Produced by Barbara Kosker, Adrian Mastronardi and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) THE HISTORY OF PERU, BY HENRY S. BEEBE. PERU, ILLS. J.F. LINTON, PRINTER AND PUBLISHER. 1858. ERRATA. On page 7, it is mentioned, incidentally to the main fact--that H. P. Woodworth received 528 votes for the Legislature--that he was elected. This is an error. He was defeated, notwithstanding the large and almost unanimous vote he received in Peru. On mature reflection the writer concludes that he will mitigate his statement concerning the "breadth" of that cake of ice described on page 39. For "length and breadth" the reader will please substitute "extent"--this is positively all the abatement that can be made. On line 5, page 64, the word "upon" and on line 17, page 77, the word, "but" have intruded themselves very mysteriously. Please to consider them as omitted. With these emendations he commits his first-born to the waters of public approval or condemnation, begging for it all the indulgence which conscious incapacity can justly claim. INTRODUCTORY. It can hardly be said that a town of a population of three thousand six hundred and fifty-two souls, dating back but about twenty years to its first rude tenement and solitary family, can have any history. The events of any public interest are so few, and their importance so small, that no reasonable hope can be entertained that their recital will be any thing but a matter of indifference to others than the present or former residents, or those connected with them by ties of consanguinity, or having an interest in its advancement and prosperity. It is true that at some future time, the record may be useful to the historian, if it should be so fortunate as to survive. The statistics have been collected with care and considerable labor, and are believed to be correct and reliable. Beyond this the writer claims no merit for the work. The anecdotes and events related, not strictly statistical, have all transpired under his personal observation and knowledge, during a residence dating back to the embryo town. Most persons who have had the temerity to undertake the relation of cotemporary events, and to speak of cotemporary actors, have received more kicks than coppers for their pains. How far the writer will escape their general fate remains to be seen. Knowing the dangerous ground whereon he was treading, he has endeavored to confine himself to the simple relation of undisputed facts, abstaining from all comments and speculation thereon. He has not set himself up as a public censor or a public eulogist. It is not to be supposed that he has been without partisan and prejudiced views of public questions. These he has endeavored to suppress and to "render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsars." Nor has he undertaken to draw a rose colored picture for the benefit of Eastern Capitalists, or those seeking a home in the west--to throw bait to Gudgeons.--In fact, it will be admitted, that his picture is of the soberest and dullest kind of grey. Would that it could be here and there touched with lighter and more cheerful hues; but truth is inexorable, and demands the strictest loyalty from those who worship at her shrine. The people of Peru may be a little curious to know why a person, whose pursuits in life have been hitherto very far removed from those of a writer for the public eye, should have undertaken a task for which previous practice and experience have so little qualified him. He begs to assure them that it was entirely an accident--no literary ambition prompted him at all. To be sure he had heard that "'Tis pleasant sure to see one's name in print, And a book's a book although there's nothing in't," but that was not it. Having a little leisure, he had undertaken to gather and condense some statistics of the town for the publisher of a Directory of La Salle County. Having commenced the task he became interested therein, and extended his researches and remarks to a length quite too formidable for their original purpose. But he resolved not to hide his light under a bushel--hence the present infliction which he hopes will be borne with commendable fortitude. HISTORY OF PERU. CHAPTER I. Situation of the City--Its early Settlement and Settlers-- Passage of the Internal Improvement Act and Commencement of work on the Central Rail Road--Election of H. P. Woodworth to the Legislature--Election for Organization under the Borough Act--First Census--First Election of Trustees--First Religious Meeting. The City of Peru is situated in the Westerly part of La Salle County, Illinois, on the Northern bank of the Illinois River, at the head of Navigation, and at the Junction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Distance from Chicago 100 miles, and from Saint Louis 230. The territory embraced within the corporated limits, is Sec. 16 and 17, and all those fractional parts of 20 and 21, which lie north of the river, Town 33, Range 1, East of the Third Principal Meridian, comprising an area of 1462 Acres. The settlement of the site occupied by this City was commenced in the Spring of 1836, shortly after the passage of the act incorporating the Illinois and Michigan Central, which was to terminate at or near the mouth of the Little Vermilion, on land owned by the State. It was probably the most eligible site on lands owned by individuals. The Southwest quarter of Sec. 16 was laid out and sold by the School Commissioners in 1834, and called Peru. Ninawa Addition, located on the South East quarter of Sec. 17, and the North East fractional part of 20, upon which the most business part of Peru is at present situated, was owned originally by Lyman D. Brewster, who died in the fall of 1835. It was plated and recorded in 1836, by Theron D. Brewster, at present a leading and influential citizen. In 1835 the only residents of that portion of territory now occupied by the cities of Peru and La Salle were Lyman D. Brewster, his nephew T. D. BREWSTER, JOHN HAYS and family, PELTIAH and CALVIN BREWSTER, SAMUEL LAPSLEY and BURTON AYRES. In the Spring of 1835, the first