Chapter XVIII.
GENERAL HISTORY
Page 128-137
In the name of Metropolis is wrapt the dream of its founder, William A. McBane, Sr., who was attracted by the inviting and beautiful location for a modern city, considered by experienced boatmen, as the most beautiful on the Ohio and lower Mississippi. Mr. McBane was also a practical engineer and a New Orleans and Pittsburg merchant, whose business necessitated trips on the river. He reasoned that a railroad bridge must span the Ohio, connecting the North and South, and that this was the most natural and available crossing. Upon landing from a flat-boat of merchandise, he found J.H.G. Wilcox, the owner and occupant of perhaps 1,000 acres of the land which had struck his fancy, and he immediately purchased with his stock of goods a half interest in the virgin soil, April 18, 1839. McBane & Wilcox laid out what the former dreamed would become a mighty city and named it without a duplicate in all the world "Metropolis" (largest city). It was his opinion that railroads would cross the river here, as it presents the best banks and interior roadbed, according to the opinions of official engineers. Fate has decreed his hopes a dream.
The records are very meager and the traditions uncertain; hence the modesty of our account. City lots were sold in 1840. Washington and Franklin parks, the court house square, and a lot to the Christian church were their benefactions to the public.
Near the city lay the historic site of the early French mission and trading post, founded as early as 1702 by Jucherau and Father Mermet and called "Assumption." The same spot on which the French soldiers afterward built Fort Massac, over an hundred years ago - a spot as historically sacred and renowned as any in the rich annals of Illinois.
James Hendricks Gains Wilcox owned and occupied the only residence. It was situated on the lot where Joseph G. Brown, his nephew and an old citizen, now lives. Immediately after the birth and christening of the city, Mr. Wilcox erected a splendid brick residence on Front Street. This building was used as a dwelling, a store, and later a hotel under different names. When conducted by B.O. Thrift, father of John Thrift, it was called the "Thrift House" and the "Parker House" when operated by John and Thomas Parker.
Tradition relates, that the Master Writer, Charles Dickens, occupied one of its apartments while on his way from Nashville to St. Louis. Nothing in his American notes or its rehash, Martin Chuzzlewit, bears out this story, unless it be his reference to "New Thermopylac," as a name for Metropolis. This place was three days journey from Eden, while his description of the "barn like hotel upon the hill and the attendant wooden buildings and sheds" was in keeping with Metropolis at that time.
This hotel was also conducted by John M. Cunningham and wife, parents of Mrs. Mary S. Logan, wife of General John A. Logan. Her residence here was during her early years. Petersburg, Missouri, now extinct, was her birthplace, Aug. 15, 1838. She and the General were married at Shawneetown, Nov. 27, 1855. Along with her husband she became a national character.
Contemporaneous with the Wilcox hotel was another brick dwelling on Front Street, between Ferry and Metropolis streets. It was built by Mary, familiarly called "Polly" Orr. In the flood and storms of 1884, the wind and waves drove the wharf boat against the Wilcox building and driftwood against the Orr building, wrecking both of these old land marks.
W.A. McBane, Sr. lived the life of a bachelor in company with his aged mother until her death, when he adhered to the life of a recluse. He was an agnostic, but possessed of many sterling virtues and was particulary given the acts of charity toward the poor. He sleeps near the boundary of the Masonic cemetery, in a neglected grave. As the founder of Metropolis, he deserves more at the hands of the public.
FERRY
One of the founders, J.H.G. Wilcox, also owned the Metropolis Ferry - operated first as a hand and then as a horse ferry. William A. McBane Sr., uncle of our fellow-townsman, W.A. McBane, Jr., purchased the ferry interest in the early "40's" and operated it until 1873. This property was then and long afterward a valuable franchise, because of the vast amount of traveling over what was practically the only available route. Mr. Wilcox moved to a farm a few miles up the river and later died there. In 1874 W. A. McBane, Jr., bought the ferry franchise of his uncle and built the first steam ferryboat, the "W.A. McBane, Sr.," at a cost of $4,000.
