CANTON'S PART IN THE MORMON WAR.
During the summer of 1846 the Mormon question began to excite public attention.
In Hancock county, it was reported, depredations were being committed by them on
all who were not of their way of thinking. Mormon outrages—no doubt
exaggerated—were constant themes of conversation at every fireside and social
gathering. In Hancock county, outside of Nauvoo, the excitement had reached the
culminating point by about the last of August Both parties were making a feeble
effort, however, to keep the law upon their side. The Anti-Mormons had first
sworn out writs for the arrest of Mormons on various charges, and then, to
induce the Mormons to resist the serving of the processes, had declared that the
arrested parties would be mobbed and murdered if taken. Of course, the Mormons
resisted these writs, and Constable Carlin, whose duty it had been made to serve
them, called out, on the 1st of September, a posse comitatus to aid him in the
enforcement of the law. The Mormons at once adopted the same tactics. They, too,
had warrants issued for the apprehension of prominent Anti-Mormons, and
threatened to hang them if arrested. These writs were opposed, and the Mormon
constable called out his posse. Gov. Ford remarks, in his History of Illinois,
that it was "Writ against writ; constable against constable; law against law;
posse against posse."
Some one suggested to the Governor that, if he would send some commissioned
officer with ten men to the scene of action, with power to enforce the law, they
could settle all the questions at issue. This representation was believed by
Gov. Ford, and he proceeded to act upon it by issuing an order to Maj. James R.
Parker, of Canton, that he should enlist ten men and proceed at once to Nauvoo
for the adjustment of the difficulties there existing. He was made
commander-in-chief of all militia forces that might be raised or called into the
field, and clothed with the powers of a plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary.
It happened that the Anti-Mormon leaders were Whigs, and the Mormons had voted
the Democratic ticket at the preceding Congressional election—voted it early and
often, according to the most approved political principles. Hence the Governor,
to in some degree conciliate the "mob," as the Anti-Mormon posse was designated,
had selected Major Parker. In his History of Illinois Governor Ford says:
"In looking around over the state for this purpose (i.e., the selection of a
commander), the choice fell upon Maj. Parker, of Fulton county. Major Parker was
a Whig, and was selected partly from that reason, believing that a Whig now, as
had been the case before with Gen. Hardin and Major Warren, would have more
influence in restraining the Anti-Mormons than a Democrat. But Major Parker's
character was unknown out of his own county. Every where else it was taken for
granted that he was a Democrat and had been sent over to intrigue with the
Mormons. The Whig newspapers immediately let loose floods of abuse upon him,
both in this state and Missouri, which completely paralyzed his power to render
any effectual service. The constable's posse refused to give place to him, and
the constable openly declared that he cared but little for the arrests; by which
it was apparent that they intended, from the first, to use the process of the
law only as a cover to their design of expelling the Mormons."
Major Parker received his commission, order and instructions from the hand of
Maj. Lewis Bidamon, the Governor's messenger, on a Saturday evening. Sunday
morning he selected and secured the services of Harrison P. Fellows, Abel H.
White, Isaac C. Johnson, Phillip Grim, jr., Benjamin Perry, Jacob Fox, John
Thorp, Wm. Bell, G. W. Thorn, and Joseph Long, and the same evening set out in
lumber-wagons for the theatre of war, arriving at Nauvoo by eleven o'clock
Monday evening.
Major Parker at once issued a proclamation to the mob commanding them to
disperse. This proclamation was received by them with shouts of derision, and
the bearers were treated with great indignity. Another and another proclamation
followed, but met no better reception.
It now became apparent that proclamations were not exactly the kind of
ammunition with which to strike consternation into the valorous hearts of the
Anti-Mormons. The Governor accordingly ordered Major Flood, of Adams county, to
reinforce Major Parker with a sufficient volunteer militia force. Major Flood's
commission must have been a unique document, as it contained a power of
substitution, by which he was empowered, if he could not serve, to hand it over
to some one who would. Major Flood used his power of substitution by turning
over his commission to Major Clifford, who at once repaired to Nauvoo and,
contrary to his instructions, took command of the Mormon forces. Major Clifford
now issued an order directed to Col. John S. Wycoff, in command of the Fulton
county militia regiment, for a force of three hundred mounted militia. There was
no law, civil or military, under which mounted militia could be called out.
Indeed, "mounted militia" was an arm of the militia which only had its existence
in the fertile brain of the great Clifford. The order, however, was received in
perfect good faith by Col. Wycoff, and he at once notified Adjutant Harrison P.
Fellows— who had returned from Nauvoo—to notify the commanders of the North and
South Canton and Utica militia companies to muster their men, and from their
number to proceed to draft their proportion of the number of men necessary to
fill the call. Adjutant Fellows at once notified First Sergeant, acting
Captain, Geo. S. McConnell, commanding the North-Canton Company; Lieutenant
Joseph Anderson, commanding the South-Canton Company; and Captain Wm. Kelso,
commanding the Utica Rifle Company, ordering them to appear on the 13th or 14th
of September, with their men, on the Public Square in Canton.
This order created an intense excitement. Very few of our citizens sympathized
with the Mormons, and they were called upon to fight their battles. Meetings
were called at once, and the leading citizens counseled obedience to the order
as emanating from a proper and legal authority, and they were a law-abiding
people.
Sergeant McConnell appointed a full complement of non-commissioned officers for
his company, making John W. Ingersoll 2d Sergeant, Tracy Doolittle 3d Sergeant,
Abel H. White 4th Sergeant. The corporals were Jonathan Niece, 1st; Mahlon H.
Hoblett, 2d; Thos. Ewing, 3d; and Robert Sebree, 4th. Sergeant McConnell ordered
his non-commissioned staff immediately into service. It was raining, and most of
them, being in business, were not anxious to face the storm; but the sergeant
was inexorable, and, dividing the roll, he gave to each the portion of it he
was to notify, and sent them into the county through the mud and rain to notify
the company to assemble.
