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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
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 http://archive.org/details/firsthundredyearOOvolp 
 
THE FIRST 
 
 HUNDRED YEARS 
 
 1835 -- 1935 
 
 HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 of 
 BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS 
 
 WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY 
 
 JOHN H. VOLP 
 
 BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS 
 
77, ^ iL 
 
 DEDICATED TO 
 
 The Men and Women of a past generation — 
 those sturdy Pioneers who conquered a wilder- 
 ness and laid the foundation of Blue Island, 
 "The City on the Hill." 
 
 TO 
 
 The Men and Women of Today, who are 
 striving to make Blue Island a clean, prosper- 
 ous and progressive community. 
 
 TO 
 
 The Little Citizens of the Future, on whose 
 shoulders will fall the duty to carry on this 
 work and who must set for themselves ever 
 higher ideals. 
 
"Ye, who would learn the glory of your past 
 And form a forecast of the things to be, 
 Give heed to this, a mighty trumpet blast, 
 And see her pictured life in pageantry." 
 
 — Selected. 
 
1868— John Henry Volp— 1938 
 
 From the dim mists of unrecorded time when Lake 
 Michigan's blue waters swirled on the sides of a pro- 
 montory now called Blue Island to the autumn of the 
 year 1935 when a modern city of nearly 20,000 citizens 
 celebrated the Centennial of the establishment of their 
 municipality — that is the scope of this book. 
 
 Written by a man, born in the community, who made 
 his mark amidst his own people, the book reflects a task 
 of devotion to a typical American city replete with typical 
 American home life. 
 
 With the help of countless people, the record for 
 this history grew, and grew until a fateful day in February, 
 1938, Mr. Volp laid down his pen for the last time. 
 
 His work on that wintry, snowy day, as well as his life 
 itself, was near the final page. 
 
 Death called in May and the first desire of his 
 devoted family was to see this book printed as quickly as 
 possible. 
 
 Here it is. 
 
 "The First Hundred Years" of Blue Island's sorrows 
 anil joys, her faults and her virtues. 
 
 The book is closed. 
 
 Yet a relentless and determined historian known as 
 Father Time, is persisting in hourly piling up new data 
 in a new decade of another century which undoubtedly 
 will occupy the attention of some other devoted Blue 
 Islander, still unborn, who will in another day look back 
 on John H. Volp's labor and in remembrance pen "The 
 Second Hundred". 
 
 —Hill Lakin, December, 1938. 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 F. AS the popular saying has it, "the first hundred years are the 
 hardest."" the people of Blue Island may well congratulate them- 
 selves. For this year, the year of Our Lord, 1935, this community safely 
 rounded out that fateful period. 
 
 The dangers and hardships of the pioneers; the trials, worries and 
 tribulations of those who guided the infant village, and the "growing pains" 
 of the later stage under city government have all been overcome and today Blue 
 Island stands before the world — a "centenarian" — but a robust one withal 
 its years. 
 
 And the "first hundred years" have been kind to Blue Island. 
 
 Those sturdy early settlers whose wisdom and foresight led them to 
 select this, the highest point of land in Cook County, visioned not only homes 
 for their families but, we find, even in the very earliest years, the stirrings of 
 business and commercial activity that foreshadowed the possibilities of fine 
 community development. 
 
 So Blue Island this year celebrates its golden anniversary — a clean, or- 
 derly, well-kept city of nearly 20,000 souls — a city of many fine homes, good 
 schools, churches and progressive commercial enterprises, second to none in 
 the Chicago area. 
 
 Those of us who have lived here all our lives, who have watched its 
 development through various stages during the greater part of that first hundred 
 years, feel that not at any time in its previous history have the indications for 
 greater growth and development been so promising as at this time. 
 
 With railroad facilities excelled by no other city except Chicago, with 
 abundant water, and electricity for light and power, with an almost 100 per cent 
 system of sewers and paved streets, located on the deep waterway canal connect- 
 ing Lake Michigan with the Gulf of Mexico, only a few miles from the country's 
 leading airport, Blue Island offers inducements to the home seeker and manu- 
 facturer equalled by no other city in the great Calumet District. 
 
 So all honor and credit to those sturdy pioneers who conquered a wilder- 
 ness and laid the nucleus back in 1835 — for Blue Island, "The City on the Hill!" 
 
 ****** 
 
 From time to time short historical sketches of Blue Island, have appeared 
 in the local press, in Chicago newspapers and in various pamphlets and 
 publications. 
 
 These sketches, owing principally to their brevity, have for the most 
 part dealt in generalities with little regard for accuracy and complete informa- 
 tion. Many of the interesting facts and incidents of the early days have been 
 entirely overlooked in these publications. 
 
 Pieced together from various letters, documents and personal recollections 
 it is undoubtedly true that much of the pioneer history may lack accuracy as 
 
regards dates and sequence, but this is true only of the period during the first 
 five or ten years. 
 
 The writer and compiler of this narrative was born in Blue Island and 
 all of his 67 years have been spent here. For many years he devoted himself 
 to collecting data, pictures, newspapers and souvenirs of Blue Island only to 
 see all destroyed when a skyrocket set fire to his printing plant on July 4th in 
 1919. Much of the material destroyed never could be replaced. 
 
 But the ambition to write a comprehensive history of Blue Island has per- 
 sisted, and so, with the 100th anniversary as an incentive, he again devoted 
 himself to the task, believing that a historical review of the past one hundred 
 years would not only prove interesting reading, but would be preserved as a 
 permanent record for future generations. 
 
 With this thought uppermost in mind special pains have been taken to 
 have the matters set down here as nearly correct historically as possible. Much 
 that has been written in past years, many old records and documents, clippings, 
 maps, drawings and pictures — in fact, an immense lot of such material — all had 
 to be examined and gone over for those matters that would prove of value in 
 a review such as this. 
 
 Many extremely interesting facts have come to light during the writer's 
 search for information and much valuable aid in this respect has been given 
 by citizens who supplied facts, incidents and pictures of the past. 
 
 The writer is deeply grateful to those who assisted him in any way and 
 a full acknowledgement of such service will be made in a chapter at the close 
 of this review. 
 
 Our story divides itself quite naturally into three periods — The Pioneer 
 Period (1835-1872); The Period under Village Organization 1 1872-1902), 
 and the later and present period under City Government 11902-1935). 
 
 Several early maps and pictures (some of which have never before been 
 seen in print) will be published with each installment of the earlier period, 
 and numerous pictures of the later periods will be shown as the story progresses. 
 
 The biographical section contains many names of early residents, yet 
 undoubtedly some who should be mentioned here have been omitted. There 
 are two principal causes for such omissions: the first is that the publisher had 
 no information on the subject: the other is that in quite a few cases members 
 of the older families promised to supply the necessary information, but failed 
 to do so. 
 
 Knowing that no man is infallible the writer begs indulgence for any 
 inaccuracy which may appear in this volume. 
 
 X/.^sZf? 
 
 Blue Island, Illinois / / /! 
 
 September, 1935 (/ [/ 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 CENTURIES BEFORE THE DAYS OF 
 COURTNEY AND REXFORD 
 
 The Blue Island ridge, as we know it. is con- 
 sidered by geologists somewhat of a geological 
 curiosity, composed, as it is, almost entirely 
 of alluvial drift and lake deposit. 
 
 Surveys and well borings show that while the 
 territory surrounding the ridge is underlaid with 
 limestone, mostly at a shallow depth, and in 
 some places with very little or no soil covering, 
 drillings made on top of the "island" reach a 
 depth of 70 to 85 feet before the limestone for- 
 mation is encountered. 
 
 It seems that natural forces deposited here 
 an excessive quantity of loose material upon a 
 rock foundation, much as a child would heap 
 sand or soil on a tabletop. 
 
 The following is compiled from a Geological 
 Survey of the Chicago Plain : 
 
 "There seems to be no assignable reason why 
 excessive deposition should have occurred at this 
 place (Blue Island). It is probable that, as 
 left by the glacier, this elevation of drift spread 
 out to the north, east and south with more gentle 
 slopes, such as are now seen on the west, thus 
 forming a broader and less abrupt rise than 
 the present. 
 
 "At the Glenwood stage of the lake this drift 
 ridge was an island rising 10 to 35 feet above 
 the surrounding waters. The waves beating 
 against this shore on the east and northeast cut 
 away much of the gentle slope and developed a 
 terrace and cliff. The waters from the east and 
 southeast were divided in their flow toward the 
 outlets by this ridge, one part sweeping about the 
 north and the other about the south end. These 
 currents gathered up much of the finer material 
 from the erosion of the cliff and swept it out 
 to the leeward of the island in a pair of spit.-. 
 one at the north end and one at the south. That 
 at the north end is best seen at the Catholic 
 cemetery of Ste. Marie, on the Chicago and 
 Grand Trunk railway. It may be that the bould- 
 ers on the plain at the north end of the Blue 
 Island ridge are the remnants from this erosion. 
 being the coarser material which the waves and 
 currents were unable to carry. The waters flow- 
 ing about the south end of the island formed 
 a deposit of gravel and sand on which is built 
 the city of Blue Island. These gravels are best 
 seen in the excavation just west of the Chicago, 
 Rock Island and Pacific railway station, where 
 they are alternately fine and coarse, with cross- 
 
 bedding dipping to the west. Cellar excavations 
 also show the bedding as dipping to the south 
 and west." 
 
 "Blue Island was a true island for ages dur- 
 ing and after the melting of the ice cap which 
 covered it during the glacial period. 
 
 "The glacial lake known as Lake Chicago and 
 later as the present Lake Michigan, had its out- 
 let through the Desplaines valley and the Sag 
 valley into the Illinois river and from there to 
 the Gulf of Mexico. The Sag valley extended 
 from Blue Island to the present Homewood (see 
 map page 10 1 in width and from here to the 
 present Drainage canal, about 14 miles west. At 
 first Blue Island and Mount Forest island were 
 the only islands in this lake — later Lanes Island 
 and Stony Island appeared out of the receding 
 waters. 
 
 Geologists believe that during the glacial per- 
 iod the water rose and fell in the different 
 "stages"' of Lake Chicago. The 60-foot or Glen- 
 wood stage was followed by the 40-foot or 
 Calumet stage. The water had outlets through 
 the Calumet-Sag-Desplaines route as well as the 
 Great Lakes-St. Lawrence outlet. The latter oc- 
 casionally was stopped with ice gorges causing 
 variations in the water level. The 30-foot or 
 Tolleston stage then marked the extent of a par- 
 tial resubmergence of the plain. 
 
 For general purposes it may be stated that 
 Lake Michigan originally had its shore line at 
 the Blue Island ridge. Later it receded to the 
 Michigan avenue ridge at Roseland and finally 
 to its present shore line. 
 
 "The large boulders found on the surface in 
 this vicinity, mainly granite, also the boulders 
 found embedded in the clay and other soils, were 
 brought here by the glacial ice from points 
 farther north. The surface deposits in the vic- 
 inity of Blue Island are the Drift proper, and 
 subsequently alluvial and lake deposits. 
 
 "The supply of building stone in the county 
 is very large," continues the report, "and in 
 the lower division of the Niagara group in 
 the Athens (Lemont) quarries is found one of 
 the best building stones in the state, technically 
 known as Athens marble. The clay found 
 throughout the county, especially in the vicinity 
 of Blue Island, presents an excellent material 
 for the manufacture of brick. Sand is abundant 
 
PLATE ONE 
 From Geological Survey "The Chicago Plain" 
 
 Here the waters of Lake Chicago still cover a wide expanse of land — from Dyer, Ind., on the 
 south, and west as far as Palos and LaGrange. The present site of Maywood is still covered by 
 water and Norwood Park is at the edge of the lake. Blue Island is here shown as a true 
 island, fully eight miles off the western shore of the lake. Mt. Forest island has also been 
 exposed by the receding waters near the mouth of the Desplaines river. 
 
PLATE TWO 
 From Geological Survey "The Chicago Plain" 
 
 In this map a considerable portion of land between Blue Island and Palos is shown to have 
 emerged from the receding- waters. Blue Island appears in dotted outline at the eastern ex- 
 tremity of this body of land and its southern base is still washed by the waters of the lake. 
 Lane's Island has emerged above the water and is a true island. The dotted lines at the right 
 show the present shoreline of Lake Michigan. 
 
12 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 all over the county, placed there by the lake. 
 as in a storehouse until the amplitude of build- 
 ing necessities require it. Artesian wells, rang- 
 ing in depth from a few hundred to two thousand 
 
 feet provide a plentiful supply of good water." 
 Thus with building material, water, and pos- 
 sibly fuel. Cook county has not been neglected 
 in the distribution of prizes in economic geology. 
 
 FATHER MARQUETTE'S JOURNEY 
 
 Via Stony Creek and the Calumet River 
 
 Before proceeding with the story of the com- 
 ing of the first settlers to the "blue island" let 
 us turn back the pages of history a couple of 
 hundred years to the time when the Jesuit 
 Fathers Marquette and Joliet and other French 
 explorers traversed this section. 
 
 In spite of the claims of some historians, who 
 contend that Father Marquette, in his several 
 voyages of discovery, portaged between the 
 Chicago river and the Desplaines. there is a pre- 
 ponderance of evidence which proves that the 
 route taken by Marquette was not by way of the 
 south branch of the Chicago river, but by way 
 of the Little and Grand Calumet, thence by way 
 of Stony Creek around the lower edge of the 
 "blue island" to the Desplaines river at what 
 is now known as the Sag. There is considerable 
 ground for the belief that Marquette may have 
 camped at a spot not far from the Indian 
 Village which historians say was located on the 
 north bank of Stony Creek, just below the hill, 
 and west of what is now Western avenue. 
 
 Major Henry W. Lee, of South Chicago, who 
 has spent many years in historical research of 
 the Calumet region, believes firmly that Mar- 
 quette's last journey was by way of Stony 
 
 Creek. 
 
 * * * 
 
 By MAJOR HENRY W. LEE 
 Editor, The Calumet Record Since 1898 
 
 When Father Marquette came to the Calumet 
 region and spent the winter of 1674-75 in a 
 cabin near the present site of Hegewisch, there 
 were a number of Indian villages here occupy- 
 ing strategic locations as regarding portages, 
 trails, high land, defensive position, etc. Alfred 
 F. Scharf, noted local expert on Indian affairs, 
 spent fifty years investigating old trails, village 
 sites, portages, etc., in the Greater Chicago area. 
 On Mr. Scharf's map Indian villages are located 
 at Cheltenham, South Chicago, Hegewisch, 
 Thornton, Blue Island, Palos and the Sag. 
 
 Portages are designated by Mr. Scharf south 
 of Lake Calumet, at Blue Island and west of 
 Palos. He found chipping stations at the Sag, 
 Palos, Stony Island and Cheltenham. In Blue 
 Island in the north-east portion an Indian mound 
 is indicated. The Indian "village" was north of 
 
 Stony Creek and an Indian camp was found by 
 Mr. Scharf in the south part of Blue Island near 
 the trail later known as the Vincennes trail. 
 
 When Father Marquette and Louis Joliet made 
 their first trip through the Illinois country they 
 came down from Green Bay via the Fox and 
 Mississippi rivers, reaching the Mississippi in 
 June. 1673. They proceeded south as far as the 
 Arkansas and then began their return trip. They 
 departed from their first itinerary, using the 
 Illinois and Desplaines rivers to shorten their 
 voyage. 
 
 To quote Father Marquette's journal: "In the 
 spring and during part of the summer there is 
 only one portage of only half a league. We 
 found on it a village of Illinois called Kaskas- 
 kia, consisting of 74 cabins. They received us 
 very well and obliged me to promise that I 
 would return to instruct them. One of the chiefs 
 of this nation with his young men escorted us to 
 the Lake of the Illinois (Lake Michigan)." 
 
 Marquette was detained at Green Bay through 
 the summer of 1674 by illness. In October he 
 started out with two Frenchmen, Jacques and 
 Pierre, and later they were joined by a party of 
 Indians enroute for the Kaskaskia village. The 
 trip was made in canoes along the west shore 
 of Lake Michigan. This was a slow method 
 compared with the boats, trains, autos and air- 
 planes of today. It was December before Father 
 Marquette wrote in his journal: "Being cabined 
 near the portage two leagues up the river we 
 resolved to winter there on my inability to go 
 further." 
 
 Prof. Albert D. Hager, Mr. Scharf and John 
 Moses (Moses' History of Illinois, 1889) all are 
 on record that Marquette's route through this 
 part of the country was via the Calumet river. 
 Marquette's own map and journal offer the best 
 evidence. On this map the "Kaskaskia" village 
 is located directly opposite the south end of Lake 
 Michigan. His journal also admits of no other 
 interpretation, in spite of the fact that Chicago 
 enthusiasts have erected a monument in one spot 
 and a mahogany cross at the foot of Blue Island 
 avenue on the Drainage Canal to mark imagin- 
 ary sites connected with the famous missionary. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 13 
 
 The writer of this article read a long paper 
 before the Illinois State Historical Society at its 
 annual meeting in 1912 on "The Calumet Port- 
 age." Many authorities, maps, explorers, official 
 reports and personal investigations are quoted 
 in this paper which was published in the soci- 
 ety's proceedings for 1912. There is neither 
 time nor space available to go into such details 
 now. Those interested may find the publication 
 at all public libraries in Illinois. 
 
 At Palos (Kaskaskia) the mission of the Im- 
 maculate Conception was established and in 
 1696 Father Pinet founded the mission of the 
 Angel Guardian among the Miami's, probably 
 on the portage south of Lake Calumet, known as 
 the "Portage des Chenes," (Portage of the 
 Oaks.) The local missions and villages were 
 visited later by Fathers Allouez, Dablon, Gravier, 
 St. Cosme and Membre, as described in their 
 letters. 
 
 Shortly after Father Marquette spent the win- 
 ter on Indian Ridge, Hegewisch, he is reported 
 to have established the mission at Palos. He 
 then voyaged to the east shore of Lake Michigan 
 where he died shortly after. 
 
 Other early portages through the Calumet 
 region were: Tonty, September, 1660; LaSalle, 
 March, 1681 ; Tonty, December, 1681 ; LaSalle, 
 1682; LaSalle with his company and an army 
 of 4,500 Miamis, 1683; two of Tonty's men, 
 1683; Tonty, May, 1684; Gov. LaForest and 
 party, 1685; Joutel, Abbe Cavelier, five French- 
 men and twelve savages, 1687, and return trip; 
 Allouez with five Frenchmen, including Joutel, 
 and five savages, 1688. 
 
 Many of the original explorers reported that 
 it would require but one or two small canals 
 across the portages to supply navigation uninter- 
 rupted between the Great Lakes and the Missis- 
 sippi river. It took 260 years to carry out this 
 idea, but it is in operation today. 
 
 A few years later, soon after the opening of 
 the eighteenth century, this route to the Missis- 
 sippi became so dangerous that it was gradually 
 abandoned and almost forgotten. In 1703 the 
 Kaskaskia tribe removed to the present location 
 of the town that bears their name. An entry in 
 the old Kaskaskia register reads: "1703, April 
 25, Ad ripam Metchigamea dictam venimus." 
 Fathers Marest and Gravier accompanied them. 
 (Shea's History Catholic Church, Vol. 1, 535.) 
 
 A manuscript in the library of the Chicago 
 Historical Society by Dr. V. A. Boyer describes 
 the remains of a French fort at Palos, as seen 
 by him in 1833, more than a hundred years 
 ago. I have visited this site on the Lucas farm. 
 
 Wrought iron axes, powder horns and other evi- 
 dences of French occupation are still in posses- 
 sion of the Lucas family and neighbors. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that the water shed 
 at Palos is the continental divide between the 
 Great Lakes, or the Atlantic if you prefer, and 
 the Mississippi. This strategic location com- 
 manded the portage between Stony Creek, a 
 Calumet tributary, and the Desplaines. It also 
 commanded the Saugenash Trail that ran along 
 the water shed. It is one of the most beautiful 
 and desirable locations for miles around. 
 
 Early explorers preferred this route and early 
 surveyors for the Illinois and Michigan canal 
 recommended it in preference to the Chicago 
 route, afterward adopted by means of political 
 influence. One army officer who reported in 
 favor of the Calumet route, was no less a man 
 than Jefferson Davis, a West Point graduate, 
 afterwards President of the Confederate States. 
 But the Illinois and Michigan canal later needed 
 the Calumet Feeder, water from which was pro- 
 vided by a dam, the relics of which may still be 
 seen under Roll's bridge. 
 
 Then between 1911 and 1922 the Calumet 
 Sag canal was built. The writer had the honor 
 of breaking a bottle of champagne over the first 
 spade. 
 
 Uncle Sam had a corps of engineers survey- 
 ing the Calumet waterways for years recently. 
 The result is well known. The federal govern- 
 ment will spend millions to improve the Calumet 
 route as the preferred local terminus of the 
 Great Lakes-Gulf waterway. Contracts have been 
 let for three by-passes in the Calumuet-Sag canal 
 west of Blue Island and a total of $2,800,000 
 will be spent this year on this and other improve- 
 ments in the Calumet river and Lake Calumet. 
 
 Later the Indiana reaches of the river will be 
 deepened and widened and local transportation 
 by rail, truck and air will be further augmented 
 by harbor and other internal waterway facilities 
 unequalled anywhere. Thus after centuries the 
 ideas of the first explorers are being carried 
 out today. 
 
 The great Calumet region, explored by 
 Father Marquette 260 years ago, is on the eve 
 of its ultimate culmination — an incomparable 
 hive of industry — the crossroads of the contin- 
 ent — the heart of America! 
 
 Marquette found the Illinois Indians cere- 
 monious, courteous and very curious. He de- 
 scribed the ceremony of smoking the Calumet 
 pipe in detail. It appears that the Indians in 
 some cases held slaves. They were very fond of 
 feasting. He describes the first course of a meal 
 
14 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 of "sagamite." Indian corn boiled in water and 
 seasoned with fat. The master of ceremonies 
 filled a spoon and put it to his mouth as if 
 he were a child. Fish with the bones care- 
 fully removed was put into his mouth as one 
 would feed a bird. A large dog freshly killed 
 constituted the third course, which the holy 
 father avoided. The fourth course was a piece 
 of wild ox. The Indians gave him belts, garters 
 and other articles made of the hair of bears and 
 cattle, dyed red, yellow and gray. 
 
 Marquette describes the Indians as divided 
 into many villages, with some difference in their 
 languages, of gentle and tractable disposition. 
 They had several wives of which they were ex- 
 tremely jealous, cutting off their noses and ears 
 when they misbehaved. The Indians were active 
 
 and skillful with bows and arrows and very war- 
 like, making themselves dreaded by distant tribes 
 where they procured slaves, to barter or sell or 
 use. The Indians knew nothing of iron or cop- 
 per, having only stone knives. 
 
 Game being plentiful they lived by hunting 
 and fishing and on Indian corn of which there 
 always was a good crop. They sowed beans, 
 melons and squashes. Their cabins were large, 
 roofed and floored with mats made of rushes. 
 They made their utensils of stone, wood and 
 bone. Ladles were made of the skulls of animals. 
 
 They were liberal in cases of illness. Their 
 garments were made of skins; the women clad 
 modestly and becomingly; the men often not 
 at all. 
 
 BLUE ISLAND ON HISTORIC GROUND 
 
 The picturesque region around Blue Island 
 along the Calumet river was once the home and 
 hunting ground of several powerful Indian 
 tribes. The events which occurred here form a 
 part of our national history and are a fascinating 
 study to one who delves in historical research. 
 
 Blue Island, it is known, was once the site of 
 one of the biggest Indian villages in the vicinity 
 of Chicago, and at Wildwood, just a few miles 
 east of here, on the Calumet river, was a former 
 council place and burying ground of the Indians. 
 The Illini tribe roamed the wilds of Wildwood 
 and it was here their dead started upon the first 
 stage of the journey to the happy hunting 
 grounds. 
 
 At Wildwood and Blue Island is where in 1769 
 the allies of Pontiac exacted their terrible ven- 
 geance upon the Illini Indians who refused to 
 join the historic conspiracy to drive the British 
 from the northwest. The great chief Pontiac con- 
 ceived the idea of forming a confederacy of all 
 the Indian tribes and planned to drive the Brit- 
 ish out. He succeeded in enlisting all the power- 
 ful tribes in this part of the country under his 
 banner, except the Illini Indians, who were a 
 peaceful tribe. Pontiac failed to drive out the 
 English because the French did not assist him as 
 they had promised. He was assassinated near Jol- 
 iet by a renegate Illini Indian who received a keg 
 of whisky and some money from the English 
 for what he had done. When the news of Pon- 
 tiac's death became known among the Indians, 
 they immediately demanded venegeance upon 
 the Illini Indians. The Illini Indians were thus 
 forced into battle. They concentrated their 
 
 forces at Wildwood and Blue Island. Wildwood 
 being the meeting point of several important 
 trails was the scene of the first encounter. The 
 Illini tribe was driven from Wildwood. They 
 retreated to Blue Island where they struggled 
 valiantly against overwhelming odds but were 
 finally driven from Blue Island to Joliet and 
 from Joliet to Starved Rock where they made 
 one last desperate stand. It was at Starved Rock 
 that the last vestige of the Illini tribe made their 
 final battle for existence and it was here they 
 were all killed with the exception of six. One 
 of the six survivors of this desperate and bloody 
 battle was a half-bred named Clark from whom 
 the story of the battle has come down. 
 
 A few years later the vicinity of Wildwood and 
 Blue Island was again the scene of a bloody 
 conflict, when Brady, the American raider from 
 Peoria, was captured with his men by the British 
 from Fort St. Joseph in the swamps of the Cal- 
 umet. And toward the close of the revolutionary 
 war, when George Rogers Clark and his heroic 
 Virginia riflemen swept down into Illinois, a 
 detachment of his men, under Col. Montgomery, 
 burned the prosperous villages of the Chippewas, 
 Pottawatomies and Ottawas who had settled there 
 after the massacre of the Illini. 
 
 Truly the ground around and upon which the 
 city of Blue Island now stands is historic soil. 
 Where once the shriek of the tortured and the 
 groans of the dying red man resounded during 
 that vicious massacre, there is now peace and 
 quiet. Bones, battle axes, arrowheads and other 
 relics of the aboriginees which have been dug up 
 even in recent year attest the fury of the early 
 battles which took place in this vicinity. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 15 
 
 A PICTURE OF THE PAST 
 
 NOTE : The following article was written 
 by N orris W. Quinn a former editor of the 
 Sun-Standard, and was printed in the issue 
 of that paper dated Dec. 9, 1920. It is re- 
 printed here because Mr. Quinn's able pen 
 graphically portrays a scene that undoubted- 
 ly did occur just before the white man's com- 
 ing to this section. 
 
 There is an old story left by white hunt- 
 ers, who visited the Blue Island ridge sev- 
 eral years before any actual settlement was 
 made, that a lone wigwam stood on the crest 
 of the hill, about where the Metz brewery 
 was later erected. But even this lonely red- 
 skin eventually "folded his tent and silently 
 stole away." 
 
 # * * 
 
 It is a hot midsummer afternoon in 1831. 
 The blazing rays of the sun beat down on a spot 
 a few miles west of Lake Michigan in the un- 
 explored and uncharted wilderness of northern 
 Illinois. 
 
 Ahead rises a great ridge of land covered with 
 timber. A misty haze hangs about the base of 
 the ridge, which, from a distance looks like a 
 vast lake, from which the rough wooded ridge 
 rises like a great blue island. 
 
 Few white men have ever cast eyes on this 
 scene. Occasionally a wandering French trader, 
 dressed in his buckskin jacket and leggings, 
 carrying a long flint-lock rifle and wearing in 
 his buckskin belt a long hunting knife, has 
 paused on his journey southward and talked with 
 the Pottawatomie Indians in their village at the 
 base of the blue island. 
 
 In the village, a crude group of deerskin 
 tepees, some unusual activity is taking place to- 
 day. Men are moving hither and thither busily, 
 fat squaws are working about the tepees, braves 
 are talking excitedly in groups. 
 
 The cause of the excitement is soon visible. 
 A large section of the tribe is preparing to mi- 
 grate. Here and there a tepee, its long, straight 
 poles removed, falls to the ground and a squaw 
 busily folds the dry hides that make up the 
 tepee covering and places them in a bundle, to- 
 gether with other meagre possessions of her 
 family. 
 
 The bundles are placed across long poles 
 which the squaws place athwart their shoulders 
 and carry to the open space in the center of 
 the camp. Soon the greater number of the skin 
 homes of the Indians have been dismantled and 
 lie in large bundles near the chief's tepee which 
 still stands. 
 
 Half the braves of the village form a long 
 silent line. They are dressed in buckskin jackets 
 and leggings. Here and there a bright colored 
 
 blanket shines in the afternoon sun, showing 
 that traders have already disposed of their wares 
 in the village of the great blue island. In their 
 girdles the braves carry knives and hatchets, 
 some made of stone and some of the traders' 
 steel. Most of the warriors carry javelins, stone 
 tipped, but a few have cumbersome rifles and 
 wear powder horns over their shoulders. 
 
 The squaws form in line behind the braves. 
 Laboriously they lift the ends of their carrying 
 poles to their shoulders. The caravan is about 
 to depart. 
 
 The old chieftain, sitting before his tepee, has 
 viewed the proceedings disinterestedly. Never 
 for an instant has he relaxed the stoic expression 
 on his weather-beaten face. He puffs with undis- 
 turbed regularity on his long pipe and the little 
 clouds of smoke drift away to join the blue haze. 
 
 A young man, apparently the leader of the 
 migrating savages steps forward. A gorgeous 
 blanket covers his shoulders. In his hand he 
 carries a long rifle with brightly shining lock. 
 
 He addresses the chieftain : 
 
 "My father," he says, "your children are leav- 
 ing, yet you persist in staying. Day by day the 
 white devils crowd more closely to us and soon 
 this land will no longer be ours. 
 
 "Three times large numbers of your children 
 have left this village and have gone to the free 
 country further west where the bearers of thun- 
 der guns will never penetrate. We are going 
 to join them. I ask you again to abandon your 
 folly and accompany us." 
 
 The chieftain lays aside his pipe and rises: 
 
 "It ill behooves you, my son, to reproach your 
 father, made wise by many winters, for folly. 
 It is true that the white devils are daily coming 
 in increasing numbers across the great water. 
 But the land of the blue island is our home and 
 it is here that I shall remain. I have spoken." 
 
 The chief resumes his seat and his pipe. He 
 watches the long thin line as it wends its way 
 across the blue island to the west. As the sun 
 sets the last toiling squaw has passed out of 
 
 sight. 
 
 # * * 
 
 In the years that intervened between 1831 and 
 1834 few changes took place in the neighborhood 
 of the big forest-covered hill in northern Illinois 
 which wandering hunters, trappers and traders 
 called the "big blue island." 
 
 A few Pottawatomie Indians clung with almost 
 a death-grasp to their beautiful homes. True, 
 the younger Indians had for many years been 
 
16 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 migrating in large bands to the far west, fearing 
 lest they should be driven by force from their 
 homes by the invasion of the pale-faced settlers. 
 But the more conservative of the Pottawatomies 
 stayed in their village on the northern crest of 
 the blue ridge, declaring they would die rather 
 than leave the home the Good Spirit had as- 
 signed to them. 
 
 * * * * # 
 
 The threatened invasion of the "white devils" 
 from across the lake failed to materialize. Trap- 
 pers, hunters and traders, chiefly Frenchmen, 
 passed frequently through the blue ridge vicinity 
 but they were wanderers and courted the friend- 
 ship of the Indians. None of them built homes 
 on the blue ridge, and in fact, none of them 
 remained in the district save for one or two 
 fleeting nights. 
 
 But in the late summer of 1834 there came to 
 the blue ridge district a man who was neither 
 a trader, a trapper, nor a hunter. He carried 
 a long flintlock rifle, like the other white men 
 whom the Indians had seen, but he shot only 
 enough animals to provide himself with food. 
 He brought with him no blankets, knives, beads, 
 or rifles to exchange for hides. 
 
 This man was Thomas Courtney, the first set- 
 tler in the district which we are now pleased 
 to know as "Blue Island." 
 
 Territorial Development 
 
 In 1682 the territory which embraced what is 
 now Blue Island was French territory under the 
 government of the Province of Canada. 
 
 The English Atlantic colonies claimed it as a 
 part of the western extension of their grant, but 
 France perfected its claim and was the first white 
 owner of Cook county. In 1760 it became Eng- 
 lish and in 1778. when this part of the country 
 was conquered by Governor Roger Clark by an 
 expedition sent out by Virginia, it became part 
 of that state by Act of December 9, 1778, passed 
 by both houses of Virginia, and it became "Illi- 
 nois County of Virginia." It remained so until 
 1784 when the government of Northwest Terri- 
 tory was established. In 1803 it became part of 
 the territory of Indiana and in 1809 it was in- 
 cluded in the Territory of Illinois. In 1818 it 
 became a constituent part of Illinois. 
 
 In 1814, Blue Island was in Edwards county; 
 in 1816 it was in Crawford county; in 1819 in 
 Clark county; in 1821 in Pike; in 1823 in Ful- 
 ton; in 1825 in Peoria and in 1831 it was in 
 Cook county, which at that time included also 
 the present counties of Lake, Will, McHenry, Du 
 
 Page and Iroquoise. It was the 54th of the 102 
 counties of which this state is now composed. 
 
 Cook county was named after Captain Daniel 
 Cook, the first attorney-general of the state and 
 later a state representative. He was also known 
 as the father of the Illinois and Michigan canal 
 because of his untiring efforts to bring about the 
 building of that waterway. 
 
 In 1825 what is now Cook county was a part 
 of Peoria county, which then included the entire 
 upper part of the state of Illinois. The city of 
 Peoria was the county seat. Before 1850, Cook 
 county was divided into precincts. In 1831 there 
 were three precincts in Cook county, viz: Chi- 
 cago, Hickory Creek and DuPage. In 1834 there 
 were four — Chicago, the one in which we were 
 included, Hickory Creek, Walkers Grove and 
 Napers (Du Page county). The county then in- 
 cluded the present Will, Kane, Du Page, Mc- 
 Henry, Lake and Cook. 
 
 Iroquoise county separated from Cook in 
 1833, Will and McHenry in 1836, and DuPage 
 and Lake in 1839. Cook county as finally re- 
 duced to its present dimensions comprises nine 
 hundred and forty-eight square miles. — Andreas 
 History of Cook County. 
 
 Indian Boundary Line 
 
 In 1816 the treaty of Black Partridge was 
 negotiated at St. Louis by Ninian Edwards, Will- 
 iam Clark and Auguste Chouteau with the Ot- 
 tawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies. This es- 
 tablished the well known Indian Boundary Lines 
 in the north and south sides of Chicago, bound- 
 ing a twenty mile wide strip of land extending 
 southwest from Chicago to the mouth of the 
 Kankakee river, and being the despair of sur- 
 veyors ever after. The southern Indian Bound- 
 ary line runs from the mouth of the Calumet 
 river at South Chicago southwest across Lake 
 Calumet, through Wildwood and south of Blue 
 Island. This cession includes the most import- 
 ant part of Chicago. 
 
 The Indians, according to the treaty had the 
 right to hunt and fish within the ceded tract as 
 long as it continued to be the property of the 
 United States. The object of this treaty was to 
 construct a military road in order to protect and 
 facilitate the building of the proposed Illinois 
 and Michigan Canal. Section lines within the 
 boundary and those outside do not correspond, 
 thus creating a number of fractional sections, 
 which condition has caused many errors in the 
 description of property, as well as disputes over 
 property lines. 
 
THE 
 
 PIONEER 
 
 PERIOD 
 
 From the Earliest Days of Settlement to the 
 Time of Incorporation as a Village 
 
 1835 - 1872 
 
18 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 WHY THE NAME "BLUE ISLAND" 
 
 Much has been written and there have been 
 t nany discussions and much theorizing why the 
 name "Blue Island" was given to this particular 
 piece of land on which our city now stands. 
 
 Geologists tells us that many centuries before 
 the white man's coming the waters of what is 
 now Lake Michigan, extended far inland beyond 
 the present shorelines. This ridge of land, ris- 
 ing to a height of 40 to 50 feet above the 
 surrounding lowlands, was then indeed an island. 
 
 Proof that this was undoubtedly so is plenti- 
 fully established because the City of Chicago 
 was built in a swamp and even in 1835 the low- 
 lands surrounding "the ridge" for miles were 
 water-logged and in a swampy condition. 
 
 All who have lived here twenty-five years or 
 more will remember the big slough to the west 
 and south-west of Blue Island which ceased to 
 exist only when the Calumet-Sag channel was 
 completed, draining all that territory. Also to 
 the east around Calumet lake and north-east 
 where Gresham now stands — who does not re- 
 member the flooded condition of those sections 
 during the spring thaws and after heavy rains? 
 
 So it does not require a great stretch of im- 
 agination to visualize the vapors that would 
 arise, especially on a hot day, from the stagnant 
 marshes surrounding this ridge with its heavily 
 timbered crown, to picture an island in the 
 midst of an expanse of water. Seen from a dis- 
 tance through a haze the ridge might reasonably 
 have appeared blue, as one sometimes sees 
 mountains that appear of that hue. 
 
 A novel version, and one that may have con- 
 siderable foundation in fact, was given to the 
 writer by a woman past eighty years old, now 
 living in Chicago. This woman, in her younger 
 days, frequently visited the "island," and the one 
 thing impressed on her mind was the acres of 
 blue flowers (presumably "blue-flags," or wild 
 iris) that grew around the marshy spots at the 
 base of the ridge. (The writer remembers that 
 the wild blue iris once grew in great profusion 
 along the banks of Stony creek and at the edges 
 of ponds.) 
 
 Another version was advanced by H. B. Rob- 
 inson who related that a certain tribe of Indians 
 resided on the ridge whose custom it was to 
 paint their faces blue. Hunters who used to visit 
 this section referred to these Indians as "the 
 blues of the ridge." Alas, that local archaeology 
 is silent on the subject of "blue Indians!" 
 
 Well, one explanation is as good as the other, 
 so the reader may take his choice. It is a matter 
 
 of history, though, that the name was in general 
 use among traders and hunters in this section as 
 early as 1832 when Chicago was a straggling 
 settlement of but a few hundred people. The 
 name was applied generally to the entire ridge 
 or elevation on which the city now stands. This 
 ridge is about six miles long and an average of 
 one and a half mile wide, and rises abruptly to a 
 height of 40 to 50 feet above the surrounding 
 land. 
 
 The western and eastern slopes of the ridge 
 were heavily timbered while the central table- 
 land was, for the most part, an open plain with 
 scattered groves of great trees here and there. 
 Stony creek, at that time a very sizable stream, 
 wound its way from the north-west closely 
 around the foot of the hill and joined the Cal- 
 umet river a mile farther east. The Little 
 Calumet river, then navigable for a considerable 
 distance, flowed from the southeast toward the 
 bottom of the hill, then almost doubled upon 
 itself and after swallowing the waters of the 
 creek flowed eastward into Lake Michigan. Both 
 of these streams abounded in fish, and water 
 fowl in great flocks could be seen at all times, 
 the reedy shores and heavy brush growths af- 
 fording excellent cover for breeding purposes. 
 
 The glory of these streams has departed. Stony 
 creek exists no more today having been swal- 
 lowed up by the Calumet-Sag canal and the 
 Calumet river is but a mere trickle of its former 
 turbulent majesty. Civilization has taken its toll 
 — Nature had to give way to man's modern 
 
 demands ! 
 
 # * * 
 
 The early settlers, having traversed the length 
 of the ridge from the north, and coming to its 
 southern abrupt extremity, viewed from its crest 
 a wonderful stretch of level land below traversed 
 by two beautiful streams. Is it any wonder they 
 were thrilled by the sight and laying down their 
 trappings exclaimed, "This is the place; here 
 will we build our homes!" 
 
 The Chicago Democrat in February, 1834, 
 described the Ridge as follows: "Nearly south 
 from this town (the population of Chicago was 
 about 3000 at this time) and 12 miles distant is 
 Blue Island. This name is peculiarly appropri- 
 ate, it is a table of land about six miles long 
 and an average of two miles breadth, of an 
 oval form and rising some 40 feet out of an im- 
 mense plain that surrounds it on every side. 
 The sides and slope of the table, as well as the 
 table itself, are covered with a handsome growth 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 19 
 
 of timber, forming a belt surrounding about four 
 or five thousand acres of beautiful table-land. 
 
 "In summer the plain is covered with luxur- 
 ious herbiage. It is uninhabited and when we 
 visited it, from its stillness, loneliness and quiet, 
 we pronounced it a vast vegetable solitude. The 
 ridge when viewed from a distance, appears 
 standing in an azure midst of vapor, hence the 
 appellation "Blue Island." 
 
 Deer abounded here in great numbers as did 
 also small game of every kind. Records left 
 by hunters who visited the ridge say that at times 
 a hundred deer could be seen in a single herd. 
 Wolves also were numerous and these constituted 
 the greatest danger to the lives of the pioneers. 
 Many encounters with these snarling beasts were 
 
 had and children and livestock were in constant 
 peril from their attack. But a relentless war of 
 extermination was waged by the sturdy frontiers- 
 men and after a few years the wolves were driven 
 to more remote sections. 
 
 In their last great council with the whites in 
 the autumn of 1833, the Pottawatomie Indians 
 signed away their last Illinois land. The major- 
 ity of the Indians left this territory in 1835, but 
 a considerable number clung to their beautiful 
 ridge hunting grounds until 1847, when they also 
 departed in a caravan said to have consisted of 
 35 or 40 wagons. Even up into the 60's an occa- 
 sional Indian was reported to have been seen 
 who had returned to visit the former home of 
 his fathers. 
 
 THE FIRST WHITE SETTLERS 
 
 To the Blue Island ridge came in the late sum- 
 mer of 1834 a man, Thomas Courtney by name, 
 bringing with him his wife and one child. He 
 had pushed westward from his home in the east, 
 resolved to build himself a dwelling in the wild 
 Illinois forest. 
 
 For days the little family had made their way 
 through a strange land, beset by all the dangers 
 of an unknown and hostile wilderness. The ele- 
 vated ridge of land which they had sighted a few 
 days before lured them on. 
 
 Impressed with the beauty of the forest and 
 the open table-land they pushed forward to its 
 southern extremity where the ridge ended abrupt- 
 ly. Standing on the crest of this hill Courtney's 
 gaze rested on a scene of marvelous beauty. To 
 the east, south and west was an unbroken view 
 of a fertile land, traversed close, by by a spark- 
 ling stream, which gave assurance of a plentiful 
 water supply and fish and fowl for food. 
 
 Courtney decided that here was the end of his 
 journey — here he would build his cabin home 
 and rear his family. 
 
 For days the buckskin clad man and his wife, 
 who was a real type of those early pioneer 
 women to whom the credit of opening the west 
 largely belongs, lived in the open while Court- 
 ney looked about for a suitable site for his 
 proposed home. 
 
 Those were dreadful nights. Frequently the 
 young wife, sleeping on the ground in the arms 
 of her stalwart husband, was frightened into 
 wakefulness by the cries of wild animals; often 
 their little child would cry with fright as he 
 heard a rustling in the brush that betokened the 
 approach of forest beast bent on securing food. 
 
 At last Courtney found a site for his home. 
 Little did that backwoodsman imagine in those 
 
 wild days of 1834 that on that same spot would 
 later stand the First Lutheran church of Blue 
 Island where hundreds would worship weekly 
 the God who had made possible the successful 
 settlement of the middle west. 
 
 Courtney cleared away a spot at what is now 
 the corner of Grove and Ann streets, and there 
 erected his primitive home. 
 
 This consisted merely of a single room en- 
 closed by four walls built of logs, an earthen 
 floor, no windows and only one opening for a 
 door. At one end of the room was a fireplace 
 built of boulders fastened together with clay. 
 Such was the crude home of the pioneer 
 Courtneys. 
 
 Windowless and floorless the one-room shack 
 stood on the southern brink of the blue ridge, 
 an outpost of civilization in a land of savagery, 
 the vanguard of the thousands of Blue Island 
 homes that were to come. 
 
 * * * 
 
 For more than a year the crude cabin of the 
 Courtneys stood alone in the wilderness — for 
 more than a year the little family had no friends 
 or neighbors with whom to associate or spend the 
 long and dreary winter evenings. Trappers and 
 hunters occasionally sought the shelter of the 
 little cabin and several Indians still living on the 
 ridge and disposed to be friendly, would occa- 
 sionally stop with a brief greeting. 
 
 However small and crude the cabin of the 
 Courtneys may have been it served as the nuc- 
 leus of a settlement. White men like to live 
 together and wherever one cabin went up in the 
 wilderness another was sure to follow. 
 
 So it was not strange that soon others, im- 
 pressed with the natural charm of the locality, 
 
'BLUE ISLAND HOUSE" 
 Built in 1836 
 This was the first structure of a permanent character to be erected in Blue Island. 
 It was built by Norman Rex ford in 1836 and for many years served as a hotel and as 
 a home for the Rexford family. The picture printed here is from a drawing repro- 
 duced from a pencil sketch which was made during the early years when the building 
 was still standing. The original sketch is yellowed with age and is a prized posses- 
 sion of the Rexford family. The artist has faithfully copied all the crudities of the 
 original drawing. The sketch was kindly loaned by Fred K. Rexford of Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 Mrs. Julia Rexford Norman Rexford 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rexford, honored pioneers of Blue Island. So many of the 
 Rexford families were among the first citizens of Blue Island that the name is in- 
 seperably connected with the early history of the city. 
 
 Photos courtesy Fred K. Rexford, Pasadena, Cal. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 21 
 
 should decide to locate in the vicinity of Court- 
 ney's cabin. 
 
 Early historians concede that Norman Rexford 
 was the second white man to come to the "blue 
 island" and the first to build a house and make 
 permanent location in what (for brevity's sake) 
 we will hereafter call "Blue Island." He was 
 a native of Charlotte, Vt., where he was born 
 on June 4, 1802. Coming to Chicago by team 
 in 1835 he located for a short time on the 
 northern end of the island in what was then 
 called the "long wood" (the name Longwood is 
 still retained by that section.) Here he erected 
 a four room log cabin and conducted a tavern 
 until November, 1836, when he removed to the 
 southern tip of the ridge, which within a few 
 vears, was to become a thriving settlement. 
 
 Courtney had selected the western edge of the 
 southernmost tip of the ridge for his cabin and 
 Rexford chose a location about 1000 feet away 
 on the highest point at the southeastern part of 
 the elevation. 
 
 Quick to vision the business possibilities of 
 such an outpost as this, Rexford at once pro- 
 ceeded to build a hewed frame building for a 
 hotel. This frame, cut and shaped from native 
 timber, was sided with boards drawn by team 
 from Pine Creek, Ind., more than 100 miles dis- 
 tant, the lumber costing $40 per thousand feet. 
 The state government had during the years 
 1834-35 completed its survey of a military road 
 connecting old Fort Vincennes in Indiana with 
 Fort Dearborn at Chicago. This road was known 
 as the Vincennes trail, afterward changed to Vin- 
 cennes Road and passed through Blue Island. It 
 was later partly made a plank road. 
 
 So the Rexford inn, known as the Blue Island 
 House, soon became the stopping place for offi- 
 cers passing between the two forts. Wagon 
 traffic was increasing, new settlers were arriving 
 in increasing numbers, anxious to take advan- 
 tage of the commercial opportunities of a new 
 settlement. 
 
 Many were the strange travellers who spent 
 nights at that primitive inn and sat through the 
 evening before the open fireplace, smoking their 
 pipes and exchanging stories of the wilderness 
 with the genial host. 
 
 The Blue Island House stood on the east side 
 of what is now Western Avenue (then the Wab- 
 ash Road) about halfway between the present 
 Grove and Fulton streets. The bluff at that time 
 was much steeper and more abrupt than it is now 
 and the view from the hotel commanded a wide 
 sweep of the lower-lying territory to the south 
 and east. 
 
 As business increased the inn was enlarged 
 and it continued a landmark until 1858, when it 
 
 was destroyed by fire. During the height of its 
 popularity many a social gathering was held 
 therein and many of the pioneers of Chicago 
 and other points twenty and thirty miles distant 
 often drove there to trip the "light fantastic" 
 upon its floor, usually remaining to breakfast 
 before returning home. In the spring of the year 
 the prairie roads were often almost impassable. 
 It was customary with Mr. Rexford to hang 
 beacon lights in the upper windows of the hotel 
 on dark nights as a guide to all belated travellers 
 who might be struggling through the mire or the 
 severe storms of the winter. 
 
 Mr. Rexford sold his hotel in 1852 and re- 
 moved to a farm which he owned on the north- 
 west side of the village. This farm was on the 
 north side of Burr Oak avenue, just across from 
 the old Blue Island cemetery. 
 
 Heber S. Rexford, brother of Norman Rexford, 
 came to Chicago in 1832 and took up a claim in 
 what was then known as the "Yankee Settle- 
 ment" (Cooper's Grove). He lived with his 
 brother at what is now Morgan Park from June 
 until March of the following year, when he 
 moved into the small log house he had built on 
 his claim. The country being a wilderness, his 
 family soon became dissatisfied and they all 
 returned to Coshocton county, Ohio, where they 
 lived nine years. But Mr. Rexford had tasted 
 the wild freedom of western frontier life and in 
 1846 he returned to Blue Island and made per- 
 manent settlement here on a farm on the north 
 side of Burr Oak avenue, just west of where the 
 Grand Trunk tracks now are. Heber S. Rexford 
 died here in 1882. This farm was later occupied 
 by his son, Everett H., and was generally known 
 as the "Rexford farm." Charles Pronger and 
 the Pronger Bros, road contracting plant now 
 occupy this farm. 
 
 Peter Barton came here in 1837, the year 
 following Norman Rexford's arrival. Barton 
 seems to have been somewhat of a promoter. 
 He it was who envisioned the strategic import- 
 ance of Blue Island's location as a link on the 
 Vincennes trail connecting Chicago with points 
 south and east. Peter Barton and Norman Rex- 
 ford improved the main highway leading into 
 Blue Island known as the Wabash Road and 
 Barton platted the section below the hill, begin- 
 ning at the Calumet river and running west to 
 the section line just east of the Wabash Road 
 (now Western Avenue) and between Stony 
 Creek on the north and the east and west sec- 
 tion line (now the boundary line between Calu- 
 met and Thornton townships) on the south. He 
 called it "Portland," named the streets, located 
 a public square (presumably for a court house) 
 and predicted that the future community would 
 
22 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 be built there. He erected a log store building 
 on Western Avenue (then Wabash Road) char- 
 tered a schooner to bring supplies by way of 
 the Calumet river route and did everything he 
 could to induce settlement of his tract. The 
 early settlers, however, preferred the higher land 
 of the ridge and while that section, which called 
 itself "Blue Island," increased in importance and 
 population it was not until fully twenty years 
 later that we find any appreciable number of 
 settlers "below the hill." 
 
 Stephen Jones, a native of Broome County, 
 N. Y., located in the new settlement of Blue Is- 
 
 Norman Barton Rexford 
 first white male child born in Blue 
 Island. He was the father of 
 Frank, Susan, Will, Fred and 
 Charles Rexford. The first three 
 named are deceased. Fred and 
 Charles live in California. 
 
 Photo Courtesy P. K. Rexford. 
 
 land in 1836, being one of three who in that 
 year established residence here. He opened a 
 wagon shop and carried on that line of business 
 most of the time until his death in 1851. The 
 Jones' home was the one "farthest south," being 
 located on the Wabash Road (Western Ave.) 
 south of Stony creek. He was the father of S. D. 
 (Decatur) Jones, for many years a well known 
 and leading business man of Blue Island. 
 
 John Brittain came in 1837 and built a black- 
 smith shop on Western avenue a short distance 
 from the Rexford Hotel. It was not a thriving 
 business at the start but in time it became a 
 valuable accessory to a growing settlement. 
 Since all hauling of supplies had to be done 
 
 those days over great distances and over rough, 
 and at times almost impassable roads, the dri- 
 vers of those heavy wagons and ox-carts which 
 needed repairs would seek Brittain's shop. Occa- 
 sionally also the village smith would be called 
 on to shoe the horse of an army officer or of 
 some trader passing through the settlement. 
 
 Zachary Wilson, who came in 1838, started to 
 build himself a home, but did not live to com- 
 plete it. He was taken ill and died during the 
 winter. This property was later purchased by 
 Germanicus Cooley, who arrived in 1839. Cooley 
 finished the house Wilson had started to build. 
 The "Wilson lot" as the property was known, 
 was located on the east side of Western avenue, 
 a short distance north of Rexford's Blue Island 
 House, and close to Brittain's blacksmith shop. 
 Henry Robinson later built on the lot situated 
 between the hotel and the Wilson lot. Robinson 
 later platted a portion of Blue Island lying 
 south of Vermont Street, west of Greenwood 
 avenue and extending across Stony creek east to 
 Western avenue and south to the section line. 
 
 Horace Hunn came in 1839 and located near 
 Western avenue and Burr Oak "street" and Carl- 
 ton Wadhams came a year later and took claim 
 on a tract of land in the same neighborhood 
 which he developed in a farm. 
 
 The American House 
 
 Wadhams sold his farm in 1844, moved into 
 the more settled section of the Island and erected 
 a tavern building on the west side of Western 
 avenue, just north of Vermont street, which was 
 known as the American House. This property 
 was later bought by John Klein and has been in 
 possession of that family ever since. The old 
 building was torn down 38 years ago when the 
 Commercial Block was built. The Commercial 
 building and the building in which Woolworth's 
 are located now occupy the land where the 
 American House once stood. 
 
 There is an interesting history connected with 
 this old tavern, the lumber of which it was built 
 having come from a building at Liverpool, Ind., 
 that was originally intended to be a court house. 
 But Crown Point became the county seat and 
 Liverpool had no use for its court house. So it 
 was taken apart, rafted down Deep river and 
 thence by way of the Calumet river to Blue Is- 
 land, where it was reerected. This was in the 
 early 40's. Carlton Wadhams was the first owner, 
 followed by J. P. Young and N. J. Jackson. It 
 was patronized for a time by southern people as 
 a summer boarding house. During the building 
 of the feeder canal it was a favorite stopping 
 place for the contractors and bosses engaged 
 on the work. At the close of the Civil War the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 23 
 
 building was used for a time as a home for old 
 soldiers. Later, when it was being dismantled 
 to make way for the Commercial building, it 
 was cut in two and Jacob Link bought one sec- 
 tion and had it moved to the north end of town. 
 He remodeled it into a home and it now is loca- 
 ted at 2336 Collins street. 
 
 Wadhams at that time owned all of the land, 
 comprising 80 acres, lying between Western 
 avenue and Maple avenue, and from Vermont 
 street north to Burr Oak avenue. He later sold 
 
 this property to J. P. Young. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Post Office Established 1838 
 
 In 1838 a postoffice was established at Blue 
 Island and Norman Rexford served as postmas- 
 ter for a number of years, during which time 
 his son, Fayette, carried the mail on horseback 
 from Chicago to Bunkum, 111., a distance of 
 ninety miles, making weekly trips. This route 
 also served Thornton, Bloom and Crete. Letter 
 postage was twenty-five cents and nearly every 
 house along the sparsely settled route was a 
 postoffice. The official name of the postoffice 
 was "Worth," but the settlers preferred to call 
 it Blue Island. The latter name was not given 
 to it by the postoffice department until 1860 and 
 in 1872 it became the legal name of the village. 
 
 "In 1831 there was no post office in Chicago, 
 and no mail route to the place. The inhabitants 
 sent a half-breed to Niles, Mich., once in two 
 weeks for mail. 
 
 "Up to April 10, 1834, there was but one 
 mail a week received in Chicago and this mail 
 was carried from Niles, Mich., on horseback, 
 generally by an Indian, to Chicago." — Chicago 
 Democratic Press, March 10, 1854. 
 
 "Mail route No. 2832, from Iroquois, by way 
 of Lorraine, Thornton and Portland (Blue Is- 
 land) to Chicago 85 miles and back, once a 
 week. Leave Iroquois every Monday at 7:00 
 a. m., arrive at Chicago the next Wednesday at 
 6:00 p. m."— Chicago Democrat, May 1, 1839. 
 
 In 1845 a mail route was established from 
 Blue Island to Hadley and Joliet, via Bachelor's 
 Grove, thirty miles, once a week. Leave Blue 
 Island, Thursday 6:00 a. m., arrive Joliet 6:00 
 p. m., same day, and another from Blue Island 
 via Thornton, Crete, Kankakee to Lafayette, Ind. 
 
 In 1846 a new mail route from Chicago to 
 Blue Island, Thornton, New Strasbourg, Crete, 
 Lorraine and other points, was laid out. 
 
 Henry Robinson, H. H. Massey, Cyrus B. 
 Sammons, Dr. Harmon, Ferdinand Schapper, H. 
 B. Robinson, Orrin Kile, Emil Boehl, and F. G. 
 Diefenbach were among the pioneer period post- 
 masters here. 
 
 Heber S. Rexford, who had first visited "Blue 
 Island" in 1834, came again two years later when 
 the Courtney familv were the only white people 
 
 Fayette D. Rexford 
 who as a boy 11 years of age car- 
 ried the mail on horseback once a 
 week between Chicago and points 
 in Illinois and Indiana ninety miles 
 distant. 
 
 Photo Courtesy P. K. Rexford. 
 
 living here. In an article printed in the Stand- 
 ard many years ago Mr. Rexford describes his 
 visit to the Courtney hut as follows: 
 
 "When I approached the place a man came 
 rushing out from behind a blanket hung in the 
 open doorway and ran into the brush, like a 
 wild man. He was at that time partially de- 
 ranged, but subsequently recovered and lived 
 among us a long time and was one of our useful 
 citizens." 
 
 History is strangely silent about this man 
 Courtney. That he was no myth and really did 
 exist and built the first cabin on the southern 
 extremity of the Blue Island ridge, there is no 
 doubt. Heber S. Rexford's reminiscences bear 
 out these facts. The writer has searched many 
 old records and papers in an effort to find some 
 further mention about this first pioneer, but be- 
 yond Mr. Rexford's statement that "Courtney 
 lived many years in the settlement and became 
 a useful citizen" there is nothing more. In 1891. 
 when the writer was associated with Wade 
 Errett in the publication of The Standard, we 
 published an historical booklet in which the 
 bare facts about Courtney, as above stated, 
 
24 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 were given. At that time I remember we 
 tried to learn the cause of Courtney's mental 
 derangement but found no one who would vouch 
 for a story that was told. That story was as 
 follows: During the severe winter of 1835, Court- 
 ney's wife became dangerously ill. All alone 
 in his crude hut with the suffering woman, and 
 unable to traverse the miles of snow-swept 
 prairie to obtain a doctor, Courtney stood by 
 helplessly and saw the poor woman pass away 
 in great agony. Crushed by the severity of this 
 blow, the realization of his loneliness and help- 
 lessness in a cruel wilderness, and the worry 
 over his motherless child, caused his mind to 
 be unseated. However, the arrival within a few 
 months of other settlers served to buoy the 
 spirits of the stricken man, and, as Mr. Rexford 
 
 stated, he again became a useful citizen. 
 * # * 
 
 Ten years later, in 1846, Heber Rexford re- 
 turned and then established permanent residence 
 here. Quoting again from Mr. Rexford's rem- 
 iniscences, he says: 
 
 "When I returned to Blue Island in 1846 
 there were eight houses in the settlement, one of 
 which was a hotel where you could have supper, 
 breakfast, lodging, and hay for your horse for 
 62% cents. There was one store kept by Henry 
 Robinson, one blacksmith shop by John Brittain 
 and one wagon shop by Stephen Jones. The 
 first school was conducted by Dr. H. Douglass 
 in a private home for a short term. Then the 
 people got together and each contributed some 
 portion of the material and furnished labor and 
 soon we had quite a comfortable school house. 
 It was a long one-story building and stood on 
 the north side of Vermont street across the alley 
 from the present Whittier school. It answered 
 the purpose of school, courts, elections, religious 
 meetings, etc. It was later converted into a Free 
 Will Baptist church. Then it was used for a 
 private dwelling, moved to six or seven different 
 locations and finally came to rest on Greenwood 
 avenue. 
 
 "We were not bigoted those days," Mr. Rex- 
 ford goes on to say, "and all attended the relig- 
 ious meetings whether Methodist, Baptist or 
 Universalist. A traveling Methodist preacher, 
 who was a farmer near Kankakee, would stop 
 over on his way to Chicago with a load of pro- 
 duce on Saturday morning, bring his store 
 clothes in a trunk, preach on Sunday, doff his 
 Sunday clothes and proceed to market Monday 
 morning. He stood 6 feet 6 inches high, was 
 unlearned, very uncouth, and if he wished to 
 convey an idea for which the English language 
 had no word, it was no trouble for him to coin 
 one to express his thoughts exactly. Yet we all 
 
 appreciated the thoughtfulness which prompted 
 him to preach to us." 
 
 But with the influx of travellers, traders and 
 new arrivals the early peacefulness of the settle- 
 ment was occasionally disturbed by quarrels, 
 personal encounters and other petty misdemean- 
 ors. 
 
 The law-abiding element felt that some legal 
 authority empowered to deal with such matters 
 must be established. So an election for the pur- 
 pose of choosing a constable and police magis- 
 trate was held. 
 
 Continuing his narrative Mr. Rexford says: 
 "Your humble servant was assigned to the office 
 of magistrate, which office he held for a space 
 of sixteen years. S. D. Huntington was elected 
 constable and I do not think the negroes of the 
 South ever entertained half so extravagant ideas 
 of the powers of bulldozers as did the majority 
 of our then population of the functions of 'Mr. 
 Heber and Mr. Sam.' I was clothed in their 
 minds with almost unlimited powers, but Sam 
 was a terror to evildoers. None were insane 
 enough to dissent when Sam indicated his wish." 
 # * * 
 
 The arrival of a stranger in the settlement was 
 an event of importance those days. After the 
 trader had regaled himself with food at the inn, 
 frequently the whole village would gather about 
 while he smoked his pipe and told the news of 
 other sections of the wilderness. The traveller 
 would tell of trouble with the Indians, of the 
 opening of new trading posts, of the assignment 
 of new units of troops to federal forts and some- 
 times would relay some bit of news of national 
 or international importance that he had learned 
 from a newcomer at a frontier outpost. 
 
 At the general store kept by Henry Robinson 
 one could buy anything from gunpowder to 
 trousers. The store also served as an open 
 forum. Around the stove the men of the settle- 
 ment would gather of an evening and, between 
 puffs on their pipes, would discuss the problems 
 of pioneer days. 
 
 All the supplies for the store — hardware, am- 
 munition, flour, bacon, farm produce — had to 
 be hauled in either from Chicago or from points 
 south reached via the Vincennes trail over roads 
 that at times were well-nigh impassable. Drain- 
 age was left to nature and in the spring and 
 fall, or after prolonged summer rains, the roads 
 were veritable quagmires which sometimes held 
 up traffic for days and caused stocks of some 
 merchandise to become entirely depleted. 
 
 Mr. Rexford relates that he has seen as many 
 as fifty wagons and carts in a single one of 
 such caravans. Carts drawn by oxen were num- 
 

 \-o 
 
 ViJI!! 
 
 03 t» 
 
 sr * 
 
26 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 erous those days and a number usually were 
 included in these merchandise trains. 
 
 Deer and smaller game of all sorts abounded, 
 so, that unhampered by any game law restric- 
 
 Everett H. Rexford 
 Served (1893-1899) as Village Trustee and 
 one term as Presiden t of the Village Board. 
 
 tions, all the early settler had to do when he 
 wanted fresh meat was to take his gun and walk a 
 mile or so from his cabin when his wants were 
 soon supplied. Daniel Staunton, Ed Slocum, 
 Carlton Wadhams, S. D. Huntington were among 
 the noted hunters of the time. Wild fowl, both 
 land and water, abounded and the creek and river 
 teemed with fine fish. 
 
 Benjamin Sanders came to the settlement in 
 1845 and located on the land where Central 
 Park is now situated. He built himself a home 
 and platted an addition to the village which 
 extended from Gregory street at the top of the 
 hill eastward across what is now Rock Island 
 yards to State street, and between Union and 
 York streets as its north and south boundaries. 
 It was one of the largest and most valuable 
 additions platted to that date. Sanders school 
 on the east side was named in honor of this 
 pioneer. 
 
 In 1867, when a committee visited Blue Island 
 seeking a site for a normal school, Mr. Sanders, 
 who was then a member of the Cook County 
 Board of Commissioners, used everv influence 
 
 in his power to have the school located here. 
 
 After considerable effort and in order not to 
 lose valuable time, the committee was prevailed 
 on to hold an experimental term of two years 
 here. Space in the public school buildings was 
 allotted to the use of the Normal and Professor 
 Wentworth was put in charge. This probation- 
 ary period proved very beneficial and by author- 
 ity of the County Board the school was made a 
 permanent institution. During that period, how- 
 ever, land had been bought and buildings erected 
 at Normal, in the Town of Lake, (Chicago), 
 and when those buildings were completed the 
 school was moved there. 
 
 Sanders later became the first president of the 
 village board. He lived in the homestead he 
 built for himself here until the time of his death 
 in 1880. Nellie Sanders, an adopted daughter, 
 married Oliver Bourke, who later took an active 
 part in the community's development and, by an 
 odd concidence, was the last village president 
 when Blue Island was incorporated as a city. 
 * * * 
 
 Schools of the Early Days 
 
 Children of the settlement suffered great in- 
 convenience from lack of educational facilities. 
 Most of them learned the rudiments of reading 
 and writing and ciphering from their parents in" 
 the homes of the village. During the first few 
 years no one paid much attention to this defic- 
 iency as all the able-bodied men and women were 
 more concerned with the task of home-building, 
 and providing the stark necessities and modest 
 comforts of existence in a wild country. Brush 
 and trees had to be cleared away and roadways 
 of a sort laid out and made passable. Modest 
 gardens began to appear beside a few of the 
 cabins. 
 
 The first attempt at teaching regular classes 
 of which there is any record in the early history, 
 was that of the Misses Elizabeth and Abigail Per- 
 iam, who opened a school for girls in 1845 on 
 the soutb-east corner of Western avenue and 
 Crove street, near the Blue Island House. This 
 school existed several years. The pupils were 
 mostly from the village but several came from 
 neighboring settlements. 
 
 Miss Mary Perkins conducted a private school 
 in her home near Grove and Ann streets in the 
 late 40's. Miss Perkins later was one of the 
 first teachers in the public school. 
 
 Mrs. Thomas McClintock and daughter Mar- 
 ion, conducted a private school in their home on 
 Vermont street near the bottom of the hill, for 
 about three years in the late 40's. The attend- 
 ance here grew so fast that a lean-to addition 
 to their house had to be built, but the private 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 27 
 
 school was discontinued when the first public in that primitive little cabin. Teaching here 
 school was opened. Along with the arrival of was carried on just about a year when the Rock 
 many German settlers in the village came also Island acquired the land. The cabin was then 
 the need of schools taught in that language. moved north to Walnut street, near Western 
 
 Carl Adams had a German school on Grove avenue, and was used many years as a residence 
 street, west of Henry street in 1856-57. He had by Otis Wattles. 
 
 But in 1848, when the settlement numbered 
 thirty-two families, organized effort to provide 
 educational facilities for the children was 
 launched. The result, as already previously 
 stated, was the building of a one-story frame 
 building on a lot on Vermont street, just east 
 of the present Whittier school. This building 
 also served the purpose of "town hall" and here 
 public gatherings of all sorts were held when 
 school was not in session. This little building 
 had a large door in the middle of the front, two 
 windows on each side, no windows in front and 
 only a door in the back. When the new and 
 larger building was built in 1854 the old build- 
 ing was sold and afterwards passed through 
 several ownerships. 
 
 Blue Island's First School House 
 
 Built in 18Jf8, moved many times and put to many 
 uses, it- still stands today and has been re- 
 modeled into a comfortable residence. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Aug. Keck. 
 
 the reputation of being a hard task master. His 
 school was open about two years. 
 
 Samuel Wuest had a private German school 
 in 1857 on the north-side of Grove street, be- 
 tween Henry street and Greenwood avenue. He 
 closed after about two years of operation and 
 then in 1860, Joseph Abel opened a school for 
 Germans. The latter school was in operation 
 only about a year. 
 
 All of these schools, while they served a very 
 valuable purpose, were of the most primitive sort 
 and the furnishings were in keeping with the 
 period. Usually there were only a number of 
 long benches for the scholars to sit on. Then 
 when they had to write the scholars sat on the 
 floor and used the benches for desks. 
 
 The Bauer brick building on Western avenue 
 near the creek was also used for school purposes 
 at one time. 
 
 In 1846-47 the first attempt at starting a public 
 school was made in a little cabin somewhere 
 near what would now be the intersection of 
 Grove and Gregory streets. That was several 
 years before the Rock Island railroad was built 
 through and the brow of the hill extended much 
 farther to the east than it does now. History 
 has left no record as to the teacher who taught 
 
 The Second and Larger School 
 It was built in 185 U and was named 
 "Whittier". The picture shown here was 
 reproduced from a sketch appearing on 
 an old map of Blue Island. 
 
 R. N. Day, who at that time was engaged in the 
 wagon and carriage business, bought it and used 
 it for a time as a paint shop. He then sold it 
 to the Baptist organization who moved it to 
 Greenwood avenue and remodeled it into a 
 church. It served this purpose for a number 
 of years and when the Baptists disbanded it 
 again passed into other hands, was remodeled 
 into a residence and moved to another loca- 
 tion on Greenwood avenue. Mrs. Knirsch 
 bought it some time in the early 80's and lived 
 in it until the time of her death. 
 
28 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 It has changed ownership a couple of times 
 since then and now is owned by Wm. Einhorn 
 who occupies it with his family. Mr. Einhorn 
 remodeled the front and interior of the building 
 since buying the property and the other changes 
 which the building has undergone from time 
 to time have left little semblance of its original 
 
 Pioneer Educator 
 Professor Seymour, after whom 
 the Seymour school at Maple ave- 
 nue and New street was named. 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Albert Schmidt. 
 
 appearance. However, the frame of this build- 
 ing, which was made of native timber hewn in 
 the fashion of those pioneer days, is still strong 
 and has defied the ravages of time and the strain 
 of repeated movings from one location to an- 
 other. 
 
 This building, which we believe to be the old- 
 est structure left of those early days, is located 
 at 13111 Greenwood avenue, just north of 
 Grove street. 
 
 Wm. Hamilton, Daniel Barnard and a Miss 
 Perkins were among the teachers in the first 
 school. D. 0. Robinson taught in the last term 
 of the old building. 
 
 Prof. Rodney Welch, later of the editorial 
 staff of the Chicago Times, and Miss Mary 
 Maxen were the first teachers in the new build- 
 ing, which originally contained only two rooms, 
 but was from the first a graded school. A 
 couple of years later a south wing was added 
 to the original building, and soon another addi- 
 tion in the shape of a wing on the north side 
 of the building became necessary. This pro- 
 vided eight commodious rooms and by the early 
 
 80's the teaching staff had increased in propor- 
 tion. Professor J. W. Troeger, a very compe- 
 tent educator, was the principal in charge at that 
 time assisted by the following teachers: Misses 
 Clark, Starbuck and Hegan in the grammar 
 grades; Miss Bose, intermediate, and Misses 
 Kieth and Swan in the primary department. 
 
 Heber Rexford, in his reminiscences, tells of 
 an incident that happened during the early days 
 when Prof. Seymour and his wife were in 
 charge of the school. It seems the teachers 
 proved unpopular with the scholars, a condition 
 which seemed to be mutual and which did not 
 augur for the best interests and success of the 
 school. According to Mr. Rexford's version: 
 
 "There was much of the time an intense war- 
 fare carried on between the teachers and scholars, 
 and the feeling was so intense at one time, that 
 the latter deposited at the teacher's door a large 
 dead dog, when out came the teacher and his fur- 
 ious wife and gave hot pursuit, she capturing one 
 of the culprits, taking him into her house, and 
 detaining him until he promised to do better." 
 
 There seems to be a large question whether 
 the above criticism of Professor Seymour was 
 justified. The writer interviewed several of our 
 
 Professor M. T. DeWitt 
 An educator of the early village 
 days. The DeWitt school on the 
 south side, now no longer in use, 
 bore his name- 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Albert Schmidt. 
 
 older residents who either attended school under 
 him or knew him personally and without excep- 
 tion all spoke well of Professor Seymour and his 
 estimable wife. He was honored by having one 
 of the school buildings named for him. Mr. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 29 
 
 Seymour later became state superintendent of 
 schools of California. 
 
 M. T. DeWitt, a young man from Pennsyl- 
 vania was later engaged, who, after a persistent 
 effort, brought order out of chaos. He taught 
 several terms and was well liked. The DeWitt 
 school on the south side was named after this 
 pioneer educator. 
 
 * * * 
 
 *Early Religious Meetings 
 
 The first religious services, as has already 
 been stated elsewhere, were held in the little 
 schoolhouse which stood near the site of the 
 present Seymour- Whittier school building. There 
 were no denominational divisions and people of 
 all faiths gathered here for worship for quite a 
 number of years. Heber Rexford has told of 
 the Methodist preacher from Kankakee who stop- 
 ped over and held services every time he took 
 a load of produce to Chicago. Intinerant 
 preachers of other faiths also paid occasional 
 
 Old Bauer House 
 
 Built by Henry Bauer in 185If, on Western Ave- 
 nue, near Stony Creek. One of the first buildings 
 using brick of local manufacture. During the 
 early days it served as home for the family and 
 lodging place for transient guests. Also on oc- 
 casion used as school and place of worship. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Albert Schmidt. 
 
 visits, but up until the early fifties there was no 
 thought of denominational division. 
 
 By that time, though, there had been quite an 
 increase in population and groups of kindred 
 faith began to hold separate meetings. 
 
 The German Methodist society of Blue Island, 
 Sandridge and Black Oak, was organized in 1854, 
 and had at that time thirty-seven members. This 
 society was the first to erect a church edifice in 
 Blue Island. This church stood on the brow of 
 the hill just south of Grove street, on the west 
 side of Henry (Artesian street.) 
 
 The Universalists, to which faith most of the 
 early settlers adhered, had held separate meet- 
 ings as early as '49-50. At that time the fam- 
 
 ilies professing the Universalist faith were the 
 Joneses, Rexfords, Days, Robeys and Cooleys. 
 Jonathan Day, a circuit rider, lived here, and 
 other traveling ministers made frequent visits 
 and held services. By 1865 the Universalists 
 had a strong organization and that year built a 
 church edifice on Greenwood avenue and High 
 street. 
 
 The first efforts to organize a Congregational 
 society were made in October, 1859, when a 
 Rev. Rankin, a missionary on the Illinois Cen- 
 tral Railroad, preached here and studied the 
 prospects for an organization of the church. 
 The report was favorable and Rev. H. L. Hamil- 
 ton was sent to supply until an organization 
 was effected. That was done in January, 1860, 
 and in 1865 a church building was erected on 
 York street. 
 
 The first services of the Catholic church were 
 held in 1854, and in 1861 the Church of St. 
 Benedict was erected. The pastoral duties were, 
 until September, 1883, performed by the priest 
 in charge of the church at Washington Heights. 
 
 Meetings of people professing the Lutheran 
 faith were held here as early as 1861-62. At 
 first these meetings were held in the home of 
 Peter Engelland on the south limits of the vil- 
 lage and later as attendance increased rapidly, 
 in the Bauer brick building at the foot of West- 
 ern avenue. So on January 23, 1863, an organ- 
 ization of the German Evangelical Lutheran 
 society was perfected with a membership of 66. 
 May 26, 1863, the cornerstone of the church on 
 Grove street was laid with appropriate cere- 
 monies. 
 
 The Methodist society (English) was organ- 
 ized in August, 1873, with twenty-four members. 
 Many of these had formerly been attendants at 
 the Congregational church. In the spring of 
 1874 the erection of a church was begun and on 
 October 24, 1874, the edifice was dedicated. 
 
 *NOTE— A complete history of all of the churches 
 located at present within the city limits will be found 
 in a special chapter in a later portion of this book. 
 * * * 
 
 Among other early arrivals in the settlement 
 we find the Lewis family, the Youngs, Atwoods, 
 Braytons, Masseys, Greens, Mulderinks, Guen- 
 thers, Roches, Eames, Days, Lanes, J. B. Fox, 
 the McCords, Gilsons, Minards, Cools, Thos. 
 McClintock and others, all of whom figure in 
 the pioneer history of the community. 
 
 The Guenthers lived for a time in a house 
 that stood on Vermont street, near Western ave- 
 nue, but later moved to the north end of the 
 village where Mr. Guenther engaged in farming. 
 He early identified himself with the civic ac- 
 tivities of the township and village. Served for 
 
30 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 eleven years as supervisor of Worth township, 
 was a school director and village trustee, served 
 many years as a road commissioner, and for 
 three years as member of the Board of County 
 Commissioners. Three daughters, Anna, Emma 
 and Kate, still live in the family home at Burr 
 Oak and Greenwood avenues. 
 
 The Eames, Lewis and Mulderinks located 
 north of Burr Oak avenue. The Atwoods 
 located further northwest near where Oak Hills 
 cemetery is now located. J. B. Fox built a home 
 just north of the Sanders place and the McCord, 
 Gilson and Minard families located on farms 
 west and south of the village but later moved 
 into the village proper. 
 
 Joshua P. Young came here from Sweden, 
 N. Y., in 1856 and purchased eighty acres of 
 
 "Roche's Woods", as it was known locally was 
 the last natural remnant of Blue Island's once 
 beautiful native woodlands. This tract of tim- 
 ber, lying west of Maple avenue, extended all 
 the wav from Union street south to York street, 
 and ran back down the western slope of the 
 ridge to the railroad tracks. Mr. Roche guarded 
 this tract of native woods jealously and permit- 
 ted no one to disturb its natural condition. 
 After his death it was sold and subdivided and 
 is now known as Highland Square and contains 
 many of Blue Island's most beautiful homes. 
 When the village was incorporated in 1872, Mr. 
 Roche was elected a trustee and served in that 
 capacity two years. 
 
 Miss Emily Roche, a daughter, is the only 
 member of the family still living here. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hart Massey and Family. 
 Their home was on the present site of the First National Bank, 
 the house facing south on Vermont street. Two daughters, Hattie and 
 Ella, were teachers here in the early days. 
 
 land lying between Western and Maple avenues 
 and extending from Vermont street north to 
 Burr Oak avenue, now the most valuable resi- 
 dence property in the city. A few years later he 
 built himself a fine home on York street (where 
 the Public Library now stands). He subdivided 
 his Blue Island property and also began dealing 
 extensively in Chicago and suburban property. 
 In company with John K. Rowley he platted 
 the town of South Lawn, now Harvey. 
 
 Walter P. Roche came to Blue Island from 
 Chicago, where he had been engaged until 1854 
 in the manufacture of cigars and tobacco. At 
 one time he owned considerable land in and 
 near the village. Until a few years ago 
 
 Hart Massey, a native of Watertown, N. Y., 
 located in Blue Island in 1858, and for many 
 years was engaged in the fire and life insurance 
 business. He built a fine home on the corner 
 of Western avenue and Vermont street, where 
 the First National Bank is now located. The 
 house faced south on Vermont street and was 
 surrounded by a row of stately maple trees that 
 were the admiration of all who saw them. Mr. 
 Massey was a signer of the petition for incor- 
 poration of Blue Island as a village and when 
 that was effected in 1872 he was appointed vil- 
 lage clerk, however, serving only one short 
 term. 
 
 Richard Bingle settled at the north-west corner 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 31 
 
 of Western avenue and Grove street, which later 
 was known as the Whitebeck homestead. 
 
 John Englehart located in Blue Island in 
 
 1848, working for several years on the feeder 
 canal and on the Rock Island railroad. He then 
 engaged in the saloon business and in 1857 
 built a two-story brick building on the west side 
 of Western avenue, just across the street from 
 where Norman Rexford's pioneer Blue Island 
 House had stood. Englehart called his place 
 the Union House and conducted it for many 
 years as saloon and hotel. He had a large barn 
 in connection and it soon became the favorite 
 stopping place for teamsters, cattlemen and 
 other transient guests. This building still 
 stands, but it has long since ceased being a 
 hotel. It was remodeled several years ago and 
 fitted up for general store rooms. 
 
 Charles D. Robinson located on a farm a 
 short distance outside of the Blue Island settle- 
 ment in 1840 where he engaged in farming until 
 
 1849. He then moved into the village, built a 
 store on Western avenue and engaged in gen- 
 eral merchandising, which he followed for 
 twenty-five years. During this period he be- 
 came interested in a new settlement at what 
 is now Homewood and built the first business 
 house there. The town was platted in 1852 
 by James Hart and until 1865 was known as 
 Hartford, when the name was changed to its 
 present name, Homewood. 
 
 Samuel D. Huntington, located here in 1845, 
 after he and several other men had driven a 
 large flock of sheep from the East to Illinois. 
 They came through with the flock and located 
 on the prairie near 99th street, Chicago, where 
 they spent the winter of 1844-45 in a board 
 shanty. This job having been finished, Mr. 
 Huntington made a location at Blue Island 
 and began to "grow up with the country." He 
 engaged in farming and stock raising and later 
 in railroading. He was the first constable elec- 
 ted in the settlement and served in that capacity 
 sixteen years. Henry R. ("Hank") Huntington, 
 a son, was one of the first and best known 
 passenger train conductors on the Chicago and 
 Rock Island railroad out of Chicago. 
 
 Heber S. Rexford, who:e name has several 
 times been mentioned in this historical review, 
 was one of the leading and most active figures 
 in the development of the village. Locating 
 here in 1847, he obtained a contract to carry 
 United States mail from Blue Island to Iroquois, 
 111., making two trips a week, for which he 
 received a compensation of $598 per year. This 
 service was discontinued when the Illinois Cen- 
 tral railroad was built, the mail thereafter being 
 dispatched by train. Mr. Rexford then bought 
 
 forty acres of farm land north of Burr Oak 
 avenue and engaged in agriculture. He was 
 elected county treasurer in 1870, a position he 
 did not solicit, nor did he think he could be 
 elected, but he received a majority of nearly 
 twelve thousand votes. He had to furnish bonds 
 to the amount of $2,400,000 for the office. 
 When the Chicago fire occurred, in 1871, it 
 was thought for a time that his books had been 
 destroyed but they came through in good shape. 
 Everett H. Rexford, who became prominent in 
 the later affairs of the village government, was 
 a son of this pioneer citizen. 
 
 * 48- * 
 
 Many German Settlers Arrive 1848-60 
 
 Although the original settlers of Blue Island 
 were of English or Eastern "Yankee" birth the 
 years between 1848 and 1860 witnessed such an 
 influx of men and women of German birth or 
 extraction that soon the "Yankees" (as they 
 were called) were far outnumbered. This condi- 
 tion led to a peculiar situation which in later 
 years was to play an important part in village 
 government affairs. 
 
 Among the first German settlers we find such 
 names as August Schreiber who came in 1848; 
 Theodore Guenther (1846), John Engelhardt 
 (1848), Ernst Uhlich (1849), Wm. Baumbach 
 (1850), Fritz Boeber (1851), Christian Krueger 
 ( 1851) , Edward Seyfarth (1851) , Louis A. Krue- 
 ger (1852), H. W. Schmitt (1854), Herman 
 Schmitt (1854), Wm. Sorgenfrei (1855), Fred- 
 eric Hune (1854), Christ Ahlschlaeger (1854), 
 J. Albert Wuest (1856), John Staffel (1859), 
 Chas. Ellfeldt, Louis Brandt, August Bulle, Gott- 
 fried Vogtman, Bernhard Reiner, Ferd. Schap- 
 per, Henry Bose, Peter Engelland, Conrad Kich, 
 F. Sauerteig, Henry Bauer, Henry Werner, Peter 
 Besgen, F. Schild, Philip Hector, Theo. Jauchzer, 
 Philip Zorn, the Merkelbachs, Watermans, Flas- 
 sigs, Rinkenbergers, Diefenbachs, Eidams, Eich- 
 hoffs, Kichs, Daemickes, Meyers and many 
 others. 
 
 Several of these families located in the orig- 
 inal town of "Portland" — that section generally 
 known as the "south side." Bernhard Reiner, 
 Conrad Kich, John Staffel, Peter Engelland, 
 Jacob Thoeming, F. Schild, Peter Besgen, Ferd. 
 Daemicke were a few of the first settlers on the 
 south side. 
 
 August Schreiber bought property below the 
 hill on James street and opened a hardware store 
 which is still doing business under the manage- 
 ment of his sons and grandsons. 
 
 George Bauer bought on the west side of 
 Western avenue adjoining the creek and for 
 many years conducted a slaughterhouse there. 
 
32 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 His brother Henry, built the first brewery in 
 Blue Island the product of which became known 
 far and wide throughout this section. This brew- 
 ery was located on James street near Western 
 avenue. 
 
 Ernst Uhlich, a native of Saxony, Germany, 
 was a carpenter by trade but later engaged in 
 the real estate business in Chicago. Locating 
 in Blue Island in 1849 he built himself a pala- 
 tial home, the grounds of which occupied the 
 entire frontage on Gregory street between York 
 and High streets. This home was one of the 
 show places of the village for many years. It 
 is now occupied as the home of the Sisters of 
 St. Mary, who operate St. Francis Hospital 
 which adjoins and also is located on the former 
 Uhlich property. 
 
 Henry Volp and family came from Baltimore 
 in 1862, first located on the Capt. Swigler farm 
 in the north end of town, and a few years later 
 bought property and built a home at Broadway 
 and Rexford streets. 
 
 Charles Strickert and George Reichert located 
 near each other on Rexford street, near the south 
 village limits. 
 
 William Black, of Scotch birth, located in Blue 
 Island in 1858 and opened a blacksmith shop on 
 Western avenue near the Conrad Kich home. He 
 conducted this business until 1890 when he re- 
 tired and moved to Walnut street where he had 
 built a new home. 
 
 Peter Engelland built his home south of and 
 next to Conrad Kich's home on Western avenue. 
 The Lutherans held church services in this house 
 for quite a while and it was here the First 
 Lutheran congregation was organized. 
 
 John Staffel bought property on the corner 
 of .Western avenue and the "feeder road", as 
 Canal street was then known. A wagon builder 
 by trade he soon opened a shop and carried on 
 this business for many years. He built the first 
 hook and ladder truck for the Blue Island vol- 
 unteer fire department. He was elected a vil- 
 lage trustee in 1881 and served for a number 
 of years. 
 
 Ludwig Krueger settled north of Burr Oak, 
 between Western and Vincennes avenues, where 
 for many years he was engaged extensively in 
 farming. * * * 
 
 Peter Schroeder and Herman Bahner bought 
 the Blue Island House from Norman Rexford in 
 1852. They conducted the business about three 
 years when they sold out to Jacob Boehl and it 
 was under the latter's ownership the building was 
 destroyed by fire. In the early 60's Boehl erected 
 the brick building, which although considerably 
 altered, stands today on the site of the pioneer 
 Blue Island House. 
 
 The Town "Portland" 
 
 The original "Town of Portland" as laid out 
 and platted as a town-site by Peter Barton and 
 others, consisted of that part of Blue Island 
 lying south of Vermont street and extending 
 from Western avenue (Worth-Calumet township 
 line) east to the Calumet river. The southern 
 boundary line was the Calumet-Thornton town- 
 ship line, excepting the north-east *4 of Section 
 6 in Town 36, which lay south of the township 
 line. With a navigable river at its door it 
 was naturally supposed that Portland would be- 
 come a river town so both banks of the Calumet 
 river were laid out into blocks and lots. Streets 
 were named and a "public square", intended, 
 presumably, for a court house, was laid out 
 "dedicated to the use of the people forever." 
 
 This "public square" was never to serve the 
 purpose for which it was intended, and instead 
 of being a public benefit it has become a public 
 problem with which various city administrations 
 have wrestled. The "square" lies partly within 
 blocks 96-97 and 121-122 of the original Town 
 of Portland. It is intersected by Broadway and 
 Chatham streets and with these streets opened 
 through, as at this time, it really is cut up into 
 four small squares. The city has no title to the 
 land. It can not sell it, deed it, or dispose of 
 it. It is not taxable property and can not be 
 forfeited. The original document, filed by the 
 original owners dedicated the land to the "use 
 of the public forever." 
 
 "Portland" did not become a river town. 
 Neither did the name "Portland" ever come into 
 general use. In spite of all the efforts of its 
 promoters to popularize the locality the people 
 preferred to live on top of the hill and call the 
 place "Blue Island." 
 
 So in compliance with a petition filed with 
 the State Legislature, that body, in the session 
 of 1842-43, changed the name "Portland" to 
 "Blue Island." 
 
 "An Act entitled an Act to change the name 
 of Portland in Cook county, to the name Blue 
 Island: Be it enacted by the People of the State 
 of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly 
 that the name of the place called Portland in 
 Cook County, Illinois, is hereby altered and 
 changed to Blue Island, and the same shall here- 
 after always be known and called by such name 
 of Blue Island. 
 
 "Approved February 24, 1843. — Laws of Illi- 
 nois 1842-1843." 
 
 "A plat entitled Portland, a subdivision by 
 George E. Walker, Adam D. Stewart, Peter Bar- 
 ton, Joel Manning, Disa, his wife, and Peter 
 Chadwick, filed as Document No. 6732, and 
 
OS 
 00 
 
 CO 
 
 EC 
 E-h 
 O 
 
 O 
 
 En 
 
 cq 
 
 as 
 tq 
 En 
 
 a. 
 Bq 
 
 En 
 En 
 
 Oh 
 CO 
 
 En 
 
 © 
 On 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 En 
 
 a: 
 
34 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 recorded April 13, 1839, in Book H, Maps, page 
 118, bearing surveyor's certificate by A. F. 
 Bradley, deputy surveyor of Cook county, de- 
 scribes the property as follows: "The south-west 
 i/i of Section 31, Township 37, north of base line 
 14, east of Third Principal Meridian; also the 
 south-west ^4 of Section 32 in Town and Range; 
 also the north-east ^ of Section 6 in Town 36 
 and in Range aforesaid." 
 
 Acknowledged by George E. Walker, Adam 
 D. Stuart and Peter Barton, as owners and pro- 
 prietors of said Town October 2, 1838, before 
 Henry Brown, Justice of Peace, Cook County, 
 Illinois. 
 
 Acknowledged April 10, 1839, by Joel Man- 
 ning and Disa, his wife, as part owners of said 
 Town, before Justice Peace, Will County, Illi- 
 nois. 
 
 Certificate of Magistracy by Clerk of County, 
 Common Court of Will County, Illinois, attested: 
 "In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
 hand and private seal (no official seal provided) 
 at Jolliette, this 16th day of April, A. D. 1839." 
 
 When in 1872 Blue Island was incorporated 
 as a village, the petitioners for the incorporation 
 fixed new boundaries for the proposed village. 
 Omitting the legal phraseology the boundary 
 lines then established were as follows: Division 
 street on the east to California avenue on the 
 vest; the Thornton-Bremen township line (135th 
 street) on the south to 119th street on the north, 
 making an oblong approximately one mile wide 
 and two miles long. By this arrangement the 
 north-east ^4 of Section 6 and that part of "Port- 
 land" lying east of Division street and south of 
 the Calumet river was left out of the 1872 cor- 
 porate limits. (Much of the territory excluded 
 at that time has, however, been taken in again 
 by annexation in recent years, as will be seen 
 by reference to the colored map of the present 
 Blue Island printed elsewhere in this book.) 
 * * * 
 
 The Calumet Feeder Canal 
 
 The use of the waters of the Calumet River as 
 a supply for the Illinois and Michigan Canal 
 was first recommended by James M. Bucklin, 
 chief engineer, under date of December 18, 1830. 
 He recommended a route and estimated the cost 
 of the canal at $160,699.00. 
 
 Engineer Bucklin, when transmitting his re- 
 port on the proposed feeder canal, said: "From 
 *Billy Caldwell, a half-breed with some educa- 
 tion and great intelligence, who had explored 
 the country in every direction, I often procured 
 valuable information during my explorations. 
 It was he who first suggested making a feeder of 
 the Calumet River." 
 
 The canal law of 1837 required the board of 
 commissioners to "cause a survey and estimate 
 to be made as soon as convenient of the route 
 of a canal diverging through the Saganaskee 
 Swamp and Grassy Lake to intercept the Calamic 
 River at the most practical point. 
 
 "All Acts and amended laws in relation to 
 the Illinois & Michigan Canal shall apply 
 equally to the Calumet Feeder and said canal 
 shall be considered as part and parcel of the 
 Illinois & Michigan Canal and the laws and 
 regulations adopted with reference to the con- 
 struction thereof." 
 
 In 1837 the canal commissioners employed 
 Benjamin Wright, a distinguished engineer, to 
 survey and examine the route of the canal as 
 then established with a view of ascertaining 
 whether there was a sufficient quantity of water 
 within the legitimate authority of the State of 
 Illinois for use to supply a canal as contem- 
 plated on the Summit level. 
 
 He reported that the Calumet takes its source 
 in Indiana, passes by a bend into Illinois and 
 discharges into Lake Michigan within the State. 
 Also that at certain stages of its waters the river 
 discharges through a former entrance within the 
 boundary of the State of Indiana. 
 
 The final survey of the Calumet Feeder route 
 was made in 1845 under Edward B. Talcott, 
 chief assistant engineer. This survey was com- 
 menced August 11, 1845, the construction of 
 the feeder was begun immediately thereafter and 
 completed in 1848. Under this survey a dam 
 was constructed across the Calumet river, the 
 site of the dam being "sixty chains" above the 
 mouth of Stony Creek; the width of the river 
 at this point was found to be 290 feet from bank 
 to bank. Distance by left bank of the Calumet 
 from the dam to the state line twelve miles, to 
 be lessened by one-half mile by the plan of 
 improvement. The feeder extended from the 
 dam in a north-westerly direction through Port- 
 land (Blue Island). 
 
 A report of the canal commissioners for 1848 
 says: 
 
 "All the feeders are complete with the excep- 
 tion of the Calumet, which is the main feeder 
 for the Summit level. Very unusual difficulties 
 have been encountered in the excavation of this 
 line, being for a great portion of the distance 
 through a swamp, the material has been dredged 
 out by means of steam excavators, as it was too 
 soft to remove it by digging in the ordinary 
 method, and hence the delay in its completion. 
 
 "It will be done in February and with the 
 opening of navigation in the spring the waters 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 35 
 
 of the Calumet River will be discharged upon 
 the Summit level." 
 
 The estimated cost of the work on the Calumet 
 Feeder up to that time was $91,500.00. 
 
 The specifications for the feeder canal called 
 for a width of 40 feet upon the surface of the 
 water, 26 feet upon the bottom and four feet 
 deep. 
 
 The dam across the Calumet River raised the 
 water in the feeder canal 10 feet above the level 
 of the water in Stony Creek. Gates were pro- 
 vided so that the level of the water in the canal 
 could be raised or lowered as needed. 
 
 The first water from the Calumet River was 
 turned into the feeder June 12, 1849, and on 
 July 22 of that year the first canal boat arrived 
 at Blue Island. Merchandise traffic on this 
 canal continued nearly twenty years. 
 
 The building of this feeder dam caused much 
 bitter feeling and many claims for damages were 
 filed against the canal commissioners by farmers 
 whose land was flooded by the backing up of 
 the water in the Calumet river and tributary 
 streams. For years the courts were cluttered 
 with suits of this nature and frequent threats to 
 destroy the dam were made. One such attempt 
 was made in June, 1857, but only minor dam- 
 age was done at that time, according to the report 
 of the Illinois & Michigan Canal Commissioners 
 for 1857, which was as follows: 
 
 "On the night of June 19th, 1857, some 50 or 
 60 or more evil-minded persons, inhabitants 
 principally of the State of Indiana, as alleged, 
 came to the Calumet Dam and attempted to de- 
 stroy it. They tore away part of one of the stone 
 abutments of the dam, as low as the water would 
 admit of their working, and cut three trenches 
 through the embankment on the south side of the 
 river, with the design of passing the water then 
 in the pond through them, and by that means 
 cause the destruction of the work. The sheet 
 piling in the dam prevented the washing away 
 of the earth during the night, and the early dis- 
 covery in the morning, by the canal people, of 
 the attempt to destroy the dam, led to the proper 
 means of preventing further injury at the 
 moment. The ruffians, who were engaged in 
 this attempt to destroy the dam, prevented by 
 force friendly people residing near the spot from 
 communicating information to the men belong- 
 ing to the canal, in charge of that part of the 
 work. The general superintendent of the canal 
 caused a suitable reward to be offered for the 
 apprehension of persons engaged in this vil- 
 lanous attempt, but without success thus far." 
 
 Indiana authorities complained of the flood- 
 ing of lands within that state by reason of the 
 dam and sought to have it abated. The Indiana 
 
 legislature on March 9, 1861, passed an act to 
 procure the abatement of the dam in the Calumet 
 River or have the height of the dam reduced so 
 that it would not cause the river to overflow 
 lands within the state of Indiana. 
 
 Finally on March 27, 1874, the Illinois state 
 legislature passed the following act: 
 
 "An Act to authorize the removal of the feeder 
 dam across the Calumet River near Blue Island 
 in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, and to 
 
 Heber S. Rexford 
 Blue Island pioneer, whose inter- 
 esting reminiscences of the early 
 days form part of this story. Was 
 county treasurer during the time of 
 Chicago's big fire. 
 
 Photo courtesy Mrs. Geo. Pettijohn 
 
 provide compensation to Christian Pfeiffer and 
 John Roll for any loss that they may sustain 
 by its removal." 
 
 Section 2 of this Act provides: "That so soon 
 as Christian Pfeiffer and John Roll shall release 
 to the State of Illinois by quit claim deed all 
 right they now claim to have to the said dam 
 and the water power thereby created, that then 
 and in that case on the order of the Governor, 
 the Auditor of Public Accounts be, and he is 
 hereby authorized to draw his warrant on the 
 State Treasurer in favor of said Christian Pfeif- 
 fer and John Roll for the sum of not exceeding 
 
36 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) to be paid out 
 of any money at any time in the treasury not 
 otherwise appropriated." 
 
 On April 9, 1874, John L. Beveridge, then 
 governor, notified the state treasurer that Pfeif- 
 fer and Roll had complied with the requirements 
 of Section 2 of the Act and directed that they 
 be paid $6,000.00, also; "that by virtue of said 
 act you are hereby authorized and directed, with- 
 out delay, to remove the dam — the expense of 
 said removel to be paid out of canal funds in 
 your hands." 
 
 For some reason or other the dam was not at 
 once removed. Roll continued to use the water 
 power from the spillway of the dam for his 
 grist mill and to all appearances there was no 
 hurry about removing the obstruction in the 
 river. The farmers whose land was being 
 flooded became incensed at the delay and finally 
 one night in 1875 a group of 50 or more took 
 matters into their own hands and blew up the 
 hated dam. 
 
 The Calumet Feeder and 90-foot reserve on 
 either side thereof, together with the overflowed 
 lands along each side of the Calumet River came 
 into possession of the State of Illinois at the 
 completion of the dam at Portland in 1848. 
 Even though the feeder has been abandoned the 
 State still has title to all feeder lands. In only 
 five cases did title revert to the original owners, 
 in all other cases easement is perpetual, being 
 "forever and forever." 
 
 *Billy Caldwell, known also as "Sauganash" (the 
 Englishman) was one of the three "friendly" Indian 
 chiefs. He was a half-breed, the son of Col. Caldwell, 
 an Irish officer in the British army. His mother was a 
 Pottawatomie, said to have been remarkable for her 
 beauty and intelligence. Caldwell was one of the most 
 conspicuous as well as one of the most notable char- 
 acters identified with the early history of this region. 
 He was freindly to the whites and his aid was often 
 sought by exploring expeditions. He is credited with 
 having saved the lives of the Kinzie family at the 
 time of the Fort Dearborn massacre. Che-che-pin-qua 
 (Alexander Robinson) and Shaw-bo-nee (Chamblie) 
 were the other two friendly Indian chiefs of this 
 
 region. 
 
 An Active Period 
 
 The years between 1840 and 1850 were very 
 active ones, and everyone seemed willing to do 
 his or her share to improve living conditions in 
 the little community. This cooperative effort 
 soon reflected itself in a better and more sym- 
 pathetic understanding of the problems that 
 vitally concerned all. 
 
 The arrival of new settlers became a daily 
 occurrence. Wagon traffic over the Wabash and 
 Vincennes roads was increasing rapidly. Chi- 
 
 cago had by this time become a village of nearly 
 5000 people and farmers from a distance of 
 fifty miles and more were hauling produce to 
 the larger community. These farmers were 
 glad to lay over in Blue Island for at least one 
 night before proceeding on their northward 
 journey, and returning would usually stop 
 again and make purchases of supplies needed 
 by them. All merchants did a thriving business. 
 
 The Illinois and Michigan canal had been 
 completed through to Chicago, so when in 1849 
 the "feeder canal" to the main channel was con- 
 structed through this section Blue Island exper- 
 ienced its first "boom". All the able-bodied 
 men of the village who wished it were given 
 work on the canal and the contractors in charge 
 of the work made their headquarters here. 
 Those were busy days. 
 
 New stores were opened and merchandise 
 lines became more and more diversified, and 
 Blue Island soon became the trading center for 
 a large surrounding territory. "One hundred 
 
 Frank Rexford 
 A Son of Norman Barton Rexford 
 
 dollars was a light day's business at my store", 
 one merchant of that period informed the 
 writer. 
 
 So in the early 50's we find one brewery in 
 operation and others under construction, a 
 small brickyard had been started where hand- 
 made brick could be obtained. John Roll was 
 operating a grist mill near the dam in the Cal- 
 umet river and Wenzel Waniata had started 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 37 
 
 a tannery at Canal and Rexford streets. Farm- 
 ers from considerable distances away made 
 good use of the services of the mill and tannery 
 and for several years these institutions did a 
 
 large business. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Seyfarth Tavern 
 
 William Seyfarth had a tavern and boarding 
 house at the south-west corner of Western 
 avenue and Grove street, built about 1846. It 
 was a two-story frame building with a long 
 porch on the Grove street side. There was a 
 large barn in connection and several sheds. It 
 was a favorite stopping place for German 
 farmers. The business was continued until 
 about 1880 when the sheds were torn down 
 and the old building was moved onto the lot 
 just south. A new two-story frame building 
 was erected on the corner, which was used as a 
 hardware store by Edward Seyfarth. This later 
 building, and the old tavern just south of it 
 (which had been remodeled into a store), were 
 both destroyed in the big fire of 1896. 
 
 Just south of the Seyfarth properties, and on 
 the same side of Western avenue, Henry Bense- 
 man erected a two-story frame building in 1848 
 which was used by him as a tavern and board- 
 ing house. This property was bought by John 
 Engelhart in the early 50's, who continued the 
 saloon and boarding house under the name 
 "Baierischer Hof." In 1857 Engelhart moved 
 the old building back on the lot and converted 
 it into a barn. A new two-story brick building 
 was erected in front and for a number of years 
 was conducted under the old name, "Baierischer 
 Hof." This name was changed in the early 90's 
 to Union House. It was in a shed behind this 
 building where the big fire of 1896 started. 
 
 # «• * 
 
 Schapper's Pioneer Drug Store 
 
 A little south of Benseman's property, just 
 at the edge of the Western avenue hill, Charles 
 Duensing had a little store which he built about 
 1848. This building was bought in 1850 by 
 Ferdinand Schapper, Sr., who opened a drug 
 store there. Two years later Schapper moved 
 his drug store to the north-east corner of Grove 
 street and Western avenue. Henry Asche had 
 in 1848 built a small one-story residence and 
 shoe shop at this location. When Schapper ac- 
 quired this property he moved the small build- 
 ing back on the lot and erected a large store 
 building in front. Both of these buildings were 
 destroyed by fire in 1856. The present brick 
 building was then erected. 
 
 The Pioneer drug store has, since 1852, been 
 located continuously at its present site. 
 
 All The Ridge District Once Known As 
 "Blue Island" 
 
 Prior to 1869 the entire "island" or "ridge" 
 was known by the general name "Blue Island" 
 and many of those early settlers who first loca- 
 ted in the section now known as Morgan Park 
 or Longwood, eventually moved to the southern 
 end of the ridge and thus became residents with- 
 in the limits of the "Village" of Blue Island. 
 
 Dr. Charles Morgan 
 
 Pioneer resident who once had a beautiful home 
 at the corner of High Street and Greenwood 
 avenue. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Fred Rexford, Pasadena, Cal. 
 
 DeWitt Lane came to the north end of the 
 island in 1834 and built a log cabin south of 
 what is now 103rd street, just east of the grove 
 that bordered the west side of the island. A 
 little later the same year Norman Rexford built 
 a large log house in the north-east part of the 
 island near 91st street. He put up a sign "Blue 
 Island House" and entertained travellers. 
 
 Both these first settlers soon moved. Mr. 
 Lane sold his claim for $1000 and moved about 
 five miles west on 115th street, to a spot later 
 known as "Lane's Island." Rexford moved in 
 1836 to the south end of the island where he 
 again erected a tavern, which he also called the 
 "Blue Island House." 
 
 Thomas Morgan, an Englishman of some 
 wealth, located in the north end of the ridge in 
 
38 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 1844, near where Norman Rexford had erected 
 his first tavern. He bought a large tract of 
 land, said to have been more than 1000 acres, 
 and engaged extensively in the raising of cattle 
 and sheep. His property holdings at one time 
 extended all the way from 91st street well into 
 what now constitutes the north limit of Blue 
 Island. It was the largest and finest estate ever 
 owned by one man on the ridge. 
 
 Some idea of the magnitude of the sheep and 
 cattle industry as carried on here in those days 
 may be had from the census figures of 1846 
 when Blue Island led all other towns in Cook 
 county in the production of wool, reporting 
 10,728 pounds of wool and live stock valued at 
 $8,735, Five thousand two-hundred bushels of 
 grain were also reported from Blue Island. 
 
 Harry Morgan, a son of Thomas Morgan, loca- 
 ted in the north end of the "island" in 1845 and 
 engaged in farming until 1882, when he too, 
 moved into the Village of Blue Island. He was 
 married in 1867 to Miss Emily Robinson, a 
 daughter of Charles D. Robinson, of Blue Is- 
 land. 
 
 William Morgan, a brother of Harry, located 
 south of 111th street and west of Western avenue 
 in 1854 on a farm now included in Mt. Green- 
 wood cemetery. William Morgan also moved to 
 Blue Island and built a spacious home and gar- 
 dens, occupying the entire block on Maple ave- 
 nue, where the community high school is now 
 located. 
 
 Dr. Charles Morgan, a son of Thomas Morgan, 
 built a beautiful home at Greenwood avenue and 
 High street, where Alden Klein's home now 
 stands. 
 
 In 1869, when the Blue Island Land and 
 Building Company was formed, this association 
 took over nearly all of the holdings of the 
 Morgans, comprising 1360 acres, and the Vil- 
 lage of Morgan Park was organized being so- 
 called after the family of that name. Although 
 all the Morgans had originally settled in the 
 north ridge section they eventually became resi- 
 dents and valued citizens of Blue Island. 
 * * * 
 
 First Deaths Recorded 
 
 The first death in the village was that of Z. 
 Wilson, which occurred in the fall of 1838. Mr. 
 Wilson had started building a home on Western 
 avenue near the Blue Island House when he was 
 taken sick. He died in the home of the Rexfords 
 and was buried in the hillside near where the 
 Rock Island depot now stands. 
 
 The second death was that of Mrs. Hume 
 which occurred in 1842. She was buried in the 
 ridge near the Sanders homestead. 
 
 Still a Wilderness in 1850 
 
 In 1850 Blue Island had about 250 inhab- 
 itants and 43 houses. This included buildings 
 devoted to business purposes, which, in nearly 
 every case, also served as residence for the 
 
 Henry Hart Massey 
 Early resident and for many years 
 a prominent citizen of Blue Island. 
 — Courtesy Fred K. Rexford. 
 
 owner and his family. There were only six 
 houses north of Vermont street and five south 
 of the creek. The other 32 were grouped in 
 the section between Vermont street and Stony 
 creek. 
 
 Beyond this section the country was still very 
 wild. 
 
 From Burr Oak avenue, south to the bottom 
 of the hill, there was a dense growth of oak, 
 walnut, elm, hickory, bitter nut, maple and wild 
 cherry trees. Some of the oaks and walnut 
 trees were of majestic proportions. A white oak 
 tree, nearly four feet in diameter, stood near 
 the corner of Greenwood avenue and Oak street 
 until well into the early years of the present 
 century. The writer remembers some enormous 
 oaks that once stood on the slope of the hill 
 west of the Lutheran church. 
 
 North of Stony creek and east along this 
 water course and the Calumet river was an al- 
 most impenetrable thicket of wild crabapple, 
 thorn apple and plum trees, interlaced with wild 
 grape and underbrush. 
 
 Along the eastern side of the ridge and 
 north of what is now 121st' street, there was a 
 large area covered with hazel brush, wild black- 
 berries and grape vines, and farther north, be- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 39 
 
 Boulder Marks Historic Spot 
 The boulder pictured above was dedicated on Flag Day, June 1U, 1928, by the 
 Dewalt Mechlin Chapter, D. A. R., and marks the course of the original route 
 of historic Vincennes road. 
 
 ginning about 119th street there was again a 
 heavy stand of large trees extending down the 
 hill and eastward to what is now Purington. 
 At this point there was an exceptionally dense 
 growth of large trees which for many years was 
 known as the "black woods'. Vincennes road, 
 then nothing more than a trail, passed through 
 this wood. After several farmers had been rob- 
 bed here of money they had received from sale 
 of their produce in Chicago, the locality ac- 
 quired another name, "robber's woods", and 
 became a place to be shunned. 
 
 Just north of this belt of large trees, and 
 extending north to 115th street, there was an- 
 other dense jungle of wild crabapple, thorn 
 apple and plum trees, interlaced with wild 
 grapevine, blackberry and hazel brush. There 
 was a considerable depression in the ground at 
 this point, forming a sort of ravine, or hollow. 
 It was generally thought to have been the stop- 
 ping place for horse thieves and the locality was 
 locally known as "Horse Thief Hollow". Mor- 
 gan Park was for a time known by this name. 
 
 Isaac T. Greenacre, an early resident of the 
 north ridge section, some years ago, told the 
 story of "Horse Thief Hollow", as follows: 
 
 "On the edge of the hill on which Morgan 
 Park is situated, and a little south, is a deep 
 and exceedingly steep ravine. This in early 
 times was covered with long grass and thick 
 
 underbrush, and was not only a very discreet 
 hiding place, but a very formidable fortress for 
 horse thieves. These notable gentry were 
 rather nocturnal in their habits, as they traveled 
 during the night and by day were wont to re- 
 fresh themselves in Horse Thief Hollow. I 
 imagine it must have been a solitary place as 
 the long grass, thick underbrush, and the forest 
 overhead must have entirely excluded the sun- 
 light from it. The farmers are confident of the 
 character of this den, having found in it bags 
 of oats and other commodities which proved the 
 use of the ravine for horse stealing. The bottom 
 of the ravine was trampled into a mire by 
 horses' hoofs, and once in a while they would 
 find a horse shoe. The farmers have watched 
 these gentry and proved to themselves the pur- 
 pose of their frequent visitations. The horse 
 thieves generally traveled by the aid of a buggy, 
 in which they kept all the utensils necessary for 
 their business." 
 
 The center of the ridge was for the most part 
 an open plain with scattered groves of trees here 
 and there. 
 
 An old Indian trail traversed this plain from 
 north to south, a short distance west of the 
 present Greenwood avenue. There was a ford 
 across Stony creek at about Ann street and an- 
 other at Western avenue, which in those days 
 was known as Wabash road. The state govern- 
 
40 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 ment erected a bridge at this point when Vin- 
 cennes road was surveyed in 1834. 
 
 The Indian trail just referred to connected 
 with the Wabash road a few hundred feet south 
 of Stony creek, where the trail continued on 
 toward Vincennes, Ind. and points south. 
 
 North, at about Walnut street, the Indian 
 trail veered northeast, continued along the east- 
 ern edge of the ridge, and at about 91st street 
 it went down hill in an easterly direction toward 
 Gresham. That was the true route of the orig- 
 inal Vincennes (Indian) trail. Later when the 
 Rock Island railroad was built, making possible 
 the drainage of the land, the course of Vin- 
 cennes road was changed as it is now. 
 
 For many years there was only one bridge 
 over Stony creek, that was the one on Wabash 
 road (Western avenue). There was no bridge 
 over the Calumet river nearer than the one at 
 Riverdale. This bridge was built by Jonathan 
 Periam, George Dolton and Levi Osterhout in 
 1842. 
 
 Note — The De Walt Mechlin chapter, Daughters of 
 the American Revolution, on Flag Day, June 14th, 1928, 
 placed and dedicated a boulder at 91st street and Pleas- 
 ant avenue, marking a spot on the original route of the 
 Vincennes trail. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Wild Life of the Region 
 
 "The wilderness around Chicago was the most 
 wonderful I ever knew, abounding in game, such 
 as bear, panther, lynx, wolves, deer, racoon and 
 all other small beasts and birds, while the rivers 
 were alive with fish." — Jonathan Periam, whose 
 family located on the Calumet river just east of 
 Blue Island, could speak with authority on the 
 subject of the wild life of the region. 
 
 Heber Rexford, coming ten years later, said: 
 "Game abounded in those early days in almost 
 countless numbers . . . the Calumet river and 
 Stony creek were literally full of the finest fish." 
 
 Beaver and otter were caught in the vicinity 
 of Lake Calumet in the early days. Buffalo and 
 elk once roamed over the ground where Blue Is- 
 land citizens now pursue their daily tasks. The 
 four species of animals named — two of the lakes 
 and swamps and two of the prairie — were the 
 first to disappear after the white man's coming. 
 These did not fear the silent arrow of the Indian, 
 but the booming of the white man's gun drove 
 fear into their hearts and they quickly sought 
 other territory. 
 
 Mink were numerous up into the seventies and 
 muskrats were still speared and trapped by the 
 thousands in the early eighties. The Sag slough 
 was a natural breeding ground for this small 
 fur bearer. I have seen "muskrat houses," as 
 
 we boys called them, by the hundreds in the 
 shallow waters of Stony creek north of Blue Is- 
 land and have speared many a rat through the 
 thin ice. Wenzel Waniata, who had a tannery 
 at Canal and Rexford streets, was our outlet for 
 these skins, which usually brought about 15 
 cents each. 
 
 I recall the weather-wise fellows of those days 
 who used to prophesy the severity of an im- 
 pending winter by the way the muskrats built 
 their houses. If the rats started building early 
 and constructed their winter homes to a height 
 of four or more feet above the water level, it 
 sure meant there was a hard winter ahead. 
 Whereas, if they were slow getting started, didn't 
 seem to care when they got through and were 
 satisfied with a bungalow type of home — well, 
 that of course, meant a mild winter. 
 
 Wild cats, lynx and panthers were said to have 
 been quite numerous in the Palos hills district 
 up to the early sixties. There is a record of a 
 panther being shot and killed in the woods near 
 the present Mt. Greenwood about the middle 
 sixties. I personally saw a wild cat shot out 
 of a tree in the Pfeiffer woods, across from 
 Roll's, in the spring of 1883, by a man from 
 Riverdale. However, this animal undoubtedly 
 had strayed in from some more remote point. 
 It was seen killing a chicken near South Holland 
 and had been hunted for several days until it 
 was finally treed at the river bank. 
 
 Wolves, of course, were numerous and caused 
 the early settlers more trouble and uneasiness 
 than did any other beast of the wilderness. 
 
 Wolf Ridge, just south of West Pullman, was 
 so named because of the large number of these 
 beasts which had their burrows there in the sand 
 among a dense growth of scrub timber. 
 
 Mr. Klopfleisch, who lived near the slough 
 south-west of Blue Island, was attacked by a 
 pack of wolves near the stone quarry one even- 
 ing in 1856, but succeeded in holding them off 
 until he reached his home. 
 
 The Chicago Democrat in January, 1834, men- 
 tions that a Mrs. Smith, who lived near the north 
 end of the Ridge, was overcome by the cold 
 while going to her home and was devoured by 
 wolves. She left five children. 
 
 Another article in the Chicago Democrat, the 
 same winter, says: "We regret to learn that a 
 man was found frozen to death during the in- 
 tense cold of last week on the prairie between 
 this place and Blue Island. He was in all prob- 
 ability devoured by wolves, as a few mangled 
 remnants of clothing were found at the place 
 where he is supposed to have fallen." 
 
 In the Chicago newspapers of the early days 
 
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42 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 there are also occasional mentions of bears, 
 panthers and lynx, evidence that the early sett- 
 lers were in constant danger from attacks by 
 wild beasts of many kinds. 
 
 The Democratic Press, November, 1841, has 
 this story: "John Stone and a friend, returning 
 from a hunt, brought in the carcass of a large 
 black bear which they killed near the Blue Island 
 hill. They also shot a deer and report having 
 seen tracks in the snow of many wolves. The 
 recent heavy snow has caused the timber wolves 
 to become quite venturesome around the cabins 
 of the settlers there, and many encounters with 
 these beasts are reported." 
 
 Timber wolves were still seen occasionally in 
 small packs near the village in the middle 60's, 
 and several raids on hog pens and sheep folds 
 were attributed to them as late as '67. A prairie 
 wolf was seen inside the south village limits in 
 '68, and even several years later their distant 
 howling was heard at night. 
 
 Every fall the wild rice beds of the Sag 
 slough attracted thousands upon thousands of 
 water fowl. It was a veritable hunters' para- 
 dise, covered for the greaeter part with a dense 
 growth of reeds and cat-tails higher than a man 
 and with occasional patches of open water. It 
 was a dangerous and treacherous place for one 
 not acquainted with it to get into. Many a 
 hunter who penetrated too deeply into its dank 
 growth, became lost, was mired and not seen alive 
 again. Months or perhaps years afterward, some 
 other venturesome hunter would come across a 
 pair of shoes, a gun and a heap of bones, mute 
 evidence of a tragedy. No one driving today 
 over the modern highways, which criss-cross the 
 territory mentioned, would ever suspect that at 
 one-time (and not so many years ago at that), 
 where now are paved streets and prosperous 
 truck farms there once was an impassable 
 morass. 
 
 Early Navigation 
 
 Many of the streams tributary to the Calumet 
 river were navigable for small craft in the early 
 days. Stony creek was used by Peter Barton 
 in 1835. In the archives of Thornton, which 
 also was first settled one hundred years ago, 
 there is a record by Stephen Crary stating that 
 Peter Barton chartered a schooner in 1835 
 which was laden with supplies at Thornton. 
 The boat made its way down Thorn creek to 
 the Calumet river, up that stream to Stony 
 creek and up that tributary to the present site 
 of Blue Island, which Peter Barton platted as 
 "Portland." 
 
 In 1836, William and Elisha Young built a 
 general trading store at Thornton on the cor- 
 ner of William and Margaret streets. They 
 operated the store there until 1850, when they 
 joined the California gold rush. The Young 
 brothers built and operated a small steam barge 
 which they called "Calumet Traders." This 
 boat plied between Thornton, Blue Island, 
 "Ainsworth" (South Chicago) and other settle- 
 ments including Chicago via the Calumet Feeder 
 and the Illinois and Michigan canal. 
 
 In 1841 the State Legislature authorized 
 George Dolton, Levi Osterhout and others to 
 build a toll bridge across the Calumet river at 
 the present Riverdale. It was operated as such 
 until 1856 when it was made a "free" bridge. 
 
 Isabelle Dolton, great granddaughter of 
 George Dolton, has the original document in her 
 files. The franchise specifies the charges to be 
 made, as follows: 
 
 "For every double wagon, carriage or sleigh, 
 25c; for every one-horse vehicle, or horse and 
 wagon, 12^c; for each horse, mule, ass, or head 
 of meat cattle, 2c; and for each head of hogs, 
 sheep, goats or other animal not enumerated the 
 sum of lc." 
 
 An interesting incident in connection with the 
 toll charges is a letter from the Chase & Com- 
 pany Circus (letter in Miss Dolton's files dated 
 June 11, 1849) requesting reduction or not to be 
 overcharged at the bridge. The circus elephant 
 weighing several tons walked across the bridge 
 at a charge of lc as noted in above schedule. 
 This was the biggest bargain ever to cross the 
 bridge. 
 
 The Chicago Democrat, August 15, 1849, 
 printed this item: 
 
 "The Calumet river is navigable for as large 
 schooners as enter the Chicago river clean up 
 to the canal dam at Portland, a distance of ten 
 miles. It is sixteen miles from here to Blue 
 Island and twelve to Calumet. We learn that 
 the population between Blue Island and the 
 mouth of the Calumet has more than quadrupled 
 this summer. The land on both sides of the 
 river is becoming thickly settled. There ought 
 to be a new precinct laid off on the Calumet, 
 as we notice that the people have to come to 
 this city for any matter requiring a justice or 
 constable." 
 
 A letter written in August, 1850, by A. W. 
 Spies, of New York City, who owned a section 
 of land near Riverdale, points out the advan- 
 tages of the Calumet river over the Chicago river. 
 The letter was addressed to his friend, George 
 Dolton, and shows the battle for the development 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 43 
 
 of the Little Calumet has been waged for 85 
 years. 
 
 "New York, August 21, 1850.. 
 Mr. George Dolton, 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 "The Calumet is a larger river than the Chicago; 
 Chicago river is too small for the commerce of the 
 place and if we could fetch in political influence and 
 have breakwaters and other improvements at the mouth 
 of the Calumet and Calumet lake and our land being 
 high and better located than Chicago — a considerable 
 town could be layed out about the bridge and all along. 
 "Senator Stephan A. Douglas controls the 160 acres 
 adjoining my land, between me and Trapp, and a good 
 deal of other land and would be the party to see and 
 interest in this work. 
 
 "The Calumet river in its long length will be a safe 
 harbor and I think must at its mouth be more capacious 
 than the Chicago river and being nearer the extreme 
 head of the lake is better placed than the Chicago. 
 
 "The bend of the Calumet is convenient for manu- 
 facturing purposes. To awaken the inhabitants of Blue 
 Island to the necessity of improving the Calumet so as 
 to permit vessels to come up would fetch in an interest 
 that would benefit the entire section." 
 Respectfully your, 
 
 A. W. Spies. 
 There is an interesting incident related in 
 connection with early navigation on the Calumet 
 river. The Illinois Central and the Michigan 
 Central railroads in the early days had built 
 solid wooden bridges over the stream never 
 thinking that by any possibility would vessels of 
 any kind attempt to navigate the Calumet. One 
 day in the early 70's a big steamer loaded with 
 slabs sailed up the Calumet. The vessel had 
 been chartered by James H. Bowen, who owned 
 a large tract of land at Wildwood. It was the 
 first vessel of any description to bring a cargo 
 up the river after the bridges had been built. 
 The vessel proceeded as far as the railroad 
 bridges and then stopped. The captain blew 
 three blasts on the whistle and then delivered a 
 formal notice to the railroad officials that unless 
 way was made immediately for his vessel up the 
 navigable stream he would proceed to bunt his 
 way through. There was no further delay on 
 the part of the railroad officials, who well knew 
 the penalties attached by the government for 
 obstructing a navigable stream. A passageway 
 for the steamer was at once sawed through the 
 bridge, and the vessel proceeded. Shortly after- 
 ward a draw was put in. Thus was opened the 
 navigation of the Calumet river. 
 
 E. J. Tinkham of Chicago, Germanicus Cooley 
 of Blue Island and others had large scows on 
 the Calumet river which were used to float grain 
 and produce from Blue Island to Chicago by 
 way of the Calumet river and Lake Michigan. 
 With the completion of the Rock Island railroad 
 all this ceased. 
 
 In the 70's, and away up until the middle 80's, 
 excursion steamers would ascend the Calumet 
 
 river and then by way of Stony creek go all 
 the way to the foot of Rexford street to take on 
 passengers. 
 
 The boiler of the "Calumet Trader" exploded 
 September 1, 1850, killing the engineer. The 
 Chicago Democrat of October 11, 1850, has this 
 news item: "The Calumet Trader, blown up 
 two or three weeks ago, has been repaired and 
 started yesterday morning on her regular trip 
 to the Calumet and Deep rivers where large 
 quantities of freight await her arrival. She will 
 run regularly hereafter until checked by winter. 
 Quite a trade has been opened between the Cal- 
 umet and this city for which The Trader is the 
 medium. She carried passengers as well as 
 freight. Andrew Granger, now her owner, pur- 
 chased the hull, raised and refitted it for ser- 
 vice." 
 
 "The Calumet Trader, the little craft owned 
 by A. Granger, Esq., having been remodeled, 
 made a trip up to Bridgeport yesterday morn- 
 ing. She is still to run upon the Calumet." — 
 Chicago Democrat, May 6, 1852. 
 
 This little vessel, which played an important 
 part in early water transportation, was capable 
 of storing 40 to 50 cords of wood and had a 
 speed of five to six miles an hour. Her smoke- 
 stack could be lowered to permit passage under 
 bridges. 
 
 The Illinois and Michigan canal was begun 
 in 1836 and opened in 1848. However, addi- 
 tional water was necessary and the Calumet 
 Feeder was built in 1849. This was supplied 
 with water by building a dam in the Calumet 
 river, fragments of which may still be seen 
 under Roll's bridge. (Calumet Feeder joined 
 the Calumet river at Blue Island with the Illi- 
 nois and Michigan canal at the Sag.) 
 
 Young brothers' boat, "Calumet Traders", 
 and many others plied up and down the Cal- 
 umet Feeder canal, carrying supplies of garden, 
 truck and produce to Chicago from local com- 
 munities and bringing back coal, farming im- 
 plements, etc. This commerce continued for 
 more than twenty years. 
 
 In the early seventies other means were 
 formed to supply water to the Illinois and 
 Michigan canal. A "deep cut" was completed 
 and a connection was made with the Desplaines 
 river via the Ogden-Wentworth ditch. Later 
 pumping works were established at Bridgeport. 
 
 Commerce on the Calumet Feeder had lagged. 
 The stream had been abandoned by the Canal 
 commissioners. The dam backed up water in 
 the Calumet river and flooded Indiana farms. 
 A bill had been passed by the state legislature 
 in 1872 for removal of the dam. John Roll and 
 Charles Pfeiffer secured an injunction because 
 
44 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 of water rights granted them, and a bitter inter- 
 state dispute ensued. The Indiana farmers, 
 whose land was being flooded, became enraged 
 at the delay and decided to take matters in their 
 own hands. Finally one dark night along in 
 1875 a group of Hoosier farmers made their 
 way quietly to the hated dam. There was an 
 explosion and a rush of water, — the dam was 
 down. Roll and Pfeiffer offered $500 reward, 
 but no one ever found out who the destroyers 
 were. The destruction of the dam rendered use- 
 
 A Pioneer Home 
 
 Built by Fred Schild, about 185U, on the north 
 side of Broadway, west of the Rock Island tracks, 
 using brick from Blue Island's first brick yard. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Albert Schmidt. 
 
 less the grist mill which Roll had been operat- 
 ing by water power from the dam. The state 
 paid Roll and Pfeiffer $6000 to settle their 
 claim. 
 
 Fred Gardner, of Thornton, a close associate 
 of Gurdon Hubbard, one of the very first set- 
 tlers in that section, some years ago related the 
 story of the blowing up of the dam. He stated 
 that there were thirty men in the party, mostly 
 farmers, representing ownership to about 10,000 
 acres of land bordering on the Calumet river. 
 Gardner originally owned the large stone quar- 
 ries at Thornton which he later sold to the 
 Brownell Improvement Companv of Chicago 
 
 for $12,000. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Origin of "Calumet" 
 
 When the white man first came to the Calumet 
 district the Indians had a name for the river 
 and the same name for one of the chain of 
 lakes. The largest lake was called Wolf lake, 
 the smallest Bear lake. The two other lakes 
 were later known as Hyde lake and Lake George. 
 All of these are now disappearing. Hyde and 
 Bear lakes are long gone and Lake George and 
 
 Wolf lakes are being filled up for industrial 
 and railroad uses. 
 
 However, Lake Calumet survives and it is to 
 be made into a harbor. It is of the original 
 name of this lake that we would now speak. 
 
 On the earliest maps it was designated "Kono- 
 mick", later "Calomink". There were many 
 spellings similar. Finally the word Calumet 
 was settled upon. 
 
 The Indian word "Konomick" means snow 
 beaver or white beaver. This was the original 
 title of the lake and river. There were beaver 
 dams in and around Lake Calumet, according 
 to Father Marquette's diary. 
 
 Of course, it was difficult for the white man 
 to understand Indian speech. The word Cal- 
 umet, meaning pipe of peace, was the one Indian 
 word well known everywhere. The early white 
 settlers took the grunted "Konomick" to be Cal- 
 umet and so it has been for a hundred years 
 
 or more. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Prairie Fires 
 
 One of the most spectacular and thrilling 
 sights, as well as the most menacing and fear- 
 some, which the early settlers witnessed each 
 fall was the "burning over" of the prairies. No 
 one was ever able to tell certainly how these 
 prairie fires got started — perhaps from a match 
 carelessly tossed aside — a spark from a chim- 
 
 Old McClintock Home 
 Built about 1856 on Vermont Street, near Rock 
 Island tracks, where Hennig's Floral establish- 
 ment is now located. Used in the early days as a 
 school. — Photo courtesy Mrs. Albert Schmidt. 
 
 ney — or by some pyro-maniac whose desire for 
 a thrill did not take into account the danger to 
 life and property which his act occasioned. 
 (Later, when the railroads were built, the "fire- 
 spitting" locomotives got all the blame.) 
 
 Since very little of the prairie land was under 
 cultivation there were thousands of acres of low 
 land surrounding the ridge covered with virgin 
 growth of tall grass and brush. This grass often 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 45 
 
 reached a height of four and five feet. Then 
 after a pronlonged hot and dry spell the grass 
 became as dangerous as powder, ready to flare 
 up at the slightest touch of a spark. 
 
 Settlers in the danger zone usually took the 
 precaution to keep fresh earth furrows plowed 
 around buildings and haystacks. Yet when high 
 winds arose even these precautions did not al- 
 ways prevent the destruction of considerable 
 property. These fires spread with amazing rap- 
 idity and sometimes extended for miles in every 
 direction. The sight, especially on a dark night, 
 was thrilling and awe-inspring and always at- 
 tracted a large crowd of spectators to the safe 
 vantage point on top of the hill. 
 
 Prairie fires, although now one of the almost 
 foxgotten incidents of the past, were as real a 
 menace to the early settlers as were the wolves 
 and other wild beasts of the forest. 
 
 The Chicago Democrat in its issue of October 
 15, 1834, describes a prairie fire as follows: 
 
 "Last week the prairies presented the grand 
 and beautiful spectacle which is to be seen at 
 this season of the year, at which the prairies 
 burn over. At night, just above the horizon, 
 appears one continuous line of fire, here and 
 there shooting up a distance of 10 to 30 feet. 
 Where the grass is thick and heavy and the 
 breezes pass over it presents the appearance of 
 the heaving ocean. The only damage we heard 
 of was the burning of a building of Robert 
 Huguine which was recently put up two miles 
 from town and the destruction of considerable 
 quantities of hay which had been stacked. 
 * * * 
 
 Infant Industries 
 
 Like every other pioneer community that was 
 ever founded, Blue Island had many infant in- 
 dustries that were started in order to supply a 
 local demand. They flourished for a while and 
 then vanished. Unable to stand the press of 
 encroaching competition with improved and 
 faster methods of production, their owners us- 
 ually quit after a short period of operation, 
 poorer in pocket than when they started. 
 
 Exception to this latter statement must be 
 made in the case of the breweries which flour- 
 ished here for quite a number of years, and 
 undoubtedly made some money for their own- 
 ers. The Schwartz and Fox stone quarries quit 
 only when the good stone had been "worked 
 out", and the Roll flour mill had to cease when 
 its source of water-power was destroyed. 
 
 The "hand brick yards of Tewes and Reusnow 
 were victims of machinery competition, and the 
 tanneries of Waniata and Lindner quit operat- 
 
 ing when the local supply of skins and pelts 
 was exhausted. 
 
 D. 0. Robinson had a carpenter shop on the 
 hill just south of the Blue Island House in 
 1850. It was later moved to the south side of 
 Grove street, just west of Henry street, where, 
 for a time it was used by Carl Adams as a 
 private German school. It then became a paint 
 shop until destroyed by fire. 
 
 C. D. Robinson had the first lumber yard in 
 1848-50. Only the most needed kinds and 
 dimensions were carried and nearly all of it in 
 the rough. Inside trim, windows and doors had 
 to be obtained in Chicago. Mrs. Laura Rex- 
 ford Pettijohn of Pasadena, Cal., recently sent 
 the writer a photograph of the first house built 
 by her grandfather, C. D. Robinson, in 1840, in 
 the north end of the village. All of the doors, 
 
 
 
 
 ' I •' '' 
 
 • ^^"ip***"* ~ 
 
 
 C. D. Robinson House 
 Built in Early Forties 
 
 This house stood north of Burr Oak avenue in 
 the north-western part of the settlement. The 
 doors and window casings for this building 
 were brought from New York. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Geo. Pettijohn. 
 
 windows and casings for this house were brought 
 from New York. 
 
 H. H. Massey and Cyrus Sammons had a 
 large warehouse on top of the hill, on the south 
 side of Grove street, east of Western. For a 
 number of years they did a large business in 
 the sale of agricultural implements, lumber and 
 grain. This building, too, was eventually de- 
 stroyed by fire. 
 
 Jacob Sauerteig, located on the east side of 
 Western avenue, between Grove and Vermont, 
 conducted the business of locksmith for a num- 
 ber of years. The advent of patented and im- 
 proved locks and machine manufactured parts 
 soon made his business unprofitable. 
 
 Anton Baintele established a shingle shop at 
 Western avenue and Broadway in 1854. He 
 made good shingles, too, but the machine manu- 
 factured product brought in from outside 
 sources soon killed the local project. 
 
46 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS'" 
 
 Samuel Alschuler opened a photgoraph stu- 
 dio in the Dow House on Grove street in 1855, 
 but the venture proved unprofitable and he 
 gave up after about a year. 
 
 Peter Barton first had a little cabin on the 
 south-east corner of Grove street and Western 
 avenue where he sold a few notions and grocer- 
 ies. His was the first store in Blue Island in 
 1836. Two years later he platted the territory 
 south of Stony creek and named it Portland, 
 which later became Blue Island. 
 
 Edie Ann Jones and Mother 
 Edie Ann Jones, (standing) the first white 
 female child born in Blue Island. Hter 
 mother was Martha Crandall and her mar- 
 riage to Stephen Jones in 1837 was the sec- 
 ond nuptial ceremony to be performed in the 
 village. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Peter Hall, 
 
 Edie Ann Jones and her mother had a carpet 
 loom and weaved rag carpets for a large major- 
 ity of the homes in the village. Their home 
 was at the corner of Western avenue and Union 
 street, facing Western. A granddaughter of 
 Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Peter Hall, formerly Lida 
 Roberts, lives in Pasadena, Cal. 
 * * * 
 
 The "Folk House", as it was known, was the 
 last house on top of the hill on the west side of 
 Western avenue. It was a one and one-half 
 story frame building. Dr. Truesdale occupied 
 it one time and Jacob Boehl lived in it for a 
 short time. It was destroyed by fire in the 
 early 60's. 
 
 In the later 50's, J. C. Bueter had a drug 
 store in the Duensing building. 
 
 Blue Island's First Orchard 
 
 Hiram Squier was one of the first to settle in 
 the "original" town of Portland. He came here 
 in 1845 and built a home on Canal street, then 
 known as the "feeder road." Squier at one time 
 owned a valuable farm in Thornton township, 
 but his later years were devoted to the care of a 
 very fine orchard located at the homestead on 
 Canal street. 
 
 A most interesting story about the origin of 
 this. Blue Island's first orchard, was recently 
 told the writer by Mrs. C. C. (Lizzie Squier) 
 Claussen. "Between 1840 and '45, John Squier, 
 a captain on the Great Lakes, saw Blue Island 
 for the first time. He returned to Buffalo, N. 
 Y., went to a cider mill and washed apple pulp 
 to get a peck of seeds which he brought to Blue 
 Island and his brother, Hiram, sowed them 
 broadcast like grain. It was a nursery of trees 
 of all sizes and kinds. Pioneers in Illinois came 
 twenty miles to buy young trees. Some bore 
 fine fruit, some were grafted or "budded." 
 Jonathan Perriam, editor of the Prairie Farmer 
 at that time, was a brother of Mrs. Benjamin 
 Sanders, and printed a long account of this 
 and other early orchards in his paper." 
 
 Thus was the beginning of the first orchard 
 in Blue Island in the early 50's, the predecessor 
 and parent of many orchards in northern Illi- 
 nois. William Morgan planted an orchard in 
 the north ridge section in 1855 and two years 
 later Charles D. Iglehart also planted one. 
 
 » * * 
 
 Mrs. Claussen also related the following 
 amusing incident of her first experience in 
 school: "I was about four years old when we 
 lived in a low double house of Mr. Robinson's 
 and the Fox family in the other end. Mrs. 
 Fox had a small niece, named Martha Peck, 
 living with her. She and Em Robinson went 
 to school to Mrs. Laura McClintock, first house 
 below a very terrible hill (Vermont street). 
 One day after a snowstorm Em decided I must 
 go to school with her. We started. Alas! I 
 fell down. Finally we arrived and I was told 
 to sit on a small bench behind the outside door. 
 When the door was closed it was O.K. — but 
 when it was opened — whew! — it was cold. But 
 Martha and Em were three years bigger than I 
 and I felt crowded as I had a chair of my own at 
 home. Once I plucked up courage to remark. 
 'I want a drink.' So teacher told Em to wait 
 on me. Whew! imagine my consternation when 
 Em held a large gourd for me to drink out of — 
 me, who had a lovely cup at home all my very 
 own. I doubt if I ever asked for a drink again 
 — to me it was a "queer punkin'." 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 47 
 
 Bauer's Brewery 
 
 The first of four beer brewing establishments erected here 
 
 during the early '50s. 
 
 Four Breweries Here in Early Days 
 
 Early in the 1850 period, less than twenty 
 years after Courtney and Rexford had cleared 
 ground for their pioneer cabins, we find the 
 little community of only a few hundred people 
 already taking on the aspects of an industrial 
 town. Blue Island had become a beer brewing 
 center and no less than four plants of that 
 nature were built here during a space of only 
 a few years. 
 
 Always used to having their beer, the German 
 men who only shortly before had flocked here 
 frequently found it difficult to obtain that, 
 which to them, seemed a daily comfort and 
 necessity. During the wet season there were 
 times when for several weeks only the most 
 dire necessities of the settlement were hauled 
 in over the treacherous roads. 
 
 Beer and liquor could be obtained only at 
 Chicago or from distant points in Indiana. 
 
 Our German settlers solved the problem by 
 building breweries which would supply not only 
 their own requirements but also those of the 
 many new settlements that were springing up 
 all around. 
 
 So in 1858 we find four breweries in full 
 operation brewing the amber liquid derived 
 from malt, hops and yeast. 
 
 The Bauer brewery, the first to be built here, 
 was a low rambling frame building on the 
 north side of James street, just below the hill. 
 It had but small manufacturing capacity yet its 
 product was favorably known throughout the 
 surrounding territory. Brewing at this plant 
 was abandoned more than fifty years ago and 
 the buildings were gradually removed. In one 
 of the pictures printed with these articles is a 
 view of this old brewery. 
 
 Valentine Busch and Michael Brandt erected 
 a brewery at York and Gregory streets in 1856. 
 Philip Zorn, who had come to Blue Island the 
 year previous, was the manager. This brew- 
 ery had a capacity of 5000 barrels of beer per 
 annum. It employed six men in the brewing 
 department and three teams. Louis Busch suc- 
 ceeded Zorn as manager in 1876, the latter 
 moving to Michigan City. August Koenecke, a 
 brother of Fred Koenecke the cigar manufac- 
 turer, operated this brewery for a short time. 
 Later the business was taken over by the United 
 Breweries Co., which greatly improved the 
 property. Jerry Jones and Herman Wagner 
 were managers during those years. Operation 
 of the brewery was discontinued in 1918. 
 Remains of this brewery are still standing. The 
 property is now owned by J. C. and Wm. 
 Klein. 
 
48 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Reiser's brewery, which stood just a block 
 south from the Busch and Brandt plant, on 
 Gregory street, was operated only a short time 
 and the buildings have long since been torn 
 down. The Evangelical Friendens church now 
 occupies the site. 
 
 The Metz brewery, also known as the Bohe- 
 mian or Pilsner brewery, stood on the edge of 
 the hill at Ann and James streets. This brew- 
 ery was built in 1855 by George Metz, who was 
 one of the earliest brewers in Chicago. It 
 changed ownership several times and in the 
 early 80's L. J. Kadish was the owner and E. A. 
 Kadish, his son, was the manager. This brewery 
 had a capacity of 15,000 barrels of beer per year 
 and employed fifteen men. It was still in opera- 
 
 Rudolph Brand 
 Nephew of the founder of Busch 
 and, Brand's brewery and man- 
 ager of the local plant for a num- 
 ber of years. 
 
 tion in 1884 but shut down shortly thereafter. 
 The buildings were of brick and frame con- 
 struction. Two fires occurred here in 1886, the 
 last of which wiped out the property completely. 
 
 During those years Blue Island was known 
 as a "brewery town" and the writer of this 
 remembers well the rows of enormous vats in 
 which beer was stored in the cooling cellars 
 that extended for a considerable distance into 
 the hillside. 
 
 The modern methods of cooling were un- 
 known in those days so recourse was had to 
 the storage in underground tunnels. The hill- 
 sides of Blue Island were ideally adapted for 
 this purpose and that was one of the principal 
 reasons so many of the breweries located here. 
 
 Parts of these tunnels which honey-combed the 
 eastern and southern slopes of the bluff, are 
 still to be found. 
 
 There were no "yeast cakes" or "compressed 
 yeast" those days and housewives depended al- 
 most entirely on brewer's yeast for their baking. 
 This was a grayish-yellow semi-liquid substance 
 which the breweries used for fermenting beer. 
 On Saturdays, which was the generally accepted 
 baking-day, one could usually see a line of chil- 
 dren, and even grown folks, each equipped with 
 a pitcher or some similar vessel, heading toward 
 the nearest brewery, there to obtain the penny's 
 worth of yeast for the family baking. A penny's 
 worth, as I remember, was about half a pint and 
 sufficient for a large baking. 
 
 Blue Island beer was good beer and there was 
 a large demand for it from Chicago where most 
 of it was shipped. The Busch & Brand and 
 Metz beer was particularly good and had large 
 sales. It was generally brewed in the winter 
 and stored in large vats in deep cellars. It was 
 then drawn into smaller casks as needed. Beer 
 in the 50's sold generally for 3 cents a glass, 
 but was gradually raised to 5 cents a glass. 
 Whiskey at this time was proportionately cheap, 
 often as low as 18 cents a gallon, but usually 
 about 25 to 35 cents a gallon. 
 
 Flour and Grist Mills 
 
 During the late 50's John Sleight erected a 
 building on the north side of Vermont street, 
 just east of the Rock Island main line on the 
 site of the present Illinois Central depot tracks. 
 He installed steam power and for a couple of 
 years operated a flour mill. The venture did 
 not prove profitable and after a short period of 
 idleness the plant was dismantled. The build- 
 ing was then moved to the south side of Ver- 
 mont street and remodeled into a dwelling. It 
 was known for many years as the "Green 
 House". It was destroyed by fire in 1873. 
 
 Claus Schulz had a place on Western avenue, 
 south of the slough (near Libby's) in the late 
 50's, where he specialized in the grinding of 
 "grits", oatmeal and pearl barley. Like the 
 Sleight venture it was unprofitable and lasted 
 only a short time. 
 
 Edward Eichhoff, who also had a flour and 
 feed store in the village, was associated with 
 John Roll in the grist mill at the Calumet river. 
 This mill was operated by water power from 
 the dam of the feeder canal. When the dam 
 was blown up in 1875 by irate Indiana farmers 
 whose land had been inundated, the power to 
 operate the mill was gone and it ceased to exist. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 49 
 
 The First Brick Yard 
 
 The value of the immense clay deposits to be 
 found in various localities around Blue Island 
 was discovered in the early 50's, when Henry 
 Wibben established a brick yard near the Cal- 
 umet river at the extreme southern limit of the 
 village. Here brick was made for many years 
 by the old hand-mold process. The method of 
 
 Henry W. Schmitt 
 Pioneer of the early 50's. Engaged 
 first in blacksmithing and the man- 
 ufacture of wagons. In 1872 con- 
 ducted a meat-market. In later 
 years operated a restaurant and 
 boarding house known as "Tran- 
 sient House." 
 
 manufacture was extremely crude and slow 
 when compared with that of the numerous large 
 brick yards now located in the vicinity of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 The product of this pioneer yard entered into 
 the construction of nearly all of the buildings 
 erected here during those years and many brick 
 were also supplied to other communities. 
 
 The writer, who Was raised within a half mile 
 of the Calumet river, visited this yard many 
 times during his early boyhood days. The pro- 
 cess of making brick then, as he remembers it, 
 was something like this: a large wheel (prob- 
 ably 8 feet in diameter) was pivoted to a central 
 post by one end of a long wooden sweep or 
 shaft passing through its center. This shaft 
 extended on the outward side of the wheel a dis- 
 tance of six to eight feet. The entire contrap- 
 tion was made of wood strongly bolted together. 
 Around the rim of the wheel wooden cleats 
 about three inches thick were bolted. A horse 
 
 was hitched to the outer end of the shaft and 
 the wheel was then revolved around in a circle. 
 The rim of the wheel traveled in a sort of pit 
 into which wet clay had been thrown. The 
 churning action of the wheel thoroughly "pud- 
 dled" the clay and broke up all lumps and hard 
 substances. The soft clay was then shovelled 
 into molds and thoroughly packed down. Next 
 the shaped bricks were dumped from the molds 
 and deposited on long shelves made of planks, 
 where they were allowed to dry in the sun. 
 
 Women were employed to turn the bricks from 
 time to time and when sufficiently dry the bricks 
 were burned to hardness over wood fires. 
 
 Wibben operated this yard for eight or ten 
 years when he sold out to Henry Tewes. 
 The latter continued making brick until the 
 later seventies. The brick made at this yard 
 were a light yellow color, but of good quality, 
 and were used in many of the buildings erected 
 during those years. 
 
 In the meantime Carl Reusnow opened a 
 brick yard at Vermont and Ashland avenue, em- 
 ploying the same method of manufacture as that 
 
 Charles F. Eidam 
 
 Pioneer shoe merchant and active 
 member of the Blue Island Lied- 
 erkranz. 
 
 used at the Tewes yard. The brick made by 
 Reusnow were of a darker color and somewhat 
 harder than those of the older yard. 
 
 However, common brick of machine-manufac- 
 ture were by this time coming into the market 
 in ever increasing quantity and the business of 
 the hand yards fell off to a point where it was 
 no longer profitable to operate them. Tewes 
 
50 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 quit in the late seventies and when Yard 17 at 
 Purington was opened in 1883 Reusnow also 
 ceased operations. 
 
 John Sleicht had a small yard near the Reus- 
 nows, at Ashland avenue and the river. He had 
 very small production and operated only a short 
 time. 
 
 I. G. Haeberer had a small brick yard in 1852 
 at about what is now York street and the Grand 
 
 Herman Schmitt 
 Pioneer merchant, founder of a 
 mercantile establishment which for 
 many years was one of the leading 
 institutions of the village. 
 
 Trunk railroad. It was the first yard located 
 here and was operated only a short time. 
 
 These crude yards were the forerunners of the 
 many modern plants now located here, and 
 which have made this city the center of the 
 common brick making industry of the United 
 
 States. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Stone Quarries 
 
 Franz Schwartz, grandfather of Blue Island's 
 present city clerk, Louis Schwartz, bought land 
 on Crawford avenue, near 147th street, in the 
 early fifties, planning to farm it. 
 
 One of the first requisites of a farm was, of 
 course, a plentiful supply of water, so the dig- 
 ging of a well was begun. When down six or 
 eight feet an obstruction was met, which proved 
 to be a solid layer of limestone. Other spots 
 for a well were selected, but the result was the 
 same, the whole farm was underlaid with lime- 
 stone, which, upon test, proved to be of super- 
 ior quality for building purposes. 
 
 So Mr. Schwartz temporarily abandoned the 
 
 idea of farming and opened a stone quarry. 
 Stone from this quarry were used in many of 
 the earlier buildings of the village and consider- 
 able quantites were also shipped to Chicago by 
 way of the feeder and Illinois and Michigan 
 canal. The first lighthouse in the South Chicago 
 harbor was built of stone from the Schwartz 
 quarry, being transported there by means of 
 barges on the Calumet river. For several years 
 Schwartz maintained a "stone yard" in the west 
 half of the block on Vermont street where the 
 Savings and Loan Association is now located. 
 
 William and Frederick Seyfarth opened a 
 stone quarry and lime kiln near what is now 
 135th street and Claire boulevard in the early 
 fifties. The stone taken out by them was too 
 soft and the venture proved unsuccessful. 
 
 Bernhard Knirsch then took hold and oper- 
 ated the quarry for a number of years. The 
 lower strata of stone proved of good quality and 
 found a ready market. The First Lutheran 
 
 Corner York and Western 
 Building' erected in 1855 by Herman 
 Schmitt. In later years this corner was 
 much improved as Schmitt Bros, depart- 
 ment store. 
 
 Church at Grove and Ann streets, erected in 
 1863, is built entirely of stone from this quarry 
 furnished at a cost of $2.50 a cord. 
 
 About 1870, John B. Fox, who some years 
 before had engaged in farming near this quarry, 
 took charge and operated it successfully for a 
 number of years. Mr. Fox, who, when four 
 years old, met with an accident which caused 
 him the loss of one eye and soon the sight of 
 the other also, was generally known as the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 51 
 
 North-east Corner of Western avenue and York street. Showing a stage in the development of 
 
 the Schmitt Property. 
 
 "blind man." He was a familiar figure on the 
 streets of Blue Island and in spite of his afflic- 
 tion was of cheerful disposition and got about 
 anywhere aided only by his cane. He could go 
 unerringly into any store or place in the village 
 and was quick to recognize any voice when 
 spoken to. Mr. Fox supplied most of the stone 
 used in street improvement work and in the 
 abutment of bridges built after village incor- 
 poration. He retired from business in 1889. 
 
 Both of these quarries have long since been 
 abandoned and the village of Robbins now oc- 
 cupies the site. The series of holes or pits from 
 which stone were taken have filled with water 
 and now are known as the "beautiful Robbins 
 
 Lakes." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Whisky Distilleries 
 
 The straggling village of Blue Island had 
 not only its breweries but the distilling of whis- 
 kies and brandies was also undertaken here in 
 the early davs. 
 
 Staemmler Brothers started the distilling of 
 whiskies and brandies in a building on Western 
 avenue near the Stony creek in the early 50's. 
 The venture did not prove successful. 
 Then Robert Schaare opened a place on West- 
 
 ern avenue, near Desplaines street, with a sim- 
 ilar venture, and D. F. Tippenwreiter engaged in 
 the rectifying of spiritous liquors at Western 
 avenue and Market street. Both these latter 
 ventures lasted only a short time and proved 
 failures. 
 
 Tanneries of Early Days 
 
 In the early 50's Wenzel Waniata carried on 
 the business of tanning leather of all kinds in 
 a building in the rear of his property at Canal 
 and Rexford streets. He did a thriving business 
 for a number of years, during busy times em- 
 ploying 5 to 6 men as helpers. 
 
 Thousands of muskrats, mink, racoons and 
 other small fur-bearing animals were trapped 
 every winter in the vicinity of the ridge and 
 the adjoining swamps. The preparation of 
 these pelts was a specialty to which Sabastian 
 Lindner devoted himself in a small building 
 that stood at the edge of Stony creek, on West- 
 ern avenue. He worked alone for a number of 
 years until further operation became unprofit- 
 able. He later opened a candy and tobacco store 
 at the same location which continued in business 
 many years. 
 
52 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Crafts and Trades 
 
 Nearly all of the wagons used here in the 50's 
 and 60's were made in Blue Island by local 
 blacksmiths and wagonmakers. Some of the 
 men listed below had combination shops. The 
 year they located here is given after the name: 
 
 Blacksmiths — John Brittain '37; Nathaniel 
 Sherwood '46; Louis Brand '52; Wm. Lowe '51; 
 John Hartung '52; Henry Boening '52; Fred 
 Dietz '52; Henry Doehler '54; John Fred Lau 
 '54; Henry W. Schmitt '54; John Wolfinger '54; 
 Wm. Black '56; Julius Hoffman '56; Fred Volk- 
 man '56; Patrick Madigan '58. 
 
 Wagonmakers — Stephan Jones '37 ; Fred 
 Steffes '51; William Sorgenfrei '54; Rodney N. 
 Day '51; John Staffel '56; Fred Kranz '59. 
 
 During the early 50's and up to the middle 
 60's carpenters and masons experienced a busy 
 period. It was during these years the breweries 
 were built, the German Methodist and First 
 Lutheran churches, the Bauer buildings, the Mor- 
 gan and Uhlich homes, and numerous business 
 buildings. Among the artisans resident here at 
 that time were: 
 
 Carpenters — D. 0. Robinson and John Kelly 
 of the middle 40's; Fred Koehne '49; Erich 
 Claussen '52; Theodore Guenther '49; Fred 
 Wuetig '52; Wm. Heckler '52; Christian Krue- 
 ger '53; August Schubert '53; Joseph Ludolph 
 '55; Ludwig Lau '54; John Poehlsen '55; Philip 
 Krempel '56; Chr. Wagner '56; August Grothe 
 '56; David White '55; Martin Lange '56; Louis 
 Heideck '58 and Geo. Driese '58. 
 
 Masons and bricklayers — John Black '48; 
 John Heim '51 ; Michael Heim '51 ; John Koehler 
 '52; Wm. Bouri '52; Wm. Betts '52; Anton Drae- 
 ger '53; John Buch '53; Wm. Boening '53; 
 August Krueger '54; Frank Flassig '54; Henry 
 Grader '55. 
 
 Shoemakers — Peter Kich '48; Henry Asche 
 '49; Fred Klein '49; Walter Williams '51; 
 Christian Kantzler '52; August Rust '53; Christ- 
 ian Rust '53; Carl Kurstein '53; Heinrich Bar- 
 thel '53; Frank Flassig '54; Fred Schild '55; 
 Andrew Kantzler '54; Fred Hecht '56; John and 
 Clement Jostes '56; William Fischer '56; 
 
 Charles F. Eidam '57, and John Ihde '59. 
 * * * 
 
 During the building of the feeder canal (1848- 
 49) the contractors on the work erected a long 
 one-story log house which was used as a board- 
 ing house for laborers. This building stood 
 on the south side of the feeder near Western 
 avenue. 
 
 After the canal was finished the building 
 stood unused for a couple of years. It was 
 finally bought by Peter Besgen and Peter 
 
 Schlimm, who moved it south on Western 
 avenue to a lot just below Broadway. 
 
 Besgen and Schlimm were old friends and 
 countrymen and occupied the building jointly. 
 
 Sometime in the early 60's Mrs. Besgen died 
 and shortly afterward Mr. Schlimm also passed 
 away. The widower Besgen then married the 
 widow Schlimm. They lived there a while 
 longer until Besgen had finished his new frame 
 dwelling at Western avenue and Market street. 
 
 In 1866 the writer's oldest sister, who had 
 married John Kern, lived in this log house for 
 a short time. Packs of prairie wolves still 
 roamed about and I remember hearing my par- 
 ents tell about how Kern on several occasions 
 at night went through a trap door to the flat 
 roof of the building and fired his shot gun at 
 
 the wolves in order to stop their howling. 
 
 * * * 
 
 As has already been mentioned, the building 
 of the feeder canal through Blue Island, in 1849, 
 was an event of more than passing importance 
 in the history of the village. Just as in our day, 
 with the present ship canal projects underway, 
 so also great things were expected of water 
 transportation via the canal and river at that 
 time. 
 
 The Rexford warehouse, erected on the south 
 bank of the canal feeder near Division street, 
 was a large building intended as storage for 
 grain and produce to be shipped by canal. But 
 about the time it was completed the Rock Island 
 railroad was built through Blue Island and 
 there was never any use made of the building. 
 It stood vacant a number of years and was 
 
 finally burned down. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Before the building of the Rock Island rail- 
 road the south-east portion of the ridge, or 
 "hill", was the highest point and ended more 
 abruptly than any other part of the entire Blue 
 Island ridge. The hill originally covered all 
 of the space south of Vermont street, east across 
 the present Rock Island main line tracks and 
 south to Fulton street, where it ended very ab- 
 ruptly. All the space now occupied by the 
 Rock Island depot, the Klein elevator and ware- 
 house, the bottling plant and the Newhouse coal 
 yard was excavated out of the hill, supplying 
 thousands of carloads of filling material for the 
 Rock Island roadbed. Vermont street, Grove 
 street and Rexford street were very steep at that 
 time. For two or three years after the gravel 
 had been removed from the side hill there was 
 a very steep stairs on Grove street, leading from 
 Rexford street to the bottom of the hill, where 
 the first depot was located (south of Grove 
 street. ) 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 53 
 
 In the Late Sixties 
 East side of Western avenue, between Grove and Vermont 
 streets. The little building, between the two larger 
 buildings at the right, is where Blue Island's first news- 
 paper, The Herald, was started in 1873 by Charles Feist- 
 korn. 
 
 Early in the 40's a man named Barteleme 
 owned all of the property on the east side of 
 Western avenue between Fulton street and Stony 
 Creek. In 1847, M. Dillschneider built a tav- 
 ern and summer garden on this property. One 
 of the attractions of the place was an open air 
 bowling alley ("Kegelbahn") a game which 
 was largely patronized by German residents. 
 The boards of the alley, being laid right on the 
 ground became so warped in time that if a 
 ball rolled down the middle board it would 
 always result in a strike. 
 
 The tavern was a one and one-half story 
 frame, with a porch the full length on the 
 street side. It was destroyed by fire in the 
 late 50's. 
 
 Germanicus Cooley, who located in Blue Is- 
 land in 1839, built a house on Rexford street, 
 between Vermont street and Grove street, about 
 where the Klein elevator now stands. 
 
 When in 1851 the Rock Island railroad 
 bought all that portion of the hill lying between 
 Vermont, Rexford and Fulton streets, and start- 
 ed excavating the gravel, Cooley was compelled 
 to move his house. The new location of the 
 building was at the south-west corner of West- 
 ern avenue and Vermont street, (only the north 
 
 half of Vermont street was platted and open at 
 that time). Heinrich Boese occupied it several 
 years as a residence and for some time later it 
 was used as a private school. Then Charles F. 
 Eidam acquired the property (1857) and used 
 it as shoe shop and residence for many years. 
 In 1892 the village council approved a plat for 
 opening Vermont street to its full width from 
 Western avenue to Ann street and the building 
 was then moved to the north side of Vermont 
 street, west of Maple avenue, where it stands 
 today, but so improved and altered that it bears 
 but little resemblance to its former appearance. 
 Eidam in the meantime erected a two-story brick 
 store and residence on what then became the 
 south-west corner lot of the intersection. This 
 building survived the big fire of 1896. It was 
 later enlarged and modernized and stood until 
 it was razed to make way for the modern bank 
 building which now occupies the site. 
 
 Next to the "Folk House", on the west side of 
 Western avenue, and just on the edge of the hill, 
 Nathaniel F. Sherwood in 1847 erected a two- 
 story frame residence building and blacksmith 
 shop where he carried on business for a number 
 of years. In the early 50's John and Clemens 
 Jostes occupied the residence. The shop was 
 torn down about 1860. 
 
54 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Half-way down the hill, and just north of 
 where the Schreiber hardware store now is, 
 Philip Hector, in 1848, erected a residence and 
 boarding house. It was torn down in the 
 late 60's. 
 
 The business of cooperage was carried on here 
 in the late 40's and up to the 60's, by William 
 Benjamin and Michael Koerner as private enter- 
 prises. Benjamin was located on the south- 
 west corner of Vermont street and Greenwood 
 avenue, and Koerner was for a time at the 
 south-east corner of Western avenue and Grove 
 street. They built barrels, tubs, buckets and 
 wooden tanks for local requirements. 
 
 Among the German settlers who flocked to 
 Blue Island in large numbers during the late 
 40's and early 50's, we find expert craftsmen 
 of a large variety of trades, nearly all of whom 
 had learned their art in the old country. There 
 were carpenters, cabinet makers, masons, coop- 
 ers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, iron workers, paint- 
 ers, wagon and carriage builders, chemists, 
 artists, photographers and many others of the 
 usual trades. And there were some occupations 
 which in our time would be considered unusual 
 and novel, but which in those pioneer days were 
 accepted as ordinary. 
 
 Such, for instance, as Anton Baintele who 
 made wooden shingles by hand. 
 
 Then there was Ferdinand Luedtke, an expert 
 smith, who in the latter 50's had a little shop 
 on Broadway, near the Rock Island railroad 
 tracks, where he made horseshoe nails by hand. 
 He made a good living at it, too, for a couple 
 of years. Then machine-made nails came on 
 the market and drove the price down to a point 
 where his business was no longer profitable and 
 he quit. 
 
 Christian Driese was the basketmaker of the 
 community in the early 50's and carried on the 
 business for quite a number of years. He was 
 first located on Canal street (then known as the 
 feeder road) and later moved to East Vermont 
 street, where members of the family still reside. 
 
 John Popp and William Bishop were every- 
 where known as the "well-diggers". They dug 
 most of the wells in the community in the 50's 
 and later. The average depth of wells on top 
 of the hill was between 35 and 50 feet, at which 
 depth usually a good supply of fine drinking 
 water was obtained. Once in a great while a 
 well was found where the water had an un- 
 pleasant taste and could not be used. 
 
 The water of a well dug on the Wolfinger 
 place, on the south-east corner of Western and 
 Burr Oak avenues, had a quite bitter taste. A 
 
 chemical analysis showed it to contain magnes- 
 ium sulphate of considerable volume. The water 
 could not be used for domestic purposes so an 
 attempt was made to market it as a mineral 
 water, but it was not a success. 
 
 Popp was locally known as "Little John". In 
 the latter 60's he quit the digging of wells, 
 moved to the east side of the Calumet river and 
 took up farming. He located on the south bank 
 of the river, about half-way between the feeder 
 dam and Ashland avenue. With the help of his 
 wife they formed bricks of clay and straw and 
 built their cabin. Later additions to this cabin, 
 as the family increased, were made of lumber. 
 This cabin was standing until quite recent 
 years. Two sons of this pioneer couple bought 
 property just east of the old home where they 
 engaged in farming. John Popp located just 
 east of Ashland avenue and Frank Popp's farm 
 adjoined his brother's farther east. The John 
 Popp farm is still being worked by his son 
 Frank, but the Frank Popp (Sr.) farm was 
 sold and turned into a golf course several 
 years ago. The old Frank Popp home is now 
 the residence of the caretaker of the Pipe 0' 
 
 Peace golf course. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Important Trading Center 
 
 Although many small communities had sprung 
 up around Blue Island during the early and 
 middle 40's there was not a store of any conse- 
 quence in any of them. Blue Island on the other 
 hand had some exceptionally well-stocked gen- 
 eral stores for that period. The natural result 
 of this was that Blue Island became the trading 
 center for a very large surrounding territory. 
 Then, too, most of those who did their trading 
 here also received their mail at this post office. 
 
 Blue Island's strategic location on the Vin- 
 cennes road — one of the earliest south-to-north 
 highways constructed in this section — also gave 
 the village an enormous advantage over neigh- 
 boring settlements. 
 
 Customers of Blue Island stores frequently 
 came from as far away as Dyer, Momence, Kan- 
 kakee, Mokena, Lockport, Lemont and other 
 places within a radius of fifty miles. Farmers 
 generally preferred to buy in Blue Island rather 
 than in Chicago where they had sold their 
 produce. 
 
 For nearly twenty years Vincennes road was 
 the most important traffic link between Chicago 
 and points to the south. Enormous trains of 
 heavily laden wagons were constantly passing 
 through Blue Island — one way or the other. 
 Nearly every one of these wagons would stop 
 here at least one night before proceeding to its 
 destination. Tavern-keepers did a rushing busi- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 55 
 
 ness and those engaged in general merchandising 
 also prospered. 
 
 Vinceness, Ind., one of the oldest, if not the 
 oldest city in Indiana, was a mission in 1702 
 and at one time capital of the state. Situated on 
 the Wabash river there was much traffic by flat 
 boats and it was believed that it would become 
 a very important city. Chicago thought it would 
 be advantageous to be connected with it. So 
 trade relations were established between the two 
 points. In 1853 two thousand wagon loads of 
 groceries, dry goods and other merchandise and 
 supplies passed through Blue Island from Chi- 
 cago for points in the upper Wabash section. 
 
 The Vincennes Trail, as it was known for 
 many years, intersected the Sauk Trail at Brown's 
 Corners, just south of what is now Chicago 
 Heights. These two trails were for many years 
 the high-roads of travel — the Sauk Trail from 
 east to west and the Vincennes Trail from north 
 to south. Each fed the traffic of the other. 
 
 Vast herds of cattle and sheep coming in over 
 the Sauk Trail from points south and west, des- 
 tined for the Chicago market, would strike their 
 northward course at this intersection and pass 
 over the Vincennes Trail through Blue Island. 
 Stories have been handed down by early settlers 
 of the enormous herds of cattle, thousands in 
 number, and flocks of sheep, sometimes three 
 and four miles in length, which usually would 
 "lay over" on the prairie near Blue Island in 
 order to give the weary herders and their ani- 
 mals a period of rest before proceeding into 
 
 Chicago. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Doctors of the 40's and 50's 
 
 During the first eight or ten years no doctor 
 was located in the settlement. This entailed a 
 great hardship on our first citizens, for, when 
 sickness came it meant a journey to Chicago, the 
 nearest point where a doctor could be procured. 
 
 Among those who located here during the 40's 
 and 50s' were the following: Doctor Truesdale, 
 who. came in the late 40's was perhaps the first 
 to establish himself here. Then came Dr. Henry 
 Folk who lived on Western avenue across from 
 the Blue Island House. Dr. Henry Douglas 
 came in the 50's as did also Dr. Adolph Boden- 
 stab. A Doctor Hiller was here for a short time 
 in 1853. In 1855 Dr. Graham Marr and Dr. 
 Emil D'Orville located in Blue Island, and a Dr. 
 I. G. Bauer was here only a few months in 1857. 
 Later, in the 60's, came the Doctors Berg, Old, 
 Allen and others. 
 
 It has been impossible to get a complete rec- 
 ord of the doctors who located here in the early 
 days, as some remained only a month or so. 
 
 Circulating Library 
 
 Magazines and books of all kinds were not so 
 plentiful in our little community in the days of 
 1840-50 as they are now. In fact, the reading 
 material available consisted almost exclusively 
 of the books each family had brought along 
 when they migrated here, and such copies of the 
 Chicago newspapers as found their way into the 
 village from time to time. 
 
 There was perhaps, no better or larger selec- 
 tion of books on history and travel in the village 
 then than that of Mr. Thomas McClintock. This 
 fine scholarly gentleman always stood ready to 
 help those less fortunately situated than himself, 
 so that when a committee proposed he permit the 
 loan of his books to the villagers he readily con- 
 sented. 
 
 So a plan was evolved under which a respon- 
 sible person could borrow a book and retain it a 
 certain number of days at a very slight charge. 
 Thus came into being Blue Island's first circulat- 
 ing library, consisting of approximately 100 vol- 
 umes. 
 
 Later, when the new brick school was built, in 
 1854, a very fine selection of books was avail- 
 able to the villagers from the library established 
 there. It consisted of some 800 volumes of his- 
 tory, science, travel and fiction. It was a very 
 excellently selected lot of books. Prof. Rodney 
 Welch, the principal, saw to it that there was no 
 
 trash. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Wanted "White Papoose" 
 
 Although most of the Indians left this vicinity, 
 following the signing of the treaty in 1833, 
 there were quite a number who lingered behind, 
 loathe to leave the beautiful country which had 
 been taken from them by the white man. While 
 these red men were generally inclined to be 
 friendly there was still a constant feeling of 
 distrust on the part of the white settlers when 
 any number of Indians was seen together near 
 the settlement. 
 
 So, when a nomadic tribe of Indians erected 
 their tepees not far from the home of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Royal Fox the household became alarmed 
 and saw the doors were kept locked. In spite 
 of these precautions the Indians often visited 
 their home. On one such occasion the Indians 
 saw the baby, Annis, and at once signified they 
 desired to buy the "pale face baby", offering to 
 trade for one of their own papooses. When the 
 offer was declined they came again, offering a 
 por>- and two papooses in exchange. Mrs. Fox 
 was in great fear lest her baby be stolen and 
 was greatly relieved when the Indians broke 
 camp and started for the West. 
 
56 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Early Names Cause Mail Confusion 
 
 In the early post office days there was much 
 trouble and confusion with the mails, owing to 
 the different names applied to the community, 
 not only by those living here, but also by those 
 from the outside. 
 
 Known at first by the original name "Blue 
 Island" as applied to the entire ridge, then plat- 
 ted and for a time known as Portland, although 
 the residents continued to call it Blue Island and 
 the Post Office department naming it "Worth," 
 it was a question whether a letter addressed to 
 Blue Island might or might not arrive at its 
 destination, as such an office did not exist ac- 
 cording to the post office authorities. 
 
 From May 1, 1839, to February 24, 1843, the 
 official name of the post office at Blue Island 
 was "Portland". 
 
 From February 24, 1843, to April 20, 1850, 
 it was "Blue Island". 
 
 Then legislation was enacted making the post 
 office name correspond with the name of the 
 township in which it was located, so the Blue 
 Island post office became "Worth". 
 
 The change did not suit the people, who fav- 
 ored the name Blue Island, and many efforts 
 were made to induce the post office department 
 to resume that name, but to no avail. 
 
 So for ten years, from April 20, 1850, to 
 January 10, 1860, the post office was known as 
 "Worth". 
 
 Following is an official communication sent 
 Postmaster Schapper in reply to a petition of 
 citizens requesting that the post office be known 
 officially as "Blue Island" — a name which by 
 that time was generally used: 
 
 Post Office Department, Appointment Office 
 
 Washington, D. C, April 12, 1858 
 
 Sir: 
 
 Frequent changes of the name of post offices are 
 productive of confusion and irregularities in keeping 
 the accounts of Postmasters, causing, very often, errors 
 in the books and much extra labor. Besides, they lead 
 to irregularity in transmission of mail matter, as post- 
 masters cannot, for some time at least, become familiar 
 with such change. For these reasons it is deemed inex- 
 pedient to change the name of the post office at Worth, 
 Cook County. 
 
 Respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
 
 Horatio King, 
 First Ass't. Postmaster General 
 
 The Rock Island railroad had been built 
 through the village by that time and the name 
 on the station was "Blue Island". 
 
 Pressure on the post office department at 
 Washington was increased and finally, after 
 more than ten years' effort, the following noti- 
 fication was received: 
 
 Post Office Department, Appointment Office 
 Washington, D. C, Jan. 10, 1860 
 
 Sir: 
 
 The Postmaster General has changed the name of 
 your Post Office from Worth to Blue Island, in the 
 County of Cook and State of Illinois; by which name 
 only will it be hereafter officially known. 
 
 You will be careful, in correspondence from your 
 office, especially with the department, to designate your 
 office by the official name only; and in the date of your 
 communication to the Department, to insert the name of 
 your county and the initials of your state, as well as the 
 name of your office. 
 
 You will have the enclosed bond properly executed, 
 with two sufficient sureties. When received here and 
 appproved, a new commission will be sent to you. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Signed: Horatio King, 
 First Ass't. Postmaster General 
 Postmaster, Worth, 
 Cook Co., 111. 
 
 The early day postmasters did not receive a 
 stated salary but were allowed a commission on 
 business done. The rate of commission varied 
 on different classifications, ranging anywhere 
 from 15 per cent up to 80 per cent on some. 
 Thus on registered matter, the postmaster re- 
 ceived 80 per cent of the fee. On receipts from 
 newspaper postage the postmaster got 50 per 
 cent. On letter postage the commission was 
 only 15 per cent. The whole system was rather 
 complicated and gave rise to frequent errors. 
 Postage rates varied considerably, depending 
 not only on weight of the letter, but also the 
 distance to be carried. In the late 50's and 
 early 60's an average letter sent to California 
 cost 10 cents; the same letter sent to Europe 
 would cost around one dollar, depending on 
 weight and country of destination. 
 
 Envelopes as we have them were not used. 
 A letter was written simply on one side of a 
 sheet of paper, the outer edges of the sheet of 
 paper were folded in, then the top and bottom 
 were folded over and sealed with a drop of seal- 
 ing wax. Government-issued postage stamps did 
 not make their appearance until the beginning 
 of the 60's, so postmasters usually wrote the 
 amount of postage paid on the face of the letter 
 sheet. 
 
 Chicago Older Than Blue Island 
 
 This writer has been asked whether the 
 statement one sometimes hears that Blue Island 
 is older than Chicago is true. That statment is 
 not true. Chicago was incorporated as a town 
 in August, 1833. In 1834, the year when Thomas 
 Courtney, the first white man came here to settle 
 Chicago had a population of 3,279. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 The First Murder 
 
 Murder was a henious and shocking crime 
 those days when a life was considered of far 
 greater value than it is today. So our little 
 settlement was horrified when the body of a 
 man, shot through the head, was found lying 
 by the roadside, in the Town of Worth, just 
 outside of Blue Island, Friday, December 18, 
 1857. In the road, opposite the spot where 
 the body was lying, was a large pool of blood, 
 and from this a bloody trail showed that the 
 deed had been done in the road and the mur- 
 derer had then dragged the body to the spot 
 where it was discovered. 
 
 A Chicago newspaper of that time tells the 
 story as follows: 
 
 especially proficient in mathematics. He soon 
 dissipated the family fortune. 
 
 "Landing in Chicago, May, 1857, intending 
 to settle near Oshkosh, Wis., he found himself 
 without money and a "through ticket" to Osh- 
 kosh. He worked for a while at the Hagerman 
 Tavern near Clark and Taylor streets, Chicago, 
 when he went to Blue Island in September, haul- 
 ing wood for two brothers, named Bode, also 
 Swiss people. 
 
 "Here he committed his first crime. Being 
 entrusted to bring back the mail, he learned 
 that the Bodes expected money from the old 
 country. He watched for it. It soon came; 
 a United States express money order for $387, 
 which he sold and fled to Milwaukee, purchas- 
 
 The Old Union House 
 Built by John Engelhart in 1875 and for many years conducted under 
 the name "Bairischer Hof." Photo courtesy L. Staffel. 
 
 "The man shot through the head, was recog- 
 nized as a German farmer living in the western 
 prairie named Lauermann. He started from 
 the Blue Island Hotel at daybreak, where he 
 had lodged the night before, with his team and 
 load of oats for Chicago. His team having 
 disappeared, suspicion was aimed at a young 
 Swiss, Albert Staub, alias Emile Derr, who had 
 stopped at the hotel with Lauermann, and who 
 asked his permission to ride with him to the 
 city. Sheriff Wilson and Captain Bradley, 
 noted detective, set to work; traced Staub to 
 Milwaukee, brought him back to Chicago where 
 he was placed in jail and pressed for confession 
 of the Lauermann murder and other crimes. 
 He admitted his age as only nineteen years, that 
 he was born and raised in Thalwill. near Zur- 
 ich, Switzerland. That he was a "blacksheep" 
 coming from excellent people; fine education, 
 
 ing a saloon for $600, at $80 down, the balance 
 on New Years Day. 
 
 "He went direct to Blue Island, fell in with 
 Lauermann, formed the plan of killing his 
 new found friend and selling his horses and 
 oats to get money for his business. 
 
 "The weather was terrifically cold and Staub 
 proposed to drive the team. Staub took the 
 lines, while Lauermann was kicking his feet 
 against the footboard to start the blood coursing 
 into his benumbed feet. While in this position 
 Staub drew a pistol, aimed it. A moment later 
 the German was dead. 
 
 "He dragged the body from the road and left 
 it. Driving the team to Milwaukee, arriving there 
 the 21st, he was immediately arrested, being 
 identified in a description furnished by Captain 
 Bradley. He stated his one object was plunder, 
 to get money enough to buy that saloon. He did 
 
58 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 not know how to get it only through robbery. 
 
 "He confessed in the Chicago jail, had a 
 short trial and paid the extreme penalty Tues- 
 day, April 20, 1858. Thousands gathered on 
 that rainy day; the crowd following the pro- 
 cession, wading in water knee-deep, to where 
 the gallows was erected, in Reuben street, near 
 Ashland avenue. 
 
 "The National Guard Cadets with Captain 
 Stryker, the Shields Guards under Captain 
 Kelly formed the square around the scaffold. 
 Rev. Baum of the Clark street Methodist church, 
 in German, warned others to keep away from 
 liquor, bad company and not allow their love 
 for money to lead them into crime." 
 
 This is the detailed story of the first murder 
 in Blue Island's early history. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Horrible Murder — Shocking Depravity" 
 
 Under the above caption the Chicago Demo- 
 cratic Press of October 5, 1853, recounts what 
 is believed to have been the first murder com- 
 mitted outside of, but in the near vicinity of 
 the village. 
 
 "It is an unpleasant task to be under the 
 necessity of recording the following facts. Leo 
 Cender and Anna Barbara Schenck were incar- 
 cerated in the county jail yesterday, charged 
 with the murder of Jacob Scheib on Thursday 
 upon the Rock Island railroad, near Blue Island, 
 in the Town of Worth. They were arrested about 
 1 o'clock yesterday morning, examined and 
 brought to the city in the afternoon. It appeared 
 upon examination that the woman Schenck had 
 been living for some time with the murdered 
 man as his wife; that Cender came to the house 
 in the evening and a quarrel ensued between 
 Cender and Scheib, of which the woman was the 
 subject; that in the affray Scheib was shot in 
 the breast with a shot-gun, causing his imme- 
 diate death. The alarm was given by a small 
 boy in the house at the time and the prisoners 
 were arrested in the same bed, but little removed 
 from the body of the murdered man weltering 
 in his gore and the gun lying by his side on the 
 floor. It is seldom indeed that the annals of 
 crime present a scene so perfectly heart-sicken- 
 ing and barbarous." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Wife Murderer Arrested Here 
 
 Christian Jacobi, a fugitive from justice, was 
 arrested in Blue Island for wife murder com- 
 mitted in Pittsburgh in 1858. He was tried, 
 found guilty and hung May 20, 1859, in that 
 city. (Chicago Press and Tribune, May 20, 
 1859.) 
 
 Township Organization 
 
 Prior to 1850 there was no township division 
 in Cook county. In early spring of that year a 
 commission consisting of Stephan A. Rexford 
 (Blue Island), W. L. Church and M. Winchell 
 was appointed to make the division. They were 
 allowed $2.25 per day for their services. 
 
 The Supervisors of Cook county met on April 
 30, 1850, and accepted the report of the com- 
 mission, which was duly approved and ordered 
 recorded. 
 
 Under this arrangement the township of Worth 
 included not only the territory we now know as 
 "Worth", but also all of that which under a 
 later division was made "Calumet" township. 
 Blue Island at that time was entirely in Worth 
 township. 
 
 The first township meeting in Worth was held 
 at the home of Carlton Wadhams in Blue Island, 
 April 2, 1850. Henry Douglas was elected 
 Supervisor. 
 
 On the same date Thornton township elected 
 Andrew H. Dolton supervisor; Bremen township 
 elected Leonard H. Scott; Palos township, Mal- 
 inchton A. Powell; Orland township, William 
 A. Jackson; Bloom township, J. Holbook, and 
 Rich township, Eli Taylor. 
 
 Calumet township, which under the division 
 of territory as made by the commission in 1850, 
 was a part of Worth township, was not organ- 
 ized until March 5, 1867. At that date the 
 division was made which left it as now con- 
 stituted, bounded on the north by Lake, on the 
 east by Hyde Park, on the south by Thornton 
 and on the west by Worth. 
 
 The first election for the organization of the 
 township was held June 17, 1862, at the store 
 of Gorris Van der Syde in Washington Heights. 
 Benjamin Sanders was chosen moderator and A. 
 G. Kile, clerk. The officers elected were: 
 Thomas C. Morgan, supervisor Albert Kroon, 
 clerk; T. F. McClintock, assessor; Charles Ell- 
 feldt, collector; George Luchtemeyer and A. B. 
 
 Wheeler, justices. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The First Births 
 
 The first male child born in the settlement 
 was Norman Barton Rexford, born in 1836. He 
 was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rexford, 
 who built the first hotel in Blue Island. The 
 family was at that time located just outside of 
 what later became the village limits. 
 
 The first girl born in the village was Eda 
 Ann Jones, daughter of Stephen and Martha 
 Jones, in 1840, and sister of Stephen Decatur 
 Jones. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 59 
 
 Robinson Hall, Erected by C. D. Robinson in 1860 
 
 This property was later purchased by Frederick Zacharias after which it became 
 known as "Zacharias Hall" and also for a time as "Busch & Brand Hall." Destroyed 
 in the big Blue Island fire of May, 1896. 
 
 Halls of the Early Days 
 
 Blue Island, even from its earliest days, was 
 well supplied with halls where dances, enter- 
 tainments and public gatherings could be held. 
 
 Rexford's Blue Island House, built in 1836, 
 was, of course, the scene of the community's 
 gaieties in the very early days. In fact, for 
 nearly fifteen years it was the leading social 
 center for a very wide section around Chicago 
 and many important functions were held within 
 its walls. 
 
 Engelhardfs Hall, built in 1852, was in the 
 second story of a reconstructed barn in the rear 
 of the saloon which fronted Western avenue, 
 south of Grove street. It catered principally to 
 farmers' dances and access to it was through an 
 alley and most of the time through a labyrinth 
 of teams and wagons. 
 
 The first little school house on Vermont street, 
 near Ann, built in 1854, served several years for 
 public meetings of all sorts, church services, 
 court trials, etc. 
 
 Then there was the German Theatre, also 
 known as Schubert's Hall, on the north side of 
 Vermont street, just east of the alley at Henry 
 street. This was built in 1856 especially for the 
 German Dramatic Society and flourished for a 
 number of years. This building had a large 
 hall so arranged that it could be transformed 
 oulckly for either dramatic entertainments or 
 
 dances. It had a large stage, dressing rooms, 
 etc. It was destroyed by fire. 
 
 Robinson's Hall, built in 1859-60, was for 
 many years a Blue Island landmark. It was a 
 large building and owing to its height of three 
 stories, towered above all the neighboring struc- 
 tures. The basement was given over to a saloon, 
 bowling alley and general storage. The first 
 floor was divided into store spaces and the sec- 
 ond floor was arranged for offices. There was 
 a wide stairway leading up from the ground 
 floor to the hall, which occupied the entire third 
 floor. The band platform occupied a space 
 underneath a large cupola which topped the 
 building. This cupola served as an observatory 
 from which a wonderful view of the surround- 
 country could be had. This hall was known 
 also as Seward Hall and for a time as Busch 
 & Brand's. In the early 70's Frederick Zacharias 
 bought the property and it then became known 
 as Zacharias Hall. The third floor of the build- 
 ing had on several occasions shown signs of 
 weakness when large crowds attended dances 
 there, so Mr. Zacharias had it taken down, leav- 
 ing the two lower stories. The building was 
 destroyed in the big fire in May, 1896. 
 
 The hall over the Massey & Sammons store on 
 Western avenue (later Boehl's) was used for a 
 variety of public purposes during the early 50's. 
 The Universalists held Sunday school and church 
 services there before their own church building 
 was completed. 
 
60 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Blue Island Liederkranz 
 
 The love of song and music, so inherent in 
 men and women of German birth, found its 
 expression during the early years of our little 
 community in the formation of a small group of 
 men, who, drawn together on various occasions, 
 loved to sing the old songs of the Fatherland. 
 
 This small group of kindred souls was com- 
 posed of Charles Ellfeld, August Schreiber, 
 Friederich Sauerteig, August Schubert, Louis 
 Brandt, August Bulle, Henry Schmitt and two 
 brothers named Bode. For some time they 
 were known as the "Saengerbund." 
 
 Charles Ellfeld who settled in Blue Island in 
 the early 50's, a man of good education and fine 
 musical ability, soon became the leader of this 
 small group of singers. It was he who detected 
 the musical possibilities of the various voices 
 and brought out their latent qualities into har- 
 monious combinations. 
 
 Soon these occasional gatherings resolved 
 themselves into regular stated meetings and in 
 the early summer of 1853 it was decided to 
 organize permanently under the name "Blue 
 Island Liederkranz". Ellfeld, who all along 
 had been the advisor and guiding spirit, was 
 chosen director. His energy and enthusiasm for 
 the work seemed to know no bounds. Months 
 of intensive study and practice ensued and soon 
 the Blue Island Liederkranz announced a public 
 concert. The success of this first venture before 
 the public of Blue Island was so great that 
 thereafter "concerts by the Liderkranz" became 
 real events to be looked forward to. 
 
 By 185? the original eight members had been 
 added to and increased to eighteen active 
 singers. These names were on the roster at that 
 time: Charles Ellfeld, F. Sauerteig, Jacob Boehl, 
 George Friese, C. Kuesten, Philip Zorn, Gottlieb 
 Klein, M. Brandt, Dr. D'Orville, John Roet- 
 tingen, A. Schubert, T. Huegel, C. Wasserman, 
 H. Schmidt, C. F. Eidam, H. Wolff, August 
 Schreiber, Louis Brandt. 
 
 That year a "Saengerfest" was held in Mil- 
 waukee, in which German singing societies from 
 many localities participated, our little group 
 being one of them. 
 
 A quartette, composed of August Schreiber, 
 Gottfried Voigtmann, Herman Schmitt and 
 Charles Ellfeld had been organized only a short 
 time before, but it was decided that this quar- 
 tette should represent the society at Milwaukee 
 and enter in the prize singing contests. It was 
 a momentous undertaking as it was the first 
 time the little band of singers was to meet vet- 
 erans in competition. But so well did they 
 acquit themselves that they were awarded first 
 
 prize amid the thunderous applause of the as- 
 semblage. This achievement of the quartette was 
 hailed with joy by the entire membership of the 
 Liederkranz. 
 
 The following year a similar "Prize Saenger- 
 fest" was held in Chicago. At this event sing- 
 ing societies from St. Louis, Davenport, Mani- 
 towoc, Freeport, Chicago and other cities 
 competed. The Blue Island Liederkranz was 
 awarded second prize in the competition and 
 thereafter was acknowledged among the leading 
 singing societies of the Northwest. 
 
 Founded in the pioneer days its first meetings 
 were held in a log house, and later in various 
 private homes. But as the society grew in num- 
 bers and popularity, so also did the desire to 
 acquire permanent quarters or a home it could 
 call its own. Early in the 70's an arrangement 
 was made with the Blue Island Turnverein for 
 use of quarters on the upper floor of the Turner 
 hall at Grove and Henry streets. 
 
 The Blue Island Turnverein, which had started 
 its career under most auspicious circumstances 
 in the late 1860's built its own hall in 1872 and 
 for several years continued as one of the out- 
 standing turner societies of the state. But dis- 
 sension arose among its members and soon there 
 was a split in the organization and a new turner 
 society, known as "Concordia" was formed. This 
 group leased property on Grove street, a short 
 distance east of the old hall (where the Grove 
 Street Garage is now located) and under ar- 
 rangement with John Engelhart erected a build- 
 ing of its own. 
 
 That was the situation in 1887 when the Blue 
 Island Turnverein found itself in financial dif- 
 ficulties and about to have its property fore- 
 closed. But before foreclosure could be brought 
 the Blue Island Liderkranz came to the rescue, 
 purchased the ground, made extensive altera- 
 tions in the building, assumed certain financial 
 obligations and renamed the hall "Saenger 
 Hall." Charles F. Eidam was president of the 
 singing society at that time. 
 
 Now the "Singers" had their own hall and 
 there was great rejoicing among the members. 
 The organization was incorporated and a great 
 two-day "Saengerfest" was planned. This was 
 held October 1 and 2, 1887, and singing societies 
 from many cities participated. Decorative arches 
 had been erected over the streets at various 
 points and the business section of the village 
 was in holiday attire, bedecked with flags and 
 bunting. Hundreds of visitors from outlying 
 points thronged the streets. 
 
 The first day of the celebration was devoted 
 to a grand concert in Saenger hall, and on the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 61 
 
 Blue Island Liederkranz of 1853 
 Top row — Hupke, Bode, Schubert, Vogtman, Sauerteig, Ellfeldt, Bode, Braun. 
 Second row — Bulle, Brand, Schreiber, Boening. 
 
