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Jersey County Page Newspapers
Examiner 1880-1899
Variously titled: Examiner, Jerseyville Examiner, Republican Examiner
1881
Republican Examiner, January 21, 1881
ST. LOUIS, JERSEYVILLE, AND SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. The following persons subscribed money for the St. Louis, Jerseyville, and Springfield Railroad.
Jersey Township: Wm. H. Fulkerson, Hugh N. Cross, Oliver R. Powel, Henry C. Massey, Morrie R. Locke, Samuel Bothwell, Wallace Leigh, Horatio N. Belt, A. Wilson Cross, George Egeloff, Augustive K. VanHorne, Robert Newton, Edward A. Cory, George W. Burke, Wm. C. Stryker, John A. Cory, James M. Young, James L. Seago, Charles H. Voorhees, Wm. R. Seago, Henry C. Harmon, Edward L. H. Barry, Abram A. Shobe, Nicholas F. Smith Jr., John Flamm, Lloyd T. English, Henry Z. Gill, Prentice D. Cheney, Oscar Landon, John B. Voorhees, John N. English Jr., Geo. W. Herdman, Oscar B. Hamilton, Wm. McBride, John W. Lowe, Wm. H. Reed, Wm. R. Robertson, Adams A. Goodrich, Oliver S. Randolph, Ziba Noble, Theodore S. Chapman, Wm. H. Houghtlin, Peter R. Parsell, Benj. C. Vanderboort, John L.C. Richards, Lipe & Holmes, Charles Jacobs, Charles H. Kirby, Andrew W. Christy, Myers & Brown, Lott Pennington, Caleb A. Post, Lebbeus L. Kirby, Jerry OLaughlin, James c. Baldridge Jr., Henry O. Goodrich, Theo. D. Remer, Joe M. Page, Rupert H. Claridge, Patrick Harrington, John C. Darby, Fred J. Bertman Jr., Wm. Fletcher, Frank X. Schattgen, Wm. H. McDow, Augustus H. Barrett, Geo. W. Perrings, Wm. H. Pogue, Smith & Warren, Ed. A. Hamilton, Jesse I. McGready, James S. Daniels, Robert T. Brock, Marcus E. Bagley, Francis R. Dutton, Geo. F. Scribner, Alex F. Pitt, Chas. W. Keith, John Powell, Patrick Dunphy, John W. Clark, Geo. W. Ely, Wm. M. Jackson, Chas. W. Enos, John W. Vinson, James A. Locke, Joseph Salter Jr., Chas. N. Adams, James M. Finch, Remig Hund, Henry Delling, Thos. J. McReynolds, Benj. W. Akard, Richard I. Lowe, Wm. D. Landon, John N. English Sr., Fred Hartman, James Harwick, Daniel C. Williams, Caleb Noble, Amos Perrings, Henry Nevins, Adarondis J. Foster, H. Scheffer & Son, James Eads, Levi H. Haliday, Wm. S. Ross, Silas Bates
Jersey Landing: Mrs. Lucy V. S. Ames, Mrs. Isabella Jones, Ashley D. Scott, Mrs. Bertha Keller
Fidelity: Isaac McCollister, Samuel Rich, Josiah Vaughn, Wm. H. Armstrong, Emma Dennison, Chas. H. Garretson, Wm. Bowker, Henry Turner, Patrick Powers, Garret R. Garretson, Thomas C. Watson, Isaac R. Ely, David P. Pritchett, Thomas Mercer, James C. Frost, George I. Ely, Wm. T. Ely, John T. Kramer, Adolph Rodell, Ada M. Slayes, Mrs. Grosjean, Daniel Sterratt, Warren Christopher, Charles Roemig, A.F. Ely, Ed W. Dodge, Thomas R. Aydelotte, Thomas R. Smith, Benj. Foster
Otterville: Wm. McAdams Sr., Marion McDow, R. T. Curtis, Samuel C. Ellis, Benj. F. Waggoner, Jesse K. Cadwalader, James Spostal, John W. Sisson, Geo. W. Stamps, Linus Humiston, Arthur H. Hnumiston, Wm. H. Dunagan, Allen M. Slaten, Wm. McDow, Hiram White, Thomas J. Terry, Reuben N. Curtis, Nathan F. Gorwin, Henry C. Terry, James R. Bell, Edward D. Howard, Silas W. Rogers, Samuel J. M. Dougherty
Grafton: Martin Flanigan, Frank Rippley, Frederick Steinman, Francis Marshall, Daniel Kaslick, Daniel Noble, James B. Beitch, Emmor Brinton, Geo. Newton Slaten, J M & H C Allen, David Barker, Mysenburg & Stafford, Earnest W Zimmerman, John Hart, James Dougherty, W. S. Dempsey, W. H. Allen Jr., Brook Stafford, Wm. S. Brinton, Chas. Brainard, S. P. Dinsmoor, E. L. Herriott, W. F. Slaten, Grafton Quarry Co., J. M. Allen
