Cerro Gordo Township

Cerro Gordo Township

r I lIIIS township is seven miles wide and eight and one-half miles in J- length, thus containing fifty-nine and one-half sections of land. Almost the entire township is prairie land, a few groves in the southern part being about all the natural timber the town ship con tains. With the exception of the extreme southwestern and northwestern corners of the township the land seems perfectly flat, it being just slightly rolling, however, in the parts mentioned. The main drainage of the land is toward the south. A small branch of the Okaw rises in the southwestern part of the township and flows southeast. Cerro Gordo township is composed of good rich farming land. It already contains some of the most productive farms of the county ; and now that a great deal of artificial draining is being done, it will soon contain a goodly number of the best farms that the county affords.

In regard to the name of the township, we have had two versions given as to its origin. One is that Col. Williams, who bought a large tract of land in the eastern part of the township and lived there a number of years, was noted for his deeds in the Mexican war, and that he was thus given the sobriquet of Cerro Gordo Williams. As he was the largest land-holder in that vicinity, it was not strange that it

At the time of the Mexican war a postoffiee in Mr. Geo. Peck's house, which was on the old stage route from Urbana to Decatur, was named Cerro Gordo, in memory of the battle of that name. After the railroad, now known as the Wabash, was built, the postoffiee was moved to the same, and ultimately the town was called Cerro Gordo. When the townships were organized it is quite likely that the name of the principal town was given to the township. We think that this latter version in regard to the name is the most plausible.

Cerro Gordo township has two railroads and four stations. The Wabash railroad enters the township at the northeastern corner, extends southwest, leaving the township about two miles south of the northwest corner. Milmine and Cerro Gordo are situated on this road, while Lintner and La Place are on the road formerly known as the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield, and which passes from east to west about one-half a mile from the southern boundary line.

Early settlement. - The Cunninghams settled at seven mile or Cunningham grove at quite an early day, at least previous to the sudden freeze in 1836, and they had some neighbors whose names we could not learn. This grove alluded to is near La Place. Messrs. Joseph, Isaac and Daniel Howell, and John Sea, were the first people who settled in the vicinity of Cerro Cordo. With the exception of these people, there were not many who came to the township before the railroad was built. Soon after the building of this road, settlements began to be made at Cerro Gordo. One of the first deaths in the township was that of Wm. Lee, who lived near Mr. Jos. Howell's.

Cerro Gordo. - This town was originally named Griswold, but when the post-office was moved to the station from Mr. Peck's house in Willow Branch township, it retained the name of Cerro Gordo, and soon the name of the town was changed. The town was not incorporated for a number of years after the station was made.

Mr. McMurray was reported to us as being the first station agent of the place. The section house for railroad hands was the first building in the town. Andrew McKinney was the first postmaster, and put up the first dwelling house, and Andrew McKinney and A. L. liodgers in 1856 had the first general merchandise store of the place. Wm. Cole and Mr. Sawyer were also among the first to put up dwelling houses. The first death in the town we could learn of was that of Eugene, a little son of Mr. Denman, who died in 1856 from the effects of a rattle- snake bite. The first birth was reported as that of Mr. Dunbar's child. Among the first marriages, if not the very first, was that of Isaac McKinney and Miss Campbell. John Prosser was the first physician and John Fields the first blacksmith we have any note of. Jno. Garver and Mr. Green were the first teachers in the new school building, which was built about 1866. The first church was built in 1857, and was dedicated by Mr. Campbell. The mill now used by Mr. Pitts was put up about 1859.

Cerro Gordo in 1858 contained only about two business houses and probably only a dozen residences. For quite awhile after the war Cerro Gordo was at a standstill, but within the last few years it has taken a new start and is now improving quite fast. There are about twenty-five business firms in the place now, and it is anticipated that the town will make steady improvement from this on. It now has about 700 inhabitants. It is well supplied with trees and contains a neat little park. Nowhere in the county were we met more cordially than by the people of Cerro Gordo. This town was the first in the county to vote against liquor license, and the residents see no cause to regret the fact that it has been a temperance town for some fifteen to eighteen years.

Presbyterian church. - This Presbyterian church was really organized across .the river, in Willow Branch township, and in a school building, by Father Kingsbury, of Danville, and the church was known as the Liberty Prairie church. Meetings continued to be held there until Wesley chapel, in Macon county, was built, when the society met in that. About this time most of the members moved into Cerro Gordo and in a little while after the church in that town was started. For a time the meetings were held in the school-house, but ere long land was bought and the present building was erected about 1860. Originally the congregation was of good size, but now there are probably not over twenty-five members. There is no regular minister, but Mr. Kingland, from Bement, preaches occasionally. Mr. J. C. Campbell was the first located minister of the church, and he was followed by Mr. McMurray. The Presbyterian church building was used by various denominations. Mr. John McKinney was largely instrumental in the building of the church.

