Stark County, Illinois - Chapter 5: The Fauxa of Stark County, 1876 (part 1 of 5)

Chapter 5: The Fauxa of Stark County

This chapter for want of proper materials must be. very defective. No one has ever deemed it their duty to study the various forms of animal life in our county, as a county. And the works that have been written coverin<>" this section of the state include such an area as to make them uncertain guides for our smaller limits. 8uch a change has taken place in the fauna of Illinois and especially of Stark county since its settlement as to almost require two catalogues.

The buffalo which once roamed over the i)rairies, are gone forever, and left nothing but their bleaching bones which can be still found in heaps along 8poon river, where in sheltered places whole herds had gathered and perished in some great storm.

With or before the buffalo went the V)eaver (Castor Americanus). The beautiful American elk ( Cervus Canadensis, ) the Ixidger (Taxidea Americana,) the black bear (Ursus Americanus,) the panther and the black wolf.

Some animals once quite common have become very rare. As the grey fox (Vulpes Virginianus,) the catamount (Lynx Canadensis,) and the wild cat, (Lynx Rufus). The otter (Lutra Canadensis) has almost entirely disappeared, though some fine specimens were captured as late as 187-'), The grey wolf (Canis Occidentalis) is but seldom seen any n4i)re. We so much regret that the game laws were not at an earlier day extended to protect the beautiful \'\yginiadeer (Cervus Virginianus) before it was totally exterminatecL Now, not a park in the county is to be found in which to preserve this beauty of the forest and prairie.

( )f the animals now found in Stark, but little can l)e said but to give a catalogue of the best known. Many of them are fast disappearing and ere long will be jiassed from us as are the deer^ the beaver, and the bison.

The racoon (Proeyon Lotor,) opossum (Didt'lphys Virginiana,) mink (Putorius Vison,) musk rat ( Fiber Zihetliicus, ) pole eat (Mepiiitis JMepliitica,) tiie small brown weasel (Putorius C'ieognani or Fuseus,) the common weasel (P. Noveboraeensis,) wood chuck or ]N[aryland marmot (Arctomys Monax,) prairie mole (Scalops Arg'cntatus,) common shrew mole (>S. A(piaticus,) meadow mouse (Arvieola Riparia,) jumping- mouse (Jaculus Hudsonius,) and the deer mouse (Hesiieromys Leucopus,) the hare (Lepus Sylvaticus.) Of scpiirrels we have the well known western fox squirrel (Sciurus Ludovicianus,) the grey timber squirrel (8. t'arolinensis,) the children's favorite chii)munk (Tamias Striatus,) the large grey prairie squirrel (Spermophilus Franklini,) tlie striped and sp(jtted prairie sipiirrel (.S. Tridecem-lineatus,) and the beautiful liying- squirrel (Pteromys Volucella.) Two bats are quite common, the dark l)rown bat (Nycticejus Noveboracencis,) and the reddish bat (N. Lasiurus). This list of quadrupeds might be lengthened much to include those small animals that are occasionally found strayed here. But we have already stretched the catalogue beyond the reader's patience.

Of the birds of Stark county we know even less than of mammals. Many are no longer to be found which were once numerous. Many migratory species come only at long intervals and for but a short time. We ^\'onder tliat some one has not turned a special attention to the birds of our vicinity. No more beautiful ornaments can be found for parlor or drawing-room than the well preserved specimens of our feathered friends. Why have not some of our high schools turned their attention in this direction ? Abortive attempts at teaching Zoology are being made all the tim3 without a single specimen of the animal kingdom in the study-room except a few manmialia of the genus Homo, and they not always pleasant subjects to study, when with a little care and a small outlay of money a fine collection might adorn our school rooms and add to the interest of the study a hundred fold.

A collection of birds' eggs I think is not to be found in the county. And yet they make a beautiful ornament and are easy of access and require but little care. The collection of them will create a lively interest in the study of birds and their habits. And now this has become quite fashional)le and quite lucrative, which are probably greater inducements to most i^eople than any we could suggest.

And Its Pioxeers

Raptores. - (loklen eagle (Aquila Canadensis or Chrysa?tos,) now no longer seen liere and always rare; the bald eagle (Haliav tus Leueucephalus,) onceciuite couinion, n(^w very scarce, no longer breeds here but strays from 'the heavy timber on the Illinois; Among hawks liave several species, some but seldom seen and others very common. Fisli liawk (Pandion Carolinensis,) tlie pigeon hawls: (Falco Columbarius) sparrow hawk (F. 8i)arverius,) Cooper's hawk (Accipiter Cooperii) sharp sliinned hawk (Acciinter Fuscus,) red tailed hawk (Buteo Borealis) tlie red shouldered hawk (B. Lineatus,) the swallow tailed hawk (Nanclerus Furcatus,) and the marsli hawk (Circus ITudsonicus). ,The turkey buzzard (Cathartes Aura) has almost if not (juite disappeared. Of the family of owls we have several all seldom seen, becauseof theirnocturnal habits. The best known is the mottled screech owl (Scops Asio,) and the rarest is the snowy owl (Nyctea Nivea) . A very tinesi)ecimen of which is in the possession of Mr. S. K. Couover of Toulon. The other owls are the great horned owl (Bubo Vii-ginianus, ) the long-eared owl (Otus Wilsonianus,) the short-eared owl (Ih-achyotus Cassinii,) and the barred owl (Syrnium Xelndosum.)

Scansores. - Thereare but few of this order in our county. At an early day the Carolina [)arrot (Conurus Carolinensis) was often seen but has now entirely deserted us. The yellow ))illed and black billed cuckoos (Coecygus Americanus and C. Erythrophthalnuis) are occasionally seen. But the l)est know of our climbers are the woodpeckers. The pileated wood pecker (IlylotomusPileatus,) the hairj^ wood pecker (Piscus Villosus,) the downy A\ood pecker (P. Pubescens,) yellows-bellied wood pecker (Hphyrapicus A'arius,) the red-l)ellied wood pecker (Centurus Carolinus,) the red headed wood i>ecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) and the golden-\\-inged wood pecker (Colajites Auratus).

Insessores or Perchers. This order of birds in our county as in all temperate regions is by far the most numerous and includes nearly all those which are attractive either in plumage or in song. The rul)y throated humming bird with its exquisite plumage is at the head of the list. This is the hunnning bird wliich is always a delight to the children and is the only one found in Illinois. It is known to naturalists as Trochilus Coluln'is. In the swift family we have but one species, the chimney swallow (Chaetura Pelasgia,) easily known froin the other swallows by its very long wings and forked tail. ( )f the whippoorwill family we have tw^o representatives, the whippoorwill proper (Antrostomus ^7)ciferus,) whose well known note is familiar to all, and the night hawk (Chordeiles Popetue,) by many supposed to be identical

Avith the \vhippoor\vill but in fact a di^^tinct g-enus. The belted king fisher (Ceryle Aleyon,) so well known to the school boy is the only member of this beautiful family among- us. At the head of the fly cathers is the tyrant fly catcher (Tyrannus Carolinensis,) better known by its more familiar names of king bird or hee bird. In the same family we have the crested fly catcher (Myiarchus Crinitus,) the pewee (Sayornis Fucus.) Of the sub-order of Oscines or true singers we have the following : the common robin (Turdus Migratorius,) the wood thrnsh (T. Mustelinus,) Wilson's thrush (T. Fuscescens,) the wood pewee (Cantopus Virens,) the blue bird (8ialia Sialis,) the ruby crowned wren (Regulus Calendula,) golden crested wren (R. Satrapa,) Tit lark (Anthus Ludovicianus,) black-and-white creeper (Mniotilta Varia,) blue yellow backed warbler (Parula Americana,) prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria Citrea,) Maryland yellow throat (Geothlypis Trichas,) Kentucky warbler (Oporornis Formosus,) yellow breasted chat (Icteria Viridis,) worm-eating warbler (Helmitherus Vermivorus,) blue winged yellow warbler (Helminthophaga Pinus,) Tennessee warbler (H. Peregrina,) golden crowned tlirush or oven bird (8eiurus Aurocapillus). Of the genus Dendroica there is the black throated green warbler (D. Virens,) and eight others: (D. Blackburniie, S. Castanea, D. Pinus, D. Discolor, D. Striata, D. ^Estiva, D. Ooronata, and D. Palmarum.) flooded warbler (MyiodioctesMitratus,) red start (8etophaga lluticella,) scarlet tanager (Pyranga Rubra ;) Summer red bird (P. J^stiva.)

Swallow family. - Barn swallow (Hirundo Horreorum,) white bellied swallow (H. Bicolor,) bank swallow (Cotyle Riparia,) Cliff Swallow (Hirundo Lunifrons). Purple liiartin (Progne Purpure:\. Wax Wing family. - The cedar Itird (Ampelis Cedrorum). Shrike family. - Great Northern shrike or Imteher bird [Collyrio borealis,] red-eyed fly catcher [Vireo Olivaceus,] white-eyed fly catcher [V. Noveboracensis] blue headed flycatcher [V. Solitai-ius,] yellow throated fly catcher [V. Flavifrons]. Mocking bird family. - Cat bird [jNIimus Carolinensis,] In-own thrush fllarporhynchus Rufus,] house wren [Troglodytes >Edon,] winter wren [T. Hyemalis]. Creeper family. - American Creeper [Certhia xVmericana,] white bellied nuthatch [Sitta Carolinensis.] Titmouse family. - Tufted titmouse [Lophophanes Bicolor,] l)lack cap titmouse or chickadee [Parus Atricapillus] . Skylark family. - This family is but poorly repre-.ented here. Only one species and it bears no comparison with the lark of Europe. The only species is the common skylark of the prairies [Eremophila Cornuta]. The Finch family. - The purple finch [Carpodacus Pur- pureus,] the yellow l)ir(l [Chrysoniitris Tristi^;,] the lark fineh [ChondestesGraniniaea,] the snow bunting" [Plectrophanes Nivalis,] Smith's l)untin<>- [P. Pietus) these last two only appear in winter. Tlie Savannah sparrow [Passereulus Savanna,! the black snow bird [Juneo Hyenialis,] tiekl sparrow [SpizellaPusilla,] the chii)i)ing- sparrow [S.Soeialis,] the tree sparrow [Spizella]Montieola,| the song si)arrow [^lelospiza INIelodia,] the swamp sjnirrow [M. Palustris,! the fox-e(jlored sparrow [Passerella lliaea,J Idaek throated bunting- [Euspiza Americana,] rose breasted grosbeak [Guiraca Ludoviciana,] Indigo bird (Cyanospiza Cyanea,) the ground robin [Pipilo Erythrophthalmus]. Black bird family. - The cow bird [Melothrus Pecoris,] the red-winged or swamp blackbird [Agelaius phceniceus,] the meadow lark [Sturnella Magna]. Wo have two beautiful Orioles that are favorites with all because of their rich and l)rilliant colors and their familiarity with man. The orchard oriole [Icterus Spurius,] the Baltimore oriole I. Baltimore,] the rusty l)lack bird [Scolecophagus Ferrugineus,] the crow black-bird or purple grakle [Quiscalus Versicolor]. Crow family. - Common Crow [Corvus Americanus,] and bluejay (Cyanura cristata). Basoresi This order contains 1)ut few genera or species in our county, but those that are found are of great importance and very valuable. Furnishing as they do .so many delicacies for our tables. The wild turkej' (Meleagris Crallopavo,) the finest of all our game birds, has entirely disappeared and was the only one of its family ever among us.

