Mattoon Township (part 2 of 3)

In the spring of 1857. Mr. Morgan Griffin came to Mattoon to superintend for a Mr. Radcliff, of New York, the building of the Essex House. Mr. Ebenezer Noyes, owned the most of the original plat of the town lying west of the Illinois Central Railroad, and gave Mr. R. the lot on which to erect the house. He was also to build brick business houses on the reiiiainder of the block to the west end of the street. Mr. Noyes had about this time purchased Section 14 from the Railroad Company, intending to lay it out in lots. He had purchased for his brother. Dr. Frank Noyes, Section 15, in 1852, and had platted that in large lots. Between him and the proprietors of Section 13, the original plat of the city, arose an estrangement, resulting in his purchasing Sections 14 and 15, and platting them. The residents have always noticed the "jog," or set-oif in the streets running west frcm the end of Broadway. This was done when Mr. Noyes had the plat made. In the extreme efforts made between the East and West Towns to secure the center of town, considerable " Avire-pulling " was indulged, resulting in not the best of feeling. This, however, existed more between the proprietors, in their endeavors to further their own interests, than between the people, who cared more for a suitable location than anything else, leaving the ascendency of either side to regulate itself. In the erection of the Essex House, Mr. Radcliff failed to carry out the plan, and, after the walls were built, it came into the possession of Mr. Noyes, who completed it, built the rear addition, opened it to the public in 1859, and managed it several years. Mr. Daniel Messer, the present landlord, assumed charge in 1869. The house has always been a prominent stopping-place, situated as it is at the junction, and being occupied by the depot and ticketoffice;

The hotels of after years may be briefly noticed. When the Essex House was built, it was the third brick building in town, others, however, began to appear, when the war of the rebellion came, stopping almost all operations until after its close. The other hotels erected are the City Hotel, the Everett House, now unoccupied, and the present Dole House. This latter is situated on the southeast corner of Broadway and First street, and was begun in 1868, by a stock company. Not long after, the Dole Brothers obtained control, and completed it in 1871. ft was opened as the Mattoon House, under the management of John W. Ha.wley, now of the Everett House, St. Louis. As the Dole Brothers were the principal builders of the hotel, and, as it was opened by them, the name was changed in honor of them. On the 15th of March, 1877, Stubbins Brothers took charge of it, and, on the 18th of December, lfe78, purchased the building. They have remodeled and improved it, and have secured a large part of the traveling public. A few other small hotels and boarding-houses complete the list. None, however, but the Dole, Essex and City Hotels are run upon the regular hotel plans, and these three may be said to transact the principal business in their line.

Going again to the early history of the time, we find the summer of 1855 one of great activity. Conley and Hitchcock opened a store among those that we have mentioned ; the post office was established, and Mr. True made Postmaster, with Mr. Thomas E. Woods as Deputy ; a small schoolhouse was erected on East Broadway, and the life of Mattoon, in its various phases, was fully begun. Mr. McFadden and others yet living in town, state that, before the building season had closed, upward of one hundred buildings were to be seen, all of which were occupied that winter.

Through the winter, school was maintained in the small frame house alluded to. Religious services were conducted, principally by the Baptists, in each other's houses, or in the schoolhouse, while a few ministers of other denominations came to see what could bo done for their churches, and occasionally held meetings in some of the houses, or in the schoolhouse. The railroads were woi'king to complete connections between the two incomplete ends, and the continued, active life of the town hardly abated any for the cold weather experienced. Before the holidays, the Terre Haute & Alton completed the remainder of their line, and, by January 1, 1856, trains were running from Chicago to Cairo, over the Illinois Central.

Some of the business houses were built in the northeast part of town, tiot far from where Mr. John Cunningham had his warehouse, and where a strenuous effort was made to secure the center of the business portion. Here Mr. Cartmell opened a small drug store, with Dr. Camp, the first disciple of Esculapius in the town, as partner. The inexorable law of business could not be broken here, and the center of town insisted on remaining near the railroad crossing. The holders of property in the eastern part of the village saw this» finally, and gave way to the stern demands of trade.

The next spring, building began anew ; business houses, dwellings and shops began to appear. The first permanent brick store in town was erected for True and Cunningham, by Mr. Michael Toby, then a builder, and, before winter, it was ready for furnishing. It is yet standing on the southeast corner of Broadway and Second street, and is now occupied by the meat-shop of Mr. John Hunt. It was the only brick built that season. Several stores were, liowever, erected, and more dwellings commenced, all of which were not completed before winter came ; a few other shops were built, and Mattoon was coming to the front among Western towns. Another most important addition iippeared in June, an adjunct that all Western towns demand, and that all get nearly as soon as they are started. We refer to the newspaper. In June, of that year, the Grazette appeared, setting forth the merits of the town and advertising its advantages. This was started by Mr. R. W. Houghton, on the Tth day of June, and, from its columns, considerable is gleaned respecting the joung city, which is given in extracts from the paper published in the sketch of the press, further on in the narrative. The editor thinks the population of Mattoon can safely be put down at oOO persons, and is certain of that number in an issue a year after.

That summer, the Baptists erected a small frame house of worship, and, during the winter, held regular services therein. They allowed other denominations to use the little church when they had no minister. The small frame schoolhouse had become entirely too small now for the increased juvenile population, and a larger and more comfortable brick structure took its place. It, however, was not erected till 1857 (some assert, one year later), and in the interim, the winter of 1856-57, school was taught in a room over Mr. True's store and in parts of some unfinished buildings.

In the spring of 1857, ground was broken for the Essex House, which, when completed, was the largest and finest house in town. It was not, however, finished for two years. Its history has already been given, and neeil nut be repeated here.

This summer, the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians organized congregations, and began to hold meetings in each other's houses, in empty storerooms, or in a small hall that had been completed. A year or so after, they erected their houses of worship, and were joined by other denominations, the history of whose operations is given in connection with that of their churches.

In May of this year. 65 votes were cast for tlie incorporation of the town and 25 votes against the measure, making a total of 00 voters in the town limits. Assuming the usual ratio of voters to the population, this would give Mattoon fully as many inhabitants as the editor of the G-azette predicted, a year before, in his first issue of his paper.

In June, of this year, the limits of the town were greatly extended by the addition made by Mr. Ebenezer Noyes. He, as has been noticed, purchased

Section 15 for his brother, in 1852, at the land-sale when the original plat of Mattoon was purchased, and had this laid out in acre tracts. Some of these had now been sold, as "great expectations" were fully indulged in b}'- the inhabitants of the embryo city. He purchased Section 14 from the Central Railroad, at a good price per acre, as the officers of that corporation were fully alive to the prospects of Mattoon and the nearness of their section of land. As has been intimated, Mr. Noyes and the proprietors of the east side of town could not agree ; and, when he platted Section 14, he made a "jog" in all the streets, and gave new names to those running west. Hence, when Broadway reaches the western limits of the old plat, it suddenly turns northward and sioes on west under the name of Western avenue. All streets in this addition conform to this rule, and cause no little wonderment on the part of strangers who do not understand the cause of the difference.

The life of Mattoon from this date on down to the war bears with it but little history. Several churches were erected ; a good schoolhouse built in each ward, an account of which appears in the history of. education and religion further on in these pages ; a few brick stores were built ; one or two mills and an elevator or two appeared ; a bank opened : dwellings were erected in all parts of town, and its life varied but little from the regular growth of all Western towns.

We learn that a fire company was organized in March, 1861, and that the Council appropriated flOO for buying three dozen buckets and other appliances. The following were the officers of this company : Ebenezer Noyes, President ; H. F. Kelley, First Director ; P. J. Drake, Second Director ; Carson Knight, Secretary ; Edw. A. Thielens, Treasurer ; B. N. Skelton, G. F. Bateman and John Nabb, Standing Committee: Rufus Noyes, Messenger.

Whatever service this or any succeeding fire company performed is not recorded by the papers. It is a fair inference, however, that this, or whatever companies succeeded it, did their share in putting out fires. The city has never been well supplied in this respect, and to-day no organization exists, nor is there any provision made to support one. A fire starts, and is simply allowed to burn out. An expensive fire department might not be advisable ; but an organization could be supported by volunteers, a hook, ladder and bucket brigade be easily kept up, and much valuable property saved. It is argued that it is cheaper to let the buildings burn, and get the insurance. That will be practically demonstrated, some time in a dry season, if a fire starts in the west end of town, and, fed by a strong west wind, burns out the entire business part of Mattoon. It has been done in other towns, and may occur here.

In tht' sketches following these pages, some account of the destruction by fire of mills, elevators and such structures is given. Here we will notice what pertained to the residence and uusiness portion. The papers chronicle the destruction, on Sunday morning, January 1, 1866, of a house owned by Mr. E. Regan, whose loss was nearly $5,000 ; his insurance a little over $3,000. The same fire destroyed the stock of Mr. Fitzgerald, a baker and confectioner, whose loss was $2,300, but whose insurance was $4,300. Everharty & Co. lost $500, less the insurance of $300 ; while others lost, in the aggregate, $5,000.

The Journal of September 4, 1867, records the loss of Hart & Co.'s liverystable, on August 26, with all its contents, including seventeen horses, eight carriages and buggies, and a mow full of hay. The loss was fully $6,000. on which only a small insurance was carried. Many of the horses belonged to citizens of the city. The fire spread from the stable to Col. H. L. Hart's residence, immediately south, which was also burned. Fortunately, the wind blew from the north, keeping the flames away from Broadway, else the loss might have been dreadful.