building--a store--was erected in Peru by ULYSSES SPAULDING and H. L. KINNEY, late of Central American notoriety. On the 4th July 1836, the first shovel full of earth was excavated upon the Canal. No considerable population was attracted to the town until 1837. Among the people who made this place their home in that and the following years, were WM. RICHARDSON, J. P. JUDSON, S. LISLE SMITH and his brother DOCTOR SMITH, FLETCHER WEBSTER, DANIEL TOWNSEND, P. HALL, JAMES MULFORD, JAMES MYERS, WM. and CHAS. DRESSER, HARVEY WOOD, N. B. BULLOCK, JESSE PUGSLEY, EZRA MCKINZIE, NATHANIEL and ISAAC ABRAHAM, J. P. THOMPSON, JOHN HOFFMAN, C. H. CHARLES, ASA MANN, LUCIUS RUMRILL, CORNELIUS CAHILL, CORNELIUS COKELEY, DAVID DANA, ZIMRI LEWIS, DANIEL MCGIN, S. W. RAYMOND, GEO. B. MARTIN, WM. H. DAVIS, GEO. W. HOLLEY, GEO. LOW, M. MOTT, F. LEBEAU, A. HYATT, WARD B. BURNETT, O. C. MOTLEY, WM. PAUL, H. P. WOODWORTH, H. S. BEEBE, HARVEY LEONARD, &c. At the Session of the Legislature of 1836, the Internal Improvement act was passed, incorporating the Central Rail Road, which was subsequently located upon the same general route as is followed by the present Illinois Central Rail Road, crossing the river at Peru. Operations were commenced on both sides of the river in 1838. During this season very extensive improvements were made, large accessions of population took place, and the settlement began to assume the appearance of a town. In 1839 the whole country was on the top wave of prosperity. Large forces were employed upon both the Canal and Rail Road--numerous other works being contemplated, all terminating at Peru, of course--and the disbursements were large. The town shared the general prosperity. In this year H. P. WOODWORTH was elected [Transcriber's Note: Error, he was defeated, see Errata.] to the Legislature from La Salle County, which then embraced the present territory of Kendall and Grundy, receiving in Peru 528 votes, being the largest vote ever polled in the precinct, before or since. On the 6th of December 1838 the inhabitants assembled at the tavern of ZIMRI LEWIS, and organised a meeting by the appointment of H. S. BEEBE, Chairman, and J. B. JUDSON, Secretary, and voted to take the preliminary steps for organizing the town as a borough under the general Incorporation Act. At a census taken the same month there were found to be within the limits proposed to be embraced in the Borough, to wit: The South half of Section 16, the South East quarter of Section 17, and all that part of Section 20 lying North of the river--about one square mile. Males over 21 years of age 175 Females and minors 251 --- Total 426 On the 15th of December an election was held to decide upon such organization with the following result. For organization 40 Against organization 1 On the same day an election was held for Trustees which resulted in the election of M. Mott, F. Lebeau, C. H. Charles, Z. LEWIS and O. C. Motley. The Board elected Z. Lewis, President; T. D. Brewster, Clerk; Z. Lewis, jr. Constable; and James Myers, Assessor. On the 1st of April 1839, O. C. Motley resigned and H. P. Woodworth was elected in his place. D. J. Townsend was afterwards appointed Street Commissioner. The first religious meeting assembled in the locality was held in the early part of this year, in a log shanty, in the western part of the town. This meeting was attended by about a dozen young reprobates who concerted, that if the preacher should confine himself to what they should judge to be the "appropriate sphere of his duties," should preach piety and righteousness in the abstract without making any particular application thereof, or rebuking any particular practice cherished by these self constituted censors, and should abstain from all offensive personal or local allusions, the most decorous propriety was to be observed. But if, on the contrary, he should see fit to indulge in any reproof of evil practices which they were conscious the community had credit for, whether justly or not, the indignity was to be instantly resented. In pursuance of this concert they repaired to the place of worship, each provided with a tobacco pipe well filled, and a match. During the preliminary exercises and a portion of the sermon the most respectful attention and devout bearing were manifested; but when the preacher unfortunately indulged in illusions, believed by these censors to be intended to have a direct local application, a rap on the bench was made as a signal by the leader, and instantly twelve matches were struck and twelve pipes lighted. No smile was seen and no word was spoken; but twelve sedate and imperturbable smokers tugged vigorously at their pipes. The room was soon filled with the smoke and aroma; and after a few attempts at rebuke, ejaculated between stifled spasms of coughing, the preacher incontinently left; but not without making a stand at the door, where a few comparatively pure respirations were obtained, and hurling back some rather unchristian anathemas upon the graceless and sacrilegious scamps, whose scandalous conduct had so unceremoniously put him to flight, and upon the people by whom they were tolerated. Of course, "the better part of community" set the seal of their disapprobation upon such disreputable and disorderly proceedings. CHAPTER II. Election in 1839--Financial Crash--Condition of the Town-- Anecdote illustrative of the scarcity of money--Hog Story-- Establishment of the Ninawa Gazette--Building of the first Church. At an election held on the 19th December 1839 H. P. Woodworth, Simon Kinney, Z. Burnham, C. H. Charles, and Isaac Abraham were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes polled 40. The Board elected Simon Kinney, President; M. Mott, Collector; T. D. Brewster, Treasurer; and Walter Meriman, Clerk. In the course of the year Kinney resigned as Trustee and Meriman as Clerk, and Cornelius Cahill and James Bradford were elected to fill their respective places. The places of Burnham and Charles became vacant by death, and Ezra McKinzie and Churchill Coffing were elected to fill them. In 1840 came the grand financial collapse. The