Galesburg City Township (part 1 of 2)

Galesburg City Township

The city of Galesburg owes its existence to a company of men and women who loved education and religion. The founders of the city were already educated, refined and religious themselves and they wanted to extend these advantages and influences to the youth of the land. In the charter of the college it is declared in Sec. 2 : "The object of said corporation shall be to promote the general interests of literature and to qualify young men in the best manner for the various professional and business occupations of society." It is also stated in the original circular: "The indications of Providence, as well as the requisitions of Christ, impose on Christians of this day peculiar obligations to devise and execute, as far as in them lies, liberal and efficient plans for spreading the gospel through the world. The supply of an evangelical and able ministry is confessedly the most important for the accomplishment of this end."

It is for these purposes that certain men and women left Oneida county. New York, with their friends from other parts of the east, and journeyed overland to Illinois, meeting many trials and thrilling experiences on their way thither. The

Whereas, Believing that said appropriation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) is not a sufficient sum to erect a monument suitable to the purpose proposed, or one that will be an honor to Knox county's fallen sons, or even to the present generation of voters who may act upon said proposition if successful; therefore, be it - , - . - ' ' : ' ' . . '-----:--' ."'--^ 1-. ,"-.''--'---

Resolved by this Post, That we most earnestly and respectfully request the honorable board of supervisors of said Knox county to reconsider its action taken concerning that appropriation and withdraw said proposition before it goes before the voters for their action, and when so withdrawn that a committee be appointed by said board whose duty it shall be to solicit plans and estimates of monuments of modern designs, from competent persons, that when erected, will reflect credit upon the builders, and do deserved honor to those whose deeds we would commemorate ; and, be it

Resolved, That when such plans and estimates shall have been presented and shall be found to fully answer tTie demand as above set forth, that the board of supervisors of said Knox county be requested then to present to the voters of Knox county, a proposition to vote an appropriation of such sum as by the above estimates presented, shall be found sufficient and worthy the high purpose of erecting a beautiful memorial to those who, by their patriotic devotion, have made it possible for us to say today in honorable fact what for nearly a century before the Civil War could only be said in unmeaning words.

The city of Galesburg owes its existence to a company of men and women who loved education and religion. The founders of the city were already educated, refined and religious themselves and they wanted to extend these advantages and influences to the youth of the land. In the charter of the college it is declared in Sec. 2 : "The object of said corporation shall be to promote the general interests of literature and to qualify young men in the best manner for the various professional and business occupations of society." It is also stated in the original circular : "The indications of Providence, as well as the requisitions of Christ, impose on Christians of this day peculiar obligations to devise and execute, as far as in them lies, liberal and efficient plans for spreading the gospel through the world. The supply of an evangelical and able ministry is confessedly the most important for the accomplishment of this end." . . I V

It is for these purposes that certain men and women left Oneida county. New York, with their friends from other parts of the east, and journeyed overland to Illinois, meeting many trials and thrilling experiences on their way thither. The world has had many migrations of people from place to place. In the early history of men these migrations were probably due to the lack of food or the desire for plunder and a severe struggle for existence, making it necessary that a portion of the people separate from the tribe and go elsewhere. Since the dawn of history these migrations have taken place because of religious oppression, the aggressions of the ruling class and the increasing curtailment of the liberties of the common people. Not so, however, with the people who came to Galesburg. They lived in comfort, they had their share of this world's goods, they were respected for their attainments, they enjoyed the blessings of religious and civil liberty, and their homes were in a prosperous country, in a prosperous community and there was still plenty of land to admit of expansion. A high and noble declaration setting forth the reason of their migration must therefore stand in all truth and sincerity.

It is this same band who came to organize a Christian college, that also organized the city of Galesburg. We have here a remarkable example of the persistence of a living principle. Every high ideal, every devotion to a pure, Christian faith that was present with the founders of Knox college and Galesburg, is still to be found in the founders and their descendants and in the accretions that have come to our city from other and independent sources. And in this fact we find a fulfillment of the high hopes and purposes of the founders. Not only in a general way have they left to their descendants the noble spirit with which the founders came but there is everywhere evidence that much of the same spirit has permeated the lives of all our citizens. We would not say that every thought in its entirety that was entertained by our ancestors is still common in Galesburg. Those thoughts have been modified and broadened with the lapse of time and in the ripening fruit we see clearly the real sweet and nutritious kernel that was then partly hidden within the somewhat forbidding but protecting shell. And this is true of all communities within this county in which these founders settled. They brought with them and have made generous distribution of their own noble qualities.

The story of migration has been so often told that it need not here be repeated in detail. There is scarcely a newspaper published in this county that does not : occasionally refer to the experiences of these men. Again and again t^e story is told to the children of the public schools and to the students in our colleges. Much of it also will be found in different parts of this history, but rather let us turn our attention to some things of interest which have occurred in the course of the policies pursued in the corporate capacity of our city.

by Miss Helen M. Ryan, read June 13, 1912 at her graduation from Knox college, is submitted to cover that period. It gives so complete a description, in so small a space, of Galesburg life prior to the city's incorporation and is so full of interest that all will be glad to find it in these pages. ;:.; - - -.

tury sprang up like mushrooms upon the rolling prairie of Illinois, from some tiny spores wafted on the breeze of western migration, Galesburg is a typical example. Its religious history has been traced from the very beginning; we have long been familiar with the early annals of the college, which indeed was the forerunner of the town, while but slight emphasis has been placed upon the industrial metamorphosis through which the village passed in the early fifties, when after strenuous effort on the part of loyal citizens, a railroad came through Galesburg, and rescued it from the oblivfoh which would otherwise have been its fate.

Founded in 1837, Galesburg had grown steadily until in 1845 it was a flourish- ' ing village of some seventy dwellings, "situated on the main stage line between Peoria and Oquawka" as an old Knox catalogue tells us. Around the New England square were a general store or two and a blacksmith shop, while on the southwest corner stood the first church, the ever watchful guardian of the moral life of the community.

Galesburg passed the first two decades of its existence quietly - independent of the rest of the world. But should we picture it in 1857 we would see a change, evidences of the industrial revolution, ushered in by the coming of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, which resulted in a new era of industrial development. No longer does one store do the business of the community but there are merchants of various kinds. No longer do the people gather in their dooryards as the clumsy stage coach, with horn blowing, thunders down the road. No longer is the whir of saw or grist mill the only evidence of industry, since from the "Q" yards to Frost's foundry, there is a buzz and shriek of machinery, the clang of engine bells and the scream of whistles, announcing the employment of scores of men.

That first epoch in Galesburg's economic history was characterized by a lack of transportation facilities and by an absence of machinery, two factors aflecting all fields of activity, but especially prominent in determining the condition of agriculture at that time. The primitive methods of farming alone were sufficient to limit production, while the difficulty in reaching markets made large crops unprofitable and offered no incentive to inventive genius for the improvement of agricultural implements. Corn has always been the chief export until after the coming of the railroad. Wheat, however, has always been produced in comparatively large quantities. With the only farm implements an old fashioned wooden mold-board plow, a sickle, a harvesting cradle, and a threshing fiail, necessitating the use of manual labor in all the processes, the acreage under cultivation was naturally small. Moreover, when the farmer had succeeded in harvesting his wheat, he must make the tiresome journey with loaded wagons, to Peoria or farther still, to Chicago - the latter trip consuming two weeks with a tedious wait in the elevators in the city if prices were high, perhaps sixty cents - causing farmers to rush their wheat to market. Hog raising owing to the distance from available markets, was an unsuccessful financial venture, if one may judge from the experience of the ' man from Knoxville who once succeeded in driving 1,300 unruly pigs to Chicago at a loss of $5,000.

The absence of railroads and the consequent isolation, resulted in the industrial independence of the community ; whereas, within Galesburg itself, owing to the abundance of land, each family was practically self-supporting. There was little

- ; -; were low, for Mr. Qjlton would accept whatever farm produce you had to offer - in exchange for needles, farm implements or calico. There was little competition

'. " . . wood from Henderson Grove. All building materials with the exception of hard- ; V ' ware, glass and white lead, were the product of the neighborhood. In the sash, .' , . . door and blind factory, all the labor was performed by hand for years.

