Freeport Township (part 10 of 10)

1902, on West Stephenson street, and occupies the building formerly owned by the late Horatio Burchard, who sold it to the Globe Hospital about seven years before his death. He had occupied it himself for fifteen years, and previous to that time, it had been the residence of Colonel Shaffer, who was afterward appointed governor of Utah. As the original building was somewhat small, it was enlarged, and fitted up with the latest and best modern hospital equipments, including fine operating rooms, an X-ray room, elevator, heating plant, electric lights, etc. There are forty-two beds in the hospital, and on an average twenty patients are being cared for at the hospital at all seasons.

The hospital was originally a part of the Knights of the Globe Home, and it was intended that the hospital should supplement the larger institution. The hospital has, however, become the most important part of the home, and has taken an important place among the hospitals, not only of Freeport, but of northern Illinois. Dr. W. W. Krape was the founder of the hospital, as he was of the Order of the Knights of the Globe, and has since continued to be identified with the directing staff.

There is no regularly appointed medical staff. The physicians of Freeport and of the county have all been considered as members of the staff, and every physician within a radius of fifty miles is considered as a member of the medical advisory staff. The work of the hospital is strictly charitable. No person suffering or needing care, whose disease is not a prohibited contagious one, has ever been turned away from Globe Hospital because of inability to pay. The institution was founded with charitable work in view, and has since done yearly charitable work to the extent of about $500 per annum. The nurses of Globe Hospital are at the command of rich and poor alike outside of the hospital whenever needed.

There is a great demand for an old people's home and orphanage in connection with Globe Hospital, and in the near future the management expects to erect a cottage for old people on the hospital grounds. A number of rooms have been set aside at the hospital for the accommodation of old people, but arrangements are not yet entirely satisfactory. It would indeed be a public service if some philanthropic citizen were to give money for the erection of a home and orpahanage,

There is also a nurses' training school, founded in 1903, which is conducted in connection with the hospital. Nineteen nurses have graduated from the school since its foundation. Miss Anna R. Pengilly, superintendent of the hospital, is in charge of the school, assisted by Miss Emma Bluhm, head nurse. A nurses' cottage of eight rooms has been erected on the grounds adjoining the hospital.

No hospital has a greater patronage than Globe Hospital. The delightful situation of the hospital, the careful and painstaking treatment which patients receive, and the excellent equipment of the institution have given Globe Hospital a name and reputation among every class of citizen in Freeport. The hospital is, of course, entirely non-sectarian, and aims to serve every one of its patients without discrimination as to religious belief, or any other consideration of the sort. A large number of patients are cared for annually, and the capacities of the hospital building are taxed to the utmost. An addition to the building is contemplated in the near future, if sufficient funds can be secured for its completion. The hospital is in every way an ideally conducted institution, and all who have enjoyed its privileges have testified as to the excellent manner in which the patients are cared for.

King'S Daughters Settlement Home

There have been numberless charitable organizations in the city of Freeport, and some of them have put in some really effective work. But, until the founding of the King's Daughters Settlement Home, there was a lack of system, an absence of unified and continuous effort, which rendered a great part of the earnest and conscientious labor as good as worthless. Since that organization has taken upon itself the bulk of charitable work among the poor of the city, the results have not only been gratifying, but in many cases astonishing. Much of the labor carried on by the settlement home is of the sort that cannot be written about. There is no publicity attached to it, and the vast majority of the townspeople know very little about the deal of good which is being done daily in the little rooms of East Stephenson street. Too much credit cannot be given to the earnest and unceasing labors of the noble women who have given their lives to the work of reclaiming lost souls and bettering the condition of Freeport's poor, socially, morally, religiously, and materially. There has been no "spread eagle" about the settlement work and, in fact, the ladies connected with the project have been so modest concerning their undertaking that the public in general is uniformed as to the achievements of the past six years. A historical sketch cannot pretend to give any idea of the amount of good which has been done by the settlement home, but it may perhaps convey something of the scope of the work, and the branches of activity which have been taken up by the ladies in charge.

The King's Daughters Settlement Home was organized in 1904, but not incorporated until September 13, 1909. It was an outgrowth of the Deaconess Home, which was carried on under the supervision of the two Methodist churches of the city. The deaconesses aimed to carry on the same sort of work that is at present undertaken by the workers of the settlement home, but the field of their activity was necessarily more limited. The Deaconess' Home was located for a time on the corner of North Galena avenue and West street, and later on - the corner of Van Buren street and Oak place.

For many years the deaconesses had done a good work in Freeport. At length, when, owing to various complications at the time of building the First M. E. Church, that congregation did not feel equal to the task of providing for the maintenance of the work, the deaconesses withdrew from their support altogether, and this wise step enabled them to have the support of all the churches and their congregations, rather than only two of them. A store building was rented on East Stephenson street, in the poorest district of the city, and there under the auspices of the Comforting Circle of King's Daughters, the Settlement Home was established. The three deaconesses who were instrumental in the work were Miss Ollie G. Webster, who has since left the city, Miss Margaret Niblo, and Mrs. Eva M. Bailey.

The home, which was at first known as the Deaconess' Coffee House and Settlement Home, became afterwards known as the King's Daughters Mission and Settlement Home. Nearly two hundred names appeared on the list of subscribers who promised to help provide for the maintenance of the institution - among them many business firms of the city, and the several charitable organizations of the churches, such as the Amity Society, Comforting Circle King's Daughters, Ministering Circle King's Daughters, Women Workers of the First Presbyterian church, etc.

Various departments of instruction, entertainment and education are provided by the settlement workers for the poor of the city. An innovation of the past year has been a class in manual training for the boys, which met with great favor among the boys - so great, indeed, that they clamored for instruction every night in the week instead of one, as was originally offered. Mr. Lebkicher acted as instructor for a while, and was succeeded by Mr. Barrett, who will teach the class next year. There has been also a "Bird Club" for the boys, under the patronage and tutelage of Miss Marion Clark. The aim of the Bird Club was to awake and stimulate humanitarian ideas in the minds of the boys, and to instill a love for the beautiful feathered creatures which are so beneficial to man.

The regular departments of work included the cooking class, the industrial school, the employment bureau, the Sunday school, the mothers' club, as well as the above mentioned organizations. The cooking class is composed of an enthusiastic club of girls under the direction of Miss Laura Clark. Much good must come from this work, as the girls are taught to prepare nutritious foods from inexpensive materials.

The industrial school under the supervision of Mrs. Bailey is one of the most important branches of the work. There are two divisions: the primary department, and the girls' sewing department. Mrs. Bailey has been ably assisted by a corps of eight excellent workers. The primary department has been in charge of the Misses Katharine and Jeannette Porter, Mrs. Osmer, Mrs. Wickler, Miss Marion Clark, and Miss Riefsnyder. The advanced department has been taught by Mrs. Wm. H. Foil, and Mrs. Henry W. Hamilton.