The Dove family - ^the wild or passenger pigeon (Ectopistes jVIigratoria) still visits us in large numbers, but not in those immense flocks as in an early day. Acres of forest were often so filled at night with these birds, that the breaking of boughs and the flying of pigeons made a roar that could be heard for miles, and the shot of the sportsman's gun could not be heard at a distance of ten feet. The Carolina dove, (Zenaidura Carolinensis) commonly called the turtle dove, still fills the woods with its plaintive tone.

Grouse family - the best known of this important ftimily is the ])rairie chicken, (Cupidonia Cupido) which, if not very carefully ])rotected, nuist, 'ere long, follow the wild turkey, never to return. The ruffed grouse, (Bonasa Umbellus) wrongfully called a Ijheasant, has of late made itsapi>earance in out midst. It is quite fond of cultivated fields, and, if properly protected and encouraged until it gets firmly settled, will make a fine addition to our game l)irds, and fill the place of the jirairie chicken, which is slowly but surely deserting the prairies it once loved so well.

Prtrtridije family - here we find another fine ])ir(l, tiie (|uail, (Ortyx \'irL;inianus) dooiiunl to destruction, its late being- only a question oftini;^ an.l a short one.

Grallatores or wa(Un:s - this order, l)?v.'ause of their sliyness and solitary habits, are probably less known than any other. JMany of those mentioned in our list once frequented our marshes, ponds, and streams; but cultivation ha-^ drained their favorite haunts, and the whooi)iny crane h^ng' a<io ^ave place to the whoopino- i)low bov. Onlv a few of the smaller and more bold species are nov/ seen.

C'rane family - the who^pino- crane, ((Jrus Amerieanus) always rare, is now never seen. The sand hill or brown crane still make a short call on their journeys north and soutli, known to naturalists as " G. Canadensis."

Heron family - Great blue heron or crane (Ardea llerodias), least bittern (Ai'detta Exilis), the g-reen heron (Butorides Virescens), night heron (Nyctiardea Gardeni), American l)ittern (Botaurus Lentiginosus),

Ibis family - it has been claimed that the wood il)is has be(>n seen in our county, but it is very doubtful; calletl also Tantalus Loculator. The glossy ibis (Ibis Ordii) is also very rare.

l*lover family - golden plover (Charadrius \'irginicus), the killdeer plover (.Eg'ialitis Vociferus), king or semipalmated plover [JE. Semipalmatus).

!^nil)e family - Wilson's snipe (Gallinago Wilsonii), gray or red breasted snipe (Macrorhamphus (h-iseus), the greater long beak (M. Scolopac(His), the jack snipe (Tringa Maculata), the least sandpiper (T. Wilsonii), semipalmated sand pii>er (EreunetesPetrlficatus), the Willet (Symphemia Scnupalmata), the tell-tale ((Jambetta Melanoleuca), the yellow legs (G. Flavipes), the solitary sand piper ( Rhyacoi)hilus Solitarius), the spotted sand piper (Tringoides Macularius)', the field plover (Actiturus Bartramius), long billed curlew (Nunienins Longirostris), the common rail (Pallus A^'irginiamis), the clapper rail or mud hen (K. Crepitans), the Coot (Fulica Americana).

Natores or swimmers - this order of birds, which frequent our forests and streams, or did before our county was so thickly settled, are nearly, if not quite, all birds of passage. And many that once visited us during their anmial journeys, now pass us to i'elican family - of this singular family we n(»ver had but one species, and tliat is gone. The rouj^h-billed jx'lican (Pelicanus Krytlir()rhynchus\

Reptiles. Of this class we will say but few words. The number of species is very small and of e(|ually small importance. They have changed less than any of the i)rece(ling classes. In fact, except the ])oisonous snakes all the species nearly are now to be found that ever were. The rattli? snakes, of wiiich we have two kinds, the banded rattle snake ((!rotalus Durissus) and the prairie rattle sna.ke (Crotaloi)horus Tergeminus), are fast disai)i)earing, owing to the incessant warfare man has Maged against them. The copperhead (Agkistrodon Contortrix) was always rar(>, and is totally extinct. Among th(! harndess snakes are the common garter snake (Kuta-nia Sirtalis), tlu? water snake (Nerodia Siix'don), the bull snake (Pituoi)his melanoleucusj, the milk snake (Oplilbolus Eximius) very scarce, tlu? black snake (Bascanion Constrictor), aiul the blue racer.

Among- the turtles are found tlie Traeheniys Elegans, the map turtle or (Jraptemy.-. Geographiea, Chrysemys Picta, Thyrosteriiuni Ponnsylvauicum, the snappuig turtle (Ciielydrai^erpentin-i), and the soft shelled turtle (Aspidonectes Spinifer).

Batrachia or naked reptiles are few, and though loathsome to sight and touch, are all perfectly harmless. The toad (Bufo- Americana), the bull frog (Kana Catesbiana), the leopard frog (liana Ilalecina), tree toad (Ilyla Versicolor), with some tailed batrachia not worth mentioning are all.

The lish of our county being of but small value and little importance, we i)ass thein by to speak of the insects. Not to give a catalogue, for that is impossible, but to urge upon each and all the study of this branch of natural history, and the collection of specimens. There can be nothing more wonderful or interesting than the changes in insect life. And what makes it sui)eri()r to the other branches of natural history, is the ease with which specimens are gathered and cared for. And continual interest is awakened as new forms and new species are brought to light. The \\riter of this chapter has discovered no less that 3000 distinct species on forty acres of ground adjoining Toulon. Many of the night flying moths are perfectly gorgeous and totally unknown to nearly every one.

The Pale Empress of the Night [Attacus Luna] is very common, we have found nine in one hollow tree. This moth measures five inches across, and is a pale green, with a transparent quarter moon on each upper wing. The Cecropia moth [Attacus Cecropia] is also beautiful, large, and common. We will mention a few of the finest of our moths and ))utterflies. In taking care of specimens, all direct rays of the sun should be kept from all the specimens, and the night flying insects should be in the dark, or they will lose their l)rilliant colors and fade. The asterias butterfly IPapilio Asterias], the turnus l)utterfly fP. Turnus], common yellow butterfly [C'olias Philodice], the white butterfly [Pieris Oleri'. ceaj, misippus Imtterfly [Limenitis Misipi>us|, arthemis butterfly [L. Arthemis], Archippus butterfly [Danais Erii)pus|, the idalia butterfly [Argynnis Idalia], the nicippe butterfly |Papilio Nici})- pe], androniachi butterfly | Papilio Androniacha], the forked Initterfly [Vanessa Furcllhita], theC'amberwell beauty [Pa[)ilio Antio, pa], tortoise shell butterfly [Papilio Urticfe], American comma butterfly [Grapta Comma], thethistle butterfly [Pyrameis Cardui]., The foregoing are among the larger and more attractive of our butterflies. Below we mention a few of the more handsome of our moths. Attacus Luna, tlie five spotted sphinx [Sphinx

the Carolina spliinx [8. Carolina] the satellitia hawk moth [Pliilanipelus Satellitia], the blind smerinthus [Smerinthus Plxeo?c.'ata], sesia [Sesia Thysbe] the beautiful deiopeia Deiopeia Bella], the proniethea moth [Attacu^ Promethea], the polyphemus moth [A. Polyi>liemus], regal walnut moth [C'eratocampa KegalisJ , six inch across. The senus Catocala comprises the common wood ni<^th, all alike on the upi)er wing, but the four species differ in under wings, one l)eing red and l)lack, one white and black, one yellow and black and the other black. We will close this chapter by once more calling the reader's attention to the importance of a careful study of our insects. The great damage done by these little creatures forces upon us very strongly a sense -of how important it is to know all we can of them. "SVe don't mean simply catching and sticking pins in them, l>ut a careful study of their habits and food, also their benefit and injury toman. If our agricultural society offers premiums on collections of insects, let it be only for named specimens, to be accompanied by an essay that will be of practical value.

To give anything like an adequate idea of this sirlyect upon these pages is almost impossible. For, in the first place the botany of this region has been but imperfectly investigated, and entirely satisfactory information cannot be gained from any work yet published, although of these "Wood's Manual " is no doubt the most valuable to the western student.

And the most indefatigable collector of specimens in our county to-day, can give but a faint impression of the flora that once decked our prairies with a thousand hues, before the plowshare had scarred the green sod, or the hand of man made remunerative what was once only beautiful.

It would seem that few if any in all the length and breadth of Illinois have thought of saving a spot of prairie, untouched of cultivation, to show what wild luxuriance once spread over all the " Garden .State." And in the parks and squares of our towns and cities, few seem to have thought of beautifying them with native trees and flowers, yet these only need to be planted and left to themselves to far excede in beauty, the sickly exotics i)ining for home. Our gardens even are occupied by foreigners, only nursed into Idooming in a strange landl)y ceaseless skill and care, while our own ex(iuisite lady slipper, and delicate dicentra are consigned to neglect and oblivion. When our i)rairies were yet unbroken and " woad^ in their wild beauty dressed/' they contained hundreds of rare Hora] g-ems, many of wliieh are gone forever, and more are hastening from us, shrinking from the rough treatment they receive. Time was, when admired by the Indian maiden, the queen of the prairie decked lierself in pearly dew droj)s, and the moccasin flower swelled with pride as the tawuey mother titted it to tlie foot of her lirst-born. Hut the one has left us to return nj m )re, and the other seeks to hide itself in deepest, loneliest woods. Following these remarks will be found a list of a few of our best known wild flowers, giving their common and botanical names. Any green house or gai'den might be proud of such an array of treasures, yet we doubt if half of them can be found in all the county under cultivation.

