Lee County, Illinois - The whole text, 1881 (part 2 of 24)

"Just before Capt. Dement and his party returned to Dixon's Ferry from Shabbona's grove Maj. Stillman was permitted to advance up the river and spy out the hostile camp. Maj. Stillman was at the ferry when Gen. Whitesides arrived ; he had command of a small battalion of green volunteers, who, in their ini'xperience, were eager to get a shot at an Indian. On the evening of May 15 or 16 Stillman encamped on a small stream near Kishwaiikee creek, in what is now Ogle county, about thirty miles from Dixon. He was about five miles distant from Black Hawk's camp on Kishwaukee creek, but did not know it."

Black Hawk says that at about tiiis time " the Pottawatomie ciiiefs arrived at ni}- camp. 1 had a dog killed, and made a feast.. When it was ready I spread my medicine bags, and the chiefs began to eat. When the ceremony was about ending I received news that three or four hundred white men on horseback had been seen about eight miles off. I immediately started three young men with a white flag to meet them, and conduct them to our camp, that we might hold a council with them, and descend Rock river again." These three men, according to Black Hawk, were captured by the whites and taken to their camp. One of them was shot, and the other two escaped to their own camp.

After Black Hawk had started tlie three, as above, he sent five more young men to follow after and see what the result would be These proceeded to a monnd about a mile and a half from Stillmaif s camp where they displayed a flag of truce. " They were dis covered by some of the men, who, without reporting to" their commander, and without orders, hastily mounted and rode toward the Indians. These, not understanding this sudden movement, and apparently suspicious, commenced to retreat toward the camp of their chief. The whites dashed after them, fired and killed two of their number and captured two more, the otliers escaped, still pursued by the reckless volunteers. When Black Hawk and his war chief Ne-opope,saw them dashing down upon their camp, their flag of truce disre garded, they raised the terrible war-whoop and prepared for the fray " Black Hawk says, " When they came in with the news I was preparing my flags to meet the war chief. The alarm was given Nearly all my y.ung men were absent, about ten miles oflT. I started with what I had left (about forty), and had proceeded but a short distance before we saw a part of the army approaching. I immediately placed m^y men in front of some bushes, that we might have the first fire ihey halted some distance from us, when I gave another yell and ordered my braves to charge upon them, expecting that we would all be killed. They did charge. Every man rushed and fired, and the enemy retreated in the utmost confusion and consternation before my little but brave band of warriors. I found it useless to follow them, as they rode so fast, and I returned to my encampment with a few of my braves, about twenty-five having gone in pursuit of the enemy. I lighted my pipe, and sat down to thank the Great Spirit lor what he had done for my people."

Our own historian says of the defeat, when Black Hawk met the charging volunteers, "It was now the turn of the volunteers to retreat, which they did with wonderful celerity. Supposing they were pursued by a thousand savage warriors, the flying soldiers rushed through the camp, spreading terror and consternation amon- their comrades. The wildest confusion ensued, there was 'mounring in hot haste ; and the efi-orts of the officers to rally the troops were without avail. The panic was complete; every man seemed bent upon saving his scalp, and fled, never stopping until they reached Uixon s Ferry, or some other place of safety. It is said that the first man to reach Dixon was a Kentucky lawyer, not unknown to tame in Jo Daviess county, who reported that every man in Stillman s command had been killed except himself. Nearly every man as he came straggling back to the Ferry during the night, had a like report to make."

The narrative continues: -- It is a well known fact that Stillman's men were well supplied with whiskey, and that many of them were drunk, which may account for their rash act in firing upon the white flag in utter disregard of all rules of warfare recognized, even among the Indians. On the approach of day the order was given for a forced march to the fatal field, and about eight hundred of the volunteers moved out, leaving two hundred men to guard the ferry; but the enemy had gone, the main bod}' moving northward, and tlie rest scattering in small bands to avenge the death of their people upon unofifending settlers. Eleven of Stillman's men were killed. Their mutilated remains were gathered and buried, and the place is known as '' Stillman's Run " to this day It is supposed that nearly all of those who were killed were not in the first melee, as all but two or three of the bodies were found on the side of the creek upon which Stillmau camped; they were probably unable to get to their horses before the savages dashed through their camp. Being out of provisions the pui-suing army were obliged to return to Dixon's Ferry, to await the arrival of the boats. This defeat was the opening of hostilities, and justice compels the impartial historian to record that the whites were the aggressors."

Had the counsel of Captain Dement been followed, at tliis time a conflict and loss of valuable lives might have been averted. On the captain's return with his scouting party to Dixon's Ferry, he informed the commanding general of the situation of Black Hawk, and the friendly attitude of those of his army they had met. No blood having been shed, he thought that the chief could have been induced to return peaceably to his home in Iowa; and the account afterward given by Black Hawk indicated that the captain was correct in his judgment of the situation.

Said Black Hawk: "Never was I so much surprised in my life as I was in this attack. An army of three or four hundred, after liaving learned that we were suing for peace, to attempt to kill the flag-bearers that had gone, unarmed, to ask for a meeting of the war chiefs of the two contending parties to hold a council, that I might return to the west side of the Mississippi, to come forward, with a full determination to demolish the few braves I had with me, to retreat, when they had ten to one, was unacct)untable to me. I sent a flag of peace to the American war chief, expecting as a matter of right, reason and jiistico, that our flag would be respected."

call issued for volunteers. White.sides and two or three hundred volunteers remained in arms for the protection of the settlers until the new levies could be organized. These, with several companies of regulars, made tlieir headquarters at Dixon's Ferry. Ranging companies were formed to keep up communication between the lead mine region and more southern counties. Maj. Riley, of tlie United States army, converted the former residence of O. W. Kellogg, at Kellogg' s Grove, thirty-seven miles northeast of Dixon, into a small, well appointed stockade, and other temporary fortifications were raised in dilFerent localities."

"The fatal act of Stillman's men precipitated all tlie horrors of Indian border warfare upon tlie white settlements in Jo Daviess county, as it then existed, and in the adjoining portions of Michigan Territory. Nor is it certain that all the outrages were perpetrated by the "British Band." It is certain that young Pottawatomies and Winnebagoes joined Black Hawk, and, after the war suddenly closed at Bad Axe, it was ascertained that many of the murders had been committed by these Indians. Among the first results of "Stillman's defeat " was the descent of about twenty-five Indians upon an unprotected settlement at Indian creek, where they massacred fifteen men, women and children, and captured two young women, Sylvia and Rachel Hall. These giils, seventeen and fifteen years old respectively, were afterward brought in by Winnebagoes to Gratiot Grove, and were ransomed for S2,(i00 in horses, wampum and trinkets. Part of the compensation agreed upon by Gen. Dodge for their ransom was paid to "Whirling Tliunder," one of the Winnebago chiefs, at Dixon's Ferry.

"The atrocities perpetrated by the Indians upon the bodies of their \-ictims aroused the vengeance of the settlers and miners, many of whom had previously felt that the Indians were not so much in fault, and had needlessly been provoked to bloodshed. Unexpected and mortifying as the beginning of this war had been, its relinquishment was not dreamed of, and every effort was made to ensure future protection. A fair wagon road was made from Dixon's Ferry to Rock Island, which was the base of supplies. Another road, but more imperfect, was made from Rock Island to Fort Koslikanong (near Madison, Wisconsin,) and to other temporary fortifications. Conforming to the inevitable, a fort was constructed on the north side of the river, consisting of two block houses within an inclosure made by a breastwork of sod and earth four and a half feet high, and abutting on the river a few rods west of the ferry. The nortlieast block house was two stories high, ami was so arranged as to command the north and east sides of the fort. Here Captain Palmer was stationed with one company of United States infantry to guard the ferry, thus atfording a safe and speedy passage to passing troops at all times, endearing himself to citizens and soldiers alike by his gentlemanly bearing and deportment.

On Saturday, May 19, Sergeant Fred Stahl (now a respected citizen of Galena) and four privates, with .Inlm Winters, the mail contractor, for guide, left Galena to bear dispatches to Gen. Atkinson, who had arrived at Dixon's Ferry. On the evening of that day they were ambuscaded by Indians just at the edge of Buifalo Grove, now in Ogle county. One of the party was instantly killed and the others narrowly escaped to Galena.

"May 23, Felix St. Vrain, agent for the Sacs and Foxes, bearer of dispatches, left Gen. Atkinson's headquarters, at Dixon's Ferry, accompanied by six men. At J)uffalo Grove they found the body of the volunteer that had been killed a few days befire, and buried it. The next day (2'±th) they were attacked by a party of thirty Indians, near " Kellogg's old place.'" St. Train and tiiree others were killed. The remaining tiiree escaped and arrived at Galena on the morning (^f the 26th.

"On the 15th of June the new levies of 3,00U volunteers, in camp at Fort Wilburn, near La Salle, were formed into three brigades, under command of Gen. Atkinson. The first brigade was commanded b}' Gen. Alexander Pose}'; the second by Gen. Milton K. Alexander, and the third by Gen. James D. Henry. They moved to Dixon's Ferry a few days after.

