1878 History of Knox County, Illinois

published by Charles C. Chapman & Co., Chicago, Illinois

 pages 100-127. 

CHAPTER I

EARLY SETTLEMENT

   A little over a half century ago the territory now embraced within the limits of Knox county was in a state of nature.  Scarcely a white man, except hunters and traders, had ever crossed its fertile prairies.  It was a wild region and uninhabited save by the wild beasts of forest and prairie, and roving bands of Indians, whose trails were found here and there over prairie and through timber, from village to village, of wigwams.  Herds of deer, packs of wolves and other wild animals roamed at will.   The buffalo had been driven by the Indians farther west, although their bones were found here and there scattered over the prairie. Since then wonderful and unparalleled have been the changes that have taken place.

   Fifty years have passed since Daniel and Alexander Robertson, Richard Mathews, Jacob Gum and his sons, John B., James and Zephaniah, Riggs Pennington, Stephen Osborn, Eaton and Robert Nance, Benjamin Coy, Alexander Frakes, Robert Greenwell, Thomas Sheldon, Nicholas Voiles, Mrs. Jennie Vaughn, and John, her son, Jesse D. Gum, James Reynolds, Andrew and Alexander Osborn, M.D. Coy and Thomas McKee came to this country to found homes, all of them settling in Henderson township. Of this number but two are living in the county at the present time; and as there were no written records kept, as a natural consequence, a great many early incidents of local importance at the time of their happening are lost to the memory of the oldest surviving settlers; or, if not entirely lost have become so confused with the multiplicity of accumulating cares, that to extricate an accurate account of them from time's rubbish and preserve them in printed pages, so they may be seen now as they were then, will require a most critical exercise of mind and pen.  As near as is possible ever to obtain, we give a correct sketch, taking great care properly to secure names, dates and locations, and we believe the early history of the county is as full and complete as could have been compiled.

   Daniel and Alexander Robertson, and their brother-in-law, Richard Mathews, were the first to locate in the county of Knox. The two former were single men, but remained so but a short time, as we find the first marriage license issued, by the Clerk of the county, was to Daniel Robertson.  Alexander was married shortly afterward, and in 1848 died.  His daughter is the wife of John Junk, and has resided all her life on the farm where her father settled and died and where she was born.   Richard Mathews remained here but a short time, and then returned to Morgan county, settling near Urnsville, where in 1876 he died.

   The Robertson brothers first settled on the northeast quarter of section 15, Henderson township, where the soil of Knox county was first cultivated by a white man.   At present Daniel lives on the southwest quarter of section 11 of the same township.  He was unable to get legal possession of the land originally settled upon, and was compelled to remove.  In the early settlement of the Military Tract great annoyance was experienced by the pioneers from parties having tax titles, grants, patents, etc., of the land.  Thus it was with the piece of land Mr. Robertson first located.  A man by the name of Baker, whose wife's father had an interest in or a claim upon this land, came along one evening and asked to stay over night.  This privilege was cheerfully granted him.  On the following morning, he asserted his right to the land.  He refused to leave the house.  In an altercation which Daniel Robertson had with him over this land Baker shot at Robertson, but fortunately missed him. Robertson ran to the house after his gun, but his wife, fearing something fatal, kept it from him.  It would seem that with such vast expanse of wild land there would be no difficulty in regard to a small field.

   Daniel Robertson, the first settler of the county, and who at present is hale and stout, and does considerable work on his farm, was born in Scotland, June 12, 1804.  He was brought by his parents to the United States when only four weeks old.  They settled near Lake George, New York.  In 1820 his father came to the newly organized State of Illinois, settling in Madison county.  In 1821 he went to Morgan county, from whence in a few years his two sons Daniel and Alexander went into Schuyler county, where they followed the business of raising hogs.  The Galena trail went through Schuyler and Knox counties, and travelers were passing to and fro much of the time.  Some of them told the Robertsons of the fine country in this county.  They reported it as the best through which the trail passed. Time has since verified the assertion of these early miners. The winter of 1827—8, acting upon the advice of strangers, they concluded to remove here.  After some preparations they set out, in the latter part of February, 1858, for the unsettled country, with two yoke of oxen to their "prairie schooner" wagon, and with 80 head of hogs. Arriving after a weary journey, they pitched their tent and commenced farming.  Among the few rude implements they brought with them was a plow, the first to turn the soil of Knox county so far as known, except the still more rude implements of the Indians, who had cultivated little fields here and there over the county. This plow is still in the possession of Mr. Daniel Robertson, in a good state of preservation, and a relic worthy of more than a passing notice.  How different is this antique implement from those in use at the present time!  It was made after the most improved pattern, and at the time was a model worthy of imitation.  It is what is known as the "Barshare" plow, and in construction consumed a great amount of timber. The beam is 8 1/2 feet long and 16 inches in circumference.  The wooden mold-board is 3 feet 4 inches long, about 10 inches wide and 4 inches thick, and is made of oak.  The wrought-iron share, about the only piece of iron about it, is 4 feet, 4 inches long, although cutting but a 16-inch furrow.  To make it more unique it is only from 14 to 16 inches high. With this ancient plow they prepared a few acres of ground and planted corn, which yielded forty bushels to the acre, thus enabling them to supply the immigrants as they came, and to "give the hogs a taste now and then," as Mr. Robertson remarked to us.

   These animals subsisted mostly upon acorns and other nuts found in the timber.  Considerable trouble was at first experienced with the Indian dogs, which would kill the pigs and make the hogs "homesick."  These dogs were similar in many respects to the wolf, and were quite as mischievous and troublesome.

   Of the pioneers of 1828 Daniel Robertson and Thomas McKee are the only two now residents of Knox county.  Almost all the others have finished their earthly career, and their names and deeds deserve much honor from each citizen of the county, for they each and all as early settlers endured the trials and hardships of a new and wild country, to lay the foundation for future greatness and make a more beautiful, cultivated county.  Their memories should be perpetuated and handed down to posterity, who, when the country's age is told by centuries and its population by hundreds of thousands, will read with greater interest of those that opened the way for them to advance in learning, culture, wealth and other ways.  Future generations should fully know and appreciate those who began the work of settling and changing a wild, unsettled and uncultivated county as Knox once was, to what it now is.