The spring beauty, (Claytonia Caroliniana] which scarcely waits for the snow to melt, so eager is it to welcome the children, its o!dy friends. Closely following it is the Blood Root, [Sanguinaria Canadensis,] and the several varieties of Liverwort, [Hepatica Triloba] varying from purple to blue, pink and white. The Blue Bell, [3Iei-tensia Virginica,] left too, to be the joy of childhood; tons, still a fairy wand bringing again the time when we were young, and life was fair. And then our violets, so beautiful in song and story, but despised and down-trodden in reality. We, still have the Yellow Violet, which the first breath of spring " calls from the last year's leaves below." This botanists call [Viola Pubescens,] the Larkspur leaved Violet [V. Delphinifolia,] and the common blue Violet ; sometimes the Forget-me-not of lovers and poets. But the Violet like its sentiment, modesty, is lamentably out of fashion, and we perhaps ought to beg pardon from l)rogressive people for wasting upon it here.

The Marsh Marigold, [Caltha Palustris,] the Columbine, [Aquiiegia Canadensis] and the wild Bell flower, [Campanula Americana) are very common in our woods. And there you see lleptaiis and l\ IMiu-ulata ; the last ])eiii<^ our sweet William. Tlu' others are now scarce or extinct in the county. The j)ainte(l cuj) or Indian pink ({'astilleia C'oL'cinea), Indian turnip (ArisieniaTriphylluni). Not a niDre curious or beautiful foliage l)laut can he found than this; yet how little appreciated. The yellow lady's slipper (t'ypripediuiu Pul)escens), the small white lady's slipper (('. C'andiduni), and the sui)erl> purple lady's slipl)er (('. Spectabile). The g-org-eous (jueen of the prairie (8i)inea Lobata) with its nia<>'nificcnt cluster of peach-l)lossoni tinted flowers rising- six feet above the i)rairie - now probably extinct in kStark. The curious yet beautiful spider wort (Tradescantia Virginica), the Dutchman's breeches (I)lcentra t'ucullaria). The two beautiful Mild balsams or touch-me-nots (Impatiens Fulva and I. Pallida) are real gems and still common in rich damp woods and shady places. The adder's tongues or dogtooth violets are worthy of a place in our garden. A\'e Jiave two varieties well known to every cliild wlio wanders along- our wooded streams in the spring-. T]u> white and yellow adders' tongues (Erythroniuni Albidum, and E. Americana). Of lilies we have tliree kinds, the American Turks-cap lily(Li!iuni Sui)erbum), the wild (Grange red lily (Lilium Philadelphicum) and the lily of the valley (Convallaria Multiflora). This last is scarce and jtrobably imported in some manner. Of water lilies we once had four handsome varieties. The sweet scented white water lily (Nympha'a Odorata) is still to be found in the ponds south-east of Bradford. The N. Tuberosa, a i)Ui-(' white lily is now extinct in the county; the N. Alba, also white, is to l)e met with but rarely. The fourth is a yellow water lily, much inferior to the others (Nu}>har Advena). The common May a})ple (Podophyllum Peltatum) and the arrow head (Sagittaria Variabilis).

AVe have also culvers root (Veronica Virg-iniea), two varieties of lobelia and a])out twenty varieties of asters. ]Many of them in their wild state inferior, but capable of much improvement by l^roper cultivation. Tlie dandelion (Taraxacum IJens-Leonis) now «o common every where was first brought to 8tark county by John Culbertson, and the first in the county grew on the east side of the public square, at Toulon, where jMr. Cun)ertson had emptied the straw in which his tpieensware was p-acked. The Hiljiscus Africanus was imported by Dr. Thomas Hall, and from his garden has spread into nearly every lane in the county. Of anemones we have three kinds, the wood A. (A. Nemorosa), the A. Mrginica and A. I*ennsylvanica.

buttercup (R. Repens), the callirrhoe triangulata, with its showy crimson or purple flowers. The wood sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella)^ the spotted craues-bill (Geranium ]Maculatum), the butter-andeggs (Antirrhinum Linaria), now a very common flower, but imported from Europe ; red root (Ceanothus Americanus); wild senna (Cassia Marilandica), a large bright yellow flower, growing in marshy places ; spiked loosestrife (Lythrum 8aliearia); cat-tail flag (Typha Latifolia); large blue flag (Iris Versicolor); purple night shade or birth root (Trillium Erettum); Avild squills (Scilla Fraseri), well known by its long loose receme of pale blue flowers ; the golden rod (8olidago), there are many varieties of this^ fo.ver; the cowslip or shooting star (Dodecatheon Meadia), white and yellow varieties of this may be found.

Our trees are too well known to need mention here, and the fact that native trees are better adapted for shade and ornament than imported ones is last gaining ground. And we hope ere long to see grand old oakes, maples, and lindens taking the place of half dead stunted evergreens.

Our wild fruits are all natives except the red raspberry (Rubus tStrigosus ) which first started near a road leading south from Toulon, toward Josiah Moftitt's, on the farm of Solomon AVilkinson, from seed left by a company of movers who 'camped there one night, when the land belonged to Ira Ward, jr.

Iris tulierosa ; wormwood (Artemesia Vulgaris); horse mint (Monarda Punctata); speedwell (Veronica Officinalis); Jamestown weed (Datura Stramonium); boneset (Eupatorium Perfoliatum) ; Valerian Officinalis; Asarabacca, scarce; barberry (Berberis Canadensis) ; Soloman's seal (Polygonatum Biflorum, aiuj P. Gigantenni) ; yellow water dock (Rumex Auroa) ; garlic (Allium Canadeiiisis) ; penny royal (Hedoonia Pulegioides) ; hops (Hamulus Lupulus) ; horehound (Marrul)ium ^^ulg-are) ; burdock (Lappa Major) ; catnip (Nepeta cataria) ; bugle weed (Lycopus Yirginicus) ; and gentian (Gentiana Peranuantha).

Mr. Ford, in his little work on Pntnum and adjoinintj;- counties, gives the following statement : " Stark obtained its full share of towns during the speculating mania of 1886-7.

" Moi'LTox, three miles west of AVyoming, M'as laid off in August, 1836, by Hubert Schuyler, Russell 11. Nevins, William Couch, Abijah Fisher, and David Lee.

" AlAssir.Lox ^\-as situated seven mikvs nearly due soutli of tlie present town-of Toulon, not far from tlie southern boundary of the county. Its projector and proprietor was Mi: .Stephen Trickle. Date of survey, April, 1837.

" L.VFAYETTK, Oil the westcru borders of the county, was laid out in .July, 1836. Of this.list, Lafayette and AV'yoming are the only survivors; Osceola town i)lat was vacated by legislative enactment in February, 18-").'); and as we believe never had a house upon it. Moulton and Massillon are no more."

l>ut of those towns that have survived the changes of thirty or forty years, and i)roved their right to live by taking on of late si more vigorous growtli, we propose to give a somewhat extended notice.

All act (if llu' li',:^'islaturi' of tlic state of Illinois, to lofatf tho county -^cat of Stark county, \\a^ jias.-od .^Voruary 27tli, 1S4!.

It was also enacted tliat Jolui J)a\vs(;ii, Peter Van Bergen and AViiliani F. Elkin, all of the county of Sano-anion, be the conunissioners to locate said towii. .Vnd on the ITtli day of May, 1H41, the ahove nientione<l conindssionei's met at tiie liouse of Colonel William II. I lenderson, and took an oath to faithfully <lischarge the duties of their ottice, viz : to fairly consider the i)ros))ects and interests of all i)arts of the county and to locate the county stat as near the geographical centre thereof, as the nature of the land and otiier rele\-ant circumstances ])ermitted. After due consideration of all claims and interests, as ]>resented to them, they l>roceeded to locate said county seat on ninety rods (!)() rods) square of land, owned and afterwards deeded to the county by John jMiller and his wife Charlotte IMilier, bei)ig part of tlie southwest (piarter of section 11), in townshij) i;-} north, range 6 east of the ith i)rincipal meridian, now Touhni townslii]). Tlie naiiie of our town was also decided on at the time of its location, no doubt through the influence of Colonel Henderson.

When ^Ir. JMiller doiiate(l to tlic t-ounty tliis ninety rods of choice land, on condition it should lie made the shire town or county si>at, he reserved on the south and west sides thereof certain s(ir.ares to be sold for his own l;enelit, also the- privilege of removing all standing tindier on the town plot, nidess it sliould be afterwards |)urchas('d of him. ^\nil tlure \\'ei'e on, or near, our public s(piare a luuuber of tine native oaks, and other trees growing for years after the location and i)latting of the town, and some of our more sensible and public si)irited citizens made strenuous efforts to induce our county commissioners to i)urchase these trees and preserve them as a ]tublic benefit as well as an adornnieid to our siiuure and streets. Jkit, unfortunately they were imsuccessful, and wei'e compelled to see them choi)ped down and api)lie(l to "base uses." And although later efforts have done nuich to protect and beautify our sijuare, yet another centennial ])eriod must elai)se ere such giant oaks as were then sacrificed can by any means be induced to si)read their sheltering arms above our descendants. Jt has been said " v.hoever plants a tree is a l)ublic benetactor ;" we almost think whoever cuts one down, except when they stand in the way of necessary im})rovements ought to be set down as an enemy to the interests of his race, i>articularly in a region naturally as netirly treeless as ours.

The first sale of lots in Toulon, took place on the 14th and VAh days of September, 1841 - and wlien lately looking over the list of the one hundred and twenty-two i)urehasers A\e felt teni})te(l to insert the whole roll of names just as they stand on the old record. They would make a good representation of our early settlers. But when we reflect that but few eyes will ever meet these pages that would see in them anything but names, we forbear ; although to the few, the utterance of each would call up a once familiar figure from the recesses of the shadowy past, and with most would come bright memories of pioneer days " when we were young and life was fair," and to these visions are often linked recollections of " little deeds of kindness," gleams of the friendliness of yore! But enough of this, we are surely revealing the fact that we stand on life's hill top and the fairer scenes are all behind.

