunds, and George W. Penny, associate justices of the peace, and Charles S. Cowan, clerk of the county court, filed their respective bonds, and were qualified for the offices to which they had been elected. The court thus constituted, organized and proceeded to the transaction of business. Robert Cronover, county treasurer, took the oath of office, and his bond was fixed at $2,000. At this meeting of the court. Earl Frizzell, a revolutionrrv soldier, presented his declaration, as required by the war department, to secure a pension from the United States government, and after complying \dth the requirements prescribed by law. the court issued the required certificate. At the December term. ISoO, of the county court, Boothe Xettleton, who had been elected sheriff, filed his bond, took the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of his duties.

A company having been organized under an act of the general assembly, April 19, 1851, under the name of the '"Burlington and Warren Plank Road Company," for the purpose of constructing a plank road across the Mississippi river bottom, from Hoppers mills, in Henderson county, to a point on the river bank opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa, the county court, at its September teiTn, 1850, granted said company a license to run a ferry across the river from a ])oint where their plank road touches the river on the east bank, to the city of Burlington, upon paying into the county treasury the sum of $10. At the December term of the county court, 1852, Samuel P. MaGaw, sheriff elect of the county, filed his bond and was duly qualified.

Henderson county was, on its organization, in the fifth judicial circuit, and the first term of the circuit court was held in Ocpuiwka, May 28, 1841, in a store-room belonging to Co\. Patterson, on Second street, near the present location of the brick block of Robert Moir. Hon. Stephen A. Douglas j)resided as judge, John S. Pollock, clerk, William D. Henderson, sheriff, and H. L. Bryant, state's attorney pro tem. At this term Henry B. Harbinson filed his bond and qualified as the first coroner of the countj. Of the character of Judge Douglas as a judge, lawyer, and statesman, it is needless here to speak. His character and achievements, both on the bench and in the national councils, have passed into history ; and when passion and prejudice shall have had their day, and the impartial historian shall take up his pen, the record shall then assign the name of Stephen A. Douglas its true i)lace in the list of statesmen and jurists of our country. Judge Douglas continued to preside in our circuit until the November term, 1843, when he was succeeded by Jesse B. Thomas, who continued to preside until the November term, 1845. Richard M. Young succeeded Judge Thomas at the June term, 1845, and then Norman H. Purple came to preside in this circuit, and continued until the June term, 1848, when he was succeeded by William Minchell, who held the same position until the September term, 1851, when Onias C. Skinner, of the county of Adams, who liad been elected by virtue of an act of the general assembly of the state, passed in pursuance of a provision of the constitution adopted in 1848, dividing the state into judicial circuits, and providing for the election of judges by vote of the people, became judge of this circuit, and continued to preside with signal ability at each term of the court in this county until the year 1855. Judge Skinner won a deserved reputation as a learned and upright judge, and soon after retiring from the circuit bench he was elected to fill a place on the supreme bench from the central grand division of the state, where he fulfilled the expectations of his legal friends and maintained the high character he had so justly won. Judge Skinner died at his home in Quincy about three years ago, his death being caused by having been thrown from his carriage by a frightened team while ridingthrough the street near his residence.

Hezekiah M. Wead, of Peoria county, next held court in this county for one year, when Jolm S. Thompson, of Mercer county, was elected in his place, and continued to preside as judge of our circuit court until 1861, when he resigned, and Aaron Tyler, of Knox county, was appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term for which Judge Tliom])Son had been elected. Judge Thompson came upon the bench with but little legal experience at the bar, but the possession of a sound legal mind, great industry and an unfaltering determination to deal justly with all questions submitted to him for adjudication, enabled him to discharge the arduous duties devolving upon him with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the legal friends with whom he associated. His decisions and rulings while on the bench bore well the scrutiny of the higher court, when taken there for review.

In 1861 Charles V>. Lawrence, of Warren county, was elected judo:o. Of him we need only say that he brought to the discharge of his judicial duties that ripe scholarship, that well trained judicial mind, that has made for him a place in the front ranks of the legal jn-ofession in the state and also in the entire west. This circuit was favored with his able judicial administration until the year 18(;-1, when he was elected judge of the supreme court from the northern grand division of the state. At the election of 1864 John S. Thompson was again elected judge to till the vacancy made by the resignation of Judge Lawrence, and continued to preside until he was succeeded by Arthur A. Smith, who was elected in 1868. Judge Smith was a resident of Knox county, and had served in the army as a lieuteiuint-colonel of the S'M reg. 111. Vol., and has been twice elected to fill the position of judge of the circuit in which Henderson county is embraced, and still continues to preside as one of the tliree judges who compose the judiciary of the circuit. This long service and repeated choice of the voters of the circuit speaks louder in behalf of his merited popularity with the people of his circuit than any eulogy tliat can be written in this brief review.

In 1877 the general assembly passed an act re-organizing the judicial circuits throughout the state, and Henderson county with Warren, Knox, Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties, became the tenth judicial circuit, entitled to elect three judges. Judge (Treorge W. Pleasants, being the judge of the circuit in which liock Island county was embraced, and residing in that county, became one of the judges of this circuit, and at the election held in August, 1877, John J. Glenn was elected as the associate of judges Pleasants and Smith. Judge Glenn is a resident of Warren county, and brought to the discharge of his judicial duties large experience at the bar, a clear analytical mind, great industry and unquestioned integrity, which has won for him the confidence of the people of his circuit, and the warm esteem of his many friends. Although an active partisan he has never been accused of allowing his partisan predilections to sway his judicial decisions, but has sought to hold the scales of justice in equal ])oise for each and all men alike. Judge Pleasants, in 1877, was designated as one of the judges of the appellate court of the first district, comjjosed of Cook county, and upon his re-election in 1 879, was again designated as one of the judges of the appellate court for the second district, composed of all the counties of the northern grand division except Cook county, which position he now fills with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the members of the bar, and the j)ublic generally.

to his profession, and a judge possessed of rare judicial ability. His legal attainments, his clear, discriminating mind, are all of the highest order. Always self-possessed upon the bench, patient with wearisome arguments that do not instruct, ever ready to listen to any suggestions or authority presented by counsel, he possesses that rare faculty of eliminating from a case before him, almost by intuition, all extraneous matter, and coming at once to the true issues to be deteiTnined, and when he has reached a legal conclusion in a case ujion which to base a judgment, his reasons are so convincing that few suitors go from his court dissatisfied with his adjudications. It is to be regretted that his health is impaired, and all join in the hope that his physical strength may be renewed, and that he may be spared yet for many years to grace the position which he now so ably and worthily fills. In 1879 jugdes Smith. Pleasants and Glenn were elected for a full term, and still hold the courts of this circuit.

