Paris Township

Paris Township

This beautiful little city of the plain is situated at the junction of the Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Paris & Danville, and the Illinois Midland Rail¬ roads, about twenty miles west of Terre Haute, one hundred and seventy miles east of St. Louis, and about the same distance south of Chicago. It is a thriv¬ ing city, containing nearly six thousand inhabitants ; ranks high in wealth and prosperity, and centrally located as it is, in the rich valley of the Wabash, gives advantages fully equal to those possessed by any of the interior cities of the State. Its fine schools and magnificent churches, which will be more par¬ ticularly referred to further on in this chapter, and its high standard of morality are themes of remark among visiting strangers, and should recommend it to all who are in search of future homes, and an eligible place to invest their superfluous wealth. The high character of its business and professional men, its admirable location and its several railroads diverging with the points of the compass, cannot fail, in time, to make it a commercial and business center of considerable importance.

The original plat was surveyed and laid out by Amos Williams, County Surveyor, for Samuel Vance, who, as has already been stated, donated twentysix acres of land for a county seat. We find the following entry on record in the Clerk's office :

The aforesaid town is 64^ perches square, containing 26 acres and \ of a perch ; "each lot is 73 feet 6f inches in front, and 147 feet 1^ inches back, containing 39f perches. The public square is 310 feet 9 inches square, containing 2 acres 34T^ perches. The streets are 66 feet and the alleys 16^ feet wide.

Next follows a certifiate of Samuel Vance, Justice of the Peace for Edgar County, showing an acknowledgment of the County Commissioners that it is the town plat of Paris, and also a certificate from Jonathan Mayo, Recorder, testifying that the plat was then admitted to record. From the report of the Commissioners appointed by the General Assembly (John Huston and John Boyd), to locate the " seat of justice of Edgar County," we make the following extract as bearing on the early history of the place : * * * * " Twenty - six acres, the property of Samuel Vance, being the north west quarter of Section 1, Town 13 north, Range 12 west. And we do further report, in the discharge of the duty aforesaid, declare and make known to all persons to whom these presents shall come, that the said county seat, or seat of justice, shall, from and after this day, be styled and known by the name of Paris. And we further certify that Samuel Vance, the proprietor of the land, whereon the said county seat is located, gave as a donation to the county aforesaid the quantity of 26 acres of land for the use of said county, for which he has executed his bond to the said county, which is herewith inclosed and made a part of our report." This report is dated April 21, 1823, and the bond of Vance follows in the records, in the sum of $10,000, with Smith Shaw and William Lowry as sureties, the object of which was that he should execute " a good and sufficient deed in fee simple (for the land donated) to the county of Edgar, on or before the 15th day of April, 1825.

The name of Paris was given by the Commissioners who located the county seat. From what source they obtained it, the chronicles of the early Commis¬ sioners' Court are silent. Whether for the great European center of fashion - the capital of the French Republic; or whether it was given in honor of Paris, the son of Priam, whose judgment on Mount Ida in favor of the beauty of Venus, to whom he awarded the golden apple, rather than to Juno or Minerva, thus obtaining the promise of Helen, whom he afterward carried off from the house of her husband, thereby involving Troy in flames ; or whether they deemed that in "the eternal fitness of things " all beings and objects must have a name, and, therefore dug it up out of their memories to bestow it on the future city, we know not, and, as we have said, the records of the Court are silent on the subject. It is sad, not to know for whom the name was given, and that he, or it, is not aware of the illustrious namesake, nestled away here in the Wabash Valiev, on the confines of Egypt.

When the county seat was located, this section was all a wilderness, and very far from being the beautiful town it is to-day. Until 1834, we were informed that the public square was a brush-thicket, and the town was desig¬ nated by a board nailed to a tree, upon which was painted the name Paris. A good deal of strife and hard feelings had been engendered by the different sec¬ tions of the county; for, as is the usual custom in such cases, every neighbor¬ hood wanted the county seat in its midst, and every settler wanted the Court House at his door. The North Arm settlement made vigorous fight for it, and had laid out a town, which they had given the high-sounding name of Cam¬ bridge City, in expectation of getting the seat of justice there. The act for the formation of the county provided that as much as twenty-six acres of land must be donated by the people for the purpose of defraying the expense of put¬ ting up the public buildings. Cambridge City, or the eastern part of the county, we are told, offered a hundred acres for the purpose, which prompted Mr. Vance to come to the front with his offer of the quantity required by law. This spot being nearest the center of the county of any containing timber, the Com¬ missioners at once accepted the offer of Vance's donation, and the town of Paris was located beyond peradventure.

