Kaskaskia Township

Kaskaskia Township

homely fare, and total absence of many things which we now term the necessaries of life, few persons probably had any con¬ ceptions of the rapid change that the country would undergo. In those days the customary diet was such as the hardy woodsman could secure with the aid of his trusty rifle, together with a very healthy article of food made of corn coarsely mashed, into meal. Their bill of fare, however, possessed many things which the epicures of to-day delight in. Venison, turkey, prairie chicken, and game of all sorts was in abundance, and the busy little bee, with true philanthropy, furnished them with plenty of wild honey. Their houses were constructed in the most simple manner, and were built of roughly-hewn logs, with the apertures filled with clay, floors of puncheons, or beaten earth. Glass or iron never entered into the construction of them. Every man had an interest in his neighbor's domicile; they always assisted each other in the building of them; their hospitality was proverbial, and thev always obeyed that divine injunction, " Do unto others as you would be done by."

Duel

* " It is said that one, or possibly two challenges for duels were sent in Fayette County, but they ended in talk. However, Thomas Higgins, of Fayette County - the same person who had such a terrible battle with the Indians in 1814, and another champion, fell out aud agreed to fight a duel with rocks. That took place in the mining districts at Galena. The same size and number of rocks were selected by their seconds, and the parties placed at their posts ten yards apart The combatants were to throw the rocks at each other at the time mentioned by their seconds. The rocks were placed in a pile, so that the parties could use them as they pleased. Higgins was so strong, courageous and expert in throwing rocks, that his opponent was forced to flee to save his life. This was a kind of medium duel, between the mur¬ derous pistol and the brutal pugilation, but still highly condemnable by refined civilization and Christianity." Many of the "old settlers" of Van¬ dalia and Fayette County remember the frequent exploits of Higgins, in the early pioneer era of the county's history. He was the champion at all their corn-shuckings, log-rollings, horse-races, political meetings, etc.; and to use a term of that period - would fight at the drop of the hat; and so remarkable was his strength and courage, that he was always the victor. At a meet¬ ing of a few of the "old settlers," a circumstance was* related, that he had frequently stalked into the bar-rooms in Vandalia - and after swallowing his dram of whiskey - would literally chew up the glass tumblers. He was pro¬ bably the strongest man who ever livea in the county, and many amusing incidents are related of him by the older citizens of Fayette.

The " Bull-pen," as it was called, was a favorite place of resort for the pioneer Vandalians, where they would go to settle their disputes; it was, more properly speaking, the Public pound, situated a little north of Capps' old store. The municipal law of the town forbad fighting, but by a kind of common consent, parties could resort to the "Bull-pen," and take their satis¬ faction out on one another in a tree fight, to the no small satisfaction and amusement of the gaping, lazy, aud fun-loving crowd. The fight ended, the victor generally resorted to an adjacent saloon, treated all parties, and shook hands with bis late antagonist over the " bloody chasm." Such was life in the olden time.

The Elective Franchise

And the primitive ideas of the early pioneers in regard to it. In the year 1836, a resident of Vandalia, (Col. Foreman), having business in the South¬ ern part of the State, made a trip down to a place known as Caledonia; during his stay there an election occurred for President. Gen. Jackson was one of the candidates. At this time the Colonel was a young man of very prepossessing appearance, and his apparel would seem to indicate, that he was a gentleman of wealth. This was sufficient to condemn him in the eves of these people, whose ideas of true democracy were associated with Buckskin | breeches and Hickory shirts, and they naturally supposed that the Colonel was one of the blarsted Whigs.

Whiggery was at a discount in that precinct; they believing that " no good could come out of Nazareth," they immediately took steps to prevent their liberties being put in jeopardy, by the casting a Whig vote. Noticing the Colonel standing aside, gracefully twirling his mustache and swinging his cane, delegated one of their number to carefully approach him, and sound him. The following conversation ensued: " W'all stranger, we h'eve bin de'batin your case, and h'ev concluded you h'ed better make yourself scarce 'round these here parts." " Why?" says the Col. in some surprise "Its our notion to send up a c'l'ar docket for Ginneral Jackson, wich 'kant be did with any of you d - d Whigs 'round."