 Bottom row — Herman Schmitt, Kursten, Heinrich Schmitt, Hirsch, Bulle. 
 The original of this picture was taken on the 18th day of June, 1853. 
 
 second day there was a great parade through 
 the principal streets and a picnic in Ellfeld's 
 Grove, followed in the evening by dancing in 
 the Saenger hall and also in Concordia hall. 
 
 Less than a month after this gladsome 
 celebration the Liederkranz membership was 
 saddened by the death of its beloved founder 
 and director, Charles Ellfeld. His death oc- 
 curred October 29, 1887. 
 
 October 21, 1892, the Liederkranz partici- 
 pated in the song festival at the dedication of 
 the buildings of the Columbian Exposition. 
 
 During the early morning hours of May 17, 
 1896, a fire started in a shed behind Engel- 
 hardt's Union House, spread with ferocious 
 rapidity and in less than an hour Concordia 
 hall had been burned to the ground and Saenger 
 hall, in which a dance was in progress at the 
 time, also was swept away by the flames. 
 
 The loss of their hall was a severe blow 
 to the society, as only small insurance had been 
 carried. But undaunted in the face of disaster, 
 there was but a short delay before steps were 
 taken to rebuild and on August 15, 1897, the 
 
 laying of the corner stone for the new hall was 
 celebrated. This was another gala occasion. A 
 crowd estimated at 3000 attended the cere- 
 monies; there were speeches by Mayor Jacob F. 
 Rehm, President, Wm. Schreiber, and Emil 
 Hoechster of Chicago. The dedication of the 
 new hall took place November 21, and again 
 there was a great celebration, with bands and 
 banners and a great crowd of visitors. The cost 
 of the new building was $8000. 
 
 In August, 1903, the Liederkranz celebrated 
 its 50th anniversary with a big picnic in Cal- 
 umet Grove. The membership at that time 
 numbered 145. Several years of prosperity and 
 growth followed this event, then suddenly this 
 country became embroiled in the war with Ger- 
 many. This situation spelled disaster for the 
 Blue Island Liederkranz, all activities ceased 
 and within a short time the organization of 
 which Blue Island had always spoken with 
 pride became a thing in name only. 
 
 So, when on January 9, 1918, a fire of un- 
 disclosed origin destroyed the hall which had 
 been the scene of so many of the society's gay 
 
62 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS'" 
 
 Built by Blue Island Turnverein in 1872 
 
 It afterward became the property of the Blue Island Liederkranz. 
 
 Destroyed by fire May 17, 1896 
 
 and notable affairs, the Liederkranz found itself 
 in such shattered condition that it was unable 
 to rebuild. Its membership decimated to a mere 
 handful, its morale broken by the terrible events 
 of the war, and with an empty treasury, the 
 organization was obliged to see the home it had 
 long struggled to acquire pass into other hands. 
 There was no course left but to disband and that 
 was done. * * * 
 
 But after peace had been declared the passing 
 years brought a saner perspective of this coun- 
 try's participation in the war with Germany 
 
 William Heiden and several other German 
 young men, all musically inclined, who had im- 
 migrated to Blue Island, learned of the sad 
 plight into which the Liederkranz had fallen, 
 and soon efforts to revive the organization were 
 successful. 
 
 Heiden acted as director for a short time 
 until in March, 1926, H. Kornemann became the 
 leader. Under the latter's direction a strong 
 organization has been built and on October 28, 
 1928, the Blue Island Liederkranz was able to 
 
 celebrate its 75th anniversary with a grand con- 
 cert, assisted by several celebrated artists and 
 25 male voices and an orchestra of 20 mem- 
 bers of the opera company. The celebration 
 was held in Eagles Hall, the site on which the 
 former homes of the Liederkranz had stood. 
 
 The Blue Island Liederkranz has again become 
 an active organization and is fast regaining the 
 prestige of former years. Regular practice is 
 being held under the able direction of Mr. 
 Kornemann. 
 
 There are at present 27 active and 11 passive 
 members. The officers and active members are 
 as follows: 
 
 President, Kurt Reichel; vice-president, Ernst 
 Mais; secretary, William Borchardt; finance 
 secretary, Ernst Borchard; treasurer, Frank 
 Mehlin: archivar. William Amft; "bummel- 
 major", Joseph Froschauer; members, Joseph 
 Benzing, Otto Benzing, George Borchardt, Jacob 
 DeGroot, Julius Drews, Heinrich Geberding, 
 John Haase, Paul Hildebrandt, Alex Hennig. 
 William Janssen, Joseph Ketterer, Albert Klein, 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 63 
 
 Liederkranz Hall as rebuilt after the Big Fire of 1896 
 And again destroyed by fire in 1918 
 
 Edward Sieben, Harold Steinhart, William Trie- 
 bold, Walter Wiessner, Karl Zipfel, Joseph 
 Lechner, Frank Heiden, Karl Sterzel. 
 
 Passive members, Karl Neumann, Adam Deis- 
 cher, Henry Buer, John Fleischer, Richard Mais, 
 Ole Anderson, Joseph Dominick, Herman Kon- 
 soer, William Hennig, Peter Wiessner, Charles 
 
 Benzing. 
 
 * * * 
 
 German Dramatic Society 
 
 Almost coincident with the organization of 
 the Blue Island Liederkranz, in 1853, was that 
 of another society among young German-speak- 
 ing people. 
 
 This group was composed of both women 
 and men whose leanings were toward theatricals. 
 It was their thought, that while indulging in 
 their own favorite pastime they might also turn 
 it to profitable use and provide for the villagers, 
 entertainment of which they were sorely in need. 
 
 This society gave a number of light comedies 
 and dramas in the hall of Rexford's Blue Island 
 House which at that time was owned by Jacob 
 
 Boehl. The place being operated by German 
 people, was well suited for the purpose, and it 
 had a raised platform that could be transformed 
 into a stage. 
 
 Plays were sometimes given once a week, but 
 usually every two or three weeks, always on 
 Sunday nights. These performances were well 
 received and often the audience taxed the cap- 
 acity of the hall. 
 
 Encouraged by their success the society began 
 to feel the need of a larger and more suitable 
 auditorium — yes, they argued — perhaps a the- 
 atre they could call their own. 
 
 August Schubert, a member of the Blue Island 
 Liederkranz, who had supported and encouraged 
 the dramatic club, favored the proposed expan- 
 sion. After some persuasion he agreed to build 
 a hall specially suited to requirements of the 
 society. 
 
 The location selected was a lot on the north 
 side of Vermont street, just east of the alley 
 where the Central M. E. Church now stands. 
 
 Schubert was a carpenter by trade, but had 
 harbored an ambition to run a saloon. So here 
 
64 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 was an opportunity to gratify his ambition and 
 at the same time derive an added income from 
 the theatre. 
 
 Accordingly a large two-story frame struc- 
 ture, measuring 50x80 feet, was erected. In 
 front, on the lower floor, Schubert had his 
 saloon and immediately back of that were the 
 living quarters for his family. The second floor 
 was given entirely to the auditorium. It had a 
 large stage with dressing rooms, and the ar- 
 rangement was such that the hall could readily 
 
 F. Buchemholz 
 Active Member of Old Liederkranz 
 
 be used for dances, 
 with tin reflectors. 
 
 Footlights were candles 
 
 It was known as the German Theatre and for 
 a year or so the arrangement proved profitable 
 for Schubert and the dramatic club. The build- 
 ing became a gathering place for Germans, the 
 Liederkranz also making use of the spacious 
 hall from time to time. 
 
 But changes were being made rapidly in the 
 little community. Business expansion was along 
 Western avenue and Schubert's became an out- 
 of-the-way place. His business dwindled, the 
 attendance at the theatre fell off, until it was 
 no longer a paying institution. 
 
 One night there was the cry of "fire" and 
 soon John Huppel's drum awoke the sleeping 
 populace. 
 
 The German Theatre was a mass of flames 
 that could not be checked with the inadequate 
 facilities of the volunteer fire department. Soon 
 
 nothing but charred embers were left where 
 budding genius had sought to express its his- 
 trionic ability. 
 
 A complete list of those who were members 
 of this group could not be obtained, but here 
 are a few: Mrs. Henry Grader, John Huppel, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Christian Schmidt, August Grothe, 
 Mr. and Mrs. August Schubert, Miss Ida Krue- 
 ger, Theodor Jauchzer, John Staffel, Henry 
 Brandt, William Ebel. Henry Stift was the di- 
 rector. 
 
 The theatre was not rebuilt and the group of 
 
 amateur thespians soon disbanded. 
 
 * # * 
 
 Blue Island Turnverein 
 
 During the latter 1860's a number of Ger- 
 man young men, athletically inclined, formed 
 an organization known as the Blue Island Turn- 
 verein. They bought various gymnasium ap- 
 paratus, engaged an instructor, and soon had a 
 well-drilled athletic organization of about 40 
 members. 
 
 The name "turner" was derived from the prin- 
 cipal athletic exercise which organizations of this 
 
 Herman Bischoff 
 Director of Liederkranz 188U 
 
 1898 
 
 kind featured, viz: exhibitions of spectacular 
 feats on a "turning pole". Some of these feats 
 were extremely difficult and dangerous — and — 
 at that time, were comparable to those of "the 
 man on the flying trapeze" of our day. 
 
 For a number of years this organization met 
 in various rented quarters, and during the sum- 
 mer months its drills and exercises were held in 
 the open. These "work-outs", held usually be- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 65 
 
 fore a "turn-fest" at El If eld's grove, always at- 
 tracted large audiences. 
 
 The membership of the Blue Island Turnver- 
 ein was drawn mostly from the younger mem- 
 bers of the Blue Island Liederkranz and the vol- 
 unteer fire companies. 
 
 Many competitive events with similar organ- 
 izations from Milwaukee, Joliet, Chicago and 
 elsewhere were arranged. These "Turnfests" in- 
 variably were held at Ellfeld's Garden and al- 
 ways attracted many spectators. 
 
 Cor. Western Ave. and Vermont St. 1890 
 Now site of the First National Bank 
 
 The organization prospered and in 1872 a lot 
 was bought at the corner of Grove and Henry 
 streets and a large three-story building erected 
 thereon. This building contained a saloon, bowl- 
 ing alleys and gymnasium in the basement, a 
 large high-ceiling dance hall, ticket office and 
 cloak rooms on the combination first and second 
 floors, and club rooms on the third floor. 
 
 For a few years things went smoothly. Then 
 the mortgage which had been placed on the 
 property began to press heavily. A drive for 
 new members and additional revenue failed to 
 avert disaster. Dissension over management 
 arose and there was a split in the organization. 
 The seceding faction at once organized, and 
 called itself "Concordia Turverein" and proceed- 
 ed to build a competing hall only a short dis- 
 tance east of the old hall. 
 
 Then in 1887 when foreclosure of the Turner 
 hall property was imminent, the Blue Island 
 Liederkranz, which for some time had been rent- 
 ing space in the building, came to the front and 
 bought the property, forestalling a forced sale. 
 
 This hall and the one erected by John Engel- 
 hart for the Concordia society were both de- 
 stroyed in the big fire of 1896. 
 
 A few of the men active in the affairs of the 
 Blue Island Turnverein were: Charles Eidam, 
 John Staffel, Carl Schmitt, August Grothe, Will- 
 iam Bouri, Clement Jostes, Conrad Kich and 
 Fred Felcht. 
 
 Volunteer Firemen of the Early Days 
 
 The cry of "fire! fire!" at any time a dreaded 
 sound, was doubly so in the days of the 50's 
 when the equipment and methods of combating 
 the red demon were of the most crude and in- 
 adequate sort. 
 
 Yet the little bands of volunteer fire-fighters 
 did valiant service, and, although the building 
 that was on fire usually burned to the ground, 
 they often succeeded in preventing the flames 
 from spreading to adjoining property. 
 
 It was a real honor and distinction those days 
 to belong to the "fire department," and nearly 
 every prominent and able-bodied man did "be- 
 long". The fire department was the leading 
 civic organization of those days. It usually ar- 
 ranged the picnics, dances and other public 
 events. July 4th was the big day. This holiday 
 seemed to have been made especially for the vol- 
 unteer firemen and on this day the "department" 
 was out in full force and in its greatest splendor. 
 
 There was a big parade starting from some 
 prominent point in the village to the picnic 
 grounds. The firemen wore red flannel shirts 
 
 Jacob Link and Fred Hohmann 
 Two of the Old Fire Laddies 
 
 with blue collars and leather helmets. The 
 "chief" carried a large silver-plated speaking 
 trumpet with long gilt tassels through which he 
 gave marching orders. The hook and ladder 
 wagon was painted in bright red and the equip- 
 ment consisted of ladders, axes, pike hooks in 
 various lengths, while on each side there was a 
 row of leather buckets. The motive power for 
 
66 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 One of several Arches Erected at street Intersections for the Liederkranz Saengerfest 
 in 1887 — Looking West on Grove Street. 
 
 this equipment were the firemen themselves, each 
 grapsing the long rope by which the wagon was 
 drawn, while the "chief" walked ahead of the 
 procession and gave the orders. There was a 
 brass band, of course, and the firemen, bedecked 
 in their colorful uniforms, keeping step to the 
 martial music, and drawing after them the indis- 
 pensable hook and ladder truck, presented an in- 
 spiring sight to the youth of that time. 
 
 There were most of the time in the days of 
 '55 to '65 two fire companies. Membership in 
 these was entirely voluntary and changed fre- 
 quently, both as to personnel and numbers. 
 Some of those most active in the volunteer or- 
 ganization were: John Staffel, Conrad Kich, 
 Charles Ellfeldt, August Schreiber, Charles F. 
 Eidam, August Grothe, John Engelhardt, Louis 
 Brand, John Huppel, Charles Johler, and others. 
 
 There was no fire bell or fire whistle in those 
 days and when the cry of "fire" was heard every- 
 body would take it up and soon the yell of "fire! 
 fire!" would resound in every section of the vil- 
 lage. 
 
 When a fire occurred at night someone would 
 rush to the home of John Huppel, a tinsmith 
 living at the foot of the hill on Western avenue, 
 
 and awaken him. Huppel would get out of bed, 
 hang a big drum around his neck and parade 
 up and down Western avenue, beating the drum 
 loudly in order to awaken everybody. Some- 
 times when the call was urgent Huppel would 
 not take time to dress and in nightshirt and 
 slippers would rush out to sound the fire alarm 
 with the 'rub-a-dub-dub" of his drum. When the 
 sound of Huppel's drum was heard at night 
 everybody knew there was a fire and would 
 hustle out as soon as possible. 
 * * * 
 
 Ellfeldt's "Lustgarten" 
 
 Charles Ellfeldt, one of the better known of 
 the earlier German settlers, came to Blue Island 
 in 1852. He was in many ways a unique char- 
 acter. 
 
 A school master in the old country, it was 
 but natural that he should turn his attention to 
 similar pursuit here. So, for a time, he taught 
 classes in German, but it proved unprofitable 
 work. He organized a brass band of which he 
 was the leader. At one time he had a saloon 
 on the south side near the village limits. Then 
 in 1853 he was one of the eight men who organ- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 67 
 
 ized the "Saengerbund" which later was re- 
 named "Liederkranz". He became director of 
 the singing society, remaining in that role until 
 1884. 
 
 He was a justice of the peace for many years, 
 frequently dispensing justice in a novel manner. 
 It is said that one time he even granted a 
 divorce. Although not a professional dentist he 
 drew many an aching molar for the early vil- 
 lagers. 
 
 After selling his saloon on the south side he 
 located on East Vermont street, near Robinson 
 street, where there was a fine grove of trees, and 
 opened a picnic grove. This was known among 
 the Germans as Ellfeldt's "Lustgarten"' I Pleasure 
 Garden). It was patterned after the beer gar- 
 dens of the old country and for many years was 
 a favorite gathering place for both German and 
 English citizens. 
 
 There was a large dance hall, bowling alley 
 and bar and a brass band supplied music for 
 the dances and rendered special numbers. 
 Dances were held nearly every Sunday and on 
 holidays the Grove was always crowded. The 
 Blue Island Turnverein frequently gave athletic 
 exhibitions here and at times there were com- 
 petition prize "Turnfests" in which turner soci- 
 eties from elsewhere participated. 
 
 After Ellfeldt's death, which occurred in 
 October, 1887, the grove soon lost popularity 
 and it eventually was subdivided into lots and 
 is now built up with stores and homes. 
 * * * 
 
 Concordia Grove 
 
 The Concordia Turnverein, an offshoot of the 
 old Blue Island Turnverein, was organized in 
 November, 1886. The officers were: Carl Schue- 
 man, president; John Wolz, vice-president; Carl 
 Schindler, secretary; Conrad Johler, treasurer. 
 The society had a picnic grove in Kieffer's woods 
 between Grove street and the north shore of 
 Stony creek, just west of State street. Here, 
 turning exhibitions were held in connection with 
 the organization's picnics, which were almost 
 every Sunday occurrences during the summer 
 months. The grove flourished for a while until 
 financial and other trouble.? caused t!ie organiza- 
 tion to disband. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Pfeiffer's Woods 
 
 In the early days no one knew or thought of 
 such a thing as "going away on a vacation". 
 Trips to the mountains or a couple of weeks' 
 stay in the north-woods were unknown. 
 
 But the love of the woods, and streams and 
 the great out-doors was there just the same, and 
 this desire found a measure of satisfaction in the 
 
 numerous public picnics held on Sundays, holi- 
 days and on many special occasions. 
 
 In the early 80's Pfeiffer's woods on the op- 
 posite shore of the Calumet river was cleared of 
 underbrush and arranged for picnic purposes. 
 This beautiful natural grove soon became a fav- 
 orite for lodge, club and church picnics. This 
 name was later changed to Calumet Grove. It 
 became a part of Cook county forest preserve 
 district about ten years ago. 
 
 Joshua P. Young 
 At one time owner of all the land 
 between Vermont Street and Burr 
 Oak, Wertern and Maple avenues. 
 Village President in early years. 
 Photo Courtesy Mrs. D. A. Longacre. 
 
 First Weddings 
 
 The first wedding in the village was that of 
 Uriah Wentworth and the Widow Boardman. 
 The wedding took place at the house of Heber 
 S. Rexford, a justice of the peace, who also tied 
 the nuptial knot. The second on record was 
 that of Stephan Jones and Martha Cran- 
 dall, in 1837. Justice Rexford held office for 
 sixteen years and officiated at nearly all the 
 
 earlier marriages in the settlement. 
 
 * * * 
 
 During the 40 - 46 period the legal wants 
 of the early settlers were cared for by the fol- 
 lowing: Heber S. Rexford, Rodney N. Day, Dan- 
 iel 0. Robinson, Benjamin Sanders, Andrew H. 
 Dolton, H. C. Reichert, David Andrews. 
 
68 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 West Side of Western Avenue — Looking South from Grove Street 
 Before the Big Fire of 1896. The three corner buildings were destroyed. 
 
 Roads of a Century Ago 
 
 No one traveling over the smooth and wonder- 
 ful concrete highways of today can have the 
 slightest conception of the frightful and im- 
 passable condition in which the so-called roads 
 of a century ago would become at certain sea- 
 sons of the year. To call them "roads" is com- 
 plimentary. 
 
 During the early days and well up into the 
 50's most roads were only trails or wagon tracks 
 through the prairies, changing constantly at 
 the whim of some driver who sought better 
 ground, or according to weather conditions. 
 
 In the wet season these roads were a succes- 
 sion of mud holes, some seeming almost bottom- 
 less. The whole country around the Ridge was 
 more or less swampy, and certain roads were 
 impassable six months of the year. The roads 
 to the west and south were exceptionally bad. 
 Movers passing through the village often were 
 marooned here for many Weeks and it was not 
 unusual for some driver, more venturesome than 
 the other, to make an attempt to go through, 
 only to have his wagon hopelessly mired when 
 only a short distance out. 
 
 Section lines were ignored completely; when 
 one road was too badly cut up another was 
 started. The higher spots of ground were al- 
 ways picked out for these roads and so they 
 turned and wound in every direction. That ac- 
 counts for so many crooked roads, or roads 
 running at an angle to each other. 
 
 Later an effort was made to correct this condi- 
 tion. Roads were laid out on section and half- 
 section lines. These were graded and some 
 form of drainage provided. Gradually, the 
 prairie trails were abandoned and traffic fol- 
 lowed the newly established lines. 
 
 For many years even these roads were often 
 in frightful condition owing to the swampy 
 nature of the lowlands. The newly-formed Cook 
 county had no money to expend on roads and 
 there was then (previous to 1850) no township 
 organization. The villages and hamlets were 
 poor and what little work was done on roads 
 was done strictly within their own immediate 
 confines. 
 
 This led in the late 40's and early 50's to the 
 formation of "plank road" companies. These 
 companies were organized for profit and shares 
 of stock were sold the same as in any public 
 utility or industrial project. These were toll, 
 
 or pay, roads. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Southern Plank Road 
 
 The first plank road was the "Southern", 
 later known as the "Old Plank Road". The 
 company was organized February 12, 1850, the 
 stock being owned mostly by Chicago men. This 
 road was projected to run from Chicago through 
 Blue Island to Momence. By April 20, 1850, 
 one tier of plank had been laid from the South- 
 ern Hotel on South State street, Chicago, a dis- 
 tance of one mile. By January 1, 1851, the road 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 69 
 
 was completed to the "Ten-Mile House" (Kile's 
 Tavern ) on Vincennes Road, near 80th street. 
 
 The Rock Island railroad was by this time 
 under active construction, and although there 
 was a strong sentiment in favor of plank roads 
 as a means of transportation as against rail- 
 roads, the proprietors of the old plank road 
 decided they would cease construction at the 
 Ten-Mile House. 
 
 In reference to this road the Chicago Demo- 
 crat under date of October 10, 1848, published 
 
 Built during the late 50's by John K. Polland 
 and sold by him in 1863 to Frederick Sauerteig. 
 May 13, 1871, Peter Schlueter became the own- 
 er and conducted a dry goods store here for 
 many years. On Schlueter's death Paul Klenk 
 moved his dry goods store from diagonally 
 across Western avenue and occupied the prem- 
 ises until 1891. In the meantime Klenk had 
 bought property and put up his own store 
 building at the south-west corner of Western 
 avenue and New street. William Staffel, who 
 had started a dry goods store on the South 
 side in 1883, then bought the property and 
 moved his business uptown to the new location. 
 For nearly sixty years, under three successive 
 ownerhips, there has been a dry goods store 
 in this building. A chain store has occupied 
 the premises since 1930. The property is still 
 oivned by the Staffel estate. 
 
 Photo courtesy Frank Krueger. 
 
 the following: "The distance from the city 
 bounds at the end of State street to Rexford's 
 at Blue Island in a straight line is twelve miles, 
 the estimated cost $1800 per mile, making a 
 total of $21,600. We understand that it is the 
 intention of the proprietors of the stock to com- 
 mence the work at once and complete it to Blue 
 Island, then to make a reasonable dividend, say 
 
 6 per cent, and then to expend the surplus in 
 extending the road to the county line in the di- 
 rection of such other places as will build a road 
 to meet them. The road will be of the greatest 
 advantage to the city as well as to the stock- 
 holders. 
 
 The distance to the north line of Will county 
 is about thirty miles". 
 
 However, the original plans of the projectors 
 of the Southern (or Old) Plank Road never 
 matured and it never was built farther than 
 Kile's Tavern. For several years this road car- 
 ried heavy traffic, but as little or no attention 
 was given to its upkeep it was soon in bad condi- 
 tion. 
 
 The Old Plank Road was made a free road 
 in the middle 50's. 
 
 * # * 
 
 Blue Island Plank Road 
 
 The Blue Island Plank Road company was 
 formed in 1853 and was organized by John 
 McCaffery, John Evans, Richard K. Swift, Will- 
 iam F. Johnson and Nicholas Iglehart. A not- 
 ice that subscriptions were open for stock of the 
 corporation was published in the Democratic 
 Press (Chicago) in July, 1853. The line was 
 to be a continuation of Hoosier avenue, through 
 Canalport to Blue Island. 
 
 The name Hoosier avenue was changed in 
 November, 1853, to Blue Island avenue. This 
 road commenced a little north of 95th street on 
 Western avenue, then ran into the present Blue 
 Island avenue at about 26th street. 
 
 Note — On the Volk map of Blue Island, made 
 in 1858, that part of Western avenue below the 
 hill is given as "Main, or Wabash Road" and 
 that part of Western avenue on top of the hill is 
 marked "Blue Island Avenue". 
 
 Blue Island avenue was so-called because it 
 was the most direct road between Blue Island 
 and the west side of Chicago. 
 
 The Blue Island Plank Road was generally 
 known as the New Plank Road in order to dis- 
 tinguish it from the other.. It was a toll road 
 and naturally was used only when the other 
 roads were in bad condition. 
 
 This plank road was also made a free road 
 in the early 60's. 
 
 In an article on the New Plank Road headed 
 "Blue Island Avenue" the Chicago Democratic 
 Press, under date of November, 1853, has the 
 following: 
 
 "The city council changed the name of Hoos- 
 ier avenue to the euphonious title which heads 
 this article, last Monday night. After the com- 
 pletion of the New Plank Road to Blue Island 
 
70 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 this will be the route for travel to take between 
 that point and this city. The bridges on the 
 plank road across the canal and west branch of 
 the Chicago river are up and nearly ready for 
 crossing. They are fine substantial structures, 
 built in Stone & Boomer's best style. The 
 planks are being laid and spiked on the road 
 beds as rapidly as a strong force of men can put 
 them down. The avenue is to be 120 feet wide 
 south of the canal to the head of Blue Island 
 and it is the design of the property owners to 
 plant a row of shade trees on each side of it 
 next spring." 
 
 The unbounded confidence with which the 
 plank roads were looked upon as a means of 
 developing a country, and the antagonistic atti- 
 tude toward railroads, was illustrated on many 
 occasions by public discussions and by numer- 
 ous articles in the newspapers of that day. Many 
 able statistics were submitted to show the ad- 
 vantages of the plank roads over those of the 
 steam roads. 
 
 But plank roads have long disappeared and 
 have almost been forgotten. Railroads tri- 
 umphed and are still with us, only today they 
 are fighting competition — not of plank roads — 
 but of transportation on concrete highways and 
 
 aerial routes. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sickly Years of '47 and '49 
 
 The years of 1847 and 1849 were extremely 
 sickly, so much so, that very few escaped. 
 Many times there were none well enough to 
 take care of the sick. Fever and ague was the 
 prevailing disease, with bilious and intermit- 
 tent fever for a change. The early settlers suf- 
 fered terribly. No doctors could be found short 
 of Chicago, and no other help to be had. Those 
 few families who lived here then were very kind, 
 as is always the case in a new country, but each 
 had as much to do at home as could be done, 
 consequently could assist others but little. 
 
 Very few escaped the "shakes" by which name 
 the ague was commonly known. The swampy 
 condition of the lowlands which surrounded the 
 Ridge aggravated the situation. These swamps 
 provided a natural breeding place for millions 
 and billions of mosquitos which spread disease 
 so rapidly and thoroughly that scarcely anyone 
 in the little community escaped. 
 
 "There were many times in my own family", 
 Heber Rexford wrote, "when no one was able 
 to give a cup of water to another, and had 
 it not been for the kindness of one Samaritan 
 woman (God bless her!) I think we must have 
 died. 
 
 "Well, that was bad enough, but in addi- 
 
 tion to this we had mosquitos — bushels, wagon 
 loads, yes, carloads! Perhaps you will say 
 I am extravagant, but a vision of those days 
 and the sufferings we endured pass through my 
 mind, I am not willing to fail one mosquito. 
 This was in the early days, but now so changed. 
 No ague, only a few dozen mosquitoes, and the 
 health of Blue Island excellent". 
 
 Quinine was the usual and most successful 
 remedy for combating the "shakes," but the price 
 of $3.00 to $5.00 an ounce made it practically 
 prohibitive to some of the colonists. Arsenic, 
 less expensive, had also been found to give re- 
 lief from the ague, but since its use was fraught 
 with danger it did not become a popular remedy. 
 
 In 1849 and again in '53-'54 cholera morbus 
 swept through the little colony with epidemic 
 violence and whole families died. Medical as- 
 sistance was next to impossible to be had, since 
 Chicago and other nearby sections were also af- 
 fected. Even then most doctors were helpless, 
 as only a few knew how to treat the malady. 
 So when a member of a household was stricken 
 the family usually prepared for the worst. 
 
 During the middle 50's — from '53 to '55 — 
 there was an epidemic of diphtheria that proved 
 fatal in nine cases out of ten. 
 
 The whole community was aroused owing to 
 the virulence of the disease. Burials were made 
 as quickly after death as possible and sometimes 
 secretly at night. In a few cases when coffins 
 were not available the body was interred simply 
 wrapped in a blanket or some portion of the 
 bedding on which the victim had died. 
 
 There were no regular undertakers up to 1860 
 and even later. Hearses were unknown and 
 flowers at funerals were unthought of. In warm 
 weather burial had to be done as quickly as 
 possible. Coffins were built from plain boards, 
 usually painted black on the outside and lined 
 inside with a cheap white cloth, padded with 
 straw or shavings. They were always built after 
 death to fit the corpse. Funerals were cheap 
 those days — usually $5.00 and seldom more than 
 $10 — the price being based on the size and qual- 
 ity of the coffin. A farm wagon was the hearse. 
 
 There were no public burying grounds, or 
 cemeteries, here then and interment was usually 
 made on some part of the family property, or 
 on the property of a friend. Sometimes, too, an 
 out-of-the-way place in the woods was chosen. 
 
 There is a pretty well substantiated record 
 that the body of Zachary Wilson, who died in 
 1839 while building his home, was buried on 
 top of the hill "behind the Rexford House," 
 where several others were also buried later. This 
 hill was excavated in 1851 by the Rock Island 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 71 
 
 railroad. Mrs. Hunn, who died in 1842, and at 
 least two others, were buried on the "Sanders 
 ridge," now Central Park. 
 
 A maid employed at the Seyfarth Tavern and a 
 hired man at the same place are said to be buried 
 in the edge of the hill back of where the old 
 tavern stc od. Mrs. Courtney, the first white 
 woman here, was probably buried near where 
 the Lutheran church now stands. 
 
 At least seven, and possibly nine persons 
 whose remains have never been exhumed, lie 
 buried in the center of what formerly was known 
 as "Robinson's Grove"— the block bounded by 
 Vermont street, Western avenue, Grove and 
 Henry (Artesian) streets. These persons were: 
 Harry Robinson, a brother of Charles D. Robin- 
 son, who died during the terrible cholera epi- 
 demic in 1849; "Grandpa Hall," the step-father 
 of Mrs. Henry Robinson ; two children of Edgar 
 Doane; a child of Carlton Wadhams and two 
 servant girls in the Robinson family and prob- 
 ably several others. (These facts vouched for 
 by Mrs. A. C. Fuller, daughter of Charles Drake 
 Robinson.). 
 
 # » # 
 
 The Old Blue Island Cemetery 
 
 Early in the 50's the need of a public burying 
 ground was felt. A number of citizens got to- 
 gether, contributed funds and appointed a com- 
 mittee to find a site for a cemetery. This com- 
 mittee selected a piece of ground fronting 310 
 feet on Burr Oak avenue and 330 feet on High- 
 land avenue. That is the ground now known as 
 the old Blue Island cemetery. 
 
 The original deed to this property was lost 
 and a new one given in 1867. This later deed 
 shows that on March 2nd, 1867, Charles D. 
 Robinson and his wife, Emily Robinson, con- 
 veyed the old cemetery property to Hiram 
 Squier, William Baumbach and Rodney N. Day, 
 trustees of the Blue Island Cemetery Association, 
 and to their successors in office. On June 5th, 
 1868, the subdivision of the cemetery was filed 
 for record. The cemetery then comprised 126 
 lots, 20x20 feet in size, with streets and alleys 
 between said lots. Thomas F. McClintock was 
 the surveyor. Somewhat later "Blue Island 
 Cemetery" was incorporated and on July 20th, 
 1889, the then Trustees of the old cemetery 
 association, Theodore Guen'.her, Andrew Reiner 
 and William Sorgenfrei, on behalf of the Blue 
 Island Cemetery Association, conveyed the prop- 
 erty to the Blue Island Cemetery, a corporation. 
 There is an old plat in existence which would 
 indicate that the cemetery was at one time known 
 as the Worth Cemetery. There is nothing on 
 
 the plat, however, to indicate when it was pre- 
 pared. 
 
 In addition to the original cemetery property 
 there were two additions: 
 
 Henry H. Massey, on June 5th, 1868, platted 
 an Addition to Blue Island Cemetery which was 
 later known as Massey's First Addition to Blue 
 
 Wadhams Memorial 
 
 The monument illustrated above is one 
 of the very few of such burial markers 
 left standing intact in the old Blue 
 Island cemetery. David Wadhams, 
 members of whose family are buried 
 here, was a brother of Carlton Wad- 
 hams, pioneer of the year 1839, and 
 builder of the American House. Guy 
 Wadhams, also one of the early settlers 
 here, was a brother of David and Carl- 
 ton. 
 
 Island Cemetery. Later Massey platted a Second 
 Addition to the cemetery on July 2nd, 1875. 
 
 The First Addition consisted of fifty-four lots, 
 20x20, with streets and alleys between the lots. 
 The Second Addition consisted of one hundred 
 twenty-six lots, also 20x20, with intervening 
 alleys. 
 
 Many of the lots in the first and second addi- 
 tions were never sold, and of those which were 
 sold the title thereto was either transferred to 
 Mount Greenwood Cemetery Association when 
 the bodies were transferred to the latter ceme- 
 
72 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 tery, or was conveyed by mesne conveyance by 
 the original subdividers and owners to the Blue 
 Island Park District. In addition, the Park 
 District has obtained deeds from Mount Green- 
 wood Cemetery Association and all others who 
 had any reversionary interests in the properties. 
 Burial in the cemetery was prohibited by or- 
 dinance passed by the Village Council in 1898. 
 This action resulted in the suit of the Blue Island 
 Cemetery vs. Village of Blue Island, which was 
 filed October 29th, 1898. This suit resulted in 
 a complete victory for the Village and as a 
 
 Having laid out, platted and dad recorded an addition soutf 
 of and adjoining the 
 
 Of Fifty-four Lois, each Twenty feet Square, 
 
 I will, for the next thirty day9. sell Lots in the same, to those wishing to saoure them 
 for THIETT FIVE DOLLARS esch. Those coming first will have the first choice. 
 
 TERMS CASH. 
 
 At .the end <jf TBI&TT DATS I shall advance the price -en theee r^mnluidg iw«'i 
 
 FLAN OF H. H. MASSEY'S ADDITION TO THE BLUE ISLAND CEMETERY. 
 
 i i 3 i~ 
 
 < < < < 
 
 « 4* «a w m 
 
 % ) 10 | _J,o |0 ]0 
 
 H. H. MASSEY. 
 
 Blue Island, 111., June 15, 18C8. 
 
 A "Subdivision" of 1868. 
 
 result no further burials were permitted in the 
 cemetery or the additions thereto. 
 
 The Cemetery, and its additions, comprised 
 but approximately one-fourth of the entira 
 property bounded by Burr Oak avenue, High- 
 land avenue, Walnut street and the railroad. A 
 large portion of the property was acquired by 
 Rev. Theodore G. Gross, G. Frank Van Gorder 
 and Paul T. Klenk, as Trustees of the Memorial 
 Park Association in 1922 and 1923. The monies 
 used to purchase the property was raised by pop- 
 ular subscription. 
 
 Paul T. Klenk was president of the Associa- 
 tion during the entire period but was ably as- 
 
 sisted by many of our good citizens, particularly 
 the late Willis N. Rudd, who for years believed 
 that this property should be a park. 
 
 Finally in April of 1928, the entire properties 
 as acquired by the Memorial Park Asosciation 
 were transferred by deed of gift to the Blue 
 Island Park District. 
 
 Only recently the Blue Island Park District 
 acquired title to the remaining twenty-seven lots 
 along Walnut street. This tract has been desig- 
 nated as the "Centennial Addition to Memorial 
 Park." 
 
 All this ground is now being graded and put 
 in shape for improvements which, in the course 
 of another year, will transform it into a beau- 
 tiful park. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Wild Pigeons 
 
 Wild pigeons were here by the millions in 
 the 50's and up to the late 60's. Flocks so num- 
 erous that they would obscure the sun were 
 not infrequent and the beating of their wings 
 would make a sound like the rushing winds of 
 a tornado. Large branches were broken off 
 trees where a flock would settle. 
 
 The Chicago Democrat, April 1855, says: 
 "A flock of wild pigeons over six miles long, 
 passed over Chicago today." 
 
 The Chicago American, dated Sept. 17, 1837, 
 has this article: "A few days ago our town was 
 swarming with wild pigeons, the horizon in al- 
 most every direction was black with them." 
 
 Today not one of the millions of these beau- 
 tiful birds exists, all have fallen prey to that 
 greatest of all killers — man. 
 
 * * * 
 
 In the Early 50's 
 
 The opposite shore of the Calumet river was 
 almost unknown territory to Blue Island people, 
 except such as had a boat by which to cross 
 the river, or who were venturesome enough to 
 cross on the logs of the dam. This latter could 
 be done only at a low water period of the river. 
 We boys of the south side frequently crossed 
 the dam in this way while on fishing or explor- 
 ing expeditions. The feeder dam was blown up 
 in 1875 and in 1881 the township of Calumet 
 built the first bridge over the Calumet on the 
 site of the former dam. 
 
 Blue Island village authorities voted $400 
 toward the cost of this bridge. 
 
 There was only one ford in the river up to 
 this time. That was about one mile south of 
 the bend, just east of where the Public Service 
 plant now stands. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 73 
 
 Five Bridges 
 
 In ''Days of Old" the vicinity at Western 
 avenue and Stony Creek was quite a bridge 
 center — there being no less than five bridges at 
 this point within the space of a city block. 
 
 The first bridge across Stony creek at Blue 
 Island was built about 1835 or 1836, after the 
 government had completed its survey of the 
 Vincennes Trail from Ft. Vincennes in Indiana 
 through to Chicago. This survey followed the 
 old Indian trail known by that name, and was 
 made under government authority in 1834-35. 
 The exact date when the bridge was built is 
 not known, nor could the writer find any record 
 to show whether the state or federal government 
 was responsible for its construction. 
 
 That it was a very crude affair is certain, 
 judging from a description given the writer 
 many years ago by S. D. Jones, whose father 
 built the first house south of the creek. 
 
 Constructed entirely of timber cut on the 
 ground its round, unfinished upright supports, 
 were set on wooden sills laid in the creek bed. 
 A single roadway, scarcely more than ten or 
 twelve feet wide with criss-cross railing on each 
 side, was laid on the wooden stringers which 
 spanned the creek. The surface of "Wabash 
 road," by which name that part of Western 
 avenue was then known, was from five to six 
 feet lower than it is at the present time and 
 sloped down gently to the creek bed. Conse- 
 quently the floor of this bridge was scarcely 
 more than seven or eight feet above the average 
 water level, and when Stony creek went on its 
 usual spring "rampage" the water not only lap- 
 ped the floor boards, but on several occasions 
 flowed right over the top. Ice gorges were 
 formed and gunpower was used to break them 
 up. Damage from floods was common and 
 almost every year repairs had to be made. 
 
 This original bridge did duty until about the 
 time the canal feeder was built, when it was 
 replaced with another wooden bridge wider, 
 larger, and stronger, and with about two feet 
 more clearance above water than the first. This 
 bridge also had only the driveway with railing 
 on each side. About seventy-five feet south of 
 the Stony creek bridge was the bridge over the 
 feeder canal, built in 1848. 
 
 The Rock Island railroad had not yet been 
 built at the time the feeder canal was completed. 
 As the water in the canal stood normally at a 
 higher level than the water in Stony creek, and 
 as clearance for the passage of barges under 
 the canal bridge had to be provided for, the 
 bridge across the feeder stood at a higher level 
 
 than the one across the creek and there was 
 a gradual incline upward from Stony creek 
 bridge to the canal bridge, then a rather sharp 
 downgrade past what is now Canal street to the 
 Western avenue (then Wabash road) level. 
 The towpath for the canal crossed Western 
 avenue between these bridges. 
 
 When the Rock Island railroad was built 
 through in 1850 to 1853 the railroad company 
 had to span not only Stony creek, but also the 
 feeder canal. This, then, made four bridges 
 within a space about the size of a city block. 
 
 The railroad tracks, being slightly elevated, 
 made a ridge, or hump, across Western avenue, 
 between the creek and the feeder canal, so a 
 person walking south down the Western avenue 
 hill would first cross the bridge over Stony 
 creek, climb an upgrade of eight or nine feet 
 to the Rock Island railroad tracks, then across 
 and down about six feet to the canal towpath, 
 across the canal bridge and then down another 
 grade past the "feeder road" (Canal street) to 
 the level of Western avenue. 
 
 The first Rock Island railroad bridge across 
 Stony creek was a truss type iron bridge carry- 
 ing a single track. Just west of Western avenue 
 the railroad crossed the canal and at that point 
 the company had a bridge the top and sides of 
 which were enclosed with sheet metal. This 
 made a fine target for boys who used to pelt it 
 with stone to the great annoyance of people liv- 
 ing nearby. But this bridge had a fault which 
 was a greater annoyance to the people of the 
 village. Owing to its metal sides and top every 
 time a train crossed there would be a clatter 
 and rumble like a combination of thunder and 
 a boiler shop with all doors and windows open. 
 People living in even the remotest part of the 
 village could hear the racket and knew when a 
 Rock Island train was moving over the bridge. 
 
 This bridge was still in existence up in the 
 late seventies and was not taken down until sev- 
 eral years after the canal had been abandoned. 
 
 The fifth bridge, in the immediate vicinity of 
 the four previously mentioned, was located just 
 east of the Rock Island tracks. It was a low 
 open platform structure across Stony creek and 
 was built and used exclusively by the railroad 
 company. It served only one purpose — it gave 
 access by team to the feeder canal, on which 
 stream practically all of the wood burned by 
 Rock Island locomotives was shipped in from 
 Palos and points in Indiana. It was in use 
 only a few years and was taken up when coal- 
 burner locomotives came into use. 
 
 In 1876 the first "iron" bridge was built by 
 the Village across Stony creek, replacing the 
 
74 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 wooden structure which had served about 
 twenty-eight years. The stonework on this 
 bridge was done by John B. Fox and Henry 
 Schwartz and the iron superstructure by the 
 Indianapolis Bridge Co. The cost of this bridge 
 was $3800. 
 
 The first bridge across Stony creek, at Ver- 
 mont street, was built about 1841. It was of 
 all-wood construction and its timbered super- 
 structure was painted white. Bacause of this 
 fact it was always referred to as "the white 
 bridge." 
 
 This bridge was many times damaged by 
 floods and ice, but never so seriously but that it 
 could be repaired. However, in the spring of 
 1887, the exceedingly great flood of that year 
 undermined its foundations and parts of the 
 bridge floated downstream. 
 
 In August of that year the village board or- 
 dered an iron bridge erected to take its place. 
 P. E. Lane was awarded the contract for $1680. 
 
 The drawing below shows the location of 
 these bridges; also by dotted line the original 
 grade of Western avenue. 
 
 GROVE. ST. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 75 
 
 Old Names That Once Were In 
 Common Use 
 
 Athens — The exceptionally fine limestone quar- 
 ried in the locality of the present Lemont 
 was known as Athens Marble — so the name 
 "Athens" was given to the settlement (Lem- 
 ont) in the early 50's. 
 
 Bachelor's Grove Road — That part of Broad- 
 way west of Western avenue, running in a 
 south-westerly direction. 
 
 Berger Station- — A station stop on the Pennsyl- 
 vania railroad at 147th street. Named after 
 a pioneer settler in that locality. 
 
 Black Oak — In the 40's and even up into the 
 70's Oak Lawn was known by that name. 
 
 Black Slough — This was a large area of low, 
 swampy land lying between Blue Island 
 and Homewood, covered for the most part 
 with a dense growth of tall dark green 
 reeds. It was impassible the greater part of 
 the year, especially in Spring when it was 
 covered with two to three feet of water. 
 The soil was a sticky black muck. Modern 
 drainage has removed every vestige of this 
 once dreaded spot. 
 
 Bunkum — Mentioned as the terminus of Fayette 
 Rexford's first mail route. Now the village 
 Concord. 
 
 Butterfield Creek — Flossmoor near the I. C. 
 tracks. 
 
 Calumet — The region around South Chicago in 
 the early days about '35. Later in the 50's 
 and 60's the settlement was known as Ains- 
 worth Station. 
 
 Cormorn — The Rock Island station at Gresham 
 was once known by that name. Also some- 
 times called "White House." 
 
 Cow Street — The name by which New street 
 was known for many years, because of the 
 large number of cows which seemed to pre- 
 fer that locality for their nightly bedding. 
 It was not unusual for someone going home 
 in the dark to fall over one of these animals 
 comfortably snoozing in the roadway. 
 
 Dutchman's Slough — The swamp or marsh at 
 the south and south-east of Lake Calumet. 
 
 English Settlement — The present Village of 
 Orland — so named from the large number 
 of English settlers who located there in the 
 40's and 50's. 
 
 Fay's Point — A point of land lying west of the 
 junction of and between Stony Creek and 
 
 the Calumet River. It was once covered 
 with a beautiful growth of timber. A large 
 Indian village was formerly located at this 
 point. Named after Jerome Fay who settled 
 here in the early 50's. 
 
 Hartford — Now Homewood. James Hart set- 
 tled here in 1852 and the place was named 
 after him. Name changed to Homewood in 
 1865. 
 
 Holland Settlements — The Holland settle- 
 ment at Roseland was known as "High 
 Prairie." The one at South Holland as 
 "Low Prairie." 
 
 Horse Thief Hollow — The name applied to a 
 deep ravine on the eastern side of the ridge 
 jupt south of Morgan Park. It was en- 
 closed by tall trees and thickets of crab- 
 aple, wild grape and rank underbrush. It 
 was generally shunned by settlers in the 
 locality. Evidences of a camp and ground 
 trampled by the feet of many horses gave 
 rise to the belief that it was a hiding place 
 for horse thieves. 
 
 Indian Ridge — Practically the same locality as 
 Wolf Ridge. On the south end of this 
 ridge (Wildwood) was a large Indian bury- 
 ing ground. 
 
 Kepotaw and Palmyra — In 1840 the post office 
 name of the present Lemont was "Kep- 
 otaw." This was changed to "Palmyra" in 
 1853. 
 
 Lane's Island — Now the Village of Worth and 
 the high land in that neighborhood. 
 
 Long Wood — The long stretch of heavy timber 
 once extending along the northern and west- 
 ern rim of the "island." (Same locality as 
 "Upwood".) 
 
 Mud Lake — A part of the Sauganaschke swamp 
 near 115th street. The canal feeder ran 
 through it. 
 
 North Blue Island — The northern end of the 
 Blue Island ridge — "Upwood," "Long 
 Wood" — also for a time applied to Wash- 
 ington Heights. 
 
 New Bremen — Named after the city Bremen, in 
 Germany, from which place came many of 
 the first settlers here. Now Tinley Park. 
 
 Orange — The official name of the first postoffice 
 in the present Palos was "Orange." It was 
 changed to "Trenton" in 1850. 
 
 Periam's — The land formerly owned by the Per- 
 iam family, extending along the bank of the 
 Calumet river, from the Blue Island road 
 to Halsted street, later known as Wildwood. 
 
76 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Rexfords — The Rexford Tavern at Blue Island 
 was for many years a landmark. Frequent- 
 ly, when expressing distances, the early 
 settlers would say: "It's so or so many miles 
 
 from Rexford's to ;" or, "it is sixteen 
 
 miles from Chicago to Rexford's" (Blue 
 Island.) 
 
 Rexford's Crossing — The Rock Island railroad 
 crossing on 147th street, Midlothian. Named 
 after Stephen H. Rexford, who owned a 
 farm near here in the early 30's. 
 
 Robbers Woods — A wide belt of tall trees which 
 at one time extended a considerable distance 
 north-eastward from the foot of the ridge 
 at 119th street (Purington). Vincennes 
 road at that time was a crooked trail among 
 the trees, which grew so thickly as to almost 
 exclude daylight. Several farmers were 
 robbed here of the proceeds of their sales 
 when returning from Chicago, and a doctor 
 was held up, beaten and robbed. The local- 
 ity had an unsavory reputation for many 
 years. 
 
 Robinson's Grove — The block surrounded by- 
 Vermont, Henry (Artesian), Western ave- 
 nue and Grove streets. A fine grove of 
 large oak trees made this an attractive spot 
 Named after the Robinsons who owned it. 
 early days. 
 
 Round Lake — The swamp just south of Lane's 
 Bridge (115th St.) The Canal feeder ran 
 through it. 
 
 Sand Ridge — The general locality and sand ridge 
 upon which Riverdale, Dolton and Berger 
 are located. A name still in common use 
 today. 
 
 Smith's Woods — On the north bank of Stony 
 Creek, south of Vermont street and running 
 east from Chicago street to Division street. 
 It was a favorite spot for the gathering of 
 wild plums and grapes which grew here in 
 great profusion. 
 
 Smoke Town — The vicinity of 135th street and 
 the Calumet river, so named on account of 
 the smoke from the kilns of the Wibben 
 brick yard. 
 
 Stone Quarry — About one mile south-west of 
 Blue Island. Also generally known as 
 "Fox's Quarry." Now the Village of Rob- 
 bins. 
 
 Toll Gate — Southern entrance to the New Plank 
 Road, on Western avenue at about 91st 
 street. 
 
 Sedgewick — Another name the Village of Or- 
 land was once known by. 
 
 The Sag — An abbreviation of the Indian name 
 for the Sauganaschke swamp through which 
 the feeder canal passed. 
 
 The Slough — A branch of the Calumet river 
 extending in a westerly direction from about 
 138th street. When the dam was built 
 across the Calumet river in 1848 it caused 
 the backing up of water through this 
 branch and the flooding of a very large 
 area of adjacent lands. This branch at 
 that time was as wide as the main river and 
 from ten to twelve feet deep. It is now 
 only a good size ditch and almost dry except 
 after rains. It furnishes surface drainage 
 for the Midlothian and Tinley Park districts. 
 
 Town Line Road — One Hundred Thirty-fifth 
 street, running east and west between the 
 townships of Calumet, Worth and Palos on 
 the north and Thornton, Bremen and Orland 
 on the south. It was open formerly only 
 from the old stone quarry west. 
 
 Upwood — A name by which the vicinity of the 
 present Longwood and Beverly Hills was 
 once known. (The northern end of the 
 "Island.") 
 
 Wabash Road — The name appearing on some of 
 the early maps of the region for that part 
 of Western avenue lying below the hill. 
 
 Wolf Ridge- — The sandy ridge extending south 
 from 115th street (Kensington) to the Blue 
 Island Road (Vermont street.) So named 
 because the locality was infested by wolves 
 which had their burrows there in the loose 
 sand. A locality to be shunned after sun- 
 down. 
 
 How Townships Were Named 
 
 Town of Worth — Was named after General 
 William J. Worth, a soldier of the War of 
 1812 and the War with Mexico. 
 
 Town of Calumet — Was named after the river 
 of that name. 
 
 Town of Bremen — Was named after a city of 
 that name in Germany from which most 
 of the early settlers had come. 
 
 Town of Thornton — Was named after General 
 W. P. Thornton of Shelbyville, Ind., who 
 was for some years president of the Board 
 of Commissioners of the Illinois and Michi- 
 gan Canal. 
 
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78 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 The following personal reminiscences of early 
 days and historical sketch of the Robinson Fam- 
 ily were written by Mrs. A. C. Fuller in 1912 
 and printed in The Blue Island Sun at that 
 time. Mrs. Fuller was a daughter of Charles 
 Drake Robinson and came here with her father 
 in 1840. She died March 9, 1918, at the home 
 of her daughter, Mrs. F. D. Day, in Wilmette. 
 
 Mrs. Fuller's Reminiscences 
 
 Charles Drake Robinson, his wife Emily Bal- 
 lard Robinson, and their infant daughter left 
 New York City in October, 1840, bound for 
 Chicago. Mr. Robinson had exchanged a large 
 tract of land located at Elizabethport, New Jer- 
 sey, which had been occupied for years by the 
 Singer Sewing Machine Manufactory for a farm 
 out West, described as being "located in Illinois, 
 16 miles south from Chicago," as boys trade 
 jack knives, "sight unseen." 
 
 Neither Mr. or Mrs. Robinson had any idea of 
 what farming meant, but armed themselves with 
 that then noted book, "The Cultivator," which 
 became their daily study. 
 
 The Yale College graduate and his amiable 
 and intelligent young wife started farming in 
 the wild west. The small house on the prem- 
 ises was soon replaced by a good sized farm 
 house. Pioneers alone know what pioneer life 
 is. As the steamboat came into Chicago harbor 
 one could stand on the deck and count the houses 
 of the now wonderful city. Blue Island was 
 without a post office, one must drive to Chicago 
 for all mail and pay twenty-five cents for every 
 letter received as there was no prepaid system. 
 Indians were plenty. Mrs. Robinson frequently 
 took her children in her arms and ran to the 
 field where the men were at work, that is when 
 she would see the Indians coming. They always 
 begged food, which was not an easy article to 
 get when 16 miles from a commissary station. 
 
 The Rexford Tavern located at the top of the 
 Western avenue hill was the only place for social 
 affairs. Young and middle-aged (there were no 
 old people — they stayed down East) drove into 
 the town of three houses, bringing a trunk — as 
 every belle must change her dress two or three 
 times during the night— no one left until day 
 break, just get home in time to feed the stock, 
 eat their breakfast, then to the field. 
 
 Mr. Robinson lived on this farm, now known 
 as the "Brayton Farm" about six years, then 
 sold and bought a farm a few miles south and 
 
 west in Bachelor's Grove. This farm did not 
 prove a good investment so he sold and bought 
 a larger farm on Thorn Creek opposite Butter- 
 field's Woods. This farm is now Flossmoor Golf 
 grounds; this beautiful tract of rolling country 
 was very productive. Mr. Robinson built gran- 
 eries, barns and a good house, the latter on the 
 hill just west of the highway. From here all 
 the produce was taken by trains to Chicago, men 
 starting at 3 o'clock in the morning, returning 
 the day following. Poultry 4c a pound, eggs 5c 
 a dozen, beef 4c a pound, quail 18c a dozen — 
 so a heavy load did not net heavy returns. 
 
 Prairie fires were frequent; all the neighbor- 
 hood — and they were scattered — came immedi- 
 ately to the relief: brooms, mops, pitchforks, 
 and every available weapon was brought to the 
 rescue. Children were kept close at home, the 
 near woods growing quite dense along the banks 
 of the creek afforded shelter for the wolves, of 
 which there were many. Chickens, young lambs, 
 and calves were at their mercy if not carefully 
 protected. 
 
 The house was back from the street on a rise 
 of ground having several acres which was used 
 for pasture for young stock. It was the duty of 
 each child to see that the two great gates were 
 always closed. Across the street was the Butter- 
 field Farm, very early settlers, a large field and 
 a good orchard. The farm bordered upon 
 Butterfield Creek upon whose banks grew many 
 kinds of fruit. This home was used, or was an 
 open house, for all passers-by; a light was al- 
 ways in the window, a beacon to all weary 
 travelers. After the death of mother and father, 
 the two sons, John and Elijah, married and 
 moved to California. There were three daugh- 
 ters, Martha, Eliza and Jane. 
 
 About 1847, Mr. Robinson, tired of farming, 
 sold this farm and after a few months' visit to 
 his old haunts in New York City opened a store 
 for general merchandise, corner of Western 
 avenue and Grove street. The original building 
 was burned but the property is still (1912) 
 owned by his heirs. Blue Island at that time 
 had one street — Western avenue. There was the 
 old stage line from Chicago to Vincennes. What 
 is now Grove street was a winding path among 
 large trees as far as Ann street, where the Indian 
 trail came in. 
 
 The Misses Periam kept a private school for 
 small children in the woods east of Western 
 avenue — afterwards Miss Elizabeth Periam mar- 
 ried Benjamin Sanders. Mr. Robinson invested 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 79 
 
 heavily in Blue Island real estate and until his 
 health failed had a prosperous business. He 
 was a staunch Republican until his idol, Horace 
 Greeley, the founder of the Republican party 
 was in 1872 defeated as a candidate for president 
 by U. S. Grant, when he became a democrat 
 through and through. 
 
 The family numbered seven daughters and 
 three sons all but one (a daughter) lived to 
 manhood and womanhood, spending most of 
 their lives in Blue Island. Emily Ballard Rob- 
 inson died in Blue Island, November 6, 1887, 
 and Charles Drake Robinson, her husband, died 
 May 22, 1893 — both buried in the family lot in 
 Mt. Greenwood. 
 
 Henry Robinson and his wife, Elizabeth 
 Bingle, father and mother of Charles Drake Rob- 
 inson, came to Blue Island in the early forties, 
 having for many years been a merchant in New 
 York City. Mercantile business was more to his 
 taste than the tilling of the soil — he opened a 
 small store on what is now known as Western 
 avenue, built up quite a business. During the 
 spring and fall the Indians were quite heavy 
 buyers, coming up the Calumet river, brought 
 their furs and exchanged for goods, a majority 
 of which was red calico and tobacco. 
 
 Mr. Hall came with them, he being Elizabeth 
 Bingle Robinson's step-father. He lived but a 
 few years after reaching Blue Island. 
 
 Mrs. Henry Robinson died in 1852 in Green 
 Bay, Wis., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 
 Edgar Doane, whose family lived for a few 
 years in Blue Island, owning the farm which in 
 later years was called the Carter farm. Mrs. 
 Doane was the only sister of Charles D. Rob- 
 inson. 
 
 Harry Robinson and Joseph Robinson (broth- 
 ers of Charles D. Robinson) with their families 
 lived for a few years in Blue Island. Harry 
 died at the home of his father in Blue Island 
 during the terrible cholera epidemic in Chicago 
 and surrounding country. His widow and 
 daughters returned to New York City. 
 
 Joseph Robinson and family went overland to 
 California in that ever to be remembered year 
 < f "49". They were successful in their journey 
 <nd enjoyed the pleasures and profits of the 
 g :dd seekers. One daughter, Susan, became 
 quite a noted actress on the Pacific slope. She 
 had just signed a contract with J. H. McVicker 
 of Chicago for an extended engagement when she 
 suddenly died, leaving a husband and two young 
 children. 
 
 Richard Bingle, brother of Elizabeth Bingle 
 Robinson, came from New York City, built a 
 house on the Ridge, had two daughters — Emma 
 
 Van Pelt Bingle, who afterwards married Will- 
 iam Morgan, and Cornelius De Vous Bingle, and 
 one son, Richard Bingle, Jr. Their farm was 
 located where now is the cemetery of Mount 
 Hope. Mr. Bingle died and was buried on his 
 farm, many years afterwards his body was re- 
 moved to Mount Greenwood, where now rest the 
 bodies of the entire family. After the death of 
 Mary Bingle, the mother (Emma having mar- 
 ried William Morgan) moved to Pasadena, Cali- 
 fornia, the sister going with them. The body of 
 each one is buried in Mount Greenwood. 
 
 There are still (1912) in Blue Island several 
 Robinson homes, children, grand-children and 
 great-grand-children, many, many friends of 
 long ago, as well as of the later years. The 
 old homestead is still owned by the family, pur- 
 chased in 1846, when the streets were mere 
 paths and Indian trails. 
 
 Carlton Wadhams for many years kept a 
 hotel near the corner of Vermont street and 
 Western avenue. His family consisted of his 
 wife, two daughters, Mary and Phoebe, and one 
 son who died in infancy. As there was no burial 
 place in Blue Island at that time, Mr. Robinson 
 allowed Mr. Wadhams to bury his child in the 
 center of the block, in which Mr. Robinson lived 
 and where several of his relatives had been bur- 
 ied — it is the block surrounded by Western 
 avenue, Grove, Vermont and Henry (Artesian) 
 streets. Seven or nine persons have been buried 
 there, the bodis have never been removed, so 
 many years passed after the burials before a 
 cemetery was opened. 
 
 Mr. Wadham's hotel was very prosperous dur- 
 ing the excavating of the canal, or feeder, as it 
 was called, housing and boarding most of the 
 men employed. They were mostly Americans, 
 there being very few foreigners in this part of 
 the country then. A Mr. Empy was the con- 
 tractor and had charge of the men and work and 
 boarded at the Wadhams Hotel. 
 
 Mary Wadhams, married Jonathan Periam, 
 they moved to Chicago, lived many years, and 
 had two daughters who still live there. The 
 mother died several years ago — Mr. Periam 
 recently. Mr. Wadhams and the other members 
 of his family moved to South Bend, Ind., where 
 Phoebe still lives ,or did when I last heard of 
 her, is married and has a family. 
 
 There was also a Doctor Bachelder, he was the 
 "life-saver" of the country. He had a regular 
 route, which he covered as regularly as does a 
 book agent. He came to our house from the 
 south going north and west through Cook Coun- 
 ty, about every three months, on horseback, 
 saddle-bags across, filled with remedies for every 
 
80 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 known and unknown disease. Everybody must 
 buy a box of "Brandreth's Pills," a bottle of 
 "Number Six," the making of "composition 
 tea," cherry pectoral, etc. If belated he always 
 remained over night. Physicians were few, fewer 
 to be trusted, so Dr. Bachelder had a large prac- 
 tice. Every mother or housewife was a good 
 nurse and fairly successful doctor. The state of 
 the case demanded that she should be. 
 
 Mrs. Ann C. Fuller. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Note — Mrs. Ann C. Fuller, died at the home of her 
 daughter, Mrs. F. D. Day, at Wilmette, March 9, 1918. 
 * * # 
 
 Reminiscences of Jonathan Periam 
 
 The Periam Family, although they had set- 
 tled on the banks of the Calumet river, about 
 four miles east of here, were so closely allied in 
 family connections with the first settlers of Blue 
 Island that to all intents and purposes they were 
 considered "Blue Island people." They were 
 in the Squier and Rexford relationships and two 
 of the daughters, Elizabeth and Abigail Periam 
 conducted the first private school here. 
 
 The writer of the reminiscences printed here- 
 with, Jonathan Periam, in later years became 
 prominent as a horticulturist and for many 
 years was editor of Prairie Farmer, one of the 
 leading agricultural papers of the country. 
 
 Mr. Periam's article is reprinted from a Chi- 
 cago newspaper in which it appeared many 
 years ago. In these reminiscences Mr. Periam 
 has left to us a wealth of early information and 
 true personal experiences of pioneer life in the 
 
 Calumet region. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Although preceded by two elder brothers, 
 who came to Chicago in 1834, it was not until 
 July 16, 1838, that I arrived accompanying my 
 parents and some other relations, fourteen 
 people in all. 
 
 A settlement was effected on the Calumet 
 River, having a frontage of about one mile on 
 each bank. Here title was acquired, homes were 
 established and life in a strange land and among 
 strangers was begun. I was then fifteen years of 
 age, now in my 86th year, I stand as the sole 
 survivor of that little band. 
 
 The wilderness surrounding Chicago was one 
 of the most wonderful I ever knew, abounding 
 in game, such as bear, panther, lynx, wolves, 
 deer, racoon and all other small beasts and birds 
 while the rivers were alive with fish. 
 
 In the autumn of 1839 my father died, my 
 mother following the succeeding spring. In the 
 fall of the year of our arrival my father planted 
 
 pits of cherries, peaches and plums and an or- 
 chard of grafted apple trees, the latter brought 
 from the East. This is recorded as the first 
 orchard of grafted fruit set out in Cook county. 
 
 In the summer of 1838 some Kentuckians came 
 to the locality with a herd of cows, some bulls 
 and oxen to sell to the settlers. The latter were 
 slow to purchase, for all available money was 
 religiously saved to pay for land. The cows 
 were "grades" and my father much desired to 
 secure some of them. The Kentuckians asked 
 $7.00 each for the cows — my father secured 20 
 of them for $100 and by the terms of the dicker 
 a handsome bull was thrown in. These cows 
 formed probably the first dairy herd in Cook 
 county. The surplus butter was sold, winter and 
 summer for 19 cents a pound, our market being 
 Chicago. I was given charge of the cattle, thus 
 becoming a herdsman, the connecting link be- 
 tween barbarism and civilization. 
 
 We were not without all the reminders of our 
 more advanced life of the East, for among our 
 possessions was a spider-legged London-made 
 piano, which we had brought with us. My father 
 was a teacher and the piano had been brought 
 as an adjunct to my education, he saying that 
 music was the best means of broadening the 
 mind of a boy, next to mathematics. 
 
 At that time the sowing of grain was by hand, 
 the reaping done with the scythe and cradle and 
 the threshing by the use of the flail or the tramp- 
 ing of horses. 
 
 Late in the winter of '38-'39 came my intro- 
 duction to activity in horticultural matters, in 
 which line I have ever since taken a deep inter- 
 est. We had an enclosure of about three-quarters 
 of an acre in which the cows were herded at night 
 in the summer. The ground consequently was 
 quite fertile and my father offered me the pro- 
 ceeds of the watermelons I could raise on the 
 patch, and the use of the team two or three 
 times a week to take the ripened fruit to Chicago 
 for sale. The seeds had been brought from 
 Spain by a friend of my father, Mr. H. H. Magie, 
 who had been consul to that country. Mr. Magie 
 was a member of the pioneer firm of wholesale 
 and retail dry goods merchants in Chicago. The 
 crop of watermelons was a phenominal one, and 
 two or three times a week, during the period of 
 bearing, I marketed the luscious fruit. Mr. 
 Magie heralded my coming, and when my team 
 was seen approaching the business men of 
 Clark and Lake streets would gather around and 
 purchase the luscious fruit, paying me 25 cents, 
 or two shillings, as that amount is called, per 
 melon. In this connection as a purveyor of 
 watermelons, I made the reputation of having 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 81 
 
 established, what has been said to have been, 
 the first "corner" successfully carried out in Chi- 
 cago. One day a single melon was left, and 
 a customer offered me 15 cents for it. I replied 
 that the price was a quarter and to sell for less 
 would not be fair to the previous customers. 
 The quarter was paid and friends of the buyer 
 twitted him on the fact that a mere boy had got a 
 "corner" on him. 
 
 At this time there was but one house south of 
 Randolph and Clark streets. That was the house 
 of the late Joseph Meeker, near what is now 
 Monroe street. My experience in the watermelon 
 business started me into the line of market gar- 
 dening and I was the first person who brought 
 garden stuff into Chicago as a regular business. 
 The enterprise grew, and at length, as the city 
 increased in population year by year, my garden 
 covered 100 acres. I employed many helpers 
 and had hundreds of sashes of glass covering the 
 hot beds. 
 
 In 1834 the two elder brothers of the relator 
 emigrated to the then hamlet of Chicago, then 
 an insignificant border village of the West, at 
 the foot of Lake Michigan. Its houses were 
 mostly shanties, the streets when dry were dust 
 and when wet, mud. Fort Dearborn was built of 
 logs surrounded by a stockade of timbers set 
 endways in the soil and situated on the south 
 side of the river near the lake. Its population 
 consisted of United States soldiers, French trad- 
 ers, Indians and white pioneers seeking to better 
 their fortunes in building up what was to be- 
 come, in the lifetime of the then citizens, the 
 second city in the United States and the em- 
 porium of the great West, situated as it is in 
 the heart of the greatest and most fertile valley 
 of the world, ranging from semi-arctic to sub- 
 tropical production. 
 
 In 1838 the father of these two young men 
 came out to visit them on their claims, fourteen 
 miles due south of Chicago and on the first high- 
 land bank of the Calumet river. 
 
 It should be here explained that there are two 
 rivers of this name, the Grand and Little Cal- 
 umet, the junction of which is at what is now 
 known as Hegewisch, a portion of South Chi- 
 cago. The Grand Calumet — now a bayou — 
 empties into the Little Calumet, but originally 
 the main stream debouched into the lake near 
 Miller, Ind. The Little Calumet takes its rise 
 near South Bend, Indiana, but from Hobart, 
 for a considerable distance flows through swamp 
 lands, until it reaches the vicinity of Lansing. 
 There it runs through cultivable land with well 
 defined banks, until below Thorn creek it strikes 
 rock and a well defined rapids occurs of nearly 
 
 two miles, ending near Blue Island. With this 
 exception it has deep water from Hobart to 
 Lake Michigan. 
 
 From the forks at Hegewisch to the outlet at 
 Calumet Lake was something over a mile, and 
 it is related that traders, long ago, dug a ditch 
 between the two points for canoe service which 
 gradually deepened and widened until the Little 
 Calumet became the main stream and the Grand 
 Calumet became still water, except in times of 
 heavy floods, both streams however remaining 
 deep water. 
 
 The father was so impressed with the soil and 
 climate that returning home he reached Chicago, 
 a second time that year, on the 16th of July, 
 with his family comprising with those who first 
 came, fourteen individuals. 
 
 Homes were made by laying claims on both 
 sides of the Calumet river, having a frontage 
 along the river of over a mile. A frame house 
 was finished before the autumn, the land office 
 sold the land in November and title was ac- 
 quired for the land. One of the family was a 
 boy of 15, the only survivor of these persons. 
 
 At the land sale of the last Indian reservation, 
 the northern boundary was difined as a line 
 running from the mouth of the Calumet river 
 southwest, I think, to the Mississippi river. 
 
 These lands as a wilderness were the most 
 wonderful I ever knew, as abounding in game, 
 as to its northern section at least. At this land 
 sale in 1838, there were the speculators trading 
 with the impecunious for their claims, or trying 
 to sneak in bids against actual settlers, but the 
 settlers had an organization and were active. 
 One incident will suffice: A speculator unusually 
 pernicious sought a river claim by outbidding the 
 legal claimant. There was an uproar, a rush 
 and a jostle and the speculator disappeared. If 
 he returned at all it was to confine his bidding 
 to land not occupied by residents. 
 
 In the autumn of 1839 the father died and his 
 wife followed in the succeeding spring. The 
 wife of the son-in-law became an invalid, and 
 Lhe husband went to Louisiana, where he entered 
 into business. 
 
 The son, his wife and child, returned to the 
 East, the older brother also went south some 
 years later, leaving the writer, two sisters and 
 a younger brother to struggle with the wild 
 prairie for a livelihood. The father, before he 
 died, built a frame barn 50x60 feet. The cattle 
 mentioned previously, were descendants of the 
 Kentucky importation of 1818 and were known 
 as "patent" cattle, a corruption of "Patton" the 
 name of the famous Kentucky breeder of blooded 
 
82 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 stock and especially of a strain of grade Dur- 
 hams. A yoke of oxen purchased at the same 
 time for $75.00 and a team of horses purchased 
 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a member of the family 
 when he came here, comprised the team that 
 broke the prairie sod of the farm for the cultiva- 
 tion of crops. 
 
 My father's profession in the East, was that 
 of teacher — he conducted what in that far away 
 day was called an academy for boys and girls. 
 The academy was a two-story building ,the lower 
 ro~ms being occupied by the girls classrooms 
 and the upper story by the boys. The boy 
 pioneer (myself) had progressed as far as geom- 
 etry and algebra and the latter as far as division, 
 also some Latin and French. 
 
 Cultivation, in that day, was by plowing a 
 light furrow away from the corn, hoeing the hills 
 bv hand and casting the furrow back again. 
 The sowing of grain was by hand. 
 
 In the winter of 1839-40 a band of Pottawa- 
 tomies pitched their wigwams in the timber in a 
 locality between what is now Hegewisch and 
 Hammond. These Indians belonged in Michi- 
 gan, but they would come around the lake in 
 bark canoes, winter in the swamps and return 
 to Michigan in the spring. They hunted game, 
 spsared muskrats, and fished, sending the squaws 
 to us to exchange venison for potatoes and corn, 
 their name for the later being "domin". 
 
 At that time the Winnebago, Fox and Sac 
 tribes had been removed to the west side of the 
 Missouri river, but single individuals of them 
 would come among us as tramps. 
 
 I had a dog which the Indians often sought 
 for service in trailing a wounded deer — this 
 dog was the master of any of the wild animals 
 of the country, except bear and panther. There 
 is a record of a bear having been killed near 
 what is known as Miller Station on the Lake 
 Shore and Michigan Southern railroad. Prairie 
 wolves were numerous, of which more hereafter, 
 and occasionally a gray wolf appeared in the 
 timber. 
 
 An amusing story is told of a trapper and 
 hunter killing a panther on the Grand Calumet, 
 near where is now the city of Hammond. The 
 hunter fired at the big cat as it swam towards 
 him, but becoming panic-stricken, he threw away 
 his rifle and fled, arriving home almsot ex- 
 hausted. His wife compelled him to return to 
 the scene where the panther lay dead and the 
 gun nearby. A boy on the opposite shore of 
 the river had witnessed the occurrence and the 
 hunter never heard the last of it. 
 
 My father had brought with him three Berk- 
 shire pigs, two females and one male. I took 
 
 great interest in breeding this variety. It will 
 interest hog fanciers to know that at this time the 
 Berkshire showed tri-colored, white, black and 
 with plenty of sandy hair. By careful inbreed- 
 ing the sandy hairs were eliminated, black be- 
 coming the distinguishing color and white ap- 
 pearing sparsely. I was also a fancier of Devon 
 cattle and bred them extensively. Wild hogs 
 wintered in the woodland near our farm, close 
 to a bottom with the ground full of artichoke and 
 other roots. Where they spent the summer I 
 never knew. We killed one of the nomads and 
 although it was not fat the flesh was eatable. 
 The last of these wild hogs I found dead in their 
 beds during the hard winter of 1844. 
 
 The timber of which I wrote consisted of pine 
 and hard wood, while plums, crabapples and 
 wild grapes abounded. There was an occasional 
 whitewood of towering height, a tree rare in 
 Illinois, but common father south. 
 
 In the early forties Chicago began to take on 
 city airs, the streets however were pretty much 
 as nature made them, impossible after the frost 
 left the ground, in summer muddy after rains 
 and when dry, dusty. In 1840 there were but 
 three houses along the travelled road to Chicago, 
 the Smith or "Ten Mile" Tavern, the Jackson 
 place and Myrick's Tavern three miles south of 
 Madison street. At that time the roads from 
 Chicago to the country were mere wagon tracks. 
 
 From the Farm, Chicago was reached by fol- 
 lowing the ridge north through what is now 
 Roseland, settled in 1849 by a colony of Hol- 
 landers, all good farmers and gardeners. From 
 the north end of the Holland settlement there 
 was a slough of a mile to cross, then the road 
 ran along the edge, south of the big marsh to 
 Smith's Tavern and from thence up what was 
 known as the 'prairie road' passable only when 
 the ground was frozen in the winter or else dry 
 in the summer. Otherwise the travel was along 
 the sand ridges at the end of this big marsh, and 
 west of what is now Hyde Park, past the black- 
 smith shop to Myrick's Tavern and thence up the 
 lake to the corner of Lake and Clark streets, 
 then the center of the business district of 
 Chicago. 
 
 South of the Calumet was the log house of a 
 hunter and ferry man, named Clark Matthews, 
 and also the house of George Dolton who settled 
 there in 1838. On the road to the south the 
 first habitation was at Thornton where the 
 Widow Berry kept a tavern. The next house 
 was Butterfield's Tavern, situated east of what 
 is now Matteson. From there the country was 
 unsettled until you came to Yellowhead Point 
 (on the Kankakee river) where stood the house 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 83 
 
 of Rev. Morrison, a Methodist preacher of the 
 old school. Later this reverend gentleman would 
 start with a load of wheat on Saturday, stop 
 overnight at Blue Island and preach there on 
 Sunday. This was after the place had a dry 
 goods and grocery store and a druggist (C. D. 
 Robinson and F. Schapper.) 
 
 In 1842, when I hauled my first load of wheat 
 to Chicago the price was 40c a bushel, half 
 trade. 
 
 An incident illustrating the intelligence of 
 dogs and their antipathy to prairie wolves was 
 related and vouched for by a man named Gal- 
 linger, who had settled south of the Indian 
 boundary line in 1834. In 1837 a horse belong- 
 ing to Clark Matthews died. He lived south of 
 the Calumet river which the Indians called "Cali- 
 mink". Matthews' dog was driven from the 
 carcass by wolves and badly chewed up. The 
 next day the defeated dog circulated through a 
 wide range of territory, securing aids from a 
 half dozen settlements and every dog in the 
 country travelled over seemed to understand and 
 readily joined in the cavalcade. After feasting 
 on the carcass of the horse, at which they ar- 
 rived just at nightfall, they retired some dis- 
 tance and awaited the coming of the wolves. 
 In the ensuing melee two wolves were killed and 
 the entire band put to flight. The wolves, while 
 thick, were hard to track — if caught in a fast- 
 ened trap and a leg was broken, the wolf would 
 twist the broken limb off. I soon learned to 
 wait for snow, then set my trap with a light clog 
 of wood at the end of a chain, then if a wolf 
 got into the trap the trail was easily followed 
 in the morning. When cornered, the trapped 
 wolf would not try to escape by flight but would 
 make fight open-mouthed. But against my 
 great-jawed bull mastiff there was no chance for 
 the wolf. My dog was not only master of nearly 
 all of the wild animals, but was also the superior 
 of any other dog in the entire country. 
 
 In the middle forties John Sherman who, I 
 think, was Canadian born and whose father and 
 family owned a farm near Crown Point, Indi- 
 ana, bought the claim of Clark Matthews whose 
 reason for selling out was that the neighbors 
 were "getting too blamed thick." This was a 
 farm in name only, consisting of a log house 
 and 160 acres of land. It is now the village 
 of Riverdale. 
 
 The Little Calumet River was alive in the 
 spring with all lake fish, except white fish and 
 grayling. There were wall-eyed pike, pickerel, 
 channel cat, sturgeon, black bass, gar and dog 
 fish — these latter two the terror of other fish 
 and worthless as food. Besides these there were 
 
 red horse, mullet, both of them common. I have 
 also speared a muskellonge weighing 34 pounds, 
 but this fish did not belong to the annual visitors. 
 A favorite method of securing sturgeon, which 
 were not uncommon, Aveighing up to 200 pounds, 
 was to spear them at night, wading in the shallow 
 rapids and working by the light of torches made 
 of shellbark hickory. Mr. Sherman made me a 
 "firejack" in which to burn pine knots. These 
 were secured by digging them out of the sand 
 hills. 
 
 George Meeker, one of Chicago's pioneer 
 lawyers, with Captain Slaughter of the U. S. 
 Army, who built the first government pier with- 
 in the city, visited me for a night of spearing 
 fish. Going to the shallow water, about half 
 a mile above Stony creek, we encountered a 
 great school of wall-eyed pike. Entering a 
 boat, I wielded the spear and soon had the boat 
 almost filled with fine pike weighing from seven 
 to twelve pounds each. Asking the captain how 
 many we had, he replied: "I counted up to 
 ninety and then lost count." This fish story may 
 seem strange, but the upper waters of the Cal- 
 umet contained capital spawning grounds, and 
 it was the only stream that did on the west side 
 of lower Lake Michigan. 
 
 There were many excellent handlers of the 
 rifle in those days. The John Sherman, spoken 
 of above, was one of the best in the entire 
 country. "Old Man" Robinson, the father of 
 the Robinson family, had settled west of Blue 
 Island, opening in that village a general store 
 of notions. He had a flock of Bremen geese, 
 rare here then, and Sherman being at Rexford's 
 Tavern one Fourth of July, was bantered by a 
 crowd of young men to shoot one of Robinson's 
 geese. The distance was about eighty rods, 
 Stony creek intervened, and it was stipulated 
 that Sherman should fire without a rest and 
 the shot was a most difficult one. Sherman, 
 however, took the chance, the boys agreeing to 
 pay for the goose if he killed one. He accom- 
 plished the seemingly impossible feat, and to 
 appease Grandpa Robinson the boys had to pay 
 a dollar for the dead gander. 
 
 Stage coaches from Chicago to Momence, 
 Buncombe and further south passed through 
 Blue Island during the 40's and up to the time 
 of the opening of the Rock Island railroad in 
 1852. John Smith, Heber Rexford and Clement 
 Brown were some of the last stage coach drivers 
 from here. 
 
84 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Carl Dilg Recalls Early Days 
 
 (Publisher s Note. — The article reproduced be- 
 low was written by Carl Dilg and was printed in 
 The (Blue Island) Standard, October 22, 1901. 
 The Dilg family had a candy store on the west side 
 of Western avenue, a short distance south of Ver- 
 mont street. Carl Dilg was a newspaper writer, 
 somewhat of an artist, and devoted considerable 
 time to local history and archaeology.) 
 * * * 
 
 Here are some extracts from a letter written 
 by J. P. Hathaway, Jr., dated Chicago, July 23rd, 
 1833: 
 
 "Our first stop was at Blue Island, twelve 
 miles south — not surrounded by water, but con- 
 sisting of high timberland and bounded by 
 prairie. Here we found a log house, and as the 
 folks had all gone to Chicago we took the liberty 
 of milking the cows and with a slice of ham and 
 bread made our dinner. We then pushed on to 
 Stony Creek, a branch of the Calamink, on the 
 high bank of which we encamped about six 
 o'clock." 
 
 The Hathaway survey party included Chief 
 Caldwell and one of the Kinzies. They stopped 
 for dinner at Blue Island — "twelve miles from 
 Chicago." The Blue Island of our day is sixteen 
 miles from Chicago. The Blue Island of 1833 
 was on the northern end of the Blue Island 
 ridge; the Blue Island of our day is on the 
 southern end of the ridge. On the Reece map 
 a place marked "Uphill" is on the northern end 
 of the Blue Island ridge and a place marked 
 "Worth" is on the southern end. The Hathaway 
 letter says further, "This was a delightful place, 
 commanding a view of thousands of acres of 
 prairie with strips and patches of timber. At 
 this point there were Indian graves." 
 
 Who of the old Blue Island settlers does not 
 recall the view toward Homewood on a clear 
 summer evening, while standing near the old 
 Emil Boehl store in times when as yet the hill 
 was sparcely built over? The Hathaway letter 
 continues: "This morning we found the creek 
 too high to cross with the wagon. Accordingly 
 we proceeded upstream to the next ford, where 
 we crossed with the water barely coming in at 
 the bottom of the wagon". 
 
 One of these "fords" was at a point in the 
 immediate vicinity of the Lutheran church; 
 where was the *other? Notice the condition 
 of Stony creek, even in the summer time, when 
 as yet there was no drainage. It was down this 
 Stony creek that Marquette, in the month of 
 April, in the year 1675 floated from the Des- 
 plaines river enroute to his beloved St. Ignace 
 in the Macinac region. It was also near this 
 ford that was fought in the autumn of 1769 one 
 
 of the greatest Indian battles of aboriginal times. 
 It was the first battle in the war of extermination 
 fought by the confederated Chippewas, Ottawas, 
 Menominees and the Pottawatomies against the 
 Illini-Mascouten Indians, and which came to a 
 close on historic Starved Rock, opposite Utica, 
 on the Illinois river. An Indian village of the 
 Illinois was situated on the crest of the Blue 
 Island ridge. Old settlers remember seeing a 
 lonely wigwam at a point, where in after years, 
 stood the old Metz brewery. Another Indian 
 village was situated at Fay's Point, where Stony 
 creek joins with the Little Calumet river. 
 
 Let us now quote once more from the Hath- 
 away letter: "Returned from camp and started 
 for home. Coming to Stony creek, concluded 
 we could ford it opposite our first encampment. 
 Accordingly they stacked their saddles, cloaks 
 and blankets on the provision box of the wagon ; 
 I buckled my valise to my belt, rolled up my 
 pantaloons, but alas, not high enough, slung my 
 boots over my neck, put my socks in my hat 
 and drove in. When in the deepest our horse 
 gave a spring, went all under and cleared him- 
 self of the wagon. The water ran over the high- 
 est part of the wagon and we held the pyramid 
 down to prevent it floating off. In short not an 
 article came to shore dry. We wrapped the rifle 
 and compass in the fly and Caton's cloak and 
 they were carried over dry." 
 
 What a raging torrent this now dried-up creek 
 must have been! I too, saw it, when it was as 
 yet a stream of some pretensions. I continue 
 the letter: "We rode on to Blue Island and found 
 the folks at home this time and purchased a pan 
 of milk off which we made our supper exclu- 
 sively, as our bread did not escape. We lay in 
 the smoke again tonight, with only a thickness 
 of cotton cloth under us and a part of Caton's 
 cloak over me. I took good care to dry myself 
 before I slept and kept up the fire all night. 
 Saturday we were in Chicago by eight o'clock, 
 with keen appetites for regular living again." 
 
 This time the Hathaway survey party camped 
 at Blue Island, which was four miles north of 
 Blue Island of today. The "Worth" of 1851 
 was not the Blue Island of 1833. The Worth of 
 1851 became the Blue Island of our days. The 
 cabin of the Blue Island of 1833 was afterward 
 occupied by "Mother Rexford". George Hinman, 
 who saw this old cabin in 1847 says that it was 
 aged even in 1847. The Rexfords came to Blue 
 Island from the Yankee settlement in the Blue 
 lake region near the Orland of our days. 
 * * * 
 
 *The FIRST ford was undoubtedly at a point 
 on the Wabash (or Western avenue) road. There 
 was a spot in Stony creek between Western avenue 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 85 
 
 and the Rock Island railroad bridge where the 
 limestone rock came to the surface and at times 
 was washed clean by the action of the water flow- 
 ing over it. I have seen that condition there fre- 
 quently when a boy. Notice that the Hathaway 
 letter says: "We proceded UPSTREAM to the 
 NEXT ford." The NEXT ford upstream was at 
 Ann street where there was a GRAVEL bottom, 
 formed by the wash from a pond-like depression 
 which at one time took a north and south direction 
 along the western rim of the "island." This de- 
 pression crossed the Klein and Weber properties 
 and signs of it are still visible on the William Sor- 
 genfrei property at York street. During heavy 
 rains a considerable volume of water drained into 
 this pond and was discharged into the creek at 
 Ann street, where a rather deep ravine had been 
 cut in the hillside. This ravine existed up to with- 
 in recent years. As a boy the writer explored and 
 knew every foot of Stony creek in both directions 
 from Blue Island, and these two spots are the only 
 ones where shallow fords existed. — /. H. V. 
 * * * 
 
 Extracts from Heber Rexford's 
 Reminiscences 
 
 "Game abounded in those early days, in al- 
 most countless numbers. I think I have seen 
 one hundred deer in one drove. Wolves also 
 were plenty, and one not familiar with their 
 howling at night might be led to believe that 
 he was listening to a choir of a thousand voices, 
 with instrumental music included. Prairie chic- 
 kens, pheasants, quail, squirrels and rabbits also 
 were plenty and Calumet river and Stony creek 
 were literally full of the finest fish. Was it any 
 wonder that the sable sons, not exactly of the 
 forest, but rather of the prairies, disliked so 
 much to leave their native home, where all their 
 wants were so easily supplied and where were 
 buried the remains of their fathers? 
 
 "It was the place of all others where centered 
 their tenderest thoughts and one which they could 
 not be induced to relinquish until forced to do 
 so, by the booming cannon at the fort in Chicago, 
 commanded by General Dodge. 
 
 "Indians used to return to this region well up 
 into the 60's. There was a large Indian village 
 one time at Fay's Point. Several times I have 
 seen wandering parties of the red men camping 
 at the old spring at the foot of Ann street. 
 
 "In the early days stone implements and 
 weapons of all kinds used by the Indians were 
 found around the Rexford Tavern. Fayette Rex- 
 ford picked them up by the hundred. The top 
 of the hill around Rexford and Grove streets 
 and the ground in the vicinity to the west, east 
 and south of Vermont street was literally cov- 
 ered with them. 
 
 "I remember when the Rock Island excavated 
 the hill near Grove street the ground seemed to 
 
 be full of human remains and stone implements. 
 All the boys those days had boxes full of arrow 
 and spear heads, stone axes, scrapers, etc." 
 
 • * * 
 
 Ferdinand Schapper relates that one day in 
 the 60's, an old Indian visiting again the scenes 
 of his youth, came into their drug store and told 
 them many interesting things of the days when 
 the red man ruled supreme over the woods and 
 prairies of the Calumet region. 
 
 This Indian, Mr. Schapper said, pointed out 
 to them a spot on the west bank of the Calumet 
 river near where the Public Service company 
 plant now stands, as the place where the bloody 
 battle between the Illini and Pottawatomies was 
 fought only a short time before the final battle 
 at Starved Rock in which that once powerful 
 Illinois tribe was practically exterminated. 
 
 This Indian told them that after the battle 
 here the victorious allies gathered up their dead 
 and buried them in the southern end of the hill, 
 while the dead and dying of the Illini were either 
 thrown into the river or left to decay where they 
 had fallen. 
 
 When the North Shore Electric plant was 
 built around 1910 several skeletons, presumably 
 of Indians, were exposed while excavating near 
 the banks of the Calumet river. Also when 
 Fulton street, east of Western avenue, was opened 
 and graded, in the early 70's, many human bones 
 were unearthed. In the later 80's, Rock Island 
 workmen uncovered the bones of two skeletons 
 while leveling off a small mound of earth on the 
 eastern edge of the company's right-of-way, just 
 north of Vermont street. 
 
 What a beautiful and wonderful country this 
 region around the ridge and the Calumet river 
 must have been in its natural state, and is it any 
 wonder that the red man fought so hard to retain 
 it? It is any wonder that the longing to see it 
 once more brought many of them back here 
 again and again? 
 
 The Chicago Journal, March 29, 1856, has 
 this item : "A large number of the Pottawatomies 
 from the Calumet river have been for several 
 days encamped near the residence of the late 
 H. B. Clark, a short distance south of the river. 
 Their tents gleaming in the twilight and the red 
 glow of their camp fires, and their blanketed 
 forms passing here and there, render it quite a 
 border scene of the earlier days." 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Drowned at Blue Island, May 7, 1859. Jos- 
 eph Langdon, an essence peddler, was drowned 
 in the Calumet river". — Chicago Democrat, May 
 14, 1859. 
 
86 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Press Notices of the Early Years 
 
 A news report, published in the Chicago 
 Democratic Press under date of September 2, 
 1856, tells of the dedication of the new school 
 at Blue Island as follows: 
 
 "The new public school house of this place 
 was dedicated yesterday with appropriate exer- 
 cises. A large audience was present and the 
 performances were very well received. The 
 music for the occasion was furnished by the Blue 
 Island brass band, the German Singer association 
 and a small class of misses. 
 
 "The address for the occasion was delivered 
 by Mr. Welch of Geneva. It was, to say the least, 
 a production of great merit, evincing talent of a 
 high order as well as a ripe scholarship. The 
 principal topic of the address was the 'Adaption 
 of Education to the Wants of Our Times and 
 Country.' He presented the claim of our pub- 
 lic schools with an earnestness that showed his 
 heart and mind were thoroughly imbued with 
 the great work of popular education. We trust 
 the good work commenced in our town, under 
 so favorable auspices, may receive the hearty co- 
 operation of all." 
 
 (Signed) A Lady. 
 * * # 
 
 Uhlich-Brand. Another Matrimonial Alliance. 
 May 15, 1875. 
 
 "Once more the arrow of the little blind god 
 had hit the mark and two are made one. Blue 
 Island never does things by halves, every act of 
 hers excels the previous one. If things go on 
 this way for some time even the blackeyed beau- 
 ties and brown haired belles of the place will 
 once again live in the hope that it will be "their 
 turn next." Last Saturday evening, Miss Clara 
 Uhlich of this village and Mr. Rudolph Brand 
 of Chicago, were married by the Rev. J. Hart- 
 man of the city at the beautiful residence of the 
 bride's father. It was the most brilliant of Blue 
 Island's weddings, and she has had her share of 
 them. The bride was elegantly arrayed in a steel 
 colored satin, made quite modestly but with a 
 train a yard in length, her veil fell in graceful 
 folds the entire length of her dress and was 
 fastened on her head with a handsome wreath 
 of orange blossoms which formed a cluster at 
 the back of her head while a long spray of the 
 lovely flowers fell below her waist and was lost 
 amid the folds of the veil. The four brides- 
 maids were dressed in white swiss, two with pink 
 and two with white trimmings. The bridesmaids 
 were Miss Laura Uhlich, Miss Natalia Uhlich, 
 Miss R. Gnell and Miss Ida Mihm. The grooms- 
 men were Messrs. H. Bose, Chas. Brand, Dewis 
 and F. C. Schapper. The presents were numer- 
 
 ous, rich and most beautiful. ***Then the newly 
 married couple with their many friends repaired 
 to Turner Hall, which had been beautifully dec- 
 orated with flowers and evergreens for the occa- 
 sion by Mr. Paul Klenk, where one and all trip- 
 ped the 'light fantastic' with light feet and 
 merry hearts until the 'wee small hours' when 
 they parted with many fond wishes for the future 
 welfare of Mr. and Mrs. Brand". 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Charles Whitmar, living in Blue Island, 
 while hunting near the Junction, shot himself in 
 the knee and died the same night". — Chicago 
 Democrat, Sept. 19, 1860. 
 
 * * # 
 
 "Body Found Sixteen Months After Death. 
 Dennis Curran while hunting in the Sag about 6 
 miles west of Blue Island shot a bird which fell 
 near a pair of boots lying imbedded in the tall 
 grass. To his surprise he found the boots still 
 contained the bones of a human foot while near- 
 by was a skeleton, encased in the remains of the 
 clothing. They were the remains of John Cough- 
 lin who attempted to cross the slough on the 16th 
 of March, 1858, while returning from Blue Is- 
 land and was mired and drowned in the marsh". 
 — Chicago Democrat, July, 1859. 
 » * * 
 
 The funeral of Herman Bose, February 19, 
 1877: 
 
 "Monday was a day of general mourning in 
 Blue Island for on that day the remains of one 
 whom all Blue Island had loved and esteemed 
 were consigned to their last resting place in the 
 city of the silent. 
 
 "Herman Bose's body reached here on Sunday 
 morning, having been accompanied from Jack- 
 sonville, Florida, by Mr. Hugo Robinson. At 
 Chicago he was met by a committee from this 
 place. Reaching Blue Island at two o'clock the 
 remains were received by the society of Turners, 
 who escorted them to the residence of Mr. Bose. 
 Here it was taken in charge by the Masons, who 
 clothed the coffin in a white apron and set a 
 guard upon it. 
 
 "In the meantime preparations for the funeral 
 were made. At 1:20 on Monday, the Rock Is- 
 land train brought from the city Chicago Com- 
 mandery of Knights Templar, to which Mr. 
 Bose belonged, Nevin's band, engaged by Cal- 
 umet Lodge, and R. W. District Grand Master 
 O'Neill. The Turners had formed in their hall 
 and marched to the residence, receiving the 
 Templar and Blue Lodge Masons. The pall- 
 bearers were all members of Calumet Lodge. 
 
 "The coffin being placed in the hearse, the 
 line of march was taken from Turner Hall in 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 87 
 
 the following order: Knights Templar, Turners, 
 Pall Bearers, The Hearse, Pall Bearers, Parents 
 of the Deceased, Calumet Lodge, No. 716, A. F. 
 & A. M., R.W.D.G.M. O'Neill, Citizens. 
 
 "Turner Hall had been appropriately draped 
 in mourning and flowers and evergreens were 
 placed on the stage. This was done by loving 
 hands of lady friends of the Turners. The 
 coffin having been placed with the three great 
 lights of Masonry at its foot, the Liederkranz 
 society, under the leadership of Charles Ellfeldt, 
 sang a funeral anthem most effectively. The 
 Rev. Mr. Hartman then delivered an impressive 
 and solemn address in German. 
 
 "The whole of Blue Island seemed out to 
 take part in the ceremony, and many were pres- 
 ent from Chicago and other places. It was a tri- 
 bute of respect such as only a true man could 
 have earned. 
 
 "The public schools in Blue Island and at 
 Washington Heights were closed out of respect 
 to the dead. Many places of business were also 
 closed." 
 
 Blue Island Standard, Feb. 23, 1877. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Mr. L. Seymour, principal of the Blue Is- 
 land public school, reports to the Blue Island 
 Standard that the number of pupils enrolled on 
 February 16, 1877, is 332, and the average daily 
 
 attendance 311". 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Married on 2nd inst., by F. A. Howe, Esq., 
 Mr. Merrill Kyle to Miss Eunice S. Smith, 
 daughter of John Smith, at his residence ten 
 miles south of Chicago". — Chicago American. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1841. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Married the 15th inst., by Rev. S. P. Skinner, 
 Dr. Henry Douglas of Blue Island, 111., to Mary 
 L. Andrus of Chicago." — Chicago Democrat, 
 
 June 12, 1851. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Married in Plainfield, Du Page County, 111., 
 July 22nd, by the Rev. Mr. Day, Jerome S. Fay 
 of Blue Island to Miss Mary A. Hopkins of 
 Plainfield". — Chicago Democratic Press, Febru- 
 ary 24, 1854. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Died at Blue Island, July 4, 1849, Mrs. Susan 
 B. Rexford, wife of Stephan Rexford, aged 32 
 
 years". — Chicago Democrat, July 9, 1849. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Died in Blue Island, January 4, 1844, of 
 scarlet fever, Mary D. Rexford, daughter of 
 Norman and Julia, aged 3 years, 1 month and 
 9 days". — Weekly Chicago Democrat, January 
 10, 1844. 
 
 In The "Good Old Days" 
 
 Although the pioneer residents of Blue Island 
 had many disagreeable conditions to contend 
 with they also enjoyed primitive diversions and 
 pleasures which we, of the later years, do not 
 have. 
 
 True, sickness and mosquito epidemics — the 
 lack of medical attention and help from the out- 
 side world — muddy streets and muddy sidewalks 
 — made existence in the little community at 
 times seem intolerable. 
 
 \et there were many happy days — days when 
 the sun shone and dried up the muddy streets — 
 days when nature put forth its freshest and 
 greenest garb and carpeted the prairies with a 
 riotous bloom of wild flowers — days when the 
 fish in Stony creek and the Calumet river lured 
 the pioneer Izaak Waltons. Then, later in the 
 fall, when the swamps and marshes were the 
 feeding grounds of the thousands upon thou- 
 sands of water fowl of every description the pio- 
 neer Nimrods would be out in full force. 
 
 Nearly every woman in the settlement could 
 ride horseback and most of them could handle 
 a rifle or gun and shoot as well as the best 
 of the men. 
 
 In the early winter, after a light snowfall, 
 hunting parties were made up. Sometimes the 
 quest would be for deer, but almost as often 
 the marauding wolves or slinking coyotes would 
 be the prey sought. 
 
 Women frequently joined these hunts and 
 nearly every cabin was able to display several 
 wolf skins as trophies of the chase. 
 
 Partridge, pheasants, grouse, prairie chickens 
 and rabbits abounded in the nearby woods and 
 thickets, and those hunters who did not care to 
 go after the larger and more distant game, found 
 plenty of opportunity to test the skill of their 
 marksmanship close by the settlement. 
 
 Thomas Morgan, an Englishman, who settled 
 on the ridge in 1836 at what was then known 
 as the "long wood", near where Norman Rex- 
 ford had built his first log tavern, at one time 
 owned more than 1000 acres of ridge land, in- 
 cluding most of what later was Morgan Park. 
 
 One of Mr. Morgan's principles in purchasing 
 land was to select only that on which trees were 
 growing. He cultivated only a small portion 
 of the land he owned and preserved in its nat- 
 ural state much of that which is now included 
 in the small parks that dot the ridge district. 
 
 Morgan was very fond of the chase, and the 
 family kept many fine horses and a pack of 50 
 or 60 hounds, with a man to care for them. In 
 October after the lilies were gone and the prai- 
 
88 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 rie was burned over, they rode with their hounds 
 in pursuit of deer. 
 
 These events were among the notable social 
 affairs of that time and many Blue Island 
 people took part in them, being entertained 
 after the hunt in the spacious home of their 
 host. 
 
 Mrs. Edwin Cool, relating incidents of her 
 childhood days, tells how the young folks often 
 rode on their ponies with the friendly red men 
 and would engage them in races across the 
 prairie. 
 
 Even during the long, cold and dreary winters 
 our early settlers found many ways to amuse 
 themselves. Judging by the accounts handed 
 down from those days they had winters that 
 were "real winters," with snow sometimes from 
 four to six feet in depth on the level ground. 
 
 "Coasting" on the steep hillsides was a favor- 
 ite winter sport. All of the hills were then 
 much steeper than they are now, having, since 
 village incorporation, been cut down at the 
 top and filled in at the bottom. 
 
 Vermont street and Western avenue hills were 
 the favorites for this sport, with the preference 
 always in favor of Western avenue. 
 
 There was good reason for this preference. 
 Western avenue hill was the steepest of them all, 
 permitted the longest "coast" and gave the 
 greatest thrill. The double bend in the road, 
 the drop to the lowest point on the creek bridge, 
 and the slight rise again over the Rock Island 
 railroad tracks gave a supreme thrill and also 
 furnished many a "spill" in the snow heaped at 
 the roadside. Heavy bob-sleds, each capable 
 of carrying six or eight people were used. The 
 highest point of the hill was then at Grove 
 street. Here was the start-off point. A care- 
 fully guided "bob" would negotiate the turns, 
 flash over the creek bridge, climb the rise over 
 the railroad tracks and continue on across Canal 
 street and many times almost up to Broadway. 
 
 There were no street lights those days and 
 sometimes at night huge bonfires would be built 
 at two or three points along the course for 
 warmth and light. Lanterns hung on poles 
 stuck in the snow marked the curves in the 
 road. "It was great sport," an old-timer in- 
 formed the writer, "and sometimes it seemed as 
 if every inhabitant in the village was there to 
 take part in enjoying the fun." 
 
 Sometimes, too, the big bob-sleds were got- 
 ten out, the box bodies of the sleds piled deep 
 with straw, plenty of blankets, wolf, and deer 
 
 skins thrown in for warmth and everybody snug- 
 gled close for a drive across the fields to enjoy 
 an evening of gaiety and dancing in some near- 
 by hamlet. 
 
 Unhampered by the restrictions and formal- 
 ities of today, no radios, no jazz music, no mov- 
 ing pictures, no theatres, no entertainments ex- 
 cept such as they provided themselves — -yet, can 
 anyone truthfully claim that our first citizens 
 enjoyed themselves less than we of today who 
 have all these conveniences? 
 
 So be charitable — do not ridicule the "old- 
 timer" when, with a tinge of of sadness in his 
 voice, he refers to "the good old days"! 
 
 * * * 
 
 Chicory Factory 
 
 A chicory factory was another of the unusual 
 and novel industries which was operated in Blue 
 Island in the early days. About 1860, Charles 
 F. Volk rented a piece of land about a mile west 
 of the village and started the growing of chicory 
 roots, the manufactured product of which was 
 an adulterant or substitute for coffee. Volk used 
 the old Braun (or Reiser) brewery at Gregory 
 and New streets for the cutting, drying and 
 grinding of the roots. He spent a lot of time 
 and money in perfecting and trying to market 
 his product, but the returns were discouraging. 
 One night the overheated kiln set fire to the fac- 
 tory and it was destroyed. Thus ended another 
 
 "infant industry." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Rock Island Blacksmith Shop 
 
 In the late 50's the Rock Island had a large 
 blacksmith shop on their grounds south of Ver- 
 mont street, between their tracks and Rexford 
 street, where bent rails were straightened, cut to 
 size, and short lengths were welded together. 
 Here also worn and broken rails had new sur- 
 faces welded on and were refinished for further 
 service. Drawbars, couplers, iron fittings for 
 cars and locomotives were also made and re- 
 paired here. In fact all sorts of heavy railroad 
 blacksmithing was done in the Blue Island shop. 
 Some twenty men were employed at this work 
 under the able direction of Joshua B. Illings- 
 worth, foreman and head smith. (See more 
 complete article on Railroads in later chapter.) 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Married in this city by the Rev. S. P. Skin- 
 ner, Mr. Stephan Rexford of Blue Island to Miss 
 Elvira Barber of Wordsboro, Vt." — Chicago 
 Journal, April 20, 1850. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 89 
 
 WARTIME AFFAIRS 
 
 Four times during Blue Island's First Hundred 
 Years has the specter of war cast its sinister 
 shadow on our community: 
 
 The War with Mexico, 1846-48. 
 
 War of the Rebellion, 1861-65. 
 
 The Spanish-American War, 1898-99. 
 
 The World War, 1917-18. 
 
 There is no record to show that anyone from 
 Blue Island served in the war with Mexico, as 
 the little settlement at that time had a total 
 population of less than 200. 
 
 As early as 1842, though, Blue Island com- 
 munity was recognized in military affairs. In 
 Regimental Order No. 2, from the 60th Regi- 
 ment, under command of Seth Johnson, lieuten- 
 ant-colonel, calling an election to be held on 
 the 15th of June, 1842, "for the purpose of 
 electing one captain and one second lieutenant 
 for each company in the district laid off as 
 follows:" 
 
 Then follow the descriptions of six districts 
 and the designation of the companies for which 
 officers are to be elected. These were: Com- 
 panies F, G, H, I, K, and L. The portion of 
 the order effecting Blue Island reads: "York and 
 Thornton precincts (which included Blue Island) 
 will form Company G district. The election will 
 be held at N. Rexfords." 
 
 The writer has been unable to find any record 
 of the result of that election. 
 
 On April 1, 1848, only a few months before 
 the end of the Mexican war, the Chicago Demo- 
 crat gives notice of an election for regimental 
 officers of the 63rd Regiment, as follows: 
 
 "On the 29th of March, 1848, an election was 
 held at Blue Island to elect officers for the 
 "newly organized 63rd" (106th Regiment), with 
 the following result: Colonel, Thodotus Doty; 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Merrill Kyle; Major, Jona- 
 than Periam. 
 
 The company officers were: 
 
 First — Captain, B. B. Heacock; First Lieuten- 
 ant, Thomas Faherty; Second Lieutenant, Otis 
 M. Wattles. 
 
 Second — Captain, Nathaniel Sherwood; First 
 Lieutenant, Caleb Sweet; Second Lieutenant, L. 
 L. Butler. 
 
 Third — Captain, George Rheit; First Lieuten- 
 ant, J. H. Batchelder; Second Lieutenant, Sam- 
 uel W. Peirce. 
 
 Fourth — Captain, Austin Sweet; First Lieuten- 
 
 ant, Charles H. Dolton; Second Lieutenant, Will- 
 iam C. Bell. 
 
 Fifth — Captain, John Kettering; First Lieuten- 
 ant, James Austin; Second Lieutenant, Sidney V. 
 Brace. 
 
 Sixth — Captain, Artemus B. Kellogg; First 
 Lieutenant, William Kieth; Second Lieuten- 
 ant, Peter Kerns. Adjutant, James Mechie. 
 
 The end of the Mexican war, coming so closely 
 
 after the formation of these companies, none 
 
 experienced the stern test of actual war and by 
 
 the end of 1860 practically all had become 
 
 extinct. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Civil War 
 
 Under the call of July 4, 1864, for 500,000 
 men the quota for Cook County was set at 4,250. 
 This apportionment was excessive and unjust, 
 and was made under a misapprehension of the 
 facts and on an entirely false basis, as was 
 proven to the satisfaction of the Provost Mar- 
 shal General, who then ordered the quota of the 
 Cook County district reduced fifty per cent. 
 Under the reduced apportionment the county 
 recruited vigorously, and by September 1, re- 
 duced the quota to 1,823. 
 
 The quota required from Blue Island and the 
 adjoining townships and the number enrolled 
 subject to military duty was as follows: 
 
 Quota Enrolled 
 
 Worth 21 242 
 
 Calumet 29 254 
 
 Bremen 22 198 
 
 Thornton 26 225 
 
 To stimulate enrollment the Board of Super- 
 visors passed an ordinance authorizing the issue 
 of $300,000 in county script for the payment of 
 bounties to soldiers, to be credited on the quota 
 of Cook county. Under this stimulus the quota 
 of the county had been reduced to 1,650 by 
 September 26, the day on which the drafts began. 
 The draft was continued intermittantly for nearly 
 a month, but during that time volunteers were 
 furnished for all drafted men who did not choose 
 to serve themselves for the bounty offered. One 
 thousand five hundred and fifty volunteers were 
 thus obtained in three weeks, and, on October 
 22, the quota of the Cook county district was 
 officially declared to be filled. 
 
 Two months after, December, 1864, the last 
 call for 300,000 troops was made, of which Cook 
 county's quota was to be 5,200 men. This call, 
 like the previous one, was again declared exces- 
 
90 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 sive, and appeals of committees of citizens to 
 both Springfield and Washington were made, 
 but availed nothing. So the citizens set about 
 the heavy task of raising this new and unjust 
 quota. The task fell with excessive severity on 
 the townships in some of which the requirement 
 was for one man for every five enrolled. The 
 towns, or majority of them, by special bounties 
 in addition to the county bounty, and by indi- 
 vidual subscriptions and efforts, promptly raised 
 their quota. 
 
 Up to February 7, there had been but 528 men 
 furnished on the new call. Although the towns 
 had filled their quota and avoided the draft, 
 Chicago at this time experienced considerable 
 difficulty with "bounty jumpers" who fairly 
 swarmed about the city, and managed to absorb 
 the bounties without filling the required quota. 
 The draft on this call, which was to have started 
 early in April, was held in abeyance when the 
 news was received of the fall of Petersburg, 
 quickly followed by the taking of Richmond, 
 indications that the war was virtually at an end. 
 On April 13, 1865, the welcome news was re- 
 ceived that the Rebellion had collapsed and that 
 no more soldiers would be needed from Cook 
 
 county. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Following is a list of men who served in the 
 Civil War, and who, with two or three excep- 
 tions, enlisted from Blue Island. The list, al- 
 though incomplete, shows that Blue Island did 
 her part in those troublous times, in upholding 
 the Union cause. The Thirty-ninth Illinois Vol- 
 unteers, known as the "Yates Phalanx," was or- 
 ganize and raised in Blue Island. 
 
 Frank L. Bushnell enlisted in July, 1861, in 
 Co. H, 20th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and par- 
 ticipated in all battles of his command. Lost his 
 left eye in the battle of Gettysburg. Mustered 
 out in '64 and returned to Blue Island. 
 
 Oliver E. Eames enlisted April 16, 1861, in 
 Co. D, Nineteenth Illinois Vounteer Infantry — 
 Major Harding's Company — then called Hard- 
 ing's Light Guards. Mustered out in 1864 as 
 First Lieutenant; then received a captain's com- 
 mission in Co. D, 4th U. S. Veteran Volunteers 
 who guarded the jail at Washington, D. C, at the 
 time of the hanging of Mrs. Suratt. 
 
 John M. Green enlisted in Co. G, 88th Illinois 
 Volunteer Infantry. Participated in five general 
 battles. Mustered out in September, 1865. 
 
 Harry Morgan enlisted in spring of 1861 in 
 Battery A, First Illinois Light Artillery; partic- 
 ipated in several engagements; mustered out in 
 1863. 
 
 Everett H. Rexford enlisted in spring of 1861 
 
 and served as bugler in Co. A, First Illinois 
 Light Artillery; participated in several import- 
 ant engagements; mustered out in 1863. 
 
 Alonzo N. Townsend served as a member of 
 Co. C, Sixth Vermont Infantry, a part of the 
 Army of the Potomac; participated in a number 
 of important engagements and was present at 
 the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Discharged 
 while in hospital at City Point, Va., July, 1865. 
 
 C. C. Claussen, enlisted in Co. B, 82nd Illinois 
 Infantry, a unit of the Army of the Potomac, the 
 only infantry regiment from this state that took 
 part in the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Claussen 
 was taken prisoner on the first day of the en- 
 gagement and was taken to Richmond, Va., and 
 placed in Libby prison. Was paroled in August, 
 1863, and at once returned to the Union lines. 
 During the remainder of the war he served under 
 General Sherman and participated in the battles 
 of Mission Ridge and Nashville. Received only 
 one slight wound. 
 
 George E. Hinman enlisted in Co. I, Thirteenth 
 Illinois Infantry, which was raised in Blue Is- 
 land. Participated in battles of Wilson's Creek, 
 Pea Ridge, Springfield and Helena. Joined Gen- 
 eral Sherman's Yazoo expedition but was taken 
 sick with fever and was discharged, returning to 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Charles Strickert joined Co. B, Eighty-second 
 Illinois Infantry, August 12, 1862 and served to 
 the end of the war. He was captured at the 
 Battle of Gettysburg, taken to Richmond and 
 placed in Libby prison; was paroled and ex- 
 changed and rejoined his regiment, which was 
 assigned to General Sherman's command; took 
 part in the Atlanta campaign and the march to 
 the sea. Was captured March 25, 1865, near 
 Goldsboro, N. C, while on a foraging expedi- 
 tion and placed in Andersonville prison. All of 
 his money, his watch and clothing, except shirt 
 and pants were taken from him. On the 2nd of 
 April the rebels, who were then evacuating Rich- 
 mond, took him and his comrades up the James 
 river and liberated them. 
 
 Andrew McCord enlisted in Co. F, One Hun- 
 dredth Illinois Infantry and served to the close 
 of the war, taking part in engagements at Stone 
 River, Perryville, Jonesboro, Mission Ridge, and 
 Atlanta. Mustered out in 1865 and returned to 
 Cook county. 
 
 Lester D. Klump enlisted in Co. G, Eighty- 
 eighth Illinois Infantry and served under Gen- 
 erals Buell, Rosecranz and Thomas ; participated 
 in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Mission- 
 ary Ridge, Atlanta and Nashville. Mustered out 
 June 9, 1865, and returned at once to Blue Is- 
 land. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 91 
 
 John Merkelbach and William Merkelbach, 
 brothers, both enlisted in Co. B, Eighty-second 
 Illinois Infantry and served to the end of the 
 war. 
 
 Martin Ocker enlisted in 1861 in 72nd Board 
 of Trade regiment; participated in the siege of 
 Vicksburg. While his company was returning 
 north they were caught in a surprise attack by 
 rebels and Mr. Ocker was killed. Buried in the 
 National cemetery at Nashville. 
 
 John M. Green enlisted in Co. G, Eighty-eighth 
 Illinois Volunteer Infantry and participated in 
 several important battles; was mustered out in 
 September, 1865. 
 
 John S. Kauffman served in Co. B, 20th Penn- 
 sylvania Cavalry. 
 
 Matthew McClaughry enlisted in Co. F, One- 
 Hundredth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, partic- 
 ipating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River 
 and Chattanooga; was mustered out in Septem- 
 ber, 1863. 
 
 Joseph W. Harmon, M.D., served with the 
 Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, prior to 
 locating in Blue Island. 
 
 Hiram Gilson enlisted in Co. G, Thirty-ninth 
 Illinois Infantry, known as the "Yates Phalanx," 
 assigned to the Army of the Potomac; took part 
 in the capture of Ft. Gregg, the battle of Ap- 
 pomattox and was present at the evacuation of 
 Richmond. 
 
 Stephen C. Reed served in Co. F, Ninety- 
 eighth New York Infantry; was discharged in 
 1863, but reenlisted February 27, 1864, in Co. 
 G, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry in which he 
 served to the close of the war. Participated in 
 a number of important battles including the 
 seven-days Battle of the Wilderness; mustered 
 out December 6, 1865. 
 
 Nicholas Stoll enlisted February 15, 1865, as 
 a member of Co. G, First Illinois Light Artillery, 
 which was stationed at Memphis until the close 
 of the war. 
 
 Roscoe E. Rexford, only brother of Everett 
 H. Rexford, enlisted in the spring of 1861 
 in Co. A, First Illinois Light Artillery. He was 
 taken severely sick after some time of active ser- 
 vice and received a furlough, but did not live 
 to reach home. 
 
 Felix Duress, enlisted in the One-Hundredth 
 Illinois Volunteers, was killed in action. 
 
 George Harter served in Battery M, First 
 Illinois Light Artillery, taking part in several 
 important engagements. 
 
 James Hamilton enlisted in Co. G, Thirty- 
 ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the 
 "Yates Phalanx," assigned to the Army of the 
 
 Potomac; took part in the battle of Appamattox 
 and other important engagements. 
 
 John Caldwell served with the Thirty-ninth 
 Illinois Infantry which was raised in Blue Is- 
 land. 
 
 Richard Caldwell served with the Eight Illi- 
 nois Cavalry. 
 
 Wallace M. Day and Charles 0. Day, sons of 
 Rodney Day, were both enlisted in the Seventy- 
 second Illinois Infantry. 
 
 William Berger enlisted in Co. B, Eighty-sec- 
 ond Illinois Infantry, a unit of the Army of the 
 Potomac. He was killed in action at Gettys- 
 burg (?) 
 
 George Boger served in the Civil War. 
 
 Charles Wuetig enlisted in Co. G, Second 
 Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery, on 
 January 21, 1864, serving until September of 
 1865, when he was given an honorable dis- 
 charge at Springfield. He served under Major- 
 General A. J. Smith, participating in the cam- 
 paigns at Meridian, Miss., Red River and Tue- 
 pelo, La. 
 
 George Hoffmeister and August Jonas both 
 served in the Eighty-second Illinois Infantry. 
 
 John Ihde served in the Civil War. 
 
 John Fischer served during the Civil War in 
 Co. D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
 and participated in several of the important 
 battles of his command. The Thirty-ninth, known 
 as the Yates Phalanx, was assigned to the army 
 of the Potomac. 
 
 Frederick and William Kantzler, sons of 
 Christian Kantzler, served in the Civil War. 
 
 John G. Knirsch served in the Thirtieth Illi- 
 nois Infantry during the Civil War. 
 
 John W. Wolff served several years for the 
 Union cause during the Civil War. 
 
 John Hoffman served in the Civil War in the 
 Hoffman's Dragons. 
 
 Oscar F. Rudd was one of the first in this 
 vicinity to offer his services to the government at 
 the beginning of the Civil War. He was captain 
 of Co. G, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry which 
 was organized in Blue Island. 
 
 William Hamilton, Co. G, 39th Illinois Vol- 
 unteers. 
 
 Milton Adams served with Co. G, Eighty- 
 eighth Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Adam Bauer, Co. B, Eighty-second Illinois 
 Volunteer Infantry. 
 
 George Doehler enlisted in Co. H, Twentieth 
 Indiana Infantry, the same company in which 
 Frank Bushnell served. He was a butcher by 
 
92 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 occupation and served in that capacity during 
 the war. He participated in the battle of Gettys- 
 burg, where he received a leg injury. 
 
 Daniel Barnard, Eighty-eighth Illinois Volun- 
 teer Infantry. 
 
 James Betts, Co. A, First Illinois Artillery. 
 
 Emil Biederman, William Bishop, George 
 Bauer, Christian Voss, John G. Knirsch, August 
 Johler, Camillus Cox also gave their services 
 to the Union cause during the Civil War. 
 
 Spanish American War 
 
 By fall of 1897 the situation in Cuba had 
 reached a point where it was felt that, sooner or 
 later, the United States must be drawn into war 
 with Spain. Complications between this country 
 and Spain had continued to increase. The pa- 
 tient diplomacy of President McKinley seemed 
 to bring us no nearer to a settlement. Our rep- 
 resentatives and citizens in Cuba were threatened. 
 The "Maine," one of our finest and best equip- 
 ped battleships, was stationed in the harbor of 
 Havana with Spanish consent. The world was 
 suddenly astounded, and our own government 
 awakened from its lethargy by the report of 
 the complete destruction, on February 15, 1898, 
 of the vessel with most of its crew, under cir- 
 cumstances clearly pointing to Spanish duplic- 
 ity. Our people, horrified by the cruelty of the 
 Spanish toward the Cubans, and maddened by 
 the destruction of our own United States sea- 
 men, talked nothing but war. The tide of indig- 
 nation welled up from every city, village and 
 hamlet, until it reached the White House and 
 war between this country and Spain was officially 
 declared. 
 
 In this emergency Blue Island again came to 
 the front by recruiting a complete troop of the 
 First Cavalry Illinois National Guard. This was 
 known as Troop M and was composed largely 
 of Rock Island railroad men and Blue Island 
 citizens in other walks of life. Confining this 
 record strictly to those men recruited from Blue 
 Island, we find the following officers and pri- 
 vates : 
 
 Captain- — James H. Conlen, roadmaster, Rock 
 Island railroad. 
 
 Sergeants — Charles G. Krueger, Harry F. At- 
 wood. 
 
 Corporal — Fayette Reed. 
 
 Saddler — Emil Faber. 
 
 Farrier — Edward H. Rossner. 
 
 Wagoner — James Conlan. 
 
 Trumpeter — Walter Davis. 
 
 Privates — John Claussen, John H. Kick, Xav- 
 
 ier Deipolder, Joseph Kinder, Louis Kick, Louis 
 Krueger, Fergus Luscombe, Nicholas Luscombe, 
 Thomas Luscombe, Nicholas Lusson, Thomas 
 Costello, Charles Nelson, Owen O'Keefe, John 
 Penberthy, Theodore J. Peterson. 
 
 While Troop M was still stationed at Ft. 
 Sheridan Trumpeter Walter Davis was given a 
 leave of absence and rode a horse belonging to 
 a Second Lieutenant. While riding on Burr 
 Oak avenue the horse slipped on the brick 
 pavement and Walter was thrown against the 
 curb and his skull fractured. His funeral was 
 one of the largest and most impressive military 
 funerals held in Blue Island up to that time. 
 
 Troop M was not privileged to see active 
 service. After some weeks of training in camp 
 at Springfield the First Cavalry was ordered 
 to Chickamauga, Tenn., to hold itself in readi- 
 ness for orders to embark for Cuba. About 
 this time an epidemic of typhoid fever spread 
 throughout the camp, causing much illness and 
 several deaths. 
 
 Later, to provide more sanitary and healthier 
 conditions, the First Cavalry was ordered to 
 encamp on top of Lookout Mountain. But the 
 defeat of Cervera's fleet and the smashing vic- 
 tory of Roosevelt's Rough Riders on San Juan 
 hill ended the war and our soldier boys were 
 soon on their way back to Chicago. 
 * * * 
 Spanish War Veterans Organization 
 
 The Blue Island veterans of the Spanish- 
 American war maintain an organization here 
 known as Theodore Roosevelt Camp No. 129, 
 United Spanish War Veterans. The camp has 
 thirty-four members with the following officers: 
 
 Commander — Walter Edmundson, who saw 
 service with Co. H, 159th Volunteer Infantry. 
 
 Senior Vice-Commander — Alvin Myers, form- 
 erly of Co. L, 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
 
 Quartermaster and Adjutant — Ed. H. Rossner. 
 
 The First Cavalry Illinois National Guard was 
 under command of Col. Edward C. Young of 
 Beverly Hills. Frank B. Alsip of Blue Island 
 held commission as major on Col. Young's staff, 
 and Charles H. Alsip, also from here, was sec- 
 ond lieutenant of Troop C. 
 * * * 
 
 The War With Germany 
 
 A chapter on Blue Island's activities and par- 
 ticipation in this great conflict will be found in 
 a later portion of this book. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 93 
 
 FAMILY HISTORIES 
 
 The Rexford Family 
 
 Benajah Rexford and his first wife, who was 
 Zeruia Squier (a sister of Hiram Squier), were 
 the parents of all the Rexfords who settled in 
 this vicinity. They had six children, one of 
 whom, Ruth, died in childhood. The other chil- 
 dren were: Stephen H., Norman, Heber S., Eliza 
 Anna, who became the wife of Germanicus 
 Cooley, and Isabel, who married Fayette Dick- 
 son. All of those named played an active and 
 important part in the development and early 
 history of the community. After the death of 
 his first wife Benajah Rexford married Roxanna 
 Ayer of Stainstead, Conn., who bore him six 
 children: Wilder A., Betsy L., Olive H., Louise 
 A., Sophronia H., and Thomas Ayer. 
 
 Benajah Rexford did not come West, nor did 
 any of the children of his second marriage locate 
 here except Thomas A. Rexford, who came with 
 his wife in 1880. Benajah Rexford died in 
 Westfield, N. Y., March 25, 1862. 
 
 Norman Rexford, Blue Island's pioneer settler, 
 located on the Blue Island Ridge about four 
 miles north of the present city of that name, in 
 the fall of 1835, having made the trip by team 
 from Pittsburgh, Pa. Here he built a log cabin 
 of four rooms which served as residence and 
 also, when required, furnished lodgings for 
 chance travelers. 
 
 This first tavern of the Blue Island ridge 
 was a crude — and if Isaac Greenacre's descrip- 
 tion of it is true — a very small affair. Mr. Green- 
 acre in reminiscences of the North Ridge, says he 
 was informed on good authority that the follow- 
 ing description accurately fitted this pioneer 
 tavern: "If a cat held by its tail is swung in a 
 circle it will touch all four walls." 
 
 That may be a rather fanciful description — 
 anyway, the Rexford tavern, which he called the 
 "Blue Island House," undoubtedly afforded wel- 
 come shelter from the weather and from the wild 
 beasts of the wilderness to many a weary 
 traveler. 
 
 But the southern tip of the Ridge, which Rex- 
 ford had explored, lured him to locate there, 
 and in the fall of 1836 we find him busily erect- 
 ing a much larger and more pretentious "Blue 
 Island House" in the new location. This was 
 the first permanent building erected here and 
 was the nucleus from which sprung the City of 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Norman Rexford was born in Charlotte, Vt., 
 June 4, 1802, and died in Blue Island, March 
 
 25, 1883. His wife was Miss Julia Wattles, 
 whom he married in Ripley, N. Y., January 10, 
 1828. Mrs. Rexford— "Aunt Julia," as she was 
 lovingly called by half the people in the village 
 ■ — died in 1897 at the age of 87 years. 
 
 Their children were Fayette D., who married 
 Julia Post; Norman Barton, who was married 
 twice, his first wife being Jane Smith and the 
 second, Almira Myrick; Clarissa Caroline be- 
 came the wife of Henry H. Massey (son of Hart 
 Massey) ; Julia, married James B. Massey (an- 
 other son of Hart Massey) ; Heber Squier Rex- 
 ford, married Fanny Huntington (daughter of 
 Samuel D. Huntington) ; Laura A. married A. B. 
 Kyle. Mary D., Susan and Elizabeth died in 
 childhood. 
 
 Norman Rexford was the first postmaster here 
 and his son Fayette, at the age of eleven years, 
 carried the first mail on horseback between Chi- 
 cago and Bunkum, a distance of ninety miles. 
 Fayette later moved to Centralia, 111., where he 
 operated a hotel for many years, was an honored 
 citizen and served a term as mayor of the city. 
 
 Norman Rexford was a stalwart, kindly per- 
 son. Seldom was a man turned away from his 
 door for want of food or money, even though 
 his generosity was sometimes imposed on. Mr. 
 Rexford never engaged in litigation, or wished 
 to see others do so. He was a staunch adherent 
 of every progressive movement and Blue Island 
 owes much of its prograss to the example of pub- 
 lic spirit, forethought and enterprise set by him. 
 
 Stephen H. Rexford, who had come to Chicago 
 in 1834, visited the Blue Island ridge that year 
 but decided to locate at Bachelor's Grove (Or- 
 land), where a number of other unmarried Eng- 
 lish-speaking young men had already settled. It 
 was this fact which gave the locality the name 
 "Bachelors Grove." He lived there until 1845, 
 when he located permanently in Blue Island. 
 Mr. Rexford was born May 4, 1804, and died in 
 Blue Island, October 7, 1880. He was married 
 twice. His first wife was Susan Wattles, a 
 daughter of Chandler Wattles. Their children 
 were: Stephen, Julia Ellen, who became the wife 
 of Charles T. Morgan ; Alma Zeruia, Anna Louise 
 married Charles A. Bellamy; Sarah Elsie, mar- 
 ried Emerson E. Bellamy, and Susan Eliza, mar- 
 ried John W. Waughop. Stephen Rexford's sec- 
 ond wife was Elvira R. Barber, a widow. The 
 children of this union were Louis A., who mar- 
 ried Minnie S. Swan; Fannie I., married to John 
 Clark; Mary C, married to Joseph Eames, and 
 
94 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Henry L., who became a prominent attorney in 
 Chicago. Stephen Rexford was postmaster here 
 in the late 40's. Rexford's Crossing at Midlo- 
 thian is named after this family which once lived 
 near there. 
 
 Heber S. Rexford, who also passed through 
 Blue Island in 1834, made a claim near his 
 brother Stephen at Bachelor's Grove. He erected 
 a small log house and moved his family in. 
 Mrs. Rexford however, was afraid of the wilder- 
 ness and the whole family were soon disatisfied, 
 so they moved back to Coshocton County, Ohio. 
 Ten years later Mr. Rexford again brought his 
 family West and then made a permanent loca- 
 tion in Blue Island. He soon obtained a contract 
 from the United States Government to carry mail 
 from Blue Island to Iroquoise, 111., two trips a 
 week, for which he was paid $598 per year. 
 This mail service was discontinued when the 
 Illinois Central Railroad was built. He then 
 bought forty acres of land on Burr Oak avenue 
 in the north-western part of the settlement and 
 went to farming, continuing in agricultural pur- 
 suits until 1870, when he was elected to the office 
 of County Treasurer. He had previously served 
 as Justice of the Peace for fourteen years. Mr. 
 Rexford was born in Chittenden County, N. Y., 
 May 12, 1809. He was married in 1833 to Miss 
 Laura Bisbee, a native of Massachusetts. They 
 had three children: Everett H., who married 
 Sarah Robinson, a daughter of Charles D. Rob- 
 inson; Roscoe E., who was a soldier in the Civil 
 War, and from exposure became sick and died; 
 Emily, who married M. T. DeWitt, teacher in 
 the public school. Mrs. Heber Rexford died in 
 1856 and Mr. Rexford then married Elizabeth 
 Smith a native of New York. She was a widow. 
 Heber Rexford died March 7, 1885, aged 76 
 years. 
 
 Everett H. Rexford, who married Sarah Rob- 
 inson, was the second volunteer in this vicinity 
 to offer his services to the Government at the 
 outbreak of the Civil War. He was a bugler in 
 Company A, First Illinois Light Artillery, and 
 participated in sixteen battles. He was mustered 
 out in July, 1864. Mr. Rexford always took a 
 deep interest in civic activities and in everything 
 affecting the growth and welfare of the commun- 
 ity. It was he who located the first large brick 
 yards in Blue Island. He secured much of the 
 right-of-way for the Chicago and Blue Island 
 railroad (now the B. & 0. Calumet Terminal) 
 and for the Chicago Interurban Traction Com- 
 pany. He served several years as a Village 
 Trustee and as President of the Village board. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Everett Rexford had only one 
 child, Laura Ballard Rexford, who married 
 George Petti John and now (1935) living in South 
 
 Pasadena, Cal. They have two children, Henry 
 and Lucy. Emily R., who married M. T. DeWitt, 
 was childless. 
 
 Wilder Rexford, whose wife was Ann Holcomb 
 of Westfield, N. Y., lived here with his half- 
 brother Heber Rexford for a short time in the 
 late 40's. 
 
 Henry L. Rexford was born in Blue Island, 
 October 6, 1854. He was educated in the schools 
 of Blue Island and Chicago. He graduated from 
 the Union College of Law in 1879 and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar. The law firm of Rexford 
 & Prentice was established in 1881. Henry L. 
 Rexford was a son of Stephen Rexford. 
 
 Norman Barton Rexford was the first white 
 male child born in Blue Island, (1836). He 
 was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rexford 
 and the father of Frank, Susan, Will, Fred, and 
 Charles Rexford. The first three named are 
 deceased. Fred and Charles are twins and live 
 in Pasadena, California. 
 
 * # « 
 
 The Robinson Family 
 
 Daniel 0. Robinson, the first one of the fam- 
 ily of that name to locate here came in 1836. 
 He was a carpenter and helped build the first 
 house in Blue Island^the Norman Rexford Tav- 
 ern, the "Blue Island House." Later he dealt 
 in real estate, taught school and was a school 
 director. He also served as Justice of the Peace. 
 The family lived at one time on Grove street, 
 east of the Rock Island railroad. Then Mr. 
 Robinson bought property on Henry (Artesian) 
 street on the brow of the hill south of Grove 
 street and built a home. At one time he had a 
 carpenter shop on the east side of Western ave- 
 nue, near Fulton street. Mrs. Robinson's maiden 
 name was Jane Kelley. She died in 1890, aged 
 77 years. Mr. Robinson died in 1867, aged 53 
 years. They had no children. 
 
 Henry Robinson located in Blue Island in 
 1843. His wife was Elizabeth Bingle, a sister 
 of Richard Bingle. They came from New York 
 City where Mr. Robinson had for some years 
 been engaged in mercantile business. Locating 
 on the west side of Western avenue, just above 
 Grove street Mr. Robinson opened a general 
 merchandise store which he conducted success- 
 fully for about five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Robinson were born in Connecticut of English 
 descent. Their children were Charles Drake 
 Robinson, who married Emily Ballard; Harry, 
 married Clara DeMinge; Joseph, married Ame- 
 lia Kelso; Sarah Ann, married Edgar P. Doane; 
 James, married Ruth Chadeague. 
 
 Harry Robinson came here with his parents 
 in 1843. His wife was Clara DeMinge of New 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 95 
 
 York but a native of France. They lived with 
 his father, Henry Robinson. Harry died during 
 the cholera epidemic in 1849 and was buried in 
 Robinson's Grove. After his death his wife and 
 two children returned East. 
 
 Charles Drake Robinson, his wife Emily (Bal- 
 lard) Robinson, and their infant daughter, came 
 to Blue Island in 1840, from New York City. 
 Mr. Robinson engaged in farming for about 
 seven years, then moved into the settlement and 
 opened a store at north-west corner of Western 
 avenue and Grove street. He had a prosperous 
 business and invested heavily in Blue Island 
 property. Mr. Robinson, of English descent, 
 was born in New York, February 15, 1811, and 
 his wife was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, 
 July 22, 1821. She died Nov. 6, 1887, and Mr. 
 Robinson, May 22, 1893. Their children were: 
 Anna Chapman Robinson, who married Edwin 
 O. Fuller; Henry B., (locally known as "H. B.") 
 was thrice married; his first wife was Mary 
 Clarkson, the second was Luna Walde, and the 
 third, Elizabeth Russel; James, married Jane 
 Egan; Sarah, married Everett H. Rexford (son 
 of Heber S.) ; Emily, married Harry Morgan; 
 Charles Benjamin, married Minnie Poole; 
 Florence, married Dr. F. S. Kauffman; Jessie, 
 married Ashley K. Hammond and Maud, mar- 
 ried Richard F. Hayes. One child died in in- 
 fancy. Charles Robinson's store was known far 
 and wide throughout the entire region, most far- 
 mers selling their produce in Chicago preferring 
 to buy their supplies here rather than in the 
 larger city. Mr. Robinson was postmaster for a 
 number of years. 
 
 Joseph Robinson, whose wife was Amelia 
 Kelso, came here in 1844, but made this their 
 home only a few years when about 1849, the 
 whole family moved to California. Susan Rob- 
 inson, who was born in Blue Island, January 
 24, 1846, became a noted actress. She died in 
 Sacramento, California in 1871 just on the eve 
 of a lengthy stage engagement for James H. 
 McVicker. The other members of this family 
 were all more or less interested in theatricals. 
 
 James Robinson, a son of Henry Robinson, 
 was the father of Mrs. Samuel D. Huntington. 
 
 Henry Ballard Robinson, better known in the 
 later years as "H. B.", was for many years 
 station agent for the Rock Island railroad com- 
 pany and operated the coal-yard at the foot of 
 
 Grove street. 
 
 * # * 
 
 Mrs. C. B. Robinson and her son Charles, 
 are the only members of the once large Robin- 
 son Family now living in Blue Island. 
 
 The Krueger Family 
 
 During the early fifties four families by the 
 name of Krueger came to Blue Island: Frederick 
 Krueger, August Krueger, and Christian Krueger, 
 Sr., and George Krueger who were brothers. 
 Christian Krueger, Sr., and George Krueger 
 hailed from Brandenburg, Germany. So did 
 Frederick, while August came from Hanover. 
 Frederick's and August's families were not rela- 
 ted to Christian's and George's. 
 
 Frederick was a veterinary surgeon and lived 
 on Canal street. August was a stone mason and 
 
 Christian Krueger, Sr. 
 1799—1877 
 
 plasterer and lived on Vermont street. His chil- 
 dren married into the Iglehart, Kirchner, and 
 Neibert families. 
 
 Of the Krueger families, Christian Krueger, 
 Sr.'s was by far the largest of the Krueger clan 
 and there are many of his descendants still in 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Ludwig Krueger, with his wife and three 
 daughters; his younger brother, Christian, and 
 his sister, Maria, all children of Christian, Sr., 
 were the first to arrive in Blue Island. That 
 was August 20, 1851. Ludwig in Germany, had 
 charge of a large estate, looking after the lands, 
 gardens, and game. He arrived in Blue Island 
 with some capital and it was only natural that 
 he should immediately make an investment in 
 farm lands. He bought a tract of land lying 
 between Burr Oak and 119th street and Western 
 avenue and a point east of the Rock Island 
 
96 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 suburban right-of-way. Theodore Guenther built 
 the home, and while it was building Ludwig 
 lived near Stony creek. This fact is mentioned 
 because when, in 1872, the land boom hit Blue 
 Island, Ludwig Krueger sold his land which he 
 had bought at $18 an acre for $600 an acre. 
 
 In the fall of the 1851 the father of the 
 Krueger family, Christian Krueger, Sr., and his 
 wife, who was Catherine Propper, a family still 
 well known in Dolton, arrived with their three 
 daughters. Catherine Propper Krueger lived 
 only a short while after arriving in Blue Island. 
 
 Christian Krueger, Sr. (born 1799, died 1877) 
 had six children who survived childhood. Lud- 
 wig, already referred to, was the oldest. He 
 had married Wilhelmina Meier (born 1824, died 
 1900) in Brandenburg. His children were Louis, 
 who married Henrietta Seyfarth, a daughter of 
 John Seyfarth; Minna, who married Henry J. 
 Beer; Louisa, who married Paul Klenk; Anna, 
 who married Gerhardt Koch; Frederika, who 
 married William G. Staffel; Mathilda, who mar- 
 ried Henry Bartel; Bertha, who married Carl H. 
 Schmitt, and William, who married Christina 
 Hanson. 
 
 Two daughters of Christian, Sr., Elizabeth 
 (born 1825, died 1895) and Frederika (born 
 1832, died 1888), married two brothers, John 
 and William Sorgenfrei. 
 
 John Sorgenfrei's children are Ada, who mar- 
 ried Fred Kallum; Emma, who married Christ 
 Muhs; Minna, who married Fred Schilling, and 
 Albert, Fred, and Louis. 
 
 William Sorgenfrei's children were Bertha, 
 married to Julius Hoffman; Frederika, married 
 to John Kich; Emma, who first married Henry 
 Englehardt and later Fred Denner; Otto, Ed- 
 mund, William and Ernst. 
 
 Another daughter of Christian, Sr., Maria 
 (born 1827, died 1907), married Frederick 
 Sauerteig. Her daughter, Aurelia, married Fred 
 Ellfeldt; and the son, Albert, is known by the 
 name of Albert Sommers. 
 
 Sophia (born 1838, died 1902), the youngest 
 daughter of Christian, Sr., married Ernst Uhlich 
 in 1856. Their children were Clara, married to 
 Rudolph Brand; Elenora, married to Arthur 
 Stockmar; Nathalia, married to Paul Kropf; 
 Emily, married to Edward Doepp; Sophia, mar- 
 ried to Louis G. Koch; Helen, married to John 
 Harker; Ernst and Rudolph. 
 
 Christian Krueger, Jr., who, with Ludwig and 
 Maria, was the first of the family to arrive in 
 
 Blue Island, married Catherine Koch in 1856. 
 Their daughter, Louise (born 1860, died 1929), 
 married Herman Seyfarth. Catherine (born 
 (1870, died 1906), married Dr. C. F. Montag. 
 Adelaide, married Andrew L. McCord; Minnie, 
 married Howard Gilson ; Robert, married Minnie 
 Karsten; Christian, III, is married to Frances 
 McCord. 
 
 George Krueger, the brother of Christian, Sr., 
 came to Blue Island about 1853. His wife was 
 Maria Schwartz, whom he married in Germany. 
 Their children were Louise, married to George 
 W. Hopf; John (born 1829, died 1911), mar- 
 ried to Dora Ganzer; Elizabeth, married to 
 William Steinbach; Dorothea, married to Fred 
 Schulz, and Marie, married to John Mueller. 
 
 Those who are familiar with Blue Island fam- 
 ilies appreciate how closely related some of them 
 are. Christian Krueger, Jr.'s marriage to Cath- 
 erine Koch was only one of several unions of 
 these two families. Catherine Koch's brother 
 Gerhardt, married Anna, a daughter of Ludwig 
 Krueger. Henry Bartel, whose mother was Mary 
 Koch, a sister of Catherine, married Mathilda 
 Krueger, another daughter of Ludwig. Louis 
 Koch, son of Gerhard, married Sophia Uhlich, 
 whose mother was a sister of Christian Krueger. 
 
 The Seyfarth and Krueger families also are 
 closely related. Louis Krueger, a son of Lud- 
 wig Krueger, married Henrietta Seyfarth, a 
 daughter of John Seyfarth. Louise Krueger, a 
 daughter of Christian, married Herman Seyfarth, 
 a son of William. Elizabeth Krueger, daughter 
 of George, married William Steinbach, whose 
 mother was a sister of Mrs. Anna Seyfarth. 
 Going down to another generation, William 
 Seyfarth, a grandson of William, married Edna 
 Krueger, a grand-daughter of Christian. 
 
 The Krueger family with its collateral branches 
 is probably the largest and best known of the 
 old families in Blue Island. Christian Krueger, 
 Jr., took an important part in the development 
 of Blue Island. He was judge of the election 
 held August 22, 1872, to form the village of Blue 
 Island. He was collector for the town of Cal- 
 umet in 1870 and 1871. At the second election, 
 held April 15. 1873, he was elected village 
 trustee and again elected to that position in 1874, 
 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1883. He was president 
 of the village board from 1880 to 1883. He was 
 school director for fifteen years, town supervisor 
 for two years, and road commissioner for six 
 years. He died in Blue Island, September 25, 
 1904. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 97 
 
 The Seyfarth Family 
 
 The first member of the Seyfarth family to 
 come to Blue Island was William Seyfarth, who 
 arrived with his wife in 1848. William Sey- 
 farth was born at Schloss-Tandorf, near Weimar, 
 Saxony, February 22, 1818. As a young man 
 he served as interpreter at the Alsterhaus, Ham- 
 burg, where he met his future wife, Louise 
 Bartling, a cousin of the proprietor. 
 
 When Mr. and Mrs. Seyfarth arrived in 
 Chicago they inquired of wholesale liquor houses 
 regarding the location of a tavern which they 
 wanted to open. William Seyfarth had met 
 some of these dealers in Germany at the Alster- 
 haus, so he knew just whom to see when he 
 reached Chicago. They were advised to locate 
 outside of the city, so they came to Blue Island. 
 They found a suitable building at the southwest 
 corner of Grove street and Western avenue which 
 had been built in 1846. 
 
 In addition to the tavern, William Seyfarth 
 also operated a stone quarry about one mile 
 southwest of Blue Island, where stone had been 
 quarried in the forties to build a lighthouse at 
 Chicago. Here a lime kiln was also erected. 
 Both quarry and kiln were operated only a few 
 years by the Seyfarths and then by Bernhard 
 Knirsch, who also found it unprofitable. 
 
 William Seyfarth was clerk for the town of 
 Worth in 1854 and 1855 and assessor from 1856 
 to 1860, the year he died. The village of Blue 
 Island had not yet been incorporated. After his 
 death his wife continued the tavern, later marry- 
 ing Charles Volk, who had been boarding at the 
 Seyfarth tavern. 
 
 A few years after William's arrival his mother, 
 three brothers, and two sisters came to Blue 
 Island. His mother was Anna Seyfarth, born in 
 1794, who died in Blue Island, September 29, 
 1857. She was a sister of Mrs. Fred Steinbach 
 (born 1800, died 1853) who came to Blue Island 
 in the early fifties also and whose son, William, 
 married Elizabeth Krueger, daughter of George 
 Krueger. 
 
 William's brother John, came to Blue Island 
 with his wife Anna (Gunderman) and daughters 
 Henrietta and Emma, about 1852. John was 
 a tailor by trade and when he came to Blue 
 Island lived near the stone quarry. Later he 
 moved into a cottage which his brother William, 
 had built for him on Gregory street between 
 Vermont and New streets. 
 
 Frederick Seyfarth also reached Blue Island 
 about 1852, and about this same time came 
 Sophia and Fredericka. 
 
 Many of the descendants of these five Seyfarth 
 brothers and sisters are still living in Blue 
 Island. 
 
 John Seyfarth's children were Henrietta, who 
 married Louis Krueger, a son of Ludwig Krue- 
 ger, another pioneer; Emma, who in 1876, mar- 
 ried Andrew Reiner, only son of Bernhardt 
 Reiner and the first child of German parentage 
 to be born in Blue Island (she died July 7, 
 1935) ; Mary, who married George Grader, only 
 son of Henry D. Grader; Ida, who never mar- 
 ried, and Helen, who died in childhood. 
 
 Frederick Seyfarth and his family moved to 
 Kankakee in 1861. None of his children mar- 
 ried in Blue Island. 
 
 Sophia, married William Loewe, a brother of 
 Mrs. William Heckler. 
 
 Fredericka, married Henry Werner and their 
 children were Ernst, William and Hermina. 
 William Werner for many years was connected 
 with the banking business in Blue Island and is 
 well remembered by many. 
 
 William Seyfarth had five sons: William, 
 Edward, Henry, Herman and Alexander. While 
 they were all brought up and lived during their 
 boyhood in Blue Island, three of them — William, 
 Henry and Alexander — eventually made their 
 homes in Chicago. Edward and Herman re- 
 mained in Blue Island and they and their de- 
 scendants have taken an active part in com- 
 munity life. 
 
 Edward Seyfarth (born 1851, died 1913), 
 married Clara Biroth in 1870. Their children 
 are Louise, who married William Stoll; Robert, 
 who married Nell Martin; Natalie, who married 
 Roy MacPhail: Clarence, who married Harriet 
 Wald; William, who married Edna Krueger; 
 Ward, who married Florence Klein ; Eunice, who 
 married August Schreiber, and Elizabeth, who 
 married Paul Rohe. 
 
 Herman Seyfarth, born 1856 and still living, 
 married Louise Krueger in 1879. Their chil- 
 dren are Arthur C, married to Olive Foster; 
 Benjamin, married to Kate Welch; Edwin, mar- 
 ried to Ella Newkirk; Walter, married to Anna 
 Ruff; Philip, married to Esther Anderson, now 
 deceased; and Helen, married to John Runkle. 
 
98 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 The writer has sought to include in the following list of short biographical sketches every fam- 
 ily locating here prior to 1872, of which he had, or could obtain, any information. 
 
 It is undoubtedly true that some have been overlooked who should be listed here. Where that 
 is the case the writer wishes it understood that it is not intentional or from any personal motive 
 that such omission occurs. 
 
 During the time this series of sketches was being printed in the Sun-Standard many families 
 came forward with family histories without any solicitation, while on the other hand several fam- 
 ilies of whom information was requested, promised to supply it, but failed to do so. 
 
 Those listed here, with but one or two exceptions, located in Blue Island prior to 1872, the 
 year Village organization was effected: 
 
 Jacob Appel came to Blue Island in 1853. 
 He was a baker and for a time had his place of 
 business on the east side of Western avenue, 
 between Grove and Vermont streets. Later he 
 moved his bakery to the south-east corner of 
 Western avenue and Fulton street where he was 
 in business many years. 
 
 B 
 
 George Bartels, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
 many, came in the middle 50's. He located on 
 Western avenue, just south of the then village 
 limits. 
 
 Henry Barthel, George Kott, Theodore 
 Guenther, Frederick Kindervater and Carl 
 Madlung, all natives of Saxony, Germany, came 
 here together in 1847. 
 
 George Bauer, a brother of Henry Bauer, came 
 here in the early 50's. He was a butcher, and 
 for many years conducted a slaughter house on 
 the north bank of the creek at Western avenue. 
 He also had a meat market in an adjoining 
 building. Fred C. Bauer, for many years in the 
 coal business here was a son. A daughter, 
 Emma, married Edward Heide. George Bauer 
 served in the Civil War. 
 
 Henry Bauer, a native of Saxe-Coburg, Ger- 
 many, located in Blue Island in 1849. He built 
 the first brewery in the village on James street, 
 just west of Western avenue. His sons and a 
 son-in-law were associated with him in the busi- 
 nesss. 
 
 Bernhard Bauman, of German birth and a 
 stone-cutter by trade, settled in Blue Island in 
 the late 50's. The family lived on 135th street 
 near the Calumet river. A daughter, Theresa, 
 became the wife of George Messerer ; Annie mar- 
 ried Andrew Rauwolf and Rosa married Frank 
 Rauwolf. Ben, a son, lives in Chicago. Mr. 
 Bauman died in 1903. 
 
 J. G. Bauer, a German physician, located 
 here in 1857, but remained in the village only 
 a short time. 
 
 William Baumbach, a native of Saxe-Gotha, 
 located in Blue Island in 1850 and established 
 himself in the merchant tailoring business on 
 Western avenue. He was the father of William, 
 Otto and Ferdinand. William married Henrietta 
 Marx and carried on the business many years 
 after his father's death. Otto married Mina 
 Mehlhorn, and Ferdinand married Sophia Krein- 
 brink, widow of Fred Kreinbrink. 
 
 Christian Becker, (Jr.), located in Blue Is- 
 land in 1852. He was a fur buyer, trapper and 
 farmer at different times. While engaged as a 
 fur buyer he traveled from Canada to the Gulf. 
 He was assessor of Calumet township for many 
 years. The family home was on Vermont street, 
 between Ashland avenue and Halsted street. 
 
 Christian Becker, (Sr.), father of Christ- 
 ian, Jr., Thomas and Valentine, located here in 
 the early 50's on a farm on the Calumet river 
 about one and one-half miles east of Blue Is- 
 land. 
 
 Thomas Becker, born in 1841, married Cres- 
 enz Baentele. They were the parents of Thomas 
 Becker, Jr., who for many years was supervisor 
 and in other capacities active in the political 
 structure of Calumet township. Thomas, Jr., 
 married Bertha Meyer. A daughter, Carrie, 
 became the wife of Otto Wilke, veteran police 
 officer of Blue Island. Valentine Becker mar- 
 ried Katherine Kiessling. 
 
 Reimer Boe came from Holland in 1854. He 
 first lived on the Thornton Road and did farm- 
 ing. In the 70's he conducted a general store 
 on the south side. 
 
 Henry J. Beer, was born in Hanover Ger- 
 many, May 24, 1845. Studied for veterinary 
 surgeon and graduated from the Osnabruck Vet- 
 erinary college in 1867. In the fall of 1872 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 99 
 
 he located in Blue Island and ran a boarding 
 house several years, after which he reengaged 
 in the veterinary profession. He was appointed 
 Deputy Sheriff of Cook county in 1882, serving 
 several years. His wife was Minnie Krueger of 
 Blue Island. The children of this marriage 
 were: Hermina, Anna, Paulina, Fannie, John, 
 and Modesta. 
 
 Henry Bertrand, a native of Belgium, and a 
 harnessmaker by trade, settled in Blue Island 
 in 1867, and erected a combination business and 
 residence building on the east side of Western 
 avenue, just below the hill. Being an expert and 
 careful craftsman he did a fine business for 
 many years. His wife was Katherine Andris. 
 He died in 1906. A daughter Katherine, married 
 Carl Schuemann, whose father, Henry Schue- 
 mann, had bought the property adjoining 
 Bertrand's. 
 
 Next to the Schuemann home was the residence 
 of Fritz Volkmann and just south of that his 
 wagon shop. Volkmann settled in Blue Island 
 in 1856. He succeeded Louis Brand, who had 
 established the business a few years before. It 
 was a combination wagon and blacksmith shop 
 and did a good business for a number of years. 
 A son, August ("Gus") Volkmann, was at one 
 time village clerk. He now lives in Gresham. 
 
 South of the Volkmann shop was the home 
 and tin shop of John Huppel, and still further 
 south and near Stony creek, was the paint shop 
 of August Johler. Johler came to Blue Island 
 in 1857 and continued in business up to the time 
 of his death, which occurred June 17, 1906. He 
 served in the Civil War. 
 
 A man named M. Dillschneider, who came 
 to Blue Island in 1847, had a tavern and sum- 
 mer garden during the 50's on this same strip of 
 land on the east side of Western avenue, between 
 Fulton street and Stony Creek. He has the dis- 
 tinction of having been the first man of German 
 birth to locate in Blue Island. 
 
 John Biedenkopf, who located at Lane's Is- 
 land in 1855, was the father of Edward Bieden- 
 kopf of the Blue Island Garage. The latter mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Peters. 
 
 August Biederman was born in Erfurt, Sax- 
 ony, Germany, and came to Blue Island in 1850. 
 He was a tailor and opened his first shop on 
 the east side of Western avenue, between Broad- 
 way and Canal street, later moving on top of 
 the hill, a few doors north of Grove street, on 
 Western. He was one of the founders of the 
 First Lutheran church in Blue Island. On the 
 death of his wife he married Mina Rinkenber- 
 ger, a sister of Christian Rinkenberger. A son, 
 Emil Biederman, served in the Civil War. 
 
 Richard Bingle, came in 1842 and located 
 first north-west of Blue Island, near what is now 
 Mt. Hope cemetery. He soon moved into the 
 settlement and occupied the property known as 
 the Whitebeck home at the north-west corner of 
 Western avenue and Grove street. He died Aug- 
 ust 1, 1844, and his widow then married a Mr. 
 Hall, generally known as "Grandpa Hall". The 
 latter died in the late 40's and was buried in 
 Robinson's grove, from which place his remains 
 were never removed. 
 
 Joachim Bitter, a native of Mecklenburg, 
 Germany, came to Blue Island in 1854, locating 
 about a mile south of the village proper. The 
 children were: Christian, William, Lena, John, 
 Mary, Margaretha, Anna. Mary married Will- 
 iam Laging; John married Amelia Esche; Mar- 
 garetha married William Kruse and Anna mar- 
 ried William Hartzell. 
 
 John Black, came to this country from near 
 Banf, Scotland, in 1846, locating in Blue Island. 
 For a time he boarded at Rexford's Blue Island 
 House. He married Mary Davidson, a widow. 
 Catherine Davidson, a daughter by her first mar- 
 riage married Martin Ocker. Black was a stone 
 mason and helped build the stone wall in the 
 Calumet river dam in 1848. Later the family 
 lived on a farm near the Calumet river, about 
 two miles south-east of the village. 
 
 William Black, born in Peterhead, Aberdeen- 
 shire, Scotland, October 25, 1825, came to Blue 
 Island in 1858 and opened a blacksmith and 
 wagon shop on Western avenue, near Desplaines 
 street. He operated this business successfully 
 until 1890 when he retired, bought property on 
 Walnut street and built a home, where the family 
 resided for a number of years. Mr. Black died 
 here on August 19, 1893. Mrs. Black, whose 
 maiden name was Helen Sharp, also was a native 
 of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. There were ten 
 children of this union: Helen, George. Thomas, 
 Mary, William, Anna (Mrs. F. S. Gilson), Ed- 
 ward, Catherine (Mrs. Stephan Lane), Jessie, 
 and Grace (Mrs. Wendell Frank), the latter 
 twins. Mr. Black served several years as Village 
 Trustee. 
 
 Frederick Boeber, a native of Saxe-Weimar, 
 located in Blue Island in 1849. He married 
 Maria Hansen, widow of William Vandenberg. 
 Worked for a number of years for the Rock 
 Island railroad. Their children were August C, 
 who married Barbara Fiedler; Julia married 
 Fred Blatt; Annie married George Heim, and 
 Lizzie married Herman Heinecke. August C. 
 Boeber, the only son of the family, was for 
 many years prominent in political affairs of the 
 village and county. 
 
100 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Jacob Boehl moved to Blue Island from 
 Cooper's Grove in the late 40's. He was the 
 father of Emil Boehl (deceased) well known 
 Blue Island businessman, early day postmaster, 
 police magistrate, etc., Jacob Boehl was owner 
 of the Blue Island House (Rexford's) when it 
 was destroyed by fire in 1858. 
 
 George Boger, a brother of Mrs. Fred Stark, 
 located in Blue Island in 1855. He served in 
 the Civil War. 
 
 William Boening, a native of Hesse-Darm- 
 stadt, Germany, located in Blue Island in 1852. 
 His wife was Mary Steinbach. Boening was a 
 mason and plasterer. He was a brother of Henry 
 Boening, who also came here in 1852. William 
 Boening died July, 1911. 
 
 Jacob Bolt, came to Blue Island in the early 
 50's. He was a farmer in a small way and rail- 
 road worker. The family lived on Broadway, 
 west of the Rock Island railroad tracks. A 
 daughter, Emma, married Jacob Merkelbach. 
 Mr. Bolt died March 21, 1891. 
 
 Henry Bose, a native of Erfurt, Saxe- Weimar, 
 Germany, located in Blue Island in 1852. He 
 was a cabinetmaker by trade. Before coming 
 here he had conducted a boarding house in Chi- 
 cago. His first venture here was a saloon on 
 Western avenue near the creek, then for a while 
 he lived at the south-west corner of Western 
 avenue and Vermont street. Later he built a 
 home on Vermont street, near Rexford. He 
 died in 1877. 
 
 Oliver William Bourke, was born in Ottawa, 
 111., September 29, 1857. He was married in 
 1882 to Miss Nellie Sanders, adopted daughter 
 of Benjamin Sanders, a prominent pioneer of 
 Blue Island and its first village president. Mr. 
 Bourke was engaged in real estate and various 
 other commercial activities. He was one of the 
 founders, with John L. Zacharias and William 
 Werner, of the Commercial Bank, now the First 
 National Bank of Blue Island. Mr. Bourke served 
 several years as Village Trustee, and was the 
 last Village President before Blue Island was 
 incorporated as a city. It was during his term 
 in office the village sewer system and municipal 
 electric light plant were installed. 
 
 George Braun, who came here in 1853, opera- 
 ted a brewery at the south-east corner of Gregory 
 and New streets for several years. This brewery 
 was later known as Reiser's. 
 
 Sweet Brayton, of Scotch descent, was born 
 in Wayne county, N. Y., and came to Blue Island 
 in 1855. His wife was Elizabeth Boyce. The 
 family located about three miles north-west of 
 
 the village proper on what later became general- 
 ly known as the "Brayton Farm". Their chil- 
 dren were: William B., who married Lucy 
 Greenwood; Hardin B., who married Jane Akin, 
 and Minerva P., who married Joshua P. Young. 
 Mr. Brayton died Feb. 10, 1896. 
 
 William B. Brayton, a son of Sweet Brayton, 
 was also engaged in farming pursuits for a num- 
 ber of years. In 1870 he left the farm and built 
 a home on High street, engaging in business in 
 Chicago. Mrs. Brayton was Miss Lucy M. Green- 
 wood, a native of New York state. Their chil- 
 dren were : W. Seward, who married Mary Stare ; 
 Ira S., married Leona Baker; Minnie E., married 
 Rev. G. Holt. Adelbert died in youth. Mr. 
 Brayton served several years as superintend- 
 ent of streets and for ten years was Supervisor 
 of Worth township. He died March 23, 1900. 
 
 George Busch, located in Blue Island in 1852. 
 He was a native of Germany. Their children 
 were: John, who married Theresa Engelhardt, 
 the widow of Dan Klein; Annie, who married 
 Frederick Cordt; William, Maggie, George, 
 Emelie, Mary, Henrietta, Frederick. Mr. Busch 
 was a brother of Mrs. Peter Engelland. The 
 family home was near the Calumet river at 
 135th street. Mr. Busch died August 19, 1884. 
 
 Franklin L. Bushnell, settled first in Bach- 
 elors Grove in 1846, where he lived until 1860. 
 He enlisted in Co. H, 20th Indiana Volunteers 
 in the Civil War and participated in the battles 
 of his command and lost his left eye in the battle 
 of Gettysburg. After the war he took up resi- 
 dence in Blue Island where he served several 
 terms as Village Trustee. His wife was Mary 
 Jane McCord, whom he married in 1865. 
 
 Asmus Claussen, who settled here in 1854, 
 was a brother of Erich Claussen and his wife 
 was Katherine Koch. He was a son of Claus 
 Claussen. They were all natives of Holstein, 
 Germany. 
 
 Erich Claussen came to this country from 
 Holstein, Germany, in 1854. His wife was Doris 
 Koch a sister of Asmus Claussen's wife. Their 
 children were Claus, Dora, Minnie, Mary, Annie, 
 Christina. Claussen was a carpenter by trade 
 and had a small shop on the south-east corner 
 of Western avenue and Broadway. Later he 
 moved further south on Western avenue, near 
 the slough. 
 
 Thies Claussen, a native of Heide, Holstein, 
 Germany, came to this country in 1852, and a 
 short time after his arrival here located on 
 East Canal street, near Wabash. Mrs. Claus- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 101 
 
 sen, whose maiden name was Anna Sluemer, was 
 a midwife and well-known throughout the com- 
 munity. They had one child, C. C. Claussen. 
 Thies Claussen died in 1895. C. C. Claussen's 
 first wife was Marie Schoth, by whom he had 
 several children. After her death he married 
 Miss Lizzie Squire, who now (1935) lives in 
 St. Cloud, Florida. C. C. Claussen served in Co. 
 B., 82nd Illinois Volunteer Regiment, during the 
 Civil War. 
 
 Nelson Adelbert Cool, was born on a farm 
 near Blue Island, December 17, 1850. He died 
 on a farm in Alberta, Canada, July 15, 1929. 
 He was the son of Benjamin Cool and Jane 
 Nobles Cool. On June 1, 1876, he married Mary 
 Curtis Forrest of Chicago. Their children are 
 Jane Nobles, married Dr. Edward McGinnis in 
 1914; Harriet, married George Borman, long 
 city attorney of Blue Island, in 1899; Mary 
 Forrest, married Louis S. Bowe in 1910; Ben- 
 jamin, married Margaret Walker in 1929. There 
 are three grandchildren, Harriet Borman High of 
 Blue Island, John Nelson Cool and Margaret 
 Cool of Carseland, Alberta, Canada, and one 
 great-grandchild, George Borman High. Mary 
 Forrest Cool died on May 1, 1901. In Septem- 
 ber, 1903, Mr. Cool married Grace King, a 
 teacher in the Blue Island schools. Mr. Cool 
 was graduated from the Cook County Normal 
 School. He earned his living selling Singer 
 Sewing Machines, teaching a country school, 
 and farming. He brought his family to Blue 
 Island in 1890. Thereafter he was in the coal 
 business until he moved with his son and his 
 second wife to Carseland, Alberta. He served 
 as Cook County Commissioner for about twelve 
 years and as chairman of finance committee of 
 the County Board. 
 
 Benjamin Cool, located at Bachelors Grove 
 in 1844, on a farm, later moving to Blue Island. 
 His wife was Jane Nobles. Their children were: 
 Nelson, who married Mary Curtis Forrest; B. 
 Frank., married Elizabeth Ann Forrest, a cousin 
 of Mary Curtis; Julia, married Frederick Fer- 
 rers; Harriet, married Lorenzo Burville; Edwin 
 W., married Antonia Tedlicka; Carrie died in 
 youth. Mrs. Cool died in 1874 and Mr. Cool 
 December 31, 1896. 
 
 Germanicus Cooley, was one of the very 
 early settlers, coming in 1839, when there were 
 only six families in the settlement. His wife was 
 Elsie Ann Rexford, daughter of Benajah Rex- 
 ford. He lived first in the Wilson House, north 
 of the Rexford Hotel. Later he built a house 
 on the brow of the hill between Vermont, Grove, 
 Rexford and Gregory, but the building of the 
 
 Rock Island railroad in 1850 caused him to move 
 from that location to a point just east of the 
 Rock Island right-of-way on the south side of 
 Grove street. In the early 60's his house at this 
 place was destroyed by fire. 
 
 Hans Consoer, (sometimes written Konsoer), 
 was a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, coming 
 to Blue Island in 1857. He died here in 1885. 
 His wife's name was Caroline Bergholtz. Their 
 children were: William, who married Mary Rol- 
 off; Frank married Mary Trein; Mary married 
 Henry Voss; August married Minnie Piepho and 
 Rosina married William Haase. They lived near 
 the stone quarry. 
 
 John Consoer, also a native of Mecklenburg, 
 located here in 1860. His first wife was Mary 
 Derlow and upon her death he married her 
 sister, Rieke Derlow. Their children were: 
 Charles who married Mina Kriegsman; Herman 
 married Anna Rum; Annie married Edward 
 Rhode and Paulina married Daniel Kemmen. 
 
 D 
 
 Ferdinand Daemicke, came to this country 
 from Germany in 1848. Located for a short 
 time on a farm, but in the early 50's moved 
 into the village and for a number of years con- 
 ducted a general store on the south side. He was 
 a well-known figure and of considerable influ- 
 ence among German citizens. He died in 1898. 
 The children were Louis, Herman, Edmund, Mar- 
 garet, Hannah, George, Paul, Mary, Anna, Jen- 
 nie. Daemicke was born in Lardsburg an der 
 Warthe, Prussia, Germany. 
 
 Jonathan Monroe Day, a brother of Rodney 
 N. Day, located in Blue Island in the late 40's. 
 The family lived for a time on Grove street, east 
 of the Rock Island tracks, then moved to Elm 
 and Walnut streets, where the Day homes were 
 established. He was a minister of the Universal- 
 is! church and a circuit rider. He was also con- 
 nected with the publication, "The Covenant," a 
 Universalist church paper. Their children were: 
 Adelia, Clara, Monroe, Chapin and Ella 0. 
 
 Rodney N. Day, was one of the pioneers of 
 early Blue Island settling here in 1851, the year 
 before the Rock Island railroad was put through. 
 With his wife and five children he passed 
 through Chicago — looking for a more desirable 
 location- — and finding the desired spot in Blue 
 Island, spent the rest of his life here, thus be- 
 coming a part of the early life of the town. 
 
 Mr. Day was born in Litchfield, Oneida, Co., 
 New York, May 7th, 1818. Mrs. Day (nee 
 Sarah Tann) was born in London, England, 
 December 24th, 1820. She came to this coun- 
 try when only 6 years old, the voyage by sailing 
 
102 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 vessel having taken 6 weeks. They were mar- 
 ried on May 7th, 1839, in Rochester N. Y. 
 
 Before coming to Blue Island they had lived 
 in Clinton, Michigan. 
 
 Mr. Day was an expert wagon maker by trade, 
 which he followed in Blue Island, his shop being 
 located on Grove St. near the present site of 
 
 Rodney N. Day 
 
 Known as "Lawyer Day" 
 
 Father of Mrs. R. A. Napier 
 
 the First Lutheran Church. The factory-made 
 wagons put an end to the hand-made ones, and 
 his career along this line was finished. 
 
 Mr. Day was a very ambitious young man and 
 he sought and achieved an education in law — 
 which he practiced in the early days — being 
 known as "Lawyer Day". He served the town 
 as Justice of the Peace for several years. 
 
 On the day of Abraham Lincoln's assassina- 
 tion, Mr. Day and his sons were busy planting 
 an orchard of 500 cherry trees on the slope next 
 to his house. When the terrible news was received 
 all dropped their work to go "down town" to 
 get the full particulars. 
 
 Mr. Day and his brother, Rev. Jonathan M. 
 Day, who also settled in Blue Island were among 
 the organizers and first members of the First 
 Universalist Church — the latter having been its 
 pastor. The Rev. William Manley — noted 
 author and minister and a brother-in-law of the 
 Day family, was also an early resident here. 
 
 Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Day — i.e., Charles 
 
 M. and Wallace M., enlisted for the duration of 
 the war of the Rebellion. 
 
 Only two members of this large family of 
 ten children remain — Henry H. Day of Brainerd, 
 Minnesota, and Mrs. Richard A. Napier of Blue 
 Island, the latter living on the site of the early 
 Day homestead. 
 
 Frederick G. Diefenbach, came to Blue Is- 
 land in 1863 and embarked in the mercantile 
 business, which he followed up to the time of 
 his death. He was born in Wurtemburg, Ger- 
 many, in 1836, coming to this country with his 
 parents when only two years old. August 10, 
 1860, he was married to Charlotte Beckley, a 
 native of Lake County, Indiana. Three chil- 
 dren were born of this union: George J., Addie 
 A., and Lydia B. Mrs. Diefenbach died in 1866 
 and he then married Cornelia Bauer. They had 
 three children: Frederick W., Edward E., and 
 
 Mrs. R. N. Day 
 Mother of Mrs. R. A. Napier 
 
 Arthur C. Mr. Diefenbach was appointed post- 
 master in April, 1881, and served several years. 
 He served seven years as Town Clerk and four 
 years as Village Clerk. 
 
 Frederick Dietz, a blacksmith, John Dietz, 
 a shoemaker, brothers, and a sister named Min- 
 nie, natives of Brandenburg, Germany, came to 
 the United States in 1852. They lived on the 
 north-east corner of Burr Oak and Vincennes 
 avenues. During the cholera epidemic in 1855, 
 the family nearly died out. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 Henry Doehler, came to Blue Island in 1851. 
 He was a native of Spahneck, Bavaria, Germany. 
 He was a blacksmith and opened a shop on West- 
 ern avenue, near Market street. The children 
 were George, who married Barbara Kiessling; 
 Henry married Mary Schroeder, a daughter of 
 Frederick Schroeder, and Theresa married Henry 
 Soltow. Henry Schroeder died November 24, 
 1897, at the age of 83 years. Henry Doehler, 
 Jr., continued the blacksmith shop many years 
 after his father's death. 
 
 Dr. William Doepp, settled in Homewood in 
 1855. He died in 1897. Dr. Edward Doepp, 
 well-known Blue Island physician, is a son of 
 this worthy pioneer. 
 
 William Doolittle, came to Blue Island in 
 the early 50's. His wife was Katie Fay, a 
 daughter of Lyman Fay. Wm. H. Doolittle, a 
 son, who for many years, was prominent in local 
 civic affairs, married Lottie Green. 
 
 Dr. Henry Douglas was one of Blue Island's 
 first physicians, coming here in 1848. He built 
 a house on the northeast corner of Western ave- 
 nue and Vermont street, which later was occu- 
 pied by Hart Massey and family. The First 
 National Bank now occupies the site. 
 
 Nicholas Dornhecker, came from Germany 
 in 1859 and located on a farm three miles west 
 of Blue Island. He was the father of John Dorn- 
 hecker who for many years operated a black- 
 smith shop on Grove street, west of Western 
 avenue. John Dornhecker's wife was Mary 
 Noble, and George Dornhecker, a brother of 
 John, married Eva Klein. 
 
 Daniel Dewitt Dow, a son of John Dow, was 
 born in Coopers Grove. His wife was Mary 
 Moore of Peru. Mr. Dow located in Chicago in 
 1865 with the Rock Island railroad as clerk and 
 telegraph operator. In 1869 he was appointed 
 chief operator of the lines. He now has charge 
 of the Rock Island station at Bureau. Mrs. E. 
 Cain and Mrs. Oliver Sellmeyer of Blue Island 
 are daughters of Daniel Dewitt Dow. 
 
 John Dow, settled in Blue Island in 1845. He 
 was a sign painter and an artist of exceptional 
 skill. He first lived on Grove street, east of the 
 Rock Island tracks and two years later moved to 
 the west end of Grove street. A daughter, Jose- 
 phine, was married three times. Harry Myers 
 of New York was her first husband, John Har- 
 ner the second, and John Engelhart, proprietor 
 of the Union House, the third. 
 
 Christian Driese, came to Blue Island in 
 1852. He was a native of Brandenburg, Ger- 
 many. He was a basketmaker by trade. He 
 lived for a while on Canal street, later on East 
 Vermont street. He died December 16, 1902. 
 A daughter, Minna, married Louis Luchtemeyer. 
 
 E 
 
 Charles Ferdinand Eidam, a native of Ehren- 
 stein, Saxony, Germany, came to this country in 
 1854, landing first in Buffalo, N. Y., where he 
 secured several months' work at his trade, that 
 of shoemaker. He then came to Chicago and 
 for a year worked on a farm in Dolton. On the 
 expiration of that period, in company with his 
 brother Gottfried who had been his companion 
 on the voyage across the Atlantic, he purchased 
 forty acres of land, but they were both so afflicted 
 with fever and ague that they were unfitted for 
 further labor on a farm. For a time Mr. Eidam 
 worked at any employment that would yield him 
 an honest living until 1857 when he opened a 
 shoe shop in Blue Island, near what is now the 
 south-west corner of Western avenue and Ver- 
 mont street. The business prospered and he 
 continued until 1893, when impaired health 
 caused him to retire. His eldest sons, Charles 
 H. and Emil then took charge. Mr. Eidam was 
 married in September, 1857, to Miss Julia 
 Runge, a daughter of Otto Runge. Their chil- 
 dren were the two sons already named and Ed- 
 ward, Clarence, Louise, Minnie, Anna, William 
 and Emma. Mr. Eidam served for two years 
 as village trustee. He was a member of the 
 Blue Island Liederkranz and for many years was 
 one of its most active supporters. Mrs. Eidam 
 died May 10, 1911, and Mr. Eidam, June 4, 1923. 
 The Blue Island State Bank now occupies the 
 site of the former Eidam property. 
 
 Peter Engelland, a native of Holstein, Ger- 
 many, located in Blue Island in 1849. His wife 
 was Margaretha Busch, a sister of George Busch 
 and Mrs. John Wolz. She was a native of Bav- 
 aria, Germany. In the early 50's Engelland con- 
 ducted a saloon at the south-west corner of West- 
 ern avenue and Broadway. Later he moved 
 further south on Western avenue, just across 
 the township line. Their children were: Bertha, 
 who married Conrad Louis Buss; Anna, mar- 
 ried Frederick Heitman; Sophia, married Alfred 
 F. Neukirch; Margaret, married George Kuhn; 
 Peter, married Carrie Stetter; Fred, married 
 Mathilda Frahm. Peter Engelland was born 
 June 15, 1825; died November 25, 1902. 
 
104 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Carl Faber, physician and surgeon, came to 
 Chicago in 1872, locating in Blue Island the 
 same year. He was horn in Hesse-Darmstadt in 
 1840 and was educated at the University of 
 Gressen, Germany, graduating in 1864. His 
 wife was Miss Emily Hurst, a native of Mainz, 
 Germany, whom he married in 1865. There 
 were three children of this union, Carl, Elsie and 
 Emil, the two last named residents of Blue Is- 
 land. Dr. Faber enjoyed a large practice here 
 for many years. The family home was on Ver- 
 mont street, on the spot now occupied by the 
 building of the Blue Island Publishing Corpora- 
 tion. 
 
 Jerome L. Fay, located in Blue Island in the 
 early 50's. He died July 21, 1886. Mr. Fay 
 was married three times. His first wife was 
 Mary Hopkins. Lydia Near was his second and 
 Chloe Smith his third. After living first in the 
 northern part of the village he bought property 
 at the junction of Stony creek and the Calumet 
 river and engaged in farming. The place is pop- 
 ularly known as Fay's point. Mr. Fay was a 
 profound thinker and a close student of life in 
 its various phases. He wrote a number of very 
 excellent poems devoted to that subject. A son, 
 Lawrence Fay, was the only child. An adopted 
 daughter, Delia Fay, married E. B. Burke. 
 
 Henry Fischer, a native of Germany, located 
 in Blue Island in 1851. He married a widow 
 with three children, all of whom took the name 
 Fischer. They were Jacob, Andrew and Chris- 
 tine. The family lived about one mile south- 
 east of the village on Thornton road, near the 
 Calumet river. Fischer died in 1899. 
 
 William Fischer, of German birth, located 
 in Blue Island in the latter 50's. He was a shoe- 
 maker and for a number of years conducted a 
 place of business on the east side of Western 
 avenue, between Canal street and Broadway. 
 Mrs. Fischer was Mary Buschman, a sister of 
 Mrs. D. Quade. A daughter, Henrietta, mar- 
 ried J. L. List, a teacher in the German Par- 
 ochial school. 
 
 John Baldwin Fox, a son of Royal and Betsy 
 (Baldwin) Fox, was born in Lockport, 111., 
 February 12, 1840. He located in Blue Island 
 in 1855. In 1867 he engaged for one year in 
 farming south-west of the village. The next 
 year he took charge of a stone quarry in the 
 same locality, which he operated successfully 
 for several years. When a lad of only four years 
 of age Fox met with an accident which caused 
 the loss of one eye and the sight of the other 
 also soon failed him. In 1867, Mr. Fox was 
 
 married to Miss Lucinda H. Perry of Warren, 
 R. I. Their children were Emily, Arthur and 
 Bessie. The family lived for many years on 
 Union street, just east of Gregory. Mr. Fox 
 died May 11, 1899. 
 
 Royal Fox, came to Blue Island from Hart- 
 ford, Connecticut, in the early 50's. His wife 
 was Betsy Baldwin. The family lived on the 
 north-west corner of Burr Oak and Western 
 avenues. Mr. Fox was at one time a lock-tender 
 on the Illinois and Michigan canal. There were 
 eight children in the family: Catherine, Lydia 
 J., Almon F., Annis Roxanna, Royal, John B., 
 George and Gordon. Mr. Fox died October 1, 
 1883. 
 
 Henry Frentz, a native of Brandenburg, Ger- 
 many, located on a farm just east of Blue Island 
 in 1854. His wife was Augusta Zander. A 
 son August, married Amelia Driese. The family 
 home was on Burr Oak avenue, between Ashland 
 and Division streets. Henry Frentz died in 1888. 
 
 Nicholas Fritz, came from Luxemburg, Ger- 
 many, in 1857. He was a section boss on the 
 Rock Island railroad for many years. He died 
 in 1907. There were ten children in the fam- 
 ily — Mary, Marianna, Valentine, Jacob, Susan, 
 John, Katie, Christian, Katherine, Joseph. Jacob 
 married Franciska Paetsch; Susan married Ste- 
 phen Losch; Katie, Peter Krick; Christine, 
 Louis Arl. 
 
 G 
 
 John Ganzer located in Blue Island in 1856. 
 He was the father of John H. Ganzer, who has 
 served as city treasurer and councilman and now 
 conducts a grocery business on the east side. A 
 daughter, Minnie, married Herman J. Schmitt, 
 now deceased, and another daughter, Maria, was 
 the wife of Frank Roemisch who died in 1901. 
 
 John Gierman, a native of Mecklenburg, Ger- 
 many, came to this country in 1853, and located 
 in Blue Island. His wife was Johanna Utis. 
 They had seven children: John, Eliza, Charles, 
 Gustave, George, Emma and Carrie. The family 
 first lived on York street and the Grand Trunk 
 railroad, at the site of the old Haberer brick 
 yard. Later the family moved about two miles 
 south on Western avenue. Gierman was a road 
 contractor and he and Henry Schuemann built 
 the first road through the Sag Slough, between 
 Palos and Worth. Mr. Gierman died in January, 
 1916, at the age of nearly 89 years. 
 
 Hiriam Gilson, was born in Bremen Town- 
 ship, July 2, 1844, the son of Dexter and Eliz- 
 abeth (Kelb -"* Gilson. When nineteen years old 
 he responded to the country's call for troops, en- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 105 
 
 listing as a member of Co. G, 39th III. Infantry, 
 known as the Yates Phalanx. The war over Mr. 
 Gilson returned to farming in which occupation 
 he continuel until 1889 when he established a 
 home in Blue Island. Mr. Gilson was married 
 in 1869 to Miss Helen Burville, of Crete. How- 
 ard, Wallace and Bernard were their sons. 
 
 John M. Green, volunteered in the 88th Illi- 
 nois Infantry in 1862 at Blue Island. His gov- 
 ernment wages of $13 per month he sent to his 
 mother through the Blue Island post office for 
 three years and three months. Postmaster Henry 
 H. Massey would send word to the mother of 
 the soldier, who would have to go to the post 
 office in Blue Island to secure the $13. Joseph 
 Green was sick the last five years of his life 
 and the $13 was the sole support of the family, 
 which consisted of Mary Green and Ann Green, 
 younger sisters of John M. Green. The older 
 of these sisters, Mary, married Otis Piper of 
 Blue Island and the younger, Ann, married a 
 Mr. Hughes of Woodstock. John M. Green mar- 
 ried Mary Wingate, a daughter of Albert Win- 
 gate of Lane's Island, October 23, 1867. Of this 
 marriage thirteen children were born, ten of 
 whom are alive. All were born in Blue Island. 
 Mr. and Mrs. John M. Green were charter mem- 
 bers of the First Methodist church of Blue Island 
 and retained their membership until they died. 
 Mrs. Green died in July, 1932, and Mr. Green 
 died January 5, 1933. The lives of Joseph 
 Green and John M. Green, his son, spanned the 
 administration of every president of the United 
 States of America. John M. Green was county 
 commissioner from Blue Island from 1887 to 
 1896, and served one term, in 1891, as president 
 of the county board. 
 
 Joseph Green, was born in 1790 in the Mo- 
 hawk Valley, New York. He migrated west to 
 Chicago in 1835 and thence to a farm in Mc- 
 Henry county, near Woodstock. Mr. Green was 
 an educated man and during about thirty years 
 residence in this neighborhood taught country 
 schools all the way from the Wisconsin line to 
 Joliet. On May 10, 1845, John M. Green was 
 born on the farm in McHenry county. Several 
 years afterward his father. Joseph Green, moved 
 to an 80-acre farm on 111th street, about a mile 
 west of Cicero avenue, on which farm he died 
 in 1865. 
 
 Andrew Gruenewald, was a partner in the 
 firm Gruenewald & Bohner which operated the 
 Blue Island House (Rexford's) in 1854. Later 
 he kept the Railroad saloon. Moved to Wash- 
 ington Heights. 
 
 Christian Gruenewald, located in Blue Is- 
 land in 1852. His wife was Dorothea Firnhaber. 
 
 He was a farmer living about a mile and a half 
 south-east of the village, on the Calumet river. 
 
 Theodore Guenther, came to the United 
 States in 1846, locating first in Cooper's Grove. 
 He was a carpenter and cabinet maker and fol- 
 lowed this occupation for a number of years, 
 later engaging also in farming. He was born in 
 the Province of Saxony, Germany, December 25, 
 1823. He was married in 1851 to Miss Kath- 
 erine Rich, a native of Bavaria, Germany. In 
 the latter 50's the family moved to Blue Island, 
 living for a short time on Vermont street and 
 later moving north of Burr Oak avenue, where 
 Mr. Guenther purchased property and again en- 
 gaged in farming. He early identified himself 
 with civic activities of the community and soon 
 wielded great influence among the German peo- 
 ple here. He was elected Township Supervisor 
 of Worth, in which capacity he served eleven 
 years; three years as County Commissioner, be- 
 sides many years as Road Commissioner, School 
 Director and Village Trustee. Mr. Guenther 
 died February 26, 1894, and Mrs. Guenther 
 passed away April 14, 1911. There were seven 
 children: William, Anna K., Emma C, Katie 0., 
 Andrew M., Theodore C. and George H. The 
 three daughters, Anna, Emma and Kate still 
 occupy the family homestead on Burr Oak 
 avenue. Mr. Guenther had two brothers living 
 here, William and Christian, all sons of Michael 
 Guenther. 
 
 H 
 
 William Heckler came to Blue Island in 
 1852 and for some time lived on a farm on 
 Burr Oak avenue, east of the Rock Island tracks. 
 Later he erected a building at the corner of 
 Western avenue and York street and opened a 
 furniture store. This was after a while, changed 
 into a saloon. A son, Charles Heckler, at one 
 time a member of the board of village trus- 
 tees, conducted the saloon at this location for 
 many years. William Heckler was the father of 
 Charles, William, Alex, Wenzel, Gregory, Jose- 
 phine, Tilly, Frances, Henry and Mina. The 
 latter married Herman Jauchzer, Sr. Mr. Heck- 
 ler died in 1884. William Heckler, Jr., a son, 
 a carpenter by trade and now 88 years old, lives 
 at 7112 Paxton avenue, Chicago. Other sons 
 still living (1935) are Wenzel and Gregory. 
 
 Matthias Helbreg came to Blue Island in 
 the late 60's. He was born in Germany. He 
 was a carpenter and followed his trade for a 
 short time, then opened a grocery store and 
 later a saloon on the east side of Western ave- 
 nue, just below the hill. He was for a time 
 associated with Peter Hansen in the saloon 
 business. 
 
106 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 George Edward Hinman, came to Blue Island 
 in 1850. He was a native of Vermont, having 
 been born near the scene of one of the Revolu- 
 tionary battles, in Bennington, Vt., on the 7th of 
 November, 1827. At the age of seventeen he 
 learned the trade of iron molder at Bridgeport, 
 Conn. He had just reached the age of twenty- 
 one when he enlisted in the Mexican war, but 
 peace was declared when he reached St. Louis, 
 and he was there discharged. On his return to 
 Blue Island he engaged in railroading for an 
 extended period and was conductor of a con- 
 struction train on the Chicago, Rock Island and 
 Pacific railroad. In 1858 he crossed the plains 
 with teams to Pike's Peak, where he remained 
 one season engaged in mining. When the Civil 
 war broke out he offered his services to the 
 Government in defense of the Union, and became 
 a member of Company I, Thirteenth Illinois In- 
 fantry, which was raised in Blue Island. While 
 stationed at Arkansas Post he suffered an attack 
 of fever which so disabled him that he was unfit 
 for further service and was discharged. Mr. 
 Hinman was married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. 
 Fay, of Syracuse, N. Y. The children of this 
 union were: Harriet S., who married Lee Mel- 
 vin; Annie E., who became the wife of C. Eames; 
 Catherine R., married A. Carr; Mary, wife of 
 Cyrus Van Lanningham; Lydia L., who married 
 L. Stinson, and George E., who married Eliz- 
 abeth Dreher. Mr. Hinman was active many 
 years in local civic affairs. For three years he 
 served as Superintendent of Public Works, Chief 
 of Police, and was Deputy Sheriff for a number 
 of years. Mr. Hinman died in 1902. 
 
 John Hoffman came to Blue Island in the 
 late 50'c. His wife was Mary Fischer. He had 
 a blacksmith shop on Western avenue and Broad- 
 way, before the latter street was opened up. Later 
 he went into the livery business in Chicago and 
 was elected sheriff of Cook county. He served in 
 the Civil War in the Hoffman's Dragoons. 
 
 Michael Hopf, a native of Oberkatz, Saxe- 
 Meiningen, Germany, located in Blue Island in 
 1857. He died here in 1910. His wife was 
 Lena Kriegsman. The children were: Mary, who 
 married Carl Pinnow; William married Sadie 
 Noble; Emma married Peter Einhorn; Emelie 
 married John Voss; Caroline married Otto 
 Jaehnke. 
 
 John Hofeld, who came here in 1855, was a 
 native of Schleswig, Holstein, Germany. He 
 married a widow named Wolf. They lived on 
 135th street, near the Calumet river. 
 
 Henry Hofeld, a brother of John Hofeld, 
 came to America the following year and located 
 in Blue Island, living for several years on the 
 
 east side of Western avenue, just north of 139th 
 street. He was the father of seven sons: Henry, 
 August, Fred, John, George, William and Her- 
 man. All of these are dead except Henry, who 
 lives (1935) in the old family home on the 
 East side, and George, a resident of Nebraska. 
 
 Frederick Hohmann, was born in Albany, 
 N. Y., July 12, 1846, and came with his parents 
 to Cook county when seven years old, the family 
 locating on a farm at Des Plaines. In March, 
 1871, he took up his residence in Blue Island 
 where he embarked in business for himself as a 
 contractor and builder. An expert and reliable 
 workman he erected many of the leading early 
 structures in the town. Mr. Hohmann was united 
 in marriage with Miss Rosa Eberhart, May 27, 
 1869. Nine children were born of this union. 
 In 1879, Mr. Hohmann was elected Village 
 Clerk, serving for three years in that capacity. 
 After a gap of six years he was again elected in 
 1889, serving then in that capacity during an 
 uninterrupted period of twenty-seven years — a 
 total length of service as village and city clerk 
 of thirty years. This was a record for length of 
 service in that capacity held by no other man 
 at that time. Mr. Hohmann was of jovial dis- 
 position and was so well liked that there seldom 
 appeared opposition against him. It was said 
 of him that no sooner had the votes of one elec- 
 tion been counted than "Unser Fritz," as he was 
 familiarily known, would start campaigning for 
 the next. Mr. Hohmann died on June 16, 1915, 
 and his funeral was made a community event. 
 