Charles P. Farrow, a resident of Metropolis, purchased the franchise in 1879, and introduced the tug boat "Uncle Tom." Later he built without any aid by the citizens, the "Massac" and operated the ferry until 1890, when he sold it to Colonel R. A. Peter, who sold the boat to Major L.W. Copland and built the "Nettie." Messrs. Joe Grace and W.N. Smith purchased the franchise, 1898, and Grace soon became the sole proprietor. The Nettie was remodeled and re-christened the "Grace Smith." Later she was withdrawn from the trade and for a while no ferry was maintained. A sort of flatboat propelled by a gasoline pleasure boat is all that now remains of a once valuable but seemingly abandoned ferry franchise.
INDUSTRIES
The industries of Metropolis have been chiefly of wooden products, dependent upon the vast timber fields accessible by the Ohio and its tributaries - the Wabash, Tennessee, and Cumberland.
W.R. Brown, Sr., father of Colonel W.R. Brown, established the first enterprise, a cooperage, employing forty coopers and furnished sugar, whisky, and lard barrels in vast quantities.
Benjamin Kimball operated the Kimball saw mills on the site of the present power house, while he and Alred Cutting conducted extensive "ways" and shipyards, being the builders of many steamboats. Each erected, what were then, magnificent dwellings, the only evidence today of their prosperity.
Messrs. Yost and Biglow in the "60's" began the manufacture of spokes and hubs. Their plant assumed extensive proportions and continued until the panic of 1893.
The Messers. Loud established quite a factory for the manufacture of building materials and veneering, but never resumed business after the high water of 1884, and later on the same site was built the Metropolis Pipe factory, under the management of Mr. J.M. Choat. This plant was forced into idleness in 1893 and is now extinct.
Near this site is the brick yard of John L. Turnbo, a leading colored man, and also close by is the large heading factory, where modern machinery cuts barrel heads ready for use. This is the property of Rampendahl & Sons, who also operated one of the largest stave factories to be found. Their products are shipped all over the country.
J.Q.A. Conner put in operation the Conner Spoke Works which are now controlled by the Mutual Wheel Works of Moline, Ill. In connection with this plant, Captain E.G. Whyers conducts a plow handle factory, doing a good business.
Messrs. Samuel W. and George A. Daly are the hustling proprietors of a large saw and planing mill. They also deal extensively in the retail lumber trade. These gentlemen were reared in Metropolis. Near them is the immense plant of Harris & Cole Brothers, manufacturers of every imaginable kink of ornamental finishings in building for the wholesale trade only.
One of the largest plants in the world devoted to the manufacture of fruit boxes, baskets, etc., is situated in Metropolis. It is the Roberts' factory, managed by C.C. Roberts, a genial gentleman. C. P. Treat is head bookkeeper and superintendent. Orders have been received from Europe for their product. Excellent veneering for center tables and sewing machines is also made by them.
H. Quante & Brother own and operate the large "Riverside Mille," which enjoys a wide trade in flouring products. The Empire Flouring Mills, managed so successfully by another Metropolis boy, Eugene Lafont, is continuously in operation.
The Metropolis Pottery was first operated by J.W. Kirkpatrick in 1867, who sold it to Shick and Slater, Mr. N. Shick later becoming the proprietor, upon the death of Mr. Slater in 1870. January 1, 1897, W.H. Roberts took charge and Walter McCawley joined him Nov. 8, 1898. The pottery was operated from that time under the name of Roberts & McCawley until L.P. Stalcup succeeded Mr. Roberts. The factory produces the finest quality of hand-made jugs, crocks, flower-pots, churns, etc., to be found on the market.
One of the substantial factories of Metropolis is the Cigar Manufactory of W.H. Kraper, which has steadily increased in the volume of its business and today ranks with the best. William F. Heideman also operates a successful cigar factory, while W.H. Kurtz, one of the oldest cigar manufacturers, still continues in that business.
STREETS, ETC.
The streets of Metropolis are noted for their width, beauty and surface, about seven miles composed of conglomerate gravel has become hard and impervious to water. The homes are built on large lawns, growing beautiful grass, flowers, and so many roses that it has been called the "City of Roses."
