F 549 .L6 L62 Copy 1 t5he HISTO'RICAL TubUjihed Under the Axijipiees of the Le'Roy H/^fortcal So^ ciely, bifith Interesting Articlejt yrom Eighteen i/iuthors J^^\> J. KEENAN'S BANK ESTABLI8HEI>'ie72 A GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE O F L E R O Y AMD ] ^ 1 C I IM 1 T Y MOXZEIVIBER ^W ^v^ 1.E ROY, ILLIHOIS J. O. CLEVENGER. PRINTER 1904 Published Under the Auspices of the Society, with InterestinQ Articles from LeRoy Historical Bighteen Authors ,i-(o '-to |4li»4feifejftiSil;il;feiljfeifejfeifei^;feil4k^ Russell Brothers Conduct a General Painting Business Icnluding: Paper Hanging: and Interior Decorating. All work first class. Prices as reasonable a first class WORK CAN BE DONE LeRoy, Illinois J* J* «^*^*jfe:fe^jftiS*ik*j55^j55^jfe;fe;^^ ?* ^ KING fe SMITH 5 ;^ STAPLEAND FAN CY GROCERS ^ *? ======== ?* 4? •I? «? 49 ♦? 49 49 •9 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 ^1 FLOUR FRUITS ETC I LEROY. ILLINOIS I 49 ^^^«^^^^^^^SK:^^^^^^^^ llf^injirance Does J UFB INSURANCE Lifts mortgatres Educates orphans Preserves the family Cultivates saving habits Lightens the load of care Keeps the wolf from the door Gives repose to the rich man Gives courage to the poor man , Builds a barrier to the alms house ! Enables a man to live up to his income J Supports the credit of the business man ! Lays the fundation of home and indepen- • dence S Encourages the marriage of prudent men j and women < The Pacific Mutual Insurance Co < „ O^ 0/H.IFOHNIH I Positively provides all this through its I Model Policies : BEST IN THE WORLD I E. D. Riddle, Agent. LeRoy. Illinois ; yi Mopell B. Reynolds TONSORIAl PARIOKS Best line of Cigars. Laundry sent every Monday and Thursday IL LEROY ILLINOIS CO J^ TE /f TS The Pioneers of Empire Township - - - - - 1 Pioneer Fencing^ in Empire Township _ _ - - 5 Pioneer Cooking in Empire Tovvn! ♦ f R E F A C E . l>*— £ EARLY in December 1903, the officers of the McT.ean Countv ___^ Flistorlcal Society held a meeting in LeRoy for the purpose of taking: measures to celebrate the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of of the settlement of Buckles Grove. The time for sa.d celebration had already past for more than a year, but it was determined to cele- brate anyway, just as was done at The World's Fair in Chicago, a year after date, and is now being done at St. Louis World's Fair, in cele- brating the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, a year after date. At the ab've mentioned meeting an organization was efifected undtr the name of The LeRoy 1 istorical Society. T. L. Buck, was elected president, and James Coon, secretary. Meetings were held twice a month during the winter. Writers were appointed on eighteen differ, ent subjects, all of whom, completed the work assigned them. The meeting was held in the M' thodist church in LeRoy on the 22d of April; 1904. George P. Davis, president of the McLean County His- torical Society, presided, and E. M. Prince, secretary of said Society, assisted in the exercises. Meetings were held in the afternoon e.nd evening, and were largely attended and much interest manifested. The officers of the County Society gave their consent for the local Society lo publish the papers read at the meeting in pamphlet form A c-mmittee, composed of T. L. Buck John McConnell and S. H. West, was appointed. They contracted with Mr. Clevenger, of the LeRoy Eagle, to do the work in magazine form, and in good style and finish. The Old Settlers are all gone. Many interesting facts and inci- dents have passed from remembrance with their departure. But imperfect as our work mav be, we feil that the facts narrated in the pa- p( rs and read at our celebration wdl become of more interest to those who come after us as the )(esrs go by. T, L. Buck John McConnell S. H. West Committee PROGRAMME AFTERNOON Selections From Old-time Music Miss Bessie Smith Early Pioneers Simeon H. West Early Newspapers John S. Harper Good Old Times Georg^e M . Hedrick Pioneer Farming- John McConnell Pioneer Fencing: Thomas L, Buck Vocal Duett, Mrs. J. Avey and Mrs. S. D. VanDeventer Pioneer Schools Mrs. A. Murray Fraternities E. D. Riddle Churches Mrs. 1). Young Wiir Records J. R. Covey EVBNINO Music Orchestra A. L. Coffey, Wm. Stoddart, Lee King, Chas. Williams Chas. Schuler and Miss Oral Buck. Tiling Joseph Keenan Pioneer Cooking- Mrs, George M. Hedrick Geology Rev. W. E. Leavitt Vocal Solo, "Robin Adair" Nellie Cope Early Books Mrs. Jno. McConnell Music, "Old Folks' Reverie" Orchestra Transportation Mrs. J. V. Smith Round, "Three Blind Mice" Mrs. Avey, Mrs. VauDeventer Miss Oral Buck, W. E. Lucas and L. P, Baum. Old Time Music N. G. Humphrey cind A. B. Conkling Song, "How Tedious and Tastless the Hours" Audie.ice Fife Solo.'. Leonard Chase Spelling Schools Mrs. L. A. Rike Song, "Rain on the Roof" Quartette Early Inventions Charles Williams Music Orchestra J. S. Coon Mrs. J. Grizzicll Miss Oral Buck Programme Committee Some of the above selections were read by Mrs. L. B. Young, Grace Cox, Ruth Simpson and Mrs. Rhodes, of Bloomington. The Pioneers of Empire Township /a m •By S. H. tVtJl ^^ «^* i^* C' HE TERR TORY embraced in Empire Town- This was the condition here when in 1827 John ship is eight miles long and six miles wide. Buckles, a native of Virginia, in quest of a new The middle fork of Salt creek enters the home, located in what has since that time been township on the north line in Section 2 and passes known as Buckles' Grove. It derived its name in a souchv\est course the entire length of the from him as the first settler. By all the rules of tiwnship. The west fork of Salt creek enters the propriety, the name of Buckles ought to have been township frcm the west in Section 30 and flows in given to the township. It ought to be given to it a southeast course .. ^ . . to the junction with the middle fork in Section 33. 'J'hese streams form about eleven miles of running water the year around in the towhship. About nine miles of this distance was bor- dered by a very fine grove of heavy timber, consist- ing of the differ- ent varieties of oak, walnut, hick- ory and other val- uabletimber. The area of this grove was about seven thou sand acres. In addition to this there was about two thousand acres of fine tim- ber along the south side of Old Town timber, in- cluded in Empire Township. The remainder of the yet. Mr. Buckles was the laVgest and strongest man that ever lived in the town- ship. He built a rude cabin and made his livingby huntingand farm- ing. He lived but a few years, and I have been unable to learn anything particular in re- gard to his char- acteristics. Aqu il la Cono- way and his son, Harvey, settled here in 1828. Na- than T. Brittin and Tliomas O. Rutledge came in 1829. There set- tled here in 1830 Henry C r u m - baughand his son. J. H. L., Daniels Crumbaugh and sons, William, John and Leonard A. They were from Kentucky. townvhip consisted of some twenty-two thousand Michael Dickerson and sons, Robert F., Henry C. acres of beautiful, rich, undulating prairie. Thus and C.ileb P., and DanielJackson, James Rutledge, we find a combination of the richest gifts of na- Silas Watters and sons, John and Chalton, James ture, abundance of water and timber and beautiful Merrifield ;ind son, Otho, Levi Westfall, Jas. Van rich prairie, a combination that cannot be excelled Deventer, James and Jerry Walden all settled in by any spot on earth. various parts of the township in the early thirties. This was an ideal location for the home of the James Bishop of Ohio first came here in 1831, but farmer and stockman. For unknown centuries did not settle until several years later. Reuben this beautiful land had been occupied by the birds Clearwater, Amos Conoway, James Conoway and of the air, the beasts of the w-lderness and the Joshua Hale all settled here at an early date, paths of roving bands of Indians, some of whom Aaron Williams came in 1831, Andrew DefTen- had a camping place in Section II, in the edge of baugh, Abram Buckles and his brothers, Peter, Old Town timber. Thomas and William came in 1832. T. J. Barnelt Simeon H. XOtJl THE HISTORICAL M E M O I R R also came in 1S3:. Moses Dunhip and son, John, located here in 1834. P. C. Eskew came to the counti-v in 1834 but did not locate in the township until 184f). James Kimler, Sidney D. OaUer and K. E. Greenman came to the county at a very early date but did not locate here until the early forties. Mahlon Bishop came here in 1835. James Wiley ' and his brother, Thomas, located here in the same year. In the same year came John W. Rraddeley and his son, John C. They were from Enjfland. Isaac Murphy and James Lucas settled here it or before this date. T. I). Gilmore of Kentucky, Elij.ih Hedrick. PSlisha Gibbs and son, Simeon, all located here in 1836. Stephen Conklinfr came here about the same time. Hiram Buck and son, Thomas, James Lincoln, Robert and Jo'm Barr and Thomas M. Whitaker all came in 1837. The town of LeRoy was laid out by Gridley and Covel of Bloomingfton in 1836. Minor Bishop, Levi and Daniel Knott, John and Jessie Knrr located here about 1840. Thomns Martin, Henry Rice and Hamilton Gilbert were here at an early date. MontS'^mcry Crumbaurrh located here in 1841, ' There \yerc probably other earlv settlers whose names, have not reached me. Imperfect as the above jist may be it includes the main bulk' of that bind of hardy and resolute pioneers who left their old homes in Virg-inia, Marvland, Tennessee. In- diana. Pennsylvania, New Yorlc, New Enoland, Ohio. Kentucky, Entrland and Ireland and located here duringf the first fourteen years of the settle- ment of the township, at:d who in the face of all manner, of hardships, privations, inconveniences and siclcness laid the foundation for the g-rand and superb conditions existing today. Money was so scarce for many years that no one could hope to obtain much of it, and faine was an unknown de- sire among them. Many of them came to malce for ' themselves, pew homes in a new country. Others came for the love of hunting and the luxury of liv- ing on the frontier — the same spirit that animated Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton and Kit Carson in their ?dventurous lives. This spirit was well ex- pressed by Isaac Murphy, a typical pioneer of this township, when he told the writer hereof that he never saw a covered wagon going west without wanting to go there too. At that time Mr. Murphy owned one of the finest locations, of 100.0 acres, in the county. The. early settlers of Empire Town- ship. experienced^ all the hardships that were met by all of the pioneers of other parts of the country. They lived in log cabins daubed with mud, with chimneys built with sticks and mud, puncheon floors and clapboard roofs held in place by weight poles. Doors made of split stuff pinned together with wooden pegs and hung on wooden hinges. The furniture, in most cases, was such as they could make themselves. Their clothing was made at home, of material raised or prepared bv them- selves. Their leather was tanned from skins of animals in wooden troughs dug out of logs. The food of the first settlers consisted of wild meats and corn meal crushed in a mortar. In some cases, the corn had been frost-bitten. They bad a full experience in the winter of the deep snow in 18. >0 and '31 and in the sudden Ireez- of 1836, but these thi.igs have been told so often I will not re|ieat them here. Tradition says that the first mill con- structed in the township consisted of two holders dressed down to the shape of mill stones, and the cipacitv of the mill was five bushels of corn per day. The price of corn in early times was five cents per bushel and no market at that. It was nearly as difficult to pay for land at $1 25 per acre as it is now at $100 per acre. While Empire Town- ship was one of the finest locations for the stock business in the tounty it seems there were few ex- tensive dealers in that line among the early set- tlers, at least not on the scale th.it prevailed in some other settlements. James Bshop was the larger-t cattle feeder and dealer in this vicinity and became the wealthiest citizen, owning 3.000 acres of land at his death. Many of the old timers acquired good homes. A few became wealthy. Some moved west and others lived in moderate cir- cumstances. It is believed that all th^ old set except Sidney D. Baker, who now lives in Council Grove, Kansas, have gone to the oilier shore. When the people here first had cattle and hoo-s to sell the principal market was Galetia, which was much more important at that time than Chicago. Galena was the center of the lead mining businesr-- hence consumed much beef .and pork.' When the grain trade of Chicago began the settlers here raised wheat, cut it with cradles, bound it by hand, theshed it with flails, or trampled it out with horses on a smooth spot of hard ground, then threw the wheat and chaff up in the air till the chalT was blown away, then lo.Tded the wheat on ox wagons and hauled it to Chicago, taking a scythe along to cut slough grass with whiiMi to bridge soft places on the way. The driver camped out, and the oxen fed on free grass, so there were no ex- penses. It took about two weeks to make the trip. The wheat would sell for about 37 to 40 cents per bushel. The return load would consist of salt and groceries. Sometimes lumber was hauled back. Previous to this period iron utensils were very scarce. Plows had to be taken a long distance to be repaired. Iron wedges used in making rails were so scarce that when there was one in a neigh- borhood there would sometimes be quite a conten- tion as to who should have the first chance to bor- row it. With so little meney in the country it is not strange that the colleclion of debts was slow business. It is said that John Buckles, though an THEHISTOKICAL ME MOIRE 3 easy g-i)ing- man, became so exasperated at-one But I luve made one omission that must be time at a delinquent customer that he g-avc the fel- filled out. There was one settlement in Empire low a sound thrashing- and then told him that his Township that has never been mentioned in any account was settled in full.