 George W. Hopf, a native of Oberkatz, Saxe- 
 Meiningen, Germany, located in Blue Island in 
 1859. His wife was Louise Krueger. Their 
 children were: George, who married Ethel Men- 
 zel; Alvina, married George Roll; Louise, mar- 
 ried Paul Wilde; Wilhelmina, married William 
 Lussenhopf; William's first wife was Glendory 
 Tryon and after her death he married Clara 
 Miller; Lilly, married Arthur L. Hock and 
 Edward, married Alice Beckstrom. The family 
 lived for some years on a farm at 123rd street 
 and the Grand Trunk railroad, but later built a 
 home on Burr Oak avenue. Mr. Hopf was a 
 brother of Michael Hopf. He died January 1, 
 1922. 
 
 Samuel D. Huntington, came to Blue Island 
 in 1845. Died March 30, 1887. His wife was 
 Marie Robinson. Their children were: Walter, 
 who married Caroline Hageman; Henry H., mar- 
 ried Susie Lyman; Elizabeth married David 
 Sutherland; Fannie married Heber S. Rexford 
 and Eunice married Alden F. Peirce. Mr. Hunt- 
 ington was born in Hanover, N. H. He worked 
 for a while as blacksmith. His wife was one of 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 10- 
 
 the first teachers in the public school. They 
 lived for a while at the Blue Island House, later 
 moving to the west side of Western avenue, south 
 of Vermont street. Then bought property on the 
 northeast corner of Grove and Ann streets where 
 the family resided many years. "Sam" Hunting- 
 ton was Blue Island's first constable. While the 
 Rock Island railroad was being built he was 
 "boss" of a gravel train, then became the first 
 station agent at Blue Island. 
 
 John Huppel, came here from Germany in 
 1856. He was a tinsmith and had a shop on the 
 east side of Western avenue, north of Stony 
 creek. He married the widow of Ernst Boermel. 
 Oscar Boermel was her son. 
 
 John Ihde, was born in Germany. He came 
 to Blue Island in 1859 and for many years had 
 a shoe shop in a frame building that stood at 
 the south-west corner of Western avenue and New 
 street. The children were: Sadie, Louise, Mina, 
 Emilie and Otto. Ihde served in the Civil War. 
 
 Theodore Jauchzer located in Blue Island 
 in 1852. He lived for a time at the south-west 
 corner of Western avenue and Vermont street. 
 He then kept the Railroad saloon and saloons in 
 several other locations. He also at one time ran 
 a butcher shop in partnership with a man named 
 Rosenberg. 
 
 Claus Jebens and wife came to this country 
 from Schleswig-Holstein in 1850. They settled 
 first in Coopers Grove. About 1855 they and 
 their two children, Fred and Minnie, then moved 
 to and bought a farm one and a half miles from 
 the city limits. In this home in the year 1857 
 their third child, John, was born. John and his 
 wife, Anne, (nee Ludwig), still live on the Jeb- 
 ens old homestead which is now addressed as 
 139th and Kedzie. 
 
 Fred Jebens, established the Jebens Hardware 
 Store on south Western avenue, in 1876. This 
 business is now conducted by Fred's three sons, 
 William, John, Jr., and Alfred. 
 
 K 
 
 Frederick Kaiser, a native of Germany, loca- 
 ted in Blue Island in 1858. He was a carpenter 
 by trade and lived for a time in the Philip 
 Hector house on the edge of the hill on Western 
 avenue. 
 
 Christian Kantzler, one of the many Ger- 
 man men who settled here in the early 50's, was 
 a shoemaker. He lived on the west side of 
 Henry street, between Grove and Vermont, 
 where he also had his shoe shop. Two sons, 
 Frederick and William, served in the Civil War. 
 A daughter Mina, married Nicholas Stoll. 
 
 Andrew Kantzler, a brother of Christian, 
 came in 1855. He also was a shoemaker and 
 lived on Vermont street, near Henry street. The 
 postoffice now occupies the site of the former 
 Kantzler and Stoll homes. 
 
 Casper Kern, a native of Bavaria, Germany, 
 came to Blue Island in 1855. He married Caro- 
 line Weimar, a widow, who had one son (Al- 
 bert). They lived on 137th street, east of 
 Western avenue. 
 
 John Kern, a nephew of Casper Kern and 
 brother of Margaret, came also in 1855. He 
 married Mary Volp, eldest daughter of Henry 
 and Margaret Volp. Kern was fatally injured 
 in an accident in a stone quarry at Lemont in 
 1893. 
 
 Conrad Kich came to this country with his 
 father, Peter Kich, in 1849, when eleven years 
 old. He married Matlida Sittig. They had nine 
 children : August, Peter, Fred, Anna, John C, Al- 
 vin, Albert and William. Peter married Eliz- 
 abeth Doehler; Fred married Louisa Schwartz, 
 John C. married Fredericka Sorgenfrei, and 
 Anna, now deceased, was the first wife of Frank 
 Kasten, whose term of office as mayor of Blue 
 Island, expired this spring (1935). Conrad 
 Kich was a "section boss" for the Rock Island 
 railroad for many years. He died in 1913. 
 
 Frederick Klein, a native of Nonnenrode, 
 Hesse-Darmstadt, came to this country in 1849, 
 bringing with him his two eldest children, Julia 
 and John. Three years later, in 1852, Mrs. 
 Klein followed with the other children. They 
 lived for about four years in Blue Island then 
 moved to a farm a few miles west of the vil- 
 lage. Mrs. Klein was Elizabeth Trapp. Their 
 children were: John, who married Theresa 
 Kantzler; Julia, who married Henry Zimmer 
 (Homewood) ; Henrietta married John Von 
 Burg; Daniel, Theresa Engelhardt; Gottlieb, 
 Caroline Schmidt. Mr. Kline died in 1887. Upon 
 their marriage all of the children became resi- 
 dents either of Blue Island or of some nearby 
 community. John Klein, the eldest of the boys 
 and his wife, who was Theresa Kantzler, were the 
 parents of Henry F. Klein, Mrs. Julia Schroth, 
 John C. Klein and William F. Klein all now 
 (1935) living in Blue Island. A daughter, Minnie 
 
108 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 F., and two sons, Daniel and August, are de- 
 ceased. Mr. Klein died many years ago and Mrs. 
 Klein passed away August 24, 1933, at the age of 
 90 years. Gottlieb Klein, another son of Fred- 
 erick Klein, is a resident of Washington Heights 
 and now (1935) more than 92 years old. 
 
 John Klein, a brother of Frederick Klein, 
 also a native of Nonnenrode, Hesse-Darmstadt, 
 came to this country in 1849. His wife was 
 
 road, 
 dren. 
 
 He was married, but there were no chil- 
 
 Frederick Klein — 18U9 
 
 Margaret Trapp, a sister of Frederick Klein's 
 wife. Their children were: Christian, who mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Graf; Elizabeth, married Otto 
 Runge; Margaret, married Louis Melcher; Eva, 
 married George Dornhecker and Christina, mar- 
 ried Julius Huber. 
 
 Lester Dennis Klump, was born August 22, 
 1838, the son of John and Ollie (Fox) Klump 
 of Ashtabula, Ohio. He was orphaned at an 
 early age and was raised by his uncle, Hiram 
 Squier, who had located in Blue Island. Lester 
 Klump served in Co. G, 88th Illinois Infantry 
 during the Civil War, taking part in the im- 
 portant battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and 
 Missionary Ridge. After the war he returned 
 to Blue Island and resumed farming, an occupa- 
 tion he enjoyed, making the old homestead his 
 home. He died June 13, 1910. 
 
 August Knirsch came from Germany in 1845 
 and for a time lived in Cooper's Grove. He 
 then moved to Blue Island and opened a tailor 
 shop on Broadway, near the Grand Trunk rail- 
 
 John G. Knirsch a native of Hesse-Schaum- 
 burg, Germany, came to this country in 1845. 
 His wife was Sophia Harmening. Their chil- 
 dren were: John, who married Anna Ganzer; 
 George, married Augusta Bolt; Adelheit, Fred 
 Giessing; Gertrude, Louis Groskopf; Mary, 
 Joachim Wolf; Louisa, Henry Sager; Amelia. 
 Knirsch served in the 30th 111. Infantry during 
 the Civil War. 
 
 Fritz Koehne was a carpenter by trade. He 
 came here from Germany in 1849. The family 
 lived at 135th street and Gregory. 
 
 Albert Koop, came to Blue Island in the late 
 50's. The family first lived on the Thornton 
 Road, near 137th street and later on Western 
 avenue, south of Grove street. A daughter, Jen- 
 nie Koop, married George Mecklenburg. After 
 her death Mecklenburg married the widow of 
 Jacob Boehl. Mr. Koop died in December, 1884. 
 
 Christian Kort was a native of Brandenburg, 
 Germany. He came in 1853. His wife was Jo- 
 hanna Ganzer. A daughter Johanna Kort, mar- 
 ried John Jahnke. After Kort's death his widow 
 married Carl Wilke. The family lived on Ver- 
 mont street, near Ashland. 
 
 George A. Kortz, came to Blue Island in 
 1855. He was a native of Saxony, near Erfurt, 
 Germany. His second wife was a sister of John 
 Roll. Kortz was a farmer. He was the only 
 resident of what the Germans called "die Insel" 
 (the island). This was a narrow strip of land 
 that was formed when the feeder canal was 
 built. This strip of land was almost completely 
 surrounded by water. It was bounded on the 
 north by Stony creek, on the east by the Calumet 
 river, on the south by the feeder canal and on 
 the west by Western avenue where the creek and 
 the canal came so close together that there was 
 only enough room between them for a tow path. 
 Access to this strip of land was extremely diffi- 
 cult and dangerous and was possible only by 
 a very steep and very narrow road that led off 
 from a temporary bridge across Stony creek near 
 Western avenue. On several occasions while 
 negotiating this treacherous road Kortz and his 
 team came near tumbling into the canal. 
 
 George Kott, a native of Langensalsa, Sax- 
 ony, Germany, came to this country in 1847 and 
 settled first in Cooper's Grove where he engaged 
 in farming but soon moved to Blue Island. He 
 died in 1881. Their children were: Carl, who 
 married Margaret Rich; William married Anna 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 109 
 
 Stoeher; Henry, Mina Riegel; Ernst married 
 Emma Schultz and after her death Eva Stoehr 
 became his wife. Theresa married Christoph 
 Schmitt, and Martha, John Hartung. Kott was 
 one of the party of five friends who came to this 
 country from the same village in Germany in 
 1847. The others were: Theodore Guenther, 
 Henry Barthel, Frederick Kindervater and Carl 
 Madlung. 
 
 August Krueger (better known among the 
 German residents as "Mauerer" Krueger, be- 
 cause of his occupation, that of plasterer and 
 mason) settled in Blue Island in the late 50's. 
 He lived for many years on Vermont street, just 
 east of Division. Beside his regular occupation 
 he was a member of a brass band that played 
 at picnics. 
 
 Christian Krueger, Sr., a native of Branden- 
 burg, Germany, arrived in America in 1851. He 
 lived for a time with his son, Ludwig Krueger 
 on Vincennes avenue, near 123rd street. Mrs. 
 Krueger's name before her marriage was Cather- 
 ine Propper. Their children were: Ludwig, who 
 married Catherine Koch; Maria married Fred- 
 erick Sauerteig; Fredericka married William 
 Sorgenfrei; Sophia married Ernst Uhlich. 
 Christian Krueger, Sr., died in 1877. 
 
 John Krueger, native of Seddin, Germany, 
 located in Blue Island in 1848. His wife was 
 Dorothea Maria Ganzer, a sister of John Ganzer, 
 Sr. Their children were William J. of Los Ang- 
 eles, Cal., Louis W. of Blue Island, Charles G. 
 of Hollywood, Cal., and Minnie Krueger Berry 
 of Blue Island. The family lived for some years 
 near 12500 Western avenue, but later built a 
 home at 13011 Chicago street. Mrs. Krueger 
 died Oct. 21, 1907, four days before her golden 
 wedding and Mr. Krueger died April 30, 1911. 
 
 Ludwig Krueger, son of Christian Krueger, 
 came to this country in 1851, from Germany. 
 His wife was Wilhelmina Meyer. Their children 
 were: Louis K., who married Henrietta Seyfarth, 
 a daughter of John Seyfarth ; Mina married John 
 Beer, a brother of Henry J. Beer; Anna married 
 Gerhard Koch; Fredericka married William G. 
 Staffel; Mathilda married Henry Barthel; Lou- 
 ise married Paul Klenk; Bertha married Carl 
 Schmitt, son of Herman Schmitt; William mar- 
 ried Tina Hensen. The family lived first at the 
 south-west corner of Vincennes avenue and 123rd 
 street, and later moved to a farm just south of 
 the Calumet river, near where the Public Service 
 plant now stands. 
 
 Valentine Kriegsman, a native of Henneberg, 
 Caxe-Meiningen located here in 1857. His wife 
 was Mary Wodrig. The family lived for many 
 
 years on a farm near 123rd street and the Grand 
 Trunk railroad, but later built a home and 
 moved into the village. Mr. Kriegsman died 
 January 31, 1911. He was a brother of Mrs. 
 Michael Hopf. A daughter Emma, married 
 Henry Roloff; Mina, married Carl Konsoer; 
 Emily, married Philip Schreiber; Caroline, mar- 
 ried Louis Voss. 
 
 Christian Krueger, Jr., a brother of Ludwig 
 Krueger, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, in 
 April, 1836, and came to this country in 1851, 
 the same year many other members of the Krue- 
 ger families arrived. Mr. Krueger was a car- 
 penter by trade. He built Blue Island's first 
 village hall and many other of the early build- 
 ings in the village. Later he engaged with his 
 son Robert, in the undertaking business. He 
 always took an active interest in village affairs; 
 was one of the first village trustees and served 
 as president of the board. He died September 
 25, 1904. Mrs. Krueger before her marriage 
 was Catharine Koch. Their children were: Lou- 
 ise, who married Herman Seyfarth; Robert, mar- 
 ried Minnie Karstens; Christian, Frances Mc- 
 Cord; Adelaide, Andrew McCord; Kate, C. F. 
 Montag; Minnie, Howard Gilson. The old fam- 
 ily home is on New street, between Western and 
 Greenwood avenues. 
 
 Ludwig Krueger, a native of Germany, ar- 
 rived on Lake Michigan, at Chicago, in the 
 spring of 1851, after an ocean voyage of four- 
 teen weeks on a sailing vessel. He was accom- 
 panied by his wife and three children, a brother, 
 Christian Krueger, 15 years old, and a sister, 
 Marie, who later married Frederick Sauerteig. 
 The family came direct to Blue Island and first 
 located near Stony Creek in a house next to the 
 Bauer brick building, where they lived until a 
 home that was being built for them by Theodor 
 Guenther on a farm north of Burr Oak avenue, 
 was completed. The farm was a 105 acre tract 
 of land lying between Burr Oak avenue and 
 123rd street, and extended from Western avenue 
 eastward across ground now occupied by tracks 
 and yards of the Rock Island railroad. Ludwig 
 Krueger died October 9, 1874. 
 
 In the fall of 1851 the parents of Ludwig 
 Krueger, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Krueger, ac- 
 companied by their four daughters, also arrived 
 at Chicago via sailing vessel, the voyage from 
 the fatherland having consumed sixteen weeks. 
 They all lived with Ludwig Krueger's family. 
 Numerous friends soon followed the Kruegers 
 to Blue Island and it was not long before there 
 was quite a colony of German people on the 
 west side of the Rock Island railroad. 
 
110 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Ludwig Lau, located in Blue Island in 1854. 
 He was a native of Brandenburg, Germany, and 
 a carpenter by trade. His wife was Marie Ellert. 
 The family home was on Western avenue near 
 Prairie street. A daughter, Ida, married Ed. 
 Garver. 
 
 Sebastian Lindner, a native of the Tyrol, 
 came to Blue Island in the early 60's. He was 
 a tanner and for a number of years followed 
 his calling in a little cabin near the Rock Island 
 railroad tracks and the slough, southwest of Blue 
 Island. In the early 70's the family moved to 
 the east side of Western avenue, just north of 
 the creek, and opened a candy store. They had 
 one son, named Sebastian. 
 
 George Luchtemeyer came to Blue Island 
 from Missouri in 1858. He first lived on the 
 east side of Western avenue south of Grove 
 street, where he opened a gun repair shop, also 
 repaired clocks and watches. Later he bought 
 property on the east side of Western avenue, 
 between New and York streets. He con- 
 tinued the repairing of clocks and watches, grad- 
 ually added a line of jewelry and started to deal 
 in real estate and insurance. He was the father 
 of Charles, Louis, Caroline, Ida and Louise. The 
 latter married John L. Zacharias. Upon the 
 death of Mr. Luchtemeyer his son, Louis, suc- 
 ceded to the business. The latter was for many 
 years actively identified with the affairs of the 
 village and schools, serving on the boards of 
 both organizations. Louis Luchtemeyer died 
 July 3, 1911, and his son, George, who for some 
 years had been associated with him, has since 
 carried on the business. For length of years in 
 business, for continuous succession from father 
 to son, and for the fewest changes in managerial 
 and business policy, the Luchtemeyer jewelry 
 and watch repair store stands in a class by itself 
 among the business institutions of Blue Island. 
 
 Peter Lusson was a native of Belgium from 
 near the Luxemberg border. He came to this 
 country in the early 60's. For a number of years 
 he was a section foreman for the Rock Island 
 railroad. Later he operated a grocery store on 
 the east side of Western avenue, between Ver- 
 mont and New streets which he conducted up to 
 time of his death. He died April 7, 1914. Mrs. 
 Lusson's maiden name was Susan Folman. They 
 were the parents of eleven children. Albert J., 
 married Mary Schneider, Philip married Clara 
 St. Aubin, Susan married Joseph Murphy, Will- 
 iam married Agnes Essig, Joseph married Ther- 
 esa Mihm, Henry married Mary Krug, Lawrence 
 married Thilda Phillipson, Frank married Liz- 
 zie Farnum. 
 
 M 
 
 Hart Massey, located in Blue Island in 1858, 
 coming here from Watertown, New York. The 
 family home was at the north-east corner of 
 Western avenue and Vermont street. He was 
 for many years engaged in the fire and life 
 insurance business. He was active in effecting 
 village incorporation and served one short term 
 as village clerk. Hart Massey's first wife was 
 Nancy Matteson, who died in Watertown, N. Y., 
 in October 1845. Children of this marriage 
 were Henry H., who married Caroline C. Rex- 
 ford, a daughter of Norman Rexford; Herman, 
 who died in California in 1891; Julia, married 
 Alfred Safford; Emily, unmarried, died in 
 1894; Anna, married Hamilton Irvin; Charles 
 M., died in Blue Island in 1864. Mr. Massey's 
 second marriage was with Emeline Utley. There 
 were two children of this marriage; Ella, mar- 
 ried Rev. Samuel Dickinson and Hattie, married 
 George T. Hughes. 
 
 Henry H. Massey, a son of Hart H. Massey, 
 came to Blue Island in 1851 as a clerk for the 
 contractor who graded the Rock Island railroad. 
 The following year he became treasurer and pay- 
 master for the southern division of the Illinois 
 Central railroad, with headquarters at Jonesboro, 
 until the road was completed to Centralia, when 
 his office was removed there. In 1855 he re- 
 signed his position with the railroad and re- 
 turned to Blue Island, associating himself with 
 Cyrus B. Sammons in a general merchandise 
 store. Later Mr. Massey engaged in the grain 
 and commission business on the Chicago Board 
 of Trade with which he was connected until 1871. 
 In the succeeding years he dealt extensively in 
 real estate and several Blue Island subdivisions 
 bear his name. Mrs. Massey was Clarissa C. 
 Rexford, a daughter of Norman Rexford. Their 
 children were: Willie R., who died in childhood; 
 Mary C, who married Charles Clark; Julia R., 
 married Willis N. Rudd; Harry A., married 
 Stella Biroth and Fred F., who married Edith 
 Dunning. Hattie Massey, Mrs. Anna M. Irvin 
 and James B. Massey were brother and sisters 
 of Henry Massey. The latter died June, 1905. 
 
 Andrew McCord, was born on his father's 
 farm in Palos township, January 31, 1842, and 
 was the son of John and Harriet (Paddock) 
 McCord. He followed farming practically all 
 his life except the time spent in the service of 
 his country during the Civil War. He en- 
 listed in Co. F., One Hundredth Illinois Infan- 
 try, and took part in the important engagements 
 of Stone River, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Nash- 
 ville and others. In 1868, Mr. McCord was 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 111 
 
 united in marriage with Miss Frances Mc- 
 Claughry, a daughter of Matthew and Catherine 
 McClaughry. They became the parents of eight 
 children: Catherine, Sarah, Harriet, Frances, 
 Jason S., Ezra J., Ira D., and Mary J. Mr. 
 McCord at one lime owned more than one thou- 
 sand acres of land in Palos township. He passed 
 away at his home in Blue Island, September 11, 
 1889. 
 
 Jacob Merkelbach, a native of Nassau, Ger- 
 many, located in Blue Island in 1849. His wife, 
 was Rose Wagner. Their children were: Mary, 
 who married James Piggott; Rose, married Wal- 
 lace Day; Lizzie, Thomas Hopkinson; Jacob, 
 Emma Bolt; Delia, Napoleon St. Aubin; Anna, 
 J. G. Diefenbach; John and William Merkelbach 
 served in Co. B, 82nd 111. Regiment. The fam- 
 ily lived for a time on Grove street, near Chat- 
 ham, and later on Vermont street, just east of 
 the Rock Island tracks. 
 
 Henry Merker, first settled in the town of 
 Rich in 1836 before coming to Blue Island. His 
 first wife was Eleanor Hemmion. Their children 
 were Elizabeth, who married Carl Fischer; 
 Henry, who married Mary Engelhardt, daughter 
 of John Engelhardt, and another son named 
 Andrew. On the death of his first wife Merker 
 married Christine Schilling with whom he had 
 four sons and one daughter: Daniel, Charles, 
 Robert, Andrew and Christine. 
 
 Claus Meyer, a native of Holstein, Germany, 
 came to this country in 1856. He was a farmer, 
 his property being located at 159th and Halsted 
 streets. Meyer also engaged in teaming and 
 hauling, using a team of oxen for this work. He 
 quit farming some time during the 80's and 
 bought the grocery store of Thies Reuss, at what 
 is now 13409 Western avenue. He conducted 
 this business until 1892, when it was taken over 
 by his son-in-law, John Krech, who had married 
 the youngest daughter, Marie. The other chil- 
 dren were: Henry, who married Messina Engel- 
 kind; Fred, who married Ellen Bryan and Anna, 
 who married Carl Fischer. Claus Meyer died 
 June 16, 1910. 
 
 George P. Meyer, a native of Reinsbuettel, 
 Holstein, Germany, located in Blue Island in 
 1854. His wife was Johanna Buch. Mr. Meyer 
 was engaged in business in Blue Island for many 
 years. For a time he engaged in farming on 
 Lane's Island. Then in the early 80's he opened 
 a real estate and renting business in Blue Island. 
 He was located for many years on Vermont 
 street, just east of Western avenue. He died in 
 1915. The children were: Henry, Frederika, 
 Julia, Elizabeth, Frederick, William, Augusta. 
 
 Andrew Mihm came from Saxony, Germany, 
 in 1857. He had a saloon on the east side of 
 Western avenue, south of York street. A daugh- 
 ter, Ida, married Ferdinand C. Schapper, a cou- 
 sin of Ferdinand Schapper, the druggist. 
 
 Jacob Mihm came here in 1853. The family 
 lived for many years on Gregory street, near 
 New street. They had no children of their own. 
 An adopted daughter, Bertha Dreischerf Mihm, 
 married Herman Jauchzer, Jr., who for many 
 years was active in local civic affairs and served 
 as city councilman. Andrew, Theresa and Jacob 
 Mihm were sister and brothers. Theresa mar- 
 ried Herman Schmitt, (Sr.), father of Herman 
 J. Schmitt. 
 
 Archibald Robert Murphy, was born in 
 Cushendal, County of Antrim, Ireland, June 3, 
 1826. He came to Illinois when Chicago was a 
 small town. He had followed the sea for a 
 number of years in his youth, so shortly after 
 his arrival in Chicago he became a sailor on 
 the Great Lakes operating a vessel in which he 
 was a part owner. 
 
 In 1857 he took up his residence in Cook 
 county settling on a farm in Worth township, 
 where for eighteen years he carried on agricul- 
 tural pursuits. He then moved to Blue Island 
 where for a time he kept a livery stable. Mr. 
 Murphy was a lover of fine horses and game 
 chickens. His stable contained some splendid 
 trotters which were his delight and pride. Mr. 
 Murphy was married in 1856 at Kingsville, Ont., 
 to Miss Mary Malott. They had nine children 
 of whom three — Mary (Mrs. A. Piper), Etta 
 (widow of Emil Schmitt) and Daniel — are liv- 
 ing in Blue Island. Mrs. Catherine Murphy 
 Ely, youngest of the daughters, lives in Battle 
 Creek, Mich. Mr. Murphy died Oct. 15, 1893. 
 
 N 
 
 Henry Nagel, came to Blue Island with his 
 stepfather, John Giessler in 1853, when only 
 nine years old. Giessler bought a farm at 138th 
 and Western avenue from a man named Hecock, 
 and this farm has been owned by the family 
 more than 76 years. Giessler was a native of 
 Kur-Hessen, Germany. Henry Nagel engaged in 
 farming and teaming. He died February 24, 
 1929, and Mrs. Nagel followed him scarcely 24 
 hours later. The children were: Katie, Henry 
 N., Charles, John, Louis, William N., Minnie 
 and Dora. 
 
 Gottfried Neibert, came to Blue Island from 
 Germany in 1851. He was employed for many 
 years by the Rock Island railroad. The family 
 
112 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 lived for some time on Canal street and later on 
 Division street, near Vermont. Their children 
 were: Bertha, who married Charles Krueger; 
 Lena, married Herman Krueger; John W., mar- 
 ried Louisa Karstens; Christian, married Henri- 
 etta Wickert; Fred W., married Augusta Mos- 
 leu; Henry, married Nettie Schaefer; Joseph, 
 married Caroline Sipple; Marv, married Charles 
 Luchtemeyer; Anna, married Wallace Wright. 
 Mr. Neibert died in 1894 at the age of 84 years. 
 
 Christian Neukirch, located in Blue Island 
 in the middle 50's. His wife was Friedericka 
 Felcht. They lived on Broadway east of the Rock 
 Island tracks. Children were: Alfred F., Her- 
 man F., who married Dora Lehmker, and Au- 
 gusta married William Rock. 
 
 o 
 
 Martin Ocker, came to Blue Island from 
 Herkimer county, New York, in 1846. He was 
 American born of Holland descent. He was 
 united in marriage at Blue Island with Catherine 
 K. Davidson, a step-daughter of John Black, of 
 Scotch birth. Soon after their marriage the gold 
 excitement broke out in California and Mr. 
 Ocker decided to join the rush to the gold fields. 
 He made the trip across the plains with a team 
 of oxen. After about a year and a half in the 
 gold fields his health began to suffer and he de- 
 cided to return to Blue Island. At San Fran- 
 cisco he learned of a vessel which was sailing for 
 the Isthmus of Panama. He secured passage on 
 this ship, thinking to disembark at Panama and 
 make his way across the Isthmus to the Atlantic 
 side. After the ship had set sail Mr. Ocker soon 
 discovered that he was in the clutches of a crew 
 of pirates. He was quickly robbed of the $1800 
 in gold he had saved and when Panama was 
 reached he was set ashore penniless. After many 
 weary days, during which he suffered excrucia- 
 ting hardships, he reached the eastern shore of 
 the Isthmus. There he was picked up by a 
 coastwise trading ship, the captain of which 
 agreed to take him to New York if he would 
 work for his passage. Arrived in New York, 
 Mr. Ocker sent word to his wife here in Blue 
 Island. Arrangements for his return by way of 
 the Great Lakes were made through a Chicago 
 agency, and after five weary and hazardous 
 months, from the time he left California, he was 
 back with his family without a penny to show 
 for the time and trouble of his adventure. 
 
 In 1861 when the Civil War broke out Mr. 
 Ocker enlisted in the 76th Board of Trade regi- 
 ment at Chicago. After three months in training 
 at Camp Douglas the regiment was ordered to 
 assist in the siege of Vicksburg. Some time 
 
 after the surrender of the city Mr. Ocker's com- 
 pany, while on their way north, were caught in 
 a surprise attack by a rebel detachment and dur- 
 ing the fighting Mr. Ocker was killed. He was 
 buried in the National cemetery at Nashville, 
 Tenn. James Ocker, now a resident of Blue Is- 
 land, is a son of this pioneer. 
 
 Joseph Periam, came from Newark, N. J., 
 with his family, in 1838, and located on the 
 north bank of the Calumet river, just east of 
 Blue Island. His wife was Phoebe Meeker. 
 They had eleven children. Two of the daugh- 
 ters, Elizabeth and Abigail, conducted the first 
 private school in Blue Island. Elizabeth be- 
 came the wife of Benjamin Sanders, Blue Island 
 pioneer. Joseph, who entered the Union service 
 during the Civil war, was killed in battle at 
 Gettysburg. Jonathan was for many years edi- 
 tor of Prairie Farmer. His interesting reminis- 
 cences of the early days form a part of this 
 history. 
 
 R 
 
 George Reichert, a native of Ulstadt, Ger- 
 many, located in Blue Island in the middle 50's. 
 His wife was Maria Wagner. Their children 
 were: John, who married Augusta Volp, a 
 daughter of Henry Volp; Theresa, who married 
 Charles Johler; Rosina, married Fred Voigt and 
 Andrew, died single. 
 
 Bernhard Reiner came to Blue Island on 
 July 4, 1847, and was the second German to 
 locate here, having been preceded by M. Dill- 
 schneider by less than two months. Reiner was 
 born in Bavaria, Germany. He conducted a tav- 
 ern at the south-west corner of Western avenue 
 and Broadway up to the time of his death, which 
 occurred Sept. 28, 1855. He was the father of 
 Andrew Reiner, who was active in civic af- 
 fairs of the community for many years, serving 
 as township supervisor, superintendent of public 
 works and in other important capacities. 
 
 Andrew Reiner, was the first male child of 
 German parentage born in the village. 
 
 After the death of Bernhard Reiner his widow 
 married Franz Gaenzehals. He was one of the 
 horde who joined the California gold rush in '49. 
 He located in Blue Island in 1857. 
 
 Thies Reuss, came to this country from Ger- 
 many in the late 50's. He located on a farm on 
 the south side of Blue Island. In 1870 he quit 
 the farm and bought a grocery store at what is 
 now 13409 Western avenue, which had been es- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 113 
 
 tablished some years before by Reimer Boe- The 
 Reuss brothers, grocers on the west side, are 
 grandsons of this pioneer. 
 
 Jacob Frederick Rehm, born in Chicago, 
 September 2, 1852. Was married to Miss Minnie 
 Wuest, a daughter of Samuel Wuest, March 2, 
 1882. He was connected for some years with 
 the Riverdale Distillery and later was engaged 
 in the brokerage business in Chicago. He served 
 for three years as President of the Village of 
 Blue Island, where he resided since 1882. The 
 first city hall and electric light plant were built 
 during his administration. 
 
 Walter P. Roche, who had previously been 
 engaged in the tobacco business in Chicago, 
 moved to Blue Island in 1855. He was born in 
 Calloway county, Mo., July 7, 1819, and died 
 at his home on Maple avenue, Blue Island, April 
 16, 1896. His wife was Miss Sarah Wilson, a 
 native of Indiana, whom he married in 1847. 
 She was a step-daughter of Absolom Funk, of 
 Funk's Grove, 111. Their children were Albert, 
 who married Alice Kyle, a daughter of Merrill 
 Kyle; Henry J., who married Amanda Holmes; 
 Grace E., who married Isaac W. Holland, and 
 Emily, not married. James Roche, who made 
 his home with his brother Walter, was a bach- 
 elor. He was born February 24, 1825. Died 
 February 6, 1906. The Roche homstead was 
 noted for its tract of virgin woodland, which was 
 kept in its natural state up to the time of the 
 owner's death. 
 
 John Freeborn Rock, was born in Blue Is- 
 land, March 11, 1854. He was educated in the 
 country school at Stonequarry. Was married to 
 Frederika Schultz, Sept. 8, 1894. He operated a 
 flour and feed store on the South Side in 1884, 
 at the location now occupied by the A. & P. 
 store, 13324 Western avenue. Later the business 
 was moved across the street to the east side of 
 Western avenue and operated under the firm 
 name Rock & Geist. Mrs. Rock died in 1921 
 and Mr. Rock in 1928. Their children were: 
 Martha, Alma, Lillian, Walter, Frances and 
 Mable. 
 
 John Jacob Rock, was born in Vedirpstedt, 
 Holstein, Germany, March 1, 1821. In 1848 he 
 went as a sailor aboard ship at Hamburg, cross- 
 ing the equator to Brazil, Porto Rico, Jamaica 
 returning by way of the Gulf of Mexico and New 
 Orleans. On January 30, 1853, he was married 
 at Vedirpstedt to Miss Margaretha Catherine 
 Janssen. April 13, 1853, they journeyed to 
 America, arriving in New York on June 27, 
 1853, then by water to Toledo and via railroad 
 to Chicago and Blue Island. Mr. and Mrs. Rock 
 
 both worked for a while on the Norman Rexford 
 farm at $20 per month. In 1854 they rented a 
 house at what is now 2248 Grove street for which 
 they paid $2.50 a month rent, but a year later 
 found them located on a 32-acre farm on Craw- 
 ford avenue, just west of Blue Island, for which 
 Mr. Rock paid $650. Seven children were born 
 of this union: John Freeborn, Catherine, Mary, 
 Rosamond, William, Mathilda and Lucinda. Mr. 
 Rock died January 11, 1887. 
 
 Oscar F. Rudd, came here from Watertown, 
 New York, in 1855. He died in 1864. Mrs. 
 Rudd before her marriage was Mary Thatcher. 
 They had only one child, Willis N. Rudd, who 
 married Julia Massey, daughter of Henry H. 
 Massey. Mr. Rudd was one of the first in this 
 vicinity to offer his services to the government 
 at the beginning of the Civil War. He served 
 as captain in the 39th Illinois Infantry. At one 
 time he was a teacher in the public schools. 
 
 Otto Runge, came to Blue Island in 1852 
 with his father, John Runge and his grandfather, 
 Michael Gollard, all natives of Mecklenburg, 
 Germany. Mrs. Runge was Elizabeth Klein. 
 Their children were Ella, Herman, John, Ed- 
 ward, Charles, Melvin, Hermine, Otillie, Frances. 
 Mr. Runge was born June 24, 1832 and died 
 Dec. 25, 1912. 
 
 S 
 
 Benjamin Sanders, was born in Peterboro, 
 Madison county, New York. Went west, landed 
 near the Periam farm on the Calumet river in 
 1840, married Elizabeth Periam and moved to 
 Blue Island where he took over the farm of one 
 Horace Hund, who had lost his wife and became 
 discouraged. There was a frame house on the 
 place which was afterward replaced with the 
 brick now standing on Gregory street and known 
 as the parkhouse. Mr. Sanders practiced law in 
 a small way, often arguing cases with the late 
 Walter Patrick and Rodney Day. Besides work- 
 ing his farm he held the office of Supervisor for 
 a number of years. He was chairman of the 
 building committee of the County board after the 
 Chicago fire of 1871. Mrs. Sanders died in 1876 
 and Mr. Sanders in 1881. 
 
 Frederick Sauerbier, born in Langensalse, 
 Germany, came to this country in 1853 and first 
 located on a farm about five miles west of Blue 
 Island. He was a brother of Christ Sauerbier. 
 The children were: Louis, who married Margaret 
 Boehm, a daughter of Rev. Boehm; Fred mar- 
 ried Lizzie Thedens; William, Emma Lochow; 
 Mina, Charles Lochow; Henry, Kate Schnur- 
 stein; George, Phillipena Mauer; Hattie, Will- 
 iam Bolt; Mary, August Kern. 
 
114 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Frederick Sauerteig, was a native of Sax- 
 ony, Germany. He located in Blue Island in 
 the early 50's and for some years conducted a 
 general store on Western avenue, between Grove 
 and Fulton streets, and later on the east side of 
 Western avenue between Grove and Vermont 
 streets. His wife was a daughter of Christian 
 Krueger (Sr.) A daughter, Aurelia, married 
 Fred Ellfeldt. Albert Sauerteig, a son, had his 
 name changed legally to "Sommers". Mr. 
 Sauerteig died July 21, 1891. 
 
 Ferdinand Schapper, (Sr.) a native of Ger- 
 many located in Blue Island, June 7, 1850, 
 bringing with him his wife and son. An 
 "Apotheker" (druggist) in the old country he 
 quickly availed himself of the need existing in 
 the settlement for a drug store. His was the 
 first business of the kind in the village. It was 
 started in the Duensing building, on the west side 
 of Western avenue, just on top of the hill. Two 
 years later it was moved across the street to the 
 corner of Grove street and Western avenue, where 
 the "Pioneer Drug Store", as it was named, has 
 been located since. Many of the old German 
 residents, rather than go to a regular doctor for 
 medical advice, depended on the elder Schapper 
 and his wife in cases of sickness, and, it was 
 claimed, that frequently Schapper's prescriptions 
 effected a cure where regular practitioners had 
 failed. 
 
 In 1852, Schapper was appointed postmaster, 
 succeeding Norman Rexford. He served in that 
 capacity until 1861. In 1874 the elder Schapper 
 retired from business and his son Ferdinand as- 
 sumed the management and continued the busi- 
 ness for twenty-five years, when he, too, retired 
 and the business passed into other hands. H. 
 Lebovitz now is the owner. Ferdinand Schap- 
 per, Sr., died in July, 1878. 
 
 Ferdinand Schapper, (Jr.), married Ella M. 
 Sassaman. They had two children, Perry C. and 
 Frank H. Both died in their eighteenth year. 
 After retiring from business Ferdinand Schapper 
 devoted most of his time to gathering informa- 
 tion of a biographical nature for a history of 
 settlers in this vicinity who located here prior to 
 the Civil War. His record undoubtedly is the 
 most complete in existence. It includes the name 
 and family record, not only of those who settled 
 in Blue Island, but also of those in the nearby 
 settlements of that period. 
 
 Christian Schmidt, and his wife Anna, came 
 to this country from Hanover, Germany, in 1856. 
 First located for a short time in Chicago, then 
 came to Blue Island. Mr. Schmidt was a tailor 
 by trade and established himself in business first 
 on Vermont street, opposite Henry street, later 
 
 on the west side of Western avenue, north of 
 New street, his son Adolph, being in business 
 with him until his death Oct. 13, 1893. His 
 father then conducted the business up to his 
 death, June 26, 1900. The children were Adolph 
 W., Emma, who married Albert Schmidt, for 28 
 years assistant postmaster at the Blue Island 
 Postoffice, and Wilhelmina, who married Roland 
 Newhouse, local coal dealer. 
 
 August Schreiber, a native of the Black For- 
 est district, Baden, Germany, came to this coun- 
 try in 1851 and at once located in Blue Island. 
 He was one of the organizers of the Blue Island 
 Liederkranz and one of its most active and en- 
 thusiastic members. He was a tinsmith by trade 
 and for many years he had a shop on Western 
 avenue, just below the hill at James street. Later 
 this was made into a general hardware store, 
 which at the present time is being conducted by 
 the sons and grandsons of the founder. August 
 Schreiber died November 16, 1891, at the age of 
 67 years. The children were: William, who 
 married Ida Luchtemeyer; Philip married Emily 
 Kriegsman; Henry married Kate Sippel; Elsie 
 married William Schimmel; Mina married 
 Charles Martens (widower). Gothilf Schreiber 
 was a brother of August. 
 
 Christian Schroeder came to the United 
 States from Germany about 1856. He was a 
 blacksmith by trade and for a number of years 
 was employed in the repair shop which the Rock 
 Island maintained in Blue Island. Mrs. Schroe- 
 der was Sophia Gehrke. A son, Fred Schroeder 
 married Elsie Dost. The family lived on Ver- 
 mont street, about one and one-half miles east 
 of Western avenue. 
 
 Carl Schroeder, a brother of John Schroeder, 
 came here from his native country in '56. He 
 also was a wagon maker and worked for John 
 Hartung. 
 
 Frederick Schroeder, located in Blue Island 
 in 1854. Mary S. Schroeder, a daughter, mar- 
 ried Henry Doehler. The other children were 
 John M., Martin and Henry. 
 
 John Schroeder, a brother of Carl Schroe- 
 der, came here from his native country in '56. 
 He was a wagonmaker and worked for John 
 Hartung. 
 
 Peter Schroeder, who came to this country 
 from Germany in the early 50's within a few 
 years became associated with Bahner under the 
 name "Schroeder & Bahner", proprietors of the 
 Blue Island House (Rexford's). They operated 
 the hotel about two years when Jacob Boehl be- 
 came the owner and it was under the latter own- 
 ership this pioneer structure was destroyed by 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 115 
 
 fire. During the 60's, Peter Schroeder lived on 
 the west side of Western avenue, south of Broad- 
 way. 
 
 Claus Schultz, a native of Holstein, Ger- 
 many, came to Blue Island in 1855. His wife 
 was Christina Claussen, a sister of Emil and 
 Asmus Claussen. Mr. Schultz lived on Western 
 avenue, near 139th street, where at one time he 
 had a mill for the grinding of grits and oat- 
 meal. The children were: Mary, who married 
 Hans Thedens; Anna married John Peters; 
 Christine married John Gierman; Emma married 
 Eugene Pfeiffer. 
 
 Nathanial T. Sherwood, located in Blue Is- 
 land in 1846. He was a blacksmith and for 
 about two years had a shop on the west side 
 of Western avenue, on top of the hill. When 
 the California gold excitement was on Sherwood 
 joined the '49ers in the overland rush to the gold 
 fields. Mrs. Sherwood was Minerva Rexford of 
 Zanesville, Ohio. Their children were: Rachael, 
 who died single; Lucinda, married a Mr. Shaw 
 and after his death a Dr. Robinson became her 
 second husband; Lucy, married Thomas Harker, 
 and moved to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. There 
 were two boys, Hezekiah, who was locally known 
 as "Bob" Sherwood, and George. In 1861 the 
 family moved to Geneso, 111. 
 
 Henry Schuemann, came to this country from 
 Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1851, locating in 
 Blue Island. He lived for a while with Fritz 
 Koehne, on 135th street, near the river. The 
 children were: Sophia, who married John Arens; 
 John, married Katherine Fritz; Lena, married 
 John Osterman; Carl, married Katie Bertrand; 
 Herman, married Minnie Wolz and Ida, mar- 
 ried Chas. Mohr. 
 
 August Simmerling, located in Blue Island in 
 the middle 60's and opened a shoe shop on 
 Western avenue, just south of Fulton street, in 
 the same spot when Peter Kich some years pre- 
 vious had conducted a similar business. Joe 
 Simmerling, district operating superintendent of 
 the Public Service Co., is a son of this early 
 citizen. 
 
 John Sorgenfrei, located in Blue Island in 
 1852. He was a native of Brandenburg, Ger- 
 many. His wife was Elizabeth Krueger, a 
 daughter of Christian Krueger, Sr. Their chil- 
 dren were: Ada (Mrs. F. T. E. Kallum) ; Emma 
 (Mrs. Christian Muhs) ; Albert, married Minnie 
 Bock; Fred, Mary Helbrig; Louis, Cecelia Geh- 
 ring and Minna, became Mrs. Fred Schilling. 
 John Sorgenfrei was an expert stone mason and 
 
 his craftsmanship entered into many of the early 
 buildings of the community. He died February 
 1, 1898. 
 
 William Sorgenfrei, a brother of John Sor- 
 genfrei, also a native of Brandenburg, Germany, 
 came to Blue Island in 1854. He was a wagon- 
 maker and for a year or so worked as journey- 
 man in local shops. In 1856 he started a wagon 
 shop of his own on the north-east corner of 
 Western avenue and New street. William Sor- 
 genfrei was thrice married. His first wife was 
 Frederika Krueger, a sister of John Sorgenfrei's 
 wife. His second wife was Katherine Kiessling 
 and on her death he married Rosa Zieka. Chil- 
 dren of the first and second marriages were: Otto, 
 who married Lena Leppert; Edmund, married 
 Hulda Meyer ; Emma, married Henry Engelhardt 
 and later Frank Denner; Fredericka, married 
 John Kich; Bertha, married Julius Hoffman; 
 Ernest and William. 
 
 Nicholas Stoll, a native of Switzerland, 
 where he was born on March 13, 1843, came to 
 this country in 1864. The Civil War had begun 
 and he entered the service of his adopted coun- 
 try, enlisting in February, 1865, as a member of 
 Co. G., First Illinois Light Artillery. On his 
 return to Cook County, Mr. Stoll resumed his 
 occupation as a cabinet maker in a billiard 
 table manufactory, until the great fire of 1871, 
 which swept the city and destroyed the factory. 
 In 1877 he opened a factory of his own which 
 later became known as the Garden City Billiard 
 Table Company. Mr. Stoll was married Febru- 
 ary 24, 1868, to Miss Wilhelmina Kantzler, a 
 daughter of Christian Kantzler. Six children 
 were born to them: William F., Emma, Otto, 
 Lydia, Edgar and Adelia. 
 
 Hiram Squier, came to Cook county in 1845. 
 He was born in Charlotte, Vt., June 25, 1801, 
 the son of Heber and Isabella Squier. His wife 
 was Miss Hulda Fox, whom he married in West- 
 field, N. Y., in 1825. From 1851 to 1853, dur- 
 ing which time the family lived in Hyde Park, 
 Mr. Squier was warden of the Cook County poor 
 house two years and one year keeper of the light- 
 house in South Chicago. His sister was Zeruia 
 Squier who married Benajah Rexford and was 
 the mother of six of the Rexfords who settled 
 in Blue Island. Mr. Squier was generally known 
 as "Uncle Hiram". In 1853 he erected the house 
 on Canal street, where he lived up to the time 
 of his death, which occurred May 15, 1885. Mrs. 
 Squier died in 1852. They had no children but 
 
116 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 had an adopted daughter, Elizabeth E. Squier, 
 who married C. C. Claussen. A nephew, Lester 
 Klump, was also raised in the Squier home. Mr. 
 Squier at one time owned a fine farm in Thorn- 
 ton township and on the Canal street property 
 was one of the first apple orchards in northern 
 Illinois, most of the trees there having been 
 grown as seedlings. 
 
 John Staffel, located in Blue Island in June, 
 1856. He was a native of Bugenau, Kreis Bied- 
 enkopf, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He mar- 
 ried Henrietta Kleinebecker, of St. Louis. Their 
 children were: William G., who married Fred- 
 erika Krueger, a daughter of Ludwig Krueger; 
 John, who married Bertha Kaak ; Lizzie, married 
 Fred Pippert; Charles, married Minnie Lang- 
 held; Albert, Bertha Henke; Paul, Emma Rietch; 
 Emil, Gertrude Koll ; Herman and Anna 
 did not marry. Mr. Staffel was a wagonmaker 
 by trade. He first worked for William Sorgen- 
 frei and later Fritz Volkmann. In the middle 
 60's he started a shop of his own on the south- 
 east corner of Western avenue and Canal street. 
 Mr. Staffel always took an active interest in pub- 
 lic affairs, especially as regarded the welfare of 
 the south side. He served in the early years of 
 the village as a member of the board of village 
 trustees. 
 
 Fred Stark,- a native of Germany, located in 
 Blue Island in 1854. Died September 1, 1913. 
 His wife was Maria Boger, who passed away in 
 1910. Stark was a tailor and conducted that 
 business for many years. The family lived on 
 Canal street, east of Gregory street. Two daugh- 
 ters are living today: Lizzie, the wife of Charles 
 Wenzlaff and Flora, widow of George Grueb. 
 
 John Frederick Steffes, a wagon maker by 
 trade, located in Blue Island in 1850, after hav- 
 ing for a short time lived on a farm near Har- 
 vey. He opened a wagon shop on Western ave- 
 nue, near Market street, where the family also 
 resided. Mrs. Steffes was Catharine Reinholt. 
 Their children were: John, Mary, Anton, Bern- 
 hard, Fanny, Katie, Susan, Frederick, Annie. 
 Mr. Steffes died Nov. 2, 1908. 
 
 Charles Peter Stein was born in Siefer- 
 sheim, Germany, and came to Chicago in the 
 year 1840. The journey was made by sailing 
 vessel which covered a period of sixty-five days. 
 After the Chicago fire the family moved to Blue 
 Island in the year 1876. Mr. Stein was formerly 
 the owner of an Inn at Clark and Randolph 
 streets, Chicago. The family settled upon a 
 farm east of Blue Island on Vermont street near 
 Halsted. The old family homestead is still stand- 
 ing. He was one of the founders of the First 
 
 Lutheran church in Blue Island. Three of his 
 children resided here until their death. They 
 were William F., Emma L., and Edward Stein, 
 the latter serving several terms as Mayor of 
 Blue Island, and was the first superintendent of 
 Oak forest Infirmary. 
 
 Charles Strickert was born in Felmelten, 
 Courensen, Prussia, in 1838, came to this coun- 
 try in 1856, and first settled on a farm in the 
 town of Bremen. In 1860 he moved to Blue 
 Island and started a teaming business. When 
 the Civil War broke out Mr. Strickert joined 
 Company B. Eighty-second Illinois Infantry, in 
 which he served with credit until the close of 
 the war. He received an honorable discharge in 
 Chicago, July, 1865, and returned to Blue Island. 
 December 23, 1866, he was united in marriage 
 with Katie Schardt of Brooklyn, N. Y. They 
 had nine children: Charles, Theresa, Clara, 
 Amelia, Katie, George William, Lillian and Mar- 
 tha. The three first named are dead. Amelia 
 married Charles Brummer; Katie married 
 Charles Ostendorf; Lillian married Laurence 
 Klenk; Martha married John Hochheimer and 
 William married Caroline Hollenbeck. 
 
 William Vandenburg, a native of Preuss- 
 Hilfart, Germany, came to this country in 1849. 
 He located in Blue Island, living for a time on 
 Canal street, near Chicago street, and later on 
 James street. Mr. Vandenburg died in 1852, and 
 his widow married Frederick Boeber. Children 
 of the first union were: Mina, who married Joe 
 Voelkle; Christian, who married Katie Kom- 
 mert; William, married Annie Nickel and Jo- 
 hanna married William Pronger, and some years 
 after his death, William Schmitz became her sec- 
 ond husband. 
 
 John Anton Verhoeven, settled on a farm 
 near the Calumet river, just south of the Thorn- 
 ton town line, in 1851. He was a native of 
 Cleves, Prussia. The children were: John, Will- 
 iam, Franz, Catharine, Petronella, August, Her- 
 man, Helene, Wilhelmina. 
 
 Charles F. Volk, a civil engineer and sur- 
 veyor, located here in the late 50's. He experi- 
 mented with the raising of chicory, a coffee 
 adulterant, on some land west of the settlement, 
 but was not able to make it a paying industry. 
 He lived at the Seyfarth tavern at Grove and 
 Western and after the death of William Seyfarth 
 Volk married his widow. 
 
 Henry Volp, a native of Weickartshein, 
 Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, came to this coun- 
 try in 1846 when 23 years of age. He landed 
 at Baltimore, Md., where he decided to locate, 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 117 
 
 and where, on April 8, 1849, he married Anna 
 Margaretha Hensel. In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Volp 
 with their three eldest children, moved to Blue 
 Island. Six other children were born to them 
 after locating here — the family consisting of six 
 girls and three boys, as follows: Mary, who 
 married John Kern; William, married Sophia 
 Fautek; Elizabeth, married Charles Langheld; 
 Maryliz, married Fred Langheld; Caroline, mar- 
 ried Fred Sadawater; John H., married Viola 
 Haas; Augusta, married John Reichert; Anna, 
 married Wm. Haas; Charles, married Henrietta 
 Bock. Mrs. John Reichert, Anna Haas and 
 John H. Volp are the only ones left of this once 
 large family. All are residents of Blue Island. 
 During the first two years here the family lived 
 on the Captain Swigler farm in the north end of 
 Blue Island, then Mr. Volp bought property on 
 Rexford street and Broadway and built a home. 
 This property, greatly remodeled, is now owned 
 by John Wolff. Mr. Volp died Sept. 17, 1901, 
 and Mrs. Volp died on Oct. 23, 1921, nearly 
 89 years of age. 
 
 Heinrich Voss and wife (nee Elizabeth Kre- 
 belich) came from Schwerin, Germany, in 1857. 
 They lived for a while in Blue Island during 
 which time Mr. Voss worked for William Mor- 
 gan. Then they moved just west of the village to 
 the Henke farm and engaged in farming. Later 
 on Mr. Voss bought a farm on Burr Oak avenue, 
 near the Lutheran cemetery. This farm he sold 
 in 1890, when the family established a home on 
 Walnut street and moved back to Blue Island. 
 Mrs. Voss died in 1909 and Mr. Voss in 1911. 
 
 They had nine children: Mary, (Mrs. John 
 Roloff) ; Minnie, (Mrs. August Engelhardt) ; 
 John, married Amelie Hopf; Henry, married 
 Mary Consoer; Sophie, (Mrs. Carl Brand) ; 
 Emma, (Mrs. Henry Kleni) ; Louise, (Mrs. 
 Mathias Hansen) ; Carl, Nora Christianson. 
 
 John Voss, a native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 
 Germany, located in Blue Island in 1856. He 
 lived south-west of Western avenue, near the 
 slough. Their children were Sophia, who mar- 
 ried Michael Heim; Christina, Mary, Lina, John, 
 Minnie and Fredericka. 
 
 w 
 
 Otis M. Wattles, was born in Ripley, Chau- 
 tauqua Co., New York, in 1822. He left home 
 when only seventeen years of age arriving in 
 Blue Island with only $4.50 in his pockets, the 
 balance of $10 which he had borrowed before 
 leaving for the west. He worked for a time at 
 railroading, then hired out to chop wood. Then 
 for five years he worked at the Blue Island 
 House, making that his home. March 4, 1845, 
 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Crandall. Syl- 
 via D. ,who became Mrs. Alfred M. Duller; Cor- 
 
 nelia E., who became Mrs. William A. Corlew, 
 and Ethan H. Wattles, who for several years 
 conducted a livery business and at one time was 
 captain of the Blue Island police, were their 
 children. 
 
 Carlton Wadhams, was one of the first half 
 dozen men to locate in Blue Island, coming here 
 in 1839. His first wife was Sophia Spellman 
 and his second Hulda Stedman. They had two 
 daughters, Mary and Phoebe, and one son who 
 died in infancy. Mary Wadhams married Jona- 
 than Periam and Phoebe married Harry Morgan 
 of South Bend, Ind. Wadhams is best remem- 
 bered here as having been the builder of the 
 American House, which during its time was the 
 most popular hostlery of the settlement. Carl- 
 ton Wadhams died in 1886. Guy and David 
 Wadhams were his brothers. 
 
 Michael Weigand, came from Bavaria, Ger- 
 many, and located in Blue Island in 1853. He 
 obtained work almost at once on the Rock Island 
 railroad, which was then being constructed 
 through Blue Island. Some time later he went 
 to work at the tavern of William Seyfarth at 
 the corner of Western avenue and Grove street. 
 Here he met Margaret Kiessling, the young lady 
 who was to become his wife. In 1862, Mr. 
 Weigand bought property on the south side of 
 Broadway, just west of the Rock Island tracks, 
 which has been the family home since that time. 
 Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wei- 
 gand, one of whom died in infancy. Margaret, 
 the eldest of the girls, married Charles Henricks. 
 She was killed in 1933 on the tracks of the 
 Northwestern railroad at Arcadia, Iowa, when a 
 train struck the car in which she and her hus- 
 band were driving while on a visit with rela- 
 tives there. Her husband had his back broken 
 in this accident and has been crippled for life. 
 Mary, aged 24 years; Caroline, aged 19, and 
 Rachael, aged 16, all died within a month of 
 each other during the typhoid epidemic in Sep- 
 tember, 1889. John G. Weigand, the only son, 
 married Emma Hoist and is living in the old 
 homestead on Broadway. Michael Weigand died 
 in 1893 at the age of 87 years and his wife in 
 1909, aged 73 years. 
 
 Dietrich Wiebking, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
 many, and a tailor by trade, located in Blue Is- 
 land in 1858. His wife was Louise Buschman. 
 Their children were: Mary (Mrs. Henry Blatt), 
 Dora (Mrs. Thomas Robertson), and Hattie 
 (Mrs. Vertus B. Roberts). The family lived for 
 many years at the northwest corner of Vermont 
 street and Maple avenue at which place Mr. 
 Wiebking conducted his tailoring business. Mrs. 
 Dietrich Quade, Mrs. Wm. Fischer, Wm. Busch- 
 man and Mrs. Dietrich Wiebking were sisters 
 and brother. 
 
118 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Albert Wingate, a native of the state of 
 Maine, came west in 1836 and located on a farm 
 at Lane's Island. His wife was Miss Phoebe 
 Mitchell, also of the state of Maine, whom he 
 married in 1843. Four children were born of 
 this marriage: Elizabeth, died in her teens; 
 Mary, married John M. Green; Alice, married 
 Nelson E. Trumbull and Levi, married Lydia 
 Rinkenburger. John M. Green and wife had 
 thirteen children of which number ten are still 
 living. Four children were born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Nelson E. Trumbull, one of whom is dead. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Levi Wingate also had four chil- 
 dren of whom one is dead. 
 
 Christopher Weissenborn, was born Janu- 
 ary 22, 1830, in Niederdorla, Muehlhausen, 
 Thuringen, near Wartburg. He came to Amer- 
 ica in 1870 with his wife and four children, 
 Christian, Susanna, Louise and Henry. The 
 family landed first in Chicago where they re- 
 mained a little more than a year, coming to 
 Blue Island in October, 1871. Their first home 
 here was on the south side, on the east side of 
 Western avenue, where the Jebens Hardware 
 store is now located. Here Mr. Weissenborn es- 
 tablished a small store, dealing in cooking uten- 
 sils and similar articles. In connection with this 
 business he soon started handling patent medi- 
 cines, and also manufactured preparations of 
 his own, which he sold throughout the country 
 districts. He had a wide acquaintance with the 
 country folk and many consulted him about their 
 ailments as they would a doctor. In the early 
 80's he bought property at the corner of Ver- 
 mont and Henry streets where he resided up to 
 the time of his death. Mr. Weissenborn was 
 one of those who advocated changing from vil- 
 lage to a city form of government and circulated 
 a petition to that effect. Mrs. Weissenborn 
 passed away August 23, 1905, at the age of 74 
 years and Mr. Weissenborn died September 7, 
 1911, having reached the age of 81 years. Of 
 the children mentioned above Susanna (Mrs. 
 Rodenhausen) and Henry, are living (1935) in 
 Chicago. Anna, the youngest daughter, who mar- 
 ried Fred Schneider, passed away November 28, 
 1934. 
 
 Henry Werner, born in Saxony, Germany, 
 came to this country in 1854. He was by occu- 
 pation a linen weaver. He located in Blue Is- 
 land and opened a butcher shop, first on Green- 
 wood avenue, between Grove and Vermont 
 street and later on the south-east corner of Grove 
 street and Western avenue, where the family re- 
 sided many years. Mrs. Werner was Friedericka 
 Seyfarth. A daughter Hermine, married Au- 
 gust Kantzler, Ernst married Carrie Noth, and 
 
 William H., who for many years was connected 
 with the banking business in Blue Island, mar- 
 ried Wilhelmina Hagen. Henry Werner died 
 November 1, 1903. 
 
 John W. Wolff, a native of Stansburg, Al- 
 sace, where he was born in 1842, came to this 
 country with his parents when four years old. 
 When the Civil War broke out he joined the 
 Union forces and served for more than four 
 years. He learned the cigar making business 
 and in 1870 he married, moved to Blue Island 
 and set up his own cigar shop. He was elected 
 to the city council and served several terms as 
 alderman for the Third Ward. Mr. Wolff died 
 January 9, 1919. 
 
 Samuel Wuest, a native of Switzerland, came 
 to Blue Island in 1855. He first clerked in local 
 stores, then opened a private school on the south- 
 west corner of Grove and Ann streets. This did 
 not succeed so well and later he engaged in the 
 life insurance business in Chicago. The children 
 were: J. A. Wuest, who married Carolina Vogt 
 of Chicago; Bertha, who married Emil Kretch; 
 Frank, Berthena Bushnell ; Samuel ; Winnie, Ja- 
 cob Rehm; Martha, John Krech; Lydia, Emil 
 Guenther of Chicago. S. Frank Wuest was for 
 several years publisher of The (Blue Island) 
 Standard, the successor of Blue Island's first 
 newspaper the "Blue Island Herald." 
 
 Henry Wuetig, a native of Waldeck, Ger- 
 many, located in Blue Island in 1851. He was 
 a carpenter. He bought property and estab- 
 lished a home on the south side of Vermont 
 street, just west of Maple avenue. This prop- 
 erty is still retained in the family. The children 
 were Fred Wuetig, who married Babette Zorn, a 
 sister of Philip Zorn ; Charles who married Mar- 
 garet Vogel, and Christian. Charles Wuetig 
 served in Battery G of the 2nd Illinois Light 
 Artillery during the Civil War. 
 
 Joshua P. Young, a native of the state of New 
 York, located in Blue Island in 1854. His wife 
 was Louise Spencer of Sweden, N. Y., and it 
 was on a farm there the young couple began 
 their domestic life. Coming to Blue Island in 
 '54, Mr. Young quickly identified himself with 
 the activities of the community and became one 
 of its leading citizens. In '56 he bought 
 Carlton Wadham's interest in the quarter section 
 of land lying between Western avenue and Maple 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 119 
 
 avenue, and Vermont street and Burr Oak 
 avenue — now the choicest business and residence 
 section of Blue Island. With his brother-in-law, 
 Hardin B. Brayton. he was for a time engaged 
 in the commission business in the "Wigwam," 
 the building in Chicago in which Lincoln was 
 nominated for president. He was a deacon in 
 the Congregational church and was instrumental 
 in the building of the First Congregational 
 church. Mr. Young served as Village Trustee 
 and a term as President of the Village Board. 
 Mr. Young was twice married. He had two sons 
 by his first wife: Charles, who married Jennie 
 Alexander, a daughter of Marshall Alexander; 
 and Frank 0., who married Alice Eames, daugh- 
 ter of Melville C. Eames. His second wife was 
 Minerva P. Brayton, daughter of Sweet Brayton. 
 They had one son, Chauncey, Avho died in vouth. 
 Mr. Young died May 26, 1889. 
 
 He died in 1861. The family lived for a few 
 years on Broadway, west of the Rock Island 
 tracks, but later moved to Homewood. The 
 children were: Conrad, who married Catherine 
 Naegel; Henry married Julia Ann Klein; Eliz- 
 abeth married Emil Scheibe and Marie married 
 Fritz Hildebrand. 
 
 Philip Zorn, a native of Wuerzburg, Bavaria, 
 Germany, settled in Blue Island in 1855. He 
 was for a time employed in Schapper's drug 
 store, but later became identified with the Busch 
 and Brand brewery, soon being made manager 
 of the plant. After a number of years in that 
 capacity he moved to Michigan City, Ind. Dur- 
 ing his residence in Blue Island he was prom- 
 inently identified with the Blue Island Lieder- 
 kranz. 
 
 Frederick Zacharias, a native of Saxe-Wei- 
 mar, Germany, came to this country in 1851, 
 located first on a farm in Cooper's Grove. In 
 1871, he bought the Robinson property on the 
 west side of Western avenue, between Grove and 
 Vermont streets, and moved to Blue Island, 
 where he engaged in the flour and feed business. 
 He served two terms as supervisor of Worth 
 township and always took an active part in pub- 
 lic affairs. He retired in 1883, when his son, 
 John L. Zacharias, succeeded to the business 
 management. Frederick Zacharias' death occur- 
 red on New Year's day, 1894, at the age of 
 nearly seventy years. Mrs. Zacharias was 
 Christina Schippel. The children of this union 
 were: Alvina, who married Adam Andres; Pau- 
 lina married August Fehsel; Emelie married 
 Peter Hansen ; Ida married Oscar Hedrich ; Fred- 
 ericka married Ferdinand Schroeder; John L. 
 married Louise Luchtemeyer and Mathilda mar- 
 ried Henry Bruggemeyer. 
 
 August Zacher, came from Erfurt, Saxony, 
 Germany, and settled in Blue Island in 1853. 
 His wife, Ernestine Habermaltz, came to Blue 
 Island two years later with their son, Christian 
 G. Zacher. August Zacher died April 23, 1883, 
 and his wife died Nov. 4, 1894, and they are 
 both buried in the old Blue Island cemetery. 
 Mr. Zacher was a linen-weaver. Christian G. 
 Zacher, married Elizabeth Stoll, June 11, 1864. 
 She came from Gutmadingen, Switzerland, the 
 same year. 
 
 Eberhard Zimmer, a native of Villengen, 
 Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, located in Blue Is- 
 land in the middle 50's. His wife was Elizabeth 
 Dietz. Zimmer's occupation was that of butcher. 
 
 Adolph Haase came to this country from Ger- 
 many in 1853. His wife was Sophia Fuhrman. 
 Their children were: Adolph, who married Ber- 
 tha Bolt; William, married Rosa Consoer; 
 Henry, married Doris Stellter; George, married 
 Margaret Thorny; Louise, married Henry Quade 
 and Dorothea, married J. J. Martin. Mr. Haase 
 died in 1909. 
 
 John Hageman, while on his way to this 
 country from Griefswalde, Prussia, with his 
 family, was taken sick while on shipboard, died 
 and was buried at sea. His widow, Caroline 
 Hageman, arrived in Blue Island in 1857. Their 
 children were: Charles, who married Minnie 
 Voss; Fredericka, married Wm. Blickhan; Caro- 
 line, married Walter Huntington, and Louis, 
 married Alberta Hulett. 
 
 Joseph Warren Harmon, physician and sur- 
 geon was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., June 
 20, 1815. He studied for the medical profession 
 and graduated from Albany Medical College, 
 New York, in 1845. While located at Chagrin 
 Falls, Ohio, he was a near neighbor of President 
 James A. Garfield and was his family physician. 
 During the war the Doctor was requested by 
 Mr. Garfield to go as surgeon of his regiment, 
 the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which he did, 
 and served two years, when he was taken sick 
 by exposure and compelled to resign. He was 
 married to Miss Sarah S. Vincent at Chagrin 
 Falls in 1849. They moved to Chicago in 1867 
 and one year later to Blue Island. He served as 
 postmaster here four years. They had one son, 
 Charles Sumner Harmon, who practiced law in 
 Chicago. 
 
UNDER 
 
 VILLAGE 
 GOVERNMENT 
 
 1872 — 1901 
 
 
 Launched Under Many Misgivings, Beset by Financial 
 
 Worries and Troublesome Problems, the Later 
 
 Years Bring Wonderful Improvement 
 
 and Growth to the Community 
 
/^T3 JNDER the state law relating to the incorporation 
 *LJL of towns and villages, which was in effect at the 
 time the people of Blue Island voted to incorporate, the 
 executive body of the Village consisted of a Board 
 of Trustees of six members, elected by popular vote. 
 These six men chose one of their number to act as 
 president. On each succeeding year three new trustees 
 were elected, three holding over. These men again 
 selected their presiding officer. The offices of village 
 clerk and police justice were also elective, but the vil- 
 lage treasurer was appointed by the board. 
 
 In 1887 the law under which Village officers were 
 elected was changed. The new law required the elec- 
 tion of the president of the Village Board by popular 
 vote for a term of one year and the election of three 
 Village Trustees to serve two years each, leaving three 
 hold-over Trustees. Thus a president of the Board, 
 three Trustees and a Village Clerk were elected each 
 year. The Treasurer's office remained an oppointive 
 one. 
 
 The first two or three years under village govern- 
 ment were strenuous ones for all concerned. There was 
 very little money in the treasury and the sources from 
 which funds could be obtained were few. Yet by 
 1877 we find several stretches of wooden sidewalks had 
 been built, a well for public water supply was under 
 construction and streets were being graded and surface 
 drainage provided. Blue Island was gradually emerg- 
 ing from the mud of ill defined streets and crooked 
 footpaths. 
 
 A census taken in May, 1880, showed a population 
 of 1542. Christian Krueger had been elected president 
 of the Village Board. During the nine years of his 
 incumbency in office great strides were made in the 
 matter of public improvements. A portion of Western 
 avenue was macadamized, the waterworks plant was 
 improved and mains and water service pipes were 
 being extended to all parts of the village. Kerosene 
 street lights were giving way to electric lights. 
 
 Jacob Rehm, Everett H. Rexford, John L. Zacharias 
 and 0. W. Bourke followed in succession to the end of 
 the period under village government. During these 
 latter twelve years many hundreds of thousands of dol- 
 lars worth of public improvements were made. These 
 included a modern Village Hall, artesian wells, en- 
 larged electric power and light plant, extension of arc 
 street lighting system, local and interurban electric 
 street car service, telephones, modernized fire depart- 
 ment, paved streets, cement sidewalks and a very com- 
 plete sewer system. 
 
 When, on April 16, 1901, the citizens voted to lay 
 aside Village Government and incorporate under city 
 regulations, Blue Island was already, in fact, a modern, 
 progressive city with all modern improvements and 
 conveniences. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 123 
 
 VILLAGE AFFAIRS 
 
 .ss. 
 
 Shortly after the close of the Civil War the 
 Blue Island was agitated and discussed. The pla 
 umet and a part of the eastern half of the Towns 
 of Lake and Hyde Park. A bill to that effect wa 
 did not pass. 
 
 However, in 1872 the question was revived a 
 to Judge M. R. M. Wallace, of the County Court, 
 vote the question of effecting a permanent villa 
 
 The prayer of the petitioners was granted a 
 mitted to vote of the residents of the community. 
 
 Petition 
 State of Illinois 
 County of Cook 
 
 In the County Court of Cook County 
 To the Honorable M.R.M. Wallace, 
 Judge of said Court, 
 We, the undersigned legal voters and residing 
 within the territory hereinafter described, would 
 respectfully represent to your Honor that we 
 are desirous of having a village organization 
 for the Village of Blue Island which shall in- 
 clude the following lots, pieces, or parcels of 
 land situated in the towns of Worth and Calumet, 
 Cook County and State of Illinois described and 
 bounded as follows, "to wit": 
 
 The east half of Sections No. Thirty-six ( 36 ) 
 and Twenty-five (25) Town 37, Range 13, in 
 the town of Worth and the West half of Sections 
 Thirty-one (31) and Thirty (30) Town 37, 
 Range 14, in the town of Calumet, all in Cook 
 County and State of Illinois. 
 
 Your petitioners further represent that the 
 territory herein described and bounded is not 
 more than two (2) square miles, and that no 
 part of the same is now included within the 
 limits of any incorporated town, Village or 
 City, and that said territory has now resident 
 therein a population exceeding three hundred 
 (300) inhabitants and less than five thousand 
 
 (5000) inhabitants. 
 
 Your petitioners would respectfully request 
 your Honor to cause the question to be submitted 
 to the legal voters of said proposed Village, 
 whether they will organize as a Village under 
 the Statute in such cases made and provided, 
 and to fix a time and place for such election, 
 to give notice, and appoint Judges therefor, 
 and to make such other and necessary order as 
 to your Honor may be deemed meet and proper. 
 Dated at Worth and Calumet, July 5th, 1872. 
 
 H. H. Massey James Green 
 
 Merrill Kile Hart Massey 
 
 Alfred Duller Wm. Black 
 
 Albert W. Roche W. R. Patterson 
 
 C. B. Sammons John Klein 
 
 question of obtaining a village organization for 
 n was to reorganize part of the Township of Cal- 
 hip of Worth on the same plan as were the Towns 
 s introduced in the State Legislature in 1870, but 
 
 nd in July of that year a petition was presented 
 praying for the right of determining by popular 
 ge organization, 
 nd on August 22nd, 1872, the question was sub- 
 
 Chas. D. Robinson 
 J. W. Harmon 
 C. Rinkenberger 
 John M. Green 
 W. B. Boutwell 
 W. Schults 
 0. G. Kile 
 B. N. Rexford 
 Benj. Sanders 
 Geo. E. Plumb 
 Royal Fox 
 
 F. Schapper 
 F. G. Diefenbach 
 August Biederman 
 Geo. Luchtemeyer 
 Wm. Sorgenfrei 
 Andrew Mihm 
 Herman Schmitt 
 P. Schleuter 
 Wm. Baumbach 
 Edward Eichhoff 
 H. B. Robinson 
 
 State of Illinois 
 County of Cook j ss ' 
 
 Cyrus B. Sammons of Blue Island, Cook Co., 
 111., being sworn deposeth and says that he per- 
 sonally saw the parties whose signatures ap- 
 pear in the above petition sign the same, that 
 each of them are legal voters either of the towns 
 of Worth or Calumet in this County and voters 
 and residents in the territory described in this 
 petition. 
 
 Cyrus B. Sammons 
 Sworn and subscribed before me 
 this 13th day of August 1872 
 
 Geo. W. Wheeler, 
 
 Clerk protem 
 
 * * * 
 
 On August 22nd, 1872, and in accordance 
 with the foregoing petition, Judge Wallace is- 
 sued notice of an election for the purpose of 
 voting on village incorporation to be held at 
 the house of Gottlieb Klein on Saturday, Sep- 
 tember 7, 1872, and a week later, August 30, 
 1872, the court appointed Christian Krueger, 
 Henry Bertrand and Hart Massey judges of the 
 
 election. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The election was a memorable event in the 
 history of the little settlement. 
 
 For several years past the need of some form 
 of organized government was felt. An effort to 
 this end had been made in 1869-70 but failed. 
 
 So when the day arrived to decide the momen- 
 tous question the entire village was in a state 
 
124 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 of excitement that could scarcely be controlled. 
 Many heated arguments took place and several 
 personal clashes of opponents on the question 
 marked the day. 
 
 The men who favored village organization 
 took no chances, and, although it was conceded 
 they were in the majority, sought to "win over" 
 anyone who was in doubt about the matter. 
 
 Those opposed were just as determined to 
 defeat the question and worked untiringly to 
 muster the required majority of votes. Then, 
 as even today, the principal arguments pro and 
 con, revolved around the matter of "expense 
 and increased taxes." 
 
 However, the men who were in business and 
 those who owned the most property in the vil- 
 lage, and would naturally be the ones to bear 
 the heaviest burden of expense and taxation, 
 were the ones who favored incorporation. 
 
 When the polls closed that night it was found 
 that 114 ballots had been cast: 99 votes for 
 village organization, 13 votes against village 
 organization and two ballots had not been 
 marked. Many voters who were qualified had 
 refrained from voting one way or the other. 
 
 But the proposition had carried, and there 
 was great rejoicing in the little community that 
 night. * * * 
 
 The result of the election having been certified 
 to Judge Wallace of the County Court, that jur- 
 ist at once isssued notice of an election for "six 
 trustees for the said Village of Blue Island" to 
 be held on October 26, 1872, at the home of 
 Gottlieb Klein, and Hart Massey, Christian 
 Krueger and Henry Bertrand were appointed 
 judges of the election. 
 
 Fourteen candidates sought the honor of being 
 among the first officials to serve the village and 
 twice as many ballots as had been cast at the 
 previous election were recorded. 
 
 Following is the vote in full, the six receiving 
 the highest vote were declared elected: 
 
 Richard McClaughery 194 votes 
 
 Ludwig Krueger 192 
 
 Benjamin Sanders 191 
 
 W.C.Bauer 188 " 
 
 Jacob Appel 119 " 
 
 Walter P. Roche 115 |* 
 
 Ferdinand Daemicke 93 
 
 George Luchtemeyer 93 
 
 Peter Schlueter 2 
 
 Albert Koop 1 " 
 
 Samuel Auld 1 
 
 F. Sauerteig 1 
 
 R. N. Day 1 " 
 
 Merrill Kile 1 " 
 
 R. C. Auld and S. D. Jones were the clerks 
 of the election. 
 
 When the returns were canvassed by the 
 county court McClaughry and Krueger each 
 lost two votes on doubtful ballots, but the result 
 otherwise remained unchanged and the court cer- 
 tified the election of the first six named. 
 * # * 
 
 Call First Meeting of Trustees 
 The newly elected village officials lost no 
 time organizing and on October 28, 1872, only 
 two days after their election, they met in the 
 office of Benjamin Sammons, a notary public 
 and there "each for himself took the required 
 oath of office." 
 
 They then adjourned to their room in the 
 Heckler block where an informal meeting was 
 held at which Benjamin Sanders was elected 
 president of the board. Trustee Appel made the 
 motion and it was carried unanimously. 
 
 On October 30, 1872, the board met again 
 and perfected its organization by appointing a 
 village clerk and a village treasurer. Hart Mas- 
 sey received the appointment of clerk by a unan- 
 imous vote, but when several names had been 
 proposed for village treasurer Ludwig Krueger 
 expressed the thought that in his opinion "it 
 would be expedient, if not right, to give the 
 appointment of treasurer to a German, so as to 
 equalize the offices between Germans and Ameri- 
 cans." 
 
 This suggestion seemed a fair one, and since 
 the village board, as then constituted, consisted 
 of three Germans and three Americans no one 
 disputed the justice of such an arrangement. 
 
 Ludwig Krueger then nominated Peter Schlue- 
 ter for treasurer and his appointment was con- 
 curred in by a unanimous vote. 
 
 NOTE — The suggestion made by Ludwig 
 Krueger, viz: that the village offices should in 
 all fairness be divided equally between Germans 
 and Americans, became one of mutual under- 
 standing and was observed for a long time after- 
 ward. 
 
 Along in 1884.-5, when the writer of this first 
 began reporting the village board meetings, there 
 were English, Germans and Plattdeutsche mem- 
 bers of the board and at times, during heated 
 discussions, all three languages would be spoken 
 simultaneously. My "boss" at that time was 
 E. M. Pope a "down East Yankee", who gave 
 up in despair when a mixture of all three lan- 
 guages would burst upon his hearing. ' The writer 
 understood and spoke all three languages so 
 "getting the board meetings" became his regular 
 job. 
 
 Peter Schlueter, who had been given the ap- 
 pointment of village treasurer declined to accept 
 the office, so at the next meeting Herman Schmitt 
 was appointed. Schmitt accepted the office and 
 qualified by giving a bond for $3000 for the 
 faithful discharge of his office. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 125 
 
 Borrow $200 at 10 Per Cent 
 Since the newly elected board had no money 
 in its treasury to "do things" with the next 
 logical step was to get some. So a special com- 
 mittee was appointed to ascertain if there was 
 any money in the hands of the commissioners of 
 highways in the Towns of Calumet and 
 Worth which the village could appropriate and 
 use for street repairs. Another special com- 
 mittee, consisting of Trustees Appel and Krueger, 
 was appointed "to procure a loan of $200 to 
 pay the current expenses of the board for the 
 ensuing six months." 
 
 The latter committee reported at the next 
 meeting that it had borrowed $200 at 10 per 
 cent per annum for a period of six months. 
 
 The committee on road money returned empty 
 handed with the report "all the information we 
 can learn is the money known as road and bridge 
 tax is from two hundred and fifty to three hun- 
 dred dollars for the year 1372." 
 • » * 
 
 First Ordinance Passed 
 
 Village Ordinance No. 1 passed by the board 
 Nov. 9, 1872, was as follows: "That the presi- 
 dent and board of trustees of the Village of Blue 
 Island shall render all necessary services in their 
 official capacities free of charge until the third 
 Tuesday in April, 1873." 
 
 Village Ordinance No. 2, passed the same 
 date, read: "That any person riding, driving or 
 leading any team or animal over or across any 
 bridge within the limits of the Village of Blue 
 Island faster than a walk, shall be fined not 
 less than five (5) dollars, said fine to be col- 
 lected before any Justice of the Peace and be 
 paid over to the village treasurer." 
 
 Notices to that effect were ordered posted at 
 all bridges. 
 
 This ordinance started to bring results quickly 
 and within a few weeks several violators were 
 arrested and the village treasury enriched by the 
 fines. 
 
 Woe to the man who would trot a horse across 
 a bridge those days. The police officer seemed 
 to be constantly on watch, the judge was stern 
 and inexorable, and — the city treasury needed 
 the money! 
 
 Those were strenuous and busy days for our 
 first village "dads". No sooner had they been 
 inducted into office than they were beset with all 
 sorts of demands by the villagers who, for several 
 years, had felt the need of an organized govern- 
 ment — a government which could "do things" 
 for the community and compel observance of its 
 rules and laws. 
 
 The new board had to start "from scratch", as 
 the slang saying has it. There was nothing 
 
 ready-made to start out with. It had to build 
 the structure of municipal government from the 
 ground up. 
 
 So we find the record of the first few months 
 of the village replete with petitions for side- 
 walks, demand for better police and fire protec- 
 tion, demands that the board prohibit the run- 
 ning at large of cattle, complaints about nui- 
 sances, etc., etc. 
 
 On Dec. 14, 1872, Wm. B. Brayton was ap- 
 pointed superintendent of public works and 
 Henry Marker, captain of police, they to serve 
 without pay until the third Tuesday in April, 
 1873. Both men accepted their respective offices 
 with that understanding. 
 
 The first plank sidewalk under village govern- 
 ment was built on the north side of High street, 
 commencing at Western avenue, running west 
 to Maple avenue. It was 5 feet 4 inches wide, of 
 2 inch pine plank. The petitioners for this im- 
 provement were W. B. Brayton, Wm. Betts, Wm. 
 Morgan, J. P. Young and S. F. Dickinson. The 
 abutting property owners paid all the expenses 
 connected therewith. 
 
 The annual saloon license fee was set at $50 
 per annum, plus $2 for license blank and $2 
 for making bond. License for brewers was also 
 $50 per annum plus $2 for issuing permit. 
 
 The first general village ordinances were pat- 
 terned after, (and almost verbatim like) the 
 ordinances of the village of Hyde Park. They 
 covered misdemeanors, nuisances, health, streets 
 and highways, sewers and drains, licenses, pol- 
 ice, railroads, and miscellaneous subjects. Their 
 preparation cost the village $200. 
 
 The total valuation of property in the village 
 subject to assessment in 1872 was $158,141 divi- 
 ded as follows: Town of Worth— Real $78,558; 
 personal $30,003; total $108,561. Calumet- 
 Real $36,002; personal $15,558; total $51,560. 
 * * * 
 
 First Appropriation Bill 
 
 On March 8, 1873, the village board passed 
 the following bill making appropriations for 
 corporate purposes for the ensuing year: 
 
 For books and stationery $ 30.00 
 
 For repairing highways and grading. . 975.00 
 
 For repairing drains and sewers 30.00 
 
 For repairing bridges 150.00 
 
 For police service 100.00 
 
 For taking care of prisoners 50.00 
 
 For election expenses 20.00 
 
 For surveying 50.00 
 
 For printing 20.00 
 
 For salary superintendent public works 75.00 
 
 For salary, president and trustees .... 300.00 
 
 $2,000.00 
 
126 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 All of the village trustees and appointees had 
 agreed to give their services gratis to the village 
 "until the third Tuesday in April, 1873" when 
 the first full term officials were to be elected and 
 receive pay at $50 each per annum, as pro- 
 vided for in the appropriation ordinance. 
 
 The second village election held on April 15, 
 ] 873, at the house of Christian Krueger, was for 
 six trustees, one police justice and a village clerk. 
 Those elected were: Christian Krueger, Ferdi- 
 nand Daemicke, Edward Eichhoff, Merrill Kile, 
 Walter P. Roche, Jacob Appel, trustees; Henry 
 Bertrand, police justice; F. G. Diefenbach, clerk. 
 
 When the new board convened for its first 
 meeting, April 21, Merrill Kile was elected presi- 
 dent by a unanimous vote. The following 
 appointments were made: W. B. Brayton, super- 
 intendent of public works; Herman Siemon, cap- 
 tain of police; Herman Schmitt, village treas- 
 urer. 
 
 W. B. Brayton resigned as superintendent of 
 public works after serving only three months 
 and Frank McClintock was appointed to fill the 
 unexpired term. 
 
 Charles Trapp was elected Village clerk in 
 1874 but resigned the following June and H. B. 
 Robinson was appointed to fill the unexpired 
 term. 
 
 Encouraged by the incorporation of the vil- 
 lage, Charles Feistkorn, son of a German Meth- 
 odist preacher started a community newspaper 
 in 1873 which he called the Weekly Herald. The 
 village authorities welcomed the new venture and 
 on March 3, 1874, the annual budget of the vil- 
 lage board was ordered to be printed in the 
 Herald. A resolution was also adopted that 
 any notices requiring publication be printed in 
 the Weekly Herald. 
 
 Benjamin Sanders, who was the first president 
 of the village board, ran again for trustee in 
 1875, was elected and again chosen to head the 
 board. H. B. Robinson did not run for re-elec- 
 tion as clerk and F. G. Diefenbach was chosen. 
 
 As a measure of economy, urged by President 
 Sanders, the board that year declared vacant 
 the offices of police captain and superintendent 
 of streets. Later the two jobs were combined in 
 one and George Hinman was appointed with a 
 salary of $40 per month. The duties of this 
 officer covered a wide range — all the way from 
 collecting poll tax, chasing tramps out of the 
 corporate limits, shoveling snow and mud off 
 the street crossings to seeing that no one rode 
 or drove across a bridge faster than a walk. He 
 was also held responsible for the collection of 
 fines and had to see that they were turned into 
 the village treasury. 
 
 Hinman held this job about two years when 
 he was suddenly relieved presumably for failure 
 to do some one thing or other of his multifarious 
 duties. May 15, 1879, Christian Peters was ap- 
 pointed chief of police and Christian Zacher was 
 appointed superintendent of streets at $1.50 per 
 day "for every day he works and as long as it 
 suits the pleasure of the board." 
 
 Police Captain's Sweet Job 
 
 J. P. Young was president of the village board 
 that term. There seems to have been some 
 question, now that the police department and 
 the street department had again been divorced, 
 as to the duties required of each of the new ap- 
 pointees. So President Young appointed a 
 
 ' r *T 
 
 The Village "Calaboose". 
 
 committee to define their duties. This the com- 
 mittee did and they surely handed the "captain 
 of police" a prize package of jobs. His first 
 duty was, of course to "see that the laws were 
 enforced, to make arrests and bring offenders to 
 trial ; if fines were imposed to see that the money 
 was collected and turned into the village treas- 
 ury; to prevent tramps from loitering in the 
 village and if any were found to chase them 
 out; to give no meals to anyone except cripples 
 or sick; to clean off the planks on the Stony 
 creek bridge and from time to time tighten the 
 nuts and bolts on said bridge; to keep street 
 crossings clean and free from mud and snow; 
 to see that dead animals are removed from the 
 streets; to light the street lights and keep the 
 lights clean and in good repair; to extinguish 
 street lights each night between 11 and 12 
 o'clock"— all for $35 per month! Altogether 
 there were 18 points of duty laid out for the 
 captain ! 
 
 Whew! How would you like to have been the 
 "captain of police"? 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 127 
 
 The duties of the "superintendent of streets" 
 were not quite so complicated although the com- 
 mittee prescribed 14 points for his attention. 
 He was required to do actual labor with shovel 
 and pick digging ditches or constructing road- 
 ways, opening streets, etc. He also had to see 
 that the $1.50 a year poll tax was paid by every 
 man twenty-one years or older, and if no cash 
 was forthcoming to see that the tax was "worked 
 out" — two days labor being required. It was his 
 duty to oversee any work done by others for the 
 village, but unless he took a part in the actual 
 manual labor required he received no pay. 
 
 The village "Calaboose", as it was known 
 then, was a wooden one-room structure about 
 12x14 feet and was located on the east side of 
 the Rock Island railroad tracks just south of 
 Grove street. Its windows, each about two feet 
 square, were guarded by wooden bars 3 inches 
 in thickness. Here tramps, found loitering in 
 the village, were locked up for safe-keeping 
 overnight. Sometimes there was a case of 
 "drunk and disorderly" and occasionally some- 
 one who had fractured the village laws and was 
 not able to pay the fine imposed was chucked in 
 with the others. 
 
 It was the duty of the "captain of police" to 
 feed any prisoner incarcerated for a violation of 
 the laws and for that service he was allowed the 
 sum of thirty-five cents per prisoner per day. 
 
 A resolution of the village board fixing the 
 price he shall receive also prescribes the food 
 to be served as follows: "three meals to consti- 
 tute a day's board and the food furnished to be 
 as follows: one-half pound boiled beef, all the 
 bread wanted and one pint coffee, morning, noon 
 and evening". 
 
 This calaboose which was built by Chas. Ell- 
 feldt at a cost to the village of $250.00, occa- 
 sioned our first village fathers a lot of trouble. 
 It was a dirty, filthy hole. The Rock Island 
 wanted it removed off its property, tramps almost 
 wrecked it and on several occasions prisoners 
 broke the wooden bars on the windows and 
 escaped. It was finally mysteriously destroyed 
 by fire. * * * 
 
 Buy Property For Village 
 In 1875 the board rented a room in Turner 
 hall for a meeting place at a rental of $24 per 
 year. 
 
 The need for a permanent meeting place be- 
 came more urgent with each year and there was 
 a standing committee whose duty it was "to in- 
 vestigate the matter of purchasing a piece of 
 property for use of the village". 
 
 This committee received several propositions 
 but it was not until May of 1877 that a suitable 
 location at a suitable price was found. A com- 
 
 munication from Charles J. Pochman of Wash- 
 ington Heights was received offering to sell to 
 the village lots 5, 6 and 7 in Pochman's sub- 
 division of lots 2, 3 and 4 in block 34 of Young's 
 addition to Blue Island for $2350. 
 
 Pressure for a water system had been growing, 
 so when the title to this land was found correct 
 the village board promptly closed the contract 
 and bought the land. 
 
 That is the property where the city hall, police 
 station and fire house now stand. 
 
 Blue Island was by this time emerging grad- 
 ually from the weeds and mud. Several of the 
 more important streets had been opened and 
 graded. Several sections of plank sidewalks 
 had been built and the demands for others 
 were becoming insistent. Also the merchants 
 on Western avenue were demanding that 
 the village authorities "do something" to im- 
 prove the roadway in this business street, which 
 at certain times of the year was a sea of mud. 
 Fires that almost spelled disaster for the little 
 village had occurred and better protection 
 against that hazard was another of the board's 
 
 leading problems. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Construct Waterworks 
 
 Now that the village had bought property for 
 its own use the first step taken was to provide 
 water for its citizens. 
 
 Trustees Lusson and Thoeming and Super- 
 intendent of Public Works Hinman and Clerk 
 Diefenbach were appointed a committee to go 
 to Chebanse, 111., to inspect a waterworks plant 
 in operation there. This the committee did and 
 returned enthusiastic for a similar plant to be 
 constructed here. 
 
 There was a small frame building on the 
 property purchased from Mr. Pochman and the 
 board lost no time moving in, cancelling the 
 lease it held with the Turners. 
 
 July 2, 1877, the special committee appointed 
 to investigate the waterworks plant at Chebanse 
 made its report to the board and recommended 
 the sinking of a well, without delay, which would 
 supply water for extinguishing fires and for 
 household purposes. The well recommended was 
 to be "at least six feet in diameter and of suffi- 
 cient depth to furnish an ample supply for the 
 village." 
 
 In accordance with this recommendation bids 
 were received and the contract for digging the 
 well was let to John Warnke of Washington 
 Heights at $6.80 per lineal foot of depth. The 
 well was finished on August 10, 1877. It was 
 45 feet deep and contained 11% feet of good 
 water. The cost, according to contract, was 
 $306.00. 
 
128 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 The first lot of bids for erecting a tower over 
 the well ranged all the way from $1900 for the 
 lowest to $2665 for the highest. All of these 
 bids were rejected. A new lot of bids was then 
 called for and John Toerpel was awarded the 
 contract for $1650.00. The contract for tank, 
 pump and windmill was awarded to L. Leach of 
 Joliet for $1165.00. One fire hydrant was in- 
 stalled at the street line near the well. The plant 
 was completed June 17, 1878. 
 
 Jacob Link was employed to oil the windmill 
 "as often as it is necessary, he to be paid 25 
 cents for each oiling." Later Mr. Link's com- 
 pensation was increased to $4.00 per month. 
 
 It was June 7, 1879, however, before the board 
 took steps to lay water mains in the streets. On 
 that date the board passed an ordinance provid- 
 ing for a cast iron water main six inches inter- 
 nal diameter to be laid in Vermont street begin- 
 ning opposite the village well eastward to West- 
 ern avenue, a distance of 554 feet, thence south 
 in Western avenue a distance of 500 feet. One 
 hydrant was placed at the intersection of Ver- 
 mont street and Western avenue, another at Grove 
 street. The cost and expense of the improvement 
 was levied by special assessment against the 
 property benefited. The contract for this im- 
 provement was let to McRitchie & Nichol at 
 $1.05 per foot. 
 
 After about three years of operation the wind- 
 mill was damaged beyond repair in a storm. In 
 July, 1881, the windmill was taken down, and 
 a power house was built fronting Vermont street 
 and a steam engine installed. This equipment 
 had a pumping capacity of 1200 barrels of water 
 a day, although the average daily consumption 
 
 was but 500 barrels. 
 
 * * -* 
 
 November 23, 1872 the village board author- 
 ized a committee "to contract for making a plat 
 of the territory contained within the limits of 
 the Village of Blue Island into streets, alleys, 
 lots and blocks," and the following year Mr. 
 Walcott, the county surveyor, established the line 
 of Western avenue, between Grove street and the 
 Stony creek bridge. 
 
 Smallpox Scare 
 
 In the spring of 1873 small pox broke out in 
 the village. It created a great deal of anxiety 
 among parents with children, but the village 
 authorities took prompt action and closely quar- 
 antined all suspected cases, succeeding in stop- 
 ping the plague before it became general. 
 * * * 
 
 On May 12, 1873, the village board took the 
 first steps toward creating a fire department. 
 A committee was appointed to inspect and report 
 on "public cisterns and wells," and there was 
 
 some discussion of ladders, water buckets, etc., 
 needed to equip the small group of men who, of 
 their own volition, had banded together as fire 
 fighters. 
 
 The allusion in the village records to "public" 
 cisterns and wells is misleading, since there were 
 then no wells publicly owned, there were how- 
 ever, several good privately owned wells to 
 which the "public" had access and from which 
 the villagers obtained their supply of water. 
 
 Two Cemeteries Inside Corporate Limits 
 
 When village organization was effected in 1872 
 there were two cemeteries within the corporate 
 limits, the Catholic cemetery located south of 
 Burr Oak avenue, between Western avenue and 
 Gregory street, and the Blue Island cemetery 
 located south of Burr Oak avenue and west of 
 Highland avenue. 
 
 Prior to that time there was little or no 
 regulation of these cemeteries except such as 
 the lot owners themselves agreed on mutually. 
 
 Now, however, the village assumed jurisdic- 
 tion, and we find throughout the early records 
 of the village board numerous references to 
 action of one sort or another affecting these bur- 
 ial spots. 
 
 On July 3, 1873, R. N. Day petitioned " the 
 village board for permission to lay out his 
 property (adjoining the old Blue Island Ceme- 
 tery) in cemetery lots, "or pass an ordinance 
 confining the cemetery within its present limits." 
 
 This matter was referred to a committee which 
 on August 9, 1873, reported as follows: "We 
 find the village cemetery is being constantly en- 
 larged by private speculation to an alarming 
 extent and your committee being unable to find 
 any law restraining the same from being en- 
 larged, and believing that its further enlargement 
 would be detrimental to the interests of the 
 village, respectfully recommend that a law re- 
 straining further enlargement be passed by the 
 board." 
 
 The recommendations of this committee were 
 approved and an ordinance preventing further 
 enlargement of the cemeteries was passed. How- 
 ever, this ordinance did not prohibit interments 
 in lots already sold. 
 
 The above ordinance continued in force until 
 March 5, 1878, when it was repealed and a new 
 ordinance was passed. Note — See article else- 
 where on "Old Blue Island Cemetery." 
 
 Western Avenue Underpass 
 The first action by the village authorities to do 
 away with the grade crossing of the Rock Island 
 railroad at Western avenue was taken February 
 5, 1874, when a conference was held with Mr. 
 Riddle, superintendent of the railroad company, 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 129 
 
 relative to constructing an underpass, or tunnel, 
 under the railroad tracks. 
 
 Nothing was accomplished at that time as Mr. 
 Riddle informed the committee that the railroad 
 was contemplating building a new bridge over 
 Stony creek which would change the grade of the 
 tracks and that it was useless to do anything 
 until the new bridge was in. 
 
 As traffic on both the highway and railroad 
 was constantly increasing, the grade crossing at 
 this particular point was becoming more and 
 more a menace to life, several bad accidents 
 having already occurred here. The people living 
 on the south side, whose children had to cross 
 the railroad tracks to go to school, insisted that 
 the village board take steps to do away with this 
 hazard, but it was not until 1888 that an under- 
 pass, one-half the width of Western avenue, was 
 opened. 
 
 When the Calumet-Sag canal was constructed 
 through Blue Island in 1915 the Rock Island 
 railroad was obliged to build a new bridge and 
 raise the grade of its tracks. The under pass 
 then was enlarged to its present proportions. 
 This work was done in 1922, the Rock Island, 
 the Chicago and Interurban Traction Co., and 
 
 the City sharing in the cost. 
 
 * * * 
 
 In the annual budget for 1875 the trustees in- 
 cluded an item of $2000 for equipping a fire 
 department. Also the amount appropriated for 
 salaries was increased from $375 in 1874 to 
 $1300, making the total amount appropriated 
 $4,775 — more than double what it was the year 
 before. 
 
 Following passage of the annual appropria- 
 tion bill, and with $200 allotted for fire depart- 
 ment equipment, a committee was appointed with 
 power to act on the purchase of such equipment 
 as was considered necessary. This committee 
 later reported they had been offered a second- 
 hand Britten fire engine in good condition for 
 $650. There is no record that this engine was 
 bought. However, sometime later the committee 
 reported the purchase of several fire ladders, 
 some pike poles and three dozen rubber buckets. 
 (Note: Elsewhere in this revieiv Fire Chief John Link 
 has an article giving the history of the Blue Island fire 
 
 department.) 
 
 * * * 
 
 The village at this time had in operation a 
 number of kerosene street lights and others were 
 being added from time to time, so the supplying 
 of kerosene oil for these lamps was a contract 
 coveted by the merchants of the village. 
 
 F. G. Diefenbach was awarded the contract for 
 the year 1876 at "2 cents above cost per gallon 
 for 175 test oil." 
 
 An ordinance was passed prohibiting the hitch- 
 ing of horses to street lamp posts, the penalty 
 
 for first offense being a fine of not less than 
 $1 and for subsequent offenses $5. Damage to 
 post or lamp carried a penalty of not less 
 than $5.00. 
 
 A petition signed by 125 property owners, 
 praying that Canal street be opened along the 
 old feeder bed between Chicago street and Rob- 
 inson street was granted. 
 
 Eight hundred and eighty-eight loads of gravel 
 at I2V2 cents per load were bought for improve- 
 ment of roads. 
 
 Christian Krueger 
 Prominent builder and contractor. 
 Served many years as President and Member of 
 the Village Board. 
 
 The village board about this time required 
 considerable legal advice and W. J. Campbell 
 was appointed village attorney. 
 
 The need of a new bridge over Stony creek 
 had been discussed off and on for some time so 
 in the annual budget for 1876 the sum of $2000 
 was appropriated for the bridge and $550 for 
 the fire department — the total appropriated for 
 all corporate purposes being $4,600. 
 
 On July 24, 1876, the council awarded the 
 contract for stonework in the substructure of the 
 new bridge to John B. Fox for an estimated cost 
 of $2,194, and for the superstructure to the 
 Indianapolis Bridge Company for $1,651, both 
 contracts calling for completion of the work by 
 October 1, 1876. The contract with Fox was 
 cancelled August 12, because he had failed to 
 live up to contract in delivery of stone, and two 
 days later a contract for completing the sub- 
 construction was awarded to Henry Schwartz at 
 18 cents per cubic foot as measured in the abut- 
 ments when completed, Fox to receive credit for 
 
130 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 work done under his contract. The bridge was 
 not completed until January, 1877. Theodore 
 Guenther, who was at that time a member of the 
 board of county commissioners, was instrumental 
 in obtaining an appropriation of $1772.69 to- 
 ward the cost of the bridge. 
 
 An ordinance making $50 the price for a 
 license to conduct a saloon within the corporate 
 village limits had been passed by the village 
 board in 1873. The tavern keepers, who up to 
 that time had paid only a state and government 
 tax, demurred at this extra burden placed on 
 them and in the spring of 1878 they appeared in 
 a body before the board with a demand that 
 the license fee be reduced to $35. 
 
 This the board refused to do and the matter 
 being referred to the village attorney he quoted 
 the general law of the state, which provided: 
 "no saloon license shall be more than $300, nor 
 less than $50 per annum" and decided that the 
 village must charge $50 or more. 
 
 This decision did not satisfy the saloonkeepers 
 who continued to press their demands for a 
 reduction until Trustee Bushnell, impatiently, 
 offered a retaliatory motion that "no saloon 
 licenses be issued during the ensuing year." 
 Although the motion was lost when put to vote 
 it had the effect of ending all further discussion. 
 
 March 4, 1878 — -Village board voted to con- 
 tribute toward the cost of building a footbridge 
 across Ellfeldt's creek on Vermont street. 
 
 Expenses of the village were mounting rapidly 
 at this time, and although an attempt was made 
 to keep the various funds separated juggling 
 money from one fund to another was frequently 
 resorted to. 
 
 The volunteer fire companies were becoming 
 more active now that support from the village 
 was being given. In December, 1879, Fire Co. 
 No. 1 presented a petition to the trustees for 
 hose and a hose cart and the South Side Hook 
 and Ladder Co. also requested additional equip- 
 ment. An order for 300 feet of cotton hose 
 was passed and the other requests were referred 
 to a committee. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Efforts at improving the roadbed on Western 
 avenue had previously been made, but the work 
 done was of a superficial nature and it was not 
 until February, 1880, that any real steps were 
 taken toward making it a hard-surfaced road. The 
 insistent demand of business men along the 
 avenue could no longer be ignored, but the vil- 
 lage had so little money with which to work, so 
 after considerable discussion it was decided to 
 macademize Western avenue with crushed stone 
 "beginning at Grove street, north as far as we 
 
 have the money for," and on the south side, "one 
 block from Canal street south." 
 
 A Poll Tax ordinance passed May 5, 1880, 
 required that every able-bodied man 21 years 
 old and under 50 years old, pay an annual poll 
 tax of $1.50 cash or do two days labor on the 
 streets. Firemen were exempt from this re- 
 quirement. 
 
 The First Census 
 
 Peter Lusson was appointed by the village 
 board in May, 1880, to take a complete census 
 of the village for which he was to receive $7.50. 
 The count as returned by him showed the pop- 
 ulation to be 1542. An unofficial estimate made 
 in 1872, when incorporation as a village was 
 considered, placed the population at that time 
 slightly more than 1000. Thus it will be seen 
 the official count showed an increase of approx- 
 imately 500 within a period of eight years. 
 
 The first move toward the installation of 
 underground drainage or sewerage was made in 
 the spring of 1880 when property owners on 
 the South Side, headed by Andrew Reiner, peti- 
 tioned the village board for permission to con- 
 struct a tile pipe sewer in Western avenue, from 
 Desplaines street to Stony creek. This was to be 
 a storm water sewer only and the petitioners 
 agreed to pay all expenses connected therewith 
 except the filling of trenches and levelling of the 
 ground, which the village agreed to do. 
 
 January 17 1881 — Petition signed by Robert 
 Krueger and Thomas Black asking permission 
 to have Blue Island band hold practice in village 
 hall. Permission granted providing they pay 
 captain of police 50 cents for lighting lamps and 
 making fire each meeting. 
 
 June 6, 1881 — -Accepted proposal from Frank 
 Wuest to publish all proceedings of the board, 
 regular and special, and the treasurer's annual 
 report in the Standard for term of one year for 
 $36, payable quarterly. 
 
 June 29, 1881— Paid Jacob Link $20 to take 
 down wrecked windmill; appointed committee 
 to investigate matter of replacing the windmill 
 with steam engine and pump. 
 
 Sept. 5, 1881— President Krueger announced 
 that he had discharged Christian Peters as cap- 
 tain of police; later appointed Walter Hunting- 
 ton as captain, he also to have charge of water 
 works and run engine at $45 per month. 
 
 Oct. 3, 1881 — Authorized purchase of fire 
 alarm bell, cost not to exceed $75. 
 
 Nov. 7, 1881— Philip Pfister appointed Police 
 No. 1 — must also put in his "leisure time" on 
 street work and keeping street crossings clean, at 
 $30 per month. For furnishing all the oil, lamp 
 chimneys and wicks, caring for, lighting and 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 131 
 
 putting out street lights to be paid $10 per 
 month additional. 
 
 Nov. 7, 1881 — Busch and Brandt brewery be- 
 comes first commercial user of village water at 
 $20 per month for all water used at their 
 brewery. 
 
 March 6, 1882 — Walter Huntington resigned 
 as captain of police and Philip Pfister as Police 
 No. 1 and superintendent of the water works, 
 
 Aug. 7, 1882 — Passed an ordinance for exten- 
 sion of 6 inch water main in Western avenue 
 from E. Boehl's store to the south end of H. 
 Eertrand's property, one double nozzle hydrant 
 to be placed at Western avenue and Fulton 
 street. Property owners volunteered to pay the 
 cost of pipe and laying at $1 per foot in order 
 to save cost of special assessment proceedings. 
 
 Also granted a petition signed by Frank Jones, 
 
 The Village Plant in 1892 
 
 The hexagon-shaped structure in the foreground 
 
 covers the first of the dug wells. 
 
 etc. Holden Stafford appointed engineer and 
 Ethan Wattles as captain of police at $46 per 
 month. 
 
 May 1, 1882 — Limited power of committees to 
 purchases amounting to $25 or less on approval 
 of president, and not in excess of $50 unless 
 approved by the board. 
 
 June 5, 1882 — Passed ordinance declaring 
 growth of burdocks, thistles, ragweed and other 
 noxious weeds within corporate limits a nui- 
 sance. Property owners permitting such weeds 
 on their premises must on notice from police, 
 destroy same at once or suffer a penalty of not 
 less than $2 or more than $5. 
 
 Petition from merchants on Western avenue 
 to prohibit the riding of bicycles either on side- 
 walk or street and declaring such acts a nuisance, 
 was, on motion of Trustee Eames, not granted. 
 
 June 5, 1882— Ordered Rock Island railroad 
 to widen its crossing on Western avenue to the 
 full width of the street and to place safe railings 
 at both sides. 
 
 school director, to lay a 4-inch pipe in Vermont 
 street from the village water works to the public 
 school property, at school board expense, village 
 to have full right over said waterpipe. Cost of 
 110 feet 4" pipe at 70 cents per foot and one 
 fire hydrant at the corner of the school prop- 
 erty, $30. 
 
 Sept. 4, 1882 — A suit for damage was brought 
 against the village by Mrs. Mary E. Kinney, to 
 recover $3000 in damages for injuries sustained 
 by falling on a defective sidewalk on Grove 
 street. The matter was referred to President 
 Krueger for settlement, but the records fail to 
 show the final disposition. 
 
 Nov. 6, 1882 — Postal Telegraph Co., presented 
 a petition for permission to put up poles on the 
 following streets: Wabash street, thence north to 
 Burr Oak avenue, west to Western and north on 
 east side of Western avenue to village limits. 
 An ordinance granting this franchise was passed 
 Dec. 4, 1882. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1883 — Ordinance passed creating office 
 
132 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 of oil inspector. H. B. Robinson appointed to 
 office; required to give bond of $2000 which 
 was later reduced to $500. 
 
 Bought 200 feet of fire hose. 
 
 July 2, 1883 — Petition for opening Gregory 
 street through the old Catholic cemetery was op- 
 posed to avoid disturbing graves, and a counter 
 proposition to widen the old Vincennes road in- 
 stead was considered. 
 
 Passed an ordinance changing the date of 
 village fiscal year from January 1 to May 1. 
 
 July 16, 1883 — Appropriated $400 towards 
 the cost of a bridge over the Calumet river near 
 Roll's place. 
 
 Nov. 5, 1883— Ordinance No. 106 passed 
 granting Chicago Telephone Company permis- 
 sion to erect poles and string wires in Division 
 street, north to Desplaines street, in Desplaines 
 street to Rexford street, north to Grove street, in 
 Grove street to Ann street, north on Ann street 
 to Vermont street, thence north through the alley 
 to Burr Oak avenue. Also in Rexford street to 
 Vermont street, east to Chicago street, north in 
 Chicago street to Union street. 
 
 Dec. 16, 1883— Passed Ordinance No. 107 
 raising the annual license fee for sale of malt 
 and spiritous liquors from $300 to $500, and for 
 malt liquor only from $50 to $150. 
 
 March 24, 1884— Grand Trunk and Rock Is- 
 land railroads agreed to install electric bell sys- 
 tems at their railway crossings. 
 
 May 19, 1884 — On complaint of Edward Eich- 
 hoff about sewage from the Busch and Brandt 
 brewery and the starch factory creating a stench, 
 the village board ordered these concerns to abate 
 the nuisance. 
 
 Issued $10,000 Water Bonds 
 
 On May 19, 1884, the village board passed 
 Ordinance No. 109 authorizing the issue of 
 $10,000 in interest-bearing coupon bonds, in 
 amounts of $1000 each, bearing interest at 6 
 per cent. 
 
 The purpose of the bonds is explained in Sec- 
 tion 2 of the ordinance as follows: 
 
 "The proceeds arising from the sale of said 
 bonds shall be placed in the treasury of said 
 village to the credit of a fund to be known as 
 the Water Pipe Fund and shall be used for the 
 purpose of providing a supply of water for the 
 use of the inhabitants of said Village by the 
 construction of a system of waterpipes, and for 
 not other purpose." 
 
 Immediately after passage of this ordinance 
 the village board considered petitions from prop- 
 erty owners for water pipes in Greenwood ave- 
 nue, in Maple avenue, in Union- street and in 
 
 Vermont street, from Western avenue to Chat- 
 ham street; approved ordinances for same and 
 issued calls for bids for doing the work. 
 
 Dec. 10, 1884— Passed Ordinance No. 110 
 "providing for the conduct and management of 
 the Blue Island water supply." 
 
 Ordinance No. Ill, a companion ordinance, 
 passed the same evening, provides in Section 1 — 
 "That for the purposes of maintaining the water- 
 works of the Village of Blue Island, an annual 
 
 Fred Hohmann 
 Village and City Clerk for more than thirty years. 
 
 water tax of 10 cents per front foot, be and the 
 same is hereby levied upon every lot, piece or 
 parcel of ground, having a building or buildings 
 thereon, which shall abut or front upon any 
 street, avenue or alley in said village through 
 which the distributing pipes from the waterworks 
 of said village are laid. Provided, however, that 
 the water tax herein provided for, shall not be 
 levied upon premises which pay water rates for 
 water used thereon; and provided further that 
 no such lot, piece, or parcel of ground, shall be 
 taxed on more than fifty feet frontage for each 
 building thereon." 
 
 Sections 2, 3 and 4 provide for the manner of 
 collecting the tax and section 5, reads: "That no 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 133 
 
 lot, piece or parcel of land taxed or assessed 
 under section 1 of this ordinance, shall be con- 
 nected with the distributing water pipes of said 
 village until all arrears of water taxes or assess- 
 ments levied thereon by this ordinance shall have 
 been paid." 
 
 August C. Boeber 
 Former Village Treasurer 
 
 June 1, 1885. — The village trustees . granted 
 the Concordia Turners permission to use the 
 village grounds for gymnasium exercises. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1885— Passed Ordinance No. 113 
 granting Chicago Telephone Co. authority to 
 erect poles, string wires, and maintain same in 
 various streets and alleys. 
 
 Sept. 7, 1885 — Ordered additional (oil) street 
 lamps put up in Vermont street, east of the Rock 
 Island tracks. 
 
 Oct. 27, 1885 — Ordered plank sidewalk built 
 in parts of Union street, Vermont street, Maple 
 avenue and Canal street. 
 
 Nov. 2, 1885 — Village board was notified that 
 thirty street lamps had been put up by property 
 owners at their own expense. On motion of 
 Trustee Luchtemeyer the police were ordered to 
 light and care for same. 
 
 Dec. 7, 1885 — Christian Peters, captain of 
 police, was allowed $20 per month in addition 
 to his regular salary of $50, for lighting street 
 lamps. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1886 — Engineer F. Brauneis reported 
 that the pump at the water works had operated 
 302 hours during the month of January. 
 
 March 1, 1886 — A committee of the board, to 
 whom a disputed bill for stoning and graveling 
 Western avenue had been referred, reported that 
 they had settled with John B. Fox, the contractor, 
 for $591.50. 
 
 April 5, 1886 — Village clerk's annual report 
 showed that during the year just closed he col- 
 lected: From saloon license, $3,375.00; from 
 peddler license, $200.00; from water tax, 
 
 $699.38; for water permits, $192.00; for fines, 
 $15.00— a total of $4,481.38. 
 
 April 14, 1886 — Paid salaries of trustees and 
 clerk for the past year — $50 each for the trustees 
 
 and $200 for the clerk. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A special meeting of the board was held May 
 27, 1886, to take action on the construction of 
 a new smokestack at the city water plant, the 
 old iron stack having been destroyed in a storm. 
 Mr. Bridgman submitted a plan for a 70-foot 
 stack to be built of brick, which the board ac- 
 cepted and empowered the committee on water 
 to proceed at once with the plan, call for bids 
 and let contract. Sorgenfrei and Silisky were 
 awarded the contract for $225.00 and were al- 
 lowed an additional amount of $20.50 for extras. 
 
 Demands for additional water service were 
 being received at almost every meeting of the 
 board. Water mains were extended to every 
 part of the village and the original pumping 
 equipment was taxed to capacity. 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees July 7, 1886, at 
 which the committee on water recommended the 
 
 Blue Island Village Hall 
 Built in 1891 
 
 laying of 3403 additional feet of water mains, 
 the conclusion was reached that a new steam 
 pump must be installed without delay. The pro- 
 per committee was empowered to receive bids 
 for a pump having a capacity of not less than 
 
134 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 700 gallons per minute. Gould and Austin com- 
 pany entered a bid for $1,111.49 and the Worth- 
 ington Pump company, $1,250.00. The contract 
 was awarded to the Gould and Austin company. 
 
 The bid of McRitchie & Nicholl at 62 cents 
 per lineal foot for approximately 3500 feet of 
 4-inch water supply pipe, and $36 for each fire 
 plug, was accepted, work to be completed Oct. 
 1, 1886. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 119, opening Des- 
 plaines street through to Western avenue, also 
 Ordinance No. 120 opening Gregory street 
 through the old Catholic cemetery, to Burr Oak 
 avenue. 
 
 The new duplex pump recently installed at 
 the village water works proved too much of a 
 load for the boiler capacity of the plant, so a 
 new 50-horsepower boiler was ordered. 
 
 The village treasurer was instructed to trans- 
 fer $1000 from the general fund to the water 
 fund, and President Krueger was empowered to 
 make a loan of $1000 for two years at 6% in- 
 terest per annum, the money so obtained to be 
 turned into the water fund. 
 
 March 2, 1887 — Committee on water supply 
 empowered to lay 4-inch water supply pipe in 
 the following streets "if they can raise the neces- 
 sary funds," east end of Vermont street to Chi- 
 cago street west to the Chicago and Rock Island 
 railroad tracks. 
 
 Allowed Mike Rau $8.00 towards building a 
 foot bridge over Stony creek at Chicago street. 
 
 Passed an ordinance to issue $3000 in Village 
 of Blue Island water bonds, in denomination of 
 $1000 each, bearing 6% interest per annum. 
 Money derived from the sale of these bonds to 
 be placed to the credit of the Blue Island water 
 fund. 
 
 March 1, 1887— Passed Ordinance No. 122, 
 providing for the appointment of a collector of 
 special assessments, and making the office an 
 appointive one annually, "or until his successor 
 is appointed and qualified." 
 
 Contracted with McRitchie & Nicholl to lay 
 1800 feet of 4-inch water supply pipe, at 70 cents 
 per foot of pipe laid, and $36 for each hydrant. 
 Also ordered several hundred feet of plank side- 
 walk built in various streets of the south side. 
 
 June 6, 1887, the problem of obtaining more 
 water faced the Board. Water mains had been 
 extended to nearly every part of the village and 
 the service had increased to the point where the 
 original dug well was no longer able to supply 
 the demand. After some discussion it was de- 
 cided to sink a driven well as an experiment to 
 find out how deep it was necessary to go to find 
 
 water. The committee on water supply was em- 
 powered to sink a 6-inch tubular well 125 feet 
 more or leos. 
 
 The dam in Stony creek just west of Western 
 avenue was ordered removed. 
 
 An iron bridge was ordered to be built across 
 Stony creek on Vermont street to replace the one 
 which was badly damaged by floods in the 
 spring. (P. E. Lane was some time later award- 
 ed the contract to build this bridge for $1680.) 
 
 Aug. 29, 1887, was a banner meeting for plank 
 sidewalks. The Board passed thirteen ordin- 
 ances providing for the construction of plank 
 sidewalks in various streets, and considered sev- 
 eral other petitions for like improvements. 
 
 Sept. 9, 1887, Father Bruno Ries of St. Bene- 
 dict Catholic church submitted a plat for sub- 
 dividing the old Catholic cemetery on Western 
 avenue, south of Burr Oak avenue. The plat 
 was approved after certain alterations had been 
 agreed to and made. 
 
 A petition from the Chicago Cooperative 
 Brewing Co. requesting permission to build a 
 dam across Stony creek, was denied. 
 
 Dec. 5, 1887 — Trustee Eames reported that 
 many complaints had reached him that gambling 
 was running unchecked in the village and on his 
 motion the president was ordered to enforce the 
 ordinance against gambling. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1887 — At a special election held that 
 day S. C. Reed was elected Police Magistrate for 
 the unexpired term of Charles Ellfeldt, deceased. 
 
 ■JC- * * 
 
 Electric Street Lights 
 
 In the spring of 1889 the subject of better 
 street lighting was being agitated, and at its 
 meeting on April 8th almost the entire evening 
 was devoted by the Village Board to a discussion 
 of the subject. 
 
 H. L. Bridgman, superintendent of the Smel- 
 ter, submitted a proposition to supply the village 
 with twelve arc street lights for $100 each. A 
 committee was appointed to confer further with 
 Mr. Bridgman and was given power to enter into 
 a contract with him. 
 
 At the meeting May 6th, the committee re- 
 ported they had not come to a conclusion on 
 Mr. Bridgeman's arc light proposition and this 
 proposition was dropped. 
 
 At the meeting July 1, 1889, Trustee Ed. Sey- 
 farth made a motion, which was supported 
 unanimously, that the City advertise for bids for 
 a 25-horsepower engine, a 25-light dynamo and 
 25 arc street lights with poles, wires and neces- 
 sary equipment to put the plant in operation. 
 
 Eight electric companies responded to this 
 call for bids, the amounts ranging from $4000 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 135 
 
 to $6000. The Excelsior Electric Light company 
 was awarded the contract for $4,890.00, and the 
 Phoenix Boiler company was awarded the con- 
 tract for an 80-horsepower steam boiler for 
 
 $970.00. 
 
 This was the beginning of Blue Island's munic- 
 ipal electric light plant. 
 
 The plant was put in operation and formally 
 accepted by the Village Board on Nov. 4, 1889, 
 and the first payment of $1000 made to its 
 contractor. 
 
 No sooner had the electric plant begun opera- 
 tion than petitions for street lights in other 
 localities began to be received by the Board. 
 
 The immediate and enthusiastic approval by 
 the citizens of this improvement caused the Board 
 to at once order another 30 light dynamo to be 
 installed by the Excelsior Light company. 
 
 The first arc lights installed were suspended 
 on a trolley between posts on opposite sides of 
 the street. A later improvement had the light 
 hung on a mast arm, requiring only one pole. 
 The Trustees voted to have the additional lamps 
 hung on mast arms from 35 foot poles. 
 
 Requests for the lights in business places and 
 private homes also were made and the Trustees, 
 after some investigation and discussion, set the 
 price at $6.00 per light per month. 
 
 The first arc lights installed under this ar- 
 rangement were one light in the home of M. C. 
 Eames and one light in the First Methodist 
 
 church. 
 
 # * * 
 
 The resignation of John Staffel as a village 
 trustee was accepted by the Village Board on 
 Aug. 5th, 1889, and a special election to fill the 
 vacancy caused by his resignation was ordered 
 to be held on Aug. 27, 1889. Disagreement 
 with other members over recent actions of the 
 Board, especially in the matter of awarding the 
 electric light contract, was said to have influ- 
 enced Mr. Staffel's action. 
 
 (Note: O. W. Bourke was elected trustee to fill the 
 unexpired term of John Staffel, resigned.) 
 
 Aug. 5, 1889 — Passed an ordinance to widen 
 Vermont street to its full width between Western 
 avenue and Ann street. 
 
 Oct. 7, 1889 — The Trustees voted to purchase 
 sub-lot 8, in subdivision of lots 2, 3 and 4, in 
 Block 34, Young's addition to Blue Island. 
 
 Dec. 16, 1889. Awarded contract to H. Noble 
 to build a well 20 feet in diameter and 50 feet 
 or more deep, to be walled up with stone. Con- 
 tract price was $3000. 
 
 May 5, 1890— Trustees discuss the building 
 of a suitable village hall; appoint a committee 
 
 to obtain plans and specifications and an esti- 
 mate of cost. 
 
 First Board of Health 
 
 On June 2, 1890, President Rehm, appointed 
 the following to be members of a Board of 
 Health: Jacob F. Rehm, president; A. C. Boeber, 
 C. F. Faber, M.D., J. S. Kauffman, M.D., Henry 
 Biroth, William H. Weber. This action was 
 taken on a petition from the Board of Education 
 filed with the Village Board some weeks pre- 
 viously. 
 
 J. A. Wuest was appointed assistant to the 
 village clerk at a salary of $100 per year. 
 
 William Schreiber 
 
 Former Fire Chief and for many years active in 
 the affairs of the Fire Department. 
 
 Town Line Road between Worth and Bremen 
 townships, was ordered opened to width of 60 
 feet from Western avenue to the road then exist- 
 ing, each township contributing 30 feet. 
 
 The first action taken by the village in the 
 matter of providing underground drainage was 
 on July 14, 1890, when a 12-inch tile pipe was 
 ordered laid on both sides of Western avenue, 
 between the south village limits and Stony creek. 
 
 July 14, 1890 — Passed an ordinance granting 
 franchise to Chicago Central Railroad company 
 to construct a railroad through the village. This 
 ordinance was not accepted by the railroad in 
 the required time and an extension of thirty days 
 was given the company to declare its intentions. 
 The village record, dated Sept. 1, 1890, shows 
 
136 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 this entry: "Rec'd from Chicago Central Rail- 
 road Co., by J. F. Rehm, $3000, for right of 
 
 55 
 
 way. 
 
 * * * 
 
 New Village Hall 
 
 Plans and specifications for a village hall 
 were accepted on Sept. 1, and clerk instructed 
 to advertise for bids. Sept. 22, the following 
 bids were opened: Baumann & Rauwolf, $8,- 
 900.00; J. Kauffman, $8,650.00; Christian Krue- 
 ger, $7,250.00. Christian Krueger was awarded 
 the contract. E. K. Kruse, the architect, was 
 appointed to superintend the construction. 
 
 Under the terms of the contract with Krueger 
 the village made him an advance payment of 
 $1000; $2000 was to be paid when the second 
 story joists were laid, and $1000 on or before 
 May 1, 1891, the balance of the contract price to 
 be paid when the building was completed and 
 accepted by the Village. 
 
 * # # 
 
 First Petition for Street Paving 
 
 At its meeting on June 1, 1891, the Village 
 Trustees received and considered the first peti- 
 tion for a permanent type of street paving in the 
 village. The petition came from the property 
 owners on Maple avenue praying that "said ave- 
 nue be improved from the north line of Burr 
 Oak avenue to the south line of Vermont street 
 by paving and providing same with a sewer." 
 
 This petition was referred to the "proper com- 
 mittee," where it had a long rest, for not until 
 Nov. 18, 1894, was any action taken to carry out 
 the paving of the street. This long wait was due 
 principally to the fact that during the years 
 1891 to 1895 a very complete system of sewers 
 was constructed throughout the village and pav- 
 ing had necessarily to wait until all underground 
 work had been done. 
 
 In the meantime the property owners had 
 changed their plans. Instead of letting the vil- 
 lage make the improvement by special assess- 
 ment the property owners had banded together 
 and agreed to do the work wholly at their own 
 expense, thus saving the cost of special assess- 
 ment. Also the two blocks from York street 
 south to Vermont street, had been eliminated 
 from the first plan. Rexford Bros, had been 
 engaged by the Maple avenue property owners 
 to make the improvement, which was to be 
 macadam. The Village Trustees accepted the 
 specifications submitted, whereupon a resolution 
 was passed authorizing Rexford Bros, to macad- 
 amize Maple avenue from Burr Oak avenue, 
 south to York street, the contractors being re- 
 quired to file a bond in the sum of $10,000. 
 
 Later, by agreement of the property owners, 
 the macadam paving on Maple avenue was ex- 
 tended south only to Union street. In 1895, 
 Maple avenue from Union street to Vermont 
 street was paved with brick. 
 
 An immense lot of public improvement work 
 was done during the years 1890 to 1895. It was 
 the banner peak period for public works in the 
 entire history of the community. 
 
 During this period water supply pipes were 
 extended into every part of the village; an addi- 
 tional large well was dug and later artesian 
 wells were sunk, new and larger pumping 
 machinery was added from time to time; an 
 electric street lighting system was installed first 
 using the cumbersome arc lights and eventually 
 changing over to the incandescent light system; 
 new and larger machinery added from time to 
 time; a complete modern sewer system was de- 
 vised; streets were paved and miles on miles of 
 sidewalks were built. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1891, the new village hall was form- 
 ally accepted and the contractor, Christian Krue- 
 ger, was paid the balance due him on the contract 
 price. Insurance in the amount of $5000 was 
 placed on the hall. A committee was appointed 
 to furnish and equip the building. 
 
 Aug. 10, 1891— Passed Ordinance No. 178 for 
 brick main sewer in Division street, and two sub- 
 main sewers in Burr Oak avenue and Fulton 
 streets, also passed Ordinances Nos. 179, 180 
 and 181, each providing for sewers. 
 
 The cost of the main and two sub-main sewers 
 was estimated at $96,780.00; that of the three 
 other sewers was $14,224 — a total of $111,- 
 005.00 of sewer work ordered in a single session, 
 and at the following meeting $13,450.00 more 
 sewer construction was ordered. 
 
 July 6, 1891— Authorized issue of $4,000.00 
 water bonds at 6%. Herman Simon appointed 
 village constable. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Viaducts 
 
 Oct. 5, 1891 — Passed ordinance requiring the 
 Rock Island railroad to build viaducts across 
 their tracks at Burr Oak avenue and Vermont 
 street, in consideration of the village vacating 
 certain portions of York street and Union street. 
 The railroad company agreed to the building 
 of a viaduct at Burr Oak avenue but objected to 
 being required to build one at Vermont street. 
 
 On Nov. 22, we find that Board somewhat 
 changed its former action and passed Ordinance 
 No. 192, which provided for the vacating of cer- 
 tain portions of York and Union streets and the 
 construction of viaducts on Burr Oak avenue 
 and Vermont street 'whenever said railroad com- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 137 
 
 pany shall file its certain acceptance thereof in 
 the office of the Village Clerk." 
 
 The net result of all the bickering on this 
 subject was that the railroad got all the streets 
 it wanted vacated and the village got the Burr 
 Oak avenue viaduct. 
 
 Oct. 12 — The Village Clerk was instructed to 
 advertise in the Chicago Daily Mail and in the 
 Standard for bids for constructing the main out- 
 let sewer in Division street, and two sub-main 
 sewers. 
 
 Oct. 26— Bids from thirteen contractors were 
 opened, and on Oct. 28, John V. McMahon was 
 awarded the contract for Division street main 
 sewer at his bid of $30,899.32; O'Donnell & 
 Healy were awarded the contracts for the Burr 
 Oak sub-main sewer, at $20,562.30; and the 
 Fulton street sub-main for $16,413.40. 
 
 Jan. 4, 1892— the Kimball & Cobb Stone Co., 
 was awarded the contract for crushed stone to 
 be placed on Western avenue, from Fulton street 
 north to High street. 
 
 The rate for use of the incandescent lights was 
 fixed at 70 cents per light per month, or for a 
 specified time up to 10 o'clock 60 cents per 
 month. Meter rate 1 cent per hour for each 
 light. 
 
 Western Electric Supply Co., was awarded the 
 contract for the construction of 8000 feet of 
 alternating incandescent light circuit. 
 
 April 4, 1892 — Approved a resolution making 
 the salary of president and trustees, each, $3.00 
 per meeting actually attended. 
 
 April 11, 1892 — Defeated an ordinance intro- 
 duced by Trustee Eames creating a prohibition 
 district in the northern part of the village. 
 Eames and Bridgman voted for, and Busch, 
 Luchtemeyer and Bourke against the ordinance. 
 Ethan Wattles resigned as chief of police and 
 Fred Banderob was appointed in his place. 
 
 At nearly every meeting during President 
 Rehm's term in office ordinances providing for 
 sewers, sidewalks, opening of streets, extension 
 of water mains, or some similar public improve- 
 ment, were considered. 
 
 June 6, 1892 — H. F. Klein resigned as village 
 treasurer and President Rehm appointed Henry 
 J. Beer. Bonds of Treasurer set at $75,000. 
 
 Rock Island railroad given additional ninety 
 days in which to comply with ordinance requir- 
 ing construction of Burr Oak viaduct. 
 * * * 
 First Block Paving 
 
 July 6, 1892 — Passed Ordinance No. 214 pro- 
 viding for the grading, curbing with stone curb 
 and paving with cedar blocks of Western avenue, 
 from the north line of Burr Oak avenue to the 
 
 north bank of Stony creek. The commissioners' 
 estimate of this improvement was $31,600. 
 
 Aug. 15, 1892 — Petition from Chicago, Blue 
 Island and Harvey street railway company for 
 permission to lay tracks in Western avenue, from 
 Burr Oak avenue south to the village limits, was 
 read and referred to the proper committee. Or- 
 dinance No. 220 granting the above rights was 
 passed at an adjourned meeting held Aug. 22. 
 The company was required to file a bond of 
 $10,000 with the President of the Village. 
 
 Sept. 5 — Awarded contracts for sewer work 
 totalling $23,664.71. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sept. 26, 1892 — Passed ordinance requiring 
 householders to provide receptacles for garbage 
 and refuse. 
 
 Oct. 10, 1892 — G. L. Clausen, village engineer, 
 instructed to prepare plans for a complete sys- 
 tem of lateral sewers north of Stony creek and 
 south of Burr Oak avenue. 
 
 Feb. 6, 1893 — Accepted bid of the National 
 Electric Manufacturing Co. for 1000 light, 60 
 kilowatt alternating dynamo and switchboard 
 for two circuits, for $1237, the company to take 
 as part payment the old 500 light machine and 
 certain fixtures. 
 
 March 6 — Contract for paving Western avenue 
 with cedar blocks awarded to John V. McAdams 
 Co., at $1.14 per square yard for paving and 80 
 cents per lineal foot for curbing. Contractor 
 required to post a bond for $20,000. 
 
 Charles Iglehart was awarded contracts for 
 water pipes in Vermont street, Greenwood ave- 
 nue, Walnut street, Burr Oak avenue, Western 
 avenue, 123rd street, Vincennes avenue, Collins 
 street, Gregory street, High street, James street, 
 and Maple avenue. Contractor required to give 
 bond for $15,000. 
 
 Oct. 16 — Passed Ordinance No. 261, providing 
 for the drilling and sinking of an artesian well. 
 This was the first well of that kind undertaken 
 in the village. The village clerk was instructed 
 to advertise for bids for the construction of the 
 well, also for a deep well pump, duplex pump- 
 ing engine, boilers, heater feed pump, valves, 
 gates and other connections; bids to be opened 
 Nov. 20. Commissioners estimated the cost of 
 this improvement at $15,400. 
 • * * 
 
 First Artesian Well 
 
 Jan. 8, 1894 — Awarded contract for sinking 
 artesian well to Whiting Water Supply Co. of 
 St. Louis, at the following prices: First 100 feet 
 of depth, 12-inch hole, $2.50 per foot; next 1350 
 feet of 8-inch hole, $2.25 per foot; next 600 feet 
 
138 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 of 6-inch hole $2.20 per foot. The company 
 was required to put up a $10,000 bond. 
 
 The company was slow filing its required bond 
 and on Jan. 22 the village clerk was instructed 
 to telegraph the Whiting Co. that unless they file 
 their bond for $10,000 within five days, indicat- 
 ing acceptance of the contract, the certified check 
 which accompanied their bid will be forfeited 
 to the village. 
 
 At the meeting of the Board, Feb. 12, the 
 bond of the company was received and approved. 
 
 But again the Whiting Co. lagged on the job. 
 and on June 4, the Board passed a resolution 
 that unless the company proceeds at once with 
 ti e work of completing the sinking of the arte- 
 sian well the Trustees will declare the contract 
 forfeited and award it to other parties. 
 
 This "jacking-up" had the desired effect and 
 on Aug. 25 sinking of the well had been com- 
 pleted and contract for the second well entered 
 into. 
 
 The Whiting Co. was allowed $15 per day 
 of 24 hours for the use of their pump and two 
 men for the first two days, and $10 per day for 
 the next seven days for pumping the muddy 
 water from the new artesian well. 
 
 Feb. 12, 1894 — Andrew Reiner was appointed 
 superintendent of the electric light and water 
 plant with full power to hire and discharge any 
 or all employes at the plant. 
 
 March 7 — Superintendent of Public Works 
 instructed to notify all users of arc electric lights 
 that no electricity will be furnished by the vil- 
 lage on moonlight nights and that no abatement 
 will be allowed on rentals for the nights no elec- 
 tricity is furnished. 
 
 April 30, 1894 — Bond of the City Treasurer 
 was increased to $10,000. 
 
 Mr. Milner appointed "official stenographer" 
 to report all board meetings, for which he is 
 to receive $3 per meeting. 
 
 Salaries for the ensuing year were set as 
 follows: 
 
 Village Clerk, salary for year $1,000.00 
 
 Bookkeeper, salary for year 500.00 
 
 Captain of Police, month 75.00 
 
 Lieutenant of Police 70.00 
 
 Patrolmen 60.00 
 
 Ordinance No. 277, establishing fire limits on 
 both sides of Western avenue, from Burr Oak 
 avenue to 135th street, was passed. Property 
 owners on the south side protested against the 
 ordinance, claiming that it was detrimental to 
 their section of the village in that it prohibited 
 the erection of frame buildings, the only kind 
 of buildings the property owners there could 
 afford to build. 
 
 Property owners required to number their 
 houses. 
 
 Contract for a bridge on Division street across 
 Stony creek, was awarded to the Jackson Bridge 
 & Iron Co. This bridge, being located on the 
 village limits, was built jointly by the village 
 and the township of Calumet, each sharing half 
 of the costs and expenses. The total cost of the 
 bridge was $2295.60. 
 
 The contract for a hose house for No. 2 
 fixe company was awarded to Christian Krueger 
 for $1075.00. 
 
 A telephone was ordered placed in the village 
 clerk's office. 
 
 Accepted the bid of the Police Telegraph & 
 Signal Co., for a complete fire and police tele- 
 graph system to cost $1650.00. 
 
 Aug. 25— Paid the Whiting Co. $2999.50 on 
 the account of the first artesian well. 
 
 The second artesian well was completed by 
 the Whiting company in January and on the 
 29th of that month, 1895, it was formally ac- 
 cepted by the Trustees. 
 
 Because the Rock Island railroad had failed 
 to comply with oft-repeated notices to erect gates 
 and maintain flagmen night and day at certain 
 crossings the Trustees threatened to start suit 
 against the company unless their orders were 
 complied with without further delay. 
 
 Petition for City Organization 
 
 On March 4, 1895, a petition signed by legal 
 voters was presented to the Village Board pray- 
 ing that the question of incorporating as a city 
 be submitted to the qualified legal voters at the 
 election to be held in April. However, the fol- 
 lowing week, March 11, a petition was presented 
 to the board signed by twenty of the signers of 
 the original petition requesting that their names 
 be stricken off that petition. 
 
 The village attorney then rendered an opinion 
 that by reason of the withdrawal of these names 
 the petition for city incorporation is insufficient 
 in that it does not represent one-eighth of the 
 legal voters of the village, and the petition to 
 submit the question of incorporation was there- 
 fore denied. 
 
 April 13, 1895 — Ordered a dozen water meters 
 from Thompson-Houston Co., on 60-day trial. 
 
 April 22, 1895 — Ordinance presented to Trus- 
 tees providing for the granting of a franchise 
 to C. A. Rolfe to construct a gas works in Blue 
 Island. Referred to committee. 
 
 April 29, 1895 — Permission granted property 
 owners on Maple avenue to pave with brick that 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 139 
 
 A Pioneer South Side Corner 
 The Groskopf corner, Western Avenue and Broadway. This corner saloon was one of 
 the "high-spots" during the old market days. Next to the saloon was the grocery 
 store of Knirsch & Groskopf, and farther to the right the blacksmith shop of Jacob 
 Thoeming. In the rear of the corner building was the blacksmith and horse-shoeing 
 shop of James Scherwitz. 
 
 portion of Maple avenue lying between Union 
 street and Vermont street, by private contract. 
 
 May 13 — Passed Ordinance No. 294 providing 
 for brick pavement on Western avenue, between 
 Stony creek and the south village limits. The 
 estimated cost of the improvement was $14,- 
 053.00. 
 
 Passed resolution to raise the village clerk's 
 salary from $1000.00 to $1500.00 per year. 
 
 # * * 
 
 First Gas Franchise 
 May 16, 1895— Passed Ordinance No. 300 
 granting Chas. A. Rolfe, his successors and as- 
 signs, a franchise for forty years to construct 
 and operate gas works within the village for the 
 purpose of supplying the residents of the Com- 
 munity with gas. 
 
 * * * 
 
 May 27, 1895— Purchased 72 K.W. National 
 Electric alternating dynamo and 13x12 Ideal 
 steam engine for $2875. 
 
 Trustees buy lot lying east of and adjoining 
 village property from William Boening, front- 
 
 ing 26 feet on Vermont street, for $1900 to pro- 
 vide for extension of the engine house. 
 
 June 3 — Trustees buy 50 five-eighth inch water 
 meters for private users. The water rate estab- 
 lished for private users 10 cents per 1000 cubic 
 gallons; for large users 5 cents per 1000 gallons. 
 
 June 24 — Awarded contract for building addi- 
 tion to engine house to Oscar Norling for $1454. 
 
 July 1 — Petition presented by Blue Island 
 W.C.T.L 1 . requesting that the board close saloons 
 on Sundays was lost — Trustee Staffel voting in 
 favor of the petition, and Trustees Murphy, Boe- 
 ber, Heckler and Prussing against. 
 
 Contract for an additional air compressor for 
 the artesian wells was let to the Rand Drill Co., 
 for $850.00. 
 
 Aug. 15 — All village employes were notified 
 to pay their personal bills and accounts prompt- 
 ly or face discharge from their jobs. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1895 — Aroused over the large num- 
 ber of fires of mysterious origin, which had oc- 
 curred recently, the Village Board made a stand- 
 
140 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 ing offer of a reward of $500 for the arrest and 
 conviction of the person or persons responsible 
 for the recent fires. 
 
 Jan. 12, 1896 — Purchased eight additional arc 
 lights for street lighting. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1896 — Granted franchise to Engle- 
 wood & Chicago Electric Street Railway com- 
 pany, to construct tracks and operate a street 
 car line from 119th street through the village of 
 Blue Island for a period of 20 years. 
 
 Feb. 19, 1896 — Employes at the village elec- 
 tric light and water plant put on an 8-hour day 
 schedule. 
 
 May 25 — Adopted resolutions thanking the 
 Chicago fire department for assistance rendered 
 by them at the fire on May 17th, and donated 
 $100 to the Chicago Firemen's Relief Fund. Also 
 presented a badge to Mr. Stratton of the Morgan 
 Park fire department and expressed to that 
 organization the thanks of the village for as- 
 sistance given. 
 
 The urgent need of more adequate fire fight- 
 ing equipment was discussed and on motion of 
 Trustee Rexford a committee was appointed to 
 investigate the purchase of a steam fire engine. 
 
 On July 13th, the committee reported that 
 Chief Swenie of Chicago had offered the village 
 an old steam fire engine in good usable condi- 
 tion for $5.00, and that the committee had 
 bought it. 
 
 (Note — It cost $10 more to haul it out from Chicago.) 
 
 One thousand feet of cotton hose, costing $800, 
 was purchased to replace some that was de- 
 stroyed in the big fire. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 321 prohibiting the use 
 and operation of slot machines. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 326 requiring veloci- 
 pedes, bicycles and tricycles to carry lights at 
 night. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Oct. 5, 1896— Passed Ordinance No. 330 lic- 
 ensing and regulating milk dealers. 
 
 Approved plans of the proposed subway under 
 the Rock Island tracks on Western avenue, and 
 also the new bridge over Stony creek, both of 
 which improvements the Englewood & Chicago 
 Electric Street Railway company agreed to make 
 in consideration of the franchise granted it by 
 the village. 
 
 Adopted a resolution instructing the engineer 
 of the water works "that hereafter any employe 
 of the village plant being intoxicated during 
 working hours be discharged by him at once, 
 and if found that the engineer fails to make use 
 of his authority in such case he himself will be 
 discharged by the board without further notice." 
 
 Nov. 9, 1896 — Charles Staffel resigned as vil- 
 lage trustee. 
 
 Nov. 17 — Engineer Fletcher's plans for a new 
 80,000 gallon water tank, to be erected on top of 
 the stone tower, were approved by the board. 
 Harry A. Massey's bid of $945 for a tank con- 
 structed of 3-inch Red Gulf Cypress was accep- 
 ted and contract awarded. 
 
 January 19, 1897 — Passed Ordinance No. 333 
 forfeiting to the village the $3000 deposit of 
 the Englewood & Chicago Electric Street Rail- 
 way for failure to carry out the terms of its 
 franchise. 
 
 Free Public Library 
 
 March 1, 1897 — A petition signed by numerous 
 property owners was submitted to the Village 
 Board, setting forth the necessity of a free public 
 library and requesting that an ordinance be 
 passed levying an assessment of two mills on 
 the dollar and that the question be submitted to 
 the voters at the next regular election. 
 
 On motion of Trustee Rexford the petition was 
 accepted and approved by unanimous vote. 
 
 The question of a two mill tax on the dollar 
 for maintenance of a free public library was sub- 
 mitted to the voters on April 16, 1897, and 
 carried by a vote of 557 for to 253 against. 
 
 Nearly 1000 votes were cast for directors of 
 the public library, Mrs. A. C. Fuller and Mrs. 
 Henrietta B. McGrath being elected for the three 
 year term; H. B. Robinson and Joseph P. Eames 
 for the two year term, and Henry Biroth and 
 F. T. E. Kallum for the one year term. 
 
 The quarters on the ground floor of the vil- 
 lage hall, which heretofore had been used by 
 Fire Co. No. 1, were remodeled for use of the 
 public library. 
 
 The Blue Island Cemetery 
 
 Early in March, 1897, property owners living 
 in the vicinity of the Blue Island Cemetery peti- 
 tioned the Board to pass an ordinance prohibit- 
 ing "the burial of any human deceased body in 
 the cemetery mentioned, or within the limits of 
 the village of Blue Island." 
 
 The old cemetery had been the cause of a 
 number of complaints from several sources for 
 some years. One of the complaints which came 
 to the Village Board, only a few years after in- 
 corporation, was that the cemetery was being 
 exploited as a real estate proposition. Several 
 "additions" made from time to time were nothing 
 more nor less than private land speculations. 
 Others objected to these additions and enlarge- 
 ments as being encroachments and detrimental to 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 141 
 
 adjoining residence property. Others again ob- 
 jected for reasons of health and sanitation. 
 
 Altogether, for a period of about ten years, the 
 question of "'what to do about the old cemetery" 
 bobbed up with annoying regularity in village 
 board meetings. 
 
 Finally on August 15, 1898, the Board passed 
 Ordinance No. 334 which prohibited further bur- 
 ials in the Blue Island cemetery. 
 
 Several attempts were made to have the ordin- 
 ance repealed but the trustees stood firm. 
 
 In October, 1898, the matter was taken into 
 court. The trial resulted in a complete victory 
 
 for the Village. 
 
 * * -it- 
 March 15, 1897 — Considered an ordinance to 
 prohibit women from wearing "high and widely 
 plumed hats" at shows and in other places of 
 amusement. The ordinance was referred to the 
 judiciary committee in whose hands it undoubt- 
 edly died, because the records make no further 
 mention of it. 
 
 April 26, 1897— Passed Ordinance No. 335 
 providing for the improvement and widening of 
 Western avenue, from Burr Oak avenue to Ethan 
 (Prairie) street, property for the purpose to be 
 donated by the owners affected. 
 
 Paid R. Nimtz $100 in settlement of damage 
 suit for injuries sustained on a defective side- 
 walk. 
 
 May 17, 1897— Paid Mrs. Snow $400 in a sim- 
 ilar suit. 
 
 Aug. 2, 1897— Passed Ordinance No. 341 
 creating a Board of Local Improvements — Presi- 
 dent of the Village, Superintendent of Public 
 Works and Village Engineer to constitute same. 
 
 March 7, 1898— Paid Mrs. R. H. Napier $175 
 on her claim for injuries sustained by fall on 
 a defective sidewalk. 
 
 July 5, 1898 — Bought five public drinking 
 fountains to be placed in various locations in the 
 Village. 
 
 Aug. 15, 1898 — Bought hook and ladder 
 truck for $995 from Lindgren-Mahon Fire Ap- 
 paratus Co. Passed Ordinance No. 353 pro- 
 hibiting burials within corporate limits of the 
 Village. 
 
 Sept. 6, 1898 — Contract for new steel smoke- 
 stack awarded Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. for 
 $1120.00. 
 
 Dec. 12, 1898— Passed Ordinance No. 354 
 providing for issuance of $10,000 refunding 
 bonds, second series. 
 
 March 1, 1899 — Granted Chicago Electric 
 Traction Co. franchise to lay tracks in certain 
 streets. 
 
 Dr. Edward Doepp granted permission to run 
 a private telephone line from the south village 
 limits to his residence. 
 
 Bridge over Stony creek at Western avenue 
 to be taken down and placed at Chicago street 
 across Stony creek. 
 
 Offer of Chicago Bridge Co. to take down, 
 repair and replace old bridge in position at 
 Chicago street for $700.00 was accepted. 
 
 Aug. 7, 1899— Passed Ordinance No. 358 pro- 
 hibiting the building of any sidewalk or cross- 
 walk within the village except of brick, stone, 
 cement or concrete. 
 
 Oct. 9, 1899 — Village engineer instructed to 
 draw up a new set of plans for the Western 
 avenue subway, under the Rock Island tracks, and 
 ascertain the cost of widening the same to con- 
 form with the west line of the new bridge. 
 
 Oct. 1, 1900 — Mrs. Radcliffe asks council to 
 pay her $100 for injuries sustained by fall on a 
 defective sidewalk. 
 
 Oct. 4, 1900— Accepted bid of A. L. Ide for 
 17x16 Ideal steam engine for $2375, and bid of 
 Warren Electric Manufacturing Co. for 120 K.W. 
 single phase alternating current dynamo at 
 $4350.00. 
 
 Feb. 18, 1901— Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
 Ry., given permission (under new plans) to place 
 iron posts or supports in the center of the road- 
 way under the Broadway viaduct; overhead 
 clearance to be fourteen feet. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 377 in compliance with 
 a petition to submit to a vote of the people of 
 Blue Island the question of changing from Vil- 
 lage to City government. 
 
 Results of Last Election Under Village 
 Government 
 
 The question "for" or "against" the proposi- 
 tion to organize as a city under the general law 
 of the state was submitted to the voters at the 
 regular village election held April 16, 1901, at 
 which the usual candidates for village officers 
 were also voted on. 
 
 The result of that last election under village 
 government was as follows: 
 
 A total of 915 votes was cast. 
 
 The following were elected : 
 
 For President of the Village — 0. W. Bourke. 
 
 For Village Trustees— Chas. J. Heckler, W. D. 
 Henke, John W. Neibert. 
 
 For Village Clerk — Fred Hohmann. 
 
 For Police Magistrate — Emil Boehl. 
 
 For Directors of Public Library — Mrs. A. C. 
 Fuller, Mrs. Henrietta B. McGrath. 
 
142 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 View of Blue Island From South Side 
 
 On the question of organization as a city 862 
 votes were cast, of which number 731 votes were 
 "for", and 131 votes "against" the proposition. 
 
 On the question of minority representation in 
 the city council a total of 741 votes was cast of 
 which number 94 votes were in favor of the 
 proposition and 647 votes against. 
 
 Since the proposition for city government had 
 carried, and as the law required that an elec- 
 tion for city officers must be held within sixty 
 days of that election, the newly elected village 
 officers were not seated, the old board continuing 
 to function. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the Village Board 
 held Wednesday evening, April 24, 1901, the 
 Board passed Ordinance No. 379, which pro- 
 vided for dividing the city into five wards, two 
 aldermen to be elected for each ward. 
 
 Two days were set for the registration of 
 qualified voters in each ward, the first day being 
 Tuesday, May 14, and the second registration 
 day, Tuesday, May 28. 
 
 The first regular election under the new form 
 was set for Tuesday, June 4, 1901, at which time 
 ten aldermen (2 from each ward), a Mayor, 
 Attorney, Treasurer and City Clerk were to be 
 elected. 
 
 A few of the last matters taken care of by the 
 Village Board were: 
 
 Reading of an ordinance submitted by Clar- 
 ence H. Geist, providing for a franchise to build 
 gas works and lay gas mains in the City of Blue 
 Island. Laid over for future consideration. 
 
 May 6, 1901 — Received and approved the 
 monthly reports of the village treasurer, village 
 clerk, superintendent of public works and cap- 
 tain of police. 
 
 The report of the village treasurer showed the 
 following balances as of April 1, 1901 : 
 
 Balance in General Fund $1,478.60 
 
 Balance in Special Assessment Fund 2,248.13 
 
 Total $3,726.73 
 
 Chicago Telephone company was granted per- 
 mits to set some additional poles in various 
 streets. 
 
 Village clerk to notify Chicago Electric Trac- 
 tion Street Railway company to at once sprinkle 
 their right-of-way, as required by ordinance. 
 
 Village clerk was instructed to issue village 
 warrants in payment of all bills which had been 
 approved by the board. 
 
 Superintendent of streets instructed to repair 
 the white bridge on Vermont street, also the foot 
 bridge over Stony creek at Gregory street. 
 
 The Board of Review passed on all petitions 
 of candidates filed for the city election June 4th, 
 and instructed the Village clerk to place the 
 names on ballots in each ward in the order in 
 which petitions were filed. 
 
 On June 6, 1901, the members of the Village 
 Board, sitting as the acting City Council, met and 
 canvassed the vote of the City Election held June 
 4, and declared the result thereof. (Complete 
 result of this election is printed elsewhere.) 
 
 The meeting was called to order by Acting 
 Mayor O. W. Bourke. The following trustees 
 answered the roll call: Schroth, Gobet, Rauwolf, 
 Heckler, Clausen and Stein. 
 
 No other business except the canvassing of the 
 election returns was done at this meeting and 
 when that work was completed, the Village 
 Board had passed out of existence and the new 
 City Council assumed the reins of government. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 143 
 
 ROSTER OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS 
 
 1872 to 1901 
 
 The first Village Board, elected immediately following 
 the election to incorporate, served only from October 
 26, 1872, until April 15, 1873, when a "full time" board 
 was elected. Those serving the first six months were: 
 
 Trustees — Benjamin Sanders (president). Richard 
 McClaughry, Ludwig Krueger, W. C. Bauer, Jacob 
 Appel, Walter P. Roche. Clerk — Hart Massey. Treas- 
 urer — Herman Schmitt. 
 
 1878-1874 
 
 Trustees — Merrill Kile (president), Christian Krueger, 
 Ferdinand Daemicke, Edward Eichhoff, Walter P. 
 Roche, Jacob Appel. Clerk — F. G. Diefenbach. Treas- 
 urer — Herman Schmitt. Police Captain — Herman Sie- 
 man. Police Justice — Henry Bertrand. Superintendent 
 of Public Works— Wm. B. Brayton. 
 1874-1875 
 
 Trustees — George Luchtemey (president). Christian 
 Krueger, Edward P. Hansen, Ferdinand Daemicke, Ed- 
 ward Eichhoff, Thies Clausen. Clerk — *Charles Trapp. 
 Treasurer — Herman Schmitt. Police Captain — John 
 Sidel. Police Justice — Michael Arnold. Superintend- 
 ent of Public Works — Charles Ellfeldt. 
 
 (*) Charles Trapp resigned as clerk and H. B. Robin- 
 son was appointed to fill the unexpired term. 
 
 1875-1876 
 Trutees — Benjamin Sander (president), Peter Lus- 
 son, Daniel Klein, Samuel D. Huntington, R. S. Mc- 
 Claughery, Jacob Thoeming. Clerk — F. G. Diefenbach. 
 Treasurer — Herman Schmitt. (Office of Captain of 
 Police and Superintendent of Streets declared vacant. 
 Later both offices were combined and George Hinman 
 appointed to combined offices.) 
 
 1876-1877 
 
 Trustees — Benjamin Sanders (president), S. D. Hunt- 
 ington, Daniel Klein, Peter Lusson, Jacob Thoeming, 
 R. S. McClaughry. Clerk — F. G. Diefenbach. Treas- 
 urer — Herman Schmitt. Police Justice — W. E. Day. 
 Street Superintendent and Captain of Police — George 
 E. Hinman. 
 
 1877-1878 
 
 Trustees — Benjamin Sanders (president), R. S. Mc- 
 Claughry, Jacob Thoeming, Daniel Klein, Peter Lusson, 
 S. D. Huntington. Clerk — F. G. Diefenbach. Treas- 
 urer — Herman Schmitt. Police Magistrate — Charles 
 Ellfeldt. Street Superintendent and Captain of Police — 
 George E. Hinman. Constable — John Sidel. 
 
 1878-1879 
 
 Trustees — Joshua P. Young (president), F. L. Bush- 
 nell, Benjamin Cool, Chr. Neukirch, Henry Bertrand, 
 John Staffel. Clerk — Fred Hohman. Treasurer — Her- 
 man Schmitt. Chief of Police — Christian Peters. 
 (George Hinman was appointed Superintendent .of 
 Streets but was "relieved" of his office at the following 
 meeting.) 
 
 1879-1880 
 
 Trustees — J. P. Young (president), Benjamin Cool, 
 M. McClaughry, Christian Krueger, Wm. Black, Con- 
 rad Kich. Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Treasurer — Her- 
 man Schmitt. Captain of Police — Christ Peters. Street 
 Superintendent — Christian Zacher. Constable — F. C. 
 Farnum. 
 
 1880-1881 
 Trustees — Christian Krueger (president), Wm. Black, 
 Mike Noce, M. McClaughry, Emil Boehl, Peter Lusson. 
 Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Treasurer — Edward Seyfarth. 
 Police Captain — Christ Peters. Police Magistrate — 
 Chas. Ellfeldt. Street Superintendent — Chas. Strickert. 
 Constable — J. R. Lewis. 
 
 1881-1882 
 Trustees — Christian Krueger (president), John Staf- 
 fel, M. C. Eames, C. F. Eidam, Emil Boehl, Wm. 
 Black. Clerk — L. Luchtemeyer. Treaurer — Edward 
 Seyfarth. Captain of Police — Ethan Wattles. 
 
 1882-1888 
 
 Trustees — Christian Krueger (president), Emil Boehl, 
 Wm. Black, C. F. Eidam, Charles Staffel, M. C. Eames. 
 Clerk — Louis Luchtemeyer. Treasurer — Edward Sey- 
 farth. Captain of Police— Ethan Wattles. (* Wattles 
 resigned in June and W. J. Huntington was appointed 
 Police Captain.) 
 
 1883-1884 
 
 Trustees — M. C. Eames (president), Christian Krue- 
 ger, Theodore Guenther, F. L. Bushnell, C. F. Eidam, 
 John Staffel. Clerk — L. Luchtemeyer. Treasurer — Ed- 
 ward Seyfarth. Captain of Police and Superintendent 
 of Streets — Christ Peters. 
 
 1884-1885 
 
 Trustees — Christian Krueger (president), John Staf- 
 fel, M. C. Eames, George Luchtemeyer, Theodore Guen- 
 ther, F. L. Bushnell. Clerk — Louis Luchtemeyer. Pol- 
 ice Captain — Christ Peters. Treasurer — Ed. Seyfarth. 
 
 1885-1886 
 
 Trustees — M. C. Eames (president), Christian Krue- 
 ger, F. L. Bushnell, H. W. Schmitt, John Staffel, George 
 Luchtemeyer. Clerk — Louis Luchtemeyer. Treasurer — 
 Ed. Seyfarth. Police Captain and Superintendent of 
 Streets — Christ Peters. Police Magistrate — Chas. Ell- 
 feldt. 
 
 1886-1887 
 
 Trustees — Christian Krueger (president), Edward 
 Seyfarth, M. C. Eames, Nicholas Stoll, F. L. Bushnell, 
 H. W. Schmitt. Clerk — Gustav Volkmann. Treasurer — 
 F. G. Diefenbach. Captain of Police — Christ Peters. 
 Police Magistrate — Chas. Ellfeldt. 
 
 1887-1888 
 
 Trustees— Christian Krueger (president), H. W. 
 Schmitt, Louis Groskopf, Nicholas Stoll, M. C. Eames, 
 Ed. Seyfarth. Clerk — Gustav Volkmann. Treasurer — 
 F. G. Diefenbach. Captain of Police — C. F. Banderob. 
 Superintendent of Public Works — Andrew Reiner. Pol- 
 ice Magistrate— Charles Ellfeldt*. (S. C. Reid elected 
 Dec. 6, 1887 to fill the unexpired term of Chas. Ell- 
 feldt, deceased.) 
 
 1888-1889 
 
 NOTE — Prior to this time the Village Trustees had 
 selected one of their number to act as president. Now, 
 however, a change in the election laws required the 
 election of a president of the village board for one year 
 term, and the election of three village trustees to serve 
 two years each, leaving three hold-over trustees. The 
 Village clerk was also elected for one year. Christian 
 
144 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Krueger was the chosen president of the Village Board 
 at that time. In order to be eligible under the new 
 law for president, he resigned as trustee, leaving a 
 vacancy. This vacancy was not filled until May 12, 
 1888, when Matt Helbreg was chosen. The result of 
 the regular election held April 7, 1888, was as follows: 
 Preisdent — Christian Krueger, one year term. Trus- 
 tees — Marshall Alexander, Edward Seyfarth, John Staf- 
 fel, two year terms. (Holdover Trustees — M. Helbreg, 
 H. W. Schmitt, L. Groskopf). Village Clerk — Gustav 
 Volkmann. Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. Captain 
 of Police — C. F. Banderob. Superintendent of Streets — 
 Andrew Reiner. Treasurer — F. G. Diefenbach. Con- 
 stable — F. Cordt. 
 
 1889-1890 
 President — Christian Krueger. Trustees — Matt Hel- 
 breg, Louis Busch, Henry Rust, M. Alexander, *J. Staf- 
 fel, E. Seyfarth. Village Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Treas- 
 urer — Louis Krueger. Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. 
 Captain of Police — C. F. Banderob. Superintendent of 
 Streets — Andrew Reiner. Village Attorney — George 
 Borman. Constable — Ethan Wattles. (*John Staffel 
 resigned; 0. W. Bourke elected to fill his unexpired 
 term.) 
 
 1890-1891 
 President — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — M. C. Eames, 
 H. L. Bridgeman, L. Luchtemeyer, L. Busch, M. Hel- 
 breg, H. Rust. Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Police Magis- 
 trate — S C. Reed. Treasurer — Henry F. Klein. Police 
 Captain — Ethan Wattles. Superintendent of Streets — 
 A. C. Boeber. 
 
 1891-1892 
 President — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — 0. W. Bourke, 
 Ira McCord. John Busch, M. C. Eames, L. Luchtemeyer, 
 H. L. Bridgeman. Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Treasurer — 
 Henry F. Klein. Superintendent of Public Works — 
 A. C. Boeber. Captain of Police — E. H. Wattles. Police 
 Magistrate — S. C. Reed. 
 
 1892-1893 
 President — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — Matt Helbreg, 
 Louis Luchtemeyer, Fred Koenecke, 0. W. Bourke, Ira 
 McCord. John Busch. Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Treas- 
 urer. H. G. Klein* Captain of Police — Fred Banderob. 
 Superintendent of Public Works — A. C. Boeber. Vil- 
 lage Constable — Holden S. Stafford. Police Magistrate 
 — S. C. Reed. 
 
 ( * ) H. F. Klein resigned — Henry J. Beer, appointed. 
 
 1893-189 U 
 President — Everett H. Rexford. Trustees — Ira Mc 
 Cord, Edward Seyfarth, Louis Groskopf, Louis Luchte- 
 meyer, F. Koenecke, M. Helbreg. Clerk — Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. Treasurer — W. 
 S. Rexford. Superintendent of Public Works — Andrew 
 Reiner. Village Attorney — George Borman. Captain 
 of Police — Walter Huntington. 
 
 189A-1895 
 President — John L. Zacharias. Trustees — August C. 
 Boeber, Oliver W. Bourke, Alexander Prussing, Louis 
 Grokopf, Ira McCord, Edward Seyfarth. Clerk — Fred 
 Hohmann. Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. Treasurer — 
 Robert Krueger. Village Attorney — George Borman. 
 Superintendent of Public Works — Chas. F. Lochow. 
 Captain of Police — Henry Matthews. 
 
 1895-1896 
 President — John L. Zacharias. Trustees — D. A. Mur- 
 phy, Chas. J. Heckler, Alexander Prussing, A. C. Boe- 
 ber, 0. W. Bourke. Clerk — Fred Hohmann. Village 
 Treasurer — Robert Krueger. Superintendent of Streets — 
 
 C. F. Lochow. Village Attorney — George F. Borman. 
 Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. 
 
 1896-1897 
 President — John L. Zacharias. Trustees — Edward N. 
 Stein, A. C. Boeber, Everett H. Rexford, Chas. J. 
 Heckler, D. A. Murphy, Chas. Staffel. Village Clerk- 
 Fred Hohmann. Village Treasurer — Robert Krueger. 
 Police Magistrate — S. C. Reed. Superintendent of 
 Public Works — Henry Schreiber. Captain of Police — 
 Thomas Cinnamon. Village Attorney — George Borman. 
 
 1897-1898 
 Preident — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — E. H. Rexford, 
 Edw. Stein, A. C. Boeber, Joseph Schroth, Chas. J. 
 Heckler, Andrew Reiner. Village Clerk — Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Treasurer — N. A. Cool. Superintendent of 
 Public Works — 0. W. Bourke. Village Attorney — 
 George F. Borman. Captain of Police — Thomas Cin- 
 namon. Constable — L. L. Whitson. Police Magistrate 
 — Dan Harker. 
 
 1898-1899 
 
 President — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — E. H. Rexford. 
 Dan Murphy, George Meyer, Andrew Reiner, Chas. 
 J. Heckler, Joseph Schroth. Village Clerk — Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Treaurer — N. A. Cool. Police Magistrate (to 
 fill unexpired term of Dan Harker, deceased) — Emil 
 Boehl. Village Attorney — George F. Borman. Super- 
 intendent of Public Works — 0. W. Bourke. Captain of 
 Police — Thomas Cinnamon. Village Engineer — P. R. 
 Fletcher. 
 
 First Election for Directors of Public Library — Mrs. 
 A. C. Fuller, Mrs. Henrietta McGrath, 3 years; H. B. 
 Robinson, Joseph P. Eames, 2 years; Henry Biroth, 
 F. T. E. Kallum, 1 year. 
 
 1899-1900 
 
 President — Jacob F. Rehm. Trustees — D. A. Murphy, 
 George Meyer, E. H. Rexford, Edw. Stein, Joseph 
 Schroth, Chas. J. Heckler. Village Clerk — Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Treasurer — John C. Klein. Village Attorney — 
 George F. Borman. Superintendent of Public Works — 
 0. W. Bourke. Captain of Police — Thomas Cinnamon. 
 Constable — Fred Farnum. 
 
 Directors Public Library — Henry Biroth, F. T. E. 
 Kallum. 
 
 1900-1901 
 
 President — 0. W. Bourke. Trustee — Chas. J. Heckler, 
 Edw. Stein, Joseph Schroth, Frank X. Rauwolf, George 
 C. Gobet, Henry Clausen. Village Clerk — Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Treasurer — John C. Klein. Village Attorney — 
 George E. Borman. Superintendent of Streets — Chas. 
 F. Lochow. Captain of Police — Thomas Cinnamon. 
 
 Directors Public Library — H. B. Robinson, Joseph P. 
 Eames. 
 
 1901- 
 
 President — 0. W. Bourke. * Trustees — Henry Clau- 
 sen, Frank Rauwolf, Geo. C. Gobet, Edw. Stein, Joseph 
 Schroth, Chas. J. Heckler. Village Clerk— Fred Hoh- 
 mann. Treasurer — John C. Klein. Police Magistrate — 
 Emil Boehl. 
 
 *Chas. J. Heckler (an incumbent in the office), W. D. 
 Henke and John W. Neibert were elected as trustees at 
 the election held on April 16, 1901, but as the proposi- 
 tion to incorporate as a city carried at that election 
 these men were not seated at this time, the old board 
 continuing to function until the city officers were 
 elected and installed. 
 
 Library Trustees— Mrs. A. C. Fuller, Mrs. Henrietta 
 McGrath. 
 

 \ 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
146 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 First Public Telegraph Office 
 
 According to James Ocker, the first public 
 telegraph station in Blue Island was' located in 
 a residence he owned and the erection of which 
 had not been entirely completed when it was 
 rented by the Grand Trunk railway for a train 
 dispatchers office. This building was, and still 
 is, located at the corner of Greenwood avenue 
 and Walnut street in the heart of the residence 
 section. William H. Dunwoodie, a native of 
 Toronto, Canada, was sent here to take charge 
 in September, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Dunwoodie and his family lived in the 
 building. He handled all the work for the rail- 
 
 Residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Ocker 
 Corner Walnut St. and Greenwood Ave. 
 
 Blue Island's first Telegraph Office was located in 
 this building in the early eighties. 
 
 way company and also took care of any com- 
 mercial business which came to him. 
 
 The single wire system, one wire for incom- 
 ing messages and another wire for outgoing 
 messages, was used at that time. Also there 
 were many enormous glass (wet) battery jars 
 "th«^ almost filled the cellar" which furnished 
 the "juice" for operating the line. During a 
 heavy thunderstorm, Mr. Ocker says, there were 
 all sorts of flashes and snappings on the line 
 and everyone kept away from the operating 
 mechanism. There was the constant danger of 
 lightning being carried in over the wires and 
 setting the place on fire. 
 
 One day Mr. H. H. Massey, who wrote the 
 fire insurance on the house, informed Mr. Ocker 
 that the company in which the policy was writ- 
 ten had decided that the risk was too great and 
 
 had ordered him to cancel the policy. Unwil- 
 ling to lose a good tenant Mr. Ocker went di- 
 rectly to the railroad company and related his 
 troubles. He came away from there with a 
 policy that would indemnify him to three times 
 the value of his house, in the event the place was 
 destroyed by lightning due to the operation of 
 the telegraph line. 
 
 When its depot at the "Junction", south-west 
 of the village, was completed, the Grand Trunk 
 moved its dispatchers office to that place. 
 
 Early Enterprises 
 
 The western distributing station of the Contin- 
 ental Oil Transportation Co. located here in 
 1882. From this station nearly 400,000 barrels 
 of oil were shipped yearly to the western trade. 
 This company canned oil in two 25-gallon cans 
 and then encased them in wood jackets. It was 
 the only way in which oil could be carried by 
 pack train through the mountainous region to 
 its destination. 
 
 W. V. Lockard took charge of the plant as 
 superintendent in June, 1883. These works 
 covered about eight acres of ground with five 
 warehouses, as follows: one 50x100 feet, two 
 each 30x100 feet, one 50x75 feet and one 30x50 
 feet, besides boiler and pump houses, and a 
 tankage capacity of 75,000 barrels. An average 
 of ten cars of oil per day was handled at this 
 plant, which, at that time was an important 
 asset to Blue Island, giving employment to 
 twenty men. 
 
 The Blue Island Sugar Company, organized 
 here in 1881, erected a number of buildings 
 just south of Burr Oak avenue and east of the 
 Rock Island tracks. It operated only a short 
 time. The property was taken over in 1883 by 
 a stock company with a captital of $50,000, 
 incorporated under the title Blue Island Milling 
 Company. C. W. Tremaine was vice-president 
 and superintendent. The plant had a capacity 
 for manufacturing 68,000 pounds of starch per 
 day from wheat. The main building of the 
 plant was 105x150 feet in area and was four 
 stories high in the middle. There was also an 
 elevator with a capacity for storing 10,000 
 bushels of grain. This enterprise, like its sugar 
 predecessor, proved unprofitable and soon 
 ceased operation. 
 
 After a while the deserted rambling frame 
 structures became a rendezvous for sports of 
 game-cock fighting. On one such occasion, 
 while the feathered battlers were claiming the 
 interest of everyone, the sheriff's men staged a 
 raid to the great consternation of the assembled 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 147 
 
 sports. There was a sudden scattering for 
 doors, windows and any opening that offered 
 a means of escape, several spectators even 
 plunging down the box-like chutes formerly 
 used for conveying grain and starch. The lat- 
 ter means of making a getaway proved dis- 
 astrous for at least one spectator who got stuck 
 in a chute half-way down and was extricated 
 with considerable difficulty. The buildings 
 were later partly torn down and fire claimed 
 
 what was left. 
 
 * -* * 
 
 The Blue Island Market 
 
 The first Thursday in every month — Market 
 Day — was for many years an "institution" for 
 which Blue Island was noted far and wide. It 
 was the one day in the month when the saloons 
 and stores of the South Side "did Business" 
 
 at night so as to be here in time to get a good 
 location to show their wares. 
 
 The territory occupied by the market extended 
 along Western avenue from Canal street, south, 
 to beyond the old village limits at 135th street, 
 and frequently overflowed into the side streets. 
 
 When the weather was fine there was always 
 a big crowd and a lively time. People from 
 other parts of the village visited the market for 
 the diversion and excitement it offered. There 
 was always the prospect of a fight or a "run- 
 away," and there was always the old lime fiddler 
 and the German Band. 
 
 Then later in the day there were many amus- 
 ing scenes: a man carrying a crate containing 
 several small pigs; a boy leading a billy goat 
 and carrying a rabbit in his arms; a Polish 
 woman from West Pullman carrying a sack 
 
 A Market Day scene in the 1890's. 
 
 with a big B. It was the one day of the month 
 when every farmer within a radius of twenty-five 
 miles declared a holiday and went to THE 
 market. 
 
 Just how "Market Day" came about no man 
 knoweth; like Topsy — "it just grew!" 
 
 Some say it was an "old German Custom" 
 brought here by the many German settlers who 
 arrived in the early fifties. 
 
 For many years the market was a legitimate 
 farmer's market — a place where the rural pop- 
 ulation could get together, barter, sell, buy or 
 trade horses, cows, sheep, hogs, etc., and have a 
 good time, too. The market provided a con- 
 venient outlet for surplus livestock or produce, 
 and frequently the day's transactions amounted 
 to many thousands of dollars. Farmers from a 
 distance would come in the day before, or drive 
 
 containing chickens over her shoulder and try- 
 ing to drive a stubborn pig tethered by its hind 
 leg; other women of foreign nationality carry- 
 ing baskets and sacks containing squealing pigs, 
 cackling chickens or quacking ducks. Many of 
 the animals would be bought, sold, or swapped 
 several times during the day. Everybody had a 
 good time and barrel upon barrel of amber 
 "lager" was consumed. Storekeepers were 
 happy from the day's business and saloonkeepers 
 made enough money in a single day to enable 
 them to pay their next quarter's license fee. 
 
 But the fakir and grafter soon discovered in 
 the market a verdant field for his talents. Ped- 
 dlers with all sorts of clap-trap and shoddy mer- 
 chandise began to monopolize the space that was 
 formerly occupied by farmers and stock raisers. 
 As peddlers, fakirs and that ilk became more 
 
148 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 numerous farmers became less, and the so-called 
 "market" of today is a sorry spectacle alongside 
 of the market of thirty-five and fifty years ago. 
 
 Some ten or twelve years ago the market be- 
 came a nuisance instead of a benefit. Merchants 
 of the South Side complained that where form- 
 erly the market helped their store business it 
 was the peddler on the street who now did all 
 the business while their stores were empty. 
 
 What to do about the market was a problem 
 which caused many a heated argument in the 
 city council during the summer of 1922. Rules 
 were made and ordinances passed in an effort 
 
 A Pioneer saloon of the south side — Built about 
 1848 
 
 to regulate or eliminate the objectionable fea- 
 tures of the market, which had become anything 
 but a "farmers' market." Ordinances were 
 passed at one meeting only to be repealed at 
 the next. The aldermen were divided and the 
 market was made a campaign issue. 
 
 Finally, along in May of 1924, the city council 
 passed two ordinances designed to eliminate the 
 market off the streets of Blue Island altogether 
 on the grounds that it was a public nuisance and 
 a menace and detriment to public health. 
 
 Isadore and Maurice Goldman, representing 
 Maxwell street interests, obtained from the Cir- 
 cuit Court of Cook county a temporary injunc- 
 tion restraining the city from interferring with 
 the historic Blue Island market. Their conten- 
 tion was that the city was restraining trade un- 
 lawfully. 
 
 The restraining order was served on Mayor 
 Paul T. Klenk and Police Chief George Fiedler. 
 Hearing on the Goldman's plea for a permanent 
 injunction was before Judge Hugo M. Friend, in 
 the June term of court. Attorney Roy Massena, 
 appeared for the city. The city's defense was 
 that the market was being exploited by vendors 
 
 of fake and shoddy wares, that it caused unsani- 
 itary conditions and was a menace to health. 
 
 Judge Friend's decision was that the city is 
 master within its corporate limits and may pre- 
 vent open-air vending or objectionable condi- 
 tions on its streets. He therefor dismissed the 
 petition for injunction. 
 
 A number of plans to revive and "reform" 
 the market were offered afterwards but the city 
 ordinances stood and none of the plans was put 
 into effect. The market was out to stay out. 
 
 What is called the "Blue Island Market" is 
 now held on the usual first Thursday of the 
 month on 139th street, just outside of the city 
 limits. But the old-time picturesque life of the 
 market has vanished; where once there was a 
 worth-while show of live stock, one now finds 
 mostly hawkers of all sorts of clap-trap mer- 
 chandise, ranging all the way from crockery and 
 tinware, to fake jewelry, shoddy clothing and 
 old furniture. 
 
 The passing of the "village market" is only 
 another step in the March of Progress. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Calumet Ice Company 
 
 This company was organized in 1885, the in- 
 corporators being John Roll, Chas. H. Stebbins, 
 John Kiefer and George Kiefer. The company 
 was organized for the purpose of "cutting, stor- 
 ing and shipping ice," and had a large ice stor- 
 age house on the north bank of the Calumet river 
 just east of Blue Island. On January 5, 1885, 
 the company applied to the village board for 
 "Permission to construct and operate a railroad 
 track from the Rock Island railroad to its 
 grounds, either by horse or steam power, south 
 on Gregory street, across Fulton and Devonshire 
 streets, thence across Stony creek, at or immedi- 
 ately east of Gregory street, thence south-east, 
 upon and across Canal street, across State street 
 and Robinson street, and across the east line of 
 the village to the company's premises." 
 
 The village board granted the company a per- 
 mit for a single track railroad, but the line was 
 never built. 
 
 The company was engaged in business for a 
 number of years but transported most of its ice 
 by means of barges on the Calumet river to 
 
 Chicago. 
 
 * * * 
 
 In 1852 a memorable event occurred that 
 stirred the little community, and in fact the 
 whole countryside, as nothing else had yet done. 
 It was the coming of the Rock Island railroad 
 to Blue Island and the opening of daily rail 
 traffic between Joliet and Chicago. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 149 
 
 RAILROADS 
 
 ''Does the town make the railroad, or does the railroad make the town?" 
 
 That smacks of the old conundrum: "Which came first, the hen, or the egg," doesn't it? Yet, 
 
 the first is a fair question although the answer, like the answer to the conundrum, may not always 
 
 be the same. 
 
 When sturdy Norman Rexford built his tavern on the southernmost brow of the Blue Island 
 Ridge, back in 1836. do you suppose he cared one whit whether a railroad ever was built at his 
 back door? 
 
 His tavern was located on the Vincennes trail, a passably good road for those days. Hauling 
 of merchandise was done in heavy wagons traveling usually in huge caravans. He was well pro- 
 vided with saddle horses and a visit to neighbors or nearby settlements was made on horseback. 
 Then came stage coaches to Chicago and to points south. These, with all their crude and 
 clumsy accommodations, were considered the acme of luxurious travel. When steam railroads 
 were mentioned it was in a disparaging manner. 
 
 History tells us that the early settlers vigorously opposed the building of railroads. Even as 
 late as 1850 and '53 many thousands of dollars were being invested in plank roads which were 
 looked upon as being the only means to develop the country. Public antagonism toward the 
 railroads found expression in newspaper articles of the day and at mass meetings where lengthy 
 and able statistics were presented to show the advantages of the plank roads over those of the 
 steam roads. 
 
 The Blue Island of 1935 is fortunately situated in the matter of railroads, both as to freight 
 and passenger transportation. Three big trunk lines provide fast and unexcelled passenger service 
 with Chicago and with points east, west and south. Blue Island is inside the Chicago switching area 
 and the belt line railroads encircling this territory expeditiously handle the millions of tons of 
 materials and merchandise produced in our own factories and in those of other sections of the 
 wonderful Calumet region. Yes, Blue Island may truly be called a "railroad town." 
 
 In the following articles about the railroads operating in and through Blue Island the reader 
 may find his answer to the question propounded at the head of this chapter. 
 
 Rock Island Railroad 
 
 Local history is silent, and even the records °* a ; Jo J, iet as >' et existed the return tri P was a 
 
 of the Rock Island railroad fail to shed any backup one. 
 
 light on the public reception which its first train And how inauspicious was the starting of this 
 
 received at Blue Island on that memorable Octo- first train! The Chicago Daily Democrat (now 
 
 ber 10, 1852. the Chicago Tribune) of October 13, 1852, 
 
 Our pioneer forefathers may not have had a stated: 
 
 great love for railroads, but it's a safe bet that "Very quiet and efficient are the men who have in 
 
 when that little "Rocket" engine, pulling six hand the building and equipping of the Chicago and 
 
 gaudily painted coaches, snorted to a stop at Rock Island Railroad. They started their first train 
 
 7i j i j .- • .1 £ r> to Johet bunday morning the 10th, at ten o clock, 
 
 the drab wooden station just south of Grove without the blowing of trumpet8 or the firing of guns ; 
 
 street, all the town s inhabitants and dignitaries We went along and found Mr. Gilmore, the efficient 
 
 from the postmaster down, were there to welcome superintendent, giving his personal attention to those 
 
 it. Station Agent Henry Huntington, was, of interests confided in him. Most of the distance the 
 
 .1 t^ii • U„ roa d passes through prairie, though, now and then, 
 
 course, the important local personage since he ' * .• u w»u : *u 
 
 r r t> it crosses groves of timber. Within two or three 
 
 represented the company. One can imagine a m ;i es f j o]iet it enters the valley of Hickory creek, 
 
 welcoming speech, probably by the postmaster The stations on the road are as follow: Junction, six 
 
 or justice of the peace, handshaking, congratula- mi ^ from Chicago; Blue Island, fifteen miles; Bremen 
 
 tions and lusty cheers from the town's 200 throats (now Tin,ey ., Park 4 twen ^three miles; Mokena, 
 
 , . J -, -. . T ,. L i twenty-nine miles. We noted as fellow travelers Mr. 
 
 as the train proceeded on its way to Johet, then Farnam, the contractor; Mr. Jervis, the chief engi- 
 
 the terminus of construction work. neer; the Hon. J. A. Matteson, of Joliet, contractor 
 
 The small frame depot at Blue Island was in ,md , er Mr. Farnam for the completed portion of the 
 
 i r .i • j road; Mr. Judd of Chicago and many other well-known 
 
 no way ready for occupancy at this time and c j t j Z ens. 
 
 as no provisions for turning the locomotive here "The locomotive, the "Rocket," in charge of James 
 

 
 
 
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BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 151 
 
 Lendabarker, formerly an engineer on one of the 
 lake boats, handled the six new and beautifully-painted 
 coaches in good shape, unmindful of the crowd they 
 contained, making the run to Joliet easily in two 
 hours. Conductor N. W. Wheeler was in charge of 
 the train and appeared as gracious to the inquiring 
 passengers as was his custom when aboard one of the 
 Canal packet boats. For a new road we may say it is 
 remarkable for its smoothness and solidity. Those 
 portions of it which are already ballasted are equal 
 in these respects to the best constructed Eastern 
 roads." 
 
 Blue Island, as a community, was only seven- 
 teen years old when the first Rock Island train 
 pulled into the station there. That was back in 
 1852. So rapid was the growth of that section 
 that seventeen years later, it was found necessary 
 to build a new line for the exclusive use of the 
 residents of Blue Island and the territory east 
 and north to Ninety-sixth street. This became 
 known as the "Ridge Line" or suburban sen ice 
 
 The "Rocket:' 
 
 This engine pulled the first train to Blue Island 
 and Joliet. 
 
 over which an average of 30,000 persons daily 
 now travel. 
 
 The Rock Island railroad was a major factor 
 in the growth of Blue Island. The highest point 
 for miles around, it soon attracted employes of 
 the railroad as a desirable residential section. 
 Trainmen and enginemen found it a convenient 
 locality for their homes. In fact, employes from 
 all branches of Rock Island service established 
 residence there. Today approximately one 
 thousand employes of this railroad reside in Blue 
 Island. It is a "Rock Island town." 
 
 While the Rock Island railroad, in reality, 
 "made" Blue Island, that community has, on the 
 other hand, proven itself a good customer of 
 the railroad. Today, an average of 47 trains 
 arrive and depart from the station there daily. 
 That's an average of one train every half hour 
 during the twenty-four hours of the day and 
 night. During rush hours, of course, the ar- 
 rivals and departures are every few minutes. 
 
 Which demonstrates that train service goes hand 
 in hand with patronage. 
 
 Few "old-timers" are living today to tell the 
 tale of the building of the Rock Island suburban 
 line into Blue Island. A few Rock Island train- 
 men still survive who can recall the names of 
 the men who rode the first "dummy" trains along 
 the "Ridge." Among them is John C. Lacey, 
 retired engineer, now living at 7217 Harvard ave- 
 nue, Chicago, and James Shehan, also a retired 
 engineer, of 7349 Vernon avenue, Chicago. Both 
 are well past eighty years, and while in "main 
 line" service, knew well the trainmen and en- 
 ginemen of fifty years ago. 
 
 Says Engineer Lacey: "I remember well the 
 first crews of the suburban trains. There were 
 Charley Everts, conductor; Mark Barney, en- 
 gineer; Jim Corey, Flagman. Also Frank Jones, 
 conductor; Win. Hodder, engineer; George 
 Briggs. flagman. That was back in 1870, about a 
 year after the suburban line was built to Blue 
 Island out of Ninety-sixth street. Later, about 
 1884, the suburban line was connected up with 
 the main line at what is now Gresham station. 
 Ike Lamore. now one of the senior engineers on 
 the main line, I believe, was born in Blue Island. 
 I can recall when Rock Island employes first 
 began living in Blue Island. In my early days 
 with the railroad, I used to run the old shop 
 train that brought the shopmen from downtown 
 to the 47th street shops in Chicago. One might 
 say that this was the first 'suburban' train the 
 Rock Island operated. Afterward, many of these 
 men moved to Blue Island as soon as the regular 
 suburban service there was established. That 
 was around 1871 and there were only two trains 
 daily." 
 
 Engineer Shehan, likewise, recalls the time 
 when railroading, even in suburban service, was 
 more hazardous than it is today. 
 
 *'I was firing when the suburban line into 
 Blue Island was graded," said Engineer Shehan. 
 "That was about 1868. I recall the names of 
 some of the men in service on the suburban line 
 at that time. There were Bill Smith, engineer; 
 Billy Hodder, engineer; Frank Jones, conductor; 
 Mark Barney and Frank Pierce, conductors. 
 Henry Lomax was firing in those days. Billy 
 Hodder, I believe, was the first Rock Island man 
 to build his home in Blue Island. He was a 
 brother-in-law of Lomax. I also remember 
 Agent Robinson, stationed at Blue Island, a bro- 
 ther of Conductor Ben Robinson. John Servis 
 was a switchman, I believe, in those days. He 
 became a conductor with long service on the 
 suburban line between Chicago, Blue Island and 
 Joliet, and later had an important main line 
 
152 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 run. He was pensioned in November, 1927, and 
 passed away in January of this year ( 1935) . We 
 were all young fellows in those days and never 
 tried to keep any record of what was going on, 
 except to make up our own reports. Conse- 
 quently, we have to trust to our memories re- 
 garding people and events. I do recall, though, 
 that our passenger train in those days always 
 stopped at Blue Island to pick up a carload of 
 
 Rock Island Depot at Blue Island Built in 1868. 
 
 beer. I do not recall the names of the contrac- 
 tors who built the railroad to Blue Island." 
 
 Blue Island has the distinction of being the 
 only community in Rock Island suburban terri- 
 tory which is served separately from both main 
 line and suburban tracks, from the same station. 
 The history of the construction of the main line 
 ( 1852 ) and the incidents in the expansion of the 
 Rock Island in later years, are closely associated 
 with Blue Island. Among these incidents is the 
 running of the famous "Silver Engine" America, 
 known to railroad men of the '70's as No. 109. 
 This powerful little engine, which attracted so 
 much attention in its runs from Chicago to Coun- 
 cil Bluffs on the mail train, finally came to its 
 end in Blue Island where it was dismantled and 
 the boiler used to pump water to the railroad 
 tanks and eventually heated a greenhouse, strip- 
 ped of its German silver jacket. 
 
 Among the men who rode the Silver engine's 
 cab on its famous runs was Tom Shehan, brother 
 of Engineer James Shehan. Another brother. 
 Bill Shehan, was an engineer on the suburban 
 trains. 
 
 The first Rock Island railroad depot was loca- 
 ted just south of Grove street. It was built of 
 wide boards, battened with strips running up 
 and down covering the cracks between the boards. 
 It was painted a disagreeable yellow color and 
 both inside and out presented anything but an 
 inviting aspect. But it was the first "deepo" in 
 the village and as such was entitled to more than 
 passing importance. There was a small waiting 
 
 room and a ticket office, also a room in which 
 freight was stored. On the west side of the depot 
 and immediately next was a short switch track 
 capable of holding three or four freight cars. 
 Still farther west, and starting at about Fulton 
 street, was a long sidetrack running along the 
 bottom of the hill into the sand pit from which 
 the company obtained most of its filling material 
 for its track bed at this end of the line. 
 
 The top of the hill at this point was originally 
 quite sleep and turned slightly to the east, inter- 
 secting the railroad right-of-way at about Grove 
 street. Rock Island surveyors showed their 
 shrewdness when they selected this course as it 
 gave them easy access to a large supply of fill- 
 ing material of which the company was sorely 
 in need. All of the hill extending along the east 
 line of Rexford street from Fulton street to Ver- 
 mont street was removed during the course of 
 several years. 
 
 Cars were loaded by hand. Wages for this 
 class of work for a long time was 50 cents per 
 day, but later was raised to 75 cents. Track 
 laborers received 90 cents, then $1.00 and later 
 $1.10 per day. 
 
 East of the depot, and on the other side of the 
 track was the water tank, built on an elevated 
 trestle above a large well. Water was pumped 
 by hand from the well into the tank above. It 
 required almost the full time of two men to oper- 
 ate the pump levers and keep the tank filled. 
 
 In close proximity to the tank was an immense 
 wood-yard where thousands of cords of wood 
 
 The Silver Engine "America" a Famous Engine 
 of the Early Days. 
 
 used for engine fuel were constantly stored. All 
 of the first locomotives were wood-burners, so 
 while the engine was taking on water at the tank 
 workmen were piling wood sawed into convenient 
 lengths on the tender and frequently an extra 
 flat car loaded with wood was taken along for 
 safety. With fueling stations few and far be- 
 tween the seriousness of running out of fuel 
 was much greater than it is today with the mod- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 153 
 
 ern automobile and a gas station in every block. 
 
