Canton Township (part 4 of 6)

Coykendall afterward removed, and for many years resided in Peoria county, but is now living at Farmington, in Fulton county, aged 74 years, and still quite hale and hearty. His sons, Duke B., A. J. and Jonathan, will be remembered by all the older residents. All are still living : D. B. and A. J. in Yates City, and Jonathan in Farmington, where he is a successful and enterprising business man.

The Swinette

EARLY settlers were not always verdant, whatever appearance of rural simplicity they might have presented to the eyes of the citizens of the few cities to which they occasionally strayed. '

Shaphet Dwire was an instance of the truth of this remark. Soon after beginning business in Canton, he had occasion to visit 'St. Louis for goods. The merchant from whom his stock was purchased, thinking to show his customer courtesy, invited him to tea at his house. Dwire accepted the invitation. During the evening, the merchant, having occasion to step out for a few moments, left two aristocratic and conceited city belles, who were stopping at his house, to entertain Dwire. These ladies, understanding tljat Dwire was from the countrys determined to have some fun at his expense, and began quizzing him. Dwire saw their game, and at once began playing "greeny," playing it to perfection. Noticing a piano in the room, he said :

One of the ladies opened the piano and played several short selections, Dwire expressing his gratification by such ejaculations as " Gosh ! " " Golly ! " "Ain't that are scrumptious ! " and other equally classic phrases.

" Oh, it 's the golfiredest, nicest instrument you ever seed. They just catch a pig, you see, and put it under their arms like a bagpipe, and bite the pig's tail till it squeals, then squeeze the pig."

Canton Fairs

THE first Agricultural Fair held in Fulton county was held at Canton, on the Hannan Farm, in the fall of 1852. At that time the 'Fulton County Agricuitural Society had no existence. Some of the citizens of Canton determined to hold a fair on their own account. Meetings were accordingly held, ground selected, officers chosen, and all arrangements made. The county at large was invited to participate, and the result was quite a respectable exhibition. At this fair the Fulton County Agricultural Society was brought into existence.

In the fall of 1856 for the second time a fair was held at Canton - this time being the Third Annual Fair of the Fulton County Agricultural Society. The fair ground on this occasion was located on South-Main street, in what was then known as Wright's pasture, near the Stroud place. This fair attracted a great crowd of people for that day, and was a complete success. No admittance fee was charged, and one enterprising politician improved the occasion to address the assembled multitude on political topics, much to the disgust of the party opposed to him in politics. A ladies' equestrian display was the one memorable feature of the fair, and one of the fair riders, Miss Lydia Maria Antonetta Shipley, was thrown from her animal, but recovered her saddle almost instantly, without assistance, and before any of the gallants could reach her with their proffers of assistance, amid the cheers of the crowd.

Between 1856 and 1866 the fairs of the Fulton County Agricultural Society had been held at Lewistown. These fairs had not been to any considerable extent successful, and in consequence the society was in a languishing condition. In 1866, the members of the society, feeling a determination to make their fairs more successful, elected a new board of officers and voted to remove the fairs to Canton.

The citizens of Canton at once took a deep and active interest in the society, and set to work in the most praiseworthy manner to make the fairs not only successful, but to place them in the very front rank among the county fairs of the United States. A joint-stock company was accordingly formed, which purchased twenty-five acres of the Anderson farm, lying in the southeastern angle formed by the intersection of the branch of the C. B. & Q. with the T. P. & "W. Railroad. The site selected is on a high level prairie, commanding a view of a considerable portion of the city, and was a most admirable selection of ground for the purpose. This ground was purchased independent of the society, but the grounds were donated to the society free of rent for the term of ninety-nine years. The citizens of Canton and vicinity now subscribed $5,000 for the purpose of fencing and the erection of the necessary buildings, stock stalls, etc.

The directors of the society, recognizing the spirit of liberal enterprise thus manifested by the citizens of Canton, appointed an executive committee consisting of five persons, residents of Canton, to superintend the erection of buildings, fencing, and making all necessary arrangements for the fair. This committee consisted of Messrs. J. H. McCall, A. B. Hulit, A. C. Babcock, D. W. Vittum, jr., and Townsend Atwater. This committee proceeded at once to business, and erected a large, substantial and convenient hall, fifty by one hundred feet; an amphitheatre capable of seating 1,000 persons, with booths for the sale of refreshments underneath; with all the necessary offices, stables, stock-pens, a fine judges' stand, and prepared a half-mile track for exhibition purposes. The society furnished $5,000, and the whole amount was judiciously expended in preparing these grounds.

From the fair of this year - 1866 - $4,000 were realized, and thus the society was placed upon a sound financial basis, and Canton Fairs from that time began to be famous.

In 1867 the society realized $6,000 from its fair; in 1868, over $7,000; in 1869, nearly $9,000. In 1868 another amphitheatre was added, with a large dining-hall and kitchen attached; additional sheds for carriages, implements and tools were erected, and large additions made to the number of stalls and stock-pens. In 1869 the number of entries had reached 2,300, and the fair was one of the most successful ever held by any county in the West; while that of 1870 was even more successful, being in close competition with the State Fair.

Mahlon S. Hoblett

CAME to Canton in 1840, and established himself in the mercantile business on the east side of the Public Square, in Neece's building, and remained there until 1841. In 1841 he and John G. Piper were in business together, making flax-seed oil, they having rented McPheeters's oil-mill, which stood on Fourth street between Elm and Union. Mr. Hoblett was also a partner of Mr. Piper in the establishment of the carding machine which was the beginning of Piper's Woolen Factory. Mr. Hoblett left Canton in 1848, removing to Logan county. In 1857 he removed to Minnesota, where he remained until his death in 1868.

John Coleman, Senior

FEW of the early settlers were better known that John Coleman. He came to the state in the fall of 1826, from New Jersey, making the trip overland, bringing, in addition to his household goods and a family of twelve children - leaving two more in New Jersey - five wagon-loads of dry goods, groceries, etc., purchased in New- York City. Mr. Coleman settled at first in a log cabin which stood on the block now occupied by Mrs. N. B. Childs, on Wood street. Here he displayed for sale the first goods ever brought to Canton for sale. Mr. Coleman did not arrange his goods at first on shelves and sell them over counters, as is the custom to-day, but left his bales and boxes of goods under beds, beside the walls, and wherever he could find a place for them. His customers were, in addition to the few neighbors who were in the vicinity, Indians, and he had as many as two hundred red customers at one time, on certain occasions.

Mr. Coleman had bought, before removing to Canton, seven quarter-sections of land in one body, adjoining and north of the town-plat of Canton. On this land he erected a building, and about 1829 obtained a tavern license. He called his house the " Traveler's Rest," and no house in the Military Tract was better known to travelers.

the storm in 1835, when his store-room was blown away, and a large lot of clocks and Mackinaw blankets from his stock scattered broadcast over the prairie. Mr. Coleman was a trading man, and as such had " a faculty." He made money while he lived, and left a fine estate to his children. He was a very powerful man, about 5 feet 10 inches in hight, and would weigh about 200 ft>s. He died in May, 1835 at the age of 63 years.

Parliamentary

ONE winter, not many years ago, a number of the young busi^ ness men organized a " Mutual Improvement Society." On one occasion some cause of disaffection sprang up in the society, which came near resulting in the expulsion of some of the members. The offending members were not finally expelled, but were permitted one by one to withdraw - the withdrawal being preceded by a motion for permission. These motions had in each case come from the offending parties, one moving for the benefit of another, until but one of the disaffected, and that one William Gearhardt, remained; William looked around, appealing to the remaining members, expecting some of them to make the necessary motion for his benefit; but it was not made. Finally he arose and said, "Mr. President, I move that William Gearhardt be permitted to withdraw from this society, and I second the motion." The motion was considered by the speaker, amidst the laughter of the society, and carried by a unanimous vote - William voting in the affirmative.

In Form

IN a school-district not outside the limits of Fulton county, and not less than twenty years ago, the directors were called upon to certify to the schedule of the teacher, to enable him to draw his salary. Their certificate, for legal accuracy, has rarely been surpassed. It read :

We, A. B., C. D., and E. F., School Directors of District No. - , do certify that G. H. has taught school for the full length of time of three months,

The directors were exceedingly astonished at having this certificate returned to them for correction, when it was in the exact language of the statute.

Not Prepared

ON one occasion a distinguished temperance orator from abroad had been extensively advertised to lecture in the Congregational Church. The evening came and the house was filled to its utmost capacity, but no speaker came. Wm. H. Haskell, Esq., had at his office a carefully-written temperance oration, and it was determined by some of the leading men that he should supply the vacant stand. Haskell hurried to his office, put his oration in his pocket, and returned. The president of the evening, after explaining the absence of the expected speaker, announced Mr. Haskell. Mr. Haskell ascended the rostrum, and in his blandest and most silvery tones said :

" MK. PRESIDENT, LADIES,.AND GENTLEMEN : It is a totally unexpected honor conferred upon me in being called upon to fill the place of the distinguished gentleman who was to have addressed you. And I am the more embarrassed in responding to this call, from the fact that I am entirely unprepared to say any thing on the subject." Here he drew from his pocket an immense roll of manuscript, which he deliberately unfolded, and read in a most effective style to the audience, to their great delectation, considering his lack of preparation.

Canton'S Manufactures Foundries And Machine-Shops

IN the fall of 1838, James Whiting established the first foundry and machine-shop in Canton. This establishment was in a large frame building erected for the purpose, on Wood street, between Union and Illinois streets, just north of Hon. A. C. Babcock's present residence. Mr. Whiting soon took into partnership Louis Sovereign. Messrs. Whiting & Sovereign continued in business together until the fall of 1840, when Mr. Whiting was taken sick, and, after a continued illness of nine months, died in the summer of 1841.

