Winnebago County, Illinois - The whole text, 1877 (part 9 of 17)

'-'Resolved, That the Court House Building Committee of this Board be and are hereby instructed to adopt the design or plan submitted by Henry L. Gay, Architect, for a court-house for the county of Winnebago, to be erected on the Court House Square, in the city of Rockford, on the west side of Rock River, when the following conditions and stipulations are fully complied with by the said Henry L. Gay, to-wit : That such modifications or alterations shall be made in his plans as shall seem to said committee necessary and expedient; and that the committee and the said Gav shall agree upon the amount that the said alterations shall either increase or decrease the sum which the said Gay has stated that this building will cost (which sum was $104,000), and provided, further, that one or more responsible contractors, giving bonds to the county, to the satisfaction of this Board, for the erection of the proposed court-house, agreeably to the proposals for letting, advertised by said committee, shall agree to do the work of erecting and completing the said building within, or very near the estimate of the said Gay, and as the same may be agreed to by the committee after the proposed alterations in said plans; and should there be no satisfactory bid, as above stated, at or near the said sum, tlien the said committee may reject the plan of the said Gay, and he shall not be entitled to any compensation from this County Board, or Building Committee, for any labor or expense that he may have incurred in preparing or altering the said plans or specifications; and this Board shall have the right to make another selection of any of the plans that have been submitted to the Board by competing architects; and also provided, that this Board preserve the right of appointing a superintendent for the constrnction of the proposed building.

" And, provided, further, That, when the plans and specifications are all completed to the satisfaction of the said Building Committee, that they are hereby instructed and directed to advertise in such newspapers as may seem to them best, giving at least three weeks' notice, for sealed proposals for the erection of the said building, the said proposals to be lodged with the clerk of this Board, at such time as shall be specified in the said notice, at which time an adjourned meeting of the Board will be held, when the said proposals will be opened and examined by the Board, who may then award the contract, should they consider it for the interest of the county to do so. The notice above referred to shall distinctly set forth that the Board reserves the right not to accept the lowest ofier, but may reject any and all pi-oposals for the erection of said building. The said bids to be accompanied by bonds, to be executed by the party offering to contract for the building of said court-house, and by one or more sufiicient sureties, to be approved by the Board, in the sum of $100,000 ; that all the stipulations and conditions that may be entered into by the proposed contractor with

"And provided, further, that the amount that would have to be paid to Mr. Gay as his commission for plans and speciiications, shall be paid in sums in proportion as the work progresses."

On motion of Mr. Cowles, a resolution was adopted instructing the Building committee, that when they advertised for bids for the erection of the new court-house, they advertise that they would receive bids on the proposition that the exterior walls of the same be built of Rockford stone.

At the September session (Sept. 14th') the County Clerk was directed to levy such rate of tax on the taxable property as would raise a revenue of $65,000 for county purposes. A subsequent resohition provided that ''from the amount ol county tax which shall be raised under the foregoiug resolution, on the taxable property of the several towns of this county, as entered on the assessment rolls for 1875, there be appropriated the sum of $30,000, to be used in paying part of the expense of the erection of a court-house, in the city of Rockford, for said county; and that the said sum be set apart as a separate fund, to be known as the Court House Fund, and to be used for the purposes above stated, and none other."

Wednesday, November 24th, the Board went into Committee of the Whole to consider the bids for erecting the court-house. At three in the afternoon, the committee rose and reported progress, when, on motion of Mr. Hemenway, a further consideration of the subject was laid over to an adjourned meeting of the Board, to be held at 2 o'clock p. m., on Monday, the 6tli of December.

At that meeting of the Board, Mr. Ferguson presented the bid of E. C. Roberts for building the court-house, which was referred to the Building Committee, when the Board adjourned until Tuesday morning.

'''Besolved, That the Board does hereby reject all bids or proposals made to the Board for the building of a court-house for the county of Winnebago, under a resolution of the Board passed at the last July session of the Board, and that were lodged with the Clerk of the Board on or previously to the 23d of last J^ovember."

Proposal for the erection of a court-liouse, to he located at Rockford, Winnebago County, III., made to the Board of Supervisors, of the County of Winnebago, by William D. Richardson, of Springfield, Sangamon Co., III. Dated at Rockford, Dec. 7, 1815.

I will furnish all ot the materials and complete the building according to plan and specification, using stone for all cornices, balustrades and papier maclie work over entrance to front door, for the sum of one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars ($165,0(t0).

Flora Tp Boone Co

I propose to do all architectural work, furnish all drawings, specifications and details for 2 per cent, upon a cost of $104,000, and $10 per day and traveling expenses when called to Rockford to consult, examine and superintend work upon the proposed new court-house.

''Resolved, That the building committee be authorized, and are hereby directed to accept the bid of W. D. Richardson for the building of the court-house in accordance with the plans and specifications of Henry L. Gay, architect, with substitution of stone for cornices, etc., in place of iron, as provided in his bid, and that they be authorized and directed to enter into contract with said W. D. Richardson for the building of the said court-house at the price bid, $165,000, to be paid as the work progresses, and in the manner provided for in the plans and specifications, until the building is completed, when the balance appearing to be due the contractor, shall be paid him at par in Winnebago County orders or bonds, bearing 7 per cent, interest and running not to exceed ten years - at the option of the board as to the length of time the bonds shall run, or to pay the cash as they may elect. In case the committee think it advisable to reduce the cost of the building by not putting in the steam heating, and substituting straight steps for rear of building, they are authorized to do so by the proper amount for same being agreed upon.

''The committee are also instructed to provide in the contract that the walls of the building may be put up and the building enclosed during the season of 1877 so as to be completed in full by the first day of March, 1878, and that the county shall not be called upon to pay any faster than in the ratio as to time.

"In case there should be any disagreement as to details in making contracts with the contractor that are not arranged satisfactorily to the committee, then the acceptance of the bids shall be null and void."

On Monday, March 6, 1876, on motion of Mr. Hemenway, the Board adjourned to the City Council rooms where, after the regular order of meeting had been disposed of, the following provisional bond, presented by Mr W. D. Richardson, was approved and ordered to be spread upon the records of the Board:

"Know all men by these presents, that Mr. William D. Richardson, of the city of Springfield, Illinois, as principal, and Thomas S. Ridgway and George M. BrinUerhoff, of the same place, as sureties, are held and firmly bound unto the county of Winnebago, in the State of Illinois, in the penal sum of one hundred thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States, to be paid to the said the county ot Winnebago, or its assigns, to which payment we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Witness our hands and seals, this 7th day of December, A. D. 1875.

"Whereas, the above, William D. Richardson, has entered into contract bearing even date herewith, with the county of Winnebago above mentioned, for the erection of a court-house at Rockford, Illinois, for the said county, upon the terms of the character and within the time of said contract expressed; and in consideration of the making of said contract, the said Richai'dson has agreed to make and deliver to said county, his bond with sufficient security, in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, to secure and make certain the full and faithful performance of said contract, and of each and every provision thereof, on his part; and this instrument is made and executed and delivered to said county, pursuant to such aajreement.

"Kow the conditions of this obligation are such, that if the said William D. E.ichardson shall in all things on his part, faithfully keep, observe and perform the said contract, and each and every provision thereof, then this obligation to be void; otherwise to remain in full force. And it is expressly understood and agreed that no change, alteration or modihcation of the plans, drawings or specifications in the contract mentioned, or the terms of said contract, shall invalidate this bond, but the obligation of this bond shall extend to and embrace any such change, alteration or modification, as though the same had been incorporated in the plans, drawings, specifications or contract, at and before the execution of this bond.

Wednesday, March 8, 1876, the building committee submitted to tlie Roard of Supervisors a very elaborate report of their action in the premises, setting forth that they had found it to the interest of the county to employ an attorney to assist them in preparing a good and sufiicient contract, that all parties in interest might fully understand their duties and responsibilities; that, after a good deal of time spent in the examination 'Ol points presented for consideration, a contract had been agreed u]3on, and was therewith submitted for the approval or rejection of the Board. That it was thought proper that one or more of the committee should go to Joliet to see the (juality of the stone intended for the court-house, and A. Haines and D. Ferguson, with Mr. Gay, went there on the first of February, and met Mr. Kichardson, who pointed out the kind of stone he intended using in the building;, a large amount of which he had on hand. The architect and committee were satisfied that the stone pointed out would" be satisfactory.

The building committee also reported that they had contracted with Stephen Inman for the removal of the old court-house from the site it had occupied, so that it should front on Court street, for the sum of )^220, the said Iniiian agreeing, on his part, to place the building in good shape for occupation by the county by the 8tli of March. That the committee after consultation with the architect and builder, had determined to have the specifications printed, as a number of copies would be required, and it would cost no more to have a few written than it would to have fifty printed. The report was signed by Duncan Ferguson, A. Haines, J. B. Merritt, Hugh Mackey, F. E. Latham, Committee.