. - - On April i3th of that year a committee from the village trustees was appointed to . ; wait upon L. C. Conger and find out if he would accept the office of supervisor at ;-; ' I2j^ cents per day that the trustees agreed to allow him. Here is one instance at ,;--'- least, of the office seeking the man. ; :

-; .. ; ; In the spring of 1857, after it became apparent that Galesburg was to be a ---. ': railroad town, the citizens aspired to give their town the more dignified appellation "., ;- of CITY OF GALESBURG. An election was called for the 6th of April, the village 3 . trustees met, canvassed the votes and declared the following officers elected : H. R. ;?_; , Sanderson, mayor; O. S. Pitcher, city clerk; F. P. Sisson, marshal; David San- ; bom, assessor; George Davis, collector; And. Phelps, treasurer; John Burlin^am, ;-; street commissioner; A. C. Wiley and L. C. Conger, police magistrates; M. S. r'-;;: ,.: Cooke, city justice of the peace. Aldermen: ist ward, J. H. Sherman; 2nd -.: .. ward, Edwin Post; 3d ward, J. F. Dunn; 4th ward, J. W. Cothren; 5th ward, -';^'v. Marcus Belden; 6th ward, E. M. Jordan. : , =:, .v.^.

- ; First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pitcher, clerk, presented his certificate of elec- ,;;;.- tion, took the oath of office before A. C. Wiley, J. P., and proceeded to organize

-'-!.-. ^^^ council. The major being absent, Mr. J. H. Sherman was made acting mayor. /; ;;. The city had no corporate seal and it was ordered that a "Scrawl" around the

The council met again April I3th when the clerk reported a representation of the main building of Knox college as a device for a city seal which was unanimously adopted.

A room for meeting for one year was rented of R. H. Rugar for $100.00. It will be noted that the vote on license or no license resulted in "no license" by 358 majority. This vote applied to the charter which, therefore denied to the council the right to license the sale of intoxicating liquor until the adoption of the present charter containing license privilege.

On April i6, 1857 the council declared by ordinance all roads within the city to be public streets and any continuation of any of said streets should bear the name of the street so continued. Questions like this kind came in rapid succession and. were taken up and disposed of, thereby adjusting matters in conformity with the broader outloolc arising from the new powers and duties of the newly bom city. In 1860, a census was taken, showing the total number of inhabitants to be 5,544, of whom 2,753 were males, 2,791 females ; divided among the different races as follows: Swedes, 654; Irish, 422; Germans, 222; other foreigners, 220; Americans, 4,026; colored, 78; entitled to vote, 1,153.

In the same year a Norwegian - name unknown - asked the privilege of establishing a brewery within the city limits. .- ';| , - .; It was in this year that the rumblings of the Civil War were first heaird. ^. , .

Overt acts were committed by the south at different points during the winter of i86i and war began in earnest in the spring. The pressure was immediately felt by the families of the men who had volunteered to defend the nation. On Nov. 19, i86i, the council voted an allowance of thirty to forty cents a day for each man regularly certified. An appropriation of $5,000.00 had been made for this purpose in the tax levy of April 19, i86i. The young city did her full share. In January, 1865 when the government wanted to close the war with a mighty dash and called loudly for additional troops, the council offered a bounty of $500.00 to include the $300.00 offered for the first sixteen men who would volunteer. This action was rescinded when it was learned that the quota required of the city was much larger than supposed and it was voted to have placed to the credit of the township sixty volunteers and pay each $200.00. The city guaranc

The council met again April I3th when the clerk reported a representation of the main building of Knox college as a device for a city seal which was unanimously adopted.

A room for meeting for one year was rented of R. H. Rugar for $100.00. It will be noted that the vote on license or no license resulted in "no license" by 358 majority. This vote applied to the charter which, therefore denied to the council the right to license the sale of intoxicating liquor until the adoption of the present charter containing license privilege.

On April i6, 1857 the council declared by ordinance all roads within the city to be public streets and any continuation of any of said streets should bear the name of the street so continued. Questions like this kind came in rapid succession and. were taken up and disposed of, thereby adjusting matters in conformity with the broader outlooli arising from the new powers and duties of the newly born city. In 1860. a census was taken, showing the total number of inhabitants to be 5,544, of whom 2,753 were males, 2,791 females ; divided among the different races as follows: Swedes, 654; Irish, 422; Germans, 222; other foreigners, 220; Americans, 4,026; colored, 78; entitled to vote, 1,153.

Overt acts were committed by the south at different points during the winter of i86i and war began in earnest in the spring. The pressure was immediately felt by the families of the men who had volunteered to defend the nation. On Nov. 19, i86i, the council voted an allowance of thirty to forty cents a day for each man regularly certified. An appropriation of $5,000.00 had been made for this purpose in the tax levy of April 19, i86i. The young city did her full share. In January, 1865 when the government wanted to close the war with a mighty dash and called loudly for additional troops, the council offered a bounty of $500.00 to include the $300.00 offered for the first sixteen men who would volunteer. This action was rescinded when it was learned that the quota required of the city was much larger than supposed and it was voted to have placed to the credit of the township sixty volunteers and pay each $200.00. The city guaran-

November i8, 1863, the council voted to pay $12.00 per month while in the . , service of the United States under the call for 300,000 men then made. Mayor

; May 15, 1876, Mr. Sanderson (Henry R.) introduced a resolution directing the :.'-;- mayor to give notice at once for an election, submitting the question to a vote of \^ the people: "Shall this city become incorporated under the general law of this -.-.

attorney was instructed to prepare an ordinance providing that the offices of city ::'/,.; and town clerk shall be united in the same person and that the offices of supervisor ; '-J, and poor master shall be separated, and the poor master appointed by the city

-.-y This department consisted of a constable only at the start. The clerk's record j- r shows that on June 2, 1856, a police force was established consisting of five men .,- to be selected by Constable Wilsey, whose duties shall be "to arrest all disorderly v; persons and such other duties in the premises as is usually performed by such officers." A year later a police department was established by ordinance consist- ' - v ing of the mayor, marshal and such policemen as then were or may thereafter be y .: appointed. Two years later it was voted that the services of the police be dis- ---/.ri' pensed with from and after this date and until further order from the city council. V -

Today the police department of the city comprises the mayor as head over all, the chief of police, the desk sergeant and six patrolmen. Exclusive of the mayor, the annual salaries aggregate something over $6,7OO.cx). Attached to the department is a fine ambulance, a good patrol wagon, and a good team of horses, the upkeep of which is about $2CX) per annum. ;: .

This department is the joy of the small boy, the comfort of the adult and the pride of all good citizens. It is generally believed that Galesburg has the best fire department of any city of like size in the state. It had its origin in an oldfashioned volunteer fire brigade.

On Feb. 5, 1858, the city council called upon all good citizens of Galesburg to call at the council room of the city and enroll themselves members of a volunteer bucket company, each agreeing to keep a bucket for the special purpose, and hold himself in readiness to attend all fires in the city and, at the same time it was ordered that an ordinance for the organization of a fire department be prepared. The ordinance provided that the department consist of an engineer, two assistant engineers, a city fire warden and such fire engine men, hose men, hook and ladder, ax and saw men and bucket company men as may from time to time be approved by the council, and when so approved, and not otherwise, they shall be enrolled as members of the fire department, the aldermen to be ex-officio fire wardens of their respective wards. Forty-five names were subscribed to the enrollment. Among the subscribers were the following: ' -1: .i-'j '

B. O. Carr, J. B. Boggs, George Ekins, O. B. Judson, A. S. Hoover, Chas. L. Stevens, S. B. Hoisington, Geo. Davis, Nelson Finch, A. E. Higgins, E. Benner, G. C. Lanphere, J. F. Edgerton. The only persons among the above now living are : B. O. Carr, O. B. Judson and S. B. Hoisington. It is believed this was the first systematic eflfort to secure a fire department although in June, 1856, authority ; was voted to purchase a fire engine and hose suitable to the town, and there must have been some way of operating it. The greatest difficulty was the lack of water. The only source of supply were private wells. George W. Brown & Co. had a well which they thought inexhaustible and The Frost Manufacturing Co. had one, but the area over which these two could be made servicable was very limited. A large cistern was dug one block east of the Brown factory and another one near the Frost company's works. These cisterns were kept full from the two wells. A fire district was reached by water pipes that were connected with or rather served by these two cisterns. But such service was necessarily very imperfect. In 1870 there was a movement in the council for the purchase of a steam fire engine. The better judgment prevailed and nothing was done. The fire apparatus already owned was equal to the water supply. In 1879 the city purchased a fine chemical engine which did excellent service until the construction of the present system of water works. With the finding of plenty of water the fire department of Galesburg began to grow and today it is one of the most efficient that can be found. The central station is located on the south side of Simmons street between Prairie and Cherry streets. It is fitted up in the most up-to-date style. There are 5,000 telephones that may be used to notify central in case of fire. In case of alarm

Today the police department of the city comprises the mayor as head over all, the chief of police, the desk sergeant and six patrolmen. Exclusive of the mayor, the annual salaries aggregate something over $6,700.00. Attached to the department is a fine ambulance, a good patrol wagon, and a good team of horses, the upkeep of which is about $200 per annum. .