The same issue of the Journal records the destruction, on the Wednesday night before, of the residence of Mr. Ephraim Orr, in the northeast part of the citv. The Journal states that the buihling was known as the " Cartmell House," built by Mr. Edward Cartmell in 1855 ; also, that in it Gen. True kept a stock of goods and the first post office in Mattoon. Gen. True was Postmaster, while the editor, Capt. T. E. Woods, was Clerk, and Deputy. The loss on this building was about $1,500.

Under date of November 9, 1867. the Journal chronicles another destructive conflagration - this time, the large agricultural warehouse owned by Ebenezer Noyes. It was probably set on fire by sparks from a locomotive passing at night, and it was some time before it was discovered. Two of Mr. Noyes' sons narrowly escaped burning, as they were asleep in the building at the time, and* did not awaken until near too late to save themselves. One of them, Eben, was badly burned before he was rescued. The building was a huge three-story frame, and made a great light. The loss on the building was $6,000, and on the stock was $3,000. The insurance was about $5,000. leaving a large loss.

Other prominent fires were the destruction of John Cunningham's elevator, the elevator just north of the Essex House, a mill or two, nearly all of which are mentioned in a chapter devoted to that subject.

Last winter, during the excessive cold weather, five serious fires occurred, almost one after the other. As no organized effort toward the extinguishment of fires exists, they were allowed to burn out. The same occurred in the month of February, wlien Mr. Walsh lost his dwelling.

Aside from the calamity of fire suffered in Mattoon, the place has, once or twice, been visited by severe storms, one of which deserves mention. In September, 1864, a great storm occurred, occasioning a very serious loss of prop -

" This place was visited, on last Friday evening, by one of the most terrific storms ever known in this part of the State. Dense, reddish-black clouds made their appearance, a little north of west, about 3 o'clock, and in less than ten minutes the storm burst upon us in its wildest fury, tearing down awnings, blowing down and unroofing buildings, and scattering about everything movable. The flying dust was so thick and the darkness so great, that one might -well imagine that the very clouds had descended to the earth and lifted every particle of loose earth. The damage in town was great,,yet we do not suppose it more than equals that in the country, where houses were unroofed and fences and corn leveled to the ground in great number. The following is the list of the principal injuries, as far as we have been able to learn, within the corporation limits :

'- Shed, formerly warehouse to Monroe's store-building, blown down. The new brick of Dole Brothers was much damaged, the window-facings of the east and south sides and several feet of the wall being blown down.

-' The wooden awnings in front of Wilson, Bro. & Co., P. J. Drake and two or three other establishments on the east side of the Illinois Central Railroad, torn from their fastenings and hurled into the street.

" In the west part of town, Mr. Cullom's house was twisted oft" the foundation, nearly all the furniture broken, and William Waggoner's house was wrested from its foundation and badly smashed up.

" The smoke-stacks of Muchmore & Co.'s planing-mill and Jones' flouringmill were blown down, and it was with great diflUculty the planing-mill could be prevented from burning.

" The Essex House was badly damaged, all the chimneys and two-thirds of the iron roof of the north side .^tripped off", and the whole upper story exposed to the furious rain which followed. Sheets of iron ten feet long were carried more

" The stairway leading to the second story of Francis & Drake's store, which was on the west side of the building, with a high board fence on the north and a two-story brick on the west, was lifted from its place and hurled back nearly twenty feet, the wind having sucked down and lifted it out.

'' Chimneys, out-houses, stables and fences were blown down by the score all over town, and a number of windows broken by flying fragments. Thirty or forty feet square of the roof of the M. E. Church was carried, rafters and all, completely over the residence of Mr. Ellis, just east of the church, and fell a little south of the church, mashing down over seventy-five feet of fencing, knocking off" a chimney and breaking twenty-four panes of glass out of his windows. About twenty feet of the roof was taken nearly one hundred yards almost due south of the church.

'- In the countrv nine miles west, the two-storv residence of James Munson was moved from its foundation and badly racked, and that of Jesse Armentrout entirely demolished, as were several other buildings in the same neighborhood. Corn fields and fences were all leveled, and in many fields scarcely a blade is left, and even the corn is blown off" the stalks.

" The track of the storm seems to have been almost directly west to east, and about nine miles wide, having left its terrible marks all the way from Hillsboro to Paris, over one hundred miles. We understand that the M. E. Church and several other buildings were unroofed at the former place, and from the Paris Beacon and Blade we learn that a part of the steeple of the M. E. Church was blown off", falling through the roof and damaging the building about $1,500. The Presbyterian Church was also severely injured, many other houses blown down, and much other damage done at that place.

'' We have not learned of much damage being done at Charleston and other towns along the line, but have no doubt it has seriously injured all towns lying in its pathway. "

A few other storms have sv/ept over the prairies of Coles County in the years since it was settled, but none so fierce as the one recorded are mentioned in its annals.

We must not omit a mention of the part the city took in the last war. Mattoon and its surrounding populace were largely in fixvor of a subjugation of that part of the Union favoring its dismemberment, and many of her bravest citizens left home and dear ones to protect a nation's honor, and save the flag all loved so well. The war of the rebellion opened in 1861. The first company to respond to the call for troops from this part of Coles County left Mattoon on April 15, 1861, for Springfield, where they were to be mustered into service and to be attached to their regiment. Before their departure, they were served with a sumptuous dinner at the Pennsylvania House by Mr. McKee, the pniprietor, and were presented with a flag by the ladies of Mattoon, and each officer Avith a bible and each private with a testament by the Masonic orders in town. The committee of ladies who presented the flag was composed of the following persons : Misses Kate McMunn, Mollie Tobey, Helen Messer, Sarah Aldrich and Mrs. Maggie Duncan and Mrs. McKee. Mrs. L. Villie Malone made the presentation speech to the boys, who responded through Lieut. Edward True, as Capt. James Monroe was then in Springfield.

" On Tuesday, May 14," says the Journal of that year, " a regiment was organized and sworn in by Col. Grant, a camp established and named Camp Grant." No allusion to the famous man who afterward led the armies of the Union is made. His prowess had not yet developed.

The regiment remained here, drilling for some time, but as soon as it was fully ready it was sent to Springfield and from there to the service.

While the regiment was encamped near Mattoon, the town was generally rather lively. Soldiers, out on a short pass, not uncommonly got rather too> much whisky in them, and, in that condition, were not always what they should be. Civilians known to be favorable to the Southern States were not unfrequently compelled to subscribe to oaths or other declarations, not at all in conformity with their sentiments. No riots occurred in Mattoon, as in Charleston, or, at least, none worthy of record, and, as the veil of peace is now drawn over all these scenes, we do not care to lift it, but think that they, as well as several tragedies occurring in Coles County, are better forgotten.

We will now retrace our steps somewhat, and, in a measure, note something of the municipal life of Mattoon. The city was incorporated under the general law of the State, in June, 1857, when 65 votes were cast in its favor, and 25 against. It continued under that organization, states our authority - an advertising sheet issued by Jerry Toles, an insurance and real estate agent. May 1, 1866 - until 1859, when a city charter was obtained from the Legislature, which, as amended, was in force when the aforesaid sheet was published.

From an examination of the newspapers of 1860 and 1861, we learn that an election was held in Mattoon on Monday, April 1, 1861, under the provisions granted in the new charter during the winter previous. From the provisions of the charter, we learn that the word " Town " shall be changed to " City," and " Trustees " to " Councilmen." Evidently the advertising sheet of Mr. Toles is a little premature in its statements. As he issued his sheet for advertising purposes, it is natural to suppose he desired to clothe Mattoon with the title of a city as early as possible. The town charter was liberally amended in 1859, but no city created, as is shown in the charter quoted. This charter, in its second article, provided that " members of the City Council shall have had six months' residence, be a hona-jide freeholder at the time of his election, and shall have paid a corporation tax in said city during the preceding year. Whenever he ceases to be a freeholder in said city, his oflfice becomes vacant.

The election was ordered to be held annually thereafter, on the first Monday in April, when a President, six members of a City Council, City Clerk, Treasurer and Street Supervisor should be elected.

All persons were entitled, by the charter, to vote for State officers who " have paid a corporation tax to the city during the year immediately preceding the election, and have resided in the corporation ninety days previous to the election, were entitled to vote for city officers.'"

The tax and labor collected from persons on the west side of the Illinois Central Railroad was to be distributed there, while that on the east side was to be distributed there. The Gazette, in its first issue after the election, gives the following account of it : " Below we give the result of the municipal election on last Monday. We did have some conscientious scruples as to publishing the particulars of the bungling affair, but, since we heard of the double election which our Paris neighbors held on the same day, Ave have concluded that the Parisians can't ' poke fun at us ' over our blunders, and, consequently, we may as well publish."