" Capt. John Dement was elected major of an independent spy battalion, consisting of three com])anies of about 140 men, belonging to Gen. Posey's brigade. Maj. Dement was sent in advance of the main force to report Indian depredations that had been committed in the Bureau woods, to Col. Taylor at Dixon's Ferry. After scouring the woods he arrived at the river the evening of the second or third da}'. He arrived just after two companies of regulars had been driven in from an attempt to keep open the load between Galena and Dixon. Taylor met Dement as he arrived, and informed him that he had come just in time - that he had just the place for him, and directed him to swim his horses across the river in the morning and receive his orders. In Maj. Dement's command were men who had held nearly every office in the state from governor down. His men were fatigued from their long ride and expected a short rest when they arrived at the river. Dement, although ready to do his duty without flinching, was desirous of not appearing anxious to get his men prema- turely into a light, when the regulars could not hold their own, and a large force of volunteers were so soon to arrive ; he therefore requested Col. Taylor, when he should deliver him his orders, to read them to liis men, that they might know that he (Dement) was not responsible for the movement. As they were ready to start, Taylor read the orders, and then addressed the men in a very abrupt manner, alluding to the unfortunate propensity of the Illinois militia for running away, and said that if they wished to sacrifice the reputation of the militia, already so poor, they had an opportunity to do so.

" Maj. Dement replied that the discontent Col. Taylor alluded to was greatly exaggerated, and its cause by no means understood, and allusion to the courage of the soldiers, unjust and entirely uncalled for from men who, with the experience of the regular army would entrench themselves behind walls and send to the front mill who had never seen service. Then telling his men that none need obey his oi-ders to march tluit didn't-wish to go, he moved off, and all, save one man, followed, and he came up after the}' had gone a .-.liurt distance. By evening of the second day they arrived at the stix-lcade at Kellogg's Grove, and encamped. In the morning, learning that an Indian trail had been seen four or five miles from the grove where they were encamped, the major called for twenty-five volunteers to go and investigate. These were immediately forthcoming, and among them were the only captains he had in his command. These men started just before sunrise, leaving Maj. Dement giving instructions to those who remained, and on reaching the edge of the grove they discovered seven Indians a few hundred yards on the prairie. The cry of "Indians!" was raised, when the men in the grove sprang to their horses in confusion, and by the time Maj. Dement had brought them to order and finished his instructions, the volunteers were a mile out on the prairie in pursuit. Being splendidly mounted Maj. Dement rapidly overtook a number of them, but several were too far in advance ; the Indians making for an(jther grove some three miles away, where Dement was convinced a large number of Indians lay concealed. Finding it was impossible to overtake some five or six who were in advance, on arriving at a ridge some 40(1 yards from the grove to which the Indians were running, he halted the remainder of his men and formed line. As he feared, on nearing the grove those in advance were received with a warm fire, which killed two and wounded a third, and with hideous yells a large body of Indians poured from the grove, extending to the right and left, to outflank the little band, and rapidly approached. Tliey were all mounted, stripped to the skin, and painted for battle. As the Indians reached the bodies of the dead soldiers a large number sur- rounded them, clubbing and striking tlie lifeless remains. A volley from the rifles of Maj. Dement' s men killed two or three at this point, but by the time two or three men had reached the ridge, the Indians were close upon them, and were on both flanks. Then came an exciting race tor the grove, Indians 3'elling, bullets flying, and woe to the man wiiose horse stumbled or gave out !

"Here occurred an unfortunate circumstance: Three men whose horses had strayed during the night had, early in the morning, gone out in search of them, and were now caught on one of the flanks. The Indians swept over them, killing every one.

"The men in the grove hearing the firing and yelling, instead of remaining in ambush as they had been instructed, mounted in hot hastp and started to the rescue of their comrades. On discovering the superior force of the Indians, they fell back again and reached the grove with 970 men, and almost neck and neck with the Indians, sprang fn)m their horses and occupied tlie l()g liouse anil barn there situated. On the least exposed side of the liouse was a work-bench ; over this Dement threw his bridle rein, and most of the horses instinciively huddled together at this house as if conscious of danger. As the Indians swarmed into the grove and covered themselves, an ominous stillness for some minutes prevailed, which was soon broken by the sharp crack ! crack ! of many rifles. The best marksmen and best rifles were placed at the port-holes and a lively fire was kept up by the little garrison. The Indians finding they made no impression turned their attention to shooting the horses, some twentyfive of which they killed. It was unpleasant to the volunteers, who rode their own horses, to hear the crack of the rifle and the heavy thud of the bullet and see some favorite horse spring as the ball struck it. After a sharp contest of an hour or two. tlie Indians withdrew, leaving nine dead and losing probably several others killed and wounded. Reinforcements were sent for the relief of Dement from Dixon's Ferry, but too late to assist him or follow the retreating body of Indians.

"It is a remarkable fact that this was the first instance during this war where the Indians were defeated and the position of the volunteers held until reinforcements came up. Previous to this the detachments of troops were always driven back to the main army by the overwhelming numbers of Indians. After this fight the Indians would not eoinc to open battle of their own volition with the whites, and the only fights that occurred were when the soldiers overtook the Indians in their retreat; which style of warfare continued until hostilities ceased with Black Hawk's surrender in August."

hundred warriors in the following manner: "We started in a direction toward sunrise. After marching a considerable time I discovered some white men coming toward us. I told my braves that we would get into the woods and kill them when they approached. We concealed ourselves until they came near enough and then commenced yelling and tiring and made a rush upon them. About this time their chief, with a party of men, rushed up to rescue the men we had fii'ed upon. In a little while they commenced retreating and left their chief and a few braves who seemed willing and anxious to fight. They acted like braves, but were forced to give way when I rushed upon them with my braves. In a short time the chief returned with a larger party. He seemed determined to tight and anxious for a battle. When he came near enough I raised the yell and firing commenced on both sides. The chief, who seemed to be a small man, addressed his warriors in a loud voice, but they soon retreated, leaving liini and a few braves on the battle-field. A great number of my warriors pursued the retreating party and killed a number of their horses as they ran. The cliief and his few braves were unwilling to leave the field. I ordered my braves to rush upon them, and had the mortification of seeing two of my chiefs killed before the enemy retreated. Tiiis young chief. Col. Dement, deserves great praise for his courage and bravery. During the attack we killed several men and about forty horses, and lost two young chiefs and seven warriors."

Gen. Atkinson commenced his slow and cautious march up the river about the 25th of June, and finally reached lake Koshkanong, Wisconsin, where he was joined by Gen. Alexander's brigade, and then continued his march to White river, or Whitewater, where he was joined by Posey's brigade and Maj. Dodge. Gen. Alexander, Gen. Henry and Maj. Dodge were sent to Fort Winnebago for supplies. Here they heard that Black Hawk was making liis way toward tlie Wisconsin river, and, disobeying orders, Henry and Dodge started in pursuit (Gen. Alexander and his brigade returned to Gen. Atkinson), struck the broad fresh trail of the Indians, and followed them with tireless energ3\ Black Hawk was overtaken at tiie Wisconsin river, and his braves offered battle to enable the women and children to cross the river. The battle of Wisconsin Heights was fought on July 22, 18a2, at which the Indians were badly whipped. Skirmishing commenced a little after noon, but the heaviest fighting was about sunset. About ten o'clock the men bivouacked for rest on their arms.

The next morning not an Indian remained on the east side of the Wisconsin. Gen. Heni-y pushed back for supplies, and Gen. Atkinson's forces coming up. tlie pursuit was renewed and the battle of

Bad Axe was fought August 2, 1832. This terminated the war, and Black Hawk's surrender, subsequent visit to Wasliington, and return to his people in Iowa, are events familiar to the reader. Black Hawk claimed : "In this skirmish with fifty braves I defended and accomplished mv passage over the Ouisconsin ("Wisconsin) with a loss of only six men, though opposed by a host of mounted militia."

At the close of the war the United States troops that had not previously been discharged were mustered out at Dixon's Ferry. The pack hoi'ses from all the territory betweL'n Dixon and the Wisconsin river, the mining region and the scene of Black Hawk's defeat were gathered and corraled here, prepju-atory to being driven farther south for sale in more densely settled portions of the state. The wounded and sick soldiers were brought here and carefully nursed aud cared for.

By the terms of Gen. Scott's treaty at Rock Island the Winnebag<J Indians were to have 40,000 rations of bacon and Hour, as a renmneration for the sufterings they had endured during the summer by the occupation of their hunting grounds. The rations for the Rock river band of that nation were moved here in boats from Rock Island, and Father Dixon appointed to distribute it to the Indians at his discretion.

It is an interesting circumstance that at this remote outpost of civilization there met a number of men since famous or infamous in their country's service : Gen. Scott, Col. Zachary Taylor, subsequently president of the United States ; Gov. Reynolds, and Gen. Atkinson ; Lieut. Robert Anderson, the defender of Fort Sumter ; l\Iaj. John Dement, now of Dixon ; pri\^ate Abraham Lincoln, afterward president of the United States during the rebellion ; and Lieut. Jeff. Davis, afterward the leader of the rebellion. These were all here in their country's service.

When Maj. Anderson visited Washington after the evacuation of Fort Sumter, during a conversation the president said: " ^fajor, do you remember of ever meeting me before^" "No," replied Anderson, "I have no recollection of ever having that pleasure. "My memory is better than yours," said Lincoln, "You mustered me into the U. S. service as a high private of the Illinois volunteers at Dixon's Ferry in the Black Hawk war."

During this war, and, in fact, for years after. Father Dixon's log house was a "house of call" for the traveler and the wandering tribes of red-men. There might have been seen the raw-boned Hoosier bound for the lead mines, yellow-breeched Sucker with his boat-shaped "prairie schooner," with four, five or six yoke of oxen; the tramping hunter, the Pottawatomie, the cunning Winnebago, or the treacherous Sionx ; all these were welcomed under the hospitable roof of the white-haired pioneer, whom the Indians called Na-chusa - the white-haired - and were made to keep the peace with one another about the friendly fireside of him whom both the red and the white man loved and respected.