   Jacob Gum and his sons settled upon sections 32 and 33. Jacob was a minister of the gospel, and seldom failed to preach on Sunday; and although we may know his congregation was not large, nor did they assemble in a beautifully frescoed auditorium with cushion pews and floor richly carpeted, yet the truth was just as earnestly preached and as gratefully received as to-day, for Elder Gum was an earnest worker and in his day wielded much influence for good.  He was a member of the Regular Baptist Church, but finally united with the Christian Church, in which denomination he remained a devoted member and an earnest, zealous laborer in his Master's cause, until called to dwell with Him on the shores of eternity, his death occurring many years ago in this county.

   His sons Jesse and Zephaniah died in Missouri; John died in California; but James is living in that State at the present time.  Riggs Pennington settled on section 10, from which place he moved to section 27, from thence to Texas in 1836, where he died.  Stephen Osborn settled on section 23.   He died at Henderson.   Alexander Frakes and the Nance brothers settled on section 9.  Frakes afterward moved to Oregon, where he died.  Eaton Nance is living in Missouri, but his brother Robert died in Cass county, Illinois.  Benjamin Coy settled on section 31, and died in this county.  M. D. Coy died in Iowa.  Robert Greenwell settled on section 15, but afterward removed to Missouri, where he died.  Nicholas Voiles settled on section 22, but moved to Texas, where he died about 1852. Mrs. Vaughn, familiarly known as "Aunt Jennie," lived on section 33 and died in this county. John, her son, is still living, having no permanent home. James Reynolds died in this county. Alexander Osborn is still living, with his wife, whom he married in 1829, -- theirs being the first marriage in Knox county.  They are now residing in Kansas.  Andrew Osborn also resides in the same State.

   Thomas Sheldon resided in this county but one winter, when he went to Rock Island, where he died in June, 1829.  He left a widow and four small children.  In a wild, uncultivated country, where physical labor is required, a woman with a family of small children would undergo much suffering. The settlers of Knox soon heard of the death of Mr. Sheldon, and immediately two of their number went to ascertain the condition of the family.  In September they concluded to bring his widow to their own settlement at Henderson that they might care for her, and accordingly sent Thomas McKee with two yoke of oxen to bring her and her effects.  The few settlers of Rock Island had been very kind to the widow, and had provided with provisions for the winter, -- among which was a barrel of flour and a barrel of meat.  Thomas McKee was at the time but nineteen years of  age, but was a hardy frontier boy, and scarcely knew what hardships were; but he certainly experienced many on this trip of four days.  He came to Rock river on his return, and there being no bridges or ferries, it must be forded.  This he did, which without guide was a dangerous task.  He came on to Mill creek, crossing it safely, but a little this side his wagon sunk so deep in the mud that his oxen in a desperate attempt to pull it out broke the neck-yoke.  This was very discouraging, but young McKee immediately started back for Rock Island afoot for another yoke.  This he obtained, and soon returned, reaching his wagon about dark.  They wee obliged to remain there all night, when a heavy rain fell and the water rose up nearly to the bed of the wagon.  The following morning he unloaded his wagon and “pulled out.”  He says, to-day, it is a great wonder to him how he ever managed to load the barrel of meat, as the lady was in a condition which unfitted her for lending any assistance in lifting.  They came on farther and stalled again, and again unloaded every article.  At Edwards river he stuck again, the oxen being unable to get up the rather steep embankment.  He again unloaded every article, and then had to carry and roll each up the bank to the wagon.  Coming on into Rio township, this country, about dark, he came to a slough, where he remained over night.

   He finally arrived home, after a most laborious journey of four days.  We speak of this trip in detail, to illustrate the manner and mode of traveling in the time of the early settlement of the county.  Without road or guide the pioneers roamed the prairies and timber with their slow but faithful oxen.  At this time there was but one traveled road in the county, the one running from Peoria to Galena, through Victoria and Walnut Grove townships.  This was the old “Galena trail” or “State road,” by which terms it was familiarly known.

   Mrs. Sheldon and family returned to Kentucky the following year.  Thomas McKee is a resident of Galesburg, where he holds the offices of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor; and although a strong Democrat and the recognized leader of that party in this country, his personal popularity is so great that even in the Republican stronghold of Galesburg he scarcely finds opposition.  There is perhaps no citizen of the county so well and favorably known as he, and but few if any whose acquaintance is so extensive.

   In 1829 but few additions were made to the spare settlement at Henderson.  Now and then a new-comer would be welcomed.  Among the number were Dr. Charles Hansford and John G. Sanburn.  The former was the first physician in the county, and for many years perhaps the most popular man of the county; and the latter opened the first stock of general merchandise, and also came James and William McMurtry, Jonathan Reed, William Lewis, Solomon Davis and Thomas Maxwell; all of whom prominently figured in the early history of the country, and one of whom afterward received the greatest official honors ever conferred upon a citizen of Knox county.

   Mrs. Elizabeth Owen, a widow lady, with her son Parnach, and two daughters, came in the fall of this year, 1829, and settled in Haw Creek township. These were the first settlers to locate outside of Henderson, save a rather singular genius named Palmer, who stopped south east of Maquon in 1828.  It cannot be claimed for Palmer that he was really a settler, for he did not expect to remain, and he never fenced or made any effort to improve the land.  He was a professional bee-hunter, and as such traveled in advance of civilization.  He lived at the place referred to but a short time, when he went farther west; but while near Maquon he cultivated the hills made by the Indians the year previous on the bottom lands of Spoon river.