The new city charter as amended - declaring who were and who were not legal voters, which clause did put a flea in somebody's ear - very mysteriously got lost while in the President's keeping, just at the time when the first election under it was to be held, and as it was the only legally attested copy of the charter in the possession of the Board, as a matter of course the opponents of the new franchise took the opportunity to annul the election. After sweating and quarreling on the morning of the election till nearly 11 o'clock, the Board having declared the election postponed, the '' sovereign " people concluded to have an election of their own. An election was therefore immediately called, clerks and judges of election duly appointed, and the voting began. The voting was, of course, done indiscriminately as far as having paid taxes was concerned. The following is the result :

For Police Justice, James T. Smith ; Police Constable, James L. Taylor ; President, James Monroe. City Council - T. C. Patrick, Samuel Smith, D. M. Turney, L. Chapin, D. C. Higginson and C. A. Powell. Clerk, B. N. Skelton ; Treasurer, A. Hasbrouck ; vStreet Supervisor, B. F. Keely.

Mattoon remained Under this form of government, with various alterations made as the city grew, until the last week of February, 1879, when at an election the charter was so changed that the city passed under the general incorporation law of the State, and under that law is now governed. The principal changes relate to the election of officers, many of which are now ap- pointed, and to the redivision of the city into wards. This latter move is now agitated, but it is not likely to be adopted for some time. The governing power still rests in the Council, and in place of the people electing several subordinate officers, that body appoints them.

Thus far in this narrative, we have omitted any mention, save incidents, of mills, manufactories or the general business of the city, as well as its churches, schools, newspapers and societies, leaving them for separate articles. In this way more complete, and, at the same time, more condensed, descriptions can be given, and also in a better and more explicit manner. They show much of the history of the city, but are not given with that view being intended for the objects they treat.

Elevators, Mills, Manufactories, Etc

John Cunningham's elevator, built in the spring of 1855, before the sale of lots, was the pioneer of such enterprises in Mattoon. It was, as time eventually proved, too far from the natural center of town, the railroad crossing, and was finally abandoned. Four or five years after, Mr. Cunningham built a substantial brick warehouse north of the railroad crossing, on the west side of the Central track, and just south of where Moneypenny's mill now stands. This was quite a firm building, and was one of the best to follow in chronological order the Essex House. It stood till Sunday 'night, March 19, 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. It appears to have been the principal elevator in town until it was destroyed.

The elevator of Jennings & Co., still standing, comes next in the annals of the town. It was built about the close of the war by the present proprietors, who are the oldest grain merchants in Mattoon. One of them and Mr. H. M. Tremble, built a small warehouse where the express office now stands - the second enterprise of the kind in town. It was a small building, and was used as such for a few years and then removed. South of it stood the old porkhouse of O'Connell & Co., brought from near Cincinnati, the pioneer enterprise of that kind in the city. It was burned after a few years of service. !N^ear it was the large well over which the city and Central Railroad had such a vexatious lawsuit. The controversy over the well was finally settled, and it is not at present regularly used.

Just before Mr. Cunningham built his brick elevator, Luther Miller moved an old porkhouse from Terre Haute, Ind., and set it up north of the proposed site of Mr. Cunningham's elevator. About 1861, the porkhouse came into the hands of Hudnot & Co., who remodeled it, and opened a hominy-mill in the building. This they operated with varying success until 1864, when the building came into the control of Cox & Miller, who again changed its interior and opened a plow-factory in it. This was conducted for two or three years, when Capt. Hinkle obtained possession of the building, and opened a cornmeal mill in it. This enterprise ho continued two years, when he I'etired, and the present parties obtained control. Mr. Moneypenny now operates the meal- mill and has a very fair trade.

The Pacific Mill, noted in the papers as the pioneer mill of Mattoon, is in the southwest part of town, on the St. Louis Railroad. It was built in 1862, by Charles Jones, who operated it four years. It remained idle then for more than a year, when it was purchased by Ira and D. D. James, who re-opened it and operated it until the summer of 1878, when, the business not proving profitable, they discontinued it. The mill is now idle, but yet in the hands of the Messrs. James.

Cox's Mill, a little west of Money penny's mill, is at present unoccupied. It was built by Steadman & Demuth, in 1869 or 1870, who operated it two or three years, when it came into the possession of Hiram Cox, the present owner.

James' Elevator was built in 1868, by Ira and D. D. James, who have been more or less connected in the grain trade in Mattoon many years. They have controlled their own elevator until their failure in 1874, when it and the Pacific- Mill, operated by them since 1866, went into possession of Greer & Co., for whom they now operate the elevator.

The City Mill - sometimes called Union Mill - was built in 1862 and 1863. by T. C. Alexander & Co., at an expense of $12,000. They operated it until 1864, when Col. J. Richmond purchased one-half interest in it, which he sold, in 1867, to Mr. Curtis." Under his control, it was run till February. 1875, when Col. Richmond and J. H. Clark bought the mill. In the fall. Col. Richmond purchased the entire concern and has been operating it since. It is the principal flouring-mill in the ,city, and does the majority of grinding for the country about Mattoon.

It might be well before leaving this subject to notice a few of the elevators and mills that have been destroyed by fire. Mr. Cunningham's elevator has already been noticed. A large elevator was' built just north of the Essex House by Richai'ds & Co., about 1860. It stood only a few years, when it was entirely consumed by the relentless element. It was at once rebuilt by the same firm, who sold it to Day, Sprague & Co., who did business there till about 1873, when the same calamity befell it. No attempt was made to rebuild the third time.

About the same year it burned, the Watkins Mill was erected, just west of the foundry, b^i^ James Watkins. After running it about two years, the mill caught fire, and, in spite of its unusual facilities for extinguishing fives, it suffered the fate of some of its fellows.

These mills are the principal ones erected in the city. A few others have been built, but, proving unprofitable, were in a few years converted to other uses.

The first machine-shop or foundry was built by James Wolfe, in 1863 or 1864. He kept it about three years, and sold to Charles Pomeroy, who con- tinued it till the Lenox Foundry was built, in 1872, when he moved it away. This latter foundry was built by William Lenox, the present proprietor, the year referred to. It is the only enterprise of the kind in town, and has a very fair custom.

The largest machine-shops in Mattoon are those operated by the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway. They were built here in 1870, and were brought to Mattoon on a guarantee of that city of a bonus of $60,000 in bonds. The vote on this question was held on April 4, 1870, and was decided by 517 votes in favor of the appropriation to 10 against it. The bonds are payable in three equal installments, one-third in ten years from the date of issue ; one-third in fifteen years, and one-third in twenty years. The shops were removed from Litchfield soon after the bonds were guaranteed, and have since been operating. They are in the northeast part of the city, on ground donated them, occupying several acres.

The machine-shops are 110x204 feet, with eight repair-pits. The jjowerroom, 40x50 feet, adjoins this building. The store-room is also adjoining, and is 40x60 feet in size. The car-shops are 85x204 feet in size, with six repairtracks, and, with the machine-shop, get their power from an 80-horse power engine. The blacksmith-shop is 50x150 feet, has sixteen fires and is furnished with one 1,500-pound steam hammer. The boiler-shop is 50x80 feet, and has three repair-tracks. The paint-shop is 44x228 feet, and has two repair-tracks. There are twenty-one stalls in the roundhouse. It is furnished with one of Greenleaf's Machine Works turn-tables. The transfer-table is 27x180 feet, and connects with the tracks leading into the different shops. The tank and oil room is 40x40 feet, has four water-tubs, with a capacity of 60,000 gallons eacli, filled from a reservoir one-half mile south of the works. The buildings are all of brick, with slate roofs, save the paint-shop, which is of frame.

All are heated by steam save the paint and blacksmith shops. The shops in their arrangement are unsurpassed in the West, and turn out nothing but the best of work. Over two hundred men are employed here, in addition to nearly one-half that number employed in the repair-shops at Terre Haute and East St. Louis. The monthly pay-roll at Mattoon is about $23,000, the material used each month costing about one-half that sum. The money distributed at these shops is in a measure nearly all spent in the city. Could other factories be induced to come here, and by their work aid in affording employment and business, Mattoon would be greatly benefited by it.

A few other factories have been in existence here. We refer more particularly to the woolen-factory, operated from the close of the war until 1868 or 1869, and which, for awhile, had a good trade. The brick building is now idle. It certainly ought not to be so. If not wanted for the purpose for which it was built, other use might be made of it and the property made to pay some revenue. When people learn that small things, closely attended, are profitable, the large farms about Mattoon will disappear, more attention will be given to details, and tlie remedy for hard times will come of its own accord.

The other and remaining industries of Mattoon are various shops of all kinds found in all towns. To describe them is unnecessary here. They came with the first house in the place and will remain while it lasts.