The business, suspended by Mr. Whiting's sickness, was never resumed. His widow continued to reside here until her death, a few years since, and his son, Hugh Whiting, is still residing here.

In about 1843, Maj. Lewis Bidamon, who had purchased the Ellis Steam-Mill property on Main street, decided to turn it into a foundry. He carried this immediately into effect, and did here a general foundry and machine business until 1846, when he sold out to Wm. Parlin.

In about 1854 or '5, Messrs. J. & J. M. Savill established a foundry and machine-shop on Cole street, at the north end of South-Second street. This firm did business until in 1859, when they dissolved.

James Savill'S Foundry

Mr. James Savill continued to run the J. & J. M. Savill Foundry after the dissolution of that firm and is still engaged in the business. Mr. Savill's establishment now runs four hands in the general foundry and machine business, having an eight-horsepower engine, four lathes, and other machinery. Mr. Savill manufactures agricultural implements, boilers, saw-mills, etc.

J. M. Savill'S Foundry And Machine-Shop

Mr. J. M. Savill, in 1859, established a foundry and machine* shop on Cole street, corner of First street. He began with a six* horse-power engine, a small amount of machinery, and a working force, himself included, of only six hands. His business has been gradually extending ever since. In 1862 he put up a twelvehorse-power engine, making at the same time important arid extensive additions to his machinery.

Mr. Savill now employs a constant force of ten hands. He manufactures steam-engines, force pumps, cane mills, corn-shellers, field rollers, trip-hammers, and does mill work and repairing of all kinds.

Mr. Savill is a native of Lancashire, England. He immigrated to this county in 1844. He contemplates, as rapidly as possible, extending his business.

Cigar Manufactories

Prior to 1855 there had been no manufactures of cigars in Canton. There may have been a few made by isolated individuals for home consumption, but not as a business. On the 12th of November, 1855,

MR. E. H. CURTISS opened a small shop in D. M. Smith's storeroom, on Union street, for the manufacture and sale of cigars, - Mr. Curtiss and his brother, J. J. Curtiss, attending to sales and doing all the work.

Mr. Curtiss remained in this location until 1856, when he removed to the old A. S. Steel store, on the east side of the Public Square - since burned down - and enlarged his business to some extent. By close attention to the selection of stock and application to business, Mr. Curtiss continued to meet with a success so marked as to make it necessary still further to increase his businesss: accordingly, in 1859 he removed to a larger room, owned by David Grim, on the east side of the Public Square, where Baughman's store, in Union Block, now stands. Here he continued to increase his business until, in 1863, he was forced to make another removal, to the old Maple corner, on the southeast corner of the Public Square. He has remained in this location ever since - now eight years, - and has now in constant employ twelve hands in rolling cigars, employing in the various processes of his manufactory nineteen hands, and paying out $12,000 annually for hired help.

Mr. Curtiss has already established a reputation for his cigars that is worth a fortune to him. Throughout the eight or ten towns immediately surrounding scarcely any other cigars are sold. His brands are also well known over most of the eastern and northern portions of the state, while he has customers from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and as far west as Salt-Lake City.

This establishment, from a very small beginning, has grown to be an important manufacturing establishment, by the tact, energy and square dealing of its founder. It has grown from an establishment occupying one small room to one occupying a principal store-room 21 by 80 feet; a basement of the same size; about onethird of the second story of the same building; and the entire fourth story of the same.

DEAN & ARMSTRONG were the next firm to engage in Cigarmaking. They began business December 1st, 1869, in the Graham building, but afterward removed to the east side of the Public Square, over Olds & Smith's grocery-store.

Messrs. Dean & Armstrong employ five hands in their business. In 1870 they manufactured one hundred and fifty thousand cigars, and expect during 1871 to reach two hundred and fifty thousand. They find a constantly-increasing demand for their cigars, and in consequence are constantly increasing the extent of their works.

The average wages of cigar-makers is about fifteen dollars per week; and as twenty-three hands find employment, it will be seen that three hundred and forty-five dollars per week are paid out regularly for this branch of manufacture alone.

Hoffman & Son'S Star Wagon Manufactory

In 1862, Mr. Hoffman, the proprietor of the "Star Wagon Manufactory," came to Canton from Missouri, where he had been driven out by the rebels. Mr. Hoffman began business as a job- bing blacksmith immediately, with two sets of blacksmith tools and fifty dollars cash capital, and a large family to support. Renting Miller's blacksmith shop, he soon found all the work himself and one hand could do, ironing wagons and buggies, making miners' tools, and jobbing. His business continuing to increase, after having purchased the house and lot on which he resides on Walnut street, he purchased a lot on Elm street, west of Parlin & Orendorff's Plow Factory, and began the manufacture of the Star Wagon in 1865.

In 1867 he took in as a partner Mr. A. Lay ton, who brpught a small amount of capital into the firm and enabled them to make some additions to their facilities for manufacturing. They now added the manufacture of Hyer's Horse Hay-Forks, and increased their force on wagons.

Early in 1869 Mr. Hoffman bought out the interest of Mr. Layton and took his son into partnership, under the present firm name. They have continued to enlarge and increase their business, until at present they employ never less than ten first-class workmen, and have made during 1870 sixty Star Wagons, besides hay-forks and general jobbing to a considerable amount.

Messrs. Hoffman & Son's wagons are all made of excellent selected materials, and are already acquiring an enviable reputation wherever known. They express a determination to continue to keep up the reputation of their work, and it is safe to predict that the " Star Wagon Manufactory" will in a few years be ranked among the most important manufacturing establishments in this section.

Piper'S Woolen Factory

In 1844 John G. Piper opened a small wool-carding establishment on the southeast corner of Main and Cole streets. He began with one set of custom cards, operated by horse power, and run only during the " carding season," being suspended a considerable portion of each year. Mr. Piper set out with a determination to give satisfaction to his customers, and succeeded so well that in 1846 he found it necessary to add another set of custom cards, and change his power from horse power to that afforded by a steam-engine of six-horse power. In 1850 he put up four power looms, and a spinning jack with one hundred and fifty spindles, beginning the manufacture of woolen goods of various kinds, also adding one set of manufacturing cards. Since that time his business has been constantly increasing, and he has been extending his facilities for manufacturing, until he now runs two sets of manufacturing cards; two sets of custom cards; two spinning jacks with a total of four hundred and fifty spindles; together with all needful machinery for coloring and finishing cloths.

Mr. Piper manufactured last year, in round numbers, $40,000 worth of goods, employing in his establishment thirty hands, paying $10,000 to his employes as wages. His goods consist of cassimeres, tweeds, jeans, satinets, flannels, blankets, and stocking yarn. His goods have established themselves upon their merits throughout a considerable portion of Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. The reputation of Mr. Piper's manufactures is deservedly very high, and wherever known their sale is immense.

Mr. Piper's motto seems to have been to sell nothing but a firstclass article at the very lowest price for which it can be afforded. By pursuing this policy, from a very small beginning he has been able to build up one of the largest and most important manufacturing establishments in our city, and is another exemplification of the fact that with Canton's facilities for manufacture in the shape of cheap and good coal, abundance and accessibility of water, facilities for transportation, and fertility of soil, thereby affording abundance of cheap food for operatives, it only requires energy, fair dealing and time to build up from the smallest beginning the largest manufactory.

The Fire Department

- ON the 14th of March, 1868, the store of Amos C. Babcock was burned. The loss by this fire footed up about $50,000, most of which was covered with insurance. This was the most extensive conflagration the business part of the city had ever been subjected to. Immediately after this fire, Messrs. Amos Babcock, Wm. Babcock and Amos C. Babcock deposited with Mr. Heald, at that time Mayor of the city, the sum of $500, on the condition that it should be appropriated toward the purchase of the neces- sary apparatus for the organization of a hook-and-ladder company, should such a company be formed, or toward the purchase of a fire engine; that if neither were procured, the sum should be appropriated for the benefit of the poor of the city.

This munificent donation by the Messrs. Babcock stirred up the city fathers to action. Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1868, they passed an ordinance for the organization of a Fire Department, and establishing fire limits, within which wooden buildings were not to be erected. The fire limits were to consist of " all that part of the city embraced within the territory beginning at the southeast corner of Illinois and Wood streets; thence east to the west line of Prairie street; thence south to the north line of Pine (now Jones) street; thence west to the east line of Wood street; thence north to the place of beginning." The council appointed Mr. Wm. B. Gleason Chief of the Fire Department, and Mr. John Bailey Assistant. Mr. Gleason had had considerable experience east as a fireman, was a gentleman of fine executive ability, and eminently qualified for the position of chief engineer. Under his direction a hook-and-ladder company was at once organized, consisting of the following men: A. D. Troxell, W. E. Ware, R. C. Snyder, Arthur Ray, Wm. H. Black, H. B. Shaw, R. W. Dewey, J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D. Johnson, H. S. Steach, A. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O. F. Burton, Wm. Wallace, Barnard Carlan, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, M. S. Poorman, A. F. Small, B. F. Jordan, W. P. Tanquary, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt, W. H. Hollar, M. E. Danielson Robt. Livers, C. Wilson, Adrian Roberts, H. A. Shaw, James Kelley, Andrew Ronk. Officers Elected - Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, Alf. D. Troxell; Secretary, Hugh Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson.

On the 16th of June a bucket company was organized, with George Coleman as President, John Tanner Vice-President, J. L. Small Secretary, and Adam Haynes Treasurer. Mr. Gleason proceeded to drill these companies, and soon established among them such a state of discipline as augured well for their efficiency in case of need.

In September, 1868, a movement was inaugurated by the firemen looking to the purchase of an engine. Subscription-papers were circulated among the citizens, and about $400 subscribed. The city government appropriated something over $300 more,

The hook-and-ladder company had received the name of the " Regulator," in honor of Hon. A. C. Babcock's place of business, the burning of which had led to its organization. The bucket company was called the "Deluge." On the arrival of the engine, the bucket company was reorganized into an engine company, retaining the name, and retaining also its old officers.

