Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter 19: Distinguished Visitors, 1909

Chapter 19: Distinguished Visitors

NOTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISITED LIVINGSTON COUNTY - THE PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII. OF ENGLAND) A VISITOR IN 1860 - ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SEVERAL VISITS - LINCOLN LECTURE AT PONTIAC - PASSING OF FUNERAL TRAIN TO SPRINGFIELD - STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, OWEN LOVEJOY, ROBERT J. INGERSOLL AND OTHER NOTED VISITORS - GEN. GRANT A GUEST AT PONTIAO IN 1880 - WILLIAM J. BRYAN AND THEODORE ROOSEVELT COMERS OF A LATER PERIOD.

King Edward VII, the present King of England, paid Pontiac a short visit on Wednesday, September 26, 1860, The king at that time was a young man and bore the title of Lord Renfrew. His Highness spent five days near Dwight on a hunting trip and was on his way to St. Louis, The prince and his party were aboard a special train on the Alton road, and it was announced the day previous that the party would pass through Pontiac at 8 o'clock the next morning. The entire population of the village congregated at the depot to pay their respects to the future king of England, and he was the recipient of a splendid ovation at their hands. As the train stopped for wood and water at this point, the assembled multitude had the pleasure of gazing at the future king of England for five minutes, as he appeared on the rear platform of the train and bowed his acknowledgments to the cheering throng that had congregated. The Prince's easy and modest appearance predisposed everyone in his favor, and quite a few are living in Pontiac today who remember the occasion very well.

Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the greatest man of our time, visited Pontiac on three different occasions. The occasion of Mr. Lincoln's first visit was the trial of a lawsuit ín the early '40s, and the memorable occasion, together with the date, has long been lost sight of. There is now no one living who remembers the event, but it has been handed down from father to son, and to this day is often referred to by the early settlers of Pontiac with pride, from the fact that their ancestors once had the pleasure of meeting the martyred President on his visit here at that time.

The next time the President visited Pontiac, it was not of his own choosing. During the month of February, 1855, while journeying from Chicago to his home town of Springfield, over the Chicago & Alton, the train on which he was traveling became snow-bound just this side of where the village of Cayuga now stands. When the train crew became convinced that all efforts to proceed further were useless, a messenger was sent forward to Pontiac to inform the agent of their predicament. The agent at once went among the citizens with the information, the result being that enough volunteers were secured who offered their services, together with their teams and sleds, to bring the belated passengers to Pontiac. The storm that was raging, at the time was one of the worst in the annals of the county, and the suffering was great. The day was intensely cold, with a strong wind blowing over the prairies from the northwest. The res- cuing party was made up as quickly as possible and soon started for the relief of the snowbound train. After much difficulty, every person aboard was placed in the sleds, being wrapped up in blankets from the beds of the citizens of Pontiac. Upon the arrival, the passengers were distributed around among the settlers, to be cared for the best they could until the blockade was raised. Mr. Lincoln and several others were assigned to the home of John McGregor, the first attorney to locate in Pontiac, and who lived then in a new house at the corner of West Madison and North Oak streets. There Mr. Lincoln, who was then little known to fame, spent the time until the blockade was raised, and he was allowed to proceed to his home in Springfield Before taking his departure, however, he proffered Mrs. McGregor money for his keep, but this was positively refused. As Mr. Lincoln and the other guests were leaving the hospitable home for the depot to take the train for their sveral homes, they were accompanied to the gate by Mr. McGregor's two daughters, the Misses Emma and Elizabeth. Reaching down into his pocket, Mr. Lincoln secured two gold dollars, and placing them in the hands of the thoroughly surprised young ladies, passed through the gate on his way to the depot, not, however, until he had bade them a hearty good-bye.

One of the first societies to be organized in Pontiac was the Young Men's Literary Association. The association met in the old court house and organized in the early '50s, and the organization was kept up long after the Civil War. It was composed of young men who would meet and debate on subjects then prominently before the people and give literary and musical entertainments. Their debates and entertainments were about the only recreation that was elevating in those days, and besides being well attended, they were very instructive.

The association was composed always of men of education and refinement and included in time all of the professional men in Pontiac. Many men who afterwards became famous throughout the United States have appeared under the auspices of the Young Men's Literary Association of Pontiac, but the most famous of these was Abraham Lincoln, who appeared under its direction on Friday evening, January 27, 1860, at the Presbyterian Church.