This agreement, made and entered into this 7tli day of December, A. D. 1875, bj' and between the county of Winnebago, in the State of Illinois, party of the first part, and William T). Richardson, of the city of Springfield, in the count}'^ of Sangamon, and State of Illinois, party of the second part, Witnesseth:

That said party of the second part, in consideration of the promises and agreements, hereinafter expressed, on the part of the partj' of the first part, to be kej)! and performed, has, and hereby does promise and agree, to prepare the foundations, furnish all the materials, build, erect, and complete, for the party of the first part, a court house, in all respects according to the plans, drawings, and specifications therefor, furnished and provided by

Henry L. Gay, architect, and the terms of this contract. All of the materials for said building, and all the work thereon, shall be done and furnished under the direction of, and to the satisfaction and approval of the architect, who may at the time be in charge of said work. Said plans, drawings, and specifications, above mentioned, are referred to, and made a part of this agreement. That all work performed under this agreement shall be first-class mechanical work -ot its kind ; and all materials for and used'in the erection of said building, shall be of the best quality and quantity suflicient for the purpose intended. That the stone used in the construction of said building (save as in the specifications otherwise provided) shall be of the best quality of Illinois limestone, to be taken from the quarry of E. S. Walker, or from some other quarry of the same color, and of as good quality. The said building shall be completed and finished on or before March 1, 1878, and at tliat time ready for delivery to the party of tlie first part. The building shall be inclosed and the roof on, on or before December 1, 1876, but the plastering shall not be put on before the spring of 1877, and shall be completed on or before Nov. 1, 1877.

" That this Board elect by ballot, some suitable and qualified person, to act as superintendent of the building of the court-house for Winnebago County. The duties of said superintendent shall be as specified in the contract and specifications, for building said court-house, and shall be under the control of the building committee, and shall be subject to removal at any time by the building committee; subject to the approval of the Board. Said superintendent to receive for his services, the sum of three dollars per day, for the time actually employed. Said superintendent shall not commence work until the building committee shall direct; the superintendent shall only receive pay for such time as they may direct and approve of when the work is in progress, and he shall devote his whole time when the committee direct."

Yery soon after the comj)letion of these preliminary details, active operations were commenced by the contractor, the preparation of the ground for the foundation walls and the delivery of the material being first in order. On the 28d of June the corner-stone was laid, with <.>reat eclat^ and was participated in by the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders of the surrounding country, Grand Master DeWitt C. Cregier, of the Grand Masonic Lodge of the State of Illinois, condticting the ceremonies, ^vhich were witnessed by thousands of people. On this occasion the Rockford people spared no effort to preserve and maintain, and, if possible, to add to their already well established reputation for hospitahty and excellence of taste in welcoming visitors. Almost every door was thrown open to their invited guests, and everybody was invited. The city was handsomely decorated. Flags were suspended across the streets, private residences, business houses arid public buildings were handsomely festooned with fiowers and evergreens, and every face wore an expression of happiness and pleasure. It was the great gala day in the history of Rockford and Winnebago County,

The new court house building is a model of architectural beauty, and is known as the French Venetian, with American treatment. It is 82x113 feet on the ground, covering an area of 9,266 square feet, and three stories high, with the main front on State street. The foundation walls are sunk seven feet and six inches in the grotmd below the grade line, and rest on footing courses of solid Joliet limestone six feet in width. The lower or basement walls are built from eight-inch stone, backed by sixteen-inch brick lining, making twenty-four-inch walls. Above this, the wall-stone is six inches in tliickness, with fourteen-inch brick backing, making twentyinch walls. [The stone used in the exterior walls was brought from

Walker's quarry, at Joliet. The brick used previous to the disaster of the 11th of May, 1877, was from Brown & Gow's kilns, about five miles above Rockford. Those used after that disaster were brought from the kilns of the Chicago Bridewell.]

The basement and first story are divided into four sections each, by corridors running north and south and east and west. The corridors or halls running from the front to tiie rear, are twelve feet in width, and those running from east to west, fourteen feet six inches in width. The basement story is twelve feet in heighth from floor to ceiling, and is divided into rooms for oflices, fire-proof vaults, boiler department, storage room, water closet, etc., there being ten rooms and two vaults.

The first story proper, is 16 feet from floor to ceiling, and is reached from the State street entrance by a double flight of stone steps of 21 steps each. This story is arranged and divided into rooms for the use of the county oflices. The oflices or rooms on the right are assigned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the general oflice being 21x21 feet, and the room for the recording department 13x21 feet. These departments are provided with a tire-proof vault 14x32 feet, for the preservation of records.

The Sherifl''s oflice is in the west side of the building, and immediately south of and adjoining the Recorder's oflice, but has no communicating door therewitli. The entrance to this oflice is by the west corridor.

The oflices of the County Clerk and Treasurer (in one) and County Judge are located on the left of the main entrance. The Clerk and Treasurer's oflice is 21x35 feet, and the room assigned to the County Judge, 12x15. These departments are also supplied with a vault 14x32 feet.

The rooms designed for the use of the County Court and Board of Supervisors are on the right and left of the rear or Elm street entrance, are 22x42 feet each, and are reached by a double flight of stone steps, of 19 steps each, from the Elm street side.

The second story is 35 feet from the floor to the center part of the dome. The main part of it is designed for the use of the Circuit Court, and is 72x76 feet. On the right is the Judge's private room, 12x21 feet; a room for the use of the State's Attorney, 15x17 feet, and the grand jury room, 12x21 feet. On the left the petit jury room, 12x21 feet; a retiring room for members of the bar, 17x21 feet, and a law library room, 12x21 feet. Stairs lead to this story from the bisecting corridor in the flrst story. The building is lighted by six large French plate glass windows in front and rear, and eight on each side.

A large dome 30x30 feet and 119 feet in height from the ground line to the top of the finial, rises over the front entrance. The south side of this dome is sapported by two stone piers,* rising to a height of 37 feet, seven feet six inches at the base, and three feet six inches at the top. These piers are surmounted by two Corinthian iron columns, 18 inches in diameter, 2^ inches thick, and 23 feet 8 inches in height, on which rests the main box girder, weighing five and a half tons, which in turn supports the south wall of the dome.

In a circular panel immediately over the semi-dome, in large raised letters is the latin word Lex, meaning law. In the semi-dome, in richly carved bas-relief work, are three medallion panels, in which are figures representing Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Within the dome's pediment, with win^s extended, an exquisitel}^ carved American Eagle will look down and out upon State street. A stone tablet on one side of the arched entrance will bear the date of the settlement of the county, date of organization, date of building of first court-house, do. of present court-house and its cost. On the other tablet will be inscribed the name of each township and date of its settlement, etc.

From the 23d of June, 18T6, the day the corner stone was laid, until Friday, May 11, 187T, the work progressed without interruption. On that day, however, a disaster occurred that not only seriously retarded the jjrogress of the work, but enshrouded the entii-e community in sorrow and gloom. About half-past eleven o'clock on that day, while citizens were pursuing their usual avocations, a sudden tremor ran through the air, a strange and startling sound rose and spread through the city with a terrible roar, and great clouds of dust darkened the horizon. "Before the people had time to take a second thought," said the Journal of Saturday, the 12th, " the sound swelled to a grinding roar, and all eyes in the vicinity w^ere involuntarily directed to the jjlace of doom. First a single stone was seen to topple from the apex of the pediment of the main central tower, then the sides of the tower crumbled and fell inward, the front pediment leaped into the air towards State street; a confused roar - a cloud of whitish-yellow smoke - a half dozen men suspended in the air, or clinging to balustrade, or ropes, or cornices, or taking the death leap - and then a crush and cloud followed by a shudder, and afterwards a hush like that of death. ' Good God ! it's the court-house!' ran from lip to lip along the street. Crowds hurried to the scene, and drew as near to the ruins as possible. It was discovered that all but a portion of the front pediment of the main central tower, dome, or pavilion, had fallen, mostly down through the middle of the building, crushing in its descent much of the inside work of the structure. The debris filled the ground front apartment behind the grand entrance, the northwest and northeast basement rooms, and the central hallway. The boiler which fed the two engines was precipitated from the upper floor to the bottom, with the hoisting engine, which was on the same floor. The iron girders were twisted like broom wires, and beams, brickwork, sculptured stones and human bodies were mingled in inextiicable confusion. It was known from the first that the loss of life by the disaster must be fearful. The shattered building still threatened death to whoever ventured near it, and going inside of it under the hanging, riven timbers, and the threatening, shattered walls was a thing of hazard. But men soon ventured inside and began to overhaul the debris. Soon two men wei-e brought out of the main hall on the west side of the building, one with his face badly cut, but able to stand and talk, but the other battered, broken and mashed almost beyond recognition. Mr. Richardson and Supervisor Latham were on the roof when the tower fell. Mr. Kichardson was soon after seen walking on the west wall, whence he calmly gave some orders to the men below. Both gentlemen reached the ground in safety. How they escaped they could not clearly tell. They had but a minute or two before stood upon the portion which fell. Going into the building and looking up among the broken timbers where the dome had stood, two men were seen up there on the horrible perch. When the tower began to crack and tremble, two colored men and Timothy Flannigan took fearful traj^eze leaps over the front. One ol the colored men struck upon a pile of coal dust and escaped with but slight injuries. The other colored man caught upon a guy rope and

" As soon as possible gangs of men were organized to work among the rubbish, in search of the buried victims. Body after body was exhumed and removed, some dead and some alive, and others that died upon the grass soon after removal.

