Mason County, Illinois - The whole text, 1876 (part 6 of 6)

Condition, Management, Etc Peoria, Pekin And Jacksonville Railroad

The first we find in reference to the above named road is an editorial in the "Mason County Herald" in which the editor urges the voting of stock by Mason county in the Illinois River Railroad.

The subject continued to be agitated, and we proceed to give extracts from the Herald, of this city, showing the progress made, and the feeling with which the people of the county engaged in this great necessity, then so severely felt. River transportations, and tri-weekly or semi-weekly mails, were becoming too slow for the increased population and advancing trade.

The Railroad

On Monday next our citizens will be called upon to say or gainsay whether the corporation shall take $15,000 worth of stock in the Illinois River Railroad.

That a railroad is indispensable to our well-being need sno contravention; that the road in question will partially allay the evil of which we might complain, is a "fixed fact;" therefore, property holders within this precinct should turn out en masse ou the day of election, and show, by their acts, whether they consider the advantages commensurate with the taxation.

soil is most benefitted; our expressed opinion remains still unaltered, The farmer finds a ready market at his own door for all productions he can spare, at prices commensurate with St. Louis, or other principal places of sale, less the freight and handling. But these same farmers are the last men to engage in internal improvement; content to "let well enough alone," rather than risk a dollar in bettering their condition. Such being the case, the town of Havana proposes to do that for the country which the country proper will not do for itself: appropriate $15,000 to the building of the Illinois River Railroad, secured by the bonds of the corporation. Will the freeholders vote the amount? Not the least doubt in our mind exists but they will do it, knowing, as we do, they "love the glory of Rome better than Cesar." Whatever may have tendency to benefit our country friends, will ever receive a hearty response from our townsmen, even should they be the losers by the transaction. Then let every man to the polls on Monday, casting his vote for or against the improvement in question, as his own good judgment may suggest.

The annual meeting: of the stockholders of the Illinois River Railroad Company will be held at Chandlerville, on the first Saturday of September next, at which time and place there will be an election of five directors of said company for the ensuing year. Every stockholder is requested to attend said election.

Illinois River Railroad

Whereas, this board has heretofore made calls upon the subscribers to the capital stock of the Illinois River Railroad Company for a payment of a portion of their stock, according to which calls thirty per cent, of the amount subscribed by each subscriber to said capital stock is now due, (including what has been paid ;) and whereas, part of said subscribers have not yet paid the full amount thus due; and whereas, the work on the road has been commenced and the money is needed now to pay for such work ; and whereas, five per cent, more of said subscription has been called for by this board, which will become due on the first Monday in next September, and also five per cent, on each of the first Mondays of next October, November and December.

It is therefore ordered by this board, that each and all of the subscribers to the capital stock of the Illinois River Railroad Company pay to the Treasurer of said company, or to his agents, at such places as he may fix upon, on or before the first Monday in next September, thirty-five per cent. - that is, the sum of thirty - five dollars, (including what has been paid) upon each share of one hundred dollars subscribed by him or her; and that they also pay to said Treasurer, or his agents as aforesaid, on each of the first Monday's of October, November and December, five per cent, or five dollars, upon each of such shares, and in default of any such payments bv any subscriber, the Treasurer is hereby authorized to institute legal proceedings against each subscriber who shall fail or refuse to make any such payments. And it is hereby further ordered, that notice of the foregoing order or call be given to the subscribers, bv publication in the Cass County Times and Mason County Herald.

I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an order passed by the Board of Directors of the Illinois River Railroad Company, at a meeting held by them, at Chandlerville, on the 10th day of August, 1S57, as the same appears of record.

Notice Bv Treasurer

Notice is hereby given to the subscribers to the capital stock of the Illinois Ri\er Railroad Company, to make payments of the amount due and to become due from them, as specified in the foregoing order of the Board of Directors, either to G. N. Walker, at Havana, or Benjamin Beesley, at Bath, in Mason county; Sylvester Paddock, at Chandlerville, or N. B. Thompson, at Virginia, in Cass countv. The money must be paid promptly, as the undersigned is bound to do his dutv in collecting it.

B. S. Thomas, Esq., President of this road, passed through Jacksonville on Monday last, on his way to New York. The object of his visit is to make arrangements for procuring iron for the road, and to make sales of some county bonds.

We learn that among the bonds which Mr. Thomas has to dispose of, are some $100,000 voted by the people of Mason county. The value of "swamp lands" alone, owned by this county, is estimated at $300,000; so that the purchase of her bonds would be a safe investment.

The work upon the road is still progressing. Some forty-five miles of the northern part of the line is now ready for the ties and iron, and the whole road, as far south as Virginia, can be placed in readiness for track-laying early in the season. The engineers are now employed in locating that portion of the road between Virginia and Jacksonville, and it will not be long before the work of construction will be going on throughout the whole line.

Notice To Railroad Contractors

Proposals will be received by the undersigned until Tuesday, the 5th day of May next, for the grading, bridging and furnishing cross-ties for the Illinois River Railroad, between the cities of Pekin and Jacksonville, a distance of about seventy miles.

Proposals may be for separate sections, of about two miles each, any number of sections, or all together. Bids will be preferred for the entire work, including the iron and station buildings. Profiles, plans and specifications are ready for inspection at the chief engineer's office.

This line passes its entire length over a rich and well developed country, where supplies are cheaply obtained. The first fifty miles being very level, with sand subsoil. The last twenty miles passes over a rolling country, and presents some heavy work. It is also the closing and interior link of the great north and south trunk road between Chicago and St. Louis, and between St. Louis and the upper Mississippi country.

Election Of Directors

The election of directors of the Illinois River Railroad took place at Chandlerville on Saturday of last week. A large number of persons were present on the occasion, and and an amount of stock was represented equal to $350,000. Considerable interest was manifested among those present in regard to who should be elected to the directory, and as to how they should be appointed. Hut after the manifestation of considerable feeling in regard thereto, matters were finally arranged, as we presume, to the satisfaction of all parties. Judge Thomas was elected director for Morgan county; R. S. Thomas for Cass; J. S. R uggles for Bath; Frank Low for Havana; and Joshua Wagenseller, for Tazewell. The selection of a more efficient board of directors could not have been made. They are the very best men to be found along the line of the road, and their selection will meet the approbation of a large majority of the citizens of the different counties through which the road will pass, and give renewed confidence to the friends of this great improvement. After the election, the new board held a short session and chose James H. Hole, of Havana, to be the treasurer of the company, and M. H. L. Schooley secretary. The board then adjourned to meet again in Havana, on the third Saturday of the present month.