   It may seem strange that a widow lady should be the first to locate in a large region of country where the foot of white man had scarcely trod.  It was the strong attachment she had for her son that led her to the western wilds of Knox county.  He was determined to seek a home in the new country, and rather than see him go alone she joined him and located here.  She died in Knoxville in 1839.  Her two daughters are still living – one the widow of the late John G. Sanburn, residing in Knoxville, the other the wife of Dr. E. D. Rice of Lewistown.  Parnach Owen took an active part in the early history of the county.  He did the first local surveying, and was one of the contractors for the construction of the first court-house.  He went from this to McDonough country, thence to Iowa, and he died in Allamakee county in that State in 1845.

   In 1830 the population increased rapidly.  Fraker, Owen and Fitch settled in Lynn township, in the edge of a beautiful grove which since has been known as Fraker’s Grove.  These were the first settlers in the northeastern part of the county.  Mr. Fraker had purchased several quarter sections before coming to the country, upon a portion of which he discovered an Indian town.  His coming naturally aroused the Indians, and a great controversy arose between them concerning the possession of the land, the Indians claiming that their title came directly from God Almighty, while Mr. Fraker based his claim on patents he held from the Government.  The Indians, however, after much parleying, concluded to leave.  They moved to Indian Creek, some seven miles east, and built another village.  They remained quite friendly with Mr. Fraker, and often came over to visit him, who was always glad to see even an Indian.  Soon the Indians adopted the habit of coming to the grove in the spring to make sugar and raise their squaw corn and vegetables, and then would return west in the fall to new hunting-grounds.

   Some travelers passed by Mr. Fraker’s, going northwest through Walnut Grove, where they saw Jones and DeHart, two settlers who came here shortly after the Frakers settled in Lynn.  They were informed by the travelers of the settlers at Fraker’s Grove, who were not aware of having neighbors nearer than Henderson; and the Frakers, Fitches and Frasiers were greatly surprised on the following Sunday morning upon seeing Mr. DeHart, his wife and two children drive up in their two-wheeled cart, with a dry-goods box on, and drawn by oxen.  These were the first while visitors except travelers that ever called at the settlement.  Mrs. Fraker had not seen a white woman, except those of their own company, after coming to the grove.

KNOX COUNTY

   In 1830 it was thought that a sufficient number of inhabitants were living in this section to have the county organized, which accordingly was accomplished without any unnecessary delay.  The law required a county to contain 350 legal voters before an organization could be effected, yet there were scarcely that number even of individuals within the boundaries of Knox county when organized.  On the admission of Illinois into the Union, what is now Knox county was a part of Madison county.  Afterwards by an act of the Legislature, approved June 30, 1821, it was placed within the boundaries of Pike, which is the oldest county in the Military Tract.  It then embraced the whole country north an west of the Illinois river.  By a subsequent act, approved February 10, 1826, its present boundaries were determined, and it was attached to Fulton county for judicial and recording purposes.  On the 3d day of July, 1830, by an order of Judge Young, an election was held for the purpose of selecting three commissioners, and on the 7^th they met and completed the organization of Knox county, for a detailed account of which we refer our readers to the following chapter.

   We will state in this connection that, when the county was organized in 1830, townships 12 and 13 north, range 5 east, were included within the boundaries of Knox county.  This act of the Legislature was approved January 15, 1831.  In 1837, when Stark county was organized, these two townships were severed from this county and included in that.  The town of LaFayette, Stark county, is located within this section, and consequently was originally in Knox county.

   It was through the instrumentality of Riggs Pennington that the two townships referred to were attached to this county.  There was a beautiful grove within the territory, which he thought would add materially to the wealth of the county, and be a counterpart to the delightful forest in Lynn township, subsequently known as Fraker’s Grove.  Pennington was almost a regular attendant upon the Legislature, although not a member.  He wielded no little influence among the Representatives, and therefore when he wanted the section alluded to attached to his county his request was granted without delay.

   In 1837 an attempt was made to divide Knox county for the formation of Coffee county.  But little interest was taken in the matter by the people residing in the western portion of the county, as it was a move especially concerning the residents of the eastern section.  On the 10^th day of April of that year, an election was held to vote for or against the division of the county, and the formation of Coffee county.  There were 263 votes cast, 77 of which were for the measure, and 186 against it.

   The “Military Tract” comprises all the land between the Illinois and the Mississippi rivers, south of the north line of Bureau and Henry counties.  It is so called because much of it was “patented” by the Government, in quarter sections, to soldiers of the war of 1812.  There was scarcely a soldier in that early day who counted his land of much value, and ever thought to occupy it himself; but immigrants came in, entered Government lands and “squatted” on “patent” or military land, improved it, and thus rendered it valuable.  It was seldom that a “patentee” could be found at the time of settlement, and many of the early settlers presumed that the owner never would be known; but in many instances, after a patent quarter-section was made valuable by improvement, the original patent would be brought on by some one, who would oust the occupant and take possession, sometimes paying him something for his improvements and sometimes not.  Many holders of patents had no pity.  This condition of affairs presented a temptation to merciless “land-sharks,” who would come into this section and work up cases, ostensibly for the original patentees, but really for their own pockets.

   The most notorious of these was one Toliver Craig, who actually made it a business to forge patents and deeds.  This he carried on extensively from 1847 to 1854, especially in Knox and Fulton counties.  He had 40 bogus deeds put on record in one day at Knoxville.  He was arrested in New York State in 1854, by H. M. Boggess of Monmouth, and taken to the jail in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attempted suicide by arsenic; but at the end of a year he was released on bail.

   When the Military Tract was laid off into counties, most of them were named in honor of military heroes of the nation.  This county was christened in honor of the brave statesman-general, Henry Knox.  The following is a brief personal sketch of him whose name this county now wears:

   Henry Knox, an American general and statesman, commander of the artillery during the Revolution, and Secretary of War under Washington, was born in Boston, July 25, 1750, and died in Thomaston, Me., October 25, 1806.  He was of Scotch and Irish Presbyterian stock, and his father came from St. Eustatius, one of the British West India islands.  He received the common school education of his time in Boston, and was remarked as a youth of fine abilities and generous disposition, fond of the heroic examples of former ages, and, according to Dr. Eliot (who was nearly his cotemporary), giving constant prestige of future eminence.