When the day came, the different companies assembled on the Public Square
according to order. McConnell found that all his company had not been notified,
and demanded of Col. Wycoff three more days for that purpose, and at the same
time demanded the presence of the regimental surgeon to examine those who might
claim exemption under the order. This claim was reasonable; more, it was in
strict accordance with the letter and spirit of the law. Still, it placed Col.
Wycoff in a dilemma, as there was no commissioned surgeon in the regiment, and
it was too late to secure a commission for one in time to meet the emergency
that was upon them. After some deliberation, he ordered the company to hold
themselves as minute men, liable to be called to the front at a moment's notice.
Lieutenant Anderson had his company notified and all on hand. He proceeded, in
accordance with his orders, to draft. His company were formed in line on Elm
and Third streets. The draft was made in the house—still standing—then owned by
J. B. Mallory, on the southeast corner of those streets, and immediately
opposite to the City Hotel. The officers of Anderson's company, so far as the
writer has been able to obtain them, were— 1st Lieutenant, Joseph Anderson, in
command; 2d Lieutenant, Charles W. Rockhold; Orderly-Sergeant, James Ellis; 2d
Sergeant, Thompson Maple.
The day was one of great excitement in Canton. Col. Wycoff and Major Hiram Snow
were on the square, calmly contemplating the military preparations in progress,
and counseling the one with the other, as important orders were to be issued.
Adjutant Fellows, even when acting as Grand Marshal at Democratic meetings when
Douglas was the speaker, had never shown to so good an advantage. He was well
mounted, had General Stillman's sword and sash girded upon him. He had appointed
Col. Wm. Babcock as his aide de camp. The duties of this position were very
onerous, and consisted of ordering and paying for drinks for his commander. The
adjutant still bears testimony to the bravery and determination his aide
manifested on the occasion, saying that he never faltered or hesitated, but
would plunge into the thickest of the ferocious crowd surrounding Emory's bar,
and order drinks with a coolness and discretion never too much to be admired.
The Col. aide de camp was mounted on a powerful iron-gray charger, and wore a
flaming red sash. He and the adjutant were dashing hither and yonder, and added
much to the theatrical effect of the scene.
Adjutant Fellows was chief of staff to Col. Wycoff; Col. Wm. Babcock was chief
of staff to Adjutant Fellows; and now it became necessary that Col. Babcock
should also have a chief of staff. Hon. A. C. Babcock, then but a young man, saw
and appreciated this necessity, and, with that promptness and courage for which
he is celebrated, determined "to face the terrors i' the imminent and deadly
breach" in his country's service. He soon found a charger to his mind, and
secured its services. This charger was a noble animal of the female persuasion.
She was scarcely more than twenty years old, her architecture of the Gothic
order, and in color that magnificent shade of sorrel which is just blending into
tow color, this mare had a habit of jerking up her hind feet in a rapid and
energetic manner, in splendid contrast with the slower and more sedate movement
of her fore feet; any deficiency in her eyes was hidden, if not healed, by the
wide flaps of the huge "blind bridle" with which she was guided. In order to
show off to its best advantage the architecture of his steed, Mr. Babcock had,
with his usual sagacity, left off the saddle. Thus mounted, and dressed to suit
his animal and his own view of the importance of the occasion, Mr. Babcock,
urging his beast with a lath, galloped beside his martial brother, and repeated
the order he received. He was careful, however, not to interfere with the
colonel's duties, but found more congenial employment in aiding Adjutant Fellows
in disposing of the drinks his chief of staff ordered. Thus he fought for the
better part of the day, and never murmured even when glasses were presented
thick and fast. For his heroism he received especial commendation from his
superior, who several times, in the heat of the day, with an enthusiastic
appreciation of his merit, would exclaim, "D—n you, what are you following me
for? I think you'd better go home and behave yourself."
When the draft in Anderson's company began, the crowd concentrated there, and
then began a scene which beggars description. Sergeant Maple held in his hand a
"plug-hat," in which were sixty tickets numbered for Nauvoo, and as many blanks
as there were exemptions. Sergeant Ellis began calling the roll: "Gilbert Rockhold." Gilbert, trembling in every limb and with a face as white as the
ticket he was so lucky as to draw, presented himself and drew an exemption.
"Glory to God!" he shouted, as Sergeant Maple announced the result. One by one
they came, in response to the roll-call—some bravely like men, some white with
fear; and as any trembler would step out of the ranks, shouts, jeers and taunts
would meet him. Private Vittum stepped out of the line for a moment, and Private
Grim was ordered to bring him back. Leveling his gun, he was about to shoot him,
supposing, perhaps, he would be easier returned to the line dead than alive,
when Anderson stopped him.
Kelso's company, being independent, were none of them exempt. They were from
Utica and its neighborhood. Some of them brought first-class cases of
chills—some even the old-fashioned shaking ague. They were all this while
standing on the sunny side of the street, leaning against buildings and fences,
and enjoying themselves bottom-fashion by shaking, until, it is reported, they
loosened the mortar in several brick walls. N. B.— They were not scared; they
were only enjoying themselves with their customary shake.
Anderson ordered his drafted men to report the next morning for the trip to the
scene of carnage that awaited them. That night many tears were shed by weeping
wives and disconsolate mothers, and sad parting words were pronounced. At dawn
they began to come in and report, but were soon, to their infinite
gratification, released by an order from Col. Wycoff, who had learned from some
source that the order of Major Clifford was bogus. Thus ended Canton's part in
the Mormon War.
In 1855, the town council, acting in accordance with the desire of the people of
Canton as expressed by their votes, passed a very stringent prohibitory
liquor-law. This law was openly set at defiance by some of the liquor-sellers.