This department is the joy of the small boy, the comfort of the adult and the pride of all good citizens. It is generally believed that Galesburg has the best fire department of any city of like size in the state. It had its origin in an oldfashioned volunteer fire brigade.

On Feb. 5, 1858, the city council called upon all good citizens of Galesburg to call at the council room of the city and enroll themselves members of a volunteer bucket company, each agreeing to keep a bucket for the special purpose, and hold himself in readiness to attend all fires in the city and, at the same time it was ordered that an ordinance for the organization of a fire department be prepared. The ordinance provided that the department consist of an engineer, two assistant engineers, a city fire warden and such fire engine men, hose men, hook and ladder, ax and saw men and bucket company men as may from time to time be approved by the council, and when so approved, and not otherwise, they shall be enrolled as members of the fire department, the aldermen to be ex-officio fire wardens of their respective wards. Forty-five names were subscribed to the enrollment. Among the subscribers were the following: - '- : j

B. O. Carr, J. B. Boggs, George Ekins. O. B. Judson, A. S. Hoover, Chas. L, Stevens, S. B. Hoisington. Geo. Davis, Nelson Finch, A. E. Higgins, E. Benner, G. C. Lanphere. J. F. Edgerton. The only persons among the above now living are : B. O. Carr, O. B. Judson and S. B. Hoisington. It is believed this was the first systematic effort to secure a fire department although in June, 1856, authority was voted to purchase a fire engine and hose suitable to the town, and there must have been some way of operating it. The greatest difficulty was the lack of water. The only source of supply were private wells. George W. Brown & Co. had a well which they thought inexhaustible and The Frost Manufacturing Co. had one. but the area over which these two could be made servicable was very limited. A large cistern was dug one block east of the Brown factory and another one near the Frost company's works. These cisterns were kept full from the two wells. A fire district was reached by water pipes that were connected with or rather served by these two cisterns. But such service was necessarily very imperfect. In 1870 there was a movement in the council for the purchase of a steam fire engine. The better judgment prevailed and nothing was done. The fire apparatus already owned was equal to the water supply. In 1879 the city purchased a fine chemical engine which did excellent service until the construction of the present system of water works. With the finding of plenty of water the fire department of Galesburg began to grow and today it is one of the most efficient that can be found. The central station is located on the south side of Simmons street between Prairie and Cherry streets. It is fitted up in the most up-to-date style. There are 5,000 telephones that may be used to notify central in case of fire. In case of alarm the central telephone station starts everything working by electricity. It lights the building, rings all the bells, releases the horses, opens the doors and the department is ready to rush to a fire in ten to fifteen seconds. There are two outside stations - one on Maple avenue, near the Bateman school house, and one on the corner of East Brooks street and Churchill avenue. The department has fourteen fine horses, one aerial truck, 65 feet high, which can be used as a water tower, one steam fire engine, one chemical double 60 gallon cylinder engine, two combination hose and chemical engines, with 50 gallon tanks, 550 feet of hose, and one fire chief buggy. All of this apparatus is in first class condition and is kept clean and neat by the men. The roster of men includes the fire chief, one assistant fire chief, three captains and sixteen privates. These men all undergo frequent thorough examinations to test their efficiency in every duty they have to perform, including, of course, localities. Every man must know without asking the shortest route to every locality in the city and must also know the nearest hydrants to the place where the fire is. The equipment is ample, the discipline is perfect.

It has already been stated that the water supply was very inadequate to the necessity of the city, and that private wells and large reservoirs, in the shape of cisterns, located at different points, were resorted to. These cisterns were kept filled with water as storage for use in case of fire, but the city council became uneasy and dissatisfied with this meagre chest for a water supply. There was a spot south of Main street and lying on both sides of Henderson street that seemed to be yielding a great deal of water. A small artificial lake had been constructed there and was supplied with water that seeped into it from all directions. It was believed that this locality would furnish all the water that the city needed. A committee of the council had recommended the purchase of a part of this ground, but the proposition did not carry.

In 1883, a Mr. Nathan Shelton came to Galesburg and convinced the council that he could procure a sufficient supply of water by sinking a large well just west of the Burlington track, in the valley of Cedar Fork. A contract to that effect was made with Mr. Shelton who went ahead and sunk the well, laid water mains, constructed a standpipe and engine house and purchased all of the old water mains then owned by the city and, in fact, did everything necessary so far as construction was concerned to make a complete system of water works. In December, 1883, he gave notice to the city that he had assigned his franchises, etc., to the Galesburg Water Co., incorporated under the laws of Illinois, and further that the hydrants as listed in the notice were ready for use.

It soon began to appear that the water works would be without water before very long, and the council began to inquire what could be done to relieve the situation. Various notices were made but it finally came to the point where the city declared the contract forfeited, and instructed the water committee to disconnect the old water mains, formally owned by the city, from the Shelton works, and fall back upon the old water supply, and, at the same time, the council instructed the city attorney together with added counsel to begin at once the necessary legal proceedings to annul the contract with the Galesburg Water Company, on the ground of insufficiency in quality and quantity of water furnished.

On June i, 1885, Alderman Easier introduced an ordinance repealing the ordinance providing for a supply of water to the city of Galesburg and authorizing Nathan Shelton or assigns to construct and maintain water works. The repealing ordinance was put upon its passage and was passed by the following vote :

At the same time the city attorney was authorized to take such legal steps as he may deem necessary. To have declared null and void any and all rights granted under, and by, virtue of an ordinance passed May 12, 1883, in relation to water works and to employ legal assistance if necessary.

This case was fought strenuously, from the Circuit Court through the Supreme court of the state and the Supreme court of the United States, and the decision was uniformly in favor of the city, and by this decision every cent of valuation in $125,000 of water bonds was eliminated.

The city then began to consider the question of a water supply in earnest. The tract of land above referred to, which had been known as Crystal Springs property, lay on the south side of Main street and on each side of Henderson street, was again examined. It was finally voted to purchase a certain part of that property. A test had been made and it was found that the water supply appeared to be ample.

The city had repurchased from the Galesburg Water Co., the old Shelton works for a very reasonable sum. It was decided to erect the necessary buildings, pumps, etc., upon the property purchased for that purpose, and sink a series of wells from which water would be pumped and delivered, not only to reservoirs, but directly to the mains. The works were completed and the supply has been quite fit up to the present time. Additional ground has been purchased, additional wells were sunk and the quality of water has been first class and the quantity not ample but adequate. The wells which were first sunk have been abandoned. Other wells have been sunk and today the supply is better than ever before.

The water for the city of Galesburg and the residents thereof is secured from six 8-inch wells and from one lo-inch well, at an average depth of 80 feet, and three artesian wells at a depth of 1,225 feet.

During the past year we have put down four 8-inch wells and, with the one just completed on the reservoir bank, making a total of seven wells. -,.; proceedings to annul the contract with the Galesburg Water Company, on the ground of insufficiency in quality and quantity of water furnished. -^ |

On June i, 1885, Alderman Easier introduced an ordinance repealing the ordinance providing for a supply of water to the city of Galesburg and authorizing Nathan Shelton or assigns to construct and maintain water works. The repealing ordinance was put upon its passage and was passed by the following vote: t

At the same time the city attorney was authorized to take such legal steps as he may deem necessary. To have declared null and void any and all rights granted under, and by, virtue of an ordinance passed May 12, 1883, in relation to water works and to employ legal assistance if necessary.

This case was fought strenuously, from the Circuit Court through the Supreme court of the state and the Supreme court of the United States, and the decision was uniformly in favor of the city, and by this decision every cent of valuation in $i25.cxx) of water bonds was eliminated.

The city then began to consider the question of a water supply in earnest. The tract of land above referred to, which had been known as Crystal Springs property, lay on the south side of Main street and on each side of Henderson street, was again examined. It was finally voted to purchase a certain part of that property. A test had been made and it was found that the water supply appeared to be ample.

The city had repurchased from the Galesburg Water Co., the old Shelton works for a very reasonable sum. It was decided to erect the necessary buildings, pumps, etc., upon the property purchased for that purpose, and sink a series of wells from which water would be pumped and delivered, not only to reservoirs, but directly to the mains. The works were completed and the supply has been quite fit up to the present time. Additional ground has been purchased, additional wells were sunk and the quality of water has been first class and the quantity not ample but adequate. The wells which were first sunk have been abandoned. Other wells have been sunk and today the supply is better than ever before.

The water for the city of Galesburg and the residents thereof is secured from six 8-inch wells and from one loinch well, at an average depth of 80 feet, and three artesian wells at a depth of 1,225 feet.

During the past year we have put down four 8-inch wells and, with the one just completed on the reservoir bank, making a total of seven wells.