Methodist church. - This church building was erected about 1866 by Mr. John Smith, and elder Buck dedicated it. At present it is a part of a circuit and has a membership of nearly one hundred persons. Mr. Smart is the minister, and his circuit includes in addition Kidge

Temperance society. - The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized about May 20, 1881, by Miss Pitts, of Mansfield, Illinois. The officers elected were Mrs. E. H. Jeffres, president ; Mrs. J. Garver, vice-president ; Mrs. J. A. Replogle, secretary, and Mrs. W. F. Donaldson, treasurer. The Union held four meetings and then adjourned during the hot weather. Smallpox broke out at this time in the town and withal the society was so affected that few meetings have been held since. Mrs. Villars lectured May 3. Good work, however, it is anticipated will be done.

German Baptists. - This sect appeared in America in 1719. About twenty families landed in Philadelphia at this time and settled in various parts of Pennsylvania. This society is similar to the Friends, in that they use great plainness of dress, take no oaths and do not go to war. A member of this church told us that "the Testament is our discipline," and that their belief is "faith, repentance and baptism," and that upon this salvation is dependent. They believe in triune immersion and in observing all the commandments in the New Testament. The ministers are elected from the congregation, as are also visiting members or deacons, who attend to the church matters and make preparation for communion service. The elders are the heads of the church. There are three degrees in the ministry, and when a man is to be installed in the first degree he is brought forward with his wife and installed by the men with hand and kiss and the wife with the hand to the minister and hand and kiss to the women. The minister of the first degree has only the power to preach, while he of the second degree is installed in the same manner and has power to preach, baptize and marry. An elder is installed by the laying on of hands and prayer by other elders, has power to preach, baptize and marry, and liberty to go where he pleases. An elder, only, can organize a church. The number of elders of a church varies according to circumstances. The Lord's supper is commemorated yearly, in memory of the coming of Christ; and as a commandment at these meetings, they first have feet washing, then the Lord's supper of bread and wine. The occasion is a somewhat sociable one, and not necessarily solemn.

There are three churches or congregations of this sect in Piatt county. The first was organized in 1856 or 1857, in Macon county, and was known as the Cerro Gordo church. Mr. and Mrs. David Kuns were the first members of this church, next Mr. Kims' brother, and gradually the congregation grew to a good-sized church. In 1865 or 1866 the church was divided and three congregations were organized. Each congregation has its own quarterly councils for the settlement of business. The southern district of Illinois has started an Orphan's Home, which is located in Macon county, near Cerro Gordo. There are eighty acres of well improved land, and a good house and barn belonging to the Home. This Orphan's Home is in the Cerro Gordo congregation, as is also the first church building which was erected in Macon county. The organization was started through the influence o f Mr. David Kuns, Mr. Metzger and Mr. Replogle. The church building in Cerro Gordo, which cost near $2,000, was built about 1878, and was donated, with the ground it stands on, by Mr. Metzger. This was certainly a great gift, and the congregation should feel very grateful for it. There are near 250 members in the Cerro Gordo congregation. The names of the deacons, as given to us by Mr. J. P. Replogle, are Stephen Shively, J. P. Replogle, Solomon Hufferd, John Hickrnan, John Blickenstaff and David Blickenstaff. The names of the ministers are John Metzger, David Troxel, A. F. Snider, Amos Nickey, Adam Bingeman and V. B. Clifton. The membership of the Milmine congregation is about seventy-five or eighty, and the Sunday school, which has been in existence about four years, has an attendance of from forty-five to fifty members. The ministers of this congregation are D. B. Gibson, Menno Stauffer, Henry Kuns and Daniel Mohler ; and the deacons are Ben]'. Bowman, David Kuns and John S. Kuns. The congregation has but one building, but meetings are held both in Milmine and in the country, where Henry Kuns donated one and a halt acres of land, upon which the church, which cost $2,600, is located.

The Okaw congregation has a membership of about 200, and a large church building was erected about 1875. Mr. Peter Fouts is of the opinion that Jacob Wagoner was the first German Baptist minister who preached in this church, and that Robert Miller dedicated the same. The building is 40x60 feet and cost near $3,500, which amount was raised by subscription. The following are the names of the ministers as given to us by Mr. Replogle : Jacob Wagoner, Jacob Ulrey, Jacob Miller, John Arnold and Philip Siders. The deacons are Geo. Funk, Elijah Hendricks, Isaac Ulrey, Solomon Miller, Peter Cripe, Isaac Shively and Charles Dicks. The people belonging to these congregations are some of the best citizens - most peaceful and industrious - that our county affords. The majority of them have good farms, which under their able management yield bountifully. Some of the finest country houses and barns in the county belong to the German Baptists, or Dunkards, as they are wrongly called. We found many of these people hospitable in the extreme, and we are glad to have this opportunity of saying so, and to show to the people of the county some of the work that has been done by them.

La Place. - This town was laid off in 1873, and was named by G. "W. Stoner. Before this name was decided upon the place was called indiscriminately Gate wood and Stoner. Eighty acres of land are laid off into town lots in a very attractive section of the township. The ground is rolling and a small stream, Bonnie Brook, runs through the town and into the west branch of the Okaw. In fact the location for the town is as pretty as any spot in the county. La Place is considered a very healthy place. In the year of 1881, however, there probably occurred more deaths than in any previous year. The first house on the section upon which the town is located was built about 1860 by Tho. B. Warfield, and is now owned by the Gatewood heirs. The hotel kept by William Eicholtz was the first house built within the limits of the town. The barn was first erected and the family lived in it until the hotel building-was erected about 1874. Jacob Reedy was the first postmaster of the town, and A. H. Locke is the present postmaster. Dr. Pierson was the first physician of the town, and he and Miss Reedy were the first couple married. The town contains about 250 inhabitants, and the business firms number about a dozen. There are a number of good farms in the vicinity. Bonnie Brook farm owned by G. W. Stoner, is especially noted for its stock. The trotting horses are of the Hambletonian, Clay, trotting Normans, and Mambrino stock. The introduction of these horses has done very much to advance the grade of horses in the county. Mr. Stoner also keeps a good grade of hogs.