Republican Examiner, February, 1881
Fidelity. The following persons attended the last ball of the season at Fidelity Friday night. All of whom were dressed in calico costume, as they tripped the light fantastic first upon the heel and then upon the toe! The oyster supper was superb, presided over by Mrs. James C. Frost. The manager seemed to be Charley Frost and right well did he hold the reins
Julia Grubb, Maggie Christopher, John Searls, Ella Craig, Nellie Corzine, Chas. Dannell, Tina Dannell, Lillie Flatt, Chas. Flatt, Docia Rhoads, Mrs. Mary Flatt, Hugh Van Horne, Caddie Christopher, Henry Johnson, Will Hammel, Fannie Frost, C.S. Frost, Charles Eaton, Sallie Kirby, Harry Armstrong, Harry Eaton, Ruey Orr, Chas. Stratton, Perry Pritchert, Mrs. Hannah Christopher, Tom Smith, John F. Christopher, Mrs. Wealthis Dannell, G. Frost, Judge O.P. Powel, Mrs. Nora Christopher, Gid Reed, Daug Stanley, Rosa Eaton, Wil Cadel, Wes Cockrell, Bertie Eaton, Frank Dannell, Henry Rhoady, Ead Hartwich, Chas. Hinkle, Joel Stone, Ella Hartwick, Ada & Becca Frost, W. H. Stone, Akkie Watson, Geo. & Martha Washington, J. H. Stump, Julia Grosjean, Chick Whitfield, Harry Christopher, Jennis Field, Elmer Simpson, Hugh Moore, Lizie Beatty, Mason Simpson, Perry Furgeson, Deb Leach, Emma Hartwick, Murry Vorhees, Mrs. Mary Smith, Henry Craig, Will Clower, Lib Prothero, Eli Cooper, Al Christopher, Kate Flannagan, E.S. Ames, G./ Craig, Mrs. Joseph Wright, Will Kirby, James Lovegrove, Carrie & Libbie Craig, Will Frost, S.S. Stone, Nettie Stanley, D. Leach, James Styrratt, Libbie Ely, Geo. Watson, Chas. Corzine, Vasco Sherman
Republican Examiner, June 17, 1881
Mr. John Bridges, of this place, was summoned to Raymond, Ill. On Sunday last by telegram which stated that his sister, Mrs. Jane Criswell, of that place had been killed by a passing train. We glean the following particulars of the sad accident from Tuesdays Globe-Democrat: Mr. Alfred Criswell, with his family, was in town attending the meeting at the Tabernacle, starting home about 11 oclock. When within a few rods of the crossing on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railroad, he heard the whistle of the Chicago express train. Knowing the distance to the whistle post, he supposed he would have plenty of time to cross safely, and would if the train was running at the legal rate. He made the attempt, but the train was running at the rate of thirty miles per hour and just as the horses got on the track the train struck the horses and the front end of the wagon, instantly killing Mrs. Criswell, her babe (2 years old) and two nephews, aged respectively 8 and 15 years; also one horse. Mrs. Criswell was born and reared in this county. The two nephews killed were the children of Ben Cartwright, deceased.
1882
Republican Examiner, January 27, 1882
Mrs. Eliza White died Jan. 17, 1882, aged 74 yrs. Her husband, Josiah was one of the first settlers in the township, coming here in 1834 or earlier.
Republican Examiner, February 17, 1882
The new Baptist bell was placed in position Sat. afternoon and by way of initiation, was rung nearly a solid hour. Hundreds of people blocked up the side walks around the new church and all united in pronouncing the bell A No. 1.
