Freeport Township (part 7 of 10)

The Republican party, as an institution, was first formulated in 1856 and from that time the Journal embraced its policies. It cried out again and again through its columns against the advance of negro slavery, repeatedly took its stand for the principles of freedom and democracy as exemplified in emancipation and union and uttered bitter words against the advocates of secession and slavery. When the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter was flashed over the wires, the Journal took up the cause of the North and maintained its steadfast and aggressive stand from that time until the wires at last brought the long awaited news of Appomattox Court House and peace. It was unflinching in the position it had taken against slavery, and maintained its position throughout the long struggle with never a trace of inconsistency or indecision. In spite of war times, the paper seemed to thrive, and there was certainly a great demand for the news. On April 9, 1864, the quarto was increased to a folio, and continued to be published by Judson and McClure until the beginning of the year 1866. At that time, after Judson and McClure had effectively "held the fort" throughout the dark struggle, they decided to dispose of their business. This was carried into effect, and Bailey and Ankeny became the new proprietors. They remained in charge until May 9, of the same year, when General Ankeny retired. The interests of the Journal were then merged with those of the North-West, another newspaper being published in the city at that time, by General S. D.

Atkins. General Atkins retired from the North-West, which then turned over its property to the Journal, and General Ankeny sold out his interest in the paper to J. S. McCall and M. B. Mills. This partnership continued in effect until November of the same year, when J. S. McCall became the sole proprietor. Mr. McCall made the second effort to establish a daily paper in addition to the weekly. The first effort had been made by Judson and McClure, soon after they took possession of the paper. But the financial panic of 1857 and the non-support of the townspeople, brought it to a sudden and ignominious close. The daily, which Mr. McCall started, suffered a like fate. It was an excellent paper, and thoroughly deserved support, but the Freeporters were slow to accept innovations and disliked anything that savored of a change, even though it might be for the better.

After a somewhat disheartening experience in the newspaper business, Mr. McCall decided to quit that field of labor, and sold out to General Atkins, who was then postmaster of Freeport and still holds that position of honor. In 1869, he took charge and remained in possession until June n, 1873, when he disposed of his paper to William B. Thomas, Dwight B. Breed and Charles R. Haws. Thomas, Breed and Haws remained as editors and managers until May 26, 1875, when Haws sold out his interest to General Atkins, and the firm became Smith D. Atkins & Company. On the 2nd of September following, General Atkins sold out his interest to Captain A. V. Richards, of Galena, and the firm became A. V. Richards and Company. This concern was also short-lived, although it began the publication of a daily newspaper in 1882, with rather more success than its predecessors had attained. In April, 1883, Captain Richards sold out his three-fourths interest to Smith Atkins, who again came into possession of the paper and has since remained the controlling partner. In 1887, the paper was re-organized, and James R. Cowley, city editor, purchased an interest, becoming a partner with Atkins and Breed. At that time the office occupied the building on the corner of Chicago and Exchange (then Bridge) streets which had been built for the purpose by Jacob Kline. In the fall of 1892, the office moved to the building at 97 Chicago street, which it had purchased. It still occupies these quarters, which are, however, rather too crowded. The present management comprises the following gentlemen: General Atkins, president; James R. Cowley, vice president; Dwight B. Breed, secretary and treasurer. A daily and also a weekly edition is published. The circulation is large and the Journal is one of the most popular, as well as the oldest paper in existence in the county.

Deutscher Anzeiger

The history of the Deutscher Anzeiger differs from that of all the other Freeport newspapers, in that the periodical has never changed hands since its original inception. In 1853, it was founded by William Wagner, Sr., assisted by his son, William H. Wagner, Jr. Today the business is conducted by William H. Wagner, assisted by his own sons, and thus the ownership of the paper has never been changed. i

The founder of the Anzeiger, William Wagner, was an evangelical clergyman, who had been forced to emigrate to America on account of the political upheavals in the fatherland. He hailed America as the land of freedom in which one could say what he pleased and speak the truth without fear of consequences. His subsequent experiences taught him, alas, that in America as elsewhere the man who acquits himself conscientiously is in frequent danger. Mr. Wagner founded the Anzeiger under the most adverse conditions. Not only were the public to whom he was catering adverse to the starting of any new project, whatever it might be, but he was absolutely without funds, and had no previous knowledge of the art of printing. His ceaseless energy and courage were responsible for the meager success which he presently attained.

As a starter, he purchased the presses and type fonts of a Galena newspaper which had previously suspended publication, and had them brought by freight to Freeport. Then began the publication of the Deutscher Anzeiger. The first edition consisted of four five-column pages weekly - apparently a very limited sheet - yet even at that it was frequently difficult to secure the necessary composition for the regular edition. At that time it was impossible to obtain printed inside or plate matter, and practically the whole of the paper had to be set up at the home office, whose office forces at first consisted of four apprentices. It was impossible to think for a moment of engaging a practical compositor, as the expense was altogether too great, and the four novices, Wilhelm Wagner, Sr., his son, William H. Wagner, the German instructor, Air. Knecht, and his son Philip, burned the midnight oil many a time in their efforts to restore the order of a printed page out of the chaos of a case of type.

At that time the printing part of the establishment was located in the office of the Freeport Bulletin, on the third story of the Wright Building, on the northeast corner of Stephenson and Adams Streets. Early in 1854, the proprietor decided to rent separate quarters, which should also contain the editorial rooms, and a location at No. 8 South Galena Avenue (then Exchange Street) was secured. At that time a hand press of the most primitive sort, which is still on exhibition at the Anzeiger office, was secured and the proud and happy publisher was able to accomplish the printing of his own newspaper. Shortly after this the circulation of the paper had so increased that the finances of the company permitted the employment of a professional compositor. Mr. Louis Crusius was engaged, and from that time on, the Anzeiger never missed an issue.

In spite of increased facilities, the publication of the German weekly was still attended by many difficulties. Mr. Wagner, in addition to his editorial duties, was also the pastor of a rural church, and found it necessary to devote much of his time to his pastoral calls. At the same time he was burdened with poverty, and the Anzeiger was barely able to endure the strain. It is said that in order to save freight charges on paper, Mr. Wagner used frequently to go into Chicago (free transportation being furnished him) and bring out great bundles of paper far too heavy for a man to carry. These he brought with him as baggage and thus saved unnecessary expense. In spite of his incessant labors it was not until his two sons became old enough to be associated with him in the business that prosperity began to smile on the venture.

In the early part of 1855, having found the quarters too small, the business was transferred to the third story of the Rosenstiel Building, now 93 Stephenson Street, in which location it remained until November, 1857. Occupying only the rear half of the story, and finding that space too contracted, the office was removed to the third story of the Child's Building, opposite the Brewster House. In February, 1859, however, Mr. Wagner was able to secure the entire floor of his former location, and so returned to his old quarters.

In that year, W. H. Wagner, son of the editor, who now conducts the business himself, became proficient enough in the art to be entrusted with the whole of the technical part of the business. Five years later he and Oscar Ziegler, Sr., brother-in-law of the senior Wagner, became associated with the paper as Wagner & Company, but Mr. Ziegler remained with the firm only two years.

The list of subscribers increased daily and another move became imperative. The company transferred its business to the Krohn Building, and purchased a new cylinder press, but the situation there was inconvenient, and soon after another change of location was made to the John Hoebel Building. This made the sixth move in the thirteen years of the paper's existence.

On New Year's Day, 1868, the Anzeiger was doubled in size, and the working force enlarged. Five years later, a new building site 20 x 60 feet, on Chicago Street, was purchased, and the Anzeiger proceeded to fulfil its long cherished hope of erecting an office of its own. The joy of the proprietors at moving into their own establishment was indeed somewhat dampened that year by a suit for libel brought against the firm by a certain Mr. Broad, of Freeport. That Mr. Broad may have been justified in his suit is possible, for the court brought a verdict against the firm of Wagner & Company for the sum of $263. It was not much in the face of the $25,000 which Mr. Broad had asked, but it was a great sum to the struggling firm of Wagner & Company. Through the generosity of Mr. Wagner's parishioners in the town of Silver Creek and a benefit concert given by the German citizens of the city, a sufficient sum was realized to cover the debt.

In January, 1876, the size of the paper was again increased and this time assumed its present proportions^ On November 26, 1877, the members of the firm experienced a great sorrow in death of Wilhelm Wagner, senior partner and founder of the paper. Early in 1878 a new cylinder press was purchased, and Wagner & Company suddenly found the building they had built ten years before too small for them. A site on the corner of Chicago and Galena Streets was bought and a three story structure built in 1884. This was occupied until October, 1902, when the company removed to its commodious new quarters on the corner of Chicago and Spring Streets. The present firm name is W. H. Wagner & Sons, the business being conducted by William H. Wagner and his sons Albert and Oscar. The new printing establishment is by far the finest and most up-to-date in the city. The company now makes a specialty of fine job work and binding, and its weekly newspaper, the Deutscher Anzeiger, is now the only German newspaper in the city. Some time ago a small weekly sheet called the Sonntags Gast was instituted, but has since been discontinued. The subscription list of the Anzeiger has not grown of late years to any great extent, for the use of the German tongue in Freeport is becoming less each year.

