Wyoming Township (part 1 of 5)

Wyoming Township

Wyoming, the southeastern township of Lee county, is the congressional T. 37 N., E. 2 E. of the 3d P.M., and is bounded north by Willow creek, on the east by Paw Paw in De Kalb county, south by Earlville in La Salle county, and west by Brookljai. In the days of precincts it formed the south third of Paw Paw precinct, and when set off and organized as a township in 1850 was named Paw Paw township, and since the beautiful grove, hereafter described, that gave this name stands almost wholly in this township, and the post-office is named Paw Paw Grove, it would seem that this name should have been retained. But as the township next east chose the same name, it became necessary that one of the contending parties renounce its favorite name. It is reported, but by no means verified, that when contention began to wax hot the question was left to be decided by lot, and that the lot fell on our time-honored Paw Paw of Lee county. And it ma}^ be thought by some that this ill turn of luck is what has tended to give to the citizens of Wyoming their proverbial love for w^hatever is straight and honest and of good report, as opposed to games and " options " of luck and chance. Be that as it may, it cannot be doubted that the citizens of township 37 did then, and do to-day, fervently love their pioneer name. On the plat of their chief village we read : " Town of Paw Paw Grove." Two other villages on the township lines are designated South Paw Paw and East Paw Paw, and naturally the term West Paw Paw is much used, while the abrupt business man everywhere seems partial to the short old name, and the railroad authorities, in deference to a prevailing sentiment, so named the station. " But what's in a name," gays the poet, and so said the people. No ill-will seems to have been engendered. The change was ordered here, so at the suggestion of James Goble, and in deference to the wishes of the many w^ho came from the beautiful valley of Wyoming, the present name w^as adopted by the county commissioner's court, Isaac Harding, Warren Badger and Lorenzo Wood comprising said court, and on May 14, 1851, the board of supervisors ordered that "the township formerly called Paw Paw shall hereafter be called Wyoming."

The first settlers located around Paw Paw Grove. This is still a charming piece of forest. It is some three miles long, and from one to two miles wide. It lies east of the railroad station and about threefourths of it in Wyoming. From its northeast corner Paw Paw creek runs through it in a southeasterly direction, and after making a junction with Indian creek empties into the Illinois river. A small tree or shrub, unknown to many people in other parts of the United States, east and north, grows freely in this grove and bears a sweet, edible fruit, somewhat like the banana in flavor, but often larger in size.

This is the papaw. It was a favorite with the Indians, and gives its name (somewhat changed in spelling) to a considerable number of places. When the white settlers first came " the timber," as they called this tract, contained about two thousand acres. Unlike other groves, it was free from underbrush. The sugar maple was very abundant. There were many large black walnut trees, four kinds of oak, the hickory, and cottonwood, with a few butternuts and sycamores. " From one of the maples that grew here," says a well known physician, " in 1855, I sold considerable lumber and had left enough wood to supply all the fires of my family for a year." Plums, blackberries and gooseberries were also plentiful here. On the east side, near the county line, was an excellent spring, where the water bubbled up from the bottom, pure, sparkling and abundant, and never freezing in winter. At the northwest corner was another, in all respects equal to the former, and with a volume that seemed inexhaustible. It was the great and constant feeder to Paw Paw creek. These springs were treasures in those early days when water fit to drink was rarely seen by travelers in the west. James Goble, who came in 1837, says he has frequently seen an acre of wagons camped around the latter spring,where now stands the Oak Grove creamery, supplied by this same spring. The prairie grass of this region was remarkable in quantity, and equal to grain in quality, while in the lowlands a rider on horseback could tie the tall, rank slough-grass together above his head. Yet it was very healthy and free from ague. When Rev. Caleb Morris was seeking the most healthful location he learned from the Indians that this was their favorite resort for raising their papooses. Here then were great attractions for emigrants, but the tenure of the land was uncertain, for it was generally believed that this grove was included in Indian reservations ; and the old chief Wabonsie and his tribe still had their home within its limits when the whites began to reside here. As is well known, the Black Hawk war did not close till 1832. It had raged from Dixon southward, as well as elsewhere, and included this region. For at Indian creek, not far away, there had been a horrible massacre, and Wabonsie and his neighbor Shabbona had taken part in the campaign, though these noble red-men fought on the side of the whites. For a year later there were disturbances from disaifected Indians ; hence it was not until midwinter of 1833-4 that any white men came here and stayed even a short period, so as to make claims upon the land. It was nearly fifty years ago, yet quite a number of the early settlers are still living. Reminiscences of frontier life and adventure and the strange contrasts of the old times with the present, which they describe, have oftentimes a fascinating interest. At one period there were desperate men here, horse thieves, counterfeiters and gamblers, who gave their locality a hard name for a long time, down to as late as 1860 ; but it is matter of grateful record that those w^ho gave direction to affairs, the men who have made Wyoming what it is to-day, were strong, brave, fearless and shrewd. These old people will soon be gone. By their hearty cooperation in the effort of the historian they have done a service which all readers will appreciate. Dates and details are usually dry and tedious ; but the records of the first things that relate to our own hearthstones are specially valuable in local annals.

It seems clear that Levi Kelsey was the first to emigrate here. He is now deceased. But in the later years of his life he resided at Mendota, where he was president of the bank. Hon. O. W. Bryant, who knew him well, speaks in high terms of his kindness, integrity and capacity for business. His widow^, Mrs. E. S. Kelsey, writes from Mendota, August 2, 1881, substantially as follows : Mr. Kelsey had traveled over most of this state, and was well acquainted with its history. He was favored with a remarkable memory for dates, places, persons, etc. He was the first person, with one Joel Griggs, to make a claim and build a house at Paw Paw Grove, in the winter of 1833-4. But believing he was on the Indian reservation, and not being able to ascertain the correct boundaries, he abandoned tlie claim, and came to Troy Grove, I think, in March. I came out west in September 1834, and remember Mr. David A. Town coming to our house to inquire about the claim at Paw^ Paw and the chance of being disturbed. Nothing was said about buying the claim, for I do not believe that Mr. Kelsey ever thought that he had a right to anything at Paw Paw. I was present and heard their conversations. It was in December or January that my husband went to Paw Paw Grove. Often heard him tell about it, and of having Indians for neighbors, and of fun with the latter on occasion of cutting a bee-tree. The Indians induced Griggs to cut several trees for them, but not finding the right one he became tired of it; then they tried my husband, who refused to cut any. They then set their squaws to chopping, who, after several failures, succeeded in finding plenty of honey. Mr. Kelsey was largely rewarded for his bravery in refusing to work for them, and pronounced " good shemoka man "; while Mr. Griggs was "shemoka squaw ishnoba," no good.

There was a prevailing belief shared by prominent citizens, among whom may be named A. J. Harrington, Esq., and ex-Sheriff James Goble, that Mr. Kelsey settled here before the Black Hawk war. The circumstantial evidence on their side seemed almost conclusive, in the absence of positive proof to the contrary. But Mrs. Kelsey fortifies her statement by a subsequent letter, and does it so well that doubtless the gentlemen named, will gracefully allow the lady to hold her posi- tion. She writes October Y, 1881 : " I have looked over ray husband's memorandum book, and also his account of partnership with Joel Griggs, and find that the date of their going to Paw Paw Grove was January 20, 1834. I have often heard Mr. Kelsey say that he was the first settler there. As to his being there in 1829, that is all bosh ; for he came west in the fall of 1828, peddling clocks, under a twenty months' engagement. His route was in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and other southern states. I have an account of his being sick at Alexandria, and a man dying in the bed beside him. Thence he went to St. Louis, where he was unwell all winter; then he was at Palmyra, Illinois, for a time, studying with a physician ; was again in St. Louis, in ill-health, at the breaking out of the cholera in 1832 ; then engaged in peddling dry goods and Yankee notions in Illinois, for a St. Louis firm, and continued so to do till he went to Paw Paw in 1834. Mr. Kelsey was not in northern Illinois until about the time of the breaking out of the war. He would not have gone so far up as the rapids of the Illinois river, because the country was not settled enough to induce any one to peddle in it."

