Shabbona Township (part 2 of 5)

Tb.e creation of a new county was urged upon Dr. Madden as Geneva was too far to go to transact business at tin- county seat ami the roads were almost impassable ai times, and there were no bridges over the streams. Another fact that urge I the Kishwaukee district to separation was the far: that some villages had been started at different points and the town boomers hoped the county seat mighi be a factor in building up their town.

The southerners did not always have their coun house in a town, and the southern people being in a majority were apt to try to locate one without regard to the future o i i ity. The chief business of the state legislature was at that id to create new counties, and if many of the more populous communities could have had their way one hundred and two would not be the number of counties at present.

The year lS3v saw a large addition to the pop ulation of our county and all of the present townships were settled except Malta. Milan, Afton, Pierce and Victor, and they were considered un-

rable because they bad no timber nor running stn ams and game on the prairie was not as plentiful as in the timber. Many of our first settlers came from timbered countries and those who first moved upon the prairie- were thought to be foolhardy to go so far from wood and water and the ection afforded by the woods in winter. The bard times borne by the settlers during 1836 bad a quieting effect upon claim jumpers and the} went east to their former home- oi passed on to - of conquest.

Sawmills were erected along the banks of the Kishwaukee and for a time the people purchased the outpul for new houses as Easl as lumber i ould he manufactured, and to this day there are many buildings standing made from our hardwood inriot - to our state, that for lasting qualities arc better than the new pine lumber of this day.

On the 4th day of March. 1837, the act for the creation of the county of De Kalb was passed and in the same bill the counties of Stephenson, Winnebago and Boone were created if this should be sanctioned by the whole body of voters in the espective counties from which they were detached. The whole act. although containing somi irrelevant matter, is here driven:

State of Illinois represented in the General Ass bly, That all that tract of country within the following boundaries, to wit: commencing on the northern boundary of the state where the section line between sections three and four, in town twenty-nine north, range five east of the fourth principal meridian, strikes said line, thence east on the northern boundary of the state, to the range line between ranges nine and ten east, hence south on sail I range line to the northern boundary of Ogle county, thence west on the northern boundary of Ogle county to and passing the northwest corner of the county to the line between sections thirty-three and thirty-four in township twenty-sis north, range five cast, thence north to the place of beginning, shall form a county to be called Stephenson, as a tribute of respect to the late Colonel Ren jam in Stephenson.

"Sir. 2. That the boundaries of Winnebago county shall he as follows, to \vh : commencing on the state line at the northeast corner of the county of Stephenson, thence easl mi the state line to the section line between sections five and six. in township forty-sis north, range three east of the third principal meridian, thence south on said section line to the south boundary of township forty-three north, range three east, thence west on said township line, to the third principal meridian, thence north on said meridian to the southeast corner of town-hip twenty-six north, range eleven east of the fourth principal meridian, thence west on said line to the range line between ranges nine ami ten east, thence north to the place of beginning.

"See. :;. And that all that tract of country beginning at the northeast corner of township fortysix north, range four easl. thence south with the line dividing range four and five east, to the southwest corner of township forty-three north, thence west on said line to the southeast corner of Winnebago county, thence north to the place of beginning on the north boundary of the state, shall form a county to be called P>oone in memory of Colonel Daniel Boone, the first settler of the State of Kentucky.

"Sec. 4. That all that tract of country beginning at the southeast corner of township thirtyseven north, range two east of the principal meridian, thence north to the northeast corner of township forty-two north, range two, east of the third principal meridian, and thence along the northern boundary of township forty-two in ranges three, four and five, east of the third principal meridian, thence south on the southeast corner of township thirty-seven north, range five east, thence west on

"Sec. 5. The counties of Stephenson, Boone and De Kalb hereby created shall be organized in the following manner, to wit : for the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice of Stephenson county, the following persons are appointed commissioners, viz : A'ance L. Davidson and Isaac Chambers, of Jo Daviess county, and Minor York, of Ogle county, who. or a majority of them, being duly sworn before some justice of the peace of tins state, faithfully to take into view the convenience of the people, the situation of the settlements, with an eye to future population and eligibility of the place shall meet at the house of William Baker, in said county. <>n the first Monday in May next, or as soon thereafter as may be. and proceed to examine and determine on a place for the permanent seat of justice for said county, and designate the same: Provided, that said county seat shall be located on lands belonging to the United States, not occupied by the citizens of said county, if a site for said county seat on such lands can be found equally eligible, or upon lands claimed by citizens of said county: but if said location shall be made upon land claimed by any individual in said county, or any individual having pre-emption right or title to the same, the claimant or proprietor upon whose lands, claim or pre-emption right the said seat of justice may be located, shall make a deed in fee simple to any number of acres of said tract, not less than twenty to the said county: or in lieu thereof such claimant or owner or owners of such pre-emption right shall donate to the said county at least three thousand dollars to be applied to building county buildings, within one year after locating id' -aid county seat, and the proceeds of such quarter section, if the county seat shall be located upon government lands as aforesaid, or the proceeds of such twenty acres of land if it be located on lands claimed or owned by an individual or individuals; or the said three thousand dollars in case such claimant, or owner or owners, shall elect to pay that sum in lieu of the said twenty acres, shall be appropriated to the erection of a sufficient court house and jail: and until public buildings are erected for the purposes the courts shall be held at such place as the county commissioners shall direct.

Past And Peesext Of De Kalb Couxty

"See. 6. An election shall be held at the house of William Baker, in said county, on the first Monday of May next, for one sheriff, one coroner, one recorder, one county surveyor, three county commissioners and one clerk of the county commissioners' court, who shall hold their offices until the next succeeding general election and until their successors are elected and qualified; which said election shall be conducted in all respects agreeably to the provisions of the law regulating elections: Provided, That the qualified voters present may elect from among their own number three qualified voters to act as judges of said election, who shall appoint two qualified voters to act as clerks.

"Sec. 7. For the purpose of fixing the permanent county seat of Boone county the following named persons are hereby appointed commissioners, viz: John M. Wilson of Will county. James Day of La Salle county and James H. Woodworth of Cook county, who or a majority of them being first duly sworn before some justice of the peace of this Btate, as required in the fifth section of this act, shall meet at the house of Simon P. Doty, in said county, on the fourth Monday in April next, or as soon thereafter as may be. and shall proceed as is required in the fifth section of this act. to locate the county seat of said Boone county.

"Sec. 8. For the purpose of fixing the permanent seat of justice for the county of De Kalb, Benjamin Thruston of La Salle county, James Walker of Cook county and Germanieus Kent of Winnebago county are hereby appointed commissioners, who or a majority being first duly sworn before some justice of the peace of this state, as is required in the fifth section of this act, shall meet at the house of Frederick Love in said county, on the first Monday in June next, or as soon thereafter as may be. and shall proceed in all respects as is required in the fifth section of this act: provided, That the qualified voters of Kane county shall meet at the usual places of holding elections in said county on the first Monday in May next and vote for or against the county of De Kalb. and if a majority of said voters shall' be in favor of making the said county, then the county of De Kalb shall be created, but if it shall appear that there is a majority against the division then the said countv shall remain as it now is

"Sec. 'j. The county and circuit courts of said Boone and De Kalb counties shall be held at such place as the county commissioners' courts shall respectively appoint until the county buildings are erected and the times of holding the circuit courts in the counties hereby created shall be fixed by the circuit judges in whose circuits the counties respectively are situated.

"Sec. 10. And elections shall be held in said Boone and De Kalb counties for county officers in the following manner, viz: In the county of Boone, at the house of Simon P. Doty, on the first Monday in May next, and in the county of De Kalb at the house of Frederick Love, on the first Monday in July next, and shall be required and conducted in the same manner as is prescribed in the sixth section of this act when the same is applicable.

"Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the clerks of the county commissioners' courts of the counties hereby organized to give notice at least ten days previous to the elections to be held as is above provided in said counties, and in case there shall be no clerk in said counties it shall be the duty of the clerk of the commissioners' court of Winnebago county to give notice of the elections to be held in the counties of Stephenson and Boone, and for the election to be held in the county of De Kalb notice shall be given in like manner by the clerks of the commissioners' court of Kane county.

"Sec. 12. The citizens of the counties hereby created are entitled in all respects to the same right and privileges as are allowed in general to other counties in tbi> stati .

"See. 13. The counties of Stephenson and Boone shall continue to form a part of the county of Jo Daviess until organized, and when organized according to this act shall continue attached to the county of Jo Daviess in all general elections until otherwise provided by law. The county of De Kalb shall continue to form a part of the county of Kane until it shall be organized and shall vote with the county of La Salle in all general elections until otherwise provided bv law.