To proceed with the business of these first sales, we are struck Avith the small amount paid for lots tliat have since brought much larger sums. The old home of ^Ir. Turner, north of Dr. Chamberlain's drug store, and west of the scpiare, was originally i)urchased for $4">.<I0, while lot one, in block fourteen, (the site of the 1st Baptist C'hurchj considered to be very choice was bought by a Knox county man, Z. Cooley, for $70.7r>. :\[r. Theodore F. If urd has the honor of investing the largest sum in anyone lot at the first sales, he having ])aid $7o, for lot six, in block nine. Very many went for $U) or $2J apiece, that are now worth hundreds, if not thousands.

The second sale of lots was ordered to take place April 2d, 1849. Tliere were but thirty-two lots sold on this occasion, the highest price, $(50, being paid by Simon Heller for lot (>, in block 5, the present residence of Rev. R. L. McC'ord.

Owing as we suppose to the munificence of the County Commissioners, a numl)er of lots were reserved at the date of these general sales, for eluircli and scliool }»urposes, and lot K), in l)lock three, at the corner of Vine and \VasliingU)n streets, was set apart distinctively for " a female seminary." And the county accordingly erected the building that still occupies that site, and for a time attempts were made to sustain a seminary, modifying the rei;ulations so as to admit both sexes. But it was soon discovered nothing of this kind could supersede the pul»lic schools in a town of small size, and application was made to the legislature for an act legalizing the sale of this property to the school trustees to be thereafter used for common school purposes - which act passed February, ISGT.

Tliere :*eein to have been three different acts of incorporation endorsed by tlie town of Toulon. The first, under some ji'eneral provisions, took place in October, is")?, the vote standing tliirtyfour ap:ainst two. The first board of officers were Oliver Whitaker, Allies A. Fuller, AVilliani Lownian, Isaac V. Eeed; E. Ij. Emery, president. This Board decided what should be the corporate limits of said town, passed the usual code of ordinances; but the provisions under which they worked do not seem to have met the wishes of the citizens, generally, for in ISo? a special charter was obtained and new regulations entered into. Then after the change in the state constitution in 1870, they again revised their organization making it comply with the general incorporation law, enacted at that time.

The town consisted at first of sixteen blocks, or fifteen l)esides the court house square, but has received several large additions, Whitaker and Henderson's, lying north and east of original plat, through which runs the line of the Peoria and Rock Island Railway, and two large additions by ]Mr, C'ulbertson, known respectively as Culbertson's eastern and western additions to the town of Toulon. These additions far exceed in space the original site, donated by Mr. Miller, and are most of them, under good improvement. Mr, Rhodes has also surveyed off some good building lots in the grove to the south-west, and Mr. Turner is proprietor of the inviting sites tliat lie to the south and south-east. But the latter gentleman has always declined to sever his broad acres into small suburban building lots.

The first Court House, a plain wooden structure built to meet present wants, was completed in 1S42, and served many important purposes for the county and town, not only as a seat of justice, but sometimes as church and school liouse too. The old jail was built a year or so later, perhaps, in 1844, by Ira Ward, jr. ; a man from Knox county by the name of Hammond, doing the mas< >n work. This, still serves to hold rather insec.'urely , however, Stark county criminals, and it can hardly be said that its accommodations or management, reflect any great credit upon the county officials who control this matter. The present court house is a substantial and well proportioned brick edifice, \\'ith airy and convenient offices on the first floor. Standing as it does on a s<iuare shaded by a fine growth of young trees, it is a pleasant and comely picture for the eye to rest upon ; one for which a good many of our citizens would be willing to fight valiantly should its possession ever be seriously disputed - as some see fit to predict. It was erected in 185(5 at a cost to the county of $12,(H)().

The first school in Toulon, was tau;»-ht by 3Iiss Elizahi'th Bus- Avell of Osceola, in an ui)i)er room of the old court house, in 1848, Miss Susan (Jill, who afterwards beL-ainc t]u> first wife of Stephen AV. Eastman, also tau.y-ht a select school in the same or an adjoining- room. 3Iiss Booth also conducted a <>'Ood school here l)efore any school house was l)uilt, in a room belonging to Mr. Koyal Arnold, on the i)remises now owned l)y JNIrs. Emily Culbertson, directly west of Mr. AVhitaker's residence. And W. W. Drumjiiond one in his own house.

The first school house built in the place, was the " old l)rick " near the wi'stern line of the town, facing Jefferson street. This was a one story affair, built under a contract M'ith Ira Ward, jr., at an exi)ense to the new district, it is said, of ?<(ji)(). Brick was burned specially for this edifice by W. B. Sweet, and the lumlier had to be hauled from the Illinois river.

T. .1. Henderson was the first teacher who occupied the building, and ]Miss Booth followed him during the summer of 1.S49. Miss Boyce had an independent school in Masonic Hall when that stood near the INI. E. Cliurch, facing Henderson street, and N. F. Atkins and wife were the first teachers in the seminary. They occupiinl it under contract, or ])ermission from the supervisors.

But as has lu'en remurkc'l, tliese schools although good of their kind, and certainly possessing some advantages over the common schools, could not l)e made self-supi)orting. So measures were ta- Ivcn to secure the seminary for the use of the district schools, as before stated, the grammar and high school departments occupying it for about twenty years, and thus with the " old brick " for the primary dei)artment, the wants of the people were met for a time. But in l>i()n two new frame buildings were erected in the northern and eastern l)orders of the town, to accommodate the growing numbers of primary scholars in those divisions. This arrangement sufficed until the beginning of the present decade, when the ])roject of a new and improved school house, large enough to accommodate all grades under one roof and one i>rineipal, began to claim attention.

It required some time and patient labor on the part of our school iioard to settle all the details of this transaction satisfoctorily to the peoi)le in the various sectioJis of the town.

Attemi)ts were made to locate the proposed l)uilding l)y vote of the citizens, but this was found impracticable, and after much i^onsidi'ration the board decided to purchase the lots now occupied by the structure, from IMrs. S. A. Dunn.

And Its Pioxeeus

The contraet for Iniihlinti: was taken by Hiram II. J*ierce of Peoria ; ground was broken in June 1S74, and the structure finished ready for oecupation the February followinjj,'.

It is built of briek, is two stories Jiigh. ^lain buikliuf? GGxr)7, ^ witli an addition in tlie rear 8") x 21. Both stories have halls 11 feet wide, runnin,i>- len<!:thwise of the buildin*;:, the lower story an additional hall 10 feet wide, running from main front entrance and joining- the other liall.

Tliere are three rooms below, o2x2t!, each, four rooms above, one for grannnar school 152x20, the same dimensions for high school room, llecitation and Library rooms, each 2(;xU). All thesti rooms have attached to them suitable cloak rooms. The height of tlie lower story is 14 feet, the ui)i)er, 14]. Tiie whole height of building from ground to ridge, ")(» feet. Surmounted by a cupola 27 feet high, making a total of 77 feet. The building is warmed by two of Ijotyc's hot air furnaces. Tlie furniture is mostly new, manufactured by the Sterling school furniture company and is giving good satisfaction. This house will comfortably seat three hundred ])Ui)ils, and re(|uires th(^ services of five or six teachers. The cost of building, including grounds, furniture, out buildings, with et ceteras, was about $2( »,()()().

Mr. Frank Mathews, principal ; Mr. jManning Hall, in the grammar school ; Miss Sarah Berfleld, in the intermediate ; and Misses Pauline Shallenberger and Kate Keffer, in the i)rimary dejtartments.

The board of directors for the same year, were Mr. Benjamin Turner, Dr. Bacmeister and Mr. John Berfield. The two former associated with Captain Brown Awn'e tlie board under whose direction, the fine school house descrilied, was jdanned and completed for use.

Toulon cannot compete of late years in the line of expensive building with her sister town AVyoming, which latter claims on good authority to have invested $2i)2,r)29 in building since the completion of their first railroad, some six years ago.

We suppose it is possible for a town to over build, as well as under build, for the general good; we may at least claim that Toulon has not committed the former mistake.

show churches and liotels l^efitting- the county seat, and reflecting credit upon tlie taste and liberality of its inhalutants. But in au age and land so prone to extravagant expenditure, perchance such l)rudence should be commended. .

Had INIr. CulVtertson lived to dispose of tlie large estate he had ac(iuired, Toulon ^^-ould have doubtless reaped an enduring advantage. It was a favorite remark of his that " he had made his money in Stark County and he intended to spend it here." Many plans for improving the town, were rife in his active mind during the closing years of his life. The grist and woolen mills were his tirst attempt in this direction, and while he never expected to reap great profits himself from this investment, he did hope to make these mills a pul)lic benefit, and link his name with home enterprises and industries. '

But as it is, if our churches and business houses are as a rule plain and unpretending, they are owned by the parties occupying them, and are not encum]:>ered with mortgages.

The brick block occupied l)y B, C. Follett, is fully up to the times, as is the l^anking house of Sam'l Burge ti- Co., and a still larger block is now being erected, the lower story to be the store of Nowlan and Rhodes, the upper to be built by the town for a public hall.

And if our growth as a town has been slow compared with some others, it has been healthy and permanent. There has l)een no going backward, no mushroom or gourd like excrescences springing up in a night to be l)lighted on the morrow, to the ruin and nK^rtification of their projectors. Even the opening of the long desired railroad brought A\ith it no mad speculation, such as was rife in other places. The Toulonites rejoiced at the music of the whistle, but they rejoiced sol^erly and with discretion ; thus month by month and year by year, business has increased as the facilities for it have multijTlied, and tliis centennial year would make a highly creditable showing, could we command the exact figures which we cannot, therefore must content ourselves with the estimate hiade for us, at an expense of consideralde time and trouble, of the business of 1S71, although that was hardly an average l)usiness year in the west.

Tlie character of Toulon society, has somehow, generally harmonized with this steady flow of events. We have in no sense been a " fast people." But our habits have more resembled those of the older eastern towns. A few people of culture easily gave tone to the social life of tlie place, when this life was in its infancy, and perhaps it is not too much to say, it has never lost this bent, as may ha seen by the fine literary societies that have usually flourished here, some of which would ha^-e done no discredit to the taste and aciiuirements of large cities.

The first recorded meeting of the Masonic fraternity was on the 2oth of INIarch, I80O, being a meeting held to consider the project of organizing a lodge. The names upon the charter are : Oren Maxfield, William Rose, W. W. Drummond, Ellison Annis, Captain Henry Butler, William A Reed, and General Samuel Thomas. From these the Grand Master C. G. Y. Taylor, appointed W. W. Drummond, W. M.; William Rose, S. W., and Gren Maxfield, J. W.