The air compressor has not been running continuously, but when in operation it pumps 215 gallons per minute. Two of the 8-inch wells are pumping an average of 500 gallons a minute each, and the remaining five wells are pumping an average of 200 gallons a minute each.

If all the wells should be operated for twenty-four hours, two and one-half million gallons would be pumped. The average number of wells in operation for the year is four, at an average of eighteen hours a day.

From the above it will be seen that we are pumping at least one and one-half million gallons daily. As a result it has been determined that the whole cost of pumping water by the air compressor is at the rate of 2^ cents per i,ooo gallons, and the cost of pumping with two Impellor pumps, in the pasture east of Henderson street, is four mills per thousand gallons. A test on the Impellor pumps near the station would make as favorable a showing, but would show a cost per one thousand gallons for less than shown by the air compressor.

There are today in the city 40^4 miles of water mains, comprising pipes varying in diameter from 4 inches to 24 inches. There are 420 fire hydrants in the city. The total value of this pipe including all hydrants, valves, specials, material and labor is $20,021.75. The average domestic pressure maintained during the past year has been fifty pounds which has been giving satisfaction. The ordinary fire pressure maintained is 120 pounds. The analysis of the water from the director of state water sufficiently shows that the same is safe for drinking purposes. / ; /i.'v-' \ '-';.. :'':'-^ . ;V J." - --'. :-.--..-;.;,-;.. --.'-;;:-.;.-..;.-' .'^>^;..:-v.;v ;-. '-'.- .':;:"-.'^- ^;:;;,\

- In the fall of 1871, a petition had been filed with the city council by a company known as the Galesburg Horse Railway Co., for an ordinance granting the use of the streets of the city of Galesburg for the purpose of said horse railway. Before any definite action had been taken. Ceo. W. Brown, who at that time manufactured farm implements, at the corner of Kellogg and Simmons streets, also asked the privilege of constructing a horse railway, for freight purposes, from the Burlington freight depot to his shops at the aforesaid location, and upon reaching Simmons street to go westward as far as West street. This would accommodate the Frost Manufacturing Co., who were located at the latter point.

On November 15, of that year, an ordinance was introduced permitting George W. Brown, and others, to construct the street railway as asked for, going one block further to Academy street, provided it shall be constructed within one year.

Under the ordinance granting the horse railway company the right to lay tracks in the streets of Galesburg, about ten rods of track in Broad street just south of the line leading to Burlington, Iowa, was constructed, and an old street car was put upon it which was supposed to be equivalent to take possession of the streets of the city, under their charter and the ordinance.

The petition of the Geo. W. Brown Co. in regard to a horse railway was obtained by a track from the Burlington Co., across Chamber street between Main and Mulberry and across Seminary street near the west end of Mulberry, and across Kellogg, opposite the corn planter works. - - ' -

The corporated name of this company was known as the College City Street Railway Co. This railway company is now controlled by the McKinley Syndicate, and is a part of this system.

The history of the C., B. & Q. Railroad Co., will show pretty fully how rail- ' roads were introduced into the city of Galesburg, but there were some things done by the city council which are worthy of note. --.;:.';'-. I :/

At that time it seemed that the Rock Island road was presenting the most favorable opportunity for an outlook from Galesburg to Chicago, and the Central Military Tract road was organized with that thought in view although they subsequently made connection with another company at Mendota.

Resolved, That the Central Military Tract Railroad Co., be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to occupy so much of Broad street as may be necessary for the construction and permanent location of the said railroad, commencing at the south side of the public square and running north to fhe line of the corpora-; - tion. The free right of way in that part of said street being hereby granted to the said company, provided that if it shall be found necessary to widen any part of said street, the same shall be done by the company free of expense to the town. And be it further . ;: ' -. .'-^ ;^:^ v : - . , ;5:;: u ; j ' '- v -

Resolved, That the said railroad company be and hereby are allowed the free use of so much of the public square as may be necessary upon which to construct a passenger depot, the same being subject to such regulation and restrictions as the president and trustees may hereafter see fit to impose.

Today we can hardly suppose what might have happened if that proposition had been accepted. The beautiful Broad street of today would not be in existence and to make room for the depot, on the public square, which is now being erected would, of course, entirely change the map of the city. We may wonder how little thought was, at that time, given to the future. Instead of a tract of land of the size of the public square being used for depot purposes, we now have Burl- .i;;^^ ington company occupying several hundred acres for depot grounds and switch- .. yards. ''-'-'-

In 1857, a mass meeting of the citizens of Galesburg called upon the city-; .- council to subscribe $30,000 to the stock of the Alton & Rock Island road, which f.. .; when amended with a provision that the railroad actually come to Galesburg, was ';; . passed. In the summer of 1857, an election was held in the city of Galesburg, at which it was voted that the city subscribe $35,ocx) for the stock of the Alton & Rock - .--' Island R. R. The number of votes in the affirmative was 500, the number against, ; I. Later in May 1870, the council voted to call a special election to vote upon the ,,' proposition of the city taking $100,000 stock of the proposed Court Creek Rail- >: road company, which, of course, never materialized. ... .. ,; '

The city of Galesburg never owned a city hall or fire department buildings .^ until recently. They had a building on Prairie street that answered the purpose. ;/-,, It owned a lot on Cherry street that answered for a city prison, but in 1895 action --''. was taken that has resulted in a very fine improvement. ';;;-.

- Alderman Griffith on June 19, 1905, moved that it be the order of the ' ; council that the finance committee and city attorney draft an ordinance for the balance of $70,000 city bonds, and be used for the purchase of site and erecting city hall, police and patrol stations and fire department building. ' ,

On July 3, 1905, Alderman Griffith presented an ordinance in accordance with -' ;' the foregoing motion. On July 17, the building committee recommended that 'V plans be drawn by J. G. Beadle for the fire station, police and patrol stations, - ; - which was adopted, that plans of Architect William Wolfe for the city hall be -' adopted. -: '-

The contract for the fire station was let to Peter T. Olson, for $27,373, includ- - . ; ing the building and all fixtures, except heating ; the construction of the city prison was let to P. T. Olson, for $11,227, including all fixtures, except cages, iron doors, and fixtures belonging thereto, and the patrol station was let to M. E. -'.- Sweeney, for $7,900, including all fixtures.

' On September 20, it was ordered that the contract for the new city hall be let V; to Davidson & Rundquist, for $34,000, except marble work, hardware, steam- - heating and gas fixtures. ,j

Soon after the city assumed the care and responsibility for the upkeep of a '- Young Men's Library Association, and opened it, for the people, as a free public ?.v . library, the movement for a new library building began. ^ -

On June 5, 1882, Hon. T. J. Hale appeared before the council and stated that ; .. , the library board desired to secure the consent of the majority of the voters of "- - the city for an additional appropriation for the construction of a library building. - -. .

- which the collections of the costs of said building shall be spread be four years, thus collecting $12,500 per annum. The record was approved and adopted.

On April 22, 1895, the first installment of $12,500, was appropriated for the - ; library. The full amount voted by the council was collected and a building begun in the fall of 1900.

- the library building, which in February, 1901, was promised on condition that the city agreed to raise $5,000 annually for the keeping up of the library, and further to furnish a proper building site. This the council promptly responded to in the affirmative. -'

A location for the library building had been purchased out of the first moneys ' :/. received for that purpose, situated at the corner of Ferris and Prairie streets. ? This location was not thought desirable by the board of directors in the year 1899, ; and a new location was selected and purchased at the corner of Broad and Simmons streets where it now stands. The former location was regarded as too far ) from the public schools and the ground was not considered large enough. The : present building is exactly the same size as the first lot that was purchased, and .' contrary to expectations, the patronage of the library has been such that a move- ; . ment for enlargement will probably begin in the near future. . X There are today in the public library about 40,000 volumes. The annual ex-

- penditure for magazines and newspapers is about $400. The number of people employed at the library is eight. The number of books delivered and used in ref-

Three days later, Alderman Boggs offered a resolution that it is the sense of the council that if a majority of the voters petition this council for an appropriation for a library building, this council will appropriate $5,ocx). Nothing was accomplished at that time.

On February 5, 1894, Alderman Mack introduced preamble and resolution suggesting to the directors of the public library the making of plans and the adoption of such measures as are required by law for the erection of a public library building in the city of Galesburg, and that the same be presented to the city council as soon as possible for consideration, which was adopted.

On July 1 6, 1894, the finance committee presented to the council a copy of the record of the board of directors, of the public library, for adoption, providing for a public library building in the city of Galesburg, together with the estimate that the cost of grounds and building, including shelving, racks, table, etc., etc., shall be the sum of $50,000, and that the board has determined that the time over which the collections of the costs of said building shall be spread be four years, thus collecting $12,500 per annum. The record was approved and adopted. ', .