They not only continued to sell, but sold, in at least one case, in an open and
defiant manner. These parties selling liquor were arrested, and one of them,
finding that the suit was likely to go against him, proposed a compromise with
the city, agreeing, if the suit against him was dropped and the city council
would pay the cost of the suit, giving him fifteen days to close out his stock,
he would close out his establishment and quit the business. This compromise was
agreed to by the city, but violated by Mr. Mallory, it was claimed, and that he
went on from bad to worse. Other prosecutions were brought against him, which
he appealed, and, when they were brought to trial in the circuit court, obtained
a change of venue to Mason county, showing a determination to contest the law,
as he had an undoubted right to.
The temperance ladies of Canton were very much dissatisfied with the slow
progress being made in closing up the offending saloons, and finally determined
to take the subject into their own hands. Secret meetings of ladies were held to
consider the ways and means by which the sale of liquor could be stopped, and a
plan of action was finally agreed upon. It has been asserted that women can not
keep a secret. This was proved to be a mistake in this case, at least. So
secretly had the women moved that Mr. Mallory, the chief of the offenders,
entirely unsuspecting, and with no premonition of the fate that awaited his
whisky-barrels, went to St. Louis to make additions to his already large stock.
The firm of Charles Smith & Co., doing business on the south side of the Public
Square, had been holding a series of ladies' auctions, at which they were
disposing of a considerable stock of ladies' fancy goods. To this auction, on
Friday, the 4th day of April, 1856, the ladies, by previous understanding, came.
The auction began about one o'clock, and it was observed that the crowd began to
collect in the auction-room at an early hour. The auctioneer was delighted at
the great numbers of ladies who surrounded his stand, and cried himself hoarse
with praises of his goods; but, to his astonishment, no body bid. The women
continued to collect, coming in twos and threes, all wearing shawls or cloaks,
although the day was bland and pleasant, until about two hundred had collected.
From some expressions let fall in the auction-room, it began to be understood
upon the street that "Sebastopol," as Mallory's saloon was called, was to be
taken. Mr. Mallory being from home, his friends determined to volunteer in his
defense; and accordingly quite a number of them took their positions at the
entrance to the building,—which was securely barricaded,—determined, as they
averred, to defend the establishment at the peril of their lives, if it need be.
Among the defenders of the grocery were a constable then serving a term in an
adjoining township, a man of nerve, and whose veracity has never been called in
question, who addressed a crowd of several hundred men and boys gathered before
the door, urging them to aid in protecting the property of the saloon-keeper, at
the same time swearing that no woman could enter the door without passing over
his dead body. This gentleman little dreamed how soon the death he was invoking
might be staring him in the face.
When the time for action came, over two hundred of the most prominent women of
Canton marched out of the auction-store and arranged themselves in columns, two
by two, on the Public Square. The excitement by this time was growing intense.
Every body, male and female, appeared to be upon the Public Square, either as
lookers-on or participants in the mob, upon the one side or the other. As the
Amazonian column formed, a citizen stepped up to the leader and urged her to
desist, saying that the proprietor of "Sebastopol" was not at home, and urging
them at least to give him a chance to defend himself. The ladies responded that
they were convened for business, and that business go on.
The line of march was now taken up, the leader carrying a short sword in her
hand, which she flourished in quite a martial manner. Arriving at the door, the
crowd parted, except that three or four determined fellows maintained themselves
before the door. One of these, the constable referred to above, declared his
determination to resist the onslaught, and declared, in response to the quiet
and low-spoken "Stand aside, gentlemen: we are going in there," of the leader,
himself as ready for the sacrifice by the remark: "Not by a d—d sight: you ain't going in unless you go over my dead body." Mr. Constable was a brave man;
Mr. Constable was a man of truth; therefore it can not be doubted that he met
with a bloody death right there, as, within one minute after his
self-sacrificing declaration, the door against which he and two or three more
braves were standing was shivered to a thousand fragments, by blows well and
vigorously aimed from gleaming hatchets that leaped out from the cover of two
hundred shawls in unison. Mr. Constable, therefore, must have perished, fallen
gloriously at his post of duty, then and there.
And now let it be recorded, in passing, that Spiritualism, however much its
followers may be reviled, has been proved true beyond a cavil, as it can be
proved that the freed spirit of the gentleman from "Orion" has been seen at
frequent intervals in his old haunts—not as an ethereal and fleeting shadow—not
as an undefined and undefinable sigh or breath of vapor,—but in form, size,
shape and voice as natural as when, in the vigor of his manhood, he stood up in
defense of that spiritualism he loved.
The door of "Sebastopol" demolished, the work of demolition began. Bottles,
unoffending candy-jars, glasses, decanters, all were smashed into a thousand
fragments, and shelving and counters shared the same fate. The cellar contained
a large quantity of liquors. This was invaded and barrels were knocked in, until
the spirituous flood had accumulated on the cellar-floor to the depth of several
inches, when they bailed it out and threw it into the street, determined none
should be saved. Some of the women had a lighted candle in this cellar, and it
was almost a miracle that they had not set fire to the spilled liquor and all
have perished with the object of their wrath.
By the time their destruction of "Sebastopol" had been completed, the fumes of
the liquor had ascended to their nostrils, and it is no exaggeration to say that
one-half of the ladies were, as temperance advocates, in magnificent order to
furnish the fearful example for any ambitions temperance orator who might
secure their services. About twenty barrels of liquor, besides his saloon and
bar-fixtures, were destroyed for Mr. Mallory.
This work completed, they reorganized and marched to the grocery of Mr. Butters,
on Main street just south of the Public Square. Mr. Butters sold nothing
stronger than beer, and rolled out the only barrel of it in his possession on
the sidewalk, willing to sacrifice it rather than trust the now infuriated
Amazonian army within his establishment. This barrel of beer was at once
demolished and the line of march again resumed.
There was a rectifying establishment, kept by Lamon & Childs, near the present
cemetery. Thither the ladies marched, and there, after overawing a feeble effort
at resistance on the part of the proprietors, marched in and destroyed about
thirty barrels of whisky and highwines.