   General Knox played a most important part in the revolutionary struggle for liberty, and was admired and beloved by Washington, and like him, after a long, active, and eminently successful public career, retired to private life.  Gen. Knox was large in person, of a robust and athletic frame, enterprising and resolute in character, of a generous, buoyant and social disposition, cordially appreciated and beloved by friends, possessing unquestionable integrity, unsurpassed energy, and a mind liberally cultivated by study.

   Knox County is about equally divided between timber and prairie land, the northern tier of townships being mainly prairie, while the southeastern, along Spoon river, is chiefly timber.  In sketches of townships this feature will be noticed more at length.  It is situated on the very height of the divide between the Mississippi and the Illinois rivers, with the 41^st parallel of north latitude running very nearly through its center.  It is well drained by streams running east and west from the central divided, and perhaps contains more high, dry and exceedingly rich and fertile lands, susceptible of producing all the grains and fruits common to this latitude, than the same number of acres lying in a body anywhere on the face of the globe.  The soil is underlaid with a good quality of coal and building stone, and for a healthy climate Knox county has no superior and few equals.

   The large prairies of the county presented a most beautiful sight before they were settled.  The following very descriptive lines on “The Prairies of Illinois,” by Captain Basil Hall, portrays their beauty in their wild and native state:

   “The charm of a prairie consists in its extension, its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, and the skirt of forest whereby it is surrounded; the latter feature being of all others the most significant an expressive, since it characterizes he landscape, and defines the form and boundary of the plain.  If the prairie is little, its greatest beauty consists in the vicinity of the encompassing edge of forests, many deep, inward bends, as so many inlets, and at intervals projecting very far, not unlike a promontory or protruding arm of land.  These projections sometimes so closely approach each other that the traveler passing through between them, may be said to walk in the midst of an alley overshadowed by the forest, before he enters again upon another broad prairie.  Where the plain is extensive, the delineations of the forest in the distant background appear as would a misty ocean beach afar off.  The eye sometimes surveys the green prairie without discovering on the illimitable plain a tree or bush, or any other object, save the wilderness of flowers and grass, while on other occasions he view is enlivened by the groves dispersed like islands over the plain, or by a solitary tree rising above the wilderness.  The resemblance to the sea which some of these prairies exhibited, was really most striking.  In the spring, when the young grass has just clothed he soil with a soddy carpet of the most delicate green, but especially when the sun, rising behind a distant elevation of the ground, its rays are reflected by myriads of dew drops, a more pleasing and more eye-benefiting view cannot be imagined.

  “The delightful aspect of the prairie, its amenities, and the absence of that somber awe inspired by forests, contributes to forcing away that sentiment of loneliness, which usually steals upon the mind of the solitary wanderer in the wilderness; for, although he espies no habitation, and sees no human being, and knows himself to be far off from every settlement of man, he can scarcely defend himself from believing that he is traveling through a landscape embellished by human art.  The flowers are so delicate and elegant as apparently to be distributed for mere ornament over the plain; the groves and groups of trees seem to be dispersed over the prairie to enliven the landscape, and we can scarcely get rid of the impression invading our imagination, of the whole scene being flung out and created for the satisfaction of the sentiment of beauty in refined men.

  “In the summer the prairie is covered with tall grass, which is coarse in appearance, and soon assumes a yellow color, waving in the wind like a ripe crop of corn.  In the early stages of its growth it resembles young wheat, and in this state furnishes such rich and succulent food for cattle that the latter choose it often in preference to wheat, it being no doubt a very congenial fodder to them, since it is impossible to conceive of better butter than is made while the grass is in this stage.

   “In the early stages of its growth the grass is interspersed with little flowers, -- the violet, the strawberry-blossom, and others of the most delicate structure.  When the grass grows higher these disappear, and taller flowers, displaying more lively colors, take their place; and still later a series of still higher but less delicately formed flowers appears on the surface.  While the grass is green these beautiful plains are adorned with every imaginable variety of color.  It is impossible to conceive of a greater diversity, or discover a predominating color, save the green, which forms a beautiful dead color, relieving the splendor of the others.  In the summer the plants grow taller, and the colors more lively; in the autumn another generation of flowers arises which possesses less clearness and variety of color and less fragrancy.  In the winter the prairie presents a melancholy aspect.  Often the fire, which the hunters annually send over the prairies in order to dislodge the game, will destroy the entire vegetation, giving to the soil a uniform black appearance, like that of a vast plain of charcoal; then the wind sweeping over the prairie will find nothing which it might put in motion, no leaves which it might disperse, no haulms which it might shake.  No sooner does the snow commence to fall than the animals, unless already before frightened away by the fire, retire into the forests, when the most dreary, oppressive solitude will reign on the burnt prairies, which often occupy many square miles of territory.”

PRAIRIE FIRES

    Annual prairie fires would visit the prairies in the autumn.  The settlers who had pushed out from the timber took great precaution to prevent their crops, houses and barns from being destroyed, yet not always did they succeed.  Many incidents are related of prairie fires.  In 1831 Thomas Maxwell had succeeded in getting his wheat threshed and stored into a rail pen, when a prairie fire came along and totally destroyed his grain.  His son, Henry, in attempting to save it by “burning ahead,” or “back-firing,” got his back badly scorched.  A more serious case was that of Mr. William Lake, of Fraker’s Grove, who was returning from the mill at Hennepin, Putnam County, when he was overtaken by a prairie fire.  His horses turned and run with the fire.  Mr. Lake, seeing he could not save his team, as they had become unmanageable, jumped from his wagon upon the burnt and blackened ground.  He ran on to recover the horses if possible, and, after going some two or three miles, came up to them and found one horse dead, and the other so badly burned that his usefulness was greatly impaired.  His wagon and its contents were entirely consumed.  The fire, though presenting a scene of sublimity, was as if the destroying angel had flown abroad, crying in terror-stricken tones while breathing tempests of fire and smoke from his nostrils, changing a scene of so much brilliance, which the prairies presented but a few minutes before, into a dark, charred mass.