On April 22, 1895, the first installment of $12,500, was appropriated for the library. The full amount voted by the council was collected and a building begun in the fall of 1900.

- ':- The library board called upon Mr. Andrew Carnegie for a gift of $50,000 for the library building, which in February, 1901, was promised on condition that the city agreed to raise $5,000 annually for the keeping up of the library, and further to furnish a proper building site. This the council promptly responded to in the affirmative.

; A location for the library building had been purchased out of the first moneys received for that purpose, situated at the corner of Ferris and Prairie streets. This location was not thought desirable by the board of directors in the year 1899, and a new location was selected and purchased at the corner of Broad and Simmons streets where it now stands. The former location was regarded as too far from the public schools and the ground was not considered large enough. The present building is exactly the same size as the first lot that was purchased, and contrary to expectations, the patronage of the library has been such that a movement for enlargement will probably begin in the near future.

There are today in the public library about 40,000 volumes. The annual expenditure for magazines and newspapers is about $400. The number of people employed at the library is eight. The number of books delivered and used in reference work is about 150,000 annually.

V Work House ' I '

The question of putting petty criminals at work has been before the city council of Galesburg, as well as the board of supervisors of Knox county, for a good many years. The two boards have had several conventions through their respective committees to bring about some arrangement whereby the petty criminals of the two jurisdictions could be put to work. First, to pay their fines, and second it was believed in both boards that it was vastly better for the man to set him to work than to keep him in idleness. The matter seems first to have come

Few questions have occupied the minds of the city council of the city of Gales>- burg more continuously than the saloon question, and a brief account of this matter will probably be interesting.

In 1855, on March 7, the matter was brought before the council and the attorney was requested to draw an ordinance declaring liquor shops, dram shops, etc., of such character, a nuisance. An ordinance was presented and adopted on June 20, 1855, providing "that no person shall within the limits of said town be permitted to sell or offer for sale or give away any spirituous or fermented liquors, any whiskey, rum, gin, brandy, wine, ale, beer, porter or cider, any measures of said liquors or any alcoholic imitation of any of said liquors except for medicinal purposes under the direction of a practicing physician, or for mechanical purposes without having obtained a license to keep a grocery."

On Nov. 13, 1855, it seems that a barrel of liquor had been taken upon an execution to satisfy a fine against certain parties for committing an assault and affray within the corporation of Galesburg. The liquor was to be sold. The president of the corporation was instructed and authorized to purchase the said whiskey and destroy the same.

On May 12, 1856, Mr. Young made application for a license to sell liquor, whereupon it was voted to retain Messrs. Smith and Ford as attorneys for the corporation and that they be instructed to prosecute all persons being complained of for selling liquor in violation of law. The petition was laid upon the table August 5, 1856, but was again considered and granted Aug. ii, 1856.

On May ii, 1857, an ordinance against the sale of liquor and gaming was introduced and unanimously adopted. The presence of both of said misdemeanors was declared a nuisance.

Mr. S. A. Kingsbury who had been elected city attorney was asked by the city council, on Sept. 14, 1857, to resign because he had not used due diligence in prosecuting to conviction persons violating the ordinances of the city.

In 1883, the Burlington railroad people were about to begin the construction of a new passenger depot upon block 6i, and they asked that lawful means be taken to prevent the establishment of a saloon within two blocks of the depot.

In February, 1888, in compliance with a request from the president and secretary of the W. C. T. U., the police committee recommended the passage of resolutions giving the people of Galesburg the privilege of voting for or against the license of saloons. The result of the election was a majority of votes in favor of license.

A vote upon the question of local option was taken in the spring of 1908. It carried by between 600 and 700 majority. Another vote was taken in the spring of 1910, and local option again carried by something over 300 majority. The same question was submitted to the voters of the city in the spring election of 1912, and resulted in a majority between 200 and 300 in favor of license.

There has always been an influence at work in the city of Galesburg that made for better conditions, the same as is felt in all cities, and under this head it is proposed briefly to state a few things that have been attempted by the council to produce conditions that may be properly classed under the head of general improvements.

On August 1 6, 1851, an ordinance was passed by the village trustees, removing all slaughter houses beyond the limits of the city, provided that if the business be carried on within the city, certain parts of the animals slaughtered must be buried two feet beneath the surface of the ground.

In 1851, a resolution was passed calling for a meeting of the citizens at Palmer A. Conger's tavern to consider the propriety of raising a tax for the improvement of the town. At the same meeting an application was made for a permit to the Robinson family to perform within the city. This was probably in the early days of the great Robinson circus.

In April, 1857, Knox college asked that Tompkins street between Broad and Cherry, be closed. There were remonstrances against this petition and it was denied in consequence of no power in the city council to grant it. Of course it is plain to see why the college made this request to close Tompkins street as it would enlarge the area of ground that could be devoted to park purposes.

George Sanderson

of for selling liquor in violation of law. The petition was laid upon the table August 5, 1836, but was again considered and granted Aug. ii, 1856. . ..

On May ii. 1857, an ordinance against the sale of liquor and gaming was introduced and unanimously adopted. The presence of both of said misdemeanors was declared a nuisance.

Mr. S. A. Kingsbury who had been elected city attorney was asked by the city council, on Sept. 14, 1857, to resign because he had not used due diligence in prosecuting to conviction persons violating the ordinances of the city. ; In 1883, the Burlington railroad people were about to begin the construction of a new passenger depot upon block 6i, and they asked that lawful means be taken to prevent the establishment of a saloon within two blocks of the depot.

In February, 1888, in compliance with a request from the president and secretary of the \\'. C. T. U., the police committee recommended the passage of resolutions giving the people of Galesburg the privilege of voting for or against the license of saloons. The result of the election was a majority of votes in favor of license.

A vote upon the question of local option was taken in the spring of 1908. It carried by between 600 and 700 majority. Another vote was taken in the spring of 1910, and local option again carried by something over 300 majority. The same question was submitted to the voters of the city in the spring election of 1912, and resulted in a majority between 200 and 300 in favor of license.

General Improvements

There has always been an influence at work in the city of Galesburg that made for better conditions, the same as is felt in all cities, and under this head it is proposed briefly to state a few things that have been attempted by the council to produce conditions that may be properly classed under the head of general improvements.

On August 1 6, 1851, an ordinance was passed by the village trustees, removing all slaughter houses beyond the limits of the city, provided that if the business be carried on within the city, certain parts of the animals slaughtered must be buried two feet beneath the surface of the ground.

In 1851, a resolution was passed calling for a meeting of the citizens at Palmer A. Conger's tavern to consider the propriety of raising a tax for the improvement of the town. At the same meeting an application was made for a permit to the Robinson family to perform within the city. This was probably in the early days of the great Robinson circus.

In April, 1857, Knox college asked that Tompkins street between Broad and Cherry, be closed. There were remonstrances against this petition and it was denied in consequence of no power in the city council to grant it. Of course it is plain to see why the college made this request to close Tompkins street as it would enlarge the area of ground that could be devoted to park purposes.

In the same year the city surveyor was asked to establish street grades. Also a board of health was formed and their duties prescribed by ordinance.

All these arrangements were in accordance with a certain desire for that form of improvement that would touch each individual and where it was calculated to raise the general standard of thought and feeling on the part of the people of the city. . -;; >

After the coming of the railroad, it was found that railroad time differed somewhat from local time and adoption of railroad time was recommended by the mayor and clerk and they also recommended an appropriation of $50.03 for ringing the bell of the first church at 12 o'clock M. This, of course, was done to enable people to keep up their time in harmony with the railroad time. The recommendation was not concurred in.

In March, 1859, the city council closed that part of Broad street passing through the park between Tompkins and South streets. This was a very proper act on the part of the city. It permits the maintenance of a very beautiful park and court house grounds, and traffic through that part of the city would not improve appearances.

In 1864, a petition signed by a number of citizens was presented to the city council and embracing quite another thing. It was asked that the city council favor the enterprise for introducing gas into the city of Galesburg. The petition was referred to a committee to report at the next meeting. The committee reported that they could not obtajn said information on the subject, such as would warrant them in recommending its introduction, but the committee would be glad to hold a conference with the company proposing its introduction.

Resolved, That the Galesburg Gas Light & Coke Co., be permitted to erect works and buildings on block 9, of this city, for the purpose of manufacturing gas and coke and grant to said company all privileges usually granted by other cities to gas light and coke companies.

On April 12, 1860, Mr. G. Peterson was granted the privilege of erecting a tannery on Cedar Fork, between Broad and Cedar streets, on condition that he kept it nice and clean and free from reasonable objections of citizens in the neighborhood.

