Springfield Township (part 4 of 5)

£y Isaac H. JDiller. " The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Springfield shortly after the ' Great Revival,' in 1866, and commenced active work immediately, opening reading rooms, and in other ways seeking to reach and benefit young men. The first report showed a debt had been incurred which increased each year, and caused many to leave the Association, increasing the burden on the few faithful workers, until in 1872, they were obliged to give uj) their rooms and abandon active work. The sign still hung on the front of the building and put the thought into the hearts of several young men, not yet out of their teens (who had formerly met in the rooms of the Association in the capacity of a boys' prayer meeting, under the name of the 'Young Men's Christian Association, Junior,) if y could not benefit their companions by orlizing a 'Young Men's Christian Association.' Upon consultation they found several of their friends had thought the same, so after issuing a call and holding several preliminary meetings, they effected an organization March 24, 1874. They found their predecessors, after abandoning the active work, had still kept up an organization, but gladly turned their books over to their charge, and wished them God speed in their work. On account of their youth and inexperience the general prediction was, that a few months would witness their dissolution, but they had ' put their hand to the plow' and dare not look back, but through the difficulties and discouragements that encompassed them looked up to 'Him who was able to help.' One of their principles was, 'avoid debt,' and another 'work.' They immediately started a young men's prayer meeting in their rooms (having secured a place for meeting in Cook's building, on Monroe street) and a prayer meeting on Monday night at the Home for the Friendless, both of which are still maintained. During the summer, Professor Stephen Bogardus, proprietor of the Commercial College, offered the Association the use of his hall free of charge, which offer was gladly accepted, thus enabling them to save the rent for several months, which was no small item to the Association. During this time the Association was first represented in a gathering away from home, the occasion being a district convention in Mason City. The Springfield delegate gave expression to the feeling of his fellow workers, when he^tated their determination to prosecute their work 'if we have to hold our meetings under the gas lamps.' In the fall the rooms on Monroe street were re-rented and furnished, and were the home of the Association for over two years, when they accepted the kind offer of C. W. Freeman to lease them rooms in his building on Washington street, near the square, for two years. At the expiration of the time the rooms were moved on Sixth street, opposite the post office, where they are still located. The rooms are by far the most pleasant yet occupied, and it is the hope of the Association that the next move they make will be into a building of their own for a permanent home. An effort was made last spring to secure a lot, but was dropped when they learned one of the cit)'^ churches was also desirous of obtaining it, but the success achieved as far as the committee Avent was flattering. The Association have a State charter, and can own and hold property to the extent of $75,000, free from State or city taxes.

"The growth of the Association has been steady and permanent, starting with about forty members they now have over two hundred. In 1875, they commenced publishing a monthly gospel paper the "Y. M. C. A. Herald," which was published regularly till the thii'd year, and since then has been pub lished occasionally for gratuitous circulation. Ever since its publication it has been circulated at our county and State Fairs, as many as six thousand being circulated at one. The Association has a tent on the grounds and the General Secretary spends the week distributing the " Herald" Tracts, Testaments, etc<, and in personal work. Much good has resulted from this work, July 1, 1877, the Association secured the services of William F. Bischoff as General Secretary, and for over four years he has performed the duties of the office in a most faithful and conscientious manner, and the work of the Association has been greatly developed through his self-denying labors. The need of such an officer was felt from the first, but|it seemed almost too good to hope they would ever be able to secure one, but the way was opened and the proper person brought to the field.

"The work of the Association opened up gradually, commencing with two meetings. Two more were opened the first winter, one of these being the praise meeting, which has since grown to such proportions as to sometimes fill our large churches. Then cottage prayer meetings, open air meetings, jail services, daily prayer meetings, Bible study, boys' meetings, and other fields of Christian usefulness being occupied, over one hundred and fifty devotional meetings of various kinds being held in a single month, reaching many thousand people of all classes with the Gospel invitation. Different branches of work have been added from time to time till we have now branch work for boys, railroad men, Germans, Swedes, Sunday Schools, and commercial travelers; under the direction of earnest workers among these classes. Besides the devotional work, one branch of which is given to the eleven members of the board of directors, and the branch work, we have the following committees: Finance, Publication, Rooms and Library, Socials and Lectures, Music, Tract and Invitation, Visitation of the Sick, and Membership.

"The reading rooms have on file about one hundred papers and magazines, and the library contains over four hundred volumes of instructive and valuable books. The object of this Association, as stated in the Constitution, shall be the development of Christian char- acter and activity in its members ; the promotion of Evangelical religion ; the cultivation of Christian sympathy, and the improvement of the spiritua', intellectual and social condition of young men.

" The Association, though still in its infancy, and has already accomplished much in this direction, but having an object that all who love the Master can not fail not only to approve, but heartily co-operate in, when once understood. We hope, with increased means of usefulness, with a building arranged and devoted especially to this purpose, and with ripened experience to rightly direct the efforts put forth, to become a blessing and help to every young man and boy in our midst, and direct them to so live that they may be useful and happy lives in this world, and spend an eternity in bliss at the Father's right hand."

Ik Honor Of The Dead

In France, the memory of those who have died in the military service, with which is ever associated national honor and love of country, is fondly cherished by the people, and their love and gratitude find a most fitting expression in the custom observed each spring, when the grass is greenest and the fiowers most beautiful, in the deckino of graves where the loved remains lie, or of the tablets erected in memory of those lost on the fields of battle.

In 1868, General Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an address, recommending the 30th day of May be set apart in which the brave soldiers who volunteered to defend the Union and to preserve the government of our fathers, were to have similar remembrances. The sacred spot where their remains lie were to be strewn with flowers by their surviving comrades.

"How sleep tlie brave who sink to rest. By all a country's wishes blest, When spring, with dewy fingers cold Returns to deck their hallowed mould. She there shall dress a greener sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod! By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung. There honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the surf, that wraps their clay; And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit, there."

The first public decoration of soldiers' graves in this county was on Saturday, May 30, 1868, according to the recommendation of the Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Senate chamber of the old State House was the place where the ladies met for the arrangement of the flowers and evergreens into wreaths and boquets. Tables loaded with flowers, and baskets of evergreens, were scattered about the room, and around them were gathered a large number of ladies, all absorbed in the delicate and artistic work of arranging and weaving the rare and beautiful flowers into forms indicating that the fair artists possessed highly cultivated and exquisite taste in such matters. The hearts of all were in the work, and they felt it a duty thus to honor the noble dead.

At one o'clock, p.m., the committee, consisting of ladies and gentlemen, appointed to decorate the graves of those buried at Camp Butler Cemetery, met at the State House and marched to the Wabash depot where a train was in readiness to carry them to the ground. On the arrival of the train at the site of old Camp Butler, the company formed in procession, and marched to the spot where rests the remains of many Union soldiers, who died in the hospital at this camp. The cemetery is situated on rising ground only a short distance from the old camp ground, and is surrounded with a good picket fence, everything about it being in excellent order.

The graves, numbering several hundred, are furnished with white headstones, upon which are inscribed, with few exceptions, the name, age and number of regiment to which the deceased belonged. On arriving at the entrance of the cemetery, every visitor was provided with flowers, and proceeded to the shade of a tree, where the services of the occasion commenced by the whole assembly joining in singing the patriotic and soul-stirring hymn of "America." -

After singing. Rev. Mr. Carr offered a solemn and impressive prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer. Dr. George T. Allen made a few remarks. He commenced by referring to the scenes he had witnessed, in which our soldiers had shown their love of country and the cause of liberty, many of whom had sealed their devotion with their lives. The graves around us, he said, contained the remains of those who had fallen in defense of the country, and we should remember their virtues and patriotism, as we placed the flowers upon their last earthly resting place. The number buried here were but few compared with the number that perished during the war, where death held high carnival. He then spoke of the great number that had died in hospitals as being equal to those who had perished upon the battle-fields, and in this connection spoke in appropriate terms of the death of the noble Lincoln, who perished by the assassin's hand, and the gloom that overshadowed the Nation as the dreadful news spread over the land. In closing his brief address, he again referred to the noble dead which they had come to honor, and trusted that the beautiful custom of decorating the soldiers' graves with flowers might be continued in after years, thereby calling xip memories of the past which would result in good to all.

General Tyndale, of Philadelphia, then made a few remarks, after which the ladies and gentlemen proceeded to decorate the graves, placing at the head of each a beautiful boquet or wreath of flowers, and in some cases strewing the grave with flowers. Some of the most beautiful flowers and wreaths were placed upon the graves of the "unknown" dead, a touching testimonial that though their names were unknown, their patriotisni was remembered by grateful hearts.

The ceremony concluded, the people returned to the shade, when Colonel George H. Harlow requested the assembly to raise their right hands, and as they did so, he read in a distinct and impressive manner, the following:

'' Before Almighty God, and within the precincts of the last resting place of our heroic dead, we renew our devotion to the Union and the cause for which they gave their lives, and we here again renew our vows to defend and perpetuate Freedom and the Union; to all of which we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor; so help us God."