The first addition made to the town of Paris after its first laying-out, as shown by the records, was made in April, 1829, by Mr. Vance, who gave the original site. This addition consisted of " twenty-two lots, streets and alleys on the south side." Some time after this, an addition was made by Jonathan Mayo; then another by William B. Vance. After "this, J. B. Crawford made an addition to it ; and then Leander Munsell. After these, Sheriff, McGee, Link, Alexander, Connelly and some forty others, more or less, have added to the little city, and it now covers a considerable quantity of ground. The first house built in the present limits of the city of Paris was built by Samuel Vance, some time before the laying-out of the town, and not, we believe, included in the original plat, but is at the present day. The firgt house put up after the laying-out of the place, of which we have any account, was built by M. K. Alexander for a storehouse. It stood on the lot where Dr. Tenbroeck's resi¬ dence now stands, on Central avenue, then called Main street. It was built of logs and hauled to the spot by Washington Alexander, who says that the mud along Court street was knee-deep to his oxen at the time he did the hauling. Alexander built a residence adjoining his store, immediately after completing the latter, as Paris at the time contained no rooms " to let ; " and it was a case similar to the boy and the woodchuck - " he had to." The records of the County Commissioners' Court show that the first merchant's license issued in the county was to M. K. Alexander, and would seem to imply that he was the first recognized merchant in the county. A man named John Fugate was one of the early merchants of Paris ; but we have been unable to learn anything of him beyond the mere fact that he kept a store. The next license was issued to James Jones & Co. ; and the next to Opp & Crider. These, the records state, " received license to sell goods at retail, for which they each paid the sum of $20 into the county treasury." Licenses were also granted soon after to T. Smith J. W. Riley, J. M. Archer, Sanford & King, and S. Miller, with many others. In 1832, says Eli Wiley, Esq., Leander Munsell moved to Paris and opened a store at the southeast corner of the public square. James Whit¬ ney, then quite a young man, came to Paris with Munsell. He is, doubtless, remembered by many as Sheriff of the county, and who died with cholera while holding that office.

One of the first lots sold at the public sale of lots,* after the town of Paris was laid out, was bought by Nathaniel Wayne. On this lot he built a tavern, the first house of entertainment opened in the town. He was granted license March 8, 1825, to keep " a tavern and dram-shop," for which he paid the enormous sum of three dollars. The next tavern, the court raised on license, as we find that Isaac Starnes paid $5 for a license " to keep a tavern and dram¬ shop in Paris," March 6, 1826. In September, Robert Shields received license* for the same purpose, and at $4, giving bond in the sum of $100. Whether the bond was for good behavior, or to guarantee the payment of the $4, we are unable to say. While on the subject of the early taverns and dram-shops of Paris, we would say a word as to those of the present day, and congratulate the city upon being supplied with hotels, of which any city might well be proud. It is said that the prosperity of a town or city may be judged by the character of its hotels. The Paris Hotel is a model house, and McCoskey, its proprietor, is a model landlord. The Commercial and St. Nicholas are less pretentious in the appearance and style, but are good, commodious houses. (This is not intended as an advertisement, but as a plain statement of facts.) As to dram¬ shops, there is not, we are told, a licensed saloon in the city, which, to say the least, speaks well for the city's morals and its temperance.

Mills, Grain And Stock

The first mill built in Paris, and which was the first steam-mill in Edgar County, was built by Leander Munsell, about 1834-35. It stands east of the public square, and is known as the " City Mills." It cost at the time of build¬ ing about $3,000, and with some changes, additions and improvements, is still in operation and is owned by Bowen & Co., who are doing a good business. The largest establishment of this kind in Paris is the Edgar County Mills, situated just north of the Court House on the I. & St. L. Railroad. They are owned by Dill, Redmon & Co., who do an extensive milling and grain business. The building is a large and elegant brick, with grain elevator attached, together

* We notice on the records of the County Commissioners' Court that John Stratton was allowed the sum of $9 ($3 in specie and $6 in State paper) for six gallons of whisky furnished on the day of sale. This was before the Murphy temperance movement.

with all the modern improvements usually found in first-class mills. In addi¬ tion to the grain bought for the use of their mills, the firm ship considerable quantities of corn to other points. Just opposite these mills are those of Walker, which are also of brick, and a good substantial structure, containing all the modern mill improvements. Like the other mills of the city, this is doing a good business.

In connection with the mills it is not out of place to say a few words of the grain trade, which is quite extensive. One of the first to engage in it as a business was William Smith, about 1853. Since that time, the trade has very much increased, and the buyers at present are: Davis & Huston and Burt & Lawson. These are the principal dealers, though there are others who handle grain to some extent. It is mostly shipped to Indianapolis and Chicago. There is also considerable live-stock shipped from this point, Alexander Mann being one of the largest shippers. It is said that in 1877, he alone shipped cattle to the amount of §14,000. Many of the farmers do their own shipping, especially of hogs.

