Ogle County, Illinois - The whole text, 1878 (part 10 of 25)

The case was called for trial at the same term of court, J udge Ford presiding, at which the indictment was found. Seth B. Farwell appeared for the people, and Messrs. Peters, Dodge, Champlin and Caton for the defendants. The jury before whom they were tried was composed of S. S. Beatty, S. M. Hitt, James 0. Hagan, Elias Baker, William Carpenter, John Shoffstalt, James B. McCoy, George Swingley, Richard McLean, William Renner, Justin Hitchcock and Hiram Weldon - S. M. Hitt, foreman. When arraigned for trial the defendants pleaded not guilty, and the trial proceeded. The most of the time occupied in the disposition of the case was consumed in calling the names of the defendants. Several witnesses were called on the part of the prosecution, but no direct evidence was adduced, and after a brief address by Prosecutor Farwell, for the people, and John D. Caton, on behalf of the defendants, the case went to the jury, and without leaving their seats the jury returned a verdict of " not guilty."

The grand jury that found the indictment under which " Jonathan W. Jenkins and one hundred and eleven others " were tried for the murder of John and William Driscoll, was made up of the following named citizens:

As will be seen by a comparison of the names of these jurymen with the names of the defendants, some of their own number were indicted for complicity in that tragedy. The jury met in a small building then belonging to an attorney named John Cheney, and was afterwards occupied by him as a dwelling. The building still stands on the old site, but has fallen into dilapidation and decay. When Cheney removed west he sold the property, and it now belongs to the H. A. Mix estate.

When the case was presented for consideration, together with a list of the names of those charged with being engaged in the afiair, the name at the top of the list was first called. If it happened to be the name of a juryman, the juryman was excused, for the time being, and asked to retire. When he had gone from the room, the allegement was duly examined and disposed of, and the juryman recalled. The next name was then called, and the same mode of procedure observed, until the entire list was completed, and which resulted in the indictment of one hundred and twelve men for the murder of the Driscolls - the largest number of men ever indicted under one charge at one session of a grand jury known to judicial history.

Burning Of The Court House

Sunday night, March 21, 1841, the first court house commenced in Ogle County, which was nearing completion - in fact, was so far completed as to be in a condition to be used for the sitting of that term of the court, which was to commence on Monday, March 22 - was burned to the ground. Several indictments were pending for trial, and six of the indicted parties were in jail awaiting the sitting of the court. All day Sunday the town was full of men known to belong to the Prairie Pirates, evidently watching the movements of the court officers - the clerk, the sheriff, etc. Mr. B. T. Phelps, at that time Clerk of the Circuit Court, kept the books and papers of the office at his residence!. On Sunday evening he loaded the records on a wheelbarrow, and started to remove them to the court house to have them in readiness when court was called the next morning. When part of the way from his house, he was met by Mr. E. R. Dodge, a lawyer of Ottawa, who could not find accommodations at the hotel because of its crowded condition, and who was on his way to Phelps' residence to claim his hospitality for the night. Luckily, Mr. Phelps did not come on to the court house with the records, but turned back with Mr. Dodge, taking the papers back with him and storing them away in his house.

About midnight the alarm of fire was raised, and the citizens found their new court house in flames that were so far under headway that it was impossible to stay their progress, and it was burned to the grolmd.

Hugh Ray, who lives two miles distant from Oregon City, had been employed on the court house when it was in course of erection, and commenced to sleep in the building as soon as it was far enough advanced to afibrd sufficient protection from the elements without. He was not awakened until the flames were well started, and barely escaped with his life, his clothing, tools, etc., being left as sacrifices to the devouring element and the vengeance of the Prairie Pirates.

When the citizens reached the burning building they found the prisoners already up, dressed and apparently watching and waiting for their " hour of delivery." But it came not. The flames did not reach the jail, although it stood but a few rods from the burning court house. It was the belief of the citizens at the time, and the belief was afterwards verified by the confessions or admissions of some members of the gang, that the building was fired by the buccaneers under the opinion that the court records had been deposited there by Phelps on Sunday evening, as he had started to do, and that it was their purpose to destroy the indictments against their confederates, and, in the excitement and confusion consequent upon the fire, also secure the release of their imprisoned co-workers in iniquity, but their purpose was abandoned.

The sitting of the court was not deferred, but was held in a building belonging to William Sanderson that then stood on the site now occupied by the Catholic Church. The building was subsequently removed and was afterwards used by Christian Layman, and was known as the "red wagon shop " until it was made to give way before the march of improvements.

The Bridge

There is but one bridge, aside from railroad bridges, across Rock River in the County of Ogle. That is at Oregon, where now stands the third that has been erected at that point, and not many years will elapse before the fourth one will be necessary.

By an act of the General Assembly approved February 17, 1851, "James H. Hanchete and his associates, their heirs and assigns were authorized to build a bridge across Rock River at any point on the plat of Oregon that he may select." Section two, however, authorized the said Hanchete and his associates to construct said bridge below or on the dam " now con- ' structed across said river at said Town of Oregon ; provided^ if they should construct the same on said dam, they shall procure the right so to do from the proprietors thereof." They were authorized to place a toll-gate at either end of the bridge and demand the same rates of toll as were then allowed for passing the ferry, and permitted to double these rates for all persons passing over said bridge after nine o'clock in the evening and before four o'clock in the morning. It was provided that the navigation of Rock River should not " be in any wise obstructed or delayed by the said bridge," and the County Court was vested with power to determine whether the erection of said bridge will have the eifect of impedino- the free navigation of Rock River, and with power " to prescribe such regulations as they may deem proper to prevent such obstruction."

Wheiieas, It is proposed by James H. Hanchett (spelled Hanchete in the law above quoted) to erect a bridge across Rock River in the Town of Oregon, in the County of Ogle; and, whereas, the people of said county are greatly interested in the success of said undertaking by the said Hanchett; therefore, be it

^Hesolved, That on the completion of said bridge by the said James H. Hanchett at the Town of Oregon in said County of Ogle, an order shall be drawn on the treasurer of said county for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars in favor of the said Hanchett; provided, however, and it is hereby expressly declared that the order aforesaid for the sum aforesaid shall not be issued to the said James H. Hanchett until he shall have executed to said county a good and sufficient right of way across said bridge for all the oflScers of said county while employed on the business of the county, to continue for and during the term of twenty years from the date hereof, which said grant shall include a right of way across said bridge for all grand and petit jurors and all witnesses attending criminal trials.

The resolution was amended by striking out the words '' fifteen hundred " and inserting the words " one thousand," so that it appropriated the sum of one thousand dollars, and as amended the resolution was adopted, C. R. Hoadly, Annas Lucas, Sterling Blackman, Hiram Sanford, Hiram D, Wood, Joseph Williams, Jeriel Robinson, IS". W. Wadsworth, A. O. Campbell, Elias Thomas, JB. T. Hedrick - 11 - voting in the affirmative; and S. C. Cotton, Spooner Ruggles, John Garman, A. G. Spalding, Austin Lines and J. A. Ettinger - 6 - voting in the negative.

There was strong opposition to this measure. It was . urged that the board of supervisors had no legal authority to appropriate public money to aid in building a toll-bridge, and to test the question, a bill in chancery, Salmon C. Cotton, et al., vs. James H. Hanchett, et als.^ was filed in the Circuit Court of Ogle County, Wilkinson, J., at the March term, 1852, and upon agreement of parties a pro forma decree was entered. The case went to the supreme court, where the decision of the circuit court was reversed and the cause remanded. Judge Trumbull held:

The act to provide for township organizations does not give the board of supervisors authority to appropriate the county funds in aid of the construction of toll-bridges or to aid a private individual in the construction of a free bridge-, nor does the securing to the county a right of way for county ofiicers, grand and petit jurors and witnesses in criminal cases, alter the powers of the supervisors.

The law fixes the compensation and defines the privileges and immunities of county officers, and they have no right, by the use of county funds, to secure to themselves or to any other particular class of individuals, immunities not granted by the statutes. A bill to enjoin the board of supervisors from misapplying the money of the county is the proper remedy. - 13 III. Hep., pp. 615.

River at Oregon was an " improvement " very necessary to be made, and estimated the expense of building it, beyond the sums that would be raised from other sources, at ten thousand dollars. Whereupon the town ordered the levy of a tax of six thousand dollars that year for that purpose.

Resolved, That we appropriate the sum of eight thousand, three hundred and thirtythree dollars to aid in the construction of a free bridge across Kock River, at Oregon, in this county; provided, said bridge shall be of a substantial and durable character, and to be built with stone piers, and to cost at least the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, the residue of the cost of the same to be raised by said Town of Oregon, by subscription and otherwise. Said sum not to be paid by the county until said bridge shall be completed and accepted by the commissioners of highways of said town, and by a committee to be appointed by the board.

Nays - Gould G. Norton, Anson Barnum, Elias Thomas, M. Blair, Edwin Rice, J. A. Ettinger, W. Donaldson, Daniel Sprecker and L. N. Barber - 9.

May 22, the board appointed Supervisors Barber, Sprecker, Cook, Rood and Trask a committee to examine and accept, when completed, the bridge to be built over Rock River (very near the site of the present bridge).