This establishment destroyed, they returned to the Square and invaded the office
of Col. Wm. Babcock, who had a barrel of untapped whisky there, that he was
saving for domestic use after his boy, then a babe, should become of age. The
ladies will probably remember why they did not destroy this barrel.
All the liquor of which the ladies knew having been destroyed, they reconvened
at the auction-store and passed the following resolution:
Whereas, We, the ladies of Canton, being wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters,
have experienced the dread calamity of seeing our husbands, sons and brothers,
made drunkards by the lawless rumsellers of our town, and having seen the law
tried to be enforced in vain; and whereas, those engaged in the damning business
of rumselling have been appealed to in vain by moral suasion, to desist and save
the peace of our families; we have therefore, in defense of our firesides, and
with a view to save from destruction those most dear to us on earth, been
compelled to destroy the spirituous liquors in our city, and it is now
Resolved, That, as often as the practice is resumed in Canton or vicinity, we
will rid ourselves of its curse,—peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.
Canton, April 4,1856.
Thus was liquor—at least until a new stock could be procured —put down by the
ladies of Canton.
During the day several fights occurred, between parties who were in sympathy
with the ladies on the one side and with the saloon-keepers on the other.
For a short time the work of that Friday appeared to have been productive of
good; but it begot a reaction that I am now satisfied has done more to do
permanent injury to the temperance cause than any thing that has ever occurred
here. The ladies were not held legally responsible for their action, it is true:
suits were, indeed, commenced, but compromised. The laws were sufficient to have
stopped the sale of liquor, and mob-law is seldom justified, even where the
provocation is much greater than it was in this case.
from Allegheny county, New York, was one of the immigrants who came in during
the latter part of the year 1835. He was a worker in metal, maker of edge-tools,
augers, hammers, etc. His shop was established on Cole street, where he did
"general blacksmithing".
To Mr. Coykendall is due the credit of doing the first casting ever done in
Fulton county. This job was a pair of small burrs for grinding flax-seed, and
was done for the McPheeters Oil-Mill. His furnace was an ordinary blacksmith's
forge with two pairs of bellows. In this forge was fixed an immovable crucible,
made with ordinary brick clay. The crucible had a hole and plug for letting out
the metal. His moulds were constructed from ordinary sand, and it is said that
he succeeded in doing a very creditable job. When the pioneer blast was made,
nearly the entire population of the village were present to witness it
Coykendall afterward removed, and for many years resided in Peoria county, but
is now living at Farmington, in Fulton county, aged 74 years, and still quite
hale and hearty. His sons, Duke B., A. J. and Jonathan, will be remembered by
all the older residents. All are still living: D. B. and A. J. in Yates City,
and Jonathan in Farmington, where he is a successful and enterprising business
man.
Early settlers were not always verdant, whatever appearance of rural simplicity
they might have presented to the eyes of the citizens of the few cities to which
they occasionally strayed.
Shaphet Dwire was an instance of the truth of this remark. Soon after beginning
business in Canton, he had occasion to visit St. Louis for goods. The merchant
from whom his stock was purchased, thinking to show his customer courtesy,
invited him to tea at his house. Dwire accepted the invitation. During the
evening, the merchant, having occasion to step out for a few moments, left two
aristocratic and conceited city belles, who were stopping at his house, to
entertain Dwire. These ladies, understanding that Dwire was from the country,
determined to have some fun at his expense, and began quizzing him. Dwire saw
their game, and at once began playing "greeny," playing it to perfection.
Noticing a piano in the room, he said:
"Gals, what on airth do you have yer tables so high fur?"
"Oh, sir, that is not a table: that is a piano."
"A pianner? What on airth is that?"
"It is a musical instrument: did you never see one?"
"A musical instrument? Gosh, I'd like to hear you blow on her."
One of the ladies opened the piano and played several short selections, Dwire
expressing his gratification by such ejaculations as "Gosh!" "Golly!" "Ain't
that are scrumptious!" and other equally classic phrases.
The lady soon shut up the instrument, and, turning to Mr. Dwire, the following
dialogue occurred:
"Why, la, Mr. Dwire, do not the ladies have musical instruments where you
live?"
"Oh, yes, our gals all play on the swinette."
"The swinette? why, I never heard of that instrument: pray tell us what is it
like. How do they play it?"
"Oh, it's the golfiredest, nicest instrument you ever seed. They just catch a
pig, you see, and put it under their arms like a bagpipe, and bite the pig's
tail till it squeals, then squeeze the pig."
The ladies concluded they had paid a little too much for their fun, and made no
more sport of Dwire.
The first Agricultural Fair held in Fulton county was held at Canton, on the Hannan Farm, in the fall of 1852. At that time the Fulton County Agricultural
Society had no existence. Some of the citizens of Canton determined to hold a
fair on their own account. Meetings were accordingly held, ground selected,
officers chosen, and all arrangements made. The county at large was invited to
participate, and the result was quite a respectable exhibition. At this fair the
Fulton County Agricultural Society was brought into existence.
The second and several subsequent fairs were held first at Cuba, then at
Lewistown, and at Vermont.
In the fall of 1856 for the second time a fair was held at Canton—this time
being the Third Annual Fair of the Fulton County Agricultural Society. The fair
ground on this occasion was located on South-Main street, in what was then known
as Wright's pasture, near the Stroud place. This fair attracted a great crowd of
people for that day, and was a complete success. No admittance fee was charged,
and one enterprising politician improved the occasion to address the assembled
multitude on political topics, much to the disgust of the party opposed to him
in politics. A ladies' equestrian display was the one memorable feature of the
fair, and one of the fair riders, Miss Lydia Maria Antonetta Shipley, was thrown
from her animal, but recovered her saddle almost instantly, without assistance,
and before any of the gallants could reach her with their proffers of
assistance, amid the cheers of the crowd.
Between 1856 and 1866 the fairs of the Fulton County Agricultural Society had
been held at Lewistown. These fairs had not been to any considerable extent
successful, and in consequence the society was in a languishing condition. In
1866, the members of the society, feeling a determination to make their fairs
more successful, elected a new board of officers and voted to remove the fairs
to Canton.