Political Parties

At the formation of the county the political parties were divided into whig and democratic, as understood in the national divisions, the whig party having about 200 majority in the county. There were during the early history of parties a small number of radical anti-slavery men in the county, who could not subscribe to the doctrines held by either of the other parties on the slave question, and held aloof from their organizations. Too feeble in numbers to eifect the object desired, having but little countenance or support anywhere in this state or the west, they bore the reproach everywhere heaped upon the head of a man who dared declare that slavery was wrong, and that the onward march of events and the light of civilization proclaimed its . early downfall. To be an abolitionist in those days was to abdicate all hope of political advancement, and all claims upon the suffrages of voters at the polls.

The war with Mexico and the large acquisition of territory on our part as the price of peace, the agitation consequent upon the passage of the compromise measures of 1850 by congress, aroused tlie attention of the people of this county as well as those of other sections, and led to the formation of a third party in Henderson county, which for the first time entered the field and contested at the polls for public favor in 1852, under the name of the "free soil" party. These distinctive organizations continued until the formation of the republican party in 1856, which was composed of the bulk of the defunct whig party and the anti-slavery element combined. This new ])arty in the presidential campaign of that year, under the candidacy of John C.

Fremont, contested with the democratic party for supremacy. Since that time the republican party's majority in the county upon all test votes has ranged from 100 to 300.

It is true that the small anti-slavery element cast a few votes by way of protest in the year 1S48, and the organization denominated the "know nothing," or American party, made some show of strength at the polls in the year 1854, but all these fragments became finally consolidated with one or the other of the great parties of the day in 1856. From 1856 to the present time the republican party, when an issue has been sharply made, has usually had about 350 majority in the county.

The town of Oquawka was laid out in 1836, by Alexis Phelps and his brother, Stephen S. Phelps, who purchased a claim and improvement that had been made upon the grounds now occupied by the town. Oquawka owes its name to the Indians with whom it was a noted point in their travels and tribal convocations. The word is said to signify the lower end or termination of the Yellow Banks, the point indicated being situated at the termination of a series of high sand bluft's along the river, extending at intervals to a point above the town of New Boston, eighteen miles above Oquawka. Upon the laying out of the town it at once became a place of commercial importance, a large trade centering upon its levees. It was for many years, and until the opening of railroads revolutionized trade, the shipping point for a large country around, including AVarren, Knox and a part of Mercer counties. Extensive warehouses lined the river landing in which the products of the surrounding country was in the winter stored, to await the opening of navigation in the spring, when shi|> ments w^ould begin for St. Louis and oS^ew Orleans, about the only two market points relied upon at early periods. Goods shipped from eastern cities for this market came generally by way of Pittsburgh and the Ohio river to Cairo, and thence up the Mississipjji to our landing. Some shipments of heavy goods were made by sea to !New Orleans and up the river. Upon the oi)ening of the Illinois and Michigan canal a new route w^as opened by Erie canal, and lakes, thence to the Illinois river and up the Mississippi. Oquawka contained, in 1852, about 1,800 population, but has since fallen off, so that it contains not more at present than 1,000. Like many other towns and cities, she in an evil hour, and under the guidance of bad counsel, encumbered herself with burdensome debts, beyond her ability to liquidate, which resulted in the necessity of levying taxes that became burdensome upon the business of the place, and capital, alarmed at the future prospects, lied the town to avoid taxation, while manufacturing and other entei-prises sought more favored locahties. The debts thus incurrad were first the issue of bonds to the amount of $10,000, to aid in the construction of the "Washington and Oquawka Plank Road," an enterprise in the state of Iowa, the projected plank road terminating at a point on the river opposite Oquawka. The corporation and the road long ago were counted among the tilings of the past, and remembered only as a warning to others to avoid like follies. The next enterprise in which the authorities of the town took stock, and thus added burdens to those already borne, was in May, 1857, when the issue of $25,000 uf bonds was secured to pay Messrs. Phelps and Jamison for work and labor performed on that part of the Peoria & Oquawka railroad lying between the town of Sagetown and Oquawka. The "work and labor" consisting of partially grading the line between these two points, the people being led to believe that in so doing they would secure railroad facilities by connection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line. But it proved a failure. The people incurred the indebtedness without any guaranty of a return for their money, and the debt is to-day outstanding and will be left as a legacy to the next generation. These debts, together with the share of the county indebtedness which the town has to pay, makes the burden a heavy one.

Of the towns in this county Oquawka is the oldest. It was laid out July 9, 1836, by the brothers, Alexis Phelps and Sumner S. Phelps. Its territory, before any additions were attached, was comprised of fractional Sees. 15 and 22, T. 11 K, R. 5, W. of the 4th P. M., as shown by the records of Warren county. Vol. II, p. 34-1:. William C. Butler was the surveyor for the proprietors. In the deed of dedication the proprietors, in addition to liberal reservations of lots for school purposes, set apart and dedicated for use of the Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian cliurches, eligible and valuable lots for the erection of church edifices. Some years subsequently Abrani D. Swarts laid out two additions to the town, upon the east side.

In order of date, tlie next town laid out in the county was the town of Shokokon, upon the Mississippi river, about five miles below the city of Burlington, Iowa. The original proprietor of this town was Robert McQueen, who laid it out July 16, 1836, on the N. W. J of Sec. 27, T. 9 ]^., R. 0 W., as will be seen by referring to the records of Warren county, Vol. II, p. 344. John B. Talbott was employed as surveyor. Although a fine and fertile country lay adjacent to this town, it did not prove a success. The river at this point proved to be too shallow for steamers, except at times of high water, the channel or deep water running near the Iowa shore, tlius leaving this town upon a slough, with but poor sliipping facilities. It, however, became a great point for lumber, annually rafted down from the Wisconsin pineries, and finding a market in the country lying east of Shokokon. Its population never exceeded 300.

The town of Olena was laid out by Robert Kendall August 14, 1838, on Sec. 11, T. 9 X., R. 5 W., and the record of the survey by Benjamin Thomkins is recorded in Warren county, in Vol. II of records, p. 215. This town is situated near the geogra])hical center of the county, and contains a population of about 300. It is situated in nourishing farming country, and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad facilities. Wolf creek, a small stream, Hows westward near this place.

