NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS - 1878
February 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
CITY AND COUNTY.
The teacher is boss in the school-room, but when the boys catch him on the street, and there is a little snow on the ground, then the teacher has to take it. So one of them thought yesterday afternoon.
Col. SNELL was called to Colfax, Iowa, Wednesday, by the announcement of his mother's death. The old lady was about ninety years of age. The Colonel and Welby left by the Wednesday evening train on the Central.
Ben McCORMICK and family will leave for Springfield, Mo., in about four weeks, where they will make their future home. Ben sold his farm in Creek township some time ago. When he came to this county years ago he was in very good circumstances.
Thomps. SMITH and Bub LILLARD were bound over to the circuit court in the sum of $100 each, last Friday, for selling liquor to a drunkard. Martin KAVANAUGH was also bound over this week in a like sum, for the same offense. The law will have a fair test at the next term.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
GONE TO MEET HIS LITTLE DAUGHTER.
A Young Clintonian
Arrested for Seduction and Desertion.
Wednesday morning Billy EATON was arrested in this city on the charge of seduction, the crime being committed in Lebanon, Ind., about three years ago. At that time Billy was engaged with his father in the building of a railroad through Lebanon, and while there met at a dance a young girl, about fourteen years of age, named Miss GREENE, the daughter of a merchant tailor of that place. Eaton is rather a gay young fellow, and securing an introduction to Miss Greene she was flattered by his attentions. Eaton soon became a constant visitor at the girl's house. Her father and mother foolishly allowed her to keep company with an entire stranger— one who only remained in the town for a few weeks or months and then off elsewhere. Late promenades and oft meeting at dances gave Eaton a strong influence over the girl, and he used it to her ruin. In the course of time the girl's sin became known to her parents, and then Eaton was urged to marry her. This he declined doing. The girl's father became imperative in his demands, and finally young Eaton skipped out and went to Iowa. In the mean time a little girl was born. The father of the girl has been unceasing in his efforts to capture the seducer of his daughter, and has spent considerable money in tracing him from one point to another. About two months ago Eaton came to his home in Clinton, thinking that as three years had elapsed since the commission of the crime he would be safe outside of the limits of the State of Indiana. But it seems he was not correct in his understanding of the law. Mr. Greene heard that Eaton was here, and he procured a requisition from Governor Cullom for the arrest and return of Eaton to Indiana. Wednesday morning Greene came to Clinton from Springfield, and putting the warrant in the hands of Marshal Henson, waited around the depot for the arrest of Eaton. Billy was all unconscious of the avenging Nemesis that was on his track till the very moment Marshal Henson arrested him. Greene kept out of the way for he knew that if Billy got sight of him he would skip out. When Greene and Billy met, the old man pulled out a nice pair of bracelets and said: "Billy, I hate to do this to you, but to Indiana you have to go." Billy promised to go without any trouble if the old man would only spare him the shame of wearing the bracelets here in Clinton. Greene was obdurate. They left for Decatur on the two o'clock freight, where they connected immediately with the T. W. & W. Road. Billy telegraphed to his father to meet him at Lebanon.
The girl's father offered to compromise with Billy at one time on the payment of $800. Probably he can yet fix it up with him. We understand that under the laws of Indiana the crime of seduction is a penitentiary offense. If Eaton had made a fight he could have resisted the arrest, as in this State seduction is not a penitentiary offense— merely a matter of money.
(See next article)
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
REASON DETHRONED.
"I am not mad, most noble Judge," said Richard Baxter BOVEE, but yet the jury finally decided that he would be the better of a few weeks treatment at Jacksonville. Bovee is a farmhand belonging to Waynesville township. His wife is a the daughter of Wm. M. STORY, of that place. A week ago his friends had Bovee before Judge McGRAW and a jury, and after a long and tedious examination the jury decided that Bovee had sense enough left to take care of himself, so he was discharged. Tuesday of this week he was again the subject of inquiry, and this time the jury decided that he was insane, and accordingly he was adjudged to go to Jacksonville. Bovee is a member of the Free Methodist Church at Waynesville and professes to be thoroughly sanctified. Probably his devotion to religious subjects and the neglect of his physical nature has upset his mind temporarily. At any rate, Jacksonville seems the best place for him.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
ANOTHER BROTHER GONE TO TEXAS.