The citizens of Canton at once took a deep and active interest in the society,
and set to work in the most praiseworthy manner to make the fairs not only
successful, but to place them in the very front rank among the county fairs of
the United States. A joint-stock company was accordingly formed, which purchased
twenty-five acres of the Anderson farm, lying in the southeastern angle formed
by the intersection of the branch of the C. B. & Q. with the T. P. & W.
Railroad. The site selected is on a high level prairie, commanding a view of a
considerable portion of the city, and was a most admirable selection of ground
for the purpose. This ground was purchased independent of the society, but the
grounds were donated to the society free of rent for the term of ninety-nine
years. The citizens of Canton and vicinity now subscribed $5,000 for the purpose
of fencing and the erection of the necessary buildings, stock stalls, etc.
The directors of the society, recognizing the spirit of liberal enterprise thus
manifested by the citizens of Canton, appointed an executive committee
consisting of five persons, residents of Canton, to superintend the erection of
buildings, fencing, and making all necessary arrangements for the fair. This
committee consisted of Messrs. J. H. McCall, A. B. Hulit, A. C. Babcock, D. W.
Vittum, jr., and Townsend Atwater. This committee proceeded at once to business,
and erected a large, substantial and convenient hall, fifty by one hundred feet;
an amphitheatre capable of seating 1,000 persons, with booths for the sale of
refreshments underneath; with all the necessary offices, stables, stock-pens, a
fine judges' stand, and prepared a half-mile track for exhibition purposes. The
society furnished $5,000, and the whole amount was judiciously expended in
preparing these grounds.
From the fair of this year—1866 — 84,000 were realized, and thus the society was
placed upon a sound financial basis, and Canton Fairs from that time began to be
famous.
In 1867 the society realized $6,000 from its fair; in 1868, over $7,000; in
1869, nearly $9,000. In 1868 another amphitheatre was added, with a large
dining-hall and kitchen attached; additional sheds for carriages, implements
and tools were erected, and large additions made to the number of stalls and
stock-pens. In 1869 the number of entries had reached 2,300, and the fair was
one of the most successful ever held by any county in the West; while that of
1870 was even more successful, being in close competition with the State Fair.
came to Canton in 1840, and established himself in the mercantile business on
the east side of the Public Square, in Neece's building, and remained there
until 1841. In 1841 he and John G. Piper were in business together, making
flax-seed oil, they having rented McPheeters's oil-mill, which stood on Fourth
street between Elm and Union. Mr. Hoblett was also a partner of Mr. Piper in
the establishment of the carding machine which was the beginning of Piper's
Woolen Factory. Mr. Hoblett left Canton in 1848, removing to Logan county. In
1857 he removed to Minnesota, where he remained until his death in 1868.
Few of the early settlers were better known that John Coleman. He came to the
state in the fall of 1826, from New Jersey, making the trip overland, bringing,
in addition to his household goods and a family of twelve children—leaving two
more in New Jersey—five wagon-loads of dry goods, groceries, etc., purchased in
New York City. Mr. Coleman settled at first in a log cabin which stood on the
block now occupied by Mrs. N. B. Childs, on Wood street. Here he displayed for
sale the first goods ever brought to Canton for sale. Mr. Coleman did not
arrange his goods at first on shelves and sell them over counters, as is the
custom today, but left his bales and boxes of goods under beds, beside the
walls, and wherever he could find a place for them. His customers were, in
addition to the few neighbors who were in the vicinity, Indians, and he had as
many as two hundred red customers at one time, on certain occasions.
Mr. Coleman had bought, before removing to Canton, seven quarter-sections of
land in one body, adjoining and north of the town-plat of Canton. On this land
he erected a building, and about 1829 obtained a tavern license. He called his
house the "Traveler's Rest," and no house in the Military Tract was better known
to travelers.
Mr. Coleman kept a grocery and some goods on his farm until the storm in 1835,
when his store-room was blown away, and a large lot of clocks and Mackinaw
blankets from his stock scattered broadcast over the prairie. Mr. Coleman was a
trading man, and as such had "a faculty." He made money while he lived, and left
a fine estate to his children. He was a very powerful man, about 5 feet 10
inches in height, and would weigh about 200 lbs. He died in May, 1835 at the age
of 63 years.
One winter, not many years ago, a number of the young business men organized a
"Mutual Improvement Society." On one occasion some cause of disaffection sprang
up in the society, which came near resulting in the expulsion of some of the
members. The offending members were not finally expelled, but were permitted
one by one to withdraw—the withdrawal being preceded by a motion for
permission. These motions had in each case come from the offending parties, one
moving for the benefit of another, until but one of the disaffected, and that
one William Gearhardt, remained. William looked around, appealing to the
remaining members, expecting some of them to make the necessary motion for his
benefit; but it was not made. Finally he arose and said, "Mr. President, I move
that William Gearhardt be permitted to withdraw from this society, and I second
the motion." The motion was considered by the speaker, amidst the laughter of
the society, and carried by a unanimous vote— William voting in the affirmative.
IN FORM.
In a school-district not outside the limits of Fulton county, and not less than
twenty years ago, the directors were called upon to certify to the schedule of
the teacher, to enable him to draw his salary. Their certificate, for legal
accuracy, has rarely been surpassed. It read:
We, A. B., C. D., and E. F., School Directors of District No. —, do certify that
G. H. has taught school for the full length of time of three months, and that
there is now due the said G. H.---dollars and-----cents.
Witness our hands.
A. B., [l.s.]
C. D., [l.s.]
E. F., [l.s.]
The directors were exceedingly astonished at having this certificate returned
to them for correction, when it was in the exact language of the statute.
On one occasion a distinguished temperance orator from abroad had been
extensively advertised to lecture in the Congregational Church. The evening came
and the house was filled to its utmost capacity, but no speaker came. Wm. H.