"Four horribly mangled corpses were soon laid in the north wing of the old court-house. John Peck was taken to the City Hotel with a leg broken. Young Mr. John Pipe, the son of the Superintendent, was taken out dead and laid in the court-house. Albert Haug, and a colored man, with one leg off, and the body of Timothy Flannigan, wei'e also deposited in the same place. Mr. Mclnnis was conveyed in a hack to 407 South Fourth street, East Side, and another man to the corner of Court and Wall streets, South Side. Albert Hollenbeck, a worthy South Side man, was known to be dead in the ruins. His little bo.y, who had come up town on hearing the dreadful news, inquired for his father. Somebody told him that his father was 'all right.' The little fellow went back rejoicing to inform the family, and all the time the hubband and parent was crushed and dead beneath the ruins.

" The firemen were soon at the scene, and busily working for the recovery of the bodies, under the direction of Chief Lakin. A stream was thrown on to the smouldering fire where the engine had fallen, which was soon extinguished. The firemen then, by the aid of the ladders, rescued two or three men who were clinging to the outer walls of the building, and had fortunately not fallen with the tower. Chief Lakin ascended to the second floor and extricated Augustus Lucas, engineer of the upper engine, and he was conveyed to his home on Court street, where a dislocated hip was reduced by Dr. Burns. Doctors Fitch, Yincent, Richings, and others, treated the other wounded.

"7%e Cause. - The cause of this terrible calamity is easily understood and explained. The square base of the dome or tower was 80 or 90 feet from the ground, and rested in front on the wall over the arched grand portal. The rear part of it projected inside the building and was supported by two iron-fluted pillars, which rested on two columnar projections behind the portal, built of brick. These brick supports crumbled and let down the entire rear portion of the tower, which of course caused the destruction of the entire dome, some of it falling outward over the front, but the" main part pitched over into the interior of the building and demolished much of the inside work, some of the flying rocks shooting clear out of the windows at the rear of the structure.

"Crowds from all parts of the city surged in and around the courthouse, and the police with difiiculty prevented them from interfering with the workmen among the debris. All the afternoon they toiled, but the sun went down while yet poor Hollenbeck and Haug remained m the ruins. The wounded men were all properly cared for, and noiie of them had died at nightfall., though it was stated by the physicians that Peck and Harris, at the City Hotel, would probably die.

" The wife of the man killed, Flannigan, while riding to her home on Charles street, on her return from the terrible scene of her husband's death, fainted and was taken into Thos. Scott's coal office, where she was attended by Dr. Clark, some ladies comins^ to his assistance, as Mrs. Flannigan was e7iciente, and fears were entertained from the result of her great agitation,

" It was a noteworthy circumstance that scarcely a groan, and no outcry escaped the wounded men. They all seemed paralyzed by the terrible shock and uttered not a sound.

" An inquest was held on the four bodies recovered at that time and then lying in the old court-house. The jury then adjourned, to meet this morning at nine o'clock, at the City Council Rooms. The jury will, if possible, ascertain at whose door lies the criminal responsibility for this terrible disaster. Somebody is to blame for the yaoposed construction of a building which was liable to fall at any moment and crush to death those it was intended to shelter and protect, and it is the duty of this jury to ascertain, if possible, who the guilty parties are, and let the censure rest where it belongs.

'"^Killed. - Fred Haug, and A. Hollenbeck, still in ruins; John "Warren, A. Haug, John -Pipe, George Gloss, Timothy Flannigan, bodies recovered.

" Wounded. - ^ August Lucas, hip dislocated and cut on the head; Thos. Hayes, severe cut on the head; Wm. Mclnnis, slightly; John Peck, leg crushed, dangerously wounded; Geo. Smith, slightly; Hugh Eldridge, slightly cut in the head; Cicero Dickerson, slightly; Hendrez Beldalil, dangerously; Isaac Donelly, slightly; John Donaldson, missing; Frank Harris, badly; Linholm, badly.

"Some of the wounded are in a critical condition. Of the killed, but two, Hollenbeck and Flannigan, lived in liockford, the others coming with Mr. Richardson from Springlield.

^''Memorial Service. - At a meeting of the ptistors of the cliurches of the city last evening, it was decided to hold public services expressive of the Christian sjnnpathy of the citizens of Rockford with the sulferers in the late calamity at the new court-house, in the Second Congregational Church, to-morrow (Sunday) evening, at 7: 30 p. m. Addresses will be made by clergymen and citizens.

"-At the close of the services, a collection and subscription will be taken for the benefit of the lamilies of the killed and injured, as it is understood that several of these families will be left in great destitution by the loss of husbands and fathers. It is hoped that a generous contribution will be received at the services.

" Thanks for Aid. - Mr. Richardson, the contractor, desires to express his profound thanks to the citizens of Rockford for the prompt and timely aid rendered him at this dire calamity, in rescuing the wounded, and also for the many manifestations of sympathy extended the sulferers.

''Later. - Saturday morning, 6 o'clock. - -A large gang of hands were engaged all night in clearing away the debris, but up to this time neither of the remaining bodies have been recovered. This work will be continued during the day with an increased force," the all absorbing question is, "'Who is responsible?" Our yesterday's edition gave what we had good reason to think was the truth in reference to an alleged difference of opinion between Mr. Richardson and the building committee in regard to the strength of the building. The statement which we made reflected slightly on the liberality of the Board of Supervisors, and intimated that they had perhaps adhered too pertinaciously to the building contract. The committee naturally took umbrage to this view, and have so expressed themselves to us. The Journal has no intention of doing the gentlemen injustice, and has taken pains to get an expression of views from Messrs. Ferguson and Haines, of the building committee, and of the architect, Mr. Gay, as well as of Mr. Richardson. Our reporter met Mr. Gay at the court-house, in company with E. B. Sumner, Esq., and was introduced by the latter gentleman. The following conversation ensued:

" Reporter - Mr. Gay, ha\'e you anything to say through the Journal in regard to this great calamity ? We should be pleased to give you ample oj^portunity for expression in our columns, if you desire to use them.

" Mr. Gay - I have but just arrived, and until I have secured a thorough investigation, I prefer to give no expression in regard to the matter.

"Mj-. Gay - I do; as thorough an investigation as possible. Until that transpires I am unable to express an opinion regarding the disaster. I am willing to bear the revelations of a thorough investigation. What results therefrom does not concern me nearly as much as the recovery of these dead men from the ruins. My feelings of sorrow for the sad result of the calamity are inexpressible. All other considerations aie unimportant to me in comparison to this fearful loss of life and suffering.

" Reporter - Is it true, Mr. Gay, that there has been all along a disagreement between yourself and Mr. Richardson in regard to particulars of construction in the building, or its strength?

" Mr. Gay - No, sir - you see I have not been here to examine the work since February; and you know how it was then; everything appeared all right, so far as I could see.

" Reporter - Those brick piers, or columns, were the supports of the iron pillars above and the inside wall of the pavilion, were they not, and were they so designed in the plans and specifications?

" Further questioning in regard to the cause of failure of these supports was evaded by Mr. Gay, and the conversation was diverted by the approach of Mayor Ferguson, chairman of the court-house building committee.

" The Mayor began to reprimand the Journal for its statement regarding the attitude of the building committee and the Board of Supervisors, which our representative took with the meekness usual with the craft. Then the following colloquy ensued:

"Reporter - Mr. Ferguson, it has been reported ' that a difference had all along existed between the building committee, representing the Board of Supervisors, and the contractor, Mr. Richardson, in regard to certain features of the construction, arising from the fact that the con-

" Mr. Ferguson - There has not a word passed between the contractor and ourselves in regard to such a matter - not a solitary word. We have not had the least intimation that anything was wrong. We have repeatedly gone over the building with Mr. Richardson, and satisfaction was expressed with the nature and progress of the work by all parties.

" This was the most important part of Mr. Ferguson's statement to us. He further stated, also, that nothing would be done about renewing the work till a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, which would be called immediately. When asked if he thought the construction would go on, he replied that he could not say for certain. All would depend on the action of the Board.

" Mr. Richardson, when approached, was not at all inclined to talk. He said that he was placed in a very trying position, and denied that any disagreement had arisen between himself and the Supervisors.

" From our conversation with all the above mentioned parties, we were impressed with the idea that they formed a coterie a good deal more solid than fhat fatal brick support of the fallen pavilion; that it would take a very pertinacious oyster knife to pry open the shell of 'keep mum' in which they had encased themselves. One fact they could not deny. The tower had fallen, and eight lives and a heavy cost to the county were the sacrifice. There was a defect somewhere. It was a significant fact, too, that Mr. Richardson and Mr. Latham had but a moment before tlie catastrophe been peering about at the now ruined pavilion. Why did they do it? Mr. La tham nearly let tlie cat escape from the bag by his answer to the coroner's inquest, when he said that they were looking to^ see wdiether the tower was defective or not.

"It is now quite evident that the blame will be made to rest on the nature of the brick in the supports. It is said that they were too soft; and that if they had been as hard as ordinary Milwaukee brick, they would have been sufficiently strong for the purpose. If that were so, it seems as if somebody ought to have known that the l.>rick were too soft. The pending investigation will probably bring out the facts in the case; at all events, the coroner's jury should sift the matter to the very bottom, so that the truth shall be revealed, if possible. Justice to all parties demands nothing less.