The Banks

The first bank in Mattoon was established in 1858 or 1859 by James T. Cunningham, John Cunningham and Thomas A. Marshall, and 0. B. Ficklin, of Charleston. It was founded, under the existing laws of that day, as a private bank, did not issue notes, and confined its business mainlv to loaning money- It occupied a room in a frame building, where Kahn's clothing store is now situated. It continued until the financial depression occasioned by the failure of so many State banks a year or two after it was started, and, owing to this suspension, was obliged to close its business. In the fall of 1862, Pilkington & Green opened a bank in the building vacated by the former bank, using their safe and fixtures. This they continued until January 1, 1864, when the firm was changed to Pilkington & Co., the members of the firm being Mr. Pilkington. C. G. Townsend and W. B. Dunlap. The bank was removed two or three doors west of its former location, and under the new management continued till May 1, 1865. The national banking system had now been devised, and it was decided to organize a national bank. A number of wealthy gentlemen met, subscribed the necessary funds, purchased the business, fixtures, etc., of Pilkington & Co., and as soon as the arrangements were perfected, opened the First National Bank. It was opened on the above date - May 1 - with a capital of $60,000, with the privilege of increasing to $200,000. That fall, their present building was completed, vaults were put in and a time-lock placed on the safe. The Directors were C. M. Dole, William Miller, Samuel Smith, J. C. Dole, I. R. Herkimer, Hiram Cox, Alcaizo Eaton, L. Chapin and S. W. True. Mr. C. M. Dole was chosen President ; Mr. True, Cashier, and Mr. Dunlap, Teller. Mr. True resigned the cashiership early in January, 1879, and Mr. Dunlap was elected to the vacancy. He remained in this position until January 1, 1874. When the Mattoon National Bank was organized in July, he was elected President. He resigned the Cashier's place to engage in the real estate and loan business, as he desired a more active, outdoor business. He was only nominally Pi-esident of the Mattoon National Bank, drawing no salai'v, and after a few years' work in the position, he sold his stock in this bank, and went entirely out of the business. When he left the First National Bank, Mr. C. G. Weymouth was elected to the Cashier's office, having been promoted to that position from the Teller's place. No change was made in the bank's otficials until the spring of 1878, when Mr. Dunlap was again elected to the Cashier's place, which he still holds. Mr. J. E. Steele is

Teller. Mr. Dunlap was elected President of the bank, but declined, and Mark Kahn was chosen. He held the place until January, 1879, when he resigned, and William B. Warren, of Terre Haute, was elected.

The capital stock was reduced to $50,000 not long since, that amount being abundant for all purposes; all doubtful paper was thrown out and properly charged, and now the bank is in an excellent condition, with a large surplus.

The next bank established in town was by Hinkle & Champion and Mr. M. B. Abell. It began business May 1, 1866, under the name of the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, in a room now occupied by Craig & Craig as a law office. It continued business till a few years ago, when it failed, and closed. Mr. Dunlap, as Receiver, wound up its aflFairs.

The last bank, the Mattoon National, was organized July 1, 1874, with the following officers : W. B. Dunlap, President, and James H. Clark, Cashier. The Directors were E. B. McClure, J. Richmond, John Rapp, Moses Kahn, G. T. Kilner, M. Walsh, T. C. Patrick, Joseph H. Clark and W. B. Dunlap. Two of the Directors afterward sold their stock - W. B. Dunlap and M. Walsh, and two, Moses Kahn and John Rapp, died. The stockholders met and elected S. B. Gray, J. F. Drish, S. Isaac and A. J. Sanborn in their places. W. B. Dunlap sold his stock in November, 1877, and retired from the Presidency. The Directors elected Joseph H. Clark to the vacancy, elected E. B. McClure Vice President, and chose W. A. Steele as Cashier and George Robinson, Teller. These officers are yet in the bank. It has' an abundant capital, a large surplus, and is doing a good business. When the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank suspended, this bank lost some money through the failure of some of its borrowers, who were obliged to suspend owing to the failure of that bank. These losses and all doubtful paper have been charged up, and now only the best of paper is held. This bank and the First National are the only two in town, and are all its trade will justify. Both are well backed, and are careful to conduct only a legitimate banking business.

An examination of the amount of business performed at the various railway offices in Mattoon shows a good average with all towns in Central Illinois. Up to the war, the business of the town was all the time on the increase. For the first years of that conflict it fell off, owing to many men being taken from various pursuits of life to enter the array. As the war progressed, business again .revived, and building, which had in a measure ceased, was renewed with great vigor. When the war closed, business of every kind experienced a forward move seldom equaled. It was in a measure unhealthy and too rapid for permanent benefit. For awhile after the war closed, buildings went up in Mattoon - this time of a substantial character - with something like the days of its earliest existence. When the re-action came, Mattoon experienced it keenly. From the books of the two railways of Mattoon, the trade of the town, we take the following table of the shipments from October 1, 1866, to October 1, 1867, as compiled

The editor states that much building is going on ; that the hotel - Dole House - is contemplated ; also, two churches, and that the prospects are favorable for a large city - something every hamlet in the West confidently expects, and cannot understand why outsiders do not see such a result is inevitable. The element of hope enters largely into American character, and is nowhere more strikingly exhibited than in the average editor's opinion of his own town.

The Journal, further on in this article, gives a valuable table of heights of towns in Central Illinois. It is worth reproducing, and we give it entire :

'- Mattoon is 740 feet above the level of the sea, 158 feet above Chicago and the lake, and 458 feet above the rivers at Cairo. We are just one foot above Champaign, 66 feet above Pana, 176 above Decatur, 19 above Bloomington and 142 above ^Galena. There is only one point between Chicago and Cairo higher than Mattoon, viz., Monee, about thirty-five miles south of Chicago, which is 54 feet higher than our city, being 794 feet above tide water. There is

From the foregoing statement, it will be observed that Mattoon is, in a measure, a '-city set on a hill." If she follows the injunction of Holy Writ, she will doubtless let her light shine. This can be done in more ways than one, not only in a Scriptural sense, but in a material one, by showing an activity in business and solidity of purpose that will count in the future.

The second Postmaster was H. L. Taylor, the next Joseph Brady, whowas followed by R. W. Houghton, M. W. Wilcox and J. H. Clark, the present occupant. He was appointed May 5, 1869, and is now serving his third term. When Mr. True was Postmaster, there were four daily mails, now there are ten. There are about 700 letters daily received, in addition to the papers, periodicals and miscellaneous packages.

The sale of stamps for the year 1878 amounted to $5,726.91. The amount of money-orders issued for the week ending February 8, 1879, was $546.08. Those paid amounted to |2,034.28. As many more orders are paid than issued, Mr. Clark holds a balance of $2,000 in the New York office to draw against to make up the deficiencies. Some idea of the business of the office can be obtained by computing, from the amounts given, the business for a year. When we remember the few mistakes occurring, we can truly marvel at the excellency of the post office management. There are 1,100 open boxes and 211 lock-boxes. ' The income from the boxes is about $800 per year.

Churches And Schools

It has been already noticed in these pages that a church was built in Mattoon the second summer of its existence. That pioneer church is yet standing, and is still used for the purpose for which it was erected.

It was built by the Baptists - "- Old Line," as they are commonly termed here - in the summer of 1856. After their disbanding it was sold to the United Brethren, when they organized a congregation in town (having been in the country previously), and was used by them until their disorganization. Then it went into the hand^ of Michael Tobey and J. S. Mitchell, as Trustees, by whom it is yet held. The Calvary Baptists had made, during this time, several unsuccessful effijrts to organize a congregation, but not until January, 1876, were they able to effect a permanent union. Early in that year, they met in Mr. U. T. S. Rice's office, and by him were organized as a congregation. There were but seven members. These were Mr. and Mrs. Rice, Jonathan A. Tuffts, wife and daughter, S. K. Sanders and George Clark and wife. Soon after, they were joined by Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. Sinsebaugh.

For three years, they met for divine services in a hall over Hasbrouck's hardware store, Mr. Rice being leader a good part of the time. Not long since, they leased the old church built in 1856, which they now occupy. Their membership has nearly quadrupled since the organization. Their present Pastor is Rev. W. S. Dodge.

The First Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest congregation of this denomination in the city, was organized December 25, 1863, with twenty-eight members, prominent among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Roach, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Hays, Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb, H. J. Streator and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Frazer.

The organization was eflFected in .the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where they continued to meet for nearly a year. They then leased the old church, and used it one year ; then Cartmell's Hall ; then to a hall over South's store ; then to Union Hall, in which place the first steps were taken for the formation of the present Calvary Baptist Church by several of the members withdrawing for that purpose.

In 1870, the congregation built their present house of worship, and have been holding regular services therein since. From the date of the establishment of this church to the present time, more than three hundred members have been connected with it. It is the nucleus around which have grown the churches at Willow Creek, ^tna, Kickapoo, and one other congregation.

Rev. J. W. Riley, who was present at the Recognition Council, January 30, 1864, has been the Pastor, with the exception of six years, when he was at other places. During this interval, the pulpit was filled with supplies nearly every Sabbath, and services regularly sustained.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Chureh was organized in the summer of 1857. In the spring of that year, Rev. Joel Knight, a minister in this denomination, began preaching in Mattoon, one Sabbath in each month, in the Baptist Church. On the 23d of August, twenty-seven persons, professing adherence to the doctrines of this Church, met and organized themselves into a congregation, and signed articles of confederation. The following is the original roll of membership:

Alexander Montgomery, H. Clay Warthon, James S. Cunningham, Ed^v. W. Cartmell, Sarah A. Mount, M. Craig, R. D. Montgomery,* J. W. Rankin, Washington Engle, Mrs. Lucinda Montgomery, Mrs. Sarah Montgomery, Mrs. Eliza Craig, Edw. Hall, W. H. K. Pile,- Mrs. N. I. Pile,* Mrs. Scintha Mount, John J. Walkup, Mrs. Margaret A. Montgomery, Mrs. Mary E. Montgomery, Jefferson M. Hall,* Mrs. Amanda J. Hall,* James Kelley,* Mrs. Mercy Kelley, Rev. Peter Duncan, Mrs. Manning Duncan and Mrs. Nancy E. Morrison. Of these, but six are now connected with the congregation. Thirteen have removed, and eight have died.