 For some time the wood used in these loco- 
 motives was sawed to proper lengths by hand 
 and several men were kept busy at this work all 
 the time. Later a power saw was installed. 
 Much of the wood used at Blue Island was fur- 
 nished from Palos, brought here by canal boat 
 to the north bank of the feeder and then hauled 
 by team to the yards. Several men in the vic- 
 inity of Thornton also supplied wood from that 
 section, bringing it in by the Calumet river and 
 feeder canal. 
 
 Owing to the removal of the gravel from the 
 hillside those who wished to go to the depot by 
 way of Grove street had to descend a very steep 
 stairway to the level below. This stairway was 
 the cause of much complaint and the scene of 
 several bad falls. After a couple of years it was 
 removed and Grove street was cut down to a 
 gentle slope. 
 
 Passenger fare from Blue Island to Chicago, 
 one way, was 65 cents. When daily wages were 
 only 50 to 75 cents per day one could walk to 
 Chicago and back, even if it did consume the 
 greater part of two days, and still save money. 
 This fare was, within a short time, reduced to 
 50 cents one way. Freight rates also were high 
 so that for a long time hauling by team con- 
 tinued. 
 
 Quote from — 
 
 Chicago Journal, June, 1852 — " Mr. Henry 
 Fuller is now delivering ties on his contract be- 
 tween Blue Island and Chicago. Three cargoes 
 of iron rails have already arrived and indica- 
 tions are that the road will be finished to Blue 
 Island within six weeks. The bridge over Stony 
 creek is already commenced and work all along 
 is prosecuted with vigor." 
 
 Chicago Democrat, July 24, 1852 — "Gangs of 
 men are busily engaged on this end of the line 
 of the road and at Joliet laying down track. By 
 the 29th it will be finished as far as Blue Island 
 and sometime about the first of October the loco- 
 motive will pass between Chicago and Joliet." 
 
 Chicago Democratic Press, Dec. 28, 1852 — 
 '"The track was laid to Joliet, Oct. 9th, and the 
 road was opened to the public Oct. 18, 1852. 
 The road's equipment consists of three engines, 
 four passenger coaches, six covered freight cars. 
 24 open freight cars, 12 gravel cars, five hand- 
 cars." 
 
 Chicago Democrat, April 11, 1853 — "Last 
 Saturday afternoon the officers of the Rock Is- 
 land railroad treated a portion of our citizens 
 to a most delightful ride. The company assem- 
 bled at the depot at 4 o'clock, then all being 
 
 ready and all aboard the hosts gave the signal 
 and the train was off for Blue Island." 
 
 * * » 
 
 Brief Facts — 1,200,391 freight cars were han- 
 dled in and out of Blue Island over the Rock 
 Island railroad during the year 1934, notwith- 
 standing the greatly reduced business due to 
 highway competition and the general business 
 depression. 
 
 The Rock Island payroll to its Blue Island 
 employes in 1934 — a depression year — was 
 $1,518,048. 
 
 The taxes paid yearly by the Rock Island 
 railroad to the Blue Island community averages 
 around $34,500.00. 
 
 One hundred and fifty Rock Island trains run 
 to and from Blue Island daily. 
 
 * * * 
 Illinois Central Railroad 
 
 One of the outstanding events in Blue Island's 
 history was the introduction of Illinois Central 
 suburban passenger service in the early nineties. 
 The construction of the 4-mile Blue Island 
 branch from the main line of the Illinois Central 
 at Kensington to Fulton street, Blue Island, was 
 commenced in the fall of 1891 and the road was 
 formally opened for operation on April 18, 1892. 
 Suburban service was established on December 
 18 of that year, and since that date the Illinois 
 Central has provided uninterrupted daily pass- 
 enger train service between Blue Island and 
 downtown Chicago. 
 
 The Illinois Central has been intimately iden- 
 tified with Chicago's history for 85 years. It 
 was one of the foremost factors in the develop- 
 ment of the Hyde Park-Pullman-Kensington 
 areas. The transportation service provided by 
 this railroad has been at the foundation of the 
 growth of numerous populous suburban com- 
 munities on Chicago's great South Side. 
 
 Chicago was a city of only 29,000 and its 
 southern limits were at Twenty-Second street 
 when the Illinois Central Railroad Company was 
 organized in 1850. South of Twelfth street most 
 of the area within the city limits was open coun- 
 try, and south of Twenty-Second street there were 
 only a few settlers' cabins on the open prairie 
 and among the groves. Where Kenwood, Hyde 
 Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, Chatham, Pull- 
 man, Kensington and Harvey now flourish were 
 unpeopled prairies, marshes, sand dunes and 
 groves, the habitat of gophers, prairie hens and 
 muskrats. 
 
 The main line of the Illinois Central through 
 Kensington was originally known as the "Chi- 
 
154 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 The Modern Zephyr Train. 
 
 cago Branch" of the railroad, the old main line 
 extending through central Illinois from Cairo to 
 LaSalle. The '"Chicago Branch" left the main 
 line at Centralia, 250 miles south, and entered 
 Chicago along the lake shore. 
 
 In obtaining its right-of-way through the Town 
 of Lake, adjoining Chicago on the south, the 
 Illinois Central purchased 60 acres of land for 
 $30 an acre from Paul Cornell, an enterprising 
 citizen of Chicago who owned 300 acres border- 
 ing on Lake Michigan, about six miles south of 
 the city. The 60-acre tract was purchased on the 
 condition that the Illinois Central would estab- 
 lish a station at that point and operate regular 
 daily trains between there and Chicago. Should 
 the patronage fail to meet expenses, Mr. Cornell 
 agreed to make up the deficit out of his own 
 pocket. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Cornell laid 
 out a subdivision on the property, which he 
 named Hyde Park, and the Illinois Central built 
 a station on the east side of its tracks at what is 
 now Fifty-Third street. 
 
 Upon completion of the station on June 1, 
 1856, the Illinois Central ran a special train 
 from Chicago to Hyde Park, carrying as guests 
 a group of distinguished citizens of the city, in- 
 cluding Thomas Dyer, former mayor, Judge 
 William T. Barron, Paul Cornell, Perkins Bass, 
 Charles Cleaver, founder of Cleaverville (later 
 Oakland), and Julius Mulvey. H. L. Robinson, 
 a friend of Abraham Lincoln, who afterward 
 commissioned him quartermaster in the United 
 States army, was the conductor of this special 
 train. 
 
 About a month later — July 2, 3, 4 and 5 — the 
 Illinois Central operated a special train hourly 
 between the Great Central Station at South Water 
 Street, Chicago, and Oakenwald, the grounds of 
 
 Senator Stephen A. Douglas, in the vicinity of 
 Douglas Place (now 35th Street), where a mili- 
 tary encampment was held. 
 
 The actual beginning of regular suburban ser- 
 vice, however, was, as stated, on July 21, 1856, 
 when a train known as the "Hyde Park Special" 
 was placed in scheduled service between Chicago 
 and Hyde Park. On that date an employe wrote 
 the treasurer of the company: 
 
 "The Hyde Park special train was put on this 
 morning in accordance with the program hereto 
 attached. The first train had 'nary' a passenger 
 up or down. But 'good beginnings make bad 
 endings,' and we look to the vice versa for sal- 
 vation." 
 
 This lone suburban train which made four 
 round trips to Hyde Park on each week-day and 
 on Sunday, made its way over a series of trestles 
 driven into the bed of the lake nearly all the way 
 from Randolph street to Buena Vista street (now 
 25th Street), and from that point it followed the 
 lake shore to Hyde Park. 
 
 About Jan. 1, 1862, the Illinois Central ex- 
 tended its suburban service to Junction avenue 
 (now 63rd street), Woodlawn, where a small sta- 
 tion had been erected. At that time there were 
 about six families in Woodlawn. 
 
 Most locomotives burned wood in those days, 
 and the fueling station for suburban engines was 
 at what is now Fifty-Seventh street, which ac- 
 counts for the fact that the early name of that 
 station was "Woodpile." 
 
 In 1873, two years after the Chicago fire, sub- 
 urban service between Randolph street and Park 
 Side had been increased to 20 trains on week 
 days, a growth of 100 per cent over that of 1871, 
 and one train each way was operated as far south 
 as Dolton Junction, on the Calumet river; an- 
 
,- : - : Y.:. ...■:■:. >;:;"■■'■■;;'■■ 
 
 Stony Creek at Low Water Stage 
 Looking West under old Western Avenue Bridge — About 1910. 
 
 Flooded Condition of Stony Creek, Spring of 1902. 
 
 Canal Spillway, near Ann Street 
 Where all that is left of Stony Creek empties into the Canal. 
 
156 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 other train each way terminated at Kensington. 
 The service to Dolton Junction and Kensington 
 was established June 2, 1872. When the Illinois 
 Central announced its plans of extending subur- 
 ban service to Kensington the merchants of that 
 town strenuously opposed the arrangements, 
 fearing that the residents of the town would find 
 it too convenient to do their shopping in Chicago. 
 
 The Van Buren Street station was established 
 in November, 1872, after the trestle between 
 Randolph street and Park Row had been filled 
 in with debris from the fire-swept areas of the 
 city. 
 
 The first Sunday suburban service was estab- 
 lished on March 16, 1873, when two trains were 
 operated each way between Randolph street and 
 Grand Crossing, which had been established 
 three years before by Paul Cornell, the founder 
 of Hyde Park. 
 
 In 1880, George M. Pullman purchased 4.000 
 acres of land west of Lake Calumet on the Illi- 
 nois Central, and there began the construction of 
 his great "Pullman Palace Car" plant, as well as 
 workingmen's homes, business buildings, schools, 
 churches, a hotel, bank, library and theater. The 
 Illinois Central contributed to the success of the 
 enterprise by erecting a fine station and increas- 
 ing its suburban train service between Chicago 
 and Pullman to 36 trains daily. Pullman soon 
 attracted world-wide attention as a "model manu- 
 facturing town." Its population increased from 
 one family in 1880 to 12,000 persons in 1893. 
 
 The year 1891 witnessed two developments of 
 historic importance. One was the beginning of 
 construction of the Blue Island branch, to which 
 reference has already been made. The other was 
 the beginning of preparations for the great 
 World's Columbian Exposition. The suburban 
 service provided by the Illinois Central was one 
 of the leading factors in determining upon Jack- 
 son Park as the site of the exposition. During 
 1891, 1892 and the spring of 1893, Kenwood, 
 Hyde Park and Woodlawn underwent a remark- 
 able transformation. Several large hotels were 
 erected; hundreds of apartment houses, homes 
 and business buildings were constructed; the 
 University of Chicago was established at its pres- 
 ent location; the Midway Plaisance and Jackson 
 Park were transformed from unsightly swamp- 
 land and marshes into a fairyland of beauty and 
 color and architectural splendor such as the new 
 world had never before seen. 
 
 The Illinois Central elevated its tracks from 
 53rd to 67th streets to afford uninterrupted ac- 
 cess to the exposition grounds. Extensive im- 
 provements were made to suburban facilities, 
 the present through passenger station at Park 
 
 Row was erected, mechanical facilities were 
 moved from Weldon to Burnside, and the 
 railroad constructed two additional tracks be- 
 tween Randolph street and the Midway. Forty- 
 one locomotives and 300 passenger coaches were 
 added to the service. During the fair the Illinois 
 Central provided the principal transportation 
 service between downtown Chicago and the ex- 
 position grounds. Up to this time all suburban 
 service had been local, stopping at all stations. 
 
 Express suburban service was first introduced 
 in May, 1893, when the World's Fair express 
 trains were run every 15 minutes without a stop 
 between Randolph and Van Buren streets and 
 53rd, 57th and 60th and 63rd street. Train 
 schedules during the fair provided 294 week-day 
 trains and 198 Sunday trains in and out of Ran- 
 dolph street. From May 1 to October 31, 
 8.780,000 passengers were handled to and from 
 the exposition. 
 
 Blue Island's first suburban schedule, put into 
 effect on December 18, 1892, provided for twelve 
 trains (six each way) on week days and four 
 trains (two each way) on Sundays. 
 
 Prior to 1905 there were two classes of sub- 
 urban service — local and express trains. The 
 local trains made all stops between terminal 
 points; the express trains, with few exceptions, 
 ran express between Van Buren street and 53rd 
 street and made all stops south of that station. 
 On May 14, 1905, "special" train service was 
 introduced between Randolph street and Floss- 
 moor. The first special suburban train on the 
 Blue Island branch was placed in operation June 
 28, 1908. 
 
 The inauguration of electric suburban service 
 on August 8, 1926, was an event of outstanding 
 importance to Chicago. More than 70 civic and 
 business organizations, in Chicago and outlying 
 communities, joined in a mammoth celebration 
 to commemorate the event and to pay well de- 
 served tribute to the enterprise and progressive- 
 ness of President Charles H. Markham and other 
 officers of the Illinois Central for bringing about 
 this great improvement, the accomplishment of 
 which had taken years of preparation and effort 
 and the expenditure of many millions of dollars. 
 
 The project, in addition to the actual electri- 
 fication of suburban service, included the elim- 
 ination of all street, highway and railway grade 
 crossings on the main line for a distance of 38 
 miles south of the Chicago river; relocation of 
 nearly all tracks in the Chicago terminal; con- 
 struction of extensive shop facilities; relocation 
 and construction of freight and passenger yards; 
 construction of bridges, tunnels and subways; 
 erection and reconstruction of suburban station 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 157 
 
 facilities; construction of 250 miles of trackage; 
 reconstruction of several miles of retaining walls 
 and the reconstruction of the signal and inter- 
 locker system. 
 
 The electric suhurban service covers a zone 
 embracing 37.8 route miles and 127 miles of 
 trackage, and in electrifying this service it was 
 necessary to erect more than 900 cantenary struc- 
 tures and to string approximately 293 miles of 
 transmission wires and 470 miles of messenger 
 and contact wires. 
 
 The electric service was begun with new equip- 
 ment throughout. The cars, specially designed 
 and built for this service, are of all-metal vesti- 
 bule construction, each having a seating capa- 
 city for 84 passengers. Spaciousness, cleanli- 
 ness, good ventilation, uniform heating and 
 
 Grand Trunk Railroad System 
 
 Files and records of the Grand Trunk Railway 
 System which are in charge of Mr. E. W. Hotch- 
 kiss, of the Treasury Department, in his office at 
 Detroit, show that at one time the name "Blue 
 Island" was incorporated in the title of a rail- 
 way company. That road was known as "The 
 Chicago, Blue Island and Indiana Railroad 
 Company," and it was formed to be the Illinois 
 division of the line of roads then in the process 
 on construction from Chicago, Illinois, to Port 
 Huron, Michigan. 
 
 The charter dates to 1868 and on July 10th of 
 that year the following gentlemen were elected 
 Directors of the newly incorporated railway: 
 
 Henry Fuller, G. S. Hubbard, C. B. Sammons, 
 
 Type of engines used in the early Fifties. 
 
 ample lighting are among their notable features. 
 Each two-car unit represents an investment of 
 $75,000; therefore, a six-car train costs nearly 
 a quarter of a million dollars. 
 
 Electrification brought not only better equip- 
 ment but more trains and speedier service. Prior 
 to electrification the Illinois Central operated 
 fifty-one trains to or from Blue Island on each 
 week day and thirty-four trains on Sunday, 
 whereas the present schedule provides approx- 
 imately twice that number — 100 on each week 
 day and sixty-nine on Sunday. 
 
 The fastest train operated prior to electrifica- 
 tion made the trip run Blue Island to Randolph 
 street in fifty-eight minutes. Today the fastest 
 electric train makes the run in thirty-five minutes, 
 an improvement in speed of forty per cent. 
 
 The Illinois Central now handles around 
 28,000,000 passengers a year on its electric trains 
 and provides Blue Island and other communities 
 with a suburban service unsurpassed not only in 
 Chicago but in any city in America. 
 
 H. H. Massey, J. P. Young, George F. Bailey, 
 H. S. Rexford, F. Sauerteig, Royal Fox, A. N. 
 Hart, Michael Brand, W. L. Bancroft, Leonidas 
 D. Dibble, Thomas S. Stanfield, S. T. Reed, S. H. 
 Anthony, John Bienfeldt and L. P. Hilliard. 
 
 Mr. Henry Fuller was chosen by the Directors 
 as their president, while the other officers elected 
 were: Mr. Guidon S. Hubbard, vice president; 
 Mr. H. H. Massey, treasurer, and Josuha P. 
 Young, secretary. The headquarters were estab- 
 lished in Chicago. 
 
 During the period that the Grand Trunk Rail- 
 way was in process of development in Canada, 
 Sir Henry Tyler, who afterwards became presi- 
 dent of the company, visited Canada in 1867 and 
 under the instructions of the Board of Directors, 
 made a special inspection and report regarding 
 the condition and prospects of the railway. One 
 of Sir Henry's recommendations urged the ex- 
 tension of the railway through to Chicago — then 
 the growing emporium of the great West — 
 recording a population of 220,000 souls. The 
 
158 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 activities of Chicago so appealed to the visitor 
 that, he asserted, is possessed of "... a com- 
 merce that was one of the marvels of the age." 
 It was only in 1879 that the Grand Trunk was 
 enabled to carry out the ambitious project and 
 in that year finances were made available for the 
 construction or purchase of a line from Port 
 Huron, Michigan, to Chicago. The new line to 
 Chicago incorporated under the name of the 
 Chicago and Grand Trunk, April 6th, 1880, was 
 completed and opened in December of the year 
 1881. At first, communication between the two 
 lines of railways across the St. Clair river be- 
 tween Sarnia, Ontario, and Port Huron. Michi- 
 gan, was maintained by powerful car ferries. 
 Afterwards a submarine tunnel was constructed 
 between these points and was opened for service 
 in 1891, the first international submarine tunnel 
 on this continent. 
 
 Beginning about 1865 there was a new inter- 
 est in railroads in America. Numerous lines 
 were planned and some of these were to take 
 shape and afterwards come into actual opera- 
 tion. Companies which had come into being in 
 Michigan, Indiana and Illinois were fated to link 
 and unite and by the time the Grand Trunk was 
 ready to really undertake the ambitious project 
 of operating its own line from the international 
 boundary to Chicago important parts of such 
 a line were in existence. Several of these were 
 acquired by purchase and where necessary new 
 construction was undertaken to connect the var- 
 ious links. 
 
 It was the fate of the Chicago, Blue Island 
 and Indiana Railroad company to have become 
 part of one such consolidation. On March 15th, 
 1869 the Peninsular Railway Company ( Illi- 
 nois) was formed and in 1870 it took over the 
 Chicago, Blue Island and Indiana. The Penin- 
 sular Company in 1870 was consolidated with 
 two other companies, the Peninsular Railway 
 Company ( Indiana ) , and the Peninsular Rail- 
 way Company (Michigan). These three Penin- 
 sular companies then formed a line of railway 
 from Chicago to Lansing, Michigan. 
 
 At the time the Peninsular took over the Chi- 
 cago, Blue Island and Indiana, the latter had 
 rails of 56 pounds to the yard. When the three 
 Peninsulars were united as one, that company 
 possessed five locomotives, four passenger cars, 
 two mail, baggage and express cars, 14 freight 
 box cars, 32 flat cars and one caboose. The 
 total cost of building this line of road and in- 
 cluding the cost of the 58 units of rolling stock 
 amounted to $4,774,000. 
 
 The Peninsular consolidation later joined with 
 the Port Huron and Lake Michigan Railroad 
 Company to form a continuous line from Chi- 
 
 cago to Port Huron, this union being completed 
 on April 5th, 1873. These consolidations be- 
 came the Chicago and Grank Trunk Railway 
 Company, the predecessor of the present Grand 
 Trunk Western lines. 
 
 B. & 0. C. T. Railroad Company 
 
 The Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Rail- 
 road company, which has been operating a 
 freight and transfer railroad through Blue Island 
 under that name since January, 1910, is the suc- 
 cessor of at least half a dozen companies active 
 in the promotion and building of railroad lines 
 through and in the vicinity of Blue Island. 
 
 In 1889 a company was formed at Chicago 
 under the title of Chicago & Blue Island Rail- 
 way company. This company acquired a fran- 
 chise for right-of-way between 75th street and 
 the northern limits of Blue Island. 
 
 Overtures for a franchise to construct a rail- 
 road through Blue Island were made to the vil- 
 lage board, but there is nothing in the Blue Is- 
 land village records to show that such an or- 
 dinance was ever granted. 
 
 In the fall of 1889 the Chicago & Blue Island 
 Railway company made a proposal to The Chi- 
 cago Central Railway company to effect the con- 
 struction of a railroad between the above men- 
 tioned points by turning the right-of-way over to 
 the latter company, contingent upon the con- 
 struction of a railroad on the property. On De- 
 cember 16, 1889, an assignment of the right-of- 
 way was made to The Chicago Central Railway 
 company. 
 
 The Chicago Central Railway company was 
 incorporated Oct. 19, 1889, and organized at 
 Chicago on Nov. 5, 1889. On Dec. 16, 1889, 
 this company acquired by assignment the right- 
 of-way of the Chicago & Blue Island Railway 
 company, extending from 75th street to Blue 
 Island. ' On July 14, 1890, the Blue Island Vil- 
 lage Board passed an ordinance granting the 
 company a right-of-way through Blue Island. 
 
 *During the year, 1890, it built and put in 
 operation a line of railroad from 75th street to 
 Blue Island and in 1891 extended the line from 
 Blue Island to Harvey. On July 25, 1892, it 
 completed a double-track line from 75th street 
 to Western avenue junction. On Oct. 1, 1891, 
 it sold its property to Chicago and Northern 
 Pacific Railroad company. 
 
 Note — The Chicago Central Railway company, which 
 built its line through Blue Island in 1890, operated 
 passenger service between Blue Island and Chicago at a 
 fare of 5 cents each way. Owing to this cheap fare the 
 road was commonly referred to as the "Nickel Line." 
 It did large commuter buiness for a time, but lost money 
 on the nickel fare, which was soon raised. 
 
160 
 
 BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 The Chicago and Northern Pacific Railroad 
 company was incorporated Nov. 22, 1889. Or- 
 ganized at Chicago, March 5, 1890. Acquired 
 from Chicago Central Railway company the 
 line of road between Western avenue junction 
 and Harvey, passing through Blue Island. By 
 deed of April 19, 1897, sold all property to a 
 committee of bondholders who in turn deeded 
 the property on June 9, 1897, to Chicago Ter- 
 minal Transfer Railroad company. 
 
 Chicago & Calumet Terminal Railwav com- 
 pany — Formed Aug. 11, 1887, through consolida- 
 tion and merger of several corporations, each 
 of which had proposed building railroads from 
 
 tram , CX?V^Z^^> 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 "S> RAILWAY. J5*i'_„i_ ® 
 
 A u_ N E 
 
 I r i ,v So r K is|«^ %t 
 . £ 97 
 
 
 Types of Passes issued by Rock 
 Island Railroad in the early 80's. 
 
 the vicinity of Indiana-Illinois state line to Blue 
 Island, but none of which had actually built any 
 line. Construction records are incomplete; how- 
 ever, it has been ascertained that between 1887- 
 1894 the line from Pine Junction, Indiana, to 
 McCook, Illinois, was completed and in opera- 
 tion. The exact date of construction through 
 Blue Island cannot be ascertained. By deed of 
 June 7, 1898, it sold its property to Chicago Ter- 
 minal Transfer Railroad company. 
 
 Chicago Terminal Transfer Railroad com- 
 pany — Incorporated June 3, 1897. Organized at 
 Chicago, June 5, 1897. Acquired line from 
 
 Chicago & Calumet Terminal Railway company, 
 from Pine Junction to McCook, June 7, 1898. 
 Acquired line from Western avenue junction to 
 Harvey from Chicago and Northern Pacific rail- 
 road company, June 9, 1897. Property sold to 
 Sheean and Preston at public auction on Jan. 
 6, 1910. Sheean and Preston turned over prop- 
 erty to The Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Ter- 
 minal Railroad company on Jan. 10, 1910. 
 
 Indiana Harbor Belt Railway 
 
 The Indiana Harbor Belt Railway is one of 
 Blue Island's valuable assets. Linking, as it 
 does, with all other railroads in the great Cal- 
 umet manufacturing region, it handles an im- 
 mense tonnage of freight annually. The com- 
 pany has offices and large yards at 139th and 
 Halsted streets. 
 
 "Wet-Dry"Election 
 
 On Tuesday, April 16, 1918, the question, 
 "Shall this City Become Anti-Saloon Territory," 
 was submitted to a vote of the citizens at a gen- 
 eral election. The result of that vote was a 
 surprise to both sides — to the "wets," because 
 of the overwhelming vote in favor of saloons, 
 and to the "drys," because the two wards — the 
 Fourth and Fifth — on which they had depended 
 for a large "dry" vote — also returned "wet" 
 majorities. 
 
 The anti-saloon proposition was defeated by 
 better than 2 to 1. Two thousand one hundred 
 and seventeen men and 2063 women, a total of 
 4180 voted on the question. Of this number 
 2856 men and women voted for the saloons and 
 1324 voted against them. Every ward in the 
 city gave the "wets" a majority, the total major- 
 ity of the "wets" being 1532. The woman vote 
 alone was sufficient to carry the day for the 
 wets, 467 more women voting for the saloon than 
 against it — the total women vote being divided 
 as follows: For the saloon, 1265; against, 798. 
 The men gave the saloons a majority of 1065 — 
 1591 voting wet and 526 voting dry. 
 
 A bitter campaign was waged by both sides. 
 Whole pages of newspaper publicity and car- 
 toons were used to influence voters either for or 
 against the proposition to make Blue Island a 
 dry community. A notable feature of the 
 campaign were the speeches of William Jennings 
 Bryan, the Great Commoner, made in favor of 
 the dry side at the Methodist and Congregational 
 churches. 
 
CITY FORM 
 
 OF 
 
 GOVERNMENT 
 
 Adopted April 16 
 1901 
 
 9T 
 
 Divided Originally Into Five Wards and Ten Alder- 
 men the City Now Comprises Seven Wards 
 and Fourteen Aldermen 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 163 
 
 CITY COUNCIL NOTES 
 
 WHElN the change to city government was made in April, 1901, Blue Island had a population 
 of 6,114. The city was divided into five wards with two aldermen to a ward. The territorv 
 comprising each ward was as follows: First Ward — The territory lying between Stony creek on 
 the south, York street on the north, Rock Island tracks on the east and the city limits on the west. 
 Second Ward — The territory lying between the city limits on the south, the east and west city 
 limits, and Stony creek on the north. Third Ward — All that territory within the city limits lying 
 east of the Rock Island railroad tracks and north of Stony creek. Fourth Ward — York street on 
 the south, Burr Oak avenue on the north, Rock Island railroad tracks on the east and city limits 
 on the west. Fifth Ward — All territory lying north of Burr Oak avenue and south of 119th 
 street, the Rock Island main line tracks on the east and the city limits on the west. The elective 
 officers were: Mayor, ten aldermen, city clerk, city treasurer, each for two year term; and police 
 magistrate for four years. During the "off years" when mayor, clerk and treasurer were not 
 voted on, only the five aldermen, one in each ward, were elected. 
 
 In 1926 the city was redistricted into seven wards, increasing the number of aldermen to 
 fourteen. The population at that time exceeded 13,000. 
 
 The new ward divisions then established, and as they still are today, follow: The First, Sec- 
 ond and Third Wards remain as originally defined. The old Fourth and Fifth Wards were split 
 to create the new wards. The new boundaries of the Fourth are as follows: The territory lying 
 within the city limits bounded on the south by the center line of York street, on the east by the 
 center line of Western avenue, on the north by the center line of Burr Oak avenue and on the west 
 by the city limits. Fifth Ward — The territory lying within the city limits bounded on the south 
 by the center line of Burr Oak avenue, on the east by the center line of Western avenue, and on 
 the north and west by the city limits. Sixth Ward — All that territory within the city limits 
 bounded on the south by the center line of Collins street and the center line of said Collins street 
 extended, on the west by the center line of Western avenue, and on the north and east by the city 
 limits. Seventh Ward — All that territory within the city limits lying east of the center line of 
 Western avenue, between the center line of York street on the south and the center line of Burr 
 Oak avenue on the north, together with that part of the Fifth Ward immediately adjoining, up to 
 and including the south half of Collins street, running east to the limits of the Third Ward. 
 
 The First City Election 
 
 The first election for city officials held on 
 June 4, 1901, under the newly adopted city 
 form of government, was a hotly contested one. 
 There was opposition for every one of the major 
 offices, except for city clerk, where Fred Hoh- 
 man already had served 16 years as village 
 clerk and at this time was considered an unbeat- 
 able candidate. For alderman of the Third 
 ward V. B. Schreiber and George Gobet had no 
 opposition and split the vote cast almost equally 
 between themselves. 
 
 Result of the First City Election held June 4, 
 1901 : 
 
 Total vote cast in First Ward 369 
 
 Total vote cast in Second Ward 205 
 
 Total vote cast in Third Ward 160 
 
 Total vote cast in Fourth Ward 292 
 
 Total vote cast in Fifth Ward 262 
 
 Total vote cast in all Wards. 
 
 1288 
 
 For Mayor — 
 
 *John L. Zacharias 735 
 
 Dr. Edward Doepp 421 
 
 E. H. Rexford 114 
 
 For Clerk (no opposition) — 
 
 *Fred Hohmann 903 
 
 For City Attorney — 
 
 *George Guenther 770 
 
 George F. Borman 425 
 
 For Treasurer — 
 
 * August C. Boeber 677 
 
 Mathias Helbreg 483 
 
 For Police Magistrate — 
 
 *Emil Boehl 727 
 
 Daniel D. Braham 215 
 
 For Aldermen First Ward (two to be elec- 
 ted) — 
 
 *Harry Rohrbach 154 
 
 *John W. Neibert 153 
 
 Henry Schreiber 106 
 
 J. G. Diefenbach 81 
 
164 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Henry Blatt 67 
 
 George P. Meyer 65 
 
 For Aldermen Second Ward (two to be 
 elected) — 
 
 *Louis Groskopf 103 
 
 *J. John Joens 133 
 
 Edward Sauerbier 89 
 
 For Aldermen Third Ward (two to be 
 elected) — 
 
 *V. B. Schreiber 124 
 
 *George C. Gobet 122 
 
 For Aldermen Fourth Ward ( two to be 
 elected) — 
 
 *W. D. Henke 160 
 
 *C. R. Foster 176 
 
 R. C. Atkinson 129 
 
 For Aldermen Fifth Ward (two to be elec- 
 ted)— 
 
 George Hodge 32 
 
 George Warren 81 
 
 *Max Gese 89 
 
 Joseph P. Eames 73 
 
 *Adolph Danielson 95 
 
 Louis A. Krueger 17 
 
 Louis P. Johnson 55 
 
 * Elected 
 
 The total vote of 1288 cast at this first city- 
 election was considered practically the full vot- 
 ing strength of the community. The census 
 count made just one year previous (1900) gave 
 Blue Island a population of 6,114. 
 
 First Meeting of City Council 
 
 The first regular meeting of the City Council, 
 under the newly adopted city government, was 
 held on June 10, 1901, with Mayor John L. 
 Zacharias in the chair and all of the aldermen 
 present: First ward — Harry Rohrbach, John W. 
 Neibert. Second ward — L. C. Groskopf, J. John 
 Jones. Third ward — George C. Gobet, V. B. 
 Schreiber. Fourth ward — William D. Henke, 
 Charles R. Foster. Fifth ward — Max Gese, A. 
 Danielson. Fred Hohmann, clerk. 
 
 The first official action of the city council was 
 to pass Ordinance No. 380, which provided for 
 the continuing in force of all former ordinances, 
 resolutions, rules, orders and by-laws in force 
 and effect in the Village of Blue Island when 
 it organized as a city. 
 
 Ordinance No. 381, adopting a corporate seal 
 was then passed. 
 
 The mayor appointed the following standing 
 committees: Finance — Gobet, Foster, Rohrbach. 
 
 Judiciary — Gese, Jones, Schreiber. 
 
 Electric Lights and Gas — Henke, Danielson, 
 Rohrbach. 
 
 Streets, Bridges, Alleys and Sidewalks — Gros- 
 kopf, Neibert, Foster. 
 
 License — Schreiber, Jones, Henke. 
 
 Drainage and Sewers — Neibert, Groskopf, 
 Gese. 
 
 Plats, Public Grounds and Buildings — Jones, 
 Henke, Danielson. 
 
 Police and Fire — Rohrbach, Gese, Schreiber. 
 Water — Foster, Gobet, Groskopf. 
 Railroads — Gese, Rohrbach, Schreiber. 
 Local Assessments — Henke, Neibert. Jones. 
 Health — Danielson, Foster, Gobet. 
 
 Under the new city organization laws the 
 members of the Public Library Board became 
 appointive, instead of elective officers. Mayor 
 Zacharias announced the following to constitute 
 the new Public Library Board : Henry Biroth 
 and Mrs. H. B. McGrath, First ward; John W. 
 Reiner, Second ward; F. T. E. Kallum and Mrs. 
 Myrtle Murphy, Third ward; H. B. Robinson 
 and Mrs. A. C. Fuller, Fourth ward; Joseph P. 
 Eames and George Warren, Fifth ward. 
 
 The following appointments were made July 
 10, 1901: 
 
 Chief of Police — Thomas Cinnamon. 
 
 Lieutenant of Police — Edward Garver. 
 
 Patrolmen — Charles Farnum, Otto Wilcke, 
 Charles Malmquist, Ben Steffes. 
 
 Superintendent of Streets — C. F. Lochow. 
 
 Chief Engineer — Ed. Kinzel. 
 
 City Electrician — A. Marsh. 
 
 Civil Engineer — P. R. Fletcher. 
 
 City Chemist — Fred Brunhof. 
 
 On July 8, 1901, the council took up the 
 Clarence Geist gas franchise ordinance, gave it 
 a reading and referred it back to committee. 
 
 On July 29, J. B. Woodruff came before the 
 council with a similar ordinance, requesting a 
 fifty-year franchise to construct and operate gas 
 works and gas distributing mains in the City of 
 Blue Island. After reading this ordinance also 
 was referred to committee. 
 
 Aug. 6, 1901, the city council ordered the in- 
 stallation of twenty additional arc street lights. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1901, the Geist gas franchise ordin- 
 ance came up for consideration. The ordin- 
 ance had been in the hands of the committee for 
 two months and was recommended by that body 
 for passage. The roll call vote on the motion 
 to pass was: Ayes — Danielson, Heckler, Foster, 
 Neibert, Rohrbach, Gobet, Schreiber, Jones. 
 Nayes — Gese and Groskopf. This ordinance is 
 known as Ordinance No. 394. 
 
 Sept. 16 — Adopted Resolutions on death of 
 President McKinley. H. Biroth resigned as di- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 165 
 
 rector of Public Library and mayor appointed 
 W. A. Blodgett in his place. 
 
 Oct. 7 — Passed twelve improvement ordin- 
 ances providing for sewers, water and sidewalks 
 in various streets. 
 
 Oct. 14 — Passed two more sidewalk ordin- 
 ances. 
 
 Dec. 2, 1901 — Engineer Fletcher reported that 
 the Western avenue subway under the Rock Is- 
 land tracks had been completed satisfactorily 
 according to the terms of the franchise granted 
 the Chicago Electric Traction company, and the 
 council thereupon voted its acceptance of the 
 work. 
 
 Mayor Zacharias reported that Clarence H. 
 Geist had deposited $10,000 in cash with the 
 city treasurer on January 31, as required under 
 the terms of the gas franchise granted him and 
 that his bond in the sum of $10,000 had also 
 been filed. 
 
 At the regular election held April 15, 1902, 
 George Engelland, Jr., was elected alderman of 
 the First ward; Louis C. Groskopf, alderman of 
 the Second ward; August C. Kern, alderman of 
 the Third ward; C. R. Foster, alderman of the 
 Fourth ward; George A. Warren, alderman of 
 the Fifth ward. 
 
 There were five candidates for the office of 
 Police Magistrate to fill the vacancy caused by 
 the death of Emil Boehl. The vote was as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 Wade Errett 241 
 
 Daniel Braham 60 
 
 Wm. H. Doolittle 356 
 
 Wm. Haas 201 
 
 Max Troemel 212 
 
 Doolittle was elected. 
 
 Eleven hundred and thirty votes were cast at 
 this election as follows: In the First ward, 349 
 in the Second ward, 201 ; in the Third ward, 173 
 in the Fourth ward, 168; in the Fifth ward, 247 
 
 July 21, 1902 — The need of a new bridge over 
 Stony creek on Robinson street was discussed. 
 
 It was voted to illuminate Western avenue with 
 electric lights during the Illinois Firemen's tour- 
 nament to be held here in August. 
 
 Aug. 11, 1902 — Purchased property on the 
 south side of York street from J. P. Young for a 
 site for a new public library. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1902 — John McEvoy appointed chief 
 of police and Charles Malmquist, lieutenant. 
 
 Oct. 28, 1902 — Passed a resolution to place 
 meters on all consumers of electric light. 
 
 Jan. 5, 1903 — Fire Chief, Otto Sorgenfrei, 
 made the following financial report on the Fire- 
 
 men's tournament held here in August: 
 
 Total receipts $5843.52 
 
 Expenditures . 4426.07 
 
 Balance .....$1417.45 
 
 The money represented in this balance was 
 
 expended for the benefit of the Blue Island Fire 
 
 Department as follows: 
 
 Lot for Fire Co. No. 3 $250.00 
 
 Building for Fire Co. No. 3 625.00 
 
 Hose Wagon for Co. No. 2 500.00 
 
 $1375.00 
 
 Leaving on hand an unexpended balance of 
 $42.45. 
 
 March 30, 1903 — Permit given Chicago 
 Electric Traction company to double track its 
 line through Blue Island. 
 
 April 13 — Awarded contract to Rand Drill 
 Co. for 1000 cubic foot air compressor to cost 
 $3676.00. 
 
 A total of 1171 votes was cast at the general 
 election on April 21, 1903. The following were 
 elected to office: 
 
 Mayor — John Zacharias. 
 
 Clerk — Fred Hohmann. 
 
 Attorney — George H. Guenther. 
 
 Treasurer — Chas. J. Heckler. 
 
 Aldermen: First ward — H. Rohrbach; Second 
 ward- — Anthony Heintz; Third ward — V. B. 
 Schreiber; Fourth ward — Wm. D. Henke; Fifth 
 ward — Max Gese. 
 
 Vote on the annexation of certain territory on 
 the East Side carried. 
 
 Sept. 14, 1903— P. R. Fletcher resigned as 
 city engineer and Vertus B. Roberts was ap- 
 pointed to his place. 
 
 Nov. 16, 1903 — Application from Blue Island, 
 Riverdale and Hammond Street Railway com- 
 pany for a franchise to lay tracks in Vermont 
 street, from center line of Division street to 
 Western avenue. (Ordinance No. 473 granting 
 this franchise was passed by the council, Decem- 
 ber 18, 1903. The line was never built.) 
 
 July 18, 1904 — Passed twenty ordinances pro- 
 viding for the construction of cement sidewalks 
 in various streets. 
 
 Oct. 30, 1904— Granted the Blue Island, River- 
 dale and Hammond Street Railway Co. an exten- 
 sion of thirty days in which to comply with the 
 conditions of its franchise. 
 
 Jan. 16, 1905 — Council threatened to revoke 
 the franchise of the Chicago Electric Traction 
 Co., if the company stopped running its cars on 
 Canal street. 
 
166 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 Sixteen hundred and seven votes were cast at 
 the city election held April 18, 1905. 
 
 Principal interest in this election was centered 
 on the mayoralty race between George Gobet 
 and Dr. Edward Doepp. Gobet won out with 
 881 votes to his opponent's 704. 
 
 The total vote cast in the wards was as 
 follows: First ward, 367; Second ward. 239; 
 
 Geo. C. Gobet 
 
 Second Mayor of Blue Island 
 
 Elected April 18, 1905 
 
 Third ward, 315; Fourth ward, 375; Fifth ward, 
 311. Total all wards, 1597. 
 
 F. S. Gibson was appointed commissioner of 
 health. 
 
 Aug. 7, 1905 — Passed 19 ordinances provid- 
 ing for cement sidewalks in various streets. 
 
 Sept. 5, 1905 — Passed 21 more ordinances for 
 sewers, cement sidewalks, etc., in various streets. 
 
 Jan. 2, 1906 — Council voted to sustain the 
 mayor's veto of Ordinance No. 599, which gave 
 the Chicago Southern Traction Co. a 35-year 
 franchise to lay tracks and operate a street car 
 line through the city. 
 
 March 2, 1906 — Read a communication from 
 the Chicago Sanitary District proposing to fur- 
 nish the city with electric current on the basis 
 of 24-hour service at $26.40 per horsepower per 
 year. 
 
 April 20, 1906 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 San Francisco earthquake horror; appropriated 
 $200 for relief and appointed Mayor George 
 Gobet a committee of one to receive further sub- 
 scriptions from the public for relief of the 
 stricken city. (In addition to the $200 given by 
 the city $347 more was contributed locally from 
 private donations.) 
 
 April 23, 1906— City election. 
 
 June 4, 1906 — Passed Ordinance No. 604 
 granting to the Chicago Southern Traction Co. 
 a 35-year franchise to operate a street car line 
 through Blue Island. (This company was the 
 
 predecessor of the Chicago Interurban Traction 
 Co.) 
 
 July 2, 1906— Granted Chicago Telephone 
 Co. permission to construct underground con- 
 duit lines in Union street. 
 
 Aug. 6, 1906 — Received and considered first 
 ordinance from the Chicago Sanitary District 
 board for the construction of the Calumet-Sag 
 canal through Blue Island. After some discus- 
 sion the ordinance was referred to committee 
 for redrafting with alterations. 
 
 March 4, 1907 — Passed twenty-five ordinances 
 (Nos. 621 to 646 j providing for water service 
 mains, house drains and sewers in various streets. 
 
 March 13, 1907 — Gustave Aschen, alderman 
 of Fifth ward died. Election to fill vacancy in 
 office to be held at the general election on April 
 16, 1907. 
 
 Henry Groskopf and Walter Bruce were the 
 contenders for the vacancy on the city council 
 occasioned by the death of Alderman Aschen 
 When the ballots were counted Groskopf was 
 shown to have received 153 votes and Walter 
 Bruce, 152. 
 
 Mr. Bruce was not satisfied and demanded a 
 recount. This was granted and on May 6 the 
 council met and reviewed the election returns 
 for this office. Each ballot was examined care- 
 fully and it was found that there were 152 ballots 
 cast for each candidate on which there could be 
 
 Henry Groskopf 
 
 Winner in Blue Island's first Aldermanic 
 
 Election Contest 
 
 no dispute. The judges, however, had given Mr. 
 Groskopf one ballot, which showed the voters' 
 intent, but which was marked in the square 
 with a straight line instead of a cross. 
 
 After each alderman had carefully examined 
 the disputed ballot, a vote of the council was 
 taken and all (Groskopf not voting) voted to 
 count the ballot for Groskopf — thus giving him 
 the election. 
 
 Jan. 6, 1908 — Communication from President 
 R. R. McCormick of the Sanitary District board 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 167 
 
 relative to furnishing the city with electric cur- 
 rent for street lights and commercial uses, was 
 read and referred to the proper committee for 
 consideration and report. 
 
 Feb. 3, 1908 — Received a communication from 
 the North Shore Electric Co. proposing to buy 
 the Blue Island municipally owned electric light 
 and power plant. Referred to the council as 
 committee of the whole to investigate further. 
 
 The question, "Shall this City become Anti- 
 Saloon Territory" was defeated at the election 
 April 21, 1908, by 1079 "no" and 310 "yes" 
 votes. 
 
 May 4, 1908 — passed Ordinance No. 669, pro- 
 hibiting spitting on sidewalks and in public 
 places. 
 
 A "curfew" ordinance, known as Ordinance 
 No. 684, was passed by the city council May 
 18, 1908. This ordinance prohibits minors 
 under 16 years of age "to be in or upon any 
 street, alley, park or public place between the 
 hours of 9 o'clock P.M. and 5 o'clock A.M." 
 
 October 21, 1908 — Contracted with Sanitary 
 District to furnish electrical energy for street 
 lighting and to operate the water works plant 
 for term of 10 years. 
 
 J. W. Alvord, a consulting engineer, engaged 
 by the city to investigate the city water supply 
 and make recommendations for the improve- 
 ment of the same, submitted his report on Janu- 
 ary 4, 1909. He recommended that a new 15- 
 inch artesian well be sunk, that same be pro- 
 vided with air compressor, pumps, etc. ; that 
 city have constructed a 150,000 gallon steel 
 tank and a concrete surface reservoir for water 
 storage. These recommendations were approved 
 and on April 25, 1909, contracts were let for 
 the various suggested improvements. (See art- 
 icle on City Water Supply.) 
 
 Feb. 1, 1909 — Ordered 47 street arc lights 
 to be bought and placed at various points 
 throughout the city. 
 
 April 20, 1909— City election. Ed. Stein 
 elected mayor, defeating George Gobet and 
 Everett Rexford. 
 
 May 10, 1909 — Mayor Stein appointed Law- 
 rence Lusson city collector and August G. Kern 
 superintendent of streets. These appointments 
 were opposed by the council thus compelling 
 the mayor to renew the appointments every 30 
 days. Criticism by Mayor Stein of the previous 
 administration's handling of the city's finances 
 caused the mayor to appoint the following citi- 
 zens a committee with authority to select a com- 
 petent accountant to examine and audit the city 
 books up to May 1, 1909: F. G. Diefenbach, 
 N. A. Cool, F. Schapper, W. T. Davis, D. Long- 
 
 acre, J. A. Wessel, H. J. Schmitt and F. W. 
 Koenecke. This committee was given full 
 power to go as far as they wished with the 
 examination of the city's records. 
 
 June 14, 1909 — Ordered installation of three 
 telephones in each ward for police and fire calls. 
 
 Aug. 20, 1909— Blue Island Sun made offi- 
 cial newspaper of the city by resolution. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1909 — Granted Chicago Southern 
 Traction company privilege to run one express 
 
 Edward N . Stein 
 Mayor during the years 1909-1910 
 
 or package car per day through the city up 
 to March 1, 1910. 
 
 March 4, 1910 — Council orders city attorney 
 to take legal action against Chicago Southern 
 Traction company for violation of franchise by- 
 raising fare from 5c to 10c. 
 
 March 7, 1910 — Accept new 15-inch artesian 
 well from contractor. Depth of well, 1649% 
 feet, delivered 310 gallons of water per minute 
 on test. 
 
 June 6, 1910 — Passed ordinance No. 713, 
 granting the North-Western Gas Light & Coke 
 Co. permission to construct a bridge across 
 Stony creek at Ann street at its own cost, com- 
 pany also to assume all maintenance expense. 
 
 Aug. 1, 1910 — Passed Ordinance No. 717, 
 
168 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 providing for the licensing of circuses, theatres 
 and "so-called nickel or 5-cent shows." 
 
 Oct. 12, 1910— Passed Ordinance No. 722, 
 prohibiting the discharge of firearms within the 
 city limits. 
 
 The use of the city council chamber was 
 granted to representatives of the Sanitary Dis- 
 trict while engaged in securing the right-of-way 
 for the Calumet-Sag canal. 
 
 Nov. 7, 1910— Bought Lot 18, Block 3, Brand's 
 subdivision, from Rudolf Brand for $300 for a 
 fire house in the Third ward. 
 
 Claim of Mrs. F. Peloquin for $500 damages 
 sustained by falling on a defective sidewalk 
 in Canal street, settled out of court for $400. 
 
 Jan. 16, 1911— Paid Katherine Miller $6500 
 for property taken for the opening of Broad- 
 
 Julius A. Wessel 
 Mayor of Blue Island, 1911-1912 
 
 way from Western avenue through to Rexford 
 street. 
 
 Approved purchase of a new 75-horsepower 
 air compressor and turbine pump for the new 
 artesian well. 
 
 March 6, 1911 — Ordered water mains ex- 
 tended in Vermont street, from Western avenue 
 to Division street; also 12-inch tile pipe sewer 
 
 in Vermont street, from Western avenue 150 
 feet east. 
 
 License granted "Princess Theatre Nickel 
 Show" at 438 Western avenue. 
 
 April 10, 1911 — City council received and 
 considered the first amended ordinance from 
 the Sanitary District for the construction of the 
 Calumet-Sag channel through the corporate 
 limits. Referred to mayor, city attorney and 
 city engineer. 
 
 April 28, 1911— Passed Ordinance No. 734, 
 granting the Sanitary District right-of-way for 
 the channel through the corporate limits of the 
 city. 
 
 April 18, 1911 — General city election. Julius 
 Wessel elected mayor by a vote of 1010, over 
 John Lentz with a vote of 930. 
 
 Other election results: 
 
 City Clerk — Fred Hohmann (no opposition.) 
 
 City Attorney— *Judd Matthews (1051); T. 
 J. McGrath (327) ; Orville C. Green (469.) 
 
 City Treasurer— * John L. Beer (972); Louis 
 Schwartz (936). 
 
 Aldermen — First Ward, *Wm. J. Meyer 
 (247), Emil Poehlsen (119); Second Ward, 
 * Ernst W. Kott (163) ; Henry G. Clausen (159) ; 
 Third Ward, John W. Wolff (no opposition) ; 
 Fourth Ward. * James A. Noble (461); Berger 
 Hogle (167) ; Fifth Ward,, *Walter C. Bruce 
 (283); John Snyder (137). 
 (*) Elected. 
 
 Condition of city treasury June 1, 1911: 
 
 Balance in Corporate fund $18,977.14 
 
 " Library fund 370.33 
 
 " Sinking fund 1,755.39 
 
 " Special Ass't. fund.... 29,618.49 
 
 $50,721.35 
 June 5, 1911, Mayor Wessel appointed Lud- 
 wig J. Staffel city collector to succeed Law- 
 rence Lusson, resigned. 
 
 Let contract to Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. 
 to repair iron smokestack at pumping plant 
 damaged by storm, for $780. 
 
 July 10, 1911 — Passed tax levy ordinance for 
 current fiscal year, $29,340.00 for all corporate 
 purposes. 
 
 Sept. 5, 1911 — Passed ordinances for first 
 comprehensive system of street improvements in 
 section from Burr Oak avenue north to 123rd 
 street, and between Western avenue and Green- 
 wood avenue, and all intersecting streets, pro- 
 viding for water pipes, house drains, and pav- 
 ing streets with brick. 
 
 Oct. 23, 1911 — Passed ordinance granting 
 Oak Hill Street Railway Co. a 20-year franchise 
 

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170 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 to maintain and operate a single track street 
 railway on the south half of 119th street, be- 
 tween Western avenue and the west city limits. 
 Mayor Wessel returned the ordinance with his 
 veto on Jan. 8, 1912, but the council declined 
 to uphold the mayor's rejection and put the 
 ordinance into effect. 
 
 [Note — This street railway was never built. On 
 March 4, 1912, the company was given an extension of 
 60 days at the request of Louis Olson on condition that 
 the company comply with the Ordinance (No. 755) by 
 making a $3000 cash deposit with the city clerk. On 
 Mav 6 another continuance, to June 5, 1912, was grant- 
 ed, and on June 3, 1912, a third continuance was given 
 at the request; of Mr. Olson. The company however 
 failed to comply with the requirements of the ordin- 
 ance and on August 19, 1912, the council revoked the 
 franchise.] 
 
 On Feb. 19, 1912, the city council passed 16 
 ordinances for public improvements — house 
 drains, sewers, water service pipes, etc. — affect- 
 ing nearly all streets south of Stony creek; also 
 the section north of Burr Oak avenue, between 
 Western and Vincennes avenues. 
 
 Crrr Court Proposition Lost 
 
 Feb. 26, 1912— The council received a peti- 
 tion signed by a number of citizens requesting 
 that the question of establishing a city court be 
 submitted to the voters at the next city election. 
 This petition was referred to the judiciary com- 
 mittee and on April 4, 1912, the city council 
 passed Ordinance No. 777 providing for the 
 establishment of a city court in Blue Island. 
 
 The proposition for establishing a city court 
 with one judge was submitted to the voters at 
 a general election held April 16, 1912. A total 
 of 1677 votes was cast — 1040 being for, and 524 
 against the proposition. Not having received 
 two-thirds of all votes cast on the proposition it 
 was declared lost. 
 
 On April 15, 1913, the question of establish- 
 ing a city court was again put before the people 
 of Blue Island. Out of a total of 1761 votes 
 cast on the proposition 1136 were for and 625 
 against the court, and again the vote was short 
 of the required two-thirds necessary to carry the 
 proposition. 
 
 Mayor Wessel's Tempestuous Term 
 
 Mayor Wessel's term in office was a tempestu- 
 ous one. Elected at a time when the majority 
 of the council was hostile to him, heated argu- 
 ments between the mayor and aldermen were a 
 usual feature of the council sessions. On several 
 occasions physical encounters were averted only 
 by the prompt interference of others. 
 
 A man of quick and often violent temper he 
 frequently took the council to . task for not ac- 
 
 ceding to all his wishes. This in time led to a 
 condition of stubbornness on both sides suffi- 
 cient almost to stop the regular conduct of the 
 city's business. 
 
 Given to writing lengthy messages on many 
 subjects effecting the city's affairs, Mayor Wes- 
 sel was irked when he discovered that the clerk 
 had not copied these messages verbatim in the 
 Journal of Proceedings. He demanded that it 
 be done. City Clerk Hohmann took the stand 
 that he was an elective officer, alone responsible 
 for the conduct of his office and not subject to 
 the mayor's dictates. The council supported the 
 city clerk in this contention. 
 
 Mayor Wessel then submitted an ordinance 
 which would compel the clerk to do his bid- 
 ding, and asked to have it passed. The council 
 refused to act on the ordinance. 
 
 Louis Staffel, who was Mayor Wessel's ap- 
 pointee for city collector, had incurred the 
 mayor's displeasure by leaning toward the side 
 of the aldermen. Staffel shared the mayor's 
 anger by receiving the following notification: 
 
 "Mr. Louis J. Staffel — I herewith inform you 
 that after March 30, 1912, the City of Blue 
 Island will dispense with your services as col- 
 lector of the city's revenues. As reason I may 
 mention that you have broken faith with me on 
 our agreement of June 5, 1911; that collections 
 are lax and that I firmly believe that the City 
 of Blue Island needs a more forceful collector 
 of its revenues." 
 
 A resolution was then offered by Alderman 
 Jerry Jones of the First Ward that the council 
 disapprove of the mayor's action and that Staffel 
 be retained in office, passed by a vote of 8 
 to 1; Alderman Bruce voting "no" and Alder- 
 man Noble absent. 
 
 At the following meeting of the city council 
 Mayor Wessel announced the appointment of 
 Joseph Cunningham as city collector. The ald- 
 ermen, by a vote of 7 to 2, refused to concur 
 in the appointment. 
 
 Louis Staffel, who had been retained as col- 
 lector by legal vote of the council submitted a 
 new bond in the sum of $20,000 signed by Wm. 
 G. Staffel and Carl Schmitt. Alderman Meyer 
 moved that the bond be accepted and filed with 
 the city clerk. 
 
 Mayor Wessel declared the motion out of 
 order and refused to put the question. When 
 the aldermen insisted on a roll call the mayor 
 declared the council adjourned without motion 
 and voluntarily left the council chamber. 
 
 The city council was then reconvened by elect- 
 ing Henry Groskopf, chairman of the finance 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 171 
 
 committee, to preside and proceeded with un- 
 finished business. 
 
 The new bond of Louis Staffel as city col- 
 lector was then submitted to vote and accepted. 
 
 The foregoing incidents are cited as only a 
 few of those which kept the mayor and aldermen 
 at loggerheads during Wessel's term in office. 
 # * # 
 
 March 4. 1912 — The city at this time had be- 
 come deeply indebted to the Sanitary District 
 for machinery and apparatus and for electrical 
 current used to operate street lights and the 
 water works plant. A suit for $40,000 had been 
 entered in the Circuit Court against the city 
 and the city had received notice that 30 days 
 after date the Sanitary District would shut off 
 its service. 
 
 This calamity was temporarily averted on the 
 advice of City Attorney Matthews by a con- 
 fession of judgment for $25,978.78 in favor of 
 the Sanitary District. 
 
 April 4, 1912— Passed Ordinance No. 777 
 providing for the establishment of a city court. 
 
 The aldermanic election held April 16, 1912, 
 resulted as follows: 1st Ward, Herman L. Jauch- 
 zer; 2nd Ward, Arnold Myers; 3rd Ward, Wm. 
 J. Kruse; 4th Ward, Jerry Jones; 5th Ward, 
 Chas. J. Olson. James H. Carroll was elected 
 police magistrate to fill the unexpired term of 
 Wm. H. Doolittle, deceased. 
 
 A special election held on June 11, 1912. 
 for the purpose of voting on the issuing of 
 $30,000 refunding bonds, to be used to pay the 
 judgment of the Sanitary District of Chicago 
 resulted as follows: For issuing the bonds, 162; 
 against the bond, 119. These bonds carried 
 4%% interest. 
 
 [Note — Although carried by a substantial vote 
 this bond issue waa declared invalid because the city 
 ordinance authorizing the issue was not printed in full 
 on the ballot, as the law required. The opinion on the 
 legality of the bonds came through N. W. Halsey & 
 Co. of Chicago, from their attorneys, Caldwell, Mass- 
 lich and Reed of New York, who declined to approve 
 the issue for the reason stated. 
 
 This required that the question of the bond issue 
 be again submitted to vote of the people. So on Feb- 
 ruary 17, 1913, the council passed a new ordinance, 
 known as ordinance No. 799, authorizing the issue 
 of .$30,000 refunding bonds at 5 per cent interest. The 
 question was voted on at the general city election April 
 15, 1913, and carried by a vote of 1113 for to 535 
 against.] 
 
 June 17, 1912 — Settled the personal injury 
 case of Mrs. H. Muldowney, on which she had 
 obtained judgment for $1,500, for $600. 
 
 Settled the claim of Peter Huhing for death 
 of an adopted son by electric shock for $1,000. 
 
 Aug. 19, 1912 — Granted National Pickle and 
 
 Canning Co. permission to connect their new 
 plant with city sewer and water system. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1912 — Settled claim of Mrs. Augusta 
 Brunke, who was accidentlv shot in foot by 
 Officer Lionberg, for $200. 
 
 Mayor Wessel, as an aftermath of the city 
 collectorship dispute, refused to countersign the 
 payroll voucher of Louis Staffel, city collector. 
 
 Resolution was thereupon introduced by Ald- 
 erman Jauchzer, that as the collector had 
 brought suit to collect amount due him, city 
 attorney Matthews be instructed to confess judg- 
 ment in the Circuit Court against the city for 
 the delinquent account. $400. The resolution 
 was passed. 
 
 Census of city taken by Louis Burkhart, as 
 of Sept. 1, 1912, showed the population to be 
 9.737. 
 
 J. ("Jerry") Jones 
 Served as Mayor Four Years 1912-1916 
 
 The fact that the city had recently settled a 
 number of claims for personal injuries brought 
 forth a flood of other claims for injuries of a 
 more or less serious nature said to have been 
 sustained in various ways. One man even 
 wanted the city to pay him $26.30 for having 
 sprained his foot while walking on Vermont 
 street, near Division. All such claims were re- 
 ferred to the judiciary committee. 
 
 W. 0. King was granted permission to lay a 
 private pipe line in Vermont street, to connect 
 with the Rock Island pipe line, for the purpose 
 of obtaining soft water for his laundry. 
 
 Jan. 6, 1913 — City council ordered all street 
 
172 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 cars of the Chicago & Interurban Traction Co. 
 stopped at the north and south city limits and 
 allowed no cars to run through the city. This 
 was done to compel the Traction Co. to comply 
 strictly with the franchise ordinance granted the 
 Chicago Southern Traction Co., its predecessor, 
 the terms of which, the city claimed, were being 
 violated. 
 
 Officers of the Traction Co. went into court 
 and obtained a temporary injunction which was 
 served on Mayor Wessel and Chief of Police 
 Malmquist and operation of the cars was re- 
 sumed after a short delay. 
 
 John W. Wolff 
 Alderman Third Ward, 1909-1916 
 
 Feb. 3, 1913 — City Council repealed all ordin- 
 ances, amendments, etc., to the original fran- 
 chise granted the Chicago Electric Traction Co.. 
 its successors and assigns, and ordered the com- 
 pany to remove its poles, wires, tracks, etc., 
 now in the city streets. 
 
 March 24, 1913 — Passed ordinance creating 
 office of city sealer and inspector of weights 
 and measures. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 798 providing for the 
 improvement of Broadway by paving with brick 
 and curbing same from Western avenue to Cali- 
 fornia avenue. 
 
 First Move For Lake Water 
 
 The first action of the city council toward 
 obtaining water from Lake Michigan, through 
 Chicago, was taken on March 24, 1913, when 
 Alderman Jerry Jones introduced a motion at 
 a council session that the water committee be 
 empowered to investigate the matter, and, if 
 possible, ascertain the approximate cost of 
 bringing the lake water into Blue Island's mains. 
 
 The motion was passed, but it was several 
 weeks before the committee had anything to 
 report. In the meantime the Chamber of Com- 
 
 merce got behind the movement and urged the 
 city to act. 
 
 April 7 — The water committee reported three 
 plans for water mains, pipes, valves, pumping 
 station, etc., for obtaining water from Chicago. 
 The cost of the different plans varied from 
 $14,697 to $29,410. 
 
 A motion by Alderman Bruce, to put the 
 question of obtaining lake water up to a vote 
 of the people at the April election, was lost, and 
 for several months nothing more was done in 
 the matter. 
 
 At the city election held April 15, 1913, Jerry 
 Jones was elected mayor, defeating Julius Wes- 
 sel, who sought re-election, and Christian 
 Krueger. The vote was: Jones, 973; Wessel, 
 504; Krueger, 439. 
 
 For Clerk: Hohmann, 1491; E. Muhs, 326. 
 
 Judd Matthews (1931). defeated H. Buhring 
 1528) and T. McGrath (318) for City Attorney. 
 
 Treasurer — L. Schwartz 1 1421 ) no opposition. 
 
 For Alderman — First ward — Alfred Koenecke 
 (161), defeated Max Gese (156). Second ward 
 — Andrew Kott (215), defeated Charles Eiser- 
 stedt (73), and Herman Miller (23). Third 
 ward — John Wolff, and Fourth ward — James 
 Noble, had no opposition. In the Fifth ward, 
 W. C. Bruce (249) , defeated Joseph Cain (195). 
 
 The total vote cast on the question of issuing 
 judgment funding bonds in the amount of 
 $30,000 was 1648—1113 for and 535 against. 
 
 The vote on the proposition to establish a 
 city court which was submitted at this election, 
 was as follows: For, 1136; against, 625. Since 
 there was not a two-thirds majority in favor of 
 the proposition it was declared not carried. 
 
 Jerry Jones, having been elected mayor, re- 
 signed his place as alderman of the Fourth 
 ward, and at a special election held May 20, 
 E. B. Bronson was elected alderman to fill the 
 vacancy. 
 
 Mayor Jones announced the following ap- 
 pointments: Louis Staffel, city collector; Ben J. 
 Knirsch, chief of police, and Vertus B. Roberts, 
 city engineer. Appointments approved by the 
 council. 
 
 June 9, 1913— Passed Ordinance No. 809, 
 creating the office of business agent and secre- 
 tary to the mayor. 
 
 Mayor Jones appointed Laurence Lusson to 
 the office of business agent, city sealer and sec- 
 retary to the mayor. W. T. Davis was appointed 
 superintendent of streets. Both appointments 
 approved by the council. 
 
 Alderman Kruse, to whom had been referred 
 the matter of investigating the cost of obtaining 
 additional water supply for the city from the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 173 
 
 old stone quarry, reported an estimate of $6750 
 made by R. B. Hammond, chief engineer of the 
 water works. On motion of Alderman Noble 
 the report was laid on the table and the water 
 question took another rest for several weeks. 
 
 April 13, 1914— Settled claim of Mrs. Peter 
 Olson for death of her husband for $500 (Ml. 
 Olson was killed while working for the city 
 when a team he was driving became frightened, 
 ran away and threw him from the wagon.) 
 
 The committee on Health, to whom had been 
 referred the matter of investigating the pollu- 
 tion of water in Stony Creek, which, through 
 seepage into the city's artesian wells, was be- 
 lieved to be partly responsible for the bad odor 
 and taste which recenly had appeared in the 
 city's water, reported as follows: 
 
 "We, the undersigned committee on Health, 
 find that the Consumers' Mutual Oil Co. are 
 depositing oil in the temporary canal channel, 
 which empties into Stony Creek. We also find 
 that the wire mills at Wireton are depositing 
 
 Edmund B. Bronson 
 Served Nine Years as Alderman, Fourth Ward 
 
 acids from their pickling vats in said stream 
 which pollutes the water and renders it unfit for 
 use in boilers and domestic purposes. There- 
 fore, we recommend that the city attorney be 
 instructed to start proceedings to stop the same." 
 
 June 15, 1914— Passed ordinance No. 839 
 regulating the sale, storage and discharge of 
 fireworks within the city. 
 
 Awarded contract for building cement side- 
 walk approaches to H. J. Schnurstein at 12 
 cents per square foot. 
 
 The annual report of R. B. Hammond, chief 
 engineer of the municipal water plant showed 
 that the total cost of operating the plant during 
 the previous fiscal year, ending April 30, 1914, 
 amounted to $14,529.80, and that 229,000,000 
 gallons of water was pumped during that time, 
 making the average cost six and three-tenths 
 cents per 1000 gallons. The city, during this 
 same period collected $20,645.58 in revenue 
 from the sale of water, showing a profit of 
 $6,115.78 from this source. 
 
 C. J. Hanley resigned as health commissioner 
 and Louis A. Burkhart was appointed to the 
 office by Mayor Jones. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1914 — R. B. Hammond, chief engineer 
 of the water works, reported that he had added 
 60 feet of 2 inch pipe in Well No. 2 and 40 feet 
 of 2 inch pipe in Well No. 1 which had in- 
 creased the pumping capacity of these wells 
 30,000 gallons in 24 hours. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1914— Awarded contracts totaling 
 $1,135.25 for supplies for the fire department. 
 
 Bought a 20th Century Pick-up street sweeper 
 with extra broom from Baker Manufacturing 
 Co. at Springfield, for $450.00. 
 
 Received the following proposition from Chi- 
 cago water department relative to obtaining lake 
 water : 
 
 "The City of Chicago will extend an 8 inch 
 water main from 119th street and Lothair avenue 
 to 119th street and Western avenue on receipt of 
 deposit of $1500.00 to cover the cost of same. 
 In return for this deposit water certificates will 
 be issued which will be redeemable when the 
 city derives a revenue of 10 cents per lineal foot 
 from the pipe." 
 
 Sept. 8, 1914 — Ben J. Knirsch tendered his 
 resignation as chief of police and Mayor Jones 
 appointed Otto Wilcke to the office. 
 
 Sept. 21, 1914 — City adopts system of num- 
 bering fire call boxes to correspond with num- 
 ber of ward in which they are located, viz : those 
 in Ward 1 begin with number 1 ; those in Ward 
 2 with number 2, etc. (Alderman Maltry of 
 the second ward was given credit for the sug- 
 gestion.) 
 
 Received a lengthy report from the State 
 Water Survey of the University of Illinois re- 
 garding the objectionable odor and disagreeable 
 taste which had recently developed in Blue Is- 
 land's water supply. Suggestions were given 
 for minimizing these disagreeable features. As 
 to origin of the contamination nothing definite 
 was established, although the opinion was given 
 that it might be caused by oil, gas and acids 
 from the gas generating plant, the Mutual Oil 
 Co. and Wireton Mills, all of which were pol- 
 
174 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 luting the waters of Stony Creek, and that ow- 
 ing to the stagnant waters of the creek these for- 
 eign matters had penetrated the rock strata from 
 which the city's artesian wells were drawing 
 their supply. 
 
 Engineer Hammond was authorized to take 
 such measures as he deemed necessary to com- 
 ply with the suggestions of the state water 
 survey. 
 
 Nov. 23, 1914 — Complaint that the curfew 
 ordinance was being violated caused the council 
 to order the chief of police to enforce the law: 
 also to see that the speed laws were observed by 
 automobile and motorcycle drivers. 
 
 Dec. 21. 1914 — Council ordered purchase of 
 five snow plows — one for each ward — at a cost 
 of $18.00 each. 
 
 In spite of changes made at the city water 
 plant the disagreeable odor and taste of the 
 city's water supply continued to grow worse and 
 demand that the city authorities take action to 
 obtain water from Chicago became more insist- 
 ent from day to day. 
 
 A letter written on the subject by Mayor 
 Jones and addressed to the Hon. Carter Harri- 
 son, mayor of Chicago, brought a reply signed 
 by John Erickson, engineer, and L. E. McGann, 
 commissioner of public works of Chicago to 
 the effect that Blue Island's request was re- 
 ceiving consideration, that an appropriation had 
 already been requested for a 16 inch water 
 main to connect the city mains with the Blue 
 Island supply line at Western avenue, and that 
 as soon as necessary arrangements for the work 
 were completed Blue Island would be provided 
 with lake water. 
 
 In order to facilitate action the following 
 resolution was passed: 
 
 "Whereas, the City of Blue Island is greatly 
 in need of lake water, to be furnished by the 
 City of Chicago, and the matter has been under 
 consideration by the proper authorities of both 
 cities for the past several months, therefore, 
 be it 
 
 "Resolved, that the Water Committee of this 
 City Council be hereby given authority to ne- 
 gotiate with the proper authorities of the City 
 of Chicago, to bring this about as speedily as 
 possible, and be prepared to report its pro- 
 gress to this body, at each regular Council meet- 
 ing from this date until further notice." 
 
 City Engineer Hammond submitted an esti- 
 mate of the cost for the proposed connection 
 with the Chicago water main at 119th street, 
 amounting to $9080.00. 
 
 At this time the Blue Island artesian wells 
 were delivering in excess of 17,000,000 gallons 
 
 of water per month, an average of nearly 600,- 
 000 gallons per day. 
 
 Feb. 8, 1915— Passed Ordinance No. 845, 
 providing for the improvement of a system of 
 streets consisting of portions of Chicago street, 
 State street, Division street, Winchester avenue, 
 Lincoln street, Honore street, Prairie street, 
 Orange street, Walnut street, Union street, High 
 street and York street, by grading, curbing and 
 paving with brick. The estimated total cost of 
 this improvement was $189,452.90. 
 
 March 3, 1915 — City council votes to support 
 Fire Marshal John Link and Otto Sorgenfrei. 
 president of the State Firemen's Association, in 
 their efforts to have the state firemen's tour- 
 nament held in Blue Island. On motion of 
 Alderman Noble the council voted to guarantee 
 the $3000 necessary to bring the affair to this 
 city. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 846, providing for the 
 improvement of a system of streets consisting of 
 portions of Grove street, Wabash avenue, Chat- 
 ham street, Chicago street, State street and Rob- 
 inson street by grading, curbing and paving 
 with brick. The estimated cost of this improve- 
 ment was $36,166.72. 
 
 Contract With Chicago for Lake Water 
 
 April 5, 1915 — Entered into contract with the 
 City of Chicago for lake water to be furnished 
 Blue Island "through its existing main at the 
 intersection of 119th street and Western avenue, 
 and at such additional points as may be re- 
 quired ... in sufficient quantities to supply con- 
 sumers within the district or territory compris- 
 ing the said City of Blue Island." 
 
 The contract is for a term of twenty-five years 
 and may be extended for such additional period 
 as may be mutually agreed upon — provided Blue 
 Island pays its bills promptly — otherwise Chi- 
 cago may shut off the supply of water. 
 
 Passed Ordinance Nos. 848 and 849 amend- 
 ing the motor vehicle law. 
 
 Three thousand nine hundred twenty-five votes 
 were cast at the general city election held April 
 20, 1915, of which 2101 were cast by men and 
 1823 by women. 
 
 Julius Wessel, whom Jerry Jones defeated for 
 mayor in 1913, again opposed Jones, but the 
 latter won out with 2331 votes against Wessel's 
 1467. 
 
 Fred Hohman was reelected city clerk with- 
 out opposition. 
 
 Judd Matthews (2022) was elected city at- 
 torney over Robert E. McCloy (1630). 
 
 For city treasurer Edward Stein received 2008 
 votes against Henry J. Beer, 1723. 
 
 Aldermen elected were: Alfred Koenecke, 1st 
 Ward; John W. Wolff, 3rd Ward; James A. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 175 
 
 Noble. 4th Ward; Henry A. Groskopf, 5th 
 Ward. 
 
 Contest in Second Ward 
 The 2nd ward resulted in a tie between Ernest 
 Kott and Louis Groskopf, where each was cred- 
 ited with 284 votes. 
 
 Kott contested the election on the ground that 
 one woman ballot, which should have been 
 counted for him. was placed in an envelope 
 and marked "Defective." The city council at 
 its meeting on April 29 examined the disputed 
 ballot and decided the voter's intention was to 
 vote for Mr. Kott, and he was thereupon declared 
 elected alderman of the 2nd Ward. 
 
 On May 25th, Louis Groskopf, who had been 
 declared defeated, entered a protest to the city 
 council's findings and contested Kott's election 
 on the following claims: 1st — that the disputed 
 ballot which was counted for Kott showed an 
 erasure of the cross in the square in front of 
 Kott's name and a more distinct mark in front 
 of his own; 2nd — That numerous other ballots 
 marked for him (Groskopf) were not counted 
 
 Ernst Kott 
 
 Alderman Second Ward, 1911-1911+. Lost to 
 
 Louis Groskopf in Vote Contest, 1915. 
 
 for him; 3rd — That the canvass of the ballots 
 was not conducted as the law provides, and 4th — 
 That had all ballots cast for him been properly 
 and legally counted, he would have been de- 
 clared elected alderman of the 2nd Ward. 
 
 Complying with Mr. Groskopf's petition the 
 council met on June 14th, having as special 
 business a recount of ballots cast in the 2nd 
 Ward at the election April 20, 1915. 
 
 The recount showed that there were 575 votes 
 cast at said election for alderman of the 2nd 
 Ward; that Louis C. Groskopf did receive 156 
 men votes and 128 women votes, and that Ernst 
 Kott did receive 170 men votes and 112 women 
 votes, and that there were 9 votes not counted. 
 
 Louis Groskopf did receive a total of 284 votes, 
 and Ernst W. Kott did receive a total of 282 
 votes, and Louis C. Groskopf having received a 
 majority of the votes cast was declared elected 
 and entitled to his seat in the city council. 
 
 Vote on Annexation to Chicago 
 A question of vital interest decided at this 
 election was the proposition for the annexation 
 of Blue Island to the City of Chicago. The 
 proposition was beaten decisively, only 894 vot- 
 ing for annexation and 2965 voting against; 
 1979 men and 1780 women voted on the propo- 
 sition. 
 
 May 25, 1915— Passed Ordinance No. 850, 
 known as the "Health Ordinance." 
 
 June 2, 1915 — Accepted Henry Groskopf s 
 resignation as a member of the Library Board. 
 
 Mayor Jones appointed Louis Staffel city col- 
 lector and Lawrence Lusson, business agent. 
 The appointments were approved by the council. 
 
 Death of City Clerk Hohmann 
 Fred Hohmann, village and city clerk of Blue 
 Island, during an almost uninterrupted term of 
 more than thirty years, passed away on June 
 16, 1915. 
 
 All regular business was dispensed with at 
 the city council meeting on June 21, the ses- 
 sion being devoted as a memorial to the de- 
 parted city clerk. After choosing Lawrence 
 Lusson temporary clerk, City Attorney Matthews 
 read the following resolution: 
 
 "With the death on June 16 inst. of Fred 
 Hohmann, the City Clerk of Blue Island, the 
 record of the life work and accomplishment of 
 a grand public servant, of a complete citizen 
 and man, is closed. For the whole of his public 
 life, after the first year of the thirty years that 
 he acted as our city clerk, he rose, by unassum- 
 ing and obvious merit, to an acknowledged lead- 
 ership in our city's affairs. The records of the 
 City Council show the great ability and the 
 patient consciousness with which he admin- 
 istered his high office, and there will live in the 
 recollection and esteem of all who knew or 
 came in contact with him, his accomplishments, 
 his gentle dignity, his pure and lofty character. 
 It is obviously fitting that this City Council, 
 which he has so long graced and honored, should 
 pay its tribute to his memory, therefore, be it 
 
 "Resolved, that the members of this City 
 Council regard his great qualities, and testify to 
 the great loss which this City, as well as his 
 family and friends, have sustained. 
 
 "Resolved, that the Mayor cause these resolu- 
 tions to be spread into the proceedings of the 
 
176 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 council and a copy thereof be transmitted to the 
 family of the late City Clerk with the assurance 
 of the sincere sympathy of the members of the 
 Council here assembled." 
 
 The resolutions were adopted by unanimous 
 vote, after which the council adjourned. 
 
 June 28, 1915 — Mayor Jones appointed Louis 
 Staffel city clerk for the balance of the fiscal 
 year, the city council giving unanimous ap- 
 proval. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 854, creating the office 
 of Building Inspector. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 855, creating a Depart- 
 ment of Public Welfare. 
 
 Passed annual Appropriation Ordinance. 
 
 Mayor Jones announced the following ap- 
 pointments, all of which were approved by the 
 city council : Chief of Police, Otto Wilcke ; Lieut- 
 enant of Police, William Miller; Patrolmen, 
 Ben Steffes, Frank Wizbanski, John Freeman, 
 Robert Airey, H. Dreischerf, Robert Rippet, 
 William Jenkins, Peter Kich; Desk Sergeants, 
 Dan Morik and Peter Mulroy; Assistant Desk 
 Sergeant, Juvenile Officer, Public Welfare Offi- 
 cer and Building Inspector, J. John Joens. Fire 
 Chief, John Link; Assistant Fire Chief, John 
 Staffel; Health Commissioner, Louis Burkhardt; 
 Superintendent of Streets, W. T. Davis; Chief 
 Engineer, R. B. Hammond; Plumbing Inspec- 
 tor, D. G. Bender. Members Library Board, 
 Mrs. Emil Schmitt, Mrs. Mabel D. Fletcher, Mrs. 
 C. L. Buss. 
 
 Aug. 9, 1915 — Adopted the following resolu- 
 tions of condolence on the death of Fred C. 
 Kile, former postmaster. 
 
 "Whereas, the late Fred C. Kile of this city, 
 who has for many years held the honorable 
 position of postmaster in the City of Blue Island 
 and who departed this life at his late residence 
 on the 25th day of July, 1915, and 
 
 "Whereas, the mayor and the members of the 
 City Council of the City of Blue Island, recog- 
 nize that in the said Fred C. Kile, the citizens 
 of this community, had a good and public 
 spirited citizen and a faithful public official, 
 
 "Therefore, be it resolved, that in the death of 
 Fred C. Kile this city has lost one of its ablest 
 and best citizens and a faithful and efficient 
 public official. We bemoan his loss and extend 
 our heartfelt sympathies to his family. 
 
 "Be it further resolved, that the City Clerk 
 cause these resolutions to be spread into the 
 proceedings of this Council and a copy thereof 
 to be transmitted to the family of the late Fred 
 C. Kile, with the assurance of the sincere sym- 
 
 pathy of the Mayor and the members of the 
 Council here assembled." 
 
 Harry Dare appointed by mayor a member of 
 the Board of Health. 
 
 City Council votes to give all fuel and neces- 
 sary repairs for automobiles owned by city 
 employes who use them for city business. 
 
 Sept. 27, 1915 — Bought two lots on the south- 
 west corner of 119th street and Greenwood ave- 
 nue from Carl John Carlson and Ellen Carlson, 
 joint owners, for $339. These lots to be used 
 by the city for a booster pumping station. 
 
 Oct. 22, 1915 — Established the following rates 
 for water supplied through meters: 
 
 1. A minimum charge of $1.50 per quarter 
 on all meters one inch and under. 
 
 2. A charge of 18 cents per 1000 gallons 
 for all water used up to 10,000 gallons. 
 
 3. A charge of 16 cents per 1000 gallons 
 for all water used from 10,000 to 100,000 
 gallons. 
 
 4. A charge of 14 cents per 1000 gallons 
 for all water used above 100,000 gallons. 
 
 Instructed Chief Engineer Hammond to have 
 an invoice taken of all machinery, boilers, etc., 
 no longer needed at the city water plant and 
 that the City Clerk advertise the same for sale. 
 
 On recommendation of Health Department the 
 council authorized the purchase of a lungmotor 
 to cost not to exceed $150. 
 
 Blue Island's first bill for water furnished by 
 the City of Chicago covering the period from 
 Aug. 13, 1915, to Oct. 26, 1915, amounted to 
 $2,265.94. A warrant for the amount was 
 ordered drawn. 
 
 During the thirty day period from Oct. 31, 
 1915 to Nov. 30, 1915, Chief Engineer Ham- 
 mond's report showed that 18,750,000 gallons of 
 lake water had been delivered into the Blue 
 Island mains. This amount compared favorably 
 with average monthly consumption of water 
 heretofore pumped from the city's artesian wells. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1915 — A. Guthrie & Co., canal contrac- 
 tors, were granted permission to make sewer 
 and water connections from the city's lines to 
 their camp near Fay's Point. 
 
 The Current Topic Club and Parent-Teacher 
 Association were promised cooperation and sup- 
 port of the city in maintaining a municipal 
 Christmas tree in Blue Island Park. 
 
 Water consumption for the month ending 
 Jan. 3, 1916, was 18,675,000. 
 
 Feb. 7, 1916 — Granted Chicago & Interurban 
 Traction Co. an extension under its franchise 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 177 
 
 to operate its cars in Blue Island to mid-night, 
 April 8, 1916. 
 
 Traction Co. was ordered to continue operat- 
 ing its street cars on Canal street to Calumet 
 Grove until 11:30 p. m., as required by its 
 franchise. 
 
 March 6, 1916 — Grand Army of the Republic 
 granted permission to hold its meetings in the 
 city hall on Friday evenings. 
 
 April 3 — Accepted offer of MacGovern & Co., 
 of $2,300 for two compressors, two 75-horse- 
 power motors and two 4-inch pumps, machines 
 no longer in use at water plant. 
 
 April 24, 1916 — Granted Chicago & Inter- 
 urban Traction Co. another 30-day extension 
 under their franchise to May 24, 1916. 
 
 Election April 18, 1916. Louis Staffel elected 
 city clerk. Aldermen elected: 1st ward, Ilo G. 
 Ward; 2nd ward, Arnold Myers; 3rd ward, Ed- 
 ward E. Hansen ; 4th ward, Edward B. Bronson ; 
 5th ward, Charles J. Olson. 
 
 May 22 — Granted Chicago & Interurban Trac- 
 tion Co., another 30-day extension. 
 
 June 19, 1916 — Voted to purchase motor 
 driven fire apparatus not to exceed $9,000.00, 
 to be paid for in installments. 
 
 Granted Chicago & Interurban Traction Co. 
 another extension to August 8, 1916. 
 
 July 17, 1916— Sold the old Chicago street 
 bridge over Stony Creek to H. Heimbach at 
 $8.00 a ton. 
 
 City Council met in special session August 
 3rd to consider a franchise ordinance for the 
 Chicago & Interurban Traction Co. The ordin- 
 ance was read section by section and discussed, 
 after which a motion by Alderman Ward to 
 reject the ordinance and refer it back to the 
 company was passed. 
 
 On Aug. 7, Attorney Miller, representing the 
 Interurban Company, asked for a further exten- 
 sion of time in which to submit a new draft of 
 the ordinance. A 30-day extension was granted. 
 
 On Sept. 6, the Traction Company was granted 
 another extension of 30 days. 
 
 Rock Island railroad ordered to at once repair 
 the Burr Oak avenue viaduct. 
 
 The following bids for motor driven fire ap- 
 paratus were received: 
 
 American LaFrance $8,500.00 
 
 Seagrave Co 8,800.00 
 
 On a motion by Alderman Hansen the bid 
 
 of the American LaFrance Co. was accepted by 
 
 unanimous vote. 
 
 Later a dispute arose between the Fire Com- 
 mittee, of which Ed Bronson was chairman, and 
 
 certain members of the city council as to the 
 comparative merits of the two machines. Bron- 
 son claimed that even though the price was 
 slightly more, the Seagrave was the better 
 apparatus and the machine the fire department 
 had hoped to get. 
 
 On a motion by Alderman Koenecke the bids 
 were referred back to the committee for inves- 
 tigation. 
 
 For more than three months thereafter the 
 council stood evenly divided on the question, 
 and each time it was acted on it required Mayor 
 Jones' vote to break the tie. 
 
 Aldermen Bronson and Koenecke held out 
 firmly for the Seagrave apparatus in which 
 stand they were backed by Aldermen Wolff, 
 Noble, and H. Groskopf. 
 
 Favoring the American LaFrance apparatus 
 were Aldermen Ward, Myers, L. Groskopf, Han- 
 sen and Olson. 
 
 The feeling between these two groups became 
 so bitter that intimations of bribery and graft 
 were freely bandied back and forth. 
 
 The Standard, then edited by Wade Errett, in 
 its issue of Nov. 24, 1916, printed a vicious 
 attack directed principally at those aldermen 
 who favored the purchase of the Seagrave ma- 
 chine. Insinuations were freely made that graft 
 and bribery prompted their actions. 
 
 City Attorney Matthews was directed to in- 
 vestigate whether bribery had influenced these 
 officials in voting to buy the Seagrave apparatus. 
 
 In due time he reported that no specific 
 charge of bribery had been made against any- 
 one; that the article in the Standard was com- 
 posed of vicious insinuations designed to mis- 
 lead the public, but was not a direct charge of 
 an offense against any alderman. There being 
 no charge of bribery against the aldermen who 
 voted to buy the Seagrave apparatus it must 
 follow that no vindication was necessary. 
 
 The final action in the dispute was taken on 
 Jan. 8, 1917, when Alderman Koenecke made a 
 motion that the City enter into contract with the 
 Seagrave Co., for the purchase of the fire ap- 
 paratus. The vote was as follows: 
 
 Ayes — Aldermen Koenecke, Wolff, Bronson, 
 Noble, H. Groskopf (5). 
 
 Nayes — Aldermen Ward, Myers, L. Groskopf, 
 Hansen, Olson (5). 
 
 It being a tie vote Mayor Jones voted "aye," 
 carrying the motion. 
 
 The city clerk then read an ordinance author- 
 izing a contract between the City of Blue Island 
 and the Seagrave Co. for the purchase of one 
 Type "T" 800-Gallon pumping engine. 
 
178 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 North Side of Vermont Street 
 Looking East from Western Avenue, about 1910 
 
 Motion by Bronson that the ordinance be At the general city election held April 17, 
 
 passed. Motion seconded by Noble. Edward N. Stein was elected mayor, defeating 
 
 Alderman Hansen moved to amend by refer- Jerry Jones, Everett H. Rexford and Wm. H. 
 
 ring the matter to the Fire Committee for further Kruse; George Landgraf defeated Louis Staffel 
 
 investigation. Seconded by Myers. for city clerk, and George Roll defeated George 
 
 ,„ . tit <• ii C. Gobet for the treasurership. Paul Klenk was 
 
 Motion to amend lost by vote as follows: elected dty attorney 
 
 01 A n eS f5) Ward ' My6rS ' L ' GrOSkp ° f ' HanS6n ' April 30, 1917-W. T. Davis resigned as 
 
 ^ ' ' superintendent of streets. 
 
 Nayes-Koenecke, Wolff, Bronson, Noble, H. Lawrence Lusson resigned as business agent 
 
 Groskopf (5). and secretary t0 t h e mayor. 
 
 The vote being a tie the mayor voted "no" on May ^ 1917 _ Mayor Stein made the follow . 
 
 the amendment. - ng tem p 0rary appointments to fill vacancies: 
 
 The roll was then called on the original August Kern, temporary superintendent of 
 motion to pass the ordinance, with the following streets; George J. Landgraf, temporary city col- 
 result: lector. 
 
 Ayes— Aldermen Koenecke, Wolff, Bronson, Condition of the city treasury at the beginning 
 
 Noble, H. Groskopf (5). of Mayor Stein > s administration was as follows: 
 
 Nayes— Aldermen Ward, Myers, L. Groskopf, Bal in Corporate fund $ 2,837.79 
 
 Hansen, Olson (5). « « Sinking fund 6,061.18 
 
 Again the mayor's vote was required to break " " Library fund 620.08 
 
 the tie. He voted "aye," which carried the " " Firemen's fund 449.61 
 
 motion. " " Special Asst. fund 32,199.95 
 
 The new fire apparatus was received early in 
 
 April and a public demonstration of its effec- May 1, 1917, Bal. in bank $42,168.61 
 
 tiveness was given at the corner of New and Legal action t0 enforce the collection of a 
 
 Gregory streets, April 14, 1917. This test proved water bill amountmg to $3,112.85 from Byrne 
 
 satisfactory in every way. Bros Dredging Co., canal contractors, was drop- 
 
 At the council meeting on April 23, Alderman ped by compromising the amount to $2,875.00, 
 
 Bronson made a motion that the report of Fire payment to be made the following day. 
 
 Chief Link on the satisfactory performance of M ay 2 1, l917_City council, by unanimous 
 
 the new pumper be approved and that the city vote? rep ealed Ordinance No. 809, creating the 
 
 make formal acceptance of the apparatus. office Q f Business Agent in the City of Blue 
 
 Again the usual tie vote resulted, only to be Island; also repealed Ordinance No. 854, creat- 
 
 broken by the mayor, carrying the motion. ing the office of Building Inspector. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 179 
 
 Mayor Stein announced the following ap- 
 pointments: A. G. Kern, superintendent of 
 streets; Louis Burkhardt, health officer; H. G. 
 Dare, member of Board of Health; R. B. Ham- 
 mond, city engineer; D. G. Bender, plumbing 
 inspector; George J. Landgraf, city collector 
 to serve without further compensation; Paul T. 
 Klenk. city prosecutor, without further com- 
 pensation; V. B. Roberts, civil engineer; Louis 
 Burkhardt, welfare officer and city sealer, with- 
 out further compensation; Otto Sorgenfrei, 
 chief of police. Appointments confirmed by the 
 city council. 
 
 July 2, 1917 — Sold the old fire steam engine 
 obtained from the City of Chicago shortly after 
 the big fire in 1896, for $175. 
 
 Passed a resolution making the Standard the 
 official newspaper of the city council. 
 
 Granted Fitzpatrick-McElroy corporation per- 
 mission to erect a large electric sign extending 
 over the sidewalk in front of the new Lyric 
 theatre. 
 
 August 6, 1917 — In accordance with Fire 
 Marshal Link's recommendations owners of the 
 following buildings were ordered to equip them 
 with iron fire escapes within 90 days: Blue 
 Island Hotel, Seyfarth Block, Grand Theatre, 
 Commercial Block, Burr Oak Hotel, Luchte- 
 meyer Building. 
 
 City Council voted to participate in and pay 
 all bills for a farewell demonstration to the 
 boys who had been drafted for army service. 
 
 Granted Seagrave Co. permission to demon- 
 strate fire truck to the Hammond city officials. 
 
 City Council voted to extend sewer and water 
 service to the new canning plant of Libby, 
 McNeill & Libby. 
 
 Dec. 3, 1917— Passed Ordinance No. 894 
 regulating the sale of fire arms within the City 
 of Blue Island. 
 
 Received petition with 1215 signatures, peti- 
 tioning that the question "Shall this City be- 
 come Anti-Saloon Territory" be submitted to 
 the voters of the city at the general election to 
 be held on April 16, 1918. 
 
 April 22, 1918 — Canvassed result of general 
 city election held April 16. Aldermen elected: 
 First ward — Ilo G. Ward; Second ward — Arn- 
 old Myers; Third ward— John W. Wolff; Fourth 
 ward — E. B. Bronson; Fifth ward — Charles J. 
 Olson. The question: "Shall this City become 
 Anti-Saloon Territory" was defeated by the fol- 
 lowing vote: Yes — 1337 votes; No — 2860 votes. 
 
 May 6, 1918 — Adopted the following resolu- 
 tion: 
 
 "Whereas, our country, the United States of 
 America, is now at war with the Imperial Ger- 
 
 man Government for just cause and after bitter 
 provocation long endured; 
 
 "Therefore, be it resolved that we, the Mayor 
 and City Council of the City of Blue Island, 
 Illinois, acting as an official body and for 
 ourselves as individual patriotic citizens and 
 for the citizens of Blue Island as a whole, do 
 hereby pledge our full support in this just 
 war, our loyalty to President Wilson in his 
 difficult and trying position, and our earnest 
 and honest assent and assistance in supporting 
 all regulations made necessary by war condi- 
 tions. 
 
 June 3, 1918 — Bought one Harley-Davidson 
 motorcycle, price $354.00, for police use. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 899, "For the eradica- 
 tion of the common or European barberry." 
 
 July 1, 1918 — Signed lease of Institutional 
 Building for use of Co. M at $30 per month. 
 
 July 15, 1918 — Received communication from 
 Paul Klenk, city attorney, notifying council that 
 he had enlisted in the military service of the 
 United States, and requested leave of absence 
 for an indefinite period. He informed the coun- 
 cil that he had made arrangements with Roy 
 Massena to care for the city's legal business 
 during his absence. The request was granted. 
 
 Aug. 5, 1918 — Read and adopted the follow- 
 ing resolution introduced by Alderman Charles 
 Olson: 
 
 "Whereas, it is a well-known fact that the 
 City of Blue Island is very poorly provided 
 with small park and playground facilities, and, 
 whereas the small park and especially the play- 
 ground is a great influence for good in any 
 city or community, and, whereas the available 
 areas for locating such places are rapidly being 
 taken up for building purposes, so that in a 
 few years it will be difficult or impossible to 
 obtain proper sites, now therefore, be it 
 
 "Resolved, that the Park Board be requested 
 to take these matter under careful consideration 
 with a view: First — To utilizing the public 
 square on the South Side; Second — To locating 
 a small park and playground on the North side; 
 Third — To establishing one on the East side so 
 soon as financial conditions will permit, and 
 further, be it 
 
 "Resolved, that these resolutions be spread 
 upon the minutes and a copy of the same be 
 sent to the Park Board." 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 903 — "Requiring the 
 licensing of vehicles and fixing the fees there- 
 for." 
 
 Adopted the "twice-a-month" payment plan 
 for all city employees. 
 
180 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Instruct chief of police to notify his men to 
 check up and see that the "lightless nights" (a 
 war provision) are enforced. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1918 — Adopted new water rates, as 
 follows: 
 
 First 10,000 gallons 18c per 1000 gallons 
 
 Next 90,000 gallons. . . .16c " 
 
 Next 150,000 gallons... 14c " 
 
 Next 200,000 gallons... 12c " 
 
 Next 500,000 gallons... lie " 
 
 All over 1,000,000 gals.. 10c " 
 
 Oct. 7, 1918 — Accepted resignation of Otto 
 Sorgenfrei as chief of police. George Fiedler 
 appointed to succeed him in office. 
 
 Oct. 21, 1918 — Sanctioned the purchase of 
 $1000.00 Liberty Bonds out of funds of the 
 Firemen's Pension Fund. 
 
 Dec. 2, 1918 — Alderman Charles Olson intro- 
 duced the following resolution in the city coun- 
 cil: 
 
 "Whereas, the World War has now come to 
 an end, with the American Army, victorious, 
 
 George J. Roll 
 City Treasurer 1917-1918 
 
 and whereas, Democracy, has overcome Autoc- 
 racy, with its pure purpose of making the 
 world safe and fit to live in, and whereas, we 
 should denote credit to our gallant Soldier 
 Boys, who so heroically fought, bled and died 
 on the battlefields of France, Italy, Russia and 
 other countries, and as a means of expressing 
 our appreciation and gratitude to our boys in 
 the United States Service; it is hereby Resolved 
 that the City Council of the City of Blue Island, 
 Illinois, go on record as favoring the purchase 
 of the building and lot located at the southeast 
 corner of Greenwood avenue, and Oak street 
 in this City, known as Institutional Building, 
 which is now used as an Armory by Company 
 M., and whereas said building if purchased by 
 the City could be used as a meeting place for 
 the Veterans of the Civil War, Spanish Ameri- 
 
 can War, and the present World War, and 
 privileges of meeting there, would also be ex- 
 tended to other organizations, both military 
 and civil, that are of a Public Benefit, namely: 
 Company M. ; Y.M.C.A. ; Red Cross Society, etc. 
 
 "Therefore, it is further resolved that these 
 matters above mentioned be referred to the 
 Committee on Plats, Public Grounds and Build- 
 ings and tha tsaid Committee work out ways 
 and means, whereby it would be able to recom- 
 mend the purchase of said property in the near 
 future." 
 
 (Note — The movement started by citizens to 
 buy the Institutional building as a war memorial 
 was not consummated. This was only one of 
 several plans to memorialize our participation 
 in the war which were proposed at that time.) 
 
 Dec. 12, 1918 — Accepted a temporary exten- 
 sion of the contract with the Sanitary District 
 for electrical current, expiring Dec. 20, 1918, 
 "until such time as a new contract and new 
 lease is entered into between the City of Blue 
 Island and the Sanitary District, or until some 
 other arrangement is made by said City of Blue 
 Island for electrical power." 
 
 Jan. 20, 1919 — Adopted resolutions of con- 
 dolence on the death of Alderman John Wolff. 
 
 March 3, 1919 — Ordered Chicago and Inter- 
 urban Traction company to discontinue the skip- 
 stop system. 
 
 April 7, 1919— Voted to pay $606.67 toward 
 the cost of extending the sewer and water sys- 
 tems of the city beyond the corporate limits, 140 
 feet south, to the industrial plant of Libby, 
 McNeill & Libby. The total cost of this exten- 
 sion was $1606, toward which the Blue Island 
 Commercial Association and several public 
 spirited citizens made up a fund of $1000.00 
 
 Total number of votes cast at the city election 
 April 15, 1919, was 3552 votes: 1978 men votes 
 and 1574 women votes. 
 
 Edward Stein was reelected mayor, defeating 
 V. B. Schreiber and E. B. Bronson. 
 
 George Landgraf was reelected city clerk 
 without opposition. 
 
 Walter Crossland, a recently returned veteran 
 of the World War, was elected city treasurer 
 without opposition. 
 
 Roy Massena was elected city attorney, de- 
 feating Henry Buhring. 
 
 Aldermen elected : First ward — Henry Schnur- 
 stein ; Second ward — John Mangold ; Third ward 
 (term one year, to fill vacancy caused by the 
 death of the incumbent alderman, John Wolff) 
 — Rocco Guglielmucci. For full term — William 
 
182 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 M. Hartzell; Fourth ward— W. T. Davis; Fifth 
 ward — J. P. Wiessner. 
 
 May 19, 1919 — Received communication from 
 Sanitary District asking under what conditions 
 the city would relinquish to the Sanitary District 
 all right and title to poles, wires and other 
 materials and equipment now owned by the City 
 of Blue Island and used in its street lighting 
 and electrical service. 
 
 Motion carried to notify Sanitary District that 
 city does not care to dispose of this equipment. 
 
 July 7, 1919— Passed Ordinance No. 912, li- 
 censing the selling of "near-beer." Monthly 
 license fee, $20.00. 
 
 July 21, 1919 — Authorized, through proper 
 committee, the purchase of a Piersch hook and 
 ladder truck for fire department for $3740.00. 
 
 Aug. 4, 1919— Passed Ordinance No. 914, 
 providing for paving, curbing, and otherwise 
 improving a system of streets located in the 
 Third ward. 
 
 Oct. 6, 1919 — Former City Attorney Klenk re- 
 ported to the council that the city was not liable 
 under the Workmen's Compensation Act for the 
 death of Policeman Anton Weiland, who was 
 killed while in discharge of his duty, 
 
 Mrs. Weiland later brought suit against the 
 city and won a verdict for $4000; the arbitrator 
 found against the city and the State Industrial 
 Board also sustained the finding. Attorney 
 Klenk, representing the City of Blue Island, of- 
 fered to settle for $2000.00, which was refused. 
 Later the city council passed a resolution au- 
 thorizing Attorney Klenk to make a settlement 
 with Mrs. Weiland on the best terms that can be 
 arranged. 
 
 The city's corporate funds were at very low 
 stage at this time, and Mayor Stein frequently 
 admonished committees to be careful with ex- 
 penditures. On Nov. 1, 1919, the balance in the 
 general corporate fund was but $5.53. 
 
 This shrinkage of the city's revenues was due 
 wholly to the advent of prohibition which rob- 
 bed the city of license money formerly received 
 from 45 saloons, amounting to about $20,000 
 annually. 
 
 This situation caused the city council to cast 
 around for additional sources of revenue. The 
 result was the passage of numerous ordinances 
 which provided for the licensing of various lines 
 of business, among which were the sellers of 
 meat, poultry, fish, butter, cheese, lard, vege- 
 tables, and all other provisions; bakeries, lum- 
 ber yards, brokers, coal yards, blacksmith shops, 
 garages, places of amusement, ammunition sell- 
 ers, ice dealers, undertakers, etc. Established 
 groceries and meat markets were afterwards ex- 
 
 cepted from the above. These ordinances are 
 known as Nos. 919, 920, 921, 922, 924, 925, 
 926, 927, 928, 929 and 930. 
 
 Dec. 15, 1919— Passed Ordinance No. 923, 
 "concerning cemeteries and the location thereof." 
 
 Feb. 16, 1920 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 death of Everett H. Rexford, former president 
 of the Village Board of Blue Island. 
 
 April 26, 1920— The sum of $451.24, which 
 had been collected through the efforts of the 
 council Judiciary committee, was turned over 
 to the Melrose Park Tornado Relief Fund. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 934, "regulating, li- 
 censing and taxing theatres and so-called nickel 
 or five-cent shows." 
 
 City Clerk read a petition from Blue Island 
 Post No. 50, American Legion, requesting the 
 city council to rename one street after every 
 man who gave up his life in the national ser- 
 vice in the late war. 
 
 On May 7th the committee on streets re- 
 ported: "We the committee, have investigated 
 the matter and find that the citizens and parents 
 of those soldiers whom we have consulted are 
 opposed to it, therefore we recommend no re- 
 naming of streets." 
 
 June 11, 1920— Passed Ordinance No. 938, 
 officially establishing "daylight saving time" for 
 Blue Island. 
 
 July 12, 1920— Passed Ordinance No. 940, 
 "concerning operators of public motor vehicles, 
 and the licensing thereof." 
 
 William Schreiber appointed assistant fire 
 marshal. 
 
 Council received petition from Blue Island 
 Chamber of Commerce with 60 signatures of 
 citizens, also a resolution as recommended by 
 a committee of the Chamber of Commerce to 
 eliminate market day within the City of Blue 
 Island. (Referred to committee.) 
 
 Oct. 27, 1920 — Ratified new electric lighting 
 contract with Sanitary District of Chicago. 
 
 Nov. 1, 1920— Blue Island Automobile Club, 
 through Chamber of Commerce, petition City 
 Council to cooperate with these organizations to 
 have Western avenue made a state aid road. 
 
 Notified Rock Island railroad that Burr Oak 
 avenue viaduct is in very bad shape and must 
 be repaired at once. City Clerk informed coun- 
 cil that Rock Island railroad company pays no 
 attention to his communications. 
 
 City attorney reported that the Public Utilities 
 Commission had rendered a decision permitting 
 the Chicago and Interurban Traction Company 
 to remove their tracks from Canal street. 
 (Continued on Page 258) 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 183 
 
 
 
 iititiBiiMt'"gt*iiiif^HiTiamii ' ^m ■ ,; .,- - ' \ 
 
 
 ^^^^^kL/*' **" ^F A* A&- - 
 
 mm Bk 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 Rock Island Railroad Yards 
 Looking North from Burr Oak Avenue Viaduct 
 
 ♦♦ 
 
 OLUE ISLAND enjoys a highly favored location for great industrial and commercial de- 
 U velopment. With three great trunk and two belt line railroads operating within its limits, and 
 connecting with all railroads centering at Chicago, its facilities for shipping by rail are not 
 excelled by any community in the metropolitan area. 
 
 Blue Island is within and a part of the great Calumet industrial district. Located on the 
 Calumet-Sag canal (now under U. S. government control) it will occupy a strategic advantage 
 when that waterway is opened to shipping as a link in the Lakes-to-Gulf route. Several millions 
 of dollars are being spent on work now in progress and that will be spent in the projected widen- 
 ing of the canal and improvement of the Calumet river. 
 
 Blue Island has many fine industrial plants manufacturing a widely diversified line of pro- 
 ducts. These industries give employment to hundreds of men and women, who in turn, contribute 
 largely to the mercantile and other business interests of the community. 
 
 Blue Island is today a city of more than 20,000 fine, progressive inhabitants. It has paved 
 streets, an adequate sewer system, water from Lake Michigan, good schools, churches, many fine 
 mercantile establishments, parks, playgrounds, theatres — in fact — everything that goes to make 
 up a modern city. There are many choice manufacturing sites adjacent to the railroads and 
 along the banks of the canal. The community welcomes industrial enterprises. 
 
 Adjoining the southern limits of Chicago, on the route of railroads and of several heavily 
 traveled super-highways carrying traffic from points south and west, Blue Island has, with con- 
 siderable truth, been called the "Southern Gateway to Chicago." 
 
184 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 INDUSTRIES 
 
 Libby, McNeill and Libby 
 
 Libby, McNeill & Libby began the manufac- 
 ture of pickles and condiments in a small way at 
 its Chicago plant in 1904, with a scrupulous ad- 
 herence to the highest standards of production 
 that soon created a steadily growing demand for 
 the new line, as well as a healthy increase in 
 the number of items comprising it. As a result 
 of this expansion, it became necessary to estab- 
 lish other plants and these, in line with Libby 
 policy, were located close to the fields and gar- 
 dens supplying the fruits and vegetables re- 
 quired. 
 
 A most significant step was finally taken when 
 the present plant was constructed at Blue Island 
 in 1918. This section has long been devoted to 
 market gardening and contains some of the most 
 fertile soil in Illinois, while its climate is well 
 adapted to the growing of cabbage, tomatoes, 
 onions and other vegetable crops. 
 
 Libby's Blue Island plant is acknowledged to- 
 day to be one of the largest and finest pickle and 
 condiment plants in the world. It is a hand- 
 some building, of daylight construction, loca- 
 ted on a twenty-four acre plot adjoining the 
 Dixie Highway. It is 700 feet in length and 620 
 feet in depth and contains practically every 
 known feature for sanitation, fire prevention and 
 efficient operation. Trackage is provided for 
 thirty-eight cars at one time, while connections 
 are available with every railroad running into 
 Chicago. 
 
 The plant itself stands some distance back 
 from the highway and is surrounded by large 
 well-kept lawns dotted with shrubbery and flow- 
 ers. In its kitchens are prepared Libby's apple 
 butter, pork and beans, catsup, chili sauce, jell- 
 ies, mustard, olives, pickles, relish, onions, to- 
 mato puree, and tomato juice. 
 
 Here also are prepared Libby's homogenized 
 foods for babies. The situation of the Blue Island 
 kitchens and their excellent facilities make them 
 an ideal home for these new and important 
 Libby foods. Hundreds of thousands of cases 
 of Libby's products are packed here annually, 
 the number of people employed varying from 
 three or four hundred to a thousand, according 
 to the season of the year and the amount of work 
 to be done. 
 
 The Blue Island establishment is under the 
 management of Robert Dillman, a man of long 
 experience and training in Libby production 
 methods. Mr. Dillman's supervision has had 
 much to do with the developing and maintaining 
 of a high standard of efficiency while his many 
 years in Blue Island have given him a wide ac- 
 quaintance with people and affairs in the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Libby, McNeill & Libby was founded in Chi- 
 cago in 1868 by Arthur A. Libby, Charles P. 
 Libby and Archibald McNeill, who had become 
 associated in business in 1863 as A. A. Libby 
 & Co. The Libbys were brothers, who came to 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 185 
 
 Chicago from Portland, Me. Their father opera- 
 ted a small grocery and cooperage business near 
 that city. Archibald McNeill grew up in Chi- 
 cago. He was the son of a contractor, who 
 came to that city from Buffalo, N. Y., to build 
 the old Government pier. 
 
 The firm's first plant was located at 16th and 
 State streets and for a number of years its output 
 consisted entirely of fresh meat cuts and bar- 
 reled beef. It began to pack canned meats in 
 1875, its first product being cooked compressed 
 corned beef in the characteristic "taper" can, 
 which is still used for this purpose. 
 
 In 1887, when its output still cosisted entirely 
 of meat food products, the firm moved to the 
 Union Stock Yards. After a number of years, 
 however, those in charge of the business real- 
 ized that the potential outlet was not large 
 enough to enable it to continue its expansion on 
 a consistent and satisfactory basis on these pro- 
 ducts alone, and they accordingly began to look 
 around for some other line that could be sold 
 in connection with canned meats. It is a natural 
 thing, perhaps, that they should have branched 
 out into the pickle and condiment field, and en- 
 deavored to supply some of the demand for 
 sauerkraut, mustard, pickles, olives, catsup and 
 other such products that existed among their 
 meat customers. 
 
 Other items have been added from time to 
 time and today Libby has become known for its 
 more than 100 Famous Foods, and has sixty-two 
 plants distributed all the way from Alaska to 
 Southern California and from Hawaii to the At- 
 lantic seaboard. Libby's foods are widely known 
 as the result of national advertising and in addi- 
 tion to canned meats, pickles and condiments 
 and homogenized foods for babies, include con- 
 densed and evaporated milk, canned fruits and 
 vegetables, dried fruits, Hawaiian pineapple, 
 fruit and vegetable juices, and Alaska salmon. 
 The raw materials are all selected by experts and 
 processed by men and women carefully trained 
 in Libby methods and governed by the uniform 
 high standard of Libby quality. 
 
 To facilitate distribution of its products, the 
 firm has a system of branch houses located in 
 large cities throughout the country and each one 
 serving a certain territory. Carloads of goods 
 are shipped from its plants direct to these 
 branches. Sales are made to the wholesale gro- 
 cery trade, who in turn sell the goods to retail 
 grocers and markets, where they may be pur- 
 chased by the consumer. 
 
 In addition to its domestic trade, Libby, Mc- 
 Neill & Libby enjoys a large foreign business, 
 its products today being sold in every civilized 
 country throughout the world. 
 
 Blue Island Specialty Company 
 
 The Blue Island Specialty company, a dental 
 manufacturing concern known throughout the en- 
 tire world much more than locally, started in 
 business in Blue Island at its present location in 
 1898 — 37 years ago. At that time it occupied 
 144 square feet of floor space or a room 12x12, 
 and the equipment consisted of only a few pieces 
 of machinery such as 1 lathe, a punch press, 
 soldering bench and a desk. The owner and 
 founder is Dr. C. F. Montag, a dentist well 
 known in this territory. 
 
 It was quite a struggle starting out in this 
 particular line of business as it required vast 
 sums of money to be spent in various forms of 
 advertising and much experimental work was 
 necessary. Due to the unfailing and tireless ef- 
 forts of Dr. C. F. Montag it has survived these 
 many years, even through the so-called Depres- 
 sion, while there have been countless firms, some 
 smaller, and many larger who have failed. The 
 motto was quality above price, and for this rea- 
 son they have managed to stay in business these 
 many years. 
 
 In the year 1925 the Blue Island Specialty 
 company became incorporated under the state 
 laws of Illinois and elected the following offi- 
 cers: Dr. C. F. Montag, President and Treasurer; 
 Mrs. C. F. Montag, Vice-president; Dr. T. H. 
 Montag, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, all 
 of these hold office at the present time. They 
 employ 60 people today, and most of their em- 
 ployees are residents of Blue Island. During 
 the year of 1927 which was their peak year they 
 employed 130 people. 
 
 The floor space of the present factory is 15,000 
 square feet, and their equipment consists of 
 countless machines and various other equipment 
 necessary for exactness and precision which is 
 very important in this particular line. Mer- 
 chandise is shipped over the entire world and 
 there is no town or village too small where den- 
 tistry is practiced that there is not some article 
 of Blue Island Specialty company's manufacture. 
 
 Besides manufacturing dental instruments 
 they also produce very minute and particular 
 cutters for various other industries. They fur- 
 nish supplies to the majority of large Dental 
 colleges and universities in the United States, 
 and also to the various departments of the Fed- 
 eral and State Governments, Veterans' Bureau, 
 Army and Navy, and Hospitals. 
 
 Many people living in this locality have no 
 idea that a firm of this nature exists in their 
 home town. 
 
186 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Rock Island Car Shops 
 
 The Rock Island railroad has in operation at 
 124th and Ashland avenue, in Blue Island, one 
 of the most modern steel car repair shops in the 
 country. The building, itself, cost about 
 $500,000 and the machinery installed was in ex- 
 cess of $60,000. 
 
 Of steel and brick construction, the structure 
 is 500 feet long, and 75 feet wide, with a 200 
 
 machinery known to the industrial world. Here 
 are giant shears that will cut at one stroke a 
 % inch thick plate ten feet long; gap riveters, 
 suspended from cranes, that minimize the toil 
 of man and add greatly to the speed and work 
 that it takes to build a stock car. 
 
 All the machines in the shop are driven elec- 
 trically, eliminating all belts and making it pos- 
 
 Main Building Rock Island Car Shops 
 
 foot outside tramway. The shop and tramway 
 are each equipped with a fifteen ton overhead 
 electric crane, with a five ton auxiliary crane 
 extending the width of the building. Both cranes 
 are equipped with lifting magnets. 
 
 sible to use each machine independently. 
 
 Extending through the middle of the shop, 
 five hundred feet in length, is a tunnel in which 
 is installed air pipes and electric lines, acces- 
 sible at any point. 
 
 A View of the Yards 
 
 Three separate railroad tracks, laid in cement, 
 run through the entire length of the 200 foot 
 shop. These connect up with leads at both 
 -ends of the yard. 
 
 The shop is equipped with the most modern 
 
 Besides the modern plant, with its multitude 
 of machinery, the Rock Island has improved its 
 fire protection at the yard by the installation of 
 a huge 300,000 gallon tank set one hundred feet 
 from the ground, capable of furnishing water at 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 18< 
 
 high pressure throughout the entire thirty acres 
 which compose the repair yard. 
 
 During normal times, the huge plant, located 
 at Blue Island's gate, employes over 500 men 
 at various occupations. Most of these work- 
 men reside in Blue Island. 
 
 When at peak capacity about thirty cars are 
 repaired daily, and eight to ten refrigerator and 
 stock cars are manufactured each twenty-four 
 
 hours. 
 
 # * * 
 
 North American Car Company 
 
 Since March, 1919, the North American Car 
 company has been located at 135th and Cali- 
 fornia avenue, in Blue Island. The firm builds 
 and leases tank cars to railroads, refineries and 
 manufacturers and jobbers of oil and other li- 
 quid products. It has been said that every spot 
 in the United States where a steel rail has been 
 laid, has, at one time or another, seen a tank 
 car made here in Blue Island by the North 
 American Car company. 
 
 Strategically located, on a 23 acre plot of 
 ground, with switch tracks leading to many of 
 the main railroad lines, the local yard, during 
 peak production, employs about three hundred 
 men. The majority of this large army of work- 
 men is drawn from Blue Island residents. 
 
 Every day in the year, the company has thou- 
 sands of its cars which are leased to private 
 firms, rumbling over tracks somewhere in the 
 United States, and, in some cases, foreign coun- 
 tries. These cars are brought back to the Blue 
 Island shop at certain intervals to be thorough- 
 ly overhauled or rebuilt, as the case may be. 
 This phase of the business, alone, provides work 
 the year around for a good sized crew of work- 
 men. 
 
 In addition to the above, hundreds of new 
 tank cars are constructed to replace out-worn and 
 wrecked cars. The company has its own patents 
 and features on the huge steel containers, one 
 reason why such a large volume of business is 
 done. A crew of designers and draftsmen works 
 year around, endeavoring to add new features 
 to the cars and make the North American line 
 one of leadership. 
 
 In February, 1930, the railroad world and in- 
 dustrial magazines throughout the world took 
 notice of a new type of automatic mechanical 
 refrigerator car that the company was about to 
 introduce on the market. It was to be the first 
 successful development of continuous, mechan- 
 ical refrigeration to be applied to an ordinary 
 refrigerator car. 
 
 The principle of the proposed plan of iceless 
 transit refrigeration was simple. It consisted of 
 the conversion of liquid into gas, drawing off the 
 
 heat from the atmosphere of the car, where the 
 heat is released and the gas condensed back into 
 liquid. The temperature, it was thought, could 
 be controlled at any level. 
 
 When the car was in transit the power for the 
 refrigerating system was to be drawn from the 
 axle, and when in storage it could be cooled by 
 plugging into an electric socket. The brine 
 cooled coils were thought capable of keeping the 
 car cooled for 72 hours, should it be delayed in 
 transit. 
 
 A half dozen demonstration cars were built. 
 Hundreds of orders for the new development 
 poured into the local office. Blue Island came 
 near being the center of an industrial revolution. 
 
 But something was wrong with the plan. Dry 
 ice and other inventions have gained ground, 
 while the new idea, which cost thousands of dol- 
 lars, went back to the experiment shop, where it 
 might some day come forth completed. 
 
 The company has main offices at 327 S. La 
 Salle street. W. J. Healion is the superintendent 
 for the Blue Island plant, and has been since it 
 was erected here in 1919. 
 
 Commercial Acetylene Supply Company 
 
 The Commercial Acetylene Supply company 
 located in Blue Island in January, 1922, at that 
 time the tenth of a chain of similar plants opera- 
 ted by that company. They have a tract of eight 
 acres on the north side of Vermont street, ad- 
 joining the tracks of the B. & 0. C.T. railroad 
 with which it has track connections. The main 
 unit, charging room and other buildings are of 
 fireproof construction. 
 
 The output of this plant consists of compressed 
 acetylene ni cylinders such as is used in torches 
 for cutting iron and steel, welding, brazing, etc. 
 The Commercial Acetylene Supply company was 
 the original producer of acetylene gas in Amer- 
 ica and at our time controlled all of the patent- 
 covering the gas and its uses. 
 * * * 
 
 Illinois Cooperage Manufacturing Co. 
 
 Blue Island numbers among its prominent in- 
 dustries a plant of the Illinois Cooperage Manu- 
 facturing company. 
 
 This plant was established here in 1921, occu- 
 pying at that time the frame building of the 
 National Pickle and Canning company. This 
 building was destroyed by fire in 1924, and has 
 been replaced by a brick and concrete building 
 135x300 feet, with boiler room and garage in 
 addition. 
 
 The Blue Island plant ordinarily employes 
 about thirty people. 
 
188 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 American Wire Fabrics Company 
 
 The American Wire Fabrics company has a 
 large plant located here, just south of 135th 
 street, opposite the Libby, McNeill canning 
 plant. 
 
 This plant manufactures wire screening of 
 all kinds, ranging from the very finest mesh 
 to the coarser kinds. The principal product, 
 however, is window screening. 
 
 The plant consists of three large buildings — 
 the loom building, the paint and annealing build- 
 ing, and the power house. All are of die best of 
 brick and cement construction. The loom build- 
 ing is 206 by 266 feet and accommodates 300 
 looms. The paint and annealing building is 144 
 by 64 feet in size, and the power plant is housed 
 in a building 30 by 64 feet. 
 
 In the middle of the paint building is a tower 
 
 18 feet square and over 100 feet high. This is 
 the drying tower. After the wire has been an- 
 nealed it is passed into this tower, where it is 
 painted by means of an automatic spraying 
 system. It then passes up and down this tower 
 in a series of loops and is quickly dried in a 
 high degree of heat. 
 
 This plant, which is a branch of a large 
 Eastern concern, located in Blue Island in 1919, 
 and started operations in the fall of 1920. It 
 gave employment to about 150 men. 
 
 Owing to the slump in business the plant 
 closed down in 1931 and has since been used 
 as a storage and shipping warehouse. Charles 
 Hannagan, former manager of the Blue Island 
 factory, is now with the main plant in Mount 
 Wolf, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Western Pipe and Steel Company 
 
 The Western Pipe & Steel Company was or- 
 ganized in the year 1921, and began operating 
 and manufacturing ice cans for use in artificial 
 ice plants. The plant was formerly located in 
 Chicago, and moved into its new home at 2900 
 Vermont street, Blue Island, 111., its present 
 location on September 1, 1929. Because of in- 
 creased production activity, additional floor 
 space was required, and Blue Island on account 
 of its location and having ideal railroad facil- 
 ities was chosen to serve as the future home of 
 this Company. The Company has use of a fine 
 large brick building with 40,000 square feet of 
 floor space and warehouse and storage space in 
 
 buildings nearby totaling 7,000 square feet of 
 additional floor space, a total area of 47,000 
 square feet for all buildings. 
 
 The Western Pipe & Steel Company manufac- 
 tures at the present time railroad specialties hav- 
 ing to do with freight cars. It also makes all 
 types of trucks for the packing industry, and 
 does general jobbing heavy sheet metal work 
 for the trade. 
 
 On August 1st, 1935, the Company became a 
 branch of the Western Pipe & Steel Company of 
 California, and is one of the eight plants 
 now in operation which use steel as its main 
 material in the production of a varied line of 
 steel products. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 189 
 
 Blue Islaand Wire and Iron Works 
 
 The Blue Island Wire and Iron Works are 
 located at 2754 West 139th street. The com- 
 pany specializes in the manufacture of heavy 
 wire mesh products, such as window guards, 
 partitions, bank and office cages, machine 
 guards, collapsible folding gates, etc. The busi- 
 ness was established late in 1930, just at the 
 beginning of the depression period, but has en- 
 joyed a steady growth during these years. Ten 
 to twelve men are usually employed. Arthur B. 
 and Charles Mosel are the proprietors. 
 
 Chicago Copper and Chemical Co. 
 
 The plant of the above company is one of 
 Blue Island's oldest and most permanent indus- 
 tries. The first buildings of these works were 
 erected in 1884, while H. L. Bridgman was 
 superintendent. The total floor space at that 
 time was 5400 square feet. Extensive additions 
 have been made from time to time and there 
 is now a group of ten buildings. 
 
 The business was originally known as the 
 Chicago Copper Refining Co. at which time 
 its product was the smelting and refining of 
 copper matte and the separation, by an electro- 
 lytic process, of the gold and silver contained 
 in the matte. 
 
 In 1912 the title of the company was changed 
 to the Chicago Copper and Chemical Co., the 
 
 Haydite Building Units Company 
 
 The Chicago Haydite Building Units Co. began 
 operations here March 29, 1928, occupying the 
 old Continental Cement Tile Co. building south 
 of 138th street, near the Grand Trunk railroad 
 tracks. The company employed 10-15 men and 
 manufactured an innovation in building mater- 
 ials, consisting of a featherweight building unit 
 that can be nailed into and sawed as easily as 
 wood, yet with all the favorable features of 
 concrete and brick construction as to strength 
 and resistance. The material used is a burned 
 clay aggregate or slag, known to the trade as 
 haydite, mixed with Portland cement and formed 
 into bricks, blocks and tile. The falling off of 
 building construction incident to the depression 
 caused a suspension of operations in 1932 and 
 the plant has not been reopened. 
 * * * 
 Wireton Heating Company 
 
 The plant of the Wireton Heating company, 
 formerly known as the Farquhar Heating com- 
 pany, was totally destroyed by fire February 
 1, 1902. The loss was estimated at $100,000, 
 with only $25,000 insurance. The plant occu- 
 pied a tract of eight acres of land at Wireton, 
 about a mile west of Blue Island. The main 
 building had a floor space of 50,000 square feet. 
 The company manufactured steam and hot air 
 heaters. The business had only recently been 
 acquired by M. Austin and E. L. Heald, who 
 
 Works of the Chicago Copper and Chemical Co. 
 
 principal products now being barium carbonate, 
 barium sulfide, copper sulphate, sodium sulfide, 
 iron chloride and similar products. Winthrop 
 Coolidge, is president; Thurlow G. Essington, 
 vice-president and Winthrop K. Coolidge, secre- 
 tary and treasurer. About 35 people are em- 
 ployed here the year around. The company has 
 operated throughout the depression and reports 
 a good business. The plant is located just east 
 of the Rock Island railroad, on Burr Oak 
 avenue. 
 
 spent considerable money on improvements. 
 The plant was not rebuilt here after the fire, the 
 company moving to Terre Haute, Ind. From 
 sixty to eighty-five men were usually employed. 
 
 Hawkeye Compound Co. 
 
 The Hawkeye Compound company is loca- 
 ted just at the south limits of the city. The con- 
 cern manufactures serveral well-known brands 
 of boiler compounds and water softeners. 
 
190 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 Blue Island 
 
 Plant 
 The 
 
 Gilbert <S- Bennett 
 Mfg. Co. 
 
 Gilbert and Bennett Mfg. Company 
 
 The Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Com- 
 pany's wire mills are located on Burr Oak ave- 
 nue, just at the western limit of Blue Island, 
 and constitute the western branch of the parent 
 organization of the same name founded in 
 Georgetown, Conn., more than a hundred years 
 ago. 
 
 The company specializes in the manufacture 
 of wire cloth, netting and fencing, but also makes 
 a variety of other goods in which wire cloth 
 is a component. 
 
 The development of the wire cloth industry 
 is an interesting story. 
 
 Benjamin Gilbert, a native of Connecticut, 
 after the war of 1812, started as a shoemaker 
 in the town of Weston, Conn. Back in those 
 days, families made their own meal, sifting it 
 from bran through sieves made of horsehair. 
 Perceiving a market, he abandoned his shoe- 
 maker's last, moved to Georgetown, Conn., and 
 embarked in the manufacture of these sieves. 
 His place of business was the basement of his 
 house — factory force, he had none — unless you 
 so class his wife and daughters who wove the 
 hair while he shaved wooden hoops to form the 
 rims of his sieves. This was in 1818. 
 
 During the succeeding years this business was 
 expanded to include the manufacture of curled 
 hair, used for cushions, mattresses, furniture, etc. 
 A partnership was formed with Sturges Bennett 
 and a factory built. But the making of sieves 
 continued the principal product, and to improve 
 this product to meet the changing times was the 
 concern of these pioneer industrialists. Horse- 
 hair was at the best, unsatisfactory — why could 
 not some other material, more durable, more 
 
 efficient, be substituted, they questioned. And 
 not stopping at merely thinking it, they secured 
 some fine wire and began to experiment. 
 
 The commercial weaving of wire by hand was 
 impractical and machinery for such a purpose 
 being unheard of, they borrowed a neighbor's 
 carpet loom — and so the first wire cloth came 
 into being. Out of the crude iron wire and the 
 hand loom was born the wire cloth of today. 
 In that experiment to improve the homely sieve 
 made of horsehair lay the germ of what today 
 is a great industry. 
 
 In 1874 the firm was incorporated under the 
 name The Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Com- 
 pany. The curled hair business was sold in 1877 
 and the company thereafter devoted itself to 
 wire fabrics exclusively. 
 
 Pioneers in the development and manufacture 
 of wire cloth, Gilbert Bennett & Co. were for 
 many years the sole producers of wire poultry 
 netting in the United States. 
 
 The Blue Island plant, in the suburb of Wire- 
 ton, was built in 1885. It is one of the com- 
 munity's substantial industries and in normal 
 itimes employs from 125 to 150 men. Mr. 
 Charles J. Miller is the manager of the local 
 plant, and also is chairman of the board of 
 
 directors. 
 
 • * • 
 
 Modern Die and Drop Forge Company 
 
 The Modern Die and Drop Forge Co. was 
 organized by M. M. Farmer, in 1915 and is 
 located at 2538 West 139th street. The concern 
 specializes in the manufacture of expert and 
 intricate dies used in the production of a large 
 variety of articles. The plant has been fairly 
 busy throughout the depression and employs 
 from 30 to 35 men. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 191 
 
 Rogers Galvanizing Company 
 
 The Rogers Galvanizing Company located, 
 in Blue Island, Illinois, in September, 1929, and 
 has its plant adjacent to the plant of Western 
 Pipe & Steel Company, and handles all galvan- 
 izing of materials for the latter mentioned 
 Company besides doing a large general jobbing 
 
 business. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Ideal Radio Cabinet Co. 
 
 A cabinet built of the panels and parts of a 
 discarded oak bedstead, in which to enclose his 
 own homemade radio set, was the inspiration 
 which in 1923 caused the founding of the Ideal 
 Radio Cabinet Co., by John H. Volp. 
 
 This was in the early days of radio when 
 even the most expensive custom-built radio re- 
 ceivers were enclosed in simple box-like cases. 
 The beautiful consoles and cabinets of rare 
 woods such as we now have were then unknown. 
 
 Having early become interested in the mystery 
 of radio, and the building of radio sets, it ap- 
 peared to the writer that these wonderful instru- 
 ments deserved a more appropriate and attrac- 
 tive housing than an ordinary box. A visit to 
 a number of furniture and radio stores disclosed 
 the fact that there was no piece of furniture for 
 enclosing radio sets other than the usual box 
 cabinet. 
 
 Disappointed at his fruitless search but with 
 a mental picture of what he considered such a 
 cabinet should be like, the writer then set to 
 work on the old bedstead. With a few hand 
 tools and a homemade lathe the posts of the bed 
 were transformed into a set of legs, while the 
 quarter-inch plywood panels were used to form 
 the body or case. The result was a high-boy 
 cabinet, which, if not exactly ornate was still a 
 novel and very practical piece of furniture, since 
 it not only enclosed the receiver but the wet and 
 dry batteries as well. 
 
 Other local radio fans learned of this cabinet 
 and came to see it. In almost every case the 
 verdict was: "build one for me, will you?" 
 
 Well, in a short time quite a number of "or- 
 ders" had accumulated. 
 
 Radio was sweeping over the country like 
 wild fire and here was an article for which there 
 was a demand and no one was supplying it. If 
 these cabinets appealed locally, why not in a 
 wider territory? 
 
 The result of this reasoning was the invest- 
 ment of several hundreds of dollars in band and 
 rip saws, turning lathe, jointer, mortiser, and 
 other tools besides a quantity of walnut, mahog- 
 any, gum, birdseye maple, etc. A large garage 
 
 in the rear of 2350 Vermont street was turned 
 into a cabinet shop and the Ideal Radio Cabinet 
 Co., not incorporated, came into being. 
 
 An advertisement, about 3x5 inches costing 
 $150.00, inserted in a New York radio magazine, 
 brought immediate results, and orders soon ex- 
 ceeded manufacturing capacity. 
 
 Then a second-story addition measuring 30x50 
 feet, was built over the garage and a more im- 
 proved line of machinery installed. 
 
 For three years Ideal Radio Cabinet Co. did 
 a thriving business. Eight different styles of 
 cabinets were being made and shipped into al- 
 most every state in the Union. Several large 
 orders from jobbers were turned down because 
 of time and limited factory facilities. Prices 
 ranged from $35 to $70 per cabinet, without 
 radio. A number of special cabinets, ranging 
 up to $135, were also built from customer's blue 
 prints. 
 
 About this time all of the large furniture and 
 radio companies began manufacturing cabinets 
 and flooded the market. Competition was keen 
 and soon prices dropped to a point which made 
 it unprofitable for the local plant, with limited 
 production facilities, to continue the manufac- 
 ture of radio cases and during the last five years 
 has done only general cabinet and other wood 
 work. 
 
 The writer is of the firm belief that his first 
 radio cabinet, built in 1923 from a discarded 
 bedstead, was the daddy of all radio consoles 
 and cabinets built in this country. 
 * * * 
 
 Cigar Factories 
 
 Thirty-five or forty years ago Blue Island 
 occupied quite an important place in the cigar 
 making industry. There were then no less than 
 six or seven cigar factories in operation here, 
 some employing only two or three journeymen 
 while in the larger plants from ten to twenty 
 men found employment. A local union was 
 maintained which at one time had a membership 
 of 54. 
 
 That was in the days when the making of 
 cigars by hand was a fine art and a competent 
 journeyman could make a good day's wage. 
 Then came the war and prohibition. These put 
 a severe crimp in the cigar industry and gave 
 a big boost to cigarettes. 
 
 In the meantime machines were perfected 
 which turned out more cigars in one hour than 
 the combined facilities of all the factories in 
 Blue Island could produce in a week's time. To- 
 day there are only three journeymen cigarmak- 
 
192 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 ers working at their trade in Blue Island. They 
 are employed making such popular local brands 
 as the "Belle of Blue Island," the "Lentz," 
 "260," and one or two others for which there 
 is still a good demand. 
 
 Truly, as one manufacturer recently ^said, 
 "the making of cigars by hand is a vanishing" 
 art." 
 
 Turning the pages of history back to the days 
 of 1870-80 we find John W. Wolff among the 
 first to engage locally in the production of 
 cigars. Wolff had learned the trade in his 
 younger days and having served through the 
 civil war settled down in Blue Island. He was 
 married here in 1870 and shortly thereafter 
 opened a cigar shop of his own. During later 
 years his place of business was on Division 
 street, near York street, where he carried on 
 
 Koenecke Bros. Cigar Factory, 1881 
 
 Reading from left to right men shown in the pic- 
 ture are: Herman Koehler, Mike Arnold, John "W. 
 Wolff, Peter Heim, Frank Seidel, Peter Schneider. 
 Albert Kern, Gustave Eberwein, Julius Hess, Fred 
 Stolz, August Koenecke, Jacob Link. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. Martha Gau. 
 
 until the time of his death, which occurred in 
 January, 1919. Mr. Wolff served as alderman 
 of the Third Ward from 1906 to 1916. His best 
 known brands of cigars were the "Rock," named 
 after a beautiful pointer dog owned by former 
 Village Clerk George Borman, and the "Golden 
 Heights." After Wolff's death his step-son, 
 William Schultz, conducted the business for a 
 number of years. 
 
 August and Fred Koenecke engaged in the 
 manufacture of cigars in the early 80's. August 
 opened his shop first on the south side, Western 
 avenue and Broadway. A short time later the 
 two brothers joined and moved their shop to 
 a frame building on top of the Western avenue 
 hill, just south of the old Union House. Here 
 they were located for a number of years. In 
 the late 90's August withdrew from the business 
 
 and took over the management of the Bush & 
 Brand brewery. Fred then moved his shop to 
 a location on the north side of New street, near 
 Greenwood avenue. Here the business expand- 
 ed and prior to the prohibition days from 20 to 
 25 men were regularly employed. During re- 
 cent years Mr. Koenecke's sons, Alfred and 
 Walter, have been associated with him in the 
 business. The Koenecke's were the largest em- 
 ployers of journeymen cigarmakers in this 
 vicinity. Their most popular brands were the 
 "Belle of Blue Island" and "Smokehouse," both 
 local favorites and large sellers. 
 
 In 1933 Koenecke sold his manufacturing 
 business to Herman Wolters and Henry New- 
 man, both former employes. They formed a 
 partnership under the name Blue Island Cigar 
 Co. This arrangement lasted but a short time 
 when it was dissolved, Wolters continuing under 
 the name Blue Island Cigar Co., while Neuman 
 set up a shop of his own on Vermont street, near 
 Gregory street. 
 
 Herman Koehler operated a cigar factory for 
 a number of years at a location on the east side 
 of Western avenue, just below the hill. He was 
 in business during the later 80's. 
 
 Daniel Braham, Frank Teutsch, Peter Schneid- 
 er and several others also for a time had shops 
 of their own. 
 
 Henry Heckler operated a cigar factory for a 
 number of years, having next to Koenecke, the 
 largest number of men employed. His place of 
 business was in the Heckler block south-east 
 corner of Western avenue and York street. 
 
 John A. Lentz began the manufacture of cigars 
 in 1903 in the premises on Western avenue (old 
 number 260) just south of Vermont street. His 
 favorite brands are the "Lentz," "260" and 
 "J. A. L. Smokers." He employed from 4 to 6 
 men. The business was moved to 12736 S. 
 Western avenue in 1914 and only one cigar- 
 maker is now employed. 
 
 An incident is recounted of the time when the 
 cigarmaker's union had a powerful organization 
 here. On August 8, 1891, twenty-five cigar- 
 makers employed by the Koenecke and Heckler 
 factories struck for an increase in pay. The 
 men were receiving $7.50 per 1000 cigars and 
 asked for an increase of 10c per 100. This was 
 refused. The men thereupon left their benches 
 and declared they would go fishing until the 
 bosses made up their minds. They won a com- 
 promise of 5 cents per 100. 
 * * * 
 
 The Modern Lumber and Supply Co., recent- 
 ly established, Grove street and Rock Island 
 railroad tracks, Wm. Ruthenberg, manager. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 193 
 
 Other Commercial Enterprises 
 
 Blue Island has a large diversity of other 
 commercial enterprises which must be men- 
 tioned here. 
 
 The Klein Elevator located on Vermont 
 street, near the Rock Island railroad, is a 
 modern brick and cement structure, operated by 
 John C. and William Klein. This elevator 
 furnishes an outlet for much of the hay and 
 grain produced on farms in Worth and Bre- 
 men townships. The company also manufac- 
 tures O.K. poultry and stock foods, products 
 with a national reputation. 
 
 The plant of the Blue Island Sanitary Dairy 
 is located on South Irving avenue, just north of 
 Burr Oak avenue. This institution is equipped 
 with all the latest and finest machinery for the 
 pasteurization, bottling and careful handling of 
 milk and cream. It enjoys a fine business. Like 
 the Klein elevator, mentioned above, this busi- 
 ness was built up from a very small beginning 
 by local young men. Edwin Suhs and Milford 
 W. Meyer are the proprietors. The business 
 was established in 1925. 
 
 The Borden-Wieland Co. has a large milk 
 distributing plant located at 11957 S. Vincennes 
 avenue. The buildings were erected in the fall 
 of 1930 at a cost of $120,000. Some seventy 
 milk routes operate out of this branch, serving 
 the territory from 83rd street south to Home- 
 wood and as far west as Palos Park. About 
 100 persons are employed here. H. B. Lund 
 is the local superintendent. 
 
 Blue Island has two commercial cake and 
 cookie bakeries. The Adeline Cake Kitchen, 
 located at 2406 Lewis street, was established by 
 Earl D. Johnson in 1933. This concern bakes 
 cakes for the wholesale and retail trade. 
 
 The Patsy Ann Cookie Co., 2222 Burr Oak 
 avenue, was established during the present year. 
 This company specializes in a standard line of 
 small cookies. E. H. Digman is the proprietor. 
 
 Blue Island Sanitary Wet Wash Laundry 
 plant is located at Gregory and Fulton streets, 
 near the Calumet-Sag canal. 
 
 The E. B. Bronson Machine Shop, 12836 
 Irving avenue, is the only institution of its kind 
 in the city. This plant is equipped not only for 
 heavy machinery repairing, but also for the pro- 
 duction of fine work requiring the utmost care 
 and precision. This is another "local" institution 
 of which the city is proud. It was founded by E. 
 B. Bronson and Walter Davis in the early days 
 of the bicycle as a bicycle repair shop. 
 
 Hutchins Lumber Co., whose yards are 
 located on Western avenue and 139th street, 
 
 specialize in heavy timbers; they also operate 
 saw and planing mills. A large stock of stand- 
 ard dimension lumber is carried. 
 
 Blue Island Lumber Co., John Lau and S. 
 M. Wilson, proprietors, carry a complete line 
 of lumber, mill work, roofing and builders' ma- 
 terials. Their yards are located at the foot of 
 York street, near the Grand Trunk railroad 
 tracks. 
 
 Rohe Lumber Co., Paul W. Rohe, president, 
 an old established concern (successor to F. V. 
 Balling Lumber Co.) is located on Vermont 
 street, near the Illinois Central railroad tracks. 
 General stock of building materials. 
 
 Briggs & Turivas, 139th street, new and used 
 lumber, hardwood timbers, etc. 
 
 Posen Lumber & Supply Co., 14300 S. West- 
 ern avenue. 
 
 W. W. Koehler Paper Co.. wholesale paper, 
 twines, etc. 2227 W. Grove street. 
 
 Klein & Schroth, wholesale meats, 2234 W. 
 Grove street. 
 
 Thoeming Bros., wholesale groceries, 13556 
 S. Western avenue. 
 
 The Brick Industry 
 
 By George Hodge 
 
 Formerly International Secretary and Treasurer 
 
 Blue Island has always held a prominent 
 place in the clay industry. From its early days, 
 it has led in the manufacture of brick, not only 
 for its own use but for building in the city of 
 Chicago. In 1892, Blue Island had six modern 
 up-to-date brick yards. At that time these six 
 yards were equipped with modern machines 
 which were then coming into use, and they 
 could make about forty or fifty thousand bricks 
 per day with each machine. 
 
 The following brick yards were in the Blue 
 Island district at that time: Hayte & Alsip, near 
 Calumet Grove, Louis Pipin, superintendent; 
 two Purington yards at 119th street and the 
 Rock Island tracks, George Drew and William 
 Swett, superintendents; Weckler and Prussing 
 yard, 123rd street and the Grand Trunk rail- 
 way, John Gretencourt, superintendent; Wahl 
 Bros, yard, just across the tracks, William God- 
 win, superintendent, and the Alsip yard, two 
 miles west of Blue Island, Ralph Ellis, super- 
 intendent. These six yards employed about 
 seven hundred men. 
 
 At that time the working men were beginning 
 to organize, which resulted in a number of 
 labor strikes. In 1893, the Illinois Brickmakers 
 
194 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Alliance was organized in the Chicago district. 
 The following locals were in Cook County, and 
 composed the District Council No. 1 : Chicago 
 Local No. 1; Bernice No. 2; Blue Island No. 3; 
 Pullman No. 4; Dolton No. 5; North Chicago 
 No. 6, and Schermerville No. 14. Sometime 
 afterwards the men working in the Alsip yard, 
 west of Blue Island were given a separate char- 
 ter; they were known as Alsip Union No. 10. 
 Blue Island Local Union No. 3 was the largest 
 organization in Cook County, with a member- 
 ship of over seven hundred. 
 
 There had been a good deal of unrest among 
 the employees of the brick yards, resulting in a 
 number of strikes. Sometimes the employees won, 
 which gave them a raise in wages and better 
 conditions, and sometimes they were defeated; 
 but finally all parties concerned got together 
 which resulted in better conditions all around. 
 
 The first officers of Blue Island Local No. 3 
 were: President, Henry Bassett; Vice-president, 
 Chas. Hank; Recording Secretary, William 
 Keenan; Financial Secretary, Joseph Bonneau; 
 Treasurer, J. H. Wright. Among those, besides 
 the officers, who took a prominent part were 
 Nicholas Crossland, Nicholas Luscomb, and 
 sons Nick and Ferg, Forest Smart, Christ Witt, 
 George Hodge, Charles Ward, John McNichols, 
 Charles and Aaron Nelson, John Huebner, Ben 
 Jebsen and Albert Hank. 
 
 Every one remembers the great American 
 Railway Union Strike (the Debs Strike) that 
 came in 1894. The brickmakers came out in a 
 sympathetic strike, Pullman Local Union was 
 the first organization to come out in support of 
 the railway workers. Blue Island was very 
 much affected by this strike as the suburban 
 and freight division had just been moved to 
 Blue Island. This was a very exciting time for 
 the younger generation. 
 
 In the meantime Blue Island was growing 
 very rapidly and was becoming a beautiful 
 place to live in. People were buying their own 
 homes, which always tends to make a happy 
 community. 
 
 Then came the Spanish American War in 
 1898, and the boys were rallying to the colors. 
 A large number of our young men of Blue 
 Island marched away under the flag, many of 
 whom were members of Brickmakers Local 
 No. 3. Troop M, of the Illinois First Cavalry, 
 under Captain James Conlen, was composed of 
 Blue Island men. The First Cavalry was com- 
 manded by Colonel Milton Foreman, who was 
 afterwards promoted to Major-General. These 
 were stirring times and the volunteers did their 
 part. 
 
 In 1898, the brickmakers became an inter- 
 national organization and changed their name 
 to the International Brick, Tile and Terra Cotta 
 Workers Alliance. Blue Island Local No. 3 
 was still the strongest union in the organiza- 
 tion. After the change of name, the following 
 local officers were elected: President, Forrest 
 Smart; Vice-president, Chas. Hank; Recording 
 Secretary, N. Crossland; Financial Secretary, 
 George Hodge; Treasurer, J. H. Wright; Ser- 
 geant-at-Arms, Charles Nelson; Guard, N. Lus- 
 combe, Sr. 
 
 About that time the various brick companies 
 made many changes and improvements which 
 made their daily capacity over one million 
 brick per day. The Unions had succeeded in 
 getting shorter hours and higher wages, and 
 the annual payroll for the Blue Island district 
 was more than one and one half million dollars 
 per year. In 1900 the Illinois Brick Company 
 was formed, and the old obsolete plants were 
 dismantled, and new modern plants were erec- 
 ted, and for several years Blue Island led in 
 the production of common brick in Illinois. 
 
 Everything was lovely; the boom time struck 
 and every one was busy. Blue Island had be- 
 come a beautiful city of homes and every one 
 was happy and prosperous. Then came the 
 World War, and Blue Island sent her share of 
 her young manhood to the front, of which the 
 Blue Island Brickmakers furnished their quota. 
 This was indeed a terrible time for the whole 
 world and many of our boys did not come 
 back; but the world must go on. 
 
 In March, 1914, occurred what is known <.<s 
 the "Million Dollar a Day Strike" in the brick 
 industry. This strike was in affect over three 
 months, tying up the building industry in Chi- 
 cago and the suburbs. This strike was findlly 
 settled and everything moved along smoothly. 
 
 In 1917, the organization of brickmakers 
 again changed its name to the United Brick iad 
 Clay Workers of America. Frank Kasten, who 
 was president of Blue Island Local Union 
 No. 3, from 1907 to 1912, is the International 
 President, Wm. Tracey of Bernice Local Union 
 No. 2, is International Treasurer. The Inter- 
 national office is located in the Mary Building, 
 95th street and Ashland avenue, Chicago, 111. 
 
 The officers of Blue Island Local No. 3 at the 
 present time are: President, Dan LaMothe; 
 Vice-president, Frank Byrd; Financial Secre- 
 tary, J. F. Gray; Recording Secretary, William 
 Fredette; Treasurer, Ernest Freese; Delegate, 
 Albert Hank. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 195 
 
 The Public Service Company 
 
 The electric generating station at Blue Island 
 was built by the North Shore Electric company, 
 the direct predecessor company of the Public 
 Service Company of Northern Illinois. The 
 original plant began operations on July 4, 1907. 
 
 In 1911, the Public Service Company of North- 
 ern Illinois, acquired all the properties of the 
 North Shore Electric company, including the 
 Blue Island station. In the same year, an addi- 
 tion was built to the station to provide for two 
 units of 7,500 kilowatt capacity. In 1916, an- 
 other addition permitted the installation of 
 25,000 kilowatts for the benefit of the Common- 
 wealth Edison company, through an arrange- 
 ment for the interchange of energy between the 
 two companies. The Edison company received 
 energy from the Blue Island station to serve its 
 customers in the south-west part of Chicago from 
 1917 to 1928. The peak generating capacity of 
 the Blue Island station was 48,000 kilowatts. 
 
 to time, including such buildings and larger 
 equipment as a light oil plant erected in 1918, 
 a gas compressor installed in 1924, and a gen- 
 erator house built in 1925. A gas machine was 
 added and the depth of the purifiers increased in 
 1926. The rated capacity of the plant was 
 4,500,000 cubic feet. 
 
 Service to the City of Blue Island 
 In 1923, the Sanitary District of Chicago dis- 
 continued supplying service for commercial 
 house lighting in several suburbs including the 
 City of Blue Island and on Aug. 13, 1923, a 
 30 year electric ordinance was granted to the 
 Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. 
 On that date, the City Council also passed an 
 ordinance providing for the sale to the Company 
 of personal property owned by Blue Island, 
 forming a part of the electrical distributing sys- 
 tem of the city. This purchase was consum- 
 mated, and in March, 1924, the Public Service 
 company purchased the electrical distribution 
 
 Blue Island Gas Station 
 
 On Sept. 3, 1901, the City Council of Blue 
 Island passed an ordinance granting to Clarence 
 H. Geist permission to construct, maintain and 
 operate a gas system in Blue Island. Another 
 ordinance was passed on Aug. 2, 1902, assigning 
 previous rights and permission for operation of 
 the gas works to the Northwestern Gas Light 
 and Coke company, successor to Mr. Geist. 
 
 In 1913, the Public Service company acquired 
 gas properties at Blue Island, Evanston, Niles 
 Center and Cicero by a consolidation with the 
 Northwestern Gas Light and Coke company. The 
 Public Service company kept the Blue Island 
 gas plant in continual operation from 1913 to 
 1927, making necessary improvements from time 
 
 system equipment from the Sanitary District 
 formerly used by it in serving the City of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 The Public Service company now owns the 
 electrical distribution system equipment in Blue 
 Island and is rendering electric as well as gas 
 service to the community. When the Company 
 began its electric service in 1923, it was supply- 
 ing only 3017 customers with gas and 2900 with 
 electricity. Now it has 3974 gas customers and 
 4385 electric customers at Blue Island, including 
 residential, commercial and industrial customers. 
 
 The Public Service company has maintained 
 a complete salesroom at Blue Island for gas 
 and electric merchandise since 1919. 
 
196 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Mr. Frank P. Elliott was local superintendent 
 at the Blue Island generating station from 1914 
 to 1928. Mr. William P. Heffron has been 
 local superintendent at the gas plant since 1917. 
 Mr. Homer B. Berther is local superintendent in 
 this district of the Public Service company, with 
 headquarters at Chicago Heights. 
 
 Illinois Bell Telephone Company 
 
 The Chicago Telephone company, predecessor 
 of the Illinois Bell Telephone company, estab- 
 lished its first toll station in Blue Island in 1885. 
 
 This first installation was a one-position board 
 placed in the drug store of Ferdinand Schapper, 
 corner of Grove street and Western avenue. 
 
 The toll line to Chicago was secured by the 
 sale of a number of toll-coupon books amount- 
 ing to about $300, each coupon being good for a 
 message. The company required this amount as 
 a guarantee before it would build the line. Kim- 
 ball & Cobb Stone company subscribed for the 
 first telephone in the village. The other sub- 
 scribers at this time were: Dr. G. Seim, Grand 
 Trunk railroad, Robert Airey, Dr. R. L. James, 
 Dr. J. S. Kauffman, Blue Island Lumber Co., 
 Thomas Downey, Dr. Edw. Doepp, R. New- 
 house, Dan Klein, L. Pipin, Robert Krueger, 
 C. R. I. & P. Ry. freight house, Blue Island 
 Livery (McCord.) 
 
 The first toll message was sent from Blue 
 Island to Chicago on December 2, 1885, and the 
 first long distance message was from Blue Island 
 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Janury 16, 1886. 
 
 In 1888 the exchange was moved to the second 
 floor of a new building next to the drug store, 
 at which time there were about 100 phones most 
 of which were furnished to the Rock Island rail- 
 road whose yards were located at Blue Island. 
 The present exchange building was built and 
 common battery switchboard installed in Decem- 
 ber, 1905. There were then 516 phones in 
 service. 
 
 Henry C. Piel was the first manager of the 
 local exchange and Mrs. Piel was the first 
 operator. 
 
 The growth of the exchange for the first ten 
 years was thirty telephones. 
 
 Number of phones in service on: 
 
 January 31, 1901 142 
 
 December 31, 1906 581 
 
 March 31, 1935 3516 
 
 Miss Edith Young was the first chief operator. 
 
 Since Mr. Piel's time the following have been 
 managers of the local exchange: 
 
 C. A. Lanestrem was appointed manager Oct. 
 1, 1898, and resigned in November, 1901. 
 
 E. S. Rushmore was manager, Dec. 1, 1901 to 
 July, 1903. 
 
 A. H. White, July, 1903 to July, 1907. 
 
 A. C. Rhodes, Oct. 7, 1907 to Sept. 1, 1927. 
 
 D. A. Miller, Sept. 1, 1927 to Oct. 1, 1930. 
 A. T. Eddy, Oct. 1, 1930 to Jan. 31, 1933. 
 W. J. Ebert, Jan. 31, 1933 - still serving. 
 Traffic employees now number 40. 
 
 W. A. Swanson is the present district traffic 
 manager. 
 
 The exchange is a very handsome modern 
 building located on York street, next to the 
 
 Carnegie Library. 
 
 * *- * 
 
 Broom Factory 
 
 Another industry which has vanished from 
 Blue Island is the making of brooms. Joe 
 Lewis started making brooms in the Jostes 
 building on the west side of Western avenue, 
 near the top of the hill, in 1890. He later 
 moved to a location on James street, at the foot 
 of Henry street. One of his brooms was named 
 "Little Joe." Lewis left the community and the 
 broom business died. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Highland Iron and Steel Mills 
 
 The Highland Iron & Steel company erected 
 a plant at 123rd street and Ashland avenue in 
 1910. This was a branch of the parent organ- 
 ization at Terre Haute, Ind. The company 
 manufactured iron and steel rods, bars and 
 plates and in normal times employed from 175 
 to 200 men. Mr. J. K. Mowry was the super- 
 intendent. The plant closed down in 1925 and 
 during the following years was completely dis- 
 mantled, most of the mechanical equipment 
 being moved back to Terre Haute. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio C. T. Ry. 
 
 The Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal 
 Railroad company — Incorporated Jan. 6, 1910. 
 Organized Jan. 10, 1910, at Chicago. Acquired 
 property of Chicago Terminal Transfer Railroad 
 company, Jan. 10, 1910, which included all lines 
 in the vicinity of Blue Island. At present owns 
 and operates all lines. 
 
 Previous to the World War the B. & O. C.T. 
 had a large commuter business into Chicago 
 from Blue Island and vicinity, but does not now 
 operate any passenger trains. 
 
 * # * 
 
 Chester Stanley was the first local repre- 
 sentative of the Chicago Sanitary District. 
 
"THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 197 
 
 CHURCHES 
 
 THERE are sixteen churches in Blue Island, thirteen Protestant and three Catholic. In addi- 
 tion there is a Mission and a Spiritualist center. A survey completed recently by the Re- 
 search Department of the Chicago Theological Seminary gives the following interesting facts on 
 church membership in Blue Island: 
 
 "From 1880 to 1930 the combined church membership has grown more rapidly than the pop- 
 ulation. For the decade from 1920 to 1930 the church growth lagged a little owing to the slack- 
 ening of the Catholic growth. The Protestant churches kept up with the total population growth. 
 During the period from 1930 to 1935 the churches maintained the same rate of growth. 
 
 "Some 65 per cent of the 12,418 adult population (1930) of Blue Island are members of some 
 church (the average for Chicago is 60 per cent) ; 62.5 per cent are members of Blue Island 
 churches. Of these 27.1 per cent are Catholic; 11.3 per cent British-American Protestants and 
 24.1 per cent Continental European Protestant. The churches and Sunday schools of Blue Island 
 account for 65 per cent of the total population of 16,534 (1930 census). From these figures it is 
 seen Blue Island has as large a proportion of its population in its churches as any area in metro- 
 politan Chicago. Taking all churches, the average membership is 520." 
 
 Blue Island is proud of its churches and of its church membership. A stranger locating 
 here is sure to find a church of his choice with which to affiliate. 
 
 Central Methodist Church 
 
 The German Methodist society dates its begin- 
 ning in Blue Island to the year 1850, when the 
 first religious meetings of a denominational 
 character were held. 
 
 At that time the settlement consisted of a few 
 houses widely scattered. There was no church 
 building of any kind and no ordained pastor of 
 any denomination living in the community. But 
 when occasionally an itinerant preacher would 
 visit the little hamlet the word was quickly 
 passed around and everybody of whatever reli- 
 gious belief would gather at the little school- 
 house and join in worship. 
 
 August Biederman, an ardent Methodist, loca- 
 ted in Blue Island in 1850 and quickly gathered 
 about him all who embraced Methodism. Meet- 
 ings of this small group were held, sometimes in 
 the school house, but more frequently in private 
 homes. Many German people were locating in 
 Blue Island and soon the little group had grown 
 to a proportion when permanent organization 
 could be effected. 
 
 So in 1854 the "Blue Island Mission District" 
 was formed with Rev. Frederick Kopp in charge. 
 This district included (besides Blue Island) 
 Sandridge, Hickory Creek (now Frankfort) 
 and Bremen (now Tinley Park) . The first quar- 
 terly conference was held in the home of Simon 
 Osterhagen, with the following present: Rev. G. 
 L. Mulfinger, presiding elder; Frederick Kopp, 
 the pastor; Simon Osterhagen, steward, and H. 
 Karch and F. Kluckhohn, classleaders. On April 
 24, 1855, a lot was bought from John Engel- 
 
 hardt for $180. This lot was located on the very 
 brow of the hill on Henry street just south of 
 Grove street. During the summer months a 
 
 First Church Built in Blue Island 
 
 German Methodist Church, erected in 1855, on 
 Artesian (formerly Henry) street, on southern 
 brow of the hill. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Mrs. J. Reichert. 
 
 church building and parsonage (combined) was 
 built and December 2nd, of that year dedication 
 
198 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Central M. E. and Sandridge M. E. Churches 
 
 services were held. The total cost of lot and 
 building was $1250. The steeple and entrance 
 lobby were added in 1874, at which time also a 
 bell (the gift of Fr. Henke) was installed in 
 the steeple. 
 
 This modest edifice was the forerunner of all 
 the churches in Blue Island. It was still stand- 
 ing up to a few years ago. 
 
 In 1888, Detlef Heuer, one of the oldest mem- 
 bers of the congregation died and bequeathed 
 $5000 for a new church. During the year 1891, 
 the present handsome and substantial structure 
 was erected on Vermont street with this money. 
 Mrs. Catherine Henke donated the ground. On 
 April 10, 1892, the new church was dedicated. 
 
 In the front of the building are two beautiful 
 memorial windows of cathedral glass, one bear- 
 ing the name of "Detlef Heuer" and the other 
 the name of "Catherine Henke." 
 
 The total cost of the building, organ and other 
 improvements was over $8000. 
 
 In 1925, extensive improvements, additions 
 and alterations were made in the building. A 
 completely equipped kitchen was added, a new 
 steam heating plant was installed and the whole 
 building inside and outside was cleaned and 
 decorated. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Popp, donated 
 a splendid pipe organ, which was enriched with 
 beautiful chimes the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 
 Schwartz. 
 
 The successful conclusion of this elaborate 
 program of expansion and beautification was the 
 subject of a three day dedicatory celebration on 
 Nov. 28, 29, and 30, 1926. At this time the new 
 name "Central Methodist Episcopal Church" 
 was adopted. 
 
 The practice of holding services in both the 
 German and English languages was discontinued 
 
 in 1920 and since that time the English language 
 has been used exclusively in the pulpit and all 
 departments of church work. 
 
 The following pastors have served this con- 
 gregation: Fr. Kopp, 1854-1856; L. Laas, 1865- 
 1858; K. Schuler, 1858-1860; J. Bletsch, 1860- 
 1862; H. Senn, 1862-1864; J. Schaefer, 1864- 
 1865; K. Kluckhohn, 1865-1867; F. Feistkorn, 
 1867-1869; J. Dal, 1869-1870; C. F. Morf, 1870- 
 1873; C. Weinreich, 1873-1876; S. F. Fritz, 
 1876-1879; B. Lampert, 1879-1881; C. Wein- 
 reich, 1881-1884; William Haas, 1884-1887; B. 
 Becker, 1887-1892; Karl Keck, 1892-1897; Will- 
 iam Roegge, 1897-1898; S. F. Fritz, 1898- ; H. 
 J. Peters, 1899-1903; C. H. Hedler, 1903-1907; 
 H. J. Schmidt, 1907-1910; H. F. Mueller, 1910- 
 1914; Jacob Schott, 1914-1921; C. F. Bohmfalk, 
 1921-1925; C. F. Schellhase, 1925-1929. Rev. 
 Leopold Schneider, the present pastor, has had 
 charge since 1929. 
 
 Affiliated church organizations are an active 
 Ladies' Aid Society, the oldest organization of 
 the kind in the city, Woman's Home Mission 
 Society, Young Women's Home Mission Society, 
 Senior and Junior Epworth League, Senior and 
 Junior Queen Esther Societies, Home Guards, 
 Mothers Jewels and a Men's Club. 
 # * * 
 
 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 
 
 The history of the First Evangelical Lutheran 
 church of Blue Island dates back to 1861, when 
 from time to time small groups of this faith 
 gathered in various homes for religious observ- 
 ances. Some time later, in 1862, Rev. W. 
 Btubnatzi, who at that time was located at 
 Cooper's Grove, assumed charge of these meet- 
 ings and gathered about him quite a following 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 199 
 
 among the German speaking residents of the 
 village. 
 
 At first these meetings were held in the home 
 of Peter Engelland at the south village limits. 
 Soon, however, these quarters became too small; 
 then the Bauer brick house was used and occa- 
 sionally meetings were held in the school house 
 at Stone quarry. 
 
 As time went on the attendance at these 
 meetings grew and finally a definite arrangement 
 was made for space in Robinson's hall. 
 
 But even this arrangement proved unsatis- 
 factory after a short time and at a meeting held 
 on Jan. 23, 1863, definite steps were taken 
 toward organizing a congregation of the Evan- 
 gelical Lutheran faith. Frederick Sauerteig, 
 Peter Engelland, Fr. Steinbach, Ferdinand 
 Daemicke, Albert Koop and Ernst Uhlich were 
 elected to serve as a board of directors. Plans 
 for the building of a church were discussed and 
 approved. Contract for the building was let on 
 May 16, 1863, and on the following 26th of 
 May, 1864, the cornerstone was laid, Rev. Haupt- 
 mann of Chicago and pastors of several other 
 churches conducting the services. 
 
 The property at Grove and Ann streets, occu- 
 pied at the present time by the First Evangelical 
 Lutheran church and school, was bought for 
 $400. The stone used in the building came from 
 the quarries about a mile south-west of the vil- 
 lage and was supplied by Bernhard Knirsch at 
 $2.50 a "cord"; various members of the congre- 
 gation donated the hauling. The stone masonry 
 was done by William Boening and the carpenter 
 work by Christian Krueger. Since in those days 
 all stone used in buildings was cut "on the job" 
 more than a year passed before the edifice was 
 ready for dedication. This service took place 
 July 3, 1864, and was a matter of great rejoicing 
 to the little band of religious enthusiasts, who 
 for nearly two years had looked forward to the 
 day when they should have their own place of 
 worship. 
 
 The membership of the congregation, not all 
 of whom were of strictly Lutheran faith, at that 
 time numbered sixty-six, and was composed of 
 those who in any way had contributed to past 
 expenses and to the cost of the church and lot. 
 
 During the building period a man named 
 Israel, had been appointed to the pastorate, but 
 he served the congregation only nine months, 
 when he was dismissed for non-Lutheran teach- 
 ings. 
 
 Shortly before dedication of the new church 
 Pastor A. Reinke, known as a staunch teacher 
 of Lutheranism, was called and served the con- 
 gregation faithfully seven years. During the 
 period of his ministry the congregation was put 
 
 upon a solid foundation. A parsonage and the 
 first school building were built during this time. 
 First Lutheran Church of Blue Island has an 
 exceptional record among churches of the city 
 by reason of the fact that during the seventy-two 
 years of its existence only eight pastors have 
 served the congregation. And of that number 
 a father and two sons (Rev. J. H. Doermann and 
 
 First Evangelical Lutheran Church 
 
 sons Henry and Martin) served forty-eight of 
 the seventy-two years. 
 
 Following is a list of the pastors who have 
 served this congregation: 
 
 Rev. A. Reinke, 1864-1871. 
 
 Dr. H. Ernst, 1871-1879. 
 
 Rev. P. H. Duborg, 1879-1882. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Himmler, 1882-1883. 
 
 Rev. J. H. Doermann, 1883-1898. 
 
 Prof. H. K. G. Doermann, 1898-1906. 
 
 Rev. M. P. F. Doermann, 1906-1931. 
 
 Rev. W. J. Feme, 1931-. 
 
 During the first years of the pastorate of Rev. 
 J. H. Doermann the church building was en- 
 larged by the addition of a ten-foot entrance 
 hall which structure was surmounted by a beau- 
 tiful steeple. The cost of this improvement ap- 
 proximated $5,000. Three bells were installed 
 in the steeple — the first bell, valued at $600, 
 was a gift from Henry Bose; the young people 
 of the church paid for the second bell, and the 
 congregation paid for the third bell. 
 
 Owing to ill health, Rev. J. H. Doermann 
 was compelled, in the fall of 1898, to relinquish 
 
200 
 
 BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 Rev. J. H. Doermann and sons, Martin and Henry 
 
 his post here after a most successful period of 
 service extending over fifteen years. 
 
 Prof. H. K. G. Doermann, then a professor in 
 a seminary at Hickory, South Carolina, was 
 chosen to succeed his father. During the lat- 
 ter's term of service additional property was 
 bought on which was erected the present par- 
 sonage at Grove and Ann streets. The cost of 
 this addition to the congregation's holdings 
 amounted to approximately $6000.00. 
 
 In the fall of 1905, Prof. Doermann received 
 a call to the Lutheran Seminary at St. Paul. He 
 accepted this call and left for his new position 
 early the following year after having seen his 
 brother, Rev. Martin Doermann, installed as his 
 successor. 
 
 Rev. M. P. F. Doermann served the local con- 
 gregation from 1906 to 1931 — a period of 
 twenty-five years, and a record for length of 
 service not approached by any pastor of a Blue 
 Island church at that time. 
 
 During his ministry the congregation exper- 
 ienced considerable growth and serveral im- 
 portant building projects were carried through. 
 These consisted of the replacing of the old frame 
 school building with a modern two-story brick 
 building in 1921, and in 1925 the addition of a 
 large auditorium, doubling the size of the orig- 
 inal structure. 
 
 English church services in addition to the Ger- 
 man, were also introduced during Rev. Martin 
 
 Doermann's time and the arrangement then de- 
 cided on is still in effect, as follows 8:00 a. m., 
 services in English; 9:30 a. m., services in Ger- 
 man; 11:00 a. m., services in English. 
 
 Rev. Martin Doermann resigned from the pas- 
 torate of the church here in December, 1930, to 
 accept the presidency of the Illinois District of 
 the American Lutheran churches. His succes- 
 sor, Rev. W. J. Feme, was installed on Jan. 25, 
 1931, and is the present pastor of the congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 Organizations in the church besides the choirs, 
 are: Senior and Junior Luther Leagues, Men's 
 Club, Lutheran Athletic Girls, Ladies' Aid Soci- 
 ety and Women's Mission Society. A church 
 bulletin, "The Lutheran Reminder," is issued 
 monthly. The congregation has its own cemetery 
 two miles west of Blue Island, on Burr Oak 
 avenue. 
 
 First Evangelical Lutheran church has more 
 than 1800 communicants and is the second larg- 
 est congregation in the city. 
 # * * 
 
 First Methodist Church 
 
 The following interesting history of the First 
 Methodist Church of Blue Island was supplied 
 by Mr. R. E. McCloy: 
 
 Blue Island, in the language of the pioneers, 
 meant roughly, that territory which we now call 
 "The Ridge." 
 
"THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 201 
 
 The stage coach which had traversed this 
 territory since the late thirties was discontinued 
 when the Rock Island Railroad was completed 
 in 1852. 
 
 The neighborhood at 95th street and Western 
 avenue, was then known as "North Blue Island." 
 
 In 1853, Luke Lackore, a Methodist Exhorter, 
 led the first gatherings for public worship, in 
 North Blue Island, at the Peck House, 95th 
 street and Western avenue, and when the school 
 house on the north side of 95th street, about two 
 blocks east of Western avenue was completed in 
 1856, Luke Lackore continued his religious lead- 
 ership there. 
 
 In 1857, Rev. W. B. Slaughter, a Methodist 
 Circuit Rider, conducted preaching services 
 every two weeks in the school house at North 
 Blue Island, and also preached at Lane's Island 
 three or four miles west of the present City of 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Rev. W. B. Slaughter, Pastor of Blue Island 
 M. E. Church from 1894 to 1899, was a son of 
 Rev. W. B. Slaughter, pioneer circuit rider; 
 Bishop Bristol was his nephew. 
 
 Our oldest records show that the Hadley- 
 Worth Circuit was in existence in 1857. The 
 boundaries are not definitely indicated but 
 roughly this Circuit seems to have included 
 Methodism south of Chicago and north of Joliet. 
 Various school houses are mentioned in which 
 the classes met but at this date their location 
 cannot always be determined. 
 
 A class met in the English settlement near 
 Mokena, Illinois, in 1858. Another was founded 
 February 20, 1859, at Bremen, now Tinley Park. 
 Another at North Blue Island, Washington 
 Heights neighborhood, in 1860. A Union Soci- 
 ety, location not given, was organized in August, 
 1862. Also the Mahaffay Society in what is 
 now the Palos Park neighborhood; the Lane's 
 Island, or Wingate Society, met about four miles 
 west of Blue Island. 
 
 The Blue Island Circuit was formerly a part 
 of the Hadley- Worth Circuit. In October, 1866, 
 a new charge was set off by conference and 
 called Blue Island, consisting of two classes, 
 North Blue Island and the Wingate Class on 
 Lane's Island. In October, 1867, a new appoint- 
 ment was added called the Black Oak, now Oak 
 Lawn, and Rev. Joseph Eames, (father of M. C. 
 Eames) of Troy Conference, N. Y., was em- 
 ployed as a supply. 
 
 Up to this point in our narrative the name 
 Blue Island has been used to designate a ter- 
 ritory — not the Village of yesterday nor the 
 City of today. The members of the Lane's 
 Island, or Wingate Class, became the founders 
 of Blue Island church. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church of Blue Is- 
 land was organized Sept. 1, 1873, by the forma- 
 tion of a class. The charter members were: 
 Elijah F. Brayton, Helen P. Brayton, Charles 
 Brayton, Frank Brayton, Fred Brayton, Nancy 
 Alexander, Sarah J. Baldwin, Lucinda Eames, 
 the Rev. Joseph Eames, John Green, Mary C. 
 Green, Melville C. Eames, Olive W. Eames, Will- 
 iam Egan, Cebo E. Egan, Oliver Emerson Eames, 
 Alice J. Eames, Andrew J. Bird, Levina Bird, 
 and Marian Webb, making twenty in all. Mrs. 
 Van Laningham, now of HarVey, Illinois, adds 
 the name of Mr. Wingate. 
 
 The annual session of Rock River Conference 
 was held at Sterling, Illinois, Oct. 7, 1874. On 
 Oct. 14, Rev. Frank Bristol was sent as a supply 
 to this work and as South Chicago was connected 
 with the Blue Island charge it became necessary 
 to have another man associated with Bro. 
 Bristol to carry out the program. So it was 
 agreed that Bro. George Chase should con- 
 tinue his services among us. Sunday, Oct. 18, 
 1874, at 2:00 p. m., Rev. Frank Bristol com- 
 menced his pulpit work among us, that being 
 our last service in the Congregational Church. 
 
 On Sunday, Oct. 25, 1874, our new church 
 edifice was formally dedicated to the worship 
 of God. There were three services on that day. 
 The first was conducted by Rev. W. F. Stewart 
 of Chicago at 10:30 a. m. At 3:00 p. m., Rev. 
 W. C. Willing preached to a full house and the 
 house was solemnly consecrated by Brother Will- 
 ing to Divine Worship. In the evening Rev. 
 Mrs. J. F. Willing delivered a very impressive 
 discourse on the words: "Who then will con- 
 secrate this service to the Lord this day?" 
 
 After twenty-one years the Sunday School 
 and Church had grown so large that they needed 
 new quarters. On Feb. 12, 1895, plans were 
 laid, under the leadership of Rev. W. B. Slaugh- 
 ter, pastor, for a building costing $5,000 with 
 a twenty-foot extension in the rear and ten feet 
 added on each side and in front. The building 
 is 60x80 feet, built of LaSalle buff pressed brick, 
 and trimmed with Bedford stone. Messrs. M. C. 
 Eames, A. N. Townsend and N. E. Trumble were 
 the Building Committee. The masonary was 
 done by L. R. Melvin; the painting and decorat- 
 ing by Samuel Dickerson & Son; the heating 
 plant was installed by Farquahr & Sons; the 
 cement work, walks and steps were laid by Rex- 
 ford Bros.; the tinning was done by W. C. 
 Vandenburg & Co. All work and materials were 
 furnished by local firms. Bro. M. C. Eames 
 requested that the two little windows in the 
 Auditorium be allowed to remain when the 
 church was rebuilt as they were in the plans of 
 the first church building which Mrs. M. C. 
 
202 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Eames had helped to design. He wished them 
 kept as a memorial of her. The building was 
 finally completed for $6,750.10 and was dedi- 
 cated with appropriate ceremony on Sunday, 
 Sept. 15, 1895. 
 
 When Rev. W. H. Ake was our pastor, from 
 1920 to 1923, there was much activity among 
 the members of the church in planning for a 
 new parsonage and an institutional building. 
 The members of the Ladies' Aid Society were 
 the leaders in this movement which took definite 
 shape when Rev. P. R. McMahan was our pas- 
 tor, from 1923 to 1926. 
 
 Subscriptions were taken, plans for a parson- 
 age and an institutional building were submitted 
 and actual work started and vigorously pushed. 
 Only the foundation of the institutional build- 
 
 George Chase — appointed Aug. 9, 1874. After- 
 wards he founded and served Winter Street 
 Church, Chicago, which is now Union Avenue 
 Church. He was for several years superintend- 
 ent of the Blue Island M. E. Sunday School. 
 
 F. M. Bristol— appointed Oct. 14, 1874. He 
 was President McKinley's pastor and was a 
 noted preacher and author. He was made a 
 bishop in 1908. Died April 24, 1932, Upper 
 Monlclair, N. J. 
 
 C. W. Crall— October, 1877 A Pioneer. 
 
 When his health failed here, he went to Cali- 
 fornia. Later he returned to Blue Island for a 
 year and then went back to California where 
 he died of tuberculosis. 
 
 Jos. T. Ladd — here in October, 1878. Later 
 
 First Methodist Church, Burr Oak and 
 Western Avenues. 
 
 ing was laid, but the parsonage was completed 
 during Rev. McMahan's pastorate. 
 
 The institutional building was dedicated June 
 19, 1927, at 10:00 a. m., by Bishop Bristol, who 
 was our first pastor. The speedy completion of 
 the institutional building was due in no small 
 degree to the untiring efforts of our pastor, Rev. 
 O'Brien. The members and friends of the 
 church subscribed liberally, but owing to the 
 universal financial depression which soon fol- 
 lowed much difficulty was experienced in financ- 
 ing the enterprises of the church. 
 
 The pastors who served our church were: 
 Duncan C. McGregor — appointed August, 
 1873. Went to Boston and after serving a 
 church there, joined the Baptist denomination 
 and became a successful pastor in Brooklyn, 
 New York. 
 
 editor of the publications issued by D. C. Cook 
 Publishing Co. 
 
 George Miller— March, 1879. 
 
 Watson Tranter. 
 
 0. C. Burt— Jan. 11, 1880. 
 
 P. H. Swift— Oct. 1, 1880-1882. Served num- 
 erous important charges in and around Chicago 
 and in Baltimore, Md. Became district super- 
 intendent of Chicago southern district. 
 
 Osborn. 
 
 C. A. Bunker— Sept. 24, 1884. 
 
 C. W. Crall— Oct. 13, 1885. 
 
 W. 0. Shepard— October, 1886-1888. Became 
 district superintendent of the Chicago Northern 
 District, and afterwards became a bishop of the 
 M. E. Church. He died at his post Nov. 30, 
 1931, in Paris, France. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 203 
 
 Fred H. Sheets— March 10, 1889 to October, 
 1890. Served as Presiding Elder of Western 
 District, Chicago; was Assistant Secretary of the 
 Missionary Society of the M. E. Church and 
 has made several missionary world tours. He 
 was an author and lecturer. 
 
 C. A. Place— October, 1890-1894. 
 
 W. B. Slaughter— October, 1894-1899. Has 
 served numerous charges in Illinois and Ohio. 
 
 S. H. Wirshing— October, 1899-1901. Mili- 
 tant member of the Anti-Saloon League of the 
 State of Illinois. 
 
 J. F. Clancy— October, 1901-1903. A mem- 
 ber of the famous missionary family of that 
 name; served numerous charges in and around 
 Chicago. 
 
 H. G. Warren— 1903-1905. 
 
 N. P. Tedrick— 1905-1906. 
 
 J. C. Youker— 1906-1909. Founder of Church- 
 es. Founded and built Garfield Park M. E., St. 
 John's M. E., Granville Avenue M. E. Churches. 
 Chicago and Euclid Avenue M. E. and Cuyler 
 Avenue M. E., Oak Park. He was an expert 
 court reporter and editor of numerous publica- 
 tions. 
 
 J. W. Hackley, 1909-1912. Church builder, 
 prominent in Iowa Methodism. Our pipe organ 
 was installed March 17, 1912, during his pas- 
 torate. 
 
 J. L. Albritton— 1912-1915. Served churches 
 in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Montana, 
 Texas, Utah and Illinois. Was Presiding Elder 
 while in Ohio and pastor to Ex-President Hayes. 
 Served fifteen months in the Union army dur- 
 ing the Civil War. He was Chaplain Depart- 
 ment of Illinois G.A.R. at the time of his death, 
 March 24, 1931. 
 
 John Williams— 1915-1916. Traveler and lec- 
 turer. 
 
 E. N. Cantwell— 1916 to May, 1917. First 
 of our pastors to die in service here. Served 
 charges in New York, Delaware, Maryland and 
 Illinois. 
 
 W. H. Vance— May, 1917 to October, 1917. 
 Presiding Elder and pastor in the Dakotas. Well 
 known to Chicago Methodists as a strong 
 preacher. 
 
 W.B. Grimes— October, 1917-1920. Founder 
 of Missions. In addition to his pastoral work 
 in Indiana and Illinois, and in and around 
 Chicago, he founded the following Missions: 
 Washington Heights, South Blue Island, Garden 
 Homes, 87th street and Michigan avenues, Rose- 
 land Heights, 97th street and Forest avenue, and 
 Midlothian. 
 
 W. H. Ake— October, 1920-1923. Has served 
 numerous charges in Indiana and Illinois; had 
 
 remarkable success in winning, organizing and 
 holding young people. 
 
 Percy R. McMahan— October, 1923-1926. Or- 
 ganized, projected and carried on a building 
 campaign, resulting in the erection of our par- 
 sonage and the foundation of our institutional 
 building. 
 
 Robert E. O'Brien— October, 1926-1929. A 
 tactful, foreful, versatile, efficient executive who 
 hastened to completion the Institutional Build- 
 ing planned by his predecessor. 
 
 J. Edward Snyder — October 1929-1932. He 
 gave himself unreservedly and efficiently in at- 
 tempting the solution of many difficult admin- 
 istrative problems created by the financial de- 
 pression. His work with the Ladies' Aid Society 
 and the Brotherhood Bible Class deserve special 
 mention, also his efforts to beautify the church 
 buildings and grounds. 
 
 Frank Hancock — October, 1932. Our present 
 pastor; is an outstanding Bible expositor who 
 strives earnestly to put first things first. 
 
 Note: Rev. Dustin Kimble and Rev. Joseph 
 Coombs were both supply pastors for a brief 
 period, but we have not the dates of their ser- 
 
 vice. 
 
 Congregational Church 
 
 The First Congregational Church of Blue Is- 
 land dates its beginning to Jan. 22nd, 1860, 
 when the Covenant and Articles of Faith were 
 adopted by a small group of people representing 
 several religious faiths. Those who signed and 
 agreed to help build up the church were: Mr. 
 and Mrs. J. P. Young and Mr. and Mrs. P. At- 
 kinson of the Congregational faith; Mrs. Betsy 
 Fox and Mrs. Elizabeth 0. Sanders of the Pres- 
 byterian faith and Mrs. Sarah Funk of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal faith. 
 
 Earlier efforts of the English speaking folk of 
 Blue Island had been made for regular preach- 
 ing by some orthodox minister, but it was not 
 until Oct. 16th, 1859, that any results toward 
 that purpose were gained. On that date a Rev. 
 Rankin, mentioned as a "Missionary on the 
 Illinois Central Railroad" visited Blue Island 
 and looked over the prospects for a church soci- 
 ety. His report was favorable and the Rev. H. 
 L. Hammond was sent to supply until the or- 
 ganization was effected. 
 
 The above facts, and what follows, is taken 
 from a historical sketch written by Miss Cora 
 Thompson, church clerk, on the occasion of the 
 recent celebration of the church's seventy-fifth 
 anniversary. 
 
 Congregational churches of Chicago (only a 
 few then existing) and the Salem Congregational 
 
204 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Church of Cleveland, Ohio, were invited to or- 
 ganize the Church Council which was held Feb. 
 2nd, 1860. On Feb. 15th, the church was incor- 
 porated under the laws of Illinois. 
 
 The Atkinson family left Blue Island in the 
 spring of that year and to use the words of the 
 clerk writing the records at that time — "Preach- 
 ing languished for a time and the church was 
 almost destitute of preaching for a period of 
 three years." However, the organization was 
 maintained and occasional preaching was held 
 in C. D. Robinson's hall. 
 
 As more people came to "The Blue Island" 
 interest was revived and on April 1st, 1863, 
 the Rev. Lemuel Foster was called as the first 
 regular minister and with his wife, Mrs. Lydia 
 Foster, labored faithfully until May 4th, 1869. 
 
 During the year 1863 the following joined the 
 church: Mr. and Mrs. Hart Massey and daugh- 
 
 mik 
 
 First Congregational Church, built in 1865 
 
 ters, Emeline and Anna; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel 
 Auld; Catherine Ocker; Dr. Charles Allen and 
 wife and John Fox. Our present pulpit is in 
 memory of Hart and Emeline Massey. 
 
 Church services were held in C. D. Robinson's 
 Hall until June 4th, 1865, when the first church 
 building was dedicated. 
 
 In 1872 it was enlarged, church parlors were 
 built later and an addition for a kitchen erected 
 in 1890. 
 
 On April 14th, 1901, the old church having 
 been moved back, which has now become our 
 dining and social rooms and this present audi- 
 torium erected, the entire building as we use it 
 today, was dedicated, the Rev. W. G. Souders, 
 being the pastor. 
 
 The first marriage in the new church was that 
 of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Hegner. 
 
 In 1887 the present parsonage, to the west of 
 the church, was built, John Kauffman, Blue Is- 
 land's Civil War veteran, being the contractor. 
 
 The Rev. J. W. Larrimore was pastor from 
 Aug. 3rd, 1869 to 1871. 
 
 The Rev. S. F. Dickinson became the pastor 
 and served from 1871 to 1875. The records show 
 that during this pastorate there was a decided 
 growth in the membership. It was also under 
 his leadership that the church was enlarged and 
 repaired. Mr. Dickinson suffered the loss of his 
 wife during the first year of his pastorate here. 
 
 The Rev. W. H. Brewster was called Oct. 1st, 
 1876, and remained until Oct. 1st, 1882. During 
 his pastorate the church parlors were built and 
 furnished. 
 
 The Rev. W. B. Millard served the church as 
 pastor from March, 1883, for three years when 
 the Rev. J. R. Reitzel became pastor Oct. 7th, 
 1886, and remained until March 1st, 1891. 
 This seemed to be another period of great 
 growth, twenty-three new members being 
 added at one time. 
 
 It was during Mr. Reitzel's regime that 
 the parsonage was built. 
 
 The Rev. W. L. Demorest became pastor 
 May 17th, 1891, and only remained one year 
 when the Rev. James Robert Smith began 
 his duties, September, 1893. He was called 
 to a larger field of service and the church 
 accepted his resignation with deep regret, 
 in 1895. 
 
 The Rev. W. C. Allen from Jan. 1st, 1896, 
 until May 31st, 1897. 
 
 The Rev. J. A. Adams, Associate editor 
 of the "Advance," the midwestern Congre- 
 gational weekly, supplied the pulpit during 
 the year 1898. 
 
 The Rev. W. G. Souders was called to the 
 pastorate Jan. 9th, 1899, and continued until 
 April 15th, 1901. 
 
 The present church building, was dedicated 
 just before he left, and was largely the result of 
 his untiring efforts in securing subscriptions and 
 supervising the labor. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Souders was killed in an auto 
 accident in the fall of 1934 in New Jersey. 
 
 May 6th, 1901 the Rev. John J. G. Graham 
 was called to the church and remained until 
 1904. 
 
 The Rev. W. N. Bessey began his ministry 
 with the church Oct. 9th, 1904, and resigned 
 October, 1907. 
 
 The Rev. Wilbur F. Atchison, a resident of 
 Morgan Park, supplied the church for eight 
 years, from 1908 to 1916. 
 
 It was finally decided that a permanent pastor 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 205 
 
 Congregational Church erected in 1901 
 
 should be called and on Nov. 1st, 1916, the Rev. 
 Nirium P. Olmstead began a ministry which was 
 terminated in October, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Olmstead had the sad experience of losing their 
 only daughter, Burnett, aged eighteen, while 
 resident here. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas R. Egerton, Nov. 1st, 1919, 
 to Feb. 15th, 1923. 
 
 The Rev. William Aitchison, May, 1923, to 
 Jan. 31st, 1927. 
 
 The Rev. S. C. Benninger, May 1st, 1927, to 
 May 1st, 1928. 
 
 The Rev. I. L. Mellott became the minister 
 June 15th, 1928, and resigned Nov. 6th, 1932. 
 
 The Rev. Paul E. Thurlow came to the pas- 
 torate Nov. 13th, 1932, and resigned in July, 
 1934. 
 
 The Rev. John J. G. Graham again came to 
 the church as supply pastor until the present 
 minister, the Rev. Aylesworth B. Bell began his 
 ministry Jan. 1st, 1935. 
 
 The Sunday School is invariably the fore- 
 runner of the Church, so in Blue Island, the old- 
 est religious body was a Sunday School. 
 
 In 1849, in a small log cabin which stood on 
 the southwest corner of Western avenue and 
 Grove street, Mrs. Benj. Sanders and Mrs. Carl- 
 ton Wadhams, gathered together a few boys and 
 girls for a Sunday School. As the village grew 
 
 so did the Sunday School until it was known as 
 the "Union Sunday School" including in its roil 
 all denominations. 
 
 One by one, churches organized and withdrew 
 pupils of their own faith until in 1888 it became 
 distinctively a Congregational Sunday School. 
 
 For many years, Superintendent J. E. Lemon 
 was its faithful and efficient superintendent. At 
 present the Sunday School has an enrollment 
 of 175 under the fine leadership of Birt E. Fro- 
 bish as superintendent. 
 
 The "Ladies' Social Union" is the oldest 
 "Ladies Aid Society" of the Church, having been 
 organized September, 1885. It is known now as 
 "The Thimble Club," the name being changed 
 some 25 years or more ago. Mrs. H. T. Fletcher 
 is its present president. For many years the Mis- 
 sionary Society was a part of this group but in 
 March of this year, 1935, the Pilgrim Guild was 
 organized with Mrs. Aylesworth B. Bell as 
 president. 
 
 The Goodfellowship Club, composed of both 
 men and women with its meetings held on the 
 last Friday evening of the month, was organized 
 April, 1932, with Edward Edwards as its first 
 president. John Runkle is now acting as its 
 president. 
 
 The Men's Club was organized March, 1934, 
 and Fred Peterson is its president. 
 
206 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 St. Benedict Catholic Church 
 
 St. Benedict parish was organized as a mission 
 by the Benedictine Fathers of Chicago. The 
 first services were held in the William Heckler 
 building at the corner of Western avenue and 
 York street, on the 13th of October, 1861, by 
 Rev. Meinard, O.S.B. For the first few years 
 services were held once a month. In those days 
 Blue Island was a strictly German settlement. 
 Some of the names of the early settlers and 
 founders of St. Benedict church are as follows: 
 William Heckler, Peter Lusson, Bernard Bau- 
 mann, Nicholas Fritz, Andrew Rauwolf, Sr., 
 Joseph Lechner, Sr., Gerhard Mulderink, John 
 Steffes and John Ferrers. 
 
 June 25, 1862, Rev. Corbinian, O.S.B., took 
 charge of the mission until Nov. 22, 1863. From 
 this date until March 29, 1864, Reverends Fran- 
 cis Schlechter and Peter Fassbender attended. 
 On June 26, 1862, the trustees of the parish 
 purchased a lot from Benjamin Sanders and 
 wife on the corner of York and Gregory streets 
 for the consideration of $125. Father Fass- 
 bender built the first church on this lot in the 
 year 1864. 
 
 From March, 1864, until February, 1865, 
 three Redemptorist Fathers had charge of the 
 
 Mission: Reverends Jacob Hagel, C.S.S.; 
 Charles Hahn, C.S.S., and Albert Schoeffle. 
 C.S.S.R. 
 