A contract was made with Mr. D. C. Pierce, H. A. Mix surety, for the erection of the bridge for the sum of $24,915. In addition to the tax assessed by the Town of Oregon, and the appropriation of $8,333 by the county board, the people of the county subscribed in various sums, to be paid in cash, $10,666.83; to be paid in cash when the bridge should be completed, $1,175.50 ; payable in labor, materials, etc., $1,639; payable in cash at different dates, $195; other subscriptions, making the total amount subscribed in the form of notes, $14,176.33. Of the first class there were 524 subscribers; second class, 120; third class, 38. The names of those who subscribed $50 and upwards were : Theodore Austin, Alanson Bishop, William W. Bennett, R. C. Burchell, Perry Barker, Clark & Dana, John Carpenter, Phineas Chaney, E. F. Dutcher, William S. Davis, John Eyster, John Etnyre, Daniel Etnyre, Elias Etnyre ($200), C. F. Emerson, Horace Grant, James Y. Gale, John Y. Gale, G. W. Hill ($200), S. M. Hitt ($300), L. Hemenway, P. Jacobs, Margaret Johnston, R. B. Light, C. S. Marshall, William Moore, Charles P. Potter, E. S. Potter $400), F. G. Petrie, Sylvester Potter, John H. Rutledge, Andrew Schechter, Stewart & Wheeler ($200), E. J. Sexton, J. M. Snowden, Thomas Stinson, Adam Schryver ($150), W. C. Stoddard, M. W. Smith, Joseph Sears, Isaac Trask, Joshua Thomas, I. S. Woolley ($125), John Acker, S. S. Crowell, C. W. Murtfeldt, E. M. Light, H. A. Mix ($1,000).

Soon after executing the contract, Mr. Pierce, the contractor, died, and the work was commenced and completed by H. A. Mix, who was the real principal in the contract. The work was commenced in 1858, but was not completed until 1859. September 10, 1858, the subscription notes, amounting to $14,176.33, were paid over to Mr. Mix, and June 3, 1859, he was paid the amount received on tax of 1858, $4,820.44 ; from the county treasurer, $563.58.

December 1, 1859, Mr. Barber having died, and other members of the examining committee appointed in May, 1858, having gone out of office, the board of supervisors resolved itself into a committee of the whole to inspect the new bridge. The committee made report on the same day, and the board, by vote, accepted the structure, and ordered the issue of orders on the county treasurer for the sum appropriated, viz.: $8,333.

At a special session of tUe county board of supervisors, January 15, 1867, the report of the committee appointed at the session in September, 1866, to consult with the commissioners of highways of the Town of Oregon and co-operate with them in efforts to ascertain the best and most economical plan for building a bridge across Kock River, at Oregon, reported as follows :

The undersigned, your committee appointed to co-operate with the highway commissioners of Oregon, to ascertain the best and most economical plan for building a superstructure to the Bridge across Rock River at said town, report that in company with said commissioners they have thoroughly investigated the subject - that they went to Elgin, in Kane County, and examined the iron bridge across Fox River, built by Messrs. Truesdail. That your committee were much pleased with the construction of said bridge, and they are firmly of the opinion that, in consideration of the durability.of an iron superstructure, it will be economy to build a superstructure of iron on the piers across Rock River, at Oregon, and they hereby recommend that six additional piers be erected in the river at that place, and that an iron superstructure be constructed upon the old and said new piers in Rock River, at said Town of Oregon.

Mr. Thompson introduced a resolution appropriating $38,000 for the construction of an iron bridge across Rock River at Oregon, on condition that the Town of Oregon should build the additional piers, defray all other expenses, and keep the bridge in repair. This resolution elicited considerable discussion, various amendments were offered and rejected, and at last it was laid on the table for thirty minutes that the plan and specifications of Mr. Spaiford, of Dixon, and a gentleman from Yermont, for building a wooden bridge, might be examined. On motion of Mr. Gale, Messrs. Gale, Field, Burns, Davis and Dresser were appointed a committee to examine Spafford's plan, and the tabled resolution was referred to the same committee.

This committee reported, recommending that a " good, substantial wood-covered bridge be erected on the present piers, and that the sum of $15,000 be appropriated to aid in the construction of the same, provided, that the Town of Oregon pay the sum of $5,000 for said purpose." The report was accepted, and it was so ordered. It was also ordered that the bridge should be built under the supervision of a joint committee appointed by the board and by the commissioners of highways of the Town of Oregon. Messrs. Joshua White, Leonard Andrus, John Carpenter and R. M. Pearson were appointed on the part of the county. The vote passing these orders was by yeas and nays. Those voting in the affirmative were : Messrs. Norton, Taylor, Mack, Dresser, Field, Hedrick, Carpenter, Gale, Baker, Eshback, Thompson, Davis, Martin and White - 14. Those voting

At the annual meeting pf the Town of Oregon, April 2, 1867, the supervisor was authorized to borrow five thousand dollars " to defray the amount the town is to raise for the new bridge."

Previous to this, however, the committee of the board of supervisors and the commissioners of highways, of the Town of Oregon, held a meeting in the county clerk's office on the 26th day of February, 1867, for the purpose of adopting a plan for the bridge, receiving proposals and letting the contract tor the construction thereof. The bridge was to be a new superstructure of the Howe truss pattern, erected on the piers of the old bridge. Proposals were received from S. M. Town, Elias Etnyre and Messrs. Cauda & Hinckley. The contract was awarded to Cauda & Hinckley, of Chicago, for $20,000 and the old bridge.

The old bridge, although considered unsafe, was still in use. But on the 8th of May the National Guard announced that " Our bridge, which for some time past has been in rather a precarious condition, underwent a thorough repairing last week, and is now considered entirely safe. It did not remain so long, however, for on the 5th of June, says the Guards " the two western spans settled into the river her souse. The Franklin stage had passed over only an hour previous, also horses, and cattle, and several footmen. Mr. William Waterman was wheeling a wheelbarrow across at the time of the fall, but was so far over that the falling spans did not reach him, though it somewhat accelerated his movements." He violated law in that he drove his wheelbarrow across " faster than a walk," but under the circumstances he was excusable.

July 17, 1867, the Guard announced the arrival of the bridge builders and the commencement of the work of building the new bridge. On Saturday, September 7, it was crossed by teams for the first time, and the ferryboat was no longer needed. The bridge was formally accepted by the authorities of the county November 4, 1867, and at the present time (April, 1878,) it is in urgent need of extensive repairs, and must be rebuilt at no very distant day.

War History

If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made during the dark and bloody days of the War of the Rebellion. When the war was forced upon the country, the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do - making farms or cultivating those already made, erecting homes, foimding cities and towns, building shops and manufactories - in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The country was just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the Free States were buoyant with hope - looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for the ensurement of comfort and competence in their declining years, they little heeded the mutterings and threatenings of treason's children in the Slave States of the South ^

True sons and descendants of the heroes of the " times that tried men's souls " - the struggle for American independence - they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers - a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquility, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh of others - aye, even trafficked in the offspring of their own loins. JS'evertheless, the war came with all its attendant horrors.

April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Major Anderson, U. S. A., commandant, was fired upon by rebels in arms. Although basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that followed was looked upon as mere bravado of a few hot-heads - the act of a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred was crazed by the excessive indulgence in intoxicating potations. When, a day later, the news was borne along the telegraph wires that Major Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had first been regarded as a drunken mob, the patriotic people of the l^orth were startled from their dreams of the future - from undertakings half completed - and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well organized purpose to destroy the government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their right to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color that God, for His own purposes, had given them. But they " reckoned without their host." Their dieams of the future - their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy - were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment.

Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln - America's martyr President - who, but a few short weeks before, had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief executive, issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by hundreds and thousands. The people who loved their whole government could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house - every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes in defense of the government's honor and unity. Party lines were, for the time, ignored. Bitter words, spoken in moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier statesman : " By the Great Eternal^ the union must and shall he preserved P^

The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors of the South in their attack upon Fort Sumter was accepted - not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence - but with a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. The duty of the President was plain under the constitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representatives and executive officers.

Whereas, The laws of the United States have been, and now are, violently opposed in several states by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, I therefore call for the militia of the several states of the Union, to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizensto facilitate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws, the integrity and the perpetuity of the popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The first service assigned to the forces, probably, will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seized from the Union. Let the utmost care be taken, consistent with the object, to avoid devastation, destruction, interference with the property of peaceful citizens in any part of the country; and I hereby command persons composing the*aforesaid combination to disperse within twenty days from date.

I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures for public safety which the interest of the subject demands.

Abraham Lincoln

Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion. JS'or were ten times that number. Tlie war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call, for either men or money, there was a willing and a ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enougJi, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impulses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the ITorth, among whom the sons of Ogle made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record. .

The readiness with which the first call was filled, together with the embarrassments that surrounded President Lincoln in the absence of sufficient laws to authorize him to meet the unholy, unlooked for and unexpected emergency - an emergency that had never been anticipated by the wisest and best of America's statesmen - together with an underestimate of the magnitude of the rebellion and a general belief that the war could not, and would not last more than three months, checked, rather than encouraged, the patriotic ardor of the people. But very few of the men comparatively speaking, who volunteered in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteers for three months, were accepted. But the time soon came w^hen there was a place and a musket for every man. Call followed call in quick succession, until the number reached the grand total of 3,339,748, as follows:

To the credit of the county, be it said, there was no draft. To each and every call above quoted, there was a liberal response. Of the oflferings

April 30, 1861, the board of supervisors beine, in session, Hon. James Y. Gale, a member of the board presented a resolution relating to the crisis and the duty of the people, which, on motion, was referred to a special committee of three - Messrs. Korton, Frisby and Hitt.