Churches. - According to Mr. A. S. Hawthorne, the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the fall of 1874, at the school-house near La Place. Five persons - Henry L. Kuns and wife, William Carter, and A. S. Hawthorn and wife - constituted the membership. La Place circuit was formed at the annual conference of 1876, and W. A. Reynolds was sent as minister. During a revival held by him the membership became eighty-five instead of five. The Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1877, and dedicated in June by Rev. Barnes. It is Mr. George C. Wagner's opinion that the present Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1873, by Mr. Austin, of

Milmine or Farnsworth. - The town of Farnsworth was laid out by "Enos Farnsworth, and surveyed by Mr. C. D. Moore. It received its name in honor of the former person, who owned the town plat, a good deal of land in the vicinity, and who put up the first residence in the town. Mr. Farnsworth sold the whole town plot to Messrs. Geo. Milmine and David Runs, and made the deed to Emma G. Milmine and Margaret Kuns, their wives. Milmine and Bodman owned the first store which was kept by Mr. E. B. Sprague, now of Bement. The post-office, which is now kept by Hiram Barber, is named Milmine, we suppose in honor of Mr. George Milmine, and of late years the name is used to designate the town more than Farnsworth is. Mr. Kuns owns a warehouse and an elevator in the place. Mr. J. O. Sparks has the principal grain office of the town. The town has a population of about 200, contains several business houses, a union church and a fine brick schoolbuilding which was built about 1872, and which contains two large rooms. Milmine was the scene of quite a serious railroad accident in the summer of 1882. A freight train ran into another train right at the station. Several cars and the depot building were badly damaged, a number of cattle were killed, and several of the train men were so severely injured that they died.

Milmine church. - The Milmine Christian church was organized in the spring of 1879, and the meetings are held in the union church of the village. At the time of the organization there were fifteen charter members, but before the meeting closed there were fifty-six in membership, and now the number is increased to about ninety-six. The church owns a parsonage in Milmine, a half interest in the Ridge chapel, and the Sangamon church on Willow Branch. Mr. Robert Harris is the first regular minister. John Biebinger and Henry Taylor are deacons, Isaac Peck is clerk, and John Biebinger, Isaac Peck and Mr. B. Middleton are trustees of the parsonage.

Lintner. - -This is a small station on the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield railroad. It was named for William Lintner, of Decatur, who owned some 800 acres of land in the vicinity. It has a postoffice and a good general merchandise store, and being in the center of a good farming district, a great deal of grain is shipped from the station.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Piatt County, Illinois : Together with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Influential Citizens, by McIntosh, Charles, published 1903; 5,943 words in this source stream.

Cerro Gordo Township

Bounded as follows : Beginning at the X. \Y. corner of S. W. quarter Sec. 22, T. 17 N., R. 4 E., thence east to the N. E. corner of S. E. quarter Sec. 22, T. 17 N., R. 5 E., thence S. to county line, thence W. on county line to the S. W. corner of county thence north on county line to place of beginning.

Bounded as follows : Beginning at the N. W. corner of Sec. 2, T. 16, R. 5 E., thence east to county line, thence S. on county line to the S. E. corner of the county, thence W. on county line to the S. W. corner Sec. 35, T. 16 N., R. 5 E., thence N. to place of beginning.

The above we conceive to be the best division it can be to secure the fulfillment of the requirements of the law and at the same time meet the wants of the inhabitants. Respectfully submitted. C. D. MOORE, WILLIAM T. FOSTER, EZRA MARQUISS.

The report of the committee was approved and the last session of the county court under the old system of county government was the March term of 1860, ending April 2. The first session of the board of supervisors was held May 28, 1860, and the following members constituted the first board : Blue Ridge, John Meliza ; Goose Creek, Seth C. Langlon; Willow Branch, Elias Hall ; Cerro Gordo, William Cole ; Unity, Royal Mitchell; Bement, Caleb D. Moore; Monticello, William Motherspaw; Sangamon, Ananias B. Knott.

On motion of C. D. Moore, the compensation of the supervisors was fixed at two dollars per day for attending the meetings of the board. The next few years were very busy ones for this board. The families of the soldiers in the war had to be cared for, a jail was built, and a poor farm started.

