Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter 27: Historical Items, 1909

Chapter 27: Historical Items

Much has been lost to this history by our not being able to secure files of the early newspapers published in Mount Vernon. It is only a stray copy now and then that we can find of the fifties and sixties. Dr. J. H. Newton, M. J. Seed, Miss Laura Satterfield and others have favored us with a few copies from which we select such items as go to make up history, but there are many more. It seems that no families have kept regular files of the county papers, and even the printing offices have changed owners so often that none of the annual files are complete, except in case of the Register, since Mr. Seed took charge of it, he has bound in book forms each year, but his files do not record back to the time of which we speak. We would suggest that families keep files of their local papers, so as to be posted on local happenings in Jefferson county and then the historian will not have the trouble we have had in hunting for "connecting links." Most of the items below date back to the cyclone.

We have before us a copy of the Mount Vernon Sentinel dated January 16, 1857, fifty-one years ago, published by Wall and Baugh. The motto reads: "We claim the right of thought, and what we think assert," and that perhaps has always rendered both Wall and Baugh, unpopular, because they assert what they think, no matter if they do not always think just alike. The Sentinel complains of the slowness of the mails - saying that it had just received the Chicago Tribune of December 26th, twenty-seven days from Chicago. It also contains the official vote for President cast the first week in November, to-wit: Buchanan, 1,837,914; Fremont, 1,357,410; Fillmore, 878,200. It also complains of very cold weather and says the thermometer stands below "cairo." James Westcott was Sheriff, John S. Bogan, Circuit Clerk. It copied from the St. Louis papers the fact that the city had 125,000 and Chicago had 1 1 0,000 inhabitants ; now St. Louis has 800,000 and Chicago has 2,000,000. The Sentinel had a big lot of legal ads and lawyers' cards from all around. Wall and Baugh were both young and frivolous then, see them now.

Another copy of an old paper, the Unionist, dated 1 866, gives a list of names forming the organization of the Union or Republican party in Jefferson county by townships as follows:

These were the men around which the Union sentiment clustered and from this effort, the three thousand two hundred Republican votes cast at last year's election sprung.

We had just moved the Unionist office to Main street, about where Hobb's express office is now. The Eighteenth Regiment of Volunteers passed through Mount Vernon, getting home from the war. The Unionist had a New Year's address in which it said: "For the first time since the organization of the government we enter upon a new year and as a free nation, not only in name but in law and in fact." It is still our contention that the "boys in blue" put in the enacting clause in the Declaration of Independence - that "all men are created free and equal, and are endowed by their Creator with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Don't forget that the Union soldiers of 1861-65 made these words true for the first time in the history of America.

An I. O. O. F. committee composed of E. E. Welbom, James Tolle, C. W. Pavey and John A. Wall published in this issue a tribute of respect to Henry B. Maxey, deceased. Mark Hails had just became landlord of the Johnson House. The paper said it was reported that eight or ten wells would be sunk for oil in Clark county in the spring, but it was nearly forty springs before these wells were actually sunk and Clark county became the oil center.

& Welborn, H. W. Seimer, J. S. Klinker were doing the business of Mount Vernon then. Barg Casey and J. W. Johnson were just back from the petroleum field of West Virginia and were ready to sell oil stock. J. F. Johnson and A. M. Grant were still buying tax lands and James P. Haynes was landlord at the Allen House. J. E. Fergerson had withdrawn from the firm of Stratton & Fergerson, and Stratton & Sons continued the business. Johnson & Tolle in their efforts to please advertised buckwheat-cake material and readymade walnut coffins for sale, all this within the last forty-three years. Since then, Johnson, Ham and Tolle, and the Strattons are all gone, except Rynd L., who sells stoves, hardware, etc.