Whereas, The President of the United States has made known to the people of the United States through his proclamation that rebellion against the government and laws of the United States has been undertaken, and is maintained by certain States of the confederacy, and that to suppress the same the armed forces of the State of Illinois will be required, therefore,

We, the board of supervisors, for, and in behalf of the citizens of the County of Ogle, State of Illinois, endorsing fully the President in his efforts and desires to suppress said rebellion and preserve the Union, and to protect the State of Illinois, and the County of Ogle, do hereby appropriate the sum of |5,000 to be paid in orders on the county treasury, as follows, to-wit :

To every commissioned otficer, non-commissioned officer and private, raised in the said County of Ogle, and received in the service of the United States, or under the order of the Legislature, or Governor of the State of Illinois, the sum of five dollars per month, to commence from the date of the acceptance of said company either in the United States forces or under the order of the State Legislature or Governor of the State of Illinois; Promded, however, that such sums shall in no case be paid to any officer or private unless at the time of such enrollment in any such company, he shall have a family depending on him for support; and, Provided, further, that said family shall need the said sum for their absolute support, which necessity shall be certified to by the supervisor of the town in which said officer or private may reside at the time of said, enrollments

And provided, further, that for the purpose of this order and to entitle the parties to the benefits thereof, it shall not be necessary that said officer or private shall be a married man, but if he have a mother, or brother, or sister, depending upon him for support they shall be considered his family within the meaning of the order.

It shall be the duty of the supervisor of each town, whenever application shall be made by any persons entitled to receive benefits from the provision of this order, to make certificate that said applicant is entitled to the same, and to what amount, and, which certificate, endorsed by the town clerk and one justice of the peace, where the applicant shall reside, shall be sufficient evidence to the county clerk, who, thereupon, shall issue county orders to the amount of said certificate so endorsed, for the benefit of said applicant or his family, and pay it over to him, or them, or their order.

It shall be the duty of each supervisor, on application of such soldier or his representative, as may be entitled to the benefits^of this order, to issue his certificate for the relief of such applicant until such soldier shall be discharged from duty.

The tocsin of war was sounded. Meetings were held in all the townships, at which stirring and spirited addresses were made, and resolutions adopted that admitted of but one interpretation. The spirit of the people in the early days of the war, is very clearly reflected in the following preamble and resolutions:

Whereas, It becomes American citizens to know no political law but their country's welfare ; and whereas, the flag of our country has been insulted, and the laws set at defiance by formidably organized bands of lawless men whose avowed purpose and overt acts are high treason against the government, therefore, resolved,

1. That in the present endangered state of our country we will ignore all party differences and distinctions and will unite in rendering all the aid within our power, to the Federal Executive in executing the laws and defending the honor of our national fla^.

2. That we recognize the form of government formed by our fathers - and baptized in their blood - as the best in the world ; the bii'thright of American citizens, and to be given up but with our lives.

Rea, B. F. Sheets, Joseph Sears, James V. Gale, Albert Woodcock, of Orefi^on; John S. Rosier, Amzie Johnston, Dr. Clinton Helm, of Byron; P. B. Boyce, John A. Huges, of Rochelle; Morton D. Swift, of Polo ; Prof. Pinckney and S. M. Hitt, of Mount Morris; there was no wavering, if there had been a disposition to waver. The people were united in sentiment and prompt in action.

The pen could be employed for months in sketching the uprising of the people, the formation of companies, and telling of the deeds of valor and heroism of the " Boys in Blue " from Ogle County There is material here for volumes upon volumes, and it would be a pleasing task to collect and arrange it, but no words our pen could employ would add a single laurel to their brave and heroic deeds. Acts speak louder than words, and their acts have spoken - are recorded in pages already written. The people of no county in any of the states of the freedom and Union-loving I^orth made a better record during the dark and trying times of the great and final struggle between freedom and slavery - patriotism and treason - than the people of Ogle. Monuments may crumble; cities may fall into decay; the tooth of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the army of the Union in the war of the great rebellion, in which the sons of this county bore so conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time andcivihzed governments endure.

The people were liberal, as well as patriotic, and while the men were busy enlisting, organizing and equipping companies, the ladies were no less active. Committees were appointed to look after the necessities and to secure comfort to the families of those who enlisted. The spirit of the resolutions of the board of supervisors, adopted May 1, 1861, and carefully fostered by the board throughout the years of the war, pervaded the entire community, which was divided into committees, and each committee assigned a duty. And right nobly did each committee do its work. There were no laggards, no niggardliness. Men and money were given by tens and hundreds and thousands. Iso one stopped to count the costs. The life of the nation was at stake, and the people were ready to sacrifice all, EVERT THING, for the preservation and maintenance of the Union -

It would be interesting to record the money contributions - voluntary, as well as by means of taxation - made by the people during the years of the rebellion, but that would be impossible. Of the former, no accounts were kept. People never stopped to reckon the cost, or to keep accounts of what they gave. When ever money was needed for any purpose, and purposes and needs were plenty, it was given and paid on demand. There were no delays, no excuses, no " days of grace," no time for consideration demanded. People were ready and willing. Husbands and fathers abandoned homes and their comforts, wives and little ones for the dangers of tented fields of battle, assured that, in their absence, plenty would be provided for their loved ones. Because of this knowledge, their dreams were none the less sweet, nor their slumbers less refreshing, even if their beds were made upon mother earth, and their covering only that of the starry dome above.

While it is impossible to make even an approximate estimate of the amount of money provided by voluntary contributions for war purposes, it is almost as impossible to arrive at the actual amounts provided by the public authorities by means of taxation - some times for the reason that the accounts were indifferently and loosely kept, and some times because of the seeming reluctance of parties (as in the case of township clerks) who ought to possess the knowledge, to impart it for preservation in printed pages of history. When the compilation of this work was commenced, each of the several township clerks was solicited, by printed circulars, to send the gentlemen in charge of the work the amounts provided by their respective townships for war purposes such as the payment of bounties, benefit of soldiers' families, etc. Out of the twenty-four township clerks, only five responded. These five were, K. W. Sheadle, White Rock; A. S. Hodley, Flagg; George M. Reed, ]S"ashua; O. S. Dentler, Scott; M. D. Swift, Polo. The amounts provided in these townships were as follows :

It would be a much pleasanter duty to complete the showing by townships than to stop with those quoted. But, for reasons already stated, it is beyond the writer's power. These figures, even now, would be an voXjqxestino^ souvenir - in years to come, invaluable as facts for reference.

The good work of the board of supervisors did not end with the appropriation of $5,000, as provided in their resolutions of May 1; 1861, but was continued from time to time, as occasion and necessity demanded, until the sum of $120,070 was raised and paid out under county authority. Kow, in time of national peace and tranquility, this sum seems enormously large; and if the assessment of that amount for purposes of public improvements was submitted to a vote of the people, it would be voted down by a very large majority. Adding this sum of $120,070 to the $43,236.64 provided by the five townships of Flagg, JS'ashua, Buffalo, Scott and White Rock, and we have a known total of $163,306.64. To this may be added at least $60,000 for voluntary contributions and the nineteen townships not reported, and we have an estimated [grand total of $223,306.64, provided by the people of Ogle County to aid in the suppression of the rebellion.

The world never witnessed such an uprising of the masses, such a unanimity of sentiment, such a willingness to sacrifice men and money, as was shown bv the people of the states of the north from the time the rebels fired upon Fort Sumter in April, 1861, until the surrender of treason's army in 1865 - and no county in all the northern states made a bolder, clearer or better record than Ogle.

Having thus noticed the spirit of patriotism that fired the hearts of tlie sons and daughters of Ogle, the sacrifices and readiness of the wealthier classes and of the taxpayers to sustain the Union, we come now to the volunteer soldiery. And of these what can we say ? What words can our pen employ that would do justice to their heroic valor - to their unequalled and unparalleled valor ? Home and home comforts - wives and little ones, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers - were given up for life and danger on the tented fields of battle - for exposure, disease and death at the cannon's mouth. They reckoned none of these, but went out with their lives in their hands to meet and conquer the foes of the Union, maintain its supremacy, and vindicate its honor and integrity. We can offer no more fitting tribute to their patriotic valor than a full and complete record, so far as it is possible to make it, that will embrace the names, the terms of enlistments, the battles in which they engaged, etc. It will be a wreath of glory encircling every brow, and a memento which each and every one of them earned in defense of their country's honor, integrity and unity.

The Fifteenth R-giment Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Freei)ort, Illinois, and mustered into the United States service May 24, 1861 - being the first regiment organized from the state for the three years' seivice. It then proceeded to Alton, 111., remaining there six weeks for instruction. Left Alton for St. Charles, _Mo.; thence by rail to Mexico, Mo. Marched to Hannibal, Mo.; thence by steamboat to Jefferson Barracks; then by rail to Rolla, Mo. Arrived in time to cover Gen. Siegel's retreat from Wilson's Creek; thence to Tipton, Mo., and thence joined Gen. B'remont's army. Marched from there to Springfield, Mo.; thence back to Tipton; then to Sedalia, with Gen. Pope, and assisted in the capture of 1,300 of the enemy a few miles from the latter place; then marched to OtterviUe, Mo., where it went into winter quarters Dec. 26, 1861. Remained there until Feb. i, 1862. Then marched to Jefferson City; thence to St. Louis by rail; embarked on transports for Fort Donelson, arriving there the day of the surrender.

The regiment was then assigned to the Fourth Division, Gen. Hurlbut commanding, and marched to Fort Henry. Then embarked on transports for Pittsburg Landing. Participated in the battles of the 6th and 7th of April, losing 252 men, killed and wounded. Among the former were Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. W. Ellis, Major Goddard, Captains Brownell and Wayne, and Lieutenant John W. Putemaugh. Captain Adam Nase, wounded and taken prisoner. The regiment then marched to Corinth, participating in various skirmishes and the siege of that place, losing a number of men killed and wounded.