Early in the spring of 1833 the "Winnebago Indians became restive, and many families again abandoned the homes to which they had so recently returned. Father Dixon's old counselor could not talk so assuring of his own tribe as in 1832. He frankly admitted the trouble that was likely to follow, and faithfully said that the temper of his people was too uncertain for assured peace. The peaceful family in the old log house was broken up, and mother Dixon, with the children, went to Peoria county, and remained there until the war-cloud passed over. The last of the Indians left in 1836.

During the Black Hawk war Father Dixon Jiad the contract for supplj'ing the army with beef from the time the Wisconsin river was crossed until the final battle of the Bad Axe river. His place on the march was in the rear of the army, and many times he was left so far behind as to be out of supporting distance. It so happened on the march, that at one time midnight was passed before he came to camp. He was hailed by the sentinel with the snap of the lock of the gun in the sentineFs hands and the words: "Who comes there?" Father Dixon replied: "' Major of the Steer Battalion.''' The soldier gave the order: "Major of the Steer Battalion, march in." This sally of wit on both sides was the foundation of Father Dixon's military title. Another time he had been off the trail hunting one of his beeves, and on again returning to the trail he suddenly found himself face to face with two Indians, who were as much as" tonished at the meeting as he was. It was no time for ceremon}'. All were armed ; Father Dixon lowered his gun and, walking about five rods, gave his hand to the nearest savage, saluting him in Winnebago. The Indian replied in Winnebago. Father Dixon and both the Indians were alike overjoyed at this unexpected good fortune- Father Dixon, that he was permitted to save his scalp for another day ; the Indians, that they had found some one understanding their own language, under whose influence they could safely be introduced to Gen. Atkinson, for whom they had important dispatches. Their life was endangered to be seen by a soldier, and they felt their peril and were in serious embarrassment about how to approach the army.

The Black Hawk C>moe. - On the surrender of Black Hawk at the battle of Bad Axe his canoe was captured and afterward broken into pieces and carried off as relics. One fragment of black walnut timber fell into the hands of Mr. .Geo. J. An^lerson, of Dixon, who worked it into three walking-sticks, and on the occasion ot an old settlers" reunion at Dixon, one, which had been mounted with a golden head, was publicly presented to Col. John Dement as a memento of his conflict in battle with the brave warrior during the Black Hawk war. The presentation was made by Dr. Oliver Everett, of Dixon. It was a complete surprise to Col. Dement, and awakened emotions through vivid recollections of the scenes of early military life. Mr. Anderson holds in possession one of the three canes, for which he has refused the liberal sum of ten dollars, although it is unfinished and unmounted with gold or silver.

After The Black Hawk War

The first notion store was opened in 1S33, in the block-house which stood on the north side of the river, bj' a Mr. Martin, "where," says a pioneer writer, "the prime necessaries of life were sold ; such as pipes, tobacco, tea, coffee and sugar were sold to meet the wants of advancing civilization. Life's luxuries, - shoes, boots and clothes, - were not yet so imperative."

In the winter of 1833 and 1S34 a school was opened in the house partly built by Ogee and finished by Mr. Dixon. This was the first house erected at the Ferry, and this the first school opened in the bounds of Lee county. The pioneer writer, in the History of Dixon, says of this school : " Unpretentiously it was the pioneer of the more costly school edifices of our town. Its teacher and only one of its scholars survive to live in memory of its feeble infancy. There are structures where better facilities can be had for a sound education, but none are found where a more genuine good will prevails than existed in that old log bouse."

Mr. John Dixon having secured under the preemption laws the northeast quarter of section 5, township 21, range 9 east, of 4th principal meridian, he laid out the first plat of the present city of Dixon as early as 1834 or 1835; a Mr. Bennett, from Galena, making the survey. The second house built at Dixon's Ferry was on the south side of the river, and was built by James Dixon, back of where the Exchange building now stands. It was a log cabin about sixteen fe t square, with a small "lean-to" built against the east side of the house used as the village post office, where Mr. Jolin Dixon disti'ibuted the mail to his neighbors. It is stated by old citizens that this house and the old block-liouse on the north side of the river disappeared about 1855. The foundation of the latter lias jnst been exposed by the rushing of high waters in tlie Rock river at tliis writing, April 1881. After the close of the war the Indians lingered in the vicinity of Lee county until 1836, when the last wandering tribes of the red-men disappeared.

John K. Robinson, who came to Dixon's Feriy in May 1832, and made his home with Mr. J. Dixon, and who now resides at Mendota, this state, writes: "In 1833, the last week of December, Zachariah Malugin, with myself as his only assistant, built the first house ill Lee county, outside of Dixon, at the grove that still bears his name. There was no other settlement made in Lee county that year. A few months later the families of Gilmore and Christance came to Malugin's Grove in the spring of 1835.

In 1833 and 1834 a settlement began in the southern part of the county, in what is now known as East Grove township. Of this neighborhood were Joseph Smith, H. W. Bogardus, Charles Falvey, and F. Anderson, who settled in that early day, built their cabins, and commenced opening up farms for their future homes.

About this time improvements were opened at Sugar Grove, now in Palmyra township, in the northwest part of the county, where, in April 1834, Isaac Morgan and his sons, Harvey and John, commenced the first improvements in that part of the county, and they were joined by a number of families the autumn of the same year, among whom may be mentioned Mr. Wright, Mr. Tomlin, Capt. Oliver Hubbard, and John H. Page. In 1834 Stephen Fellows, with a family of eight, Michael, Simon, Samuel, William, Alfred, George, Albion, and Steplien. Absalom Fender, with a large family, came in 1835, and also W. W. Bethea. To these were soon added C. B. Anthana, Anson Thummel, Geo. L. Herrick, Jack Keplinger, Enoch and Noah Thomas with tlieir father, Nathan Morehouse, two brothers, Sandy and Elkanah Bush, and Martin Richardson. These families, with others who are worthy of note, but whose names will ajipear in the chapter on Palmyra, soon attracted attention to the fertile lands and beautiful groves of the northwest neighborhood, and others followed soon to swell the number of the new settlement.

In Ma^', 1834, Adolphus Bliss commenced a settlement at Inlet Grove, to which was added that summer or autumn Ozra Wright and two or three others. About this time Paw Paw Grove attracted the attention of Charles Morgan, J. Alcott and David A. Town, first settlers in AVyoming township. Mr. Harris, the father of Benjamin Harris, who came with his father and brother and a large train of relatives, settled at this grove. These were followed by a Mr. Gillett and Levi Kelso, Esq., who settled at the north side of the grove. During this time, when settlements were springing up like magic in different parts of the count}', the settlement at Dixon's Ferry was by no means neglected, but it being the center of attraction of a large scope of country, because of the United States mail and store supplies reached at this place, there were additions made to the community. In the summer of 1834 a Mr. Bush, brother-in-law of Judge Logan, lately deceased in Chicago, opened a fiirm below Di.xon on the north side of the river, now owned by J. T. Lawrence. The same summer John K. Robinson, now of Mendota, opened a farm on the north side of the river two miles below Di.xon, and was joined afterward by two sons <>i John Dixon. Tiiis farm has been since known as the Graham farm.

Probabl}' the third house erected on the south side of the river in Dixon was by Judge Wilkinson, on the corner of Water and Galena streets, and was built near the time James P. Dixon erected his house, mentioned above. Judge Wilkinson purchased the Kirkpatrick place.

Li Dixon, as in all places of central interest, the spirit of competition was early manifested. The future of the locality seemed to be impressed upon the minds of some of the most enterprising citizens, and they began to cast about to best establish themselves for the incoming tide. Mr. Bush, below Dixon, established a ferry across t'le river opposite his farm. A Mr. Kirkpatrick. who settled one and a quai'ter miles below Dixon, attempted to start a town on his premises called Burlington, but stakes and a euphonious name will not build a city any more than an act of congress, recognizing the Rock river as a navigable stream, will send the great steamers uj) her channel without legislating a greater supply of water to float the craft with her cargo ; so the enterprise, laudable as it may have been, failed, as did also the ferries above mentioned.

"In the autumn of 1834,'' says Mr. J. K. Robinson, "Mr. IIollingshead made an angements for the erection of a log house southeast of Grand Detour, which was built in January 1835." Mr. HoUingshead, not finding the country congenial to his tastes, returned to Kentucky. Cyrus Chamberlin, Esq.. who came to this vicinity in 1835, purchased this farm, on which he lived, occupying the position of county commissioner for a number of years until his death, which he met in a ripe old age.

In the winter of 1834 Grand Detour was taken by Leonard Andruss and W. A. House, where for many years the former ran a plow factory in connection with Mr. Deere, now of Moline.

In 1835 Judge Wikinson built a saw-mill at the foot of Peoria street. Mr. Talmage, and other mechanics from Buffalo, Xew York, came to Dixon to perform the work. It seems that this mill, however, was run but a short time by Messrs. Huff & Thompson, and converted into a distillery and vinegar factory. This was the first saw-inill in the bounds of Lee county, au.l it is to be regi'etted that it so soon met a sad fate. In the same year Smith Gilbraith also bought in Dixon, and figured largely in the public affairs of the town until his death.

