Hi t- V ^ ^) Class , c." ^/' ^ Gopyrigtit}^^.. \^tC* COPYRIGHT DEPOSm A STUDENT'S HISTORY OF ILLINOIS BY GEORGE VV. SMITH, M. A., 11 Depart:^iext of History and Civics, State Normal School, Caruoxdale. Illinois. Member Board of Directors The Illinois State Historical Society TWENTY-SEVENTH THOUSAND. (revised edition.) CARBONDALE, ILL. FOR THE AUTHOR 1916 Copyright by George W. Smith 1906 Copyright by George W. Smith 191(3 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NOV 20 1^16 ©CI.A446769 R TO THE MEMORY OF My Father and Mother, STEPHEN SMITH and SALLIE M. SMITH, Pioneers in this Great Commonwealth, This Volume is Aftectionately DEDICATED. Carbondale, Illinois September IS, 1916 PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION. In 1906 the author put out the ''Student's History of lUinois." For the past ten years the book has been exten- sively used as a text in the public schools. To meet the needs of an overcrowded school course, the book has been reduced in volume. It has also been revised and brou,u;lit down to the present date. In this reduction in volume great care has been exercised to avoid the omission of the essential facts of our State's history. The author's experience in teaching Illinois History for the past dozen years justifies the belief that he knows what may be omitted and what should be included in a good text on Illinois History. The revised edition will have the advantage of this knowledge. Maps and illustrations in history texts are valuable in proportion to what they reveal of the real historic move- ment. In this age of illustrated literature and travel, the need of pictures in history texts has greatly decreased. This theory is the justification for the omission of many pictures which appeared in the first edition. .i Student's History of Illinois INTRODUCTORY. The richest heritage which sliall ever come into our pos- session is the simple story of the struggles, the sacrifices, and the triumphs of the men and women — our fore- parents — who planted in this western wilderness the home, the school, the church, and the State. We shall never know that story in all its fullness and completeness. For the noble men and women who opened up the way for civilization in all this western country, A Horne-made Loom Used in Weaving Carpets. 2 ^i Student's History of Illinois have long since gone to their reward, and they have left meager accounts of all the vicissitudes through which they passed w^hen 'Svilderness was king." We shall never realize, fully, what it meant for the men and women of a century or more ago to leave com- fortable homes, devoted friends and relatives, the asso- ciations of childhood, aye, the graves of their dead, and take up their weary march over mountains, across streams, through trackless forests, to plant new homes in a wilderness inhabited by wild beasts and wilder men. It is the purpose of this little volume to reveal a por- tion of that story to our people, and especially to the boys and girls while they are yet free from the cares of the graver responsibilities of life. If these young people shall ever come into possession of their inheritance, we need have no fear for the future of our homes nor for the destiny of the State. The tendency of those who gather up the history of a state or of a nation is to put much stress upon the political movements and greatly to neglect the other phases of a people's life. As individuals and as a people we do not have very definite notions of the march of progress in the social life of our people; nor of the industrial move- ment which has revolutionized all kinds of labor. Like- wise w^e find it difficult to formulate definite notions of our religious and educational advancement. But it ought not so to be. AVe ought to be as deeply interested in the unfolding of our industrial life as in the evolution of our political history. What could be more profitable, and w^hat more charming than the story of the progressive steps by w^hich our home life has moved away from the one room log cabin with its chinks and daub, its puncheon floor, its open fireplace, its stick chimney, its whitewashed walls, and its creaky door upon its wooden hinges? A Student's History of Illinois 3 To the writer it has seemed not inappropriate to attempt to gather up and put into convenient form this simple story of our wonderful growth and development. His parents were immigrants in the early '30's, and the story of the life of those days as it came from father and mother is a blessed memory. This traditional knowledge has been supplemented by a limited amount of original investiga- tion, but the chief reliance has been placed in the pub- lished histories to which the writer has had access. Spinning Wheel, Spool Frame, and Warping Bars. A Student* s History of Illinois CHAPTER T. ILLINOIS— ITS RESOURCES AND ITS PEOPLE. 1. Boundary. — The constitutional boundary in the enabling act is as follows : Beginning at the mouth of the Wabash river; thence up the same, and with the line of Indiana, to the northwest corner of said State; thence east with the line of the same State to the middle of Lake Michigan; thence north along the middle of said lake, to north latitude 42 degrees 30 minutes; thence west to the middle of the Mississippi river; and thence down along the middle of that river to its confluence with the Ohio river; and thence up the latter river along its northwestern shore, to the beginning. 2. Area and Surface. — The area of Illinois is 56,650 square miles. In comparison with other states of the Union, it is smaller than the average. Illinois lies in what geographers call the great central plain. Its surface is quite uniform in elevation. The lowest point is Cairo whose low-water mark is 268 feet above sea level ; the highest point, Charles Mound, is 1257 feet in elevation and is found in Jo Daviess county. The general slope of the land is toward the south and southwest, the rivers all flowing in that general direction. Through the State in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction, there runs a water-shed which separates the rivers which flow into the Mississippi from those flowing into the AVabash and the Ohio. 3. Glaciated and Unglaciated Areas. — The surface for- mation is known as glaciated and unglaciated. There is a southern unglaciated area. This region includes all south of a line drawn from Chester in Randolph county A Student's History of Illinois 5 southeasterly and then northeasterly through the counties of Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, and AVhite. In the northwestern part of the State there is a second unglaciated area in the counties of Jo Daviess, Carroll, and Stephenson. There are also traces in Pike and Cal- houn of another such area. All the rest of the State is known as the glaciated area. 4. Soils. — There are two kinds of soil in this State. First we have what is called the residuary soil. This is the soil that resulted from the decay of the original rock layers. It has never been greatly disturbed, and is occupy- ing the place formerly occupied by the rocks from which it was made. Another kind is that which came from the ice-sheet. This ice-sheet brought, into the State very great quantities of waste material from the regions around and beyond the Lakes. This was left scattered over the State cover- ing the residuary soil several feet in depth. This deposit of glacial drift soon weathered and with the addition of humus made a black and rich prairie soil. 5. Timber Areas. — Illinois is called the Prairie State. From this we are not to conclude that there is or was no timber in the State, for in many counties there yet remain large areas of timbered land. When Illinois was first seen by the white men more than one-fourth of the State was covered with forests. The timber area is now^ about 17% of the whole area. Throughout all the counties bordering the rivers there have been cut large quantities of timber. The early settlers found ''board trees" in sufficient abundance to furnish clapboards for the roofs of their houses; and often the weather-boarding and the lathing were rived out of oak trees. Among the forest trees we find oak, maple, black- 6 A Student's History of Illinois walnut, ash, sycamore, hickory, hackberry, ehn, gum, birch, chestnut, pecan, locust, Avild cherry, cottonwood, poplar, basswood, mulberry, etc. Considerable interest has been shown in recent years in the cultivation of timber and despite the fact that there has been a great waste of our forest trees, there now remain twenty-three counties in the northern part of the State with 7 per cent of wood lands ; twenty-one counties along the Illinois river with 15 per cent ; seventeen coun- ties toward the eastern part of the State with 6 per cent; seventeen counties with 24 per cent; thirteen counties in the Kaskaskia district with 21 per cent; and the remain- ing eleven counties with 27 per cent of wood lands. This gives an average of 17 per cent for the entire State which is a loss of about 8 per cent since the coming of the whites to the State. 6. Prairie Areas. — Illinois did not present to the early settlers an unbroken expanse of prairie land; and while 75 per cent of its area was known as prairie, yet it was found in smaller areas partially surrounded by timber wdiich followed the streams up to their sources and often projected out into the prairie portions. ''Grand Prairie" often mentioned was the largest area of timberless land. Peck's Gazetteer published in 1837 says of this region : It does not consist of one vast tract, boundless to the vision, and uninhabitable for want of timber; but is made up of con- tinuous tracts, with points of timber projecting inward, and long arms of prairie extending between the creeks and small streams. . . . No portion of it is more than six or eight miles distant from timber, and coal in abundance is found in various parts. Settlements and small prairies often took the same name. To illustrate we may mention Allen's Prairie, in Greene county, a settlement, ten miles northeast of Car- rollton ; Barney's Prairie, a settlement in Wabash county ; A Student's History of Illinois 7 Bear Prairie in Wayne; Canton Prairie in Fulton; Diamond Grove Prairie in Morgan ; Four Mile Prairie in Perry ; Fourteen Mile Prairie in Effingham ; Long Prairie in Jefferson ; Ogle's Prairie in St. Clair ; Salt Creek Settle- ment (Prairie) in Mason; Sand Prairie in Tazewell; Seven Mile Prairie in White; Wait's Settlement (Prairie) in Bond, etc. So also settlements, and points of timber which projected into the prairies frequently took on the same name. A few examples will suffice. Bailey's Point, a settlement in LaSalle county fourteen miles southeast of Ottawa; Blue Point in Effingham ; Muddy Point in Coles ; Piper's Point in Greene ; Vancil's Point in ^lacoupin ; Brown's Point in Morgan. 7. Coal. — Illinois lies in one of the greatest coal fields on the continent. About 37,000 square miles of the State are underlaid with a rich deposit of bituminous coal. In the extreme north, west, and south, there is little if any coal. The remainder of the State is abundantly supplied. The deposits are found in horizontal layers of varying thickness from a few inches to 15 feet. In many places these layers of coal crop out along bluffs or streams, but usually the coal is taken from veins which lie from 50 to 500 feet below the surface. 8. Lead. — As early as 1700, a French trader, discovered lead in what is now Jo Daviess county. By 1825, 100 miners were taking out ore. From this date to the Civil War the industry was actively carried on, but when the war came on the mining industry was greatly crippled. It is estimated that the entire output of lead ore up to the close of the last century, taken from the mines in Jo Daviess county was worth $40,000,000. 9. Clay. — Clay for the manufacture of common brick is found everywhere in the State. But fire clay and potter's clay while found in large quantities are restricted 8 A Student's History of Illinois to a few localities. At Monmouth in Warren county, at White Hall in Greene county, and at Macomb in McDon- ough county, are large deposits. Several large factories are in operation at these points for the manufacture of potter's ware, drain tile, sewer pipe, and fire brick. 10. Kaolin. — This highly valuable mineral is found in several localities in Union county. Large quantities have been shipped east and probably to Europe. It has been analyzed and found to contain the following elements: Silicic acid 51.71 Titanic acid trace Alumina 32.75 Oxide of iron 1.93 Lime 0.53 Magnesia 0.19 Potash 0.96 Soda 0.24 Water and organic matter 11.69 Total 100 per cent. Previous to the World's Fair at Chicago, a sample of the Union county kaolin was sent to Stockholm, Sweden, where it was analyzed as given above. The Hon. Robert Almstrom, Director of the Rorstrand Porcelain Works of the above city, manufactured from this kaolin beautiful dishes of white and decorated designs. These articles are said to be the only white table-ware ever made from Illinois materials. 11. Fluor Spar. — This rare and valuable substance is found in abundance in Hardin county, and probably on the borders of Pope. The mine at Rosiclare on the Ohio river in Hardin county is said to be the only place where the mineral is found in North America. Large compa- nies are now organized for the purpose of putting this product of the mines on the market. The business has already proved very remunerative and Rosiclare has truly A Student's History of Illinois 9 the air of a prosperous western mining town. The spar has beautiful bhiish and pinkish tints and is said to be of a very high grade. 12. Iron. — Iron exists in paying quantities in several of the counties of southeastern Illinois along the Ohio river. In 1837 an extensive reducing plant w^as erected in Hardin county and pig-iron was produced in large quan- tities till about 1860. Since that time the industry has languished and today nothing is being done along that line, but companies are being organized for the purpose of renewing the iron industry. 13. Petroleum. — Oil was early discovered in the south half of the State, but no effort has been made until within recent years to produce oil in paying quantities. At the present time, however, there are hundreds of wells which are very productive in the counties adjacent to the Wabash river, while borings are being made in several interior counties in that section with good prospects of oil in abundance. Natural gas also is found in the south end of the State but the wells are not to be depended on for con- stant supply. 14. Building Stone. — Illinois is well supplied with building stone. The chief kinds are limestone and sand- stone. There is a great variety of limestone. Extensive quarries have been worked at Alton, Chester, Grafton, Joliet, Nauvoo, and at other points in the State. Sandstone is found throughout the region of the Ozarks and is of an excellent quality for building purposes. 15. Water- Ways. — No state in the Union has a more magnificent system of water-ways than has Illinois. The Mississippi river marks its western boundary. The entire length of the Mississippi river bordering the State is about 550 miles: the Ohio and Wabash furnish nearly 300 miles of river front ; while Lake Michigan bathes 60 miles of the northeastern shore. AVithin the State we have quite 10 A Student's History of Illinois a number of streams which though not furnishing naviga- tion are yet streams of considerable value. We have flowing into the Mississippi river, out of the State of Illinois, the Rock river, the Illinois, the Kaskaskia, and the Big Muddy. Into the AVabash and the Ohio there flow the Big Vermilion, the Embarras, the Little Wabash, the Saline, and the Cache. In the future all these streams may be serviceable for navigation. 16. Agriculture. — A state with such fertile soil, abun- dant rainfall, perfect drainage, equable climate, etc., is destined to be a great agricultural region. In 1910 nearly the entire State, excepting the timbered areas, was in cultivation. The value of all farm property was $3,905,321,075. The chief crops for that year were wheat, oats, corn, hay, rye, and barley. 17. Production of Coal. — ^As has been previously stated between thirty and forty thousand square miles of the sur- face of the State are underlaid with coal. Its deposit so near the surface and the excellent transportation facilities make it easy for Illinois to rank second in the production of soft coal. 18. Commerce. — A State so rich in agricultural produc- tions and in mineral resources must of necessity have good commercial facilities. Great crops of food products must be moved from the agricultural districts to those sections of the country where the production is much below the consumption. So also the great output of coal must find the furnaces and the great factories of the country. Again a great population engaged in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing must be supplied with products from other regions of the earth. We are not disappointed therefore when w^e turn our attention to the transportation facilities of this State. No state in the Union presents such slight obstacles to rail- road building as does the 'Trairie State." A Student's History of Illinois 11 The Illinois Central railroad is said to have cost but $20,000 per mile. This is very greatly below the average cost of railroad building in the United States. The State is now checkered with railroads, there being above 12,000 miles within the State. The commercial facilities offered by the railroads are supplemented by many hundreds of miles of navigable rivers to which we must add all the advantages which the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence river offer. 19. Indians. — There were several Indian tribes in Illinois when the first w^hites came. The most important tribe was a large one called the Illinois Indians or the Illinois confederacy. The Illinois confederacy included the Michigamies, Kaskaskias, the Kahokias, the Peorias, and the Tamaroas. There were beside these tribes the Sacs and Foxes, the Winnebagoes, the Kickapoos, the Piankishaws, the Pottowatomies, and the Shawnees. The Illinois had possession of the upper parts of the river by that name ; the Sacs and Foxes were in the northern part of the State ; the Pottowatomies, to the west of Lake Michi- gan ; the Winnebagoes, in the north part of the State ; the Miamis and Piankishaws, in the eastern, along the Wabash. 20. Prehistoric. — Few states are richer in the remains of a long continued prehistoric occupation than Illinois. Among the evidences of Indians who probably greatly antedated those whom the French found here in 1663, are stone implements, various kinds of pottery, pictures on rocks and bluffs, and mounds, forts, etc. Many of our people have made very fine collections of all kinds of stone tools, such as stone axes, hammers, dress- ing tools, ornaments, and ceremonial stones, and stone implements used in games and in war. Stone idols, pipes, and other objects are found in the State. Simple copper ornaments are also found. 12 A Student's History of Illinois But i^robably the most marked objects which point to a forgotten people are the mounds which are to be found in tJie State. The most noted are those in the American Bottom near the city of East St. Louis; however, similar mounds are found elsewhere within the State. In these mounds have been found pottery, cloth, cords, seeds, ears of corn, copper ornaments, etc. 21. The People. — The most valuable asset of any com- monwealth is its people. The soil may be fertile, the rain- fall abundant, the temperature equable, but if the people have not been cast in the right kind of mould then the commonwealth is poor indeed. The first whites — the Freneli — added very little to the sum total of the institu- tional life in Illinois. There is not a single great civil or business enterprise in the State which the French founded; everything about our political and civil institu- tions savors of the Anglo-Saxon. After the French, the first wdiites to come into the State were the soldiers who came with George Rogers Clark. Many of these were from \hQ Carolinas and Virginia, with short residences in Tennessee and Kentucky. Not a few of these eventually settled in the territory which their valor and sacrifice had won. In addition, there were among Clark's soldiers a few^ people from the middle Atlantic States. Later immi- grants came from all the Atlantic states. Following the war of 1812, large numbers of immi- grants from England came to this country, and not a few^ of these finally reached the rich prairies of Illinois. Ger- mans came in groups large enough to constitute neigh- borhoods of those sturdy people. From 1836 to the Civil War there w^as a great demand in Illinois for laborers, for great improvements were in progress in those years. This demand was met by the coming of large numbers of English, Irish, Scotch, Dutch, Germans, and a few Scandinavians. A Student's History of Illinois 13 It is out of these elements that we have produced the mini — the real men. To this end everything has con- tribnted — earth, and air, and sky, and parent stock. It is the story of these "real men" which we wish to sketch. It is not only the story of battle field, and senate chamber, and commercial world, and letters, and courts, and inven- tion, we wish to tell, but the story as well of the hnmbler 2:)eople in the humbler walks of a fast fadiiio' ])ioiieer life. A Gusher in Crawford County. 14 A Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER II. THE FRENCH IN THE VALLEY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. 22. French Fishermen, 1504. — It will now be neces- sary to give some account of the explorations and settle- ments of the French in the valley of the St. Lawrence river, and in the lake region, inasmuch as the early his- tory of Illinois is inseparably connected with French occupancy in North America. French fishermen visited the regions around Newfound- land as early as 1504, but probably no French explorers were here before the coming of Verrazano in 1524. 23. Cartier. — In 1534 James Cartier sailed into the mouth of the St. Lawrence. The next year he sailed up the river as far as Quebec and from there proceeded inland to the present city of Montreal. Cartier returned to France with a very attractive description of the country, but nothing was done toward colonization till 1541. At this time there was a great demand for sailors and fisher- men, and it was with great difficulty that Cartier could get enough sailors for his expedition. It seems also that it was not easy to induce a better class of people to come as colonists. Those who did come are said to have been criminals, spendthrifts, bankrupts, debtors, etc. The colonists suffered severely in the Canadian winters. Large numbers died, and by 1543 all had returned to France. 24. Work of Champlain. — Nothing more was done by France to settle the St. Lawrence region till the opening of the next century. As early as 1603 Samuel Champlain visited the region of the St. Lawrence; and in the summer of 1608 he founded a permanent settlement where Quebec .i Student's History of lUinois 15 now stands. In tlic winter following many suffered from the extreme cold. Twenty out of twenty-eight died before the middle of April, 1609. Fresh colonists arrived in June, 1609, and the prospects brightened. 25. Discovery of Lake Champlain. — June 18, 1609, Champlain, accompanied by representatives from the Canadian Indians, together with two French soldiers, moved up the Sorel river, and explored Lake Champlain. They were about ready to return to Quebec, when Mohawk Indians, the deadly foe of the Indians with Champlain, appeared ready for battle. A battle ensued in which Champlain and the two French soldiers used firearms. This greatly demoralized the Mohawks and they fled leav- ing dead and wounded to the mercy of the Canadian Indians. The fur trade was becoming very profitable to the French and explorations were made by Champlain into the surrounding country. On one of these trips he went far up the Ottawa river. A trading post was established at Montreal and everything seemed quite favorable to the French. 26. Early French Settlers. — The French colonists, if we may call them such, who came to the St. Lawrence valle}^ in the early part of the seventeenth century, were very different from the settlers who came to the rich valleys of Virginia, Maryland, New York, or even those who came to the rocky hillsides of New England. The English settlers were agriculturists — they were home makers. The French cared nothing for such interests. There were perhaps three dominant ideas which gave direction to the energy of the French in the valley of the St. Lawrence. They cared little for freedom in Church or State and they never became attached to the soil of the New World as did the Anglo-Saxons of the Atlantic coast. 16 A Student's History of lUinois The three ideas which g-ive direction to the work of the French were: 1. The love of dominion. The Frenchman loved his country. The Lilies of France must he planted upon every available foot of unoccupied soiL 2. The conversion of the Indian. This was a consum- ing passion of the priests wdio came to New France. For the accomplishment of this end these missionary priests suffered as no other people suffered. They toiled wdien there seemed to others little hope, and sacrificed all when others were full of the greed of gain. 3. The monopoly of the fur trade. For the amassing of a fortune, no gold mine in those times could in any w^ay compare with the monopol}^ of the fur trade. 27. Death of Champlain, 1635. — Champlain died at Que- bec Decemljer 25, lG3o. lie had led a very active life in New France. His death seems to have retarded the pro- gress of the explorations. But there w^as another cause. The Iroquois Indians of New York were making war on the French and Indians of Canada. "With such vigor did the Iroquois strike terror into the hearts of the Huron and .Vlgonquin Indians that explor- ation and trade in the Ottawa country were paralyzed. This explains the lack of French activitv around the lakes from 1635 to about 1G54. In the latter year the Frencli and the Iroquois effected a treaty of ])eace, and quiet and safety were restored. After peace was restored, the work of exploration and trade w^as renewed. 28. Explorations Resumed. — Two French traders known in the history as Groseillier and Radisson, visited the Lake Superior region in the years 1659-60 and spent consideral)]e time in the region southwest of the w^estern end of Lake Superior. At this time the Ilurons lived in this locality and from them the two traders learned much concernino- the countrv. Thev returned to Montreal in A Student's History of Illinois 17 1660 with a rich cargo of beaver skins and other furs. As soon as they sold out the furs, they or-^anized another expedition to the Lake Superior region. 29. Congress at Sauit Ste. Marie. — About the year 1670 tlie French began to hear that the Englisli were in the Hudson Bay region. Tlie intendant of Canada, wishing to hold the fur trade for New France, commis- sioned St. Lusson to hold a congress of Indian chiefs in the vicinity of Lake Superior for the purpose of form- ing a treaty by which the fur trade around the lakes might be secured for the French posts on the St. Lawrence. On June 14, 1671, fourteen Indian tribes sent representatives to this congress, and wdth much ceremony St. Lusson announced that the King of France had taken possession of all the region around the Great Lakes and that thenceforth the King of France would regard the Indians as children of his especial care. 30. Count Frontenac. — Courcelles, the French governor of Canada, returned to France on account of ill health and his place was filled by the appointment of Count Frontenac as governor. The new governor arrived in the fall of 1672 and commenced with energy to push the work of explorations. Among these undertakings was one which resulted in the discovery of the Mississippi river. All the traders and explorers who had mingled with the Indians to the west had heard of the great river, and of the people who lived along its borders. Wonderful stories had come to the officials in Canada of the river, the peo- ple, and the country through which the river ran. To find this river, discover into what it flowed, and to turn to the cause of France the people along its course, w^as therefore the first work of the new governor. 