It is with no small degree of satisfaction that we inform our readers that active operations have commenced on the Illinois River Railroad at this place. At the present time between forty and fiftv men, and also some dozen teams, are busily at work in despoiling the enormous sand-hill, which has so long been an eye-sore to the citizens of this place, of its huge dimensions, and they are now hauling away the dirt and making fills therewith on other portions of the road. The citizens of our town seem to manifest an extraordinary interest in the work, judging from the fact that all the "shady spots" in near proximity to where the work is going on, is constantly occupied all day long by persons who seem to contemplate with immense satisfaction its progress. This 'enormous sand- hill is rapidly giving way before the "Mickeys," and it is a great pity but the road had been located throughout the center of it, the railroad company in making excavations for the road would have done more for the benefit of the town, more towards improving the appearance thereof, in three months' time, than the town council will be able to do in the next three years.

The road from Market street to the little prairie above town will have to be raised, we are informed, something like four feet above the present level.

The town council held a meeting on Wednesday last, with the intention of granting the company the right of way through the town, but did not do so, from the fact that they thought it best to wait until they could see the chief engineer, before making the grant.

There will have to be a number of culverts made at different points along where the road passes through town, otherwise at times, immediately after hard rains, a number of lots lying back of the railroad would be entirely submerged with water. Consequently it was thought proper by the board of trustees to make some stipulations in regard thereto, before granting the right of way, and they delayed so doing until the proper officer could be seen in regard to it.

Having thus somewhat in detail given the beginning of the Illinois River Railroad, which was the first in the county, we will quote from the report of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, giving the present status of said road, though by its transfer its name was changed to Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville.

Work was begun on this road in Havana, in Sept., 1857. The road from Pekin to Virginia, fifty-eight miles, was put in operation in 1859. From Pekin to Peoria, ten miles, was put in operation in 1864. From Virginia to Jacksonville, fifteen miles, in the summer of 1869.

The P., P. & J. road acquired, by purchase, all the property covered by a deed of trust of the Illinois River Railroad Company, under the foreclosure of which it was sold. It also acquired, by legislative authority, the right to use any or all the powers conferred upon the Illinois River Railroad Company, hy charter and amendment, but no merging of the company took place by a consolidation of these respective interests, except as here stated.

The extraordinary care exercised in the management of this road has made it almost free from accidents. During the year above named, three passengers were injured, none killed; of employees, there were two injured, and one killed. This is attributable to the very sensible plan of Mr. John Allen, President and Superintendent of the road; which is, that when he has a good, careful employee, to hold him. In a somewhat extended railroad travel, we have yet to meet more efficient and gentlemanly conductors than are in the service of this road. Among them we are pleased to name Mr. J. D. Cork, Mr. N. McSherry, Mr. George Elwell, Mr. S. Reiley and Mr. W. H. Haynes. To Mr. Cook and Mr. Kelsey we have referred at length in another place. This road has been peculiarly fortunate in acquiring and holding the good will of the people along its entire line; is doing a prosperous business, and is in excellent condition.

The Indianapolis, Bloomington And Western Extension

This line runs from Champaign to Havana, a distance of one hundred miles, and traverses Mason county in nearly an east and west direction, and began operations in October, 1873.

The guage of this road is four feet eight and three-quarter inches. The further details at our command, in regard to this road, not being of general interest, we omit them, and have only to say that the road is carefully and judiciously managed, is in excellent order, and supplied with efficient and gentlemanly employees. Among them it is with much pleasure that we can here name Mr. L. C. Thrall and Mr. J. Caldwell, the gentlemanly and efficient conductors. This line gives us a long wished for and much needed direct eastern connection for mails and travel.

Springfield And Northwestern

In 1853 a railroad from Springfield to Petersburg and Havana was discussed, and in that year Mason county voted $25,000 of stock in that enterprise, but for the time it was delayed. On Dec. 13, 1855, the city of Springfield voted $50,000 of stock to the Sangamon and Northwestern Railroad, and Menard county voted $100,000 to the same project. An organization was effected by the election of V. Hickox, J. T. Stuart, John Bennett, W. G. Green and John S. Wilbourn, directors, but here again it ended for a time. The date of the charter of the present company was March 24, 1869. The road was built in 18.71- 72-73. The entire length from Springfield to Havana is forty-seven miles. The weight of rail per yard is fifty pounds ; guage of road, four feet eight and a half inches. This line is in good order, and is carefully and judiciously managed by the present officials and employees. They receive from the government $45 per mile per annum for carrying mails, and $40 per month from the U. S. Expi-ess Company for carrying express. John Williams is President and principal owner of the road, and Geo. N. Black is Receiver. The important points connected by this line gives it a liberal share of through travel, and the rich farming region through which it passes, combined with the accomodating and popular conductors, Messrs. W. M. Bacon and M. Myers, give it a fine local passenger travel.

The S. & N. W. connects south with the T., W. & W., the C. & A., the O. & M., the G. & C, giving access to all points of the compass, from Springfield at all hours. At Petersburg it makes connection with the Jacksonville branch of the C. & A. north and south, and at Havana with the P., P. & J., and the I. B. & W. ex- tension for the north and east, and thus to Peoria, where numerous roads diverge to all points of the compass. The large stock and coal interests on the line of this road, with the increasing development of the country must eventually make it one of the most paying lines in the State. The line is in excellent condition, is operated with care, and accidents are unknown on it.

For many years this line terminated at Petersburg, but in 1867 it was extended to Bloomington. It was opened up for service to Mason City in June, and to Bloomington on the 23d of September, in that year. It was incorporated as the Tonica and Petersburg Railroad Company, January 15, 1857. Richard Yates was the first president.