We have before us two papers which would be greatly interesting to future readers had we space and time to condense the matter contained in them. One refers to the destruction and recuperation of Mount Vernon after being destroyed by the cyclone, the other refers to the great fire that ruined Chicago and to the reconstruction which has made it almost the greatest city in the world. Without its cyclone. Mount Vernon could not have progressed to the point of excellence which it has reached, and without its great fire Chicago would never have achieved the prosperity it has had since that fatal night in October, 1871. In 1881 the town election showed sixty-three votes for license and five hundred and sixty-six against license. Varnell was elected Mayor. The accommodation train daily to St. Louis was put on. The construction of the Air Line Railroad was engrossing the minds of the people from Mount Vernon to Mount Carmel. A jail delivery took place. Speaking of railroads, the News refers to the Louisville & Nashville, the Louisville, Eastern & St. Louis, the Mount Vernon and Tamaroa, the St. Louis & Eastern. This doesn't sound bad for Mount Vernon, and they all came in due time. Dick Cadle, who was then running the Continental Hotel, put his warning in the News, "Having gained the confidence of the grocers and butchers of Mount Vernon I am now getting my supplies on credit and do not expect to pay for them which enables me to furnish the best day board at three dollars and fifty cents per week, four dollars with furnished rooms."

We have before us several copies of the Mount Vernon Star, published 1862-3-4, in the interests of slavery and the southern confederacy. At the head they say, "our candidate for President, C. L. Vallindigham," whom it will be remembered was banished from the United States for his disloyalty. The whole tenor of these papers are of the treasonable order, such as might have induced Vallindigham to make the writer a member of his cabinet had he been made President. In one of the editorials it says: "Democrats arouse and protect yourselves; prepare not with the ballot box, but with the cartridge box." In another place it says, "The Abolitionists seem to be indignant because the copper heads did not join in their jubilee over the down fall of Vicksburg." Speaking of the fall of Vicksburg he says, "Have mercy on us - the glory, peace and happiness and liberty are no more. Such is its picture of the Fourth of July, 1863." In large letters at the head of the paper it says, "The Star, devoted to the abolition of the Abolition party." And yet while the Star and its disloyal vemon has long been buried and forgotten the party referred to is still in full control of the best government on earth. The paper claimed to be the mouth piece of the Democratic administration of Jefferson county and the fact that the sheet was issued in one of the rooms of the court-house free of rent seemed to prove the assertion. About the only item untouched by class hatred we find in these papers was the announcement that Rev. J. A. Robinson would preach the funeral of Gov. Zadok Casey at the Methodist Episcopal church the second Sunday in August, 1863.

dated 1878. He alludes to the business of Mount Vernon as being conducted by Barger Brothers, Stratton, Pace & Westbrook, D. B. Goodrich, M. M. Goodale. S. S. Porter, E. M. Sheppard. L. H. Thompson, Charles Zierjacks, Amsbury Company, Hobbs, Tabb & Haynes, Varnell & Company, Bittroff & Ryan, J. W. Baugh, police magistrate. W. E. Jackson, J. E. Fergerson & Company, Mr. and Mrs. James Hitchcock, W. S. Hollowell, Pavey & Allen, Preston & Libby, Doctor Blum and others. In 1876 we find the News under C. L. Hayes, fighting Gen. W. B. Anderson, as not being a Democrat, although he was a staunch Democrat half a century before the News saw the light. The copy before us, August 16th, contains a notice of the death of Harvey T. Pace, whose history already has been given and whose remains together with that of his wife lies under monuments in Old Union cemetery. Two copies of the Mount Vernon Exponent contains the information that the Air Line (now Southern) was to be finished next year. A coal company was organized and subscriptions amounting to ten thousand dollars were taken up and although this was in 1881 , in looking over the list we find that more than half of the subscribers are dead and gone. Jefferson county's census for 1 880 was announced at twenty thousand six hundred and eighty-six. Nugent & Brother had laid a basis of success in Mount Vernon and moved to St. Louis, where they now rank among the first business men of that city. Business had been shifting again; R. E. Ryan, R. F. Pace, Hicks & Company, B. F. Harmon, Wise & Brother, Hudspeth & Poole, G. F. M. Ward, Howard Brothers, Rentchler & Waters, Simmons & Hinman, G. W. Yost & Company were at it. The Webb Brothers, A. D. and A. C, severed their connection with the Progressive Farmer and opened a law office. A. C. died and A. D. is now County Judge. A. B. Barrett came down from Chicago, supposedly to relieve Jefferson coun- ty of her railroad indebtedness. The News gives the 1888 vote to Cleveland. 2,378, Harrison, 1 ,981 . W. A. Davis was elected Circuit Clerk, W. H. Green State Attorney and Kirby Smith Surveyor.