- This mode of settle- history. In Sections 1 and 2 along- the south side ment had.. a very healthy effect in the neigfhbor- of Old To.vn timber was a settlement that was for hood. I regfret very much that I cannot learn many years known as ''HeH's Neck." Never be- more about the life and traits of John Buckles, fore has any historian had the ner-ve to write this The characteristics of those pioneers are of special ug-ly repellant name. It derived its name from interest to me. the fact that there were no church members thf re. The educational, religious and old style farming The people were children of nature and lived close and other "departments having been assigned: to to mother nature. They could not discover by any other writers I will not engage in those sul.jecis visible signs, that nature had set apart one day as to any extent, but dwell more on .the peculiar per-- better tlian another, consequently they spent their sonal traits of some of the old pioneers. The Sundays as best suited their convenience. If they Buckles brothers were honest, easy going people, had a little work that needed doing they did it, strictly religious, good neighbors^ and good citi- or the boys wanted a horse race they had it. But zons. Silas Watters was a standard man, a devout the preachers occasionallv foufi'd their way there Methodist, an upright, influential man. Reuben and always received a cordial welcome. The meet- Clearwater was a very plain and devout man. The ings were held in the Brittin school house, which Bishops were ardent Methodists and upright was a log cabin of the primitive style. The people men. Similar things can be said of most of the old all turned out to those meetings, and droves of dogs pioneers. James Lincoln was one of thefirst, jf followed, and sometimes engaged .:in lively lights not the first school teacher in the townshi.p., Jle around and even in the house during service. It was from Pennsylvania, well educated and the best is rehited that one of the most prominent men of read man in the settlement. Later on he practiced the Neck used to work on Sunday until he saw the law in LeRoy. He was an eloquent and forcible preacher coming, when lie, would go to church, orator. Had he possessed more energy he would take the preacher home to dinner and as soon as have made his mark high up among his fellow the preacher would leave he would go to work men. R. F. Dickerson was another lawyer of very again. ' r i bright mind. Perhaps no man has made a stronger Isaac Murphy, and Nathan T. Brittin were the impress in the township than Hiram Buck. He most p'r.ominent citizens in the settlement. They took the world easy until fifty years old, when lie were the'bankers" or money loaneTS; not only of left r>eRoy, went out on a farm, began to branch "Hell's Neck"' but all the surrounding country, out in farming and cattle feeding, becoming a large Their rates were not the same . Mr. Murphy land owner and. becoming m ire energetic up to the charged fifteen per cent interest and Mr. Brittin time of his death at a very old age. He filled many would charge twelve per eent. Mr. Brittin wou'd offices of honor and died respected by all. James trust any one, aud would take a note'for twenty- Wiley was a standard man who was highly hon- five cents as well as for SIOOO. He neVer tried to ored. James Bishop has already been noted. collect the pi'incipal, hut always made diligent ef- Mahlon Bishop was elected and served one term forts to collect what he called "that littTe dab of in the legislature with credit. Minor Bishop was interest." And he would take anytlung in pay- held in very high esteem. The Conow.iys and ment of interest — a load of corn, a calf, colt or old Rutledges were highly respected. T. J. Barnctt wagon, then sell the same to someone, and take, and the Braddeleys were prominent business men their note, and if he was scarce of paper would of high standing. Daniel Crumbaugh was a so'dier sometimes write the note on the back mi some of the war of 1812. He served under Col. R. M. other note. Mr. Brittin was a good, kind hearted , Johnson in the battle of Thames, in which the man, and was truly the poor man's friend. He great war chief, Tuecumseh, was killed by Co', was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Johnson, who was afterwi.rds vice president of Isaac Murphy was also a soldier in the Black the United States. Mr. Crumbaugh and his broth- Hawk war, and would sometimes tell of helping to er, Henry, were men of Stirling honor and integ- chase Bhick Hawk all over the northern country, ri.y, and left a goodly heritage to their children. but admitted in the most important chase, he. It would be a great pleasure to go on and tell of Black Hawk was in the rear and the whites were the good qualities of all the old pioneers, but lack making record time in trying to getaway. Mr. of space forbids. Suffice it to say tnat taken all Murpiiy was a man of striking appearance, tail. in all they were a goodly hand of hardy men and well formed, fine features and eyes piercing as an women who have left an impresson this community eagle, ami of quick nervous, emp'riatic action and that time will never efface. speech. He was restless as a caged lion, and never 4 TIIKHISTORI satisfied. He was very rou^l) outwardiy, but had a tender heart. After the completion of the over- land railroad he sold his valuable possessions here at a very low price and moved by rail to San Fran- cisco, and thence by sea to Oresfon. While going up the Columbia river the captain of the ship told Mr. Murphy he was too old to go tea new counti y. He at once answered that he could start a grave yard if nothing else, and speedily fullfiUed the prophecy, as he died in a few months after his arrival. In the early fifties I was well acquainted with every man, woman and child in ''HelTs Neck" and am free to say that I never knew a more hon- est or kindhearted set of people. The name of the settlement long since passed out of use. No absolutely correct history has ever been or can be written. These sketfches are imperfect, but I trust they may assist in perpetuating the memory of some of the incidents and conditions connected with the early settlement of this highly CAL ME MOIRE favored country. Before closing it is well to say that life among the pioneers was not all hardships and privations, but on the contrary they had their sports and social enjoyments, and some of them have told me that the people enjoyed themselves better than they do at the present time. To a great extent we take our happiness or misery with us wherever we go. Many of the pioneers were happier in their log cabins than some of the mil- lionaires of today. And now a kindly farewell to the noble men and women who first settled this highly favored spot. They builded better than they knew. They opened the way and laid the foundation for a higher civilization, for the railroads, telegraph, telephone, electric light and all modern improvements and conveniences. They rest from their earthly labors.. Blessed be the memory of their deeds, and thrice blessed their deeds of progressive goodness in the home of the blest through all the endless cycles of eternity. Formerly C. A. Barley & Son E.stablished 1874 Morigage hoans R^eal Estate ^ INSURANCE, ^ Le R.oy Illinois THE HISTORICAL ME MO IRE Pioneer Farming in Empire Township ;e^ "R y John PUcConn^il Q^ .. HE SYSTEM of farming employed here was some four inches deep, in order to keep it in the ^J about the same as that prevailing throughout ground; about three inches would have been a the country. As fully sixty percent of the better depth. It required four or five yoke of earlv settlers took up this pursuit, we deem it cattle to pull it through the tough, thick blue stem paramount to all other occupations. Everything and sward; in many places a large tough root — then depended on the products of the soil. Doc- called >hoe string— which v\as very hard to cut, tors, school teachers, preachers, carpenters, black- also a red root that would throw the plow out, smiths and others lived in the country and made were found; two acres was a good day's work and a great deal of their living by cultivatingsomc ground Towns and villages t h.e n Mere hiirdly thought of. The pioneer was self-reliant and became an all around business man and made the best of the situation of whatever nature. The early settlers did not generally buy large tracts of land, they merely staked out their claims and got out a pre-emption with the in- tention of making their en- try when better able; they generally preferred a piece of timber to begin with; they usually sought the east side of the groves, in order to have b tter protection. There was nothing to stim- ulate the purchase of large tracts of land; there wa-- very little demand for sur- plus products, and fencirg was expensive, having to be very strong; the Virginia rail worm fence was ■^-Jftw^-i. John McConniU $3 per acre was about the price; some times two crops were given for having the land broke. The best time to break this sward sod was May and June; if sooner it grew back, and if later, it did not rot so well. Corn was dropped alone along the cut edge of the furrow, often by boys and girls; a slower but surer way was to chop a hole in the sod, drop in the corn and tramp with foot; this crop was called sod corn and left to take care of it- self, no attempt was made to cultivate it. Sometimes pumpkins, melons, cucum- bers, etc., did well on sod; beans were sometimes planted. When this sod corn was cut and shocked and the later breaking sown to wheat wiih no further preparation than harrowing well with a wooden tootiied harrow, everything be- mostly used and cost more than the land enclosed, ing favorable, good crops were often raised. There were thou>ands of acresof cheap land to be Prairie sod was easily killed, and rotted very re.id- had, but breaking also involved heavy expense. A ily if broken at the proper time; weeds had n^ot legal fence, it was claimed, should be horse high, made their appearance here yet, except a very few; bull strong and hog tight. There was more con- a weed called tunibled-weed and may be a few tention about bad fences than all else; stock ran at others soon came on. large and some of it became very unrulv. Wheat was cut with a sickle or cradle; the sickl.e One of the great disadvantages that the pioneer was first used and the cradle came afterwards; had to contend with was a suitable plow ; the old one advantage the sickle had was tiiat it worked wooden mold board barshear was poorly adapted to the work required; it required an immense power to draw it and had to be built heavy and strong in order to stdnd the heavy strain; the well in down or lodged grain, it nieded no sharp- ening, and to use it was not very hard work, and with il neat work was done Ruth and Moabitcss, who gleaned in the fields of Boaz, would have made beam was some ten or eleven feet long and the cut poor wages in gleaning after our pioneer reapers; was from twenty to twenty-four inches wide, and the cradle was the speediest way, but it took more 6 THE HISTORIC muscle; one acre per day was ^ood work with ihe sickle and three with the cradle. Threshing was done wiih the flail or tramping with horses; some- times the tenth bushel was given for flailing out. The granery was a rail pen chinked with straw and covered with prairie grass-; cleaning was done with sheet and wind by hand; some became very expert in this way. It required two hands and it was a very slow process at best. The wild or natural prairie grass was the only kind used for hay; the blue stem was considered the best and could be cut any time after September 1 until killed with frost; it w.is cut with the scythe and winrovved with fork and hand rake; the fork was often a crorhed slick, the rake hand-made, all wood; large quantities were saved, which was clean, good and healthy for stock and kept well in the stack. Great care had to ^e taken to keep the prairie fires from getting the grass and also the hay; these fires were very fierce and destructive, burning large quantities of hay and grain and many hard fights had to be made to keep them un- der control, which was sometimes impossible if the wind should be strong. Slough grass made very good roofing for sheds, stables, etc.; if plenty was used and properly put on, it did well to shed snow and rain, and there was a warmth about it that made it comfortable for stock; this graf s was of great use to the early settler and it would have been hard to have done without it. The ground that was planted to corn after the sod had rotted was often furrowed out both ways and furrows about four feet apart made; this work was done also with a two-horse bar-shear wooden mold board, which had to be cleaned off every few rods and which made hard, slow work; the corn was dropped by hand ;ind covered with the hoc; no harrowing was done at this time, but after the corn had grown to a height of four or six inches an A shaped harrow was run astride each row, af- ter removing the middle front and rear teeth, a grape vine bow for a handle; the corn was plowed with one horse, first cultivating with a fluke, an iron tooth something like a goose foot; the frame a cro'ch of tree about three feet long, one tooth placed in front and one on each rear end and side; this was used in first cultivation, a small bar shear was also used; the after plowing was done with a large shovel forged out by blacksmiths and stocked by farmers. Three furrows were often run between each row and it was well tasselled out before the cultivation was finished and a very short singletree had to be used. The early settler seemed very indifferent as to gathering in the crop; the most enterprising would take a favorable time and jerk off a nice lot. haul and winrow at a convenient place, then call on all the lads and lassies around about; this meant a husking frolic, A L M E M O I R E a sort of a valentine arrangement. Each lad was expected to have an assistant and was given the right to chose his own helper; all things bt'ing ready, the work went cheerfully and briskly on; if a red ear showed up it had to be disposed of in rather a sentimental way; this sort of corn had a double value, the greatest was that for which it stood, which did not in any way impair its com- mercial value, and red stimulates courage. A well regulated husking in those times was considered a great luxury and never should have become ob- solete. Sometimes the ground was prepared for corn by ridging up or turning two furrows together, etc., until the patch was fini.-hed, these ridges were made t'le proper distance apart so each one represented a row when furrowed across; corn was dropped to the center of the ridge; this whs a speedy process and did well on new land. Pota- toes, beans, turnips and all kinds of vegetables grew to perfection, as did all species of vegetation take kindly to this bla:k soil; cultivation was easy as weeds were few; the great trouble was tools to work with, but as everything grew almost sponta- neously, the cultivation was an easy job and an abundance was produced and when properly stored away it was greatly relished during the winter; burying in the ground was the usual vvay of keeping them; many vegetables keep better and retain their flavor better thus than in any other way. Foodstuff was abundant and good, blackberries, gooseberries, strawberries, rasp- berries and dewberries grew wild, also graps, both fall and winter, were plentiful. Crabapples, ])!ums, red and black haws, etc., which were good for jellies, butters, preserves, etc. Plums could be dried; crabapples burled Nuts also were abun- dant; walnuts, hickory, white oak, burr oak, chick- o-pin, etc., all of which were valu:ible to the pio- neers Insects were not seen here at that time, hence all of these grew to perfection; wild honey was plentiful, and locusts occasionally, wild game and fowls were abundant, such as deer, possum, squirrel, mink, muskrat, quail, grouse, geese, brant, bucks, crane, snipe, turkey, wild pigeon, etc. Fish of many kinds were to be had; these luxuries were accessible to the pioneer and added greatly to the comfort and pleasure of the settler. Tame fowls, chickens, guiena fowls, etc., were raised. I will give a brief description of a prairie team, without which it would have been next to impossi- ble to have settled and improved the country: A prairie team was made up of the bovine genius, both male and female, when of suitable age were pressed into the service; five yoke were about the required number to do satisfactory work; the grass roots were tough, firm and hard to cut. It re- THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE quired an immanse power to keep steadily going' and to do satisfactory work. In making- up tlie team it was necessary to have two well broke yokes, one for the beam and one for the leaders; these need not necessarily be heavy, but should be brisk and handy; the middle might be raw or unbroken of either sex, good heavy cows did well. The beam cattle were depended on to keep in the furiow, hold the plow level and hold the team, should they attempt to stampede, which they sometimes did. The most difficult part of the work was to lay the lands off true and straight, if short crooks were made in laying off, the long strung out team soon worked them out; after the furrows were well f.pened up the team very readily followed them. The whip or tanning machine, as it was sometimes called, was inde^pensible, as yery much depended on its proper use; it required a platted buckskin lash some ten or twelve feet long and the stock about the same; an ironwood pole about one and a fourth inches in diameter at the butt was about the right size; the proper posi- tion for the driver was along the beam cattle and keeping the remainder of the team before him. However wild or awkward the team might be, it soon become gentle and tractable; the team was not fed grain after the grass had well started; they were allowed some extra time to gri'ze morn- ing and evening and were given a little extra time at noon, consequently there was no expense in feeding. The gearing was very inexpensive and durable— S2. 