Teutopolis Township (part 1 of 3)

And Of

"Local history more than any other, commands the most interested attention for the reason that it is a record of events in which we have a peculiar interest, as many of the participants travelled the rugged and thorny pathway of life as our companions, acquaintances, and relatives.'' - .V. Berry. "History of Effingham County, P. 200.

Pope Pius Xl Very Rev. Martin Strub, 0. F. M.

The 20th of July of this year, 1926, mark-; the seventy-fifth anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the present church at Teutopolis, - a joyous event, indeed, for the people of the parish. Elaborate preparations were made to celebrate this event in a becoming manner. As a contribution to this celebration, and also as a lasting memorial of it, the Reverend Pastor, Isidore Fosselmann, 0. F. M., requested the writer to compile a Jubilee Souvenir which was to contain an historical sketch of the pai'ish and town. The following pages are the answer to this request.

The writer was able to obtain the necessary information for his sketch not only from BEITRAEGE ZUR GESCHICHTE VON TEUTOPOLIS UND UMGEGEXD, published on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee on January 2. 3, and 4, 1902, but also from a number of sources which have become available since then; particularly the manuscript REMINISCENCES OF MR. CHARLES EVERSMAN, a well-known citizen of Teutopolis; the files of the EFFINGHAM VOLKSBLATT; and of THE TEUTOPOLIS PRESS. Hence, though it was impossible at this late date to clear up several doubtful points, the writer has been able to present a pretty accurate and complete sketch of the town and parish.

It need scarcely be emphasized that truth above all was .sought and that towards all, with malice tov/ards none" was the guiding sentiment of the writer in his work. Hence, we hope that the reader will kindly overlook any erroneous statement that may have crept into the manuscript, and also any oversight that may have occurred. Lack of time and space are the reasons why some persons or events have been omitted or treated but briefly.

The writer would think him.self very ungrateful, if he did not express his heartfelt thanks to all that assisted him in any way in his work. In a particular manner he wishes to thank Mr. Frank Eversman, of Effingham, for the loan of his father's Reminiscences; Very Rev. Roger Middendorf, O. F. M., Chronicler of the Province of the S. Heart of Jesus, Rev. Max. Klotzbucher, O. F. M., Rev. Gregoire, of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Vincennes, Ind., Rev. J. Delaney, of St. Patrick's Church, Indiana, Mr. F. P. Kenkel, K. S. G., Director of the Centralstelle, St. Louis, Mo., Rev. Silas Earth, O. F. M., Quincy, 111., Rev. H. H. Regnet, S. J., Librarian of the St. Louis University, "MrTS. Brumleve, who collected the photos of our soldier boys; Mr. Jos. G. Habing, E-Circuit Clerk; IMiss Clara Worman of the "Worman Abstract Company," both of Effingham, for copies of the Plat of Teutopolis and other documents; the Uptmor, Hess, Siemer and John Repking families, Messrs. Barney Overbeck, Jo.seph Stallings, Wm. H. Dust, Leo Westendorf, John Mette, Ven. Sr. Ethelberta de Notre Dame, Mis.ses T. Nosbisch and Sylv. Brumleve, Mrs. Mueller, Mr. Hakman, ^Mrs. Chas. Eversman, Mr. John Niehaus. etc. The new engravings are the work of Professor P. C. Raymer, Effingham, 111., who has done excellent, the brief time and notwithstanding poor photos and cuts.

St. Peter'S Church, Teutopolis, Effingham Co., Ill

The village of Teutopolis is situated in the township of the same name, in the northeastern part of Effingham County. Its main thoroughfare is the Cumberland, or Old National Road, traversing the state of Illinois between Terre Haute, Indiana, to St. Louis, ^Missouri. The St. Louis division of the Pennsylvania Railroad also passes through the town.

The township of Teutopolis was part of Douglas Township until December 1863, resp. April 1864. According to the HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY, published in 1883, the reasons for the separation were these: "During the late (Civil) war, this township (Teutopolis) had furnished a large number of volunteers for the army, and as the government was making a draft for soldiers, a just credit could not be given for this section unless they were divided from the old Township. Proper steps were taken for a change and a new towniship was created. Another reason for this change was, that this part of the Township had a voting precinct, and when the county adopted township organization, the voting precinct was set aside, all voters being required to go to Effingham, a distance of four miles, to vote. This was put up as a strong ground for a new township, whicji would give the people a voting place nearer home. After the township was set off, a proper distribution of volunteers was made, and it was found that the new township had more volunteers than its ratio of the draft called for, and hence (at first - Ed.) no draft was made here."

Teutopolis Township comprises 11,520 acres, much of which was originally timber-land; as late as 1883, though much of the land had been cleared, there were still about 5000 acres of timber, consisting mainly of ash, walnut, hiclcory, cottonwood, maple, and several varieties of oak. The land is fertile; wheat, oats, and corn are the staple crops. The northern part of the township is drained by Salt Creek and Willow Creek.

The German Land Company

The village of Teutopolis was founded by Catholic Germans who had immigrated from the kingdom of Hanover and the grand-duchy of Oldenburg and had made Cincinnati and vicinity their stopping-place before proceeding farther. "Some: stayed six months, some a year, some five or six years, in order to earn sufficient means to pay for eighty or one hundred ac.res of government land and enough besides to start life thereon. The Catholic Germans came into the city at the rate of two hundred or more every day, and }>erhaps a tenth as many left the city every day, going to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, and Wisconsin." (WAHRHEITSFREUND, Vol. IV, October 1, 1840, page 70). Among these Germans, there were two brothers, Herman H. and Clement Uptm.or, who had come to this country in the summer of 1834 and had found employment as carpenters at Cincinnati for two years, and at Vicksburg, Mississippi, for half a year, after which they returned to Cincinnati. Here Clement conceived the idea of organizing a company, to purchase government land in a state west of Ohio, and found a colony of Catholic Germans. Accordingly, he, with two or three others, about in 1837, organized the "German Land Company" (Deutsche Land-Compagnie oder Ansiedlungsgesellschaft). In a short time, the number of members increased to nine, and finally to 141.

Each member contributed $10 nonthly, until a sum -was at hand sufficient to purchase a tract of lanil that seemed large enough for the purpose intended, and besides $10 to defray the expenses of the Company. A committee of three was chosen to find land suitable for the colony. This committee, consisting of Clement Uptmor, John F. Waschefort, and Gerard H. Bergfeld, set out on April 17, 1837, visited several places in Ind-^ana, crossed the state in the latitude of Vincennes, explored a large part of Illinois, and travelled as far west as Chillicothe, Missouri. Dissatisfied with the practic.e of slavery existing there, they returned to Illinois, passing through it near the latitude of Quincy and Jacksonville. Alton and Shelby County and the land near Mattoon were also examined, and finally proceeded to the land office at Vandalia, at that time the capital of the state. After carefully examining the books at the office, they decided to buy a tract of land mostly Government land in the northeastern part of Effingham County, which they found to be suft'iciently large and well c,overed with timber. They could, indeed, have found more fertile land near Mattoon, Illinois, etc., but, like m.ost of their countrymen, they were ignorant of the virtue of the black soil and considered the prairie unsuitable for cultivation, partly because the prairie in their native land was such, partly because the prairie in these parts v>ras swampy and without drainage. For the latter reason, the air of the piairie was certainly unwholesome, and for many years the early settlers were subject to the attacks of malaria fever. The committee was also guided in its choice of the land by the practical consideration of having sufficient wood for building purposes and for fuel.

Purchase Of The Land

After an absence of fifteen weeks, the members of the committee returned to Cincinnati and made their report. At the suggestion of Mr. Clement Uptmor, the location of the land was not made known, lest any land shark take advantage of this knowledge a;id enrich himself at the expense of the prospective buyers. The committee also offered to lead any members of the Land Company who might be chosen to Effingham County, to enable them to inspect the land for themselves. Messrs. John ''Gerard Meyer, and Henry Roennebaum were chosen for the purpose. They v/ere also commissioned to buy the land, if they found it satisfactory, and for this purpose the .=um of $16,000 was entrusted to them. Since railroad facilities were entirely lacking at that time, they, together with Messrs. Clement Uptmor, John F. Waschefort. and Gerard Bergfeld, the first committee, set out from Cincinnati to Effingham County on foot, taking with them a single horse which they took turns in riding, and to the saddle of which they fastened the bags containing the money. Two of the party, well armed, walked at either side of the horse. They arrived at their destination without mishap at the end of June, 1838. Satisfied with the location and nature of the land, both committees preceded to Vandalia, anil on July 5 and 6, concluded all conditions necessary for the purchase of the land. The tract consisted of about 10,000 acres at $1.25 an acre; forty acres, belonging largely to veterans of the Black Hawk War, were bought by Mr. Waschefort for $5,00 an acre. Mr. Waschefort had been instructed to buy all the land in his name and to make out the deeds to the members of the Company. On July 6, 1848, he had to furnish bond to the amount of $15,000.00 to John Henry Roennebaum, John Gerard Meyer, Gerard Henry Bergfeld and Clement Uptmor.

