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NEWS ARTICLES
1800 Union County Illinois Genealogy Trails  Courthouse News, Dec. 1, 1823 American Bible Society Organized, June 22, 1824 Sad Mortality, July 16, 1850 Letter from Springfield, ILL, July 1, 1859 Cotton Shipment from Union County, Jan. 28, 1862 State vs Dougherty, March 9, 1864 Five Dozen Eggs At One Sitting, Jan 13, 1867 Brutal Attack, Jan. 19, 1867 An Important Slander Case Compromised, May 26, 1867 Fire at Jonesboro, July 4, 1867 Horse Tamers, Dec 12, 1868 Classic Cobden, March 1, 1869 Steam Barrel Factory, Aug. 23, 1869 A Contest in the Dark, May 16, 1874 Union County Murder Attempt, May 31, 1874 Adam Hunsacker, Jan 12, 1875 (new) Great Excitement at Jonesboro, Jan 23, 1878 (new) Jonesboro Courthouse Fire, Apr 13, 1878 A Brutal Murder in Union County, Ill., April 13, 1880 News from THE TALK, 1888 News from THE TALK, 1889 News from THE TALK, 1890 News from THE TALK, 1891 Dongola News, Dec. 22, 1892 Amos Poole Kills Himself, May 21, 1895 Shot Down In His Home, Nov 6, 1895 Charged with Embezzlement, Sept 5, 1896 Said They Talked For Bryan, Sept. 23, 1896 News from THE TALK, 1899 Dragged Five Miles, Feb. 13, 1899 Jonesboro, IL Monday, 01 December 1823 Contributed by Jeana Gallagher Christian Hileman, Eli Littleton, John Treese, Charles Treese, Armistead H. Brown, Lewis Bryant and Daniel Barringer. Armstead H. Brown returned into court the return of John Bradshaw, Thomas Deen and S. C.? Brown commissioners appointed to serve so much of the road leading from Jonesborough to Golconda as lies between Henry Baringer and the ford of Cash to met beginning at the ford of Cash and running a direct course to A. H. Brown's from thence a strait direction to intersect the old road, which we consider better and nearer than the old one. Signed by we commissioners and it is orale? that John Hughes superior open and work on road and all hands living _____ bounds are redirected to work on road. Ordered that George Smith in addition to his former list of hands allotted to work the road leading from Jonesborough to Green's Ferry be allotted the following named hands and they are hereby allotted S. Smiley L______, Samuel Hures asked J_____ George Daughters by Charles Daughterty and Sarr__et Welty. Ordered that Jacob Littleton be allowed and additional list of hands to work under him to met Abner Hunsaker, Benjamin West, James Lerrsler? and they are hereby required to work under S. Littleton. Ordered that James Brown be allowed four dollars for his attendance on the circuit court. John Bradshaw one of the commissioners appointed to review a road beginning at or near Concord Meeting House to Brownville returned into court a return that they had marked out the contemplate road beginning at the Johnson County line near Concord Meeting House from thence to William Barton's, thence to Thomas Jones' on the Golconda Road thence north said road to John Bradshaw's from thence to Boyel Billingsly thence with the old Brownsville Road to John Lopes on Drewry's Creek and from thence north the old Brownsville Road to where it intersects with the road leading from Jonesborough to Brownsville near Laymers old horse mill. Ordered that John Bradshaw be appointed Supervisor of the road leading from the Johnson County line to the road leading from Jonesborough to Brownsville intersecting the said road at Laymer's old horse mill. Commencing at the ford of Cash and working to Boyal Billingly and all the hands living south of the road leading from Jonesborough to Bradstown and all living south of Patterson's old horse mill and John Finney's and living within five miles of road.
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY ORGANIZED Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter June 22, 1824 Communicated Agreeably to previous notice, the Rev. J. M. Peck, agent for the American Bible Society, after having delivered a very appropriate sermon at the Court House in Jonesborough, Illinois, to a very large audience, called the citizens to expediency of establishing an Auxiliary Bible Society in Union County. Col. A. P. Field was called to the chair and Dr. Ben. W. Brooks appointed Secretary. When Mr. Peck gave a very splendid and satisfactory explanation of the general objects and utility of each auxiliary societies for the promotion of the Gospel and for the purpose of diffusing the Holy Scriptures to those who were destitute of that inestimable work. A constitution was drafted on motion of the Rev. J. P. Edwards it was read by sections and unanimously adopted. The following gentlemen were then appointed to fill the several offices in the Society, viz: Dr. B. W. Brooks President, and Messrs Wm. Echols & A. P. Field first and second Vice Presidents. The Rev. J. P. Edwards Secretary, Capt. John McIntosh Treasurer, and Messrs. J. Holmes, James S. Smith, S. Hunsucker, John Hunsucker, Jeremiah Brown, David Brown, and George Smiley, Directors. On motion of Mr. Edwards it was Resolved that the officers and Directors of the Society hold their first meeting on Tuesday the 24th inst. On motion of Mr. Edwards it is Resolved that a copy of these proceedings be sent to the Kaskaskia Republican for publication. The meeting then adjourned until the 24th inst. S. P. FIELD, ch’m B. W. BROOKS, Sec. Jonesborough, June 17, 1824 (Kaskaskia Republican, Kaskaskia, Illinois, June 22, 1824)
SAD MORTALITY
St. Louis Republican, July 16, 1850 We have before us a letter written
by George R. Bradley, and dated Liberty, June 21st. The writer
says that his wagon, to which were attached his brother and himself,
from Union County, Ill., H. J. Ostetter, from Chester, Ill., and two of
the MacDills, from Union county, Ill., left Independence in a company
of twenty seven persons, on the 11th of June. When one day out,
one of the company was attacked with the cholera; on the third day they
were stopped by the cholera and small-pox breaking out amongst them;
they remained encamped two days during which they lost ten men.
Next day the men were so alarmed that they proposed to turn back,
and the resolution was adopted almost unanimously. On the return
route there were seven more deaths before they reached Independence,
where the company separated--only 10 of the 27 surviving. They
left everything behind them except their mules. (Transcribed by
A. Newell)
LETTER FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 1 Jul 1859:
Springfield, Ill., June 20, 1859, Dear Sir: On Saturday night, just after dark, we had a violent thunder storm, during its passage, the lightning struck a chimney on the North side of the Public Square, passed down the flue through a stone pipe into the third story and struck the floor, right under the chair on which Dr. Condon of Jonesboro was sitting, tore up the planks of the floor right under the chair, the plastering below and passed out on a joist. Two gentlemen were on the roof of the house at the moment, trying to stop some leaks, one at the distance of thirty feet and the other at the distance of fifteen feet from the chimney stricken. Capt. Corder was also in an adjoining room to the one in which Dr. Condon was sitting. The question of Dr. Condon's escape unharmed and without even feeling a shock from the electric stroke, created no little wonder and astonishment. We were all glad enough that the doctor was not hurt, but to account for his escape under the circumstances was the mooted question. It turned out upon inquiry that the man on the top of the house, at the distance of thirty feet was knocked down, as well as the one at the distance of fifteen feet. Dr. Condon explained his escape upon the ground that he is bald headed, and had his feet resting at the time on a desk immediately in front of his chair. But this reason was not considered good by many. At length Capt. Corder was applied to for an opinion, and after a few minutes investigation into the facts and a view of the injury done to the house and the course of the lightning, accounted for the seemingly miraculously escape of Dr. Condon upon the most rational and satisfactory grounds, consisted as he said with the laws of nature themselves. The man knocked down at the distance of thirty feet is a Black Republican, the other gentleman knocked down at the distance of fifteen feet is a Douglas man. Dr. Condon is a strong Buchanan man. The politics of the Dr. saved him, and on further evidence of the fact, the Captain stated, that he (a Buchaneer) was in an adjoining room , did not so much as hear the report of the lightning. In thus solving a most difficult question, in a manner so satisfactory to all present, the Captain proceeded to remark that the righteous under the first dispensation were preserved from the jaws of the beast, the most ferocious flood and fire, as in the case of Noah and his family, Daniel and the three Hebrew children, all of whom were surely persecuted and despitefully used, but in these last days, the righteous and all those who have kept the faith once delivered to Jefferson, are secure from harm, from the very thunderbolts of heaven. He proceeded to exhort the people present to turn from the error of their ways, close in at once with the offers of pardon by the "Nationals" and thus had temporal security from the awful destructive agents with which the wicked are surrounded. The wonderful escape of Dr. Condon and the fearful admonition to the Black Republicans and Douglants, he said were quite sufficient to satisfy all hands of a providential interposition in saving the righteous and scourging the wicked. PHIZ --The Cairo Weekly Times and Delta, July 1, 1859; transcribed by Darrel Dexter. COTTON SHIPMENT FROM UNION COUNTY
Lowell Daily Citizen and News, January 28, 1862 The first shipment of cotton from Union County, Ill., was made on Friday last.
The shipment, consisting of eight bales, was made to Philadelphia. (Transcribed by A. Newell) STATE VS. WILLIAM L. DOUGHERTY Transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter State of Illinois) In vacation before the undersigned County Judge County of Union ) on the 15 day of February A D 1864 The people of the State of Illinois ) Vs ) Insanity William L. Dougherty ) An application of John Dougherty of Union County and State aforesaid the Father of the said William L. Dougherty a jury was ordered to try the alleged insanity of said William L. Dougherty. And now on this day comes a jury to wit H. C. Hacker M.D., M. M. Goodman M. D., Daniel Hileman, G. W. Williams, Alison Cover, and William Kimmel who being empaneled and sworn well and truly to try the alleged insanity of the said William L. Dougherty, who after hearing the testimony upon their oaths returned the following verdict to wit. State of Ills. ) SS Union Co. ) We the undersigned jurors in the case of William L. Dougherty alleged to be Insane having heard the evidence in the case are satisfied that the said William L. Dougherty is insane and a fit person to be sent to the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane, that he is a resident of the State of Illinois and County of Union that his age is thirty four years that his disease is of fifteen months duration that the cause is supposed to be intemperance and exposure that the disease is not hereditary that he is not subject to epilepsy and that he is free from vermin or any infectious disease H. C. Hacker M. D. M. M. Goodman M. D. Daniel Hileman G. W. Williams Alison Cover William Kimmel Thomas Hileman Co. Judge (Union County Commissioners Minutes, March 9, 1864, 624) FIVE DOZEN EGGS AT ONE SITTING A
correspondent writing from Dongola, informs us that Dr. Henry
Harmes—known as a Dutch Doctor actually consumed five dozen raw eggs at
one sitting—the entire operation being over in less than half an hour.
That man can beat any dog we ever saw sucking eggs. (Cairo Daily Democrat, 13 Jan 1867; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
We learn
the particulars of a brutal attack upon the person of a quiet and
unoffending citizen in the lower Bottom, in this County, on Monday night last. About midnight three fiends in the human shape entered the dwelling house of Noah Medlin and began beating him in the most fearful manner, lacerating and bruising his head and shoulders
shockingly, and rendering their victim quiet insensible. After
gratifying their fiendish maliguity the villians left the premises and
as it was dark the wife of Mr. Medlin could not identify them. The most
singular part of the affair is that Mr. Medlin has had no difficulty
nor misunderstanding with any one, and was not aware that he had a
personal enemy in the neighborhood, and was known not to have any mony
about his premises. We learn he is now convalescent and with proper
care will recover.
(Source: 19 Jan 1867 Jonesboro Gazette, transcribed from microfilm at SIU Carbondale; contributed by Bill Medlin.)
Rev. P. H. Kroh, of the German Reformed Church, Jonesboro, Union
County, recently instituted proceedings against the Rev. D. Sprecher,
of the Lutheran Church, of the same place, for slander laying his
damages at ten thousand dollars. The affair excited considerable
comment among the citizens of Union County, and the probable trial of
the cause during the recent term of the Union Circuit Court called out
an unusual concourse of people. Before the case was called for
trial, however, the matter was compromised, each party paying his own
costs. Mulkey and Albright were attorneys for the complainant,
and John Dougherty for the defendant.
(Source: Cairo Daily Democrat, Sunday, 26 May 1867; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.)
The dwelling house of Mrs. Henry Cruse, Sr., was burned on Monday
night, last. A torch was found near the premises, which shows
clearly that the fire was the work of an incendiary. Mr. Baygot
and family and Mrs. Cruse who occupied the building, saved most of
their furniture, clothing, &c., so that the only loss was that of
the building which amounted to about $500.
(Source: Cairo Daily Democrat, Thursday, 4 Jul 1867; transcribed by Darrel Dexter)
One of the band of "horse tamers," that are patrolling the country, was
arrested by Sheriff Rich at Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday last, on the charge
of causing the death of a fine stallion belonging to Jesse Peeler, of
Dongola. They gave security to Modglin & Co., who bailed them
in the sum of $400 for their appearance at Court. --Cairo Daily
Times, Dec 12, 1868; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
CLASSIC COBDEN The grand old hills, the forest of
fruit trees—or something else, had the effect of domiciling in
and about the neighboring village of Cobden, several literary
characters of rather enviable repute. "Kate Neville," formerly a
correspondent of Willis’ Home Journal and upon whom that
gentleman bestowed frequent compliments, lost her identify by marriage
several years ago, and is now located somewhere in that vicinity.