SCHOOLS
The public school system comprises a Fourth Ward school, Main High school, and First Ward building. The first two are for white pupils and Prof. Clarence Bonnel, principal, and Mesdames Rose E. Cutting and Magenta Kennedy, assistants, have charge of the High school. The Misses Mabel Houts, Lottie Johnson, Arminta Armstrong, Nina Shimpert, Laura Nordeman, Mesdames M.A. Dugger and Laura Love, and John N. Weaver are grade teachers. The colored schools have four teachers, Mr. G.S. Murray, principal; Mrs. Lena Phillipps, Irene Brown and Mrs. Luella Crouse for the grades.
Prof. Edward Longbons, a graduate of the Southern Illinois Normal, Carbondale, is superintendent of the whole system. He has proved himself thoroughly competent and a four years' course of study is maintained which admits the graduates to the State University and Normal schools.
The Board of Education is composed of C.I. Treat, president; J.M. Elliott, Secretary; L.C. Flanagan, Edwin Corlis, M. Smith, Edward Cowling, and A.N. Starkes.
LIBRARIES
For several years a small library was maintained by public subscription. Hon. R.W. McCartney, deceased, left rooms and a liberal donation for books when the city should foster the library under the statutory provision. This was done in 1898 and today a popular public reading room and library is enjoyed by the city. Aside from this the women have a local branch of the Women's Literary club, and several reading circles.
CHURCHES
The Methodist Episcopal church has a commodious, well furnished, brick building and a regular pastor; also the Congregationalists, the Presbyterians, Christians, Baptist, United Brethren, Baptist colored, and A.M.E., each own modern frame churches and maintain regular pastors. The Catholics have a neat frame, the German Lutherans a brick, the Episcopalians have no house, yet each have services, though at intervals.
BANKS
In the "50's" wild cat banks were organized and chartered for Metropolis and Brooklyn, one each, but never went into operation, although an office was opened.
About 1869 Manning Mayfield, who had come to Metropolis, induced R.G.B. McKee to build a banking building on Third Street in connection with his business block. A bank was opened under the name of M. Mayfield & Co., and Nov. 1st it was understood that Mayfield's brother Abram was his associate. In 1871, W.R. Brown was admitted as a partner and Mayfield removed to St. Louis. Under the management of W.R. Brown the firm continued until June 12, 1883, as that of M. Mayfield & Co., when the name was changed to that of Brown and Bruner by the admission of W.P. Bruner. This firm continued in business until June 12, 1895, when an assignment of the bank's assets was made to E.P. Curtis and D.W. Helm, assignees.
During the life of Brown & Bruner bank, business growth demanded an additional one, and Aug. 1, 1881, Messrs. H. & A. Quante, R.G.B. McKee, A.P. Oakes and J.M. Choat, under the firm name of McKee, Quante & Co. opened a bank on Third Street and May 5, 1884, turned over the company's assets to the First National Bank, then organized. R.W. McCartney secured the charter, and became its first president, serving until elected circuit judge, when J.F. McCartney succeeded him. After the expiration of the judicial term, R.W. McCartney was again elected president and served until his death. Hiram Quante has been president since then. The capital stock is $50,000. J.M. Choat was cashier from 1881 to 1889, W.H. Armstrong, 1889 to 1897; J.M. Choat 1897 to the present. The directors are Messrs. H. and A. Quante, D. Arensman, R.H. Austin, W.H. Kraper, Ed. J. Cowling, and Henry Miller.
Immediately after the failure of the Brown & Bruner bank, J.F. McCartney, who had sold his stock in the First National Bank, promoted the organization of the State Bank of Metropolis, which was charteered and opened its doors for business Dec. 2, 1895, in the new State Block. The directors were J.M. Elliott, D.H.C. Borman, F.M. McGee, G.W. Smith, William Wright, L.W. Copland and J.F. McCartney, who was elected president and still serves. J.M. Elliott was chosen vice-president and James L. Elliott, cashier.
In May 1896, the capital stock was increased to $50,000 from $25,000 and the bank merged into a National Bank under the National Banking laws, with the name of "The National State Bank of Metropolis, Illinois."
NEW CHARTER
At a special meeting of the village trustees March 7, 1859, an election was called for the second Monday of March to vote upon the adoption of a new charter, changing the organization to that of a city. J.C. Burden was the president; and W.R. Brown and Tillman Roby the other two members of this board of trustees. To hold the election they divided the city into three wards, as follows: First ward included all the city between the limits and the upper boundary of Market street, poll at the court house; Second ward included the city between the upper boundary of Market street and the lower boundary of Metropolis street, poll at Burden's cooper shop; and Third ward the remainder, poll at J.B. Hick's office.