. After the evacuation of Corinth, the regiment marched to Grand Junction; thence to Holly Springs; back to Grand Junction; thence to Lagrange; tnence to Memphis, arriving there July 21, 1862, and remained there until September 6. Then marched to Bolivar; thence to the Hatchie River, and participated in the battle of the Hatchie. Lost fifty killed and wounded in that engagement. Then returned to Bolivar; from thence to Lagrange ; thence, with Gen. Grant, down through Mississippi to Coffeeville, returning to Lagrange and Memphis; thence to Vicksburg, taking an active part in the siege of that place. After the surrender of Vicksburg, marched with Sherman to Jackson, Miss.; then returned to Vicksburg and embarked for Natchez.

Marched thence to Kingston; returned to Natchez; then to Harrisonburg, La., capturing Fort Beauregard, on the Washita River. Returned to Natchez, remained there until Nov. 10, 1863. Proceeded to Vicksburg and went in^o winter quarters. Here the regiment reenlisted as veterans, remaining until Feb, i, 1864, when it moved with Gen. Sherman through Mississippi. On Champion Hills had a severe engagement with rebel Carney. Marched to Meridan; thence south to Enterprise ; thence back to Vicksburg. Was then ordered to Illinois on veteran furlough. On expiration of furlough joined Seventeenth Army Corps, and proceeded up the Tennessee River to Clifton ; thence to Huntsville, Ala.; thence to Decatur and Rome, Ga.; thence to Kingston, and joined Gen. Sherman's Army, marching on Atlanta.

At Allatoona Pass, the Fifteenth and the Fourteenth Infantry were consolidated, and the organization was known as the Veteran Battalion Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and numbering 625 men. From Allatoona Pass it proceeded to Ackworth, and was then assigned to duty, guarding the Chattanooga & Atlanta Railroad. Whilst engaged in this duty, the regiment being scattered along the line of road, the rebel. Gen. Hood, marching north, struck the road at Big Shanty and Ackworth, and captured about 300 of the command. The remaindftr retreated to Marietta, were mounted, and acted as scouts for Gen. Vandever. They were afterwards transferred to Gen. F. P. Blair, and marched with Gen. Sherman through Georgia.

After the capture of Savannah, the regiment proceeded to Beaufort, South Carolina ; thence to Salkahatchie River, participating in the various skirmishes in that vicinity - Columbia, S. C; Fayetteville, N. C; battle of Bentonville - losing a number wounded; thence to Goldsboro and Raleigh. At Raleigh, recruits sufficient to fill up both regiments were received, and the organization of the V. teran Battalion discontinued, and the Fifteenth re-organized. The campaign of Gen. Sherman ended by the surrender of Gen. Johnson. The regiment then marched with the army to Washington, D. C, via Richmond and Fredericksburg, and participated in the grand review at Washington, May 24, 1865; remained there two weeks. Proceeded, by rail and steamboat, to Louisville, Ky.; remained at Louisville two weeks. The regiment was then detached from the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, and proceeded, by steamer, to St. Louis ; from thence to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arriving^ there July i, 1865. Joined the army serving on the Plains. Arrived at Fort Kearney August 14 ; then ordered to return to Fort Leavenworth September i, i86s, where the regiment was mustered out of the service and placed en route for Springfield, 111., for final payment' and discharge - having served four years and four months.

Ogle Coitnty War Record

The Thirty-fourth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, September 7, 1861, by Colonel E. N. Kirk. Moved, October 2, to Lexington, Ky., and from thence to Louisvdle, and then to Camp Nevia, Ky., where it remained until February 14, 1862. Marched to Bowling Green, and thence, via Nashville, Franklin and Columbia, to Savannah, on the Tennessee Kiver. Arrived at Pittsburg Landing April 7, 1862, and was hotly engaged in that battle, losing Major Levanway and 15 men killed, and 112 wounded. From thence moved to Corinth, and was engaged on the 29th of May, losing one man killed and five wounded. From Corinth, moved to Florence and luka, Alabama. Crossed the river at that place, and moved to Athens, Huntsv\lle and Stevenson, Alabama. Was encamped over a month at Battle Creek. From thence marched, via Pellam, Murfreesboro and Nashville, to Louisville, Ky., arriving September 27, 1862.

October i, 1862, left Louisville for Frankfort. Regiment commanded by Lieut. Col. H. W. Bristol, Brigade by Col. E. N. Kirk, and Division by Brig. Gen. Sill. October 4, was engaged in a skirmish at Clayville, Ky. From brankfort, moved, via Laurensburg, Perryville, Danville, Crab Orchard, Lebanon and Bowling Green, to Nashville. November 27, had a skirmish at Lavergne. Regiment remained in camp, five miles southeast of Nashville, until December 26, 1862.

December 27, Right Wmg moved to Triune, and, after a sharp fight, drove the enemy from town. On the 29th, moved, via Independence Hill, toward Murfreesboro. On the 30th, took position at extreme right of Union lines. On the 31st, the enemy attacked the regiment in overwhelming force, driving it back on the main line. Following the advantage gained by his infantry, the enemy's cavalry charged the line and captured many of the regiment. Loss - killed 21, wounded 93, missing 66. Gen. Kirk was mortally wounded.

While at Murfreesboro, the Right Wing, Fourteenth Army Corps, was organized into the Twentieth Army Corps, and Maj. Gen. McCook assigned to command.

June 24, 1863, the Twentieth Corps moved, by the Shelbyville Pike, toward Liberty Gap. On the 25th, the Second Brigade was ordered forward, and advanced across an open corn field, eighty rods in width, lately plowed, and softened by the rains which fell the day and night before, until the men sunk half way to the knee in mud at every step. Without help, and in the faca of a rebel brigade advantageously posted, they drove the enemy from his position - the Second Arkansas Infantry leaving their battle flag on the hill, where thev fought in front of the Thirty-fourth. The regiment lost 3 killed and 26 wounded.

August 16, moved, via Larkin's Valley, to Belief nte, Alabama. The Thirty- fourth was here detailed as Provost Guard. On the 30th, moved to Caperton's Ferry, on Tennessee River. Here the regiment was left to guard the pontoon bridge.

November 8, moved to Harrison's Landing, on Tennessee River. November 14, ordered to report to Brigadier General John Beatty, commanding Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, Jeff. C. Davis commanding Division. Arrived at Chattanooga 15th, and camped on Moccasin Point.

November 25, ordered to join the Brigade on the battle field of Chattanooga. Arrived 11 o'clock P. M. Moved at i o'clock A. M. of 26th, and moved via ( hicamauga Station.

On the 28th, moved back to Chattanooga, where those unable to march were put in camp, the remainder of the regiment moving on the expedition into East Tennessee, as far as Loudon, where the Thirty-fourth was detailed to run agrist mill, grinding corn and wheat for tha Division. Returned to Chattanooga, arriving December 19, 1863.

December 22, the Thirty-fourth was mustered as a veteran organization, and January 8, 1864, started for Springfield, Illinois, for veteran furlough.

Re(.eived veteran furlough, and rendezvoused at Dixon, Illinois. February 28, moved, via Chicago, Louisville and Nashville, arriving at Chattanooga March 7, 1864, and moved out tojoin the Second Brigade, Colonel John G. Mitchell, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, commanding, in camp near Rossville, Georgia.

Company

promotion as capt. Musician John W. Cooper, vet., m. o. July 12, 1865. Musician Virgil E. Reed, m. o. July 12, 1865. Bowen James. Brunson L. C.

Was mustered into U. S. service Oct. 13, 1861, and moved to St, Louis, Mo. October 29, received ofders to move to William-port, Md., where it was fully armed and equipped. The following are the most important events in the history of this celebrated regiment : Held a force of 10,000 rebels under command of Stonewall Jackson, for twenty-four hours. Participated in battle of Winchester. Four companies under Major S. W. Munn captured thirty prisoners at Columbia Bridge. Was in Gen. McClellan's seven days' fight. Was at Suffolk, Va., September, October and November, fortifying the place and making frequent raids, capturing on one occasion two cannon and forty prisoners. Jan. 5, 1863, broke camp and marched to Chowan River, where it took transports and reported to Gen. Foster at New- burn, N. C. Here its colonel, T. O. Osborn, took command of the brigade. Moved on expedition to Hilton Head. Was in Gen. Hunter's expedition against Charleston. At Morris Island, wa-. assigned to Gen. Terry's expedition, and participated in capture of Fort Wagner. Was first in the Fort. Left Hilton Head on veteran furlough, Jan. i, 1864, via New York. Returned 750 strong, and was on Butler's expedition up James River, the entire loss being nearly 200. At Wier's Bottom Church, May 20, the Thirty-ninth was ordered to dislodge the enemy, which it did most gallantly, losing 40, but capturing many prisoners, including Gen. Walker. On the i6th of May, had an engagement with Longstreet's command, losing some 35. August 14, crossed James River and operated with Army of the James. On August 15 the regiment lost 104 men , among them several valuable officers. October 13, in a charge, the Thirty-ninlh lost 60 out of 250 engaged. March 27 about loo recruits joined. Took part in movements that resulted in capture ot Petersburgh and Richmond. In engagement at Fort Gregg, which was mostly hand to hand, the loss was 65 out of 150 engaged. For this gallantry Gen. Gibbon, their commanding general, had a magnificent brazen eagle cast and presented to the regiment. After various manoeuvres and surrender c.f Lee, the Thirty-ninth was mustered out at Norfolk, Va., and received final pay and discharge at Springfield, 111., Dec. 15, 1865. Quartermaster J. F. Linton, com. June 12, 1862, hon. disd. April 19, 1864.