The employment bureau is an important phase of the work. The bureau finds that the supply of workers does not equal the demand for them. If any one in Freeport is without legitimate employment, it must be because that individual has not sought assistance from the King's Daughters Settlement Home Employment Bureau. An effort is made to provide the employer with reliable help, and to secure for an employee a just employer.

The Sunday school meets every Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. The adults' Bible class has been well attended and has been a great boon to mothers and fathers with little ones, who would otherwise be deprived of the privilege of the study of God's word. The young ladies' class holds its session in the parlors upstairs, and is doing much toward inculcating principles of purity in the hearts of these girls. The intermediate class is by far the largest, numbering sometimes thirty-five or forty, and is doing much good. The primary division is flourishing. The attendance is large, and the lesson hour of the class is the happy hour of the week for the little ones. The truths impressed upon their

The mothers' club continues to be one of the most successful of the clubs at the home. The membership has increased, as well as the attendance at the meetings, which are held the second and fourth Thursday afternoons of each month. Many outside friends of the club contribute to the interest and enjoyment of the programs. Instrumental and vocal music, readings, and recitations, besides talks and papers have all helped to make the meetings a success. An effort is being made to induce the members to subscribe for the "Mothers' Magazine," and under the able and enthusiastic direction of the vice president, Mrs. Simmons, the work committee has accomplished much during the year.

The annual budget of the King's Daughters Settlement Home is defrayed by rummage sales, tag day, shower parties, and the subscriptions which must be met through the generosity of the public. Aboard of lady managers is in charge of the work. The officers for the year are: President, Miss Gertrude Converse; vice president, Mrs. J. A. Clark; secretary, Mrs. P. O. Stiver; treasurer, Miss Myrtelle Hoover; workers, Mrs. Eva M. Bailey; Miss Margaret Niblo.

Oakland Cemetery Association

The Oakland Cemetery Association was organized August, 1901, by a company of Freeport gentlemen, nearly all of whom are still connected with the enterprise today. Of the large number of public spirited citizens who united to provide the city of Freeport with more suitable cemetery facilities, the following were elected officers : President, William Trembor ; vice president, C. W. Harden ; secretary, C. F. Hildreth; treasurer, Joseph Emmert; superintendent, Owen T. Smith.

In less than a year, the offices of secretary and superintendent were combined, and Mr. Hildreth resigned from his position. The post of secretarysuperintendent has since been filled by Mr. Smith.

Oakland Cemetery embraces a large tract of wooded land in Florence Township, on the Pearl City road. One hundred and eight acres in all are owned by the association, thirty acres of which are used for cemetery purposes. The original plans of the cemetery were drawn up by O. C. Simonds, a landscape gardener of Chicago, and provide for the further development of thirty additional acres as fast as they are needed. Further than that no plans for the development of the land have been made.

The cemetery sells lots in accordance with the long plan, which provides for the perpetual care of the grounds, A board of trustees is appointed to care for the permanent fund set aside from the income from the sale of lots to insure the perpetual care of the grounds and lots.

The cemetery itself is most beautiful. A description of the growth will be found elsewhere. The place has been in use since August, 1902, when the first burial, that of Mrs. Homer F. Aspimvall, was made. The old soldiers have a lot decorated with cannons from Fort Delaware which were given them by the government. A large number of burials have been made at Oakland Cemetery since the institution was organized, and many lots are at present being moved from the old city cemetery on Lincoln avenue to the new grounds west of the town. The present officers of the association are : President, Joseph Emmert ; vice president, C. W. Harden; treasurer, A. S. Held; secretary-superintendent, O. T. Smith.

The Old Settlers' Association

The Stephenson County Old Settlers' Association has held annual meetings every year beginning in 1870. The meetings are held at Cedarville. The annual meetings have been held in three beautiful groves; first, in Montelius' Grove, then in Addams' Grove, near the schoolhouse, and finally in the present grove north of the village.

In the fall of 1869 the idea of holding annual Old Settlers' Reunions began to take form. December 16, 1879, a public meeting was held in the courthouse at Freeport, to take steps toward an organization. Mr. D. A. Knowlton, Sr., was elected chairman and L. W. Guiteau, secretary. The following committee was appointed to report the following Saturday : James Turnbull and Samuel Gunsaul, Winslow ; Levi Robey and Samuel K. Fisher, Waddams ; Luman Montague and Thomas French, West Point; Williard P. Naramore and Jacob Gable, Kent; Andrew Hinds and Bissell P. Belknap, Oneco; John H. Addams and James M. Smith, Buckeye; Robert Bell and William B. Mitchell, Lancaster; Calvin Preston and Samuel Chambers, Rock Grove; S. E. M. Carnefix and Stephen Seeley, Rock Run; John Brown and Harrison Diemer, Dakota; A. J. Niles and D. W. C. Mallory, Ridott; Charles H. Rosenstiel and Fred Baker, Silver Creek ; Conrad Van Brocklin and Anson A. Babcock, Florence ; Ralph Sabin and John Lamb, Loran ; Samuel Hayes, Jefferson ; Pascal L. Wright and Perez A. Tisdel, Harlem ; Thomas Kaufman and Alanson Bacon, Erin ; E. Ordway, William Smith, W. G. Waddell, Thomas C. Gatliff, Benjamin Goddard, O. W. Brewster, Jere Pattison, George Purinton and Isaac C. Stoneman, Freeport.

At the meeting on Saturday the following committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, to provide a permanent organization and to arrange for future meetings : Geo. Purinton, L. W. Guiteau, M. Hettinger, D. A. Knowlton and W. S. Gray. The next meeting was held January i, 1870, and the following were elected officers : President, Levi Robey ; secretaries, George Purinton and D. H. Sutherland ; treasurer, L. W. Guiteau ; vice presidents, W. H. Eels, B. P. Belknap, Charles T. Kleckner, John Brown, William B. Mitchell, A. W. Lucas, H. P. Waters, F. Baker, Benjamin Goddard, Pascal Wright, C. Van Brocklin, Luman Montague, Hubbard Graves, Jacob Gable, Samuel Hayes and Alanson Bacon.

The first meeting was held in Cedarville, September 6, 1870. President Levi Robey was in the chair. The secretary being absent, on motion, Jackson Richert was elected secretary. On motion of John H. Addams, article three of the constitution was amended to read as follows : "Any person may become a member of this society who is a citizen of Stephenson County, by signing the constitution and paying the sum of twenty-five cents."

A call was made for all old settlers from 1834 to 1840 to stand. Quite a number of ladies and gentlemen stood up. Short speeches and responses were made by President Levi Robey, Luman Montague, Henry Eels, I. W. Guiteau, Levi Lucas, Rev. B. H. Cartright and others. It was voted to hold the next meeting August 30, 1871, at Cedarville.