"The toilers in the ruins worked like Titans last night among the debris in the northwest room and in the hall-way in the rear of that roon), under the direction of Tom Force. At a little past twelve their ghastly labors were rewarded by the discovery of the bodies of Ilollenbeck and Haug, down deep under massive poi'tions of the stone- work. A huge stone, about five feet square, lay in a tilted position, one edge resting on ihe body of Hollenbeck, Hang's body laying across Hollenbeck's legs. Atop of Haug lay a couple of large sculptured stones, of vast weight. Hollenbeck's head lay away under the rock above him, and his arm was stretched out and pinioned between undiscovered rocks, 'i'o extricate the body of Hollenbeck, it was necessary to drill through the tilted stone and break a portion off. Then the body was removed, by separating it from the arm, which latter is still under the rock. Hang's body was jammed and doubled up beyond semblance of a man, but that of Hollenbeck was in tolerable preservation. The bodies were extricated about 5 a. m. Both were depos-

"Harris, who is at the City Hotel, suffered amputation of his leg at about 11 o'clock. Dr. Vincent performed the operation, assisted by Drs. McAffee, Tibbets, Knight and Hill. The patient is doing well. He lies in a state ot stupor, which usually supervenes after amputation. The other wounded men are doing as well as could be expected.

^''Latest. - Lindholm, one of the Swedes injured, died last night at 9 o'clock, and Peck, at the City Hotel, died this morning at 12:45, thus making nine persons dead from the disaster. One of the limbs of Harris, also at the City Hotel, is so badly crushed that the physicians have decided on amputation, which will be done this morning. The remaining wounded, so far as we have been able to learn at time ot going to press, ure doing well.

. "The funeral of John Peck, the dead man at the City Hotel, will be held to-day at 10 o'clock, Rev. D. M. Reed officiating. Two sisters of the deceased arrived here from Rochester, Minnesota, this morning.

"The investigation will be entered upon speedily. The coroner's jury have requested Mayor Ferguson to visit Chicago, and he will probably go to-night. There he will jorocure the advice of building experts, and arrange for a thorough investigation,"

Saturday evening the pastors of the several churches met in consultation and arranged to hold memorial services at the Second Congregational Church, on Sunday evening, to give expression to the Christian sympathy entertained by the citizens of Rockford with the sufferers in the terrible disaster. At this meeting, which was a large one, Duncan Ferguson, Esq., chairman of the Board of Supervisors, presided. Addresses were made by clergymen and citizens, and a collection taken up for the benefit of the maimed and wounded, and for the families of the killed - several of the families being left in great destitution. It is needless ta add that the response was hearty and substantial.

The inquest and inquiry as to the cause or causes of the disaster was commenced on Tuesday, the 15th of May, 1877. A large number of building experts and other witnesses were sworn and examined. Among the former were Messrs. Gay, the architect; Richardson, the building contractor; W. W. Boyington, Augustus Bauer, J. R. Willett, and L. D. Cleveland, the four last named gentlemen being Chicago architects of standing and experience. Twelve days were spent in this investigation. The testimony was very voluminous - too much so to be incorporated in this book, and with an explanatory^ article from the Rockford Journal of May 19, and the finding of the Coroner's Jury, the subject will be dismissed from these pages.

The Journal said: "Before entering upon a recital of the evidence adduced at the Coroner's inquest in the great court-house c;ise, we will, as plainly as possible, explain fhe manner in which the fallen pavilion was supported, and why it fell. AH who have seen it are familiar with the appearance of the grand central dome or pavilion of the now dishonored court-house; how it hung aloft over the grand portal, a thing of marvelous grace and beauty; and so absorbed were we all with its growth in symmetry and perfection, day by day, that we never stopped to inquire how it hung there, or how adequate were its supports. (And it has ]3roved that some, whose business it was to think of that, were in a daze, as well.) That marvel of beauty, alas, was no ethereal thing, but had dead weight, pressing upon its supports with a ponderability estimated, with a strange variance in authorities, from 480 to 840 tons. The front, or north half, of the pavilion was supported by the exterior wall of the building, and the arched entrance of the facade. The south side of the pavilion hung away over into the interior of the building on a line with the wall partitioning the front rooms from the vaults next south of them. This south side was supported on two iron columns, !22 feet in height, which rested on a columnar section of wall.

This wall was the regular partitioning wall between the northwest front room and a vault in the rear, as before stated, and was 36 feet in height from the foundation. It was a hollow wall, with twelve inches of brick on one side and eight on the other side of the four inch vacuum. At the point where the iron pavilion-supporting pillar stood was a section two feet four inches square, and built up solid. A pilaster, or projection on the vault, or south side, of four inches, was built up with the wall. This section of the wall is what has been familiarly called the "pier," or column, in conversation and reports. It is not properly a column or pier at all, but merely a section of the wall proper. On \h% top of this section of wall was placed a Joliet cap-stone, two feet square; on this an iron plate two inches thick. On this pedestal stood the iron column, which reached up to the dome above and feebly held back a doom which the unconscious workmen had been piling up there for months. The cause of the catastrophe, now, is easily reached. The hundreds of tons of weight in the pavilion simply crushed the brick support underneath, and the fearful crash came. The brick wall was raised its entire height of thirty- six feet without a single bond-stone, and though Chicago experts say that if it had been properly constructed it would have sustained the superincumbent weight, Messrs. Richardson and Pipe say that it was entirely inadequate to support the weight put upon it."

An inquisition indented and taken for the people of the State of Illinois, at the Citv Council Chambers, in the citv of Rockford, in said Winnebago County, on llth, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th,"'l6th, I7th, 18th, 19th, 21st, and 22d days of May, A. D. 1877, before me, Judson D. Burns, Coroner of said Winnebago County, in the State of Illinois, after viewing the bodies of Frederick Ilaug, Albert Haug, Timothy Flannigan, John Pipe, Geo. Gloss, John Warren, Almira Hollenbeck, John T. Pick, and Jared F. Harris, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of Selden M. Church, Foreman; H. W. Carpenter, Geo. S. Haskell, John R. Porter, G. A. Santord, J. B. Howell, Thos. Butterworth, Geo. Wilson, J. W. Seccomb, D. L. Emerson, Wm. IT. Smith, A. G. Lowrey, good and lawful men of said Winnebago County, who, being duly sworn to inquire upon the part of the people of the State of Illinois, into all tha circumstances attending the death of the persons aforesaid, whose bodies they have viewed, arid by whom the same was produced, and in what manner, and when and where the said dead bodies aforesaid came to their death, do say, upon their oaths aforesaid, that the said Frederick Haug, Albert Haug, Timothy Flannigan, John Pipe, Geo. Gloss, John Warren, Almira Hollenbeck, John T. Pick and Jared T. Harris were lying, when found, in the debris of the Court House of Winnebago Countv, State of Illinois, said court-house thep being nnder construction and situated in tlie city of Tiockford, west of Kock Hiver, in an enclosure known as Court House Square, in the County of Winnebago and State of Illinois aforesaid, on the 11th and 12th days of May, A. D. 1877, and that the said dead bodies aforesaid, when so found as aforesaid, appeared badly mutilated and crushed; and so the jurors aforesaid upon their oaths do say that the said Frederick Ilaug, Albert Haug, Timothy Flannigan, John Pipe, Geo. Gloss, John Warren, Almira Hollenbeck, John T. Pick and Jared F. Harris came to their death aforesaid by the reason of the falling of part of the main pavilion of the aforesaid court-house, on Friday, the lltli day of May, 1877, at the hour of 11:30 a. m., or thereabouts, the above named persons killed being mechanics and laborers employed upon and about the aforesaid court-house, at the time of the falling.

The Cause

That the cause of said falling is, first, The neglect of Henry L. Gay, the architect of the said building, to provide for the great amount of weight called for to complete the construction of said building, according to plans as designed by him.

Second, That want of care or prudence on the part of said architect, in not giving special specifications and plans for the part or parts of the general plan required or expected to carry the extra weight, in proportion to their superficies.

We find that the Board of Supervisors failed to use that caution in examining the plans and specifications that the construction of a building of that magnitude would seem to require, and that they acted unwisely in not employing a competent architect to superintend the construction of the same. And so the jury do find. - Selden M. Church, Hiram W. Carpenter, Geo. S. Haskell, John R. Porter, Goodyear A. Sanford, Jas. B. Howell, Thos. Butterworth, Geo. Wilson, Jos. W, Seccomb, D. L. Emerson, Wm. H, Smith, Andrew G. Lowry.

The direful disaster thus disposed of, its cause established, the responsibility fixed where it belonged, the dead buried and the wounded provided for, the Board of Supervisors next turned their attention to the strengthening of the building, that a similar calamity might be averted. Messrs, William S. Smith, engineer, of Maywood; David S. Doig, architect, Rockford, and Aaron' Houghton, Durand, were designated as a committee of experts to make such changes in the plans as would give the building all necessary strength in every part, and to determine the nature and extent of the repairs necessary to restore it to such condition as would permit its completion. This committee found a number of defects or weak places, for which they suggested strengthening remedies, which were adopted and carried out. Tliis committee was also instructed to make estimates on the cost of restoring the building to its condition previous to its falling, and the probable cost of such alterations as they found necessary to be made to insure the necessary strength, etc. On the 13th of June this committee submitted a report, from which the following figures are extracted:

The same date Mr. Richardson proposed to take the court-house as it stood, and complete it according to the plans and specifications as altered ])y the committee of experts, for the additional sum (to the contract price) of $46,000, making the whole sum to be paid to him for the Court House, when completed, $206,000, it being stipulated in this propositiou that all the rubbish and material about the building should belong to him, and that he should be allowed to use the same in reconstructing the building so far as the building superintendent should approve. On the 14th of June the Board of Supervisors voted to accept the proposition of Mr. Richardson, and the building commitsee were instructed to enter into the necessary contract with him for the faithful fulfillment of his proposition. In consideration of Mr. Richardson being awarded the rubbish occasioned by the falling of the dome, etc., he released all claims that he might have against the county for any and all damages, of whatever kind, that he had sustained by the disaster. All the details thus completed, work was resumed, and has been prosecuted without further interruption. On the ITth of June, David S. Doig was appointed building superintendent, in place of F. E. Latham, resigned, and to which duty he gave his entire and undivided attention. Not a single piece of material was allowed to be put in the wall without he had first examined it and found it to be suited every way to the place it was designed to occupy, and then put in place under his immediate supervision. In this way. and with the adoption of the plans matured by the committee of experts for strengthening the building, the Winnebago Court House was made one of the strongest in the State. The fallen dome was a model of beauty and symmetry, but its supports were too weak to sustain its great weight. The design was a grand one, but there is no doubt but the architect who designed it became so lost in the contemplation of the beauty of the model his brain had fashioned, that he overlooked the great and necessary element of strength in the supports upon which it was calculated to rest.