Platting Of The Land

Before returning to Cincinnati, Mr. Wm. J. Hankins, Effingham County Surveyor, was engaged and the purchased land was then surveyed and platted. The

Plat

(entitled as in margin) Date of Filing and of Plan of the Totot of Teutopolis recording not noted. Recorded in Book A at hi Effingham County ]:'ages 242, 243, 244, 245 and 246. No Surveyor's

State of Illinois, Certificate. Then follows Statements and Certificates viz: "Description of the Town of Teutopolis. Being the North half of Section 24 aLso the West half of the South West quarter of Section Number 24 and the South West quarter of Section 13, also the West half of the South East quarter of Section 13 in Township Number Eight North in Range Six East of the third principle mereadian in Effingham County, State of Illinois, the Red lines represent the Bowndries of the Town, the Streets Runing Eastwartly & westerly are Laid out parrell to the National Rode or mr.in Streete and are ach sixty feet wide, except Northun Rowe & Suthun Rowe which are thirty feat wide, the national Rode or mane Street is Eighty feet wide, the streets runing Northly & Southly at Right angles with the national Rode or Mane Street Between Garretts & Smiths Streets are e-ach sixty feet wide, from Suthern Row to northern Row ethe Remaining streets are Each thirty feat wide the Blocks or Squares between Garrett and Smith Streets and Suth.in Row and Northen Row are Numbered from 1 to 48 inclusive, the Blocks or Squares Nos. 1-2-3-4-5-6-11-12-13-14-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-2.5-26-27-28-29-30-3.3-

Mr. Henry Stallings Mr. Henry Uptmor

S4-35-36-37-38-39-40-41-42-43-44-45 & 46 measures Each 449 feet 10 inches Easterly and Westerly and 533 feat Northerly and Sutherly. Blocks or Squares No. 7, 9 & 10 are Each 449 feat 10 inches Eastwardly & westerley an 383 feat Northely and Suthely Block or Square No. 8 is 449 feet 10 inches Easterley and westerly and 333 feat Northerly and Southerly. Blocks or Squares Nos. 15, 31 & 47 are fractionals the in Lots cantained with these Blocks or Squares are Each 49 1-2 feat in fiunt and 533 feat Deep, exr.ept the Lots in Square Nos. 7-9 & 10 which are 383 feet Deep in Square No. 8 the Lots are 333 feet Deep the Lots Nos. 72 & 103 in Square No. 15 and Lots No. 105 in Square No. 31 and Lots Nos, 100 & 101 in Square 47 are fractional Lots, the Out Lots North of Northun Rowe and West of Smith Streete and South of Suthun Row and East of Gearrad Street are numbered from 1 to one 142 inclusive, the Distance and Sise of Each Lot is Set Down in fig-ures on the platt the Distance and size of those Lots or Tracts of Land culerd Red and marked a, b, c, D, E, F, G, H, I is set Down on the plat thare is a strip of 10 feet Leaft all Round between the Lines of the Town fractions & the Sections Lines.

L John F. Washford having Laid out and having Directed to be surveyed and plated the Lands Represented on this plat I John Ferdanand Washfort for myself my heirs and assigns do addapt Rattifey and confirm said plat so laid Down it is ordered provided, always that when one third of all the owners of any one Blocjc or Square may wish to have an Ally opened through the same the other tow third shall pramit such Ally to be opened, the Streets are set apart and Dedardcated as Righsts of ways for publick uses for Ever those parts of Squares or Blocks in No. 7 Seven & 10 Ten culerd Red marked B & F are Dedicated for publick market places for Ever, that part of Block or Square No. 8 Eight Culerd Red and marked G. also out Lots Culerd Red and marked C. D. & E are Dedcated for the use of the German Roman Catholic Church and Sc.hool that Lot or Block culerd Red and marked H is Dedicated for the use of said Church for Burrings Ground, that part of Block or Square marked A and Cullerd Red in Block of Square Nos. 9 nine is Dedicated for public Ground under the controle an Direction of the munisiple athorrities of said Town forever.

In Witness whareof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the Twenty first day of September in the yeare of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine

John A. Wiseman

Before me Daniel Gano Clerk of the Superior Court of Cincinnati within and for said County pursonally appeared John J. Washfort the purson whoe Granted and Executed the within Plat an whose signature is within Given to the adoption and approvel &c. of the same and acknowledged the same to be his free and voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned and contained.

In Testimony whereof I Have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Cincinnati this 27th day - November 1839. (seal) Daniel Gano Clerk of the Superior Court Cinty

I David R. Estes sole Judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati do hereby certify that Daniel Gano whose certificate is above Given is Clerk of the said Court an the Attestation is in Due form of Law. Given under my hand and seal at Cincinnati this 27th day of Nov. 1839. (seal) D. R. ESTES.

When the plat was finished it became evident that there were not enough lots for each 40 acres. Accordingly another tract of 80 acres was bought and laid out in garden lots to be given with each forty acres. One front lot, one back lot and one garden lot incl. 40 acres, cost each member of the Company $50.00. (Chas. Eversman).

St. Francis' Church, A. D.

]\Iain Street, the old National Road, now Trail 11, is eighty feet in width; all other streets, except Northern and Southern Row, are sixty feet wide. The town was divided into 48 blocks, each block containing nine lots of 49 1-2 feet front and, with few exceptions, of 533 feet depth. Outside of the blocks, there were lets called garden, or out lots, varying in size from one to two acres.

This plat was recorded at Vandalia, on June 9. 1841. An entry in the church records under this date reads: "1841, June 9, For recording the plat of the town, paid $9.00."

1. Resolved by a majoiity of votes: that, at the distribution by lot of the town lots, each member of the Company having 40 acres of land shall be assessed $5 00 toward the building of a church; and that the land bought over and above the amount necessary for the allotment of the 40 acres and the lots, be set apart, for the present, as church land.

2. Resolved; that any member, more than 15 ac.res of whose land are prairie land, shall be entitled to put in a claim to a part of the church land.

Allotment Of The Land

In the fall of the sam.e year, 1838, the allotment of the land took plac,e in Cincinnati, in the old engine-house between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Slips of paper marked with numbers corresponding to those of the plat, designating 40 acres of farmland, the town lots, and garden lots, v;ere placed in a hat; and each member of the Company received the land and lots marked on the slip which he drew from the hat. IJr. John F. Waschefort then, in behalf of the Company, made out the necessary deeds. Now the location of the land was made known. One of the Committee had been sent to Vandalia to purchase land for the three members of the original committee.

The following is the list of the members of the Campany who shai-ed in the allotment of the land. The list is taken from a notebook of Mr. Clement Uptmor, one of the Dirertors of the Company at Teutopolis since January 1840.

Ohio, 1838 Name Of The Settlement

After the land had thus been distributed by lot, the question of the name to be given the new settlement was next taken up. The following names were proposed: New Cincinnati, Covington, Newport, Sebastopol, Muenster, Hanover, Germantovv^n, and St. Peter. The names Hanover and Germantown seem to have been most acceptable, but the postal authorities at Washington informed the members of the Company that these names had already been adopted by settlements in

Company, however, or as Rev. Anselm Puetz, O. F. M., learned of Mr. Clement Uptmor I, the Rt. Rev. John B. Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati, proposed the name of TEUTOPOLIS. The mem.bers were reluctant to adopt this "strange" name; but when they were told that it signified "City of Teutons, or Germans," they were satisfied and adopted it in place of that of St. Peter.

Chapter Ii Beginning Of The Settlement

Thus far the plans for the founding of the settlement had been successfully carried out, and the members of the Land Company prepared to leave Cincinnati and vicinity for Illinois, but for various reasons few were able to do so at once. The first to make the journey and settle on their allotted land, were Mr. Henry Vormor and wife, Mr. John H. Bergfeld, Mr. John Bernard Tebbe, later at Green Creek, in Effingham Sounty, Mr. J. H. Uptmor and family and others - seven families in all. Ml. Vormor was the only one who owned a team and wagon. These arrived in April, 1839. At that time, it may be well to add here, several Americans were living in what is now the Township of Teutopolis: John Gannoway (called Gennivers by the pioneer Geimans), on the farm now belonging to Judge Barney Overbeck; James Leavitt, Kit and Nicholas (Nick) Radley, on the present Lueken or Ordner's place; Mr. Benjamin Stallings, since 1825; and Mr. (Aaron) Williams, a passionate hunter.

Mr. And Mrs. H. Vormor

The next to come from Cincinnati in 1839, perhaps in April, were, Joseph Boeckmann, G. H. Niemann, H. Bruemmer, and Joseph Ostendorf. Mr. Clement Uptmor, the founder of the Land Company, who in September, 1839, married Miss Mary E.

Niehaus at Cincinnati; Mr. Clement Vahling and wife; and Herman H. Uptmor reached the piesent site of Teutopolis on December 21 of the same year. To find shelter against the severe cold, they occupied a pen whicji probably belonged to Mr. Radley, and from which they had driven the animals kept in it. This pen stood about half a mile northeast of the present church. Next day, they began the building of a log house for Mr. Clement Vahling, in which the three families lived until each had a house of its own. This log house, with the date cai-ved in a log above the door, is .still standing. Frank Maurice Masquelet, B. H. Vogt, Joseph Woermann, John Steinkes, and Jacob Doedtmann came at the end of 1839 or at the beginning of 1840.

In January, 1840, the Directors of the Land Company at Cincinnati, Ohio, were the following gentlemen: John H. Buddeke, G. H. Bergfeld, John Mathias Gohs, John Roennebaum, John Albert Kuemmer, Arnold Kreke, Ben H. Brockmann, and J. H. Plasspohl. These empowered Clement Uptmor, Joseph Boeckmann, and Herman Bergfeld, who, on January 19, 1840, had been chosen Directors of the Company for Teutopolis, to admit new members into the Company. The following were admitted at Teutopolis under the usual conditions, and also contributed $10 toward the building of a church: Anthony Pundsack, Clement Pundsack, Joseph Pundsack, J. B. Tebbe, Jacob Doethmann, Joseph Frederick Osterhaus, Clement Niehaus, Joseph B. Brummer, Bernard Suer, Anthony Dodenkamp, and Henry Kremer. Other old settlers were: Joseph, Bernard, Hy., and Geo. Koester, Ferd. Braun, Joseph Feldhake, Mathias Moenning, Bernard Deters, Fred Grimming, Arnold Kreke, Hy. Herboth, B. Mindrup, J. F. Renter, etc.

Mr. John F. Waschefort, one of the members of the Committee which selected and bought the land, settled at Teutopolis in March, 1840. B. H. Suer, (Bernard) Ahrens, Henry Gerdes, and (John G.) Korfhagen came in 1841; B. H. Mindrup, (Herman) Kenter and J. Herboth in, 1842. Many others arrived during the next years. Some made their way from Cincinnati overland, partly by stage, partly on foot; others made use of the steamboats as far as Evansville, Ind.; others, again, passed down the Ohio and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence followed the National Road to their destination. Some, coming directly from Germany, landed at New Orleans, and from that cjty travelled by boat to Cincinnati or to St. Louis and thence overland to Teutopolis.