In the spring of this year, 1835, Mr. Joseph Crawford arrived in Dixon, where he still resides, having served as first surveyor in Ogle county, which then embraced Lee, and afterward was first surveyor in Lee county. Mr. Crawford cultivated a farm near the Grand Detour. The Messrs. Cutshaws arrived in Dixon the same year, and were Dixon's first carpenters. During the previous year, 1834, the township of Dixon was surveyed by the government, although the citizens were not prepai-ed to eflfect an organization for some years later. About this time, as before stated, Dixon's Ferry was surveyed and platted for the first time, and will be more particularly noted in the chapter on the city of Dixon. In prospect of the growing town, and for the accommodation of the traveling public, the first house built by Ogee and Mr. Dixon was converted into a tavern in 1835, and in the early part of 1836 Messrs. Chapman and Hamilton opened a store in the "block" part of this building. Dixon could now boast of a post-oflice, store, and a house of public entertainment. It was about this time that Mr. John Dixon removed to his farm, \\ Inch was situated a little southeast of where the Northwestern depot now stands. During 1835 Mr. Hamilton, above mentioned, erected the first frame house built in the town. This residence stood opposite the house of James P. Dixon.

" Other improvements in the vicinity of Dixon were made as early as 1835. Dr. Forest, from Kentucky, opened the Woodford farm. George A. Martin commenced improvements on the Truman farm. Mr. E. W. Covell was building up on the north side of the river, and Caleb Talmage was improving a farm about one mile south of Dixon. Dr. Forest had erected a log house on the corner of AVater and Ottawa streets, and John Wilson had erected a blacksmith shop on Main street. On September 3, 1836, Dr. Oliver Everett came to Dixon, where he still resides as one of the oldest citizens of the city."

About this time Mr. Badger, then an aged gentleman, located with several sons near the present city of Amboy, and was soon followed by Benjamin Wasson, L. C. Sawyer, Asa Searls, Joseph Doane, and John Dexter. The same year Mr. Wily settled in Franklin Grove, and became one of the contestants of an early claim trouble, which was adjusted by ai-bitration, Mr. John Dixon and two others serving as arbitrators in the case.

In the autumn of 1836 the village then c insisted of the ''old mansion," the original home of Mr. Joim Dixon; James P. Dixon's house before described ; a small frame building opposite Mr. James Dixon'.s, built b}' Mr. Hamilton the previous year; also on the opposite side of the street from this, aiid a little east, stood a small building which had been erected and occupied by John Wilson, an old bachelor, who occupied a small addition to the smith shop as his residence. In 1837 the latter was finished above, tloor laid, and walls plastered, after which it was occupied as a courthouse. Tlie first court of Ogle county, which at that time embraced Lee, was held in this building. It was afterward occupied by the engineer corps of internal improvements.

In the winter of 1830 and ls37 Peter McKiuney and H. Thompson opened a new hotel, called the Western Hotel, which is now the northern part of the Huntley House. These gentlemen had charge at the same time of the ''Tavern" in Dixon's original log house.

In the month of December of this year the original county of Ogle was organized, then including the present territory of Lee county. Referring to the poll list, there were but two hundred votes cast, altliough it was claimed to be a hotly contested election; and all legal voters of six months residence were entitled to a vote. *

Up to 1836 the wandering tribes of Indians still lingered in the vicinity of Lee c<junty, but during this year they bid adieu to their former hunting grounds and the graves of their fathers, and turning westward they sought a retreat from the advancing civilization of the white man, beyond the surging waters of the Mississippi. Their removal gave assurance of safety to the homes and families of the pioneers. Tiiis change was the signal for the advance of the pioneer corps from Iventuckj- and Tennesee, who laid off claims by driving stakes, tui-ning a furrow, or beginning a cabin house. By the autumn of 1837 the claims covered all the prairie lands skirting the timber. The holders of tliis land secured their title to the same from the government under the preimption laws. These claims had to be respected, as the pioneer settlements were a "law unto themselves," iu mutually protecting each others' interests. The writer has been told of a stranger coming forward to bid in lands that had been covered with a previous claim, when a number of pioneers tied him to a tree and leveled their rifles at him, when he recalled his bid, and <)n being released he withdrew, leaving the claimants to secure their lands from the government without further competition.

After The Black Hawk Wak

In 1837 a claim association was formed for the protection of members in tlieir "reasonable claims made according to the customs of the country." The following list of names shows the citizens who became original members in 1837 and 1838: Samuel C. McClure, Hugh Moor, Samuel Anthony, John H. Champlin, James Moor,

As soon as settlements were established along the main thoroughfares stage lines were opened and coaches were run regularly on the more important routes. A main line was established between this point and Galena. There were other lines centering at Dixon and connecting with the main line to the Galena mines, as follows: The Naperville and Chicago line ; the Troy Grove and Ottawa, and the Windsor, Princeton and Peoria line. Dixon was the great transfer station on the stage lines that traversed the country then as the railroads do now. In the early settlement of the country "every dwelling house," says a writer, "was a place of entertainment, and the hospitable dwellers of the then hastily erected houses, most of which were of logs, were always ready to furnish the weary traveler with the best that the country afforded." But as the travel through this country increased it became necessary that Dixon should be provided with more extensive accommodations than private dwellings could give ; and in the latter part of 1836 and the first of 1837 the Western Hotel was built, and during the same year the Rock River House was erected by Messrs. Crowell and Wilson. This was afterward known as the Phoenix.

In this year, 1837, S. M. Bowman and Isaac S. Boardman opened the first dry-goods store in Dixon, on the corner of River and Galena streets. Others had conducted a general notion trade before this,

In 1837 the number of families had increased in the different settlements of Lee county. There were thirteen additions in Dixon, besides others in the vicinity. Li Wyoming, Charles Morgan, J. D. Ivogers, and others ; in Amboy, A. B. Searls and L. D. Wason increased the number in their several neighborhoods.

About this time, or in 1836, William Guthrie made claim on section 35 in Viola township ; and Evens Adrian, of Ireland, followed in the same township, and now owns a farm of eleven hundred acres of land.

Attention was now being given to education in the older settlements. Dixon built the first school-house in 1837, and a school opened in the following year. This building was a small one-story fi-anie structure, erected at the expense of the friends of the cause, detailed in the chapter on educational matters. This was the only public building in the town until 1840, and served tlie purpose of court-house, meeting-house, town-hall, and scliool-house.

The first death recorded in Dixon was in tlie iiutumn of 1836. A man by the name of Lafferty died in the building on the corner of Water and Galena streets, and was the first interment in the cemetery.

The following extract from an old day-book used by Mr. John Dixon during his dealings with the Indians may be of interest to the reader, showing the manner of trartic with those people :

It is interesting to glance over the curious names and descriptions of some of the Indians trading with Father Dixon a half-century ago. Among his customers were : " Old Blue Coat," " Squirrel Cheeks," " Yellow Man," tlie old "blind man's son," " Sour Head Ox," "Doctor's Husband," "Raw Bone Black Face," "Limpy,"

"Consimiption," "Blinky," " Daddy Walker," "Man that has a sick wife," "Old Grey Head's fat "son," "Canoe Thief," "Old White Head Pottawatomie's son."

Pi'evious to 1836 Jo Daviess county embraced all the northwest part of the state, including the present territory of Lee, which was embraced in what was called the Rock River precinct of Jo Daviess count}^ and in the fall of 1836 the polls were opened for the presidential election in that precinct in Dixon.

In December, 1836, Ogle county was organized ; and the first court convened in the county was held in Di.xon, September 1837. Judge Stone was on the bench, and Thomas Furd, who was afterward chosen by the people governor of the state, acted as district attorney by appointment of the judge.

On the 27th of February, 1839, the act of the general assembly creating Lee county was approved by the official authority of the governor of Illinois, and it became a law recognizing Lee as one of the counties of the commonwealth. Messrs. D. G. Salisbury, E. H. Nichols and L. G. Butler were appointed commissioners to locate the county-seat, and in the prosecution of the duties imposed to their trust these gentlemen, on the 31st of May 1839, selected Dixon as the capital of the new county.

The following piece of ingenuity, called in an early day " sharp practice," may be of interest: In 1839, when the state legislature was in session in Vandalia, then the capital of the state, Mr. F. R. Dutcher, now of Amlioy, but then i-esiding in Dixon, and Mr. Smith Gilbraith visited Vandalia to present a petition to the general assembly praying for the creation of the county of Lee, the name being suggested by Mr. Dutcher in honor of Gen. Lee, who in after years became notorious as the defender of the Confederate cause and surrendered to Gen. U. S. Grant at the close of the rebellion. On arriving at Vandalia Messrs. Dutcher and Gilbraith found a Mr. Boague in advance of them with a remonstrance from Buffalo Grove and Grand Detour. The latter gentleman, however, had not his complete list of names to his remonstrance, and was anxiously looking for other papers from home that would give him a large majority of remonstrators over the Dixon petitioners. The Dixon gentlemen knew if Mr. Boague got in the full list of signatures to his remonstrance that their cause would be defeated ; and to forestall this Mr. Gilbraith perpetrated a very shrewd piece of business, by presenting himself at the post-ofBee on the arrival of the mail from the north and inquiring of the postman, "anything for Boague?" A package was handed over, whicli went down into the great-coat pocket, and Mr. Boague anxiously looked for the desired document in vain. And what made the situation more serious was that there was not sufficient time to send back to his constituents for a duplicate list of remonstrators before the adjournment of the legislature. Messrs. Dutcher and Gilbraith were not satisfied with this piece of irregularity to secure their purpose, but knowing Mr. Boague to be an abolitionist orator, they encouraged the projectof that gentleman to deliver an abolition speech on a certain evening, to which the members of the legi>lature were invited. The effect was, as designed, to alienate the sympa thies of the members of the general assembly from the orator and his cause. This gave the situation to the petitionei's, who obtained the object for which they prayed.

