Sangamon County, Illinois - City of Springfield 563, 1881 (part 1 of 25)

City of Springfield 563

Illinoifs, the fourth State in the Union in wealth, population and political })ower, lies in the very heart ol" the up})er valley of tlie Missis.si})i)i. Stretching over five degrees of latitude, from -'i74 to 42^=, it has considerable diversity, both of soil and climate. The boundary line of the State is about twelve hundred miles. From the point where it joins the Wisconsin dine on the northeast, Lake Michigan bounds it on the east for fifty miles to the northeast corner of Indiana; liience a line is drawn due south one hundred and sixty-eight miles to the Wabash river. The Wabash and the Ohio rivers constitute the remainder of the eastern and southern boundary, while the lordly Mississippi washes its entire western border. The extreme length of the State is three hundred and seventy-eight miles; ihe extrei. breadth, in the latitude of Danville and Kushville, is two hundred and ten miles, and the average l»readth is about one hundred and fifty miles.

Illinois contains 55,405 square miles, or more than 35,UiJU,().'0 acres of land. Fully two-thirds of this is prairie, and nearly all of it is susceptible of proper cultivation. The State has ten thousand more square miles than New York or Ohio, and is larger than Pennsylvania and New Jersey cond)ined, and is almost as large as all the New England States taken together.

The Mounij-Buildkks

That Illinois was inhabited by a race of men prior to the present Indian race that yet inhabit a ])ortion of the Union hardly adjnits of a doubt. It is clearly demonstrated by the well authenticated accounts of discoveries made tliat a civili/cod ])eo])le, and one highly cultivated, once occupied the great prairie State and various }»arts of the country now constituting the American Union, but the date <>f their rule ill the western world is so remole that all traces of this history, progress and decay, lie buried in the deepest obscurity. This [tre-historic I'ace ii» known as* the Mound-IJuilders, from the numeious large mounds of earth-works left by them. Their character can be but partially gleaned from the internal evidences and peculiarities of all that remains of them - the mounds. Remains of what were apparently villages, altars, tem]>les, idols, cemeteries, monuments, cam})s, fortifications, and pleasure grounds, have been found, but nothing showing of what material were their habitations.

The question as to the origin of the Mound- Builders is an interesting one. If thev were not the ancestors of tlie Indians, who were they? Those who do not believe in the common ]tarentage of mankind contend that they were an indigenous race of the western hemisphere ; others think they came from the East, and imagine they are coincident with the religion of ^he Hindoos and Southern Tartars and the supjjosed theology of the MoundvHuilders. They were, no doubt, idolaters, and it has been conjectured that the sun was the object of their adoration. The mounds were generally built in a situation affording a view of the rising sun; when enclosed in walls their gateways were toward the east; the caves in which their dead were occasionally buried always opened in the same direction ; whenever a nn»uMd was partially enclosed by a semi-ciicular pavement, it was on the east side; when bodies were buried in gi'aves, as was fre<|uently the case, they were laid in a direction east and west; and, finally, medals have ])een found re])resenting the sun and his rays of light.

At what periotl they came to this country, is likewise a matter of speculatitni. From the com]»aratively rude state of the arts among them, it has been inferred that the time was very remote. Their ajes were of stone. Their raiment, judging from fragment.^ wliich have been diseovered, consisted of tlie bark of trees, interwoven with feathers; and their military w uiks wei'e sucli as a people would erect Avho had just ])assed tn the })astoral state of society from that dependent alone u])on hunting and lishiiig.

The mounds aiul other ancient earth-works constructed by this people are far more abundant tlian generally supposed, from the fact that while sduie a)'e (juite large, the greater part of thein ;ii-(' small and inconspicuous. Along nearly all our water courses that are large enough to be navigated with a canoe, the mounds ww almost invariably found, covering the \)i\sv points and headlands of the bluifs which boiilei- the narrower valleys; so that when one finds himself in such positions as to comn\and the grandest views for river scenery, he may almost always discover that he is standing upon, oi- in close proximity to, some one or more of these traces of the labors of an ancient people.

One of the most singular eaith-works in the State was found on the top of a ridge near the east bank of the Sinsinawa creek in the lead region. It resembled some huge animal, the head, ears, nose, legs and tail, and general outline of which being as perfect as if made by men versed in modern art. The ridge on which it was situated stands on the prairie, -iOo yards wide, 100 feet in height, and rounded on the to|> by a dee]) deposit of clay. Centrally, along the line of its summit, and thrown u}) in the form of an embankment three feet high, extended the outline of a ([uadruped measui-ing I'oO feet from the tip of the nose to the end of I he tail, and having a width of 18 feet at the center of the body. The head was :).5 feet in length, the ears lo'feet, legs (50 and tail 7.5. The curvature in both the fore and liind legs was u'ltural to an animal lying on its side. The general outline of the ligure most nearly resembled the extinct animal knowi' to geologists as the .^[eg-atherium. The (pustion naturally arises, by Avhom and for what purpose was this earth figure raised? Some have conjectured that numbers of \his now extinct aninial lived and roamed ovei- the prairies of Illitu>is when the Mound-IJuilders first made thtir appearance on the upper part of the Mississippi Valley, and that the wonder and admiration, excited by the colossal dimensions of these huge creatures, found some expression in the erection of this tigurc. The bones of some similar gigantic

Mr, lireckenridge, who examined the anticpiities of the Western country in ]si7, sjteaking of the mounds in the Amei'ican Bottom, says: "The great number and extremely large si/e of some of them may be regarded as furnisliing, with other circumstances, evidences of their anticjuity, I have sometimes been induced to think that at the period when they were constructed there was a poj)ulation here as numerous as that which once animated the bordei's of the Nile or Euphrates, or of Mexico. The most numerous, as well as considerable, of these remains are found in precisely those j)arts of the country where the traces of a numerous population might be looked for, luxmely, from the mouth of the Oiiio on the east side of the Mississipi»i, to the Illinois river, and on the west from the St. Fi-ancis to the Missouri. I am perfectly satisfied that cities similar to those of ancient Mexico, of several hundred thousand souls, have existed in tiiis country."

Following the Mound-Builders as inhabitants of Noi'th America, were as it is suj)[tosed, the peoj^le who reared the magnificent cities the ruins of which are found in Central Ameriea. This people was far more civilized and advanced the arts than were the Mound-Builders. The cities built by them, judging from the ruins of broken columns, fallen arches and crumbling walls of temples, palaces and pyramids, which in some places for miles bestrew the gi'ound, must have been of great extent, magnificent and very populous. AVhen we consider the vast ]>eriod of time necessary to ei'cct such colossal structures, and, again, the tinu' re<iuired to reduce them to their present ruined state, we can conceive something of their antitpiity. These cities must have been old when many of the ancient cities of the Orient were being built.

The third race inhabiting North America distinct from the former two in every ]»articular, is the present Indians. Thev Mere, when visited by the early discoverers, without cultivation, refinement or literatui-e, and fai' behind the Mound-Builders in the km)wledge of the arts. The question of their origin has long interested arclueologists, aad is the most difficult they have been called u)>on to ansAver. Of their predecess()i-s the Indian tribes knew nothing; they even had no -traditions respecting them. It is i|iiite certain tliat they were the fsuccessors of a race which had entirely passed away ages before the discovery of tlie New World. One hypothesis is that the Anierican Indians are an original race indigenous to the Western hemisphere. Tiiose who entertain this view think theii" peculiarities of jiliysical structure preclude the possibility of a coninion parentage with the rest of mankind. Prominent among those distinctive traits is the hair, which in the red nian is round, in the white man oval, and in the black man Hat. A more common supj>ositi<)n, however, is that they are a derivative race, and s])rang fiom one or more of the ancient ])eoples of Asia. This last is doubtless the true theory.

When Christopher C-olumbus had finally succeeded in demonstrating the truth of his theory that by sailing westward from P^iirope land would be discovered, landing on the island of Bermuda he su|)posed that he had reached the East Indies. This was an error, but it led to the ado]»tion of the name of "Indians" for the iidiabitants of the newly discovered country, by which name the I'ed men of America have ever since been known.

At the time of the discovery of America the Algonquins, one of the most powerful tribes of Itidians, occupied the seaboard, while the Iro- ((uois, another gi'eat tribe, inhabited the country almost surrounded by them. The Algonquins spread over vast territory, and various tribes of Algonquin lineage sprung up over the country, in Unxa adopting distijtct tribal customs and laws. An almost continuous warfare was cari-ied on between tribes, but when the white men came a confederacy of Indian tribes were formed and every foot of territory was fiercely disputed. The Algonijuins formed the most extensive alliance to resist the encroachment of the whites, especially the English. Such was the nature of King Philip's war. This King, with his AlgoiKpiin braves, spread t<M-ror and desolation throughout New England. With the Algonquins as the controlling spirit, a confedera<;y of continental proportions was the result, embracing in its alliance the tribes of every name and lineage from the northern lakes to the gulf, Pontiac, liaving breathed into them his iuiplacable hate of the English intruders, ordered the contlict to commence, and all the British colonies trembled before the desolating fury of Indian vengeance.