For Later Dates

We have before us the first number of the Mount Vernon Register, issued by Morris Emmerson, dated May 26, 1 884. Mr. Henry Hitchcock sold the Exponent office to Mr. Emmerson, and went to farming north of town, and afterward built the house now occupied by Mr. Hoyt. The Register had but few ads, among them, Howard Brothers, who had just established a grocery store where the post-office now is. A Mount Vernon lady devoted to the Lord's cause all the eggs laid by her hens on Sunday. John Varnell was given a place in the government printing office at Washington. In its issue of June 4th, an exciting runaway of horse and buggy containing Paul Curnick and Miss Grace Plumber is recorded. General Anderson, Rev. Locke and Shelby Brown addressed the soldiers on Decoration day. The people decided to have a big Fourth of July. Even in the year 1 884, Theodore Roosevelt was heard from. He says, "I am called a reformer, I am also a Republican." The most of this issue was taken up with the new ordinances of Mount Vernon, over eight columns.

July 2d, the Register office is removed to a room west of Bond's drug store. Doctor Hubbell, oculist, and Doctor Hurtt, dentist, and E. E. Crebbs are wanting patronage. Joshua Cannon Maxey, Rev. Lewis Johnson and a few other "relics" made talks on the Fourth of July.

The issue of July 23d contained the death of Aunt Susan Johnson, consort of Rev. Jacky Johnson. Mat Bolin reported that the coal mine bore was down one hundred and seventy feet and still

S. H. Watson sold his grocery store to Charles Pace and Stinson. Anderson, Hudspeth, Taylor & Company opened their new store. Clark Johnson was still holding Sunday school conventions.

The history of the baseball movement in Mount Vernon dates away back into the seventies, but as it is going and growing we will leave its record to the next historian, we don't play.

A. M. Stratton defeated George H. Varnell for Senator. The "Old Folks" meeting was presided over by "Uncle Jick" Maxey, J. M. Pace, secretary. Mount Vernon Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The Register of June 7th has a whole column of local accidents, murders, suicides and fracuses. It seemed to be the devil's week. Sam Casey was married to a Kentucky belle. John A. Wall, a newspaper man of varied experiences is now peacefully following agricultural pursuits. Rev. R. B. Hoyt, Episcopal minister, was buried at Oakwood. One hundred loads of Jefferson county coal were hauled to town last week. S. P. McCrea was chosen superintendent of the Mount Vernon schools in place of Professor Barnhart. The Louisville & Nashville gave a free excursion to St. Louis for all its employes and their families. Four car loads of Indian prisoners enroute to Florida stopped here for an hour.

October 8th W. F. Davis appointed to Methodist Episcopal church. Death of Mrs. Nathaniel Parker. Terms were made with a drill company to keep drilling until a workable vein of coal is reachd at the place where the mine now is. Bossed by Mat Bolin.

October 1 3th, 1 4th, 1 5th. The largest soldier's reunion ever held in the county except the one held in Casey's pasture in 1 868. at which Generals Logan, Sherman and Shields were present.