Mi-. Dutcher was not only one of the prime movers in securing the creation of the county of Lee. but suggested the name which it bears. He came to Dixon on May 9, 1838, armed with a letter of introduction from Judge Massej', of New York, to Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, and on reaching Vandalia he inquired for Mr. Douglas. Douglas was pointed out to him, who was in the playful act of trying, though a very small man, to climb a very tall Kentuckian who was standing in the hall of the state house. Mr. Dutcher was appointed postmaster in Dixon in 1839, and in the same year was elected magistrate, in which otfice he served until 1846. In 1840 he rode over the entire county of Lee on horseback and took the census for that year, which enumeration amounted to 2035.

The tirst election of county officers was held on the tirst Monday in August of the same year, which resulted in the election of the following persons: county commissioners, Charles F. Ingals, Nathan R. Whitney, and James P. Dixon ; Isaac Boardman, clerk of commissioners' court; Aaron Wakely, sheriff; Joseph Crawford, county surveyor ; H. Morgan, probate justice ; G. W. Chase, recorder. The commissioners' court conducted the affairs of the county, including that which is now done by the townships. The county commissioners held their iirst session in the Dixon school-house on September 13, 1839, for the purpose of organizing said county, and were duly qualified by administering the proper oath of ofBce to each other; after which Isaac S. Boardman, jr., gave approved bonds and took the oath of office as required by law. The court proceeded to determine the terms of their respective offices by lot, which resulted in three years' service to Charles F. Ingles and one year's term to Nathan Whitney. There being but two niembei-s elect present, the court adjoui'iied to meet on the following Monday, at which time James P. Dixon presented his certificate of election and took the oath of office as a member of the court. His term of office was determined to be two years. They having provided that the term ot commissioners should be for three years, it was determined as above that two should vacate the office before the expiration of the legal term, that thereafter one might be elected annually.

At this session the court divided the county into six election precincts, and appointed judges of elections for the several divisions : Gap Grove precinct, west of the river in the northwest corner of the county ; election to be held at the house of AVilliam Martin ; judges of election were Thomas J. Harris, William Morelin, and William J. Johnson. Dixon precinct, embracing the present townships of Dixon and Nelson, with a portion of South Dixon, and northeast Nachusa. The place of elections was the Dixon school-house ; judges of election were James Sairtu, Samuel M. Brown and Thomas McCabe. Franklin precinct, which embraced what is now four townships - Nachusa, China, Ashton, and Bradford - held elections at the house of Jeremiah Whipple ; judges of election being Cyrus Chambers, Jeremiah Whipple, and Daniel Cooper. The Winnebago precinct embraced the territory of six present townships, Hamilton, East Grove, May, Harmon, Marion, and the south half of South Dixon ; the election to be held at the house of David Welty ; judges of election, David Welty, Henry W. Bogardner, and Nathan Brooks. Inlet precinct embraced the three townships of Amboy, Lee Centre, and Sublette ; elections to be held at the house of Benjamin Whitaker ; judges of election were Daniel M. Dewey, Daniel Frost, and Asa B. Searls. Winnebago precinct embraced all of Lee county east of the third meridian, including six present townships. Elections held at Malugin's school-house; judges of elections were David A. Town, Zachariah Malugin and J. K. Robinson.

The clerk of the commissioners' court was instructed to procure a seat for the court as soon as convenient for him to coraplv with said order. The court issued treasury certificates for the first time in favor of the several members of the court.

The commissioners' court met in special session, October 2, 1839 ; at which time a county election was ordered, to be held in the several precincts of the county, for the purpose of electing two justices of the peace, and two constables in each precinct respectively. At the same session the court ordered that the clerk give public notice that sealed proposals would be accepted at the December term of the court for the building of a stone court-house on the pub- 'ic square in Dixon. The court subsequently received proposals for building the court-house in brick, and also for the building of a county jail. The court awarded the building of the court-house, per bid, to

Samuel M. Bowman, and the building of the jail was awarded to Zeiios Apliiigton and G. G. Holbrook. The court-house was to be built fur the consideration of $6,800, in accordance witli the bid submitted ; the commissioners contracting to pay an additional sum for work not before specified. Tlie jail was to be built for >; 1,495.

On Marcli 7, 1840, John Morse was appointed tii-st assessor for the county, and at tiie same term of tlie court tlie couuty was divided into sixteen road districts, and the following gentlemen were appointed road supervisors in their respective districts : District No. 1, John Morse ; No. 2, William W. Bethea ; No. 3, S. A. Mason ; No. 4, Lewis Davis; No. 5, Solomon Shelhammer ; No. 6, William Seward; No. 7, James Hawley ; No. 8, - Scott; No. 9, Otis Timothy ; No. 10, Charles S. Badger ; No. 11. Charles Stark ; No. 12, Johnathan Peterson ; No. 13, Curtis T. Bridgman ; No. 14, Henry W. Cliocland ; No. 15. Abraham Y. Christiance ; No. 16, John Sims.

The following list gives the names of the first county officers : county commissioners, C. F. Ingals, Nathan Whitney, and J. P. Dixo7i, elected in 1830 ; county judge, H. Morgan, elected in same year ; county clerk and recorder, G. W. Chase, in 1839 ; county recorder. M. Fellows ; county treasurer, John Morse ; sheriff. A. Wakely ; superintendent of schools, E. R. Mason ; county surveyor, Joseph Crawford, from 1839 to 1844 ; coroner, Samuel Johnson, from 1839 to 1841 ; circuit judge, Daniel Stone, in 1840.

The first term of the circuit court convened in the Dixon schoolhouse on the third Monday in April, 1840. Judge Stone, of Galena, presided. The members of the first grand jury had been summoned on the third of the month to appear at the opening of the court, as above, and consisted of the following citizens : AVilliam Martin, Noah Beede, Reuben Eastwood, John H. Page, Oscar F. Ayres, Elijah Bowman. Jolni Brown. Thomas McCabe, Cyrus Ciiamberlii'i. Cyrus R. Miner. Erastus Do Wolt; David H. Birdsall, George E. Haskell, Daniel M. Dewey, David Baird, James Bain, Josepli F. Abbott. Peter T. Scott, Nathan B. Meek, John Willson, Zachariah Malugin, John K. Robinson, and Jacob Kiplinger.

At the same time and for the same session of the circuit court a petit jury was paneled, consisting of the following ]x'rsons : Oliver Hubbard, Simon Fellows, James M. Johnson, Benjamin H. Steward, William F. Bradshaw, Hiram Parks, Jeremiah Murphy, Josiah Mooer, Charles Edson, Joseph Crawford, Samuel !McClure. John Chamberlain, lidward Morgan, Amos Ilussey, Daniel Frost, John Done, Richard F. Adams, Sylvenus Peterson, Asa B. Searls, R. B. Alben, William Guthrie, John Gilmore, jr., David Welty, and

James S. Ball. The above lists may liave been changed some from the above footing bj relieving some and substituting others. We may notice in this connection that there has never been a district court organized in this county up to the present writing (1881), the circuit court holding jurisdiction over the criminal code.

The legal officers present at the organization given above were as follows: The Hon. Dan Stone, judge; Aaron Waklee, sheriff; Slielton L. Hall, circuit attorney, and George W. Chase, clerk. After considering the bonds and securities of the constable, sheriff, and coroner, the court proceeded with regular business.

The first appeal case tried in the circuit court was at its first sitting in 1840, involving rights of property. Smith Gilbraith vy. Bnekner J. Morris. The first case of appeal from the justice court was ill a case of fine for an assault and battery. The fine, however, being reduced from s27 to 820, it was paid without further litigation.

The first collector for Lee county was David Tripp, who received his appointment in June, 1840 ; and at that time Richard F. Adams was appointed to take the first census of the county.

In the year of 1840 the court-house was built according to tiie contracts noted above, at the cost of $7,610, and 80 aci'es of laud ; the former donated by the citizens of Dixon and the latter by the founder of the city, John Dixon. The jail was also completed tliisyear.

( )n the 16th of June the commissioners appointed Joseph Sawyer the first overseer of the poor, and David Tripp the first collector fill- the county of Lee.

Hearing tlie ?ame date (April 16, 1840) the first license to sell intoxicating liquors in Lee county was issued to Rodney Burnett for a term of two years, for which Rodney paid the sum of 25 cents. And the first indictment by the grand jury for selling spirituous liquors without license was at the first term of the circuit court in 1840.

In the autumn of 1840 the land office was removed from Galena to Dixon. Mr. John Dixon visited Washington in this year, with application for the removal of the land office to this city. Gen. Scott being a personal friend of Mr. Dixon, and having been at Dixon during the Black Hawk war and learned the topography of the country, he rendered valuable aid to him in introducing him to the president of the United States, Mr. Van Buren, who issued the order for its removal. Col. John Dement was appointed receiver, and Major llackelton register. Tiiese gentlemen were succeeded by D. G. Garnsey, receiver, and John Hogan, register.

Township Organizations. - The original organization remained, with rcguhir cliaiige of officers, until 1850, when by virtue of an act of the legislature, approved by the chief executive of the eomnionwealtli February 12, 1849, providing for the organization of counties and townships when a majority of the legal voters of a county at any general election should so determine, by vesture of power in three commissioners, organized and established boundary lines by which the county of Lee was divided into ten civil townships.

BrooMijii Township, embracing the three political townships east of the tliird principal meridian, Nos. 37, 38, and 39 N., R. 1 E., of third principal meridian.

Dixon Toicnship, embracing No. 21 N., R. 9 E.. and that part of No. 22 N., R. 9 E., of the principal meridian, wliich is sitinitcd and lying in Lee county.

