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ALTON NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

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ALTON LYCEUM

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, November 29, [year unknown]

Notice. A meeting of the Alton Lyceum, will be held this evening, Friday, November 29th, at the Old Court Room over Bowman, Neef & Co's. Store; at which place the meetings of the Society will be held this winter. The public are respectfully invited to attend. By order of the Society.

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ALTON CHOLERA

Source: The Evening Journal, Albany, New York,  July 9, 1833     (Extract of a letter from a merchant at Alton, Illinois, dated June 21rst, 1833.)

“The first case of cholera that occurred here was one quarry man, a moderate drinker. He died in 12 hours. Second case, a quarry man, intemperate, died in a few hours. 3^rd, Mrs. Elijah Haydon, after premonitory symptoms, take at noon, died at night.   4^th, Mrs. Pierre, wife of the Representative for Greene co., taken at noon, died in four hours. Mr. Wilson, a temperate man, lingered several days and then died. A German, intemperate, remained two days in collapse, and died.  Child of J. Thomas, and Mrs. David Miller, died in a few hours. The last death was our highly esteemed friend, Dr. Barrett, formerly of Massachusetts. His was the most violent case I have seen. In three quarters of an hour after he was attacked, he was speechless – and died in three or four hours. In all these cases a diarrhea preceded the attack. Doctor Barrett, though not well, had been out all night with the sick, fatiguing himself very much. We have had several cases which have been found manageable. There are now three or four cases on the recovery. So we think the worst is passed. Confidence is now partially restored."

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ALTON CHOLERA

Source: The Evening Journal, Albany, New York, June 30, 1835

The Alton (Illinois) Spectator says upwards of 20 deaths have taken place in that town within two weeks. The disease, however, was taking a milder form, and hopes were entertained that it would soon take its departure. The Spectator adds that Cholera prevails to a greater or lesser extent in Edwardsville, the American Bottom, through the towns on the Illinois river, and various other places in the State.

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STEAM BOAT PACKET ESTABLISHED BETWEEN ALTON AND ST. LOUIS

Source: The Daily Evening Herald, Missouri, September 18, 1835

St. Louis & Alton Packet.  The steam boat Tiskilwa will commence her daily trips between this place and Alton on Tuesday next. She will start from the foot of Oak Street, opposite Vatrin & Reel's store, at 9 o'clock A. M. precisely. Leave Alton daily at half past 3 o'clock P.M. All freight must be delivered on board at least half an hour before starting, as the time of departure will be strictly adhered to. For freight or passage apply on board or to Bray & Baily, Agents at St. Louis.    Townsend & Co. - Agents at Alton.

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ALTON - ADVERTISEMENT

Source: Alton Telegraph, April 20, 1836

Just received per steamers Boonslick and Far West, an addition to my stock of goods, which with those before on hand, gives me the largest assortment of wooden ware and chairs ever offered in this place, consisting of 113 doz. painted pails, 28 doz waggon pails, 10 doz superior painted tubs, 30 doz. superior unpainted tubs, 11 doz. small painted oval tubs or keelers, 6 doz. turned maple tubs, 15 doz can puits, 30 doz. sugar boxes, 8 doz chaires, 250 nests measures, 5 doz baskets, 5 doz barrel covers, 20 doz common wood seat chairs, 10 doz imitation wood seat chairs, 5 doz flagg seat wood chairs, 4 doz cane seat Grocian chairs, 3 doz low and high children's chairs, 1 doz willow waggons and oradies(sp?).  Dippers, frays, washboards, taps and faucits, wooden bowls, clothes pins, rolling pins, ____ starts, axe halves, fancy and common bellows; 11 dozen scythes, hoes and handles, 5 doz scythe, scathes, 8 doz hay rakes, and a general assortment of groceries, which will be sold at wholesale or retail, at as low prices as can be purchased at any place in this section of the country. Country traders are invited to call and examine for themselves at the store formerly occupied by Aldrich & Buffum, two doors west of the bridge. Alton, April 6.    S. A. Aplin Jr.

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AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE ALTON MARINE AND FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 13, 1836

Sec. 1.  Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That Benjamin Godfrey, Calvin Riley, J. A. Townsend, W. S. Gilman, S. Ryder, Jonathan T. Hudson, Mark Pierson, Isaac Negus, Nathaniel Buckmaster, Stephen Griggs, A. O. Hankinson, Hezekiah Hawley, Sherman W. Robbins, Isaac I. Foster, and their associates, successors and assigns, be, and they are hereby incorporated into a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of "The Alton Marine and Fire Insurance Company," to have continuance for and during the term of twenty years from and after the passage of this act, ......

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ALTON - DANIEL WEBSTER VISITS IN 1837

Source: Rochester, New York Democrat Chronicle, March 22, 1890

A correspondent of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, in giving an account of the visit by Daniel Webster to the city of Alton, Ill. in 1837, says that there being no cannon in the place from which a salute could be fired, his father had a large hole drilled into the bluff on the bank of the Mississippi, into which four kegs of powder were poured and well tamped. When the steamboat with the great orator and a distinguished party on board arrived at the Alton wharf, a man stationed on the bluff fired the fuse and a tremendous explosion followed, making a noise that could be heard many miles, and dislodging many tons of rock and earth. This was the heaviest and biggest gun fired off in honor of Daniel Webster on his whole tour.

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C. W. HUNTER MANSION HOUSE FOR SALE OR LEASE

Source: Alton Observer, March 9, 1837

The Mansion House of the subscriber in Lower Alton is offered for sale, but if not sold soon, will be much improved and leased for a term of years. The situation presents a desirable point, as a business stand, being on the main street of the town, and at the corner where the road turns to Upper Alton. Terms will be liberal and possession given on the first day of April next. Apply to C. W. Hunter, Alton, March 9th, 1837.