To hold the election Messrs. Wm McDowell, J.J. Crittenden and Daniel Bowker were appointed judges and Messrs. R. Laughlin and Robert Russel, clerks. Ninety votes favored the charter, one opposed and one voted a blank.
In the first city election the judges of the election for the first ward were: J.J. Crittenden, William Gregg and Wm. V. McGee. The clerks were Lewis Lafont and James K. House. In the second ward the judges were: Daniel Bormer, H.S. Lightfoot, Michael Zrandtley; and R. Laughlin and Thomas Davis, clerks. In the third ward the judges were: Daniel Bowker, D.H. Diers and Jason L. Stone; the clerks were John W. Foster and J.T. Stewart. As a result of the election William V. McGee was elected mayor, 162 votes; John B. Hicks, magistrate, 105 votes; over William McDowell, 78 votes; J. Dayhuff was chosen marshal at 91 votes; his opponents and votes were: J.H. Tucker, 68, J.W. Hoagland, 5, and G.B. Choat, 16. The aldermen and votes are as follows: First ward, L.A. Lafont 31, W.L. Cooped 22, J.T. Brown 21, J.R. Gates 9, J.C. Roberts 17 and R.S. Rankin 1; Second ward, G.W. Bunn 61, John T. Rennie 35, W.R. Brown 26, H.R. Lightfoot 12, W. H. Scott 6; Third ward, John C. Burden 43, Tillman Roby 27, J.F. Mears 15.
The first meeting was held in John B. Hicks office and the first recommendation of the mayor-elect was one in favor of granting liquor license, which at the same meeting was fixed at $200 a year, and they prohibited the sale of liquor to the intoxicated and boys under eighteen. John Kebler took out the first license. An annual license was placed on tenpin alleys, then popular, and it also covered billiard tables. April 22, 1859, C.W. Lusk was authorized to publish the proceedings required by law at one-half his regular rate in "The Sentinel." April 23rd, they returned $10.00 borrowed by the city of W.H. Green, and allowed each alderman 50 cents for each regular and called session.
May 18, 1861, a resolution was passed authorizing the city clerk to purchase three kegs of powder, two sacks of buckshot, and 100 bars of lead for the "Home Guards" to be used in defense of the city from threatened attacks by the rebels.
MAYORS
The first mayor was William V. McGee, 1859 to 1860 and until 1901 are as follows: W.H. Scott, 1860-2 elected twice; Abram Bruner, 1862-3; Joseph T. Browne, 1863-4; John F. Challes, 1864-6; Joseph T. Browne, 1866-7; T.J. Parker 1867-8; J.C. Burden, 1868-9; Joseph Walmsley, 1869-70, resigned Jan. 8, 1870, and J.E. Roberts elected pro tem.; J.E. Roberts, 1870-1; J.C. Willis, 1871-2; Geo. W. Corlis, 1872-3; Dr. J.H. Scott, 1873-5, being the first mayor elected for two years under the statute of 1872, and re-elected, 1875-77; H. Rampendahl, 1877-9; Dr. J.H. Norris, 1879-81; T.S. Stone, 1881-3; Benjamin Rankin, 1883-5; Dr. J.H. Norris, 1885-7; Benjamin Rankin, 1887-9, dying after thirteen months' service, and May 14, 1888, the council elected Alderman A. Quante to fill out the unexpired term; Dr. J.H. Norris, 1889-91; August Quante, 1891-7, serving three consecutive terms; Frank Adam, 1897-1901, serving two terms.
The present population of Metropolis will reach about 45,500 inhabitants, and the city has four ward. Robert K. Burden is city clerk; John H. Guinn, treasurer, and Gus Crouch, marshal. A. J. Peter and John L. Turnbo, alderman for the First Ward; Dr. John T. Cummins, and W.A. Fitch, Second Ward; T.S. Stone, and P.R. Finney, Third Ward; James H. Jones and W.P. Baynes, Fourth Ward.
Return to History of Massac County
by O.J. Page
INDEX PAGE
Transcribed by Debbie Woolard