Warren, laid out March 25, 1840, by Lambert Hopper, on the N. W. 1 and the N. E. i of Sec. 8, T. 9 N., R. 5 W. The plat of this town will be found recorded in AVarren county, Vol. VII, of recoi-ds, p. 345. Benjamin Thomkins was the surveyor. Some years later Josiah Dunn laid out an addition to this town.

At one time during the lifetime of its enterprising proprietor this town carried on quite an extensive trade. A good flouring mill and a woolen factory drew trade and business from a long distance. The land in the immediate vicinity is of a poor quality, the mills have been allowed to run down since the death of the proprietor, and its former prosperity has in a measure disappeared.

Dallas Cit}', lies partly in Henderson and partly in Hancock county. That part in Henderson county lies in the extreme southwest of the county, Sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 7 W. It is a flourishing town of about 500 inhabitants. The Carthage and Bui'lington division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad passes through this town. The town has a fine landing for steamers, which carry away large shipments of produce from the surrounding country. It is a neatly built place, upon the bluflf front, facing the river. Its population are intellig'ent and enterprising, and carry on an extensive business in general trade and lumber. Among its enterjjrising citizens we may here make mention of John M. Finch, who was one of its original proprietors and who still continues to reside in his early home, active as in his boyhood days, allowing no enterprise to be undertaken for the improvement of his town without giving it his active aid and support. The town has two churches and its schools receive the active and intelligent su|)port of its citizens and are kept up to a high standard. The town was laid, out and surveyed August 11, 1849, by William II. Rollinson and John M. Finch ; J. Wilson Williamson was the surveyor employed. The

The town of Terre Haute is situated in the prairie region of the county, on Sees. 20, 21, 28 and 29, T. 8 N"., R. 5 W. It was surveyed and platted by William C. Eice, suryej^or, March 27, 1854, and the plat recorded in Vol. VIII, p. 184 of records in Henderson county. It contains about 250 inhabitants and is the center of considerable trade. It has no railroad or river facilities for shipping, Lomax station, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, being its principal point of shipment. It is the center of a rich farming country and surrounded by lands of extraordinary fertility.

East Burlington lies upon the bank of the Mississippi opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa. It was laid out March 12, 1855, on Sec. 33, T. 10 N., E. 6 W., by A. D. Green, as trustee for the proprietors, Maj. A. N. Armstrong, acting as surveyor. Prior to the construction of the railroad to that point, it had a small population, but after that time, witli the erection of the railroad bridge leading to the city of Burlington, the business of the place was transferred mainly to the opposite side of the river, and little remains of the former town. The railroad company have erected large stock yards upon the ground, and made other extensive improvements. Large sums of money have been expended in grading up the river front to a point above high water mark. At this point the Carthage division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad forms a junction at the east end of the bridge with the main line. The land back of, and eastward from the town, is low and cut up with sloughs, and nearly the whole is subject to overflow for miles inland during the river floods.

Biggsville is situated on Sees. 16, 17, 20, 21, T. 10 K, E. 4 W., upon South Henderson creek, and was laid out by Andrew Douglass and Samuel Douglass, October 3, 1855, William McChesney, surveyor. It now contains about 550 inhabitants. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad runs through this place. The town is surrounded by the flnest quality of farm lands, which are kept in a high state of cultivation. The town contains three churches, one United Presbyterian, one Methodist Episcopal, and one Cumberland Presbyterian, all of which have a large membership of highly intelligent christian people. The schools of the town have always been its particular pride, and have been of a high order. The citizens have reason to look with pride upon their churches and schools. Near this town resides a gentleman whose business success in life deserves at least a brief mention. David Eankin is a man still on the sunny side of three score years, who has his home about four miles south of Biggsville, upon his farm of almost countless acres. He began life a poor farmer boy near the place where now his fine residence stands, and bv industry, perseverance and an extraordinary business capacity, lie gained step by step until his possessions in lands and herds seemed almost marvelous. He purchased large tracts of land along the Illinois Central railroad, in Illinois, and operated them successfully ; then extending his enterprises westward he invested largely in lands in Atchison county, in the State of Missouri, which he improved and stocked with swarming herds of cattle, laid out the town of Tarkio, wliich has filled with an active population, and is rapidly rising in business importance. At this point he has established a national bank which has proved a complete success. In addition to these enter])rises he has purcliased and is operating a vast ranche in the State of Colorado, ui)on which his immense herds of native and Texas cattle are fattened for market. These vast enterprises, besides many smaller ones, he manages and supervises himself, showing himself a veritable Kapoleon in his line of business. In all his various and extended enterprises and his large transactions, he has so conducted his business as to gain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been surrounded. His integrity is never called in question, and his employes find him a kind hearted and just employer.

In this town also resides Preston Martin, an aged citizen of the county, who has been identified with its history and its development from its organization. One of the earlier commissioners of the county and afterward associate justice of the county court, he filled each office with fidelity to the people and with credit to himself A man of unswerving integrity, with a high moral stiindard, he justly won the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the high regard of all. This town at present writing is contending for the locating of the seat of justice within her borders. The canvassing of the vote of the county for the election to be held in November goes on with great earnestness. The advocates of removal to Biggsville claiming that their town is nearer the geographical center of the county, and thei'efore it is for the interest of the county to secure the county buildings at this point.

Gladstone (formerly Sagetown), was laid out by Gideon Sage, May 16, 1856, in Sees. 15 and 16, T. 10 K, R. 5 W., James R. White surveyor. The town is situated on the Chicago. Burlington ife Quincy railroad. The Galva branch of the same road terminates at this point from the north. The town contains about 400 inhabitants. At this point is located the Excelsior sugar refinery, a large and costly estiiblishment, owned principally by Amos T. Ilall. of Chicagt). It seems not to have been a success so far, although the works and machinery are of the most elaborate kind. Some glucose has been manufactured, but now the owners of the premises are preparing the works for working sorghum cane, of whicli the surrounding country produces largely,

Gideon Sage, the original proprietor of this town, although far advanced in years, still resides here, hale and hearty, and bids fair to yet renew his lease of life and outstrij) in the race many a younger competitor. The town has one Catholic, one Presbyterian, and one j\[ethodist church, and is well provided with school-buildings.