March 1882. The Antioch Baptist church three miles southwest of here, has for years been burdened with a debt of $300. During the last three or four years, the crops in that region have been mainly a failure so that the members have not been able to meet the interest. Last week Robert Latham, living six miles ne of Jerseyville, paid the note and interest, in all $400 and presented the note to the church.
Otterville March 1882. Masonic Lodge officers: N. T. Rogers, Jesse K. Cadwallader, Abner S. Swartzwelter, I. C. Noble, J. L. Giers, H. D. Terry, W. Danders.
March 31, 1882. Most of the stone for the Pres. Church is now ready at Grafton.
March 31, 1882. Col. Fulkerson, stalwart Democrat, says he wont run on any ticket for office. He says he would rather see the fire burn than to poke it.
Republican Examiner, April 1882
In the fall of 1854 the writer, by Episcopal authority on marching orders given at Mr. Vernon, Illinois, packed up his goods and chattels and, leaving Greenville, Bond County, found his home for the next ecclesiastical year in the Methodist parsonage, in the new station of Jerseyville. Our first stopping place was under the hospitable roof of J.F. Smith who, with his companion “Aunt Sallie” and four children in their teens, made our stay of a few days a very pleasant period in the introductory of our conference year. The people who were new to us, were found to be generous, impulsive and wholehearted. They were good or bad in earnest, going one way or the other impetuously, and withal were a class of persons exceedingly interesting to ministers and reformers, as presenting material that might be fashioned to be of great use in the structure of future churches, and the organization of good society. Many of those who were strong and active in church work of that day are gone. Among those we call to mind who were the working members of the M.E. Church of 54 are George Wharton, L. Cowen, F. Osborne, J.F. Smith, Samuel Pittman, John Cowen, N. Shafer, John Christopher, Lambson Williams, B.C. Clayton, J.H. Maupin, Charles Adams, and William Springate. These, with many pious women, did much to build up the church and make it what it has been in later years. During the revival of the winter of 54 and 55 there came into the church J.D. Gillham, Goerge Compton, Benjamin Swayse, Gil Cheney, John C. Van Pelt, Balfour Cowen, Joseph G. Marston, Mr. Cadman, Daniel McFain, with many children and young ladies, who proved to be important acquisitions to the membership, with many whose names are forgotten, or could not be mentioned in so brief a sketch as this. The preceding pastor was A.L. Risley, who was an old, sound and able minister, who had sown the seed that sprang up so soon and bore abundant fruit to be garnered by a mere novice in the pastorate. So true it is, one soweth and another reapeth and that “He sendeth us to reap that whereon we bestowed to labor.” Many efficient temperance workers represented this reform, Sons of Temperance in those days. There was Morean, Knapp, McGill, Smith, Osborn, Clayton, Wharton, Rues, and many others. The Sons had one of the most propserous lodges here that ever flourished in this part of Illinois. They owned a fine building for those times, a two story structure near the Methodist Church, and were possessed of ample resources for aggressive work. J.W. Caldwell
Republican Examiner, September 6, 1882
Josiah H. White, Esq., of San Francisco, Cal., formerly County surveyor of Little Jersey, is reported to be a millionaire at last. His mining interests are said to be yielding him $20,000 a month.
1883
Republican Examiner, September 23, 1883
COON HUNTING IN JERSEY COUNTY
Coon hunting in McFain Bottoms during the winters of 64, 65, and 66, was very remunerative, as well as enjoyable. At the time of which I write, the Civil War was at its highest; all able-bodied men who were not too old, were off to the front, leaving no one at home but the boys. In this event games of all kinds became abundant. It was no trouble with good dogs to bag in a night a dozen coons. Raw coon pelts were eagerly sought at $1 each; mink, $3; muskrat, 60 and 75 cents.
During the winter, 65 and 66, John Shepard and the writer formed a partnership for the purpose of carrying on a general warfare against all fur bearing animals, Shepard furnished an old spotted dog, Jake, and I making up my moiety with an old and ever reliable Springfield musket, and some experience. Being thus equipped, we were indeed formidable enough to strike terror and dismay to anything that wore hair, as Jack expressed it.