As the liberal theologians and Bob INGERSOLL have settled the lake of fire and brimstone question, and there is no place of torment for delinquents, the wicked now go to Texas. At least we would infer this from the fact that quite a number have recently gone from this county to the Lone Star State whose accounts were not satisfactorily adjusted before leaving. Among the number is A. B. DAVENPORT, Justice of the Peace of Creek township. There was a time when the `Squire was good for any amount, and he always paid his bills like a little man; but that was before he was seized with the insane idea that he was an expert at "draw poker." Once let this foolishness get the better of a man then farewell to money, credit and reputation. For the past year or two the `Squire has bucked heavily against the Clinton tiger, and the animal generally succeeded in getting him under. The climax came finally and the `Squire found it convenient to seek a home in Texas. Before leaving he sold his farm to his son, upon which was borrowed $1500 on a trust deed. With this amount of cash he skipped out last week, leaving a number of our merchants to mourn their loss. A few of them however, have taken the bull by the horns and are now trying to find out what the Sheriff can do for them. Davenport is one of the administrators of his father's estate, and it is said there has been a deal of crookedness in this direction.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton,
Illinois
IT WASN'T BILLY'S BABY.
Billy EATON's shackles fell from his wrists as soon as the train that bore him a prisoner reached Lebanon, Ind. Before leaving the depot here, Billy telegraphed to his father to meet him at Lebanon, and by the time he got there the Captain had matters all fixed and Billy was immediately released. When matters were thoroughly sifted, it turned out that Billy was innocent of the charge of seduction, as the girl's reputation for lewdness dated far back to his acquaintance with her. She is now the happy mother of two children, and old man GREENE is on the war path hunting for the second daddy.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Mr. Wm. CANTRALL, who lives on the western edge of this county, has been sadly afflicted with sickness in his family. Last October Mr. Cantrall was seized with a severe attack of typhoid fever, from which he is only just recovering, last Monday being his first day out since the 20th of last October. During the same time, five members of his family were also confined to bed from the same disease. We are glad to state that all have recovered from the long and dangerous siege.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
FIRE THIS MORNING.
Between one and two o'clock this morning Officer STOREY discovered a fire in WOOD's gun-shop, on Monroe street, and immediately gave the alarm. By the time Mr. Wood, who lives on the corner north of his shop, got up, the inside of the building was in flames, and consequently he was unable to save a single dollar's worth of his property. The fire emanated from a writing desk in which Mr. Wood kept his books and papers, and from this the inference is that the fire was the work of an incendiary. A key to one of the shop doors was stolen about a week ago, and Mr. Wood thinks the key thief had a hand in the fire of this morning. The fire was communicated to McGOWAN's carpenter shop, and this building was also consumed. McGowan saved all of his tools, etc., except some finishing lumber, therefore his loss is not very heavy. Not so with Wood. The poor fellow loses every dollar he had in the world, as all he had was invested in machinery, tools, revolvers, rifles, shot-guns, etc. He had one twelve-horse engine and one one-horse power. His outfit was complete for the varied classes of work he did. Wood's loss at the lowest estimate will not fall short of $600, besides the entire ruin of his business, for without tools he cannot begin operations again. He is a very skillful mechanic. W. J. LEAVITT had two sewing machines in Wood's shop to be repaired. These were also destroyed.
The buildings belonged to Mr. W. G. SAVAGE, and the two were worth probably $400. So inflammable were the old buildings that before the engine could be brought into service they were beyond the power of salvation.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
February 8, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
The Board of Supervisors has determined, if it can be legally done, to hold saloon-keepers responsible for any costs to the county that may arise from the death or injury of any intoxicated person. To that end a resolution was passed at the last meeting directing bills to be presented to the saloon-keeper at Wapella who furnished liquor to the man who was recently injured on the railroad, north of that town, and also to Martin KAVANAUGH for the costs attending the inquest and burial of James HAYES. Unless the bills are paid, the county attorney is instructed to collect by law.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
That story which the Clinton reporter of the Bloomington Pantagraph sent to the paper about the raiding of Eph. HARROLD's cattle ranche [sic] in Texas by Mexicans and Indians, the running off of 13,000 head of cattle, and the killing of two of the Harrold boys, is a pure fiction. Eph. had only 11,000 cattle on his ranche, and the latest intelligence from the ranche is that there's millions in fat beef.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
DOWN IN THE GOLD MINES.