In 1862 it was consolidated with the Jacksonville, Alton and St. Louis Railroad Company, the whole taking the name of the St. Louis, J. & C. R. R. Co. William G. Green, of Menard county, was the first president of the new company, succeeded by George Straut, of Peoria. This road was leased to the C. & A. road April 30th, 1868.

Dear Sir: A brief history of the road running through your county, I presume would assist you to prepare your work. The project was first started as the Tonica and Petersburg Railroad, and the line was located through your county in 1S57. The Hon. Richard Yates was at that time president of the company, and during the year 185S a portion of the grading was done on that part of the line. The hard times of 1S58, which continued for several years, made it impossible to negotiate railroad securities, consequently work was suspended for several years. Mr. Yates being a candidate for governor, in i860, he resigned the presidency of the company, and Wm. G. Green was elected president; and during his administration arrangements were perfected for consolidating the interests of the Tonica and Petersburg and the Jacksonville, Alton and St. Louis Railroad companies. This consolidation was ratified by the companies in December, 1862, and the new com- pany was styled the St. Louis, Jacksonville and Chicago Railroad Company. At the first meeting of the directors I was elected president, and have so continued up to this time.

In 1863 arrangements were made for completing the road, and in 1864 it was completed from Jacksonville south to the C. & A. road at Godfrey, which gave our road an outlet to St. Louis, and in 1867 the line was completed from Jacksonville to Bloomington, giving us an outlet north to Chicago, over the C. & A. road. In the spring of 1868 the line was leased to the C. & A. road, and has been operated by that company since that time.

Havana, Rantoul And Eastern Railroad Company

Length, 128 miles; western terminus, Havana, Mason county; eastern terminus, the C, D. & V. Railroad, in Ross township, Vermilion county. Length of line only graded, 36^ miles. This road has been in progress for some time, with prospects of a rapid completion.

Iron and rolling stock have been purchased for the first division of the road. Width of gauge, three feet. The splendid region of country through which this line is to pass, and the very low cost of operating that class of roads, ensures it a good, safe investment, and completion at an early date.

Educational

Let us imagine that a young immortal is placed before us, whose duty it is to give him an education. This word signifies that we are to take him into our hands, find out what faculties he possesses, and then make the most of every one of them, preserving, however, a just balance among all his varied powers. Not one of those powers were given him to lie dormant. He can never be a real man until all are developed. It is not our business to give him a certain amount of knowledge, to practice him in certain arts, or to teach him a profession.

He comes to us to be educated, not to be crammed with other people's ideas, nor to learn a trade. The ideas he can get afterwards bv reading. The trade he can acquire when he is prepared for it. What shall we do for this young being, whose future we are to form for him? As quick as possible let us make a man of him. Let us, in the first place, take him up as a physical being, and young and feeble as he is, see what we can do for him. Let the persons who have the charge of him in this particular know everything about his body. Let them map out that knowledge to the best of their abilities, with a deep con- sideration of the case in hand, to the comprehension of their pupil. Let them instruct that pupil not only in the anatomy and physiology of his body, but in the laws of life and health, of strength and growth, and of that essential exercise by which the highest physical beauty is developed. Let the effort then commence, in which the scholar will enthusiastically unite, so soon as he is made to understand it, to rear up out of this beginning the completest, strongest, healthiest, hardiest, most beautiful and graceful being possible. Let him not only be exercised, but exercised scientifically, by a man who knows every bone and muscle of his body - every want and possibility of his physical existence. Let one set of exercises be suited to employ, invigorate and enlarge the muscles; let another inflate the lungs, enlarge the chest, and give larger scope for the growth and development of the internal organs. A third will give him ease of motion and gracefulness of carriage. Nor need we stop when these ends are gained. The organs of sensation, which are useful according to their power and accuracy, may be astonishingly improved by a course of scientific practice. The eye can be educated to see, the ear to hear and the hand to feel, and the remaining senses do their appropriate work. Nature, in these particulars, gives us the beginning and a subject capable of the highest degree of improvement. It is the business of effort and of art to carry that beginning to the best and highest attainments.

Instead of suffering the strength and health and beauty of our pupil to waste away, as they do, almost univei-sally, after the first hour of education is begun, we should not only preserve them all, but carry each of them to a perfection which nature, unaided by education, can never reach. The young man, when he goes from our hands, with all his other qualifications, in place of being the sickliest, weakest, and most pallid and cadaverous person in society, ought to be, physically, a pattern and paragon for all other men, with a good conscience and a brisk pulse, one whose head rarely pressed the pillow while others ai*e astir. Polite without perfumery, graceful without a rattan; meditative, without stimulating cups, narcotic juices or voluptuous fumes.

Without particular and judicious treatment, however, this cannot be. Such a result will no more follow from the fact that a child lives on to the estate of manhood, than it follows that the crab-apple will gradually bear better and better fruit, till the most luscious sorts shall drop from its outspreading branches, because the shower and the sunlight continue to moisten and warm the soil and atmosphere in which it grows.

Let us also, while this physical training is going on, look carefully and philosophically into its mental constitution, determine precisely what intellectual faculties he possesses, and then set every one of these faculties to work, that we may thereby gi\'e each and all their utmost development. With a chart of the human mind spread out before us, we shall at once see the work we have undertaken to accomplish. We are to draw out, expand, strengthen and mature, and set in harmonious action every one of the prescribed possibilities of thought. It is easy enough when we have fixed upon mental growth as the first object of scholastic discipline to select from the boundless field of human knowledge those studies, which, while they are best adapted so promote this growth, will also furnish the mind with the most important truths. This secondary object can be best attained, in fact, by pursuing a perfectly philosophical and universal method,for truth is the food of 'thought ', and those sciences which are best adapted to develop the several faculties of the mind, will be found to be precisely those of the highest future value to the man. When that man goes out from his scholastic life, he will not be as graduates in general now are, the imbecile possessor of theoretic knowledge, but a being of varied powers. The word power exactly expresses the nature of his being. Every one of his capacities has become a power. You need not ask him what he knows. Ask him what he can do. In his ability to do consists his superiority over those who only know. They, in the abundance of their lore can tell you all the laws of reason; because they have been memorizing the elementary principles of logic. He can reason, because the full expansion of this element of his being has been the direct object of his exertions. They can recite by the hour what has been written concerning the arts, based on imagination, particularly the works of great masters. He, through these works, has been cultivating his own imagination. They (it is possible) can tell the names and detail the faults and graces of the great authors of antiquity. He can both write and speak. They are men of information. He of power, securing to himself that wholeness and evenness of mind without which no one can be truly great. This degree of perfection must be reached by exertions to develop a capacity, not to furnish it.