Later in the year 1877, there began an effort to make improvements in our streets, which has resulted in the paving with brick of so much of our city. Alderman Sanderson moved that Main street improvements be proceeded with on a gravel basis and that the city engineer be instructed to report estimates of the cost of improving the street in that manner and that cost of curb stones and good substantial gutters be included. An ordinance was passed on September i, providing for the improvement of Main street with gravel, from the public square to Kellogg street. Following this improvement came the improvement of Cherry and Prairie streets, with gravel which, in a few years, was succeeded by brick.

The installation of free delivery of mail in the city of Galesburg necessitated the posting of street names and house numbers and a communication from the postmaster general to Postmaster Carr, of Feb. 24, 1883, encouraged the city

The question of street lighting was considered in June, 1883, and on the 8th of June an ordinance was passed by unanimous vote providing for the lighting of the streets by electricity.

In February, 1906, it was voted to buy 78 acres of the Blue Farm at $115, as a suburban park for the city of Galesburg, later something like 12 acres more was purchased. It has been thought by many that this was an act of useless extravagance on the part of the city. It it probable, however, that in time not only this act of the council will be heartily endorsed but that other places will yet be selected and purchased for park purposes.

It will be seen from the article in this history, upon the subject of the public parks, that Galesburg is very much behind on that question, and that the cities of the United States are generally poorly provided with places for the recreation of the public. It goes without saying that the taste for matters of that kind is constantly increasing and that in the not distant future the cities of America will be well provided with parks for the recreation and pleasure of their people.

The Galesburg Hospital was founded in 1891, and each year since then has seen it expand in usefulness. It is situated on high and well drained premises on North Seminary street in a quite part of the city, and yet within a few blocks of the business center, and reached by street cars. Its environments are all that could be desired. It is under the management of a board of fifteen directors, chartered by the state, and with the mayor of the city as a member ex-officio.

; Characteristics of the hospital are the abundance of light and air, the excellent ventilation, for every room is an outside room, and the modern type of all the conveniences.

For Whom Maintained

The hospital is maintained for the reception and medical treatment of the sick and injured and disabled of all classes of persons except those having contagious diseases, and to maintain a training school for nurses. Since its erection many hundreds of patients have been successfully treated at this hospital and it was never so well equipped and efficiently administered as at present. It is prepared to care for emergency cases of all descriptions. , . ., . .. . ., ....

During the last two years the capacity of the hospital has been increased by a handsome new wing and a home for the nurses. This new wing is practically fireproof, the fioors being of concrete, and the heating plant is in the fireproof basement of this addition contributing much to the safety of the structure. The home for the nurses is built with special reference to their comfort.

The main building was erected in 1891, and later the south wing was built witlt the hope that this would meet the increasing demand. Within a few years the capacity was found inadequate, which led to the erection of the new addition, along lines that included the latest ideas of hospital construction. The entire building is modern and furnished with all the modem conveniences. It has a capacity for one hundred beds, including fifty private rooms. It is provided with an electric elevator and is lighted with electricity. A sun room is one of the features. For male patients convalescing there is a large, well lighted, comfortable lounging room.

This department of the hospital is governed by a joint committee from the board of trustees and the hospital staff. The directress of nurses has immediate control and direction of the nurses, subject to the general authority of the superintendent of the hospital. Her authority extends over all that pertains to the discipline and duties of the nurses and pupils both in the hospital and the home, and to their conduct at all times, as well as their instruction. V. ..

The home for pupil nurses occupies the extreme north wing of the last addition to the hospital building. The rooms are well lighted and heated and comfortably furnished. On the eastern exposure of this wing fronts the nurses' parlor, affording a beautiful furnished room for recreation and the reception of friends. This portion of the building is connected with the hospital by corridors, but otherwise is a separate part of the institution.

Candidates for admission must be between twenty and thirty-five years of age, in good general health, free from physical deformities, and must have a high school education or its equivalent. Married women are not accepted in the training school.

The full term is three years, of which three months are devoted to preparatory work. All pupils must complete the full term and must devote their whole time to the work, and must not allow outside interests to interfere in any way. Any time that may be lost, except in vacations, must be made up at the end of the term. In sickness, nurses are cared for by the hospital and attended by the hospital staff so long as they remain at the hospital.

The school year begins the first Monday in October and ends the last Friday in May. The course is comprehensive, and during the term five lectures a week are given by the different members of the hospital staff, as well as the lectures and demonstrations given by the superintendent, directress of nurses, and the surgical nurse. Lectures on special subjects are also given at stated intervals during the year. Practical and bedside instruction is given by the directress and surgical nurse. Practical instruction in diets is given by the superintendent.

Pupil nurses receive no salary during their period of training, but after the probation period of two months is passed an allowance of $5.00 per month is made to each nurse for the purpose of supplying means for the purchase of uniforms, books, etc. :

Hours for recreation are provided for at the discretion of the directress of nurses. When practicable, two hours each week day, one afternoon each week, and three weeks' vacation each year will be allowed.

When the full term of three years is completed and the examinations satisfactorily passed, each nurse will receive a diploma. Graduate nurses are eligible, on passing the required examination, to state registration.

V The internal management of the institution is under the administration of a joint board representing the board of trustees and the physicians who give careful attention to all questions arising from the care of patients. The training school for nurses oflFers fine facilities for those desiring to master this profession, and such is the standard that the graduates are now admitted on examination to state registration. Being an incorporated institution, the hospital is subject to state inspection, and has been found well equipped and managed. The medical staff of ten physicians renders valuable assistance in the training school and along many other lines.

The hospital is well equipped with all the appliances for successful surgical operations. It has two operating rooms, furnished with all needed instruments. Its X-ray machine is one of the best that money could purchase, and of the most modern and effective kind.

There are departments equipped with all the apparatus for thorough sterilizing. In the diet kitchen there are all the conveniences by which the nurses can prepare food suited to the patients.

One of the special features of the institution is the maternity department. The entire lower floor of the south wing is devoted to this purpose. The wards are conveniently located and admirably adapted to minister to the comforts of patients.

There are two children's rooms at present with eight beds and especially suited '.^ to the care of children. A children's room association has been organized for the ;; purpose of furnishing the rooms and keeping them equipped. .;

The trustees of the institution at the present time are Robert Chappell, of -' the O. T. Johnson Company; J. C. Simpson, of James C. Simpson & Company; - Alvah S. Green, of the law firm of Williams, Lawrence, Welsh and Green; Mrs. '

The officers of the board are as follows: President, James C. Simpson; Vice President, E. R. Drake; Treasurer, C. O. Lewis; Secretary, Mrs. Jessie Irons; town on section 28, in Knox township, in 1831. Capt. John Charles, Parry i' Morris, John Montgomery, Dr. Charles Hansford, John G. Sanborn, the original '- founders of this city were certainly men of rare, good judgment, selecting a site which could not well be improved. Located between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the east and west and Court Creek and Hawcreek on the north and south, gives perfect drainage, freedom from disastrous wind storms, and an altogether desirable location for a city of homes, healthful and pleasing.

On the second day of April, 1836, the clerk of the County Commissioners Court laid before the court a certificate of the president and clerk of the incorporation of the town of Knoxville in regard to said incorporation which reads as follows :

At an election of incorporation held in Knoxville on the 5th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, the following is the state of the polls : One vote against incorporation; Twenty-four for corporation.

At an election of trustees held in the town of Knoxville on the nth day of March, 1836, the following named persons received the number of votes opposite their names :

The early history of the town is of more than usual interest. Dr. Hansford, who came to Knoxville in 1832, was the county's first physician, and his daughter, Grace, was our first girl baby. Elijah T. Eads was the first boy born in the city, and John Moore Bartlett was the first boy born in the township. Capt. John Charles bought Parnach Owens' farm on the east side of the city and these broad acres, numbering nearly two thousand are still in possession of the Charles family. Harvey Montgomery owns nearly a thousand acres which were originally settled on by his father, John Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery is the oldest living child born in Knox county. This town began at once to make history. John G. Sanborn came in 1832, started a store, and during his whole life, was a live, honorable citizen. He was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age on the day Abraham Lincoln died. He was Knoxville's first postmaster, was the first clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Court, and the County Commissioners Court. The Messrs. Henry, Eldred and Cornelius Runkle, who came in the early thirties, were a blessing to the land of their adoption, being very closely identified with the history and development of the town, from its organization, the good they did can not be forgotten as long as time lasts. Henry, among other enterprises.

site which could not well be improved. Located between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the east and west and Court Creek and liawcreek on the north and south, gives perfect drainage, freedom from disastrous wind storms, and an -altogether desirable location for a city of homes, healthful and pleasing.

