Will County, Illinois - The whole text, 1878 (part 7 of 29)

In June of the same year, M. H. Demmond from Herkimer County, N. Y., and George R. Makepeace explored the West, and finally made a plant in the same locality, each purchasing another acre for the same sum of $125, of James McKee, Mr. Demmond's acre joining Clement's on the north, and Mr. Makepeace's still further north, on the north side of Oneida Street. They returned to New York, settled up their affairs and in September came on with their families, following the Sac trail from Niles hither. A sister of Mrs. Demmond's, now Mrs. Foltz of Centre street, a hired man of the name of Jenny, and a verdant youth subsequently known and described as "Long George," and sometimes as "Deacon," and at rare and happy intervals by those whose sense of justice is keen, "Judge," accompanied Mr. Demmond. We wish we could illustrate this history with a bird's-eye view of Juliet at this time, September, 1834. The pen cannot be expected to do it justice. Coming in through the Hickory Creek timber, crossing the tall grass and weeds of Spring Creek bottom, the first building which greeted the eager eyes of the traveler, was the palatial mansion of Dr. Bowen, of which we have spoken - sixteen or eighteen feet square. Crossing the slough somewhere near the present Cass street, then covered with grass and weeds in which we could almost be lost, two other dwellings loomed upon the vision. These were occupied by Thomas Cox and Benj. F. Barker. One of these was afterward moved, and altered by J. 0. Norton, and is still extant on North Chicago street. Farther south there were perhaps three other buildings just erected. One of these became historic as the "Juliet Hotel," and stood on the corner north of the Central Presbyterian Church. This was moved a little east a few years since, and has been cremated. Another was the Bailey house. On the west side of the river, which was then crossed by a ford below the island, was the old log house built by Reed, with an addition by McKee ; the Clement house of which we have spoken ; another which had been built for Mr. Demmond, per contract made by him on his first visit; and further north, a log house just above Cross street, in which lived a Mr. Campbell, and which soon after and for a long time was the home of Barton Smith, Esq., and family. The Maggard house was so far to the north as not to be included in the city limits during its existence. Men were busy building McKee's dam, laying the foundation for the mill, digging the race, and hewing the timbers. Such were at this time all the indications of the future city. To watch the daily progress of the mill, eat Mrs. McKee's hot biscuit, and drink her coflfee, and explore the suburbs, were the onlv resources for driving off the blues for the first few weeks ; and a hard time the writer had of it, no mistake. At this time, Deacon Brandon - it is wonderful how many Deacons we are able to get into this history - was lying upon his back, sick with bilious fever, in the McKee addition, and swallowing unlimited quantities of calomel, not a cheerful sight for the eyes of a new-comer. He was Mr. McKee's mason. We must not forget a block-house and palisades, built upon the highest part of the blufi", where H. N. Marsh's house now stands, during the Sac war. To this spot the writer often retired to dream of the future city - and of the girl he left behind him. In the course of the Fall and Winter the mill was erected and also a saw-mill, v/hich was rented and run by Dan. Clement and Clark. Mr. Demmond moved into the house he had built, and opened a store in one of the rooms, after the arrival of his goods, via the lakes, which were "hauled" from Chicago with "prairie schooners." The

Kings, who lived near the mound, hauled several loads. The goods were stored in Chicago at the old warehouse of Newbury & Dole, on the north side of the river. Probably few living remember the first warehouse of Chicago. Mr. Demmond had a prosperous trade, owing largely, no doubt, to his young and popular clerk ; but the accommodations were limited, and he soon planned greater things. He purchased during the Winter the land of McKee, except three acres sold, and another acre reserved for McKee, and the water-power, millyard, etc., and in the Spring commenced the erection of the old Demmond block, now owned by John D'Arcy. He laid off " West Juliet," and was soon busy selling lots, his clerk, who had spent a year in diligently looking at the bindings of a large law library, being conveyancer.

First Winter

The following is probably nearly a correct list of the persons who spent the Winter of 1834-5 within the present city limits : A. W. Bowen and wife, Wm. H. Blackburn and wife, Thomas Cox and wife, 0. D. Putnam, Henry Bone and wife, the two Baileys, George West and wife, N. H. Cutter, Benj. F. Barker and wife, Eri Dodge and wife. Jay Lyons, Edward Perkins and James C. Troutman, on the east side of the river ; and M. H. Demmond and wife. Miss Murray, Gr. H. Woodruff, James McKee and wife, Richard Hobbs, Charles W. Brandon, Daniel Clement and wife, Charles Clement, N. H. Clarke, D. Maggard, Asaph Webster, wife and son, Mr. Campbell and wife, a family named Lumereaux, and probably one or two others, on the west side. Mr. Makepeace and wife went to Fox River.

First Churches And Schools

During the Winter of 1834-5, the Rev. J. H. Prentiss, of Onondaga County, N. Y., came on here, under the auspices of the American Home Mission Society, and believing that there were already some here who needed preaching to, and that there would probably soon be many more, determined to locate here, and during the Summer of 1835, came on with his family and established a mission. He first preached in a little stone house that stood on the southeast corner of Broadway and Western avenue, until a house was built by Demmond, E. Haven, McKee and J. Beaumont and others, for school and church purposes, on Hickory street, on the edge of Comstock's Pond. The house is still extant with considerable revamping, and is occupied as a residence by Mr. Tyrrell. It was long used as a school house and meeting house. Here the famous pedagogue of the early days, John Watkins, once taught. He has been called the first teacher at Chicago and at Joliet. Mr. Watkins was a worthy man and teacher, and we are sorry to take from liim the honor of being first on the ground. But Mrs. Kinzie, in " Waubun," tells of an earlier one in Chicago, and a daughter of B. F. Barker says that a Miss Persis Cleveland taught the first Juliet school in the old block-house. If this was so, the writer protests that he never saw her on his frequent visits to that locality. John Wat- kins now lives in Joliet, almost blind, and is occasionally seen upon our streets. If not the first pedagogue in Chicago, he must have been next, as he taught school in the same log house where Father Walker preached and lived in the days of his early labors in that city. S. W. Stone, a later acquisition to our city, taught in the same building, on Hickory street, as early as 1845; and some of our young men, who are not so very young, first learned "how to shoot" - paper wads under his administration.

Mr. Prentiss built a shanty on Oneida street, just under the bluff, where he lived until he got his house finished - a house which still remains, and is the one lately occupied by Mr. Denker, on South Broadway. He was the first settled minister in the city, and organized a Presbyterian Church in August, 1835.

The Episcopal (Christ) Church dates its organization a little ahead. This was organized in May of that year, by Bishop Chase, of "Kobin's Nest," Peoria. Comstock Hanford, John Griswold, Miles Rice, Orlin Westover, A. W. Bowen, Julia Ann Hanford and Amorette B. Griswold were the original members. Some of these were from Yankee Settlement. All, except Dr. Bowen, were outside of Joliet.

The original members of the Presbyterian Church were : Simon Z. Haven, Stephen Hubbard, Josiah Beaumont and his wife Eliza, Daniel Reed and his wife Cinda, Elias Haven and his wife Emily N., Eliza Prentiss, Delia Butler (Mrs. Prentiss' sister), and others were soon added. Forty-three names are on the original record, from August 12, 1835, to March 31, 1838, when Mr. Prentiss left for another field, and the Church soon ceased to' have records, September 2, 1888, being the last entry. Among these names - the writer will be pardoned for mentioning - were an honored father and mother, Theor and Chloe Woodruff, and a beloved wife, Hannah B. Woodruff. Rodney House, the good, gray old Deacon of the present Central Church, who had settled on the Au Sable in 1833, and moved to Joliet in 1835, was also a member.

Of course, itinerants of the Methodist Episcopal Church were early on the ground, and organized classes at Juliet, as elsewhere in the county. As early as 1836, the Joliet Circuit was established, of which Stephen R. Beggs was first Elder, who at once commenced the work of building the first Methodist Church building, and organized the Church in 1837. That old Methodist Church was, for several years afterward, the blacksmith shop of the Rock Island Railroad. But long, long it had the honor of being the first and only church edifice in Joliet. Long, long, its walls resounded to the eloquence of the early preachers of the Church, and the shouts, amens and happy songs of the brethren, sisters and children. Long, long, quarterly meetings and love feasts there gladdened the hearts of the|membership. Many, many, precious souls were there "born into the kingdom," some of whom still fight the good fight of faith ; while many, many, have receiv§d the palm of victory, and now shout " amen " to the new song.

The season of 1835 made many additions to our embryo city, among whom were John L, and Richard L. Wilson, George Higley and family, Levi Jenks and family, Archibald Growl, Wm. Walters, 0. F. Rogers, Rev. J. H. Prentiss and family, Abel Gilbert, Geo. Squire and wife, Rodney House and family, William A. Chatfield and family, S. W. Bowen, Abijah Cagwin and family, a Mr. Boland and his two sons, Abner and Andrew, H. N. Marsh and wife, Elias Haven and sons, David Rattray, James Brodie, Francis Nicholson and wife, W. R. Atwell (our first blacksmith) and wife, Allen Pi-att, Dr. Curtis Haven, Barton Smith and two sons and family, Joel George and wife, Sullivan Demmond, Jonathan Barnett, Charles Sayer, J. Beaumont and family, E. M. Daggett, E. C. Fellows, Fenner Aldrich, George Howliston, Alonzo Castle, Asa Rowe, Elias Hyde, Dr. Daniel Reed, David Crozier, Wm. Sherifi', S. B. Hopkins, Walter Seeley, Edson White, 0. W. Stillman, John M. Wilson, and a lawyer of the name of Pepper - not a misnomer.