Chapter Iii The Beginning Of The Civil War, 1861

Life at the new settlement was full of hardships and privations. There were few comforts and no luxuries. The settlers, as was mentioned above and as we shall have occasion to remark further on, at first considered the prairie unfit for cultivation. Hence, after their arrival, they at once set to work, with the few implements at their disposal, to clear a small strip of timberland, on which they erected their log cabins and the necessary farm buildings and planted some grain and vegetables. The result of their labors during the first years was naturally very meagre. But after some time, especially after they began to cultivate the prairieland, the fruit of their patient industry became evident in the extensive fields of corn, wheat, and other grain that could be seen on all sides. They were also very successful in the raising of cattle and sheep. One of the settlers, at this early date, is said to have obtained more than forty gallons of honey from his beehives.

S'nce practically all the settlers dwelt on their farms, the village grew very slowly. The first house in the village was built by John H. Uptmor, who is therefore called its first citizen, in 1839. It was built of logs, 16x16 feet, and contained

one room. Iji 1840, Mr. Uptmor sold it to hi-s brother Clement for $5 or $6; this is the first transfer of real estate in Teutopolis on record. Clement Uptmor later erected a frame house, 16x26 feet, on the site on which the home of Mr. Joseph Siemer now stands. In June, 1840, there were four houses in the village; by the year 1845, this number had increased to seven, and by 1850, to nine.

In 1842, Teutopolis was granted a POST OFFICE, with Mr. Clement Uptmor as the first postmaster. Up to this time, Ewington, seven miles west of the town, was the nearest post office.

About the year 1841, Mr. Clement Uptmor and John F. Waschefort opened the FIRST STORES, containing a small stoc,k of merchandise usually sold in country stores. This stock had a value of perhaps $50, but at that time excited greater curiosity than the display of a department store at the present time.

In 1841, Clement Uptmor and his brother Herman began the building of a WINDMILL FOR GRINDING FLOUR, an undertaking which was of the greatest T>enefit to the community and made the town known far and wide. Hitherto the settlers had been obliged to carry the grain to be ground into flour, on their shoulders to the nearest mills, one of wiiich was seven, the other twenty-three miles distant, - obviously a great hardship and entailing a loss of time. The mill erected by the brothers on the site now occupied by the tower of St. Joseph's College, was 40 feet high, 20 feet wide below, and 8 feet wide above; the wings were about 53 feet long. Since there was no sawmill, all the timber had to be c,ut by hand. The structure was a rather clumsy affair, and a strong wind was required to set it in motion. The mill was in operation for the first time on July 4, 1845, but it was not completed until the following spring. It had only one set of burstones, and the bolting had to be done by hand; hence the daily output of flour was not very great, but people came in large numbers from the neighboring places to gaze upon this ^'wonder of the world."

During the War with Mexico, 1845 - '47, soldiers often marched through Teutopolis along the National Road. On October 30, 1845, a dangerous fire raged in the prairie. In winter 1845 - '46 wolves were numerous.

Seven Votes At The Village Election

About 1845 Representative Leon Cunningham obtained a Special Corporation Charter for the Village of Teutopolis. On the first Tuesday in April following an election for five Village trustees and one constable was held at C. Uptmor's. Mrs. Eliz. Uptmor made the ballot box of black walnut. On the morning of the election the judges and two clerks were sworn in and at 7 o'clock, the polls were opened till 6 o'clock P. M. Two votes besides the votes of the five election judges were cast. The latter five and a constable were elected. The one voter left without an office was soon appointed Road Commissioner. The first official act, after being sworn in, was the granting of a retail liquor, etc., license to Mr. Anton Rabe. The amoimt paid for it was $25.00. When they had assessed a poll tax, the road commissioner was ordered to notify all voters to work on the road at a stated time. The officials convened, plowed two furrows on Main Street and, when the plow gave out, the ditch was cleaned with spades. The President was paid $2.00 as his salary and the other officials $1.50 each. The road boss received about 90 cents for three days' labor. At the end of the fiscal year, the treasurer reported receipts from peddlars' license $5.00 and balance in treasury at the end of the year, $11.50. At the election in 1846 or '47 (a year later), the number of ballots cast was 35. Before an election a huge pole was put up.

But the pole must needs fly the Stars and Stripes above the patriotic "Duetske Staadt." In a short time enough money was collected for a big flag and those who could not give money, offered to work gratis. The material was purchased ^nd Messrs. J. W. Pruemmer, Joseph Horn and John Meyer, tailors, and the ladies divided the work among themselves. Not having a sewing machine, this -was quite a task. The strips were 28 feet long and it took a woman two days to sew them together. The tailors sewed on the stars and the blue, one big star in the middle and 26 smaller ones around it. The flag hung 27 by 15 feet from the pole. An old clarinet player, (Aiding?) intoned: "Grad aus aus dem Wirtsliaus komm ich heraus; Strasse wie wunderiich siehst du mir aus?" etc. Marching up town the flag received its first christening at J. F. Kroeger's tavern; the crowd drank to the health of all and to the flag and Mr. Kroeger sang the "Star Spangled Banner." The next stop was at A. Raben's tavern, where the flag got a second christening. At Jacob Fuelle's tavern the "Te Deum" was sung. Then under the supervision of Mr. Clem Uptmor, who was a caipenter also, the pole, which was 140 feet in height, was iai?ed in the gro\e near Joseph Siemer's house. The speaker's stand was where Mr. Weber's house stood in 1904. After the stars and stripes had been hoisted amid great cheering, Mr. C. Allen made the principal address and convinced all his hearers that Mr. J. Buchanan was the right man for President.

Fraudulent voting at elections in early days was common. At the beginning of the campaign in 1856, James Allen, better known as "Black Jim" was called upon to address the citizens of Tcutopolis on a certain day. According to custom, a big hickory pole v/as raised in the afternoon before, generally near Mr. Clem Uptmor's. After dinner, the crowd, many of vv^hom come from a distance, flocked to the pin oak grove occupying a whole block, later known as "Rieman's Place.'' Here a platform had been put up for the speaker. There were no seats for the audience. Mr. Allen then expounded some sound Democratic doctrine. His words were ever after quoted in discussions and were "gospel truth" for the Democrats. On election day, the saloons being open, not a few became intoxicated and fights were not rare. No questions were asked by the judges nor was the letter of tlie law followed. Many voted, though not of legal age nor even citizens. On one occasion, two women deposited the ballots of their sick husbands; one election judge demuired, but was overruled. The result of this election became known two months later. The result of the election of President Pierce reached Teutopolis after six months.

The month of February, 1848, was unusually warm so that the wheat began to sprout. On the 19th of the month, a violent storm burst forth over the town from the southwest, which destroyed several houses, unroofed the church and all houses except these of the Rev. Kuenster and Mr. Clement Uptmor, broke off two wings of the windmill, and knocked down all the fences. Jacob Puelle and Frank Stumborg were badly injured; Dr. Steward barely escaped being struck by the roof of Joseph Horn's house as he fled down the street. Clement Uptmor, unable to reach his house in time to escape the storm, clung to a tree in his garden and remained unharmed, though the roof of a stable was blown directly over him.

The FIRST SAWMILL was built by John F. Waschefort on Salt Creek, southwest of Teutopolis. Another sawmill seems to have been built on the same stream north of the cemetery about the years 1849-1852 by Frank Schleper and Theodore Pruemmer. It was a treadmill, and proved to be a failure, as it quickly wore off" the hoofs of the animals that set it in motion.

In October, 1850, surveyors of a PROJECTED RAILROAD, to be known as the Atlantic and Mississippi Railroad, were at work at Teutopolis and vicinity. Great was the jcy of the people at the prospect of a railroad, and when they learned that Mr. Waschefort had subscribed for railroad stock to the amount of $2000, they he'd a torchlight procession in his honor and carried him on their shoulders thiough the town. For some reason, however, the railroad was never built.

On December 23, 1851, the St. Louis and Indianapolis Telegraph Company stretched its wires through the town and opened a station on the site now occupied

In 1857, Mr. John F. Waschefort built a COMBINATION FLOUR AND SAW MILL northeast of his residence. The grist mill was able to produce fifty barrels of flour a day.

Mr. Clem.ent Vahling died about the year 1854. Another pioneer, Herman H. Uptmor, died on November 4, 1858. He was born at Lohne, in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1812, and came to Cincinnati in 1834. He married Miss Mary Catherine Bflrhorst, and after her death Miss Anne Mary Hage. He lived at Teutopolis nineteen years.

Glimpses Of Pioneer Life First Homes

The first houses of the pioneers, as will be readily understood, were built of logs, since it was impossible to obtain dressed lumber, and the only implements at hand were the hammer, axe, broadaxe, drawing knife, and sometimes a plane. Some of the houses were of "one story,'' about ten feet high at the sides; for the building of tliese about forty logs VN^ere I'equired. Others were of a "story and a half," and some of "two stories''; the former required sixty logs, the latter from eighty to ninety. The rafters, sheathing, doors, and sills were split from logs, then hewn with the broadaxe and smoothed with the drawing knife or plane. Wooden pins were used in place of nails. The spaces between the logs were filled with juggles, or piece? of timber, whereupon clay was used both inside and outsicte to close all remaining oiacks. The ceiling was made of small strips cut to resemble plaster laths. Clay mixed with cut hay or straw was squeezed through these strips from above and smocthened below; some of this primitive plastering applied in 1839 v.as still in good condition in 1903. To whitewash the ceiling, a broom often had to serve as a brush; needless to say, the clothing of the whitewasher in thac case absorbed most of the liquid. The floors were generally of stamped clay; sometimes they were made of puncheons, or split logs. The fireplace was sometimes built entirely of hickory wood and was very wide. Many used stones or bricks to protect the floor and ceiling against the fire. The wooden chimneys were plastered with a kind of clay (pin oak clay) that hardened. They . needed constant care, and the night's rest was often interru^^ted by a burning^ chimney. Light was furnished by the blazing fire or by a lamp of iron, containing lard or other animal fat. It sometimes happened that the cat ate the fat or even made away with it when it was burning. Manv manufactured their tallow candles in tin candle molds. Stationary iron pot-hooks or revolving on a pivot held the kettles and pots. Pumpernickel was baked in a pot, covered with a lid, upon which coal were heaped, in the morning the bread was done.