Among the alterations proposed by Mr. Richardson, was iron instead of wooden rafters for the roof, covered with sheeting boards and tin covering (same as in the original), and the under side of the roof to be covered with wire cloth and two coats of cement j)lastering. When this building is fully completed, it will be a proud and lasting monument to the spirit of the people by whom it was built; and only the remembrance of one thing will cause them regret as they contemplate its majestic walls, its graceful and towering' dome, and its unsurpassed interior arrangement and finish - tlie death dimster of May 11, A. D. 1877. The horrors and memories of that occasion will live in the minds of men so long as the walls of the building endure.

In closing this chapter, it is but simple justice to the worth and merit or Mr. Duncan Ferguson, member and chairman of the Board of Supervisors and chairman of the Building Committee from the inception of the undertaking, to remark that he spared no eftbrt to secure to the county all that was contemplated by the people when they determined to build a courthouse that would be in' keeping with the M^ealth and importance of the county. The duties of such a position could not have been assigned to a more prudent, careful and determined gentleman. To him and his associates on the committee, Messrs. A. Haines, F. E. Latham, H. Mackey, and J. B. Merritt, from the letting of the contract until April, 1877; and A. Haines, J. B. Merritt, J. R. Herring and J. H. Kirk, from April, 1877, tlie people owe enlarged consideration and recognition tor the very economic and careful manner in which they have guarded their interests in the management of this enterprise, uniniluenced by "rings, " "jobbery," or "favoritism."

The Press

The first newspaper established in the county was the Rock River Express. Its publication was commenced in the village of Rockford, May 4, 1840, by B. J. Gray. It was Whig in politics. After being 23ublished one year, the press and materials were sold and removed from the place.

The Rockford Star, Democratic, was started in 1840, by Philander Knappen. This paper was run for a little over a year, when it was transferred to John A. Brown, and continued under the name of the Rockford Pilot.

Rockford, Pilot., Democratic, was commenced July 22, 1841, by John A. Brown. This paper was a successor to the Star, and was pul.'lished till October, 1842. During a portion of this time, also a Universalist paper, entitled The Better Covenant, William Ronnseviile, editor, was printed at the Pilot office.

Winnehago Forum, Whig, established February, 1843, by J. Ambrose Wight, who transferred it in the August following to Austin Colton. The title was afterwards changed to Rockford Forum. Mr. Colton continued its publisher for nearly eleven years. The establishment was purchased by Elijah W. Blaisdell, Jr., in 1854, and the name of the paper was changed to Rockford Repnhlican. Mr. Blaisdell subsequently took his brother, Tlichard P. Blaisdell, into partnership, l)y whom the paper was published until 1862, when it was purchased by Elias 0. Daugherty, and merged into the Rockford Register, of which he was the proprietor.

Rockford Free Press, established in October, 1848, by Henry W. De Puy, as a free soil, or "Barnburner" organ. It was published until February, 1850, when it was discontinued for want of patronage.

Rock River Democrat, established in June, 1852, as a Democratic paper, by Benjamin Holt, in which David T. Dickson afterwards purchased an interest. In 1855, Rhenodyne A. Bird purchased the interest of Mr. Holt. The Democrat was published by Messrs. Dickson & Bird until May 1, 1864, when it was purchased by Isaiah S. Hyatt, who continued its publication until June 12, 1865, when the office was sold to the present Register Company.

Rockford Register, established February, 1855, as a Republican paper, by Elias C. Daugherty, who continued its publication until June 12, 1865, when the entire establishment, and also the Rock River Demoont office, were purchased by a joint stock company, known as the Rockford Register Company, by whom it has been published to the present time.

Rockford Wesleyan Seminary Reporter, a monthly publication, commenced in October, 1857. Only four numbers of this paper were issued. It was pul)lished by W. F. Stewart, for the Wesleyan Seminary Company,

Democratic- Standard, established October 30, 1858, by Springsteen & Parks, as a Democratic organ. After three or four weeks, the Standard was ])ublished by Henry I*arks, alone, until Feliruary 5, 1859, when David G. Croly became pi-oprietor of the establishment. On the 18th of May following, the proprietorship was changed to D. G. Croly & Co., John H. Grove being known as the '"Oo." On the suspension of the News, April

30, 1860, and the withdrawal of Mr. Crolj, the publication of the Standard was continued by John H. Grove and James S. Ticknor, for a few months, wh'U it was sold to James E. and Joseph H. Fox, who established the Daily News, Kepublican, issuing the first number on the 10th of December, 1860. In a few weeks they also commenced the issue of The Weekly News. The publication of the News was continued until Sept. 21, 1861, when the establishment was sold to Elias C. Daugherty, of the Register^ and its further publication ceased.

Daily News, established by David G. Croly, February 8, 1859. Neutral in politics. The publication of the News was continued to April 30, 1860, when it was suspended from a lack of patronage.

Daily Register, Kepublican, established by Elias C. Dauglierty, June 1, 1859, but discontinued at the end of three months. Was renewed in October, 1877.

Rock River Mirror, neutral in pc)litics; established September 6, 1859, by Allen Gibson, by whom it is still published. Printed at the Register office.

Rockton Gazette, established at Rockton, 1857, by Funk & Phelps. Soon after its commencement, Mr. Funk retired, and its publication was continued for about a year by K. W. Phelps. Not being well sustained, the office and fixtures were removed to Burlington, Wisconsin.

Pecatonica Independent, established May, 1859, at Pecatonica, by J. E. Duncan. Its publication was continued for a little over a year, when the office was removed to Darlington, Wisconsin.

People's Press, Democratic, was established July 25, 1865, by W. P. Furey, who published it until May, 1866, when a joint stock company was organized, who continued its publication until September 1, 1866, when it was discontinued, having met the same fate with many of its predecessors - died for want of patronage,

Winnebago County Chief. Republican, established Nov. 21, 1866, by J. P. Irvine, who subsequently admitted as a partner, Hiram R. Enoch. This partnership continued till 1870, when Mr, Enoch bought out the interest of Mr. Irvine, aud changed the name of the paper to that of the Rockford Journal, of which he is still the editor and publisher. Mr. Enoch is an easy, graceful, bold and independent writer, and, although not always popular with the masses because of his political independence and his disposition to call things by their right names, the Journal is always sought after because of its reliability as a ?i(3?/)6'-paper. Mr. Enoch is a careful business man, and has succeeded in placing the Journal on a substantial financial basis, and by perseverence and industry has worked his way up from a settler's boy in 1835 to his present position, as manager and editor of a newspaper whose influence is acknowledged tliroughout the country.

Rockford Gazette, Republican, established November, 1866, by I. S. Hyatt, who continued its publication until September, 1867, when it was sold to A. E. and W. E. Smith, its present proprietors.

Official Recoed

The following is a complete official record of the State Senators, Representatives, Delegates to Constitutional Conventions, Circuit Judges, Clerks of the Circuit Courts, County Commissioners, County Justices, Clerks of County Court, County Clerks, Judges of Probate, State's Attorneys, Sheriifs, Coroners, Recorders. School Commissioners and Superintendents, County Treasurers, County Surveyors, Masters in Chancery, and Chairmen of the Board of Supervisors, in the order here named, who have served the people in these various capacities since the first election, Monday, Aug. 1, 1836. As a means of ready reference, this record will prove invaluable.

State Senators. - Anson S. Miller, elected 1846: Alfred E. Ames, 1848; Thos. B. Talcott, 1850; Wait Talcott, 1854; Zenas S. Aplington, 1858; Cornelius Lansing, 1862 to 1866; A. C. Fuller, 1866; re-elected 1870, with John Early, under the new constitution of 1870 giving the old senatorial districts an additional member. In 1872, Mr. Early was again elected, and continued as senatorial representative until his death in August, 1877. His last term would have expired November, 1878.