18 A Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER III. DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI BY MARQUETTE AND JOLIET. 31. Frontenac Names Joliet. — For the purpose of car- rying out his predecessor's design of discovering the great river, Frontenac appointed Louis Joliet to go in search of the great river. Joliet was a native of Canada, having been born near Quebec in 1645. His education had been received under the direction of the Jesuits. At the age of 24 he was dispatched to the Lake Superior regions to search for copper. About the year 1666 Father Marquette arrived from France, and went into the mis- sion fields in the region of Lake Superior. He later founded the mission of St. Ignace where Mackinaw now stands. Joliet was directed by Frontenac to proceed to Mack- inaw where he would be joined by Father Marquette who would represent the church on the expedition while Joliet would represent the government. The preparations were indeed very simple. Their food consisted of Indian corn and dried meat. They left St. Ignace with two bark canoes and five French voyageurs, ^ray 17, 1673. The expedition reached Green Bay about the first of June, 1673. Here Father Marquette preached to the Indians. These Indians tried to dissuade him from his undertaking, but nothing would now turn him from his purpose of visiting the Illinois country. 32. The Father of Waters.— On June 10, 1673, Mar- A Student's History of Illinois 19 quette, Joliet, and the five Frenchmen, and two Indian guides began the journey across the Wisconsin portage. They carried their two canoes as well as their provisions and other supplies. The portage is a short one, Marquette says three leagues long. It was full of small lakes and marshes. The portage crossed, they sailed down the Wis- consin river and on June the 17th their canoes shot out into the broad Mississippi. The voyagers were filled wdth a jo}^ unspeakable. The journey now began down the stream without any ceremony. Marquette made accurate observations of the lay of the land, the vegetation, and the animals. As they moved southward the bluffs became quite a marked feature of the general landscape. After passing the mouth of the Illinois river, they came to unusually high bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. At a point about six miles above the present city of Alton, they discovered on the high smooth-faced bluffs a very strange object which afterwards came to be known as the Piasa Bird. It was supposed to be a painting of a great bird which had killed many Indians in that locality. ^^fcUte. N '\ ■' J '^^R^^E^^ 3yi r D '^W fWWl^ V Photograph loaned by Mr. Geo. R. Adams, White Hall, 111. The Piasa Monster as Described by Marquette. 20 ,/ Student's History of Illinois 33. Grand Tower. — A< IMarquette and Joliet proceeded down the river they passed the mouth of the Missouri, and when considerably below the mouth of the Kaskaskia river they came to a very noted object — at least the Indians had many stories about it. This is what we know today as the Grand Tower, a great rock in the Mississippi which causes a great commotion in the water of the river and probably was destructive of canoes in those days. On they go down the river past the mouth of the Ohio, into the region of semi-tropical sun and vegetation. Near Memphis they held councils with the Indians, who told the travellers that it was not more than ten days' journey to the mouth of the river. They proceeded on doAvn the river till they reached Choctaw Bend, in latitude 33 degrees and 40 minutes. Here they stopped, held a con- ference, and decided to go no further. 34. The Return.— On the 17th of July, 1673, they turned their faces homeward. They had been just two months, from May 17, to July 17, on their journey. They had traveled more than a thousand miles. They had faced all forms of danger and had undergone all manner of hardships. Their provisions had been obtained en route. France owed them a debt of gratitude which could never be fully paid. Indeed not only France, but the world is their debtor. When they reached the mouth of the Illinois river, they were told by some Indians that there was a much shorter route to Green Bay than by way of the upper Mississippi and the Wisconsin and Fox portage. This shorter route was up the Illinois river over the Chicago portage and then along Lake ^Michigan to Green Bay. 35. Kaskaskia. — ^larquette and Joliet proceeded up the Illinois river. They halted at the village of the Peoria Indians for three days. When in the vicinity of LaSalle, they came to a village of the Kaskaskia Indians. Mar- A Stiidenfs History of Illinois 21 quette says there were seventy-four cabins in the village and that the Indians received them kindly. They tarried but a short time and were escorted from this point up the Illinois and over the Chicago portage by one of the Kaskaskia chiefs and several 3^oung warriors. Marquette and Joliet reached Green Bay in the month of September, 1673. In the summer of 1674, Joliet returned to Quebec to make his report to the governor. 36. Mission of the Immaculate Conception. — While in the village of the Kaskaskias, Marquette told the story of the Cross to the natives, and they were so well pleased with it that they made him promise to return to teach them more about Jesus. Father Marquette remained in the mission of St. Francois Xavier through the summer of 1674, and late in the fall started on his journey back to Kaskaskia. The escort consisted of two Frenchmen and some Indians. At the Chicago portage they spent the winter because of the ill health of Marquette. By the last of March he was able to travel. He reached the Kaskaskia village Monday, April 8, 1675. He Avas received with great joy by the Indians. He estab- lished the mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. Seeing he could not possibly live long, he returned by way of the Kankakee jiortage. He never lived to reach Mackinaw. He died the 18th of ^lay, 1675, near what is now Ludington, Michigan. 37. The Result. — This expedition by Marquette and Joliet had carried the Lilies of France nearly to the Gulf of Mexico. The Indians in the great plains between the Great Lakes and the Gulf had been visited and the resources of the country noted. There remained but a slight strip of territory near the mouth of the ^lississippi over which the banner of France had not floated. If this short distance were occupied, then the French govern- 22 A Student's History of Illinois ment would have completely surrounded the English colonies in North America. This is the next inovement for the French as we shall see. Paten, Chalice and Records from the Mission of the Immaculate Conception. A Student's History of Illinois 2Z CHAPTER IV. THE TRIUMPHS OF CHEVALIER DE LA SALLE. 38. Fort Frontenac. — Chevalier de La Salle came to America in the year 1667. Shortly after arriving in this country he established himself as a fur trader at a trading post called La Chine, on the island of Montreal. Here he came in contact with the Indians from the far west. Within two years he had departed on an exploration. For the next two or three years he had probably visited the Ohio river and had become quite familiar with the coun- try to the south and west of the Great Lakes. Count Frontenac built a fort on the shore of Lake Ontario where the lake empties into the St. Lawrence river. La Salle was put in charge of this fort. He named it Fort Frontenac. In 1674 La Salle went to France and while there was raised to the rank of a noble. The King was greatly pleased with the plans of La Salle and readily granted him the control of Fort Frontenac, together with a large quantity of land. For all this La Salle promised to keep the fort in repair, to maintain a garrison, to clear the land, put it in a state of cultivation, and continually to keep arms, ammunition, and artillery in the fort, and to do all for the ultimate purpose of furthering the interests of the French government. 39. Second Visit to France.— The summer of 1678 found La Salle again in France with a request that the King grant him permission to explore the western part of New France and if possible find the mouth of the Mississippi river. La Salle had matured plans by which New France was to be connected with the Gulf of Mexico 24 A Student's History of Illinois by a line of strong fortifications. Fort Fruntenac was the first step in this plan. He there explained how easy it would be to reach the region of the Great Lakes by the St. Lawrence route or by the Mississippi. There is no doubt that both Frontenac and La Salle wished to trans- fer the emphasis from the conversion of the Indians to that of conquest of territory for France, and to the more profitable business, as they saw it, of commerce. Fronte- nac had therefore strongly endorsed La Salle and his plans. The King, Louis XIV, issued a charter to La Salle granting him control of all the interior of what is now the United States for a period of five years. The governor of New France and all royal officers were ordered to assist La Salle in his work of exploration. While in France La Salle met Henri de Tonty, an Italian who had just won distinction in the French army. He had lost a hand in one of the campaigns, but he was nevertheless a man of great energy, and destined to win for himself an honored name in the New World. La Salle returned from France in the fall of 1678, bringing with him about thirty craftsmen and mariners, together with a large supply of military and naval stores. It can readily be seen that La Salle would be opposed by the merchants and politicians in the region of Quebec and Montreal, for his plans would greatly interfere with the profitable fur trade which they then controlled. 40. The Griffin.— Late in the fall of 1678, probably in December he sent Captain La^Motte, and sixteen men to select a suitable site for the building of a vessel with which to navigate the upper lakes. The boat was built probably at the mouth of Tonawanda creek just above Niagara Falls. Tonty had charge of the building of the vessel. It was launched in May, 1679, and Avas christened the Griffin. It was of forty-five to fifty tons burden and car- ried a complement of five small cannon. zi Student's History of Illinois 25 An expedition of traders had been dispatched into the Illinois country for the purpose of tratiic, in the fall of 1(578. The Griflin weighed anchor August 7, 1679, amid the booming of cannon and the chanting of the Te Deum. The vessel reached jMackinaw on the 27th of August. Here La Salle found some of the men whom he had dis- patched the year before to traffic with the Indians. He found they had been dissuaded from proceeding to the Illinois country by the report that La Salle was visionary and that his ship would never reach Mackinaw. Tonty was given the task of getting these men together, and while he was thus engaged, La Salle sailed in the Griffin for Green Bay. Green Bay had been for several years a meeting place l)etween white traders and explorers, and the Indians. When La Salle reached the point, he found some of the traders w^hom he had sent ahead the year before. These traders had collected from the Potto watomies large quanti- ties of furs. For these furs La Salle exchanged a large stock of European goods and it is said that he made a large sum of money in this transaction. The Griffin was loaded with these furs and made ready to return to the warehouses at Niagara. 41. The Griffin Is Lost.— On September the ISth, the Griffin, in charge of a trusted pilot, and five sailors, started on the return voyage. La Salle on the 19th of September. 1679, with a com])any of fourteen ])ersons, in birch bark canoes, loaded with a blacksmith's forge, carpenter's tools, merchandise, arms, provision, etc., started on his journey for the Illinois country. He coasted along the western and southern shore of Lake Michigan, and reached the mouth of the St. Joseph river November 1, 1679. La Salle was anxious to get to the Illinois country, but he also desired the help of Tonty, and a« the latter had not yet arrived. La Salle occuj^ed the time of his men in building 26 A Student's History of Illinois a palisade fort which he named Fort Alianii. Near by, he erected a bark chapel for the use of the priests, and also a storehouse for the goods which the Griffin was to bring from Niagara on its return. But the Griffin was never heard from after it left Green Bay. 42. Journey Resumed. — La Salle was now impatient to proceed. He ascended the St. Joseph in search of the portage between the Kankakee and the St. Joseph. This point is supposed to have been near the present city of South Bend, Indiana. Here La Salle was joined by Tonti, and their two parties crossed the portage of three or four miles under great difficulties, dragging their canoes and their burdens on sledges. The ice was getting thick and a heavy snow storm was raging. By the 6th of December, 1679, they were afloat on the Kankakee. They passed the present site of Ottawa, Starved Rock, and reached the Indian Village of Kaskaskia, near the present city of Peru. After religious services they departed and reached the present city of Peoria. Here they found several tribes of Indians with whom they stayed several days. 43. Fort Crevecoeur. — La Salle, fearing the influence upon his men of the stories spread among the Indians, by his enemies, decided to separate from them and go further down the river where he could construct a fort and build a boat. On a projection from the bluffs he built with considerable labor a fort which received the name of CreveccBur. This was the fourth of the great chain of forts which La Salle had constructed, namely: Fort Frontenac at the outlet of Lake Ontario ; Fort Niagara on the Niagara river ; Fort Miami at the mouth of St. Joseph river; and Crevecoeur below Lake Peoria on the Illinois river. In addition to the building of the fort La Salle began the construction of a vessel with which to complete his A Student's History of Illinois 27 journey to the mouth of the Mississippi river. The keel was 42 feet long, and the beam was 12 feet. While this work was in progress the Indians from the upper Missis- sippi brought tempting descriptions of routes to the west- ern sea and also the Avealth of beaver with which their country abounded. 44. The Final Expedition. — La Salle made a trip to Canada for supplies and upon his return he found Crevecoeur abandoned. He returned to Green Bay and thence to Mackinaw. Here he got together another expe- dition and returned to Crevecoeur. Final preparations were made, and the journey down the Mississippi river begun. The mouth of the river was reached, and on the 9th of April, 1682, La Salle erected a cross, nailed the Coat of Arms of France to a post, and proclaimed the Mississippi and all the land it drains the property of his King. 45. The Return.— On the 10th of April, 1680, the party began the return journey. La Salle visited each fort on his return trip. At Starved Rock he later built Fort St. Louis and put Tonti in control while he went to France to report to the King. In France he organized an expedition to come to the Louisiana territory by way of the Mississippi river. He failed to find the mouth of the river, and was landed on the coast of Texas, where he was later killed by one of his own men. Tonti remained at Fort St. Louis till about 1700. The French had now begun settlements about Mobile. He then aban- doned Fort St. Louis and went to the new settlements near the mouth of the great river. Here he lived some three or four years, when he died. Tonti, next to La Salle, had been the most conspicuous figure in the history of the Illinois country since the days of Marquette and Joliet. 28 A Stitdciifs History of lUiiwis ./•^-v^Uj French Explorations. Quetnec ThohT-real FT. Fro -n Te nac FT. Tl/oqaro. FtDu(Ju.e^T>Q DefrdiT STe. Tfione 7TtacHi7\aijJ C-reen ^SlU FoK-Wis. rorTa.^, ChlCQ. qo PoyTeonard Helm, and Wm. Harrod. The force probably did not ex- ceed 180 men. Colonel Clark was disappointed in the size of his army and was forced to change his plans. It Avas his intention to attack Vincennes first, but on account of the fact that he had fewer than half as many soldiers as he expected, he concluded to attack Kaskaskia. 76. Clark Lands Near Fort Massac. — Clark reached the mouth of the Tennessee the latter part of June. Here he captured one John Duff and a party of hunters, who had lately come from Kaskaskia. These hunters professed a desire to go with Clark on this campaign. Clark proceeded to the mouth of a small creek, or as he calls it a ^^gully" a short distance above Fort Massac and there disembarked. A Student's History of Illinois 47 His men provided themselves with four days' rations, but it was a six days' journey, and Captain Bowman says they marched two days without any sustenance, and Clark says that game was scarce. 77. The Route to Kaskaskia. — There is considerable local interest as to the route Clark took from Fort Massac to Kaskaskia. The distance on a straight line is less than 100 miles. But by any route which Clark could have taken the distance was not less than 110 or 120 miles. Without doubt Clark's army went northwest from Fort Massac, keeping betw^een the ponds and swamps which drain into Big Bay creek on the right and those which border the Cache river on the left. This route passed out of Massac county at the extreme northwestern corner, in Sec. 5, Town 14 8., R. 3 E. It probably led over the hill upon which Indian Point is situated (An old road long since abandoned can be seen here). From Indian Point the route ran about two miles west of Vienna, Johnson county, a couple of miles east of the thriving village of Buncombe, thence over the Ozarks through Buffalo Gap which is at least 150 feet lower than the rest of the Ozarks, on through Goreville leaving Marion to the right and joining the Golconda route at Bainbridge 3% miles west of Marion, Williamson county. 78. Lost in a Prairie. — Clark's memoirs state that the third day from Fort Massac the guides got lost and there were some who thought they had turned traitor to their trust. Clark told the principal guide, one John Saunders, that if he did not find the "Hunter's Road" which led into Kaskaskia from the east that he would have him put to death. This probably meant that Clark knew they ought to reach the Golconda road at the end of the third day. The guide found the road and the army was probably soon encamped the third night out, near the town of Bain- bridge. The first night the camping ground was probably 48 A Student's History of Illinois Based on map in Vol. 8, Historic Highways. ("curtesy and permission of the Arthur H. Clark Co., Pul)lishers, Cleveland; Ohio. Map Showing Gen. Clark's Route from Fort Massac to Kaskaskia and from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. on Indian Point, eighteen miles from Fort Massac. The second night's camp was at a spring two miles north of Pulley's Mill, and twenty miles north of Indian Point. The third day, owing to getting lost they did not make more than twelve miles of progress. On the fourth day the little army moved west and a little north and crossed Crab Orchard creek northeast of Carbondale three miles. Big Muddy was crossed at the northwest corner of Town 9 S., R.l.W. — four miles due east of Murphysboro. From the crossing of Big Muddy to Ava, thence to Campbell Hill in the northwest corner of Jackson countv. From here bv Shiloh Hill, and Wine A Student's History of Illinois 49 Hill, crossing St. Mary's river at Bremen Station, all in Randolph. The fourth night out they probably camped six or eight miles northwest of Murphysboro, and the fifth night at St. Mary's river. The next day which was the 4th of July, was their sixth day out. They reached the outskirts of Kaskaskia early in the evening. 79.- The Surprise. — As soon as night came on the army moved west and reached the Kaskaskia river about a mile above the town. On the east side of the river they found a farm house in which was a large family. From this family it was learned that the militia had been called out the day before but finding no cause for alarm, they had dispersed. Boats were secured and the army rowed to the west side of the Kaskaskia. Clark says this took two hours. It was now as late as ten or eleven o'clock in the night. Clark divided his army into two divisions, one of which was to scatter through the town and keep the people in their houses, and the other, which Clark himself com- manded, was to capture the commander. Chevalier de Rocheblave, who was asleep in the old monastery then used as the Commandant's headquarters. In a very short time the task was finished and the people disarmed. The Virginians and Kentuckians were in the meantime keep- ing up an unearthly yelling, for the people of Kaskaskia had understood that Virginians were more savage than the Indians had ever been, and Clark was desirous that they should retain this impression. The French of Kas- kaskia called the Virginians ''Long Knives." 80. Confusion. — On the morning of the 5th, the princi- pal citizens were put in irons. Shortly after this Father Gibault and a few aged men came to Clark and begged the privilege of holding services in the church, that they might bid one another good bye before they were separated. Clark gave his permission. The church bell rang and immediately every one who could get to the church did so. 50 A Student's History of Illinois At the close of the service Father Gibault came again with some old men to beg that famJlies might not be sepa- rated and that they might be privileged to take some of their personal effects with them for their support. Clark then explained to the priest that Americans did not make war on women and children, but that it was only to pro- tect their own wives and children that they had come to this stronghold of British and Indian barbarity. He went further and told them that the French King and the Americans had just made a treaty of alliance, and that it was the desire of the King that the French in Illinois should join their interests with the Americans. This had a wonderfully conciliatory effect upon the French. And now Clark told them they were at perfect liberty to con- duct themselves as usual. His influence had been so powerful that they were all induced to take the oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia. Their arms were given back to them and a volunteer company of French militia- men was formed. Starved Rock. The Site of Old Fort St. Louis. A Stiidenfs History of Illinois 51 CHAPTER IX. THE BRITISH FLAG LOWERED AT CAHOKIA AND VINCENNES. 81. Capture of Cahokia. — Kaskaskia was captured on July 4, 1778. On the 5th of July, an expedition was planned for the capture of Cahokia. Captain Bowman with his company and a detachment of the French militia under French officers together with a number of Kaskaskia citizens made up the army. Tlie distance was sixty miles and the trip was made by the afternoon of the 6th. At first the people of Cahokia were greatly agitated and cried '^Long Knives!" "Long Knives!" But the Kaskaskia citizens soon quieted them and explained what had hap- pened at Kaskaskia only two days before. The oath of allegiance was administered to the people and the citizens returned to Kaskaskia. 82. Father Gibault. — For the first few days Clark and. his men talked about the fort at the Falls of the Ohio and of a detachment of soldiers they were expecting from there every day. This was done for the purpose of making an impression upon the people of Kaskaskia. Clark was a shrewd diplomatist as well as a good soldier. By con- versation Clark learned that the priest was the regular shepherd of the flock at Vincennes. Clark therefore talked of his expedition against Vincennes from the fort at the Falls of the Ohio. Father Gibault then told Clark that while the post at Vincennes was a very strong one and that there were usually many Indians about that place, that just at this time, the Lieutenant Governor or com- mandant, Edward Abbot, was not at Vincennes but was in Detroit. He also told Clark that there were no soldiers 52 A Student's History of Illinois there except probably a few citizen-officers and that he had no doubt if the people there knew the real nature of the conflict betw^een England and the colonies, and that France had joined against the hated British, there would be no opposition to Clark. The priest further suggested that he himself would head an embassy to Post Vincennes for the purpose of attempting to secure the allegiance of the people there to the American cause. An expedition was immediately planned. The priest was accompanied by a citizen of Kaskaskia, Doctor John Baptiste Lafont. The tw^o gentlemen were accompanied by several attendants, among whom was a spy w^ho had secret instructions from Clark. They departed the 14th of July, and reached Vincennes safely. The priest had no difficulty in making it clear to the people that France was on the side of the Americans ; and the Vincennes villagers all took the oath of allegiance to Virginia. They also organized a militia company and took possession of the fort over which the flag of Vir- ginia floated much to the wonder of the Indians. On August 1, Father Gibault and his companions returned to Kaskaskia and reported the success of their mission. 83. Reorganization of the Army. — Clark w^as busy just then reorganizing his little army. The term of enlistment of the soldiers was drawing to a close. He succeeded in re-enlisting about a hundred of his little army while the rest were to be mustered out at the Falls of the Ohio, their places being filled with enlistments from the French militia. 84. County of Illinois. — The People of Virginia were soon aware of the success of the Clark expedition. The common people were of course greatly surprised, and the officials who had stood back of the enterprise were greatly relieved and delighted. A Student's History of Illinois 53 In October, 1778, the legislature of Virginia created the County of ''Illinois" which included all the territory north and west of the Ohio river. In accordance with the provisions of the law creating the county of Illinois west of the Ohio river, the Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry, appointed John Todd, Esq., a judge of the Kentucky court, as county lieutenant or commander-in-chief of the newly created county. 