In 1869 the city erected an engine-house, on Prairie street, between Jones and Elm streets. This is a good, substantial brick edifice, containing a calaboose and engine-room. In 1870 the city purchased an alarm-bell for this house.

To give some idea of the efficiency of the Fire Department under Mr. Gleason's management, it may not be amiss to state that on the occasion of a public parade, in the summer of 1870, the Deluge Company started with their engine from the northwest corner of the Public Square, crossed to the cistern on the south side, dropped their suction-hose into the cistern, run out 150

Mr. Gleason still continues Chief (1871), and Mr. Bailey Assistant. In 1870 the members of the department presented to Mr. Gleason an elegant silver-headed cane, costing about $40, and to Mr. Bailey, at the same time, a magnificent meerschaum pipe, costing about $30, as a token of the esteem in which those gentlemen were held by their subordinates.

Wm. Seavy

WM. SEAVY, who may justly be called the pioneer of daguerreotype, ambrotype, melainotype, photograph business, came to Canton in May, 1851, and at once established himself in business. Mr. Seavy had been engaged in the business for ten years prior to his settlement here, traveling all over New England and Canada. The first pictures he took here included those of Beacon Nathan Jones, Joel Wright, Uncle Lyman Walker, Major Oliver Shepley, A. C. Thompson, and many others of the old settlers. In 1851 he married Miss Harriet E. Culton.

Mr. Seavy took the first ambrotype, the first melainotype and the first photograph ever taken in Canton. He exhibited his pictures at the State Fair' at Springfield in 1854, taking the first premium over all competitors; also taking the first premium at the State Fairs held at Peoria in 1857, and Quincy in 1864. Mr. Seavy has been justly ranked among the first artists in the West in his chosen profession, and his work is fully equal to that of the first artist of the country, keeping pace with all modern improvements.

Deacon Nathan Jones

DEACON NATHAN JONES, who laid out the first and several subsequent additions to the Town of Canton, was a native of the State of New York. Jones there married Matilda Swan, and, in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac Swan, emigrated to Illi- nois in an early day. They came to Canton in 1824, and settled together. Nathan Jones was for the larger portion of his life a deeply religious man, and acquired a reputation for honesty, integrity, and the Christian graces, "such as few men ever attain. He was universally respected during his life, and, although belonging to the Abolition party, which in an early day was exceedingly unpopular in this section, was one of the most popular men Canton ever had. Deacon Jones was the first postmaster of Canton. He built the first frame residence here, was for a long period school trustee, and held various offices of trust, which he filled to the entire satisfaction of the community. For a great many years the good Deacon led the Congregational Church Choir. None of those who knew him but respected him. He died in about 1850, and was sincerely mourned.

Conclusion

THE author desires to offer an apology in concluding this work. He has fallen into several errors, to which inexperienced authors are liable.

First, he has allowed himself too little space for the amount of interesting material at his disposal. Thus he has been forced to omit much that he desired to insert; but he has the consolation of remembering that " brevity " is said to be " the soul of wit."

Second, in the arrangement of his work he is conscious of some considerable lack of consecutive order. For this his apology must be that the work has been written while passing through the most severe mental ordeal to which the author has ever been subjected. This is the only excuse offered.

The author has omitted sketches of several prominent Canton Pioneers, for the reason that he designs at once to begin the preparation of a History of Fulton County and its Pioneers, to be a work of four or five hundred octavo pages, and most of those omitted will more properly come into that work.

This and this only I have to offer for the shortcomings of this work. I have done as well as I could under the circumstances. I will endeavor to do better next time.

The author tried hard to obtain data for a History of the M. E. Church of Canton ; but, as no records of the society have been preserved, he has failed. No one regrets this more than

Page

Canton's Manufactures : Foundries and Machine-Shops - James Savill's Foundry, J. M. Savill's Foundry and Machine-Shop ; Cigar Manufactories - E. H. Curtiss, Dean & Armstrong; Hoffman & Son's

Errata

Page 51, last line of second paragraph, for "south side" read " north side." Page 53, last line but one of fourth paragraph, for "1865 " read "1867." Page 118, first line of last paragraph, for " J. B. McCreary" read "J. S.

Toeof The Peace, Atw1Nh And Counselor At Lav, Ahd Qeneral, Collectinq Aqent

Will attend to any business intrusted to him carefully and with dispatch. Office over E. Drake's Grocery Store, West side Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS.

First National Bank

The many losses already paid in this vicinity by Mr. Heald's companies are a guaranty that they are SOUND, and the public can rely upon his representations.

Mrs. Thompson

Keeps the best stock of Furniture in Canton, at her old stand, West of the Post-Office. Wm. J. Gearhart is on hand, as usual, to wait on customers. Prices, Styles and Quality to suit every body.

First Ward Meat Market

Having purchased the First "Ward Meat Market, we are prepared to serve all our old friends and customers, and as many new ones as will favor us, with the best quality of Meat of all kinds.

Twenty-seven years of active and useful effort have placed this Company in the front rank of American life insurance companies. Up to the close of 1870 the New- England Mutual had issued 50,000 Policies, covering risks aggregating over $100,000,000, and had paid out for the comfort of families (many of which would otherwise have been left destitute) more than five millions of dollars. January 1, 1871, the assets of the Company were $9,385,000, and its liabilities, including a sufficient reserve for account of an its running risks, $7,477,905.10 ; leaving a surplus, as regards policy-holders, of $1,575,858. About half a million dollars have been returned as dividends to policyholders during the past year.

Respecting such a company there is no necessity of using arguments or eulogistic phrases. As Webster said of Massachusetts, so we may say of this grand old Massachusetts Company : " There she is. Look at her ! " Conservatively and economically administered, liberal in business dealings, and prompt in settling losses, The New- England Mutual Life Insurance Company makes no parade or pretense, but gives its customers PERFECTLY CERTAIN INSURANCE, on terms as reasonable as any equally solvent company can afford to do the same.

The Pioneer Artist Ahead

VTOW located over Thompson's Grocery Store, West Side of the Public Square, con- 11 tinues to surpass all competitors in the Beauty, Fidelity and Finish of his Pictures. He has all the new methods in the Photographic Art. Indeed, he has introduced nearly every new style to this community, and has always given satisfaction.

Foundry And Machine Shop

I am now puttingup all kinds of plate-work known to the profession ; Including Gold, Silver, Platinum, Rubber or Coralite, and Aluminum. Teeth filled, cleaned, and the irregularities of dentition corrected, in the most scientific manner.

I can not too highly recommend Aluminum. It is equal to Gold in every respect, and is five times lighter than Gold or Coralite. The attachment of the Teeth to the plate is so perfect that there are no interstices in which foreign substances can lodge, causing foetid breath. They do not absorb the gums like Coralite, which some times vitiates them even to slough- Ing. Aluminum will not corrode, and is not affected by the fluidsof the mouth, or nitric acid.

I have had an experience of 25 years, 13 of which have been in Canton. There are over 2000 cases of artificial teeth of my work now in use in this vicinity. With these guaranties of proficiency, and a strict attention to business, I hope to please the most fastidious.

The Best Is The Cheapest

This is the oldest Insurance Agency in the County, and comprises the VERY BEST COMPANIES. Mr. Heald has given his attention to the Insurance business for many years, is careful to have the papers made right to start with, and in case of loss renders every assistance to prepare papers and complete claims. Do n't be humbugged and swindled by tra/veling agents, but insure with an agent you know.

Qeneral Collectings Aoent

The above name was officially adopted by the Illinois State Agricultural Society at Springfield, March 1, 1871, and the words " or Magie " were ordered stricken off.

On four separate farms he last year raised 762 pigs ; now he has 214 head of breeders. Mr. M. has made this breed a specialty for 26 years. In 1868 and 1869 he took nearly $2,000 premiums, including $500 and $700 Pork-Packers' premiums at St. Louis Fairs, where in 1870 his stock took seven premiums, two of them $150 prizes. At Fulton County, Illinois, Fair, 1870, he took the $500 and the $50 Sweepstakes on only three entries.

Source changes here: from History of Fulton County, Illinois;, by Chas. C. Chapman & Co, published 1879; 35,047 words in this source stream.

Of The

the Provost Marshal of the district, to he hy him delivered over to the United States District Marshal of this State, to be tried by the civil authorities upon the ch irges preferred against them.

"From present in licitions it is hoped and believed that the law will he enforced, the enrohment made and deserters arrested, without any resistance; ami when this fact is clearly demonstrated the military force now in the county will be withdrawn, and not until then.

"I have been thus p irlicul ir in collecting ami detailing the facts connected with this trans ictiou, which have been g ithered from eye-witnesses, and other facts, some of which have come nn ler my own oI)servation and that of numerous other citiz -us of the county, for the purpos? of guarding the people ag liust f ds ' reports, an 1 th it tuey m ly uu lerstaud t'le true condition of aff lirs in Fulton county. Tiie ex -iteuuMit which followed the arrest by the military, and the ilemonstration of six or seven bun Ired armed citiz 'Us exhibited in the environs of L-wistown within eight hours thereafter, needs no comment from me, but of itself is suffijieut apology for an armed force being quartered in our midst.

Our armies bravely contendjd until finally, after four long years of bloodshed and carnage, the news was flashed over the wires that Lee had surrendered. This joyful news reached this county Monday, April 10, 18(J5, being within two days of four years from the time the batteries were opened on Fort Sumter. On receiving the" news of the fdl of Richmond the people were very jubilant over the success of the Union forces. They assembled in all parts of the county and had grand jubilees. The streets of the cities were brilliantly illuminateil ; bonfires, rockets and music were seen and heard on every haul; it wis inJjed a season of rejoicing; and well might it bo, for wh.it had bien endured, what had been sutfered.