R. L. Stratton & Company were awarded the contract for putting the iron fence around the court-house. The fence was later bought by Doctor Green and still encloses the Green property, except what the county placed around the jail. October 21st, Gen. C. W. Pavey's mother, aged eighty-five, was buried.

would like to give it here but its length forbids. Still the list shows how people scatter over the world when they leave their childhood homes. In 1 886 Mount Vernon had given Chicago a city superintendent of mails and a grain inspector; Springfield an editor of the state Journal, Cairo a revenue collector, a chief clerk and a mail messenger in Washington City, an able bodied guard for the national treasury. Joe Goodrich withdraws from the race for Sheriff, thoroughly disgusted with the rottenness of politics and the race narrowed down to two ex-Confederate soldiers. Coleman post had one hundred seventy-five members in 1 886, those who were members at that time are now all dead, except forty-two, which fact shows that the "boys in blue" will soon all be gone.

The county election resulted in Democratic success by greatly reduced majorities. Death of Judge Walter B. Scales, of Evanston. Another one of the Nugent brothers at St. Louis married a Mount Vernon girl. Miss Lillie Patton. Rev. W. P. Thogmorton and his Baptist banner located in Mount Vernon.

Evans, Captain Watson, J. E. Fergerson, S. T. Stratton and Capt. John Gibson immediately got together and decided to dig. Phil E. Whiting came in as a lawyer and bandleader.

December 26th Gen. John A. Logan died. L. L. Emmerson and Jarvis Crackel came to Mount Vernon to locate. R. F. Pace appointed postmaster of Mount Vernon. J. W. Grear bought the Mount Vernon News of Simmons. Doctor Gregory died out at Farrington. He was postmaster and used to empty the mail out on the table and say, "Boys come and pick out your letters." Jesse Laird, another of Moore's Prairie pioneers, dies. Also Edward Birdhead, also Major A. D. Estes, aged seventy-three. Older inhabitants remember A. D. Estes. Fred Watson purchased J. S. Green's implement store, which led up the present wholesale building of F. P. Watson and brother on Tenth street.

The Jefferson county board of supervisors, with A. B. Barrett at the front were investigating the Register for what it had said about the board, result "nit."

April 6th Judge H. S. Treat, who so long presided over the Supreme Court here died. The many friends of Thomas Casey gave him a banquet on the eve of his departure. Green P. Garner still trying to recover the swamp land for the county, and Doctor Green claiming that it belonged to the original Mount Vernon Railroad Company. Garner disturbed the peace and dignity and paid thirteen dollars for privilege.

April 20th Varnell elected Mayor over J. M. Pace by two hundred and eight majority. Majority of thirty-three against license, but by some hocus pocus licenses were issued, not rightfully, however. The Moss family held a reunion at Shiloh May 16th. The Southern Illinois Press Association honored Mount Vernon with its annual meet, and a good time was had, ending with a banquet. J. A. Wall and wife took charge of the Farmers' Home

Wall S History Of Jefferson Co., Ill

Hotel, and farmers felt themselves at home when they came to town. Announcement was made that Barrett's circus would show on the 16th. Some of the Register's readers thought that meant "Barrett's Supervisors." May 20th Logan and Elizina Sawyer were divorced by Judge Boggs at 1 1 o'clock and they were remarried at 2 p. m. same day. Col. Ike Clements, of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home was the Decoration day orator, exercises held at Salem cemetery.

A couple of Jefferson county youths, aged respectively seventyfour and seventy, got married, which shows that all lines of business is being shoved. Charles Zierjacks died. October 8th Doctor Locke finished his discourses at the Methodist Episcopal church, and was succeeded by Dr. O. H. Clark. County fair with Pavey, Moss, Casey and Cook on hand with fine stock. November 1 2th Cleveland elected President. Register removed to the Phoenix block. Mrs. S. E. Watson announced the opening of the Women's Chistian Temperance Union reading rooms.

April 1 st Adam Clark Johnson resigned the control of Jefferson county Sunday school work to D. B. Goodrich - both now dead. John A. Wall resigned his position as foreman of the Register office and was succeeded by Henry L. Ellis. The city voted for license by one hundred and seventy-nine majority.