Palmyra Towinship, embracing that part of No. 22 N., R. 8 E., that is in Lee count}' ; also tliat part of No. 21 N., R. 8 E., that is N. of Rock river.

During 1855 the ff)llowing townships were organized and added to the original list, making in all tiiirteen townships, namely, May, Willow Creek, and Clarion. In 1857 Hanno was discontinued, being superseded by Sublette. Tlie same year Harmon was organized, which was followed in 1859 by the creation of a new township called

The Organization Of Lee Coi'Nty

Reynolds, after an early settler of that township. One township was added in 1860, known as Nelson, and in 1861 the board of snpervisors created three new civil townships, Alto, Ogle, and township 38, political survey, which received in 1862 the name of Viola. Since that date Ogle has been eliminated from the list and two added. Ashton and South Dixon.

In February, 1871, the town of China was divided, and a new township called Nachusa was created out of the territory composing the W. ^ of T. 21, R. lO'; and also extending north on the same line through T. 22, R. 10 E., of the fourth principal meridian to the Ogle county line, being the W. ^ of the present township of China.

In February, 1872, the town of Dixon was divided and a portion thereof was added to the town of Xachusa, commencing at or near the center of Rock river, at or near the center of Sec. 10, T. 22, R. 9 E., of the fourth principal meridian, at the point where the line dividing the E. ^ and the W. ^ of said Sec. 10 strikes the center of said Rock river ; thence south on the half section line to the center of Sec. 34 ; thence east to the center of Sec. 35 in the town and range aforesaid ; thence south to the center of Sec. 2, T. 21, R. 9E., of the fourth principal meridian ; thence west 80 rods ; thence south to the north line of South Dixon. Effort has been made to have a portion of Naehusa thrown back to Dixon township, but the committee to whom it was referred reported adversely and asked to be released from Mny further consideration of the niatter. This leaves the county of Lee, at this writings with twenty-two civil townships, fifteen of which are divided according to the political survey-, while seven in the N.W. -J- of the county were created irrespective of the political townships.

County Commissioners. At the first election in 1839 three commissioners were elected ; after this one commissioner was elected and one went out of office each year. C. F. Ingals, Nathan Whitney and J. P. Dixon were elected in 1839, A. E. Haskell in 1840, Joseph Crawford in 1841, O. F. Ayres in 1842, J. C. Morgan in 1843, D. Baird in 1844, D. H. Birdsall in 1845, James Goble in 1846, N. Whitne}' in 1846 (to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of D. Baird), W. Badger in 1847, Stephen Fuller in 1848, John Gilmore in 1848 to fill vacancy.

Two or three years after the Black Hawk war the Indians were removed from the northern part of the state, leaving the country open for the white man to. occupy. Settlers began to fill up the country, and in a few years all the prairie land adjoining the groves of timber was taken up. Dixon advanced from four families in 1836 to thirty-five or forty in 183S. In 1836, when Lee county was embraced in Ogle, at a closely contested election growing out of a rivalry between Dixon and Oregon, less than 200 votes were cast altogether in the county, and that under the old state constitution, providing that all white inhabitants of six months' residence in the state should be legal voters. One writer says : *' As early as 1838 several wealthy families from INTew Yoi-k and other parts of the country, attracted by the beautiful scenery and fertile lands along the Rock river, settled in the vicinity of Dixon. Among them were Capt. Hugh Graham, an old gentleman of fine presence and courtly manners, and Mr. Alexander Charters, familiarly called "the governor," whose genial, and characteristic hospitality, and whose picturesque and finely kept place, two miles above the town, have been to thousands the most attractive feature of a visit to Dixon."

In 1839 the general assembly having created Lee county, which was approved February 27, 1839, the citizens of Dixon had the opportunity to retrieve their losses in their defeat for the court-house in 1836. On the location of the county seat at this place, with the organization of a new county and the erecting of the necessary public buildings gave an impulse to the improvement and development of the county. The removal of the United States Land Office from Galena to Dixon in the autumn of 1840, and the establishment of the office of the engineer of the "Internal Improvement System " at Dixon, gave the new county a prominence that but few have been favored with.

It was reported for Lee county, in 18-10, a population of 2,035. Dixon precinct had a population of 725 ; 125 persons were employed in agriculture, 17 in commerce, 55 at manuficture and trades, 12 in

For a few years succeeding 1840 the county was of slow development. " The state suffered from the great indebtedness and loss of credit occasioned by the visionary and disastrous internal improvement system of 1837, and increased in population very slowly from 1840 to 1850. The fear of taxation diverted emigration, and agricultural interests languished for want of inter-communication. Tiiere was no market for the products of the country nearer than Chicago, and the expense of transportation of them was often equal to the value of the products when sold. The cash trade of the interior towns was meager, and a credit system, ruinous to the merchant and demoralizing to the customer, prevailed."

The county, however, steadily advanced in population ; lands were taken up and farms were being improved, so that by 184:5 the county had a population of 3,282, an increase of 1,247 since the census of 1840 ; the village of Dixon had, at this time, a population of 400. There were in the county at this time 2 grist-mills, 5 saw-mills. 1 carding machine sind 1 iron foundry. The assessed value of ])roperty in the county was $28,000; horses, 900 ; cattle, 3,222 ; sheep, 2, 197, and hogs, 3.905.

In 1850, as noticed previously, there was a reorganization of the county, at which time it was divided into towns, each being represented by a supervisor in the transaction of the county business, which had been done by the board of commissioners. The board of supervisors held their first session on May 13, 1850. At this time the population of Lee county was 5,289, being an increase of 2,007 since 1845 ; Dixon township's population was 1,073. The value of real estate was $215,360, and of personal property §168.341. There were twelve corporations or individuals in the county, pi-oducing articles to the value of $5,000 annually. One was engaged in the manufacture of harvesting maciiiiies ; one manufacturing plows; one producing lime ; tvvo in lumber, and two in the milling business ; the capital invested was $24,300; the average number of hands employed was twenty-throe. The county had one academy, with two teachers and forty pupils ; public schools, with forty-six teachers and 1,51s jiupils. The average monthly wages for farm hands was $12, and that paid to day laborers was 63 cents per day with board, and

75 cents per day without board; carpenters, $1.50 per day; female domestics, $1.25 per week. Board for laborers could be obtained at $1.50 per week.

Central railroad was opened through it in 1855, which contributed largely to the development of the country. We find the population, as given by the census of 1S60, for Lee county to be 18,854, an increase from 1850 of 13,604, or a little over 1,300 annually. This was the great decade of the popular increase of Lee county. Emigration flowed iu like a tide. The material wealth of the county greatly increased. The decade of 1860 and 1870 increased 8,012 over the preceding ; so that the census of 1870 gave a total population for the county of 26,866 ; this period embraced the years of the great struggle during the rebellion. Emigration was greatly retarded, and many of the brave sons of Lee county went to the front at their country's call and never retui*ned. During the period from 1870 to 1880 the population of Lee county increased 3,037 over 1870. While there has been a great falling off in the increase of population within the last census period, it arises from the fact that the lands had been generally occupied ; that there was not the inducement to land seekers as had formerly been. Some lands, however, were to be improved, whicli brought in the faithful yeomanry from the east, and manufacturing interests offered inducements to the mechanic, so that in 1880 Lee county had a population of 30.186.

/nfr'niii/ /inj)roi<t>witifs. - N'orv carlv in tlu' liistorv of Loo (jountv a systoiii of iiitonml imiirovoinoiits wiis imuii;iii'iito(l in tlio state, tor whii-li tax was laid upon tlio poopli- tlnit bocaiuo a burdon, oniliarrassoil tlio sottloniont and jjnnvth of tlio stuto, and from whicli Loe county sufi'oiod groatly. Railroads were contemplated as well as the improvomont of Hoi-k rivor by a system of slack-water iuivii;ation. Those works wore bojjun and carried forward as loiiic as the state c\ciK'i|Uor was flush, but it was at'ti'rwani abandonetl tor want of moans to carry torward tlio project. This bciniiiii \S'M\ and 1^37, before tlu' county was di'volopcd. the embarrassment entorced u]>i>n the new state di't'crrcd the building of railroads tor near twenty years, when the Illinois Central ran her tirst train across the Kock river bridge at Dixon in lsr>5. This event was of tirst importanco to Leo county, causing not only the rapid growtli of Dixon but the founding of Aniboy car works, which gave rise to the growth of that young city. This road was tollowed by the Chicago iV: Northwestern road, the Chicago <.V: Kock River, and the C. D. i\: M. road.

I'/if I)i.ron Air Lint^ liallrouil was built by the Galena & Chicago Tnion Kailroad Company from the junction, thirty miles west of l^liicago. in iS;")4 and IS;"*;"). The original design seems to have boon to make this a branch to operate as a feeder to the nniin lino, tapping the Kock rivor valley at this point. The subsoijnont rapid development of tlu' country and the constant increase of business inducetl its oxtt'iision wostwaitl. striking the -- l'"atlier of Waters"' at a point opi>osite Clinton in Iowa. Soon alter the tialona i^' Chicago I'nion, with its branches, and the Northwestern ^^CMiicago iV (Troon l>ay~) were consolidated under the general name of the ^sorthwestern, a railroad bi-idgo erossing the Mississippi at Clinton was completed, and the " Dixon Air Line" became one of the leading trunk linos between Chicago and the I'aeiiic coast. Mr. Charles Chase was appointed agent at Dixon. The tirst business done in the reeeii)t and shipment of freights at this point was about February It', 1S.^,5, tive days before that branch of business was comnioncod at the Illinois Central dejH>t. A[r. Chase was succeeded as agent by Mr. .1. K. Stewart, Mr. Charles Murray t\>llowing, then Mr. George Kogors. who was succoodod by the ]>rosent agent. Mr. II. E. Hand.