The first blacksmith-shop of "which we have any account was opened in by John Lycan, who is noticed in another page, as the first in the county. He settled on the " North Arm," and there opened a shop, and after Paris was laid out, moved to it, where he continued the same business. Bartholomew Whalen was another of the early blacksmiths of Paris, and is still a resident of the county, though for some years on a farm. But, like other branches of busi¬ ness, blacksmithing has increased, and it takes a score or more of shops to accommodate the scope of country that Lycan used to work for. A post office was established here about the time the town was laid out. Much has already been said about Uncle Sam's first appearance here through the post-office depart¬ ment, ,and we shall not repeat it here. With a few words additional, we will pass on to other facts. M. K. Alexander succeeded his father as Postmaster, and for a time after the post office had been established, there was but one mail in two weeks. It was carried on horseback from Terre Haute to Springfield, . Jacksonville and Quincy. It is told how that the first trip of the mail over this route, there was noticed a rent in the mail-bag, and the carrier, deeming it unsafe, took out the contents and brought them to the office in his hat. A poem read before the Old Settlers' Association of Livingston County a few years ago, entitled, " An Old Stager's Soliloquy," contains a verse that is illustrative of the Paris post office at this time :

One of the first regular physicians in Paris was Dr. Ferris, who practiced here as early as 1830, and lived where Hon. James A. Eads now lives. Soon after him we hear of Drs. Widner and Huff. They practiced under the old dispensation, that is, by bleeding and pouring the calomel into their patients by the spoonful, quinine likewise, and the way that ague prevailed in those days, some of the old people are still puzzled to know how they managed to keep a supply of these drugs on hand. William Darnall, in a series of articles written some time since for the Paris press, pays this compliment to the medical frater¬ nity, some of whom live in other parts of the county : " Drs. Steele, of Grand

View, Smith and Willard were among the first, and practiced for some time. Dr. Massie, of our town, has practiced many years as a successful physician. Dr. Tenbroeck came West and settled in Charleston, and in about two years moved to Paris, where he has practiced medicine for forty years." Among others, he mentions Drs. Condiuts, Opp, Davis, Thomas, McGee, York and others. The physicians of Paris are men of learning and skill, and rank high in their profession.

Paris was now on the highway to prosperity, with stores, taverns, shops, a post office, a mail-route, churches and schools (for these, too had been estab¬ lished), and everything which betokens the thriving village. Its progress was at no time stayed, the tide of immigration continued steadily to increase, and additions were made to its population each year. From a few dozen lots laid out on the margin of a grove of timber, with a board nailed to a tree with the word Paris inscribed thereon, to tell the new-comers where the village was located, it had grown to a prosperous town, with sufficient population to begin to put on airs, and it was at length decided to place Paris under

Village Corporation

In 1849, the village of Paris was organized and incorporated under the legislative act provided in such cases. The first Board of Trustees elected were M. M. Dill, John Sheriff, Washington Nebaker, James Gordon and N. Link, who organized for regular business by electing M. M. Dill President of the Board, and S. T. Newlon, Clerk. It remained under this style of govern¬ ment until June 1, 1869, when it was organized as a city. On this date, " under the general law of the State," Paris became a full-fledged city, entitled to a Mayor, Board of Aldermen and city style generally. As a matter of reference and for the benefit of those interested in such matters, we give the officers from its organization as a city, as follows :

Other city officers at present are: W. B. Humphrey, Treasurer; Joseph E. Dyas, Attorney. The city has an efficient police force, consisting of L. Sisk, City Marshal, and C. E. McCord, Thomas Bane and Nelson Bear, police¬ men. John B. Moore is Superintendent of Streets. In this connection, it is not inappropriate to allude to the fact that Paris believes not in working in the dark, and in order to have a little gas of her own, without being dependent upon the press and the legal fraternity to furnish the supply needed, a few years ago, organized a gas-light company, since which time that welcome addi¬ tion to a city's comfort has been in operation and Paris well lighted with gas. The officers are : C. W. Powell, President ; H. J. Ball, Treasurer, and Z. E. Powell, Secretary. As a further convenience, water works are being put in at the present time, and that of a very substantial character, so that the city will soon be well watered, as well as lighted.

Church History

Returning to the earlv historv of Paris, the churches now claim our attention. Just wffio was the first to tell the glad tidings to the pioneers and gather them into the fold, is not easy to say, or which denomination formed the first

*Here the city seems to have been laid off into four wards and some change made in its representation, as we find two Aldermen from each ward.

church society. There was very little difference, however, as to time of the Methodists and Presbyterians in organizing societies. Probably the Methodists were first in the field, but it is pretty generally conceded that the Presbyterians erected the first church edifice. Rev. H. Yreedenburg of the M. E. Church, and Rev. Isaac Reed, of the Presbyterian, were the first preachers of whom we have any account in the village of Paris. These men labored earnestly among the early settlers, receiving the hospitalities of the cabin without money and without price, and reverently asking the blessing of God upon all they did. Their lives were simple and unostentatious, their wants few and easily satisfied, their teachings plain and unvarnished, touched with no eloquence save that of their daily living, which was seen and knowm of all men. Though of different religious sects, no discords were ever manifested between them, but a united effort was made to show men the way to better things by living a bet¬ ter life, and thus, finally, to reach the best of all, God and heaven. Their works were not confined alone to preaching the Word. They married the liv¬ ing and buried the dead ; they christened the babe, admonished the young and warned the old ; they cheered the despondent, rebuked the willful and hurled the vengeance at the desperately wicked. They have paid the last debt of nature, but the seed sown by them half a century ago has brought forth fruits an hundred-fold.