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ALTON LITERARY SOCIETY MEETING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, December 20, 1838

Notice. A lecture will be delivered before the Alton Literary Society on Friday evening, December 21st by Alfred Stevens, Esq'r., on the fall of Poland. Citizens are invited to attend. N. G. Edwards, Sec. December 20, 1838.

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ALTON - PETITION TO ABOLISH ALTON MUNICIPAL COURT

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, January 18, 1839

Notice. All Citizens who wish to sign the memorial to the State Legislature, to abolish the Municipal Court of this city, are requested to call at the Alton House, Piasa House or at the store of Messrs. Stevens & Trenchery, where the petition has been placed. Any person having signed the same, and wishing to have his name erased, can do so by calling at the Alton House, where the original has been left for that purpose.   Alton, January 18, 1839.

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ALTON - NOTICE TO THE PEOPLE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, August 3, 1839

To the people of the city of Alton: Since the report of the Select Committee of the Common Council, on the subject of the expenses and receipts of the Municipal Court was printed, an important error has been discovered in the amount stated to have been paid to Grand and Petit Jurors up to April 1, 1839; which amount, instead of $332.50 as stated, should have been set down at $1,502.75; being a difference against the Court of $1,170.25. The true balance against the Court, therefore, on the supposition that every dollar due the city for fees, fines, &c., has been actually collected and paid into the Treasury, amounts to $3,124.28; or, after deducting the entire receipts, together with the sums still in the hands of the Clerk and Sheriffs, $5,279.01: or, after deducting the actual receipts from the whole expenditures, $5,821.00.   Andrew Miller, Chairman Committee. August 3, 1839.

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ALTON - POCKET BOOK LOST

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, December 16, 1839

The subscriber lost in the city of Alton, or on the road from thence by way of the river to Chippewa, on Saturday last, a dark blue Morocco pocket book, figured on the outside, containing about ten or twelve dollars in bank bills; and two notes of hand, one drawn by A. R. Skidmore for $43.52; and the other drawn by Silas Reed, for $35.00; bot made payable to the subscriber. Also, some other papers, of no value to any person but myself. Any person returning the same, or any information respecting it, to the subscriber at Chippewa, or to A. Botkin, Alton, shall be liberally rewarded for the same.   J. W. Call, December 16, 1839.

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ALTON - MANNING MISSING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, January 6, 1840

To the public: Some time about the 1st or 2d of December last, a young man by the name of A. C. Manning left this city with a stock of goods for the purpose of peddling. About the 10th or 12th ult., he was at Greenville, Bond County, which place he left with a view of returning to Alton; since which he has not been heard from. Some anxiety being felt, lest all should not be right, any person will confer a great favor, and be liberally rewarded, who will inform his friends, through the Telegraph Office, where and when he was last seen. The young man was about 21 years of age, rather below the middling size, and feeble health. Drove a large gray mare, harness new, blue worsted lines, open wagon, not painted, with cast iron hubs.  Alton, January 6, 1840.

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ALTON - TREE SALE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, February 8, 1840

10,000 Morus Multicaulis Trees at auction!! by Hawley & Dunlap. Will be sold in front of their store on Second Street, on Saturday, Feb. 15th, 1840, at 12 o'clock. A large lot of genuine Morus Multicaulis trees, of a good size, and in good order. Sale positive - terms cash. Alton, February 8, 1840.

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ALTON - REWARD FOR STRAY HORSE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, May 13, 1840

To the Public!! Strayed from the subscriber, on or about the first of May, a gray horse, about 15 1-2 or 16 hands high; dark legs, and white snip; about 8 or 9 years of age. Whoever will return said horse to the subscriber in Alton, or secure him so he can get him, will receive a liberal reward. Joseph Lappell, May 13, 1840.

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ALTON - REWARD FOR 1 YOKE OF OXEN

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, May 16, 1840

5 Dollars! Reward!! Broke out, on the night of the 15th instant, from the pasture of Major C. W. Hunter, Alton, 1 yoke of oxen! Yoked together. Both oxen are nearly white - one has a black head - the other has a black head except the face, which is white - both some black on the hips. The off ox had an iron bow-key. The above reward will be given to any one who will take them up and deliver them to A. C. Robinson, Upper Alton, or Absalom Baker, Pettingill's Mill. Nathan Shaw, May 16, 1840. Printed at the "Telegraph" Office - Alton.

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ALTON - MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF HARRISON & REFORM

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, May 19, 1840

To the Log Cabin Boys: You are one and all invited to attend a meeting of the friends of Harrison & Reform, at the Old Court Room (Riley's Building), on Saturday evening next, at half past seven, to perfect the arrangements necessary for the Springfield Convention, and also to attend to other important business. Citizens of Upper Alton, of Madison county, and all other Log Cabin Boys are particularly invited to be present.  J. A. Noble, Sec'ry Com. of Arrange., Alton, May 19, 1840.

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ALTON - TIPPECANOE CLUB

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, May 26, 1840

A special meeting of the Tippecanoe Club of the city of Alton will be held at the counting room of B. Clifford, Jr. on Wednesday evening, May 27th, at half past 7 o'clock. By order of the President. J. Hall, Sec'y.    Alton, May 26, 1840

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ALTON EXPLOSION OF POWDER MAGAZINE

Source: Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, 1914, page 222
The most serious stirring-up the people of Madison county have experienced was occasioned not by an earthquake shock but by the explosion of the powder magazine at Alton, on the 20th of June, 1840. The explosion was described in the Alton Telegraph, by Judge Bailhache, as “incomparably louder and far more destructive than the discharge of a hundred pieces of the heaviest artillery.” The powder magazine was situated on the bluffs, a few rods west of the penitentiary, and contained at the time six tons of powder. Judge Bailhache writes: “To describe with some degree of minuteness the damage done by this explosion would require columns of our journal; suffice it therefore to remark that scarcely one single building within the thickly settled part of our city remains uninjured, and that some of those nearest the site of the magazine have been literally reduced to heaps of ruins; chimneys demolished, roofs started and nearly blown off, windows and frames shivered to atoms are among the results of the explosion. But although fragments of stone of which the magazine was built were hurled with resistless force in every direction, some of them to the distance of nearly a mile, perforating houses and overthrowing everything in their way, no life has been lost so far as our information extends, nor any serious injury done to the person of anyone.” The writer proceeds to narrate a series of hair-breadth escapes that were so remarkable as to be almost unbelievable. The belief was universal that the explosion was the work of some villain, but for what object could not be conjectured. The offender, or offenders, were never discovered although the common council offered $500 reward for their apprehension. The damage done to buildings was estimated at over $25,000.