Tracey Reeve, president of the Citizens' National Bank of Princeton, Illinois, writes July 27, 1881, as follows : " I went to Paw Paw Grove in May, 1834, with three other men, to locate claims; but concluded, from the best information we could get, that the grove was reserved for Indians. We saw no person there, white or Indian. We camped there over night in some Indian huts. It was very cold for the time of year, and a terrible storm raged there during the night. I had quite an adventure in getting from there to Troy Grove, the nearest settlement, but suppose you will not care to hear about that." An old neighbor of Mr. Reeve, who had boated down the Mississippi with him in early days, and who now resides in Wyoming, tells what that adventure was. After leaving Paw Paw Grove Mr. Reeve came to a creek, where the water was so high it overflowed some distance beyond the banks. In attempting to cross his wagon was upset, and himself thrown headforemost over the dasher. Next morning, vi^hen about to pay his tavern bill at Troy Grove, he missed his silver money, about eight dollars. He retraced his course to the scene of the mishap, found the money, and was about to start again, when he was confronted by some thirty Indians. They acted as if they would make trouble, but with his slow team he could not avoid them ; being a man, however, of great presence of mind, and knowing a few of their words, he drove boldly up to them, said "Good morning" in Indian language, and passed on without hindrance. A moment after there broke forth from them the loudest laugh he ever heard. They had anticipated some amusement at his expense. These statements settle some ques- tions which have arisen as to priority of residence. And while due credit is awarded to those who were on the ground before him, the higher praise must be given to David A. Town, as the first white settler around this grove who stuck w here he located claims. He was a native of Vermont, emigrated to Marion county, Ohio, and thence to Paw Paw Grove in the fall of 1834. He is described, by one of his neighbors who kept tavern in Dixon, as a man of determined will, a leader in local affairs, capable and square in business. " I have known him to refuse to sell seed grain for a high price, saying: 'you can buy it elsewhere ; but I have poor neighbors who cannot get money to buy. I shall giv^e the seed to them.' " His nephew, Hosea P. Town, gives below very interesting reminiscences in this connection : " Uncle David A. Town was the first white man who settled at Paw Paw Grove. He built his first house on the southeast side of the grove, just west of the farm now owned by Pierpont Edwards. It was a log house, 16 x 18 feet, with a door in the east side, one six-lighted window in the west side, and a big fireplace and chimney in the north end. This chimney was built outside of the house, so as to give more room inside. It was made of sticks split out with the fro, and laid cob-fashion, and then plastered inside and out with mud made from common clay. The floor of the house was made from boards that were split from logs cut the length we wanted, and then hewed with a broad-axe. The roof M'as made of shakes split out with the fro about three feet long, and four or five inches wide, and then laid double onto poles placed lengthwise of the house to hold them up, and then another pole laid on to hold them down, and then another layer of shakes with the butts to this pole, and then another pole to hold them down, and so on till the roof was completed." O. P. Johnson, now of Brooklyn, who rived the shingles, says this house was built by himself and three others in a day and a half, in ^November 1834. Hosea P. Town continues : " David A. Town made a claim here, and broke and fenced twenty acres, and in the fall sowed ten of it with winter wheat. He then bought half of the ' Ogee section,' owned by Mrs. Job Alcott, a half-breed French and Indian woman, for $1,000 in silver. He then left here and went to the north end of the grove, and built his second house, which John Patrick now owns. "When my father got here, in December 1835, he took the first house and south half of that claim." Those who knew this brave pioneer most intimately say of him : "David A. Town was a square man, a true friend, but a bad enem3\" Says one: "I have known men to go to him with the money to buy seed grain, and offer a high price, yet he would refuse to sell it, saying, ' You are able to buy elsewhere ; I have needy neighbors to whom I must give this.' "

The following picturesque description of the man is by Andrew Breese : " David A. Town was a remarkable man, known all over this country. Smart, energetic, jolly,drank a little when away from home,but not so much as not to know what he was about ; square man ; wanted to rule; wanted others to come to him for advice; very resolute, large size, strong, rough man, cock of the walk ; as long as he lived was for Paw Paw."

There came with David A. Town, in 1834, his wife and four children. The latter were named George, Martha, David A., jr., and Sarah. The father was wont to say of his good wife : " "With all my faults, Betsey never gave me a cross word." Going with Aunt Roxy horseback, both on one horse, to make a visit, the former lady prudently carried her shoes in her hand, not wearing any, but meaning ta put them on just before the end of the journey. Being thrown off into a slough, holding up her new shoes she congratulated herself: " There, I have saved my shoes." With such an example, economy became a cardinal virtue in the community. Mrs. Town was loved and respected by all who knew her.

A stranger having inquired of David A. Town one day when meeting him for the direction to a certain place, and then taking an opposite course, Town's suspicions were aroused. Pursuing the stranger on horseback, he overtook him, drew out of him the confession that he was a counterfeiter, discovered and captured his dies, and the man was sent to the penitentiary. What Deacon Hal lock said afterward of the daring and quick wit of two of the leading citizens was true also of other good men here. " Town and Bryant were a terror to horse thieves and counterfeiters." The former was an early justice of the peace, and his appointees, like himself, were incarnations of the terror of the law. Later, when the township was organized, he was its lirst supervisor, serving two terms. He died in 1861. He and his wife were buried in the graveyard half a mile south of Paw Paw. Only two of his children are now living, David A., jr., a broker at Earlville^ and Sarah, now Mrs. Terry, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The settlement begun by Town was largely augmented the same fall by the arrival of the Harrises, Butterjfield, Ploss, and Wilcox. All these belonged to the same general family who emigrated from Michigan in one company, and of whom the Rev. Benoni Harris, then past three score and ten, was the venerable head. This family, a little colony in numbers, consisted of eight grown-up children, besides Father Harris and his equally aged wife. The children were Benjamin and Benoni, Stephen and Joseph, Polly, Thankful, Amanda and Delilah. Six were married. Polly was the wife of Edward Butterfield, and these had a son, Solomon. The next two were married to John Ploss

Butterfield, while serving in the Black Hawk war, had seen this locality, and being delighted with its attractive features, resolved to make it his future home. Returning after the Indians had been vanquished, he had no difliculty in persuading his relations to emigrate. Benoni Harris, sr., was a Methodist preacher. Both himself and wife are buried in Ralph Atherton's garden, at the southeast corner of Paw Paw Grove. Hers was the first death at the grove. The dwelling occupied the first winter by these immigrants was a double log cabin erected on their arrival. Somewhat later a frame house, the first in all this region, was built by Harris. It may yet be seen, a few rods west of the original site, on James Ketcham's land. Having been sawed asunder, a part of it is used for a dwelling, and the rest for a corn-bin.

In the spring of 1835 Butterfield came up to the west end of the grove, made a claim on the S.E. J of Sec. 10, and built a cabin near where Hendrick Roberts is living, in the outskirts of Paw Paw, but on the south side of the Chicago road. This embraced substantially tliat part of Paw Paw l3nng east of Flagg and North streets. One season was all he spent here before returning to the east end of the grove. This dwelling was an historical one, as the following facts show : It was the first house ; it was on the first claim ; it was the home of the first couple married in the township; it was the first store, and the first house to be burned.

It is a generally accepted tradition that David A. Town was the original permanent settler of Wyoming township. This belief shows how easily error becomes perpetuated. His claim to priority is limited to Paw Paw Grove, at the east end of which he settled, as already described. He spent the summer of 1835 at that point, where he fenced twenty acres, and that year sowed the land to fall wheat. Early the same year he claimed the S.W. ^ of Sec. 11 in this township, and removed to it with his family, we feel safe in saying, not before the early autumn. While yet living on the first claim an attempt was made to jump the second, and a cabin was started ; but Mr. Town, with his characteristic resolution, expelled the interloper by driving his team oft" the claim when he was at work. Butterfield sold his claim, on which was the "Big Spring," now covered by Wheeler's creamery, and which was then an object of value, for about $20, either to David or George Town, probably to the former, for whom the latter occupied it on his marriage and held it. The cabin was south of the road. In 1837 George Town built a hewed log house north of the road, but farther west, near Grummond's corner, and, changing his location, lived there till 1856, when he moved to Kansas, where he died in January 1870, leaving his family in good circumstances. His widow is yet living.

About the time that Butterfield was making the first beginning in the township, on the present site of Paw Paw village, John Ploss made a small improvement on the south side of the grove, and in like manner led the way to the settlement of south Paw Paw. He built his house in the woods, on the bank of the creek, some forty rods north of Deacon Hallock's, and fenced five acres of ground, but remained not later than fall, when he went back to Michigan. Eber St. John bought the claim. This man had some property, was inoffensive, and too forceless to keep the best company. In a little while he moved to Shabbona, where he mysteriously disappeared, and it was supposed that he had been murdered for his money. His claim embraced the larger part of South Paw Paw, and was purchased by Deacon Orlando Boardman.

Isaac or Asahel Balding was one of the first settlers in the township, having arrived as early as 1835, and located on the Dixon and Chicago road, midway between the two Paw Paws, where he kept the first stage-house and tavern. Deacon Hallock's definition of the early tavern, that " it was a place whei^e blacklegs congregated," has a veritable illustration in the history of this one, as related by Hosea Town : *' Balding sold out to William Rogers, he to Dick Allen, he to John Simms, who mortgaged the place for $-100, to get his son John out of jail in Chicago for passing bogus money, and never redeemed it. All these, except Balding, were regular bandits. The stage stopped at this house as long as it ran by Paw Paw.'- Simms had the stand in 1840, and it was the only tavern then at the grove; bat travelers, as was the custom, put up anywhere. Stages were put on this route, between Galena and the village of Chicago, in 1834.

Gillett came in 1835, and died the same season of cholera in Chicago. In December of this year came Russell Town, before alluded to, who resided on the old place, at the east end of the grove, eleven years, then removed to the William Strader place, two miles west of Paw Paw. He died in this township December 31, 1867. His widow, still living in Paw Paw, is the sole surviving representative of those having families and settling at the grove prior to 1837. They brought five children : Hosea, Harriet, David, Zerah, and Elizabeth, and four were subsequently born: Caroline, the first at the grove, April 21, 1836; Oscar, Ellen, and Eliza. Hosea, David, Caroline and Eliza have always been residents of Wyoming, and to the two former we owe acknowledgment for reliable pioneer information.

or 1836. He died not many years after, and his grave, the first at this grove, is in the highway in front of George Yenerick's, where a tall cherry stump stands sentry over the hallowed spot.

In 1836 Job Alcott arrived and built a cabin equi-distant between the two Paw Paws; this and the Butterfield or George Town cabin, were the only ones on the south side of the Chicago road for many years. Alcott's was succeeded by the "Hollow House," noted for its dancing-hall and bar. About 1848 S. P. Rogers opened a country store in this building. Originally from Ohio, he had married, in Illinois, the Pottawatomie Indian woman Madaline, former wife of Joseph Ogee, a half-breed. She owned the Ogee reservation, wliich contained 640 acres, and was secured to her by the treaty of Prairie du Chien, July 29, 1829. About the first conveyances in this county pertained to this tract. David A. Town purchased the west half, as before stated, for $1,000. He got 170 rods in width for 160 (best half of bargain). Later, William Rogers bought the remainder.

The first plat of this section was made by Willard Hastings. It was never recorded, and by reason of this omission the land could not be sold for taxes, the collection of which was for a long time precarious and troublesome. After tedious but patient examination, William McMahan, county surveyor, discovered the witness trees, marked "O G," and in 1880 ran out the boundaries, platted the land, and recorded the plat. The Le Clair reservation, granted to Pierre Le Clair by the same treaty of Prairie du Chien, was surveyed in 1843 hy Wheeler Hedges, and by him the survey was also legally recorded. The north and south road opposite the old Morgan house divided the two reservations, which comprised the greater part of Paw Paw Grove. Charles Pierce says Samuel J. Best and Augustus Wiley bought the Le Clair reservation of 640 acres for $2.25 per acre. Wareham or Wiram Gates, everywhere known as " Bogus" Gates, purchased part of the land from Wiley.

Charles Morgan and wife and seven children probably came in 1836, from Virginia, and the next year he was keeping tavern half a mile east of David A. Town's house. William Rogers, already mentioned, came in 1836. He was the first postmaster, having his office near Morgan's tavern. The next post-office was fifteen miles east of him. He was a man of versatile genius ; had charge of the removal of the Indians from here to Council Bluffs in 1837; was an officer in the Mexican war, and afterward sheriff of Sacramento, California.

McDowell, who now came to the southeast side of the grove and made his home there for a number of years, was married to DeliLah Harris. This was the first marriage in this part of the country. Among the invited guests were Shabbona and two other Indians, who expressed great delight at the honor thus shown them. " After the wedding the men went into the grove, cut a liberty pole, brought it out on their shoulders, fastened the flag of our country to it, and raised it ; when the stars and stripes floated to the breeze there went up such a shout as never before went up at Paw Paw Grove."* The next wedding was that of George Town and Fidelia Sawyer, December 13, 1836. This was the first in what is now Wyoming. A week later, December 20, remembered as the remarkably cold day, Levi Carter was married to the widow Gillett. Rev. Benoni Harris officiated on these three occasions.

Jacob D. Rogers came in 1837 from Pennsylvania. His claim of 320 acres, mostly, if not wholly, in Sec. 10, was next west of George Town's claim, and therefore included the west part of the site of Paw Paw. He was the first to settle out in the prairie, west of the grove, and was ridiculed for it. Yet he was a remarkable man. He was very devout, and heartily respected by all. He became a member of the Anti-Outlaws' Society, which seems to have been a vigilance committee that sought to bring big rascals to justice, and possibly one or two to a sudden end. He was a man of uncommon strength, an exhibition of which was liable to occur whenever his disgust (not wrath) was excited. At one time, when everything was brought by teams from Chicago, he was at that place, and among other things purchased a Jyarrel of salt. He asked the man with whom he dealt to assist him to load it. The merchant made some trivial excuse for not doing so, whereupon " Uncle Jake," with the remark, " Go and soak your head," seized the barrel of salt and put it over the rear end gate of an old Pennsylvania wagon. At another time his wagon was standing near the fence across the road from his barn, wherein were five three-bushel sacks of oats, which he asked the two hired men to carry to the wagon while the boy hitched up the team. The men thought the wagon could be driven to the barn. This disgusted him at once, as he thought it smacked of laziness. He threw one sack on one shoulder, another on the other shoulder, then caused the men to put two more across them and the fifth still across those two, making a weight of four hundred and eighty pounds, then addressing the men said, " If either one of you men is too lazy to walk across the road I will carry him on top, if the other has ambition enough to put him there." He then carried the oats to tlie wagon. A stranger to fear, an inveterate talker, with the profoundest feelings of contempt and disgust for his enemies, either real or imaginarj, his tongue was not infrequently a source of great annoyance to those with whom he became displeased. On the other hand, whoever succeeded in arousing his sympathies had a regiment at command. He would hazard anything in assistance. He was a conductor and his house a station on the "underground railroad," Disliking drunken school-masters he built a school-house, hired a teacher, and joined to secure a good school, which speedily took the pupils from the other. His log house, which was built in 1837, stood where Mr. Ritchie's now is, on Sec. 10. His neighbors urged him to open a temperance tavern, but he declined. He, however, offered to furnish lodging and food to travelers and their horses for fifty cents a night, because the taverns were then charging two dollars and a lialf for it. They were compelled to come down to his prices, and'kept to them for years, and he then turned over to them the patronage that came to him.

James Goble, afterward sheriff, came with Rogers. Their wives were sisters. He says : " I have known Mrs. Rogers when a fire broke out to seize a kettle of water, mount a horse, dash away and put out the flames." William Jenkins and family came in 1837. He says " Paw Paw was a strange place then. It seemed to me that every other man I met was hunting a horse-thief, and you couldn't tell which was the thief - 'twas usually both." It was at this time that John Sims appeared, and kept tavern, west of David A. Town's. Sims had been a circus proprietor. It is said that when drunk he would sometimes kick over the tables loaded with food for guests at his tavern. Counterfeit money was found afterward by the purchaser of the house where he had lived.

The Butterfield or George Town cabin now passed into the hands of Wheeler Hedges, who arrived about this time, Willard Hastings was afterward in partnership with him, and the two kept tavern, stage-house, and store. The latter was final owner of the stand, which was burned down early in May 184:1. He made a claim of the James Fonda land and erected a cabin ; and he also built twice on the Roberts property in Paw Paw, first in 1841. The second was a frame house. A good business man, whose chief aim was to make money. He was killed on the railroad at Earlville and buried at Paw Paw a few years since.

This year a thousand Indians were encamped for a week at the Big Spring at the northwest corner of the grove (now near Mr, Wheeler's), They had come from Indiana in their removal west, and this was the rendezvous where they were paid off by the government. After receiving their pay they went to Shabbona Grove and were met by a circus, which got away as much of their money as it could. The Indians that lived in these parts had ah-eady been removed this year to their new hunting-grounds in the west. Their burial-ground here was near the southeast corner of Paw Paw Grove, occupying less than an acre of open ground. "There were," says William Jenkins, "some twenty of the dead reposing in a peculiar way. Each body was placed between two halves of a hollow log, which were supported above the ground upon posts. Other bodies were buried in the ground. The old chief Shabbona returned to this vicinity afterward to live, and died 1859. Durinof the Black Hawk war he learned that the hostile savages were marching for the white settlements, intending to surprise and massacre all. At the peril of his life, alone, he sped his pony over the country, warning every family as he hurried past. Most of them believed him and escaped. Those, or many of them, who delayed or sought to defend themselves where they were, perished. Ever after, this old chief, 'always courteous, a true gentleman,' was gratefully welcomed in Wyoming and wherever else known. He was distinguished, not for his eloquence, but for his influence among the tribes and his friendship for the whites. Both races ' had confidence in his truthfulness and good judgment.' When he visited Washington Gen. Cass introduced him to the crowd which had gathered to meet him, as ' the greatest Indian of the west and a true friend of the whites.'

Waubonsie, chief of the tribe at Paw Paw Grove, was ever on the most friendly relations with Shabbona, and the latter and his tribe were frequent visitors to this place. These two chiefs counseled together like brothers. Waubonsie is described as having less force and influence than Shabbona, whose advice he respected and followed. Tlie trail from Chicago to the large Indian town at Rock Island, still to be seen at some points, ran past Shabbona Grove and along the south side of Paw Paw Grove.