foreign capitalists refused to lend us any more money. The later residents of Illinois can scarcely comprehend the condition of things which preceded and ensued. By the Internal Improvement Act, which puts all Congressional omnibus bills entirely into the shade, a system of Rail Roads was to be commenced simultaneously in all parts of the State, running in all manner of directions, through regions scarcely explored; and counties which were not fortunate enough to lie in the direction of any place, and thus not to be traversed by Rail Roads, were bribed into the support of the bill by distributions of money, all to be borrowed on the faith of the State. Other acts were passed authorizing loans for prisons, hospitals, asylums and State Houses. At the same time the Canal was being prosecuted on State credit. Counties followed the example of the State by borrowing money to build Court Houses, Jails &c. But at length the bottom fell out of the whole concern. Unknown Millions had been squandered and not one public undertaking was completed. Public and private credit were annihilated. Northern Illinois produced nothing for exportation, and every kind of business was dependent upon the disbursements on the public works. The State, Counties, Towns, Banks, corporations and individuals were alike bankrupt. No gleam of light shone in the future. Repudiation, public and private, appeared to be the only alternative. Even the vampires who had been gorged upon the treasury were overwhelmed in the general avalanche. The few who had hoarded and possessed the means, left the State; and emigration for years avoided it as though it had been one great hospital of lepers. No place experienced the general prostration more sensibly than Peru. The writer of this with a family to support, did not possess in the year 1841 in the aggregate, a sum of money equal to five dollars. Letters lay in the Post Office from the inability of those to whom they were addressed to pay the postage. Nor was this embarrassment confined to individuals.--Gov. Ford once told the writer, that he had been compelled to allow letters, directed to him upon official business, to remain in the Federal Post Office, his own means or credit, or that of the Sovereign State of Illinois being insufficient to raise the embargo. Property of no kind had any apparent value whatever. The town gradually lost its inhabitants, until in 1842, probably not over two hundred souls remained. These were mainly the less fortunate portion who could not get away. One Store, a Drug Shop, the Post Office, and two Taverns were the only places that remained open to the public. Society existed upon a truly republican basis. No envy was excited in the breasts of the humble and poor by the brilliant equipages and establishments of the rich. The creditor who would have seriously asked payment of his debtor would have been saluted with one universal shout of derision.--As well might he have asked the sea to give up its dead. His money was gone to that bourne whence "nary red" would ever return. It was seriously proposed to enact a law making every man's note a tender for debts--always excepting the notes of the creditor himself. This condition of things produced a state of society never witnessed by the writer, before or since. The prevailing influence was so universal and complete as to reduce all to a common level. A sympathy and community of feeling pervaded all Illinois humanity. Thanks to a prolific soil and sparse population, nobody was in danger of starvation. The following incident illustrates the scarcity and value of money about this time. The only merchants who pretended to keep their stores open for business, and were able to replenish their stock, were the brothers A. one of them at present an estimable and valued citizen, and the other a worthy farmer living in the neighborhood. Money was scarce wherewith to pay freights, and the only resource was to transport wheat, taken of the farmers for debts, to Chicago, a distance of one hundred miles, where it was worth about fifty cents per bushel. One of the persons employed in the transportation was a farmer named M.--One of the brothers and the writer accompanied the teams. After the wheat had been marketed and unloaded, M. with a very grave and serious face, desired a private conference with A. Taking him a little apart from the writer, and speaking in a voice loud enough to be distinctly overheard, he informed him that he was under the necessity of asking him for some money. A. started as if a snake had stung him. He expressed surprise at such a sudden call, under the circumstances, and reminded M. of the exertions and sacrifices which he had been compelled to make to raise money for charges, and that withal he had but barely enough for that purpose; and concluded by hoping that his demands would be extremely limited. M. replied that they would be no more extensive than his necessities absolutely required, and he thought about "two bits would do him." This announcement greatly relieved A. who immediately responded to the demand. When it is understood, that the almost universal practice in traveling, at that time, was to "camp out," the commissary department drawing its supplies from the domestic larder and corn crib, it will be perceived that "two bits" would go a good way in eking out the stores and supplying any deficiency. Another incident occurred about this time which also illustrates, in some degree, the spirit of the times. Two citizens who shall be named B. and M. had been in the habit of bantering each other about their poverty. M. persisted in assuming that he was not as poor as B., and that it was all owing to his superior address and financial ability. This ridiculous assumption may be understood, when it is stated that neither party could, from every available resource, have raised a sum in money equal to the present price of a barrel of flour. M. complained to B. about his hogs running at large, and threatened that if they were permitted to annoy him he would shut them up and kill them. It so happened that B. did not own a hog in the world--a