The high standard of the paper, however, is maintained, and, even in the face of existing conditions the periodical has a long lease of life before it.

The National Swine Magazine

The National Swine Magazine was launched about seven years ago. It is devoted exclusively to swine raising. A year and a half ago it was bought by the W. H. Wagner & Sons Company of Freeport, under whose control the paper has improved in quality and circulation. The editor is Mr. Amos Burhenz, a practical farmer, of Waterville, Minnesota. The writers for the magazine are all practical farmers or professors in agricultural colleges. The circulation now is about 17,000, having increased 100 per cent since acquired by the W. H. Wagner Company.

Freeport Bulletin

The Freeport Bulletin, under its present name, dates back to July, 1853, but in reality it had its birth six years earlier in the shape of a tiny pioneer sheet, known as the Prairie Democrat, which was the first newspaper to make its appearance in Freeport. In 1847 Freeport was a growing settlement of about the same proportions as the Lena of today. In a town of that size there was a natural demand for a newspaper, and this growing need was one reason for the founding of the Prairie Democrat. The other, and more vital cause, was found in the fact that Hon. Thomas J. Turner, who represented this district in Congress, wished to gain control of a periodical through whose editorial columns he could speak, and express his opinions upon the various subjects then agitating the body politic. With this end in view, he founded the Prairie Democrat, and secured the services of S. D. Carpenter to direct the business end of the venture. In November, 1847, the first issue of the paper was published.

When the Prairie Democrat was first launched forth upon its mission, the number of store and office buildings in Freeport was few. At first a room was secured in the old court house building, and the business of the paper conducted there. But the stay of the Democrat in the court house building was of short duration. It subsequently removed to a frame building on the corner of Galena and Chicago Streets, where it remained during Mr. Carpenter's administration of affairs.

For three years, Mr. Carpenter continued to fill his dual role of editor and manager, and then apparently became wearied of so thankless a position. He left the business, and turned over his interest to J. O. P. Burnside, who thereupon took charge. Mr. Burnside's introduction into the affairs of the paper does not seem to have caused any material change in its political attitude or even its make-up and general appearance. He moved the place of publication from the old stand to the corner of Stephenson and Chicago Streets. Here he published the paper for two years, and under his efficient administration it continued to thrive, in spite of the appearance of a new rival in the field in the shape of the Freeport Journal. In 1852 he disposed of the Prairie Democrat to George P. Ordway, who ran it for a year and then re-sold it to Mr. Burnside.

When Mr. Burnside took possession of the paper for a second time he realized that a complete reorganization was necessary. The appurtenances of the office were "decrepit with age," and the type and cases were utterly unfit for use. They were accordingly replaced with new materials, and in July, 1853, the Prairie Democrat, re-christened the Freeport Bulletin, commenced publication, after a short interval, as a weekly paper. The Bulletin catered to Democratic readers, of which there has always been a preponderance in Freeport, and steadily grew in strength.

Mr. Burnside was in time succeeded by Bagg & Brawley, who remained in charge for a brief period and sold out to Giles & Scroggs in 1861. In 1864 Mr. Giles sold out his interest in the business to Mr. Scroggs and that gentleman continued as sole proprietor for five years. In 1869, Mr. Giles bought the whole business and continued to publish the Bulletin himself for seven years. During Mr. Giles' editorship the paper increased in subscription and authority through this section of the country, and came ultimately to be regarded as the true index of Jeffersonian democracy in northern Illinois.

On the second day of January, 1873, Mr. Giles relinquished his hold, and announced that the office had been disposed of to Taylor & Aspinwall, who would henceforth conduct the business. The alleged buyers never gained possession, but instead the business was turned over to C. C. Schuler, of Freeport, and J. W. Potter, formerly editor of the Bolivar (Missouri) Herald. These gentlemen took charge of the enterprise on January 16, 1873, but not until June 19 of that year did the paper appear in its "new dress." New type fonts were purchased and the appliances of the establishment were renewed and repaired. The partnership of Schuler & Potter continued for over a year, and then, in October, 1874, Mr. Schuler sold out his interest to Mr. Potter, bade farewell to the patrons of the Bulletin and departed to engage in the banking business in Iowa. Iowa.

On September 18, 1877, the first issue of the Freeport Daily Bulletin appeared, with the editorial departments in charge of F. Chas. Donohue and O. F. Potter. For some time the Bulletin and the Daily Herald, a publication which has long since been discontinued, continued to be the only daily papers in Freeport. Very soon the Journal became a daily publication and subsequently other rivals entered the field. The Bulletin, however, still retains the honor of being the oldest Freeport daily newspaper still in existence.

On the 23d day of May, 1885, Mr. J. W. Potter's very busy life was closed, and his son, O. F. Potter succeeded to the management of the business. Mr. Potter, Jr., continued in charge for ten years, and sold out his interest, afterward returning to take charge of the editorial department of the paper.

In 1895 "Messrs. H. Poffenberger, P. O. Stiver and H. F. Rockey came into possession and conducted the paper for a number of years. Mr. Rockey soon retired from the business and the firm became Poffenberger & Stiver, which it still remains.

The office of the printing establishment is located at No. 99 Chicago Street. Both a daily and a weekly edition are printed. The subscription of the daily is held to be the largest of any paper in the city at present, and it is doubtless the case, for the Freeport Bulletin is the only democratic newspaper in the city which is printed in the English tongue. The Deutscher Anzeiger adheres to the Democratic party, but is printed almost entirely in German, the editorial department of course printing its editorials in that language. In view of this fact the Bulletin is to all practical intents and purposes the only Democratic newspaper in the city today. It has always steadfastly adhered to the principles of Democracy, and from the establishment of the Prairie Democrat in 1847 nas constantly taken a forceful and aggressive stand in every election, whether national, state, or municipal. It is enjoying a deservedly wide popularity and is one of the leading newspapers in this section of the state.

Freeport Standard

The Freeport Standard is Freeport's youngest newspaper, and concerning its life history there is not much to be said. It was the direct outgrowth of the Freeport Democrat, which dissolved and passed into the hands of W. W. Krape.

Mr. Krape was a man of influence in the community and had long wished that he might be able to express his personal and political views through the editorial columns of a newspaper. When the Freeport Democrat was offered to him, he immediately seized the opportunity to possess himself of the long desired medium. In addition to this, he wanted a job office where he might print the numerous publications and pamphlets of the Knights of the Globe, and the Cosmopolitan Insurance Company, of both of which organizations he was head.

Having had no previous experience in the newspaper business, Mr. Krape was at a loss as to what course he should pursue and was glad to entrust thef technical end of the business to competent and able workmen who had been associated with the Freeport Democrat under Mr. Donohue's management.

The first place of publication was in the old Democrat office, but quarters were cramped there, and a move was soon made to the old post-office building, on the corner of Van Buren and Exchange streets. But these quarters were also uncomfortable and unsatisfactory, and Mr. Krape decided to move his newspaper to its present location on Stephenson street, across from the court house.

In December, 1909, Mr. Krape, having tired of his experiment, disposed of the business to Mayor W. T. Rawleigh, who is now sole editor and manager. The office is still maintained on Stephenson street, between Van Buren street and South Gelena avenue. There is a job office in connection which does a limited business.

The Freeport Standard is Republican in its politics and has always maintained an unusually aggressive stand on all questions of municipal and state politics. There is a large circulation, many of the subscribers of the Democrat, as well as many Republican citizens having enlisted as subscribers for the Standard.

Dead Newspapers

There have been, in the annals of Freeport, a number of newspapers, whose careers have terminated either in financial failure, or by combination with other organs. The number of these is surprisingly large, especially the number of

Cosmopolitan Ki'Ildixg

German newspapers, and while they have lost all significance as far as the Freeport press of to-day is concerned, still some brief mention is due these unhappy periodicals who found themselves swallowed up in the maelstrom of business competition, or otherwise unable to withstand the stress of circumstances.

Freeport Tribun. The Tribun was a German weekly founded in the middle of March, 1859. The editor was William Massenberg, and the paper sought to advance the interests of the Republican party among the German citizens. But the number of German Republicans has always been few in Freeport and Stephenson county, and after a year of unsatisfactory labor, the Tribun retired from the field of activity. All files or record of its existence are entirely lost and nothing remains to tell the tale of its demise.

The North-West. The publication of the ill-fated North-West was begun on August 17, 1865. It was a paper purely literary in character, and took no stand in politics. As the original promulgators, W. O. Wright and T. Ormsby, observed, in stating their aim, the North-West desired to become "a publication observed, in stating their aim, the North-West desired to become "a publication, the columns of which, comparatively free from politics, entirely free from personalities, scandals, disgusting, obscene, and immoral advertisements, would offer inducements to writers of merit for contributions that could be read in the family circle by parents and children."