" W-b-a-t!" drolled the champion of Democracy, in his turn surprised. The Colonel repeated be was there to cast his vote for General Jackson. With a whoop tnat would have put to shame a band of Comanche Indians, he seized the Colonel, and alter inquiring his name, yelled with stentorian voice, "Cl'ar' the track; Ginneral Jackson and Ferris Forman forever." And the Colonel was led to the polls in triumph. It is needless to say, they sent up a clean docket.

Navigation Of The Kaskaskia

Prior to the present excellent system of railroads, the commerce and travel of the country was principally carried on by water. Rivers in the early times were great adjuncts Ur the development of the west; and fortunate were the towns situated along the banks of a stream. During the winter of 1840 and # '41, Wm. H. Lee built two flat-boats on the Kaskaskia, and loaded them'with a cargo of produce, and when the water rose in the spring, he Started on the long, tedious, and perilous trip for New Orleans. Seven men accompanied the expedition. Mr. Lee was captain of one boat, and Alfred Mathias of the other. They arrived at their destination in safety, and traded his cargo for cotton, molasses, coffee, etc., and sent them to 8t. Louis by steamboat. This was the first experiment in boating from Vanda¬ lia, realizing a profit from the venture. Mr. L. built two boats in the winter of 1841-42, and in the spring of the latter year started for New Orleans. This time the cargo comprised pork, beef, com and hoop poles. The prices paid at Vsndalia were for corn: 20 cents per bushel, pork $1.50 to $2 per cwt., beef $1.50 per cwt. Wheat sold that year for 31 cents per bushel. The venture was a profitable one to Mr. Lee.

The third trip was made in March, 1846. Arrived in New Orleans June 4th following. That fleet comprised three boats; two of the boats contained a cargo belonging to Ebenezer Capps consisting of 5,000 bushels of grain ; 15 hogshead of tobacco; the balance of the load was made up of pork, Yankee beans and beef. We give the names of a few of the persons who accompanied the latter expedition. Capt. James Linton was the pilot. Capt. Lee in charge of the fleet. Those accompanying as assistants were Judge Joshua W. Roes, (then a lad), James Albert, Daniel McConnell, Duncan Linn, Joseph Linn, Thaddeus Smith, John Jones, and Bryant Whitford, Jr. During their journey they encountered a severe storm; and the hawser of the small boat broke, and parted from the main fleet, with two men on board. The other boats proceeded on their way to New Orleans. Arriving at the latter place, Capt Lee went back on a steamer to ascer¬ tain what became of the small boat. He found the boat and the two men at the landing at Baton Rouge. He found that the boat was unfit for longer service. Capt. Lee was now in a peculiar plight: not wanting to lose his boat and contents, he concluded if possible to effect a sale, and with that shrewdness characteristic of the old settlers, be went up in the town to find a purchaser, with instructions to the boys to pump out the water as fast as they could; and should they see him coming with a purchaser, then to cease pumping and stand idly by. The arrangement worked like a charm. Capt. Lee's plan, as will be seen, was not to let the verdant Louisianian know of the condition of the boat. He found a purchaser, and sold out the entire outfit for four hundred and sixty dollars in cash ; and with his men took a steamer standing by for New Orleans. In two hours after he took passage, the flat-boat and cargo sank, which was quite unfortunate for the purchaser. In 1846 produce was worth in Vandalia the following prices: Dressed-pork, $2 to $2.50 per cwt., and these prices were seldom paid unless taken out in trade. Wheat sold at from 371 to 50 cents; Corn, 15 to 18 cents; Oats, 10 to 121; Rye, 25 to 371; Potatoes, 20 to 25 cents.