1886. In 1836, the great speculation year, they came in rapidly. It will be imposible to recall all. Among the additions were J. A. Matteson, Orange Chauncey and wife, Albert Shepard, Uri Osgood, James Stout, Thomas, Edward and Bennett Allen, Dr. R. E. W. Adams and family, Mr. De Berard and family, John Currey and family, J. J. Garland and wife. Dr. Comstock and family, Otis Hardy and family, Edmund Wilcox, Thomas R. Hunter, W. J. Heath, David Richards and family, Hugh Henderson, Capt. Amos Fellows, J. C. Newkirk, Hervey Lowe, Richard Doolittle, Wm. Blair, Rufus Colton, Elnathan Bassett, Wm. S. Burgess, Thomas G. Burgess, S. S. Davis, Wm. A. Boardman, Stephen Hubbard, Giles Jackson (late of Ottawa, deceased). Dr. Scholfield, Wm. G. Hubbard, Dr. Wallace A. Little, Henry Fish, M. Worthingham, Thomas Culbertson, John Green, Lewis Reed and sons, David L. Roberts and family, Isaac H. Palmer, E. E. Bush and family. Dr. Simon Z. Havens, Henry G. Brown, David Richards, Theor Woodruff and George Woodruff, and our first installment from Germany, George Erhard, John Beltz and Mr. Gritzner.

Two Sides To Juliet

Of course, from the Spring of 1835, building progressed rapidly on both sides of the river. A brisk rivalry, which sometimes got to be right sharp, sprang up between East and West Juliet ; for rivers, like

No soonei: did a stranger make his appearance, than he was seized upon by parties interested in selling lots, and the special merits and advantages of the East or West Side (as the case might be) were urged with all the earnestness and eloquence of a man running for office. Either side called the other " Canada," and to get the start in any enterprise or public improvement was an object which enlisted the energies of all. Communication between the two sides was difficult and occasionally impossible. For some years, we had to rely on the ford or precarious foot-bridges, and on skiffs, "dug-outs" and rafts. After we organized under our town charter, we had a ferry, the boat for which was built by Otis Hardy ; and the first permanent bridges were built in 1837 (which lost their permanency the next Spring) by the ingenious device of scrip, a kind of " fiat money."

Uncle Bige And The Dug-Out

We gave in that authentic history, " Forty Years Ago," a few incidents connected with this bridgeless period, some comic and some tragic ; but we did not tell the story of "Uncle Bige's" experience in dug-outs. It ought to be placed on record. When " Uncle Bige" first came to this county, in 1835, he pursued for a while during that Summer the business of a traveling merchant. One time, during a period of high water, he came back to Joliet on the West Side. He left his wagon at some safe place and got some one to take him over in a boat. The landlord of the tavern where he stayed wanted some tea. Uncle Bige had a supply in his wagon, and he thought he saw a good way to pay his board bill, and so undertook to go over and get some. When he came to the river, he found no means of crossing except a dug-out. He had never tried to navigate a dug-out, but he had often seen others - even little Indians and squaws - row them about at will, and it seemed an easy thing to do. Most people have the same idea, until they try it. So he got into one end of it without much trouble - this was forty-odd years ago, before he became one of our solid men - pointed the other end toward the place where he wanted to land on the West Side, and pushed boldly out. The river was booming from recent rains, but the dug-out went all right for a few feet until the prow struck the strong current near the center of the river, when its direction was suddenly changed from west to south. Uncle Bige did not like the change. McKeestown was his destination, and not New Orleans. He at once tried to bring about a return to the original direction. He tried to larboard," and then he tried to but on went the dug-out toward the maelstrom made by McKee's dam. The prospect was not cheering to a man who had not made his will. He began to get a little excited and to doubt his ability to manage a dug-out. To cheer him, the people who had begun to collect on either shore, gave him some very good advice. One cried out, " Put your paddle on t'other side ; " and another, " Put your paddle on this side ; " and another, " Head her up stream," etc., etc. It is one of our good deeds which affords us great satisfaction in the retrospect, that we offered Uncle Bige some very good advice on this occasion. It may have been the means of saving a future Judge to Will County. Who can tell what great results hang upon the most trifling actions ! Uncle Bige tried to follow all this good advice, and was, no doubt, very much encouraged by the interest manifested in his welfare. But the plaguy dug-out obstinately refused to mind the helm ; whichever side he put the paddle seemed to make no difference - on, on she went toward New Orleans. His mind underwent a change in respect to dug-outs. He wished he was on shore where he could read up in the art of navigation. He thought about his wife and children way back in York State, and, perhaps, of some other things. McKee's old dam and the maelstrom seemed to be moving up toward him at a fearful rate. He was fully convinced now that he did not know how to manage a dug-out, and, seeing not far off, just above the dam, a couple of " staddles" that had been left standing, he thought he would rather trust them than it, and concluded to go overboard. This was not a difficult thing to do. The dug-out spilled him easily - as easily as falling off a log, and very much like it. He very soon found the bottom of the Des Planes, and partly by his own efforts, a la crab, and partly by the force of the current, he succeeded in seizing one of the staddles and showing his head above the surface, snorting like a porpoise. The dug-out went on, bottom side up. He did not care for the ship, but he did want to save the cargo. The staddle was now his only hope ; clinging to that with a deathlike grasp, he rested and calmly surveyed the situation. After a while relief came to him in the shape of a rope thrown from the East Side. By the help of this he at last made port. ' It was not the one for which he had first " bent his ventureus prow, " but it gave him real estate security, and that was what he most wanted. He did not get the tea, but he had taken a valuable lesson in the navigation of dug-outs, with which he has remained content. He has never thought he could manage one since. It would take two at least to hold him now !

Juliet Post Office

As we have elsewhere said, when the settlement was first made here, our nearest postoffice was at Uncle Billy Gougar's, and this was called the Juliet postoffice. The mail route - per Indian pony express - was from Danville to Chicago, and passed by Gougar's, through Yankee Settlement. Dr. Bowen, who was well known at the Postoffice Department at Washington, not only officially (having held the office of Postmaster in the place from which he came), but personally, succeeded in getting the route changed to go from Gougar's to Plainfield via Juliet, and soon after a stage mail route was established from Chicago to Ottawa by way of Plainfield and Joliet, which in a little while was run directly from Ottawa to Chicago via Joliet, leaving Plainfield out in the cold. He was appointed Postmaster in 1885, as we have elsewhere stated.

Special Mention

Now there are a great many of the persons named in the above lists, of whom we should like to make special mention, and respecting whom we should like to record some incidents. But the amount of paper we are consuming admon- ishes us that we must restrain our inclinations in this regard. Some of these persons are well known ; they have lived long and still live among us, and however pleased we might be to write their obituaries, we cannot do so while they persist in keeping hale and hearty. It would not suit our ideas of good taste. George West was a Methodist preacher, but out of health for some time, and soon left.

M. H. Demmond, the proprietor of "West Juliet," was originally from Massachusetts. For several years he was a merchant in Oneida and Herkimer Counties, N. Y., where he accumulated a considerable property by diligent attention and fair dealing. In 1834, he thought he would come West, where he could invest his gains to better advantage. Circumstances have justified his course. He died of cholera in 1854, leaving a handsome property to his wife and his wife's niece, afterward Mrs. Bartleson. Mr. Demmond was never a member of a church, but he was always the most liberal supporter of such religious and educational efforts as secured his confidence and respect. He was the first to welcome Mr. Prentiss, and was his most liberal supporter and friend. And it is but just to say that in this respect his widow, who still lives among us, follows the same course. He was also noted for his honorable and upright dealing, and had the confidence of all.

Abijah Cagwin, "Uncle Bige" - we beg his pardon - Judge Cagwin, became our County Judge from 1839 to 1842 - four years. "Uncle Bige" still flourishes, like one of the sturdy oaks of fifty years ago, which the woodman has spared. "Uncle Bige," we mean Judge Cagwin, once built a saw-mill on Hickory Creek, below the Red mill. He built several dams successively which the high water carried away each Spring, until at last he gave the creek a final damming (with an n in it) and left it to the Joliet Woolen Factory Company.

James McKee was a Kentuckian, a marked character, well informed, a great reader, a strong temperance man and Abolitionist, honest but stubborn, a great man to discuss moral and political questions, and hospitable. He was elected a Justice of the Peace and greatly magnified his ofiice. He took the view that his official oath required him to take notice of every infringement of the statute, and he did not wait for a complaint to be made, but at once ordered the arrest of any person whom he saw disorderly. This gave rise to some amusing scenes. The lessees of his saw-mill used to run it on Sunday, and McKee would have them arrested on Monday and fine them.