Mr. John T. CARLE returned from the Black Hills last Saturday. The pursuit of gold must have an invigorating influence on John for he looks well and hearty. The Clinton company's stamp mill has added to its working power till now it has twenty stamps and is capable of crushing thirty tons of quartz daily. The average yield of gold per ton of quartz is $13, and of this the company receives $4, the balance going to the owners of the quartz mine. The Clinton company owns interests in four different mines, which will be worked during the present year. Mr. Carle says the supply of gold is inexhaustible, but that it requires great labor to bring it out of the earth. After a few weeks spent at home with his family and in arranging affairs connected with his mill property here, Mr. Carle will return to the Hills. His family will remain here.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Zeke JACKSON doesn't like WEEDMAN's hotel. The fellow has nothing against the board or his sleeping accommodations, but he has a hankering after the pure air of heaven and thinks he cannot inhale enough of it through the close bars that protect the hotel windows. He has made a couple of attempts to leave, but the sheriff pressed him to tarry a little longer. Zeke has a sore neck and the other day he handed Smith WEEDMAN a written prescription to get filled at the drug store. Smith took it to Day's drug store and as soon as Jimmy McLEAN read it over he told Smith it was a compound even more powerful than nitroglycerine and but a very small portion of it would blow the jail to pieces. Zeke didn't get his medicine.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Mrs. Wm. TORBERT started to Sedalia, Mo., last Monday, where she will meet her husband who started some eight weeks ago, and was compelled to stop owing to the bad roads. He started for Kansas.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 1, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
LONG POINT.
On Wednesday evening of last week a gang of tramps ran Mrs. Louisa KARR's family off from home. About noon, while the children were away at school, the widow, in making a trip to the cistern after a pail of water, discovered strange persons prowling around the barn. Suspecting that all was not right, and at the same time being considerably frightened, she went quietly into the house, bolting the door after her, looking every moment to see the house broke into and perhaps herself murdered. She remained indoors in a state of terror and confusion until the children returned home from school. As nothing more had transpired up to this time, and thinking that she had been unduly frightened, and supposing those persons that she had seen around the barn had left by this time, she concluded to say nothing about the affair to her children, but sent them out to do up the evening chores. In a few minutes they came running back, informing their mother that there were persons in the barn. Thinking it time to learn something more in particular in relation to such strange proceedings, the widow stepped out in the barn lot, when much to her surprise a man began cursing her in such a manner that the old lady and children took fright and fled the ranch. To complete the scare, while getting over the yard fence, one of the tramps fired a shot from his revolver. Running over to Mr. WHITEHEAD's and giving Sergeant Whitehead a brief account of the affair, the Sergeant and his brother went to reconnoiter the premises and, if possible, capture the offenders. The Sergeant received a warm reception from Mr. Tramp and was soon compelled to beat a hasty retreat. But luckily the Sergeant was soon reinforced by Corporal NELSON and two more of Long Point's invincibles. The troopers, now numbering five, lit out for the recent scene of trouble, with the avowed determination of conquering or being carried back on their shields. The house and barn were quietly surrounded and searched, but no enemy was to be found. The foe had taken advantage of the lull that followed after the first engagement and skipped out. Being dark and raining, no attempt was made toward following them, as there was nothing disturbed except a few edibles. Charity to tramps is played out in Long Point. The black flag is floating, and those who should be so unfortunate as to fall into our clutches will learn to their ruin that mercy is a scarce ingredient in the composition of an average Long Pointer.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
CRIMINAL DOCKET.
Judge LACEY this week has been sitting in judgment on the transgressors of DeWitt county, with the following result:
Merritt HAYS for attempting to steal a team of horses from Charles HUTCHINS' barn. Five years in the penitentiary.
Lewis C. CAREY and Charles DEIGH, for an assault on C. C. SMITH at Wapella. Sixty days each in county jail.
Tom and Zeke JACKSON for stealing hogs, were sent to the penitentiary for only eighteen months each. Zeke will have another trial today for stealing other porkers.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
A NEW DECISION UNDER THE DRAM SHOP LAW.