At three o'clock p. m., the committee appointed to visit Oak Ridge Cemetery, accompanied by several hundred citizens, proceeded to the cemetery, and on arriving there, assembled around the tomb of Abraham Lincoln, which had previously been decorated with flowers by a company of ladies. On arriving at the tomb, E. L. Gross made some brief and eloquent remarks appropriate to the occasion, when the committee proceeded to decorate the graves of the Union so diers with flowers. The Catholic cemetery was then visited, and the graves of the Union soldiers there interred were decorated in like manner with the others. Hutchinson cemetery was also visited and flowers laid upon the graves of Union soldiers sleeping there.

never more faithfully observed than May 30, 1881, The streets, even early in the forenoon, began to evince signs of a crowded city, and before twelve o'clock arriving excursion trains from all directions had swelled the number of strangers to several thousands. Most of the visitors arrived by way of the Ohio & Mississippi Road, one train, due at nine-thirty, from the east carrying two thousand one hundred people. Other trains were also crowded.

At 8:30 the members of the Stephenson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, a number of exsoldiers and many citizens assembled in front of the Grand Army Hall, on the east side of the square, and at nine o'clock they boarded the street cars and proceeded to Oak Ridge Cemetery under the command of Major Chapin.

At Oak Ridge

On arriving at the street car terminus the crowd assembled in line and with muflled drums playing a funeral dirge marched through the cemetery decorating in turn the grave of each fallen comrade. The ceremony of the Grand Army was, in short, carried out in full with great impressiveness and solemnity.

After the decoration of the soldiers' graves the procession moved to the National Lincoln Monument. On arriving at the entrance of the tomb the many assembled comrades, with uncovered heads and hearts full of emotion, marched in the tomb and around the beautifully decorated sarcophagus containing the saci'ed ashes of the illustrious dead, depositing cluster after cluster of beautiful blossoms, until the martyred President slept beneath a wilderness of flowers.

It seemed that the hearts of each and all present instinctively turned back to the review of the life of that great man who had arisen from the lower walks of life by the force of his own genius and the Godliness of a gentle mind, step by step, in spite of adversity, to the Chief Magistracy of a great Republic; and every mind seemed sad as they contemplated the sad and tragic end of that great man, whose life motto had been: " Charity for all, malice toward none." Over the arched entran.ce of the tomb the name Lincoln had been previousl}^ entwined in an artistic manner, with evergreens and flowers.

After the passage of the procession through the tomb, they congregated in front of the entrance, when the choir, with Miss Minnie Goodwin as organist, sang several hymns appropriate to the occasion.

etery, many of them going over and through the monument, under the genial guardianship of J. C. Power, Secretary of the "Lincoln Guard of Honor," and Custodian of the monument.

The Afternoon Exercises

At 1 2 m., a train was prepared to leave the Wabash depot for Camp Butler, but, in consequence of the threatening appearance of the weather, portending rain, it did not depart until some minutes later. It was completely crowded, containing the different classes of people who yearly visit the old camp ground, many bent upon having a good time, some to escape the confinement of the stores and shops for a short time, while not a few more wore upon their faces the expression indicative of the sad and solemn duty they were going to perform. Arriving at the station, a half-mile walk soon brought the visitors to the entrance of the National Cemetery, wherein the ensign waved at half-mast.

At Camp Butler

At 3:15 the storm was over, the train from the city had arrived, and tha escort, composed of the Watch Factory band and the Governor's Guard, filed into the cemetery, followed by the members of Stephenson Post and veterans in line. The band played a dirge until arriving at the stand, where the following memorial services were conducted by Post Commander Chapin and Comrades of the Post.

" In memory of the honored and heroic dead, whose remains here find rest and repose, we will deposit these flowers. May the lessons of purity which they symbolize rest in our hearts, and incite in us the emotions of patriotism which they exemplified in life and death.

"In honor of our comrades slain in Freedom's battle, or dying from wounds received in defense of all we hold most dear, we will j^lace these flowers upon the graves. The green turf above them will fade, these beautiful flowers wither and die, but the lesson will remain, and our children and their children will be taught the duty of honoring those who die for their country.

" Death comes to us all ; none shall escape his relentless mandate. The highest potentate and the humblest toiler must at last take their places in the bosom of the earth ; and it becomes us all to be ready for the messenger we must obey. Our comrades, upon whose graves we scatter flowers, and whose memories we thus revive and celebrate, died in the performance of the noblest of duties, and met the Destroyer where every patriot would desire to meet him - beneath the folds of our starry banner, and in defense of that cause in which it is sweet and pleasant to die - the cause of our country.

"As the grass will spring anew from the storms and dearth of winter - as other flowers will come to take the place of these, so soon to fade - so be it ours for ourselves and our generation, to keep bright the memory of our fallen comrades."

The graves were then decorated by comrades detailed by the Commander, after which the choir sang Memorial Hymn and the Chaplain offered prayer as follows:

"God of Battles, Father of all, amid these monuments of the dead, we seek Thee, with whom there is no death. Open every eye to behold Him who changed the night of death into morning. In the depths of our hearts we would hear the celestial word, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' As comrade after comrade departs, and we march on with ranks broken, help us to be faithful unto Thee and to each other. We beseech Thee, look in mercy on the widows and children of deceased comrades,and with Thine own tenderness, console and comfort those bereaved by the events which call us here. Bless and save our country with the peace of freedom and righteousness; and through Thy great mercy may we all meet at last with joy, before Thy throne in Heaven; and to Thy great name shall be praise for ever and ever." [All comrades] "Amen."

Commander - 'To-day is the festival of our dead. We unite to honor the memory of our brave and beloved, to enrich and ennoble our lives by recalling a public heroism and a private worth that are immortal; to encourage by one solemn service a more zealous and stalwart patriotism. Festival of the dead! Yes, though many eyes are clouded with tears, though many hearts are heavy with regret, though many lives ai'e desolate because of the father and brother, the husband and lover who did not come back; though every grave which a tender reverence or love adorns with flowers is the shrine of a sorrow whose influence is still potent, though its first keen poignancy has been dulled - despite of

"And now, as in this silent camping ground of our dead, with soldierly tenderness and love, we garland these passionless mounds, let \is recall those who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes. Let us recall their toil, their sufferings, their heroism, their supreme fidelity in camp, in prison pen, on the battle-field and in hospital, that the flag under which they fought and from the shadows of whose folds they were promoted, may never be dishonored, that the country for whose union and supremacy they surrendered life, may have the fervent and enthusiatic devotion of every citizen, that as we stand by every grave as before an altar we may pledge our manhood that, so help us God, the memory of our dead shall encourage and strengthen in us all a more loyal patriotism."

Chaplain - '"What man is thatliveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? If a man die, shall he live again? '"

Comrades - " Jesus Christ said : 'I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And he that liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' "

Chaplain - '"Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God ; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions ; I go to prepare the way for 5"0u.' "

When these exercises were concluded the choir sang with good effect " The Brave, Noble and True." The Post Commander then introduced to the audience in a few appropriate words the orator of the occasion, Rev. T. A.

" Two grand commemorations will be held during the year 1881. The people of this Nation, who love it in their inmost hearts, and feel pride in its history, will be twice gathered to honor the memory of the heroic dead. The first of these two memorial occasions we are here to celebrate - to decorate the graves of our Union soldiers; to recall their services, from the hour when the call of Abraham Lincoln summoned them to arms, onward to that sublime day when the last armed foe went down under the walls of Richmond - sixteen years ago - and the flags of the Union rose, like stars, over a hundred victorious battle fields. As the childhood of the Nation passes by these graves, its eager lips will ask: ' What does it all mean? Why did the soldiers die? What story do these fragrant flowers repeat? ' The answer will be given, to-day, throughout this wide Nation, in ever-varying fragments of history - from the day in 1861, when the wratU of the patriot millions rose like the sea, and rolled onward in billows of carnage and flame, and broke at last into rest when the Master said, 'Peace; be still! '

"The second memorial ceremony will be held at Yorktown in October next; and when the grand pagentry is over, the passing generations will agafti ask, 'What does it mean? Why was this granite column erected? What story of the Nation's life do its dumb stones repeat.' The answer is nearly similar to that of to-day. From the pine forests of Maine to the uttermost hamlet of California, the story will be told to the listening ear and graven in the hearts of the American childhood. When the story of both events shall be heard they will seem almost the same. For as we gaze back through the shadowy past of a hundred years ago to Yorktown, and then to the vivid past of sixteen years ago to Richmond, they are strangely alike! At Yorktown the Colonial Government arose to its feet and stood one among the free peoples of the earth. At Richmond the United States arose once more to its feet and stood vindicated and majestic among the Nations of the earth. At Yorktown the starry flag rose to its place in the sky as the proud flag of England went down. At Richmond, once again, the same starry flag rose to its place in the sky as the proud ensign of the Southern Confederacy went down to the dust. At Yorktown the last battle of any moment was fought, and the last foe of free government on this continent surrendered. At Richmond the last great battle was won, and the last foe of the Union submitted. Yonder is the elm tree that shaded Washington and Cornwallis, when the sword of the latter was given into the hands of the General-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies; here stands the apple tree that shaded Grant and Lee^ when the sword of the latter was offered to the hand of the former, the General-in Chief of the armies of the United States, and with it passed away forever the last lingering hope of secession. The living soldiers on the ramparts of Yorktown salute their comrades on the ramparts of Richmond, and the blood of their brave comrades flowing from the trenches of both places mingles in the waters of the bright river that murmurs eternally at their feet. But from both events, the most prominent figures that shall be summoned to receive honor, will be the soldier of the Revolution and the soldier of the Union. They shall march together along the fields of the Nation's history, while all the good shall hail and crown their honored shades.