Food Supplies

It goes without saying that at the beginning of the settlement it was very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain flour and other food supplies. Grist mills were few and far between; the roads, for a grea.t part of the year, were almo.«;t impassable, and wagons and teams were not numerous. Hence, to obtain good flour, the early settlers frequently had to carry the grain either to Ramsey's mill at Green Creek, seven miles away, or to Newton, twenty-three miles from Teutopolis. This generally required three days, including the waiting for one's turn at the mill. Tlie pioneers often helped themselves by crushing the grain on a piece of iron with a hammer, or by putting it into a sack and beating it with a club or using a kitc,hen grater or two stones. We can, therefore, easily understand with what joy the people greet the erection of the windmill by the Uptmor brothers in 1842 - 1846, of which mention was made above.

MEAT was easily obtained, as the woods and prairie about Teutopolis abounded in game of every kind. The pioneer could frequently procure a plentiful supply for his table by using the rifle from the door or window of his log house. Hunting was, indeed, not only a pastime; it was a necessity. For the deer did much damag« to the crops, and minks, foxes, grey and blue wolves often caused havoc among the poultry, etc. Prairie wolves also made raids and killed sheep and hogs. Much trapping was done, as lead and powder were scarce.

Groc,eries had to be obtained from Cincinnati, Evansville or St. Louis, where the pioneer also found a market for his produce. The trip to these cities required several days and entailed great expense. After Clement Uptmor and John F. Waschefort opened their stores in 1840 or 1841, they m.ade regular trips to

Mr. John F. Waschefort Mrs. John 1'. Waschefort

Evansville, St. Louis, and Vandalia. There were also two stores in the neighborhood, with a stock of groceries, dry goods, and whiskey, one two miles north of the town, was owned by Mr. F. Frieling, and was known as "Jacobsbrunnen," or "Jacob's Well'': another, south of town, was conducted by Mr. John Barlage.

Clothing

Those among the pioneer settlers that used foresight brought with them a good supply of clothing, which lasted many years. Many, owing to poverty, had only two suits of cjothes: one for every day use and another for Sundays and holydays. When the Eversman family came to Teutopolis in 1852, many women wore bonnets which had turned brown and green with age. Homespun was worn for ordinary life. Wool was carded, .spun by the men or women and woven into jean on a handloom by some colonists, or more frequently by an American neighbor.

The housewife made the suits for husband and children. For the men's suits the cloth was dyed in indigo blue, and was known as "indigo blue jean." Old Mr. Niemann manufactured the best spinning wheels in the county. Many families still preserve a spinning wheel and other old relics of pioneer days. For the women the yarn was first dyed, either in blue or red, and then woven into linsy. All stockings were knitted by hand often by men as a pastime during winter. Just before the Civil War, milliners opened establishments and the stores began to put in a better selection of clothing. There were no special white dresses for First (solemn) Communion or for weddings. The bride usually wore a black dress and a bonnet. Many also raised flax in those early times. This was plucked out by the roots, put into water, usually into the creek, for perhaps two weeks; then spread or put up in sheaves to dry. Next it was broken up by means of a wooden machine and put through the hatchel; the coarser parts, or oakum, were used for towels, the finer for linen, or were mixed with wool and spun.

Mrs. F. F. Eversman

home, to church and school, as well as to a dance. They were made at Teutopolis by John Fuesting, Joseph Ostendorf, and Henry Kreke. A linden tree was cut into sections, then split until the necessary length and thickness were obtained. Orders were generally taken one Sunday and delivered the next. Often as many as 300 pair of wooden shoes were made out of a single tree. The Sunday shoes were even painted by some; thus old Mr. Clem Uptmor wore wooden shoes that had been painted red. Wooden shoes have not yet (1926) disappeared, especially on the farms. Mr. George Deyman supplies the present market.

When Mr. Dieterich Ellmann, the shoemaker, and Mr. Wm. Tolch, the harness maker, came to the settlement, they found it hard to procure the necessary supply of leather from Cincinnati and St. Louis, partly owing to the distant markets, partly due to lack of cash money. They often had to accept produce instead of money. The pric.e of a pair of shoes and boots prior to the Civil War was $2.50

The most common ailment among the early settlers was malaria fever, caused by the exhalations of the swampy prairies and the lack of good drinking water. At times, every family was affected. When the land had been properly drained and cultivated, this disease gradually disappeared. The ordinary remedies applied were quinine and whiskey. Since quinine was expensive, sometimes costing as much as $16 an ounce, aloe or other herbs or some extract was used with the wiiiskey. Milk sic,kness was also very frequent in the early days. To cure it, the physicians prescribed sulphur and whiskey. The disease often proved fatal after two or three days. After 1870, it appeared only occasionally.

Considering the prairie valueless, because they found a few Americans settled in the forest clearings and because the prairie was unfit for cultivation owing to the swamps and lack of drainage, the first settlers confined themselves to clearing and cultivating the timberland. There seems to have been little undergrowth owing to frequent forest fires. To clear a tract of 40 acres was a laborious task requii'ing possibly two or three years of labor. Even then there remained the many stumps without chains and stum.p-pullers to remove them. As very few of the settlers had horses, five to six yoke of oxen were needed to break the land. The plow consisted of an iron i^lowshare and a wooden mold-board lined with hoop iron. Ox horns were used for handles. Clem Uptmor records that his father had some prairie land broken in 1845. Mr. Hy. Vormor, who lived for a year or two south of John Gannoway's (B. Overbeck farm), was told by Mr. Gannoway: "Why do you not break the prairie? It is much easier.'' - "But is the land good?" was the retort. Mr. Gannoway replied: "Come along and I will show you.'' The two rode to the northeast of town and, as result, Mr. Vormor soon moved to that district in the prairie. Some Americans made a regular business of breaking the prairie and charged $2,00 - $2.50 per acre. About 1858 - '60 many used horses to plow the prairie; four horses did more than five yoke of oxen. The first harrow used was made of hewn timber four inches by four inches. It was generally about six feet square and had wooden teeth. The first reaper and grass cutter was bought probably in 1858 by Jacob Fuelle, H. Wernsing, B. Bruever; it was a Manney. (Ev.'s Mem.) It was tested on the J. Meyer farm, east of the College campus. Mr. Waschefort next purchased a McCormick self-rake. These were followed by the Woods self-i-ake, the Buckeye-Cumberland Dropper and Mower, which soon became the leading machine. The Marsh harvester and the Meer self- bindar and the Twin self-binders. In cultivating the corn, a one-horse bar plow often drawn by an ox was used and served by two persons - one driving, the other guiding the plow. The three-cornered Harrow manufactured by Mr. Eggermann replaced the teeth by five small plows. This was in turn succeeded by the twohorse cultivator. Fritz Rechalm introduced the hand planter. The corn land was laid out in furrows made by a plow. Later on a marker was made of three joists abcut four feet long set up edgeways and having five boards laid crossways. It marked three rows at a time.

When the grain (rye, buckwheat and later on wheat) was ripe, it was cut with the scythe and cradle by men and women; for in pioneer days both sexes did the hard work in the fields. Threshing was at first done by flail or also by cxen or horses tramping out the grain. For cleaning the latter, a "Wanne'' or wicker basket was used. It was open in front and had two handles. The grain was m.cved upward or thrown forward and the cjiaff thus separated. Often the wing of a goose was us:;d to brush off the chaff. Later en horse-power threshing machines were employed, four or five teams furnishing the motor power; the driver stood in the midst of the wheel and whipped up the horses. Still later the modern threshing machine came into use. The engine was stationaiy in early days. IMcst of the first wagons used by the colonists were home-made roller-wagons. The wheels were sections of about 2 - 3 feet in diameter cut from a sycamore, the wood of which does not readily split. A hole was cut or bored through the center to admit the axle made of hickory or other hard wood. The frame or box was made of split oak and smoothened with a drawing-knife. The squeaking of the often ungreased wheels could be heard at a great di-stance. The linch-pin wagon made by Mr. Boos was the first real wagon. It had no screw and no leger. Next was the regular standard farm wagon with a cast skein.

How Land Was Transferred

We have seen how Mr. J. F. Waschefort, the committee-man, in the name of the Land Company, made out all the deeds to the first settlers. The deed often cost more than the lot. Only very few deeds (two?) were made out up to the year 1850. Despite the plat of the town, many stepped off their land when they first came and thus many errors were made which it was found impossible to correct despite repeated surveys, all of which took the National Road, which forms the Main Street of Teutopolis, as a starting point. In the beginning of the fifties the county surveyors of Effingham, Jasper and Cumberland counties were employed by the village council; but they failed to agree and hence the proper limits of many streets and lots are still questionable; some lots have more feet of ground than the original plat calls for. To straighten out matters without too much excitement the village bought a lot at the west end and laid out a street, thereby reimbursing the owners who did not get their due. A remarkable custom whenever a deed was made out till about 1890 was that the wife who had to sign received a new dress on that occasion.