Illinois Confkderacv

'J'he Illinois confederacy, the various tribes of which comprised most of the Indians of Illinois at one time, was composed of five tribes: the Tamaroas, Michigans, Kaskaskias, C'ahokas, and Peorias. The Illinois, Miamis and Delawares were of the same stock. As early as 107U, the priest. Father Mar(piette, mentions frequent visits made by individuals of this confederacy to the missionary station at St Esprit, near the western extremity of Lake Sujjerior. At that time they lived west of the Mississippi, in eight villages, whither they had been driven from the shores of Lake Michigan by the Iroquois. Shortly afterward they l)egan to return to their old hunting ground, and most of them finally settled in Illinois. Joliet and Marquette, in 1()73, met with a band of them on their famous voyage of discovery down the Mississippi. They were treated with the greatest hospitality by the principal chief. On their retui'n voyage up the Illinois river they stopped at the principal town of the confederacy, situated on the banks of the river seven miles below the present town of Ottaw^a. It was then called Kaskaskia. Manpiette returned to the village in 1675 and established the mission of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest in Illinois. When, in 167n, LaSalle visited the town, it had greatly increased, numljering 400 lodges, and at the annual assembly of the difi^erent tribes, from (i,(K)u to 8,(100 souls. In common with other western tribes, they became involved in the conspiracy of Pontiac, although displaying no Aery great warlike spirit. Pontiac lost his life by the hands of one of the braves of the Illinois tribe, which so enraged the nations that ha<l followed him as their leader that they fell upon the Illinois'to avenge his death, and almost annihilated them.

Tradition states' that a band of this tribe, in order to escaj)e the general slaughter, took refuge ujion the high rock on the Illinois river known as Starved Rock. Nature has made this one of the most formidable military fortresses in the world. From the waters which wash its base it rises to an altitude of one hundred and twenty-five feet. Three of its sides it is impossible to scale, M'hile the other may be climbed with difticulty.. E^"om its summit, almost as inaccessible as an eagle's nest, the valley of the Illinois is seen as a landscape of exquisite beauty. The river near by struggles between a number of wooded isliinds, wliile further below it (juietly meanders tliroufjli vast meadows till it disappears like a thread of liglit in the dim distance. On the summit of this rock the Illinois were besieged by a superior force of the Pottawattomies whom the great strength of tlieir natural fortress enabled them to keep at bay. Hunger and thirst, however, soon accomplished what the army was unable to effect. Surrounde<l by a relentless foe, without food or water, they took a last look at Iheir beautiful huntiiig grounds, and with true Indian fortitude laid down and died fro7n starvation. Years afterwards tlieii- bones were seen whitening in that ])lace.

At the beginning of the present century the remnants of this once powerful confederacy were forced into a smaller compass around Kaskaskia. A few years later they emigrated to the soutliwest, and in 1850 they were in the Indian Territory, and numbered but eighty-fouipersons.

Kauly Discoveries

Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman, was the first Avhite man to visit the present great State of Illinois. In the year IHVl he was sent to (Chicago by M. 'I'alou, Intendant of Canada, for the pui'pose of inviting the Indians to a ])eace convention, to be held at Green J>ay. The object of this convention was the formation of a ])lan for the exploration of the Mississippi River. De Soto, the Spanish explorer, had discovered the river neai-ly one hundred and fifty years previously, luit did not effect a settlement or explore the country any further. It remained as it was until the French determined to visit it, for which purpose it was deemed a wise ]h)\- icy, as far as ])ossible, to secure the i'riendship and (-o-o])eration of the Indians before venturing upon an enterprise which their hostility might render disastrous. A ])lan was accordingly arranged, and Louis .loliet joined Father .fac(pies Manpiette, at the .lesui't Mission, on the Strait of Mackinaw, and, with five other Frenchmen and a simple outfit, the daring explorers on the 1 7th of May, ](u-), set out on their ])ei-ilous voyage to discover the Mississip])!. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, they entered Green Bay, and passed thence up Fox River and Lake Winnebago to a village of the Muscatines and Miamis, where great interest was taken in the expedition by the natives. With guides they proceeded down the river. Arriving at the portage, they soon carried tlieir light canoes and scanty baggage to the Wisconsin, about three miles distant. Their guides now refused to accomj)any them further, and endeavored, by reciting the dangers incident to the voyage, to induce them to return. They stated that huge demons dwelt in the great river, whose voices could be heard a long distance, and who engulfed in the raging waters all Avho came within their reach. They also represented that if any of them should escar)e the dangers of the river, tierce tribes of Indians dwelt upon its Ijanks ready to complete the work of destruction. They proceeded on their journey, hoAvever, and on the iVth of .June pushed their frail barks on the bosom of the stately Mississippi, down which they smoothly glided for nearly a hundred miles. Here Joliet and Mar- (juette, leaving their canoes in charge of their men, went on the western shore, where they discovered an Indian village, and were kindly treated. They journeyed on down the unknown river, passing the mouth of the Illinois, then running into the current of the muddy Missouri, and afterwards the waters of the Ohio joined with them on their journey southward. Near the mouth of the Arkansas, tbey discovered Indians who showed signs of hostility; but when Mar(piette''s mission of peace was made known to them, they were kindly received. After ])roceeding up the Arkansas a short distance, at the advice of the natives they turned their faces northward to retrace their steps. After sevei'al Aveeks of hard toil they reached the Illinois, up Avhich stream they jjroceeded to Lake Michigan. Following the western shore of the lake, thev entered Green Hay the latter part of Sei)teinber, having traAcled a distance of 2, ;")()(» miles.

First Settlkmknts

On his way up the Illinois, Mar(piette \'isited the Kaskaskias, near Avhat is iiow Utica, in LaSalle county. The following year he returned, and establishetl among them the mission of the Immaculate (\tnception. Th'is was the last act of his life. He died in Michigan, May IS, 16'75. The town was named Kaskaskia by Manpiette.

The first military occupation of the count rv Avas at Fort Crevec(eur, erected in KiSO; but there is no evidence that a settlement was commenced there, or at Peoria, on the lake above, at that early date. The first settlement of which there is any authentic account was commenced with the building of Fort St. Louis, on the Illinois river, in 1682; but this Avas soon altamloiicd. Tlu' oldest iKM'inanent settlenient, not only ill Illinois, hut in tlie valley of the .Mississippi, is at Kaskaskia, situated six miles above the mouth of the Kaskaskia viver. This was settled in IGiU) by the removal of the mission from old Kaskaskia, or Ft. St. Louis, on tiic Illinois river, (-ahokia was settled about tlic same time. 1'he reason for the removal of I he old Kaskaskia settlement and mission was jirohahly because the danti;erous and dittieult route by Lake .Michigan and the ('hicago poi'tage had been almost abandoned, and travelers and traders traveled down and up the Mississippi by the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. It was removed to the vicinity of the Mississipi)i in order to be in the line of travel from Canada to FiOuisiana, that is, the lower part of it, for it was all Louisiana then south of the lakes. Illinois came into possession of the French in UiS-i, and was a dejiendency of Canada and a ])art of Louisiana. During the ])eriod of French rule in Louisiana, the population probably never exceeded ten thousand. To the year IToO the following five distinct settlements were imide in the territory of Illinois, numbering, in population, 140 French families, about ()(iO "converted" Indians, and many traders; ( 'ahokia, near the mouth of Cahokia creek, and al)out Hve miles below the present city of St. Louis; St. Philip, about forty-tive miles below (aliokia; Fort (Jhartres, tAvelve miles above Ivaskaskia; Kaskaskia, situated on the Kaskaskia river six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, and Prairie dii Rocher, near Fort Chartres. Fort Chartres was built under the direction of the Mississipj)i Company in 1718, and was for a time the headcpiarters of the military commandants of the district of Illinois, and the most impregnable fortress in North America. Tl was also the center of wealth and fasliion in the West. For about eighty years the French retained peaceable ])ossession of Illinois. Their amiable disposition and tact of ingratiating themselves with the Lidians enabled them to escai)e almost entirely the broils which weakened and destroyed other colonies Whether exi)loring remote rivers or traversing hunling grounds in ])ursuit of game, in the social circle or as ))articipants in the religious exercises of the church, the red men became their associates, and w(M'(^ treated with the kindness and consideration of brothers. For more than a hundred years |)eace between the white man and Uie red was unbroken, and when at last this reign of hai'mony terminated it was not caused by the conciliatory Frenchman, but by the blunt and stui'dy Anglo-Saxon. During this century, or until the country was occupied bv the English, no regular court was ever held. When, in 1705, the country passed into the hands of the English, many of the French, rather than submit to a change in their institutions, preferred to leave their homes and seek a new abode. There are, however, at the ])resent time, a few remnants of the old French stock in the State, who still retain to a great extent the ancient habits and customs of their fathers.

English Rile

In 1750 France claimed the whole valley of the Mississippi, and England the light to extend her possessions westward as far as she miglit desire. Through colonial controversies, the two mother countries were precipitated into a bloody war within the Northwestern Territory, (4eorgv Washington tiring the first gun of the military struggle which resulted in the overthrow of tiie French not only in Illinois, but in Nortli America. The French evinced a determination to retain control of the territory bordering the Oliio and Mississippi from Canada to the (tuII, and so long as the English colonies were confined to the sea-coast there was little reason for controversy. As the English, however, became acquainted with this beautiful and fertile portion of our country, they not only learned the value of the vast territory, but also resolved to set up a counter claim to the soil. The French established numerous military and trading posts from the frontiers of Canada to New Oi-leans. and in order to establish also their claims to jurisdiction over the country, they carve(l the lilies of France on the forest trees, or sunk plates of metal in the ground. These measures did not, however, deter the English from going on witli tlu^r explorations; and though neither party resorted to arms, yet the conflict wa.-< gathering, and it was only a (|uestion of time when the storm should burst upon the frontier settlement. The French based tiieir claims upon discoveries, the English on grants of territory extending from ocean to ocean, but neither partv j)aid the least attention to the prior claims of tiie Lidians. From tbis position of affairs, it was evident that actual collision between the contending )»arties would not much longer be deferred. 'I'he English Government, in anticipation of a war, urged tiie (Tovernor of ^'irginia to lose no time in building two forts, which were eipupped by arms from England. The French anticipated the English, and gathered a considerable force to defend tlieir possessions. The

(ioviTiKir (Ictei'iniiKMl to st'iid a messenger to tlie nearest Freneli post and demand an explanation. This resolution of the Governor brought into the history of our country for the Krst time tlie man of all othei's whom America most loves to honor, namely, George Washington. He was chosen, aitliough not yet twenty-one years of age, as the one to perfoi'm this delicate and difficult mission. With five companions, he set out on November Id, 175.!, and after a perilous journey returned January 6, l7o4. 'IMie sti'uggie commenced, and continued long, and was l)h)ody and fierce; hut on the 1 0th of October, 170"), the ensign of France was replaced on the ramparts of Fort C^hartres by the Hag of Great Britain. This fort was the dei)ot of supplies and the place of rendezvous for the united forces of tiie French. At this time the colonies of the Atlantic seaboard were assembled in preliminary congress at New \'()rk. dreaming of liberty and independence foi' tlie continent; and Washington, who led the expedition against the French for the English king, in less than ten yeai's was commanding the forces opposed to the Knglish tyrant. Illinois, besides being constructively a part of Florida for over one hundied years, during which time no Spaniard set foot upon her soil or rested his eyes upon her beautifiU plains, for nearly ninety years had been in the actual occupation of the French, their puny settlements slumbering quietly in colonial dependence on the distant waters of the Kaskas'kia, Illinois and Wabash.