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ALTON - G. T. M. DAVIS RESPONDS TO KRUM'S ATTACK

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, June 20, 1840

To the people of Madison County: The expected reply of Mr. G. T. M. Davis, author of the address to the people of Madison County, of the 23d of April, on the approaching elections of August and November, to Mr. Krum's attack upon that address, will be made this evening, at the Old Court Room (Riley's Building). An early attendance is requested. The citizens of Madison county generally are respectfully invited to attend. B. Clifford, Jr., Chairman Executive Committee. Alton, June 20, 1840.

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ALTON - POCKET BOOK LOST - REWARD

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, August 4, 1840

$10 reward! Lost, either in Alton city, or on the road between this place and Upper Alton, yesterday, a calf skin pocket book, containing a lot of notes and accounts. The notes were mostly drawn payable to myself. These papers are of no use to any but the owner. Any person having found the same by returning to me, or to William E. Cock, will receive the above reward. All persons are cautioned against trading for or purchasing the said notes; the payment thereof to any one but myself having been stopped. Lewis J. Clawson, Alton, August 4, 1840.

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ALTON - SLAUGHTERING AND DRESSING OF BEEF & HOGS

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, October 22, 1840

Slaughtering - Samuel Work; on his own hook. Alton, Illinois. The subscriber has erected a large and convenient house and pens in the city of Alton near Shields' Branch, for the purpose of carrying on the slaughtering and dressing of beef, hogs, and other stock for packing. His pens are made of plank, high, and close, so as to render it impossible for any kind of stock to break out or escape; and are situated high, dry, and on better ground than any other establishment in the country. His houses are more spacious than any in the city, and from the fact of his being by profession a butcher, and having had an experience of many years in the city of Cincinnati, and the last four year in the city of Alton, engaged in the above business, he assures all those who may favor him with their killing and dressing, that it shall be done with dispatch and in the very best manner. He has also made arrangements, and will have at all times plenty of grain and provender to feed stock at the pens, at the market prices. Call and try work once, and your work shall be well done. Plenty of teams engaged to do the hauling, with dispatch, to any packing house in the city. Alton, October 22, 1840. Samuel Work, Proprietor.

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ALTON - LOST SETTER DOG

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, November 16, 1840

Lost! Strayed from the house of the subscriber, on Sunday evening, the 15th instant, a young Setter dog! He has on a chain collar, with the owners name thereon. The dog was about 4 months old; and was fawn coloured and white. A liberal reward will be given to any one who will return him to William F. D'Wolf.  Alton, November 16, 1840.

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ALTON - LOST MONEY

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, December 12, 1840

Lost Money!! Lost, on Monday last, either in the city of Alton or on the road leading to Springfield, via Carlinville, a sum of money, consisting principally of bills of the State Bank of Illinois, of the denominations of $20 and $10 - the whole amounting to $202. Whoever may have found the same, and will leave it, or give such information as shall lead to its recovery, either to the undersigned at Chatham, Sangamon County, 10 miles south of Springfield; to Samuel Kellar, Esq., Carlinville; or to Messrs. Post & Wentworth, Alton, shall be liberally rewarded. Samuel M. Parsons, December 12, 1840.

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ALTON DUEL

Source: The Evening Journal, Albany, New York, 1841

The Cincinnati Republican states that a duel was fought at Alton, Illinois on the 4th inst. between Judge Smith of the Illinois Supreme Court, and Mr. McClernard late Secretary of State of Illinois. They fought with rifles, distance fifty paces. Judge Smith was the challenger, and was killed on the spot. The St. Louis Gazette contradicts the above statement, and says the parties were arrested before they reached the ground.

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ALTON INSTITUTE LECTURE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, February 12, 1841(?)

Alton Institute - A lecture will be delivered this evening, at the Baptist church, by the Rev. G. B. Perry. subject - "Elevated Intelligence Conducive to Pure Morality." The public are invited to attend. Per order, J. W. Lincoln, Sec'y. Feb. 12.

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ALTON PUBLIC MEETING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, March 27, 1841

A public meeting of the citizens of Alton will be held at the city hall on Monday next, at ten o'clock a.m. to hear the report of the Committee of Gentlemen appointed to confer with the Citizens of Springfield, and the State Bank of Illinois, as to the measures to be adopted to complete a railroad from Alton to Springfield. A general attendance is requested. Alton, March 27, 1841.

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ALTON - STEAMBOAT TO ST. LOUIS CHARTERED TO WATCH HANGING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, June 12, 1841

Notice. The undersigned, having chartered the steamboat Eagle, for the purpose of accommodating all the citizens of Alton and the vicinity, who may wish to see the murderers hung at St. Louis, on the 9th day of July next, would inform the public that the boat will leave this place at seven o'clock, a.m., and leave St. Louis at about four, p.m., so as to reach home the same evening. The boat will be repaired and fitted up for the occasion; and every attention will be paid to the comfort of passengers. Fare for the trip to St. Louis and back will be $1.50.  W. A. Wentworth, and P. M. Pinckard.  N.B.  A band of music may be expected to accompany the boat.  Alton, June 12, 1841.