 From this date until February, 1904, the 
 Benedictine Fathers attended. During these 39 
 years 18 different priests attended the parish 
 in the order as follows: Reverends Meinrad, 
 Corbinian, Leander, Suitbert, Dionysius, Dennis, 
 Anselm, Benedict, Richard, Bruno, Suitbert, 
 Utto, Bruno, Paul, Corbinian, Theodosius, Beda, 
 Xavier, Bruno, Chrysotomus, William and 
 Meinrad. 
 
 The first school, which also served as a sis- 
 ters' dwelling, was erected by Father Bruno in 
 1880. At short periods the school was taught 
 by lay teachers. Soon the School Sisters of 
 Notre Dame took charge of the school and have 
 been teaching here ever since. (See separate 
 article under "Schools.") 
 
 The first rectory was built by Father Beda 
 in the year 1884. It was a one-story building 
 20x30 feet. The lot on which church, school 
 and rectory then stood was only 60x150. On 
 returning to Blue Island for a third term 
 Father Bruno purchased the adjoining 60-fool 
 lot for a consideration of $960, on which lot, 
 in 1893, Father Chrysotomus built a two-story 
 rectory. 
 
 The present church was built by Father Will- 
 iam in the year 1895, at a cost of approximately 
 $30,000. The arrangement of the building at 
 that time consisted of four school rooms on 
 the lower floor with the church auditorium 
 above. (Since the erection of the new school 
 building these rooms were no longer needed for 
 school purposes and have, within the past year, 
 been transformed into a beautiful small chapel.) 
 
 One notable priest who deserves special men- 
 tion is Father Meinrad, who organized the mis- 
 sion in 1861, and who was the last Benedictine 
 Father to have charge of the parish. His last 
 stay was from October, 1898, until February, 
 1904. 
 
 Rev. Francis Rempe, now monsignor, was ap- 
 pointed pastor in February, 1904. He remained 
 until June, 1905. During his short administra- 
 tion the church was decorated and the school 
 attendance increased considerably. Rev. Paul 
 Halbmaier succeeded him and stayed until July, 
 1909. He built the present sisters' house at a 
 cost of $10,000, and changed the old sisters' 
 house into a school. 
 
 In the early history of the parish the ceme- 
 tery was located on the south side of Burr Oak 
 avenue, just east of Western avenue, consisting 
 of a tract of land of about two acres. In the 
 year 1886 the parish sold this site and purchased 
 20 acres of land for cemetery purposes on 135th 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 207 
 
 street, four miles west of Blue Island. A section 
 of this land was used for burials. During 
 Father Halbmaier's time this section proved too 
 small. He enlarged the cemetery and improved 
 the grounds according to modern plans. 
 
 Rev. Paul Rosch was appointed pastor in 
 July, 1909, and served until his death, March 
 11, 1917. During his term the six available 
 rooms of the school were soon too crowded and 
 Father Rosch was obliged to secure more room 
 He purchased the property in the rear of the 
 church and built a modern rectory on it. He 
 then changed the old rectory into a school, pro- 
 viding two more rooms. These rooms filled up 
 so fast that the need of a large modern school 
 was clear. 
 
 The present pastor, Rev. Theodore G. Gross, 
 who previously had served here as assistant 
 under Rev. Halbmaier, 1905 to 1910, was ap- 
 pointed pastor after the death of Rev. Paul 
 Rosch. 
 
 By 1924 the school enrollment had grown 
 to 502. Rev. Gross bought the balance of the 
 property lying south of the church and extend- 
 ing to New street. Plans for the building of a 
 modern school, which would care for the needs 
 of the parish for a number of years, were soon 
 under way and on June 7, 1925, the cornerstone 
 for the present beautiful school was laid. Classes 
 were resumed in the new building in January, 
 1920. 
 
 The present school is a three-story building 
 of pressed brick and stone trim. It contains 14 
 standard class rooms, office, library, cloak 
 rooms, sisters' rooms, etc. The entire third floor 
 contains an auditorium and lodge room cap- 
 able of seating 1000, with provisions for basket- 
 ball and general gymnasium purposes, showers, 
 dressing room, etc. The cost of the building 
 was approximately $150,000. 
 
 Among the church societies of the parish the 
 oldest is the Rosary Society of the ladies. The 
 Holy Name Societies, the Senior and Junior 
 Men's Clubs, St. Agnes Young Ladies' Sodality, 
 the Sacred Heart League, St. Aloysius Boys' 
 and Girls' Society, all have large memberships. 
 There is also a branch of the St. Vincent De 
 Paul Society. Among the beneficiary societies 
 the Wimmer Council, No. 407, of the Catholic 
 Benevolent Legion is the oldest. Next in order 
 of organization is the Catholic Order of For- 
 esters, Williams Court, No. 1019; St. Scholastica 
 Court, No. 581, Lady Foresters; Blue Island 
 Council No. 1366, Knights of Columbus and 
 Blue Island Court, No. 113, Catholic Daughters 
 of America. All of these societies, which form- 
 erly held their meetings in the different lodge 
 
 halls of the city, now meet in their fine quarters 
 in the new school building. 
 
 Swedish Lutheran Siloa Church 
 
 Organized October 18, 1889. Rev. George 
 Youngdahl, then pastor of the Bethlehem Church, 
 Englewood, was present and had charge of the 
 meeting. 
 
 The Deacons chosen at this meeting were: J. G. 
 Mossberg, Otto Olson and 0. W. Fredrickson. 
 
 The Trustees chosen at this meeting were: 
 0. W. Fredrickson, A. Danielson and Alfred 
 Johnson. 
 
 Mr. O. W. Fredrickson was chosen Treasurer. 
 
 The present church was built in 1892 and dedi- 
 cated in October the same year. The first reg- 
 ular ordained pastor was Rev. A. P. Martin, 
 who took up the work in the fall of 1898, and 
 labored among our people about five years, until 
 in October, 1903. 
 
 In June, 1904, Rev. S. J. Sebelius arrived and 
 took up the work, and served the church until 
 1908. During his time the corner lot, Collins 
 street and Greenwood avenue, was purchased and 
 a parsonage was built. 
 
 Rev. V. Setterdahl accepted a call and arrived 
 in September, 1909. He served the church until 
 his death February 19, 1914. 
 
 Student, C. E. Bergquist served the church for 
 many months until September, 1915. During 
 his services the basement was built. 
 
 English services were introduced in 1915. 
 
 In August, 1915, Rev. C. A. V. Lund came and 
 took charge of the work. 
 
 During 1916 extensive repairs were carried 
 out, the main auditorium was enlarged and pews 
 bought. Rev. Lund left the field in 1918. The 
 two following years Rev. O. 0. Eckhardt was the 
 pastor of the church. 
 
 The church was vacant for two years and in 
 October, 1921, Rev. J. A. Hemborg had charge 
 of the work. During his time the corner lot at 
 Orchard street and Greenwood avenue was pur- 
 chased and the new parsonage was erected in 
 1922. 
 
 In the later part of 1923, Rev. Hemborg left 
 and moved to California, where he now resides. 
 March 1st, 1924, the present pastor, *Edward 
 Stark, arrived and is on the field at the present 
 time. The church is without debt. 
 
 Among the activities of the church, we have 
 the Dorcas Society, the Luther League, the 
 Brotherhood and the Loyal Helpers. 
 
 The present Deacons are Alfred Anderson, 
 
208 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Harold Johnson, Carl Johnson, J. E. Bergquist 
 and E. Sherman. 
 
 The present Trustees are John Engdahl, (treas- 
 urer) , Harry Malm, Enger Anderson, Lester Gil- 
 liland, Chas. Ahnell and Leif Johnson. 
 
 "Remember the days of old, consider the years 
 of many generations; ask Thy Father, and He 
 will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell 
 thee." Deut. 32:7. 
 
 (*) Pastor Stark died Dec. 2, 1935. 
 * * * 
 
 Full Gospel Mission 
 
 The Blue Island Full Gospel Mission is the 
 outgrowth of prayer meetings held in various 
 homes during the years 1921 and 1922. A 
 spirit of revival was present and such interest 
 was shown that in the summer of 1923 a large 
 tent was erected on the site of the Krueger 
 Funeral Home. 
 
 Pastor George Bauerlein, who was previously 
 with Evangelist Paul Rader, worked together 
 with Mr. Paul B. Fischer during the first years 
 and became the first pastor when the Gospel Mis- 
 sion was established in the Luchtemeyer Building 
 on Western avenue. Mr. Paul B. Fischer, who 
 assisted in the work, is a Chicago attorney, resid- 
 ing with his family in Oak Park and is a nephew 
 of the late Dr. Charles A. Blanchard, former - 
 President of Wheaton College. 
 
 About two years later the church moved to the 
 corner of James street and Western avenue, 
 where it continued under the leadership of Pas- 
 tor Sylvester Egan, a graduate of the Newark, 
 N. J., Bible School. 
 
 In 1928, Pastor Egan resigned. Mr. and Mrs. 
 George W. Finnern of Chicago succeeded Pastor 
 Egan in pastoring the flock. After four years 
 of faithful work here, Pastor Finnern and his 
 wife resigned and were succeeded by the present 
 pastors, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd F. Pike, who reside 
 at 2517 York street. During the ministry of 
 Pastor Finnern, the location of the church was 
 changed back to the Luchtemeyer Building, 
 13013 Western avenue, where it is at present. 
 During the entire existence of the Mission, Mr. 
 Paul B. Fischer has been deeply interested in the 
 work, ministering faithfully in the pulpit and in 
 various other ways. 
 
 In addition to the regular services, there is 
 a Sunday School which is at the present time in 
 charge of Miss Ruth Jackson. 
 
 The local Mexican Pentecostal brethren have 
 been holding services for several years in the 
 same hall. 
 
 The Blue Island Full Gospel Mission is one in 
 doctrine with the Pentecostal Movement which 
 came into being about thirty years ago and now 
 
 has over one million members, with missionaries 
 in practically every country in the world. Ac- 
 cording to the Literary Digest it has had a 
 greater percentage of growth in recent years than 
 any other denomination. 
 
 The Blue Island Full Gospel Mission is inter- 
 ested in the spiritual welfare of the people of 
 Blue Island and desires to serve them. 
 
 St. Paul Evancelical Church 
 
 St. Paul Evangelical church, located at Greg- 
 ory and New streets, was organized June 11, 
 1893, under the name "Friedens" Evangelical 
 church. 
 
 Shortly before its organization missionary 
 work had been done here by members of the 
 Committee for Home Missions of the Evangelical 
 church, Rev. William Hattendorf and Rev. G. 
 Koch, both of Chicago, and by the pastor, Rev. 
 A. Niedergesaess, who took charge of the mis- 
 sion work. The first meeting prior to organiza- 
 tion was held in the old Saenger Hall and short 
 meetings in private homes. 
 
 Those signing as charter members were: Wm. 
 F. Kirchner, Albert Schulz, George P. Meyer, 
 Edward Sorgenfrei, William Schrage, John 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 209 
 
 Peters and August Schulz. The first officers 
 were: William Sorgenfrei, president; William 
 F. Kirchner, secretary; Dietrich Quade, treas- 
 urer. The organizer and first pastor of this 
 church was Rev. A. Niedergesaess. His pastor- 
 ate was a successful one covering a period of 
 twenty-three years. 
 
 The first place of worship was an old church 
 edifice that had been used until shortly before 
 by the German Methodist congregation and stood 
 on Henry street. Only one year after organiza- 
 tion this building had become too small. The 
 lots on the corner of Gregory and New streets 
 were bought and soon the present church build- 
 ing was completed. The parsonage was built 
 in 1900. 
 
 In 1916, Rev. Niedergesaess left Blue Island 
 to take charge of the Eden Evangelical church 
 at Jefferson Park, Chicago, and the Rev. John 
 C. Voeks became the pastor. 
 
 Rev. Voeks served St. Paul's congregation 
 until the end of August, 1921, when he accepted 
 a call to the church in Palatine. Rev. Walter E. 
 Uhrland of Indianapolis, Ind., succeeded him, 
 remaining here three years, 1921 to 1924. 
 
 On Sunday, June 22, 1924, Rev. B. F. Freese, 
 the present pastor, was inducted in the local 
 pulpit and has had a successful ministry here 
 covering the past 12 years. St. Paul's is one 
 of the leading Protestant churches of Blue 
 
 Island. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Evangelical Community Church 
 
 The Evangelical Community church now loca- 
 ted at 120th and Gregory streets, was organized 
 in December, 1923, under the auspices of the 
 Chicago Church Federation. First services were 
 held in a garage at 120th and Summit streets. 
 This garage proved too small and services were 
 held in the basements of several homes. The 
 major work in the early life of the church was 
 the building up of a Sunday school, which had 
 its beginning on Easter of 1923. 
 
 In December, 1923, the church was organized 
 with the following charter members: J. J. Braun, 
 L. J. Hoefle, R. W. Williams, Anna Hilker- 
 baumer, Ella Dewar, C. A. Dewar, Fred Foss, 
 Edward Vanderwall, Eric Luenser, and Albert 
 Luenser. 
 
 The lot at 120th street was purchased and the 
 garage moved to the rear of the lot where it 
 was enlarged. This building answered the needs 
 until 1926. It still stands there and is used for 
 Sunday school sessions and organization meet- 
 ings, etc. 
 
 Rev. Braun, the first pastor, came evenings 
 to conduct services. He had a regular preaching 
 circuit of three churches every Sunday — one 
 near 79th street and Lake Michigan, one in the 
 extreme north-west corner of Chicago, Edison 
 Park, and the third here in Blue Island — a trip 
 of nearly 75 miles every Sunday and many times 
 during the week. 
 
 It wasn't long before the garage, though doub- 
 led in size, was inadequate to meet the needs and 
 a larger building was immediately necessary. 
 Plans were drawn up for a new building which 
 was financed by the selling of 100 bonds at $100 
 each. L. J. Hoefle, Frank Rettke, Wm. G. Ruth- 
 enberg and Rev. J. J. Braun constituted the build- 
 ing committee. In September of 1926, the new 
 church, built outwardly like a bungalow, was 
 dedicated. 
 
 The following pastors have served this con- 
 gregation: Rev. J. J. Braun, December, 1923- 
 June, 1926; Miss Anna Hilkenbaumer, Parish 
 worker, 1923-1926; Rev. Wm. Rust, 1925; Rev. 
 Richard Gadow, September, 1925-April, 1926; 
 Rev. J. J. Braun, May, 1926- July, 1927; Rev. E. 
 Helm who came here in August, 1927, is the 
 present pastor. 
 
 Blue Island Church of Christ 
 
 The history of the Blue Island Church of 
 Christ dates back to 1914, when Mr. and Mrs. 
 C. J. Pronger opened their home to religious 
 services, following a survey to discover those of 
 a like faith. Fourteen families were discovered 
 and continued meeting in the Pronger home 
 where they observed the Communion of the 
 Lord's Supper every Lord's day. Rev. C. G. 
 Kindred, minister of the Englewood Church, 
 Chicago, met with this faithful group for sev- 
 eral Sunday afternoon services but finally de- 
 cided the cause was hopeless and recommended 
 that the persons composing this group find fel- 
 lowship in Morgan Park and Harvey Churches 
 of Christ. 
 
 At this juncture Rev. C. M. Smithson, min- 
 ister of the Harvey Church of Christ offered his 
 services for Sunday afternoons and arrange- 
 ments were made for the use of the German 
 Methodist church. In a few weeks a church 
 organization was formed with J. K. Coffey and 
 C. J. Pronger as Elders and Geo. Cromwell, F. 
 Nash and Walter Edmonson as Deacons, the 
 latter also serving as treasurer and clerk. After 
 six months of effort Rev. Smithson withdrew 
 from the field and the work was disbanded, save 
 
210 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 for the faithful women who banded together as 
 a Ladies' Aid and continued to hold regular 
 meetings and to work toward an adequate build- 
 ing fund. Mrs. C. J. Pronger and Mrs. Alice 
 Heatley were two whose faith never faltered. 
 
 In 1924, Rev. Lafe Huff, then minister of the 
 Harvey Church of Christ, learned of this loyal 
 group of women and offered his services if a 
 suitable meeting place could be found. The 
 K. of P. hall on the third floor of the Grand 
 Opera house was rented and a Bible school 
 organized. The committee that made the above 
 arrangements consisted of Rose Pronger, Elsie 
 Engles and Alice Heatley. On Sunday, March 
 2, 1924, the first Bible school sessu-n was con- 
 ducted in the K. of P. hall and despite handi- 
 caps and hardships it continued until on the 
 20th of July, 1924, another organization was 
 effected with the following officers: President, 
 Wm. A. Biege; Clerk, John Earl Jones; Chair- 
 man of the Board, Harold S. Baker; Treasurer, 
 N. P. Engels. The lot on the Northwest corner 
 of Burr Oak and Vincennes avenues was leased 
 and a temporary tabernacle constructed and 
 dedicated with C. G. Kindred as master of cere- 
 monies. The Harvey church continued its sup- 
 port and cooperation by sending young men to 
 supply the pulpit each Lord's day. With only 
 a saw-dust floor, rough pine seats and stove 
 heat, this structure became the mecca of the 
 faithful. 
 
 In March, 1925, upon invitation of the Board 
 of Elders, Rev. W. R. Macdowell of Chicago, 
 answered an invitation to speak before the 
 church, resulting in his continuing on a week- 
 to-week basis. Following a two weeks evangel- 
 istic effort the church reported forty (40) mem- 
 bers. Plans to purchase the lot on which the 
 tabernacle stood were blocked. At this time 
 the church secured the use of the basement of 
 the Masonic Temple which was used until the 
 present modern brick structure was ready for 
 occupancy. 
 
 On April 27, 1930, the cornerstone of the 
 present structure was laid and the work rushed 
 on to completion. On Nov. 30, 1930, the dedica- 
 tion took place. Rev. Macdowell continued as 
 minister until in February, 1932, when he re- 
 signed. 
 
 Various ministers served as supply among 
 them being Rev. N. Ortman of Harvey, who 
 served without salary until in August of 1932, 
 when he was extended a formal call and as- 
 sumed his task as minister. This connection 
 was continued until in the spring of 1935, he 
 resigned. Innumerable applicants appeared for 
 the pulpit but it remained for the congregation 
 
 after careful investigation by delegations, to 
 extended an unanimous call to the present min- 
 ister. Rev. Glen Crawford. Under his wise and 
 capable leadership the church has made marked 
 progress and now stands upon the threshold of 
 what seems to be its greatest development. 
 
 At the fifth anniversary of the dedication of 
 the building, the Treasurer's report indicated 
 that in 1935 almost $4,000.00 had been paid on 
 the building indebtedness and the local budget 
 had been met and many old bills paid. Ambi- 
 tious plans are being formulated including a 
 Five Year Program of four-fold development, a 
 Leadership Training school, a week of Lectures 
 by a Nationally known minister-lecturer and a 
 pre-Easter Evangelistic effort. 
 
 Evangelist W. C. Cole of Des Moines, Iowa, 
 with the assistance of the Thomas' of Wabash, 
 Indiana, conducted two Evangelistic campaigns 
 in this church, one in January, 1934, followed 
 by the last one in January, 1935. 
 
 ♦ * * 
 
 Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church 
 
 Salem Evangelical Lutheran church was or- 
 ganized Sept. 29, 1909, by the late Rev. Sieners 
 of Chicago. For a year services were held in 
 the Congregational church on York street, until 
 the present church building, at Maple avenue 
 and High street, was completed. The dedication 
 of this beautiful edifice took place Dec. 11, 1910. 
 The Rev. R. R. Reinke was called shortly after 
 the congregation was organized. He was in- 
 stalled on Dec. 12, 1910, and has been pastor 
 of this congregation since that time, a continuous 
 service in the one charge of twenty-five years. 
 Rev. R. Reinke is a son of Rev. A. Reinke, who 
 was the first pastor of the First Evangelical 
 Lutheran church on Grove street in 1864-1871. 
 A few of the charter members of Salem church: 
 Louis Storz, John Wolz, Charles Schwartz, and 
 William Siemsen. The congregation celebrated 
 
 its twenty-fifth anniversary Sept. 30, 1934. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Slovak Lutheran Church 
 
 St. Peter and Paul Slovak Lutheran church 
 was organized in the fall of 1907 by 14 families. 
 At first services were held in the First Lutheran 
 Church School on Grove street, once every three 
 months, or whenever a Slovak pastor was avail- 
 able. Some of the charter members were: 
 Stephan Bastic, Andrew Jandura, John Dieska, 
 George Lenco, Michael Kutlik, and Paul Busha. 
 
 In 1921, a lot was purchased on Greenwood 
 avenue, from Mr. John Dieska for the sum of 
 $792.00, the present location of the church. An 
 old church building located at High street and 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 211 
 
 Greenwood avenue, was purchased and moved 
 to the then acquired property. 
 
 In 1928, a pastor was called who divided his 
 time between here and Gary, Indiana. This was 
 the Rev. George Billy, who served the congrega- 
 tion until 1934. With his resignation the con- 
 gregation decided to call a full-time man and 
 sent a call to the present pastor, Rev. James 
 Sopka, who was formerly in Hatfield, Mass. 
 
 In 1931, the church purchased a beautiful pipe 
 organ which is one of the best in the city. 
 
 In 1933, the church was brick veneered, which 
 makes it a very attractive structure. 
 
 The Ladies' Guild, the Luther League and the 
 Sunday School are all very active organizations 
 in the church. 
 
 The church property is valued at $15,000.00 
 all clear with the exception of $1600.00. 
 
 The present Church Council is composed of 
 the following: 
 
 Rev. James Sopko, Pastor. 
 
 John Dubcek, President. 
 
 Andrew Jandura, Treasurer. 
 
 John Bartos, Recording Secretary. 
 
 Michael Cech, Financial Secretary. 
 
 Paul Majtan, Paul Busha, Charles Bojkovsky, 
 Finance Committee. 
 
 George Majtan, Andrew Vrsek, Sr., Michael 
 Kutlik, Trustees. 
 
 Andrew Kutlik, Jr., Michael Lehotsky, Jani- 
 tors; Anna Jandura, Organist. 
 • * * 
 
 St. Isidore Parish 
 
 St. Isidore's Polish Roman Catholic church 
 is located at Burr Oak avenue and Wood street. 
 In the year 1899, Peter Feliszak and John 
 Hahn, Sr., made preliminary step to organize 
 and build necessary buildings. They invited 
 Rev. Father Kroll, then pastor of St. Florian 
 parish at Hegewisch, to their assistance as ad- 
 viser. A short time after, on account of poor 
 health of Father Kroll, Rev. J. Kasprzcki, 
 C.R., pastor of St. Stanislaus church, Chicago, 
 was secured as adviser. In 1900 His Grace, 
 Most Reverend Archbishop Feehan appointed 
 Rev. Father Lange, pastor of St. Josaphat 
 church, to investigate the conditions of the or- 
 ganizing parish. His Grace then appointed Rev. 
 C. Gronkowski, then assistant to Rev. Lange. 
 first pastor of the newly organized parish. 
 
 Meanwhile through the efforts of Peter Fel- 
 iszak and John Hahn, Sr., the parishioners or- 
 ganized into a society called "The Polish 
 Church and Building Society" under the pro- 
 tection of St. Isidore. The aim of this society 
 was to raise necessary funds to build a church. 
 With this aim in view the society gave a bazaar 
 
 at the Opera House in Blue Island, beginning 
 Sunday, September 24 to October 4, 1899. This 
 bazaar brought the parish $1,200.00. 
 
 An architect was employed and in June, 1900, 
 ground was broken for the erection of a two- 
 story building which was to serve as a church 
 and school. On Christmas Day, 1900, the 
 church was dedicated by Rev. Wojtalewski 
 from South Chicago and the first High Mass 
 was celebrated by the pastor, Rev. C. Gron- 
 kowski. 
 
 Father Gronkowski remained pastor of the 
 parish about two years. His successors were: 
 Rev. F. Kroll, Rev. Koytek, Rev. S. Szcsygiel, 
 Rev. P. H. Pyterek, who resided at St. Stan- 
 islaus church, Posen, and took care of both 
 parishes. During that time school was opened 
 and the following teachers and organists were 
 engaged: Miss M. Stefanska, J. Wawrzyniak, Fr. 
 Chrjnacki, J. Grudzinska, Frances Kosinska and 
 L. Wawrzon. 
 
 The years 1911 and 1912 were eventful ones 
 in St. Isidore parish. The pastor, Rev. Pyterek, 
 with the good will of the parishioners, built up 
 an addition to the church, thus enlarging the 
 church and school. A residence for the pastor 
 was also built. In March, 1911, Rev. Pyterek 
 moved from Posen to St. Isidore parish to take 
 up a steady residence there and take charge of 
 St. Isidore solely. In 1912 a dwelling for Sis- 
 ters was provided in the lower story of the 
 church building and the Felecian Sisters took 
 charge of the school and choir. 
 
 Rev. Pyterek was succeeded in June, 1913, by 
 Rev. T. Czastka, who remained about a year, 
 and in September, 1914, Rev. S. Doberstein was 
 appointed pastor of St. Isidore Parish. Many 
 improvements in the parish property were made 
 during the fourteen years Rev. Doberstein was 
 in charge. Two lots adjoining the church prop- 
 erty were bought and the Sister's new home was 
 built. 
 
 In 1928 Rev. T. Nowack became the pastor 
 of St. Isidore's and served until August 1, 1935, 
 when the present pastor, Rev. Joseph Dryzmala, 
 came in charge of the parish. 
 * * * 
 
 St. Donatus Parish 
 
 In the year 1908, some Italian families from 
 the city of Ripacandida, in the Province of 
 Potenza, Italy, settled in Blue Island. Here, 
 wishing to preserve the faith of their fore- 
 fathers, they established a small chapel, which 
 they dedicated to Saint Donato, Bishop and 
 Martyr. In order to perform the religious ser- 
 vices on special occasion during the year, they 
 secured the valuable help of Rev. D'Andrea, 
 
212 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 pastor of the parish in the neighboring town, 
 Kensington. , 
 
 Owing to the gradual increase of the Italian 
 families, it Was soon deemed necessary to pro- 
 vide a larger place of worship for them. At 
 that time the parish of St. Benedict had for 
 sale a frame church. A committee of the Ital- 
 ians visited Archbishop Quigley and, as had 
 been expected, received from him permission to 
 purchase the frame building. So in due time 
 the old church of St. Benedict parish was moved 
 to the corner of Orange and Division street, 
 near Burr Oak avenue, where it was placed on 
 ground purchased for that purpose by Arch- 
 bishop Quigley. 
 
 The building was considerably remodeled 
 and decorated and soon the little congregation 
 was able to hold their first Mass in their own 
 church. Rev. J. Angeletti, who lived in Chi- 
 cago, was put in charge. But since the church 
 had no parish residence, nor had the church any 
 means of building one, the pastor, was there- 
 fore compelled to stay in Chicago, whence he 
 went to Blue Island every Sunday in order to 
 say Mass for the people and administer the sac- 
 raments. This arrangement was continued for 
 two years when the charge was ceded to the 
 Rev. P. Renzullo, a priest living in Chicago 
 Heights. This arrangement also proved un- 
 satisfactory owing to the distance which Father 
 Renzullo was obliged to travel every Sunday in 
 order to fulfill his pastoral duties to the people 
 of Blue Island. So in October of 1912 the Rev. 
 Renzullo surrended the care of St. Donatus 
 parish to Rev. 0. Papitto, formerly an assistant 
 of the church of Our Lady of Pompei, Chicago. 
 In 1917 after five years of strenuous work the 
 first small wooden parish house, which then be- 
 came the pastor's residence, was built. 
 
 Rev. Fr. Mondino came in charge of the par- 
 ish in 1918, serving several years. He was suc- 
 ceeded by Fathers Caheli and Jeszinski, each of 
 whom served for only short periods. In 1924, 
 Father Mondino returned to the local parish and 
 served until the late summer of 1928 when he 
 was relieved by the present pastor, Rev. Fr. 
 John Giambastiani. "Father John," as he is 
 generally known, came here from St. Marcella 
 parish in Chicago. Under his guidance the local 
 parish has experienced wonderful growth and 
 success. It was through his efforts the present 
 beautiful church and school edifice at Division 
 and Union streets was built. The dedication 
 of this building took place in September, 1929, 
 only slightly more than a year after Father 
 John's arrival here. Within the past year ex- 
 tensive alterations and additions to the rectory 
 
 building have greatly enhanced the value of the 
 parish property. 
 
 # * * 
 
 Central Church of Christ 
 
 The Central Church of Christ, Second Floor, 
 Masonic Temple, is the outgrowth of a Prayer 
 meeting held at the home of Mr. Lee Gorman, 
 2430 Prairie street on Feb. 19, 1935. 
 
 The Church was organized Feb. 26, 1935, at 
 the home of Mr. B. P. Sipp, 2636 W. Cochran 
 street; Elder, William A. Biege of the First 
 Christian Church of Harvey, Illinois, presiding. 
 
 Mr. Herman Ludewig, Mr. Lee Gorman and 
 Mr. Guy Fox were elected to serve the church 
 as Elders. Mr. Cleland Gorman, Mr. James 
 Liddell, Mr. Earl O'Leana and Mr. Paul Glas- 
 gow, as Deacons. For Trustees, Mr. Frank 
 Stone, Mr. George O'Leana and Mr. A. W. 
 Parker. For Bible School Supt., Mr. Paul 
 Glasgow and for Church Clerk, Mrs. Fred W. 
 Foote. 
 
 Rev. Nicholas Ortman, who served the Or- 
 chard Street Church of Christ for three years, 
 was called to serve the Central Church of Christ 
 and became its first pastor on March 24, 1935, 
 and is now serving in that capacity. 
 
 * * # 
 
 St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 
 
 The history of the work of the Episcopal 
 Church in Blue Island takes us back about 
 thirty-two years. The events connected with its 
 beginnings are involved in considerable obscur- 
 ity, but diligent inquiry has brought to light 
 the following brief outline of the early history: 
 
 The first service was held at the home of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Shaughnessy on Oak street. The 
 service was conducted by a lay-reader from 
 what was then known as Longwood, but is now 
 Beverly Hills. The second meeting was held 
 at the home of Mrs. Olson on Prairie street. 
 The meetings were continued in these two homes 
 for a time and were then held for a season in 
 Jewel Hall. The Woman's Guild was organ- 
 ized at Mrs. Shaughnessy's home, she having 
 changed her residence in the meantime to New 
 street. 
 
 After a time the Rev. Mr. Wheeler, rector of 
 the Church of the Mediator at Morgan Park, 
 took charge, and the services were held in St. 
 Paul's Evangelical Church in the afternoon. A 
 vested choir was organized. Miss Helen Price, 
 Librarian in the Public Library of Blue Island, 
 was the first Choir Mother. Mrs. C. G. Davies 
 took her place in 1904. Mr. Frank Clark led 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 213 
 
 the choir during this period, the rehearsals 
 being at his residence on High street. 
 
 Some of the first members were Mrs. Edmund 
 Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Shaughnessy, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Blodgett, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Snider, Miss 
 Price, Mrs. A. E. Aim, Mr. Fred Davis, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Wm. Roscoe, Mrs. Orville Green, Mrs. 
 Minshull and Miss Jennie Minshull. 
 
 The Mission succeeded at this time in holding 
 yearly Lenlen services, chiefly in the homes of 
 Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Huntington, and Mrs. Davies. 
 
 Among the priests who had the work in 
 charge after the Rev. Mr. Wheeler gave it up, 
 were Father Lodge, an English clergyman and 
 a brother of the celebrated scientist, Sir Oliver 
 Lodge, and Father Harrowell, now retired, and 
 living in Chicago. 
 
 While the mission began with much promise 
 of growth, the removal of several strong fam- 
 ilies of its supporters weakened it to such an 
 extent that the work was discontinued after 
 going on for three or four years, and the work 
 of the Episcopal Church in Blue Island re- 
 mained but a memory or a faint dream for 
 about ten years. Of those who were active in 
 this first mission, hardly any now remain ex- 
 cept Mrs. A. F. Aim, Mrs. C. G. Davies, Mrs. 
 Earl Davis, and Mr. John F. Jerue. 
 
 On Aug. 4, 1913, the Mission was re-opened 
 by the Rev. W. D. McLean, rector of the Church 
 of the Mediator, Morgan Park. Prominent 
 among those assisting him was Mr. Ivan Ben- 
 ner, then teaching in the High School. Ser- 
 vices were begun in Robert's Hall on Western 
 avenue near Grove Street. At the first service 
 four were present, and a Church School was 
 organized with four members. After five 
 months, the services were transferred to the Uni- 
 versalis! Church, Greenwood avenue and High 
 street, where they were continued for almost 
 two years. 
 
 In October, 1920, Bishop S. M. Griswold 
 purchased the Institutional Building and lots 
 at the southeast corner of Greenwood avenue 
 and Oak street, and turned it over to the Mis- 
 sion for church and parish purposes. The first 
 service was held in the newly prepared chapel 
 on Dec. 5, 1920. The Mission received the 
 name Saint Aidan's from Bishop Charles P. 
 Anderson in honor of the noble Bishop who 
 came from Scotland to the north of England 
 in the seventh century and did so much to es- 
 tablish Christianity in that barbarous and prim- 
 itive region. On Jan. 11, 1921, Bishop Ander- 
 son gave his sanction to the organization of 
 the Mission, and St. Aidan's became a recog- 
 
 nized, organized Mission of the Episcopal Dio- 
 cese of Chicago. 
 
 On Dec. 1, 1922, Father McLean resigned as 
 Rector of the Church of the Mediator, and in 
 consequence his relation to the Mission was dis- 
 continued. Services were held at infrequent in- 
 tervals until Nov. 25, 1923, when the Rev. M. B. 
 Williams, recently ordained to the diaconate, 
 took charge. He was ordained to the priest- 
 hood on Trinity Sunday, June 15, 1924, and 
 continued as Priest in charge of the Church 
 of the Incarnation, Chicago and of Saint 
 Aidan's. 
 
 In May, 1927, Father Williams resigned to 
 take charge of a parish in another diocese. He 
 was succeeded by the Rev. John McKinney, an 
 elderly priest who remained until his retirement 
 from active service June 24, 1928. The present 
 Priest in charge, the Rev. Wayne A. Garrard, 
 took charge of St. Aidan's, July 1, 1928, one 
 week after his ordination to the priesthood. 
 
 In July, 1931, ground was broken for the 
 erection of a new church building which was 
 completed in October and the first service in 
 the new edifice was held on Oct. 18, 1931. The 
 old building had also been remodeled for use 
 as a parish house. 
 
 Since the re-organization of St. Aidan's in 
 1918, the Mission has enjoyed a slow but 
 steady growth, and today has a congregation 
 of about 160 members, 125 of whom are com- 
 municants. 
 
 Among those who have been active in the 
 second period of St. Aidan's history are Mr. 
 John Gilbert, Mr. A. M. Weaver, Mr. John Kent, 
 Mr. John Jerue, Mr. A. F. Aim. 
 
 The present Executive Committee is composed 
 of the following members: Mr. John Gilbert, 
 Mr. Jonathan D. Hughes, Mr. John Jerue, Mr. 
 John Kent, Mr. Robert Post, Mr. A. M. Weaver, 
 and Mr. W. G. Wilson. 
 
 Universalist Church 
 
 Early in the sixties a small company of men 
 and women of Blue Island and vicinity united in 
 an organized congregation for the purpose of 
 teaching and propagating the principles of the 
 Christian religion according to the Universalist 
 faith. 
 
 It was not until April 10, 1865, that any steps 
 were taken to erect a church edifice. On that 
 date J. P. Young, deeded the lot at the corner 
 of Greenwood avenue and High street, for a 
 church and parsonage valued at that time at 
 $250, to H. H. Massey for a consideration of 
 
214 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 $150.00. The property was then conveyed by 
 Mr. Massey to the church. Measures were at 
 once taken to build a church home and on Feb. 
 15, 1866, during the pastorate of the Rev. T. H. 
 Tabor, the building was dedicated free of debt. 
 
 Going into the early history of religious wor- 
 ship in the community a pamphlet printed in 
 1895, says: 
 
 "The early settlers of Blue Island prior to 
 1860 were teaching the religion of Christ through 
 
 The Old Universalist Church 
 Built in 1866 
 
 the organized life of a Sunday school. The orig- 
 inators of this movement were Mrs. Benjamin 
 Sanders and Mrs. Carlton Wadhams. The school 
 was held in an old frame schoolhouse which 
 stood just east of the present school on the north 
 side of Vermont st. This building is now occu- 
 pied as a dwelling house and stands on Green- 
 wood avenue, between Grove and Vermont 
 streets. 
 
 "Late in the fifties disagreement arose about 
 certain library books on account of which the 
 Universalists were left in possession of that part 
 of the library which involved the principles of 
 their faith. 
 
 "A few years subsequent to this division, or 
 about 1858, H. H. Massey and C. B. Sammons 
 were engaged in the grocery business in the 
 building later occupied by Emil Boehl. The 
 Universalists rented the hall in the second story 
 from them and met there to worship. 
 
 "Among the early preachers to the Blue Is- 
 
 land Universalists were such men as the Rev. 
 Mason, the Rev. Reiley, the Rev. Otis Skinner 
 of Joliet, the Rev. J. M. Manley of St. Paul's, 
 Chicago, the Rev. J. M. Day of Blue Island, the 
 Rev. Chaplain and others. . . . ' 
 
 Use of the church at High street and Green- 
 wood avenue was abandoned by the Universalists 
 about twenty years ago, and there is no congrega- 
 tion of that denomination in Blue Island at 
 this time. 
 
 A few years later the Baptists occupied the 
 building but soon abandoned it and it was then 
 occupied by an Episcopalian mission. 
 
 In 1921, Wm. Klein bought the old church 
 property and erected thereon his present beau- 
 tiful home. 
 
 The old church was bought by the Slovak 
 Lutherans and was moved by them to the very 
 edge of the hill on the east side of Greenwood 
 avenue, just south of Grove street. It was re- 
 erected on a solid concrete basement foundation 
 and veneered with brick, making it a very at- 
 tractive structure. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Swedish Mission Covenant Church 
 
 The Swedish Mission Covenant Church, was 
 organized in February, 1884, in a little building 
 located between Lewis and Cochran streets, near 
 Greenwood avenue. A few years later the pres- 
 ent church fronting on Greenwood avenue, near 
 Cochran street, was built. Rev. J. A. Gustafson 
 was the first regular pastor, serving the con- 
 gregation eight years. He was succeeded by the 
 Rev. Carl Johnson. During the last five years 
 Rev. J. E. Mehlan was the pastor, leaving in 
 August, 1935, to take charge of the First Mission 
 Covenant Church in Kewanee. Prof. P. Pierson 
 of Chicago then substituted for several months 
 until the Rev. Herbert F. Sunden was chosen to 
 fill the pulpit. The organizations within the 
 congregation consist of Ladies' Aid, Brotherhood 
 Society, Young Peoples' Society, Dorcas Society, 
 Junior League, and there is a flourishing Sunday 
 School with a regular attendance of about 200 
 scholars. During the past five years the mem- 
 bership of the church has nearly doubled. 
 
 Society of Friends 
 
 During the late nineties, when the Farquhar 
 Heating company's plant was in operation at 
 Wireton, quite a number of Quakers were em- 
 ployed there. A Society of Friends was organ- 
 ized, with Rev. Wm. S. Wooton, formerly a pas- 
 tor in Des Moines, la., preacher in charge. 
 
BLUE ISLAiND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 215 
 
 SCHOOLS 
 
 I 
 
 Blue Island Community High School 
 
 In the United States, the public schools have 
 been from the early days of the republic a vital 
 part of the history of any community. When our 
 forefathers established this nation for the un- 
 heard of purpose of forming "a more perfect 
 union, establish justice, secure domestic tranquil- 
 ity, provide common defense, promote general 
 welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty," they 
 felt that free public schools must be established 
 in order that these ideas might be kept fresh in 
 the minds of the coming generations. Washing- 
 ton, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Franklin and 
 others expressed their determination in words to 
 this effect, that schools must be established to 
 teach citizenship in a democracy, to enlighten 
 public opinion, to discharge with credit the great 
 duties of citizens, etc. The new form of govern- 
 ment then demanded a new kind of school. 
 People in a democracy must be taught not only 
 how to vote but how to live in "a government by 
 the people and for the people." The citizens of 
 the new republic had come from Europe, where 
 kings and queens ruled, where the common peo- 
 ple never had a chance to vote. But in America, 
 where it was the duty of every man twenty-one 
 years of age to vote, it was a different matter. 
 
 And so, school houses sprang up in every 
 community even the smallest, throughout the 
 land, and schools became an integral part of the 
 community. When Blue Island was made a vil- 
 lage one hundred years ago, a school was one of 
 the first considerations. No records of that first 
 school have been found, in fact, there seem to 
 be no school records previous to the year 1854. 
 
 and from that time to the year 1885 they were 
 very meager. About the year 1854, a small sec- 
 tion of the old Whittier school was built, con- 
 sisting of two rooms, one above the other. The 
 upper room was reached by steps from the out- 
 side of the building. 
 
 Some of our older residents still remember this 
 old two room building with its primitive equip- 
 ment. It had stove heat and on cold days the 
 pupils moved their box-like seats and desks to 
 within a few feet of this "central heating plant" 
 to keep warm. 
 
 Among the teachers who taught at that time 
 were Mrs. Everett Rexford, then Sally Robinson, 
 Ella Massey Dickenson and Bessie Huntington 
 Sutherland. 
 
 During all of these years and up to the year 
 of 1887 the schools were under a Board of Di- 
 rectors of three members, a president, a secretary, 
 and one member without office. In the year 1885 
 the members of the Board were Thomas Lewis, 
 president; Jacob Thoeming, secretary, and Asa 
 Farnam, member. The Board seemed to have 
 no regular place of meeting, but often met at 
 the "Thoeming house," "Farnam's office," or 
 "Eichoffs store." 
 
 The record shows there was a frequent change 
 in principals, many of whom remained as head 
 of the schools for one year only, fewer for two 
 years and a very few for three years. There 
 was one principal, however, who remained about 
 six years, 
 
 Mr. Seymour, still most kindly remem- 
 bered by many of his old pupils, in whose honor 
 
216 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 the Seymour school later was named. The first 
 graduation exercises were held in June, 1877, 
 during the administration of Mr. Seymour. 
 There were six graduates of whom five names 
 have been found, Nellie Fuller, Maggie Hulett, 
 Victie Pepper, Anne Purer and Grace Roche. 
 In June of the following year there were two 
 graduates, William Black and Addie Diefenbach. 
 There were graduating classes each year until 
 about the year 1890. During a few years at 
 about this time some pupils attended a Chicago 
 high school and there seemed to be no high 
 school in Blue Island. In August, 1885, the site 
 for the DeWitt school was purchased, and later 
 the contract for the erection of the building was 
 awarded to Christian Krueger at $2,231.00. This 
 building contained four school rooms, and was 
 situated on Canal street. Later the school and 
 grounds were sold and the Lincoln school took 
 its place. 
 
 On the 16th day of April, 1887, an election 
 was held for a Board of Education of six mem- 
 bers. The following members were elected: A. 
 C. Boeber, Asa Farnam, Charles Lochow, E. H. 
 Rexford, Ferdinand Schapper, and W. H. Weber. 
 The officers of the first Board of Education were: 
 Ferdinand Schapper, president, and W. H. 
 Weber, secretary. 
 
 As the city increased in population, there were 
 additions made to the old Whittier building until 
 it contained nine school rooms. The Seymour 
 school with eight rooms was erected during the 
 year 1892. There were then three school houses 
 in the city, the old Whittier, the DeWitt and the 
 Seymour. In June of 1894, Mr. J. E. Lemon 
 from Bay City, Michigan, was elected superin- 
 tendent for the following school year. At that 
 time the members of the Board of Education 
 were: Mr. Henry Biroth, president; Mr. W. H. 
 Weber, secretary; Mr. L. P. Voorhees, Mr. Louis 
 Luchtemeyer, Mr. Charles Lochow, Mr. C. C. 
 Claussen, and Mr. A. M. Weinhardt. There were 
 twenty teachers in the system that year, two of 
 whom, Miss Alice Grey and Miss Margaret 
 Smith, taught in the high school. The high school 
 occupied two rooms on the second floor and 
 one room on the first floor of the old Whittier 
 school. There were only thirty-one pupils in the 
 high school at this time, nine in the tenth grade 
 and twenty-two in the ninth grade. During that 
 school year the Greenwood ave. school was erec- 
 ted, consisting of four rooms, and was ready for 
 occupancy in September, 1895. During the sum- 
 mer of 1896 the third story was added to the 
 Seymour school and in September the high 
 school occupied the four added rooms. 
 
 In the year 1897 the Worth Township high 
 school was established. Mr. J. L. Zacharias was 
 
 chosen president of the Township high school 
 Board of Education for the first year and Louis 
 Wirtz was made secretary. In June of 1897 the 
 first class since 1890 was graduated. There were 
 eight graduates. In that same year Superin- 
 tendent Lemon was instructed by the Board of 
 Education to invite representatives from the 
 University of Illinois, Northwestern University, 
 University of Chicago and the University of 
 Michigan to inspect our high school with a view 
 of placing it upon the diploma list of these 
 Universities. This was accomplished the follow- 
 ing year. The next year, 1899, our high school 
 was placed upon the list of accepted schools of 
 the North Central Association of Colleges and 
 Secondary Schools. In spite of the lack of funds, 
 during these past five years, which has brought 
 about crowded conditions and a very heavy 
 teacher's load, the instruction has been of such 
 a high quality that our school has met the re- 
 quirements of this association and is still on its 
 accredited list. 
 
 Opposition later developed against the Town- 
 ship high school which finally resulted in taking 
 the matter to court and in May, 1900, through a 
 technicality in the procedure of establishing the 
 school, the court ordered that it be discontinued. 
 The high school then was taken over by the 
 Board of Education of District 130, and became 
 again a part of the city school system. 
 
 In the year 1900, the Sanders school was erec- 
 ted and was ready for occupancy in September 
 of that year. 
 
 About the beginning of the new century, Dr. 
 John Dewey, formerly of the University of Chi- 
 cago, and later of Columbia University, brought 
 out a new philosophy of education. He said that 
 "the virtues of the old school were the colorless, 
 negative virtues of obedience, docility, and sub- 
 mission." Discipline was rigid and often unrea- 
 sonable. The ideals of the forefathers had faded 
 out. Dr. Dewey believed that social efficiency 
 and not knowledge is the object of the modern 
 progressive school. His philosophy Avas similar 
 in some respects to that of the forefathers. Our 
 teachers, as did progressive teachers generally, 
 early accepted the teachings of Dr. Dewey and 
 the result has been a better, happier, more demo- 
 cratic, and more socialized education. The 
 Board of Education has selected our teachers 
 not only for their scholastic standing and train- 
 ing, but also for their progressive, humane, and 
 appreciative attitude towards the difficulties of 
 children. 
 
 In 1903 a high school district, separate from 
 District 130, was voted, according to a law that 
 had recently passed the state legislature. This 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 217 
 
 Whittier School 
 
 district included all of District 130 and a small 
 piece of land which was occupied as a cemetery. 
 The law required that the districts must not be 
 identical. From that time there have been two 
 Boards of Education, but one man was president 
 of both Boards, and one superintendent has had 
 charge of both the grades and the high school. 
 The number of this high school district was 213. 
 In writing the history of school systems, it is 
 highly proper to say that the progress of the 
 schools does not depend upon the Superintendent, 
 and teachers alone, but a great share of the 
 responsibility rests upon the school sentiment 
 in the community and upon the Board of Educa- 
 
 schools but by helpful conference and moral sup- 
 port of the superintendent. The Blue Island 
 schools have been unusually fortunate in the 
 presidents of their Boards of Education for many 
 years. Mr. W. H. Weber was president from 
 1895 to 1906, eleven years, and he was followed 
 by Dr. R. L. James who held the office from 1906 
 to 1922, sixteen years, when Mr. A. C. Seyfarth 
 followed from 1922 to 1934, twelve years. It 
 is indeed a remarkable situation that three 
 such capable men, deeply interested in the wel- 
 fare of the children of the community, free 
 from any desire for personal ambition, progres- 
 sive, public spirited and men of vision and 
 
 Greenwood Junior High 
 
 tion as well, and especially upon the President 
 of the Board. If he be a man of good judgment, 
 clear vision, and liberal mind, he can be invalu- 
 able to the schools, not only in carrying through 
 progressive and liberal policies of running the 
 
 understanding, should have held this most im- 
 portant office for so many years. Being a mem- 
 ber of the Board of Education, especially being 
 president, is no enviable position. Though very 
 busy men with their own affairs, yet they give 
 
218 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 freely of their time, their best thought and effort 
 for the benefit of the schools, without compensa- 
 tion except their own consciousness of a service 
 well done. 
 
 The number of pupils and teachers gradually 
 increased. In 1916 there were 250 pupils located 
 on the third floor and two rooms on the second 
 floor of the Seymour school. In that year steps 
 were taken to secure a new high school building 
 which was erected and ready for occupation in 
 September of 1917. In the year of 1927 there 
 were 428 pupils in the high school. The new 
 building was built to accommodate about 200 or 
 250 pupils at most. In 1928 and 1929 an addi- 
 tion was erected. Plans and specifications had 
 been accepted for a much larger addition, in- 
 cluding a cafeteria, a gymnasium, an auditor- 
 ium, an art room, music room, a small theater 
 of about 200 capacity for coaching plays and 
 smaller gatherings and a swimming pool. Lack 
 of funds prevented the carrying out of these 
 plans. In the year 1929 there were two Junior 
 high schools one located in the Seymour school 
 and the other in the new Junior high school on 
 123rd st., each consisting of seventh, eighth and 
 ninth grades. 
 
 In August, 1927, the Blue Island Community 
 High School, District No. 218, was established. 
 
 At an election in September of the same year 
 the following members of the Board of Educa- 
 tion were chosen: Mr. A. C. Seyfarth, Mr. L. E. 
 Pipin, Mr. L. Biedenkopf, Mr. John Aregood, 
 and Mr. Emil Blatt. The same policy that had 
 been maintained formerly was still carried out, 
 and Mr. A. C. Seyfarth who was president of 
 the Grade Board was also chosen as president 
 of the High School Board and Mr. Lemon was 
 still superintendent of both schools. 
 
 The old Whittier school was torn down and a 
 new Whittier school was erected on the same 
 grounds in the year 1925. The Paul Revere 
 school and the Community Junior high schools 
 were erected in 1929. In both senior high school 
 and junior high schools shop work, domestic 
 science, music and drawing and gym woik were 
 taught by excellent teachers. That year there 
 were ninety-three teachers in the public schools 
 of Blue Island. When the depression came it was 
 necessary to curtail expenses and in 1931, the 
 above subjects were dropped from the -hools. 
 Gym work in all the grade schools was also 
 dropped. 
 
 At the school election in April, 1934, Mr. 
 Frank Van Overstraeten was elected president 
 of the Grade Board and Mr. J. C. Joens was 
 elected president of the High School Board. In 
 July of that year, Mr. Walter Eggert was elected 
 
 superintendent of the Grade School and Mr. 
 Lemon remaining superintendent of the High 
 School. In June of 1935, Mr. Lemon resigned 
 bis position as superintendent of the High School 
 and later Mr. H. L. Richards was elected to fill 
 the vacancy. 
 
 Old Whittier School 
 
 Number of pupils enrolled in the Blue Island 
 Community High School, District No. 218, since 
 its establishment in 1927: 
 
 1927 : 428 
 
 1928 462 
 
 1929 500 
 
 1930 579 
 
 1931 746 
 
 1932 886 
 
 1933 1,039 
 
 1934 1,156 
 
 1935 1,209 
 
 Two hundred thirty-nine graduated from the 
 Community High School in 1935. 
 
 Twenty-four teachers are employed in the 
 High School. 
 
 Number of pupils enrolled and number of 
 teachers employed in the Elementary Schools 
 
 of District No. 130: 
 
 Teachers Pupils 
 
 Whittier 10 306 
 
 Lincoln 6 153 
 
 Sanders 4 136 
 
 Greenwood Jr. H. S 7 130 
 
 Paul Revere 7 223 
 
 Greenwood 10 285 
 
 Seymour Jr. H. S 9 288 
 
 50 
 
 1521 
 
 The tax rate for the Grade schools is $2.04 
 on the $100 and for the High School $1.46. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 219 
 
 Lutheran Parochial School 
 
 The first school building of the Lutheran 
 congregation was erected in 1871, and consisted 
 of a two-story frame structure with a single large 
 class room on the second floor, reached by an 
 outside stairway. Before that time classes were 
 held in the Bauer brick building on Western 
 avenue, near the creek. 
 
 There was at first only one teacher, who 
 taught all grades. The children were ranged 
 at long wooden desks and benches, the smaller 
 children in front and the larger ones in the 
 rear of the room, girls on one side and boys 
 on the other with an aisle between. A Mr. 
 Habermehl was the first teacher. Later classes 
 were also held in a room on the lower floor, 
 Miss Dorothy Fischer and Miss Emma Seyfarth 
 taking the smaller children. 
 
 This frame school building served its purpose 
 for forty years. 
 
 The present school building, which was erected 
 in 1912, at a cost of $25,000, is a modern two- 
 story brick containing four classrooms and as- 
 sembly hall. A large auditorium added in 1925 
 is equipped for basketball games and contains a 
 bowling alley. The furniture and equipment in 
 school and auditorium is of the best. 
 
 The school activities include male and female 
 choirs, a mixed choir, junior choir and glee club. 
 There is also a strong P.-T. A. 
 
 There are at present about 150 pupils attend- 
 ing school here. A full eight-grade course is 
 now given, four teachers being employed. Those 
 
 teaching at the present time are: Mr. Paul 
 Damrow, Mrs. Spohmer, Miss Clara Damm and 
 Miss Gertrude Meyer. 
 
 The Old Lutheran Parochial School, Erected in 
 1871. — I'hoto Courtesy Archie Ely. 
 
 Others who taught in the earlier years were: 
 Mr. Habermehl (1864-65); Mr. Packebusch 
 
220 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 (1865-68); J. L. List (1868-79); Paul Appelt 
 (1879-84) ; William Schmidt (1884-85) ; A. W. 
 T. Doermann (1885-1902); H. Feuchter (1886- 
 1898) ; S. A. Stein (1902-04) ; F. Ganschou 
 (1904-16) ; F. Wichert (1906-08) ; H. Amelung; 
 
 Miss Dorothy Fischer, Miss Emma Seyfarth, 
 Miss Clara Doermann, Miss Olga Hennigs, 
 Miss Louise Damm, Miss Minna Sonnenschein, 
 Miss Dorothea Meyer, Miss Eleanor Meyer, Miss 
 Clara Hermann. 
 
 ■1 m H L- -- 
 
 
 St. Benedict Catholic School 
 
 This mission, dedicated to the Sorrowful 
 Mother, was opened in September, 1879, when 
 Sister Pachomia, the superior, came from Mil- 
 waukee with two sisters and a candidate. 
 
 On June 21, 1889, the Sisters conducted grad- 
 uation exercises for the first time and six pupils 
 received their diplomas. At that time the enroll- 
 ment of the school had risen to 250. 
 
 On June 26, 1904, thirty-three children re- 
 ceived their First Holy Communion, thirteen 
 graduated from the eighth grade, and the enroll- 
 ment that year was 290. 
 
 The Sisters moved into their present home on 
 March 17, 1906. The first Holy Mass was read 
 in the little chapel on the Feast of St. Paul by 
 Rev. Paul Halbmaier. 
 
 School opened with an enrollment of 502 in 
 1924, so that the enlargement of the Sisters' 
 home was imperative. The work on the annex 
 began in May, 1925, and in September the first 
 Mass was said in the beautiful new chapel by 
 the Rev. Theo. G. Gross. 
 
 The cornerstone of the new St. Benedict school 
 was laid on June 7, 1925. In January, 1926, 
 classes were resumed in the new building. 
 
 The large number of pupils made it an abso- 
 lute necessity to have a supervisor which was 
 
 effected in 1928. The band, which was begun 
 in 1929 and is now under the direction of Mr. 
 Sarvello, is an asset to the school. The year 
 1929, proved a sad one when Sister Rosalie had 
 to undergo an operation which proved fatal. 
 She died March 17, 1929. Sorrow oppressed 
 the Sisters' and those of all who had known the 
 dear departed. At the end of that year fifty- 
 four were in the class to receive their diplomas. 
 Sister Victor after an absence of eight years was 
 reappointed Superior. The 1935 graduation 
 class numbering 60, was the largest in the history 
 of St. Benedict school. 
 
 The enrollment for the past thirty years aver- 
 ages 396. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The School Boards 
 
 The members of the board of education, Com- 
 munity High School District No. 218 are: John 
 C. Joens, president; Emil Blatt, secretary; Allen 
 C. Knirsch, Louis Biedenkopf and Clifford 
 Aulwurm. 
 
 The members of the board of education, 
 Grade School, District 130, are: Frank J. Van 
 Overstraeten, president; Julius Pahlke, secre- 
 tary; John Uehrke, Walter Andersen, Burtie S. 
 Watt, Fred Hohmann and Edgar C. Rice. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 221 
 
 Mother of Sorrows Institute 
 
 Mother of Sorrows Institute located on South 
 Western avenue, and conducted by the Mantellate 
 Sisters, Servants of Mary, is a school Blue Is- 
 land is proud to have in its vicinity. 
 
 The land was purchased from Fred Bauer 
 about ten years ago, with the intention of erect- 
 ing a building to be used as. a boarding school 
 for children. The place at the time was nothing 
 but a residence and a field of farm crops. Under 
 the diligent care of the Sisters it is today one of 
 Blue Island's most beautiful places. 
 
 The new building was completed in 1928 and 
 a grade school established. Up to that time it 
 
 was just a primary and kindergarten school. It 
 is an ideal home and school for girls and boys. 
 The entire building is furnished with modern 
 equipment both in the dormitories and class 
 
 rooms. 
 
 The whole place has a healthful atmosphere 
 and playground equipment and wading pool 
 afford much enjoyable recreation. 
 
 Children of all nationalities are accepted. 
 Every effort is put forth by the Sisters in charge 
 to safeguard the child in play and the children 
 are under competent supervision. 
 
 Blue Island Public Schools 
 
 Blue Island High School — H. L. Richards, 
 superintendent, Maple avenue and Union street; 
 Grade Schools: Walter A. Eggert, superintend- 
 ent; Seymour- Whittier school, Maple avenue and 
 Vermont street; Greenwood school, Greenwood 
 avenue and Grunewald street; Lincoln school, 
 2150 Broadway; Paul Revere school, 12333 
 Gregory street; Sanders school, Division and 
 
 York streets. 
 
 * * # 
 
 The parochial school of St. Isidore is under 
 the direction of Sister Superior M. Semphoria. 
 The enrollment of pupils during 1935 was 191. 
 
 Schools Dental Clinic 
 
 The Blue Island Schools Dental Clinic, open 
 to pupils in both public and parochial schools, 
 was inaugurated here in May, 1935. The clinic 
 was established through the efforts and under 
 the sponsorship of the Blue Island Parent- 
 Teacher Council and is unique in the history of 
 the state. Several local dentists have vol- 
 unteered their services for this work which is 
 free to children of school age who are unable to 
 pay for regular dental service. The clinic is 
 held in a room of the Seymour school. 
 
East Side and South Side Public Schools 
 
 Sanders School 
 13010 South Division Street (East Side) 
 
 ' 
 
 Lincoln School 
 214.0 West Broadway (South Side) 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 223 
 
 CLUBS AND SOCIETIES 
 
 Blue Island Lions Club 
 
 The Blue Island Lions Club, which since its 
 organization has filled the dual capacity of a 
 chamber of commerce as well as a businessmen's 
 luncheon club, was chartered on Dec. 18, 1922, 
 with the following members: Dr. F. W. Tracy, 
 Peter W. Heintz, Paul W. Rohe, Patrick Halli- 
 nan, Dr. Ralph C. Aiken, Homer B. Clemmons, 
 Thomas R. Edgerton, Fred L. Zacharias, Dr. 
 LeRoy T. Rowland, George 0. Sutton, Dr. Alvin 
 B. Snider, H. C. C. Stadle, Anthony Jaeger, Al- 
 bert Stolz, W. Otto Wielgorecki, William C. 
 Hake, Harry Engstrom, C. H. Hannagan, Elmer 
 L. Spencer, Matt C. Witt, Arthur G. Carlson, E. 
 Biedenkopf, A. W. Schreiber, Wm. Anderson. 
 
 The presidents of the organization and the 
 year they took office follows: 
 
 Dr. Frank W. Tracy, 1922; Albert Stolz, 1923: 
 Charles Hannagan, 1924; Homer B. Clemmons, 
 1925; John E. Steinhart, 1926; Millard A. Rau- 
 hoff, 1927; August W. Schreiber, 1928; Peter 
 W. Heintz, 1929; Harold C. Volp, 1930; S. M. 
 Wilson, 1931-1932; J. Floyd Smith, 1933-1934; 
 Henry G. Baumann, 1935-. 
 
 The Lions club's influence in the civic welfare 
 of the community was the major phenomena of 
 the community's civic life during the decade fol- 
 lowing the establishment of the club and at the 
 beginning of the second decade this influence 
 is more firmly intrenched than ever before. 
 
 A mere recital of a few of the club's major 
 activities from 1922-1936 reveals just what part 
 the club played in the existence of Blue Island's 
 civic scheme of things: 
 
 It was largely through the effort of the Lions 
 club that the playground and recreation system 
 was established in Blue Island; that a large part 
 of the city was provided with an ornamental 
 system of street lighting; that public sentiment 
 for a new city hall was aroused, making that 
 building a possibility; that the Community High 
 school district was established; that postal re- 
 ceipts were increased to such an extent that the 
 rating of the Blue Island office was made Class 
 No. 1 ; that the park board's expansion was car- 
 ried out; that the observance of the Centennial 
 of Blue Island in 1935 was carried through. 
 
 The original funds for that purpose were 
 raised by the Lions club largely by means of 
 a WLS-Prairie Farmer Home Talent barn-dance 
 show given at the Whittier auditorium, March 
 7, 8, 9, 1935, and netted several hundred dollars. 
 This fund was loaned to the Centennial associa- 
 tion, an organization formed through the nur- 
 
 turing of the Lions club and containing Lions 
 club members exclusively. Incidentally the pop- 
 ularity of the WLS-Prairie Farmer show of that 
 spring was so great a similar show was another 
 profitable venture on Dec. 11, 12, 13, 14, 1935. 
 Among festivals sponsored by the Lions club 
 for the benefit of merchants and manufacturers 
 in the first decade of the club's existence were 
 the following: 
 
 Blue Island Booster Week, September, 1925; 
 Merchants and Manufacturers Exhibit, March, 
 1926; Own Your Own Home Exposition at Coli- 
 seum in 1926 had co-operation of the Blue Island 
 Lions club ; ; Pageant of Progress Exhibit, April, 
 1927; Trade Show and Outdoor Festival, Sep- 
 tember, 1928. 
 
 Among large social events within the Lions 
 club organization was the Fifth Anniversary 
 celebration, Jan. 25, 1928, which drew a crowd 
 in excess of 250 at a banquet and dance and 
 the International President's Night, held on Oct. 
 15, 1934, when the club received recognition 
 from Vincent Hascall of Omaha, International 
 president. The club at that time had increased 
 its membership to such an extent that it won 
 outstanding national and district honors. 
 
 The club played its part in boosting Chicago 
 during the two years of A Century of Progress 
 exposition and raised funds in 1932 for a special 
 booklet to be distributed to prospective visitors. 
 
 This was only one of several booklets put out 
 since the club's organization boosting Blue Is- 
 land and Blue Island products. 
 
 The membership of the club as of Dec. 15, 
 1935, included: 
 
 Clifford Aulwurm, Emil Blatt, Henry Bau- 
 mann, C. J. Bell, L. Blum, Don Boughner, R. W. 
 Bronson, A. P. Charest, Thomas Costello, Dr. 
 L. C. Damm, William Doering, Henry L. Duff, 
 
 B. L. DuVal, E. Edwards, A. E. Engelland, Wal- 
 ter W. Eggert, Milton Esche, Dr. C. E. Folkers, 
 Henry J. Goesel, Chas. Habich, William F. Hab- 
 ich, R. B. Hammond, William 0. Hankey, Wm. 
 Harding, R. F. Heitman, Wm. Hennig, Walter 
 
 C. Hofer, Frank Kasten, Ed. Kelly, Fred J. 
 Koehn, Walter Koehler, C. A. Komada, John 
 Littler, H. B. Lund, Joseph Lentz, L. I. McCord, 
 Henry Marks, H. A. Mayberry, Thomas Mcln- 
 erney, Joseph Norbeck, Earle J. W. Pronger, 
 M. R. Ramser, Lewis W. Rauch, Fred A. Rice, 
 Frank C. Rogers, William Roll, Gilbert A. Roll, 
 Lewis F. Schwartz, J. A. Simmerling J. Floyd 
 Smith, Kenneth J. Smith, J. E. Steinhart, Martin 
 Stephen, John F. Stuebe, Paul Thurlow, Dr. F. 
 
224 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 W. Tracy, John H. Volp, W. Otto Wielgorecki, 
 S. M. Wilson, Albert Stolz, H. L. Richards, W. 
 L. Bielfeldt, Rev. A. B. Bell, H. B. Clemmons, 
 Hill Lakin, Rev. Feme. 
 
 Officers besides President, Baumann, were: 
 Dr. C. E. Folkers, first vice-president; R. W. 
 Bronson, second vice-president; Dr. Earle J. 
 Pronger, third vice-president; Arthur E. Engel- 
 land, secretary-treasurer, and trustees: J. F. 
 Smith, R. B. Hammond, R. F. Heitman, E. E. 
 
 Edwards, G. Oetjen. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Blue Island Woman's Club 
 By Bertha S. Morrill 
 
 The Blue Island Woman's Club was organized 
 in the fall of 1890 under the title of "The Cur- 
 rent Topic Club." The first meeting was held 
 at the home of Mrs. Harry B. Robinson, on 
 Greenwood avenue near High street. A partial 
 list of the charter members follows: 
 
 Mrs. H. B. Robinson, temporary chairman; 
 Miss Emily Roche, Mrs. Grace E. Holland, Mrs. 
 Henrietta B. McGrath, Mrs. Ann C. Fuller, Mrs. 
 Nelson A. Cool, Mrs. Charles Young, Mrs. Cyrus 
 H. Morrill, Mrs. Perry Fletcher, Mrs. Frank 
 Young, Mrs. Jay Kauffman, Mrs. Lydia M. 
 Small, Mrs. Barton Rexford, Mrs. Irvin, Mrs. 
 Henry Massey, Mrs. M. M. Rudd, Mrs. Willis 
 Rudd, Mrs. Fred Kile, Mrs. Everett Rexford, 
 Mrs. Harriett Bushnell Fletcher, Mrs. Gilbert 
 Bacon, Mrs. Frank Dunning, Mrs. Ferdinand 
 Schapper. 
 
 For eight years the club met only at the 
 homes of the members. The hostess was the 
 "Temporary Chairman", and was responsible for 
 the program and entertainment of the Club 
 members. 
 
 There were no regular officers elected until 
 1898. The 'Temporary Chairman" could ask 
 assistance from Club members. 
 
 At roll call each member responded with 
 an interesting topic of the day, which often led 
 to lively discussion. This feature of responding 
 to roll call by a topic, is still kept as a valuable 
 feature of the club. 
 
 Books on travel were read and discussed; 
 papers were prepared and read on Art, Music, 
 Literature and the Drama. 
 
 A music section was formed the "Chorus Club" 
 being led by Miss Lou Robinson, niece of Mr. 
 H. B. Robinson. 
 
 Because of the fact that the Club met at the 
 houses of the members during these early years, 
 a limited membership was imperative. 
 
 In 1898, the basement of the Public Library 
 was chosen as the meeting place. Following the 
 lead of the Chicago Woman's Club a president 
 
 and other officers were elected for a term of one 
 year. 
 
 The first president was Mrs. Henrietta B. Mc- 
 Grath, who served for three consecutive years. 
 Mrs. McGrath thereafter served the Club ably 
 as Parliamentarian, and for several years has 
 been a life member of the Blue Island Woman's 
 Club, the highest honor within the gift of the 
 Club. 
 
 In 1925, during the presidency of Mrs. Ada 
 B. Kallum, the Club was reorganized under the 
 name of "The Blue Island Woman's Club," and 
 through her untiring efforts moved to its present 
 quarters, the Elks club rooms. 
 
 There were two purposes in these changes: — 
 
 First — the members felt the club must have 
 quarters large enough to accommodate the many 
 new members who would join as soon as the 
 limit of forty members was removed. 
 
 Second — the name, "Blue Island Woman's 
 Club" was an invitation to every woman in 
 Blue Island to become a member of this pro- 
 gressive Club. 
 
 This Club is the third oldest club in the Chi- 
 cago District. It has been outstanding in its 
 ideals. 
 
 Mrs. Borman, President lor the past four years 
 says: 
 
 "I should say the outstanding characteristics 
 of our Club are the friendly and loyal spirit of 
 its members and its freedom from politics." 
 
 Affiliations: The Third District Federation of 
 Women's Clubs, Illinois Federation of Women's 
 Clubs, General Federation of Women's Clubs, 
 and Conference of Club Presidents and Club 
 Chairmen. 
 
 Pledge to the Club: "Holding my membership 
 in the Blue Island Woman's Club as something 
 worthy of unfailing loyalty, I will sustain the 
 Club in its good work, and guard its reputation." 
 
 Following is a roster of Club Presidents, and 
 the years in which they served: 
 
 Mrs. Henrietta B. McGrath— 1898, 1899, 1900. 
 
 Mrs. Grace E. Holland— 1901, 1902. 
 
 Mrs. Jennie L. Blodgett— 1903. 
 
 Mrs. Henrietta B. McGrath— 1904. 
 
 Mrs. Ann C. Fuller. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth P. Sammons — 1905. 
 
 Mrs. Alice E. Young— 1906, 1907. 
 
 Mrs. Lydia M. Small— 1908, 1909. 
 
 Mrs. Grace E. Holland— 1910. 
 
 Mrs. Julia M. Rudd— 1911, 1912. 
 
 Mrs. Mary I. Rexford— 1913, 1914. 
 
 Mrs. Katherine McGrath Stoll— 1915, 1916. 
 
 Mrs. Olive Foster Seyfarth— 1917. 
 
 Mrs. Harriet B. Longacre— 1918, 1919. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 225 
 
 1921. 
 
 Mrs. Sadie M. Napier— 1920, 
 
 Mrs. Ada B. Wolff— 1922 
 
 Mrs. Ada Kallum— 1925. 
 
 Mrs. Lena D. Price— 1926. 
 
 Mrs. Helen Seyfarth Runkle— 1927, 1928. 
 
 Mrs. Jennie Cordt Johnson— 1929, 1930. 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Cool Borman— 1931. 1932, 1933, 
 1934. 
 
 Mrs. Hope Hewitt— 1935-. 
 
 Several Past-Presidents have told what, in their 
 opinions, were the outstanding accomplishments 
 during the time they were in office. 
 
 Mrs. Olive Seyfarth, 1917— "War work by 
 members who had to drop the ordinary Club 
 programs. Time was devoted to Red Cross 
 work under the leadership of Mrs. John McColl. 
 Also the sale of Liberty bonds, war gardens and 
 food conservation." 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Longacre, 1918, 1919— "Little 
 real club work was attempted. Red Cross work, 
 Service club formed to help in caring for re- 
 turned veterans and a card party to raise funds 
 are among the outstanding activities during my 
 term of office." 
 
 Mrs. Sadie Napier, 1920, 1921— "The gift of 
 the memorial stone and tree to the Public Library 
 grounds in honor of our boys who gave their 
 lives in the World War" are the outstanding 
 events during my term of office. 
 
 Mrs. Helen Seyfarth Runkle, 1927, 1928— 
 "Bringing the work of the Third District and 
 State Federation home to the Club. Initiating 
 the idea of the Junior Woman's Club which was 
 sponsored by our Club. Raising $800.00 by 
 giving a Charity Ball sponsored by the Club, 
 which was donated to the Welfare work." 
 
 Mrs. Jennie Cordt Johnson — "The outstanding 
 achievement of the Woman's Club during the 
 years from 1929 to 1931, the Depression Years, 
 was the aid given the newly organized Welfare 
 Bureau. To raise funds for this purpose, the 
 Club gave a Charity Ball both years, and an 
 evening play produced by members of the Drama 
 group. The fund thus raised enabled us to 
 give to the Welfare $429.00 the first year and 
 $625.00 the second year. Next to the Elks this 
 contribution was the largest donated to the Wel- 
 fare by any organization in Blue Island. In 
 December, 1929, the Blue Island Woman's Club 
 was hostess to the Third District Federation. 
 This was very largely attended and made our 
 Club Federation-minded. Later, the same Club 
 year, we joined the General Federation. In the 
 spring of 1931, the Club had its first exhibit 
 at the Sherman Hotel when the Illinois Garden 
 Club held its show. Our poster won a ribbon, 
 
 our bud and bark exhibit the $15.00 prize. We 
 donated $25.00 to the Blue Island Garden Club 
 to be used in beautifying the grounds around 
 the Rock Island station." 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Cool Borman, 1931, 1932, 1933, 
 1934— "My term of office from 1931 to 1935 
 was through the so-called Depression Years, but 
 not Depression Years in our Club. Our mem- 
 bership increased each year, drawing from every 
 part of our city. During the last two years our 
 Club bought and paid for a baby grand piano. 
 I wish everyone could know the loyalty and 
 good-will which reigns in our Club." 
 
 Mrs. Lena D. Price, 1926— "The outstanding 
 event in my term of office was a Membership 
 Drive which doubled the number of members. 
 Also the Board of Directors were given more 
 power and new by-laws were adopted, greatly 
 enlarging the scope of the Club's activities." 
 
 Many past presidents could not be reached 
 because of absence. 
 
 A Year Book is printed each year, giving 
 names of officers, affiliations, programs for the 
 year, and names and addresses of members. 
 
 It also has a list of those members who have 
 passed on to their reward. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM 
 
 "To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die." 
 Grace Roche Holland, Grace Love Seyfarth, 
 Louise Krueger Seyfarth, Margaret Napier Bon- 
 nell, Florence Airey Koenecke, Elizabeth R. 
 Robinson, Minnie Klein, Barbara Brackman, 
 Anna Kough, Katherine McGrath Stoll. 
 FINIS 
 ''Not enjoyment and not sorrow, 
 
 Is our destined end or way; 
 But to act that each tomorrow, 
 Finds us farther than today." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 # * * 
 
 The Blue Island Junior Woman's Club 
 
 The Blue Island Junior Woman's Club was 
 organized on Nov. 4, 1929, at a meeting held 
 at the Elks club of young women of Blue Island 
 who were desirous of forming a new club under 
 the auspices of the Blue Island Woman's Club. 
 
 After Mrs. John Runkle explained the purpose 
 of the proposed club, the girls voted to form 
 such an organization. Mrs. Runkle has con- 
 tinued to serve as sponsor. 
 
 The first duly elected officers were: President, 
 Ruth Hegner; First Vice-President, Dorothy 
 Munter; Second Vice-President, Bernice Ver- 
 hulst; Record Secretary, Marie Nicholl; Cor- 
 responding Secretary, Minnie Rio; Treasurer, 
 Ruth Andersen. Two members of the Executive 
 
>26 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS'" 
 
 Board, Sybil Anderson, Frances Breed. 
 
 In 1930, the Club had enrolled forty-three 
 members; there are now eighty-two in 1935. 
 
 The purposes of the Club are threefold : social, 
 cultural, and charitable. There are nine depart- 
 ments: Literature, Drama, Music, Art, Home- 
 makers, Community Service, International Rela- 
 tions, American Citizenship, and Indian Wel- 
 fare. Each department has a chairman. 
 
 At every meeting there is a chairman who 
 arranges the program and there are hostesses 
 who serve. 
 
 Every meeting offers cultural fare; sometimes 
 aesthetic, often mentally invigorating. A social 
 hour follows the regular program and business 
 affairs. 
 
 Established annual affairs are: Charity Bridge 
 party, Christmas party, Spring Luncheon, Rum- 
 mage or Bake Sale, Dinner for Veterans at Oak 
 Forest, also dances. 
 
 In 1934-35 the Club contributed $25.00 to the 
 Blue Island Communtiy Fund and paid $20.00 
 for Christmas Baskets for deserving families and 
 gave $35.00 to other charitable purposes. 
 
 The officers for the year 1935-1936, are: 
 
 President — Helen Stoll. 
 
 First Vice-President — Lucille Synder. 
 
 Second Vice-President — Martha Brummer. 
 
 Recording Secretary — Ruth Helen Chamber- 
 Iain. 
 
 Corresponding Secretary — -Mary Nelson. 
 
 Treasurer — Anita Hupe. 
 
 Members of Executive Board — Margaret Hilt, 
 
 Dorothv Draeger. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Blue Island Garden Club 
 by Mrs. R. A. Napier 
 
 The Blue Island Garden Club was organized 
 September 21st, 1928, at the home of Mrs. Rich- 
 ard A. Napier, with twelve charter members, 
 whose names follow: 
 
 Mr. James Ocker, Mrs. Minnie Schmitt, Mrs. 
 Morris Nielson, Mrs. Christian Nelson, Mrs. D. 
 W. Longacre, Mrs. Charles C. Day, Mrs. J. B. 
 Ewing, Mrs. George Gobet, Mrs. Benjamin 
 Hogan, Mrs. Charles Meyers, Mrs. Alice Knicker- 
 bocker, Mrs. Richard A. Napier. 
 
 The following officers were elected to serve 
 one year: 
 
 President — Mrs. R. A. Napier. 
 
 Vice-President — Mrs. Minnie Schmitt. 
 
 Secretary — Mrs. D. W. Longacre. 
 
 Treasurer — Mr. James Ocker. 
 
 The object of the club was for the advance- 
 ment of gardening, development of the home 
 grounds, civic beautification, aiding in the pro- 
 tection of forests, wild flowers and birds. Monthly 
 
 meetings were held, civic improvement being the 
 keynote for discussion, some projects having 
 been carried out. The landscaping of the 
 grounds adjacent to the Rock Island station at 
 Prairie street and the planting of thirty trees at 
 119th street, was done by the Garden Club. The 
 Club also planted and marked three Vase Elm 
 trees in Central Park during the George Wash- 
 ington Centennial, April, 1932. 
 
 A yard and garden contest was sponsored by 
 the Club assisted by the Lions Club and the 
 Sun-Standard. The entire city was canvassed — 
 over two hundred entries were secured. The 
 Club also participated in the splendid work of 
 the Chicago Plant, Flower and Fruit Guild, as 
 well as sending flowers to our local hospital. 
 
 The Club has held three annual local flower 
 shows with entries numbering from 300 to 500; 
 has entered exhibits in the Illinois Garden Club 
 shows held at Navy Pier and elsewhere; has 
 been awarded blue ribbons on a "Before and 
 After Garden," in 1929; "Garden Retreat," in 
 1931, and the Junior Garden Club of the Green- 
 wood school was awarded a blue ribbon and 
 silver medal for a "Boys' Hunting and Fishing 
 Camp," in 1933. A Junior show held in Whittier 
 gymnasium in June, 1934, under the able 
 direction of Mrs. John Rampke, chairman, 
 showed a wealth of work accomplished by the 
 Junior Garden Clubs. 
 
 The Garden Club is now considering opening 
 a Garden Center. 
 
 Officers for 1934-5, are: 
 
 President — Mrs. R. A. Napier. 
 
 First Vice-President — Mrs. R. B. Hammond. 
 
 Second Vice-President — Mrs. John Rampke. 
 
 Recording Secretary — Mrs. Wm. Sigtenhorst. 
 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Frank Mosher. 
 
 Treasurer — Mrs. George Roll. 
 
 Chairman, Junior Clubs — Mrs. John Rampke. 
 * * * 
 Public School's Men's Club 
 
 A club with the above name is a recent 
 organization in Blue Island. Its object is to 
 interest and familiarize men of the city, espec- 
 ially those who have children in the schools, 
 with the management and progress of our pub- 
 lic educational institutions. All men interested 
 in schools and the education of children are 
 eligible to membership. The club is not affilia- 
 ted with the Parent-Teacher association. Meet- 
 ings are held the second and fourth Monday 
 evenings in the Seymour-Whittier school, Ver- 
 mont and Maple. The officers are: Albert 
 Tyler, President; M. W. Hummel. Vice Presi- 
 dent; Allen Knirsch. secretary; Chester Kauff- 
 man, Treasurer. 
 
Types of Modern Blue Island Homes 
 
 
 Home of Mr. and Mrs. Win. F. Klein, High and Greenwood 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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228 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS'' 
 
 Blue Island Council of Parents 
 and Teachers 
 
 by Mrs. Allen B. Hope Knirsch 
 
 In 1912, just twenty-three years ago the first 
 Parent-Teacher association in Blue Island was 
 organized, known as the Central Parent-Teacher 
 association, later changed to the Whittier Parent- 
 Teacher association. Mrs. R. A. Napier was the 
 president. Soon after in 1914, the Greenwood 
 Parent-Teacher association was organized and in 
 1916 the Sandprs Parent-Teacher association and 
 after that the Lincoln Parent-Teacher associa- 
 tion. The officers of these organizations were 
 the pioneers in Parent-Teacher association work. 
 At present there are eleven Parent-Teacher asso- 
 ciations in membership with the National and 
 Illinois Congresses of Parents and Teachers, 
 namely, Whittier, Greenwood, Sanders, Lincoln, 
 Seymour, St. Benedict, Garfield, Paul Revere, 
 Calumet, St. Isidore and St. Donatus. These 
 organizations have a total membership of 
 over 1000. 
 
 On April 7th, 1928, the Blue Island Council 
 of Parents and Teachers was organized with 
 Greenwood, St. Benedict, Sanders, Lincoln, Cal- 
 umet and Garfield Parent-Teacher associations 
 as charter members. Mrs. William Vought was 
 elected President; Mrs. George Wilier, Vice- 
 President; Mrs. Fred Denker, Secretary and 
 Treasurer. The above eleven associations are 
 members at present of the Parent Council. Pres- 
 ent officers are Mrs. Allen B. Knirsch, President; 
 Mrs. Henry Kott, Vice-President; Mrs. Wm. 
 Kruse, Secretary and Treasurer. Newly elected 
 officers who will take office in June, are Mrs. 
 Harold Morin, President; Mrs. Glenn Reeder, 
 Vice-President; Mrs. Otto Kasch, Secretary and 
 Mrs. Wm. Kruse, Treasurer. 
 * * » 
 
 First Ballot Box 
 
 The original ballot box, used at the first elec- 
 tion when the question of incorporation as a 
 village was voted on, in 1872, is still in exist- 
 ence. 
 
 It is a very ordinary looking box 15 inches 
 long, 8% inches wide and 6 inches deep. There 
 is a slot 3^2 inches long and V2 inch wide cut 
 in the middle of the lid where the ballots were 
 deposited. The lid is provided with a common 
 chest lock. The entire box is made of walnut. 
 
 This ballot box has been preserved in the 
 family of Hart Massey, who was one of the 
 judges at that election. It was recently sent here 
 from California by Mrs. Laura Rexford Petti- 
 john and is now in the custody of Miss Denton 
 at the public library where it may be seen. 
 
 War Work by Women 
 
 Mrs. John C. McColl, formerly of Blue Island, 
 now living in Midlothian, contributed the follow- 
 ing reminiscences of the work done during the 
 World War by Blue Island women: 
 
 "The Universalist Ladies' Aid sponsored the 
 Red Cross activities during the war, although 
 nearly every member of that organization was 
 also a member of the Current Topic Club. 
 
 "They paid for instructions for Emma Stein 
 and myself — in bandage and gauze work. We 
 started in the High School before it was finished. 
 Then we were given the upper floor of the Post- 
 office building, with the exception of one room, 
 which was used by the exemption board. 
 
 "I was chairman, Mrs. Napier, secretary ; Mrs. 
 F. McGregor in charge of knitting, Miss E. Stein 
 in charge of gauze room, Mrs. R. L. James in 
 charge of bed garments, Mrs. H. Massey assist- 
 ing in office and gauze room, Miss McCormick 
 assisting in sewing room, Dorothy Seim giving 
 out yarn. A score of workers from all walks 
 of life worked day after day throughout the war. 
 
 "Soon after we entered the war, the Elks club 
 asked me to be chairman of a bazaar, which I 
 did with Mrs. F. McGregor as vice-chairman, 
 Mrs. Napier as secretary. It lasted one week 
 and cleared $4,000.00, to buy materials for our 
 work. When we had used $1,000.00 we turned 
 the balance over to the Red Cross and they fur- 
 nished us with materials from then on. I wish 
 I could tell you how many thousands of knitted 
 things, bed garments and bandages we made and 
 Mr. Fred Rexford took to Chicago for us. The 
 comfort kits were made by Mrs. John Bowman 
 and assistants and there was never a train too 
 early or too late for her to go and give the boys, 
 who had not received one of their kits. 
 
 "Later on Mr. Harry Massey was asked to act 
 as president to meet with officers at headquarters 
 in Chicago. At the close of the war, we were 
 given First Aid instruction by the Red Cross and 
 at this time Mrs. Fred Nichols was given the 
 work of looking after di iabled soldiers and their 
 families and later the Tubercular patients at Oak 
 Forest, which she continues to do. 
 
 "The Red Cross gave us $100.00 to equip an 
 emergency hospital in the south side school dur- 
 ing the flu epidemic — the worst we have ever 
 
 had." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Blue Island women exercised their franchise 
 of the ballot for the first time at the township 
 elections on April 7, 1914. The second occasion 
 was the school election April 18, and the third 
 occasion the city election April 21, 1914. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 229 
 
 BLUE ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY 
 
 An institution known as the Blue Island Pub- 
 lic Library was functioning in a small way 
 under private management in the early 1870's. 
 This was located for a time in a frame building 
 on the south-west corner of Western avenue and 
 New street and had available for circulation 
 less than 200 volumes. 
 
 This venture was carried on more or less 
 spasmodically, and under many handicaps, 
 until 1890, when the then newly formed Current 
 Topic Club (predecessor of the Blue Island 
 Woman's Club) took an active interest in the 
 library's development. The efforts of these 
 public spirited women was of the practical kind. 
 Through a series of entertainments and public 
 subscriptions a sum of approximately $6,000 
 was raised for the purpose. With this money 
 more suitable quarters were rented and a num- 
 ber of new books and current magazines pur- 
 chased. Individuals also responded liberally 
 with donations of books and soon the number 
 of volumes exceeded 1500. 
 
 On July 23, 1891, the institution was incor- 
 porated under the laws of the state as the "Blue 
 
 Island Library Association." The first officers 
 were: President, Charles Young; Vice-President, 
 Mrs. C. C. Massey; Treasurer, Frank Dunning; 
 Secretary, Harry B. Robinson; Directors, 0. W. 
 Bourke, W. N. Rudd, Henry Biroth, C. S. Young, 
 Mrs. H. H. Massey, Mrs. M. M. Rudd, Mrs. A. C. 
 Ful'er. Mrs. A. D. Cummings was employed 
 as librarian. 
 
 Rooms were rented over Ed Seyfarth's hard- 
 ware store, corner Western avenue and Grove 
 street. The reading room was free to the public 
 and was open daily, except Sunday, from 2 
 p. m. to 9:30 p. m. In order to meet operating 
 expenses the directors decided to make a charge 
 of $1.00 per year, payable six months in ad- 
 vance, to those wishing to draw books. This 
 charge was made to all except members of the 
 association. The reading room soon became a 
 popular place and the circulating department 
 was well patronized. 
 
 When the fire of May 16, 1896, devastated 
 the greater part of three blocks in the central 
 business section of Blue Island, it wiped out the 
 1700 volumes and entire properties of the asso- 
 
230 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 ciation with the exception of 84 books, those in 
 the hands of subscribers at the time. It was a 
 severe loss, but with indomitable courage and 
 renewed energy the Board of Directors opened 
 within a few days a new reading room in the 
 Brayton home at 235 High street. The people 
 of the village rose to the call for books, funds 
 and equipment and soon the library was again 
 functioning. 
 
 On March 1, 1897, a petition signed by numer- 
 ous property owners was submitted to the Vil- 
 lage Board setting forth the necessity of a free 
 public library and requesting that an ordinance 
 be passed levying an assessment of two mills on 
 the dollar and that the question be submitted to 
 the voters at the next regular election. On 
 motion of Trustee Rexford the petition was ac- 
 cepted and approved by a unanimous vote. 
 
 The question of the two mill tax on the dollar 
 for maintenance of a free public library was 
 submitted to the voters on April 16, 1897, and 
 carried by a vote of 557 for and 253 against. 
 
 Nearly 1000 votes were cast for directors of 
 the public library, Mrs. A. C. Fuller and Mrs. 
 Henrietta B. McGrath being elected for the three 
 year term; H. B. Robinson and Joseph P. Eames 
 for the two year term, and Henry Biroth and 
 F. T. E. Kallum for the one year term. 
 
 All the books, furniture and equipment owned 
 by the Blue Island Library Association were 
 turned over to the new board. 
 
 The quarters on the ground floor of the village 
 hall, which heretofore had been used by Fire 
 Co. No. 1, were remodeled for use of the public 
 library. 
 
 In this large, well lighted room the library 
 became a popular and well patronized institu- 
 tion. It continued in this location until 1903, 
 when the new library building, a gift from 
 Andrew Carnegie, was completed. 
 
 Under the Village law, which was in effect 
 until 1901, the members of the library board 
 were elected at the regular village elections. 
 When, however, the city form of government 
 was adopted in 1901, the office of director of the 
 public library became appointive by the mayor. 
 The first library board appointed by the new 
 mayor, John L. Zacharias, was as follows: Henry 
 Biroth and Mrs. H. B. McGrath, first ward; 
 John W. Reiner, second ward; F. T. E. Kallum 
 and Mrs. Myrtle Murphy, third ward; H. B. 
 Robinson and Mrs. A. C. Fuller, fourth ward; 
 Joseph P. Eames and George Warren, fifth 
 ward. 
 
 In January of 1902 the Library Board wrote 
 Mr. Carnegie asking his consideration of the 
 
 needs of Blue Island for a library building. 
 February brought from him a request for fur- 
 ther information and in March came his gen- 
 erous offer of $15,000 for a building, on 
 condition the city provide and pay for a site 
 and appropriate $1500 per year for maintenance. 
 The latter sum the tax voted was already yield- 
 ing. His offer was promptly and gratefully 
 accepted. A site was quickly selected, the cost 
 certified to the city council and by them ratified 
 and included in the tax levy. The property 
 located on the south side of York street, was 
 purchased from J. P. Young. 
 
 No time was wasted in pushing construction 
 of the building. Mr. W. A. Otis, a noted archi- 
 tect of Chicago, was employed to plan and 
 supervise, and F. X. Rauwolf, local builder, was 
 awarded the general contract. Construction was 
 begun in August and on Monday, May 25, 1903, 
 Blue Island's new Public Library was thrown 
 open for inspection by the public. 
 
 The following brief description of the build- 
 ing is taken from the Blue Island Sun under 
 date of May 23, 1903: 
 
 "The exterior on all sides is of the best buff 
 Bedford stone such as is used in the Chicago 
 Art Institute. The architectural treatment is 
 extremely simple, in the rather severe lines of 
 the Italian Renaissance. It depends for its en- 
 during qualities upon fine and carefully studied 
 proportion and upon the delicacy and refine- 
 ment of its mouldings. 
 
 "The building is 62 feet long and 34 feet 
 deep — has a high basement and main floor. The 
 entrance is through a vestibule with mosaic floor, 
 marble base and oak panelled walls. The main 
 reading rooms cover all the upper floor, without 
 partitions, except for a librarian's room. The 
 children's room is on the West, delivery desk 
 in center, main reading room to the East. Books 
 are shelved along the rear wall. The woodwork 
 is oak elegantly wrought and beautifully fin- 
 ished. The lower floor has a men's room, a 
 large center hall, a director's room and work- 
 room. No detail seems to have been overlooked. 
 
 "The general reading room is a comfort. 
 Light and convenient, with the shelves open and 
 books easy of access, and with everything new 
 and beautiful it adds to the allurement a library 
 of good reading already possesses. The building 
 is heated by steam from the city plant. 
 
 "The library now has in excess of 3,200 vol- 
 umes, besides a large number of unbound peri- 
 odicals." 
 
 The Library Directors through whose efforts 
 the Carnegie gift was secured, and who served 
 throughout the construction and at the dedica- 
 tion of the new building were : Joseph P. Eames, 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 231 
 
 president; H. B. Robinson, secretary; Wm. A. 
 Blodgett, Fred T. Kallum, Myrtle M. Murphy, 
 Ann C. Fuller, Henrietta B. McGrath, John W. 
 Reiner, George A. Warren. Miss Helen L. Price 
 was the librarian. 
 
 Mrs. Rena M. Barickman succeeded Miss 
 Price as librarian in 1904 and continued in the 
 service until 1908, when Miss Ida Ludlow took 
 her place. 
 
 Blue Island's present popular librarian, Miss 
 Louise Denton, came in 1916 and holds the 
 record for length of service with the local 
 institution — twenty years. During that time 
 she has seen the library develop from about 
 5000 books until now there are 12,846 volumes, 
 about equally divided between fiction and non- 
 fiction. The annual circulation averages 61,000 
 and there are 5,800 registered borrowers. 
 
 Back in 1928, Architect Otis, who planned 
 the original structure, drew plans for an addi- 
 tion 23x60 feet in size, which, together with all 
 equipment, would cost $35,000. This addition 
 would increase the size of the present structure 
 about one-third. The library has long out- 
 grown its present quarters and additional space 
 is sorely needed. But funds for the purpose 
 are lacking and until these can be provided 
 the proposed improvement must wait. 
 
 The following constitute the present library 
 board: 
 
 John C. Joens, President; Mrs. H. B. Clem- 
 mons, Secretary; Mrs. Robert Berry, Mrs. Emil 
 Schmitt, Mrs. Florence D. Smith, Mrs. George 
 Borman, Don Boughner, J. C. Uehrke, F. X. 
 Rauwolf. Louise Denton, Librarian; Bertha 
 E. Lietzau, Assistant. 
 
 Parks and Playgrounds 
 
 The year 1936 finds the Blue Island Park 
 district at the threshold of its greatest period of 
 usefulness to the residents of the territory it 
 serves. Organization of the board was com- 
 pleted Aug. 24, 1909, when the first meeting was 
 held with Joseph Eames acting as temporary 
 secretary. Since that beginning progress has 
 marked the steps of the board until the summer 
 of 1935 the board acquired through floating of 
 two bond issues the East side playground of 8% 
 acres and 24 lots on Walnut street and Highland 
 avenue to round out Memorial Park to 11 acres. 
 The original park, Central park, contains 9 acres 
 making a total acreage of 28^/2 acres. 
 
 Late in the summer of 1935 work began on 
 landscaping and development of Memorial Park, 
 which will eventually contain a huge circular, 
 
 outdoor swimming pool, two outdoor stadiums 
 and a fieldhouse. 
 
 The history of the district dates back to its 
 formation as the Central Park district with its 
 tax levying territory contiguous to the then limits 
 of the City of Blue Island. The original Park, 
 Central Park, is composed of the property of 
 the old Sanders Homestead, at Gregory street, 
 between Union and High, and was acquired as 
 being the most suitable in a total of five sites. 
 The purchase including certain improvements 
 ran to $17,000 and was completed Jan. 2, 1912. 
 
 The first board included: F. T. E. Kallum, 
 elected president — chosen first for a four year 
 term as member of the board; Nelson A. Cool, 
 one year term; Charles H. Eidam, two years; 
 Harry Rohrbach, five years; Julius Wessel, three 
 years. Orville C. Green was named permanent 
 secretary and Andrew L. McCord named treas- 
 urer. Mr. McCord is still treasurer. 
 
 Gradually, Central Park was developed. The 
 Benjamin Sanders house was remodeled to form 
 a spacious reception room, boardroom and living 
 quarters for the park superintendent. A swim- 
 ming pool was developed and tennis courts erec- 
 ted. Playground apparatus was installed for 
 the children and wading pool constructed. These 
 and other improvements at Central Park were 
 carried out year by year, the board always fol- 
 lowing the policy of keeping up the property at 
 the highest standard. 
 
 Through the generosity of patriotic citizens 
 headed by Paul T. Klenk, Christian Krueger and 
 W. N. Rudd, and as a move having the backing 
 of the Blue Island Post No. 50, American Legion, 
 five acres of land adjacent to the old Blue Island 
 cemetery was bought and turned over to the 
 Park board to administer and develop into a 
 Memorial Park. 
 
 The expansion of this park met with the op- 
 position of a few descendants of the handful of 
 pioneers not yet removed from Blue Island ceme- 
 etery to more permanent resting places. 
 
 However, with tact and understanding, the 
 Park board through the years gradually per- 
 suaded those interested there to evacuate the 
 graves and remove the bodies at the board's ex- 
 pense as the cemetery had outgrown its useful- 
 ness and the ground was badly needed to com- 
 plete the west side park project. 
 
 At a meeting of the Blue Island Lions club on 
 Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1935, Edward Maroney, presi- 
 dent of the Park board, declared a huge monu- 
 ment would be erected by the board honoring 
 all pioneers buried in the park. Thus, would 
 their memory be even better perpetuated than by 
 
232 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
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 Veranda of Park House, Central Park 
 
 individual stones in the old, crumbling cemetery. 
 In the summer of 1934 land began to be 
 cleared for the erection of a large outdoor stad- 
 ium and athletic field. The work was done 
 through the co-operation of the "alphabet agen- 
 cies" of the federal government. 
 
 In June, 1935, 24 lots owned privately by 
 Charles Hanley, Charles J. Pronger, R. A. Nap- 
 ier and John South, situated on Walnut street 
 and Highland avenue, with south and east front- 
 ages, were acquired for the sum of $17,600 
 through the floating of a bond issue dated June 
 15, 1935, of $30,000 for that purpose of its de- 
 velopment. This increased Memorial Park to 
 approximately 11 acres. 
 
 In August, 1935, the Park board acquired the 
 East Side Playground park of 8% acres from 
 the trustees of the East Side Improvement asso- 
 ciation for $11,500 through the floating of bond 
 issue of $15,000 dated Aug. 15, 1935, for pay- 
 ment of land and further development of the 
 site. 
 
 Also in the summer of 1935 approval was 
 given by federal authorities for a grant of 
 $98,000 for the landscaping and improvement of 
 Memorial park. With $24,000 actually appro- 
 priated by the federal government with $25,000 
 available from the Park board work began on 
 Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1935. 
 
 Eventually, a fieldhouse fully equipped will 
 be erected; an outdoor swimming pool and two 
 stadiums constructed as part of this program. 
 The two stadiums will seat 2500 and 1000 res- 
 pectively. 
 
 The site of the Blue Island Park district, as 
 originally voted, was contiguous to the city limits 
 
 then. Later with the city's expansion in 1933 the 
 district by public referendum acquired addi- 
 tional territory to the east and in the southwest 
 portions of the city. 
 
 The 1934 tax rate was 14 cents per $100 
 valuation. The 1935 valuation of the district 
 was $6,500,000. 
 
 The members and officers of the Board as of 
 Jan. 1, 1936, include: 
 
 Edward C. Maroney — term expires 1937. 
 
 James Wainwright — expires 1937. 
 
 Adolph Helquist — expires 1939. 
 
 Henry Schreiber — expires 1941. 
 
 Rudolph F. Heitman — expires 1941. 
 
 President of the board, Edward Maroney; 
 treasurer, Andrew C. McCord; attorney, Paul T. 
 Klenk, and secretary since May 7, 1913, Alder- 
 man. Joseph W. Lentz. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Playground and Recreation Commission 
 
 Blue Island's Playground and Recreation Com- 
 mission was authorized by a popular vote of the 
 people at an election held on Tuesday, April 15, 
 1924. The vote on the proposition was almost 
 four to one in favor of the establishment of the 
 commission, which is supported by an annual 
 tax of one and three-tenths of a mill on every 
 $100 of assessed valuation. Mayor Paul T. 
 Klenk on May 5, 1924, appointed the following 
 members of the first board: Dr. F. W. Tracy, 
 Arthur Seyfarth, Mrs. J. P. Postweiler, Harry 
 Schlemmer and Frank Kasten. This commission 
 has jurisdiction over all public playgrounds and 
 recreational activities in the city. The present 
 members of the board are: John Over, chairman; 
 Dr. F. W. Tracy, Richard Seyfarth, Clifford 
 Witherspoon and Miss Jessie Piper, secretary. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 231-5 
 
 FRATERNAL ORDERS 
 
 Blue Island in former years was known as a 
 '"good lodge town." Nearly every man belonged 
 to at least two or three fraternal orders and 
 many belonged to six or eight. Lodge organ- 
 izers found this town a profitable field for their 
 operations. In a recent check-up the writer 
 found that in 1920 there were thirty-four frater- 
 nal orders doing business in Blue Island, not 
 counting the patriotic orders, such as G.A.R.. 
 W.R.C. or the more recently organized American 
 Legion. George B. Abbott Camp, Sons of Vet- 
 erans, organized in 1917, disbanded a year ago 
 owing to non-support of members. During the 
 past four or five years all lodges and organiza- 
 tions suffered heavy losses in membership, prin- 
 cipally on account of the depression. The auto- 
 mobile, the radio, and the many other forms of 
 diversion now so common have also had the 
 effect of discouraging lodge attendance. 
 
 The Loyal Order of Moose once had a strong 
 and active lodge here. So did the North Ameri- 
 can Union, the Ancient Order of United Work- 
 men, the Independent Order Good Templars, the 
 Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of the 
 Maccabees, the Ladies of the Maccabees, the 
 Royal League, the Fraternal Tribunes, the Mod- 
 ern Woodmen, Royal Arcanum. Some of these 
 lodges are no longer in existence here, others 
 again are inactive and the few members left on 
 the rolls have been transferred to similar lodges 
 in Chicago or nearby towns. The Order of 
 Mutual Protection was absorbed by and con- 
 solidated with the Royal League, but the few 
 members that were left of Delta Council No. 
 113, Royal League, have been transferred to 
 Beverly Hills Council No. 407, which meets in 
 Washington Heights. 
 
 Three orders own their own homes — the Odd 
 Fellows, Masons and the Eagles. The Elks 
 bought a fine piece of property on Western ave- 
 nue, north of Burr Oak, a few years ago, but the 
 depression coming on stopped the building pro- 
 gram. The property has a frontage, north and 
 south on Western avenue of 223 feet, and 150 
 feet east and west on Olive street. The lodge at 
 that time had a membership of 750. It has less 
 than 500 now. 
 
 In the spring of 1918, when the hall of the 
 Blue Island Liederkranz was destroyed by fire, 
 Blue Island Aerie No. 1332, Fraternal Order of 
 Eagles, organized an Eagles Home Building Cor- 
 poration and bought the property from the sing- 
 ers. Shares were sold at $10 each and from 
 the funds raised through this and other means 
 
 a new building costing, with equipment, ap- 
 proximately $80,000.00, was erected. 
 
 The building has a measurement of 65x158 
 feet over all, two floors and basement. The 
 dance floor, on main level, is 63x100 feet and is 
 the largest this side of Sixty-third street. The 
 stage on this floor measures 24x36 feet. The 
 lodge room on the second floor has a dance floor 
 40x48 feet and has the usual anterooms. 
 
 Calumet Lodge No. 716, A. F. & A. M., has a 
 fine three-story home located in a very prominent 
 spot in the city at Oak street and Western avenue. 
 The building is 71 by 77 feet in size, with stores 
 in front on the ground floor, an auditorium seat- 
 ing 600 on the main floor and a fully equipped 
 kitchen and dining hall in the basement. Its cost 
 was approximately $165,000. Ground for this 
 building was broken Sept. 27, 1921 ; the corner- 
 stone was laid Nov. 5, the same year, and was 
 dedicated with imposing ceremonies Nov. 22, 
 1922. 
 
 Odd Fellows 
 
 Harmonize Lodge No. 2, Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows, as now constituted, is a consolida- 
 tion of Walhalla Lodge No. 54, formerly known 
 as the "German Odd Fellows," which was or- 
 ganized in 1875, and Blue Island Lodge No. 326, 
 organized June 26, 1891. The consolidation was 
 effected on March 10, 1916, at which time the 
 present name was adopted. The charter mem- 
 bers of Walhalla Lodge were: Charles Dilg, 
 Nicholas Stoll, August Ennis, Edward Stege, 
 August Kantzler and John Clausen. The men 
 who signed the charter for Blue Island Lodge 
 No. 326, were: George R. Boyer, J. D. Cryder, 
 
 E. B. Burke, Wm. H. Swett. Thomas Evans, G. 
 W. Wells, Henry E. Guest, J. W. Kane and 
 James Stevenson. In 1908, Blue Island Lodge 
 bought the three-story Christian Krueger build- 
 ing located at the corner of Western avenue and 
 New street. This was remodeled with a new 
 front and the interior arrangement of the second 
 and third floors changed into more comfortable 
 club rooms and meeting halls. Harmonize Lodge 
 No. 2 is one of the strongest and most active of 
 Blue Island's fraternal orders. The officers are: 
 A. Peetz, Noble Grand; H. Tieman, Vice Grand; 
 A. Banderob, Recording Secretary; A. Soltow, 
 Financial Secretary; J. P. Wiessner, Treasurer; 
 H. Shipman, A. Olson, G. Wilier, R. Zahniser, 
 
 F. A. Rice, Trustees. 
 
234 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Benevolent Protective Order of Elks 
 
 Blue Island Lodge No. 1331, Benevolent and 
 Protective Order of Elks, was instituted in the 
 old Masonic Hall, Western avenue and Grove 
 street, on March 16, 1916, with a charter list 
 of 62 members, as follows: Harry Rohrbach, 
 P. R. Fletcher, Fred H. Andres, Wm. H. Frasor, 
 Robert Lamphere, Alden Klein, R. J. James, 
 G. Seim, James Hackett, Phil C. Johnson, L. 
 Rosenfeld, Alfred Alexander, L. E. Pipin, John 
 L. Zacharias, Sr., Robert Krueger, Sr., Wm. H. 
 Werner, Ernest Luscombe, Emil Schmitt, John 
 H. Volp, Robert Berry, Judd H. Matthews, Alex 
 W. Tate, L. L. Weber, Andrew L. McCord, Jos 
 eph Schroth, Louis G. Koch, Alfred Koenecke 
 J. W. Lentz, E. B. Bronson, Henry F. Klein 
 William Weber, Dr. Edw. A. Doepp, Frank M 
 King, D. A. Murphy, Wm. J. Langenbach, Chas 
 M. Lobaugh, Henry C. Aulwurm, Ernst Uhlich 
 Jr., Geo. J. Roll, Harry G. Dare, Louis Staffel 
 C. A. Seyfarth, Theo. Montague, Wm. G. Mor 
 strom, John C. Klein, Christine Krueger, Har 
 vey F. C. Stadle, John L. Beer, Herbert Ham 
 mond, Geo. E. Davidson, Emery Pronger, A. C 
 Rhoades, Dr. J. R. Kauffman, Fred S. Hein 
 richs, W. H. Schroth, L. P. Vorhees, James A 
 Noble, Jerry Jones, A. F. Roemisch, Harry S 
 Guest, Harry A. Massey, B. C. Sammons. The 
 first officers were: Perry R. Fletcher, Exalted 
 Ruler; Harry Rohrbach, Leading Knight; Fred 
 H. Andrews, Loyal Knight; Wm. M. Frasor, 
 Lecturing Knight; Robert Lamphere, Secretary; 
 Fred S. Heinrichs, Treasurer; W. H. Schroth, 
 Tyler; Henry F. Klein, Wm. H. Weber, Dr. 
 Edw. A. Doepp, trustees. Blue Island Lodge 
 No. 131, now has a membership exceeding 400 
 and is one of the most active of Blue Island's 
 fraternal organizations. Meetings were held 
 every Thursday evening except during the 
 months of July and August. The officers 1935- 
 36 are: C. R. Sundstrom, Exalted Ruler; George 
 W. Fleischmann, Leading Knight; C. G. Man- 
 gold, Loyal Knight; R. J. Hilt, Lecturing 
 Knight; E. L. Kruse, Secretary; Enoch Carlson, 
 Treasurer; Gus Termunde, D. H. Chapman, 
 
 Edw. H. Kay, trustees. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Calumet Lodge No. 716, A.F. & A.M. 
 
 Calumet Lodge No. 716, Ancient Free and Ac- 
 cepted Masons, was chartered Oct. 7, 1874, with 
 the following named charter members : John Sei- 
 del, Harry B. Robinson, Alden P. Peirce, Henry 
 Bertrand, Mathias Helbreg, Charles F. Eidam, 
 Henry W. Schmitt, Christian Rinkenberger, Fred- 
 erick Hohmann, George Luchtemeyer, Orville E. 
 Atwood, John Roll, Robert C. Auld, Frederick 
 G. Diefenbach, Herman Bose, Edward P. Han- 
 
 son, John W. Wolff, Edward Seyfarth, Joseph 
 G. Gasser, George Kuhn, William, W. Watson, 
 F. Fehrenkampf, Louis Luchtemeyer, Ira M. 
 McCord, Albert Crandall, Christian Andres, 
 Frederick L. Gurrad and J. Howard Waldo. The 
 lodge owns its own home since 1922, at 12757 
 Western avenue, where meetings are held the 
 first and third Tuesdays of each month. The 
 officers for 1935: Chas. E. Haehnlein, Worship- 
 ful Master ; Arthur Jaun, Senior Warden ; Harris 
 J. Nelson, Junior Warden; Elmer T. Johnson 
 and Fred Dohrmann, each served one-half term 
 as Treasurer ; Robert Post, Secretary ; F. T. And- 
 erson, Senior Deacon; Richard S. Freeman, Jun- 
 ior Deacon; Lewis H. Bender, Senior Sewart; 
 Ivan W. Vonburg, Junior Stewart; Stanley W. 
 Biedenkopf, Marshal; Wm. J. Meyer, Organist; 
 Grover C. Cole, Tyler. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Royal Arch Masons 
 
 Calumet Chapter No. 203, R. A. M., meets 
 second and fourth Tuesdays at Masonic Temple, 
 12757 Western avenue. High Priest, Warren 
 Macauley; King, Elmer Johnson; Scribe, James 
 Bronson; Secretary, Otto Kasch; Treasurer, 
 Warren S. Hildebrand; Captain of the Host, 
 James Lewis; Principal Sojourner, Lewellyn 
 Hollinger; Royal Arch Captain, Frank Powell; 
 Master of the First Veil, A. J. Myers; Master of 
 the Second Veil, Wm. Hartzell; Master of the 
 Third Veil, Merrill Weaver; Organist, W. J. 
 Meyer; Sentinel, Fred A. Hohmann. 
 
 -X- •» * 
 
 Sons and Daughters of Liberty 
 
 Sons and Daughters of Liberty meet the third 
 Thursday of each month. Officers (1935) are: 
 Jr. Ex-Counselor, Anna James; Jr. Ex-Associate 
 Counselor, Emma Deisher; Counselor, Fern Nel- 
 son; Asso. Counselor, Vida Mills; Vice- Coun- 
 selor, Charlotte Blake; Asso. Vice-Counselor, 
 Gustave Brunke; Recording Secretary, Myrtle 
 Kurschner; Asso. Recording Secretary, Elvina 
 Wilcke; Financial Secretary, Paddy Draeger; 
 Treasurer, Helen Draeger; Guide, Theresa Mart- 
 zell; Inner Guard, Emma Kurschner; Outer 
 Guard, Margaret Kreinbrink; Trustees, Mamie 
 Groskopf, Theresa Marshall, Margaret Krein- 
 brink; Musician, Minnie Groskopf; Deputy, 
 
 Rose Moore. 
 
 * # * 
 
 American Legion Auxiliary 
 
 The Ladies' Auxiliary to Blue Island Post No. 
 50, American Legion, was organized Monday, 
 Feb. 8, 1920. The first officers were: Mrs. M. 
 Renfro, Commander; Mrs. John H. Volp, Vice 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 235 
 
 Commander; Mrs. Byford, Adjutant; Mrs. R. 
 L. James, Finance Officer. The Auxiliary meets 
 in the Legion rooms, second floor, City Hall, 
 the first Monday afternoons and third Thursday 
 evenings. The officers for 1935-36, are: Presi- 
 dent, Ruth Kennedy; First Vice President, Julia 
 Hollister; Second Vice President, Leora Burk- 
 hart; Chaplain, Lizzie Stiver; Historian, Lena 
 Leitzow; Sergeant at Arms, Anna Sopko; Rec- 
 ording Secretary, Wilma Zacher; Financial Sec- 
 retary, Nellie Ballard; Musician, Lorraine Sti- 
 ver; Treasurer, Darlene Sheets; Right Color 
 Bearer, Ida Renfro; Left Color Bearer, Etta 
 Juby; Junior Past President, Myra Winters. 
 «• *• *- 
 
 Fraternal Order of Eagles 
 
 Blue Island Aerie No. 1332, Fraternal Order 
 of Eagles was instituted on March 1, 1906, with 
 70 charter members. Following are some of 
 the names appearing on the charter roll: John 
 Lentz, George Landgraf, Fred Voigt, John F. 
 Kreinbrink, H. Consoer, H. Frentz, Albert 
 Hanks, Wm. Bohmer, T. F. Downey, M. Heim, 
 Jerry Jones, R. Ostendorf, M. J. O'Donnell, Otto 
 Wilcke, Gus Wilcke, Andrew Link, Charles 
 Schultz. The present officers are: President, 
 Ed. Kreis; Vice President, Alec Paul; Chaplain, 
 Fred Walker; Junior Past President, James 
 Hazlett; Secretary, Otto Gerdes; Treasurer, Ed. 
 Gibson; Conductor, Felix Puttkammer. The 
 lodge meets every Friday night at Eagles Hall. 
 * * * 
 Rebekah Lodge No. 300 
 
 Prior to 1920 there were two Rebekah lodges 
 in Blue Island, viz: Calumet Rebekah Lodge 
 No. 350, and Amanda Rebekah Lodge No. 252. 
 On Oct. 1, 1920, these lodges consolidated under 
 the name Blue Island Rebekah Lodge No. 300. 
 The first officers elected under this consolida- 
 tion were: Noble Grand, Maida Meyer; Vice 
 Noble Grand, Mollie Ames; Recording Secre- 
 tary, Meta Muffler; Financial Secretary, Mary 
 Wagner; Treasurer, Margaret Kreinbrink; 
 Chaplain, Amy Hammond; Warden, Ellen 
 Raines; Conductor, Helen Rickhoff; Inside 
 Guard, Esther Brockman; Outside Guard, Edna 
 Fenton ; Pianist, Lillian Sundquist. Blue Island 
 Rebekah Lodge is a flourishing organization. 
 Meetings are held the first and third Friday 
 evenings of the mnoth in Odd Fellow Hall, 
 13033 Western avenue. 
 
 The present officers are: Noble Grand, Miss 
 Ann Baer; Vice Grand, Mrs. Daisy McMillan; 
 Recording Secretary, Mrs. Louise Wilier; Fin- 
 ancial Secretary, Mrs. Emily Shipman; Treas- 
 urer, Mrs. Neva Spencer. 
 
 Knights of Columbus 
 
 Blue Island Council, No. 1366, of the Knights 
 of Columbus, was instituted on Sunday, Dec. 6, 
 1908, under the direction of District Deputy, 
 Francis J. Houlihan. The Council had a charter 
 membership roll of seventy-seven. It has en- 
 joyed a steady increase in membership until it 
 now has four hundred and fifty members on its 
 roll. The present officers are: Grand Knight, 
 Rudy R. Racine; Deputy Grand Knight, John A. 
 Reuss; Chaplain, Rev. Theo. G. Gross; Chancel- 
 lor, Dr. Henry Runde; Recording Secretary, 
 Thomas Parsons; Financial Secretary, William 
 A. Creighton; Treasurer, Joseph Lentz; Lecturer, 
 Frank Daly, Jr.; Advocate, Richard Seyfarth; 
 Warden, Edward Watrobka; Inside Guard, Rob- 
 ert Wagner; Outside Guard, Joseph Labodz; 
 Trustees. Herman Jauchzer, Joseph Tragnitz. 
 Richard Walsh. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Woodmen Circle 
 
 Burr Oak Grove No. 80, Woodmen Circle, 
 auxiliary to the Woodmen of the World, was in- 
 stituted Dec. 10, 1913, with the following officers 
 and charter members: Ella Heide, guardian; Ida 
 M. Boening, adviser; Sophia Scuffham, clerk; 
 Alice Bohnstengel, banker; Sylvia Scuffham, at- 
 tendant; Evelyn Crossland, chaplain; Bertha 
 Renfro, inner sentinel; Catherine Martin, outer 
 sentinel; Nellie C. Burgan, Anna D. Haas, Lulu 
 F. Anderson, managers; Jesse Kauffman, physi- 
 cian. The present officers (1935) are: Cornelia 
 Myers, guardian; *Ida M. Keeley, clerk and 
 banker; Mrs. Blevins, chaplain; Eathia Holliday, 
 past guardian; Mrs. Broukal, inside guardian; 
 Mary Miller, advisor. 
 
 *Mrs. Keeley died Sept. 14, 1935. 
 
 Catholic Daughters of America 
 
 Blue Island Court No. 113, Catholic Daugh- 
 ters of America, was organized July 11, 1909, 
 with the following charter membership list: 
 Mrs. A. Clancy, Mrs. F. Coggins, May McKivitt, 
 Joe Einhorn, Mrs. Mary Berry, Mrs. M. Pear- 
 son, Mrs. Delia Heckler, Mrs. A. Boyd, Mrs. 
 A. O'Neil, Frances Heckler, Mrs. Rose Caraher, 
 Mrs. A. McKivitt, Maud Heckler, Mrs. G. Con- 
 Ian, E. Pearson, Mayme Frasor, Mrs. M. Mul- 
 derink, Mrs. N. Turley, Mrs. Nell Frasor, Mrs. 
 E. Cannon, Eva Lentz, Mrs. Agnes Heckler, 
 Miss Rose Clancy, Mrs. Mayme Grey, Mrs. C. 
 Lentz, Mrs. Rose Gordon, Mrs. M. Martzel, 
 Mrs. W. Gallagher, Mrs. Sue Murphy, Mrs. 
 Ellen Frasor, M. McGahn, M. Mertes, Mrs. Nell 
 Martens, Mrs. B. Earner, Mrs. K. Kennelly. 
 
236 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 The first set of officers were: Mrs. Nell Mar- 
 tens, Grand Regent; Miss Frances Heckler, 
 Vice Grand Regent; Mrs. Rose Caraher, Pro- 
 phetess; Miss Eva Lentz, Historian; Mrs. Sue 
 Murphy, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Mayme 
 Grey, Treasurer; Mrs. Nell Frasor, Organist; 
 Mrs. Gertrude Conlan, Lecturer; Miss Eva Pear- 
 son, Inside Sentinel; Miss May McKivitt, Mon- 
 itor; Miss Rose Clancy, Miss M. McGahn, Mrs. 
 Ellen Frasor, Mrs. Kate Kennelley, Mrs. Mar- 
 garet Mulderink, Mrs. Agnes Heckler, Trustees. 
 
 The officers (1935) are as follows: Agnes 
 Heckler, Grand Regent; Cornelia Heckler, Vice 
 Grand Regent; Mary Vail, Prophetess; Ver- 
 onica Morin, Monitor; Alma Oulette, Treas- 
 urer; Marie Kovelesky, Financial Secretary; 
 Helen Goodspeed, Historian; Beatrice Reardon. 
 Lecturer; Mrs. Weisenberger, Sentinel; Mary 
 O'Connor, Organist; Nell Martens, Margaret 
 Noble, Elizabeth Creighton, Silverine Karg. 
 Barbara Seidel, Mary Marchessault, Trustees. 
 
 Blue Island Court has a present membership 
 of 210. The Catholic Daughters are organized 
 in 45 states, Porto Rico, Panama and Canada 
 with a total membership of 200,000 and there 
 are over 45,000 Juniors over the various states. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Plattdeutsche Gilde 
 
 Plattdeutsche Gilde Germania No. 37, was 
 organized in 1895 with the following charter 
 members: Henry Lempke, F. Kreinbrink, Otto 
 Wilcke, Adolph Wilcke, Louis Streu, Chas. 
 Schippel, Henry Wilier, Chas. Schultz, Ferdi- 
 nand Jaehnke, Thies Reuss. The present officers 
 are: President, John Kreinbrink; Financial Sec- 
 retary, George Weseloh; Treasurer, John 
 Harms; Recording Secretary, Carl Bahr; Trus- 
 tees (including the foregoing officers) : Fred 
 Labahn, Charles Sieg, Andrew Florey. The 
 lodge meets the third Wednesday of each month 
 
 in Eagles Hall. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Woodmen of the World 
 
 Oak Camp No. 245, Woodmen of the World, 
 was instituted on Friday, Sept. 13, 1912, with 
 a charter list of 92 members. The first officers 
 elected were: Consul Commander, Nicholas 
 Crossland; Advisory Lieutenant, George Bohn- 
 stengel; Banker, C. H. Lobaugh; Clerk, C. 
 Scuff ham; Assistant Clerk, A. E. Thomas; Es- 
 cort, E. Anderson; Watchman, B. C. Saylor; 
 Sentry, Walter Evans; Physician, Jesse Kauff- 
 man; Managers, Clyde Errett, A. C. Rohe, M. G. 
 Morstrom. Owing to a falling off in member- 
 ship the Camp is no longer holding stated 
 meetings. Harold C. Volp is the present clerk. 
 
 Woman's Relief Corps 
 
 Blue Island Woman's Relief Corps, an auxil- 
 iary to the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 
 315, was organized in August, 1889, with the fol- 
 lowing charter members: Mary C. Green, Sarah 
 E. Rexford, Laura K. Bacon, Hattie E. K. Peirce, 
 Elizabeth Bishop, Helen Gilson, Mary A. Mahaf- 
 fay, Cornelia C. Phelps, Angelina McClaughry, 
 Alice J. Eames, Hattie L. Melvin, Almira C. Rex- 
 ford, Harriet Albee, Catherine McCord, Harriet 
 B. Fletcher, Mary E. Betts, Maria Claussen, El- 
 vira Townsend, Helen C. Campbell, Mary Hin- 
 man, Lydia Stinson, Mary Freeman, Mary Van 
 Lanningham, Emily Fisher, Martha Brecken- 
 ridge, Emily P. Birch, Elizabeth McNabb. 
 
 Blue Island Corps, No. 315, meets the second 
 and fourth Fridays at K. of P. Hall. The pres- 
 ent officers are: Martha Renfro, president; Sarah 
 Smith, senior vice president; Alvina Wilcke, jun- 
 ior vice-president; Elizabeth Shields, chaplain; 
 Gertrude Sterling, conductor; Lorraine Stiver, 
 assistant conductor; Leona Richards, guard; 
 Anna Mentz, patriotic instructor; Vinnie Gould- 
 ing, recording secretary; Theresa Marshall, 
 
 treasurer. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Grand Army of the Republic 
 
 There was here at one time a large and flour- 
 ishing post of the Grand, Army of the Republic. 
 But with the passing of the years one after the 
 other of the boys in blue has answered the roll 
 call beyond and today, of all that once proud 
 and gallant company, there is but a single sur- 
 vivor. John S. Kauffman, now well past 91 
 years of age, for many years commander and 
 always one of its most active members, is the 
 patriarch of Post 473, G.A.R. During the Rebel- 
 lion he served in the Twentieth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry, devoting nearly three years of his life 
 to the Union cause. A long life, a busy and 
 active one, he now lives in well-earned retire- 
 ment at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. R. 
 Pronger, 2306 Collins street. 
 
 * » • 
 
 Daughters of Veterans 
 
 Eliza Rexford Tent No. 45, Daughters of Vet- 
 erans, was organized in 1918, the year of the 
 World War. As its name implies it is a patri- 
 otic organization and membership is limited 
 strictly to daughters of veterans. The Tent has 
 a present membership of twenty-eight. The of- 
 ficers are: President, Loretta Dittmars; Senior 
 Vice, Fannie Melvin; Junior Vice, Margaret 
 Isler; Chaplain, Nellie Olmstead; Council Mem- 
 bers, Lila Michael, Alva Strelow, Bernice 
 Beard ; Treasurer, Sylvia Weaver. 
 
Masonic Temple, built in 1921 
 Oak Street and Western Avenue 
 
 iH 
 
 Eagle Hall, built in 1920 
 Corner Grove Street and Artesian Avenue 
 
238 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Fidelity Life Association 
 
 Blue Island Lodge No. 369, Mystic Workers 
 of the World, was organized in Blue Island in 
 the year 1900. The charter members were: 
 Gottlieb Jaun, Herman Koehler, John Krech, 
 Dr. J. S. Kauffman, Dr. R. L. James. Gustave 
 Volkman, Frank Tesmar, August Werner, Fred 
 Werner, Andrew Kordewick." John Nieman, 
 Oscar Boermel, Henry Hofeldt and Jacob 
 Kranich. 
 
 The first officers were: Gottlieb Jaun. Pre- 
 fect; Herman Koehler, Secretary; (17 years) 
 August Werner, Banker. The meetings were 
 held at K. of P. hall then called Opera House. 
 One year later, women were also taken into 
 membership. 
 
 Sept. 1, 1931, the name of the order was 
 changed from Mystic Workers to Fidelity Life 
 Association. The Association has a large and 
 active membership and there is also a large 
 Juvenile membership. The officers (1936) of 
 Lodge No. 369 are: Otto Albrecht, Prefect; 
 Martha Gau, Correspondent, (4 years) by ap- 
 pointment from Grand Lodge; Clara Berger, 
 Banker. Meetings are held monthly in Odd 
 Fellows Hall. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Justice Lodge No. 1243, F. L. A. 
 
 Justice Lodge No. 1243, Fidelity Life Associa- 
 tion, formerly known as Mystic Workers, was 
 organized December 8, 1914, by District Sup- 
 reme Master, Wm. H. Witt, and received its 
 charter May 3, 1915. The first officers were: 
 Prefect, Charles F. Volp; Monitor, Cora Ever- 
 sole; Secretary, Christ Dickelman; Banker, John 
 H. Volp; Canductor, Edmund Clausen; Sentinel, 
 Walter Meyer; Picket, Robert Schultz; Man- 
 agers, Wm. Schmidt, Sophia Meyer, Olga Lad- 
 wig. Dr. J. H. Kauffman was the physician and 
 Judd Matthews attorney. There were 61 charter 
 members. Some of those listed were: Walter 
 and Mary Glancy; William and Gertrude Witt; 
 Oscar, Caroline and Louise Boermel; Evelyn 
 Crossland; Anna Haas; Mary Scott; Henry 
 Wolff; William and Lottie Schmidt; Maida 
 Rosenquist; Lena, William, Ella and Emma 
 Freese; Stanley Volp; Harold C. Volp; Charles 
 and Henrietta Volp; Mary, Wm. and Ida Boe- 
 ning; Sophia Scuffham; Henry, Rose, Alice and 
 Edna Hofeldt; Emily Warren; Henrietta and 
 William Baumbach. Regular meeting night 
 second Tuesday in the month. The present offi- 
 cers are: Prefect, Christ Dickelman; Monitor, 
 Anna Haas; Secretary, Mabel Madden; Banker, 
 John H. Volp; Supervisors, Viola Volp, Emma 
 Bahnke. 
 
 Blue Island Chapter Eastern Stars 
 
 Blue Island Chapter No. 789, Order of the 
 Eastern Star, meets in Masonic Temple, 12757 
 Western avenue. Following are the officers for 
 1936: Worthy Matron, Minnie Wickett; Worthy 
 Patron, Christian Hochheimer; Associate Mat- 
 ron, Kathleen D. Walker; Associate Patron, 
 Joel Hibbard; Secretary, Hattie Wright; Treas- 
 urer, Eva Kenny; Conductress, Alice Cole; As- 
 sociate Conductress, Maude Jorden ; Chaplain, 
 Elizabeth Hochheimer; Marshal. Agnes Hin- 
 
 ?h. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers 
 
 By Chas. T. Hodge, Secretary 
 
 The local Division 815, of the Brotherhood of 
 Locomotive Engineers, was originally organized 
 in the early 70's in Chicago, Illinois. During 
 the early days of this organization, it was a 
 joint division, composed of Rock Island. Lake 
 Shore & Michigan Southern, Erie, Monon, and 
 other railroads terminating around 47th street, 
 Chicago. • 
 
 In 1892 the Rock Island begun work on 
 building their yards at Blue Island for their 
 freight terminal, which made it necessary for 
 the majority of the men in train service to move 
 to Blue Island. 
 
 Our local organization at that time was 
 known as Eclipse Division, No. Ill, B. of L. E., 
 with the following officers: T. B. Twombly, 
 C.E.; Peter Kilduff, F.E.; H. Broadbent, S.A.E.; 
 John Enderly, S.E.; J. J. McCormick, F.A.E.; 
 A. Lund, T.A.E. ; George Enderly, Guide; Sam 
 Dickerman, Chaplain; John Brislen, L.C., and 
 Peter Kilduff, Delegate to G.I.D. 
 
 This local division moved to Blue Island in 
 August, 1893, continuing to function until Sep- 
 tember. 1911, when a reorganization took place 
 under the name and number of W. S. Tinsman 
 Division 815, being named after the general 
 manager of the Rock island and a former resi- 
 dent of Blue Island, when employed as Train- 
 master on the Illinois Division. The following 
 officers were elected with the new organization : 
 Frank J. Boyd, C.E.; Harry Fox, F.E.; Fred 
 Johnston, S.E. ; Wm. Leyda, Secretary-treasurer; 
 Thos. F. McKeone, T.E.: Wm. T. Davis, Guide; 
 Wm. T. Davis, Ins. Secretary; 0. M. Peasley, 
 Chaplain; F. J. Boyd, Delegate to G.I.D. ; F. J. 
 Boyd, Local Chairman; Ben F. Hogan and S. P. 
 Travis, Local committee; James A. Culp and 
 H. L. Fischer, Legislative Representatives. 
 
 The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers 
 has endeavored to cooperate with other organ- 
 izations and societies in the upbuilding of Blue 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 239 
 
 Island. The R. of L. E. cooperated with other 
 railroad crafts in helping to make the Centen- 
 nial Celehration of Blue Island on Lahor Day, 
 September 2, 1935, a success. 
 
 The present officers are: Win. Corey, C.E.: 
 E. A. Lutzow, F.E. ; Wm. Crist, S.E. ; Chas. T. 
 Hodge, S.T. ; E. A. Lutzow, alternate S.T. ; C. R. 
 Gunkle, T.E.; L. V. McWilliams, Guide; Daniel 
 Ahem, Chaplain: J. F. Jerue, C. A. Travis, L. 
 V. Williams. Trustees; Chas. T. Hodge, Ins. 
 Secretary; E. A. Lutzow, Alternate Ins. Secre- 
 tary; Chas. T. Hodge, delegate to G.I.D.; alter- 
 nate Delegate to G.I.D., F. Mankowsky; J. M. 
 Dwyer. Local Chairman and Chairman Local 
 Committee; L. V. McWilliams and J. E. Fire- 
 bough. Members Local Committee; J. R. Jerue. 
 A. R. Boysen, Legislative Representative. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary, B. of L. E. 
 
 Calumet Division No. 40, Ladies' Auxiliary 
 to Brotherhood No. Ill, Locomotive Engineers, 
 was organized in Blue Island, April 16, 1909. 
 the following Grand Officers officiating: Mrs. 
 W. A. Murdock. Grand President; Mrs. Mary 
 E. Cassell, Grand Vice President; Mrs. H. St. 
 Clair. Grand Secretary. The following were 
 charter members: Mesdames McGregor, Decker, 
 Lamore, Ruthrauf, Schugt, Mavity, Logman, 
 Coggins, Fairman, Poole, Bryant, Northrup, 
 Tuomey. J. Stephens, Parsons, Keck, O'Grady, 
 D. M. Smith, Burno. Berry, Davidson, Rog- 
 geveen. Leyda, Wood, Boyd, Davis. Edmunds. 
 Pearson, Burke. J. M. Smith, Crist, Heckler, 
 Foster, Slater, Gordon, Wallace, S. F. Baker. 
 Majors. Porter, R. S. Scott, Riddle, Fischer, Ful- 
 lerton. Maroney, Burgan, Picard, Wm. Berry, 
 Donovan, Schulz, McKeone, Ehrhart, Brewer. 
 Hill, Fox, Tate, Morris, Smith, S. H. Stinson, 
 Cobley, Ostendorf, Hawthorne, Kough. Cannon, 
 Hansed. McKevitt. Watson, Nickerson. Dicker- 
 man, Lund, Geo. Enderly, Peter Kilduff. 
 
 Present Officers: President, Mae Jors; Vice 
 President, Cecile Crossett; Secretary, Mary Fire- 
 baugh; Treasurer, Caroline Dwyer; Relief Sec- 
 retary, Sadie Fischer: Chaplain, Mary Boysen; 
 Guide. Hannah Diltz; Sentinel, Catherine Osten- 
 dorf; Crescent Marshal, Edith Bennett; Star 
 Marshall. Stella Proper; Pillars — Anna Mear, 
 •'Sobriety"; Daisy McMillan. "Truth"; Caro- 
 line Jerue, "Justice"; Rose Gordon, "Morality." 
 Leone Rogers, Musician; Mable Witherspoon, 
 Flag Bearer. 
 
 •::• * * 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary B. of R. T. 
 
 Royal Neighbor Lodge No. 97, Ladies' Auxil- 
 iary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, 
 was organized in Blue Island, April 7, 1896. 
 
 Meetings are held on the second Friday even- 
 ing of the month in Odd Fellow hall. The 
 present officers are: President, Fern Williams; 
 Vice President, Helen Syke; Secretary, Ruth 
 Lambertson; Treasurer, Myrtle Zohfeld; Con- 
 ductress, Selina Redinour; Chaplain. Mary 
 Hopkinson; Warder, Dorothea Carlson; Inner 
 Guard, Myrtle James; Outer Guard, Ann Co- 
 burn; Pianist, Laura Ditlmars. Only one char- 
 ter member of the lodge is now living. She 
 is Elizabeth Hoff, 7160 South Chicago avenue. 
 The lodge will celebrate its fortieth anniversarv 
 
 on April 19, 1936. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary B. of L. F. & E. 
 
 Blue Island Lodge No. 294, Ladies' Auxiliary 
 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and 
 Enginemen celebrated the twenty-fifth annivers- 
 ary of its organization in September. The offi- 
 cers (1935) are: President, Vivian Briggs; Vice 
 President, Christine Joss; Past President, Ethel 
 Boyd; Secretary, Irene Duringer; Treasurer, 
 Lora Stubblebine; Collector, Ethel Boyd: War- 
 den, Lora Keenum; Conductor, Anna Klopp; 
 Inner Guard, Martha Morton; Outer Guard, 
 Florence Howland; Chaplain, Henrietta Travis; 
 Delegate. Ethel Boyd; Alternate Delegate, Viv- 
 ian Briggs; Trustees. Irene Duringer, Christine 
 Joss, Henrietta Travis; Musician, Alice Baker; 
 Flag Bearer, Anna Travis; Correspondent, Ethel 
 
 Boyd. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Theta Rho Club 
 
 The Theta Rho Club, an auxiliary to Rebekah 
 Lodge No. 300, was organized in January, 1935, 
 and received its charter Nov. 9, 1935. The club 
 is composed of girls between the ages of 12 
 and 18 years who will automatically be eligible 
 to enter the Rebekah Lodge when reaching the 
 proper age. The officers are: Ruth Spencer, 
 president; Virginia Matz, vice president; Mar- 
 een Schoeneck, financial secretary; Ruth Van 
 Winkle, corresponding secretary; Ruth Mar- 
 shal, treasurer. The club meets the first and 
 third Saturdays of the month in Odd Fellow 
 
 hall. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Women's Benefit Association 
 
 The Women's Benefit Association had its birth 
 in a little basement office in Port Huron, Michi- 
 gan, on Oct. 1, 1892. A young woman, Miss 
 Bina M. West, a school teacher, was the founder 
 and organizer of the order which since that day 
 has become the largest fraternal benefit society 
 in the world managed by women. West Review 
 No. 2. of Blue Island, was organized Jan. 27, 
 
240 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 1893, and was the second lodge or Review to 
 be organized in Illinois. The charter members 
 were: Laura E. Booher, Frances 0. Day, Mar- 
 garet Dickerman, Lucretia A. Fellows, Anna 
 Gray, Emma L. Geltch, Martha M. Godwin, 
 Lizzie J. Heinecke, Georgia Lawrence, Sarah E. 
 Luscombe, Caroline Luscombe, Ellen J. Lee, 
 Freda M. Jostes, Lovice C. Rathburn, Louisa 
 Smith, Linda J. Swanson, Ida F. Stephens, Mary 
 J. Turner, Lydia W. Wingate, Mary J. Wads- 
 worth; Sarah E. Webster, Mary E. Williams. 
 Ida M. Wick, Nellie Warren, Ellen Scott Wass. 
 
 Officers for 1936: President, Cicely Hodge; 
 Vice President, Sophia Marshall; Acting Past 
 President, Amy Hammond; Secretary-Treasurer, 
 Ida Boughner; Financial Secretary, Ida Bough- 
 ner; Chaplain, Jennie Hall; Lady of Ceremon- 
 ies, Frances Faber; Sergeant-at-Arms, Theresa 
 Hauter; Inner Hostess, Ida Stephens; Outer 
 Hostess, Sadie Nelson; Junior Supervisor, Iona 
 J. Boughner; Musician, Mayme Groskopf; Press 
 Correspondent, Cicely Hodge. 
 
 The lodge meets second Tuesday of each 
 month, at 7:30 p. m., in Odd Fellow Hall. 
 13035 Western avenue. 
 
 * -X- -* 
 
 Maccabees 
 
 American Tent No. 20, Knights of the Mac- 
 cabees of the World, was organized in October, 
 1890, with eighteen charter members. Some of 
 the men active in the early history of the local 
 Maccabees were: George Cruley, William Doo- 
 little, Thomas M. Doig, Charles Wick, Nicholas 
 Crossland, N. Luscombe, Herman Heinecke. 
 George Boyer. The order is no longer active 
 here and those who still held membership were 
 transferred to an Englewood lodge. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Lettercarriers' Association 
 
 Blue Island Lettercarriers' Association, Branch 
 No. 846 of the National Association of Letter- 
 carriers, was organized March 12, 1902. The 
 officers are: Claude Colebourn, president; 
 George Cope, vice president; Archie Allen, Sec- 
 retary; John Q. McDonald, treasurer; Ezra 
 Warren, sergeant-at-arms. Monthly meetings 
 are held in the Carriers' swing room, post office 
 
 building. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Independent Order of Foresters 
 
 Blue Island Court of the Independent Order 
 of Foresters was organized September 26, 1882. 
 The charter members were: Henry Dohrman, 
 
 Nicholas Stoll, Christian Zacher, William Kirch- 
 ner, Hans Peetz, Herman Koehler, Frederick 
 Koenecke and Henry Heiden. 
 
 * * * 
 Phythian Sisters 
 
 Blue Island Temple No. 25, Pythian Sisters, 
 was instituted July 21, 1908, with the following 
 charter members: Addie Farnum, Kate Jameson, 
 Elsie Faber, Emma Heimbach, Laura RuthraufT, 
 Lillie Conway, Lizzie Johler, Bertha Rosenquist, 
 Christine Rosenquist. The first officers were: 
 Past Chief, Christine Rosenquist; Most Exalted 
 Chief, Addie Farnum; Exalted Senior, Emma 
 Heimbach; Exalted Junior, Lizzie Johler; Man- 
 ager, Kate Jameson; M. of R. and C. Laura 
 Ruthrauff; Trustees, Clara Lahman. Kittie 
 Watt, Minnie Dunning. 
 
 The present officers (1936) are: P.C., Rose 
 Breckenridge ; M.E.C., Bertha Warren; Ex. Sr.. 
 Elsie Walker; Ex. Jr., Christine Friske; Man- 
 ager, Ruth Roemisch, M. of R.C., Vinnie Gould- 
 ing; M. of F., Nellie Barr; Protector, Emma 
 Deischer; Guard, Catherine Shiveler; Pianist, 
 Hattie Draeger; Representatives, Bertha Fisher, 
 Vida Mills; Trustees, Elsie Faber, Elizabeth 
 Johler, Bertha Fisher. Temple 29, Pythian Sis- 
 ters, meets on the third Monday evening of the 
 month in Grand Theatre hall. 
 
 * # ■» 
 
 N. A. L. C. Auxiliary 
 
 The officers of the Ladies Auxiliary No. 453, 
 [National Association of Lettercarriers, are as 
 follows: Mrs. Roscoe Zahniser, president; Mrs. 
 Al Joens, vice president; Mrs, Fred Wicherts, 
 secretary; Mrs. Archie Allen, treasurer; Mrs. 
 Tom McKeone, color bearer; Mrs. J. Q. Mc- 
 Donald, mistress-at-arms; Mrs. Claude Cole- 
 bourn, chaplain. The auxiliary meets at the 
 
 homes of its members. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sons of Italy 
 
 Prince Umbert di Savoia Chapter of the Sons 
 of Italy was organized in Blue Island in March, 
 1933, with 90 members. The following named 
 were the first officers of the local chapter: Pas- 
 quale Alamprese, president; Mike Mirebella, 
 first vice president; Joe Sinise, second vice 
 president; Dan Cialdella, orator; Nick Malanga, 
 secretary; Angelo Esposito, treasurer. Trustees: 
 Donato LaMorte, Theodore Manna, Luigi Sas- 
 sone, Dan Minette, Dan Geoiosa. Delegates: 
 Nick Guglielmucci, Mike Esposito, Mike Gab- 
 rione, Pat Signore. Sergeant-at-arms, Caneo 
 Geoiosa and Joe Martino. Sentinel, Mike Sinise. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 241 
 
 Royal Neighbors of America 
 
 Sunshine Camp, No. 3761, Royal Neighbors 
 of America, was organized in May, 1904, by 
 Mrs. Lettice Rice with 32 charter members of 
 whom 16 are still living. These are: Lettice 
 Rice, Fred Rice, Alice Davidson, Amelia Liet- 
 zau, Harriet Parsons, Christina Rosenquist. 
 Sophia Schuffham. Clara Lehman, Catherine 
 Mitchell, Annie Miller, Annie Meyer, Mattie 
 Berndt, Katherine Jaiser, Mary Gebert, Lena 
 Frese, W. P. Wiessner. There are 22 Past 
 Oracles living. Emma Deischer was receiver 
 for 20 years and M. E. Kreinbrink, Recorder 
 for 16 years. There are at present 208 adult 
 beneficial and social members and 19 juveniles. 
 
 Officers of Sunshine Camp No. 3761, Royal 
 Neighbors of America, (1936), Oracle, Laurell 
 Kauffman; Vice-Oracle, Nellie Rettke; Past Or- 
 acle, Amelia Lietzau; Chancellor, Elizabeth 
 Shields; Recorder, Margaret Kreinbrink; Re- 
 ceiver, Emma Deischer; Marshal, Ruth Ken- 
 nedy; Assistant Marshal, Ann Baer; Inner Sen- 
 tinel. Marian Rettke; Outer Sentinel, Mary 
 Bentson; Faith, Amelia Rickoff, Courage; Mary 
 Warner; Modest^ Anna James; Unselfishness, 
 Katherine Schiveler; Endurance, Mabel With- 
 erspoon; Musician, Mayme Groskopf, Flag 
 Bearer, Emily Sterling; Manager, Anna Wright. 
 
 • * • 
 
 Spanish War Veterans 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt Camp No. 129, United 
 Spanish War Veterans, was organized on April 
 13, 1932. Kenneth Mathieson was the organ- 
 izer. The first officers, serving the 1932-33 per- 
 iod, were: Commander, Kenneth Mathieson; 
 Senior Vice Commander, Walter Edmondson; 
 Junior Vice Commander, Clyde Frack; Adju- 
 tant, William Hendershot; Quartermaster, Ed 
 Rossner; Officer of the Day, Peter Jensen; 
 Officer of the Guard, Frank Jankowski. Regular 
 meetings of the camp are on the first Thursday 
 evening of the month in Knights of Pythias 
 hall, Grand Theatre. The present officers are: 
 Commander, Alvin Myers; Senior Vice Com- 
 mander, Charles Wernecke; Junior Vice Com- 
 mander, John Street, Jr.; Adjutant Quartermas- 
 ter, Edward Rossner, Officer of the Day, Peter 
 Jensen; Officer of the Guard, Frank Jankowski; 
 Trustee, Kenneth Mathieson; Color Sergeant, 
 Herbert Dennison, Sergeant Major, Frank 
 Britt; Historian, Emil Faber; Patriotic Instruc- 
 tor, Walter Edmundson. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sons of S. W. Veterans 
 
 A charter was granted on March 14, 1936, 
 for the organization of a camp of Sons of 
 
 United Spanish War Veterans. The camp will 
 be instituted Thursday, April 2, in Knights of 
 Pythias hall. Grand Theatre building. Ken- 
 neth Mathieson was the organizer. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Roosevelt Auxiliary U. S. W. V. 
 
 Roosevelt Auxiliary No. 95, was organized 
 by Edna Herbert and installed Nov. 12, 1932, 
 by Past Department President, Josephine Ben- 
 son. The first officers were: President. Frances 
 Faber; Senior Vice President, Eva Schultz; 
 Junior Vice President, Stella Edmondson; 
 Treasurer, Lillian McGoogan; Secretary, Ber- 
 nice Merkelbach. There were twenty-seven char- 
 ter members. The officers for 1936 are: Presi- 
 dent, Lillian McGoogan; Senior Vice President, 
 Frances Jensen ; Junior Vice President, Cornelia 
 Myers; Secretary, Loretta Dittmars; Treasurer, 
 Ruth Schulz. Regular meetings are the first 
 Thursday evening in the month in Knights of 
 
 Pythias hall. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Knights of Pythias 
 
 Blue Island Lodge No. 463, Knights of 
 Pythias, was instituted April 23, 1894, with 
 the following charter members: John A. Diegan. 
 George Furlong, Ferdinand Baumbach, Thos. 
 Cain, Thos. Moran, C. H. Geist, J. H. Bowers, 
 Thos. Sheehan, F. Hoffman, M. J. Cain, M. 
 Vanderpoel. Wm. Brosso, P. Watson, D. H. 
 Krog, P. Hunt, J. Farnam, Wm. Cullington, 
 Chas. A. Farren, Emil Friske, Wm. Swing, T. 
 Madden, John Breslin, M. Hurley, John Gaynor, 
 A. C. Rinkenberger, H. Rohrbach, H. Heim- 
 bach, T. Tucker, E. Pohlson, F. O'Connell, J. 
 W. Lewis, Jas. Burke, H. M. Schrieber, E. J. 
 Cooney, J. Mervin, Ed. Garver, John Lynch, 
 Fred Farnam, W. F. Cordt, F. Schneider. B. F. 
 Carl, J. T. Cook, Geo. Hodge, 0. W. Bourke, 
 C. Griswold, J. Grettenkort, Jr., Emil Boehl, 
 F. S. Tarbill, C. Farnam, Nathaniel T. Gal- 
 loway, John Keegan, Fred Hohmann, C. E. 
 Johnson, P. Hallinan, J. T. McMahon, Henry 
 Breckenridge. Michael Heim. Charter was is- 
 sued Oct. 17. 1895. 
 
 The present officers are, Consul Commander, 
 Max Gese; Vice Consul Commander, Dean 
 Goulding; Keeper of Records and Seal, Perry 
 Hoak; Master of Finance, E. Friske; Master of 
 Exchequer. A. R. Deischer; Chaplain, George 
 Warren; Master at Arms, Fred Hohman; Mas- 
 ter of Work, N. Frederickson ; Inner Guard, 
 Fred Wilder; Outer Guard, Gus Flynn. Reg- 
 ular meetings of the lodge are the last Thurs- 
 day evening of the month, Grand Theatre 
 building. 
 
242 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 THEATRES AND PICTURE HOUSES 
 
 Blue Island Opera House 
 Erected on site of the old Zacharias Hall destroyed in the great fire of 1896. 
 
 The Lyric theatre, a motion picture house, 
 and the Grand theatre, now undergoing exten- 
 sive remodeling after which it will be devoted 
 to vaudeville and pictures, are the local play- 
 houses. Both are owned by the Publix-Great 
 States corporation. The Lyric occupies its own 
 handsome premises at 12952 Western avenue, 
 built in 1917, while the Grand, at 13116 
 Western avenue, is under long term lease from 
 the Zacharias estate. 
 
 Blue Island boasted of a theatre as far back 
 as 1853, when a group of German players 
 gave weekly dramatic performances in a build- 
 ing erected especially for their use on Vermont 
 street, just east of the alley from where the 
 Central M. E. church now stands. The project 
 was short lived and ended when about two 
 years later the hall was destroyed by fire. 
 
 After that time occasional shows and enter- 
 tainments were given in the old Robinson hall 
 (later known as Zacharias hall) which stood 
 on the site of the present Grand theatre. This 
 old hall was destroyed in the great fire of 1896. 
 
 On July 10, 1891, 0. W. Bourke announced 
 that he had leased the Saenger hall, on Grove 
 street, and would open it as a show house. He 
 made extensive interior alterations, installed 
 electric lights and renamed it Bourke's Opera 
 House. His opening announcement as printed 
 in the Standard of that date stated that "only 
 first-class entertainments will be given; no Jim 
 Crow or barnstormers will be tolerated." The 
 venture proved unprofitable. This hall also 
 was destroyed in the 1896 fire. 
 
 Following the great fire already mentioned 
 John L. Zacharias erected the beautiful three 
 story building on Western avenue now known 
 as the Grand theatre. It was at first known as 
 the Blue Island Opera House and for many 
 years presented vaudeville and repertoire shows. 
 
 In 1908, Tom Flynn, of Chicago Heights, 
 secured control of the theatre and renamed it 
 Grand theatre. Ben Snyder, also of Chicago 
 Heights, became his manager. 
 
 Motion pictures were becoming the rage- 
 About 1909. E. J. Miller of Hammond, associa- 
 
BLUE ISLAM) HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 243 
 
 ted with Kenneth Fitzpatrick, leased the new 
 Baumbach building adjoining the Grand, re- 
 modeled it for moving picture shows and opened 
 it under the name Lyric theatre. This house 
 was destined to become the second in the great 
 chain of moving picture houses once controlled 
 bv the Fitzpatrick-McElroy corporation. 
 
 Early in December, 1913, Tom Flynn dis- 
 posed of his interests in the Grand theatre to 
 Fitzpatrick & McElroy and this house also be- 
 came a link in the ever-growing chain of their 
 enterprises. Ben Snyder, who was Mr. Flynn's 
 manager of the Grand continued in charge of 
 that house and also became manager of the 
 Lyric. 
 
 Operation of the Grand as a show house was 
 discontinued several years ago, but the lease 
 
 that time was "Lower Berth 13", which he said, 
 was a disgrace and must not be shown before a 
 respectable audience. "The songs are smutty," 
 he said, "and the action is worse." The censor- 
 ship job died with the ending of Mayor Wessel's 
 term of office. 
 
 $25,000 Fire at Grand Theatre 
 
 From the Blue Island Sun-Standard, March 
 22, 1923 : "The second and third stories of the 
 Grand Theatre building, 250 Western avenue 
 (now 13114), Blue Island, were ravaged by fire 
 starting at 2:30 o'clock, Thursday morning, 
 March 22, 1923. The damage will amount to 
 about $25,000. 
 
 "The Eagles hall, third floor, is completely 
 ruined. The entire roof was burned off. Insur- 
 ance to the extent of $1500, was carried by the 
 
 Lyric Theatre, 12952 S. Western Avenue 
 
 rights have been maintained by the Fitzpatrick- 
 McElroy corporation and their successors. 
 
 The Princess theatre, a 5 cent show, or so- 
 called "nickleodeon," was operated under the 
 management of L. Templeton at Western avenue 
 and Walnut street, in 1909, and later a Mr. 
 Ricker. who featured "two-reel thrillers." had 
 charge. * * * 
 
 Movie Censor 
 
 It may be interesting to recall that at one 
 time Blue Island had a censor of shows and 
 moving pictures. 
 
 In March of 1913. Mayor Wessel appointed 
 Miss Kate Corlett. a teacher in the Blue Island 
 public schools, censor of songs and films at 
 local show houses. She was provided with a 
 policeman's star and all the powers of a police- 
 man. She served without compensation. The 
 particular show which roused the mayor's ire at 
 
 lodge. It was the meeting place of the Lady 
 Eagles, the Brickmakers Local, Mystic Workers 
 and North American Union. Records and para- 
 phernalia of these orders were destroyed. 
 
 "On the second floor were the living quarters 
 of Mrs. Nellie Raymond and the quarters of the 
 Anchor Pleasure club. The Anchor club car- 
 ried insurance of $1500. 
 
 "On the main floor the millinery shop of Mrs. 
 J. Burnside. the Western Union Telegraph Co. 
 offices and the Union Fish company suffered 
 heavy damages from water. The Grand Theatre 
 itself, suffered water damage in the offices only. 
 The theatre auditorium was unharmed. 
 
 "The building is owned by J. L. Zacharias, 
 president of the Commercial Bank, but is under 
 a 30-year lease to the Fitzpatrick-McElroy The- 
 atrical Circuit. The theatrical company carried 
 insurance, so local manager, F. Brinken, said." 
 
244 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 FINANCIAL 
 
 Savings and Loan Association 
 
 Blue Island is justly proud of its banks and 
 financial institutions, among which the Blue Is- 
 land Savings and Loan Association, 2429 West 
 Vermont street, holds a prominent place. It was 
 the first financial institution of any kind to be 
 started in the community. 
 
 This institution had its beginning in 1887, 
 when the Cottage Building and Loan Association 
 was organized by a group of local men. The 
 incorporators were: John M. Green, president; 
 Ferdinand Schapper, vice-president; F. G. Dief- 
 enbach, treasurer; F. D. Day, secretary; Jacob 
 F. Rehm, Henry Bertrand, John S. Kauffman, 
 Ferdinand Schapper, John L. Zacharias, Charles 
 Wick, John M. Green, F. G. Diefenbach, F. D. 
 Day, directors. The authorized capital was 
 $5,000,000.00. 
 
 The object of the association, as stated in an 
 early prospectus, was "to provide the citizens 
 an opportunity for safe and profitable invest- 
 ment of funds and to offer all people paying 
 rent an opportunity to secure a home at a 
 cost of little more than their monthly rent." 
 
 At the annual meeting in July, 1920, the name 
 of the association was changed to "Blue Island 
 Savings and Loan Association." The 1935-36 
 officers and directors are: Asmus Miller, presi- 
 dent; Peter H. Krick, vice president; Emil J. 
 Blatt, treasurer; Arthur G. Olson, secretary; 
 Robert H. Gilson, attorney; Carl Groskopf, Al- 
 bert J. Eiserstedt, Reynold V. Zacher, John A. 
 Lentz. 
 
 Now entering the 50th year of its existence 
 finds the association in excellent financial condi- 
 tion. The office is located at 2429 Vermont 
 
 street. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Calumet State Bank 
 
 This was the first bank to be started in Blue 
 Island. It commenced business on June 12, 
 1890, with a capital of $25,000. The officers 
 and incorporators were: Col. W. A. Ray, presi- 
 dent; W. G. Press, vice president; Wm. H. 
 Werner, cashier; Ferdinand Schapper, M. Hel- 
 breg, Edward Seyfarth, H. B. Robinson, Edward 
 Eichhoff, H. C. Kuech, Emil Boehl. C. D. Young, 
 Monroe Frank, Wm. Brayton, Frank 0. Young, 
 M. C. Eames, J. P. Eames, G. H. Hausburg, 
 Henry Biroth, E. W. Gilson and Wm. D. Henke, 
 all of Blue Island. This bank was a valuable 
 addition to the business institutions of the vil- 
 lage and filled a need which had long been 
 
 apparent. Its officers and stockholders were 
 among the most prominent men in the village 
 and the prospects for the success of the institu- 
 tion were bright. 
 
 In the summer of 1896. William Werner, one 
 of the incorporators, resigned his position as 
 cashier and in company with John L. Zacharias 
 and Oliver Bourke founded a private bank under 
 the name Zacharias, Bourke and Coinpanv. 
 Jerry Jones, afterward mayor of Blue Island, 
 then became cashier at the Calumet State Bank. 
 
 The withdrawal of Werner from the older 
 institution carried with it also the withdrawal 
 of several substantial accounts of friends of Mr. 
 Werner. 
 
 The year 1896 was the period of the money 
 panic and funds of the bank were being rapidly 
 withdrawn. Officials of the institution were 
 unable to obtain additional funds and soon 
 found themselves in difficulties which they could 
 not surmount. 
 
 On the day before Christmas, Dec. 24, 1896, 
 the bank failed to reopen its doors. Heavy 
 withdrawals the day before had left but $86 in 
 cash on hand. Deposits amounted to something 
 less than $200,000.00, with assets nearly double 
 that amount. 
 
 M. C. Eames was appointed receiver of the 
 closed institution and Joseph P. Eames was the 
 attorney. Dividends totalling 73 per cent were 
 ultimately paid the bank's depositors. 
 
 * * * 
 First National Bank 
 
 The First National Bank of Blue Island dates 
 its beginning to June 1, 1896, when it was 
 organized as a private bank by John L. Zach- 
 arias, William H. Werner and Oliver W. Bourke. 
 It was then known as Zacharias, Bourke and 
 Company. 
 
 In 1898, Ira McCord bought the interest of 
 Oliver W. Bourke and the bank continued as a 
 private bank doing business as Zacharias, Mc- 
 Cord and Company. 
 
 In the year 1905, the organization became a 
 State Bank under the name Commercial Bank 
 of Blue Island, with a capital stock of 
 $50,000.00. 
 
 Several declarations of stock dividends were 
 made without cost to the stockholders and on 
 Jan. 20, 1923, the capital stock of the bank had 
 increased to $200,000.00. 
 
 On July 1, 1925, the bank was converted 
 from a State bank to a National bank, under 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 2-15 
 
 First National Bank Building 
 
 the name First National Bank of Blue Island, 
 thus coming under the supervision of the Fed- 
 eral Government, and has continued to the pres- 
 ent time as a National hank. The capital stock 
 of the bank is now $300,000.00 with surplus of 
 $300,000.00. 
 
 The business of the bank ever since its or- 
 ganization in 1896, has been conducted in the 
 building owned by the bank at the north-east 
 corner of Western avenue and Vermont street. 
 
 During the entire history of the bank John 
 L. Zacharias, one of the founders, was the com- 
 manding figure. He became president when it 
 was organized as a State bank and continued 
 in that capacity until the year 1928, when he 
 became chairman of the Board of Directors and 
 Christian Krueger became president. 
 
 William H. Werner, who was one of the or- 
 ganizers and cashier of the private bank in 1896, 
 became the cashier of the State bank in 1905 
 and continued in that capacity until 1915, at 
 which time he resigned and moved to Califor- 
 nia. Christian Krueger bought Mr. Werner's 
 stock and became cashier upon Mr. Werner's 
 resignation and continued as such until 1928 
 when he became president. 
 
 The death of John L. Zacharias on Dec. 3, 
 1934, was a severe blow to all his associates 
 and a distinct loss to the bank and the entire 
 community. The stability and growth of the 
 bank were due largely to the integrity and busi- 
 ness acumen of Mr. Zacharias. 
 
 The First National Bank of Blue Island is 
 an "Honor Roll Bank" and is considered one 
 of the strongest financial institutions in the 
 county. That it deserved this confidence was 
 fully demonstrated during the so-called "bank 
 holiday." or moratorium, when many of the 
 banks closed during that period failed to reopen. 
 
 The First National Bank is a distinctively 
 Blue Island institution. It was organized by 
 Blue Island men and financed by Blue Island 
 capital. During all of the 40 years of its exist- 
 ence its official personnel has been 100 per cent 
 Blue Island citizens. 
 
 At the annual meeting of stockholders and 
 directors held in January, 1935, the following 
 were elected: President, Christian Krueger; Vice 
 President, Henry F. Klein ; Cashier, Fred L. 
 Zacharias; Assistant Cashiers, John L. Zacharias, 
 Jr., Frank A. Vincent, Philip W. Seyfarth, Wm. 
 J. Mangold; Trust officer, Edward C. Maroney; 
 Assistant Trust officer, Leslie 0. McCord; Direc- 
 tors, Christian Krueger, William H. Weber, 
 Henry F. Klein, John C. Klein, Fred L. Zach- 
 arias, Andrew L. McCord, John L. Zacharias, 
 Jr., Edward C. Maroney. 
 
 In March, 1935, William H. Weber suc- 
 ceeded Christian Krueger as president of the 
 bank and Mr. Krueger was elected chairman of 
 the board of directors. Shortly thereafter, how- 
 ever, Mr. Krueger resigned his position with the 
 bank and entered the real estate business for 
 himself. 
 
 The financial statement of the bank at the 
 close of business Dec. 31, 1935, showed total 
 assets of $3,765,508.01. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Blue Island State Bank 
 
 The Blue Island State Bank was founded by 
 J. M. Lobaugh in 1912 with a capital of $100|- 
 000.00 and surplus of $10,000. Banking quar- 
 ters were opened in a new building erected 
 especially for the institution by Mr. Lobaugh at 
 the northwest corner of Western avenue and High 
 street. Mr. Lobaugh was assisted in the bank 
 by his sons Cummings and Charles. Later Dr. 
 
246 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Edward Doepp identified himself prominently 
 with the institution and became vice president. 
 The advent of Blue Island State Bank gave this 
 community its second banking institution. How- 
 ever, within a few years it had acquired a very 
 satisfactory clientele, with deposits of three- 
 quarters of a million dollars. 
 
 Then in 1926, with opening of the third Blue 
 Island bank, the Blue Island Trust and Savings 
 Bank, many of the depositors in the Blue Island 
 State Bank switched their accounts to the newer 
 and larger institution. On June 18, 1928, a 
 merger of the Blue Island State Bank and Blue 
 Island Trust and Savings Bank was effected, the 
 latter institution taking over all the cash, bonds 
 and securities covering the liability of Blue Is- 
 land State Bank to its customers. Cummings H. 
 Lobaugh, cashier, and several other employes of 
 Blue Island State Bank were also taken into the 
 personnel of the Blue Island Trust and Savings. 
 The last official statement published by the Blue 
 Island State Bank before the consolidation 
 showed total resources of $903,077.36; time de- 
 posits $575,602.34 and demand deposits $208.- 
 599.93. 
 
 Upon retiring from the banking business Mr. 
 Lobaugh organized the Lobaugh Securities Cor- 
 poration and continued use of the former bank 
 quarters. This corporation discontinued busi- 
 ness here several years before Mr. Lobaugh's 
 death, which occurred in October, 1935. 
 * * * 
 
 Blue Island Wimsett Finance Company 
 
 Blue Island Wimsett Finance Co. was granted 
 a charter of incorporation by the Secretary of 
 State, November 8, 1927, and opened for busi- 
 ness December 10, 1927, at 252 (Now 2411) 
 Vermont street. The company is a strictly local 
 organization, financed and operated by well- 
 known local people. It was organized for the 
 purpose of making character loans to worthy 
 people in amounts ranging from $100 to $500 
 on easy terms of repayment and at interest 
 rates less than half that usually charged by 
 small loan companies; also to handle mortgages 
 and to finance installment paper taken by deal- 
 ers in the sale of oil burners, refrigerators, wash- 
 ing machines, radios, automobiles, etc. Under 
 the provisions of its charter the company has, 
 within certain limitations, all the powers of a 
 bank, except that it may not receive deposits of 
 money or do a checking business. The author- 
 ized capital is $75,000.00, all represented by 
 common stock. The incorporators were: John 
 E. Steinhart, Arthur Olson and John H. Volp. 
 The first board of directors consisted of eleven 
 members, as follows: John H. Volp, Harry 
 
 Rohrbach, Arthur Olson, John E. Steinhart, Roy 
 Massena, R. V. Zacher, Elmer Rohe, S. M. 
 Wilson, C. H. Hannagan, Albert Stolz, Louis 
 Rauch. The first officers were: John H. Volp, 
 president and chairman of the board; Albert 
 Stolz, 1st vice-president; C. H. Hannagan, 2nd 
 vice-president; John E. Steinhart, secretary; 
 Arthur Olson, treasurer. 
 
 Blue Island Wimsett Finance Company occu- 
 pies an important niche among the community's 
 financial institutions. It has been of great help 
 to many people in need of ready funds; it has 
 financed surgical operations and hospital bills, 
 paid taxes, and in many other ways been helpful 
 where cash was needed quickly. Three years 
 ago the annual stockholders meeting voted to 
 reduce the number of directors to seven. Those 
 now serving on the board are: John E. Steinhart, 
 S. M. Wilson, John H. Volp, R. V. Zacher, Wm. 
 Hennig, Joseph Benzing, Wm. Versteeg. The 
 present officers are: John H. Volp, president; 
 S. M. Wilson, 1st vice-president; Joseph Benz- 
 ing, 2nd vice president; John E. Steinhart, 
 secretary and treasurer. 
 
 *• * * 
 
 Blue Island Trust and Savings Bank 
 
 Blue Island Trust and Savings Bank was 
 incorporated March 8, 1926, and opened its 
 doors for business March 20, 1926, with capital 
 of $150,000.00 and surplus of $37,500.00. The 
 first officers and directors were: Fred C. Brine- 
 ken, president; Jacob Thoeming, vice president; 
 Arthur E. Fordtran, cashier. Directors: Joseph 
 Benzing, Fred C. Brincken, H. F. Brueggeman, 
 Joseph P. Eames, Arthur E. Fordtran, Charles 
 Haas, Charles Habich, Patrick J. Hallinan, 
 Charles H. Hannagan, Joseph Jezisik, Harry A. 
 Johnson, Michael Maisel. 
 
 Owing to the prominence of the local men 
 behind the enterprise advance subscriptions for 
 stock showed that the authorized capital had been 
 oversubscribed by nearly 1,000 shares. Sumptu- 
 ous quarters were provided in the beautiful new 
 building erected especially for the bank at the 
 south-west corner of Vermont street and Western 
 avenue. Elaborate dedicatory services, in which 
 the local Lions Club participated, marked the 
 opening of the new bank. Hundreds of visitors, 
 among them many bankers from surrounding 
 communities, inspected the beautiful home of 
 the Blue Island Trust and Savings Bank and 
 extended congratulations and best wishes. It is 
 doubtful if any local business enterprise was 
 ever launched under more auspicious circum- 
 stances. 
 
 The bank prospered from the beginning and 
 during the succeeding months showed a steady 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 247 
 
 gain in business. The official statement pub- 
 lished January 9. 1930. showed total resources 
 of $1,684,088.37. Time deposits amounted to 
 $787,720.10 and demand deposits $637,031.55. 
 
 Suddenly on January 10, 1930, the officers and 
 directors of the bank were shocked and stunned 
 by the news that Gavin Blair McElroy, chairman 
 of the board of directors, had been found dead, 
 a suicide, in the untenanted home of a friend at 
 6452 Ellis avenue, Chicago. The deed had, ac- 
 cording to subsequent evidence, been committed 
 twenty-four hours earlier. 
 
 A hurried meeting of the directors was called 
 at which it was decided to close the institution 
 pending a thorough inspection of the assets and 
 accounts of the bank by State Auditor, Oscar 
 Nelson. This examination extended over a 
 period of several weeks. Although a consider- 
 able quantitv of paper of doubtful value was 
 found, the institution as a whole was declared 
 fundamentally sound. Steps for reorganization 
 were advised and soon taken. One hundred 
 thousand dollars of new capital was provided 
 and early in March the new organization was 
 
 readv to function. . 
 
 * ♦ » 
 
 State Bank of Blue Island 
 
 State Bank of Blue Island, to succeed Blue 
 Island Trust and Savings Bank, was incorporated 
 
 Vermont street. Management of the bank was 
 entrusted to a newly formed board of directors 
 and to a new advisory committee. The advisory 
 committee consisted of: Joseph E. Lindquist, 
 chairman; E. R. Brigham, T. W. Evans, Joseph 
 M. Lobaugh, W. H. Burns, Ralph G. Hutchins, 
 Patrick T. Hallinan. Directors: A. R. Floreen, 
 chairman; William Schlake, Samuel M. Havens, 
 Cummings H. Lobaugh, C. B. Hutchins, Charles 
 Habich, Walter R. Werner, Jacob Thoeming, 
 Henry F. Brueggeman, Joseph P. Eames, Frank 
 C. Mayne. Officers: A. R. Floreen, president; 
 Cummings Lobaugh, vice president; Frank C. 
 Mayne, vice president and cashier; Henry L. 
 Duff, assistant cashier and trust officer; Esther 
 Steinbach, assistant cashier. 
 
 When the critical financial situation all over 
 the country in March, 1933, caused the calling of 
 a "bank holiday" both local banks conformed 
 with the President's order. This order was later 
 extended to include the entire following week. 
 
 The First National Bank of Blue Island, a 
 member bank of the Federal Reserve, reoponed 
 on Wednesday, March 15, 1933, but the State 
 Bank remained closed awaiting orders from State 
 Auditor Barrett. Belief that the bank would 
 soon again be open was general. In the mean- 
 time the business affairs of the bank were being 
 inspected. 
 
 State Bank of Blue Island 
 
 under the banking laws of Illinois, and opened 
 for business Monday morning, March 3, 1930, 
 with a capital of $200,000.00, surplus of $40.- 
 000.00 and a reserve fund of $35,000.00. The 
 new bank took over the business and deposit 
 liability of the Blue Island Trust and Savings 
 Bank and announced that it would continue to 
 use the banking quarters at Western avenue and 
 
 In July, State Auditor Barrett announced that 
 he had taken charge of the bank's affairs and 
 on August 7, 1933, official notice of receivership 
 was posted by William L. O'Connell. N. W. 
 Edwards was named deputy receiver. Admission 
 to the safety vaults was open to holders of boxes 
 from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. 
 
 The bank at this time had assets of $646,000 
 
248 
 
 '•THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 and deposits of approximately $320,000. Bills 
 payable amounted to $91,000. 
 
 The receivership continued throughout the 
 year 1934, during which time plans were devised 
 for reopening and reorganization. Sixty thou- 
 sand dollars of new money was raised by a 30 
 per cent assessment on the stockholders and the 
 voluntary agreement of depositors was obtained 
 to freeze 60 per cent of their deposits for an 
 indefinite time. 
 
 On Wednesday afternoon, January 2, 1935, 
 Circuit Judge G. Fred Rush, entered an order 
 approving the reorganization of the State Bank 
 of Blue Island and discharged the receiver, N. 
 W. Edwards. Although in effect the bank was 
 in existence from that date on the official opening 
 did not take place until Wednesday morning, 
 January 16, 1935, having been closed since the 
 moratorium of March, 1933. 
 
 Under the new setup the capitalization con- 
 sisted of $100,000 and $30,000 surplus and con- 
 tingent fund, including $60,000 of new money. 
 Restricted deposits amounted to about $148,000. 
 The opening was accomplished without a loan of 
 any kind. New deposits were unrestricted as to 
 the 60 per cent clause. 
 
 The following board of directors was an- 
 nounced : Charles Habich of Habich Bros. Motor 
 Sales; C. B. Hutchins of Hutchins Lumber Com- 
 pany; Samuel Havens of Ingalls-Shepard Divi- 
 sion of Wyman-Gordon Co. of Harvey; Jacob 
 Thoeming, wholesale grocer; Dr. Frank W. 
 Tracy, dentist; Rudolph Heitman, retired retail 
 grocer; John L. Synakiewicz, coal and ice dealer; 
 Robert Dillman, general manager Libby, Mc- 
 Neill and Libby; Frank J. Van Overstraeten and 
 Walter Bielfeldt. Officers: C. B. Hutchins, presi- 
 dent; Walter C. Bielfeldt, vice president and 
 cashier; Henry L. Duff, assistant cashier and 
 trust officer; Esther Steinbach, assistant cashier. 
 * * * 
 Poultry Fanciers' Association 
 
 During the years 1902 to 1915 Blue Island 
 was the headquarters of the North-Eastern Illi- 
 nois Fanciers' Association. This association 
 was composed of fanciers and breeders of high- 
 class exhibition poultry, pigeons and pet stock. 
 
 The annual exhibitions, or shows, held in 
 Saenger hall attracted many exhibitors and 
 large attendance from a wide surrounding ter- 
 ritory and from other states. The "Blue Island 
 Show," as it was generally known among poul- 
 try breeders, ranked next in importance to the 
 National Fanciers Show held annually in Chi- 
 cago, and many of the breeders who exhibited 
 
 there also showed their birds and pet stock at 
 Blue Island. 
 
 The breaking out of the war in Europe had 
 the effect of lessening interest in fanciers' hob- 
 bies and no more shows were held here after 
 that time. Some of the local men who held mem- 
 bership, and took active part in the affairs of 
 the North-Eastern Illinois Fanciers' Association 
 were: John C. and Win. Klein, F. Lambrechts, 
 A. W. T. Doermann and his brother Rev. M. 
 P. F. Doermann, Albert Koch, John H. Volp, 
 C. D. Van Antwerp, Joseph Gerdes, C. C. Day, 
 Fred Bauer, H. Dreischerf, Louis Rauch, Charles 
 Volp, Robert Schuemann, Martin Schippel, Otto 
 Sorgenfrei, Robert Seyfarth. Charles Blake, 
 Wilson Brooks and Charles Bohn of Morgan 
 Park also were members. 
 
 •>:• * * 
 
 Truck Farming- 
 Adjoining closely, and to the west, south and 
 east of Blue Island, are extensive truck farms 
 where tomatoes, cabbage, onions and many other 
 varieties of vegetables are grown. These farms 
 are in a high state of cultivation and are owned 
 and operated by men who have made their line 
 of business a scientific study. The finest and 
 earliest vegetables to reach the Chicago market 
 are grown here at Blue Island. These growers 
 maintain a live organization with a membership 
 of more than a hundred known as Cook County 
 Truck Gardeners and Farmers Association, 
 Local No. 21. The present officers are: Presi- 
 dent, Gus Termunde; Secretary, John W. Belt; 
 Treasurer, Jacob Ouwenga. 
 
 A branch of the Cook County Farm Bureau 
 is located at 2414-16 Grove street. M. E. 
 Tascher, assistant county agent, is in charge. 
 * * * 
 
 Real Estate Board 
 
 Blue Island has a real estate board composed 
 of the licensed firms and individuals engaged 
 in the real estate and renting business in Blue 
 Island. The officers are: John Steinhart, presi- 
 dent; Peter W. Heintz, first vice president; Ed. 
 Martens, second vice president; Philip Seyfarth, 
 secretary; Arthur Olson, treasurer; Robert Gil- 
 son, attorney. Meetings are held twice a month. 
 
 "Cutting through the dam in the river near 
 Roll avenue, a CWA crew struck the original 
 log dam put in 60 years ago there. The old 
 dam was made of heavy logs fastened together 
 by wooden pins. The logs were used in con- 
 structing squares in the center of which were 
 put rocks."— Suburban Star. Dec. 22, 1933. 
 
BLUE ISLA^vD HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 249 
 
 St. Francis Hospital 
 
 This hospital, which fulfills all the qualifica- 
 tions required by the American College of Sur- 
 geons, had its beginning here, in 1905, in the old 
 Uhlich home at Gregory and High streets. 
 
 Father F. A. Rempe, who at that time was 
 pastor of St. Benedict church, conceived the idea 
 of a hospital for Blue Island. 
 
 The need of such an institution had been felt 
 for some years and local surgeons, especially 
 Drs. Edward Doepp and R. L. James, were quick 
 to support Father Rempe's proposal. 
 
 After some investigation the Sisters of St. 
 Mary, who in the course of a little better than 
 a quarter of a century had established quite 
 an enviable name for themselves as hospital 
 workers, consented to come to Blue Island and 
 take charge of the proposed institution. 
 
 The Uhlich home, the nucleus around which 
 the present beautiful hospital has been built, was 
 purchased for $30,000 and alterations suitable 
 for its new use were begun at once. Sister M. 
 Alexia, as superior, and Sisters Margaret Mary. 
 M. Columba. Lioba and Sylveria arrived on 
 Nov. 29, 1904. 
 
 Many alterations, including the installation of 
 a new steam heating plant, had to be made, but 
 by March 25, 1905, these had been completed 
 and Reverend F. A. Rempe blessed the new St. 
 Francis Hospital. On the following Sunday the 
 hospital was opened up for public inspection 
 and the first patient came in that evening. Every- 
 
 one was highly elated and congratulated the good 
 sisters on having filled a long-felt want in the 
 community. 
 
 Within a few weeks the necessity of an operat- 
 ing room became evident. Plans were drawn 
 and work on it was begun at once. In the fall 
 several rooms and a laundry were added to the 
 building. From twenty-five to thirty patients 
 could then be accommodated. 
 
 The nursing of the sick was carried on in this 
 building for the next ten years. But because they 
 could no longer accommodate all the patients 
 requiring admission, the erection of a large mod- 
 ern hospital could no longer be postponed. 
 Plans were drawn in 1914, and the boiler house 
 and laundry built the same year. On March 19, 
 1915, ground was broken for the hospital. The 
 cornerstone was laid on May 3rd by the Rev. 
 Paul Rosch. About a year later on Memorial 
 Day, May 30, 1916, the new St. Francis hospital 
 was dedicated with appropriate and imposing 
 ceremonies by the Most Reverend George W. 
 Mundelein, D.D., Archbishop of Chicago. Right 
 Reverend Monsignor F. A. Rempe, former pastor 
 of St. Benedict parish, to whom was due the 
 establishment of the hospital, delivered the 
 dedication sermon. 
 
 The hospital is a modern structure of four 
 stories and ground floor. Its equipment is 
 complete in every detail. It contains 100 rooms, 
 about thirty of which were furnished by societies 
 
250 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 and by families in memory of gome beloved de- 
 ceased member of the family. 
 
 The hospital celebrated its silver jubilee May 
 14, 1930. with solemn high mass in the hospital 
 chapel at 10 a. m., and at 8 p. m.. with a pro- 
 gram at which Mayor Frank Kasten, and Dr. 
 Edward Doepp, senior member of the staff of 
 surgeons, made addresses. 
 
 During the thirty years of its existence, St. 
 Francis hospital has continued its merciful task 
 
 Boy Scouts 
 
 The Former Uhlich Home 
 
 Used for ten years as a hospital, now the home of 
 
 the Sisters of St. Mary operating 
 
 St. Francis Hospital 
 
 of ministering to those afflicted. The steady in- 
 crease in the number of its patients is ample 
 proof of the efficient and satisfactory care that 
 is maintained as the standard of this hospital. 
 The entire community of Blue Island and its 
 surrounding districts, regardless of religious 
 affiliations, benefit by the self-sacrificing efforts 
 of the Sisters of St. Mary. 
 
 During the years of its existence the following 
 Sisters have acted as Superiors: 
 
 Sister M. Alexia— 1905-1911. 
 
 Sister M. Columba— 1911-1920. 
 
 Sister M. Salesia— 1920-1921. 
 
 Sister M. Marcella— 1921-1927. 
 
 Sister M. Ludmilla— 1927-1930. 
 
 Sister M. Bernardine— 1930-1932. 
 
 Sister M. Alexia— 1932-. 
 
 At present there are nineteen Sisters engaged 
 in the hospital. 
 
 Troop No. 780, organized October. 1918, has 
 a membership of 38 scouts. C. B. Price was 
 the first scoutmaster, M. W. Hummel is now 
 in charge. Paul W. Rohe, John C. Uehrke, 
 George Warren, J. C. Joens, Lewellyn Hollinger 
 and Rev. A. B. Bell constitute the committee. 
 The Troop is sponsored by the First Congrega- 
 tional Church. 
 
 Troop No. 782 was organized in Novem- 
 ber, 1933, by W. A. Hartwell and now has 
 a membership of 19. W. E. Murphy is 
 the present scoutmaster. The Troop is 
 sponsored by the Church of Christ. Rev. 
 Glenn Crawford, Henry Quade and W. T. 
 Hanify, Jr., constitute the Troop committee. 
 Troop 783 was organized in March, 1925, 
 by E. W. Kluger, who was its first scout- 
 master. The Troop has a present member- 
 ship of 29 scouts E. F. Kurschner was 
 scoutmaster until recently, but is now in- 
 active, and has been succeeded by Robert 
 Haas, who is now in full charge. The Troop 
 is sponsored by American Legion Post No. 
 50, Wra. J. Langenbach, C. A. Roesner and 
 Guy Fox constitute the committee. 
 
 Troop No. 787 was organized in Febru- 
 ary, 1926, by Eric Luenser, who was its 
 first scoutmaster. There are at present nine 
 scouts in the Troop. D. Kaufman is now in 
 charge of the Troop, which is sponsored by 
 the Evangelical Community Church. Ira G. 
 Vanderpoel, James N. McDougall and Emil 
 Helm are the Troop Committee. 
 
 Troop No. 788, which is sponsored by St. 
 Benedict Church, was organized by W. J. 
 Gaboriault in March, 1926, and he has been 
 the scoutmaster continuously during the entire 
 ten year period. C. F. Heckler, Thos. Parsons 
 and Henry B. Runde constitute the Troop Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The former executive committee was com- 
 posed of Fred Schroeder, Bruce Smyth, W. A. 
 Hartwell, Martin Forry and Dr. A. C. Aiken. 
 Mayor Fred Rice and Joseph Lentz are present 
 members of the South Shore Executive Com- 
 mittee. Richard L. Van Horn is District Exec- 
 utive of the South Shore District. 
 * * * 
 
 "On Wednesday, September 5, 1923, 2700 
 customers of the Sanitary District, were cut over 
 from that service to the lines of the Public Ser- 
 vice Co. of Northern Illinois. This was the 
 commercial business, the city continuing use of 
 the Sanitary District juice for street lighting." 
 — Sun-Standard. 
 
BLUE ISLAM) HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 251 
 
 NEWSPAPER HISTORY 
 
 [Note — My connection with the newspaper and 
 printing business of Blue Island covers all but the 
 first nine years since Feistkorn issued the first copy of 
 his Weekly Herald. I remember Feistkorn and Gard- 
 ner, knew Carl Dilg and Frank Wuest well; worked 
 for Eugene Pope and Steve Reed and succeeded the 
 latter to the business of the Standard. The review of 
 the Blue Island newspaper history which follows there- 
 fore represents my personal experience and reminis- 
 cences. — John H. Volp.] 
 
 The first newspaper printed in Blue Island 
 was the Weekly Herald, started in the spring of 
 1873. shortly after the village had incorporated. 
 Charles Feistkorn, son of a German Methodist 
 preacher then located here, was the publisher 
 and Carl A. Dilg the editor. 
 
 Dilg was a newspaper writer of considerable 
 ability and at this time was the editor of a Blue 
 Island edition of the German newspaper, 
 '"Beobachter." He had also for several years 
 been the Blue Island representative and cor- 
 respondent for the Illinois Staats Zeitung, both 
 of which newspapers were printed in Chicago. 
 In the light of these facts it is possible that it 
 was Dilg, and not Feistkorn, who was the prime 
 mover in starting Blue Island's first newspaper. 
 However that may be, the Herald was short- 
 lived and existed only about a year. 
 
 Those were the days when farmers paid their 
 subscriptions in butter, eggs and farm produce 
 and merchants their printing and advertising 
 bills in "trade." This was all right for the per- 
 sonal needs of the printer, but the paper house 
 and type founder demanded "real cash of the 
 realm" for their goods and this the printer was 
 sore-beset to obtain. 
 
 So, even though the village board had desig- 
 nated the Herald as the official newspaper for 
 the publication of legal notices, and the citi- 
 zens in general welcomed its advent, the little 
 community of scarcely a thousand people was 
 unable to give the paper the financial support 
 necessary to make its publication profitable. So, 
 after struggling along for about a year, Feist- 
 korn became discouraged, suspended publica- 
 tion of the newspaper and sought other em- 
 ployment. 
 
 The Daily Press, printed in Chicago, then 
 began the printing of a special edition for Blue 
 Island; also issues for Riverdale, Dolton and 
 Washington Heights. This enterprise proved 
 a failure within a short time and publication 
 was suspended in 1875. The following year, the 
 citizens feeling the need of a local paper, raised 
 $600 by subscription toward the purchase of 
 type and material and employed William Freed- 
 
 man to edit and publish the new paper, which 
 was named the Standard. But again financial 
 difficulties arose, Freedman resigned his post 
 and suspension of the paper followed. 
 
 Then, through the activity of Carl A. Dilg. the 
 Chicago Sun sought to supply the need with a 
 Blue Island edition of that paper, Mr. Dilg 
 being in editorial charge. This also did not re- 
 ceive sufficient patronage to warrant its continu- 
 ance, was discontinued, and was shortly fol- 
 lowed by the Standard-Herald under the editor- 
 ship of a man named Gardner. In the mean- 
 time Dilg had continued his activities with the 
 Chicago Beobachter, as editor of the Blue Is- 
 land edition of that paper. 
 
 During the summer of 1880, Gardner sold 
 the Standard-Herald to S. F. Wuest, and Mr. 
 Dilg was made associate editor, but still con- 
 tinued to edit the Blue Island edition of the 
 Beobachter. Wuest renamed the paper the Blue 
 Island Standard, introduced business methods 
 and put the enterprise on a more sure financial 
 basis than it had ever been. 
 
 I have lying in front of me a copy of the 
 Blue Island Standard dated May 25, 1882, 
 which I believe is the oldest copy in existence 
 of a Blue Island newspaper. The mast-head 
 states that the Standard is "an independent 
 weekly published every Thursday morning by 
 S. F. Wuest, proprietor.'' The subscription 
 price was $1.25 per year postpaid. 
 
 It is an eight-page paper with patent for 
 readv-print) on the four inside pages. It has 
 five columns to the page and there are eleven 
 columns of local and one column of medical 
 preparations advertising. The front and back 
 pages are devoted entirely to display advertis- 
 ing, leaving only the fourth and fifth pages for 
 local news. Among the advertisers we find 
 such well-known names as H. B. Robinson, John 
 M. Green, Louis Luchtemeyer, F. A. Reich. F. 
 Schapper, Emil Boehl. Paul Klenk, Aug. Boeber, 
 S. D. Jones, Mrs. C. A. Dilg, Louis Esche, Edw. 
 Sevfarth, Emil Schmitt, Archie Murphy, F. G. 
 Diefenbach, Herman Seyfarth. A. W. Schmidt. 
 Jacob Link. Henry Beer, Wm. Black, H. W. 
 Schmitt. Edw. Eichhoff. Wm. F. Cordt, August 
 Koenecke, H. H. Massey and others. Doctors 
 advertising were J. W. Harmon, J. S. KaufTman. 
 Carl Faber, and E. C. Read; lawyers: Rexford & 
 Prentice; Harmon & Smith; Borman & Burn- 
 ham. There is a notice among the local news 
 which indicates that Mr. Dilg had just recently 
 severed his connection as associate editor of the 
 paper. An astrologer, this article states, had 
 
252 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 given Mr. Dilg a "nativity" delineation which, 
 foretold many happenings in Mr. Dilg's life and 
 among other things predicted that the Stand- 
 ard was to become in the near future, "a mighty 
 engine for public good." 
 
 Feistkorn started his "Herald" in a basement 
 room of the old Robinson (later Zacharias) 
 building on the west side of Western avenue. 
 When Freedman assumed management of the 
 "Standard-Herald" he moved the office across 
 the street into a small building owned by the 
 Sauerteig's. It was even in those days a rather 
 dilapidated frame building with only a door and 
 a small window in front. But to me it was 
 the most interesting as well as the most myster- 
 ious place in the village, for here the "black 
 art".- — which name I had heard many times 
 applied to printing — was practiced. As a boy 
 of 9 or 10 years, at every opportunity I would 
 stand with my face pressed against the window 
 pane peering inside to watch the mysterious 
 operation of printing. 
 
 When Wuest bought the paper from Gardner 
 he moved the plant to a frame building located 
 just south of the old Union House on Western 
 avenue, and settled down to getting out a news- 
 paper that would endure. In this he was more 
 successful than his predecessors had been and 
 in the early eighties the shop was moved to more 
 commodious quarters on the second floor of the 
 Emil Boehl brick building (in later years occu- 
 pied by Wessel's market.) 
 
 Here I had my first real opportunity to gratify 
 my boyish longing to see the inside workings 
 of a printing plant. Being a schoolmate of Mr. 
 Wuest's younger brothers, Sam and Art, I soon 
 had frequent access to the shop when in their 
 company and it was not long before I had be- 
 come initiated in the mystery of "sticking type" 
 and "kicking" the job press. 
 