Ordered to Cario, 111., Feb. 11, 1862. From thence proceeded, via the Cumberland River, to Fort Donelson, Tenn., arriving 14th, and was assigned to the command of Gen. Lew. Wallace. On the 15th lost one man killed and two wounded. i6th, moved through the works and to Dover. 19th, moved to Fort Henrjr. March 6, embarked for Pittsburg Landing, where it arrived on the i8th. The regiment was now in Second Brigade, Fourth Division, with Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Forty-sixth Illinois, and Twenty-fifth Indiana, Col. James C. Veatch, Twenty-fifth Indiana, commanding Brigade, and Brigadier General S. A. Hurlbut, of Illinois^ commanding Division.

In the battle of Shiloh, the Forty-sixth took a most conspicuous and honorable part, losing over half its officers and men, in killed and wounded, and receivin^c the thanks of the commanding generals. Among the wounded were Col. John A. Davis, Major Dornblaser,

Captains Musser, Stephens, Marble and McCracken, Lieutenants Hood, Barr, Arnold, Ingraham and Howell. In this action, the " Fighting Fourth Division " of General Hurlbut achieved a reputati,on for bravery, to which it added on every field in which it was engaged until the close of the war. Was engaged in the siege of C«rinth in the month of May. June 2, camped six miles west of Corinth. On the loth marched to the Hatchie River.

Oct. 4, moved toward Corinth. 5th, met the enemy at Metamora. The Forty-sixth was in position on the right of the Second Brigade, supporting Bolton's Battery. After an hour of shelling by the batteries, the intantry were ordered forward, and at a double quick advanced, driving the enemy across the river. The First Brigade coming up, " Hurlbut's Fighting Fourth Division ' advanced and drove the enemy from the field, compelling their flight. Col. John A. Davis, of the Forty-sixth, was mortally wounded in this action, and Lieut. M. R. Thompson, also - both dying on the loth. After the battle returned to Bolivar.

Nov. 3, marched to Lagrange. 28. h, moved to Holly Springs. 30th, towards Tallahatchie River, and camped near Waterford, Mississippi, where splendid Winter quarters, with mud chimneys and bake ovens complete, were fitted up in time to move away from them.

Dec. II, to Hurricane Creek, and 12th, to Yocona Station, where it remained until Dec. 22, when it marched to Taylor's Station. Van Dorn having captured Holly Springs, marched, on 23d, via Oxford, to Hurricane Creek. Jan. 6, 1863, moved to Holly Springs. 13th, marched to Moscow. After rejoining Brigade at Lafayette, marched, 9th of March, via Collierville and Germantown to Memphis. April 21, 1863, engaged in the expedition to Hernando, and returned 24th. May 13, embarked for Vicksbu g. May 21, proceeded to the right of Gen. Grant's Army, and were then ordered to Snyder's Bluff. 25th, marched to to the extreme left of the line. The regiment was detailed on picket duty, and during the night the outpost, consisting of five companies of the regiment, were captured by the enemy. One hundred and four men and seven officers were captured, seventy escaping. The remainder of the regiment took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg. July 5, moved to Clear Creek. 6th, to Bolton Staiion. 8th, to Clinton. 9th, to Dickens' Plantation, ^vhere it remained, guarding train. 12th, moved into position on the extreme right of the line near Peail River. Engaged in the siege until the i6th, when the enemy evacuated Jackson ; after which the regiment returned to Vicksburg.

The bivision was now transferred to the Seventeenth Corps, and Brig. Gen. M. M. Crocker assigned to command. Aug. 12, moved to Natchez. Sept. i, went on expedition into Louisiana, returning on the 8th. Sept. 16, moved to Vicksburg. Nov. 28, moved to Camp Cowan, on Clear Creek.

Jan. 4, 1863, the Forty-sixth was mustered as a Veteran Regiment. 12th, started North for veteran furlough. 23d, arrived at Freeport, Illinois, and on the 27th the regiment was furloughed.

The Ffty-fifth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, 111., and mustered into the United States service Oct. 31, 1861. Nov. 9, lett Camp Douglas for Alton, 111.; the loth for St. Louis, by steamer; jan 12, 1862, ordered to Paducah, Ky.,by boat ; March 8, embarked on steamer for Tennessee River and moved down to Pittsburg Landing, and was soon in Camp east of Shiloh Church - the Ffty-fifth being on the left of the Union line. The opening of the battle, Sunday morning, found the regiment in position with an effective force of 873 men. Col. Stuart was wounded, and nine of the line officers, three of whom died of wounds. 102 enlisted men were killed and mortally wounded, and 161 wounded and taken prisoners. The regiment was with the army in advance on Corinth, and at Russell's house. May 17, lost in skirmish 8 men, 2 killed and 6 wounded. Entered Corinth May 30 : thence westward along Memphis & Charleston Railroad. With Sherman s Division, marched into Memphis, July 21, and remained, doing camp duty until Nov. 25, when it marched with Sherman s Division for the Tallahatchie River. Was marched back to Memphis to descend the Mississippi River to Vicksburg. Embarked with the expedition, and six companies were engaged in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, December 29, losing i captain killed and i wounded, t enlisted man killed and 7 wounded. Was present and under fire at battle of Arkansas Post, Jan. 10 and 11, 1863. Moved from Arkansas Post to Young's Point, La. May 16, 1863, joined army in rear of Vicksburg, and on 17th was under fire at Champion Hills. Participated in the assaults of 19th and 22d of May. losing Lieut. Levi Hill, of Company A, killed ; Col. Malmborg and 2 line officers wounded, and 4 enlisted men killed and 33 wounded. During the siege the regiment lost i man killed and 3 wounded. Was present at the surrender, July 4. July 5, marched with Sherman's expedition for Jackson, Miss. Participated in the siege and lost i officer wounded, i enlisted man killed and i wounded. Embarked at Vicksburg for Memphis, and moved out with the army, past Corinth, to luka. On Oct. 30, 1863, marched from East Point, on the TeHnessee River, for Chattanooga. Nov. 25, marched with Sherman to the relief of KnoxviUe, East Tenn. Returned and encamped at Bridgeport during the Winter, and at Larkin's Landing in the Spring, at which place the regiment veteranized and returned to Illinois, on furlough of thirty days. June 27, 1864, participated in assault upon Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., led by Capt. Augustine, who was killed on the field. Loss of regiment was 2 officers killed and 3 wounded, 13 enlisted men killed and 30 wounded. July 22, the regiment was again engaged with an effective force of 239 men, commanded by Capt. F. H. Shaw, and came out of the engagement with 180 men - i officer killed, 3 enlisted men killed, 12 wounded, and 16 taken prisoners. In the siege of Atlanta, the regiment lost i officer and 6 enlisted men killed, and 18 wounded. Aug. 31, 1^64, in battle of Jonesboro, Ga., lost 23 men. In a short campaign of but little over two months, the regiment lost about one half its number. Joined in pursuit of Hood through Northern Alabama, and returned to Atlanta, Ga., where 162 non-veterans were discharged. The regiment lost, near Bentonville, N. C, i man killed, I wounded and 6 taken ]3risoners. Marched with army, via Richmond, to Washington. Participated m the grand review at Washington. Then moved to Louisville, Ky. Remained in camp but a few weeks, when moved by steamer to Litile Rock, Ark , where it remained until Aug. 14, 1865, when it was mustered out of service. Left for Chicago, 111., August 19, and arrived August 22, 1865, where it received final payment and discharge. During its term of service, the regiment marched 3,374 miles.

Organized at Rockford and mustered into U. S. service Sept. 6, 1862. Companies G and I were from Ogle and Stephenson Counties ; all the rest were from Winnebago County. Left Rockford Sept. 27th for Jeffersonville, Ind. Arrived there Oct. i, and moved to Louisville, Ky., immediately. Assigned to Army of the Cumberland, First Brigide, Second Division, under Gen. Buell. Moved from Louisville Oct. 7, and was in the battle of Chaplain Hills, Ky., Oct. 13 ; from there to Crabb Orchard, Ky., pursuing Bragg, participating in many skirmishes. Returned from Lebanon, Ky., Oct. 25 ; from there it went to Nashville, Tenn., where a re-organization was effected under Gen. Rosecrans. Dec. 25, received marching orders, with three days' rations. Participated in the battle of Stone River, Dec. 30-31, 1862, and Jan. i, 1863, the regiment losing 16 men killed and wounded. Went into Winter quarters at Camp Little, south of Murfreesboro, and were engaged in numerous raids in the surrounding country. Moved from Winter quarters July 15 ; was in battle of Lilierty Gap, July 20 ; one man killed ; was engaged at Tulahoma, Tenn. ; from here it was ordered to Winchester, Tenn., where it encamped. Moved Aug. 20, to Stephenson, Ala. Engaged at Chicamauga, Sept. 18, 19, and 20 ; lost 5 men. The regiment, on the latter date, was in charge of hospital and supply trains, arriving in Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 22. While here it had very short allowances until Nov. 22, when they participated in the fight of Mission Ridge, Nov. 25, their colors being the first to pass over the rebel lines, capturing a battery of four pieces at Bragg's headquarters ; loss to regiment, six privates. Col. Jason Marsh wounded, Lieut. Col. Kerr wounded in the arm.