In the case of the people of the State of Illinois for the use of Edward Carroll vs. Patrick McGarry et al., upon a saloon keeper's bond for damages sustained by Carroll to his person is consequence of his being intoxicated by liquors sold him by defendant McGarry, causing said Carroll to become helpless and falling down upon the railroad track, where he lay in that condition until a passing train ran over him, cutting off his right arm and otherwise injuring his person. Judge Lacey rendered a decision sustaining a demurrer to the declaration upon the grounds that the person who purchased the liquor and drank it had no right of action for any injury he might sustain. This is a new question under the present "Dram shop Law," neither the Appellate nor Supreme courts having as yet passed upon it.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
It is rather difficult to learn what the license men are doing or who are to be their candidates as everything is veiled in mystery. However, they are working day and night, and as men generally work harder for a bad cause than for a good one the license men may be victorious unless the anti-license party keeps up a determined front till the ballot-box closes on Monday evening. So far as we can learn, the license men propose to run only one candidate for alderman in each ward, and by concentrating their efforts in that way think they can elect three men and the mayor. Anti-license men must defeat this plan by voting their own ticket straight. Let there be no scratching.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
It is astonishing the great anxiety that is now being expressed for fear the temperance people will indiscreetly carry their principles to the polls on next Monday and vote the anti-license ticket. "You will ruin your cause," say these license men, "by mixing temperance and politics." But it is very strange that these objectors are never found giving encouragement to the temperance workers in their efforts to draw men from the influence of the saloons. If temperance men allow themselves to be hood-winked into voting the license ticket by such specious pleading then there is no hope for reform. The whole power of the saloon and license influence will work hard next Monday to fasten legalized whisky upon our city for the next twelve months. Temperance men can only overcome this power by united action. Next Monday will decide whether the great temperance revival that swept over the country during the past six months has taken permanent root in Clinton. Every man who believes in anti-license should devote the day to work at the polls. Show by your presence at the polls that you are in earnest in what you profess.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Frank EATHERTON fell from one of the windows of the first floor of the school building, on Monday afternoon, to the hard ground on the outside. His face was badly damaged, he falling face downward. His upper lip was completely split open and the lower lip was partly split. Frank was in the act of getting out of the window when Lew RICHEY gave him a push which accelerated his speed.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Last Sunday morning Mr. Welby P. SNELL, while on his way to church, was seized with hemorrhage of the lungs. He was taken into Col. KELLY's house and medical assistance was immediately summoned. The attack was a slight one, and in the course of a few hours he felt better. He has remained at his home during this week.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
March 29, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Last Sunday afternoon while Mr. Homer TAYLOR, accompanied by a gentleman friend, was returning from a trip to his farm, a sudden turn in the road lurched the buggy to one side, breaking the bolts confining the body to the running gears, and throwing it and its occupants to the ground, while the team which they were driving jogged along homewards, never stopping until it brought up safely at the stable. A few bruises were the only injury either of the gentlemen sustained.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
April 5, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
AN ABSCONDED STOCK DEALER.
Riley V. OWENS, for ten years past a member of the firm of Strain & Owens, skipped out some days ago with about $5,000 in cash belonging to the firm. Strain & Owens and Mrs. Jake ZORGER have, during the past winter, been feeding cattle in partnership. About three weeks ago they shipped three car-loads to Pittsburg, Owens and Zorger going in charge of the stock. On the way, Owens tried in every way to get Zorger to abandon the trip and return home, and he would give him a check on Warner & Co.'s bank for his share. This anxiety made Zorger suspicious, and when they sold the cattle in Pittsburg he insisted on having a separate check for his share, which amounted to about $1,400. Owens received a check for $3,000, being the amount of the balance. The two men then traveled homeward in company as far as Urbana, where Mr. Zorger remained for a day or two to attend to some business. Owens came on to Farmer City and there had his draft cashed at Weedman's bank, giving as a reason for this strange procedure that he had bought a lot of cattle in Champaign county on his way home, and that he wanted the money to pay for them. The reason for his coming to Farmer City to cash the draft was that he could not be identified elsewhere, and it is the rule with bankers not to pay drafts unless some reliable person can vouch that the party presenting it is all right. Of course he did not need this identification at Farmer City, as he had been a resident of this city for a great number of years. A week ago last Monday, Owens left Farmer City on the I. B. & W. road and went West. Since then no tidings of him have been received.
Mr. STRAIN, not hearing of his partner, finally became anxious, and on instituting inquiries learned that he had been at Farmer City and had drawn the money. By this time Owens had got a long start and left no trace behind. Information has been sent to the officers in Kansas and other western States, but it is doubtful if he will be caught.
Strain & Owens have been in partnership for over ten years, during which time Owens has done nearly all the selling and handled thousands of dollars at a time belonging to the firm. Mr. Strain had implicit confidence in him because of his past honesty. For more than a year Owens' reputation has been very unsavory in this city, and there was not a merchant who would trust him for a dollar. He became a delinquent in the firm for over $3,000, one-half of which he owed to Strain. The firm owns a piece of property near the Central depot which is of no great value. Owens owns a dwelling in the south part of the city, which his wife will hold as a homestead. In addition to the $3,000 he took and the $1,500 he owes his partner besides, it is said that Owens has stuck several men for small amounts. We heard on the street that one man is on his note in bank for $500. (…the rest cut off)
Submitted by Judy Simpson
April 5, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
A STRIKE FOR LIBERTY.
This morning about daylight, Tom and Zeke JACKSON made a grand strike for liberty but within a few hours were recaptured. Sheriff WEEDMAN went into the main hall of the jail to build the fire and carry in a supply of coal for the day. As he supposed the prisoners were all carefully locked up in their cells, he did not lock the outer door when he went into the yard for coal. During the night Tom and Zeke had broken the clasp on their cell door, and by the aid of a wire had picked the lock of the other door that pided the cells from the main hall. When the sheriff went out for the coal they slipped out and ran up the railroad track to Freudenstein's corner and then went north.