Haskell, Esq., had at his office a carefully-written temperance oration, and it
was determined by some of the leading men that he should supply the vacant
stand. Haskell hurried to his office, put his oration in his pocket, and
returned. The president of the evening, after explaining the absence of the
expected speaker, announced Mr. Haskell. Mr. Haskell ascended the rostrum, and
in his blandest and most silvery tones said:
"Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: It is a totally unexpected honor
conferred upon me in being called upon to fill the place of the distinguished
gentleman who was to have addressed you. And I am the more embarrassed in
responding to this call, from the fact that I am entirely unprepared to say any
thing on the subject". Here he drew from his pocket an immense roll of
manuscript, which he deliberately unfolded, and read in a most effective style
to the audience, to their great delectation, considering his lack of
preparation.
CANTON'S MANUFACTURES.
FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE-SHOPS.
In the fall of 1838, James Whiting established the first foundry and
machine-shop in Canton. This establishment was in a large frame building erected
for the purpose, on Wood street, between Union and Illinois streets, just north
of Hon. A. C. Babcock's present residence. Mr. Whiting soon took into
partnership Louis Sovereign. Messrs. Whiting & Sovereign continued in business
together until the fall of 1840, when Mr. Whiting was taken sick, and, after a
continued illness of nine months, died in the summer of 1841.
The business, suspended by Mr. Whiting's sickness, was never resumed. His widow
continued to reside here until her death, a few years since, and his son, Hugh
Whiting, is still residing here.
In about 1843, Maj. Lewis Bidamon, who had purchased the Ellis Steam-Mill
property on Main street, decided to turn it into a foundry. He carried this
immediately into effect, and did here a general foundry and machine business
until 1846, when he sold out to Wm. Parlin.
In about 1854 or '5, Messrs. J. & J. M. Savill established a foundry and
machine-shop on Cole street, at the north end of South-Second street. This firm
did business until in 1859, when they dissolved.
JAMES SAVILL'S FOUNDRY.
Mr. James Savill continued to run the J. & J. M. Savill Foundry after the
dissolution of that firm and is still engaged in the business. Mr. Savill's
establishment now runs four hands in the general foundry and machine business,
having an eight-horsepower engine, four lathes, and other machinery. Mr. Savill
manufactures agricultural implements, boilers, saw-mills, etc.
J. M. SAVILL'S FOUNDRY AND MACHINE-SHOP
Mr. J. M. Savill, in 1859, established a foundry and machine-shop on Cole
street, corner of First street. He began with a six-horse-power engine, a small
amount of machinery, and a working force, himself included, of only six hands.
His business has been gradually extending ever since. In 1862 he put up a
twelve-horse-power engine, making at the same time important and extensive
additions to his machinery.
Mr. Savill now employs a constant force of ten hands. He manufactures
steam-engines, force pumps, cane mills, corn-shellers, field rollers,
trip-hammers, and does mill work and repairing of all kinds.
Mr. Savill is a native of Lancashire, England. He immigrated to this county in
1844. He contemplates, as rapidly as possible, extending his business.
CIGAR MANUFACTORIES.
Prior to 1855 there had been no manufactures of cigars in Canton. There may
have been a few made by isolated individuals for home consumption, but not as a
business. On the 12th of November, 1855, Mr. E. H. Curtiss opened a small shop in D. M. Smith's storeroom, on Union
street, for the manufacture and sale of cigars— Mr. Curtiss and his brother, J.
J. Curtiss, attending to sales and doing all the work.
Mr. Curtiss remained in this location until 1856, when he removed to the old A.
S. Steel store, on the east side of the Public Square—since burned down—and
enlarged his business to some extent. By close attention to the selection of
stock and application to business, Mr. Curtiss continued to meet with a success
so marked as to make it necessary still further to increase his business:
accordingly, in 1859 he removed to a larger room, owned by David Grim, on the
east side of the Public Square, where Baughman's store, in Union Block, now
stands. Here he continued to increase his business until, in 1863, he was
forced to make another removal, to the old Maple corner, on the southeast corner
of the Public Square. He has remained in this location ever since—now eight
years,—and has now in constant employ twelve hands in rolling cigars, employing
in the various processes of his manufactory nineteen hands, and paying out
$12,000 annually for hired help.
In 1870 Mr. Curtiss manufactured, in round numbers, 360,000 cigars, and expects
to increase it the coming year, 1871, to 600,000.
Mr. Curtiss has already established a reputation for his cigars that is worth a
fortune to him. Throughout the eight or ten towns immediately surrounding
scarcely any other cigars are sold. His brands are also well known over most of
the eastern and northern portions of the state, while he has customers from
Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and as far west as Salt-Lake City.
This establishment, from a very small beginning, has grown to be an important
manufacturing establishment, by the tact, energy and square dealing of its
founder. It has grown from an establishment occupying one small room to one
occupying a principal store-room 21 by 80 feet; a basement of the same size;
about one-third of the second story of the same building; and the entire fourth
story of the same.
Mr. Curtiss is now but in the prime of life, and it is fair to presume that his
business is scarcely begun.
Dean & Armstrong were the next firm to engage in Cigar-making. They began
business December 1st, 1869, in the Graham building, but afterward removed to
the east side of the Public Square, over Olds & Smith's grocery-store.
Messrs. Dean & Armstrong employ five hands in their business. In 1870 they
manufactured one hundred and fifty thousand cigars, and expect during 1871 to
reach two hundred and fifty thousand. They find a constantly-increasing demand
for their cigars, and in consequence are constantly increasing the extent of
their works.
The average wages of cigar-makers is about fifteen dollars per week; and as
twenty-three hands find employment, it will be seen that three hundred and
forty-five dollars per week are paid out regularly for this branch of
manufacture alone.
HOFFMAN & SON'S STAR WAGON MANUFACTORY.