The Northwest Territoi-y was now entirely under Knglish rule, and on the breaking out of the Kevolutionar\ war the IJritish held every post of importance in the West. While the colonists of tlu' Fast were maintaining a fierce struggle with the armies of England, their western frontiers were ravaged by merciless l>iil('heries of Indian warfare. The jealousy of the savage was aroused to action by the rapid extension of Anieri(!an settlement westward and the improper influence exerted by a number of military posts garrisoned by British troops. To prevent indiscriminate slaughter arising from these causes, Illinois became the theater of some of the most daring exploits connected with American history. Tiu' hei-o of the achievements by which t'liis beautiful land was siuitched as a gem from the British crown, was George Rogers Clark, of N'irginia. He had closely watched the movements of the iiritish throughout the Noi'thwest, and understood their whole plan; he also knew the Indians were not unanimously in a(^cord with the English, and tiierefore was convinced that if the British could be defeated and expelled from tlie Northwest, the natives might be easily awed into neutrality. Having convinced himself that the enter]»rise against the Illinois settlement might easily succeed, he repaired to the capital of V^ii-ginia, arriving November 5, 1777. While he was on his way, fortunately, Burgoyne was defeated (October 17), and the spirits of the colonists were thereby greatly encouragecL Patrictk Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at once entered heartily into Clark's plans. After satisfying the \'irginia leaders of the feasibility of his project, he received two sets of instructions, - one secret, the other open. The latter authorized him to enlist seven companies to go to Kentucky, and serve three months after their arrixal in the West. The secret order authorized hiiu to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of (ileneral Hand, at Pittsburg, and to proceed at once to subjugate the country.

With these instructions General Clark repaired to Pittsburg, choosing rather to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed in the colonies for the conflict there. Enlisting his men, he at once proceeded to carry out his instructions. His plan was to go by water as far as Fort Massac, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia. Here he intended to surprise the garrison, aiul after its capture go to Cahokia, then to \'incennes, and lastly to Detroit. Each of these posts were in turn captured.

The services of Clark proved of essential advantage to his countrymen. They disconcerted the plans of Hamilton, the Governor of Detroit, who was intending to make a vigorous and concerted attack u])on the frontier, and not only saved the western frontier from depredations by the savages, but also greatly cooled the ardor of the Indians for carrying on a contest in which they were not likely to be tlie gainers. Had it not been for this small army, a union of all the tribes from Maine to Georgia against the colonies might have been effected, and the whole current of oui- history changed.

In October, 1778, after the successful campaign of Colonel Clark, the assembly of Virginia erected the conquered country, embracing all the territory northwest of the Ohio river, into the county of Illinois, which was doubtless the largest county in the W(-»i"ld, exceeding in its dimensions the whole of Great Britian and Ireland. To speak more definitely, it contained the territory now embraced in the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michican. On the l:.'th of December, 177S; John Todd was apiJointed Lieutenant Commandant of this county by l*atrick Henry, then Governor of Virginia, and accordingly, also, the first of Illinois county.

Illinois continued to form a part of Virginia until March I, 17s4, when that State ceded all the territory north of the Ohio to tlie United States. Immediately the general gov^ernment proceeded to establish a form of government for the settlers in the territories thus ceded. This form continued until the passage of the ordinance of 17S7, for the government of the Northwestern Territory. No man can study tlie secret history of this ordinance and not feel that Pro viilence was guiding with sleepless eye the destinies of these unborn States. American legislation has never achieved anything more admii'- able, as an internal government, than this com- {)rehensive ordinance. Its provisions concerning the distribution of property, the principles of civil and religious liberty Avhich it laid at the foundation of the cotnmunities since established, and the efficient and simple organization by which it created the first machinery of civil society, are worthy of all the praise that has ever been given them.

Ordinance Of 1787

For some years Thomas Jeffei"son had vainly tried to secure a system of government for tiie Northwestern Territory. He was an emanci]»ationist and favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory, and in this he was opposed by almost the entire soutli. In July, 17S7, Manasseh Cutler a[)peared in New York to lobby on the question of organization of the Northwestern Territory. He was a courtly gentleman of the old style, a man of commanding presence and of inviting face. He came representing a Massachusetts company that desired to purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colony. This com|)any, together with certain speculators in New York, enabled him to represent a demand for 5, 500, ()()() acres. The amount thus received from the sale of this land would apply towards reducing the National <lebt, which Jefferson was anxious should be [»aid as soon as possible.

Massachusetts tlicn owned the territory of Maine, whit-h she was crowding on the market. She was op})osed to opening the northwestern region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South rallied around him. Massacliusetts could not vote against him, because many of the constituents of lier members were interested personally in the Western speculation. Thus Cutler, making friends in I the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby, was enabled to command the situation. True to dee})er convictions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished docunients of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from Jefferson the term "Articles of Compact," which, preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred character. He then followed verj-^ closely the constitution of Massachusetts, ado])ted three years l)efore. Its most ])rominent points were :

2. Provision for ])ul)lic schools, giving one township for a seminary and every section numbered 1(5 in each township; that is, one thirty-sixth of all the land for public schools.

Be it forever rememljered that this compact declared that "religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield, (nriving his unqualified declaration that it Avas that or nothing, - that unless they could make the land desirable they did not want it, - he took liis horse and buggy and started for the constitutional convention at Philadelphia, On July 1"5, J7s7, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unanimously adopted. Thus the gi'eat States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, a vast emj)ire, were consecrated to freedom, intelligence, and morality. Thus tlie great heart of the nation was })repai'ed to save the Union of States, for it was this act that was the salvation of the re})ublic and the destruction of slavery. Soon the South saw their great Idunder and tried to have the compact repealed. In ISO"! Congress referred it to a committee, of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance whs a compact and opposed

Iiistoijy Of Illinois

After the tlivision of the Northwestern Terrilorv, Illinois became one of the counties of the Ten-itorx- of Indiana, from which it was sejiai-ated by an act of Conj^ress February -!, 1S09, liirminn' the Territory of IHinois, with a population estimated at '.),0UU, and tlien included the present State of Wisconsin. It was divided, at the tim.e, into two counties - St. Clair and Randolph. John J>oyle, of Kentucky, was ai)pointed (Tovernor, b)' the President, James Madison, but declinin<j;-, Ninian Edwards, of the same Stale, was then appointed and served with distinction; and after the organization of Illinois as a State he served in the same capacity, being its third Governor.

During Governor Edwards' administration the wai of 1812 commenced, and the few whites in the State liad to contend against a savage foe inciteil on iv deeds of violence by the British otiicers sent out for that purpose. The massacre at Fort Dearborn, of helpless jirisoners, by the infuriated Indians, forms a black page in the history of Illinois. Several expeditions were put on foot by Governor Edwards against the Indians, and in the various cami)aigns the Governor bore an honorable and heroic part. Peace canu' at last, the Indian de})redations ceased, and the 'JYu'ritory of Illinois was again on the foad to [)rosperity.

In January of 1^18 tlie Territiu-ial Legislature forwarde(l U) Nathaniel Pope, delegate in Congress from Illinois, a ])etition ])raying for admission into the National Union as a State. On April istli of the same year C^ongress passed the enabling act, and December 3, after the Stale governiueiit liad l)een organized ;ind Governor IJond had signed the C'onstitution, Congress by a resolution declared Illinois to be "one ol' the United States of America, and admitti'd into the Union on an cipial footing with the original States in all respects."

In July and August of 1S18 a convention was held at Kaskaskia for the purpose of di'afting a constitution. This constitution was not sidjniittcd to a xoteof tlic people for their ap[)roval Ol' rcjecLion, it being well known that they would ap))rove it. It was about the first organic law of any State in the l^nion to abolish imprisonment for debt. The first election under the constitution was held on the third Thursday and the two succeeding days in September, 1818. Shadrach Bond was elected Goveriior, and Pierre Menard Lieutenant Governor. Tlieir term of office extended four years. At this time the State was divided into fifteen counties, the population being about -KJ,OUO. Of this number by far the larger portion were from the Southern States. The salary of the Governor Avas !)!!],<H)U, while that of the Treasurer was l^oUtJ. The legislature re-(.'nacted, verbatim, the Teri'itoiial Code, the penalties of which were unnecessarily severe. Whi})ping, stocks and pillory were used for minor offenses, and for arson, rape, lioi'se stealing, etc., death by hanging was the penalty. These laws, however, were modified in 1S21.