85. Vote of Thanks. — The ''house of delegates," which was the lower branch of the legislature, shortly after the creation of the county of Illinois took the following action : In the House of Delegates. Monday, the 23d Nov., 1778. Whereas, authentic information has been received that Lieu- tenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, with a body of Virginia militia, has reduced the British posts in the western part of this commonwealth on the river Mississippi and its branches, where- by great advantage may accrue to the common cause of Amer^ ica, as well as to this commonwealth in particular: Resolved, That the thanks of this house are justly due to the said Colonel Clark and the brave officers and men under his command, for their extraordinary resolution and perseverance in BO hazardous an enterprise, and for their important services to their country. E. Randolph. Attest: C. H. D. 86. Loss of Vincennes. — Captain Helm was sent to take possession of Vincennes about the middle of August. By November or earlier, word had reached Detroit that Captain Helm was in possession of the fort at Vincennes. An expedition was planned under the command of Lieu- tenant Governor Henry Hamilton, to retake the fort. He reached Vincennes December 18, 1778. Captain Helm surrendered the fort without any effort at defense because the French militiamen deserted him upon the approach of Col. Hamilton's army. 87. Services of Vigo. — Word soon reached Colonel Clark of the loss of Vincennes, and he now felt himself in a very 54 A Stud cut's History of Illinois perilous situation. Vincennes was lost, Virginia had not sent him a dollar w'lXh which to purchase supplies, the money he had was of no value, the Indians from the Canadian border were making their appearance round Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and discouragement stared him in the face. ]n this extremity a real patriot came upon the scene. This man was Colonel Francis A^igo, a rich merchant of St. Louis. Colonel Vigo proffered to go to Vincennes to see what the situation was. He was captured and would have been severely punished by Hamilton if it had not been for fear of the French, Indians, and Spanish, all of whom were great friends to A^igo. He was released and returned to St. Louis, and immediately came to Kaskaskia to inform Colonel Clark of the true situation. This was that Hamilton had a strong detachment of soldiers at Fort Sackville with cannon and plenty of munitions of war. A^igo also reported that the French inhabitants were quite favorable to the American cause and Avould render any assistance they covild. And again Vigo reported that just as soon as the spring season opened that Colonel Hamilton was intending to attack Colonel Clark at Kaskaskia. A conference was called of all the officers then around Kaskaskia. Captain Bowman came from Cahokia with his small force of soldiers and the first impulse was to get ready for a siege if Colonel Lramilton should attack. This plan was finally abandoned, for Colonel Clark said — '^If I do not take Hamilton he will take me." A Student's History of Illinois 55 CHAPTER X. CLARK'S CAPTURE OF VINCENNES. 88. Preparation. — Vigo reported to Colonel Clark on the 29th of January. Clark was ready to move by the 6th of February, 1779. Everything in the village of Kas- kaskia was activity. ^'The whole country took fire with alarm ; and every order was executed with cheerfulness by every description of the inhabitants — preparing provisions, encouraging volunteers, etc., and as w^e had plenty of stores, every man was completely rigged with what he could desire to withstand the cold weather. To convey our artillery and stores, it was concluded to send a vessel round by water, so strong that she might force her way. A large Mississippi (keel) boat was immediately purchased, and completely fitted out as a galley, mounting two four- pounders and four large swivels. She was manned by forty-six men under command of Capt. John Rogers." This vessel, ''The Willing," was to sail down the Missis- sippi, up the Ohio, and thence up the Wabash as far as the mouth of the AVhite river and there wait for w^ord from the overland expedition. The little army consisted of 170 men. One company of French militiamen from Cahokia was in charge of Captain McCarty. Another French company from Kaskaskia was commanded by Captain Charleville. Captains Bowman, Williams, and Worthington com- manded the Virginians. The route they took is said to have been the old trail from Kaskaskia to Vincennes. Reynolds says it w^as laid out by the Indians nearly a hundred years before Clark made use of it. 56 -i Student's History of Illinois 89. The Route. — The route, as laid down in volume 8 of '^Historic Highways/' starts from Kaskaskia and goes northeast to Diamond Point, some four or five miles from Kaskaskia. From Diamond Point northeasterly to Sparta in Randolph county. Thence to the southeast of Coulterville about a mile, thence to Nashville in Wash- ington county. From here the trail ran easterly and crossed the Illinois Central wdthin a mile north of Rich- view. The corner of Jefterson was crossed and Walnut Hill in the southwestern corner of Marion was passed. From Walnut Hill in a nearly straight line to Xenia, Clay county. From here the route follows almost exactly the Balti- more and Ohio Southwestern Railroad to Lawrenceville, leaving Olney to the north probably two miles. From Lawrenceville the army turned south and followed the Embarras river on the southwest side, crossing the AVabash about two miles south of St. Francisville. From here the route went east bearing toward the north till they reached Chimney Rock or what Clark called the Second ^lamelle, now called Chimney Pier. From here nearly due north to the village of Vincennes. (See map of Clark's routes.) 90. An Unparalleled Story. — The story of the hardships, and the extreme suffering from cold and hunger which this little army endured, will ever be a tale with which to stir the patriotic blood of all loyal Illinoisans. When they reached the Little Wabash they found the river greatly sw^ollen by recent rains. The overflowed lands were three miles wide. Here they built a cnide boat in which they ferried their baggage across the stream. Colonel Clark in telling about this incident says : This (flood) would have been enough to have stopped any set of men not in the same temper that we were. But in three days we contrived to cross by building a large canoe, ferried across the two channels; the rest of the way we waded build- A Student's History of lUino'is 57 ing scaffolds at each side to lodge our baggage on until the horses crossed to take them. On the 16th of Februar}' the army crossed Fox river which runs southward just a mile or so west of OIney. They pushed forward through rain and mud and reached t]ie Embarras river in the afternon of tlie 17th. Here they were within about eight or nine miles of Vincennes Ijut all the lowland between the Embarras river and the AVabash was flooded and no boats could be found in which to cross. Here the army turned south and traveled along the west side of the Embarras hunting a dry spot on which to camp. Captain Bowman says they 'traveled till 8 o'clock in mud and water" before a camping spot could be found. "18th — At daybreak heard Hamilton's morn- ing gun. (They were then ten miles southwest from Vincennes). Set off and marched down the river (Embarras) , saw some fine land. About two o'clock came to the bank of the Wabash." Here they spent the next three days building rafts, digging canoes, and trying to cross the Wabash. The food was all gone. On the 21st the army was ferried over. They landed on the east side of the Wabash and rested on a little knob called "The Mamelle." From here they plunged into the water and made toward the next "Mamelle" about three miles eastward. Here the little arm}^ stayed over night and on the morning of the 22nd of February, they moved northward through water to their waists and even to their shoulders. Clark says — "Getting about the middle of the plain, the water about mid-deep, I found myself sensibly failing, and as there were no trees nor bushes for the men to support them- selves by, I feared that many of the most weak would be drowned . . . Getting to the woods where the men expected land, the water was up to my shoulders, but gain- ing the woods was of great consequence; all of the low 58 A Student's History of Illinois men and the weakly hung to the trees, and floated on old logs, until they were taken off by the canoes. The strong and tall got ashore and built fires. Many would reach the shore and fall with their bodies half in the water not being able to support themselves without it." 91. Attacking the Fort. — After two or three days the little army came to the town and attacked the fort. Colonel Clark asked Hamilton to surrender but received this reply : "Governor Hamilton begs leave to acquaint Colonel Clark, that he and his garrison are not to be awed into any action unworthy British subjects." The firing was renewed so vigorously that Hamilton surrendered the afternoon of the 25th of February, 1779. Much provisions and muni- tions fell into Clark's hands. The British officers were sent to Virginia as prisoners, while the soldiers were returned to Canada. 92. Clark's Future. — Colonel Clark desired very much to attack Detroit, but after considerable delay he decided to return to Kaskaskia. Before leaving Vincennes he made treaties with the neighboring Indians. He appointed Captain Helm as civil commandant. Lieutenant Brashear was made military commander at the fort, and was given forty soldiers for that duty. Colonel Clark and the remainder of his army departed March 20, 1779, for Kaskaskia on the galley the "Willing," accompanied by an armed flotilla of seven vessels. The trip down the AVabash and Ohio and up the Mississippi to Kaskaskia was Avithout incident. Clark reached Kaskaskia about the latter part of March. Clark returned to Vincennes in July of the same year expecting to find troops from Kentucky and Virginia for the Detroit expedition. He was disappointed. He attempted to recruit soldiers for the Detroit campaign in the region of the Ohio but a letter from Jefferson who was now governor of Virginia requested him to construct A St lid cut's History of Illinois 59 a fort below the mouth of the Ohio. Accordingly he undertook this enterprise and by June, 1780, Fort Jef- ferson, a few miles below the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side, was completed. It is said that some of the cannon were removed there from the abandoned forti- fications of Fort Chartres. The ruins of Fort Jefferson, just below the town of Wy cliff e, Ky., may be seen today. In the fall of 1780, Clark was at Fort Pitt trying to fit out his expedition for Detroit. In January, 1781, we find Colonel Clark acting in conjunction with Baron Steuben in repelling the attacks of Benedict Arnold upon Virginia. In December, 1781, Clark was at the Falls of the Ohio with an army of 750 men. Later he was engaged in an expedition against the Indians on the Miami river. He never led his expedition against Detroit. In the sum- mer of 1783, he received the following communication: 93. Dismissed. — in Council, July 2, 1783. Sir: — The conclusion of the war, and the distressed situation of the State, VN^ith regard to its finances, call on us to adopt the most prudent economy. It is for this reason alone, I have come to a determination to give over all thought, for the present, of carrying on an offensive war against the Indians, which, you will easily perceive, will render the services of a general officer in that quarter unnecessary, and will, therefore consider your- self out of command. But, before I take leave of you, I feel myself called upon, in the most forcible manner, to return you my thanks, and those of my council, for the very great and singular service you have rendered your country, in wresting so great and valuable a territory from the hands of the British enemy; repelling the attacks of their savage allies, and carry- ing on a successful war in the heart of their country. This tribute of praise and thanks so justly due, I am happy to com- municate to you, as the united voice of the Executive. I am, with respect, sir, Yours, etc., Benjamin Harrison. "He was no longer the same man as the conqueror of Kaskaskia, and the captor of Vincennes. His mind was 60 A Student's History of Illinois wounded by the neglect of the government of Virginia to settle his accounts. Private suits were brought against him for public supplies, which ultimately swept away his fortune, and with this injustice the spirit of the hero fell, and the general never recovered the energies which stamped him as one of nature's noblemen.'' He spent the later years of his life near Louisville. Kentucky. He was completely broken in his bodily frame as a result of years of hard exposure. Rheumatism which ended with paralysis terminated his life in 1818. He was buried at Locust Grove near Louisville, A View of Old Fort Massac. A Student's History of Illinois 61 CHAPTER XT. ILLINOIS COUNTY, VIRGINIA— THE NORTH WEST TERRITORY. 94. John Todd, County Lieutenant. — By virtue of the authority of the act of the Virginia legislature of October, 1778, Patrick Henry, governor of A^irginia. and by virtue of that position the first governor of Illinois, appointed Colonel John Todd lieutenant-commandant of the county of Illinois. Colonel Todd did not come to Illinois county till May, 1779. Clark had returned from his campaign, and cap- ture of Vincennes. It is stated that Colonel Todd was received with great joy by the citizens of Kaskaskia. He was no stranger to many about the village for he had come with Clark in the campaign of 1778, when the Illinois country was captured from the British. On June 15, 1779, he ordered that no more settlements should be made in the bottom lands, and further that each person to whom grants had been made must report his claim to the proper officer and have his land recorded. 95. Todd's Instruction. — ^j^atrick Henry, governor of Virginia, made out Colonel Todd's commission and in addition gave him a lengthy letter of instructions. Todd was directed — To cultivate the affection of the French and Indians. To impress the people with the value of liberty. To guarantee an improved jurisprudence. To consult and advise with the most intelligent and upright persons who might fall in his way. 62 A Student's History of Illinois To hold the property of the Indians, particularly the land, inviolable. To cultivate the good will and confidence of the Spanish commandant and his people at St. Louis. To see that the wife of Chevalier de Rocheblave should have restored to her the property of which she was bereft when her husband was sent a prisoner to Williamsburg. To subordinate the military to the civil authority. To encourage trade. And to carry out the above principles with "unwearied diligence." 96. Executing the Law. — Colonel Todd found enough work to keep him busy and it is doubtful if it was all as pleasant as he might have wished. The records which he kept, show that severe penalties were inflicted in those days. On page 18 of the records of his office we find the following : Illinois to-wit: to Richard Winston, Esq., Sheriff-in-Chief of the District of Kaskaskia. Negro Manuel, a Slave in your custody, is condemned by the court of Kaskaskia, after having made honorable Fine at the door of the church, to be chained to a post at the Water Side, and there to be burnt alive and his ashes scattered, as appears to me by Record. This sentence you are hereby required to put in execution on Tuesday next at 9 o'clock in the morning, and this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal at Kaskaskia the 13th day of June (1779) in the third year of the commonwealth. Jno. Todd. 97. Todd's Death. — In August, 1781, he was tempor- arily in Lexington, Ky., when an attack was made on the town by Indians. The retreating redskins were pur- sued, and at the Battle of Blue Licks, fought August 1«S. 1782, Todd was killed. There was a deputy county-lieutenant or deputy-com- mandant in each village, and when Colonel Todd was A Student's History of Illinois 63 absent, the reins of government were in the hands of one of these deputies. On the occasion of his absence at the time of his death he had left, it seems, Timothy Demount- brun as county Heutenant. This man seems to have been the only one authorized to rule, till the coming of St. Clair in 1790. 98. Ordinance o£ 1787. — The territory north and west of the Ohio river was after 1778 called Illinois county, Virginia. By a deed of cession Virginia transferred this land to the general government. In 1787 the old Con- federation congress passed w^hat is known as The Ordi- nance of 1787. This document provided for the estab- lishment of civil government in the territory above men- tioned — the Northwest Territory. Illinois as a future state was a part of this Northwest Territory. This Ordinance provided three stages of government. The first stage should have a governor, three judges, and a secretary. This form should hold till there were 5,000 voters, when the territory should pass into the second stage. The second stage should have in addition to the governor, three judges, and secretary, a legislature of two houses. This stage should hold till a previously desig- nated division should have 60,000 inhabitants, when it could be admitted as a state. 99. Organizing the Government. — Following the pas- sage of the Ordinance of 1787, July 13, congress appointed the officials as follows: Governor, General Arthur St. Clair; secretary, Winthrop Sargent; judges, Samuel Holden Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Cleves Symmes. The governor arrived at Marietta, July 9, 1788. On the 15th of July Governor St. Clair created Wash- ington county. Northwest Territory. In September the Governor and judges adopted a code ot laws for the territorv. 64 A Student's History of Illinois In January these officials came to Cincinnati. Here they created the county of Hamilton. This point was made the seat of government. The governor and secretary reached Kaskaskia on the 5th of March, 1790. Here they created the county of St. Clair. Later, on their journey back toward the seat of government, the county of Knox was organized. There were thus four counties and four county seats in this Northwest Territory — Washington county, Marietta the county seat; Hamilton county, Cincinnati the county seat; St. Clair county, Cahokia the county seat; Knox county, Vincennes the county seat. 100. Conditions in Illinois. — Let us now recall the con- dition in which we left the Illinois country. Colonel Todd served the people of Illinois but a short time. He was the civil commandant up to the day of his death, August 18, 1782. But from the day he left in the sum- mer of 1780, the good order and quiet ongoing began to decline. There was constant decrease of the population; there were no courts; there was no money in circulation. There were only sixty-five Americans who could bear arms in 1791, and only 300 militia of all nationalities. There were probably not more than a thousand souls in the Illi- nois country at this time. A few people were coming into this region. 101. St. Clair County. — When Governor St. Clair and Winthrop Sargent reached Kaskaskia, they must have been greatly disappointed in the condition and character of the people, for Governor St. Clair writing from Cahokia to the secretary of war says — ^'They are the most igno- rant people in the world; there is not a 50th man that can either read or write." They were all poor. They had contributed to Clark's needs more liberally than they were able, and the certificates which Clark issued in pay- A Student's History of Illinois 65 Map of St. Clair County as Laid off by Gov. St. Clair, April 27, 1790. 66 ^l Student's History of Illinois nient for supplies were still held by these poor settlers. In addition to all this there had been three recent inundations of the Mississippi bottoms. Not only had crops been washed awnj but the planting had been prevented and much distress had resulted. It is probable that little official work was done by the officers whom St. Clair left in St. Clair county. The courts seldom convened, and the militia men are said to have refused to serve. There was not much difference between the condition of things before and after St. Clair's coming. In 1795, Judge Turner, one of the three federal judges, divided St. Clair into two counties by a line running- due east and west through New Design. The north half was called St. Clair county with Cahokia for the county seat, while the south half was called Randolph county with Kaskaskia as the county seat. 102. Indians and Spaniards. — There were two sources of annoyance to the people of Illinois between 1785 and 1800. These were the Indian troubles, and the conduct of Spain in relation to the use of the lower Mississippi. The Kickapoo Indians were quite active in marauding campaigns into Illinois. There does not seem to have been any real military campaigns, and the work on the part of the whites consisted chiefly in defending their homes against the Indian attacks. Block houses were built wherever there were settlers and in many instances stockades were provided for the safety of stock as well as of the people. A number of people were killed in the Illinois country. AVilliam Biggs, afterward the sheriff of St. Clair county, was captured by a band of Kickapoos on the 28th of ]\Iarch, 1788. He was taken to an Indian village and after being held for several weeks was released and came home. In 1826 he wrote out and published the entire story of his capture which is very interesting. A Student's History of Illinois 67 The other matter referred to was the Spaniards' refusal of the use of tlie lower Mississippi. Spain held New Orleans from 1763 till its recession to France, 1800. Dur- ing a part of that time Spain refused to allow our river boats to land our produce on the wharf of that city for re-shipment. But in 1795 a treaty was made with that country by which we secured the privilege of the right of ''deposit.'' From this time till the purchase of Louisiana we had free access to the Port of New Orleans. 103. Local Government. — The Ordinance of 1787 pro- vided that when there should be 5,000 free male whites of the age of twenty-one years in the Northwest Territory they might organize a legislature on the basis of one repre- sentative for each 500 whites of the age of twenty-one. This was done in the year 1798. Shadrach Bond was elected to represent St. Clair county and John Edgar to represent Randolph county. The legislature met at Cin- cinnati on the 4th of February, 1799. There were twenty- two members in the lower house, representing eleven coun- ties. William H. Harrison who had succeeded Sargent as secretary was elected a delegate to congress. In the session of congress in the winter of 1799-1800, the proposition to divide the Northwest Territory into two territories was referred to a committee of which Harrison was chairman. The report was favorably received by congress and on the 7th of May, 1800, an act was passed dividing the North- west Territory by a line running from the Ohio to Fort Recovery and thence north to the line separating the terri- tory from Canada. The eastern part was still called the Northwest Terri- tory, while the western portion was to be known as the Indiana Territory. This territory included what is now the states of Indiana. Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 68 . 1 Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER XII. ILLINOIS A PART OF THE INDIANA TERRITORY. 104. Governor Harrison. — The western part of the old Northwest Territory was, in 1800, organized as the Indiana Territory. It became a territory of the first class, with Wm. Henry Harrison as territorial governor. The seat of government was placed at Vincennes on the Wabash river. Very naturally the movement of immigration westward would stop ir .he territory of the states of Ohio and Indiana, hence these two sections w^ere ready for statehood before Illinois. By the census of 1800 what is now Illinois had 2,500 inhabitants. The history of Illinois and that of Indiana are closely blended from 1800 to 1809, when the territory was divided and the Illinois territory was organized as a territory of the first class. 105. Slavery. — It has already been shown that slavery had been introduced into the Illinois country by Philip Renault in 1721. General Gage in a proclamation to the people of the Illinois country in 1763 stated among other things, ''That those who choose to retain their lands and become subjects of his majesty, shall enjoy the same rights and privileges, the same security for their persons and effects and the liberty of trade, as the old subjects of the King." So there was slavery in Illinois as a Britisli possession just as when it was French territory. In 1783 Great Britain transferred this same territory to the United States. The United States in turn agreed to guarantee to the people security for persons and effects. Thus slavery was recognized. Again when Virginia ceded her territory , / Student's History of Illinois 69 west of the Alleghany mountains she incorporated in her deed of cession the following — "Be it enacted — That the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kaskaskia, St. Vincents, and the neighboring villages, who have professed themselves citizens of Virginia shall have their possessions and titles confirmed to them, and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties." 106. Interpretation. — A problem now arose. The treaties confirmed the ownership of slaves in the Indiana territory. The Ordinance of 1787 said there should be no slavery in this territory. This provision in the Ordinance is known as the 6th Article. When Governor St. Clair arrived in the Illinois country in 1790 he put an interpretation upon the 6th article which quieted the slave holder very much. He gave it as his interpretation that the 6th article meant that no more slaves could be brought into the territory, but that the slaves that were already there w^ere not to be disturbed. This was the construction nut upon the article for the next several years. 107. Indenture System.— The people of the Indiana territory were very anxious to bring in slaves from the older states and several efforts were made to get CongTess to annul the 6th Article of the Ordinance. The refusal of congress to grant the request roused the people to take the matter into their own hands. The Governor and judges acting as a legislative body on September 22, 1803, passed ''A Law Concerning Servants.'' It provided that a person coming into the Territory "under contract to serve another in any trade or occupation shall be compelled to perform such contract during the term thereof.'* By this law, usually called the "indenture law%'' a man living in Kentucky could bring his slaves into the Indiana Territory and hold them here under this contract system. 70 .1 Student's History of Illinois In this way hundreds of slaves were held in various parts of what is now Indiana and Illinois. 108. Louisiana. — After the purchase of the Louisiana territory in 1803, that region was placed under the man- agement and control of Governor Harrison. In 1805 Louisiana w^as separated from Indiana. Shortly after- wards Aaron Burr visited Vincennes and Kaskaskia on his way down the Ohio and the Mississippi and it is said secured followers from each of these towns. Governor Harrison was superintendent of Indian affairs in this western region and between 1803 and 1809 made a number of treaties with Indian tribes by which large tracts of land in Indiana and Illinois were ceded to the United States. 109. Indiana Territory Divided. — Indiana Territory became a territory of the second class January 3, 1805. The seat of government was still Vincennes, and General Harrison was governor. The members of the legislature from the counties of St. Clair and Randolph were Pierre Menard, John Hay, Dr. George Fisher, Shadrash Bond, and Wm. Briggs. The Illinois people complained that it was a great incon- venience to go so far to the seat of government. In a petition to congress the Illinois people complained that the road to Vincennes was a hundred and eighty miles through an uninhabited country which it was really dangerous to travel. Another argument was that the governor, AVm. H. Har- rison, appointed only friends to office and that all impor- tant places were filled wdth the governor's Indiana friends. A third argument in favor of the division was that the people in the Illinois region were favorable to slavery while the Indiana people were quite indifferent to the sub- ject of introducing slavery. A Student's History of lUinois 71 There was organized in and about Kaskaskia a bitter opposition to the separation of Illinois from Indiana. Petitions were sent to Congress praying that body not to separate the two regions. The controversy grew intensely bitter and resulted in the murder of one of the advocates of separation. The advocates of division carried their point and on February 3, 1809, Congress passed an act separating the Indiana Territory, by a line running north from Vincennes to Canada, into the two territories of Indiana and Illinois. St. Clair County's First Court House, Still Standing in a Park in Chicago. 