In 1862, Mr. Hoffman, the proprietor of the "Star Wagon Manufactory," came to
Canton from Missouri, where he had been driven out by the rebels. Mr. Hoffman
began business as a jobbing blacksmith immediately, with two sets of blacksmith
tools and fifty dollars cash capital, and a large family to support. Renting
Miller's blacksmith shop, he soon found all the work himself and one hand could
do, ironing wagons and buggies, making miners' tools, and jobbing. His business
continuing to increase, after having purchased the house and lot on which he
resides on Walnut street, he purchased a lot on Elm street, west of Parlin & Orendorff's Plow Factory, and began the manufacture of the Star Wagon in 1865.
In 1867 he took in as a partner Mr. A. Lay ton, who brought a small amount of
capital into the firm and enabled them to make some additions to their
facilities for manufacturing. They now added the manufacture of Hyer's Horse
Hay-Forks, and increased their force on wagons.
Early in 1869 Mr. Hoffman bought out the interest of Mr. Layton and took his son
into partnership, under the present firm name. They have continued to enlarge
and increase then business, until at present they employ never less than ten
first-class workmen, and have made during 1870 sixty Star Wagons, besides
hay-forks and general jobbing to a considerable amount.
Messrs. Hoffman & Son's wagons are all made of excellent selected materials,
and are already acquiring an enviable reputation wherever known. They express a
determination to continue to keep up the reputation of their work, and it is
safe to predict that the "Star Wagon Manufactory" will in a few years be ranked
among the most important manufacturing establishments in this section.
PIPER'S WOOLEN FACTORY.
In 1844 John G. Piper opened a small wool-carding establishment on the
southeast corner of Main and Cole streets. He began with one set of custom
cards, operated by horse power, and run only during the "carding season," being
suspended a considerable portion of each year. Mr. Piper set out with a
determination to give satisfaction to his customers, and succeeded so well that
in 1846 he found it necessary to add another set of custom cards, and change
his power from horse power to that afforded by a steam-engine of six-horse
power. In 1850 he put up four power looms, and a spinning jack with one hundred
and fifty spindles, beginning the manufacture of woolen goods of various kinds,
also adding one set of manufacturing cards. Since that time his business has
been constantly increasing, and he has been extending his facilities for
manufacturing, until he now runs two sets of manufacturing cards; two sets of
custom cards; two spinning jacks with a total of four hundred and fifty
spindles; together with all needful machinery for coloring and finishing
cloths.
Mr. Piper manufactured last year, in round numbers, $40,000 worth of goods,
employing in his establishment thirty hands, paying $10,000 to his employe's as
wages. His goods consist of cassimeres, tweeds, jeans, satinets, flannels,
blankets, and stocking yarn. His goods have established themselves upon their
merits throughout a considerable portion of Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. The
reputation of Mr. Piper's manufactures is deservedly very high, and wherever
known their sale is immense.
Mr. Piper's motto seems to have been to sell nothing but a first-class article
at the very lowest price for which it can be afforded. By pursuing this policy,
from a very small beginning he has been able to build up one of the largest and
most important manufacturing establishments in our city, and is another
exemplification of the fact that with Canton's facilities for manufacture in the
shape of cheap and good coal, abundance and accessibility of water, facilities
for transportation, and fertility of soil, thereby affording abundance of cheap
food for operatives, it only requires energy, fair dealing and time to build up
from the smallest beginning the largest manufactory.
On the 14th of March, 1868, the store of Amos C. Babcock was burned. The loss by
this fire footed up about $50,000, most of which was covered with insurance.
This was the most extensive conflagration the business part of the city had
ever been subjected to. Immediately after this fire, Messrs. Amos Babcock, Wm.
Babcock and Amos C. Babcock deposited with Mr. Heald, at that time Mayor of the
city, the sum of $500, on the condition that it should be appropriated toward
the purchase of the necessary apparatus for the organization of a
hook-and-ladder company, should such a company be formed, or toward the
purchase of a fire engine; that if neither were procured, the sum should be
appropriated for the benefit of the poor of the city.
This munificent donation by the Messrs. Babcock stirred up the city fathers to
action. Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1868, they passed an ordinance for
the organization of a Fire Department, and establishing fire limits, within
which wooden buildings were not to be erected. The fire limits were to consist
of "all that part of the city embraced within the territory beginning at the
southeast corner of Illinois and Wood streets; thence east to the west line of
Prairie street; thence south to the north line of Pine (now Jones) street;
thence west to the east line of Wood street; thence north to the place of
beginning.” The council appointed Mr. Wm. B. Gleason Chief of the Fire
Department, and Mr. John Bailey Assistant. Mr. Gleason had had considerable
experience east as a fireman, was a gentleman of fine executive ability, and
eminently qualified for the position of chief engineer. Under his direction a
hook-and-ladder company was at once organized, consisting of the following men:
A. D. Troxell, W. E. Ware, E. C. Snyder, Arthur Bay, Wm. H. Black, H. B. Shaw,
R. W. Dewey, J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D. Johnson, H. S.
Steach, A. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O. F. Burton, Wm. Wallace,
Barnard Carlan, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, M. S. Poorman, A. F. Small, B. F.
Jordan, W. P. Tanquary, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt, W. H. Hollar, M.
E. Danielson, Robt. Livers, C. Wilson, Adrian Roberts, H. A. Shaw, James Kelley,
Andrew Ronk. Officers Elected—Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, Alf.
D. Troxell; Secretary, Hugh Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson.
On the 16th of June a bucket company was organized, with George Coleman as
President, John Tanner Vice-President, J. L. Small Secretary, and Adam Haynes
Treasurer. Mr. Gleason proceeded to drill these companies, and soon established
among them such a state of discipline as augured well for their efficiency in
case of need.
In September, 1868, a movement was inaugurated by the firemen looking to the
purchase of an engine. Subscription-papers were circulated among the citizens,
and about $400 subscribed. The city government appropriated something over $300
more, and in 1869 an engine, hose, hose-cart, and all necessary apparatus, were
purchased.