Our Life

'Upon the summit of a hill, whose sides sloped either way, A toil-worn traveler musing stood, upon a summer day, Behind him lay the path of life, his weary feet had sped; Before, the dim declining way that to the future led.

And on his ear there rose a song of mingled wail and mirth, From memory's wonder-waking harp, the music of the earth, And sights and sounds and dreaming things that evening shadows bring, Up to the windows of the heart like birds upon the wing.

And much he mused on perils past, of toils and hopes and fears, Like April skies all mingled up with sunshine, shades and tears. And golden wealth so widely sought, and honors bright and

I will not say he turned away, in sadness or in gloom, Or that the world he left behind, was of his hopes the tomb; Though heaviness was in his heart, hope kindled in his eye; Behind him was a world of change; before, a changeless sky."

Our Educational Facilities

Having on the preceding pages spoken of the benefits of a mental, moral and physical education, we now refer more in detail to the facilities possessed by our county for disseminating the benefits above set forth, the values of which are incalculable. Education leads into exercise the active powers of man, those which God has endowed and made active for this end. Science, all science enlarges these faculties and gives them scope and vigor. The memory, the understanding, the taste, the power of association, are all to be cultivated. They grow by exercise, and only in this way. We premise by saying that the trust conferred upon those having the superintendance of the public schools, is a responsibility scarcely less or inferior in importance to that of the administration of the government. The government itself depends in no slight degree upon the education of those by whom it is hereafter to be controlled. Amid the various conflicting opinions on moral, political and religious subjects there is need of charity and forbearance, concession and compromise. Citizenship is of no avail unless we imbibe the liberal spirit of our laws and our institutions. Through the medium of the common schools are the rising <reneration of all nationalties assimilated readily and thoroughly, forming the great American people.

The common schools are alike open to the rich and the poor, the citizen and the stranger. It is the duty of those to whom the administration of the schools is confided, to discharge it with magnanimous liberality and christian kindness. While the law should reign supreme, and obedience to its commands should ever be required, yet m the establishment of the law which is to control, there is no principle of wider application,' or of higher wisdom, commending itself to the broad field of legislation or of municipal action, to those who enjoy its benefits and its privileges, and to which all should yield a cheerful obedience, than a precept which is found with nearly verbal identity in the teachings of Confucius and those of Jesus Christ, acknowledged by all and endeared to all by association and education, viz: "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

The constitution of 1S70, of our State, the fundamental law, provides "That the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship without discrimination, shall be forever guaranteed, and that no person shall be denied any civil or political rights, privilege* or capacity on account of his religious opinions. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry or place of worship against his consent; nor shall any preference be given bv law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.'"

A learned teacher and author, in speaking of the duties of instructors of youth, says their duty is "to take diligent care, and exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of morality and justice, and a sacred regard to truth, love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry and frugality, chastity, moderation and temperance, and all other virtues which are the ornaments of society."

It will not be insisted that this duty, so beautifully set forth, is other than in conformity with the noble constitution of our State, above quoted. Neither will it be claimed that the Bible, in any of its translations, is averse to sound morality, or to those virtues designated as proper to be inculcated. If this book is proper, if consonant to sound principles of morality; then can it be claimed that it is adverse to the interests of morality and education, and exclude it from the common schools. Reading the Bible in school is no more an interference with religious belief than the reading the Mythology of Greece and Rome, or an affirmance of the truth of Mahomedanism an interference with religious faith.

Our Legislature very justly leaves the selection of books to be used in our schools to the directors, teachers and superintendents, who are elected by a majority of the community for which they act, thus reflecting the will of their constituants. There is no compulsory attendance, no religious tests required, no essentials of belief, no property qualifications to entitle a scholar to the benefits of the common schools of this State. He may be a Jew, Mahommetan, Catholic or Protestant. He may believe much or little, or have no belief at all, but in no case can he be deprived of instruction.

If the writing of Gallileo, Copernicus or Newton should be derogatory to the opinions of any individual, is that any reason why the youth of the country should be educated in ignorance of the teaching of these philosophers?

Shall Locke, Bacon, Milton and Swift be stricken from our list of authors, because some church votes them heretical writers ? Hence, the wisdom of our constitution and laws placing the selection of books in the hands of school officers, elected by the people whom they serve, as before stated, thus reflecting the will of their constituents.

Our grand old system of equality, regards the Pagan and Mormon, the Brahmin and the Jew, the Sweedenborgian and the Budhist, the Catholic and the Quaker, all as possessing equal rights under our beneficent laws in the common schools. The decrees of a council, conference, or the decisions of a Ulema, are alike powerless before our laws. It acknowledges no government external to itself; no ecclesiastical or other organization as having power over her citizens, or any right to dispense with the obligations of its laws. The doctrine is the supremacy of the people, and that all government is founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. We defend our common schools. Thev are our Alma Mater.

power,) And drank the blood of martyred saints, Whose priests were lords, Whose coffers held the gold of every land, Who held a cup - of all pollutions full."

We refer with pleasure to the tine school edifices of Havana. Mason City, Bath, and the one now in process of erection at the pleasant village of Easton. These splendid buildings are very justly the pride of their respective localities.

Our people are under obligations to our excellent School Board for assuming the high position they did in the erection of that building, that not only meets the present wants of the city, but will do so for many years to come. The architecture, the mechanical execution, and all the details of ventilation and heating are on the most approved scientific basis. Our School Board, composed of Messrs. Isaac N. Mitchell, Jacob Wheeler and Judson R. Foster (we would like to name each one first in the list to give each a special prominence) will long deserve the consideration of our citizens, not only for the building, but for placing our schools in the control and management of the very able corps ot teachers that have and will hereafter assume its management. In selecting

The female teachers are Miss Gertie Chase, Miss Katie Kemp, Miss Kissie Wright, Miss Theresa Burnell, Miss Sadie M. Hutchins, Miss Nellie M. Beane, Miss Jennie E. Hutchins. Under their superlative management for the year last past, the schools have made such fine progress that the entire corps have been retained for the coming year. And while the Directors wrote dignoir after the names of each of the other teachers, it is no disparagement to them that they wrote dignissimus after Miss Burnell's. Mr. Thos. W. Catlin, a graduate of Yale College, is employed as Superintendent for the coming year.