fact which he was careful not to disclose. M. commenced to put his threat in execution by building an enclosure in which he incarcerated all vagrant hogs, and proceeded to put them in a condition for slaughtering by a liberal appliance of corn and swill. These things did not escape the observation of B. who waited patiently until the hogs were in a nice condition, when he called upon M. and rather angrily remonstrated with him upon committing so unneighborly an act as to secrete his hogs, alleging that he had searched diligently for them, and that great apprehensions had existed, lest his family might seriously suffer for the want thereof. He reminded him of the cordiality and good feeling which had previously existed between them, of their good natured jokes and banters, and of the general felicity which they had enjoyed in each other's society; and read him a homily upon the advantages to be derived from the practice of honesty and integrity. He insisted, however, upon the unconditional liberation of four particularly promising specimens of the genus, porker. To this M. demurred.--While he admitted that what B. had taken so much pains to remind him of, was in the main true, he urged that the corn wherewith he had fed the hogs was difficult to be obtained, that he had spent much time in feeding and taking care of them, and that it was not right for one man to take advantage of another's wrong act for his own benefit. These arguments somewhat mollified B. who finally agreed to a compromise by which M. was to continue feeding the hogs for a specified time, and then kill and dress them, and bring the carcasses of the two best to the house of B. This compact was carried into effect in good faith. Shortly afterwards B. disclosed the history of this little operation which came to the ears of M. It is confidently believed that he never afterwards boasted of his peculiar gifts of finesse. It is but fair to say, that the real owner of the hogs who had no share in the spoils, pocketed his loss with admirable grace. In the course of the year 1839 the first newspaper published in Peru, was established by Ford, now Editor and proprietor of the "Lacon Gazette" in connection with Geo. W. Holley who acted as editor, and was called the "Ninawa Gazette." Mr. Holley was a gentleman of considerable literary reputation and made a paper which was eagerly sought for. His writings were principally distinguished for their peculiar vein of humor and pleasantry. The paper was continued until 1841, when the press and materials were removed to Lacon. The first Church built in the town, was erected by the Methodists in the fall of 1838. CHAPTER III. Election in 1840--The Bangs Enterprise--Erection of the Stone Church--Donation of the Bell--Visit of Messrs. Van Buren and Paulding. At an election held on the 18th December 1840, H. P. Woodworth, Churchill Coffing, Ezra McKinzie, Isaac Abraham and Geo. Low were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes polled 32. This Board elected Isaac Abraham their President; James Bradford Clerk; James Myers, Assessor; F. Lebeau Constable, T. D. Brewster Treasurer; and M. Mott Street Commissioner. Subsequently F. Mills was elected Constable in place of Lebeau who resigned, and John Hoffman Fire Warden. On the 27th February 1841 an act passed the Legislature chartering the La Salle and Dixon Rail Road, giving to the Corporation created, the right of way and materials belonging to that part of the old Central Rail Road lying between the two points named. During the year operations were recommenced on this work, and a Bank of issue, pretended to be authorized by the Charter, was opened in La Salle. These operations for a short time galvanized into life the prostrated energies of the remaining inhabitants of Peru, but were shortly succeeded by the bursting of the whole concern. The leading spirit of this movement was a man named A. H. Bangs, who succeeded in making dupes or accomplices of several leading and influential inhabitants of La Salle and Lee Counties. After the explosion it was found that he was a mere adventurer, without character, reputation, capital or credit. Not an hundred dollars in cash or a dollar of good and reliable paper had been used in starting and continuing the construction of forty miles of Rail Road, and putting into operation a Bank which soon flooded the whole country with its worthless promises to pay, and draw liberally upon its imaginary eastern and foreign correspondents. The contractors were, of course, unable to pay the laborers, and the farmers who had supplied them with provisions. The former, enraged by their wrongs, attempted to wreak their vengeance upon the person of the culprit, Bangs. They seized and dragged him through the muddy streets of the town. He was finally rescued by the citizens, partly through menaces and partly through intercession, without material injury, placed in a skiff, and sent down the river. Had he possessed one thousand dollars in real cash, there is not a doubt but that he would have been able to finish and put in operation the road, and to have gone on swimmingly with his Bank for years; such was the confidence, and it might be added, reverence, which a real "capitalist" would at that time have inspired. The relapse was, if possible, more depressing than the former experience. During this year the second Church--a small but substantial stone edifice, at present occupied by the Episcopal Society--was erected by the liberality of T. D. Brewster, Esq., for the Congregationalist Society. For the use of the Society worshiping in this building, a valuable bell was donated by the late John C. Coffing of Salisbury, Connecticut, father of our distinguished townsman, Hon. Churchill Coffing. In the summer Mr. Van Buren, then lately retired from the Presidency, accompanied by James K. Paulding then late Secretary of the Navy, made a tour through the western States, and was everywhere received with an ovation.