50 for yokes and $2 for chain It did not require longer than five minutes to yoke a gentle pair of oxen; each ox had to have a name, and like babies, they were hard to decide on; a near ox generally had one syllable and the off ox a two syllable name; for example, I will give the names that learned ourself to break prairie, viz: Leaders, Buck and Barry; next. Rock and Paddy; next, Ball and Dergan; next, Sam and Brandy; beam, Jack and Barne^'. Hunting and fishing were popular pastimes; it was pursued for pleasure and profit; the fellow who could put up the biggist hunting or fishing story was the hero of the times; everything went joyfullv along with the hunter until deer hcunds were brought in, which soon drove the largest and best game out of the country; this was one of the mistakes of the pioneer. The bird dogs of the present are doing the same with the quail and other valuable birds, which is a great damage to agriculture; farmers should join hands in elimin- ating the dog nuisance; it might be well to include pugs and poodles; their is a trite trneism that those who lie down with dogs get up with fleas. Exit dogs. Sheep were raised for wool and mutton; they were of the coarse wool breeds; the sheep were washed in the creeks before being shorn and after being shorn the wool was picked by hand; wool pickings were common; the women and girls did this kind of work, they also carded and spun it in- to yarn, and whilst at it, spun many yarns that contained no wool; the Woolen yarn was woven in- to jeans, flannel, blankets, etc. Flax was raised, pulled, broke, scouched, spun ard woven into linen for shirts, pants, sheets and other uses; the tow from the flax was used for making coarse goods, sacks, strings and quite a good deal for cleaning and swabbing guns. Wolves were a great annoyance by prowling around in the night, killing sheep, poultry, pigs, and lambs, and their dismal bowlings were not soothing to slumber on, and much lime was spent hunting, trapping and running them down with horses. Snakes were numerous and of many kinds: Bull, blueracers, garter, joint, glass, rat- tlers and hoop, but I think the latter was not seen. The rattlers were the most to be dreaded; they were short and thick. The largest about three to three and a-half feet long. Their habit was to coil up projecting the end of its tail up and out a little above the body, which it rattled when dis- turbed; they always made a rattle before they made a strike, which was a warning to stand back. I think they could not strike without bei.ig coiled and only a few inches above the ground. The remedy was plenty of whisky taken internally, and ambicr was applied sxternally; the bite sel- dom proved fatal if plenty of whisky was at hand and freely used. There was a peculiar case of a rattler's bite that went the rounds here in early times: Uncle Sam Wren Was bitten and he suf- fered no inconvenience from the effect, he lived right along, but the snake expired instanter. This was an extreme case in which preventative did the work. I will relate an incident wherein wu had business with the largest bull snake 1 ever saw. It was some seven feet long or •'thereabouts. In the summer of '55 together with two other teams I was breaking wild sward in Randolph, near Mud creek; we were on one mile rounds and well strung out; one of the drivers ahead came across his snakeship, being near the stable where we kept our herd horse, he procured a pitchfork and speared him through the neck, pinning him to the ground near the last furrow, leaving him there wrangling, writhing and blowing. As my team came along a large cow in the middle of the team saw, or smelled, his snakeship and began to bel- low and lunge; by doing so she excited and demor- alized the other cattle and it took lively work to avert a stampede. It was questionable whether she would break her neck or the yoke. Seveml rounds were made before she settled down to busi- ness. g THE HISTORIC Iron bo'ts, wire and nails wc-re hard to g-et and expensive, also leather and rope. The hickory withe was made to do service in their stead. This was made of a small hickory sprout, by trimming- -off all side limbs until made pliable to within a few inches of the butt and when cut olT at the ground was ready for use and when heated it could be tied in almost any shape and when properly fast- ened it made a good substantial tie and would stand a heavy strain, and would do good service in many ways. Hickory and other barks were used for chair bottoms and baskets. It served instead of rings for ox yokes, it coupled single-lrees and double trees satisf.nctorily, and filled a part very important in that time of scarcity of other ma- terial. Grape vines were used for clothes lines. In the Billy Clark smoke house in LeRoy there are meat hooks of hickory withes that have been there over forty years and in use yet. All kinds of stock were turned out on the range to ruminate at will and much time was spent in looking after them to keep them from straying off. Money was scarce and like the Dutchman's rye, very seldom. Exchange was the custom; wheat, etc., were exchanged for cows, cows for oxen, oxen for horses, horses for store goods, and the merchant drove them to market. Some of the pioneers became expert in this kind of traffic. Stock buyers came around and bought and bunched up the surplus stock and drove them to market. Everything was guessed off . Some- times hogs were weighed with steel-yard stock- scales— not in general use. The pioneer hog was a kind of evil genius, but an indispensible product, for all that. He was a long, lanky fellow with bi istles on his rump and shoulders which he raised when angry or excited, had a long snout and tail, with powerful j.iws and teeth which did good ser- vice. He had a way of flopping himself on his side and squeezing himself under or through a re- markably small space. When he could not get under he would attempt to get over. He was a rustler and a rooter and subsisted principally on nuts and roots and looked well to his own inter- ests. A grandmother and a couple of generations were capable of tearing up more dirt than an ordi- A L M E M O I R E nary prairie team in a day. When well matured and finished he made a pile of the finest bacon and lard. All in all he was a typical animal for the times. The pioneer could not have used a hog that could not whip or out run a wolf. After rounding out his time in the field he was capable of transporting himself to market over Walker's Line, landing at Pekin, Peoria or Chicago. The pioneer generally persuaded him to make the journey and went along for company. A large percent of the early settlers came here overland v.ith large stout wagons of broad tread, stiff tongues and well ironed and covered, which made agood shelter and they were capable of holding a good deal of freight. They were draw n bv two or four horses or oxen. These wagons af'.erwards did good service in hauling grain and goods to and from the few markets of those times. After making the long, hard journey it must have looked like a dismal prospect to carve out an ideal home when taking a view of the conditions of their surroundings. There were none or very few houses, no roads or bridges, few homes and less conveniences, but they had for encouragement an abundant supply of pure flowing, never failing water and an abundance of excellent timber of great variety which was exactly suited to their needs, but not enough to make it a burden to them. This was truly a wooden age and it sup- plied their almost every need, their buildings, and tools, even down to a broom, mush stick or shoe pegs were of wood — but there was not enough' to to be a burden. There was no logs or brush to burn, or clearing to be done; those grand groves were well flanked wiih thousands of acres of the finest prairie land that lay within the borders of this fair land, and covered with grass, the cheap- est and best stock food on the green earth. These grand prairies lay here ready for cultivation, the only tiling to be done was to tui-n over the sward and plant the seed, nature did the rest. There was much pleasure and profit connected with pio- neer life, but along different lines than now. Tak- ing all in all their condition was as favorable as that allotted to average humanity. g^g^g^_^SaS SS3S3g3g3J^gSg3g3S3g3S3gSgSgS^ s s When in J^eed of... Catt on.... W. Griesheim and ^ on s "Btoomngton, III. s S3S3SS«3^S«SS^«3«S^3v^^S«SC3«3^^^3^S^5SS THE HISTORICAL ME MOIRE Pioneer Cooking in Empire Township i!J izJ "By Mrs. Ceo. HedricK, ^ 4t ^ / WAS NEVER more surprised then when I V first learned that mv name was down for a history of cooking' of the early settlers. Why, I had never written anything- in my life of a public nature, and what was there to be said about it anvWay ? I have always heard they lived very plainly, and to descr-be their manner of cooUing I should first have to describe the kind of houses they lived in, etc.. and to do that >vould be stepping ove on the Pio-eers' subjeci and ma) be I would not get back to my cooking t i 1 every one would be hungry so 1 Was puzzled, but finallx concluded to write what J know and what knoweU-dgi I could obtain from my hu!» band, as he was here at it much earlier date than 1 was, and as few, if any, ol the young- people of the present day have any idea o' the manner of cooking building 80 rods of old fash ioned four foot woim-raihd fence on a line east and West. We set a slake a each corner stone, then one- half way betwei-n .so the three are in exact range: now we get a stake ten lod^ west of the corner stake in j line with the other three, L. then go to the east corner and lay one end of the tirst rail on the center of the corner stone, the other we lay two feet to the north, then place one end of a rail on that, and place the other end two fi et south of the line, and you have what is caPed a four-foot worm-rail fence. To keep the fence in line we had what was called a worm stake. It was a stake about five feet long, ])ointed at one end; about one foot from the lower end an inch hole was made and one end of an inch pin two feet long was made fast; now bv keeping the worm stake in r.injje with the line slakes and by laving the ground rail at the point of the two-f(X)t pin reversed at each co'-- ner, the corners were kept true. Then a chunk was put under each corner and the fence built six raiU hiy^h. The stake h >les were diTg three feet from each corner and eight inches deep; then two T. L. "BucK Stakes were set slanting over each corner, then one end of the top rail was raised up and put be- tween the stakes and that held the fence. The other rail was put on on top and we then had what was equal to an eight rail staked and double rid- ered fence. Of course there was various ways of building rail fences too numerous to mention A little later on a fence called post and flat rail fence was used to some extent lor door yards, barn • lots md cross fences. The posts ^vere split out abont two by -IX inches and six feet long, five mortices two by four inches in each post; the post set two feet in the ground and eight feet apart; the flat rails were nine feet in length and split thin, the ends flattened so that two ends would go in the same mortice six inches. Five rails made a fence four feet high and very substantial. In fencing the old Oak Grove cemelerv aw,,y back in the earlv forties, the west line was a post rail fence; the work was done bv old set- tlers of those early times, This fence was as solid as though it was in one piece. Alter it wan finished Ihe men were talking about how far a light sound could be heaid,soone man went to the further end of the fence and tapped lightly with his knife blade and by pulling the ear close to the post at the other end the sound could be plainly heard 'and I sup- pose that was the first telegraph dispatch sent over th? line in this country. I think if he had have put his lips close to the post and spoke low we would have had the telephone sixtv years ago. These two fences were p-ominent for a number of years. About 1850 the country began lo be devel- oped . It had been said that these prairies would nevei- be settled. Kor quite a while the land office D.iiiville was closeii. In the meantime the pre- emi>tion art was passed and became a law. About 18i3 the building of the Illinois Central railroad' through McLean county to Bloom i^igton was a fact 14 T II E H I S T O R :md Ihe state had donated to the Central road every other sect'u n of hind on each side of road a number of iniUs wide which was soon put ou the market and for several years lliere was a j^eneral rush for land regardless of prireor location. 'J'lun the question of fencing- came up. 'i'o fence with rails was impossible for there was not timber enough in the grovts to begin with and there were no railroads at that lime to ship in lumber and saw mills were scarce ; besides the best timber was needed for posts, and Ihe cry was what will we fence these lands with? About this lime the hog law came in force; that gave some relief, for a man was not required to build n tight fence after this lasv had passed. A man could fence his farm with two boards or poles and the law would pro- tect him, for every rough board or ]>i)le eight feet or three rods long were brought into use and nailed on posts with twenty penny nails. Then the experiment with the sod fence came. It was said a man could fence his farm of 160 acres and not use a stick of timber. The plow was ilrawn with four yoke of oxen; the line was staked out straight and the plow started turning over a sfid six inches deep and twelve inches wide. Now from the bottom of the furrow to the top of the sod is twelve inches high; then came back on the other side with the same kind of a furrow; then two rounds and the fence was two feet wide and two feet high. The machine had a wing, or fender, with small rollers that could be raised and shoved toward the fence and carried the sod gradually back and laid it even on top of the other sod and then the cut was changed to ten inches, then two twelve inch sods were laid on top and that held the sod together. That made a sod fence two feet wide at the bottom and twelve inches at the top and four feet high, but at that time stock of all kinds run at large on the prairie and it was said it would be fun for a hundred head of cattle to horn down a mile of this fence, so the sod fence failed. The willow fence was tried by some farmers, but I C A L M R M O I R E they regretted it ever afterwirds. A fence cilled the stob fence was used verv extensivelv for a while. It took the best of splitting timber which was cut four and a-half feet in length, split into pickets, sharpened at one end and drove in the ground eight inches on line and three inches apart. A plank or slat three inches wide was nailed on top. Thousands of acres of land was fenced with this stob fence and it answered a verv good pur- po>ie in its dav. VVe hail the grapevine picket fence. A man went to llie woods and got a load of wild grape vines, set his posts five rods apait, stretched two vines three feet from the ground slack, the pickets were driven in the ground six inches :ind the vine crossed between each picket. It was an imitation of some of our woven wire fences of toilay. This man fenced in his calf pasture anrl that was all there was of it. But when the osage hedge was introduced that settled the question of fencing. In the meantime the rail- roads had got to Bloomington, lumber was shipped there and distributed all through this section of countrv. Later on we got a railroad through Le- Roy, so that we have fencing lumber right at home. It is well known that barbed wire has formed a prominent part in fencing and many other kinds of wire fence we are familiar with, so I will leave it to some other historian to write up the wire fences later on. In 1850 good land coul^^t,i^^^^i^f^^^i^^ ^ :fej^»ife»»»»»»»i»» » ^f^Ti'^ 4^ 49 4^ THE F/RST NATIONAL BANK OF LEROY SOLICITS YOUR DEPOSITS. HOW CAN WE GET THEM? Shall we beg Or must we r>rav for it? Or go alter it with Will yim Phone ub? Or drop us a line? Will you cal! on us? Or shall we call on you? I^^^^^¥^^^^«¥^«^#$^^$¥^^^^^^^^^$^^$¥¥^$^¥^ 15 THE HISTORICAL M E M O I R E Pioneer Transportation in Empire Township •By Mrs. J. V. Smith Oka KANSrORTATlON, the .ndvance .ngrent of civ- Grove wns as determined to keep it; the tug- was a iiiz.ition, the power that enables the lonely hard one, but LiRoy won of course and in TsoS be- fiontiersman and the early dwellers in the came a station on the mail route established be- rude hamkt lo gather frim the big- world outside tween Danville and I'eoria. A oostoftice was that which will broaden and brij^htin their lives, opened in the Way-side inn kept by Mr. Hiram and by the same mtdiiim, those from older and Buck, on the corner now occupied by the First ane- 'Vitt, and all settlements south, as these places sent a man once a week for mail. The first service was by post- rider making his trips once, twice or three times a week, as the conditions of the roads would allow. In the spring when the bottom of the road was too far down, they were glad to get mail once in a while. One of the first mail carriers was .Mr. Wm. Pierce, one of the early settlers. In time the needs of the growing villiige (I'emanded accommodati(»n for an occasional traveler with his little belongings and our post-rider became a stage d river, who announcetl the com- ing of the U. S. mail with the sonorous tones of a brass horn, and it is toid that he became so pro- soil the sun ever shone upon. What a paradise for the home-seeker! Our mover pitches his tent and ficient by practice that he could almost play a tune, this becomes the nucleus of our village. Others its notes were eagerly welcomed for the most e,x- come along the trail and for thesame good reasons citing event of the week «as the arrival of the mail set u p their household gods, until our new settle- hack as it came rumbling in from space, some- ment contains about twenty-five families. To be times covered will) mvid, often ice-clad like a ship happy and contented in the new life means for in the Arctics. The driver was a hero who com muctication with the dear ones at the old home laughed at sloughs, washed-out bridges and bot- must be had. As earlv as IS.