of Menard and Mason Counties
By T.G. Onstott
|
|
CHAPTER XXX Page 302 The village of Manito was surveyed and platted by James Boggs for James K. Cox, Robert M. Cox and William A. Langston. In 1858, soon after laying out the town, Hugh Fullerton, of Havana, acquired an interest for the influence exerted by him in securing the site for a depot. One hundred and ten acres were laid out in blocks, streets and alleys. Manito did not increase much until the close of the war. Egypt Station had the advantage in the beginning, as she already had the advantage of two or more stores and the postoffice, but Manito secured the depot, and the scepter departed from Egypt. Spring Lake was established in 1851 and contributed to the building up of Manito by giving her business men and population to swell the newly begun village. The residence of James K. Cox stood near the center of the town. The first business house was erected by James K. Cox and occupied by E.A. Rosher as a general merchandise store. The second store was kept by J.P. and A. Trent. A.M. Pollard opened a grocery store in 1861. S. Mosher started a drug store in 1865. In 1868 Smith, Hippen & Co. built an elevator at a cost of $5,000.00, which was operated by Fred Knollhoff. Previous to the building of the elevator, J.P. Cranvill had bought grain and shipped it in sacks. J.A. McComas built an elevator in 1878. Grier & Co., of Peoria, took charge of it; it was burned in 1879. The village of Manito is conceded to be the best grain point between Pekin and Havana. The village was incorporated under the Springfield and Quincy act in 1866, and continued under this act until 1875, when it was reorganized under the general law for cities and villages. The Methodist Church was first built in 1867. Among the early preachers we find the names of Middleton, Sloan and Goldsmith. Rev. Sloan walked over his circuit. He said his master never rode and that he was not better than his master. He always wore a blue jeans suit. In 1870 J.N. Shantholzer erected a steam mill, having two runs of stones and capable of turning out twenty barrels a day. The early settlers of the village were fond of playing jokes upon each other and sometimes attacked strangers. Before it was incorporated, a man by the name of Moore came there and desired a license to keep a saloon. He approached Joe Cranvill on the subject. Joe charged him $25.00, which he paid. Joe shoved the money down into his pocket and then, letting the boys into the secret, spent most of it in setting them up. Nothing was said about it and it was some time before the man found out that he had been tricked out of his money. The early citizens will remember the days when the High Cod court existed. It was not a chartered institution, but it existed. Some individual would be charged with a crime and the court would assemble and proceed to try the offender. The person presiding was called "Honorable Judge Advocate" and his opinion was final in all matters that came before him. Witnesses were called who were not expected to tell the truth. Indeed, the oath administered had a saving clause for the prosecution in these words: "And you furthermore swear that you will not tell the truth in the case now pending." No matter how clearly the defendant might prove his innocence, conviction was sure to follow. The penalty was the drinks for the crowd and usually cost the defendant $1.00. But those days have long since passed away and yet the old citizens love to recount them and live over their early days of fun and frolic. The name "Manito" was taken from the Indian word "Manitou" the meaning of which can hardly be determined.
|