No state in the union was more loyal to the Federal Government in the dark days of the Civil war than was Illinois. It was Illinois that furnished the chief executive of the nation for this trying time, and nobly did she stand by him. When Lincoln issued, his first call for troops in 1861, the authorities informed Governor Yates that the quota of Illinois was six regiments. Governor Yates issued his proclamation April 15, 1861, and in ten days 10,000 volunteers had offered their services. They could not all be accepted, and it is said that some of them wept when refused admission. In 1862, and again in 1864. when calls for troops were made, Illinois responded cheerfully. In this, Piatt county did her full share - and more. Out of a population of 6,124, sne sent out I>O55 soldiers, almost one-sixth of her population. The average of the state was 100 soldiers for every 742 inhabitants, while Piatt count sent 100 men for 580 inhabitants. Nor were those who for various reasons did not go to the front lacking in patriotic spirit. Early in the war, we find the county issuing bonds, and borrowing money to care for the families of the volunteers in the front. One person was appointed in each township (usually the supervisor) to look after the widows and families of the soldiers, and to see that they were provided with the necessaries of life. When the war closed and the soldiers returned the county gave them a big dinner. This was held on the i6th of August, 1865. A committee from the Board of Supervisors had charge of the dinner. Two beeves were killed, and other victuals in proportion. The county appropriated for the dinner $184.94.

Jail

At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors in December, 1866, a resolution was passed, making an appropriation of twelve thousand dollars to build a county jail, and authorizing the issuing of bonds for twelve thousand dollars, drawing interest at ten per cent. A committee of three persons - Hiram Jackson, H. C. McComas and John W. White - was appointed to fix upon a location for the jail. Lewis Bond was appointed to make the plan for the county jail and to procure specifications for it. These were prepared by Dennis and Sutton, of Springfield, and the contract for building it was let to them in March for $8,800. In March, 1867, H. G. McComas, J. M. White and Ezra Marquiss were appointed a committee to purchase a site for the location of the jail. They selected and purchased the last half of outlot No. 4 in original town of Monticello for the sum of $1,000. Work was at once commenced, and the building completed in the fall of '67. At its meeting in November the board refused to receive the jail, but some concessions were made, and the jail was received by the board in February, 1868, and the final payment on it made. The first sheriff to occupy it was George F. Miller.

Poor Farm

In August, 1862, Piatt county acquired -a half-interest in a farm of 293 acres for $2,948.52, southwest of Monticello, the other half being owned by James Miner. On July 23, 1863, the following resolution, introduced by H. S. Coonrod, was adopted :

Resolved, by the Board of Supervisors of Piatt county, that immediate steps be taken to procure the title of James Miner to the undivided half of the farm now owned by him in joint tenancy with the county, for the purpose of making a poor farm out of the same. The committee consisted of H. S. Coonrod, D. Stickle and J. C. Heath.

The attempt to buy the interest of James Miner was not successful, and in September, 1863, it is ordered that H. S. Coonrod be empowered to make contract with James Miner for providing for the poor of Piatt county. James Miner was to be paid $2.50 per week for keeping each pauper, and to pay $200 a year for the county's one-half of the farm. Coonrod is to maintain supervision of said paupers, and the said paupers shall be received by the said James Miner as a onmty charge only on the order of the overseer of the poor of one of the townships, or of the said Coonrod.

In September, 1865, a resolution was adopted appointing McComas, Marquiss and Chambers a committee to sell the county portion of the poor farm, and to purchase not less than 200 acres of land suitably situated for a poor farm, provided that if they can sell the whole farm to a better advantage by buying Miner's half, then they can do so. James Miner appears before the county board in December, 1865, and offers to sell his interest in the county farm at $28 (twentyeight dollars) per acre. The offer accepted and on June 6, 1866, James G. Miner transfers to the Board of Supervisors of Piatt county for the use of the inhabitants of said county his interest in the undivided half of the county farm for $4,116. Miner was to run the affairs until the first day of October next, and to pay one-third of the corn in the shock and one-third of the small grain in the half-bushel, and to keep the paupers until expiration of his lease from first of March next at three dollars and fifty cents per week. Just before this he had been receiving four dollars a week for adults and three dollars and fifty cents per week for children.

In December. 1870. the committee on poor farm report that "the erection of a good, substantial brick building is absolutely necessary," and they are authorized by the board to proceed with the erection of a building, to adopt the plans and specifications they think best, the building to cost not to exceed five thousand dollars. The committee, consisting of Hiram Jackson and John R. Klapp made a contract with John C. Lowry, William Beatie. Sr., James Brown, John Merryman and Charles Stough for the erection of the building, which was approved by the board. The building was completed the following summer and accepted by the board in September, 1871. It was a brick building, two stories and basement, containing eighteen rooms, six on each floor.

The main line of the Wabash running east and west through Bement and Cerro Gordo townships in Piatt county was constructed in 1855 and 1856. The constructing gang worked from both ends of the line and came together near what is now Cerro Gordo. The Chicago division of the Wabash was completed and put in operation through the county in 1873. This road was formerly called the Chicago & Paducah, and was laid by the Bloomington & Ohio River Railroad Company, which was chartered in 1867.

What is now a branch of the Illinois Central, between Champaign and Decatur. through Sangamon, Monticello and Willow Branch townships of our county, was put in operation between Champaign and Monticello in Deceml)er. 1870. and was finished through to Decatur two years later. This road was chartered as far back as 1861, as the Monticello Railroad, but nothing was done toward building any road until after the war. The charter was changed and the company fully organized in 1865. and active work of constructing commenced in 1867. The road was afterwards bought by the Indiana, Blcomington i Western, was sold and reorganized as the Champaign, Havana i Western. It was bought by the Wabash and finally bought by the Illinois Central, which still owns it. The road from Champaign to Clinton through Sangamon and Goose Creek townships of our county is now owned by the Illinois Central. It was chartered in 1867 as the Havana, Mason City, Lincoln and Eastern Railroad, and was built through the county in 1872. That same year it was consolidated with the Monticello road just given, and its history from that time on was identical with the road between Champaign and Decatur.