"Therefore we assemble to-day with a sense of increased significance in the ceremony. We have no granite columns to uncover, newly dedicated to the duty of perpetuating the memory of the services and sacrifices of the soldier-dead; but we do have a memorial newly grown - for everywhere is their monument! It rises in annual resurrection at our feet. Its colors are painted by a divine hand, and its mingled fragrance breathes a celestial breath. 'Take us,' they seem to say, 'and weave chaplets for the brave. Take us and dedicate us to the memory of the heroic dead; we endure while stone and brass shall perish. The generations as they come and go in endless procession shall greet us, and greeting shall bear us to the graves of the brave. Year by year we shall call to the people, in the great march onward, to halt; come for awhile and over the shrines o»f the soldier-dead recall their heroic virtues and their great sacrifice.' We take up our part of that duty, and in recalling their virtues I can do it in no manner more effective than to bring to your notice

The Character Of The Union Soldier

"First, then, we recall the element of patriotism which decorated the character of- the soldiers sleej)ing here. Patriotism has, indeed, many definitions, and takes many forms of action. Some times it is Industry - the hundred-handed giant - wielding the mighty forces of agriculture, of commerce and manufactures, with a profound confidence in the stability of the government. Sometimes it is statesmanship, wisely planning and safely guiding toward the future of the Nation. Sometimes it is eloquence, voicing in prophecy the thoughts that lie dumb in the popular heart. Sometimes it is song translating the love of the people for their native land. Sometimes it is prayer, rising sublime to God. Sometimes it is woman's poetical and tender ministry at the cot of the soldier, wounded, sick or dying. Sometimes it is justice, speaking the conscience of the people against the vices that corrupt the body politic and the wrongs that hinder the free movement of this Nation onward to its destiny.

"All these forms of patriotism exist among us. They have nothing heroic about them. But it is a different thing when patriotism springs to arms in defense of the nation's life. It is this form we a^e to honor - for these soldiers were patriots, and gave to their country and for their country's sake the richest gift they had - their life.

" Had I the power to recall one of the many from his rest in fame's eternal camping ground, how gladly would I do it. Even now 1 see him, as he stood under the gaze of his countrymen. Yesterday he was but one of the undistinguished millions. To-day he stands distinguished as the volunteer soldier of the Union. How manly the form! How athletic the strength! How firm the poise of the body! The pride of Illinois - the dewy freshness of her prairies beams in his eyes, the hope of her glorious future glows in his soul, and her blood throbs in the brave hearts of her young soldier as he lifts his hand toward Heaven and swears by Him, who notes the sparrow's fall, to be true to the Constitution and laws, and, if necessary, to die, that the government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the earth!

" Do you see him to-day, O, comrades, as he stepped out under the flying flag, when the shrill fife sounded and the drum beat, and marched by your side, on and on over bills, through forests; on and on, through vales and brakes; on and on over mountain and river; on and on, through swamp and over bayous; on and on, as the fiery front of conquest advanced; by skirmish, by conflicts and siege? Do you see him in the circle of the camp-fire; hear the story and the song? By your side in the rugged winter and in the pleasant days of summer. Do you see him when the bugle sounds 'to arms!' and the long lines of battle are formed? Do you see him when the tide sweeps on and leaves him broken to pieces on the field, to breathe his last sigh up to the pitying stars - then to be

" It is this form of patriotism we are here to commemorate, accounting it the purest and noblest which can animate the citizens of this Republic who loves it and its freedom, so much more than home or family or ambition or self, and to dare to die for its defense and perpetuity. "A second element of the character which we desire to commemorate by this beautiful floral display is the self-devotion they exhibited. I do not mean to trace this quality in the incidents of twenty years ago - the muster, the drill camps, th-e weary marches and the tough campaigns. It is the office of the historian to recount these. Mine is the more pleasant duty of tracing the manifestations of this noble trait of the soldier's character where it saines in star-like radiance, and takes its place in constellation of heroic virtues. Their self-devotion included many features. It meant the leaving the farm, the Avork-shop, the store, the office, the school-room, the church, the quiet ways of life, at the voice of duty. It meant the march away to an uncertain fate. It meant the separation for an indetinite time from friends, from parents, from wife and children, and not only the separation, but on the part of thousands the firm resistance of tears, of pleading voices and hearts breaking with their propheciei of woe. It was a path of painful sacrifice for many, and the altar they used was dripping with sweat of an agony which could not be controlled. One incident comes to me vividly. A cei'tain regiment is marching through the streets of a town where some of the soldiers lived. The morning had been a parting festival. The new flag - the gift of the town - rode proudly over the moving column. The sidewalks were thronged with crowds of the patriotic cheering and weeping as the soldiers go by. On the way is a neat, white frame house, over which creep the honey-suckle and clematis vine. The window curtain was partly drawn back, just enough to disclose a woman's face, with eyes straining through a mist of tears, and pale with pain of the heart. As they passed, company by company, a little girl sprang from the pavement, shouting, * There's papa!' On swung the company. The father looked at his child, her blue eyes wide open with surprise, and her bright hair blown about in the wind, but he said no word. With a bound the little one flew after him, now crying bitterly, and in broken words saying, 'Take me papa ! take me!' The manly soldier kept steadily on, but a quiver of grief shook his frame and tsars fell upon his bosom. The captain of the company took up the little one, and carried her sobbing and inconsolable into the cottage by the wayside, where the young mother was. To thousands these words were re-echoed through the years of bitter and bloody strife. And it was no inconsiderable feature of their self-devotion that they gave themselves to the maintainance of a doubtful experimeut. Through the confusion of counsel in Congress, and the contradictory theories of authority in high places, they could but dimly see how the interests of continued self-government were in the issues; but there was a principle of more immediate application, by whose aid they were made capable of self-devotion which makes the heroism of Thermoplae doubtful, and the glory of '76 as a star in the splendor of a meridian sun I

"thk supremacy of the union, that was the simple bright principle which made possible the devotion of these soldiers to the extent of its utmost requirements. Like a mother stricken by the hand of a younger son, the mother-land cried out, 'save me, my children, I have nursed you at my bosom; I have dowered you with a home of peace and plenty; from sea to sea your heritage lies, and your children are my treasues; I am stricken, save me;' - and the cry of mother-land was as the voice of God. With the impulse of filial devotion they rose and went, to her succor, not reasoning nor asking why; forgetting all else - ill other differences of State pride and all battle-cries of parties. In the aggregate it was sublime unselfishness; in particu- Tars it was matchless in the annals of the world. Have you read how the Hebrew mothers in the vales of Palestine consecrated their sons to the battles of the Lord. There are thousands of stories of American mothers who, with similar lofty piety, dedicated their sons to God and the Republic. Have you read how Greek matrons buckled the swords of their sons, gave them their shields, saying: 'Come back with them or on them.' There were thousands of American matrons who imitated their high heroism. Have you read how the Swiss have come from their cantons to breast the serried tides of despotism? So can we match their willing devotion. Have you read how the freemen of Scotland, when the watch-fires blazed from peak to peak, swept in solid array to defend their mountain home? So swept the mighty host of our freemen from mountain to lake. Have you read how the patriots of Ireland went to death gaily as a groom to his bride, happy in the faith that the bannered green of their sires would one day float over their tombs? So went thousands of our patriot soldiers to death, satisfied that the same starry banner which waved over their cradles would also wave over their graves. Worthy of all admiration was the self-devotion they exhibited. It decorates with beauty like that of these May flowers, the sacrifice they gave to their country in the hour of the country's need. It shines resplendent, as time dims the record of march and siege, and battles lost and won.

" Another trait in the character of these soldiers we honor, was their courage. As a mass they shrank from no duty, although a hundred difficulties guarded that duty and thousands of bayonets opposed them. It is a quality of character which decorates the name of every heroic leader iu the majestic march of the race onward. That was a brave heart that beat under St. Panl's serf-mantle when he faced the lions in the arena of Ephesus ; it was a dauntless soul that animated Arnold Winkelreid, when he gathered a hundred Austrian spears in his bosom, and so made way for liberty ; that was a fearless spirit in John Hampden when he defied his king in the n«me of English law and English rights ; that was a gallant heart that throbbed in Robert Emmet's bosom when he plead for Ireland's independence ; that was a resolute spirit in Washington when he led the forlorn hope of America's freedom through all perils to victory. In fine, to illustrate this quality I must enumerate the long catalogue which Heaven and earth have made us to exemplify true courage in the fields of Evangelism, of reform, of civil and religious freedom. A soldier without courage would be as a Christian without faith - the very life within would die. At some time in the future historians will write of the courage of these soldiers in that nameless conflict with unseen foes - The subtle foes that crouch in the parses of mountains and lurk in the gloomy recesses of dark forests and venomous swamps, of the courage it required to brave the storms of winter on the lonely scout pacing the picket lines ; raiding the Indian wilderness, or struggling hand to hand with the ocean's wind and waves. Courage has a two-fold force - visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. The one is born of blood, the other of the conscience. The one mounts like a proud rider at the first cry of danger and with bounding pulse, set teeth, he t breath and steely nerves, transforms the timid into heroes. It is that species which is most admired in song and storied in romance. It is the gift of God, and by its instrumentality He has moved man to conquest

"One scene, out of many during the war, will illustrate this virtue. Two armies are sleeping fi-ont to front, waiting for the dawn of the day to grapple in deadly battle. A division of each is matched, as if a challenge had been made and accepted. With the light of the day, the two divisions rose to meet the conflict. The solid gray lines came sweeping down the slopes to overwhelm the embattled division silently awaiting the deluge on the brink of the intervening valley. The hills shout back the deep and deadly thunder of artillery; the valley counts the roll of musketry; on, and still on, come the unwavering columns. Not a step falters; not a hand trembles. Faster and faster roll the echoes of their guns; hotter flashes the red artillery. Now a single sound rings over the dread clangor; then there is a sudden leap forward; a swelling shout that shakes the flying flags; a rush as of a loosened river, and up! up! up! to the moveless column of blue they sweep - then fall back from the hedge of bayonets, broken and dispersed, to the sheltering nooks of the hills. It is one out of many, and make the dome of the American temple of fame as brilliant as the sky at midnight.