"Sec. 14. The commissioners appointed to locate said countv seats shall receive the sum of two dollars per day for each day necessarily spent by them in discharging the duties imposed on them by this act, to be allowed by the county commis-

"Sec. 15. The judges of elections shall deliver to each officer elected a certificate of his election. The poll books shall be retained by them until the clerk of the county commissioners' court shall be qualified, and then deliver the said poll books to such clerk, who shall make and transmit to the Secretary of State an abstract of the votes given at such election, in the same time, manner and form as is required of clerks of county commissioners' courts in elections in other counties in this state.

"Sec. 16. After the election of county officers as herein provided, the persons elected county commissioners are hereby authorized to administer the oaths of office to each other and they are severally authorized to administer the oaths of office to all other county officers. And said commissioners shall within ten days after their election meet together as a court and lay off their county into justices' districts and order elections to be held for justices of the peace and constables at a time to be fixed by them; and justices of the peace and constables elected and qualified shall hold their offices until others are elected and qualified under the law providing for the election of Justice of the Peace. The clerks of the county commissioners' courts shall deliver to each person elected justice of the peace and constable certificates of such elections; and each person elected justice of the peace is hereby authorized, upon executing bonds as required by law, to enter upon the duties of his office and to exercise and perform all the duties of justice of the peace as fully as though such person had received a commission from the governor. This act shall be in force from and after its passage. "Approved 4th of March, 1837."

The year 1837 saw the population of this section now created into a new county double, all alarm from further Indian outbreak had forever passed away. In this section east of the Mississippi north of Florida and new settlers poured into every county of northern Illinois, all of which, except Carroll. Kendall, Grundy and Lee, were organized and in running order, and in all cases were still under county organization, showing plainly the New England's township government did not appeal to the people, the majority of whom were from southern states or of southern origin.

This year saw many new-cowers from New York and New England and they established private schools in more spacious homes. Religious societies, mainly Methodists, began to be organized a few stores were opened and things began to take on the airs of organized society. All lived along streams in the woods and the great prairie was still unbroken, but all were hopeful and with patience and fortitude awaited a better day.

Mr. Boise in his history says that the year 1837 was noted as the first in the series of the regular septennial wet seasons that have recurred every seven years since that time. From the breaking up of winter until late in autumn it rained nearly every day. The entire country was flooded and the traveling was almost impossible, and we must remember at this time there were no beaten roads and no bridges, and we can in a degree imagine the inconvenience to those who were compelled to do much road work. It had been stated also that the Chief Shabbona had predicted this wet season. He had asserted that as far back as Indian tradition reached, every seventh year had been similarly visited with a superabundance of rain - with almost constant storms and floods and swollen streams. Seven years before, the soldiers at Ft. Dearborn, then the only white inhabitants of the country, had made record of a similar year cf constant storms and floods; and it is certain that on every succeeding seventh year, such season,- have recurred. All of those who resided in the county during the succeeding four septennial triades. will testify that in 1844, 1851, 1858 and 1865, were each seasons of extraordinary moisture, and noted as wet summers. A wet season in the early days was exceptionally inconvenient and unhealthy. When water fell in large quantities it would lie on the ground until absorbed by the wind and the sun's rays which caused malaria and fevers so common in pioneer days. At that time there were thousands of undrained sloughs and in those sloughs dense growths of vegetable matter, and unfortunate, indeed, was the person whose home was located near one. The same lands that were considered too wet for tillage in those days is sufficiently dry at present, even without drain- age. During the dry times the sod would be broken, the land put under cultivation and the moisture sink rapidly into the earth. Notwithstanding the difficulties encountered by the pioneers in 183?. several hundred emigrants came from their eastern home- to settle here. Many of them became ill. could secure but Little medical assistance, and before the winter set in a large number had died. Added to the inconveniences ioned the financial crisis swepl ever the country, which perhaps was as severe as any in our liistory. After the bill providing for the exten- retoed, millions of dollars were drawn therefrom and placed in "pet hanks." Money became plentiful and the wildest speculations were indulged in. Lots were laid out in cities and towns which had no inhabitants and were sold at auct ion at fabulous prices, with the expectation thai the tide of emigration turned to the westward would till these t< wns and cities which existed only in the imagination of the speculators. To add to this scheme the government issued paper money and when the time i" pay this interesl on the public debts and the revenue nothing but specie would be aco p layment. People who had sold their eastern

- in make fortunes in the west could no1 i obligations and the financial crash came. "Confidence was now gone, and with it. the beautiful castles they had buili in the an- vanish* d like the mists of the morning; the brilliant bued bubbles burst and disappeared." The villages laid ou; at this time in our country were Orange, now Sycamore, Coltonville, Genoa, and one near Freeland Corners in Somonauk township. Lots had been laid out in these embryo < illages ami peoi could reside on them for the mere asking, ait was the fond hope of the landowners that their respective village might he made the future county seat. The village of Orange was on the north side of the Ki-liwaukee about a mile north of Sycamore. A company from New York, C. Sharer X

Mm . composed of Christ ian Sharer, capitalist of \, w Xbrk city, ('lark- Wright, Evans Whairv. and Mark Daniels, built a dim and a large mill rate, anil commenced a factory for the manufacture of furniture. The building was finished ami a saw mill was operated. Eli .T. Jewell had a wagon shop in tin grove near the present residence hi Fred Van Galder and also kept a little store. Charles ami James Waterman also hip' a store in this village. In all there were about a half dozen houses. At Coltonville, Rufus C'olton owned a store and there was a blacksmith shop and perhaps four or five other houses. The Colton home was used for many years as a hotel. Both Orange and Coltonville were aspirants for the county seat. On the first day of May, 1837, a vote was taken in Kane count}', of which we were then a part, in set nil' the territory then known as De Kalb county. Geneva was at that time the county seat of Kane, hut Aurora looked with jealous eve upon her little neighbor on the north an 1 had hopes that in the future sht might lie the capital.

Geneva favored the division with the thought thai that would settle the county -eat question. Tin precincts were widely scattered, and the sheriff of Kane county was unwilling to post the requisite number of notices in various precincts, and as the weather was very rainy and the roads almost impassable, be felt a sigh of relief when Dr. ftenrv Madden volunteered i" post notices in the far off districts, with an eve to business, for in the districts that were unfriendly to the division he saw 1<. ii that no notice- wiii' posted, hut in friendly districts the requisite notices were posted 'in due and -i i m -i in,, for, and eighty-three against, division. The precinct of Somonauk cast her fortythree votes solidly for division, Orange thirty-four for, and eight against division, while in the Kishwaukee district which includes the territory now known as Kine>toii. Franklin. South Grove and Mayfield polled her vote with two exceptions for division. In due time the county clerk of Kane county issued a call for an election to he held at the residence of Frederick Love, for the purpose of choosing three county commissioners, one sheriff, recorder, surveyor and treasurer.

The election was held on Monday, July 3, 1837. The two parties which is as well-known are indispensable to every well arranged and conducted election, went by the name of Claim Jumpers and Anti-Claim Jumpers and divided on the question of sustaining or abolishing the claim association which had been organized the previous year. The people came from all parts of the county and in large numbers. With thpir wagons and horses distributed over a large space, they presehted the appearance of an animated camp meet- ing. After the usual amount of log rolling, caucusing and liquoring, the polls were opened, the votes cast and counted, and a majority of two to one were found to be in favor of the Anti-Claim Jumpers ticket, which was: County commissioners, Ruf us Colton, Robert Sterrett, Levi Lee ; sheriff, Joseph C. Lander; recorder, Jesse C. Kellogg; surveyor, Eli Barnes; and treasurer, Lysander Darling.

"They were a most able and honorable body of officials and laid well the foundation work for theL" successors. Rufus Colton was an active, stirring, shrewd New Englander, formerly editor of a Vermont paper - a warm friend and a fair, uncompromising enemy. R. Sterrett of Somonauk was of Pennsylvania origin, always a decided democrat - honest, reliable, true man. Levi Lee, of Kingston, was a shrewd, intelligent man, active in the temperance cause. He filled many public offices, and was of late, a member of the legislature of Wisconsin. Jesse C. Kellogg, the recorder, was of Vermont Puritan stock, has been for thirtythree years, and still is one of the worthiest citizens of De Kalb county, active in every good work, the uncompromising foe of all wrong and oppression. Captain Barnes, for over thirty years n venerated citizen of this county, died in 1867, leaving a large family of descendants here. Sheriff Lander, an honest, pleasant old Indianian, had all of the peculiarities of speech and dialect of the Hoosier race. Lysancler Darling was a pleasant, kind-hearted, honest popular citizen, said to be the first settler in Sycamore."

