Illinois Genealogy Trails

Newspaper Clippings for Morgan County, Illinois

The jury in the case of Berry and others on trial at Jacksonville for the murder of Henry Pratt, returned their verdict on Sunday which was as follows: Isaac Berry was convicted of murder in the first degree and his time at the penitentiary fixed for the term of his natural life, Frank Britten's time in the penitentiary was fixed at twenty five years, Mathew McFarland, C Daily and Emanuel W Berry's time was fixed at fifteen years. Simeon Berry was found not guilty, but he was re-arrested on a charge of an assault with intent to kill. A motion was made by the counsel for the prisoners for a new trial, which has not yet been decided. [December 2, 1869 Decatur Republican, submitted by Foxie Hagerty]

PARDONED CRIMINALS
Something Concerning the Exercise of Executive Clemency in Illinois.
A List of Pardons Issued to Prisoners Under Sentence for Manslaughter and Murder.
C. Atwood: April 1871; murder; 21 years; Morgan County pardoned Aug. 12, 1875; served 4 years
Eight of the jurors who convicted and numerous citizens and attorneys ask this pardon. There is much among the papers in this case to show that Atwod was entirely innocent, and that one Baldwin committed the crime in a drunken spree. Prison officers certify to good conduct and religious character of Atwood. [Inter-Ocean Springfield, January 17 1876, submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer]

NEW! OUR NEIGHBORS - Feb 1 1890 in the Quincy Daily Herald
Mr. I.N.Barlow, of Mt. Sterling, was a “Dosh” visitor last week.
Mr. James Savage is recovering from his late severe illness.
Mr. Lew Wackerle will leave this evening for his “post of duty”, after a few days' visit with his parents.
The youngest child of Mr. And Mrs. Ed. Woods is seriously ill of convulsions.
From last Friday to date there has been no school on account of all the teachers, and the greater number of the scholars, being afflicted with la grippe.
Mrs. Fred Sanntman is reported seriously ill of a complication of diseases, chief of which is la grippe.
Rev. Mr. Wolfe will begin a series of meetings at the M. E. church next Sunday night.
Mrs. Rausch, of Beardstown, attended the funeral here of her niece.
Mrs. Mary Vancil, who was called here last Friday by the death of sister, Miss Emma M. Rausch, will return to her home in Quincy today.
Prof. Oakman has been detained at home by illness. His ailment is la grippe, with symptoms of pneumonia.
The number of victims of la grippe in “Dosh” doesn't seem to diminish, but rather to increase. A fellow without the grip is beyond the pale of fashion.
Miss Belle Boyd, who has been very ill for the past two weeks, is slightly improved, although as yet is unable to leave her room.
Miss Minnie Barlow, who has been quite seriously indisposed is convalescing.
[Submitted by Debbie Lee]

NEW! Mrs. Ruth O'DEER, an inmate of the asylum for the insane at Jacksonville, who home was at Springfield, IL committed suicide, April 6. [Trenton Sun, Trenton, IL, April 20, 1894 - submitted by C. Horton]

Jacksonville - Mr and Mrs. Veerin Daniels celebrated their golden wedding at Jacksonville. Mr. Daniels' father came to Jacksonville in 1826, when there were only 13 houses in the city. He drove the first locomotive. [Friday, December 12, 1913, Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL. Submitted by K. Torp]

NEW! In the county court a jury returned a verdict that Adam Zopf, of Quincy, is insane, and a fit person to be sent to Jacksonville. The unfortunate man is sixty-seven years of age and has been insane for ten days. The jury found that the cause of his losing his mind was loss of property. [The Quincy Daily Herald, Feb 6 1890 - Submitted by Debbie Lee]

©2008 Kim Torp