"Do not forget that this floral sacrament looks also to that other phase of their courage which met and fought with its invisible foes of pain, wounds and death. Is there need to enumerate these, or to insist that this species of courage has the finer quality and nerve? Who can measure the infinite variety of suffering through which they often passed on the way to these graves? Some writhing on the bloody field of battle; some tortured on the surgeon's table; some fierce in the frenzy of delirium; some wasted by fever; others worn by incurable disease; some starving in prison pens; some with an arm or limb left in the trenches; some mangled with shot or shell; some wearing away hour by hour in hospital and tent, vainly begging for the sight of the dear ones at home; others calm in the patience of duty well done; dying with the renewed ideal of their country bending over them - dear as the sun - regretting nothing of the costly sacrifice they made, passing away under the soothing of womanly nurses, and sleeping at last under the hemlocks and pines of the South.

" 'How sleep the brave who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blesi; When spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallow'd mould,

She thea shall dress a sweeter sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod, By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung. There honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And Freedom shall awhile repair. To dwell a weeping hermit there!' "

" Lest I weary you, I shall give but a brief eulogy of the last characteristic of these sleeping soldiers. It is the quality of generosity. ' I have stood by the homely cot of many a dying soldier - young, middle-aged, officer and private, but have never yet heard one syllable of bitterness for the foe whose bullets and steel sent them to untimely graves. Generous souls! Many of them went from the cot to Heaven with an all-embracing charity which blessed the friends they loved, and forgave the foes who smote them.' It makes them the more heroic, because they fell battling with brave foes - for history will write the names and deeds of many Southern soldiers, who illustrated their lost cause and conquered banners with a lofty courage and devotion. Out of the graves of the Blue grows a stately flower named Victory; out of the graves of the Gray grows another named Submission; they unite, and out of the mingled vitality blossoms the beautiful flower of Peace, shedding its perfumes on Northern gales and Southern zephyrs.

"But, while we strive to emulate this generous spirit, so nobly characteristic of the soldier dead, we do not invite the childhood of the country here every year to decorate these graves, and not to learn the cause for which they died was the cause of right, as against wrong; the cause of Freedom, as against slavery; the cause of Union, as against its deadly foe. Secession. No false logic of events, no cunning arts of politician, no craven demands of self-interest, shall ever dim the keen sight of the passing generations to the wide distinction between loyalty and treason; between the honor due and paid to the patriot soldier, living and dead, and the charity of forgiveness ofl;ered to their foes, sleeping side by side in death, or in life laboring for the peace and perpetuity of the Nation. We lament, with a sorrow never healed, the loss of the gallant host of the Union, who died that we might live, but pity the misguided and wasted host who sought to destroy it, and died in the vain attempt. And the blossoms that to-day fail upon their graves are given in the same spirit as the soldiers used to give their crackers and canteens, though face to face in deadly array. But, above all floral offerings to the soldier dead; above all tributes of eloquence to their noble deeds; above all gift of monumental marble by a patriotic people, is the solemn duty of here renewing our allegiance to the Union, 'that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain,' and as reverently as the priest before his altar, so before these sacred shrines devote ourselves to the task of building upon this continent one Republic, great and indivisible - so strong that every government, no matter how powerful it may be, shall fear and reverence it, and so beneficent that every inhabitant on earth, no matter how desolate he may be, shall find it a refuge and a defense.

" To this great purpose these soldiers were dedicated; to defend it they went to battle; they won at last, after years of unutterable sacrifice, and were borne back in silent legions to rest in the green tents whose curtains are never blown by the winds. Sleep on, O brave men, under the sentinel stars! Sleep on, O, soldiers of the Union under the changeful skies! No sound of war disturbs your dreamless sleep! Softly as fall the May blossoms on your graves, so softly treads over you the march of Time, and the feet of passing generations! O, had I the power, I would make a festoon of flowers gathered from the gardens of the North, from the Savannas of the South, from the vales of the East, and from the prairies of the West. I would fold it around the bleached forms of the sailors of the Union navy resting in the sepulchres of the sea, or covered in the tawny sands of the gulf, or swept by the mighty current of the Mississippi, or washed by the silver waves of the Rio Grande. I would wreathe it around the form of every soldier of the Union sleeping in American soil - some in the cemeteries of the Nation ; some in the long trenches of battle-fields; some in secret places; some in the forests; some by the river banks; some in lonely graves, unknown, under the shadow of cypress and magnolia trees - and, binding without the States of the Union, would summon the genius of the Nation to say with priestly authority: 'What God has joined together, let no man put assunder." '

Mr. Parker received the undivided attention of the immense audience, and his splendid oration was highly commended by all who had the privilege of hearing it. Upon its conclusion the exercises of the Grand Army were concluded as follows:

History Of Sangamon Coun Ty

After the close of these exercises "America"' was sung by the throng, and the exercises closed with the benediction, when all boarded the train and returned to the city.

Masonic

The Masonic order was represented in Springfield as early as 1822, a petition being presented to the Grand officers of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, bearing date April 4, of that year, praying for a dispensation to establish a lodge in this place. This petition was signed by James Latham, Stephen Phelps, Stephen Stillman, Gershom Jayne, Thomas Constant, Charles Wright, Oramel Clark and John More. Stephen Stillman was recommended as first Master; Gershom Jayne, Senior Warden, and John More, Junior Warden. The dispensation was granted April 5, 1822. The lodge was instituted and the following additional officers elected and appointed: Moses Broad well. Treasurer; James C. Stephenson, Secretary; Oramel Clark, S. D.; Thomas Constant, J. D.

The lodge did not seem to flourish for a time in consequence of their being no safe and convenient place of meeting, Springfield at that time not being provided with many public buildings. Stephen Stillman, the Master of the Lodge, undertook during the summer of 1822 to erect a building in which to meet, but was prevented from various causes. Still the Lodge felt justified in asking for a charter from the Grand Lodge at its next regular session, which was granted, and Sangamon Lodge, No. 9, was duly organized on the 23d day of June, 1823.

For some cause the charter of the lodge was arrested by the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1826, the probable cause being the failure of the Lodge to ask dismissal from the Grand Lodge of Missouri in order to join that of Illinois, and failure to pay its dues. No tffort was made, so far as is known, to obtain a renewal of the charter, money matters at that time being considerably depressed, and the Morgan excitement following shortly after.

Springfield Lodge, No. 4. - On the 27th of January, 1839, the following named signed a petition addressed to the Grand Lodge of Missouri asking a dispensation to open and hold a lodge at Springfield: J. Adams, James R. Gray, Alexander Lindsay, Henry Colestock, Philo Beers, L. S. Cornwell, Martin Doyle, J. R. Braucher, Bela Webster, and James Maxcy. A dispensation bearing date February 25, 1839, was issued, naming James Adams, Master; James R. Gray, Senior Warden; Alexander Lindsay, Junior Warden. The first meeting of the Lodge was held at the American House, April 20, 1839, when the following officers were elected and appointed: Love S. Cornwell, Secretary; Maurice Doyle, Treasurer; James Maxcy, Tyler; Philo Brown, S. D ; William Cudmore, J. D.; M. Helm, First M. C; M. A. Kelley, Second M. C. The Lodge was numbered twenty-six.

A Grand Lodge having been oganized in Illinois, Springfield Lodge, No. 26, withdrew from the jurisdiction of Missouri, and united with the Illinois body, receiving from the latter a new charter designating the Lodge as Springfield Lodge No. 4. This charter was received May, 1840. The lodge during this year was quite pi'osperous, initiating quite a number, among whom was Stephen A. Douglas, who afterwards attained a National reputation as a politician.

In 1841, several members asked leave to withdraw that they might form a new lodge. Leave was granted and their lodge dues for the current quarter remitted them.

Since its organization, the following named, among others, have served in the office of W. M.: James Adams, Meredith Helm, Love S. Cornwell, James Shepherd, Francis A. McNeill, James Zwisler, William Lovely, William B. Warren, J. W. Keyes, James H. Matheny. T. S. Mather is the present W. M., and J. B. Hammond, Secretary.