At these early elections no printed tickets were used as at present. Ira Douglas tells us that hi* appeared at the polls, announced his name, and then stated orally his preferences for the different, offices to be filled. He belonged to the Anti- Claims Association and voted for the ticket elected by having a mark placed after the name of each candidate.

At the close of these events it was thought proper that the birth of the new county and the election of its first roster of county officers should be celebrated on the glorious 4th, and accordingly on the 61st anniversary of Amerian independence some three or four hundred early settlers assembled at the house of Ephraim Hall, who had erected a new house, which at that time was one of the very best in the county and still stands as a mark of the good old days, where the honorable Levi Le=>, a local preacher and proprietor of Lee's mill delivered the oration, which for force, eloquence and patriotism was considered well worthy of the occasion. At this celebration we must remember that all the accompanying nuisances of the present day celebration were wholly absent. People came from many miles around, brought their baskets well filled with luncheon and had a great picnic dinner in the grove. It is probable that at this time, 1907, no one lives in the county who was present at this celebration.

Matters moved rapidly in those days and on the 11th of July the first regular session of the county commissioners' court was held at the house of Rufus Colton. This was rather a more spacious house than the ones usually occupied by the early settlers; it being eighteen by twenty-four feet, made of hewn logs and furnished with doors and a window and chinked up with pure mortar. Thi day of their meeting being fair it was held out doors and the sheriff, Joseph C. Lander, made proclamation and they at once proceeded to business. An old merchant's ledger was used as the sole heok of record and is still in possession of the county clerk at the court house. The first duty performed was to lay the county off in five election precincts and justices' districts. They were:

First, Kingston district and precinct, commencing at the northwest corner of the county running south twelve miles, thence northeast crossing thj Sycamore river so as to include Benjamin Stephen's land, and then north to the county line.

It was ordered that elections be held in this precinct at the residence of Levi Lee. George H. Hill, John Whitney and Jones Hait were appointed judges.

The second was Sycamore precinct, including the northeast corner of the county, and extending as far south as Charter Grove, but not including the present village of Sycamore. The elections were to be held at a school house near Lysander Darling's, and William A. Miller, James A. Armstrong and Samuel Cory were made its judges.

The third was named Orange district, and comprised the territory south of the Sycamore district as far as Lost Grove, in the present town of Cortland. Elections for this district were ordered at

The fourth was named Somonauk district, and comprised the territory south of Orange district, ten miles in width, and about twenty in length to the south line of the county. Elections were ordered to be held at the house of Woodruff and Lane; William Davis. Frederic A. Witherspoon and Simon Price were made judges.

The fifth district was called Paw Paw. and comprised the southwest portion of the county. No recorded provision was made for elections in this district, and it was subsequently abolished, but afterward, upon the indignant protest of some of its people, was re-established.

In October the commissioners that had been appointed by the legislature to fix the county seat, met at the house of Frederic Love as directed by the law of organization. The home of the Honorable Frederic Love was at that time a log building on the site of which todai stands the residence of his grandson, Frederic 1 ove. They were received by the citizens representing the three competing points with all of that cordiality that was to be expected toward men upon whose decision Lmportanl interests depended. Escorted by a large number of residents of the county, and men who were interested in the decision of the question, they spent most of three days in riding about th region, viewing the country and comparing trie advantages of the rival locations. There seemed u> be little to choose between them. One of the commissioners, Mr. Walker of Plainfield, had been a member of the legislature villi Mr. Madden. II was also an intimate friend of Mr. Harvey Ma\- field. who had recently visited this section of th-j country and came hack with a glowing account of its attractions, and of the advantages of the present location for a county seat. TTe had also reported to Walker a remark said to have been mad" by Madden to the effect tl at lie had secured Walker's appointment as cdmmissioner, and e.xpected t<> control him so far as to induce him to locate the county seal upon his own claim at Brush Point. This naturally aroused opposition in the in ind of Mr. Walker.

Much to Madden's chagrin, he found his frier prejudiced against his own point and unable to see its advantages. The inhabitants of the little collection of losr houses on the bank of the Kishwaukee north of the present county seat where the village had been laid out, had become convinced that their village was upon ground too low to secure its location as the seat of justice, and they combined to assure the commissioners that the place where they intended the village should he. was on the higher ground upon the other side of the stream.

In the contest which followed we will give the reminiscences of Major Evans Wharry who partieipaled in the notable event and was the person more than any other one who is responsible for the present location of the city of Sycamore and the site upon which the court house now stands.

Major Evans Wharry S Reminisexce

The following reminiscence was given bv Major Evans Wharry to V. Ilix. in March, 1S7!). and by the hitter prepared for the "City Weekly." Leaving out the introductory clause, we copy as follow-: The Major and a Mr. Sharer, botli member- of the New York Land Company, came here in 1836, with the view of faking up a large tract of land in the interest of the company. They landed in Chicago in May, 1836, and after remainin- in thai city for a couple of weeks started for Galena, by way of Rockford. Peaching this locality, they met with Dr. Madden, formerly a residenl of Brush Point. Mayfield, and at that time a member of the Illinois general assembly. Th - project of the formation of De Kalb county, then a part of Kane county, was being talked up. and the Doctor, being favorably impressed with the Major and the mission upon which he was bent. prevailed upon hini to stop here and assist him in a scheme which he had in view, which was no less than to locate a shire town for the new county. The Major, thinking favorably of the project, consented, but did not think the selection of a site for the nr\\ county seat which the Doctor made, a good one. The site in question was what is now river bridge, and formerly well known a- the Clark Wright place. The land there is comparatively low and level, and as the Major's eyes took in the elevated situation south of the river, and upon which the city of Sycamore now stands, he was at once of the opinion that it should have been selected. But the Doctor was allowed to have his own way, and the Major at once commenced ini provements on the quarter section chosen, a portion of which the Doctor was to have for his influence in the legislation needed to locate the capital town of the count}'. In fact, the Doctor am! Major were mutually interested, and hoth hoped to realize handsomely out of their venture in a pecuniary way. The Doctor, by agreement between the two. was to have fifty of the one hundred and sixty acres. He returned to Spring-held to see to the appointment of a board of commissioners to locate the county seat, and the Major went to work in the interests of the new town, and had the same platted and placed on record at Geneva. He purchased Norwegian Grove, lying a little to the east, paying for the same the sum of four hundred dollars, and removed Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, who gave the name to the grove, to Geneva: purchased two or three teams of oxen, erected a store on the premises now owned by Boswell Dow. He also bridged the river, constructed a dam, cut a mill race from a point near the southwest corner of Norwegian Grove, through the lowlands just north of the river bridge, traces of which remain to this day. and erected a sawmill, and sought to make the place a prominent one for those days. At that time the old state road, running west from Geneva to the Mississippi, ran along the north side of Norwegian Grove, and this fact may have had something to do with the selection of Dr. Madden as a member of the legislature.

While the Doctor was busy in the legislature the Major was busy at home. Commissioners favorable had been selected by Madden and things promised a happy termination. The Doctor, however, had a deeper purpose in view than the Major had at first suspected, but which soon showed itself. Madden came back in advance of the commissioners and insisted that he must have mon than the fifty acres at first agreed upon. At this the Major was taken somewhat aback, but finally consented to increase the number of acres to seventy-five, the amount of land the Doctor thought he ought to have. This would have been willingly acquiesced in by the Major, but just upon the eve of the selection of the site by the commissioners the Doctor became still more greedy and demanded one hundred acres. Then the Major's ire was thoroughly aroused, and in the height of his indignation he vehemently told the Doctor to go to gehenna; that he would never give him that amount of land. The two were now at sword's points, and the Doctor at once set about to secure the location of the county seat at Brush Point.

Apprised of his purpose, the Major quietly but actively began to bestir himself to defeat the Doctor, and at once hired riders In traverse the county to enlist the citizens in his behalf. The commissioners came, two of them, and one hundred and fifty men from all parts of the county met them upon their arrival. The place of meeting was at the Major's store. The day was spent in consultation. There were several parties in this part of the county who had a location for the county seat in view, among them Captain Eli Barnes, who then owned what is now the John Burke farm, on the De Kalb road. There was where the Captain wanted it located. Then there was Mr. Calvin Colton, of Coltonville, who desired its location at his place. Ami it was wanted by a party from Genoa.