The legislature first convened at Kaskaskia, the ancient seat of empire for more Uian one hundred and fifty years, botli for th^ French and Americans. Provisions were made, however, for the removal of the seat of government by this legislature. A place in the wilderness on the Kaskaskia river was selected and uamed Vandalia. Froui Vandalia it was renu»ved to Springfield in the year 18.''»0.

The liulians, Avho for some years were on [)eacefid terms with the whites, became troublesome in 1827. The Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes and other tribes had l)een at war more than a hundred years. In the summer of 1827 a war party of the Winnebagoes surprised a j)arty of Chipj)ewas and killed eight of them. Four of the murderers were arrested and delivered to the Chi])pewas, by whom theyAvere immediately shot. This was the first irritation of the Winnebagoes. lied Bird, a chief of this tribe, in order to avenge the execution of the four warriors of his own people, attacked the Chippewas, but was defeated ; and being determined to satisfy his thirst for revenge by some means surl»rised and killed several white men. irpon receiving intelligence of these murders, the whites who were working the lead mines in the vicinity of Gakiui formed a body of volunteers, and, re-inforced by a company of United States troops, marched into the coiuitry of the Winnebagoes. To sa\e their nation from the miseries of war, Re<l Bird and six other men of his nation voluntarily surrendered themselves. Some of the number were executed, some of them imprisoiu'd and destined, like lied Bird,

Li the year of J NU4 a treaty was concluded hetwi'en the United States and tlie chiefs of the Sac and Fox rations. One old chief of the Sacs, however, called lilack -Hawk, who had fouiiht with great bravery in the service of Great Hritain diirin5:;the war of 181:4, had always taken exceptions to this treaty, pronouncing it void. In ls:]i lie established himself, with a chosen band of warriors, upon the disputed territory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining, Govern(»r Reynolds dispatched General Gaines, with a company of regulars and l,50o volunteers, to tlie scene of action. Taking the Indians by surprise, the troops burnt their villages and forced them to conclude a treats^, by which they ceded all lands east of the Mississipjn, and agreed to remain on the western side of the river. Necessity forced tlie [)roud spirit of IJlack Hawk into submission, which made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having rallied around him the warlike braves of the Sac and I'\)x nations, he crossed the Mississippi in the spring of 18:]2. Upon learning of this invasion. Governor Reynolds hastily collected a body of I, NUO volunteers, placing them under command of IJrigadier General Whiteside. The army marched to the Mississippi, and having reduced to ashes the Indian village known as "Prophet's Town," proceeded several miles up the river to Dixon to join the regular forces under General Atkinson. They found at J>ixon two companies of volunteers, Mdio, sighing for glory, Avere dis- ])atched to reconnoitre the enemy. They advanced under command of Major Stillnian to a small creek, afterwards known as "Stillman's Run," and while there encamped saw a party of mounted Indians at a distance of a mile. Several of Stillman's party mounted their horsesand charged the Indians, killing three of them, but being attacked by the main body, under Black Hawk, tlujy were routed, and by their })recii)ilated flight spread such a panic through the camp that the whole company ran ofl' to Dixon as fast as possil)le. On their arrival it was found that eleven of their number were killed.

In .June, 1S32, Black Hawk, with a band of one hundred and Hlty warriors, attacked A])i)le River Fort, near Galena, defended by twi'ntytive men. This fort, a mere palisade of logs, Avas erected to afford protection to the piiners.

For fifteen consecutive hours tlie garrison had to sustain the assault of the savage enemy; but knowing very well that no iiuartei- would be given them, they fought with such fury and desperation that the Indians, after losing many of their best warriors, were compelled to retreat.

New forces being sworn into the service, Generals Atkinson and Henry determined to jjursue the retreating foe. 'J'liey followed them into Wisconsin, and hearing that Black Hawk was encamped at Rock river, at the Manitou village, issued orders to continue the i)ursuit. The officers of^^Genentf+Ienry handed to him a written protest; but he, a nuiu evpial to any emergency, ordered the officers to be arrested and escorted to General Atkinson. Within a few minutes after the order was given the officers all collected around tIie_Genjjmr!>i^tiart-er^y pledged themselves that ifTorgtrrrinhey would return to duty and never do the like again.

The battle of Bad Axe immediately followed, resulting in a loss to the Indians of three hundred, besides lifty prisoners. The whites had but seventeen killed and twelve wounded. Black Hawk, with twenty of his braves, escaped, retreating up the Wisconsin river. Tiie Winnebagoes, desiring to secure the friendship of the whites, went in pursuit and captured and delivered them to General Street, the United States Indian Agent. Among the ]jrisoners were the son of Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. These, with Black Hawk, were taken to Washington, D. C, and were soon confined as prisoners at Fortress Monroe. Thus ended the Black Hawk war

Intkuxal Imi'Jcovemknts

At the general election in 18.U Joseph Duncan was chosen Governor by a handsome majority. A reckless and uncontrollable desire for internal " public improvements seized tlie minds of the people. In his message to the legislature, in 1835, Governor Duncan said: "When we look abroad and see the extensive lines of intei'-communication i)enetrating almost every section of our sister States; when we see the canal-boat and the locomotive V)caring with seemijig triumph the rich ])roductions of the interior to the rivers, lakes and ocean, almost annihilating time, Imrthen and s}»ace, what ])atriotic l)osoin does not beat high with a laudable and)iti<)n to give Illinois her full share of those advantages which are adorning her sister Slates, and which a magnilicent Providence seems t<> invite by a wonderful a<laptation of our whole country to such improveinenlsV"

The l(\Li;islaturc' responded to the ai'di'iit words of the Governor, and enacted a system of internal improvements without a paralU'l in the grandeur of its concej)tion. They or<lered the construction of 1,300 n\iles of railroad, crossing the State in all directions. '^I'his was surpassed by the river and canal improvements. There were a few counties not touched by the railroad, river or canal, and they were to be comforted and compensated by the free distribution of $200,000 among them. To inHate this balloon beyond credence, it was ordered that work should commence on both ends of each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river crossing, all at the same time. This provision, which has been called the crowning folly of the entire system, was the result of those jealous com])inations emanating from the fear that advantages might accrue to one section over another in the commencement and completion of the works. We can appreciate l>etter, perhai)s, the magnitude of this grand system by reviewing a few figures. The debt authorized for these improvements in the first instance was |1(),2.'50,000. But this, as it was soon found, was based upon estimates at least too low by half. This, as we readily see, committed the State to a liability of over $20,000,000, equivalent to 1^^00,000,000 at the present time, with over ten times the i)opulation and more than ten times the wealth.

Such stupendous undertakings by the State naturally engendered the fever of speculation among individuals. That juirticular form known as the town-lot fever assumed tlu; malignant type at first in Chicago, from whence it spread over the entire State and adjoining States. It was an epidemit;. It cut up men's farms without regard to locality, and cut up the purses of the purchasers without regard to consequences. It was estimated that building lots enough were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate eveiy citizen then in the United States.

Chicago, which in 1880 was a small tradingpost, had within a few years grown into a city. I'his was the starting point of the wonderful and marvelous career of that city. Improvements, unsurpassed by individual efi'orts in the annals of the world, were then l)egun and have been maintained to this day. Though visited by the terrible fire fiend and the accunVulation of years swept away in a night, yet she has arisen, and to-day is the best built city in the world. Reports of the rapid advance of property in

Chicago spread to the east, and thousands poured into her liorders, bringing money, enterprise and industry. Every ship that left her port carried with it maps of s2)lendidly situated towns and additions, and every vessel that returned was laden with immigrants. It was sai<l at the tinu^ that the staple articles of Illinois export were town plats, and that there was danger of crowding the State with towns to the exclusion of land for agriculture.

The Illinois and Michigan canal again received attention. This enterprise is one of the most important in the early develojtment of Illinois, on account of its magnitude and cost, and forming as it does the connecting link between the great chain of lakes and the Illinois and Mississip))i rivers. (4overnor Bond, the first Governor, recommended in his first message the binlding of the canal. In is21 the legislature appropriated ^10,000 for surveying the route. This work was performed l)y two young men, who estimated the cost at -t()00,000 or !i!<7O0,0oo. It cost, however, when completed, ^8,000,000. In 1825 a law was passed to incorporate the Canal 'Company, but no stock was sold. In 1826, upon the solicitation of Daniel P. Cook, Congressman from this State, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land on the line of the work."* In 182s commissioners were ai)i)ointed, and Avork commenced Avith a new survey and new estimates. In 1834-5 the work was again ]»ushed forward, and continued until IS48, when it was comj)leted.

Vanic Kkpitdiation Advocated

Bonds of the State were recklessly disposed of both in the East and in Europe. Work was commenced on various lines of i-ailroad, but none Avere ever completed. On the Northern Cross Railroad, from Meredosia east eight miles, the first locomotive that ever turned a wheel in the great valley of the Mississip|)i was run 'IMie date of this remarkable event was Noveml»er s, ]838. Large sums of money Avere being expended with no assurance of a rcA'cnue, an<l consequently, in l.s40, the legislature repealed the improvement laws passed three years previously, not, however, until the State had accumulated a debt of nearly 115,000,000. Thus fell the most stupendous, extravagant and almost ruinous folly of a grand system of internal improvements that any civil community, j)erhaps, eA^er engaged in. The State banks failed, specie was scarce, an enormous debt was accumulated^ llie interest of wliicli eoiiM not be paid, people were disappointed in the aecunmlatioii of wealth, and real estate was wortldess. All this liad a tendency to create a desire to tlirow off the heavy biinlen of State del)t by repudiation. This was boldly advocated by some leading men. The fair fame and name, however, of the State was not tarnished by repudiation. Men, triui, honest and able, were placed at tlie head of affaii's; and though The liours were dark and gloomy, and the times most trying, yet our grand State was brought through and ])ros]>ered, until to-day, after the expenditure of millions for public improvements and for canying on the late war, it has, at present, no ]»ublic debt whatever.