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ALTON INSTITUTE MEETING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, June 26, 1841

The regular annual meeting of the members of the Alton Institute will be holden on Monday, June 28th, at 8 o'clock p.m. The Executive Committee take this occasion to invite a general attendance, inasmuch as, in connection with the choice of officers for the ensuing year, measures affecting the future prosperity of the Institute, will, of necessity, be considered. Per order: J. W. Lincoln, Rec. Sec., Alton, June 26, 1841.

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ALTON LADIES' FAIR

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, September 11, 1841

Ladies' Fair to be held in Alton, September 16, 17 & 18. The Ladies' Centenary Fair will open at the Old Court Room on Thursday & Friday next, at 4 o'clock p.m., and on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the whole day!   Alton, September 11, 1841

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ALTON - REWARD FOR STOLEN RINGS

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, September 11, 1841

$25 Reward!! Stolen from the shop of the subscriber, in Alton, on Thursday, the 8th instant, some 80 or 100 finger rings! Of almost every quality, worth from $8, down as low as 50 cents each. There is a private mark on the principal part of the rings; and some of the letters in the words 'sell for gain' will be found on the inner side of the rings. The above reward will be paid for the recovery of the rings; or a proportionate part for any quantity of them.  John Hatch. Alton, September 11, 1841

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ALTON - NEW CHEAP STORE!!

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, September 13, 1841

New Cheap Store!! Boot, Shoe & Slipper Manufactory. The subscriber would inform the citizens of Alton, and vicinity, that he has taken the store under the "Telegraph" office, Second Street, where he has on hand a good assortment of groceries, boots & shoes, of all kinds and qualities; and will be receiving fresh goods from time to time; and manufacturing boots, shoes, and slippers daily: so that he will be able to keep a supply constantly on hand, to accommodate all those who may favor him with their patronage. Prices low, in accordance with the times. N. B. Those who wish to economize these hard times, will please to call at the sign of the "Golden Slipper" where I shall sell very low for cash or country produce; and all goods are warranted, and rips mended gratis. Alton, September 13, 1841.  Samuel Lesure.

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ALTON - J. L. ROBERTS OPENS STORE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, October 1841

J. L. Roberts - Merchant Tailor, has just returned from Philadelphia where he has purchased a stock of clothes, &c. at the present low prices; which he selected from recent importation, and of the most fashionable styles. He is prepared to furnish his customers with any article in his line, upon much more favorable terms than have ever before been offered in this place. Among his goods may be found the following: Beaver Cloths - black, blue, and invisible green. Among which are the new and fashionable styles of diamond, waved, and barred. Also -- Green and Waved.  Asphaltuno Cloth, a new article for overcoats.  Broadcloths: Superfine wool dyed blue black, blue, invisible green, and bronze olive broad cloths of every variety and quality. Cassimeres: Superfine blue, brown and green waved and diamond cassimeres; also, superfine wool-dyed black do.; with a variety of plain and fancy do.  Satinets: Black and dark mixed; together with a general variety of satinets. Vestings: Buff Cassimere; silk and woolen velvet, of various styles; also, plain and fancy figured satin vestings. A choice assortment of embroidered cashmere vestings. Globes, Crabats, Linens, &c. English silk handk'fs; a superior article; American Silk, White Linen Cambric Handk'fs, Fancy Linen Cambric, Cravata - Satin & Silk, various colors, Italian Silk, Irish Linens -- Fine and superfine. Gloves - Super black and fancy Hoskin; beaver, a great variety. Drawers & shirts - silk, a fine article, worsted and cotton. Suspenders - A large assortment; Hosiery - Woolen, worsted and cotton; Tailor's Tape Measures. Also, A large and excellent assortment of tailor's trimmings - all of which will be sold very low for cash! Stocks and gentlemen's linens, made to order.  Alton, October 1841.

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ALTON - WASHINGTON TEMPERANCE SOCIETY MEETING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, October 9, 1841

A regular meeting of the Washington Temperance Society will be held at the old Court Room, on Tuesday evening next, October 12th, 1841, at 7 o'clock. The members of the Washington Temperance Society of Upper Alton, of Middletown, and of the Young Men's Temp. Society of this city, will be in attendance, upon invitation. Several addresses may be expected. The ladies, and all others, who are friends of good order and morality, are respectfully invited to attend. Per order of the Society - J. W. Calvin, Rec. Secretary.

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ALTON SLAUGHTER HOUSE

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, November 17, 1841

Slaughtering of Beef and Pork at Alton, Illinois. The undersigned [late of Cincinnati, Ohio] respectfully inform the farmers & packers that they have established a slaughter house at Alton, and are well provided with good pens; and are ready to slaughter cattle & hogs in the very best manner. Having long experience in the slaughtering business, they pledge themselves to give satisfaction to those may favor them with their patronage. Their establishment is the one formerly occupied by Mr. Work, on Shields' Branch. Thornton & Kirby, Alton, November 17, 1841.

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ALTON - $100 REWARD

The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, November 22, 1841

$100 reward. The above reward will be given for the apprehension and conviction of the rascal or rascals, who entered the office of the undersigned on the night of Saturday, the 20th instant, and attemped to force open their iron safe.  Bullock & Keating. Alton, November 22, 1841.

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ALTON PUBLIC MEETING

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, April 21, 1842

Public Meeting - The Whigs of Alton Precinct are requested to meet on Saturday evening next, at 7 o'clock, in the Old Court Room, (Riley's Building), for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent said Precinct in the County Convention to be held at Edwardsville on Wednesday, the 27th inst. A general attendance is solicited. Alton, April 21, 1842.