The second meeting held August 30, 1871, in Montelius' Grove. Cedarville was well attended, Levi Robey, president, and Jackson Richart, secretary. Music well, Oneco; J. Radebaugh, Winslow; Luman Montague, West Point; Hubbard was furnished by the Cedarville Glee Club. The vice presidents were : L. Cald- Graves, Waddams; F. Bolender, Buckeye; John Brown, Dakota; W. C. Lunks, Rock Run ; R. Farburn, Ridott ; R. Bell, Lancaster ; T. L. Wright, Harlem ; B. Goddard, Freeport ; E. Bacon, Erin ; J. B. Timms, Kent ; S. Hayes, Loran ; Conrad Van Brocklin, Florence; F. Baker, Silver Creek; Dr. W. P. Narramore, Lena.

Levi Robey and wife stood up at the call for 1834; L. Montague, S. Chambers, Mr. Berry and J. B. Timms for 1835; L. Goodrich, 1836; T. Wilcoxen, J. Richert, G. H. Barber, Josiah Clingman, 1837; B. Belknapp, C. Caldwell, M. Bolender, J. Murdock and S. Rotrough, 1838. Speeches were made by Levi Robey, Luman Montague, S. Chambers, J. B. Timms, T. Wilcoxen, Mr. Belknapp, Mr. Rotrough and Rev. B. H. Cartwright. The main theme of the speeches was the conditions of the early days, with special reference to the friendship and sociability of the people.

At the meeting of 1872, August 28, at Montelius' Grove, President Robey presided and Rev. Donmeyer offered prayer. On motion of J. H. Addams, a committee was appointed to draft a new constitution, the old one having been lost. The chairman appointed the following: J. H. Addams, Judge Hines, Hon. James Taggart, Fred Bolender and Michael Gift. The meeting in 1873 was held in Montelius' Grove, Levi Robey president. Rev. John Lynn offered prayer. Music was furnished by the Dakota Brass Band. L. W. Guiteau, Fred Bolender and William Wright were appointed to secure some one to make an historical address in 1874. A committee of one from each township was appointed to secure statistics of the early settlements.

The annual meeting of 1874 was held in Addams' Grove near the Union school, Cedarville. At this meeting William Wright read a sketch of Harlem Township's early settlers.

In 1878, August 28, J. H. Addams, chairman of the obituary committee, reported the deaths of Conrad Van Brocklin, E. Ordway, James Brown, Johnathan Reitzell, John B. Johnson, Martin Brubaker. Samuel Lapp. Solomon Rutheroff, Charles Smallwood, W. Pundlett, Mrs. Gross, P. T. Ellis and Mrs,

August 25, 1880, was a rainy day but the attendance was fair. Vice president, John H. Addams, presided. The following deaths were reported: George Reitzell, L. W. Guiteau, John Wilson, James Hart, Samuel Bechtold, George Lamb, Mrs. Aaron Chamberlain, Mrs. Isaac Stoneman, Mrs. Andrew St. John, Reuben Laver, John Gregory, John Seidler, Henry Smith, Joseph Baumgartner and Adam Hutmacher.

In 1881, General Smith D. Atkins addressed the meeting, August 31. Rev. James Schofield and D. A. Knowlton, Dr. Fred Byers, of Monroe, Rev. Kroh, Hon. R. R. Hitt, Hon. H. C. Burchard and D. S. Brewster also spoke. Bissell P. Belknapp was elected president.

In 1884 Dr. W. P. Narramore was president; John Wright, secretary; and Henry Richert, treasurer. Speeches were made by Major N. C. Warner of Rockford, by Thomas French, S. D. Atkins, O. B. Munn, Hiram Clingman and Dr. Narramore.

August 26, 1885, Hon. Isaac Rice of Ogle County made the address of the day. At the 1886, General Atkins, Giles Turneaure and W. P. Narramore were made obituary committee. Hon. J. S. Cochran, Hon. E. L. Taylor, Judge Dinwiddie, Isaac Kleckner and Levi Robey spoke.

In 1887 Dr. Fred Byers, General Smith D. Atkins and Hon. Michael Stoskopf addressed the meeting. In 1888 Rev. John Lynn, Professor C. C. Snyder, Hon. R. H. Wiles, James McNamara, Levi Robey and General Smith D. Atkins were the speakers.

In 1889, August 28, the music was by the Henney Band. The speakers were Rev. H. A. Ott, Freeport, H. M. Timms, R. R. Hitt, Levi Robey and H. C. Burchard.

In 1890 the officials were Dr. W. P. Narramore, president ; J. W. Adams, secretary; and Henry Richert, treasurer. The speaker of the day was Governor J. W. Fifer. John K. Brewster and S. J. Dodds also addressed the meeting.

In 1908, Dr. Narramore resigned the office of president. He had served twenty-five years, with the exception of one year when David Brewster was president. In 1908 General Smith D. Atkins was elected president, a position he still holds. Frank W. Clingman has been secretary since 1897.

In 1909 about one thousand eight hundred people attended the Old Settlers' Annual Meeting. Hon. Charles B. Selby was the orator of the day. Speeches were also made by Hon. Stephen Rigney and Hon. Martin Dillon.

President Smith D. Atkins has arranged for the 1910 meeting to be held August 31, at Cedarville. Good music and an orator of reputation will be secured.

The program has been completed for the forty-first annual meeting of the old settlers of Stephenson county, which will be held in the Old Settlers' grove, one-quarter of a mile northeast of Cedarville, Wednesday, August 31. A feature of the day's outing will be the old-fashioned basket picnic at noon. The chief speaker of the day will be Honorable Benson Wood, of Effingham. Mr. Wood is one of the best known orators in the state. He is an ex-member of congress and is also prominent in G. A. R. circles, having been commander of the G. A. R. department of Illinois.

The officers of the association are: Smith D. Atkins, president; Henry Richart, treasurer ; F. W. Clingman, secretary ; Clinton Fink, obituary secretary ; executive committee, M. B. Humphrey, Wm. Clingman, S. B. Barber, Jr., J. F. Kryder, S. W. Frank and Luther Angle.

It is expected that the gathering this year will be fully up to the record set last year when between two and three thousand were present. Honorable Charles E. Selby, of Springfield, was the speaker a year ago. The old settlers have always been addressed by able men of the state, such leading citizens of Illinois as Cullom, Lowden and Oglesby having been on previous programs. The first meeting was held in Freeport, forty-one years ago and there are some living today who attended that initial gathering. It is expected that Freeport will send a large delegation to Cedarville the last day of this month. - The Journal.

The Great Storm Of June, 1869

On June 19, 1869, Freeport was the victim of a most violent storm. The wind was terrific and for hours the rain poured in torrents. The branch south of Galena street over-flowed, cellars were filled, the south part of town was cut off and people could not get to their homes. The sidewalk at Chicago street was washed away some distance. Damage was extensive at Kuehners, Pattison's Machine Shop, Hoebels and the Gas Works. John B. Taylor's Tannery, on Jackson street, suffered a loss of over $3,000, the dam being washed out, the vats swept away, and eighty cords of bark and forty sides of leather washed away. All over town large trees were blown down. The barber shop at the corner of Van Buren and Stephenson streets, under Pelton & Company's Jewelry store was flooded. The cellars of John Hoebel's saloon and of the middle ditch, Potter & Company, wholesale liquor house were also flooded. The total damage to Freeport was estimated at $50,000.