Returned to Chattanooga on the 26th, and marched to Knoxville, Tenn., to relieve Gen. Burnside,and tlien went into Winter quarters about Dec. 15. May 2, 1864, it joined the main Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga, where it arrived on the 3d ; on the 5th marched under orders and was in the battle of Rocky Face, or Buzzard Roost, Ga. ; was at Resaca, Ga., May 14 and 15; Calhoon, May 17; Adairsville, Ga., May 18; Dallas, Ga., May 25 to June 5 ; Lost Mountain, Ga., June 16 ; was in the battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 20 and 27; lost 52 men, 6 commissioned officers, Lieut. Col. J. B. Kerr being among the number. Battle ofSmyrna, Camp Ground, Ga., July 4, lost 16 men ; was also at Peach Tree Creek, July 20 ; Atlanta, July 22, and was continually engaged until the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. i, 1864, and Lovejoy Station, Sept. 2 ; then returned to Chattanooga, Tenn., where it was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. Engaged the enemy Nov. 28, at Columbia, Tenn. : Spring Hill, Nov. 29 ; Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30 ; Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 and 16, following Hood to Huntsville, Ala., fighiing him all the time until he crossed the Little Tennessee, and then went into Winter quarters. March 26, 1865. it marched to Bulls Gap, Tenn., to intercept Lee, leaving there April 17 for Nashville, Tenn., where the regiment was mustered out June 20, 1865. Returned to Rockford with 157 enlisted men and 13 oflicers. Col. Jason Marsh was at the head of the regiment until about Jan. 1, 1865, when Lieut. Col. Thos. J. Bryan took command.

Ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, September 27. Was brigaded with the Thirtieth Brigade, Colonel Post ; Ninth Division, General Mitchell, of Buell's army. October i, marched in pursuit of Bragg. October 8, engaged in the battl of Chaplain Hills, losing 47 killed, 166 wounded, and 12 prisoners. Marched to Crab Orchard, Colonel Woodruff assuming command of the Division. Returned, via Lebanon and Bowling Green, to Nashville - General Jeff. C. Davis taking command of the Division.

Mustered out June 12, 1865, at Camp Harker, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, June 15, 1865, where the regiment received final payment and discharge.

The Ninety-second Regiment Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Rockford, Illinois, and mustered into United States service September 4, 1862. It was composed of five companies from Ogle County, three from Stephenson County, and two from Carroll County.

The regiment left Rockford October 11, 1862, with orders to report to General Wright, at Cincinnati, where it was assigned to General Baird's Division, Army of Kentucky. It marched immediately into the interior of the state, and during the latter part of October was stationed at Mt. Sterling, to guard that place against rebel raids, and afterwards at Danville, Kentucky. On 26th January, 1863, the regiment, with General Baird's Division, was ordered to the Army of the i umberland. Arriving at Nashville, the command moved to Franklin. Ten.iessee, and was engaged in the pursuit of the rebel General Van Dorn. Advanced to Murfreesboro, and occupied Shelbyville June 27. On July 5, regiment was engaged in rebuilding wagon bridge over Duck River. July 6, was ordered by General Rosecrans to be mounted and armed with the Spencer rifle, and attached to Colonel Wilder's Brigade of General Thomas' Corps, where it remained while Gener?l Rosecrans had command. The regiment crossed the mountains at Dechard, Tennessee, and took part in the movements opposite and above Chattanooga, when it recrossedthe mountains and joined General Thomas, at Trenton, Alabama.

On the morning of 9th September it was in the advance to Chattanooga, and participated in driving the rebels from Point Lookout, and entered therebeUtronghold, unfolding the Union banner on the Crutchfield House, and kept in pursuit of the rebels. At Ringgold, Georgia, was attacked by a brigade of cavalry, under command of General Forrest, and drove them from the town, killing and wounding a large number.

April 23, Captain Scovil, with twenty-one men, was captured at Nickajack Gap, nine miles from Ringgold, and one man killed. Of the men thus taken prisoners, twelve were shot down, and six died of wounds, after being taken pristmers. The remainder were taken to Andersonville ; and very few ever left that place, having died from the cruel treatment received there.

From Ringgold, May 7, 1864, the regiment entered upon the Atlanta Campaign, and was assigned to General Kilpatrick's command, and participated in the battles of Resaca, raid around Atlanta, Bethesda, Fleet River Bridge, and Jonesboro. The regiment lost, at Jonesboro, one fifth of the men engaged. From Mount Gilead Church, west of Atlanta, October i, the regiment moved, and took active part in the opera' ions against Hood's Army. At Powder Springs, it had a severe en agement, losing a large number of men, killed and wounded. The regiment then returned to Marietta, and participated in the various engagements and skirmishes in Sherman's March to the Sea. At Swift Creek, N. C, Captain Hawk, Company C, was severely wounded, losing a leg.

The regiment, during its term of service, was in some forty battles and skirmishes. It was mustered out at Concord, North Carolina, and paid and discharged from the service at Chicago, Illinois, July 10, 1865. Lieutenant Colonel Benj. F. Sheets, com. Sept. 4, 1862.

Ogle Coitntt War Record

The One Hundred and Forty-second Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Freeport, Illinois, by Colonel RoUin V. Ankeney, as a battalion of eight companies, and ordered to Camp Butler, lUmois, where two companies were added, and the regiment mustered June i8, 1864, for loo days.

On 2ist of June, the regiment moved for Memphis, via Cairo and Mississippi River, and arrived on the 24th. On 26th, moved to White's Station, ii miles from Memphis, on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, where it was assigned to guarding railroad.

Oolb Ooxtnty War Record

This regiment was organized in the Fall of 1861, by T. Lyle Dickey, under authority of the War Department, and rendezvoused at Camp Hunter, Ottawa. It first moved to Cairo. It was in Grant's advance on Colum )us, Ky., at Fort Henry, battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, siege of Corinth, and pursuing the enemy as far as Holly Springs, Miss. During the last six months of 1862, the Fourth was on scouting duty in Western Tennessee and Northern Georgia for Gens. Sherman and Logan. It then was in numerous skirmishes and engagements in Western Mississippi and Eastern Tennessee. In September, 1863, the regiment took steamer for Vicksburg, and was in Gen. McFherson's raid toward Canton and Sherman's raid on Meridian, February, 1864. The Fourth was then on scouting duty in Central IVIississippi and Eastern Louisiana until October. Avhen it embarked for Springfield, 111 , and mustered out Nov. 3, 1864. The regiment left about 500 men in the field, who joined the Twelfth Consolidated Cavalry, and remained until May, 1866.

Ogle C50Tjntt War Record

The 8th Cavalry was organized at St. Charles, Sept., 1861, by Col. J. F. Farnsworth. October, moved to Washington, D. C, and operated in Virginia, and was in many eng.igements, including Manasas, battles of Peninsula, Antietam, etc., etc. Was in advance of Army of Potomac in Kail of 18 '2. Loss, 29 killed; 71 wounded; 20 mis-ing. During the campaign of 18 4, was in some 2s engagements and sicirmishes. Loss, 2^ killed; 115 wounded; and 57 missing. Was mustered out at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17, 1835.

The Seventeenth Cavalry Regiment Illinois Volunteers was organized under special authority from the War Department, issued Aug. 12, 1863, to Hon. John F. Farnsworth. The rendezvous was established at St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. By the approval of the Governor of the State, the Colonelcy of the Regiment was offered John L. Beveridge, then Major in the Eight Illinois Cavalry, who assumed the work of recruitment and organization artd opened the rendezvous Nov. 15, 1813. Eight companies were mu-tered in Jan. 22, 1854. Four other companies were mustered in and the organiz.ition of the Regiment completed, Feb. 12, 1834. The Regiment was sent to Jefferson Barracks. Mo., where i.ioo sets of horse equipments were received. From there it moved to Alton 111., and relieved the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry in guarding the Military Prison at that place.

Early in June following, the First Battalion was ordced to St. Louis, and the Second Battalion followed immediately. Both being fully mounted were ordered at once to North Missouri District. The First Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis J. Hynes commanding, proceeded to St. Joseph, Mo., where the comminding officer reported in person to General Fisk, commanding District of North Missouri. The Second Battalion, Major Lucius C. Matlack commanding, was assigned by General C. B. Fisk to the post of Glasgow, Mo. From this period, for four months, the three battalions were separate and remote from each other, and so extended were their movements, that it is impossible to follow them in this brief sketch. They seem to have been all over Missouri after Price's and Jeff. Thompson's Guerilla Bands, following them into Kansas and Arkansas, doing most efficient service.

The war ended and peace restored, the Union preserved in its integrity, the sons of Ogle who had volunteered their lives in defense of their government, and who were spared to see the army of the Union victorious, returned to their homes to receive grand ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who had eagerly and jealously followed them wherever the fortunes of war called. Exchanging their soldiers' uniforms for citizens' dress, most of them fell back to tlieir old avocations - on the farm, at the forge, the bench, in the shop, and at whatever else their hands found to do. Brave men are honorable always, and no class of citizens are entitled to freater respect than the volunteer soldiery of Ogle County, not alone ecause they were soldiers, but because in their associations with their fellow-men their walk is upright, and their honesty and character without reproach.

Their country first, tlieir glory and their pride; Land of their hopes - land where their fathers died ; When in the rii?ht, they'll keep their honor bright ; , When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.