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ALTON - PACKING HOUSE ADVERTISEMENT

Source: The Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Advertisement, October 28, 1843

Cash will be paid by the undersigned for a few thousand head of corn fed hogs, if delivered early in the season, at their packing house in Alton. They also give notice that having provided themselves with the most extensive packing house in the place, they will be prepared to appropriate one half of the house for a commission business. They would farther remark, that one of the firm has been engaged in the packing business on the Ohio River, upwards of twenty years; which has established him a high reputation in the southern and eastern markets, and whose brand is extensively known, and in high repute. With these considerations, they flatter themselves that they can hold out inducements which will secure to them a liberal patronage. The house is also prepared to make liberal cash advances, to the farmers and drovers, for their pork, and will pack and ship the same on commission to their house in New Orleans, to be sold on account of the owners; only charging a reasonable commission for said advances.  Alton, October 28, 1843.  Hibbard, Echols, & Co.

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ALTON ELECTION

Source: Religious Recorder, Syracuse, New York, 1845-1849

The free soil Van Buren ticket succeeded at the charter election in Alton, Illinois, yesterday by 284 majority.

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ALTON'S NEW MAYOR

Source: Syracuse, New York Onondaga Standard, October 1, 1845

At an election held in the city of Alton, Ill., on Monday the 7th, G. T. M. Davis, Whig, was elected Mayor by a majority, over T. M. Hope, late Tyler U. S. Marshal, and now one of the Loco Foco (sp?) editors of the papers in that city. This Davis was once a resident of this place, a flaming democrat, and receiver of salt duties when he but his pocket book, etc. Now he is full of whiggery as a dog is of fleas. So the world wags.

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ALTON - CHOLERA

Source: Albany, New York Evening Journal, August 8, 1849

At Alton, Ill. there were but five deaths from cholera last week.

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ALTON - LARGE RAFT FLOATS DOWN MISSISSIPPI

Source: Amenia, New York Times, 1852

A raft floated by Alton, Ill. a few days since, which contained 800,000 ft of lumber, besides 200,000 lathes, and 160,000 shingles. It was the largest raft that ever floated down the Mississippi.

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ALTON - AS A RESIDENCE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, Friday, June 4, 1852

Few places possess advantages equal to this for a residence. The city is healthy, its citizens enterprising, and distinguished for the unanimity and zeal with which they engage in all enterprises calculated to promote the prosperity of the place, and the welfare of its inhabitants. Churches of all the leading denominations in the country are to be found here, well sustained; the public schools are in a flourishing condition, and the moral tone and sentiment of the people are not behind those of any place of its size in New England. Its location upon the banks of the Mississippi river, which is navigable to this point at all times when boats can reach St. Louis, in fact we may say at all seasons of the year, makes it comparatively easy of access even at this time; but so soon as the Alton and Sangamon, and the Alton and Terre Haute railroads are completed, it can be reached with the greatest facility from all parts of the country, and at all times. In the vicinity of Alton, about four miles distant, is the Monticello Female Seminary, one of the very best female institutions in the United States. It is delightfully situated in the midst of a most beautiful country, which is highly improved. The Seminary building, which was erected through the munificence of Captain Benjamin Godfrey, to whom the people of this section of country owe a vast debt of gratitude - is calculated to accommodate about one hundred young ladies, and is constantly filled to its utmost capacity. At Upper Alton, about two miles from the city, is Shurtleff college, an institution of very respectable standing, and at this time in a flourishing condition. The country in the immediate vicinity of Alton is broken, and the city itself is built in the midst of hills and hollows, so that the whole place cannot be seen from any one point. Hence persons passing on the river, or who only stop near the landing, are apt to, from very inadequate ideas of the business and extent of the city. No portion of either Middletown or Sempletown, the most delightful portions of the city for residences, and where many of the best improved places are situated, are to be seen from either of these points. To obtain anything like a correct view of the extent of the place, a person should ascend the bluff north of the city, or some other of the many elevated points around it, from which he can see a large portion of the city itself, and have a most magnificent view of the river for many miles. Hitherto there has been but few pleasant rides out of Alton, but now, by the construction of the plank road up the valley, leading back into the country and past Monticello, the people are being furnished with a pleasant and agreeable way of riding out of town. Indeed we scarcely know of a more beautiful and picturesque road for the same distance, than that over the plank road from the city to the Buck Inn. All things considered, we know of no place, east or west, to be preferred to Alton as a residence for families as well as for business men.

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ALTON - STEAM ENGINE USE AT THORP'S

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, Friday, June 4, 1852

We were very agreeably surprised, yesterday, on stepping into the establishment of Mr. George Thorp, on Third street, between State and Belle streets, to see a small but very finely constructed steam engine, in actual operation, he having received it but a couple of hours before from the boat. Its power is equal, it is said, to about six men, although when we saw it in place it appeared as if an able-bodied man might pick it up and carry it off. Mr. Thorp purchased it in New York, and intends to make use of it in charging the various soda fountains in the city.

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ALTON - THE FRANKLIN HOUSE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, Friday, June 4, 1852

Franklin House, State St., Alton, Illinois. E. Bliss, Proprietor (formerly of American House, Springfield, Ill., would respectfully inform the citizens of Alton and vicinity, and the traveling community, that he has taken the above named House, which has recently undergone a thorough repair, and an extensive addition, and that he has furnished it entirely with new furniture suitable for the wants and comforts of his guests. The House is situated in the most central part of the city, and is now open for the accommodation of boarders and transient customers. The proprietor flatters himself from past experience in Hotel keeping, and from a strict personal attention to the wants and comfort of his guests, that he will be enabled to accommodate all who call upon him in a satisfactory manner. There is also in connection with the house, a large and commodious stable, where traveler's horses will receive proper attention; also, Carriages, Buggies, and Saddle Horses furnished at the shortest notice.