Steve Hanks saw them at the corner and he ran down to the jail and gave the alarm to the sheriff. At Merriman's yard, Zeke jumped over the fence and Tom kept on toward the north. The sheriff soon had persons out in every direction searching for the prisoners. Jim Spradling's little boy saw Tom Jackson in the alley near Mayor Bishop's hog house, and when John Savely and 'Squire Walters, of Weldon, came along, the boy told them. 'Squire Walters crawled into the hog house and found Tom.
The search continued for Zeke, and about 11 o'clock Marshal Henson, Tom Henson and Bill Rogers found him at Joe Cheek's house, secreted between two beds. Both of the Jacksons are again in jail. They must have had some help from the outside, as the wire with which the lock was picked could not have been made by the prisoners.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
A. Palmerston ORAHOOD wants everybody to stop using tobacco, and for that purpose he has organized a National Christian Anti-Tobacco Union. With good cigars at two for five it will be hard to get the boys to see it.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
"KI" GASH is mad at the hunters. They have trampled over his fields, shot his chickens, made a target of his cattle, and worried him generally beyond endurance. "KI" is not a good-natured fellow at best, and it takes but little to make him fighting mad. Bill BREALSFORD keeps dogs and goes hunting. The other day he poached on Ki's preserves and Ki came out with a gun and killed one of the dogs and wounded another. Brealsford got on his ear at the death of his pet dog and would have mounted Gash, but Gash was too quick for him and drew a revolver and fired at Brealsford. Fortunately for Ki's peace of mind and for Brealsford's soundness of body, Gash missed his mark. This looks like an attempt at murder and the officers should take cognizance of it.
Note: Brealsford may be a misspelling of Brelsford.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
AND AWAY THEY WENT.
What was to stop them? Dr. T. K. EDMISTON forgot to hitch his team, hence the reconstructing of his buggy. He had great confidence in that team. Had he been a betting man, instead of an elder in the church, the Doctor would have put up his last nickel on the lamb-like qualities of that team. It won't always do to risk too much even on a doctor's team. Those horses had been out on business, pulling nearly four hundred pounds of humanity besides the buggy. When the Doctor got out of the buggy it felt as light as a feather to the horses, and they just concluded to have a little fun. Gently they trotted off to the corner of McIRVIN's shop, round they turned gaining speed as they gained distance; over to Washington street and then west to Center; across the railroad and then for a race on the commons; out past Ald. METZGER's, never stopping at Elder KENT's. On to Woodlawn avenue and then east. A tree stood in the way and shattered what remained of the carriage. And there the horses separated. After a time, they were caught and taken back to their stable. Now do you think those horses would ever have been silly enough to attempt a runaway with the Doctor in the buggy? Not much; they would have stalled at the first crossing.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
A Clinton Lady Tries to Shuffle Off This Mortal
Coil.
Marry in haste; repent in leisure. This is an old adage but a very true one. In January, 1876, Lizzie RICHEY was privately married to Slemming MELVIN, an employee of the G. C. & S. road, contrary to the wishes of her mother. But she now has a lifetime in which to repent. Lizzie kept her griefs in her own heart for more than a year; but Monday night the storm broke in earnest and now the world becomes cognizant of her sorrow. She and her husband had been keeping house in Springfield till about the first of this month, when a disagreement arose which caused a separation. Last Monday Melvin swore out a writ of replevin before a Springfield Justice, and with two officers he went to his house and began to remove the furniture. It was his object to leave his wife entirely destitute, and each go their own way in the future. The poor heart-broken girl— for she is but a mere girl yet— broke down under this added load to her sorrow, and taking from a bureau drawer an ounce vial of laudanum, she swallowed the contents, and then throwing the vial at the feet of her husband said, "There! I have done it, Slem; I shall not be much longer in your way." This had no effect on her husband, but he ridiculed her and proceeded with his work of packing up the furniture. The drug soon began to take effect and a neighbor woman who was in the house suggested that a doctor be sent for. Lizzie went upstairs, threw herself on a bed, and soon was unconscious. A doctor was sent for and by the administering of a powerful emetic the girl vomited up the poison. But its effects were in her blood and for hours she lay unconscious, her neighbors faithfully working to keep her from falling into that fatal sleep that knows no waking. By this time the greater part of the furniture was removed, Melvin never stopping for a moment to give aid or sympathy to his suffering wife. Even while she was unconscious Melvin wanted to take the bed upon which the poor heart-broken girl was lying, probably dying, but the officer would not be a party to such an infamous act. By-and-by the effects of the drug wore off, and the next afternoon Lizzie returned to her mother's home in this city.