Horse And Cattle Buyers

Cash money was a very rare article in pioneer days. Bartering was the rule. Many Americans made some money by selling furs and honey, etc. Many of our German pioneers seldom were in possession of cash; the markets for their produce were too far away, hence, they often found it hard to pay their taxes. Conditions improved, when prior to the advent of the Illinois Central Railroad, horse and cattle buyers began to visit Teutopolis. These men were considered men of importance and worthy of respect. Feeding stock was the best way to dispose of their corn and hay. The trader, in company of a home man (mostly Mr. John F. Kroeger) went from farm to farm and bought up the cattle or horses respectively. On the specified day, the animals were brought to town. It was a holiday for all farmers. As there were no daily market reports, no telegrams and telephones, the buyer was sure of a snug profit and could afford to treat the thirsty ones. The horses were tied together in bunches of four or five and taken to the markets. In the case of cattle, there was more competition, because of some home buyers, such as Messrs. Jacob Fuelle, J. F. Kroeger, Mr. Waschefort, etc. The animals were either driven overland to Cincinnati - a trip of 14 days or entrained at Olney, 111., and shipped thither - or they were taken to St. Louis, Mo., a distance of 104 miles, requiring a journey of eight days, or taken to Chicago, 111., a distance of 200 miles requiring 16 days. Hogs were not shipped alive, but were either slaughtered by the farm.ers and brought to Teutopolis to Mr. Clement Uptmor, Mr. Waschefort, Mr. Ketteler and Vennemann and Wilke, etc., or sold alive to them and packed in winter and shipped in spring. When the first car load of living hogs was shipped by train, the assurance was expressed that these animals would never reach their place of destination alive.

There was no STOCK LAW until the beginning of the nineties. Cattle and hogs ran at large, and, to be distinguished, had certain m.arks punched in the right or left ear. These marks were registered at the court house. When an animal was wanted, the owner had to search for it. Coming to town for shopping purposes, farmers had to watch their wagons or some roving cow made a fine meal of the sack of bran, etc., on their wagon while the owners wei-e in the store.

Many horses and cows were stolen in the early days of Teutopolis. Having no telegraphs and telephones, a thief was comparatively safe, if he had a start of a few hours. The posse that went to search for the thief was rarely successful. It was finally found out that there was a gang of rustlers who had an accomplice in this vicinity whom no one had suspected, who hid the stolen animals in his stable. He was finally convicted and served a term in jail. But when the excitement had subsided, the thieves took the stolen horses and cows to some distant market.

Until other meat was available, the pioneers, as we have seen, relied for their meat supply upon game which luckily was plentiful. Deer were often seen in droves of twenty to forty and used to come as far as F. Schlepers near the college to water. If the hunter fired, he could hardly fail to hit one animal. As the deer had their regular trails, a slanting spear was often planted back of a rail fence across which the animals used to jump. Again the hunters set the prairie on fire and while the fire and wind drove the frightened animals towards the forest, some lay in wait there and shot them..

One Teutopolis hunter is said to have killed 200 deer. The deer were hunted, however, for their skin rather than for the venison. As game was very plentiful, especially near Bishop Creek, lovers of the chase came from New York, Boston, etc., to camp hither to indulge in this favorite pastime. Prairie chickens and wild turkeys and quails were likewise very numerous. Rabbits and quails were frequently caught in traps, for powder and lead were rare articles. The guns were single-barrel shot guns with flintlock. With the rifle an -old style cap was used - - the first improvement over the flintlock. The sportman molded his own bullets. A hog tooth measured the amount of powder to be used for loading. For this purpose the powder was poured down the barrel of the gun; next a piec,e of cloth first greased with tallow, was put over the muzzle, then the bullet in the cloth was cut off, rammed down and the cap was put on the tube. Some of the pioneers loaded their guns almost as fast as the modern client of the goddess of the chase loads his breechloader. The distance a rifle earned was 200 - 250 yards. (Cfr. Memoirs of Mr. Chas. Eversman). Cow-horns were used for powder-horns.

About the years 1847 - 1856, the Hy. Kabbis tavern, saloon and small store with a German bowling alley annexed, seems to have been a favorite resort for young and old. It was customary to have a dance on New Year's Eve, Shrove Tuesday (Fastnacht) and July 4th. The "dancing hall" was 20x20 feet, and the rough floor of hewn logs was considered "good enough for a prince.'' Males and females, old and young, liked to trip the fantastic toe. Often the floor was so crowded that one could hardly turn around and still they m.anaged to dance. Suddenly the cry: "Solo!" was heard above the din. Impatient to get a chance to dance, some one warned the dancing couples that they had indulged enough in the frolic and were to give some other couples an opportunity. Usually this request was honored. If later at night it failed to bring a response, a quarrel with its sequel before the justice of the peace might i^ossibly result.

The Jacobsbrunnen and Barlage country stores were also favorite haunts for those seeking recreation. The old folks tell many a tale to their children at the fireside of events that took place there in days before the Civil War, when whiskey was good and reasonable in price and when many farmers had a barrel of the liquid in tlieir smoke-house or cellar.

New Year

In accordance with a custom brought by the old settlers from the Fatherland, a number of young men equipped with pistols and plenty of powder assembled on New Year's eve. They went from house to house saluting the inmates by a volley, thus "shooting away the old year.'' Thereupon they were invited to enter, treated to a drink and given a large sausage. Wishing them a "Happy New Year," the young invited the inmates to meet them next year, i. e., that night, at some place designated, generally at a neighbor's, and fired another volley when leaving. After all belonging to that circuit had been visited, the "shooters" repaired to the place designated and finding the guests, men, women and children waiting for them, proceeded to fry the sausages collected and to paitake of the cake, ect., provided by the hostess. When the repast was over, at michiight, the young men went outside and fired a volley of welcome to the "New Year'' and ended with singing the "Grosser Gott, wir loben dich!" This custom was still in vogue up to 1905. We regret to siiy that some of the young men failed to observe strict moderation in drinking. Still very few accidents did occur; yet one life was lost, owing to accident, it seems. At present the neighbors gather for a social, possibly a dance aad supper. The custom of the young men disguising themselves and serenading the people, too, has almost disappeared. More and more home amusements are taking the place of the old customs.

On the feast or during the octave of the Holy Three Kings, four or five young men, dressed in white and carrying a crown of paper, gilded, one with blackened face and hands, sing the "Drei-koenigslied" and get a treat of some kind. Mr. Hy. Voss of Bishop Creek introduced the custom in these parts. When they went out for the first time to sing, they were in danger of being shot by the farmer who did not know what was up. The cus^m was also in vogue at Teutopolis.

Das Drei Koenige Lied

Sie gingen wohl zum Stalle hinein Und fanden Maria mit dem Christkindlein. Sie opfern dem Kinde wohl alle drei Gold, Weihrauch, Myrrhe, und Lobgeschrei. Das Clirist-Kindlein in der Krippe lag- Drum singen wir "Deo gratias!

Here One Asks For A Gift Or Some Refreshment

If the singers are given a present, the "moor'' sweeps all misfortune out of doors. We may add that one of the kings plays the accprdion and that all kneel down when they sing the words: "Der Stern stand still wohl ueber dem Stall - Und auf ihre Kniee da fielen sie all." ("The star stood still over the stable and all fell on their knees.")

Fastnacht Or Shrove Tuesday

Another custom impoited from their native country was the way of celebrating Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. A crowd, sometimes masked, one of them carrying a straw man ("Bernstein of Navoo") collected sausages and got a treat - finally winding up with a jolly good time, in which the most prominent citizens took part. How the straw man was once set up on the roof of the jail and how Father Frauenhofer coming from Green Creek was offended till the joke was explained, has caused many a ripple of laughter.

Marriage And Marriage Customs

The celebration of marriage was very difficult in olden days. As the contracting parties were all Catholics, the-" --^metimes had to wait 6 to 8 months before they could get married, bef'^.-se leutopolis was repeatedly without a resident priest for many months. Three couples were joined in holy wedlock on one occasion; the young ladies made their first Communion in the morning, got married at noon and received Confirmation in the afternoon. Girls, at times, married at the age of sixteen or seventeen. If an old settler was robbed by death of his helpmate, he usually made a trip to Cincinnati to look for a new bride. In one instance, the widower walked on foot to that city on the Ohio River and returned on horseback, his bride mounted behind him; at times the one walked and let the other ride. At first weddings were very simple. A black dress and bonnet were worn by the bride. When the population increased, old country customs were introduced especially that of the "WEDDING BIDDER" ("Hochtieds Bitter"). After the date of the wedding had been set, the guests received invitations, usually on the Tuesday preceding the wedding. This inviting was done, as a rule, by the best man. He set out early in the day, generally on horseback, sometimes in a buggy. His hat and staff were trimmed with a ribbon and the horse was likewise decorated with ribbons. When he arrived at the house of the intended guest, he recited the following verses:

"Gudden Dagg im Huse, gih laiwen Luee! Et gruesst Euch Gott und ick derbie. Ick bin van Dagg de Hochtiettsbitter, Drum hev ick Stock und Haut und Flitter. So ener as ick kommt nit jeden Dagg.

i. e.: "Good day, dear inmates of this house. Greetings from God and from me. I am the wedding bidder of this day. - Hence my staff and hat and orna- ments. - Such as I do not come every day. - Therefore, listen what I have to say. - The Bible says it is not good for man to be alone - Hence N. N. takes unto himself a bride. - Her name is N. N. - The wedding will take place Tuesday next at the home of the bride. - Three cheers for her. - According to custom this will be a day of great merriment. - It is said, there will be beer, cake, sugar, soup and ham galore. - Of course this makes people thirsty - But no matter, - God grants good weather, - and all will be well. - Will you make me a present? - A ribbon for my staff oi' for my hat? - In conclusion: God bless you all. May all remain well, healthful and cheerful. - Now, good bye till the feast.''

At every house where the wedding bidder extended an invitation, he was presented with a ribbon for his hat; if a second ribbon was proffered, he attacjied it to the bridle of his horse. He was not supposed to let his horse walk and had to cry out at the top of his voice: "Hochtied," (Wedding!) to the great amazement of strangers unaccustomed to this.

We also subjoin the poem in German used by the late Frank Brinker and in use until some years ago. Prohibition and hard times for the farmer have helped to let this custom die out.