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ALTON - EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 13, 1852

Mr. Editor - I witnessed today on Second street a specimen of the effects of our license system, and such a scene I hope I shall never again be called to look upon. A man, his wife and little girl, the inmates of one of those filthy, low whisky shops that infest our city, and another person unknown, were engaged in one of the most disgraceful rows that ever tarnished the name of our city. When the two men had fairly come to blows, the woman and her little girl rushed into the street, with oaths too horrible to repeat, and mingled with the combatants. Then came "the tug of war." Pell mell, tumbling and plunging they went, through the mud, while oaths, loud and rapid filled the air. But worse than all, two of our council members (I refrain, though, with reluctance to give their names), stood by their sides almost splitting with laughter at the anything else but laughable scene. No doubt but they were enjoying with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction the fruits of their work! Sir, what else can we expect, when such men hold and rule the destinies of our prospering city? Can we look for anything else? Do we not daily see the most disgusting scenes of drunkenness in our streets? Are not respectable men and women, forced daily to step from the sidewalks into the muddy street, to give way to a reeling and staggering man, made drunk and senseless as a brute, by this infernal license system. And who does the blame rest upon? The liquor vender, the drinkers, or the Council? Yes the Council! and it alone is answerable for the drunkenness and crime of our city. These things should be seen to.   Juan.

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THE VISIT OF THE LEGISLATURE TO ALTON

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 21, 1853

In accordance with the invitation of our city, Gov. Matteson, the members of the Legislature, and the Judges of the Supreme Court, came down yesterday, upon the [rail] cars. They turned out en masse, and notwithstanding the day was not of the finest, they had a very comfortable and pleasant ride. The cars were well filled, but not to excess. and the sage law-makers of Suckerdom unbent their brows a trifle, and indulged in the well told anecdote, the keen repartee, and the hearty laugh, like common folks. New beginners improvised new campaigns, while the older members "wept o'er their wounds," and "showed how fields were won." Arrived at Alton, our guests were escorted to the Franklin House, and set down to the groaning tables of Mr. Bliss, that were heaped with all the luxuries and delicacies of the season. We saw the tables, before the guests had taken their seats, and they presented a truly splendid appearance, and fully satisfied us that the worthy host was master of the art gastronomic, and has a fine eye in decorating and setting off a public table. His effort was creditable to himself and to the city. After having taken the "rough edge" off from hearty appetites, the following regular toasts were offered by H. S. Baker, Esq., of Alton, and were received with enthusiastic applause:  [Their toasts:]

1. Our Guests - The pride and talent of our State - a cheerful welcome makes a hearty feast. Drank with applause.

2. Illinois - The Prairie State of our Union - rich in soil, and rich in minerals - with steam, water, horse, and intellectual powers, may she never sell her birthright for a mess of pottage. Drank with applause.

3. The Governor of Illinois - Chosen for his wisdom, and honored for his virtues - In his first official act there is seen the index of the giant map of things to come at large. Gov. Matteson responded, by offering, as a toast, the continued prosperity of our beloved State, &c.

4. The Members of our Legislature - Administrators de bonus nom of 1836 - may they settle up the estate so as to leave something to their heirs. Applause.

5. Ex-Gov. John Reynolds - Speaker of the House of Representatives - though often honored by his fellow-citizens, yet honored not enough with a hearty and a hale old age, he is not without that respect which should attend it. The "Old Ranger" responded in a happy off-hand style; stated that he had lived many years in Illinois, and in dark days, and times of but little seeming hope. But now he was witnessing the realization of all his hopes, and the fruition of good to his loved Prairie State.

6. Illinois Railroads - With judgment, wisdom, and discrimination they are destined to place us in the vanguard of the commercial world. Mr. Egan, of Cook county, made some happy remarks, in which he complimented Alton, and was responded to by Mayor Hope.

7. The Judiciary - The expounders of our Laws - upright, intelligent, and independent - the strongest bulwark of our liberties. Judge Caton being called upon, very cleverly "shifted the responsibility" upon Judge Trumbull, and the latter made such a handsome little speech, as we all know he can make, whenever called upon .

Several other toasts were offered, but which, owing to the "jam" of the occasion, and the lateness of the hour, we were unable to procure. Very happy remarks were made by Messrs. Denio, Snyder, and others, in response to toasts - and it is not out of place to state that Col. Buckmaster was loudly called upon, and brought down the house completely, by his original, off-hand sallies. The supper having passed off, another state of things came to pass. The fine band of Postelwaite, of St. Louis, struck up in the dancing hall, and erelong the "light fantastic toe" was tripping it in fine style. The ladies of Alton and vicinity were there, and were as charming and sociable as ever. The beaux had remarkably neat gloves and upright collars; all were in good estimation with themselves; the ball was light and roomy, and the music was fine - therefore what was to prevent enjoying one's self? At the time we write this - among the "small hours" - the music and tread of feet is still heard in the adjoining building (the Franklin House). Our pen can hardly preserve its equanimity the while, and we must bid our labors, and the subject, good morning. Our honored guests, we hope, have enjoyed their visit at least one half as well as have our citizens. If so, they are well repaid for the trip. They return to Springfield this morning, and will attend the levee of Senator Douglas, at that place, tonight. They hear the best wishes of the people of Alton

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ALTON'S FRANKLIN HOUSE (ADVERT.)

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 28, 1853

Franklin House - State street, Alton, Illinois - E. Bliss, Proprietor (formerly of the American House, Springfield, Ill.) would respectfully inform the citizens of Alton and vicinity, and the traveling community, that he has taken the above named house, which has recently undergone a thorough repair, and an extensive addition, and that he has furnished it entirely with new furniture, suitable for the wants and comforts of his guests. The House is situated in the most central part of the city, and is now open for the accommodation of boarders and transient customers. The Proprietor flatters himself, from past experience in hotel keeping, and from a strict personal attention to the wants and comfort of his guests, that he will be enabled to accommodate all who call upon him in a satisfactory manner. There is also in connection with the house a large and commodious stable, where travelers' horses will receive proper attention, also, carriages, buggies, and saddle horses furnished at the slightest notion.

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ALTON'S ALTON HOUSE (ADVERT.)