 As I look back I realize that the plant and 
 equipment of those days was of the very crudest 
 kind. Aside from the very limited supply of 
 type and small tools the mechanical equipment 
 comprised a wobbly job press which was pro- 
 pelled by foot power and the newspaper press, 
 a home-made affair which consisted simply of a 
 strong bed built of planks on which the type 
 forms were placed. The forms were then inked 
 by passing a roller over them and then the white 
 newspaper sheets (previously dampened) were 
 laid on the type. A heavy iron roller (said to 
 have been a piece of railroad car axle) thickly 
 padded with felt and covered with muslin was 
 then rolled over the paper. This operation trans- 
 ferred the inked impression of the type to one 
 side of the newspaper sheet. After a quantity 
 
 of paper sufficient to satisfy the circulation had 
 been printed in this way another form was 
 placed on the bed and the operation already 
 described was repeated to complete the paper. 
 
 In the light of present day achievements in the 
 printing art nothing could possibly have been 
 more crude than the method employed in pro- 
 ducing the pioneer newspaper of Blue Island, 
 yet to me at that time it was a marvelous and 
 fascinating process and I determined when I 
 was old enough to become a printer. 
 
 The opportunity to realize that ambition pre- 
 sented itself rather sooner than I had anticipated 
 by the advent in Blue Island of one Eugene M. 
 Pope, a young college graduate who had just 
 been married and who was nursing a belief that 
 he was cut out to be a great editor. 
 
 Mr. Pope acquired ownership of The Stand- 
 ard in the fall of 1883 and again the plant trav- 
 eled to a new location. This time to 295 West- 
 ern avenue, an old brick building standing on 
 the east side of Western avenue, about half way 
 between Vermont and New streets. 
 
 Pope was not a printer and did not know the 
 first rudiments of the trade, but his wife had 
 worked in a printing plant and could "stick" 
 type. His first move however was to discard the 
 old wooden newspaper press and to put in a 
 job press large enough to print one page at a 
 time of a five-column newspaper. 
 
 One day I heard that a boy was wanted to 
 "learn the trade" at the printing office. Here 
 was my opportunity. I applied for the place 
 and got it. So I cut short my school days, 
 though I was not yet sixteen years of age. 
 
 This was in the spring of 1884 and ever 
 since that time I have been "at the game" — go- 
 ing clear through the mill — "devil", apprentice, 
 printer, reporter, editor, publisher, until the 
 present time heading a $50,000 printing corpor- 
 ation — a busy and strenuous period of half a 
 century. 
 
 Mr. Pope paid me $3 a week "to begin." But 
 as I already had a slight knowledge of how type 
 was set I advanced rapidly and within a few 
 months was doing all the job work, setting and 
 printing statements, letter heads, business cards, 
 etc. Mr. Pope did the writing and Mrs. Pope 
 and I set the type. 
 
 Pope was strong on "heavy" editorials. I will 
 say that he was a good writer and his editorials 
 were a feature occupying several columns of 
 the paper each week. 
 
 Syndicate plate matter, which now offers easy 
 and unlimited "filler" material for newspapers, 
 was then almost unknown and I remember we 
 

 No. 2J 
 
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 t - -4« ?rcg s : ore 
 
 
 r "E SATURDAY 5UN. 
 
 WPHOVFD "111 .,t..- 
 
 Your Liberty Bond in Blue Island and Help This City "GO OVER THE T< 
 
 3 THE BLUE ISLAND SUN 
 
 BLUE ISLAND, ll.r... 
 
 The Standard. 
 
 3LUE ISL«NO. ILL.. FRIOAf. DECEMBER 4. 
 
 BUm® BsSasmdl Sunmi-SitamidlaiM 
 
 By Mml 
 SI SO 
 Pn Year 
 
 •-The Only Newspaper Printed In Blue Island-* 
 
 Merchants 
 
 "The Paper Of Personality and P„ r 
 9 
 
 ^> ""' ' "• rersonauty and Purpose " 
 
 Consumtri 
 
 3 PRFSX FIGHT MR 71; I OP* I Tr IP. irnon in,/ n.o 
 
 SUBURBAN ADVERTISER 
 
 Devoted to the Interests of Progressive Merchants in 
 Chicago's Great South'! vestern Trading Area 
 
 AN. CLEARANCES L _ 1 __ ^ C0AL HEAI 
 
 ."»' DEALERS SHOW 1935 AUTOS « 
 
254 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS : 
 
 were often sorely pressed to fill out even the few 
 columns which the paper contained at that time. 
 In order that the paper might not have to go 
 to press at some time or other with emptv spaces 
 in its columns Pope would hold five or six of 
 his best editorials in type and then when a 
 dearth of news made it necessary we would 
 shove in one of these editorials under the cap- 
 tion "Reprinted by Request." 
 
 In the summer time on Saturday afternoons, 
 the boss and I would "fly kites" in the old 
 Wattles pasture, where the Rock Island yards 
 now are located, and in the winter time we 
 would go coasting down "Fox's hill." Imagine 
 a boss and his employe pulling stunts like that 
 now! 
 
 Well, along in 1884, Pope, who in the mean- 
 time had been studying law, got enough of the 
 newspaper game and sold out to S. C. ("Steve") 
 Reed, an old residenter and well known through- 
 out this entire section. (Mr. Reed died at his 
 home in Hamlet, Ind., January 3, 1934, and was 
 buried in Mt. Greenwood cemetery following 
 solemn rites held in Masonic Temple, January 
 13, 1934.) 
 
 Reed was a hustler and in a little while the 
 business of the shop and the advertising patron- 
 age of the paper had more than doubled. Mr. 
 Reed put his step-son, Howard Hamilton, who 
 was one year my senior in age, into the shop 
 and between us we did the mechanical work 
 while Reed did the writing and looked after 
 the advertising. May Reed and my sister Anna 
 Volp also were employed setting type for the 
 paper. 
 
 During this time I was given an opportunity 
 to exercise my ability as a reporter covering 
 the meetings of the village board. There was a 
 good reason for assigning me to this job as 
 many of the early village board meetings were 
 conducted in a conglomeration of English, Ger- 
 man and Plattdeutsch, and although all of these 
 were familiar to me it was still a task at times 
 to follow discussions where the three mixed 
 promiscuously in rapid-fire talk. For even up 
 to this time the original agreement that was 
 made when the village was organized was being 
 observed. This agreement was that the city 
 offices should be distributed as equally as pos- 
 sible between the "Yankees," as the early Eng- 
 lish settlers were known, and the Germans, and 
 arose from the fact that although Blue Island 
 was originally settled by the English the years 
 1840 to 1860 saw such an influx of Germans 
 that when the village form of government was 
 adopted the German citizens were largelv in 
 the majority. 
 
 This arrangement worked out rather satisfac- 
 torily but it led to some peculiar situations in 
 the transaction of early village business. 
 
 The board at that time met in a frame build- 
 ing facing on Greenwood avenue near the site of 
 the present police station. It was a combination 
 of village hall and fire house, the hand-drawn 
 hose cart and the hook and ladder truck, with 
 its rows of fire buckets suspended on each side, 
 standing in the background while the city fathers 
 deliberated seated at a long table. 
 
 One day in the fall of 1888, Mr. Reed called 
 Howard Hamilton and myself to his desk and 
 nearly took our breaths with the question : "How 
 would you boys like to buy the paper and 
 printing plant?" 
 
 Mr. Reed had become interested more and 
 more in politics and. we knew, had been chafing 
 for some time because he was tied down by the 
 newspaper, but the question fired at us point- 
 blank nearly floored us. 
 
 Here were two boys each earning $9 a week, 
 neither one with a dollar saved up, asked to 
 buy a printing plant for which $2500 was asked! 
 I knew that my whole capital at that time was 
 the As-eek's wages I had then due me, and Ham- 
 ilton was in the same boat. 
 
 When we told Reed of our fix he said : "That's 
 all right; I'll take your notes and you can pay 
 me as you go along. I know you boys can do 
 better for vourselves than you can working this 
 way. 
 
 Well, there we were; the deal was closed and 
 the firm of Hamilton & Volp, printers and pub- 
 lishers of The Standard, came into existence. 
 
 My business association with Howard Ham- 
 ilton is one of the experiences of my life I 
 always look back to with the greatest pleasure 
 and satisfaction. He was a fine young man and 
 one of the best friends I ever had. 
 
 We entered upon our new vecture with great 
 enthusiasm and immediately sought to broaden 
 our field. 
 
 Morgan Park, Washington Heights and Fern- 
 wood were then under separate village govern- 
 ments. i 1 or some time the shop had been doing 
 commercial printing for the merchants in these 
 communities and we knew that there had been 
 some agitation to get local newspapers started 
 there. This demand we at once sought to fill 
 and in 1889 "The Morgan Park Standard," "The 
 Washington Heights Journal," and "The Fern- 
 wood Herald," made their debut in the com- 
 munities named. 
 
 I failed to mention that during Reed's owner- 
 ship of The Standard the plant had been moved 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 255 
 
 to the second floor of the new Schapper build- 
 ing, adjoining the drug store. A modern news- 
 paper press had been installed and other equip- 
 ment added which made it a pretty fair plant 
 except that power to drive the machinery was 
 lacking. This we supplied shortly after taking 
 hold by the addition of a steam boiler and 
 engine. This was a long step ahead. We were 
 now "power" printers and could turn out work 
 in larger quantities and more expeditiously than 
 before. For several years ours was the only 
 printing plant south of 63rd street equipped 
 with power. 
 
 The firm of Hamilton & Volp prospered dur- 
 ing this time and we were able to pay off a 
 large share of the debt we had assumed when 
 we purchased the business. Our new papers 
 were doing fine and the future looked bright. 
 
 But suddenly all this was thrust into gloom. 
 Mr. Hamilton, who married during our second 
 year in business, was taken sick and threatened 
 with consumption. His doctor advised immedi- 
 ate retirement from business and a trip to the 
 Pacific coast as the only possible chance to 
 regain his health. 
 
 This meant a quick sale and the raising of all 
 the money he could get hold of. Still burdened 
 with my own debts and unable to at once raise 
 the funds needed Mr. Hamilton was obliged to 
 sell to others. Wade Errett, lately employed by 
 the Chicago Newspaper LInion, was the pur- 
 chaser. 
 
 The firm of Errett & Volp was short-lived and 
 was in almost every way the exact opposite to 
 that which had preceded it. Errett was a man 
 much older than myself, and — well — the com- 
 bination just wouldn't work! 
 
 So in the summer of 1894 I sold my interest 
 in The Standard to Mr. Errett, bought a com- 
 plete new printing outfit and in September of 
 the same year "The Saturday Sun" made its ap- 
 pearance. This name was soon changed to 
 "The Rlue Island Sun." 
 
 For two years the plant was located at 232 
 Vermont st., and then moved to the Log Cabin, 
 near the Rock Island tracks. This historic build- 
 ing was the home of the Sun for twenty-one 
 years. 
 
 The new paper had "tough sledding" in its 
 early vears, bitter competition and the panic 
 of 1895 almost sweeping it out of existence. It 
 survived, however, and from that time on gained 
 steadily in circulation and influence, distanc- 
 ing its older contemporary in all respects with- 
 in a few years. 
 
 Wade Errett continued as publisher of The 
 Standard until the time of his death, which oc- 
 
 curred about 1908. Then his widow, Mrs. 
 Lennora Errett, conducted the paper for a num- 
 ber of years, after which her sons, Wade and 
 Clyde, successively took turns at it. 
 
 In the spring of 1918 Roy Phillips and Nor- 
 ris Quinn. who were then publishing a Ridge 
 paper known as The Weekly Review, obtained 
 control of The Standard and in October of the 
 same year, when an- extreme shortage of news- 
 print paper, incident to the war period, caused 
 many newspapers to cease or suspend publi- 
 cation, a consolidation of The Standard and 
 The Sun was effected under the present name 
 "Blue Island Sun-Standard." Thus, after a 
 period of "estrangement" lasting nearly twenty- 
 five years The Standard, my first newspaper 
 property, came back home to me. 
 
 On April 30, 1920, the Blue Island Publish- 
 ing Corporation was organized with capital of 
 $50,000, John H. Volp, Norris W. Quinn, Roy 
 Phillips and Moses Kammerman being the in- 
 corporators. The properties taken over by this 
 corporation consisted of the John H. Volp 
 printing plant, the Blue Island Sun, the Stand- 
 ard and the Weekly Review. 
 
 In July. 1920, the corporation obtained a fif- 
 teen-year lease on the W. 0. King laundry 
 building at 281 Vermont street and the printing 
 plant was moved to the larger and immensely 
 better quarters. 
 
 Shortly after this move was made it was 
 found advantageous to separate the newspapers 
 from the mechanical, or printing, department 
 and handle them as a separate proposition. 
 
 Roy Phillips, Moses Kammerman, and Norris 
 Quinn assigned their interest in the printing 
 plant to me but retained their holdings in the 
 Sun-Standard. This then left me in complete 
 control of the Blue Island Publishing Corpora- 
 tion, while the newspaper, in which I had a 
 half interest, was owned bv a separate private 
 company. 
 
 Under the consolidation agreement Norris 
 W. Quinn became the editor and Roy Phillips, 
 business manager. I continued as publisher 
 and devoted my time to general supervision 
 of the business. In March of 1921, Mr. 
 Quinn accepted a position as feature writer with 
 a large press syndicate and sold his interest in 
 the Sun-Standard to Roy Phillips. Moses Kam- 
 merman of Morgan Park, who since the con- 
 solidation had been in charge of advertising, 
 resigned in the early part of 1920 and in Aug- 
 ust of that year Homer B. Clemmons, formerly 
 with the Englewood Times, joined the Sun- 
 Standard staff as advertising manager. In 
 March. 1921. Mr. Clemmons identified himself 
 
256 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 more closely with the paper by buying a half 
 interest of Mr. Phillips' holdings. At this time, 
 also, Myron Jones, lately of Huntsville, Ala- 
 bama, was engaged as editor and in the follow- 
 ing June he, too, acquired part ownership in the 
 Sun-Standard by buying a one-fourth interest, 
 the balance of the Phillips-Quinn holdings. 
 
 The owners of the Sun-Standard then, at that 
 time, were John H. Volp, with a half interest 
 
 In the spring of 1930, Selwyn Otis and Arthur 
 r oigt secured an option to buy the Suburban 
 Star, and on March 15, 1930, the name "Associa- 
 ted Suburban Publishers," which had been used 
 since establishment of the Star, was incorporated 
 with capital stock of $5,000.00, the incorporators 
 being E. W. Little, Selwyn Otis and Arthur 
 Voigt. 
 
 On August 14, 1930, the capital stock of the 
 
 BHuae Maundl § mum- Standard! 
 
 -"The Only flicu ip'.'fter "-inted In Blue Ittond" 
 
 FORWARD! 
 
 With One Hundred Years of Successful Growth 
 Behind Her, Blue Island Presses Onward To Creater 
 Heights In the Glorious Future .... 
 
 Front Page, Centennial Edition Blue Island Sun-Standard 
 
 and Homer Clemmons and Myron Jones each 
 with a quarter interest. 
 
 In the spring of 1923 we began the publica- 
 tion of The Suburban Star, devoted to the in- 
 terest of the communities in the North Ridge 
 section. This newspaper is now in its thirteenth 
 year and firmly established. Some of the edi- 
 tors who have served on the Star are Myron 
 Jones, Harold Clemmons, Selwyn Otis and 
 Charles Lakin. Since 1934 it has been under 
 the editorial management of Wesley Volp. 
 
 March 1, 1928, Myron Jones sold his one- 
 fourth interest in the Sun-Standard to Roy 
 Massena and several associates and moved to 
 Texas. Hill Lakin, who previously had assisted 
 Mr. Jones, then became the editor. 
 
 Associated Suburban Publishers was increased 
 from $5,000 to $50,000, and a reorganization 
 of the various interests was effected. Under this 
 new set-up the Suburban Star and the Blue Is- 
 land Sun-Standard were merged. The name 
 Suburban Star was chosen for the consolidated 
 sheet as being more comprehensive in territorial 
 scope than the older and more localized "Blue 
 Island" Sun-Standard. 
 
 This belief I did not share, but I was willing 
 to go along and try it out. I felt that to dis- 
 card a name that had grown up with the com- 
 munity, that had stood the test of time and had 
 become, one might say, a household word, was 
 a mistake of the gravest kind. And so it proved 
 to be. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 257 
 
 The first issue of the paper under the new 
 name was dated August 29. 1930. Hill Lakin 
 and Selwyn Otis composed the editorial staff; 
 Homer Clemmons and Arthur Voigt, advertis- 
 ing; Myron Jones, business manager. 
 
 The name Suburban Star did not "take" local- 
 ly and the prestige that was once enjoyed by 
 the Blue Island Sun-Standard began to fade. 
 
 Myron Jones, who had been engaged to man- 
 age the Suburban Star when the papers were 
 merged, tendered his resignation in February, 
 1932. and it was accepted as effective February, 
 27. 1932. 
 
 The name, Suburban Star, was continued until 
 the end of 1934, two editions being printed 
 each week- — one known as Blue Island edition, 
 the other as Ridge edition. 
 
 In the January 4. 1935, edition, under the 
 caption, "An Old Friend Greets You," an- 
 nouncement was made that the newspaper had 
 resumed its old name — Blue Island Sun-Standard 
 — and that the former Ridge edition would carry 
 the name Suburban Star. 
 
 That is the situation at the present time and 
 the change back to the original names has 
 proven beneficial to both newspapers. Hill 
 Lakin is editor and Homer Clemmons advertis- 
 ing manager of the Sun-Standard. Wesley Volp 
 is editor and manager and Elmer Lysen news 
 editor of the Suburban Star. 
 
 The officers of the Associated Suburban Pub- 
 lishers, incorporated, are: John H. Volp, presi- 
 dent and business manager; Harold Volp, vice 
 president; Homer B. Clemmons, treasurer; Jo- 
 seph W. Lentz, secretary. 
 
 # # » 
 
 Other Newspapers 
 
 During the years covered by the life of the 
 Sun-Standard and its related predecessors, a 
 number of other papers have from time to time 
 come into the local newspaper field, played 
 their part, and then passed on to oblivion. 
 Nearly all of them existed but a short time. 
 
 Since a complete list is not available, I will 
 mention a few that readily come to mind: 
 
 Der Beobachter. (Blue Island edition) of 
 which Charles Dilg was the editor. This was a 
 popular newspaper among our German citizens 
 in the late 70's and early 80's. 
 
 The Crucible, published by Christian Zacher, 
 (brother of the late August Zacher) 1891-92. 
 Existed but a few months. 
 
 Blue Island News, Paul Worden, editor. This 
 paper was started in the spring of 1909 and 
 was purely a political sheet. It was promoted 
 and financed by a small group of men who op- 
 
 posed the reelection of George Gobet as mayor. 
 After the election, when there were no more 
 campaign funds forthcoming, the paper passed 
 into other hands. The Wattles boys tried to 
 keep it alive but it soon passed out of existence. 
 
 The Commercial Journal, Florence Crane, 
 publisher; a small four-column eight-page 
 paper, existed only a few months during the 
 fall of 1900. 
 
 The Golden Gate Post, J. L. Tucker, editor. 
 A free distribution advertising and promotional 
 sheet. Published during the summer and fall of 
 1928. 
 
 The Economic Unit, a small publication 
 printed in magazine form at irregular periods 
 during the years 1924 and 1925. Leslie ("Ben- 
 nie" ) Leonard was the editor and publisher. 
 
 The Free Press, Myron Jones, editor. Short- 
 ly after Jones severed his connection with the 
 Sun-Standard in February, 1932, he started an 
 "opposition" paper named as above. The first 
 issue was dated March 3, 1932, it faded rapidly 
 during 1934 and by fall it had passed out. 
 
 Suburban Advertiser, a standard size adver- 
 tising newspaper established in 1933 by Asso- 
 ciated Suburban Publishers and printed in the 
 plant of the Blue Island Publishing Corpora- 
 tion. It was distributed free by carrier through- 
 out the Blue Island and Beverly Hills trading 
 area. Publication was discontinued in 1935. 
 
 Blue Island Bulletin, a weekly advertising 
 sheet printed by Roy Andrews at Midlothian 
 and distributed free to residents of Blue Island. 
 The paper was started in February, 1933, in 
 standard 6-column size. It has since been 
 changed to tabloid form. 
 
 Suburban Shopper, C. Den Herder, pub- 
 lisher. A weekly free distribution advertising 
 sheet, started December 4, 1935. Tabloid size. 
 
 "The first fatal accident on the Rock Island 
 railroad near here occurred in September, 1857, 
 about five miles south of Blue Island. A man 
 named Seeman was crossing the tracks driving 
 a voke of cattle hitched to a wagon. A train 
 coming on struck his wagon, killed one of the 
 oxen and capsized the wagon on himself, killing 
 him almost instantly. Justice Heber Rexford 
 held an inquest on the body and a verdict was 
 rendered in accordance with the facts." — Chi- 
 cago Democrat, September 15, 1857. 
 # * * 
 
 From the Standard, February 27, 1891 : "Dip- 
 nets have been in great demand the past few 
 days. Fish are plentiful in Stony creek and 
 large numbers of them have been carried home." 
 
258 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 City Council Notes 
 
 (Continued from Page 182) 
 
 March 7, 1921— Charles J. Olson resigned 
 from city council as alderman of the Fifth ward. 
 Mr. Olson was a candidate for mayor at the 
 April election. 
 
 March 21, 1921 — Passed Ordinance No. 965, 
 establishing daylight saving time for Blue 
 Island. 
 
 April 25, 1921 — Awarded contract for audit- 
 ing city's books and records to Jonathan B. Cook 
 & Co., for $225.00. 
 
 Result of the general city election held April 
 19, 1921, was as follows: 
 
 Mayor— Paul T. Klenk (defeating E. B. Bron- 
 son and Charles J. Olson.) 
 
 City Clerk — George J. Landgraf. 
 
 City Treasurer — Harvey L. Melvin. 
 
 Police Magistrate — Henry Buhring (defeating 
 Edmund Sorgenfrei, George Draeger and Peter 
 Heintz) . 
 
 Aldermen — First ward, Henry J. Schnurstein; 
 Second ward, George F. Fiedler; Third ward, 
 Charles Andersen; Fourth ward, Joseph W. 
 Lentz; Fifth ward, J. P. Wiessner (full term); 
 to fill vacancy, Edward Hopf. 
 
 Total number of votes cast, 4741. 
 
 Men Women Total 
 
 First ward 413 337 750 
 
 Second ward 378 298 676 
 
 Third ward 384 318 702 
 
 Fourth ward 633 536 1169 
 
 Fifth ward 607 591 1198 
 
 June 20, 1921 — Voted to place a traffic guide 
 light at the corner of Western avenue and Ver- 
 mont street at cost of $80. 
 
 Roy Massena reappointed city attorney. 
 
 Council voted to purchase street signs for all 
 street intersections on Western avenue, between 
 119th street and 135th street at a cost of $411.37. 
 
 Ben Steffes resigned from police department 
 after more than 20 years of service. 
 
 September 6, 1921 — Mayor Klenk appointed 
 the following committee to cooperate with the 
 American Legion in the matter of deciding on a 
 suitable memorial for soldiers serving in the 
 late war: J. P. Wiessner, chairman; Joseph W. 
 Lentz, C. J. Andersen. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 976, "regulating the 
 right of children to be on public streets at 
 night." 
 
 This was a curfew law. A similar law was 
 passed by the city council under. Mavor Gobet, 
 May 18, 1908. 
 
 The question of redisricting the city into ad- 
 ditional wards was discussed at a meeting of 
 the city council on Sept. 19, 1921, but the 
 Judiciary committee reported "owing to the fin- 
 ancial condition of the city, we recommend the 
 wards be left as they now are. until the city 
 is better fixed financially. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 984, "regulating the 
 discharge and sale of fireworks in the City of 
 Blue Island." 
 
 On September 21, 1921. Mayor Klenk return- 
 ed this ordinance to the council with his veto, 
 reciting five reasons for his action. 
 
 The council sustained the veto, and referred 
 the ordinance back to the Fire Committee to be 
 redrafted to conform to the mayor's recom- 
 mendations. 
 
 Voted to purchase a Pitometer to cost $250 
 for use of the water department. (This instru- 
 ment is used in locating leaks, etc). 
 
 Passed revised water ordinance. 
 
 Passed a resolution segregating the receipts 
 and expenditures chargeable to the water fund 
 from the general corporate accounts. 
 
 Nov. 28, 1921 — Passed anti-smoke ordinance. 
 
 An epidemic of diphtheria, which, for a time, 
 threatened to close the schools, was a matter of 
 great concern to the health commissioner and 
 city physician at this time. Prompt and drastic 
 regulations by the city council, in cooperation 
 with the health authorities, curbed a general 
 spread of the disease. 
 
 January 3, 1922 — Two platoon system put in- 
 to effect in Blue Island fire department. Follow- 
 ing were the first paid firemen appointed under 
 this law: John Sauerbier, house captain and 
 fire truck driver ; Charles Bailey, Howard Baker, 
 Harry R. Hammond, firemen. 
 
 February 6, 1922 — George Pettijohn resigned 
 as member of the Library board owing to his 
 moving from the city. Willis N. Rudd appoint- 
 ed by the mayor to fill the unexpired term. 
 
 March 22, 1922— Special Market Day com- 
 mittee reported that "after a careful and pains- 
 taking poll of the territory affected by the Blue 
 Island Market showed a majority of the resi- 
 dents and taxpayers in favor of abolishing the 
 market." Committee therefore recommends that 
 all ordinances now in effect in any way regulat- 
 ing or affecting the market be repealed. 
 
 Repealing Ordinance No. 997 was then passed 
 and the day, commonly known as Blue Island 
 Market Day, officially came to an end within the 
 city limits May 1, 1922. 
 
 May 15, 1922— Passed Ordinance No. 1001, 
 providing for the paving with concrete, grading 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 259 
 
 and curbing the following system of streets: 
 Canal street, from the east line of Western avenue 
 to the west line of Division street; Market street, 
 Broadway and Desplaines street, from the east 
 line of Western avenue to the east line of State 
 street; Rexford street. Gregory street. Wabash 
 street, Chicago street and State street from the 
 south line of Canal street to the north line of 
 Desplaines street : and Chatham street from the 
 south line of Canal street to the south limits of 
 the city. Engineer's estimate of this improve- 
 ment. $165,250.87. 
 
 June 5, 1922 — Ordered repaving with brick of 
 both sides of Western avenue from 119th street 
 to Burr Oak avenue, money to be appropriated 
 from vehicle and corporate funds. 
 
 Passed an ordinance requiring railroad com- 
 panies to properly light the places where the 
 streets are intersected by railroad tracks. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1005, concerning the 
 licensing of paint and wall paper stores, and 
 Ordinance No. 1006, concerning the licensing of 
 hardware stores. 
 
 Total water consumption for the period from 
 Nov. 1, 1921 to May 5, 1922, according to Chi- 
 cago meter readings, was 177.397.500 gallons. 
 
 The city clerk reported that he had received 
 the following complaints: 
 
 "The awful dust on 123rd street." 
 
 "The awful dust on Vincennes avenue." 
 
 "The awful dust on Ogden avenue." 
 
 "The awful condition of 119th street, between 
 Vincennes avenue and Western avenue." 
 
 Action to have these streets oiled was taken. 
 
 A communication from the Illinois Commerce 
 Commission, in regard to the rebuilding and 
 widening of the viaduct over Western avenue, 
 provided that the work should be completed on 
 or before June 30, 1923, and that the cost of 
 this improvement be spread as follows: the Rock 
 Island railroad company to pay $21,800; the 
 Chicago & Interurban Traction company $7000, 
 and the City of Blue Island, $7000. 
 
 In reply to a question that was asked by 
 Alderman Koenecke at a previous council meet- 
 ing as to whether or not the dirt excavated from 
 under sidewalks belonged to the city, City At- 
 torney Massena gave it as his opinion that the 
 dirt under sidewalks belongs to the city, quoting 
 as authority a court decision rendered in a case 
 of that nature in La Salle, 111. 
 
 The annual appropriation bill passed at this 
 meeting called for a total of $137,303.24 for all 
 municipal purposes. 
 
 Sept. 18, 1922— Committee on Plats, Public 
 
 Grounds and Buildings recommended that a sep- 
 arate heating system be installed at the public 
 library building, thus doing away with the 
 underground steam line from the city plant. 
 
 Council supported the recommendation unan- 
 imously and instructed city clerk to advertise 
 for bids to have the change made. 
 
 Oct. 2, 1922 — City council voted to accept in- 
 vitation of Rock Island railroad to participate 
 in the observance of the 70th anniversary of the 
 railroad to be held at the Blue Island depot on 
 October 7. 
 
 Replying to questions raised in connection 
 with vendors and peddlers I with particular ref- 
 
 Rocco Guglielmiicci 
 AIdc>- ma ii Third W(trd 18 Years 
 
 erence to market day) City Attorney Roy Mas- 
 sena quoted the following paragraphs from the 
 statutes: "Section 23 of Chapter 5 of the Revised 
 Statutes of Illinois allows every farmer, fruit 
 and vine grower, and gardener, to sell his own 
 produce in any place or market where such ar- 
 ticles are usually sold without paying any state, 
 county or city tax or license. 
 
 "With reference to the right of former soldiers 
 and sailors of the United States or of the State 
 of Illinois, honorably discharged from the mili- 
 tary service, to vend, hawk and peddle goods 
 without a license, Sections 626-627, of Chapter 
 24 of the Revised Statutes of Illinois make it 
 mandatory for the city clerk to issue a license, 
 without fee, to such former soldier or sailor." 
 
 Bought a team of horses for the East Side 
 Fire Company from George Roll for $300, and 
 voted to sell the team now r being used at the No. 
 4 firehouse. 
 
 Nov. 6, 1922 — Awarded contract for install- 
 ing heating plant in the public library to Pron- 
 ger Bros., on their bid of $775.00. 
 
 Entered into an agreement with the City of 
 Chicago to pay said city for care of prisoners 
 sent from Blue Island to the House of Correc- 
 
260 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 tion at the rate of 50 cents per day for each day 
 said prisoners are confined therein. 
 
 Feb. 5, 1923 — Mayor Klenk reappointed 
 George Oetjen, Frank X. Rauwolf and John C. 
 Joens members of the board of directors of the 
 Blue Island Public Library. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1017, designating Ver- 
 mont street a "through street." 
 
 April 23, 1923 — Granted the Fans Association 
 a permit to place a memorial monument at the 
 
 Paid Klenk 
 Mayor of Blue Island 1921 - 1929 
 
 north-east intersection of Burr Oak and Western 
 avenues. 
 
 A canvass of the votes cast at the general 
 city election held April 17, 1923, showed the 
 following to have been elected: 
 
 Mayor— Paul Klenk. 
 
 City Clerk — George J. Landgraf. 
 
 City Treasurer — George J. Roll. 
 
 Aldermen — First Ward, Harold Volp; sec- 
 ond ward, George F. Fiedler; Third ward, 
 Charles Andersen ; fourth ward, Joseph W. 
 Lentz; fifth ward, J. P. Wiessner. 
 
 Total number of votes cast in all wards — 
 3243. 
 
 May 21, 1923 — City council received notice 
 that Chicago Sanitary District will positively 
 discontinue the furnishing of electrical energy 
 in Blue Island on August 5, 1923, when the 
 temporary three year contract expires. 
 
 June 4, 1923— Passed Ordinance No. 1037, 
 amending Ordinance No. 894, "regulating the 
 sale of firearms and other dangerous weapons." 
 
 July 2, 1923 — Mayor Klenk reported that he 
 had revoked the hotel license of Phil Kimmel, 
 keeper of the Burr Oak Hotel on the ground 
 that he was maintaining a house of ill fame. 
 The mayor's action was sustained by the city 
 council. 
 
 Entered into contract with Alvord, Burdick 
 and Hovvson to make an examination and report 
 on the question of a municipal electric light and 
 power plant for the city of Blue Island. 
 
 July 16, 1923— Granted Gilbert & Bennett 
 Mfg. Co. permission to make a 6-inch water 
 main connection with the city's main in Burr 
 Oak avenue at the western limits of the city. 
 
 Voted to borrow .$1000 to complete oiling of 
 streets. 
 
 Passed annual appropriation ordinance. Total 
 for all purposes $258,731.57. 
 
 August 8, 1923 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 death of President Warren Harding, who died 
 August 2, 1923. 
 
 Mayor Klenk proclaimed August 10th, be- 
 tween noon and sunset, as a time of mourning; 
 that all business houses close during this time, 
 and that all citizens attend the memorial ser- 
 vices at Central Park from 3 to 4 o'clock as a 
 mark of honor and respect. 
 
 Agreement With Public Service Co. 
 
 August 13, 1923 — Entered into an agreement 
 with the Public Service Co. of Northern Illinois 
 for the sale to the company, for the sum of 
 .$54,000, of poles, cross arms, wires, fixtures 
 and other appurtenances (with certain excep- 
 tions ) comprising a part of the general street 
 lighting system of the city of Blue Island; also 
 granting the company a franchise "to construct, 
 maintain and operate for a term of thirty years 
 a system for distribution and sale of electricity 
 for lighting, heating and power purposes." 
 
 Section 1, of Ordinance No. 1047, reads as 
 follows: 
 
 "That the City of Blue Island sell to Public Service 
 Company of Northern Illinois, for the sum of Fifty- 
 four thousand ($54,000.00) Dollars in cash upon the 
 delivery by said City to said Public Service Company 
 of Northern Illinois of the property herein described, 
 and of a good and sufficient deed of sale thereof, the 
 following described personal property, to wit: All 
 poles, cross arms, wires, fixtures and other appurtenanc- 
 es, as described in a certain inventory bearing date of 
 April 28th, 1923, a copy of which is on file in the of- 
 fice of the City Clerk of the City of Blue Island (with 
 the exception of approximately two hundred ninety-six 
 (296) series street lamps together with approximately 
 one hundred seventy-eight (178) poles and the brackets 
 and wires, comprising the general series street lighting 
 system, of said City of Blue Island and also with the 
 exception of approximately one hundred four (104) 
 ornamental street lamps, together with the brackets 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 261 
 
 and wires, comprising the ornamental street 1 i jrli t i nix 
 system, erected on trolley poles <>f t he Chicago and 
 Fnterurban Traction Company in Western Avenue and 
 Vincennes Wenue in said City of Blue Island, and all 
 other personal property now used in and about and 
 forming a part of the electric distribution system of 
 the City of Blue Island. Cook County, Illinois." 
 
 Ordinance No. 1048 provides for the sale 
 and distribution of electricity. Section 1 reads 
 as follows: 
 
 ■'That right, permission and authority be and the 
 same are hereb) granted to Public Service Company 
 of Northern Illinois, it- successors and assigns (here- 
 inafter referred to as the "Grantee'), to construct, 
 maintain and operate in the City of Blue Island I here- 
 inafter referred to as the 'Municipality") in the State 
 of Illinois, for a term of thirty (30) years a system 
 for the distribution and sale of electricity for lighting, 
 heating and power purposes, within and outside the 
 corporate limits of said Municipality, and to construct, 
 maintain and operate all necessary poles, wires, con- 
 duits and apparatus necessary or convenient for such 
 system in, upon, along, over, across, above and under 
 each and all of the streets, alleys, avenues, and other 
 public places in said Municipality, subject to the con- 
 ditions and regulations hereinafter set forth." 
 
 "If said purchase be consummated hereunder, the 
 Company shall pay for said property the sum of 
 Twenty-seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000.00) payable 
 as follows: Twelve Thouand Dollars ($12,000) in cash 
 upon the transfer of said property to the Company 
 and the remaining Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15.000 > 
 in five (5 1 equal annual installments of Three Thous- 
 and Dollars (3.000.00) each, the first installment to be 
 paid one ( 1 ) year after the date of said transfer and 
 the remaining installments to be paid at intervals of 
 one (1) year thereafter." 
 
 [Note: The $27,000 payment specified in the above 
 paragraph is for equipment not included in the in- 
 ventory bearing date of April 28. 1923. and is in addi- 
 tion to the $48,000 mentioned in section 1 of Ordinance 
 No. 1047. Altogether Blue Island received $85,000 
 for the sale of its street lighting system to the Public 
 Service Company. The "ornamental street lights" re- 
 ferred to in the preceeding paragraphs were those 
 mounted on brackets on the iron trolley poles along 
 Western and Vincennes avenues and were not included 
 in the sale.] 
 
 The agreements set forth above were not con- 
 cluded at once, but obligated the company to 
 "make the purchase at the price and in the 
 manner aforesaid only in case the City shall: 
 
 "<a) Elect on or before August 13, 1924, to sell to 
 the company said property . . . and in token of such 
 election shall pass and put into effect a proper and 
 valid ordinance therefor; 
 
 "(6( On or before August 13, 1924. pursuant to 
 such ordinance, sell, assign, and set over and transfer 
 to the company said property by an appropriate deed of 
 transfer 
 
 "(c) On or before August 13, 1924, enter into a 
 street lighting agreement with the company . . . where- 
 by the company shall provide, and the city shall agree 
 to take from the company exclusively, for a term of 
 ten (10) years, general and ornamental street lighting 
 service at the company's prevailing prices for such 
 service." 
 
 In the meantime the Sanitary District contin- 
 
 ued temporarily to supply electric service dur- 
 ing which time several plans whereby the City 
 might continue further use of the Sanitary Dis- 
 trict electric service were considered. But each 
 of the plan? submitted called for the expendi- 
 ture by the City of considerable s"ums of money 
 which it could not afford and finally, in March, 
 1924. the conditions of the agreements with the 
 Public Service Company of Northern Illinois 
 were consummated and that company now owns 
 the electrical distribution system of the City, 
 and has an exclusive franchise for furnishing 
 electric current within the municipality. 
 
 Sept. 4, 1923 — Contract for resurfacing East 
 Side pavement, north of Vermont street, was 
 awarded to Tuftread Road Service on their bid 
 of $9,600 for the completed job. Toward this 
 amount the Third ward Improvement Club 
 agreed to contribute $2000. 
 
 Dec. 17. 1923— Settled the claim of Mrs. 
 Anna James for personal injuries sustained by 
 
 Harold C. Yolp 
 
 Elected Alderman, First Ward, 1923; Served 
 
 Ten Years 
 
 falling on a slippery walk on Western avenue, 
 for $200— John C. Klein paving $100 and the 
 city $100. 
 
 Council voted to have a municipal Christmas 
 tree on the lawn at the city hall. 
 
 Awarded contract for 1000 feet of 2 1 /2"inch 
 fire hose to Eureka Fire Hose Co., at $1.15 
 per foot. 
 
 March 17. 1924 — Authorized Doerr, Lind- 
 quist & Doerr to draft specifications in accord- 
 ance with blue prints submitted for new addi- 
 
262 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 tion to city hall, their commission to be 6 per 
 cent of total cost. 
 
 Members of Second Ward Improvement Club 
 go on record as opposing establishment of an 
 auto tourist camp on the banks of the canal in 
 the Second Ward. 
 
 April 7, 1924 — Awarded contract to Essco 
 Manufacturing Co., in the amount of $2148.30, 
 for "stop and go" lights to be placed at the 
 intersections of Burr Oak and Western, Vermont 
 and Western, Broadway and Western. 
 
 Aldermen elected at the general city election 
 held April 15, 1924. 
 
 First ward — Alfred Koenecke. 
 
 Second ward — Charles Mosel. 
 
 Third ward — Rocco Guglielmucci. 
 
 Fourth ward — Charles Schrage. 
 
 Fifth ward — Edward Hopf. 
 
 On the proposition for the establishment, 
 maintenance and conduct of a playground and 
 recreation system, and the levy of an annual 
 minimum tax for the conduct thereof, one and 
 one-third mills on each dollar of assessed valua- 
 tion, the vote was 2617 for, and 762 against. 
 
 May 5, 1924— Passed Ordinance No. 1064, 
 establishing a playground and recreation board. 
 
 Mayor Klenk announced the following to be 
 the members of the first Playground and Recrea- 
 tion Board: Dr. Frank Tracy (term one year) ; 
 Arthur C. Seyfarth (term two years) ; Mrs. 
 Jacob Postweiler (term three years) ; Harry M. 
 Schlemmer (term four years) ; Frank Kasten 
 (term five years). 
 
 The council concurred in the appointments. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1065, providing for the ap- 
 pointment of a zoning commission of seven 
 members who shall have power to prepare a 
 zoning ordinance covering the entire city of 
 Blue Island, was then read and passed. 
 
 Granted the petition of the American Legion 
 Post to have the memorial monument now loca- 
 ted at Burr Oak and Western avenues, removed 
 to Memorial Park. Expense incurred in such 
 removal to be borne j jointly by the city and 
 the American Legion. 
 
 May 19, 1924— Passed Ordinance No. 1069 
 "supressing and prohibiting itinerant mer- 
 chants and transient vendors of merchandise in 
 the City of Blue Island." Also passed Ordin- 
 ance No. 1070 "suppressing and prohibiting 
 hawkers, peddlers and itinerant merchants in 
 the City of Blue Island." 
 
 July 7, 1924— Voted to contribute $100 to 
 the Lorain, Ohio, Chapter of the Red Cross 
 for relief of the tornado stricken city. 
 
 July 14, 1924— 
 
 Report on Proposed City Hall 
 
 The committee on plats, public grounds and 
 buildings and the finance committee, reported 
 favorably on the proposed addition to the city 
 hall and recommended the passage of an ordin- 
 ance providing for a $40,000 bond issue to de- 
 fray the total expense of the erection of the new 
 building. 
 
 The committee also reported favorably on 
 leasing the second floor quarters for a period 
 of 50 years to Blue Island Post No. 50, Ameri- 
 can Legion on the following terms: The Legion 
 to pay $5000 upon execution of the lease; $1000 
 per annum for the five years thereafter, and 
 $1.00 per annum for the balance of the term of 
 the lease. 
 
 The acceptance of the American Legion to the 
 terms outlined above was attached to the com- 
 mittee's report. 
 
 The city council concurred in the committee's 
 report and ordered that suitable action be taken 
 to carry out its provisions. 
 
 Voted to advance Doerr, Lindquist & Doerr, 
 architects for the new city hall, $1,200 on 
 account of services rendered. 
 
 The annual appropriation bill, passed at this 
 meeting, called for a total of $337,469.90, 
 which amount included the $40,000 bonds for 
 the new city hall. 
 
 Aug. 11, 1924 — Adopted resolutions of con- 
 dolence on the death of Edward N. Stein, for- 
 mer mayor and lifetime prominent citizen of 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Results of the special election held August 
 19, 1924, for — First, the proposition to issue 
 $10,000 bonds of the city to pay the city's por- 
 tion of the cost of widening the subway under 
 the Rock Island tracks, on Western avenue, 
 carried by a vote of 198 to 53. Second, the 
 proposition to issue bonds of the City of Blue 
 Island in the sum of $40,000 for the purpose 
 of building an addition to the city hall, car- 
 ried by a vote of 169 for and 77 against. 
 
 Sept. 2, 1924 — Bids for constructing the new 
 city hall were opened and the following con- 
 tracts awarded: General contract to Rauwolf 
 Bros., on their bid of $25,452.00; contract for 
 the plumbing awarded to Pronger Bros., on 
 their bid of $4,317.20; E. J. Claffey Co. were 
 awarded the contract for the heating equipment 
 for $3,450.00, and Blue Island Electric Shop 
 (Geo. Bohnstengel) the electric wiring for 
 $408.00. Contract for the jail cells was not 
 awarded at this time but was left open for fur- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 263 
 
 ther consideration. The estimate for these was 
 $4,924.00. 
 
 Passed and approved an ordinance pertain- 
 ing to the electrification of the Illinois Central 
 railroad through Blue Island. 
 
 Ordered siren installed at the Rock Island 
 railroad crossing on Vermont street; also one 
 at Vermont and Western avenues. 
 
 Dec. 1, 1924 — Sanitary District of Chicago 
 filed its acceptance of an ordinance passed by 
 the City Council of the City of Blue Island on 
 Oct. 14, 1924, granting to the said Sanitary 
 District a perpetual easement, right and author- 
 ity "to construct, reconstruct, repair, maintain 
 and operate an intercepting sewer, drain and 
 outlet, upon, under and through all the streets 
 of the City of Blue Island traversed by the right 
 of way of said intercepting sewer." 
 
 Committee on Health reported they had en- 
 gaged the services of a full time graduate 
 Health nurse from the Chicago Tuberculosis In- 
 stitute. 
 
 Dec. 15, 1924 — Passed resolutions of con- 
 dolence on the death of Charles Adams, form- 
 erly alderman of the Fifth ward. 
 
 January 12, 1925 — Council authorized sale of 
 fire houses known as No. 2 and No. 3, together 
 with the real estate on which they are located. 
 
 February 24, 1925 — The following bids were 
 received for the No. 2 fire house and real estate: 
 Habich Bros. Motor Sales, $800.00; Harry 
 Truesdle, $5,550. The bid of Harry Truesdle 
 was accepted and the property sold to him. 
 
 April 20, 1925 — Adopted resolutions of con- 
 dolence on the death of Edward Hansen, for- 
 mer alderman of the Third Ward. 
 
 April 27, 1925 — Result of the general city 
 election held on April 21st: 
 
 Mayor— Paul T. Klenk. 
 
 City Clerk — George J. Landgraf. 
 
 City Treasurer — Willis P. Whitfield. 
 
 Aldermen — First Ward, Harold C. Volp; Sec- 
 ond Ward, George F. Fiedler; Third Ward, Louis 
 F. Brockman; Fourth Ward, Joseph W. Lentz; 
 Fifth Ward, J. P. Wiessner. 
 
 On account of the death of A. G. Kern, sup- 
 erintendent of streets, Mayor Klenk appointed 
 R. B. Hammond to fill the position. 
 
 Resolutions of condolence on the death of 
 Mr. Kern were then read and adopted by the 
 city council. 
 
 May 25, 1925— Received check for $2500.00 
 from the American Legion as first half payment 
 on the $5,000.00 the Legion agreed to pay for 
 their rooms in the new city hall. 
 
 Mayor Klenk reported that he had accepted 
 the resignation of Otto Wilcke as lieutenant of 
 police, to take effect July 1, 1925, Mr. Wilcke 
 having availed himself of the provisions of the 
 Policeman's Pension Act. 
 
 June 22, 1925— Passed Ordinance No. 1096, 
 amending Ordinance 906, known as the build- 
 ing and fire limits ordinance: providing for 
 the appointment of a building inspector. 
 
 Mayor Klenk approved the ordinance and 
 appointed Henry J. Schnurstein building inspec- 
 tor, same to take effect at once. 
 
 July 6, 1925 — Alderman George J. Fiedler 
 appointed trustee of Police Pension Fund for 
 term ending April 30, 1926, and Christian 
 Krueger for the term expiring April 30, 1927. 
 
 August 3, 1925 — On recommendation of the 
 Fire Committee — Aldermen Lentz, Fiedler and 
 Volp — the city council voted 6 to 3 to accept 
 the bid of the Seagrave Company in the amount 
 of $13,000.00, for one 1,000-gallon motor 
 pumper for the fire department. The Seagrave 
 Company offered to buy the old horse-drawn 
 chemical and hose wagon for $250.00, this 
 amount to be deducted from the contract price 
 of the new pumper. 
 
 On a petition of abutting property owners 
 voted to change the name of Prospect street, 
 from 119th street south to Vincennes avenue, to 
 Longwood drive in order to conform as a con- 
 tinuation with the street of that name inside the 
 Chicago city limits. 
 
 Zoning Commission held its first public hear- 
 ings in the city hall October 20, 21 and 22, at 
 o'clock p. m. Subject: Discussion of the zoning 
 map and ordinance prepared by it for submis- 
 sion, to the city council. 
 
 October 19, 1925 — Passed Ordinances No. 
 1124 and 1125 designating Burr Oak and Vin- 
 cennes avenues through streets: 
 
 Awarded contract to Pronger Bros, on their 
 bid of $727.00 for a Hart oil burner to be in- 
 stalled in the city hall. 
 
 November 30, 1925 — Adopted resolutions of 
 condolence on the death of Willis N. Rudd (At 
 the time of his death Mr. Rudd was chairman of 
 the Zoning Commission and a member of the 
 Library Board.) 
 
 January 11, 1926 — Passed Ordinance No. 
 1135. known as the Blue Island Zoning Code. 
 
 Mayor Klenk appointed the following mem- 
 bers of the Board of Appeals regulating zoning: 
 Edward Martens, one year term; T. R. Foster, 
 two years; Frank R. Krueger, three years; Emil 
 Schmitt, four years; Adolph Helquist, five 
 years (chairman). 
 
264 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 BLUE ISLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT 
 
 By Fire Chief John Link 
 
 Showing 750 G.P.M. and 1000 G.P.M. Seagrave Pumpers 
 
 On September 4, 1879, seventeen men met 
 in the Village Hall to organize a fire company. 
 The names of the seventeen men are as follows: 
 Henry J. Beer, William Bitter, Oscar Boermel, 
 Carl Brand, George Englehardt, John Clausen, 
 Fred Hohmann, Mathias Helbreg, Jacob Link, 
 August Ularks, Henry Neibert, Christian Peters, 
 Fred Landgraf, William Schreiber, Gustaf Volk- 
 man, John Wolf, and Nick Behrens. 
 
 The meeting was called to order by Fred Hoh- 
 mann and the first order of business was the 
 election of officers. Carl Brand was elected the 
 Captain, and as such was to be the chairman of 
 all meetings. Mathias Helbreg as Secretary, 
 and George Englehardt as the Treasurer. 
 
 A committee was then named to go to the 
 Village Board and petition the Village for the 
 necessary hose and cart for fire service. To this 
 committee were named Fred Hohmann, Jacob 
 Link, and John Wolf. Oct. 8th, 1879, this com- 
 mittee reported back that the Village fathers 
 would purchase the hose and cart, and that the 
 Captain, the Secretary and the Treasurer were 
 to act with the Village fathers in the purchase 
 of the cart and hose. 
 
 The Village board at some time before had 
 purchased some ladders for fire purposes, but 
 
 had not provided any means for taking them to 
 a fire, so a committee was named to take up a 
 public subscription to raise funds to build a 
 ladder wagon. To this committee were named 
 William Schreiber, Henry J. Beer and William 
 Nutzmann (a new member). This action was 
 taken on the 29th day of November. 1879. For 
 specifications of the ladder wagon the committee 
 of Carl Brand, Mathias Helberg, Jacob Link and 
 G. Volkman were appointed. On January 10th, 
 a contract was signed by Jacob Link and Gustaf 
 Volkman to build the ladder wagon for the sum 
 of Si 75.00. 
 
 At about this time there was organized a fire 
 company on the South Side and known as Fire 
 Co. No. 2. We have no records as to the date 
 of organizing of this Company. On the 11th 
 day of December, 1880, the two fire companies 
 agreed to combine as a fire department and each 
 company to appoint a committee of three who 
 should meet at the Village Hall for the purpose 
 of selecting a fire marshal. This combined com- 
 mittee met at the Village Hall, December 13th, 
 1880. and after taking two preliminary ballots, 
 they cast a third ballot and elected Henry Ganty 
 as the first Fire Marshal of the Blue Island Fire 
 Department, he to have full command at all 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 265 
 
 fires. For an Assistant Fire Marshal, Jacob 
 Thoeming of Co. No. 2, was appointed. 
 
 The uniform of the Fire Department was sel- 
 ected and consisted of a red flannel shirt with 
 blue front outlined in white with the monogram 
 B. I. F. D. and company number on the breast. 
 Also blue cap and a leather belt which was 
 lettered to designate the rank and position of 
 the wearer. 
 
 The headquarters of Co. 1, was in the Village 
 Hall building which was a long wooden building 
 located where the reservoir now stands. In the 
 year 1891, Company 1 was moved into the new 
 Village Hall now used as police station. In 
 September. 1 893, the Fire Department changed 
 their uniforms to conform with that of the Chi- 
 cago department. Blue coat and pants with cap 
 to match. The coat, ap today, was double- 
 breasted with nickel buttons. 
 
 Dec. 13, 11 and 15th, 1893, a bazaar was held 
 in the old Saenger Hall for the purpose of rais- 
 ing the money for the purchase of the combina- 
 tion chemical and hose wagon which marks the 
 beginning of regular horse drawn apparatus and 
 paid driver. The first regular paid man in the 
 fire service was Holden Stafford who was ap- 
 pointed as driver and caretaker and had his 
 sleeping quarters in the Village Hall building, 
 being on duly 24 hours per day. 
 
 In 1896, the Company No. 1 was moved into 
 the quarters now occupied as fire department 
 headquarters, and on the morning of Mav 17th, 
 1890, at the hour of 1 :15 a. m., a fire broke out 
 in the barn at the rear of the Union House on 
 \\ estern avenue and due to the shortage of water 
 and a high wind the fire spread to the Turner 
 Hall and Saenger Hall and from there it spread 
 north and east until it came to the top of the 
 hill on Rexford street, burning out 25 buildings 
 on Henry street, Grove street, and Western ave- 
 nue, with an approximate loss of $125,000.00. 
 The Chicago fire department was called on for 
 assistance and three steamers and hose wagons 
 were sent out over the Rock Island Railroad 
 under the command of District Marshal Joseph 
 Ken yon from the Englewood district, 64th street 
 and Wentworth avenue. Shortly thereafter the 
 Village purchased a second-hand steamer from 
 the City of Chicago and this steamer did business 
 for the fire department until the first motor 
 driven pumper was installed. 
 
 The first motor driven pumper, a 750 G.P.M. 
 Seagrave Pumper was purchased Jan. 8th, 1917. 
 and put into service April 23rd, 1917. The next 
 piece was a motor ladder truck put into service 
 Dec. 1st, 1919, and the 1000 G.P.M. Seagrave 
 Pumper was put into service Nov. 1st, 1925. 
 
 The double shift of full time firemen, known 
 as the two platoon system, was instituted in the 
 Blue Island Fire Department, Jan. 1st, 1922, to 
 conform with the law of the State of Illinois. 
 This system means that there are two groups of 
 firemen working 24 hours per days on alternative 
 days. In other words a full time fireman works 
 21 boms straight through and is off duty 24 
 hours. 
 
 The Firemen's Pension Act was complied with 
 and a pension board organized for the paid fire- 
 men in the year of 1924 and in the year of 1931, 
 by vote of the citizens of Blue Island, the police 
 and firemen were put under civil service rule, 
 
 Fire Chief, John Link 
 
 and a civil service board of three men was ap- 
 pointed by the City Council who have full power 
 to pass on the men seeking appointments on 
 either department. 
 
 The Fire Marshals of the Blue 
 Department as they were elected by 
 or appointed by the City Council : 
 
 First Marshal — Henry Ganty* 
 
 Second Marshal — Jacob Thoeming"* 
 
 Third Marshal — Jacob Link" 
 
 Fourth Marshal — August Engleharl" 
 
 Fifth Marshal — Fred Groskopf * . . . 
 
 Sixth Marshal — August Englehardl. 
 
 Seventh Marshal — Wm. Schreiber*. 
 
 Eighth Marshal — Otto Sorgenfreif . , 
 
 Ninth Marshal — Wm. Schreiber"!' . . . 
 
 Tenth Marshal — John Link'!" 
 
 (*) Elected by the Firemen 
 (f) Appointed by City Council 
 
 Island Fire 
 the firemen, 
 
 . Dec., 
 ..No 
 .Jan., 
 Jan., 
 
 • Jan., 
 .Jan., 
 
 • Jan., 
 Aug., 
 May, 
 Mav, 
 
 1880 
 Dates 
 1885 
 1888 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1901 
 1905 
 1907 
 
266 
 
 •THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 The Fire Department Personnel, paid and vol- 
 unteer : 
 
 Paid Full Time Firemen 
 
 John Link, Marshal 
 
 John Sauerbier, Capt. Earl Clow, Chauff. 
 
 Chas. Besgen, Eng. Harry Hammond, Eng. 
 
 Chas. Boeley, Eng. Allen Kollman, Chauff. 
 
 Volunteer Men 
 
 Frank Ulrich, Lieut. 
 Henry Klopp 
 Edward Fischer 
 August Schreiber 
 George Komada 
 Edward Gebert 
 Claude Colbourn 
 Mike Guglielmucci 
 John C. Fischer 
 Charles Schwartz 
 Mathias Krueger 
 Edward Schultz 
 Gottfried Brockman 
 Charles Meyer 
 John Arnold 
 Frank Pucik 
 
 William Post 
 Leon Weiland 
 Severn Gustafson 
 Edward Bochman 
 Charles Burmeister 
 Henry Larsen 
 Herman Schultz 
 Everett Anderson 
 Alfred J. Schultz 
 John Schmaedeke 
 Eugene Kempf 
 Edward Miller 
 Joseph Batek 
 Raymond Neibert 
 Leander Gustafson 
 George J. Fiedler 
 
 Development of Blue Island's Water 
 Supply 
 
 Prior to 1873, each village home depended 
 for its supply of water on a dug well on the 
 premises, or on the well of some neighbor. 
 There were also two fine flowing springs loca- 
 ted conveniently, one near the base of the hill 
 west of Ann street, now the property of Alder- 
 man Louis Rauch — (and this spring still has a 
 strong flow) — the other was at the foot of Ver- 
 mont street near where the B. & 0. tracks now 
 are located. This spring has disappeared. 
 
 During the early days many families obtained their 
 water at these springs — even today the spring on Aid. 
 Ranch's property is frequently patronized. 
 
 There was then no "public" well, or any 
 provision for a public water supply — each 
 householder had to look out for himself. The 
 fire hazard in those days was great and when a 
 fire did start it usually meant complete destruc- 
 tion of the building. 
 
 So when village organization was effected in 
 1873 one of the first problems pressing for solu- 
 tion was the question of a water supply for 
 domestic use and fire protection. 
 
 In 1877 a start was made with a dug well 
 six feet in diameter and 45 feet deep. This well 
 when finished contained 11% Iee t of good water 
 and cost $306.00. 
 
 It was equipped with tank and windmill for 
 $2800 additional. This well served for eleven 
 
 years, but in 1889 the demand for more water 
 became so imperative contract was let for a 
 second dug well. This well was 20 feet in 
 diameter and 50 feet deep, walled up on the 
 inside with stone. 
 
 But only four years later, 1893, this well 
 showed signs of failing and the village trustees 
 decided that to sink more dug wells would be 
 useless. 
 
 The old windmill, which had provided power 
 for the pumps for about three years, was dam- 
 aged beyond repair in a storm and in July, 
 1881, it was taken down, a power house built 
 fronting on Vermont street and a steam engine 
 installed. This equipment had a pumping cap- 
 acity of 1200 barrels of water a day, although 
 the average daily consumption was but 500 
 barrels. 
 
 On Jan. 8, 1894, contract for the sinking of 
 an artesian well was awarded to the Whiting 
 Water Supply Co. of St. Louis. This concern 
 was rather slow getting at the job, but finally 
 in August of that year the well was finished. 
 A pumping test continued for several days 
 showed a good flow of water. But with drilling 
 equipment already on the ground the trustees 
 decided it would be wise to immediately sink a 
 second well. So another contract was made 
 with the Whiting Company and on Jan. 25, 1895, 
 the second well was ready for the pumps. The 
 first of these wells was 1360 feet deep and the 
 second one somewhat over 1400 feet. The cost 
 of the wells averaged a little over $3000 each, 
 without pumping equipment. These were 12- 
 inch wells, reducing to 6 inches at the bottom. 
 The water from these wells, although hard, was 
 of excellent drinking quality and tested high 
 for purity. 
 
 Blue Island had in the meantime become a 
 part of the Sanitary District of Chicago and by 
 virtue of that fact was entitled to the use of 
 electrical energy created at the Lockport genera- 
 ting plant. 
 
 The cost of operating the municipal water and 
 light plant had become more burdensome each 
 year, so when the Sanitary District proposed to 
 furnish electrical energy for street lighting and 
 to operate the water-works plant the proposition 
 met a cordial reception from the city council. 
 On Oct. 21, 1908, the city entered into a ten 
 year contract for that purpose with the District. 
 
 John W. Alvord, a consulting engineer, was 
 engaged by the city to investigate and report 
 on improving the city water supply. In January, 
 1909, Mr. Alvord submitted his report in which 
 he recommended the sinking at once of a 15- 
 inch artesian well, the necessary air compres- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 267 
 
 sors, pumps, etc., also that the city have con- 
 structed a 150,000 gallon steel tank and a con- 
 crete surface reservoir for water storage. 
 
 On April 25, 1909. the city council awarded 
 a contract to the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.. for 
 the construction of a steel water tank on their 
 bid of $4,700.00. 
 
 Contract for the construction of a concrete 
 surface reservoir, 70x26x12 feet deep, was 
 awarded to F. Steinhart & Son, on their hid of 
 $1,153.00, and contract for the sinking of a 15- 
 inch artesian well was awarded to W. H. Grav 
 & Bro.. on their bid of $5,370.00. 
 
 Alvord & Burdick were engaged to supervise 
 the above work for $500.00. 
 
 The new artesian well, the third well of thai 
 character, and the fifth of all wells constructed 
 by the community up to that time, was com- 
 pleted in March, 1910. This well was 1649V2 
 feet deep. Put to a 6-hour pumping test the 
 well delivered 310 gallons of water per minute 
 at 80 pounds air pressure. 
 
 But no sooner had this larger well been put 
 in service when other troubles developed. The 
 flow of water in the two smaller wells began to 
 fail and, on top of that, developed an offensive 
 taste and odor, as if of oil or gas. 
 
 This condition was first noticed in the two 
 older wells in March, 1914, but so rapidly did 
 it get worse that not only did the citizens become 
 alarmed, but the city council, too, feared that 
 widespread sickness might result from use of 
 the water. 
 
 Faced with an emergency Mayor Jones, in 
 June, appealed to the Illinois State Water Sur- 
 vey for an analysis of the water and a thorough 
 investigation of the causes of the pollution. 
 
 Since the matter of health was of paramount 
 importance a chemical test of samples of water 
 taken separately from all three artesian wells 
 was made first. 
 
 This analysis showed that except for the un- 
 pleasant taste and gaseous odor the water was 
 of good quality free of disease bearing germs 
 and fit for human consumption. 
 
 An extensive investigation for the causes of 
 the pollution followed, but led only to conjec- 
 tures. These were that oily waste from the gas 
 works and chemical waste from the Wireton 
 mills, being discharged into Stony creek, had 
 seeped through rock crevices to the water-bear- 
 ing limestone from which the wells drew their 
 supply. Suggestions for aerating the water at 
 the pumping station were made and household- 
 
 ers were advised to draw water and let it stand 
 for a while before using. 
 
 But these measures, while providing some re- 
 lief, did not remedy the situation. 
 
 The Commercial Association, backed by num- 
 erous influential citizens, went before the city 
 council and demanded that negotiations be open- 
 ed with the City of Chicago to obtain lake water 
 through that municipality. Under the charter 
 creating the Sanitary District, of which Blue 
 Island was a part, this city was entitled to water 
 from Lake Michigan. 
 
 In the latter part of December, 1914, Mayor 
 Jones addressed a letter on the subject to Mayor 
 Carter Harrison of Chicago, and soon received a 
 reply that Blue Island's request was receiving 
 favorable consideration. 
 
 From then on matters progressed quickly and 
 on April 15, 1915, Blue Island entered into a 
 contract with Chicago for lake water to be fur- 
 nished this city "through its existing main at the 
 intersection of 119th street and Western avenue, 
 and at such additional points as may be re- 
 quired ... in sufficient quantity to supply con- 
 sumers within the district or territory compris- 
 ing the said City of Blue Island." The contract 
 is for a term of twenty-five years and may be 
 extended for such additional period as may be 
 mutually agreed upon. 
 
 On August 13, 1915. the first lake water was 
 pumped into the Blue Island mains. 
 
 This contract has been a very satisfactory and 
 beneficial one for Blue Island. It has given our 
 people a constant and practically unlimited sup- 
 ply of water for all purposes. 
 
 However, the rapid growth of the southern 
 section of Chicago, to say nothing of the steady 
 and substantial growth of our own community, 
 has in recent years made itself felt in a lowering 
 of pressure in the water mains. Steps to remedy 
 this condition are now under way by the build- 
 ing of a large storage tank and the installation 
 of larger water mains. 
 
 When the contract with Chicago was signed in 
 1915 the Blue Island artesian wells had been 
 delivering approximately 17,000,000 gallons of 
 water per month, an average of nearly 600,000 
 gallons per day. Now, end of 1935, 1,500.000 
 gallons of lake water are going through the 
 Blue Island mains every twenty-four hours. Of 
 this amount the industries supplied by Blue 
 Island use approximately 45 per cent — the 
 Libby canning plant being the largest consumer. 
 
268 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS"' 
 
 The information contained in the following table was kindly supplied by Public Works Super- 
 intendent Barney Hammond. The table shows the sizes of water mains, ranging from 4 to 16 inches 
 in diameter, and the number of feet of each size in various streets. This underground water ser- 
 vice installation represents a cost of nearly three-quarters of a million dollars: 
 
 WATER MAINS 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 16" 
 
 14" 12 
 
 10" 8" 6" 
 
 4" 
 
 119th 
 
 Maple 
 
 Gregory 665 665 520 
 
 
 119th PI. 
 
 Gregory 
 
 East 
 
 2120 
 
 
 119th St. 
 
 Gregory 
 
 East 
 
 
 
 1640 
 
 
 120th 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 1320 1200 
 
 
 121st St. 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 1840 
 
 
 121st PI. 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 1760 
 
 
 121st St. 
 
 Artesian 
 
 Ann 
 
 
 
 665 
 
 
 122nd St. 
 
 Western 
 
 Prospect 
 
 
 
 1480 
 
 
 122nd St. 
 
 Maple 
 
 Highland 
 
 
 
 665 
 
 
 122nd PL 
 
 Maple 
 
 Highland 
 
 
 
 665 
 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 California 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 4O00 
 
 
 Grunewald 
 
 Highland 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 2820 
 
 
 Orchard 
 
 Highland 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 3160 
 
 
 Collins 
 
 Highland 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 3040 
 
 
 Krueger 
 
 Western 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 
 520 
 
 
 Cochran 
 
 Fairview 
 
 Western 
 
 
 
 2200 
 
 
 Lewis 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 
 
 1330 
 
 
 Florence 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Vernon 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 850 
 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Western 
 
 
 
 665 
 
 
 Olive 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 720 
 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Irving 
 
 
 
 3240 1520 330 
 
 1330 
 
 Pra-Edison 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Irving 
 
 
 
 1990 
 
 880 
 
 Oak 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 
 
 1330 
 
 
 Walnut 128 
 
 California 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 
 3330 
 
 
 Union 
 
 B.O.CT. R.R. 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 
 2000 
 
 U20 
 
 High 
 
 Maple 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 
 430 1330 
 
 York 
 
 California 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 
 2030 ] 
 
 L330 
 
 New 
 
 B.O.CT. R.R. 
 
 Gregory 
 
 
 . . . 
 
 1350 ] 
 
 L330 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Com. A. Wks. 
 
 Ashland 
 
 
 
 600 .... 6200 3720 
 
 Grove 
 
 Maple 
 
 Winchester 
 
 
 
 1480 2680 
 
 James 
 
 Ann 
 
 Western 
 
 
 
 840 
 
 
 Canal 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 700 2800 
 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Francisco 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 1040 4640 
 
 400 
 
 Market 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 3130 
 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 3320 
 
 
 135th PL 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 700 700 .... 1100 
 
 
 136th 
 
 Western 
 
 River Road 
 
 
 
 1850 
 
 
 138th 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 2800 
 
 
 139th 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 6300 
 
 
 Rexford 
 
 Canal 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 
 
 1040 
 
 
 Gregory 
 
 135th PL 
 
 James 
 
 
 
 . 2000 
 
 
 Gregory 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 2650 
 
 
 Gregory 
 
 Krueger 
 
 123rd PL 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 
 Gregory 
 
 119th 
 
 120th St. 
 
 
 
 660 660 
 
 
 Irving 
 
 122nd 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 
 
 660 .... 
 
 
 Prospect 
 
 122nd 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 Washington 
 
 119th 
 
 121st St. 
 
 
 
 1000 330 
 
 
 James 
 
 Gregory 
 
 Irving 
 
 
 
 360 
 
 
 Irving 
 
 James 
 
 Union 
 
 
 
 . 2000 
 
 
 Union, East 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 119th & Vin. 
 
 
 
 . 7200 
 
 
 Chicago 
 
 Grove 
 
 York 
 
 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Grove 
 
 High 
 
 
 
 
 1320 
 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 • • ■ 
 
 1000 
 
 
 Division 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 
 2300 
 
 
 Winchester 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 
 1150 
 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 
 1150 
 
 
 Honore 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 
 
 • • 
 
 1150 
 
 
 Prairie 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 
 Oak 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 • • • 
 
 400 
 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Division 
 
 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 Union 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 
 
 # 
 
 2000 
 
 
 High 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 . . 
 
 . • . 
 
 
 2240 . 
 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 269 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 York 
 
 Chicago 
 
 Wood 
 
 Winchester 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Grove 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Everett 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Everett 
 
 Mozart 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Clinton 
 
 Everett 
 
 Edison 
 
 Erancisco 
 
 Everett 
 
 Edison 
 
 Mozart 
 
 Everett 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 California 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Union 
 
 California 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 Mozart 
 
 California 
 
 Fairview 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Cochran 
 
 Highland 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 122nd St. 
 
 Highland 
 
 York 
 
 Union 
 
 Elm 
 
 York 
 
 Union 
 
 Elm 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Cochran 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vermont 
 
 119th St. 
 
 Ann 
 
 Lewis 
 
 South 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Gruenwald 
 
 119th St. 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Lewis 
 
 Western 
 
 135th 
 
 119th 
 
 Francisco 
 
 135th 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Mozart 
 
 135th 
 
 Broadway 
 
 California 
 
 135th 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Vine 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Ann 
 
 135th 
 
 Market 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 135th 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Ann 
 
 Broadway 
 
 North 
 
 Ann 
 
 123rd 
 
 119th 
 
 Chatham 
 
 135th 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Chatham 
 
 136th 
 
 138th 
 
 Thornton Rd. 
 
 135thChatham 
 
 Division 
 
 Division 
 
 139th 
 
 Thornton R 
 
 Seeley 
 
 139th 
 
 138th 
 
 Ashland 
 
 Vermont 
 
 River 
 
 Water 
 
 Number 
 
 Cost 
 
 Main 
 
 Feet 
 
 Per 
 
 Size 
 
 
 Foot 
 
 16" 
 
 ,665 
 
 $5.40 
 
 14" 
 
 .665 
 
 4.80 
 
 12" 
 
 24,015 
 
 4.00 
 
 10" 
 
 7,720 
 
 3.20 
 
 8" 
 
 16,500 
 
 2.45 
 
 6" 
 
 139,495 
 
 1.95 
 
 4" 
 
 19.430 
 
 1.60 
 
 16" 
 
 14" 
 
 12" 
 
 10" 
 
 8" 
 
 6" 
 
 4" 
 
 Total Mileage Approximate 39.5 
 
 3330 
 
 2000 
 
 5060 
 
 2660 
 
 8350 
 
 1950 
 
 2680 
 
 
 500 .. 
 
 
 1040 . . 
 
 
 1330 . . 
 
 
 950 . . 
 
 
 1330 . . 
 
 
 1640 
 
 
 1330 . . 
 
 
 1330 .. 
 
 
 660 .. 
 
 
 1330 . . 
 
 
 660 
 
 
 660 .. 
 
 
 3000 . . 
 
 
 3150 2650 
 
 600 .. 
 
 
 4000 . . 
 
 
 1000 660 
 
 660 2000 
 
 600 .. 
 
 
 660 .. 
 
 
 680 .. 
 
 
 400 .. 
 
 
 480 
 
 
 800 
 
 
 500 .. 
 
 
 2660 . . 
 
 
 400 .. 
 
 
 1250 . . 
 
 
 iioo '.'. 
 
 
 550 .. 
 
 
 2350 . . 
 
 
 $ 
 
 3,591.00 
 3,192.00 
 96.060.00 
 25,704.00 
 40.425.00 
 272,015.25 
 31,088.00 
 
 440,987.25 
 
 
 71.850.00 
 
 Hydrants 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 Valves 
 
 6,000.00 
 
 Gregory Street Bridge 
 
 35,000.00 
 
 Water Meters 
 
 1,500.00 
 
 Tools 
 
 $575,337.00 
 
 Source of supply — Lake Michigan. 
 
 Water Tank — 100,000 gallons capacity. 
 
 Fire Hydrants — 479. 
 
 Approximate Mileage of All Sizes of Water Mains — 39.5 miles. 
 
 Approximate Number Metered Water Services — 3500. 
 
 Approximate Number Live Sewer Service — 3480. 
 
270 
 
 •THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Blue Island Volunteer Fire Department in the Early Eighties 
 
 Top, left to right — Henry Ganty, Louis Luchetmeyer, John Clausen, Matt Helbreg, William Schreiber, 
 Albert Driese, Fred Landgraf. 
 
 Bottom — First two not known, Carl Brand, Nick Behrens, Henry Neibert, Jacob Link, George Meck- 
 lenburg, George Engelhardt, Fred Hohmann, Christ Peters. 
 
 The Fourth of July was a Great Day for the Village Fire Department 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 271 
 
 The Fire of 1896, and Others 
 
 During the latter '80s and well up into the 
 '90s. Blue Island experienced such an epidemic 
 of fires that the generally accepted belief they 
 were the work of firebugs seemed pretty well 
 founded. Besides the mysterious burning of 
 many smaller buildings during this period, cov- 
 ering about eight or ten years, the following, 
 comprising some of the larger industrial build- 
 ings in the community at that time, were de- 
 stroyed by fire: 
 
 Continental Oil Co. plant, four frame build- 
 ings, east of Rock Island railroad tracks, near 
 Union street, on Aug. 25, 1883. 
 
 Metz Brewery, a brick structure, James street, 
 near Ann, latter part of August, 1886. 
 
 Blue Island Milling Co., a large frame build- 
 ing 105x150 feet, two to four stories high, York 
 street, east of Rock Island railroad tracks, on 
 Dec. 3, 1886. 
 
 None of these buildings was in regular use 
 at the time. 
 
 The village "Calaboose", a small building at 
 Grove and Gregory streets, was burned on July 
 13, 1895. This fire was credited to tramps and 
 no one regretted the building's destruction, as 
 it was a nuisance and an eyesore. 
 
 The Village authorities became alarmed by 
 the frequency of fires for which no cause could 
 be found except incendarism. Das "Ansteckungs- 
 Komite", our German citizens said, was to 
 blame for the fires. 
 
 On Sept. 3, 1895, the Village Board offered 
 a reward of $500 for information leading to 
 the arrest and conviction of the person or 
 persons responsible for the fires. The stale 
 fire marshal started an investigation. Several 
 men active in a local volunteer fire company, 
 against whom the finger of suspicion was point- 
 ing, were put under severe grilling. No in- 
 criminating evidence was discovered further 
 than that the men under questioning had in- 
 dulged in loose talk and had boastingly said: 
 "'Maybe, now, the village will do something to 
 help the fire companies." 
 
 Then on Sunday morning, May 18, 1896, oc- 
 curred the largest and most disastrous fire Blue 
 Island had experienced in its entire existence. 
 Again there were suspicious circumstances about 
 the fire's origin, and again "das Ansteckungs 
 Komite" was blamed. 
 
 An "Extra" issue of the Blue Island Sun, 
 printed while the fire was still raging within 
 fifty feet of the building in which the printing 
 plant was housed, graphically tells the story, 
 as follows: 
 
 Sunday, May 18, 1896. 
 
 "Three of the principal business blocks of 
 the city in ruins — twenty-six stores and resi- 
 dences and their contents totally destroyed! That 
 is the record of the big fire of Sunday morning. 
 
 "Following is a list of the buildings destroyed: 
 
 "Concordia Turner Hall, Saenger Hall, John 
 Schroeder, tobacco and confectionery store and 
 residence; Henry Fischer, residence; Mrs. Sey- 
 farth. residence; Edward Seyfarth, hardware 
 store and two frame buildings; LInion House, 
 barn; John Dornhecker, residence and black- 
 smith shop; Robinson Block; F. Banderob, 
 saloon: Bennett & Son, livery stable; J. L. Zach- 
 arias, flour & feed; Win. Baumbach, tailor, two 
 buildings; Fred Voigtman, confectionery; Fred 
 Schneider, barber shop; F. Krienbrink, saloon; 
 Sing Lee. Chinese laundry; Max Borchardt, 
 wholesale liquor store; Mrs. Sauerteig, resi- 
 dence; F. Winkler, harness maker; Albert Meyer, 
 drug store; Mrs. Bruggemeyer, residence. 
 
 "When the steam whistle and fire alarm bell 
 sounded shortly before two o'clock yesterday 
 morning many citizens got out of bed to discover 
 the cause of the disturbance, but seeing nothing 
 alarming in the aspect of the fire returned to 
 bed, never dreaming that the insignificant blaze 
 that started in the rear of a shed just south of 
 Grove street, would rapidly develop into a rag- 
 ing mass of flame which in the short space of 
 four hours would wipe out the main business 
 section of the village. 
 
 "The fire started in the horse sheds belonging 
 to the Union House. When the fire department 
 arrived on the scene they found a lively blaze in 
 progress and a good stiff breeze from the south- 
 west rapidly fanning the flames and driving them 
 toward Concordia hall and Ed. Seyfarth's prop- 
 erty on the north-east. Soon three streams of 
 water were playing on the burning sheds, but the 
 ever-increasing wind soon made it evident thai 
 Blue Island's firemen had the hardest battle of 
 their lives before them, and that in order to save 
 the rest of the town from destruction outside 
 help must be called in, and that very quickly. 
 
 "A telephone call was sent to the West Pull- 
 man and Morgan Park fire departments and 
 Chief Swenie of Chicago was also appealed to 
 for help. 
 
 "Meanwhile the fire had made rapid headway. 
 A strong current of wind drove the flames against 
 Concordia Turner Hall and in less than twenty 
 minutes the roof had fallen in and Concordia 
 hall was a mass of ruins. A frame structure in 
 the rear of the Union House was also ablaze and 
 the intense heat caused the firemen to beat an 
 involuntary retreat. 
 
272 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 "Up to this time the wind had been blowing 
 steadily from the south-west but a sudden veer- 
 ing caught a mass of flames and bore them almost 
 directly north-west to the adjoining buildings. 
 John Schroeder's tobacco and confectionery 
 store and Henry Fischer's residence, both one- 
 story structures, were licked up like so much 
 chaff, and then the flames began their destruc- 
 tive work on Saenger Hall, the home of the Blue 
 
 The Old Steam Pumper bought from Chicago after the big fire 
 
 Island Liederkranz. Here a dance was in pro 
 gress and up to this moment the attendants at the 
 dance had been contented spectators of the fire 
 which at no time previous had seemed to threaten 
 the hall. The shifting of the wind, however, 
 caused them to hastily desert their positions at 
 the windows and make a rapid exit to the street 
 below. They were none too soon for in twenty- 
 five minutes the place where they had been seek- 
 ing amusement had been burned to the ground. 
 
 "Great showers of sparks were flying in all 
 directions. Burning shingles and pieces of 
 boards three and four feet in length were carried 
 great distances by the strong wind prevailing 
 and kept a small army of people busy extin- 
 guishing them wherever they fell. The heavy 
 shower of the night before had however, thor- 
 oughly soaked everything exposed to the weather 
 and reduced to a minimum the danger from this 
 source. 
 
 "From the burning Concordia and Saenger 
 halls the flames leaped across Grove street to 
 John Dornhecker's property and soon his black- 
 smith shop and his handsome residence at the 
 corner of Henry and Grove streets had become 
 prey to the flames. 
 
 "Now the fire spread rapidly, one sheet of 
 flames taking an easterly direction along the 
 south side of Grove street while another swept 
 diagonally across the block to the north. Mrs. 
 Seyfarth's brick residence next to Concordia 
 
 hall, Edward Seyfarth's brick residence, his 
 hardware store and an adjoining frame building 
 owned by him and occupied by Mrs. G. L. Eber- 
 wein's millinery establishment followed in quick 
 succession. Across the street Bennett & Son's 
 livery stable, J. L. Zacharias feed store and fur- 
 nishing goods store and a one-story frame struc- 
 ture owned by C. F. Eidam and occupied by Fred 
 Schneider's barber shop, besides numerous 
 barns, sheds, etc., were all 
 burning at once. The Rob- 
 inson building at the corner 
 of Western avenue and Grove 
 street, which had escaped 
 the first onslaught of the 
 flames on that side of the 
 street, also took fire and was 
 completely destroyed. 
 
 "About three o'clock the 
 Morgan Park chemical and 
 the West Pullman steam fire 
 engine arrived and did good 
 work. The WeWst Pullman 
 crew were stationed in front 
 of the Robinson building 
 and fought heroically until 
 driven from their post by 
 the intense heat. They then went to the corner 
 of Western avenue and Vermont street and it 
 was largely due to the efforts of this company 
 that the fire was checked on the north where 
 the Eidam & Son's shoe store and A. W. Stock- 
 mar's grocery were threatened with destruction. 
 
 "The Blue Island fire department was per- 
 fectly helpless to cope with the flood of fire. 
 The chemical engine was a mere plaything to 
 oppose such a conflagration with, and to add to 
 the terror of the situation the village water sup- 
 ply gave out and the Rock Island railroad com- 
 pany's supply in the standpipe had to be drawn 
 from. Then when the steam engines began draw- 
 ing the water from the mains it took the pressure 
 away from the hose connections and rendered 
 them useless so that they had to be abandoned. 
 
 "The arrival of two more engines from Chi- 
 cago sent a thrill of hope through the despair- 
 ing community. The fire had by this time 
 crossed Western avenue and the east side of that 
 street was a mass of flames and it seemed as 
 if the entire business section of the town was 
 doomed. The heat broke the plate glass front 
 in the Calumet State Bank and it looked as if 
 this building, too, was doomed. Claussen's paint 
 store and Emil Boehl's grocery store also suf- 
 fered damage of broken glass. In the block on 
 the east side of Western avenue, between Grove 
 and Vermont streets, everything was destroyed 
 
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274 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 
 Engelhardt Hall 
 
 Also known as Concordia Hall. The fire started in a shed within 
 
 50 feet in the rear of this building. This Hall and Saenger 
 
 Hall were both totally destroyed. 
 
 except Schapper's drug store and the adjoining 
 building, in which the telephone exchange is 
 located, and A. W. Stockmar's grocery on the 
 north corner. 
 
 "Mrs. Sauerteig's frame residence was the first 
 to go; from there the fire spread rapidly north 
 and south and in a few minutes Borchardt's 
 liquor store, the Chinese laundry and F. Krein- 
 brink's handsome new saloon, Mrs. Brugge- 
 meyer's residence, Winkler's harness shop and 
 Meyer's drug store were reduced to ashes. 
 
 "In the surrounding residence district all was 
 excitement and confusion, women and children 
 crying as they saw their homes being swept away 
 in flames. 
 
 "It was six o'clock in the morning before the 
 fire was under complete control and in the four 
 hours during which it raged fully $200,000 
 worth of property had been destroyed, twenty- 
 six stores and houses being reduced to ruins and 
 a number of others badly damaged. 
 
 "The escape from destruction of the two 
 Schapper buildings seems almost a miracle. The 
 entire plate glass fronts are out of both build- 
 ings and the woodwork is so badly charred that 
 it will have to be replaced. Eidam's brick build- 
 
 ing at the corner of Western avenue and Vermont 
 street also had a narrow escape. Dynamite was 
 used to blow up Meyer's drug store in an effort 
 to check the progress of the flames but was only 
 partially successful. 
 
 "The block paving in Western avenue was 
 burned in spots and nearly one entire block will 
 have to be rebuilt. All telephone and electric 
 light wires went down, but a large force of men 
 was immediately put to work and temporary 
 repairs have been made and telephone com- 
 munication is again open with Chicago. 
 
 NOTES 
 
 "E. H. Poehlsen lost a horse in the fire. 
 "Fred Kreinbrink's loss on fixtures is $1200 and 
 about $1000 on stock; no insurance. 
 
 "John Dornhecker's loss will be about $6,000; cov- 
 ered about one-third by insurance. 
 
 "Mayor J. L. Zacharias' loss will be about $8,000. 
 He had only $2,000 insurance on his building. 
 
 "Albert Meyer places his loss at $4,000, only partly 
 insured. E. Uhlich had $2500 insurance on the building. 
 
 "M. Kubelsky in the Robinson block carried some 
 insurance, as did also Tarbell & Co. and C. L. Griswold. 
 
 "Henry Fischer's property, next to Saenger hall was 
 valued at $1,000 and is a complete loss as he had 
 no insurance. 
 
 "Saenger hall was the property of the Blue Island 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 275 
 
 Liederkranz. It was valued at $10,000 and insured 
 for $3,750. 
 
 "H. Koehler had $400 insurance on $1,500 worth 
 of goods. 
 
 "John Schroeder will lose about $1,000. His place 
 was valued at $1,500 and insured for $500. He lost 
 $150 in cash in the store and had no insurance on stock. 
 
 "The fire was another of those 'Mysterious ones' 
 which had troubled the village authorities for some 
 time. 
 
 "Although there were a number of close escapes no 
 one was seriously injured. This fire was the worst 
 Blue Island has ever experienced." 
 
 The fire was a stubborn one owing to the 
 large quantity of grain which had been stored 
 and which left the ruins smoking for several 
 days. The old steam pumper, which was bought 
 from the City of Chicago following the 1896 
 fire, was used to good advantage on this occa- 
 sion. The estimated loss on elevator and con- 
 tents was placed at $20,000, partly covered by 
 insurance. J. C. Klein stated that as soon as the 
 debris of the fire was removed construction of a 
 concrete building would begin. 
 
 Destroyed by Fire April 29, 1914. 
 
 The Klein Elevator on Vermont, near Rexford 
 street, was completely destroyed by fire in the 
 early morning hours of April 29, 1914. The 
 fire was discovered about 2 o'clock a. m., by an 
 employe of the Rock Island railroad who saw 
 flames issuing out of an upper window. All 
 four of the local fire companies were quickly 
 on the job, but could do no more than prevent 
 the flames from spreading to adjoining prop- 
 erty. 
 
 It was a tough fire to fight, owing to the sheet 
 metal which covered the sides of the building. 
 Red hot plates of this metal were hurtled a 
 considerable distance from the source of the 
 fire, a constant menace to life and property. 
 Luckily there was little wind at the time or 
 another general conflagration, like the one in 
 1896, might have resulted. As it was, only 
 slight damage was done to the Cordt, Roemisch 
 and Niedergesaess homes on the north side of 
 Vermont street. Fred Voigt's tailor shop re- 
 ceived a scorching and glass in the windows 
 was broken by the heat. Damage amounting to 
 $200 was done to the building of the O.K. Stock 
 Food Company which adjoined the elevator on 
 the south. The Hydraulic Cement Company's 
 building was also damaged slightly. 
 
 Huge Ice Plant Burned 
 
 The burning of the huge ice plant of the 
 Blue Island Ice Co., on Oct. 9, 1919, caused a 
 loss of $50,000.00 on building and contents, 
 covered by only about 35 per cent of insurance, 
 according to one of the company stockholders. 
 The plant occupied a tract of land near the 
 Grand Trunk railroad, between 123rd and 127th 
 streets. It consisted of one huge building 144 
 by 250 feet in size and 42 feet high. The build- 
 ing contained eight rooms, each 30x144 feet. 
 No ice had been stored in the building for two 
 seasons. The structure, as well as the sawdust 
 inside used in the packing of ice, had became 
 as dry as tinder. Combustion is believed to 
 have taken place in the sawdust. Within twenty 
 minutes after discovery of the blaze the entire 
 building was a mass of ashes, smouldering 
 
 Klein Elevator as Rebuilt 
 
 beams and red hot iron. A small building 
 located in the rear of the main structure, which 
 contained electrical equipment, was also de- 
 stroyed. In the main building a large engine 
 and boiler and other equipment used in the 
 cutting, storing and handling of ice were de- 
 stroyed. E. C. Pronger, Mrs. A. C. Boeber and 
 W. D. Henke were the stockholders in this enter- 
 prise. 
 
276 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Second Fire Loss by Liederkranz 
 
 The Blue Island Liederkranz, whose first hall 
 was destroyed in the big fire of May, 1896, suf- 
 fered its second loss by fire on Wednesday, Jan. 
 9, 1918, when the beautiful brick and stone 
 building, erected in 1897 to replace the burned 
 frame structure, was itself destroyed by flames. 
 
 The fire was discovered shortly before 3 
 o'clock in the afternoon and within a short 
 time the building was gutted and only the bare 
 walls left standing. 
 
 Max Gese, who operated the saloon in the 
 basement of the hall, was away at the time and 
 
 Ruins of the Robinson Block, May 1896 
 
 no one was able to tell how or where the fire 
 originated. It is believed, though, that the fur- 
 nace may have become overheated as it was a 
 cold day and a heavy snow storm was raging. 
 
 The fire was a hard one to fight on account of 
 the deep snow and drifts from the night before. 
 Snow lay on the ground to a depth of fifteen 
 to eighteen inches and in drifts three and four 
 feet high. When turning into Henry street the 
 heavy fire truck swung into a deep snow drift 
 and became stalled. Tire chains broke while 
 trying to get out of the drift; there was con- 
 siderable delay and finally horses were used to 
 drag the machine from its snowy embrace, 
 
 The building was a substantial two-story 
 structure of stone and brick erected at a cost of 
 over $20,000. Insurance of $12,000 was car- 
 ried. The singers lost all of their effects except 
 a few books and phonograph records. 
 
 It is a coincidence that this fire started within 
 about fifty feet of the spot where the big fire 
 of May, 1896, got started in which both Saenger 
 and Concordia halls were destroyed. 
 
 Owing to the war conditions prevailing the 
 Liederkranz decided not to rebuild. The Blue 
 Island Eagles Aerie, later bought the property 
 and erected their present fine building there. 
 
 The Nelson Morris wholesale meat depot, the 
 old Rock Island warehouse and the J. C. Klein 
 warehouse, all located just west of the Vermont 
 street Rock Island depot, were totally destroyed 
 by fire which started at 7:30 p. m., January 24, 
 1908, Hemmed in on two sides by the hill it 
 was one of the hottest fires the local department 
 had ever battled. The fire is believed to have 
 started in some oily waste left in the old round- 
 house which for some time had been used for 
 
 freight storage. 
 
 # # # 
 
 Fire breaking out during a severe wind storm 
 which blew down the large kiln shed of the 
 Calumet Brick -Company, just east of Blue Is- 
 land, on May 9, 1918, did damage estimated 
 
 at $50,000.00. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Outstanding Local Crimes 
 
 Crime, at no time a desirable subject to write 
 about, becomes even less attractive when its 
 recording forms a permanent part of the history 
 of a community. Yet there is not a village or 
 city in the world in which crime, in a greater or 
 less degree, is not known. Even in the very 
 early years of the little hamlet Blue Island, 
 we find recorded at least two instances where 
 robbery and lust were the basis of shocking 
 murders. 
 
 And so, in the later years, our citizens have, 
 from time to time, been shocked by revolting 
 crimes which will forever remain black spots 
 in the history of an otherwise peaceable and 
 God-fearing community. 
 
 One cannot change history, and so the writer, 
 believing that this record would not be com- 
 plete without reference thereto, has selected 
 three or four cases which, at the time, caused 
 city-wide excitement and interest. In justice 
 to the citizens of Blue Island the writer calls 
 attention to the fact that every one of the major 
 crimes was committed by non-resident or tran- 
 sient strangers. 
 
 Mislich Murder 
 
 Without question the most horrible and 
 vicious murder in the annals of Blue Island was 
 that of four members of the Mislich family, 
 who were hacked and their heads crushed with 
 an ax, as they slept in their humble cottage on 
 Broadway, July 6, 1914. 
 
 The dead were Jacob Mislich, aged 74 years, 
 and his wife Mary, aged 68; a daughter, Mrs. 
 Mary Mansfield, aged 21 years and her baby. 
 Marie, 17 months old. 
 
 All had their heads crushed from repeated 
 blows of the murderer's weapon and Mrs. Mis- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 277 
 
 lich had a long gash on her left arm. made 
 apparently, when she sought to ward off the 
 death dealing blows. 
 
 The tragedy was discovered by a married son 
 of the slain couple. Jacob Mislich. aged 26 
 years, employed at the time as fireman on a 
 steam shovel working on the auxiliary channel 
 of the canal. On the night of the murder this 
 machine, which was being moved to a new 
 location, had stood on Broadwav. not far from 
 the Mislich home. 
 
 Jacob Mislich informed the police that he 
 had gone to the house about 6:30 a. m., to get 
 some matches. The weather being warm he had 
 not thought it strange when he found the kitchen 
 door open. He called once or twice and not 
 receiving a response concluded the family was 
 still asleep, so obtained the matches from near 
 the kitchen stove and went to the steam shovel, 
 where he found the engineer waiting for him. 
 About 9:30 he again went to the house to get 
 a pail of drinking water. 
 
 He thought it strange when no one was stir- 
 ring about at this time and started an investiga- 
 tion. Opening a door to a bed room just off the 
 kitchen he was horrified by the sight which 
 met his gaze. A hasty glance at the mangled 
 
 The Mislich Cottage 
 Scene of Blue Island's Most Shocking Crime 
 
 and blood smeared bodies of his mother, sister, 
 and her baby, convinced him they were dead. 
 He immediately ran to a nearby saloon and 
 notified the police. 
 
 Police Chief Ben Knirsch was quickly on the 
 scene and started an investigation. Mrs. Mis- 
 lich, Mrs. Mansfield and her little daughter were 
 found on a bed in the little room off the kitchen. 
 Each had been struck several times with a heavy 
 weapon, their heads slashed and crushed. The 
 
 scene was indescribable. The bed clothing on 
 which they had slept was drenched with blood 
 and some of it had fallen on the floor, evidently 
 during the death struggles of the victims. There 
 was blood on the floor and blotches of blood and 
 brains on the head of the bed and walls of the 
 room. The blood smeared ax was found on the 
 floor. The body of Mr. Mislich was found on a 
 bed in the attic room. His head had been 
 crushed. 
 
 Suspicion immediately pointed strongly to 
 two people — one was the husband of Mrs. Mans- 
 field. William Mansfield, from whom she had 
 been separated about a year, the other was Cas- 
 imer Arezewski, a Polish brick yard laborer 
 who at one time had lived with the family and 
 who had recently returned to Blue Island after 
 an absence of about two years. 
 
 William Mansfield was quickly located in 
 Kansas City, where he had been employed for 
 some time. Arezewski had disappeared. It 
 was learned that Arezewski had visited at the 
 Mislich home Sunday night, so the search cen- 
 tered on him. Detectives Sergeants Burns and 
 Hornigle of Chicago, were assigned to the case 
 at the request of Mayor Jerry Jones. 
 
 Jacob Mislich, who discovered the tragedy 
 and his brother Valentine, were grilled severely 
 by Coroner Peter Hoffman, who personally con- 
 ducted the inquest, which was held in the city 
 hall. Contradictory statements made by the 
 brothers as to the time and occasion of their 
 visits to the family home, and the discovery by 
 Coroner Hoffman of spots on Jacob's shoes 
 which were thought to be blood, created a con- 
 siderable sensation. The spots on Jacob's shoes 
 proved on examination to be paint. The bro- 
 thers were cleared of suspicion and the jury's 
 recommendation was that Arezewski be appre- 
 hended and questioned. 
 
 Months however, went by and no trace of the 
 vanished Arezewski was found. The "Mislich 
 Ax Murder" was about to take its place among 
 unsolved murder mysteries. 
 
 On July 19, 1915, just a litttle more than a 
 year after the Mislich murder had been commit- 
 ted, Chief Rogan of the Buffalo, N. Y., police, 
 was sitting in his office, looking out of a window. 
 His attention had been drawn to the queer 
 actions of a man who was pacing up and 
 down the sidewalk just across the street from the 
 police station. Once or twice the man had stop- 
 ped and made as if he intended to cross over 
 to the station, only to step back on the walk 
 and resume his pacing. 
 
 Chief Rogan called to an officer on duty in 
 the station. "See that fellow over there?" he 
 
278 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 queried. "He's got something on his mind. 
 Bring him in; I want to talk to him." 
 
 The man was brought in and almost at once 
 confessed his identity. He was Casimir Are- 
 zewski, wanted for the Mislich murder. He 
 made a complete confession of the crime to the 
 Buffalo police. A telegram to Chicago detec- 
 tive headquarters informed the authorities that 
 Arezewski was under arrest in the Eastern city. 
 
 Mayor Jerry Jones was notified and at once 
 arranged to accompany Detective Sergeants 
 Burns and Hornigle to Buffalo. 
 
 In the meantime Arezewski had sought to 
 repudiate his first confession, stating that he was 
 innocent but wished to return as he had been 
 haunted by the fact that the police had been 
 looking for him for more than a year. 
 
 However, on the arrival of Mayor Jones and 
 the detectives he repeated his first confession 
 which was substantially as follows: 
 
 It was for the little hoard of money he knew 
 was hidden in Jacob Mislich's bed tick, said 
 Arezewski, that he killed Mislich, his wife, his 
 daughter and granddaughter. But the crime 
 didn't yield even the sordid reward for which it 
 was committed. Just as Arezewski had cleared 
 his way to the money a dog barked — and ever 
 since, he says, he has been unable to sleep with- 
 out hearing and being awakened by a dream- 
 dog's barking. 
 
 "I was born in Russia and am a brickmaker 
 by trade," ran Arezewski's statement. "I came 
 to this country when I was 14, and worked in 
 Chicago for a year or two. Then I got a job 
 in a brickyard in Blue Island and rented a room 
 from Mislich. 
 
 "A couple of years later I went west. When 
 I came back to Blue Island I got my old job and 
 my old room. I knew old Mislich had money 
 hidden in his bed tick. I got up early in the 
 morning of July 5 and crept downstairs. I 
 found an ax out in the yard and carried it back 
 to the house. I was in my stocking feet and they 
 did not hear me coming. I killed them as they 
 slept. 
 
 "It was as I killed the last, the granddaughter, 
 that the watch-dog barked. I was afraid to stay 
 any longer and I went away without the money. 
 I have heard the dog barking ever since. When 
 I try to sleep he wakes me. I have traveled all 
 over the country, but the dog is still with me." 
 
 Arezewski was returned to Blue Island and 
 given a hearing before Police Magistrate James 
 Carroll. Although he sought to repudiate the 
 confession made by him when first taken into 
 custody, he was bound over to the grand jury 
 
 and eventually indicted for the Mislich murder. 
 When the case came to trial in the criminal 
 court in August, 1915, alienists testified that 
 Arezewski was of unsound mind and the court 
 thereupon committed him to the Chester peni- 
 tentiary for the criminal insane. 
 * * * 
 
 As is usual on large outdoor construction jobs, 
 the building of the Calumet-Sag canal (1914- 
 22), attracted many rough characters to Blue 
 Island. Mostly foreigners and illiterate, these 
 men were hard workers during the day, but usu- 
 ally spent their leisure hours and nights in drink- 
 ing and carousing. Quarrels and fist fights were 
 numerous and on several occasions guns and 
 knives did deadly work. Violent deaths, either 
 by murder or accident, marked the construction 
 of the canal all the way from Sag Junction to 
 Fay's Point at Blue Island. 
 
 One such case, in which a well known citizen 
 of Blue Island was the victim, was the murder, 
 in a robbery attempt, of Frank Seitz by two for- 
 eign laborers employed by the Guthrie Construc- 
 tion company. 
 
 The Blue Island Sun, under date of Feb. 1, 
 1918, told the story as follows: 
 
 Frank Seitz Killed in Robbery Attempt 
 
 Frank Seitz, proprietor of a saloon at Western 
 avenue and Canal street, and one of the best 
 known characters on the South Side, was shot to 
 death by two men who held him up within fifty 
 feet of the door of his saloon a few minutes after 
 12:00 o'clock, Friday night. 
 
 Five shots were fired in quick succession. Two 
 of the bullets penetrated Seitz' abdomen, one 
 splintered the bone of his left arm near the 
 shoulder and two of the shots went wild. 
 
 The shooting was heard by a number of per- 
 sons and Officer Peter Kich, who only a few 
 moments before had bid Seitz "good night" 
 while the latter was closing his place of busi- 
 ness, was walking under the Rock Island eleva- 
 tion on Western avenue when he heard Seitz 
 call for help, followed immediately by the vol- 
 ley of shots. 
 
 The officer immediately retraced his steps and 
 ran in the direction from which the call had 
 come. He was the first person to reach Seitz, 
 whom he found lying in the snow on Canal 
 street, a short distance east of the saloon. Seitz' 
 assailants had fled. 
 
 A hasty examination satisfied Kich that Seitz 
 was dangerously wounded and after notifying 
 the station and sending in a call for help he 
 assisted in having the injured man removed to 
 St. Francis Hospital. Seitz was conscious to the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 279 
 
 end. He succumbed to his wounds at 2:45 a. m., 
 but long before this time both men responsible 
 for his death had been found and placed under 
 arrest. 
 
 Acting on the partial information given by 
 Seitz, and on further information given by Sup- 
 erintendent Dan Chamberlain of the Guthrie 
 Construction company, the identity of the men 
 was pretty clearly established. W ithin half an 
 hour after the holdup Officers Otto Wilcke and 
 John Munter were searching the canal construc- 
 tion camp at Fay's Point. They had no difficulty 
 locating their men, as when they entered the 
 bunk house they observed two men pulling the 
 covers over their heads and by this act exposing 
 their still booted feet. The men had not had 
 time to remove their clothes and apparently had 
 crawled hastily into their bunks when they 
 heard the officers approaching. 
 
 The men made no resistance and were brought 
 to the station where they almost at once con- 
 fessed their guilt. Both are Austrians. They 
 are Lucko Kovacic and Matt Snadjir. 
 
 They confessed that robbery had been their 
 motive for holding up Seitz but they had not 
 intended killing him. They had been in Seitz' 
 place during the afternoon and earlier in the 
 evening and had seen Seitz handle a large 
 amount of money. This they had seen Seitz 
 place in his inner vest pocket and on the spur 
 of the moment had planned to rob him when he 
 went home. 
 
 At the inquest into the death of Seitz, which 
 was held the following day, both men protested 
 they had no intention of killing Seitz, that rob- 
 bery was the motive, and that when Seitz started 
 to call for help the shooting started. It was 
 shown that Kovacic owned the gun with which 
 the shooting was done. In the excitement, Snad- 
 jir, who evidently had taken hold of Seitz, was 
 shot through the hand. Snadjir said that he 
 had declined to take part in the holdup but had 
 been threatened with shooting by Kovacic if he 
 refused to assist. Both men were held to the 
 grand jury, Kovacic, as the actual killer and 
 Snadjir as accessory. 
 
 The pistol with which the shooting was done 
 was found some time later in the yard of the 
 old Whittier school building on Canal street, 
 where it had been thrown into a snow bank. 
 
 The trial of the men was before Judge Hop- 
 kins in June. Kovacic pleaded guilty and 
 threw himself on the mercy of the court. He 
 was given a thirty year sentence in the peniten- 
 tiary. Snadjir asked a jury trial. He drew a 
 twenty-five year sentence in the penitentiary. 
 Kovacic was twenty-eight years old and Snadjir 
 twenty-two. 
 
 The Murder of Laura Buchholz 
 
 The brutal, and apparently wanton, murder 
 of Miss Laura Buchholz on the evening of Jan. 
 23, 1929, lakes a place among the major crimes 
 in the annals of Blue Island. 
 
 Shortly after 8 o'clock on the date mentioned 
 Miss Buchholz alighted from a Rock Island 
 suburban train, at the 123rd street station, and 
 proceeded to walk west on 123rd street. She 
 was returning home from her place of employ- 
 ment, the Reliance Manufacturing Company, in 
 Chicago. 
 
 Trainmen Claude Harvey saw her alight at 
 the station. Miss Grace McMillan of Summit 
 street, and three young boys, also got off the 
 train. The young men got off at the smoker 
 and hurried on up the hill while the two young 
 women proceeded more slowly. Miss McMillen 
 was at first walking some distance behind Miss 
 Buchholz, but being able to walk faster, she 
 soon passed the other girl, turning up Summit 
 avenue, while Miss Buchholz walked west on 
 123rd street towards Gregory. 
 
 It was near this point, police conjectured, a 
 man armed with a club suddenly appeared from 
 the shadows. Slipping up behind the unsus- 
 pecting girl he brought the club down with ter- 
 rific force, fracturing her skull and felling her 
 to the ground without an outcry. This took 
 place almost directly in front of the home of 
 Mrs. Edna Stewart, on 123rd street. Miss Rose 
 Hanley, a school teacher, rooming in the Stew- 
 art home, afterwards testified that she had 
 looked out of the window only a few seconds 
 before to see how the weather was, as she in- 
 tended going skating. She saw no one then, 
 but she had scarcely turned away from the 
 window when she heard a peculiar sound out- 
 side. She again looked out of the window and 
 saw a man, wearing a long overcoat, bending 
 over a dark object lying on the ground. She 
 thought at first it was a sled, but when the man 
 lifted the object in his arms she saw it was a 
 woman. Even then she thought the girl might 
 have fallen and hurt herself, but when the man 
 started to half carry, half drag the body into a 
 vacant lot she became alarmed and summoned 
 other members of the household. 
 
 By the time they got to the door to see what 
 was going on the man had advanced about 40 
 to 50 feet into the prairie where he deposited 
 his burden on the ground. He bent over it a 
 moment then slowly rose and walked south 
 toward the school building, his coat unloosened 
 as if he was carrying or examining something 
 in his hands. 
 
280 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Mr. Rettke, son-in-law of Mrs. Stewart, had 
 in the meantime called the Blue Island police 
 station and soon Officers St. Aubin and Driver 
 Clow arrived with the patrol wagon. 
 
 After a short search the body of Miss Buch- 
 holz was located in the tall grass of the prairie. 
 Her face was covered with blood flowing from 
 a gash in her head. She was still alive and 
 breathed audibly when lifted off the ground. 
 She was placed in the patrol wagon and rushed 
 to St. Francis hospital where emergency meas- 
 ures were taken, but she soon died without 
 having regained consciousness. 
 
 A further search of the vicinity where Miss 
 Hanley had first seen the man and girl, re- 
 vealed a short piece of 2x4 lumber, with which 
 the blow that felled Miss Buchholz was un- 
 doubtedly struck. No clue to her assailant was 
 found, nor could her family give any reason 
 for the mysterious assault upon their daughter. 
 
 George Morton, coal chute foreman at the 
 Rock Island coal chute, between 123rd and 
 124th streets and the railroad tracks, gave the 
 police their first definite clues as to who the 
 murderer might have been. Morton told the 
 police of a visit to his coal chute shanty of a 
 mysterious well-dressed stranger at about 9:10 
 on the fatal night. The man was smooth shaven 
 and had on a long overcoat and a new brown 
 cap. He was about 35 years old, 5 feet 5 inches 
 tall and weighed about 165 pounds. 
 
 Morton said it was not unusual for strangers 
 who wished to hop freight trains west to stop at 
 his shanty and make inquiries about the leaving 
 time of trains. This man, however, seemed ner- 
 vous and kept looking out of the window. He 
 asked for water with which to wash his hands 
 and when told there was none grabbed up a 
 coffee pot and poured coffee on a handkerchief 
 which he had drawn from his pocket. Morton 
 said he plainly saw blood on the man's right 
 hand and right sleeve which the man wiped off 
 with the coffee-soaked handkerchief. Morton's 
 question: "Did you fall on the ice?" remained 
 unanswered. 
 
 The man asked if there was danger of being 
 picked up by the railroad police if he stayed 
 in the shanty, and on being told there was he 
 hurriedly left the office and quickly disappeared 
 in the darkness. 
 
 Morton said he did not learn of the murder 
 of Miss Buchholz until he read an article the 
 next morning in a newspaper. He then went 
 to the police with his story and offered to assist 
 in tracking down the murderer. 
 
 Morton's activity in this respect caused con- 
 siderable comment and rumors were circulated 
 
 freely that he himself might have been the 
 guilty party. But these suspicions were soon 
 proven to be without foundation. 
 
 At the inquest coroner's physician, Dr. C. C. 
 Guy, testified that death was due to multiple 
 fracture of the skull. There were no signs how- 
 ever, that there had been rape or attempted 
 rape. Miss Buchholz was 27 years old. 
 
 Mayor Paul Klenk and the city council and 
 public spirited citizens offered a reward of 
 $5000 for the apprehension of the perpetrator 
 of this dastardly crime. 
 
 Many suspects were picked up, both here and 
 in other towns, but all were able to clear them- 
 selves of any connection with the case. 
 
 The "'Buchholz murder" was about to take 
 its place among unsolved murders when the 
 attention of Police Chief George Fiedler was 
 called to the sudden disappearance from the 
 city of one Howard Coleman, a former employe 
 of the wire mill on 135th street. 
 
 Coleman, who had been making his home 
 with a family at 267 Desplaines street while he 
 worked at the wire mill, was known among his 
 fellow workers as a "queer acting fellow" and 
 not entirely rational. He worked at the fac- 
 tory several days after the date of the murder, 
 but seemed morose and finally became hyster- 
 ical. The following day he failed to report 
 for work and it was learned he had gone home 
 to his folks, who lived in Indiana, near Laporte. 
 
 In checking up on Coleman's activities on 
 the night Miss Buchholz was killed Chief Fied- 
 ler discovered the hour between 8 and 9 was 
 not accounted for, and accompanied by George 
 Morton they journeyed to Laporte to interview 
 the suspect. 
 
 In the meantime incoherent statements to his 
 parents about having killed a girl resulted in 
 Coleman being taken in custody by Sheriff Mc- 
 Donald of Laporte. Clearly of an unsound 
 mind his parents had him incarcerated in the 
 Logansport asylum for the insane, and it was 
 there Chief Fiedler found the suspect. 
 
 George Morton, the coal chute operator at 
 whose shanty the strange acting man stopped 
 on the night of the murder and asked to wash 
 his hands and did so in some coffee, unhesitat- 
 ingly identified Coleman as that man. 
 
 Coleman's statements to his parents, Sheriff 
 McDonald of Laporte and to Chief Fiedler and 
 Morton, left little doubt in the minds of all of 
 them that he was the man who killed Miss 
 Buchholz. 
 
 But as Coleman had been legally declared 
 insane efforts to bring him to trial on the mur- 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 281 
 
 der charge failed. And here the Buchholz case 
 rests. 
 
 Express Bandits 
 
 Express bandits descended upon Blue Island, 
 Friday, April 17. 1925, dangerously wounded 
 George F. Puggsley. of Dowagiac. Michigan, the 
 messenger guarding a money shipment to a 
 local bank, and escaped with the strong box 
 containing $10,000 in bills. 
 
 The money had only a minute before been 
 transferred from an express car on the Rock 
 Island railroad into the American Express Com- 
 pany's wagon, here, in charge of driver Peter 
 Vanderwald and D. A. DuBeau, local agent. 
 The wagon started up the Grove street hill. 
 Puggsley. with a shotgun across his knees, was 
 sitting in the rear of the wagon on the money 
 box containing the $10,000 in currency while 
 four canvas sacks, each containing $1,000 in 
 silver lay at his feet. 
 
 Suddenly a Paige automobile, maroon col- 
 ored, drew in front of the wagon ; three men. 
 all heavily armed, jumped out and surrounded 
 the vehicle. One of the bandits, a small man, 
 armed with a sawed-off shotgun, without a word 
 of warning, fired two rounds of slugs into the 
 back of messenger Puggsley, who crumpled to 
 the bottom of the wagon without a cry. Other 
 bandits covered Vanderwald and DuBeau. Then 
 a fourth man got out of the car, snipped loose 
 the steel box chained to the bed of the wagon, 
 tossed it into their automobile and sped away. 
 The sacks containing the $4,000 in silver they 
 did not touch. 
 
 A number of spectators standing in front of 
 the Klein wholesale meat depot and the New- 
 house coal yard had been kept covered by the 
 bandits and did not dare move until the bandit 
 car had left. It was shown afterward that three 
 cars were used by the yeggs in staging this hold- 
 up. One car was parked at Hennig's, at Ver- 
 mont and Gregory, and another on Grove street 
 near the Blue Island Hotel. Both parking spaces 
 commanded a good view of the scene of the 
 hold-up. When the Paige left these cars started 
 in different directions to throw off possible 
 pursuit of the car with the money in it. This 
 car headed up the hill to Rexford street north to 
 Vermont and then east and north in Gregory 
 to Vincennes avenue. 
 
 The Blue Island police had in the meantime 
 been notified and started to the scene of the 
 hold-up, but as the whole affair had taken only 
 a couple of minutes the gang made a safe 
 get-away. 
 
 Witnesses had noticed the license number of 
 the robbers' car. A check revealed this license 
 
 had been issued to Joseph Tomasino, owner of 
 a pool room at 1437 Taylor street, Chicago. 
 City police went there and arrested Tomasino 
 and five others. A shotgun, revolver and am- 
 munition were found in Tomasino's flat. Toma- 
 sino claimed his automobile was stolen although 
 its theft had not been reported. 
 
 Officials of the American Express company 
 were convinced that the shipment of this money 
 to the First National Bank at Blue Island had 
 been "'tipped off" by someone within their own 
 organization. This eventually proved true and 
 the discovery of the guilty party came about in 
 a rather peculiar way. 
 
 Only a short time after the robbery at Blue 
 Island, Motorcycle Policeman La Fontaine, at- 
 tached to the Kensington station, had stopped 
 one of two speeding automobiles on 111th street. 
 He had taken the license number of the driver, 
 and his name, which was given as Joe Tomasino, 
 831 S. Winchester avenue. 
 
 While he was arguing with the men another 
 car pulled up alongside. Out of it stepped a 
 rather well-known Chicago politician known as 
 "Smiling Jack" Shapiro. Shapiro was a lieu- 
 tenant of the Chicago Sanitary District police 
 force. In addition he had a star as a deputy 
 bailiff of the Municipal Court of Chicago. 
 
 Identifying himself to Officer La Fontaine, 
 Shapiro said: "These men are friends of mine. 
 Be a good egg and don't pull them in for 
 speeding."' 
 
 A few minutes after the officer had released 
 the men he learned that he had unwittingly 
 turned loose the much sought express bandits. 
 
 But this incident supplied a lead for the 
 Chicago detectives who from then on put a con- 
 stant watch on Shapiro and soon learned that 
 "Smiling Jack" was the "brains" of the gang 
 of express robbers. A man named Forrest W. 
 Gray, who had been in the express company's 
 employ, and recently discharged for suspected 
 petty thievery, was believed to have been the 
 "finger man" for the mob. Within a few weeks 
 Gray was picked up on a bad check charge. 
 
 From then on matters shaped up quickly and 
 one after another of the gang was picked up. 
 Soon there was evidence enough to get convic- 
 tions, 
 
 Shapiro got ten years in Leavenworth, to be 
 followed by life in Joliet. Bernardi got the 
 same sentence as Shapiro. Sberna pleaded 
 guilty and was given six years in Atlanta. Gold- 
 man and Gray also pleaded guilty and drew 
 four year terms in the same institution. 
 
 On the state charges, Mirabel la and the two 
 
282 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 brothers named Russo each got three-to-ten year 
 sentences in Joliet. Zilinski, who shot the guard 
 in the Blue Island hold-up, was given a sen- 
 tence of ten years to life in Joliet. Another 
 of the bandits known only as "Iodine," was 
 never found. 
 
 The Hackett Kidnapping 
 
 The kidnapping on May 1, 1931, of James 
 Hackett, reputed gambler and well-known man- 
 about town, is noteworthy for several reasons : 
 It is the first instance on record in which a 
 Blue Island person was kidnapped for ransom, 
 not only once, but twice; and again: Hackett's 
 fearless identification of the men who "snatched" 
 and held him prisoner, their prompt arrest, 
 conviction and sentencing to the penitentiary. 
 
 Hackett was kidnapped at the entrance gate 
 to Navajo country club on Burr Oak avenue, 
 about 1 o'clock p. m., May 1, 1931, by three 
 men who drove up in a car and hailed him 
 familiarly with "Hello, Jim." Hackett think- 
 ing them fellow club members, said, "Hello," 
 and started to get out of his car. Just then two 
 men stepped out of the other car. They were 
 armed with sub-machine guns and walked to 
 each side of the Hackett car. One told him 
 "take it easy, Jim, and move over; you're going 
 for a ride." He then got behind the wheel of 
 the Hackett car while the other gunman got into 
 the rear seat. They drove a short distance west 
 on Burr Oak avenue where Hackett was blind- 
 folded. Then the journey was resumed for 
 several hours, finally stopping. Hackett was 
 led into a house and handcuffed by one wrist 
 to the post of a bed. He was informed that 
 the price of his liberty was "150 grand" and to 
 name a friend whom he could trust and through 
 whom contact could be established. Hackett 
 named Jimmy Blouin. 
 
 Blouin was apprised by telephone of Hackett's 
 plight and given 24 hours to raise the money. 
 He was warned against communicating in any 
 way with the authorities, citing as a penalty 
 "a dead Hackett." 
 
 A similar message was given Mrs. Hackett, 
 also definite instructions as to how and where 
 the ransom money was to be delivered. These 
 instructions were: "You and Blouin leave Blue 
 Island about 10 o'clock this (Saturday) evening 
 in Jim's sedan (the Lincoln). Bring the money 
 in $500 and $1000 bills with you wrapped in 
 a newspaper. Proceed west on Burr Oak avenue 
 to Cicero. There a car will follow you, drive 
 slowly across the canal bridge and the car will 
 drive up and ask you a question. That is your 
 cue that they are the proper ones to deal with. 
 Make no mistakes and no double-cross, else 
 
 Jim will come home in a shape you will not 
 care to look at." 
 
 Mrs. Hackett and Blouin did as directed, 
 meeting the kidnappers at the spot designated 
 and delivering the package of money. 
 
 At 2:15 Sunday morning, about three hours 
 after the ransom had been paid, Hackett drove 
 up to his home on Greenwood avenue. 
 
 Keeping his word with his abductors Hackett 
 declined to go into details of his adventure 
 except that he was treated kindly, had all he 
 wanted to eat and drink and was subjected to 
 no physical violence. He claimed that he would 
 not be able to identify his captors or know 
 where he was held prisoner, as he had been 
 kept blindfolded most of the time. The amount 
 of ranson paid in this case is said to have been 
 $75,000 — one-half of the kidnappers' original 
 demand. 
 
 On May 27, 1933, almost exactly, two years 
 later, Hackett was again kidnapped, by, what 
 was later proven to have been the same gang 
 of men. He was detained only a short time on 
 this occasion and was released on payment of 
 $1500. 
 
 Information which Hackett was able to give 
 Assistant State's Attorney Mai Coghlan resulted 
 in the arrest of Gail Swolley of Peoria, Frank 
 Souders of Benton and Augustus "Babe" Jones, 
 an admitted kidnapper. Hackett positively 
 identified the men, but it was largely on the 
 evidence of Jones convictions were secured. 
 
 The trio, who had been held first at the Wood- 
 lawn station, were arraigned before Police Mag- 
 istrate Carlson at Blue Island, Nov. 10, 1933. 
 In his statement before Magistrate Carlson, 
 Jones, referring to the first kidnapping, said: 
 "Hackett was No. 3. I don't remember exactly, 
 but I think it was around May 1, 1931. It was 
 at the Navajo country club. Souders, Wagner, 
 Klutas, LaRue, Nolan (alias Phil Wilson) and I 
 picked him up as he left the club house. We 
 took him to a house on Front street in Aurora, 
 where we kept him 48 hours. Finally Mrs. 
 Hackett came through with $35,000 ( ? ) which 
 she gave to Souders, and she'll be able to iden- 
 tify him. After that things got plenty hot and 
 the gang laid low and enjoyed their dough." 
 
 The trial of the men was before Judge Thomas 
 J. Lynch, Jan. 22, 1934. After but two hours 
 deliberation the jury returned a verdict of 
 "guilty, as charged." Souders and Swolley were 
 given sentences of life imprisonment and Ed- 
 ward Wagner drew a 35 year sentence. "Hand- 
 some" Jack Klutas, reputed "brains" of the 
 gang, was shot to death by States Attorney 
 police at Bellwood, Jan. 6, 1934, when he at- 
 tempted to draw a gun while resisting arrest. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 283 
 
 The Calumet-Sag Canal 
 
 When the formation of the Chicago Sanitary 
 District was authorized by act of the Illinois 
 State Legislature May 29, 1889, the City of 
 Blue Island was included within its borders. 
 The purpose of the District, as its title indi- 
 cates and as is more fully set forth in the 
 charter, was to provide better sanitary, and con- 
 sequently better health conditions for the cities 
 and communities which comprise the District. 
 
 The first step toward this accomplishment 
 was the diversion of all sewage, then emptying 
 into the Chicago and Calumet Rivers away from 
 Lake Michigan, the source of the city's do- 
 mestic water supply. Accordingly the main 
 drainage canal, which reversed the flow of the 
 Chicago river, was constructed from Chicago 
 through Lemont to Lockport. Somewhat later 
 the so-called Evanston ditch, caring for drain- 
 age and sewage of the more northerly sections 
 of the District, was built. 
 
 Early in 1900 surveys were made for the 
 Calumet-Sag canal; two routes were surveyed — 
 one, known as the "north route," through Blue 
 Island; the other about one mile farther south, 
 known as the "south route," passing across 
 north Harvey. For several years the battle 
 waged between interests concerned in one route 
 or the other. The north route (through Blue 
 Island) was finally chosen. 
 
 On August 6, 1906, the city council received 
 and considered the first ordinance submitted by 
 the Sanitary District for a franchise to construct 
 the Calumet-Sag canal through Blue Island. 
 But another five years slipped by before there 
 was any visible evidence that the canal would 
 be built. 
 
 By 1913, though, there was activity all along 
 the line. Contractors were moving in and erect- 
 ing machinery, bunk and storage shacks were 
 being built. On July 4, 1913, the big steam 
 shovel on the Green & Sons sections, near 
 Worth, broke the first ground, thus officially 
 starting construction of the canal. 
 
 The construction work of the channel was 
 divided into fourteen sections, averaging about 
 one and one-eighth miles each. 
 
 Beginning at the main channel above Lemont 
 the section numbers and contractors on the job 
 were as follows: 
 
 Section 1. James 0. Hey worth. 
 
 Section 2. Winston Bros. 
 
 Section 3. S.R.H. Robinson & Sons Construc- 
 ting company. 
 
 Section 4. Forschner & Sexton Co. (assigned 
 to T. J. Forschner). 
 
 Section 5 Green & Sons. 
 
 Section 6. Green & Sons. 
 
 Section 7. Green & Sons. 
 
 Section 8. Green & Sons. 
 
 Section 9. Byrne Bros. Dredging & Engineer- 
 ing company. 
 
 Section 10 Schnable & Quinn. 
 
 Section 11. James O. Heyworlh. 
 
 Section 12. Byrne Bros. Dredging & Engineer- 
 ing company. 
 
 Section 13. James O. Heyworth (Assigned to 
 A. Guthrie & Co., Inc.) 
 
 Section 14. A. Guthrie & Co., Inc. 
 
 Riprap slopes were built by the Illinois Im- 
 provement & Construction company. 
 
 Total length of the canal is 16.2 miles. 
 
 Length in rock sections, 5.4 miles; bottom 
 width, 60 ft.; depth, 20 ft.; sides — vertical rock 
 or concrete walls. 
 
 Length in earth sections, 10.8 miles; bottom 
 width, 36 ft. with side slopes 1 on 2; or 50 ft. 
 with side slopes 1 on 1 ; depth, 20 ft. 
 
 The Calumet-Sag Channel was built to reverse 
 the ordinary flow of the Calumet river away from 
 Lake Michigan, and divert all sewage from the 
 area bounded by 87th street, Lake Michigan, the 
 Indiana State Line, 159th street and Crawford 
 avenue into the Main Channel. It extends from 
 a junction with the Little Calumet river at Racine 
 avenue and Vermont street extended (Fay's 
 Point) in Blue Island to the Main Channel at 
 Sag, above Lemont. 
 
 The route of the canal from Ann street, Blue 
 Island, to Sag, is almost identical with that of 
 the old feeder canal which was built more 
 than than 70 years ago for the purpose of sup- 
 plying additional water to the old Illinois and 
 Michigan canal. From Ann street east to Fay's 
 Point the canal follows exactly the bed of old 
 Stony creek. 
 
 From its junction with the Calumet river at 
 Fay's Point and along its entire course through 
 Blue Island to the western limits of the city the 
 sides of the canal are vertical rock or concrete 
 and present a neat and finished appearance. 
 Sections 13 and 14 (Blue Island) built by A. 
 Guthrie & Co., were cut largely through solid 
 rock. 
 
 Some unusual engineering problems were met 
 with in the building of this canal. One of these 
 problems was the handling of the flood waters 
 of Stony creek. As the canal was being con- 
 structed partly along the old creek bed provision 
 had to be made to divert the water of the stream 
 and prevent it flooding the new excavation. 
 This was accomplished by building an enor- 
 
284 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 mous wooden flume across the new diggings 
 and discharging the water of the creek through 
 this flume into a supplementary canal connect- 
 ing with the Calumet river at Rolls' bridge. By 
 this arrangement the waters of Stony creek were 
 carried over the top and across from the north 
 to the south side of the new canal. 
 
 But even this device had its weaknesses. On 
 March 21, 1919, rains and a sudden thaw trans- 
 formed Stony creek into a raging torrent. The 
 wooden flume was filled to the top. Huge 
 branches of trees, chicken coops, boards and 
 rafters were carried down stream by the force 
 of the current. At Ann street water rose to 
 within a few feet of the bridge. Wash-outs 
 were threatened along the diversion canal, 
 
 Huge Diesel-powered Dredge 
 
 Used by Morrison-Knudsen Co. while excavating 
 
 the three By-passes in Calumet-Sag Canal 
 
 which was banked on both sides with earth, and 
 hundreds of sand bags were used to strengthen 
 the weak spots. Near Division street the water 
 rose to within a foot of the top of the bank 
 and it was feared the entire bank would be 
 washed away. There was several feet of water 
 on the bottom of the canal itself. The tracks in 
 the canal were completely covered and the 
 dinky locomotives were half submerged. It was 
 the worst flood in many years. 
 
 On sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 considerable trouble 
 was experienced with "slides" owing to the 
 peaty substance with which the entire Sag bot- 
 tom was overlaid. This peat formation of the 
 soil was found to be from 4 to 12 feet in thick- 
 ness and had immediately under it a soft sticky 
 layer of clay known as "bull-liver." When spoil 
 was deposited on these peat banks the weight of 
 the spoil caused the peat to compress and cracks, 
 sometimes hundreds of feet in length, would oc- 
 cur and great sections of the bank would slide 
 down into the excavated channel. This trouble 
 was so great on Section 4, H. J. Forschner, con- 
 
 tractor, that at one time a large steam shovel was 
 completely covered by a slide which occurred 
 during the night. On Section 3, Robinson 
 & Sons contractors, a slide a quarter of a mile 
 in length occurred and the contractors had to 
 go all over the work again. Banks where 
 slides were apt to occur were backed with rock 
 and faced with a smooth riprap covering laid 
 at an incline of about 45 degrees. 
 
 Although the channel was built for sanitary 
 engineering purposes it is now being appropri- 
 ated for navigation uses and will become the all- 
 important connecting link between the Illinois 
 and Mississippi waterways and the great Calumet 
 industrial district. Operation of the new Cal- 
 umet Sewage Treatment Works and intercepting 
 sewers will result in a material improvement in 
 condition of the Channel. This plant will re- 
 duce the amount of sewage emptied into the 
 Channel and rivers within the District by 72% 
 now and by still more as additional intercepting 
 sewers are built. 
 
 Since this channel is too narrow for large 
 boats to pass each other, a lie-by was constructed 
 every three miles with a depth of 15 ft. in the 
 lie-by and total width on the bottom of 80 ft. 
 These lie-bys were built during 1935 by the 
 Morrison-Knudson Co. Seven railroad bridges 
 and seventeen highway bridges span the Chan- 
 nel. All are fixed bridges with a minimum 
 vertical clearance above water of 15.74 feet. 
 The clear channel width for. navigation at these 
 bridges varies from a minimum of 50 feet to a 
 maximum of 65.84 ft. 
 
 The controlling works located near the junc- 
 tion of the Channel and the Little Calumet river 
 is a lock consisting of two pairs of vertical sector 
 gates 400 feet apart. These gates are electrically 
 operated. The width of the lock between chan- 
 nel walls is 50 ft. and the elevation of the bottom 
 within the lock is 24 ft. (Chicago City Datum). 
 Total costs of the canal was as follows: 
 
 Right-of-wav $ 582,299.36 
 
 Channel Construction 11,174,619.41 
 
 Bridges 946.054.13 
 
 Controlling Works 505,449.27 
 
 Engineering & Supervision . . 967.005.93 
 
 Total $14,175,428.10 
 
 Beginning of construction July 4. 1913. Date 
 of completion August 26. 1922. 
 
 The new Calumet Sewage Treatment Works 
 on 126th street, near Cottage Grove avenue, 
 were put into operation December 3, 1935, to 
 serve a large section south of 87th street and 
 keep sewage out of the Calumet river and the 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 285 
 
 Calumet Sag Canal. Ultimately this plant will 
 treat the sewage from an area of 88 square 
 miles with population estimated to be 455,000 
 in 1945. At present the area served by the old 
 plant is 53 square miles with population of 
 238,000 including the equivalent of industrial 
 wastes poured into the sewers. Cost of the new 
 plant was $5,072,617 (plus engineering and 
 supervision) and of the new intercepting sewer 
 to bring in the sewage from Harvey, Phoenix, 
 Dolton and Riverdale was $1,030,312. This 
 work was financed by bonds sold to the Public 
 Works Administration which has supervised 
 construction. 
 
 The Supplementary Agreement with the 
 P.W.A. includes financing for an additional 
 11.67 miles of intercepting sewers in the Cal- 
 umet area at an estimated cost of $3,415,000, to 
 be completed in 1937. When these improve- 
 ments are made all the sewage from the area 
 will be collected and conveyed to the Calumet 
 Sewage Treatment Works, where it will be 
 treated and emptied, 90% clean, into the chan- 
 nel. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Accidental Deaths at Sag-Canal 
 
 Dominick Massafaro, an Italian laborer in 
 the employ of the Guthrie Construction Co., 
 fell off a scaffold while at work at the canal 
 locks and broke his neck — Blue Island Sun, 
 January, 1917. 
 
 Ernst A. Solmien, an employe of the Guthrie 
 Construction Co., canal contractors, was elec- 
 trocuted about 5:40 o'clock, Tuesday morning, 
 Feb. 12, while attempting to work an electric 
 switch at the pump house at the foot of Chicago 
 street. The water in the canal had been rising 
 rapidly owing to the thaw and Solmien, whose 
 duty it was to tend the pump, had gone to the 
 pump house to start the machinery. He found 
 the water had risen over the switch box and he 
 was obliged to reach his hand into the water in 
 order to throw the lever. In doing so his hand 
 came in contact with the poles of the switch 
 causing the charge to pass through his body. 
 A fellow employe saw the lantern Solmien car- 
 ried fall and when he hastened to him he found 
 the man lying in the water. He was dead when 
 taken out and the fact that a physician's post 
 mortem revealed very little water in his lungs 
 led the coroner's jury to find a verdict that he 
 had died from electric shock. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "John Coughlin of Palos, while crossing the 
 Sag slough to his place of employment at 
 Archie Murphy's farm, became mired in the 
 treacherous soil and lost his life." — (1871). 
 
 Water and Light Plant 
 
 The community of Blue Island, prior to Octo- 
 ber, 1908, operated its own municipal water 
 and light plant. 
 
 The first equipment of this kind was installed 
 in June, 1878, and was for pumping water from 
 a dug well into an elevated tank. The power 
 operating the pump was supplied by a windmill 
 located above the tank. 
 
 This mill was hopelessly damaged in a storm 
 and in July, 1881, it was taken down and a 
 steam engine installed. 
 
 There were then no electric lights and the 
 streets were dimly illuminated with kerosene 
 lamps. 
 
 The first steps for better street lighting were 
 taken in the spring of 1889 and in July of that 
 year the village trustees took a most important 
 action when they bought a 25-horsepower steam 
 engine, a 25-light dynamo and 25 arc street 
 lights with poles, wires and necessary equip- 
 ment to put the plant in operation. This equip- 
 ment cost $4,890, with an additional expense 
 of $970 for an 80-horsepower steam boiler. 
 
 The street arc lights were a great improve- 
 ment over the old kerosene lamps and met with 
 popular approval. Demands that the new 
 lights be extended to other sections of the vil- 
 lage became so insistent that the original equip- 
 ment was soon inadequate and had to be added 
 to. Hampered by limited funds this problem 
 of expansion was one which caused our early 
 village fathers much worry. 
 
 The first arc lights were suspended by cables 
 over the middle of the roadway at street inter- 
 sections. They were easily damaged by storms 
 and frequently refused to burn. Carbon arc 
 lights were in use about nine years when they 
 were gradually replaced with incandescent 
 bulbs. 
 
 Blue Island's municipal power plant was never 
 a paying investment. Operating costs were 
 always too high in proportion to earnings and 
 as the years went by the plant became more and 
 more a political football. 
 
 When the Chicago Sanitary District was or- 
 ganized in 1898, Blue Island was included 
 within its boundaries and thereby became en- 
 titled to all its advantages and benefits. One 
 of these advantages was the use of electric, en- 
 ergy created at the Lockport controlling works. 
 
 Accordingly, in October, 1908, the city of- 
 ficials entered into a ten year contract with the 
 Sanitary District Trustees to furnish Blue Island 
 electrical energy for street lighting and to oper- 
 ate the water works plant. This service was 
 
286 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 far from satisfactory, but was accepted as the 
 best that could be had at the time. Even mod- 
 erate electrical disturbances in the weather 
 would cause interruptions in the service and on 
 several occasions power and light current was 
 off for hours at a time. 
 
 At the expiration of this 10-year contract 
 period (1918) the Sanitary District served not- 
 ice that it could no longer supply Blue Island 
 with electrical current under the old contract 
 provisions. 
 
 Temporary continuance of service was, how- 
 ever, granted during which time the city coun- 
 cil considered several plans for providing the 
 citizens with electrical energy for lights and 
 power. Some aldermen favored the building of 
 a municipal plant, others opposed that project 
 and argued that a contract with the Public 
 Service Co. of Northern Illinois was the surest 
 and best solution of the city's electrical problem. 
 
 These deliberations of the city council drew 
 out over a period of nearly five years without 
 a decision, and the Sanitary District Trustees 
 became irked at the frequent requests for fur- 
 ther temporary extensions of service. 
 
 In May, 1923, the city received notice that the 
 Sanitary District would positively discontinue 
 service on August 5, 1923. 
 
 This notice had the effect of spurring a deci- 
 sion and on August 13, 1923, under the admin- 
 istration of Mayor Paul Klenk, the city entered 
 into a contract with the Public Service Co. of 
 Northern Illinois for the sale to the company 
 for approximately $81,000 of practically all of 
 the wires, poles, and personal property forming 
 the electrical street lighting and power dis- 
 tributing system of the city. What is known as 
 the "ornamental street lights system" was not 
 included in the sale and the upkeep of this sys- 
 tem is still maintained by the city. 
 
 The purchase was consummated in March, 
 1924, and since that time the Public Service 
 Co. has had exclusive rights, under a 30-year 
 franchise, to distribution of electricity for lights 
 and power within the corporate limits of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 # * -X- 
 
 Chicago & Interurban Traction Co. 
 
 Double tracks of steel rails embedded in the 
 paving on Western and Burr Oak avenues bear 
 evidence that once upon a time Blue Island 
 had street railway facilities. 
 
 Back in 1890 during the boom days of the 
 Columbian Exposition, a group of promoters 
 obtained a charter for a street railway to con- 
 nect Blue Island, Harvey, Wireton Park, Mor- 
 
 gan Park, Pullman, Kensington and South Chi- 
 cago, to be known as the Chicago, Blue Island 
 and Harvey Electric Railway Co. 
 
 Although quite a sum of money was spent in 
 surveys and other preliminary work, the line 
 was not built. 
 
 Then in 1895-96 William Reed and a group 
 of financiers revived the project and under the 
 name Englewood & Chicago Electric Street Rail- 
 way Co., on February 5, 1896, obtained from 
 the Blue Island village board a franchise to 
 operate a street railway line from 119th street 
 to the south village limits for a period of 
 twenty years. 
 
 Tracks were laid during the following sum- 
 mer and fall and early in 1897 service was 
 begun. The first cars were operated with stor- 
 age battery power. This was a cumbersome and 
 
 Laying Rails down Western Avenue Hill 
 costly method of operation, but it was con- 
 sidered more "modern" and an improvement on 
 the old cable cars which then were still in 
 operation in some streets in Chicago. Bat- 
 teries of these cars had to be changed for every 
 trip, and occasionally a battery went "dead" 
 before the car got back to the charging station 
 at 87th street and Vincennes avenue, causing 
 delay and annoyance to passengers. 
 
 These storage battery cars could not make 
 the grade of the Western avenue hill, so a 
 "loop" was constructed from the main line on 
 Western avenue around Fulton, Rexford and 
 Grove streets, where it again connected with 
 the main line tracks. 
 
 The original route of this line was from Blue 
 Island, north over Vincennes avenue and Hal- 
 sted street, to 63rd and Harvard avenue. North 
 of 119th street the tracks of the Chicago surface 
 lines were used. Two fares were collected from 
 passengers — one fare for that part of the trip 
 within Blue Island and another fare for that 
 part over the surface lines tracks. Men operat- 
 ing the cars also had their wages split the same 
 way. In Blue Island the company was known 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 287 
 
 as Chicago Electric Traction Co., but when the 
 city limits was crossed at 119th street, going 
 north, it became the Englewood-Chicago Electric 
 Traction Co. In 1899 an extension of the line 
 was built on Canal street to Calumet Grove. 
 
 Storage battery cars were discontinued in 
 1902 and replaced with trolley cars. The first 
 
 One of the first open type "Battery" Cars 
 
 open trolley cars had hand operated brakes, but 
 in 1909 all passenger cars were equipped with 
 air brakes. 
 
 William Reed, the original owner of the line, 
 experienced financial troubles in 1907 and 
 Matthew Slush and associates acquired Reed's 
 holdings. 
 
 The line was extended to Harvey in 1905 and 
 to Kankakee in 1909. At this time a new fran- 
 chise was secured and the name was changed to 
 Chicago & Interburban Traction Co. The Chi- 
 cago Terminus was changed to Halsted and 
 63rd street. The line thereafter became gen- 
 erally known as the K.K.K. 
 
 Extension of the line to Kankakee proved a 
 mistake. Instead of bringing additional rev- 
 enues the interburban service was not patron- 
 ized to the extent that had been hoped and as 
 operating costs had been greatly increased there- 
 by the company started to lose money. 
 
 The company then sought to reduce expenses 
 by cutting down the numbers of cars in opera- 
 tion through a "skip-stop" plan and by raising 
 fares. As these things were a violation of the 
 provisions of its franchise the company was 
 soon is bad repute in all of the communities 
 through which it operated. 
 
 On October 11, 1922, the company was 
 thrown into receivership by action of the First 
 Trust & Savings Bank of Chicago on foreclosure 
 proceedings on a Trust Deed because of default 
 of the Chicago & Interburban Traction Com- 
 pany of payment on its bonds. On order of 
 the Court W. W. Crawford was appointed re- 
 ceiver. 
 
 In the petition filed with the Illinois Com- 
 merce Commission to discontinue operation of 
 the line Receiver Crawford recited that condi- 
 tions and operating results had grown worse 
 and worse during the period of receivership, 
 that during 1924 the company lost $39,441.48 
 and that for 1925 the loss is about $40,000 and 
 that there is no prospect of a future change for 
 the better. 
 
 On March 9, 1927, the Illinois Commerce 
 Commission granted the petition of Receiver 
 Crawford and entered an order that operation 
 of the line be discontinued. This order was 
 sustained by the Circuit Court of Cook County 
 on April 12, 1927, and on Saturday, April 23, 
 1927, at 11:59 p. m., the Chicago & Interurban 
 Traction Co. ceased to exist. 
 
 The rolling stock of the original company 
 consisted of twenty storage battery cars and 
 when these were discontinued trolley cars num- 
 bered from 40 to 75 were put into service. 
 Cook County Car No. 1 carried insane patients 
 from Dunning to Kankakee and the car Vir- 
 ginia, carried funeral parties to cemeteries along 
 the line. 
 
 Besides Wm. Reed and Matthew Slush al- 
 ready mentioned, W. H. Conrad, a Mr. Tark- 
 ington, Charles Oldenberg and John T. Mc- 
 intosh were at some time or other connected 
 with the management and operation of the Chi- 
 cago & Interurban Traction Co. Mr. Mcintosh 
 was superintendent at the time the line ceased 
 operating. 
 
 Type of Car used on the K.K.K. Interurban line 
 
 The Safe-Way bus lines now furnish excel- 
 lent transportation between Chicago, Blue Is- 
 land and points south. 
 
 * * -X- 
 
 The gas holder of the Public Service Com- 
 pany located at 139th street and the Calumet 
 river is 337 feet high and 220 feet in diameter. 
 It has a capacity of 10,000,000 cubic feet. 
 
288 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Blue Island Postoffice 
 Built in 19 lb 
 
 Back in 1910 William ("Billy") Wilson, who 
 was then congressman from this district, prom- 
 ised to get a $60,000 appropriation through 
 congress for a postoffice building for Blue 
 Island, and we believe he would have succeeded, 
 too. But Billy met political misfortune when, 
 in 1912, he was defeated for reelection by his 
 Democratic rival, George Gorman. 
 
 Gorman, during one of his campaign speeches 
 here in Blue Island, charged that Billy had 
 laid down on the job and promised, if elected, 
 to "eat his hat" if he failed to get the coveted 
 appropriation within a year. 
 
 Well, along toward the end of 1913 it began 
 to look as if the new congressman would have 
 to do his hat eating stunt. But lo, in September, 
 1913, came the welcome information to Post- 
 master Kile and Mayor Jones that the long- 
 sought appropriation had been made and Blue 
 Island was to really get a Federal building to 
 house its postoffice. 
 
 Quick action followed this announcement and 
 within a few weeks the government issued a call 
 for bids to be opened November 10, 1913. 
 N. H. Shields of Danville was awarded the 
 general contract on his bid of $53,197.00. No 
 bid was entered by a local contractor, although 
 several shared in the work later on sub-contracts. 
 These local concerns were: Blue Island Coal 
 & Supply Co., excavating and building material ; 
 
 Rohe Lumber Co., lumber; Pronger Bros., 
 plumbing and heating. 
 
 Ground for the building was broken on De- 
 cember 18, 1913, and less than a year later, on 
 Saturday, September 26, 1914, the stars and 
 stripes were raised over the new postoffice by 
 the local G.A.R. Post. 
 
 The building has a frontage on Vermont street 
 of 82 feet, is 55 feet deep and two stories high. 
 It is of fireproof construction throughout. The 
 clerk-carrier work room extends across the full 
 width of the building, 82 feet by 19 feet, 7 inches. 
 The second floor is divided up into offices, 
 which during the past couple of years, have 
 been occupied by U. S. Government engineers in 
 connection with local W.P.A. and canal im- 
 provement work. 
 
 Prior to the time Blue Island received its 
 own Federal building the postoffice was usually 
 located in the store of the then postmaster. 
 And so it seems that in the earlier years the 
 candidate for postmaster with a store had an 
 advantage over the fellow without a business 
 place. When Ferdinand Schapper was post- 
 master the postoffice was located in his drug 
 store; Henry Robinson had the postoffice in his 
 general store; later Emil Boehl was appointed 
 postmaster and the postoffice equipment moved 
 into his grocery store, then came F. G. Diefen- 
 bach and the postoffice traveled across the street 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 289 
 
 to the corner of Western avenue and Grove 
 street and again into a grocery store. 
 
 When Fred C. Kile was appointed postmaster, 
 in 1898, the government rented space in the 
 newly completed Opera House block, and here 
 the postoffice remained until 1912. Then it was 
 moved to the Sorgenfrei building, which had 
 just been built, corner Western avenue and 
 New street. 
 
 In the meantime the wheels of congress had 
 ground out an appropriation, the new postoffice 
 was being built, and John A. Lentz had been 
 appointed to succeed Fred Kile as postmaster. 
 Lentz received notice of his appointment in 
 January, 1914, but his commission did not ar- 
 rive until March 10, 1914, and on the follow- 
 ing day he took over the office. He served about 
 one year in the location at Western and New 
 and then, the new building having been com- 
 pleted, he had the distinction of being the first 
 postmaster to occupy Blue Island's handsome 
 new postoffice. 
 
 The early history of the Blue Island post- 
 office is told on pages 23 and 56 in the Pioneer 
 section of this book. 
 
 Henry Robinson was Blue Island's second 
 postmaster and succeeded Norman Rexford in 
 1844. He served four years, until 1848, when 
 Stephen Rexford, a brother of Norman Rex- 
 ford. was given the office. He apparently also 
 served only four years, for in 1852, according 
 to an announcement published in the Chicago 
 Democratic Press of that date, Ferdinand Schap- 
 per, the senior, had been cited by Congress for 
 the appointment of postmaster at "Worth," 
 the then official name of the Blue Island post- 
 office. Schapper served from 1852 to 1861. 
 Other early day postmasters were H. H. Massey 
 (Hart), Cyrus B. Sammons, Dr. J. W. Harmon, 
 H. B. Robinson and Emil Boehl. 
 Boehl served one four-year term, viz: 1886 to 
 
 1890. 
 F. G. Diefenbach served eight years, 1890 to 
 
 1898. 
 Fred C. Kile, was appointed in 1898; reappoint- 
 ed in 1902, and again twice more, serving 
 altogether 16 years — until March 11, 1914 — 
 the longest period of service of any Blue 
 Island postmaster. 
 John A. Lentz, received his appointment in 
 1914, serving four years until 1918, when 
 he was reappointed for another four years, 
 ending in 1922. He was the first postmaster 
 in the new postoffice. 
 Fred T. E. Kallum, received his appointment in 
 December, 1922, and took charge of the 
 office on January 1, 1923. He was re- 
 
 appointed for a second four year term in 
 1927, but did not live to complete this 
 term. He was taken sick in the fall of 1928 
 and in October of that year underwent an 
 operation from which he never fully re- 
 covered. He died on May 20, 1929, at the 
 age of 66 years. 
 
 Arthur Swanson, assistant under Postmaster 
 Kallum, took charge of the office until June 13, 
 1929, when Carl A. Helwig, a claim investiga- 
 tor in the employ of the Rock Island railroad, 
 was appointed acting postmaster on recom- 
 mendation of Congressman Sproul. 
 
 But Mr. Helwig's tenure in office was also 
 cut short by death. He served as acting post- 
 master nearly nine months before receiving his 
 full commission. Then, in December of 1931, 
 he submitted to an operation for uremic poison- 
 ing. His weakened physical condition failed to 
 stand the shock of this operation and death 
 came on Thursday, December 17, 1931. He 
 was 47 years old. 
 
 For the second time within a few years re- 
 sponsibility for the postoffice again fell on the 
 shoulders of Assistant Postmaster Swanson. 
 
 J. Floyd Smith, the present incumbent, was 
 appointed acting postmaster on recommendation 
 of U. S. Senator Otis F. Glenn, January 1, 1932, 
 and at once assumed the duties of the office. 
 There was considerable rivalry for the post- 
 master's job at this time and eleven aspirants 
 took the tests at the government examination 
 held January 26, 1932. Mr. Smith ranked high- 
 est in the rating and received the appointment. 
 His closest competitors were Edward Martens 
 and Edward Diefenbach. Others who took this 
 examination were: Ernest Muhs, Mrs. V. H. 
 Briggs, Joseph Benzing, R. C. Zahniser, R. J. 
 Pekin, Pauline Crockett, Fred Hohman and 
 Perry Heinecke. 
 
 The present (1935) personnel of the Blue 
 Island post-office is as follows: 
 
 Postmaster, J. Floyd Smith; assistant post- 
 master, Arthur Swanson; clerks, C. H. Darfler, 
 Orville C. Babbs, A. W. Runge, John Q. Mc- 
 Donald, George McKeone; carriers, Henry 
 Shipman, Ezra Warren, W. A. Schneider, John 
 C. Roehm, Archie Allen, Claude E. Colebourn, 
 George Cope, Ray Haushalter, Conrad A. Roess- 
 ner, Carl E. Sorgenfrei, Wm. G. Kessler; sub- 
 stitute carriers: Al H. Joens, Gilbert Wicherts, 
 Wm. A. Stein; parcel delivery, Clarence Cain; 
 temporary substitute clerk-carrier, Raymond 
 Swanson; rural route carriers, J. Mulderink, Jr., 
 Ferdinand Wicherts; substitute rural carriers, 
 Jacob Norman, Clyde Moisan; messenger and 
 special mail, Harold Mulderink ; custodial force, 
 Fred F. Schink, Hugh Barrowman. 
 
290 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Free mail delivery was instituted in the Blue 
 Island postoffice on November 4, 1901, under 
 Postmaster Fred C. Kile with three regular car- 
 riers and one substitute. The first regular car- 
 riers were: Herman Pronger, John H. Volp and 
 Harold Green. Mark Barney was the substi- 
 tute with Fred Rice next on the list. 
 
 In 1901, the year free mail delivery went 
 into effect, Blue Island had a population slight- 
 ly in excess of 6100. As an experiment the city 
 was divided into three carrier districts. After 
 a ten days' trial it was found that three carriers 
 were inadequate to make two complete deliver- 
 ies each day over all the territory and Mark 
 
 Postmaster, J. Floyd Smith 
 Appointed January 1, 1932 
 
 Barney, the substitute carrier, was given a reg- 
 ular route. 
 
 Increase in the service has kept pace with 
 the growth of the community and today there 
 are eleven regular carriers and four substitute 
 carriers, besides two rural routes, working out 
 of Blue Island. 
 
 On July 1, 1926, under Postmaster Kallum's 
 administration, the Blue Island postoffice was 
 raised to an institution of the first class. To 
 attain this goal required that the revenue of the 
 postoffice exceed $40,000 per annum. This 
 amount not only was reached but was exceeded 
 by more than $10,000 as the receipts for the 
 quarterly periods in 1925 indicate: 1st quar- 
 ter, $11,071.57; 2nd quarter, $12,021.41; 3rd 
 
 quarter, $11,591.64; 4th quarter, $15,912.57. 
 Total, $50,277.19. 
 
 Air mail service was established at Blue 
 Island in May, 1928. 
 
 Four attempts to rob the Blue Island post- 
 office have been made. 
 
 The first of these occurred on May 11, 1913, 
 while the postoffice was located in the Sor- 
 genfrei building, at the corner of Western 
 avenue and New street. It was a particularly 
 bold piece of work, as the location was in a 
 busy section of the city and a light kept burn- 
 ing all night exposed the interior to a full view 
 of anyone passing. 
 
 Entrance to the building was gained through 
 a small rear door by the simple expedient of 
 sawing a hole in the door panel sufficiently 
 large to insert a hand and release the bolt. 
 
 The yeggs evidently had worked some time 
 and were ready to blast the door of the safe 
 when something happened to frighten them and 
 they fled, leaving behind a burglar's jimmy 
 and two coils of copper wire with fulminating 
 caps attached. A hole half an inch in diameter 
 and three inches deep had been drilled in the 
 door directly beneath the combination. 
 
 The robbery attempt was not discovered until 
 the following morning when Assistant Post- 
 master Schmidt and the clerks arrived to begin 
 the day's work. A small amount of change 
 and some stamps left in a drawer were un- 
 touched, evidence that the attempted robbery 
 was the work of professionals after big loot. 
 
 The second attempt to rob the Blue Island 
 postoffice (and the first such attempt in the new 
 building) occurred on March 1, 1919. But the 
 timely arrival of William Berry, postoffice 
 messenger, interrupted the men at their work 
 and they fled without having accomplished their 
 purpose. 
 
 On this particular morning Berry, who car- 
 ried the mail from trains to the local postoffice, 
 entered through the rear door of the building 
 carrying a number of sacks of mail which he 
 threw to the floor. Then he noticed that the 
 door had been jimmied. He listened and heard 
 a slight noise coming from the direction of 
 the vault room. 
 
 Convinced that thieves were at work and fear- 
 ing that he would be outnumbered if he attacked 
 the men alone, he rushed for aid to the police 
 station, across from the postoffice. But when 
 he returned, reinforced by a number of police- 
 men, the yeggs had fled. In their haste they 
 had left their kit of tools behind them. They 
 escaped through a rear window, which they 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 291 
 
 had forced as an additional avenue of escape. 
 
 Investigation disclosed that the thieves had 
 worked quite some time. A circle of 32 small 
 holes had been drilled near the combination in 
 the outer vault room door and but for the 
 timely arrival of messenger Berry the robbers 
 would soon have blasted their way into the 
 vault. 
 
 Thursday, June 6, 1929, only two weeks after 
 the death of Postmaster Kallum, safecrackers 
 dynamited their way through the ceiling of the 
 vault room at the postoffice, but were frightened 
 away before they succeeded in opening the safe 
 containing the postal receipts. 
 
 Entrance was gained by jimmying a rear win- 
 dow and forcing a door leading from the work- 
 room to the "lookout" on the second floor. 
 Here a hole large enough to permit a man to 
 pass through had been blasted through the top 
 of the vault room. The sound of the explosion 
 had been muffled by a number of mail sacks 
 that lay scattered about. Steel clasps on the 
 inside of the vault door had been removed, evi- 
 dence that the thieves were inside the vault 
 room when something happened to frighten 
 them away. 
 
 The attempted robbery was not discovered 
 until 9:30 a. m., when Assistant Postmaster 
 Swanson noticed a peculiar wire dangling from 
 a window of the "lookout" which runs over- 
 head the full length of the workroom. He im- 
 mediately suspected something wrong and when 
 he opened the vault door he found the floor 
 covered with plaster and a large gaping hole in 
 the ceiling. 
 
 Postal inspectors declared it was the work of 
 expert postoffice robbers, as the men wore 
 gloves while they worked, leaving no finger- 
 prints. 
 
 On Nov. 5, 1929, just five months after the 
 previous robbery attempt, what is believed to 
 have been the same bunch of yeggs, made an- 
 other desperate onslaught on the postoffice strong 
 box. 
 
 As in the former case entrance was gained 
 by forcing a rear window and again the door 
 to the "lookout" over the vault. Here the ceil- 
 ing of the vault was chopped open much the 
 same as it was when bombed in June. Once 
 inside the vault acetelyne torches were used on 
 the safe, but the huge steel structure containing 
 $20,000 worth of stamps and other valuables 
 did not yield. It is believed the men were 
 scared away by the approaching of daylight 
 before their work was finished. They left be- 
 hind batteries, crowbars, an acetelyne tank and 
 other equipment. They emptied every till where 
 
 stamps and small change were kept, but could 
 not get at the main booty. 
 
 The place was covered with foot tracks and 
 a veritable path led to the south-west corner of 
 the building where they evidently loaded their 
 haul into a waiting auto. 
 
 Postal inspectors summoned by Acting Post- 
 master Helwig, after viewing the scene, ex- 
 pressed the belief that the job was done by the 
 same group who attempted the robbery in 
 June. No fingerprints were left on anything, 
 showing the men had worn gloves. 
 
 * # * 
 
 From the Blue Island Sun, October 2, 1914: 
 "The stars and stripes were floated from the 
 flag pole at the new postoffice for the first time 
 last Saturday, (Sept. 26, 1914), afternoon, 
 shortly after two o'clock. The ceremonies at- 
 tending the raising of the flag were conducted 
 by Blue Island Post, Grand Army of the Repub- 
 lic, assisted by Rev. Albritten and children of 
 the public schools. 
 
 "The program was opened by the singing of 
 "America," accompanied on the cornet by E. H. 
 Rexford, after which Rev. Albritten offered 
 prayer. Then while all joined in singing "The 
 Star Spangled Banner," the flag was slowly 
 raised to the mast-head by George Boyer, com- 
 mander of the local G.A.R. Rev. Albritten was 
 the speaker and his address was eloquent with 
 
 patriotic utterances." 
 
 * * it- 
 Henry Shipman, Carrier No. 1, has the long- 
 est service record at the Blue Island postoffice, 
 being one of the original three lettercarriers 
 appointed under Postmaster Kile in 1901. Car- 
 rier Ezra Warren comes next for length of ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Fred A. Rice is the only member of the post- 
 office force on the government pension list. Mr. 
 Rice retired from the postal service while a 
 clerk in 1932. He was elected city treasurer 
 in 1933 and served two years. In 1935 he 
 was elected mayor of Blue Island and is serving 
 in that capacity at the present time. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Jimmy Blouin, a Blue Island boy, wrested 
 the world's bowling championship and a $1000 
 purse from Jimmy Smith of Milwaukee, the 
 title holder, in a sensational 60-game series 
 rolled April 20-29, 1921. The first half of the 
 series was rolled in Milwaukee with the follow- 
 ing result: Blouin, 6202 pins; Smith, 6015. At 
 Chicago the score was: Blouin, 6058; Smith, 
 5899. Totals: Blouin, 12,260; Smith, 11,914, 
 giving Blouin a clear lead of 346 pins — and the 
 world's championship. 
 
292 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 CITY COUNCIL NOTES 
 
 (Continued from Page 263) 
 
 Jan. 11, 1926 — Received copy of the ap- 
 plication to the Illinois Commerce Commission, 
 of W. W. Crawford, receiver of Chicago & Inter- 
 urban Traction Company, for permission and 
 authority as such receiver to discontinue the 
 operation of said railroad. 
 
 Referred on proper motion to the city at- 
 torney to attend the meeting of the Illinois 
 Commerce Commission and report decision of 
 that body to the city council. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1138, 
 redistricting the city and dividing the same into 
 seven wards, instead of five as heretofore. The 
 ordinance Was passed by a 9 to 1 vote, Alderman 
 Lentz being the only member of the council 
 opposing the change. 
 
 Ordered purchase of 1% ton Graham truck 
 with 3 yard body and hydraulic hoist for $2200 
 to be used for garbage disposal. 
 
 Ordered sale of team, harness and wagon used 
 on garbage service for $250, money so obtained 
 to be applied to garbage disposal purposes. 
 
 Feb. 15, 1926— Mayor Klenk served with 
 summons in $25,000 personal damage suit of 
 Martha Witherspoon against city. 
 
 Passed ordinance changing the name of Ogden 
 avenue, from Broadway to 123rd street, to 
 California avenue; parts of Division street 
 (west side) and Hoyne avenue in Everett H. 
 Rexford's addition, changed to Mozart street: 
 California avenue in Harmon & Young's addi- 
 tion, changed to Francisco avenue. 
 
 Allowed bill for Booster Week expenses in 
 the amount of $84.45. 
 
 Passed an ordinance amending Ordinance 
 No. 1135, being the "Blue Island Zoning Code." 
 
 March 22, 1926 — Approved the estimates and 
 passed ordinances for the following public im- 
 provements recommended by the Board of Local 
 Improvements : 
 
 Sanitary and storm water sewers in the fol- 
 lowing streets and parts of streets: Greenwood 
 avenue, (estimated cost $7,723.21) ; Harrison 
 avenue, (estimated cost $7,127.10) ; Wiley ave- 
 nue (estimated cost $7,297.04) ; Maple avenue 
 and other streets (estimated cost $34,157.74) ; 
 for % inch lead water service pipes in Highland 
 avenue, (estimated cost $1075.00) ; 6 inch house 
 connection drains in Highland avenue (esti- 
 mated cost $795.00). 
 
 March 29, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1152, 
 amending Section 4 of Ordinance No. 906 (re- 
 lating to the issuing and fees for building per- 
 mits.) 
 
 Approved the recommendations of the Board 
 of Local Improvements and passed ordinances 
 authorizing the following public improvements: 
 Six inch cast iron water supply pipe in 119th 
 street and other streets, (estimated cost 
 $6,126.98) ; sanitary and storm water sewer in 
 119th street and other streets, (estimated cost 
 $13,019.02) ; concrete paving and curbing the 
 south 33 feet of 119th street, from Western ave- 
 nue to Division street (except across the C. R. 
 I. & P. railroad tracks (estimated cost $32,- 
 448.88) ; paving with concrete and curbing 
 Highland avenue, (estimated cost $21,823.95). 
 
 April 26, 1926 — Mayor Klenk reported that 
 to prevent a possible smallpox epidemic Dr. 
 Herbert L. Wright of the State Board of Health 
 had volunteered his services as deputy health 
 officer of the city and the council thereupon 
 authorized the mayor's appointment of Dr. 
 Wright in that capacity. 
 
 Results of general election held on April 20, 
 1926: 
 
 Total number of legal votes cast in all wards 
 at said election, 3328; total number of votes 
 cast in the First ward, 46; Second ward, 639; 
 Third ward, 851; Fourth ward, 59; Fifth ward, 
 943; *Sixth ward, 391; ^Seventh ward, 399. 
 
 (*) Newly created wards. 
 
 Aldermen elected: First ward, Alfred Koen- 
 ecke; Second ward, Charles F. Mosel; Third 
 ward, Rocco Guglielmucci ; Fourth ward, James 
 A. Noble; Fifth ward, Alfred W. Brunner; 
 Sixth ward, Charles H. Lorenz, (1 year term), 
 A. B. Jerrain, (2 year term) ; Seventh ward, 
 C. 0. Williams, (1 year term), William Gerdes, 
 (2 year term). 
 
 May 3, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1157, 
 amending certain sections of Ordinance No. 
 1135, known as the "Blue Island Zoning Code." 
 
 May 10, 1926— Selected Miss Helen Boeber 
 to act as clerk pro tern during absence from 
 city of City Clerk Landgraf. 
 
 Mayor's appointment of Edward Maroney as 
 member of the Recreation Board, to fill vacancy 
 of member Harry Schlemmer, approved by 
 council. 
 
 Permission granted the Illinois Commerce 
 Commission to hold meetings in the city council 
 chambers in connection with the petition of 
 W. W. Crawford, receiver of the Chicago & 
 Interurban Traction Company, for permission as 
 such receiver, to discontinue operation of said 
 road. 
 
 The first meeting of this kind was held on 
 May 28, 1926, and was attended by officials and 
 :ivic bodies from Harvey, Chicago Heights, 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 293 
 
 Steger and other communities through which 
 this interurban line held franchises. 
 
 One hundred and ninety-eight school children 
 were vaccinated during May in the crusade 
 against a threatening small-pox epidemic. 
 
 June 1, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1159, 
 amending certain sections of the "Blue Island 
 Building Code," Ordinance No. 1135. 
 
 City census taken by L. A. Burkhart, during 
 May, 1926, showed the total population to be 
 14,441, distributed among the wards as follows: 
 Ward One, 1497; Ward Two, 2186; Ward 
 Three, 2803: Ward Four, 2236; Ward Five, 
 2909; Ward Six, 1142; Ward Seven, 1666. 
 There were 625 more females than males. 
 
 June 28, 1926— Received check for $1000 
 from American Legion as a payment on con- 
 tract with the city for the Legion rooms in city 
 hall. 
 
 July 6, 1926 — Mayor Klenk announced the 
 following appointments all of which were con- 
 curred in by the council: Lieutenant of Police, 
 William Hanke; motorcycle men, Frank Jenner, 
 William LaMore; patrolman, Harry Jones; 
 desk sergeants, Fred Schultz, Max Gese, C. O. 
 Smith; members of Library board, F. T. E. 
 Kallum, F. S. Wirts, J. P. Eames. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1161, making appro- 
 priations for corporate purposes for the fiscal 
 year, beginning May 1, 1926, and ending April 
 30, 1927, as follows: 
 
 General government $25,368.00 
 
 Police department 33,440.00 
 
 Fire department 20,930.00 
 
 Health department 3,060.00 
 
 Water department 89,580.00 
 
 Electric light department 18,940.00 
 
 Street department 51,700.00 
 
 Board of Local Improvements . . . 300.00 
 Miscellaneous 28,482.10 
 
 Total $271,800.10 
 
 ($78,082.10 of the above named amount to be 
 raised by general taxation and $193,718.00 from 
 miscellaneous sources.) 
 
 City council voted to participate in the 
 celebration of the electrification of the Illinois 
 Central railroad to be held on Saturday, 
 August 7, 1926. 
 
 August 9, 1926 — Entered into contract with 
 Austin Company for the purchase of an Austin 
 street sweeper to cost $7000.00 on the following 
 terms: $2,500 cash and note for $4,500.00 due 
 on or before August 1, 1927, bearing interest 
 at 6 percent. 
 
 August 17, 1926 — Authorized Engineer Fox 
 
 to sign the set of blue prints of the West Blue 
 Island Intercepting sewer submitted by the Sani- 
 tary District of Chicago, which sewer is to 
 be built by the said Sanitary District of Chicago. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1162, making Long- 
 wood Drive in Blue Island a through street. 
 
 In regard to a question as to whether a 
 policeman, when he resigns or is laid off, is 
 entitled to a refund of dues paid into the Police- 
 men's Pension Fund, Attorney Roy Massena, 
 quoting from provisions of the law, stated: 
 "There is no provision in the law for a refund 
 to a policeman upon his resignation or upon 
 his being laid off. ... It is my opinion there- 
 for that the dues paid by a policeman should 
 not be returned to him when he resigns or is 
 laid off." 
 
 August 30, 1926 — Authorized the issuance of 
 $10,000 tax anticipation warrants bearing 6 
 per cent interest, payable only out of the taxes 
 levied for the year 1926. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1164, known as the 
 Annual Tax Levy Ordinance. 
 
 Sept. 20, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1165 
 licensing and governing the sale of "near beer" 
 in the City of Blue Island. The license fee to 
 be paid under this ordinance is $100 every 
 three months." 
 
 Oct. 11, 1926 — Authorized the issuance of 
 $15,000 tax anticipation warrants, bearing 6 
 per cent interest, principal and interest payable 
 only out of taxes levied for the year 1926. 
 
 City Clerk Landgraf reported the purchase 
 of an Addressograph and other necessary equip- 
 ment and supplies for use in the city clerk's 
 office, the total amount being $625.70. 
 
 Oct. 25, 1926 — Approved the recommenda- 
 tions and estimates and passed an ordinance 
 recommended by the Board of Local Improve- 
 ments for the following improvements: Grad- 
 ing, draining, curbing and paving with con- 
 crete pavement Broadway, Market and Des- 
 plaines streets from State street to Division 
 street, and Robinson street, Canal street to 
 Desplaines street; also York street from the 
 west side of Maple avenue to the east line of 
 California avenue, being ordinances Nos. 1167 
 and 1168 respectively. 
 
 The city council concurred in the action of 
 the city clerk in issuing a license to the Yellow 
 Cab Co. to operate cabs in the City of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 Nov. 1, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1169, 
 amending certain sections of Ordinance No. 
 1135, known as "Blue Island Zoning Code," 
 providing for the rezoning of certain property 
 
294 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 at the north-west corner of Vermont and Chi- 
 cago streets from First Commercial to First 
 Industrial. (This was the Rohe Lumber Co. 
 "saw mill" case.) 
 
 Authorized City of Chicago to sell water to 
 the C. R. I. & P. Ry. Co., within the City of 
 Blue Island (approximately 1,500,000 gallons 
 per day) provided no water be resold by the 
 railroad company. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1170, requiring a cash 
 bond from any person, firm or corporation 
 making application for permit to tear up any 
 part of any street or alley. Violation provides 
 for a fine of not less than $10 nor more than 
 $200.00. 
 
 polls in the City of Blue Island." (Open at 6 
 o'clock a.m. and close at 4 p.m.) 
 
 Ordered the opening of Union street across 
 the Grand Trunk railroad tracks. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1175, amending Ordin- 
 ance No. 1165, being "an ordinance with respect 
 to the licensing and sale of near beer." 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1176, "in regard to 
 the heating of flats and apartment houses. 
 
 Accepted the recommendations and estimates 
 and passed ordinances for the following im- 
 provements recommended by the Board of Local 
 Improvements : 
 
 A system of sewers in Vermont street, New 
 street and California avenue; a system of san- 
 
 A Pleasant Street in the Residential Section 
 
 Nov. 29, 1926) — Board of Appeals granted 
 the rezoning of the property on Vincennes ave- 
 nue, to be occupied by the Borden's Farm 
 Products Co., from First Commercial to First 
 Industrial. (Ordinance 1171, passed Dec. 20, 
 1926). 
 
 On suggestion of Mayor Klenk the council 
 voted unanimously to again sponsor a commun- 
 ity Christmas tree. 
 
 Dec. 6, 1926 — Granted Rock Island railroad 
 permission to lay a temporary track across New 
 street and York street, west of the railroad's 
 right of way, for the purpose of storing coal 
 there. 
 
 Dec. 20, 1926— Passed Ordinance No. 1173— 
 "Fixing the hours for opening and closing the 
 
 itary and storm water sewers in York street 
 extended, California avenue, Mozart street, 
 Everett street, Wahl street, Union street, Walnut 
 street and Highland avenue; also for grading, 
 curbing and paving with concrete pavement 
 Ann street, from the south line of Birdsall 
 street southward a distance of 307.28 feet. 
 
 The water consumption during the six month 
 period 11-1-25 to 5-1-26, as per Chicago meter, 
 was 254,086,350 gallons; water consumed as 
 per meter ledger; 177,522,000 gallons; water 
 consumed by flat rate, fire protection and mis- 
 cellaneous city proposes, 76,564,350 gallons. 
 
 City clerk's semi-annual report showed that 
 at this time there were 2154 pleasure auto- 
 mobiles and 337 trucks, motorcyles, etc., licensed 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 295 
 
 by the city, a total of 2491. 
 
 Authorized the issuance of $5000.00 anticipa- 
 tion warrants on taxes levied for the year 1926. 
 
 Jan. 24, 1927— Passed Ordinance No. 1181, 
 providing for the construction of a system of 
 combination sanitary and storm water sewers in 
 Everett street, Francisco street, Clifton avenue, 
 Sacramento avenue, 128th street, Edison avenue, 
 Burr Oak avenue, Minnesota avenue, Fairview 
 avenue, Cochran street, Highland avenue, Or- 
 chard street, and Grunewald street. The 
 engineers' estimate for this improvement was 
 $102,894.23. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1186, "approving plans 
 for the enlarging and extending of the water 
 works system existing in the City of Blue 
 Island." 
 
 The annual report of Mayor Klenk trans- 
 mitted to the City Council at the meeting Feb. 
 21, 1927, contains this statement anent local 
 improvements : 
 
 "Eighteen improvement procedures have been 
 completed during the past year, and sixty since 
 May 1st, 1921 (the beginning of Mayor Klenk's 
 term in office.) They include every division 
 of local improvements, a summary of same, 
 together with the amounts involved being as 
 follows: 
 
 Paving $872,680.64 
 
 Sewers 397,751.24 
 
 Water 68,508.02 
 
 House Drains 21,578.42 
 
 Water Service Pipe 40,462.28 
 
 Total $1,400,890.60 
 
 "One noteworthy fact in connection with the 
 letting of all contracts for these improvements 
 is that not a single contract was awarded for 
 more than the engineers' estimate of cost." 
 
 March 21, 1927 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 death of Oliver W. Bourke, former village presi- 
 dent, whose death occurred on March 14. 
 
 Attorney Massena presented and read the 
 report of the Illinois Commerce Commission 
 granting the application of W. W. Crawford, 
 receiver of the Chicago & Interurban Traction 
 Company for permission to discontinue opera- 
 tion of the said railroad and to sell or other- 
 wise dispose of the physical property of the 
 company. (This order was entered on March 9, 
 1927.) 
 
 Attorney Massena also reported that on the 
 same day on which the above order was entered 
 the Illinois Commerce Commission granted per- 
 mission to the Schappe Bus Line to operate 
 buses from 63rd street to Chicago Heights. 
 
 April 4, 1927— The South Suburban Motor 
 Bus Co., which had been granted permission 
 by the Illinois Commerce Commission to operate 
 buses from Grove street down Western avenue 
 to 63rd street, petitioned the city council for a 
 franchise to extend its service from Grove street 
 south to the Libby plant. 
 
 Temporary permit granted subject to ap- 
 proval of Illinois Commerce Commission. 
 
 April 7, 1927 — Contract for the extension of 
 the Blue Island water system was awarded to 
 the T. H. Iglehart Co. on their bid of $37,901.50, 
 and contract for the steel foot bridge across 
 the canal on Gregory street was awarded to 
 the Continental Bridge Works on their bid of 
 $5,848.00. 
 
 (Note — This extension of the water system 
 provided for a 12-inch main connecting with 
 the existing main at 121st street and running 
 in a southerly direction along Vincennes avenue, 
 Gregory street and other streets across the San- 
 itary District Canal to Canal street, thence 
 west in Canal street to Western avenue, where 
 it connected with the water main existing there. ) 
 
 April 11, 1927— Passed Ordinance No. 1191, 
 authorizing the issuance of $12,000.00 anticipa- 
 tion warrants against 1926 taxes. 
 
 April 18, 1927 — City Council given notice 
 by J. Mcintosh, general superintendent Chicago 
 & Interurban Traction Co., that, pursuant to an 
 order of the Illinois Commerce Commission, 
 operation of all cars of the above traction 
 company will cease at 11:59 p.m., Saturday, 
 April 23, 1927. 
 
 Result of the city election held April 19, 
 1927, was as follows: 
 
 Total number of votes cast 1901 
 
 For Mayor— Paul T. Klenk 1525 
 
 For City Clerk — Geo. Landgraf 1539 
 
 For City Treasurer — J. P. Wiessner. . . .1505 
 
 For Alderman — First ward, Harold C. Volp; 
 Second ward, George F. Fiedler; Third ward, 
 Louis L. Brockman; Fourth ward, Joseph W. 
 Lentz; Fifth ward, Rudolph Swanson; Sixth 
 ward, Charles H. Lorenz; Seventh ward, C. O. 
 Williams. 
 
 The vote on the proposition to increase the 
 tax levy for general corporate purposes from 
 11/3 to 1% per centum was 906 votes "for" 
 and 602 votes against the increase. Although 
 more people voted for the increase than did 
 against, the proposition lost because the law 
 required "a majority of all votes cast at said 
 election." The total vote cast was 1901. 
 
 The proposition to establish a Municipal 
 Band was lost for the same reason as stated 
 
296 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 above — although the vote was 776 in favor and 
 726 against. 
 
 The proposition to annex certain territory 
 contiguous to the southern limit of the city 
 was carried by a vote of 1369 favoring the 
 annexation to 340 against. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1194 was then passed. This 
 ordinance states the favorable vote on the ques- 
 tion of annexation of the territory and declares 
 the property effected as legally annexed to 
 and a part of the City of Blue Island; also 
 that the territory so annexed is annexed to and 
 becomes a part of the Second ward of the City. 
 May 9, 1927 — Mayor Klenk, through the City 
 Clerk, issued notices forbidding the holding of 
 any more public markets on the South Side 
 after May 5, 1927, and instructed police to en- 
 force the order. 
 
 According to report of Health Commissioner 
 L. A. Burkhart the daily consumption of milk 
 for domestic purposes was 784 gallons, and 
 cream 49 gallons. 
 
 May 16, 1927— Passed Ordinance No. 1197, 
 authorizing the issuance of $12,000 in anticipa- 
 tion warrants on the taxes levied for 1927. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1198 providing for 
 grading, draining, curbing and paving with 
 concrete pavement Ann street from 135th street 
 north to Market street, and Market street from 
 Ann street to Greenwood avenue. 
 
 Also passed Ordinance No. 1199 for the con- 
 struction and laying of ^4 mc h lead water ser- 
 vice pipes and Ordinance No. 1200 providing 
 for 6 inch vitrified tile pipe house connection 
 drains in the streets mentioned above. 
 
 July 18, 1927 — Owing to absence of Mayor 
 Klenk, Alderman Joseph Lentz, chairman Fin- 
 ance Committee, acted as Mayor protem. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1209, for grading, 
 draining, curbing and paving Maple avenue 
 from 119th street to 123rd street and other 
 streets. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1210, being the annual 
 appropriation bill for corporate purposes for 
 the fiscal year ending April 30, 1928. A sum- 
 mary of the amounts appropriated for various 
 purposes is given herewith. 
 
 General Government $25,968.00 
 
 Police Department 37,940.00 
 
 Fire Department 22,376.00 
 
 Health Department 2,960.00 
 
 Water Department 116,265.00 
 
 Electric Light Department 19,940.00 
 
 Street Department 53,445.00 
 
 Board of Local Improvements. . . . 300.00 
 Miscellaneous 39,105.00 
 
 Total $318,299.00 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1212 providing for 
 the issuance of $15,000 in anticipation war- 
 rants on the taxes levied for the year 1927. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1211, regarding the 
 sale of gasoline from gasoline pumps. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1213, providing for 
 cement sidewalks in various streets in the 
 northern section of the city, east of Western 
 avenue. The estimated cost of this improve- 
 ment $33,574.00. 
 
 Sept. 12, 1927— Passed Ordinance No. 1216 
 providing for the construction of a system of 
 
 Harry Rohrbach 
 
 Alderman 1901-1908; City Treasurer 
 1909-1910 
 
 Portland cement concrete sidewalks in various 
 streets in the east and south sides of the city. 
 The estimated cost of this improvement 
 $29,341.49. 
 
 Voted to purchase another Graham 1^/2 ton 
 motor truck at cost of $2035.00. 
 
 During the time of Mayor Klenk's administra- 
 tion a large number of public improvements 
 of every kind were made. Many of these 
 amounted to only a few hundreds of dollars 
 while some ran up into the hundred thousand 
 dollar mark. A number of dead-end streets 
 were opened through and streets not yet im- 
 proved with pavement were reconditioned and 
 rehabilitated. Flashers and "Stop" signs were 
 installed at dangerous intersections and at the 
 more important cross streets "Stop and Go" 
 lights were installed. Railroads were required 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 297 
 
 to keep their crossings in good repair and to 
 place safe-guards where directed. 
 
 Doerr, Lindquist & Doerr, architects of the 
 new city hall submitted their estimate that 
 to complete the city hall as originally contem- 
 plated would cost $45,400.00. (Referred to 
 proper committees.) 
 
 Nov. 7, 1927 — Application of the Village of 
 Posen to be supplied with water from the City 
 of Blue Island, referred to proper committee. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1224 — "Providing for 
 the regulation of the installation, alteration 
 and use of electrical equipment and for the 
 inspection thereof." 
 
 Permit granted to Cook County Superintend- 
 ent of Highways to construct a 20-foot con- 
 crete highway in Broadway, from Western ave- 
 nue, westward to and connecting with Rexford 
 Road at 135th street. 
 
 Nov. 28, 1927— Passed Ordinance No. 1227, 
 providing for the issuance of $20,000 anticipa- 
 tion warrants against taxes levied for the year 
 1927. 
 
 City Council voted to again sponsor a 
 municipal Christmas tree in conjunction with 
 the Lions club; tree to be placed at the corner 
 of High street and Western avenue. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1228, known as the 
 "Taxi Cab Ordinance." 
 
 Paid bill of Louis Samson $2088 for redeck- 
 ing the Division street bridge. Town of Cal- 
 umet to pay one-half of cost. 
 
 Jan. 30, 1928— Passed Ordinance No. 1229, 
 providing for the issuance of $15,000 anticipa- 
 tion warrants against taxes levied for the year 
 1927. 
 
 Feb. 27, 1928— Passed Ordinance No. 1230, 
 commonly referred to as the "set-back" or- 
 dinance, establishing building lines on both 
 sides of Western avenue, between 123rd street 
 and Burr Oak avenue. 
 
 On motion of Alderman Fiedler the matter 
 of drafting a "set-back" ordinance for the bal- 
 ance of Western avenue from Burr Oak avenue, 
 south to 135th street, was referred to the City 
 Attorney with the proper committee and zon- 
 ing commission. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1231, prohibiting bon- 
 fires and the burning of inflammable material 
 and rubbish in streets, yards, alleys or any 
 public place where adjacent property may be 
 damaged. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1232, providing for 
 grading, draining, curbing and paving Maple 
 avenue from 119th street to 123rd street; 
 
 Greenwood avenue, Wiley avenue and Hanson 
 avenue, from 119th street to 122nd street; and 
 119th street, 120th street and 121st street from 
 Maple avenue to Western avenue. 
 
 The enginer's estimate of the cost of this 
 improvement was $194,225.34. 
 
 March 5, 1928— Passed Ordinance No. 1233, 
 providing for a system of ornamental street 
 lights to be installed in practically all the prin- 
 cipal streets in the territory bounded on the 
 north by Burr Oak avenue, on the east by 
 Gregory street, on the south by Vermont street, 
 on the west by Elm street. 
 
 The engineer's estimate of the cost of this 
 improvement is $70,613.67. 
 
 March 15, 1928 — Special meeting. Owing to 
 absence from city of Mayor Klenk, Alderman 
 Joseph Lentz presided as mayor pro tern. 
 
 Further discussion of the building code. 
 These discussions had already progressed 
 through several meetings of the city council 
 preparatory to the passing of the ordinance. 
 
 March 26, 1928— In a letter to Mayor Klenk 
 the Cook County Bankers Federation stated that 
 the association is organizing Town Guards in 
 the various parts of southern Cook County as 
 a means of protection for the banks situated 
 in this part of county, and submitted the names 
 of the following five men which the association 
 had selected to represent the Town Guards in 
 Blue Island: Harold Volp of the Blue Island 
 Publishing Corporation; Charles M. Foley of 
 the Piggly-Wiggly; Theodore Montague of the 
 Blue Island Specialty Co.; Robert H. Gilson, 
 attorney, and Henry Snyder of the Rohrbach Co. 
 
 Mayor Klenk then submitted the appointment 
 of the men named, in which action the council 
 concurred. 
 
 Adopted resolutions of condolence on the 
 death of Harvey L. Melvin, former City Treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The city's bid of $250 for 210 iron poles and 
 32 wooden poles, constituting the trolley system 
 of the Chicago & Interurban Traction Company, 
 which company ceased operating its street rail- 
 way system on April 23, 1927, was accepted 
 by the bondholders protective committee of the 
 defunct interurban railroad. 
 
 Results of City election held April 17, 1928: 
 
 Total vote cast — 1639. 
 
 Aldermen elected — First ward, Alfred L. 
 Koenecke; Second ward, Charles Mosel; Third 
 ward, Rocco Guglielmucci; Fourth ward, James 
 A. Noble; Fifth ward, Alfred Brunner; Sixth 
 ward, Chas. A. Dewar; Seventh ward, Wm. J. 
 Gerdes. 
 
298 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 May 7, 1928 — Four hundred and sixty-seven 
 building permits were issued by the city clerk 
 during the year from May 1, 1927 to June 1, 
 1928, representing a total value of $1,097,- 
 672.00 in remodeling and new structures. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1236, annexing certain 
 territory adjoining the Blue Island city limits 
 on the south and south-east. 
 
 May 21, 1928— Blue Island Library Board, 
 in its annual report submitted to the city coun- 
 cil at this meeting, stressed the need of an addi- 
 tion to the present library building, erected 
 twenty-five years ago. A plan of the proposed 
 addition and an estimate of the cost ($35,000) 
 was submitted with the report. 
 
 (The matter was referred to the Finance Committee, 
 where it has rested ever since.) 
 
 Adopted resolution on the death of Arnold 
 Myers, long a member of the city council, whose 
 death occurred on May 8, 1928. 
 
 Mayor Klenk, in message to city council, 
 calls attention to the urgent need of doing some- 
 thing about garbage disposal; advocates build- 
 ing of an incinerator. 
 
 Pollution of the waters of the Little Calumet 
 river was also discussed and this matter was 
 referred to the Public Health Department of 
 Illinois. 
 
 Annual report of Fire Marshal Link showed 
 108 fires during preceding year caused a loss 
 of $31,206. 
 
 June 11, 1928 — City council voted to par- 
 ticipate in the celebration on June 19th, marking 
 the opening of the new pavement on Western 
 avenue from 135th street to 147th street. 
 
 Adopted resolutions on the death of A. B. 
 Jerrain formerly alderman from the sixth ward, 
 which occurred May 8, 1928. 
 
 City Attorney Massena stated that after con- 
 sidering the recommendations contained in the 
 mayor's annual report he finds it is possible 
 that the library bond issue, the City Hall bond 
 issue, civil service for police and firemen (which 
 could also include all city employes if neces- 
 sary) the city court and the garbage disposal 
 question be voted on at on special election. He 
 further stated that the matters of the City Court 
 and civil service require petitions signed by 20 
 per cent of the votes cast at the last municipal 
 election. 
 
 Attorney requested to prepare the necessary 
 petitions to be circulated on these two matters. 
 
 June 18, 1928 — Contract for furnishing and 
 spreading 10,000 gallons of road oil at 7c per 
 gallon, awarded to L. W. Rauch, 
 
 July 12, 1928 — Passed annual appropriation 
 bill, carrying a total of $377,400.67 for cor- 
 
 porate and general municipal purposes of the 
 
 fiscal year, as follows: 
 
 General Government $ 65,968.00 
 
 Police department 37,940.00 
 
 Fire department 19,126.00 
 
 Health department 3,060.00 
 
 Water department 112,620.00 
 
 Electric light department 19,940.00 
 
 Street department 47,375.00 
 
 Board of Local Improvements . . . 300.00 
 
 City Court 2,800.00 
 
 Miscellaneous 68,271.67 
 
 Total $377,400.67 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1238 providing for the 
 issuance of tax anticipation warrants in the 
 amount of $25,000 to be used for corporate 
 purposes. 
 
 Sept. 4, 1928 — Mayor Klenk extended an in- 
 vitation to the entire city council to participate 
 in the parade and celebration for the turning on 
 of the ornamental street lights Wednesday even- 
 ing, Sept. 5th. 
 
 An opinion rendered by John J. Beckwith, 
 assistant attorney of the Sanitary District, placed 
 the responsibility for the maintenance and repair 
 of bridges over the Calumet-Sag channel within 
 the city limits upon the City of Blue Island. 
 
 Granted permission to the Public Service Co. 
 to erect a ten million cubic foot gas holder and 
 brick building on its property near the Calumet 
 river. 
 
 Sept. 17, 1928 — Passed annual tax levy or- 
 dinance. 
 
 Oct. 1, 1928 — A suggestion made by Mayor 
 Klenk during a council meeting in July that the 
 city wipe out township lines within its limits by 
 organizing itself into a separate township, found 
 considerable favor among the aldermen and the 
 matter was referred to City Attorney Massena 
 for investigation. 
 
 Under date of Sept. 27, 1928, the attorney 
 submitted the following information : 
 
 "With reference to the organization of Blue Island 
 as a separate town will say, if a city has at least 15,000 
 population and its territory is composed of portions of 
 two or more townships, the City Council may, by 
 resolution, request the County Board to organize the 
 City into a separate township. In such resolution the 
 City Council shall designate the name desired for the 
 new township. Thereupon it is the duty of the County 
 Board to comply with such request and provide for the 
 organization of the city into a new township under the 
 name designated in the resolution." 
 
 The report was referred to the Judiciary com- 
 mittee, but no further action on the proposal 
 was taken. 
 
 Oct. 15, 1928 — On request of the village of- 
 ficials of Alsip the Blue Island city council 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 299 
 
 agreed to furnish fire protection to the village 
 on a contract basis. 
 
 Oct. 29. 1928— Passed Ordinance No. 1246, 
 which ordinance provides "That no offensive 
 or unwholesome business or establishment shall 
 be carried on within the limits of the City of 
 Blue Island or within one mile of the city limits 
 of Blue Island." 
 
 Dec. 17, 1928 — Accepted plans and profile 
 for the paving of the north half of Burr Oak 
 avenue, from Division street east to Honore 
 street, as submitted by the Village of Burr Oak, 
 same being in accord with the present grades 
 and lines of the City of Blue Island. 
 
 Passed a resolution favoring the distribution 
 of the proposed state gasoline tax to be as fol- 
 
 some immediate action in the murder by some 
 unknown party the night previous of Miss Laura 
 Buchholz. The mayor proposed a reward of 
 $5000.00 for apprehension of the guilty party 
 and said he was willing to underwrite $3000 of 
 that amount. 
 
 A committee of five aldermen was named to 
 get in touch with civic organizations in the com- 
 munity to raise the balance of $2000. 
 
 Special police guards were ordered stationed 
 
 at all depots from 5 o'clock in the evening until 
 
 the last trains have arrived with instructions to 
 
 arrest any suspicious characters found loitering 
 
 near or following passengers from trains. 
 
 (Note — Read the story of this crime printed on 
 page 279.) 
 
 A Blue Island Business Block 
 Pronger Bros. Stores 
 
 lows: One-third to the state, one-third to the 
 counties, and one-third to the cities, villages and 
 incorporated towns. 
 