The schools of Bath are supplied with a competent and efficient corps of teachers, and so satisfactory have been their services that they too have been retained for the coming year. Their fine and commodious edifice is creditable to the very laudable ambition of the town to excel in her educational interests.

We have been unable to obtain data of the schools of Mason City to enable us to give the facts in reference to their managements and prosperity. We have made frequent applications to the county superintendent therefor, but have failed up to this date to receive them. We have learned, however, from individuals of that city, that their very fine and commodious edifice is well and competently occupied by an able superintendent, and corps of teachers, to whose faithfulness and abilities the people feel themselves indebted. Another edifice has been spoken of, to be erected in the eastern part of the city.

We would refer in detail to every school house and every teacher in Mason county could we do so, and did space permit, but we must forbear that pleasure and simply state that all are very competently supplied, and the class of school buildings throughout the county are creditable to those who have their charge. We cannot express the advantages of our system of schools. It is a fact observed by all, that the best and most vigorous and comprehensive minds of our country have arisen from the masses - from the common people This is a rule, and not an exception, and exceptions to this rule are very rare. This is attributable to our school system. It is ability and power that makes the progress and advance-

The same is true of the most successful manufacturers, merchants, mechanics and farmers. It is the poor man's son, dependent on his own individual energies, that is successful in life; a most emphatic commentary on our school system, and our governmental institutions.

We once attended a noted school examination where the son of an Irish laborer carried away first honors in all his recitations, and the son of a wealthy citizen and high official was excused, after he had made repeated failures, from further examination. Money, position and influence will not buy talent, energy, perseverance and application. Some of these results are attributable to the exercise and muscular-physical development which are predominant in the poorer people.

While it is true that "man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn," it is also true that in no age or country has the poor unfortunates of God's creatures been cared for as in the United States; and not one of the states of this Union has the facilities for caring for its unfortunates as does the State of Illinois. There i^ no more commendable object to which the millions can be applied that are expended on the noble edifices in which the deaf, dumb, blind, insane and feeble-minded are housed and fed, and tenderly cared for.

In contrast with the present, we here insert a description of the Parish Poor House in England. We quote from an old work issued from the press nearly one hundred years ago:

"-Behold von house that holds the parish poor, Whose walls of mud scarce hear the broken door; There where the putrid vapors flagging play, And the dull wheel hums doleful through the day ; There children dwell who know no parent's care, Parents who know no children's love, dwell there, Heart-broken matrons on their joyless beds, Forsaken wives, and mothers never wed ; Dejected widows with unheeded tears, And crippled age with more than childhood's fears; The lame, the blind, and far the happiest, they The moping idiot, and the mad-man gay. Here, too, the sick their final doom receive, Here hrought amid the scenes of grief to grieve; Where the loud groans in some sad chamber flow, Mixed with the clamors of the crowd below ; Here sorrowing they each kindred sorrow scan, And the cold charities of man to man; Whose laws, indeed, for ruined age provide, And strong compulsion plucks the scrap from pride; But still that scrap is bought with many a sigh, And pride embitters what it can't deny. Such is that room, which one rude beam divides, And make the rafters form the sloping sides; Where the vile bands that bind the thatch are seen, And lath and mud are all that lie between ; Save one dull pane that coarsely patched gives way, To the rude tempest, yet excludes the day. Here on a matted flock with dust o'erspread, The drooping wretch reclines his languid head ; For him no hand the cordial cup applies, Nor wipes the tear that stagnates in his eyes; No friends with soft discourse his pain beguile, Nor promise hope till sickness wears a smile."

Instead of the conditions above described the poor of Mason county are most amply cared for. A commodious home is provided them. A most healthful and a most beautiful country farm, in the best surroundings in the county, is their location. Ample amount of healthful food is provided them. The best medical at-

This feature of American philanthropy finds no counterpart in anv country in the world, however boasted its civilization or its advancement. And it is with no feeling of regret that we can record that the United States, Illinois and Mason county are high up on the roll of humanitarians. To the objects of these charities the question is never asked, How came ye here? Enough for the public, who is the dispenser of this beneficence, to know that the subject is needing their assistance.

Military History The State Of Illinois

We shall .give, in the following pages, the name, date of enlistment, date of muster, and remarks, including promotions, dates, etc., and a brief sketch of the services of each regiment in which Mason county was represented, taken with care from the records of the Adjutant-General, of Springfield, Illinois, to whom we are indebted for his kindness in furnishing us these data.

The preceding pages show as near a perfect list of the men in the army from Mason county as is obtainable from the Adjutant General's records. To obtain these has necessitated a search of five thousand six hundred pages of matter. The residences of the first three months' men are not on the records at all; neither arcrecords full as to the residences of all in the three years' service. These we have supplied in this work as far as possihle; also collected many names erroneously given on the records. If omissions have been made, we are satisfied they are very few, hut think there are none, as our search has been thorough.

Seventeenth Infantry

The seventeenth regiment of Illinois infantry volunteers was mustered into the service at Peoria, Illinois, on the 24th of May, 1861; left camp on the 17th of June, for Alton, Illinois. Late in July it left Alton for St. Charles, Missouri; remaining but one day there, it proceeded to Warrenton, Missouri, where it remained in camp about two weeks. Company A being detailed as body guard to general John Pope, with headquarters at St. Charles.