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 28, 1853

Alton House - Amos L. Corson, Proprietor. The undersigned, grateful for the very liberal patronage heretofore extended in the above well known and long established Hotel, respectfully informs the traveling public and the community in general, that he is still prepared to entertain them at all hours, in the very best manner, and on the most reasonable terms. His table will be constantly supplied with the choicest delicacies to be procured in the market; and no pains or attention, on the part of the proprietor, or his able assistant, Captain Pilts, will be omitted to give entire satisfaction to all who may favor him with a call. Connected with the establishment is a large and commodious stable, where a good stock of horses, carriages and buggies will always be kept in readiness for the accommodation of travelers and others. Funerals will also be attended to at short notice, and in the best and finest style.

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ALTON'S MILLING INTERESTS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 1, 1853

There are three large grain mills in this city, a full description of either of which would comprise a lengthy article. We have space for a brief notice of but one at this time, and some statistics with regard to it. The oldest of these mills, and the first ever built in Alton, is the one now owned by Messrs. Mitchell & Garnier. It was erected about the year 1830 by the Alton Manufacturing Company. It has changed hands several times since that period, and has made money and lost money, alternately, as is incident to that trade and the fluctuating prices of flour and grain. In 1839 this mill came into the possession of the Messrs. Wise, who run it three years. Other parties then run it, among whom were Messrs. McElroy & Atchinson. In 1849 this mill came into the possession of the present proprietors, and in 1850-51 it was fitted up in part as a distillery. It has a powerful steam engine, with three large boilers, and comprises four run of stones. The following is a correct statement of its capacities, and general business:

ALTON - NEW MASONIC HALL

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 20, 1853

May 13 - The want of a large and commodious hall, for the various Masonic bodies in this city, has been long felt, and the fraternity at one time intended putting up one of their own, the third and fourth stories of which were to be used for their meetings, but a proposition was eventually made to them by Messrs. E. & J. H. Hibbard, who proposed to so arrange the fourth story of their building, then erecting on Third street, as to give them a large and commodious hall, with all the ante-rooms necessary for the different bodies, and rent it to the fraternity for a term of years, at a fair rent. The proposition was accepted. The Hall and adjoining rooms have been furnished, and are now occupied. The Hall is without doubt the largest and best furnished in the State. It is about 68 feet in length, by 25 feet in width, and supplied from both sides with an abundance of light. The ceiling is an elliptic, about 16 feet high in the centre, and crowned with a very large and handsome pyramidal sky-light, about 8 feet in diameter at the base. The plastering and painting are of pure white, and the finish of the wood-work is plain, substantial, and neat. The furnishing of the Hall is elegant. The window-shades are of oil-cloth, representing various Masonic scones and emblems, while the coloring imparted through them to the room is rich and subdued. The entire floor is carpeted with a fine English three ply carpet, well put down. The officers' stands are raised by a succession of steps from the floor, according to their grades, the front of the stands being composed of well executed pillars, of the numbers three, two and one, according to the grade of the officers occupying them. They are also furnished with arm-chairs. Around upon the walls are hung side lamps, and from the centre of the pyramidal sky-light is suspended a splendid chandelier, of four burners, and the sides and ends of the Hall are furnished with arm-chairs for the members and visitors. The rooms adjoining are also well arranged for the purposes of the order, and present every imaginable convenience. Altogether, the hall is by far the largest and finest in the State, and reflects great credit upon Messrs. Hibbard, the builders, and upon the gentlemen who attended to its decoration and furnishing. The hall will comfortably seat 350 persons. It is proposed to have a public dedication of the hall at an early day. The exact time we are not informed. The following are different orders meet in the hall, together with their officers and the times of meeting. Piasa Lodge No. 27 meets every Tuesday evening. Officers: L. S. Metcalf, W. M.; W. H. Turner, S. W.; H. I. Hibbard, J. W.; R. H. Harrison, C.; P. Pickard, T.; H. G. McPike, S.; E. M. Hazzard, S. D.; T. Dimmock, J. D.; D. Simms, T.               Alton Royal Arch Chapter No. 8 meets every Friday evening. Officers: J. W. Schweppe II, P.; S. Y. McMaster, S.; J. Hunt, P. S.; R. H. Harrison, C.; W. H. Turner, S.; S. R. Dolbee, M.2dV.; G. W. Weigler, K.; J. H. Hibbard, C. H.; E. M. Hazzard, R.A.C.; P. Pickard, T.; J. R. Godfrey, M.3dV.; S. E. Lesure, M.1dV.; D. Simms, G.      Alton Council U. D. meets every Thursday evening. Officers: G. T. Brown, T.I.G.M.; P. W. Randle, P.C.O.W.; J. Bailhuche, T.; J. H. Hibbard, D.I.G.M.; G. H. Weigler, C.G.; W. H. Turner, R.            Belvidere Encampment No. 2 meets every Monday evening.  Officers: J. Hunt, M.E.G.C.; G. T. Brown, C.G.; W. P. Lamothe, S.W.; S. R. Dolbee, S.B.; J. R. Godfrey, S.B.; J. B. Kirkham, G.; J. W. Schweppe, P.; W. H. Turner, J. W.; B. F. Barry, W.; G. H. Weigler, S.

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ALTON - STREETS ENCLOSED AS PASTURE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 27, 1853

The residents of the 4th Ward of this city [Alton] are circulating a petition, we learn, praying the City Council to order the opening of many streets in Middletown, which have been fenced up by adjoining land owners for pasture. It appears that the petitioners want the roads opened for pasture also.