--A Committee was appointed in Peru to receive and escort them to Ottawa. There was then residing here a young man, a carpenter by trade and a great wag, rejoicing in the name America Jones. There also lived here a "Doctor" Harrison, more famous for his effrontery and obtrusive declamation than for his medical learning or skill. He came armed with a diploma or certificate from the Berrien County, Michigan, Medical Society, signed "E. Winslow, President." His attainments and accomplishments were by no means confined to the healing and dissecting art, according to his own persistent declaration. They embraced the grand encyclopedia of science. He was a pugilist, and boasted of many a hard earned field; he was an advocate of the dueling code, and understood precisely the etiquette of the field of Honor, and was ready, should anybody knock a chip from his shoulder, to put in practice the theory which he so eloquently expounded, although it is believed that he never absolutely asserted that his chivalry had been put to the test; he was a musician and an expert at games, particularly "seven up" and "poker;" and he was a military gentleman. He has since attained the rank of Major General, in the service of the State of Michigan. With this brilliant array of accomplishments he naturally attracted the attention of the community, and what was more to the purpose, obtained a very lucrative practice. He numbered among his admirers people in all grades of society. Most zealous among these was a gentleman--an eminent civil engineer--of a high professional and social position. America Jones, above mentioned, concocted a scheme very well calculated to cure him of his extraordinary devotion to the Doctor, and confidence in his professions; and at the same time to indulge his own innate propensity for fun, at the expense of the engineer and another prominent citizen--a lawyer--at present resident. Jones became suddenly very efficient and "numerous" at a meeting called to make arrangements for the reception of the distinguished visitors, although it was probably the first time in his life that he had ever seriously taken part in any thing of the kind, being generally content to look on and distort the action of others into some ludicrous phase. Now Jones had a very clear perception of the Doctor's real merit. He understood instinctively the difference between that and his bombastic pretensions. He knew, too, that his vanity and egotism were only to be adroitly excited, and he would throw himself in a general and continued splurge, in any presence. So he obtained a place for himself and the Doctor on the committee of reception, escort and arrangements. On the trip to Ottawa, he contrived to occupy a carriage in company with the Doctor, the two guests, and the two citizens above referred to. Once on the road, Jones found means to gradually launch the Doctor into the field of general declamation. The latter described the scenery in terms of poetic eulogy; he exhibited his erudition in the early history of the country; he analyzed, in the most scientific manner, the waters of the "Sulphur Springs," and branched off into the abstract laws of chemistry generally; he extemporized an essay upon political economy; he discussed the character of distinguished cotemporary politicians and statesmen; he repeated all the stale newspaper anecdotes and scandal concerning the public men of the day; he asserted his belief that somebody, down on the Mohawk or somewhere else, once wrote a very foolish book, called the "Dutchman's Fireside;" he reviewed and criticised the battles of the Revolution and the naval engagements of the last war with England; he recounted his own exploits and prowess in many a pugilistic encounter; and he indulged in terms of unbounded compliment to, and admiration of the more distinguished portion of his auditory, lamenting that his father had not lived to learn the transcendent honor which had befallen his son, in actually riding in the same carriage with such illustrious personages. These efforts occupied nearly the entire journey to Ottawa, to the unutterable chagrin and annoyance of the two citizens, and the infinite delight and amusement of Jones. How Messrs. VAN BUREN and PAULDING enjoyed the society of the committee is not known. CHAPTER IV. Elections in 1841--Elections in 1842--Resumption of work on the Canal--Improvement in Business--First arrival of Steamboats in the Spring. At an election held on the 11th December 1841, the same Trustees were elected who served the preceding year. CHURCHILL COFFING was elected President; J. BRADFORD, Clerk; T. D. BREWSTER, Treasurer and Collector; H. LEONARD, Assessor; F. MILLS, Constable; H. S. BEEBE, Street Commissioner; and J. HOFFMAN, Fire Warden. During the year 1842, no event is recollected of sufficient importance to justify a record. The general stagnation continued. Illinois had become as stagnant and inactive as Cathay. People could not be said to live--they merely vegetated. At an election held on the 15th December 1842, CHURCHILL COFFING, ISAAC ABRAHAM, JOHN HOFFMAN, T. D. BREWSTER, and H. S. BEEBE, were elected Trustees. This Board elected JAMES BRADFORD, Clerk; S. W. RAYMOND, Constable; and T. D. BREWSTER, Treasurer. On the 21st February, 1843, "An Act to provide for the completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and the payment of the Canal debt" passed the Legislature. Energetic and sagacious measures were at once devised and put into operation for the completion of that great work. To GOV. FORD, SENATOR RYAN and COL. OAKLEY, is due the credit of devising the scheme which heralded to the people of Illinois the return of prosperity. This measure was soon followed by gradual improvements in the town. Considerable accessions to its population took place, warehouses and workshops began to be erected, and everything soon assumed the appearance of thrift and progress. During the season of stagnation, the daily arrival of steamboats from Saint Louis, the debarkation of their passengers, and their departure for Chicago, by Frink, Walker & Co's. coaches, tended more to enliven the town than all other causes combined. This route became a popular one for southern travel, via., the Lakes to New York, particularly