Miss Laura Evans, authoress of several works of merit, has located, or is about to locate there, with her widowed mother. Mrs. Lizzie Gow, authoress of the Children of the Frontier, and an artist of fair reputation, has a cozy house in that neighborhood, but is, just now, applying herself to the brush and pencil in Chicago. Other littérateurs of less fame swell the number of Cobdenites, the whole rendering the locality the "Stratford-on-Avon" of lower Egypt. --Cairo Bulletin, March 1, 1869; transcribed by Darrel Dexter. (Note: Nathaniel Parker Willis began editing the weekly Home Journal in 1846. Lizzie E. Baker Gow married David Gow on 20 Sep 1860, in Union Co., Ill., but they were divorced on 10 Sep 1878. He was accused of bastardy and was tried in Jackson Co., Ill., and he alleged that she deserted him. Lizzie was born in 1839 in Michigan, according to the 1870 census of Casper Precinct, Union Co., Ill.) STEAM BARREL FACTORY Morning Republican, Aug. 23, 1869 A steam barrel factory that turns off from one thousand to twelve hundred barrels per week, A CONTEST IN THE DARK The Inter Ocean, May 16, 1874 A Desperate Fight With a Burglar at Cobden, Ill--The Assailed and Assailant Wounded Cobden, Union Co., Ill--May 11, 1874--On Friday night, May 8, the house of Mr. Edward Beale was entered by a burglar, and robbery and murder attempted. The circumstances were as follows: At about 2 o'clock a.m. Mrs. Beale was awakened by a noise at a window in an adjoining room. Supposing a window had been left open, she got up and started to close it. Passing a door she observed it to be ajar, and in the aperture could just distinguish a man's face by the faint light in the room. She retreated to the bed, and placing her head under the bed clothing succeeded in awakening her husband without his giving any alarm. He immediately took a revolver and started for the door. He began searching the room and soon touched some one with his hand, but being awake for only so short a time, he was not accustomed to the darkness, and the burglar escaped him. Groping a little further, he ran against him and being by this time more accustomed to the dark, succeeded in grasping him by the right arm. Supposing he held his left, Beale aimed where he thought his chest would be, and fired, and of course missed, for the shot went to one side, and was afterward found buried in a picture frame. A scuffle ensued, in which Mr. Beale succeeded in partly throwing his antagonist, but received a stunning blow on the head, the burglar at the same time pulling away from him, remarking, "Stop firing, Beale, or I will hurt you." Whereupon Beale fired the second time and closed in with his antagonist, who returned the fire, but in the scuffle the pistol was depressed and the ball passed through the floor. Mr. Beale then tired to get the man by the hair and so secure him, but his hair being short, did not afford his sufficient hold, and again the robber escaped. Failing to secure him, Beale again raised his revolver, and in doing so struck against the pistol of the robber and both fired at about the same time. The robber's ball struck Beale in the breast. Passing through a rib and around the lungs, it lodged somewhere in his back. Beale's ball entered some part of the robber's body or clothes, for it could not be found. By this time the combatants were near the front of the house, and Mrs. B., who had given the alarm, succeeded in lighting a lamp, but could not get a good view of the party, as he made a hasty exit from the house and a rapid retreat to the street, closely followed by Beale. Unfortunately his revolver was empty, and he could not improve the better light. The robber ran rapidly up the street and was soon beyond pursuit. The first intimation Mr. Beale had of his wound was upon finding his night-shirt burning, having taken fire from the flash of the pistol. Medical aid was soon at the house, and all that was possible done for the patient, who is now in a critical condition. Nothing could exceed the persistency and determination with which Beale followed up his antagonist, whom he did not recognize, as he only spoke once. All the description he could give of him was that he was short and thick set with short hair. Mr. Beale's brother, who is also his partner in business, immediately offered a reward of $50 for the arrest of the would-be assassin, who is still at large. Mr. Beale and wife were but newly married, and had just begun housekeeping in a new house. (Transcribed by A. Newell)
The Jonesboro Gazette of yesterday says: An attempt was made to
kill Dr. McCall, who lives in Stokes Precinct, in this county, on
Thursday night of last week. He had some difficulty with two brothers,
named Jones. They left Esq. Boswell's office in the evening together.