For six months Messrs. Wright and Ormsby, under the firm name of Wright & Co., conducted the North-West. They then disposed of it to Atkins and Mc- Call. The office and job rooms of the North-West were located at 104, 106 and 108 Stephenson street, where the business was conducted by Atkins and McCall until April 5, 1886. M. B. Mills then became a partner in the firm and its responsible head. This arrangement lasted scarcely a month and the paper was then combined with the Journal. The title was changed to the "North-West, a Weekly Journal of Western Literature." The paper was materially improved and enlarged, but did not meet with approval. The Freeporters of that day and generation looked with disapproval, if not absolute scorn, on such an undertaking as the North-West was struggling to promote. No one would subscribe, and the editors regretfully stopped the publication and tried to forget the incident. When the North-West was abandoned, it had been in existence for less than two years. The job office was consolidated with that of the Freeport Journal, and the various printing appurtenances were sold to that paper. The North-West was a project that had deserved better success, but there was no demand for it, and the very founding had been ill-advised. The files of the paper have not been preserved in entirety, and the whole affair is now a matter of the dim past.

The Freie Presse, establishd nine years after the Tribun, was in a certain sense an attempt at a resuscitation of that paper. It was fostered by different individuals, but its whole purpose was to promote the interests of the Republican party. William Caspar Schultz, and Christian Mueller, who were editors of the publication, continued their work for nearly a year. But they saw the utter hopelessness of their task and resigned to fate. All records of the Freie Presse have been long since lost.

The Freeport Budget was a Republican newspaper, founded in May, 1873, under the direction of Dr. K. T. Stabeck, of Davis. It commenced publication as a weekly seven column folio with a subscription of only one hundred and fifty. In fact, the outlook was not encouraging and the editor of the Budget was working against heavy odds. Dr. Stabeck had cherished a fond hope that he might continue to practice medicine and conduct the affairs of the Budget at the same time, but a very brief experience taught him that such a thing was impossible. For a while he continued to have his editorial office at Davis and the paper was known as the Budget of Freeport and Davis, two editions being printed. The printing and typesetting was done in Freeport until the fall of 1874, when Dr. Stabeck purchased the necessary appliances, moved them to Davis, and there set up in buisness as publisher as well as editor.

The Budget became, of course, more closely a Davis publication, although not so intended. In the spring of 1875, K. C. Stabeck, a brother of Dr. Stabeck, became associated with him in the business and the doctor went to Europe for a vacation of two years. On his return in 1877, the Budget was removed to Freeport, where Dr. Stabeck took charge, and his brother continued to issue the Davis Budget as a separate publication. Dr. Stabeck purchased the Monitor, a Freeport weekly, and A. Keeler became associated with him in the business for a short time. This partnership was brief. In 1878, Mr. Keeler was sue ceeded by Charles R. Haws. In the following fall, he too left, and Dr. Stabeck assumed sole control and responsibility. At the same time his brother, K. C. Stabeck, discontinued the Davis Budget, and took up the practice of law. In the following spring, Dr. Stabeck sold out to General Atkins, but retained his editorial connection with the paper, and took charge of the local columns. A relative, Thurston Stabeck, of Winnebago County, acted as his assistant. This triumvirate remained in charge for nearly two years, when Dr. Stabeck dissolved his connection with the paper, and it became the

Freeport Republican, under the sole control of General Atkins. In 1882, it was merged with the Freeport Journal, and the career of the two newspapers was at an end.

The Monitor was a weekly record of current events, local, state and national, established January, 1874, by W. T. Giles. Democratic as to politics, and of temperance proclivities, the Monitor was a bright, newsy, little sheet, and was well received by the community. The office of the publication was at first in the Hettinger block, but was later removed to the Grange building. The Monitor flourished for nearly four years, and finally disappeared from view, swallowed up in the Freeport Budget.

The Nord Westliche Post was born in 1875 and died within a year. It was founded by one F. Krumme, who cherished the conviction that a German newspaper of independent politics would flourish on Freeport soil. A very brief experience convinced him of the utter impossibility of any such venture, and he removed to Lake City, and later La Crosse. Meeting with no success at any place, he abandoned the project in disgust. The experiment is now almost forgotten.

The Daily Herald did not mark the first attempt at establishing a daily newspaper in Freeport, for the Journal had entered the field, as early as 1857. It did,

It came to life on April 30, 1877, under the management of Ernest Seitz and A. H. S. Perkins. Mr. Perkins occupancy of the editorial position was short, however, and after only a few weeks of management, he resigned. He was succeeded by F. Charles Donohue, who took the paper in hand and made of it a success. He became local editor of the sheet, and succeeded in developing it wonderfully, both financially and in a literary sense. At the end of two prosperous years, he resigned his position to William F. Gore, a Chicago journalist, and went to accept a more lucrative position with the Freeport Bulletin. Mr. Gore's experience in Freeport was brief, and another Chicago newspaper man, by name Charles Vickenstaff Hine, came to fill his place. Soon after James C. McGrath became interested in the venture and the firm became Hine, Seitz and McGrath.

The Daily Herald was of independent political proclivities until 1880, when it espoused the cause of Republicanism. In doing so, it sounded its death knell. Too weak to compete with the other papers, it had nevertheless served a good cause, and when it discontinued publication a short time later, a daily paper had become a matter-of-fact necessity in Freeport.

Freeport Banner. The Banner was the last German newspaper to be established in Freeport, and only later has it been dropped. It made its first appearance in July, 1879, edited by H. W. Frick.

Mr. Frick soon removed to Janesville, Wisconsin, and was succeeded in the work by his brother, Charles W. Frick, who continued to edit the paper up to the time of its demise. The printing office was first housed in a two story brick building on Chicago street, was later removed to Stephenson street, then to the second and third stories of the T. K. Best building, and finally to the location on the corner of Chicago and Exchange streets, which is still occupied by Prick's printery. The Banner was a seven column weekly folio of German proclivities. A weekly sheet was also published known as the "Sonntags-Blatt." The publication of both of these was discontinued in 1906, four years ago, and Mr. Frick has since maintained exclusively a job work establishment.

The Freeport Democrat. W. T. Giles, who had been sponsor of so many Freeport papers, became also the founder of the Freeport Daily Democrat. For five years he conducted the business, and then, in 1887, sold it to F. Charles Donohue, who was for many years one of Freeport's most prominent journalists. Mr. Donohue continued to run the Democrat for nearly twenty years in the building on East Stephenson street, now occupied by the King's Daughters Settlement Home. In 1905, the business was discontinued, and sold to W. W. Krape & Co., becoming merged into the Freeport Standard. Mr. Donohue then accepted a position with the Freeport Bulletin, but his health failed and he died shortly after. The Democrat was one of the brightest and best newspapers in the city, when it was founded, and the discontinuance of the paper was deeply regretted by the large list of subscribers. Although only in existence for a short time, it will long be remembered as one of the most up-to-date newspapers which Freeport has ever entertained.

The Freeport Wide Awake was a four page campaign paper, published every Saturday during the campaign of 1860, "in advocacy of the election of Lincoln and Hamlin," by Hulburt & Ingersoll.

City Editors

At the head of Freeport's three daily and weekly newspapers are three very competent city editors. The oldest in the service and one of the ablest writers of Northern Illinois is Mr. O. F. Potter, of the Freeport Bulletin.

Mr. Thomas Lawless, of the Standard, is a newspaper man of rare ability and is an adept at finding out the news, and in preparing and arranging it in an attractive manner for the public.

Mr. N. T. Cobb, who came here from North Carolina a few years ago, is city editor of the Journal. In a short time he has become familiar with both the business and editorial departments of the Journal. He is a man of brilliant ability, a tireless worker and possesses the talents of a natural newspaper man.

Hon. Stephen Rigney, representative from this county in the last state legislature, is one of the well to do farmers of the county. He is an intelligent and upright citizen, and made a record for himself in the legislature that is gratifying to his friends and to the entire county. By unquestionable integrity and fidelity to his trust, he has won the title of "Honest Steve Rigney/' at a time when the corruption of the legislature has dragged into the mire of disgrace.

For thirty-one years Fire Chief Rodemeyer has been connjected with the Freeport fire department. From the bottom to the top, he has worked his way up by merit and has always been a brave and competent fire fighter. The efficiency of the fire department has never been questioned. Chief Rodemeyer was first appointed chief in 1883.

Fraternal Organizations

Although the order of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized in the state of Illinois, and as early as 1866, yet Freeport did not have its post until twenty-nine years ago in 1881. To Dr. B. F. Stephenson, of Springfield, Illinois, belongs the honor of suggesting the formation of this union of veteran soldiers and of launching the organization into existence. The first objects of the association were to afford assistance to disabled and unemployed veterans of the war. Dr. Stephenson, who had been a surgeon in a volunteer regiment during the war, was firmly convinced that an organization of the returned soldiers, for mutual benefit, was imperatively needed. A ritual was drafted under his supervision and the first post of the order was established at Decatur, Illinois. Other posts were soon mustered throughout Illinois and other states, and the first department convention was held at Springfield, Illinois, July 12, 1866. General John M. Palmer was there elected department commander. The first national convention was held at Indianapolis on November 20 following, and representatives from eleven states were present. During the year 1867 the order spread rapidly and has grown since until now every city, town, village and hamlet has its G. A. R. Post.