On the next day. the interest increasing, there were two hundred men assembled at the Major's headquarters. The party was mounted on horses, and finally, in company with the commissioners, they all started out to inspect the different competing localities for the county seat. They crossed the liver and halted first upon the site the Major had all the time favored and which, after his quarrel with Madden, he determined to secure, if possible, and that was where the city now stands. Here the Major pointed out in eloquent terms the natural advantages of the place, after which th? party took up the line of march. It was a jollv crowd and a jolly occasion. There was running of horses, whooping and all manner of fun afloat. Peaching the Captain Barnes place they listened to a stump speech from the redoubtable individual and then struck for Coltonville. This localitv was soon inspected and away they broke for Bruah Point. After reaching there the Major invited the party to ride to the west for a distance of about sixty rods, which was done, and they found themselves in the middle of a large flat covered with water. This, the Major said, was the place the Doctor had selected for the county seat, for the reason that it would never lack a supply of wate1". Then a derisive shout went up at the expense of the Doctor and the party took up the line of march for Genoa. From Genoa they finished the circuit by bringing up at the Major's store. Here a further confab followed until finally one of the commissioners, Mr. Walker, told the party to go home, but to return on the morrow, when the county seat would be located.

The eventful day arrived and so did the crowd. The party mounted and again visited each and every place they had gone to the day previous, with the exception of Genoa. The commissioners said that Genoa was a nice place but too near the north line of the county to be available. Then Commissioner Walker spoke and informed tincrowd that with the concurrence of the other commissioners (one of them was absent in St. Louis), he should designate the place selected by Major Wharry for the capital of the county. The other commissioner, Mr. Thurston, who was in close confab with Madden at the time, refused to concur with Walker, and advised that the absent commissioner be summoned. He was asked if he would be present providing the absent man could be got here and replied that he would not - that he would never come there again. This exasperated the Major and his friends, and they finally made him say as to which of the different sites visited h-3 preferred; and, being considerably frightened by the demonstration made, said that if he must, he would say that Wharry' selection seemed the most favorable. The matter was ended by Walker, who stuck a stake, painted red at the top, near where the courthouse now stands, and the crowd drove it four feet into the ground. Afterwards a hickory pole about one hundred feet high was raised on the spot by the Major and his friends, where it stood with colors flying from the top.

Madden continued to fisrht against the location with all his might, but the people of the countv came forth winners. The friends of the Major here were aided by the settlers at the southern extremity of the county on the condition that the? former should aid them in their desire to be set off and become a part of the county adjoining them on the south, which was agreed to. The support given to the Half-Shire bill some years apo bv the people here is said by the Major to have been in consquence of the agreement spoken of. but how this may be we do not pretend to know or to say.

The land tract located by Major Wharry and Mr. ShaTer in the interest of the land company, after the agreement first entered into by Madden and the Major, embraced two square miles of land with the boundaries as follows : Commencing about one quarter of a mile north of the Roswell Dow place, the west line was run to the south two miles, thence to the east, taking in a portion of Ohio Grove, and which also included the old Indian village, on what is now known as the Tyler farm ; thence north two miles, running to the north of Norwegian Grove, and taking in the same, and thence west two miles to the place of beginning. It will thus be seen by those familiar with the section of country embraced within the lines, tha the tract included the quarter section upon which the county seat was to be located, and which is now the Thomas Wood farm. The Major tells U9 that the tract was marked out with a plow, four yoke of oxen being used and four days being consumed in the undertaking.

Of course the old town north of the river was soon abandoned after the site for the county seat was finally determined upon. We have already spoken of Captain Eli Barnes-. The Captain is accredited with building the first house in Sycamore, the same being the present City Hotel, then known a= the Mansion House. Although the first constructed, the Barnes tavern was not the first house on the ground. A little wooden building had been moved here from the old Hamlin place, south of here, and was occupied by a Dr. Bassett, the first physician of the place. John C. Waterman and Charles Waterman were the first merchants. This was in 1839. This year the old courthouse was built, which stood nearly opposite the present one. and was a very primitive affair. The next year - 1840 - the village consisted of about a dozen houses. Among other residents at the time, and whose names are familiar to many of our readers, were E. S. Jewell, D. Banister, Jesse C. Kellogg, Carlos Lattin, L. D. Walrod' Jos. Sixbury, P. Love, and Marshall Stark. The M.ivos and other early settlers did not come until a year or two later.

By the way, we asked the Major how he got his title. We supposed he had seen actual military service ; participated, perhaps, in the Black Hawk or some other memorable war, and were anxious to hear him recount his military exploits-. But in this we were disappointed. He was only Major of a company organized in the earliest days here fo; protection against the raids of the banditti of the prairies, who infested this portion of the west.

In the same way Marshall Stark got to be colonel and Eli Barnes captain. Many now living remember seeing Captain Barnes at the head of Fourth-of-July processions in Sycamore, dressed in uniform with sword and pistols, and mounted on his clumsily caparisoned steed. We remember him well, and it was with a feeling of awe that we gazed upon his stern features, and heard the severe orders as they issued from his lips to those under his command. He has long since been dead.

At the elections for years there were no election tickets as now. A man appeared before judges of elections, first gave his name, then his choice was announced orally by him and written down on a tallv sheet.

At the beginning of the year 18.38, the machinery of the county was fairly set in working order and it was necessary that a term of court should be held for the trial of civil and criminal suits. The court house not being ready for occupancy it was decided to hold the first term of the circuit court at the residence of Rufus Colton. The first grand jurors of the county were George H. Hill, Nathan Billings, William A. Miller, Lysander Darling, John Whitney, John Eastabrooks. William Miles, Henry Madden, Eli Barne- Phineas Stevens, Alpheus Jenks, Russell D. Crossett, John Maxfield. William Davis, Maltby B. Cleveland. D. S. Billiard, Zachariah Wood, Ralph Wviuan, Benjamin Stephens, Joseph A. Annstrong, Henry B. Barber, Reuben Nichols, Justin Crafts. Petit jurors, C. W. Branch, E. P. White, Abner Jackman, Peter Lamoise, Clark Wright, John Elliott. Clark L. Barber, Joseph A. Me- Collum, Russell Huntley, Ora A. Walker, John Corkins, Solomon Wells, H. N. Perkins, Jacob Cox, Lyman Judd, Henry Durham, P. A. Witherspoon, John Sebree, Marshall Stark, Jeremian Burleigh, John Riddle. William Russell, Watson Y. Pomeroy. Ezra Hansen. As the coming circuit court was expected to cause an unusual demand for stationery, the clerk of the county commissioner's court was authorized to purchase two dollars %vorth, and in addition was voted the sum of ten dollars to pay for a book of record.

Three tavern licenses were granted this vear - one to Russell Huntley, at what is now the city of De Kalb, one to John Eastabrooks at Squaw Grove, and one to H. N. Perkins at the present village of

Genoa, and to guard against extortion the board enacted that the rates for the government tavern keepers for the ensuing year be as follows : For each meal of victuals, thirty-one cents; for lodging each person, twelve and a half cents; for each horse to hay over night, twelve and a half cents; for each bushel of oats, seventy-five cents. These were great prices in those days, and were more than were usually charged. Two years later, the price of a dinner in De Kalb county was twelve and a half cents, and a man was boarded for a week for one dollar. The total of the county tax levied the first year of its political existence was two hundred and sixteen dollars and fifty cents, but the deputy sheriff, James Phillips, after working through the winter was unable to collect more than eighty-fouT dollars and thirty-seven cents. In August of this year three new county commissi, mers were elected. They were Eli G. Jewell, Burrage Hough, and Henry Hix. They were partisans <>!' the Orange people in the county seal contest, and ordered that the October of court be held in the house of Captain Eli Barnes, which was then supposed to be under .mist ruction. Captain Barnes' house existed only in imagination and Mr. Colton, clerk of the circuit court had made all processes returnable at his residence. The ignus fatui was still dazzling before his eyes and he hoped still with the aid of Dr. Madden to have it located there. At this time Coltonville was the largest village of the county, it had a store, a tavern, a blacksmith shop, a doctor, a lawyer, and some of its citizens were planning the erection of a distillery.