Coal Kkckivkd And Forwarded Obain Bhipmen

Till- Illinois (Central was also built in 1S54 and 1855. Its beautiful iron liridf^e at this point was completed January 1, 1855 ; the last r;iil was laifi ii[)Oi) it in tlio midst 'if a furious rKirtliwcst sn'iwstorm oil tliat day. KectiiptH and sliipnuMits of freight commenced on February 15, under Mr. Addison Chase as agent; Mr. Chase was succeeded by Mr. S. Y. T^ierce, then Mr. A. E. Mason, wlio wa.s followed by Mr. W. ('. Woolcy. TIk; latter was apjjoiiited September 15, 1858.

In the summer of 187*! a project was formed for building tiie Rock liiver Valley railroad, connecting the Itock Island iSc St. Louis with the (Chicago & Pacific, thus forming another trunk line between Chicago and St. Louis and the great west and south. A company was formed, with Mr. James A. Ilawley, of Dixon, as president, surveys aii<l location made, grading commenced along th(; line of Water street in this city, when the Chicago, Hurlington A Quincy absorbed the stock of the south(!rn portion of the road, thereby crushing the Vall(!y road, together with all the fine schemes of the inhabitants, for tlir; present, for the further development of .the water power and manufacturing interest of the valley. Some consolati'm, however, for the loss of these prospective commercial advantages lies in the fact that had the road been completed on the line as lo- cated, the iron horse, with its trains of living freight and commerce, woukl have marred some of the most beautiful natural seener^to be found on the continent.

The Illinois Central enters the county on the south, crossing the line twelve miles west of the southeast corner of the county, and running due northwest passes Amboy to Dixon, where it crosses the Rock river, following that valley two or three miles north, then bearing west it passes out of the county five miles east of the northwest corner of the county. The track oi' this road is laid through Dixon on a high grade and system of arches over the principal streets, aid across the rivei by a magnificent iron bridge resting on huge stone abutments and piers.

The Chicago & Northwestern enters the county on the north, eleven miles west of the northeast corner, passing south of the city of Dixon, where it crosses the Illinois Central, and passing down the Rock river valley it emerges from the county on the west, one mile north of the river.

The Chicago & Iowa, known as the Chicago, Dubuque & Minnesota road, crosses the northeast corner of the county dividing Alto township, diagonally, into two equal parts.

The Chicago & Rock River road enters the county on the east, at Paw Paw, four miles north of the southeast corner of the county, and bearing north of west to Amboy, and from thence to the Rock river, passing out of the county on the west two miles south of Rock river.

Navigation. - But little can be said respecting navigation in Lee county. Although congress recognized Rock river as a navigable stream, they neglected to legislate ?utficient water in the channel, in consequence of whicli the commercial world failed to utilize what water already fiowed between its banks. There are times, however, that were it not for tlie bridges and dams that now obstruct the river the heaviest Mississippi boats could safely pass up to Dixon. In an early day the Mississippi river steamboats occasionally made trips up Rock river. In April, 1838, the steamer Gipsey went up the river as far as Oregon ; she had on board a load of bacon bought in St. Louis by Mr. Phelps, of Oregon. There was some dissatisfaction in regard to the contract and Air. Phelps would not take the meat; Smith tTilbraith was aboard the boat and told the captain to turn around and unload the bacon at Dixon. It was unloaded at the foot of Peoria street. In July, 18ii, the Lighter ascended the river as far as Janesville, Wisconsin. Perhaps this is the time that Col. Johnson wanted the " boys" to " fire oflp the stump " in honor of her arrival, which some of the earlv settlers recall with so much amusement.

County Buildings

It had been announced that a boat would be up the river on a certain day, and preparations were made to receive her, and Col. Johnson was selected to make the address of welcome to the captain and crew. Being in primitive days there was no navj' howitzer or military field-piece with which to fire the salute. The colonel, however, was equal to the emergency, and ordered a stump, which stood on the bank of the river, to be bored with a large auger, and loaded with powder and tow, to be in readiness to fire off^ on the approach of the expected steamer. An adjacent saloon was chosen as the base of observation. Here they would plan the reception, and anon appear on the bank looking for the " smoke way down the river," which was slow to appear. The day was far spent, and the sun was fast sinking behind the western hills, and they were weary of waiting and watching for the great water-witch, when the cry was i-aised, "the steamboat is coming.'' Headed by the colonel the anxious committee emerged from the saloon to hail the great steamer. It was, however, but a small hull, but being blinded by weary watching the orator mistook the stranger for the long expected, and lifting his hat he delivered his address of " welcome, welcome to our shores," and, turning to the artillerymen, the order was given, "Boys, shoot off the stump;" and as the reverberations of the shooting stump were dying away beyond the Rock river hills the little cruiser rounded into port, and, safely mooring, received the honors which were designed for one that did not come. The old citizens believe until this day that the address of welcome and the cannonading injunction were appropriate to the occasion.

A small steamer is now plying between Dixon and Grand Detour, a run of nine miles up the river. In this distance there is a fall ot nine and a half feet, and the flow of the current of Rock river at low-water mark is 7,355 cubic feet of water per minute, which is suflicient for good water-power, but requiring slack water for navigation. This is met by the dam across the river at Dixon, which is seven feet in height. In an early day the commissioners of Lee county granted the right to build a dam across the river at Dixon. Now the river is spanned by bridges and obstructed by dams, an indication that tiie idea of the profitable navigation of Rock river has been abandoned.

Location. - The undersigned commissioners appointed by the act creating the county of Lee "Approved February 27, 1839," having been duly sworn and after examination, having due regard to the settlements and convenience of the present and future population of said county of Lee, do hereby locate the seat of justice for the aforesaid county of Lee at the town of Dixon ; aiul liave stuck the stake for the place or point at which the public buildings shall be erected on the quarter section composed of the west half of the northwest quarter of the section four, township number twentj'-one, range nine east, of the 4th principal meridian, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section number live, same township and range aforesaid. And we further report that the proprietors and owners of lots in the aforesaid town of Dixon have executed certain bonds guaranteeing the pa^'ment of six thousand four hundred and sixty dollars, which is exclusive of one thousand and fifty dollars signed by Messrs. Gilbraith, Wilkinson & Dement, which is embraced and included in a bond of three thousand dollars, and included above; also one bond for a deed of eighty acres of land adjoining said town of Dixon : all of which is respectfully submitted to the county commissioners' court of Lee county. Given under our hands and seals this 21st day of May, A. D. 1839. D. G. Salisbury. [seal].

On the 27th of December, 1839, thecourt of commissioners received plans and specifications which were submitted by the clerk for the building of the court-house of stone or brick, and put the same on file. At the same time the clerk submitted plans and specifications for building a j-iil of stone and timber, which was also accepted and placed on file. The clerk was further ordered to advertise for sealed proposals, which would be received np to the 6th of Januiry, 184:0, for building said court-house and jail ; and on the 7tli of January the court awarded thie building of the jail to Messrs. Aplington & Holbrook for the sum of fourteen hundred and ninety-five dollars; and the building of the court-house was awarded to Samuel M. Bowman, which was to be of brick and was to cost the sum of six thousand and eight hundred dollars, in accordance with his bid.

The court-house was erected according to the contract during the year 1840 ; and as it was accepted of the comn)issioners from the hands of the builders, it is just to presume that it was located on the parcel of ground that was pinned by the stake which was driven by the commissioners on the selection of the site for the seat of justice. That was a great day for the county of Lee, which saw the stake driven that has held the seat of justice on the beautiful eminence for more than forty years.

The commissioners were fortunate in the selection of a location " 60 beautiful for situation." The plat of ground on which it stands extends from Second to Third street, north and south, and from Ottawa street on the east to Galena street on the west. It is inclosed and the yard has been cultivated into a beautiful lawn and shady grove in the midst of which the court-house stands. From the court-house the ground recedes with a gentle slope so that the people emphatically "go up to the house of justice," The court-room is on the second floor, and over the judge's stand hangs upon the wall a life-size portrait of Mr. John Dixon, the founder of the city and the first white settler in Lee county. From the observatory may be seen the clear waters of Rock river as they flow out from between the hills far away to the north and come meandering down the beautiful valley and flow away to be lost behind the forest-covered bluflfs to the southward.

The jail was built of hewed logs erected on a stone foundation and was located on the south side of Third street opposite the court-house. It was erected during 1840 ; but a brick building for the county sherifl''s mansion being erected on the southeast corner of Ottawa and Second streets in 1846, the jail was removed to that location and reerected back of said building some time in 1847. Tliis wooden structure served the county for the incarceration of her criminals until 1872. Although it had been set on fire at different times it was able to hold those committed to its keeping. In 1868 or 1869 a prisoner attempted to burn his way out of his confinement with a hot poker, and would doubtless have succeeded had not some small boys been' playing near by and discovered the burning of the jail. In the February term of the court, 1872, the supervisors provided for the building of the present jail by making an appropriation of eighteen thousand dollars for the purpose. Tiiere were also plans provided for the sale of the old jail property and the purchase of new lots for the jail and sheriflT's house. This was prosecuted and the buildings erected where they now stand, on lots Nos. two and three on the southeast corner of Tiiird and Hennepin streets. The contract was let to Messrs. Jobst & Price, of Peoria, this state.

The sheriff's house is built of brick ornamented with dressed stone, making it a very attractive edifice. The jail which connects it on the rear is built of dressed stone, and is very secure. The buildings are not only an addition to the good appearance of that part of the citj', but are a credit to the county.