Elwood Commandery No. 6, K. T., was organized under dispensation, granted by R E., Sir Knight James V. G. Blaney, Grand Commander, May 16, 1859, as Illinois Commadery U. D., at Masonic Hall, Springfield, Illinois, June 28, 1859, Sir Nelson D. Elwood, of Joliet Commandery, presiding. The dispensation was granted t > Sirs William C. Hobbs, William H. Turner, Mason Brayman, F. K. Nichols, D. C. M irtin, James Newman, George Thorp, A. R. Robinson and Harmon G. Reynolds. Of these. Sirs Nichols, Brayman, Robinson and Reynolds becime charter members. The charter was granted November 3, 1859. At a subsequent meeting of the Commandery, it was resolved that the name of the Commandery should be changed to Elwood. Since its organi'zation, the Commandery have made pilgrimages to St. Louis, September, 1868; Baltimore, September, 1871; New Orleans, September, 1874; Cleveland, August, 1877; Chicago, August, 1880, participating in the Grand Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America. The following named have held the position of Eminent Commanders of this Commandery: Harmon G. Reynolds, 1860; Charles Fisher, 1861; Phares A. Dorwin, 1862; Newton Bateman, 1863; William Lavely, 1865; Andrew J. Dunning, 1866; Benjamin C. McQuestan, 1867; Phares A. Dorwin, 1868; Rheuna D. Lawrence, 1869; William Lavely, 1870; Robert L. Mc- Guire, 18 < 1-2; Rheuna D. Lawrence, 1873; Dwight Brown, 1874; William D. Richardson, 1875; John Cook, 1876-7; Samufl J. Willett, 1878; Jacob B. Hammond, 1879; James H. Matheny, 1880; Henry Wohlgemuth, 1881. The ranks of the Commandery have been thinned by death, as follows: Nelson D. Elwood, Phares A. Dorwin, Walter Whitney, William L. Dougherty, S. C. Toler, John Brotherton, James W. Sponsler, Nicholas Strott, Lewis B. Smith, William A. Turney, Jesse K. Dubois, W. Jarvis London, P. C. Latham, James I. Davidson, F. J. Martin, J. L. Crane, O. H. Miner, Alfred Sower, C. W. Matheny. The Commandery now numbers one hundred and twenty-eight members, with the following named officers: Henry Wohlgemuth, Eminent Commander; Joseph D. Myers, Generalissimo; Edward R. Roberts, Captain General; Samuel J. Willett, Prelate, Edward T. Smith, Senior Warden; Robert H. Moor, Junior Warden; John S.Fisher, Treasurer; Charles P. Kane, Recorder; H. Fayart, Sword

Odd Fellowship

The institution originated in Manchester, England, in 1812; some scattering lodges, it appears, existed before this date. The object of the Manchester organization, it was declared, was to render assistance to every member who may apply, through sickness, distress or otherwise, if he be well attached to the Queen and government and faithful to the Order; and this is still the basis of the Order in that country. There are about four thousand lodges in England, and the membership is about half a million.

The Order in the United States is known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and greatly differs from the English organization, and is entirely separate from what is known as the Manchester Unity, althoui'h a kind feeling exists between the societies, and efforts are being made to effect an arrangement by which interchanging visitations may be made by the respective membership.

The father of Odd Fellowship in America, was Thomas Wildey, who had been connected with similar associations in England, and who organized Washington Lodge No. 1, at the house of William Lupton, Sign of the Seven Stars, in Baltimore, on the 26th day of April, 1819. This lodge was composed of five members; the organization now has a membership of nearly half a million.

The organization has a Sovereign Grand Lodge, composed of representatives from every State and Territory in the United States, from the Dominion of Canada and numerous foreign jurisdictions. The Grand Lodge is held annually.

The Grand Lodge of Illinois was organized at Alton in 1838, but was re-organized in 1842, since which time it has grown, until it now has a membership of thirty thousand. The first lodge in Springfield was organized in 1840, it being Springfield Lodge No. 6, of which many of the old settlers of Sangamon county were members, N. W. Matheny, L. B. Adams, James H. Matheny, Stephen Carman, and Thomas Lushbaugh being among its earliest members.

Sangamon Lodge JVo. 6. - W. A. Young, N. G.; Antonio Frank, V. G.; T. A. Withey, R. S.;H Engelskirchen, P. S.; H. O. Bolles, Treasurer. This lodge has its meetings every Wednesday evening, over the State National Bank.

Schiller Encampment, No. 121. - Rudolph Hell weg, C. P.; Fred Walther, H. P.; Fred Weisz, S. W.; G. Ritter, Scribe and Treasurer. Encampment meets every first and third Friday in each month, over the State National Bank.

Hebrew Societies

Ernes Lodge, No. 67, L. 0. Benai Berith, (Sons of the Covenant). - This is a benevolent society composed exclusively of Israelites, and was organized in Springfield, in 1863, with twenty members. It has now increased to thirtyseven' The I. O. of Benai Berith was first organized in Philadelphia, about the year 1856, and has since extended all over the country, with a present membership of twenty-five thousand in the United States. It is an organization somewhat similar to the United Workmen, giving the widow or heirs of a deceased member $1,000. Some lodges give sick benefits, of which No. 67 is one, allowing 85 per week in case of sickness of a member. The present officers of the lodge are: Charles Seaman, President; S. Bernheim, Vice President; A. Friedman, Secretary; S. Hess, Treasurer; C. Stern, Mentor; L. S. Ensel, Warden.

Ladies'* Benevolent Society. - A society, composed of Israelite women, was organized in this city in 1870, its object being to minister to the sick and needy and to help one another in a systematic manner, similar to the various benevolent orders of the day. In case of sickness of a member, sick benefits are paid by the society. A good work has already been accomplished. Its officers in 1881, were: Mrs. S. Haramerslough, President; Mrs. C. Stern, Vice President; Mrs. Charles Seaman, Secretary; Mrs. S. Benjamin, Treasurer. Meetings are held quarterly.

Knights Of Honor United Workmen

The Ancient Order of United Workmen originated in Pennsylvania some ten years ago, from a desire to assist each other in case of sickness or death - and soon partook of the present form of the society - that is, a contribution of $2,000 to the legatees of a deceased member. The first lodge instituted in Illinois was Noble No. 1, of Rock Island, November 18, 1874, with twenty-six members, followed by Harmony, No. 2, Moline, December 3, 1874, with twenty-three; Union, No. 3, Sterling, February 13, 1875, with twenty-three ; Island City, No. 4, Rock Island, April 23, 1875, with thirty-seven ; Industrial, No. 6, Rock Falls, June 11, 1875, with thirtytwo members, and these five lodges, with a total

Prior to June 1, 1877, all death claims were paid through the Supreme Ledge, but upon that date, Illinois having increased her membership to upwards of two thousand, was set apart as a State JVJortuaiy District, and entitled to collect and disburse her own bentficiary funds. Since that time the order in Illinois has grown rapidly, and numbers a little over ten thousand, with about one hundred and ninety lodges. During this time there has been one hundred and seventy-seven deaths, necessitating fifty-six assessments of one dollar each, and as the legatees of each deceased member have received |2,0CU, the grand total thus collected and disburted has been $354,C00.

The order is represented in Springfield by four lodges - Springfield, No. 37, instituted May 31, 18';7 ; Capital City, No. 38, February 8, 1877 ; Good Will, No. 39, February 10, 1877; Mozart, 106, in February, 1S78. The total membership in the city is over three hundred.

Royal Akcanlm American Legion Of Honor

Amity Council 409, American Legion of Honor, was organized January 28, 1881, by Deputy Supreme Commander J. L. Phillips, with twenty-six charter mtmbers. There hasonly been one election and the original officers are still serving, viz: John L. Phillips, Commander; Chas. G. Averill, Vice Commander; C. L. Conkling, Past Commander; E. L. Merritt, Orator; J. F. McNeill, Secretary; Franz Bode, Collector;

Independent Order of Mutual Aid have a lodge, in which many of the leading citizens of the city are interested. The lodge is styled Abe Lincoln Lodge No. 5, and meets second and fouith Tuesdays in each month. William Keene is the present Recording Secretary.

Springfield Council No. 40, Royal Templars of Temperance meets first and third Tuesdays in each month, at Knights of Pythias Hall, corner F'ifth and Monroe streets. J. B. Bennett, S. C; R. S. Hill,R. S.

Esperanza Commandery, Knights of Universal Brotherhood meets every second and fourth Tuesday evening, in Opera House Block, George McCutcheon, Commander; William L. Gardner, Chief of Reds.

Stevenson Post No. 30, Grand Aimy of the Republic, was instituted in Springfield, in the early history of the order, and has had regular meetings since that time. The post take charge of all services on Decoration Day, in Springfield. H. Chapin is the present Commander, with A. Wilson, Adjutant, and E. D. Vredenburg, Quartermaster.

Other Societies

Springfield Typographical Union was organized in 18 - . Its present officers are: John E. Allen, President; A. M. Barker, Vice-President; H. T. Schlick, Financial Secretary; Howard Williams, Recording Secretary; Timothy Collins, Treasurer; Harry Collins, Sergeant-at- Aims; John Antrom, P. J. Doyle, Charles Bradley, Thomas Thorpe, Arthur S. Hoag, Executive Committee.

In another part of this work is a chapter on the newspapers of the county. Among the papers not mentioned was the Odd Fellows Herald, a five column quarto, published and edited by A. D. Sanders. The Herald was started in 1877, and has had a prosperous existence almost from the beginning. As its name implies, it is devoted to the interest of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is well and ably edited. Its circulation is larger than any paper published for the benefit of any class in this region of country.

Edwin A. Wilson also publishes two Sunday School papers, one being "Labor of Love," the other, "Food for the Lambs." The papers are undenominational in character, and are furnished to Sunday schools regardless of sect. The Labor of Love has been issued since 1871, and the Food for the Lambs, since 1875. The average circulation of the former is twenty thousand per month, and the latter fifteen thousand. A large amount of money is annually expended on the two sheets.