Madden and Colton both being sorely vexed at being overruled in their choice of a county seat, had put their heads together to procure a removal by combining against Orange the two parties who favored Brush Point and Coltonville; and they managed it in this wise. Mr. Madden, who was still a member of the legislature, had during the last winter's session, procured the passage of an act providing that a vote should be taken first for or against the removal of the county seat from Orange. It was presumed that the two partiesi favoring Brush Point and Coltonville would combine and could carry this measure, for removal. In that case a second vote was to be taken upon Coltonville or Brush Point, and the place receiving the highest number of votes was to be the county seat

Madden returned, and made no public mention of the passage of this act. but it was strongly suspected by the Orange men, that something of this kind had been done, and was to ho -put through on the sly." It was finally discovered in this way. A certain bachelor of Genoa, Gleason by name, who was attached to the Orange party, invaded th Brush Point settlement one Sunday night, in search of a wife. From his fair Dulcinea, he learned to his surprise, that on the next Monday week, an election was to be held in that settlement to remove the county seat. Gleason informed bis friends of what he had heard, and it was agreed that the Orange men should meet them ,r the polls and vote the removal project '!<>« a. J. C Kellogg and E. G. Jewell were dispatched south in the night to rouse their Eriends in Somonauk.

In due time the polls were opened, and to the surprise of the Brush Pointers, were opened in those precincts opposed to the change, as well as those which favored it. The unfairness of the sei re1 conspiracy was so apparent that in Somonauk precinct, which then included six townships. forty-five of the forty-seven votes cast were again removal. The project was voted down by seventeen majority, in the whole county.

a - rmbled on this memorable occasion was provided for must every ever be a mystery to futur generations. The first term of the court was held in a small framed house one story and a half in height, which, a few years after, was moved down to Sycamore, and is now the residence of W. W. Bryant, and standing nearly opposite the Universalis! church. Hon. John Pearson, the judge, resided at Danville, Vermilion county, and the extent of his circuit may be judged from this fact. lie was subsequently removed for incompetence. Eufus Colton was the clerk, and Amasa Huntington states attorney. There were but twenty suits upon the docket, none of them sharply contested cases. The first suit was one in which Erasmus D. Walrod was plaintiff and Stephen Harwood was defendant, but before the trial commenced it was settled by agreement of parties - a good first example which has not since been followed so closely as would have been to the advantage of the county.

The duty of the twenty-four grand jurors and the states attorney, were ended when they had found an indictment against one William Taylor for passing counterfeit money. Taylor was supposed to be one of an organized gang that even at i In- early day was infesting the country, and swindling the honest i ttizens. Not being ready Eo trial, lie was retained in charge of the county until the next term. After being comfortabh boarded for several weeks by the Barber family the county commissioners ordered him to the Will county jail, at Joliet, which was then the nearest available place of confinement; and out of the scantily furnished treasury of the county they paid forty-five dollars to a guard for conveying him there. When he was next brought out for trial he escaped from the guard ami was seen no move in this section of the country ; and when in addition this misfortune, the Will county jailor sent in a bill for twenty-five dollars for his board, it bankrupted the treasury; the commissioners indignantly refused to allow it and demanded the items. Alter this dear experience in the capture of criminals it became the policy to overlook all crimes that were aot too public and hienous, and when overlooked, the county officers sometimes contrived that a hint should he given to the offender that he would probably he arrested, ami that it would be expedient for him to leave the country before that event should occur. In this way they rid themselves of the elephant. In December of this year, a meeting el1 county commissioners provided for ascertaining upon what section of land the counu seat had Keen placed. The county had not yet been surveyed by the United States. Nobody knew where the boundaries of the county were, nor were any other lines definitely ascertained. It wanecessarv that the county should first make ite pre-emption claim to the quarter sect inn that ths law required it should own. a- private individuals made their claims, and then should survey and sell the village lots: out of the proceeds of which sale the public buildings were to be erected, guaranteeing of course to the purchasers, that when the land came in market the county would purchase ami pay for it.

For this purpose the commissioners duly authorized and directed Eli G. Jewell to obtain the services of a surveyor and bring a line or lines from some survey made under the authority of the ge eral government down to the county seat, and ther cause a number of town lots not exceeding eighty, to be laid out, platted and recorded, the expense of which survey it was prudently provided should be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the lots. At this term the rate of compensation to jurors was fixed at seventy-five cents per day, but at this rate was found to cause a heavy drain upon the treasury, it was subsequently reducted to fiftv cents.

Frederic Love was appointed first school commissioner for the county, and was also granted a license to keep a tavern. Love's capacious cabin was as public a place as any in the county. He called it Oenterville, and hoped that at some time it would become the county seat. Henry iHirham of Genoa, was granted a merchant's license at this term of the court. A few years later, the village at that point had become the largest and most, lively in the county. In September, 1838, Shabbona, the old Indian, employed James S. Waterman to survey the two sections of land which the government had granted him in that section of the country. During this year a company under the name of Jenks & Company, representing considerable capital, constructed a mill upon the Kishwakee, in the present town of De Kalb on the land now occupied by Albert Schryvers farm, and projected a village which, however, was never built up. The large barn now - 1867 - standing upon that farm was one of the first framed buildings in the county, and was used on several occasions for the religious services of the quarterly meetings of the Methodists.

The year 1839 was memorable as one of great suffering among the new settlers, from sickness. During the spring and autumn Tivonths. over most of the county, there were hardly enough of the well to take proper care of the sick. Ague and bilious fevers were the prevailing diseases. They resulted from the close proximity to the groves and streams to which the new comers all built their houses, and were aided by the insufficient and comfortless little dwellings; also by the bad surface water from the sloughs which they used in the want of well of proper depth to supply water which was pure. It was difficult also, to secure medical attendance and the physicians who practiced through the country, rarely had a sufficient supply of medicine. A citizen relates his disappointment when after having gone shaking with ague seven miles on foot to a doctor for a dose of quinine, the doctor told him solemnly, "No young man, I can't let you have it; you are young, and can wear out the disease. I must save my little supply for cases in which it is needed to save life, for I don't, know when I shall be able to obtain any more."

Deaths were numerous, and the few carpenters in the country who were able to work, were at times busy night and day in making coffins. It was noticed that one settlement on the border of the county, in Franklin, afterward known as the Pennsylvania settlement, was quite free from the prevalent diseases. The three or four houses that composed this little village, were built by Dr. Hobart. Albert Fields, and William Ramsey, two miles from the timbered lands and in the middle of the prairie. To this was due their exemption from disease.

The water problem in a new country seemed to be a most serious one, for had these settlers been provided with pure water, how much suffering and death might have been avoided. In 1839 there were more cases of typhoid fever, and more deaths resulting therefrom out of a population of about twelve hundred, that our county then possessed, than there has been in the last five years of our history and with a population of over thirty thousand.

Slough wells were about the only sources of drinking water. Even as late as 1842 Sycamore had but three wells fit for use. Many instances of suffering are related, and the medical attendance was of little service and difficult to get. Trained nurses were unknown. The afflicted were at the mercy of the good neighbors and a new attendant came each evening.

Later came the deep bricked well, then the tubular well, which made far better health and disproved the old theory that settlements away from running water were impracticable.

But the citizens in the vicinity of the countv seat found time to build a new court house. The survey lines ordered by the' county commissioners, bad been brought down from the neighborhood of

Roekford, where some government surveying had already been done, and the village of Sycamore was staked out. The inhabitants of this place for all future time, may thank Captain Eli Barnes and James S. Waterman for the broad streets that now add so much to the beauty of the village. To many of the people, they seemed, at the time, unnecessarily wide, but the sensible plea that there was a whole continent of prairie before them, and that when Sycamore became a city they would be needed to accommodate its business, prevailed, and they were laid out one hundred feet wide. From the time the village was laid out. its original name of Orange was dropped, and Sycamore adopted by common consent.

During the previous winter, Captain Barnes had got together materials for building a spacious tavern at the new county scat, ami early in the spring it was erected - the first building put up in this village. It is still standing, directly east of the public square, and has ever since been occupied as a hotel. As an inducement for building it, ii was agreed that the block on which it stands should be given to the Captain, free of cost.

This hostelry built of hewn timber in 1839 was the first frame house built in the town and stood for many years on the site of the Sycamore Carnegie Library. Knur year- ago it iv;i- removed about about one hundred feet to the southeast of its old site, where it was repaired and is still occupied as a hotel. The old timbers were in good state of preservation and the "Old Mansion House," as it w;is once called, bids fair to remain another seventy years as a monument to Captain Barnes, for this building placed Sycamore more firmly "on the map" and was sought by the weary traveler on his search for a home, or the farmer who was compelled to market his produce in Chicago by mears of ox teams, or a little later by the then swiftest freight, the horse team.