At the fall session of this Presbytery, the congregation was taken under its care, and Rev. Joel Knight employed to preach one-fourth of his time, and, for two years,' services were held, most of the time, in Cartmell Hall.

On February 27, 1858, James T. Cunningham, H. Clay Warthon and W. H. K. Pile, were chosen Trustees, and during the following spring. Rev. George 0. Bannon, from Kentucky, preached for the congregation. Rev. Peter Duncan was also employed, and while here, in 1860, his death occurred.

On November 1, 1859, Rev. J. W. Wood began his work in this church, preaching each alternate Sabbath. He remained one year, and was succeeded by Rev. James Ashmore, who filled the pulpit until the fall of 1861.

In the spring of that year, preparations were made to build a house of worship, and in June, the corner-stone was laid. The address on this occasion was delivered by Rev. J. W. Wood, assisted in the ceremony by the two ministers who had succeeded him here. The church was not completed, owing to the breaking-out of the war, and other matters, until 1865. It was dedicated in 1867, by J. B. Logan, D. D.

In the summer of 1862, Rev. S. R. Roseboro was called, remaining eight months. The records of the congregation do not show any progress from this time until the close of the war (1865), nor the names of the ministers. In March of this latter year. Rev. Mr. Wood was again called, and remained until March, 1866. In June, 1857, Rev. T. K. Hodges began preaching, remaining one year. In December, 1868, Rev. W. S. Langdon came. On the 12th day of October, 1869, he died, in his room in the basement of the church. He was taken to St. Louis, Mo., for interment. Rev. E. J. Gillespie was called to the vacancy, and remained two years. He was followed by R. W. Hooker, who stayed nine months. In April, 1875, Rev. A. B. McDaniel came. He remained one year. In June, 1876, Rev. R. J. Beard was called. He remained two years and three months. In November, 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. E. M. Johnson, began his ministry.

From the time the congregation was organized until February 17, 1879, there have been 348 members received. Of these, -35 have died, 168 have been dismissed and gone, and 145 remain.

The Christian Church was organized in March, 1859, with seventeen members, of whom one only, Mr. Zack Robertson, is now connected here. The organization was effected by Elder John Mathes, of Bedford, Ind. Services were held in halls and the members' houses, until 1860, when they erected their present church. The growth of the congregation continued uninterrupted until 1870, when between thirty and forty members, living principally on the West Side, withdrew from the church and established a congregation there. They erected a small frame church, and continued as a separate body until 1878, when they re-united with the old church, from which time there has been one organization.

Since the establishment of the Christian Church in Mattoon, fully five hundred members have belonged to it. Many of them are now, however, removed to other places, some are dead, and some fallen away. There are now nearly two hundred members.

The principal Pastors have been Revs. Black, Frazier, Adams, Streater, Lucas, Stewart, Roberts and Mason. The present minister is Rev. E. J. Hart.

The German Evangelical Association was organized in 1868, with seven members, by Rev. Matthew Keiber. For the first three years, they met in a hall in the west part of town, and were supplied by ministers from other parts <^f the circuit. In 1870, they began the erection of their present house of worship, which was completed and occupied the next year. It is a small frame structure in the southwest part of Mattoon, convenient for the members.

The congregation has increased but little in its membership, the removals and deaths equalizing the accessions. They are yet unable to support a regular ministry, and are supplied every other week by Rev. M. Kahl, the minister in charge of this circuit.

The Unitarian Church was organized December 22, 1867. After holding meeting in the members' houses and in halls, for a few years, the church disbanded and services were discontinued. In 1872, another efibrt was made and a new organization effected, mainly through the eiforts of Rev. J. L. Douthit, of Shelbyville, and a few of the old members who still adhered to the principles of this denomination. They began the erection of a very neat brick church on Western avenue, which structure they completed the next year. Their first regular minister was Rev. George A. Dennison, who came in the spring of 1873, and remained two years. Since his departure, they have been supplied occasionally only, and have not maintained regular services. They are at present without a pastor, but an effort is being made to revive the work here and build up the church.

The colored residents of Mattoon sustain two churches, the oldest of which is the Methodist. This was organized in the spring of 1866, with about a dozen members, by Rev. Smith Nichols, the present Pastor. That summer, a frame building was purchased, remodeled, and made into a comfortable church, and is yet used. The membership has more than doubled, and the prospects of this congregation are good. Rev. Nichols remained with the church from 1866 to 1868. He was succeeded by Revs. Alexander, Knight, De Pugh, Hand and J. T. Neace. He is now serving his second pastorate.

The Colored Baptist Church was organized in 1871 or 1872. It, not long after, obtained a small frame building, which it has since used as a church. It is in the western part of town, where most of the people dwell. Regular services are now held, both colored churches supporting good Sunday schools.

The Church of the ImmaculateConception - the Catholic - stands in the northwest part of Mattoon, and is the only one of that denomination in the. city. It was organized soon after the building of the railroad began, and has since been sustained. The membership is quite large, as it includes all baptized persons in the Church, of whatever age. Following the policy of the Catholic Church at large, this congregation established a parochial school soon after it was organized. Their present school-building, contiguous to the church, was erected in 1865. The school is under the charge of the Ursuline Sisters, and draws many children from the public schools. This is clearly evidenced in the reports of tlie Superintendent of the West Side schools.

The Presbi/terian Clmrch was organized on May 27, 1860, with twenty members. They were Mrs. Mary E. Bridges, Mrs. Martha M. Bridges, Mrs. Betty Johnson, AV. E. Smith, John A. Forline, David Forline, Mrs. Betty Dora, Rae M. Bridges, Mrs. Rebecca Boyd, Miss Frances A. Boyd, Miss Orphio E. Boyd, James Boyd, D. T. Mclntyre, Miss Cyntha Vanzant, ilobert Campbell, Mrs. Robert Campbell, Mrs. Margaret Keely, Mrs. Martha A. Smith, Mrs. Martha J. Vanzant and Mrs. Mary E. Boyd. The meeting to organize was held in the old Methodist Church, in the northeast part of town. Rev. J.

here, both of whom, with Rev. Samuel Newell, of Paris, and Rev. R. Mitchell, of Charleston, assisted at the organization of the congregation. Afterward, Dr. A. Hamilton was elected Pastor, and the erection of a church determined. Prior to the organization of this Church, the New-School Presbyterians had effected an organization, and were using halls, or churches of other denominations in which to hold their meetings. The Old-School Presbyterians completed their house of worship in 1864, dedicating it Sabbath, July 31. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Hamilton, the Pastor. In the afternoon. Rev. Venable preached, and in the evening, Rev. Hendricks.

The congregation grew well during Dr. A. Hamilton's pastorate, extending till January, 1866, when, owing to failing health, he resigned. The pulpit was filled by supplies till September, 1870, when Rev. W. B. Noble was called as Pastor. He remained till April, 1872, when he resigned, and was succeeded, the following January, by Rev. Henry W. Woods, who was installed May 6, 1873. He occupied the pulpit till the spring of 1875, when he was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. James L. McNair. A short time after the erection of the church, in 1864, the New-School Presbyterians built a house of worship on the East Side - the Old-School being in the West - and continued worshiping there. In the autumn of 1871, these two branches of the church were united - having been separate over forty years - and one congregation in Mattoon was the result. At first, both houses of worship were used, but, a vote being taken, it was decided to use only the West Side house, and, soon after, the East Side church was sold to the Congregationalists, who now use it. The West Side house of worship was used without any alteration until two or three years ago, when owing to the increased growth of the congregation, an addition was built to the east end, and the seating capacity very much enlarged.

The Co7igregationalist Church is the outgrowth of the union of the Old and New-School Presbyterians, in 1871. Many members in the New-School branch favoring the Congregational mode of woi'ship and discipline, organized a church of that body, and raised some $800 to aid in the attempt. The building erected by the New School Presbyterians was soon after purchased, and has since been used. The Council of the Congregational Church met on March 10, 1872, and regularly constituted the Church. On the 1st of the following January, Rev. N. J. Morrison, then just released from the Presidency of Olivet College, Michigan, was called to the pastorate of the Church. He remained only six months, resigning to accept the Presidency of Drury College, Springfield, Mo. In October, 1873, Rev. A. L. Loomis was called to the pulpit. He remained until May, 1876. During his residence, a revival occurred, greatly increasing the membership. The next Pastor was Rev. P. P. Warner, who came in January, 1877, and remained until August 15, 1878, when he resigned. He is now publishing a paper in Aledo, 111. He was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. A. M. Thorne, in October.

The Methodist Epucopal Church was organized in 1857 with about twelve members. Thev met at first in dwellino;s and halls until about 1800, when they erected a very substantial house of worship in the northeast part of the city. It was then expected the center of the town would be here ; but future revelations dispelled this idea, and in 1870, it was determined to erect a larger liouse of worship and in a more convenient place. The present church was the result. It cost about $12,000, and is a very neat building. The congregation is now quite large, and sustains an excellent Sunday school.

In addition to the churches enumerated, others, now abandoned, have existed. Some few societies exist, but of so passive a nature, they are omitted.