The Capital Railway

The Capital Railway was organized under the general laws of the State of Illinois, August 10, 1865, and permission was at once given by the City Council of Springfield, to locate the road on all the streets the company desired to occupy. They commenced operations with a capital of #18,000, which was afterwai'ds increased to $28,- 000. The first Board of Directors were: J. K. Dubois, John Williams, D. L. Phillips, Alexander Starne and J. S. Bradford.

The oflicers chosen were: D. L. Phillips, President; John Williams, Treasurer; A. W. French, Secretary; Alexander Starne, Superintendent. John Williams afterwards resigned as Treasurer, and Jesse K. Dubois was chosen to fill the vacancy.

A portion of the road was built in the autumn of 1865, commencing at the old depot of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway, on the corner of Tenth and Monroe streets, and running west on Monroe street to Lincoln Avenue, one-third of a mile west of the city limits. It was opened for business January 1, 1866; the total cost to that time, being about $27,000.

The track was afterwards extended about onethird of a mile further west, and subsequently about the same distance was taken up at the east end of the road - from Tenth to Seventh streets.

By an Act of the General Assembly of Illinois, approved February 25, 1867, the former transactions of the Capital Railway Company of Springfield, were legalized and its future rights and privileges defined. Its capital stock was fixed at $50,000, with authority to increase it indefinitely.

The Springfield City Railway Company

promote the construction of Horse Railways in the city of Springfield." Jacob Biinn, John T. Stuart, Stephen T. Logan, Benjamin S. Edwards, Christopher C. Brown, Thomas S. Mather, and George Carpenter, were named as the first Board of Directors.

They were authorized to organize a company under the name that heads this article, with a cai)ital stock of $50,000, and permission to increase it indefinitely. The company was invested with authority to build and operate street railroads on any street in the present or future limits of the city, and to extend them to any point in the county of Sangamon. They were to go on any public highway, but were forbidden to put any obstruction in the way of travel.

March 3, 1866, the Springfield City Railway Company was organized by the election of Hon. John T. Stuart, President; Asa Eastman, Vice President; George N. Black, Treasurer; and George Carpenter, Secretary. They commenced building the road at once, and opened it for business on the fourth of July.

The original road commenced at Monroe street and ran north, on Fifth street, to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The road, cars, and all the equipments cost $42,000. In the spring of 1867 it was extended on Fifth street to South Grand Avenue, at a cost of $13,000, making the total cost $55,000. The southern extension was opened for business just one year from the first opening, namely, July 4, 1867.

This company owns a fine park of twelve acres adjoining Oak Ridge Cemetery on the east. This paik is finely shaded with native trees. It has a bountiful supply of pure well M'ater, and a pagoda for refreshments. There is a stand on the ground fitted up for public speaking, with rustic bridges and appropriate places, and seats under most every tree. These attractions, with a green turf over all the ground, make it a great resort for picnics.

This park and the fine walks and drives, among the sylvan groves of Oak Ridge Cemetery, forms a delightful retreat from the scorching heat and dusty streets of the city, in the summer months; and at all seasons with the memories that cluster around the Lincoln Monument, it is one of the most attractive spots in the West, both to citizens and strangers.

The Citizens' Street Railway Company was organized March 5, 1879, by John Henry Schuck, Henson Robinson, Oscar F. Stebbins, J. N. Reece, Frank Reisch, J. E. K. Herrick, and A. H. Saunders. The right of way was granted to the company by the City Council in April of the same year, and on the 20th of July, they began grading and track laying on North Grand Avenue, south on Ninth to Washington street, and west on Washington to the square. They then went north from North Grand Avenue to the Rolling Mills, thence to the fair grounds. Beginning on the square, they next went south to Capital Avenue, ihence west to the State House. From the corner of Sixth and Washington, the next move was west to Second street, thence north to Carpenter, west to Rutledge, thence north to Lincoln Park, Lincoln Monument, and Oak Ridge Cemetery. Again, starting from Ninth street, they ran east to Eleventh, and south to Kansas street. In October, 1880, they completed the road south from the State House to Allen street.

The company have a capital stock of $75,000. They now have about eight miles of track in complete running order; have eighteen cars and seventy-six head of mules and horses. They have two stables, one near the Rolling Mill, and the other and main one, on the corner of Washington and Ninth streets. They employ twentysix men.

The first Board of Directors were J. H. Schuck, Henson Robinson, Frank Reisch, A. H. Saunders, W. O. Converse, and F. W. Tracy. Mr. Tracy subsequently resigned, and George Reisch was elected in his place. The present Board are the same as the first, substituting Mr. Reisch for Mr. Tracy. J. H. Schuck was the first and is the present President.

Springfield Library Association

The S})ringtield Library Association was incorporated under the general laws of the State, March 15, 1866. Dr. Samuel Willard was the first Librarian, and served until September 1, 1870, when Miss E. Gertrude Seaman was chosen to occupy that position. Mrs. H. L. Kimball, the present Librarian, was appointed in 1877.

The capital stock authorized by the articles of association is $20,000. Fifty dollars paid at one time constitutes the person paying the same a life member, and secures the use of the Library, and one vote during life. Shares of stock are ten dollars. A stockholder can have the use of the Library and one vote, by paying three dollars annually. Pei'sons who are neither stockholders or life members can have the use of it by paying five dollars annually. The selection of books includes the very choicest works of reference, history, geography and travels, biography, theology, ethics, ecclesiastical history, philosophy, political science and education, science and art, poetry and drama, novels, juvenile works and general literature.

The Library now consists of about seven thousand volumes, and new and rare works are being constantly added. During the year 1880, about thirteen thousand volumes were loaned. The Library is visited daily by a large number of j^ersons, who avail themselves of the privilege of reading and examining the books, papers and magazines.

The following named constitute the ofiicers of the Association in 18sl: C. C. Brown, President; John W. Bunn, Vice-President; Ernst Helmle, Recording Secretary; James T'. Jones, Corresponding Secretary ; B.H. Ferguson, Treasurer; E. F. Leonard, A. N. J. Crook, Henry Remann, Charles Ridgely, Henson Robinson, George N. Black, Directors; Mrs. H. L. Kimball, Librarian.

Illinois State Library

This library is designed for the use of the ofiicers of State, Members of the Legislature, etc., they being the only parties allowed to take books away from the library. Any citizen, however, can visit the library and consult any work there.

It contains four thousand volumes of miscellaneous works, and about ten thousand volumes of the publications of the United States and of the several States, including copies of all the pullications of Illinois. This makes the library proper about fourteen thousand volumes. These, with surplus copies of Illinois jjtiblications and incomplete sets of duplicate miscellaneous works, swell the number to about fifty thousand volumes in the care of the Librarian.

The catalogue of miscellaneous books comprise some choice selections of works of reference, history, biography, philosophy, science and art, and a small number of volumes in the German language.

The State department contains the colonial laws of many of the oid thirteen States; laws of the Territory and State of Illinois; laws of the Congress of the United States, with Senate and House reports; reports of the United States census;

Congressional Globe, etc., etc. This library is at present in a room on the first floor of the old State House, at the west side, and is in the custody of the Hon. Henry D. Dement, Secretary of State, who is ex officio State Librarian, assisted by Edith Walbrid^^e, Assistant Librarian, who has been in the ofiice since June, 1881.

The Law Library is the property of the State also. It contains about seven thousand volumes, composed of the reports of the United States Courts, and of the Supreme Courts of the several States ; text books, digests and statutes, and English, Irish and Scotch reports.

There is also a great number of Congressional Documents, American Archives, Secret Journals of Congress, and a small number of miscellaneous books, among which are Appelton's Cyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Brittanica. This library is also in the care of the Secretary of State.

The first bank in Springfield was the State Bank, established about 1830, and which failed in 1842. Since then several banks have been organized, and there is now in the place four safe and reliable institutions.

The Ridgely National Bank. - In connection witli the Messrs Clark, in 1851, N. H. Ridgely organized Clark's Exchange Bank, of which N. H. Ridgely was President, and James Campbell Cashier. In the course of four or five years Mr. Ridgely purchased the interest of his partners and continued the institution in his own individual name. Shortly after, Charles Ridgely was admitted as a partner, and the business was then conducted under the firm name of N. H. & Charles Ridgely. Subsequently, William Ridgely became a member of the firm, and the title was changed to N. H. Ridgely & Co. In October, 1866, the Ridgely National Bank was organized as successors to N. H. Ridgely & Co., with N. H. Ridgely, President ; Charles Ridgely, Vice President; William Ridgely, Cashier. October 1, 1875, J. Taylor Smith was elected Second Vice President. No further change has been made in its ofiicers since organization. When organized the capital stock was placecd at |100,- 000. A surplus has since accumulated of $100,000.

The Springfield Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank was chartered in 1851 as an Insurance Company with banking privileges. Only the latter were ever used, the institution never organizing as an insurance company. The 78 - charter was granted to Robert Irwin, John Williams, Jacob Bunn, William B. Fonday and John C. Lamb. The first officers were Antrim Campbell, President, and J. C. Sprigg, Cashier. In September, 1854, Thomas Condell became President, upon the resignation of Mr. Campbell. In 18GS, R. F. Ruth became President, and has since occupied the position. Robert Irwin was the successor of Mr. Sprigg, as Cashier, Mr. Irwin died in the spring of 1865, and was succeeded by B. H. Ferguson, the present Cashier. The building occupied by the bank was erected by the old Illinois State Bank, and was purchased by the Marine and Fire Insurance Company on its organiztion. The bank incorporated with a capital of $100,000, has a large surplus, and does a business equal to any bank outside of Chicago.