^1 mail was brought tomless roads. The mail-pouch he brought held a to Cheney's Grove once a week l)y a route running modest bunch of letters which the storekeeper from Danville through Bloomington to PeKin. It could pigeon-lude without interrupting his trade, was a hard trip to Filoomington or Cheney's Grove 'J"o hear from Ohio or back east vvas an event, and for letters, and our settlers became determined to the distinguished individual who heard, passed t)is switch that mail-bag over to LcRoy. Cheney's \\ al'ered kttcr around and told all the news it con- 16 ta ned. No deluge of maeazlnes or periodicals burst from the olrttime maii bag. Ev< r> man look his count) paptr, whelh.rhfc paid its subfcrlption or not, bu only a tew could afford the frivolous indulfenee of the novel stories In the New York Ledger or Saturdaj Evening- Host. This driver often brouyht mvsterlous passengers, who bri.fl^- alifhted at the travern, then proceed towaid the end of the world Occasionally a man of note dropped down from the bi^ world outside. Abraham Lincoln once waited at our m<.de8t hostelry for a change of horses. Judt-e David D,.vis has bi en a passenger ot the old coach when going over tht- country on legal business. The old stage often brought to onr village the Hen. John Went- worth, for LeRoy was then in the s me di.-trict politically as Chicago, representing this district, and on his way to the capitol. stopping at L.Roy. It is told that be was often the guest of Mr. Rr-uben Clearwaters, and that he was so tall— you know he was called Long John Went- worth-ihat Uncle Heuben had to ni;,ke and k.ep for his use a bedstead of extra length, which, when not in use, was an object of curiosity to the passer b^ . on the outside ol the mod€st log house. From 18J2 to 18-16 John K. Mc- Clun of Hlocmington obtain.d the mail contracts of all routes cming into or through Boomingion. They were all carried on horseback exceut our line running from Peoria to Danville, over which mail and passengers were earned with considerable regularity, in , wo horse coaches three times a week. Carrying t, e mail in those dajs was attended with no little oifficuU ; the streams were mostly unbridged. and vehicle- were often swamped in them and had to be pulled out by oxen. When the roads «ere at their worst, drivers would put the mail in a queensware crate on the front wheels ol a wagon, hitch three horses to .t and pull through that way. Stories have been told of drivers lost on these big prairies on dark and stormy nights, of swollen streams, of frozen hands and feet and Of a passenger once lost in a driving snow ^torm, appear, ng n. Bloomington two dajs later. A Bloomington man nam.d Burhance followed Judge McC un, and put on the route the first genuine stage coa. h with boot and other Co., v. n- lences for carry ing passenger.-. About 1850 Krink & V\ al- ker of Columbus. Ohio, secured contracts for a line of l?,f .VT ^"""'*'""°' '°'^- »° Peoria and beyond, they with the Western Stage Co., operated all the ,tage lines .n this part of the state untU the coming of the I linoi« Central into Champaign. This old first mail route was not always under control of one fi,m or person, it was divided into sections, and these let out on contract by the govern- ment to the lowest responsible bidder for a term of four years One section was from U. bana to Bloon.ington. Contractors paid their drivers five cents a mile for carry- ing passengers, for carrying the mail $10 a mo.ith when driving two horses, $12 when using four. Thousands of dollars were, ntrusted to their carrying, and bundles, as well, all sizes and values, from a diamord ring to a sew- ingmachine, but neither history nor rumor doth record that ever one of them betrayed the trusts committed to their care. In 1854 B. R. M. Sih. who k. pt hotel on the corner where now stands Keenan's bank, became the con- tractor and ran the line until 1858, when the carrying of i^^ :>!"u'^f ^/'""° B'^o-'-Kton and Urbana passed into the hands of Mr. Yoniz Boonett and J. V. Smith of K ?„^° '^^ ^'- ^"°"^'' ^"'^ ^'^ *nt-^^-' to ^mith who held the contract for eight years, but in '63 sub-let the route from LeRoy to Bloomington to Mr. L. A Rike who was succeeded in 1866 by Robert Semple & Son, who carried the mail till railroad days. The eastern ena of the line to Urbana was secured by a stranger, a star route nvan Who underbid all home applicants. With the com.ng of the iron horse in 1870 we bade a final adieu to the old THE HISTORICAL MR MOIRE stage line and its memories. Can we, who ante-date these railroad days. Ever foreet the old stage coach wit hits wearing ways The lurch and the lift of its cumbersome gear. Gave to our hearts both doubt ;ind fear, Dout)t, that we should ever reach the town, Fear, with each lurch, that the next, we'd go down. I am told that this old state or national road over which our mail was carried by horse for thirty-t wo years has been ch^nyed but in few places in all the*e years' That the Big F,.ur railroad in nearly all its length be- tween Indianapolis and Peoria runs almost parallel to it. Prior to the establishment of the mail route through LeRo3. it ran south of the village, coming from Mt Pleasant, now Farmer City, crossed Salt ere. k at Caion's bridge, past the od Clearwater's farm, west to the Ltck- erson land, following the timber a short diMaiice;the ce aero.-sthe open country, crossing the Kirkapoo at what was then called Delta, a little north of Down*, then on to Boomington. The tir^t plan on record of a railro; d lur- ningeast and west through this county wa pr,.po«d as e;,rly as 1836, and twelve miles of it was graded, ea.M of ■ Pekin. The sch. me prcv.d a failure at this time »wi„a to ■ a financial crash which prostrated all such ent. rprises 1 The pr.j-ct was revived in 1854 and again in 06, and in this year meetings were helu along the eastern , nd of the line, it was then called the Danville & Bl.omngton rail- ' road. Acharler was obtain.d in 1857 and me, til, efi.Kain ' called along the line from Danville to Pekm; .he panicky da, s of -57 again laid the scheme on the shelf and nothinR ' more seems to have been done in the matter until after ' the war. In 1866 all business began to take on nt>w a.tiv- ' ity, the increase in population with its attendant need of buiding material and the nece^^aries of life and the hard- ships endured in marketing stock and grain called impel- atively f..r better facilities of transportation. Meetings ' m favor of the old proj cted road were again called into action in all the larger towns along the line, the eastern e id people met at Urbana in July, 1866; nothin,- was ac- c.mphshed, alter long consultat on it was jidj .urned ti. meet in LeR.iy, Angu.st >th, delegates from the other meetings being present. Another was held on Augu;.t 27 some opposili.,n was manifested, but the fr'ends of tb.- road eff, cted an ..rganization, with C. R. Grigg» of Ui- bana as president, W. T. McCord of F. rmer City vice president and Dr. Hmry Conkling of Bl.,ominf; ton secre- tary. The people of Empire deem, d the buildin.-'of thi~ ' road of v.tal importance 10 them and went to'work in earnest. By an affirmative vote a pledge was made ft,r 1 raising $50i)( in twenty years 10 per c. nt bonds f„r th- I D,U., B.&R K.R. Soon after this it w.s discvere.l i that the company had not been organized in strict con- '' form.ty to law. Bloomington had the buiidino- of another road on her hands and possibly did not act as quickly as she would otherwise have done, and little technicaliiie* or th. law too tedious to mention here, prevented our en - bryo road from being given legal life. In 1867 an act w.. passed by the legislature and charter gra..ted givin.r \., Son ^"""!^'P ^"'l!'"-''^ '" ^"''^'^^'be not more Th.,. *2o0.000 in aid of such a road. In June of '67 vote .f township was again taken, resulting a second time affirn - atively by 202 to 6, The road was com.nenced, bonds i- sued and went with hundreds of like natur,- into the ere c poo s of construction companies, who mortgaged them fi r half their face, then let them slide. In October '69 our little road was consolidated win. anJ became the Indianapolis. B.oomington & Western an I work came to a standstill, more bonds must b. issued, tl e township authorities .ubmitled the question of issuin,. THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE 17 twenty five thousand additional dollars which resulted in the affirmative. From this time fewer obstacles arose, although at one time the legality of this second 'ssue of bonds was questioned, but the U. S. court settled the mat- ter in favor of the issue. To cut short a long story, the loyalty, staunchness and enterprise of its adberants re- sulted in the running of the first train over the road May 1st, 1870. A prouder, happier set of citizens could not be found than IveRoy possessed at this time, and she soon took upon herself the airs and organization of a city. But the restless western spirit of her wide-awake sons was not satisfied with one railroad. They seemed to feel that af- ter paying $75,000 toward its building, they were discrim- inated against in the matter of freights, taking the issue in their own hands, and after much canvassing, it was de- cided to ask the people along thr proposed route for help to grade, bridge and tie a narrow guage road from LeRoy to Rantoul, and to bond it for -$1,000 a mile for the iron. The building of the section of the road from LeRoy- to Fisher, is, I believe, wholly a LeRoy enterprise, and no history of our little city is complete without its mention. In March 1876 a company was formed to build a narrow g-auge road to Fisher and meet there the road already fin- ished to Rantoul. James Bishop was elected president, C. A. Barley, secretary, and Joseph Keenan, treasurer. Fifteen thousand dollars were subscribeo to the stock, the death of Mr. Bishop put a stop to the matter for awhile. Early in 1878 B. J. Gifford of Rantoul became its president, the stock vfas increased to $30,000, the right-of- way was mostly donated, and in ten months' time the road was built and in running order. Two-thirds of this stock was subscribed in grand old Empire, creating no debt. Thus have we passed through all the evolutionsof trans- portation save the last, but the breezes from the east bear to our eager ears the buzz of the trolly car as it whirls in- to Champaign, and knowing by the experience of the past that no enterprise is too gigantic for the brain or purse of jlcLean county's sons, we are sure that the years will be few and perhaps only months when we shall see Bloom- ington from the windows of an interurban electric car. fYi UK/ M BALL H/ANOSl u s n s n n 5 WHY NOT CALL AND SEE THE RIANOS AND ORGANS? ^ u 8 S U U That won the 1st pr'ze at World's Columbian and Omaha exposi- tions, and are mide in the larg- est factories in the world and are used and praised by the World's best musical au- thorities. W^ MUSIO Such as Adelina Patti: "The Kim- ball has a wonder- fully sweet and sym pathetic tone." Lillian Nordica: "The more I use my Kimball the better I like it." %^ CALL OR WRITE US Come and aslc to hear thi.- KIMBALL PIANO player, "any child can operate it.'' We also HAVE THK HALLET A DAVIS AND DUNBAR PIANOS OARLOCK'S MUSIO HOUSE g 513 N MAIN STEET, BLOOMINGTON. ILL «3 i3^S«3S3CSCSS3CSS3i^C3^S^SCS^S J 5 8 8 8 f^SCS 18 THEHISTORICALMEMOIRE Good Old Times in Empire Township /a a •By C. to. HedricK ^ ^ ^ A DESIRE to present to you a much neglected sub- (^ j -ct. You have without doubt heard a great deal -,_ ) said about the hardships and privations of the early settlers In this country. What you have heard may be true in part, but the picture has been great- ly overdrawn. Had you been present in these early days you would never have heard those settlers complaining or wishing themselves back to their native state where pos- sible wealth and relinement abounded. No; this free, inde- pendent, easy life, just suited thein. They were all poor and came here to get away from the restraints and demanr's of society in their mother country. They were happy and comfortable here, and had to make but a small ef- fort comparatively, to secure a good living for themselves and their families. Their hoes were fattened on acorns and other nuts with which the woodlands abounded plen- tifully. Their cattlt- were raised on the prairie grass that waxed in luxiiriame for miles around. Game w; s plentiful, and they had noth- ing to stimulate them to raise more than they could use themselves, as corn was very low in price and no de- mand for it only as a new- comer might want a small amount. Almost every fam- ily raised a patch of fl.ix, and the women would spin and weave it into cloths, sheets, shirts, pants or anything they wanted to mike of it. They also spun the thread to mike these goods with. They also had sheep, anu would spin and weave the woe 1 into jeans for the men to wear and into linsey for the «omen's dresses. They like- wise wove their own shawls and knit their own hose. They did not have to ruffle their dressep, but everything was made plain and comfortable. No worrying about styles or sitting up late to finish the elegant dress for some bril- liant entertaiiimeTt: no worrying about what to wear, or how to wear it: everything was plain, common, comfort- able and healthy. The people were h,ippy, and many of them were devout christians, and trusted the I.,ord with the faith of a child. More than one whom I have person- ally known, made it a rule of their lives before they lay down at night, to think over all they had done and said through the day; and ask God's forgivntss for any sins they had committed, and His blessing on all their good deeds. Religious meetings were held around at the houses of settlers, and in summer time in the groves. Camp