Karitan, a town in the southeastern part of the county, was laid out by Isaac V. Kelley and James Hixton April 16, 1856, in Sees. 10, 11, 14 and 15, T. 8 K, E. 4 W., James R. Wliite acting as surveyor for the proprietors. The record of its plat and survey may be found recorded in Vol. XII of deeds, p. 255, Henderson county. It is a beautiful and thriving village. Situated in the midst of an undulating, fertile prairie, surrounded by finely improved farms in a high state of cultivation, upon which means have been lavishly expended in the erection of fine buildings, this place presents an attractive aj^pearance. The houses of the town are of a neat and commodious structure, and so neatly kept in all their surroundings that they tell at once the character of its inhabitants.

Although possessing no near railroad or river facilities for shipping, they yet carry on a large trade in merchandise and stock and agricultural products. R.oseville and Laharpe stations are their nearest railroad points. One will hardly find in days of travel anywhere a town sun-ounded by so many natural advantages, and which exhibits such thrift, unaided by artificial means.

Among the enterprising business men of this place I may mention William Tharp and Robert Barnes, but space prevents the naming of others equally enterprising and deserving of mention. Mr. Tharp has an extensive store, filled with a general stock of merchandise, which he purchases in Chicago and eastern cities. Making his own selections and purchasing from first hands when possible, he has been enabled to offer his numerous customers their supplies at such rates as to leave no inducement on their part to go to larger places to make their purchases. By energy and business tact, by fair dealing and unquestioned integrity, he established a busuiess of great magnitude, and won for himself an enviable reputation. He is still a yoimg man, with the ability to grow and advance with the enterprising and thrifty people by whom he is surrounded.

Robert Barnes began business here a few years ago. From small transactions at first his business has increased until at the present his sales are very large. His stock embraces almost every article of necessity or luxury required by the customers \yitli whom he deals. Besides a general stock of merchandise, a line of agricultural machinery suited to all the wants of the country is carried in large stock. In addition to his mercantile business he is the proprietor, publisher and editor of the "Itaritan Bulletin." a weekly news])aper of fair size, which is ably edited and constantly gaining in circulation. It is independent in all things, and deseryes the success that has thus far attended it.

The town of Lynn, on the Chicago, Burlington tt Quincy railroad, adjoining Gladstone, was laid out by Ezekiel W. Lynn on Sec. 10, T. 10 X., 5 W., June 28, 1S58. It was suryeyed by James R. White. The plat and record will be found in Vol. XV. j>. 213. of deeds, in Henderson county.

The tOAyn of Carnuin was laid out and platted by Joseph Carman, September 3, 1870, in Sec. 27, T. 9 N., 6 W., and recorded in A^ol. XXIV, of deeds, p. 344, Henderson county. It is situated on the line of Carthage Diyision of the Chicago, Burlington dc Quincy railroad, about one mile from the Mississippi riyer, and contains a pojiulation of about 300. Shokokon lies between this town and the riyer. Carman is a flourishing town, and the center of a large grain trade. Large quantities of corn are annually stored at this point for distribution to the different markets. It is flye miles by railroad to Burlinirton, Iowa, and about fifteen miles to the county seat. About two miles east of this place resides John Fredericks Curts, on his place known as tlie "Bear Groye" farm, of which further mention will be made in this sketch. Near this place many of the earlier settlers of the county found a home. Alfred Knowles and Dr. Freeman Knowles came from the State of Maine soon after the laying out of the town of Shokokon. in 1836. They remained for a short time ujton lands they had entered. The fever and ague, the pest of our bottom lands at that time, was more than they could successfully contend with, and they removed to more healthy locations. Dr. luiowles going to the town of Keokuk, Iowa, which then contained but a few hundred inhabitants, where his practice grew with the growth of that thriving city. He became one of the professors in the medical college of that place. He died in 1880, after a successful professional career. His brother, Alfred, removed to Oquawka, where, upon the organization of the county, he became county clerk. In 1855 he removed to the city of Galesburg, this state, where he still resides.

lington & Quincy railroad. It was laid out by Robert Lomax, May 11, 1882, in Sec. 15, T. 8 K, E. 6 W., J. Wilson \Yilliams acting as surveyor; plat and deed recorded in Yol. I, of plats, p. 64, Henderson county. At this point there has been a railroad station and business point for many years. Prior to the opening of the railroad, William Lomax, the father of the present proprietor, owned and cultivated a large farm, through which the road was located and a station established at the point where the town is now laid out. The senior Lomax errected a dwelling and store, and also other buildings at the station, so that in fact it became quite a town years before any town was marked out in a regular way. The proprietor had resided on the place for many years ; in fact he was among the early settlers of the county, and owned this valuable property before railroads came to further enhance its value.

Although the population of the town is small, it has become an important shipping point. Large shipments of cattle, hogs and grain are made at this station, and there is no reason why this should not, in in the near future, with such an enterprising business man as its present proprietor, become a flourishing town. The elder Lomax died in the year 1879, at an advanced age, loved and respected by all who knew him. He had lived to see the frontier upon which he had settled become a cultivated, populous community. He had, as a citizen, lent his aid to advance every laudible undertaking for the advancement of the interest of the county. He had served four years as associate justice in our county court, and well and faithfully did he discharge the duties of his oflice. With hands clear of official corruption, with consciousness of having j)erformed his duty, he retired from office and his remaining years were made pleasant with the kindest regards of his fellow citizens. His worthy son Robert succeeds him in the estate and business established by his father. The position has fallen to able hands. The father's wishes and plans will now be carried out by the son. Possessing youth, vigor and fine business capacity, he still retains that same modesty of character and moral conviction that endeared his father to the people among whom he lived. Mr. Lomax is at present, as will be seen elsewhere in this sketch, one of the commissioners of the county. Just north of this place the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad forms a junction with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and over the track of the latter runs on to the city of Burlington.