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ALTON LUMBER TRADE

Source: June 3, 1853

The lumber season has fairly commenced in this city, large quantities having arrived the past few days. About two million feet has already arrived in rafts from the Upper Mississippi, for our various lumber dealers. Their present intention is to bring into the Alton market, this season, five million feet of "lumber," (which term includes, in this region, everything except shingles and lath). Several million of shingles and lath will also be brought into the various yards. This is a larger amount of lumber than was ever before brought into this market in one season. And besides this, there is a new lumber firm established in the lower of the city whose of purchases or expected sales we are not advised, and there is a prospect of still another yard being established in this city, ere long. As regards prices, we learn that our lumber merchants are compelled to pay from $1.00 to $1.50 per thousand feet more, this season, than last year at this time. Common stuff, bought last year for $11 per thousand, new commands $12 to $13. This same difference will extend to purchasers at the yards. The fleet of lumber rafts now at our levee are what is called "the first run" from Black and Chippewa rivers near St. Anthony's Falls. The Upper Mississippi is now falling, but should it again arise or continue at the present fair stage, the "second run" of rafts will be enabled to get down and meet the demand of this lower country. In this connection we may be allowed to speak of "lumbering" in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Many young men came down on these rafts and from them we have picked up an item or two. In the summer time the sawmills of that northern region, situated on small, never failing streams, are running incessantly, cutting up the tall pines for the southern market. Many men are employed in the "pinery," in this business, the year through. In the fall and during the winter, the lumber is hauled to the Mississippi, a distance ranging from half a mile to three miles, and there made up into rafts. In mid winter the rafts are often constructed upon the ice, and are thus carried off by the spring freshet. At this time also, the teams are kept busy sledding the logs into the mill for next summer's sawing. Thus it is, in that far off wilderness, when winter seems to have wrapt all in its cold embrace, the lumbermen are wide awake and buffeting among the snowy drifts. So, at "freshet" time in the spring, the boss lumber man, and his gang of hands, mount their treasured rafts and push out for the South. They are from four to six weeks floating down to this point. This is to them a season alike of jolity, enjoyment, and hard times. They sing, fiddle, shoot and fish, and at times have to pull at their oars with all their might to keep clear of "tow heads," points and bars. A rain storm comes up - they are soaked; the sun is hot, and they fry under it. The wind blows hard, on to shore, and they have to paddle like mad. No wonder they, "the jolly raftsmen," arrive at our levee the toughest, merriest, and most sun-burnt and rugged set of fellows to be found. The boss owes many of these hands quite large sums - some $100, some $75, some $50, &c., for their past winter services. And so the boss must have his money instanter for his lumber. Therefore, so soon as his raft is tied, he "walks up to the captain's office to settle." Last Tuesday Messrs. Miller & Switzer bought an ordinary raft, paying its owner $4,500 in cash, as soon as it arrived, and was tied to shore, some $500 more remaining to be paid when the raft was taken out upon land, and accurately measured. (It is seen, hereby, that capital is required to carry on the lumber business.) The proprietor proceeds to settle with his hands and they scatter through our streets upon a land voyage among the stores. Soon we can observe them emerge from clothing stores, completely refitted "from top to toe" and as fine a looking set of young men as we generally see. It is hardly worth while to dilate, or prognosticate, upon the future lumber trade of this city. The subject will not suffer, if we simply dismiss it by stating that the agreeable odor of pine lumber will be more observable than ever in Alton this season.

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ALTON - DRUNKARDS NEAR HUNTERSTOWN ANNOY WOOD RIVER FARMERS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 10, 1853

Several worthy farmers, residing in the country near Wood River, and therenbouts, who often haul wood to town, complain to us that they are compelled to have their wood measured by a city measurer, at a low grocery, or doggery, below the bridge in Hunterstown. They state that there is usually a drunken crowd about there, and drinking, fighting, and swearing constantly going on, which to them is very annoying. If this is the case, it should be remedied instanter. We do not know who the wood measurer or grocery keeper is, and we have no design to injure them, but such a state of case is disreputable to our city and should be looked to. Will the City Council inquire into this matter?

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ALTON'S HOTEL NEWS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 17, 1853

We learn that it is the intention of the owner of the Alton House, or its leasee, Mr. Corson, to build a large brick addition, or wing, to the main building this season. The business of this hotel has been very heavy the past winter and spring, and fully justifies this enlargement. The Franklin House also has been doing a large business during the time mentioned, and, under the control of Mr. Bliss, and his right-hand man, Mr. Lestre (sp?), is conducted in excellent style. During several months past, many a night have we seen Mr. Bliss compelled to apologize to travelers for the want of the wherewith to accommodate them - his rooms, beds, sofas, blankets and buffalo robes being occupied by guests, many of whom were compelled to sleep on the floor. Were the Franklin House located differently, so as to admit of enlargement, its press business would imperatively demand it. The Piasa House is doing a good business, we should judge. Mr. Harry Hart, its landlord, is well versed in his duties, and has a host of friends. He has just erected a balcony around his hotel, which greatly adds to its appearance, and makes a cool and pleasant shade for the weary traveler. The City Hotel has its many patrons, and we believe is doing well, judging from appearances. There is a need for another and larger hotel, we believe. The Chicago and Mississippi road will be connected through to Chicago soon, and also cars [railroad] will be running to Hillsboro on the Terre Haute road, and the increase of travel through our city will be great. The present business overruns our hotels at times, and a new and large one is certainly very desirable, and would be a good investment. There are two fine locations for such a hotel now in our mind. One of them is the corner of State and Third streets, a large lot, cornering, and facing on both streets. It is owned by the Edwards estate, and is to be sold at public sale on the 15th of this month (next Wednesday). The other lot to which we refer is owned by O. M. Adams, Esq., and located opposite the Madison Mill. Mr. A. has long intended this spot for that purpose. Such a hotel as we have reference to would be a great benefit and credit to the city.

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ALTON'S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 24, 1853

We are pleased to learn that the Hibernian Benevolent Society [an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization] of Alton have determined to celebrate the coming National Anniversary in a very appropriate manner. They intend preparing an immense tent, or covering of tarpaulins, upon the high bluffs of our city (probably the high point above the Penitentiary), and will have a fine dinner. Good speakers have been invited, and Gen. Shields and Hon. D. L. Gregg are expected to be present. The Hibernian Societies of St. