The Explosion of Beck's Sawmill
The Putnam Standard
Friday, April 20, 1860
Sad Calamity
Between 2 and 3 o'clock on Friday last, the boiler in Beck's sawmill near Magnolia in this county exploded making a perfect wreck of the building and mortally wounded Henry Hill, the engineer, and severely scalding Lewis Beck, the proprietor and his son, Harrison Beck.
The face of Hill was burned to a crisp and from his neck, arms and body; the skin came off as the clothing was removed. In the left temple there was a wound apparently produced by a sharp missile penetrating the brain. He was entirely unconscious from the time he was removed from the ruins of the mill until the time of his death at 11 o'clock next day.
Lewis Beck is severely scalded but we think there is but little doubt of his recovery. Harrison Beck has some severe scalds but none threatening any danger. A little son of Mr. Werts was slightly injured. He was playing near the mill at the time.
But some ten minutes before the explosion, 5 or 6 children were in the mill. The explosion reversed the engine and blowed Beck's son through the roof of the mill about 30 feet up on the side of the hill. Mr. Hill, the engineer was buried on Sunday last with Masonic honors.
April 8, 1875
Taken From the Henry Republican
Magnolia
Last Saturday a straight democratic ticket was put in the field and elected without opposition. Wm. Haws Jr., elected school director. The election tomorrow will probably case more excitement.
Mr. Beem, of the firm of Fisk & Beem, Ottawa, has been here recently and received a number of ordes of suits of slothing.
Last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Mr. Fawcett of Princeton, lectured both day and night time to the Free Masons.
H. K. Smith of the Magnolia News, has finished a crayon likeness of Joseph Railey for the Masons. It is indeed life-like and finely executed. Henry’s artistic tastes are so strong that we hazard the opionion, he will finally be compelled to aboandon the plow and follow his natural aesthetic inclinations.
Mrs. Joel Haws is lying in very critical condition with lung disease. Miss Mattie Evans has been suffering severely for a week with inflammatory rheumatism. Over this way we think that never before was there so much rheumatism as prevails now.
Last Tuesday was so warm that Mose Dugan brought Jennie over for a few hours. We hope that pleasant weather will bring back her usual health.
June 1, 1882
Taken From the Henry Republican
Local Correspondence - Magnolia
Although three weeks have passed since our last writing, yet locals are scarce and hard to pick up.
Last Wednesday, Capt. Haws, accompanied by Dr. Gaylord, went to Chicago for the purpose of having a cataract removed from each of his eyes. He returned home the following Saturday, apparently benefitted by the operation. His eyes are are yet sore and tender from the surgeon's instrument, but he says that he can see better than before. The shock on the system was not enough to prostrate him. He did not take anything to benumb the senses, but set in the chair while Dr. Jones performed the work. Pretty good for 82 years of age.
Wm. Moffitt, who is attending commercial school in Chicago, is home for a short time.
Miss Mary Curtis of Onarga is visiting at Dr. Taylor's and other friends in Magnolia.
Miss mcGinnis will close her department of the Magnolia school next Tuesday, Decoration day.
John C. Rolley started for England week before last. He left his grocery store in charge of Miss Lou Ellis.
Orlando Dent is expected home in a few days.
Miss Hattie Fyffe is expected in June, borth from California.
Mrs. Hubbard is replenishing her stock of millinery and Jim Mitchell his groceries.
Ed. McCabe and wife have settled down in Magnolia; he is blacksmithing at his father's old stand.
Josiah Spencer and his daughter May of Great Bend, Kan. Are here to stay through the summer.
Mrs. Poe has returned after visiting several months in St Louis.
A.B.G.
June 16, 1881 - Magnolia
Taken From the Henry Republican
The first steam train passed through Magnolia one day last week. David L. Travis was conductor and well as proprietor. In passing through it created quite a sensation and stir among the natives. It was destined for D. F. Griffin's timber where a large lot of saw logs had been hauled together awaiting the arrival of David's iron horse.
Taken From the Putnam Record
April 13, 1899
Magnolia - April 10
Mrs. Will Moffitt and sons are visiting relatives in Washburn.
Mrs. Johnson has moved into the house with Miss Lizzie Keller.
Mr. Tomlin of Clear Creek visited in town a day or two last week.
Dr. Fred Taylor and wife, of Florid spent Sunday with Dr. Taylor, Sr.
Mrs. Dr. Taylor and Cora Dent were trading in Henry last Wednesday.
Miss Gertrude Ramsey spent Saturday with Will Brenn and family at Oxbow.
Mr. and Mrs. James Harville contemplate going to housekeeping in the near future.
Taken From the Putnam Record
April 20 1899
Magnolia - April 17
T. F. Lash is very much improved at present.
H. B. Ramage visited in Wenona last Monday
Miss Phoebe Bowers of Henry is sewing at Dr. Taylors this week.
Mr. and Mrs. James Harville have gone to housekeeping in the Defenbaugh house.
L. C. Hinckle of Peoria, visted Magnolia and vicinity a few days last week.
The date of the Commencement exercise has been changed from May 5 to 4.
The Epworth league will give a social at the home of R. W. Spencer next Friday evening.
Mrs. Eads who has been visiting he mother, Mrs. Bowers, the past few weeks returned to her home in Missouri.
The teacher's institute was held Friday and Saturday. A pleasant and profitable time was spend. Attendance was good. Rev. Evans of Granville, gave a very interesting discourse Friday evening on the subject: What We Should Read.
Putnam Record, Hennepin, Illinois
May 18, 1899
Magnolia - May 8
Miss Cora Dent is visiting in Lostant a few days.
Mrs. Clifford and Joe Haws were in town on business last week.
Mrs. Dent and daughter Cora, Miss Gertrude Ramsey and Mrs. Taylor visited Florid last week.
Mrs. Bobbitt and daughter, Mrs. R. W. Spender and Bessie Roberts started for Iowa Monday to make a short visit.
Putnam Record, Hennepin, Illinois
October 5, 1899
Magnolia - Oct. 2
John Davidson spent last Sunday in town.
Mrs. T. F. Lash visited with friends in Toluca last week.
Mr. and Mrs. James Thornton attended the state fair last week.
Mr. J. D. Fyffe, wife and niece of Chicago, spent last Thursday with friends in town.
Mr. Foster, of Wenona, and a gentleman from New York, were in town Saturday.
The Zebley twins have been quite sick the past few days, but are improving at present.
Mr. Wm. Paxson and wife of Great Bend, Kansas, are visiting Mr. Paxson's parents.
Mrs. Geo. Kellar and daughters, Bessie and Mary, and Messrs., Harry Kellar and Otto Rogers, spent last Saturday with friends in Magnolia.
Taken From the Henry Republican
May 6, 1875
Magnolia is the oldest town in Putnam county, and for many years was one of the important points in the state. It’s first settler was Capt. William Haws, who opened a farm about a mile north of the town in 1826. John Knox was the first one to settle upon the town site some time after. The town was laid out by Thomas Patterson in May, 1836, the country being pretty well settled about it. Many old houses are still landmarks of ye olden time. The Morrille hotel was once a prominent institution, when a daily stage passed through, making Magnolia one of its important stopping places. It became an incorporated town in 1859, and Elias Wright of this city, was elected one of its first trustees. In the manufacture of agricultural implements Magnolia once done a good business, and it claims the credit of manufacturing the first reapers made in the state. But this glory has now departed and Magnolia is now a quiet abode of wealthy families and the trading point of farmers in the vicinity.
Its chief drug store is presided over by the Fyffe sisters, Miss Hattie being familiarly known to our readers as correspondent for The Republican, and one whose culture and enthusiasm will be usefully employed for our readers. These ladies are having a fine trade, and doing well. George Hulme is reducing his stock with a view of going to Barton county, Kansas, next fall, where he goes into merchandising. Dr. Wilcox, a partner of Dr. Gaylord, soon removed to Champaign. William Haws, Jr., lives in town, and has a fine residence and a good farm.
The farm of Hon. James T. Thornton (the Dr. Ashley place) lies contiguous to the village. Here 300 acres lie in a body, well fenced and watered, with good orchard, pastures, and thoroughbred stock, which brings in to its owner a handsome income. A thoroughbred cow he values at the least figure $1000 and some young cattle in same ratio. In this particular branch Mr. Thornton takes great delight, and has every facility for stock raising. He is a thrifty farmer and has things in shape to suit him. Dinner time brought us up at his hospital board. Mrs. Thornton done her part generously in the way of entertainment, setting before us one of those capital dinners hungry men can do justice to. Her home plants, of which she had a large collection, had been preserved from freezing, through our fearful winter, and blossoms were visible among them through the entire season.
Mr. Thornton accompanied us to the stately mansion of G. S. Parks, the millionaire, a mile north of town. Here lies 400 acres in a body; another large tract, he owns near Wenona, and two greater tracs still in Missouri and Texas. Mr. Parks is improving his house with a front addition which will be elegant when completed. Mrs. Parks had been an invalid for some years, but glad to find her improving. We found Mr. Parks engaged in a new orchard, setting out 1200 trees of some 120 varieties, superintending the details in person. He has an orchard of 40 acres near by this one, and large orchards in the other states. He is a good manager, and has great physical strength and energy for his business. He is also a large stock raiser, as farmers generally are in this region. He was formerly a Kansas border man, had some hair breadth escapes in Texas, and being an editor in former times, and resting under the exploit of having a press mobbed and thrown into the Missouri river, has an experience that will be interesting for the biographer some day.
All along our route farmers were busy at their plows, making the necessary preparations for corn planting. Took supper with Mr. and Mrs. Henry K. Smith, the former, editor of the Magnolia news. Mr. Smith has a cottage home, and possesses a handsome farm of 160 acres, as well located as any in Putnam county. He has just erected a large barn, very convenient, and which he has long needed. he has a pleasant home, a library, and a wife and three children to complete his measure of happiness which is full. Opposite is G. M. West’s a substantial farmer.
Driving homeward, we “took down” Quaker lane, passing Carver Tomlinson, another thrifty, prosperous Quaker. He has a fine house. The Smith homestead is also adjoining. The meeting house of the yearly meeting is also under contract, and is located on this lane. The foundations are being constructed, and the house is to be used only for the annual general meeting of the Friends. It being off from a railroad will necessitate transportation by teams of the delegates from the stations, and entertainment free, which the members here very freely offer. John and David Swaney, Mrs. Griffith, and others here are prosperous and well to do farmers. The Clear creek Quaker church is located near Mrs. Giffith’s and further east is the Clear creek Presbyterian church, both of which have flourishing societies. L. I. Beck ahs a spacious farm house near the latter church, and the Clear creek school is one of the best and stands as high as any in the county.
Putnam county is an old settled region, and its farmers are sterling men and prosperous. Our visit was short with many of them, but it was agreeable and delightful, and we shall be glad to repeat it, and call upon those who we had to pass by this time.
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