The lirst new!?paper published in the county was the "Oquawka Spectator," founded by Coh John B. Patterson, in the month of February, 1848, at Oquawka, who issued the first number in February of that year. It was neutral in politics, and issued weekly continuously to the present time. Its founder. Col. Patterson, is still its editor and proprietor, and bids fair to continue its management for many years to come. Since the foundation of the paper, E. H. N. Patterson, a son of the present editor, was for many years associated with his father as junior editor. The latter severed his connection with the paper in the year 1859, and with the great army of gold seekers who set their faces westward, left his native state and took up his abode in the then territory of Colorado. Mining was not to his taste. He was ])0Ssessed of a fine intellect and was a brilliant writer. These qualities could not long be concealed and he was induced to attach himself to the editorial staff of the ''Colorado Miner," one of the leading papers of the state, in which position he gained high rank by the ability he displayed in his editorials. He, in a short time, became one of the proprietors of the paper and its chief editor, in which position he died in the month of April, 1880, at- Denver, Colorado. He married, in 1851,^Laura Phelps, the daughter of Stephen S. Phelps, one of the founders of the town of Oquawka. His wife died in the year 1867, leaving three children: Harry N., Mattie, and Norman.

Not only as a newspaper writer did the subject of this sketch exhibit marked ability, but many of his publications in verse, as well as in prose, bore testimony of the peculiarly fine literary cast of his mind. A specimen is here quoted as illustrating the stjde of liis writings, and the sentiments of its author. It was written nineteen years ago, and is now published for the first time. The original is in the possession of the writer :

" Dead I No, no ! surely you do but mock me ! He's but sleeping ; - Why all these tears, this agony of mourning? Why such weeping? Death has not come to rob me of the lad. 'Tis only gentle sleep - Deadlike perchance, in being dreandess ; yet only slumber, wherefore weep? When first the tocsin rung the battle blast, Charlie, brave boy, stepped out, Full panoplied, in triple armor clad ; his voice in the great freedom-shout Rising a])Ove all others - louder, clearer. Idled with grandeur of the Cause For which he fought : his nation's constitution, the supremacy of its laws ! 'Twas but as yesterday I saw him girding his loins for the fight, Conscious of vic;tory, confident of success, because the Right. Ne'er fell before the oi)posing hosts of Treason's clan - Ne'er failed because opposed by jaundiced Error's ban !

It should be stated that the "Spectator,'' which commenced its career as a neutral, was, in the year 1863, transformed into a democratic organ of its party in the county, and to this time has been an advocate of conservatiTe democratic principles, through the long pilgrimage of defeat to which its party has been subjected. Its venerable editor stands high with his professional brethren and earns the esteem of his political opponents. Few men have wielded the editorial pen for so many consecutive years, as editor and proprietor of one newspaper. All his acquaintances join in wishing him many happy years of success in the path he has so long and successfully traveled.

The " Oquawka Plaindealer" was the next newspaper enterprise started in the county. This was a weekly publication, commenced July 24, 1852, by Francis A. Dallam, editor and proprietor, and so continued until March 6, 1855, when Horace Bigelow, Esq., purchased a half interest in the establishment; from that time until May 6, 1856, when Mr. Dallam sold his interest to James H. Reed. The firm of Reed & Bigelow continued the publication of the paper until May 1, 1857, when they sold the whole concern to J. K. Magie and David Mitchell. It was whig in politics at its commencement and after the defeat of Scott, in 1852, it shared the fate of its party, and drifting with the wreck until the formation of the republican party in 1856, when it cast its fortunes with that organization, to which it ever afterward adhered. Magie & Mitchell disposed of their interest and the paper was next under the control of Lewis Leslie ; then of M. H. Jamison, when, under the editorial control of a Mr. Chamberlain, it was removed to Biggsville, in this county. Shortly after Chamberlain retired from the paper and Judson Graves became its editor. Subsequently Graves removed the paper to Kirkwood, in Warren county, when, after a brief period, he again moved, and this time to the city of Galesburg, in this state.

The " Clipper'' is a small weekly paper, established in Biggsville by M. M. Rowley, editor and proprietor, about the year 1874. It is republican in politics, and still continues under its first management, and is meeting, as it deserves, with A^ery fair success. Its editor is an excellent writer for such a paper and earns the deserved success he has enjoyed.

County Officers

The " Raritan Bulletin,'' a weekly paper, is published in the town of Raritan, in the southeast part of the county, by Robert Barnes, as editor and proprietor. It was established in the year 1875. It is independent in politics and is meeting with deserved success. Its editorials evince marked ability and its circulation is rapidly increasing.

"The Henderson County Journal " was established in Oquawka by Eugene A. Hail, editor and proprietor, in the month of May, 1872. It was a weekly paper and republican in politics. In June, 1872, Mr. Hail, its editor, removed the establishment to Macomb, in McDonough county, in this state, where he continued its publication until August, 1878, when he returned with his paper to this county and again commenced its publication at the county seat, under the name of the "Henderson County Journal," a weekly issue, devoted to the interests of the republican party. The paper is ably edited by Mr. Hail, its proprietor, a gentleman of refinement and sterling worth, and is proving for its owner a good investment.

All the papers here named have received not alone from their party friends, but from the general public of the county, a generous support, which bears evidence of the intelligence of the inhabitants.

The names of the county officers from the date of the organization of the county is shown in the following table, with the date of their election or appointment :

Name. Office. Date

Among the old citizens of this county there is one who should not be overlooked in these brief biographies. It is the colored man commonly called "Nigger Dick," Eichard being his true name, and, like many others who were the offspring of the slave system, he had but tliat one name, for family he had none. The existence of slavery forbid the cultivation and perpetuation of family ties. The absence of all those sanctified relations included in the family circle was essential to the per{)etuation of what was teimed, in tlie days of its power, the "institution of slavery.'' liichard was born a slave in Greenville, Kentucky, in 1815, as the property and chattel of Solomon Rhodes, At the age of twelve years he was sold to J(^lm Billings. Mr. Billings took him to the State of Missouri and sold him to Capt. William Phelps for the sum of $1,000, which, Dick remarked to the writer, was more than the average white man would sell for in Missouri at that time. Capt. Phelps, who is a brother of the late S. S. Phelps, and engaged at that time with him in the Indian trade, brought Dick to Oquawka with him. Afterward Dick became a valuable assistant ^vith the Phelps brothers in their Indian trade in Iowa and on the frontier. He at one time saved the family of S. S. Phelps, at their trading station in Iowa, from death in their burning home. In doing so he risked his life, and was seriously injured by the explosion of gunpowder in the burning building. Ever afterward he was treated with the greatest kindness by the Phelps brothers. He was always welcome in the families of the Phelps brothers. In their trading expeditions in the west among the Indians, Dick was always their valued aid and faithful companion. For many years Dick enjoyed the fniits of his fidelity. He may be said to have been put on the retired list, with pay and rations. Many are the good stories that are related at Dick's expense, growing out of journeyings among the red men. Many a thrilling scene is related of his dealings with these natives ; whether in the deadly encounter, where personal bravery was a large factor in selt-preservation, or in the swift race for life, where fieetness and endurance were essential to success, Dick never found his superior. He possesses rare natural abilities. Although the child of slavery, he has gathered a rare stock of practical every-day education, and furnishes us evidence of the truth that his race is capable of receiving that training that shall fit them for those duties devolving upon men who would perpetuate that system of government where all "just powers are derived from the consent of the governed." Dick still lives among us, and, although well advanced in years, happy and cheerful. With his horse and his gun, he is the same good-natured, jolly, honest Dick that he was when first his foot trod the free soil of Illinois. He was never freed in any formal manner, and he says that he does not know but what he would still be in law a slave, if had not been for tlii.' proclamation of President Lincoln freeing the slave.