The second national convention was held at Philadelphia in 1868, only two years after the founding of the G. A. R., and even in that brief space of time, the order had grown to national proportions and was in a very nourishing condition. In that year the first observation of May 3Oth as a Memorial Day by the Grand Army was ordered, and on May II, 1870, May 3Oth was fixed upon for the annual observance by an article adopted as part of the rules and regulations of the order.

In 1868 came an unfortunate decline which nearly resulted in the abandonment of the order. An idea that the G. A. R. was a political organization gained currency in some inexplicable manner, and a decrease in membership immediately took place. Many of the men who had been most enthusiastic supporters and members became disgusted and left the organization. This was particularly notable in the west, where an almost complete disruption of the order occurred. In May, 1869, an effort was made to introduce measures making the G. A. R. more like a lodge in organization. Three degrees of membership were instituted, but this move met with instant and widespread disapproval, and two years later, in 1871, all sections providing for degrees or ranks among members were stricken from the rules. At the same time a rule was adopted prohibiting the use of the organization for any partisan purpose whatsoever, a rule which has since been strictly followed.

John A. Davis Post of Freeport was organized in Freeport on July 5, 1881, taking its name from Colonel John A. Davis, the gallant commander of the Forty-sixth.

The naming of the post after the brave soldier who lost his life in the early part of the war was in every sense appropriate, for John A. Davis was not only one of the bravest hearts that ever donned a blue uniform, but he was also one of the oldest settlers of Stephenson County, and his father and brother were intimately connected with the early history of Rock Run Township. He and his brother founded the present village of Davis, establishing a small general store which came to be called "The Davis Store" and formed the nucleus for the present group of stores and houses. While engaged in this business the war broke out and John Davis was one of the first to volunteer. He was chosen captain of Company B and later colonel of the Forty-sixth Regiment, in which there were five companies from Stephenson County. After leaving for the war he did not return to his home until after the battle of Shiloh, in which he was seriously wounded. He returned to the war a second time, against the advice and persuasion of friends and family, and especially the members of his political party, who wished to send' him to Congress. Hardly had he set foot upon the battlefield when he fell a victim at the battle of Hatchie, on October 5th, 1862. He died soon after at Bolivar, Tennessee, calm, brave, and self-possessed to the last. His remains were brought to Freeport and the funeral held in the First Presbyterian church under the direction of Chaplain Teed.

Forty-six men were mustered into the organization which takes his name. Colonel Sherburne of Chicago and Assistant Adjutant General Bennett were

1. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion.

2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help and protection ; and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen.

3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America, based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to the National Constitution and the laws, to discountenance whatever tends to weaken loyalty, incite insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions; to promote the spread of universal liberty, equal rights, and justice to all men, and to encourage honor and purity in public affairs.

Commander - John Hart. S. Vice Commander - Charles F. Taggart. J. Vice Commander - Levi M. Devore. Quartermaster - Charles G. Sanborn. Chaplain - William Swanzey. Officer of the Day - Philip Arno. Officer of the Guard - Newton Linsley. The commanders since then have been: 1882 - James I. Neff.

The Grand Army of the Republic, as a national organization, has always stood for all that was best in civic affairs, for advancement in all business relations, and as a result, has accomplished a great deal of good and has gained an enviable reputation. What has been true of the national order has been equally true of the local branch. Together with its auxiliaries, the Ladies of the G. A. R., the Woman's Relief Corps, and the Sons of Veterans, John A. Davis Post has maintained the high standard of the national society and has been an active influence for good in the community.

The most active days of the Grand Army of the Republic are now over. An interesting report from Washington, D. C., states that about ninety names per day are being dropped from the pension rolls. This means an average of about two thousand seven hundred deaths per month or thirty-two thousand annually among the federal survivors of the Civil war carried on the pension lists. It is too evident that the old soldiers of both armies are vanishing rapidly. The generally accepted estimate of the number of individuals serving in the Union army and navy during the Civil war was two million two hundred and thirteen thousand three hundred and sixty- five. On June 20, 1909, the actual number of survivors of the Civil war on the pension rolls was five hundred and ninety-three thousand three hundred and sixty-five. On June 30, 1909, the actual number of will be a matter of history. But the brave men who fought for the Union of their country will never be forgotten, nor the effective work which they accomplished through the medium of the G. A. R.

For some time after its organization the John A. Davis Post met in the hall formerly known as Old Temperance Hall, in the building on the southeast corner of Chicago and Exchange streets. Recently the place of meeting was moved to the G. A. R. Hall in the City Hall building. This room is also used by the auxiliary associations as a meeting place and the city donates to the order the free use of the rooms.

On the days May 23, 24 and 25 there occurred a noteworthy event in the history of the John A. Davis Post, and the national order as well. The 44th annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held, and Freeport, was selected as the meeting place. For three days the city was turned over to the distinguished visitors, who flocked to Freeport in immense numbers from all parts of the United States. Mayor Rawleigh delivered an opening address of welcome, and presented the principal speakers of the day. The men of distinction who were present and spoke during the three days of the encampment were General Fred Grant, Governor Van Sant, of Minnesota, Governor Deneen, of Illinois, as well as many others of less national reputation. The Grand Opera House, the First Presbyterian Church, and the First Methodist Church were utilized as places of meeting, and were all crowded to the doors on every occasion. It was during one of the encampment meetings that Jasper T. Darling made his now famous speech against the placing of a Lee monument in the Hall of Fame. The incident created quite a breeze at the time it occurred and violent demonstrations of protest were made by the audience. Even now the occurrence is not forgotten, and is regarded by many as the one blot on the record of the Freeport encampment. In all other respects the event was a most brilliant success. Certainly the Freeporters and the John A. Davis Post acquitted themselves in most hospitable fashion, and the out-of-town guests were loud in their praise.

The decorations on the occasion of the encampment were particularly attractive. Stephenson street was spanned with flags and triumphal arches and every building was royally draped with the Stars and Stripes. The encampment was doubtless a big "boom" for Freeport, and the credit for the success of the affair should be given to the Freeport business men and the John A. Davis Post for their untiring efforts to secure the encampment for Freeport. It was a pronounced success and will go down on record as one of the big events of Freeport's history.

One of the most promising organizations of the city of Freeport is the Sons of Veterans, Smith D. Atkins Camp No. 400, Division of Illinois. The society, which has had a rapid growth during the past few years, nationally as well as locally, is composed of the direct male descendants of those men who served as Union soldiers in the Civil War. The Freeport camp was instituted about ten years ago with fifteen charter members, and named in honor of Smith D. Atkins, Freeport's veteran postmaster, and former commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. M. G. Kleckner became the first commander.

Since the time of founding the Sons of Veterans have increased in membership until at present their number is eighty-four. The officers of the organization for the current year are: Commander, George F. Korf ; senior vice commander, Frank Hawn; junior vice commander, Frank Hand; chaplain, F. M. Carl; secretary, E. Ray Williams; treasurer, F. M. Miller.

During the recent G. A. R. encampment in Freeport, the national convention of the Sons of Veterans was also held. At this convention resolutions to change the name of the society was introduced but nothing was done on the matter. It was proposed to change the name from the "Sons of Veterans" to the "Sons of the Grand Army of the Republic." It was argued that such a name was more consistent with the original aim and purpose of the society, but others felt, on the contrary, that the name "Sons of the G. A. R." would imply that the members were sons of members of the older organization, rather than of any or all of the old soldiers of the Civil War. The project was not looked upon with favor by the Freeport camp, but nothing was done, and the motion was laid on the table to await further developments.

The activity of the Sons of Veterans has also been conducted along social and fraternal lines. Each year there is a social gathering at the time of initiation, at which the auxiliary ladies' organization assists. The prospects for growth are bright, and the Sons of Veterans number in their camp some of the leading business men of the city.

The Freeport Post of the Ladies of the G. A. R., which is not an auxiliary, but an allied organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, was founded by Mrs. Helen Underwood in September, 1900. The membership of this national society is made up solely of the wives and immediate families of the soldiers of the Union army, as opposed to the Woman's Relief Corps, which admits to membership any loyal woman. The society was inaugurated with thirty-five active members and nineteen comrades. Mrs. Underwood, who was instrustrumental in the organization became the first president, and afterwards became the society's chaplain, which office she has occupied for the past four years. At present there are sixty members and about thirty comrades. The officers recently elected are: President, Mrs. T. M. Kaufmann; secretary, Mrs. J. A. Gale; chaplain, Mrs. Helen Underwood.

The Ladies of the G. A. R. find their work in assisting sick and enfeebled comrades and sisters, sending them fruit, etc. On each Decoration Day, the society makes it its duty to provide a means of transportation for the aged and infirm comrades to go to the cemetery. The ladies also attend the funerals of G. A. R. members in a body, and are present at all memorial services.

The history of the progress of the Ladies of the G. A. R. for the past ten years has been unusually bright, and the society has lost only four of its members through death. At the time of the recent encampment the national convention of the Ladies of the G. A. R. was held in Freeport and the affairs of the society were found to be in most prosperous condition.