The name Haven has occurred frequently in the preceding lists, and something more ought to be said respecting this family, once so prominent among us. Elias, Simon Z., Curtis and Samuel Haven were brothers, who came here about the same time from the State of New York. Philo A., Orlando H. and James were sons of Elias Haven, of Joliet, and Dr. Rush Haven (now of Chicago), Carlos Haven (late of Chicago, deceased) and Dwight Haven, of New Lenox (School Commissioner of our county from 1865 of 1868, inclusive), are sons of Samuel Haven, of the Hickory Creek settlement. 0. H. Haven, a young man who was once a well-known and prominent citizen of Joliet, and represented this district in the General Assembly of 1849, died of cholera in 1854. In 1839, he, with Philo A., built the saw and grist mill which once stood below town, and the dam across the river, which still remains. The California excitement took James and Philo A. from us, and they have never returned to stay. Dr. Rush and Carlos also went there, but came back again, with more or less of the root of all evil. Simea Z. Haven, a physician, returned to New York, and Curtis Haven was many years a physician in Joliet and died here. Elias was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church, in 1835. Dwight Haven is now, we believe, the only male representative of this once large family in Will County. His brother Carlos died in Chicago in 1862, having taken high rank as a lawyer. Mrs. James Goodspeed is a daughter of Samuel Haven. He died in March, 1866, at the age of 67.

Hugh Henderson came from Norway, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1835, and was one of our best known and ablest lawyers. He was a member of the firm of Henderson & Boardman, and afterward of Wilson & Henderson. He was elected Judge of Probate in 1837, and Circuit Judge in 1839. He was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1847. He had an eminently judicial mind, and his legal opinion always carried great weight. Although he was an ardent politician, he numbered many of his political opponents among his warmest friends. Frank and courteous in manner, and pure and spotless in character and reputation, his early death was deeply regretted. He was taken sick while on a visit to his native place, and died there in October, 1854.

We told one story of Dr. Comstoek in " Forty Years Ago," and must put another on record, for the Doctor was one of our characters, one of the best of the early day. He was an able preacher as well as a good doctor. He was at home wherever he went. It was a common thing for a woman on going into her parlor to find the Doctor stretched out upon the lounge, reading, or perhaps fast asleep. It was the "old Doctor," and nobody thought of taking oifense. On one occasion, he had visited a patient late in the evening, and, wishing to leave an appointment with another doctor (who, for convenience sake, we will call Dr. B.) for a council next day, he walked, according to his custom, into the house (those were the primitive days when we did not lock every door), and and knowing that the Doctor was not in, opened the door of what he supposed to be the bedroom occupied by Dr. B.'s wife, and proceeded to make known his errand, as he supposed, to her. It happened that the room was occupied by a (then) unmarried sister of Dr. B.'s wife. She was not a little frightened, at first, to see in the dim light a strange man of somewhat singular appearance unceremoniously enter her bedroom (the Doctor wore a shawl wrapped around his neck and shoulders long before men's shawls came into fashion). But she soon discovered that the intruder had no evil intent, and listened quietly to his statement, after making which the Doctor withdrew. Dr. Comstoek found out, the next day, the blunder he had made, and felt that an apology was due the young lady. He accordingly called and made his apology by walking through the room where Dr. B.'s wife and her sister were both sitting, and saying: "iw the morning behold it was Leah ! " On another occasion, when he visited a lady patient whose disease seemed to baffle his remedies, he entered her room with the abrupt remark, " Desperate diseases require desperate remedies," and forthwith administered a kiss to his astonished patient.

C. W. Brandon, commonly known as Deacon Brandon, was our first stone mason and stone cutter, and built the Wilson store (soon to be mentioned), and Barker's stone cottage, long the most costly dwelling in Joliet, now metamorphosed. He was also the proprietor of the city of Palmyra. We do not refer to the Palmyra built by Solomon, and known as Tadmor in the desert, but the Palmyra of Will County, built in 183ij. If the reader does not know its history or location, let him look upon the county records, where he will find all its noble avenues, its splendid palaces and its grand temples recorded by the same skillful hand that is now writing this history - and you will find them nowhere else. If you have the curiosity to look upon the ground where it stood, and to dig among its ruins, ask Prof. Palmer to point out the spot to you. He married one of the Deacon's comely daughters, and liveis in the vicinity ; and if the city has left any bumps he will know where they are, for he is great on bumps. And while searching for ruins, you might also look up those of Romeo, Lunenburg, West Lockport, Williamsburg, Middletown, Vienna, Carlysle, Chelsea, New Rochester, . and New Buffalo, all once flourishing cities of Will County ; but now the gopher burrows unscared amid their ruins. We suggest to the next Fourth of July orator that, instead of asking, " Where are Thebes and Babylon ? " etc., he should vary the question and ask, " Where are Lunenburg ? " etc. Mr. Brandon died in 1871.

E. E. Bush was some time mine host of the old " American," and had the honor at one time of feeding J. C. Newkirk, John M. Wilson, Charles, Clement, and this deponent, and others not equally celebrated. Bush was a son-in-law of Lyman Hawley, and consequently the Hawley girls used to be at the American a good deal, which did not hurt it any ; did it, Charley ? Bush moved to Lockport, and was long Postmaster there, where he died many years ago.

John L. and Richard L., and a younger brother who came a little later, Charles L.Wilson, were the sons of Judge Quartus Wilson, of Albany, N. Y. They were some time residents here, engaged in merchandising, canal contracting, etc. They afterward removed to Chicago. Richard L. was Postmaster there, under Taylor. The Wilsons founded the Chicago Journal. We don't know whether Chicago feels it or not, but she is greatly indebted to Will County for men as well as for stone and gravel and coal. The list of men we have allowed to go there would be a long one, embracing some of her best lawyers, physicians, judges, merchants, capitalists, and public men, editors, etc., and thus we have helped to raise her out of the mud in more senses than one.

Everybody knows David Richards, and how his farm is now one of the finest portions of the city, and Richards street, a fashionable avenue. We do not suppose that when David set his stakes there he anticipated becoming part of the city.

Lewis Reed had a blacksmith's shop under the bluff, just north of Exchange street, where a bold and frowning bluff, with a lime-kiln below, stood where now we make the easy ascent. Could those who want the hill cut down have seen it then, they would be forced to own that it had already been cut some. One of Mr. Reed's sons is the Rev. Francis Reed, a Methodist preacher, now at Mendota.

W. J. Heath, above named, is the man who has been so long known in Joliet as Justice Heath, and sometimes, by way of eminence, as Chief Justice Heath. He has worn the justicial ermine many'years ; but he is still extant, and we shall not, therefore, write his obituary, but must leave that pleasing task to some future historian. But we have a little story to tell of him. Mr. Heath did not arrive at the dignity of being Chief Justice of Joliet at one jump, but went through the preliminary steps of Constable, Deputy Sheriff, etc, It so happened at an early day, when the Kankakee River formed the boundary line between Will and Iroquois Counties, that he had given him some papers to serve on a couple of men who resided on the Kankakee. So he set out to hunt them up. After a long and lonesome ride, he arrived at the banks of that stream, and found, living near the ford, one of the men of whom he was in search, on whom he served his process in due form. But here he learned to his chagrin, that the other man lived just across the river. Although he was not yet a justice learned in the law, he even then knew that a process from a Will County Court would not have any force on the other side of the river. Here was a quandary. He did not like to lose his fees and mileage on this paper - it was half of his day's wages - and the whole was little enough reward for his long ride. A brilliant idea struck him. He had often heard it said that everything was fair in war and in love, and he was already enough of a politician to have learned that everything was fair in politics. Then why not in law. He at once resolved on a strategic movement. He crossed over, and, riding up to the man's house, found him with his horse just ready to go away. Mr. Heath told the man that he was happy to find him and with his horse all ready, as he wished very much for a man to go over to the other side to witness the execution of a paper. Would he be kind enough to take that trouble ? The man readily complied. When they had got safely on the Will County side, Mr. Heath asked the man his name. The man told him it was Beebee. " Beebee," exclaimed Mr. Heath. " Ah, I believe I have got a process to serve on you," and accordingly he proceeded to read to the astonished squatter the document with which he was armed. The man was so astonished at the cheeky procedure that for a moment he was speechless ; but he soon recovered his voice and proceeded to tell Heath what he thought of him, in language more forcible than elegant. But Heath had saved his fees and mileage, and cared little for the man's private opinion. Whether in this case the end was large enough to justify the means is a problem in casuistry which we submit to the Joliet Philosophical Debating Club.