The lirst railroad enterprise in which the citizens of Henderson county engaged, looking to the building of a road in the county, was the Peoria & Oquawka, a project to build and equip a road from Peoria, on the Illinois river, to Oquawka. On February 12, 1849, the general assembly of this state passed an act incorporating the company, when, on December 20, 1849, the first meeting was held to organize. Alexander Turnbull, James W. Davidson, Wyatt B. Stapp, Preston Martin, John McKinney, Robert M. Patterson, Samuel B. Anderson, James Knox, Daniel Meek, William Moss, Alfred G. Curtinius, and Isaac Underhill, the commissioners, opened the books for subscriptions to the capital stock. The shares were fixed at $100 each, and five per cent payable at the time of subscription. At that time the managers of the enterprise estimated the cost of the road, including rolling stock, at from $6,000 to $10,000 per mile.

The county commissioners ordered an election for the first Monday in May, 1851, of the legal voters of the county, to vote upon the proposition for the county to subscribe $50,000 to the capital stock of said company. The election was held and resulted in the proposition for such subscription being voted down by a large majority.

By an act of the general assembly the charter of this railroad company was amended, and by one provision of the amendment it was provided that a branch road, extending from Sagetown (now Gladstone) might be constructed to a point on the Mississippi river opposite the city of Burlington, Iowa. The town of Oquawka, under a mistaken idea of the imj)ortance of the completion of the road to that point, gave to the enterprise no encouragement, and Burlington, seeing her opportunity, at once set about raising the means to secure the completion of the work to her over the branch. In this she succeeded, and Burlington became what Oquawka might have been, a great commercial point and a railroad center for a large portion of the roads through Iowa.

The Peoria & Oquawka railroad was completed to Monmouth in 1855, on the first of January. The Chicago 6z Quincy railroad was completed to Galesburg at that time, and that company leased the Peoria & Oquawka line and completed the work to Burlington, and commenced running their trains over the whole route, and in a short time afterward purchased the entire line, when the name was changed to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, and as soon as the Quincy branch was completed to Galesburg, 110 miles, this name became universally known as one of the most popular railroads in the United States. That portion of the road from Sagetown to Oquawka the company never completed. The town of Oquawka graded, tied, and bridged the five miles of road between the two last named points, in 1856, under some kind of an expectation that the road would be operated by the company, but after the expenditure of $25,000 these expectations proved to be without basis, and the work remained useless and of no value to the town.

In 1849 the general assembly granted a charter for the "Warsaw & Rockford Railroad Company, for the purpose of constructing a road from the town of Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, to the city of Warsaw, Plancock county, Illinois, neai" the foot of the Des Moines Rapids. The route of this proposed road passed from north to south through Henderson county.

In 1853, at an election, the county commissioners were authorized to subscribe $100,000 to the capital stock of said company, to aid in the completion of the enterprise. In November, 1855, the commissioners, in accordance with the authority thus given, proceeded to make the subscription. The road was never completed, nor indeed was much, if any, valuable work done on the line, but the aftairs of the company fell into incompetent hands, and the subscriptions were frittered away, leaving no results of value to those who had, in an evil hour, placed their means at the disposal of these managers.

Henderson county, however, succeeded after some years in recovering back $21,000 of unexpended bonds, and thus saved this much from the wreck of this wretched, bankrupt concern. The county subsequently refunded the remaining portion of the indebtedness, and at this time has paid a greater part of the same, and will in the early fiiture be entirely free from this debt.

The Cai'thage & Burlington Railroad Company was chartered in 1867 by the general assembly, and authorized to construct a road from Burlington, Iowa, to Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, a distance of about twenty-six miles. In about ISTO the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company purchased this road, and added it to its already lengthening lines, and commenced operating it under the title of the Carthage & Burlington division of that road.

The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad was commenced by a company organized under the laws of this state in 1865, with intent to build a road from Rockford through the counties of Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, and so on to St. Louis, touching Keithsburg and Oquawka as river points. That part of the I'oad between Keithsburg via Oquawka to Sagetown was completed and put iu operation in 1869, when the company changed its route, running south from Rock Island through the eastern portion of Mercer county to Monmouth, Warren county, and thence to St. Louis. Subsequently, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company purchased the entire line of road from the Rockford & St. Louis Company, and now operate the whole line. The short piece of road from Sagetown to Keithsburg was extended six miles farther north to New Boston, where it connects with the Galva branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road.

That part of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad within the limits of this county crosses the county line on leaving Hancock county, extending in a northwesterly direction, and foiTns a junction with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road at Iowa station, between the towns of Lomax and Carman. Thus it will be seen that Henderson county has in operation about fifty miles of railroad, viz : the east and west main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, extending from the Warren county line to the Mississippi river, seventeen miles ; the Burlington & Carthage branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road, extending from Burlington to Dallas City in this county, fifteen miles ; the Galva branch of the last-named road, extending from the south line of Mercer county by way of Oquawka to Gladstone, where it forms a junction with the main line, fourteen miles ; the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad from Iowa Junction to the south line of the county, a distance of four miles.