April 17, 1865, three days after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the foulest deed that ever polluted national escutclieon, the board of supervisors were in session, and Hon. James Y. Gale, full of sympathy and just impulses, and out of. respect for the memory of freedom's martyr, moved for the appointment of a committee of live to prepare a series of resolutions expressive of the sentiment of the board and of the people in relation to that cowardly and atrocious crime. The motion prevailed, and Messrs. Gale, Andrews, Davis, Muifett and May were appointed as such committee, who, in due time, reported the following:

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to permit the removal of our beloved President by assassination ; and, whereas, the nation is now mourning its irreparable loss; and, whereas, we, as individuals, believe that our late President, Abraham Lincoln, was a true patriot, a faithful executive officer and pre-eminently honest and upright, and especially qualified above all other men to fill the high position to which the people had twice elected him; and, whereas, we believe that none but traitors and those sympathizing with them will dare gainsay or dispute the truth of the above proposition; and, wliereas, we can not, as a Board of Supervisors of the loyal County of Ogle, permit this national calamity to pass without notice, and without expressing our deep-felt sorrow for the terrible bereavement which has so suddenly and, unexpectedly fallen upon our people: tiierefore, be it resolvi d,

1. That we, as individuals and as a body representing the people of the County of Ogle, do hereby endorse, sanction, and approve every official act of our late beloved President.

2. That it is the sense of this body, individually and collectively, and as they believe, the sentiments of every loyal heart, that since the days of the immortal Washington, no man more capable, more patriotic, more honest, or more faithful, has been called by the American people to fill that high position.

3. That, in the opinion of this board, the true interests of the nation were safe in his hands, and that all the ends he aimed at during the perilous period of his administration were " his Country, God and Truth."

4. That, as one family, we mourn, and that we tender to each loyal heart who are truly members of this bereaved family, our sympathy and condolence, believinj; that, while the ways of God seem to us mysterious, " He doeth all things well," and that behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

5. That while we believe this sudden bereavement may for the moment paralyze and weaken the strength of the government, it will in the end tend to infuse new life and vigor in to it, and that the soldiers in the field, who so dearly loved our late President, will have new motives for action, and will hereafter spare no man through whose agency or sympathy the foul death of Abraham Lincoln was accomplished.

6. That we fear no other man could so well fill the position lately occupied by our departed President, because of his experience and close intimacv with the great questions of the day; nevertheless, we believe he will have a faithful, capable, honest and patriotic successsor in the person of Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee ; and we do hereby tender to our present chief magistrate a love, confidence and devotion in no way less than that we gave to his illustrious predecessor, whose place he now fills.

7. That we tender to the bereaved wife and children of our late worthy President, our sincere pity and sympathy in this the Imur of their deep sorrow, believing thtt while the loss of Abraham Lincoln is a national calamity, it is to them a private and individual loss, out of which grows widowhood and orphanage.

9. That the members of this board ^:hall, as a token of regard for their memory of the late President, wear crape on their left arm for tlie space of thirty days, and that, as a farther mark of respect to his memory, we do now adjourn.

The railroads of Ogle County constitute an important chapter in its history. Until the organic law of the state was amended by the people in 1870, providing^that " no county, city, town, township or other municipality shall ever become subscriber to the capital stock of any railroad or private corporation, or make donation to, or loan its credit in aid of such corporation," the people of Ogle County were very liberal in voting aid to various proposed railroads, but there was of course a strong minority in opposition, and bitter animosities sprang up, which unfortunately are not not allayed even yet. The complications arising from this state of affairs render the task of tracing the history of railroads in this county one of great delicacy and responsibility. By confining the work to the records and proofs, however, it is hoped that the principal facts will be found impartially recorded in the following pages.

The Oalena And Chicago Union Kailroad

The railroad agitation commenced almost contemporaneously with the settlement of the county. In the same year that the County of Ogle was erected (1836) the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company was chartered and authorized to construct a railroad from Galena to Chicago. The corporators were principally from New York. They secured a tract of 1,000 acres of land in DuPage County, and in 1838 had done some grading on the prairie west of Chicago, and suspended active operations. Some time during the latter part of 1 845 Messrs. Ogden and Jones, of Chicago, negotiated with Messrs. Kevins and Matteson, of l^lew York, for the purchase of this charter, and the Du Page land, etc., for which they paid $20,000.

Upon the suspension of operations on the G. & C. U. R. E,., other projects for something better than tlie rude prairie roads were discussed. At one time the construction of a ])lank road between Rock River and Chicago was seriously contemplated and estimates were made of the probable cost* per mile, which was fixed at $3,860.37, or an aggregate of $312,731.29. A convention had also been held at Sterling to consider the improvement of Rock River so as to make it navigable. In 1843 a survey was made between Joliet and Aurora to determine the practicabihty of supplying the Illinois and Micliigan canal from Fox River. The report of the surveyors and engineers was highly favorable to the scheme. The bed of the Fox River at Aurora was found to be forty feet higher than the summit level of the canal, and the report created great excitement among the people of Rock River Yalley.

" Indeed," said the report, " there are but two places on the whole line that would require anything like heavy excavation. The deepest cut is about fifteen feet, and the distance about twenty rods. The maximum cost of a feeder with a tow path, and to answer all purposes of navigation, is estimated at $200,000. ^ ^ ^ Should the plan be carried out, but one further step remains to be taken. If a favorable route can be found, the work will be extended from Aurora to Rockford. The interest of the company demands it - the City of Chicago, the farmers of Rock River, the mineral region of Wisconsin, and the people of the state, all have an interest in the the undertaking." This undertaking was discussed for a time, but like the plank road and kindred schemes was "finally abandoned, and in 1845 the project of a railroad was revived. On the 28tli day of November of that year a meeting was held at Rockford to devise ways and means to interest the people in the building of a railroad leading to Chicago. Anson S. Miller was Chairman, Selden M. Church, Secretary, and Hon. M. P. Sweet addressed the meeting. The following resolutions weie adopted:

Resolved, That those counties interested in the construction of a railroad from Galena to Chicago be recommended to meet in convention at Rockford for the purpose of taking measures for constructing said road at the earliest possible period.

Jason Marsh, T. D. Robertson and William Hulin were appointed a Committee of Correspondence to carry out the spirit of the meeting; and Horace Miller, A. C. Gleason, Reuben Barrett, Harvey Gregory, Robert J. Cross, Asa Farnsworth, Stephen Mack, Thomas B. Talcott, Simon Pettibone, Guy Hulett, Snyder J. Fletcher, Alonzo Hall, Daniel Baker, E. S. Cable, Harvey Woodrufi, Joseph Manchester, George Haskell, Willard Wheeler, E. H. Potter, Newton Crawford, J. C. Goodhue, S. M. Church, Anson S. Miller, Jason Marsh and Thomas D. Robertson, were appointed to address the meeting on the necessity and importance of the undertaking.

In all the counties from Chicago to Galena meetings were held and delegates appointed to attend the Rockford Convention. Cook County sent 16 delegates; DeKalb sent 1; McHenry, 15; Rock County, "Wis., 3; Ogle, 80; Boone, 42; Lee, 1; Kane, 15; Stephenson, 40; Winnebago, 100; Jo Daviess, 6; total, 319.

President, Thomas Drummond, of Jo Daviess; Yice' Presidents, William H. Brown, of Cook ; Joel Walker, of Boone ; Spooner Kuggles, of Ogle ; , and Elijah Wilcox, of Kane. Secretaries, T. D. Robertson, of Winnebago; J. B. F. Russell, of Cook; and S. P. Hyde, of McHenry.

Resolved, If a satisfactory arrangement can be made with the present holders of the stock of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company, that the members of this convention will use all honorable measures to obtain subscriptions to the stock of said company.

An animated and spirited discussion followed the introduction of this resolution, which elicited a full history of the charter, its powers, and the happy results tliat would follow its purchase, and the completion of the road under it, etc., after which the resolution was unanimously adopted.

Previous to the adoption of this resolution, a committee of one from each county had been appointed to draft a series of resolutions expressive of the views of the convention on the subject under consideration. That committee consisted of the following named gentlemen, to wit: J. Y. Scammon, of Cook; George T. Kasson, of McHenry; C. S. Hempstead, of Jo Daviess; W. G. Dana, of Ogle; James S. Waterman, of DeKalb; W. H. Gilman, of Boone; John A. Clark, of Stephenson; A. B. Wells, of Kane; S. M. Church, of Winnebago.

Mesolved, That the wants of the farmers and business men of Northern Illinois, require the immediate construction of a railroad from Chicago to Galena ; that the value of farms upon the route would be doubled by the construction of the road, and the convenience of the inhabitants immeasurably promoted thereby.

Mesolved, That in order to accomplish the object of this convention, it is indispensably necessary that the inhabitants and owners of property between Galena and Chicago should come forward and subscribe to the stock of the proposed railroad, to the extent of their ability; and that, if each farmer upon the route shall take at least one share of the stock ($100), the completion of the road would be placed beyond contingency.

Several meetings were subsequently held in Rockford to advance the interests of the enterprise, and on the 20th of August, 1852, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was completed to the east side of Rock River; and to the west side of the river, bv the erection of the necessary bridge, in August, 1853.

A branch of this road, called the " Dixon Air Line," starting from the Junction, about six miles east of St. Charles, was built through the southeast corner of Ogle County in 1854.

The first railroad built into and through the County of Ogle and operated within its limits was the IlHnois Central. The grand scheme of connecting Lake Michiojan with the great water highway of the Mississippi at the mouth of the Oliio, early attracted the attention of the people. It constituted an important portion of the internal improvement system of the state in 1837, and work on the line was commenced at that time, but ceased with the collapse of that system. The Central Railway was subsequently revived by legislation secured by some of the sagacious business men of the state, who appeared to appreciate to some extent the magnificent future that awaited this region, but the whole scheme languished - lacked vitality - until September, 1850, when Congress granted tlie right of way, 200 feet wide, through the public lands from the southern terminus of the Illinois and Michigan Canal - LaSalle - to a point at or near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Kivers, and for branches to Chicago and Galena. In addition to this, in itself a liberal grant, Congress, by the same act, granted nearly 3,000,000 acres of the public lands in the very heart of this great state to aid in the construction of the road. The lands granted were the alternate sections designated by even numbers for six sections deep on each side of the trunk line and its branches, and for lands already sold or pre-empted within these limits an equal quantity of even numbered sections of the public lands might be selected within fifteen miles on each side of the tracks.