   The great conflagrations were caused either accidentally, or designedly from wantonness, or with a view of bewildering the game.  We find on the Circuit Court records that David Ogden and Mathew Herbert were indicted on the 21^st day of December, 1845, for burning prairies.  The following day John Matlock and Nelson Case were indicted for the same offense.  Bail was given to the amount of $100 each.  Herbert jumped his bail, but was subsequently brought to trial, and with the other three fined $5 and costs.  This was not an uncommon offense for which men were brought before the court to answer.

   The fire often spread further than it was intended it should.  Whereever were extensive prairie lands, one-half was burned in the spring and the other half in the autumn, in order to produce a more rapid growth of the naturally exuberant grass, destroying at the same time the tall and thick weed stalks.  Violent winds would often arise and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds could scarcely escape.  On the approach of a prairie fire the farmer would immediately set about “burning back,” – that is, burning off the grass close by the fences, that the larger fire upon arriving would become extinguished for want of aliment.  In order to be able, however, to make proper use of this measure of safety, it was very essential that every farmer should encompass with a ditch those of his fences adjoining the prairie.  When known that the conflagration could cause no danger, the settler, though accustomed to them, could not refrain from gazing with admiration upon the magnificent spectacle.  Language cannot convey, words cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of such a conflagration during the night.  It was as if the pale queen of night, distaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon myriads of messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one long and continuous blaze.

“O, fly to the prairies and in wonder gaze,
As o’er the grass sweeps the magnificent blaze;
The earth cannot boast so magnificent a sight, --
A continent blazing with oceans of light.”

   The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by a traveler through this region in 1849:

   “Soon the fires began to kindle wider and rise higher from the long grass; the gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into fierce torrent-flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by he magician’s wand, into one boundless amphitheater, blazing from earth to heaven and sweeping the horizon round, -- columns, of lurid flames sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke curling away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon, while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all around; it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the imminent peril of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to withdraw or seek refuge.”

   The following poem appeared in the Knoxville Journal of March 27, 1850.  It was written for that paper by “Flora” of Alstead, N. H., on seeing a notice of a railroad meeting, in the Journal of December 12, 1849.  It so beautifully and graphically pictures the grandeur, the magnificence and splendor of the vast prairies of Knox county as they were when cultivated by nature’s hand, and being prepared especially for that excellent pioneer paper, and as it also refers to the building of the first railroad over the fertile prairies of Knox, we deem it well to give it in full.  It is entitled

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WEST

Tho’ many a lingering year has passed away
Since last I saw thee, yes, and many a day
Of grief, yet mem’ry still retains a zest
Of thee, ye lovely prairies of the West!
I’ve often rambled o’er thy verdant lawns,
Where bound the wild deer with the playful fawns;
Where every breeze wafts fragrance and delight,
And every prospect charms the wandering sight;
I’ve seen thee clothed in thy rich, vernal dyes;
At every step new beauties met my eyes,
From where the sun first darts his morning rays,
To where he sinks in yonder deep, blue haze;
As on I stroll’d, through a long, bright day,
Before me still, thou stretchest far away,
Beyond the utmost limits of my ken;
Perhaps, methought, beyond the haunts of men,
Save the wild savage, and his wilder steed,
Who courses o’er thee with the lightning speed,
Pursuing still his wonted daily sport,
Where’er the timorous, harmless deer resort,
With murd’rous weapons, and a murd’rous heart,
An eagle eye, he hurls the deadly dart,
And brings the fated victim to the ground.
Poor, helpless creature! Thou hast thine death-wound;
Oh, cruel sport! Could I thy life defend,
(Like Cowper’s hare,) thou too should’st have a friend.
But I have wander’d.  Say, ye fairy grounds,
Where is your termination? Where your bounds?
No dense, dark forest, hill, or deep ravine,
Obstructs thy progress, naught to intervene
Thy onward course.  Where’er I turn my eyes
There springs a lily; here the wild pink vies
With clustering roses, and the rich blue bell,
The morning glories, and the daffodil,
And countless others; how and whence they came,
I leave for botanists to tell and name;
Ye lay before me, spreading far and wide,
From Illinois to Mississipi’s t’de,
One boundless picture, drawn by nature’s skill;
‘Twere vain to imitate, let try who will.
I’ve lingered long amid your magic scenes,
Which savor’d more of truth than poets’ dreams.
But list, ye flow’rets, there’s a secret plot,
To mar your beauty and to spread a blot
O’er your fair features, now so fresh with bloom,
Breathing on all around your sweet perfume;
Beauty is potent, and perchance you doubt it,
But mark my words, there’s no mistake about it;
Tho’ thou hast laid thy scenes far from the ocean,
Thy Sucker friends have took the Yankee notion
Of making railroads all the wide world over,
That he who chooses soon may be a rover;
Fame says the tune has turned, and we believe her,
Your Western folks have caught the Eastern fever;
Tho’ now you grow in wild and sweet profusion,
Yet soon they’ll put their plan in execution.
The whole fraternity are now array’d
To crush your freedom, and your rights invade;
For men who love to ride the iron rod,
Will lay you lifeless soon beneath the sod;
They’ll crush you with the ponderous, iron railing,
In spite of all your weeping and your wailing.
Ye rural beauties, you must disappear;
Yield your possessions to the engineer.
Henceforth no more the wild and playful deer
Shall o’er your meadows bound;
But rattling, rumbling cars, with ceaseless steam,
And magic speed, propelled by Vulcan’s team,
Whose whips and spurs are fire and smoke and steam,
Shall occupy your ground.