 Health Commissioner Burkhart reported for 
 the month of December 4 cases of pneumonia, 
 23 of influenza, 1 of measles, 1 diphtheria and 
 16 of chicken pox. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1250, providing for 
 grading, draining, curbing and paving Fair- 
 view avenue from Burr Oak avenue to Cochran 
 street; Birdsall street from Fairview avenue to 
 Highland avenue; Cochran street from Fairview 
 avenue to Highland avenue. Estimated cost 
 $29,670.49. 
 
 Jan. 24, 1929 — This was a special meeting 
 called by Mayor Klenk for the purpose of taking 
 
 Jan. 28, 1929 — Regarding viaducts and track 
 elevation, which matters had been up for con- 
 sideration between the city and Rock Island rail- 
 road officials for some months past, City En- 
 gineer Fox reported that the railroad company 
 had submitted tentative viaduct plans. He ex- 
 plained there were three different plans with 
 estimated costs varying from $277,000.00 to 
 $292,000.00. (Neither of these plans has ma- 
 tured up to this time.) 
 
 Feb. 11, 1929 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 death of Alfred Brunner, a sitting alderman 
 (Fifth ward) in the city council- 
 
 A proposal to eliminate the holding of a pri- 
 mary election, was on advice of City Attorney 
 Massena overruled. 
 
300 
 
 "THE FIKST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Engineer Hammond reported that electric 
 street lights had been extended throughout the 
 newly annexed territory south of 135th street. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1254, providing for 
 a system of cast iron water mains of 6 inch, 8 
 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch internal diameter in 
 various streets on the south side for the purpose 
 of extending water service to the newly annexed 
 territory south of 135th street. The estimated 
 cost of this extension was $83,737.00. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1255 providing for the 
 calling of a primary election to be held 
 March 12, 1929. 
 
 Rock Island railroad company criticized again 
 for blocking Vermont street for a period of 15 
 to 20 minutes, also for not having made repairs 
 on Burr Oak avenue viaduct. 
 
 Feb. 25, 1929 — Engineer Fox reported that 
 the Rock Island has started making repairs on 
 the east end of the Burr Oak avenue viaduct. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1256 providing for the 
 annexation to Blue Island of territory on the 
 south-west corner of the city. This territory 
 was heretofore annexed to the village of Posen, 
 but more than one-half of the legal voters and 
 more than one-half of the property owners peti- 
 tioned that the territory be disconnected from 
 Posen and annexed to Blue Island. 
 
 March 25, 1929 — Passed lengthy resolution 
 condemning the method employed by Harry S. 
 Cutmore and his staff in the reassessment and 
 revaluation of real estate in the townships of 
 Worth, Calumet, Bremen and Thornton and the 
 City of Blue Island, which if put into effect, 
 would raise the valuation of this property to 
 40 per cent of the market price, thereby prac- 
 tically doubling the taxes for the year 1928. 
 A vigorous protest was voiced against such an 
 unreasonable increase. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1260 providing for 
 the holding of a general city election on April 
 16, 1929. 
 
 April 22, 1929 — Results of the general city 
 election held on April 16, 1929: 
 
 Total number of legal votes cast in all wards 
 was 7301, divided as follows: 
 
 First ward 757 
 
 Second ward 1197 
 
 Third ward 1127 
 
 Fourth ward 1212 
 
 Fifth ward 1650 
 
 Sixth ward 617 
 
 Seventh ward 741 
 
 Frank Kasten was elected mayor by 3951 
 votes, against Millard Rauhoff with 3313 votes. 
 
 In the race for city clerk George Landgraf 
 was reelected by 4196 votes over Fred A. 
 Hohman with 2941 votes. 
 
 Edward H. Hopf was elected city treasurer 
 with 3742 votes over Emil Schmitt with 3378 
 votes. 
 
 The police magistracy was won by Carl J. 
 Carlson, who had 3906 votes to John J. Ded- 
 rick's 3221. 
 
 The following were elected aldermen: 
 
 First ward Harold C. Volp 
 
 Second ward George F. Fiedler 
 
 Third ward Ludwig Brockman 
 
 Fourth ward Joseph W. Lentz 
 
 Fifth ward (2 year term) . . . .Rudolph Swanson 
 Fifth ward (1 year term) . . . .Fred C. Schroeder 
 
 Sixth ward Charles H. Lorenz 
 
 Seventh ward CO. Williams 
 
 Contract for 10,000 gallons of road oil was 
 awarded to Tuftread Company at 6 1 /2 cents 
 per gallon. 
 
 April 29, 1929— Passed Ordinance No. 1263, 
 repealing Ordinance No. 991, being an ordinance 
 regarding the sale of fireworks in the City of 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1264, relative to the 
 numbering of buildings in the City of Blue 
 Island. Section 2 of the ordinance reads: 
 
 "All lots or houses located on the north and south 
 streets or on streets running in a northerly or southerly 
 direction shall be numbered from Vermont street as a 
 base line, beginning with number 13056 at the north 
 line of Vermont street and decreasing toward the north; 
 and beginning with 13100 at the south line of Vermont 
 street and increasing towards the south. 
 
 "Section 3 — All lots or houses located on the east 
 or west streets, or on streets running in an easterly 
 or westerly direction shall be numbered from Western 
 avenue beginning with number 2360 at the east line of 
 Western avenue and decreasing toward the east; and 
 beginning with number 2400 and increasing toward the 
 west. 
 
 "Section 4 — There shall be assigned one hundred num- 
 bers to each one-eighth (%) of a mile on all streets, and 
 such numbers shall change from one one-hundred to the 
 succeeding one-hundred at the intersecting streets near- 
 est the one-eighth of a mile line. The even numbers on 
 north and south streets, or on streets running in a 
 northerly or southerly direction shall be on the west 
 side of said streets. The even numbers on east and 
 west streets or streets running in an easterly or westerly 
 direction shall be on the north side of said streets." 
 * * * 
 
 Ordinance No. 1266, known as the "Blue 
 Island Building Code," which had been up for 
 alteration, revision and correction at numerous 
 regular and special meetings of the city council 
 during the past six months, was then presented 
 by the city clerk and passed and adopted by 
 unanimous vote. 
 
 (Continued on Page 313) 
 
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING 
 
 Peerless Laundry Building, 281 (old number) Vermont Street 
 Erected in 1913, by O. W. King 
 
 Former Building of the Peerless Laundry 
 
 Remodeled and enlarged and now the property and 
 
 home of Blue Island Publishing Corporation 
 
 2350 (new number) Vermont Street 
 
 The group picture shown here was taken September 28, 1929, when pub- 
 lishers of suburban newspapers from all over Cook county met at the Pub- 
 lishing Corporation's plant on the occasion of their annual outing and later 
 were guests of Superintendent Venecek at the Oak Forest Institutions. 
 
302 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Printing Industry 
 
 The printing industry is well represented in 
 Blue Island. There are at the present time three 
 printing plants, each equipped with modern 
 automatic presses and other up-to-date appli- 
 ances and material. 
 
 The Melvin Press, which may reasonably be 
 considered the logical successor of the original 
 Standard plant of the early days, is located at 
 13152 South Western avenue. Harold R. Swan- 
 son is the proprietor. The plant does general 
 job printing. 
 
 Beginning with Frank Wuest, who printed 
 the Standard in 1880, this printing plant has 
 successively passed through the following hands : 
 Eugene Pope, S. C. Reed, Hamilton & Volp, 
 Errett & Volp, Wade Errett, Wade Jr. and 
 Clyde Errett, Errett & Melvin, Harvey Melvin 
 (who first named it Melvin Press) and the 
 present owner, Harold R. Swanson, who bought 
 the plant after Mr. Melvin's death in 1928. 
 
 The weekly newspaper, "The Standard," was 
 bought from the Erretts by Roy Phillips and 
 Norris Quinn in the spring of 1918. They con- 
 tinued its publication until late that fall when 
 a merger between The Standard and the Blue 
 Island Sun was effected. The Melvin Press 
 now does job printing exclusively. 
 
 The Blue Island Publishing Corporation, 
 2348-2350 Vermont street, was organized as a 
 corporation April 20, 1920. It is the successor 
 of the John H. Volp printing plant which estab- 
 lished and published the Blue Island Sun in 
 1894 and until its merger with The Standard. 
 The Sun-Standard and three other newspapers 
 are printed weekly in this plant, besides several 
 school publications and a large amount of gen- 
 eral commercial printing. 
 
 The corporation owns and operates one of 
 the most modern and completely equipped 
 printing plants on Chicago's south side. The 
 first Linotype (typesetting machine) was in- 
 stalled in this plant in 1913 and in June, 1922, a 
 Duplex press, which prints from large rolls 
 of paper, was added to its equipment. Much 
 new equipment of the most modern type has 
 been added since that time. Fifteen to twenty 
 peope are constantly employed in the mechanical 
 and newspaper departments. 
 
 Blue Island Publishing Corporation is cap- 
 italized at $50,000. John H. Volp is president; 
 Harold C. Volp, vice president, and Helen E. 
 Merigold, treasurer. (See pages 255-257 for 
 other details.) 
 
 The W. R. Wilson Printing Co. started in 
 Blue Island in 1923 in quarters in the rear of 
 the building of the Blue Island Publishing 
 
 corporation. After about four years at this loca- 
 tion the plant was moved to the rear of 13006 
 Western avenue, where it is now located. The 
 firm specializes in the printing of baseball pool 
 supplies. W. Santa is the manager. 
 
 In the early 1890's the John W. Weston 
 Printing House was doing publication printing 
 in a building 30x120 feet, erected by Mr. Weston 
 on the north side of Union street, just east of 
 Greenwood avenue. 
 
 The Weston plant was moved to Blue Island 
 from the Blakely building, on Monroe street, 
 Chicago, where it was known as the Weston 
 Printing Co. 
 
 John W. Weston was secretary to the Western 
 Society of Civil Engineers for two terms and 
 much of the printing done at this plant was 
 of a scientific and technical nature. He pub- 
 lished regularly the "Journal of the Associa- 
 tion of Engineering Societies," "Ways and 
 Means," and similar works. 
 
 Mr. Weston carried on the business until May, 
 1899, when it was taken over by the M. N. Smith 
 Publishing Co. Mr. Weston remained with the 
 new firm as writer and editor on various maga- 
 zines — "Park and Cemetery," "Monument News" 
 and others. From 10 to 15 people were em- 
 ployed. 
 
 In 1893 the M. N. Smith Publishing Co. 
 ceased operations, the plant was dismantled 
 and moved away. 
 
 In 1891, while the Weston's were in business, 
 Fred Weston (a brother of John W.) and Carl 
 Faber published a local paper called "The Blue 
 Island News." It was short-lived running less 
 than a year. 
 
 The building formerly occupied by the Wes- 
 ton Printing House was afterward bought by 
 Henry Beer who used it for several years as a 
 veterinarian institution. It is now occupied by 
 Otto Marx with his metal and roofing business. 
 
 [NOTE — The history of Blue Island newspapers is 
 printed on pages 251-257.] 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Rock Island railroad's new roundhouse 
 at 124th street was opened in March, 1919. It 
 contains 60 stalls and at that time was con- 
 sidered one of the most modern in Illinois. 
 
 The paving and widening of Western avenue 
 to a four lane roadway from 135th to 147th 
 street was made the occasion of a big celebra- 
 tion on June 19, 1928, in which sixteen com- 
 munities participated with a parade and other 
 festivities. 
 
 First lake water, under contract with Chicago 
 made on April 5, 1915, was turned into the 
 Blue Island mains August 13, 1915. 
 
CITY HALL 
 
 Blue Island City Hall 
 Built in 1924-5 under the administration of Mayor Paul T. Klenk. 
 
 This building located at the corner of Vermont street and Greenwood avenue 
 houses the administration offices of the mayor, the offices of the city clerk and 
 city treasurer, the Public Works department ( water, sewer, streets, electric lights, 
 etc.), and the city engineer. 
 
 The entire second floor is under fifty-year lease to the American Legion. 
 
 Behind this building, and facing on Greenwood avenue, is the old city hall 
 (erected in 1891. while village government was in effect.) In this building are 
 located the police department, the jail cells and the police magistrate's court, while 
 on the upper floor are the council chambers and the office of the city health nurse. 
 
 Fronting on Vermont street, and just east of the city hall, is the building housing 
 the city fire department; also the building formerly occupied by the municipal 
 water and light plant. 
 
 The tall structure shown in the background in the above picture is the water 
 tower, the original of which was built in 1889. 
 
304 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 BLUE ISLAND CITY OFFICIALS 
 AND DEPARTMENTS 
 
 1935 - 1936 
 
 Fred A. Rice, Mayor 
 
 Louis F. Schwartz, City Clerk 
 
 Charles J. Andersen, City Treasurer 
 
 Aldermen 
 
 First Ward — Louis W. Rauch. John M. Tichan 
 Second Ward — Geo. F. Fiedler, Henry J. Goesel 
 Third Ward — Rocco Guglielmucci, Chas. Ulrich 
 Fourth Ward — Joseph W. Lentz, Arthur C. Lad- 
 wig 
 Fifth Ward — Fred C. Schroeder, Stewart W. 
 
 Sandberg 
 Sixth Ward — Thomas J. Scanlan, Harry W. Hat- 
 
 tendorf 
 Seventh Ward — William Gerdes. C. 0. Williams 
 
 Mayor Fred A. Rice 
 
 George E. Heatley, Police Magistrate 
 
 Albert Eick, Acting Chief of Police 
 
 John Link, Chief, Fire Department 
 
 Civil Service Board 
 
 Charles J. Schrage, President 
 
 Fred A. Hohman, Secretary 
 
 Henry Buchholz, Engineer 
 
 Zoning Board of Appeals 
 
 Henry W. Buhring, chairman; W. Kennelly. 
 Paul Schulz, Paul E. Thurlow, Thomas Keehan. 
 
 Playground Board 
 
 Dr. Frank Tracy, chairman ; Jessie Piper, 
 secretary; Richard Seyfarth, John A. Wolff, 
 Mrs. Allen Knirsch. 
 
 Library Board 
 
 Mrs. Robert Berry, Mrs. Emil Schmitt, Mrs. 
 H. B. Clemmpns, Don Boughner, F. X. Rauwolf, 
 John Joens, Mrs. Florence Smith, Mrs. Geo. 
 Borman, John C. Uehrke. 
 
 Public Health Nurse 
 Blue Island has maintained a public health 
 nurse since April 7, 1919, when Mabel Carslon 
 was engaged by the city council to work in the 
 local public and parochial schools and among 
 T. B. patients. Blanche Townsend is the present 
 
 city nurse. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Blue Island Park Board 
 
 Edward C. Maroney, president; Henry Schrei- 
 ber, Adolph S. Helquist, James Wainwright, 
 Rudolph F. Heitman. Joseph W. Lentz, sec- 
 retary; Andrew L. McCord, treasurer; Paul T. 
 Klenk, attorney. 
 
 (Note — The five commissioners are elected at public 
 election. They appoint secretary, treasurer and attor- 
 ney.) 
 
 * * * 
 
 Worth and Calumet Townships 
 
 Western avenue, running north and south, 
 cuts the City of Blue Island into two almost 
 equal parts, the west half of the city lying within 
 Worth Township and the east half in Calumet 
 Township. 
 
 Worth Township Officials— 1935 
 
 Supervisor — Christ Rust, 2458 W. Broadway, 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Town Clerk— Oscar Nelson, 12411 Maple Ave- 
 nue, Blue Island. 
 
 Assessor — Joseph W. Lentz, 2457 Burr Oak 
 avenue, Blue Island. 
 
 Collector— Wm. Roulo, Alsip, Worth, 111. 
 
 Highway Commissioner — Dan Crandall, Worth, 
 111. 
 
 Justices of the Peace 
 
 Frank J. O'Brien, Oak Lawn, 111. 
 
 William Aitchison, 12641 Fairview Ave., Blue 
 Island. 
 
 Christian Krueger, 12840 Maple Ave., Blue Is- 
 land. 
 
 John H. McDonnell, 9337 Turner Ave., Ever- 
 green Park, 111. 
 
 Ludwig Staffel, 249 Vermont st.. Blue Island. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 305 
 
 Calumet Township Officials— 1935 
 
 Supervisor — Charles G. Schwartz, 2043 W. York 
 
 St., Blue Island. 
 Collector— Michael Keehan, 10203 S. Wood St., 
 
 Chicago. 
 Assessor— D. W. Jellema, 331 W. 110th St., 
 
 Chicago. 
 Town Clerk— John T. Daniels, 11959 Yale Ave., 
 
 Chicago. 
 Highway Commissioner — Edward E. Bochmann, 
 
 2022 Grove St., Blue Island. 
 
 Justices of the Peace 
 
 August C. Reich, 13720 Indiana Ave., Riverdale, 
 
 111. 
 John E. Kinney, 53 E. 136th St., Riverdale, 111. 
 John H. Black, 2241 Vermont St., Blue Island. 
 
 Blue Island's First Mayor 
 
 John L. Zacharias 
 Served as President of the Village Board of Trustees 
 1894 to 1897; was elected first Mayor of Blue Island 
 when city form of government was adopted in 1901 and 
 served until 1904; president of First National Bank at 
 time of his death December 3, 1934. 
 * * * 
 
 City Has Doubled Its Area 
 
 When Blue Island was incorporated as a city 
 in 1901 its area was approximately two square 
 miles. The boundaries were: Division street 
 on the east, California avenue on the west; 
 135th street on the south and 119th street on 
 
 the north — an oblong one by two miles. 
 
 Since that time various parcels of territory 
 have been annexed— in 1903, 1908, 1919, 1921, 
 1923, 1927, 1928 and 1931— practically dou- 
 bling the city's area. (See map.) The largest 
 addition by annexation was that made in 1927 
 which included all that territory lying between 
 135th and 139th streets and extending from the 
 Calumet river on the east to Sacramento avenue 
 on the west. This was also the most valuable 
 accession of territory the city has thus far re- 
 ceived, since within the boundaries mentioned lie 
 extensive railroad yards and many large indus- 
 trial and manufacturing plants. 
 
 All of the territory annexed in 1927 and 
 1931 was, by act of the city council, made a part 
 of the Second ward — making this ward the larg- 
 est in area in the city. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Zoning Code 
 
 Ordinance No. 1135, known as the "Blue 
 Island Zoning Code" was passed by the City 
 Council on Jan. 11, 1926, during Paul Klenk's 
 administration as mayor. 
 
 The following were appointed on that date 
 by the mayor to constitute the first Board of 
 Appeals: Edward Martens, 1 year term; T. R. 
 Foster, 2 years; Frank R. Krueger, 3 years; 
 Emil Schmitt, 4 years; Adolph Helquist, 5 years. 
 
 Mr. Helquist was chairman of the board and 
 served in that capacity until the time of his 
 resignation, Oct. 21, 1929, caused by the Rob- 
 ertson rezoning squabble. 
 
 The members of the present (1935) zoning 
 Board of Appeals, are H. W. Buhring, chair- 
 man; W. Kennelly, Paul Schulz, Paul E. Thur- 
 low and Thomas Keehan. 
 
 The map printed on another page shows the 
 districts as originally zoned in 1926 and with 
 some corrections made by the Board of Appeals 
 since that time. 
 
 Territory annexed on the far east side in 
 1928; that lying south of the old city limits 
 1 135th street) and north of 139th street, which 
 was annexed in 1927, and another tract on the 
 far south-west side annexed in 1931. are not 
 shown on the original zoning map. Nearly all 
 of this territory lies contiguous to railroads and 
 the Calumet river and has been mostly zoned as 
 industrial property. (See colored map on an- 
 other page.) 
 
 Members of the Board of Appeals are ap- 
 pointed by the mayor, with the approval of 
 the city council. 
 
 -x- * •:<- 
 
 Blue Island's first public park — Central Park 
 — was thrown open to the public for the first 
 time on Wednesday, October 15, 1913. 
 
306 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 ^. ../. A- /_ 
 
 *c±if! ilL 
 
 \s 
 
 Colored portions show the territory 
 annexed to Blue Island since incor- 
 poration as a city in 1901. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 307 
 
 ciTYorBLUE ISLAND * 
 
 ILL. 
 
 ZONING DISTRIG TG 
 
 Al lenL. Fox t C-C. 
 
 LEGEND 
 
 -27/rvrl* Ac- ?idrn£m£ 
 
 /<U 
 
308 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Blue Island Village Police Force — 1900. 
 
 Left to right: — Otto Wilcke, Ben Steffes, Thomas Cinnamon, Chief of Police; 
 Herman Heinecke, Lieutenant of Police; Edward Garver, Charles Malmquist. 
 
 — Photo courtesy Miss Clara Heinecke. 
 
 The men shown in the picture above consti- 
 tuted what was the last department of police 
 under the old village government. They also, 
 with one exception, (Herman Heinecke), made 
 up the first police force when the city form of 
 government was adopted. 
 
 When John L. Zacharias was elected the first 
 mayor, in 1901, he made the following police 
 appointments: Chief, Thomas Cinnamon; Lieut- 
 enant, Edward Garver; Patrolmen, Charles Far- 
 nu, Otto Wilcke, Charles Malmquist, Ben Steffes. 
 
 In the thirty-five years which passed since that 
 time the city's population has grown from 6,114 
 to nearly 20,000, and the police department from 
 six to eighteen. 
 
 The Blue Island police department is under 
 civil service. The question of civil service for 
 city employees was submitted to a public vote 
 at the general election held April 21, 1931, and 
 was carried. Rules governing this department 
 were adopted August 14, 1931, and went into 
 effect January 1, 1932, when the board started 
 to function. Ben Jebsen was president, and 
 Charles Schrage, secretary, of the first Civil Ser- 
 vice Board. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Only once in the history of Blue Island's 
 police department has a member of the force 
 met death while in discharge of his duty. 
 
 On June 30, 1919, Anton Weiland, a special 
 police officer, was detailed to preserve order at 
 a wedding in the Polish section on the east side. 
 
 Drinks were flowing freely at the party and 
 quarrels and brawls became more violent as the 
 evening wore on. Weiland had already sep- 
 arated several of the biligerants, thus preventing 
 what threatened to become a serious free-for-all 
 fight. 
 
 Among the guests, and one of the noisiest of 
 the drinkers, was one, Tony Pacholski. This 
 man persisted in his troublesome and quarrel- 
 some actions and kept Special Officer Weiland 
 busy quelling incipient fights. 
 
 After one of these outbursts Pacholski left 
 his fellow drinkers and went to his home on 
 Honore and 126th street, in the Village of Burr 
 Oak, where he secured a revolver. The crowd 
 was just breaking up about 1 :30 a.m., when 
 Pacholski rounded the corner flourishing his gun 
 and without any further warning started to fire 
 wildly into the crowd. Officer Weiland who was 
 about to enter an automobile, was struck in the 
 breast by one of the first bullets fired. As he 
 fell to the ground Weiland drew his own gun 
 and fired two shots at the crazed man. Both 
 took effect and Pacholski fell mortally wounded. 
 
 But in the fussilade of shots that had been 
 fired two bystanders were also wounded. One 
 of these was 7-year-old Teddy Rapke, who re- 
 ceived a bullet in his brain and died almost in- 
 stantly. Another bullet hit Thomas Krogh, of 
 Harvey, in the right leg, inflicting no serious 
 damage. Officer Weiland died on the way to 
 the hospital but Pacholski lingered until the fol- 
 lowing Friday when he, too, passed away. 
 
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310 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 PAVING 
 
 Blue Island has thirty-six miles of paved streets surfaced with concrete, brick, tarmac and 
 asphalt on concrete. There is also about one and one-half miles of macadam paving which is not 
 included in the above total. (Information supplied by Superintendent of Streets Hammond). 
 
 Number 
 
 Type of Pavement 
 
 
 
 Feet 
 
 CONCRETE 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 600 
 
 it 
 
 Highland 
 
 York 
 
 Union 
 
 600 
 
 U 
 
 Elm 
 
 York 
 
 Union 
 
 600 
 
 (6 
 
 High 
 
 Maple 
 
 Highland 
 
 1320 
 
 u 
 
 York 
 
 Maple 
 
 California 
 
 400 
 
 u 
 
 Ann 
 
 Market 
 
 135th St. 
 
 400 
 
 u 
 
 Market 
 
 Ann 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 360 
 
 it 
 
 Ann 
 
 James 
 
 Grove 
 
 360 
 
 66 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 James 
 
 Grove 
 
 360 
 
 " 
 
 Artesian 
 
 James 
 
 Grove 
 
 280 
 
 66 
 
 Artesian (alley) 
 
 Vermont 
 
 New 
 
 320 
 
 U 
 
 1st Alley W. West. 
 
 High 
 
 Union 
 
 280 
 
 a 
 
 1st Alley E. Elm 
 
 Union 
 
 Walnut 
 
 360 
 
 
 1st Alley N. of 
 Union, Highland East 
 
 
 
 320 
 
 a 
 
 Ann 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 South 
 
 1280 
 
 " 
 
 Fairview 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Cochran 
 
 1280 
 
 tt 
 
 Highland 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Cochran 
 
 1280 
 
 66 
 
 Elm 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Cochran 
 
 5319 
 
 a 
 
 Western 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2640 
 
 it 
 
 Maple 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2640 
 
 66 
 
 Ann 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2640 
 
 a 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2640 
 
 " 
 
 Artesian 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 5280 
 
 66 
 
 Western 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2600 
 
 66 
 
 Gregory 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2600 
 
 66 
 
 Irving 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 2600 
 
 66 
 
 Longwood 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 1240 
 
 4( 
 
 Washington 
 
 121st St. 
 
 119th St. 
 
 5640 
 
 it 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 119th St. 
 
 3840 
 
 " 
 
 119th 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 2120 
 
 " 
 
 119th Place 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 2080 
 
 66 
 
 120th 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 2000 
 
 U 
 
 120th Place 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 1100 
 
 a 
 
 121st 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 3040 
 
 66 
 
 122nd 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 610 
 
 66 
 
 122nd Place 
 
 Maple 
 
 Highland 
 
 2920 
 
 a 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 610 
 
 u 
 
 Orchard 
 
 Maple 
 
 Highland 
 
 610 
 
 a 
 
 Orchard 
 
 Western 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 610 
 
 (t 
 
 Collins 
 
 Highland 
 
 Maple 
 
 1000 
 
 tt 
 
 Cochran 
 
 Fairview 
 
 Maple 
 
 960 
 
 u 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 Fairview 
 
 Maple 
 
 5360 
 
 66 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 1600 
 
 it 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 Wood 
 
 9890 
 
 U 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Sacramento 
 
 Ashland 
 
 880 
 
 Li 
 
 James 
 
 Western 
 
 Ann 
 
 1760 
 
 " 
 
 Western 
 
 Canal St. 
 
 Bridge 
 
 2880 
 
 a 
 
 Canal 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 8600 
 
 66 
 
 Broadway 
 
 Francisco 
 
 Ashland 
 
 2838.5 
 
 66 
 
 Market 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 2700 
 
 61 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Western 
 
 Division 
 
 960 
 
 6i 
 
 Rexford 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Canal 
 
 960 
 
 66 
 
 Gregory 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Canal 
 
 960 
 
 66 
 
 Irving 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Canal 
 
 960 
 
 a 
 
 Chatham 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Canal 
 
 2040 
 
 a 
 
 Chicago 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Grove 
 
 960 
 
 a 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Desplaines 
 
 Canal 
 
 2300 
 
 66 
 
 App. 21.8 Mis. 
 
 Ashland 
 
 Vermont 
 
 River 
 
 115007 ft. 
 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 311 
 
 Number 
 
 Type of Pavement 
 
 
 
 Feet 
 
 BRICK 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 960 
 
 II 
 
 Elm 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Walnut 
 
 960 
 
 ii 
 
 Maple 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Union 
 
 660.8 
 
 u 
 
 Maple 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 5280 
 
 IS 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 Grove 
 
 123rd St. 
 
 758 
 
 II 
 
 Greenwood 
 
 135th St. 
 
 Broadway 
 
 280 
 
 " 
 
 Ann 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 280 
 
 u 
 
 Artesian 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 595 
 
 " 
 
 Artesian 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 280 
 
 II 
 
 Ann 
 
 Lewis 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 1170 
 
 u 
 
 Western 
 
 135th St. 
 
 Canal 
 
 3520 
 
 ii 
 
 Western 
 
 Canal Bridge 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 5280 
 
 " 
 
 Western 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 119th St. 
 
 280 
 
 " 
 
 Rexford 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Grove 
 
 2600 
 
 II 
 
 Gregory 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 1200 
 
 II 
 
 Gruenwald 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 1200 
 
 II 
 
 Orchard 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 1200 
 
 II 
 
 Collins 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 1200 
 
 (i 
 
 Cochran 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 1000 
 
 " 
 
 Florence 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 Western 
 
 1280 
 
 a 
 
 Lewis 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 920 
 
 ii 
 
 Vernon 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 Western 
 
 680 
 
 ii 
 
 Birdsall 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 680 
 
 ll 
 
 Olive 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 Western 
 
 2280 
 
 ii 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 Vincennes 
 
 Elm 
 
 920 
 
 il 
 
 Prairie 
 
 Elm 
 
 Irving 
 
 1280 
 
 il 
 
 Oak 
 
 Maple 
 
 Western 
 
 1960 
 
 il 
 
 Walnut 
 
 Highland 
 
 Gregory 
 
 2290 
 
 ii 
 
 Union 
 
 Highland 
 
 Gregory 
 
 1760 
 
 ii 
 
 High 
 
 Maple 
 
 Gregory 
 
 1760 
 
 it 
 
 York 
 
 Maple 
 
 Gregory 
 
 1760 
 
 ii 
 
 New 
 
 Maple 
 
 Gregory 
 
 2080 
 
 il 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Maple 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 1620 
 
 ll 
 
 Grove 
 
 Ann 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 1680 
 
 it 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 Division 
 
 2320 
 
 ll 
 
 App. 10.4 Miles 
 
 Broadway 
 
 California 
 
 Western 
 
 54952 ft. 
 
 
 Number 
 
 Type of Pavement 
 
 
 
 Feet 
 
 TARMAC 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 600 
 
 
 Chicago 
 
 Vermont 
 
 York 
 
 2320 
 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Prairie 
 
 2560 
 
 
 Division 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 1240 
 
 
 Winchester 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 1240 
 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 York 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 1240 
 
 
 Honore 
 
 Union 
 
 Burr Oak 
 
 200 
 
 
 Prairie 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Division 
 
 320 
 
 
 Oak 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 1800 
 
 
 Union 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 2000 
 
 
 High 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 2360 
 
 3.1 Miles App. 
 
 York 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Wood 
 
 16655 
 
 
 Type of Pavement 
 
 ASPHALT 
 
 on 
 
 CONCRETE STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 2040 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 Grove 
 
 Division 
 
 Rock Island 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Seeley 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Hoyne 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Chicago 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Chatham 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Irving 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 1240 
 
 .065 
 
 Mil 
 
 ii 
 es App. 
 
 Maple 
 
 Grove 
 
 Vermont 
 
 3440 
 
 
312 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 
 Type of Pavement 
 
 
 
 
 
 MACADAM 
 
 STREET 
 
 FROM 
 
 TO 
 
 1320 
 
 " 
 
 123rd 
 
 Maple 
 
 California 
 
 1000 
 
 a 
 
 Ann 
 
 James 
 
 Broadway 
 
 600 
 
 u 
 
 Francisco 
 
 Broadway 
 
 135th 
 
 1400 
 
 it 
 
 Division 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Canal 
 
 2750 
 
 u 
 
 Canal 
 
 Division 
 
 Ashland 
 
 7070 
 
 Total 23.12 Miles of Pavement. 
 *Macadam Pavement not included in this total. 
 
 SEWERS 
 
 Feet 
 
 There are more than fifty-three miles of sewers in Blue Island's streets, ranging in diameter 
 from eight inches to five and one-half feet. 
 
 Size Main Sewer Number Lin. 
 
 8" 900 
 
 12" 80,988 
 
 15" 141,875 
 
 20" 6,081 
 
 24" 16,324 
 
 27" 1,415 
 
 2V 2 ' 6,313 
 
 3' 6,403 
 
 3%' 2,672 
 
 SV 2 ' 7,962 
 
 4' 2,778 
 
 4%' 4,217 
 
 5' 3,956 
 
 5V>' 1,622 
 
 Manholes 1,316. 
 Catch Basins, 1,000 
 
 283,506 
 
 Blue Island's Population Increase Since 1880 
 
 1930 1920 
 
 1910 
 
 1900 
 
 1890 
 
 1880 
 
 Total population 16,534 
 
 Male 8,393 
 
 Female 8,141 
 
 Native born 13,621 
 
 Foreign born 2,590 
 
 White 16,216 
 
 Negro 9 
 
 Chinese, Mexican and other races. 309 
 Per cent increase over previous 
 
 census 44.7 
 
 Dwellings, number 3,239 
 
 Families, number 3,726 
 
 11,424 
 
 5,913 
 
 5,511 
 
 9,004 
 
 2,408 
 
 11,412 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 42.0 
 2,234 
 2,570 
 
 8,043 
 4,155 
 3,888 
 6,121 
 1,903 
 8,024 
 13 
 6 
 
 31.6 
 1,509 
 1,746 
 
 6,114 
 3,076 
 3,038 
 4,598 
 1,516 
 6,110 
 1 
 3 
 
 83.7 
 
 3,329 
 1,734 
 1,595 
 2,162 
 1,167 
 3,329 
 
 115.9 
 
 1,542 
 
 1930 Population Census By Wards 
 
 1st Ward 1,557 
 
 2nd Ward 3,030 
 
 3rd 
 4th 
 5th 
 6th 
 7th 
 
 Ward 3,162 
 
 Ward 2,285 
 
 Ward 3,355 
 
 Ward 1,467 
 
 Ward 1,678 
 
 1930 Population of Blue Island 
 In the Townships 
 
 In Calumet township 7,784 
 
 " Worth township 8,022 
 
 ' Bremen township 269 
 
 Thornton township 459 
 
 Total 16,534 
 
 Total 16,534 Population 1935 (Directory Estimate)— 20,200. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 313 
 
 City Council Notes 
 
 (Continued from Page 300) 
 
 Monday, May 6, 1929 — Frank Kasten, newly 
 elected mayor of Blue Island took office. Oath 
 of office also administered to the following: 
 Edward H. Hopf, city treasurer; Carl J. Carlson, 
 police magistrate; Harold C. Volp, alderman 
 First ward; George F. Fiedler, alderman Second 
 ward; Louis F. Brockman, alderman Third 
 ward; Joseph W. Lentz, alderman Fourth ward; 
 Rudolph Swanson and Fred Schroeder, alder- 
 men Fifth ward; Charles H. Lorenz, alderman 
 Sixth ward; C. 0. Williams, alderman Seventh 
 ward. 
 
 May 13, 1929 — Mayor Kasten announced the 
 following appointments: George J. Landgraf, 
 city collector; Roy Massena, city attorney; R. 
 B. Hammond, superintendent of streets and chief 
 engineer of water and light departments; Allen 
 L. Fox, public engineer; Wells B. Crockett, com- 
 missoner of assessments and tax commissioner; 
 David Bender, plumbing inspector; Louis A. 
 Burkhart, Jiealth commissioner; Henry J. Schnur- 
 stein, building inspector. (All appointments 
 were approved.) 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1627, "authorizing the 
 Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal railroad 
 company to lay, maintain and operate a railroad 
 spur or sidetrack over and across Vermont 
 street in the City of Blue Island." 
 
 Accepted the last report of City Treasurer 
 J. P. Wiessner, which was for the month of 
 April. 1929, showing balances in the various 
 funds at the close of fiscal year as follows: 
 
 General fund $ 2,335.31 
 
 Vehicle fund 701.95 
 
 Water fund 8,420.22 
 
 Sinking fund 4,064.48 
 
 Library fund 3,471.57 
 
 Firemen's pension fund 1,614.71 
 
 Policemen's pension fund 8,153.70 
 
 Playground fund 57.69 
 
 Special Assessment rebate fund. 423.60 
 Special Assessment fund 95,472.96 
 
 Total Balance April 30, 1929. .$124,716.19 
 
 May 27, 1929— Mayor appointed Harry S. 
 Clark a member of the playground and recrea- 
 tion commission. 
 
 June 3, 1929 — Mayor Kasten issued a proc- 
 lamation naming June 15, "Children's Day." 
 
 Ordered extension of water and sewer systems 
 to the newly annexed territory south of 135th 
 street. 
 
 Mayor Kasten submitted a lengthy message, 
 commenting on the following subjects : Finances, 
 
 Transportation, Garbage Disposal, Police, Fire 
 Department, Traffic Regulations, Streets, Recrea- 
 tion, Industries. 
 
 The mayor's message received unanimous in- 
 dorsement. 
 
 Larger signs reading "No Left Turn" were 
 ordered placed at Vermont and Western avenue. 
 
 June 6, 1929 — Passed annual Appropriation 
 Ordinance. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1273, providing for the 
 issuance of tax anticipation warrants in amount 
 not to exceed $25,000.00, to be used for cor- 
 porate purposes. 
 
 June 24, 1929 — Accepted resignation of Ed- 
 ward L. Martens as a member of the Board of 
 Appeals. 
 
 Passed ordinance providing for the construc- 
 tion of a 6-inch water main in Vermont street 
 from Wood street to Ashland avenue; in Ash- 
 land avenue from Vermont street to North Water 
 street; in North Water street from Ashland ave- 
 nue to Berrien street. (Estimated cost of the im- 
 provement, $12,140.) 
 
 Passed Ordinance extending the fire limits 
 "northerly and southerly on both sides of Ver- 
 mont street from a point beginning in the center 
 line of Division street along lines 130 feet north 
 and south of Vermont street, thence running 
 north-easterly along lines 130 feet northerly and 
 southerly parallel to the center line of Vermont 
 street to the city limits of the City of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 Chief of Police ordered to strictly enforce the 
 ordinance prohibiting sale of fireworks within 
 the city limits. 
 
 July 1, 1929— Passed Ordinance No. 1275, 
 amending Ordinance No. 906, which defines the 
 fire limits of the city as follows: 
 
 "That portion of Blue Island bounded on the 
 north by the city limits, on the west by the 
 center line of Greenwood avenue and Green- 
 wood avenue if extended, on the south by the 
 city limits, on the east by the center line of Rex- 
 ford street and of Rexford street if extended to 
 the center line of Vermont street, and by the 
 center line of Gregory street north of the center 
 line of Vermont street and the center line of 
 Gregory street if extended; also that portion of 
 Blue Island bounded on the west by the center 
 line of Greenwood avenue, on the east by the city 
 limits and on the north by lines drawn on each 
 side of, running parallel to and 130 feet distant 
 from the center line of Vermont street, is hereby 
 established and declared to be and shall be 
 known as the "Fire Limits of the City of Blue 
 Island." 
 
 Perry Heinecke appointed to fill vacancy 
 on Library Board. 
 
314 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Received check for $1000 from American 
 Legion, being the sixth installment on the lease 
 of the Legion's club rooms in the city hall. 
 
 July 15, 1929 — Mayor appointed Edward 
 Merkelbach a member of the Blue Island plumb- 
 ing board. 
 
 Thomas R. Foster tendered his resignation as 
 a member of the Board of Appeals and the same 
 was accepted. 
 
 July 29, 1929— Passed Ordinance No. 1277 
 providing for grading, draining, curbing and 
 paving Chicago street from the north line of 
 Canal street to the south line of Grove street. 
 
 Aug. 5, 1929 — Mayor Kasten announced ap- 
 pointment of James Seidel as a member of the 
 Zoning Board of Appeals. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1929— Mayor Kasten announced that 
 he had appointed Paul Schultz, 233 Lewis street, 
 a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 
 
 Temporary permit granted the Schappi Bus 
 Company to operate motor transportation be- 
 tween Blue Island and State Line Road, Cal- 
 umet City. 
 
 Sept. 9, 1929— Passed Ordinance No. 1278, 
 providing for the construction and laying of a 
 12-inch cast iron water main in Western avenue, 
 from Burr Oak avenue to Vermont street. (Esti- 
 mate of cost, $23,553.35.) 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1279, providing for 
 the construction of a system of sidewalks in 
 Union street, Fairmount avenue and Burr Oak 
 
 avenue. 
 
 Letters from Anton J. Cermak, president of 
 the Board of Cook County Commissioners, and 
 from Frank Venecek, general superintendent Oak 
 Forest Institutions, thanking the city council for 
 services rendered by the Blue Island fire depart- 
 ment on the occasion of the fire at the county 
 institution on the night of Sept. 12. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1281, providing "that 
 if any prisoner from any municipality other 
 than the City of Blue Island shall be confined 
 or cared for in the calaboose or prison of the 
 City of Blue Island at the request of such other 
 municipality, such municipality shall pay to 
 the City of Blue Island for the care and custody 
 of such prisoner at the rate of not less than 
 $1.50 per day for each such prisoner." 
 
 Sept. 30, 1929 — Received communication from 
 Acting Postmaster Carl A. Helwig that the Post 
 Office department at Washington, D. C, had 
 authorized him to extend city carrier service to 
 sections of the Second ward comprising 135th 
 and 136th streets between Western avenue and 
 Chatham streets, and both sides of Western 
 avenue from 135th to 136th streets; also in the 
 Fourth ward in the territory west of the B. & 0. 
 
 tracks from Burr Oak avenue south to York 
 street, with the exception of Sacramento avenue, 
 this service to begin on Monday, Oct. 7, 1929. 
 
 Oct. 7, 1929 — By unanimous vote allowed 
 each alderman $25 expense money to attend the 
 sixteenth annual convention of the Illinois Muni- 
 cipal League, to be held at Springfield, Oct. 
 17 and 18. 
 
 Oct. 7, 1929 — The police report for the pre- 
 vious month showed 209 arrests and fines col- 
 lected amounting to $878.00. 
 
 Oct. 14, 1929— Alderman Joseph W. Lentz 
 acted as mayor-protem in the absence of Mayor 
 Kasten. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1284, providing for the 
 issuance of tax anticipation warrants in an 
 amount not to exceed $25,000.00. 
 
 Adolph S. Helquist submitted his resignation 
 as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals 
 and the same was accepted. 
 
 Accepted report of Engineer Hammond for 
 the installation of street lights in the newly 
 annexed south-east territory to cost $490.00. 
 
 Accepted resignation of Emil Schmitt, as a 
 member of the Board of Appeals. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1286, providing for a 
 6-inch cast iron water main in Grunewald street 
 from Highland avenue, westward to the B. & O. 
 C.T. railroad, also Ordinance No. 1287 for a 
 similar improvement in Orchard street. 
 
 Nov. 18, 1929 — Considered an ordinance 
 amending Ordinance No. 1135, being the "Blue 
 Island Zoning Code" which provided for rezon- 
 ing the Baumbach property at New and Green- 
 wood from First Residential to Second Resi- 
 dential. 
 
 The vote on the roll call stood 7 to 7. 
 As a favorable vote of a two-third majority 
 was necessary for passage, the motion was de- 
 clared lost. 
 
 Nov. 25, 1929 — Mayor Kasten announced the 
 appointment of Edward E. Bochman and Tom 
 Keehan as members of the Zoning Board of 
 Appeals. Appointments concurred in. 
 Zoning Problems 
 
 Received petition with 42 signatures of prop- 
 erty owners in the territory between Western 
 avenue and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad 
 tracks, south of 119th street and north of 123rd 
 street, protesting against rezoning the Robertson 
 3!/2 acres back to the Industrial class. 
 
 Also a resolution from the Blue Island Real 
 Estate Board stating that the property should 
 remain zoned as First Residential. 
 
 A lengthy discussion ensued. 
 
 On motion of Aid. Volp, seconded by Aid. 
 Fiedler the entire matter was referred back to 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 315 
 
 the Council as a committee of the whole to work 
 with the Citizens committee for definite action. 
 
 Negro Invasion Threatened 
 
 Dec. 2, 1929 — Special meeting of the city 
 council, attended by the Robertson and Buttles 
 interests, numerous citizens and members of the 
 Blue Island Real Estate Board, for the purpose 
 of discussing and considering the rezoning of 
 the John R. Robertson tract of land south of 
 119th street and west of Maple avenue. 
 
 This matter had been a thorn in the side of 
 all concerned with city affairs for several 
 months and through criticisms and bitterness 
 engendered by their descisions had caused the 
 resignation of nearly all of the members of the 
 original Board of Appeals. 
 
 When the original Zoning Code was passed 
 Jan. 11, 1926, this particular tract of land (Rob- 
 ertson's) was zoned as "industrial property."' 
 In October of 1928 the Zoning Board submitted 
 an ordinance to the city council changing this 
 property from "industrial" to "residential." The 
 ordinance was passed and became effective. 
 
 What the reason was to cause this change the 
 city records do not make clear, but it was the 
 basis of a squabble that kept the city council 
 and the Appeals Board in hot water over a 
 period of more than a year. 
 
 Robertson sought to have the Appeals Board 
 change the zoning back to "industrial," claim- 
 ing that that was the proper classification as the 
 property was contiguous to railroad tracks, and 
 also represented that if that was done he could 
 dispose of it to a lumber company. He was 
 vigorously opposed by other property owners 
 in the vicinity. 
 
 The Board of Appeals turned down his re- 
 quest. 
 
 Robertson then threatened a "negro inva- 
 sion," claiming that a colored man, a Mr. 
 Terrill, stood ready to buy the tract and col- 
 onize it with negroes. He stated he would keep 
 his promise to Mr. Terrill if he could not sell 
 to the Ruel Lumber Co. 
 
 This raised the ire of Mayor Kasten, who 
 said: "I don't like that. If we should rezone 
 this tract because of that statement it would 
 leave it open in the future for anyone to come 
 in and say 'if you don't do what I want you to I 
 will sell to negroes.' We must consider the 
 proposition on its merits." 
 
 "If we rezone this property we should do 
 so because we think it is fit for industrial pur- 
 poses and not think of the colored threat." 
 
 After a long discussion the whole matter 
 was, on motion, referred back to the Board of 
 Appeals with the recommendation of the city 
 
 council to rezone Mr. Robertson's 3.6 acres back 
 to "first industrial" provided that Mr. Ruel 
 and Mr. Robertson sign all agreements which 
 the city council demands. 
 
 On Jan. 27, 1930, the Board of Appeals noti- 
 fied the city council that it had concurred in 
 the council's recommendation and had rezoned 
 the tract back to "first industrial." The Board's 
 report was quite lengthy and reviewed some of 
 the arguments which had been presented pro 
 and con rezoning at the special meeting of the 
 city council and also before its own body and 
 concluded with the following terse comments: 
 
 "We also took into consideration the threat- 
 ened negro invasion, and we dislike the attitude 
 of Mr. Robertson in bluntly telling us that in 
 the event we do not rezone his property that he 
 has given his promise to sell to a negro syndi- 
 cate if Mr. Ruel does not buy the tract without 
 it being rezoned by the City of Blue Island. 
 
 "In accordance with the recommendation of 
 the city council we herewith recommend that the 
 tract be rezoned to "first industrial," but we also 
 recommend that before such action is taken, 
 owing to information that we have received and 
 articles along that line having been published 
 in the daily papers that 119th street will be 
 opened up west and will become a State high- 
 way, that the city council do not at once 
 draft an ordinance for the rezoning of this tract 
 but more carefully investigate so that the best 
 interests of the City of Blue Island may be 
 served." 
 
 The report was signed by the Board of Ap- 
 peals, James A. Seidel, chairman; F. R. Krue- 
 ger, Paul Schulz, Thos. Keehan, Edw. E. Boch- 
 man. 
 
 The report was, on regular motion, accepted 
 by the city council and action on the drafting 
 of an ordinance deferred pending further in- 
 vestigation. 
 
 On Feb. 17, 1930, City Attorney Massena 
 submitted to the city council an ordinance for 
 rezoning the Robertson tract, but as the or- 
 dinance did not cover the Negro restriction 
 agreement action on the passage of the ordin- 
 ance it was deferred until this point was cleared 
 up. 
 
 Under date of Feb. 24, 1930, the John R. 
 Robertson & Co., in a communication addressed 
 to the Mayor and city council wrote: "We here- 
 by agree to insert a clause in all of our con- 
 tracts or warranty deeds for residence and busi- 
 ness property in the City of Blue Island, as 
 follows: 
 
 "The parties hereto agree for themselves, their 
 heirs and assigns that during a period of ninety- 
 
316 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 nine (99) years this property shall not be 
 rented, loaned, leased, sold, bartered, exchanged 
 or deeded to persons not of the Caucasian race." 
 
 The wording of the above agreement was later 
 changed in part to read "on all property now 
 owned by us, or that may be purchased in the 
 future ..." 
 
 On March 3, 1930, the city council passed 
 Ordinance No. 1297, amending Ordinance No. 
 1135, being the "Blue Island Zoning Code," 
 which ordinance provided for the rezoning to 
 "first industrial" of the much discussed Robert- 
 son tract in the north-western section of the 
 city — thus clearing away the dark cloud which 
 had hovered over it for nearly two years. 
 
 Jan. 6, 1930 — Adopted resolutions on the 
 death of William Schreiber former city treas- 
 urer, and for many years chief of the Blue 
 Island Fire Department. 
 
 Accepted letter from Western Pipe & Steel 
 Co., signed by Mr. C. L. Moorman, vice presi- 
 dent, agreeing to dedicate a strip of land 60 
 feet wide across their property for the purpose 
 of opening California avenue from Vermont 
 street north, providing the city will improve the 
 same within a reasonable time. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1291, providing for 
 the issuance of tax anticipation warrants to 
 an amount not to exceed $27,111.23, against 
 the taxes levied for the year 1929. 
 
 Jan. 13, 1930 — American Legion granted 
 permission to establish a rifle and pistol range 
 in the rear rooms of their quarters, this range 
 to be open to use by the local police. 
 
 Superintendent of Streets Hammond, gave a 
 very complete report on how the severe snow 
 storms of Dec. 17 and Jan. 8 were handled. 
 Starting with Dec. 17, when 14% inches of 
 snow fell it was a continuous battle with the 
 elements until the end of the month. Horse- 
 drawn snow-plows, powerful tractors and many 
 extra men battled night and day to keep streets 
 and sidewalks open. In addition to his regular 
 force there was an extra cost of $800.00 for 
 labor and equipment during this time. He re- 
 commended the purchase of another 30 H.P. 
 tractor with straight blade. 
 * * * 
 
 The gravity of the tax situation was making 
 itself felt at this time and we find that the 
 Finance Committee, with the Mayor, City Clerk 
 and City Attorney, who had been delegated to 
 investigate this city's funds and revenues, re- 
 ported to the city council as follows: 
 
 "We find that while the majority of the funds are 
 in good shape, it will take extraordinary precaution 
 
 in the expenditure of money until the tax situation in 
 Cook county is settled. Providing the proper cur- 
 tailment of expenditure is exercised the various de- 
 partments of the city will be kept intact, otherwise not. 
 "We recommend that each and every head of a 
 department from this date must have the signature of 
 the proper committee and the Finance committee before 
 anything is purchased." 
 
 On recommendation of the Committee on 
 Streets, Bridges and Alleys the names of the 
 following streets was ordered changed in order 
 to comply with the new system of house num- 
 bering. 
 
 State street changed to Hoyne avenue. 
 
 Wabash, Fairmount and Summit to Irving 
 avenue. 
 
 Henry street, Burr Oak place and Hanson 
 avenue to Artesian avenue. 
 
 Exeter street to Honore street. 
 
 Tremont street to Lincoln street. 
 
 Rolls Road and Colonade Road to Winchester 
 street. 
 
 Robinson street and Sanders street to Seeley 
 avenue. 
 
 Wiley avenue to Ann street. 
 
 Orange street to Oak street. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1293, being an ordin- 
 ance amending Ordinance No. 1266, known as 
 the "Blue Island Building Code." 
 
 Adopted the following resolution: 
 
 Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City 
 of Blue Island: That in all deeds of any kind 
 hereafter executed by the City of Blue Island 
 as a municipal corporation there be inserted the 
 following clause: 
 
 "This deed is executed and delivered by the 
 grantor upon the express condition that for a 
 period of ninety-nine (99) years the property 
 herein conveyed shall not be rented, leased, sold, 
 bartered or deeded to persons not of the Cau- 
 casian race, which condition shall be binding 
 on the grantees herein, their heirs, administra- 
 tors, executors and assigns." 
 
 The adoption of this resolution was brought 
 about through the squabble with John R. Rob- 
 ertson over the rezoning of his land in the 
 north-west section of the city. Robertson threat- 
 ened to sell his land to a syndicate of colored 
 folks unless the property was zoned back from 
 residential to industrial. 
 
 Jan. 27, 1930 — Passed a resolution requiring 
 charitable organizations which desire to solicit 
 funds from the public to first obtain approval 
 and permission from the mayor and city council. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1294, fixing the build- 
 ing line "set back" on the north side of Orchard 
 street. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 317 
 
 City clerk, reported that during the past year 
 he had issued 163 resident and 80 non-resident 
 death certificates; also that he had issued birth 
 certificates for 136 resident boys and 138 resi- 
 dent girls, also 98 boy and 92 girl non-residents. 
 
 Village of Posen filed its official acceptance 
 of Ordinance No. 1292, passed by the City 
 Council of the City of Blue Island, Jan. 20, 1930. 
 This ordinance grants to the Village of Posen 
 perpetual easement for an outlet sewer "upon, 
 under and through" various streets, alleys and 
 parcels of land on the south and west sides of 
 the city. 
 
 March 10, 1930— Passed Ordinance No. 1298, 
 providing for the holding of a general city elec- 
 tion April 15, 1930. 
 
 March 17, 1930 — Received petition bearing 
 825 signatures of legal voters requesting that the 
 proposition to license boxing and wrestling ex- 
 hibitions in Blue Island be submitted to a vote 
 at the general election to be held April 15, 
 1930. Granted. 
 
 Mayor Kasten, in behalf of the Police Com- 
 mittee, the Police Department and Judge Carl- 
 son presented the city with two Chevrolet squad 
 cars. Accepted with thanks by a rising vote of 
 the city council. 
 
 Alderman Noble was selected to act on the 
 election commission with the city attorney, city 
 clerk and mayor. 
 
 Voted to have a gas house prepared so that 
 stray dogs may be gassed instead of being shot. 
 
 April 21, 1930— Permit granted to Glenn W. 
 Baily of the Oak Forest Bus Company to operate 
 a bus line to 119th and Vincennes avenue. 
 
 Committee on the Policeman's Benefit dance 
 held Feb. 22. 1930, reported total expenditures 
 (which included cost of the two Chevrolet squad 
 cars) of $1727.60 and receipts of $2432.00, 
 leaving a balance of $704.40. 
 
 Canvass of the votes cast at the city election 
 held April 15, 1930, disclosed the following 
 results : 
 
 Total number of legal votes cast in all wards 
 4046, divided by wards as follows: 
 
 First ward 505 
 
 Second ward 1043 
 
 Third ward 1006 
 
 Fourth ward 61 
 
 Fifth ward 837 
 
 Sixth ward 499 
 
 Seventh ward 95 
 
 The vote for Alderman was as follows : 
 First ward — *Alfred Koenecke, 296; Christian 
 Bohne, 206. 
 
 Second ward — *Andrew Myers, 498; Charles 
 Mosel, 426; John Bettenhausen, 107; Sal- 
 \ ator Ricchio. 1. 
 
 Third ward — *Rocco Guglielmucci, 567; 
 
 Henry Quade, 396; John Black, 23. 
 Fourth ward — * James A. Noble, 59. (No 
 
 opposition.) 
 
 Fifth ward — *Fred Schroeder, 526; John 
 Lukey, 311. 
 
 Sixth ward — *Charles A. Dewar, 246; A. G. 
 Carlson, 147; William Myer, 103. 
 
 Seventh ward — * William Gerdes, 95. (No 
 
 opposition.) 
 *Elected. 
 
 On the proposition to license boxing and 
 wrestling exhibitions the vote was: "For," 
 2715; "Against," 822. Proposition carried. 
 
 April 28, 1930 — Received letter from Philip 
 Yarrow, superintendent of the Illinois Vigilance 
 Association, also one signed by Helen Hoag, 
 chairman of the Better Films Committee of the 
 Greenwood Parent-Teacher Association, protest- 
 ing against the proposed showing of a motion 
 picture, "The Party Girl," at a local theatre. 
 The letters branded the picture as "decadent 
 and dangerous" and requested the mayor and 
 city council to prevent it from being shown in 
 Blue Island. 
 
 Mayor Kasten said that at no time would he 
 permit any picture to be shown in Blue Island 
 which was obscene or immoral. 
 
 The aldermen left the matter to the mayor — ■ 
 and the picture was not shown — publicly. 
 
 In answer to a question raised at a previous 
 council meeting, City Attorney Massena reported 
 as follows: "The City of Blue Island is entitled 
 to and should get one-half of the road and 
 bridge tax levied and collected by the townships 
 on property within the limits of the city." 
 (Continued on Page 337) 
 
 $3,000 Damage by Blasting 
 
 An extra heavy charge of explosives set off 
 by the Guthrie Construction Co., while blasting 
 rock for the Calumet-Sag canal, September 20, 
 1917, did more than $3000 worth of damage 
 to glass in stores and homes. The blast occur- 
 red at a point near Gregory street, and build- 
 ings on Vermont street, between Western avenue 
 and the I. C. tracks, bore the brunt of the shock 
 and damage, although some plate glass windows 
 on Western avenue were also broken. 
 
318 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Central Park's artistic flower bed which was originally designed in 1930 
 by Arthur Strutzenberg, city superintendent of parks,, is of rare beauty, 
 with the design worked out each year with plaiits of contrasting colors. 
 
 Work of the Red Cross 
 
 Red Cross activities have been carried on in 
 Blue Island ever since the World war period. 
 
 Mrs. Fred J. Nichols, 12722 Elm street, has 
 been chairman of the annual roll call in Blue 
 Island for the past sixteen years and has ad- 
 ministered to the disabled ex-service men. In 
 response to the writer's request for a state- 
 ment about the work done by the local Chapter, 
 she said: 
 
 "During the period of the World War I was 
 volunteer worker of the Red Cross, Chicago 
 Chapter. Following the Armistice I started as 
 a Home Service Worker, going into the homes 
 to investigate the boys returning from overseas, 
 adjusting claims and explaining Vocational 
 Training. In 1920 I began my work as Social 
 Worker in the Cook County Institution at Oak 
 Forest, Illinois. This offers a vast field for 
 service, cooperating with the ex-service man, his 
 family and with the various officials of all hos- 
 pitals. Our program for disabled ex-service 
 men is a year round project, with special em- 
 phasis placed upon Christmas. 
 
 Our object is to make the men in the hospitals 
 as happy and comfortable as possible, never do- 
 ing anything contrary to the rules of the hos- 
 pital. We have a systematic plan of personal 
 contact with all veterans. We go once a week 
 and distribute jellies, grape-juice, oranges and 
 other such foods that hospitals do not furnish. 
 We visit North Shore once a month, serving 300 
 to 400 members with cake and coffee. We 
 donate beads and bead looms, making a col- 
 lection of cast-off silk stockings for rug making, 
 sweaters, pajamas, head caps, thermometers, 
 bed-slippers, and bath robes. We organize 
 committees in women's clubs to have porch 
 
 parties in warm weather for the purpose of sew- 
 ing rags for the boys to make rugs. We spon- 
 sor picnics, automobile rides, trips to the cir- 
 cus, baseball games, and serve ice cream and 
 cake during the summer months. We also sup- 
 ply music and entertainment for the patients in 
 all of the hospitaK I sponsor entertainment 
 
 for thirty-five children." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Navajo Fields Golf Club 
 
 Navajo Fields Country Club was organized 
 by local people in March, 1928. The club owns 
 147 acres of land on Burr Oak avenue, two 
 miles west of Blue Island. There is a fine club 
 house and 18-hole course. Membership is lim- 
 ited to 300. The first officers to serve were: 
 Christian Krueger, president; Ed. Maroney, sec- 
 retary; Leslie McCord, treasurer: Board of Gov- 
 ernors: George J. Landgraf. H. E. Elmore. 
 Christian Krueger, James Hackett, Ed. Maroney, 
 A. C. Seyfarth, Paul Klenk, Arthur Forsell. 
 Leslie McCord, Dr. L. T. Rowland, Roy Mas- 
 sena. The present officers and directors are: 
 Vincent J. O'Malley, president: James R. Flani- 
 gan, vice-president; Edw. C. Maroney, sec- 
 retary and treasurer; directors: James Hackett, 
 Edw. C. Maroney, Dr. Leroy T. Rowland, Nels 
 Numsquist, James R. Flanigan, Vincent O'- 
 Malley, L. B. Weber, Frank Perling, Leslie I. 
 
 McCord. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Blue Island Bar Association 
 
 The Blue Island Bar Association, an organiza- 
 tion of local attorneys and councillors, was 
 organized March 8, 1934, with former City 
 Attorney Paul Klenk as president and Millard 
 Rauhoff, secretary. The association started with 
 a membership of eighteen. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 319 
 
 Peak Real Estate Prices 
 
 In 1923, Ed. Martens sold 26.9 ft. frontage 
 at 293 Western avenue to Simon Beemsterboer 
 for an average of $500 per front foot. In 
 December, 1927. Mr. Martens sold the same 
 property for Beemsterboer at an average price 
 of more than $1000 per foot to Dr. L. T. Row- 
 land, who bought for investment purposes. 
 (This property is now vacant and being used 
 as a parking lot.) 
 
 Another sale consummated by Martens at this 
 time was that of the Sorgenfrei property at the 
 north-east corner of Western avenue and New 
 street, for $100,000.00, by the Estate of Simon 
 
 leases were expiring. And that uneasiness was 
 justified, for in every case when renewals were 
 sought the renter was met with a demand for 
 more money. A grocer who had been paying 
 $65 a month was informed the new rental would 
 be $125. Another store which had rented for 
 $125 was raised to $200. A cleaning establish- 
 ment which had paid $35 a month was faced with 
 the demand "$75.00 a month, take it or leave it." 
 In most cases the renter, unable to find a cheaper 
 location elsewhere, chose to remain and pay the 
 increase. About four years ago vacant store 
 buildings could be seen on Western avenue and 
 this had a tendency to bring rentals down again 
 
 A Modern Blue Island Residence 
 
 Beemsterboer of Roseland. The property has a 
 frontage of 66 feet on Western avenue and 125 
 on New street. It is improved with a 2-story 
 brick store and flat and a one-story frame store. 
 During that year, too, rents all along Western 
 avenue, took a decided jump upward. This was 
 the vear the first big chain grocery store, the 
 Piggly-Wiggly, opened here. The fact that this 
 concern was willing to pay twice as much for a 
 location as had previously been considered rea- 
 sonable for similar business property, caused 
 much uneasiness among merchants whose store 
 
 to a more reasonable figure. Merchants com- 
 plain that rent is still too high, but recent inves- 
 tigation by the writer shows that for stores of a 
 similar grade rentals compare favorably with 
 those charged in Harvey, a city of about the 
 same size as Blue Island. 
 
 During the summer and fall of 1929 all the 
 buildings in the city were renumbered, to con- 
 form with, and as a continuation of, the num- 
 bering system employed in Chicago. 
 
320 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Saloons - "Taverns" 
 
 When nation-wide prohibition went into ef- 
 fect at midnight on January 15, 1920, 45 
 saloons, which had been doing business in Blue 
 Island for many years closed their doors per- 
 manently, while others soon reopened selling 
 near beer and soft drinks, their proprietors be- 
 lieving that enforced prohibition would be 
 short-lived and that John Barleycorn would 
 stage a quick comeback. But during the four- 
 teen years of "drought" which intervened be- 
 tween that day and prohibition repeal many of 
 the old-time saloonkeepers had passed away or 
 gone into other lines of business. So, when 
 beer and liquor were again legalized in 1933, 
 few of the old-timers were left to welcome John 
 Barleycorn's return and most of the 50 "tav- 
 erns" now in Blue Island are being operated by 
 newcomers in the business. 
 
 In 1920, Blue Island had a population of 
 11,424, or one saloon to every 254 of popula- 
 tion. There are now 50 "taverns" in Blue Is- 
 land, which, based on a recent estimated popula- 
 tion of 20.000, would make an average of one 
 "tavern" to every 392 of population. 
 
 The annual saloon license in 1920 was $500, 
 which, from 45 saloons, gave the city a revenue 
 of $22,500 each year. Looking at the financial 
 side only, there was a loss to the city of 
 $315,000 in revenue during the fourteen years 
 of prohibition. 
 
 The annual tavern license today is $300, pay- 
 able in quarterly installments. An ordinance 
 of the citv limits the number of taverns to 50. 
 
 Brickmakers Strike 
 
 "The million dollar a day" brickmakers 
 strike is over, and local merchants and brick- 
 makers alike are rejoicing over the settlement of 
 differences between the unions and manufac- 
 turers. 
 
 "The settlement came after an apparent dead- 
 lock in the negotiations, following which the 
 employers announced they would operate their 
 plants without the striking workmen. 
 
 "Settlement was brought about by the Advis- 
 ory Board of the Building Trades Council, offi- 
 cers of the Chicago Teamsters' Joint Council 
 and the Brick Teamsters in a final conference. 
 Frank Kasten, business agent of the brickmakers' 
 union, was called in and was told that if a settle- 
 ment of the trouble was not made at once the 
 International Union of Steam Engineers and 
 the Brick, Tile and Terra Cotta Workers' Inter- 
 national Union would contract to provide mem- 
 
 bers of the American Federation of Labor 
 Unions to work the yards. 
 
 Kasten agreed to withdraw the demand that 
 the union control the hiring and discharge of 
 men, and when this proposal was submitted to 
 President Schlake, head of the Manufacturers' 
 Association, a contract was signed and the strike 
 called off. 
 
 "Under the terms of this agreement men re- 
 ceiving less than 40 cents an hour are to receive 
 1 cent an hour increase, the employers to have 
 lull control over the hiring and discharging of 
 men. 
 
 "The strike began March 9 and although only 
 2000 brickmakers were out, it was estimated thai 
 nearly 150,000 men in other lines were affected. 
 The strike from a union standpoint was a fail- 
 ure. The local yards had on hand 17,000,000 
 brick when the strike was called. The work of 
 shipping these brick will be resumed at once." 
 
 * * * 
 
 First Woman to Seek Office 
 
 Only once in Blue Island's history has a 
 woman aspired to an elective office in municipal 
 government. At the general city election in 
 April, 1921, Charlotte M. Wessel was a candi- 
 date for the office of alderman in the First 
 Ward. She was second in a three-cornered con- 
 test, running ahead of Louis Rauch, but being 
 
 defeated by Henry Schnurstein, 324 votes to 227. 
 
 * » -si- 
 Press Notes 
 
 April 24, 1921 — "The body of a man lying - 
 half submerged in the mire of a swamp between 
 here and Lemont, late Tuesday afternoon, gave 
 the police a wierd puzzle. The man was Robert 
 H. Brethold, 32 years old, of 2134 Cleveland 
 avenue, son of C. H. Brethold, a wealthy build- 
 ing contractor of Wilmette. There was nothing 
 to show how the body came there. There was 
 nothing to show whether he died from natural 
 causes, committed suicide or was slain. He was 
 not drowned. He may have been robbed. His 
 gold watch is missing and some of his pockets 
 were turned inside out. But $413, including 
 $410 in seven pay envelopes, which had been 
 tucked inside his vest, had not been taken." 
 
 April 26, 1921.— "Cable Drags Man In Canal 
 Abyss; He Dies. John Kovick, an Austrian 
 employed by the Guthrie Construction Co. at the 
 Calumet-Sag Canal, near the gas works, was 
 caught by a derrick cable and thrown from the 
 bridge into the concrete culvert, about eight 
 o'clock, Tuesday morning, a distance of about 
 seventy-five feet. He died at St. Francis hos- 
 pital an hour later. He had no relatives and 
 lived in a shack on the construction property." 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 321 
 
 The World War 
 
 The overshadowing event of the century was, 
 of course, our country's entrance into the so- 
 called "world war." 
 
 On Feb. 3, 1917, the United States severed 
 diplomatic relations with Germany and that 
 action was followed April 6, 1917, by the gov- 
 ernment's formal declaration of war with the 
 German Empire. 
 
 Those early days were stirring ones and patri- 
 otic fervor ran high. 
 
 Blue Island's young men by the hundreds im- 
 mediately rallied to the call for volunteers and 
 the machinery of conscription for those who 
 lagged was quickly set in motion. 
 
 Draft Board No. 7 was organized under orders 
 from Provost Marshal General Crowder, May 
 15, 1917, with the following personnel: 
 Chairman, John L. Zacharias; Secretary, Francis 
 M. Kehoe of Lemont; Government Special 
 Agent, Joseph P. Eames; Clerk, C. R. Hannum 
 of Downers Grove, and Dr. R. L. James of 
 Blue Island, member. 
 
 This personnel was in charge until the 
 resignation of Mr. Zacharias, who resigned June 
 13, 1918, because of ill health and business 
 pressure. George C. Gobet was appointed to fill 
 the vacancy caused by Mr. Zacharias' resigna- 
 tion but declined to accept the chairmanship 
 and Dr. R. L. James was appointed chairman 
 of the board and Mr. Gobet, member. 
 
 The board began its work in June, 1917. The 
 first sessions were held in the council chamber 
 of the city hall, but within a few weeks the board 
 moved to rooms on the second floor of the post- 
 office building. 
 
 Besides the city of Blue Island the jurisdic- 
 tion of Draft Board No. 7 extended over the 
 following towns and villages: Mt. Greenwood, 
 Worth, Oak Lawn, Lemont, Chicago Ridge, Burr 
 Oak and Riverdale. 
 
 More than 2600 men obeyed the first con- 
 scription order issued in June, 1917. Of 500 
 men drawn in the second call 164 accepted were 
 from Blue Island. 
 
 The first contingent of men for the National 
 Army left Blue Island over the Rock Island 
 railroad early in September, 1917. They were 
 assigned to Camp Grant, at Rockford, and were 
 given a rousing send-off by hundreds of citizens 
 who joined in the parade to the railroad station. 
 A few weeks later the second contingent was 
 forwarded by the local draft board and in the 
 
 latter part of October, 1917, the third group of 
 men joined the others at Camp Grant. 
 
 Sixty men from District 7, Cook County, 
 formed the last draft increment which left Blue 
 Island over the Rock Island railroad at 7:40 
 o'clock, Thursday, June 27, 1918. The men 
 were escorted to the train by a band and given 
 a rousing farewell. Only those from Blue Is- 
 land and vicinity left from this point. They 
 were joined at Joliet by the men from Lemont. 
 They were assigned to Camp Wheeler, Georgia. 
 
 The volume of work accomplished by Draft 
 Board No. 7, which was in charge of the selec- 
 tive service draft in Blue Island and vicinity, 
 was enormous. Thousands of questionnaires 
 were mailed out and information thereon 
 checked. Each registrant had to be examined 
 as to his physical qualifications for the service, 
 his claims for exemption investigated, and, if 
 accepted for service, his family history and other 
 data necessary to establish his identity, entered 
 in the records. 
 
 During the board's existence 6,154 registered 
 for the draft from this district. Of these 2,656 
 signed up for the first registration in June, 1917; 
 255 registered at the two 21-year-old registra- 
 tions in June and August, 1918, and 3,242 
 registered at the 18-45 registration on September 
 12, 1918. Of the registrants within the imme- 
 diate Blue Island district 588 were inducted by 
 the board into active branches of the military 
 service. 
 
 ( NOTE — The volume of material at hand concerning 
 the part taken by our Blue Island young men in this 
 terrible world conflict, is so large, that it is im- 
 possible to include it within the space allotted to 
 this history. Therefore, only data and brief men- 
 tion of the more important events is given here. 
 
 It is very probable that a more complete his- 
 tory of Blue Island's participation in the war will 
 be issued. This history will not only give the ser- 
 vice record of Blue Island soldiers, but will contain 
 many interesting experiences and incidents that oc- 
 curred "at home" and "over there." — J.H.V.) 
 
 Error Made in State Call 
 
 An error in figures that caused Illinois to be 
 saddled with the burden of furnishing more 
 men in the summer draft quota than any other 
 state in the Union, was fortunately discovered 
 and corrected in time before the calls in the 
 summer drafts were completed. 
 
 The error was made at Springfield in tabulat- 
 
322 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 ing the number of men available in Class 1, and 
 the call for soldiers was based on these figures. 
 It compelled Illinois to furnish more men than 
 the states of New York and Pennsylvania com- 
 bined. 
 
 When Provost Marshal Crowder received a 
 request from Governor Lowden to investigate 
 he took up the question and discovered the mis- 
 take. 
 
 It was decided that the June, 1918, call, which 
 already had been made, should stand, du: .he 
 balance of the 28,500 men asked for would be 
 materially cut down, so that the number fur- 
 nished by the state during the summer would be 
 a fair proportion of those called for in the 
 nation. 
 
 Men called ahead of their time served only 
 about two weeks before they should have been 
 summoned, General Crowder said. 
 
 * * # 
 Alien Registration 
 
 All German aliens, 14 years and upwards, 
 living within District 7, Cook County, were re- 
 quired to register during the week of February 
 2 to 9, 1918. One of the big surprises of this 
 registration was the disclosure that of the 52 
 registrants living in Blue Island, many had 
 posed as, and were generally believed to be, 
 full-fledged citizens, but the compulsory registra- 
 tion proved them otherwise. Besides the 52 Ger- 
 man aliens living inside the city limits there 
 were 14 registrations from the rural districts 
 served by the Blue Island postoffice. Otto Sor- 
 genfrei, chief of police, was the alien registrar. 
 
 A registration of female enemy aliens was 
 held during the period beginning June 17th up 
 to and including Wednesday, June 26th, 1918. 
 Otto Sorgenfrei, cihef of police, was the reg- 
 istrar for those living inside the Blue Island 
 city limits, while those residing on the local 
 rural routes were required to register with Post- 
 master Lentz. 
 
 * * * 
 
 First Blue Island War Casualities 
 The first death which occurred in this country 
 of a Blue Island young man enlisted in the war 
 service, was that of George Ruff, who died of 
 diphtheria at the U. S. Naval hospital, Great 
 Lakes, 111., January 30, 1918. The first to be 
 killed in actual fighting on foreign soil was 
 Raymond Eames, a private in the 6th Regiment, 
 Marine Corps, while participating in the battle 
 of Belleau Woods in June, 1918. He was sev- 
 erely burned with mustard gas and died in the 
 American hospital at Auteuil, June 29, 1918. 
 
 Blue Island Boy - War's Youngest Soldier 
 
 Private Arthur Harker, son of Mr. John Har- 
 ker and Mrs. Helen Uhlich Harker, died Dec. 
 30, 1917, at Fort Casey, Seattle, Washington. 
 
 Arthur, probably the youngest soldier in 
 Uncle Sam's service, was born Feb. 12, 1903, 
 at the late Ernst Uhlich residence, now the old 
 St. Francis hospital. 
 
 When war was declared Arthur, a mere boy 
 of fourteen years, enlisted in the coast artillery 
 at Ft. Casey and on account of his manly ap- 
 pearance was accepted. He was later trans- 
 ferred to the field artillery. While stationed 
 at Butte, Montana, on guard duty at the copper 
 mines he became sick and died. He was given 
 a military funeral at Seattle, Wash., Jan. 3, 
 1918. The body was cremated. 
 * * * 
 
 Frank Steffes 
 
 Frank Steffes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben 
 Steffes, was killed by a military prisoner whom 
 he was guarding while stationed at Hachita, New 
 Mexico, Feb. 7, 1918. 
 
 The official report of Frank's death was 
 signed by Capt. W. G. Simmons, Command- 
 ing officer of Troop L, 12th Cavalry, at Hachita, 
 New Mexico, and relates the circumstances 
 under which Frank lost his life. 
 
 On the morning of February 6th, Frank was 
 placed as guard over two men held as military 
 prisoners. These men were one Fred Vogle 
 and another named Arthur Grabbner. The duty 
 assigned these men was to clean up the camp. 
 A wagonload of refuse had been taken some 
 distance out of camp to be dumped. While 
 there Vogle drew a revolver which he had ob- 
 tained in some unexplained manner and com- 
 manded Frank to put up his hands. Instead of 
 complying Frank jumped for the prisoner and 
 grappled with him. In the scuffle the weapon 
 was discharged inflicting a slight flesh wound in 
 Frank's knee. The struggle for the weapon con- 
 tinued furiously until Steffes was overpowered 
 when Vogle deliberately leveled the gun and 
 shot him through the heart. The other prisoner, 
 Grabbner, claims he was prevented from assist- 
 ing Steffes as Vogle kept him covered with his 
 gun. 
 
 Vogle then escaped toward the Mexican bor- 
 der but after a four hour chase he was sur- 
 rounded and seeing no escape turned the weapon 
 upon himself and committed suicide. 
 
 In a personal letter to Mr. Steffes. Captain 
 Simmons expressed regret that Frank did not 
 save his own life by permitting the prisoner to 
 escape, but commended very highly the courage 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 323 
 
 and devotion to duty displayed by the young 
 man. The letter is in part as follows: 
 
 "It is with the deepest regret and sympathy 
 that I send you the enclosed official report of 
 the death of your son. 
 
 "However, it may be of some small comfort 
 to you to know that he went to his death as a 
 man and a soldier should. While I deeply re- 
 gret that he did not obey the command of the 
 prisoner to put up his hands and thus allow the 
 prisoner to escape, still I cannot commend too 
 highly his sense of devotion to duty and his 
 courage that led him to grapple with the pris- 
 oner and attempt to prevent his escape, even 
 after he had been wounded. 
 
 "Your son bore a splendid reputation in his 
 troop, was never tried for any offense whatever., 
 and was well liked by his comrades. I, and all 
 the membership of his troop, extend to you our 
 deepest sympathy and condolences." 
 
 The body of Frank Steffes was escorted from 
 Hachita to Blue Island by Sergeant-Major 
 Biehm, of Troop L. Funeral services was held 
 at St. Benedict church, Requiem High Mass being 
 conducted by Rev. Theo. G. Gross. Company 
 M, Eleventh Illinois Infantry, under command 
 of Capt. Crout acted as a military escort from 
 the home at 52 Western avenue to Mt. Green- 
 wood cemetery where the body was temporarily 
 placed in a vault. As soon as weather condi- 
 tions permitted it was buried in St. Benedict 
 cemetery. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Honor Roll 
 
 (Blue Island's Honor Roll as printed in the Sun- 
 Standard, March 15, 1918). 
 
 Cavalry — Leland Newman, Gust Engstrom, Tony 
 Pacholki, George Kazlowski, Louis Radwan, George 
 Ludwig, Bernard Ciesielski, Frank Steffes, John Gros- 
 zewicz, Calvin O'Grady, Arthur Kennedy, William Pahl, 
 George Benton, Elmo Schugt. 
 
 Navy — Al. Friske, Arthur Boyd, Everett Downey, Wil- 
 bur Burno, Henry Link, Harry Withers, Ernst Karch- 
 iner, Theron Simkins, Jack Martin, Everett Lake, Fred 
 L. Brewer, Homer J. Woods, George Ruff, Victor Ames, 
 Russell James, Andrew J. Brouette, Arthur Bender, Vic- 
 tor Dahl, Fredrick C. Sammons, R. A. Walsh, Fred A. 
 Nickel, Frank Millard, Martin Nelson, Frank Kapanka, 
 Raymond Earley, Clarence Manson, Alwin Johnson, 
 Mark Earner, Frank Ehrhart, Lerbert Ehrhart, Frank 
 King, Ray William, E. A. Etter, Lawrence Dagenais, 
 Leonard Nylander, Oscar Hultgren, L. Gustafson, Harry 
 Isler, Harold McAley, Richard E. Sorgenfrei. 
 
 Marines — Fred Nadler, Walter Crossland, Raymond 
 R. Eames, Frank A. Thomas, David McKillip, James 
 Cassel, M. A. Cassel. 
 
 Army' — Howard Hohmann, Claude Colburn, Ernst C. 
 Renaud, George Dornhecker, Norman Seim, Russel Rob- 
 inson, Ben Ferrers, Edward Ennis, Morton Smith, Mar- 
 cus T. Bauch, Arthur Edmunds, Walter Schott, Frank 
 
 Ray, Willard Gibson, Rudolph Racine, George Ken- 
 nedy, William Baumbach, William McGuire, Walter 
 Mueller, Henry Ermschler, Ray Kauffman, John E. 
 Frayne, John Ermschler, Chester Mitchell, Herman 
 Hartman, Emmerson Eames, E. J. Lacy, Paul Stefek, 
 James McGuire, Nels A. Ringquist, Edward Hall, Mer- 
 rill Pronger, Hobart Angel. 
 
 Officers — William D. McPherson, Harry M. Schlem- 
 mer, Louis K. Burno, Leslie W. Swett. 
 
 Musicians — Clarence Cain, Oscar Carlson, Louis 
 Wiessner, Walter Wiessner, Walfried Hogbloom, David 
 Buissono. 
 
 Signal Corps — Edwin E. Stothard, Robert James, 
 Jerry Canty, Lee Quinn, Gilbert Mueller, John S. 
 Tuomey, Chester Stanley. 
 
 Aviation Corps — Stanley H. Volp, Carroll Eversole, 
 Robert Payton, William Lietzow, George Roscoe, Arthur 
 Fordtran. 
 
 Engineering Corps — Archie Sypneski, Bert Wyant, 
 Harry Hume, Henry Weigand, Walter McDowell Adolph 
 Tuffanelli, Leslie J. Hague, C. C. Cox, Harry E. 
 Neff, M. Martin, L. 0. Nelson, T. Vandoran, Harold 
 Cates, Ralph Palmer, Carl Palmer. Otto Sommerfeld, 
 Hugo Gersten, Leslie J. Rowe, Clarence 0. Williams, 
 Louis Robertson, Frank Kohart, Harry W. Babb, Lee 
 0. Wilson, Fred E. Law, Fred Dougherty, Patrick 
 McCoy, David Fleming, Ralph Sullivan, Roy J. Scuff- 
 ham, Harry E. Shaw, F. J. Ludwie George Harris, John 
 W. Grimes, Robert Cates, A. C. Sorgenfrei, A. C. 
 Rosenquist. 
 
 Hospital Corps — Franklin Cool, Miss Margaret 
 Rudd, Howard Thomas, John Thomas, John Steinhart, 
 Ralph F. Becktel, Charles Morrill, Dr. W. J. Byford, 
 Daniel L. Sinise. 
 
 Coast Defense — Gilbert Boeber, Merwin Small, Ed- 
 win Hallinan, Berger Hogle, John S. Szczurek, John 
 Brown, Leslie Morrill, Joseph Tragnitz, Archie Ely. 
 
 Ordinance — Joseph Denny, George Lietzau. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Women's War Work 
 
 Immediately after war was declared, many 
 activities designed for the successful prosecution 
 of the war and for the comfort of the soldiers 
 in camps and trenches were soon under way. 
 
 In these activities the women of Blue Island 
 entered loyally and whole heartedly. It is 
 doubtful if there was one woman in the city who 
 did not, to a greater or less degree, contribute 
 her share to these patriotic services. 
 
 War had scarcely been officially declared than 
 the Red Cross opened rooms in the High School 
 building for the making of bandages and other 
 surgical dressings. 
 
 Ladies' aid societies from various churches 
 joined in this work and in the knitting of sweat- 
 ers and making of comfort bags. Fraternal 
 and other local organizations formed groups of 
 workers and gave aid in every way possible. 
 The volume of war work done by these loyal 
 
 women was enormous. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sittings of the Legal Advisory Board in the 
 draft room in the postoffice were discontinued 
 Oct. 1, 1918. 
 
Decorated Floats in Blue Island Day Parade 
 
 Labor Day Parade — About 1919 
 
 For many years before and following the World War period the citizens of Blue Island 
 staged parades and celebrations on Labor Day. The Blue Island Commercial Association spon- 
 sored these affairs and the day became locally known as "Blue Island Day." Merchants, the 
 brickmakers' union, fraternal and other organizations participated and the affair always attracted 
 many visitors from the surrounding country. A picnic at Calumet Grove usually followed holding 
 of the parade. The views printed above show one of these affairs held about 1919, when horse- 
 drawn vehicles were still numerous. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 325 
 
 LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS 
 
 (Received by Mr. John H. Volp, Publisher of the 
 Blue Island Sun) 
 Somewhere in France, Dec. 24, 1917 — 
 
 Dear Friend Harry: Received your letter and tobacco 
 a few days ago, so will try and answer and thank you 
 for the smokes. I suppose you have heard all about 
 our trip across. Have been here in France about four 
 months and I cannot talk French yet. Guess there is 
 no hope for me. Believe me, this is different from 
 where you, Kordewick and I were two years ago, and 
 not the way you like it, either. No Barleycorn here 
 like there was there and from what I read in the papers 
 I guess the good old U.S.A. will be dry by the time 
 we get back. But it will be better at that. 
 
 Private C. 0. Williams, 
 Co. B, 13th Engineer Ry., U. S. Army A.E.F. 
 The above letter was written by Private Williams to 
 Harry Slater. 
 
 Somewhere in France, Dec. 23, 1917 — 
 
 Dear Mr. Volp: Am in receipt of your paper with 
 Milton Bowman's write-up. I learned that he was in 
 the 503rd Engineers so immediately looked him up. 
 Just as luck would happen found out that he was in this 
 camp. He was on a working party all day and on his 
 return to quarters he was the most surprised boy to 
 know that I had left word he should call on me in the 
 Marine Barracks. We got together that evening and 
 who do you suppose was along with him — Sorgenfrei, 
 Ned Nelson, Frasor, Ellis, Lay, Fay, Tom Wall and 
 several others. Well, it didn't take long to get together 
 with the "old bunch." It sure makes a fellow feel good 
 to run into a bunch like that, especially from your 
 home town You might tell Harold I received his letter 
 and appreciate very much his writing to me. The 
 W.O.W. identification coin was received o.k. 
 
 From your friend, Walter. 
 W. N. Crossland, 74th Co., 6th Reg., U.S.M.C, A.E.F. 
 
 From M. A. Cassel, 100th Co., Marine Bar- 
 racks, Paris Island, S. C. — 
 
 Dear Sir: Just received a copy of your paper and 
 sure appreciate the local news. In looking over the 
 names of the boys with the colors I note my name is 
 not listed. I am. with the marines at the above place 
 and it is the real life. We have parade drills and re- 
 view of troops, also sunset parade at retreat. 
 
 M. A. Cassel. 
 
 From Milton M. Bowman, Co. D, 503rd En- 
 gineers Service Battalion, A.E.F., in France — 
 
 My Dear Mr. Volp: Just a line to let you know I 
 am safe, well and perfectly satisfied. I sincerely trust 
 you and my many friends enjoyed the holidays as 
 much as I did by being with the Uncle "over here" 
 and want to take this opportunity to wish you all, 
 including "The Sun," a very prosperous New Year. 
 Your paper was the means of me meeting and hearing 
 from two dear friends. Walter Crossland read my 
 address and looked me up while our company was in 
 one of the cities, while McDowell read it and got my 
 company name and number and sent me a long letter 
 telling me all about the other boys from the home town. 
 I am not at the front, but hope I get to see the fire- 
 works before they are all over so I can have some- 
 thing interesting to tell you. Hoping soon to hear 
 from you and again wishing you the compliments of 
 the season, I am yours truly, 
 
 Milton M. Bowman. 
 
 The following letter was received from Henry 
 Weigand, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Weigand, of 
 the south side: 
 
 Somewhere in France, Jan. 1, 1918. 
 Blue Island Sun, Mr. Volp, Editor. 
 
 Dear Friend: Received your papers dated Nov. 9, 
 16 and 23, today, and was certainly glad to read them. 
 . . . Enjoyed reading Milton Bowman's letter as he 
 sure is having great times. It he comes over here very 
 soon he will hit our camp as the 502nd and 504th Regi- 
 ments have already arrived. Our Christmas and New 
 Year dinners were fine. 
 
 H. O. Weigand. 
 16th Reg. Engineers, A.E.F. in France, Co. C. 
 
 [, 131st Inf., 
 
 From Claude Coleburn, Co. 
 Camp Logan, Tex. — 
 
 Dear Mr. Volp: I received the paper you sent me 
 and am taking this means of thanking you for the 
 same. It surely makes one more cheerful to read the 
 news of what is going on at home although we are so 
 far away. I have met several of the boys who were sent 
 down here from Rockford, also some of those who en- 
 listed and are with other regiments. 
 
 Claude F. Coleburn. 
 
 The following letter from John W. Gorby, 
 vice-president of the Central Manufacturing Dis- 
 trict Bank of Chicago, explains itself: 
 
 Mr. John H. Volp, Editor, Blue Island Sun, Blue Island, 
 
 Illinois — 
 
 Dear Mr. Volp: You or someone in your neighbor- 
 hood has very kindly sent me the July 19th issue of your 
 good paper containing the record of the immortal hero- 
 ism of one of your soldier sons. I congratulate you on 
 the splendid way in which you have presented the rec- 
 ord ol this sacrifice. I am sure the good people of 
 Blue Island fully appreciate this presentation. I am 
 not surprised by this manifestation of patriotism as 
 my recent visit to your city filled me with pride over 
 your splendid spirit. Thanking you for the paper and 
 with best wishes, I am, very sincerely yours, 
 
 John W. Gorby. 
 
 # # # 
 
 Company M, I.N.G. 
 
 A Company of the 11th Regiment, Illinois 
 National Guard was organized in Blue Island 
 during the month of August, 1917. It was 
 known as Company M, with Captain Frank 
 Collins in command. A few weeks later the 
 company was ordered to Springfield for uni- 
 forms and for two weeks training. 
 
 During this interval public agitation was 
 started to provide suitable barracks for the 
 company. The matter was taken up with the 
 city council and resulted in the city taking a 
 one-year lease on the Institutional building, cor- 
 ner Oak street and Greenwood avenue. The 
 building was remodeled and arranged to pro- 
 vide suitable barracks for Co. M and for use in 
 other activities incident to the war period. 
 
326 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 The 13th Engineers (Railway) 
 
 One of the first volunteer army contingents 
 to be organized in the United States for over- 
 seas duty was that known as the 13th Railway 
 Engineers. 
 
 This country severed diplomatic relations with 
 Germany Feb. 3, 1917, and on the same date 
 Brigadier General W. M. Black, Chief of En- 
 gineers, U. S. Army, issued a call to the presi- 
 dents of the Illinois Central, Chicago, Rock 
 Island & Pacific, Chicago Great Western, Chi- 
 cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Chicago & North- 
 western, and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe rail- 
 ways to select officers and men from their per- 
 sonnel to correspond to six complete companies. 
 These companies were to be selected, examined, 
 enlisted, and held in reserve; officers for five 
 and men for four years; each company to be 
 composed of 164 men. 
 
 Each company was to include four officers — 
 Captain (Division Superintendent), First Lieut- 
 enant (Trainmaster), First Lieutenant (Master 
 Mechanic), and a Second Lieutenant (Division 
 Engineer) . 
 
 The railways concerned immediately placed 
 bulletins over their entire systems exposing the 
 plan and calling for volunteers. The responses 
 were numerous and highly patriotic, some com- 
 panies receiving as high as a thousand applica- 
 tions to fill a unit of 164 men. 
 
 Shortly after the declaration of war upon 
 Germany by the United States (April 6, 1917), 
 the personnel recruited was ordered to report in 
 Chicago for examinations as to physical quali- 
 fications, character and ability before they were 
 passed for regular army enlistment. 
 
 Training quarters were established on the 
 municipal pier, Chicago. 
 
 The six companies composing the 13th En- 
 gineers (Railway) were as follows: 
 
 Co. "A" — Illinois Central railway. 
 
 Co. "B"— Rock Island railway. 
 
 Co. "C"— Chicago Great Western. 
 
 Co. "D"— Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
 
 Co. "E" — Chicago & Northwestern. 
 
 Co. "F"— Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. 
 
 The following men, all employees of the Rock 
 Island railroad, enlisted from Blue Island in 
 
 Co. "B"— Harry I. Bailar, Claude C. Cox, 
 Edward Ford, William Gilbert, B. Hamilton, 
 Henry Harbaugh, Leo Lay, Harry Neff, Leo 
 Nelson, Walter McDowell, James O'Connor, 
 Carl Palmer, Leslie Rowe, Otto Sommerfeld, 
 Archie Syke, Adolph Tuffanelli, Thomas Wall, 
 Albert Wyant, Clarence 0. Williams. 
 
 Enlistments, training and organization were 
 completed during May and June and on July 19, 
 1917 Companies, "A" and "B" of the First 
 Battalion, entrained at Chicago over the Nickel 
 Plate R. R. for the East. 
 
 Departure for overseas was made from Ho- 
 boken, N. J., July 22, via the American Line 
 steamship, St. Louis. This contingent of new 
 men got a taste of war before setting foot on 
 foreign soil, when, about 200 miles off the north- 
 west coast of Ireland the St. Louis was attacked 
 by a German submarine. The sub evidently had 
 failed to torpedo the American boat and came 
 to the surface and started shelling. The St. 
 Louis replied with her 4 and 6-inch guns. The 
 engagement lasted about 30 minutes during 
 which time the sub fired twenty shells, all of 
 which fell very close to the St. Louis and some 
 shrapnel hit the wireless cabin but did no 
 damage. 
 
 This contingent of engineers arrived at Liver- 
 pool, England, July 31, 1917, and were trans- 
 ported at once to the large British concentration 
 camp at Borden. The Second Battalion with 
 Co. "C" arrived August 12th and also were 
 sent to the concentration camp at Borden. 
 
 On August 15, 1917, the 13th Engineers and 
 other American troops paraded through the 
 streets of London and were reviewed by the 
 King. Everywhere along the line of march they 
 were greeted with thunderous applause by the 
 assembled multitudes. 
 
 They left England, August 16, and the next 
 day arrived at Havre, France, entraining almost 
 at once for "somewhere in France." 
 
 Here the men received their first introduction 
 to the small French box-cars bearing the now 
 famous legend "40 hommes, 8 chevaux" — mean- 
 ing 40 men or 8 horses — the capacity of the 
 cars. 
 
 Co. "B" with Capt. V. H. Hagelberger as sup- 
 erintendent of the 2nd District, was assigned the 
 territory Fleury terminal to Ippecourt, on the 
 main line, and from Autrecourt to Clermont-on- 
 Argonne, a line running through the Argonne 
 sector where heavy fighting was then in progress. 
 
 Co. "C" with Capt. E. E. Stroup as super- 
 intendent 3rd District was assigned territory 
 from Ippecourt to Dugney Grand Vaux and 
 from Souilly to Dombasle Junction on the 
 Rampont line. 
 
 The 13th Engineers (Railway) did valiant 
 service keeping railroad transportation lines 
 open and operating the antiquated motive equip- 
 ment from the supply posts to the men at the 
 front, frequently working under heavy shell fire 
 from the German artillery and airplanes. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 327 
 
 A report of these operations says: "The Ger- 
 mans, finding American troops in this terri- 
 tory, shelled and bombed the detachments and 
 line Lemmes to Dugney during the month of 
 October exceedingly heavy. Members of these 
 detachments were highly commended by the 
 French authorities for their bravery and devo- 
 tion to duty. The Germans bombed and har- 
 rassed with machine gun fire all points on the 
 6 Bis Ligne for the first ten days after the ar- 
 rival of the regiment." 
 
 A tribute is given to the personnel for their 
 courage, loyalty and effectiveness during the 
 first trying month which, more than at any 
 other time, established the success of the "Lucky 
 13th Engineers," and brought honor to the regi- 
 ment and the American Government. 
 
 The "Windy City Echo," the regimental paper 
 of the 13th Engineers, derived its name from 
 Chicago, "The Windy City," and was published 
 on the 13th of each month during 1918 and up 
 to and including February 13, 1919. 
 
 The paper was published for the purpose of 
 having some way for the men of the 13th to 
 give voice to their sentiments and to afford them 
 amusement in an unofficial way. It was sold 
 only to members of the regiment and three 
 French war orphans were purchased through 
 the Stars and Stripes from the profit derived 
 from the sale of the paper. 
 
 The paper was instigated by the enlisted men 
 of the 13th Engineers, contributions being given 
 by correspondents from the various companies 
 of the regiment and printed at Bar-le-Duc 
 (Meuse). The price was "2V2 washers." 
 
 H. R. Tinsman was the "Echo" correspondent 
 for Co. "B." The "news" consists mostly of 
 pithy comments and jokes on members of the 
 different organizations. 
 
 Commenting on the fact that the Echo had 
 increased from four pages to six, the editor 
 calls attention to the following advertisement: 
 
 "If you wish to live where things are pretty 
 Just make your home in the Windy City." 
 
 "Windy City, Somewhere in France, Con- 
 venient to Hill 13. The home of the Hairtrigger 
 13th Engineers (The Lucky 13th). Population 
 including rats, rabbits and six dogs, 7000; Well 
 paved street ; Water ( plain, fancy, river and 
 rain); Police Department and Sanitary Jail: 
 Convenient Cemetery and Commodious Morgue: 
 Sewer Without System; Free Transportation to 
 the Front — None to Paris; Attractive Forest of 
 Six Trees and One Bush Covered with Leaves of 
 Absence, with or without permission. Unpar- 
 alelled Mud Baths; Magnificent View of Rail- 
 road Yards and Water Tank. 
 
 "Amusements — All Free — Rat Hunting Con- 
 tests; Dugout Races; Trench Swimming; Aero- 
 plane Raids; Music (trench) at All Hours. 
 
 "Desirable Building Sites — For Sale on Allot- 
 ment Plan; Individual Lots 2'x6'x6' for Per- 
 manent Abode, Furnished Free. Choice Bun- 
 galows For Rent with all the Modern Conven- 
 iences Except Water, Light, Heat, Floor and 
 Bathroom; Large Knotholes Provided for Rain- 
 drops; Ventilation Unexcelled; Hospital on 
 Ground — a Pill for every ill." 
 
 The 13th Engineers (Railway) sustained only 
 thirteen losses during their service in France, 
 and only one death was due directly to German 
 shellfire. Peter Miller, a private in Co. "F" 
 was killed by shellfire while repairing a tele- 
 phone line. Carl Hanson, another private in 
 Co. "F," was killed when a German shell with 
 which he was tinkering exploded. Co. "B," 
 the Rock Island contingent, sustained but one 
 loss — Private P. R. Van Ryssingham, who was 
 killed Dec. 27, 1917, in a railroad accident. 
 Pneumonia, tuberculosis and spinal meningitis 
 claimed the others. 
 
 The 13th Railway Engineers left France on 
 the homeward voyage April 13, 1919; arrived in 
 Chicago, May 12, 1919, and the next day pa- 
 raded in Chicago. They were mustered out at 
 Camp Grant, May 14, 1919. 
 * * * 
 
 ONLY A VOLUNTEER 
 
 Why didn't I wait to be drafted, 
 
 And be led to the train by a band? 
 And put in a claim for exemption, 
 
 Oh, why did I hold up my hand? 
 Why didn't I wait for the banquet, 
 
 Why didn't I wait to be cheered? 
 For the drafted men get all the credit, 
 
 While I only volunteered. 
 
 Nobody gave me a banquet, 
 
 Nobody said a kind word; 
 The puff of the engine, the grind of the wheels, 
 
 Was all the goodbyes I heard. 
 Then off to the training camp hustled, 
 
 To be trained by the next half-year, 
 And in the shuffle forgotten — 
 
 I was only a volunteer. 
 
 And perhaps some day in the future, 
 
 When my boy sits on my knee 
 And he asks what I did in this great war 
 
 And his little eyes look up at me, 
 I will have to look back into those little eyes 
 
 That at me so trustingly peer, 
 And tell him I wasn't drafted — 
 
 That I was only a volunteer. 
 
328 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Patriotic Memorials 
 
 The granite shaft shown above was erected 
 as a memorial to the brave soldiers, sailors and 
 marines of Blue Island who gave up their lives 
 in defense of the United States of America in 
 the great World War. The names on the bronze 
 tablet are: 
 
 RAYMOND EAMES 
 
 STANLEY FAY 
 
 ERNEST FISCHER 
 
 ALBERT HECHT 
 
 HERMAN KLOPP 
 
 ANTONIO LOUIS 
 
 GEORGE RUFF 
 
 WALTER SCHOENENBERGER 
 
 FRANK STEFFES 
 
 CHARLES WEIMAR 
 
 LEO WOLSHON 
 
 HOMER WOODS 
 
 WALTER WYKOFF 
 
 Raymond Eames, Private, 96th Co., 6th Reg. 
 U. S. Marine Corps. Enlisted June 17, 1917, 
 at Paris Island. Trained here until August, 
 1917. Trained at Quantico from August, 1917, 
 to January, 1918. Landed at St. Nazaire, France, 
 early in February, 1918. Trained at Blevain- 
 
 court until March 17th. Was in trenches in Ver- 
 dun Sector to May 12, 1918. Went into battle at 
 Chateau Thierry, June 1st or 2nd, fighting until 
 June 6th, advancing each day. Went over top 
 on June 6th and he was one of the men who 
 entered the town of Boursches. Fought until 
 June 12th, when Company was withdrawn. 
 Thrown into Belleau Woods again on June 13th, 
 due to threatened German attack, close to Lucy 
 Le Bocage. Entire Company severely shelled 
 and gassed. He was severely burned with mus- 
 tard gas and sent to temporary American Hos- 
 pital at Auteuil. Died June 29th. Buried in 
 American Cemetery at Suresness. 
 
 Stanley Fay. Died at Camp Mills, N. Y., 
 Oct. 10, 1918, of influenza. Body brought to 
 Blue Island under military escort and buried 
 with honors Thursday, Oct. 17, 1918, in Mt. 
 Greenwood cemetery. (Son of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Lawrence Fay.) 
 
 Ernest Fischer, Private, 14th Co., Coast Ar- 
 tillery. Left for training camp April 3, 1918. 
 Fort McKinley, Portland, Maine. Died Sept. 
 29th, 1918, of pneumonia. Buried in First 
 Lutheran cemetery on Burr Oak Ave. (Mrs. A. 
 Fischer, 332 E. Desplaines.) 
 
 Albert Hecht. Was inducted into the army 
 June 1, 1918, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., trans- 
 ferred from there to Nogales, Arizona, and later 
 to Camp Travis, Texas, where he died Dec. 9, 
 1918, from an attack of influenza and pneu- 
 monia. Body brought to Blue Island under 
 military escort. Buried in Lutheran cemetery 
 on Burr Oak avenue. 
 
 Herman Klopp, Private first class, 123rd 
 machine gun company, 33rd Division, U.S.A. 
 Killed by a shell on Hill 281, Bethancourt on 
 Forges Creek, France. Body returned from 
 France and buried in Lutheran cemetery, Sun- 
 day, Sept. 25, 1921, with full military honors 
 by American Legion Post No. 50. 
 
 Antonio Louis, 12632 Lincoln St. Sergeant 
 Co. C, 47th Infantry. Died with honors in the 
 service of his country on the 9th day of August, 
 1918, in action on the Vesle River. Body re- 
 turned from France and interred at Mt. Olivet 
 cemetery, June 12, 1921. Military honors by 
 American Legion Post No. 50. 
 
 George Ruff, died at U. S. Naval Hospital, 
 Great Lakes, 111., Jan. 30, 1918, of diphtheria. 
 Interred at German Lutheran cemetery. (Mrs. 
 Martin Wolff, 67 Greenwood.) 
 
 Walter C. Schoenenberger, died at Camp 
 Grant, Sept. 30th, 1918, of pneumonia. Inter- 
 red at Oak Hills cemetery, Oct. 5, 1918. Com- 
 pany M, I.N.G. acted as military escort. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 329 
 
 Frank Steffes, Private, Troop L., 12th Cav. 
 Hachita, New Mexico. Killed Feb. 7th, 1918, in 
 performance of guard duty. Buried in St. Bene- 
 dict cemetery on 135th St., Company M, I.N.G. 
 acting as military escort. 
 
 Charles L. Weimar. Corporal, Battery D. 
 339th field artillery, U.S.A. Died in hospital 
 at Rouen, France, Nov. 5, 1918. Body brought 
 to Blue Island in May, 1921, and interred 
 in Mt. Hope cemetery, Sunday, May 29, 1921, 
 with military honors by American Legion Post 
 No. 50. 
 
 Leo Walshon. Died at base hospital, Camp 
 Travis, Tex., Feb. 16, 1918, of dysentery. In- 
 terred in St. Benedict cemetery on 135th St. 
 
 Homer Woods. Died at U. S. Naval Hospital. 
 Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 10, 1918, of bronchial 
 pneumonia. Interred in Mt. Hope cemetery 
 with military honors Oct. 15, 1918. 
 
 Walter Wykoff. Buried in Arlington Cem- 
 etery, Washington, D. C. 
 
 The monument in honor of Blue Island's he- 
 roic dead was erected at the north-east corner of 
 the intersection of Burr Oak and Western ave- 
 nues, and was a feature of the Decoration Day 
 program, May 30, 1923. Unveiling and dedicat- 
 ory services were conducted by the Soldiers, 
 Sailors and Marines Welfare Bureau in the pres- 
 ence of a large gathering of citizens. The 
 monument stood at this location for a year 
 when it was moved to its present permanent 
 location in Memorial Park. Errors, which un- 
 fortunately were made in the original bronze 
 tablet, had been corrected and visitors to the 
 cemetery on Decoration Day, 1924, found the 
 inscription of names to be as shown above. 
 
 Tree Memorials 
 On Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1921, the Current 
 Topic Club planted a memorial tree on the lawn 
 of the Blue Island Public Library in honor of 
 the soldiers, sailors and marines who served 
 from this city in the World War. The tree and 
 a memorial stone carrying the inscription are 
 on the east lawn of the grounds. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Also on Armistice Day, 1921, the congrega- 
 tion of the Congregational church held appro- 
 priate services and planted three shade trees 
 in front of the church on York street, to com- 
 memorate the services in the World War of 30 
 young men, members of families of the church. 
 * * * 
 
 Twenty maple trees were planted in Central 
 Park on Armistice Day, 1921, in honor of Blue 
 Island's hero dead. Each tree is specifically in 
 honor of one certain hero and is designated by 
 
 an aluminum disc, with the name, rank and 
 company data stamped on. Those honored by 
 trees who were killed in action and during the 
 war: Herman Klopp, Antonio Louis, Raymond 
 Eames, Walter Wykoff, Ernest Fischer, Homer 
 Woods, Charles L. Weimar, Walter C. Schoen- 
 enberger, Leo Lerch, Frank Steffes, Stanley Fay, 
 Albert Hecht, George Ruff. Those who died 
 after the war due to injury or exposure while 
 in service: Leo Wolshon, William Burns, David 
 Bussino, Andrew Olson, Albert Wyant, Otto 
 Swigert, Frank Hopf, Albert Witt. 
 * # * 
 
 G. A. R. Memorial 
 On Memorial Day, 1926, the Blue Island 
 Woman's Relief Corps dedicated a monument 
 in memory of the Grand Army of the Republic 
 with appropriate ceremonies. The stone is loca- 
 ted near the High street entrance to Central 
 Park. It is six feet high and three feet wide 
 and bears the following inscription : 
 
 Erected by 
 
 BLUE ISLAND WOMAN'S 
 
 RELIEF CORPS No. 315 
 
 In Memory of 
 
 G. A. R. 
 
 1861-65 
 
 May 30, 1926 
 
 Community Service Flag 
 
 Blue Island's Community Service Flag was 
 unfurled and hung across Vermont street just 
 west of Western avenue amid appropriate cere- 
 monies by Mayor Edward Stein, on May 18, 
 1918. Captain John W. Gorley, vice president 
 of the Central Manufacturing District was the 
 speaker. 
 
 The flag, 6 feet by 10 feet had the words 
 "Blue Island" across the top. There were two 
 gold stars representing the boys who had al- 
 ready died in service, and a single star and 
 large numeral 425 indicating the number of boys 
 from here to whose memory and honor the flag 
 was unfurled. 
 
 # * * 
 
 "Slacker" Drive 
 
 Forty-one men were rounded up in a "slacker 
 drive" conducted in District 7 during the month 
 of October, 1917. Wherever eligible these men 
 were registered for enlistment in the National 
 army. 
 
Blue Island Opera House as rebuilt into modem Moving Picture Theatre 
 
 ■* 
 
 mm 
 
 A Modern Business Block. The Blue Island Elks occupy the second floor 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 331 
 
 The Liberty Loans 
 
 Blue Island went "over the top" on everyone 
 of the five Liberty Loans. The first and second 
 loans each went over the required allotments by 
 good margins. 
 
 The third Liberty loan drive was conducted 
 under the chairmanship of J. E. Lemon, super- 
 intendent of the Blue Island public schools, 
 who was assisted by the following ward cap- 
 tains: first ward. Postmaster John A. Lentz; 
 second ward, Alderman Arnold Myers; third 
 ward, William Witt; fourth ward, Harry Rohr- 
 bach; fifth ward, Nicholas Crossland. This 
 group was assisted by sub-committees and sub- 
 workers. 
 
 This district's allotment for the Third loan 
 was placed at a minimum of $200,000. 
 
 That quota was not only reached easily but 
 was exceeded by 60 per cent — total bond sales 
 amounted to $317,150 — an excess of $117,150 
 over the requirement. 
 
 Of the total bond sales reported on this loan 
 $276,000 was shown to have been made by Blue 
 Island people. On this record the city was 
 awarded an "honor flag," which thereafter was 
 flown from the staff on the city hall. 
 
 The staggering allotment of $500,000 was 
 given this district to raise in the Fourth Liberty 
 loan. This amount was more than double that 
 required under the Third loan. But the com- 
 mittee entrusted with the job of raising a half 
 million dollars organized and set resolutely at 
 work with the avowed object of not only attain- 
 ing that goal, but of exceeding it. 
 
 The following businessmen of Blue Island 
 constituted the general committee in charge of 
 the drive: John L. Zacharias, Nicholas Cross- 
 land, J. E. Lemon, John A. Lentz, J. M. Lo- 
 baugh, Harry Rohrbach, John H. Volp, Wm. 
 Frasor, Harry G. Dare, P. R. Fletcher, chair- 
 man; P. H. Krick, secretary. 
 
 Each of the wards of the city was divided 
 into two parts and the following placed in 
 charge as captains: first ward, W. O. King. 
 Harry Massey; second ward, John Nagel, Frank 
 Krueger; third ward, A. C. Rohe, Frank J. 
 Synakiewicz; fourth ward, E. C. Schick, Ernst 
 Luscombe; fifth ward, Martin Amelung, Charles 
 Olson. These men selected their own workers. 
 
 More than $100,000 in bond sales were re- 
 ported by the "flying squadrons" in the first 
 five days of the drive, and on Oct. 25, 1918, 
 when the campaign closed, total sales were 
 found to be $560,350— a safe margin of $60,000 
 "over the top." 
 
 Wm. M. Frasor was chairman of the Fifth, or 
 
 "Victory" Loan drive. He was assisted by the 
 following general committee: Harry G. Dare, 
 W. 0. King, John Nagel, O. A. Woodward, E. 
 B. Bronson, N. Crossland, John Aregood, Mayor 
 Edward Stein, Perry Heinecke, Robert Krueger, 
 John H. Volp, J. John Joens, Joseph Lentz, Bar- 
 ney Hammond, Fred Hegner, Rev. Theo. Gross, 
 Rev. Nirum Olmsted and Peter Heintz. They 
 were assisted by ward and district captains and 
 various groups of workers, including many 
 women. 
 
 Blue Island's allotment for the Victory Loan 
 was $375,000, a rather "stiff" requirement, it 
 was thought at the time. The campaign started 
 April 21 and closed May 10, 1919. During the 
 twenty days $517,100 worth of bonds were sub- 
 scribed for, an excess of $142,100 over the re- 
 quired allotment. The result of this intensive 
 drive was remarkable, as more than a million 
 dollars worth of bonds had already been sold 
 in this district in the preceding loan drives. 
 
 Chairman Frasor, when making his final re- 
 port thanked all those who in any way con- 
 tributed to the success of the campaign, but 
 paid a special tribute to the band of loyal and 
 energetic men and women who participated in 
 the final drive for government funds. 
 * * * 
 
 Victory Day 
 
 Victory Day, Nov. 11, 1918, was the biggest 
 day in the history of Blue Island. The celebra- 
 tion was a spontaneous outburst of patriotic 
 relief at the ending of the war. Victory parades 
 were the general order of the day and began 
 as early as five o'clock in the morning when a 
 large number of men, women and children, 
 some carrying lanterns and electric torches 
 started out with the first flash of the good news 
 that the German government had acceded to 
 the armistice demands of the United States and 
 Allies for an "unconditional surrender." 
 
 As the enthusiasm increased all business 
 houses closed for the day and everybody in 
 Blue Island able to walk or ride either took 
 part in the parades or watched from the side- 
 lines. This wild celebration was echoed through- 
 out the entire United States. Even saloons vol- 
 untarily closed their doors before 10 a.m. and 
 remained closed for the rest of the day. 
 
 Every fraternal organization, private and pub- 
 lic schools, city officials and department workers, 
 boy scouts, civil and Spanish War veterans took 
 part. Hurriedly decorated floats, flag draped 
 automobiles and hastily gathered bands made 
 the day the greatest that Blue Island has ever 
 witnessed. It was a day such as the city never 
 had before, and perhaps never will see again. 
 
332 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 American Legion 
 
 The first meeting for the purpose of effecting 
 an organization of Blue Island soldiers, sailors 
 and marines, who had served in the World War, 
 was held in the High School auditorium Fri- 
 day, March 28, 1919, under auspices of the 
 Soldiers and Sailors Welfare Bureau. The in- 
 tention of the Blue Island group was to later 
 affiliate with the Allied Army Veterans, an or- 
 ganization which at that time was active organ- 
 izing "dug-outs" among the men who were being 
 mustered out. 
 
 A temporary organization was formed at this 
 meeting with Walter Crossland, late of the mar- 
 ine corps, chairman, and Norris Quinn, secre- 
 tary. A "booster" committee was named with 
 Richard Sorgenfrei, chairman. 
 
 Harry Schlemmer 
 First Commander Post No. 50 
 
 Thirty-five men recently discharged from the 
 service were present at the second meeting 
 held April 3, 1919. A question hotly debated 
 at this meeting was: "shall this be an organiza- 
 tion of enlisted men only, or may drafted men 
 be accepted to membership." A committee 
 appointed to settle the question, after some 
 deliberation, reported back that it would be 
 rank injustice to exclude drafted men, since 
 many so chosen had bravely borne the brunt of 
 battle in various branches of the American ser- 
 vice abroad. 
 
 This question disposed of, the name "Allied 
 Veterans' Association of Blue Island" was adopt- 
 ed for incorporation. The following sixteen 
 men signed the charter application: W. W. 
 Lochow, Gordon Stuart, George Lindeman, 
 Stanley Bandock, Walter Crossland, Norris W. 
 Quinn, H. Hollinger, Dr. M. Finkel, Harry Voss, 
 E. Johnson, Glenn Diffenderfer, E. Weimar, 
 Theodore Hoffman, W. A. Nickerson, Ernst 
 Boermel, Richard Sorgenfrei. 
 
 In the meantime officers and men of the 
 American Expenditionary Forces still abroad 
 had held a meeting in Paris a month or so 
 previous and had organized under the name 
 "American Legion." This name was brief and 
 broadly expressive and quickly became popular. 
 
 At a meeting of the Allied Veterans Associa- 
 tion of Blue Island early in May, 1919, it was 
 voted to drop the name first selected and be- 
 come affiliated with the American Legion. Offi- 
 cers of the former Allied Veterans Association, 
 were retained until the new organization was 
 fully perfected. The American Legion was ap- 
 proved as a national organization at a con- 
 vention held in St. Louis in June, 1919, at 
 which meeting Blue Island's application for 
 membership was accepted. 
 
 The Blue Island group received its charter 
 as Post No. 50, and on Monday, January 26, 
 1920, the following first permanent officers of 
 the Post were elected: Harry Schlemmer, com- 
 mander; Paul T. Klenk, vice commander; Nor- 
 ris W. Quinn, adjutant; Glenn Diffenderfer, 
 finance officer; William Heatley, sergeant-at- 
 arms. An executive committee of seven was 
 chosen and dues were fixed at $2 a year. The 
 Post rented and fitted up temporary quarters 
 in a vacant store room on Western avenue, 
 north of Wessel's market, and began to function 
 in earnest. 
 
 Agitation for some form of war memorial 
 had already got under way locally, but public 
 opinion seemed to be about equally divided as 
 to whether such a memorial should be in the 
 shape of a monument, or whether it should be 
 a building which could be used as a home by 
 the American Legion and for civic gatherings. 
 
 There was a strong sentiment in some quar- 
 ters in favor of buying the so-called Institu- 
 tional building at the corner of Oak street and 
 Greenwood avenue. This building was used 
 during the war period as an armory by Co. M, 
 Illinois National Guards. 
 
 A memorial association was formed with W. 
 N. Rudd, chairman, this association to bring 
 about a decision on the question and then to 
 devise methods for raising funds. A public 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 333 
 
 vote to decide whether the soldier memorial 
 should be a monument or a building was taken 
 during the first week in April, 1919. The result 
 of this vote was decisively in favor of a build- 
 ing. Of 538 ballots cast, 515 favored a building 
 and only 16 were for a monument; 7 ballots 
 were rejected as incomplete. This seemed to 
 settle the argument, but after several months of 
 further delay, during which time the American 
 Legion Post had been officially established, the 
 whole question was thrown into the lap of the 
 Legion. There the matter seems to have taken 
 a long rest. The newly formed American Legion 
 was busy -fitting up temporary quarters and 
 pushing a drive for more members. 
 
 Then, in August, 1921, with the third an- 
 niversary of Armistice Day approaching, a 
 
 time acquired for a Memorial park. (See page 
 231). 
 
 Meantime the question of a memorial build- 
 ing, or permanent quarters for use of the Ameri- 
 can Legion, although not entirely forgotten, 
 was allowed to slumber. 
 
 But in the spring of 1924, when the city 
 council voted to build an addition to the city 
 hall the way was opened for a solution of the 
 Legion's problem. 
 
 At a joint conference of the city author- 
 ities and a committee from the Legion an agree- 
 ment was entered into whereby the Legion was 
 to lease the second floor of the new city hall 
 for a period of 50 years on the following terms: 
 The Legion to pay $5000 cash upon execution 
 of the lease, $1000 per year for the next five 
 
 A Tree Bordered Residential Street in Blue Island 
 
 movement was launched for a bronze memorial 
 tablet to be erected at some suitable spot in 
 the city to the memory of those heroes who had 
 given up their lives in the great war. 
 
 This movement gained quick support. Money 
 for the purpose was raised by popular subscrip- 
 tion and soon the necessary fund had been 
 gathered. Delays, though, again intervened and 
 it was not until Decoration Day, 1923, nearly 
 two years later, the tablet was unveiled with 
 appropriate ceremonies under auspices of the 
 American Legion. The granite boulder in which 
 the tablet is embedded was erected at the north- 
 east corner of Western and Burr Oak avenues. 
 In May, 1924, it was removed from that loca- 
 tion to a spot near the entrance to the old 
 Blue Island cemetery, property which the Blue 
 Island Memorial Association had in the mean- 
 
 years thereafter and $1.00 per year for the bal- 
 ance of the term. The Legion is required to 
 pay for the care and upkeep of its quarters and 
 may make such alterations as it may require, if 
 sanctioned by the city council, at its own ex- 
 pense. 
 
 This agreement was ratified on July 14, 1924, 
 under the administration of Mayor Paul Klenk. 
 
 Blue Island Post No. 50 has a membership 
 of more than 400. It takes an active part in all 
 civic affairs and patriotic demonstrations. The 
 officers (1935-36) are: Commander, Wm. Juby; 
 senior vice commander, Harvey 0. Antilla; jun- 
 ior vice commander, L. A. Davison; adjutant, 
 Henry W. Longfield; finance officer, Wm. 
 Schimmel; sergeant-at-arms, Walter Witte; chap- 
 lain, Guy R. Fox; historian, Ralph B. Sullivan. 
 Regular meetings of the Post are on the first 
 and third Mondays. 
 
334 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Clear Accused Officers 
 
 Desk Sergeant August Zacher and Patrolman 
 Dreischerf were accused by Mrs. Paul Truschke, 
 487 Broadway, of being pro-German and re- 
 fusing to arrest a neighbor whom she accused 
 of making pro-German remarks. The officers 
 were suspended but a thorough sifting of the 
 charges proved the accusation to be without 
 foundation and the men were reinstated on Aug. 
 10, 1918. Both officers had sons serving in 
 
 the U. S. Army. 
 
 * * » 
 
 War Time Jingles 
 
 The war and conditions connected with it 
 were legitimate and fruitful subjects for the 
 amateur poets among the boys in the camps 
 and cantonments. These jingles were usually 
 written in a humorous vein and many of them 
 were of more than ordinary merit. They were 
 generally enclosed with letters to the "folks at 
 home" and were passed from friend to friend, 
 thus becoming known to the public. 
 
 Here is one about camouflage, the art of mak- 
 ing something look like it isn't — the hospital 
 
 chef's specialty: 
 
 * * * 
 
 Camouflage 
 By Stan. L. 
 At camouflage our chef's no dub, 
 
 And every day at mess 
 He practices on all our grub, 
 With great effectiveness. 
 
 He serves a cereal, of course, 
 
 For breakfast every day, 
 The same would even fool a horse, 
 
 It tastes so much like hay. 
 
 The tea and coffee that is placed 
 
 Before us in that hall, 
 Are camouflaged so they don't taste 
 
 Like anything at all. 
 
 And he can camouflage the stew 
 
 That's given us to eat, 
 So we can't find a gol darn clew 
 
 Of any kind of meat. 
 
 On his efficiency I'd bank; 
 
 Today I tried to take 
 A bite of solid hickory plank, 
 
 Disguised as sirloin steak. 
 
 While camouflage may be an art, 
 
 We possibly may need, 
 I'm asking you, please have a heart, 
 
 Why camouflage our feed? 
 
 "—Less" Days 
 
 My Tuesdays are meatless, 
 My Wednesdays are wheatless, 
 I'm getting more eatless each day. 
 
 My home it is heatless, 
 
 My bed it is sheetless, 
 
 They're all sent to the Y.M.C.A. 
 
 The bar-rooms are treatless, 
 
 My coffee is sweetless, 
 
 Each day I get poorer and wiser. 
 
 My stockings are feetless, 
 
 My trousers are seatless, 
 
 My God! how I do hate the Kaiser. 
 
 All Balled Up 
 "What do you knit, my pretty maid?" 
 
 She purled then dropped a stitch. 
 "A sock, or sweater, sir," she said 
 
 "I'm darned if I know which." 
 
 Red Cross Fund Drive 
 
 The drive for funds for the National Red 
 Cross started May 20, 1919. Blue Island's 
 quota was $10,000. P. R. Fletcher was chair- 
 man of the local drive and was assisted by the 
 following ward captains: first ward, Wm. Frasor 
 and Martin Amelung; second ward, Alderman 
 Arnold Myers and N. F. Hilt; third ward, A. 
 C. Rohe and Otto Wielgorecki; fourth ward, 
 L. R. Hurlbut and A. M. Weaver; fifth ward, 
 L. H. Lurno and Mrs. Emil Eidam. Twelve 
 thousand four hundred dollars were raised, an 
 
 excess of $2,000 over the required quota. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Fuel Shortage 
 
 By order of the national fuel administrator 
 all places of business were ordered close for five 
 days from Friday, Jan. 18, 1918 to Tuesday, Jan. 
 22, inclusive, and every Monday thereafter. Only 
 work that was absolutely necessary was allowed. 
 This was done in order to conserve coal of 
 which there was a very serious shortage. 
 
 Grocery stores and markets could be open 
 until 12 o'clock noon on Mondays. Drug stores 
 remained open all day, but were allowed to sell 
 only drugs and medicines. All other general 
 lines were ordered closed tight. Saloons were 
 also closed on Mondays. Theatres, picture 
 shows and other places of amusements, such as 
 billiard halls, bowling alleys, etc., were allowed 
 to remain open on Mondays but had to close 
 on Tuesday. Banks and coal yards were allowed 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 335 
 
 to do business as usual and the railroads ran 
 on Sunday schedule. 
 
 While the administrator's orders seemed dras- 
 tic, all were advised to accept it in the proper 
 patriotic spirit and abide by the order. 
 
 The local fuel situation reached its most crit- 
 ical stage of the winter on Monday, Jan. 14, 
 1918, when four of the five local coal yards 
 reported "no coal of any kind and very little 
 wood." This report followed right on the heels 
 of the worst snow storm and blizzard known 
 in many years, with all of the railroads snow- 
 bound and no prospect of trains or coal moving 
 for several days. 
 
 Mayor Stein and the city officials were be- 
 sieged by people without coal. Finally after 
 appealing to the fuel administrator, they were 
 permitted to confiscate several cars of coal 
 from the B & yards (where 250 cars were 
 reported sidetracked). 
 
 The mayor and council met a committee of 
 the local dealers, who agreed to take as much 
 of the coal as necessary and to do everything 
 in their power to relieve the desperate situation. 
 It was agreed to distribute in small lots only, so 
 that all in need could be supplied. 
 
 The next day, however, the local committee 
 was informed by the fuel administrator that 
 they could not have the coal. Meanwhile 200 
 tons of coal were obtained from the Public 
 Service Co. and 150 tons were taken from the 
 public schools which were closed in the emer- 
 gency. 
 
 By Thursday morning the situation was re- 
 lieved by the arrival of eleven cars of soft coal 
 which was sent out by the fuel administrator 
 and distributed through the local dealers. Two 
 or three cars of hard coal also came through. 
 Every available team in the city was busy and 
 within twenty-four hours all of the most des- 
 perate cases had been relieved. 
 # * * 
 
 Scarcity of Print Paper 
 
 Due to a scarcity of print and other papers 
 the government decreed that all publishers must 
 show a 15% reduction in the use of newsprint 
 by Nov. 1, 191-8 or be subject to investigation. 
 All free copies and exchanges were banned, no 
 subscribers could be kept on the list if their 
 subscription remained unpaid for three months. 
 No special or holiday editions were allowed to 
 be printed. At this time there were two papers 
 in Blue Island, the Sun and the Standard. In 
 order to conserve both print paper and labor 
 the papers consolidated and formed what is now 
 the Blue Island Sun-Standard, Blue Island's 
 oldest newspaper. 
 
 Flu Epidemic 
 
 Owing to the prevalence of Spanish Influenza 
 at army camps and contonments, all orders for 
 the induction of men into the service was can- 
 celled temporarily during October and preven- 
 tive inoculation ordered for all men liable to 
 be called for service. Amusement places were 
 closed and no public gatherings were allowed. 
 
 The Spanish Inflenza was widespread through- 
 out the country and claimed many lives among 
 soldiers and citizens alike. One of the most 
 prominent of Blue Island citizens was Dr. Jesse 
 R. Kauffman, 233 York street, who contracted 
 the flu while tirelessly attending to the numerous 
 calls made upon him. He labored night and 
 day administering to flu victims, and refused 
 aid for himself until finally forced to bed, but 
 too late to save his life. He died Oct. 30, 1918. 
 Dr. Kauffman was born in Blue Island, Dec. 
 18, 1883 and was associated with his father, 
 Dr. J. S. Kauffman. 
 
 Among other victims here in Blue Island 
 were Sister M. Pancrotia of St. Francis Hospital, 
 Fred Banderob, Leonard Rothenburger, James 
 Smith, Frank Giza, P. S. Pierson, Martin Man- 
 gold, John W. Itach, Victoria Krawnec, Anna 
 M. Rauwolf, Mrs. Paul Kovaleski, Agnes Bauer 
 and Mrs. A. Oetter. In one family, it took both 
 mother and daughter. Mrs. Ida Carlson and 
 her daughter, Pearl, 844 Summit avenue, both 
 dying of the dread disease. 
 
 So widespread was the epidemic that the Lin- 
 coln School was turned into an emergency hos- 
 pital and nursery to care for the children of 
 sick parents. Blue Island Red Cross women 
 visited and cared for the sick in their homes. 
 At one time there were 17 patients housed at 
 the Lincoln School. 
 
 A second invasion of influenza and pneumonia 
 occurred in January, 1920, and this dread mal- 
 ady again claimed many victims. Although of 
 a milder variety than that which visited Blue 
 Island in 1918, it became known that one doctor 
 turned in a list of 24 cases. Mayor Edward 
 Stein and City Treasurer Walter Crossland were 
 among those stricken, but both were up and 
 around again after a few days. 
 • * * * 
 
 Fruit Pit Liberty Barrel 
 
 A "Liberty Barrel" was installed at Aulwurm 
 Bros. Store at 285 Western avenue, for the 
 gathering of peach and plum pits. Housewives 
 were asked to save all the pits from fruits they 
 canned and deposit them in this barrel for 
 Uncle Sam's use. Carbon which was used in 
 the gas masks of the soldiers was manufactured 
 from the fruit pits. 
 
336 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Richard Sorgenfrei Re-Enlists 
 
 Richard Sorgenfrei, 477 High street, after 
 serving a previous enlistment on the U.S.S. 
 Stribling as third gunner's mate, re-enlisted in 
 the navy and left for the east on June 15, 1918. 
 "Dick" was assigned to the U.S.S. Connecticut 
 during the World War. During his former 
 
 "stretch" he toured the world with the fleet 
 
 and visited practically every port of importance. 
 
 Since his discharge from the navy, "Dick" 
 
 has been a member of the Blue Island Police 
 
 force. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Sugar Rations 
 
 In July of 1918, Blue Island was put on a 
 "sugar ration". Grocers were given the res- 
 ponsibility of seeing that none of their cus- 
 tomers received more than the Food Admin- 
 istrator's allotment of three pounds per month 
 per person. Many times during this period it 
 was impossible to buy sugar due to the fact that 
 each grocer was placed more or less on a ration 
 and could not buy enough at times to satisfy 
 his trade. 
 
 The food administration issued sugar cer- 
 tificates for 25 pounds of sugar for canning 
 purposes but this did not compel a grocer to 
 sell that amount if his stock was low. Indi- 
 vidual dealers were compelled to keep a record 
 of each customer and these records were checked 
 by the Food Administrator's office. 
 
 Early in December, 1918, the boys in khaki 
 "Blue Island's fighting men" began to return 
 home, some from overseas, some from canton- 
 ments in various parts of the country, all with 
 honorable discharges in the pockets of their 
 khaki overcoats. 
 
 First Official Welcome 
 
 In Auust of 1919 the first official welcome 
 of Blue Island's war veterans was celebrated 
 by the entire city which gathered for a picnic 
 and gala day at Calumet Grove. Mayor Stein 
 issued a proclamation designating Wednesday, 
 August 27, 1910 as a holiday and all stores 
 were closed at noon. Dr. R. L. James was 
 general chairman of the celebration. 
 
 More than 4000 persons attended and the 
 returned service men were tendered a rousing, 
 cordial and happy welcome. All service men 
 were given sandwiches, coffee, soft drinks, ice 
 cream and cake, from a fund which had been 
 raised by popular subscriptions for this pur- 
 pose. Prizes for the many athletic contests 
 were donated by Blue Island merchants. 
 
 * ->:- -x- 
 
 Awarded Legion of Honor 
 
 A Blue Island boy, Louis D. Holmes, a cor- 
 poral in the A.E.F., was signally honored by 
 the Government of France on July 16, 1923, 
 when the French General, Henri Joseph Eugene 
 Gouraud, pinned the Legion of Honor with scar- 
 
 let ribbon, the highest honor conferred on her- 
 oes by France, on his breast. 
 
 Only two veterans of the World War from 
 this section of the country were thus decorated, 
 the other being General Abel Davis. Corporal 
 Holmes was the first man of the 149th Field 
 Artillery to shed blood on French soil. A Ger- 
 man shell tore off his leg close to his body. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 337 
 
 City Council Notes 
 
 (Continued from Page 317) 
 
 May 26, 1930 — Amended Zoning Ordinance 
 No. 1135 to permit the building of public gar- 
 ages, automobile fuel or service stations, pro- 
 vided the written consent is secured and filed 
 with the application for permit of a majority 
 of the property owners within 200 feet from 
 the exterior boundaries of the lot on which it 
 is proposed to locate such a building. 
 
 June 9, 1930 — Alderman Guglielmucci, as 
 chairman of the Police Committee, presented 
 a bill of sale to the city for two new Harley 
 Davidson motorcycles for use of the police 
 department which were purchased with the pro- 
 ceeds from the Policemen's dance. 
 
 June 19, 1930 — The proposition of permitting 
 boxing, sparring and wrestling matches having 
 been submitted to the people in a general elec- 
 tion and the majority being in favor of the 
 proposition, the council passed Ordinance No. 
 1306 providing for the issuance of permits and 
 licenses by the State Athletic Commission for 
 such exhibitions. Any person desiring to hold 
 an exhibition must agree to pay 10% of the 
 gross receipts to the City of Blue Island. Viola- 
 tion of any provisions governing this ordinance 
 would permit a fine of not less than $2.00 or 
 more than $200.00. 
 
 July 7, 1930— Passed Ordinance No. 1307, 
 being an amendment to the Building Code, re- 
 quiring that a separate permit be obtained for 
 each separate building to be erected. Permit 
 to be void unless work started within 6 months 
 after issuance. 
 
 July 14, 1930— Passed Ordinance No. 1308 
 providing for the issuance of Tax Anticipation 
 Warrants in a sum not to exceed $20,000, bear- 
 ing 6% interest and payable out of the taxes, 
 against which they shall be drawn, when col- 
 lected. 
 
 Sept. 22, 1930 — Passed a resolution per- 
 mitting the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific 
 Railway to install flashlight signals, each with 
 double two-way lamps automatically controlled 
 by track circuits at the 120th street crossing 
 and to discontinue the manually operated gates 
 at this point. The railroad to assume all in- 
 stallation, maintenance and operation there- 
 after. 
 
 Oct. 13, 1930 — According to the U. S. Census 
 Bureau, the population of Blue Island in 1930 
 was 16,509. 
 
 Oct. 20, 1930— Passed Ordinance No. 1312 
 prohibiting the erection of frame dwellings, 
 garages, stables, sheds or additions of any kind 
 within the fire limits of the city unless built of 
 fireproof construction, or of masonry construc- 
 tion, with the exception that small out buildings 
 such as small sheds and garages in the district 
 zoned for first or second residential purposes 
 may be of frame construction. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1930 — Sanitary District notified 
 City Council that it would discontinue sup- 
 plying electrical power for street lighting and 
 other municipal purposes on January 5, 1931. 
 
 Carl J. Carlson j. p. Wiessner 
 
 County Commissioner Former A i derman and 
 Former Police _,., „ 
 
 Magistrate Clt V Treasurer 
 
 At a special meeting held on November 20 the 
 old contract was allowed to be continued for a 
 year or more. 
 
 Nov. 17, 1930— Village of Robbins made 
 application for purchase of water from the 
 City of Blue Island. The Village of Rob- 
 bins requested that the City furnish water to 
 the village at a point where the west limits 
 of Blue Island adjoin the water main con- 
 structed by the village, in sufficient quantities 
 to supply consumers within the Village and at 
 no greater price than is charged for like quan- 
 tities through meters in the City of Blue Island. 
 It was estimated that the Village of Robbins 
 would require 30,000 gallons of water per day. 
 
 Jan. 12, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1316 
 discontinuing the offices of Superintendent of 
 Streets and Public Engineer, effective April 
 30, 1931, the end of the fiscal year. Also 
 passed Ordinance No. 1317 which read that on 
 and after May 1, 1931, the Board of Local 
 Improvements of the City of Blue Island shall 
 consist of the Mayor and all of the members of 
 the City Council. 
 
338 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS' 
 
 March 16, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1322 
 that the proposition as to whether or not the 
 City of Blue Island and the electors thereof 
 should adopt and become entitled to the benefits 
 of an act entitled "An Act to Regulate the 
 Civil Service of Cities" approved March 20, 
 1895 as amended, be submitted to the voters 
 at the general election to be held on April 21, 
 1931. At this election there was a total of 
 3658 votes cast, 2595 being "For" and 1063 
 being "Against" the proposition. A majority of 
 
 George F. Fiedler 
 Alderman of the Second Ward 
 
 all votes cast being in the affirmative the prop- 
 osition carried, putting practically all city em- 
 ployees under civil service. 
 
 March 23, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1323 
 annexing to Blue Island the land lying between 
 Sacramento avenue and the Calumet river from 
 135th to 139th streets. This territory was not 
 incorporated in any village and was commonly 
 known as "No Man's Land." 
 
 March 30, 1931 — Passed a resolution whereby 
 the City of Blue Island agreed to furnish water 
 to the Village of Robbins in such quantities as 
 required to supply consumers within the said 
 Village. Price to be the same as that charged 
 to consumers in the City of Blue Island. 
 
 April 27, 1931 — Results of the general elec- 
 tion held April 21 showed a total of 6894 votes 
 cast. Frank Kasten was elected Mayor with a 
 total of 4048 votes, George J. Landgraf was 
 given 4839 votes for City Clerk and John H. 
 Ganzer received 3694 votes for City Treasurer. 
 The Aldermen elected were, Harold C. Volp, 
 first ward, 451 votes; George Fiedler, second 
 ward, 947 votes; Louis F. Brockman, third 
 ward, 596 votes; Joseph W. Lentz, fourth ward, 
 
 815 votes; Rudolph Swanson, fifth ward, 784 
 votes; Charles H. Lorenz, sixth ward, 375 votes 
 and Clarence 0. Williams, seventh ward, 445 
 votes. 
 
 May 18, 1931 — Committee from the City 
 Council met with representatives of the Reg- 
 ional Planning Association, County Highway 
 Department, State Division of Highways and 
 U. S. Army Engineers to consider the through 
 highway problems of Blue Island brought out 
 by the proposed widening of the Sanitary Canal 
 to 200 feet. 
 
 Librarian's annual report showed the circula- 
 tion of 77,482 volumes from the Blue Island 
 Public Library for the year May 1, 1930 to 
 April 30, 1931. 
 
 June 1, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1325 
 providing for fire guards in the theatres. 
 
 June 15, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1326 
 appropriating funds for corporate purposes to 
 the amount of $483,986.30 for the year May 1, 
 1931 to April 30, 1932. 
 
 June 29, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1327 
 providing for the levying, assessment and col- 
 lection of taxes for the fiscal year May 1, 1931 
 to April 30, 1932. 
 
 July 6, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1329 
 providing for the issuance of tax anticipation 
 warrants for corporate purposes in the amount 
 of $40,000 bearing 6% interest. 
 
 L. Brockman 
 
 Former Alderman 
 
 Third Ward 
 
 C. O. Williams 
 
 Alderman 
 Seventh Ward 
 
 July 20, 1931 — Mayor Kasten appointed Blue 
 Island's first Civil Service Board naming 
 Charles Schrage, Ben Jebsen and John Wolff 
 as members. 
 
 Sept. 8, 1931— The City of Blue Island 
 authorized contract with the City of Chicago 
 to furnish water to the Village of Robbins. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 339 
 
 Sept. 28, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1333 
 providing for the zoning of newly annexed ter- 
 ritory. West of Western avenue from 135th to 
 139th streets was zoned as first residential, also 
 the territory from 135th to 138th streets east of 
 Western avenue to Division street. Between 
 138th and 139th streets from Western avenue 
 to Division street was made second residential. 
 
 Oct. 5, 1931 — Passed resolution favoring a 
 bill in Congress providing for the widening 
 of the Sag channel. Work to be done by the 
 I nited States Government as speedily as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 Nov. 7, 1931 — Mayor Kasten and City Coun- 
 cil participated in parade and celebration on 
 the opening of Chicago street car service on 
 Western avenue to 111th street. 
 
 Nov. 23, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1334 
 providing for the issuance of $21,000 worth of 
 lax anticipation warrants at 6% interest for 
 corporate purposes, Ordinance No. 1335 for 
 $10,000 in warrants for the Library Fund and 
 Ordinance No. 1336 for $9,000 in warrants for 
 the redemption of bonds and interest. 
 
 Dec. 7, 1931 — City Council voted money to 
 equip Police cars with radio receiving sets. 
 
 Dec. 21, 1931— Passed Ordinance No. 1337 
 providing for the issuance of windshield sticker 
 instead of metal plate on payment of vehicle 
 license beginning in 1932. 
 
 Jan. 11, 1932 — City Clerk Landgraf reported 
 140 deaths and a total of 204 births for the 
 year 1931. He also reported issuing 3742 veh- 
 icle licenses and collections totaling $21,797.30. 
 
 Jan. 18, 1932 — Passed resolution of sym- 
 pathy and condolence to be sent to Alderman 
 Koenecke and adjourned to Jan. 25 out of 
 respect of Alderman Koenecke's wife, Mrs. Flor- 
 ence Koenecke, who was accidentally killed in 
 auto accident on January 16. 
 
 Jan. 25, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1338, 
 an amendment to Ordinance No. 1335 providing 
 for the zoning of certain new territory annexed 
 to the third ward. Passed Ordinance No. 1339 
 regarding out of town users of city water and 
 establishing charges and applications for the 
 use of this water. Passed Ordinance No. 1340, 
 amending Ordinance No. 1306 referring to the 
 holding of boxing and wrestling matches. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1341 an- 
 nexing certain territory contiguous to the third 
 ward of the city. 
 
 Feb. 15, 1932 — Passed resolution of sympathy 
 and condolence and ordered a copy sent to the 
 family of V. B. Schreiber, a former member of 
 the city council. 
 
 March 7, 1932 — Passed resolution on the 
 death of Mrs. John A. Lentz, wife of former 
 alderman and postmaster of the City of Blue 
 Island, and mother of Alderman Joseph W. 
 Lentz. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1342 providing for a 
 general election to be held on April 18, 1932. 
 
 March 21, 1932 — Passed resolution of con- 
 dolence and sympathy of the death of Ferdinand 
 
 Frank Kasten 
 Former Mayor 
 
 James A. Noble 
 
 Former Alderman 
 
 Fourth Ward 
 
 Landgraf, an old settler and the father of City 
 Clerk George J. Landgraf. 
 
 Received notice of the filing a certificate of 
 convenience and necessity by the South Sub- 
 urban Motor Coach Co. for motor bus service 
 through Blue Island from Chicago to Kankakee. 
 
 April 25, 1932 — Passed resolution demanding 
 a three way split on the gasoline tax from the 
 State Legislature and Government. The canvass 
 of the election held April 19, 1932 showed a 
 total of 4,106 votes cast in all wards. First ward 
 Alderman Koenecke received 46 votes. Second 
 ward, Andrew Myers, 719; Charles Mosel, 456. 
 Third ward, R. Guglielmucci, 664; Henry 
 Quade, 512. Fourth ward, James A. Noble, 61. 
 Fifth ward, Fred Schroeder, 488; Max Gese, 
 385. Sixth ward, Charles A. Dewar, 430; W. 0. 
 Tackett, 241. Seventh ward, Wm. A. Gerdes, 81. 
 
 May 2, 1932 — The oath of office was admin- 
 istered by City Clerk Landgraf to the newly 
 elected alderman Koenecke, Myers, Gugliel- 
 mucci, Noble, Schroeder, Dewar and Gerdes. 
 Passed resolution favoring the appointment of 
 Wm. H. Weber as a member of the Board of 
 Tax Appeals of Cook County. 
 
 May 9, 1932 — Concurred in the report of 
 Committees on Committtees naming council 
 committees for the ensuing year. 
 
340 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 May 23, 1932 — Annual report of the Fire 
 Chief showed 129 calls answered with damage 
 totalling $39,003 or a per capita loss of $2.17. 
 
 June 6, 1932 — Public Librarian's annual re- 
 port showed a total circulation of 96,450 books. 
 
 June 20, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1343 
 amending Ordinance No. 1165 regarding the 
 licensing of soft drink parlors. 
 
 June 26, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1344 
 appropriating a total of $387,408 for the year 
 beginning May 1, 1932 and ending April 30, 
 1933. 
 
 July 18, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1345 
 covering the tax levy and Ordinance No. 1346 
 for the issuing of tax anticipation warrants with 
 interest not to exceed 6%. Accepted the report 
 
 of the Finance and Water committees that work 
 be started at once on the water main on the 
 new Ashland avenue bridge over the Sanitary 
 channel, estimated cost $2,572.50, bill to be 
 presented to the War Department. 
 
 Aug. 1, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1347 
 providing for the borrowing and issuing of 
 bonds of $23,000. Passed Ordinance No. 1348 
 providing for the borrowing and issuance of 
 bonds to the extent of $100,000. Passed Or- 
 dinance No. 1349 providing for an election for 
 the purpose of submitting the proposition of 
 issuing $123,000 worth of funding bonds, on 
 Sept. 20, 1932. 
 
 Ordered purchase of Caterpillar snow plow 
 at a cost not to exceed $2,000.00. 
 
 Aug. 8, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1350 
 making Longwood Drive a through street and 
 prohibiting heavy traffic. 
 
 Sept. 19, 1932— Ordinance No. 1351 amend- 
 ing building code and Ordinance No. 1352 re- 
 garding volunteer fire department were passed. 
 
 Sept. 26, 1932 — Canvass of vote on bond is- 
 sue showed 2950 votes cast, 745 "yes" and 
 2205 "no", on the $23,000 issue; and 2945 
 votes cast, 715 "yes" and 2230 "no", on the 
 $100,000 issue, both being defeated. 
 
 Sept. 30, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1353 
 regulating meetings of the city council to two 
 regular meetings a month. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1932— Ordinance No. 1354 with- 
 drawing certain unpaid Special Assessments was 
 read and passed. 
 
 Nov. 14, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1355 
 regulating the distribution and licensing of 
 handbills. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1932— Passed Ordinance No. 1356 
 providing for vacating of the alley from 120th 
 place to 121st street, between Gregory street 
 and Irving avenue. Ordinance No. 1357 regu- 
 lating roofers and roof repairs passed and Or- 
 dinance No. 1358 calling for a primary election 
 on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1933 for all city officials 
 was read and passed. 
 
 Motion was made and passed to have an audit 
 of the City's books made by Jonathan B. Cook 
 Co., covering a period of three years. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1933 — Passed resoution of condol- 
 ence on the death of John L. Beer, former city 
 treasurer. Also on the death of Julius Wessel, 
 former Mayor of Blue Island. 
 
 City Clerk Landgraf reported a total of 
 $17,325.00 collected for various vehicle licenses 
 for the year 1932. Fines on traffic violations 
 amounted to $1,152.90. Report showed that 
 3158 pleasure car stickers had been issued. 
 
 Report on births and deaths for 1932 showed 
 173 deaths and 321 births registered. 
 
 As a. matter of economy a resolution was 
 passed dispensing with the Primary election of 
 April, 1933, as no candidate had filed a peti- 
 tion for any city offices. 
 
 A resolution of condolence was passed on 
 the death of Alderman George Fiedler's mother. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 rii 
 
 
 Ij 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 *&§ in 
 mm 
 
 
 George J. Landgraf Joseph W. Lentz 
 
 Former City Clerk Alderman Fourth Ward 
 
 Jan. 27, 1933— Ordinance No. 1359 calling 
 for a general city election on April 18, 1933 was 
 read and passed. 
 
 Feb. 27, 1933 — Report of auditors of city's 
 books showed a corporate deficit of $27,382.12 
 as of April 30, 1932 with unpaid taxes amount- 
 ing to approximately $149,000 for 1929, 1930 
 and 1931 uncollected. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 341 
 
 March 27, 1933 — Passed Ordinances Nos. 
 1360-61-62 and 63 providing for the issuance of 
 anticipation warrants for various purposes. 
 Also passed Ordinance No. 1364 for the licens- 
 alt stores. 
 
 ing of 
 
 April 3, 1933 — Passed resolution of sympathy 
 on the death of Robert H. Airev, for many years 
 a member of the Blue Island Police Depart- 
 ment. Passed Ordinances No. 1365-66 and 67 
 regulating the sale and handling of beer and 
 wines due to the abolishment of the Prohibition 
 amendment. 
 
 April 24, 1933 — Canvass of the votes cast at 
 the election of April 18, showed a total vote in 
 all wards of 7087. Results were as follows: 
 
 A. L. Koenecke Fred C. Schroeder 
 
 Former Alderman Alderman 
 
 First Ward Fifth Ward 
 
 for Mayor, Frank Kasten. 4011; Frank Boyd, 
 2991 votes. For city clerk, George J. Land- 
 graf, 3205; Louis F. Schwartz, 3594. For city 
 treasurer, Clifford Aulwurm, 2864; Fred A. 
 Rice, 3853. For police magistrate, Carl Carl- 
 son, 3100; Otto Wilcke, 1989. For alderman, 
 1st ward, L. W. Rauch, 370; Harold C. Volp, 
 240; Christian Bohne, 79. Second ward, George 
 Fiedler, 691 ; Chas. F. Mosel, 542. Third ward, 
 Chas. A. Ulrich, 433; Julius Griff, 361: Henry 
 Quade, 360. Fourth ward, Joseph Lentz, 755. 
 Fifth ward, Stewart Sandberg, 743; Chas. Van 
 Wie, 641; Benjamin Sippel, 151. Sixth ward, 
 August Zavadil, 348; Thomas Keehan, 325. Sev- 
 enth ward, C. 0. Williams, 360. 
 
 May 1, 1933 — Oath of office was administered 
 to the newly elected city officials. 
 
 May 8, 1933 — Mayor Kasten submitted his 
 annual message to the city council. Com- 
 munication was read from the State Highway 
 Commission requesting the abolition of "No left 
 turn" sign at Vermont and Western avenues. 
 
 Mayor Kasten read the names of the council 
 committees for the ensuing year. Miss Helen 
 Boeber was appointed city collector. 
 
 The city entered into an agreement with the 
 Illinois Emergency Relief and Special Work 
 Division for the employment of local help. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1369 provided a license fee 
 of $3.00 for all female dogs and $2.00 for all 
 male dogs within the limits of Blue Island. 
 
 May 15, 1933 — Annual report of the Public 
 Library Board showed an increase in circulation 
 of 9749 volumes over the previous year and 
 asked for an appropriation of $6500 for oper- 
 ating expenses for the year starting May 1, 
 1933. The librarians report showed an average 
 daily circulation of 353 volumes. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1371 creating office of 
 city collector and Ordinance No. 1372 regulat- 
 ing and licensing public dances. 
 
 May 22, 1933— Passed Ordinance No. 1374 
 governing the selling of cigars, cigarettes, chew- 
 ing tobacco and snuff. Also provided for the 
 licensing of vending machines. 
 
 Fire Marshall's annual report showed a total 
 of 96 alarms answered with approximately 
 $12,062.50 damage to buildings with a value of 
 $314,140.00 involved, or a per capita loss of 
 only 67 cents. Also asked for an appropriation 
 of $18,350 for operation of the department for 
 the fiscal year starting May 1, 1933. 
 
 June 12, 1933 — Bond of city treasurer Fred 
 A. Rice accepted. Communication read from 
 the City of Chicago again asking for storage 
 reservoir so that the water could be drawn from 
 the mains during the night hours when the de- 
 mand was lightest. Estimate of $71,200 sub- 
 mitted by City Engineer Fox for the erection 
 of one million gallon steel tank and tower 
 with necessary foundation, site, valves and fees. 
 
 June 19, 1933 — Received notice from Sanitary 
 District of Chicago that electric current for 
 street lights and other municipal purposes 
 would be discontinued at noon on Aug. 16, 
 1933. 
 
 Accepted invitations to participate in cele- 
 brating 50th anniversary of Hammond, Ind. 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1376 naming the First 
 National Bank as official depository for City 
 Funds. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1377 was passed appropriating 
 $352,891.46 for corporate purposes in the var- 
 ious departments for the fiscal year ending 
 April 30, 1934. 
 
342 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 July 10, 1933 — Mayor Kasten submitted the 
 following appointments: Roy Massena, city at- 
 torney; R. B. Hammond, commissioner of Pub- 
 lic Works and H. J. Schnurstein, building in- 
 spector. Notified by the Municipal League that 
 after a six year fight, a bill was passed at 
 Springfield to have one-third of the gas tax 
 alloted to the city in which collected, to be 
 used for local street maintenance. The city of 
 Blue Island's share will amount to several thou- 
 sand dollars per year. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1378 providing for the 
 levying, assessment and collection of taxes for 
 the fiscal year. Also authorized application for 
 a loan of $70,000 from the Public Works Divi- 
 sion for the purpose of building a reservoir. 
 
 July 17, 1933— Passed Ordinance No. 1379 
 authorizing the issuance of anticipation war- 
 rants as needed against 1933 taxes. 
 
 July 24, 1933 — Mayor Kasten read the ap- 
 pointments of Louis A. Burkhart as health 
 commissioner; John Arnold and John Kent, 
 playground commissioners; Mrs. Robert Berry, 
 Mrs. Emil Schmitt and Don Boughner, mem- 
 bers of the library board; and Ben Jebsen, civil 
 service commissioner. All appointments were 
 accepted. 
 
 Report received from the State Department 
 of Public Health to the effect that Blue Island's 
 water supply was found fully protected and 
 safe. 
 
 It was recommended that a contract for 
 electrical energy for street lighting and other 
 municipal purposes be entered into with the 
 Public Service Co. of Northern Illinois at a 
 rate of .0137 per K.W. and asked for a sixty 
 day extension from the Sanitary District. 
 
 Aug. 7, 1933 — Received extension for the 
 Sanitary District for street lighting current to 
 Sept. 30, 1933. Passed Ordinance No. 1380 
 establishing curb lines on Wood st. 
 
 Sept. 11, 1933 — Mayor Kasten appointed 
 Louis F. Schwartz city collector, effective Oct. 1, 
 1933. 
 
 Sept. 25, 1933 — Resolution of condolence was 
 passed on the death of Louis Johler, a former 
 desk sergeant of the Police department. 
 
 Oct. 9, 1933— City Engineer Allen L. Fox 
 submitted bill for labor and material for the 
 installation of six inch water main in Ashland 
 avenue on the new Sag Canal bridge of 
 $2,113.07, which was ordered filed with the court 
 of claims as the bill was incurred when the 
 State of Illinois ordered construction of the 
 200 foot bridge. (This claim was later denied 
 by the State and the City was forced to pay the 
 bill.) 
 
 Contract for changes in street lighting cir- 
 cuits due to the switch over to Public Service 
 Co. lighting was ordered executed in the amount 
 of $4,078.87 which was low bid for the work. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1381 amending section 
 167 of the building code concerning the con- 
 struction of storehouses and warehouses. 
 
 Nov. 13, 1933 — Received another extension 
 from the Sanitary district for the discontinuance 
 of street lighting service to Nov. 30, due to dif- 
 ficulties encountered in making the change-over. 
 
 Nov. 27, 1933 — Report made of the opening 
 of an office in Central Park for the registration 
 of all unemployed in the City of Blue Island. 
 
 Dec. 11, 1933 — Sanitary District of Chicago 
 granted another 30 day extension for the pur- 
 pose of changing over the street lighting system 
 to the Public Service Co. , 
 
 Matter of making a loan through the C.W.A. 
 for the building of a water reservoir to cost 
 $71,000 was discussed and on motion of Alder- 
 man Myers was then dropped. 
 
 Jan. 8, 1934 — Mayor Kasten issued a lengthy 
 message setting out certain accomplishments and 
 outlining a tentative program for the coming 
 year. 
 
 Jan. 22, 1934— Passed Ordinance No. 1382 
 regarding the enforcement of liens on unpaid 
 water bills. 
 
 Jan. 29, 1934— Ordinance No. 1383 relating 
 to the handling and sale of beer, wine and 
 liquor was passed. 
 
 Feb. 13, 1934— Passed Ordinance No. 1384 
 calling for a general election of city officials 
 on April 17, 1934. 
 
 Mayor Kasten announced the death of Ben 
 Jebsen, a member of the Civil Service Commis- 
 sion, and appointed William Mangold to fill the 
 vacancy on the board. 
 
 Feb. 26, 1934 — Passed resolution of sym- 
 pathy on death of Bernard C. Jebsen, member 
 of the Civil Service Commission. 
 
 City Clerk Schwartz presented his annual re- 
 port showing 298 births and 179 deaths regis- 
 tered for the previous year. 
 
 March 12, 1934— The City Clerk reported 
 that the City of Blue Island's share of the gas- 
 oline tax collected amounted to $1,940.60 for 
 the month of January, 1934. No check for the 
 gasoline tax allotment was issued but a credit for 
 the amount was recorded by the State of Illinois, 
 the funds remaining with the state. This was 
 the first division made under the new law, split- 
 ting the tax three ways. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 343 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1385 amending Or- 
 dinance No. 1384 making the term of each 
 alderman 1 year instead of 2 years. 
 
 March 26, 1934 — Passed resolution permit- 
 ting the planting of 922 trees along certain 
 state routes within the City of Blue Island, 
 trees to be furnished bv the Slate of Illinois 
 and labor by the City. February gas tax allot- 
 ment was $1,721.91. 
 
 April 23, 1934 — Resignation of A. C. Sey- 
 farth as president of the Recreation Commission 
 was read and accepted. Motor fuel allotment 
 for March amounted to $1,597.26. 
 
 William J. Gerdes Chas. J. Andersen 
 
 Alderman Former Alderman 
 
 Seventh Ward and City Treasurer 
 
 Canvass of the votes cast at the election held 
 April 17, 1934 revealed a total of 4,845 votes 
 cast. In the first ward Carlton C. Cook was 
 elected with 116 votes having no oppostion. In 
 the second ward Henry Goesel polled 722 votes, 
 John L. Mangold 378; third ward, Rocco Gug- 
 lielmucci 647, Michael Esposito 526, August 
 Frentz 72; fourth ward James A. Noble 360, 
 Arthur Ladwig 464, Fred W. Reinke 9; fifth 
 ward Fred C. Schroeder 479, Henry A. Bucholz 
 389: sixth ward Charles Dewar 354, William 
 C. Frey 238; seventh ward William J. Gerdes 
 72 votes, no opposition. 
 
 May 14, 1934 — City Clerk Louis Schwartz 
 administered the oath of office to the following 
 aldermen: C. C. Cook, first ward; Henry J. 
 Goesel, second ward; Rocco Guglielmucci, third 
 ward; Arthur Ladwig, fourth ward; Fred C. 
 Schroeder, fifth ward; Charles A. Dewar, sixth 
 ward and William J. Gerdes, seventh ward. 
 
 Mayor Kasten announced the council commit- 
 mittee appointments for the ensuing year. 
 
 May 28, 1934— Fire Chief Link reported on 
 aiding the City of Chicago by sending Blue 
 
 Island's 750 gallon pumper to Engnie House 24 
 at 6345 Wentworth avenue in Chicago during 
 the Stock Yards fire on Saturday, May 19. The 
 Blue Island company answered three calls and 
 were relieved and sent back to Blue Island at 
 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, May 20. 
 
 City Clerk Schwartz reported city's allotment 
 from the gasoline tax for the month of April as 
 $1,846.38. 
 
 Library Board's annual report showed a total 
 of 106,199 volumes circulated during the year 
 and asked for an appropriation of $8,598.02 
 for expenses for the ensuing year. 
 
 June 11, 1934 — Ordinance No. 1387 being 
 the appropriation ordinance for the year end- 
 ing April 30, 1935, calling for $308,841.46 for 
 expenses for all purposes was read and passed. 
 
 Another letter from the City of Chicago 
 stressing the need for a water reservoir was read. 
 
 The fire Chief's annual report showed 158 
 alarms answered during the year. It also asked 
 for an appropriation of $18,000 for salaries and 
 expenses. Passed Ordinance No. 1388 regulat- 
 ing the sale and discharge of fireworks within 
 the city limits. 
 
 June 25, 1934— Passed Ordinance No. 1389 
 providing for the levying, assessment and col- 
 lection of taxes for the fiscal year. Also Or- 
 dinance No. 1390 relating to peddlers and itin- 
 erant merchants. 
 
 June 29, 1934— Passed Ordinance No. 1391 
 authorizing the issuance of anticipation warrants 
 from time to time as deemed necessary against 
 taxes levied for the year 1934. 
 
 Julv 9, 1934 — Read a communication from 
 the Village of Midlothian requesting a connec- 
 tion to the city water supply for village pur- 
 poses with the right to purchase water at bulk 
 prices for redistribution to consumers in the 
 village. Referred to water committee. 
 
 Mayor Kasten appointed Alfred Sorgenfrei to 
 Playground and Recreation Commission. 
 
 July 23, 1934 — Mayor Kasten reappointed 
 Chales J. Schrage as a member of the Civil 
 Service Commission; appointed Paul E. Thur- 
 low to fill the unexpired term of Perry L. 
 Heinecke (resigned and reappointed F. X. 
 Rauwolf, Mrs. H. B. Clemmons and John C. 
 Joens as members of the Library Board. 
 
 Ten thousand gallons of road oil was pur- 
 chased at a cost of .0485 per gallon. City 
 clerk reported gasoline tax allotment for month 
 of June as $2,805.94. 
 
344 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Aug. 6, 1934— Passed Ordinance No. 1392 
 setting forth an extensive street improvement 
 program, installation and cost of same to be 
 charged to the Fuel Tax allocation fund held 
 by the Department of Public Works and Build- 
 ings of the State of Illinois. 
 
 Sept. 10, 1934— Fuel Tax allocation for July 
 reported as $1,513.16. 
 
 Sept. 24, 1934 — Fuel allocation for August 
 amounted to $1,579.01. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1393, an amendment 
 to the Liquor Ordinance No. 1386, limiting the 
 number of retail liquor licenses to 50. 
 
 Oct. 22, 1934— City's fuel tax allotment re- 
 ported to be $1,646.46 for the month of Sep- 
 
 Louis F. Schwartz 
 City Clerk 
 
 ternber, 1934. Numerous resolutions referring 
 to street maintenance and improvements under 
 the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax law were read and 
 passed. 
 
 Nov. 26, 1934 — Passed a resolution convey- 
 ing to the United States government perpetual 
 right of way on all streets and alleys abutting 
 or crossing the Calumet River and Sag Channel 
 in the City of Blue Island for purposes of 
 widening and deepening these waterways. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1394 regulating the parking 
 of automobiles in alleys between the hours of 
 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. was read and passed. 
 
 Motor Fuel tax allotment for October, 1934, 
 amounted to $1,516.88. 
 
 Dec. 10, 1934— Mr. Carl J. Carlson tendered 
 his resignation as Police Magistrate in order to 
 take his seat on the Board of County Commis- 
 sioners of Cook County. His resignation was 
 accepted. 
 
 Motor Fuel allotment for November, 1934, 
 amounted to $1,629.47 according to report of 
 city clerk. 
 
 A resolution of condolence was passed on 
 the death of John L. Zacharias, president of the 
 Village of Blue Island for three terms and 
 mayor of the City of Blue Island for the first 
 two terms. Mr. Zacharias was chairman of the 
 board of director of the First National Bank of 
 Blue Island at the time of his death. 
 
 Dec. 17, 1934 — A communication was re- 
 ceived from the Sanitary District of Chicago for 
 representation at a meeting concerning the pur- 
 chase of the Sanitary channel by the United 
 States government. 
 
 Jan. 14, 1935 — City clerk Schwartz submitted 
 the birth and death record for the year 1934. 
 There were 132 male births and 155 female 
 making a total of 287 births; 105 male deaths 
 and only 77 female deaths making a total of 
 182 deaths during the year. 
 
 The police department reported the acqui- 
 sition of 6 bullet proof vests valued at $100 
 each obtained through popular subscription. 
 
 Jan. 28, 1935— Passed Ordinance No. 1395 
 authorizing the abatement of nuisance and fire 
 hazard at 2414 Union street. 
 
 Feb. 11, 1935 — City Clerk reported motor 
 fuel allocation of $1,356.06 for December, 1934. 
 Motor fuel allowance for January, 1935, re- 
 ported to be $1,011.54. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1396 vacating north 
 and south 16 foot alley in Block 2, Brand 
 subdivision in SW 1 ^ of NE 1 ^ of Section 31 
 Township 37, Range 14. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1397 calling a general 
 election in the City of Blue Island for April 
 16, 1935 and naming the judges and clerks 
 for same. 
 
 Ordinance No. 1398 regulating the operation 
 of motor vehicles in the City of Blue Island was 
 read and passed. Also passed Ordinance No. 
 1399 amending Ordinance No. 804 providing 
 for the inspection and sealing of weights and 
 measures. 
 
 March 11, 1935 — Passed a resolution of con- 
 dolence on the death of Alderman George Fied- 
 ler's wife. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 345 
 
 March 25, 1935 — The city clerk reported that 
 the city's Motor Fuel Tax allotment for Febru- 
 ary was $956.66. 
 
 The appointment of John Kent, Fred A. 
 Nickel, Ira G. Vanderpoel, Ralph Dempsey, 
 William Weiss and Walter P. Gannot as special 
 police officers of the City of Blue Island was 
 approved. 
 
 April 8, 1935 — The city council concurred in 
 the appointment of John McEvoy as Chief of 
 Police. A resolution of condolence on the 
 
 Former Police Magistrates 
 Henry W. Buhring p. W. Heintz 
 
 death of Mrs. Fred C. Schroeder, wife of Alder- 
 man Schroeder of the fifth ward, was read and 
 passed. 
 
 April 22, 1935 — City clerk Schwartz reported 
 $1,252.50 as the amount of the city's allocation 
 of the Motor Fuel tax for the month of March, 
 1935. 
 
 Official canvass of the general election held 
 on April 16, 1935, showed a total of 7400 
 votes cast as follows: for Mayor — Frank Kasten 
 3397, Fred Rice 3846; City clerk— Louis F. 
 Schwartz 4432, Max Gese 2471 ; City Treasurer 
 — Chas. Andersen 3708, Louis Johnson 2819; 
 Police Magistrate — George Heatley 3027, Henry 
 Buhring 2125. Peter W. Heintz 861, Richard 
 
 E. Seyfarth 993. For Aldermen — First Ward, 
 Henry Bauman 188, Otto C. Joens 140, Louis 
 Rauch 495, John Tichan 302, Burtie S. Watt 
 175, Marvin Labahn 99; Second Ward — George 
 
 F. Fiedler 475, Gilbert Boeber 312, George Kri- 
 zik 336, Martin C. Lohse 377, Henry J. Goesel 
 601 and Charles F. Mosel 373. Third Ward- 
 Michael Esposito 513, Frank A. Bella 613, 
 Rocco Guglielmucci 652, Charles Ulrich 617; 
 Fourth Ward — Joseph W. Lentz 869, Arthur 
 C. Ladwig 694. Charles J. Schrage 353; Fifth 
 Ward — Fred C. Schroeder 819, Stewart W. 
 Sandberg 835, Harry A. McGovern 574, Walter 
 
 F. Carlson 615; Sixth Ward — Charles A. Dewar 
 318; A. G. Zavadil 290, Thomas W. Scanlan 
 369, Harry W. Hattendorf 363; Seventh Ward- 
 Clarence O. Williams 421, William J. Gerdes 
 486, Robert L. Witherspoon 244 and Arthur L. 
 Schaller 211. 
 
 Due to an act of the State Legislature to 
 change the terms of all municipal officials from 
 two years to four years, two aldermen were 
 elected in each ward. By agreement after the 
 election, one alderman in each ward was sel- 
 ected to serve only two years. The purpose of 
 this act was to set elections two years apart in- 
 stead of holding an election each year as had 
 been done previously. In the future one alder- 
 man in each ward will be elected every two 
 years for a term of four years. 
 
 May 6, 1935 — The oath of office was admin- 
 istered to the newly elected officials namely; 
 Mayor Fred Rice, City Clerk Louis F. 
 Schwartz, City Treasurer Charles J. Andersen, 
 Police Magistrate George E. Heatley and the 
 following aldermen: First Ward, Louis Rauch 
 and John Tichan; Second Ward, George F. 
 Fiedler and Henry J. Goesel; Third Ward, 
 Rocco Guglielmucci and Charles Ulrich; Fourth 
 Ward, Joseph W. Lentz and Arthur C. Ladwig; 
 Fifth Ward, Fred C. Schroeder and Stewart W. 
 Sandberg; Sixth Ward, Thomas W. Scanlan 
 and Harry W. Hattendorf; Seventh Ward, Wil- 
 liam J. Gerdes and C. 0. Williams. 
 
 Mayor Rice then announced the members ap- 
 pointed to serve on the various committees for 
 the coming year. 
 
 May 13, 1935— The bonds of the citv clerk 
 and treasurer were approved. Mayor Rice ap- 
 pointed Louis F. Schwartz, city collector and 
 W. Otto Wielgorecki, city attorney. He also 
 named George Fiedler as acting chief of police 
 replacing John McEvoy who had been appointed 
 by Mayor Kasten on April 1, 1935. Fiedler's 
 appointment was confirmed by a vote of the 
 city council, 8 voting for and 5 against con- 
 firmation. 
 
 May 27, 1935 — Mayor Rice announced the 
 following appointments: R. B. Hammond, super- 
 intendent of public works, Allen L. Fox city 
 engineer; Wells Crockett, tax commissioner; 
 Mrs. Florence Smith, Mrs. George Borman, J. 
 C. Uehrke as members of the library board; 
 W. Kennelly, Paul Schulz, H. W. Buhring, Paul 
 E. Thurlow, Thomas Keehan as members of the 
 board of appeals; Jessie Piper, Richard Sey- 
 farth, John Over, Clifford Witherspoon and J. 
 H. Griff members of the playground and recrea- 
 tion commission. All appointments was ap- 
 proved and concurred in by the council. 
 
346 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Passed resolutions asking federal funds in 
 the amount of $400,000.00 for the purpose of 
 grade separation over the Rock Island tracks 
 at Vermont street. The allocation to the city 
 from the motor fuel tax for the month of 
 April, 1935, amounted to $1,955.11. 
 
 The Library Board presented its annual re- 
 port and asked for an appropriation of $9500 
 for library purposes for the year ending Apirl 
 30, 1936. The librarians report showed a total 
 circulation of 68,836 volumes, with an average 
 daily circulation of 228 volumes. 
 
 June 10, 1935 — Read and passed resolution 
 calling upon the County Commissioners to pro- 
 cure whatever funds are necessary to replace 
 the 45 year old viaduct over the Rock Island 
 tracks at Burr Oak avenue with a modern con- 
 crete structure. 
 
 June 24, 1935 — The City council sitting as 
 Judges of Election for the purpose of disposing 
 of the petition filed by Frank Bella contesting 
 the aldermanic election in the third ward, ex- 
 amined and counted the ballots and found that 
 Guglielmucci received 650 votes, Ulrich 614, 
 Bella 613 and Esposito 509. One disputed 
 ballot which Bella claimed and which, if counted 
 for him, would have tied him and Ulrich was 
 voted out by the council by a vote of 8 to 5. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1400 appropriating 
 $213,908.00 for expenses and salaries for the 
 fiscal year ending April 30, 1936. 
 
 July 1, 1935— Purchased 20,000 gallons of 
 road oil at .0455 per gallon to be spread on 
 streets. Motor Fuel tax allocation for May was 
 reported to be $2,058.58. 
 
 July 29, 1935— Passed Ordinance No. 1401 
 regulating the speed and operation of motor 
 vehicles. City's allotment from the motor fuel 
 tax for the month of June, 1935, was $2,225.54. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1402 providing for 
 the levying, assessment and collection of taxes 
 for the year ending April 30, 1936. 
 
 Aug. 19, 1935— Ordinance No. 1403 author- 
 izing the issuance of tax anticipation warrants 
 for general corporate purposes was read and 
 approved. 
 
 Moved by Alderman Guglielmucci and sec- 
 onded by Alderman Rauch that the matter of 
 preparing a float to accommodate the entire 
 City Council at a cost not to exceed $50.00, be 
 referred to the Finance Committee. 
 
 Sept. 16, 1935— Passed Ordinance No. 1404 
 authorizing the issuance of tax anticipation 
 warrants for public benefit, library and play- 
 ground purposes. 
 
 Received official notice that the 2% Retailers 
 Occupational Tax does not apply to city plants 
 on water and electricity. 
 
 Sept. 30, 1935 — Dr. A. J. Roemisch was ap- 
 pointed health commissioner to fill the vacancy 
 caused by the resignation of Louis F. Burkhardt 
 who had held the position for many years. 
 
 City's allocation of the motor fuel tax for the 
 month of July amounted to $2,117.26 and for 
 August $2,444.62. 
 
 Oct. 28, 1935— Passed Ordinance No. 1405 
 repealing Ordinance No. 1376 which desig- 
 nated the First National Bank of Blue Island 
 as the official depository for city funds. The 
 vote was 8 for and 6 against. 
 
 Motor fuel tax for September, 1935, amounted 
 to $2,510.77. 
 
 Nov. 18, 1935 — Ordinance No. 1406 vacating 
 certain streets and alleys and dedicating them 
 to the Blue Island Park District for improve- 
 ment of Memorial Park was read and passed. 
 
 Motor fuel tax for October was reported to be 
 
 $2,258.02. 
 
 Nov. 25, 1935 — Adopted resolution provid- 
 ing for the filing of an application with the 
 Federal Emergency Administration of Public 
 Works to finance the construction of a water 
 storage reservoir. 
 
 The License and Finance committee recom- 
 mended the reduction of the vehicle license for 
 pleasure cars under 35 h.p. to $2.00 per year 
 and for cars over 35 h.p. to $3.00 per year. 
 The recommendation was adopted. 
 
 Dec. 9, 1935 — Formal application made by 
 the Village of Midlothian for water connection 
 on 139th street six inch main was referred to 
 the Water and Finance Committee. 
 
 Passed Ordinance No. 1407 amending the 
 Vehicle license ordinance. 
 
 Mayor Rice appointed Albert Eick, acting 
 chief of police, effective as of Dec. 1, 1935. 
 After considerable heated discussion the motion 
 to concur in the Mayor's appointment was de- 
 feated on roll call 13 to 0, Alderman Rauch 
 absent. 
 
 The City's motor fuel tax allotment for the 
 month of November was $2,372.87. 
 
 Dec. 23, 1935— Moved by Alderman Fiedler 
 and seconded by Alderman Guglielmucci that 
 Mayor Rice remove acting chief of police Eick 
 at once. The mayor declared the motion out 
 of order. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 347 
 
 ROSTER OF CITY OFFICIALS 
 
 1901 - 1935 
 
 Year 1901 — John L. Zacharias, Mayor; Fred Hoh- 
 mann, City Clerk; A. C. Boeber, Treasurer; George 
 Guenther, Attorney; Emil Boehl, Police Magistrate; 
 Aldermen: Harry Rohrbach and John Neibert, First 
 Ward; John Joens and Louis Groskopf, Second Ward; 
 George Gobet and V. B. Schreiber, Third Ward; C. R. 
 Foster and William Henke, Fourth Ward; A. Danielson 
 and Max Gese, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1902 — John L. Zacharias, Mayor; Fred Hoh- 
 mann, City Clerk; A. C. Boeber, Treasurer, George H. 
 Guenther, Attorney; William H. Doolittle, Police Mag- 
 istrate; Aldermen: John Neibert and George Engelland, 
 First Ward; John Joens and Louis Groskopf, Second 
 Ward; V. B. Schreiber and August Kern, Third Ward; 
 William Henke and C. R. Foster, Fourth Ward; Max 
 Gese and George Warren, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1903 — John L. Zacharias, Mayor; Fred Hoh- 
 mann, City Clerk; C. J. Heckler, Treasurer; George 
 H. Guenther, Attorney; William H. Doolittle, Police 
 Magistrate; Aldermen: Harry Rohrbach and George 
 Engelland, First Ward; Anthony Heintz and L. L. 
 Whitson, Second Ward; V. B. Schreiber and August 
 Kern, Third Ward; William Henke and C. R. Foster, 
 Fourth Ward; Max Gese and George Warren, Fifth 
 Ward. 
 
 Year 1904 — John L. Zacharias, Mayor; Fred Hoh- 
 mann, City Clerk; C. J. Heckler, Treasurer, George H. 
 Guenther, Attorney; William H. Doolittle, Police Mag- 
 istrate; Alderman: George Engelland and Harry Rohr- 
 bach, First Ward; Louis Groskopf and Anthony Heintz, 
 Second Ward; V. B. Schreiber and August Kern, Third 
 Ward; C. R. Foster and William Henke, Fourth Ward; 
 Max Gese and George Warren, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1905 — George C. Gobet, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; George H. Guenther, Attorney; Carl H. 
 Schmilt, Treasurer; Alden P. Pierce, Police Magis- 
 trate; Max Gese, City Collector; Aldermen: George 
 Engelland and John A. Lentz, First Ward; L. L. Whit- 
 son and Anthony Heintz, Second Ward; August Kern 
 and August Marx, Third Ward; C. R. Foster and Harry 
 Rohrbach, Fourth Ward; George Warren and L. C. 
 Steinbach, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1906 — George C. Gobet, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; George H. Guenther, Attorney; Carl H. 
 Schmitt, Treasurer; Alden P. Pierce, Police Magistrate, 
 Max Gese, City Collector; Aldermen: John A. Lentz 
 and George Engelland, First Ward; Anthony Heintz 
 and John F. Klein, Second Ward; August Marx and 
 John Ganzer, Third Ward; Harry Rohrbach and Jerry 
 Jones, Fourth Ward; L. C. Steinbach and Gustav As- 
 chan, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1907 — George C. Gobet, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; George H. Guenther, Attorney; William 
 Schreiber, Treasurer; Alden P. Pierce, Police Magis- 
 trate; Max Gese, City Collector; Aldermen: George 
 Engelland and John Lentz, First Ward; John F. Klein 
 and Henry Roll, Second Ward; John Ganzer and Aug- 
 ust Marx, Third Ward; Jerry Jones and Harry Rohr- 
 bach, Fourth Ward; J. P. Mossberg and Henry 
 Groskopf, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1908 — George C. Gobet, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; George H. Guenther, Attorney; William 
 Schreiber, Treasurer; Alden P. Pierce, Police Magis- 
 trate; Max Gese, City Collector; Aldermen: John A. 
 Lentz and George Engelland, First Ward: Henry 
 Roll and John Klein, Second Ward; August Marx and 
 John Ganzer, Third Ward; Harry Rohrbach and C. R. 
 Foster, Fourth Ward; J. P. Mossberg and Henry Gros- 
 kopf, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1909 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; Thomas McGrath, Attorney; Harry Rohr- 
 bach, Treasurer; William H. Doolittle, Police Magis- 
 trate; Laurence Lusson, City Collector; Aldermen; 
 George Engelland and John A. Lentz, First Ward; 
 John F. Klein and Henry Clausen, Second Ward; John 
 Ganzer and John Wolff, Third Ward; C. R. Foster 
 and James Noble, Fourth Ward; Henry Groskopf and 
 Louis Steinbach, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1910 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; Thomas McGrath, Attorney; Harry Rohr- 
 bach, Treasurer; William H. Doolittle, Police Magis- 
 trate; Laurence Lusson, City Collector; Aldermen: 
 John A. Lentz and Herman Jauchzer, First Ward; 
 Henry Clausen and Louis Storz, Second Ward; John 
 Wolff and William Kruse, Third Ward; James A. 
 Noble and Jerry Jones, Fourth Ward; Louis Steinbach 
 and Henry Groskopf, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1911 — Julius A. Wessel, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; John L. 
 Beer, Treasurer; William H. Doolittle, Police Magis- 
 trate; Louis Staffel, City Collector; Aldermen: Herman 
 Jauchzer and William Meyer, First Ward; Louis Storz 
 and Ernst Kott, Second Ward; William Kruse and John 
 Wolff, Third Ward; Jerry Jones and James A. Noble, 
 Fourth Ward; Henry Groskopf and Walter Bruce, Fifth 
 Ward. 
 
 Year 1912 — Julius A. Wessel, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, 
 City Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; John L. 
 Beer, Treasurer; James H. Carroll, Police Magistrate; 
 Louis Staffel, City Collector; Aldermen: Herman L. 
 Jauchzer and William Meyer, First Ward; Arnold 
 Myers and Ernst Kott, Second Ward, William J. Kruse 
 and John Wolff, Third Ward; Jerry Jones and James 
 A. Noble, Fourth Ward; Charles J. Olson and W. C. 
 Bruce, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1913 — J. Jones, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, City 
 Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; Louis F. Schwartz, 
 Treasurer: James H. Carroll, Police Magistrate; Louis 
 Staffel, City Collector; Laurence Lusson, Business 
 Agent; Aldermen: Herman Jauchzer and Alfred Koen- 
 ecke. First Ward; Arnold Myers and Ernst Kott, Second 
 Ward; William Kruse and John Wolff, Third Ward; 
 James A. Noble and E. B. Bronson, Fourth Ward; 
 C. J. Olson and Walter C. Bruce, Fifth Ward. 
 
343 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Year 1914 — J. Jones, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, City 
 Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; Louis F. Schwartz, 
 Treasurer; James H. Carroll, Police Magistrate; Louis 
 Staffel, City Collector; Laurence Lusson, Business 
 Agent; Aldermen: Alfred Koenecke and Ilo G. Ward, 
 First Ward; Ernst Kott and Peter Maltry, Second 
 Ward; John W. Wolff and William J. Kruse, Third 
 Ward; E. B. Bronson and James A. Noble, Fourth 
 Ward; Walter C. Bruce and C. J. Olson, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1915 — J. Jones, Mayor; Fred Hohmann, City 
 Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; Edward N. Stein, 
 Treasurer; James H. Carroll, Police Magistrate; Ald- 
 ermen: Alfred Koenecke and Ilo G. Ward, First Ward; 
 Louis C. Groskopf and Peter Maltry, Second Ward; 
 John W. Wolff and Wm. J. Kruse, Third Ward; James 
 A. Noble and E. B. Bronson, Fourth Ward; Henry A. 
 Groskopf and Charles J. Olson, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1916 — J. Jones, Mayor; Louis Staffel, City 
 Clerk; Judd H. Matthews, Attorney; Edward N. Stein, 
 Treasurer; James H. Carroll, Police Magistrate; Ald- 
 ermen: Ilo G. Ward and Alfred Koenecke, First Ward; 
 Arnold Myers and Louis C. Groskopf, Second Ward; 
 Edward E. Hansen and John W. Wolff, Third Ward; 
 E. B. Bronson and James A. Noble, Fourth Ward; 
 Charles J. Olson and Henry A. Groskopf, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Former City Treasurers 
 Edw. H. Hopf John Ganzer 
 
 Year 1917 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; George J. 
 Landgraf, City Clerk; George J. Roll, Treasurer; Paul 
 T. Klenk, Attorney; Peter W. Heintz, Police Magistrate; 
 Aldermen: Henry J. Schnurstein and Ilo G. Ward, 
 First Ward; John Mangold and Arnold Myers, Second 
 Ward; William M. Hartzel and Edward E. Hansen, 
 Third Ward; Charles J. Schrage and E. B. Bronson, 
 Fourth Ward; Charles Adams and Charles J. Olson, 
 Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1918 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; George J. 
 Landgraf, City Clerk; George J. Roll, Treasurer; Paul 
 T. Klenk, Attorney; Peter W. Heintz, Police Magis- 
 trate; Aldermen: Ilo G. Ward and Henry J. Schnur- 
 stein, First Ward; Arnold Myers and John Mangold, 
 Second Ward; John Wolff and William M. Hartzel, 
 Third Ward; E. B. Bronson and Charle J. Schrage, 
 Fourth Ward; Charles J. Olson and Charles Adams, 
 Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1919 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; George J. 
 Landgraf, City Clerk; Walter N. Crossland, Treasurer; 
 Roy Massena, Attorney; Peter W. Heintz, Police Mag- 
 istrate; Aldermen: Henry Schnurstein and Ilo G. 
 Ward, First Ward; John Mangold and Arnold Myers, 
 
 Second Ward; William M. Hartzel and Rocco Gugliel- 
 mucci. Third Ward; W. T. Davis and E. B. Bron- 
 son, Fourth Ward; J. P. Wiessner and Charles J. 
 Olson, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1920 — Edward N. Stein, Mayor; George J. 
 Landgraf, City Clerk; Walter N. Crossland, Treasurer; 
 Roy Massena, Attorney; Peter W. Heintz, Police Mag- 
 istrate. Aldermen: Henry Schnurstein and Robert 
 Atkinson, First Ward; John Mangold and Arnold 
 Myers, Second Ward; William M. Hartzel and Rocco 
 Guglielmucci, Third Ward; W. T. Davis and E. B. 
 Bronson, Fourth Ward; Charles J. Olson and J. P. 
 Wiessner, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1921— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Harvey L. Melvin, Treasurer; Henry 
 Buhring, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Henry Schnur- 
 stein and Robert Atkinson, First Ward; George F. 
 Fiedler and Arnold Myers, Second Ward; Charles 
 Andersen and Rocco Guglielmucci, Third Ward; Jo- 
 seph W. Lentz and E. B. Bronson, Fourth Ward; Ed- 
 ward Hopf and J. P. Wiessner, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1922— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; Gorge J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Harvey L. Melvin, Treasurer; Henry 
 Buhring, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Alfred L. Koen- 
 ecke, and Henry Schnurstein, First Ward; Arnold My- 
 ers and George Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco Gugliel- 
 mucci and Charles Andersen, Third Ward; Joseph W. 
 Lentz and Charles F. Schrage, Fourth Ward; Edward 
 Hopf and J. P. Wiessner, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1923— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; George J. Roll, Treasurer, Henry Buh- 
 ring, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Harold C. Volp 
 and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; George F. Fiedler 
 and Arnold Myers, Second Ward; Charles Andersen 
 and Rocco Guglielmucci, Third Ward; Joseph W. Lentz 
 and Charles F. Schrage, Fourth Ward; J. P. Wiessner 
 and Edward Hopf, Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1924— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; George J. Roll, Treasurer; Henry Buh- 
 ring, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Alfred L. Koenecke 
 and Harold C. Volp, First Ward; Charles Mosel and 
 George Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco Guglielmucci and 
 Charles Andersen, Third Ward; Charles Schrage and 
 Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward; Edward Hopf and J. 
 P. Wiessner. Fifth Ward. 
 
 Year 1925— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Willis W. Whitfield. City Treasurer; 
 Millard A. Rauhoff, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: 
 Alfred L. Koenecke and Harold C. Volp, First Ward; 
 Charles J. Mosel and George Fiedler, Second Ward; 
 Rocco Guglielmucci and Louis Brockman, Third Ward; 
 James A. Noble and Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward; 
 John P. Wiessner and Alfred Brunner, Fifth Ward 
 
 Identifying Cut on Opposite Page — 
 Bottom row, left to right — Aid. Chas. F. Mosel; 
 City Atty., Roy Massena; City Treas.. J. P. Weissner; 
 Mayor, Paul T. Klenk; Civil Eng., Allen L. Fox; Aid. 
 A. L. Koenecke; Aid. J. W. Lentz. Middle row — 
 Bldg. Insp.. Henry J. Schnurstein; Aid. Chas. Lorenz; 
 Aid. Geo. F. Fiedler; City Clerk, Geo J. Landgraf; 
 Aid. Jas. A. Noble; Aid. Rudolph Swanson; Aid. 
 C. 0. Williams. Top row — City Eng., R B. Hammond; 
 Aid. Chas. A. Dewar; Aid. Alf. Brunner; Aid. L. F. 
 Brockman; Aid. Harold C, Volp; Aid. William Gerdes; 
 Aid. Rocco Guglielmucci. 
 

 €P^ ^^ 
 
350 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Year 1926— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Willis P. Whitfield, City Treasurer; 
 Millard A. Rauhoff, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: 
 Harold C. Volp and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; 
 George Fiedler and Charles Mosel, Second Ward; 
 Rocco Guglielmucci and Louis Brockman, Third Ward; 
 Joseph W. Lentz and James A. Noble, Fourth Ward; 
 Alfred Brunner and John P. Wiessner, Fifth Ward; 
 Charles Lorenz (1 year term) and A. B. Jerrain (2 year 
 term), Sixth Ward; C. O. Williams (1 year term) and 
 William Gerdes (2 year term), Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1932 — Frank Kasten, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; John H. Ganzer, Treasurer; Carl J. 
 Carlson, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Alfred L. 
 Koenecke and Harold C. Volp, First Ward; Andrew 
 Myers and George F. Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco 
 Guglielmucci and L. F. Brockman, Third Ward; James 
 A. Noble and Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward; Fred 
 C. Schroeder and Rudolph Swanson, Fifth Ward; 
 Charles A. Dewar and Charles H. Lorenz, Sixth Ward; 
 William J. Gerdes and Clarence 0. Williams, Seventh 
 Ward. 
 