The First National Bank. - This bank was organized December 12, 1863, but did not begin business until May 1, 1864. The first officers were John Williams, President; George N. Black, Cashier. It succeeded the private banking house of John Williams & Company, which had been doing a safe and profitable business for some vears. The original capital stock of the First 'National was $125 000. It has since been increased to $250,000. In 1866, Frank W. Tracy succeeded Mr. Black as Cashier. In 1874, Noah W. Matheny became President. Upon his death, which occurred in the spring of 1877, C. W. Matheny succeeded him. He also died in April, 1879, when Mr. Tracy was elected to that position, and H. K. Weber became Cashier. This banking house was first established on the northwest corner of Fifth and Washington streets, where it remained until the present fine building was erected in 1878, especially for its occupancy. It stands on the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington, and cost $25,000. This bank has been a United States depository since it was first opened for business. Its deposits average over $1,000,000, and carries loans from $700,000 to $800,000. The fine safes of the bank, manufactured by Hall, at a cost of over $5,000, and its ability to keep valuables in absolute security, has also led to the doing of a safe-deposit business for the general public, and money, bonds, securities and other valuables are here guarded and protected against the possibility of loss. As a depository of the United States the bank has, it is estimated, received and disbursed for the government, over $50,000,000.

sidered the best located bank building in the city, - a banking business having been carried on at this corner for nearly twenty-five years. The State National commenced business on January 1, 1871. Its abundant capital of -$200,000 was subscribed by a large nnmber of the wealthiest and most prominent business men of the city and county. Notwithstanding it was the last bank organized in the city, it has steadily grown in public favor and gained in profitable business until now it is among the largest and strongest financial institutions in the State of Illinois, as will be seen by its last published statement made to the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington, in compliance with the provisions of the National Banking law. The following is a copy of the statement:

Boakd Of Trade

The Springfield Board of Trade was organized in May, 1880, with one hundred members. Dudley Wickersham was elected President; O. H. Miner, Secretary; F. K. Whittemore, Treasurer. R. D. Lawrence is the present President, and in January, 1881, John G. Ives was elected Secretary in place of Mr. Miner, deceased. The Board is operated under the general system governing such bodies. Its headquarters are in the second story of the brick building, on the southwest corner of Seventh and Washington streets.

Mres And Fire Department

It has been many years since the old volunteer ''bucket brigade" gave way to the systematic fire department, with its engines, hose carriages, and other appliances for extinguishing a fire. For many years the fire department, as originally organized, was upon the volunteer plan, and it was not until 1869, that a paid department was thought advisable by the " poAvers that be" - the City Council. The following named constitutes the department as it now exists: Thomas Dunn, Fire Marshal; John H. Freeman and Julius Cottett, Engineers; Merritt Whipple, James Davis, Firemen; Augustus Miller, A. O. Sanders, Hosemen; Oscar Phillips, Samuel Hunt, Drivers; Henry Miller, Thomas Rourke, Hook and Ladder Men; Harry Hooker, George Hodge, William Donnelly, Philip Hoffman, John Rourke, J. C. Decker, Extra Hosemen. The Fire Marshal receives a salary of $2.5.00 per month, and is only required to serve in case of fire; all other men, with the exception of extra hosemen, receive $55.00 per month, devoting their entire time to the work. The extra hosemen receive $12.50 per month, and are required only to report for active duty in case of fire.

The department has two engines, with hose carriages, hook and ladder truck, and are supplied with such other things as they deem necessary for active service.

During the year 1880-81, there were sixtyseven alarms, some of which were false ones, and fires doing damage to the amount of about $12,000. This is certainly a good record, and speaks well for the "boys."

It is impossible to give anything like a record of the fires in this connection, therefore only a few are given as a specimen of how fire can destroy, and to serve as a reminder to the old settler.

On Saturday evening, February 13, 1858, a destructive fire occurred, beginning on the east side of the square, in the crockery store of William McCabe & Company, and from there extending to the drug store of Corneau & Diller, adjoining on the north. The next building destroyed was that of Benjamine Piatt. Here, for a time, the fire was stopped, but the wooden rear of the book-store of Paine, Booraem & Co. having caught from the smouldering ruins of McCabe's store, that house was consumed in spite of all efforts to save it. With the destruction of this building it was again supposed the fire was at an end, as the remaining store houses appeared to be entirely free from danger, but about two o'clock, a. m., the alarm was again sounded, and it was discovered that the dry goods store of C. W. Matheny was on fire under the roof. Every effort made to subdue it was in vain. The fire rapidly spread until three more

On Wednesday night, October 6th, 1858, the freight house of the Chicago & Alton Railroad was destroyed by fire, together with the greater quantity of freight stored therein. The building was a frame one 40x400 feet, and was of but little value, but a large amount of freight was then on hand. The loss was estimated at 110,000.

On Sunday morning, April 21, 1860, a fire broke out in a livery stable on Washington street, and spreading, burned several other buildings, including the wagon and carriage factory of Withey Brothers, entailing a loss upon this firm of $15,000. The total loss by the fire was about $25,000.

A fire occurred Monday evening, March 13, 1865, commencing in the drug store of T. J. V. Owen, druggist, destroying the building occupied by Mr. Owen and the bookstore of A. B. Mackenzie. Adjoining buildings somewhat damaged. Total loss about $35,000,

On Tuesday night, February 21, 1870, a fire was discovered in the fourth story of a building occupied by H. W. Rokker, on the east side of Fifth near Monroe street. The building was owned by Black & Amos, and was occupied by H. W. Rokker as a book bindery; H. G. Reynolds, publisher of Masonic Trowel, and by the American Sewing Machine Company. It was entirely destroyed. The building next on the north, owned by Mrs. E. S. Johnson and Mr. Hickman was also destroyed, except the walls, which were left standing. The first story was occupied by Mr. Hammer for the sale of secondhand furniture, stoves and other articles. The building north of Mrs. Johnson's was damaged somewhat, but not destroyed.

The Masonic Hall building, on the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets, was next attacked by the fire and the roof and third story destroyed, the first and second stories, with their contents, being saved. The third story was occupied by four of the Masonic lodges of the city. In this room were the records of the lodges, together with the valuable regalias belonging to the order, which were destroyed. The estimated loss of all parties was $67,300.

The City Of The Dead

Here the fearful and the bold, Here the matron and the maid, In one silent bed are laid; Here the vassal and the king. Side by side lay withering; Here the swoid and scepter rust - ' Earth to earth, and dust to dust.'"

"Man was born to die." Day by day, the number of the inhabitants of the "city of the dead " increases. Here they remain until the resurrection. Says James C. Conkling, in his address at the dedication of Oak Ridge Cemetery: "Standing upon the borders of the tomb, methinks I hear the mighty tread of unnumbered millions, as they are traveling onward from the cradle to the grave. Firmly and steadily they are pressing forward, resistless as fate. No obstacle can impede their progress. Neither the threats of power, nor the blandishments of love, nor the influences of wealth, can check their inevitable career. Indolence cannot retard, pleasures cannot divert, riches cannot bribe them to halt in the midst of their onward course. Inexorable destiny presses them forward, without a moment's respite, to the tomb. The heavy tramp of their mai'ch resounds through all the earth. It may be heard amid the frozen regions of the North, as the bold adventurer forces his passage across their icy plains in search of glory or of gain. It echoes amid the desert sands, parched by the burning blaze of a southern sun. From the far distant islands of the sea, mingled with the eternal roar of the surf that dashes upon their rock-bound shores, it comes booming across the mighty waste of waters. It resounds with the noise of the caravan, whose bones are left to bleach upon the arid plain. It is wafted upon our western breezes, with the dying groans of thousands who rush in search of golden treasures. It follows in the wake of the gallant ship, as she plows her lonely course along the trackless deep. It rises above the din of commerce upon the crowded mart. In the secluded valley, upon the fertile prairie, and on the mountain top, it is mingled with the wailing and lamentations of the mourner. Amidst the wretched hovels of the poor, and the gorgeous palaces of the rich; in the dark lane, as well as upon the broad avenue, amid the whispers of affection by the dying couch, and above the raging tumult of the battle field, may still be heard that ponderous tread of humanity, as it marches onward to the grave, in obedience to the fiat ef the Almighty, ' Uust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.'" donated by Elijah lies, and long known as the "City Grave Yard." The second is the wellknown Hutchinson Cemetery, lying west of the City Grave Yard, and the third is Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Charles H. Lanphier, Esq., who was at that time, 1855, a member of the City Council, representing the Second Ward, is entitled to the credit of inaugurating the enterprise which has resulted so successfully in what Oak Ridge is today.

From the small beginning, and the limited area of the first purchase, at a cost of $350, it has now come to rank among the most noted and best improved of American cemeteries.

The original plans and plats of the grounds were made by Mr. William Sides, City Engineer. Under his plans the lots were laid out in squares, regardless of natural slopes and ravines, or of the general character of the ground, wholly unadapted to the purpose of a rural cemetery, and they were therefore very soon abandoned.

The second survey and plat was made by Mr. William Saunders, of Washington, D. C. His plan, in its general features, was more practicable, and in keeping with the natural features of the grounds.