THE BIG SNOW

   The big snow of 1830 will be vividly remembered by all the old settlers.  This was the heaviest snow ever known to have fallen in this State.  The snow began falling on the night of the 29^th of December, and continued to fall for three days and nights, until it reached an average depth of about four feet, but drifting in places as high as from eighteen to twenty feet.  Great suffering was experienced in consequence.  The settlers relied for their daily food upon the Indian corn which they were enabled to raise, together with wild game, which was abundant at that time.  Plenty of the former was raised to supply the wants of all until the next season’s crop; but when the snow fell very little had been gathered.  Game could not be had.  The great depth of snow was a barrier to all travel, and it may well be imagined the sufferings of the people were very great indeed.  Just previous to the falling of this snow John G. Sanburn and Parnach Owen went to Vandalia, then the State capital.  Owen had not made such preparations at home before he left that would permit him to remain away any extended time, so he set out to return for this county on horseback.  In company with him was a Mr. Wright, of Canton, and a member of the Legislature at the time.  The snow was so deep, and every trail so completely obliterated, that they got lost.  They could not turn back and retrace their steps, as no indication whatever remained of their track five minutes after passing along.  No house or shelter of any description was near, and the perils of the night, which was fast approaching, were almost certain death if they remained there.  To make their situation more appalling, when coming across a large prairie in Fulton county their horses suddenly gave out, utterly refusing to move a step.  To remain there would be only to freeze to death; so they determined to proceed on foot, and taking the saddles off their wearied animals, they laid them on the snow and started on.  The snow was so deep and the crust so thin that they would often break through, making progress slow and tiresome; but probably this action was the only thing which prevented them from freezing to death.  At last Canton was reached, but not until the feet of Owen were very badly frozen; indeed, his boots were frozen so tightly to his feet that they could not be taken off until bathed in water for some time.  The following morning a man was dispatched after the horses, and they were found standing in the same positions and places in which they were left the day before.  Owen was compelled to remain at Canton for several days, when, after his feet were in a fit condition, he came to his home near Knoxville on snow-shoes, that being almost the only mode of travel practicable at that time.  The snow lay on the ground until about the first of April; and we have little doubt that many a weary one during that long winter sighed for the comforts of the “old home;” still, notwithstanding its great dreariness and the greater sufferings of the people, none became disheartened, for we find them in the spring of 1831 as determined as ever to carve out for themselves a home in this truly beautiful country.

GOING TO MARKET

   The early settler experienced great trouble in marketing their produce.  Grain was generally carted to Chicago, especially from the northern part of the county, until the introduction of railroads.  Peoria was also a market, but more particularly from the western and southern parts of the county; yet grain and hogs have been marketed in Chicago from all parts of the county.  Of course it took several days to make the trip; and as there were few good hotels along the route, the farmers generally slept in their wagons and prepared their own meals along the road.  Their cooking utensils consisted usually of a frying-pan and a coffee-pot, and their bill of fare would be hot coffee, bread and fried bacon.  At that time Chicago was nothing better than a great, overgrown village, set down in what appeared to be the lowest and muddiest spot in creation.  The farmers unloaded into a hopper, and the elevators were no better than will usually be seen in most country towns.  At times when roads were good and prices a little up there was often a big rush; and as they slowly unloaded and advanced the length of one team at a time, the unlucky farmer would sometimes be delayed several hours before he could get his grain into the hopper and the cash therefore into his pocket.

   The price for wheat in Chicago ranged from forty cents to a dollar and twenty cents a bushel, but it seldom reached as high as a dollar; it generally ranged at fifty or sixty cents.  The farmers were not in any danger of becoming suddenly rich by selling their wheat at these prices and carting it to Chicago; yet all enjoyed such trips, for many things occurred on the way that make the old men, in now rehearsing them, wish they were young again, and could once more repeat them, as of old.

   About 1842, while Jonathan Gibbs with several others were on their way to Chicago with wheat, and were sleeping in and about their wagons, they were awakened before break of day by a man on his return trip, who called out, as he came in sight of the sleepers:  “Ho! All ye who are drawing wheat to Chicago for forty-seven cents a bushel, you should be up and rolling on your way.”

   Gaddial Scott, John Martz, Andrew Osborn, a Mr. Field and others, made a trip to Chicago one fall.  They could get but twenty-five cents a bushel for their wheat in this county; so they thought they would try the Chicago market, which was considerably better for them, as they received sixty-five cents a bushel, which they then regarded as a large price, although they were eleven days an a half in making the trip.  Allowing thirty bushels to the load, we find they received $19.50 for the wheat, which, calculating the time spent in marketing, is less than $1.70 a day for man and team.  But when we reckon the time and labor spent in growing, harvesting, threshing and cleaning it, especially with their antique and much inferior machinery, we find the compensations received for labor in those days were meager indeed.  Several little incidents occurred during the trip of the above mentioned gentlemen.  Mr. Scott had never visited the city before, and when hey came in sight of it, noticing the masts of the ships which lay in the river, he thought they were a strip of dead timber.  On reaching the city and when near the river, driving along on one of the busy streets, he was so much interested in the tall masts of the shipping that he forgot to notice his team, which run into the one ahead of him, smashing the feed-box, which was always carried on the rear end of the wagon bed.  A dog they had along became so bewildered at the sights of the city that it forgot to follow its master closely, and was accordingly lost.  Several days afterward, however, it returned home, with no desire whatever to take another trip to Chicago.

   Mr. Scott brought three barrels of salt home with him, for which he paid $1.50 per barrel; the price for that article here being $3 per bushel.  Jonathan Gibbs says he paid that price for salt in 1838, getting fifty-six pounds to the bushel.  One cause for this staple article being so high was that the Illinois river was so shallow that navigation on it was prevented.

   In the winter of 1841 Judge R. L. Hannaman drove 1,300 head of hogs from Knoxville to Chicago.  For these he paid $2 per hundred pounds net.  He had them slaughtered and packed in that city, and shipped to New York and Boston.  In the enterprise, which at the time was a stupendous one, Mr. Hannaman lost $5,000.  He had sixteen boys employed to drive the stock, and consumed sixteen days’ hard work to reach the city.  Considerable trouble was experienced in securing places to stop over night, as the number, both of boys and hogs, was so large that but few settlers along the route could accommodate them.  One night Mr. Hannaman and his whole company remained with John H. Bryant, a brother of the poet, who was then living in a comfortable dwelling on a fine farm near Princeton.  In Chicago he stopped at the “Illinois Hotel,” kept by Colonel Beaubien, a Frenchman, who was quite extensively known through Northern Illinois.  In relating the incidents of the trip, the Judge remarked:  “At that early day Chicago gave no hint or suspicion that she would ever become the great commercial metropolis of the Northwest.  She was then a small town, situated in the midst of miry swamps, any quantity of which I could have bought for almost nothing, but would not have accepted as a gift.”