On the l!)th of November, 1850, the lodge held its first election with the following result : William F. Thomas, Treasurer ; T. J. Henderson, Secretary ; William A. Reed, S. D.; General Samuel Thomas, J. D.; Simon S. Heller, S. S.; Thomas J. Wright, ,J. S.; C. F. White, Tyler.

This lodge has always been prosperous and harmonious. For many years it was the only lodge between Peoria and Cambridge, and is the parent of all the lodges in the county. From it was formed Stark lodge, Numljer 501, at Lafayette, in 1865; Wyoming lodge. Number 470, in 18()(5, and Bradford lodge number 514 in the same year.

At the present writing, Toulon lodge numbers sixty-four resident members, with the following officers : George A. Lowman, W. M.; T. M. Shallenl)erger, S. AV.; Levi Silliman, J. W.; Benjamin Turner, Treasurer ; David Tinlin, Secretary ; George White, S. I).; .James Dexter, J. D.; Samuel Thomas, Tyler.

The total number of those who have l)een connected with the lodge in the past twenty-five years is one hundred and seventysix. Of this number, as far as known, but sixteen are dead, four of whom lost their lives in the late war.

The following named persons have filled the " Master's " chair and rank as such in the order named : W. W. Drummond, William B. Smith, Alexander INIoncrief, Thomas J. Henderson, .James A. Henderscjn, Elisha Greenfiekl. George Bradley, INLirtin Shallenbeger and G. A. Lowman.

On the 8th day of November, is.")], Stark lodge, number !i(i, I. O. O. F., was organized at Toulon, by the officers and brothers of Marshall lodge, number (V^, at Henry, Illinois, under a eharb^r from the grand lodge of the state of Illinois, dated October ITtli, 1851. ^

The lodge continued to increase in numbers and did much good in the \\-ay of relief to the members and their families up to the time of the breaking out of the war in 18G1, when by an order of the grand lodge in 18G2, this lodge was suspended.

It remained suspended until April, 18GG, at which time it was resuscitated and ever since has done good work. The lodge has always been progressive and enterprising, and in the summer of 1875 erected one of the finest lodge rooms in the county, over the bank of Sam'l Burge ct Co., at an expense, with furniture of two thousand two hundred dollars. At this present date, (INIay, 1876) the lodge numbers sixty-four members, and increasing veiV last. The first officers of this lodge were Alexander Moncrief, N. G.; Amos P. Gill, V. G.; Thomas J. Wright, T., and Oliver Whitaker, R. S.

Eastern Star

On the 17th day of February, 1871, Toulon Cliapter, number G3 of the Eastern Star, was organized by Mr. Thomson. This organization has not flourished as it should have done, and as it no doubt will do. At present it numbers fifty-four members, enough to make it a perfect success was the proper spirit infused in the fifty-four.

The first officers were William Lowman, W. P.; Mrs. E. Lowman, W. M.; Mrs. R. A. Turner, A. M.; Charles Myers, Secretary ; Mrs. S. Guy re, Treasurer; Mrs. M. Myers, Conductress, and Mrs. A. Thomas, A. C. ' <

And Its Pioxeers. H5

The present officers are James K. P. Ijowman, W. P.; Mrs, K. A. Turner, W. M.; Mrs. (i. S. Lawrence, A. M.; Mr. George Bradley, Secretary; Miss S. 11. Turner, Treasurer; Mrs. A. Thomas, Conductress, and Mrs. S. Keflf'er, A. C.

Tlie Toulonites first orcranized for work in the direction of the temperance reformation, on the Washinj^tonian plan. Tliis was as early as 1845.

Sons Of Tkmpekaxce

The second temperance society orf>-anized in Toulon, was a division of the Sons of Temperance. Composed as it was entirely of men, and nearly all of them men of ability, it flourished as no other temperance organization ever did in the county. They were at the formation of the order nearly all middle aged men, yet in the lapse of 2.'-! years there has been but one death among the charter members (Ira Ward, sen.) The back sliding has been rather more marked. Prolnibly no charter ever granted in the county to any order bore names of as many men of note as did this one granted in February, 184S. These are John W. Henderson, Martin Shallenberger, Benjamin Turner, Patrick M. Blair, Thomas J. Henderson, Ira Ward, senior, Wheeler B. Sweet, Oliver Whitaker, W. W. Drummond, Simon S. Heller, John A. Williams, Ira Ward jr., and Samuel G. Butler.

Nearly all these names will be familiar to our politicians, as almost every office from W. W. Drummond as constable, to T. J. Henderson, member of congress, within the gift of the people has been filled by them. The state senate, legislature, constitutional convention, judge, circuit clerk, sheriff, county treasurer, county clerk, and perhaps others that do not occur to us now. Under the guidance of such men as these the Sons of Temperance flurished and had a wide spread and much felt influence. They built the building now known as " Masonic Hall," just north of the M. E. church, from \\'hich place it was moved when purchased by the Masons. This was, at the time .of building, quite a hall for Toulon. One by one these man left the town, or tlie lodge at least, and it passed into history.

this year was instituted Arthur lo(l<;e, number 454, Independent order of Good Templars. Cliarter members, A. C. Price, William Lowman, S. S. Kaysbier, John L). Walker, 31. A. Fuller, Samuel Burge, Charles Myers, Amos P. Gill, Patrick Nowlan, Mary P. Nowlan, Dell Whitaker, Mary E. Pcatty, Mrs. M. A. jNIyers, and Mrs. K. 8. Fuller.

This society so long as it remained under the control of such persons as the names here recorded, did an excellent work and flourished and .yi'ew. But here was tlie cause of its death also. Not enough care was exeicised in choice of members, and it was very soon evident that the " young folks " were going to " run the machine."

Several attempts have l)een made to organize for a thorough temperance work in Toulon. Some of these budded and promised fair, but none seemed al)le to withstand the elements with wdiich they had to contend. Much good was accomplished l)y these societies, but they seemed to lack the vigor necessary to give them permanence. To supply this defect it was determined to try once more a secret society; so on the 17th day of March, 187o, Toulon division number 3, S. O. T. was organized witli the following offtcers : Levi Silliman, W. P.; Oliver Whitaker, P. W. P.; Mrs. Mary Merrimau, W. A.; Oliver White, F. S.; Frank Eastman, U. S.; H. Y. Goc frey, T.

This lodge has certainly grown very rapidly, and at the present writing (August 22nd, 1870) has a membership of one hundred and thirty. It is still in its infancy, yet it has accomplished great results, and much is to be hoped for in the future.

The present dicers are Orlando Brace, W. P.; Robert H. Price, P. W. P.; 3Iiss Bell Godfrey, W. A.; Miss Ida Pvvder, F, S.; Manning Hall, 11. S.; H. Y. Godfrey, T. «

Toulox Churches

The gre:it hierarchy devised and (>stablished by the Vresleys and their co-workers in England, ab^ut the middle of the last century, and a few years later in America, l>y authority of which missionaries still go forth "to the uttermost parts of the earth," is so diverse in its nature and operations from the little isolated bodies <jf l)elievers we are wont to designate pioneerchurches, tbat it is difficult to fairly compare their respective workings, or the legitimate results thereof.

Axd Its Pioneers

great central jxiwer tliat should be to th(^ most distant "society," or obscure "class" what tlu' heart is to the hiinian anatomy, sending life and activity to the ftirthest extremity. And a hundred years of trial have but proved the wisdom of his i)lan for utilizing all sorts of material, and planting on the outskirts of civilization living centres of intluence, wherever the intrepid itinerant could force his way or man or woman be found to lead a class.

To the peculiar strength of this organization, then, we may mainly attribute the fact that the INIethodist is nearly always the pioneer church ; although the Roman Catholic is often close upon its heels, or even leads the way, as their plans for missionary work are somewhat similar. But the elements in any community that attract these two classes of laborers are as distinct as their creeds; therefore their fields of labor seldom or never conflict. But it is evidently one thing to sustain a "society" thus backed up by a central power, which, with outstretching arms jjrotects and fosters its numerous offsprings, and quite another, to sustain in a new country, a religious body independent of all assistance, or with the occasional assistance of some friendly society.

Thus as early as 1835, twelve years before the first attempt to found a resident church was made, Bishop Morris sent a missionary with head quarters at Peoria, to traverse ihe length and breadth of our present county, and finding a lodgement in the house of Adam Perry who then lived on what constituted our first "Poor Farm," he made arrangements with him to gather together and lead a class, to meet in the Essex settlement some seven or eight miles away.

iVnd, although jNIr. Perry became one of the first trophies of Mormonism in this vicinity, yet a stauncher man v.as found to lead tlie class, and Methodism has liad an organized life among us from that date. But it could not have Iteen self-sustaining for many years judging froin the official records. The first quarterly meeting at which this neighborhood was represented in the "Peoria circuit," the collections amounted to !?."),i>r)and were disbursed in the follov.'ing manner :

At the date of this entry which is for the year ending- September, 18-11, a great adyance had l)een made in the matter of revenue for the "Wyoming circuit," of which we then formed part, as the funds amounted to $213.07, which were distributed as follows :

There was also $11.50 raised for the relief of the poor, this year ; who they were is not recorded, but as "Flint's class" only report:^ 25 cents as their contrilnition at the (piarterly meeting at Wall's school house, this locality could not claim much honor in this, perhaps initiative benevolent effort. But the reader must bear in mind, our town was yet but a name, the scattered settlements around offording Vait small congregations, and smaller contributions ; for many in those days, had all they could do to supply their families with the comforts absolutely necessary to life. However, Methodist preaching was sustained regularly at ]Mr. Flint's cabin for a year or more, but in the fall or 1842, the services were transferred to the house of John Prior, which then stood on one of the lots since owned by M. Bhallenberger. This structure, which was of hewn logs, and but partly finished, never having the loft more than half floored, was very serviceable to the first comers here, serving them alternately as church and school house.

The fireplace was rough and large, into which good sized logs, could be throM'n when occasion required ; a iK)le, the dimensions of a common hand spike served as poker, or lever, and an old saw inverted, played shovel. Then as a pointed illustration of the proverb, " shoemakers' wives always go barefoot," there never was a whole chair seen in this establishment. A number of frames with shingles laid on them accommodated the adult listeners, while a turning lathe in the corner, afforded perching places for the little folks. Thus the people gathered, the men wearing patches without shame, and the girls in sunbonnets, and coarse shoes, or the little ones without any, and listened to the Powells and Blakes, the Wilkinsons and Boyers of old ; but what our memory still retains of those meetings with pec^uliar pleasure, is, the rich full tenor of Caleb Flint, wliicli when wediled to some of AVesley's glowing lines, bore all hearts aloft and made a sanctuary of the rough dwelling where we met.

" Brother Prior," too, was wont to sing with the spirit, if not with the understanding, and we recall an occasion, after fashion, or more thorough culture, had rendered the congi-egation a little fastidious as to its music, and a "Brother Woollascroft" led well, both the circuit and singing, this "Brother Prior" was cantering on, a measure or so in advance of his leader, despite his earnest gestures to arrest his course. When liuman nature could endure no more, Mr. AVoollascroft said in his most decided tones "Brethren we will commence that verse again, and not so fast, brother Prior," Not before 184G does it appear on the records, that a quarterly, or official meeting, was liolden at Toulon. Then Mr. Beatty had appeared on the scene and the Toulon class was rising into prominence. As we did not have access to this book of re- when we M'rote on the churches of the county generally, we feel tempted t(j insert here the names of those present in an official capacity at this first meeting in our town.

At this meeting the project of building a " meeting house at Lafayette" seems to have been publicly broached for the first time, and two names that have since been painfully connected, are associated on the building committee, AVilbur and Anshutz. Indeed they are so often coupled, in these early religious movements as to strike the reader strangely, if he knows aught of the tragedy of 1S6G.

In 1854, the M. E. Church at Toulon was built. The society also own a comfortable parsonage with i)leasant grounds attached. It is not so easy to arrive at the exact number who have been, .sooner or later, connected with this church, or to record the succession of pastors its itinerant system has given it, during the past twenty or thirty years. But it has probably had as large a inembershi}) as any denomination in the town. Its pews are well filled on all occasions of public worsliip, and a large and interesting- sabbath school is sustained with commendable spirit. In the sabbath-school work Mr. Davis Lowman of this church has been for years a devoted and successful laborer, not only in Toulon, but at various points in the county and state, wherever there was Avork to be done.

Congiiec4Atioxal Church At Toulox

Some one has aptly remarked that in the beginning, this church was decidedly a "Rhodes church." But in the ft^ct that its fortunes for a while seemed to be bound up with the fortunes of one family, it was in no wise singular. Such has, in a greater or less degree, been the history of nearly all these early organizations.

In accordance with a previous notice, given to a faithful few at the cabin of Hugh Rhodes, Rev. L. H. Parker and S. G. Wright met with a few brethren at the court house, in Toulon, November, 184G, and duly organized a Congregational church, adopting a confession of faith covenant, the charter members being- Jonathan Rhodes and Hannah his wife, Hugh Rhodes and his wife Julia, C4iles C. Dana and his wife ^Nlary, Mrs. Elizabeth Rhodes, 8. Eliza Rhodes and Franklin Rhodes.

March 13th, 1847, this little church met at the house of Hugh Rhodes, where most of the members must have felt quite at home, and the follovring additional persons were received into its communion : Robert Xickolson and wife, .John Pollock, and ]Mrs. Jane Bradley, from Presl)yterian church in Ireland, also Orrin Rhodes and wife, 3Irs. Matilda Hall, and 3Iiss Eliza Hall ; and S. G. Wright, who still resided in the southern part of West Jersey township, was chosen pastor.

May IGth, 1847, it was decided to ask admission for this church to the "Central Association," and Hugh Rhodes was chosen to represent it before that body.

August 24th, 1849, the first effort was made toward a church building. A committee consisting of Hugh Rhodes, James Flint and Charles F, White, was appointed to confer with the M. E, church as to co-operating in building; but the plan did not find favor in their eyes, so it was decided that each congregation should build themselves a house of worship, as fast as the funds could possibly be raised for that purpose. The result was, the two plain but comfortable edifices that have so long stood side by side on Henderson street.

In 1850, the trustees were instructed to give their votes as "trustees of the first orthodox Congreg-ational chureli of Toulon," and to give their notes to the treasurer of tlie C'hurcli building committee for the sum of $20(1.

In 1S4S, Rev. S. G. Wright became a citizen of Toulon, and devoted himself more fully to the upbuilding of this little community, having been led to choose this place for the scene of his labors, as he naively remarks in his journal, because of the three places under consideration, he thought "Toulon was the least religious, and yet it always gave him a good congregation." From the date of his location here, the matter of ) >uilding a church was agitated but it was at the expense of no small self-denial, and continuous efforts, that the project was finally brought so near completion, and when in March, isr)2, the congregation met in it, all unfinished tiiough it was, there was great rejoicing and congratulation. And although we Toulonites can claim Init little beauty for any of our churcli edifices, not as much perhaps as circumstances would justify in 1M7(), yet our congregations have set an example in this fast age that may teach a good lesson, whether to individuals or communities, viz: Iniild within your means !

Amon* other iteuis, we find in looking over the records of this church, that the fashion of "Donation Parties" was inaugurated here January 1st, 1853, and the committee of arrangements were Mrs. N. Butler, I\Irs. Dr. Hall and Mrs. C. L. Eastman . New Year's day was for many years always devoted by the membership of this church, to visiting their pastor - a pleasant custom, and we regret the practice seems falling into disuse.

The policy of this organization has always been to talve advance ground in all matters of moral reform ; upon the slavery and temi»erance (juestions it was especially radic;;l under the guidance of its first i)astor. Applicants for membership were questioned as closely as to their opinions on these subjects, as upon their faith in holy writ. As an ofiiicial decree they proclaimed in 1854, "AVe deem Ainerican slavery wholly unjustifiable, and at war with the plainest precepts of the New Testament ; therefore, we feel bound to set ourselves in all practical ways against it, and are resolved, first, we will not knowingly allow any slaveholder or apologist for slavery, to occu})y our pulpit or dispense to us the sacraments. Secondly, we will sustain no society, or public print that we believe sanctions or ap(jlogizes lor American slavery." Of late years, these sentiments have become popular, l)ut it cost something to avow them in 1854, and something more in

The determination of this body to liave a voice in pu!)Iic matters, and malve its influence felt at the ballot box, has called out much criticism from some quarters, its enemies declaring- it more a political than a religious organization, ami tlenouncing political l)reacliing as a curse to any country.

It comes not within the scope of our duties as a simple chronicler of events, to determine, even were we competent to do so, the wisdom or folly of either side in this controversy.

Still, we think no one who has carefully studied the current of human events, will deny that when strongholds of error or vice are to be subdued, some one must be found to lead the assault, to make the breach, regardless of ridicule, odium or rei)roach.

So have the greatest reforms ever grown from small and ol)- scure beginnings, but usually at the expense of martyrdom, literal, or otherwise, but still mai'tyrdom - names execrated by one generation, to be canonized by the next.

Thus, when " The Lil)erty Party" witli James G. Birney as its standard bearer, first threw its colors to the l)reeze in taking as its motto " Liberty to the captive, and the bursting of pri;#n doors to them that are bound," it was a laughing stock and by-word in the land, its few adherents were mobbed and insulted without mercy, whenever they attempted to proclaim their views.

Whigs and democrats combined to call this the " women's and preacher's i)arty," and we do not call it a misnomer, but give the women and the preachers credit, if credit is the word, for sowing the seed, often in ignominy and tears, that in the course of the next generation l)ore ns its rijitncd fruit, the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln !

^Vnd, as a lover of our kind, we can hardly suppress the wish that the same forces may combine with equal firmness and fidelity to banish yet other wrongs from our lan<l. And whenever they are ready to march upon the redoubts of intemperance, we heartily wish. them a victory, whether the Congregational church, or some other organization leads.

It cannot be disi)uted that this church, despite the poverty and struggles that marked its early life, has long held a leading position among the churches of our town ; and this is due, not so much to the number of its members, as to their character; their influence is i>lainly discernible in our social life; and to the musical taste and culture of some of the older members of its choir, must be attributed the proficiency that has been made in the "Divine iirt" among- the young people of late years. 3Iore than three hinidred persons have at one time or another lielcl membership in this ehureli, its ])resent and average strength for a nun dier of years being about one liundred and lifty or sixty. In l<So8, they raised- ^vith ditticulty tliree liundred and fifty dollars for the support of their pastor. During the admini.-tration of Kev. 11. V, Dunn, Avhic'h began in January, 1855, the largest amount paid was, six hundred dollars, \\'hile the present ineumljentrc^t-eives one thousand dollars per annum.

During its thirty years of organized life, this church has had but three pastors, and tlie time has been divided not very unequally among them, Rev. S. G. Wright ofliciating the tirst ten years, Rev. R. C. Dunn the next twelve, or thereabouts, and the Rev. R. L. McCord must be in the ninth year of his service. Of the two former gentlemen, further notice will be found in the second part of this work, and of the last it may be remarked, he is just making his history. Some future historian, must trace his foot i)rints among tlie men and measures of this decade. An authority we reverence, says :

This church was organized May 1.3th, 181s, at the house of Stephen W. Eastman, not two years after the Congregational had sprung into existence in the family of Hugh Rhodes.

The record says : "The following named persons resolved themselves into a church conference, calling Elder Elisha Gill to the chair and ap[)ointing William M. Miner, clerk." Then followed the names. Klder Elisha Gill, Elder .Tames M. Sticknev, Ozias Winter, Henry T. Ives, Abigail Gill, Cynthia Stickney, Helen Winter, Hannah Parrish, Susan M. Eastman, Mrs. H. T. Ives, and Mrs. Sarah A, ChamVjerlain.

They resolved to adoi)t the covenant and confession of faith as found in the minutes of the Illinois River Association, for 1815. And, as the " recognition " of an ecclesiastical council seems to be necessaiy to constitute a " reg-ular Baptist cliurcli," sucli council was convened in tlie town of Toulon, June 2otli, 1818, and the infant church was duly recognized, and proceeded on its way, wafted by prayers, and freighted with hopes ! And for a time all went well, many were gathered within its fold ; among others Mr. John Culbertson, who was while he lived, its generous patron and supporter.

Perhaps no church in our county, surely none in our town, ever conducted series of revival meetings that attracted such general attention, and were attended Avith such surprising results as this.

We learn from the records, that on October 21st, 1851, Elder Barry, from Little Falls, New York, was first introduced to the church l)y Elder Gross, its pastor. And Moody and Sankey with all the {^cJat derived from their European tour, can hardly monopolize public attention more completely in the large cities they visit, than did Elder Barry and his preaching, the attention of our little town in 1851.

As the result of this meeting, al)out thirty persons, all of mature age and high standing, were immersed and received into the communion of the church, at one time, besides many more who followed soon after the meeting had formally closed.