meetings were 1-eld every fall in the different groves near a good spring of water and other uatural advantages. They would build their tents and hold meetings for weeks; some of these tents were made of wood, others of canvas. These meetings were greatly enjoyed by all. Of course all were not religious; fome indulged in such worldly sports as horseracing, dancing, jumping, running, boxing, wrest- ling, and sometimes a little whisky was on hand and a general good time was had all around. But the people as a rule were honest, good-hearted, whole-souled and clever; never too busy to help one another, especially ready and willing to assist a newcomer. They often went twenty or thirty miles to help others build their houses, and the women would make qiiilt- ings ana wool pickings, and visit a great deal, hitching up the twohorse wagon and taking the whole family. Truly they were a happy peo- ple. They lived in the gran- est country the world has ever seen. There was plenty of wild fruit of every kind; blackberries were large. Hue and plenlifnl. strawberries also abounded, raspberries were luscious and grew in great quantitii s, and plums were in abundance. Nu wild animals were there to make the settlers afraid as there were in many new countries; and the Indians were friendly and never were known to mo- lest the whites; not a drop of white blood has evt-r been shed by an Indian in McLean county. The timber and prairie seemed to be located j ist tp suit man's taste. Wuh the finest of timber in the groves, and the grandest, most fer- tile, most productive and beautiful c uniry it ever fell to the lot of man to possess, why should not they ha"e been happy ? T.. my mind it far surpassed the land of (lanann when God took Abraham and showed it to him, or when He told Isreal to go up and possess it. For they h^d an enemy to subdue, and it took many hundred years to dis| os- sess that enemy; and if ever a land literally fl iwed with milk and honey this did. There were plenty of C')W8, and many of the hollow trees were fi led with the best of honey made from the flowers that covered the vast prai- ries. And what a sight to gladden the eye of the beholder were the many hued and beautiful fli)wers that grew everywhere. Compare this country if you please, with Kentucky, Indiana a'd Ohio, and many other states: see whit they had to contend with. Why. thev could not have even a garden spot without cutting down the heavy timber that covered those ;iew countries; and too much rock has al- ways been a great nuisance and hindrance to mtn set C. ey. HedricK THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE 19 tling in a new country. Then too, the Indians have al- wajs interfered with the early comers in almost every state save this. Just think of the advantages of this over every other country. Well did ex Governor Joe Fifer say in the halls of the legislature; That McLean county was the breast-pin of Illinois; and Gardner Randolph, who first settled in Randolph's grove, said after traveling over many countries in quest of a home: " This is nood enough for anybody." This certainly is God's favored land, and at any time has there been anyone to molest or make you afraid, but all were free to roam and go as they choose, and today I <{now of no other country that has so many advantages and so few disadvantages as this. As regards the health of the people It is as good as can be found any- where. Their virtue and integrity as a people is unques- tioned The climate, take it the year round, is first class. The products of the soil in quality, in quantity, and vari- ety cannot be excelled. A"d today the farm lands of Mc- Lean county are yielding their owners a clear income of from fou' and ahalf to eight dollars per acre, and have been doing so for years, and bid fair to do the same thing for all time to come. We also have a number of educated, -talented and dis- tinguished persons born in Empire Township. Our present representative to the legislature, in which we all take pride, is, and has long been a resident of our beautiful city of LeRoy, and John A. Sterling, the present member of congress from this district, of whom we also are justly proud, was born, raised and educated in Empire Township. I feel proud and glad that I can claim this for my birth- place, and that I have been identified for sixty-seven years with its growth and development all along these lines that go to make this a great and glorious country. May I say in conclusion that the reason I have been in- duced to write this paper, is the fact that at every Old Settler's meeting I have attended, the speakers are always harping on the hardships and privations of the early set- tlors, when they should at least have been willing to re- count to us and to our children something of the good things and the good times enjoyed by those who first made their homes in this goodly land. A. H. Morri4: Established 1880 I.e'Roy, III. {"^mi^i^i^i^i^i OUR MOTTO J I "The recollfciion of Quality remains Ion? ! 5 afrer tlie Pr'ce is forerorten, 20 THEHISTORICALMEMOIRE Pioneer Schools of Empire Towmship iH "By Mrj. A dam Murray <^9 ^^ ?^ HKN the morning stars satigf together, and prim- eval light was day and primeval darlcness nigl t; when Adam and Eve, our noted ancestors, tast- ed of the tree of knowledge— education began. As inves- tigators at one fell swoop they added immensely to the sum of human icnowledge. Philosophy was born, scientific research began, and this early searcher after wisdom and wisdom's ways, foot- sore and weary, a wanderer of the earth earthy, evolved the great truth of the "why and wherefore" that is yet the unsolvable problem. Knowledge is power and the adding thereto the work of all mankind. Every new thought, every generous truth, every kindly ict is the off spring of some great mind stored with years and years of earnest thought and study. On July 5th, 1778, the first note of education was sounded in the north- western territory by the Rev. Manas- seh Cutler of Massachusetts. His portrait should have a place of honor in every school in this territory. The point to be considered No. 2. In arti- cles of compact ; provisions for schools, giving one section for a seminary, and and every section No. Hi, in each township. That is one thirty-si.xth of all the lands for public schools. '• Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that religion, morality and isnowledge, being neces- sary to good government and the hap- piness of mankind, schools and the means of education should always be encouraged." McLean county obtained thirty- seven thousand acres from the United States in virtue of the Swamp Land Act. These lands were sold for $130,000 and the proceeds devoted to educa- tional purposes; $70,000 to the State Normal, and the rest distributed for the benefit of the common schools. The sale of the swamp lands was effected in 1851 throu^jh Judge Merriman A great mistake, as time has proven, but the great need of money for public uses, was the cause for the short sightfdness at the time. Popu ation of LeKoy in 1850 was 210. The town of Le- Roy was incorporated in 1855. Empire in the southern tier of townships is eight miles long by six east and west, and is described as town 22 north, range 1 east, and the first twelve sections of town 21 range 4 east of the third principal meridian. Public education as we know it, is the product of the present century. Previous to 1851 only the rudiments of the common schools, of systems of organization, of sup- port by state, of co-education, in fact of education for girls at all, were found. The common schools began in pauper or charity schools, the better classes educated their children at home or in private schools. The ming- ling of the classes with the masses was not yet to be en dured Parochial schools continued long after the union of church and state politically had ceased. Mrs. Adam Murray Now In order to get at this subject properly I will have to go back to the township organization and describe some of the earlier schools of this community. The Clearwater school house was erected in 1832 by our sturdy pioneers, was built of logs, chinked and daubed, to keep out the cold, with material mud and sand, hotli plentiful and eco- nomical, ecoromy being a great consideration in these days. Windows were made by cutting out a log and past- ing in greased oaper for light. A large fireplace was built at one end whose capacious throat took most of the heat out of doors, around which the youngsters of that day sat on logs piled to replenish the fire, and acted very much as obstreperous youths do today. Bench- es to sit upon were made of planks hewn as smoot as possible with the only available too's, and adz, ax, Jack- plane, drawing-kife, and possibly a pocket knife; made of uniform height, six inches wide, without any backs, with peg legs; the smaller children's feet not touching the floor. A taller and little wider one was made for those who wrote. Copies were writ- ten by the teacher, who both made and repaired their pens, which were made of goose quills. The requirements of a teacher be- ing a knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic, and a bundle of sticks. Corporal punishment was in full blast, and if the child needed it, and the teacher had failed to provide himself the culprit was sent after switcfes, which he duly riniied with his knife if he had one, otherwise selected those that would break ea.sy, proceed- ing leisurly along back, casting his eyes around for an extra something to put under his coat, invariably saying as he took his seat, that "it didn't hurt much." The first teacher was William Johnson who was lame but I am told what he lacked in the activity rf his legs he made up with his arms and "walloped" the boys in first class style. The worst punishment was with a ru e, a stick made of hickory about a foot long, and first used tp line pai)er. The child was told to come forward, hold out the hand, the teacher taking hold of the fingers, bending them back and slapping the palm: "Vengeance is mine saith the Lord," but vengeance was in the child's heart by the time he w is through, and in time the rule disap- peared or something else was done to get even with the teacher. The teacher boarded around a week for a scholar, each parent furnishing a quarter of a cord of wood to warm the school house. Teacher and pupils cutting it at noon and recess. It was allways green ana full of sap, sled length, and did not burn very well; covered at night to fire in the morning; real cold nights it generally went out, and someone had to go to some house and borrow fire to start with. Other teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Washburn, Mr. Gaunt, Mr. Thcmjscn acd James Vinctvente THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE 21 Gradually schools were started in different parts of the country a;id the people became more interested in the sub- ject of education, schools were supported by contribution, that is some one would go around with a paper and have the parents sign the number they would send; thus the tuition was paid by the pupils. The schools were only kept open a few months in the year. The first school taupht in LeRoy was taught in a room standing where Nelson Humphrey now lives (512 North Walnut street). First teacher was James Lincoln. The resin weeds grew thick and tall, almost as the house. The children gathered the resin in great balls, chewed it for gum and traded it for pencils — goose quills, and taffy, played hoop and hide in the tall weeds and had a better time than they have today. Just ask some of the men and women of whitened locks, their faces will beam with the memory — that precious heirloom of ages — will open up its pages, and we know that the half has never been told, that the books have failed to reccd them satisfactorily. The first schoolhouse built in LeRoy for school purposes especially, stood where Mr. T. L. Parks now lives (311 North Main. A room 24x.'10, frame, with a large loft in it. One who was there told me that one day they carefully fastened all the windows, locked the door, and sat quietly waiting the teacher's coming. After having kept them waiting and wondering awhile the teacher dropped among them from the loft. Very much crestfallen they all took their seats, fun over for that day at leas-t. Master would go arou d and help them with their arithmetic. Slate pencils were put in goose-quills so as to use them all up, girls and boys 13 and 14 went bare-foot to school in summer; stood in cNss of reading and spelling; children played ball, black-man, jumped the grapevine, mumble-peg, and skinned the cat, in what is now the heart of the city. D. P. Bunn taught here in 1839-40, boarded at Hiram Buck's. Children sang patriotic songs of Tippecanoe and Tyler too. The two mill tax went into operation, which distributed a respectable sum to the counties annually and was used exclusively in the common schools. For years there was a combination of "free schools" and "pay schools." The public money formed the basis, it was used under certain condition, either in a wholly free school or in one where those who were able and willing paid a subscription to help the good cause along. In 1854 55 5ti there was a brea.:r and which b ivi alw lys been very dear to me, because of those early associations. Years rolled alonj.; other churches were erected, and orchestras were seen leaning back, fiddling with all their might. New solos, duets, and quartets were sung to music composed in foreign lands, perhaps, when listening to the murmuring water-falls. But mv honest opinion Is that the songs by which our old time fathers and mothers sang their children Into dreamland or their songs of divine worship were just as acceptable to Almighty God and to mankind, as much of the music from the musical experts of 1904. C. B. NOX /zf a Eyes Uesled Free at J^OJfC^^ Tirttg Store, LeP^oy J. H. Iden ^ 15 h e h e P^ o y Fttmittire "Dealer Has as fine a line of up~1o-da1e Furniture as you can find in the county ^ ^ ^ ^ Licensed Embalmer \ The Pacific Mutual \ ♦^ Life Insurance Co ^ ^^^i^^'^l^f^ ^i^i^^^^f ^^^;^ The Mutual Investment Contract Admits of no mi-*understanding between the policy holder and the company. It supplies a loni; felt w^nt by overcoming that disappointment which many have experienced by accepting policifs they were unable to understanJ. The Nfulual Investment Contract presents all of the points so clearly that no one can fail to readily comprehend them figures plainly endorsed and terms clearly expre.-sed are its strong features — no obscure conditions or peculiarties recognized only by experts, but a lucid, exact and simple exp( fition of all for all. The course of the policy can be traced from the beginning to any point at which the owner may wish to surrender or at which the policy may become a claim by dpath or otherwise, and j ;st what it will bring at every step ran be seen at a glance E. D. Riddle, Agent, LeRoy 49 ♦? 4? 4!? 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 49 Clias. A. Martin J. H. Martin Martin Bros Dealers in Staple and Fancy Groceries LeRoy Illinois J*. ^ofofof^o^^ofofofoj^ogfo^cfof^c^o^^ 1^4^^$^^^^^^^^^^^^^"^ THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRS War Times in Empire Township "ByJ. R^. Co-Oty ^ ^ ^ 33 JN accordance with your request for me to write a short article on the war history of Empire Town- ship and immediate vicinity, in compliance with said request and by way of introduction, I will say that after consulting with old residents and on examina- tion of all the history at my command I find that there has been persons residing in the township and immediate vicinity who have served as soldiers in all the wars from the Revolution down to and in the Spanish American war. I find that Cap ain John Karr and John Solidav who once lived in the locality served in the war of the Revolution. The former is buried in Heyworth Cemetery, Randolph Grove, and the latter occu- pies an unknown grave in the old part of Oali Grove ceme- tery, east of this city. In th • war of 1812 I find that Daniel Crumbaugh served a? a soldier. He was born December 7, 17yl, in Frederii;k county, Maryland; came to what is now Empire townshipiii 1830 and died May 19, 1874; is buried in Oak Grv^vj cemetery. In the Black Hawk war (1832) I fiaJ tb it five persons served as soldiers who for- merly lived in Empire town- ship or immediate vicinity. Their names are as follows: James Johnson, who enlisted in Captain Covell's company of mounted rangers June 3. 