Black Hawk War

As. will be seen from the preceding pages, there had begun to be a considerable immigration into this and other parts of the Northwest as early as 1830 and 1831. This immigration was interrupted in the Spring of 1832, by the Black Hawk war - so called from the noted chief who was its prominent instigator.' Although the seat of the war was principally to the west and north, on Rock River, and, although the Pottawatomie Indians of this region were supposed to be friendly, yet great alarm was felt by the settlers in this vicinity. It was at once feared that the tide of war would sweep this way, and that a general war of extermination had been resolved upon by the Indians, and that the efforts which it was known Black Hawk was making to draw in all the Indians of the Northwest, would be successful. There was abundant reason to justify their fears. On the 21st of May, a frightful massacre had been perpetrated on Indian Creek, about fifteen miles above Ottawa, within thirty miles of Joliet, in which fifteen settlers, men - women and children - had been suddenly surrounded and massacred, with the usual barbarities of Indian warfare. One boy alone had escaped from the settlement and carried the news to Ottawa. Two girls named Sylvia and Rachel Hall, of the ages of 15 and 17 respectively, had been carried off as prisoners, and held for ransom. As we have elsewhere noted, this event is closely connected with the history of Joliet. The news of this and other atrocities might well arrest further immigration and drive out many already here. The settlers at Walker's Grove, with some who had fled from Fox River, to the number of 125 in all, collected at the house of Father Beggs, on Section 16, which seemed most favorably located for defense. This they hastily fortified, by pulling down all the surrounding outbuildings and fences, and forming outer barricades of the material. The question arose whether they would escape to Ottawa or remain at the fort. Mrs. Flagg, the wife of Azariah Flagg, a woman of great decision and judgment, threw the weight of her influence in favor of staying, and presented so many and so strong arguments for this course that the settlers finally determined to stay. It was afterward ascertained that this course saved their lives, and that the party who had committed the outrage at Indian Creek were laying in wait, expecting them. Indeed, one person, the old Dunkard preacher, of the name of Payne, refused to stay, and, trusting to his sacred character, put out for Ottawa and met his fate a little way from the fort. They chose James Walker for their commander, and resolved upon a vigorous defense. They collected all the guns, hoes, scythes, axes, pitchforks, etc., of the neighborhood, and melted up their pewter spoons for bullets. Here they waited a few days, and no Indians making their appearance, and, as they had but four guns, they thought the safer course was to go to the fort at Chicago. Thither, accordingly, they made their way, under the protection of the company elsewhere mentioned, where they found the fort full of settlers that had fled thither for protection. The crowded state of the fort rendered their stay there exceedingly uncomfortable, and they suffered nearly as much as from their fears of the Indians. The settlers in Yankee Settlement also fled to Chicago. The alarm had been carried to the Settlement by Hiram Pearson, of Chicago, and Daniel Mack, of Hadley, who had started for Danville, and who encountered fugitives from the West somewhere near the Des Planes River. They returned at once and gave the alarm, and the families were quickly gathered together and went to Chicago. While there the refugees organized a company of twenty-five, chose Holder Sisson, of Yankee Settlement, their Captain, and started out on a scout to ascertain, if possible, the whereabouts of the Indians. They stayed the first night at an old settler's of the name of Lawton, on the Des Planes, went thence on to Naperville, then down to Walker's Grove, stopping the second night at Fort Beggs. They then proceeded on toward Ottawa, and at Holderman's Grove they met a party from Ottawa, and both parties went to Indian Creek, where they found the mutilated and decaying bodies of fifteen persons, including six children. Having buried these, they went on to Ottawa, where they found the remnants of a regiment which had skedaddled from the encounter at Stillman's Run. They then returned, over the same route, to Chicago. On their return they found the body of the Dunkard preacher; neither his long, reverend beard, nor his peaceful character had availed to save him from the treacherous savage. After a few weeks' stay at Chicago, the discomforts of the fort vere so great that the settlers from Yankee Settlement returned, and built a fort on the Sisson-Hanford place ; and those from Walker's Grove returned to that locality.

Scott had arrived at Chicago, bringing with him a foe more dreadful than the Indians even. This caused a more sudden stampede from than there had been to Chicago from the country. Lanfear, and his ox-team, of the Yankee Settlement, -were pressed into the service by Scott to take his supplies to Galena. At this time there was a Pottawatomie village or encampment between Fraction Run and Big Run, Lockport, and remained there a year or two after. A story is told of this fort to this effiect : Runyon, wishing to put the courage and watchfulness of its inmates to the proof, disguised himself as an Indian, and with rifle and tomakawk approached with stealthy step. He came near paying dearly for his experiment, as the defenders were about to fire upon him, when his wife, with the sure instinct of a woman, discovered the disguise and prevented the catastrophe. The settlers on Hickory Creek, Jackson's Grove and Joliet Township, and all down the river, being, many of them, from Indiana, sought safety in that direction by a hasty flight. A number having collected near Gougar's, they sent Robert Stevens, David Maggard and one of the Normans to reconnoiter. They saw some Indians on the prairie near the Lilly-

Cache, who seemed to be driving off cattle. They returned and reported, giving it as their opinion that they were Pottawatomies. It was afterward ascertained that this was so, and that they were on their way to assure the settlers that there was no cause for alarm. But the settlers had by this time become so excited that they commenced at once to flee, and to notify all the region of their danger. Every horse, pony and ox-team was at once brought into requisition. The chattels of the settlers were hastily loaded, and women and children placed in the wagons, while the men with their guns rode the horses as guards. When the settlers gathered together on the prairie, there were some seventy or eighty, with twenty teams, mostly drawn by oxen. The stampede, as we have heard it described by some of the survivors, was at the same time terrible and ludicrous. They tell of one who, hatless and coatless, with his supplies of flour, sugar and bacon hastily loaded on his horse before and behind him, was too badly scared to wait the tardy movements of the main column, and put out at the utmost speed of which his horse was capable, throwing overboard one article after another of his impedimenta in order to increase his speed, never pausing until he reached the Kankakee. Some accounts have it that he got on to his horse " hindside afore," and that he did not stop until he reached the Wabash. But the narrator, we fear, was given a little to exaggeration, as even historians sometimes are - a thing very much to be deprecated. But if true, he no doubt presented the boldest front he had to the enemy. The fugitives met a company of armed men from Indiana, who had come out to aid and protect the settlers. Some of the fugitives, having cooled off" a little, returned with them. It was this company which built the fort, of which we have spoken, on the bluff, and which was named "Fort Nonsense" by the early settlers. Mr. Jesse Cook, named in the list of early settlers of the township, was one 'of those who returned and who helped build the fort. Mr. Cook also relates that, on returning to their homes, they found that the friendly Pottawatomies had shown their friendship by taking care of the pigs, chickens and provisions they had left in their flight - such good care that the settlers never had to take care of them any more.*

Robert Stevens and David Maggard also returned and concealed themselves for a few days in a cave under the bluff on the west side of the Des Planes. Most of the families returned the next Spring. There was also a block-house built, which was standing many years after the writer came, in Reed's Grove, but whether built before or after the stampede we do not know.

It will be seen from this record that Will County figured in the Black Hawk war. True, no bloody battles occurred on its soil, but there were many races.

* We find the following statement in a biographical sketch of Gurdon S. Hubbard, which may seem to conflict with -what we have given. We conclude, however, that the companies referred to are the same : "In the Spring of 1832, on Sunday morning, news reached Danville of the hostilities of Black Hawk's band, and that they were killing the settlers on the Des Planes and Dn Page Rivers. He (Mr. Hubbard) persuaded Col. Moore, who commanded the Vermilion County Militia, to call out his regiment at once, without waiting the orders of the Governor, and to march for the seat of war. Mr. Hubbard furnished transportation, and bought provisions and ammunition, and the following Tuesday, the regiment took up its march with ten days' rations. Arriving at Joliet, a rude stockade was built one company left, and another sent to Dn Page, where another stockade was (had been) erected, where they left another company, and the balance joined Gen. Atkinson.

No heroes spilled their blood in defense of their hearths and homes, but they took good care that the savages should not spill it for them. At least four, and perhaps more, forts were built, and their pewter plates and spoons were freely sacrificed for the common defense, and Joliet (Campbellstown and McKeestown), are monuments of the bloody slaughter of Indian Creek.

County Organization

After the Black Hawk war, which was soon brought to a close by the vigorous movements of Gen. Atkinson, while Gen. Scott was fighting the cholera, the tide of imrbigration set in strong to the West. No region presented a more inviting prospect to the farmer than that embraced in Will County. Here, too, were mill-sites up and down our streams inviting the manufacturer, and any quantity of sites for towns and cities to catch the eye of the speculator.

The earlier settlements as they were initiated, both before and after the war, we have pretty fully detailed. By 1835, our population had so greatly increased that a new county was called for. Chicago was so remote that it was very inconvenient to be obliged to go there as often as the exigencies of business required. Juliet began to be talked of as a county seat.