One misty night in the latter part of September (the fur being good in any month having the letter R in), we loaded our fusee and started for the bottoms, some two miles distant. We were in exuberant spirits and visions of coon hides danced oer our minds as we proceeded. We were crossing a corn field, when old Jake struck a trail. Some unsophisticated Alexander may say hum! The idear of a good dog barking on the trail. To all such let me here remark that it is not a commendable trait, but I have seen too many excellent dogs yell on the trail. Well, the trail became hot, and Jake was putting in good licks, when all of a sudden we heard him come to bay.
Jack, I said, What now?
Why, it is easily explained, he said, that coon has crossed a small branch and Jake doesnt like water. Hark, hear the splash, he has jumped in.
The branch was not wide, but the banks were precipitous, and we had to go farther down, so we started on a full trot, as we could in the meantime hear Jakes old familiar signal, half a mile away to the west of us.
Dark! Why it was as dark as the inside of a cow, with the underbrush striking us in the face at every step. After some difficulty we reached the opposite bank. Here the ground was more open and our progress was very good considering the darkness. Finally we reached the tree. It was a large bushy pin-oak, some three feet in diameter. Here an obstacle presented itself, the tree was too bushy to climb, and we did not wish to cut it, as the owner was a friend of ours. Se we lighted our torch and tried to locate Mr. Coon. But in this we were doomed to disappointment.
Hold, Bob, said Jack, I will show you a Yankee trick.
How, I interrogated.
Never you mind now, just boost me up this pecan, and Ill show you.
Well, said I, I will assist you, but I fail to see what harm it will do to his coonship.
With my assistance, Jack was soon up some thirty feet in a small pecan tree, which stood in close proximity to the one which the coon had taken refuge. Having climbed as far as necessary, he hollowed my to be quiet. Then taking a small tin horn he blew a loud blast, which reverberated against the bluffs. Blazes, Jack, that is foolishness; and wont hurt him.
Just then he blew again, and out came the coon striking the ground with a dull, heavy thud. No sooner had he struck terra firma than old Jake embraced him firmly, but not fondly, by the throat, and dispatched him ere Jack got down.
Well, Jack, that is indeed a new wrinkle in my horn. Where did you tumble on it?
Just by accident. One day, when fox hunting, the hounds treed a coon, and trying several expedients, I took my horn and blew it with the same result as you have just witnessed. Since that day I never hunt coons without my horn.
Stowing our late acquisition (after taking his integument off first) in a sack provided for that purpose, we hollowed Jake to hunt em up. We started toward Coon Creek, a small tributary to the Illinois River, which rises in what are vulgarly called Yahoo Mountains, and flows due west and empties into the Illinois River. By this time we were in the heart of good hunting grounds. We had not gone far when Jake put up the biggest coon I ever saw, in an old stump, which Jack shot without any trouble. We rested a while and started again.
The next coon treed, was up a big sycamore, leaning over some water. Jack said he saw it, but I insisted that it wasnt but a squirrels nest.
Jack said, No sir, you never saw a squirrels nest in a sycamore, and to be honest, I have never yet been able to contradict Jacks statement. Why this should be so is a question for scientists to settle, not I.
Well, Jack said, to satisfy you that I am right, I will give the object you think a nest a dose of number four shot, and see how they operate.
At the crack of the gun, down came a coon. A very fine specimen he was, too.
Our next raise was a double. Up one tree, a small water birch, I shot one and jack used the horn again with good results. This made our bag five coons, or the equivalent of five dollars, which looked quite big to us, I assure you.
Written by Wandering Jew in American Field, Jerseyville, Illinois.
ARRESTED AND LOCKED UP. The Hoodlum Gang Busted
William Fitzpatrick, Richard Heffron, John Fitzpatrick, Mike Toole and Mike Conner were brought before Judge Kirkpatrick Tuesday, by Officer Rowden, on complaint of neighbors, on a charge of disturbing the peace and each of the gang was fined $3 and costs, by this terrible Judge, except Richard Heffron, who was a good boy, but like old dog Tray, happened to be in bad company. Dick was let go on his good behavior; and is now a prisoner of war on parole of honor.
Pat Gibbons was wanted too, but could not be found; when the officer catches him he is to go to the lock up.
The oldest of the hoodlum gang is not above 16 years old, and Officer Rowden and the Terrible Judge did a good think in breaking up the gang. Their rendezvous was Capt. Smiths barn, near the C. & A. depot, where it was their custom to congregate and yell like Comanche Indians.
Written by Wandering Jew in American Field, Jerseyville, Illinois.