Scarcely had the downfall of the Sauthern Confederacy been received ere the sad news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was flashed over the wires. On that beautiful April morning, five days after the announcement of Lee's surrender, the people, joyful over the near approach of the return of their loved ones from the South, the sorrowing news of the President's death was announced. Mr. Lincoln was bound to the people of this county with stronger cords than simply being a good ruler. He had spent many days^ here, had many warm personal friends, and it was like the loss of a brother. They felt the loss keenly ; the tolling bells, the sympathetic dirges, interpreted not merely the grief of a people at the loss of a President, but the sorrow of a community at the death of brother, a son, one who was closely akin to all. Meetings were held and appropriate resolutions passed. Dwellings, stores, churches and public buildings were draped, and the flags which had been sent up in m:jments of rejoicing were taken down, draped, and sent up at half-mast.

fense of their Government, and who were spared to see the army of the Union victorious, returned to their homes to receive grand ovations and tributes of honor from friends and neighbors who had eagerly and zealously followed them wherever the fortunes of war called. Exchanging their soldiers' uniforms for citizens' dress, most of them fell back to their old vocations, - on the farm, at the forge, at the bench, in the shop, and at whatever else their hands found to -do. Brave men are honorable always, and no class of citizens are entitled to greater respect than the volunteer soldiery of Fulton county, not alone because they were soldiers, but because in their associations with their fellow-men their walk is upright, and their honesty and character without reproach.

Their country first, their glory and their pride. Land of their hoi)es, bmd where their fathers died ; When in the right, they'll keep their honor hright; When in the wrong, they'll die to set it right.

No more fitting tribute to their patriotic valor can be offered the brave men who went forth in defense of liberty and union, than a full and complete record, so far as it is possible to make it, embracing the names, the terms of enlistments, the battles in which they -were engaged, and all the minutiae of their military lives. It will be a wreath of glory encircling every brow, a precious memento to hand down to posterity, and one which each of them earned in defense of their and our common country. There are, no doubt, some men who, while they lived in Fulton county, enlisted in other counties and were never credited to this county. While the names of such properly belong here, and we would gladly give them did we know them, yet the Adjutant-General's reports, the source of our information, give their names as belonging to other counties, and we were unable to learn of this fact in every case.

Company

The 17th Reg. 111. Inf. Vols, was mustered into the United States service at Peoria, 111., on the 24th day of May, 1861. Left for Alton, 111., late in July, proceeded to St. Charles, thence to Warrenton, Mo., where it remained about two weeks. The regiment left Warrenton for St. Louis and embarked on transports for Bird's Point, Mo. ; thence to Sulphur Springs Landing; debarking, went to Pilot Knob, Mo., in pursuit of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, and joined Prentice's command at Jackson, Mo., thence to Kentucky and aided in the construction of Fort Holt. Was then ordered to Cape Girardeau and was again sent in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson; participated in the engagement near Greenfield ; returned to Cape Girardeau and performed provost duty until Feb., 1862. Was then ordered to Fort Henry; participated in that engagement and Fort Donulson, losing several men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Soon after, went to Pitt.sburg Landing and was assigned to the army of West Tennessee; engaged in the battle of the Gth and 7th of April, sufTering great loss in killed and wounded; was in the advance to Corinth; after Uie evacuation of Corinth, marched to Jackson, Tenn.; remained until July, when it was ordered to Bolivar, where it remained until November, 1862, participating during the time in the expedition to luka to reinforce General Rosecrans, where it was engaged in the battle of the Hatchie ; marched to Lagrange, Tenn.. the middle of November, reporting to Gen. John A. Logan, and was assigned to duty as provost guard. Early in December marched to Holly Springs, via Abbeville and Oxford. At the battle of Holly Springs was assigned to Gen. McPhersoft's command, then proceeded to Moscow, Collier\ille and Memphis, and was assigned to duty at the navy yard, remaining until June 16, then embarking for Vicksburg. re-embarking for Lake Providence, La., where it remained until the investment of Vicksburg began. Went to Millikin's Bend, May 1, commenced the march across the Delta to Pekin's Landing, advanced with Mcpherson's command to the final investment of Vicksburg. Alter the surrenler of that city, remained there, making frequent incursions into the enemy's country until May, 1S64, the erm of service expiring on the '24th of May of that year.

The regiment was ordered to Springfield, 111., to be mustered out, when those who had not re-enlisted as veterans received their final discharge. A sufficient number not having enlisted to entitle them to retain their regimental organization, were consolidated with the 8th III. Inf., and were finally mustered out with that regiment in the spring of 1866.

was organized at Camp Butler, August, '61. It proceeded, Aug. 28. to Thebes: Sept. 9, to Bird's Point. Mo. ; Oct. 2. to Fort Holt, Ky. : Jan. 31, "62, moved to Paducah, Ky. ; Feb. .5, moved up Tennessee river; Feb. 6, took part in the capture of Forts Henry and Heiman ; Feb. 13, a detachment of 48 men and 12 officers met the enemy (.500 strong) at Little Bethel Church, and immediately attacked and routed them. Arrived at Pittsburg Landing Mar. 17. It wa.s assigned to a position in the Peach Orchard. April 6, they repulsed the attacks of the enemy, holding its position from 8 A. M. to 3 P. M. On the mortiing of the 7th. it held a position on the right of the line, and was hotly engaged until the battle closed and the rictory was won. During these two, long, trying, bloody days, this regiment behaved nobly, and its lines were never broken nor was it driven back by the enemy, though often most hea-vily pressed. The regiment sustain ed the fearful lo.ss of 2.39 men killed and wound, ed: was engaged in the siege of Corinth during the mouth of May, '62 ; marched to Memphis, arriving July 21, '62; marched Sept. 6, reaching Boli%'ar, 14th; Oct. 5, engaged in battle of Matamora, losing 97 men, killed, wounded and missing: returned to Bolivar Oct. 7; Dec. .30, were assigned to duty of guarding railroad from HoUy Springs to Waterford, Miss. : was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg from June 11 to July 4, '63. On the 12th of July, "63. near Jackson. Miss., the 28th, 41st and -5:^ niinois and 3rd Iowa lufantrj-, not exceeding 800 men, were ordered to charge across a level open cornfield, some six hundred yards, and carry a strong line of the enemy's work;-, mounting 12 guns and manned by at least 2,000 men. The brigade swept gallantly forward, under a destructive fire of grape, canister and minie l^ullets. The enemy ap- I)earing upon both flanks as it reached the ditch, it was compelled to fall back, with a loss of more than haif of the rank and file killed and wounded; out of the 128 men of this regimen engaged, 73 were killed and wounded and 16 taken prisoners. The regiment remained at Natchez during the latter part of '63. doing provost guard duty. The regiment re-enlisted Jan. 4, "64. May 18, proceeded to Illinois for veteran furlough; rettiming, arrived at Natchez July 8: were engaged in several expeditions; Oct. 10, was consolidated into four companies; was engaged in the siege of Spani.<h Fort, losing 14, killed and woundpd, including two captains; was re\iewed by Chief Justice Chase June 3, '6-5.

Was organized at Peoria, Aug. 16,'61. It proceeded to Benton Barracks, Sept. 23; May 9, '62, was engaged at Farmington, Miss.; was engaged May 2<S, near Corinth, and at that city Oct. 3d and 4th, where they lost their brave Col. W. \. Thrush, while leading a charge. The regiment lo.st in this engagement 30 killed and over 100 wounded. May 14, '63, was engaged at Jackson, Miss. ; took part in the charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg May 22, losing 12 killed and a large number wounded; wsisatthe battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9,'64. Returned to Yick.sburg May 22. with Ge". Smith's command, after a campaign of nearly three months, in which they suffered almost unheard-of fatigue and privations, many men dying from hardships. The 47th met and defeated Gen. Marmaduke near Lake Chicat, in which they lost 11 killed and a number wounded. It was mustered out Jan., '66, at Selma, Ala.

Was organized in the mouth of August, 1861, by Col. Moses M. Bane. The .50th was engaged at Shiloh, April 61hand7th; engaged in the siege of Corinth, May, 1862. June 4 it pursued the enemy as far as Bjoneville, Miss., returning to Corinth June 10. The regiment wsus engaged in a number of battles and skirmishes, during their service. About three-fourdis of the regiment re-eidisted as veterans and were mustered Jan. 16,'04, when they left for Illinois for veteran furlough. The 50th was one of the best drilled regiments in the service. In the prize drill July 3,'05, with the G3d Illinois, 7th Iowa and .50th Illinois competing, the latter won the prize banner. They were mustered out of service July 13, 1865.

Was organized December 24, '61, and on February 14,'62, was ordered to Cairo, 111., Col. Cummings commanding. April 7, the regiment moved against Island No. 10: on the <Sth pursued the enemy, compelling the surrender of f!eu. Mackall. On the 11th embarked and moved down the Mississippi to Osceola, Ark., and disembarked on the 22d. The 51st participated in the battles of Farmington, siege of Corinth, Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Roc-ky Face Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and many others. They were in the thickest of the fight at (^hickamauga, sustaining heavy loss, nearly one-half of the number engaged being killed or wounded. They also sustained a severe loss at Kenesaw Mountain. The regiment was heavily engaged in the battle of Nashville, December 1, where they lost 150 men in killed, wounded and mi.ssing. The .51st was mustered out at Camp Irwin, Texas. .'September 25, 1S65, and arrived at Camp Hutler, Octolier 15, 1865, where they received final pay and discharge.

Company 1

Was organized at Camp Douglas, and mustered into service Oct. .31, 1861. Nov. 9, left Camp Douglas. Remained at Camp Benton until Jan. 12, 1862, when it was ordered to Paducah, Ky. On the morning of March 15 marched out with expedition from a point some 14 miles above Pittsburg Landing, for the surprise and overthrow of Corinth.