The Big Four Railroad through Blue Ridge township was put through the- county in 1867. It was chartered as the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin Railroad, afterwards consolidated with the Indianapolis, and Danville, and then became known as the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, and later as the Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati & St. Louis.

The Indiana, Decatur & Western Railroad was built through our county in 1873. The road was projected as far back as 1847, and the company was originally called the Indiana & Illinois Central road.

Dredge Ditch

One of the streams in the southern part of the county is called the Lake Fork branch of the Okaw river, usually called Lake Fork for short. The name is very suggestive. The river has but very little fall and is a very sluggish stream. In the rainy season it would overflow its banks and the whole country round about would resemble a great lake.hence the name. The land was the rich black loam, but was not very valuable, because it would overflow, and a crop was by no means sure.

A plan was set on foot to dredge the Lake Fork in the southeast part of the county. The question of forming a drainage district under the state law was submitted to a vote of the people and the question carried. On the seventh of October, 1882, an election was held in the Concern schoolhouse for the purpose of electing the drainage commissioners. The election resulted in the election of Alfred Jay, Samuel L. Busich and Anthony Clark. These were the first drainage commissioners. Before work on the ditch could be commenced, the land had to be viewed, and the amount of the benefits to the various landowners determined, and the assessments made. There were a great many objections to the decision of the commissioners with regard to the assessment, and they were restrained by the court for awhile and were delayed in various ways, so that three years elapsed before active work was commenced.

On September 21, 1883, C. D. Moore, county surveyor, was employed to survey the ditch and prepare a plat and profile. The original ditch extended from the north line of Sec. 36, T. 1 8, R. 6, to the Grain bridge, a distance of about eleven miles.

This was done that fall and submitted to the commissioners at the meeting held March i, 1884. The plat was approved, and it was decided to advertise for bids to be opened March 31, 1884. When the commissioners met, March 31, no bids were submitted. Nothing more was done until September 20, 1884, when the following motion was adopted : of Sec. i, Township 17, R. 6, be thirty feet at the top, twenty-five feet from thence to south line of Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 6, and twenty feet from thence to the north line of said section 36. The bottom of said ditch to be one-fourth as wide as the top, and the depth one foot more, at all points than the depth as fixed by C. D. Moore in the profile approved March i, 1884.

The commissioners advertised for bids which were to be received and contract let October 16, 1884. The board, however, adjourned from time to time, and the contract was not let until the following spring. The contract was awarded to McGillis & Co., at eleven and nine-tenths cents per cubic yard, with the condition that if the ditch was completed by April i, 1886, they were to be allowed an additional one and six-tenths cents per cubic yard.

A short time after the contract was let the firm of McGillis &.Co. assigned the contract to Pollard, Goff & Co., and at a meeting of the commissioners held July 22, 1885, it was decided that with the consent of Pollard, -Goff & Co., they would make the ditch six feet wide on the bottom from one end to the other, and two feet deeper than the bottom of the ditch as shown by C. D. Moore's profile from the north end to within one mile of the south end, and from that point the depth to increase gradually until it is three feet deeper than the bottom of the ditch as shown by the plans and specifications. The width of top of ditch to remain as original contract. The time for the completion of the ditch was extended to June i, 1886.

These changes were accepted by Pollard, Goff & Co. and active work was commenced in the summer of 1885, at the north line of Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 6, in Monticello township.

1887, the boat was burned. The ditch, however, had been completed as far as the original ditch extended, in all over two hundred thousand cubic yards of dirt had been removed. As the ditch had been completed within the time, the price paid for the work was thirteen and one-half cents per cubic yard, and the ditch had cost in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars.

The farmers near Mackville formed a special mutual drainage district (called District No. 7), and cleaned out the ditch above and below Mackville with teams and scrapers. The ditch was afterwards extended about three miles. Some claim now that the outlet is not large enough, and they are contemplating the extension of the work at least as far as the county line on the south, and possibly into Moultrie county. A number of laterals have been put in, and that part of the county is getting to be well drained, so that now there is not a better farming region anywhere. It has added greatly to the value of the land, also. To illustrate, in 1882, the year the ditch was commenced, the Dr. Clapp farm of four hundred acres, sold for $10,000 - $25 per acre. Perhaps $35 would have been an average price for land in that vicinity. Now it could hardly be bought for four or five times that amount. At first, though, the taxes were very high, and it was a great hardship to many of the farmers to pay. The present commissioners are Ed. Moyer, M. F. Walsh and Michael Morris.

Piatt Fair

The Piatt County Agricultural Society was organized in 1856. No record of the early proceedings of the society can be found. In 1 86 1 an election of officers of the society was held in the court-house, at which time the following officers were chosen : President, Jacob Smith; V ice-Presidents, J. C. Johnson, H. S. Coonrod, Ezra Marquiss, Secretary, A. T. Pipher; Treasurer, Elias Hall and directors. John M. Barnes and Dr. Kelly.

The first fairs were held on the grounds -east of Mr. Bear's residence in Monticello. In 1861 the society bought fifteen acres north of town, where the present fair grounds are located. The only fence around the grounds was a rail one, and there were no buildings. Jesse Warner, C. P. Davis, and Dr. Farra were appointed a committee to see what could be done. It was decided to mortgage the ground to get money to improve with. J. C. Johnson furnished the money, and the ground was fenced, and two cheap buildings erected. The grounds were put in shape by persons who donated their labors. There is very little resemblance between the early fairs and the modern ones. The early fair was a gathering in the interest of the farmer; it was an annual county picnic, and an annual occasion for meeting old friends. No races were held. It was morally clean and a distinct success socially, but a failure financially. As Capt. C. P. Davis expressed it, "We knew the debit and credit side of our ledger, and the debit side was always in excess." At times the people were solicited for private contributions to keep up the honor of the society for it has always made it a point to 'keep all obligations in good faith.

All attempts to introduce races met with violent opposition inside the association until 1876, when there was a change in the officials of the fair, and consequently a change in its management. A race course one-third of a mile long was constructed, which was surveyed by the surveyor of the Monticello railroad free of charge. J. W. Warren and C. P. Davis carried the chain without pay. That year the fair was a financial success. Every one wanted to see the new grounds, and to see what the new management would do. Capt. C. P. Davis was secretary, and J. W. Warren, treasure!1, arid they acted as a committee on privileges.

It was not an easy matter to make the fair a financial success, and some new device had to be resorted to each year to draw the people. One year the principal attraction was to be a grand balloon ascension, and it was advertised all over the county to take place on a certain day. When the people came to the fair, they found that they were required to procure a balloon ticket in addition to the regular admittance ticket before they could be admitted to the grounds. Some of the people demurred. They didn't want a balloon ticket; they came to see the fair and when the balloon went up, it would be an easy matter for them just to turn their backs. But such an excuse would not go, and the visitor must get the balloon ticket before he could be admitted to the grounds. When the time came, it was too windy for the balloon to go up, and a veritable howl balloon tickets, and the management saved themselves from bodily harm, only by promising faithfully that it should go up the next day. They fulfilled their promise, for the next day the old balloon went up about fifty feet, and the people were satisfied.

Past And Present

ance was to have some eminent man speak on some current topic of general interest. Schuyler Col fax was the orator at one fair, Ex-Governor Oglesby at another. Latei they had chariot races, a "guideless wonder," bicycle races, high diver, jubilee singers, captive balloon, etc.

In this time, the fair was put on a firmer financial basis, twenty-eight more acres were bought, a new amphtheatre was built, several buildings and many new stalls added, and a good supply of water for the fair furnished. In 1891 steam power was provided for the machinery on exhibition.

In 1901, the week of the fair was very rainy, and the attendance was not large. In 1902 the society cleared about a thousand dollars. In 1903, C. A. Tatman, who had been secretary of the fair for over twenty years, resigned, and a new organization was effected. The name of the society was changed to the Piatt County Board of Agriculture, and the officers elected are as follows: President, C. E. Moffitt; Secretary, C. H. Ridgely; Vice-President, J. D. lackey; Treasurer, O. W. Moore; Directors, W. W. Royer, J. A. Mathews, M. F. McMillen, J. L. Bodman, R. M. Dobson, F. Bales, John Phalen, B. R. White and Samuel Howe. The first fair under the new management will be held August 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, 1903. It will be the fortieth annual fair.

County Papers

The Piatt Independent was started by G. A. Burgess in December, 1887. In 1892 Mr. Burgess bought the Herald of Mr. Peters, and the Herald and Independent were consolidated under the name of The Piatt County Republican, and it has been run under that name to the present time. G. A. Burgess is editor and manager.

The Piatt County Pilot was started in April, 1896, by L. S. Kilborn and Son. It was run by them as an independent concern until the following November, when it was purchased by a stock company incorporated under the name "Piatt County Pilot." C. H. Kilborn was chosen editor and manager. In May, 1900, it was purchased by L. S. Kilborn and Son, the present owners.

The Monticello Bulletin is the oldest paper in the county. The name has . been changed a number of times, but the Bulletin can justly be claimed to be the successor, several gnerations removed of the Monticello- Times, whose first issue was printed in November, 1856. Mr. James D. Moody pub- ; lished the paper for a short time, and then sold out to J. C. Johnson. Mr. Johnson sold, out to James Outten. After a time Mr. Outten sold an interest in the paper to Mr. Hassett, and the name of the paper was changed to the Sucker State, The paper was next edited by Messrs. Gillilancl and Tritt. Thomas Milligan succeeded them, and the name of the paper was changed to the Conservative. W. E. Lodge edited the paper from 1862 to 1864, at which time he sold out to N. E. Rhoades, and the paper was conducted under the auspices of the Union League. In the political campaign of 1864 the paper was called The Piatt County Union and was edited by M. A. Bates. In 1865 the paper was sold to Jas. M. Holmes, and the name was changed to the Piatt Independent.

It was published under this name for about seven years, and then the name was changed to the Piatt Republican. In 1876 the paper was sold to H. B. Funk, and became as the Monticello Bulletin, and has since been run under that name. Mr. Funk edited the paper , for several years. W. E. Krebs is remembered by our citizens as the witty editor of the Bulletin. Mr. Krebs sold out to Mr. Evan Stevenson, who edited the paper very ably for about a year. C. E. Gaumer was the next editor, who sold out to H. W. Buckle, the present editor and manager.

In June; 1901, the Board of Supervisors visited the county farm to see what was needed there. It was found that the buildings were inadequate, and at the request of the committee on public buildings and grounds, Mr. C. S. Bainum, a professional architect, prepared plans and designs for buildings needed to cost about twelve thousand dollars. The buildings were to be of brick, two stories and a basement, with slate roof, and to be provided with convenient and modern equipment. The plans were presented to the Board of Supervisors, and with some modifications, were accepted, and Mr. Bainum was directed to prepare complete plans and specifications. The lx>ard advertised for bids, and on the 26th of August, the contract was let to George Lux for $11,750.

The buildings were completed the next year, and formally accepted by the Board of Supervisors. The buildings are all of brick, heated by steam, and are very comfortable and convenient. They are three stories high the sleeping rooms on the lower floor being provided with iron grated doors, so that the occupant can be locked in the rooms if necessary. One part of the building is set apart for the men, another for the women.

Following is a complete list of the poor farm Stewarts : James G. Miner, E. Carver, G. Turk, Solomon Leitz, W. R. Hyde, John Lohr, W. R. Hyde, D. R. Kemper, George A. Lindsley, Ben Cole.

Court House And Jail

At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors held September 10, 1902, on motion of William L. Plunt, of Sangamon township, it was decided to submit to the voters at the next general election, a proposition to issue the bonds of the county to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, to erect a court house to cost not more than seventyfive thousand dollars, and to repair the jail at a cost not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.

A great deal of interest was taken in the matter, and the proposition was vigorously discussed by our newspapers and citizens, which discussion continued up to the election which was held November 4, 1902.

The result of the election was a majority of 167 votes in favor of the proposition to issue the bonds of the county for the purpose of building new court house, and repairing jail.

Steps were at once taken to get suitable plans for the new building. A committee from the Board of Supervisors was appointed to visit a number of county seats and inspect the court houses.

prepare suitable plans and specifications. The contract was let July 8, 1903, to H. B. Walters, of Danville, for seventy-five thousand dollars, building to be completed by July 15, 1904. It is to be a three story brick building, with modern conveniences.

On the lower floor on the east side will be the office and vault of the county treasurer, and in the south east corner the Board of Suprvisors' room.

In the northwest corner will be the rooms of the county school superintendent. South of these will be the vault of the county clerk, and in the southwest corner will be a public waiting room.

On the second floor above the rooms of the county superintendent will be the office of the sheriff. South of this will be the rooms of the county clerk.

The county court room extends across the south end of this floor. In the southeast corner is the office of the county judge. Just north of him is the state's attorney's office, and north of that the office and vault of the circuit clerk.

On the third floor is the circuit court room. In addition to this, there is a room for the law library, the circuit judges' private room, the attorney's consultation room, the petit jury room, the grand jury room, ladies' waiting room, and gentlemen's waiting room

The heating plant for the building is at the jail. The old court house was sold at public auction on May 26th, and bought by Lodge Bros., for $138.01, which included the heating plant and the plumbing. By .the first of August the entire building was torn down, and the work of getting the ground in shape for the new building commenced.

twelve thousand, four hundred and eightyeight dollars, work to be completed in four months. The contract for the cell work was let to Van Dorn Iron Works Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, for eight thousand, six hundred dollars.

The contract for the heating plants for court house and jail, and for laying of mains was awarded to Field, Shorb & Co., of Decatur, for fifteen hundred dollars, and four dollars per lineal foot for laying the mains.

States' Attorney County Judges

James Reber, John Hughes, James Ater, A. G. Boyer, H. C. McComas, G. L. Spear, Hiram Jackson, William McReynolds, W. G. Cloyd, H. E. Huston, M. R. Davidson, and F. M. Shonkiveler. the present official.

County Clerks

Joseph King, J. D. Hillis, James F. Outten, J. L. Miller, W. F. Cox, J. A. Helman, W. L. Ryder, John Porter, A. L. Rodgers and B. F. Kagey, the present county clerk.

County Superintendents

At first this officer was called school commissioner. The school commissioners were as follows : Joseph King, W. H. Piatt, George A. Patterson, Joseph Kee, Thomas Milligan, John Huston, The first county superintendent was J. W. Coleman. The other county superintendents are as follows : C. A. Tatman, C. J. Pitkin, Mary I. Reed, G. A. Burgess, George N. Snapp, Allen B. Martin, James H. Martin and Charles 'Mclntosh.

Master In Chancery Growth In Population

At first the scholars from Cerro Gordo attended a school situated over in Macon county. The first school house in the township was built in Cerro Gordo on the site of the present school building about 1857. Andrew McKinney was the first teacher in the house, and taught the school for three years.

In 1867 a two-room brick building was erected at a cost of $6,000. In 1873 a tworoom wing of the same size and material was added. In 1881 a one-room frame addition was added. The rooms were heated by stoves, some of which had two, one in either end. This house did service until 1900, when it was replaced by a handsome sixroom modern building, heated by a furnace, and modern in every respect. In 1900 the high school course was revised and enlarged and made four years instead of three. Its work was also accredited at the State University. The following is a list of its principals: Andrew McKinney, Mr. Green, John Carver, Mr. Welch, P. H. Harris, £. Duncan, A. D. Beckhart, T. C. Fuller, Miss Olive E. Coffeen, Joshua Thorpe, A. R. Jolly, B. F. Stocks, W. S. Hall, George N. Snapp, W. H. Givler, J. E. Wooters, I. C. Baker, John Loeffler, C. O. DuBois, A. L. Starr, George S. Morris, S. Cass and Earl O. Snider.

first principal and was followed by A. D. Beckhart. W. H. Chamberlain, Allen S. Stults, John A. Smith, Frank East, Mr. McKinney, Charles Hughes, M. M. Morris, Joel Dunn, George E. Stuart, John J. Wilkinson, A. C. Duncan, C. C. Walsh, Thomas Gilvere, Charles Mclntosh, J. P. Rose, I. N. Biebinger, Warren Sanders, George F. Arps, F. S. Betz and Mattie G. Johnson, the present principal. Milmine is a two-room school, and its pupils have been making very creditable showings in central and final examinations recently.

La Place

The LaPlace school building was erected in 1884. It was a two-room building, erected by Josiah Gunkle, the contract price being $1,999.40. The school board at that time consisted of A. S. Hawthorne, president; James A. Fleck, clerk, and S. S. Miller. In 1903 they built a two-room addition to the house, the contractor being Frank Michael. The cost of the new building and the repairs on the old was $2,250. The list of teachers is as follows: 1884, George S. Morris and Alta Dawson ; 1885, George S. Morris and Naomi Smith; 1886, J. A. Hardenbrook and Naomi Smith; 1887, E. O. Humphrey and Nellie Espy; 1888, E. O. Humphrey and Maye Gannon; 1889-1897, A. C. Duncan and Maye Gannon; 1897 and 1898, Arthur Verner and Nellie Hoyt; 1899, J. E. Underwood and Mary Mohler; 1900, J. E. Underwood and Mary Mohler; 1901, J. E. Underwood and Alice Dillow; 1902, J. E. Underwood and Minerva Goodrich ; 1903, J. E. Underwood, Grace Hobson and Minerva Goodrich.

The high school course was revised in 1903 and now consists- of three years work. The enrollment in the school is 110. The school sentiment in the district is good.

Pleasant View and Centennial have fine groves in the school yard and the properties HI each of the above districts is well kept up. Lintner district is contemplating the 'erection of a new school house.

The first settlers in Cerro Gordo township were the Cunninghams, who settled north of La Place. The first who settled in the neighborhood of Cerro Gordo were the Howells, who came in before the railroad was built. After the railroad was completed the settlers came in rapidly. The first town called Griswold, but when the postoffice was moved from north of town on what was known as the "Gordy Beck" place (on the stage line between Monticello and Decatur), the name of the postoffice came with it, and the place was called Cerro Gordo instead of Griswold. The first house in the town was the section house for the railroad hands. Andrew McKinney put up the first dwelling. and he and A. L. Rodgers conducted the first general merchandise store in the town.

John Prosser was the first physician and John Fields was the first blacksmith in the town. The first school building was erected in 1866, and the first church in 1857.

The Presbyterian church of this place was organized in Willow Branch township, but most of its members moved into Cerro Gordo. The church building was erected about 1860. Originally, the congregation \vas large, but the membership is small at present.

The M. E. church building was erected about 1866 by Mr. John Smith, and dedicated by Rev. Hiram Buck. In recent years a handsome modern church building has been erected, and the church is in good condition.

The German Baptist church was built in 1878, at a cost of about $2,000, and was donated together with the ground on which it stands, by Mr. Metzger.

LaPlace was laid off in 1873, and was named by G. W. Stoner. The first house built in the town was the hotel erected in 1874. Jacob Reedy was the first postmaster of the town, Dr. Pierson the first physician. The M. E. church was organized in the fall of 1874. The church building was erected in 1877. The two-room school building was erected in 1884, and a two-room addition to this in 1903. The John S. Ater Bank was- started there several years ago. The country around LaPlace is very fine farming country and a great deal of grain is marketed each year. There is a strong lodge of Odd Fellows who own a two-story brick building with lodge room above.

Milmine was originally called Farnsworth. and was laid out by Enos Farnswcrth, who put up the first residence in the town. Mr. Farnsworth sold the plat to Milmine and Kerns. Milmine and Boclman opened the first store, which was run by E. B. Sprague. The first postoffice was kept by Hiram Barber, and was called Milmine. a name now given to the town.

The Christian church was organized in 1879. They have a very nice comfortable church. The Church of God also has an organization, and a good building.

Lintner is a small station in this township on the I. D. & W. railroad. It was named, from William Lintner, of Decatur. who formerly owned a great deal of land in that vicinity. It has a general store, a grain elevator, a blacksmith shop and several dwellings. It is a good grain market.