For years this was called "Barnes' Folly," and was supposed to be unnecessary in so small a town. After this, other buildings followed so that we may truthfully say that Captain Barnes set an example that was followed, and for fifty years Sycamore has been known as a well-built, pretty city.

The auction was held, and the bidding was spirited. Some fifteen or twenty lots were sold at prices ranging from twenty to fifty dollars. Among the purchasers were Frederick Love, J. C. Kellogg, James S. Waterman, Harvey Maxtiehl. Daniel Bannister. Almon Robinson, Erastus Barnes, and Timothy Wells.

The proceeds of the sale constituted a little fund out of which, some of the materials for the courthouse were then purchased. Those most interested in the matter then took teams and drove to all the sawmills in the country round, and begged or bought, or traded for the necessary lumber. The labor upon the building was done by voluntary contribution. Everyone could do something and all worked with a will.

By the time fixed for the June session of the circuit court, a two-story building twenty by thirty feet had been enclosed, and the county commissioners, who were hastily summoned together, ordered their clerk of the court to notify the judge of the circuit court that they had erected a courthouse at the county seat, and that it was ready foi i © upancy, and requested that he direct, the circuit clerk to keep his office there.

Captain Barnes served the order upon the judgo now sitting in court at Coltonville, and the crowd of attendants, augmented by a large body of citizens assembled to see what action would be taken upon this order, awaited with great interest the argument upon the proposition to remove to Svcamore. When the judge decided that the court must hi- removed thence a shout of triumph went up from the Svcamore party, while the opponents of removal were correspondingly depressed. Judge Ford took his record under his arm, States Attorney Purple bundled up his papers, the sheriff, the lawyers, juries, parties and witnesses followed suit. and led by Captain Barnes, on that well-known spotted horse that he rode upon all public occasions for more than twenty years later, all took up their line of march through the thick woods and across the green prairie, to the new seat of empire at Sycamore. The assemblage was entertained at a grand public dinner at the new tavern, where all the luxuries that the country afforded were freely provided by the successful party.

When the court repaired to the new courthouse, it was found that the courthouse was ready for occupancy, was rather more than its condition warranted. It had a frame, a roof, and some siding upon it, but there were no doors nor windows, and the only floor was some loose boards covering onehalf of the upper story. When the officers of the court had clambered up to the seat of justice in the second story, it found furniture somewhat scarce. A tilting table was the judge's desk, and a broad, rough board was provided for the clerks and attorneys tables - et preeterea nihil. It was a rough and primitive arrangement for the entertainment of the blind goddess, and if she had had her ryes about her she would have fled from the spot in alarm. A question arose whether process having been made returnable at Coltonville, suits could lir tried at another locality, and except a few agreed cases, no litigation was carried on. William Taylor, the only criminal, having fortunately run away, and the arrest of all others being carefully avoided, there was no use for a grand jury, and it bad been at once dismissed, and tile court speedily adjourned.

The districts of Franklin. Kingston, and Kishwaukee constituted the first, and of this J. F. Page was chosen assessor. Sycamore, Orange and Ohio districts made the second, and of this. Austin Hayden was assessor. Somonauk and Paw Paw made the third, and of this Stephen Arnold was asse"- sor. The three assessors were each paid I'm' three days" service in assessing the entire property of the county.

At the August election, John E. Hamlin was chosen clerk of the county commissioners' court, ami Lysander Darling, county treasurer, in place (if George H. Hill. William M. Maxfield was chosen county collector. Alpheus Jenks. recorder.

In this year, the land in three northern town- >hi]i> which had previously been surveyed by the United States, was put in the market. It was a part of what was called the Rockford or Polish survey.

The United States government, in sympathy with the Poles who had just been overwhelmed in their contest for their independence by the power of Russia, had made a grant of a large tract of land on the banks of the Rock river to such of that nation as chose to settle upon it. It was accordingly surveyed some years earlier than most of this part of the state. Very lew of that nation, however, availed themselves of this privilege. Claims bad been made on the same land by other and earlier settlers. These combined to drive away the new claimants. Numerous little stockade forts were built with loop holes for muskets, and a determination was expressed to drive the Polish emigrants out of the country, and they were entirely successful. They never occupied their grant.

At Coltonville, the large two-story house still standing there was built this year for a tavern, and was opened with a grand ball in the autumn. Tn make a sufficient party, the whole country was summoned. Some twenty of the guests came from Oregon, thirty miles west, and as many more froi: St. Charles, twenty miles to the east.

We have had the pleasure of talking with one who came as a guest and this was at the time regarded as the most notable social function of tlv county. The dance lasted all night, and by morning light many had become intoxicated. Whisky sold for a cent a glass at the tavern bar, but on the whole, good order and merriment reigned supreme. The music was the best ever danced to at -that time. It was a noted event.

In the summer of the previous year, a convention was held at Ottawa to nominate candidates for the legislature. Delegates went from Orange, now called Sycamore, to see that men favorable to their point as the count v seat should be nominated, and they selected William Stadden for senator ami J. W. Churchill for the assembly. But they were disappointed in their men. At the winter'- session, another act was passed authorizing a vote upon the removal of the county seat.

The session laws in these times were not circulated till six months after the sitting of the legislature, and before any opponents of removal were aware of the existence of such an act, the time had arrived for a vote upon the question.

A poll book was opened at Coltonville. a dozen \oies or so were cast for removal to that place, and the terms of the law were considered to be complied with. The seat of justice technically was removed.

The total receipts and expenditures of the countv this year amounted to the sum of tour hundred and fifty-two dollars and fifteen cents, a very moderate amount considering that a courthouse had heeii constructed, and that, although built from another fund, it naturally increased some of the county expenses.

The boy or man, as he scours the prairies, the wnods and the few undrained swamps for the game that is now so scarce, little dreams, perhaps, of the days when men, not now fifty, with a single barreled muzzle-loading shot gun or rifle did not need to wear out much boot-leather to bring home enough game for himself anil neighbors.

The writer well remembers hearing John Mullen of May field, tell how he and his son. Phillip, killed seven deer before breakfast in the early '50s. Wild cats were numerous in the woods and many of them were killed by the pioneers. The last one killed in our count] so Ear as we know was killed on the farm owned by Albert < loir in Kingston township in 1885.

The last lynx killed in our county was in Squaw Grove in May. 1867, ami previous to that the\ were dispatched in different portions of the county.

Here is a true story that smacks of true pioneer days : At the Brush Point school house in May* field on presidential election. November, 1856. Houton Graham appeared with a heavy Kentucky rifle on his shoulder to vote for his favorite candidate. Buchanan. Many of his admirers called him "Buekanan," and some abbreviated it to "Buck.'; Houton Graham remarked after depositing his oallot that he had voted for "Buck" and now he would go into the woods and kill one : which boast was faithfully carried out and on the next day "Uncle Hout" had venison for dinner.

Who of the old residenters does not remember the millions of wild pigeons that on certain days in autumn almost darkened the sky in their southward flight. During those day- the greenest huntei might sit hidden within shooting distance of some dead tree in the woods and shoot scores of them in a day. Their haunts in Kentucky and Tennessee were visited bv many naturalists. Audubon tells us that hundreds of limbs were broken beneath their weight. They have been thought by many to be now extinct, but their breeding places are now in the sparsely settled timberland regions of South America, and they have again appeared m the northern portions of Wisconsin and Michigan.

The stately sand hill crane is a bird of the past in this vicinity. They reared their young in the center of a large swamp out of the hunters' reach ami built their nests in a conical mound made oi rashes and swamp grass, and when hatched took them on their backs to the shore. The sand hill crane stood more than four feet when full grown, was difficult to hunt, and when wounded would fight desperately. Their flesh was considered a great delicacy. They would light on a high knoil where they could spy the approaching enemy and perform some queer antics which some have called a dance. Tin \ flew at great height and were exceptionally cautious, so that few indeed are the hunters who can boast of having killed one.

In the middle sixties two men hid in some willows near a pond on the farm of Win. Wike and during one afternoon killed ducks enough to fill a wash boiler. Now Prof. Stout wears out tine pairs of boots to kill one poor little teal duck.

The figure four, a trap devised for the capture of quail, destroyed its tens of thousands, and not until within the last i'vw years, since they have been protected by stringent laws and the game wardens have broughl them into this section from Virginia, has the familiar whistle of "bob white" be. mi heard as in days of old. They are now quite tame, and during the winter feed around our barns. The crow now seems to be the most dangerous enemy of the quail and prairie chicken. They destroy the nests in large numbers, eating the eggs and very young birds.