The first house of worship (aside from the settlers' cabin) in Paris, was the old Court House that stood on the south side of the public square. From this ancient temple of justice resounded the praises of the elect, as well as the more worldly notes of legal eloquence. Within its walls, also, was organized the first Sunday school of Paris. Somewhere between the years 1830 and 1835, Adriel Stout, a good man and consistent Christian, whom many now liv¬ ing remember, organized a Sunday school to which all children and young peo¬ ple were invited and welcomed, and, said one, in speaking of his efforts in this direction, "no doubt that many of the men now living, who were boys then, owe to him much of the good in them." For many years he was the Superin¬ tendent, and always punctually at his post. This was the germ from which have sprung a number of flourishing Sunday schools, until at the present day there is, perhaps, not a church in the city but maintains one.

The Methodist society was originally organized in Paris in 1823-24, by Rev. H. Yreedenburg, as stated above, and who is termed the founder of Methodism in the county. Among the original members were Smith Shaw and wife, and Mr. Shaw's house was the place of holding the first meetings. The first church edifice was built in 183T ; it was of brick, 30x50 feet, and stood near the northwest corner of the public square. It is now used as a residence. The present magnificent church was built in 1855, and dedicated during the session of Conference held in this city. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. John P. Darbin, who took for his subject the Ark of the Covenant, which he applied to the occasion in a very happy manner; the dedi- catory services were performed by Bishop Ames. The edifice cost about $13,000, and has an excellent clock in the steeple. The present Pastor is Rev. Elias G. Wilkins, now in his third year as the spiritual adviser of the congre¬ gation. The membership is large and flourishing, with an interesting Sunday school which is well attended. Some years after the church was completed, a heavy storm lifted the roof off, which wras of tin. It was soon replaced with shingles and so remains at present.

The Presbyterian Church was organized November 6, 1824, by Rev. Isaac Reed, who preached the first sermon, and acted as Moderator of the meeting of organization. The following persons w^ere enrolled as the constituent members: John Bovell, William Means, James Eggleton, Adriel Stout, A. Thompson, Samuel Yance, Christiana Bovell, Nancy Thompson, Barbara Alexander, Eliz¬ abeth Blackburn, Hannah Baird and Mary Yance. Samuel Yance, John Bovell and William Means were chosen Ruling Elders. The session then held a meeting to examine persons for membership, and at a meeting held the next day (November T), some fourteen or fifteen additional members were admitted to the society. The Church had preaching only occasionally until April, 1825 when Rev. John Young took charge of it, dividing his time between it and New Hope Church, located in Indiana. He died suddenly, in August of this year, and the Church had little preaching until March, 1827, when Rev. E. G. Howe came, and, as did his predecessor, labored with the Church here and at New Hope. .Rev. A. R. Curry was the next preacher, but remained only three months, and was succeeded by Rev. Claiborne Young, who remained six months. After him, the following preachers administered to the spiritual wants of the members : Rev. John Bovell, for a few months ; Rev. Samuel Baldridge, one year ; Rev. Edward Bouton, one year ; Rev. John Montgomery, from the fall of 1833 until the spring of 1836 ; Rev. R. Rutherford, one year; Rev. J. C. Campbell; Rev. H. I. Yenable came in fall of 1839, for a year and a half ; Rev. J. A. Steel, for a short time ; Rev. Joseph Platt, two years ; Rev. Erastus Thayer, about seven years ; Rev. R. M. Overstreet, one year. In the spring of 1853, Rev. Samuel Newell was engaged, and, in 1854, was duly installed as the first regular Pastor of the Church. He remained until the spring of 1871, when he resigned, and Rev. R. E). Yan Duerson was elected Pastor in July, and, in April, 1872, was installed as such by the Pres¬ bytery of Mattoon, and still remains in the sacred office. The first church¬ building of this congregation was erected in 1835, and cost about $2,500. The present building was put up in 1855, and dedicated in January, 1856, by Rev. Samuel Newell. It cost about $9,000. The present membership is 365 - about 150 of them having been added during the past three years. The Sunday school was organized at the same time with the Church, in 1824. Its first Superintendent was Adriel Stout ; the present one is George Dole, and the school is attended by about 250, with an infant class of 100 members under the care of Mrs. J. Webster and seven assistants.

The old-school Baptists - called by some " Hardshells," and by others " Iron¬ sides " and " Predestinarians " - date back quite as early in this section as any of the other denominations. Rev. Daniel Parker, Pastor of the La Motte Baptist Church, in Crawford County, organized a church of this sect in Paris about 1823-24. After the erection of the first Court House, they held -their meetings in it for ten years or more. At those meetings, says a gentleman relating the circumstance, they used to practice what they claimed to be an apostolic usage - that of washing each other's feet. They afterward moved their place of meeting to Minerva Schoolhouse, remained there several years, until they built a church two and a half miles south of Paris, which cost them about $500. In this building they worshiped for twenty-five years, and, in 1872, sold it to the Colored Missionary Baptists for $150. They then built on Mad¬ ison street, in Paris, at a cost of $1,600, which they have occupied for five years past. This is known by the name of Mount Pleasant Church. The fol¬ lowing are the different preachers since its organization : Elder Daniel Parker, Elder Thomas Young, Elder John Parker, Elder Thomas Murphy, Elder Richard Newport, Elder Aaron D. Darnall and Elder William Kemper at present in charge. William D. Darnall, Clerk. With no disrespect to this worthy sect of Christians, we will say they are a "peculiar people." Disre¬ garding Divine authority, that "the laborer is worthy of his hire," they pay their preachers nothing, on the principle, perhaps, that it is their duty to work in the Master's service " without the hope of fee or reward."