Duringthe Winter of 1835-36, through the efforts of our citizens, especially James Walker and Dr. A. W. Bowen, who went to Vandalia as members of the Third House, and who were both shrewd and influential men, an act was passed creating the county of Will. It received its name from Conrad Will, a member of the Legislature who had died just before. Gov. Ford, in his history, says, that he was chiefly remarkably for his good nature. We accept the name as a just compliment to our people. Dr. Bowen got inserted in the act a provision locating the county seat not only in Juliet, but on the public square which Campbell had had the sagacity to appropriate for that purpose. Thus the East Side made a second point on us of the West Side (it had already got the postofiice). An election was ordered in March for a Sherifi', three County Commissioners, Recorder and Coroner. A convention was called to nominate the county officers. This was held in the upper room of the old Demmond Block, which had just been erected. And here the West Side made a point. This convention was called without regard to party, and was largely attended by the substantial settlers throughout the county. Of course they would make out a good ticket. They nominated Holder Sisson, Thomas Durham and James Walker, for Commissioners; Robert Stevens for Sheriff; George H. Woodruff for Recorder (here is the point), and E. M. Daggett for Coroner. The ticket met with some opposition as to Recorder, and Sheriff especially, but it was triumphantly elected. In those days we could make a good run, if nothing else. The principal tactics we used was to keep out of sight, which we think was sagacious. It is worthy of note here that at this election those living on the East Side were obliged to go to Philip Scott's on Section 23, and those living on the West Side to Plainfield, in order to vote. Robert Stevens declined to qualify as Sheriff, and in the Fall, at the first regular election, " Uncle Fenner Aldrich," who had lived at Plainfield, was chosen in time for the first Circuit Court.

We need hardly say that the Board of County Commissioners answered to our Board of Supervisors, transacting the business of the entire county. Their first meeting was held at the " Juliet Hotel," then kept by Thomas H. Blackburn, on March 14, 183d. They appointed Levi Jenks, a west sider, County Clerk and School Commissioner, and Charles Clement, Treasurer of the county. They divided the county into ten election precincts, as follows :

1. DuPage Precinct - ronsisting of Town 37, in Ranges 9 and 10 (now the towns of Du Page and Wheatland). Elections to be held at the house of David E. Clark. Harry Boardman, Seth Wescott and Isaac Scarrett to be .ludges of Election.

2. Plainfield Precinct - 'io-^ns 35 and 36, in Range 9 (Troy and Plainfield). Elections at house of Chester Ingersoll. Oliver Goss, W. W. Wattles and R. W. Chapman, Judges.

3. Canal Precinct - Town 86, in Ranges 10 and 11 (Lockport and Homer). Election at house of Luther C. Chamberlin. Charles Gray, Selah Lanfear and Comstock Hanford, Judges.

4. Joliet Precinct - Town 35, Range 10 (Joliet). Elections at the house of Thomas H. Blackburn. Isaac Merrill, Thos. H. Blackburn and Alonzo Castle, Judges.

5. Hickory Creek - Town 35, in Ranges 11 and 12 (New Lenox and Frankfort). Election at house of Chester Marshall. Mansfield Wheeler, Lewis Kerchival and John I. Davidson, Judges.

6. Jackson - Town 34, Ranges 9 and 10 (Channahon and Jackson). Elections at house of Jasper Willson. Henry Watkins, Seymor Treat and Joseph Shoemaker, Judges.

7. Forked Creek - Towns 32 and 33, in Ranges 9 and 10 (Reed, Wilmington, Florence, Westley and Custer). Elections at house of Robert Watkins. John Kilpatrick, Hamilton Keeney and Thomas Cox, Judges.

8. Rock Village - Towns 32, 33 and 34, in Ranges 11 and 12 (Manhattan, Greengarden, Wilson and Peotone, and two townships now in Kankakee County). Elections at house of Samuel Davis. Archer Caruthers, Samuel Davis and Hugh Carmiehael, Judges.

10. Kankakee - Towns 32 and 33, in Ranges 13 and 14 (Will and Washington, and two townships now in Kankakee County). Elections at house of Enoch Sergeant.

Some of these precincts were soon divided. Canal Precinct was divided the next year into Lockport and Spring Creek (now Homer), and Channahon was set off into Van Buren Precinct, and other changes soon followed. At this first session also, the county was divided into seventeen Road Districts, and Supervisors appointed, and all able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 50 required to work five days on the roads. Trustees of School Sections were also appointed. Viewers were also appointed to lay out the first county road from Juliet to Plaiinfield and on to county line. (The first road projected, and not a good road yet !)

They also ordered a writ of adquod damnum (as the records have it), but whom it hit or what it did, we can't say ; perhaps it is lying around loose yet. It was something about a cut-off from the Kankakee to the Des Planes. Jenks made the two first words into one, but we presume it hurt just as badly. They also fixed the price of tavern charges at 25 cents a meal, 12J cents for

All cities have their golden age, when everything is bright and lovely, when the best men are exalted, and the people rejoice. If this period of which we write was not the golden age of Will County, pray tell us what period was. Think of it ! The best men in office, a good square meal for 25 cents, lodging for 12J cents, whisky for 6^ cents, no tramps, no burglars, no gas bills or ice bills, no book or map agents, no lightning-rod peddlers, no oily-tongued interviewers to persuade you that being a representative man and an old settler you ought to have your history and portrait in a book ! But, alas, those times are over and gone.

After finishing the county business, which took them four days, the County Commissioners voted themselves $6 each, and adjourned. A dollar and a half a day was not a very big salary steal.

Let us note that at the end of the year Mr. Clement was allowed fl6.60, being 2 per cent on the money he handled. Having made his pile, he retired and gave place to Bennett Allen.

More Joliet History

The first stone building put up in Joliet was the block of two stores built by Demmond, of which we have already s]joken. Mr. Demmond moved his store into one part as soon as finished, and soon rented the other. It was necessary that a building of so much importance should be dedicated. This could be done properly only by a ball, and it was determined by the proper authorities that there should be one as soon as the floors were laid and before the partitions were put up. The boys at once canvassed the county for girls. Most of us knew where to find them. The result was an extensive and successful aifair. The fame of it reached Chicago, and some couples came down to it. Among these were a Mr. and Mrs. Garland, a newly-married couple lately from Michigan. Of course the hotel accommodations were limited in those days. Mr. and Mrs. G. put up at the Higley House, the chambers of which could not properly be spoken of in the plural number, a^ there were no partitions. Mrs. G. made herself somewhat unpopular on account of the fastidiousness she exhibited in objecting to inviting "tired nature's sweet restorer" in so promiscuous a style, although nature was very tired indeed, having danced till 4 o'clock. She actually refused to go to bed until a partition had been extemporized by means of a sheet suspended from the rafters ! But when she afterward came to live among us, and we learned to know her many good qualities, we forgot her unpardonable prudery, and loved her long and well.

Old Wilson Store

The next stone building was on the east side, and was put up in 1836, by the Wilson brothers, who had come on here from Albany, and opened a store on Chicago street in one of Dr. Bowen's buildings. This is the old stone building next south of the City Hall. Deacon Brandon, as we have said, built this store. It is one of the buildings that are historic. The Wilsons opened a store there, where they traded some years, and were succeeded by J. A. Matteson, where he kept a store and depot for the cloths which he manufactured, part of the time with George Bradner for a partner. There, at one time, Alexander Mcintosh, now pretty well known in Will County, was his clerk. Major Safford was also for a long time his clerk. He has lately died in Cairo, where he was a banker. The upper story was rented for a court-room and Clerk's office by the County Commissioners, until the old Court House was built - we mean the predecessor of the present old Court House, long since taken down, as the present one ought to be. Afterward, it was occupied by the Episcopal Church for religious worship. Our worthy citizen, S. 0. Simonds, taught a private school there. S. W. Stone, and, we think, K. J. Hammond, taught there also. We can trace its history no further ; time would fail to tell it all ; for a long time, now, it has been occupied for a dwelling.

Among other experiences of the old store we ought, however, to note the fact that in 1851, while occupied as a store house for wool by Matteson, it was struck by lightning, and perhaps that is why the northwest corner is now tumbling out. We suppose when a stranger visits Joliet and one of our citizens wishes to show him the points of interest, he is shown the Opera House Block, the new churches, the dwellings of Mr. Fox, George Woodruif, J. E. Henry, the Centennial and Aiken Blocks, etc.; but in the mind of the writer, and perhaps that of some others, these old buildings, however rusty or decayed, awaken far greater interest. They are full of memories ; they are historic. And we have often thought, what if their old walls could speak - what if they were all phonographs - what if they had anticipated Edison and had recorded every word, and every sight and act as well, of the various persons that from time to time had acted or spoken within them. And what if, at one's bidding, the walls should give out again the sights and sounds which they had absorbed - all the scenes of joy and sorrow, all the acts of piety and of sin, all the oaths and prayers, all the words that soothe and comfort, and all the words that irritate and wound, all the whispers and vows of love, and the pledges of friendship, both those that have been kept and those that have been broken - what, we say, if some Edison should yet discover the secret of unraveling it all to the listener, what revelations there would be, even in the commonest houses, the rooms where any one has dwelt even but a few years ! How many haunted houses there would be ! Perhaps, reader, there are rooms into which we should not want to go. But this is not history.

The old wooden block on North Chicago street which made such a famous bonfire a year or two ago, was built about the same time with the Wilson store, and was long the center of business on the East Side. The next stone block was the old one on Bluff street, consisting of six stores, and was built in 1837. We gave something of its history in "Forty Years Ago," and will not repeat it here. There is more unwritten history absorbed by its walls, than perhaps any other building in Joliet. What visions come and go through the halls of memory when we chance to walk by it !