The Schools

The schools of Mattoon form a chapter in its history equal in its importance to any part or parcel of the city. Cotemporary with the start of the town, a school was provided, and, before the cold of winter came in l^he year 185'), a small frame schoolhouse was built in the eastern part of town on Broadway. The efforts of the principal proprietors of the infantile village were strenuous, indeed, to secure the center of town there, and built the schoolhouse where the greatest part of the population was expected to be. A school was taught in this small frame, hardly as large as an ordinary country schoolhouse of to-day, during the winter of 1855-56, and so great was the influx of population that the little room was crowded to its utmost. School was taught here but one term, as far as we have been able to find out. The room was too small, and was hardly used longer. The school was, of course, a subscription school. If any public money was obtained it was only a small amount, for the idea of supporting schools in this part of Illinois entirely by taxation, was not yet well entertained. The next year, another similar school was "kept," as we are told in an unoccupied room, and, the following winter, over True's store and in some unfurnished house. The recollection of old persons is not very good on this point ; they were more interested in '' corner lots," than to notice very closely just where the schools were (for one room could not contain the pupils, and any one could teach who could get a room and some pupils). The next year - summer of 1857 - a very comfortable brick structure was built in the northeast part of town, not far from where the first Methodist Church stood. This second schoolhouse was a decided improvement. It would seat many more pupils than its predecessor, and though " private " schools began to flourish, it held its way. It began to receive considerable aid, enough at least to conduct it through the winter term, from taxation, steadily growing in favor. The private schools, as they were termed, came rapidly into use in the early history of Mattoon, and continued with more or less force until a few years ago. The most noticeable of any of these was started on quite an extensive plan, even going so far as to obtain a charter. We refer to the Male and Female Academy. It was in truth two institutions, known more extensively as Mattoon Female Academy and Mattoon College. The former was intended for young ladies, the latter for young gentlemen. Referring to the papers for the period of their commencement, we find they were chartered February 21, 1863. On March 24, 1864, the Trustees met and organized, elected a President and chose teachers. The Mattoon College does not seem to have been put in very extensive working order, and in a short time appears to drop out of notice. The great obstacle in the way of both these institutions was a lack o*f means. Neither had any money to work on, and the town was too young and too poor to endow them. They began in 1858 or 1859, and worked some time before receiving their charters. In December, 1861, Prof. W. W. Gill resigned the care of the seminary, which had at all times the largest patronage, and was succeeded by Rev. D. F. McFarland, who leased the Harris Building and opened school on the second day of the month his predecessor left. He conducted it some time with reasonable success, but, failing to make it profitable, left. It was afterward uiider the care of Mrs. C. E. Gill, who continued it some time. Owing to an inability to support the school, and the erection of new and better ward schools, with their increased facilities for education, their free tuition and freedom to all, the academy and all private schools were gradually abandoned, and now none are sustained.

The public school continued along in the brick building referred to, with little change, save the gradually improved methods of education, and the division of the school into two or more grades, as circumstances allowed, until a new house was erected on the West Side, about 1861 or 1862. This divided the schools and assisted greatly in properly classifying them. The building on the West Side was erected by that ward and put under an entirely separate control. The two schools were made independent of each other, and have continued so to this day. The building on the West Side was an improvement on its prede- cesser of the East Side. It was a ver;y commodious brick building, contained four rooms, was supplied with a bell, improved seats, blackboards and all the machinery of the modern schoolroom of the day. It occupied the entire block, affording the children plenty of room in which to play. It was used without alteration until the spring of 1871. By that time, it had become too small for the increased demands of the growing city, and a new one was decided upon. The membei-s of the Board of School Trustees that spring were B. C. Hinkle, J. M. Riddle and J. M. Hall. Under direction of this Board, the present house was erected. The old one was simply remodeled and enlarged, and fitted with still more advanced furniture. It contains five rooms, and a commodious hall in the third story. Here the high school receives instruction, and here are many of the entertainments. When this building was erected, a small one-roomed building was constructed a little west of it, for the use of the colored children ; but finding it impracticable to educate them thus, and failing to provide them equal advantages with the others, they were admitted to the graded school, and the building erected for them moved to the school-yard and used for primary scholars.

The school is divided into four departments, viz, primary, intermediate, grammar and high school. The primary department has three grades. In. each of the other departments, the pupils are divided into three classes, designated as Class A, Class B and Class C. The teachers are : P. H. Deardoff, Ph. M., Principal ; Miss Maggie Ewing, Assistant in the high school ; Miss Nannie Myrick, intermediate ; Miss Jennie D. Riddle, third primary ; Miss Minnie Jennings, second primary, and Miss Annie Riddle, first primary.

The brick building on the East Side continued in use until the erection of the present one, in 1865. It became apparent, however, before that date that better accommodations would have to be provided, as the house used was by far too small, even when aided by one or two rented rooms. It was decided to borrow 110,000 on city bonds, and an election was ordered to be held October 26, 1864. At that time, there were 421 children in the district of lawful school age. The bonds were voted for by a majority of 80 votes, and soon after the site was selected and work on the new building begun. It was completed in November, 1865, and opened for school on Monday morning, February 5, following. It contains five rooms, and a large hall in the third story, similar to the one on the West Side, and used for similar purposes.

The town continuing to grow, this building was found inadequate to supply school room for the increasing school population of the East Side, and another building was erected in the southeast part of town in 1877 and 1878. It contains four rooms, and is under the care of the Superintendent at the other building. From his last report, we gather the following statements :

Ten teachers are employed, whose wages, including that of the Superintendent and janitor, amount to $4,740, for eight months of school. The teachers are: C. W. Jacobs, Principal; Miss Lizzie Dorland, high school; Miss Carrie Riddle, Miss Eva Lowe and Miss Lillie Osborn, grammar school, sixth, seventh and eighth grades; Miss Helen Patterson and Miss Lavina Ewing, intermediate department, fourth and fifth grades ; Miss Mollie Phillips, primary department, and Miss Julia Pulsifer, Miss Ida Woods and Miss Mary Oushman, same department, in the first, second and third grades. Grouping the school statistics, we have :

Assuming the first number given to be one-third; the second, one-fourth, and the third, one-eighth, we have a population of about six thousand in the city.

On Saturday, June 7, 1856, Mr. R. W. Houghton issued the first number of the Mattoon G-azette, the initial copy of newspapers in the city. It was a seven-column, four-page paper, one of the original copies of which is now in possession of Mr. Leonidas Chapin. a resident of the western part of town, and who highly prizes this relic of early days. His regret now is that he did not preserve the entire files of the paper.

" We design publishing a good family newspaper - one whose information can be depended upon as reliable. In politics we are independent - committed to no party."

After giving his reasons for this stand, he says: "There are many matters of vital importance to our moral advancement, our educational system and the agricultural interests of this mighty people which demand the attention of the press, giving a broad field for operation outside the political arena."

He goes on to say that he will give particular attention to commercial and agricultural reports, and adds, '"we have now launched our bark, weighed anchor, and hope to accomplish the voyage, even though we have occasionally to contend with tides and adverse winds."

History Of Coles Couuty

Speaking of Mattoon in an editorial, he notes its geographical position, its railway facilities, its markets and the good country about it. He says the town is a " stripling of less than a year's growth, and taking into consideration the difficulties of procuring building material, and the unusual sickness of the last season, its growth has been rapid. A great many buildings are now in course of erection and many more are projected."

Commenting on the prospects of the village, the paper proceeds: "We know of no place which ofi'ers greater inducements for the improvement of capital than this. Houses of all kinds are in demand at the landlord's rates, and everything else demands good prices. No branch of business seems to lack customers. In fact, we have all the elements necessary for the buildingup of a good inland town, in conjunction with a firm determination on the part of the inhabitants to make it thrive.

" We have now eight or ten good stores, nearly all kinds of mechanics, several warehouses, two good hotels, a printing office, and a population of from four to five hundred."

The editor quotes from the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel the nomination of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, as President, and Breckenridge, of Kentucky, as Vice President, in the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati. He also notices the election of Directors for the T. H. & A. Railroad, as reported by the Paris Blade, and the robbery of the post office at Vincennes, Ind., quoted from the Gazette of that town. After giving a few other general items, he proceeds to fill the balance of the second page with advertisements.

A. Francis informs the citizens of Mattoon that " he is now opening at the store opposite and nearest the depot, another choice stock of spring and summer goods, of almost every kind and description, and that he will keep on hand constantly the best brands of flour."

Norvell & Brother announce that they have just opened a " saddle and harness shop, west of the Central Railroad, over the Crazette office," and that their terras are " exclusively cash."

A. Engle the " Mattcx>n House now open, and that he is ready to rei'eive the patronage of the public, and afford them a home, at reasonable terms. '

Thomas McKee advertises that " the Pennsylvania House has recently changeii hands, and has been very much enlarged and otherwise improved bv painting and papering it throughout."

Mr W. H. K. Pile says that "the Kentucky House, at the comer of Second and Broadway, will furnish supper, lodging and breakfast for §1, and that he will give one meal for 35 cents."

H M. Tremble & Son '' announce to the public that they are receiving dry goods of every description, hardware and cutlery, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, cordage, carpenters' tools, farming utensils, rich and fashionable bonnets : all of which we offer for sale cheap for cash, or in exchange for corn, oats, wheat, rye, rags, butter, eggs, tallow, beeswax, and, in short, everything in the produce line, at market prices."