^roKMo^' wak. Tu April, 1840, the " Latter-Day Saints," or Mormons, came in large numbers to Illinois, and purchased a tract of land on the east side of the Mississippi river, a1)out ten miles above Keokuk. Here they commenced building the city of Nauvoo. A more picturesque or eligible site for a city could not have been selected.

The origin, rapid development, and pi'osperity of this i-eligious sect are the most remarkable and instructive historical events of the present century. That an obscure individual, without money, education, or respectability, should persuade hundreds of thousands of people to believe him ins{)ired of (lod, and cause a book, contemptible as a literary production, to be received as a continuation .of the sacred revelation, appears almost incredible ; yet in less than half a century, the discij)les of this obscure individual have increased to hundreds of tliousands; have fouiuled a State in the distant wilderness, and compelled the government of the United States to practically recognize them as an inde])endent people.

The founder of Mormonism was Joseph Smith, a native of Vermont, who emigrated while quite young with his father's family to western New York. Here his youth was spent in idle, vagabond life, roaming the woods, dreaming of buried treasures, and in endeavoring to learn the art of tlnding them by the twisting of a forked stick in his hands or by looking through enchanted stones. Botli he and his father became famous as "water wizards," always ready to point out the s])Ot wliere wells might be dug and w^ater found. Such was the character of the young protligate when he made the acquaintance of Sidney Higdon, a person of considerable talent and information, who had conceived the design of founding a new religion. A religious romance, written by Mr. Spaulding, a Presbyterian preacher of Ohio, then dead, suggested the idea, and tinding in Smith the requisite duplicity and cunning to reduce it to practice, it was agreed that he should act as prophet; and the two devised a story that gold plates had been found buried in tlie earth containing a record ijiscribed on them in unknown characters, which, when deciphered l)y the power of inspiration, gave the history of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

After their settlement in and about Nauvoo, in Hancock county, great depreilations were connnitted by them on the " (Gentiles." The Mormons had b(!en received from Missouri with great kindness V)y the people of this State, and every possible aid granted them. The depredations committed, however, soon made them odious, when the <|uestion of getting rid of them was agitated. Jn the fall of 1841, the Governor of Missouri made a demand on Governor Carlin for the arrest and delivery of Joe Smith as a fugitive of justice. Smith was subsequently arrested, but was released by Judge Douglas, upon the ground that the writ had once been returned before it had been executed. In 1842, he was again arrested, and again escaped. Emboldened by success, the Mormons became more arrogant and overbearing. Many people began to believe they were about to set up a government for themselves in defiance oi the laws of the State. Owners of })roperty stolen in other counties made pursuit into Nauvoo, and were fined by the Mormon courts for daring to seek their property in the holy city. Altoutthis time they petitioned Congress to establish a territorial government for them in Nauvoo.

Smith soon began to play the tyrant over his people. Ainong the first acts of this sort was an attempt to take the wife of William Law, one of his most talented disciples, and /nake her his spiritual wife. He established, without authority, a recorder's office, and an office to issue marriage licenses. He proclaimed that none could deal in real estate or sell liquor but himself. He ordered a printing oflice demolished, and in numy ways controlled the freedom and l)usiness of the Mormons. Not only did he stir up some of the Mormons, i»ut by his reckless disregard for the law^s of the land raised up opposition on eveiy hand. It was b<?- lieved that he instructed the Danite band, which he had chosen as the ministers of his vengeance, that no blood, except that of the i-liiii-cli, was to be regarded as sacred, if it coiiiraveiied tiu' accomplishment of liis object. It was asserted that he inculcated the legality of [»erjury and other (;rimes, if committed U> advance the cause of true believers; that (rod had given the world and all it contained to his saints, and since they were ke])t out of their rightful inheritance by force, it was no moral offense to get possession of it by stealing. It was I'eported that an establishment existed in Xauvoo for the manufacture of counterfeit money, and that a set of outlaws was mainlainecl for the purpose of putting it in circulation. Statements were circulated to the effect tliat a reward was offered for the destruction of the Warsaw Signal, an anti-Mormon paper, and that Mormons dispersed over the country tlireatened all persons who offered to assist the e,onstable in the e.vecntion of tlie law, with the destruction of their property and tlie murder of their families. There were rumors also afloat that an alliance had been formed with the western Indians, and in case of war they would be used in murdering tlieir enemies. In short, if only one-half of these reports were true, the Mormons must have been the most infamous people tliat ever existed.

VVilliam Law, one of the jtroprietors of the l»rinting otiice destroyed by Smith, went to Carthage an<l procured a writ for theari'estof Smith and others in the deed. The prophet, his brother Jfyrum, and others, surrendered themselves at (Jarthage June 24, 1844, on a cliarge of riot, and all entered into recognizance before a justice of the peace for their appearance at court. They were again arrested and thrown into prison at Carthage. The citizens of Hani-()(;k, McDonougli and Schuyler counties had assembhid, armed and ready to avenge the outrages that liad been committed by the Mormons, (ireat excitement i)revailed. All were anxious to march into Nauvoo. The 27th of June was apl)()inted for the mardi, but Governor Ford, who at the time was in Cartilage, ap|)reliended trouble if tlie militia should attempt to invade Nauvoo, disl)anded the troops, retaining only a guard for the jail.

(rovernor Ford went to Nauvoo on tlie STth. The same morning about two hundred men from Warsaw, many being disguised, hastened to Carthage. On learning that one of ihe companies left as a guard liad disbanded, and the other stationed one hundred and fifty yards from the jail while eight raen were left to guard the prisoners, a communication was soon estal)- lished b(!tween the Warsaw troops ami the guard; and it was arranged that the guard should have their guns charged with bhiiik cartridges and fire at the assailants wlien they attempted to enter the jail. The conspii-ators came uj), jiu-njiedthe fence around the jail, were fired upon by the guard, which, according to arrangement, was over])Owered, and the assailants entered the prison to tlie door of the room where the two prisoners were confined. An attempt was made to break o})en the door; but Joe Smith, being armed with a })istol, fired several times as the door was bursted open, and three of the assailants were wounded. At the same time several shots were fired into the room by some of which John Taylor, a friend of the Smiths, received four wounds, and Ilyruni Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith, severely wounded, attempted to escape by jumping out of a second-story window, but was so stunned by the fall that he was unable to rise. In this position he was dis])atclied by balls shot through his body. Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful iraposter of modern times. Totally ignorant of almost every fact in science, as well as in law, he made up in constructiveness and natural cunning whatever in him was wanting of instruction.

Many feared the Mormons would assemble in force and attack Carthage for the purpose of avenging the death of tlie prophet. l>ut this was never done. In the fall of 1S4.T a convention, consisting of delegates from eight of the adjoining counties assembled to concert measures for the expulsion of tlie ]\[ormons from the State. The Mornioiis seriously contemplated emigration westward, believing the times forebode evil for them. Accordingly, during the winter of l.S4.5-'4(), the most stupendous prej^arations were made bj' the Mormons for removal. All the princijial dwellings, and even the temple, were converted into work-shops, and before spring, 12,000 wagons were in readiness; and by the middle of February the leaders, with 2,000 of their followers, had crossed the Mississippi on the ice.

Tub Ijatti.E Of Nauvoo

In September a writ was issued against se\'- eral prominent Mormons, and placed in the hands of John Carlin, of Carthage, for execution. Carlin called out a posse to hel|) make the arrest, which bi-ought together (piite a lai-ge force in the neiiihborhood of Nauvoo. Carlin, not being a military man, placed in command oi' the posse, iirst, General Singleton, and afterward Colonel Jirockman, who proceeded to invest the city, erecting breastworks, and taking other means for defensive as well as offensive operations. What was then ternied a battle next took place, resnlting in the death of one .Mormon and the wounding of several others, and loss to the anti-iNIormons of three killed and four wounded. At last, through the intervenli(»n of an anti-Mormon committee of one hundred, from (^uincy, the Mormons and their allies were induced to submit to such terms as the posse chose to dictate, which were that the Moririons should immediately give up their arms to the C^uincy conimittee, and remove from the State. The trustees of the church and five of their clerks were permitted to remain for tlie sale of Mormon property, and the posse were to marcli in unmolested, and leave a sufH(^ient force to guarantee the performance of their stipulations. Accordingly, the constable's posse marched in with Brockman at their head. It consisted of about 800 armed men and BOO or 700 unarmed, who had assembled from all the country around, througli nu)tives of curiosity, to see the once proud city of.Nauvoo humbled and delivered up to its enemies They proceeded into the city slowly and carefully, examining the w.iy for fear of the explosion of a mine, many of which bad been made by the Mormons, by hurrying kegs of powder in the ground, with a man stationed at a distance to ])ull a string communicating with the trigger of a percussion lock atlixed to the keg. This kind of a contrivance was called by the Mormons "hell's half-acre." When the posse arrived in the city tlie leaders of it elected themselves into a tribunal to decide who should l)e forced away and who remain. Parties were dis])atched to hunt for tire-arms, and for Mormons, and to bring them to judgment. When brought, they received their doom from the mouth of J3rockman, who sat a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour or two, and by rare grace aome of them were allowed until next day, and in a few cases longer time was granted.