The opening of the battle, Sunday morning, found the regiment in posi tion with an effective force of 873 men. Col. Stewart was wotxnded and 9 of the line offlcers, 3 of whom died of wounds; 102 enlisted men were killed and mortally wounded, and 161 wounded and taken prisoners. The regiment was with the army in advance on Corinth, and at Russell's house, May 17, lost, in skirmish, 8 men, - 2 killed and 6 wounded. Entered Corinth May 30; thence, \Ht\\ Gen. Sherman, westward along Memjihis and Charleston R. R. The regiment re-embarked with army, and was present and under fire at battle of Arkansas Post, Jan. 10 and 11, 1863, losing three men wounded. Was at Vicksburg in 1863, participating in the tight. Participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss. On 30th Oct., 1863, marched from East Point, (m Tennessee river, for Chattanooga. During night of 23rd, with rest of brigade, manned a fle^t of pontoon boats in North Chiekamauga creek, and in the midst of rain and intense darkness, with muffled oars, descended and crossed the Tennessee river and captured the enemy's picket line. Nov. 25, marched with Sherman to the relief of Knoxville, E. Tenn. June 27, 1864, participated in assault upon Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. July 22 the regiment was again engaged, with aneftective force of 239 men, and came out of the engagement with 180 men. Was in the siege of Athmta: in battle of Jonesboro. In a short campaign of a little over two months the regiment lost half its number. Marched with army, via Ricnmond, to Washington; participated in the grand review at W'ashington. During its term of service the regiment marched 3,374 miles.

This regiment was organized at Chicago, as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board of Trade. Its tirst bills were put out for one company, calling itself the "Hancock Guards," on July 23,'62, and exactly one month afterwards the entire regiment was complete and mustered into service for three years. The very day of their muster they started for Cairo, arriving on the 24th. Their strength at that time was 37 ofHcers and 930 men.

The 72d participated in many engagements during their three years' service in the field. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., they fought witli commendable bravery, being in the hottest of the fight from four in the afternoon till midnight, during all which time the battle raged witli terrific fury. In tliis tight the 72d lost nine officers and l.j2 men, who were either killed or severely wounded.

In the Atlanta campaign at Buzzard's Roost, May 10,'64; Dalton, May 13,'64; Resaca, May 14, '64; Burnt Hickory, May 26 to 31, and June 1, 2 and 3 ; Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, loss in the campaign, 125 men; Franklin and Nashville, loss 20 men. Total casualties in battle, 558 men.

From the 84th but oiie man was taken prisoner ; but 10 men deserted ; only 1 man ever sent to military prison ; and but 4 tried by court martial.

The 85th was organized at Peoria in August, '62, by Col. Robert S. Moore, and mustered into service Aug. 27, '62. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., Sept. 6,'62, as.signed to Thirty-Sixth Brigade, Eleventh Division, Tljird Army C;orps, Col. D. McCook commanding Brigade, Gen. Sheridan commanding Division, aud Gen. Gilbert commanding Corps. The 85th marched in pursuit of the enemy under Gen. Bragg, Oct. 1,'62, was engaged in the battle of Champion Hill, at Kentucky, Oct. 8, and moved with the army to Nashville, Tenn., arriving Nov. 7, '62.

Regiment mustered out June 5, '65, at Washington, D. C, and arrived at Camp Butler, 111., June 11, "65, where they received their final discharge.

Cass Tp

This township was among the very first townships of this county that were settled by the whites. Captain David W. Barnes, spoken of in the first chapter, was the first pioneer to locate here with his family. Among others who came into the township at a very early date and located outside of the town, were Theodore and (liarles Sergeant, Henry Therman, George Matthews, Aaron Roberts, John Pixley, Seth Littler, David Gallentine, Michael Fraker, .John Coleman, Thomas Wolf, a Mr. Campbell, and Daniel Babbett. There, was a family by the name of (Jarland who lived here as early as 1824. Garland is believed to have been a brother-in-law of Kinney, the man who with Mr. Swan laid off Canton. Joseph Anderson settled upon the northwest quarter of section 35 in 1<S23. Anderson was the first settler in Banner townshij) and resided near Utica prior to his coming to this township. He had been a soldier in the British army during the war of 1812, but, being taken prisoner by the American forces under General Scott, had concluded to cast his fortunes among his captors. He was a thoroughgoing, enterj^rising man, an Irishman by education and the kind of a man especially adapted to pioneer Hie. He brought with him seven children, five boys and three girls. The boys were Joseph, Richard, James, Samuel and A. N., most of whom are deceased.

Th(> verv first mill of any description in this townshi]> was -a band-mill owned bv Michael Fraker. "Father Fraker," as he was commonly known, was a regular pioneer genius, always ready to adapt himself to any unfiivorable surroundings. His cleverness was displayed shortly after his arrival by the construction of a liand-mill to grind his neighbors' and his own grain. ;\ band-mill was so called because a raw-liide band was put ujxm a large drivewheel, in the j)lace of cogs: it saved the gearing of the mill. These mills constituted the lowest and clicapest order of horse-mills. Pins were ])ut in the place of cogs, and around them the band was placed. These |)ins might be changed in holes made for the purpose, so that the band might be tightened when desired. Capt. liarnes lived two and a half miles north of the present city of Canton and Michael Fraker lived east of Mr. Barnes' farm and north of the Fairview bridge. He came into the county in 1823 and in 1828 moved to Lynn township, Knox county. He was the first settler there and gave the name to Fraker's Grove. Jacob Kllis erected a water mill between Canton and Lewistown about 1824, which did a good business. About 182!) he erected anotlier mill within .'J miles of Canton upon Big creek, which brougiit milling very convenient to the ])co])le of Canton. Some of the people, who were not close to one of those primitive jnills, contented themselves with ]ireparing their meal on a "grater." These "graters" were perforated sheets of tin bowed on to a board, so that the shape was similar to a longitudinal half section of stove-pipe. The rough outside of the perforated tin would tear the grains of corn when it was rubbed briskly over its surface, and by an hour's hard labor meal enough for a small cake could be manufactured. >

Those old-time circular wolf-hunts described on page322aflPorded exciting holidays to pioneers, and scarcely a neighborhood in all this Northwest went without them. Canton and vicinity had a grand one in 1<S4"2, when the center of the arena chosen was that higii point of prairie northwest of Canton, since occupied by Overman's nursery, and known as Overman's Mound. It is estimated that 0,000 men that day encompassed an area about 20 miles in diameter, - men enough to make the line unbroken, and they must have gathered uj) every wolf within that immense circle; the number they enclosed and dispatched was eleven. The dogs accompanying the hunters were of course numerous enough to dispose of all the wolves without any assistance from gunners, - indeed shooting could not be allowed. Another wolf hunt occurred in 1<S45, when only two wolves were killed. Wolves always seem more numerous than they really are, they are so omnij)resent and noisy. If the men could only have driven all the rattlesnakes and "hoop-snakes" together into the center and killed them too, their benefaction to the country woidd have been doubled; but the universal hate which mankind bears toward these rej^tiles has in time led to the entire extirpation of one, and aln^ist the entire extermination of the other.

George Maxwell tells us that when he moved upon his place the countrv was all a wilderness. His nearest neijrhbor to the west was Hon. Oliver Shipley, and on the east towards the town M'as John Wolland, who lived on the old stage road. In an early day Mr. Maxwell would often be called away from home to attend to his business and would remain away sometimes two weeks. Money was scarce then and the settlers were j)Oor. He has often remained over night with settlers where he went to bed and could count the stars through the roof and sides of the building. To-day these people have the finest residences in' the county. The settlers had no ]>ine lumber at that time. Houses, stables, etc., were constructed of hewn timber. Prosperity began slowly and was often retardcnl, but at the commencement and during the war progress and improvement went on and the farmers accumulated rapidly. During those years wool sold at §1 per pound, wheat from §2 to S.'> jkt bushel. Horses worth now from ^lo to 8100 then sold for ^175 to ^250. Hogs that sold from 10 to 12i cents per pound are now worth 3 cents. Milch cows which before the war were worth $15 to $18 were worth then $60 to §80.

This is one of the finest bodies of land in the State, and is under the best of eultivation. Here we find the best farm houses and barns in the county, and one of the most cultured and refined agricultural communities in the State.

After dotailinii' the history of the city of Canton we shall speak personnally of mauy of those wlu> have developed the resources of the township and those who are at present thus engaticd, in connection with iiiauv of the old settlers and leading citizens of the city.

Canton City

The city of Canton is situated at the junction of the Toledo, Peoria ct Warsaw and the Chicago, Burlington cV: (iuincy Railroads, and upon one of the most fertile jirairics to be found in our great Prairie State. It is the largest city of Fulton county and one of the most beautil'ul and prosperous of the State. As a live, wideawake business place, Canton has no su])erior and but few equals in Illinois. Combined with its busy aspect is the air of a city, - the culture, refinement and wealth so noticeable in larger centers. Indeed, expressed in few words. Canton is a bustling^ little city. Its business houses are large and well stocked, and attract, as a natural result of these facts, together with the gentlemanly class of mcn^hants Avho occujiy them, "'a large trade, even froiii the adjoining towns. The residences of the city are in general neat and tastefid in external appearance, while some of them border on the palatial. The streets are kept clean, sidewalks in good repair, and indeed the same vein of enterj)rise which prc^vades the business of the town is not wanting in public affairs. While 'ousiuess enterprise and bustle is to be a<lmired, and does receive recognition Avherever disj)laye(l, there are other factors equally im[>ortant to any commnnity which has for its motto. Progress, as this city has, - progress not alone in a business sense, - in building large factories, in stretching out the arm's of trade, in accumulating wealth, but ])rogress also in all that pertains to the elevation of human society. Intelligence, culture and refinement must go hand in hand with business where this is desired. These ennobling elements of society soften and ]>olish the rough life of the great business world. In these features, as in her business. Canton is also especially noticeable. Her churches, her schools, her society are exceptionally good. If the iidiabitants of this city were conveyed to a wilderness an observant stranger could easily tell that tliey were reared amid the refining and elevating infiuences of the Christian Church, good sch.ools and a cultui'cd s(»ciety.