during the warmer season; and it was no uncommon thing to witness the departure of from five to ten four-horse post coaches together. The first arrival of a steamboat in the Spring was always hailed as a great event. Two or three months of isolation had sharpened the appetites of the people for intercourse with the great world. The first faint puff, away down among the cotton woods, was caught upon the ear of some anxious and expectant listener, and forthwith the news spread with wonderful celerity throughout the town. All the men and boys gathered upon the landing; all the women and girls upon the hill-tops. When the boat hove in sight, conjectures flew thick and fast as to what boat she was; everybody had some theory founded upon the particular manner of her 'scape, the ball upon her jack-staff, the ornaments upon her chimneys, or some other distinguishing mark which each prided himself upon knowing and remembering. When she came within hailing distance, what a hurrah went up from the landing! What a waving of handkerchiefs from the bluffs! Then when her keel fairly grated upon the pebbles of the bank, and a plank was run over her side, what a rush over all her parts! What a shaking of hands all round! What congratulations and welcomes were extended to officers and crew, from captain to firemen! These over, the truth of history extorts the admission, that the space around the bar became the grand rendezvous. A short time spent in this neighborhood by no means tended to lessen the general hilarity and uproar. The news of the arrival of a steamboat soon spread throughout the country. The inhabitants of the interior, inland village of Ottawa, in a very leisurely and dignified way, harnessed up their teams and made a pilgrimage to Peru, on pretence of business, but in point of fact to see a real steamboat. CHAPTER V. Elections in 1843--Revenue--Efforts for dividing the County--Elections in 1844--Special Charter--Elections in 1845--Revenue--Return of Prosperity--Elections in 1846-- Establishment 1846--Establishment of the "Beacon Light"-- Name Changed to "Junction Beacon"--Formation of Hook and Ladder Company. At an election held on the 20th of January, 1843, Churchill Coffing, John R. Merritt, Z. Lewis, Ambrose O'Conner and John Hoffman were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 92.--This Board elected Churchill Coffing, President; and T. D. Brewster, Treasurer. The revenue arising from taxes on Real Estate was $262. Peru, from her earliest history, had aspired to become a county seat. Situated upon the extreme western verge of the County of La Salle, she contemplated erecting a new one out of territory to be taken from La Salle, Bureau and Putnam. This scheme was strenuously resisted by Ottawa and the eastern portion of the county. A curtailment on the north and east was cheerfully submitted to, in order to assist in preventing the loss of the western jewel. Much acrimony was engendered by these contests; and all elections for county officers or State Legislature hinged upon this question. The Democratic party was largely in the ascendant; but the schemes of the politicians of that ilk were constantly baffled by the intrusion of this element. The completion of the Canal and Rail Road, furnishing facilities for travel between the two places, mainly put a stop to further agitation. At an election held on the 25th November, 1844, Churchill Coffing, H. Whitehead, David Dana, Wm. Paul and S. W. Raymond were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 45. This Board elected H. Whitehead, President; H. S. Beebe, Clerk; J. B. Lovett, Fire Warden; Isaac Abraham, Treasurer; O. C. Parmerly, Street Commissioner; Geo. Low, Collector and Assessor; and E. M. Moore, Constable. On the 25th February, 1845, an Act passed the Legislature, extending the powers of the Trustees, and providing for their election in the following April. At an election held on the 7th April, 1845, Churchill Coffing, David Dana, S. W. Raymond, Wm. Paul and H. Whitehead were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes polled 39. This Board elected HERMAN WHITEHEAD, President; H. S. BEEBE, Clerk; O. C. PARMERLY, Street Commissioner; ISAAC D. HARMON, Treasurer; GEORGE LOW, Assessor and Collector; E. M. MOORE, Constable; and J. B. LOVETT, Fire Warden. By the death of Moore, the office of Constable soon became vacant, and Z. Lewis, junior, was elected to fill it. The revenue, arising from the tax on Real Estate, was this year $261,-86 cents. A degree of prosperity had now been attained, little dreamed of three years before. A large trade had gradually grown up and concentrated in Peru. It was no uncommon thing to see wagons loaded with produce, from a distance of sixty, eighty and an hundred miles, seeking a market at this point, and returning loaded with merchandise purchased here. General health, contentment and prosperity prevailed. Stores and dwellings continued to be built, and population to increase. At an election held on the 6th April, 1846, Jacob S. Beach, Churchill Coffing, William Chumasero, A. M. Thrall and James Cahill were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 96. This Board elected Churchill Coffing, President; H. S. Beebe, Clerk; George Low, Assessor and Collector; S. W. Raymond, Street Commissioner; I. D. Harmon, Treasurer; David Perry, Constable; and S. N. Maze, Fire Warden. H. F. Killum was subsequently elected Street Commissioner, in place of Raymond who resigned. In May, another weekly newspaper was established by Nash and Elliott, and called the "Beacon Light." Mr. Nash is the present Clerk of the Circuit Court of La Salle county. The name of this paper was changed to that of "Junction Beacon." It continued about two years under the management of Mead, Higgins and Boyle, either together or successively, and went out. On the 5th December an ordinance was passed, authorizing the formation of a Hook and Ladder Company, which was the first, last and only attempt to form a Fire Department. The principle effect and probable design of this ordinance was to exempt the members enrolled, from the performance of