The Hon. Jason W. Strevell, who was a prominent young attorney of Pontiac at that time, as well as being engaged in the hardware business, was president of the association at that time, introduced Mr. Lincoln and entertained him during his stay at his home at the corner of West Liyingston and North Oak streets. It was totally unknown to the association up to noon of the evening of the lecture that Mr. Lincoln intended coming to Pontiac, but being in Bloomington, and having previously received two invitations to lecture here, Mr. Lincoln thought this a fayorable opportunity to fulfill it. He telegraphed Mr. Strevell that he would be on hand that evening. Notwithstanding the little time intervening (some five or six hours) until the lecture was delivered, a crowded house greeted the distinguished speaker.

By many, the lecture delivered by Mr. Lincoln was a severe disappointment, but before he started, by way of introduction, he said that he was very, very tired; that he had just returned from the East, visiting New York and Boston, and had been on the road continuously and was worn out talking on political subjects and attending banquets in his honor, which probably accounts for the way his lecture was received by his audience. And, then, too, Mr. Lincoln never mentioned the great question then confronting the American people. His subject was what might be termed a medley - a variety of topics, mostly of a philosophic nature, being treated. The whole thing was new to the people present, but the ideas conveyed by the lecture were couched in simple and beautiful language, so clear that no difficulty was experienced in comprehending them.

stated the matter thus clearly, and his remarks on that occasion are herewith given in full: "Fault was found with the lecture by some of the literary critics about town, they contending that little originality, if any at all, was contained in it. In other words, the critics say, in so many words, that Lincoln spent one hour in telling what they knew before. It certainly follows that they' must have pondered on these self-same ideas, else how could they know that they were not original. The amount of the matter is just this - a more satisfactory subject, doubtless, could have been selected - one that would have suited us all much better. But while this is true, no unprejudiced listener will deny that the manner in which he treated the subject matter in hand was well worthy of Mr. Lincoln. We are all of us very prone to expect that when a man of Mr. Lincoln's reputation spoke on any subject whatever, he would carry us completely away. We should reflect that new ideas are not discovered every hour, they are not the creation of a day, nor a month, nor a year; and there are few men today, even in one of their most brilliant and gaptivating lectures, can advance half a dozen original ideas. This is quite noticeable in Pontiac every year at the annual gathering to listen to the distinguished speakers who appear here under the direction of the Pontiac Chautauqua Association. This difficulty can readily be recognized by us all, when we consider our own limited knowledge. How many of us, and especially how many of those who so sharply criticised Mr. Lincoln's lecture, even throughout our whole life time, promulgate a single new idea. We are too much inclined to find fault with the productions of others, without considering our own diminutive intellectual attainments. Let us consider but for a moment how little we ourselves know, and we will not be half so quick in detecting the deficiencies of others."

After the lecture, Mr. Lincoln was tendered a reception at the home of Mr. Strevell, and many of the audience took advantage of this and proceeded to his residence, one block and a half west of the church, and met Mr. Lincoln personally. Mr. Lincoln remained here until midnight of the 27th, when he took the train for his home in Springfield. In less than four months from the time Mr. Lincoln delivered his lecture in Pontlac he was nominated for President of the United States by the Republican convention in session in Chicago, on May 19, 1860.

The news of the assassination of President Lincoln was received in Pontiac with feelings of abject horror. Never in the history of Pontiac was there such universal mourning. True, most all of the male population of the village were in the army, but their wives and children remained, and when word came that the special train bearing the body would pass through Pontiac on the afternoon of May 2, 1865, business was entirely suspended, schools were dismissed, and the entire population of the village and of the Surrounding country marched to the Alton depot to pay their last respects, After remaining at the depot for about two hours, word came over the wire that the funeral train would not leave Chicago until 9 p. m., and the assemblage broke up and wended their way homeward. However, when the special train bearing the body of the martyred President arrived in Pontlac at midnight, there was a large gathering at the depot, as there was at nearly every station between Chicago and Springfield, giving evidence of his hold upon the heart of the nation and the universal sorrow which his revolting assassination had produced.