1832, and was mustered out August 3, 1832. He was not in the ske Jaddleof Stillman's run, as has been stated by some of the Oid Settlers. Mr. Johnion was born in the year 180 8 ard died in 1866: is buried in Gilmore cemetery, east of the city. Nathan S. Brittoi, Peter Buckles, Sam- uel Owen and Isaac Murphy also served as soldiers iu.the war, thelormer are buried in Oak Grove cemetery and the latter emigrated to Oregon and died there. In the war with Mexico (184(j) 1 find that the following persons who once lived in Empire township or vicinity, served as soldiers in said war, v z : Charles H. Kutledge, William A. Toppase, George Uunion, Daniel KoUnd, liob- ert S. boward. John G. Cranmer, James York, J. J. Crum- baugh, Henry CrumbaugH and U. M. Phillips. The latter, Mr. H. M. Phillips, served in the war with Mexico in Co. G.. 1st Regt. 111. Volunteers for the ptriod of one year, that being the term of his enlitment. He also served in the war of the Rebellion as Captain of Co. I., 3?th Regt. III. Volunteers, his commission being dated Sy^. ember 6, 1861, and date of mu,ter into th ; United -s/tes s< rvice October 11, 18til. He was probably the first officer mustered into the service from Empire township in t/e war for the J. /V Co-Oey Union, 1861 to 1865. He lies buried in Oak Grove, ceme- tery, east of the city. In the war for the Un.on, from 1861 to 1S65, LeRoy and surrounding country did its full share. A volume of many pages could be written on the enlistment, service, battles engaged in, sutfering of soldiers in rebel prisons, the weary marches, the monotonous camp life and their presence at the surrender of R. E. Lee at Appomattox and Joe John- son in North Carolina, but this article is not intended to enter into an extended history of that kind but rather to relate a few things that is not generally known concern- ing the war history of the Township and vicinity. I find that the first soldiers to enlist from Empire Town- ship in this war were William Gear, Arthur E. Hutton and Thomas S. Lovera. They en- listed from LeKoy May 25th, 1861, in Comoany E, Uth Vol- unteer Infantry. The former died October 5th, 1862, of wounds reccfived in battle. The first officer mustered into the service from the Town- ship was Captain H. M. Phil- lips of Company I, 39th Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered into the service October 11th, 18BI; wounded in the hand and taken pris- oner May 10:h, 1861, at the battle of Drury's Bluff, Va. Mustered out December olh, 1864, at expiration of his term of service iHe lies buried east of the city in Oak Grove Cemetery. Captain John M. Longstreet was the first cav- alry officer mustered into the service from Vbe Town- ship. He was mustered into the service as captain of Company L, Illinois Cavalry, October 15th, 1861. Captain John F. Alsup was wounded more times in battle than any other soldier that went from this city, he having re . ceived four gunshot wounds and was once knocked down< by a piece of shell. He enlisted from LeRoy August 12th, 1861; promoted to sergeant May 26th, 1862; to first ser- geant January 1st, 1863; to captain April 11th, X^fvt. Dis- charged for disability from wounds September 23, 1865, is at present living in this city . William C. Rike wis per- haps the last soldier to be mustered out of the United Stales service who e ilisted from this township in the war for the Union, he having erriisted in Co G., 94th Iil. Vclun- tetr Infantry. February 15, 1864, was transferred to 37lh 111. Infantry and was finally mustered out of the service May 16, 1866. He is living at the present time at Decatur, Illinois. There are three instances on record where father and son served as soldiers in the war and enlisted from Empire 34 THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE township. The first being L. H. Parks and his son Benja- min F., who enlisted in Co. I., 39th 111. Volunteers Infantry September 4, 1861 . The father served three years and was mustered out of service at the expiration of his term, September 10, 1864; died ta 1887 and is buried in Oalt Grove cemetery. Tlie son, Benjamin F., was injured in the hand August 16, 1864, and was flnally discharged at the expira- tion of his term of service. October 18, 18fi4, emigrated to Kansas and died there. The second was Jesse K. Cox, who eniisttd from LfRoy in Company I,, 4th 111. Cavalry, and was transferred to Company B, 4th Cavalry on con- solidation, was discharged and for [several years was a resident of this city. He is buried In the Oilmore ceme- tery. His son, J. D. Cox, enlisted from this township in Co. B, 150th Regt. 111. Volunteers, January 25, 1H(>5, and was discharged at close of the war, January 16, 1866. He is now living in this city. The third was James Van- fchoyck,wHo enlisted from this city in Co. G, 94lh 111. Reyt. August 8, 1862. and was discharged July 17. 1865 His son, .Tohn, enlisted from this city April 7, 1862. in Co. f, 39th III. Regt. WaS taken prisoner May 16, 1863, at Drury's Bluff, Virginia, and was finally discharged from service May 7, 1865. He is still living at this date. Thomas Riddle, who enlisted from LeRoy in Co. K. 8th in. Infantry, August 1st, 1861, and was liA^*^ ''•*-.".. ^ '...., 4^J^^^Hl '"Ug^' [ That's All ] 1 MRS. MAUD MARTIN MILLINERY EMPORIUM Finest and Most up-to- date line of ladies hats and Millinery Goode LeRoy, ^ Illinois THEHISTORICALMEMOIRE 35 Inventions ^ /H "By Charltj WllHamj ^ ^ 4t \_, HE subject assigned to tne by this honorable body is, to say the least, a very prosy one — one that admits of very little elaboration, and the preface can not be made very interestinu, further than a statement of facts. The matter of '• Inventions, " as 1 take It, is not to be construed to apply only to those which have been administeri d upon at the Patent-right office, but to any thing in tl e form and nature of original ideas. Many val- uable inventions and discoveries at different periods of the world's history have been given lo the world for the bene- fit of mankind in general. Probably, before going further into the subject of inventions, it might be well for us to have an idea what invention is. The dictionary says that invention is the act of finding out or inventing. The contrivance of or construct'on of that which has not be- fore existed, and from the U. S. Supreme decisions, I take the following quototions: — The adoption of an old form to a new and useful purpose, constitutes invention. A new combination and arrangement of old elements to produce beneficial results never before attained, is evidence of in- vention. Many more quotations could easily be made, but the ones given will suffice. An invention may be crude, and yet beneficial, so far as use is concerned. The savage, who discovered the prDcess of making fire by rubbing two sticks together until enough heat was produced to give out a spark, was undoubtedly a true discoverer — a benefactor to his people. The man who made the first cause or coracle it> just as much an inventer as were Robert Fulton, Geoi'ge Stephenoon or George M. Pullman, when he invented his palace car. The matter of inventionsof Empire township and viciniiy [ have found one of some difficulty in gathering data. Some being un- cummunicaive and not wishing to disclose their line of work, so that what few facts I herewith present are more from persondl knowledge than anything else. One of the first inventions coming within my knowl- edge was that known as Pugsley's Patent. 1 have been unable to classify. the Pugsley machine. Onething^ I am sure of — it was not a "horseless "carriage — and yet it could have been worked by a mule. This machine or ve- hicle or carriage or whatever the inventer chooses to call it, received its motive power from ahorse walking upon the deck of the carriage, turning a capstain arrange- ment that communicated with cog gearing to the rear wheels. This wheel was intended asa sort of stage coacO to make daily trips from LeKoy to Bioomington and re- turn, attaining a credited speed of twenty miles an hour. Great things were expecteo from this contrivance, but apparently Mr. P. overlooked the fact that "action is tqual to reaction,'' and too much power .was required to obtain the desire 1 speed — merely another instance of man's proposal and God's disposal. The Gilmore-Padgett Corn Husker was patented some where in the middle 80'8. I remember this Invention very well, having examined it carefully at that time. This contrivance was undoubtedly an ingenious affair, but like many inventions, required too much machinery of a deli- cate nature, and consequently too susceptible to injury and breakage I never heard what became of this struc- ture, but suppose it to be adorning gome attic, a monu- ment to mistaken genius and misapplied capital. The corn carrier, an attachment for corn shellers, in- vented and patented by George and John Healea. was for the purpose of carrying corn from the crib to the sheller, doing away with having to make so many changes or set- tings during one job. This machine, or some modifica- tion of it, is in general use. Probably the best known and widely used of the inven- tions of our citizens is the Needle Threader, invented and manufactured by Coffey Bros., of LeRoy. The ' patent on this little device was secured about a year ago, and since then the owners have manufactured thousands of them. Very few people in L,eKoy know just how much these men are doing in this line. Another of Mr. Coffey's patented inventions is the coat and hat rack — holding the coat and hat so that neither could fall. Nothing much was done with this and was finally disposed of to other parties. Mr. Coffey has worked upon several other useful devises which he has never patented, such as an ever ready hitching post, also a thread cutting device for an attachment to a Singer sewing machine. This little thing cuts the under thread when you cannot reach it with knife or scissors. The cornplanter marker invented and manufactured by Charles Myers of Lelioy, fills a longfelt want in the lives of the farmers, giving them an implement that will make a plain mark regardless of clods. Mr. Myers has several other inventions, one being a machine for making wire fences. One of the most curious little devices I ever saw was ball and socket soldering device for hard soldering eccentric articles which cannot be held in the hand while being soldered. This holder consisted of four arms on a base each one having a ball and socket attachment to the base, and were so constructed that figures cannot express the limitless number of positions into which the arms could be placed. The inventer of the above was P. W. Duke, formerly in the watch repair business in this city. This same gentleman invented and patented a thread-cutting thimble after he left LeRoy. Mr. Otto Zims has made ap- . plication for patent on an automatic measuring milk can, one that will measure any quantity being poured from the Can. The last invention coming under my notice is that of an automatic music turning music rack invented by C. E. Williams and patent pending under title of C. E. Williams and W. B. L'St. This rack is adjustable to mnsic of any si^e and will turn six pages of music. Humphrey . . . <5 List Real Prstate and EXCHANGE BROKERS LeR^oy, Illinois 35 THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE Results of Tiling a a a "By Joseph Ktrnan ^ ^ ^ 10 wish to speak of some of the benefits derived from the use of open ditches, and more especi- ally of the use of tile in McLean county and central Illinois. When I came from Ohio to Illinois in 1854, a larjje portion of these prairies were untillal?le and and almost impassab'e, for the want of drainage.' Wide impassable sloughs and ponds of water were numerous in every direction. They were the home of the wild ducks, geese, muskrats: frogs and gerniK for the propagation of fever and ague. We also had swarms of mosquitos and green headed horse flies to contend with and plenty of rattle snakes. This was all changed by the use of tile. Instead of the croak and clatter (if the frog?, and the gentle and persuasive hum of the moi-quitoand the whir of the rattle snake, we have the coo of the dove, the cheering notes of tlie lark and the sweet song of the mocking bird, also a vast stretch of rich and productive fields, where one may plow one-half a mi'e without stopping, in- stead of turning the mud at the edfie of the pond or the slough after go^ng a few rods as in olden limes. The first tiling done here was not entirely satisfactory to the farmer. Much of it had to be taken up. From three to five inch tile was used, while nothing less than four to six inch tile should have been Jojeph K. put down. The demand for larger tile has been on the increase for several years. I think the first long string of fifteen inch tile (3,50 rods) laid in West township. I bought the tile of the Heaters, of Eloomington, and had them put down in 1894. Since that time there have been many miles of that size tile, and even larger, put down. The farmers are be- ginning to realize the bene- fits derived from tiling the larger water ways and out- lets. I think more and more large tile will be used dur- ing the coming years, Previous to the use of tile unimproved prairie land was worth only from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars per acre. Had it not been for the general use of this ti e, this same land would not be worth more than half what it is worth today. Illinois was considered a very unhealthy state to live in and immigr.ition would pass ou further west, not finding sufBcient inducement to locate here. A most remarkable change came over the face of the pairie, when drained, ai^d Illinois is now known as the garden spot of the United States. It is the happy home of ni()re independent farmers than any other part of God's Creation. IJ^SVRAJSICE All Kinds Jno. B. ChicK, IJ^SVRAJ^CE Lotefest "Prices 1 THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE Historical Reminiscence 37 "By^. 2). Ba<«r If Y father, Dr. Isaac Baker, then living in Blootning- ■ ton, having written to me while I was in Iowa, V^ that there was no store in LeRoy and that he thouglit it would be g^ood point to start a general store, I came back about December 1, 1843, and formed a partner- ship with E E. Greeriman, who had been peddling around over the country selling groceries, drygoods, and such things as were usually carried by peddlers in those days. The tirm was known as Bakeri& Greenroan. There were no store buildings lo rent and no buildings fixed to sell drygoods in, but there were old buildings scattered over the town plot, some occupied by families and some de- serted There was an old building that had been occupied by a saloon, with shelving and counters on one side. It was a room 18 x 20 feet, situated on the north-side of Main street on first lot from the corner opposite the present hite of Van Dt venter's drug store. We rented thisbuild- ing of James Wiley for one dollar per month. I remained in Bloomington that winter to go to Dr, Hobb's school, studying arithmatic — loss and gain— and common branch- es usually taught those days. I would attend through the week and hand out goods bought of my brother, Charles Baker, on Saturdays. Mr. Greenman run the store while I was away. We boarded at a the hotel run by Esquire Hirain Buck, located on the ground now occupied by the First National bank. We paid one dollar per week each, for board, as there was no other store here, Mr. Buck was anxious to have us come. We boarded with him for about one year. Uncle Silas Walters then rented the liotel and we boarded with this genleman for nearly a year. From there went to board with Dr. Burnep-, who occu- pied thd baildiag o^aal b/ u*, b)urii!; of Ellwool Grist, who run it as a boarjing hojse, and was located on the east end of the first block south of the present site of Jones' blacksmith shop. On the same block that the b' tokiinith sli )p is locite 1, E Igar Conkling had set out a mulberry grove, preparing to start a silkworm industry — which never amounted to much. We only occupied the sa'oon building about one year, then we bou^jht a lot adjjining the west end of the Public Square, of Hilary Ball, and built a wooden building 18 or 20 feet wide by 32 or 40 feet long, afterwards building an addition on the rear of the building. We built on the east part of the lot leading room on the comer for a brick building We occupied the wooden building about six ye irs then we built the brick on the corner which we oc- cupied for a number of years. On .Vlarch 14. 