Elder Daniel Parker, the founder of Mount Pleasant Church, continued to labor with -them until about the year 1832, when he paid a visit to Texas, from which he returned so well pleased that he determined to immigrate to that coun¬ try. Before starting, however, for that locality, he organized a church or colony, comprised of members from Mount Pleasant and La Motte Churches, and with these, journeyed by land to the "Lone Star State." When they pitched their tents in the wilderness, they would unite in singing the songs of Zion, and of praise to God. All arrived safe at their destination, and the colony continued as an organized society under the name of " Pilgrim Church."

The Missionary Baptist Church was organized in August, 1852, by Rev. G. W. Riley. The original members were John W. Riley, Sarah Riley, Elias Hardy and wife, Mary Gordon, Erancis C. Riley, Elizabeth Riley and A. J. Riley. Their first church edifice was built in 1853, and cost $1,000. The society continued to worship in this house until 1863, when their present edifice was erected. This building cost $3,000, and was dedicated soon after its com¬ pletion, by Rev. Alexander Cummins. At present it has a membership of about one hundred and thirty-five, and is in the pastoral care of its first minister, Rev. G. W. Riley. He resigned the charge after serving them a number of years, but a few years ago returned to the charge. The different ministers since its organization are Rev. G. W. Riley, Rev. Mr. Yarnell, Rev. A. J. Bostwick, Rev. Mr. Rhodes, Rev. Mr. McMasters, then Rev. Mr. Riley again.

The Christian Church was organized about 1853. Among the first members were Father Leech, as he was called, Haney Mullins, Milton Powell, Joseph Iluls ; the two latter were the first Elders of the Church. This was a branch of the church that had been organized sometime before in the Big Creek settle¬ ment. It was originally formed by Rev. John B. New, of Indiana, the father of Mr. New, ex-Treasurer of the L nited States. He came over and labored for them a week or two, during which time he organized the Church, and then returned home. Rev. A. D. Fillmore was the first regular Pastor, and took charge in the fall of 1855 - a position he held for one year. The next year, the Church employed him half the time, and the Rev. J. L. Rude the other half. The former resigned and Mr. Rude continued some two years longer, and was followed by Rev. Zachary Sweeney for one year. He was succeeded by his brother, Rev. William Sweeney, who remained about one year, and after him Rev. Mr. Peel and then Rev. Mr. Hart. Since then, Rev. Mr. Rude has been the only regular Pastor, with occasional assistance from other ministers. The membership at present is about two hundred and fifty ; their church was built in 1863, and cost about §12,000. Their first church was bought from the Pres¬ byterians about the time the society was formed. The Church is in a flourish¬ ing condition and maintains a good Sunday school.

The Episcopal Church was organized in 1860, and the first Rector was Rev. John B. Pedelupe. Among the original members were Henry Tanner and Hr. S. J. Young. The first church edifice was built in 1867. Since its organiza¬ tion, the following Rectors have officiated; Rev. John B. Pedelupe, Rev. Thomas W. Mitchell. Rev. Mr. Chase. Rev. Robert Trewantha, Rev. James W. Coe, and Rev. H. H. Yandewsen. The present Rector is Rev. S. S. Lewis, with a membership of about one hundred and fifty.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church was organized about 1849, Rev. G. A. Hamilton being one of the first Pastors. Toward the close of 1850, he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Ryan, who administered to the congregation until 1860, without interruption. After him came Rev. James Dempsey, who re¬ mained until November, 1861, and was succeeded by Rev. John Yahey, under whose administration the present church was built, in 1862. Since October, 1874, Rev. Bernard Hasse has been the Pastor, with a membership in his charge of about eighty families, partly living in the city and partly in the country. Three years ago, the Church became clear of all indebtedness, some¬ thing uncommon in this age of stupendous church debts. The society bought about five acres of ground, one mile north of the city, six years ago, which has been converted into a very handsome little cemetery. About two years ago, a parochial school was annexed to the Church, which has an average attendance of about fifty pupils. A total- abstinence and benevolent society has also been organized under the auspices of the Church.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Paris was organized January 29, 1877. It resulted from revivals in the Presbyterian and other churches, and the young men of recent conversion, through the Women's Christian Tem¬ perance Union, succeeded in procuring rooms in which to hold prayer-meetings. The 1st of May, 1878, the Association was re-organized, purchased the old Town Library, to which they have since added some seven hundred and fifty volumes, forming at present quite a valuable little library. The reading-rooms of the Association, attached to the library, have on file the best of American and English publications. The Association, which numbers about one hundred and fifty members, hold meetings Monday evenings and Sunday afternoons, together with monthly socials. The officers are: George Webster. President; Adriel McCord, Vice President; W. T. Levings, Recording Secretary; C. E. Schenck, Corresponding Secretary ; H. B. Adams, Treasurer, elected senfiannually. The Women's Christian Temperance Union, of which Mrs. Alex¬ ander Mann is President, hold their meetings at these rooms.

Benevolent Institutions

Benevolent and secret institutions have existed so long that no records tel] of their organization, and they will, probably, last " until time shall be no more." The history of Freemasonry is veiled and clouded by the darkness of almost unwritten centuries ; yet, amidst the political fluctuations of the earth, and the downfall of States and Empires, its traditions have been borne to us on the current of time, and been gathered together by the Masonic student for the meditation and instruction of the craft. All who have considered the origin of Freemasonry have been convinced that the germ from which \it sprang was coeval with that wonderful command of Jehovah: u Let there be light," and from the coincidences found to exist between it and the ancient mysteries, they were very similar in character. Those exemplified in the caves of Elephanto, in India ; those of Isis, in Egypt, andEleusis, in Greece, all have some points of resemblance to those of Freemasonry ; and in the earlier years of their institu¬ tion, they maintained their sanctity and purity. In speaking of the Eleusinian Mysteries, Aristides said: " They are the common temple of the world." This is an apt picture of Masonry, and applies well to the great fraternity to-day. Brethren of every clime and nation and kindred and tongue meet in the temples of Masonry, which are scattered everywhere over the earth, and they use one language, worship one God, and elucidate one set of mysteries. We know that the aims of these institutions are good, because the results achieved are so glori¬ ous and grand. We believe the world is better for their existence, secret though they are, and agree not with those who believe that " where works are secret, deeds are evil."

Freemasonry is represented in Paris by two lodges, one chapter, and one commandery. Prairie Lodge No. 77, was organized in October, 1849. It is officered as follows: J. J. Stevenson, Master; J. L. Quinn, Senior Warden ; C.

E. Carpenter, Junior Warden, and D. G. Burr, Secretary. Paris Lodge, No. 268, was organized October 5, 1858. The following are the present officers: D. M. Wieder, Master; T. Bowe, Senior Warden; A. L. Walker, Junior Warden, and R. C. Lane, Secretary. Edgar Chapter No. 32, w^as organized October 3, 1856 ; has now the following list of officers : James A. Finlay, High Priest; J. M. Bell, King; J. J. Stevenson, Scribe, and D. M. Wieder, Secre¬ tary. Palestine Commanderv, No. 27, was organized in October, 1867, and at present is officered as follows: Sir Joseph E. Dyas, Eminent Commander; Sir George W. Hughes, Generalissimo; Sir James A. Finlay, Captain General, and Sir D. M. Wieder, Recorder. The fraternity embraces many of the lead¬ ing citizens of Paris ; among them, Sir Robert L. McKinlay, who is at present Grand Commander of Knights Templar for the State. Lydia Chapter, No. 7, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized in 1870, and has 100 members at present. The officers are: A. Y. Trogdon, W. P. ; Mrs. W. N. Bush, W. M.; Miss Syrena Batterton, R. S.; Mrs. Abigail Hoyt, A. M.

Odd-Fellowship, the twin-sister of Freemasonry in charity and benevolence, but far more modern in its origin, was established in Paris in 1851. Edgar Lodge, No. 91, of this Order, was organized July 15, 1851. The charter mem¬ bers were M. M. Hill, W. T. Jenkins, Samuel Graham, T. M. Parker and K. Hardy. The first officers elected were: John E. Miner, N. G. ; W. T. Jenkins, Y. G. ; C. Y. Jaquith, R. S., and M. M. Dill, T. The present elective offi¬ cers are: N. Bowen, N. G. ; J. G. Longmire, Y. G.; J. Erin, R. S., and J. Cole, T. The membership is 151, and the Lodge seems to be in good condi¬ tion financially. The total revenue for 1878 was §1,460. The amount paid for sick and funeral expenses for same time, §785. Cash and notes in hands of the Treasurer at the close of the year, §3,609. Paris Encampment, No. 21, was instituted May 9, 1853, with the following charter members: A. B. Austin, Walter Booth, J. W. McMillan, Daniel Safford, J. W. Connelly, N. Link and A. Yance. The first officers were : A. B. Austin, C. P.; Walter Booth, H. P., and J. W. Connelly, Scribe. The present offiers are : John R. Longmire, C. P.; J. H. Matthias, H. P., and H. A. Denton, Scribe. In addition to these bodies, there is Sinai Lodge, No. 36, Daughters of Rebecca.