Woman'S Relief Corps

The Woman's Relief Corps, which admits to membership all loyal ladies of the Union, is the only recognized auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. It has been in existence in Freeport for many years, having been founded in 1888, by twenty interested ladies. These ladies became the charter members of the Freeport organization and elected Mrs. L. M. Devore president. At present there are sixty-two active members in good standing, who meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month to carry out the offices for which the society was founded. The object is to do charitable work and care for the orphans and widows of the soldiers of the G. A. R.

Each Decoration Day, the Relief Corps serves lunch to the old soldiers in the G. A. R. rooms at the City Hall. During the G. A. R. the Woman's Relief Corps was particularly active. They gave a reception at the Freeport Club to the visiting posts, and afterward another reception in the G. A. R. rooms in honor of Commander F. C. Held, who was honored by election to the post of senior vice commander of the state. Like the other auxiliary ladies' organizations of the various lodges, the Relief Corps aims to care for the sick and afflicted of the comrades, and render them all possible service.

The elder William Brewster Chapter No. 519, of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1900, by Mrs. Charles D. Knowlton, who is at present honorary regent of the chapter. For some years previous to the time of founding there had been chapters in the various cities about Freeport, but no effort had been made to establish a society in Stephenson County. In 1900 Mrs. William Talcott of Rockford was state regent, and being desirous that Freeport should have a chapter, she conferred with Mrs. Knowlton on the subject. The result was that Mrs. Knowlton succeeded in getting the 'members together, and although it took some time to secure the necessary papers and establish the claims of the various members it was less than a year when the Elder William Brewster Chapter became an established fact, and Mrs. Knowlton, who had done so much to promote its existence, was elected regent. She retained this office for nine years and was only supplanted this year by Mrs. Matthew B. Marvin who takes office next fall. Ten ladies were instrumental in founding the chapter: Miss Gertrude Converse, Miss Esther Dana, Mrs. Walter Diffenbaugh, Miss Jesta Judson, Mrs. Charles D. Knowlton, Mrs. J. L. Robinson, Mrs. F. A. Read, Mrs. J. L. Rosebrugh, Mrs. Emma S. Wise, and Mrs. Charles C. Wolf. Since the time of founding the membership has swelled to thirty-seven names. An honored daughter was Mrs. Eleanora Zimmermann, who died November 5, 1909, aged eightyeight years. She was the only real daughter in the chapter, being a daughter of Major Nicholas Ickes, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, who served under General George Washington. Major Ickes was a figure of some prominence in the army and gained promotion and title for brave conduct, although he was only sixteen years of age when he entered the army. He married Miss Susan Barnhisel and became the father of twenty-one children, of whom Mrs. Eleanora Zimmermann was the nineteenth.

The chapter holds meetings every two weeks at the homes of the members. Readings, discussions, and papers usually form the order of the program. In addition to this a number of activities have been fostered by the D. A. R., among them the annual colonial ball which is held yearly at the Masonic Temple. The function is held on Washington's Birthday and is usually a costume affair. In past years, the ladies have arranged a colonial minuet, maypole dances, etc. While the colonial ball is the most notable event of the D. A. R. year, the chapter has put the most work and time upon the Relic Room of the County Historical Society which is located on the second floor of the Library building, and it is of this that the members are most proud. The historical collection of relics suggestive of and dealing with the early history of state and county is most complete and interesting. A number of the exhibits were loaned to the society for a short time, and the rest are its permanent property. The historical collection is intended as the nucleus of a historical museum which shall have its rooms in the Library building, and contain relics of interest in connection with the history of the state and county.

The original purpose of the D. A. R. was to find and mark the graves of all Revolutionary soldiers throughout the country. A number of these have been discovered within the confines of Stephenson County and all have been appropriately marked. A short time ago the Freeport chapter helped the Rockford chapter to officiate at a meeting at Polo at which memorial services were held for two old Revolutionary soldiers. A monument was erected and a boulder, and these were dedicated on June 20, 1910, with appropriate exercises.

The D. A. R. have maintained a very flourishing society in Freeport, and further developments are awaited with interest. The organization is one of the most wide-awake in the city and has accomplished a great deal of valuable work during the short period of its existence.

Woman'S Club

The object of the Freeport Woman's Club, as stated in its constitution, is "the self-improvement of its members, and united effort for the advancement of social conditions in the home and the community." The club has been in existence since 1895 and during this time has been instrumental in effecting improvements and innovations in every direction. Mrs. Robert Hall Wiles, now of Chicago, was the prime mover in its organization and to her efforts may be attributed the successful career of the Woman's Club for the past fifteen years. In the fall of '95 a meeting was held in the circuit courtroom of the courthouse to which all ladies interested in the formation of a woman's club were invited. A large attendance resulted, and the club was formally instituted then and there, Mrs. Wiles being elected president. Mrs. Wiles served for several years and has since been succeeded by Mrs. C. F. Hildreth, Miss Flora Guiteau, Mrs. Charles D. Knowlton, Mrs. H. D. Bentley, Mrs. F. H. Towslee, Mrs. J. C. Gregory, and Mrs. George I. Brown.

Perhaps the most notable thing done by the Woman's Club was the placing of a granite boulder to mark the spot where the Lincoln-Douglas debate was held. The boulder, which is a huge red sandstone slab of exceptional beauty, was selected by a committee of the ladies of the club who went to Devil's Lake, Wisconsin, for the purpose of choosing a suitable stone. It was placed in its present position in 1902, and in June, 1903, it was formally unveiled and dedicated by President Roosevelt.

The work, however, of which the club has been the most proud has been the work in connection with the juvenile court. A committee consisting of three of the members of the club has been active in juvenile court work for a number of years. The work was undertaken soon after the founding of the club, and while it has not been noised abroad, but has, on the contrary, been kept very quiet, nevertheless a great amount of telling work has been accomplished.

In addition to these activities, the club has done charitable work in the community for the past fourteen years. Thirteen years ago, in 1897, it was voted to furnish a Christmas tree for the inmates of the county farm every Christmas eve. The tree was a great success the first year, and the custom has been continued ever since.

In the beautification of the city, the Woman's Club has not been idle. Four years ago, in 1906, they presented the City cemetery with one hundred white cut birch trees which have made a material improvement in its looks. The City cemetery had been for some time somewhat ragged and run down in appearance but through the efforts of the clubwomen the city has been induced to turn over a new leaf and the cemetery is today in much better condition than it might have been, had not the club seen fit to bend its efforts in this direction.

One of the first charities undertaken, was the care of the hospitals. For the past nine years the members have been sending fruit and jelly to both St. Francis and the Globe Hospital. Each individual is asked to bring a jar of fruit and a glass of jelly on an appointed day in the fall and the offerings are evenly distributed between the two hospitals. In the winter of 1902-3 the ladies took it upon themselves to furnish throughout a children's room at the Globe Hospital. They have also assisted financially in settlement and charitable work in the city. Some years ago they pledged themselves to give a stated amount each year to the King's Daughters' Settlement Home, and the results accomplished in this line have been, to say the least, gratifying.

Four years ago, an agitation was started for the establishment of a domestic science department in the Freeport high school. The Woman's Club was anxious that this movement should successfully culminate, and immediately agreed to furnish the department throughout should the course be ultimately adopted as a part of the school curriculum. The domestic science department was, in fact, established the following fall, and has just completed the fourth year of its existence. The Woman's Club purchased the necessary supplies and made an arrangement with the manual training department to make the tables, and the furniture of the dining room. The domestic science rooms are one of the features of the high school building today, and the Woman's club is in a large measure responsible for the steady advancement of the department since its founding.

Last year the Citizen's Commercial Association began to set afoot a movement for the establishing and maintaining of a rest room for out of town visitors. It was thought that this would materially aid in Freeport's growth, or that it would at least show the enterprise and ambition of the Freeport population. The Woman's Club, when consulted by the secretary of the association, agreed to furnish and equip the room with the necessary furniture and appurtenances. This work has just been completed and the club has still another public service upon which to congratulate itself.

There have been other services, but they have been less public than the ones above mentioned. The club has also assisted in the intellectual growth and uplift of the community by means of the lectures which it has secured for several years past. Undeniably the club has met with success and has ably fulfilled that part of its motto relating to "united effort for the advancement of social conditions in the home and in the community." As far as the "self improvement" clause is concerned, it may be said that this has by no means been neglected. The policy has not been to take up any one definite line of study and pursue it for an entire year. On the contrary, the programs have been varied - so varied in fact, that, in looking over a recent year book of the club, we find one Saturday devoted to a discussion of "South Africa and Her Political Relations," while the next is occupied with a talk on "Music as a Factor in Education." The club members have certainly neglected their opportunities if they have failed to acquire that broad general culture which it was the aim of its founders to diffuse.

The meetings of the club are at present held in the audience room of the Masonic Temple. After the foundation of the society meetings were held for a short time in the courthouse. They were soon transferred to the auditorium of the Y. M. C. A., where they continued to be held until the remodelling of the Y. M. C. A. building made it necessary for them to seek new quarters. For a short time they were housed in the First Presbyterian church, but they soon moved to the Masonic Temple, which they have now occupied for some years. There is at present a movement on foot to purchase a permanent home for the club. Several schemes have been advanced, one to the effect that the Woman's Club and Shakespeare Society shall buy the club house of the Freeport Club and occupy it jointly. Other plans have been proposed, but the outlook for a club house is not wery hopeful at present.