Previous to 1840, the Districts of which Winnebago County formed a part included all the tract of country bounded by a line commencing at the northwest corner of the State of Illinois (several miles north and west of Galena), and running thence along the Mississippi river to a point far below Rock Island; tlience easterly across the country to a point from whence the line ran north to the southern line of Wisconsin, at the northeost corner of Winnebago County, and enclosing the entire Rock River Yalley, in Illinois, as welf as a large extent ot country below the mouth of Rock river. These vast Districts, extending from Dubuque almost to St. Louis, were respectively entitled to two representatives and one senator. One of these representatives was conceded to Winnebago County as early as 1838 - before she had attained the age of two years - as appears by the election of Mr. Kent. Under the apportionment of 1840, and before she had arrived at the fourth year of her existence, so rapid had been the increase of population that Winnebago alone was made a representative district, and so has continued under all the apportionments since made. She constitutes at this time the Fifty-fifth representative district. The counties of AVinnebago and Ogle were made a senatorial district under the apportionment of 1840; Winnebago, McHenry and Boone, under the new constitution in 1847; Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and Carroll, under the apportionment of 1854; and Winnebago, Boone, Mcllenry and Lake, under the apportionment of 1861, and Winnebago and Boone under the apportionment of 18T0-1, and is now known as the Ninth District.

Delegates. - Delegates to the convention of 1847, to frame a new constitution for the State, Robt. J. Cross and Selden M. Church; delegate to convention in 1862, Porter Sheldon; delegate to convention in 1870, R. J. Cross.

Winnebago has belonged to a circuit covering at first a large number of counties, and even as lately as 1851, as will be seen, extending from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan, but gradually diminishing as population increased and required more compact districts, until it now only includes the three counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Winnebago.

County Justices. - Selden M. Church, judge, 1849 to 1857; Anson S. Miller, judge, 1857 to 1865; Abram S. Van Dyke, judge, 1865; Stephen Mack, associate justice, 1849 to 1850; David Weld, associate justice, 1849 to 1853; Henry Putnam, associate justice, 1850 to 1853; Asher Boach, associate justice, 1853 to 1857; Alfred E. Hale, associate justice, 1853 to 1857; William E. Weld, associate justice, 1857 to 1865; James A. Wilson, associate justice, 1857 to 1861; Abram S. Van Dyke, associate justice, 1861 to 1865; John E. Herring, associate justice, 1865; Chandler A. Dunwell, associate justice, 1865.

*By an act of the General Assembly, in force July 1, 1877, the First Judicial Circuit, of which Winnebago County formed a part, was consolidated with the Third Circuit, and made the Thirteenth Circuit, and an additional judge elected for the new circuit. Under this act, Judge Heaton, formerly of the Third Circuit, and Judge Bailey, elected July 1, lb>77, pursuant to the provisions of the act, became judges of the Circuit Court of Winnebago County.

Clerk of the County Coitkt. - William Hulin, 1849. The County Court, composed of one county judge and two associate justices, had charge of the count}^ business as the successor of the County Commissioners' Court, until the organization of the Board of Supervisors in 1850. The associate justices then ceased to be members of the County Court, but are still elected once in four years, as justices of the peace for the county at large. The judge of the County Court is the probate judge for the county, and under a law passed in 1854, had jurisdiction in law and chancery until 1863.

Under the old constitution, this officer was clerk of the County Commissioners' Court. Since the fall of 1849, he has been clerk of the County Court and of the Board of Supervisors to 1855. A separate clerk of the Board of Supervisors has been appointed by the board since 1855, under special act of the Legislature.

Van Dyke resigned during the year 1873, and B. C. Bailey was appointed to the vacancy. In November of that year he was elected to the office, which he held until the election in November, 1877, when he was a candidate for re-election.

Previous to 1837, a judge of probate was appointed for each county by the Legislature. In 1837 the office was made elective, with the title of "Probate Justice of the Peace," to be filled by a vote of the people. The new constitution brought this court to an end, and transferred its powers and duties to the judge of the County Court.

There were other persons in the office between 1842 and 1851, but this officer being the prosecuting attorney for the circuit, it is only proposed to name here such incumbents as resided in the county.

During the year 1873, the office became vacant, and E. G. Stiles was appointed to fill out tlie unexpired term. In ISTovember, 1873, Mrs. Mary L. Carpenter was elected, and filled the office until the ISTovember election, 1877.

Mr. Richardson died while in office, and his brother-in-law, J. G. Lyford qualified, gave bond, etc., and filled the office until 1871, when Thomas W. Cole was elected, and is still holding the office.

Supervisors. - Members of the Board of Supervisors are elected in April of each year. Following is a list of the chairmen of the several Boards since the township organization law went into efifect: David Weld, 1850; Bela Shaw, 1851; Sylvester Talcott. 1852, 1853; Spencer Post, 1854; Luman Pettibone, 1855; John R. Herrino^, 1856; David F. Talbot, 1857,1858: Selden M. Church, 1859-1864; Eli ' F. Roberts, 1865; Selden M. Church, 1866; Eli F. Roberts, 1867; Robert J. Cross, 1868-1872; Duncan Ferguson, 1873-1877.

When first organized, in 1850, the Board was composed of one member from each township, making 16 members. In 1853, Rockford was given an assistant member. In 1865, a special act of the Legislature provided for the election of one member from each ward in the city ot Rockford, increasing the_,Board to 23 members,

Death S Eecokd

Of the gentlemen who thus served the public in official capacities the following have been called to the enjoyment of honors that no people can confer, and their spirits surround the throne of Ilim who controls the destiny of nations:

Reprefientatives. - (lermanieus Kent, died in Virginia, in 1856; William H. Crandall, died in Howard township, Oct. 4, 1855; Horace Miller, died in Rockford, August 5, 1865; William Lyman, Rockford, December 10, 1865; Robert J. Cross, Roscoe, March, 1873; Alfred E. Hale, 1873.

Senators. - Zenos S. Aplington was killed near Corinth during the war of the rebellion; Cornelius Lansing, died in 1865; John Early, died in August, 1877.

Associate Judges. - Stephen Mack, in Rockton, April 10, 1850 ; David Weld, in Seward, May 2, 1859; Asher Beach, in Howard, May 12, 1860; Henry Putnam, Alfred E. Hale.

Prohate Judges. - Milton Kilburn, in Rockford, February 16, 1863; Bela Shaw, in Rockford, May 31, 1865 ; C. I. Horsman, Rockford; Anson Barnum.

Sheriffs. - Daniel S. Haiglit, in Texas, about 1860; Isaac N. Cunningham, in Rockford, December 24, 1865; Hiram R. Maynard, in Rockford, April 18, 1857; Peter B. Johnson, in Cherry Yalley, September 20, 1865; John F. Taylor, murdered in Rockford by Alfred Countryman, Nov. 11, 1856; Anson Barnum, William Courtright.

Coroners. - Alonzo Piatt, in Texas, about 1854; Harvey Gregory, in Harlem, February 7, 1849; Nathaniel Loomis, July, 1850; Artemas Hitchcock, in Rockford, October 12, 1865; John Fisher, in Rockford, January 28, 1865; Eliphalat Gregory, Cyrus Jenks.

School Commissioners. - James B. Kerr, died July 3, 1864, in Atlanta, Georgia, from wounds received June 27th, in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia; he was at that time Lieut. Colonel of the 74th Illinois Infantry; H. B. Potter, Silas Sweet.

County Treasurers. - Samuel D. Preston, in Rockford, February 11, 1844; Hollis H. Holmes, in Rockford, August 12, 1859; R. J. Cross, Roscoe, March, 1873; J. E. Richardson.

Chairmen Board of Supervisors. - Robert J. Cross, Roscoe, March, 1873. Of the other members, an aggregate of nearly 650, elected from April 1850 to April 1877, the following is the death list: Rev. William Stilwell was chosen Supervisor of Burritt at the April town meeting, 1850, but died on the 12th of May following; Mr. Pitkin was elected to fill the

Beside the above, Cooper received, for President, in the Second District, 2; Third District, 3; Rockton, 9; Pecatonica, 13; Durand, 15; Cherry Valley, 9 ; Harlem, 2; Burritt, 4; Harrison, 1 ; Shirland, 2; Seward, 1 ; Laona, 9. Total, 70. Smith received, in Third District, 4; Fourth, 2; Rockton, 5; Harrison, 2. Total, 13.

Town And City Lots

The histoiy of this city and the County of Winnebago arc so closely interwoven that it is somewhat difficult to draw a line of distinction between them. It was here the first settlement was made, in 1834, the lirst stores and trading places opened, here the first Post-office was established, and, in fact, it was here the county commenced. From here the settlements extended outward to the different sections of what is now Winnebago County. To attempt a separate and distinct history of Rockford would be to recapitulate or repeat in a great measure what has already been written; hence, with a few refei'ences to some minor subjects, we will pass to a review of the manufacturing enterprises and industries that have been built up, and that are in successful operation at Rocktord.

In the fall of 1834, Germanicus Kent extended an invitation to a number of his Southern friends to join his colony at Midway^ a name he seems to have given to the settlement commenced by himself and Mr. Blake. Tliis name, it is to be supposed, was suggested by the fact that it just about half way between Chicago and Galena. By the Indians the place was known as Rock ford - a name suggested to them by nature. At or near the site of the present dam, there was a solid rock bottom, where the water was generally shallow enough in ordinary seasons to affi)rd easy crossing with their ponies, and was therefore known to them as the Rock ford. And just here it will not be out ot place to remark that Indians, of whatever tribe, always name an object - no matter what it may be - -after that of which it most reminds them on first sight. Several of the states of the American Union bear Indian names, as, for instance, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Massachusetts, etc. The significance ol these names will be found in the first pages of this book, and will be of great convenience to the reader. Tradition tells us that when the Southern Indians first beheld the territory of Alabama it was blooming with flowers, and so delighted them that their chiefs exclaimed, "Al-a-bam-a," meaning "Here we rest." And so on, ad injin'du7n. Wherever the Indians have roved, they left names far more appropriate and suggestive than any ever bestowed by their pale-faced followers. But to return to Rockford.