   In the winter of 1842-3 Jonathan Gibbs went to Peoria to sell his pork; but the highest offer made him was by Cortennis & Griswold, large packers, which was 1 ½ cents per pound for dressed hogs, and 3 ½ cash or 4 cents in trade, for green hams, and the same for lard.  Over a fire-place in Mr. Gibbs’ log cabin sixteen barrels of lard were tried out that fall.  Such a stupendous job of work would scarcely be undertaken by any family at the present time.

MONEY

   Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the earlier settlers.  Indeed, they had but little use for it, as all business was transacted by trading one article for another.  Great ingenuity was developed in the barter of their commodities, and when this failed long credits contributed to their convenience.  But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain a considerable time in the postoffice for want of 25 cents, which was then the postage on all letters from any great distance; nor were they carried on the fast express or mail trains.  It was only every week or so that a lone horseman, with mail bag thrown astride, would ride into a settlement or village.  If, however, the village was on the line of a stage route, the old stage coach would make its appearance as often.  It was not common then for persons to get many letters; indeed, one or two a month was considered a large mail.  Nor did three cents pay the postage upon a letter at that day.  It seldom took less than twenty-five cents, or two “bits,” as Kentuckians would say.

   Mr. Giles Cook, of Victoria, doubtless very vividly remembers the old price of letter postage.  He received notice that there was a letter for him at the postoffice, which at that time was located at the residence of Mr. Bradford, about seven miles east of Knoxville.  Mr. Cook accordingly called for his letter, but as the postage was due, and the post-master would not permit him to open it until it was paid, which he could not do, he was unable to get it.  He at once set about to earn the required amount; and after five or six weeks’ extra exertion, succeeded in raising enough to pay the postage on that one letter.  When he opened the hard-earned epistle, he found therein a check for $50, which was abundant compensation for half a year’s labor.

   While money was so exceedingly difficult to obtain that but little was ever accumulated, yet the pioneers really needed but little.  They seldom received a letter, and their taxes were light.  For instance, the first year after arrival, A. C. Higgins paid taxes to the amount of five cents.  This was on a silver watch he carried, it being the only taxable property he then possessed.  In 1836 Gaddial Scott paid his taxes, which amounted to $1.37 ½ , with a wolf scalp and 37 ½ cents in money, being three silver pieces of 12 ½ cents each, or three “bits,” as they were called in that early day.  This was the full amount of taxes upon about $1,100 worth of property.

FIRST CELEBRATION

   The 4^th of July, 1836, was the first national anniversary day especially celebrated in Knox county.  The exercises were held in Sanburn’s Grove, near Knoxville, and were attended by between 600 and 700 people, -- one dollar a couple being charged for the dinner, which was sumptuously served.  The meat, which consisted of beef, veal, mutton and pork, was roasted in a pit in the ground, by Harrison Bell.  Col. Herman Knox was very enthusiastic over the affair and took an active part, furnishing from his store the dishes used.  Not being able to clean off the tables that night, as doubtless all wanted to partake and not miss any of the pleasures of the festive occasion, “Old Black Joe” was hired to stand guard over them until next morning.

   This was a memorable celebration, and for its magnitude at the time many thought it would scarcely ever be surpassed.  Indeed, one of the prominent men in addressing another said, “If you live here for 20 years, you will never see this beaten.”

   Elder Gardner Bartlett made the opening prayer, and Hon. James Knox delivered the oration, after which the audience formed in line and marched to the tables spread under the boughs of a large tree.

MILITIA

   For many years in the early history of the county the “State militia” organization held their regular semi-annual drills, which was always a source of much pleasure, and a gala day for all.  The company drills were held in the spring in various portions of the county, but in the fall all of the militia-men assembled at one place, when regimental exercises were observed.  During the meantime the officers had their drill muster, when instructions were given.  Thomas McKee was chosen Major in 1838, and for several years held the office.  In 1846, when the war between the United States and Mexico commenced, Major McKee gave orders to his captains to have the men assemble at Knoxville on a certain day.  The captains informed the non-commissioned officers, and they in turn circulated the call among the rank and file.  Upon the appointed day about 1,500 of the militia men assembled.  After the usual preliminary forming and marching the Major formed them into a hollow square; then mounting a wagon which stood in the centre, he addressed them on the subject of enlisting in the service of their country in the war with Mexico.  After his stirring speech, which aroused and fired the patriotism of the men, the martial band took up the call and in musical strains discoursed from the drum and fife many of the soul-stirring national airs of the day, which raised their patriotic spirits to a still higher pitch.  When the Major at the head of the band called out as they marched off, “Now, gentlemen, all you that want to go to Mexico, come along,” immediately 109 men joined him, showing thereby their willingness to go to the front.  It was the Major’s desire to start right off that night for Springfield to have the company accepted; but many of the older men thought him too hasty; that he had not considered matters sufficiently; that such a course would be rash and uncalled for: so at their solicitation he sent the report of his company having been raised, by mail.  As the quota of the State was only six regiments, of course it was soon filled; so, when the letter from Major McKee reached Springfield, every company asked for had been furnished and no more would be accepted, which completely dampened the military ardor of the Major and his men.  They remained, however, in readiness to answer a call at a moment’s warning, but happily for them none was ever made, as they were not needed.