During the short period of its lifetime the Freeport Woman's Club has accomplished untold good in every branch of activities into which it has ventured. This has been entirely due to the energy and tireless work of its members. In view of its achievements in the past, Freeport has reason to look forward with confidence to still greater developments in the future.

Freeport Shakespeare Society

Among the literary clubs of Freeport, none has been more active than the Freeport Shakespeare Society. The club was first formed in 1887 under the name of the "Wantahno" (Want to Know) Club, and the charter members pledged themselves to carry out a course of reading and study outlined by the

Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. This course was completed within a year, but the "Wantahno's" had found their year's work; so enjoyable and profitable that they decided to make their club a permanent organization. It was then, in 1888, that the present Shakespeare Society had its inception, Mrs. Carl Nelson Moller, formerly Miss Vennette Grain being especially instrumental in the work of reorganizing. Mrs. Moller, who was a recent graduate of Wellesley College, proposed that the Wantahno Club make plans for a Shakespeare Society which should follow the same lines as the Shakespeare Society of Wellesley College. A number of new members were asked to join, and all entered into the work with zeal and enthusiasm. Mrs. Moller was elected president of the club for three consecutive years. The organization at first went under the name of the "Wantahno Shakespeare Society," but two years later in 1890, the name was changed to "Freeport Shakespeare Society" which name it has retained up to the present day.

It was the first design of the club that the membership should consist solely of unmarried ladies, but when several of the sisters forsook their vows and exhibited a preference for the married state instead of single blessedness and membership in the Shakespeare Society, it became necessary to forge a new rule. It was finally settled that the statute must stand unchanged as far as the election of new members was concerned, but that "once a member, always a member" should be the rule in other cases.

While the original intention was to study the life and works of the Bard of Avon, the Shakespeare Society had strayed somewhat from this purpose, and History, Economics, Art, and Literature have formed subjects for discussion for the greater part of the time. It has been the custom to present one or more plays each year, and this rule has been pretty regularly observed. The first dramatic effort of the society was a sylvan performance of "As You Like It," which was given in the pine grove at the residence of Oscar Taylor on South Carroll street. The play was a memorable success, and those who have witnessed it and later productions of the club as well, say that it has never been surpassed for daintiness and idyllic beauty. The cast on this occasion comprised :

In succeeding years other histrionic attempts have seen light, but while the first performances given by the club were either public, or at least witnessed by large audiences, the society has become exclusive of later years, and their productions have been privately staged at the homes of the members and before audiences consisting of the club members themselves and their immediate families. Among the plays which have been given are "Twelfth Night," "The Taming of the Shrew," "The Comedy of Errors," "The Merchant of Venice," and a number of non-Shakespearian plays, as well as short scenes or cuttings from the Shakespearian comedies. Outside professional companies have also been secured, among them the Ben Greet Players, who gave "As You Like It" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Bailey's Park. The most notable outside performance was that of "Antony and Cleopatra" by the Charles B. Hanford Company, the part of Cleopatra being taken by Miss Alice Wilson, now Mrs. Cecil Magnus, of Fort Hamilton, New York, a former member of the Shakespeare Society.

Among the outside activities undertaken by the society has been the securing of lecturers who have appeared not only before the club but before public audiences, on subjects connected with the current topics of the year's program. In this way the society has served not only to widen the interests and broaden the intellectual horizon of its members, but of the community as well.

The Shakespeare Society has recently completed the twenty-second year of its existence. There are at present but three active members whose names were on the original roll of the Wantahno Circle. The organization has increased in numbers and has extended its labors into every field of cultural activity. During this period, sixteen of its members have occupied the president's chairs, only two or three of them having served for more than one term. The presidents of the society since its founding have been :

Euterpean

"Love the best things ; do the wisest things ; think the purest things ; aspire to the noblest things !" When the Euterpean Musical-Literary Society organized in 1902, it chose the above motto to guide its steps. The club was organized through the efforts of Wilber M. Derthick, founder and director of the Euterpean Fraternity, who went about the country establishing clubs in every city or prominence. The Euterpean Fraternity of America was founded in imitation of the Euterpe, a Norwegian musical society of which the composer, Edward Grieg, was the chief. Mr. Derthick and his wife, Mrs. May M. Derthick, succeeded in establishing the Freeport chapter in 1902 and provided the members with a program for the winter of 1902-3.

The Euterpean was not the first society which Mr. Derthick had fostered in Freeport. About ten years ago, he came to this city and assisted in founding a club which became known as the "Musical-Literary Club." While this club had really no connection with the Euterpean Society, still those who had been members of the Musical-Literary Club became members of the Euterpean for the most part, and in addition to this, the aim and general purposes of the two clubs were very much alike. There was this exception; the "Musical-Literary Club" aimed to carry out programs which should cover the fields of Music and Literature. The Euterpean took up this work and added the province of Art. Painting was discussed and the works of the great masters were studied, while the literary and musical work was continued as well.

The "Musical-Literary Club" had disbanded after three years of work. The Euterpean too. in spite of an interesting and helpful year, broke up at the end of one season. It was not until three years later that the old members began to make some move toward reorganizing. Then, remembering the pleasures of their one year together, they decided to meet and continue the musical-literary programs. Mr. Derthick had given up his work and the Euterpean Fraternity as a national organization was no longer in existence. But the ideas which he had instilled into the minds of his former pupils were still fresh, and the men and women who had studied with him were anxious to recommence their work.

The result was a complete reorganization in 1905, under the name of this "Euterpean Musical-Literary Club." Miss Julia Molter was elected president and retained her office for one year. In 1906, Mrs. Edna Baker Oylet was made president, and she remained in office for three terms. She was succeeded in 1909 by Miss Isabel Fry, the present leader of the society. After two years of this work, the Euterpean began to feel that it had undertaken too heavy a proposition. It was very enjoyable to study art, music, and literature, but it took time and continued effort. The programs were long, and it seemed that undue efforts were expended upon them. Moreover, the club was composed almost entirely of persons interested chiefly in music. Accordingly, the nature of the club was again changed and in 1907 the society became the "Euterpean Musical Club."

The Euterpean Musical Club filled a long felt want inasmuch as it was the only exclusively musical club of the city. The Woman's Club has maintained a music department and had given public musicales at various times, but the chief interests of that organization lay elsewhere. The Euterpean, however, has given itself entirely over to music, and the development and education of a musical taste in the community. To this end, they have given at least two artist recitals a year ever since 1907. They have secured a number of eminent musicians, among them Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Butler, of Chicago, who are honorary members of the Euterpean, and have given several Euterpean recitals both privately and publicly.

It has been the custom for the past three years to close the work of the year with a picnic or social gathering of some sort, on the evening of the final recital. This recital has usually been one of the two artist recitals of the year, but on one occasion the program was made up exclusively of home talent. Last year, the picnic and closing recital was held at the club house of the Lakota Club in West Freeport. The Lakota Club gave its house over to the Euterpean Society for the occasion and the Euterpean entertained the Lakota men as their guests. This year the picnic was held at the home of Mrs. Frank Bass, on South Carroll street. The artist on this occasion was Mr. Harold Henry, of Chicago, pianist.

The Euterpean Society plans to continue its work next year, with Miss Isabel Fry, as president, and it is to be hoped that it will remain a permanent institution. It is one of the few clubs of the city which have been organized with a definite purpose in sight, and is second to none in importance as it is the only musical society of the city. The Euterpean has only been active for a short time, but during that brief period it has accomplished a great deal in the way of furthering musical interests in Freeport.

Culture Club

One of the literary clubs of Freeport which has not appeared in the limelight at any time, but has always continued to do its work quietly and unassumingly is the organization which is known as "The Culture Club." As its name indicates, the aim of its members is the acquisition of a broad range of knowledge and experience productive of general culture. The club is somewhat smaller than any of the other organizations of the city, the membership being limited to eighteen. At the present time there are sixteen members.

The Culture Club had its beginnings in a small and exclusive circle known as the "Home Reading Circle," which was founded nearly seventeen years ago. The three members who may be styled as charter members of the club, inasmuch as they first gathered together at one another's homes to pursue a course of reading, are still active members. These three found the association so pleasant and the work so enjoyable that they decided to increase the membership and widen the circle of activities. This was done in a few years and the club soon took its present name of "The Culture Club." The three charter members were all teachers and most of the present membership is made up of teachers in the Freeport schools. However, this is by no means considered as a necessary qualification for membership.

The Culture Club meets once a week, on Monday evenings, at the homes of its several members, and carries out a literary program consisting of papers and discussions. A program of work is outlined each year and adhered to throughout. It has been the custom of the club of late years to select as a general topic for the year's work a nation and its people. In connection with the study of the land and people, some of the literature of the nation is read. Two years ago, Russia was the topic, last year France was the general subject, and next year Germany will be studied.