There are other lines of projected railroads, the routes of which touch the territory of Henderson county, none of which, at the present time, give promise of an early completion. The Peoria, Farmington & Keithsburg road, running by way of Monmouth, touches the northeastern part of the county. This road is completed and running cars from Peoria to Farmingtom. Much grading has been done in Mercer county, from Keithsburg, eastward, and along the line much money has been expended, but work has ceased on the west portion of the line, and there seems at present no indication of an early completion of the road. Two other lines of railroad are projected, running thi'ough the county from east to west, pointing to the Burlington bridge, but whether these paper enterprises are merely speculative or not, there is no visible indications of active work upon them at the present time. These enterprises probably are only speculative.*

In 1844, for the first time, Henderson county appears in districting the states into senatorial and representative districts. At this apportionment of the general assembly, Warren, McDonough and Henderson counties composed a senatorial district, and William McMillan, of

Henderson county, was elected senator. In the same year Henderson and Warren counties composed a representative district, and William D. Henderson was elected representative. In the general assembly of 1846-8, William McMillam still held the office of senator, and John Ourts, of Henderson county, was elected representative. The constitutional convention of 1848 made the counties of Hancock and Henderson a senatorial district, and Azro Patterson, of Henderson county, was elected senator. At the same time the counties of Warren, Mercer and Henderson became a representative district and entitled to two representatives, and Abner C. Harding, of Warren, and Gilbert Turnbull, of Henderson, were elected rej^resentatives. In 1850 Jacob C. Davis, of Hancock county, was elected senator, and Thomas Willits, of Mercer county, and Azro Patterson, of Henderson county, were elected representatives. In 1852 J. C. Davis still held the office of senator, and Samuel Darnell, of Henderson county, and Eleazer A. Paine, of Warren county, were elected representfatives. In 1854 J. C. Davis still held the office of senator, and William C. Rice was elected representative. In 1856 Gen. Hiram Pose, of Henderson county, was elected senator, and A. V. T. Gilbert, of Warren county, represented the district composed of Warren and Henderson counties. In 1858 John P. Pichmond, of Schuyler county, was elected senator of the district to which Henderson county belonged, and William C. Pice, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1860 John P. Richmond still held the office of senator, and William C. Maley, of Warren|county, was elected representative. In 1862 Henry K. Peffer, of Warren county, and Thomas B. Cabeen, of Mercer county, were elected representatives from the Henderson representative district. In 1864 James Strain, of Warren county, was elected senator, and Jonathan Simpson, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1866 James Strain still held his seat in the senate, and Francis M. Bruner, of Warren county, was elected representative. In 1868 Isaac McManus, of Mercer countv, was elected senator from the Henderson senatorial district, and David M. Findley, of Henderson county, was elected representative. In 1870 Harvey S. Senter, of Mercer county, was elected senator from the same district, and William A. M. Crunch was elected representative. In 1870, by the adoption of the new constitution framed by the convention of that year, the state was divided into fifty-one senatorial districts, each electing one senator, and each senatorial district constituting a re])resentative district, entitled to three representatives to the lower house of the general assembly.

assembly, in pursuance of this constitutional authority, the counties of Henderson and Hancock became one senatorial and representative district, entitled to one senator and three representatives. In 1872' Benjamin Warren, of Hancock county, was elected senator, and Da%'id Rankin and William Scott, of Henderson county, and Edward E. Lane, of Hancock county, were elected representatives. In 1874 Benjamin Warren still held the office of senator, and David Rankin and Paul D. Salter, of Henderson county, and Wellington Jenney, of Hancock county, were representatives in the lower house. In 1876 William Scott, of Henderson county, was chosen senator, and Charles F. Gill, George F. Walker, and John J. Reyburn, of Hancock county, were elected representatives. In 1878 William Scott held over as senator, and Thomas B. Brumbrack, John J, Reyburn and Brooks R. Hamilton were elected representatives. In 1880 John Fletcher, of Hancock county, was elected senator, and James Peterson, Robert A. McKinley and Henry M. Whiteman, of Henderson county, were chosen representatives.

Constitutional Conventions Of The State Of Illinois

The first constitutional convention that ever assembled in Illinois, was convened at Kaskaskia, in July, 1818. It remained in session until August 30, 1818. This convention was composed of thirty-three delegates, and adopted a constitution which the convention did not see fit to submit to a vote of the people. This constitution was ratified by congress December 3, 1818. In 1847 a second constitutional convention convened in this state. It assembled on June 7, 1847, and adjourned August 31, 1847. It was composed of 162 delegates. The convention adopted and submitted a constitution to a vote of the people, who ratified it on March 6, 1848. Abner C. HaMing, of Warren county, was the delegate chosen from the district composed of AYarren and Henderson counties. The next constitutional convention that convened in this state assembled at Springfield, January 7, 1862, and continued in session until March 24, 1862. It adopted a constitution and submitted it to the people for ratification or rejection, on the Tuesday after the third Monday in June, 1862. The people, by a decided majority, rejected the constitution thus submitted. The rejection of this constitution did not result so much from any real defects in the provisions of the constitution thus submitted, as from other causes combined. It will be seen by the date of the assembling of this convention, that it was during the second year of the war of the rebellion. Psission and prejudice held at that time high carnival. A war of gigantic proportions confronted the northern states. The federal government waa menaced as never before had it been menaced. Many saw in the dire calamity of war only ruin to our whole country. Vast armies were being raised and concentrated at different points, preparatary to being sent forward to meet the advancing foe.

While the heart of the great mass of the people, without regard to party lines, beat true to the lawfully-authorized government and the old liag, there was a small number of malcontents to create alarm. They made up by their clamor in caucuses, conventions, and secret organizations, what they lacked in numbers. No doubt the representations of their actings and doings in the North to some extent encouraged the rebels of the South. It was at such a time that this convention assembled. Some of the early acts of this body, although perhaps springing from honest and patriotic motives, caused alarm in the public mind, already aroused and inclined to suspect danger in every unusual movement, and especially in a body so potent for evil as was this convention. The majority of the members of the convention assumed that upon its organization it was no longer bound by any legislative enactments, but was sovereign in the exercise of supreme power of the state ; that it was virtually an assemblage of the people, with foil and necessary power for a peaceable revolution of the government of the state. The law authorizing the calling of the convention prescribed the oath for members to take : to support the constitution of the state. This a majority of the convention refused to do, holding it to be inconsistent to take an oath to support a constitution that they were about to do away with. It was claimed tliat the convention had the right to declare itself permanent and exercise all the power of the people of the state. The debates upon these subjects created in the minds of a large portion of the people distrust and alarm. The convention lost the confidence and moral support of the people, and a powerful o])position was organized to wdiatever the convention might do. The final work of this body was much superior to what the people had been led by the debates to believe it would be; in fact, the constitution by them adopted, and submitted to the people for their ratification, was of high character as an organic law ; but such was the prejudice that had been engendered against the convention, and such was the party spirit which had been aroused, that tlie people refused to look at the merits of the instrument, and the constitution thus submitted was defeated by a large majority. In this connection a fact should be rec<jrded. The clause of the constitution, pojjularly known as the ''black laws," which forbid the settlement of negroes in this state, and which was submitted as a separate article, was ratified by the people of the state by about 100,000, although the constitution was defeated; but by a provision of tlie schedule in such contingency, the separate article became inoperative. Henderson county ratified the separate article, but rejected the constitution. Public sentiment changed radically since the vote upon that occasion. At the date of the election of delegates to this convention, Warren and Henderson counties composed one district, and Jonathan Simpson, of Henderson, was elected delegate. In 1869 another constitutional convention convened at Springfield. It assembled December 13, 1869, and closed its labors and adjourned May 18, 1870. It was composed of eighty-five members. It adopted a constitution and submitted it to the people for ratification July 2, 1870. It was ratified by a large majority. Mercer and Henderson counties constituted one district, and James S. Poage, of Mercer county, was elected delegate.