72 A Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER XIII. ILLINOIS TERRITORY. 110. First Class. — The seat of government for the Ilh- nois Territory was fixed at Kaskaskia; Ninian Edwards was made Governor of the new territory, and Nathaniel Pope was made Secretary. The territory w^as to be of the first class. Governor Edwards Avas a man of unusual parts. He had a collegiate training and was a man of wonderful resources. He arrived in June, 1809, and immediately called a legislative session of the governor and judges. The laws first provided were those previously in force in the Indiana Territory. The government of the Illinois Territory was now com- pletely organized and the people realized what was for many years a buoyant hope. They said in favor of divi- sion, that it would increase immigration and bring pros- perity to a lagging and unremunerative industrial life. They argued that towns ^^'ould spring up, farms would be opened, and that commerce would be greatly augmented. Their prophecy w^as soon fulfilled. 111. Land Offices. — By a law of congress, passed March 26, 1804, there were established three land offices — one at Kaskaskia, one at Vincennes, and one at Detroit. When the United States came into possession of the public domain, there was no thought of attempting to dispose of it in smaller tracts than many thousands of acres. It was supposed that large companies and wealthy indi- viduals would buy these large tracts and then go into the retail business. When Mr. Harrison was a delegate yi Student's History of Illinois 76 in congress, he got a bill through which reduced the tracts to one square mile — 640 acres. The price fixed was $2.00 per acre, one-fourth to be paid in cash and three-fourths on credit. Later the size of the tract was reduced ; so also was the price. The establishing of the land office at Kaskaskia in 1804, greatly increased the immigration to the Illinois country. So much so that the population of Illinois grew from^ 2,500 in 1800 to 12,282 in 1810, by the census of those dates. 112. Extent of Settlements. — When Governor Edwards came to take charge of affairs in the Illinois Territory, or shortly thereafter, in addition to the number of settle- ments in the two counties of Randolph and St. Clair, there were settlements in the territory composing the present counties of Jackson, Union. Johnson, Massac, Pope, Gal- latin, Monroe. In spite of the drawbacks of the undivided territory prior to 1809, there had been a great increase in population, in industries, in home-making, and in all the activities which were destined eventually to make Illi- nois a great State. But shortly after Governor Edwards arrived in the new territory, the peace and safety of the ten thousand inhabi- tants were threatened. Tecumseh and the ProjDhet were busy inciting the Indians to deeds of violence, and as a result the battle of Tippecanoe was fought on the 6th of November, 1811; and while Illinois had no military organization in the battle, yet there were individuals from around the Salt AVorks and Shawneetown who took part in the engagement. Colonel Isaac White of Shawmeetown, a lessee of the Salt Works, was a personal friend of Gov- ernor Harrison. He took part in the campaign and was killed in the battle above referred to. 113. The War of 1812.— In 1811, Governor Edwards took a very active part in putting his territory in a state of defense and is said to have expended large sums of 74 A Student's History of Illinois money from his private purse for the equipment of the militia. Congress also organized a regiment of rangers in the west. It was put in command of Col. Wm. Russell, of Kentucky. Block houses were built everywhere. Probably as many as twenty-five blockhouses and crude forts were constructed in what is now called Southern Illinois. Reynolds says that often four l)lockhouses were arranged in the form of a square, one at each corner, prob- ably a hundred feet apart. In between was a palisade of logs set on end ten or fifteen feet high. Into these stockades the neighbors brought all their stock and other movables. They would remain in these enclosures for several days. The timber or other obstruction was removed for several yards around in all directions, thus enabling the occupants to give the Indians a warm recep- tion. In these crudely constructed defenses, they had the usual neighborhood ^^scraps," while on Sundays they always had their regular religious service. In case of attacks by the Indians there was an immediate proclama- tion of martial law. The women made bullets and in other ways assisted in the defense of the fort. 114. Fort Dearborn Massacre. — War was declared June 19, 1812, and on the 15th of August General Hull sur- rendered Detroit. This misfortune to the American cause aroused general activity among the Indians, and the mas- sacre of the garrison at Fort Dearborn followed. This was one of the greatest calamities that had ever befallen the Illinois country. This fort was in charge of Capt. Ileald who had fewer than one hundred men in the fort. He was advised to abandon the fort and seek safety at Fort Wayne in Indiana. He made an agreement with the Indians to turn over the fort to tham if they would give him a safe escort to Fort AVavne. A Student's History of J/linois 75 Old Fort Dearborn, Built in the Year 1803. On the Dioriiiiig of {\\e l-^jtli of Au,i2;ust the little army was ready to depart for Fort Wayne. Each soldier was given twenty-five rounds of ammunition. The baggage wagons, the ambulance, and the little army proceeded on tlieir fatal journey. When a mile and a half from the fort they discovered Indians hidden behind sand hills, ready to attack. The soldiers were fired upon and returned the fire. The con- flict then became general and lasted for some time. Fin- ally after nearly half of the soldiers had been killed, the remnant surrendered. In the agreement to surrender no stipulation was made as to the treatment of the wounded, and it is said by eye witnesses that their treatment by the infuriated Indians beggars all description. Twenty-six regulars, twelve militia, two women and twelve children were left dead on the field of conflict. The prisoners were scattered here and there but w^ere finallv ransomed. 76 / Student's History of Illinois 115. Illinois Campaigns. — When news of this dreadful affair reached Kaskaskia, Governor Edwards decided to take immediate steps for the protection of his people. Fort Russell was built one and a half miles northwest of Edwardsville. This was made headquarters. Here were collected soldiers, munitions, and provisions. Tavo expeditions were planned against the Indians of the Illinois river region in 1813, but both were barren of results. Still other expeditions went into the northern part of Illinois from the south end of the State; in one of these. Major Zachary Taylor, a future president of the United States was in command. From the beginning to the end of this struggle there were probably two or three thousand citizens enrolled in the service. Scores of lives were lost — most of them near their homes, by bands of prowling Indians. Block-houses and Stockade Such as Were Built in the . War of 1812. A Student's History of Illinois 77 CHAPTER XIV. PREPARED FOR STATEHOOD. 116. Illinois Second Class. — While the war of 1812 was going on. Illinois becanie a territory of the second class. There were now five 'Counties. The two old ones were St. Clair and Randolph, and the three new ones were Madi- son, Gallatin, and Johnson. An election was ordered in these five counties for five members of the legislative council, and for seven members of the house of repre- sentatives, and for a delegate in congress. This Territorial Assembly met at Kaskaskia November 25, 1812, and proceeded to organize by choosing Pierre Menard, president of the council and George Fisher speaker of the house. Reynolds says the whole of the assembly boarded at one house and slept in one room. The work before this first session was to re-enact the lavrs for the territory which served while the territory was of the first class, to adopt military measures for the defense of the people against the Indians, and to provide revenue for the maintenance of the territorial government. 117. Some Early Laws. — The laws which were in force in Illinois as a first class territory were all taken from the laws of some older state. Those passed by the legislature while the territory w^as in the second grade were usually of the same nature as those in use under the first grade. It will be very interesting as well as quite instructive for us to know some of these laws. A few are given in substance : For burglary, larceny, horse stealing, and bigamy, the punishment was from 25 to 100 lashes Children and 78 A Student's History of Illiiwis servants could be whipped by permission of the court. If a man were fined and could not pay, his time could be sold by the sheriff. Standing in the pillory was a common mode of punishment. Branding was authorized in extreme cases. 'Tor reveling, quarreling, fighting, profanely cursing, disorderly behavior at divine worship, and hunting on the Sabbath, penalties by fines were prescribed." The laws providing for the collection of debts were all quite favorable to the creditor. No property, real or per- sonal, was exempt from judgment and execution; and if the property did not satisfy a debt, the debtor could be cast into prison. 118. Pre-emption Law. — Shadrach Bond was the first delegate from Illinois to sit in congress. He was elected in 1812. During his term as delegate in congress he secured the enactment of the first pre-emption law ever put upon the stutute books in the United States. This law will be better appreciated when we understand some of the practices of frontier life. It often happened that the surveyed land was not placed on the market for a number of years. The settler usually selected his lands and made improvements with the expectation that he would buy the land when it came on the market. Unprincipled men would watch and would often step in ahead of the settler at the land office and buy the improved land at government prices. This often resulted in violence and bloodshed. Bond's pre-emption law recognized the settler's equity in the improvements, and prevented anyone else from buying the land without the consent of the one who had improved it. This was legislating in the interest of the pioneers who had borne the burden and the heat of the dav. A Student's History of Illinois 79 119. Immigration. — There was a rapid increase in the population of the Territory of IlHnois from the day it became a territory of the second grade. New counties were added to the five previously named. The new ones were — Edwards and White in 1815; Monroe, Crawford, Jackson, Pope, Bond, in 1816; Union, Franklin, and A¥ashington in 1818. Illinois Territory now had fifteen counties. It should be kept in mind that some of these counties were organized with very few people. However the popu- lation was greatly multiplying, for by 1818 there were nearly 40,000 people within the State. There were at least five factors which favored an increase in population. 1. The pre-emption law above noted. 2. The modes of travel had improved. 3. The policy of organizing counties was a far-sighted one. 4. The treaties made with the Indians. 5. The close of the war of 1812-15 marked the move- ment of large immigrations into the west. 120. Banks and Banking. — Our neighboring states of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri had each a system of banking which furnished an abundance of money; indeed very much of this money found its waj into Illinois. The territorial legislature of 1816 passed a laAV chartering banks at Shawneetown, Kaskaskia, and Edwardsville. AVe shall si3eak of these more fully in a later chapter. There was also a charter issued by the legislature of 1817 incorporating the City and Bank of Cairo. At that time there was nothing in the nature of a town or city where Cairo now stands. The bank was opened in Kaskaskia in a brick building adjacent to the land office. 80 A Student's History of lllmon CHAPTER XV. ILLINOIS A STATE. 121. Services of Nathaniel Pope. — The territorial legis- lature in the si:)riiig of 1818 sent a petition to the delegate in congress, Mr. Nathaniel PojDe, praying congress for the passage of an act which would permit the people of Illinois Territory to form a constitution and apply for admission into the Union. Mr. Pope presented the petition on the 16th of January, 1818, and it was referred to the committee on territories of which he was a member. ^Ir. Pope being a representa- tive of the people making the petition, the committee requested him to draw the bill for the enabling act. This he did and in due course of time the connnittee was ready to report. On April 7, 1818, the committee reported the bill which had been drawn. The report was now referred to the committee of the whole in which the bill was taken ujD April 13. Mr. Pope had placed the northern Ixnmdary at 41 degrees and 39 minutes. But in the committee of the whole he asked to have it moved north to 42 degrees and 80 minutes. The committee of the whole agreed to this. As a consequence Illinois secured the city of Chicago and the two northern tiers of counties in the state. The Enab- ling Act thus amended was passed by the congress April 18, 1818, and it became a law. 122. The Enabling Act. — The act has seven sections. First. The people of the Territory of Illinois were authorized to form a constitution. Second. The boundarv of the state v/as fixed. A Student's History of Illinois 81 Third. This section stated the qualifications of those who should vote for members of the constitutional con- vention. It also named the fifteen counties which should send representatives to the said convention as follows: Bond, Madison, 8t. Clair, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, Johnson, Pope, Gallatin, White, Edwards, Crawford, Union, Washington, and Franklin. The election day was set for the first Monday in July (6) and the two follow- ing days. The number of delegates to the convention was fixed two for each county except Madison, St. Clair, and Gallatin, which should have three each — thirty-three in all. Fourth. The day for the meeting of the convention was fixed for the first Monday in August. The form of govern- ment must be Republican, and there must be 40,000 inhabitants before the territory could be admitted as a State. Fifth. The State when admitted shall be entitled to one representative in congress. Sixth. The following propositions were offered to tho convention : 1. Section number 16 in each township, which should be for the benefit of the schools of that township. 2. The gift of all salt springs within the State together with the lands reserved for them. These salt springs and land to be held by the legislature for the benefit of the State. The lands could not be sold, nor rented for a longer period than ten years at any one time. 3. The State was offered five per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of public lands within the State. 4. The State was oft'ered a township of land to be used to found a seminary of learning. Seventh. All territory north of the north line of Indiana and north of the north line of Illinois should be attached to the INIichigan territory for purposes of govern- ment. 82 A Student's History of Illinois 123. Constitutional Convention. — As has been said, the Enabhng Act became a law the 18th of April, 1818. The election of delegates to the constitutional convention was fixed for the first Monday in July, and the constitutional convention was to convene the first Monday in August. But the first thing to do was to take the census of the territory, and if it did not have the 40,000 then there would be no need for the convention. It was soon evident that the territory did not have the required number. The story is told that the marshal stationed his enumer- ators on the public highways and counted the travellers and immigrants, regardless of their destination. Not only this, but it is asserted that often the same traveller or immigrant was counted twice or even thrice. At last the enumerators returned 40,000 inhabitants, but as the returns were afterward footed up there were really only 34,620 people in the proposed State. The delegates w^ere duly elected and assembled at Kaskaskia on the first Mon- day in August. There were two subjects which were dis- cussed in the canvass for delegates to the convention ; one was the question of whether the constituency ought to have the right of instruction, and the other w^as the ques- tion of slavery. The following is a list of those who assembled as delegates : St. Clair county — Jesse B. Thomas, John Messenger, James Lemen, Jr. Randolph — George Fisher, Elias Kent Kane. Madison — Benjamin Stephenson, Joseph Borougli, Abraham Prickett. Gallatin — Michael Jones, Leonard White, Adolphus Frederick Hubbard. Johnson — Hezekiah West, Wm. McFatridge. Edwards — Seth Gard, Levi Compton. White — Willis Hargrave, Wm. McHenry. Monroe — Caldwell Cams, Enoch Moore. A Student's History of Illinois Pope — Samuel O'Melveny, Hamlet Ferguson. Jackson — Conrad Will, James Hall, Jr. Crawford — Joseph Kitcliell, Edward N. Cullom. Bond — Thomas Kirkpatrick, Samuel J. Morse. Union — Wm. Eckols, John Whittaker. Washington — Andrew Bankson (other delegate died during convention). Franklin — Isham Harrison, Thomas Roberts. The convention met August 3, 181^ville in 1807. St. Clair county had for a pioneer teacher John Messenger, who w^as also a surveyor. Schools were opened at Turkey Hill in 1808 by John Bradley, and at Shiloh in 1811. ~ ~ 129. The Catholics.— In an earlier day the Catholic church was the only religous organization. At Kaskaskia was the mission of the Immaculate Conception. This mission is said to have been founded by Father Marquette as early as 1675 near the present town of Utica. It was moved to Kaskaskia about 1700. About the same time A Student's History of Illinois 89 a mission was founded at Cahokia, and later one at Fort Chartres. The value of these early missionary efforts from the point of view of the conversion of the Indians, has prob- ably been over estimated. ^larquette reports only the baptizing of a dying infant at the end of three days hard preaching among the Kaskaskia Indians. But it must not be thought that the work of the Catholic church in the Illinois country was wholly fruitless. The godly life of the priests exerted its influence upon the savages whenever the two came in contact. 130. The Baptists. — There were three leading protes- tant churches represented in Illinois prior to the admis- sion of the State into the Union. These were in order of their coming the Baptists, the Methodists, and the Presby- terians. The Baptists were represented in Illinois as early as 1787. In that year the Rev. James Smith, from Lin- coln county, Kentucky, came to the New Design settle- ment and engaged in evangelistic work. Smith was fol- lowed by the Rev. John K. Simpson and his son, they by Rev. Smith, who had previously returned to Kentucky. The Rev. David Badgley organized the first Baptist church in the Illinois territory in the summer of 1796. The greatest representative of the Baptist faith in the early days of the State was Rev. John M. Peck, but he did not arrive till 1817 and we shall speak of his labors later. 131. The Methodists.— The IMethodists came into the territory as early as 1793. They were first represented by the Rev. Joseph Lillard, who came from Kentucky. He was a circuit rider in that state. He organized a church at New Design and appointed Joseph Ogle as class leader. Probably the most noted of the early Methodist preach- ers was the Rev. Jesse Walker, who came from Kentuckv 90 A Student's History of Illinois by appointment from the "Western Conference." The Western Conference, held in 1806, appointed Jesse Walker circuit rider for the Illinois circuit which at that time was one of eight circuits of the Cumberland District. The Rev. Wm. McKendree, afterwards Bishop McKendree, was the Presiding Elder of the Cumberland District, and so earnest was he that Jesse Walker should get started that he came with him to the Illinois territory. They swam their horses across seven different streams, camped out at night and cooked their own meals. They finally arrived at the Turkey Hill settlement near the present city of Belleville. The winter of 1806-7 the Rev. Walker preached in the homes of the people in and around New Design. In the summer of 1808 he held a campmeeting which was doubtless the first effort of the kind ever made in the State. Walker soon had 218 members in the Illinois cir- cuit. He afterwards established a church in St. Louis. 132. The Presbyterians. — The first Presbyterian preacher to visit the Illinois territory Avas the Rev. John Evans Finley. He reached Kaskaskia in a keel boat from Pittsburg in 1797. "He preached and catechised, also bap- tized several of the redmen." Although the Rev. !Mr. Finley fully intended to settle in the Illinois Territory, he and his companions decided to leave when they learned they would be obliged to do military duty. "In the Illinois Territory, containing more than 12,000 people, there is no Presbyterian or Congregational minister. There are a number of good people in the Territory who would be glad to have such ministers among them." These facts were reported in 1812. ' No Presbyterian preacher was settled or preached for any length of time before the coming of the Rev. James McGready in 1816. He organ- ized the Sharon church, in what is now White county, in September of that year. A reverend gentleman by the name of Samuel Wylie had a very prosperous congrega- A Student's History of Illinois 91 tion of Covenanters in Randolph county in 1817. He and his people became very noted throughout Southern Illinois. 133. Society. — The social life of Illinois prior to 1818 was certainly not of a very high order. We do not mean there were no good people and that there were not those of culture and refinement, for indeed many of the people who Ibecame permanent settlers were from localities in the older states where the as'encies of culture, learnins:, and religion were abundant. However, in any newly settled region there is always found a very rough class of people, and while not necessarily in the majority in numbers, to the casual observer they stand out promi- nently and give character to the community at large. In dress the early pioneers were content with the home- made product. The men often wearing breeches and shirt of the tanned hide of wild animals, and the cap of fox hide or of raccoon skin. This gave them a very rough appearance. Their homes were very crude and not always comfortable. The household utensils were such as could be manufactured by each head of the family. There were no stoves, cooking being done on the fire- place hearth. Swapping work was quite common. The particular kinds of work referred to were wood chopping, corn gath- ering, harvesting, house-raising, and road-making. Some of these gatherings were very enjoyable to the pioneers for they would often spread their meals upon the ground and gather about in modern picnic style. Dancing was a very common amusement and since there were very few preachers, there were few others to object. The French settlers especially were fond of dancing. Horse-racing was another very common recreation. The horse-races usually came off on Saturdays or on public days. Race tracks were common features of many localities. At these 92 A Student's History of Illinois races other amusements were indulged in ; fighting was no unusual thing. The "bully" was a man of notoriety. Swearing of the hardest sort was heard and while there were laws against it, still the people indulged. '^Swear- ing hj the name of God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Ghost," as well as Sabbath breaking, was finable from 50 cents to $2. Perhaps one of the most characteristic customs, and one that still lingers in many localities, was the "shooting match." A farmer's wife who had been quite lucky in raising turkeys, would dispose of them in the fall by means of the shooting match. If the turkey was to bring $1 then ten privileges to shoot must be bought at 10 cents each. When the necessary number of chances was taken then a mark was put up at a certain distance and the contest began. The marksman who made the best shot got the turkey. Among these frontiersmen "tak- iug: a rest" was a confession of lack of skill. Wolf Point, the Junction of the North and South Branches of the Chicago River, 1832. A Student's History of Illinois 93 GOVERNOR SHADRACH BOND. 1818-1822. Shadiach Bond was a native of Maryland. He was born Novem- ber 24, 1778, He was brought up on a farm. His education was limited. He came with his father to Illinois in 1794, and settled near New Design, in what is now Monroe county. Mr. Bond served in the legislature of the Indiana Territory and in congress, and was for a while receiver of public moneys at Kaskaskia. He was the only candidate for Governor in 1S18. He favored making Illinois a slave State. Governor Bond ran for congress after serving as the chief executive, but was defeated by Daniel P. Cook. He died In 1832, His body lies buried in the cemetery in Chester, CHAPTER XVII. ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BOND. 134. Extra Session of the Legislature. — Governor Bond convened the legislature in extra session on the 4th day of January, 1819. It was in session till March 31, 1819. The work of the legislature in the spring of 1819 was along four lines, as follows: 94 A Studenfs History of Illinois 1. The adoption of a body of laws, taken largely from the laws of the neighboring states. 2. Revenue laws were enacted by means of wdiich the taxes were to be raised. 3. Salaries of State officers were fixed. 4. The passing of a law providing for the removal of the State capital. 135. —The Black Code.— The "Black Code" was a por- tion of the body of laws provided by the General Assembly. The ''Code" was approved ]\Iarch 30, 1819. There were 25 sections, but only a synopsis can be given. These law^s provided that free negroes and mulattoes com- ing into the State must bring a certificate of freedom which must be recorded in the clerk's office. Negroes and mulattoes who failed to comply with the law would be removed by the overseers of the poor of the county. It was against the law to bring in slaves for the pur- pose of freeing them ; however, one might do so if he would give $1,000 bond for each slave's good behavior. For failure to comply with this provision a fine of $200 could be assessed. Free negroes in the State, upon passage of the act, must file with the clerk a description of themselves with evidence of freedom. They were then given a certificate of their freedom. Persons hiring negroes without these certificates were finable at the rate of $1.50 per day for the offense. Harboring a slave or preventing his capture by his owner was a felony. Free negroes without certificates of freedom might be arrested and upon being advertised might be sold for one year. Servants or slaves could be whipped for laziness. A free negro could own or hold bv indenture another neoro A Student's History of Illinois 95 but not a white jDerson. Slaves and servants could not enter into any business transaction. Slaves and servants were not allowed to assemble for carousals or dancing, and any person who permitted it on his place was subject to a fine of $10. 