 Year 1927— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; J. P. Wiessner, City Treasurer; Mil- 
 lard A. Rauhoff, Police. Magistrate. Aldermen: Harold 
 C. Volp and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; Charles 
 Mosel and George F. Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco 
 Guglielmucci and Louis F. Brockman, Third Ward 
 James A. Noble and Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward 
 Alfred Brunner and Rudolph Swanson, Fifth Ward 
 A. B. Jerrain and Charles H. Lorenz, Sixth Ward 
 William Gerdes and C. 0. Williams, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1928— Paul T. Klenk, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; J. P. Wiessner, City Treasurer; 
 Millard Rauhoff, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Harold 
 C. Volp and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; George 
 F. Fiedler and Charles Mosel, Second Ward; Louis F. 
 Brockman and Rocco Guglielmucci, Third Ward; 
 Joseph W. Lentz and James A. Noble, Fourth Ward; 
 Rudolph Swanson and Alfred Brunner. Fifth Ward; 
 Charles H. Lorenz and Charles A. Dewar, Sixth Ward; 
 C. 0. Williams and William J. Gerdes, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Former Police Magistrates 
 Millard A. Rauhoff George E. Heatley 
 
 Year 1929 — Frank Kasten. Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Edward H. Hopf, Treasurer; Carl J. 
 Carlson, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Harold C. 
 Volp and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; George F. 
 Fiedler and Charles F. Mosel, Second Ward; L. Brock- 
 man and Rocco Guglielmucci, Third Ward; Joseph W. 
 Lentz and James A. Noble, Fourth Ward; Rudolph 
 Swanson and Fred C. Schroeder, Fifth Ward; Charles 
 H. Lorenz and Charles A. Dewar, Sixth Ward; C. 0. 
 Williams and William J. Gerdes, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1933 — Frank Kasten, Mayor; Louis F. Schwartz, 
 City Clerk; Fred Rice, Treasurer; Carl J. Carlson, 
 Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Louis Rauch and Alfred 
 L. Koenecke, First Ward; George Fiedler and Andrew 
 Myers, Second Ward; Charles A. Ulrich and Rocco 
 Guglielmucci, Third Ward; Joseph W. Lentz and James 
 A. Noble, Fourth Ward; Stewart W. Sandberg and 
 Fred Schroeder, Fifth Ward; August G. Zavadil and 
 Charles A. Dewar, Sixth Ward; Clarence 0. Williams 
 and William J. Gerdes, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1930 — Frank Kasten, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; Edward H. Hopf, Treasurer; Carl J. 
 Carlson, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: A. L. Koenecke 
 and Harold C. Volp, First Ward; Andrew Myers and 
 George F. Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco Guglielmucci 
 and L. Brockman, Third Ward; James A. Noble and 
 Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward; Fred C. Schroeder 
 and Rudolph Swanson, Fifth Ward; Charles A. Dewar 
 and C. H. Lorenz, Sixth Ward; Wm. J. Gerdes and 
 C. O. Williams, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1934 — Frank Kasten, Mayor; Louis F. Schwartz, 
 City Clerk; Fred Rice, Treasurer; Carl J. Carlson, 
 Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Carlton C. Cook and 
 Louis Rauch, First Ward; Henry J. Goesel and George 
 F. Fiedler, Second Ward; Rocco Gugleilmucci and 
 Charles A. Ulrich, Third Ward; Arthur Ladwig and 
 Joseph W. Lentz, Fourth Ward; Fred C. Schroeder and 
 Stewart W. Sandberg, Fifth Ward; Charles A. Dewar 
 and August G. Zavadil, Sixth Ward; William J. Gerdes 
 and Clarence 0. Williams. Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1931 — Frank Kasten, Mayor; George J. Land- 
 graf, City Clerk; John H. Ganzer, Treasurer; Carl J. 
 Carlson, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Harold C. 
 Volp and Alfred L. Koenecke, First Ward; George F. 
 Fiedler and Charles F. Mosel, Second Ward; L. Brock- 
 man and Rocco Guglielmucci, Third Ward; Joseph W. 
 Lentz and James A. Noble, Fourth Ward; Rudolph 
 Swanson and Fred Schroeder, Fifth Ward; Charles H. 
 Lorenz and Charles A. Dewar, Sixth Ward; Clarence 
 0. Williams and William J. Gerdes, Seventh Ward. 
 
 Year 1935 — Fred A. Rice, Mayor; Louis F. Schwartz, 
 City Clerk; Charles A. Andersen, Treasurer; George 
 E. Heatley, Police Magistrate. Aldermen: Louis Rauch 
 and John Tichan, First Ward; George F. Fiedler and 
 Henry J. Goesel. Second Ward; Rocco Guglielmucci 
 and Chas. Ulrich, Third Ward; Joseph W. Lentz and 
 Arthur C. Ladwig, Fourth Ward; Fred C. Schroeder 
 and Stewart Sandberg, Fifth Ward; Thomas J. Scan- 
 Ian and Harry Hattendorf, Sixth Ward; William J. 
 Gerdes and Clarence 0. Williams, Seventh Ward. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 351 
 
 Railroad Strike 
 
 Protesting against the delay of the railroads 
 in granting a wage scale which had been prom- 
 ised, 713 railroad shopmen of Blue Island went 
 on strike Friday morning, August 1, 1919. The 
 strikers comprised shopmen, machinists, iron 
 and metal workers, carmen, boilermakers and 
 blacksmiths, who were employed in car and en- 
 gine repair in the local roundhouses. 
 
 The Rock Island was hardest hit having 700 
 men out on strike while the Indiana Harbor 
 Belt had twelve out and the B. & 0. C. T. had 
 only 1 out. The two Rock Island roundhouses 
 here were paralyzed by the strike, no repair 
 work being done in either of the shops. 
 
 The strikes demanded a minimum wage of 
 60c an hour for helpers and 80c an hour for 
 mechanics. The shopmen had been promised an 
 increase in February which had failed to come 
 through. The strike was general throughout 
 the country. After being out two weeks the men 
 returned to work following a plea from Presi- 
 dent Wilson that the dispute be settled by Fed- 
 eral arbitration. 
 
 The situation looked grave in Blue Island for 
 a time and had it continued for another week, 
 Suburban service would probably had to be 
 abandoned as all suburban engines are repaired 
 at the local roundhouses. 
 
 Switchmen s Strike of 1920 
 
 In April, 1920, occurred the big strike of rail- 
 road switchmen when the three main railroad 
 systems through Blue Island were paralyzed by 
 the walk-out of 400 switchmen in the local 
 yards. The railroads most heavily affected were 
 the Rock Island, 145 men; the B. & O. C.T., 115 
 men; the Indiana Harbor, 150 men. The Grand 
 Trunk was not seriously affected and was able 
 to operate, although six of its men also "re- 
 signed." 
 
 The strike, as such, was not so much against 
 the railroads, as against the dilatory methods of 
 the Federal railway board at Washington which 
 had ceased operation after having failed to ade- 
 quately settle the railway wage problem. 
 
 "This is not a 'strike'," a union leader told 
 the Sun-Standard. "The men did not quit in a 
 body, they quit individually. We have simply 
 decided to lay off for a time and go fishing. 
 
 "We are going to try out the same methods 
 that are being employed by the Federal govern- 
 ment at Washington. We shall appoint arbitra- 
 tors, conciliators, mediators and numerous com- 
 mittees, at the same time doing nothing at all. 
 
 That is the way we have been treated by the 
 government." 
 
 These were the demands union officials said 
 would have to be met before the switchmen 
 would withdraw their resignations: 
 
 1. A wage of $1 an hour for all foremen. 
 
 2. Five dollars a day for all switch tenders 
 not tending more than three switches. 
 
 3. Pay equivalent to that of helpers for all 
 switch tenders tending more than three switches. 
 
 4. Time and one-half time for all overtime 
 eight hours and for work done on Sundays and 
 holidays. 
 
 5. Double time for all work done in excess 
 
 of eight hours on Sundays and holidays. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Lib by Strike 
 
 Six hundred employees of the local Libby, 
 McNeil and Libby factory, comprising all the 
 men and women in the mechanical department 
 of the plant, walked out on strike, Tuesday 
 morning, July 15, 1919. 
 
 The strikers demanded an eight hour day, a 
 raise of 20 cents an hour and a union factory. 
 The plant had been operating as on open shop. 
 
 The strike committee presented their demands 
 to the Libby officials on Monday, giving 24 
 hours notice, and when its demands had not 
 been met Tuesday morning, the strike began. 
 Later in the week, there appeared to be a dead- 
 lock, with neither side showing any signs of 
 breaking. Picketing was resorted to and the 
 Libby plant was protected by a score of deputy 
 sheriffs. 
 
 As the strike continued minor clashes were 
 reported. After three weeks, the company 
 opened their doors and offered to take back all 
 employees, promising a raise of two and one- 
 half cents an hour to both women and children. 
 This was the only concession offered to the 
 strikers. A large number of employees returned 
 to work on Monday and again on Tuesday, but 
 through the work of the pickets the force on 
 Wednesday was cut down to five or six and there 
 it remained. 
 
 To feed the destitute families of the strikers, 
 the strike committee opened a commissary where 
 food was distributed without cost to the strikers 
 according to the size of their families. 
 
 Clashes became more frequent, on one occa- 
 sion shots were fired by the deputy sheriffs. 
 Another time a mob of strikers followed William 
 Racine, a foreman, and threatened to kill him. 
 
352 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 After the strike had lasted for eight weeks, a 
 conference between union representatives and 
 Libby officials, ending in an agreement by which 
 the workers returned to their jobs. Although the 
 workers did not gain all their demands, they 
 were granted the following six points: 
 
 1. Minimium scale for women shall be 25c 
 an hour. 
 
 2. Minimum scale for men shall be 42 V2C 
 an hour. 
 
 3. An increase of 2^ an hour for all em- 
 ployees earning more than 42^c. 
 
 4. Privilege of organizing the plant as union. 
 
 5. Appointment of a grievance committee 
 to take up all questions of discharges and work- 
 ing conditions. 
 
 6. No discrimination against workers who 
 were out on strike. 
 
 Facts Briefly Stated 
 
 The original brick paving on Western avenue 
 was opened through from the north to the south 
 end of the city, approximately two miles, Au- 
 gust 22, 1913. 
 
 The first agitation and drive for concrete 
 streets in Blue Island was made following a 
 trip of local businessmen and good roads boost- 
 ers to Detroit, on August 29, 1913, where they 
 inspected the first piece of concrete highway 
 laid in that state. Concrete roads were prac- 
 tically unknown at that time. 
 
 The original ordinance creating fire limits, 
 regulating the construction, alteration, repair 
 and removal of buildings, was passed July 18, 
 1904. 
 
 The first shovelful of earth officially marking 
 the beginning of work on the Calumet-Sag canal, 
 was dug on July 4, 1913, by Green & Sons on 
 section 5, west of Blue Island. 
 
 Blue Island women cast their first votes for 
 city officials at the general city election in 
 April, 1914. 
 
 On March 7th, 1842, the schooner "Drift," 
 was the first vessel to arrive in Chicago — via 
 the Calumet river from Blue Island. 
 
 Miss Mable Carlson, public health nurse, 
 started to work in Blue Island on April 7, 1919, 
 with headquarters in the library building. Her 
 first activity was to organize public health work 
 in the local schools. 
 
 Adopt Public Service Lighting 
 
 On Monday, Aug. 13, 1923, by a unanimous 
 vote of the City Council, Mayor Paul T. Klenk 
 and City Clerk George J. Landgraf were directed 
 and ordered to execute, for the City of Blue 
 Island, an agreement with John G. Learned of 
 the Public Service Co. of Northern Illinois, for 
 the furnishing of electric light and power for 
 homes and industries in the city. The agree- 
 ment also carried with it an option to purchase 
 the street lighting system within one year for 
 the sum of $27,000. The franchise ran for three 
 years and the Public Service Co. paid $54,000 
 cash to the city on the signing of the order. 
 
 The signing of this franchise ended a long 
 drawn-out controversy with the Sanitary Dis- 
 trict of Chicago who had formerly furnished 
 electrical energy for all purposes in the City of 
 Blue Island. The District had threatened over a 
 period of years to discontinue the commercial 
 service and it was only with the greatest dif- 
 ficulties that the city's administrations had pro- 
 longed the service. 
 
 The City of Blue Island did not exercise its 
 option on the sale of the street lighting system 
 within the year but signed a contract for elec- 
 trical energy for street and city purposes late 
 in 1933. In January of 1934 the switch to 
 Public Service Co. energy was made and Blue 
 Island municipal lighting has been furnished 
 since that date by the Public Service Co., al- 
 though the lines and equipment still remain 
 the property of the City of Blue Island. 
 * * * 
 
 Pronger Store Fire 
 
 Fire broke out in the Pronger Bros.' furniture 
 store, 346 Western avenue, on Sunday, January 
 20, 1918. The fire was discovered by a driver 
 for the Bowman Dairy Co., who noticed smoke 
 issuing from the front of the building and turned 
 in the alarm. 
 
 Firemen found a brisk fire raging and the 
 whole interior of the store filled with dense 
 smoke which laden with the pungent odor of 
 burning varnish was almost impossible to face. 
 However, after an hour or so of hard work the 
 flames were subdued but the big stock of pianos, 
 talking machines and furniture, which had not 
 been consumed by the fire were utterly de- 
 stroyed by smoke and water. But for the timely 
 discovery of the fire the Maine Grocery Store 
 which occupied the south end of the building 
 and the new Lyric Theatre which ad jointed it on 
 the north would have suffered severe damage. 
 Probable cause of the fire was crossed electric 
 wires. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 353 
 
 Diphtheria Epidemic Avoided 
 
 In December of 1921 a diphtheria epidemic 
 was avoided by prompt action of the City 
 Council. The State Health Department notified 
 the Mayor that there were more cases of the 
 disease in Blue Island than in any other city 
 of its size in the State. Dr. J. S. Kauffman 
 addressed the council on the matter and stated 
 that out of one school where tests had been made 
 more than 10 per cent of the pupils were found 
 
 Roche's Woods 
 
 One of the largest single real estate deals in 
 the history of the city was closed in October of 
 1922 when Peter H. Krick, a local real estate 
 broker purchased what had been known for 40 
 years as Roche's Woods. This tract comprised 
 nearly 40 acres in the residential district of the 
 city fronting on Maple avenue from York to 
 Union streets and from Maple to Ogden avenues. 
 
 All improvements such as water, sewer, 
 cement walks, gas and concrete pavement, to- 
 
 A beautiful Blue Island home and garden — The T.J. Cole's 
 on Burr Oak Avenue 
 
 to be infected. Health Commissioner Louis 
 Burkhardt was ordered to devote his full time 
 (which had been split up with one-half time 
 duty as desk sergeant for the police depart- 
 ment) to preventing the spread of the malady 
 and through various methods the scare was 
 curbed and a serious condition averted. 
 
 gether with ornamental street lights were in- 
 stalled by private contract and the property 
 subdivided into' approximately 70 choice build- 
 ing lots. Many fine homes were built and today 
 "Highland Square", as the subdivision was 
 named, is one of the finest residential districts 
 in the city. , 
 
354 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Dedicate Memorial Park 
 
 Memorial Park, an 8 acre tract located be- 
 tween Highland avenue and the B. & 0. tracks, 
 Burr Oak avenue and Walnut street, which was 
 purchased by public subscription as a per- 
 petual commemoration of the lives and deeds 
 of Veterans of the World War, was dedicated 
 on Decoration Day, May 30, 1922 in the pres- 
 ence of several thousand people. The dedi- 
 catory address was made by General Abel 
 Davis, himself a World War veteran. 
 * *- * 
 
 Rock Island Roundhouse 
 
 The giant Rock Island roundhouse at 123rd 
 street and the Rock Island tracks was opened 
 Thursday, July 10, 1919, after having been 
 under construction for over a year. 
 
 The new building contains 20 engine stalls, 
 each 102 feet long and 25 feet wide at the back, 
 graduating to 14 feet at the front. The total cir- 
 cumference of the structure, if the circle were 
 complete, would be 1,350 feet. 
 
 In the center of the roundhouse is a huge turn- 
 table 276 feet in circumference. This appara- 
 tus facilitates the switching of engines since the 
 tracks radiate in all directions making it pos- 
 sible for an engine to be brought in on one track 
 and by means of the turntable be sent into any 
 stall. 
 
 T. S. Leake & Company were the contractors. 
 
 Robbins Incorporates 
 
 Early in 1918 the colored citizens living 
 around the old stone quarry southwest of Blue 
 Island, incorporated under the name of "Rob- 
 bins," and elected their first village officials. 
 They were: President, Thomas Keller; Trus- 
 tees, Leroy Thomas, Robert Bryant, Jerry Tay- 
 lor, Richard Flowers, George Winburne; Clerk, 
 Wm. Harvey; Police Magistrate, Geo. Mohr. 
 
 The village claimed a population of over 
 600 men, women and children and a total vote, 
 men and women of 489. There was no opposi- 
 tion to the above named ticket and only 81 
 
 votes were polled. 
 
 # * * 
 
 "Talking" Pictures 
 
 The first "Talking picture" shown in Blue 
 Island was "The Terror," starring May McAvoy, 
 at the Lyric, Monday, April 1, 1929. Al Jolson 
 in the "Singing Fool" was billed for the end 
 of the week. "Come, see, hear and be thrilled 
 by this sensational and life-like presentation"- — 
 so read the advertisement. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Federal Ice Company 
 
 One of the largest artificial ice manufacturing 
 plants in the world is operated at Blue Island 
 by the Federal Ice Co. The daily capacity is 
 1000 tons. 
 
 An early Blue Island street scene 
 
 Install Duplex Press 
 
 In June of 1922 the Blue Island Publishing 
 Corporation, printers of the Blue Island Sun- 
 Standard and other poblications installed a 
 huge 12 ton high speed web perfecting press, 
 making possible the printing of the entire news- 
 paper at one time. The press has a speed 
 range of from 6000 to 9000 complete papers an 
 hour, folded and ready for delivery. 
 
 Question of Government 
 
 Late in 1921 a petition asking that the Judge 
 of the County Court order the proposition 
 "Shall the City of Blue Island Adopt the Com- 
 mission Form of Municipal Government," 
 placed on the ballot for the 1922 spring elec- 
 tion. The petition was widely circulated and 
 many signatures were secured but the petition 
 was not filed and the question was not voted on. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 355 
 
 Centennial Celebration 
 
 In March of 1935, a committee composed of 
 J. Floyd Smith, postmaster; Frank Kasten, 
 mayor and Fred A. Rice, city treasurer, was 
 appointed by the Blue Island Lions Club to 
 formulate plans for the celebration of the 100th 
 anniversary of the City of Blue Island. A 
 special fund was set aside to start an organiza- 
 tion of prominent citizens who were to be given 
 charge of the many different activities to be 
 planned. At a meeting of representative citi- 
 zens, held on Monday, June 18, the definite 
 date for the affair was set for the week of 
 September 1 to 3 inclusive. Homecoming ser- 
 vices in all the churches of the city was to be 
 the opening ceremony for a week replete with 
 activities for all. John H. Volp, publisher 
 
 of the Blue Island Sun-Standard and a life-long 
 resident of the community, after much urging 
 from those present, accepted the general chair- 
 manship and the permanent committee was 
 named. A method of financing was finally de- 
 vised whereby "wooden" nickels would be is- 
 sued and distributed by the merchants of the 
 city. 
 
 On Wednesday. June 26 a contract was signed 
 by a group of local business men, underwriting 
 the production, with the John B. Rogers Pro- 
 ducing Co.. of Fostoria, Ohio, guaranteeing a 
 gigantic historical pageant on four nights of 
 the city's mammoth celebration. The cast of 
 this production called for from 700 to 1000 
 persons. Centennial headquarters were opened 
 at 13000 Western ave., where registrations for 
 participation in the pageant were recorded. A 
 contest attracting more than 60 popular young 
 ladies, candidates for Centennial Queen, was 
 immediately opened. 
 
 The site selected for staging the pageant was 
 Paul Revere school athletic field at 123rd and 
 Gregory sts., where a gigantic stage was erected. 
 The spread of the stage and setting was 250 
 feet with a stage opening of 160 feet for the 
 production of the "Wings of Time" as the 
 pageant was called. An elaborate amplifying 
 system was installed, making it possible to hear 
 in all sections of the grandstand. Seats for 
 more than 3000 persons were erected. 
 
 On July 15, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Geller, of 
 the John B. Rogers Co., arrived in Blue Island 
 and started the work of picking members of the 
 cast and rehearsals were begun at once in the 
 Whittier Gym. Tbe cast numbered nearly 1,000, 
 
 and scores of horses, cattle, old time buggies, 
 railroad equipment, covered wagons, bicycles 
 and automobiles were required for staging the 
 monstrous spectacle. 
 
 The script for the pageant was prepared by 
 the staff of the Rogers Co. and was based on 
 fac^s as presented in this volume. "Wings of 
 Time" was presented for the first time on Mon- 
 day evening, Sept. 2, in 19 episodes with a 
 chorus of 150 voices, trained by Rollin Pooler, 
 furnishing the musical background during the 
 entire production. Mr. Joe Cook, of Harvey, 
 read the narration. 
 
 More than 2,000 people attended the Union 
 church services on Sunday afternoon at the 
 pageant grounds. Both Protestant and Catholic 
 citizens assembled in religious worship for the 
 first time in Blue Island's history. Dr. F. W. 
 Tracy, chairman of the day, gave a short ad- 
 dress of welcome and introduced Rev. Frank 
 Hancock, pastor of the First Methodist church 
 who presided for the program. 
 
 A mixed choir of 150 voices assembled from 
 the church choirs of Blue Island and trained by 
 Rollin Pooler, director of music at Blue Island 
 high school furnished the singing. Miss Lillian 
 Heitman accompanied on the piano. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin F. Freese, pastor of St. Paul 
 Evangelical church led the reading of the 
 Twenty-third Psalm, after which Rev. James 
 Sopko, pastor of St. Peter and St. Paul Lutheran 
 church read the scripture lesson. Rev. Leopold 
 Schneider, pastor of Central Methodist church 
 gave the invocation. Rev. Theo. G. Gross, 
 pastor of St. Benedict Catholic church gave the 
 address of the day. Rev. Aylesworth B. Bell, 
 pastor of the First Congregational church, Rev. 
 Wayne A. Garrard, of St. Aidan's Episcopal 
 church and Rev. W. J. Feme, of the Evangelical 
 Lutheran church each made short addresses, 
 reviewing the history of religion by stages in 
 the community and looking into the future in- 
 stitutions, the church, the home and the school. 
 
 Monday, I Labor Day ) dawned dark and dis- 
 mal and by parade time a continual drizzle 
 marred the program. 
 
 The parade was postponed until afternoon 
 in the hope that the rain would stop. However, 
 after throngs of people lined the curbs for sev- 
 eral hours, at 1 :30 the signal was given that 
 started the most magnificent parade ever pro- 
 
356 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 duced in the city on its way. More than 2500 
 people were in the line of march, including 
 the cast of "Wings of Time." Approx- 
 imately 10,000 persons witnessed the outstand- 
 ing spectacle. Many prizes were awarded for 
 unusual floats and groups with St. Francis hos- 
 pital taking first prize in the business group. 
 In the fraternal group of floats the Sons of 
 Italy took first prize with a replica of the Santa 
 Maria with Christopher Columbus at the helm; 
 Historical group: Blue Island Liederkranz; Pri- 
 vate group: Dave Heimbach; Comical group: 
 Wiessner's comedy band; Industrial group: 
 Rock Island Railroad. The judges for the par- 
 ade were: William Funk, Tinley Park; Fred 
 Hegner, Blue Island; Otto Reich, Beverly Hills. 
 
 The real core of the Blue Island Centennial 
 was Tuesday, Old Settlers' Day, when a crowd 
 of present and former residents and visitors 
 of the community participated in an after- 
 noon program and evening dinner at Masonic 
 Temple. Otto F. Reich, well known Chicago 
 attorney, and a pioneer in this community, who 
 is an authority on early history made an inter- 
 esting address. John Dohrman of Hobart, Ind., 
 also a pioneer resident presented a well deliv- 
 ered talk on pioneer history. Fred Meyer 
 and Louis Ott, old fiddlers, were a treat for the 
 audience. Bruno D'Ercole, accordianist. enter- 
 tained during the banquet in the evening. Mrs. 
 Ida Prymas sang several beautiful numbers, ac- 
 companied by Peter Kern. 
 
 Prizes were awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb 
 Klein, oldest couple, first; Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus 
 Van Laningham, second. Coming greatest dis- 
 tance, Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. McGregor, San 
 Mateo, Calif., first; Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Lau, 
 Gotha, Fla., second. Oldest resident, Mrs. 
 Johanna Schmitz, who has lived in Blue Island 
 for 87 years, first; Mrs. Louise Reussnow. a 
 resident for 84 years, second. 
 
 Several hundred "old timers" of all ages 
 registered at headquarters during the day, and 
 many friends renewed acquaintances which had 
 been broken many years ago by one or the other 
 moving away from the community. Many 
 happy friendships were recalled. 
 
 On account of bad weather on Wednesday the 
 Young American activities were postponed until 
 Saturday afternoon and necessarily was badly 
 disorganized. Several of the Boy Scout troops 
 who had originally intended to take part could 
 not be contacted or proper arrangements made. 
 However, several troops from the South Shore 
 and Southwest districts were present and an 
 interesting program of races and demonstrations 
 
 was enjoyed at the Pageant grounds. Troop 
 No. 728, J. M. Wilson, scoutmaster, took first 
 honors; Troop No. 788, W. Gaboriault, scout- 
 master, second, and Troop 608, G. C. Primm, 
 scoutmaster, third. Cups were awarded. 
 
 The program Thursday, Farmers' Day, was 
 quite an important affair and a huge exhibit of 
 farm produce by farmers from all parts of Cook 
 county, was the feature at Eagles Hall. Large 
 crowds visited the hall continually during the 
 afternoon. 
 
 In the evening J. Earle Smith, president of 
 the Illinois Agricultural Association addressed 
 the audience at the Pageant grounds. 
 
 Cash prizes were awarded the winners of first 
 and second place in the exhibits in each class 
 and ribbons for those finishing third, fourth 
 and fifth. 
 
 In the Thursday night presentation of the 
 pageant, Mayor and Mrs. Fred Rice were the 
 principles in the early wedding scene. It was 
 their 50th anniversary, and Rev. C. F. Schell- 
 hase, a former pastor of Central M. E. church 
 read the ceremony. Albert Stolz acted as best 
 man, Mrs. A. J. Roemisch, matron of honor and 
 Louis Rauch, attendant. The Rice's came to 
 Blue Island in 1898 and have resided here since. 
 
 The doll and buggy parade on Friday after- 
 noon attracted many gurgling, smiling babies 
 and ( some crying ones ) but it was a great 
 success and a large display of antique carriages 
 and costumes amused the by-standers. Some 
 very modern and artistically trimmed as well as 
 some patriotically decorated doll and baby bug- 
 gies were applauded roundly as the parade pro- 
 ceeded. Many prizes were awarded. 
 
 On Friday night, under a clear, cold Sep- 
 tember moon, in the magnificent setting of the 
 "Wings of Time" a full concert, given outdoors 
 delighted an audience of some 1800. Through 
 the amplifying equipment every note was clear 
 to the farthest corner of the setting. 
 
 After various numbers by the Blue Island 
 Liederkranz and Liederkranz Ladies' chorus 
 with several solos interspersed Noble Cain, di- 
 rector of the festival, and his Chicago A Capella 
 choir delighted the audience with a varied and 
 most beautiful program of music, including 
 Bach's "The Spirit Helpeth Us" and several 
 Negro spirituals. The Homewood municipal 
 band, one of the outstanding organizations of 
 its kind and directed by J. Norman Beasley fur- 
 nished the orchestration. 
 
 As mentioned earlier on Saturday afternoon 
 the young American program took place and 
 on Saturday evening the Centennial Ball was 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 357 
 
 the attraction. Again J. Norman Beasley's or- 
 chestra furnished the music and a large, merry 
 crowd of Blue Islanders, old friends and vis- 
 itors from other cities danced and had a general 
 good time. The affair was held in spacious 
 Eagles Hall. 
 
 The elaborate plans for Sunday, American 
 Legion Day was by far the most colorful pro- 
 gram of the week but on account of a steady 
 and persistent downpour of rain had to be can- 
 celled. No less than 46 units of Legion Drum 
 and Bugle corps had sent registrations and in 
 spite of the rain about 20 made an appearance. 
 However, no attempt was made to hold either 
 the parade or the competitive drills. More 
 than $500.00 in prize money was available and 
 Sunday promised to be one of the highlights 
 of Centennial Week. The committee entertained 
 the visiting units who appeared during the after- 
 
 noon at Masonic Temple with refreshments 
 and as usual the Legionnaires had a great time. 
 J. Floyd Smith, was chairman of the day's 
 program, and Civil War Veteran John S. 
 Kauffman was to have been grand marshal of 
 the parade. 
 
 The program for the whole week was care- 
 fully planned and was the greatest event in the 
 history of the city. Thousands more persons 
 would no doubt have attended the various pro- 
 grams but for the fact that the weather for the 
 entire week was unseasonably cold and damp. 
 In spite of the inclement weather, however, 
 all presentations of the "Wings of Time" were 
 greeted by large audiences, people coming from 
 miles around to witness the story of Blue 
 Island's first hundred years. It was in fact, a 
 birthday party of which Blue Island may well 
 be proud. 
 
 Old Settlers' Day Registration 
 
 ''Old Timers" at Centennial Dinner 
 
 Many visitors neglected to register on Old 
 Settlers' Day, September 3, 1935 although a 
 large registration was obtained. The list is 
 printed herewith together with the number of 
 years the persons were residents of Blue Island. 
 In other words the numbers after the names 
 are not ages, excepting of course where the 
 persons were born here and have been residents 
 since. Addresses of out-of-town residents only 
 are given. 
 
 William E. Heckler, 130 W. 69th St., 7; Edward C. 
 
 Duringer, 2926 Green pi., New York City, 12; John 
 W. Reiner, 10230 Lowe ave., 31; Mrs. F. McGregor, 
 521 Edinburgh st,. San Mateo, Cal., 35; E. Reusnow, 
 7034 S. Park ave., Chicago, lived in Blue Island from 
 1859-1885; Minnie Nagel Helbreg, 207 E. 70th st.; 
 Sophie Miller, Chicago Heights; Susan Rodenhausen, 
 7534 Ellwood ave., 67; John Doehler, Crown Point, 36; 
 Mrs. G. Katzenbueger, 6225 Oxford ave.. Chicago; 
 Henry Kott, Three River, Mich., 78; Mrs. L. C. Brey- 
 fogle, Crown Point, 16; Mr. and Mrs. John F. Dorman, 
 Hobart, Ind., 15; Mrs. Anna Hodder Knowles, 4630 
 N. Kilbourn ave., 36; Emma Schoth Bockelman, 6625 
 Drexel ave., 15; T. A. Jones, El Reno, Okla.; Mrs. 
 
358 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Margaret Esche Lau, Gotha, Fla., 36; Mary Haus- 
 man, 6111 Peoria St., 22; Wilhelm Buters, 11825 Prince- 
 ton ave., 52; Mrs. Win, H. Swett, 6653 Minerva, 43; 
 H. C. Lau, Gotha, Fla.; Mrs. A. A. Munning, 8036 
 Justine St., 67; Louise Hug, 8114 Cottage Grove ave.. 
 10; Joseph C. Lane, 11013 Longwood dr.; Peter Ott, 
 Lemont; Mrs. Anna Knirsch, Tinley Park; Charles 
 Longheld, Lemont, 62; T. M. Smith, Willow Springs, 
 24; Mrs. J. Schloer, 43, Ruth st., Hammond, Ind.; Leon- 
 ora Leighaardt, Homewood. 11; Mathilda Krueger 
 Bartels, 5206 Kenwood ave., 35; Arthur A. Fulton. 
 Tinley Park; Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Klein, 1261 W. 
 102nd pi., Mr. Klein came to Blue Island in 1852. He 
 is 91 years old. He and his wife have been wed 65 
 years. 
 
 Louis C. Luchtemeyer, 36; Mrs. A. Klopp. 7; Mar- 
 garet Wuetig, 50; John Kuegh, 51; Mrs. D. Cordt, 53; 
 Mrs. A. Kallum, 69; Miss M. Noble, 62; Mrs. Doepp. 
 69; Philip Schreiber, 69; I. LaMore, 65; Mrs. R. New- 
 house, 64; Mrs. A. Lostetter, 47; Carl Eckberg. 9; 
 Elsa W. Schmidt, 49; Mrs. C. Logman. 35. 
 
 Mrs. George Amenguld, 51; Mrs. George Gruebe. 58; 
 Mrs. H. Schmitt. 64; Louise Ostendorf, 53; Henrietta 
 Olson, 49; Jenny Schultz, 15; Mary Roemisch, 73: 
 Louis P. Johnson, 46; Mrs. C. Engelland, 71; Caroline 
 Boermel, 73; Charles Schilling, 10; W. A. Porter, 30. 
 
 Katie Mintz, 68; Mrs A. Kich, 62; Mrs. H. Baumbach, 
 77; Mrs. George Heim, 73; Anna L. Jebens, 74; Herman 
 Seyfarth, 79; Mrs. Wm. Vickers, 74; Mrs. Bertha Buss 
 Merritt, 68; Orville C. Green, 45; Thekla Staffel, 50: 
 Mary Schippel, 38; George Stringfellow, 21; Mrs. 
 Caroline Nagel, 43; Amelia Foss, 47. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Van Laningham, 49 and 75; Mrs. 
 Johanna Schmitz, born here in 1848 — 87 years ago, 
 the oldest continuous resident of Blue Island; Joseph 
 
 Fulton. 69; Louise Schweser has lived in Blue Island 
 1850—85 years. 
 John Zeiter, 46; Lenore G. Nelson, 34; Christian 
 
 E. Nelson, 35; Albert M. Weaver. 28; Sylvia Weaver, 
 35; Ambrose J. Piper, 50; Mrs. Emma L. Schmidt, 74; 
 Julia A. Schroth, 67; Mrs. Emma Bahnke, 52; Gustav 
 Volkman, 78; Christ Schilling has lived in Blue Island 
 10 years and 72 years previously in Bremen township; 
 John George Diffenbach, 71; Fred A. Rice, 45; Mrs. 
 Julia Strutzenberg, 72: Mrs. Emily Jenner, 46; Mrs. 
 Katherine Bentson. 42; Mrs. T. J. Cole, 37; Mrs. Rich- 
 rad A. Napier; Mrs. August C. Boeber, 65; Margaret 
 Dickerman, 35; Mr. and Mrs. Lester LaCount, 52; 
 Mrs. Margaret Cunningham, 33; Miss M. Luchtemeyer: 
 Lisette Luchtemeyer. 50; Mrs. Ida Schreiber, 57; Emma 
 Heide, 76; Mrs. Violet Allen, 38; Wm. M. Hartzel, 44; 
 
 F. E. Meyer, 52; Mrs. Louise Reusnow has lived here 
 for 83M> years; Mrs. Mary Landgraf has lived in Blue 
 Island since 1852 — 83 years; Minnie Luchtemeyer, 83 
 years here; Mrs. Augusta Wenzlaff. 54; Frieda Alsip, 
 48; George Oetjen, 51; Mrs. John Schultz, 33; Mary 
 L. Klein, 64; Mrs. Minnie Robinson, 52; Joseph Benz- 
 ing, 47; Mrs. Tessie Witte, 55; Mrs. Anna Kehe, 53. 
 
 Henry Engelhardt, 20; Wells Crockett. 64; Henrietta 
 Baumbach. 77; Emil H. Gaertner. 38: Myrtle Gaertner, 
 37; Lena Kaehlert, 18; Mr. and Mrs. George J. Land- 
 graf, 55; Fannie A. Beer Baird. 57; Mrs. Modesta 
 Iglehart, 55; Mrs. Mary Fouts, 40; Irene Stein Ewing, 
 43; Minnie Groskopf. 55; Louise Schoebes, 50; Wm 
 N. Hopf, 67; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Muhs, 60; Mrs. Al 
 vina Bauer, 63; Barbara Bauer, 50; Mrs. Mary D 
 Werner, 49; Arthur Swanon, 53; Minnie Koehler, 53 
 Mrs. Mary Kern, 67: Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Volp, 67 
 W. D. Henke, 76; Margaret Kruse. 65; Minnie Hodder 
 Bronson, 63; Mary Murphy Piper, 60; Mrs. Andrew 
 Link, 55; Mr. and Mrs. I. Gaertner. 54; John Bitter, 70 
 Mrs. J. Bitter, 64; Lulu Kern, 46; Mrs. W. Klopp, 41 
 
 Massed Choir for Centennial Church Services 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 359 
 
 Blue Island Centennial Association 
 
 "Incorporated not for Profit" 
 
 OFFICERS 
 
 JOHN H. VOLP, President 
 
 PHILIP SEYFARTH, Secretary ALBERT STOLZ, Vice President and Treasurer 
 
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE and DIRECTORS 
 
 Mayor Fred Rice Philip Seyfarth Dr. F. W. Tracy Rudolph Heitman 
 
 Floyd Smith, Postmaster Louis Rauch Albert Stolz John H. Volp 
 
 COMMITTEES 
 FINANCE — Albert Stolz, chairman; August Schreiber, Paul Klenk, Dr. L. O. Damm. 
 HOMECOMING DAY — Rudolph Heitman, chairman; Henry Baumann, Peter Heintz, Henry Duff. 
 PARADE — George ("Bill") Heatley, chairman; Barney Hammond, Wm. Juby, Richard Sorgenfrei. 
 FARMER'S DAY — Albert Stolz, chairman; Peter Heintz, co-chairman; M. E. Tascher, Harvey 
 
 Adair, Jacob Ouwenga. 
 SONG FESTIVAL— Dr. F. W. Tracy, chairman; William Barthelman, Dr. Scanlan, Dr. Folkers, 
 
 Aid. Rocco Guglielmucci, Mrs. Jepeway. 
 
 SUNDAY UNION SERVICES— Dr. F. W. Tracy, chairman; Ministers and Priests of all the Blue 
 
 Island churches. 
 YOUNG AMERICA DAY— Philip Seyfarth, chairman; 
 PUBLICITY — John H. Volp, chairman; Hill Lakin, Sun-Standard; Kevin McCann, Bulletin; 
 
 Wesley Volp, Suburban Star. 
 
 PROPERTIES — Louis Rauch, chairman; Mayor Fred Rice, H. Shipman, Harold C. Volp, Phil Sey- 
 farth. 
 
 AMERICAN LEGION DAY — J. Floyd Smith, chairman; Wm. Juby, Commander American Legion, 
 co-chairman; Ralph Sullivan, Albert Depew, Harvey Antilla, Harry Burkhart, A. L. 
 Davidson, Henry Langfield. 
 
 MARDI GRAS— Mayor Fred Rice, chairman; Phil Seyfarth, Dr. F. W. Tracy. 
 
 CENTENNIAL BALL— Mayor Fred Rice, Al Stolz, Mrs. George Borman. 
 
 BABY PARADE— Mrs. Don Boughner, chairman; Mrs. G. Klein, Mrs. C. 0. Williams, Mrs. Claude 
 Harvey, Mrs. Henry Kott, Mrs. W. Hazel. Mrs. G. Brockman, Mrs. Howard Huffman, 
 Mrs. W. Gerstenkorn, Mrs. Harold C. Volp, Mrs. Howard Wright. 
 
 TALENT COMMITTEE— Phil Seyfarth, chairman. 
 
 TICKET COMMITTEE — Don Boughner, chairman; Ed. Martens, Herbert Gierman, Ed. Stothard, 
 A. C. Selsdorf, Bert Frobish. 
 
 RELICS COMMITTEE— Mrs. Ed. Martens, chairman; Mrs. Albert Stolz, Mrs. Charles Gunkle, 
 Miss Sarah Noble. 
 
360 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 "Wings Of Time" 
 
 Historical Narrations by Joe Cook 
 
 PROLOGUE 
 
 The blare of trumpets and the roll of drums 
 by the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps 
 announces the appearance of Miss Blue Island, 
 Queen of the Centennial; Miss Columbia, and 
 her Forty-eight States; the Princesses of the 
 Court; the Pages, and the Guard of Honor. 
 
 Miss Blue Island greets Miss Columbia and 
 the Forty-eight States and requests them to join 
 her in witnessing the unfolding of the colorful 
 history of Blue Island in state from the Court of 
 Honor. 
 
 EPISODE ONE— The Red Man. 
 
 Prior to the coming of the White Man, this 
 section of the present state of Illinois and the 
 present site of Blue Island was occupied by a 
 village of Pottawatomies, of the Algonquin tribe. 
 We see the Indians making camp. In the center 
 of the circle of teepees we see the Chiefs and 
 their warriors seated around a council fire; 
 squaws busy themselves preparing food over the 
 open fires, tanning the hides brought in from 
 the hunt, making baskets and blankets. 
 
 EPISODE TWO— The First White Men. 
 
 Father Pere Marquette and Louis Joliet, with 
 their small army of followers were the first white 
 men to set foot on "the blue island."' Mar- 
 quette and Joliet followed the western shore line 
 of Lake Michigan and then westward over the 
 Calumet River in their search for the "Father 
 of Waters," the Mississippi River. Father Mar- 
 quette attempted to teach Christianity to the In- 
 dians as they wended their way through this 
 savage territory; evidently they stayed here in 
 1674 before going to Palos to establish a mis- 
 sion. 
 
 More than 150 years later, in the summer of 
 1831, the Indians decided to leave this territory 
 because of the incoming whites. The old Chief, 
 and one or two others, could not be persuaded 
 to leave, and these few Indians were the only 
 remaining Red Men when the White Men started 
 to settle this territory. 
 
 EPISODE THREE— The Pioneers. 
 
 A hundred years ago many a wagon train 
 came across the prairie on their trek westward 
 in the hope of finding a more promising land. 
 We see a group of these sturdy pioneers and 
 
 courageous women as they follow the sun across 
 lands inhabited by the savage Indians who re- 
 sented this invasion by the Whites. After a day's 
 hard journey the members of the little wagon 
 train make camp for the night; some prepare 
 the evening meal as others do the daily chores 
 of washing, making yarn, weaving, milking, 
 churning; the men cut wood for the fires, hunt 
 for food and game, take care of their livestock 
 and keep a sharp watch for raiding Indians. 
 Enduring many hardships, they continue on 
 until they reach the fertile land on the shores of 
 Lake Michigan. 
 
 EPISODE FOUR— The First White Settlers. 
 
 In 1835, Norman Rexford, a native of Char- 
 lotte, Vermont, drove by team to Chicago, ar- 
 riving on the 5th of June. He visited for a short 
 time with his brother Stephen, who had preceded 
 him and was located in Bachelor's Grove. A 
 few months later Norman Rexford selected a 
 site near the northern end of the "blue island" 
 in a locality at that time referred to as the "long 
 wood." Here he erected a four-room log cabin, 
 in which he kept a tavern. This venture evi- 
 dently did not prove satisfactory for, in the 
 fall of the following year, he moved four miles 
 farther south into the territory which later was 
 to become the city of Blue Island. 
 
 He selected a location on the southern brow 
 of the hill, a spot which commanded a wide view 
 of the surrounding lower country. Here he 
 erected a combination residence and hotel build- 
 ing, the frame of which was hewed from native 
 timber, and sided with boards brought by team 
 from Pine Creek, Indiana. 
 
 This Inn became the stopping place for offi- 
 cers going to and fro between old Fort Vin- 
 cennes in Indiana and Fort Dearborn at Chi- 
 cago — for the Vincennes Road passed through 
 Blue Island and connected the two forts. Rex- 
 ford's inn was known as the "Blue Island 
 House" and was the first building of a per- 
 manent character to be erected here. 
 
 When Rexford located here the one-room log 
 cabin of Thomas Courtney was the only other 
 habitation on the southern end of the "island." 
 Courtney had come with his wife and child from 
 the East the year previous. He had built a small 
 log cabin near where the First Lutheran church 
 now stands. Beyond these few facts history is 
 silent on any further reference to this man 
 Courtney and his family. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 361 
 
 EPISODE FIVE— The First Postoffice. 
 
 A postoffice was established at Blue Island in 
 1838, with Norman Rexford as postmaster, in 
 which capacity he served for a number of years. 
 During that time, his son, Fayette — about nine 
 years old — took mail from Chicago to Bun- 
 combe, Illinois (a distance of about 90 miles) 
 each week. We see the stage coach arriving 
 from Chicago with its cargo of passengers, mail 
 and express: and then Fayette starts his long 
 journey. 
 
 The official name of this postoffice was 
 "Worth" though the settlers preferred to call it 
 Blue Island, which name was given to it legally 
 in 1872 when the village was organized. 
 
 EPISODE SIX — The First Church Services. 
 
 Religious services were not dependent upon 
 creed; but were, rather, community meetings, 
 regardless of faith. A traveling Methodist 
 
 were thirty-two families in the village, an at- 
 tempt was made to get educational facilities for 
 the children. A one-story frame building was 
 erected, this building being used as a town hall, 
 where public gatherings of all sorts were held 
 when there was no school. Wm. Hamilton, Dan- 
 iel Barnard and Mary Perkins were the first 
 teachers in this school. There had been, pre- 
 vious to this, a school for girls, conducted by 
 the Misses Elizabeth and Adelaide Periam in 
 their home. 
 
 We see one of these early sessions where there 
 were no desks, the scholars sitting on long 
 benches; when it was necessary to use their 
 slates, the students usually sat on the floor using 
 the benches for desks. 
 
 EPISODE EIGHT— An Early Wedding. 
 
 One of the colorful events of the social life 
 in 1850 was a wedding and most of the settlers 
 their "Sunday-best" for the ceremony 
 
 came in 
 
 The Pioneers in the 
 
 preacher — a farmer near Kankakee — sometimes 
 stopped over on his way to Chicago with pro- 
 duce on Saturday morning, bringing his Sunday 
 clothes in a trunk. On Sunday he preached and 
 again on Monday, went his way to market. We 
 see one of these gatherings which during the 
 summer months, were often held under the shad- 
 ing trees. 
 
 EPISODE SEVEN— An Early School. 
 
 Many of the children of the settlers had their 
 first schooling at home. In 1848, when there 
 
 Centennial Pageant 
 
 and the festivities which followed. We see the 
 bride and groom united in marriage and then 
 receiving the congratulations of their guests be- 
 fore they all join in a gay Virginia Reel. 
 
 EPISODE NINE— The First Railroad. 
 
 The Rock Island Railroad was built into 
 Blue Island in 1852, and the first train came in 
 on Sunday, October 10th, that same year. The 
 name of the locomotive was the "Rocket," which 
 pulled six coaches. N. W. Wheeler was the con- 
 ductor. The engine burned wood and at Blue 
 Island there was a large refueling yard. 
 
362 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 We see the men at work on the roadbed; lay- 
 ing ties and rails; and then, amid the lusty 
 cheers of the populace, in roars this first "steam 
 monster." 
 
 The Illinois Central Railroad extended its 
 suburban service to Blue Island in 1889, con- 
 necting this city with the main lines of this 
 great railroad service. Seven railroads converge 
 at Blue Island today, four of them being trunk 
 lines. 
 
 EPISODE TEN— The German Settlers. 
 
 Many men and women of German birth or 
 extraction came to Blue Island in the years be- 
 tween 1848 and 1860. Among the first were 
 August Schreiber, Ludwig Krueger, Theodore 
 Guenther, John Engelhardt, Ernst Uhlich, 
 Charles Ellfeldt, and others. Being fond of 
 music, a little group of men — Charles Ellfeldt, 
 August Schreiber, Friederich Sauerteig, August 
 Schubert, Louis Brandt, August Bulle, Henry 
 Schmitt and two brothers named Bode — got to- 
 gether that they might sing songs of their 
 Fatherland. 
 
 "Saengerbund" was the name under which 
 they went for some time and Charles Ellfeldt 
 soon became their leader. By 1853, they had 
 decided to organize under the name "Blue Island 
 Liederkranz." 
 
 We see a group that have met in Ellfeldt's 
 "Lustgarden," which was patterned after the 
 beer garden of the old country, for an evening's 
 entertainment. 
 
 EPISODE ELEVEN— The Ballet of Beauty and 
 Fertility. 
 
 Blue Island and Illinois depend, to a large 
 extent, upon the agricultural wealth of their 
 land. Blue Island is famed for its onions, Illi- 
 nois is known for its corn and wheat. We see 
 these Growing Things merrily swaying in the 
 breeze when along comes a Driving Rain and 
 beats them to the ground. Following the Rain 
 comes the Sun and Sunbeams and again we see 
 the green fields raise their heads as a beautiful 
 Rainbow forms its arch. 
 
 EPISODE TWELVE— Civil War. 
 
 In 1861, when President Abraham Lincoln is- 
 sued a general call for 75,000 volunteers to fight 
 for the cause of the North, many men from Blue 
 Island responded immediately. 
 
 We see the excited crowds as the first news of 
 war is heard; the men leave their business, drop 
 their plows, and enlist. The women are working 
 
 feverishly on new uniforms and a beautiful flag 
 which was presented to the men just before thev 
 marched away. 
 
 EPISODE THIRTEEN— Incorporation of Blue 
 Island. 
 
 When the postoffice was established in 1838, 
 the official name of "Worth" was given to this 
 community, but the settlers always favored the 
 name "Blue Island." 
 
 The citizens were desirous of having the vil- 
 lage organized and recognized as such. Thev 
 petitioned the State, asking that they might have 
 the question submitted to the legal voters. This 
 petition was dated July 5, 1872, and sworn to 
 August 13, 1872. 
 
 On August 22, 1872, Judge Wallace gave no- 
 tice of an election for voting on the village in- 
 corporation to be held at Gottlieb Klein's home 
 on Saturday, September 7, 1872. Christian 
 Krueger, Henry Bertrand and Hart Massey were 
 appointed judges of the election. 
 
 It was a memorable event, as there were many 
 arguments between opponents, but the result was 
 overwhelmingly for it. 
 
 We see the great celebration that took place 
 in Blue Island that night; there was much re- 
 joicing as the multitude, led by a small band, 
 paraded the streets jubilantly. 
 
 EPISODE FOURTEEN— Spanish- American 
 War. 
 
 Again in 1898, America heard the cry of war. 
 Under the command of Col. Theodore Roosevelt 
 these brave men pressed forward with the slogan 
 "Remember the Maine." 
 
 We see a bivouac scene; the soldiers are rest- 
 ing around a camp fire as a messenger brings the 
 orders for an early morning attack. 
 
 EPISODE FIFTEEN— The Automobile Era. 
 
 About the time of the Spanish-American War 
 high-wheeler bicycles and tandum bicycles made 
 their appearance on the streets of Blue Island. 
 And then, the "horseless carriage" is praised and 
 ridiculed as it chugs along at the beginning of 
 the twentieth century. 
 
 We see "young sports" as they try out the 
 new two- wheeled contraptions; and listen to 
 their jeers as the proud owner of the first auto- 
 mobile makes his appearance. And then the 
 frightened horse nearly breaks away as the 
 "gasoline buggy" bounces here and there. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 363 
 
 : rmi^pimm:$im&^\ 
 
 Blue Island Grade School Band 
 Pictured in front of Whittier School Building 
 
 EPISODE SIXTEEN— The World War. 
 
 War! War! Bleeding humanity of the Old 
 World seeks help from young, prosperous 
 America. Illinois' boys respond. What devasta- 
 tion! What Horror! And finally what a vic- 
 tory! 
 
 EPISODE SEVENTEEN— Peace. 
 
 "If you break faith with us who died, 
 
 We shall not sleep, 
 
 Though poppies grow in Flanders Field/' 
 
 EPISODE EIGHTEEN— The Grand Finale. 
 
 By land and sea, from all corners of the 
 world, people come to Blue Island where patri- 
 otism changes all who enter into a great people — 
 Americans. 
 
 This spectacle symbolizes the growth of Amer- 
 ica and will be climaxed by the "Wheel of 
 Progress" showing the Spirit of Blue Island in 
 its ever-forward movement. "May Forward be 
 your watchword — Perfection your goal." 
 
 THE END. 
 
 + + 
 
 Staged by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gellei 
 
 Massed Choir under direction of . . Mr. R. Pooler 
 
 Music director Mr. J. Norman Beasley 
 
 Piano accompaniments by '. Mrs. Irene Hegner Jerstrom 
 
 Makeup room Mrs. George Joens, Jule Shipman 
 
364 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Cast of Characters "Wings of Time" 
 
 Miss Blue Island, Queen of Pageant Irene Kott 
 
 Miss Columbia Louise Rauch 
 
 Princesses 
 
 Jewel Andersen Margie Cure Eleanor Weisenberger Edna Weinberger 
 
 Gertrude Dornhecker Alice Christensen Vivian Jepeway Margaret Hilt 
 
 Beulah Mailhoit Lavergne Kuiken Alice Stettnisch Lillian Troemel 
 
 Evelyn Costello 
 
 FLOWER GIRLS 
 
 Pat Wright Genevive Hunstock Jewel Pahlke 
 
 Marlis Van Overtsraeten Jean Brondell Margaret Teutsch 
 
 Ann Jerstrom Marion Volp 
 
 PAGES 
 
 Lois Schultz Mary Kathlyn Morin Jean Nash Lamar Landgraf 
 
 GUARDS TO THE QUEEN 
 
 Leona Wilson Ruth Schuldt Clara Gustafson Jean Pahlke 
 
 Waneta Bock Virginia Sisco Jane Seyfarth Agnes Haack 
 
 Marjorie Mager Santena Piretti Betty Bauch Magdalon Kissel 
 
 STATES 
 
 Mrs. Helen Holt Mrs. Irene Ewing Mrs. Sylvia Weaver Mrs. Agnes Heckler 
 
 Mrs. Florence Lee Mrs. Georgetta Nash Mrs. Etta Juby Mrs. Carl Caul 
 
 Mrs. Anna Mueller Mrs. Mary Marchessault Mrs. Frances Dost Mrs. Anita Hupe 
 
 Mrs. Manilla Hanson Mrs. Wm. Weir Mrs. Gretchen Stolz Miss Dorothy Jauchzer 
 
 Mrs. Marie Kovalesky Mrs. Irene Rauch Mrs. Elsie Garrard Mrs. M. J. Hewitt 
 
 Mrs. Grace Sigtenhorst Mrs. Arthur Hunstock Mrs. Ruth Richards Miss Marie Nichall 
 
 Miss Stella Groskopf Mrs. Leonard Holt Miss Bernice Trost Mrs. Marie Eberhart 
 
 Miss Margaret Groskopf Mrs. Nellie Marten Mrs. J. J. Feme Mrs. Fred Nichols 
 
 Mrs. Nell Ballard Mrs. Leslie Damm Miss Pearl Buchmeier Mrs. Minnie Groskopf 
 
 Mrs. Ida Renfro Mrs. Mattie Beasley Mrs. Bertha Anderson Elizabeth Manas 
 
 Miss Lucille Owen Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers Mrs. Josephine Sopko Phoebe Schwartz 
 
 Mrs. Lenna Owen Mrs. Margaret Frack Mrs. Lena Lietzau Maybelle Wordleman 
 
 INDIAN BRAVES 
 
 George Holdefer Jos. Kovak, Chief Don Hanify Vernon May 
 
 Joe Zarhora J no - Jensen, Chief Bob Miller Lloyd King 
 
 Lloyd Johnson, Chief Edwin VanLeire Don Valfre Carl Gebert 
 
 Charles Travis M. J. Mangold E. Gustafson Richard Garvin 
 
 Warren Schulte Russell Lundin Jim Brienzo M. Drigoe 
 
 Charles Peloquin Rocco Martino Vincent Massona Pat Delvaccio 
 
 Alfred Muller Mike Disabata Jerry Prince Jim Mazzone 
 
 Albert Ebeling Anthony Lepore Henry DiBiase Richard Garcia 
 
 INDIAN SQUAWS 
 
 Mrs. Jos. Kovack Mrs. Al. Mercier Mrs. Chas. Punt Mrs. F. Koehler 
 
 Mrs. Jno. Jensen Evelyn Dahl Jeanette Barr Mrs. W. Hopf 
 
 Mrs. G. Dornhecker Mrs. Helen Barr Julia Wolshon Violet Janko 
 
 Marion Holmes Mrs. Elizabeth Venske Minnie Mueller Susanne Brouette 
 
 Lois Frentz Mrs. D. E. Valfre Mary McMahon Mrs. Christine Koehler 
 
 Anna Weisman Mrs. R. Fredette Helen Luscombe Alice Vinske 
 
 Elizabeth Wenzlaff Mrs. Emily Warren Pauline Levie 
 
 INDIAN BOYS 
 
 Tony Albino Jas. Mascola Billy Weaver Leslie Randall 
 
 Mike LaMorte Jno. Kott Geo. Luscombe Richard Garcia 
 
 INDIAN GIRLS 
 
 Teresa Cistaro Dorothy Cistaro Margaret Bruno Lois Mercier 
 
 Violet Janko 
 
 MARQUETTE GROUP 
 
 Marquette Trapper Edw. P. Dougherty 
 
 Father Marquette Charles Odenthal 
 
 Louis Joliet Edward Brethauer 
 
 SCOUTS— H. Robertson A. Nagel J. Lyons 
 
 A. Lohse W. Wenzlaff E. Sossong 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 365 
 
 REXFORDS AND COURTNEYS 
 
 C° un r ey Emil C - Schoebes 
 
 Mrs. Courtney Mrs> F]ora Gretencort 
 
 Courtney s Daughter Patricia Stothard 
 
 ?/ p * ' J Emil Bla " 
 
 Mrs. Rexford Mrs Emil BIaU 
 
 Fay Rexford Marshall South 
 
 PIONEERS 
 
 Dr. & Mrs. Elmer Spencer A. W. Baer Chas. Extrom Emery Kott 
 
 Mr & Mrs. Wm. Shipman Arthur Swanson Lauretta Schreiber Francis Jankowski 
 
 Mr. tk Mrs. Henry Shipman T. Bridge Ann Baer Alice Rettker 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. George Wilier Mildred Hilt Alice Volp Loutiscia Shannon 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. R. Zahniser Lois Brockman Chas. Punt Elaine Gerdes 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. A. Banderob Marion Fischer Helen Boeber R. Freedette 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. J. Drahn Mettie Marsh Wm. Nelson 
 
 J. Marshall Irma Punt Frank Kasten, Jr. Maybelle Young 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. E. Brethauer Doris Bochman Gertrude McAllister Elizabeth Ann Minard 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. Gus Schoeneck Irma Jenkinson Lillian Sundquist Thelma Schrieber 
 
 Herman Schultz Irene Anderson Arthur Ricchio Ruth Firnhaber 
 
 Thos. Maybaum Ruth Spencer William Fredette Wm. Fredette 
 
 Paul Baer Mrs. A. C. Extrom Marilyn Elbers Mildred Lou Holman 
 
 Norma Jean Schoeneck Raymond Bender Ralph Kott Arthur Ricchio 
 
 G. Thomas Schoeneck Donald Allan Ralph Kott 
 
 CIVIL WAR LADIES 
 
 Mrs. Martha Blatt Mrs. Bess Minard Lillian Oetjen Mrs. F. Winterfeldt 
 
 Mrs. Alvina Bauer Mrs. R. Heitman Mrs. John Petersen Lydia Boldt 
 
 Mrs. Cora Fraser Loraine Lohse Mrs. Cora Fraser Mrs. M. Mangold 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Borman Mrs. Martin Lohse Augusta Schultz Mrs. Walter Evans 
 
 Mrs. Helen Runkle Mrs. Wm. Bauch Mrs. Marie Hallinan Mrs. Helen Fischer 
 Mrs. Anna Moore Mrs. Gretchen Stolz Mrs. Barbara Lohse 
 
 CIVIL WAR MEN 
 
 Vernon Umgelder Walter Lindgren Art Helwig, Captain Andrew Sareny 
 
 Norman Schuldt Grant Forrester Henry Carlson Monroe Kuchta 
 
 Bill Witt Harry Davis Earl Ludwig Clarence Duey 
 
 Norman Lindstrom Paul Rohe, Jr. Paul Klenk, Jr. J. C. Burke 
 
 Roy Anderson James Davis Steve Sareny Paul Le Count 
 
 Irvin Hunke John Fritz Henry Runge Stanley De Forte 
 
 SPANISH AMERICAN 
 
 Clyde Frack Frank Jankowski Chas. Wernicke John Street 
 
 Walter Edmondson, Com- Kenneth Matieson A. J. Myers, Vice Com- Ed. Gorsuch 
 
 mander P. II. Jensen mander N. Luscombe 
 
 EARLY WEDDING — VIRGINIA REEL 
 
 Bride and Groom Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Boldt 
 
 Preacher Ward Hageman 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. F. J. Winter- Mrs. Mary Hallinan Mr. & Mrs. C. M. Lohse Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Bauch 
 
 feldt Mrs. Lois Heide Mr. & Mrs. Walter Rang Mrs. M. Mangold 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. Martin Lohse Mrs. Koehler Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Bauch Mr. & Mrs. John Tichan 
 
 Lorraine Lohse Mrs. Anna Moore Mrs. E. Kunze Richard Mangold 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. John Petersen Mrs. A. Minard John Wolff Mrs. Geo. Oetjen 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. Carl Fischer Alvina Bauer Mr. & Mrs. Walter Evans Frank Daly, Jr. 
 
 Mrs. Wm. Schultz Hattie Borman Mrs. R. Heitman Walter Lischka 
 Mrs. Gretchen Stolz Cora Fraser Helen Runkle 
 
 RAILROAD GANG 
 
 Harold Morin Joseph Racine Ed. Vail Dick Harps 
 
 Phillip Racine Dan Neary Gus Vail Louis Ouellette 
 
 Charles Racine Frank Daly, Jr. Geo. Krizik Edward T. Watrobka 
 
 Rudy Racine John Leja Geo. Krizik, Jr. Tony J. Watrobka, Jr. 
 
 EARLY AUTOS 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Koehler Robert Clemmons Mr. & Mrs. Raniser (Tandems) 
 
 Lewis M. Stuebe Happy Ellis Mrs. A. B. Veil Chas. Lysholm & Anna 
 
 George Oetjen Mary Premo Mrs. Christiansen Mae Costello 
 
 Mrs. Don Boughner Mrs. Bertha Clemmons Gerhard Dornhecker Marjorie Costello & Bud 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. A. Engelland Marjorie Nagel Mary Raczykowski Sonnenschein 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. I. Carpenter Darlene Sheets Sonny Sonnenschein (Tandem Small) 
 
 Mr. & Mrs. Henry Duff Miss Carrie Knickerbocker (High Bike) Jeanette & Wilfred Stump 
 Dr. & Mrs. F. W. Tracy Mary Rachey Norman Premo 
 
366 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Caroline Griff 
 
 June Delick 
 Irene Hillmer 
 Dolores Hainbel 
 Harriet Nelson 
 
 Mrs. Henry Kott 
 
 
 LIEDERKRANZ BEER GARDEN SCENE 
 
 
 
 H. Kornemann, Director 
 
 Wm. Janssen 
 
 Mrs. Ben Hogan 
 
 Miss 
 
 A. Bonagura 
 
 Kurt Reichel, President 
 
 Karl Zipfel 
 
 Mrs. Alex Hennig 
 
 Miss 
 
 S. Hogan 
 
 Frank Mehlan, Treasurer 
 
 Geo. Borchardt 
 
 Mrs. H. Kornemann 
 
 Miss 
 
 E. Konsoer 
 
 Ernst Borchardt 
 
 Harold Steinhardt 
 
 Mrs. C. Zipfel 
 
 Miss 
 
 D. Konsoer 
 
 Alex Hennig 
 
 Edward Sieben 
 
 Mrs. P. Pauling 
 
 Miss 
 
 M. Benzing 
 
 Wm. Uhlich 
 
 Albert Klein 
 
 Mrs. John Haase 
 
 Miss 
 
 M. Piersma 
 
 Otto Benzing 
 
 Henry Gerberding 
 
 Mrs. R. Scratch 
 
 Miss 
 
 Martha Piersma 
 
 Paul Hildebrand 
 
 Ernst Mais 
 
 Mrs. A. Barnes 
 
 Miss 
 
 C. Piersma 
 
 John Haase 
 
 Jos. Froschhauer 
 
 Mrs. K. Reichel 
 
 
 
 Karl Sterzel 
 
 Mrs. Jacob DeGroot 
 
 Mrs. W. Florian 
 
 
 
 
 PRELUDE 
 
 
 
 
 Blue Island 
 
 Drum and Bugle Corps 
 
 
 
 Walter Witte 
 
 Jack Niele 
 
 Tony Bloch 
 
 Henry Ricks 
 
 Art Werner 
 
 Ben Edjynt 
 
 Clarence Cobb 
 
 Wilfred Tebo 
 
 Art Stuebe 
 
 W. Juby 
 
 Felix Felizak 
 
 Art Kreinbrink 
 
 John Stuebe 
 
 Clarence Darfler 
 
 George Babbit 
 
 Pasqualle Granolla 
 
 Lloyd Davidson 
 
 Joe Keller 
 
 Carl Selten 
 
 Leonard Novak 
 
 John Bella 
 
 Louie Weissner 
 
 W. Wordelman 
 
 Charl 
 
 es Straka 
 
 John Stiver 
 
 Ed. Rollette 
 
 A. Hollister 
 
 Albert Depew 
 
 Harry Eisler 
 
 F. Wiessner 
 
 Tony Bastic 
 
 George Inman 
 
 Paul Karschner 
 
 Conrad Roesner 
 
 BALLET 
 Corn 
 
 
 
 Marcella Brown 
 
 Dorothy Frobish 
 
 Ada Kososki 
 
 Kathlynne Brady 
 
 Eleanor Kuruzar 
 
 Louella Schoebes 
 
 Marion Luscombe 
 
 Marg 
 
 aret Murnane 
 
 Margie Sullivan 
 
 Betty Poehlsen 
 
 Laura Arb 
 Wheat 
 
 Billie 
 
 Williams 
 
 Eleanor Albino 
 
 Thyra Groskopf 
 
 Rose Sofiak 
 
 Ethel 
 
 Sidenstick 
 
 Ruth Reali 
 
 Ruth Sidler 
 
 Lois Williams 
 
 Rose 
 
 Tucker 
 
 Esther Brouette 
 
 Gloria Kich 
 
 Hazel Slater 
 Rain 
 
 Edna 
 
 Mae Pahlke 
 
 Vera Williams 
 
 Mildred Stumpf 
 
 Daisy Gerstenkorn 
 
 Betty James 
 
 Genevieve Wibbelsman 
 
 Harriet Boyd 
 
 Jean Alexander 
 
 Fay DuBach 
 
 Betty Hilt 
 
 Josephine Brienzo 
 
 Alvira Besgen 
 
 Betty 
 
 Brockman 
 
 Anna Christianson 
 
 Betty Brockman 
 
 Marie Ballard 
 
 Anna 
 
 Christiansen 
 
 Alvira Besgen 
 
 Sun 
 
 and Sunbeams 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mayburn Smith 
 
 Dolores Tate 
 Lois Frundle 
 Eleanor Daniels 
 Marion Hultgren 
 
 Mrs. Bert Frobish 
 
 Geraldine Schwartz 
 
 Rainbow 
 
 Ellen Murnane 
 Kathryn James 
 LaVergne Volp 
 Dorothy Moore 
 
 Chaperones 
 
 Mrs. Arthur Holdefer 
 
 Helen Roach 
 
 Mary Perelli 
 Erna Hillger 
 Anna Fritz 
 
 Mrs. Geo. Joens 
 
 JACKIES 
 
 Mayburn Smith Margie Roach Phyllis Fletcher Ruth Reali 
 
 Caroline Griff Helen Roach Vivian Vandenburg Dorothy Johnson 
 
 Geraldine Schwartz Dorothy Vandenburg Jane Lange Lucille Willis 
 
 Dorothy Olson Betty Pahlke Jean Kent Glendora Jepeway 
 
 Melba Herrick Lavergne Kuiken Juanita Alexander Louella Schoebes 
 
 Margie Sullivan Dorothy Seyfarth Phyllis Antilla Ruth Alice Sherry 
 
 Patricia Connor Mildred McLaughlin Gloria Kich Margaret Murnane 
 
 Marion Luscombe Betty Seyfarth Rose Sofiak Ruth Nash 
 
 JUDGES OF FIRST VILLAGE ELECTION 
 
 "Christian Krueger" Peter W. Heintz 
 
 "H. Bertrand" A. M. Weaver 
 
 "Hart Massey" Henry Groskopf 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 367 
 
 EARLY SCHOOL 
 School Girls and Boys 
 
 Teacher Walter J. Meyer 
 
 Margaret Wilson Carol Vandenberg Jackie Alexander Irene Winterfeldt 
 
 Kathleen Juby Frances Elmore Anna Dubec Patricia Benson 
 
 Noella Miller Mildred Hohman Marilyn Elbers 
 
 Donald Wright Albert Extrom Johnny Smith Marvin Mangold 
 
 James Wilson Arnold & Archer Mueller Clinton Carty Donald Juby 
 
 Thomas Wilson Bernard Zimny Robert Benson Walter Ewaniak 
 
 WORLD WAR VETERANS 
 
 Albert Daebel Walter Gaboriault Claude F. Colebourn Clarence Cain, Ambulance 
 
 Robert Danielson Bill Clemmons Arthur Olson Driver 
 
 Fred J. Meyer Chester Ballard Victor Suk Alder/ Ridenour, Stretcher 
 
 R. Britton Ernest Evanson Calvin Danielson Emil Poehlson, Taps 
 
 Richard Dick Robert Rohe Elmer Witt Wendall Ganzer, Taps. 
 
 Jack Davison Sey Rohe J. J. Weissman Echo 
 Win. Florian 
 
 PEACE 
 
 Angel of Peace Marguerite Duringer 
 
 Red Cross Nurse Darlene Sheets 
 
 Marine Walter Witte 
 
 Sailor Al Mercier 
 
 Wounded Soldier Harold Zacher 
 
 FLAG GIRLS 
 
 Fritz, Anna Lane, Carol Baumbach, Frances Kich, Betty 
 
 Daniels, Eleanor White, Anna Gerberding, Pearl Miller, Noella 
 
 Hultgren, Marion Dieska, Pauline Amato, Charlotte Ettema, Geraldine 
 
 Murname, Ellen Heidinger, Charmaine Jones, Dorothy Gusa, Helen 
 
 Bochman, Anita Hilt, Betty Stothard, Marjory Mosel, Lorraine 
 
 Anderson, Shirley Brienzo, Josephine Kovalesky, Celia McMahon, Alice 
 
 Groskopf, Mary Brown, Marcella Gentile, Norma Smith, Rosemary 
 
 Dougherty, Elizabeth Kososci, Ada Wibbelsman, Marie Joens, Mildred 
 
 Vandenberg, Margaret Williams, Billie Clavio. Lena Moran, Gloria 
 
 Minard, Elizabeth Ann Sidler, Ruth Rabka, Lorraine Weir, Betty 
 
 Ernst, Kathleen Sidenstick, Ethel Presnak, Margaret Elmore, Frances 
 
 Ernst, Bernice Kott, Mrs. Henry Ultsch, Mariane Allan, Caryl 
 
 Call, Wilma Delick, June Tyler, Carol Presnak, Theresa 
 
 Tuinenga, Ann Hambel, Dolores Miller, Jack Ermshler, Wilmeta 
 
 Lee, Elaine Christiansen, Anna Simon, Virgina Fleisher, Shirley 
 
 Ouellette, Lorraine James, Kathryn Johnson, Gene Stothard, Mildred 
 
 Heckler, Winifred Volp, LaVergne Mercier, Victoria Peterson, Mrs. T. 
 
 Kauffman, Anna Mae Moore, Dorothy Davidson, Anna May Alderson, Mrs. 
 
 Sullivan, Ann Schwartz, Sylvia Smith, Mayburn Grubbs, Mrs. 
 
 Mindeman, Marcella Pronger, Carol Kuruzar, Eleanor Ruff, Winifred 
 
 Gaertner, Marion Mueller, Mary Arb, Laura Edwards, Mrs. E. H. 
 
 Rauch, Lucille Walker, June Albino, Eleanor Darfler, Mrs. C. H. 
 
 Mattson, Hazel Marshalek, Josephine William, Lois Farren, Mrs. Chas. 
 
 Bickley, Roberta Frobish, Jane Tucker, Rose Williams, Vera 
 
 Ewaniak, Jennie Frobish, Betty Hillmer, Irene Wibbelsman, Genevieve 
 
 Schwartz, Lillian Taydus, Dorothy Frobish, Mrs. Bert Boyd, Harriet 
 
 Sigtenhorst, Ruth Overstraeten, Jean Nelson, Harriet Stump, Mildred 
 
 Richards, Marilyn Wilson, Margaret Perelli, Mary Gerstenkorn, Daisy 
 
 Parker, Marjorie Weiland, Edna Frundle, Lois Alexander, Jean 
 
 Kordewick, Edith Juby, Kathleen Hillger, Erna James, Betty 
 
 Van Overstraeten, June Pellegrino, Mary Brockman, Betty DuBach, Fay 
 
 Schultz, Ruth Huffman, Estella Mear, Shirley Schwartz, Geraldine 
 
 Simon, Evelyn Bock, Betty Jean Mercier, Irene Frobish, Dorothy 
 
 Kott, Lois Moran. Vivian Teason, Marion Brady, Kathlynne 
 
 Kott, Clara Brunner, Lois Rang, Virginia • Groskopf, Thyra 
 
 Pekin, Mary Loy Schade, Anna Steinhart, L. Slater, Hazel 
 
 Dertz, Dorothy Kennelly, Doris Sopko, Dorothy Unruh, Mrs. Walter 
 
 Sisco, Clara Lange, June Runge, Bernice Joens, Mrs. Geo. 
 
 Scheidel, Margaret Bohne, Mary Jane Sisco, Angeline Ballard, Marie 
 
 Hazel, Virginia Lee Simon, Rosella Daebel, Grace Tate, Dolores 
 
 Landgraf, Jackie Vandenberg, Caryl Anderson, Marion Berger, Alvera 
 
 Rice, Mary Jane Schultz. Garnet Weiland, Hen Pellegrino, Louise 
 
 Boeber. Marilyn Fitzgerald, Murial Hendricks, Caroline Anderson, Barbara 
 
 Tebsen, LaVila Cione, Jennie Mattson, Shirley Lange, Charlotte 
 
 Strauss, Lorraine Steinhart, Georgette Mrs. Anderson Lietzau, LaVergne 
 
 Buchwalter. Gladys Cistaro, Caroline Rauch, Joyce Hopf, Florence 
 
 Quackenbush, Helen Dougherty, Patricia Ouellette, Noella 
 
368 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Centennial Parade Views 
 
 11 
 
 1 ■i 
 
 V^AMwn Br^^A 
 
 Hwif 
 
 BIS M : 
 
 5f\ 
 
 . T ~^ PK " 1 1W 
 
 Cl^^^l 
 
 IV "ft^A^fe 
 
 M ^ § 
 
 
 I? ?* 
 
 H 
 
 Mayor and Grand Marshall 
 
 Railroad Men's Division 
 
 The Queen and her Court in Centennial Parade 
 
 ^\W 
 
 Doll Buggy Group 
 
 Industrial Group 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 369 
 
 BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 (Continued from Page 119) 
 The material for the following biological sketches 
 was received too late for classification wtih those be- 
 ginning on page 98. 
 
 Frederick Henke, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
 many, came to America in 1846, settling first 
 at Cooper's Grove, where he purchased about 
 eight hundred acres of land, at the Government 
 price of $1.25 per acre. His wife, whom he 
 married shortly after locating here, was Miss 
 Elizabeth Magnus, also a native of Hanover. 
 In 1854, Mr. Henke sold his farm at Cooper's 
 Grove and purchased another in Worth Town- 
 ship, at what is now known as Wireton. His 
 death occurred at Blue Island, June 19, 1887, 
 ai the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Henke early became identified with the German 
 Methodist church of Blue Island and when that 
 society in 1891 erected the present edifice on 
 Vermont street, now known as Central M. E. 
 church, Mrs. Henke was one of the largest 
 contributors to the building fund. A memorial 
 window attests her generosity. Mrs. Henke 
 passed away January 2, 1894, aged nearly sev- 
 enty-three years. Her father, Edward Magnus, 
 was a cabinet maker by trade, and successful ly 
 followed that business at Blue Island until his 
 death in 1871. William D. Henke, now a res- 
 ident of Blue Island, is the only survivor of the 
 six son? who constituted the family of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Frederick Henke. William D. learned the 
 carpenter's trade in his youth, but later was 
 interested in various lines of business activity 
 in this city. He was one of the first aldermen 
 elected when Blue Island adopted city form of 
 government, and also held office on several occa- 
 sions in Worth Township. 
 
 Daniel Klein, a son of Frederick Klein mar- 
 ried Theresa Englehardt and acquired the prop- 
 erty at 13319 Western avenue in 1871 from a 
 man named Daemicke. The Klein's were par- 
 ents of 7 children, Mary, Minnie and Josephine 
 I twins), John F., William, Edward and Henry 
 ( twins I . All the children died in infancy, except 
 John F. Daniel Klein died in 1878 and Mrs. 
 Klein was re-married in 1879 to John Busch. Mr. 
 Busch died in 1900 and Mrs. Busch died in 1927. 
 Two children were born to the Busch's but both 
 died when small. John F. Klein, the only one 
 of the children to survive, married Mary L. 
 Gurrad in 1893 and in 1897 took over the 
 saloon business at the address above (then 
 known as Busch's). He conducted a horse and 
 cattle buying business, along with the saloon 
 and livery stable and during the days of the 
 "market" Klein's place was always the center 
 of activity. John F. died in 1931 and is sur- 
 
 vived by his widow and two children, Wilbert 
 and Helen. Two other children preceded their 
 father in death, Theresa who died while a baby 
 and Marguerite, at the age of 18 years. 
 
 Alonzo Norman Townsend was born Decem- 
 ber 7, 1846, in Barnard, Windsor county. Ver- 
 mont. He was one of a family of nine children 
 of Norman and Mary E. (Huntun) Townsend, 
 who located in Blue Island in 1879. The father 
 of this family died November 23, 1890, and the 
 mother passed away April 14, 1887. "Lon 
 Townsend, as he was familiarly known to his 
 fellow Blue Island citizens, was a veteran of 
 the Civil War and participated in seyeral im- 
 portant engagements in that conflict. He was 
 present at the surrender of General Lee at 
 Appamattox, but soon after was taken ill and 
 was discharged while in the hospital at City 
 Point, Va., in July, 1865. On September 22. 
 1868, Mr. Townsend was united in marriage 
 with Miss Elvira E. Bassett of Bridgewater, Vt. 
 In 1876 they came to Cook county and located 
 on a farm in Worth Township where Mr. Town- 
 send engaged in farming until 1890, when he 
 moved into the fine residence he had built on 
 Burr Oak avenue. For a while he engaged in 
 teaming and contracting, and later in real estate 
 and insurance. He had served many years as 
 Justice of the Peace in Worth Township, a 
 position he held at the time of his death. 
 May 30, 1926. 
 
 Ernst Uhlich, a native of Saxony, Germany, 
 (son of Carl and Sophia Uhlich), located in 
 Blue Island in 1849. He was a carpenter by 
 trade but followed that occupation only a short 
 Lime, soon engaging in the buying and selling of 
 real estate. In 1856 he was united in marriage 
 with Sophia Krueger, (daughter of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Christian Krueger, Sr.). The family lived 
 for a short time at the southeast corner of 
 Western avenue and Vermont street, during 
 which time Mr. Uhlich erected the palatial home 
 on Gregory street, now owned by and part of 
 St. Francis hospital. 
 
 The children of this unon were: Clara, who 
 married Rudolph Brand; Eleanor married 
 Arthur W. Stockmar; Natalie married Paul 
 Kropf: Emily married Dr. Edward Doepp: 
 Sophia married Louis G. Koch; Helen married 
 John Harker; Rudolph married Mary Smith; 
 and the eldest son, Ernst, who is still single. 
 
 During his later years Mr. Uhlich had exten- 
 sive property interests in Chicago. He was born 
 October 16, 1830, and died October 24, 1901. 
 Mrs. Uhlich was born in 1833 and died June 24, 
 1902. 
 
 August S. Uhlich, a brother of Ernst Uhlich, 
 lived in Blue Island a number of vears. 
 
Two of Blue Island's Modern 
 Funeral Homes 
 
 Krueger's, Greenwood Avenue at Vermont Street 
 
 "9^<x 
 
 ' VjiijiliiOl 
 
 Hallinan's, Vermont Street at Maple Avenue 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 371 
 
 NECROLOGY 
 
 The following list of deaths has been compiled from various sources of information. Al- 
 though not complete an effort was made to include all citizens whose death, owing to length of 
 their residence in Blue Island, business connections or for any other reason, should be recorded 
 here. With but few exceptions only deaths which have occurred since 1900 are listed. This is 
 largely due to the fact that in the earlier years no official register of deaths was kept by the Vil- 
 lage; also, the only files of the local newspapers, the Sun and the Standard, prior to 1918, were 
 destroyed in a fire. The figures enclosed in parenthesis indicate the age of the individual and 
 the date at end of line, the date of death. None under 21 years listed. 
 
 Abbe, Mrs. Christian, (59), December 8, 1924. 
 Abson, James, (68), merchant, died at Munster, Ind., 
 
 hospital, October 25, 1931. 
 Adams, Charles (57), former alderman 5th ward, died 
 
 at his farm near Hayward, Wis., November 15, 1924. 
 Airey, Robert H„ (76), police officer. March 24, 1933. 
 Airey, Mrs. Susan, (73), (Robert), February 11, 1927. 
 Albright, G. S., (52), September 17, 1935. 
 Alsip, Horace G., (72), November 22, 1933. 
 Alexander, Alfred, dry goods merchant, November 27, 
 
 1927. 
 Alexander, Mrs. Lillie (56), (Alfred), February 13, 
 
 1923. 
 Alexander, Marshall (99) , railroad contractor and one 
 of first roadmasters Ruck Island ranruad. Died in 
 
 Los Angeles, January 6, 1923. 
 Allen, Mrs. Emma B., (51), June 27, 1923. 
 Amelung, Henry, (74), teacher, December 17, 1930. 
 Amelung, Mrs. Henry, (51), July 29, 1927. 
 Anderson, Arvid, (66 1, June 8, 1927. 
 Anderson, Carl, (66), July 16, 1935. 
 Anderson, Charles B., (69), May 8, 1931. 
 Anderson, Mrs. Christine, July 17, 1922. 
 Anderson. Gustave, (55), October 21, 1923. 
 Anderson. John P., (70), September 5, 1930. 
 Andres, Mrs. Alvina Zacharias, (Adam), January 30, 
 
 1920. 
 Arens, Walter W., (38), September 28, 1934. 
 Aschbrenner, Mrs. Caroline (86), February 4, 1922. 
 Aschbrenner, Pauline (54), December 3, 1921. 
 Aschen, Gustave, alderman fifth ward, March 13, 1907. 
 Atkinson. Robert Jr., (25), by drowning, July 12, 193-1. 
 Atwood, Harry F., attorney, lecturer, December 13, 1930. 
 Aulwurm, Mrs. Henry, (88), May 3, 1933. 
 Aulwurm. Mrs. Henry C, (55), September 17, 1928. 
 
 B 
 
 Bahnke, Charles A., (46), September 23, 1930. 
 
 Bailey, Thomas, (51), August 23, 1914. 
 
 Baker, Mrs. Electa Ann, (92), March 24, 1935. 
 
 Ballard, Joseph, (34), auto accident, August 19, 1933. 
 
 Balling, Frank V., (71), pioneer lumberman, Septem- 
 ber 19, 1931. 
 
 Banderob, Airs. Doris, (79). May 25, 1930. 
 
 Barlow, Mrs. Grace, (68), (Ray), August 1, 1925. 
 
 Barthelman, Mrs. Mary Angeline, (84), September 20, 
 1928. 
 
 Bartsch, August, (59), December 10, 1925. 
 
 Batty, Mrs. Amelia, (John), April 26, 1928. 
 
 Bauch, Mrs. Selma, (76). May 10. 1928. 
 
 Bauer, Carl, (75), April 5, 1930. 
 
 Bauer, Clarence ("Happy"), (32), World War vet- 
 eran, May 9, 1925. 
 
 Bauer, Mrs. Elizabeth, (94), pioneer resident, March 
 27, 1928. 
 
 Bauer, Henry, (69), pioneer German settler, February 
 24, 1919. 
 
 Baumann, Bernhard, 1903. 
 
 Baumann, Mrs. Frieda, (74), May 9, 1932. 
 Baumbach, Otto, October, 1917. 
 
 Baumbach, William; merchant-tailor, January, 1911. 
 Bausor, James W., (64), December 21, 1927. 
 Beauteau, Honore, (61), February 19, 1933. 
 Becker, August C, (65), May 8, 1931. 
 Becker. Mrs. Crescentia, (89), pioneer, June 16, 1933. 
 Becker, Thomas, Sr., early settler, October 4, 1913. 
 Becker, Tobias Anton, (56), Calumet township super- 
 visor, September 2, 1920. 
 Beedy, Mrs. Anna, (91), at Bay City, Texas, July 14, 
 
 1930. 
 Beer, Henry J., (75), veterinarian, May 9, 1920. 
 Beer. John L.. (53), veterinarian with U. S. government 
 
 inspection at stockyards; November 28, 1932. 
 Beier, Frank, (84) , April 2, 1935. 
 Benck, Mrs. Elizabeth, (85), July 12, 1934. 
 Benck. Fred L., (68), April 24, 1920. 
 Bender, David G., (64) , many years plumbing inspector 
 
 for the city, March 26, 1931. 
 Benger, Charles, (70), November 29, 1933. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Caroline, (74), (Thomas), April 26, 1914. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Jane M., (53), (Allan C), May 6, 1927. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Mel Senia, (63), September 21, 1923. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Ruth, (34), (Percival), June 3, 1935. 
 Berger, Joseph, (76), baker, July 21, 1935. 
 Berggren, Mrs. Elizabeth, (84), September 16, 1935. 
 Berggren, Claus August, (76), June 12, 1931. 
 Berggren, Claus A., (76), June 12, 1931. 
 Bertrand. Henry, 1906. 
 
 Bertrand, Mrs. Katherine, (66), December 21, 1913. 
 Besgen, Mrs. Barbara, (62), May 14, 1924. 
 Besgen. Charles. (80), born in log cabin at Broadway 
 
 and Western, the son of pioneer settlers, Peter and 
 Ann Sybella Besgen, died September 22, 1924. 
 Bettenhausen, Mrs. Adam, (73), February 19, 1924. 
 Bettenhausen, Christian, (71), June 1, 1923. 
 Bettenhausen, Mrs. Sophia, (70), (Julius), March 3, 
 
 1929. 
 Biedenkopf, Mrs. Mina. (90), May 4, 1934. 
 Bingham, George, December 9, 1928. 
 Bitter. Mrs. Amelia, (64), (John), November 22, 1935. 
 Bitter, Oscar, (33), August 17, 1925. 
 Black, Prof. Wm. J., November 20, 1914. 
 Black. William (68) August 19. 1893. 
 Black, Mrs. William, March 7, 1936. 
 Blackmore, Mrs. Mary Anna, (84), September 5, 1921. 
 Blagborne, Augusta, (58), December 28, 1925. 
 Blatt, Henry, (63), contracting decorator, May 30, 1921. 
 Blatt, John, (61), decorators supplies, February 12, 1919. 
 Blatt. Mrs. John, (60), October 28, 1918. 
 Blatt. Mrs. Julia, (72). March 20, 1928. 
 Blatt. Mrs. Mary, (64), (Henry), October 26, 1925. 
 Blatt, William Carl, (63), April 12, 1931. 
 Blouin, Leo, (62), August 15, 1931. 
 Blouin, Mrs. Mary, (nee Fredette) , (55), March 13. 
 
 1932. 
 Bluemke, Charles, (63), April 3, 1928. 
 
372 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Benderob, Fred (41) October 16, 1918. 
 
 Blume, Airs. Anna, (49), August 16, 1934. 
 
 Bochmann, Edward E., (85), June 17, 1928. 
 
 Bochman, Henry, carpenter, November 12, 1930. 
 
 Bochmann, Herman, (59), August 8, 1935. 
 
 Boeber, Frederick, pioneer settler, (74), April 15, 1891. 
 
 Boehl, Mrs. Elizabeth, (68), (Emil), March 9, 1922. 
 
 Bocndel, Mrs. Minnie, (80), (Herman) November 28, 
 1932. 
 
 Boening, Henry, (36). October 18, 1928. 
 
 Boening, Mrs. Mary, (86), March 18, 1925. 
 
 Boening,- William, (71), contractor, April 22, 1933. 
 
 Boermel, Miss Louisa Margaret, (46), February 16, 
 1929. 
 
 Bohne, Mrs. Caroline, (72), (Christian) October 14, 
 1934. 
 
 Boissoneau, Mrs. Angeline, (77), February 6, 1933. 
 
 Boissoneau, Mrs. Louis, (33), June 25, 1935. 
 
 Boldt, John, (74), June 6, 1928. 
 
 Boldt, Mrs. Margaret, (86), October 19, 1930. 
 
 Boldt, Paul, (67), June 27, 1931. 
 
 Boldt, William C, (61), July 4, 1924. 
 
 Bolt, Jacob, (75), March 21, 1891. 
 
 Bonnell, Mrs. Margaret, (nee Napier), June 11, 1931. 
 
 Borman, George F., former city attorney, January 11, 
 1918. 
 
 Bormet. Christ, (70), February 22, 1928. 
 
 Bormet, Jacob H., (52), April 17, 1934. 
 
 Bourke, Oliver W., (68), former village president, 
 March 14, 1927. 
 
 Bowman, John, August 5, 1926. 
 
 Boyce, Carlton M., (72), died at Minneapolis. May 6. 
 1930. 
 
 Boyer, George R., (91), Civil War veteran, September 3, 
 1930. 
 
 Boyer, Mrs. George R., (68), March 12, 1920. 
 
 Brayton, Mrs. Elizabeth, (Sweet), January 7, 1891. 
 
 Brayton, William B., March 23, 1900. 
 
 Breckenridge, Mrs. Sophia Addl, (63), (Theo.), Febru- 
 ary 18, 1920. 
 
 Breckenridge, Theodore, (76), February 9, 1920. 
 
 Breiting, George J., (67), January 16, 1934. 
 
 Breiting, Henry, (59), February 3, 1929. 
 
 Breiting, John G., (58), January 13, 1920. 
 
 Breitung, Mrs. Ida, (67), November 3, 1935. 
 
 Breitung, Sophia Bourman, (85), June 5, 1929. 
 
 Bretzlaff, Ferdinand, (74), January 24, 1929. 
 
 Breivogle, Sophie, (45), January 3, 1919. 
 
 Bretzlaff, William, (85), January 1, 1929. 
 
 Brewer, Fred L., (70), R. I. engineer, July 14, 1927. 
 
 Briggs, Isabella, (85). January 9, 1929. 
 
 Brincken. F>ed C, (601. September 28. 1933. 
 
 Britton, Herbert R., (37), August 30, 1920. 
 
 Brocky, Mrs. Betty, (Ben), January, 1925. 
 
 Bronson, Edmond B., prominent in business and frat- 
 ernal affairs, former city alderman, April 5, 1929. 
 
 Bronson, Mrs. Mabel Darfler. (39), (Edmond), April 
 20 1935. 
 
 Broue'tte. Mrs. Alfred. (64), February 13, 1928. 
 
 Brown, John, (78), February 16, 1933. 
 
 Brunhoff, Fred, (66), chemist, December 3, 1922. 
 
 Brunner, Alfred W., (39), January 28, 1929. 
 
 Brunner, Mrs. Mary, September 1, 1931. 
 
 Buehring, Mrs. Dorothea, (71), July 12, 1922. 
 
 Buengar, William H., ((54), September 14, 1925. 
 
 Bueter, Mrs. Louise, (90), pioneer resident, March 7, 
 1932. 
 
 Buchholz, Charles John, (65), April 7, 1929. 
 
 Burgan, George S., (60), Rock Island engineer. May 
 30, 1921. 
 
 Burke, James, January 14, 1925. 
 
 Burkhart, Mrs. Augusta, (nee Harris), wife of L. A. 
 
 Burkhart, for many years health commissioner of 
 
 Blue Island, July 4, 1935. 
 Burmeister, Mrs. Blanche, (40), February 8, 1935. 
 Burmeister, Mrs. Dorothy, (92), pioneer resident, 
 
 May 11, 1934. 
 Burmeister, Mrs. Fredericka, (84), June 9, 1923. 
 Burmeister, Henry, (66), May 30, 1933. 
 Burmeister, Mrs. Theresa, (54), (Henry). January 13, 
 
 1931. 
 Burns, John A., (76), November 13, 1934. 
 Burns, Mrs. Margaret, (nee Bock), June 24, 1935. 
 Busch, Mrs. Teresa, (77), (John G.), June 4, 1927. 
 Butler, Mrs. Margaret, (29), May 15, 1934. 
 Butterfield, Mrs. Elizabeth, April 16, 1922. 
 Butterfield, Robert W., (54), December 28. 1919. 
 Byford, Mrs. Lucille, (Dr. Wm.), July 13, 1931. 
 
 Cantwell, Robert J. railway conductor, October 14, 1918. 
 
 Carlson, Mrs. Blanch M., (42), (Arthur), February 23, 
 1932. 
 
 Carlson, Mrs. Henry F., (41), January 26, 1928. 
 
 Carlson, John Peter, (80), April 21, 1922. 
 
 Carlson, Mrs. Louise, (74), November 3, 1930. 
 
 Carpenter Florence. (76). (Sylvester I. January 12, 1928. 
 
 Carroll, Mrs. Jennie M., (60), (Chas.), September 22, 
 1933. 
 
 Chase, Rev. George, (68), local preacher, died at Lake 
 
 Clark, Mrs. Hattie, (50), March 17, 1925. 
 
 Claussen, Arthur W., (45), December 12, 1929. 
 
 Clausen, Jason M., (57), Julv 10. 1928. 
 
 Clausen, Mrs. Katherine, (79), December 2, 1928. 
 
 Clausen, Mrs. Margaret, (John), November 20, 1914. 
 
 Clausen, C. C, former resident, died at St. Cloud, 
 Fla., March, 1917. 
 
 Clausen, Henry, (75), carpenter contractor, June 28, 
 1927. 
 
 Clausen, Henry G., (54), at Walnut, la., May 8, 1927. 
 
 Clausen, Henry J., (57), December 1, 1927. 
 
 Clemens, Julius. (80). January 8, 1920. 
 
 Clemmons, William H., (69), October 20, 1924. 
 
 Cline, Mrs. Anna. (67), May 3, 1929. 
 
 Cline, Charles F., (68), railway conductor, April 14, 
 1928. 
 
 Cole, Mrs. Carrie, (47), March 10, 1928. 
 
 Colebourne, William J., (73), at Louisville, Ky., Jan- 
 uary 17, 1935. 
 
 Collins, Mrs. Clara L., (94), October 19, 1928. 
 
 Conant, Mensel Alvin, (78), auto accident, June 12, 
 1933. 
 
 Conant, William A., (50). auto accident, June 10, 1933. 
 
 Conklin, Mrs. Christine, (Henry), March 24, 1929. 
 
 Consoer, William, (62), July 7, 1921. 
 
 Cool, Mrs. Edward, (29), July 1, 1891. 
 Geneva, Wis., July 2, 1920. 
 
 Cool, Edwin, (70), April 1, 1922. 
 
 Cool, Frank, March 21, 1922. 
 
 Cool, Mrs. Grace Kin?, (Nelson), April 16, 1930. 
 
 Cool, Mary Forrest (Nelson A.) May 1, 1901. 
 
 Cool, Nelson, (79), at Alberta. Canada, Julv 15, 1929. 
 
 Corey, George F., "Shorty", (47), October 5, 1935. 
 
 Court emanche, Moses, (82), March 26, 1929. 
 
 Crawford, William, ("Speedy") railway detective, kil- 
 led while at work in Rock Island Ry. Yards, 
 January 18, 1926. 
 
 Crossland, Nicholas, (55), October 2, 1924. 
 
 Crueger, Thomas, (67), March 1, 1927. 
 
 Culp, James A., (56). Rock Island engineer, August 20, 
 1923. 
 
 Cunningham, Joseph, (63), May 12, 1922. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 373 
 
 Cure, Mrs. Anna, (54), September 16, 1935. 
 Cure, Mrs. Caroline, (49), January 22, 1931. 
 Cure, Mrs. Laura, (42), (Peter), February 17, 1935. 
 Cure, Mrs. Mary, (81), February, 23, 1929. 
 Cure. Mrs. Mary, (80). April 8, 1928. 
 Curtice, Alexander E., (66), veteran railroad engineer, 
 May 21, 1935. 
 
 D 
 
 Dagenais, Oliver, (63), June 28, 1931. 
 
 Dahl, Mrs. Mathlida Matson, February 3, 1925. 
 
 Dale, Mrs. Alice Anita, (73), April 17, 1926. 
 
 Dale, Mrs. Cora, (71), August 30, 1933. 
 
 Damm, Mrs. Mary G., (45), February 2, 1927. 
 
 Damm, William, (82), April 6, 1929. 
 
 Damm, Mrs. William, (65), August 23, 1921. 
 
 Davidson, George E., (71), January 25, 1932. 
 
 Davoust, Gabriel, (92), veteran of Franco-Prussian war, 
 December 22, 1934. 
 
 Day, Mrs. Amelia Gilson, (75), December 8, 1921. 
 
 DeArmond, Frank, (77), Rock Island conductor, July 17, 
 1933. 
 
 Dee, Edward W., (57), Rock Island conductor, May 9, 
 1922. 
 
 Degenfelder, Andrew, (58), May 23, 1929. 
 
 Degenfelder. Josephine (Sister M. Brunnois), at Wash- 
 ington, Mo., October 10, 1930. 
 
 Dehnhardt, Justus Julius, (64), October 15, 1924. 
 
 Delories, Mrs. Phoebe. (62), July 29, 1927. 
 
 Denner, Mrs. Emma, (79), daughter of the pioneers 
 William and Marie Sorgenfrei (nee Krueger), June 
 9, 1935. 
 
 Derby, Charles Gifford. (73), January 6, 1935. 
 
 Devine. William J., (30), April 28, 1905. 
 
 Dickerman, Charles D., (59), February 24, 1919. 
 
 Dickman, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (99), pioneer resident of 
 Dolton, February 12, 1935. 
 
 Diefenbach, F. G., many years a leading businessman. 
 Postmaster 1890 to 1898, April 18, 1917. 
 
 Diefenbach, John, brother of F. G. Diefenbach, July 
 12, 1921. 
 
 Doehler, George, Civil War veteran, April 17, 1922. 
 
 Doering, Mrs. Hazel, (William), May 30, 1923. 
 
 Doermann, Rev. Henry G., (73), at St. Paul, former 
 pastor First Lutheran Church of Blue Island, Febru- 
 ary 10, 1933. 
 
 Dohrman, William, (76), January 26, 1929. 
 
 Dohrman, William H., (58), merchant, May 7, 1934. 
 
 Doolittle, Mrs. Charlotte, (68), (William), November 5 
 1931. 
 
 Dorjahn, Rev. Joachim Henry, (75), January 22, 1933. 
 
 Dormann, Christian Henry, (74), December 28, 1924. 
 
 Dormann, Mrs. Dorothea, (85), November 3, 1921 
 
 Dorman, Fred, (61), May 28, 1927. 
 
 Dorn j iecker ' Mrs. Eva, (72), (George), September 18, 
 
 Dornhecker. Mrs. Frances. (48), (John) December 8, 
 
 Dornhecker, Mrs. Mary, (69), (John) , January 11, 1931 
 Dorow, Fred-rick W.. (81), August 6, 1931 
 Dougherty, William E., (75), July 10, 1930 
 Downey, Mrs. Catherine. (67), (William), October 9, 
 
 D,n i933" Har0H ' (55) ' rai,, ' 0aC ' en ^ ineer - A "g ,lst 29 - 
 D °T n 30' Peter A - (82 »- old time resident, December 5, 
 
 Downey. Thomas F.. (82). saloonkeeper of the early 
 
 days. June 7, 1934. 
 Downey, William, ("Pete"), (61), November 25, 1925. 
 Draeger. John L.. (49), August 13, 1934 
 Dreischerf, Mrs. Herman, (58). December 5 1924 
 
 Dreischerf, Louis, (73), March 30, 1931. 
 
 Dreyer, Mrs. Mary Stein, (Alvis), December 27, 1925. 
 
 Driese, Albert, (56), painter, May 15, 1934. 
 
 Duller, Mrs. Sylvia D., (79), (Alfred), December 27, 
 1924. 
 
 Dunning, Derbin S., (56), Rock Island railway con- 
 ductor, September 8, 1921. 
 
 Danielson, Adolph, (66), one of first aldermen 5th 
 ward, October 16, 1928. 
 
 Day, Mrs. Susan, (71), August 26, 1928. 
 
 Duringer, Conrad, (68), March 3, 1928. 
 
 Douglas, A. W.. September 18, 1934. 
 
 Durham, Mrs. Edith E., (35), August 26, 1930 
 
 Dyson. James, (72), April 9, 1931. 
 
 E 
 
 Eames, Mrs. Mary, (73), (Joseph P.), daughter of th« 
 pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rexford, died at 
 Los Angeles, Cal., August 6, 1935. 
 
 Eames, Melville C, October, 1917. 
 
 Eames, Rev. Joseph, May 14, 1891. 
 
 Eames, Joseph P., (67), attorney, October 10, 1930. 
 
 Earner, Mrs. Bridget, Gibbons, (Thomas), July 1 1927 
 
 Earner, Mark Edward, (24), April 30, 1922. 
 
 Earner, Thomas, (72), switchman, April 25, 1929 
 
 Ebeling, Mrs. Stella, (22). auto accident, October 22, 
 
 Ebert, Emil A.. (30), April 5, 1928. 
 
 Ebert, Mrs. Katie, (69), November 9, 1927. 
 
 Eckdahl, Frank G., (78), May 6, 1934. 
 
 Ecklund, John. (76), May 7, 1928. 
 
 Edgerly, Jason H., (94), Civil War veteran, June 11, 
 
 Edgerly, Mrs. Lucy (Jason), August 28, 1925. 
 
 Edwards, Samuel, (69), coal dealer, June 28, 1935. 
 
 Ehrhardt, Anthony, Rock Island railway engineer, killed 
 in accident at Rock Island, September 1, 1930. 
 
 EichhofT, Mrs. Emma (Edward), April 1, 1920. 
 
 Eidam, Carl Ferdinand, (92), pioneer German settler, 
 shoe merchant, June 4, 1923. 
 
 Eidam, Charles H., supervisor Worth township, presi- 
 dent park board, June 22, 1927. 
 
 Einhorn, Mrs. Minnie (Michael), September 13, 1925 
 
 Einhorn, Peter, (74), May 23, 1924. 
 
 Eisendrath, Mrs. Regina, (89), October 6, 1931. 
 
 [•Herman, Mrs. Fred (nee Stark), (69), February 26, 
 
 Emerson Charles W., (62), railway conductor, Febru- 
 ary 4. 1922. 
 Engelland, Mrs. Anna, (73), May 22 1933 
 Engelland, Arthur C, (40), October 13, 1935 
 
 Engelland, Carsten (72), March 22 1928 
 
 En T7 la ]9% Ge " r " e Sl '" (83) ' Ca,,y residem ' Jamiary 
 Engelhanlt. Mrs. Augusta, (nee Huhnstock), (60) 
 November 8, 1935. ' 
 
 Engelhardt, Mrs. Carl, (45), February 23, 1931. 
 Engelhardt, John, proprietor. Union House (68) Octo- 
 ber 9, 1891. ' ' 
 Engelhardt, John W., (54), February 5, 1935 
 Engelhart Mrs. Minnie, (64), (August), Julv 9, 1922 
 Engelland Peter, (65), August 15, 1924. 
 Engelland, Peter (77) November 25, 1902 
 Erickson, Mrs. Eva Julia, (66), September 11, 1931 
 Hickson. Mrs. Sophia. (58). April 25, 1928 
 Ernst, Mrs. Anna, (33), (Edward), November 2, 1925 
 Ernst Edward A., (39), January 16 1929 
 Errett. Albert W., (40), in California, May, 1924. 
 Esche. Mrs. Caroline, November 14, 1914 
 Esche, Emil, (45), October 31, 1923. 
 Esche. Hugo, December 29, 1922. 
 
 Esche. Mrs. Margaret. (45), (Emil), February 11 1932 
 Evans, Thomas. December 24, 1913. 
 
374 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Fadke, Elizabeth, (58), December 11, 1928. 
 
 laiibanks Mrs. Matilda, (88), April 20, 1920. 
 
 Fairmon, Elverton, (72), May 1, 1918. 
 
 Farren, Elizabeth Ann, (64), (Chas.), March 14, 1920. 
 
 lay, Lawrence, (76), October 27, 1931. 
 
 Fay, Mrs. Frances, (71), November 5, 1933. 
 
 Feddeler, Mrs. Emma, (47), April 30, 1929. 
 
 Ferrers, Frederick, (69), August 11, 1921. 
 
 Feddeler, Mrs. Minnie, (49), March 15, 1929. 
 
 Fiedler, Mrs. Antoinette, (43), wife of Alderman George 
 Fiedler, March 5, 1935. 
 
 Fiedler, Stephan, (70), April 28, 1919. 
 
 Fiedler, Mrs. Tillie, (60), January 22, 1933. 
 
 Fischer, Mrs. Ann, (76), December 3, 1933. 
 
 Fischer, Mrs. Carrie, (65), December 15, 1921. 
 
 Fischer, Johanna, (41), November 9, 1925. 
 
 Fischer, John, (84), Civil War veteran, January 28, 
 1918. 
 
 Fischer, John L., (51), March 5, 1934. 
 
 Fischer, Mrs. John, (78), December 21, 1917. 
 
 Fischer, Mrs. George, (82), May 2, 1927. 
 
 Fischer, Louis, (52), June 15, 1924. 
 
 Fisher, Nick, (63), native of Blue Island, died at Ver- 
 ona, N. Y., November 9, 1934. 
 
 Flassig, Benjamin, (74), February 25, 1929. 
 
 Hassig. Mrs. Christine. (60). September 25. 1929. 
 
 Flassig, Henry A., (70), July 7, 1929. 
 
 Fleischer, Mrs. Christina, (70), April 24, 1924. 
 
 Fleming, David H., (67), February 25, 1924. 
 
 Fletcher, Perry R., (54), former civil engineer for city, 
 December 18, 1919. 
 
 Flory, William, (76), January 31, 1935. 
 
 Foley, John James, (40). railroad conductor, Novem- 
 ber 7, 1921. 
 
 Folman, Marie, (57), December 23, 1922. 
 
 Foote, John U., (56), September 12, 1935. 
 
 Fordtran, Henry, (63), photographer, October 13, 1924. 
 
 Forry, Mrs. Martin, (27), September 12, 1927. 
 
 Forster, Mrs. Rose Crofton, (57), March 9, 1928. 
 
 Foster, Charles R., (71), former alderman, died at 
 Shelby, Mich., July 9, 1927. 
 
 Fouts. James J., (40), September 25, 1934. 
 
 Frahm, Miss Katherine, (59). August 27, 1930. 
 
 Frahm, Mrs. Maria, (75), April 21, 1930. 
 
 Frasor, Mrs. Alice, (Harold), April 10, 1925. 
 
 Freberg, Mrs. Laura, March 9, 1925. 
 
 Frechette, Mrs. Elsie V., (25), November 29, 1922. 
 
 Fredericks, Mrs. Anna, (75), September 12, 1931. 
 
 Fredette, Mrs. Julia, (58), May 3, 1927. 
 
 Frentz, Ferdinand, W., (69), June 18, 1928. 
 
 Frentz, Mrs. Marie Henrietta, (68), January 6, 1935. 
 
 Frentz, Henry, (44) , May 5, 1923. 
 
 Frentz, Henry, (73), November 11, 1923 . 
 
 Frith, Mrs. Mary E., (88), November 9, 1931. 
 
 Fuller, Mrs. Ann C, eldest child of the pioneer settlers 
 Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Robinson, March 9, 1918. 
 
 Fullerton, Mrs. Jane Eleanor, (50), April 25, 1925. 
 
 Fullerton, James, (58), railway engineer, January 4, 
 1931. 
 
 Fulton, Mrs. Phoebe Jane, (80), May 16, 1929. 
 
 G 
 
 Gaboriault, Arthur, (41), January 25, 1925. 
 Gambler, Jesiah, F., November 25, 1930. 
 Gammel, Mrs. Charlotte H., (80), January 24, 1929. 
 Gantszkow, Mrs. Minnie Brethauer, 11026 Prospect 
 
 Ave., February 9, 1922. 
 Ganzer, Mrs. Caroline, (88), March 14, 1925. 
 Ganzer, John, (86), November 30, 1920. 
 Gavin, Daniel, (82), retired section foreman, October 
 
 13, 1934. 
 
 Gebert, Christian, (58), November 30, 1930. 
 
 Gebert, Christian, (69), old resident, May 29, 1913. 
 
 Gebert, Fred, (60), December 11, 1925. 
 
 Gebert, Henry (World War veteran), May 6, 1925. 
 
 Gebert, Mrs. Mary, (86), April 25, 1934. 
 
 Geiman, Mrs. Elizabeth, (Michael), November 18, 1914. 
 
 Gierman, John (89) January, 1916. 
 
 Gilbert, Mrs. P. H. (42), April 15, 1910. 
 
 Gilson, Hiram, (78), April 16, 1922. 
 
 Gilson, Howard, (64), October 12, 1935. 
 
 Goble, Harvey J., (66), June 15, 1925. 
 
 Goesel, Mrs. Marie Pressler, April 13, 1925. 
 
 Goetze, Fred, (60), May 25, 1933. 
 
 Goble, Mrs. Louisa, (76), December 27, 1934. 
 
 Grader, George, (68), December 15, 1924. 
 
 Grader, Lydia E. (33) February 16, 1919. 
 
 Grabowski, Mrs. Anna, (62), December 2, 1934. 
 
 Grandchamp, Fred, Sr., (69), June 2, 1935. 
 
 Green, John M., January 5, 1933. 
 
 Green, Mrs. Mary (John M.) July, 1932. 
 
 Green, William Hugh, (56), former engineer, municipal 
 plant, December 16, 1921. 
 
 Griggs, William, (72), Civil War veteran, March 30, 
 1919. 
 
 Grebin, Otto, (74), February 18, 1934. 
 
 Guest, Sheldon H., (74), retired switchman, October 9, 
 1922. 
 
 Guenther, Mrs. Katherine (Theodore) April 14, 1911. 
 
 Guenther, Theodore (71) February 26, 1894. 
 
 Gurgel, Mrs. Alvina, (68), July 13, 1929. 
 
 Gustafson, Rev. Gustaf A., (68), pastor Swedish Mis- 
 sion church, March 12. 1926. 
 
 Gallagher, Patrick, (66), April 9, 1928. 
 
 Gierman, Mrs. George. (58), April 12, 1928. 
 
 Gese, Mrs. Minnie, (71), April 19 1921. 
 
 Gruebe, George J., (60), November 23, 1931. 
 
 Gretencort, Arthur, (33), June 15, 1931. 
 
 Goebel, Henrietta, (82), (John), March 17, 1930. 
 
 Goesel Charles F., (68), May 1, 1930. 
 
 Gebert, Frederick, (59), August 19, 1929. 
 
 Goetter, Mrs. Elizabeth, (66), March 24, 1929. 
 
 Guenther, Dr. Theodore C. son of pioneer parents, died 
 at Chicago, October 28, 1928. 
 
 Griggs, Mrs. Dorothea, (74), September 15, 1920. 
 
 Gerstenkorn, Christina, (65), January 24, 1920. 
 
 Groskopf. Louis C, (79), former village trustee, January 
 26, 1928. 
 
 H 
 
 Haas. Charles, popular restaurateur, taken sick while at 
 se:., died in Municipal Hospital in Munich, Germ- 
 any. June 6, 1928. 
 
 Haas, Mrs. Minnie, (64), (Chas.), December 4, 1925. 
 
 Haas, Rev. William. (67) , former pastor M. E. church, 
 February 19, 1912. 
 
 Haase, Friederich, (80), January 11, 1926. 
 
 Haase, George, (54), March 23, 1925. 
 
 Haase, John, (45), February 26, 1925. 
 
 Haase, John, (82), retired farmer, April 19, 1926. 
 
 Haase, Mrs. Margaret, (54), May 16, 1927 . 
 
 Haase, Mrs. Marie Sophia, (80), May 19, 1933. 
 
 Habich, John, (75), March 5, 1923. 
 
 Habich, Mrs. Theresa, (75), October 19. 1928. 
 
 Haffner, Mrs. Anna, (John), May 7, 1927. 
 
 Haffner, Mrs. Blanche Emma, (42), April 27. 1928. 
 
 Haffner, John Sr., (72), July 20, 1934. 
 
 Hagelberger, V. H., (61), R. I. trainmaster, October 1, 
 1928. 
 
 Hageman, Louis, (81), February 14, 1929. 
 
 Hageman, Charles, (83), old settler, March 15, 1924. 
 
 Hague, James, 62), December 29, 1931. 
 
 Hale. Harvey, (38), December 3, 1928. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 375 
 
 Hallinan, Henry, (60), April 5, 1922. 
 
 Hallinan, Harry W.. (42), auto accident, March 9, 
 
 1934. 
 Hallman, Felix A.. (58), March 4, 1928. 
 Hallinan, Patrick T., (62), mortician, February 17, 
 
 1931. 
 Hamilton, John, (83), November 28, 1925. 
 Hamm, Mrs. Katherine, (65), January 26, 1928. 
 Hammond, Mrs. Ashley K., (Jessie Robinson), (76), at 
 
 Stony Brook, Long Island, June 3, 1933. 
 Hammond, Frederick, (71), July 9, 1929. 
 Hammond, Herbert, (57), railroad engineer, August 22, 
 
 1918. 
 Hanson, Edward, (former Alderman 3rd Ward), 
 
 April 17, 1925. 
 Hanson. James, (87), May 2, 1931. 
 Hanson, Mrs. Lizzie, (Edward), February 15, 1909. 
 Harrison, Eliza Ann. (70), June 16, 1929. 
 Hartwell, Mrs. Marie, (88), January 13, 1925. 
 Hartwig, William, (84), May 2, 1935. 
 Hartwig, Mrs. William, (79), May 10, 1935. 
 Hartzell, George W., (74), January 12, 1929. 
 Haselow, Mrs. Mary, (88), February 19, 1931. 
 Hausberg, Otto. (38). December 6, 1928. 
 Hausburg, Miss Ella D.. (40), February 7, 1923. 
 Hawthorne, W. D., (76), June 16, 1934. 
 Hayes, Mrs. Maude Robinson, (Richard), former teacher 
 
 in Blue Island schools, died at Brooklyn, N. Y., 
 
 August 9, 1920. 
 Haywood, Mrs. Philip, July 26, 1931. 
 Hecht, Mrs. Henry, (49), January 8, 1933. 
 Heckler, Henry I., former cigar manufacturer, Septem- 
 ber 20, 1930. 
 Heckler, Mrs. Mathilda, (nee Witt), (75), (Gregory), 
 Heckman, John, early settler, (81), June 10, 1914. 
 [[ dden, Mrs. Hazel, (37). May 20, 1934. 
 Hegner, Mrs. Anna, (79), July 27, 1913. 
 Heim, Edward, (64), florist, January 1, 1933. 
 Heim, George, (72), January 19, 1925. 
 Heim, John William, (90), early settler, May 9, 1918. 
 Heim. Henry, (70), March 22, 1935. 
 Heim. Walter. (35), December 27, 1933. 
 Helm, William E., (56), October 6, 1927. 
 Heimbach, Herman. (70), early resident, April 9, 1922. 
 Heinecke, Herman, (62), former lieutenant of police, 
 
 January 31, 1921. 
 Helbrig, Matilda. (84), April 17, 1932. 
 Hellman, Mrs. Helena, (80), (John), March 3, 1935. 
 Helquist, John Adolph, (65), March 4, 1921. 
 Helquist, Mrs. J. A., (64). (John), July 18, 1935. 
 Herwig, Anna Katarina Weissenborn, (94), April 11, 
 
 1918. 
 Helwig, Carl A., (47), postmaster at time of death. 
 
 December 17, 1931. 
 Helwig, Michael, (90), October 8, 1931. 
 Henschler, Bernhardt. (68) . February 2, 1918 
 
 October 17, 1934. 
 Henschler. Mrs. Caroline Bornschein. (80), March 18. 
 
 1929. 
 Herzog, Harry F., (44), February 24, 1934. 
 Hill. Mrs. Mary J.. (81). February 24. 1934. 
 Hinkley, George C, (29), June 25, 1928. 
 Hinman. George E., (75), Civil War veteran, Feb- 
 ruary 3, 1902. 
 
 Hinman, Mrs. Marv Annie, (89), (George), September 
 25, 1913. 
 
 Hochheimer, John, April 10, 1925. 
 
 Hochheimer, Mrs. Minnie, (65), November 8, 1929. 
 
 Hock, Fred H., (41), October 16, 1931. 
 
 Hock, Mrs. William, (101), pioneer, November 3, 1918. 
 
 Hochstadter, Fred, (38), Helen Hochstadter, (35), his 
 wife, Herbert (13) and Jean Hochstadter (11) their 
 children; Arthur Patno, (34) and Ethel Patno (33) 
 his wife, killed in auto accident on B. & 0. C. T. 
 tracks at Vermont street, October 14, 1934. 
 
 Hodder, William G., (82), pioneer Rock Island en- 
 gineer, August 31, 1923. 
 
 Hodder, Mrs. William, (78), February 24, 1924. 
 
 Hodge, George William, (73), local preacher, died in 
 Augusta, Ga., August 12, 1919. 
 
 Hofeldt, Mrs. Rose, (59), (Henry), March 22, 1921. 
 
 Hoffman. Mrs. Bertha, (70), (nee Sorgenfrei), October 
 13, 1928. 
 
 Hoffman, Julius E.. (80), blacksmith. May 10, 1934. 
 
 Hogblom, Carl A.. (55), February 12, 1918. 
 
 Hogblom, Carl W., (36), World War veteran, May 3, 
 1931. 
 
 Hohmann, Fred (69) June 16, 1915. 
 
 Hohn, Mrs. Caroline, (88), June 11, 1935. 
 
 Holl, Mrs. Mary. (78), February 12. 1928. 
 
 Holm. Mrs. Anna Jors, (47), November 15, 1922. 
 
 Holt, Frank J., October, 1917. 
 
 Holland, Mrs. Grace Roche, December 1, 1926. 
 
 Hooper, William H., (88), June 1, 1935. 
 
 Hopf, George W., (85), early resident, January 1, 1923. 
 
 Hopf, Mrs. George W., (nee Louise Krueger), (85), 
 October 23, 1929. 
 
 Hopf, Mrs. Lina, (90), (Michael) January 19, 1926. 
 
 Hopf, William H.. Sr., (59), October 26, 1931. 
 
 Hopkins, Mrs. Elizabeth, (68), January 28, 1923. 
 
 Hopp, Emil, (32), February 11, 1928. 
 
 Hoth, Mrs. Josephine Elders. (91), February 20, 1934. 
 
 Huard. Mrs. Julia, (46), March 30, 1928. 
 
 Huber, Mrs. Christine, (Julius), August 24, 1924. 
 
 Huber, Julius., (61), September 24, 1924. 
 
 Hubing, Peter J., (71), April 26, 1929. 
 
 Hughes, Mrs. Colinda, (42), died in Los Angeles, Cal., 
 July 19. 1931. 
 
 Hulett. Mrs. Delaney, (66), April 16, 1920. 
 
 Hulett, Mrs. Margaret Ann. (60). October 25. 1919. 
 
 Humphries. Mrs. Delora, (44), April 10, 1928. 
 
 Hunke. Mrs. Otillie, (65), February 11, 1934. 
 
 Huntington, Mrs. Clara, (51), (Henry), August 6, 1927. 
 
 Huntington, Henry, Rock Island conductor, October 1, 
 1913. 
 
 Huntington, Henry H.. (46), Rock Island railway con- 
 ductor. December 10, 1926. 
 
 Hunstock. Theodor. (67), August 9, 1935. 
 
 Hupe, Mrs. Margaret, (75), Dec. 13, 1933. 
 
 I 
 
 Iglehart, Charles W., (51), December 23, 1927. 
 Iglehart, Nicholas Holbrook. (83). December 28, 1920. 
 Isler, Fredericka, (74), March 26, 1918. 
 nil, Eric Max, (32). April 15, 1931. 
 
 Jaeger. Frank, (59), December 29, 1927. 
 
 Jaglowitz, Mrs. Rose, (61), May 30, 1931. 
 
 Jahnke, August. ('64 ). August 1. 1928. 
 
 Jahnke, Otto, (73), June 23, 1935. 
 
 James, Edwin A., (40), February 9, 1923. 
 
 James. Mrs. Mary Ann, (77), February 8, 1933. 
 
 Jameson. John Forrester, (49), Rock Island yardmaster, 
 
 September 3, 1923. 
 Jebens, Fred, hardware merchant, September 21, 1914. 
 Jebsen. Bernhardt Claus, (55), February 2, 1934. 
 Jenner, James D., (77), February 4, 1923. 
 .Tenner. Janette M., (21), January 26, 1919. 
 Jennings, Mrs. Caroline Doberteen, (76), January 6, 
 
 1923. 
 
376 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Jensen, Mrs. Magdalene, (75), (Simon), February 7, 
 1935. 
 
 Jerrain, A., alderman 6th ward, May 28, 1928. 
 
 Jerrain, Charlotte H., (64), September 29, 1928. 
 
 jeru, Mrs. Mary, (46) , May 22, 1930. 
 
 Jezisik, Henry, (48), December 8, 1933. 
 
 Jezisik, Mrs. Mary Semred, (52), (Joseph), Septem- 
 ber 11, 1931. 
 
 Joens, Mrs. Anna Maria, (77), June 16, 1927. 
 
 Joens, J. John, (70), lumberman, September 2, 1923. 
 
 Johler, Gustave, A., (56), February 9, 1932. 
 
 Johler, Louis B., (59), September 4, 1933. 
 
 Johler. William, (58), October 21, 1919. 
 
 Johnson. Claude, (38), April 21, 1930. 
 
 Johnson, Georse, (71), January 29, 1935. 
 
 Johnson, Mrs. Elmer M., (42), June 5, 1923. 
 
 Johnson, Mrs. Helen, (32), March 17, 1928. 
 
 Johnson, John, (83) , February 17, 1929. 
 
 Johnson, Philip C, (51), piano manufacturer, Feb- 
 ruary 2, 1933. 
 
 Jones, Mrs. Agnes, (76), November 7, 1934. 
 
 Jones, Asa C, (38), at Jackson, Tenn., Feb. 9, 1920. 
 
 Jones, Eda, (74), first white child born in Blue Island, 
 July 26, 1840, died in Pasadena, Cal., April 18, 1914. 
 
 Jones, Stephen Decatur, merchant, April 28, 1909. 
 
 Jors, Mrs. Carl, December 22, 1924. 
 
 Jors, Mrs. Marie, (78), December 22, 1924. 
 
 Juby, Miss Ellen, (36), November 4, 1928. 
 
 Juby, John, December 15, 1924. 
 
 Juby, Mrs. J., October 5, 1921. 
 
 Jtrgensen, Mrs. Peter, (58), October 1, 1925. 
 
 K 
 
 Kallum, Fred T. E., (66), former postmaster, May 20, 
 1929. 
 
 Kantzler, August C, (80), pioneer resident of Blue Is- 
 land died at Mattox, Va., February 6, 1926. 
 
 Karsten, Fred, July 1, 1913. 
 
 Kasten, Mrs. Anna Kich, (35), (Frank), May 7, 1913. 
 
 Kauffman, Dr. Jesse, (45), during flu epidemic. Octo- 
 ber 29, 1918. 
 
 Kauffman, Mrs. John, January 18, 1922. 
 
 Kauffman, Stewart, Rock Island railway engineer 
 killed in wreck at 91st street, August 28, 1926. 
 
 Keeley, Mrs. Ida M., (73), September 14, 1935. 
 
 Kenniston, William, (65), railway conductor, Octo- 
 ber 7, 1927. 
 
 Kerger, Mrs. M. H. October 3, 1922. 
 
 Kern, August G., former Supt. of Streets, April 27, 
 1925. 
 
 Kern, Monroe George, (29), World War veteran, Octo- 
 ber 22, 1924. 
 
 Kich, August, (68), March 10, 1928. 
 
 Kich, Conrad, (87), pioneer resident (1848), October 
 31 1922. 
 
 Kich, 'Mrs. Mathlida, (75), (Conrad), May 17, 1913. 
 
 Kich, Peter A., (65). former police officer, Septem- 
 ber 22, 1930. 
 
 Kich, Waldemar, (40), September 18, 1933. 
 
 Kich, William, (61), August 28, 1931. 
 
 Kiessling, Louis, (36), May 6, 1923. 
 
 Kiessling, Nicholas, (74) , October 10, 1924. 
 
 Kiessling, William J., (44), August 20, 1924. 
 
 Kieffer, Edward, pioneer settler, June 20, 1914. 
 
 Kiessling, John, (82), October 23, 1927. 
 
 Kile, Fred C, pioneer citizen, former postmaster, 
 July 25, 1915. 
 
 Kile, Merrill, October 26, 1906. 
 
 Kimmel, Mrs. Catherine, (77), March 7, 1931. 
 
 King, Mrs. Lillian L., (56), January 20, 1929. 
 
 Klaeske, Carl, (84), March 19, 1924. 
 
 Klein, Mrs. Christine, (79), April 25, 1921. 
 
 Klein, Daniel M., (55), February 20, 1929. 
 
 Klein, Mrs. Emma, (74), (Jacob), September 11, 1935. 
 
 Klein, Jacob, (88), June 9, 1933. 
 
 Klein, John F., (59), April 21, 1931. 
 
 Klein, Miss Minnie F., November 4, 1933. 
 
 Klein, Mrs. Theresa, (nee Kantzler), (90), August 28, 
 1933. 
 
 Klinkman, Mrs. Lorraine. (23), March 15, 1932. 
 
 Klopp, Mrs. Amalia, (68), January 27, 1925. 
 
 Klopp Albert Otto, (43), April 23, 1925. 
 
 Klopp, Mrs. Emma, (74), April 25, 1934. 
 
 Klopp, Herman L.. (67), February 25, 1928. 
 
 Klopp, Mrs. Minnie, (81), April 23, 1901. 
 
 Klopp, William, (58), July 16, 1933. 
 
 Klump, Lester Dennis (72) June 13, 1910. 
 
 Knapp, Mrs. Elizabeth. (63). April 9, 1928. 
 
 Knirsch, Miss Natalia, (67), July 12, 1929. 
 
 Koch, Albert, carpenter, July 23, 1924. 
 
 Koch, Mrs. Sophia Uhlich, (Louis), October 6, 1921. 
 
 Koehler, Mrs. Elizabeth, (70), June 27, 1930. 
 
 Koehler, Herman W., Jr., (41). May 23, 1922. 
 
 Koehler, Mrs. Herman, (58), December 14, 1918. 
 
 Koehler, Mrs. Mary. May 6. 1930. 
 
 Koehler, William W., (28), Koehper Paper Co., Novem- 
 ber 29, 1925. 
 
 Koehler William, (70), November 28, 1929. 
 
 Koehne, Mrs. Amelia, early resident, (Henry), (86), 
 May 13, 1914. 
 
 Koenecke, Mrs. Florence Airey, (47), wife of Aid. Al- 
 fred Koenecke, killed in auto accident January 17, 
 1932. 
 
 Koenecke, Mrs. Fred W., (75), June 27, 1928. 
 
 Konsoer, Henry C, (49), July 14, 1924. 
 
 Konsoer, Joseph, (83), March 21, 1924. 
 
 Kordewick, Andrew, (62), Rock Island car inspector, 
 killed in accident October 24, 1921. 
 
 Kordewick, John, (64), February 2, 1922. 
 
 Kott, Mrs. Elizabeth, (68), November 23, 1923. 
 
 Kott, Ernst C, (90), May 22 1929. 
 
 Kott, Mrs. Fredericka Maria, (60), January 16, 1919. 
 
 Kough, Mrs. Alfred R., (64), March 10, 1934. 
 
 Kovelesky, Clara, (31), July 9, 1925. 
 
 Kovaleski, Mrs. Matilda, (59), December 30, 1921. 
 
 Kovalesky, Paul, (60), January 7, 1919. 
 
 Kovaleski, Mrs. Veronica, (66), March 23, 1931. 
 
 Kowalewski, Paul F., (42), December 1, 1928. 
 
 Krick, Mrs. Katherine, (84), September 15, 1927. 
 
 Krieg, George W.. (68), April 24, 1928. 
 
 Kriegsman, Marie, (nee Wodrich). (78), January 21, 
 1926. 
 
 Krueger, Charles, (73), January 7, 1934. 
 
 Krueger, Christian, bldg. con't., pres. village board (68) 
 September 25, 1904. 
 
 Krueger, Mrs. Christina, (77), February 9, 1931. 
 
 Krueger, Mrs. Katherine, (85), (Christian, Sr.), pioneer 
 resident, August 4, 1923. 
 
 Krueger, Matthias L., (51), September 15. 1935. 
 
 Krueger, Otto, (69). Tune 13. 192Q. 
 
 Krueger, Walter, (37), World War veteran, Novem- 
 ber 17, 1933. 
 
 Krumweide, William, (25), January 18, 1919. 
 
 Kruse, John A., (85), August 31, 1924. 
 
 Kruse, Tohn H.. (51), July 23. 1028. 
 
 Kruse, Raymond, February 9, 1929. 
 
 Kuech, Mrs. Caroline, (64), (Christian) October 13, 
 1934. 
 
 Kuech, Elmer, (30), June 6, 1933. 
 
 Kuiken, Mrs. Samuel, (39), January 4, 1933. 
 
 Kurschner, Ferdinand, (50), May 10, 1920. 
 
 Kurschner, Henry, (69), August 29, 1933. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 377 
 
 La Count, Lucius Francis, (73), July 3, 1929. 
 Ladwig, August. (381, switchman, November 17, 1913. 
 Lake, Everett, World War veteran, June 3, 1923. 
 Lambrechts, Adrianus, (94), retired farmer, April 6, 
 
 1922. 
 Lambrechts, Francis. (55), coal dealer, November 19, 
 
 1923. 
 Lange, Mrs. Christina, (42), (Benjamin), January 17, 
 
 1935. 
 Landgraf. Ferdinand, (79), pioneer resident, March 11, 
 
 1932. 
 Langheld. Mrs. Mariliz, (nee Volp), (62), (Fred), at 
 
 Lemont. April 17. 1927. 
 Langheld, Mrs. Elizabeth, (nee Volp), (Chas), 
 Larson, Mrs. Elizabeth S., (77), September 7, 1923. 
 Larson, Mrs. Johanna Olaf, (89), May 24, 1922. 
 Larsen, Kling, (71), September 8, 1935. 
 Larson, William D.. (27), January 31, 1934. 
 Lau. Mrs. Edward, (43), July 27, 1920. 
 Lau, Mrs. Emma. (79), August 29, 1930. 
 Lau, William, (36i, August 24, 1922. 
 Lau, Mrs. William, (72), July 21, 1922. 
 Lawrence, Joseph D., (42), World War veteran, Sep- 
 tember 15, 1935, 
 LeBeau, Napoleon, (55), at Ontario, March 21, 1928. 
 Leedy, Samuel L., (Ry. conductor), July 20, 1925. 
 Lehman, Gustave, (67), February 1, 1931. 
 Lentz, Mrs. Clementine M., (72), wife of former post- 
 master John A. Lentz, February 28, 1932. 
 Leppert, Mrs. Elizabeth, (79), August 21, 1931. 
 Lewis, Capt. E. R., Civil War veteran, historian, June 
 
 4, 1923. 
 Leyda, William M., (58), April 24, 1926. 
 Lietzau, August, (83) , June 5, 1935. 
 Lietzau, Mrs. Gustave, (77), January 2, 1925. 
 Linderman, Jay S., (64), October 12, 1927. 
 Link, Andrew M., (61). brother of Fire Chief John 
 
 Link, May 17, 1934. 
 Link, Jacob, (80), for many years engineer at city 
 waterworks, father of Fire Chief John Link, Feb- 
 ruary 8, 1927. 
 Lobaugh, Joseph Mateer, (78), banker, October 19, 
 
 1935. 
 Lochow, Charles F., (77), retired fanner, July 11, 1923. 
 Lochow, Otto, (46), January 31, 1931. 
 Lockmann, Mrs. Julia, (66), July 4, 1925. 
 Lohse, Mrs. Christine, (82), January 26, 1929. 
 Lohse, Herman H., (67), December 15, 1934. 
 Loichinger Frank, (31), August 25, 1925. 
 Lommler, Frederick. (59). June 28, 1920. 
 Longacre. Daniel W.. (77), many years clerk and pay- 
 master at local Rock Island railway yards. December 
 2, 1932. 
 Longpre, Mrs. Josephine, (86), August 1, 1925. 
 Lorenz, Max, (54), May 12, 1923. 
 Luchene, Mrs. Jane Cecilia, (25), December 26, 1931. 
 Luchene, Mrs. Pearl, (30), March 22, 1929. 
 Luchtemeyer, Alvin, (38), June 30, 1925. 
 Luchtemeyer, Louis, July 3, 1911. 
 Ludke, Fred C, (32), September 18, 1933. 
 Ludwig, Mrs. August, (71), September 5, 1927. 
 Ludwig, George, (67),. January 16, 1929. 
 Lukey, Mrs. Frances J., (74), June 12, 1930. 
 Luscomb, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth, (69), June 3, 1924. 
 Lusson, Peter, April 7, 1914. 
 
 Lusson, Mrs. Susanna, (Peter), September 29, 1914. 
 Lutherman, Louis, (71), June 12, 1935. 
 Lutzow, Clinton E., (18), January 11, 1929. 
 
 M 
 
 Macdonald, Mrs. Margaret, (57), February 8, 1928. 
 Madden, Daniel D., (56), October 21, 1934. 
 Madsen, Bert H.. (30), September 31, 1928. 
 Mahaffay. Frank C, (53), October 9, 1934. 
 Malm, Miss Mabel, (22), September 28, 1928. 
 Maltry, Peter, (61), January 15, 1931. 
 Mangold, Mrs. Katherine, (84), pioneer resident, May 
 
 3, 1935. 
 Manske, August, (80), June 12, 1922. 
 Marker, Matt, (51), salesman, September 7, 1923. 
 Maroney, Mrs. Anna (James), December 17, 1921. 
 Marshall. Thomas, (53), April 20, 1933. 
 Marshall. Mrs. Thomas, June 25, 1920. 
 Martens, Charles, (47), February 24, 1919. 
 Martens, Peter, (74), May 3, 1935. 
 Martenson, Christian. (53), killed in auto accident, 
 
 August 25, 1931. 
 Martzel. John P., (80), Justice of Peace, Calumet Town- 
 ship, May 23, 1935. 
 Marvin, Smith F. (Civil War veteran), February 7, 1924. 
 Marvitz, Frederick, (58), September 23, 1933. 
 Marwitz. Charles. (51), February 15, 1918. 
 Marx, August, (67), former alderman Third Ward, 
 
 April 17, 1927. 
 Matthews, Mrs. Judd. < 55), August 3, 1933. 
 Matthews, Webb, (59), August 4, 1933. 
 Mavity, Mrs. F. B., December 21, 1920. 
 Mavity. Ferdinand B., (65), November 23, 1922. 
 May. Frank, (75), April 5, 1930. 
 May, Robert, (45), accidental drowning, September 16, 
 
 1934. 
 McAlev. John J., (66), March 9, 1935. 
 McAllister. Mrs. Margaret, (89). May 3, 1930. 
 McClaughrey, Mrs. Angelina, (nee Blim), (76), 
 
 (Matthew) July 30, 1926. 
 McClaughey, Mrs. Jessie, (Peters), (68), October 31, 
 
 1930. 
 McClelland, Millard F., (62), October 6, 1921. 
 McClelland, Mrs. Millard F., (55), June 23, 1914. 
 McColl, John C, (67), veteran railway conductor, 
 
 Dec. 22, 1929. , 
 McCord, Mrs. Catherine, (Ira), (85), old settler, May 
 
 15, 1920. 
 McCord, Mrs. Francis A., (80). April 22, 1930. 
 McCord. Ira, retired farmer, February 7, 1909. 
 McCord, John, (63), June 26, 1935. 
 McDowell, Walter F., (4)), World War veteran. 13th 
 Engineers, died at Edward Hinee hospital, July 2, 
 1931. 
 McElroy, Alberta Robisch, (42), October 9, 1925. 
 McGahon, Mrs. Mary Ann, (67), May 10, 1922. 
 McGrath, Thomas J., (77), many years city attorney, 
 
 prominent Mason; April 4, 1921. 
 McKevitt, Joseph, (68), December 21, 1928. 
 McNulty, John, (58), R. I. Ry. conductor, December 
 
 30, 1917. 
 Mear, Edward, Jr., (52), April 17, 1931. 
 Mear, William, (57), July 20, 1933. 
 Mehlhorn, Albert C, (65), March 9, 1923. 
 Meier, Margerethe D., (89), May 9, 1934. 
 Melvin, Harry L., (45), proprietor Melvin Press, former 
 
 city treasurer, March 13, 1928. 
 Melvin, Leander, R., November 28, 1925. 
 Mentz, Emil M. J., (68), February 18, 1932. 
 Merkelbach, Mrs. Emma, (73), November 14, 1931. 
 Merkelbach, Jacob, (66), February 21, 1922. 
 Merkelbach, John, (52), December 16, 1917. 
 Messerer. Mrs. Theresa, (57), (George), Februray 2, 
 
 1918. 
 Meyer, Mrs. Carol, (26), January 23, 1919. 
 
378 
 
 'THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 Meyer, Glaus, June 16, 1910. 
 
 Meyer, George P., 1915. 
 
 Meyer Mrs. Marie, (80), January 5, 1919. 
 
 Meyer, Mrs. Sophia, (69), October 25, 1933. 
 
 Michalak, Peter, March 17, 1918. 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Anna, (82), July 15, 1922. 
 
 Miller. Mrs. Catherine, (101), (Charles) among first 
 white settlers on the south side of Blue Island, died 
 at Estherville, la., March 5, 1926. 
 
 Miller, George, E., (51), November 1, 1923. 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Lena, (62), August 15, 1934. 
 
 Mills, William F., (25), killed in auto accident, No- 
 vember 3, 1935. 
 
 Moore, John Augustus, (57), July 20, 1925. 
 
 Morgan, Mrs. Caroline, (56), June 5, 1931. 
 
 Morrill, Charles, (31), August 8, 1929. 
 
 Morton, Mrs. Emma, (50), July 3, 1928. 
 
 Mosel, Mrs. Anna, (40), February 14, 1920. 
 
 Mosel, Fred, (77), October 22, 1930. 
 
 Mueller, Mrs. Anna, (32), killed in auto accident, 
 December 19, 1935. 
 
 Mueller. George, (76), August 26, 1925. 
 
 Muhs, Christian, (79), early settler, July 15, 1929. 
 
 Muhs, Sophia. (79), pioneer family, March 1, 1934. 
 
 Mulderink, Mrs. Anna. (60), March 24, 1934. 
 
 Mulderink. Mrs. George, (30), March 31, 1927. 
 
 Mulderink, Margaret M., (49), May 27, 1927. 
 
 Munter, John Algol. (58), February 2. 1934. 
 
 Murphy, Archibald, October 15, 1893. 
 
 Murphy, Mrs. Mary, (77), (Archie), May 26, 1918. 
 
 Myers. Arnold. (52), former alderman. May 8. 1928J 
 
 N 
 
 Nagel, Emil, killed in accident at brickyard, October 8, 
 1930. 
 
 Nagel, Henry, (85), February 24, 1929. 
 
 Nagel, Mrs. Johanna, (75), (Henry) , February 24, 1929. 
 
 Napier, Richard H., (83), September 5, 1924. 
 
 Naumann. Frederick, (80), February 7, 1920. 
 
 Neff, John Orley, (57), July 1, 1925. 
 
 Neibert, John W.. (62), first alderman. Ward One, 
 June 30, 1923. 
 
 Neibert, Joseph, (85), August 21. 1928. 
 
 Neibert, Henry, (82), June 8, 1935. 
 
 Neibert, Mrs. Matilda, (67), October 6, 1924. 
 
 Nelson, Mrs. Lydia H., October 12, 1933. 
 
 Nestrick, Howard, (70), painting contractor, July 18, 
 1931. 
 
 Neukirch. Alfred. (37). September 29. 1924. 
 
 Neukircb, Herman F., (64), May 23, 1929. 
 
 Neukirch, Mrs. Sophia Marie. (75), March 21, 1934. 
 
 Newcomer, Orrin A., died at San Francisco, Cal.. June 
 24, 1933. 
 
 Nickel. August J., (42), April 13, 1926. 
 
 Nickel, Mrs. Ella Mildred, ((53), (Fred), May 17, 1935. 
 
 Nickerson, Mrs. Mary, (William H.), June 9, 1925. 
 
 Niedergesaess, Mrs. Alice, (68), (Rev. Adolph), Oc- 
 tober 1, 1930. 
 
 Niedergesaess, Rev. G. A., (70), former pastor of St. 
 Paul's Evangelical church, died in Chicago, Jan- 
 uary 26, 1924. 
 
 Nieman, Mrs. Dorothy, (77), June 12, 1929. 
 
 Nieman, Henry, Sr., (78), October 21, 1922. 
 
 Nilles, Joseph, bakery proprietor, September 27, 1921. 
 
 Nixon, Frank J., (76), December 10, 1933. 
 
 Noble, Miss Mary, September 8, 1921. 
 
 Norris, James, (44), June 1, 1913. 
 
 Nygren, Axel, (56), April 4, 1928. 
 
 O'Brien, Thomas J., (71), railway conductor, August 12, 
 
 1927. 
 Odenthal, John, (65), October 12, 1921. 
 Oelke, August J., (70), April 15, 1927. 
 Oetjen, Mrs. Anna, (66). January 12, 1928. 
 Oetjen, Christian, (37), March 31, 1913. 
 Off, Johann Jacob, (87), May 4, 1927. 
 Oft, John F., (90), March 18, 1924. 
 Olson, Mrs. Anna, (77), July 22, 1934. 
 Olson, Miss Edith Janette, (22), February 25, 1934. 
 Olson, John A., (48), February 16, 1934. 
 Olson, Louis, (56), January 5, 1934. 
 Olson, Mrs. Sophia Erickson, (75), March 31, 1923. 
 Orth, Chailes, (59), March 13, 1929. 
 Ostendorf, Charles, (57), May 20, 1926. 
 Ouellette, Joseph, (86), May 1, 1934. 
 Ouellette, Mrs. Rose, (66), October 9. 1927. 
 Owen, Charles E., (33), July 5, 1928. 
 
 Pabst, Mrs. Josephine, (69), December 16, 1923. 
 
 Pabst, Leo, (68), April 15, 1931. 
 
 Pagel, John C, (71), January 1, 1928. 
 
 Patenaude Mrs. Clara, (27), (Joseph), January 2, 1919. 
 
 Patnaude, Edward, (35), October 26, 1934. 
 
 Patnaude, William, (64), December 19, 1935. 
 
 Peetz, Henry, (60), November 16, 1931. 
 
 Peloquin, Arthur, (51), January 20, 1934. 
 
 Peloquin, Felix, Sr., (78), October 29, 1934. 
 
 Peloquin, Felix, February 1, 1922. 
 
 Peters, Mrs. Anna (Christian), February 12, 1921. 
 
 Peters, Mrs. Minnie, (49), April 4, 1931. 
 
 Petry, John A., (48), September 17, 1933. 
 
 Pierson, P. S. (34) October 16, 1918. 
 
 Pippert, Fred C, (50), January 18, 1918. 
 
 Plageman, Mrs. Sophia, (89), November 18, 1928. 
 
 Poehlson, Emil H., tavernkeeper, old resident, August 
 
 30, 1920. 
 Porter, Harley D., (57), June 30, 1935. 
 Porter, Mrs. Margaret Jean, August 31, 1923. 
 Post, Edson P., (65), Rock Island switchman, February 
 
 20, 1935. 
 Post, Theodore, (63), November 8, 1924. 
 Priebe, Albert Sr., (69), October 24, 1934. 
 Priebe, Herman C, (69), died at Pittsburg, Pa., June 7, 
 
 1931. 
 Pronger, Mrs. Charles (52), October 10, 1931. 
 Pronger, William, (58), September 16, 1935. 
 Puttkammer, Mrs. Frank, (59), September 28, 1927. 
 Plagemann. Mrs. Sophia, (89), March 19, 1928. 
 Popp, Mrs. Emelie. (75). (Frank). March 3. 1928. 
 Pierce, Albert J.. ((52). July 10. 1934. 
 Peters. Antbonv E.. (38). June 31. 1930. 
 
 Quade, Henry, (59). November 13. 1919. 
 
 Rades, Arthur A., (36). March 21, 1928. 
 
 Rady, Agnes T., July 29, 1925. 
 
 Raithel, Mrs. Anna Margaret, (79), November 20, 1923. 
 
 Randall. Mrs. Augusta Marie, (44). (nee Dreischerf ) , 
 
 February 26, 1932. 
 Rankonin, Mrs. Albertina, (78), July 24, 1923. 
 Rathnau, John, (37), December 30, 1922. 
 Rauhoff, John M., (50), October 26, 1927. 
 Rauwolf, Mrs. Agnes, January 14, 1929. 
 Rauwolf, Mrs. Elizabeth, (51), April 12, 1922. 
 Reardon, Mrs. Mary, (54), (Patrick), June 2, 1935. 
 Reed, Clarence Robert, (31), November 30, 1927. 
 
BLUE ISLAiND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 379 
 
 Reed, Stephen Collin, (87), publisher of the Blue 
 Island Standard, 1884-1888; elected police magistrate 
 in 1887, which office he filled ten years; active many 
 years in Masonic affairs; died at his home in Ham- 
 let, Ind., January 9, 1934. 
 
 Reen, Caroline, (90), November 25, 1922. 
 
 Rehmeyer, Orlev V., (32), March 21, 1928. 
 
 Rehmeyer, Roy. (36), March 7, 1925. 
 
 Reich, Frederick. (45), January 8, 1924. 
 
 Reichert, Andrew, (54), March 23, 1925. 
 
 Reiner, Andrew L., (56), son of pioneer parents, No- 
 vember 26, 1933. 
 
 Reiner, Mrs. Emma, (85), (Andrew), daughter of 
 pioneer parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Seyfarth, July 5, 
 1935. 
 
 Reiner, Frank Joseph. (91), Civil War veteran, July 22, 
 1933. 
 
 Reuss, Mrs. Anna, (61), August 17, 1925. 
 
 Reuss, Claus Frederick, (65), May 20, 1929. 
 
 Reuss, John, June 29, 1925. 
 
 Reussnow, Theodore, (83), one of the first settlers, on 
 the east side of Blue Island, August 17, 1927. 
 
 Reuter, John, (73), September 17, 1927. 
 
 Rexford, Everett H., (78), son of Mr. and Mrs. Heber 
 Rexford, pioneers of the community; was active in 
 business and political life of the village since close 
 of the Civil War; served as trustee and later as 
 village president; ran for mayor in 1917, but was 
 defeated in a 4-cornered contest; engaged in farm- 
 ing and in later years devoted much time to real 
 estate; sold the land for and was instrumental in 
 locating five of the large brick yards adjacent to 
 Blue Island; secured the right-of-way for the Chicago 
 Central Railroad and the Chicago and Interurban 
 street railway; during Civil War participated in 
 such important engagements as Shiloh, Vicksburg 
 and Fort Donaldson; member of G. A. R. and in 
 1897 was chief bugler of the organization in the 
 U. S. ; prominent Mason; public spirited citizen; 
 great philanthropist, always ready to help anyone in 
 need. In 1871 married Sarah E. Robinson, daughter 
 of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Robinson; died at home of 
 his only child, Mrs. George Pettijohn, 140 Burr Oak 
 avenue. Tuesday, Januarv 6, 1920. 
 
 Rexford. Henry, (73) March 17. 1928. 
 
 Rexford, Mrs. Sarah Robinson, (69), (Everett H.), 
 daughter of pioneer settlers, June 22, 1914. 
 
 Renfro, William, (48), March 19, 1922. 
 
 Rhode, Arthur, (30), February 6, 1929. 
 
 Rhode, Edward, (75), December 22, 1930. 
 
 Rhode. William. (36). killed in auto accident, Novem- 
 ber 16, 1933. 
 
 Rickey, Benjamin, (78), February 16, 1923. 
 
 Rickhoff, Mrs. Bertha, (31), February 19, 1932. 
 
 Rickhoff, Mrs. Christine, March 29, 1923. 
 
 Rickhoff, Fred C, (68), September 6, 1933. 
 
 Rio, G. B., (73), April 27, 1935. 
 
 Rippe, Mrs. Amelia Margaret, (64), January 3, 1929. 
 
 Rippe, Henry, Sr., 73), May 20, 1925. 
 
 Rippet, Robert A.. (69), at Portland, Ore., October 25, 
 1931. 
 
 Roberts, Mrs. Vertus B., (53), wife of city civil en- 
 gineer, September 1, 1920. 
 
 Roberts, Vertus B., (68), former city civil engineer and 
 secretary of Board of Local Improvements for 26 
 years, June 23, 1929. 
 
 Robertson. Mrs. Dorothea, (67), May 2, 1930. 
 
 Robinson, Charles B.. (77), pioneer, railway conductor, 
 January 1, 1928. 
 
 Robinson. Mrs. Minnie C at Oakland, Cal., May 11, 
 1929. 
 
 Robinson, Russell, (54), son of H. B. and Mrs. Eliz- 
 abeth Robinson, November 5, 1933. 
 
 Roche, Mrs. Alice Kile, (74), (Albert W.), pioneer 
 settler, December, 1918. 
 
 Roche, Henry J., (69), at Glendale, Cal., June 12, 1921. 
 
 Roche, Mrs. Sarah, (95), pioneer settler, May 9, 1922. 
 
 Rock, Mrs. John, (53), January 1, 1921. 
 
 Rock John Freeborn, (73), December 30, 1927. 
 
 Roehm, Gottlieb, (76), May 24, 1931. 
 
 Roelle, Frank Anthony, (79). February 11, 1928. 
 
 Roemisch, Frank ? 1901. 
 
 Roggeveen, R. D., died at West Hollywood, Cal., May 28, 
 1935. 
 
 Rohde, Mrs. Anna, (76), June 14, 1931. 
 
 Rohe, August Henry, (67), March 15, 1929. 
 
 Rohe, Conrad W., (65), president Rohe Lumber Co., 
 August 12, 1922. 
 
 Rohrbach, Mrs. Emma, (83), (Ulrich), March 5, 1927. 
 
 Rohrbach, Ulrich; salesman, December 20, 1913. 
 
 Roll, Caroline Felzien, (John), died in Hardwell, Neb., 
 November 9, 1918. 
 
 Roll, Mrs. Caroline, (64), (John), May 3, 1905. 
 
 Roll, Herman, Julv 28, 1924. 
 
 Roll, Mrs. Rosina, (87), (John), June 4, 1927. 
 
 Roloff, Henry, (46), April 26, 1905. 
 
 Roloff, Louis, (23), auto accident, October 21, 1934. 
 
 Roloff, William J., (55), June 22, 1933. 
 
 Rosenquist, William Conrad, (75), September 19, 1935. 
 
 Rossner, Mrs. Christine, (72), December 30, 1918. 
 
 Rossner, Ferdinand, November 27, 1914. 
 
 Rothenberger, Charles, (59), September 20, 1924. 
 
 Roulo, Mrs. Anna, August 4, 1931. 
 
 Rudd, Mrs. Mary N., mother of W. N. Rudd, June 22, 
 1921. 
 
 Rudd. Willis, N., (65), president Mt. Greenwood cem- 
 etery Ass'n., November 27, 1925. 
 
 Raff, William, (83), July 12, 1921. 
 
 Ruffert, Herman, (79), May 19, 1935. 
 
 Ruffert, Mrs. Mary, March 30, 1925. 
 
 Ruffert, Mrs. Otillie, (74), May 1, 1930. 
 
 Runge. August. (55). December 22, 1920. 
 
 Runge, Herman, (70), April 3, 1928. 
 
 Runge, Otto (80) December 25, 1912. 
 
 Rutz. Mrs. Augusta. (68), January 9, 1928. 
 
 s 
 
 St. Aubin, Arthur, (54), March 1, 1935. 
 
 Sammons, Mrs. Elizabeth B., (64), October 2, 1924. 
 
 Sandberg, Mrs. Edith, (28), July 24, 1928. 
 
 Sauerbier, Carl, (33), January 22, 1934. 
 
 Sauerbier, Fred, (76), January 14, 1920. 
 
 Sauerteig, Frederick, pioneer settler, (68), July 22, 1891. 
 
 Sauerbier, Mrs. Elsie Thedens, (83), May 8, 1935. 
 
 Sauerbier, John A., ("Jake"), November 19, 1925. 
 
 Sauerbier, Louis, (82), December 24, 1924. 
 
 Sauerbier, Louis, (61), April 8, 1919. 
 
 Saunders, Mrs. John P., (48), March 10, 1931. 
 
 Schaade, Claus F., (72), November 5, 1925. 
 
 Schneider, Mrs. Anna M., (nee Weissenborn), (60), 
 (Fred B.) November 28, 1934. 
 
 Schapper, Mrs. Ella M., (nee Sassaman) (Ferdinand) 
 July 30, 1915. 
 
 Schapper, Ferdinand, was the son of Ferdinand Schap- 
 per, Sr., founder of the Pioneer drug store (1850) 
 and early day postmaster. Upon his father's re- 
 tirement from business in 1874 Ferdinand, Jr., con- 
 ducted the business for twenty-five years. During 
 the later years of his life Mr. Schapper devoted 
 much time to the collection of historical and 
 biographical data of the settlers who located in this 
 vicinity prior to the Civil War. He died March 7, 
 1918. 
 
380 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS'" 
 
 Schapper, Mrs. Ferdinand, July 30, 1915. 
 Schapper, Louisa, pioneer druggist, April 4, 1911. 
 Schicht, Frank, Sr., (81), June 5, 1935. 
 Schick, Emil, (47), December 1, 1929. 
 Schick, Mrs. Katherine, (75), September 3, 1928. 
 Schilling. Mrs. Mary, (75), (Christopher), February 7, 
 Schippel, Martin, (58), June 24, 1934. 
 Schlemmer, Mrs. Ella S., (Harry), November 24, 1924. 
 Schlueter, Peter, pioneer merchant, May 7, 1907. 
 Schmidt, Albert, (67), engaged in mercantile business 
 in Blue Island for thirteen years, entered postal em- 
 ploy in 1897 as assistant postmaster, a position 
 which he held for 28 years until he retired on 
 November 15, 1925. He died February 4, 1926. 
 Schmidt, Carl, (34), accidental drowning, September 
 
 16, 1934. 
 Schmidt Ferdinand, (91), April 9, 1923. 
 Schmidt, Mrs. Katherine, (64), September 15, 1923. 
 Schmidt, Louis, (32), January 15. 1918. 
 Schneider, Henry, (46), September 6, 1928. 
 Schmidt, Mrs. Margaret, (84), June 24, 1935. 
 Schmidt, Mrs. Sophia, (90), mother of former Assist- 
 ant Postmaster, Albert Schmidt, December 14, 1930. 
 Schmitt, Emil, pioneer druggist, June 5, 1933. 
 Schmitt, Mrs. Eva M., (44), C. Martin) April 6, 1934. 
 Schmitt, Henry W., (89), German pioneer settler, No- 
 vember 12, 1923. 
 Schmitt, Herman J., (62), for many years head of 
 Schmitt Bros, department store, died at his home 
 in Morgan Park, August 7, 1924. 
 Schmitt, Herman, Sr., April, 1917. 
 Schmitt, Sr., Mrs. Herman, (86), 10705 Prospect Ave., 
 
 June 6, 1921. 
 Schmitz, William A., (69), June 10, 1921. 
 Schoebes, William, (83). mason contractor, May 29, 
 
 1935. 
 Schoenbaum, A., January 19, 1922. 
 Schoenenberger, Mrs. T.. (62), April 10, 1920. 
 Schoenenberger, Theodore, (67), August 28, 1927. 
 Schoepper, Harry, (26), May 12, 1931. 
 Schoepper, Otto, (57), February 3, 1926. 
 Schrage, William H., (61), January 27, 1932. 
 Schreiber, Mrs. Anna, (70), (V.B.), December 31, 1926. 
 Schreiber, August (67) November 16, 1891. 
 Schreiber, Mrs. August, (64), March 15, 1891. 
 Schreiber, Victor Bruno, (76), alderman Third ward 
 
 1901 to 1904, February 3, 1932. 
 Schreiber, William, (74), former city treasurer and 
 Schroeder, Albert, (57), coal dealer, June 2, 1929. 
 Schroeder, Mrs. Caroline, (91), at Los Angeles, Cal., 
 
 February 18, 1922. 
 Schroeder, Emanuel, (78), March 12, 1928. 
 Schroeder, Mrs. Esther A., (26), September 4, 1934. 
 Schroeder, Frederick August, (77). October 24, 1920. 
 
 1931. 
 Schroeder, Mrs. Hattie, (45), wife of Alderman Fred 
 
 Schroeder, March 30, 1935. 
 Schroeder, Mrs. Paul, (45) , April 27, 1933. 
 Schroth, Joseph, (65), of firm Klein & Scbroth, Novem- 
 ber 27, 1923. 
 Schuemann, Carl, pioneer settler, May 9, 1933. 
 Schuemann, Mrs. Emma, (59), November 22, 1932. 
 Schuemann, Custav. (75), June 21, 1928. 
 Schuemann, Mrs. Katherine, (75). (John), July 5, 1927. 
 Schulte, Mrs. Martha, (59), (John), June 25, 1925. 
 Schultz, Albert, (26), August 7, 1923. 
 Schultz, Mrs. Caroline, (77), (Chas.), November 11, 
 
 1925. 
 Schultz, Christian, July 12, 1925. 
 
 Schultz, Mrs. Elizabeth, (67), (Joachim), January 24, 
 1922. 
 
 Schultz, Ferdinand E., (58), April 6, 1928. 
 
 Schultz, Fred L., (46), former sergeant police, Decem- 
 ber 21, 1931. 
 
 Schultz, Herman C, (63), October 18, 1931. 
 
 Schultz, Mrs. Johanna Margaret, September 24, 1930. 
 
 Schultz, John, (59), September 27, 1914. 
 
 Schultz, Mrs. John, (74), March 22, 1934. 
 
 Schultz, John Christian, (55), April 7, 1925. 
 
 Schultz, Mrs. Paul, (54), February 1. 1928. 
 
 Schultz, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (84), January 28, 1928. 
 
 Schwaiger, Barbara, (75), May 7, 1925. 
 
 Schwamb, Mrs. Theckla, (90), October 14, 1925. 
 
 Schwartz, Mrs. Augusta, (nee Stark), (79), April 18, 
 1930. 
 
 Schwartz, Charles, (86), pioneer resident of Thornton 
 township, March 30, 1935. 
 
 Schwartz, Joseph, February 22, 1927. 
 
 Schwartz, Mrs. William, (74), October 24, 1925. 
 
 Schweser, William, (82), August 1, 1935. 
 
 Seidel, Mrs. Anna, (59), March 13, 1891. 
 
 Seidel, Mrs. Elizabeth, (54), October 25, 1924. 
 
 Seidell, Frank, (59), August 28, 1925. 
 
 Seim, Dr. Gerhart, (55), physician, October 4, 1920. 
 
 Seitz, Mrs. Emma. (67), May 11, 1929. 
 
 Seitz, Mrs. Mary, (95), December 21, 1927. 
 
 Serviss, John, retired railroad man died in California. 
 
 Setterdahl, Rev. Victor, (70), February, 1914. 
 
 Seyfarth, Donald, (21), killed in auto- accident, Decem- 
 ber 25, 1931. 
 
 Seyfarth, Edward, merchant, (65), September 11, 1914. 
 
 Seyfarth, Mrs. Esther Anderson, (26), September 9, 
 1924. 
 
 Seyfarth, Mrs. Grace Lou, (46), (Walter), April 28, 
 1929. 
 
 Seyfarth, Mrs. Herman, (69), July 18, 1929. 
 
 Seyfarth, Miss Ida, (70). October 23, 1928. 
 
 Seyfarth, Mrs. Robert, (50), September 6. 1928. 
 
 Seyl, Leslie, A., (35) railway engineer, January 28, 1928. 
 
 Shaffer, Edward, (42), Rock Island engineer, March 19, 
 1931. 
 
 Shatley, Jacob, (79). December 13. 1934. 
 
 Shebeck, Frank, (61), November 8, 1927. 
 
 Shields, James, (53), June 1, 1918. 
 
 Shields, Mrs. Sarah, December 22, 1924. 
 
 Shields, William, (82), June 3, 1922. 
 
 Shipman, Mrs. Alidia, (78), (Fred), October 26, 1935. 
 
 Siemsen, Jacob, (86), February 7, 1922. 
 
 Simla. Mrs. Rose. (20). (Frank). January 18. 1928. 
 
 Sister Mary Rosalie. Superior, St. Benedict school, (58), 
 March 17, 1929. 
 
 Small, Frederick, Elmer, (25), May 17, 1902. 
 
 Small, Kenneth I., (55), auto accident at Portland. 
 Maine, October 10, 1934. 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Frances, (59), May 26, 1928. 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Olive Amanda, (90), March 9, 1934. 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Rose Elizabeth, (27), April 7, 1929. 
 Snyder, Mrs. Wealthy C, (86) , November 1, 1927. 
 
 Soltow, Henry C. G., (70), April 26, 1926. 
 
 Soltow, Mrs. Theresa, (69). (Henry), June 26. 1928. 
 
 Sorgenfrei. Albert. (62) May 9. 1929. 
 
 Sorgenfrei, Mrs. Caroline, (59), (Otto), March 13, 
 
 1935. 
 Sorgenfrei, John, February 1, 1898. 
 Sonnenschein, Mrs. Matilda, (78), February 22, 1931. 
 Sorgenfrei. Otto, (74). prominent in local police and 
 
 fire department service, June 7, 1934. 
 Sorgenfrei, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (59), May 8, 1927. 
 Sorgenfrei, William, (93), pioneer citizen, April 5, 1924. 
 Spear, Mrs. Mary, (George), August 30, 1929. 
 Spires, Mary A., (67), (Chas.), March 12, 1920. 
 Spohr, Mrs. Barbara, (80), April 10, 1930. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 381 
 
 Spohr, Fred, (58), July 22, 1935. 
 
 Stadle, Harvey F. C, druggist, January 15, 1935. 
 
 Steffic, Mrs. Anna, (73), March 3, 1935. 
 
 Staffel, Emil J., 158), at Michigan City, November 5, 
 
 1929. 
 Staffel, Mrs. Fredericka, (67), (William), member of 
 
 pioneer Krueger family, December 3, 1930. 
 Staffel, John A. (65), May 8, 1926. 
 Staffel, John, Sr.. (85), former village trustee, May 16. 
 
 1918. 
 Staffel, Paul R.. (47), supervisor Worth township, 
 
 March 8, 1927. 
 Staffel, William C, (61), merchant, February 7, 1921. 
 Stafford, Mrs. Ida (John), May 26, 1925. 
 Stark, Adolph, carpenter, January 20, 1922. 
 Stark Fred, tailor, pioneer resident, September 1, 1913. 
 Stark, William, April 7, 1923. 
 State, Ralph E., (64), many years foreman Rock Island 
 
 roundhouse, November 22, 1923. 
 Steffenhagen, Mrs. Theresa, (57), (William), Decem- 
 ber 16, 1929. 
 Steffes, Bernhard. (70), November 2, 1933. 
 Steffes, John F., November 2, 1908. 
 Stein, Edward N., (64) , former mayor, superintendent 
 Oak Forest Infirmary, 1911-14. Died at Hermosa 
 Beach, Cal., August 9, 1924. Body brought to Blue 
 Island, August 16 and interred in Mt. Greenwood 
 cemetery. 
 Stein, Emma L.. (66), died at Tippecanoe, Ind., August 
 
 3, 1933. 
 Stein, William F., (68), April 14, 1926. 
 Steinhart, Fidel, (58), January 17, 1918. 
 Steinhart, Oscar. (37), March 29, 1929. 
 Steinhart. Mrs. Wilhelmina, (69), (Fidel), June 26, 
 
 1933. 
 Stellwagen, Mrs. Mary, (80), December 6, 1928. 
 Stephans. John H.. merchant, April 20, 1919. 
 Sterling, Fred August, (56), March 13, 1925. 
 Stettnisch. Paul, April 1, 1929. 
 Stewart, Mrs. Maud, January 15, 1925 . 
 Stockmar. Arthur W.. merchant, (63), August 11, 1919. 
 Stockmar. Mrs. Eleanore Lhlich, (Arthur) April 16 
 
 1930. 
 Stoll, Mrs. Katherine, (56), (Otto), May 8, 1935. 
 Stoll, Nicholas, manufacturer, (71), August 21, 1914. 
 Stoll, Otto L., (68), November 17, 1935. 
 Stoll, Wilhelmina Johanna, (69), May 7, 1918. 
 Stolz, Mrs. Paulina. (69). Mav 11. 1929. 
 Stone, Mrs. L. A., (85), April 20, 1932, 
 Storms, Mrs. E. J., May 25, 1921. 
 Storz, Mrs. Martha, (88), February 7, 1914. 
 Strachan, J. W.. railway trainman. January. 20, 1921. 
 Streu, Mrs. Sophia, (71), November 10, 1920. 
 Stricken, Mrs. Catherine, (Charles), (74), old resident, 
 
 August 12, 1920. 
 Strickert, Charles, Civil War veteran, November 12, 
 
 1905. 
 Stroehlein, Mrs. Barbara, (73), April 22, 1927. 
 Stuckemeyer, Mrs. Mary, (68), October 2, 1935. 
 Sullivan, James D., (55). former R. 1. yardmaster. 
 
 January 13, 1934. 
 Sundquist, Samuel S., (52), February 17, 1935. 
 Swanson, Frank Chester. (36), February 10, 1928. 
 Swanson, John Frederick, (83), April 8, 1929. 
 Swanson Mrs. Linda Josephine, (59), September 23, 
 
 1922. 
 Swanson, Miss Mae, (47), August 21, 1928. 
 Swett, William H., (54), January 6, 1918. 
 Synakiewicz, Frank X., (67), April 22. 1929. 
 
 Taggc, Julius, (59), February 25, 1932. 
 
 Tait, Alexander, former Blue Island businessman, died 
 
 at home of a daughter in Chicago, February 18, 1923. 
 Talcott. Florence, (32), (nee Trumbull). February 2, 
 
 1920. 
 Tate, Mrs. Anna, (nee Engelhart), (78), March 1, 1935. 
 Tate, Warren J., (76), retired railway engineer, May 22, 
 
 1931. 
 Tesmar, Franz, (61), December 30, 1917. 
 Tetrault, Mrs. Mary, (44), April 25, 1928. 
 Thoeming, Mrs. Augusta, (37), April 23, 1928. 
 Thoeming, Edwin J. (33), August 3, 1934. 
 Thoeming, Peter, September 28, 1924. 
 Thorns, Mrs. Hannah, (71), May 2. 1934. 
 Thomas, Edwin. (79), July 22, 1934. 
 Thompson, Samuel M., (73), February 24, 1922. 
 Thompson, Mrs. Sarah Margaret, (83),, July 10, 1931. 
 Thorny, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (62), April 24. 1929. 
 Tollner, William, (65), December 12, 1922. 
 Townsend, Alonzo N., (80), Civil War veteran, Justice 
 
 of the Peace Worth township, May 30. 1926. 
 Tracy, Mrs. Clark B., (47), September 15. 1924. 
 Traul, Levi C, (97), Civil War veteran, November 7, 
 
 1935. 
 Trautwein, John, (77), March 23, 1891. 
 Trautwein, Mrs. Wanda, at Oakland, Cal., May 11. 
 
 1929. 
 Truschka, Mrs. Marie, (62), October 5, 1931. 
 Truschka, Michael, (25), marine, World War, 
 
 August 17, 1925. 
 Tuffanelli, (70), salesman, February 26, 1933. 
 
 u 
 
 Ulrich, Carl Rudolph, (60), February 24, 1931. 
 Uhlich, Ernst, (71), pioneer citizen, October 24 1901. 
 ( hlich Sophia, (69), (Ernst), June 24, 1902. 
 
 V 
 
 Vail, Edward, (74), March 30, 1919. 
 
 Vail, John, died at Waukegan, July 26, 1933. 
 
 Van Pelt, Mrs. Anna, (64), March 15, 1929. 
 
 Vandenberg, Christian, (82), February 4, 1934. 
 
 Vandenberg, Harry, (59), at Toledo, Ohio, March 10, 
 1935. 
 
 Vandenberg, Mrs. William, at Pasadena, Cal., Septem- 
 ber 20, 1925. 
 
 Vermette, Onesine, (69), May 7, 1930. 
 
 Verwer, Charles Henry, (77), August 12, 1934. 
 
 Voegele, Sam (43), September 11, 1928. 
 
 Vogt, August, (47), November 30, 1913. 
 
 Volkmann, Mrs. Anna (nee Langheld), (Gustav), De- 
 cember 20, 1933. 
 
 Volp, Charles F., (60), November 2, 1935. 
 
 Volp, Henry, (78), one of the earliest residents of the 
 south side of Blue Island, September 17, 1901. 
 
 Volp, Mrs. Margaret (nee Hensel), (89), (Henry) 
 October 23, 1921. 
 
 Volp, Mrs. Sophia Fautek, (Wm.), July 16, 1925. 
 
 Volp, William, (76), January 27, 1929. 
 
 Vonburg, Fred, (52), carpenter, May 11, 1922. 
 
 Vonburg, Mrs. Henrietta, (83), pioneer resident, De- 
 cember 28, 1921. 
 
 Vonburg, John, farmer, November 14, 1914. 
 
 Voorhees, Lucien W., (41). died at Twin Falls, Idaho, 
 June 25, 1929. 
 
 Voss, Mrs. Carl, (69), January 29, 1928. 
 
 for many years chief of fire department, December 
 19, 1929. 
 
 Voss, Mrs. Minnie, (59), (William) August 3, 1934. 
 
 ^ss, Nicholas, (101), one of oldest residents in south- 
 ern Cook county, October 13, 1931. 
 
382 
 
 "THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 W 
 
 Wagner, John, June 28, 1914. 
 
 Walsh, John, (52), October 16, 1924. 
 
 Walshon, Mrs. Julia, (62), December 28, 1928. 
 
 Walters, Mrs. Emily, (64), October 29, 1931. 
 
 Walters, Gust, (35), April 1, 1924. 
 
 Warner, Mrs. Anna L., (71), April 12, 1929. 
 
 Watt, William (44), May 4, 1920. 
 
 Wattles, Mrs. Anna L., (72), pioneer resident, October 
 20, 1928. 
 
 Wattles, Ethan, (62), September 11, 1914. 
 
 Wattles, Henry, (34), April 19, 1919. 
 
 Wattles, Perry A., Civil War veteran, early resident of 
 Blue Island, died in California, April 15, 1919. 
 
 Wattles, Roy E., (33), killed by auto in Mishawauka, 
 Ind., November 3, 1919. 
 
 Waugh, William H., (66), June 2, 1931. 
 
 Weaver, Mrs. Merrill, February 24, 1925. 
 
 Weber, Mrs. Electa, (58), (James), April 19, 1919. 
 
 Weber, Mrs. Minnie Amanda, (Wm. H.), July 29, 1914. 
 
 Weber, Mrs. Kate, October 10, 1918. 
 
 Weir, Alexander, (65), March 15, 1929. 
 
 Weimar, Mrs. Martha Fischer, (78), September 26, 1933. 
 
 Weinbrod, Mrs. Edna Pearl. (40), March 7, 1934. 
 
 Weissenborn. Christopher, (81), September 7, 1911. 
 
 Weissenborn, Mrs. (Christopher), (74) August 23, 1905. 
 
 Welter, Leonard, (58), March 12, 1935. 
 
 Werner, Mrs. Anna L., (71), April 12, 1929. 
 
 Werner, August F., (75), April 28, 1932. 
 
 Werner, Mrs. Augusta Schroeder, (52), August 12, 1922. 
 
 Werner, Ferdinand H., (43), December 27, 1933. 
 
 Werner, William, former Blue Island banker, died at 
 his home in Los Angeles, Cal., January 11, 1931. 
 
 Wessel, Ida, May 1, 1905. 
 
 Wessel, Julius A., (74), engaged in grocery business 
 here 1903 to 1910; elected mayor in 1911 and served 
 one term; after that resumed his business activities 
 three more years; retired; died in Chicago. Decem- 
 ber 15, 1932. 
 
 Wick, Adam, (83), November 26, 1913. 
 
 Wick, Charles, September 24, 1930. 
 
 Wickett, Mrs. Lydia. (Robert), November 4. 1930. 
 
 Wiedenhoft, Martin, (38), August 3, 1935. 
 
 Wiegold, Otto A., (25), April 21, 1928. 
 
 Wierman, Mrs. Sophia, (87), April 10, 1931. 
 
 Wiese, Mrs. Frieda. (86), May 12, 1928. 
 
 Wiese, Paul C, (67), December 18, 1935. 
 
 Wiese, William, (82), July 26, 1920. 
 
 Wiessner, Mrs. Arthur, October 31, 1924. 
 
 Wiessner, Mrs. Louis T.. (30). January 8. 1928. 
 
 Wilcke, Mrs. Caroline, (85), March 23, 1920. 
 
 Wilcke, Mrs. Pauline, (56), old resident, January 10, 
 1922. 
 
 Wilcke, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (68), February 10, 1931. 
 
 Wilkins, Mrs. Cora, (58), (Arthur), February 4, 1935. 
 
 Wilkins, James B., (78), February 16, 1928. 
 
 Willen, Mrs. Christine, (79), November 2, 1930. 
 
 Willig John, (92), by drowning, November 30, 1931. 
 
 Winnie, Mrs. Walter, (75), January 16, 1929. 
 
 Wimerteldt, Mrs. Matilda, (73). April 17, 1930. 
 
 Witt, Mrs. Emma, (42), (Ferdinand), January 27, 1920. 
 
 Witt. Mrs. Frederick, (63), June 12, 1928. 
 
 Witt, Henry C, (59), March 17, 1925. 
 
 Witt, Julius, (54), August 7, 1914. 
 
 Witt, Mrs. Rose Elizabeth (Matt), April 7, 1929. 
 
 Witt, William, (82), January 25, 1928. 
 
 Witzke, Mrs. Johanna, February 15, 1923. 
 
 Wizbanski, Frank, (49), former police officer, Septem- 
 ber 9, 1934. 
 
 Wodrich, Mrs. August (49), March 6, 1928. 
 
 Wodrich, Carl, (89), May 1, 1934. 
 
 Wodrich, Mrs. Wilhelmina, (67), April 22, 1928. 
 
 Wolf, Mrs. Charles H., (nee Bihr), (34), August 7, 
 1927. 
 
 Wolf, Martin, (58), October 9, 1931. 
 
 Wolf, Paul, (43), February 18, 1928. 
 
 Wolff, John W., (77), alderman 3rd Ward for nine 
 years, Civil War veteran, January 9, 1919. 
 
 Wolfram, Adam, Sr., (56), April 30 1935. 
 
 Wollenzien, Fred, (80), March 6, 1932. 
 
 Wolters, Mrs. Herman, (54), January 5, 1933. 
 
 Wolz, Margaret, (83), (John), pioneer resident of the 
 south side, September 12, 1918. 
 
 Wood, Mrs. Mary A., (73) , May 24, 1922. 
 
 Woods, Mrs. J. M., (66), March 4, 1931. 
 
 Wordelman, Rudolph, (48), December 24, 1928. 
 
 Wrede, Mrs. Bertha, (69) , September 11, 1935. 
 
 Wright, James A., (51), November 26, 1933. 
 
 Wuetig. Charles W., (85), Civil War veteran, Jan- 
 uary 7, 1933. 
 
 Wuetig, Fred, (46), August 10, 1935. 
 
 Wyant, Albert C, (38), Rock Island conductor, World 
 War veteran, June 16, 1921. 
 
 Young, Frank O., (70), March 10, 1924. 
 Young, Mrs. Paulina Gross, (82), May 6, 1930. 
 
 Zacharias. John L., (72), founder and president of First 
 National Bank of Blue Island, three terms president 
 of village board and later first mayor of Blue Is- 
 land; for many years wielded powerful political in- 
 fluence in the community, December 3, 1934. 
 
 Zacher, August R., (64) , member of a pioneer family, 
 many years constable and Justice of Peace, Septem- 
 ber 22, 1930. 
 
 Zacher, Christian P., (65), son of pioneer settlers, 
 July 21, 1935. 
 
 Zacher, Irving C, (35), September 16, 1931. 
 
 Zapel, Charles, (80), October 9, 1935. 
 
 Ziebell, Mrs. Marie, (64), July 7, 1935. 
 
 Zielinski, Joseph, (80), December 14, 1931. 
 
 Zielinski, Maryanna, (59), March 16, 1930. 
 
 Zielinski, Stanley. (24), April 3, 1928. 
 
 Zeimet, Mrs. Susanna, (62), (Matt), November 27, 1922. 
 
 Zimmer Mrs. Ann, (75), January 23, 1934. 
 
BLUE ISLAND HISTORICAL REVIEW 
 
 383 
 
 DEDICATION 4 
 
 FOREWORD 6 
 
 Before Courtney and Rexford... 9 
 
 Father Marquette's Journey 12 
 
 Historic Background 14 
 
 Picture of the Past 15 
 
 Indian Boundary Line 16 
 
 Territorial Development 16 
 
 PIONEER PERIOD 
 
 American Home 22 
 
 Active Period 36 
 
 Biographical Sketches 
 
 98 to 119 and 369 
 
 Breweries in Early Days 47 
 
 Bridges 73 
 
 Calumet Feeder Canal 34 
 
 Cemetery 71 
 
 Chicory Factory 88 
 
 Circulating Library 55 
 
 Civil War 89 
 
 Concordia Grove 67 
 
 Crafts and Trades 52 
 
 Doctors of Early Days 55 
 
 Early 50's 72 
 
 Early Names Cause Confusion. .56 
 
 Early Navigation 42 
 
 Ellfeldt's Lustgarten 66 
 
 FAMILY HISTORIES 93-97 
 
 Krueger 95 
 
 Rexford 93 
 
 Robinson 94 
 
 Seyfarth 97 
 
 First Brick Yards 49 
 
 First Deaths 38 
 
 First Murder 57 
 
 First Orchard 46 
 
 First Weddings 67 
 
 First White Settlers 19 
 
 Flour and Grist Mills 48 
 
 German Dramatic Society 63 
 
 German Settlers Arrival 31 
 
 "Good Old Days" 87 
 
 Halls of Early Days 59 
 
 How Townships Were Named... 76 
 
 Infant Industries 45 
 
 Old Names Identified 75 
 
 Origin of Calumet 44 
 
 Pfeiffer's Woods 67 
 
 "Portland" 32 
 
 Post Office Established 23 
 
 Prairie Fires 44 
 
 Press Notices of Early Days.... 86 
 Religious Meetings 29 
 
 REMINISCENCES 78-85 
 
 Carl Dilg 84 
 
 Mrs. Fuller 78 
 
 Jonathan Perriam 80 
 
 Heber Rexford 85 
 
 Ridge Known as "Blue Island"... 37 
 
 Roads of a Century Ago 68 
 
 Rock Island Blacksmith Shop. . . .88 
 
 Schapper's Drug Store 37 
 
 Schools of Earlv Davs 26 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Seyfarth Tavern 37 
 
 Sickly Years 70 
 
 Southern Plank Road 68 
 
 Spanish American War 92 
 
 Spanish War Vets Organizations. 92 
 
 Stone Quarries 50 
 
 Tanneries 51 
 
 Trading Center 54 
 
 Townships Organized 58 
 
 Turnverein 64 
 
 Volunteer Firemen 65 
 
 Wartime Affairs 89 
 
 Whiskey Distillers 51 
 
 "White Papoose" Wanted 55 
 
 Wilderness in 1850 38 
 
 Wild Life of the Region 40 
 
 Wild Pigeons 72 
 
 VILLAGE GOVERNMENT 
 
 Blue Island Market 147 
 
 Borrow .1200 at 10% 125 
 
 Calumet Ice Co 148 
 
 Early Enterprises 146 
 
 Electric Street Lights 134 
 
 First Appropriation Bill 125 
 
 First Board of Health 135 
 
 First Artesian Well 137 
 
 First Block Paving 137 
 
 First Census 130 
 
 First Gas Franchise 139 
 
 First Meeting of Trustees 124 
 
 First Ordinance Passed 125 
 
 First Public Telegraph Office.. 146 
 
 First Street Paving 136 
 
 Free Public Library 140 
 
 Last Village Election 146 
 
 New Village Hall 136 
 
 Petition for City Organization. .138 
 
 Police Captain's Job 126 
 
 Purchase Village Property ....127 
 
 Roster of Village Officials 143 
 
 Smallpox Scare 128 
 
 Viaducts 136 
 
 Water Bonds 132 
 
 Waterworks Construction 127 
 
 Western Ave. Underpass 128 
 
 "Wet-Dry" Election 160 
 
 CITY FORM OF GOVERNMENT 
 
 Bar Association 318 
 
 Boy Scouts 250 
 
 Brickmakers Strike 320 
 
 Calumet-Sag Canal 283 
 
 Centennial Celebration ....355-368 
 Chicago & Interurban Traction • 
 Co 286 
 
 CHURCHES 197-214 
 
 Blue Island Church of Christ 209 
 
 Central Church of Christ 212 
 
 Central Methodist Church 197 
 
 Congregational Church 203 
 
 Evangelical Community 
 
 Church 209 
 
 First Evangelical Lutheran 
 
 Church 198 
 
 First Methorist Church 200 
 
 Full Gospel 208 
 
 St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 212 
 
 St. Benedict Church 206 
 
 St. Donatus Church 211 
 
 St. Isidore Church 211 
 
 St. Paul Evangelical Church.. 208 
 Salem Evangelical Lutheran 
 
 Church 210 
 
 Slovak Lutheran Church 210 
 
 Society of Friends 214 
 
 Swedish Lutheran Siloa 
 
 Church 207 
 
 Swedish Mission Covenant 
 
 Church 214 
 
 Universalist Church 213 
 
 City Annexations 305 
 
 City Council Notes— 163-182; 258- 
 263; 292-300; 313-317; 337-346 
 
 City Hall 303 
 
 City Officials 347 - 350 
 
 City and Township Officials 304 
 
 CL1 BS AND SOCIETIES.. 223-228 
 Council of Parents and 
 
 Teachers 228 
 
 Garden Club 226 
 
 Junior Woman's Club 225 
 
 Lions Club 223 
 
 Woman's Club 224 
 
 CRIMES (Oustanding Local) 
 
 276-282 
 
 Mislich Murder 276 
 
 Frank Seitz 278 
 
 Laura Buchholz 279 
 
 Express Bandits 281 
 
 Hackett Kidnapping 282 
 
 Dental Clinic 221 
 
 Diphtheria Epidemic Avoided.. 353 
 
 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 
 
 244-247 
 
 Blue Island State Bank 245 
 
 B. I. Trust & Savings Bank.. 246 
 
 B. I. Wimsett Finance Co 246 
 
 Calumet State Bank 244 
 
 First National Bank 244 
 
 Savings & Loan Association. .244 
 
 State Bank of Blue Island 247 
 
 Fire Department 264 
 
 Fires 271 -276 
 
 FRATERNAL ORDERS ..233-241 
 American Legion Auxiliary .. 234 
 
 B.P.O. Elks 234 
 
 Brotherhood Locomotive En- 
 gineers 238 
 
 Calumet Lodge A.F.&A.M. ..234 
 Catholic Daughters of Am- 
 erica 235 
 
 Daughters of Veterans 236 
 
 Eastern Star 238 
 
 Fidelity Life Association 238 
 
 Fraternal Order of Eagles. .. .235 
 Grand Army of the Republic 236 
 Independent Order of For- 
 esters 240 
 
 Justice Lodge F.L.A 238 
 
 Knights of Columbus 235 
 
 Knights of Pythias 241 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary B. of L.E. 239 
 
384 
 
 THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS" 
 
 INDEX— Continued 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary B. of L. 
 p_ & E 239 
 
 Ladies' Auxiliary B. of R.T.. ^239 
 Lettercarriers Association ...240 
 
 Macabees 240 
 
 N.A.L.C. Auxiliary 240 
 
 Odd Fellows 233 
 
 Plattdeutsche Gilde 236 
 
 Pythian Sisters 240 
 
 Rebekah Lodge 235 
 
 Roosevelt Aux. U.S.W.V 241 
 
 Royal Arch Masons 234 
 
 Royal Neighbors of America. .241 
 Sons & Daughters of Liberty. .234 
 
 Sons of Italy 240 
 
 Sons of Spanish War Vet- 
 erans 241 
 
 Spanish War Veterans 241 
 
 Theta Rho Club 239 
 
 Women's Benefit Association 239 
 
 Women's Relief Corps 236 
 
 Woodmen Circle 235 
 
 Woodmen of the World 236 
 
 INDUSTRIES 184-196 
 
 American Wire Fabrics Co... 188 
 
 Blue Island Specialty Co 185 
 
 B. I. Wire & Iron Works.... 189 
 
 Brick Industry 193 
 
 Broom Factory 196 
 
 Chicago Copper & Chemical 
 
 Co 189 
 
 Gilbert & Bennett Mfg. Co... 190 
 Hawk-Eye Compound Co. . . . 189 
 Haydite Building Units Co... 189 
 Highland Iron & Steel Mills.. 196 
 
 Ideal Radio Cabinet Co 191 
 
 Illinois Bell Telephone Co... 187 
 Illinois Cooperage Mfg. Co... 187 
 
 Libby, McNeill & Libby 184 
 
 Modern Die & Drop Forge 
 
 Co 190 
 
 Modern Lumber & Supply 
 
 Co 192 
 
 North American Car Co 187 
 
 Other Commercial Enterprises 193 
 
 Public Service Co 195 
 
 Rock Island Car Shops 186 
 
 Rogers Galvanizing Co 191 
 
 Western Pipe & Steel Co.... 188 
 Wireton Heating Co 189 
 
 Memorial Park Dedicated 354 
 
 Necrology 371 -382 
 
 Newspapers 251 - 257 
 
 Parks and Playgrounds 231 
 
 Paving 310 
 
 Peak Real Estate Prices 318 
 
 Playground and Recreation 
 
 Commission 232 
 
 Police Department 308 
 
 Population and Census 312 
 
 Postoffice 288 
 
 Poultry Fanciers Association. . .248 
 
 Printing Industry 302 
 
 Pronger Fire 352 
 
 Public Library 229 
 
 Public Service Lighting 352 
 
 RAILROADS 149-160 
 
 B. & O. C.T. Railroad 158 and 196 
 Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 149 
 
 Grand Trunk Railroad 157 
 
 Illinois Central Railroad .... 153 
 Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad 160 
 
 Real Estate Board 248 
 
 Red Cross Work 318 
 
 Bobbins Incorporates 354 
 
 Roche's Woods 353 
 
 Rock Island Roundhouse 355 
 
 St. Francis Hospital 249 
 
 Sag Canal Deaths 285 
 
 Saloons - Taverns 320 
 
 SCHOOLS 215-222 
 
 Lutheran School 219 
 
 Mother of Sorrow Institute. . .221 
 
 Public Schools 215 
 
 Public School Boards 220 
 
 Public School Locations ....221 
 
 St. Benedict School 220 
 
 St. Isidore School 221 
 
 Sewers 312 
 
 Strikes 351 
 
 Theatres 242 
 
 Truck Farmers Association. .. .248 
 
 Water and Light Plant 285 
 
 Water Supply 266 
 
 WORLD WAR 321-336 
 
 Alien Reigstration 322 
 
 American Legion 332 
 
 Co. M - I.N.G 325 
 
 Community Service Flag 329 
 
 Error in State Call 321 
 
 First Official Welcome 336 
 
 First War Casualties 322 
 
 Flu Epidemic 335 
 
 Fuel Shortage 334 
 
 Holmes, Louis D 336 
 
 Honor Roll 323 
 
 Letters from Soldiers 325 
 
 Liberty Loans 331 
 
 Patriotic Memorials 328 
 
 Red Cross Fund Drive 334 
 
 Scarcity of Print Paper 334 
 
 Sorgenfrei Re-Enlists 336 
 
 Steffes, Frank 322 
 
 Sugar Rations 336 
 
 13th Engineers 326 
 
 Victory Day 331 
 
 War Time Jingles 334 
 
 Women's War Work 323 
 
 Zoning Code 305