The Schools Of Paris

The ordinance of the General Government of 1787, declared knowledge in connection with religion and morality "to be necessary to the good government and happiness of mankind, " and enjoined that "schools and the means of edu¬ cation shall be forever encouraged.'' Accordingly Congress, in the Enabling Act for this State, April 18, 1818, appropriated 3 per cent of the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands lying within her limits, for the encouragement of learning, one-sixteenth part thereof to be exclusively bestowed on a college or university. Two townships, one then and one sometime prior, were besides donated for founding and maintaining a seminary of learning. The proceeds of the 3-per-cent fund, and the sales of the seminary lands were blended, in 1835 and borrowed by the State at 6 per cent, the interest to be annually distributed for school purposes. In 1845, the receipts of the proceeds of the 3-per-cent school fund were suspended for a time, owing to the embarrassed condition of the finances. This State, like many others, had stopped paying interest bn her public debt, and Congress, by resolution, ordered the 3-per-cent fund to be with¬ held from them and applied toward the payment of interest on bonds held in trust by the General Government. * * * * The free-school system entered upon in 1855, marks the turning in the history of common-school education in the State. The right of the State to maintain such a system is founded upon the idea that where ignorance predominates, vice and crime are its inseparable accompaniments ; and that by education the masses will be ele¬ vated, society benefited, offenses lessened and good government promoted. But the main incentive to establishment in Illinois was the great necessity that efficiency be infused into the cause of education ; and the awakening of the people from the deep lethargy into which they had sunk to an appreciation of its importance.*

Such were some of the initiative steps in Illinois looking to the perma¬ nent establishment of schools, and which have culminated in a system of edu¬ cational facilities unsurpassed even by famed New England, the very Athens (supposed to be) of learning of America. In the early period of Paris, almost as soon as the first settlers had built their shanties .and staked out their claims, they began to look about for the schoolmaster, and, lo ! he was in their midst. In 1824 or thereabouts, Amos Williams was enthroned in Paris, with the hazel-brush as a scepter, to rule oyer the infantile subjects, and " teach their young ideas how to shoot." He, it is said, built the first schoolhouse erected in Paris, and also taught the first school in it, as well as having taught the first in the town. Another of the early schools of Paris was taught in 1828, by Isaac Alexander. Eli Wiley, Esq., now of Charleston, in a letter of early reminiscences, thus speaks of these schools : " In 1828, a school was kept by

Isaac Alexander, brother of M. K. Alexander, which the boys attended. Col. J. U. S. Alexander and myself took our first lessons in A B C's there. After him came Milton Vance. This school was kept in an old log cabin, just south and on a lot back of public square. The cabin was for some purpose sur¬ rounded with a stockade consisting of broad puncheons split out of oak-trees, about ten feet long and one end planted in the ground. At these schools, the Tenery boys attended, and one of them - Tom I think it was - was quite incorrigible, and was often subjected to the severest discipline known then, which was to wear a pair of leather spectacles and sit with the girls. And as it sometimes happened that more boys than one were disorderly, the teacher kept enough of these ornaments to go round." From this feeble beginning, the schools of Paris have grown and expanded to accommodate the increasing demands for education. In 1841, Rev. H. I. Venable founded a school for girls, known as Edgar Academy, and afterward, at the solicitation of the citi¬ zens of Paris, changed it to admit males. A select school or academy was also established, under the auspices of the Methodist Church, but neither it nor the one organized by Mr. Venable, is in existence now. The only school in the city, besides the public schools, is conducted by Prof. Hurty, who, for a num¬ ber of years was Principal of the Paris schools. Without going into a detailed history of these institutions of learning, or following the public schools through all their course, from the time of organization down to the present, a subject fully written up in the general county history, we will say a few words of the schools as they stand to-day. There are four large and commodious buildings, comfortably furnished and arranged, and well adapted to school purposes. The schools are in charge of Prof. Alfred Harvey, an able and efficient Superin¬ tendent, and who has, besides himself, eighteen teachers, whose names are as follows, viz.: Miss Sophia Watson, Miss Mary E. Perrott, Mrs. M. L. Nelson, Miss Alice E. Nelson, Miss Kate Stapleton. Miss Kate McCarty, Miss Sally Lang, Miss Nettie Brasher, Miss Emma Cretors, Mrs. N. A. Haines, Miss Hattie Denton, Miss Mame Boyd, Miss Emma Vance, Miss Ada Bradburn, Miss Callie Webster, Miss Sally Hager, Miss Allie Brengle and Miss Nellie Kester. The colored children, of whom there are about twenty, attend the public schools and share the same advantages that the whites do, but occupy a room to themselves. Prof. Harvey, the Superintendent of the schools, is now serving his eighth year in that capacity, and has recently been elected to the Presidency of the State Teachers' Association. The monthly pay-roll of the teachers is $1,016.25, an aggregate of over $8,000 a year. Prof. Harvey furnishes the following sta¬ tistical information : Paris LTnion School District was organized in accordance with an act of the Legislature, April 15, 1869, and is entirely independent of the city government. The charter members were Henry Van Sellar, Obed Foote, H. J. Miller, Levi C. Mann, George C. Levings and Samuel Graham. The territory includes the city of Paris, and in some cases extends beyond the city limits. The charter is liberal, and specially provides for instruction in the branches of a common school education, sciences, higher mathematics and languages.

The high school, which was first organized in 1871, is not intended to be a preparatory school for students who design entering college, but to pro¬ vide a liberal and practical course of study for such as expect to complete their education at home. The instruction at present includes reading, United States and general history, English analysis, English literature, rhetoric and composition, Latin, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, botany, natural history, physical geography, geology, natural philosophy, chemistry, astronomy, mental science and the Constitution of the United States. Classes have gradu¬ ated annually since 1875. The graduates have organized themselves into an Alumni Association, which meets annually, and now numbers thirty members.