Stephen A. Douglas

While conducting his campaign for the United States Senatorship throughout the State of Illinois in 1858, the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas paid Pontiac a visit, delivering one of his characteristic addresses from a stand erected in the court house yard. It was on Thursday, August 19, 1858. In the morning, the weather was stormy and bid fair to throw "cold water" on the grand reception which the "Little Giant" was to receive. Notwithstanding this fact, a large crowd gathered in the court house and proceeded to the depot to welcome Mr. Douglas. After being re-, ceived at the depot by his friends, he was escorted to the stand in front of the court house from which he was to speak. To the Hon. A. E. Harding, then one of the leading young lawyers of Pontiac, and who had just arrived here the year previous, was given the honor of introdueing the senator, which he did in a few well-chosen remarks. The champion of popular sovereignty then stepped forward and was greeted with vociferous applause by the immense gathering in front of him. The address was well received by his followers here and was about the same as that delivered in his tour of the state. During the delivery of his speech, Senator Dougl: thrice interrupted, once by W. G. McDowell and twice by Philip Cook, then editor of the Sentinel. The Senator by way of introduction stated that anyone in the audience was privileged to ask him questions and he would give them answers the best he knew how. When the senator was about half through with his address, Mr. McDowell stepped upon the platform and read from a paper which he held in his hand, the following questions: slavery by non-action. Do you mean by excluding slavery they have, through their territorial legislature, the power to declare that slaves brought in voluntarily by their masters, shall, by that act. become free? If not, how can they exclude slavery ; and if so, how will that tally with the supreme court decision?'

The Senator, in replying to Mr. McDowell, gave him a severe castigation, and that gentleman at once took his seat and remained silent throughout the delivery of the speech. Seeing that Mr. Mc- Dowell did not care to ask any more questions. Mr. Cook stepped upon the platform and propounded the following:

"If a person holds a slave in a territory by virtue of the Constitution of the United States, in which there are no 'police regulations' enforeing his right to hold such property, and that slave goes into a free state, can he be recovered as a fugitive slave, under the provisions of the fugitive slave law?"

The Senator then paid his respects to Mr. Cook, calling him an "Abolitionist; that he was in the habit of going around lecturing in church basements, making Abolition harangues, after the fashion of Owen Lovejoy and other pin-cushion orators.

Notwithstanding the severe drubbing Mr. Cook received at the hands of Senator Douglas, he still occupied the platform, and after the applause had subsided, stepped forward and propounded the following to the senator:

"Would not the spirit of the Dred Scott decision annul all the acts of the territorial legislatures in case they enacted laws unfriendly to the holding of slaves in a territory, while a territory?"

But the Senator refused to be interrupted further and, amid the hissing and cat-calls of the Senator's many admirers present, Mr. Cook retired from the platform.

Senator Douglas made a good impression on the people of Pontiac and surrounding country by his able address, for his admirers here at that time were many, but sentiment in those days was rapidly changing. Although he failed to secure an endorsement at the hands of the voters of Livingston County in the election of 1858 by a vote of 1,001 to 789, in favor of Abraham Lin- the vote of the county stood 1,475 for Lincoln, while Senator Douglas received 1,088, showing that the Senator and the principles he stood for were endorsed by many of our citizens.

When the reception committee met Senator Douglas at the Alton train, he refused to ride in a carriage, which had been provided by the reception committee, but instead walked up Madison street surrounded by his hundreds of admirers.

21, 1861. While traveling over the Alton, word was received, in advance of his coming, and a request was forwarded to him stating that the people of Pontiac would again be pleased to hear him, if for only a few minutes. Mr. Douglas replied that he would be pleased to comply with the request, and accordingly word was sent broadcast, and when the train arrived the Senator was welcomed by a very large crowd. He spoke but a short while from the rear platform of the car, and complained then of feeling ill. When he reached Chicago he was taken to the Clifton house, from the balcony of which two days later he delivered his last address. After this address he was taken suddenly and severely ill and took to his bed from which he never arose, dying on the 3rd day of June, 1861, just two weeks after his visit to Pontiac. OWEN LOVEJOY.

Owen Lovejoy, one of the organizers of the Republican party, and one of the most pronounced Abolitionists of his time, delivered an address in the court house in Pontiac on Tuesday, September 15, 1858, before a large and appreciative audience. It was during the campaign of that year and Mr. Lovejoy, having been nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for Congress in this (then the Third) district, was here advocating his cause. He was such a pronounced Abolitionist that there were many in this county who called themselves Republicans who did not vote for him. But he was an orator and for three mortal hours held the audience spell-bound, now laughing, now crying, then calm, then again fired up with indignation at the wrongs which freedom was made to suffer at the hands of that worst of all despotism, American slavery. From Republicans on an early day, who heard the address delivered by Lovejoy on this occasion, all agree in saying that it was the best speech ever delivered in Pontiac, with the one exception of that delivered by Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll a few years later. Captain Morgan L. Payne, who was marshal of the day when Senator Douglas visited Pontiac one month previous to this time, acted in a like capacity on the day Mr. Lovejoy spoke. Captain Payne was one of the most pronounced Democrats of his time, but believed In fair play.