As perfected and thus far carried out, it has been the work of successive Boards of Managers, whose study and observation of older cemeteries, to-wit, those of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, have enabled them to profit by what has elsewhere been accomplished, in adapting a system of landscape gardening to the purposes of cemetery improvement.

The grounds of this Institution now comprise seventy-four acres. The first purchase of a tract of land outside of the city limits of Springfield, for burial purposes, was made in June, 1855, and in May, 1856, a second purchase was made, enlarging the area to twenty-eight and one-half acres. The site chosen was a most beautiful one. Situated about two miles north of the Capitol, with undulating surface and pleasing blending of hill and dale, interspersed with a natural growth of deciduous trees, the location was peculiarly fitted for the purpose of sculpture. Forest trees of various species being the prevailing shade, the name of Oak Ridge Cemetery was, at the suggestion of Hon. John Cook, Mayor of the city, given to what has now become one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the land. Previous to 1858 but little improvement was made of the grounds, except to enclose them with a common post and board fence. On the 18th of* April, of that year, Mr. George Willis was appointed sexton, by the City Council.

Being under the exclusive control of the City Council, and its rules and regulations consequently liable to influences and changes not in accordance with the desires and feelings of lot owners, the cemetery did not at once gain the public favor which was desirable and neccessary to its proper maintainance and improvement. It was therefore deemed advisable by the council to obtain such charter amendments as would more specifically define the tenure of lot owners. Such amendments were obtained fi'om the legislature in 1859.

In April, 1860, under the Amended Charter, the first Board of Managers was chosen, as follows: Turner R. King, President; James L. Lamb, Gilbert S. Manning, Benjamin F. Fox; Presco Wright, Secretary. George Willis was appointed Sexton.

On Thursday, the 24th of May, 1860, according to a resolution of the Board of Managers above named, the cemetery grounds as originally laid out, were dedicated. The Mayor and members of the City Council, with a large concourse of citizens, participated in the imposing ceremonies of the occasion.

In this year, 1881, the grounds present a most beautiful appearance, and have a large number of handsome monuments, chief of which is the Lincoln Monument, a fine illustration of which is given in this work. Next after the Lincoln monument, as a conspicuous ornament to Oak Ridge, is that erected to the memory of Governor William H. Bissell. Situated in the eastern part of the cemetery, this most elaborate monument stands upon a limestone base, seven feet square, and is twenty-one feet in height. It is constructed of Italian marble, and is surmounted by an eagle holding a copper scroll in its beak.

The Soldiers' Monument is in the northwest part of the cemetery. Upon its four sides are the names of forty Union soldiers who died in the service or at home since the close of the war. The following are the names:

The Edwards monument is situated near the western boundary, and consists of a plain obelisk and plinth of Italian marble, supported by a limestone base, four feet square. The heighth of the structure is fourteen feet.

The Wohlgemuth monument is one of the most elaborate and beautiful yet erected within the cemetery grounds. It was executed by G. L. Jameison, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and the statue of Hope, in Carara marble, by which it is surmounted, was executed in Italy. The base is of red Missouri granite, the second base of gray Scotch, and the plinth and column of red Scotch granite. Its cost was $2,150.

Other monuments which attract the attention of all visitors are the McClernand, Ruth, Gibson, Kurr, Washington lies, Harrower, Colwell, Pasfield, Ridgely, Elijah lies. Smith, Fiagg, Haynie, Barrell, Matheny, and Bates.

Spkingfield Water Works

For the purpose of establishing water works, the city authorities of Springfield, a few years ago, purchased thirty acres of land adjoining the city on the north. From the business part of the city to this land, the surface rises gently until an elevation of eleven feet above the old State House grounds is attained. For the purpose of commanding as great an elevation as possible, the surface was made the bottom of the reservoir, and an embankment of one hundred feet wide at the base, sloping equally inside and out, until it was raised to twenty-two feet in height and twenty feet across the top. To make it water tight, the bottom and sides were puddled with blue clay and concrete, and the entire inside, except the bottom, covered with slabs of Joliet stone, imbedded in cement. One tier of slabs, or flag-stones, are laid flat on the top at the inner border, and a picket fence mounted on the stone around the enclosure.

The reservoir is a square, rounded at the coi*- ners. It is two hundred feet in diameter at the bottom, and about two hundred and seventy-five at the top, inside, and has a capacity of four million gallons. The embankment is nicely '^odded on the outside, and presents a beautiful appearance. The earth for making this embankment was taken from the grounds adjoining on the east, west and north, so as to make a miniature chain of lakes, with islands interspersed. These islands have shrubbery planted on them, and in time will form some of the most picturesque scenery imaginable. There is what is called a stand pipe in the center of the reservoir. It stands on the bottom, and is seventy feet high. It is embedded in a pedestal of concrete masonry ten or twelve feet in diameter and octagonal in form. The pedestal rises four or five feet above the surface of the water. This stand pipe is made of iron, and is three feet or more in diameter. On the pedestal at each of the eight sides there is a sea horse rampant, and a huge dolphin, four of each alternating, the whole fronting outward. Just above this group there is a vase, twelve or fifteen feet in diameter, and about ten feet above the vase, four swans, life size, attached to the stand pipe. Sea horses, dolphins, swans and vase, are all made of iron. The crest of the stand pipe is a combination of iron work, highly ornamental, and extending outward on all sides.

Thi'ee and one quarter miles north of the reservoir, on the bank of the Sangamon river, there is a house with a steam engine and two large pumps in it. There is also a very large well, about one hundred feet from shore, and connected by a tunnel. A very strong set of iron pipes, fifteen inches in diameter, is connected with the well and laid under ground ; the three and a quarter miles to the reservoir passes under the embankment, and connects with the standpipe at the bottom. These pumps at the river are so arranged that either one can be made to form the connecting link between the well and the pipe leading to the reservoir. When connected, one of them throws, ordinarilly, nine hundred and sixty gallons per minute, fiftyseven thousand six hundred per hour, or one million three hundred and eighty-two thousand

The top of the stand-pipe is one hundred and seventy feet higher than the pumps, and t hree and a quarter miles distant. Put the machine ry in motion, and we can soon have the water issuing on all sides, in the form of spray, from the ornamental work at the top of the stand-pipe, and falling over the swans into the vase; from there it is conaected by pipes to the four dolphins below, and from the mouth of each of these a stream of water spouts into the reservoir. In order to conduct the water to where it is wanted for use, there is a fifteen inch pipe laid from the reservoir, under ground, about one mile into the city; and where it is necessary to branch oflE, ten inch pipe is used, and again four inch, and so on down to the small pipes, leading into the different rooms of the houses.

I have said that the ground on which the reservoir stands is eleven feet above the city, and the water in the reservoir twenty-two feet higher, making thirty-three feet it will rise - when the pipes are properly placed in the houses - on the principle that water will find a level. Some of the buildings are higher than this, and in order to supply them with water, the pumping machinery and pipes are so arranged that when the engine is running at the river, water may be forced more than eighty feet above the surface, five miles away from the propelling power at the river.

The works are constructed with the view of supplying a city of forty or fifty thousand inhabitants, and as Springfield contains only about twenty-five thousand, there is danger that too much water will be pumped up and overflow the reservoir. This, however, is guarded against by an opening in the stand pipe, a foot or more below the level of the embankments. This opening in the stand pipe is connected by a smaller pipe, passing down inside the stand pipe, and out under the embankments, to the artificial lake with the islands in it, around the reservoir, thus preventing an overflow and supplying the artificial lake by the same operation.

The whole work w^as designed by Henry Earnshaw, hydraulic engineer, of the Cincinnati Water Works. The engine, pumps, statuary, and all the ornamental iron work, was made at the foundry of Miles Greenwood, in Cincinnati. The construction of the work was superintended by John C. Ragland, of Springfield, under orders from the commissioners - John Williams, C. W. Matheny, and Dr. H. Wohlgemuth. It was commenced June 1, 1866, and

John C. Ragland continued to superintend the works for some years, being succeeded by Smith W. Kimble, and he, in turn, by T. M. Averitt, and M. F. DeSouza.

In 1877, steps were taken for the formation of the grounds belonging to the works in which the reservoir is located. Drives and walks were laid out, and about nine hundred shade and ornamental trees were set out in conformity with the walks and drives and the platting of the groimds.

At the expiration of the fiscal year, ending February 28, 1881, there were in use nineteen and a half miles of pipe. During the year the pumping engine made three millions two hundred thousand and ninety-one strokes, pumping four hundred and eighty millions thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty gallons of water. There were received during the same time $23,- 864.91 for water rents and assessments. The Board of Water Commissioners foi 1881 is composed of the following named : H. O. Bolles, President ; George Withey Treasurer ; and Obed Lewis, with H. R. Brown, Secretary ; M. F. De- Souza, Superintendent ; F. L. Wheatley, Engineer ; William McCabe, Reservoir Watchman ; John Daughton, Tapper.

Artesian Well

Pure water is always desirable, and every effort put forth to obtain a never-failing supply will meet the approval of every intelligent person. In the year 1857 an arrangement was made by which the City Council and some of the public spirited citizens, agreed to contribute equally for the purpose of sinking an artesian well. On the 15th day of June, 1857, an ordinance was passed appropriating $3,000 to defray the expense on the part of the city, and on the 20th of December, 1858, $2,000 more was appropriated, and again $2,000, March 7, 1859. This last sum was never used, and the work was abandoned.