Conley «k Hitehcoi'k have the largest advertisement of anv firm. Thev report uew^ style prints, new style poplins, sugars and other groceries, summer clothing, boots and shoes, and everything to be found in any other store. Thev give market reports, from which we learn prices paid then for different articles bought and sold. Wheat is reported from ^1 to ^1.50 per bushel ; corn, from 12| to 15 cents ; oats, 20 cents ; potatoes, ^1 and ^1.25: timothy-seed, §2.25: eornmeal, 25 cents per 100 lbs.; butter, 12| ; eggs, 10 cents per dozen ; coffee is 14 cents p«r pound ; sugar, from 10 to 15 ; bacon is reported from 7 to 10 cents per pound,^beef at 7 and 8 cents ; chickens are worth i$1.50 and 32 per dozen; rye is worth 50 cents and 60 cents per bushel ; hay, §6 per ton ; whisky. 85 cents per gallon, brandy ^.50. w^ine $4 and gin $2.50, when bought by the barrel.

This description includes almost all noticed in this first issue of the paper, referring to Mattoon. The i-est of the paper is devoted entirely to foreign matters - no local items noticed. Probably Mr. Houghton did not have time to gather any. He appears to have all his paper but one page printed elsewhere - probably in Terre Haute, as much of the advertising is from there, and some of it is inserted twice. The paper is quite creditable for the start, and we are sorry that no second copy was preserved so its advance could be noticed.

The G<jzette was announced to appear every Saturday, and carefully fulfilled its contracts. Mr. Houghton, who had been a printer in Terre Haute, and had published a paper in Greenup until thfe county seat was removed, continued with the Gazette until autumn, when he sold to Dumas J. Van Deren, and returned to a farm near Greenup. He remained there and in the town till the spring of 1857, when he moved again to Mattoon and purchased the Gazette of Mr. Van Deren. He conducted the paper till the fall of 1859, when he sold it to Mclntyre <fe Woods and removed to a farm near Majority Point. Shortly afterward, Mr. Woods sold his interest to W. P. Harding, and the firm of Harding k Mclntyre, who took charge of the G-azette. Mr. Houghton returned the third time to Mattoon after raising one crop, and again secured an interest in the (xazette. He subsecjuently enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentythird Illinois Volunteers, and lost his life in an engagement on the 18th September, 1863. When he went to the arrny, the paper continued under Mclntyre & Harding's control, the latter gentleman as editor until February 1, 1861. July 19, 1865, Mr. Mclntyre sold to J. 0. Harding, and the G-azette came under the charge of Harding Brothers.

When the war broke out, J. 0. Harding enlisted first in the Sixteenth Indiana, afterward in the Seventy-ninth Illinois. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby eighteen months. On his return from the war, he came again into the Gazette office on July 19, I860, with his brother. The firm of Harding Brothers managed the Gazette until June 20, 1866, when the junior member sold his interest to Mr. C. B. Bostwick, and Harding & Bostwick conducted the paper until May 29, 1867. At this date, Mr. Harding sold his interest to Mr. Bostwick, who managed the Gazette until July 10, 1867. A radical change in the paper occurred at this date. The Democratic party had for some time been desiring a paper, and when Mr. Bostwick sold, it was to a committee of prominent citizens of that political party. They changed the name to the Mattoon Democrat and its politics to their own. They employed Charles W. Dunifer as editor, who remained but a few months, when he was succeeded by a Mr. Crouch, who remained in charge only two or three months. The adventure not proving a success, the committee desired to sell. They found a purchaser in the persons of Taylor k Bowen, who changed the name to Mattoon Clarion. They, however, were not able to pay for it, and, soon after, the establishment was sold at Sheriff's sale, and the materials moved to Sullivan.

When Mr. Bostwick sold in 1867, he contracted to stay out of the printing business five years, and, the time expired, he returned and concluded to revive the old Gazette. He and George B. McDougall purchased a new outfit, and, on the 16th of August, 1872, they issued the first number. They also opened a job office in connection with their paper, and soon had a good business. They continued together until January. 1874, when Mr. McDougall sold his interest to Mr. Bostwick, who has since conducted the Gazette. It is a large-sized, eight-paged paper, and has an excellent reputation and circulation. The office is fitted with a good steam-power press, two job presses, power papercutter, ruling machine, and all the material necessary for doing all ordinary commercial book and blank Avork.

The Journal was established November 1, 1865, by W. 0. Ellis. He, in his editorial " salutatory," defines his intended position ; refers to the fact of the late war; to his position regarding it ; to the desire he entertains for peace ; to the cause of education, which he hopes to see fostered in the town ; to the growth of trade and the encouragement of manufactories, and to the general advancement of the city wherein he has cast his lot.

The editor notices the fine weather of that fall : the discharge of the Thirtythird Illinois, at Vicksburg; the granting of 8,000 pardons by the President, and the fact of there being 20,000 still on file. Many other items of State and national news are given ; a liberal patronage of advertising appears, and, all in all. the paper evidently was issued after a careful canvass was made.

Some one gives a history of the inception of the Mattoon Business College and Female Seminary, and, through successive numbers, concludes arguments in favor of their firm establishment in the city.

The Journal starts out evidently well prepared for work, and shows a disposition to maintain and elevate its standard. Mr. Ellis continued as editor and proprietor until June 23, 1866, when he sold an interest in the paper to Capt. Thomas E. Woods. Two weeks before, the Journal was considerably enlaro-ed and improved, showing the year's adventure had been successful. Capt. Woods, in his " salutatof-y " to the readers of the Journal, says he is here ao-ain among the people he had formerly known when he conducted the Gazette, and later, when he had wielded the pen in the sanctum of the Charleston Courier, before that journal, as he thinks, apostatized. He alludes to the fact of his late connection with the war, fairly closed, and avers that, having tried both the pen and the sword, though the former may be " mightier,

The current news of the day are given ; a good local column is maintained, while general ne>vs appears. Mr. Ellis remains with the paper, Capt. Woods acting as editor.

The Journal was run under this arrangement until the fall of 1869, when Capt. Woods purchased the entire interest, and assumed exclusive control. He conducted the Journal alone until March 1, 1876, when he associated with himself his brother, Winfield Woods, and the paper was conducted by Woods Brothers until January 1, 1879, when Capt. Woods received an appointment in the Treasury Department, at Washington, and Avent there. He is still connected with the paper, however, and furnishes much of its editorial matter.

On January 1, 1879, William F. Purtill, who has been connected with the papers of Mattoon as a general printer and foreman for several years, and has been for a lontr time with the Journal, obtained an interest, and now the paper is conducted by Woods & Purtill. It began in 1874 to issue a daily, which it maintains with commendable enterprise, and which is an important factor in the life of Mattoon. It had been run as a tri-Aveekly two or three years prior to the daily ; this was, however, abolished when the daily was founded, and the weekly issue resumed.

The third paper in Mattoon, the Commercial, is the outgrowth of the Radical Republican, a paper started early in December, 1867, by Mr. Ebenezer

Noyes. When the Gazette was sold by Mr. Bostwick to the committee of Democrats, Mr. Noyes determined to establish a strong Republican paper in its stead, purchased materials and opened an office on the north side of Broadway, west of the railroad, in the room now occupied by 'Squire Robb. He employed Charles Robb as printer, and assumed the editorial charge himself. He made the paper what its name implied, and was not at all afraid to freely express his views. He was assisted by Mr. Chittenden in his editorial work, who had the main control in the business office and as a gatherer of news. James Williams was soon after also engaged in the printing department.

Mi*. Chittenden did not remain long in the office, and the entire editorial and reportorial duties devolved upon Mr. Noyes, who took in his sons to aid him. They continued the Radical Repuhlican until sometime in 1871, when they sold the paper to Mr. A. Bookwalter, who changed the name to Commercial. He continued it until the fall of 1872, when he suspended. He soon after sold the office to Mr. R. Sumerlin & Sons, who moved it to its present location. Their first paper appeared on October 8, 1872. Under their management, the paper was made the organ of the Democratic party, and was continued by them until August, 1876. Mr. Sumerlin sold the paper at this time to a stock company, and went to Florida. The company appointed Mr. A. Sumerlin, who had been in the office with his father, editor and manager, and, under this management, it is still continued. The Commercial is a fourpage paper, issued weekly, and has a good circulation among its constituents.

Lodges, Associations, Societies, Etc

Mattoon Royal Arch Chapter, No. 85. Instituted October 26, 1865. First officers: James M. True, H. P.; S. J. Fisher, K. ; W. H. House, S. Present officers : Thomas Davis, H. P. ; James Darnell, K. ; J. H. Clark, S.; J. J. Ayer, Sec. Meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, at their hall.

William H. Lewis, Sec. Present officers: J. B. Durnell, W. M. ; Thomas Davis, S. W. ; J. A. Mulford, J. W. ; George W. Clark, Sec. Meets first and third Wednesdays of each month, at their hall.

K. of P. Endowment. - Section, No. 148. , Instituted in April, 187-'. First officers : Charles B. Fry, President ; Robert N. Gray, Vice President ; John W. Hanna, Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Wright, Chaplain ; W. Patrick, Guide ; Henry Gullion, Guard ; A. Stewart, Sentinel. Present officers : Charles B. Fry, President; John W. Hanna, Vice President; W. M. Chettle, Secretary and Treasurer ; Henry Wright, Chaplain ; L^. Culson, Guide ; Henry

Oullion, Guard ; Anthony Stewart, Sentinel. Membership, over twenty-five. Meets first and third Thursday evenings of each month, at K. of P. Hall.