The present members of the School Board are D. S. Schenck, President ; H. J. Ball, Clerk ; James D. Sutherland, Henry Van Sellar, A. B. Powell and F. M. Lvnk.

The only imperishable memorial is the printed page. No art save that of printing can reproduce the original emanations of genius in unlimited number, and as long as time shall last. Statues, monuments, paintings, molder and fade, and with them the names of those they were intended to memorialize ; but the volume of to-day may be reprinted ten thousand years hence, if the world shall endure so long, and the last copy will be, for all practical purposes, as available as the first. And in this age of refined civilization, a town of any importance without a newspaper would be considered a dark and benighted place indeed. Daniel Webster said : " I care not how unpretending a newspa¬ per may be, every copy contains something that is worth the subscription price." And the press 'of to-day, it cannot be disputed, is the ruling element of the country.

The first newspaper issued in Paris was commenced in the year 1836-37, by Lovelace & Delay, and was called the Illinois Statesman. Delay afterward sold out to Jacob I. Brown, who, in conjunction with a Mr. Abbott, continued the publication for several years. About 1848 or 1849, Jacob Harding com¬ menced the publication of the Prairie Beacon. He afterward sold out to S. L. Spink, who in turn sold to William Moore. In 1852, William D. Latshaw established the Wabash Valley Republican , which, though Republican in name, was Democratic in politics. After about two years, he sold the paper to Dill k Cooper, and they in turn sold to St. Clair Sutherland, who changed the title to that of Valley Blade , and, after a year or so, sold to William Moore, who incor¬ porated it with the Beacon , under the name of Prairie Beacon and Valley Blade. About 1860, Mehaffy k Odell established a Democratic paper called the Democratic Standard , but seem not to have given entire satisfaction, and were succeeded in the enterprise by J. F. Snow k Bro., of Bloomington, who conducted it for about a year, when Latshaw, together with John G. Provine? took charge, and changed the name to the Wabash Valley Times. After about two years, it was sold to H. B. Bishop, who was elected to the Legisla¬ ture some time afterward, went off and left the paper to care for itself. It was sold under mortgage and removed to Douglas County. The press of Paris, as it stands at present, is the Beacon and Blade , William Moore proprietor, and has already been noticed as the continuation of the old Prairie Beacon , established by Harding, and the Valley Blade , owned at one time by St. Clair Sutherland. It is Republican in politics. The Paris G-azette is the oldest Democratic paper now published in Paris. It was established in 1873, by James Shoaff, and was called the Edgar County Gazette. Mr. Shoaff died in 1874, and the paper was continued under the management of his sons - T. B. Shoaff k Brother - and the name changed to Paris Gazette. It is an eight-page paper, and is " all printed at home.'' The Paris Republican was established in January, 1877, by J. M. Pryor. It is a large and well-printed paper, Republican in politics as well as in name, and is owned and edited at present by J . ^M. sheets. The Times is a Democratic paper, and is of recent establishment. It is owned by Philip Shutt, a man who knows how to make a readable newspaper, as evinced by the sprightly sheet he publishes. The Edgar County Reporter is a spicy little sheet, published monthly in the interest of the Edgar County Drug Store. For a city of its size, Paris can boast of a press that no town or community need be ashamed of. The papers all present an attractive appearance, are got¬ ten up in good style, ably edited and well patronized by the inhabitants of city and county.

J General Business

As a manufacturing town, Paris is behind many of the cities of this section of no greater population than it. Aside from her mills, which have already been noticed, we would mention the iron foundry of Reese Brothers, situated' on the I. k St. L. R. R., in the' north part of the city. This a large foundry and machine-shop, and manufactures all classes of goods common to an estab¬ lishment of the kind. It is the largest manufactory in the city, if we may except the car and machine shops of the Illinois Midland Railway, which are located here, and which employ some sixty men. The planing-mills of Geohagan, and of Bell and La Grange, and the saw-mill of H. M. Guthrie, are among the manufacturing industries of Paris, and each in their way do a large business. Other shops common in towns of this character are of an excellent class, and supply the people with their lines of goods on demand.

The mercantile trade is extensive for retail alone. Paris makes no pre¬ tensions whatever to a wholesale trade, we believe, but maintains a retail busi¬ ness of considerable extent. The merchants and business men stand high in commercial circles, and are men of honor and integrity. But the business is too extensive to' admit of any particularization in a history like this. Conse¬ quently we must pass on with this brief notice to the merits of the trade and the business men of this live little city. Paris contains two banks, viz., First National Bank and Edgar County National Bank. The former - the First National Bank - was incorporated in 1865, with A. J. Baber, President of the institution at the present time. It is one of the sound banking-houses of this - section of the State. The Edgar County National Bank was incorporated in 1873.

The railroads have been mentioned at considerable length in other parts of this work, and need no further notice here. Suffice it that they have been the means of building up the city of Paris, and afford a market at home for all the superfluous produce of the surrounding country, and are a modern convenience that no town or city can well dispense with at the present day.