1884
Republican-Examiner, February 29, 1884
DRESSES FOR LITTLE BOYS
Boys of two years wear the English Princess dress, the same as that worn by girls of the same age, except that they are made shorter at the side seams. The lower part of the skirt is kilted. Linen, cashmere, sateens and percales are made in the same way; they are often made with three box plaits in the back, and with deep square collars and cuffs. Scotch ginghams, in small checks, large plaits and stripes are also pretty in this style of dress. The coat for these little fellows is a half long jacket, worn also by girls, and is made of red or blue cloth. Blue flannel, dark cashmere of gray, brown, blue and garnet, combined with checked cloths of light weight, are suitable for their spring dresses and for traveling, and also for country dresses for summer wear. They wear turbans and little polo caps of cloth or serge; the turbans are made of the same material as the dress with a puffed crown. Colored stockings for boys are ribbed and have white feet. For older boys English kilt dresses are worn altogether until they are eight or nine years of age, then the knickerbockers are put on. The kilt skirts have wider side plaits that formerly, or else box plaits. These skirts can be attached to a Silesia waist, or else the band of the skirt is buttoned onto the shirt waist of linen or percale. Their little jackets to be worn with these skirts are merely roundabouts. Norfolk jackets with tucks and box plaits in front and back, are also worn with these skirts. Sailor blouses are, if anything, looser and linger. Twilled woolens, shepards checks, linens and the Jersey webbings are all used for these suits. Suits, showing mixed threads of color and made with a belted Norfolk jacket and long black stockings are very stylish for boys from eight to twelve years of age. Dark blue, brown, green and black are the colors principally used. Velvets or velveteens are the choice for dressy suits for boys from two to nine years of age. The velvet jacket with the kilt is cut away and shows the vest beneath. Overcoats for boys are saque shape, with very deep collar and cuffs. From the Brooklyn Eagle.
Methodist Church, Jerseyville, February, 1884
Baptised by Rev. Van Treese, M E Church:
Mary Hill
Lizzie Lois Davis
Mary Eliz. Christopher
Mrs. Sarah Cole
Agnes Osborn
Eliz. Eva Gibbs
Lulu Myers
Ella Spriggs
Ida Barker
Henry Summers
Nancy Osborn
Josephine Smith
Silas Edgar Hamilton
Emma Briggs
Jennie Osborn
Olive Davis
Joseph Holcomb
Clarence Roy Cory
James Frederick McClure
Rachel Jenette Frost
Nellie Osborn
James Franklin Osborn
Mary Eliz. West
Republican Examiner, September 26, 1884
Reunion of 10th Il. Calvary regiment took place at Springfield, Il. on Sept. 22. A goodly number of the survivors of this regiment were present. Among them G. H. Sturdevant of our city who was a member of Company K.
1885
Republican Examiner, September 18, 1885
JACOB LURTON ORDINATION
The following is a true copy of the ordination parchment of Elder Jacob Lurton, the father of our highly respected fellow citizen, Judge Jacob Lurton, of Newbern, who has possession of the well-preserved parchment. Elder Jacob Lurton came to Madison. Co., Ill. In the spring of 1817, and very soon thereafter moved into the present limits of Jersey Co. where he died in 1832. He was a pioneer itinerant minister in Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Illinois for 40 years. He was a presiding elder eight years of that time:
Know All Men by These Presents, that I, Francis Asbury, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the protection of Almighty God, and with a single eye to his glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayer (being assisted by the Elders) did, on the day of the date hereof, set apart Jacob Lurton for the office of an Elder in the said Methodist Episcopal Church, a man whom we judge to be well qualified for that work; and to hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, as a proper person to administer baptism and the Lords Supper, and to feed the flock of Christ, so long as his spirit and practice are such as become the gospel. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this first day of August, One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two. Francis Asbury
1899
Republican Examiner, August 2, 1899
J. G. Ladd of Beatrice Neb., who will be remembered as the owner of the horse Counselor, which took third money in the free-for-all at the Jersey fair was here Wednesday on his way home from Hot Springs Ark., where he has been for rheumatism. Mr. Ladd informed us that he had quite a tussel with the disease that has come off victorious. He says he will be on hand at the next Jersey fair and dont you forget it.
Contributed by Marty Crull and his volunteers.
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