136. Revenues. — The law^s provided for the raising of the money with which the government of the State was to be carried on. The tax on lands of resident owners was used for county purposes. The State tax was raised upon lands owned by non-residents. In 1824 the State revenue was about $25,000. The third group of laws provided for the salaries of the officers. The following were the salaries: Governor, $1,000; lieutenant governor, $6 per day during the ses- sion of the legislature; secretary of state $1,100, and $300 for clerk hire; auditor, $800; treasurer, $800; adjutant general, $100; supreme judges, $800; circuit judges, $750; attorney general, $350 and fees; six State's attor- neys $250 each and fees ; agent for saline lands, $200, etc. Nearly all the county officers received no set salaries, but were content to serve for the fees which came into the offices. 137. Removal of the Capital. — Among the laws passed was one which provided for the removal of the capital of the State from Kaskaskia. Section 13 of the schedule attached to the constitution, provided for the removal of the capital at any time the general assembly so deter- mined. It also provided that at the first session of the legislature held under the constitution that body should petition congress for a gift of not more than four sections of land nor less than one section upon which the new capital city should be located. 138. The Gift from Congress. — Congress was very will- ing to make the gift, which it did on March 3, 1819, and the commission proceeded to locate the new capital. 96 A Student s History of Illinois The State probably never Old State House in Kaskaskia. owned a capitol building in Kaskaskia, but rented rooms for use of the Territorial and State legislatures. Mr. Gustavus Pape, now living in Chester, came to Kaskaskia in 1832, and he says the above building was known as the Old State House. It recently fell into the river. The new city was located about three miles south of where the 38th degree of north latitude crosses the Kaskaskia river. It was in the midst of a forest with a good spring- near. There were large areas of excellent farming land in that vicinity. The ncAV capital was called Vandalia. A wooden building was erected and the State records removed to the capitol in December, 1820. A wagon road had to be opened a part of the distance from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 139. Second General Assembly. — The times were very hard. Prices were very low, and money extremely scarce. There was no specie in the country. The banks of Ohio and Kentucky had failed, also the bank in St. Louis, and those in Illinois under the law of 1816. Most of the immigrants were poor, there was no commerce to bring money into the State, and ruin stared every one in the face. A Student's History of Illinois 97 Under these circumstances the people naturally looked to the legislature to remedy the evils of the time. A bill was introduced to create a State Bank. This bank was to have a capital of $500,000. The board of directors to manage this large financial venture was composed of a body of men — one from each county — selected by the legislature. There was to be a sort of parent bank at ^^andalia, with branch banks at Edwardsville, Browns- ville (in Jackson county), Shawneetown, and at (Albion) the county seat of Edwards county. There was not o dollar of capital for this bank, the State simply pledged its credit and honor for the redemption of the circulation. The bill was vetoed but the legislature passed it over Edwardsville Bank Bill. This bill bears date 1821, and was issued to the grandfather of Miss Anna Cameron of Upper Alton, who kindly loaned it to the author. the veto. This paper money fell rapidly in value till it was worth not more than twenty-five cents on the dollar. Good money such as gold, silver, and United States Bank notes disappeared, and only the worthless State Bank bills remained. 140. Price of Land Reduced. — A part of the distress of the times came from the indebtedness of the people for 98 A Student's History of Illinois their lands. In 1800 when the lands were put upon the market in smaller quantities, the price was fixed at $2 jDer acre. One-fourth of this amount or fifty cents per acre, must be paid in cash, and on the other three-fourths, a credit of several years was given, or if the purchaser preferred he could pay all cash at once in which case the price was $1.64 per acre. Most people preferred to buy on time and such people were careless about making the deferred payments. The government became lenient and few ever suffered for their negligence in making their final payments. By 1820 there was supposed to be owing TO tho general government more than $20,000,000 for lands bought on credit. Congress was memorialized to bring some sort of relief to the people. Senator Richard M. Johnson of Kentucky introduced a bill which was enacted into law providing that those indebted to the government for lands might relinquish enough land to pay the debt and thus receive a clear title to the rest of their land. The law also provided that hereafter the price of government land should be $1.25 per acre — cash. 141. Growth of the State. — The cheaper price of land brought new settlers and eleven new counties were laid out and organized. The new counties were Alexander, Clark, Jefferson, Wayne, Greene, Fayette, Montgomery, Lawrence, Hamilton, Sangamon, and Pike — making now twenty-six counties in the State. The population by the census of 1820 was 55,211. It was less than 40,000 in 1818. This influx of population was very largely from the southern states. The State's income for 1819 was less than $8,000, and a loan of $25,000 was negotiated. There were no schools, people were poor, and there was much disorder and violation of law. The governor was not obliged to live at the capital and so the new capital, Vandalia. was deserted at the close of the legislative session A Student's History of Illinois 99 of 1821. It took on new life, however, at the assemblino; of the legislature in December, 1822, when there was begun the hard fight to make Illinois a slave state. Capitol at Vandalia. The first capitol at Vandalia was a small wooden struc- ture two stories high. It burned December 9, 1823, and another building was erected at a cost of about $15,000. This was torn down in 1836. and the above building erected. It now serves Fayette County as a county court house. 100 A Student's History of Illinois From "Washburne's Life of Edward Coles." Courtesy and permission of A. C. McClurg- & Co., Chicagro. GOVERNOR EDWARD COLES. 1822-1826. Edward Coles was born in Virginia, December 17, 1786. He re- ceived some college training- tliough he did not graduate. His father was a colonel in the Revolutionary War and was personally associated with Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and other patriots and .statesmen. Young- Coles served as private sec- retary to President James Madison. He went as special ambassador to Russia in 1817. On his return trip he visited La Payette in France. He came to Illinois in the spring- of 1819. On his way to Illinois he freed some twenty or more negro slaves, but brought them on into Illinois and helped them to get started in the world. He was a pronounced anti-slavery man. He was registrar of tlie land office in Edwardsville at the time of liis election as governor. After the election on the slavery question in 1824, Mr. Coles was sued and fined $2,000, for bringing free negroes into the state. His fine was remitted by the legislature. In 1833 he moved to Phila- delphia where he lived to the ripe old age of 82 years. A Student's History of Illinois 101 CHAPTER XVIII. ADMINISTRATION OP GOVERNOR COLES— A GREAT STRUGGLE. 142. Elected Governor. — Mr. Coles was comparatively a newcomer in Illinois when the canvass began for governor in 1822. It is said, however, that he was a very successful electioneerer. He was always well dressed, courteous, and dignified. It was understood that Coles was an anti-slavery man, while his chief opponent, Mr. elustice Phillips, was in favor of that ' 'peculiar institu- tion." The slavery party elected the lieutenant governor as well as a majority in both branches of the general assembly. 143. Inaugural. — The legislature convened at Vandaha the first Monday in December, 1822. This was on the sec- ond, and on the fifth the newly elected governor gave his inaugural address. Tliis speech by the governor recom- mended — First, that the legislature foster the agricultural society which was then in its infancy. Second, he sug- gested that a subject of prime importance was the finan- cial problem. Third, he was hopeful that the State might soon see its way clear to take steps to connect the Missis- sippi river with Lake Michigan by means of a canal. Fourth, he was very deeply impressed with the injustice of slavery, and recommended the freeing of the slaves in this State. He also called attention to the need of revis- ing the laws on kidnapping, and the black laws. This speech very greatly disturbed the legislature, as well as the people of the State. Nearly all the people had come from slave-holding states and whether they ever had 102 A Student's History of Illinois been slave owners or not they were easily touched on this subject. 144. Slavery Sentiment. — That portion of the gover- nor's address which related to slavery was referred to a committee which brought in a report and a resolution. The report reviewed the history of slavery in Illinois up to the admission of the State, and advised the calling of a constitutional convention. Following this report the legislature took action as follows: ''Resolved, That the general assembly of the State of Ilhnois (two-thirds thereof concurring therein), do recommend to the electors at the next election for the members of the general assembly to vote for or against a convention, agreeably to the seventh article of the constitution." It was known that in the senate the resolution would easily pass, but in the house one vote was lacking to give the constitu- tional two-thirds majority. To secure this one vote, Nicholas Hansen, an anti- slavery member was unseated, and John Shaw a pro- slavery man w^as seated in his stead. The vote was then taken, and the call for a convention passed amid great rejoicing. 145. A Bitter Campaign. — And now began one of the most important campaigns, because so far-reaching in its consequences, that was ever waged in this country. The slavery party had become intoxicated with its success. So far, the supporters of slavery had succeeded by mere brute force and unscrupulous scheming, but now the final vic- tory could not be so won. They must go before the people and show the advantages of slavery, if it have any. It was now a question to be solved by the Christian conscience of the people. 146. The Means. — Both parties to the struggle selected the same means for the accomplishment of their ends. Among these we may mention : A Student's History of Illinois ' 103 1. Public appeals through posters, hand hills, and ])ainphlets. 2. Public addresses given before audiences wherever assembled. 3. fSecret societies organized in various parts of the State. 4. Newspapers. 147. Public Appeals. — Among these public ^^appeals," there w^ere hundreds of pamphlets, tracts, hand bills, and flaming posters scattered broadcast over the country. It is said some of these pamphlets, bills, etc., were very inflammatory. The authors of much of this literature, as well as the names of those who distributed it, were not known to the general public. But it must not be thought that everything of this kind was done in the dark for many on both sides were very bold in their work. Perhaps no one man by means of his pen, did more to bring about the final and triumphant defeat of the slavery party than did Morris Birkbeck, of Wanborough, Edwards county. His writings were published in the Shawneetown Gazette, edited by Henry Eddy. He also published pamphlets which were scattered throughout the State. The articles published in the Shawneetown Gazette were signed Jonathan Freeman, and were widely copied. 148. Public Speaking. — The second means w^as the pub- lic addresses w^hich the orators delivered wherever and whenever they had opportunity. The attractiveness of a personal explanation of the value of slavery or of the curse of it, drew to the public gatherings vast multitudes of people. The county seats were the centers of the agita- tion. On all public occasions there was some one ready with a speech upon the question of convention or no convention. 149. Secret Societies. — The third agency enumerated above, in carrying on the anti-convention campaign, was 104 A Student's History of Illinois a kind of secret society. These organizations merely got together the people of any locality for consideration of the plans of work and for the hearing of reports, and for the encouragement of those who might get disheartened. There was a sort of parent society in St. Clair county, and in other counties thirteen other societies were organized. To counteract the work of these societies, the conven- tion people organized what they called ^ ^executive com- mittees" of ten members each. Vandalia was the head- (luarters for the work of the ''executive committees." Henry Eddy. Mr. Eddy edited the "Illinois Emigrant" in Shawneetown, and did valiant service in the Slavery Struggle of 1824. 150. Newspapers. — The fourth agency in this great struggle was the newspapers. As soon as it was seen that the struggle would have to be settled by the people there was an unconscious turning of the people to the news- papers for direction and information. A Student's History of Illinois 105 There were five papers in Illinois at tliat time. These were : The Edwardsville Spectator, Edwardsville. The Illinois Intelligencer, Vandalia. The Illinois Gazette, Shawneetown. The Republican Advocate, Kaskaskia. The Republican, Edwardsville. The first three were against the convention, while the last two named favored the convention. 151. The Vote. — On the first Monday in August, 1824, the general election was held and it was in this general election that this question must be settled. It was an eventful day. The cause of freedom was on trial. The jury was the 11,612 voters who had the decision in their hands. The result was the occasion of great rejoic- ing. The following is the vote for and against the con- vention : Counties — For Against Counties — For Against Alexander 75 51 Lawrence 158 261 Bond 63 240 Madison 351 563 Clark 31 116 Marion 45 52 Crawford 134 262 Monroe 141 196 Edgar 3 234 Montgomery 74 90 Edwards 189 391 Morgan 42 432 Fayette 125 121 Pike 19 165 Franklin 170 113 Pope 273 124 Fulton 5 60 Randolph 357 284 Gallatin 597 133 Sangamon 153 722 Greene 164 379 St. Clair 408 506 Hamilton 173 85 Union 213 240 Jackson 180 93 Washington 112 173 Jefferson 99 43 Wayne 189 111 Johnson 74 74 White 355 326 4972 6640 Majority against the convention, 1668. Some notion may he had of the interest in the con- vention question by noting the votes for presidential 106 A Student's History of Illinois The Black Counties went for Slavery, while the White Counties were for Freedom. Johnson County was a tie. A Student's History of Illinois 107 electors compared with the vote on the convention ques- tion. Pope cast 397 votes on the convention proposition, while her total vote for electors was 84. Gallatin cast on convention question 730 votes, on electors 315. St. Clair on convention question 914, on electors 399. The total vote cast on the convention was 11,612, while the total vote for presidential electors at election in Novem- ber of the same year in the thirty counties, was but 4,671. 152. The Explanation. — Many explanations have been offered of the vote on the convention. There were at least four distinct elements in the population as regards this question. 1. The remnant of the old French settlers who held slaves by reason of the treaties of 1763, and 1783, and of Virginia's deed of session of 1784. 2. The pro-slavery instincts of the immigrants from the slave-holding states. 3. The anti-slavery views of the immigrants from the free states. 4. The intense feeling against slavery held by the English settlers in the eastern part of the State, as well as that of other European settlers. The first named class lived chiefly in Randolph county, St. Clair and Madison. These three counties cast 1,116 votes for the convention. The second class had settled in White, Gallatin, and Pope counties. These cast 1,225 votes for the convention. The result of the vote in Edgar, Clark, Morgan, Sanga- mon, and Fulton shows the character of the settlers. They voted very largely against the convention. The vote in these five counties stood 234 for and 1,464 votes against the convention. The influence of the English settlers may be seen in the vote in Edwards county. But there were Irish, 108 A Student's History of Illinois Scotch, and Germans scattered throughout the State and their votes were against slavery. 153. The Sangamon Country. — The constitution re- quired the census of Ilhnois to be taken every five years, and although the contest over slavery had checked immi- gration during 1823 and 1824, yet in the latter part of 1824 and in 1825 streams of population poured into the State from the older settled parts of the Union. Travellers who had visited this State carried into the east and even into Europe marvellous stories of the Sangamon country. This Sangamon region was settled by immigrants from all the older states but probably those from the northern states predominated. More than 200 families had settled in the '^Sangamon Country" before the land was sur- veyed. In the vote on the convention question, Sangamon county cast 875 votes — 153 for and 722 against the con- vention. This would show a population of over 4,000 in 1824. It also means that these settlers were from the free states chiefly. 154. Invitation to LaFayette. — ^The summer of 1825 was a memorable one for the new State, for in the earlier days of this summer, a notable guest was entertained by the young commonwealth. The guest was none other than General LaFayette, soldier, statesman, and patriot. The congress of the United States had invited General LaFayette to visit the scenes of his early military achieve- ment and to mingle once more with the thinning ranks of the Revolutionary heroes. He arrived at New York August 15, and was received by Joseph Bonaparte, a brother to the great Napoleon, then a resident of Bordentown, New Jersey, amid the roar of cannon and the strains of martial music. Everywhere the same profound respect and triumphant welcome awaited the nation's shiest. A Student's History of Illinois 109 155. Invitation to Illinois. — Early in the session of the general assembly in December, 1824, that body extended a cordial invitation to General LaFayette to visit Illinois. General LaFayette as he appeared at the time cf his visit to Kaskaskia and Shawneetown. He was then 68 years old. This invitation was sui^plemented by a very affectionate letter from Governor Coles. On the 12th of April, 1825, LaFayette wrote to Gover- nor Coles from New Orleans saying he Avould reach Illi- nois about the end of the month of April. On April 28, the steamboat Natchez arrived at the old French village of Carondolet, below St. Louis, wdth General LaFayette and his party. The next day he was royally welcomed by Governor Clark of INlissouri in the young city of St. Louis. 156. Visits Kaskaskia. — On the morning of April 30, Saturday the Natchez conveyed LaFayette and a distin- guished party to Kaskaskia, the old seat of French empire in the west. A vast throng of patriotic citizens bade him no A Student's History of Illinois Avelcome. A reception was held at the home of General John Edgar. Governor Coles delivered a glowing address of welcome to which LaFayette responded with consider- able feeling. A few old Revolutionary soldiers who had fought with LaFayette at Brandy wine and Yorktown, were presented. The scene was very affecting. The party now repaired to the hotel kept by Colonel ow 1^ A Student's History of Illinois 111 Sweet, where a banquet was spread. This hotel had been profusely decorated by the patriotic ladies of the town. Laurel wreaths, roses, and wild flowers filled all available space. The ladies had also brought the provision with which the tables were loaded. Col. Pierre Menard sat at LaFayette's right, while the priest, Father Olivier, sat at the left. The banquet was followed by a grand ball, after which LaFayette started on his return to the east by way of the Ohio river. At Shawneetown he was received and wel- comed with great enthusiasm. 157. The Election of 1826. — The canvass for the gover- norship which took place in the summer of 1826 was a long and interesting contest. There were three candidates, Ninian Edwards, Thomas Sloo, and Adolphus Frederick Hubbard. It is said of Edwards that he dressed faultlessly, and was a ^'man with a noble, princely appearance." He made his canvass of the State in all the circumstance of a A^irginia planter — broadcloth suit, ruffled shirt, high topped boots, carriage, and colored servants. He was bold in his attack upon the State Bank management and made little or no effort to hold his former friends to his cause. The opposition argued that Edwards was old, and that he and his family and near kin had been holding office since the territory was organized. But when election day came Ninian Edwards was elected governor for four years. 112 A Stiidciif's History of Illinois GOVERNOR NINIAN EDWARDS. 1826—1830. Ninian Edwarcls was born in Maryland, March 17, 1775. He was graduated from college at the age of 19 and moved to Kentucky where he rose rapidly in the profession of law. In 1809 he was Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals. Madison appointed him governor of Illinois Territory in that year. He served as governor till 1818, and was then elected U. S. senator which he held till 1825. He was appointed minister to Mexico, but on account of some trouble with the national administration he resigned that position and was a candidate for governor of Illinois in 1826. He served as governor from Dec, 1826 to Dec, 1830. He was a candidate for congress but was defeated. He died in 1833 in Belleville of cholera, having contracted the disease while ministering to others suffering with this dread malady. He was held in high esteem by people through- out the state. A Student's History of Illino:.: 113 CHAPTER XIX. ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR EDWARDS. 158. Inauguration. — Ninian Edwards was inaugurated governor in December, 1826. He delivered his message to the legislature in a plain speech in which he took strong ground against the State Bank and its management. He also discussed taxation, and expenditures. In the inaugural message he seems not to have made specific charges against the management of the bank; but in a later message, he charged that loans of more than $1,000 were made on real estate security which, according to the terms of the charter, was unlawful. 159. Management of the Bank. — It was shown that a loan for $2,000 was made on real estate security, and when the mortgage was foreclosed and the land sold, the bank realized only $491.83. It was also shown that another loan of $6,625 was secured by real estate valued at only $3,140.71. The governor further showed that this loan was made to three prominent advocates of the conven- tion for the purpose of founding a pro-slavery newspaper at Edwardsville in 1824. Further, the governor showed that the officers had loaned themselves money greatly in excess of the amounts permitted by law. The governor kept persistently at the task of exposing the corruption and illegality in the management of the bank and the legislature was finally forced to appoint a committee of investigation, A committee of seven took a large amount of testimony and reported eventually to the house, and from that report 114 A Student's History of Illinois that body ''Resolved, That nothing has been proved against the late president, directors, and cashier of the branch bank at Edwardsville, which would justify the belief that they had acted corruptly and in bad faith in the management of the affairs of the said bank." To Governor Edwards and his friends this looked like a case of "whitewashing." 160. First Penitentiary. — Another very important ac- tion taken by this legislature was that of providing a peni- tentiary. John Reynolds, who was afterwards governor of the State, is to be given credit for this movement which resulted in the penitentiary. Governor Reynolds in speak- ing of this says: "I had reflected upon the subject of punishment of criminals, and had reached the conclusion that the criminal law should be changed, and that the ancient barbarous system of whipping, cropping, and branding for crime should be abolished and the pentiten- tiary substituted. This ancient practice had been in oper- ation for ages and it was difficult to change it. But the age required the old barbarous system of the pil- lory, the whipping post, and the gallows to be cast away, and a more Christian and enlightened mode of punish- ment adopted." 161. Selling the Salt Reservation. — Governor Reynolds' proposition met with favor, but when the question was asked where is the money to come from, no one seemed to know. Governor Reynolds was equal to the emergency. He proposed to get the consent of congress to sell the lands included in the salt reservations in the State which amounted to considerably over 100,000 acres. Congress readily consented to the sale, and 40,000 acres were put on the market. One-half of the receipts was put into the penitentiary, and the other half into improving the roads, and clearing the rivers for navigation, in the eastern part .] Student's History of Illinois 115 of the State. At the suggestion of Mr. Reynolds the peni- tentiary was located at Alton. 162. School Legislation. — The Enabling Act provided that section numbered IG in each township, or one of equal value, should be granted the State for the use of the schools of that townsliip. Again three per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of public lands in Illinois was given by the general government '^for the encouragement of learning of which one-sixth part shall be exclusively bestowed on a college or university." Some legislation in 1821 provided for the opening of schools and the establishing of other educational agencies. In 1825 Senator Duncan from Jackson county, and ci.fterwards governor of the State, secured the passage of a law which provided for a school system very much like the one we have today. Taxes were to be levied and col- lected on the property of the people in the district. There was a board of directors who were to have control of the school, buildings, examine the teachers, and have general oversight of the whole subject. In 1826-7 the legislature provided for better securities from those who were borrowing the money for which the school lands had been sold. But in 1829, the legislature repealed the part of the Duncan law of 1825 which gave two per cent of the net revenue of the State to the schools. Every commendable feature of the Duncan law was later repealed and the schools lay prostrate till 1855. 163. The Winnebago War. — In the latter part of Gov- ernor Edwards' terms there were indications of trouble with the Indians in the northwest part of the State. The lead mines in that region drew large numbers of people to the northern part of the State and there were conflicts between these newcomers and the Indians, and some deaths resulted. Governor Edwards was appealed to and immediately 116 A Student's History of Illinois dispatched a regiment of militia from Sangamon and Morgan counties under command of Col. T. M. Neale. General Atkinson, of the United States army, with 600 regulars appeared upon the scene and quieted the dis- turbance without any bloodshed. Several prominent Indians were arrested and tried, those found guilty of murder were executed, the others turned loose. Black Hawk was among those liberated. 