And again in 1853, the church held meetings at the old court house every day from December 80th, until January, 29th, 1851, on which day fourteen more were immersed, and in all twentyone received. Thus this church waxed rich and sti'ong, and seemed to be favored by Heaven, ab(jve all her cotemporaries. She built the substantial brick edifice just south of the court house square, and inscribed it as the "First Baptist Church of Toulon, erected A. D. 1854."

These were the palmy days of her life wherein she rejoiced, but storms were gathering, although the cloud at present seemed "no bigger than aman's han( 1 . " Thereafter her history was to be a sort of travesty on the " decline and fall of the Roman Empire." Abuses of power on the one hand, and fierce resistance on the other, charges and counter cliarges, conflicts of opinion, expulsions for heresy, impeachment and excommunication of one leader, only to effect a change, not a redress of grievances, until after a bitter experience with another so-called revivalist. Elder S. A. Estee, February, ISGS, it was finally "resolved, that whereas, the troubles and difficulties existing in the first Baptist Church at Toulon have reached so great a magnitude, that we can see no way of settling tlieni so we can live in peace, and advance the cause of Christ, therefore, resolved, that all the members of this church who subscribe to this resolution, have the privilege of asking for letters of dismission, and that the i-ame be granted by the church."

Here now was revolution and secession all in a nutshell ; and a fiercer than political contest ^\-as waged by a few determined spirits to prevent the dissolution of the old church ; but the majority triumphed and the vote to disband was cast February 29th, 18G8. And "all the property of the first Church, was to be surrendered to a committee, to be held for the benefit of another Baptist church hereafter to be organized." This majority then adjourned " to meet in ]Mr. Hiram Willett's store building the next Sunday morning at lOJ o'clock."

The pastors of this body since 184S, down to the division in 18GS, were, named in the order of time. Elders J. M. Stickney, A. Gross C. Brinkerhoft", 3Iyron^H. Negus, William Leggett, A. J. Wright, E. P. Barker, Dodge and S. A. Estee.

But Mr. Culbertson had made a deed of the church property, only so long as it remained in possession of the first Baptist church at Toulon, and in the event of that body ceasing to exist, the church building would revert to his heirs. Therefore, the most strenuous eff'orts were put forth by a few to sustain an organization that, should comply with the conditions necessary to hold the property.

They still continued to meet in the old church, and although but a handful, proceeded to engage Eev. Brimhall as a pastor, and in August, 1868, elected as trustees, John Cull)ertson, Owen Thomas, Jacob Wagner, and Harlan Pierce. But like its great prototypes of antiipiity, this church failed to learn wisdom from the lessons of bitter experience, and as late as October 8th, 1870, their ranks were again thinned by trials and exi>ulsions for heresy, alias differences of opinion.

Among those from whom the "hand of fellowship was withdrawn " on this occasion, was Mrs. Martha Pierce, than whom a more intelligent, devout, christian lady could not be found in our community.

But she had come to believe the scriptures as taught l)y the "Second Adventists," and altliough she had stood by this Baptist Church during its darkest hours, and unflinchingly sustained it by her means and influence, she was now an outcast from its doors, and went, henceforth to meet with the little body of kin-

These i)eoi)l(', although too few in nund)ers and i)oor in eireumstanees to maintain an organization in the presence of so many strong opposing influences, are still not to be overlooked in writing up the church history of our town, for they are assuredly nmkingan impression upon the currents of religions thought.

l)Ut to return to the annals of the first ]iai)tist church we find it reduced to about half a dozen meniljers, and asking Elder Stickney to again minister to its sjiiritual wants, as he had dont' at the beginning. This for a time he did, but the real leader of this little tiock is the Eldtn-'s wife, Mrs. ("ynthia Stickney. One of the original meipbers of this church, which really drew its life from her ftither's family and her own, she has shared its fortunes with unswerving fidelity ; shrinking from no labor, however toilsome or distasteful, sparing no expense, whatever the personal sacrifice, she to-day sustains the renmant by her own indomita1)Ie will.

While we cannot share her convictions, or believe that "the hand of the Lord " is discernible in the record we have been tracing, we can stand in the outer court, in this era of apostasy and materialism, and admire a faith and courage so sublime, qualities tliat in the by gone ages would have made their jiossessor a saint or martyr, or perhaps l)oth. But, a prophet is still without honor among his own ; and this lady walks humbly amongst us, claiming little, and perchance receiving less.

The old l)uilding underwent thorough repairs last summer through this woman's liberality, and is at this date, one of the l)leasantest places of worshij) in Toulon, Elder L. I). Gowan of Galva occupying its pulpit every alternate Sabbath, and is usually met by a good congregation ; a sabl)ath school and prayer meeting are also regularly sustained, so there is no immediate i)rospect of the proi)erty reverting to the Culbertson heirs.

Since its organization this church has had ui)on its records near three hundred names, and for a nund)er of years its general strength seems to have been over one hundred.

The Second Baptist Church Of Toulox

This church, which was organized by the disaffected mend)ers of the first Baptist church, dates its existence from March 4th, 1868, and is still in its youth ; although not claiming the same interest that attaches to pic^neer churches, yet the circumstances of its formation beingsomewhat peculiar, we give a summary of them as drawn from its records, tog-ether witli the names of those? ]»n)minent in the movementatthe beginning. These are : Iliram WJllett, Abram Bowers, S. W. Eastman, A. F. Stiel<ne.v, L. (Jc^r, L. (!lark, (). Dyer, J. Ives, II. Y. (Godfrey, Benjamin I'aetcer, INIrs. Packer, Mrs. C. Bowers, Mrs. M. Eastman, Mrs. C. Lyon, Misses INI. Henry, Eliza Eastman, Celestia Eastman, Ijcttie Bowers, and ]\Iartlia Bowers.

"A council was called in the Congregational church, to take into consideration the propriety of recognizing as a regular Baptist church, certain brethren and sisters, formerly belonging to the first Baptist church of Toulon, said brethren and sisters havingorganized themselves into a regular Baptist church."

"Council called to order by Elder A. .1. Wright, of Saxon ; on motion, Elder K. W. Benton of Kewanee acted as moderator, and A. ^J. Wright, also as clerk. The resolution of said Baptist church, in calling the council was then read, and the names of the churches invited to send delegates, were called, and the followingresponded through their delegates: Osceola, E. L. Moore, and

Rol)b; Kewanee, K. W. Benton and brother C. B. Miner; Saxon, Elder A. .1. Wright and brothers .James Dexter and Frank Williamson ; Wyoming, Elder .1. jNI. Stickney and brother O. C. Walker."

This council convened on the morning of the ISth of March, ]X(iK. In the afternoon of the same day, at the same ])lace, the juinutes of the " first church," pertaining to the withdrawal of said brethren and sisters, were read by the clerk of the first church.

" Next, resolved. That the church l)e requested, through their delegates, to give a statement of their reasons for withdrawing' from the first church." A clear and satisfactory statement was made by parties cognizant of the facts from the begimiing, and the conseciuence was, a motion was made and carried to recognize these brethren and sisters as constituting a regular Baptist church.

This motion was freely discussed. Their confession of faith and covenant, scrutinized, and protests considered, after which it was decided by the council to make their vote unanimous in favor of recognition. The next month they began the work of erecting anew church building, reported the sum of $2,02") on subscription, and elected as trustees, IJenjamin J'acker, .Julius Ives,

Stephen W. EiHstman, Hugh Y. Godfrey and Luther Geer ; and voted to constitute them also their buildingeoniniittee. ]Mr. Packer afterwards ottered "specifications," drawn up by W. P. C'averly, arcliitect, which they decided to adopt, the Ijuilding to cost when completed, $2,372.

This structure was completed during- the summer of 18G8, and although small, is well planned and neatly finished, and has a very pleasant location at the crossing of Main and Olive streets. Elder W. A. Welsher, their first pastor, was an able nian and 2)opular preacher, but probably being ambitious of a larger field of labor he left, regretted by all, after about two years of service here. He since resided for some years at Candjridge, from which place he removed to Belvidere, to take charge of a large and flourishing- congi-egation. Since Welsher, their pastors have been successively. Elders Gowan, Negus and Hart. Attempts have been set on foot of late to reunite these two churches again in one ; much can be said in favor of such a proposition, but so far, the obstacles seem insurmountable, and no^ real progress has been made toward such a conclusion.

Probal)ly the generation that took part in the conflict of 18GS, must pass from the scene of action, ere all the old wounds will heal. But we can hardly forbear to note in passing, that this body in two years after its formation, gave proof of its legitimate descent, by withdrawing fellowshii from Mr. Hiram Willett, because " he could no longer conscieni ously maintain and endorse the articles of faith as interpreted by the church." Is there, or is there not, a suggestion of that famous Procrustean bedstead of Attica, in such creeds ?

There is no whisper of immorality against this man, no charge of duty neglected ; on the contrary, he was, until this change of opinion, a pillar of the church. But he comes to believe "that the second coming of Christ is near at hand, that the weight of evidence in tlie (Scriptures represents the dead in an unconscious state until the resurrection ; also, that in the judgment day the wicked shall be destroyed with an everlasting- destruction, but the righteous be received into life eternal." Consequently he is a heretic, judged by Baptist standards, or the standards of many other orthodox churches. And this may be all right ; we but record it, as a scrap of church history for 1870. 13ut were we ambitious of such distinction as was won by " mother Ann," or Barbara Heck, or by many another leader of the opposite sex, we would ask no better material out of which to mould a progressive religious organization, than that which has been condemned by

Axd Its Pioxeers. 1.30 Christiax Church Of Toulox

The Christian church, often opprobriously styled " C'anipbellite," was organized in Toulon, at the old court house, as their records say, " The secohd Lord's day in July, 1840," with Milton P. Iving as pastor, and eight members - only four of these being residents of Toulon. They were David 3Ic('ance and wife, Edward Wilson and wife, Elijah MeClennahan and wife, Henry Sweet and James Bates ; the four first mentioned being residents here, the others coming, some of them, many miles to attend the meeting.

But this little organization supplied by devotion and zeal what it lacked of men and money, and it grew apace. Men of talent, mighty in the scriptures, came from afar to aid their struggling brethren, and as they presented the truths of scripture in a manner fundamentally unlike the so called orthodox churches, they }?upplied, in those days at least, a new sensation, and were proportionally successful, making frequent inroads on the neighboring congregations, and many flocked to be " baptized for remission of sins," as in the olden times.