Knights and Ladies of Honor - Alpha Lodge No. 28, instituted in April, 1878. First officers: J. F. Drish, Pro.; Mrs. J. W. Hanna, Y. Pro.; L. V. Woods, Sec; Mrs. W. W. Smith, Fin. Sec; Mrs. h-a James, Treas. Present officers : L.G.Roberts, Pro.; Mrs.Norvell, Y. Pro.; Harry Coulter, Sec; John Parmalee, Fin. Sec; Mrs. Yining, Treas. Meets second and fourth Thursdays each month in K. of H. hall.

W. C. T. U. - Organized June 5, 1878. First officers: Mrs. M. J. Hinkle, Pres.; Mrs. Thomas Clegg, Sec: Mrs. Lillie Mulford, Cor. Sec: Mrs. Maggie Duncan. Treas. Meets every Thursday afternoon in their hall. Further particulars of this society, its objects, etc., are given in the history of the city.

This town is pretty well divided between prairie and woodland, the latter, perhaps, predominating to some extent. Its timber is principally oak, hickory, sugar-maple, and a light scattering of walnut. The township is watered by the main branch of the Embarrass River flowing along its western boundary, together with several smaller streams which have their source in its territory, the most important of which is Pole Cat Creek. The sweet-scented name of this stream was derived, it is said, from the fact that a new-comer first learned upon its classic banks the power and alacrity of that species of feline to defend itself against its enemies. Ashmore is bounded on the north by Oakland Township; on the west by the Embarrass River : on the south and east by Hutton Township and Edgar County, and is much larger tlian a regular Congressional township. It is a fine agricultural region, and contains many excellent farms. The Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad passes nearly through its center from east to west, and has been of incalculable benefit to the town. The village of Ashmore, wiiich will be again alluded to in this chapter, is a thriving place, and the shipping point for a large scope of country.

First Settlement

The first white men who made claims in the territory now embraced in Ashmore were the Dudleys. James Dudley entered land here in 1826. He was originally from New Hampshire, but had been for several years a resident of Edgar County before coming to this section. When he entered land here he put his brother, Guilford Dudley, on it, and Laban Burr, a son of Laban Burr, one of the early settlers of Edgar County, and he remained for several years afterward in that county before coming to his new possessions. Guilford Dudley and Laban Burr were both single men, and kept " bachelor's hall " for several years. Coles County, at the time of which we write, was a part of Clark, and the first frame barn erected in what now comprises both counties, was put up on the Dudley farm about 1830. It was a frame structure, as we have said, of the New England pattern, and after the frame had been "raised," a man of the name of McCracken climbed to the top of it to christen it by name, as he said was the custom down in New England. With all due solemnity, and "in the name of the good people present," he pronounced the name of "Bachelor's Delight and the Pride of the Fair," and then threw away the bottle, though, as our informant expressed it, bottles then were rather scarce. What use they had for a bottle in such a ceremony we are unable to conjecture. The romantic name under which the barn was christened appears a little contradictory, and the latter clause a misnomer, as the household at that time was said to have been a bachelor one. The "raising" of the edifice was quite an event, and men came from the "Big Creek" settlement (in Edgar County) to assist in the enterprise.

Guilford Dudley, after taking to himself a wife, entered land a short distance from his brother's place, on which he remained until his death several years after. His youngest son, Elbridge Dudley, now occupies the place. Laban Burr eventually married Miss Melissa Sutherland, of Grand View Township (Edgar County), and entered land south of Dudley's, in what is now Hutton Township. James Dudley, mentioned above as the first to enter land in this section, after living a bachelor until the mid-day of life, married a widow lady named Brown. He sold his farm to a man of the name of Olmstead about 1837, and returned to the East. Adam Cox is supposed to have been from Kentucky, and settled in this township in 1826-27. He located near Dudley's, and, after remaining there a number of years, sold out and removed to Jasper County, and finally to Missouri, where he died. He settled in the " Big Creek " neighborhood before coming to this county.

Job W. Brown was born in the old Nutmeg State, but his parents removed 10 Kentucky when he was ten years old, where they resided several years ; then came to Lawrence County, 111., and, in January, 1825, removed to Walnut

Grove, at that time considered the very outskirts of civilization. In 1838, he, with his father, Jonathan W. Brown, took a contract to build two sections of the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, which they completed in 1840. and, the same year, he settled in Ashmore Township, on a farm he still owns, and upon which he resided until 1877, when he retired from active labor, and removed into the village of Ashmore, where he at present lives, enjoying a competency won by honest toil. Mr. Brown tells the following story of his "sparking" days: There was living in the neighborhood a family with a grown-up daughter of whom he was rather fond. After a time, the family moved away some distance to the northwest, and he would mount his horse semi-occasionally and ride out to see her. As the country palaces in those times usually consisted of one room, which served as parlor, dining-room, bedchamber, kitchen, etc., " it required a good deal of courage," he said, " to corner his girl under such circumstances," but he " at length got used to it." Upon an observation from us, that, had we lived in those primeval days, we would have done our sparking in the summer time, when, with the fair one of our choice, we might have wandered in the " darkling wood, amidst the cool and silence," or lingered beside the " purling brook, as it meandered over its pebbly bottom," etc., etc., he ((uietly remarked that " where there was a will there was a way," and that " people in a backwoods country could get used to almost anything."

The severest punishment, he said, that he ever received at school, was given him by his father when going to school to him. The boys and girls were allowed to " sit around the room promiscuously," and " all mixed up together." He was quite a large boy, and one day a pretty little French girl chanced to be sitting next him, when, upon the spur of the moment, he put his arm around her, drew her to him and kissed her - "for her mother." His father did not see the performance, but the titter that ran round the room "gave him away." The old gentleman forced some timid little fellow to tell the cause of the laugh, when he walked him and the little girl out in the middle of the room and compelled him to repeat the operation. He braced himself for the ordeal and Avent through it like a little man, but he observed that his '' heart was not in it as it was the first time."

John Carter, Pearson and John Wiley, John Wright, Thomas Reed, James Wells, John K. Spears, William H. Galbraith, C. L. Duncan, William Woods, Joseph Epperson, Charles'D. Phelps and Fountain Turner were from the old Blue- Grass State. Carter was from the Crab Orchard country, and came to Illinois in 1830, arriving in this township on the 13th of April, and settled a short distance east of the present village of Ashmore. He has two sons living - Shelton Carter, in Ashmore Township, and Joseph Carter, in Morgan Township ; both are honorable, upright citizens. A daughter married John Austin, and lives on the place where Mr. Carter built his first cabin. Mrs. Joseph Reed is also a daughter, and Mrs. Catharine Young, living in Washington Territory. Mr. Carter died in July, 1841. The Wileys came in 1829, and settled some two or three miles from the village of Ashmore. Pearson moved to Parker Prairie, and John to Douglas County, where he died. Wright settled near the Wileys, and came about a year afterward. They had all first settled on Big Creek, before coming to this settlement, but had not remained long in that locality. Reed came in 182!', and settled about one and a half miles northeast of the village of Ashmore, and has been dead a number of years. He died on his original settlement, and where his son Caleb Reed now lives. Mrs. Walton, a* daughter, lives in the town, and Mrs. Galbraith, another daughter, lives in Hickory Township. James Wells settled about three miles south of the village of Ashmore. His father was a native of Maryland, and removed to Bracken County, Ky., at an early day ; Avas one of the very earliest settlers in that part of the State. James Wells, alluded to above, came here in 1830, and still owns the original place on which he settled, but for a year or two past has been living with his son-in-law, Mr. O'Brien, in the village of Ashmore. John K. Spears was from Jefferson County, near the city of Louisville, and came to this township in 1834, settling near Hitesville, He died in 1888; a son. Dr. A. K. Spears, is living in Charleston. Woods came to Coles County in 1834, and located in the east part of Ashmore Township, and died in 1878. He has but one son living, Thomas Woods, residing on the old homestead. Joseph Epperson settled in the township the same year as Woods, and came from the same county (Madison) in Kentucky. He died in 1850, leaving several children in this part of the country to perpetuate his name. Phelps came in 1830, and settled in Ashmore Township. He had a large family of children, most of whom still live in Coles County. Mr. Phelps died in 1856. Turner settled in the township in 1834, where he still resides, one of the solid men of the county. He and his wife have been living together for more than sixty years, and are hale and hearty for their age. Galbraith came to Coles County in 1830. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, but removed to Kentucky in an early day. He was a soldier and an officer of the Revolutionary war, and served seven years under Washington ; was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and one of the guard of that noted prisoner for some time. He removed from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816, and the son above mentioned to Coles County, as noted, in 1830, where he still lives. Coleman L. Duncan, though but a few years in Coles County, has lived just over the line in Clark since 1830, and can give as vivid accounts of the privations of the early settlers as any man now living. He resides with his son-in-law. Dr. Steele, of Ashmore.

Hezekiah Ashmore came from Middle Tennessee, in 1830, and settled in what is now Oakland Township, and, in 1836, removed to this town. It, together with the village of Ashmore, was named for him. Mr. Ashmore landed here with 37 J cents in his pocket, but, realizing that fortune smiles on those who help themselves, he went to work, and, as fast as he accumulated a little money, invested it in land, so that, at the time of his death, he owned