The regiment left Warrenton for St. Louis, and embarked for Bird's Point, Missouri. Remained at Bird's Point some weeks doing garrison duty, then proceeded to Sulphur Springs landing; debarking there, proceeded via. Pilot Knob and Ironton to Fredericktown, Missouri, in pursuit of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, anil joined Gen. Prentice's command at Jackson, Mo.; thence to Kentucky to assist in the construction of Fort Holt; thence to Elliott's Mills, and returned to Fort Holt; thence to Cape Girardeau, and again in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson's forces. Participated in an engagement near Greenfield ; lost one man killed and several wounded. Returned to Cape Girardeau, doing provost duty until February, [862, when ordered to Fort Henry. Participated in that engagement and Fort Donaldson, losing several men in killed, wounded and prisoners. Then proceeded to Metal Landing, Tennessee river, and embarked for Savanna, Tenn.; from thence to Pittsburg Landing, and was assigned to the First Division, Army of West Tennessee, under Gen. John A. McClernand; was engaged in the battles of the 6th and 7th of April, and suffered great loss in killed and wounded. "\\ ras with the advance on Corinth. After the evacuation of Corinth, marched to Purely, Bethel and Jackson, Term. Remained to the 17th of July, and was then ordered to Bolivar, and was assigned to duty as provost guard. Remained at Boliver until Now 1862; was in the expedition to Iuka, to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans; was at the battle ofHatchie. Returned again to Bolivar; remained till November. Then ordered to Lagrange, reporting to Gen. Logan; was assigned duty as provost guard. Early in Dec. marched to Holly Springs; thence to AbbeyviUe, guarding railroads; thence to Oxford. After the capture of Holly Springs, was assigned to Sixth Division, 17th Army Corps, under Gen. McPherson. Then proceeded via. Moscow, to Collierville and Memphis, and assigned duty at the navy yard. Remained there until Jan. 16, and embarked for Vicksburg; re-embarked and proceeded to Lake Providence, Louisiana, then headquarters 17th army corps, where it remained until the investment of Vicksburg. Arrived at Milliken's Bend May 1st. Marched across the Delta to Perkin's Landing on the Mississippi river; crossed below Grand Gulf, and advanced via. Raymond, Champion Hills, Jackson, Big Black, and to final investment of Vicksburg. After the surrender of that city, remained there doing' garrison duty and making incursions into the country as far east as Meridien, and west as far as Monroe, La. The regiment was ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for muster out and final discharge, when and where those of the original organization who did not re-enlist as veterans, were mustered out and discharged. A sufficient number, however, re-enlisted to entitle them to retain their regimental organization; the veterans and recruits whose term of service had not expired, were consolidated with the 8th Illinois infantry volunteers^ and were finally mustered out and discharged with that regiment in the spring of 1866.

The twenty-seventh infantry Illinois volunteers was organized with only seven companies, at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 10, 1 861, and ordered to Jacksonville as part of Gen. McClemand's brigade.

September 1st, 1S61, ordered to Cairo, where the three remaining companies joined. It was engaged in the battle of Belmont Nov. 7, [S6l, bore a prominent part and lost severely. On the evacuation of Columbus, Kentucky, this regiment was sent to that point. On March [4th, it formed a part of the Mississippi flotilla, and went down the river to Island No. 10. The 27th was the first to hind on that island. Moved to Fort Pillow, but was recalled and ordered to Pittsburg Landing. Was engaged in the siege of Corinth and battle of Farmington. Was in pursuit of the enemy al Boonville, and returned to Corinth. In July, [862, ordered toluka, and soon afterwards along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, where it remained until September, when it crossed the Tennessee river at Decatur, Alabama, and made a rapid march for Nashville, Tennessee, where it arrived September 12, and remained in that city during the time it was eut off from communication from the north, it was with the advance from Nashville, and engaged in the battle of Stone River, where it was particularly distinguished. June 24th, 1 S63, moved against Shelbyville and Tullahoma; thence to Bridgeport, Alabama. September 2d, 1863, moved toward Rome, Georgia; returned in time to take part in the battle of Chickamauga, where it suffered severely. Was in Chattanooga during its investment, and was in the storming of Mission Ridge, and was noted for its good behavior. From Mission Ridge it went on a forced march to the relief of Knoxville, then closely pressed 1>\ Longstreet. It returned to Loudon, Tennessee, Jan. 25, 1864, and remained till April, when it was ordered to Cleveland, Tenn. From here it moved with the Army of the Cumberland on the Atlantic campaign. Was engaged at Rockfaced Ridge, at Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Dallas, Pinetop Mountain, Chattahoochie riser, Peachtrec Creek, and Atlanta.

Was relieved from duty at the front Aug. 25, 1864, and ordered to Springfield, Illinois, for muster out. Was detained two days at Nashville in apprehension of an attack. During the term of service it had the following casualities: Killed or died of wounds, [02; died of disease, 80; wounded, 328; discharged and resigned, 209; transferred, 39. Veterans and recruits consolidated with the 9th Illinois infantry volunteers.

The twenty-eighth infantry Illinois volunteers was organized al Camp Butler August 1861; August 28 ordered to Thebes, Illinois; Sept. 9 to Bird's Point, Missouri; Octoher 2 to Fort Holt, Kentucky, w here it remained until Jan. 31, [862, whence it moved to Paducah, K.v. Feb. 5 moved up the Tennessee river. Feb. 6 assisted in the capture of Forts Henry and Heiman. Feb. 13th, j>S men

April 6, 1S62, called into line and assigned a position on the left in Peach Orchard. Held its position from S A. m. until 3 P. M,and then retired under- orders. On the morning of the 7th it held a position on the right and was hotly engaged till the close of the battle. During these two long and bloody days this regiment behaved nobly, and was never broken or driven back, though often heavily pressed. It sustained a loss of 239 killed and wounded. Was in the siege of Corinth; marched to Memphis via. Grand Junction, Lagrange, Holly Springs, Moscow, Lafayette, Colliersville and Germantown. Marched Sept. 6th, reached Bolivar 14th, and Big Muddy river Oct. 4th. Oct. 5th engaged in the battle of Matamora, losing 97 killed, wounded and missing. Returned to Bolivar Oct. 7, 1862.

After various marches in the winter of 1S62, the 28th was engaged in the siege of Vieksbuurg from June 1 1 to July 4, 1863, On July 12th, 1863, near Jackson, Mississippi, this regiment lost in killed and wounded more than half of the rank and file in eight companies, numbering 128 men, lost 73 men killed and 16 prisoners.