jury duty. Thirty-five dollars were appropriated for implements; but it is believed that none were ever capable of being brought into use, in cases of emergency, although the town has been devastated since, with many and serious fires. CHAPTER VI. Election in 1847--Cemetery laid out--Election in 1848-- Completion of the Canal--Effect on Peru--Diversion of Trade to La Salle--Establishment of the "Peru Telegraph" --Erection of the first Grain Ware House--Great Freshet. At an election held on the 5th April, 1847, Churchill Coffing, Wm. Chumasero, Geo. W. Gilson, Joseph P. Turner and Daniel O. Sullivan were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 63. This Board elected Wm. Chumasero, President; S. W. Raymond, Clerk; James Elliott, Street Commissioner; H. S. Beebe, Treasurer; Geo. Low, Assessor; David Perry, Collector; Joseph P. Turner, Fire Warden; and H. W. Baker, Clerk. Soon after, Raymond resigned and E. S. Holbrook was elected in his place. The Cemetery, one mile north of the town, was purchased and laid out by this Board. At an election held in April, 1848, Erasmus Winslow, P. M. Kilduff, I. C. Day, John Morris and S. N. Maze were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 128. This Board elected Erasmus Winslow, President; David Perry, Clerk; James Elliott, Collector; H. W. Baker, Street Commissioner; F. S. Day, Treasurer; J. P. Thompson, Constable; and Dennis Dunnavan, Fire Warden. Thompson was subsequently elected Street Commissioner, in place of Baker who failed to qualify, and Fire Warden in place of Dunnavan who was removed. The completion of the Canal, in the Spring of this year, forms an era in the history of the town, and indeed of the State. Its effect upon the town, however, was not so marked and immediate as upon the sister town of La Salle, which then, for the first time, attracted general public attention, and became a formidable rival to her older sister. Upon the latter its favorable effects were more apparent in the course of the two or three following years, when the increased prosperity of the country reacted upon it. The travel, which had always centered at Peru, was mainly diverted to La Salle. Although the waters of the Canal and River were united at Peru, it was soon found, that in consequence of the Steamboat and Canal Boat Basin being at La Salle, the practical junction was there. The forwarding business, after a long and ineffectual struggle on the part of Peru to retain it, finally settled at that point. In October Holbrook and Underhill established a weekly paper, called the "Peru Telegraph." The first substantial Stone Ware House built in the town was erected this year, directly upon the river bank, by T. D. Brewster, Esq. The Spring of 1849 was remarkable for the greatest flood known since the settlement of the country. There had been heavy rains in the month of January which raised the river out of its banks, overflowing all the bottoms. The weather changed to cold suddenly and froze the waters, in many places from bluff to bluff, into a broad crystalline Lake. Such was the case on the bottom above the town, which was covered with a sheet of ice for nearly six miles, to Utica. This mass of intercepted water, together with all the country drained by the head branches of the river, was afterwards covered with a heavy mass of snow. About the first of March the weather again suddenly became warm, and heavy rains set in, which soon loosened the accumulations of snow and ice. Every creek and run contributed a flood, and every ravine and slough a torrent to the swelling river, which on the 9th of March was twenty-five feet, or more, above low water. Its sudden rise loosened the heavy masses of ice spread over the bottoms above, without breaking them up. One of these came down, miles in extent, entirely filling the space between the bluffs, and crushed everything in its course. Trees, indicating a growth of centuries, were as reeds in its path, producing no check to its resistless and majestic motion. The Ware House, heretofore mentioned as being built by Mr. Brewster, then occupied by Brewster and Beebe, was crushed like an egg shell. It was nearly filled with wheat, flour and merchandise, a portion of which had been hastily removed, and a portion was destroyed. The waters soon subsided and the river became very low before the close of navigation in the fall. This was the greatest freshet which has taken place since the settlement of the country by the Whites, but the Indians related to the early settlers accounts of still higher waters. They have asserted that the present site of Ottawa has been submerged within the memory of those now living. Shabone, an Indian well known in Northern Illinois, is reported to have said that he has passed over it in a canoe. In 1844, the great freshet occurred in the Mississippi, raising the waters in the lower part of the Ill. still higher than they afterwards were in 1849. This was not the case with the upper portion of the river. An idea is current in this part of the country, that great freshets recur, continuing throughout the greater portion of the summer, once in seven years. This notion is justified by the recurrence of protracted freshets in 1830, 1837, 1844, 1851 and 1858. Mr. Meginness, in his "Otzinachson" or "History of the West Branch of the Susquehanna," mentions that the same impression prevailed in that region concerning freshets, only that theirs recurred once in fourteen years. CHAPTER VII. Election in 1849--First appearance of Cholera--Elections in 1850--Project for a Rail Road to Aurora--Burning of the National Hotel--Establishment of the "Peru Democrat"--The issue of $25,000 Bonds authorized on account of Peru and Rock Island Rail Road--United States Census--Incorporation of the City--Territory embraced in City Limits--Elections under the Charter in 1851--Question of issuing Bonds on account of subscription to the Stock of Chicago and Rock Island Rail Road decided unanimously in the affirmative at an Election--Resurvey of the City--Issue of $40,000 of Bonds--Organization of the Central Rail Road Company-- Protest of Peru