Canton, which is sitiuited u|K)n sections 20, 27, 34 and 35 - princi])ally on 27 and 34 - of Canton townshij), was laid out by Isaac Swan and a man by the name of Kinney, on the lOth day of December, 1825. In 1822 Theodore Sergeant, who is spoken of elsewhere in this volume, by mistake decided to pre-empt the northeast quarter of section 27. He erected a cabin north of the site of the present liijjh-school building, and put into cultivation a fewacres of land. Mr. Sergeant, being a single man, in 1823 employed Harrison Ilughland, a blacksmith, to occupy his cabin, board him and carry on blacksmithing, which he did for aljout a year, but afterwards carried on a shop for himself Hughland Avas a maker of cow-bells, and did the first manufacturing of any kind in the township, - making bells for the few settlers in the county. Isaac- Swan ap])carcd uj)on the scene in 1824 and exhibited to Sergeant a military title to the same (juarter of land he had settled upon. He immediately vacated, leaving Swan in possession. Swan was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Nathan Jones, who owned the northwest cpiarter of section 34. By mutual agreement, owing to the fact that .Tones' land was covered with timber and Swan's was prairie, they divided with each other. Swan taking the north half of Jones' land and he in turn taking the south half of Swan's. This gentleman saw in this a fine location for a town and proposed to Mr. .Tones that they lay off one on the west forty acres of their prairie tract. To this Jones would not assent. At this time Mr. Kinney was living on the northeast quarter of section 27, who proposed to Mr. Swan to join in the enterprise. This proposition was accepted and one hundred and eight lots were platted. Ivinney, however, did not remain a half owner of Canton very long, for during the following season John Coleman, sr., apjjcared with a title to the quarter of kind claimed by him and he ousted Kinney and took possession of the quarter. Coleman fenced up Kinney's survey, running the fence to the center of Adeljihi street, the boundary line between him and Swan. This was a source of no little controversy in regard to Adelphi street, some claiming that Coleman had no legal riy-ht to vacate it; others claimiui; that he had. Jones soon laid oil his first addition directly south of the original town. In this he laid otf the j)ublic scpiare, he owning the ]iropcrty on three sides of it and Swan on the fourth.

Isaac Swan erected the first building on the original town ])lat, immediately after it was laid out. This building was a log cal)in, perhaps Ki by 18 feet, and was fi)r some time known as ** Swan's catch-all." It was designed as a stopj)ing-place for any family that miffht come in, until thev could build. It was situated on Union street, above Fourth.

As a fitting tribute to the memory of Mr. Isaac Swan, the founder of Canton, we wish to give a brief personal sketch of him in this connection. He was a native of Vermont, but emigrated with his father to Western New York wliile that region was still a wilderness. At the age of about twenty years he left New York, in com])any with his brother-in-law, Nathan Jones, and started for the Great West. Making several short tarryings in difi'erent parts of Indiana, they finally estai)lished themselves in St. Clair county, Illinois, about 1818. They remained there until 1820, when they removed to Montg-omerv countv, and tarried there until 1824, wheiv they removed to Fulton county, arriving at the present location of Canton in the spring of that year. Isaac Swan was a man nearly six feet in heigiit, splendidly proportioned, and renuirkablc, even among pioneers, for his strength and activity. His courage was un(picstioned, and made him a valuable ac(piisition to any new settlement in which his lot was cast. Mr. Swan had only such education as could be obtained in the log school-houses of Erie county, Xew York, fifty-five and sixty years ago ; yet he had so far imj)roved his limited opportunities as to be considered a man of fair education. He was a Methodist, an honest man and a good citizen, one whose word was his bond. He gave to Canton its establishment and almost all of its early prosperity, his enterprise and energy directing attention to it and bringing in new settlers, many of whom were attracted by a desire to settle near him. He was killed by the storm in 1835.

The first family to avail themselves of Swan's "catch-all" was the family of John Hannan, who came soon after Swan and Jones did. Hannan got a lot on Main street from Swan and built the first house in the town intended for a residence. This was a cabin, and was occupied by him until his death, which occurred at Beardstown in 1831, as he was returning from St. Louis. His widow continu(Hl to occupy the same house for some time, when she moved to a farm just east of the C, B. tt Q. Railroad.

John C. Owens came in about the same time the Hannans did, and erected a cabin on Wood street. It was in this house that, in all probability, the first white child was l)orn in the original town of Canton. It is claimed by some that Harrison Hughland's wife gave birth to the first white child while living near the Central school-house site. If this is true, as there seems to be reason to believe, this child - whether male or female is not now known - was the earliest born within the present city limits. But John C. Owens' oldest boy - name not known - was, without doubt, the first born on the original j)lat. Mr. Owens was a farmer, and a sonin-law of old Father Fraker, who lived just west of Big creek at that time. Owens at this time, however, was living with his second wife, who was a sister of Lewis Walling's fii-st wife. Owens and Fraker removed from Canton, at an earlv date, and settled at Fraker's Grove, Knox county.

Swan was a man of enterprise, and was determined that his town should be ))opulated at once; so, as an inducement to settlers, he announced his determination to give a lot to any man who would build and become a settler in the town. John Hannan was the first man to secure a lot, and was fi»llowed soon by others. Swan kept this offer good until about 1833, stiptdating, however, in later vears, as to the kind of house that should be built.

At this time (1826) Samuel Morse resided on what was then known as the Morse quarter, west of and adjoining the town plat. Morse was the owner of a hand mill, upon which was ground much of the corn-meal used by the .settlers of Clinton. Morse continued to reside in Canton until some time about 18;U, when he removed to Knox county. His wife, Mary Morse, was a tailoress, and the first that ever worked in Canton.

In 1824 Yelverton Peyton erected a hou'^e within the present city limits, on the Coleman tract, near where Hayden Keelinii; has now a brickyard. Peyton was a large man and a giant in strength. It is said that he cut the logs for his cabin and "backed" them up on his shoulders, carrving logs no two ordinary men could have lifted. Peyton lived here a few years and was taken down with consumption. He went south, finally, fi)r his health and died.

Until about 1830 there were no regular dry-goods stores in Canton. Up to that period goods were purchased either at Edwardsville or St. Louis. The settlers would several of them club together and select one or two of their number to take a "pirogue," loaded with the neighborhood peltry, beeswax and honey, to one or the other of those markets and exchange it for salt, lead, powder, and such other goods as might be within the scope of their ambition or means. This trip occupied about two months' time, and was attended with considerable difficulty and not a little danger.

"One of the buildings erected in Canton in 1825," says Mr. Swan in his History of Canton, "was a school-house. It was situated on the west side of Wood street, between Union and Illinois streets. John C. Owens was the first school-teacher. This house merits a description. It was of logs, unhewn and by no means straight. The roof was low and covered with clapboards, kept in place by weight-poles. The house-logs were very small, of willow and Cottonwood timber, principally. Several holes were cut through the logs to let the dark out, but admitted a very scanty supply of light. The floor for the first year was of the best variety of prairie soil, tramped hard by the feet of the young ideas who were there taught to shoot. The seats were logs s])lit in tw<» ])arts andsujiported on jiins driven into holes bored for the purpose. The one writing desk was a wide puncheon, with its upi)er surface planed, and supported on slanting pins driven into one of the logs. The door of unshaved clapboards, swung ujX)n wooden hinges. One side of the room was occupied by an enormous old-fiishioiied firc-]ilace. There was no ceiling save the clapboard roof, aUhough one or two joists held a wide puncheon, whereon, at overcrowded meetings - for this school-house also did duty as a place of worshij) - the more adventurous of the boys would climb and sit out the service, with their bare legs swinging over the heads of the worshij)ers below. Here Owens asseml)lcd a few of the children in the winter of 1825 and 1826 - Jo. and Jim Anderson, Henry Andrews, Ed. Therman, Harriet, Elniira and Williston Jones, the Owens children, the Peyton, Hughland and Fraker children, and a few others. Owens was succeeded by Ezra Fairchild. Fairchild succeeded in getting a puncheon floor ])ut into the schoolhouse, and some other trifling improvements made. He was an ex- cellent tcaclRT, ami for many years held the position of Justice of the Peace in Canton, beino- the successor of Isaiah StiUman in that office."

We take the foHowinw from Mr. Swan's History : "The Public Square formed a jiortion of Nathan Jones' First Addition to the Town of Canton. It was proposed originally to give to the jju'blic for a public square one Avhole block, extendino; from Main to Prairie streets east and west, and frt)ni Union to Elm streets north and south. This ])r()i)osition, however, from some unknown cause, was not carried into effect, and when the survey was made the Public Square was limited to one-half its present area, extending from Union street south to the alley which divides the block. The two lots south of the alley were given as a donation to the Presbyterian house of worship which was erected u|)on one of them. It was not until in about 1841, after the removal of the church from the l^ublic Square, that Deacon Jones, - who had not previously deeded the lots, although intending so to do, - by an arrangement Ijetween the two branches of the Presbyterian Church after the separation, deeded the lots in question, thereby making the S(juare its ])rcsent size. The deed to these lots was not immediately put upon the records, and as a result of this neglect they were assessed and sold for taxes, and j)urchasc(l by Ahira Saunders. Mr. Saunders undertook, in about 1S42, to obtain })ossession, but was met by the deacon's deed to the public, and, as public property was not taxable, his speculation failed.

" Prior to 1830 the business of the town, as well as most of the residences, was on Wood street; and in that year, when Joel Wright and Childs & Stillman commencctl business, they located their stores on that street. In about 18.'30 the first building was erected on the Square : it was a log house, built by Richard Stevens, a brother-in-law of Isaac Swan, and was about where Mansfield's brick stor(>-house now stands, on the south side.