The National was built, at least commenced, in 1838, by J. J. Garland and John Curry, two old citizens, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Garland died first. He was an active and valutible man here, a member of the old Union Church organized by the Foots, and one of the fruits of that revival, and his wife also. Col. Curry more recently deceased, is better known to the present generation, having been long in business here. He was a brother-in-law of M. H. Demmond, and one time a partner. He came in 1836, from Oneida Co., N. Y., and died in March, 1872, at the age of seventy-.

Other Old Buildings

The next hotel built upon the East Side, after the Juliet Hotel, was the Exchange, built in 1837, by Abel Gilbert. The upper story was hurried up and finished first, into a ball-room, in order to get ready for a Fourth of July ball, with which the boys on the East Side resolved to dedicate it. They were spurred on by the happy memories of the one in Demmond's Block, and determined that this one should excel it both in numbers and eclat. The West Siders were, however, permitted "to jine." Some did. An efficient committee was appointed to gather in the girls. Every precinct, even away up to " Yellow Heads," was explored, and teams sent to bring them. The girls did not need much urging, but came right along, as they still do, we suppose. 0. W. Stillman, Sul. Demmond, Ed. Wilcox and Allen Pratt, the old "bach" from Boston, and others, were among the eificient managers. Of course it was a grand success. The ball opened e.t 4 P. M., and closed at 4 A. M. Allen Pratt was especially happy and successful as a general-in-chief He knew what Boston style was. It was on account of his eminent services on this occasion that at a sort of adjourned meeting atHigley Hall the next night, some of the West Side boys, feeling that he had done them great credit, and that his services should have some public recognition, crowned and embalmed him. If you want to know how that was done, you must ask Judge John M. Wilson of Chicago, or Judge J. C. Newkirk, of Hudson, N. Y. We don't suppose that any one else could tell the story, although there are several boys still left who witnessed both the ball and the after part ; but not having judicial minds, it is not safe to rely on their statements. There are many traditions against which we warn the public. Another hotel soon after claimed a share of public patronage, and ministered to the pride of the East Siders. This was the " Waving Banner," built, we believe, by Matteson, and opened under the happy auspices of mine host Jacob Patrick. This was afterward called the Washington, and still stands somewhat " depalliated " at the upper end of Chicago street, a monument of the enterprise of 1837. We suppose a good many things happened in this ancient hostelry which would be very interesting if we could get some Edison to unwind them. It was a great center, though situated on the circumference, for political meetings, military displays and Fourth of July demonstrations. But perhaps we are spending too much time on these old Joliet buildings. We confess to a tender regard for them, and feel that like old men, they are too apt to be forgotten for what is fresh and new, and it is not without a pang of grief that we see one of them take fire and burn up, although we know that it will be replaced by something better, and gives friend Page an opportunity to show the efficiency of the Fire Department. And yet we must mention one more. King Gambrinus would never forgive us if we failed to note the first brewery established in the city of Joliet, and we presume in Will County. Have you noticed that old rookery of wooden buildings which stands upon the tow-path, a little way above the middle bridge ? That was the first brewery, established in 1838, by Beltz & Erhard, two of our earliest German citizens, the advance guard of the great host that has since invaded Will County, and who now form so large and valuable a class of our citizens. It was built near, or over, one of the finest of natural springs we ever saw. Its waters were cool and pure and sparkling and perennial. Whether they were improved after passing through the various processes which converted them into lager, we shall let each reader decide for himself. But we are reminded of a little story. It is said that when lager was first introduced into the West, which must have been about this time, an old toper who had always taken his whisky straight, was induced to try a little by way of experiment. He carefully carried the foaming amber to his lips, and tasted a little, made a wry and disgusted kind of face, tasted again and deeper, and then threw the glass at the head of the astonished Teuton, exclaiming

There is still another old building that we have not noticed ; we mean the stone one just above Hyde's mill, a conspicuous object as you go up to the Iron Mills. This was an old agricultural and plow factory, built by JoneS & Cagwin, in 1854, and for several years in successful operation, and one of our most important enterprises. It was subsequently occupied by one of the Sangers for similar purposes. But it seems of late years to have been left to the moles and the bats, and to have shared the fate of all buildings not occupied, in losing its windows and everything about it except the walls, a sad proof that the millennium has not yet come.

Illinois And Michigan Canal

A condensed history of the canal must not be omitted from this record. It is intimately connected with the history and prosperity of the county. It was one and a very important cause by which attention was directed hither.

The project of a ship-canal, to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with the navigable waters of the Illinois River, was first suggested during the war of 1812, by some writer in Niles' Register. The war had shown of what immense advantage such a canal would be, both in peace and war. It was one of the compensations of that war in the "West, and also of the Sac war, that they were the means of directing attention to this part of the Great West. In 1816, the title to a strip twenty miles wide was obtained of the Indians, with a view to such a work. As we have already stated, this fact explains what is often seen on the maps - two lines running diagonally across the townships, and marked "Indian Boundary Line." In 1821, an appropriation of $10,000 was made by Congress for a preliminary survey of the canal and for the survey of the twenty-mile strip. Shadrack Bond, the first Governor of our State, in his first message, had called attention to the feasibility and importance of the work. A survey was made under the appropriation of Congress, and the work pronounced practicable. In 1826, Congress donated to the State, for the purpose of its construction, every alternate section in a strip ten miles Avide along the route from Chicago to La Salle - a magnificent appropriation of 300,000 acres. In 1829, the General Assembly of our State passed an act creating a Board of Canal Commissioners, and authorized them (not to enter upon the work, but) to sell the lands, and giving settlers a pre-emption right on the same. Under this act many of the earliest settlers got their titles to lands in this vicinity. Fortunately, however, the folly of this course was soon seen, and the act was repealed. In the session of 1834 - 5, another act was passed creating a new Canal Board, and authorizing the Governor to negotiate bonds for its construction, and pledging the Canal lands for their redemption. But even then the immense value of these lands was not appreciated by those who had the money to loan. It was not until at a special session in 1835, when, through the indefatigable exertion of Col. Strode, of Galena, who at that time represented all the region north of Peoria, in the State Senate, the act was so amended as to pledge the faith of the State for their redemption, that the bonds could be negotiated. This was done by Gov. Duncan in 18c56, and in the same year preparations were commenced for active work. William B. Archer. Gurdon S. Hubbard and William F. Thornton, all Colonels, as public men generally were in those days, were the first Commissioners, who very wisely chose Wm. Gooding as Chief Engineer. Some changes were subsequently made in the Board, and James B. Fry, another Colonel, became a member. The first ground was broken at Bridgeport July 4,'l836. The event was celebrated in grand style. Dr. William B. Egan delivered an able address on the occasion. The work was commenced on the plan of the "deep cut," that is, feeding it directly from Lake Michigan through the South Branch of the Chicago River, as is now done. At the time of letting the first contracts, the mania for speculation was at its height, and labor and provisions were extremely high for those times. Labor was f20 to $30 per month, with board. Pork, $20 to $30 per barrel ; flour, |9 to |12, and other things in proportion'. The first contracts were predicated upon these high prices. To facilitate the construction of the Canal, a road was opened from Chicago to Lockport, known as "Archer's Road," from one of the Commissioners, on which $40,000 were expended. The propriety of this expend- iture was much questioned at the time, and unfortunately for the reputation of Archer for disinterestedness, he was the proprietor of an addition to Lockport. But it is certain that supplies for the laborers had mainly to be brought from abroad, as at this time no great surplus was raised along the line. The work was prosecuted by means of the money obtained from the sale of bonds and of Canal lands and lots in Chicago, Lockport, Ottawa and La Salle, until 1842, at an outlay of over five millions of dollars, when the work was suspended.

Although the enterprise was commenced when everything had to be done in the most expensive way, and when the country was on the eve of a great financial crash, yet the State could easily have gone through with it and maintained her credit if other projects had not been connected with it. The central and southern portions of the State, with very narrow views, looked upon the Canal as entirely for the benefit of the north, and insisted upon compensating railroads as the price of their votes for further appropriations to the Canal ; and, in 1837, the act was passed, which ultimately swamped the credit of the State and brought on our financial ruin. By this act, a loan of eight millions was authorized, on the faith of the State, for the purpose of gridironing our State with railroads, and a four-million loan for the further prosecution of the Canal. The sum of $200,000 from the eight-million loan was to be given to those counties through which no railroad passed for the construction of roads and bridges. And, absurd as was this scheme at that time, loans were made to the amount of nearly six millions. As the practical result of all this, a short railroad was built from Springfield to Meredosia, and various others were commenced at either end, as the act required, and great quantities of railroad iron were imported, free of duty, by special act of Congress. But before any other road was completed the whole scheme came to a disgraceful end. It may not be improper to remark, in passing, that it was by the purchase afterward (paying in depreciated scrip at par) of this railroad iron of the State and selling to Eastern roads that Gov. Matteson laid the foundation of his fortune. The great commercial prostration which struck the East in 1837 was, by means of the disbursement of these Canal and railroad loans, warded off from us for a year or two, and the work of the Canal was kept along, although feebly, until 1842 by the help of Canal scrip and of the " contractors' loan," as it was called, from the fact that the contractors had sent Gen. Thornton to Europe to sell bonds, they agreeing to stand the discount, even to 25 per cent, if necessary. This they could afford to do, now that the prices of labor and provisions had greatly fallen.