Note: From the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index:
MELVIN, SAMUEL S.
RITCHEY, LIZZIE 01/20/1876 SANGAMON
Submitted by Judy Simpson
May 24, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Harvey BLOUNT was indulging in some early reminiscences of DeWitt county, the other day, to a small crowd that had gathered in front of the court-house. Harv is a natural born pedagogue, and for more than thirty-five years has been guiding the youthful mind of Harp township, and up through that section, up the steep and gnarled paths that lead to the hill of science. Harv is not proud of all his students; two of them are now in jail, and another holds a high county office. Harv says that the first time he ever saw Clinton it bothered him some to find the houses; in fact, the only house in town was an old slab-shanty that stood where Warner & Co.'s bank now stands. This was a liquor store, kept by a now prominent farmer of Creek township. The stock in trade consisted of a barrel of whisky on a slab counter, and two rusty tin cups. The natives from the timber used to gather around this spiritual temple, and after filling up go yelling back to their lairs like coyotes.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
June 7, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL.
The weather prophet might have written in his predictions, "About these days look out for intellectual showers," for in June with its warm sunshine and beautiful flowers, we have the literary harvest, when colleges and public schools send forth their ripened scholars. THE PUBLIC has been lavish of its praise on our public schools in the past, and we have yet seen nothing to cause us to change our opinion. To begin then we will say that Clinton may well be proud of its public school building. Its commanding location, its architectural finish, its beautiful surroundings, its handsome lawn and flower-beds, all make it an object of interest to strangers. And the best of all is, it is paid for. Some ten years ago Clinton decided to have a new school building. The old one by the railroad track, now occupied by Mrs. SAVAGE as a residence, was too small for the increasing juvenile population. Poor people are always blessed with large families, and the majority of Clinton's population take rank in the list of God's poor. It was deemed a big undertaking, but men of courage took hold of the project and pushed it through. The building and grounds cost $60,000 and it took ten years to pay the debt off. The last bond and interest coupon was paid a few months ago. Those ten years were years of groaning and anguish because of heavy tax burdens, and now that the debt is paid there is not a man in the district who is not glad that the people of ten years ago had the courage to vote for the tax.
And each year as the boys and girls graduate from our high school we feel a pride in their educational development. They enter in the primary department, and after years of patient labor and study they graduate from the high school with such an education as thoroughly fits them for all of the ordinary business of life. Its graduates can be found in our banks, in our stores, in our workshops, and each fills well the position in which he is placed. Clinton can feel proud of its school graduates.
Yesterday another school year closed, and last night eight young ladies and three young gentlemen bade adieu to school life. The essays of the graduates in point of excellence will compare favorably with the essays of any class that has preceded the one of '78. They are creditable alike to teachers and scholars, and give evidence of good scholarship and faithful work. The exercises were held in the M. E. Church, and long before the appointed hour every seat in the large audience room was filled. The vocal and instrumental music was exceedingly good. Miss Jennie LEWIS, Mrs. SEGUR, and Messrs. ROGERS and MORROW gave selections from some of the best vocal music, while RICHEY's orchestra did the instrumental part. There was nothing to mar the harmony of the occasion. The graduates were liberally bouqueted by friends.
Now that the work of the year has closed, it might be of advantage to briefly review it. Of course our information comes from members of the board, who have had oversight of the management of the school. Two years ago when Prof. Morrow was elected superintendent he had to enter upon his duties under a cloud. Owing to the sickness of the previous superintendent, the school had become somewhat demoralized. Then outside interference with the management impressed the scholars with the idea that they owed no respect to anyone, therefore they were at liberty to do as they pleased. Prof. Morrow finally succeeded in bringing order out of chaos. At the beginning of the last school year, matters opened up smoothly, and some of the directors say there has been but little jostling during the entire year. The superintendent and his assistant teachers have earnestly labored to advance the educational interests of those entrusted to their care. Now and then some growler will take exception to the conduct of the school; the same people would growl if they were in heaven; but as a general thing there has been but little fault found.
But to the commencement exercises. We give below a brief abstract from the several essays. The graduates acquitted themselves creditably on the platform, though a little more animation in delivery on the part of some would have been better. Miss Mattie RUCKER delivered the salutatory, and Mr. John STRAIN the valedictory.
Our Present Electoral System — John D. STRAIN
Merit vs. Friends —
Miss Mattie CLARK
Graduated — Miss Bessie RUNDLE
Evening —
Miss Mollie PEDDICORD
Columbus — Miss Rose RUNDLE
Harping on One
String — Miss Maggie CARROLL
Woman in History — Marie FIELD
The Practical Man — Loretto MILLARD
Earth's Battle-fields — Miss
Lula EATON
Demands of the Age on Young Men — Howard WINSLOW
Lost
Arts — Miss Mattie RUCKER.
At the close of Miss Mattie Rucker's address, the tall form of Rev. J. C. RUCKER might have been seen making its way to the platform. In his hand was a package which he jealously guarded from the gaze of the multitude. Reaching the platform Bro. Rucker tackled Prof. Morrow with a short speech, in which he rehearsed the love his scholars bore him and their earnest wishes that he might be re-elected as superintendent, and then with a sweep of his hand he tore the wrappings from the package and there was a handsome silver water pitcher. It was a genuine surprise on the Professor, but he made the best of it and accepted the pitcher. Then Bro. Rucker made a pe down from the platform, and in a moment or so back he came with another mysterious-looking package. This time he made a raid on Ben HULL, principal of the high school. A short speech and out came a handsome card receiver. Ben is going to get married and this will be a handy thing to have in the house. Ben got red in the face and then smiled, and if it hadn't been for shame sake we believe the poor fellow would have cried at this unexpected token of appreciation from his class.
Well, all the teachers were kindly remembered in the afternoon by their several classes. It was a season of gifts and pleasant memories.
The following is the grade of the graduating class for the year commencing September 4, 1877, and ending June 6, 1878:
John D. Strain — 98.4
Howard Winslow — 97.6
Ret. Millard
— 96
Mattie Clark — 95.2
Lulu Eaton — 92.1
Mollie
Peddicord — 91.3
Rose Rundle — 88.7
Mattie Rucker —
93.8
Mary Field* — 86.7
Maggie Carroll — 91.8
Bessie
Rundle — 90.4
*sick
Note: Address to the graduating class and graduation essays are available upon request.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
June 7, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
MIDLAND CITY.
Considerable excitement prevails in this neighborhood just now over the Joe DAVIS and STILES fracas. It appears to have originated about in this way. Some three or four years ago Davis's daughter and one of the Stiles were married and lived together two years or more, when they separated, Stiles keeping the child. He had the child at his brother-in-law's, Mr. RAINEY's, near Kenney. Well, on Monday Joe and his daughter and old Tom PERRY went to Rainey's house in a two-horse buggy, and Perry and Mrs. Stiles alighted, went into the house, and Perry entertained the folks while Mrs. Stiles took the child out, got in the buggy and Davis drove off at full speed. Mr. Rainey soon followed and, overtaking him, called on Joe to halt. Joe turned and shot at him, wounding him in the shoulder. A warrant was issued that evening for Davis, and the officers were in pursuit of him at last accounts. The Stiles are also out with shot-guns in pursuit of the fleeing parties.
Later— Joe returned home and the constable of Kenney arrested him and took him to that place for trial. But the child and mother are nowhere to be found.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
June 28, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
SALE OF WIDOWS.
A century ago the authorities of a town in Massachusetts hit upon an ingenious expedient for disposing of their widows who were a tax upon the town. It started a pauper traffic by selling the poor annually "at vendue," and it continued this business during many years. In January, 1776, the widow Lovell was added to the annual list, and at a vendue "the said widow Lovell was struck off to Josiah Stevens, for to keep one year for the sum of nine pounds six shillings; and if she did not live the year, he to have in that proportion." The widow Lovell's disposition was very migratory. Although sold and bought for a year's service, the buyer seems to have considered her a bad bargain, literally, for in a few months Joshua Briggs had her in his house, and also had a bill of fourteen pounds against the town for keeping and clothing her. She became an expensive property to the town. After considerable knocking about she finally died, and was buried at the town's expense. But one of these widows, Jane George, by name, seemed determined not to die, but lived on until she outlived all who had been her contemporaries. Through nearly two generations the standing... (paper creased and one line unreadable)... and thus "By George!" became the town expletive. In 1806 she was sold for a sum equal to about ten pounds. She began to be one of the town's poor in 1759, and was set up on sale for the last time in 1808. The town was pleased with the business and persistently voted "not to build a poorhouse" on every occasion when it was proposed. The widows gradually increased in number and they were sold to the lowest bidder, every year, without any expression of sentiment. Thus, in December, 1808, it was "voted to sell the widow of the late Jonathan Percy, and child, and also one cow and one heifer." In this children were sometimes rated with cattle and separated from their mothers, thus severing all family ties. This method of disposing of the town's poor may have been a good one under the circumstances of the times, but it was accompanied by some acts which must be considered as scandalous to any community that favored them and which tended to destroy all family affection.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
August 30, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Thos. N. CORNWELL, of Texas township, who was a delegate to the Greenback convention held in this city last Saturday, took very ill on his return home that evening and since then has been confined to his bed with malarial fever.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