The grant was subject to the control and disposal of the Legislature of Illinois, and the road and its branches when built was to be and remain a public highway for the use of the government of the United States free of tolls for the transportation of troops, munitions or other property of the Federal Government. At the same time the minimum price of the odd numbered sections within the limits of the grant was raised from $1.25 per acrQ to $2.50. The land was taken out of the market for two years, and in the Fall of 1852, when they were again ofiered for sale, an average price of $5 per acre was realized.

This was the first donation of public lands made by Congress in aid of railroads, and the precedent thus established has been so lamentably well followed as to deprive the nation of a large portion of the public domain, and the peop'e of lands for farms to which they were justly entitled upon payment of the expenses of survey.

At the time tliis grant was made the only railroad completed in the state was a section of the Chicago & Gnlena, from Chicago to Elgin ; a section of the Northern Cross Kailroad, from Meredosia and Naples to Springfield, and six miles of track across the American bottom, from a point opposite St. Louis to the coal mines in the bluifs.

By act of the general asssembly, approved February 17, 1851, an act entitled " An act to incorporate the Great Western Railway Company," approved March 6,1843; "an act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the Great Western Railway Company," approved Feb. 10, 1849, and " An act to incorporate the Illinois Central Railroad Company," approved January 16, 1836, were repealed. By section 3 of the same act the grant of Congress approved September 20, 1850 was accepted.

But prior to the passage of this repealing act, the General Assembly, declaring that in its judgment the object of incorporating the Central Railroad Company could not be attained under general laws passed "An Act to incorporate the Illinois Central Railroad Company," which was approved February 10, 1851. The corporators named in this act were: Robert Schuyler, George Griswold, Governeur Morris, Franklin Haven, David A. Neil, Robert Rantoul, Junior, Jonathan Sturgis, George W. Ludlow, John F. A. Sanford, Henry Grinnell, William H. Aspinwall, Leroy Wiley and Joseph W. Alsop, and by section 6, these gentlemen, with the Governor of the State of Illinois for the time being, were constituted the first board of directors. To this company the congressional grant of right of way and public lands, together with " the right of way which the State of Illinois has heretofore obtained; " the lot of land obtained by the State within the City of Cairo for a depot; " all the grading, embankments, exca- vations, surveys, work, materials, personal property, profiles, plats and papers constructed, procured, furnished and done by or in behalf of the State of Illinois, for or on account of said road and branches, and the right of way over and through lands Owned by the state," were " ceded and granted," and the company were required to execute a deed of trust of all this property, together with "the railroad which may be built," to Morris Ketchum, John Moore and Samuel D. Lockwood, trustees, to secure to the state the first lien on the property so conveyed, the construction of the road, and the indemnification of the state against the claims of the United States, in case the road should not be completed within ten years as required by the Act of Congress of September 20, 1850.

Thus the magnificent grant to the state was relinquished to a private corporation, not without strong opposition, however, for there was a deep feeling against the measure. The magnitude of the grant was so overpowering to the minds of many good citizens, that they argued earnestly that by proper management the state might not only build the 700 miles of railroad, but from the proceeds of the lands pay off a burdensome state debt of many millions of dollars besides. Doubtless this might have been possible, but the opportunities for "steals" might not have been easily resisted. Mr. Jolm S. Wright, of Chicago, puhlished a pamphlet, in which he insisted that the state would be " everlastingly dishonored if the legislature did not devise laws to build the road, and disenthral the state of its enormous debt besides, out of the avails of this grant."*

The company negotiated a loan of f 400,000, but the money could not be realized until there should be a conveyance of the lands from the general government. In this there was some delay. Justin Butterfield, the commissioner of the general land office, at Washington, who was from Chicago, construed the grant as entitling the company to lands for the Chicago branch, on a straight line to Chicago, which would avoid the junction with the Michigan Central. After some vexatious delaj^ this construction of the act was overruled by the president and secretary of the interior, and in March, 1852, the necessary patents were issued, contracts were awarded, work commenced, the road progressed to completion with little interruption, and was built through Ogle County in 1853.

The Chicago And Northwestern Railroad

The next railroad which entered upon the territory of Ogle County was the "Dixon Air Line" branch of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, which, passing through the Towns of Dement and Flagg, in the southeastern part of the county, with stations at Creston and Lane (now Rochelle), was built through the county in 1854. Subsequently it was purchased by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company, and is now one of the trunk lines of that corporation. A station was established on this road, four miles southwest of Rochelle, in 1866, called Flagg Station.

their individual and corporate capacity. Among those that were projected about this time, was the Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi Air Line Railroad, which was designed to traverse this county from east to west, and open to its people a most brilliant future. By the terras of its charter, the people along its proposed line were authorized to subscribe to its capital stock in their corporate capacity, and, as history records, they seldom neglected to vote the required aid to any railroad, albeit there was usually a pretty strong minority opposed to such measures, and numerous qnarrels and much litigation have been entailed upon the people in consequence. But, then, the most flattering tales were told them. Without their subsequent and dearly bought experience, the people were led to believe that every man's farm would be a fortune if they would but aid liberally in the construction of railroads. After a time they began to discover the folly of such a course, but it was not until 1870 that they amended their constitution and prohibited such corporate action.

But to return. Late in 1853, James Y. Gale, supervisor of the Town of Oregon, Enoch Wood, supervisor of the Town of Nashua, R. B. Light and eighty-two others, filed petitions with the county clerk, requesting him to call a special meeting of the board of supervisors for the purpose of calling an election to determine whether the County of Ogle should take $100,000 in the capital stock of that railroad company. The meeting of the board, asked for by the petitioners, was called and held on Thursday, December 29, 1853, when Mr. Wood presented the following :

Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ogle order an election, in pursuance of an act entitled, '' An Act to provide for a general system of railroad incorporations," approved November 6, 1849, to be held in the several towns in said county, on the ninth day of February, A. D. 1854, ai the usual places of holding general elections, and according to the laws now in force concertiing general elections, for the purpose of giving the legal voters of said county an oppiortunity of voting for or against said Ogle County taking $100,000 in the capital stock of the Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi Air Line Railroad Company, and issuing the bonds of said county for said amount, running twentyfive years and drawing eight per cent per annum.

We, G. L. Hubbard of Chicago, J, P. Smith, H. A. Mix, J. M. Russell, A. O. Campbell, Dudley Wood, Wesley Pierce, Lucius Reed, Hamilton Norton, Henry Sharer, George Swingley, M. M. York, Charles L. Patrick, A. M. Trumbull, Susan L. Patrick, Charles W. Murtfeldt, E. R. Tyler, S. M. Hitt, James V. Gale, E. F. Dutcher, Dexter Bean. an, C. F. Emerson, N. W. Wadsworth, R. S. Hitt, M. Hunt, Washington Paddock, A. H. Hart, J. M. H inkle, P. R. Bennett, P. R. Benneit, Jr., E. K. Liulit, R. B. Light, Miles B. Light, Clinton Helm, E. R. Stoddard, A. S. Tripp, P. Jacobs, T. H. Potwin, C. S. Marshall, George Oriswold, W. S. Blair, Henry A, Neiff. Andrew Newcomer, Samuel Thora^s, Isaac Long, Jacob Coffman, Henry Thomas, E. Carroll, Jonathan Knodie, W. A. McNeill, R. C. Burchell, Joshua Thomas, F. G. Petrie, F. B. Rrayton, Asa Coho, Daniel J. Pinckney, J. Hitt, J. W. Hitf, A. M. Hitt, D. A. Potter, James M. Webb, John Phelps, Elias Baker, A. J. King, Phineas Chaney, E. M. Light. Elias Etnyre, E. S. Potter, A. I. Vaughan, Benjamin Boyle, all of Ogle County, Illinois, do hereby jointly and severally agree to and with said County of OLde, in the State of Illinois (by the board of supervisors of said county), that we will, if the people of said county should, on the ninth (9th) day of February next, vote to take one hundred thousand dollars in the capital stock of ll o" Cbicago, St. Charles and Missis- sippi Air Line Kailroad Company, and should issue their bonds in payment for said stock, and should receive certificates of stock from said railroad company, that we will, in case said county will assign us the certificates of stock so held by the county, that we will, in consideration thereof, execute to said county, in our joint and several capacities, a bond of indemnity against the bonds of said county, so issued in payment for said stock, with covenants of warranty and indemnity against the principal and interest of said bonds, and in all things to save the county harmless from said bonds, and, farther to secure the faithful observance of said covenants, to mortgage real estate of the present value of one hundred thousand dollars or upwards, or other security, to be approved by the board of supervisors of said County of Ogle.

We further agree, in order to carry out the foregoing proposition, to submit the same to the board of supervisors of said County of Ogle, at their first meeting after the taking of said vote, and should they concur herein, to execute the foregoing bond or bonds and mortgage or mortgages, in accordance with the foregoing proposition.

As ordered by the Board of Supervisors the election was held in the several towns in the county February 9, 1854, and the returns on file in the Clerk's office show that the proposition was accepted by the people of the county by a vote of 1,219 for the subscription, to 910 against the measure.