1848, I married L lura A. E Iwards and went to housekeeping in the dwell- ing that stood on the corner adjo ning the bui.ding which we had first used for our store — this dwelling was owned by James Wiley who hid m )ved to his farm sjutheast of Lelloy— this dwelling had two rooms; the front part was hewn logs and th.; b ick roo n of frami. J )hn C. B lidlevr had occupied this Iwelling b.;fore I rented it. In the fall of thissamii year I built my house on north side of Public Square. In about the year of 1838 A. Grldley laid out the original town of LeRoy and later Conkling's addition was added. In about 1860 I traded my Interest in town property to Mr. Greenman for his interest in farm property, as we owned the most of our property in partnership. Mr. Green- man tiaded the brick building and goods shortly after- wards to Mr. Barnett and went back into the wooden building adj >ining which we had formerly occupied, and run a grocery store. Shortly after we started our store, James Carpenter and Henry Stevens came to LeRoy and run a dry goods and notion store. They did not remain more than six months. Then Dr. Dodson came from the north part of Illinois and run a general merchandise store in the room formerly occupied by Carpenter and Stevens opposite our store. The next store building was built and occupied \si A. C. King ( father of your esteemed citizen, E. W. King) on the lot opposite Morris' store. The Parks Brothers, Benj. and Harvey, came from Indiana, and built on the corner opposite Keenan's bank. J. Keenan bought an interest with Barnett and they conducted the business for a year or morf. The only church in LeRoy when I went there was the M. E. church, and was situated on the lots now occupied by A. H. Morris' residence. It was a building about forty feet square. Thev soliU ^^ a^ i^» (^ HAKESPEARE gave u? the "Sermons in Stones." ^■^^ It is a fact wonderful preachments are made ,11 ^ to those who stop and read. They are not hard to understand either. The 540 feet revealed by Mc- Lean county coal shafts can furnish many sermons, show- ing how the powers that be did things in the long ago. The stonework goes on perhaps 10 feet below the bottom of those shafts before reaching foundation granite, and from these we can hardly guess how much more story would he told if the earth crust is one mile thick. Wonder- ful stories are waiting for the readers in this closed book u ider our feet. The stories are fascinating, too, even for the average reader if he would open the bo ik and look thoughtfully around. The distinguished modern n.ituranbt, Agass'z, was askpd to go abroad with a friend— his expenses being paid — for a vacation. He said he could not spare the lime. He said he wanted to explore his bait. yard. He found there in fragments of stones the rec- ord of miny thousand years. He found enough material to fill a book and enjoyed it more than a trip abroad. A very brief writing about what the lajers are that are seen in the Bloomington coal mini s the short dis tance they go would make a good vol- ume. If the writer of this knew much about geology he would be able to write enough on this suhj-'ct to make le historical society report. It is believed by scientfio men North America began as a group of islands rising out of the ocean. Many of them were volcanic, pouring matter into the space bttween, forming lay- ers under the water, thus laying the foundation granite. The Hawaiian islands sho v the method of work. Greenland, Eastern Canada, New England, the rocky back- bone of the continent, and other parts show they were such instances. The islands grew, the spaces were filled, depressions and upheavels occurred making deep basins 1 ke Hudson bay, the great lakes, the Mississippi valley and the high lands. Water action ground the rocks and cut, wajs here and there and piled the layers upon each other, making the continent. Tropical heat and arctic c lid were agents working in their strange way through imneisurable time, leaving the positive evidence that can be easily seen on the face of things. Our surface mould you all know is the produci of vege- table growth and decay It is deepest where the vegeta- tion grew fastest and short lived, and remained undis- turbed in its decay. The prairie mould, the marsh lands and the swamps were thus formed. Think how long the process went on to give the results we know. The high timber tracts show less mould, because the vegetation, the trees principally, grew OesS' rapidly and furnished less matter for decay than other places, ind besides the rain washes the little from the ridges and high land and hill- By. E. Leaxllft table matter undecayed because water arrested that pro- cess. Clay, is a general term, meaning rock has been ground to finest powder. Its color and nature depends on the kind of rock ground and the minerals included. The red clay of bluegrass Kentucky is heavily charged with iron. The tough, clean clay, that makes such good brick in Illinois^ is made from bowlder dust that was ground in the ice age. Each manner of soil or stone might be explained by telling the process of formation and the ingredients. Slate, shele, chalk, are different forms of sediment colored and formed by different processes and different ingredients— rea'ly clay or rock dust. Black slate is colored by vegetable matter, etc. Bowlders are rolled about, and little broken gravel are little bou'ders worn smooth; sand is cracked rock, and whit be- comes powder is the soil, or deposited under water becomes rock. The lay- ers of sand, gravel, clay, soapstone, limestone, sandstone, coal, shale, varying in thickness from 1 foot to 76 feet; 1 foot of lime rock or fire clay or shale or sulphurous rock, and 61 feet feet blue clay and 76 feet blue clay, 39 feet soapstone, 35 feet blue clay, 62 feet soapstone, etc., in the thirty-six layers laid bare, tell an in- t "resting story of the long time before our day, when these things under our feet were being built by the powers that be. Nearly 300 feet below the surface coal is found, again 100 feet deeper, and again about 125 feet further, and perhaps more further down it migtit be found. The coal deposits are only three or four feet thick. Coal is clearly vegetab'e in its origin. The vegetation was most unlike what we find today. It grew in water ages ago and decayed there. It was kept from atmospheric action and our coal is the product. The foal seams iidi- cate in that day intensely hot tropical conditions prevailed here. The vegetation grew in shallow lakes or br^ickish sea waters and had huge dimensions — ferns SO to ICO feet high and 3 to 4 feet thick — and were quickly grown and soon decayed. Mammoth ferns and huge club itfosses and other gigantic plants grew and left some of their forms for us to see what manner of vegetable life left the slimy matter over large areas— the coal fields of today. Where there are coal beds we know there were lakes and seas with this strange vegetation. If the lake or sea water that furnished Bloomington coal extended this way we 1 ave coal beds under us. If the water deposited more matter here than there we may have more and better coal. That remains to be seen. The tropical climate that made the vegetation was followed by floods of water arctic cold— the ice flowing from the north ground the rocks to powder and the water spread the dust — clay— over the region from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic and as far south as West Virginia. Tae hills were cut down and the sides to the level ground. Peat bogs are masses of vege- valleys were fi. led— "brought low and exalted." Leveling THE HISTORICAL MEMOIRE 39 went on and doubttesg upheaving In places, also. The mlllg of the Ice age ground slowly, but ground exceeding fine and a lot too, to make 76 feet of clay here at one time, and to make 62 another, and all the various rocks, soils, Bind and gravel and bowlders. In this region there are rjcks that undoubtedly came from Lake Superior, and men feel sure they can Identify the cliffs they came from. When clay covered the vegetable deposits and kept from dicay — coal was the outcome, in time. The tropical and arctic conJitlons must have followed each other several times. Notice we have coal about 300 feet below the sur- face, then 400, then near 540, and perhaps it might be found again and again. Eight d tfereat times clay was deposi- ited showing how many times similar action went on as well as modided formations of similar material at other times. Gas has been found near here. Gas and oil are sup- posed to be products of the same material that gave coal. The shrinking of the earth or crowding in places squeezed out the oil and it was retained by sonjethiug near it. Gas is a production of oil— not coal— or that is the prevailing belief. Oil and gas often come from the same well. They are not always found — yes seldom found in immediate con- nection with coal. The depo.-it from which they ifsue is a shale, an immense stratum of whicn extends over a large section from Westent Pennsylvania across Ohio and fndi- ana, northward to Michigan and southward as far as Cin- cinnati — perhaps it is beneath us here — time will tf 11. Of course a great deal of this has to be imagined, so little digging has been done, a great part of it generaliza- tion resting on small, perhaps sure foundation. It takes imagination to shed light in these dark places. Often it needs of such study, so mighty has been the work, so great has been the time used carrying on this tremenduons pro- cess of building layer on layer through ages. Near Bloomlngton, the remains of a forest have been found under 60 feet of earth, AtJoliet, a tree trunk was found 30 feet below the surface, also a cedar forest under 20 feet of clay marl. Think how much Ice ii,ust have moved to grind so much rock to powder and how much water to spread 61, 76, 92 and 39 feet deposits, burying forests, 60, 30 and 20 feet below the surface, Qjr imagination is too weak to comprehend, our vocabulary too insignidcant to declare, even faintly or briefly, the history of this vicinliy. A gigantic plan has been followed; inconceivable forces worked building this vicinity, county, st ite and country. What would be more fascinating than the story of this black soil, our clays, the sands and sand stone, the gravel and limestone, the soapstone, sFate, shale and coal, that underlie our feet. We are wading through and walking on mysterious combinations of great agencies in immeas- urable time. Plain earth, mud, rock and sand have won- derful stories, marvelous history for those who stop to lead — more charmi;ig than romance or fairy tale that man's mind can conceive. They bear the stamp of the Infinite Power. These are a few hints hastily written by one who knows little about it, but wants to know more of the wonderful and most interesting, yet simple story that Is to be read from the things under our feet. It interests me to know I can dig with my heel as deep as the works of hundreds of years, and push a shovel down through the work of ages. So much historical work is thus before our eyes, we should stop and read the marvelous story. is hard for imagination to be great enough to meet the Bloomlngton coal shafts show the the surface of this vicinity is built somewhat after the following order: Formation — Peet Surface soil, sand and gravel 19 Biue clay 61 Smd and water 4 Blue clay 76 Soapstone 39 Lime rock.. I Hlue clay 35 Yellow Clay 15 Soft shell rock 4 Soft uray sand stone 11 Hard limestone 12 Sjapstone 5 About 540 feet. Formation — Feet Coal vein 3 i'ire clay 9 Gray sandstone 4 Soapstone 22 Dark shale 8 Soapstone...., 9 Fireclay Gray slate.. , Klack slate.. Coal vein Fireclay ~ Slate 10 22 5 4 10 3 Formation — Feet Fireclay 4 Sand rock 20 Soap stone 62 Black slate 2 Fireclay 1 Sulphurous rock 11 Gray slate I Shale 1 Lime rock 2 Slate 2 Soapstone 6 Coal, 3 vein 3 Indians 'Bjr W, B. Leaitm V^, H K saying, "The blood of no McLean county settler was shed by Indians." or '-The Indians the early set- lers met were harmless hunters and beggars passing along the trail that led through this vicinity," wou d make one think the story is short, commonplace and tame. O I the other hand, this is the Hi^ld of thrilling history of wild times when there was tragedy eniugh to make up for the peaceful times of the first settlers. The names, *'01d Town," and the '"Old Indian Fort," lead us to a page of history equal to anything found in other places where thrillin,' incidents abound, and make the places rich in etories of adventure and peril and dreadful suffering and death. The Kickapoo Indians, found here by the first settlers, were those who sold their lands east of here and moved westward from theirriver and forest homes to the prairies. They were not like their people of the same name of the prairies, who lived in the "Old Town — who built the "Old Fori" in earlier days The Prairie Kickapoos, who held the central part of Illinois, between the Illinois and the Wa- bash rivers, were a different class from those who were able to live in contact with the white man, and never were reconciled to live near civilization. The French were never able to pacify them. They fought the French, English and Americans and their Indian allies. They ravaged the borders of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and the 40 THE HISTORICAL MEMO IRE Illinois were practically exteTminated by them even when helped by the French in their first occupancy of Southern Illinois. They were energetic, talented Indians, industrious, better armed than their fellows, good hunt- ers and bitter fighters— first in the fray and last in the fi^rht — and one of the cleanest of Indians. With the Poxes and the Sacs they were the terror of the whites and their Indian allies. They were adepts at building palisades for defense, and with tbeir other qualities you can see that it would be a b'oody chapter that told of their occupation of this vicinity. They went into voluntary exile when beaten beyond the Mississippi, when civilization and In- dian foes allied attempted to exterminate them, and con- tinued in. their descendents the bitter warfare against the the whites. In the years of victory and defeat great must have been the bloodshed and butchery in this fair section of rur state, when ttte wars of hatred and exterm- ination were being waged with the French and Potta- watamies and Ottawas and Chiopeways and Americans. Later they had to give place when they became very much reduced in numbers— but with spirit unbro'ten. 