The Courthouse

The present courthouse was begun in 1870 and finished in 1873. To make way for the new structure the old building was hauled away to the lower end of Douglas avenue and used as a machine shop. The first courthouse was built by Thomas J. Turner who took the contract from the county commissioners in 1837. Julius Smith directed the work of getting out the timbers in the winter of 1837-8. It was a two-story frame structure, and in its earliest day was considered a marvel of architecture. A writer of an early history says it was considered to surpass in size and elegance all other buildings west of Detroit and north of St. Louis. It stood as Stephenson County's Temple of Justice from 1838 to 1870. During that time many notable men did duty within its walls as judges or as attorneys at the bar. Among those were Martin P. Sweet, Seth B. Farwell, Thomas J. Turner, Thompson Campbell, Thomas Drummond, Joseph L. Hoge, James L. Loop, Joseph Knox, Jason Marsh, Benjamin R. Sheldon, E. D. Baker, E. B. Washburne, Burnap, Charles Betts, John A. Clark, U. D. Meacham, H. C. Burchard, J. M. Bailey, F. W. S. Brawley, John Coates, J. C. Kean, Hiram Bright, Charles F. Bagg, Thomas F. Goodhue and others.

During the early days the old courthouse served as a meeting place for new congregations before they could build churches. It was there too that mass meetings were held, conventions and railroad meetings, but as early as 1850 citizens and the newspapers began to complain that the old courthouse was not in keeping with the progress of the county. It was argued that a community would be known by its public buildings, and Freeport should have a more modern structure as a means of attracting settlers and building up the town. But there was always opposition, and no definite steps were taken toward the erection of a new building till 1869.

The board of supervisors in 1869 consisted of the following: Charles H. Rosenstiel, John Burrell, J. A. Grimes, George Osterhort, C. F. Mayer, H. H. Becker, Francis Boeke, James McFatrick, S. K. Fisher, Peter Marlin, James A. Templeton, H. O. Frankeberger, Andrew Hinds, Samuel Wilber, John H. Williams, Ralph Sabin and A. A. Babcock. A committee was instituted to secure plans for a new courthouse, to cost not exceeding $80,000. This was April 22, 1869. On. February 22, 1870, the plans of E. E. Myers of Springfield were accepted. The contract to build the new house was let to A. Walbaum & Company. A building committee consisting of S. K. Fisher, Ralph Sabin, George Osterhort, A. P. Goddard, Andrew Hinds and Peter Marlin, was appointed April 23. During the summer the corner stone was laid. The new courthouse was dedicated February 22, 1873. The total cost of building and equipment was $130,413.56. The building is of stone, 99 x 80, four stories high including basement and mansard roof. The clock was placed in the tower by A. W. Ford, who is still in business as a jeweler in Freeport near the City Hall. The clock weighed two thousand pounds. The pendulum is eight and a half feet long, and the weights necessary to run the clock weigh nine hundred and fifty pounds. The clock was built by the Seth Thomas & Sons, of Connecticut. The bell weighs one thousand eight hundred and fifty pounds and was cast at the foundry of E. A. & G. Meneley of Troy, New York.

On the first floor, following around to the right, are the following offices in order : County clerk, county treasurer, county court, county supervisors, county sheriff, and clerk of the circuit court. On the second floor, in the northwest corner, is the office of the county superintendent. Until the winter of 1909-10, the state's attorney had his office in the southeast corner of the building. At that time Hon. Louis H. Burrell, state's attorney, moved the office to a suite of rooms over the Knowlton Bank. The room vacated is now used by the state's attorney only during the time that court is in session.

The county superintendent uses the two rooms on the top floor, one as an examination room and one as a library and reading room for teachers. This was established by County Superintendent Cyrus Grove in the fall of 1909.

At present, the circuit room is being remodeled. It has always possessed poor accoustic qualities. The court room is to be smaller. Jury rooms, a witness room and a room to be added to the county superintendent's office are to be cut off the old court room.

The first county jail was built of logs, probably by Thomas J. Turner, in'i It was located on the corner of Cherry and Exchange, now the site of the First Ward school. Before the jail was completed, prisoners were guarded, it is said, by armed citizens. The old log jail did a big business in its day. The presence of outlaws, counterfeiters, horsethieves and claim-jumpers in the community made frequent demands for jail space. Breaking out of jail was not uncommon, for the class of criminals of that day was desperate in the extreme. The "night watch," patrolling the premises was necessary to establish reasonable security. Before the log jail was completed, a few law breakers were imprisoned in William Baker's root house.

The criminal business soon outgrew the log jail, partly for lack of room and partly, too, for greater security. The "Little Stone Jug" was adopted as a county jail. This stone bastile was located north of the present jail. The citizens now believed that jail deliveries would cease. In this belief they were disappointed, for the passion for freedom was strong.

It is one of the anomalies of history that a progressive civilization demands jail facilities that are both secure and commodious. In the fall of 1875, the county supervisors, under the inspiration of a large jail delivery, decided to build a new bastile. This action was taken November 4, and a committee appointed to secure specifications for a jail to cost not exceeding $35,000. The committee consisted of John Erfert, A. H. Hinds, J. H. Pierce and F. A. Darling.

The committee visited Rockford, Joliet, Dixon and Monroe and inspected" the jails of those cities. The contract was finally let to W. H. Myers, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who completed the present jail at the corner of Exchange and North Galena. The plans were furnished by T. J. Tolan & Sons, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The building is made of brick and stone, contains the home for the sheriff besides the county jail. The total cost of the building and lot completed, was $40,553.00.

The Freeport Postoffice

The Freeport Postoffice has kept pace with the growth and development of the county. The spring of 1836 the mail was delivered by Thomas Grain, founder of Grain's Grove. There was no established office till 1837 when B. R. Wilmot became postmaster in a small room on Galena street. In 1842 L. W. Guiteau was postmaster with an office at the corner of South Galena ave. and Galena streets. The mail was received daily by the stage. Hon. Thomas J. Turner was next in position and kept the office in his residence in Galena street between Van Buren and Chicago streets. From 1843 to ^49 Attorney A. T. Green was the town postmaster. The office was at the corner of Van Buren and Galena streets and later at the corner of Chicago and Stephenson. George Reitzell conducted the office at the corner of Van Buren and Stephenson streets from May, 1849, to 1853, when F. W. S. Brawley took charge at the corner of North Galena ave. and Exchange streets. From 1858 to 1861 Mr. Charles S. Bagg conducted the office at the corner of Chicago and Exchange streets and was succeeded by Mr. C. K. Judson who served till 1865 when General Smith D. Atkins was appointed by President Lincoln. An attempt to have Mr. Atkins removed because he was not a follower of the Andrew Johnson faction failed. The General continued to hold the office under General Grant's Presidency, and it was said that he was the only postmaster who remained under Grant that had served during Johnson's term. General Atkins continued to hold the office under Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. The election of Qeveland in 1884 and again in 1892, caused the appointment of Democrat and Mr. John F. Smith served from 1885 to 1889, and F. Charles Donohue from 1893 to 1897. From 1889 to 1893, during Harrison's term, General Atkins was again postmaster and in 1897, after the election of McKinkley he was again appointed and has since held the position by appointment under President Roosevelt and President Taft. During these 45 years of service as postmaster, under Presidents Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft, the business of the office has had a remarkable growth, the rural delivery and city delivery systems have been established and the present government building erected. Today Freeport has a more efficient service and a better building than most cities of her population.