"In 1832 Joseph Anderson built a cabin on the lot now occuj>icd by Ingersoll's store on the west side. Mr. Anderson moved into this house to be near the Fort at Esquire Wright's, during the Black-JIawk war. In 18;>:] fjouis Ijidamon erected the first frame house on the Square. This house was a very low one-story house, long and narrow, and stood on the east side. In 1834 Messrs. Tryon & McCutchcon built and occupied the first store-house on the Square. This was a frame l)uilding, and was Jocated on the west side. ^Messrs. Tryon i^' McCutchcon sold out, a few vears later, to Messrs. Marklcy' & Solomon. Tlu- j)ropcrty afterward passed into the hands of Dr. J, R. Walter, who remodeled it and occu])ied it as a residence for many years. Messrs. Tryon & ^IcCutchcon sold out to Messrs. :Markley*& Solomon in May, 18H3G.«-^The Mr. Solomon of this firm was the well-known - to old settlers - Joel Solomon, for many years Circuit Clerk of the county. Judge David Markley was the senior partner. In November, 1830, Mr. Mark- ley purchased Mr. Solomon's interest in this store, and became sole ])r()j)rietor, continuing in business until 1839. Mr. Markley \va< a man eminently fitted for pioneer life. A hirge, powerful man, a wit, and at tiie same time a man of sound judtrmcnt, he sf»on became prominent among the [)ioneers. He liad filled the othces of" County Judge in Chamj)aign county, Ohio, and of Colonel of a regiment in the war of 1<S1'2, previous to his emigration, and was very soon after his immigration identified witli the pul)li(' interests of the people with wliom lie had cast his lot. In 1<S38, two years after his settlement in the county, he was elected to fill a vacancy in the State Senate, caused by the resignation of Judge Hackleton, and was twice re-elected, making his term of service ten full years. In 1847 he was elected a member of the Convention to form a new Constitution for tlie State of Illinois, and was one of most influential members. About the same time Governor Ford appointed him a member of the Board of Canal Commissioners. Whik^ acting in this capacity, he selected the lands granted l)y the Ignited States Government to the State in aid of this enterprise. In 1844 Judge Markley removed from Canton to Banner township, near Monterey, where he remained until lS."j(), when he again removed to Nebraska ; but, not satisfied with that territory, he soon returned, and settled in Stark county, near Rochester in Peoria county.

"In about 1830 Messrs. Brooks & Cogswell ojiencd a store on the Public Square. They continued in business until about 1839. In the fall of 1835 Jno. C. Willis erected a frame buiUlingfor hotel purposes on the Public S(|uare, on tlie west side. This hotel was rented to a Mr. Williamson and David Russell, who run it a short time and then gave })lace to Frederick Mennert, who, in his turn, was succeeded by Hugh R. Smith. I\hv Smith's successor was David Collins. In about 1841 Thos. Wills took the house, and remained its ])roprietor until about 18r)3 or '4. In 183() Messrs. Steel tt Ballard occu})ied one of the ground-floor rooms of this house as a store-room. Mr. Steel was the son-in-law of Ossian M. Ross. He came in 1830, and remained a resident of Canton until his death. In 1830 Messrs. Shinn ct Vittum erected a store-house on the southwest corner of the Public Scpiare, as a business house. This store was occupied by Mr. Shinn u]) to the time of his death.

"The first brick store-room on the Public Square was erected by Mr. John Blackadore, in 1845. It was on the south side, on the lot he now This was an old-fashioned brick, two-stories high, and was burned in 1805. In 1848 ^Nlr. S. Smith bnilt the second brick on the Scjuare, on the lot east of Mr. Blackadore's building. This building was afterward purchased by the Messrs. Babcock,and was known a*; the "Regulator." It was burned in 1S(;5, in the same fire that destroyed Mr. lilackadore's building.

"The same season, T. Maple erected the first three-story brick block in the city, on the southeast corner of the Public Square. The fall of the same season Mr. Jno. G. Graham and A. H. White each erected tliree-storv hussiness houses. Mr. White disposed of his buildiuff hv h)tterv in 185(). In 1838 a Mr. Sciuires built a house on the northeast corner of the Square, and estal)lished a grocerystore. This establishment did not run long before Squires sold out to Jones & Weeks, who turned it into a dry -goods store. Jones was either a Spaniard or Portuguese, and, from his C()mj)lexi()n, was known as "Black Jones." He spoke several foreign languages, and was quite a shrewd man, but not suspected of honesty to any great extent."

Richard Addis came from the State of New Jersey and early identified himself with the infant village of Canton. While subject to the malarial atmosj)here incident to a new country, he soon afterwards succumbed to its deadly influence and died. When Mr. Addis conceived the notion of coming West he was in well-to-do circumstances. He traded a large interest in a woolen factory in New Jersev to oneMunn, of New York city, for '.V2 quarter-sections of Illinois land just before starting, supposing, of course, that the title would be perfect. He did not receive his deeds until he had j)repared to move, - indeed until he was in his wagon. No time for examination was had until he was well on his journey, when he found the supposed deeds were only a Avarranty for one year and no more; the consequence proved an almost total loss. After many years had rolled around, and long after "Uncle Richard" had passed awav, a strange fatal itv seemed to overtake every effort to recover the loss. While an eminent was engaged in taking testimony with a view of prosecuting the case, and ere he was scarcely through, he died very suddenly. In the course of time another friend undertook the task of prosecuting the claim, and while engaged in securing facts and evidence, he, too, was taken suddenly ill and died, while on his way from Fairview to Lewistown.

"Uncle Richard's" M-idow, "Aunt Jemima," as she was known, survived him many years, to the comfort and pleasure of numerous friends wiio took great interest in hearing her relate incidents of early life here, and especially stories about the Indians. The latter, while upon their begging excursions, would take great deVight in making as many tracks with their bared feet upon her newly-cleaned floor as possil)le, often turning around and laughing at their successful efforts. Coming in from the trail after a rain, with their feet thoroughly covered with clay and mud, might be sport to them to smear, her floor, but we imagine the neat housewife .was not a little angered ; but discretion was the l)etter \ydrt of valor, and the " less said the easier settled" was the rule. Her daughter married Isaac Swan, who was killed during the big storm recounted below. She also had an infant killed while in her arms. She afterwards married Mr. Gould, whose wife had also been killed during this tornado.

The Sfonn. - " There was one night in the history of Canton" says Mr. Swan in his History, "that will never be forgotten s(^ long as one of its survivors is alive. 'The Storm' has been and will long continue to be a household word of fear among tlie citizens, old and new ; for, so vividlv have its incidents heen described bv the (»ld to the new citizen, that he, too, has caught the infection of dread its terrors produced.

"The istli of June, 1S35, had been a showery day, and as night fell, dark clouds were observed looming up in the northwest. As the twilight deepened, from the ominous bank of thick clouds there would blaze out lurid flashes of red lightning that illuminated a-nd made more ominous the approaching tempest. Xinc o'clock came, and the people had either retired to rest or were jjrejxiring so to do. Isaac Swan Mas at family worshiji; so were several other families in town, when the roar of the tbunder, which had grown constant and terrific, was almost lost in the terrors of another roar, so mournful, so dreadful and wild that it will never pass from the memory of one who heard. It was the roar of the tornado ; and in a moment it descended upon the doomed village, with a devastating force which could not be withstood by any frail tenement of man that opposed its course. In a moment of time the air became filled with the roofs and flying timliers of exposed houses. Rails and timbers of all kinds so tilled the air that woe to the luckless animal or person who had no shelter ; and in another moment few of the citizens but were shelterless. And now came great hailstones and a rain-fall, that it seemed as though the windows of heaven were indeed opened and the rains descending in a solid volume. Over and above all the roar of the tempest, the cries and shriek> of the wounded and dying were heard, and by the constant glare of the lightning it was seen that nearly the whole town was in ruins. As the wind lulled, those who were not too badlv iniurcd would venture out to aid the wounded.

"Bryant L. Cook was at Philip Grimm's when the storm struck. Grimm's house was unroofed, the children sleeping up stairs, almost by a miracle, |)reserved, and no one of the iamily hurt. Cook at once ran over to Isaac Swan's. He stepped uj)on a pile of ruins which had been the house, and as he did so Betsy Swan cried out from binder the ruins 'Oh, help mo!' Cook went to her and found her kept down under the weight of one of the cabin-logs. On removing it she cried, "Oh God, my jioor baby is dead I" and it was. She had held it in her arms during all the storm, and its brains were knocked out by falling timber. Cook heard a groan. Betsy too heard it and said, * Oh Bryant, try to get poor Isaac out !' Cook lifted one after another of the logs, and soon found Swan's ::odv under the debris ; but he was fatallv injured. Bv this time help had arrived, and he was conveyed to the Presbyterian church, on the Srpiare, which had sustained but slight injury.

"The people now assembled at Joel Wright's, Dr. Donaldson's, and a few other houses that were not seriously injured. At Donaldson's there was a scene of wild confusion ; frightened women and children had been collecting until the house was crowded, and there too was Betsy Swan's dead baby, while many of those present were suffering from contusions and bruises. Elias Foster was killed, - a spoke out of the wheel of a new wagon was driven into his groin. His little girl was missing, and was not found until the next morning, when she was found dead, having been blown from Foster's residence on the lot on Elm street, west of Wood, now occupied by Rev. Mr. Wasmuth, to a hazel-thicket near the residence of Hiram Snow, t)n Illinois street.

" The storm appears to have struck the earth between Fairview and Canton, and, after passing through the timber west of town, destroying, indeed literally mowing a path through it, swept over the village, leaving but one or two uninjured buildings, and perhaps a dozen that were habitable, but demolishing or seriously injuring every other house in town. It passed a little south of east over the present poor-farm, destroying the residence of Geo. W. Gould in that neighborhood and killing his wife; then on through Duck creek timber to the bluff, where it appears to have lifted, and for some distance at least did no more damage.