Issue April 22d Rev. E. P. Lewis installed pastor of the Presbyterian church. Independent band organized, with Louis Karcher, Merrit Chance, Will Young, Ogie Collins, Edward Davis, Clarence Lyon, Will Rutherford, China Galbreath, Steve Rogers, Arthur Rutherford, Elmer Casey. Albert Carter, Will Price as blowers.

Miss Carrie Casey, daughter of Col. T. S. Casey. Greenlawn skating rink in full blast. Extension of Air Line Railroad to St. Louis decided upon. General Anderson appointed revenue collector. General Grant dead. June 22d, Mrs. Martha C. Evans, wife of Colonel Evans, and daughter of Governor Anderson, died; also death of Mrs. Dr. McAnnully, daughter of J. R. Moss.

July 1 5th Mount Vernon on a boom, electric lights being provided for. The Jeffersonville & Southeasern Railroad invades the county and touches the Louisville & Nashville at Drivers, secured by the never ceasing efforts of Judge Driver. Water works for Mount Vernon submitted to vote and carried. September 7th a threshing engine blows up near Spring Garden, Henry Mitchell and William Bumpus killed and several injured.

September 2 1 st. The Southern Illinois soldiers' reunion is being held in Mount Vernon this week. The town is thoroughly decorated and filled to over flowing with "boys in blue," and their friends from everywhere. Truly a gala time, showing that Mount Vernon never does anything by halves. The prominent men who addressed this reunion have all passed to the front.

October 5th, Jefferson county fair in progress. October 1 6th, Judge J. R. Satterfield died. Van Wilbanks died. December 4th Major Noah Johnston died. His life history given elsewhere in these pages. Major Johnson issued to Bob Ingersoll license to practice law. Sally Maxey, wife of C. H. Maxey, died, aged sixty-five.

L. Bitroff and Miss Jennie Pace, daughter of J. M. Pace, were married. January 1, 1888, C. W. Pavey & Sons' big drygoods store destroyed by fire. James A. White, whose sleeping room was over the store, was cremated.

February 1 9th. Mount Vernon destroyed by the fearful cyclone, of which there is a brief account given in a former chapter. Twenty-two killed and over forty injured, besides a one million dollar loss in property, homes destroyed, etc. One thousand people rendered homeless. March 28th, everybody busy rebuilding and rehousing the people left destitute by the cyclone. Seaton Allen committed suicide. Judicial convention held in the Presbyterian church nominated S. C. Conger for Judge on the two hundred and seventy-sixth ballot. May 1st, O. M. Watters and Renie Pace wedded. Decoration day, addresses by Professor Villars, of Mc- Kendree College. Comrade John A. Wall spoke at Williamsburg.

July I, 1888, population of Mount Vernon three thousand four hundred and twenty-seven. Rev. J. B. Thompson came to the scattered congregation of the Methodist Episcopal church as a ray of sunshine and hope. Zadok Pace died. Baptist church dedicated.

November 8th, Harrison elected President, Fifer Governor. December 23d, a historical date, when Bishop Bowman dedicated the new Methodist Episcopal church. Doctor Locke preached in the afternoon and Doctor Fry in the evening. John .A. Wall chosen commander Coleman post. Miss Erme Cross started a kindergarten class at the Odd Fellows hall, and Jake Chance had one at his home, both successful.

February 18th, cyclone memorial held at the Methodist Episcopal church, for Register showing a picture of Mount Vernon as rebuilt. March 24th Mayor Varnell died. His was the first funeral held in the new Methodist Episcopal church. Cyclone committee makes its final report. We would be greatly pleased to pursue this historical itemizing through the nineties but space forbids. Suffice it to say that many of the more prominent citizens even of

Mount Vernon inaugurated municipal improvements referred to elsewhere and the bright little city is still reaching forward for its legitimate place among the very best cities of the state.

We close this chapter with greeting of joy for the living and departed, trusting the living may realize their highest hopes and greatest good, and hoping that the departed may now be occupying better homes than earth can afford, where no cares, no pains, no sorrow or cyclones can ever disturb their heavenly repose.