Li 18-Ki, when the war with Mexico commenced, Illinois sent her cpu)ta of six regiments to the tented field. More men were offered, but only the six regiments could be accej)te(L These six shed imperishable honors, not only u])on the State, but upon the American Union. N'eterans never fought more nobly and eflFectively than did the volunteers fi'om Illinois. At the battle of Buena Vista, by the coolness and bravery of the gallant Second regiment, under Colonel liissell, the day was saved. Tlie conflict began early on the morning of Fel)ruary li-J, 1S47, and was continued till nightfall of the next day. The solid columns of the enemy were liurled against our forces all day long, but wen; met and held in check by the unerring fire of our musketry and artillery. A ))Ortion of General Lane's division was driven l)ack by the enemy, who appeared in such formidable numbers as to be almost irresistil)le. At this time the Sec-ond Illinois, under Colonel Bissell, with a squadron of cavalry and a few pieces of artillery, came handsomely into action and gallantly received th(; concentrated fire of the enemy, which they returned with deliV)erate aim and terrible effect; every discharge of the artillery seemed to tear a bloody path through the heavy columns of the enemy. Says a writer: "The rapid musketry of the gallant troops from Illinois ])Oured a storm of lead into their serried ranks, which literally strewed the ground with the (h^ad and dying." l>ut, notwithstanding his losses, the enemy steadily advanced until our gallant i-egiment received fire from three sides. Still ihey maintained their position for a time with unfiinching firmness against that immense host. At length, perceiving the danger of being entirely surrounded, it was determined to fall back to a ravine. Colonel Bissell, with the coolness of ordinary drill, ordered the signal "cease firing" to be made; he then, with the same delil)eration, gave the command, "Face to the rear, battalion about face; forward march," which was executed with the regularity of veterans to a point beyond the ])eril of l)eing outflanked. Again, in obedience to command, these brave men halted, faced about, and under a murderous tempest of l>ullets from the foe, resumed their well-directed fire. The conduct of no troops could have been more admirable; and, too, until that day they had never l)een under fire, when, within less than half an hour eighty of their comrades dropped l)y their sides.

From Colton's History of the battle of Buena Vista the following extract is taken: "As the enemy on our left was moving in retreat along the head of the ])lateau, our artillery was advanced until within range, and opened a heavy fire upon him, while Colonels Ilardin, Bissell, and McKee, with thi'ir Illinois an<l Kentucky troojts, (hished gallantly forward in hot pursuit. A [lowerful reserve of the Mexican army wa^ tlicii just ('iiior«;iiig iVoui tlu' ravine, where it liad been oro-anized, and advanced on tlie |)lateaii, opposite tlie liead of" the soutliernmost goi-o-e. Those who were giving way rallied fjiiickly upon it; when the wliole force, thus in- <-rcased to over 12,000 men, came forward in a perfect blaze of lire. It was a single column, comjjosed of the best soldiers of the repuhlic, liaving for its advanced battalions tlie veteran regiments. The Kentucky and Illinois troops were soon ol)liged to give ground hefore it and seek the shelter of the second gorge. The enemy pressed on, arriving opposite the head of the secoiid gorge. One-half of thQ column suddenly enveloped it, Avhile the other half pressed on across tlie plateau, having for the moment nothing to resist them hut the three guns in tlieir front. The portion that was immediately opposed to the Kentucky and Illinois troops, ran down along each side of the gorge, in which they had sought shelter, and also circled around its head, leaving no possible way of escape for 1 hem except by its mouth, which opened u])on tlie road. Its sides, which were steep, - at least an angle of forty-five degrees, - were covered with loose pehbles and stones, and converged to a point at the bottom. Down there were our poor fellows, nearly three regiments of them (First and Second Illinois and Second Kentucky), with but little opportunity to load or fire a gun, being hardly a])le to kee\> their feet. Above the whole edge of the gorge, all tlie way around, was darkened by the serried masses of the enemy, and was bristling with muskets dircctcil on the crowd l)eneath. It was no time to pause. Those who were not immediately shot down ruslied on toward the road, their number growing less and less as they went, Kentuckians and Illinoisans, officers and men, all mixed up ill c;oiifusion, and all pressing on over the loose pebbles and rolling stones of those shelving, preci]»itous b inks, and having lines and lines of the enemy liring down from each side and rear as tiiey went. Just then the enemy's cavalry, whicli had gone to the left of the reserve, had come over the spur that divides the mouth of tlie second gorge from that of the third, and were now closing up the only door through which there was the least shadow of a chance for their lives. Many of those ahead endeavored t(» force their way out, but few succeeded. The lancers were fully six to one, and their long weapons were already reeking with blood. It was at this time that tliose who were still back in that dreadful gorge heard, above the din of the musketry and the shouts of the enemy around them, the roar of Washington's Battery. No music could have been more grateful to their ears. A moment only, and the whole opening, where the lancers were busy, rang with the repeated explosions of spherical-case shot. They gave way. The gate, as it were, was clear, andoutu])on the road a stream of our poor fellows issued. They ran ]»antingdown toward the l»attery, and directly under the flight of iron then passing over their heads, into the retreating cavalry. Hardin, Clay, McKee, Willis, Zabriskie, Houghton, - but why go on? It would be a sad task indeed to name over all who fell during this twenty minutes' slaughter. The whole gorge, from the })lateau to its mouth, Avas strewed with our dead. All dead! Nf) wounded there - not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the si<les and completed the work with the bayonet."

After a hard fight at night both armies laid down upon their arms in much the same position as in the morning. However, early on the following morning, the glad tidings were heard amidst our army tiiat the enemy had retreated, thus again crowning the American banners with victory.

In addition to Colonel Bissel, other names that shine as stars in tliis war are Shields, Baker, Harris, Hardin, CoflFee - all from Illinois. Such indeed were the intrepid valor and daring courage exhibited by Illinois volunteers during the Mexican war that their deeds should live m the memory of their countrymen while time shall last.

In the war for the Union n© State can show a more glorious record than that of Illinois. Sumpter was fired upon April 12, 1S(>1. Two days after President Jjincoln issued his first call for volunteers - 7.5,000 in numbers. On the 15th (tovernor Yates issued his proclamation convening the leglislature, and ordering the enlistment of six regiments, the (juota assigned the State. The call was no sooner made than Hlled. Patriotism filled every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the ])ul])it, the bar, the bench, every vocation in life offered its best men. - On assembling, the legislature authorized the raising of ten additional regiments, antici])ating another call. At the close of 18()1, Illinois had sent to the field nearly ;)(),000 men, and. had 1*7,000 in camp awaiting marching orders, thus exceeding its full quota by 15,000.

limits in which the number migl\t be raised by volunteering, after which a draft would be ordered. The State had already furnished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this number would be deducted from the present reijuisition, but that could not ])e done. IJut thirteen days were granted to enlist this vast army, which had to come from the farmers and meclianics. The former were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by love <d" country, over 50,(M)() of them left their luirvest ungathered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, turning their backs on their homes, and V)efore eleven days had expired the demands of the Government were met and both <piotas Hlled.

The 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 liad inaugurated. But to every call for either men or nnjney there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the su})ply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have ofTered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. On the 21st of December, 18(34, the last call for troo})s was made. It was for 800,000. In consequence of an imperfect enrollment of the men subject to military duty, it became evident, ere this call was made, that Illinois was furnishing thousands of men more than what her quota would have been, had it been correct. So glaring had this disi>roportion become, that under tliis call the ({uota of some districts exceeded the number of able-bodied men in them.

No troops ever fought more heroically, stubbornly, and with better effect, than did the boys from the "Prairie State." At Pea Kidge, l)onelson, I*ittsburg Landing, luka, Corinth, Stone River, Holly Springs, .fackson, Vicksbrirg, Chicanuxuga. Lookout Mountain, Murfreesboro, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Chattanooga, and on every other field where the clasli of arms was heard, her sons were foremost.

The ))eople were liberal as well as patriotic; and while the men were busy enlisting, organizing, and ecpiipping companies, tly.^ ladies were no less active, and the noble, generous work performed by their tender, loving hands deserves mention along with the biavery, devotion, and patriotism of their Itrothers upon the southern fields of carnage.

women of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town, and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted niore or less to the cause of hospital relief, according to the population of the place and the amount of energy and jiatriotism displayed on such occasions. Ksj)ccially was this characteristic of our own fair State, and scarcely a hamlet within its b(»nlers which did not send something fi-om its st(»res to hospital or battlefield, and in the larger towns and cities were well organized sohlic'r>' aid societies, working systematically and continuously from the beginning of the war till its close. The great State Fair held in Chicago in May, 1865, netted .t250,000. Homes for traveling soldiers were established all over the State, in which were furnished lodging for (iOO.OOO men, and meals valued at !||'2,500,000. Food, clothing, medicine, hos}>ital delicacies, reading matter, and thousands of other articles, were sent to the boys at the front.

The rebellion ended with the surrender of Lee and Johnson, in April, 1805, and as soon as possible the troops were di>ban(led. The following is a summary of trooi)s furnished by the State:

ShadracJt JJond - Was the first (4overnor of Illinois He was a native of jMaryland and born in 177"!; was raised on a farm; received a common English eibication, and came to Hlinois in 1794. He served as a delegate in Congress from 1811 to 1S15, where he procured the right of pre-emption of public land. He was elected Governor in 1818; was beaten iov Congress in 1824 by Daniel P. Cook. He died at Kaskaskia, April II, 1830.

EiJirard Coles - Was born December 15, ITsfi, in Virginia. IFis father was a slave-holder; gave his son a collegiate education, and left to him a large number of slaves. Tliese he liberateil, giving each head of a family J 60 acres of land and a considerable sum of nn)ney. He was President Madison's private secretary. He came to Illinois in 181i), Avas elected Governor in 1822, on the anti-slavery ticket; moved to Philadelphia in 18;}y, and died in 1868.

aitpoiiiU'il Governor, whicli position he retained until llie organization of tlie State, wlien he was seiii In tiie United States Senate. He was eleeli'd (Tovernorin lS-2(i. He was a native of ^Maryland and born in 1775; received a collegiate education; was Cliief Justice of Kentucky, ami a Republican in ])oIitics.