164. The Campaign. — Governor Edwards closed his term as chief executive of Illinois amid expressions of satisfaction from the people. He turned over the office to his successor in December, 1830, and retired to his home in Belleville where he died in 1833. His life had been indeed a very active one, he having held political bffice nearly a quarter of a century. In the campaign for governor John Reynolds, who already had served a term on the supreme bench and one term in the legislature was the leading candidate. His opponent was a Rev. AVm. Kinney. From the descrip- tion of the campaign as given by Ford there w\as not a very great difference between the campaign methods of those days and those of today. Mr. Reynolds was elected. A Student's History of Illinois 117 GOVERNOR JOHN REYNOLDS. 1830—1834. John Reynolds, the fourth governor of Illinois, was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1789. He migrated west reaching Kaskaskia, by way of Tennessee, in 1800. Received some schooling in the crude schools of those days, and attended a college in Knoxville, Tenn. He was a lawyer. He fought as a "Ranger" in the War of 1812. Was elected a member of the supreme court when that couri was or- ganized, and later served in the legislature. Following his term as governor, he sat in congress one term. He was a prominent citizen of the state till his death in 1865. He wrote a "Pioneer History of Illinois," "My Life and Times," and "Sketches and Travels." CHAPTER XX. JOHN REYNOLDS— THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 165. The New Governor. — The seventh general as- .sembly met December 6, 1830, and organized. The new governor began his term under very favorable circum- stances. In his message he formally discussed the follow- 118 A Student's History of Illinois ing subjects as being those upon which he hoped the gen- eral assembly might legislate. Education. "In the whole circle of your legislation, there is no subject that has a greater claim upon your attention or calls louder for your aid than that of education." Internal Improvement. "There cannot be an appropria- tion of money within the exercise of your legislative poAvers that will be more richly paid to the citizens than that for the improvement of the country." The Penitentiary. He reported that the work had pro- gressed quite satisfactorily and that twenty-five cells were nearing completion, and he hoped the legislature would take such action as would carry the enterprise to completion. The Salines. The State had had charge of the Salines since 1818 and very little income had been realized from them. He was very desirous that they should be so man- aged as to result in a source of income to the State. 166. The Deep Snow. — The winter of 1830-1 was long remembered as "the winter of the deep snow." It is said that the winter was a mild one till Christmas. During the Christmas holidays a snow storm began and for nine weeks, almost every day, it snowed. The snow melted little or none and was found to be more than three feet on an average. It was, however, drifted very badly in some places. The old fashioned "stake and rider" fences were buried in many places with the drifted snow. The long country lanes were covered over so that no sign of the road was left. On top of this snow, fell rain and sleet and formed such a crust that people and stock might walk on top of the snow. The birds and small game suffered very much for want of food, while larger wild game became verv tame. A Student's History of Illinois 119 167. The State Bank. — The charter incorporating the State bank of Illinois was passed in 1821, and expired January 1, 1831. The end of the bank came therefore in Reynolds' term as governor. The State had lost about $100,000 in this banking business, and must in some way meet this indebtedness. Finally, a loan w^as obtained of a Mr. Wiggins, of Cincinnati, Ohio, of $100,000 and the affairs of the bank wound up. This was known as "the AViggins loan" and was for many years a great torment to the legislators who authorized it. Reproduced by courtesy and permission of ]\xcClure, Phillips & Co. from Ida M. Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." Copyright 1900. Black Hawk. 120 .1 Student's History of Illinois 168. Saukenuk.— In the fall of 1830 the Sac and Fox Indians left their village, Saukenuk, at the mouth of Rock River for their winter hunt. AVhites came in and occupied the empty huts. The Indians returned in the spring of 1831 and attempted to occupy their village. This brought on trouble between the whites and the Indians. A compromise was agreed to and quiet was temporarily restored. But trouble soon arose and the governor ordered out the militia. The regulars to the number of 600 came to the village. Black Hawk, who led the Indians, agreed to move to the west side of the Mississippi and to remain there. 169. The Invasion. — Black Hawk and his followers remained on the west side of the Mississippi till the spring of 1832. In the early spring of this year, April 6, he and his braves crossed to the east side of the river and proceeded up the Rock river as if to join the Winnebagoes where he said he wished to raise a crop in conjunction with that tribe. This movement on the part of Black Hawk created consternation among the whites all along the northern frontier from the Mississippi to Cliicago, and the people hastily left their homes and took refuge farther south where the population was numerous, and means of defense ample. Many fled to Fort Dearborn and remained there till the war closed. Governor Reynolds having been notified of Black Hawk's movements decided to take precautionary meas- ures. He also received a request from General Atkinson for troops, and on the 16th of April the governor issued a call for a large body of troops. They were to assemble at Beardstown on the 22d of April. From here they pro- ceeded to the mouth of Rock river when they were joined by the regulars from St. Louis. A Student's History of Illinois 121 The Stillman Valley Monument erected by the State to commemorate the death of Twelve Soldiers Massacred by Indians at that place. 170. Stillman's Defeat. — From Saukenuk the two armies marched to Dixon on the Rock river. Here the army halted. A reconnoitering party of a couple of liundred militiamen under Major Stillman were ambushed near the present village of Stillman's Valley and twelve of their number killed. Other conflicts occurred in the vicinity of Kellogg's Grove where other militiamen were killed. Black Hawk was worsted in these later engage- ments and hastily moved northward. He retreated with all his people to the hills of southern Wisconsin. General Atkinson followed with nearly 4,000 men. Upon reaching Burnt Village the army halted. Here there seemed so much indecision and lack of plan in the campaign that the volunteers became much dis- 122 A Student's History of Illinois Courtesy and permission of Mr. Frank Stevens, Author of "The Black Hawk War." Indian Creek Monument, erected to commemorate the death of Fifteen People Massacred on Indian Creek, about fifteen miles northeast of Ottawa. couraged. Food became scarce and desertions were quite the order of the day. 171. Battle of Wisconsin River.— On the bluffs of the Wisconsin river about twenty-five miles northwest of ^ladison the Indians were overtaken. A desperate stand was made by Black Hawk but at the end of the day's fighting he crossed the river leaving 68 of his braves dead upon the field of battle, and twenty-five more were found dead betAveen the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. A Student's History of Illinois 123 The Indians all gathered on the east side of the Missis- sippi in the region of the mouth of Bad Axe Creek where they were attacked by the soldiers. A few escaped into Iowa, many were drowned, many killed, and the balance captured, Black Hawk being among the prisoners. 172. The End. — The war was now considered ended and the Illinois soldiers were marched to Dixon, where they were mustered out and thence returned to their homes. Gen. Winfield Scott had been ordered from Fortress Mon- roe and arrived on the 7th of August, 1832, to assist in the restoration of order and in the punishment of the insolent savages. In the summer of 1834 there was another congressional election. And although Reynolds' time as governor would not be out till December, 1834, yet he announced himself a candidate for congress and was elected. The lieutenant governor, Zadoc Casey, had resigned two years before to go to congress and now Reynolds resigned as governor and the burden and honors of the chief magis- tracy fell upon the shoulders of Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, who served as governor fifteen days until the inauguration of Governor Duncan. 124 A Student's History of Illinois GOVERNOR WM. L. D. EWING. Chief Executive from Nov. 17, 1834, to Dec. 3, 1834. Governor Ewing was a Kentuckian. He came to Illinois prior to 1820, and held a federal appointment in this State under Presi- dent Monroe; served in the legislature, and as brigadier general of the "Spy Battalion" in the Black Hawk war. He was elected president pro tem of the senate in the ninth general assembly and thus became the constitutional successor of Governor Reynolds upon the latter's resignation. Governor Ewing later served in congress as representative and as senator. He also held the office of auditor. He died in 1846. 173. The Campaign. — Mr. Joseph Duncan, member of congress, announced his candidacy for governor. He was a prominent figure in Illinois and the people were pleased to have him make the race for this office. He was opposed by Mr. AVm. Kinney. ]\Ir. Duncan did not come to Illi- nois to carry on his campaign but depended on his friends, and on personal correspondence from Washington. He was elected. A Student's History of Illinois 125 GOVERNOR JOSEPH DUNCAN. 1834—1838. Joseph Duncan was born in Paris, Kj'., February 22, 1794. He served with distinction in the War of 1812. He received a sword and a vote of thanks from congress for his gallantry in the defense of Fort Stephenson in this war. He came to Illinois in 1818, and settled in Jackson county, near the famous Fountain Bluff. He svas a member of the lower house of the general assembly in 1825. He was the author of the first free school law in this state. He served in congress from 1827 to 1834, when he was elected governor. He erected the first frame house in Jacksonville and was a great friend of Illinois College. He died in Jacksonville in 1844. CHAPTER XXI. GOVERNOR DUNCAN— STATE BANKING. 174. Message. — There were two important subjects apon which he recommended legislation — one was bank- ing, the other internal improvement. On the latter sub- ject he recommended the laying out of roads now, before the country was settled, so that they might run on the 126 A Student's History of Illinois most direct line from one point to another. In response to this suggestion the legislature authorized the establish- ment of forty-two State roads and at a later special session forty more. In addition, a law was passed authorizing county commissioners to establish roads within the limits of their counties. This public road legislation was only an earnest of what was in store for the State within the next few years. 175. Banking. — We have in previous chapters followed the financial legislation up to the year 1831, the expiration of the charter of the State bank. And we have seen that the project ended very disastrously for the State. The last act in this ten-year drama was to borrow $100,000 to redeem the outstanding issue of the defunct bank. The legislature readily agreed with the governor on the value of banks when he said ^^banks may be made useful in society." It should be remembered that the members of the general assembly w^ere not elected with any idea that such a subject would be before them. It was .there- fore quite a surprise to the members of the legislature, as well as to the people, when they found themselves creating another great banking system. The period from 1834 to 1838 covers the national financial crisis of 1837. The financial story of Illinois at this time is too difficult to be easily understood and it is therefore not discussed except in a very meager w^ay. The paper money issued by these Illinois banks soon fell very low in relative value, and steps were taken in 1843 to close out these banks but thev struggled along till the passage of the ^'Free Banking Law" in 1853. 176. Special Session. — A special session of the general assembly was held in December, 1835, to redistrict the State into legislative districts following the State census of 1835. The governor brought before the legislature the matter of internal improvements. The sum of $100,000 A Student's History of Illinois 127 was borrowed to further the work on the proposed canal joining Lake Michigan and the upper waters of the lUi- nois river. There was also some bank legislation. 177. Illinois and Michigan Canal. — The value of a canal joining the Illinois river and Lake Michigan was very early recognized. Nathaniel Pope explained its impor- tance in his argument for the extension of the northern boundary of the State from 41 degrees and 39 minutes to 42 degrees and 30 minutes. Governors Bond, Coles, Edwards, and Duncan had all urged the building of this canal. In 1836 a commission of three men was appointed to begin work on the canal. On July 4, 1836, work was begun. Congress had granted the right of way from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river. Town lots were to be sold from this grant in Chicago, and at Ottawa. These lots were eagerly sought and labor, as well as food products, reached a high price. From the day the canal was begun, July 4th, 1836, till it was fin- ished in 1848, the State kept steadily at the task although at times the work was greatly hampered by reason of financial stringency. The total cost was $6,500,000. 178, A Special Message. — In December, 1835, Governor Duncan said in his message to the special session of the legislature ^^When we look abroad and see the extensive lines of inter-communication penetrating almost every sec- tion of our western states, when we see the canal boat and the locomotive bearing, with seeming triumph, the rich productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes and ocean, almost annihilating time, burthen, and space, what pat- riotic bosom does not beat high with laudable ambition to gi'^e Illinois her full share of those advantages which are adorning her sister states and which her magnificent providence seems to invite by the wonderful adaptation 128 A Student's History of Illinois of the whole country to such improvements.'' And then, as if fearful that this oratory would overcome their con- servatism, he adds : "While I would urge the most liberal support of all such measures as tending Avith perfect cer- tainty to increase the wealth and prosperity of the State, I would at the same time most respectfully suggest the propriety of leaving the construction of all such works wherein it can be done consistently with the general inter- est, to individual enterprise." This was indeed wholesome advice and had it been taken the State would have greatly profited thereby. But internal imj^rovement was in the air. The subject was receiving unusual interest in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ncav York, and Maryland. In 1835 there were twenty-two railroads in operation in the United States, two of which were west of the Alleghanies. In addition there were several canals, besides the great Erie canal. 179. Crystallizing Sentiment. — It was argued that Illi- nois was unsurpassed in fertility of soil, in variety of climate, and agricultural products; timber was plentiful, all that was needed was the means of distribution. Her situation relative to the Lakes and the Mississippi was superior to that of any other State west of the Alleghanies. All that was needed was more people and more enterprises. Public meetings were held in which all these facts were discussed. A move was eventually set on foot for a State conven- tion which was appointed to meet in Vandalia at the time of the meeting of the legislature early in December, 1836. Delegates were appointed from the several counties and much interest was manifested. 180. Improvement Convention. — The delegates who had been selected to attend the improvement convention assembled in Vandalia several days prior to the opening of the legislature. A Student's History of Illinois 129 Many members of the legislature took part in the deliberations of the internal improvement convention. This convention soon finished its business and adjourned. The results of its deliberations were, first, a bill which it was expected some friend would introduce into the legis- lature; and second, a memorial or plea setting forth the advantages, costs, incomes, etc., of this improvement ven- ture. In addition, the convention selected a lobbying committee that should remain in Vandalia during the session and see that timid members did not fail to do their duty. 181. Governor's Message. — The legislature assembled early in December, 1836. The governor's message was a conservative document for such times. He was heartily in favor of the idea of internal improvements, but was quite doubtful as to the advisability of the State's under- taking the entire financial obligation. He was willing that the State should assume a third or a half of the responsibility but was not favorable to the assumption of the whole burden by the State. After the session was fairly open, the bill prepared by the convention and the accompanying memorial were pre- sented to the house. Resolutions were introduced by Stephen A. Douglas favoring State ownership. The sub- ject was referred to the committee on internal improve- ment, the chairman of which was Edward Smith, of Wabash county. 182. Appropriations. — The bill which had been kindly prepared by the convention and presented to the legisla- ture, for its endorsement and modification by the house, provided for the following internal improvements, and set aside the amounts opposite for the carrying out of the same: 130 A Student's History of Illinois Improvement of the Wabash, the Illinois, Rock river, Kaskaskia, and Little Wabash, and Western Mail Route $ 400,000 Railroad, Vincennes to St. Louis 250,000 Railroad, Cairo to Galena 3,500,000 Railroad, Alton to Mt. Carmel 1,600,000 Railroad, Quincy to Indiana line 1,800,000 Railroad, Shelby ville to Terre Haute 650,000 Railroad, Peoria to Warsaw 700,000 Railroad, Alton to Central Railroad 600,000 Railroad, Belleville to Mt. Carmel 150,000 Railroad, Bloomington to Pekin 350,000 To pacify disappointed counties 200,000 Total $10,200,000 This bill which provided for the construction of so many railroads, was sent to the governor, who, together with the council of revision, vetoed the measure. But when it came back to the general assembly it was speedily passed over the veto. This bill was not the only measure of importance before the legislature. There was a bill to increase the capital stock of the State Bank $2,000,000, and that of the Shawneetown Bank $1,400,000 ; a proposi- tion to re-locate the State capital ; and also a proposition to enlarge the issue of bonds for the completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal. 183. Moving the Capital. — Mr. Abraham Lincoln had been elected a member of the lower branch of the legisla- ture from the Springfield district, and charged with the task of securing the removal of the capital from Vandalia to Sprinfield. A bill was introduced providing for such removal and after considerable "log rolling," Mr. Lin- coln secured the passage of the bill locating the capital of the State at Springfield. Bonds were issued and sold and the money placed at the disposal of the Board of Public Works which began A Student's History of Illinois 131 the construction of the raih-oads provided for in the Improvement Act. 184. State Election. — ^V'ery naturally the most pressing question before the people in the campaign of 1838 was the one of ^'Internal Improvement." Thomas Carlin, the Democratic candidate for governor, was not pronounced either for or against the system of internal improvement ; Cyrus Edwards, the Whig candidate, came out strongly for the svstem. Carlin was elected. The Old Shawneetown Bank Building, erected in 1840 at a cost o£ $80,000. This was without doubt the best banking institution in Illinois prior to the inauguration of the National Banks. 132 A Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER XXII. A PIONEER INDUSTRY. 185. The Government Surveys. — When the states claiming land west of the Alleghany mountains ceded their claims in 1781-4, the government passed the Ordi- nance of 1785 which provided a system of surveys for the territory north of the Ohio. The work of surveying began at the western side of Pennsylvania and proceeded slowly westward. As reports of these surveyors came to the gov- ernment from time to time, more and more was learned of the unexplored country. Among other reports which came in were those which mentioned the finding of salt licks and salt springs. On the 18th of May, 1796, congress ordered that the surveyors be instructed ^'to observe closely for mines, salt springs, salt licks, and mill-seats." In 1799-1800, Wm. Henry Harrison was a delegate in congress from the Northwest Territory and was a member of the committee on territories. In one of his reports he says: Upon inquiry we find that salt springs and salt licks on the east of the Muskingum and near the great Miami are operated by individuals and timber is being wasted; Therefore, we recom- mend that salt springs and salt licks, property of the United States in the Territory of Ohio, ought to be leased for a term of years. This became the policy of the government relative to this resource in the Northwest Territory. 186. Salt Springs Leased. — Wm. Henry Harrison be- came governor of the Indiana Territorv in 1800. He made A Student's History of Illinois 133 treaties with the Indians with the view of getting posses- sion of all the lands which had salt springs or salt licks. On the Saline river which rises in Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson, and empties into the Ohio in Gallatin county, was found one of the greatest salt licks which is to be found in the United States. There was also in the immediate vicinity salt springs of strongly impregnated water. This lick is within a half mile of the town of Equality, Gallatin county, the spring is down the Saline river about three miles. There are evidences that this lick and the spring and wells had been used by the Indians for 100 years before the coming of the whites. Above the spring on a bluff and also in the vicinity of the lick are vast quantities of a strange pottery which is very fully described in the September issue of the Popular Science Monthly, for 1877. It is believed this pottery was used in the evaporation of the strong brine, by the Indians, and also by the French. These springs, licks, and wells were leased in 1803 to a Captain Bell, of Lexington, Kentucky, and in 1807 to John Bates of Jefferson county, Kentucky. 187. Reservations. — Land offices were established in Kaskaskia, Vincennes, and Detroit in 1804, and by the same law all salt springs, wells, and licks with the neces- sary lands adjacent thereto were reserved from sale as the property of the United States. On February 12, 1812, congress created the Shawneetown land district. Leonard AVhite, Willis Hargrave, and Phillip Trammel constituted a committee to set aside the lands adjacent to these salt works as a "reservation" for the benefit of the salt works. The timber was needed for fuel to boil down the brine. Something like 100,000 acres of land was reserved from the sale in the immediately vicinity of the Great Half Moon Lick which was found near Equality. An addi- 134 A Student's History of Illinois tional 84,000 acres were reserved in other southern Illinois communities. 188. A Gift to Illinois. — The United States never suc- ceeded in getting much rent from these salt works, though the parties who leased the works from the government are said to have prospered financially. The actual labor was jDcrformed by negro slaves from Kentucky, Tennessee, and perhaps from other slave states. We shall speak of this in a later chapter. When Nathanial Pope framed the Enabling Act which permitted Illinois to make a constitution, he inserted a provision that all salt springs, wells, and licks with the reservations thereto belonging should become the prop- erty of Illinois. These lands could not be sold without the consent of congress. The legislature thereafter leased these works and collected the profits. These salt works never paid the State any adequate return for the cost of watching them and collecting the rent. The State eventually got the consent of congress to sell these reservations. The money was used in construct- ing the old penitentiary at Alton and in building roads, and in making other improvements on the eastern part of the State. 189. Making Salt. — The salt making process at first was very simple. Large iron kettles holding from forty- five to ninety gallons each were brought down the Ohio from Pittsburg to Shawneetown. Long trenches w^ere dug in the ground and lined with rock on the sides. The kettles were set over these trenches and the spaces between filled with mortar or mud, a chimney was constructed at one end of the long row of kettles and a fire kept con- stantly burning under the kettles which were filled with the brine. The brine was gotten by digging wells from thirty feet to 2,000 feet deep. The fuel was the timber off of the reservation. This A Student's History of Illinois 135 was easily furnished for a few years, but soon the timber was cut for one or two miles. Then the cost of hauling fuel to the wells and furnaces was too great to justify the continuance of the business. Then was shown real genius — then came the real forerunner of the present pipe line systems. 190. The Pipe Line. — The furnaces were now moved to the timber in some instances some three or four miles A Section of a Wooden Pipe used in the Salt Works at Equality. Many of these wooden pipes are still buried in the ground in that locality. away. The water was carried to the furnaces in wooden pipes. These pipes were made by cutting down trees about ten to sixteen inches in diameter and into lengths of from twelve to twenty feet. A two-inch auger hole was bored endwise through these logs. At the butt end the opening was reamed out, while the smaller end of another log was trimmed to enter this enlarged opening. The small end was inserted into the butt end and the joint made secure by a sort of battering-ram. To prevent the butt end from splitting, iron bands were 136 A Student's History of Illinois fitted over the log. These wooden pipe lines ran straight from the wells to the timber, over small hills and across streams. To force the water over the small hills a sort of standpipe was constructed at the well high enough to force the water over all points between the wells and the fur- naces. In crossing the streams the pipe line was forced to the bottom of the water by heavy iron riders said to weigh several hundred pounds. These old furnaces, pipe lines, and wells are to be seen today, although this process was abandoned about 1840. Coal came to be used as fuel and new furnaces were con- structed at the wells. Evaporating pans from twelve to sixteen fet wide, twenty feet long and twelve inches high, and constructed of boiler iron were used instead of kettles. Steam was used for power and modern machinery took the place of hand labor. 191. Palmy Days. — In the days of the pipe line system, there were hundreds of men employed, lumbermen, wood haulers, firemen, hands to attend the evaporating pans, coopers, inspectors, store-keepers, rivermen, hoop-pole mer- chants, and overseers. The pipes were first bored by hand but soon a horsepower auger was arranged. Negro slaves were the principal laborers. Later when the improved machinery, etc., was used, they made as much as 500 barrels a day. The manufacture of salt ceased about Equality in 1870. 