The Dr. says that after they had proceeded some distance, the Joneses
began shooting at him, one ball passing through his coat and shawl. He
saved his life by jumping from his house and running into the woods. He
returned the fire with effect. These shooting matches, at human
targets, are becoming epidemic. We would like to borrow Alexander
County's Sheriff a few days. Our sheriff is a steady goer, but is
not a rogue catcher and doesn't hold them after he gets them. The idea
of Jack Sides walking out of jail in broad day light don't reflect much
credit upon our officers. --Cairo Daily Bulletin, May 31, 1874;
transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
Mr. Adam Hunsacker, formerly of Union County, now in Utah, is visiting
friends and relatives in Union. Mr. Hunsacker rejoices in four
wives and forty children. --Cairo Daily Bulletin, Jan 12, 1875;
transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
CRIMINAL
A Jonesboro special to the St. Louis Republican of the 22d says:Great Excitement at Jonesboro—Arrest of Well-Known Citizens Charged with Attempted Murder and Robbery JONESBORO, January 21.—The usual quiet of this place was much disturbed today by the arrest of three of our citizens, charged with burglary of the house and brutal assault of the old German, John C. Schore, and his wife, on November 22d, particulars of which were telegraphed to the Republican at the time. The parties arrested are William Ballard, one of the proprietors of the marble yard; Fred Schaffer, a German and a barber by trade; and B. F. Treese, a man who does nothing in particular and who has figured in several bad operations. Detective James Finucan, an old Chicago officer, has been here some four weeks working up the case. A preliminary examination was commenced this afternoon before Justice Daniel P. Hileman, W. S. Day prosecuting attorney, and Col. P. R. Townes for the defense. STATEMENTS OF THE VICTIMS. The old German and his wife, who have recovered sufficiently to enable them to attend the trial, were first examined, but little could be learned from them, as their English is very broken. They told how on Tuesday morning, November 22, two men broke into their house and beat the old man senseless with an old wagon wheel spoke, and demanded money of the old woman; that after she had given them a roll of greenbacks, one of the men put his feet upon the neck of the old man and held him by the hair of the head for saying he had to have the money to pay for a new house, while the other ransacked the house for gold and silver, which they found and carried off. The amount was some $300. THOMAS BENNETT’S EVIDENCE. The most important witness called was Thomas Bennett, a day laborer, who testified that he was 25 years of age and married, but did not live with his wife; he had lived in Illinois since 1866; said that on the night of November 21 he was out on a lark and that sometime between the hours of 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock of the morning of the 22d, he was going along through the woods near the residence of Schore, one mile west of town, when he saw three men coming along the road and that they stopped in front of the old German’s house; he also stopped and heard one of the party, whom he says was Treese, say, “Boys, we’ll have to make a rush; the dogs will bite us,” and that they made for the door, burst it open and two went inside, while one stayed outside to watch. He heard the old couple cry out in alarm and then in pain, and heard the man outside, whom he says was Schafer, tell the other men “Don’t hurt the old folks.” SCHAFFER is a relative of Schore. They came out, said Bennett, in a few moments, took off their disguise and started toward town. He followed closely and saw them go behind a corncrib on Treese’s place, in the edge of the town, it is supposed, to divide the spoils. Treese then went into the house. Bennett followed the other two into town and saw Ballard go into his house and Schaffer go towards home. Witness then said he went to a sawmill, west of town some five miles, to work. He stated that he had not told what he knew before because he was afraid of his life. On yesterday he told what he knew for the first time, to Detective Finucan. TESTIMONY OF DANIEL MOORE. Daniel Moore, a lad of some eighteen years, testified that Mrs. Schore crawled to their house on the morning after the robbery and gave the alarm; that he followed the trail of the robbers to the vicinity of Ballard’s house; that he went to Schaffer’s house to tell him of the affair, and that he was wanted. It was then 7 o’clock or later, and Schaffer had not yet got up, something unusual, as he is always up town early, as he was then running a saloon. The court then adjourned until 8 o’clock tomorrow morning. The accused are under guard and excitement is intense. --Cairo Daily Bulletin, Jan 23, 1878; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
A fire broke out in the courthouse at Jonesboro, on Saturday night
last. The fire caught, it was thought from a cigar stump thrown
into a box of dry sawdust which was around one of the stoves in the
courtroom, on the second floor immediately over the sheriff’s
office. The fire had burned through the floor and the flames were
spreading rapidly when discovered about 9 o'clock at night. By
the active exertions of the citizens the fire was subdued, and the
courthouse saved. Considerable damage was done to the records,
papers, furniture, etc. besides the building amounting in all to less
than a thousand dollars. --Cairo Daily Bulletin, Apr 13, 1878;
transcribed by Darrel Dexter.