The county officials now holding office are: County Judge, A. J. Clarity, of Lena; County Clerk, Fred C. Held; Circuit Clerk, C. D. Cramer; State's Attorney, Louis H. Burrell ; Sheriff, William C. Milner ; County Treasurer, Barton G. Cooper; County Superintendent of Schools, Cyrus Grove; County Surveyor, W. H. Butterfield; Coroner, Dr. M. M. Baumgartner. The Board of Review consists of : James Rezner, chairman; H. N. Hartzell, secretary, and Al. Freuh. The Board of Supervisors for 1910-11 is made up of the following: Town. Supervisor. Postoffice.

Standing Committees Iqio-Ii City Improvements

During the last ten years of progress in all lines, extensive city improvements have been made in Freeport. A broader public spirit has been manifested in support of various civic enterprises. The electric street-lighting system has doubled. Miles of macadam and brick streets have been built till Freeport from a city having the poorest streets in the state, has won a reputation for having the best. The work of building good streets so well maintained by Mayor Oilman's administration, is being kept up under Mayor Rawleigh. The extension of water mains and the increase in the number of hydrants, with the additions to the equipment and force of the fire department, make Freeport one of the safest cities in Illinois. Charles Hall, as Chief of Police, has proved to be eminently satisfactory, and has a corps of good officers working under him. It is sufficient to say, that no city has a more competent body of firefighters than Freeport.

Local Option Campaigns

Freeport has witnessed two Local Option Campaigns, one in 1908, and one in 1910. In the 1908 campaign Mr. J. R.' Jackson was chairman of the local Anti-Saloon League, or Civic League, and Edward L. Burchard, was secretary and chairman of the publicity committee. Mr. D. F. Graham, was vice president and Mr. Fred Hoefer treasurer. Mr. Edward Bushelle was president of the Local Liquor Dealers Association during both campaigns. This campaign of 1908 was hotly contested from start to finish, both sides making extensive use of the daily press and the opera house. The bitterness aroused during the campaign was not less than that experienced during Civil war times. When one of the most strenuous election days in the history of Freeport was over and the votes counted, the Civic League had lost by 714 votes. In the campaign of 1908 Mr. J. R. Jackson was again president of the Civic League, with J. R. Leckley, secretary. This was a more quiet campaign and the Civic League lost by a much larger vote.

General Lodge Directory

There are at present in Freeport as many as seventy-six different social, fraternal, and secret organizations, a list of which is hereby appended. Twelve of these are Masonic, and six are of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Three are connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, and a number of them are church societies. The following constitute the list, the names of officers together with the place and time of meeting being in each case given :

A. F. & A. M., Excelsior Lodge No. 97. Officers: Roy Burkhart, W. M.; C. C. Wolf, secretary. Meeting, first and third Fridays. Place, Masonic Temple.

A. F. & A. M., Evergreen Lodge No. i7o. Officers: Timothy Stultz, W. M. ; W. N. Cronkrite, secretary. Meeting, first and third Mondays. Place, Masonic Temple.

Equitable Fraternal Union. Officers: President, H. J. Keith; secretary, John A. Meyer. Meets second and fourth Wednesdays. Place, K. of P. hall.

G. A. R., John A. Davis Post No. 98. Officers: Fred. C. Held, commander; John Rotzler, secretary. Meeting, first and third Tuesdays. Place, city hall.

/. 0. 0. F., Stephen A. Douglas Encampment No. 100. Officers : C. P. Allen Janssen; Chas. Meyer, high priest; A. F. Dittman, secretary. Meeting, second and fourth Friday. Place, Odd Fellows' hall.

/. 0. 0. F., Illinois Lodge No. 259, Rebekah Degree. Officers: Anna Jackson, N. grand; A. Roberts, recording secretary. Meeting, first and third Saturdays. Place, Odd Fellows' hall.

The Homesteaders, No. 257. Officers : President, Alvin Ulrich ; secretary, J. P. Scanlon. Place of meeting, K. of P. hall first and third Friday.

G. A. R., Ladies of the G. A. R., John Brown Taylor Circle. Officers: Mrs. T. M. Kaufman, president; Mrs. J. A. Gale, secretary. Meeting, first and third Wednesday afternoons. Place, city hall.

Home Fraternal League. Officers: A. J. Robson, president; Maud L. Bowers, secretary. Meeting, second and fourth Thursday. Place, K. of P. hall.

/. 0. F., Court Mohawk, No. 3/07. Officers: W. C. Rubendall, chief ranger; Al. Luebbing, recording secretary. Meeting, first and third Tuesday. Place, K. of P. hall.

Improved Order of Redmen, IVinneshiek Wigivam No. 345. Officers : R. D. Kuehner, sachem ; F. J. O'Rourk, C. of R. Place of meeting, Odd Fellows' hall.

Knights of Pythias, Freeport Lodge No. 452. Officers: A. O. Hart, C. C. ; Frank J. Becker, K. of R. and S. Meeting, every Monday, 8 P. M., 125 Stephenson street.

Knights and Ladies of Honor, Germania Lodge No. 1544. Officers : Fred. Rosemeier, Cf . Proc. ; F. P. Ohden, secretary. Meeting, second fourth Tuesdays. Place, 98 Stephenson street.

Knights of Columbus, Freeport Council No. 653. Officers: John Manion, Gr. Kt. ; John Peck, recording secretary. Meeting, first and third Tuesday. Place, 75 Chicago street.

Modern Woodmen of America, Cherry Camp No. 64. Officers : Tory Johnson, V. C. ; John De Jongh, clerk. Meeting, first and third Wednesday. Place, Seitz hall.

Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 679. Officers: Henry Kirchhaefer, president; J. D. Lilly, secretary. Meeting, first and third Thursday. Place, Seitz hall.

R. A. M., Freeport Chapter No. 23. Officers: J. M. Munn, H. P.; C. C. Wolf, secretary. Meeting, first and third Tuesdays. Place, Masonic Temple.

R. N. A., Cherry Blossom Camp No. 260. Officers are: Mrs. Frances Ohlendorf, oracle; Mrs. Alvina Taylor, recorder. Meeting, second and fourth Wednesdays. Place, Seitz hall.