"The scene the next morning was terrible. The earth was literally swept clean of fences, out-buildings, and almost of buildings, but WIS covered with shingles, boards, rails and timbers. Franklin P. Offiold had just received and opened a large stock of goods in a new building on the corner of Main and Cole streets, opposite Piper's factory. Tliis house was demolished, and the goods scattered over the prairie clear away to Duck creek. Cattle were killed and lying about in all directions. ChiekiMis were blown away and killed, :ind the few standing houses were literally wrecked, moved from their foundations, unroofed, or with gables knocked in. The great won- . der is that no more lives were lost. Out of a population approximating five hundred, only four i)ers()ns were killed in town, - Isaac Swan and his infant son, Flias Foster and his daughter. In the country near, Mrs. Gould was added to the list, making five victims of the air-fiend's wrath. The destruction of property and life that would ensue were such a storm to sweep over the country now would be absolutely appdiing. Then the country was sparsely settled, and of course the destruction was not so great as it would be now. The track of the storm was about one mile in width, extending from the residence of John Coleman on the north to the vicinity of the Central school-house on tlie south. The marks of the storm were distinctly visible in the timber west of town until in recent years, since the timber affected has been cleared up."

Canttin was incorporated as a town Feb. 10, 1837. Upon that day an election was held to vote for or against incorj>oration, resulting in the adoption of the measure by a majority of .'U, there being 4G ballots cast. Inmiediately thereafter the following five Trus- y/ tees were chosen : David Marklev, Joel Wright, Thomas J. Little, William B. Cogswell and Franklin P. Offield. Tiiey held this first mastinsT March 27, 18'37, '"at Frederic Menncrts' inn." At this meeting David Markley was chosen President of the Board and Thomas J. Little Clerk, George W. Gould was chosen Treasurer, John Thorp both Gollector and Constable, Nathan Jones, Lathroj) W. Curtis and Isaiah Stilltuan Assessors, and L. W. Curtis Supervisor of Highways. Under the by-laws adopted by this Board, revenue was to be raised by a tax on all real estate within the boundaries of the town, which, it was provided, should be assessed at its true value, and upon the assessment "an ad-valorem tax of not exceeding fifty cents on every one hundred dollars should be levied by the President and Trustees annually." Section 36 of the ordinances provided that "any j)crson who shall on the Sabbath day play at bandy, cricket, cat, town-ball, corner-ball, over-ball, fives, or any other game of ball, within the limits of the corporation, or shall "engage in pitching dollars or quarters, or any other game, in any pul)lic })lace, shall, on conviction thereof, be fined the sum of one dollar.

Upon the 21st of February, 1.S48, an election was held to vote for or against a second incorporation of the village. There were 120 votes cast "for" and 42 "against" the said measure of incorporation. It being carried, an election of town officers under this incorporation was held March 1, 1S4H, ^vhen William Parlin, AVilliam Kellogg, George S. McConnell, James Wills and John G. Piper ^vere elected Trustees. These gentlemen assembled on the following day in official capacity and chose Mr. McConnell President and' Henrv F. Ingersoll Clerk. On the 14th of April the latter gentleman was chosen Treasurer of the town ; James R. Parker Assessor and Harrison P. Fellows Collector and Constable. An election was held Feb. 27, 1 849, to vote for or against the acceptance of a charter granted the town by the Legislature. For the charter were cast l-")() l)allots, against, 0. Under this charter the President and four Trustees were to be elected by the people ; ])revi()usly the President was chosen by the Board. The Board divided the town into four wards for voting purposes. The first election held under the charter was on A|)ril 28, 1849, when Davis Ferguson was chosi-n President; William Thonijvson, Alderman from the First Ward; N. H. Turner, Alderman from the Second Ward; William Parlin, from the Third Ward, and J. B. Hinman from the Fourth.

Canton had grown to considerable size by the year 1853 and was cpiite prosperous, so mueh so indeed, that she desired to don the name of "city." The Legislature during its session that wintcrgranted tothe town a city charter. The first election under this charter was held April 4, 1854. Louis Corbin was chosen Mayor; D. H. Dewey, Supervisor; B.. F. Moyer, Marshal; Aldermen - First Ward. W. M. Thompson ; Secf)nd Ward, Atharin Keeling; Third Ward, J. M.Thompson; Fourth Ward, James Wills. The Council on the (jth of January, 1855, enacted a very stringent prohibitory liquor law, and vigorously prosecuted all violations of it, but not with entire success. It was durino: the administration of this Council that

The W/iisky War. - In IcSvio the Town Council, acting in accordance with the desire of the ])coplc of Canton as expressed by their votes, passed a very stringent pi-ohibitory liquor law. This was openly set at defiance by sonic of the liquor-sellers. They not only continued to sell, but sold, in at least one case, in an open, defiant manner. These ])arties selling li([uors were arrested, and one of them, finding that the suit was likely to go against him, pr()j)ose(l a compromise with the city, agreeing, if the suit against him was dropped and the city Council would pay the cost of the suit, giving him fifteen days to close out his stock, he would close out his establishment and quit the business. This compromise was agreed to by the city, but violated by Mr. Mallory, who it was claimed, went on from bad to worse. Other prosecutions were brought against him, which he a])pealed, and, when they were brought to trial in the (^ircuit Court obtained a change of venue to Mason county, showing a determination to contest the law, as he had an undoubted right to.

"The temperance ladies of Canton were very much dissatisfied with the slow progress being made in closing up the offending saloons, and finally determined to take the subject into their own hands. Secret meetings of the ladies were held to consider the ways and means by which the sale of licpior could be stopped, and a plan of action was finally agreed upon. It has been asserted that a woman cannot keep a secret. This was proved to be a mistake in this case, at least. So secretly had the women minted that Mr. Mallory, the chief of the offenders, entirely unsuspecting, and with no premonition of tlie fate that awaited his whisky-barrels, went to St. Louis to nudvc additions to his already large stock.

"The firm of Charles Smith & CV)., doing business on the south side of the Public S(]uare, had been holding a series of ladies' auctions, at which they were disposing of a considerable stock of ladies' fancy goods. To this auction, on Friday, the 4th day of A})ril, 1856, the ladies, by previous understanding, came. The auction began about one o'clock, and it was observed that the crowd began to collect in the auction-room at an early hour. The auctioneer \vas delighted at the great nund)ers of ladies who surrounded his stand, and cried himself hoarse with praises of his goods; but, to his astonishment, no body bid. The women continued to collect, coming in twos juid threes, all wearing s1ia\yls or cloaks, although the day was bland and pleasant, until about two hundred had collected.

"From some expressions let fall in the au(!tion-room, it began to be understood upon the street that 'Sebastopol,' as ]\IalIory's saloon was called, was to be taken. Mr. Mallory being away from home, his friends determined to volunteer in his defense; and accordingly quite a number of them took their positions at the entrance to the building, - which was securely barricaded, - determined, as they averred, to defend the establi.shment at the peril of their lives, if it needed be. Among the defenders of the grocery was a constable then serving a term in an adjoining township, a man of nerve, and whose veracity has never been called in (juestion, who addressed a crowd of several hundred men and bovs gathered before the door, urging them to aid in protecting the property of the saloon-keeper, at the same time swearing that no woman could enter the door without passing over his dead body. This gentleman little dreamed how soon the death he was invoking might be staring him in the face.

"When the time for action came, over two hundred of the most prominent women of Canton marched out of the auction store and arranged themselves in columns, two by two, on the Public Square. The excitement by this time was growing intense. Everybody, male and female, appeared to be upon the Public Square, either as a looker-on or a participant in the mob upon the one side or the other. As the Amazonian column formed, a citizen stepped up to the leader and urged her to desist, saying that the proprietor of 'Sebastopol' was not at home, and urging them at least to give him a chance to defend himself. The ladies responded that they were convened for" business, and that business must go on.

''The line of march was now taken up, the leader carrying a short sword in her hand, which she flourished in quite a martial manner, arriving at the door, the crowd parted, except that three or four determined fellows maintained themselves before the door. One of these, the constable referred to above, declared his determination to resist the onslaught, and declared, in response to the quiet and low-spoken 'Stand aside gentlemen: we are going in there,' of the leader, himself as ready lor the sacrifice by the remark, ' Not by a d - d sight : you ain't going in unless you go over my dead body.' Mr. Constable was a brave man; Mr. Constable was a man of truth ; tiierefore it cannot be doulited that he met Mith a bloody death right there, as, within one minute after his self-sacrificing declaration, the door against which he and " two or three more braves were standing was shivered to a thousand fragments, by blows WL'U and vigcjnuisly aimed from gleaming hatchets^ that leaped out from the cover of two hundred shawls in unison. Mr. Constable therefi)re must have perished, fallen gloriously at his post of duty, then and there.

"The door of' Sebastopol ' demolished, the work of demolition began. Bottles, unoffending candy jars, glasses and decanters, all were smashed into a thousand fragments, and shelving and counters shared the same fate. The cellar contained a large quantity of li(piors. This was invaded, and barrels were knocked in, until the spirituous flood had aceumulated on the cellar-floor to the depth of several inches, when they l)ailed it out and threw it into the street, determined none should be saved. Some of the women had a lighted caudle in this cellar, and it was almost a miracle that thev

"By the time their destruction of ' Sebastopol ' was completed, the fumes of the licjuor had ascended to tiieir nostrils; and it is no exaggeration to say that one-half of the ladies were, as temperance advocates, in magnificent order to furnish the fearful example for any ambitious temperance orator who might secure their services. About twenty barrels of liquor, besides his saloon and bar fixtures, were destroyed for Mr. Mallorv.