In 1855 they supceeded in erecting a substantial brick edifice on "Washington street, and have for the most part ever since supported a resident pastor. Although not so strong now as formerly, the trouble must be looked for within, as in the days when outside opposition was the strongest they gained their greatest strength. Their house of worship and grounds are worth from $4,000 to $5,000, and their records show that more than four hundred persons have at one time or another been gathered within their fold. During many years their membership averaged one hundred reaching sometimes one hundred and twenty-five. The j^resent strength, however, is probably between seventy and eighty.

Their pastors named in the order of their service are Milton P. King, Dr. Lucas, Charles Berry, ITumphery, Aton, James Darsie, Beekman, Lloyd and Ames. Of these, if we may hazard an oi>inion without offence, the most remarkable were Bev. J. C. Berry and Bev. James Darsie. These men were both past middle life when they came to Toulon, both had l)een educated Baptists, and had taken their present stand after mature deliberation, and at no little personal sacrifice, as we learn is also true of the present incumbent. They were both men of profound biblical research, and Mr. Darsie was a fluent speaker. Being- chosen by the various churches of our town to deliver an athh-ess upon the death of* Lincoln, he displayed a power of thought and coniniand of language that astonished those who without knowing his ability had been wont to sneer at him a =; a "Campbellite preacher." Tliglit here, with the reader's permission, we will close our notice of the Toulon Churclies with an anecdote of this man. He was of Scotch blood, ^^"arm and impetuous by nature, but cool and selfcontrollerl by habit, and made it a point of conscience to avoid all politi'-al matters in his sabl)ath day discourses; nevei'theless he was at heart an ardent patriot, and believed in preserving the union at any cost, but this was not quite the temper of all his hearers. At one time the news came of the death of one of our " brave boys in blue," on the ramparts at Franklin. This young man was a member of T^Ir. Darsie's church, and of course it devolved on him to preach the funeral discourse. A large audience gathered, and breathless silence pervaded the house. Those who scanned the minister's face closely, noticed evidence of unwonted excitement ; there was a flush on his cheek and a light in his eye not often thei*e, and when lie opened the solemn services of the hour, his teeth seemed set more firmly than common. He commenced his sermon, the text we do not now recall, but that is a matter of indifterence, as we think he soon forgot it himself. But as he warmed with his subject, and at the recollection of all this attempt at secession had cost our land, he poured out such a torrent of invective against those in the north who apologized for the course of the south, or threw any obstacles in the way of a vigorous prosecution of the war, as probably they had never heard before. It caused many in his congregation to tremble, and their hair almost to stand on end, so unexpected and violent were his denunciations, while those against whom his bolts were supposed to be hurled were kept silent listeners by the proprieties of so sad an occasion, and the presence of the sorrow stricken family.

Those were days of fierce excitement, and even in our quiet village many felt as if walking daily on a j)0wxler magazine that a careless spark might explode at any time ; so it was with anxious hearts that people left the Christian church that Sunday afternoon.

But after a night's sleep had cooled the fevered brain of the preacher, he sought those whom he had reason to know would be offended at his course, and said in effect, " I don't like political preaching, and never intended to do any of it. These are my sentiments, but that was not the place to promulgate them, but I could n't help it - / couhl ii''t Jielp if. All I have to say further is don't ask me to preach any more soldier's funerals, or I won't be responsible for the consequences." And after all, the young- mau^ supposed killed, came home again, surprised enough to learn what an excitement his funeral had created.

Journalism

In the winter of LSw-G, John ri, Hewitt - son of David Hewitt, who is still among us - conceived the idea of a newspaper in Toulon. He had been known in the place only as a dentist, but was supposed to have had connection with thl> newspaper press somewhere, and in some capacity. He named the project to a few of the "leading" men; and it met their hearty approval, as such propositions always do in a small town. 80 a subscription paper was started, and about 1300 raised, which was given as a "bonus'* to start the proposed paper.

With this, Mr. Hewitt went down to Pekin, in this state, and made an arrangement with John Smith of that place, to remove his old office to Toulon. And an " old office" it was. The press was one of the first - probably about the third one in Illinois. The type were completely ^^-orn out, being just fit for wliat is called in the classic phrase of printers, the "hell-box." The job type were scanty and worn out ; and altogether the office about worthless. But a co-partnership was formed under the name of Smith & Hewitt, the office, such as it was, came on and was set uj) in what had been the circuit clerk's office of the old court house ; and on the first day of January, 185(1, the first number of the " Prairie Advocate " made its appearance. The print was simply intolerable, and it is not too much to say that the paper was a disappointment to publishers and patrons. But it struggled along, and the next summer the old reading matter type were thrown out and replaced by new. This helped its appearance somewhat, and at least made it possible to read it.

The struggle for life of the Advocate, in the first year of its existence need not be recorded, even if the details could now be known. Suffice it to say that of course the paper did not pay. Mr. Smith who was a man of some means, had already seen service enough in a printing office to cure him of that ambition which would pursue the printing business for fun when it was sinking his means, and he decided to get out.

Oliver White, then a young man, was teaching school in Toulon, but was an extensive correspondent of the Advocate, under various assumed names, and being an intimate friend of Hewitt spent much of his leisure at the ofhce. He began to set type for iimusement, as well as to write, and before the summer was ended had made considerable progress as a com])ositer. It is due this individual to state that this natural dropping in among papers and type was after all no accident. He had l)esieged his father, daring all the years of boyhood to iind him a situation in a printing otlice, to learn the business. This, his fiither had regarded as a boy's whim and gave it little consideration. But now, the boy's whim must give color to the man's life ; for after learning another trade and attaining his majority, he was to enter upon his chosen vocation, with everything to learn; when under favoring circumstances he should have been a master instead of an apprentice. Overtures were made to him that summer to -drop everything else and enter regularly upon the Inisiness of journalism, then and there ; but he had already learned enough to know that the Prairie Advocate office was not the proper school, and in the latter part of that summer he made an engagement on the Henry County Dial, then edited by the late General Howe, and printed by E. B. Chambers, one of the finest printers then in -the state.

Mr. Smith sold out his interest in the Advocate to Mr. Hewitt, and bought him a larm, and the latter pursued the business with a lone hand. But this did not last long. In the following winter a better business prospect w^as developed in Princeton, and INIr. Hewitt decided to seize upon it if he could dispose of the Advocate. He opened negotiations with Mr. White who was then editing the Dial for another party. General Howe having retired, but -did not effect a sale. He sold, however, in the spring of 1857, to Rev. R. C. Dunn, and it was then that the paper took the name of the Stark County News. But Mr. Dunn found a very unproductive and not too congenial field of labor, and after a few months he sold out the materials of the otHce to Henderson and Whitaker. These gentlemen bought with a hope merely that they might be able to rent or otherwise let it to some one who would keep the paper running, but without any thought of entering the newspaper field, or even of speculation. The publication was then continued by Dr. S. S. Kaysbier, who had already gained

Tlie publication was thus continued Avitli some degree of regularity, but with no financial success, until the winter of 18(30-(jl, when it was abandoned, and for months the office stood idle.

In the fall of 18G1, jNIr. W. H. Butler of Wyoming, was induced to take the olfice and start a paper. He was known to be a man of means and ability ; and of so much personal popularity that it was supposed the community would rally around him, and give him a hearty support. He called his paper the Stark County Union, and aimed to keep out of the political caldron, f )f course he printed it well and conducted it M'ith dignity ; but sutfice it to say it did not pay ; and after a few months' effort to place it on a paying basis, he abandoned the attempt and refunded the money to all advance subscribers.

Again the office lay for months idle ; but in the spring of 1863, I}r. S. 8. Kaysbier decided to try the expei-iment of a very small cheap paper. Accordingly he went in and commenced to issue a little sheet, four columns to the page - again under the name of the Stark County News.

It is a notable l^ict that this little paper paid its way, for the first time that a paper had ever paid in Toulon. This continued until the first of January, 1861, when a co-partnership having been formed with Oliver White, the paper was enlarged to six columns size. It is a matter of history that in the first number of this enlarged paper, the name of Abraham Lincoln was run up for a second term ; and Mr. White wrote a brief editorial on the subject, which was the first public mention of Mr. Lincoln for a second term, in the whole country. The paragraph was taken up and hawked about, from Maine to California - being commented on sometimes of course with a sneer, and sometimes as a suggestion worthy of consideration. But the name stood there at the head of the editorial column, until Lincoln was re-elected.

In the summer of 1861, Mr. Kaysbier retired from the business and the publication was continued by Mr. White alone. The paper was now on a paying basis, and the pulilisher applied all available means to building up the office in materials. New type was bought from time to time ; and in the course of two years a very good country office for those days was tlie result. But in the spring of 1866, Mr. White decided to advocate the nomination of Hon. E. C. Ingersoll for congress, rather than that of General T. J. Henderson who was the choice of many leading republicans, and was moreover half owner of the press Mr. White used. We

Very naturally General Henderson objected to furnish his opponents with weapons wherewith to assail himself, and thus INIr. AVhite was compelled to procure another press by means of which to advocate the In<i,'ersoll interests.. This he did very promptly, the paper not suspending an issue. Upon reporting this change of base to the proprietors of the first press, and reipiesting to know where he should store the same, Mr. White was ordered to store it in a very warm country, with a very short name, but beingsomewhat in doubt as to tlie exact locality of that place he coml)romised matters by throwing the type in the " hell box," and all the wooden furnitui-e out of a second story window ! So senseless are political animosities.

In the fldl of 18()>!, Mr. White sold a half interest in his office to Mr. Joseph Smethurst and in the following spring the other half to jMr. Edwin Butler. A few months later Mr. Butler bought out Smethurst and assumed entire control of " The Stark County News," which has since jogged along without many romantic episodes to mark its history. It is still in 1870, under the direction of Mr. Butler, and as it has been for the greater part of the time, the sole organ of the dominant party in our growing and prosperous county, it is presumable that it has paid well ; at any rate the editor recently made the characteristic remark, that " its career had been satisfactory to him whether it had pleased any one else orjiot."

During the exciting campaign of 1800, the democrats of Stark c ounty, organized a "Douglas Club," and decided that the best way to advocate the claims of their candidates was to start a cam- Ijaign paper, which was accordingly done, the first number of the Stark County Democrat appearing in July, 1800, with M. Shallenberger as editor.

Perhaps it is not too much tt) say that the editorial department of this little sheet was well sustained, and in its columns were found many able communications from the leading writers of the county who endorsed its political faith. It was printed by ]\Er. Bassett, at Kewanee, and closed its brief life with the defeat of Douglas in 1860.