BEE-HUNTING

   During the early settlement of this part of the State, one of the prevailing customs of the pioneers was “bee-hunting.”  Often a small company would travel many miles into a wild, unsettled country, in search of the sweet-flavored honey of the wild bee.  Large trees, containing many gallons, and often a barrel, were frequently found by bee-hunters. The little, busy bees would be carefully watched as they flew heavily laden with the riches extract of the flowers that were purely native and unknown to the present generation.  They always took a bee-line for their homes.  This was a correct guide to the sturdy hunter, who had studied with care the ways of the bee and by their knowledge took advantage of the little insect.  Once on the trail, good bee-hunters were almost certain to catch the rich prize.  After the bee tree was discovered it was no trouble to get possession of the honey.  The tree was felled, and the hunters would rush for their booty ere it was lost by running out upon the ground.

   In 1827 Andy Osborn, Andrew Scott, John Slatten and Gaddial Scott, four sturdy young men from Sangamon county, made a tour through this country in search of honey.  They pushed ahead, over prairie and through timber, until Henderson Grove in this county was reached.  Here they discovered two well filled trees, and without trouble were soon possessors of their delicious contents.  This little company camped on the land now owned by John Miles, on the Warren and Knox county line.  They remained for one week, during which time they met neither white man nor negro.  The only persons these explorers met, from the time of their leaving Sangamon county until they returned, were a Mr. Atwood and his son, who lived south of the old Galena road.

   When we remember that all of this section of the country was not inhabited save by the red man and wild beasts of forest and prairie, one will certainly come to the conclusion that the Sangamon county boys were great lovers of honey, or else were fearless of danger and cared not for hardship.  Mr. Gaddial Scott seemed to have formed a good impression of Knox county, for we find him moving here a few years after.

   These men were the first, so far as we know, who crossed the prairies of Knox county.  Hunters and travelers had previously been here, but when, or who they were, is not known.  Mr. Scott and Mr. Osborn subsequently came to the county to live, and the former is at the present time an active citizen.

   Knox county seems to have been especially favored in quantity of honey produced by the wild bees.  Trees containing them were in great abundance.  Indeed, the county was known as a land flowing with honey.  There were men living within its boundaries who followed no other business than gathering honey and the honeycomb.  They made their regular trips to market, disposing of their stock.  The wax was the principal article, however, that they marketed.  While John G. Sanburn was in the mercantile business at Henderson, he sent to St. Louis several barrels of strained honey at one time, together with a large quantity of beeswax.  The price generally paid for honey was 37½ cents per gallon.

   Parnach Owen took nine gallons of strained honey and twenty-two pounds of wax from one tree, which, although often excelled, was an extra good tree.

   Casks were often made of hollow bass-wood logs, from one to three feet long, with a bottom set in.  These were made watertight and were used for years.

COURTS

   Although the early settlers were peaceable, neighborly and law-abiding, yet sessions of the Circuit Court were necessary to be held. At the first and second sessions, however, the grand jury found no violation of law coming under their province.  Of course the usual preliminary business was attended to.  For a more minute sketch of the first sessions of court held in the county we refer our readers again to Chapter II.  The following incident illustrates the habits of the people and the hardships of the legal gentlemen during those times:

   Judge Richard M. Young and State’s Attorney Thomas Ford traveled together throughout their judicial circuit, which included all the northern portion of the State.  On a trip (which was about the first) from Galena to Knoxville, they wandered from the main trail, and soon became lost.  On they traveled, yet they failed to reach their destination.  Night came on, finding them in a wild country without food or shelter.  They concluded they might as well become resigned to their situation, and accordingly lay down upon the grass-carpeted earth in the wild forest and passed the night.  On the following morning, they pursued their journey, yet again failed to come to the little log court-house in the newly laid out town of Knoxville.  They kept on and finally brought up at Mrs. Elizabeth Owen’s cabin in Haw Creek township.  From there they were directed to the right road for Knoxville.  But let us go with the two gentlemen still farther.  Although both possessed giant minds, yet the difference of their stature was very great, and when seen together approached almost the ludicrous.  Judge Young was an extraordinarily tall and slimly built man, while Governor Ford was uncommonly small. While holding court at Knoxville, they put up with Landlord Newman, who kept a store and hotel in his two-roomed log house that stood on the west side of the square of that city.  Besides the room (to the rear of the store-room) in which the family lived and which was dining-room, kitchen, sleeping-room, parlor, etc., there was a small loft above, the ceiling of which was very low, and the sides extending but two logs above the ceiling of the main story.  There were no pretensions of this loft being furnished, save a pallet made on rough-hewed boards.  This apartment was reached by a ladder which stood in one corner of the store-room.  The two statesmen were assigned the loft as their sleeping-room.  At night they ascended the ladder, and groping around finally deposited their forms on their rude couch for a night’s rest.  Yes, these great men, one of whom afterward served with distinction in the United States Senate, and the other filled the Gubernatorial chair of a great State, once had no better accommodation than those described above, which are not at all overdrawn.

   A landlord from the East, who came to keep the hotel in Knoxville, being accustomed to see judges robed in their judicial gowns, with attendants and considerable pomp manifested, made great preparations on the arrival of Judge Ralston to hold court.  He had not seen the Judge, and of course did not know him.  Noon arrived, and the landlord had dinner spread and waiting for the arrival of his distinguished guest.  He patiently watched and waited for him, supposing he would come attended by the sheriff and bailiff.  So engaged was he in watching that he did not notice a common, every-day sort of a man pass in by him and take his seat at the table without even so much as removing his hat.  This individual was none other than the eminent Judge.  After much delay the landlord made some inquiries of the gentlemen seated at the table, respecting the arrival of the Judge, and great was his amazement when the same gentleman informed him that he was the Judge himself.  Even though such great and extra preparations had been made for the reception of the honored Judge, he had about finished the sumptuous dinner spread for him before the landlord knew who he was; and he was not long in learning afterward that Western jurists make no unnecessary display in matters of dress and manners, but indeed were as other men.

To be continued......

Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:04:24 PM updated & uploaded.

Created March 23, 2006 Kathy Mills typed this up for all of us to enjoy... Thanks Kath.

 
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