192. The Half Moon Lick. — This lick is a very great wonder. It is twenty-five or thirty feet deep and covers about ten or fifteen acres. Heavy timber grows all about it, but nothing Avithin the lick except shmbbery. Salt was made in large quantities in an early day in Monroe county, nine miles due w^est of Waterloo ; in Madi- son on Silver creek ; in Bond on Shoal creek ; in Jackson on Big Muddy. Salt was manufactured in Vermillion countv also. A Student's History of Illinois 137 Governor Thomas Carlin. 1838-1842. Thomas Carlin, the sixth governor of Illinois, was born of Irish ancestry in Kentucky, 1789. He served in the War of 1812 and in the Black Hawk AVar. His education was limited, but he was a man of common sense and great firmness of character. He had been a Sheriff, State Senator, and Registrar of the Land Office at Quincy. He died in Carrollton in 1852. CHAPTER XXITT. COLLAPSE OF IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM. 193. Divided Opinion. — In Governor Duncan's last message to the legislature in December, 1838, he again took decided ground against continuing the internal improvement plans. He pointed out with prophetic fore- sight the evils of the ^^system." The incoming governor took a different position. He endorsed the principle that the State instead of individuals or stock companies should carry on these great improvements. However, he thought 138 A Student's History of Illinois that if he had been governor at the time that the system was inaugurated he would not have been in favor of such far reaching enterprises. He felt that since over ten millions of dollars had already been spent in the prose- cution of the original plans, it would be harmful to the good name of the State to attempt any curtailment. 194. Increased Expenditures. — Evidently Gov. Carlin's views impressed themselves upon the legislators for they immediately enlarged the scope of the former plans by the expenditure of several hundred thousands of dollars additional. The governor's views are further reflected in a report from the committee on internal improvement in which the chairman took the stand that individuals or corporations ought not to be encouraged or even permitted to engage in railroad building in competition with the State. At this session of the legislature the governor was authorized to borrow $4,000,000 to further the construc- tion of the canal. He appointed ex-Governor John Reynolds and Eichard M. Young to negotiate this loan. Governor Reynolds and Senator Young visited New York and placed large quantities of the bonds. Governor Reynolds and two of the fund commissioners eventually went to London where other large financial transactions took place. The financial agents of the State were reck- less and in several instances disregarded the law. As a result, when the whole affair came to light it appeared that out of all the transactions the State was loser to the extent of half a million dollars caused by the bungling way in which the loans were made. 195. Special Session. — Through the summer of 1839 the people were doing more thinking than they had done for some time, and it was easy to figTire that it would take something over $20,000,000 to finish the improvements as they had been planned. It was jusy as easy to see that A Student's History of Illinois 139 at six per cent interest the annual interest charge would be in the neighborhood of $1,300,000. The annual ex- pense of carrying on the State government consumed all the income of the State from taxation. The work on the railroads was being pushed vigorously in many localities and large quantities of money were being paid out. When the governor came to grasp the situation fully, he decided to call the legislature together for the purpose of considering the appalling state of affairs. The legisla- ture met on the 9th of September, 1839, and listened to the opinion of the governor on the outlook. It had only been one short year since Governor Duncan had plead very earnestly with the legislature to check the growing ten- dency to reckless venture in the internal improvement schemes. Governor Carlin, at that time, as earnestly sug- gested the continuance of the '^system.'' But now we see him facing the other way. He recommended to this spe- cial session such legislation and such management as would complete some particular road so that a revenue might be realized as soon as possible. 196. Reversing the Policy. — The legislature was quick to take a hint. And while there was an effort to continue certain phases of the work the general feeling was that the safest and sanest thing to do was to reverse completely the policy. Laws were passed abolishing the board of fund commissioners and the board of public works. One fund commissioner was then authorized to act but without power to sell bonds or to borrow money on the credit of the State. A board of public works, consisting of three members was created. This fund commissioner and this board of public works were to wind up all business with- out delay, pay off all contractors in orders on the treasury, and discharge all employees except such as were absolutely necessary to wind up the business. All bonds unsold were to be returned and burned. The new board of public 140 A Student's History of Illinois works was to take charge and operate any roads which were near completion. The work on the IlHnois and Michigan canal was not checked. The ''Great Northern Cross Railroad/' which was being constructed from Springfield to Quincy was completed from Meredosia to Jacksonville, a distance of about twenty-five miles. The total cost of the road between these points was $1,000,000. An engine was put on in 1 Vv'> •■ •■ ;1 «g_i, — jpi| "■"- - ^ --■ ' '——=», :- ' . Old Capitol in Springfield, now used as the Sangamon County Court House. 1842. The income was not as large as the expense and in the course of a year or so the engine was taken off and the road was leased and run by mule power for several years. It was eventually sold for $100,000, which was paid for in State bonds which were worth twenty-one cents on the dollar. In 1840 our indebtedness was more than $14,000,000. 197. The New Capitol. — The special session of the legislature held in 1889 met in Springfield, the new capi- A Stiidenfs History of Illinois 141 tal. Churches were used by the house, the senate, and the supreme court. The new building which was under con- structicn was to be a very elegant and commodious build- ing, located in the center of the square, and was 123 feet long, 89 feet wide, and 44 feet high. It was constructed from native stone quarried only a few miles from the town. At the north and south ends very large round i:)illars supported a projecting portico, and the whole was surmounted by a dome of proper proportion. It is still standing and has been extensively repaired, and enlarged by putting an extra story between the basement and what was formerly the first story. It is now the court house for Sangamon county. 198. Great Orators. — The great "Tippecanoe and Tyler too'' campaign of 1840 Avas warmly contested in Illinois. It was in this campaign that the wonderful powers of Lincoln and Douglas as public orators became known through the State and the nation. The Whigs planned a large meeting in Springfield in June, 1840. Lincoln was one of the Aa'c presidential electors and he was very anxious not to be defeated. To this meeting came 20,000, some said 50,000, people. They came from as far north as Chicago. It took fourteen teams to bring the Chicago delegation and they were three weeks on the journey. They brought a two-masted ship with a band of music and a six pound cannon. Delegations came from all directions. A log cabin was drawn in the procession by thirty yoke of oxen, and in a hickory tree planted by the side of this cabin live coons were playing; a barrel of hard cider stood near the door. Lincoln made a great speech, possibly several during the day, from a wagon. Thou- sands of people crowded around him. He was then only thirty-one years old, but was rapidly coming into public favor. The Democrats held enthusiastic gatherings throughout 142 A Stiidenfs History of Illinois the State at which eloquent speakers praised the virtues of "little Van." The Democrats carried Illinois by a majority of 1,939. 199. Repudiation. — There was some talk in the years of 1839-40-41, of repudiating the State's great debt. This is usually considered a very unpatriotic proceeding. A state may, however, repudiate its debt and there were those who were favorable to such action. Of course few public men talked of repudiation openly, but privately many were favorable to it. Governor Ford, in his history, says: "It is my solemn belief that when I came into ofRce, I had the power to make Illinois a repudiating State." Governor Ford means that all the people needed was a bold leader. But no legislative action was ever taken which looked toward repudiation. The State's indebted- ness was eventually paid and the honor of the State saved. 200. Conventions. — Conventions for the nomination of candidates were a part of the party machinery by 1842. It appears also that people in those days believed in long drawn out campaigns, for as early as December, 1841, the Democratic State convention was held in Springfield for the nomination of candidates for State offices. The honors fell upon Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair county, for governor. In the spring of 1842 ex-Governor Duncan became the Whig candidate for governor. The campaign promised to be a very interesting one because of the Mor- mon problem which was just then attracting attention. The Mormons had made liberal requests upon the legisla- ture and it appears that Mr. Snyder, who was a member of that body, had been quite active in assisting them to secure what they desired. This fact was used against him and would probably have seriously hindered him in his canvas. But in the early summer Mr. Snyder died and A Student's History of Illinois 143 it was necessary for the party to put forward another standard bearer. 201. Thomas Ford. — A democratic caucus was called at Springfield in June, and Thomas Ford, a judge on the supreme bench, was selected as the candidate. Judge Ford was an ideal candidate for office — he was not an office seeker. The times were indeed in need of a wise counselor and a courageous leader and no one was better fitted to save the State from the impending dishonor of repudiation. 202. The Canvass.— The canvass was spirited, the chief topics being the Mormons, the canal, the banks, and the claims of Wisconsin to the fourteen counties in the north- ern part of the State. Duncan had the advantage of pre- vious campaigning and was, besides, a strong candidate. Judge Ford no doubt thought it wise not to express too freely his views upon the troublesome questions — for they were ail troublesome — and so was accused by Duncan of keeping from the people his real position on the questions of the day. When the ballots were counted Ford had beaten Duncan by over 8,000 votes. 144 A Student's History of Illinois CHAPTER XXIV. ANOTHER SHORT RETROSPECT. 203. Signs of Growth. — The ^yonderfully rapid advance in the State ii[) to 17 GOVERNOR JOHN P. ALTGELD. 1893—1897. John P. Altgeld was born in Prussia in 1848. Shortly after this date his parents came to America and settled in Ohio. At the age of 16 he enlisted in the 164th Ohio Infantry. After the war he studied law, and practiced his profession in Chicago. He was elected a judge of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1886. He was elected governor of the state in the election of 1892. He was a candidate for reelection in 1896 but was defeated by John R. Tan- ner, the Republican candidate. Governor Altgeld was what we are so proud of in this country, "a self made man." CHAPTER XL. GOVERNOR JOHN P. ALTGELD. 318. An Author. — Governor Altgeld was born in Ger- many, and this may partly explain his strong convictions on some public questions. He had given some of the 238 A Student's History of Illinois time of a very busy lawyer's life to the study of how to deal with criminals. He wrote two books — one entitled, ''Our Penal Machinery and its Victims;" the other, "Live Questions," and later he wrote a third volume. When ^Ir. x41tgeld came to the governor's office, among all the perplexing questions which presented themselves to him, there was one which he did not shrink from answering as he thought it ought to be answered. This was a request for the pardon of the so-called "anarchists" who had been implicated in the Hay Market riots in Chi- cago. These men were serving life sentences in the peni- tentiary. The governor pardoned them in spite of the protests of his friends and foes. Ex-Vice-President Adlai E. Stevenson. 319. Vice-President.— The national contest of 1892 was between Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, and Grover Cleveland, of New York. In Illinois, previous legislation on compulsory school attendance had alienated a large A Student's History of Illinois 239 Republican vote from the Republican party, while the Prohibitionists and Greenbackers polled nearly 50,000 votes, many of which came from the Republican ranks. However, the Democratic party was well organized and were determined. Illinois was highly honored in fur- nishing the vice-president, who served with Mr. Cleveland from 1893 to 1897— the Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson no doubt greatly strengthened the ticket in the west and especially in Illinois. Mr. Stevenson resided in Bloomington and was a highly respected citizen of the commonwealth. 320. The Chicago Strike. — In the session of the legisla- ture of 1893 the usual number of laws was enacted. Among these laws we may mention the compulsory educa- tion law, establishing homes for juvenile offenders, estab- lishing a naval-militia, anti-sweat shop laws, etc. The World's Columbian Exposition occurred in Gov- ernor Altgeld's administration. The irrespressible conflict between capital and labor was renewed in 1894. The American Railway Union refused to agree to a reduction of wages in the Pullman shops at Chicago, and a general strike was precipitated. This strike presented the occasion for disorderly and vicious persons to ply their vocations, and by the middle of the summer great confusion reigned in the city of Chi- cago. Trains were derailed, perishable property was block- aded, the United State's mails were interfered with, and destruction of property was the regular order of the day. The courts issued injunctions which the marshals and fed- eral attorneys certified they could not enforce. The Presi- dent, Mr. Cleveland, ordered the United States troops from Fort Sheridan to the city to enforce the orders of the fed- eral courts. Governor Altgeld protested vigorously against the pres- ence of federal troops in the city, and upon the request of 240 A Student's History of Illinois the mayor sent four regiments of State troops. Order was subsequently restored. More than half a million dollars worth of property was destroyed, twelve lives lost, and a bad name attached to the strikers which they probably did not deserve. 321. Altgeld Architecture. — Quite a number of public buildings were constructed during the four years of Mr. Altgeld's term. In the session of the legislature of 1895, two new normal schools were authorized. One was located at Charleston, the other at DeKalb. Governor Altgeld was deeply interested in the wise expenditure of the people's money, as well as in the kinds of buildings erected. He so impressed his ideas upon the architects and building committees that we may now see scattered over the State a peculiar type of public buildings which is known as the Altgeld style of architecture. Altgeld Architecture — The Science Building, Normal University, Carbondale. A Student's History of Illinois 241 322. Election of 1896.— The campaign of 1896 will long be remembered by our people. Great issues were at stake and great men were the standard bearers. The national issues Avere the free and unlimited coinage of silver versus the gold standard, and the ever troublesome question of the tariff. The Democrats, in a wonderfully enthusiastic national convention in Chicago, nominated Wm. J. Bryan, who was born and brought up in Salem, Marion county, this state, but then a citizen of Nebraska. He championed free silver and a tariff for revenue only. The Republicans nominated Wm. McKinley of Ohio who championed the gold standard and a protective tariff. Governor Altgeld was renominated by the Democrats for governor, while the Republicans named John R. Tanner as their candi- date for that office. After a whirlwind campaign the Republicans were successful in electing their state and national tickets. Bryan's Old Home in Salem, 111. 242 A Student's History of Illinois GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER. 1897—1901. Mr. Tanner was hailed as an "Egyptian," being a resident of Clay county, though born in Indiana. His education was obtained in the common schools. He enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteers at the age of nineteen. His fatlier and three brothers were all enlisted in defense of the Union. Governor Tanner was a successful farmer as well as a shrewd politician. He held the offices of Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, State Senator, United States Marshal, State Treasurer, Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner, Assistant United States Sub-treasurer, and Governor. He was intensely loyal to his friends. He was not a candidate for reelection and died shortly after the close of his term of office. CHAPTER XLI. GOVERNOR JOHN R. TANNER. 323. Some Legislation. — At the first session of the legislature an act was passed creating the A Student's History of Illinois 243 board of pardons. The constitution placed the pardoning power in the hands of the governor with a provision that the legislature might regulate the manner of applying for pardon. A board of pardon was created consisting of three members, whose duty is to receive all applications for pardon and report their decisions to the governor. The board sits quarterly, but special sessions may be held. The second ^'Torren's Land Act/' a law for securing a better system of transferring land, w^as also passed. This law also provides for the confirming of land titles against which titles no prior claims to the lands are of any value. The system originated in Germany and is more than six hundred years old. It is in operation in Cook county in this State. It may be adopted in any county by a vote of the people. Other legislation pertained to the primary elections, the revenue laws, juvenile courts, pure food, preserving the game, and creating the Western Normal. 324. Spanish American War. — When war broke out between the United States and Spain, following the. destruction of the Maine, the old time war spirit showed itself everywhere in the United States, but nowhere more than in Illinois. The State furnished nine regiments, one of which was colored. 325. Lincoln Monument. — The Lincoln monument was transferred from the original Lincoln Monument Association to the State in May, 1895. When Mr. Tanner came into office it was found that the structure, which cost a quarter of a million of dollars, was settling to one side and otherwise disintegrating. An appropriation of $100,000 was made for repairs which were made under the direction of a state board consisting of the governor, superintendent of public instruction, and state treasurer. 326. Protection of Game. — Laws for the preservation of our game, animals and birds, have been on our statute 244 A Student's History of Illinois Lincoln Monument at Springfield. books for many years, but in 1899 the law provided for a state game commissioner with a game warden for each congressional district and deputies for each county. These officers are very diligent inasmuch as their pay depends upon the fines collected for violations of the law\ All expenses of this work are paid out of the fines collected and a balance is usually left to the credit of the State treasury. 327. Factory Inspection. — In Governor Tanner's term the laws goA'crning juvenile labor were greatly strength- ened as well as the laws of sanitation in factories generally. The law provides that children under fourteen years may A Student's History of Illinois 245 not be employed in certain factories, and those between fourteen and sixteen only when the management has on file permits from the parent. Great good has resulted from this law. The hours have been shortened, juveniles have been taken out of extremely hazardous places in the factories, sanitation improved, and responsibility increased. 328. Election of 1900.— The Republican State conven- tion met in Peoria in May, 1900. Here Mr. Richard Yates was nominated for governor. The Democrats nominated a very popular gentleman for the same office, Mr. Samuel Alschuler, of Aurora. The campaign was vigorously con- tested, both candidates being unusually good speakers. The State went Republican by a large majority. 246 A Student's History of Illinois GOVERNOR RICHARD YATES, JR. 1901—1905. Richard Yates, Jr., is a native of Illinois, He was born in Jack- sonville, December 12, 1860. His father moved into the executive mansion in Springfield about the first of January, 1861. While yet a boy of less than five years, he was in the midst of the stirring times of the great civil strife. His father was the most prominent figure in the west during that critical period. Richard, junior, was educated in the public schools, Whipple Academy, Illinois College, and Michigan University. He took up the practice of law, and was city attorney of Jacksonville six years; county judge three years, and internal revenue collector two years. His campaign for the nomination for governor was quite dramatic. He made a tour of some of the counties accompanied by a "bugler," who had no trouble in drawing a crowd. Mr. Yates was inaugurated in January, 1901. Governor Yates took with him into the executive mansion, his mother, who forty years previously had entered that same mansion with Dick Yates, a baby only a few weeks old. CHAPTER XLII. SOME GOOD LEGISLATION. 329. Farmers' Institute. — Probably the most far reach- ing legislation in Governor Yates' term was the law creat- A Student's History of Illinois 247 ing the Illinois Farmers' Institute. The following is the enacting clause: Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the general assembly, That to assist and en- courage useful education among the farmers, and for develop- ing the agricultural resources of the State, that an organiza- tion under the name and style of "Illinois Farmers' Institute" is hereby created, and declared a public corporation of the State. The directors of this organization are the superintendent of public instruction, professor of agriculture of the Uni- versity of Illinois, president of the state board of agricul- ture, president of the state horticulture society, and presi- dent of the state dairymen's association. There are congressional and county organizations. A great work is being done through the local meetings which are held in every county once a year. The public schools are heartily co-operating with the Farmers' Institute. The State University is also co-operating and in a large meas- ure leading the way. The dawning of a brighter day for the farmer and the rural school is at hand. 330. A World's Fair.— The people in the states of the ''Louisiana Purchase" were desirous of commemorating that purchase by the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary. The federal government was induced to assist in the matter, and a great World's Exposition was held in St. Louis in 1904. Illinois was greatly interested in this exposition and the legislature was very liberal in appropriating a sum of money for a state exhibit. A beautiful and spacious building was erected and creditable exhibits installed. These displays were along all the lines of our material resources — coal, hay, wheat, oats, corn, fruits and vegetables, stock, and manufactured articles. Our educational and other interests were also represented. Among the exhibits from Illinois was a great collection of articles associated with the life of Abraham 248 A Student's History of Illinois Lincoln. This exhibit was furnished by the Illinois His- torical Library Association. 33 L Campaign of 1904. — Governor Yates was very de- sirous of the renomination for governor, but after a long hard convention struggle lasting several weeks Charles S. Deneen of Chicago was nominated. The Democrats named Hon. Lawrence B. Stringer of Lincoln. Mr. Deneen was elected. Executive Mansion at Springfield. A Student's History of Illinois 249 GOVERNOR CHARLES S. DENEEN. 1905—1913. Mr. Deneen was a native of southern Illinois, having been born in Edwardsvllle, Illinois, May 4, 1863. He was educated in Mc- Kendree College, and in the law school of Northwestern University. While getting started in the law business in Chicago he taught night school to support himself. He had held the position of representa- tive in the general assembly, attorney for the Chicago sanitary board, state's attorney for Cook county, besides positions of trust in his party. He served as governor two terms and was the candi- date of his party for the office in the campaign of 1912, but was defeated in the election by Judge Edward F. Dunne, the Democratic nominee. Mr. Deneen is engaged in the practice of law in Chicago. CHAPTER XLTII. GOVERNOR CHARLES S. DENEEN. 332. Inaugural. — Governor Deneen was inaugurated on January 9, 1905. His inaugural message was a timely 250 A Student's History of Illinois discussion of the merit system in public service, a primary election law, and economy in public expenditures. Gov- ernor Deneen had previously said on a public occasion: '^The office of governor is a high and honorable one Its occupant embodies for the time being the collective conscience and will of the whole people . . . Efficient service is the test of merit." 333. Legislation.— The first session of the general assem- bly placed two very important laws upon the statute books. One was a Civil Service Law. This law provides that most places of employment in the State institutions shall be filled by appointment from an eligible list made up of those who have successfully passed a State civil service examination. The other law was a Primary Elec- tion Law. This was declared unconstitutional and the legislature was called in extra session April 10, 1906, to enact another primary law. 334. Back Taxes.— Another thing Governor Deneen was deeply interested in was collecting from the Illinois Central Railroad Company what was claimed to be a large unpaid tax covering the past thirty or forty years. Suits were also begun against several ex-treasurers and ex-auditors for large sums said to be in their hands as unpaid balances due the State. These suits were all pushed vigorously and the claims of the State were made good in the courts. In 1907 the rate for passenger fare on all railroads wholly in Illinois was reduced from three cents to two cents per mile. 335. Local Option. — A most far reaching law was passed in the session of the legislature in 1907. It was what is called the Local Option law. This law permits townships, or precincts in counties not under township organization, to exclude the legal sale of intoxicating liquors, by popular vote. Many hundred saloons have been voted out in Illinois under this law. A Student's History of Illinois 251 336. Reelected. — In 1908 Governor Deneen was re- nominated by the Republican party for the governorship. He was opposed by Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, ex-Vice- President of the United States. Mr. Stevenson made a very fine race against Mr. Deneen but the latter was elected by a small majority and was inaugurated in the early part of 1909. 