There have been in this county several efforts made to remove the county seat from Oquawka to some more central point in the county. The first of these efforts was made in 1859. At the session of the general assembly of that year an enabling act was passed, authorizing a vote to be taken upon the question of removing the seat of justice to the town of Warren, twelve miles south of Oquawka, and not far from what was claimed to be the geographical center of the county. The election was held in November of that year, and resulted in a majority adverse to removal.

In 1865 the general assembly again passed an act authorizing an election to be held upon the question of removing the seat of justice to the town of Sagetown (now Gladstone), five miles south of Oquawka. The election was held in November of that year and resulted in a majority against removal of 114.

In 1869 an election was again held to vote upon the question of removal to the town of Biggsville, a town on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, about ten miles south and east of Oquawka. The majority in this case was also against removal.

In 1872 the question was again submitted to the vote of the electors of the county of removal to Sagetown, but the people again decided, by a majority of 170, against removal. At the present time the legal steps have been taken to obtain again the sense of the people of the county upon the question of removal, but the point to be submitted for the decision of the legal voters of the county has not yet been fixed upon. The towns of Biggsville and Gladstone are each circulating petitions for signatures of the voters, which will be presented to the county court i^ September next, when the question will bo

The Poor Farm, 911

Many who reside in the southern portion of the county feel it to be a hardship to have to travel so far to the seat of justice. It is true that the distance to be traveled would be more in accordance with equity if the county seat was more centrally located. Oquawka, the present county seat, is situated within nine miles of the northern boundary of the county ; the county being thirty miles in length from north to south. If a geographical center was sought, it would be found to be a little north of the town of Olena, near the residence of Isaiah J. Brook and the farm of John N. Bruin, in township 10 north, range 5 west. The main objection urged to the removal is the burden of taxation that would be laid upon the county in the erection of county buildings, court house, jail, etc.

The Poor Farm

In September, 1855, the authorities of the county purchased of George Cronover the N. W. I of- Sec. 26, T. 11 N., R. 5 W., for the purpose of providing a place for all county paupers. It is situated about two miles from the county seat, on Henderson creek. Upon this farm the county erected commodious buildings for the accommodation of the unfortunates from time to time demanding public charity. The farm has been well improved, and has proved upon the whole an economical plan for caring for the poor of the county.

In erecting the buildings, the basement of the larger building was constructed into cells for the safe-keeping of such as might, while there sojourning, need restraint or confinement. Such at least was the pretext at the time. In 1859 we find, however, an act passed by the general assembly authorizing the use of the said basement as a common jail of the county. As a jail the location has been found both insecure and expensive. Situated in a secluded spot, far away from help in case of need, this jail has proved anything but a safe deposit for persons charged with crime, while waiting trial or transportation to Joliet after conviction. Many have been the escapes from this so-called prison, many have been the expensive pursuits, followed by few captures. In this jail the noted William Lee was confined prior to his trial, conviction, and execution on the gallows in 1876 for the murder of Jessie McCarty, -which event is described more in detail further on in these pages under the head of noted criminal trials.

One of these periodical jail deliveries occurred in the summer of 1880, and created for a time a sensation in the county. Confined at that time in the jail were some ten prisoners, charged with various offenses, awaiting trial. Most noted among tliese prisoners were Martin J. Hall and Frank Peasly, under several indictments charging them with burglary and other crimes. Less than two months before the August term of the circuit court, when their cases would stand for trial, Peasley and Hall laid a plan for escape. They succeeded in obtaining from some of the paupers, who had access to the outside of the windows of the prison, two table knives. With these they constructed tiles, which they used successfully in sawing off the hinges of the heavy iron doors which secure the entrance to the cells, and on one Sunday, when the guard was small and unsuspicious of danger, they removed one of these iron doors, weighing 500 pounds, and by the joint action of all the prisoners they were enabled to use it as a battering ram, with such success that they broke down the door of the jail leading to the house, and through this escaped, and thus left the jail vacant.

Those on guard resisted to the extent of their power, but against such force of desperate men they were powerless. The prisoners scattered in different directions along the timber that skirts the banks of Henderson creek. Alarm was not long in reaching the county seat, when a vigorous pursuit was begun. Men on horseback, in wagons, on foot, armed with rifles, guns and revolvers, scattered in' every direction, and continued the pursuit until night set in and darkness and storms precluded further search. Before night, however, a portion of the gang had been captured and returned to their old quarters. The ringleaders in the breaking eluded pursuit. The next day one or two more were captured in Warren county and sent back.

The sheriff. J. Oscar Anderson, with his deputy, Truman G. Allen, showed themselves on this occasion to be able and efficient officers. They were in no wise at fault on account of the escape, but set themselves to the task of capturing the fugitives with commendable zeal. Three of the prisoners were still at large, one of whom was not an important one, but Hall and Peasley were the ones that the people were anxious should be captured and brought to trial. They had been a source of trouble to the people, who felt that ttiey could rest more securely as to their property if Hall and Peasley were securely behind the bars. A systematic search was kept up by our sheriff, who was leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of the prisoners. For a. long time no clew to their whereabouts was obtained, until at last Mr. Anderson, through his correspondents, learned that his men were in Nebraska. He at once started for that state, found and captured his men, and returned them safely to our county jail.