January 4, 1864, re-enlisted in the veteran service. May 18, proceeded to Illinois for veteran furlough. May 29, every man who had been furloughed, reported at Camp Butler, Illinois, and the regiment moved for Natchez, where it arrived July 8th.

Eighty-Fifth Infantry Volunteers

This regiment was organized at Peoria, Illinois, in August, [862, l>v Col. Robert S. Moore, and must, Med into the service August 27th, [862. Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 6, 186.1, and assigned to the thirty-sixth brigade, eleventh division, Third Army Corps, Gol. D. McCook commanding brigade, and Brig.-Gen. 1!. ii. Sheridan commanding division.

The eighty-fifth marched in pursuit of the enemy under Gen. Bragg, October 1st, [862, and was engaged in the battles of Chaplain ITills, Perryville, Kv.. October 8. and moved with the army to Nashville, arriving Nov. 7, 1862.

Mustered out June 5, [865, at Washington, D. C, and arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, June 11, 1865, where it received final payment and discharge.

One Iii Xdred And Eighth Infantry

The one hundred and eighth Illinois infantry volunteers was organized at Peoria the 27th and mustered into service the 28th of August, 1862.

On October 6th, left Peoria for Covington, Kentucky, via. Logansport, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, arriving at Covington the morning of the 8th. The regiment here drew the necessary transportation and camp equippage, and on the 17th marched with its division into the interior of the state after a retreating enemy.

November 14th, the regiment marched for Louisville, via. Versailles, Frankfort and Shelbyville, and reached Louisville on the 19th, and on the 21st embarked on board of transports for Memphis, where it arrived on the 26th, and went into camp near the city.

On the 20th of December, it embarked on board the "City of Alton," and proceeded in the expedition against Yicksburg. They landed near Chickasaw Bluffs, on the evening of the 28th, and bivouacked for the night. The various experiences of the regiment in this region we have no room to detail, but its whole duty

Inconveniences of transportation, impure air, and lack of sanitary conveniences, cost the ioSth more lives than all other causes - [35 of its members died, in February and March, 1863.

On July 18th, 186^, this regiment broke camp for the purpose of returning to their homes, from which they had been absent three long and bloody years of the war. On August 5th, iS6^, the final muster rolls were ma.de out and signed by the mustering officer, and the regiment embarked for Cairo. From thence it proceeded by rail to Chicago, Illinois, where, on the 1 ith of August it was paid and fully discharged from the service of the United States, having acted well its important part in the war.

A conclusion of the military history of Mason county would not be complete without a reference to those brave soldiers who, failing of an acceptance of their services in our own State, and determined to have a hand in suppressing the rebellion, enlisted in other states. About one hundred men from Mason county applied to Gov. Yates for admission to the ranks, and our quota being more than full, could not be received. To their solicitations Gov. Yates replied, "That Mason county could not fight this war alone, that other parts of the State desired a representation in the service as well as Mason county.'1 These men went to St. Louis and enlisted in the 8th Missouri, not giving their residences as in Illinois.

In order to obtain a full record of all Mason county's soldiers, we addressed the Adjutant General of Missouri, requesting the roster of enlisted men in that regiment, and received the following reply :

Hence we have been unable to ohtain a list of those in that regiment. The following figures will compare more than favorably with the war record of any county in Illinois. We quote from the schedule of quotas and credits on the records of the Adjutant General of Illinois:

Wc have in the preceding pages sketched such important facts in the rise and progress of the history of our country, our State and our county, and their institutions, as we believed would interest the reader. We have devoted more space to the early history of Illinois than would seem proper, did we not form a part, and a conspicuous illustration of that unprecedented progress that brought Illinois from an uninhabited wilderness, and unoccupied domain, to a condition of improvement and progress unprecedented in the world's history. For example: in 1823, Chicago contained ten houses and sixty inhabitants. In 1S31, a Postoffice was there established. In 1S32, it had two hundred and fifty inhabitants, and in 1837, it had S,ooo. It then had three newspapers, fifty lawyers, and thirty physicians.

The city of Quincy, laid out in 1S25, ten years later had 1,500 inhabitants, and now sustains a position of the second city in the State, exceeded in beauty by none.

In 1836. Peoria had twenty-five stores, and seven groceries and and two hotels, a brewery, and two steam sawmills. That now important railroad centre, had then four lines of stages, viz : one to Galena, tri-weekly; one to Chicago, tri-weekly; one to Springfield, and one to Knoxville.

The citv of Canton had only a population of 500, in 1S36. Bloomington, in 1S37, had a population of 600, and but two small churches, two hotels, two lawyers, and three physicians.

J48 History Of Mason County

Beardstown was laid out in 1829, and at the time of the surve) there was but one log cabin in its limits. The present status of these cities arc hut an index to the agricultural developments of the State.

There is a moral sublimity in the life and character of the pioneer. In some arduous work or some great achievement, perhaps, :is in the revolution, which was to cover with glory a great portion of the world, he stands in the front rank, or is the leader of the van, lie encounters difficulties only to conquer them. Neither his motives nor his aims may he properly understood, hut he fixes his eye on his work, ami presses forward. His enemies may raise a storm of persecution to beat upon his head. The darkness that always besets an incipient day and the opening- of his brilliant career may brood thickly along his path, but his confidence is not shaken. No clouds can completely cover his horizon. While others are confounded with despair, beyond the thick gloom of his present, his faith and hope contemplates a clear sky, as his eye catches an occasional glimpse of the coming light. From the very nature of his work, being many years in advance of the age in which he lives, he advances with much toil. Poverty is almost uniformly his lot. While the rich and the gay are living in splendor in their eastern homes, he continues his arduous calling, and labors night and day, not so much for himself as those who succeed him. Why does he not curse his lot, lie down and die? Why labor and toil, and endure the hardships of a frontier life, the benefits of which will perhaps be enjoyed by those he may never see? The answer to these questions is very plain. He is in every sense a providential man. He comes to endure and to suffer for his age. I Ee feels within his heart the spirit of his calling. The fate of coming generations he sees in a great part committed to his single hands, lie is willingtO beoffercd for their weal. True, he has the natural feelings of his kind. He would be glad to enjoy the quiet and serene pleasures of his home. The hearthstone of his little cottage, if he is not too poor to have one, he would love to see as blithe and cheerful as that of others in a less busy life. No man loves lbs wife, his children or his neighbors more than he. A condition thai would give him leisure for all the amenities of social life - for high communion with nature and her works - for profound study of noble monuments, erected by art and genius, through the world, would cheer and gladden his soul, and gratify his tastes.