In 1838 Pev. Caleb Morris had arrived. It is said that his wife owned slaves at time of marriage, but he induced her to free them. With him came his daughter, the widow Nancy Robinson, and her children, one daughter and six sons. One of the latter, William, was afterward postmaster. These all located south of the grove. One Mead came this year. This cabin was the third on the south side of the Chicago road, near the county line, on a claim purchased from Benjamin Harris. To Four-Mile Grove came the second settler, Dunbar, who died soon after. Deacon Orlando Boardman came in 1840, from Pennsylvania, and settled 'on a claim purchased from Eber St. John. "It was through his instrumentality chiefly," says Deacon Hallock, " that the first Baptist church was built at South Paw Paw. He had some means, was very benevolent, and made traveling preachers of every persuasion welcome. He formed an active factor in the niKlorground railroad, as did many others round here, but some were on the opposite side. Charles Morgan told Deacon Boardman, "whether I am abolitionist or not, my hest snares are.'''' Morgan had a line span. Deacon Hallock, who also arrived this year, further informs us that there were then eighteen families encircling Paw Paw Grove, thirteen of whom were in this township. Of this number, besides those already named, there were White and French Pete. The same season Bailey Breese came and bought a claim of 160 acres from William Pogers, including nearly all that on which East Paw Paw is situated. Mr. Breese's iamily came in May 1841. Among his children were Andrew, now a merchant at Earlville; Phebe, now wife of Dr. Vosbury of the same place, and Yincent, who lives at East Paw Paw. Mr. Breese was a speculator in real estate in the east, a man of fine education, public spirited, and very influential in shaping afli'airs at the grove. Pete May and family came in 1841. He bought from George Town nearly all the land on which the village of Paw Paw now stands, but never received a deed. He disappeared mysteriously About 1851, under such circumstances as to authorize the belief that be was foully dealt with. In 1879, while removing an old fence on his former place, some persons found a human body buried beneath it, supposed to be that of May. He was probably the victim of a drunken quarrel. Hon. O. W. Bryant in 1842 settled at Four-Mile Grove. Elder Norman Warriner came in 1843, and for twenty years was pastor of a Baptist church. The township and range lines were surveyed in 1838, but the sections were not run out until the winter of 1842-3. As soon as the last surve}^ was finished preemptions were promptly made under the original act of 1841. Hitherto people had held title only by right of occupancy. A mutual protection society had existed to prevent claim-jumping, and Samuel McDowell was captain. An instance is given by Charles Pierce illustrating their treatment of offenders. A settler had given a home and employment to a lad till he could go out for himself and earn good wages ; but he made an ungrateful return by jumping one of the two forties which were his friend's all. Promptly the society met, and the ingrate defiant mounted a barrel to explain. He mistook his audience. One kick from the captain sent the barrel over, and others as quickly produced a rope which indicated its use. He begged mercy and left. This association enforced its laws by effective methods. Claim-jumpers recognized no law but that of force, and it was applied to them in a manner which, if it did not cure their wickedness, satisfied justice and restored rights. Moral suasion was first employed, but if the intruder was obdurate some convincing proof of the power and settled intent of the community was given. Ducking was discovered to be useful from a temporal standpoint. Tying to a tree blindfolded and administering a Hogging by others also blindfolded, saved afterclaps in courts of law and had a practical effect on the man at the tree. But such extreme resorts were rare.

Later emigrants of prominence may be mentioned in biographical sketches in tlie following pages. Having named so many of the pioneers, it will relieve the narrative and illustrate the times to present here a few

Taverns were rather plenty on the Chicago and Dixon road, near Paw Paw Grove, but one of them could not accommodate many guests. Jacob Wirick kept tavern in this vicinity in early times. An old codger stopped here two days, and in making up his bed the women folks noticed a buckskin sack or purse filled with money, which, of course, was not disturbed, but taken from there by the guest on leaving. He was afterward committed to prison for horse-stealing. Being sick, he sent for his wife, and told her he had buried a sack of gold near Paw Paw Grove, beside a fence, and marked the spot by a notched stake. His wife searched but did not find it. The facts somehow getting out caused the women at the hotel to recall what they saw, and to look for the hidden treasure, but in vain. By accident, afterward, Harris Breese noticed a notched stake near a fence and broke it ofii"; meeting Mr. Hampton, a neighbor, he said : " I have found where that money was buried, go and help me dig it up"; but he did not believe there was any there. The two went to the spot, and, still incredulous, put in their spades and at once turned up about $900 in gold doubloons. It was equally divided, and it is said that Hampton invested his so opportunely in the purchase of land, then especially cheap, that it was the means of making him wealthy.

In one part of the grove lived a man who was so favored by circumstances and situation that his neighbors said if he had only been honest he would have been rich. He did own much land, and had great chances for trade. But his peculiar dealing had caused him to be nicknamed " Bogus." He aftirmed afterward that he had never made or passed counterfeit money, but some of the "stuff" was found near his residence. In his vicinity there was played the " box " game. Supposing money could be bought at a liberal discount, an applicant would come for it; a sample box of the "stuff," which was simply good coin in layers of sand, would be shown, with the remark that the negotiation could be arranged and price paid, but delivery of the base coin would only be made by its being at the foot of a certain tree at ten o'clock at night ; but when the buyer came to the rendezvous in the darkness, confederates of the other party would cry out: " Here he is; now we'll fix him !" and discharges of firearms and other alarms would cause the one who came to flee in terror, without getting what he bargained for. It was unfortunate for the good name of "Bogus" that two horse-thieves, with pi-opertj in possession, had taken shelter on his premises wiien caught.

In the early days 'Squire David A. Town sent a prisoner to Sycamore in the custody of Charles Morgan, Dick Allen, and William Jenkins. One of these trio relates the incident. Recent rains rendered traveling slow and tedious, and draughts on the whisky jug frequent and heavy. Coming to an impassable slough they found it necessary to encamp for the night; but to their dismay they found the jug already emptied. A new supply could only be obtained by making a circuitous trip around the slough. They felt they could not pass the night without it, and as the guards were all unwilling to go, they threatened the prisoner with severe treatment if he should fail to come back, and sent him alone for the liquor. He returned before morning, having traveled the tedious ten miles.

Mrs. Roxanna Town, now eighty-two years of age, says : " I have carded the wool, spun, wove and made all kinds of cloth, linen, cotton and wool. These old hands have done a great amount of hard work." Oxen were often the onl}^ team, and "it was nothing unusual to go five or six miles to church with an ox team, or to get up in the night, hitch the oxen, and pull the stage out of a slough." For want of a wagon, James Goble tells us that he placed an inverted table on a pair of wheels, packed in his family, and treated them to a ride after a team of oxen. Hosea Town, July 4, soon after he came, drove over to his father's with a sled and pair of steers, giving his wife the pleasure of riding in such a rig. David Smith boasts that his brother had a pair of fast steers that were trotted to a blacksmith's, twenty miles away, for a plow to be sharpened, and then trotted l)ack the same day. Of the small returns received for labor a few instances may be given. Says Hon. O. W. Bryant: "We hauled corn eighty miles to market in early days, and then sold it for 14 cents a bushel; while for oats we received 10 cents, and for wheat 40 cents a bushel. We could not pay any hotel bills out of that money. Provision for man and team was carried from home, and poor shelter gratefully accepted." Said another farmer: " One year I raised 500 bushels of wheat, doing all the work, except exchanging labor for a reaper, with the help of my wife. She had been tenderly reared in a Massachusetts home, but went into the field and bound the grain. When the crop was sold we had left, clear of expenses, only $10 to pay for our toil." It was hard, in such cases, to make the payments to the government when the land

Deer were formerly numerous here, though they have long since disappeared. Prairie wolves are still found. A grand hunt was made for the latter February 9, 1848. A circuit of about twenty-five miles was enclosed by the sportsmen, but it is reported that only one wolf was killed, and that by Chief Shabbona. Bat it is said there were frequent occasions, for a j'car or two, a little earlier than this time, when honest settlers turned out to hunt worse pests, with good success, and that was when they pursued horse-thieves. Raids by the latter caused good people to become minute-men for such emergencies. In small parties, or even singly, they followed the stolen animal so soon as the loss was known. The chase was exciting, sometimes dangerous, whether long or short. The result depended on the courage, promptness and sagacity of the banters. At Four-Mile Grove, a farmer, rising early one morning, found a door had been broken through, and a basket taken containing corn. Calling his son, he said: "It was a horse-thief who did this, else he would have asked for what he knew would have been given in welcome, and have waited to feed." The two men instantly started in pursuit, before the track could be obliterated, and overhauled the rogue at Princeton. He was held in confinement, though the only charge that coald be sustained was the taking of the basket. Bat soon proofs came of his real occupation, and showed that he w^as just what his captors had suspected.

The "August flood," familiar to all old settlers, began on August 19, 1851. Says John Buchanan : "It rained incessantly three days and nights, and the sk}'' was in a perfect blaze; many thought the last day at hand. We did not leave the shanty during the time. Families could not get provisions. John Brittain's invitation to all was, 'Come to my potato patch and help yourselves.' New-comers had to subsist entirely on this article of food." The destruction to grain was immense ; not half a dozen stacks but were a total loss. D. M. Harris swam his horse three times in reaching Harding, where he found the creek a quarter of a mile wide.

There are four public burial-places in the township. Willard Hastings gave the ground for the first, which is situated near James Fonda's. Near Lester Harding's is one; another, called the Baptist, where a church of that denomination once stood, is situated at South Paw Paw, and there is the Cottage Hill cemetery, owned by the Presbyterians. Fully a tenth of the grave-stones in these encampments of the dead are down, and a large percentage of those standing are in a crazy attitude. If prostrate humanity is the better typified by fallen marble, then bad M'orkmanship and careless neglect should for once have credit.