A BRUTAL MURDER IN UNION COUNTY, ILL. The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 13, 1880 Chicago, April 12--A special dispatch from Anna, Ill., to the Times says that James M. McIntire, an old and respected citizen of the southeastern portion of Union County, was found dead in a field three-quarters of a mile from his house, with his gun by his side and his hunting knife thrust through his throat. The body was so arranged as to give the impression that he had committed suicide, but on examination it was found he had been shot through the back of the head. An old enemy, McIntire was known to have, was an uncle with whom he had quarreled concerning the uncle's wronging the murdered man's daughter. (Transcribed by A. Newell)
Correspondence Column Contributed by Anna Shelton. Go to Neibauer for clothing.
See Mrs. McCallen about getting a hat for your wife. A.
Woodward is Santa Claus head quarters. See his big line of nice
things before you buy. He has a full line of candies and oranges,
and asks for your patronage. --From the Cairo Weekly Citizen,
Thursday, December 22, 1892.
AMOS POOLE KILLS HIMSELF The Daily Inter Ocean, May 21, 1895 Cobden, Ill.--May 20--Amos Poole,
one of the oldest and wealthiest farmers in this community, committed
suicide today. Mr. Poole was in his eighty-second year, and was
getting very feeble. His sons, of Chicago, who are proprietors of
an extensive railroad printing establishment in that city, had tried to
get their father to leave his farm and come to Chicago and live with
them, but he did not relish the idea, and it is supposed grief
over...(the rest is missing) (Transcribed by A. Newell)
SHOT DOWN IN HIS HOME
Farmer Coulter Brutally Assassinated Near Cobden, Ill. Daily Inter Ocean, Nov 6, 1895 Jonesboro, Ill., Nov. 5--J. B.
Coulter, a prominent farmer and fruit grower, living near Cobden, in
this county, was assassinated about 7 o'clock last night. His
brains were blown out with his own shotgun. He was alone in his
house at the time of the tragedy, and the assassin evidently entered,
picked up the gun, and shot him as he sat in his chair reading.
He was about 60 years old and well to do. There is no clew
(clue) to the murderer. (Transcribed by A. Newell)
St. Louis Republic, Sept. 5, 1896 Attorney E. P. Harman of Cobden, Ill., Arrested and Jailed at Jonesboro, Ill. Cobden, Ill., Sept. 4--E. P. Harman, an attorney at law and prosecuting attorney for this city, was arrested today for embezzling $361 he had collected for other parties. He waived examination, and, in default of bond, he was sent to jail in Jonesboro, Ill. He claims to have lost the money gambling with card sharks in Carbondale, Ill. (Transcribed by A. Newell) SAID THEY TALKED FOR BRYAN The Wheeling Register, Sept. 23, 1896 Track-Layers at Cobden, Ill., Claim to Have Received Summary Dismissal Cobden, Ills., September 22--James Davis, William Wilker, Thomas Smith and Charles Fuller, residents of this place, employed as track-layers by the contractors laying the steel of the new double track of the Illinois Central between Makanda and Dongola, were notified this morning by their foreman, McCoy, to report to him and receive checks for their time. Twelve non-resident laborers received the same notice. McCoy informed them that the only reason that he could give for their dismissal was that they were advocating the cause of Bryan and free silver too freely. Their places were promptly filled by Italians. As soon as the news reached this place the Bryan followers became very angry and excitement is at fever heat tonight. (Transcribed by A. Newell) DRAGGED FIVE MILES The St Louis Republic, February 13, 1899 Virgil I. Grubbs, a Brakeman Was Killed Near Cobden, Ill. Cobden, Ill., Feb. 12--Virgil I. Grubbs Centrailia, an Illinois Central brakeman fell between the cars early this mroning ? miles north of here and was killed. The body was dragged five miles, and the postion of the arms, which were extended froward and frozen stiff, and the fact that there were only a few small bruises on the body, presents the theory that he was (illegible) during the five miles and clinging to trucks, benumbed by the cold, he dropped and was cut in two. (Transcribed by A. Newell) |
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