In August, 1868, the roster of the Fire Department bore the following names:
Chief Engineer, Wm. B. Gleason; Assistant Engineer, John Bailey. Hook-and-Ladder
Company—Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, A. D. Troxell; Secretary,
Hugh B. Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson. W. E. Ware, R. C. Snyder, Arthur Ray, W.
H. Black, R. W. Dewey, jr., J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D.
Johnson, H. S. Steach, Alex. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O. F.
Burton, W. K. Wallace, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, A. F. Small, B. F. Jordan,
Geo. A. Black, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt, W. H. Holler, M. E.
Danielson, T. J. Moore, Adrian Roberts, H. R. Shaw, W. L. Gosnell, A. J. Ronk,
M. S. Poorman. Standard Bearers, Johnny Fleming, Charlie Babcock. Bucket
Company—Foreman, John Coleman; Assistant Foreman, John Tanner; Secretary, J. L.
Small; Treasurer, A. R. Haynes. H. H. Clingenpeel, Cal. Armstrong, Adam Yako, J.
J. Dolan, Wm. Gallagher, Thomas Conlin, S. J. Mann, Charles Fellows, A. M.
Moore, G. W. King, Charles Smith, J. E. McGrath, E. R. Bagsley, J. H. Wycoff,
Jos. Eyerly, Thos. Dailey, James Finan, Samuel Freaner, Samuel Mallory. H. H.
Fellows, Owen Carney, Albert Mann, I. P. Weed, Freeman Miller, Joshua Belt,
Daniel Morrow.
The hook-and-ladder company had received the name of the "Regulator," in honor
of Hon. A. C. Babcock's place of business, the burning of which had led to its
organization. The bucket company was called the "Deluge." On the arrival of the
engine, the bucket company was reorganized into an engine company, retaining the
name, and retaining also its old officers.
In 1869 the city erected an engine-house, on Prairie street, between Jones and
Elm streets. This is a good, substantial brick edifice, containing a calaboose
and engine-room. In 1870 the city purchased an alarm-bell for this house.
To give some idea of the efficiency of the Fire Department under Mr. Gleason's
management, it may not be amiss to state that on the occasion of a public
parade, in the summer of 1870, the Deluge Company started with their engine from
the northwest corner of the Public Square, crossed to the cistern on the south
side, dropped their suction-hose into the cistern, run out 150 feet of hose, and
played through an inch nozzle 100 feet, in one and one-half minutes. They
challenge any company to beat it.
The city has been very liberal with the department, having uniformed the
different companies in excellent style.
Mr. Gleason still continues Chief (1871), and Mr. Bailey Assistant. In 1870 the
members of the department presented to Mr. Gleason an elegant silver-headed
cane, costing about $40, and to Mr. Bailey, at the same time, a magnificent
meerschaum pipe, costing about $30, as a token of the esteem in which those
gentlemen were held by their subordinates.
Wm. Seavy, who may justly be called the pioneer of daguerreotype, ambrotype,
melainotype, photograph business, came to Canton in May, 1851, and at once
established himself in business. Mr. Seavy had been engaged in the business for
ten years prior to his settlement here, traveling all over New England and
Canada. The first pictures he took here included those of Deacon Nathan Jones,
Joel Wright, Uncle Lyman "Walker, Major Oliver Shepley, A. C. Thompson, and many
others of the old settlers. In 1851 he married Miss Harriet E. Culton.
Mr. Seavy took the first ambrotype, the first melainotype and the first
photograph ever taken in Canton. He exhibited his pictures at the State Fair at
Springfield in 1854, taking the first premium over all competitors; also taking
the first premium at the State Fairs held at Peoria in 1857, and Quincy in 1864.
Mr. Seavy has been justly ranked among the first artists in the West in his
chosen profession, and his work is fully equal to that of the first artist of
the country, keeping pace with all modern improvements.
Deacon Nathan Jones, who laid out the first and several subsequent additions to
the Town of Canton, was a native of the State of New York. Jones there married
Matilda Swan, and, in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac Swan, emigrated to
Illinois in an early day. They came to Canton in 1824, and settled together.
Nathan Jones was for the larger portion of his life a deeply religious man, and
acquired a reputation for honesty, integrity, and the Christian graces, such
as few men ever attain. He was universally respected during his life, and,
although belonging to the Abolition party, which in an early day was
exceedingly unpopular in this section, was one of the most popular men Canton
ever had. Deacon Jones was the first postmaster of Canton. He built the first
frame residence here, was for a long period school trustee, and held various
offices of trust, which he filled to the entire satisfaction of the community.
For a great many years the good Deacon led the Congregational Church Choir. None
of those who knew him but respected him. He died in about 1850, and was
sincerely mourned.
The author desires to offer an apology in concluding this work. He has fallen
into several errors, to which inexperienced authors are liable.
First, he has allowed himself too little space for the amount of interesting
material at his disposal. Thus he has been forced to omit much that he desired
to insert; but he has the consolation of remembering that "brevity" is said to
be "the soul of wit."
Second, in the arrangement of his work he is conscious of some considerable lack
of consecutive order. For this his apology must be that the work has been
written while passing through the most severe mental ordeal to which the author
has ever been subjected. This is the only excuse offered.
The author has omitted sketches of several prominent Canton Pioneers, for the
reason that he designs at once to begin the preparation of a History of Fulton
County and its Pioneers, to be a work of four or five hundred octavo pages, and
most of those omitted will more properly come into that work.
This and this only I have to offer for the shortcomings of this work. I have
done as well as I could under the circumstances. I will endeavor to do better
next time.
That my work contains errors of date and errors of fact I have no doubt. They
could not be avoided, as I had to
rely for information upon oral statements, based upon men's recollection in
most cases.
The author tried hard to obtain data for a History of the M. E. Church of
Canton; but, as no records of the society have been preserved, he has failed. No
one regrets this more than
THE AUTHOR.
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
Copyright © Janine Crandell
All rights reserved
Updated November 11, 2005