Guten Tag. meine Lieben all, Viel Glueck Euch allzumal! Hier kom^me ich scjireiten: Bis zum Tore wollte ich leiten. Sagte ich "Guten Morgen!"

For about thirty-five &r moie years the following custom has grown into favor. On Sunday afternoon preceding the wedding the lady friends of the bride wend their way to her house. They carry a long garland or wreath made of flowers, corn husks or evergreen or paper flowers according to the season. Upon entering the room the wreath is laid upon the ground and a lady friend recites the following or something similar: "Bride and Bridegroom: this is the day on which we all ©O'er our felicitations and tender you this wreath. It is the wreath of your youth, of your innocence, of your virtue. It is neither large nor is it small. You may, however, be well contented with it. You have mutually pledged your love and fidelity to walk through life in peace and joy. Therefore, we all wish to you both much happiness and blessing, long life and health."

This was written on paper cut in the form of a heart and encased in a wreath. After the verses have been read or recited, the wreath is turned over to the bride. It is highly esteemed and framed with the bridal wreath and hung up in the living room or parlor. Should the bride fail to receive such felicitations.

Mr. John Eggermann Mrs. John Eggermann

it would be a sign of either being without friends or of improper conduct during her courtship. It was also a custom that the bride ended by inviting her friends to a luncheon and a dance and, of course, by this time, if not sooner, the young gentlemen friends had appeared on the scene.

Superstition Of The Old Settlers

It is remarkable to what extent our pioneers coming from little towns in Europe secluded for centuries from the world at large were given to superstitious beliefs and practices. But in this, they were perhaps not different from people elsewhere as records show.

"We were afraid to look into a corner for fear of Hexen (witches)," we were told by a good old matron. "Almost every third person was looked upon as a "Hexe," wizard or witch," said an old settler. Even now there are a number of persons that still fear them. Various precautions and charms were employed to nullify the wicked machinations and spells of the witches. A horse or cow took sick or died; forthwith it was "verhexf or bewitched. A person was bedridden for some time; a witch was the cause. The feather bed was ripped open and, if there were any traces of wreaths or some such thing, it was the work of a "verdollte Hexe." The feathers were boiled in hot water or milk, to drive away the witch. Some would take out the heart of the dead animal and boil it and the first person entering the house while this was going on, was the guilty wizard or witch. Others claimed to have seen the spirits of the departed and to have seen burning candles moving about, to have seen the fence hung with white sheets. If a dog annoyed the sleepers by his unremitting barking at night, one in that nighborhood was surely going to die very soon. If the wheels would turn around

Dr. Henry Eversman

"but not move on, the charm was broken by stepping into the spokes and breaking one. If a person was aflicted with a bleeding or pain, the faith doctor was called from St. Francis Township or Bishop Creek, or elsewhere. He or she made the sign of the cross, prayed, holding the finger for a time, then retired to another room and, when he or she came out, the pain was supposed to have vanished or the bleeding to have ceased. A lady had visited a family, rocked the baby's cradle; when she had bid adieu, the baby cried continually; - the solution was simple; the WITCH was to blame. In at least one instance, the cradle was burned; in vain; .a second one met with the same fate, bat without result. A man driving a team, was accosted by a neighboring lady, who praised his team and offered to trade. He refused. She went away; he drove up a hillock - when after a sudden jerk by the horses the single tree stuck in the ground about 2^ feet deep. Unable to extract the same, he unhitched and called some neighbors to his aid. All at once he had an idea: That's work of the witch with whom he had conversed; he told them of his suspicion and all agreed with him as to the "fact." The "bewitched" wagon, it is claimed by some, was left in that spot for years and a new road was started around the old one. The clergy, with one exception, it is said, did not give credence to such stories of witchcraft, and the one who listened thought he would cure them by making them pay dearly to cure them of the superstitions. An amusing story is told of the last secular pastor. Father B. Bartels was one day asked by a man to come out and drive out the witches because during the night the fence for a quarter of a mile had been hung with bed sheets and a filly stubbornly refused to leave the stable; he promised to do so. As soon as the man opened the door to leave, Father Bartels kicked him bodily into the street saying: "Are the witches gone now?" - The famous silver tea mentioned in the life of Moses Tipsword (Souard) and consisting of water in which a silver coin had been boiled, is also mentioned among the Germans. - A stone jar filled one evening with milk was found full of blood the next morning by a very superstitious lady who ascribed it of course to the "witches," instead of attributing it, as she should have done, to the pranks of some practical joker. - A farmer's mower did not work; he was told to go later on and fire three shots into it and next day it would work. The one who suggested this knew what was wrong and mended it betimes. Some school boys, who carried mice in their pockets to play with, were stupidly believed to have supernatural power to change things inta^mice, etc. So deeprooted is superstition that while the majority now laugh at their former foolish and sinful fear and credulity, some few still dread witch-craft.

The Old Stage Coach And Mail Route

About 1846 a stage coach line, carrying both passengers and mail, was running from Indianapolis to St. Louis, Mo. Every 10 or 11 miles there was a relay station, where the four horses that drew the stage coach were changed. Every tavern-keeper was anxious to keep the horses for the company. Mr. Jacob Fuelle, the genial and popular tavern-keeper at Teutopolis, generally secured the contract, not only because he was the lowest bidder, but also because his stable was known as the best along the road. If a competitor got the contract, it was soon again given to J. Fuelle. The last two years, Jacob was permitted to retain care of their horses without any bid. The stage must have been discontinued when the Vandalia railroad was opened. Jacob was also famous as host and, years after his death, old acquaintances of his inquired for him and when apprised of his demise, words like the following were heard: "God bless his soul! Jacob was the finest tavern-keeper on earth." No better man ever lived than old Jack!" "I'd give ten dollars to eat another meal at his tavern. Poor soul! he is no more." "The most accommodating tavern-keeper that ever lived." - When the driver of the stage coach coming from the east drew near the village, he blew his horn after the manner of the "Postilion" in Europe, unloaded the passengers at the tavern and the mail at the Post Office, the latter being in charge of Clement Uptmor. Meanwhile the passengers had ample time to partake of food and drink. The drivers delighted to show expert driving in turning with the coach, and more than once upset the coach, without, however, ever harming any one, as far as is known.

Prior to the coming of the stage coach, mail was carried once a month, and later, twice a week on horseback. There was mail connection between New York and St. Louis. There were relay stations about every ten miles. The blowing of a bugle announced the coming of the mail. A new horse and, if necessary, a new rider were ready to start out with the mail at once. Uncle Sam's pony express route often made 10 miles in an hour. The postage for letters was at first 25 cents, about 1840 it seems to have been 18 3-4 and later on 12 1-2 cents. At first the postage had to be paid by the recipient of the letter. There were no envelopes and no postage stamps. The last page was left unwritten, the letter folded and sealed and the address put on. Later, when the stamps came into use, a young man at Effingham bought one to send a missive of love to his sweetheart and not knowing how to affix the stamp, wrote on the envelope: "Postage prepaid; if the darn thing would only stick."

Politics And Patriotism

For the first presidential election after the founding of Teutopolis, the seven voters assembled at Clement Uptmor's and marched to Ewington, the county seat and voting place, about seven miles west. Eft'ingham was founded in 1853 only.

Mr. Charles Eversman

In the Wabash bottom a horseman met them and questioned them whither they were going. When he learned that they were coming to vote, he turned his horse and galloped in the direction of Ewington. When the seven voters crossed the Wabash bridge, which was about a quarter of a mile from the county seat, they were met by a delegation and greeted with three hearty cheers. A procession was formed with snare drum, bass drum and fife at its head. Amid continuous cheering they were guided to the polls, and given the Democratic tickets, which Mr. Uptmor read to his fellow citizens. Thereupon they did the patriotic duty. This over, the band struck up a tune and led them to the hotel where the ladies had prepared a fine dinner for them. Afterwards Judge Thornton made a speech, read the names of the seven voters who had marcjied so far and declared that not only the Democratic party but the whole county might well be proud of them. -

When the Teutopolitans were about to return home, a farmer drove up, invited them to a ride and took them about three miles to the east. After thanking their host, they arrived at home about sunset. Though they received mail twice a week, the news of Buchanan's election arrived only after three months. A ratification meeting was then held. A barrel filled with tar was then fastened to a pole by means of a log chain and raised into the air. There was no speech making. But a good singer, who was ignorant of the national anthem, sang: "O Strassburg, O Strassburg!'' and "Morgenroth ! Morgenroth!'' When the tar-barrel had done its service, three hearty cheers for the Democratic ticket ended the rally.

During the campaign of James Buchanan, Teutopolis got its first flag. The Democrats - that means all the voters of those days - held a big Democratic, rally in town and preparations were made to erect a tall hickory pole. This custom was observed as late as the time of President Grover Cleveland.

Before v/e conclude our GLIMPSES OF PIONEER LIFE we cannot but say a few words of tribute to those sturdy women who shared all the privations of those days with their husbands. Of them may be said, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, what Mr. H. Huels said of them. "They shared all the pa-ivations, hardships, and by industry and thrift, in most cases, succeeded in becoming rather well-to-do, or, at least, to amass a competency enabling them to pass their declining years in ease and comfort.'' Of one of them He says: "It was a happy union. For more well sustained the character of wife and helpmate to the pioneer settler. 'Onward and Upward' was her motto. She was always ready to arouse the flagging spirit, to revive the drooping energies, to inspire renewed exertions, to cheer in every trial, and to soften the pang of every disappointment. Such traits of character, we can well comprehend, were eminently useful, as the life of the pioneer settler was very tedious, difl"icult and full of hardships. A kind mistress, a faithful friend, a davoted wife and loving mother, - these are her titles that command our affectionately attached to her. - Her piety was humble and self -distrustful; but her faith was firm and unclouded, and though her sufl'erings were severe and protracted, she was humbly and patiently resigned to their infliction, as the salutary discipline of the fleeting vanities of the earth." - Mr. Chas. Eversman assures us that though the old log houses were poor, still they were clean, being whitewashed every spring. And no doubt they provided husband and children with the few comforts they could aff"ord. All honor to these pioneer MOTHERS as well as to the MEN that laid the foundation of our present civilization and comfort in the then wilderness. May their memory ever be held in benediction !