The roll of members is as follows: Miss Emma Voss, Miss Alice Reitzell, Miss Eva Milner, Mrs. Edward Bengston, Miss Clara Swanzey, Miss Mabel Goddard, Mrs. Linnie Scofield, Mrs. Kettle, Miss Vida Graham, Mrs. A. C. Knorr, Miss Vorta Walker, Mrs. William H. Thoren, Mrs. A. Billerbeck, Miss Ida Bastian, Miss Susan Brown, and Miss Irene Place. The officers for the current year are: Preseident, Miss Emma Voss; vice president, Mrs. L. E. Scofield; secretary and treasurer, Miss Mabel Goddard.

Humane Society

The work of the Freeport Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was inaugurated by the Freeport Woman's Club. On the meeting of April 15, of that date the subject was first brought up by Mrs. J. G. Oyler, who has since continued to be very active in the work. The principal cities about Freeport all had humane societies which were doing good work, and the more enterprising Freeport people, particularly the ladies of the Woman's Club, felt that the lack was a serious detriment to Freeport's good name. Accordingly, Mrs. Oyler who had investigated the subject moved that the Woman's Club take action to found a Humane Society, and appoint a committee to carry out the project. Her motion was carried and a committee was appointed by Mrs. Hildreth, then president of the Club, consisting of Mesdames Zipf, Oyler, Dunn, and Truesdell.

The work was soon under way, and a few weeks later an organization was perfected. The organizing meeting was held in the parlors of the Y. M. C. A., and after transacting preliminary business, the society elected the following members to serve as first officers of the association : President, Henry Dorman ; vice president, Mrs. John G. Oyler ; secretary, Miss Marion Clark ; treasurer, Joseph Emmert ; humane officer, Charles Hall.

Thirty-eight charter members enrolled in the first humane society, and the club started out with the laudable intention of preventing cruelty toward children as well as dumb beasts. But at first the humane society did not thrive. There had been other humane societies in previous years, which flickered and died out after a short and uncertain existence, and it seemed at first that the new organization was to follow in the beaten path. It is due to the unfailing energy of the members, and especially the officers that the humane society survived and became so potent a factor in the welfare of the community. Charles Hall, humane officer, was chief of police at the time, and his time was occupied with his duties in other directions. Consequently his career as humane officer was not marked by any great activity, and he did not accomplish any marked success.

Some of the more active members, feeling that it was a disgrace that the humane society should not be properly supported, called the members together at another meeting two years after the first one, in 1903. A reorganization took place and new officers were elected. At this time the following were placed in office : President, Henry Dorman ; vice president, T. H. Hollister ; secretary, Mrs. J. G. Oyler ; treasurer, Joseph Emmert ; humane officer, B. F. Brubaker.

From the time of this reorganization dates the present activity of the Freeport S. P. C. A. B. F. Brubaker proved himself a willing and capable humane officer, and to him is due a great part of the credit for the excellent reputation which the humane society has of late achieved. Although engaged in other business he has devoted time and energies to his duties as humane officer, and has more than creditably filled his position.

A short time ago occurred the death of President Dorman. T. H. Hollister thereupon took his place. The other officers of the association have remained unchanged. From an original thirty-eight the membership has swelled to over one hundred and fifty, and constant additions are being made from time to time.

Juvenile Court

The juvenile court work has been an outgrowth of the humane society, and, like that organization, was fostered by the Freeport Woman's Club. Three names have been very intimately connected with its career in Freeport, those of Miss Bertha Bidwell, Miss Alice Hettinger, and Mrs. John G. Oyler, who have devoted much of their time and efforts to the maintenance of the institution.

Mrs. Oyler has been the first and only probation officer, and Judge Clarity has been the only judge of the juvenile court. During the comparatively short time of the court's activity, no less than one hundred children have been cared for. Some of these have been sent to institutions of correction, some have been sent to schools for dependent children, and others have been placed in good homes. A large number have been legally adopted.

The juvenile court succeeded in sending to the penitentiary a woman who had been the author of a notorious case of child abuse, one Mrs. Mary Jane Sked, who is at present incarcerated in Joliet. The ladies interested in the juvenile court have also taken up the matter of impure and immoral productions at the theatres of the city. A profound agitation was aroused only one or two years ago by the appearance of a certain company at the Grand Opera House, whose performance was styled indecent. The company had intended to return and repeat its performance, but the prompt action of the juvenile court committee blocked any such procedure.

Truant And Home Matron

Until last year the board of education employed the services of the chief of police as truant officer of the public schools. The arrangement was never satisfactory, for the chief of police always found himself too burdened with his regular duties to properly attend to cases of truancy. Following the lead of other schools in Chicago and the east, the board decided to engage the services of a truant officer who should devote her entire time to the work. Mrs. Edna Baker Oyler was engaged at a regular salary, and since September, 1909, has continued to fill the office most ably.

Her proper title is truant officer and home matron of the Freeport public schools, and in addition to her duties in cases of truancy, she is expected to direct her efforts toward bettering the condition of the children of the city schools in a moral, religious, and sanitary way. Mrs. Oyler deserves a great deal of credit for the unflinching stand she has taken and for the surprising and gratifying results she has been able to accomplish. She has unearthed a great many surprising and startling situations, and has been the cause of a large number of arrests and fines. The selling of tobacco and liquor to minors, and gambling on the part of boys under age have been the marked objects of her campaign, and in this connection she has been able to institute reforms in a number of instances. Mrs. Oyler's crusade has only begun but the board of education feels eminently satisfied with the proceedings so far, and hopes for a continuance of the work. In the employing of a special truant officer and home matron, the board of education is placing the Freeport public schools in the front ranks as the most progressive in the northern part of Illinois.

Of the various temperance organizations which once flourished in Freeport, only one remains, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and that has not only survived the shocks of a troublous career, but it has steadily increased in strength, and now holds a post of honor and importance. The I. O. Good Templars, which was for a long time the leading temperance order of the city, as well as the Sons of Temperance, and several lesser societies, like the Freeport Reform Club, have lived and passed away after comparatively brief careers. This does not mean that the temperance movement has suffered a relapse in Freeport. Quite the contrary. The temperance wave which recently swept over the land arid caused so many of the states of the Union to "go dry," was as strongly felt in Freeport as elsewhere. The death of the above mentioned organizations merely means, if interpreted aright, that no reform movement which does not "mean business" can long endure, and certain of Freeport's temperance organizations, before their demise, were doing very little active work. The W. C. T. U., on the other hand, has always been most active, and has always carried the greater burden of the good work on its own shoulders.

It was founded on the roth of April, 1874, when a meeting of the ladies of Freeport who were interested in the cause of temperance, was held in the First Methodist church, with a view to ascertaining what means could be best employed in the undertaking on which they were engaged. Mrs. E. M. Marsh (deceased), who afterward became identified with the W. C. T. U. for many years acted as chairman, and Mrs. J. R. Lemon was the secretary. At this meeting the W. C. T. U. was organized and there were present Mrs. F. O. Miller, Mrs. Isaac F. Kleckner, Mrs. E. Hemenway, Mrs. A. W. Ford, Mrs. J. S. Best, Mrs. L. Fisher and others. Mrs. Lemon was elected the first president, Mrs. Kleckner secretary, and Miss A. Jenks treasurer. Among the ladies still residing in Freeport who have since headed the local W. C. T. U., are Mrs. A. K. Stibgen, Mrs. Robert Bell, Mrs. W. O. Wright, and Mrs. L. B. Sanborn.

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the society, in 1889, appropriate exercises were held in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium. Papers were read by Mrs. A. W. Ford and Mrs. Emily V. Keever and Mrs. Louise Rounds, at that time state president also addressed the gathering. The papers and discussion which formed the program of the occasion recalled the work which had been accomplished in the lifetime of the Freeport W. C. T. U., the mass meetings which had been held, the various crusades which had been conducted against drink, and the number of persons reclaimed from the evil effects of the habit. The work within the last ten years has been particularly gratifying. However, it has been conducted in a quiet and unpretentious manner, and very little publicity has been given to it.

The society now in existence numbers about - members. The officers for the year are: President, Mrs. W. H. Manchester; vice president, Mrs. J. J. Nagle; secretary, Mrs. Anna Alexander; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Nellie Effinger; treasurer, Miss Jeannette Engle.

Freeport Audubon Society

Within the last few years a growing sentiment for the preservation of our songsters has manifested itself throughout the entire country. The Freeport Audubon Society, perhaps more commonly known as the Bird Club, has been a direct outgrowth of this sentiment. Miss Edna Porter was the founder of the society. It was established four years ago, by ten ladies interested in the study and preservation of birds, and has been very active since that time in carrying out its purpose. The members, whose number is limited to twentyfive, meet every two weeks at one other's homes and carry out programs consisting of papers and informal discussions. The club is very enthusiastic about its work, and is one of the most wide-awake organizations of the city. It aims to teach its members and -the community as well of the nature, appearance, and habits of the feathered tribe, and is taking all the steps in its power to prevent the possible extermination or thinning out of the song-birds of this region, many species of which are rapidly becoming depleted.