On the second day of April, 1836, the clerk of the County Commissioners Court laid before the court a certificate of the president and clerk of the incorporation of the town of Knoxville in regard to said incorporation which reads as

At an election of incorporation held in Knoxville on the 5th day of March, one thousand eight lunnlred and thirty-six, the following is the state of the polls : One vote against incorporation; Twenty-four for corporation. \ . -

The early history of the town is of more than usual interest. Dr. Hansford, who came to Knoxville in 1832, was the county's first physician, and his daughter, Grace, was our first girl baby. Elijah T. Eads was the first boy born in the city, : and John Moore Bartlett was the first boy born in the township. Capt. John Charles bought Parnach Owens' farm on the east side of the city and these ; broad acres, numbering nearly two thousand are still in possession of the Charles family. Harvey Montgomery owns nearly a thousand acres which were originally settled on by his father, John Montgomery. i\Ir. ^Montgomery is the oldest living child born in Knox county. This town began at once to make history. John G. ' Sanborn came in 1832, started a store, and during his whole life, was a live, honorable citizen. He was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age on the day Abraham Lincoln died. He was Knoxville's first postmaster, was the first clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Court, and the County Commissioners Court. The ' Messrs. Henry, Eldred and Cornelius Runkle, who came in the early thirties, : were a blessing to the land of their adoption, being very closely identified with . the history and development of the town, from its organization, the good they /^ did can not be forgotten as long as time lasts. Henry, among other enterprises, owned the first grist mill in the county. Eldred, who was identified with Henry in various enterprises for twenty years, continued the business until his death in 1865. Cornelius was for a long series of years a banker, being the first president of the Farmers National Bank. He died in 1908, full of years and honors, and greatly mourned by all.

Rev. Jacob Gum was our first minister, services being held in his own home, a two-roomed log cabin, in 1839. His grandson, Jacob D. Gum, was the first pupil enrolled in the first school taught in the township.

Daniel Fuqua, who came here in 1834 helped greatly in the work of establishing homes in this county. His children and grandchildren numbered 125 when he was gathered to his fathers in 1909. Judge Robert L. Hannaman came to Knoxville in 1836. For half a century he was a blessing to the community. H6n. James Knox, previous to his election as congressman from this district was one of our most enterprising citizens, both as a business man and official. His benefactions to St. Mary's School and St. Alban's Academy have been very large. His contribution of a splendid town clock and bell which are placed in the cupola of the public school has always been greatly Appreciated. He also contributed a fund of $i,cxx) each for the use of the Agricultural Board and for the keeping up of the cemetery grounds.

Hon. George A. Charles, who was for seventeen years a representative of Knox township on the Board of Supervisors of Knox Township, helped largely in making this a desirable locality for those to live who followed.

Hon. John H. Lewis, who began life here as a young man, has always encouraged by liberal contributions and sound advice everything which would add to the welfare of our city and its people.

Rev. Dr. Leffingwell, rector of St. Mary's School, has done probably as much as any other citizen to sustain and promote everything which was for the betterment of this city.

These are only a few of the people who helped to found and promote the interests of Knoxville. Every householder and home-owner takes special pride in making it what it is so often called "Knoxville the Beautiful."

Knoxville is well known as a city of churches and schools. Her churches, five in number - Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Swedish Lutheran, St. Marys and St. Johns, both interior and exterior, are models of church architecture, and ample for every requirement. There are doubtless few cities of 2,000 inhabitants anywhere which excel Knoxville in the number or value of its churches. Of its schools, an extended notice is given elsewhere. St. Mary's, in its convenience, accessibility, healthful location, and all the accoutrements which make a perfect educational institution, where education ripens into true culture and broad character, is not anywhere excelled.

St. Alban's School for boys is making a name and fame for itself in the splendid education its pupils receive - a school where all the requisites of a first class educational institution are apparent - a healthful location, modem equipment, experienced teachers, and a course of study which eminently fits a boy for a life of business or advanced study.

Knoxville's latest acquisition is her Old Ladies' Home, founded by Mrs. William Jones. It occupies a block in the east part of the city, and is just being completed at a cost of $100,000. It is built of vitrified brick with cement trimmings, and every modern convenience is being furnished. While the four stories include one hundred rooms, arrangements have been made for the accommodation of forty people. The chapel, dining room, reception parlors, rest and hospital rooms are all models of beauty, taste and convenience. It will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1912.

This town is known far and wide for having within its borders one of the finest and best conducted alms houses in the country. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, until the present valuation of the farm and buildings is about $150,000. While always under the care of the board of supervisors and the committee, Knox county has always been fortunate in the selection of its superintendents, none of whom have been more capable than the present appointee, who has managed the institution for the past twelve years with signal success.

The old Hebard House. Knoxville, from the uoner veranda of which Lincoln addressed the crowd assembled in the street on the night of Oct. 6th, 1858. -. -. : .

Knoxville's latest acquisition is her Old Ladies' Home, founded by Mrs. William Jones. It occupies a block in the east part of the city, and is just being completed at a cost of $100,000. It is built of vitrified brick with cement trimmings, and every modern convenience is being furnished. While the four stories include one hundred rooms, arrangements have been made for the accommodation of forty people. The chapel, dining room, reception parlors, rest and hospital rooms are all models of beauty, taste and convenience. It will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1912. ' .^ .;;--->>?: .V.' ^l - .

This town is known far and wide for having within its borders one of the finest and best conducted alms houses in the country. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, until the present valuation of the farm and buildings is about $150,000. While always under the care of the board of supervisors and the committee, Knox county has always been fortunate in the selection of its superintendents, none of whom have been more capable than the present appointee, who has managed the institution for the past twelve years with signal success.

For a term of years, numbering nearly half a century the old settlers of Knox county have assembled in Knoxville, but it was not until 1886 that a formed constitution was adopted. At a meeting held April 3, 1867, Daniel Robertson was elected as its first president; Major Thomas McKee, vice president, and Judge R. L. Hannaman, secretary. Even at this early date, just after the close of the war of the rebellion, the aged speakers gave eloquent addresses recounting the happenings to the people of the county. Since 1885 a death roll has been kept and read each year. By a resolution of the association thirty years residence entitles one to become an old settler, so that each year the death roll is largely augmented.

The old Hebard House. Knoxville. trom the ui)i)er veranda of which Lincoln addressed Uie crowd assembled in the street on the night of Oct. (ith. 1858. ^ -. -. ..

Brick Making

Knox township is known everywhere because of the Purington Paving Brick Industry, located in the northwest part of the township where immense beds of shale have been discovered. This shale is a fine-grained, slaty, soft rock, resembling sandstone in appearance, and is used exclusively in the manufacture of vitrified paving brick. So great is the. demand for this brick for use in paving streets and for walks, that all of the four plants in the Court Creek bottom are exclusively engaged in the manufacture of this kind of brick. Nearly half a million of dollars is invested in the four plants, and five hundred men are on the payroll. The capacity of the combined plants is nearly half a million brick per day.

The City of Abingdon is located on very high rolling ground and covers a portion of section 33 in Cedar township and a portion of section 4 in Indian Point township. The original town, comprising sixteen blocks, was laid out on section 33 in Cedar township in 1836. Frederick Snyder's Addition to Abingdon, located upon section 4, Indian Point township, was laid out in 1849. The city is named after the City of Abingdon, Maryland, the birthplace of A. D. Swartz, the founder. His wife was a Carroll, related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

In the early days of the town it did not make a very rapid growth. In 1855 it had acquired about five hundred inhabitants, but between 1855 and 1860 when the colleges, Hedding and Abingdon college, were located there, the population increased very rapidly. At the outbreak of the Civil War it was in a very fiourishing condition and it furnished its full quota of men, who entered the service of the United States, and notwithstanding the progress of the civil war, the town continued to grow in numbers and it reached a population of one thousand to twelve hundred people. Its growth has been steady all along. In later years it became more rapid in consequence of the location of certain manufacturing enterprises that came to the city or were originally started there, and the population today is about three thousand, many, however, claiming three thousand five hundred.

The original inhabitants were very largely from Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Tennessee and they naturally sympathized with the southern idea in regard to the institution of slavery. As time passed on, however, these sympathies changed, especially with the men, and they gradually became anti-slavery in sentiment and some of them even became agents of the famous underground railway. Jonothan Latimer, father of the writer of this brief history, was among those who saw a better and brighter light upon the side of freedom. The women did not change their minds quite so rapidly, and his wife, who, noticing with regret the gradual change that was coming over her husband, said to him one day, "Jonothan, if you are determined to go to the devil yourself, don't take all the boys with you." This good mother, however, was as large-hearted as any of her southern sisters and it will do the reader good to search further for the generosity of soul within her by reading the article in this history on the subject of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and Cherry Grove seminary. It can be said, however, if to warm the heart with thoughts of freedom is equivalent to going to the devil, Jonothan Latimer's sons all sought the august presence of that somewhat mythical being.