By the Fall of 1840 a debt had been contracted by the State, of $14,237,- 848, which must be paid by a population of 478,929 - nearly thirty dollars for every man, woman and child. And this amount does not include what the State had misapplied from the school fund and from the surplus deposits of the United States. By great exertion, the interest on the Canal debt was paid up to and including 1841 ; but for 1842 no provision could be made, and the work

Stopped entirely. An expenditure, as we have already said, of over five millions had been made upon it, and the contractors abandoned their jobs, claiming heavy damages of the State. An act was passed for a settlement with them, limiting the amount to $230,000.

To the credit of our State, let it be sjiid that the idea of repudiation was never seriously entertained by our people to any extent, and subsequent prosperity and wise legislation have long since obliterated the debt.

But the Canal could not, of course, be allowed to remain long in this condition. The bondholders were equally interested with us in devising some means for its speedy completion. It was a work of too great and too general importance to be abandoned altogether. In the session of 18i2-43 an act was passed which ultimately succeeded in accomplishing this purpose. By this act, the Canal itself and all its unsold lots and lands were transferred to a Board of three Trustees - two to be chosen by the bondholders and one by the Governor of the State. The bondholders were to advance the further sum of $1,600,000 to complete the Canal on another level. The Trustees were to prosecute the work and retain possession of the Canal and its revenues until the debt and further cost of its construction and interest on the same should be fully paid by the tolls and moneys derived from the sale of lands and lots. The Beard was organized and the work was resumed in 1845, and prosecuted until fully completed in 1848.

The debt of the Canal and all costs of its construction and the interest thereon were paid from these resources in the year 1871, and the Canal surrendered to the State, with a balance on hand of f95,742.

In 1865 an, arrangement was entered into by the Trustees with the Board of Public Works of Chicago, by which the Canal has been completed upon the original plan of a deep cut, feeding directly from the Chicago River, thus making it the grand sewer of Chicago nastiness, and justifying, at times, to our olfactories the theory that the name " Chicago" was originally derived from that animal familiarly known as skunk. The Indian who christened- it must have had a prophetic smell of 1873 ! Let us console ourselves with the fact that we have now an abundant water-power, and that our basins are always full, if not fragrant !

In closing this brief history of the Canal, we wish to pay a tribute to its Chief Engineer, William Gooding, who was its firm friend from first to last, its efSoient Director, and against whom no suspicions of jobbery were ever entertained. Fully a master of his profession, prepared for all emergencies, urbane in his intercourse with all, he is entitled to the grateful remembrance of every citizen of this State, to the prosperity of which he has been so largely instrumental.

When the above paragraph, copied from "Forty Years Ago," was written, Mr. Gooding was still living. He has since died, and we feel that both his private character and public usefulness demand some further notice in a history of Will County. William Gooding was a native of Ontario County, N. Y., and commenced his service as a civil engineer on the Welland Canal. Subsequently, he engaged in mercantile business at Lockport, N. Y. He, however, soon returned to his chosen profession on public works in Ohio, in the valley of the Scioto. In the Spring of 1832, he was married in Troy, N. Y., and returned to Ohio with the intention of coming West to this region. The breaking-out of the Sac war prevented this, and he remained for a time in Roscoe, Ohio. The war being over, he fulfilled his intention of coming West, and, on May 1, 1833, landed at Chicago, a village then of very small pretensions. He squatted, according to the usage of the day, upon land at what became known as Gooding's Grove, which he afterward purchased, and where his father and brothers had previously located. Next year, he engaged with the Commissioners of Public AVorks of Indiana, and was there employed when selected as Chief Engineer of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which position he held until its completion in 1848. He was then. appointed Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, and so continued until the debt being fully paid, the Canal was surrendered to the State. During this period he was employed in some special service as United States Engineer, and also one of the Board of Public Works of the qity of Chicago, while the Canal was deepened and made the grand sewer of Chicago. He also received the appointment of Surveyor of Oregon, but declined to accept the post. Mr. Gooding had been in failing health for several years, and compelled to spend his Winters in Cuba, Florida, California, Alabama, etc., until the last Autumn found him too unwell to leave home again, and he declined gradually in strength until the 4th day of March, last, when he closed his earthly career in the 75th year of his age. A large concourse of neighbors and friends, not only from Will County, but from Chicago and the entire length of the Canal met at his late home to pay their sincere tribute of respect to one who had filled so important a position in the public service, and filled it long and well. Rev. J. Porter, a patriarch in the ministry, who had long known and loved him, conducted the funeral services. Besides his valuable public service, his purity of life, and his urbanity, Mr. Gooding was also noticeable for his general culture and his refined taste, and the clear and lucid style of all of his reports and public communications. Mr. Gooding was also naturally gifted with a fine imagination and poetic taste, although his chosen profession was severe and dry, and

His beautiful home in Lockport was richly adorned with fruits and flowers, to the cultivation of which he devoted his leisure moments. This home was in striking contrast to the one he first occupied at Gooding's Grove, which was a log cabin of one room, built by contract for $25, he furnishing the timber and a team to haul it with. This was covered with " shakes," a kind of roof which would shed the rain and snow, if the wind did not blaw, and had its chimney outside, according to the style of the times, because if placed inside there would have been no room for anything else. This was built with sticks plastered with clay. The furniture was mostly the handiwork of Mr. Gooding, including the bedstead, made of poles. Mr. Gooding used to tell an interesting incident which occurred at this original mansion. One bitter cold morning, Col. Wm. B. Archer, Canal Commissioner, Chief Justice "Wilson, of the Supreme Court, and Robert Dale Owen, came there before breakfast, having stayed at the Sag over night, at a hotel which did not promise much in the way of refreshment. To be so suddenly called upon to entertain these notables was somewhat embarrassing to the young wife. The country did not afford very much variety wherewith to improvise a breakfast. To add to the difficulty, the guests, except Col. Archer, were strangers, and as the one room was kitchen, bedroom, diningroom, and parlor, and it was too cold to adjourn to the only other place - outdoors - the breakfast must be prepared in their presence. In one all-important respect, however, the hostess was happy. Some little time before. Col. Archer, whose tastes were somewhat of the " Hoosier " order, had seen a piece of calico in Chicago which he greatly admired. It was of a green ground with large blue and yellow flowers and leaves, very pronounced in style. Wishing to make Mrs. Gooding some expression of his regard, he had bought five yards of the goods which struck his fancy, which he had given to her, with the remark that as she was small it would be arnple ; and she had on the dress on this memorable occasion. It is perhaps unnecessary to say that she was not bothered with a train, and that crinoline had not then been introduced.

Canal Opening

The opening of the Canal, in 1848, was a day long to be remembered. Boats started simultaneously from either end of the Canal, to pass over the route. The one from Chicago arrived here about noon, with all the Canal officials and Chicago celebrities, bands of music, and supplies,, both solid and liquid, in unlimited quantities. Of course we had some notables here, who were present to welcome the arrival ; and all the population - men, women and children - turned out to see the first boat from Chicago, a sight for which our eyes had longed so many years. Cannon were fired and the welkin rang with cheers. Speeches were made by the Chicago notables, and speeches were made by the Joliet notables. Only one of these, so far as we know, has been preserved. After various persons had been called out and made their spread-eagle efforts, our popular citizen, J. A. Matteson, was called upon for a speech, to which he responded in the following glowing words : " Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen - I concur."

Another Celebration

When the Canal was completed on the original plan of the deep cut, in 1871, there was, of course, another celebration, which may as well be noticed here. Great preparations were made for this at Chicago, by the Board of Public Works and other notables. There was poetry in the occasion. It was the

"meeting of the waters " - the union of the blue waters of Lake Michigan with those of the sparkling tributary of the Mississippi, the classic Des Planes - the marriage of Michigan and Mississippi - and our valley, our beautiful bluiF-bound valley, was the vale in whose bosom the bright waters were to meet. True, the poetry and the brightness and the fragrance, were somewhat abated by the odors and the mud of the South Branch, after passing through which those of the lake were hardly fit for the bridal. Tuesday, the 25th of July, was fixed upon for the day, and four large canal-boats were chartered and put into holiday trim. On these, a crowd of ten or twelve hundred persons, the solid men of Chicago, officials and notables, including Gov. Palmer and Gren. Sheridan, and Members of Congress, Legislature, etc., and, no doubt, a due admixture of bummers and Bohemians. Of course they did not set sail without a well-stocked commissariat. At 9 A. M. they started, bound for the port of Lockport. But the first part of the voyage, except for its associations, had little to interest. It was through the heavy clay and rock of the excavation of the summit, which lay in huge piles upon the banks, shutting out entirely all view of the surrounding scenery. The excursionists were forced, as it were, to turn their attention to the resources on board. These were ample, and were liberally dispensed by the persons in charge. But, from causes which we have never heard explained, the progress of the fleet was slow, although a full head of steam was kept on, and every sheet spread to 'the wind. They did not arrive at Lemont until 5 o'clock. It is said that there had been, owing to head winds, a great amount of seasickness aboard. At any rate, the greater share of the excursionists went ashore at Lemont, determined to take the evening train for Chicago. A few, however, went on in the Governor's steamer.