Congressman Lovejoy again visited Pontiac on Monday, October 9, 1860, the occasion being the last grand rally in the county before the election. This was the largest assemblage of people ever congregated in Livingston County up to that time. Delegations of "Wide Awakes" were present from every township in the county, also from Lexington and Pleasant Hill in McLean County. Douglas J. Lyon, Job E. Dye and William T. Russell were the marshals of the day, while Edwin R. Maples was captain of the Pontiac Wide-Awakes. The county delegations came in wagons across the prairies. William T. Garner was marshal of the Rocks Creek delegation, D. W. Young for Ocoya, while the Pleasant Ridge, Avoca, Oliver's Grove and Fairbury delegations came in under command of Captain Macy. The Dwight Wide-Awakes, under the command of Captain Case, made their appearance at noon with the delegations from Nevada and Sunbury.

Mr. Lovejoy's last visit to Pontiac was a memorable one. The address was logical and convincing and delivered in such a way as to convince the people of the deep earnestness which the speaker felt for the cause which he was advocating.

Colonel Robert G, Ingersoll

Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll of Peoria, delivered a political address before a large assemblage in the eity park in Pontiac during the month of September, 1863. It was during the campaign and the Colonel's address to this day is often referred to as the best ever delivered in Pontiac to this date. At that time he was 'but little known in Pontiac, but in after years people who heard the speech delivered in the city park, became great admirers of Mr. Ingersoll, and would travel many miles fo listen to one of his speeches.

General U. S. Grant

GENERAL U. S. GRANT. On Tuesday, May 4, 1880, General U. S. Grant, ex-President of the United States, visited Pon- 'tiac. Shortly after his return to his old home in Galena, the citizens of Springfield sent him an invitation to visit the state capital, the home and burial place of Abraham Lincoln, and partake of its hospitality for a few days. He accepted the invitation, and announced that he would visit his son, Colonel Fred Grant in Chicago, and then go down the Chicago and Alton road to the capital. On the publication of this news, Arnold Thornton, H. H. McDowell and a few citizens decided to invite the General and party to stop over in Pontiac on' the way and take dinner here. On Saturday, May 1, a dispatch was received from Colonel Grant saying that his father had accepted the invitation, and would take breakfast in Pontiac on Tuesday morning. The gentlemen who had written, had expected that he would not be down until the next week, and anticipated having ample time to prepare for the distinguished guest, but were determined to make the matfer a success even on such short notice, so a meeting of citizens was hastily ealled at the Phoenix hotel that evening, at which Arnold Thornton presided, and after discussing the matter the following committees were appointed to superintend the affair:

It was wisely decided that, inasmuch as the time was short and a breakfast was the designated affair, no attempt at a public display would be made, but simply that the citizens of Pontiac, irrespective of party, desiring to honor a distinguished citizen of the state, would meet him at the depot, conduct him to the-hotel, give a few words of welcome, and then partake of a quiet meal in his company. There had been so much ostentatious display in every city where General Grant had stopped that it was thought a quiet affair of this kind would afford a happy contrast. It was at first intended to have about forty guests at the breakfast, but the death of the mother of John Stafford, landlord of the hotel, made it impossible for him to entertain such a company in proper fashion, and the party was accordingly limited to twenty. It was expected that the party would reach here about 10 o'clock, but it was exactly 12 when the train pulled into the Alton depot. Messrs. Thornton, Harding, Strawn and McDowell had gone up the road and met the party, and the remainder of the receptlon committee met them at the depot and rode up in carriages. Those who came up o the hote! were General Grant, Hon. E. B. Washburne, General John A. McNulta of Bloomington, James C. MeMullin of Chicago (of the Chicago and Alton) and Byron Andrews of the Chicago Inter Ocean. The party was preceded by the Cornell martial band, which discoursed most excellent music, and the Livingston County veterans, one hundred strong, who turned out to honor their old commander. On reaching the hotel the party alighted, General Grant stepping out with a light and active step, and an address of welcome was then delivered by Mayor E. M. Johuson, as follows:

"General Grant: - On behalf of the citizens of Pontiac, I bid you a cordial welcome. I assure you, sir, that although our demonstrations today are not so great as have greeted you so often the past few months, that our welcome is none the less hearty. We feel honored to-day in extending courtesies to the renowned military chieftain of the age. Your services to our country are sufficiently known to entitle ycu to the respect of every American citizen, and especially a citizen of the state of Illinois. - Whereever the American flag floats, the name of Grant is received, and although you have been the recipient of honors from the most eminent men of other countries, yet we cannot but believe that you are still one of us. a citizen of the United States. Now that you are closing your travels, it is certainly fitting that you close them by seeing the citizens of your own state. Surrounded to-day by veterans that served you as soldiers, it is certainly due to your illustrious career that their plaudits should not weary you, that -he flag which your genius carried to victory and made this indeed a free country, should ever wave to your honor. Identified as you are wirh the interests of the great prairie state, you have reason to be proud that you are one of its citizens, and we, in turn, proud that you are a citizen. Again, sir, as the representative of this city, I bid you a hearty and cordial welcome."

"Mr. Mayor and Citizens of Pontiac: I take great pleasure in appearing before you to-day. It is but for a short time, as we are in somewhat of a hurry, and the time will not warrant more than a few minutes, The train was delayed much by the people, and having so arranged the time table as to reach Springfield this afternoon, which place I left nineteen years ago for the war. The services I rendered in that were satisfactory and the results of which are happy, as spoken by your Mayor. The country has now returned to peace and prosperity, which we should all be glad to note. I am happy to see you all."

In describing the personal appearance of General Grant and the Hon. E. B. Washburne the day they were in Pontiac, a writer of that time has the following to say: "Though General Grant was the center of all eyes, the hearty fora and commanding presence of the Hon. E, B. Washburne commanded much attention. He isa man old in years, but young in heart and health, good for twenty years of rugged life yet, and very possibly will be the man called on to lead the Republican party in the great fight in 1880. He is altogether a magnificent man and commands the respect of every person, without reference to party. In appearance, General Grant Is rapidly growing old. Not so fleshy as he was four years ago, when last seen by the writer. He betrays age and wearjness in the lines of his face and in his speech. Never a public speaker, General Grant has always been noted for his ability to sit down and chat in a lively manner with his friends. He does so now in a graver manner and with less freedom than of old. Though he is Washburne's junior by many years,

The conversation at the table took on nothing of a political character, save once when the Hon. C. C. Strawn remarked to Mr. Washburne, "We are golng to fight for this greenback question if it takes all summer," to which Mr Washburne replied quietly, "You are likely to have occupation all summer, my friend."

At the close of the meal, the party filed out into the hotel office, where an informal reception was held, the crowd passing along shaking hands and making occasional remarks, Several little girls were kissed by the general, who was fond of them. The school children were all on hang, many of them with bouquets, and all seemed delighted to see the great man.

At the depot were Mrs, Grant and several other ladies, who took dinner in the dining car, and a number of Pontiac ladies and gentlemen, including Mrs. Camp. who was an old friend of Mrs. Grant, paid their respects to them there.

The entire affair here was a pleasant one and everything passed off smoothly and quietly, there being quite a crowd in the city considering ing the short notice and the busy season, Flags and decorations were somewhat scarce, but would have been fuller had a longer notice been given. General Grant and party remained in Pontiac one hour and twenty minutes.

William J. Bryan

William J. Bryan, candidate for President of the United States in 1896, and again in 1900 and 1908, paid his first visit to Pontiac on Tuesday, October 27, 1896. Mr. Bryan was given an enthusiastic welcome by bis many admirers in Pontiac and Livingston County. He addressed the people from the stand in the city park and talked for one-half hour on the political situation of the day, his address being well received. Mr. Bryan has since that time been in Pontiac on three different occasions, delivering addresses under the auspices of the Pontiac Chatauqua Association. His admirers here are many, as bis audiences at the Chautauqua grounds attest. ,

Theodore Roosevelt

President Theodore Roosevelt paid a visit on Thursday, June 3, 1903, the occasion being the unveiling of the Livingston County soldiers' and sailors' monument, an account of which is given on another page.