The fields are as green for him as for other men; the forest is as gay in autumn or as fresh in spring. He, as well as others, could take the partner of his life and his children, and walk out each sweet summer evening, to view the glories of the rural landscape, and his heart would beat a response to every joyful note of the warbling waters and the echoing woods. But no; he is denied this. He has work to do; he has dangers to encounter. All these things he must forego - must resign to those - for whom? The coming settler. Though his own and his companions' hearts often yearn after them by reflection, they subdue their feelings, and reluctantly give them up. 1 repeat, there is a sublimity in the life and character of the pioneer. He once lived in the center of social life. His home was on his native hills, or in some rural valley, among his friends. His cottage stood in the shade of some venerable trees, planted by his ancestors a century ago. The vines that wound around his door posts, the shrubs that fringed his garden walks, and the grove waving in the wind in the rear of his peaceful dwelling, were all the work of a bygone age. There he had known and loved the mother that brought him into the world; there he had revered a father, who led him in youth and conducted him safely to manhood. There he first heard the voices of brothers and sisters, the memories of which now come like visions to his soul. There, in later years, he laid those kindred, his venerated father and his affectionate mother, in the silent grave. Long ago their mouldering bodies had passed away, and the earth above them had settled in to supply their places. The rank grass, the dilapidated tombstones, erected by surviving love, all now proclaim the old family burying-ground, a place for the heart to linger around, but not leave. And these little mounds, recently formed, where the violets and primroses have not yet had time to bloom, tell that death has been there lately. This cottager and the mother of his children not long since laid one, two or three of their own tender offspring beside the departed ones of former years. Here, then, let him linger; here let him spend the remainder of his days; here let him enjoy the wife of his youth and the dear children given him, and the competence saved for him by the frugality of his lathers. But it must not be so. He has a work to do. His children are numerous. His patrimony is not enough for them all. More than that, the western country needs his services.

His example is destined for a new world. He seeks room for the energy of his children to expand itself, where his children's children can settle by his side. The intellectual and moral power of his descendants will there have a more commanding influence on the fortunes of the coming age. Perhaps, in the new country, he, surrounded by the thousand chances incident to frontier life, may live to see his offspring wielding for good the fate of a new republic, and the destinies of a State be committed to their hands.

These thoughts, and others like them, fill his mind in his eastern home. Gradually he submits to their influence, until he finds himself committed to their sway, and he becomes a convert to his new work. From this moment he is a pioneer. He breaks away from the ties that bind him to his native land. He disposes of a few articles of loose property, and these make a trial of his faith. He rinds the same things, when sold, looks differently in the hands of another person than when it was his own.

The farther he proceeds in these sacrifices, the more strength he acquires for what remains to be done. His cottage where his father lived, how can he give it up? The old well, with "its moss covered bucket," must he never drink from its cool, sweet waters more? That neat front \ aid, where his children have skipped and played among the shrubbery and flowers; must these children never gambol there again. But then those green graves of his ancestors, and those other fresh, little hillocks where the violets had not yet bloomed; must all be left to the neglect of strangers, and the vicissitudes of coming years? In such a conflict, what memories come back to the soul.

There, reader, on that beautiful undulation, that prairie swell, beside the grove we see a cabin. The smoke from its rude chimiil'v, the only mark of civilization on all that vast scene presented to the view from this eminence and grove. Let us go up and see what this pioneer has done. At the time of our visit he has resided in his new home twenty-five years.

Many a day had the deer in herds browsed the rich grass on the prairie, and laid down in the shade of the grove to rest. Many a dark night had the grim old wolf crouched in the grass or thicket watching for his prey. Perhaps the still wilder savage, with the scalp of the white man upon his quiver, and the rifle of his victim on his arm, laid himself down to rest beneath the covert of the grove. But now all these things are numbered with the past. They are gone - gone forever, never to return. In their place bright fields of ripening wheat and waving corn are glistening in the gentle breeze. This tall corn, that springs up annually, is memorial of its predecessor, that tall grass that once grew on this same prairie. The Osage hedge marks the long lines of darker green beside the waving corn and yellow wheatfield, and encloses two full sections of as rich rolling prairie as ever drank in the rays of the rising sun. When it was first entered it cost but a trifle. It is now a princely fortune. Everything on the premises indicates industry and thrift. This old gateway has been standing here from the first.

The private wagon road leading up past the house is skirted on both sides by cultivated trees. The house itself, with its substantial walls and snug rooms, its immense yard and large back garden, its spacious barns and numerous out-houses, stationed here and there in the rear, might be a suitable residence for a king, provided that king had the heart of our pioneer.

For a quarter of a century the man now aged has been toiling for generations yet to come. It was not for himself. This he knew all the time. Nor was he certain that his own children would enter upon his labors. They, like those he left behind, might be laid low by the hand of death. Would he therefore remit his toil ? No ! This was the mission on which he came. His was the heart of the true pioneer. In his early day he has seen the wild prairie become a garden. He has himself reared the log school-house upon his farm. He has invited teachers from the land of his birth. When there were few to help he paid them from his own purse, and fed them bountifully at his own board.

Here, too, within this cabin was that other pioneer welcomed, who, single-handed and alone, came here through many perils, to proclaim messages of divine love; and many of his successors have found a home and a resting place within these walls. Many sermons that burned with fervor, have been preached in the grove beyond the house. How many souls saved, or how much good done within the precincts of this lowly cottage, the angels themselves may never know. But we may look down the vista of time's river and see other pioneers who received their first impul- ses and baptism. in this grove, and within this humble domicil. A few to-day arc thus the host of to-morrow. From the first to the last of his weary years there lias been in his life and his labor-, and especially will there appear in these last results* a lofty and living example of true sublimity. Speechless be that tongue, withered be the ungrateful heart, that does not, when occasion offers, respect the character and bless the memory of the old and honorable pioneer.