Jo/in Rti/nolih - Wat* born in Pennsylvania in I TSS, and came with liis parents to Illinois in isoo, and in is:iu was elected (4(jvernor on the Democratic ticket, and afterwards served three teiiiis in Congress. He received a classical education, yet was not polished. He was an ultra Deiudcrat; attended the Charleston Convention in l.^()(), and ui'ged the seizure of United States arsenals by the South. He died in 18(55 at HelU'ville, childless.

Joseph JJaitain. - In 1S34 Joseph Duncan was elected Governor by the Whigs, although formerly a Democrat. He had previously served four terms in Congress. He was born in KentuGk^- in 17'.t4; had but a limited education; served with distinction in the war of 1812; con- (hu'ted the campaign of 1882 against Black Hawk, lie came to Illinois when quite young.

'rii<iin<(s (\irlhi - Was elected as a Democrat in ]s:i,s. He had but a meagre education; held many minor otHces, and Avas active both in. the war of J 812 and the Black Hawk war. He was born in Kentucky in 1780; came to Illinois in 1812, and died at CarroUton, February 14, 1852.

77i(>//(as Ford - Was born in Pennsylvania in the year I8U0; Avas brought by his widowed mother to Missouri in 18U4, and shortly afterwards to Illinois. He received a good education, studied law; was elected four times Judge, twice as Circuit Judge, Judge of Chicago and Judge of Supreme Court. He was elected Governor l)y the Democratic party in 1842; wrote his history of Illinois in 1847, and died in 1S5().

AiKjutituii V. French - Was born in New Hampshire in 1808; was admitted to the bar in is:;i, and shortly afterwards moved to Illinois, when in 184() he was elected (Governor. On the aihiption of the Constitution of 1848 he was again chosen, serving until 185.3. He was a Democrat in politics.

Jod A. 3I((tteson - Was born in Jefferson county, New York, in isos. His father was a farmer, and gave his son only a common school education. He first entered upon active life as a small tradesman, but subse(piently l>ecame a large contractor and juanufacturer. He was a

William H. liissell - \Vas electetl by the Republican party in 185G. He had previously served two terms in Congress; was colonel in the Mexican war, and has held minoi- official l)Ositions. He was born in New York State in 1811; received a common education; came to Illinois early in life and engaged in the medical profession. This he changed for the law, and became a noted orator, and the standard-bearer of the Re])ublican party in Illinois. He died in 186U, while Governor.

llichard Yates - "The war (nrovernor of Illinois," was born in Warsaw, Kentucky, in isjs; came to Illinois in 1831; served two terms in Congress; in 1800 was elected Governor, and in 1865 United States Senator. He was a college graduate, and read law under J. J. Hardin. He rapidly rose in his chosen profession and charmed the people Avitli oratory Refilled the gubernatorial chair during the trying days of the Rebellion, and by his energy and devotion won the title of " War Governor." He died iii St. Louis after the expiration of his term as Senator.

llichard J. Oglci^by - Was born in 1824, in Kentucky; an orphan at the age of eight, came to Illinois when only twelve years old. He was apprenticed to learn the carjjenter's trade; worked some at farming, and read law occasionally. He enlisted in the Mexican war and was chosen F'irst Lieutenant. After his return he again took up the law, but during the gold fever of 1849 went to California; soon returned, and, in 1852, entered upon his illustrious political career. He raised the second regiment in the State, to suppress the Rebellion, and for gallantry was promoted to Major-General. In 1864 he was elected Governor, and re-elected in 1872, and resigned for a seat in the LTnited States Senate. He is a staunch Re])ublican, and resides at Decatur.

JoJi)i 31. Palmer - Was born in Kentucky in 1817, and came to Illinois in 1831. He was admitted to the bar in 183'.>. He was elected to the office of Probate Judge of Macoupin county, in 1843; was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1847, County Judge in 1849 ; elected to the State Senate in 1851 ; member of the Peace Confereiu-e in 1861. He was Colonel of the 14th Illinois Iid'antiy, and rose by successive promotions to Major General, commander of the 14th Army Corps, and afterwards of the De])artment of Kentucky. W^as Governor from December 1808 to January, IS 73,

Histouy Of Ilj.Inois

Shelby M. Cidlom - Was born in Kentucky in 1828; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and coranieiiced the practice ol" his profession in 1818; was elected to the State Legislature iji J85(j, and again in 1860. Served on the war commission at Cairo, 1862, and was a member of the 'JDth, -tOth and 41st Congress, in all of which he served with credit to his State. He was agaiu elected to the State Legislature in 1872, and re-elected in 1874, and was elected Governor of Illinois in 1876, and re-elected in 1880, which office he still holds, and has administered with marked ability.

Likutbnant Governors

Pierre Menard - Was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. He came to Illinois in 1790, where he engaged in the Indian trade and b*came wealthy. He died in 1844. Menard county was named in his honor.

Zadock Casey - Although on the opposition ticket to Governor Reynolds, the successful Gubernatorial candidate, yet Casey was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1830. He subsequently served several terms in Congress.

John Moore - Was born in England in 1793; came to Illinois in 1830 ; was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1842. He won the name of "Honest John Moore."

William, McMartry - In 1848, when Governor French was again chosen Governor, William McMurtry, of Knox county, was elected Lieutenant Governor,

Gustavus P. Kaerner - Was elected in 1852. He was born in Germany in 1809. At the age of 22 came to Illinois. 1872 he was a candidate for Governor on Liberal ticket, but was defeated.

John Jj. BeDeridye - Was chosen Lieutenant- Governor in 1872. In 1873 Oglesby was elected to the U. S. Senate, when Beveridge became Govenor.

United States Senators

Niiiiwt Edmirds - On the organization of the State in 1818, Edwards, the popnlar Territorial Governor, was chosen Senator for the short term and in 1819 re-elected for full term.

JesHe B. Tliomus - One of the Federal Judges during the entire Territoral existence was chosen Senator on organization of the State, and reelected in 1823, and served till 1829.

John McLean - \w 1824 Edwards resigned, and McLean was elected to fill his unexpired term. He was born in North Carolina in 1791, and came to Illinois in 1815 ; served one term in Congress, and in 1S29 was elected to the United States Senate, but the following year died. He IS said to have been the most gifted man of his ])eriod in Illinois.

Ellas Kent KaneSN^a. elected November 30, 1824, for the term beginning March 4, 1825. In 1830 he was re-electe"d, but\lied before the expiration of his term. He was a native of New York, and in 1814 came to Illinois. He was first Secretary of State, and afterward State Senator.

David Jewett Ba/cer - Wa» appointed to fill the unexpired term of John McLean, in 1830, November 12, but the legislature refused to endorse the choice. Baker was a native of Connecticut, born in 1792, and died in Alton in 1869.

John M. JRohinson. - Instead of Baker, the Governor's appointee, the legislature chose Robinson, and in 1834 he was re-elected. In 1843 was elected Supreme Judge of the State, but Avithin two months died. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois while quite young.

liichard M. Yotmg - Was elected in 1836y and held his seat from March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1843, a full term. He Avas a native of Kentucky; was a Circuit Judge before his election to the Senate, and Supreme Judge in 1842. He died in an insane asylum at Washington.

Sanmel McRoberts - The first native Illinoisian ever elevated to the high office of U. S. Senator from this State was born in 1799, and died in 1843 on his return home from Washington. He was elected Circuit Judge in 1824, ami March 4, 1841, took his seat in theU. S. Senate.

Sid7iey JBreese - Was elected to the U. S. Senate, Dec. 17, 1842, and served a full term. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y. He was Major in the Black Hawk war; Circuit Judge, and in 1841 was elected Supreme Judge. He served a full term in the U. S. Senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the legislature, again Circuit Judge, and, in 1857, to the Supreme Court, which position he held until his death in 1878.

James Setnple - Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, and was appointed by Gov. Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected Judge of the Supreme Court.

Stephen A. Douglas - Was elected Dec. 14,, 1846. He had previously served three terms as Congressman. He became his own successor in 1853, and again in 1859. From his lirst entrance in the Senate he was acknowledged the peer of Clay, Webster and Calhoun, with whom he served his first term. His famous contest with Abraham Lincoln for the Senate in 1858 is the most memorable in the annals of our country. It was called the battle of the giants, and resulted in Douglas' election to the Senate, and Lincoln to the Presidency. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 23, 1813, and came to Illinois in 1833, and died in 1861. He was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Carlin in 1840, and shortly afterward to the Supreme Bench.

was bom in Ireland in ISIO, and came to the United States in 1827. He served in the Mexican army, was elected Senator from Wisconsin, and in 1879 from Missonri for a short term.

Lyman Trumbull - Took liis seat in the U. S. Senate March 4, 18.55, and became his own successor in 1801. He had previously served one term in the Lower House of Congress, and served on the Supreme Bench. He was born in Connecticut; studied law, and came to Illinois early in life, where for years he was actively engaged in politics. He resides in Chicago.

Orvill H. Brovming - Was appointed U. S. Senator in 1861, to till the seat made vacant by the death of Stephen A. Douglas, until a Senator could be regularly elected. Mr. Browning was born in Harrison county, Kentucky; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and settled in Quincy, Illinois, whei'e he engaged in the practice of law, and was instrumental, with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, in forming the Republican party of Illinois at the Bloomington Convention. He entered Johnson's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, and in March, 1868, Avas designated by the President to perform the duties of Attorney General, in addition to his own as Secretary of the Interior Department.