Patriotism

Wyoming freely gave its best blood to fight the battles of the country in the war of the rebellion. Some of the citizens advanced money to pay bounties, and to reimburse them. In 1865 the township authorized a special tax of $5,566 to be levied for that purpose. Since it was so generous, spontaneous, the people have every reason to be proud of their lo3'alty.

Company K, 75Th Illinois Volunteers

The only full command recruited in this township during the rebellion was Co. K, 75th reg. 111. Yols.; but many of the members were from neighboring townships. Dr. George Ryon began raising the company, but the enrollment was principally done by James H. Thompson and Berkley G. Barratt in the months of July and August 1862. The company went into camp at Dixon, where the regiment was organized, and was mustered into the United States service September 2. Dr. Ryon was the first captain, but being elected colonel of the 75th he was succeeded by David M. Roberts. William H. Thompson was first lieutenant and Isaac L. Hunt second. Following is the roll of enlisted men :

Christopher C. Hodges, Charles H. Kelly, William Mclntyre, Harvey A. Morris, Edgar A. Madison, Avery Merriraan, Daniel Reams, Edward A. Steele, Tiiomas P. Steele, Seymonr Warren.

In this list all from William D. Baisley to Fletcher Yickery, inclusive, died in the service. From Frank Atherton to Jacob Smuck, all were discharged. From John Agler to Seymour Warren, all were transferred on the muster-out of the regiment, most of them being recruits whose terms had not expired. The first reunion of these veterans was held at South Paw Paw, September 27, 1881, and a permanent organization was formed having for its objects the renewal of acquaintances, by having an annual banquet and social gathering, and the cherishing of fraternal respect by attending in a body the funeral of any member. In a notice of this gathering the Paw Paw " Herald " said : This gallant company of volunteers was mustered into the service and left Paw Paw with eighty-six men, joining the 75th regiment at Dixon. Their first engagement, in which they were placed foremost in the ranks, was the dreadful battle of Perryville. Here thirty-three of their number were killed, wounded and made prisoners. This conflict annihilated fifty per cent of their number, and cut them fearfully. Their last battle was at Nashville, after which only twentyseven of the brave eighty-six answered to roll-call and were honorably discharged. They took active part in a great many of the leading battles of the bloody rebellion, doing valiant honor in the cause. We would like to give a full account of their long and wearisome " tramp " through the wilderness, supporting the tattered flag which they yet preserve in memory of the blood sacrificed and their dead comrades whose graves are by the wayside, but space forbids.

On March 12, 1879, William E. Rosette, living at East Paw Paw, being incited by jealous}^, made a murderous assault upon his wife. For several years he cherished purely imaginary suspicions against her fidelity, until this black distrust developed in his bosom a viper that poisoned his whole life. He no doubt became a monomaniac ; his conduct toward his wife was for a long time violent, and indicated his disposition, as he had declared it to be his intention, to murder her. They had ceased to share the same couch, and her fears had become so marked that on retiring at night she never failed to bolt her door and stand the axe at her bedside. At the time described he attacked her with a potato-fork, striking her upon the head and inflicting bloody wounds. Her screams brought the daughter, who interfered and prevented further blows. His victim's sinking to the floor impressed him

In 1863 the city marshal of Mendota, accompanied by Daniel Mizenbangh, William Mizenbaugh, and another man, called upon John Brittain in the night, and asked for assistance from him and his two sons, John and William, to arrest two horse-thieves named Horton and Raymond, who were making for Paw Paw in a buggy with three stolen horses tied behind. The Brittains joined the pursuing party with some reluctance, but having consented, and started upon the track, they did good service from that moment in trying to bring the rascals to justice. These passed Brittain's place driving rapidly, and were followed by the officer and his posse, who passed them near Ilosea Town's. The marshal, Mizenbaugh, and the senior Brittain jumped from their carriage and faced the fugitives, and the oflicer commanded them to halt. At that instant Ilorton drew a w^eapon and shot at Brittain, the ball passing through his hat. Several shots were exchanged in quick succession, and the firing continued until Fonda's place was reached, when the outlaws passed and their route was lost at the four corners. Surmising that they had gone in the direction of Paw Paw, the road leading to the town was taken and the team was overhauled at the bridge near the creamery, where it had run astride a sapling. Horton was found in a dying condition. Raymond had fled and has never more been seen in these parts. Horton was heard to cry out at the begiiming of the encounter, and it is supposed that it was at that time he received the fatal missile in his body. The elder Brittain and his son William delivered themselves up to the law, received an examination before 'Squire Connell, of Paw Paw, and were discharged.

Some time after the homicide a woman named Hames, from Wisconsin, appeared and claimed the horses. In the fall the father presented himself to the grand jury at Dixon, with complaint against himself, but no bill was found. He was taken ill at the house of a friend and died suddenly.

In the autumn of 1866 an aftray, attended with fatal result, occurred on the Renssalaer Baker farm between William A. Conant and his father, Elihu C. Conant, on one side, and William Barber and his wife, principals, assisted by Christoplier Srygley and Roderick Kavanaugh, on the other. Barber and his wife were from Canada, and about the time of harvest had come into the neighborhood. E. C. Conant had purchased the Barker farm the spring before, and sold the south half to his son William, and rented him the other, on which the buildings were located. Not long before the occurrence which we are about to relate took place, the senior Conant rented the house to the widow Kavanangh without the consent and against the remonstrance of liis son, who had sole right to the premises. The father was a quick-tempered, excitable man, and had fallen into a passion when William mentioned the subject ; and to keep peace with him the latter made no further protest, except to the widow, who was too anxious to occupy the premises to give heed to his objections when supported by his father's pretentions. Barber wanted to rent the eighty to which the buildings belonged, and the old man Conant promised the land to him in case he should not sell it. Meanwhile Barber and his wife obtained board" with Mrs. Kavanangh, and William Conant, as had been some time contemplated, bought the premises. But Barber, who was a self-willed, violent, desperate fellow, formed a resolution to occupy and retain the farm, though he had not completed a bargain and could not get lawful possession. It should be said that terms had been agreed on, and E. C. Conant went to 'Squire O. W. Bryant to have the lease drawn according to arrangement with Barber, but the latter failed to meet him there, and then the farm was sold. Barber, without a shadow of right, began fall plowing, and William Conant having now bargained for the land, sought to foi-bid his continuing the work; but Barber seemed to avoid him, and before much was done the plowing was interrupted. Conant put two teams to work, and Barber came to the field and ordered him to take them awa}^, which was not heeded, and then the Conants went to Paw Paw and the conveyance was executed. This was on the 13th of jSTovember. Next day old man Conant served a notice on the widow to vacate, and the following day his son gave a similar notice. Barber and his wife were not there, and so on the morning of the 19th he called with the same paper, taking along his hired man, Gordon Sanford, for a witness. Barber was away at work, but his wife was at the house, and she improved the occasion to let tall upon Conant a shower of hot words with threats of violence. By previous agreement he and his father were to go together to the woods that day, and as the latter had not yet come along he thought to use the time while waitng in removing collections from around the stable to make ready for tearing it down. While thus emploj^ed Mrs. Barber came and ordered him off, and after some angry conversation made an effort to take the pitchfork from him ; but failing in this pushed him several times, then stood in his way as often as he changed places, and at last kicked him. Unable to accomplish anything, she started off threatening to bring those who could drive him away, and went directly for her husband. Convinced by report and observation that he was a reckless, lawlessjnan, and believing that if he came he would be armed and would attempt to frighten him from the premises, Conant thought that if he himself were not found at a disadvantage, but remained firm and collected, that the matter would end by his holding his ground ; so he went across the road to his house and got his revolver, one which he had carried in the army, still not expecting that Barber would come. His two men, Gordon Sanford and Frank Adams, were plowing not far from the stable, and he directed them to leave their teams and join him, in case anybody should come, to hear all that might be said, but not to take part in a fracas if there should be one. He discharged the revolver once to be sure it was in good order and fit for use providing it should be necessary to employ it in self-defense.