Meanwhile, great preparations had been made at Lockport for their reception. Those who went up from Joliet to participate, found the city gay with bunting, and the streets filled with the beauty and fashion of the place. The Canal office was filled with the celebrities of Lockport, and on the west side of it were long tables, spread with spotless linen and loaded with eatables, and awaiting the arrival of the fleet. Great was the disappointment when, at 6 o'clock, news was received of the shipwreck at Lemont. But soon the little steamer arrived, having on board Gov. Palmer and Gen. Sheridan, Mayor Mason, Senator Judd, and others ; and, although the crowd was not as large as expected, it was select, and with this, and the Joliet notables, Lockport had to be content. Gov. Palmer was led to the stand in front of the Canal office, and introduced to the people. He was full of the inspiration of the occasion, and said many bright and humorous and clever things, in as happy a manner as could be expected from one who had just come off' a sea voyage and had not yet found his land legs. Gen. Sheridan and Hayes and Judd followed in a similar strain, and all were happy. The collation was then devoured by the crowd, and darkness closed the scene. It was said that, judging from Gen.

One of our local poets, H. R., broke out into poetry on this occasion, which we would like to give, but can find room for a single stanza only :

During the war and at other times, the question of enlarging the Canal to the dimensions of a ship-canal has been agitated, both in our State Legislature and in Congress. But all efforts have so far failed. This was the original idea, and may yet be accomplished. Mr. Gooding was enthusiastic in the belief that it would be done, and that from the first lock to the head of Joliet Lake there would be a continuous manufacturing city. In this distance is nearly half the fall between Lake Michigan and the mouth of the Illinois.

As the Canal neared completion, the citizens of Lockport and Joliet commenced to build boats wherewith to navigate its waters. Lockport had the first boat launched, which was named the Gen. Fry, and the citizens of that place made Joliet a visit as soon as the water was let into the level. On this occar sion, Judge Parks, then the Lockport orator, made Joliet a speech in his usual happy style ; and Joliet replied by the eloquent lips of William A. Little, and all were happy. Warehouses, also, went up in both towns. Henry Fish - who is none of your small fry - Abijah Cagwin and George Woodruff built the three warehouses which stand upon the east side of the Canal basin, and M. H. Demmond built the large stone one whose walls yet stand, below the bridge, the most substantial of them all, and yet the first one to become useless - a prey -to the fire-fiend. Otis Hardy built the first Joliet boat and established the first lumber-yard, and for many years kepf it in full blast, with happy resuits to himself and the community as well ; for the piles of lumber which he sold increased, by steady gains, his pile of bank deposits, and this he now dispenses, with liberal hand, to all enterprises and charities that command his confidence and sympathies.

Hiram Norton

Among other benefits which accrued to Will County from the construction of the Canal, we must not forget to reckon the bringing-in of so many men of means and enterprise and character. Conspicuous among them was Hiram Norton, of Lockport.

He was born in Skaneateles, N. Y., February 26, 1799. An orphan at the age of 14, he went to Canada in search of employment, which he found with the Canada Stage Company. At 18, having saved a little money, he went to

Lowville, N. Y., and invested it in acquiring an education at the famous academy of that place, where he remained two years. He then returned to Prescott, Canada, and entered the service of the Stage Company again. He soon became pecuniarily interested in the Company, and ultimately its proprietor. He was elected to the Canadian Parliament, and twice re-elected, making his term of service fourteen years. He also served on Government Commission for the improvement of the St. Lawrence River and Canal. In 1838, he came to Illinois with the Consulting Engineer of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and was so well pleased with the beauty of the country, and its prospective growth and importance, that he resolved to make it his future home. Lockport was peculiarly fortunate in being chosen as the spot where he pitched his tent. Being already possessed of large means, he at once built a fine residence on one of its beautiful streets, which he soon adorned with exquisite taste. He aided in the completion of the Canal, and when it was finished, rented the valuable water power created by it, and established the mills, which have become famous for their products all over the region. He established, with his sons, the house of Norton & Company, whose name and reputation are well known and command unlimited confidence. Mr. Norton was sent by this county to the Legislature, in 1858. He was elected almost without opposition. One of the most public-spirited and enterprising of our citizens, he was also one of the best and purest, and died, sustained by a Christian hope, April 1, 1875.

Mr. Norton paid the highest income tax in 1867 of any one in Will County - on f35,000. The benefits of his enterprise still continue to be felt by Lockport and Will County, in the continuance of the manufacturing and mercantile enterprises he initiated, by his sons.

Joel Manning

Another valuable addition to our population, for which we were indebted to the Canal, was Joel Manning, who was appointed Secretary of the Canal Board at its organization in 1836. He was at the time a practicing lawyer at Brownsville, 111., having come into the State some years before. He was born in October, 1798, and was a graduate of Union College, of the class of 1818. On the opening of the Canal oifice at Lockport, he removed to that place, where he continued to reside until the few last years of his life, when he came to Joliet to reside with his son-in-law, Henry Fish, Esq. Mr. Manning was a prominent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a warm-hearted and consistent Christian, whose sympathies were not confined to his own denomination. He passed through all the trials of the hard times which followed the suspension of the Canal, and when Canal scrip was at a low ebb, and would hardly support his family with the most rigid economy, he invested some of it in Canal lots in Chicago, which in time became very valuable. He was called to pass through " great tribulation " in the loss of children, and finally in that of his wife. He died January 8, 1869, universally respected, and

Charles B. Boyer

We suppose it was also the Canal which first brought another citizen to Lockport, a young man of great enterprise and energy, who engaged as a contractor in its construction, and in this and in other like enterprises accumulated a comfortable fortune. We refer to Charles E. Boyer. He was elected to the Legislature in 1862, and was a candidate for the State Senate at the time of his death, which occurred September 21, 1868, of typhoid fever. Mr. Boyer married a daughter of Armstead Runyon, who still survives him.

John B. Preston

Still another valuable citizen of Lockport and Will County was brought here by the Canal, John B. Preston, a son of the venerable Isaac Preston, who settled in Hadley in 1836, and now resides in Lockport. He was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1817, and was educated for the profession of civil engineer. He came to Will County, in 1837, and took the position of Assistant Engineer on the Canal, and served in that capacity until the work stopped. On its resumption, he took the position of Resident Engineer, in charge of the south half of the work, and continued until its completion. In 1850, at the age of 33, he was appointed Surveyor General of Oregon, where he resided four years in prosecuting the work of that State's survey. In 1854, he took the position of Superintendent of the Canal, and took up his residence again at Lockport, remaining in this position ten years. He was afterward Secretary of the Chicago & Joliet Railroad (now a part of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis), and secured for the road the right of way between Joliet and Chicago. In 1864, he became a member of the firm of Matteson & Preston, in the wholesale commission business at St. Louis, and it was while on a visit from there to his parents at Lockport that he met with his accidental death, in the prime of life, at the age of 48. Mr. Preston was a man of rare qualities and powers, of strict integrity, and foremost in every good enterprise. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Government during the war, and of every measure for the enlisting of men and the relief of the disabled. The beautiful public school house of Lockport might almost be called his monument, as he was one of the most active in its erection. The writer well remembers the 15th of April, when the first intelligence which reached Joliet in the morning was that of his sudden death, intelligence which would have sobered and saddened the community for more than a day, had it not been almost immediately overshadowed by news which sobered and saddened the nation.

Another valuable citizen (now deceased) must be credited to the Canal, Lorenzo P. Sanger, who was one of the old 1836 contractors, and also subsequently one of the firm of Sanger & Casey, who built the Penitentiary, and of the firm of Sanger & Steele, who so largely developed our stone industry. He was one of the most driving, energetic, enterprising men we have ever had. During the war, he threw all the weight of his political influence, which was not small, on the side of the Union, and would himself have participated actively in it had not the weight of years been too much to allow it. He died in Oakland, Gal., whither he had gone for his health, in March, 1875. His body was brought home for burial, and rests in Oakwood, beside his wife, who died some few years before him.

Changes Wrought By The Canal

The construction of the Canal of course destroyed McKee's water-power, and made his mill useless for the purpose for which it was intended, and being adjacent to the Canal was taken possession of by the State. McKee recovered damages for the loss of his water-power to the amount of $17,655 and costs. The Haven boys bought the machinery, and set it up in their mill below. The construction and opening of the Canal also wrought great changes in the physical aspect of the region along the route. The west bank of the Des Planes, which, before its construction, was beautifully bordered with trees and shrubs, all through Joliet and below, was now denuded, and a stone wall and a rubble bank given us instead. Our compensation was found in the increased facilities for business, and in the increased population of the towns and country. The Canal also brought into our county great numbers of men whose boast it was that they were from the Emerald Isle, without whose assistance it seemed to be conceded no canal or railroad could be constructed. Many of these laborers became permanent citizens, both in town and country. These have acquired property as mechanics, merchants and farmers. Some have even consented to hold ofiBce and positions of responsibility. The town of Troy is largely settled by Irishmen and their descendants, and this nationality furnished its fair proportion of volunteers in the late war.