Wdliarn A. liichardson - W"as elected to the U. S. Senate in 186:3, to fill the unexpired term of his friend, Stephen A. Douglas. He was born in Fayette county, Ky., about 1810, studied law, and settled in Illinois; served as captain in the Mexican war, and, on the battle-field of Buena Vista, was promoted for bravery, by a unanimous vote of his regiment. He sei'ved. in the Lower House of Congress from 1847 to 18,56, continually.

John A. Logan - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1871. He was born in .Jackson county, 111., Feb. 9, 1826, received a common school education, and enlisted as a private in the Mexican war, where he rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster. On retiirning home he studied law, and came to the bar in 1852; was elected in 1858 a Representative to the :56th Congress and re-elected to the 37th Congress, resigning in 1861 to take part in the suppression of the Rebellion; served as Colonel and subsequently as a Major General, and commanded, with distinction, the armies of the Tennessee. He was again elected to the U. S. Senate in 1879 for six years.

Darld Darin - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 for a term of six years. He was born in Cecil county, Md., March 9, 1815, graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, studied law, and removed to Illinois in 1835; was admitted to the bar and settled in Bloomington, where he has since resided and amassed a large fortune. He was for many years the intimate friend and associate of Abraham Lincoln, rode the circuit with him each year, and after Lincoln's election to the Presidency was appointed by him to fill the position of .Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Less than three-fourths of a century ago the Tei'ritory of Illinois was organized, with a population estimated at 9,000; to-day it numbers not less than three and one-half millions - a greater number than in all the colonies during the Revolution. When organized, steamboats had never travei'sed its waters; railroads, telegraphs and telephones were unknown; to-day every navigable stream is alive with vessels cai-- rying her products to other lands; while railroads traverse every county and almost every township in the State; while the number of miles of telegraph wire would probably encircle the globe, and the telephone is placed in thousands of homes, enabling their inmates to converse intelligibly with parties at a distance of several miles. Tlien the light that shone out of darkness was only the tallow-dip, or that furnished from blazing logs in the old-fashioned fire-places; to-day, after having displaced the tallow-dip, the candle and the common houselamp, the darkness of night is penetrated by the glare of gas and the bright rays of the electric light, rivaling the light of day. Then agriculture was in its infancy, it being 2)0ssible with the machinery then used only to raise sufficient crops to supply the wants of those living within its boundary; to-day, with the improved plows, the self-binding reaper, the steam thresher, and other improved machinery, Illinois can feed a nation of 50,000,000 of people. Then the newspaper was a rare visitor in the household; to-day the humblest citizen can hardly exist without his daily and weekly paper. Then knowledge was possessed by few; to-day, by means of free schools, well endowed colleges and other inHuences, there is no excuse for being ignorant. But time would fail to compare the advantages of to-day over that of the first decade of the present century, and the student of history, as he reads of the progress made, can only wonder what the future will reveal.

When the Territory of Illinois was organized that part now comprising the county of Sangamon was an unknown wilderness inhabited only by the wild beasts of the forest, wild birds of the air, and no less wild red men, who roamed at will over the broad prairies and through the heavy forests ; fishing in the Sangamo, or hunting the game that everywhere abounded, seemingly caring nothing for the morrow, and only living in the ever present. The thought of the " pale-faces " penetrating this beautiful country had not yet disturbed them, and so they continued on in their daily life of hunting and fishing, with occasionally a short Avar between tribes to relieve the monotony of their lives. But the time was soon to come when they were to surrender up the lands and move on tOAvard the setting sun. The time Avas soon to come when all nature must be changed. The fair prairies Avith their beautiful floAvei's, painted only by the hand of God, must be broken up by the husbandman, and grain fit for the use of ciA'ilized man sown therein; forests were to be felled and clearings made that the art of man could be exercised in the building and adornment of homes. Thus it Avas in ISlV when Robert PuUiam erected his cabin upon section , in the present township of Ball. Previous to this time the soil had been unvexed by the plow and the Avoodman's axe had never been heard. The cabin of the settler, Avith its smoke curling heaveuAvard, and with an air iuAdting the Aveary traveler to come and rest, Avas not to be seen, nor even the faintest trace of civilization ; but instead, boundless emerald seas and luxuriant grasses.

Lo ! they stretch In airy undulations far away As if theofcan in the gentlest sw'ell Stood still, with all his rounded billows fixed, ^ And motionless forever.

The Garden Spot

That it was a beautiful country is the testimony of every one who visited it at an early day. In proof of this a local paper on one occasion inserted the following:

"Some sixty years ago, before the first mile of railroad was made, Avhile the Indian still lingered in Central Illinois - Avhen the turnpike road from Baltimore and Washington, oAer the mountains to the OhioriA^er, was the great national higliAvay from the Eastern to the infant Western States, andAvhen four-horse stage-coaches for carrying the United States mails and passengers Avere the best facilities afl:"orded for travel, was the time the facts Ave record occurred.

"Mercantile agents, or drummers, at that early day Avere unknoAAai. Twice a year Western merchants Avent East to replenish their stock of goods. The stage-coaches were run night and clay, traveling about one hundred miles in twentyfour hours. About the time Ave speak of one of these elegant stages left Baltimore crowded Avith Western passengers, mostly merchants, for Wheeling, on the Ohio river. Having traveled one day and night, they Avere crossing the mountains slowly, tired and sleepy. Discussions on various topics Avere often encouraged to enliven the otherwise tedious hours. On this occasion three of the passengers Avere discussing the claims of scA'eral of the States to the ' Garden Spot of America,' Avhile others listened or slept.

" One of the three presented the claim of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in its then highly cultivated condition; its rich limestone soil, its beautiful rolling surface, its never failing harvests, its immense barns, etc.

"The second, in elegant terms, portrayed the region round about Frankfort, Kentucky, for beauty and climate, and for fertility of soil and elegant improvements, as the 'Garden Spot.'

surrounded by the mountains and watered by ten tliousand never failing springs gushing from the mountains; its golden harvests of grains and luscious fruits, and its blooded flocks upon a thousand hills.

"This interesting discussion was suddenly stopped by a roughly dressed j^assenger, in a jeans hunting suit, fringed, who had been sleeping and snoring for an hour or more. With an expression of terror in his face, he declared that something serious was going to happen the stage. I've had a remarkable dream, and with a serious earnestness ©omnienced telling his dream to the anxious passengers:

'"I dreamed that the horses became unmanageable and plunged over one of these mountain precipices, and we fell and rolled several hundred feet. I found myself struggling in a very cold stream of water, but gained the opposite shore. I looked, and behold, I seemed to be in a paradise - the precincts of Heaven - the trees, and tiovvers and birds, were exceedingly beautiful, and at a little distance there was a high wall, as if built of precious stones or rocks, and a golden door in the wall. The knob of the door seemed to be a very large diamond, glittering as a star. I concluded I was in the spirit world, and that the golden door was the entrance to Heaven. While thus bewildered this gentleman (pointing to one of the trio disputants) appeared and walked to the golden door. He knocked. The door opened, and a glorious personage appeared, whom I was impressed to think was St. Peter. ' Whence comestthou';" he said to this gentleman; and you answered 'from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and he said, 'enter.' Then came this other gentleman and knocked, St. Peter opened and in<pured from whence he came. He replied, 'from Frankfort, Kentucky.' He was invited to enter. And, after a long while, this gentleman (pointing to the third of the trio) hastened to the door and rapped. The door was opened again, and St. Peter appeared for the third time, and inquired from what part of the earth he came. He said: 'From the Valley of Virginia.' And he was permitted to enter.

'"The morel looked about me the more I became enchanted. I heard the sweetest music that ever fell on mortal ears, sounding as if from over the wall, and I passed on to the door and rapped with a small silver mallet, that seemed there for the purpose. St. Peter appeared. When he saw me, he said, in sweetest tones: 'Whence comest thou?' I said, ' from the Sangamo country, Illinois. I shall never forget the candid and kind manner St. Peter said: 'Mv friend, I advise you to go back, as there is no such beautiful land in Heaven as the valley drained by the Sangamo river. By nature it is the Garden Spot of America, and by the art of man is destined to become the Paradise of the New World - a land of corn and wine, and though the first several generations of settlers may have to toil, yet before the tenth generation shall appear, this wilderness will be made to blossom as the rose.' "The early settler of Sangamo was so ingenious in presenting the claim of Illinois as containing the 'Garden Spot,' that it was unanimonsly awarded to it. And at the next stopping place the trio treated to the wine."

History and tradition are both silent as to who was the first white man to visit this country. The early French explorers came within a few miles of its border, but it is doubtful if they set foot within it. Following only the courses of the great rivers, and penetrating inland Init a short distance, the beautiful Sangamo country was unperceived by them. From the time of their visit to the Mississippi in 1673, a century and a half passed before Robert Pulliam in his wanderings came upon the scene, followed closely by Henry Fund'erburk, William Drennan, Joseph Dodds, James McCoy and others.

First Settlement

In 1858, on the organization of the Old Settlers' Society, it was determined to have the first annual celebration on or near the site of the first cabin erected in the county. To this end, a committee was appointed to investigate the claims of all parties to the honor of being the first settler. After much investigation that committee decided, on the evidence of the family and some others, that Robert Pulliam erected a cabin in the fall of 1S16, which, without doubt, was the first built in the county. Accordingly, the celebration was here held. So far as is known, no one at that time disputed the claim.

It is now claimed by the descendants of Henry Funderburk that he was the first settler in the county; that he arrived in the spring of 1817, and raised that year a small quantity of corn, and that Pulliam was not then here. Their claim is supported by Jacob Hinkle, of Pawnee, who says that he was six years old when his father arrived in the county in the spring of 1818; that he well remembers seeing shocks of corn on Mr. Funderburk's place which must have been raised the year previous.