In a little while Mrs. Barber and Srygley came in sight, and Conant then sent his men to their work, saying that Barber was not with them and there would be no trouble. Srygley was having dealings with Barber, and had accommodated him with a team to do plowing both on the Baker place and a piece of ground he had rented from old man Conant on the old homestead. The elder Conant now arrived, and the son sent him across to his house with the double purpose of waiting till he should haul off the lumber which he had taken from the stable, and to get him away from the scene of the excitement. William Conant drove into the yard where the lumber was piled, and at that moment Barber, and Roderick Kavanaugh, the widow's son, came, running their horses. The latter dismounted and hitched, but Barber commenced an onslaught of vile and insulting language, ordering Conant's hands, who were now on the spot, to depart the premises, and at the same time attempted to ride over Conant. The latter seized the horse by the bridle, and displayed his revolver. The senior Conant, Mrs. Barber, and Srygley, all made their appearance on the scene at this juncture. The former was verj^ much excited and demanded profanely to know what they were all doing there, and telling them that the}^ had no business on the place. The woman had a club in her hands which she brandished at old man Conant, declaring herself "enough for him." They bandied abuse a moment, when she struck him on the head and arms with the cudgel, crying she would kill him. He shouted to the men to take her off", as he did not want to receive or return blows. Srygley dragged her 'away a few steps, and Barber ordered her to go to the house. The old man following them and talking excitedly, was turned upon by Barber, who grasped him by the collar, pressed his head against a wagon wheel and drew back his right hand to strike, when the son instantly cocked his revolver and commanded Barber to let his father go, and he did so. Barber now directed his attention to the latter, and a talk and quarrel of some length ensued, when Mrs. Barber stole up and struck his hand, hoping to knock the revolver from it, and almost succeeded in thatMesign. With the agility and ferocity of a tiger Barber at the same instant sprang upon his back, reached forward and grasped his wrists, hissing with demoniacal rage that now he would riddle him. The struggle was now for life and was fought with the desperation of despair. Barber cried out to Kavanaugh, " I've got him, Rod ; you get the pistol ! " The latter, greatly excited, shouted, " Kill him ! kill him ! " Conant held onto the weapon with both hands, and bending forward with the intention of raising Barber clear of the ground, whirl and throw him, was that instant jumped upon by Srygley, who threw himself on the struggling man's head and shoulders, and reached for the revolver. This was kept out of the way of both assailants. The old man cried out to William to give it to him. Srygley said, "Give it to me or the old man; give it to me and I'll see you aint hurt." The old man tried to get it. Kavanaugh got hold of it, pulled, and fired. The hammer had not been let down since Conant raised it and ordered Barber to release his father. Upon the discharge Kavanaugh, frightened, exclaimed with an oath, " Kill the cuss ! " Barber returned, " Stick to him. Rod ; get the pistol and shoot the devil ! " Conant having made the mistake of bringing it on the ground even with the intention only of being on equal terras with Barber, whom he supposed would be armed if he should come, had no recourse now in the anger and excitement of the moment but to keep it at all cost in his own hands. In the unequal contest his strength was giving out, and he called to Gordon San ford for assistance, but the latter only stood and looked on. Then the old man Conant called him several times, but he did not respond with help. Believing that the critical issue was at hand the father exclaimed, " Shoot them, Bill ; if you don't they'll kill you. If you are afraid to do it give me the pistol and I'll do it." At this point the defendant was thrown upon his hands and knees, and then for the first time he freed his wrists from Barber's vice-like grip. His father tried again to get the revolver, but was pushed away by Kavanaugh, who also repeated the same attempt, Conant managed to get up with both Barber and Srj'gley on him. The three men now increased their exertions and all began tugging at the revolver. In pulling his hands apart they cocked it; Conant saw what was done, and knowing it was only a question of time when he should be overpowered and murdered on the spot, the instincts of self-preservation asserted themselves for the first time at this stage in his secret thought, and he decided to save his own life. Just then the woman struck at his head with a club, but dodging, the blow was received on his own and Srygley's shoulders. The old man began pulling at the latter who held on to the defendant, and when at last his hold was broken William's arms involuntarily went with sudden force to the left; the muzzle struck Barber in the side and Conant fired. The poor man clasped his sides, exclaiming, " Oh God ! I'm shot ! " Srvgley and Kavanaugh rushed at Conant, but were kept at bay with the cocked weapon ; the infuriated woman, bitter and vengeful to the last, finished the melancholy affair which she had begun by hurling first her clnb and then a pole at the old man. Srygley assisted Barber into the house, Kavanaugh went for a doctor, and Conant and his men loaded up the lumber. Then the Conants went to Paw Paw and stated the facts to John M. Derr, justice of the peace. Excitement ran high and they were advised to waive examination, which they did. Barber lingered nine days and died. They obtained a change of venue to Whitesides county and were tried at Morrison at the October term 1867. The father was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and the son to eight. Judgment was obtained for $5,000 to be paid to his widow ; a woman was brought from Canada who proved to be his widow, and she released the judgment. William Conant served two years and nine months and was pardoned, and his father four years and four months, when he also was released through executive clemency.

Among the early immigrants the schoolmaster came, and his calling made him welcome. At first, school was taught in a log house on the north side of Paw Paw Grove, on Dixon road, probably. A pedagogue who wielded the birch for several seasons here, and whose checkered life is still the topic of talk in many family circles, as occasion recalls it to memory, deserves a brief notice. Born in Ireland, after living for a time in an eastern state, he left his family, and soon after his arrival here was engaged as the teacher. In many respects it seemed fortunate for the settlement. He was not only a man of considerable learning, well-read in literature, but he had also some poetical genius, and was so well versed in law that he could plead successfully a desperate case and win it before a backwoods jury. If in anything he was perfect, he would say sometimes, it was his ability to impart a " correct knowledge of the English language." He could quote Byron, Burns and Shakespeare by the hour, and made it his boast that no one could name a purely English word that he could not define. His students invariably mention his remarkable gift for teaching. Unfortunately he had a consuming appetite for whisky. If not intoxicated in school hours, he often was at other times. At length a neighbor, who had been his boon companion in many a carousal, mysteriously disappeared, and a terrible suspicion rested upon the school-teacher. If he had stained his hands with crime it was done in a drunken craze. Years afterward a body was found, believed to be the missing man, under circumstances which strengthened tlie suspicion ; but it was too late to call the perpetrator to account. The old schoolmaster's bad habits had wrought retribution. Grown old, without friends here, and sad, he appealed to relatives in the east. His daughters had become wealthy by marriage, and they bade the messenger bring back this answer : " Father shall have a good home with us if he will come ; the best of clothes, plenty of money, and nothing to do, if he please; loving hands will minister to him in sickness ; - but there is one condition - he cannot come to disgrace us by getting drunk." When told this the old pedagogue wept. He reflected. Finally he said : " I cannot give up the drink."

The first school was started as early as 1836 in a "little pole schoolhouse" not more than 12 X 12, built expressly for the purpose in the woods on the Meade farm. Emily Giles, from Fox River, taught for $1 a week and boarded around. All the early schools were supported by subscription. For several years vacated cabins and private houses were used on the Chicago road and at South Paw Paw ; we hear of one at Fonda's corner, another near Wheeler's creamery, and very likely there were still others. Of the early teachers we can name but few : Adams, Robert Walker, Willard Hastings, Deacon Boardman, Walter Hyde, Basswood, Mary Harding, Mrs. Amasa Harrington, Elisha A. Stanton, and Mrs. Andrew Breese before marriage. The latter taught in the "little pole cabin," and also the "section-line school." Walker, who came here with May and Breese in 1841, taught in the Comstock brothers' blacksmith-shop, and kept up his school with more or less regularity until about 1816, but probably not all the time in the same place. He is spoken of as a capital teacher, but large acquirements and excellent capabilities are often yoked to crying vices, and the pity is that this was true in his case. But Uncle Bobby's grape-vine swing, the whippings caught for the sly swings in school-hours, and the quaint, doggerel verses he composed on these themes are fresh and withal pleasing recollections to citizens who were then his pupils. The first frame school-building in the township was built as early as 181:6, near the location of the creamery, in Paw Paw. About 1818 the country hereabouts was divided into districts, and about 1860 the school in district No. 1, South Paw Paw, was graded, but the one in No. 5 (Paw Paw) is now the only one with a graded course of study. The township contains ten districts, with ordinary school-houses, around which shadetrees, and upon which window-blinds, are generally conspicuous for their absence. The number of children of school age are 434, of whom 354 are enrolled. The principal of the township fund is $1,730; value of school property, $6,550; and the tax levy for 1880 was $2,342.79. John Colvill is present treasurer.

Pioneer Preachers

With the earliest settlers came the open Bible. As early as the winter of 1831:-5, or the spring of 1835, the venerable Benoni Plarris would preach occasionally in his son's cabin, where he lived, and the word would be listened to with an appreciation hardly known in these later days. In 1839 came also the aged Father Morris, whose voice would be heard in the cabins of the settlers. Circuit preachers began to come about this time, among the first of whom were elders White, Lumery, Alonzo Carter, Peter Cartwright, and Batchelder, all of whom were Methodists. As the circuits were very large the appointments would be some three months apart. The early Baptist preachers were elders Carpenter, Charles Harding, and Norman Warriner.

Post-Office

It is said that a star mail route was established here in 1837, and that William Rogers was the first postmaster. Before an office was obtained for this point the nearest was at Somonauk, fifteen miles east. Isaac Robinson was postmaster as early as 1838 or 1839; in 1841 Willard Hastings, who was keeping store and tavern, carried the mail between Paw Paw and Princeton, going by way of Four-Mile Grove. Hiram Wood was the incumbent of the office from 1845 to 1849, when William H. Robinson took it till 1853, and then Wood again. He was next succeeded, in 1857, by James Simons, and he, in 1861, by John Colvill, who has held it continuously since. The latter became deputy under Robinson in 1850, and, with the exception of two years, was connected with the office until his appointment. J. D. Rogers was an early post carrier. At one time being set upon by fourteen drunken men, who insisted on examining the mail, he made some remarks to them which brought a return of bricks and billets, but the smart animal which he rode bore him out of bad company without loss of anything but temper.