337. Deep Waterway. — In Governor Deneen's second term the usual amount of legislation was enacted ; but the one thing which stood out above others was the movement for a deep waterway connecting the southerly end of the Chicago Drainage Canal and the head of navigation of the Illinois river. Governor Deneen secured the passage of a law which provided for an election on the question of issuing bonds to the extent of twenty millions of dollars for the construction of this canal. In the face of deter- mined opposition the vote was favorable to the issue of the bonds. The construction of this canal was contingent upon the action of the general government in rendering certain assistance and the delay was so extended that no definite action had been taken at the end of Mr. Deneen's second term. 338. Landslide of 1912. — The rupture of the national Republican party in 1912 divided also the State Republi- can party, and there were three prominent men running for governor in that year. Mr. Deneen was the nominee of the Republican party, Judge Dunne of Chicago was the Democratic candidate, while Mr. Frank Funk of Bloomington was the standard bearer of the Progressives. Judge Dunne was elected by a handsome plurality and assumed the duties of his office January, 1913. 252 A Student's History of Illinois GOVERNOR EDWARD F. DUNNE. 1 Sis- Edward F. Dunne, twenty-fifth governor, resident of Cook County, was born at Waterville, Connecticut, October 12, 1853. Was edu- cated in the public grammar and high schools of Peoria, 111., and in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1877. In the practice of law, he has been associated in partnership with Judge Scates, and with Congressman William J. Hynes. In 1892 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and twice re-elected Judge of the same Court. Resigned from the bench in 1905, when elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. In the year 1912, he received the Democratic nomination for gov- ernor and was elected in November, of that year by a plurality of 124,651 votes. He is a very genial gentleman and has many warm friends. He is a candidate for re-election as governor. CHAPTER XLIII. SOME RECENT LEGISLATION. 339. Inauguration Delayed. — Because of the fact that there were three tickets in the field in 1912 there was no A Student's History of Illinois 25S majority party in the legislature. The election of a Speaker was delayed some weeks. The governor cannot be sworn in till the House and Senate are organized. Finally the Speaker was chosen and the organization was quickly completed and the governor sworn in. The governor's programme of legislation was compre- hensive and wise. His recommendations could not be enacted into law as Democratic measures since that party could not control a majority vote in either house. But considerable progress was made by combining all the inter- ests in all three parties, of those who really desired good laws. 340. Good Roads — Probably no law enacted in Gov- ernor Dunne's term will do more lasting good than the legislation on "good roads.'*' The State tax assessed against automobiles goes into a "good roads" fund. Thi^ fund is then distributed over the State as "State aid" for the im- provement of the roads. In connection with this good roads legislation there is a commission which furnishes engineers to any road unit that desires their aid. Many miles of roads have been permanently improved under these laws. 341. Deep Waterway. — In Governor Deneen's term of office a move was set on foot for the opening of a deep waterway from the south terminal of the Chicago drainage canal to some point on the Illinois river in the vicinity of LaSalle or Utica. The people voted to issue bonds for $20,000,000, for the construction of this waterway, but the improvement was never begun, owing to some opposi- tion by the federal government. Governor Dunne secured the enactment of another law appropriating $5,000,000, for this enterprise, but the federal government has with- held its consent. 342. Public Welfare. — The spirit of the times seems to be to direct public expenditures and legislative and 254 A Student's History of Illinois executive activity toward the improvement of the condi- tion of the great body of people. Larger appropriations have been made for all forms of public education. School authorities must provide sanitary buildings for the public schools. Factories likewise are under strict oversight as to the health and safety of employees. The pure food laws and game laws are very strict and courts are exacting as to violations. Great advance has been made in safety appliance in and about mines. ^Mine rescue stations are located in coal mining- centers and schools are maintained to instruct groups of miners how to carry on rescue work. A public utilitias commission has oversight of public utilities and regulates prices and settles differences between the public and serv- ice corporations. 343. Foot and Mouth Disease. — For the past two years there has been a new plague prevalent among the stock of Illinois. This disease is known as the "foot and mouth disease.'' Great herds of fine cattle, chiefly in the north ])art of the State, have been slaughtered by order of the State in order to stamp out the disease. Thousands of money have been appropriated from the State treasury to reimburse those w^hose herds have been killed. A recent statement from the State authorities announces the com- ])lete eradication of the disease in Illinois. 344. On the Border. — In the summer of 1916 the conditions on the Mexican border were such that the Presi- dent called out the national guard of the several states to assist the regular soldiers in maintaining order and secur- ing life and property. Illinois sent several regiments to the Rio Grande where they are now encamped and await- ing developments as between the two countries. A Student's History of Illinois 255 A GENERAL SURVEY. 345. Distribution of Population.— Illinois had in 1800 a population of 2,400. In 1810, 12,282. In 1820, 55,162. One-fourth of this population in 1820 was in that part of the state north of an east and west line through Alton. Chicago was a mere village, and neither Peoria nor Spring- field had a half dozen log cabins. By the census of 1830 there were 157,445 people in the state. The north four-fifths of the area of the state had one-half of the people, while one-fifth of the area at the south had one-half. This gives four times as many people to the square mile in the south fifth as in the north four-fifths. 346. New Counties.— The census of 1840 showed Illi- nois had 476.183 souls. The large counties of the cen- tral and northern part of the state had been subdivided and new counties created. There were now 87 counties. Towns and villages were greatly multiplying. This growth in population resulted from the Internal Improve- ment schemes of 1836. A sketch of Bureau county says: ''As late as 1836 there were no settlements on the prairies." ]\IcLean county's first brick house was built in 1839. Champaign county was not organized until 1838, and in 1840 its population was only one and a half persons to tlie square mile. 347. Growth in Population.^ — By 1850 the population liad doubled in nearly all central and northern Illinois. Somewhat later a central Illinois county had 12.274 na- tives, 4,012 of foreign birth, and 16,451 who had immi- grated from the eastern states. These sixteen thousand were the "Yankees." 256 A Student's History of Illinois 348. Illinois Central R. R. — This railroad was completed in 1854. The building of the two branches from Cen- tralia to Chicago and from Centralia to Galena greatly stimulated the growth of the central and northern parts of the state. In addition, the building and completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal greatly aided in the growth of towns and cities. Probably the farming sec- tions of the country did not grow as fast as the towns and cities. Much of the rich prairies along the Illinois Central lay in its wild state several years after the Civil War. This rich black soil was sold to the settlers at $1.25 per acre. It is now worth $300 per acre. 349. Manufacturing, etc. — Not only is the soil of cen- tral and northern Illinois the richest in the great middle west, but this land is greatly enhanced in value by great underlying fields of coal. Practically all of Illinois south of an east and west line through Rock Island is underlaid with coal. The presence of coal in this section and the wonderful facilities for transportation in the railroads, canals, rivers, the lake, and electric lines, and the rich deposits of iron, zinc, copper, clay, wdth wonder- ful forests of hard wood in this and nearby states — all combine to make central and northern Illinois unsur- passed as a general manufacturing region. These great manufacturing plants have grown up chiefly since 1875. 350. Shift in Population. — In the census of 1870 there were more people in Illinois engaged in agriculture than in all other occupations. In 1890 one-third of the people were on the farms and two-thirds in manufacturing and transportation, etc. In 1915 only one-fourth of the peo- ple lived on farms and 75 per cent were engaged in man- ufacturing, mining, transportation, and trade. There are more than a dozen different lines of manufacturing, chief of which is meat packing. Next to this stands the iron and steel industries. A Student's History of Illinois 25? 351. Thriving Cities.— As the traveler passes through the state from south to north, he is charmed by the im- mense farms, the long stretches of ''good roads," the great barns, the tall silos, beautiful orchards, the "little red school houses," churches, homes, scenery, and a contented and prosperous people. But not less varied and interest- ing are the thriving cities, the great mines, the manufac- turing plants, and the wonderful systems of transporta- tion. Not least of these is our far-reaching inland sea. The port of Chicago is one of the busiest on the lakes. 352. Means of Culture. — We have been considering the ''meat and drink" side of Hfe, but there is an aspect which must not be neglected — the means of culture. We have studied briefly the beginnings of the means of education and the founding of churches. All means of education provided by the state prior to 1855 were haphazard. In this year a school law was passed and a permanent sys- tem of education provided. Since then there has been a wonderful development of the system, until now one of our chief industries is growing American citizens through the agency of our public school system. Churches dot the landscape, but the part formerly played by our rural churches as centers of religious and social life is waning. The power for good of the village, town, and city churches has had a marked growth. There is an effort to revive the use of rural church houses and school houses as social centers. In all our cities of considerable size there has been established park systems. These parks meet a spiritual need of the toiling masses. It is a great joy to the worn- out people of the congested parts of our cities to get into the parks for a few hours each week. The management of these parks provide playground apparatus for the chil- dren, bathing pools, together with the maintenance of botanical and zoological gardens. 258 A Student's History of Illinois To meet a more general need for recreation and pleas- ure, the legislature has appropriated large sums of money for the purchase and preservation of parks in different sections of the state. These parks are usually connected with some event in the state's history. Among these may be mentioned the Starved Rock reservation, the Fort Mas- sac reservation, the Fort Chartres reservation ; and two others are recommended for purchase — the White Pine Forest of Ogle county and the great Monk's Mound in Madison county. 353. Higher Education. — Beyond the common schools — that is the eight grades, there is a very perfect system for higher education. High schools were for many years supported by single school districts, usually those of cities. But in more recent years a township system of high schools has been authorized by law. These high schools may include the territory of the township or a new taxing unit may be created from parts of several townships. These township high schools may be counted by the scores over the state. A more recent law^ provides that boys and girls having completed the eight grades in rural or village schools may have free attendance in any designated high school, the county paying the tuition. Above the high schools the state provides five normal schools for the preparation of teachers. These are very largely attended. Lastly, there is the State University at Urban a. Here the students may elect courses in law, engi- neering, medicine, domestic science, agriculture, etc. In addition to these means provided by the state for higher education there are scores of institutions provided by private means or by church interests. There are pro- fessional schools — law, medicine, and theology, as well as schools for the preparation of other professions which have recently gained a footing in our social fabric. AVhat a wonderful privilege to be a part of this vast A Student's History of Illuwis 259 state, so resourceful, so self-sufficient, with such vast possi- bilities, with such high ideals, and with so rich and glo- rious a heritage. How shall we meet the responsibilities which fall to us to preserve unsullied our great inheri- tance and transmit it unimpaired to the coming genera- tions? The answer is not difficult if we rightly understand that the responsibilities that fall to us are to be borne by all the people — each in his little niche working out his share of the problem and cheerfully contributing his part toward the perfecting of our social structure. Not without thy wondrous story, Can be writ the nation's glory, Illinois ! Illinois ! DATES IN ILLINOIS HISTORY Adapted from Illinois Blue Book. 1673 — Marquette and Joliet discover Mississippi river. 1673 — Marquette founds mission at Kaskaskia, near Utica. 1680 — LaSalle builds Fort Crevecoeur near Peoria lake. 1680 — Father Hennepin explores upper Mississippi. 1682 — LaSalle reaches mouth of Mississippi river. 1682— LaSalle and Tonty build Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock. 1687 — LaSalle assassinated in Texas. 1700 — Kaskaskia Indians settle at mouth of Kaskaskia river. 1700 — Cahokia settled, and mission established. 1711 — Mission founded at present site of Fort Massae. 1712 — Illinois country given to Crozat by King of France. 1717 — The Western Company supersedes Crozat. 1718 — Lieut. Boisbriant reaches Illinois country with 100 soldiers; builds Fort Chartres. 1720 — Phillipe Renault introduces slavery in Illinois. 1721 — Monastery and college founded at Kaskaskia. 1722 — Prairie du Rocher, the oldest town in the state, founded. 1732 — Illinois becomes a Royal Province. 1755 — Fort Chartres rebuilt of stone. 1765 — English take formal possession of Illinois Country. 1768 — Colonel Wilkins establishes civil government in Illinois. 1772 — Fort Chartres abandoned by British on account of high water. 1772 — Kaskaskia becomes capital of Illinois Country. 1778 — Colonel George Rogers Clark captures Kaskaskia with Virginia troops. 1778 — La Ville de Maillet built first house in Peoria. 1778 — Illinois is made a county in Virginia. 1779 — Colonel John Todd assumes the duties of a civil com- mandant of Illinois. 1779 — Colonel Clark marches from Kaskaskia to Vincennes and captures Colonel Hamilton and Fort Sackville. 1783 — Samuel J. Seeley taught the first English school, at New Design in Monroe county. 1783 — Illinois ceded by Great Britain to the United States. Dates in Illinois History 261 1784 — Virginia cedes her claim to Illinois to the general gov- ernment. 1787 — Ordinance for the government of the territory north ot Ohio river passed by Congress. 1790— St. Clair county laid off and officered by Gov. St. Clair. 1790— John Rice Jones first lawyer in Illinois. 1795— Randolph county created. 1800 — Illinois becomes part of Indiana territory. 1804 — Kaskaskia becomes a U. S. land office. 1804 — Fort Dearborn established. 1806 — First Masonic Lodge organized at Kaskaskia. 1809 — Illinois Territory created, and Ninian Edwards made first governor. 1809 — Nathaniel Pope made Secretary of Illinois. 1810 — First U. S. mail route from St. Louis to Vincennes via Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher, and Kaskaskia. 1811 — First steamboat sailed down the Ohio. 1811 — Severe earthquake at New Madrid, Mo., disturbed all southern Illinois. 1811 — Battle of Tippecanoe fought. 1812 — Fort Russell built, one mile and a half northwest of Edwardsville. 1812 — Blockhouses and small forts built throughout southern Illinois. 1812 — Peoria burned by troops from Shawneetown and inhab- itants exiled in the woods near Alton. 1812 — Illinois becomes a territory of the second class. 1812 — Massacre at Fort Dearborn. 1814 — First paper, "The Illinois Herald," published by Mathew Duncan at Kaskaskia. 1816 — First bank established by law located at Shawneetown. 1818 — Enabling Act passed by Congress for the admission of Illinois. 1818 — Illinois admitted, December 3. 1818 — First constitutional legislature met at Kaskaskia; Gov. Bond inaugurated. 1819— Springfield settled by John Kelly. 1820 — Capital removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 1820— First duel in Illinois at Belleville. 1823 — State House at Vandalia burned. 1824 — People defeat effort to make Illinois a Slave State. 1825 — General La Fayette visits Kaskaskia and Shawneetown. 262 Dates in Illinois History 1825 — First effort to establish free schools. 1826 — First steamboat on Illinois river. 1826 — Congress grants 224,322 acres of land to assist in con- structing Illinois and Michigan Canal. 1827 — Winnebago War. 1827 — First penitentiary built at Alton. 1830 — Lincoln's father settled near Decatur. 1830 — Chicago platted by James Thompson, with 50 inhabitants. 1830-1— Winter of the Deep Snow. 1832— Black Hawk War. 1833 — The "Democrat," first paper in Chicago. 1836 — Lincoln admitted to the bar of Illinois. 1837 — State House begun in Springfield. 1837 — Elijah P. Lovejoy murdered in Alton. 1838 — First steam locomotive in Illinois; run on road from Meredosia to Jacksonville. 1839 — Mormons arrive at Nauvoo. 1841 — Knox College chartered. 1844 — Death of Pierre Menard. 1846 — Illinois troops leave Alton for Mexican War. 1848 — First telegram received in Chicago. 1848 — First boat through Illinois and Michigan Canal. 1850 — Death of Judge Nathaniel Pope. 1851 — Illinois Central Railroad chartered. 1853— State debt $16,724,177. 1854 — Ninian W. Edwards first Supt. of Public Instruction. 1856 — First Republican convention in Illinois — at Bloomington. 1858 — Lincoln-Douglas debates. 1860 — Lincoln nominated and elected president. 1861 — Illinois answers call for troops by President Lincoln. 1861— Death of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. 1863 — Gov. Yates provogued the General Assembly. 1865 — First steel rails made in United States, produced in Chi- cago. 1865 — Lincoln assassinated. 1867 — Great Eads bridge at East St. Louis commenced. 1868 — Present State House begun. 1870 — Present constitution written in Springfield. 1871— Chicago Fire. 1874 — Lincoln monument dedicated. 1874 — Great Eads bridge at East St. Louis opened. 1881 — Last dollar of Illinois' great debt paid. Dates in IJJinois History 263 1885— Death of U. S. Grant. 1886 — Haymarket riot in Chicago. 1887 — Chatsworth railroad disaster — 150 persons killed. 1888 — Melville W. Fuller appointed Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. 1890 — Chicago University founded. 1891— Lincoln's birthday, February 12, made a legal holiday. 1892 — World's Fair buildings in Chicago dedicated. 1893 — World's Fair opened. 1893 — Compulsory education law passed. 1894 — Work begun on Hennepin Canal. 1895 — Torrens Land Act passed. 1895 — Death of Eugene Field. 1896— W. J. Bryan nominated for president on the Democratic ticket. 1897 — Law creating the Farmers' Institute. 1898— Death of Frances E. Willard. 1890 — Chicago Drainage Canal opened. 1903_iiiinois participated in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 1907 — Local Option Law passed. 1907 — Illinois voted favorably to open a deep water way from the Chicago Drainage Canal down the Illinois river. INDEX NUMBERS REFER TO PAGES Page Advocate, Common School 177 Agriculture 10 Altgeld, Governor lil American Bottom 32 Ames, Bishop 152 Anarchists 238 Anti-Nebraskans 178 Appropriations 127 Area of State 4 Architecture, Altgeld 240 Assembly, Territorial 11 Atkinson, General 120 Bad Axe, Battle of 123 Back Taxes 250 Baker, Colonel 163, 191 Bank, State 97, 119 Bank, mismanaged 113 Banks and banking 79, 126, 158 Banking system, new 171 Baptists 89, 150 Barter 41 Battles of Civil War 199 Beardstovvn 120 Beveridge, Governor 221 Bienville, Governor 30 Bissell, Governor 164. 179, 184 Black Hawk 120 Black Hawk war 117 Black code 94 Black laws repealed 205 Black Republicans 187 Block houses 74 Boisbriant, Lieutenant 30 Bond, Governor 84, 93 Boone, Daniel 44 Border, on the 254 Boundary of state 4 Bowman, Captain 47 Bradley, Joshua 152 Breckenridge, John C 186 Breese, Judge 169 Bryan, W. J 241 Buena Vista 163 Burr, Aaron 70 Butterfield, Justin 158 Page Cahokia 51, 56 Cairo 4, 195 Calhoun County 5 Call for troops 175 Campmeeting 147 Campaign of 1846 161 Campaign of 1834 123 Campaign bitter 102 Campaign of 1852 172 Campaign of 1856 178 Campaign of 1872 219 Canal 155 Capital removed 95, 130 Cartier, James 14 Carroll County 5 Cartwright, Peter 148 Carlin, Governor 131 Casey, Zadoc 12? Champlain, work of 14, 16 Charles Mound 4 Charter I. C. R. R 170 Chester 4 Chicago strike 239 Chicago fire 218 Chickasaw Indians 35 Choctaw Bend 20, 29 Christian Commission 212 Churches in Chicago 149 Civil service 250 Clapboards 5 Clark, Colonel 44,46, 59 Clay 7 Coal 7, 10 College, Illinois 152 College, Shurtleff 151 College, McKendree 152 College, Jonesboro 153 College, Jubilee 153 Collins, Colonel 164 Commandants 42 Commerce 10 Congress of Indians 17 Constitutions 164, 217 Conventions 82, 128, 197, 229 Corn Island 46 Index 265 Page Counterfeiting 63 Counties 77, 98, 100, 144 Counties, the fifteen 81 Courcelles 17 Crozat, grant to 29 Cullom, Governor 224 Customs 40, 91 Davis, David 225 Dead-lock 230 Debt in 1839 139 Debt, out of 226 Debt, floating 159 Deep snow 118 Deep waterway 251, 253 Delegates to convention 83 Deneen, Governor 229, 251 Diamond Grove 153 Disloyalty 214 Douglas, Stephen A.. 169, 175, 192 Duncan, Governor 125, 143 Draft, the 211 Drainage canal 232, 251 Drift, glacial 5 Duel 180 Dunne, Governor 252 Edwards, Governor 73, 112 Editors 145 Education 33, 88, 150 Election of 1826 Ill Election of 1838 131 Election of 1860 185 Election of 1868 209 Election of 1896. 241 Election of 1900 245 Ellis, Rev 152 Enabling Act 81 Ewing, Governor 124 Factory legislation 244 Farmers' convention 177 Farmers' institute 247 Fifer, Governor 232 Fishermen, French 14 Flag fired on 194 Fluor spar 8 Ford, Governor 117. 143, 157 Fort Chartres 30, 36 Fort Crevecoeur 26 Fort Duquesne 38 Fort Dearborn massacre 74 Fort Donelson 197 Fort Gage 235 Fort Frontenac 23 Page Fort Sheridan 239 Fort Russell 76 Fort Massac 41, 46 French, Governor 162 Free school 17G Freeport Doctrine 183 French in Ohio Valley 36 Frontenac, Count 17 Gallatin County 5 Game laws 243 Gas, natural 9 Gazeteer, Peck's 6 Gibault, Father 5 Gifts to Illinois 81, 134 Glaciated areas 4, 5 Good roads 253 Grand Tower 20 Grand Prairie 6 Granger movement 222 Greeley, Horace 219 Green Bay 2!^ Greenback Party 223 Griffin, the 24 Hamilton, Governor 228 Hamilton County 63 Hamilton, Colonel S3 Hall, Judge James 176 Hardin, Colonel 163 Harrison, Governor 57. 67 Harrodstown 45 Henry, Governor Patrick 45 Heald, Captain 74 Helm, Captain 53 High license 228 Homestead law 166 Humus 5 Hunters' road 47 Icarians 161 Ice sheet 5 Ideas, three French 16 mini 13 Illinois Central R. R 11, 168 Illinois County 52 Illinois' Sons 200 Illinois Territory 72, 77 Illinois— A State SO Illinois and Michigan Canal... 127, 138 Immaculate Conception 21, 29 Immigration 78 Improvement, Internal. . . .163, 173 Independent Party 222 266 Index Indians, the Illinois Indian Point Indiana Territory divided Indebtedness, State Industries Iron Jackson County Jenkins, Lieutenant Governor. . Jo Daviess County 4, Joliet, Louis Kankakee Kaskaskia -'0, 49. Kaolin Kellogg's Grove King, Captain Kilpatrick, Thomas Kinney, William Knights of the Golden Circle.. Knox County Labor Day La Fayette Land office 72. Land grant Landslide -'36, La Salle Law, John Laws, territorial 77. Lead Legislature Democratic Legislation 207, Lincoln biography Lincoln-Douglas debate Lincoln's farewell Lincoln assassinated Lincoln's monument Local option Lockport Logan, Senator Long knives Loss in war Mackinaw Making salt Matteson, Governor Marquette, Father 18, McClelland, Gen Message, Gov. Reynold's Message, Gov. Duncan's. .. 125. Methodists 89. Mexican War Mississippi discovered Missouri compromise Mobile Bav Page 11 47 70 158 86 9 3 169 IS 26 235 8 121 215 161 124 213 64 235 108 133 169 251 25 30 7>^ 199 230 87 180 191 205 243 250 233 226 51 199 25 134 173 21 202 118 128 150 161 19 175 29 Page Money 126, 174 Montreal 16 Mormons 142. 159 Nauvoo 159 Newby, Col 164 New Capitol 144 New design 66 New Orleans 32 New Salem 189 Newspapers ; 104, 145 New York plan 171 Normal schools 180, 217. 240 Northern Cross R. R 140 Oglesby, Gov 204, 197, 230 Ohio Company 37 Ordinance 1787 62 Orendorff, Gen ' 227 Outlaws 154 Outlook 158. 174 Ozarks 9 Palmer, Gov 216 Panther Creek 215 Peck. Rev. John 152 Penitentiary, First 114 People, Composition of the. ... 12 Petroleum 9 Peoria 26 Pipe Line 135 Pioneer Industry 132 Pittsburg Landing 197 Popular Science ^33 Pope, Nathaniel 80 Policy Reversed 139 Pope County 5 Points, Timber 7 Prairie areas 6 Prentiss, Gen 195 Presbyterians 90 Pre-emption law 7S Prehistoric 1 1 Primary law 250 Price of land 98 Preachers 1-17 Provisions in const 165 Proclamation 1763 41 Public welfare 253 Public schools 174 Railroad, First 168 Railroad strike 226 Randolph County 5 Religion 145 Republican governor, First 179 Index 267 Page Retrospect, A 85, 1 44 Repudiation 142 Report by Harrison 132 Reservations 114, 133 Revenues 95 Reservations 133 Renault 31 Residuary soil 5 Riots, Haymarket 231 Rivers 10 Rosiclare 9 Route to Vincennes 56 Route to Kaskaskia 47 Royal Province 34, 35 Russell, Prof 153 Sanitary Commission 212 Salt 87 Saline County 5 Sangamon Country 108 Sankenuk 120 Sac and Fox Indians 120 Salt Springs 132 Salt Licks 133, 136 School legislation 115 Scott, Gen 123 Settlers, French 15 Secret societies 103 Session, Special. . 102, 126, 139, 195 Sheridan, Gen 219 Silent Man, The 196 Smith, Gen 227 Smith, Joseph 160 Slavery 68, 174 Snyder, Adam 142 Soils 5 Society 91, 154 Spies 45 Squatter sovereignty 182 Starved Rock 26 State aid 253 State bank 130 State house. New 207 State's resources 208 St. Clair, Gov 63, 69 St. Clair County 4 St. Phillipe 42 St. Francis' Mission 21 St. Louis, Fort 27, 39 St. Joseph 25 Stevenson, A. E 239 Stillman's defeat 121 Page Stringer, L. B 248 Substitute 212 Surface 4 Survey 40, 132 Tanner, Gov 242 Taylor, Gen 76, 164 Teachers, Early 88 Teachers' Institute 177 Tecumseh 73 Timber areas 5 Tippecanoe, Battle of 141 Todd, Col 61 Tonty, Henri de 24 Township organization 166 Trades 41 Torrens land law 243 Trees, Kinds of 6 Treaty 1763 38 Underground R. R 174 Unglaciated areas 4, 5 University of Illinois 177, 207 Vandalia 95, 176 Vigo, Col 53 Villages, Six French 32 Villiers 2,^ Vincennes 52,55, 57 Volunteers 194 Vote of thanks 53 Vote on slavery. _ 105 War of 1812 " 72, War governors 210 War widows 213 Washington County 63 Watershed 4 Western Company 43 ^'higs 144 White City 235 White County 5 White, Col 7i Wiggins loan 119 Wigwam Speech 192 Wild cat banks 72 Wilkins, Col 43 Willing, The 55 Winnebagoes 12 Winnebago war 115 Wisconsin River, Battle of.... 122 Wood, Gov 184 World's Fair 234, 247 Yates, Jr., Gov 246 Yates, Sen., Gov 193, 197