Each member makes it a personal matter to do all she can in this direction. An illustrative incident occurred very recently. A small boy «vho evidently didn't know any better, was seen to enter a yard, pick up a baby robin, which had apparently fallen out of the nest before able to fly, play with it, and then throw it away after having handled it pretty roughly and broken both of its wings, The matter was reported to one of the members of the Audubon Society. After having ascertained the name of the small offender, she made it her business to see him personally and talk with him on the subject of birds. So successfully did she accomplish her purpose that the boy was much affected and promised never to torture any robins in the future.

During the past winter, the Audubon Society held a public illustrated lecture on the subject of birds. The lecture was one sent out by the State Audubon Society. The colored slides were also provided and the lecture was read by one of the members. This practice will probably be continued in future years, but no definite plans have been made to that effect.

The Audubon Society has become very popular during the past year. A large number of names are on the waiting list, but the membership is limited to twenty-five, and all are active and enthusiastic members. The ten ladies who organized the club are still on the roll of active members. For the first two years of the club's existence, Miss Louise Morgan served as president. She was succeeded by Miss Marion Clark, who has also served for two terms. The names of the charter members who founded the society four years ago are :

The original Stephenson County Medical Society was organized in 1865, with Dr. L. A. Mease as its first president. For some few years affairs were conducted regularly, and meetings held on stated occasions. But the attendance became small, duties were neglected, and the interest waned. For a short time, there was no county medical society.

In June, 1878, the society was reorganized under the name of the Stephenson County Society of Physicians and Surgeons, and the following officers were elected: President, F. W. Hance; vice president, L. A. Mease; secretary and treasurer, Charles Brundage.

The new society consisted of nine members : L. G. Voigt, L. A. Mease, C. M. Hillebrand, F. W. Hance, C. B. Wright, E. A. Carpenter, Charles Brundage, Louis Stoskopf, and B. T. Buckley. The society soon took in the following additional members: I. P. Fishburn, and S. K. Martin, Dakota, and T. L. Carey, Lena.

For some years the society was neither active nor well patronized. One cause or another, usually professional jealousy, kept the membership list from growing, and the Stephenson County Society of Physicians and Surgeons was not known as an active and energetic organization. But within the last few years a remarkable growth has taken place. About all the physicians in good standing in the 'county are members of the association, both in Freeport and in the villages of the county. A few years ago the name was again changed to the "Stephenson County Medical Association," by which it has since continued to be designated.

There are thirty-eight active members in good standing and four honorary members. The membership list follows. In all cases, except where otherwise specified, the members are Freeporters. The list includes B. A. Arnold, E. H. Best, Paul Burrell (Winslow), E. E. Burwell, R. J. Burns, C. L. Best, J. S. Clark, J. N. Daly (Orangeville), F. A. Dietrich, B. Erp-Brockhausen, J. F. Fair, T. J. Holke, W. A. Hutchins (Orangeville), Linda Hutchins, N. R. Harlan, Sara Hewitson, W. Karcher, A. F. Kober (McConnell), C. P. Leitzell (Dakota), F. J. Lins (Durand), D. C. L. Mease, H. E. Morrison, W. B. Peck, N. C. Phillips, W. J. Rideout, Mary L. Rosenstiel, A. Salter, M. Saucerman (Rock Grove), J. H. Stealy, W. B. Stiver, R. J. Stiver (Lena), A. E. Smith, K. F. Snyder, E. J. Torey, S. C. Thompson (Cedarville), E. A. Carpenter (Baileyville), L. G. Voigt, A. A. Wilson (Davis), J. G. Woker (Pearl City).

The officers of the present association are: President, A. E. Smith, vice president, B. Erp-Brockhausen ; secretary, J. Sheldon Clark; treasurer, D. C. L. Mease.

Freeport Club

The Freeport Club is an organization of which the business men of Freeport are justly proud. It possesses a club house which for convenience and elegance of appointments is hardly surpassed by any similar building in a city of this size. For twenty years it has been in existence during which time it has maintained the high standard of excellence set by its founders.

On October 21, 1890, the organization was completed by twenty-nine of Freeport's business men and the present Freeport Club was founded. Previous to that time a club had been maintained by ten of the men who now went into the Freeport Club. This club maintained a club room in the Wilcoxin building, then known as the Opera House Block. When the Freeport Club was formally instituted the club rooms were moved from the Opera House Block across the street to a room which is now occupied by the C. E. Wilkins photograph gallery. The twenty-nine men whose names are to be found on the original document of the Freeport Club are: Wallace Collins, Boyd P. Hill, W. Ensign Boyington, F. A. Read, James W. Hyde, W. A. Stevens, Alfred Brown, John S. Harpster, Dwight B. Breed, Edward Winslow, C. C. Hanford, W. E. Fry, Henry J. Porter, Charles A. McNamara, John A. Martin, Mathias Hettinger, Jr., Charles D. Knowlton, Arthur Rodearmel, Lalon Z. Farwell, W. H. Taggart, Michael Stoskopf, Charles E. Scott, W. S. Benson, Horace Webster, Addison Bidwell, Dr. E. H. Allen, William J. Hall, Frederick Bartlett and Robert Hall Wiles.

Soon after organization a large number of new members were accepted into the club, which then entered upon a season of rapid and promising growth. Charles D. Knowlton was elected president, and retained his office for a number of years. His successors have been Boyd P. Hill, Michael Stoskopf, and L. Z. Farwell, the present officer. Mr. Farwell has occupied the chair for the past nine years and has proved himself an able and efficient president.

Three years after the organization of the club it was found advisable to change quarters. The room on Stephenson street had become too small to suit the needs of the growing society and the officers began to look about for a site for a club house. At this time they made a very fortunate "find." The present club property on Stephenson street was then owned by ex-mayor Jacob Krohn, who had become a member of the club. Circumstances made it necessary for Mr. Krohn to move, and he offered to sell his home to the Freeport Club for use as a club house at a very small figure. The club found the Krohn property admirably suited to its needs and closed the bargain at once. The house was secured for the sum of $5,500, which now seems ridiculously small, as the house and lot are at present valued at a much larger sum.

On July 8, 1893, the club moved from its cramped quarters down town and six days later, on the I4th, the house warming was held, an occasion which will long be remembered by the older members of the organization. The building has been occupied during the seventeen years which have passed since that date, and numerous improvements have been made upon the property, raising its present value to something over $10,000.

Among the additions made have been the bowling alley, ball room, billiard room and tennis court. The bowling alley was built in at the rear of the building, a special structure being erected for the purpose about ten years ago. At the time the club members took a great interest in the sport. Various teams known by the names of Rough Rollers, Smooth Rollers, Smith P. I.'s, etc., were organized and captained by enthusiastic members, and two silver cups on the mantel over the fireplace of the reading room give evidence of the one time interest in the game.

The club house ball room has been the scene of many a brilliant function since its equipment not a decade ago. The floor is one of the best dance floors in the city and the room itself while somewhat small is quite adequate to the needs of the club and has been used and enjoyed continuously by the members and their families. The billiard room and tenis court have also been in constant use, and the club men and their families have derived a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment from the use of them.

Among the customs instituted by the club have been the annual New Year's ball on New Year's eve for the purpose of watching the old year out and the new year in, and the annual Fourth of July fete on the club lawn. A large amount of money has been expended at these fetes in securing displays of fireworks, and the results have always been highly satisfactory, the spectators always enthusiastically reporting a most enjoyable time.

The club is now established on a firm basis as one of Freeport's oldest social organizations, and, in fact, the only one of its especial kind. It is the only club affording a means of entertainment to both members and their families and out of town friends. As such it is assured of a continued prosperity. The present officers of the club are : president, L. Z. Farwell ; vice president, T. H. Hollister; secretary, Norman Tuckett; treasurer, J. Manly Clark.

Lakota Club

The Lakota Club is a club made up of the younger business men of Freeport. It is exclusively a social organization, and possesses a handsome (if somewhat diminutive) club house in West Freeport on the Schofield property.

The Lakota Club had its inception two years ago in June, 1908. when seven young men who found themselves congenial and united by the common bond of bachelordom, met and formulated plans for the organization of a social club. These seven young men, who are still, with one single exception, members of the club today were : Raymond S. Wise, Dr. J. Sheldon Clark, Jos. Sibley, George Creighton, F. A. McNess, F. H. Bowers, and Mentor Wheat. A committee was immediately appointed to look over the various properties in and around Freeport which would afford a suitable location for a club house.

After some deliberation the committee selected as a site the land north of Stephenson street owned by Ira Schofield, which was then known as Schofield's

Park. The park contained a miniature lake which afforded excellent facilities for bathing in summer and skating in winter. In addition to this the situation was quite ideal in all other respects for the location of a country club. It is a somewhat retired glen, sloping somewhat from the road and invisible through a grove of tall spreading trees. The land leased by the Lakota Club surrounds the lake and extends south nearly to trie street.

It was not until the work of equipping the club house was under way that the subject of a name for the club was broached. It was then decided to call the club by the Indian name of "Lakota" which means "Our Allies" or "Our Friends."

The club house has been well fitted out. It contains an excellent dance floor as well as all the other attachments of an up-to-date club house.