Sons of Veterans Auxiliary, Smith D. Atkins' Camp, Lodge No. 27. Officers : Maud L. Bowers, president ; Nellie Altenbern, secretary. Meeting, first and third Friday. Place, G. A. R. hall.

Stars of Equity, Freeport Assembly No. i. LeRoy Lattig, president ; J. N. Wagner, secretary. Meeting, first and third Tuesday. Place, 127 Stephenson street.

Sons of Veterans, Smith D. Atkins Camp No. 400. Officers: G. F. Korff, c. ; Ray Williams, secretary. Meets second and fourth Tuesdays. Place, G. A. R. hall.

Yeomen of America. Officers: W. J. Burdick, president; Mrs. A. J. O'Neill, secretary. Meeting, second and fourth Tuesday. Place, Seitz hall.

The city of Freeport is known throughout the land in Masonic circles as the home of some of the most progressive and prosperous of the lodges of that fraternity. It is one of the three cities in the state which possess chapters of the Consistory, S. P. R. S., the others being Chicago and Peoria. The first Masonic lodge was organized in Freeport less than fifteen years after the city itself was founded, less than fifteen years after a single log cabin marked the site where a flourishing town was soon to arise, and thus the history of Masonry in Freeport has been coincident with and parallel to the history of the city's growth and progress.

A feature of Masonry in Freeport which has served to exalt the local chapters above those of the surrounding cities has been the number of distinguished names connected with the Freeport organizations. A large number of Freeport Masons have been actively connected with the work of the grand bodies in the state and districts. Among them have been many of Freeport's most prominent citizens, such as Thomas J. Turner, N. F. Prentice, Loyal L. Munn, Jacob Krphn, and M. D. Chamberlain. The leaders in the local work have also been Freeport's most distinguished men, such as R. D. Kuehner, O. E. Heard, J. F. Fair, W. S. Best, C. C. Wolf, Michael Stoskopf, and W. N. Cronkrite.

Sixty years ago the first lodge was organized in Freeport. At first meetings were held in Fisher's building on the corner of Galena street and South Galena avenue (then Exchange 'street). There they remained for some time and then removed to rooms over, the Stephenson County Bank, which was then doing business on the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets. From there they made a third move to rooms in the next building over Cronkrite's store. After a brief sojourn here they transferred their place of meeting to Munn's building and thence to the Fry's Block Hall, where they remained for many years.

As early as 1896 there was serious talk of building a Masonic temple. The Masons of Freeport had long felt that their importance in the city and state warranted building a temple where they could suitably accommodate their societies. Plans were even drawn up and estimates of the probable cost made, but these were all dropped and the structure which was finally built eight years later was very different from the one originally contemplated. In 1904 it was thought best to take some definite action on the subject, and accordingly the consistory voted to take action preparatory to building a temple. They organized themselves into a separate corporation, four hundred strong, and four hundred $100 bonds were issued, each member buying one. These bonds called for interest at three per cent and were made payable at the death of the owner. This ingenious arrangement provided for the payment of the annual dues of the members of the consistory for their lifetime. Ultimately more than four hundred bonds were issued, and the membership of the consistory swelled appreciably. After taking the preliminary steps, a building committee had been appointed, consisting of W. N. Cronkrite, L. H. Burrell, J. F. Fair, O. E. Heard, and R. D. Kuehner, and these five began their work with a will. The Masonic Temple was started in the summer of 1904, completed by the end of the next year, 1905, and formally opened to the public on Thursday the 25th of January, 1906. On that day a public reception was held and the friends of the lodge members were cordially invited to enter and inspect the spacious halls of the temple. The building when completed, had cost nearly $60,000.

On Friday, January 26th, 1906, the next day after the reception, the first lodge meeting was held in the new temple of Excelsior Lodge. On that occasion a past master's night was held, and all past masters of the lodge were present and assisted in the ceremonies of initiation to the third degree. The active officers on that memorable occasion were: C. C. Wolf, master; Charles Green, senior warden; W. H. Irwin, junior warden. The temple has been in use since that date, and has been occupied by the twelve Masonic lodges at present existent in Freeport.

Excelsior Lodge, No. 97. This was the first Masonic lodge organized in Freeport. It was established in 1850, and the first meeting held on February 22nd of that year. No charter was granted at that time by the Grand Lodge of the state, the work being carried on through a dispensation of the grand master of the state. The following Freeporters, Erastus Torry, Julius Smith, Thomas J. Turner, Gershom Rice, and Oscar Taylor, were present at the first meeting, together with S. B. Farwell, John Jackson, and S. H. Fitger, visiting masons. On November 6, 1851, a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of the state, and the society ceased to work under special dispensation. On January 8, 1852, the first officers were installed under the charter, as follows: Julius Smith, W. M.; T. J. Turner, S. W.; Oscar Taylor, J. W. ; J. A. W. Donahoo, treasurer; A. W. Rawson, secretary ; William Scott, S. D. ; Reuben Ruble, J. D. ; James Wright, steward and Giles Taylor, tiler.

Immediately upon its organization, Excelsior Lodge made rapid strides, and to its success must be attributed the subsequent organization of two other lodges, Evergreen, and the Moses R. Thompson Lodge. At the present time, there are only two lodges in existence, the Moses R. Thompson Lodge having consolidated with Excelsior Lodge in January, 1890. Excelsior Lodge numbers three hundred and sixty-two members at present. The officials for the current years are: Roy Burkhary, W. M., and C. C. Wolf, secretary. The lodge meets the first and third Fridays of the month in its room in the Masonic Temple.

Evergreen Lodge No. 170. Evergreen Lodge was organized in April, 1855, under a dispensation granted by the M. W. Grand Master of Illinois to the following Masons : A. T. Green, H. R. Wheeler, Charles Butler, Erastus Torry, James F. Kingsley, William Swanzey, J. F. Ankeney, E. W. Schumway, and G. G. Norton. The first meeting was convened in the Masonic Hall on the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets on the evening of August 16, 1855. During the fifty-five years since that date, meetings have continued to be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. The charter officers elected after the granting of the charter a short time later were J. A. W. Donahoo, W. M., A. T. Green, S. W. ; J. F. Kingsley, J. W.; H. R. Wheeler, treasurer ;. Charles Butler, secretary, J. Crow, S. D. ; J. Thomas, J. D. ; and J. C. Walton, tiler.

Evergreen Lodge now has a membership of one hundred and eighty. The officers at present are Timothy Stultz, W. M., and W. N. Cronkrite, secretary.

After twenty-eight years of existence, Moses R. Thompson Lodge decided to consolidate with Excelsior Lodge. While the membership was large enough to warrant the existence of two strong lodges, it could not support three lodges of uniform strength. As a result, Moses R. Thompson Lodge decided to disband, and has been a part of Excelsior since 1890.

Freeport Chapter, No. 23, of the R. A. M., was chartered September 29, 1854, to a limited number of members with A. W. Rawson, high priest, Erastus Torry, king, arid Julius Smith, scribe. The present officers are J. B. Munn, high priest, and C. C. Wolf, scribe. The chapter has a membership of about two hundred and forty and meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the temple.