The Government Zand Office. - ^In 1840, when the government land office was removed from Galena to Dixon, the mode of conveyance, as well as the means of communication, was in a primitive state. The office, with its iron safe, papers and maps, was loaded upon a " prairie schooner," under the command of Col. John Dement, receiver, and Mayor Hackelton, register. Left in charge of a driver, and propelled by half a dozen yokes of oxen, this conveyance was many days on the road, traveling a distance of sixtj'-five miles. It arrived in the fall of that year, in the midst of the presidential campaign which resulted in the election of Gen. Harrison. It was tirst opened in the Van Arnam building, on Ottawa street. At that time but a small portion of the lands in the district had been brought into market, and the subsequent heavy sales brought people from all parts of the country loaded with specie with which to make their entries. The specie was subsequently shipped to the sub-treasury at St. Louis.

The first Methodist sermon preached in the region of country between Rock Island and Galena, was by the Rev. Mr. Sugg, in the house of John Ankany. Tiie Illinois conference recognized this as missionary territory in 1S35, and appointed Rev. James McKean in charge of what was called the Henderson Mission. Rev. Henry Summers was presiding elder of the district. The headquarters of the mission was Elkliorn Grove. Early in 1836 Rev. McKean passed Dixon's Ferry ; and after crossing the river he returned and announced to the few people who were standing on the bank of the river, " I will preach in this place four weeks from to-day," and rode away, leaving his auditors to conjecture as to who and what manner of man he was. On the appointed da}' the mysterious stranger appeared with saddle-bags, hymn-book and Bible, and found the neighbors assembled to hear what message he might bring to them. He continued his visits to the ferry, preaching in their cabins or in the grove, until some time in 1837, when he organized the first Methodist class in Dixon and Lee county. The following persons were received as the original members of this class: S. M. Bowman, and Mrs. E. A. Bowman; John Richards, and Ann Richards; Caleb Tallmage, and Amanda Tall mage, and Maria McClure. The society worshiped in a room over Messrs. Bowman lV Boardman's store, corner of Galena and Water streets. In the following fall (1837) Revs. Robert Delap and Barton Cartwright were sent as circuit preachers, by the authority of Bishop Roberts; Alfred Branson being presiding elder. The preaching place this year was in a frame school-house, 2ox30 feet. This house was used as a court-house and all public gatherings as well as a place for worship. Rev. Delap's health failing, he retired from the work in May, leaving his colleague in full charge until the close of the year. He was known as the " Prairie Breaker," which honor he received as an expressed appreciation of Christian and earnest work as a missionary on the great prairies of Illinois. The circuit being large, the society received a visit from their minister once in six weeks. Not un- frequently the pioneer preacher would be absent from his home for a number of weeks successively without so much as hearing from home and loved ones who were anxiously' waiting and longing for his return. In the autumn of 1838 Isaac Pool and Riley Hill were appointed to this mission by Bishop Soul. Rev. Hill was esteemed as a young man of fine talents, but his work was short, having fallen in his Master's work early in the next year at the inlet, now called Lee Center. His place was filled b}' Rev. Luke Hichcock, who was reappointed in the fall of 1839, by Bishop Roberts. Bartholomew Weed was appointed presiding elder of the district.

There had been received in the society, in addition to the original members, up to August 1839, T. D. Boardman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry, and Mr. and Mrs. McCabe, and in the following October the society was greatly strengthened by the addition of O. F. Ayres and wife. In the fall of 1840 Richard A. Blanchard was appointed to the Dixon circuit, by Bishop Waugh. During this conference year the Rock River conference was organized (in May, 1S41), and held its first session at Mount Morris; John Clark being presiding elder of the district, known as the Mount Morris district ; and at this session of the conference Pliilo Judson was appointed to Dixon circuit, and S. S. Stocking, presiding elder.

At a quarterly conference that convened at Daysville, June 8, 1842, the first steps were taken toward the building of a house of worship, by appointing T. Judson, S. G. Holbrook, L. G. Winkoop, and J. Dixon a committee to estimate the probable expense of erecting a church edifice in Dixon. They reported at a subsequent meeting, which lead to the beginning of the building which was completed the following year, and dedicated by the Rev. John T. Mitchel, at that time presiding elder of the district. It was a brick structure, and was completed at a cost of $4,000. It was located on Second street, near Ottawa. The board of trustees consisted of J. P. Dixon, C. Edson, O. F. Ayres, W. G. Winkoop, Thomas McCabe, J. Brierton and S. M. Bowman.

At the session of Rock River conference held in Chicago, August 3, 1842, Bishop Roberts presiding, the Dixon circuit which then embraced Washington Grove, Lighthouse Point, Jefferson Grove, Daysville, and Paynes Point, was extended so as to include Palestine Grove, Malugin's Grove, and Inlet Grove, now Lee Center. Philo Judson and W. H. Cooley were appointed circuit preachers. This work was divided, soon after, by the presiding elder Mitchel setting oif all the territory north of Franklin Grove to W. H. Cooley, and the southern division was left under the pastoral care of P. Judson. This order, however, was revoked at the following quarterly conference held November 12, 1842, placing it back to its former arrangement.

Sabbath-schools were now organized. - the first at Dixon soon after the dedication of the chapel ; and at the quarterly conference held July 15, 1843, tlie following was reported: "There are two schools in the lower division of the circuit ; and one at Dixon with eight teachers, sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes." The superintendent was O. F. Ayres; the secretary, T. D. Boardman, and John W. Clute was librarian. This was a union school up to 18i5, when it became a Methodist denominational school. O. F. A^'res continued superintendent for ten years, when the demand upon his time and talents for the pulpit was so great that he was compelled to resign his office, to the regret of himself and the school.

Washington Wilcox was appointed to the circuit in 1843, and was succeeded by the appointment of David Brooks in the autumn of 1844, and Steplien P. Keys in 1845, under whose la!:)ors a great temperance work was done, closing up all places wliere strong drink had been sold. The number in church membership was increased one third during the year. In the fail of 1846 his place was tilled by the appointment of Milton Henry and R. W. H. Brent to the charge.

At the session of Rock River Coiiference in the autumn of 1847 the Dixon circuit was embraced in the Rock Island district, under the presiding eldership of John Sinclair. R. P. Lawton was appointed preacher in charge of tlie circuit, and in tiie following year under the labors of Rev. William Palmer, appointed by Bishop Morris, the church enjoyed the visitation of a special revival, under which many were converted and added to the church. The Sabbath schools were prospering. In the Dixon school were eiglit teachers, fifty scholars, and twenty dollars' worth of new library books. During the pastorate of Mr. Palmer, the basement of the cliapel was finished, and a bell purchased for the tower. He was succeeded by Tiiomas North in 1850, under whose labors a noted revival occurred.

Soon after Rev. McKean visited the neighborhood of Dixon's Ferry, the Rev. Thomas Powel, of the Baptist church, came to Bufi'alo Grove as the forerunner of that denomination ; and as early as 1838 organized the first Baptist church of the vicinity at Buffalo Grove, which was the parent society of the First Baptist church of Dixon. The original society was divided into the Buffalo church and tiie Dixon church. The former, however, was subsequently discontinued.

Rev. Tliomas Powel was an earnest pioneer missionary, and lives in the inemory of the church revered as tiie founder of the Baptist denomination of the christian churcii.

In connection with these pioneer ministers may be mentioned also tiie Rev. L. Hitchcock, Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal church, and Rev. James De Pui, who experienced with them the privations of the early days of Lee county. The life of the itinerant in those days was one of sacrifice not only to the fiiithful minister, but to his family. Exposed to perils in floods and storms, as well as long tedious rides across the unbroken prairie, fording streams, sometimes by swimming his faithful and orthodox horse ; startled by the scream of the wild-cat or howl of the wolf from the evening shades of a neighboring grove; lodging in the pioneer cabin, whose clapboard roof but illy turned the falling rain or drifting snow.

On July 5, 1843, a Congregational society was organized at the residence of Moses Crorabie, and was called the " Congregational Church of Palestine Grove." The congregation worshiped in a school-house about a mile from the present site of the city of Amboy. They were ministered to by Rev. John Merrill, Rev. Ingersoll, father of the notorious Robert Ingersoll of the present day, Rev. Joseph Gardner and Rev. Mr. Pierson. The last two divided their labors with Grand Detour and Palestine Grove. This society was formed before there was a house erected where Amboy now stands. The organization was afterward removed to Lee Center, in 1849. In 1854 the Amboy Congregational church was organized. But as these local societies will be noticed in connection with the township in which they are located, we will not give a detailed account in this connection.

At an early day a Rev. Mr. Warriner, of the Baptist faith, commenced preaching at Paw Paw Grove, in the southeast corner of the township, and afterward became the pastor of the present Baptist society in that place.

Sahhatlt Schools. - The first Sabbath school was organized as a union school, in the new Methodist Episcopal church soon after its dedication, and on July 15, 1843, there were reported eight teachers, sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes. O. F. Ayers was superintendent, T. D. Boardman, secretary, and J. W. Clute, librarian. This school afterward became the denominational school of the Methodist church. Other schools were organized as the several denomitiations organized societies. Sabbath schools are, at present, connected with all the churches in Lee county, and special reference will be made to them in connection with the history of each society. The total number of members of the several schools in Dixon aggregate about 800, the total number of volumes in library in the several schools is about 2,025.

At an early day, and about the time of the organization of the union school in Dixon, referred to above, there were schools organized in other parts of tlie county, - Inlet Grove, Malugin's Grove, and probably at Palestine Grove.