August 30, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
About midnight last Friday Mrs. J. RASBACH, who was sick, heard someone trying to open one of the windows in her house. She gave the alarm and the thief made a run for it. It was the same fellow, probably, who peered into Rev. W. W. FARIS's window about the same hour. Mr. Faris was up putting the finishing touches on his sermon, and the thief, seeing him, concluded it would not be safe to force an entrance into the house.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
August 30, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
The Rev. S. C. ADAMS' grandchild, aged about three years, had a narrow escape last Saturday evening. The child was sick and its parents, by mistake, gave it a large dose of laudanum. They did not discover the error for two hours afterward, when they thought the child was having an unnatural sleep. A doctor was sent for, and it was only by using the most extreme measures that the child's life was saved. The parents of the child live just east of town.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
August 30, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Some time during Saturday night the county clerk's office, in the court-house, was entered by one of the windows, and some four or five dollars in change that Gus LISENBY left in one of the drawers was taken. In another drawer was a bag of rare coins, of which Gus is a collector, but the thief overlooked it. This job was evidently done by someone belonging in this city, as the thief had to get the key from another drawer to open the drawer in which the money was.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
October 25, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
A COOL PROCEEDING.
Mrs. McVEY, who lives in Texas township, was the victim of rather a cool robbery one night last week. Some fellow went into her carriage-house and took a set of patent wheels off her buggy and substituted in their place four old wheels that are of no value. It is a wonder that the thief even took the trouble to put the old wheels on the buggy.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
October 25, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Messrs. MOFFETT and INGHAM were certainly never born to be killed by fractious horses or overturning carriages. Last week we told of their tumbling over the bridge across Ten-mile and escaping without injury. Friday night, while they were driving out to attend a Republican meeting at Walnut Grove school-house, the tap of the forewheel of the buggy dropped off and the wheel came off, letting the buggy down in the road. They had to put up their horse for the night in a barn close by and get to the school-house the best way they could.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
October 25, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
There was a bit of knock-down in the post office store last Saturday afternoon, in which two young men from Harp were the contending parties. The cause of it was something like this: Young GRIFFITH some time ago borrowed a screen belonging to Mr. HALL's threshing machine and failed to return it. Emanuel HALL asked him for it several times, but received as an answer that the screen was lost. Emanuel afterward found out that Griffith was using the screen and demanded either its return or the pay for it. The screen was a new one and worth $4.75. Griffith said he would pay $3 for it, and declared he would give no more, but failed to put up the cash. The two young men met in the post office last Saturday afternoon, when the payment for the screen was demanded by Hall. Griffith began abusing Hall, applying to him some very insulting epithets. Hall's fist and Griffith's face came into sudden collision, and after a sharp scuffle the combatants were separated. Mr. Hall came into town Monday to commence an action against Griffith for the value of the screen.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
October 25, 1878
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
MILD DRINKS.
Just think of a heartless corporation persecuting a philanthropic man who is trying to educate the public taste up to the standard of mild drinks. John CACKLEY used to sell spirituous and malt liquors in the days of Clinton's wickedness, but since the days of anti-license he has confined his traffic exclusively to ginger ale and other harmless beverages. John has been tried by the refining fires of the law on two occasions during this year and at both times it was proven by a numerous host of witnesses that nothing stronger than ginger ale has passed over his bar. Now these witnesses might be called experts, for every one of them has a palate that can detect the slightest presence of alcohol even in a mince pie; and on their oaths one and all swore last Monday that they had called for ginger ale in Cackley's saloon and ginger ale they got.
Well, we will not anticipate, but begin at the beginning. Last Monday morning John Cackley was cited to appear before Judge RICHEY on the charge of selling liquor, contrary to law. John put in his appearance, surrounded by three gentlemen learned in the law. He demanded a jury of his peers and twelve good men, tried and true, were impaneled. After examining a number of witnesses for the prosecution the city attorney threw up the sponge. He could not make a case, and it was only folly to continue the proceedings. Several witnesses were sworn, and each testified that he had drank nothing stronger than ginger ale. One witness varied the monotony a little by admitting that he had taken ginger beer. The whole thing was a broad farce, but what could the prosecuting attorney do under the circumstances? It is a notorious fact that beer is sold in Clinton in large quantities each week, but there seems to be a difficulty in finding the men who drink it.
Submitted by Judy Simpson