Old settlers tell us that after grain was grown on the prairies these birds rapidly increased, but as soon as the crow in large numbers appeared ami the hunters from city and town would camp out and destroy hundreds of quail and prairie chicken in a day or two, they rapidly disappeared. The crow is an enemy of every kind of bird and it must and is being reckoned with, for in many counties

'The streams abounded in most excellent varieties of fish, such as pickerel, bass, catfish, and other kinds, but they seined and speared until now the "Izaak Waltons" must be patient indeed if from our Kishwaukee we can even secure suckers or carp sufficient for our dinner.

The days of hunting for any game are practically over, and like the buffalo that once roamed over a greater portion of our country, the remaining varieties of the once innumerable beasts, fowl and fishes, sought by the hunters of the past are fast disappearing and with them that type of American known as the hunter and trapper with many traits of the Indian, who in the earlier days of national life made a soldier unsurpassed in the annals of war and made glorious our arms in the Revolution, War of 1812 and the War with Mexico.

In the early days of the DeKalb county pioneers when game abounded, many are the exciting incidents that were participated in by hunters long since gone to "the happy hunting ground."

When one realizes that a citizen now living ha*, seen as high as thirty deer in a herd, and that they were as numerous almost as rabbits are now, we can see how rapid was the wanton destruction of this noble game, for in about a third of a century after Jack Sebree. our first permanent settler, made his home in Squaw Grove, they had disappeared.

R. F. Watson of Franklin and Solomon Wells and William Driscoll killed more than one hundred of these animals, and at times counted one hundred and twenty-five in a drove. In cold weather when snow was deep the deer would often mingle with the cattle and feed on hay and grain, but the temptation of the hunter could not be resisted and his fate was certain on such occasions.

We, who are now two score years of age, can well remember how many of the barns, granaries and other farm buildings were ornamented with the antlers of the deer, and they were exhibited as a testimonial to the hunter's skill - much the same way in which an Indian warrior wore the scalps of victims to exhibit his military prowess.

During the severe winter of 1842 when the ground was covered for months with deep snow, and deer and other game sought the barnyard for food, hundreds of deer were ruthlessly destroyed.

To add to the discomfiture ef this timid game, a thaw came which lasted for a day or two, and then came cold weather, making an icy crust over the snow, thick enough to carry a man, but not sufficiently thick to prevent the sharp hoof of a deer from breaking through.

The morning after the freezing, W. Scott, who kept some hounds, George Wood, Sr., A. B. Green, S. Gregory and others from Genoa started for the woods west of town and in what is now Kingston, came upon their doomed quarry.

The fleet hounds soon overtook the poor animals plunging through the crusted snow and would nab ami harry them until the bulldog would overtake the deer and seize them by the throat and soon end the struggle. In this way seven deer were dispatched in a few hours. Another early Genoa hunter well remembers how the wolves would easily kill the deer at such times, by hiding along the runways while others of the pack would chase them into the pitfall.

One of the exciting events of the early days in Genoa was a "wolf hunt" some time in the early '40s. This called out the men and boys generally. They met at the village of Genoa, then about as large and enterprising as any in our county, and chose a leader who took command. Those who carried no arms took horns and tin pans to "stir up the animals." They formed a circle many miles in circumference and began marching toward the center forming a corydon of men on horses and on foot, making enough noise for an Indian war dance while the unerring rifle was doing its deadly workon wolves, deer, an occasional wild cat, coons and other animals. But while wolves were the real object of this gathering, still their cunning, which far exceeds that of the fox, prevented the hunters from bagging more than a dozen, but the families represented by the hunters in this expedition had an abundance of provisions for several days.

Another wolf hunt in the town of Pierce was organized at Grimm's woods, now used as a picnic ground, in the early '509 and their field of operation was the prairie, but aside from one or two wolves killed the expedition accomplished but little aside from the fun and noise. The prairie was not a good field for such operations, so the sons of the prairie resorted to traps and poison, and on a few 01 1 asions when the mother wolf betrayed her home unconsciously while robbing the barnyard for the sustenance of her family, the young ones were dug up and destroyed.

The wolf is still here in large numbers, but his home is now in the woods, but he is seen almost daily by someone; and as his enemies increase m numbers his cunning increases with every woli -- aeration. They are too sharp to be poisoned, they cannot be trapped, nor will they go inside ar, inclosure of woven wire. In an early day they made the night hideous with their howling, now dangers so common make them silent. The young wolf is schooled by the mother so that now a modern wolf is a veritable Socrates compared with the wolf of a half century ago, so the wolf folk improve the same as the human race. What is true of this game is true also of the wild things generally.

The year 1840 found DeKalb county increasing in population very rapidly. Those who now came u.,v generally from the eastern states. The tide of emigration from southern Illinois, composed oi people from Indiana. Tennessee and Kentucky was not so numerous as in years past. The year L840 was known as one of bountiful crops and the prairie was then used largely lor cultivation, but the grain was to lie harvested by means of cradles and in many instances threshed out on threshing Boors, horses being used to tramp out the grain. Alter all this labor the grain must be hauled to Chicago usually by ox teams and \\;:- -old for from twenty to forty cents a bushel. And the man considered himself extremely lucky if after this jourey, which took four or five days, he found himself possessed of enough money to pay his expenses and get the few groceries that were needed. The people from the southern states were a generous, hospitable people, but many of them lacked the shrewdness of the New Englanders and other citizens of northern origin.

Schools were established in 1837 in private houses and perhaps three or four were held at different places. In 1S39 the land was surveyed north of the base line, which includes the townships of Franklin. Kingston and Genoa. This, with some territory north of our countv. was known as the Polish survey and was surveyed for the occupation of Polish refugees, but the Americans who settled here took pains to frighten them awav and in some instances established cabins whien served as forts to hold the territory in case of trouble, so that the Polish emigration to this part of the country amounted to but little. James H. Furman. who was afterward editor of the Sandwich Gazette and had come from New York in 1840, taught school in what was then known as the Virginia and North Carolina settlement at Squaw Grove. There was one frame house in the settlement, that of Jack Sebree. All others lived in log cabins. "One double log house was a favorite resort for all the neighborhood and there he spent most of his time. Huge roaring fires of logs in fireplace- a1 each end of the room could hardly keep the winter chill out of the ill constructed dwellings. At night they slept between two featherbeds as was the custom in the southern country in the winter time. There was no furniture to speak of - most of them sat upon the floor or on slab benches and at meal time went out of doors from the sitting room to the kitchen, where bountiful meals were provided, for provisions were abundant. Tin- women of these homes spun and wove woolen garments for the whole family beside doing the household duties and caring for the dairy. They only complained that their husbands would not raise flax so that they could have some tow to spin when there was no other work to do. There was a settlement of southern people in Franklin and Somonauk townships and in Paw Paw but most of the settlers who came after the 'in- were from New York and New England.*' The country was still overrun with horse thieves and counterfeiters. There being no jails, the labor of confining the prisoners in sheriff's houses and other places as could be found was so burdensomi that few arrests were made and when criminals were imprisoned the great effort was to get them to run away so as to relieve the county from the 3i of their keeping. The county treasury was usually empty. Countv orders were issued for all expense and they were at great discount but as they were receivable for taxes little else could be collected and no money went into the treasury.

In the village of Sycamore, the county seat, the Mansion House, which was built by Captain EH P>arnes the previous year, was the center of popu- lation and it was crowded with patrons. In one corner of this building was a store kept by John and Charles Waterman, who moved their goods from their store north of the river, where the ten n had first been started and where in a little log cabin sixteen by eighteen feet they had first established business. The hotel was crowded with boarders, mostly young men who had come west to seek their fortunes. Many of them became well known and prominent in the history of the county. Among them were John, James, Robert ami Charles Waterman, afterward not only prominent in this community but in other parts of the Union, Robert Waterman becoming governor of California. Charles Waterman was a wealthy merchant of Rockford, and James, at the time of his death, was the wealthiest man in DeKalb county. Here also was Reuben Ellwood, later a member of congress and Dr. Page, Frank Spencer, Jesse Rose, John R. Hamlin, afterward a prominent county official, and D. P. Young.