This institution was chartered in 1857 under the name of Hedding Female College. It received its name from Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was suggested by Mr. J. B. F. Chesney and heartily endorsed by other interested parties. The name was afterwards changed to Hedding College, and both boys and girls were admitted to its halls upon equal terms.

The college has, in common with all other colleges of the country, had its successes and reverses, but it has steadily maintained a high purpose and determination to reach a final success. At the present time it has an attendance of about two hundred, and there is a strong movement for a greater endowment and larger attendance. The outlook is brighter than ever before. There is a determination on the part of the denomination which is behind it, and the people of Abingdon, to bring it to the front and place it upon an enduring basis.

President Walter D. Agnew has undertaken this work with a spirit that will surely win. He has accomplished his first point, the raising of $50,000 toward the endowment. This added to $50,000 heretofore raised completes the $100,000 required to be held before the end of the year 1912. Rev. Agnew will raise another $100,000 before the end of the year 1916, which, when accomplished, places Hedding upon the basis of a college authorized to confer degrees and claim all rights belonging to a fully equipped college and without which it would have to work upon the grade of an academy.

Abingdon College was opened by P. H. Murphy in 1853 ^"^ charter obtained in 1855. Some of the prominent incorporators were Wm. Maxwell, P. H.

who saw a better and brighter light upon the side of freedom. The women ; -. did not change their minds quite so rapidly, and his wife, who, noticing with regret

This institution was chartered in 1857 under the name of Hedding Female College. It received its name from Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was suggested by ]\Ir. J. B. F. Chesney and heartily endorsed by other interested parties. The name was afterwards changed to Hedding College, and both boys and girls were admitted to its halls upon equal terms.

The college has, in common with all other colleges of the country, had its successes and reverses, but it has steadily maintained a high purpose and determination to reach a final success. At the present time it has an attendance of about two hundred, and there is a strong movement for a greater endowment and larger attendance. The outlook is brighter than ever before. There is a determination on the part of the denomination which is behind it, and the people of Abingdon, to bring it to the front and place it upon an enduring basis. ' - .. { - . '-

President Walter D. Agnew has undertaken this work with a spirit that will surely wirt He has accomplished his first point, the raising of $50,000 toward the endowment. This added to $50,000 heretofore raised completes the $100,000 required to be held before the end of the year 1912. Rev. Agnew will raise another $100,000 before the end of the year 1916, which, when accomplished, places Hedding upon the basis of a college authorized to confer degrees and claim all rights belonging to a fully equipped college and without which it would have to work upon the grade of an academy.

Abingdon College was opened by P. H. Murphy in 1853 ^nd charter obtained in 1855. Some of the prominent incorporators were Wm. Maxwell, P. H.

Murphy, J. C. Latimer, John Miller, George Price, S. H. Richey, Jesse Purdue and others. This was a private enterprise at first. It was afterwards taken up by the Christian church and carried forward successfully for about twenty-five years. At one time it had three hundred or four hundred students, but owing to some local dissensions, it succumbed and the infiuences of the church took the educational center to Eureka, Illinois.

The Protestant Methodist Church

The various religious denominations have been written up by others under their respective names, but it is probable that the Protestant Methodist denomination has been overlooked. This denomination at one time was very strong in this vicinity. At one time they owned the finest church edifice in the city of Abingdon. They had societies throughout this section of the county and their work was the most militant and progressive of almost any denomination in the county at that period.

It is somewhat difficult to state exactly the cause of the disappearance of this denomination. Their inclination was to erect chapels and other places of worship in the country and this is always at a disadvantage, as the communicants have to go a long distance to attend worship, and it is also true that the members gradually shifted to Congregationalism, and it is quite probable that these two causes finally led to the abandonment of that particular church in Knox county.

We have spoken of the industries of Abingdon which have led to its growth in recent years. A list of those industries with the number of men employed will indicate very clearly how much Abingdon owes to her industries.

First we will speak of the hand industries that existed here years ago and which have been driven out by the invention and use of machinery. In the 4o's and 5o's J. B. F. Chesney manufactured plows, which were celebrated throughout this section of the country. Also Jonothan Latimer built carriages and buggies in the early days.

As an example of an early pioneer store, we cannot think of anything better than that of Jonothan Latimer, afterwards Latimer and Meeks, that was located in the City of Abingdon, under one roof employing shoemaker, tailor and milliner. This store kept dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, meats cured by themselves, a small variety of drugs ; they bought and sold cattle, hogs, sheep and all the products of the farm. There were two ways in which they disposed of their hogs, of which they often owned several thousand taken in exchange for goods sold during the year. They would either slaughter them on the farm and haul their carcasses to Copperas Landing on the Illinois river, or drive them on foot to the same shipping point. Generally the return wagons would be loaded with goods to be again traded to the farmer for his farm products, and generally it may be stated that everything received by these traders from the farmers was disposed of at Copperas Landing, as aforesaid. From there of course they were shipped by boat to the larger cities, mostly St. Louis. In other instances the

These industries are believed to be in a very prosperous condition, and there are indications of their steady growth. There was a factory known as the Animal Trap Factory which removed from Abingdon to the State of Pennsylvania about ?ix years ago. The building which they occupied has been divided and remodeled and today is occupied by the Abingdon Trap Factory and the Spring Handle Co.

- ' Abingdon has a live commercial club which is unceasing in its efforts to advance the interests of Abingdon and all organizations within it designed to make it a greater Abingdon.

The following is a list of organizations that are active in the city : G. A. R., Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen, Masons, Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias, Court of Honor, Ladies of Grand Army.

/ _ The Illinois Opera House and the Merchants' Hotel of Abingdon are both fine structures. Probably nothing better in the line can be found in this part of the state in a town of the size of Abingdon.

Abingdon cemetery contains the bodies of sixteen soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 : Jacob West, James Strain,, William Crow, Thales Givens, Abraham

Swartz, Cannon, Basey, Israel Marshall and others, and one that saw something of the Revolutionary War, although small at the time. Joseph Latimer saw the burning of New London, Connecticut, by Benedict Arnold after Arnold went over to the British forces.

In writing the early history of this particular locality, one is obliged to ignore much that must naturally come in other parts of this history. We find we have to tell the history of the state or the history of the county, not the history of Henderson township. Take the important figures in the history of this region during its earlier period and you will find that in nearly every instance they do not belong particularly to Henderson, but to the greater areas of which this place is but a small part, to the State of Illinois, and the County of Knox.

The consciousness of the distinct personality of this locality in the early history of our state and county arouses in us a feeling of pride in our past, because our earliest settlers e^sercised a great influence that has been of great value to humanity. The future of Knox county and Henderson in no small part lay in the hands of those early pioneers and those who were to follow them. A future full of hardships but also full of hope and aspirations.

The question naturally arises. Whence came the first settlers? What conditions drove them to face the hardships and privations to the frontier to make new homes?

When we consider that, Daniel Robertson, the first settler in Henderson township, which was also the first settlement in Knox county, did not come until 1828, when Illinois had been a state ten years, one naturally asks. Why was it that a locality full of possibilities was not settled at an earlier date ? The answers are not so difficult when we investigate the conditions that surrounded our earlier population. There were many influences to retard immigration ; the actual opening of land offices, the promised land sales, the extinguishing of Indian titles, the limited means of travel, and others no less important.

On the Ohio river and its branches in rafts, or along its banks by covered wagons, on horseback or by foot, came the immigrants who were to settle Henderson. They came from the south and east. Conditions in Kentucky and other southern states slowly drove the small farmer to emigrate.

To us of the third generation who view these fertile fields of grain in every direction and know of the great wealth above and below the ground, it seems strange there was not a rush of settlers into this region in spite of the natural inference that the land that could not produce trees must be worthless as farm land, which has proved in the end to be the richest possession of our "Prairie State."

The early settlers of Henderson invariably located in the timber or along its border - This is not so strange when we consider that these pioneers mostly had been brought up in the shelter of the woods. This nearness to the timber was ..:'.v. an advantage in many ways - It furnished material for their log houses, fuel for

- '. their fireplaces, meat for their food and shelter from. the fierce cold winds in ;"-/ V winter, which often caused a great deal of suffering. The first settlers were i'. : . fond of hunting and many interesting stories are told of them in quest of wild

- - -.< be found anywhere in Illinois. Here was a favorite place for Indians, who had i >^.,' extensive fields of corn on sections 23 and 26, south of the Village of Henderson.

Fifty Cents

been brought up in the shelter of the woods. This nearness to the timber was an advantage in many ways - It furnished material for their log houses, fuel for their fireplaces, meat for their food and shelter from the fierce cold winds in winter, which often caused a great deal of suffering. The first settlers were fond of hunting and many interesting stories are told of them in quest of wild turkey, prairie chicken and deer.