We condense a few rambling facts of curious interest. In the early settlement " The Big Field," as it was called, was established by common agreement for the protection of crops, no one being allowed to turn stock upon the area until a specified time. It extended on the north to the road running along the south side of Smith's and Allen's groves, east to the county line, south to the Chicago road, and west to Jacob Epla's. We have no knowledge how long it was maintained.

The three cottonwoods on the Ritchie place, measuring nearly four feet in diameter, were planted by the hand of E-hoda E-ogers in 1838. The one at Grummond's corner was set out by George Town in 1840, and those in front of Amos Siglin's by A. J. Harrington a few years later. The half mile row of maples standing Lester Harding planted in 1847. The same year he brought a lot of cottonwoods from Viola township, a distance of six miles, on his back, and set them out on land which he sold the next 3'ear to Lord Jones, who has since built a barn from them, and still has a large grove left. The large and beautiful grove on the Earlville road, owned by Deacon Israel Hallock, was planted by him at two different dates, the hard maples about 1850, and the soft maples some twelve years afterward. It is partly inclosed with a border of stately cedars and tamaracks. The first hedge raised in Wyoming township, if not in Lee county, stands on the west line of Sec. 21, on the Morton Girton farm, and was grown by Ira Baker. He found 13,000 osage plants, where some discouraged peddler, no doubt, had thrown them away, and put them to grow in that place.

Organization And Statistics

The township was organized in 1850, under the name of Paw Paw. The first meeting of citizens to elect officers was at school-house No. 5, April 2. The whole number of votes cast was one hundred and thirteen. David A. Town was chosen supervisor and John Colville town clerk. The name of the town, as before mentioned, was soon after changed to Wyoming. The honor of the highest township office has been conferred upon only eight difierent persons in the long period of thirty years.

The population of Wyoming in 1870 was 1,280, and by the last census 1,453. Not a colored man resided in the township at either date. The assessed valuation in 1880 was as follows: Real estate, $550,893 ; personal property, $114,679. The township contains 165 farms, some of them of large size. The latest and best agricultural machinery is in use. The soil is a rich, deep, black loam ; the substratum usually gravel, but sometimes clay. The rainfall seems more abundant and frequent, even in years of drouth, than elsewhere, and springs are numerous ; hence crops are usually sure. The highest ground in Wyoming marks the divide between the Illinois and the Rock rivers. The surface is diversified by ridges, and at almost every point drainage is easy, often without artificial aid. Ague and malaria seem not to have been known, or at least not enough to be noticed. Good health and long life and general comfort and prosperity are more generally enjoyed here than in most other parts of the west.

Paw Paw

The thrift and superiority of this town exceed any conceptions that might be formed of it from its size. The greatest worth takes the least room. It contains most of the business and over one-third of the population of Wyoming, and having no corporate existence is one of the most orderly, as it is one of the most pleasant, villages in the state. The larger part of it is upon a tract of twenty-five acres, purchased by Peter May from George Town in 1841.

Mrs. Yinccnt Breese, daughter of Peter May, narrates that on arrival of her fathei-'s family, just as the journey's end was reached, their team got stalled in the mire near the spot where the depot now stands, and that they put up that night at the nearest house, which was George Town's. This was on May 5, and the smouldering ruins of Hastings' house and store were still smoking. Town's hewn log house, built in 1837, was the lirst on the site of the village after the historic cabin built by Edward Butterfield in 1835. May's cabin stood close to the present Suttor ^louse, west of Siglin & Potter's brick store, and his smithy, started m 1842, was on the sonth side of the road, nearly opposite the store.

The Hastings house, formerly on the site of the Roberts dwelling, was built in May 1841, and was the first frame house both in the village and township. About this time Charles Peleher burned brick at the east end of tlie grove, and Hastings was one of his first and heaviest patrons, having erected right away a house which is now clapboarded and standing at Fonda's corner, the first brick structure in Wyoming. The brickyard was soon moved to the west end of the grove, and this circumstance, trifling as it was, seems to have exerted a remote influence on the future growth of the struggling hamlet. Tlie Peleher land is now the Wheeler farm ; on it, near the " big spring," was built a frame house in 1841:. Jacob Epla rented this farm and lived on it in 1845. The perennial fountain may have suggested the need of the "fount of knowledge," as near by was now built the flrst frame school-house in the township.

Amasa Harrington arrived in 1844, bringing his two sons, A. J. Harrington and H. H. Harrington (the two last of whom reside in the village to-day), and in 1846 bought the May propert}^ receiving the deed direct from George Town. In the same year that Harrington came, Adolphus or Rudolphus Holly built on the south side of the Chicago road (identical with Main street), opposite George Town's, a part of the house now owned by Abram Thomas. The next year Amos Sawyer put up a cabin on the site of the Detamore house. In 1846 George Town moved out of his log cabin into the present Gruramond house, which he had just erected. John Colvill and Jacob Rogers (nicknamed " Prairie " Rogers, for being so eccentric as to locate out on the prairie in an early day) were in partnership in the manufacture of shingles by horse-power.

Thus as late as the spring of 1847, when twelve years had elapsed in the history of this little settlement, it contained but half a dozen families, and its business was all comprised in the one little smithy and the shingle mill. After the little grocery burned in 1841 no one had ventured again in trade. In the absence of stores peddlers had profited, among whom was William H. Field, who had plied his vocation in these parts since 1843. On the northeast and south sides of the grove were settlements fully as pretentious and competitive, unconscious rivals for the immigration and trade of a world.

But now came an influx of population and improvements cheering to this community. Jedediah Foster and his son Dwight located on the Ira Baker corner in 1847. Dr. J. C. Heath, from Somonauk, settled here between 1846 and 1849, and was the earliest located physi- cian in the place. In the latter year he was selling drugs, and not long after erected two buildings on the north side of Main street. He remained a few years, and is now in Texas. .

Field & Robinson began merchandising in a building put np by them on the east side of Peru street in the autumn of 1848, the one now standing next north of Squire Harding's residence. The}' dissolved in a year or two and Field erected the Mayor building, now a harness shop.

Charles Pelcher erected four brick houses in the next two or three years : one was on the Hendershot corner (torn away in 1880) ; another was the Field house, begun in 1849 for Willard Hastings ; and two for himself - one on the Wheeler place, still in use, and the other the old Detamore house, in 1851.

Meanwhile various industries had been established. Mechanics moved in. Blacksmiths had been the first to put up shops; they did a flourishing business. The Walton brothers lived just south of the corner of Main and Peru streets, on the west side, and Sylvester Smith, shoemaker, next below. On the opposite side William Field, in 1849, built the main part of 'Squire Harding's house, the lirst floor of which Eri Butler afterward used for a wagon shop.

In 1849 Isaac Morris came to the place and began shoemaking. He has worked at his trade until now, Harris D. Merwine arrived the same time, and the next year set up in the wagon-making business in the western part of the village.

Erastus Gates, school-teacher, at this time owned lots on the west corner of Peru and Main streets. John Allen, carpenter, afterward owned property there which his famil}' occupied many years. He sold the last of this ground in 1880 and moved his house to East avenue.

Not far from 1850 a blacksmith shop was built by Alonzo Osborn, and another by James S^nnonds, both on the south side of Main street. Symonds did a large business manufacturing wagons and plows, keeping as many as five forges at work. William Cole, Thomas Webster, Bunker, Leonard Bell and Maj. Morse are some of the smiths who have waked the echoes of the anvil here in times past. But probably the most distinguished was 'Squire L. H. Flagg, an early settler, who was engaged at his trade several years, connected with different traveling troupes, and by the partiality of his fellow citizens was continuously in township office, holding various positions. He was a man of remarkable frame, weighed over 300 pounds; was a rare vocalist, and as such established a flattering reputation. He was called the "lion bass," and his voice is said to have rivaled the depth of distant thunder and the pureness of the ^Eolian harp.

the leading tradesman after 1850. In 1862 he built tlie FLigg & Baker clotliing store, and in the winter of 1872-3 the Colvill or post-office building. Westcott Field sold out to I. K. Miller, who was succeeded in 1854 by Sears & Howlett. This firm was in trade till about 1856, when the senior member ran awav, leaving Howlett to pay the debts, amounting to $8,000. Stephens & Lawton followed them a short time, and in the fall of 1856 sold their stock to Cone & Madden, who occupied the drng building. Madden bought out Cone and then sold to Hiram Fnller, Mark Averill sold goods in the place prior to most of those named. A chronicler tells also when the first saloon was here, but it little matters.

Andrew Breese opened a dry-goods store in 1852, and the next year Wilcox & Beck a cooperative establishment. These were in business a few years. In 1858 Jacob Hendershot began in the grocery business in the West building and continued in it till 1873; he then erected on the south side the first brick business house ever in Paw Paw, and added a stock of dry goods. His building consists of two stories and a basement. In 1880 he erected an elegant brick residence on the southeast corner of Main and Peru streets, where he had lived twenty yeai's.