A Description Of Teutopolis

"In Canon Salzbacher's book, "Meine Reise nach Nordamerika im Jahre 1842,"' pp. 225, 226 reprinted in "Centralblatt and Social Justice,'' St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 1918, p. 183, we find the following interesting description of Teutopolis apparently taken from a letter of the Rev. Carl Joseph Oppermann, Director of the Priests' Seminary at Vincennes, Indiana. Fr. Oppermann visited Teutopolis sever;'.! times and this letter must have been written in 1844 or 1845. After touchinp, upon liis visit to St. Marie and Stringtown, 111., he continues:

"From Newton I went to Teutopolis, a town in the making, founded by poor people from Northern -Germany with the intention of preservi'.ig for themselves and their descendants the precious jewel of faith pure and unalloyed. It was an ao'veeabie -urp^'ise for me when at a distance I became awaie that thi.s place had grown very much, had gained much in beauty and had improved. I should hardly have know/I irjy way unless the pealing of the bells (Bcil, l]d.) and the people rejoicing coming out to meet me had pointed out to me t!iat I v/as in the vicinity of Teutopolis. Tears of joy flowed when with old German honesty (Biederkeit) they shook hands with me; the wish was heard aloud that I migiit never leave them again aiul renain as their shepherd and Father. It gave a pan;;- to my heart to ba Icrcefi to reply that my stay in their midst would be of only a few days duration. The devotion and piety of this congregation deeply edified me; revelers and spendthrifts, topers and gourm.ands (Schwelger und Prasser, Saeufer und Schlemmei ) are not to be found among them. Already more thaa ninety families live here in a circumference of 6 to 7 miles. The love of order, the thrift and industry of the local farmers will soon transform Teutopolis into a pleasant and charming" phtcf- of lesidence. The Church which three yai'rs a,»o by its shabby (miserable) appearance offended the eyes of the Bishop (Hailandiere), in whose company I then visited the parish has been atti actively remodeled, a steeple has been added tl\ereto, the latter adornd with a bell weighing nvjrn than 900 pounds, which on Sundays and holydays summons the inhabitants to divine service. The zeal for rebgion and the love of God has induced these poor North Ger.nans to acci'muiate iilready $.5C0.G0 earned in the sweat of their brow, lo proceed to the erection of a new church; moreover, to their credit be it said - they have purchased five times 80 acres of land besides 80 and 40 for the priest's residence and the school house. Happy the priest who presides over a par-sh (Congregation) which is aware that sacrifices and alms made foi- God's sake do not empoveiish but enrich.

To remedy the inconvenience of driving 30 (23 miles - Ed.) to a mill, Uptmor Brother:, have begun to erect a mill on the corner of Pearl an t Cohuribu-; Street; witu God's help it will b? in operation next spring. An intelligent physician, who has perfect cominand of both languages, the German and i:he English, has also taketi up his residence in Teutopolis as did several mechanics vaose services are indispensable to the farmer. The Post Office, a Justice of the Peace, are also found in [he town in which 141 members own their own lots Every lot is provide I vitli a garden so that every proprietor of a lot is ^he owner of four acres of land iii town. A lot is to be had for five dollars. The country is healthful; he who desires to devote himself to agriculture (tilling the soil) finds what he desires. The fat prairies are very useful for raising stock; sheep raising has so far given very satisfactory results. The border of the forest is inhabiteil by farmers who at dusk need neither Virgilian shepherds' lute nor Swiss Reigen to call their flocks grazing and (reposing) in the exuberant prairies beside their homes. Agriculture flourishes exceedingly; I beheld with my own eye.s how a farmer bartered 37 gallons of honey for store goods, saying that he had not yet emptied all the honey-combs. A German that intends io devote himself tc agricultural pursuits and at the same time to preserve his faith pure and unalloyed, fivids in and near Teutopolis the realization of his deiii'e-5. Against the Catholic sense of these good North Germans the sectarian spirit of faction has so far dasliet; in vain, although it has made repeated attempts to stii up dissensions among Liiem. May they remain steadfast to the joy and honor of their former country men, who in Cincinnati are favorably known. May many more Catholic Christians join them who by word and conduct may contribute to our failh and to the .sunetification of souls."

Chapter Iv

Th slavery question and other difi'erences about state rights, etc., of long standing had finally led to the Civil War. When news of the outbreak arrived, Illinois was ablaze with enthusiasm and immediately thousands of volunteers offered their services to the Government. Effingham County, in general, and Teutopolis nobly did its duty. Mr. Lang Kelly, of Ewington, formed a company of cavalry, the "home guards," as tthey were named, comprising 392 men. Fred and Joseph Thoele, and H. and Fritz Riemann joined them. Eveiy week these home guards met somewhere in the county for a drill. One day Teutopolis was electrified by the cry that the home guards were coming. Soon the whole population was astir. The ladies made elaborate preparation hospitably to entertain the patriots. And on they came in fine grey uniforms, riding eight abreast, without pistol and sword; and well it was, for many a one of those lads had trouble enough to control his horse. After an hour's drill on some vacant lots back of the college, captain Kelly ordered: "Forward march!" and so they did, not for the bloody fray, but to attack the chickens, potatoes, cakes and pies, which the kind ladies had provided on a long table in the pin oak grove, where George Deyman's home is. Nor were the horses forgotten. Some veterans remarked that these were, indeed, the finest bunch of fighting men they had seen and, if they would fight as well as they ate, well, the homes and hearths would be safe indeed. The repast over, off the home guards rode and were seen no more. When soon after the Government called for more soldiers, 90 of the 392 enlisted. But Teutopolis did furnish a number of volunteers: Hy. Uptmor, Jos. Bussman, John C. Eversmann, Hy. Rump, Sam Mc- Elheny, (living at Toledo, 111.), Herm. Schniederjan, S. Engel, Wm. Weber, Fr. Hofer, Jos. Stallings (living at Effingham), Hy. Busse, F. Friepoertner, Geo. Weis, John Zerrusen and Anton Pfarber. The latter fell at Shiloh, Apr. 6, 1862; Geo. Weis and J. Zerrusen were killed at Fort Donnelson, February 15, 1862. G. Herboth enlisted while working at Cincinnati and Dr. Hy. Eversman was surgeon in the army. His Brother Chas. ran away to serve in the war and was sworn in at Bird's Point, Mo., when his father, Dr. F. F. Eversman, came to reclaim him saying: "Two sons in the army is enough;" he wanted to keep one at home. Gerard Runde seems to have acted repeatedly as substitute. Owing to this comparatively large number ot volunteers, no draft took place (H. of Effingham Co.) for some time. But later en, there were some drafts. Those at home also did their duty by supplying food and money, etc. They, too, saw hard times when prices soared skywaid. Great difficulty was experienced to get the funds for the new college and seminary that the Franciscans were building - 1861-'62. On December 11th, 1861, the Ven. School Sisters of Notre Dame came to Teutopolis. In 1863 Mr. H. Huels' house, inhabited by Ketteler, burned down. - Great was the joy when the bloody strife ended and "the boys'' came home from war.

Scon however, there was to occur another War not reported in larger histories, we mean the "Dutchtown War,'' a good joke on the (Watson or) Mason people.

It probably happened in fall 1867, when the Teutopolis parish purchased a pipe organ from the Gratian Organ Company, at Alton, 111. The pipes, etc., were shipped via Mattcon to Effingham whence the farmers hauled them to Teutopolis. The account of this "War" against either the altar pillars about 1860 or 1861, when :Mr. Hy. Eversman, the teacher, organist and sexton, was sweeping the church as the "scouts or spies" from Mason, etc., came, whose intent was later on revealed to Dr. Hy. Eversman by Mr. Kagay, who was one of the spies - or in 1867, if the PIPE ORGANS, as others insist, were the innocent cause of the excitement, as old pioneers and CHAS. EVERSMAN in "History of Effingham County,'' p. 127 insist, - is partly humorous though based on a fact. Mr. A. D. Mc- Callen wrote a series of Articles for the "Effingham Record''. When, some weeks ago, we asked to see these file?, we were told that the old files "were binding-'' and could not be seen for two or more weeks. - Editor. McCallen kindly gave us the following information: "All I know about the "Dutchtown War"' was the account given in the County History, published by O. L. Baskin & Co., about 1881 or 1882, which was somewhat legendary, the foundation for which was the shipping or hauling of the pipe organ some time in the 60's (prob. Oct. or Nov. 1867 - Ed.), from Effingham to Teutopolis, when some one started the report that the Catholics were arming and preparing to make a war of extermination against all protestants of the County. From the History referred to and information which I had from some of the oldest settlers of the county, it seems that some of the citizens of the village of Mason took the rumor seriously and raised and armed and had begun to drill a small company of men for defense before the "guns" were found to be the pipe organ at Teutopolis.

The incident is more humorous than otherwise, but tends to show the credulity and error which often moved and misled good, honest intentioned people in our country's pioneer days. Hoping that this may give you the true "inerdness" of the Dutchtown War, I am

On May 20, the surveyors of the new railroad were at work near the college On -January 6, 1868^ the farmers and others who had often been overreached by the insuiance companies, m.et at Clement Uptmor's store and organized a MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. Mr. John H. V/ernsing was elected President and G. Habing as Secretary. Ssven directors were also elected for the seven townships interested. Soon after this, Teutopolis was asked to contribute $1000.00 towards surveying the railroad. Several enterprising citizens subscribed the sum, but soon circulated a petition that this money be levied by taxation. The voters approved of this. Next the township was requested to subsr.riba to the capital stock of the new railroad. An election ratified the issuing of bonds to the amount of $15,000.00 of which $7,500.00 were to be paid in lC8i and $7500.00 in 1885, all bearing 10 percent interest. The people voted in favor of the bonds. On July 1, the first mail from the east arrived. The citizens, who are said to have refused the right of way to the I. C. R. R. Co., for fear of the baneful effect on morals, now indulged in day-dreams of a great future; a boom of real estate, large manufacturing plants, no need of work or paying taxes - the big dividends from the railroad would take care of that - flitted before their vision. But to translate this vision into reality, depot and side-track v/ere a necessity. But where build them? Two factions formed at once: The Up-towners and the Down-tcwners. Finally $1450.00 were voted for to purchase the requisite land. The ac.tion was declared illegal by the opponents and the deadlock was broken by taking the matter cut of the liands of the Village Board.