Among other old neighbors and acquaintances in Alabama to whom Mr. Kent wrote was Mr. James B. Martyn. In that letter, in directing Mr. Martyn how to reach Midway, Mr. Kent said:

-'At Galena, call on my brother. From Galena go directly east until you come to and cross Apple River, thence turn in a south-easterly course to Plumb River, and from there to Cherry Grove. There leave some timber on your left, and a small grove on your right (afterwards known as Twelve Mile Grove), and then keep on until you strike Rock River, from which a blind path will guide you to Midway."

In October, 1837, a post-office was established, and Daniel S. Haight was appointed Post Master. Previous to this time, the settlers received their mail either at Galena or Chicago - more generally at the latter place. The first mail bag received at Rockford was unaccompanied by a key, and consequently could not be opened, and was sent back. The second week in

October, 1835, another bag of mail matter came along, this time all right. It was opened by Giles 0. Hard, who assisted Post Master Haight in distributing the mail. In a short time after this important event in the history of Kockford, Post Master Haight built a 10x12 frame building on Main street, a few rods south of "^State street, which served as a post-office for some time. In those days the mail was often so small that Haight's pocket would have served just as well for a post-office as a 10x12 building. Put not so now, as will be shown a little further along. Up to J anuary, 1838, the mail was carried on horseback. The first of that month, however, a line of four-horse coaches was established on the road between Chicago and Galena, by which the mail was carried until the steam cars on the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad drove the four-horse stage coaches to other routes.

Just "forty years ago" the Rockford mail was carried in a single mail bag on h'-rseback. The post-office was a 10x12 frame building. October, 1877, the post-office business required a room 32x90 feet, the services of six clerks, 2,700 boxes, besides a large general delivery. Seven mails arrive and depart daily; of newspapers, live four-bushel sacks are daily received. The daily average of letters, postal cards, newspapers, etc., sent out is equal to 3,242 23ieces, or 1,833,330 pieces per year; of letters and postal cards per year, 676,920 ; registered letters sent out per year, 2,600 ; money orders issued, $78,000 per year; money orders paid, $130,000.

Pet ween the east and west sides of the river in early days there was some rivalry, and the respective sides were sometimes known as "Ilaightville" and "Kentville."'' For some time Don Alonzo Spaulding, who was Government surveyor, and who also had a small stock of goods for Indian trade, cast his fortunes with Kent and Plake, on the West Side, but finally moved over to Ilaightville, much to the joy and gratification of the Ilaightvillians. Mr. Dunbar, also a West Sider, went over about the same time. These were considered valuable and influential accessions to that side of the river, and new plans were undertaken in the interests- of East Rockford, the settlers but little foreseeing the fact that neither side of the river could monopolize the great commercial interests that nature intended should grow up at "Midway."

In January, 1836, Mr. Kent employed Mr. Spaulding to establish two or three streets parallel with the river on the West Side. Says Mr. Spaulding in speaking of this survey: "There were j)robably ten or twelve blocks, the corners of which were defined by stakes. In the spring of 1836, several persons interested in the east side of the river wished me to lay ofi" the beginning of their town. After making a preliminary examination, I found that I could not make the front street, or street next the river, on the most suitable ground and have the cross streets correspond with the streets on the west side of the river. I then examined what I had done on the west side of the river, and found that they could be changed so as to conform to the east side, and as there had been no improvement made that would be affected by the small change necessary to make, so that the streets on both sides of the river would harmonize as though there had been no river dividing the town, I talked with Mr. Kent about it, and explained to him what i conceived to be an advantage to both sides of the river. Mr. Kent was unwilling to comply with my wishes, and thfit accounts for the awkward appearance of the streets on each side of the river - if extended across they would strike the side of a block instead of the street."

Gradually, however, the rivalry gave way, and when the people came to know that the very elements of nature had conspired to establish the site for the building of manufactories on the West Side, the rivalry gave way altogether, and the rival interests joined hands in one grand purpose to make Rockford what it has become - a grand mantifacturing center. But experience was necessary to bring the people up to a complete realization of what nature intended.

In the spring of 1844 the Rockford Hydraulic Company was organized, and the erection of a dam commenced. The site selected was in the upper part of the town, nearly opposite the Kenosha depot. The dam was built of timber, brush, stone, and gravel, and its construction completed under the supervision o\ C. C. Coburn, a gentleman of some notoriety as a dam builder, of Wisconsin. A purchase was made by the company of a large tract of timber on the east side, and about all the available teams in the village and its surroundings were engaged, fiat boats built and brought into requisition to furnish the stone and gravel, which were excavated principally from the west bank of the river, above where the dam was built. Rapid progress was made in its construction, and by the following spring the structure was said to be completed.

Simultaneous with the construction of the dam work was, progressing on the race on the east side, which extended from the dam a distance of two blocks below State street. While this work was in progress, companies were being formed for manufacturing purposes, and buildings began to be erected. First on the works was a saw mill, close to the dam, put up by Messrs. L. B. Gregory and A. C. Spalford, under the firm name of Gregory & Spafiford. Next on the race, and just at the end of the bridge, on State street, a grist mill was built by Mr. Nettleton, who deserves the reputation of being the '' pioneer miller of Rockford." ISText below this mill was a woolen factory, or fulling mill, which was built and conducted by Mr. J. B. Howell. Below this factory, and at the terminus of the race, was another saw mill in successful operation, owned and conducted by Messrs. Wheeler & Lyon.

This was about the extent of manufactures on the East Side. The company then directed its enterprise to the West Side, and accordingly a very wide race was laid out, with a temporary terminus on Mulberry street, one block north of State, and sufficiently far from the river to admit of the erection of factory buildings between. The work on this was prosecuted with like energy, and successfully carried out, and a third saw mill built at the bulk-head, close to the dam, by Messrs. Robertson & Holland, and near by the terminus of the race, the first foundry and machine shop was built and conducted by Ethan Clark, the remains of which still bid defiance to time - one-half of the old stone Iniilding remaining just north of the city bridge, as the last monument of the former water works.

Scarcely had the dam been pronounced finished when it was discovered by its continued settling and leakage, that more timber was necessary to raise the head or stop the leakage, and the company began to look around for more material. Rockford at that time presented the appearance of a young city in a beautiful forest, so splendidly was it shaded with lovely young native trees. But nature must succumb to art, and for the purpose of filling up the successive breaches in the dam, the embryo city was despoiled of its native ornaments until scarcely a shrub could be found. The company persevered, but the rush of waters was triumphant as each successive spring flood occurred, and the frail structure yielded, leaving not only the company, but the entire population, alternating between hope and despair, as to manufacturing success, as freshet succeeded freshet. On the first day of June, 1850, all the citizens might have been seen lining each bank of the river, with sad and dejected countenances, as the fearful element was doing its fatal work, by knocking the props from the frail manufacturing support. The city bridge had, as was supposed, been built with the utmost care, and if a modern architect could have seen it, he would have been led to suppose that if wooden pins could make anything secure, it would be immovable. There it stood; the adversary might twist it; but break, or leave its position, it would not for all the freshets in creation. So the people reasoned, if the bridge did not. So the freshet, as if in mockery of the people's hopes and proud aspirations, having recuperated and recovered additional force when released from its temporary confinement, came madly on. The struggle commenced, and the bridge was conqueror. It might have uttered (could it have spoken) the declaration of Fitz James to Ehoderick Dhu:

True, it was rather twisted, and after the encounter resembled, in its curvature, a rail fence, and in some places its horizontal position was changed to the perpendicular, but it remained as an honored fixture, until its successor, the present bridge, took its place, when it was sold in sections to the highest bidder.

On the ]5th of July, 1851, Thomas D. Robertson, John A. liolland, R. P. Lane, G. A. Sanford, W. A. Dickerman, S. M. Church, O. Clark, C. I. Horsman, John Edwards, J. S. Coleman, John Fisher, William Hulin, Isaiah Lyon, M. Starr, C. H. Spafibrd, Lucius Clark, J. J. Town, Henry Potwin, H. R. Maynard, Jas. H. Rogers, B, McKenney, John Piatt, Albert

McCoy, the leading public spirited men of Rockford, associated themselves together under the style of the Rockford Water Power Company, in pursuance of the provisions of a general act of the Legislature of Illinois, entitled, ''an act for the improvement of Rock River, and for the production of hydraulic power," passed by that body in 1849. Here was commenced the great work that has made the city what it is admitted by all to be, the "leading inland manufacturing city of the JSTorthwest."

In September, 1851, the owners of water and land under the old company, entered into an agreement with the new company, whereby the two interests were consolidated, and steps were immediately taken for the construction of a permanent dam,^n the rock bottom of the old ford. In the spring of 1853, the dam and race were completed and acce^jted by the company. It would make an interesting chapter to note the ups and downs of this great enterprise, and the hard work done by the men having it in charge since its organization, but the time and space M'ill not permit.