'Old Town" was the capitol, the "Old Fort" was their place for defense. The old maps located the great Kicka- poo capitol near the headwaters of the Sangatr.on, and there is no other place to claim it. Tradition of Indians point here. A Kentuckian, who visited here in 1840, de- clared be had been a captive there, somewhere about 1800. It was waven into a pleasing story by a school teacher of later time, and published in a Peoria paper, but the romance had its foundation in the romantic, tragic and horrible doings that went on here in those early dajs. Tlie capitol shows its remains over a space of a mile square. The acre area of the fort and Us surroundings of graves, inside and outside, and the presence.of arrowheads and tomaha-'ks .'nd bullets and gun barrels indicate the strife that went on. The large Indian burying ground shows the largeness of the occupancy. A member of a company of rangers of the war of 1812 tells of the burning of the fort, and the oldest settlers re- members the hollows in the bank of earth where the posts had been. The Kickapoos, at the time of the settlement, knew nothing of it. The Illinois did not do such things — only the fierce Prairie Kickapoos so built. We know many captives, white and Indian, were brought here from their expeditions that were carried on in all directions by these cruel, inveterate haters, and we can readily understand the frightful barbarity that was practiced as great as was ever recorded or known. A great unwritten chapter of human suffering, torture at the stake, running the gauntlet, burning alive— all the savage Indian knew so well how to inflict on his captive, white or Indian. Enough transpired then to more than make up for the peaceful attitude of those who came after them and were in con- tact with the earliest settlers. First Band J 'By _/t. B. ConKling N about 1?60, the brass band was organized with about ten members, J. V. Smith, Ben Parks. A. E. Lewis, A. B. Conkling, C. S. M )orehouse and S. D., Baker, are the only ones I now remember. A. Bl Conkling was made leader and Philip Kadal, of Blooming- ton, our first teacher — and a fine one he was. He wou' " come from Bloomington and stay three days for the mo. est sum of ten dollars, coming every other week. We progressed so far as to murder several pieces in a short time— America, Star Spangled Banner, Dixie, etc., got hurt badly, but after afewmonths we took to the top of the Parks building- and made the air tremble with our ef- forts. Later people said we did fine. I thtnk it was in 1862 we were called to play at the burial of soldiers of the the Civil war. Mr. Hartsock,- I think, was the- first one. We went to Cheny's Grove to plav for his funeral. Later we played at the burial of several oth- ers. We played at several picnic par- ties and we got a good dinner for it, but were not served with money at any time, it was a •' free gratis " job on all occasions; our pay was an apprecia'ive audience, and filthy lucre was never given to help pay fur our training, but we got along very nicelv, nevertheless, until September, 1861, w^en we removed to Champaign. After that time the organizition was continued and prospert d for years, as I was told, and learnd from friends from time to time; and am told the onranization still lives. Would greatly enj )y attending the meeting to which you invite me, and especially hear the band play which I hel(ied to organize forty-four years ago, and to meet those friends whom [ used to know and mingle with in my young- er davs, and whose names and faces I love to remember and which have always been very dear to me because of life time associations, No'i'E — The tvpe-writer included the above letter in the article written by N. G. Humphrey. ^. "Bf ConK}ing ED GUARD FRANK BISHOP GUARD & BISHOP HARDWARE AND IMPLEMENT DEALERS LE ROY ILLINOIS THE HISTORICAL ME MOIRE 41 The Ctxmbertcind Vresbyterian Chxxrch "By Mrj. E. B. younj /'JTTMriEnLAND Presb- terian's were the first to es- j [ t.ibiish re''^r services hpre. This church was VJ J organized by Rev. John Merry about the year 1S32. It was called Sa't Creek Congreffation. The first elder in Mackinaw Presbytery was William Walker, in the year 1837, which met at Shiloh, now called Hopedale. Neil J.)hnson was the Moderator and James MiD )wen, Cerk. Bi' petition from Sa't Creek church the Prt-sbvtery changed 11= name to LeRoy, from which time its history is known by tne o!df r members of this church; Prom the time of its orjjan'zilion to tti ^present date this church has been represented in Mackinaw Presbytery by thirty-nine e'ders. The I^ev R. D. Taylor, Uev.'s Archer, Neal, Johnson and James Divis were the earliest minis- ters of this denomination workin;^ in this place. The nu- merous Buckles families, with many others, were the first to interest themselves in s?curinif a hou^e of worship and regular services. Rev. R. L). Taylor, father of our es- teemed townsman, Dr. E. K. M. Taylor, and familiarly known and belovt-d as "tlncle B )bby," was ordained by the Mackinaw Presbytery in 1S38 and served faithfuily as pas- tor for many years. Thomas Buckles and James Rutledge were the first elders. J. D. Baker and Peter Bucklf s were the leaders in bui'ding this church, Wm. Elisha Gibbs and son, Simeon Gibbs, building the frame work and placing the seats, Wm. Smith enclosing it. No one seems to father the arcoitecture of this old church, which was one of the oddities of the age. It was forty feet square, the entrance almost opening in the alleyway. The windows had fifty lights of glass wliich were square, the pulpit away up to the ceiling. Rev. F. J. Johnson was then in- stalled as pastor, which position he maintained for twelve yeart-. During his pastorate a neat brick church was built, in 1863. Downing and Hardy were tlie architects and builders. Church membershihp increased and Sabbath School mai-tained. Rev. Marlow, Best and Kimberlin preaching successively for a period of years. Connected with this church as part of their work and under their aus- pices was the L'^Roy Seminary, an institution for liigher education than the common schools afforded. Rev. Patton from Tennessee having first charge, from 1854 to 1859, with several assistants. This seminary was a success un- til the building up of the graded schools. Pre«byteriani^m stands today the established religion of Scotland. It has its ups and dOwns here the same as there. When Charles the First persisted in forcing the prayer book upon them until he led to a revolution, tie Scots stopped their ears rather than listen to the service. This church is now com posed of as strong, sturdy members as Scotland could boast, and they enjoy the privilege of worshipping accord- ing to the dictates of their own consciences, in a grand and comparatively new church, erected in l'::98, a magnifi- cent edifice which its builders and suppi rt^rs may well cherish with a feeling of pardonable pride and pleasure. This splendid church was erected during the successful pastorship of Rev. J. E. Aubrey. As a minister he repre- sented in his personality a remarkable enthusiasm, which resulted in great good to the town and community and es- pecially a benefit to the C. P. Church. The church or- ganization at present consists of about 20O active members and is in a prosperous and thriving condition. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Waiter E. Spoonts, whose earnest work aud Christian character, is forming a lasting impression upon the community. The First Settlers of Le'Roy "By Thomas L. "BucK^ The first settlers of LeKoy and its business men traced thmugh a numb t of years, from 1835 to 1850: Edgar Cjnkling and family; Amos-Neal and family; Hiram Back and family; Leonard P.' Morrow and family; Dr. M r m and famil\ ; Jas. Wiley and family, Moses Kim- ler and family; James Newel and tamil> ; D ivison Gilmore' and family: Catherine B irrette and family: Marshall' Whittaker and family; Jno. W. Baddel.ey jind family; H ir- ' mon Ruck and family; Wm. Worlis and fami!\ ; Hiram Pat- terson and fdmil_\ ; Thos. .Sperry and family; Juo. Vannote and family ; Stephen Conkling and family ; Dr. Weldon and family. Amos Neal had the first little stock of dry goods in LeRoy in 1835, he sold to Edgar Conkling who continued ■ the business for a number of years. Jno W. Baddeley lo- cated a town one half mile south of the southwest corner ' of Leiioy and called it Monroe and started a store, t.ut when he seen LeKoy was to be the town he pulh d his build- ing to LeRoy and located on the old corner west of the new Town Hall, and Baddeley & Son were merchants in LeRoy for many years. Alexander Council was the first tailor. Leonard P. Morrow was the first saddler and har- ness maker, butcher, hunter and story teller. Catherine Barnette was a tailoress. She wtf-i a grand and noble - woman, ever ready to help in sickness or health. But few are living today to cherish her memory. Wm. V orks was ' a speculator in a small way. Hir.m Patterson was a wheelwright and farmer.- Thos. Sperry kept a doggery and so'd whiskey by the drink, quart or gallon. Jno. Van- note was a charcoal burner. Stephen Conkling was a far- • mer. Dr. Weldon a physician and surgeon. Tlios. Spen- ser was a well digger. Moses Kimler was the ffrat black- smith; Harmcra Buck and D.ivison Gilcome came soon after in the same trade. Daniel Proctor was a carpenter. Hi- ram Buck was the first tavern keeper, postmaster. Justice of the Peace. Dr. Moran was the fitst physician. He left soon. Dr. Weldon came ne.xt and was here several years. Jas. Wiley kept a little store and was a farmer besides. Jas. Newell was a Baptist preacher. Moses Kimler was a blacksmith and farmer. Davison Gilmore was a black- smith and farmer. Harmon Buck was a blacksmith and doctor under the old Tomsonian system and was very suc- cessful. He was the father of Mrs, Jno. Kline, who still lives here. Cheney Thomas was school teacher, Justice of the Peace and at one time elected Tax Collector and Sheriff of McLean countv and held bothoflices at the same time. Marshall Whittaker was a farmer. From 1840 to 1850 Dr. Burns, father of our townsman, Jno. Burrfs and Mrs. Dr. Taylor, was a prominent physician here in the early forties. T.J. Barnette, son of Catherine Barnette, was a farmer and stock dealer at an early date. Fill wood and Isaac Grist were carpenters. Elisha Gibbs and sonj, Simeon and David, were millwrights by trade. They built the first steam saw and grist mill and wool carding ma- chine attached in 1840. Jerry Greenman was the first cabi- net maker: Calvin H impson came later and eneaged in the same business. Dr. Edwards came in 1840, was also a methodist preacher; Dr Albert Luce came later: Dra. Cheney and Noble located in TeRoy late iu the forties and were prominent physicians for years. Julius White sold goods in l'<40: Carpenter and Risinger sold goods a litt'e later; Baker and Greenman began selling goods in 1843: Bigsby Dodson id 1845: Jno. Burton, grandfather of Jno. 42 THE HISTORICAL MEMOIR K Burns »3ld good* In 1849; then came T. J. Barnette and Jaa. Kimler. Six ot the abo-ie men were selling goods in LeRoy in 1850. At an early date two long haired men lo- cated here. Their busiuess seemed to be horse stealing and counterfeiting, but they seen they were watched closely so left between two d^ys. In the early days horse racing was quite a business. A beautiful one-half mile track encircled this little village. The races were running races, usually one mile and repeat. A path was made for each horse by dragging a log to smooth the surface. Men, women and children could stand In their own doors and see the racing-. Black Hawk, Jim t^iow, McKlnnie Roan, Copper bottom. Tiger-whip, Lady Jane, Clear the Kitchen, Roan-leg, were names of some of the running horses. Mrs. Fannie Wertz of Bloomington, Mrs. S. F. Barnum and Mary Patterson of LeRoy are daujihters of Hiram Patter- son. Mr. Patterson deserves s^-eclal mention as one of the early business men of LeRoy. He planned and built the first horse mill that ground corn for all ttte community. He invented a horse power turning lathe that he used in his business; he Invented a mill to squeeze the juice out of corn stalks to make molasses; could stock a plow; make the wood work for a wagon; make an ox handle or a wood sled; make spinning wheels and reels; turn fancy posts for bedsteads. He was a man for the times. Frank Kimler, Sr., son of Moses Kimler, and my sister, Amanda Crum- bausjh, daughter of Hiram Buck and myself were here in 181ti and are still living in LeRoy. The above sketch was written by request and entirely from memory, but in the main is correct. The 'Relic Ejchibil ■Bjr Mr J. J. V. Smith The early settlers who are interested In these matters had a large number of old relics and newspapers on exhi- bition at this meeting. Among them was an old B-flat brass horn used by the first band in LeRoy by J. V. Smith. A violin 200 years old and a snuff box 125 years old, the property of Mrs. Kate Dudderar. Three old quilts which were over 50 yeais old. A woven quilt made by Oral Buck's grandmother, Mrs. Katherlne McConnell. A coil of rope H3 years old, made by Mahlon Bishop, Sr. Two old fash- ioned fireplace dog-Irons, the property of John McConnell also an old brass candle holder. A sickle sixty year.* old belonging to Mahlon Bishop; also an Indian hatchet found by his father in 1837, in Section 15, Fmpire township. An old two-pronged pitchfork. A garter snake captured in 1846 and well preserved in good old rye whiskey by E E Greenman; also a letter dated Mey 2, 1848, to Mrs. Ruth Baker of Bloomington, 111., the prooerty of Mrs. Belle Crumbaugh. Mr. E. W. King furnished many interesting and valuable relics and mementos of his father's business life in L;K )y. An o!d slate on which he had kept his daily salts for over SO years; a dally register boo'c of 1830: copies of letters of very early dates in shorthand, done by his brother, C. C. King, who was at one time a shorthand re- porter for Henry Clay, la Washington; a letter from a brother of J. F. King of Terr.- Haute, Ind., to A. C. King of ShetBeld, Conn., dated July 25, 1830, having only a circle statup and marked (paid 2.5 cts) postage; an old newspaper, the Hamf shire Gazette of August 26, 1845, being sin col- umns to the page and four pages; another, the New York Weekly Tribune of Nov. 3C, 1844, which has eight pages of solid reading matter with a few small card advertise- ments; a land deed of sheepskin, dated Nov. 11, 18?9. an^- signed by Martin V'anBuren, Books of many kinds; --of dates from 1820 to 1845, belonging to A. C. King, and a grammar compiled by Mr. A. C. King, of date of 1845. Some two dozen old legal documents, some signed by Thomas Carlin, governor and A. P. Fiske, Sec. of State. An old fashioned plow over 70 years old, belonging to G. W. Simpson. An old German bible, which is believed to have been brought to America in the Mayflower by the an- cestors of L. A. Rike. Anavory headed cane once carried by Mr. Daniel Crumbaugh, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and who came to Buckles' Grove March 6, 1830. This cane is now the property of Mrs. F. M. Crumbaugh. An old double handled cross cut saw, belonging to Thos. Buck. An old book— The Author's Religion— thought to have been written about 1318, by Eleazar Howard, the great grandfather of Earl Riddle, but the book is the cherished property of E. W. King. An old gun bearing this mark "H. Mock, No. 1007" made in England, and brought to America in 1851 by H. Grizeelle. Also an old slaw knife made in Pitchcome, England, and brought to this covntry by Mrs. Martin Grizzelle. A woolen bed spread woven in 1853 by Mrs. Corray, the mother of Mrs, Thornton Clark, who then lived near Pekin, Illinois. JOHN S. HARPE,R'S =^ Justice Court and Marriage Parlors, i"c;ited in the Town Hall and Citv Building, southeast of Park, LeK'oy. McLean countv, Illinois, better known as the new LeRoy court house Phone No. 202 P 0. Lock Box Also, collections at home and abroad, and prompt returns. Pensions and pension vouchers attended to. Courtyrofn 7 a m to 7 p m Specialiiy, "Pottle and Amicable i A.M. W I L KES Dentist ORGANIZED 1868 ■Phc 101 LE -ROy. ILL. 6. C. LIST Manufrcturer and dealer in Harness and Saddlerv, Collars, Whips, Blankets. ROBES, ETC., E T C . ^ ♦? LEROY, ILLIIMOIS ^ ^ J* 4S ?♦ *\ j5» 4^ Pacific Mutual ^ ^ Life Insurance Co OW ^ OF CALIFORNIA ^ 4^ Offers you Distinctive ^ J^ Profitable Forms of t I Life and Endowment Insurance Payable either in a single sum or in installments. B. R. RflTUIFF Grain Coal And.. FEED J* 4^ ?♦ ^ \^ 4^ J* 4^ ^ i^ £.. D. Riddle, Agt. It has tlie Safest and Best Organization for Policy Holders of any American Company LEROY, ILLINOIS }^ ^ LeR.oy, Illinois ^ ♦? J* J* t^5f^^^^^^^^^^¥^^^^^$^,^^^^$^^^^^^^$^^^^$^^^^ LIBRftRV OF CONGRESS 015 090 259 fi i f