About this time we boasted even of a brewery located on Salt Creek, north of town. Mr. Mathias Krieg was tlie owner. But the water, it seems, was not the kind needed and the brev/ery was discontinued. Despite blasting, some vaults still remain. On April 30, 1869, Mr. Clement Uptmor turned over the Post Office to Mr. Joseph Habing, who transferred the fixtures to the Joseph Horn Building. - - On November 1st, the first freight, consisting of two carloads of salt, one for Mr. C. Uptmor, the other for Mr. P. Wiwi, arrived at Teutopolis via the Vandalia Road. On June 12, 1870 passenger trains began to run according to schedule time. Mr. Joseph Habing died on November 9, 1871. On March 2, 1872, Messrs. Joseph Brumleve and John Kroeger returned with their Doctor's diplomas. On September 12, a Frenchman was found dead near the Funnemann farm. His relatives were notified. On Febniary 7, 1872, three marriages were solemnized. In April, P. Stumborg's stable was consumed by fire. Two horses belonging to F. Metten perished in the fire. In 1878 BRICK houses were erected. On Sept. 14, a freight train derailed at Teut^Tjolis owing to an open switch; two cars loaded with cattle had their freight scatte^-ed, but no life was lost.

On January 8, 1879, after an illness of five months with cancer of the stomach, Mr. John Ferd. Waschefort passed to his reward. He was one of the most prominent men of the village, one of the chief founders and an early settler. He was born at Adelrup, Essen, in Oldenburg, on January 9 1811. His parents were Caspar Hoppe, called Waschefort, and Adelaide Waschefort. He came to America at the age cf 20, to Baltimore and thence to Cincinnati. Having learned to make ropes, he, in 1835, formed a partnership with John H. Hackmann and Mr. George Venr.emann. Soon they estr.blished branch stores at Evansville and Teutopolis adding general merchandise, hardware, etc. Mr. Waschefort seems to have come to Teutopolis in March 1840. As he was a shrewd business man, packed hogs and managed a large farm; his teamsters were on the road between Teutopolis and Evansville almost continually. In 1857, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hackmann retained the store at Cincinnati and Mr. Vennemann the one at Evansville, Mr. Waschefort the one at Teutopolis. In this year Mr. Waschefort built the combination saw mill and grist mill northeast of his residence. In 1839 he had married Marie Gertrude Drees. Both were very generous to the poor. Four or five houses in the east end of Teutopolis were ever ready to harbor poor people whom he gave em.ployment and whom he helped to get food and clothing. His wife bore him one son, Ferdinand, who died of heart failure at Laredo, Texas, in March, 1891. Of the three daughters, Caroline became Mrs. Hy. Ever.sman, Elis., Mrs. Hackmann, and Mary, Mrs. Specker at Cincinnati. Despite some unpopular moves, Mr. Waschefort was public-spirited and promoted many undertakings, esperjally educational and religious. To the Franci.scans he was a father and great benefactor.

MR. BARNEY WERNSING, who had been elected to the office of County Treasurer in 1879, was a native of Cincinnati, came hither as a young man and taught the first Catholic, (and public) school at Effingham, then at Bishop Creek and at Teutopolis. He was a man of great ability and a courteous gentleman.

In February 1880, Mr. Gerard Hy. Bergfeld, one of the most prominent founders of Teutopolis, met death in a most tragic manner. Returning from High Mass on Sunday, he noticed at the depot a west-bound train with a double tender waiting for the passing of an east-bound train. He must have planned to steal a ride, and though warned by Chas. Eversman, who motioned to him to get off, he did not heed nor notice. In the afternoon he was found near the culvert close to his farm. Mr. Bergfeld was lying on his back, feet towards the railroad track, the upper head covering his face, blood and brain scattered all over, one glove in his hand, the other and his pipe by his side. The coroner's inquest found both arms broken and the chest crushed. Deceased was still spry and had lived here nearly 40 years and was universally respected. When his remains. were laid to rest, a large concourse of people paid their last marks of respect.

In 1882, Mr. C. Uptmor and Son put up a large steam mill at the expenditure of $40,000.00. About the middle of the nineties it was much enlarged and turns out excellent flour, about 300 barrels per day. The product is shipped even to England and Ireland.

In January 1883, Messrs. J. Fuelle and Saunders collected for a fire engine. The Parish and the College contributed $50.00 each. About this time appeared "THE HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY." It is an excellent work. On May 20, Teutopolis lost one of its most prominent and respected citizens, Francis F. Eversman, M. D. He was a native of Iburg in Hanover. His birth occurred on October 20th, 1807. In 1837, he came to Baltimore, where he finished his schooling. During his collegiate course he worked in the drug store of a Hospital. At Cincinnati he studied medicine (1847 - '50). When a terrible epidemic of cholera raged in 1849 and people were dying by the thousands, our student volunteered his services, since there was a great lack of doctors. Having received his diploma, he remained at Cincinnati about two years, after which he removed to Teutopolis in 1852. Of his union to Miss Charlotte Fire, three sons were born: Henry, Chas., and John. Dr. Eversman also acted as Post Master for a number of years and as town clerk for some time. In 1865 he opened a di'ug store, which was conducted by his son Charles. After practicing here for 21 years. Dr. Eversman was called to his final reward. His funeral was one of the most imposing Teutopolis has ever seen. To the Franciscans he was like a father, never charging them or the Sisters for his services. He was universally esteemed as an able and conscientious physician, a faithful parishioner, and an amiable character.

On June 5, 1884, thei'e passed away the first Citizen of Teutopolis, Mr. Hy. Uptmor. His family we can ti'ace back to John Hy. Uptmor, born November 18. 1771, and his wife Anna Margaret, nee Nordlohn, born September 2, 1774. Their children were John Hy., Clement, Herman Hy., and Joseph (born 1817 and drowned in the North Sea), John Hy., Jr., was a native of Amt, Vechta, Oldenburg. He four children weie born: Mary 18 - (Mrs. Theo. Pruemmer), Phil. Josephine (Mrs. J. B. Schniederjan) died in Kansas, Clement Uptm.or II., of Lillyville, (died in Texas), and Hy. died at the age of 21 years. The wife died at Cincinnati where from 1834 - '39 he plied the .shoemaker's trade. The children came with him to Teu- topoli? in April 1839 (C. Uptmor IV). In 1864 the father married again, viz: His second wife was Mary Anne Johring-. In 1873 he returned to towTi. He suffered with cancer and bore his great pains with unflinching courage and trust in God. - At the end of April a spark from a locomotive set fire to Uptmors granary. At a meeting held in the school hall, the question of paying the railroad bonds was discussed. At the request of Supervisor G. Kreke, a committee was elected to assist him in this important matter. The subsequent election decided to refund the bonds at a lower rate of interest. In March, 1884, Teutopolis, being the banner Democratic Township in the state, was presented with a silk flag. Hon. John R. Eden delivered the presentation speech. Mr. George Kreke was instrumental in securing the flag by persuading "Salt Creek Jim'" Edwards, whom Boss Chas. Butler of the Effingham roundhouse, had caused to move the railroad bridge watchman's shack across Salt Creek to wipe out the solid Democratic vote - for once not to cast his ballot. Mr. Butler, and not Mrs. Ada H. Kepley, deserves the main credit for breaking up the solid Democratic vote of the Teutopolis Township, though after the famous Republican rally in 1888, eight Republican votes were cast.

Old Weber House, South Of Teutopolis

On September 4, 1884, :\Ir. J. H. Wernsing, aged 55 years, suffered a stroke of apoplexy while decorating the Bishop Church. Father Paul had barely time to administer Extreme Unction when he gave back his soul to his Creator. A widow and six small children mourned his demise. The Township lost an able Justice of the Peace, who possessed the unbounded confidence of the people and who caused many quarrels to be peacefully settled by showing that "Ein magerer Vergleich ist besser als ein fetter Prozess." He also made out and presei-\'ed deeds for many. As he had been school director for many years, all the pupils of our schools attended the obsequies. - St. Joseph's College has put up a large wing on the west side. An epidemic of typhoid malaria broke out, to which several victims succumbed: Mr. Degenhardt of Collinsville, Mr. Conrad Breitenstein, B. Fiddler of Madison, Iowa. On October 29th, Very Rev. Prov. Vinc,ent, O. F. M., dedicated the new wing and the epidemic ceased. Revs. Raynerius Dickneite, O. F. M., and J. ^Meckel were the festive preachers. The Teutopolis Band played at the Altamont Fair about January 1885.

The Narrow Gauge R. R. put in a switch at Eversman Station for the convenience of our grain dealers, as the difference in freight paid by Teutopolis is 12 cents higher than at Dieterich. On August 5, lightning struck Buehnerkempe's chimney anH killed three steers in Wascheforts jjasture. In this month malaria was prevalent.

On Mondap, February 22, towards midnight, the cry resounded: "Fire!" The village was as bright as day; firemen and people rushed eastward. - The old Waschefort mill, recently acquired by Mr. John Weis, was ablaze and was destroyed. The village decided to purchase a hose wagon and to complete the side walk to the cemetery. A resolution was, moreover, passed to have recourse to law in order to recover the market places.

In October, the village authorities let the contract for two cisterns, one in front of I\Ir. Uptmor's house, the other in front of Mr. H. H. Hardiek's store.