"They were a gay set as full of pranks ami tun ami practical jokes as ever a dozen wild fellows eould have been. For some reason the hotel came lo be called the Nunnery and went by that name for many years. It was a most inappropriate title for there was nothing more like a nun about it than the one hired girl in the kitchen, [ndeed there were but three marriagable women in the place and when dances were held the country was searched for miles around in search of lady partners."

"The school was kept in the courthouse by a man named Dr. Bill and it was well attended, pupils coming from three or four miles to attend the same." This year was known as the great campaign of 1840. The financial depression of 1837 had wonderfully crippled the administration of Van Buren and democracy seemed to be at a low ebb. Harrison had been a candidate four years previous and had not made a very substantia] run ami political sentiment seemed to lie greatly divided. At the beginning of the campaign it had been stated that Harrison was an old pioneer and great favorite for political preferment, "preferring ti remain in his log cabin and have plenty of hard eider to drink." This was taken up by the political adherents of Harrison and it became known a^ the log cabin and hard cider campaign. The political enthusiam which swept over the Union did not fail to reach the little frontier settlements of DeKalb county. In the election of 183G there was practically no organization of opposition to democracy in what is now DeKalb county, but then a precinct of Kane. The emigration from the east brought :n a large number of whigs and they decided to hold a political meeting. Or. Whitney of Belvidere, a prominent whig, delivered an address before a great whig assembly at the log cabin of Carlos Lattin, which stood on the site of the present Sycamore National Bank. Political enthusiasm ran high and for the first time the democrats of DeKalb county had strong opposition. There was a procession formed, people came from twenty and thirty miles around and took the village by storm. Two or three of the precincts of the county gave Harrison a majority but the result of the vote polled is as follows: Van Buren, democrat, one hundred and ninety-seven; Harrison, Whig, one hundred and ninety-seven; Harrison, whig, one be noticed that this was the largest proportional whig vote of the county for many years following. At that time the elections were held more than one day and people did not have regular tickets but announced their preference orally.

The stage route from St. Charles to Sycamore was established this year and Timothy Wells and Charles Waterman were proprietors of the line. They had an elegant four horse coach and carried a large number of passengers over what is now the old state road, a distance of fifty-five miles. At the time of the meeting of the circuit court one hundred ami live cases were disposed of. At this time DeKalb county had no lawyers but those present who took part from other counties and afterward became famous were: J. William Scammon. Norman B. Judd, Norman II. Purple, Judge Peters, from Peoria, W. D. Barry and S. S. Jones from St. Charles, Chapman and Allen from Ottawa, Nathan Allison from Naperville and Asa Dodge from Aurora. The first indictment for selling liquor without a license resulted in acquittal - a precedent that has since been most faithfully followed. The county commissioners this year created twenty-four road districts and raised the license for grocery keepers to twentyfive dollars. It must be remembered at this time that grocery keepers also kept liquor, which was sold for about one-tenth of tin' price that is charged

Some school districts were organized this year and trustees were appointed. The survey of 1839 had made three townships in the north part of the county, but they remained unnamed and the county still remained under county organization. Trustees for the sale of school lands were appointed for townships 37, 38 and 41 in range 5, and Squaw Grove was the first town to dispose of its school lands. Had the sixteen sections of the several townships of the county been retained for school purposes the revenue raised therefrom at the present time would have been sufficient to pay the running expenses of all the district schools of the county. The elections were held at private residences, as no public place such as schoolhouses and town halls had been built. Dr. Madden of Brush Point was again a member of the legislature and he secured an act which was passed January 3d of this year, to permanently locate the seat of justice for the county of DeKalb. The county seat which had been maintained at Sycamore for some time seems to have been removed from Orange. A vote of a dozen or so who had assembled thought it. should be removed to Coltonville, an election in pursuance of the law, but kept secret from the great mass of people. This scheme was hatched up by Dr. Madden and as session laws were not in possession of the people he gave no information of the election. When the final act of the legislature was passed great excitement prevailed. The still hunt of Dr. Madden had leaked out in the following way: A young man by the name of Gleason had been calling on a young lady previous to the election and he was informed by her that Dr. Madden had secured the county seat for Brush Point. He was a partisan of Sycamore and immediately spread the alarm and Jesse Kellogg and Evans Wharry were sent south to arouse the voters, and when the final vote was taken it was found that there were one hundred and fortythree votes against the removal of the seat of justice from Coltonville and two hundred and forty votes in favor of the removal of the seat of justice to Oramre. now Sycamore, showing a favor of the removal of the seat of justice from Coltonville of ninety-seven votes. There were also cast at the said election two hundred and seven votes in favor of Orange being the seat of justice, and there were given at the election one hundred and thirty-seven votes in favor of Brush Point; showing a majority of seventy votes in favor of Sycamore being the seat of justice. We have no record preserved of the names of the men who cast their votes which must have been a very complete poll and that shows less than four hundred representing the entire vote of the county. "Morris Walrod was at this time sheriff of the county and a very efficient officer he proved to be. To induce him to take and keep open the hotel at the county seat he was promised the office of sheriff, and the horse thieves and counterfeiters who infested the county found him a dangerous foe. It was during this year that he arrested one, Winthrop Lovelace, who was said to be one of that gang and he was bound over for trial. Walrod kept him securely ironed by day and tied to a bedpost in a little room of the tavern and at night he was securely tied to Constable Alvah Cartwright, who slept by his side. One night Cartwright attended a grand ball at Coltonville, which was given at the completion of the Coltonville House, which still stands, and coming home fatigued. Cartwright slept unusually sound. When he awoke his prisoner was gone. A well-known citizen and suspected associate of the gang is supposed to have supplied him with a file, with which he cut his bracelets and escaped. But as he fled northward across the mill dam, w-hen daylight came he was discovered. Parties got out anil searched the country for it was certain that he could not have gotten out of Norwegian Grove, the hunt lasting all day without success. Toward evening it was discovered that the tall grass near the mill dam had been parted. The trail was followed and the poor wretch was found sitting in the mill pond chilled nearly to death. It took several hours of smart rubbing to revive him. When he was finally brought to trial he escaped from the courthouse probably amid a crowd of his fellows of the banditti and was seen no more in this county. For many years it was the custom of the sheriff to keep his prisoners manacled but to board them at the same table with his travelers and other guests of the hotel. They came shuffling in at the first table and usually took the head and did honors to the other guests in their best style. It sometimes astonished strangers but was considered all right by the regular boarders."

The county was divided into assessors districts and John Riddle, one of the first settlers of Franklin was appointed assessor of district No. 1, Frederick Love of district No. 2 and Stephen Arnold of district No. 3. It took them six dayseach to assess the county and as the result a tax of three hundred and thirty-four dollars and seventy cents was collected. Amos Story of Sycamore was collector for the county that year.

The next year the first resident lawyer in the county, Andrew J. Brown, was admitted to practice, the county commissioners court certifying that he was a man of good moral character. He settled in Sycamore but most of his practice at the bar at this time was monopolized by Barry, Dodge, Fridley and Champlin. Andrew J. Brown remained here but a short time and removed to Chicago, where he became quite distinguished. He lived to an advanced age and died in 1906. Crothers Champlin was at Coltonville at an earlier clay according to the claims of some and remained there until the county seat was removed to Sycamore. He is said to have been a man of considerable ability and well read for one of his age. He afterward became a partner of the famous T. Lisle Dickey and became quite distinguished at the bar. The county commissioners for this year were Sylvanus Holcomb, Martin M. Mack and David Merritt. The duty of the county commissioners still seemed to be the laying out of public roads and occasionally surveyed for a school district. The records which are kept quite complete are found to be uninteresting and perhaps three-fourths of all of their acts were concerned in the matter of road construction. The great state road from Ottawa to Beloit was laid out this summer. It was made eighty feet wide and is described as entering the county at Somanauk, passing Sebree's, Esterbrooks and Lost Grove to the southeast corner of the public square, thence to H. Durham's, to Deer Creek and Genoa and north to the county line.

The year 1841 was also a good year so far as the production of crops was concerned. Houses began to be built over the prairie and everything seemed to take on a rather prosperous air. About this year there was brought into the county a thresher which was considered far in advance of the flail or the threshing floor, which had been a common use. It consisted of a cylinder set in a frame which threshed out the grain but the straw and the grain came together. A man carried the straw away with a fork and the grain was run through a fanning mill. This was considered a great change in this country, when wheat seemed to be the great money making crop. The cradle was still used for cutting the grain but one or two reapers, which would now be considered very rude in their construction were used in the county. They were drawn by eight oxen, one man driving them and the other raking off the grain. By this means they were able to cut from six to eight acres a day.