In 1860 William Hazel started the first harness shop. In 1865 William Mayor engaged in the same business on the south side; two years after his son, J. W. Maj^or, took charge of it for him, and in 1869 succeeded as proprietor. John Harding commenced trading in 1865, in partnership with John Colvill, and since 1872 has been alone in business. William Merrill began selling goods in 1S75 in the firm of William Merrill & Co., and the next year built the Centennial brick building, which he still occupies.

On July 7, 1872, Lester Potter, just commencing in business here, received the first shipment of coal and lumber ever brought to Paw Paw by rail transportation. He was a pai-fner in the erection, in 1880, of the Siglin & Potter double brick building, which occupies nearly the identical spot on which Peter May raised his rade cabin. Tile Wheeler brick store was erected by George W. Lindsey in 1877. Reuben Hall built his large double brick building in 1880, and II. M. Wilson also ei'ected a two-story brick structure on the southwest corner of Main and Peru streets. A man named Skoyles built the fiouringmill about 1876.

The Oak Grove creamery and cheese factor}^ 30x40, with an addition 20x50, owuied by B. J. Wheeler, was erected by him in 1880, and the manufacture of dairy products was begun the present season. On the first floor are four rooms ; one contains an engine of twelvehorse power; one is the creamery; another is used for making and pressing, and the last contains the springs. These send up water six feet above the surface in such quantity that a pump throwing sixty gallons per minute does not exhaust the supply. The second floor is divided into apartuients for storing. The factory has a capacit}^ for 15,000 pounds of milk per day, and the quality of the butter and cheese produced here compares most favorably with the products of older estal)lishments.

Paw Paw contains two hotels for tlie accommodation of" the public. The Detamore house has an interesting history and a well established reputation. The old brick, 16x22, was built in 1851, and two years later an addition 28x36 was made. In 1871 the flrst part was torn away and replaced by another, 20x30, giving the edifice a home-like appearance and an air of repose and comfort. Before it was remodeled, Union Hall, in which Corinthian Lodge held meetings many years, was in the second story. This house has an ancient reputation for having been run on temperance principles.

The Paw Paw house, sometimes called the West house, was built by Barber, Bull & Hendcrshot in 1857. It is a two-story frame, and stands next east of the Detamore house. Anchor Lodge met in Washington Hall in this house for severaf years.

The princi])al business men in the town, not before mentioned, are H. H. Harrington, J. H. Thompson, Alexander Field, W. A. Pratt, S. C. Mitchell, W. H. Barringer, Guttin, A. R. Harp, S. A. Abbott, Marshal Reams, Henry Lewis, and John Rosenberger, station agent. Others have been in business here from time to time; but tliis topic is already too much extended.

For twenty-five years prior to 18Y3 Paw Paw could support but two stores, and each had but a small trade. The farmers would go where the railroad was, and to keep their patronage at home a railroad must needs come here. Those who feared that the cost of the road would be a burden are agreeably disappointed. It was harder for farmers to haul 100 bushels of corn to Earlville in ante-railroad times than now to deliver 250 at Paw Paw. Besides, when they went to Earlville to carry products and procure supplies a day's time was consumed. Now the market is so near every man's door that he can do his trading in the evening. But the rapid development of Paw Paw is most conclusive evidence in this matter. In 1871 the lots and buildings together, in this village, were assessed at only $3,809. Now they pay taxes on a valuation of over $60,000. Ten years ago the two stores of much importance carried, the one a stock valued at $550 and the other $250. Now there are at least a dozen prosperous concerns in trade here, and a single firm carries a stock worth over $5,000, which it must frequently replenish to meet its brisk trade. New buildings are yearly erected, some of them fine business blocks. Hotels have increased. Two good newspapers are established. Of course the tax for the railroad is more than met by the increase of wealth.

In recent j'ears an extensive trade in butter has been established, and so excellent a reputation has been made for the ])roduct shipped from Paw Paw that the brand of the dealers here is much sought after by dealers abroad. To the excellent pasturage in the vicinity, and the intelligent and painstaking care in the different stages of making, keeping and shipping, is due the superior quality of the butter sent from here. In 1873 the number of packages invoiced at this station was 875, and in 1880 it had increased to 4,550, aggregating about 227,000 pounds. A single firm handled in one year over $23,000 worth.

The Paw Paw Grove post-office was made a money order office July 1, 1875. For the quarter ended September 30 of that year the number of orders issued was 111, amounting to $1,802.31. For the quarter ended September 30, 1881, there were 357 orders, the cash amount of which was $4,805.14.

The first number of the Paw Paw "Herald" appeared November 23, 1877. R. H. Ruggles, of Mendota, owned the office and was first editor. In January, 1878, E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner took control of the paper as publishers, and on February 22 were succeeded b}^ the present proprietor, W. M. Geddes, who shortly after bought the proj^erty from Ruggles. Mr. Geddes' ownership has extended from its early infancy, when its patrons numbered fewer than a hundred. He came to Paw Paw at the age of twenty-one, an entire stranger ; but brought with him the elements of success acquired in a diligent apprenticeship to his trade. As a result of his industry and good business and editorial management the " Herald " has attained a circulation hy which it is self-sustaining and remunerative; and there goes out from the office every week, in addition to its own issue, the Amboy "News." In the past the Shabbona " Record " and the East Paw Paw " Clarion," the latter in the interest of the seminary at that place, have been published by Mr, Geddes. The "Herald" supports republican political principles.

On March 21, 1878, the first number of the "Lee County Times," a democratic paper, was issued by E. G. Cass and J. B. Gardner, at Paw Paw. Tliey started also about the same time the Compton " Record," and in May the Lee " Monitor." In August Mr. Gardner retired from the partnership, and since that date Mr. Cass has continued the business with growing success and popularit3^ In April, 1880, he began the publication of a paper at Earlville called the " Leader." Mr. Cass spent seven years at the case in the office of the

" Sun and Journal " at Dixon, and located in this village in the publisiiing business when but nineteen years old. He has made the "Times" a live paper and attracted to his support a paying subscription. Both these offices have well-furnished job departments.

To Deacon Israel F. Hallock and wife we are indebted for the very full history of the Paw Paw Baptist church. It was organized at the house of Deacon Orlando Boardman at South Paw Paw, in February 1841. There were present Elder Burton Carpenter, delegate from the Dixon charge; Elder Iladley, from the Lamoille; and Elder Thos. Powell, from the Vermilion. Elder Carpenter preached the organization sermon, and Elder Powell the second sermon, the text of the latter being these appropriate words : " By whom shall Jacob arise ? for he is small." Of the thirteen members that composed that organization live ai'e still living, but all have moved away save Mrs. Deacon Hallock. Elder Carpenter, being one of the constituent members, preached to the charge about two months, and was succeeded by Elder Charles Harding, who was the first regular installed pastor. He resided at Indian Creek, and his stations were Ottawa, Dayton precinct, Paw Paw Grove, and Indian Creek. While on this work, in 18i3, he was suddenly stricken down and died, in his thirty-second year. The " Northwestern Baptist," in an obitnar}^ notice, says : " His style and manner of address were after the model of Baxter, . . . by his decease - a great chasm is made." The Pcv. Norman Warriner was the second pastor, his labors continuing twenty years. In the next decade the charge was served by the Revs. J. D. Pullis, G. W. Scott, G. B. Pcrrit, and Wm. Sturgeon. The present pastor, the Pev. II. R. Hicks, came in 1874. During his ministry one-third of the present membership were baptized. Early in Elder Warriner's pastorate a house of worship, 21x36, was erected at South Paw Paw, Deacon Orlando Boardman contributing the greater part, and living to contribute liberally to a second one, erected just at the close of Warriner's pastorate. Size of latter about 3Gx GO. This was dedicated in 1864 and moved to Paw Paw in 1873, where remodeled. It is truly a pleasant place of worship. Membership per report of 1880, 120.

About 1870 the Presbyterians of Paw Paw began holding meetings in the school-house, the Rev. Alexander S. Peck, of the Wyoming church at Cottage Hill, preaching for them regularly every two weeks. A committee consisting of the Revs. John Eustic, Alexander S. Peck, and Robert Hays, appointed by the Ottawa Presbytery to organize a church at Paw Paw, were called to meet for that purpose on the 26th of May, 1873. Only the first two were present. Those who took part in the organization and were the first members were Miss Sarah A. Wilson, Andrew J. Fuller, Susan C. Fuller, Jane Nettleton, Jane Balentine, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Cole, Henry Cole, and Jane Howell. Andrew C. Radley and Andrew J. Fuller were elected ciders, and Jacob Ilendershot, A. C. Radley and A. J. Fuller trustees. The Rev. Alexander S. Peck was the first preacher. In 1875 this society built their present beautiful little church on East avenue, at a cost of $1,900. The funds were raised by subscription, and when the house was completed in the autunm no specter of debt hung over it to trouble the free course of the truth and the thoughts of the worshipers. The Rev. .Dr. Gibson, of Chicago, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. Peck supplied the pulpit until the close of the year 187G, and the Rev. McFarland and others from that date to April 1878. The Rev. George D. McCulloch was then ordained, and installed pastor of this church, and remained in charge until July 1881. Whole number of members since the organization, 57; number received by letter, 11 ; deceased, 3 ; present membership, 44.