The length of the dam is between 700 and 800 feet, and, to all appearances, firm and immovable as the hills. The rains may fall, and the floods come, but the dam will not be moved, as it is founded on a rock, and the power derived under a six-foot head. In these dusky haunts, four or five hundred men find steady employment and ready pay. Here, industry and honesty walk hand in hand. Skill and ingenuity stand steadily by the lathe, and the handy smith hammers and shapes the white-hut iron as he will. The city of Rockford may be justly proud of these sons of toil, honest, intelligent, and full of enterprise. To them is owed, in a great measure, the growth and prosperity of the city.

In the general history of the county no mention was made of the " Mile Strip " difficulty, from the fact that it more directly concerned liockford than the county. That contest was the most spirited one known in the annals of the county, and as such is here recorded. This strip was located along the eastern line of the county, and had been set off to Winnebago County from the western tier of townships of Boone County when that county was organized. When Boone County was fully organized and the county machinery in complete working order, the people of that bailiwick became ambitious for the acquisition of more territory, and began to agitate the question of having the " mile strip " set back to them. Among the people of Kockford there were some who also had amlutions to gratify - schemes to carry out - and in the "mile strip" they imagined they saw the means of accomplishing their purposes. The county seat question of Winnebago had not been permanently settled. The people of East Rockford were naturally opposed to the "set oif," on the ground that the interests of the people on that strip were identical with the interests of East Rockford, and that consequently their influence would be exerted towards securing the permanent location of the county buildings on that side of the river. The people of the west side of the river wei*e anxious to foster such measures as would secure a majority of the voters in favor of permanently locating the county offices and county buildings on the west side. Here were three conflicting interests at work - Boone County and East and West Rockford. The more the " set off" question was agitated, the hotter grew the contest. But the " set off " could not be accomplished without a special act of authority from the Legislature. In the meanwhile the settlers on the strip were the recipients of special attention and innumerable visits from their fellow-citizens on their east and on their west. Finally, the Legislature of 1843 passed a special act to enable the voters on the strip to vote "for " or " against " being set off to Boone County. The 4th day of May, 1843, was fixed for the election, and from the passage and approval of that act until the result was known, some of the Boone County men were among the interested voters, laboring with them, pleading with them, arguing with them. And it has been said that some of them even camped on the strip and threw out sentinels to watch their natural enemies - the Winnebagoes - i. e. the people of Winnebago County who were opposed to the scheme. No one who was not an actual settler on the strip was allowed a vote, and it may be assumed to be a fact that more hard electioneering was done on that occasion than was ever done before or since. But Boone County, whether fairly or honestly, was victorious, and carried off bodily - some say stole - twenty-four sections of valuable land, capable of supporting a thousand jDCople and increasing their sources of tax revenue many thousands of dollars. At that election"95 votes were cast, of which 51 votes were '' for " annexation to Boone County and 44 " against," - a majority of seven votes in favor of the scheme.

county offices, on the west side, which was accepted, which, with the settlement of the " Mile Strip" aojitation, permanently fixed the location of the county buildings. In 1836, soon after the first election, Messrs. Kent & Brinherhoof were licensed by the County Commit^sioners to keep and maintain a ferry at Rockford. The management and ownership of this ferry changed hands from time to time, but was kept up until succeeded by a bridge, in 1844. In 1843, the Legit^lature passed an act authorizing Daniel S. Haiglit, Dr. George Haskell, S. D. Preston, and Charles I. Horsman, to build a bridge over Kock River. . The act stipulated that the bridge should be built in good workmanlike manner, and to be so " constructed as not to interfere with navigation." When that bridge was completed the ferry was abandoned, and has been known no more. The old wooden bridge served its time faithfully and well. It was a bond of union between the east and west sides, but in time had to give way to more modern structures, and is now succeeded by a magnificent iron bridge. Thus, little by little, the rivalry between ITaightville and Kentville was forced to give way and to become one people with a community of interests.

The first M. E. church society was organized in 1836, with five members, at the- house of Henry Enoch, in Guilford township. But within a year or two, the appointment for preaching was removed from Mr. Enoch's to Rockford, that the society might receive strength by numbers from among the Methodist settlers of Rockford. About 1838 they built a house of worship. About the same time the Congregationalists also erected a house of worship, on the west side of Church street, one block south from the Church ot the Christian Union. These were the first churches built in Rockford.

December, 1836, the first marriage license issued from the clerk's office of Winnebago County, by virtue of which Dr. Daniel H. Whitney and Miss Sarah Ooswell, of the Belvidere Precinct, were joined together in the holy banns of wedlock, by Prof. Setli S. Whitman, also of Belvidere. The first marriage entered on the registry is that of Mr. William P. Randall and Miss Delia Driscoll, which was solemnized February 13, 1837, by Wm. R. Wheeler, a justice of the peace in Kishwaukee precinct.

February, 1836, Mrs. John B. Long introduced the first female child born in the county, which was named Melissa J. The first male child born was Ogden Hance, son of Thomas Hance, in what is now Pecatonica township.

During the summer of 1851, a better local or city government was deemed necessary to the welfare of the growing town, and in the fall of that year preliminary , steps were taken to secure that end; and in pursuance of a call signed by Jason Marsh, G. A. Sanford, Willard Wheeler, W. A. Dickerman, Isaiah Lyon, George Wyatt, Newton Crawford, C. I. Horsman, W. P. Dennis, Jesse Blinn, and William Hulin, a meeting was held in the court-house, Nov. 29, 1851, at which it was decided to submit the (question of a city organization to a vote of the people, and at an election held by order of the trustees of the town, January 3, 1852, a majority of votes was cast in favor of organizing under the general law of 1849, taking the Springfield city charter as a basis.

The first election under the new government took place April 19, 1852, the candidates for Mayor being Willard Wheeler and E. H. Potter, the election resulting in the choice of the following named officers:

The first meeting of the city council was held April 26, 1852, in the counting room of E. H. Potter. At this meeting, William Lathrop was appointed city clerk. At the second meeting of the council, held on the 1st of May, the following officers were appointed:

At this meeting a resolution was adopted looking to the construction of a new city bridge, in the place of the old structure, which had become onapidated and rickety from long use and decay.

"An act to legalize the incorporation of the city of Pockford, and amend the charter of said city," passed Feb. 8, 1853. [Private taws, 1853, page 565.

A special charter was granted to the city by an act entitled "An act to amend the charter of the city of Pockford," passed March 4, 1854. [Session laws, 1854, page 103.

The present charter was granted by "An act to reduce the charter of the city of Pockford, and the several acts amendatory thereof into one act, and to revise and amend the same." In force Feb. 15, 1865. [Private laws, 1865, vol. 1, i^age 472.

With the exception of the failure of the Pockford ])eople to make the river navigable, all their undertakings have been crowned with success. To them justly belongs the credit of inaugurating the railroad enterprises of the State, as it was here the great railroad meeting 'was held, Jan. 7, 184:6, at which meeting new life was given to the defunct Galena and Chicago Union railroad enterprise, and measures adopted that secured its completion in August, 1 852. That undertaking gave a new impetus to the growth of the city; and when the present dam was built, thus securing a water power of almost unknown capacity, the effect astonished the most sanguine and enthusiastic friends of the undertaking, and the half has not yet been told. The energies and enterprises of the people have been well directed, and at the end of forty-three years from the date of the tirst settlement on Kent creek, are crowned with numerous and magnificent banking and business houses, schools, seminaries, churches, and manufacturing enterprises, l^t would do credit to any people. The products of the manufactories are known and find a ready demand wdierever such articles as they manufacture are used, and they manufacture almost everything needed by civilized people. Of their achievements and successes in forty-three years, the people of Rockford may well be proud.

With a brief summary of these achievements we close the pages of this history, with a hope that ere another forty-three years shall be buried beneath the debris of time, another and abler pen will have preserved the history and improvements these years will have made.

The Water Power

In the spring of 1844 the Rockford Hydraulic Company was organized and a dam built across the river, nearly opposite the gas works, by Mr. C. C. Coburn.

On the east side of the river, the race having been completed in the meantime, a saw-mill was erected near the dam, by L. B. Gregory and A. C. Spaffbrd. Next below them, and near the end of State street bridge, was the grist-mill of Mr. Nettleton, among the first of its kind in the county. Still further down, the woolen-mih of J. B. Howell, and then the saw-mill of Messrs. Wheeler & Lyon.

On the west side, a wide race was laid out as far down as Mulberry street. Here a third saw-mill was put in operation by Messrs. Robertson & Holland, who were leading spirits in the Hydraulic Company. Near the termination of the race, Mr. Ethan Clark establislied the first foundry and machine shop.

On the first day of June, 1 850, this dam went out. For a time, the bridge just below it was in imminent danger from the flood, but, though somewhat damaged, it remained.

On the fifteenth day of July of the following year (1851), a number of the citizens of Rockford (twenty-seven) organized the " Rockford Water Power Company," and in September, the owners of the land and water in the old organization consolidated with them. A dam of 750 feet was put in across the rocky ford from which the city derives its name, and completed in the spring of 1853. This dam is the segment of a circle, placed diagonally across the river, bending up stream to facilitate the flow of water to the races, and to increase its strength. It is a stone and wood structure, securely anchored by stay bolts fitted into holes drilled in the rocks which are held in place by lead packing.

At present the 20,000 inches, total capacity.of the water privilege, is principally owned by the manufacturers themselves, who form the Water Power

Company, each one being assessed for repairs, in proportion to the number of inches he has purchased. Last year the water sold for $12.00 per inch.