It meets at present on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The officers are : Charles F. Knecht, T. I. M. ; C. C. Wolf, recorder. The membership at the present time is one hundred and ten.

Freeport Commandery No. 1, K. T., was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Encampment of the United States on August 19, 1857, A. O., 739, and chartered by the Grand Encampment two years later at its triennial conclave held in Chicago, on October 26, 1859, A. O. 741. On that date a perpetual charter was granted with the following members : Sirs Moses R. Thompson, Homer N. Hibbard, Loyal L. Munn, Henry H. Taylor, N. F. Prentice, Galon G. Norton, James F. Kingsley, H. Richardson, and John M. Way. Sir Moses R. Thompson was elected the first eminent commander.

The commandery meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month in the temple. The present officers are Ralph T. Ryan, eminent commander, and C. C. Wolf, recorder. The membership is two hundred and thirty-four.

Freeport Consistory. The Freeport Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, was established at Princeton, Illinois, and was removed to Freeport on May 14, 1869. It has been the most active Masonic body of Freeport, and consists of the four following lodges :

Grand Lodge of Perfection, which meets on the second Wednesday of the month, has a membership of over six hundred, and is presided over by L. L. Munn, Jr., as T. P. G. M.

Freeport Consistory, of which L. H. Burrell is commander-in-chief. The membership of the consistory is 604, and meetings are held subject to the call of the officers. The Freeport Consistory is one of the three chapters of that body located in the state, the others being at Chicago and Peoria.

Order of the Eastern Star, Freeport Chapter No. 505, was established in the city July 8, 1895, and has a present membership of over three hundred. The officers are Miss Amelia Miller, worthy matron; J. M. Fox, worthy patron; and Mrs. Rebecca M. Stiver, secretary. Meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of the month.

White Shrine of Jerusalem, Capernaum Shrine No. 4, was established in the summer of 1904, by Mrs. Pauline K. Dickes, who became its first worthy high priestees. The present membership of Capernaum Shrine is three hundred, about coincident with that of the Eastern Star. The present officers are Miss Alena

Most Excellent Order of Ancient Chaldeans, Royal Palace No. 2, was instituted in July, 1907, by the Imperial Lodge No. I of Chicago, who were the founders of the order. The charter members at the time of founding numbered eighty-seven. This number has since increased to one hundred and two. The officers of the Freeport Royal Palace are: T. F. Rogers, king; C. C. Wolf, scribe. Meetings are subject to call by the king.

This completes the list of Masonic Lodges in Freeport. The Masonic fraternity has always taken a front rank stand in the social and fraternal circles of the city, partly because of its long standing in Freeport, partly because it has numbered about its members nearly all of the most prominent and influential citizens of the city. Also because of the Masonic Temple, one of the most beautiful buildings of the city today, architecturally and from a utilitarian standpoint. The mere fact that the1 Masonic Lodges were instrumental in the erection of this pile places their brothers among the foremost of Freeport's energetic and patriotic citizens. The property owned by the Masons includes the temple and lot and their appurtenances on Stephenson street between Walnut and Cherry. These are valued at about $75,000.

Odd Fellows

There are eight lodges in Freeport connected with the Independent Order of Od<d Fellows. These are the Freeport Lodge No. 239, the Winneshiek Lodge No. 30, Stephen A. Douglas Encampment No. 100, Stephenson Lodge No. 61, Canton Unity No. 3, two lodges of the honorary Rebekah Degree, Busy Bee Lodge No. 138, and Illinois Lodge No. 259, and Western Star Encampment of Patriachs No. 25.

The Odd Fellows have always played an important role in the fraternal life of Freeport. The Winneshiek lodge, the first one to be instituted in the city, was founded as far back as 1847, and has been almost part and parcel of the city itself, a sharer in all the vicissitudes of the latter's growth. The other lodges are only a few years younger, and all have numbered among their members some of Freeport's most prominent citizens.

The origin of the world organization of Odd Fellows is lost in obscurity. It extends back beyond the fifth century, and there are indications that the fraternity existed in Spain before that time. In Portugal it was introduced in the sixth century, and its existence in France dates from about the twelfth century. From France it was carried to England, and the American Independent Order of Odd Fellows is an outgrowth of English Odd Fellowship. In 1829, in a room of the Seven Stars, an ancient Baltimore hostelry, a circle of men met for the purpose of organizing and establishing an American Odd Fellows' society. The prime mover of the meeting was Thomas Wildey, the father of American Odd Fellowship, and the outcome of the meeting was the organization of Washington Lodge No. i.

Since that time, only eighty-one years ago, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows has spread throughout every state of the Union, and has its lodges in hundreds of cities, villages and hamlets. For about six years after the foundation in Baltimore, the growth of the order was only gradual. Then it took on new impetus and the rapid growth since that date has never for a moment been checked. In 1851 an honorary degree of Odd Fellowship, the Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted, designed to promote fraternal relations between the wives and widows of Odd Fellows.

The first Illinois lodge was established at Alton on August u, 1836, and christened the "Western Star No. i." Since that date the spread of the organization in Illinois has been rapid. The qualifications for admission to the I. O. O. F. are a belief in the Supreme Creator, sound health, good character, and an honorable trade. The members bind themselves by a solemn oath to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, care for the widow, and educate the orphan.

Winneshiek Lodge No. jo. On July 15, 1847, when the city of Freeport was a mere handful of houses and stores, the Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a charter for the organization of a lodge in Freeport to be known as "Winneshiek Lodge No. 30," of which the following men became charter members : Thomas F. Goodhue, E. A. Aiggins, C. G. Strohecker, A. W. Schuler, W. T. McCool, H. G. Moore, S. D. Carpenter, Chas. Powell and S. B. Farwell.

Meetings were first held in the garret of a brick building in that portion of the city which is now the Second Ward, then known as Knowltontown. In time the organization became prosperous, and the place of meeting was changed to one more convenient and better adapted to the needs of the order. After various changes, the I. O. O. F. finally took possession of the hall in the Munn building, which has since continued in their hands, and is known as Odd Fellows' hall. The growth in importance and prosperity of Winneshiek Lodge has been steady and consistent. Some of the famous men of Freeport's history have been connected with the I. O. O. F. and always the order has stood for the best and most advanced in social, fraternal, and charitable circles. None of the charter members of Winneshiek lodge are living, and many of them never returned from the Civil War.

The lodge now numbers about one hundred and seventy members, and has elected for the current year the following officers : Noble grand, W. F. Altemeier ; vice grand, E. L. Yoder ; secretary, Henry Brinkman ; financial secretary, Frank B. Koenig. Meetings are held on Wednesdays in Odd Fellows' hall.

Freeport Lodge No. 239. A large number of German citizens of the Winneshiek lodge had for a number of years wished to organize into a separate lodge where their own mother tongue could be used in the meetings and rituals. In 1857 a portion of them decided to take this step, and a withdrawal from Winneshiek lodge was effected. A charter for the new lodge was petitioned for, and Freeport lodge was duly installed with the following charter members: D. B. Schulte, John Hoebel, Jacob Krohn, Henry Deuermeyer, and William Stine.

Meetings were at first convened in the old Odd Fellows' Hall over the Stephenson County Bank, corner of Chicago and Stephenson streets. The place of meeting was afterward moved to the lodge rooms in Munn's building, now known as Odd Fellows' Hall. Meetings have been held there ever since.

Freeport Lodge has an enrollment of about one hundred members at the present time. Meetings are held every Monday, and the business is conducted by the following officers: Noble grand, George Foss; secretary, Albert Dittman.

Stephenson Lodge No. 61. Stephenson Lodge is the newest acquisition to the ranks of the subordinate Odd Fellows' lodges of Freeport. It was founded in April, 1884, by members who thereupon withdrew from the other two lodges, W. W. Krape being instrumental in its founding. As it was thought best to conduct the business of Stephenson lodge entirely apart from Winneshiek and Freeport lodges, the new society did not meet in the old Odd Fellows' Hall, but secured new quarters in the Rosenstiel building, on the third floor over the store now occupied by H. A. Hunekemeier. Here club rooms have been fitted out, and the fraternal and social side of this lodge is made an especial feature. The membership is ninety-five, having grown from an original fifteen. The officers for the year are: Noble grand, Arthur Graham; secretary, Walter Oswald.

Western Star Encampment of Patriachs No. 25. Encampment No. 25 was founded at Belvidere, Illinois, but was subsequently removed to Freeport. The charter had been granted to Belvidere on the i4th day of October, 1857, and the removal was accomplished within a very short time after that date. The Western Star Encampment is the highest branch of Odd Fellowship and is open to all brothers in good standing who have obtained the Scarlet Degree in the subordinate lodges.

When the encampment was removed to Freeport the charter members were seven in number. The encampment now has a membership of one hundred and twenty-seven, among them some of the most prominent business men of Freeport. The officers are: C. P., Geo. McKnight; scribe, E. S. Auman. Meetings are held

Stephen A. Douglas Encampment No. 100. The Stephen A. Douglas Encampment was an outgrowth of Freeport Lodge, in that it came to be founded by the same German citizens who had been the originators of the subordinate organization. It was chartered October 12, 1869, by Jacob Krohn, John Hoebel, William Wagner, Sr., Henry Rohkar, Sr., Gabriel Lampert, and Mathias Hettinger, Sr., who made up the entire list of charter members. From this small list the membership has grown to about seventy-five. Meetings are held .on the second and fourth Fridays of the month in Odd Fellows' Hall. The officers are: C. P., Allen Janssen; high priest, Charles Meyer; secretary, Albert F. Dittman.

Canton Unity No. j P. M. The Canton Unity, which is a social and military order in Odd Fellowship, is the newest of the I. O. O. F. lodges of Freeport. It was founded in October, 1904, by I. G. Wise, with a charter roll ®f twenty-five members. The branch is somewhat analogous to the commandery in Masonry. Although of recent organization it is flourishing and promises to be one of the most active of the I. O. O. F. organizations of the city. There are about forty-five members. The officers are: Captain, E. L. Yoder; lieutenant, John C. Bricker; secretary, John Sharpies.

Busy Bee Lodge No. 138, Rebekah Degree. The honorary "Rebekah" degree, designed to include the wives and widows of Odd Fellows was originated in 1851. Freeport now possesses two lodges, of which the Busy Bee Lodge is the oldest. It was chartered in Freeport June 4, 1884, by about a dozen members, out of whom three are at present living. The especial function of the Rebekahs is to care for the charitable and social side of the Odd Fellows' organizations, with the emphasis on the former. They make provisions for the care and maintenance of dependent widows and orphans of Odd Fellows, and for that purpose they support two orphan asylums and homes at Lincoln and Mattoon in this state. The present membership is about one hundred and forty-eight. The officers for the current year are: Noble grand, Mrs. A. B. Haney; secretary, Mrs. Ida Howell. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in Odd Fellows' Hall.

Illinois Lodge No. 259, Rebekah Degree. Illinios Lodge was established June, 1889. Dr. Krape, who was also instrumental in establishing Stephenson Lodge, was a factor in securing the Illinois Lodge. Forty-three names appeared upon the original charter, and Mrs. George Emerick became the first noble grand. Mrs. I. G. Wise was the first secretary of the lodge.

Illinois Lodge now numbers one hundred and seventeen members. The officers for the years are : Noble grand, Mrs. Anna Jackson ; secretary, A. Roberts. Meetings are convened on the second and fourth Fridays of the month in Odd Fellows' Hall.

This completes the list of the various I. O. O. F. organizations of Freeport. All are in a most prosperous condition, and have succeeded in accomplishing a great deal since their founding. A movement is now under way for the building of an Odd Fellows' Temple, but it is extremely improbable that the project will culminate in the near future at least. Concerted action is the only factor which can possibly bring about the building of such a temple, and at present, with Stephenson Lodge holding meetings in quarters of its own and having no connection with the other lodges, the outlook for such unity is not very bright. Winneshiek and Freeport Lodges have taken steps toward the building of the temple, in that a sort of ways and means committee has been chosen. Among the active members of the committee are the Rev. William H. Beynon, William Garrety, Henry Brinkman, and George Schmelzle. Should these gentlemen be successful in raising enough funds to carry the project through, Freeport will have more reason than ever to be proud of its I. O. O. F. lodges.

The Freeport Lodge No. 617 of the B. P. 0. Elks was organized September 6, 1900, with a roll of charter members numbering forty. It is thus one of the youngest organizations in the city, but, during its career, has been very active. It has taken the place, to a great degree, of a young men's club among the younger business men of the city. All of the prominent young men of the city are identified with the Elks, and while the younger men are those principally interested in the lodge, and connected with its workings, the membership is by no means limited to their ranks.

The national organization of the Elks transacts its business with appropriate secrecy. Absolutely no publicity is given to the affairs of the Grand Lodge, and if some of the good offices were made public, it is certain that the Elks would number an even larger circle of friends and members than they today enjoy. The work of the order has been carried on in charitable lines, and an amount of work has been done which seems nothing short of astonishing to the uninitiated. For example, large sums of money were raised and sent to the sufferers in Italy after the great Sicilian earthquake at Messina. A great deal was done to alleviate the sufferings of the miners' families after the Cherry disaster, and in all of these good works, the Freeport Elks have not failed to do their part.

The Freeport Lodge maintains club rooms at 133 Stephenson street over C. W. Harden's store, between Van Buren street and South Galena avenue. Here a common meeting place is provided for the members of the organization, and thus' the social and fraternal life of the society is promoted. The lodge now numbers two hundred and forty members. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the club rooms at 133 Stephenson street.