against the place of crossing the River-- Peru and Grandetour Plank Road. At an election held on the 2d April, 1849, P. M. Kilduff, Frederick Kaiser, S. N. Maze, Noah Sapp and David Lininger were elected Trustees. Whole number of Votes 159. This Board elected P. M. Kilduff, President; Erasmus Winslow, Clerk; Ezra McKinzie, Assessor; James Cahill, Collector; J. P. Thompson, Street Commissioner, Constable and Fire Warden; and H. S. Beebe, Treasurer. In consequence of the absence of Beebe, H. L. Tuller was elected Treasurer in his place. In the Spring of this year the cholera first made its appearance in the West. In the months of April and May several citizens fell victims to the disease. On the 20th of June it suddenly assumed a malignant and virulent character, and some hundreds were swept off in the course of three or four weeks. The citizens were generally panic stricken, and many fled. It suddenly ceased, and the season thenceforth was healthy. In the summer of this year the second permanent and substantial warehouse, directly upon the river, was erected by Churchill Coffing, Esq. At an election held on the 1st April, 1850, T. D. Brewster, I. D. Harmon, William Paul, Erasmus Winslow and William Roush were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 49--This Board elected William Paul, President; P. M. Kilduff, Clerk; H. L. Tuller, Treasurer; Geo. Low, Assessor; J. P. Thompson, Street Commissioner; Michael Griffith, Constable; Edmund Pennington, Fire Warden; James Cahill, Collector; and Erasmus Winslow, Health Commissioner. During this year the subject of Railroads began to attract the attention of the people of Illinois. The inhabitants of the town were a good deal excited about the location of one from Aurora, in Kane county, to Peru, via. Ottawa. Subscriptions were raised, and one hundred dollars were appropriated from the treasury to defray the expenses of the survey. This road was never constructed, but the interests of the town were afterwards satisfied by the construction of the Aurora Extension, and Chicago and Burlington, crossing the Illinois Central at Mendota. In August, the National Hotel, owned by Z. Lewis Esq., was destroyed by fire. This was the largest and best building in the town, and was the first serious loss by fire. In this year, Adam Lerch was appointed Street Commissioner, in place of Thompson who was removed. In October Hammond and Welch established the "Peru Democrat," a weekly newspaper. It soon took a high rank and became one of the leading and most influential papers in the interior of the State. Thomas W. Welch, the editor of this paper, gave promise of great usefulness in future years. He was a vigorous writer, energetic and industrious, and imparted a degree of vivacity and spirit to his sheet, rarely met with in country newspapers. He was born at Reading, England, and died at Princeton, Illinois, on the 26th September, 1852, aged twenty-nine years. On the 9th November a resolution passed the Board, authorizing a subscription on the part of the town, of $25,000 towards the capital stock of the Rock Island and Peru Railroad, on condition that the road should make its eastern terminus on section 16. By the returns of the United States census for 1850 there were 4,500 inhabitants in the town! That this was an error is most manifest. A steady increase of population and dwellings took place from this period to the first of June, 1854, when by a census carefully taken, by one of the citizens, there were only 3,036 inhabitants. A similar increase has been going on until the present time, when there are found to be only 3,652. If such a decrease has taken place where are the tenements vacated? A similar error occurs in the United States census returns of La Salle, the population of which is set down at 3,201. A census, taken by the authority of the town soon after, exhibited 1,100! It is probable that the census taker was contented with the answer of the first man he met, of whom he enquired the amount of population, and that this person happened to be a large lot holder. Generally, in such cases, if the amount stated be divided by two, an approximate result may be obtained. On the 15th March, 1851, the town of Peru was incorporated as a City. The territory incorporated embraced the South half of Section 16, the South East quarter of Section 17, the North East fractional quarter of Section 20 and all of Section 21 North of the river. The extent of territory embraced in the City, was forty-eight acres less than that in the borough, that part of Section 21 included containing forty-five acres, while the North West fractional quarter of Section 20 excluded contained ninety-three acres.--This territory was divided into two wards. The leading motive in petitioning for this Charter undoubtedly was to enable the City to issue Bonds on account of Rail Road subscriptions. The first election held under this Charter was held in April, 1851, which resulted in the election of T. D. Brewster, Mayor; Geo. W. Gilson and Jacob S. Miller, Aldermen for the First Ward, and Erasmus Winslow and John Morris, Aldermen for the Second Ward. Whole number of votes 196.--By the provisions of the Charter, the Aldermen were to be elected for two years--two out of the first four retiring at the end of the first year--to be determined by lot. Gilson and Winslow drew the long term. This Council elected Churchill Coffing, Clerk; P. M. Kilduff, Treasurer; F. S. Day, Assessor; A. Roberts, Marshal; Z. Lewis, Street Commissioner; and James Cahill Collector. The question of issuing Bonds on account of subscription to the Stock of the Rock Island and La Salle Rail Road, (the Charter having been so amended as to continue the road to Chicago,) was submitted to a vote of the people on the 17th May. The vote in the affirmative was unanimous. Conflicting claims having arisen out of discrepancies between former surveys of the town, a new survey was ordered and established by ordinance, and other measures taken to legalize the act.
{'title': 'The History of Peru by Henry S. Beebe', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}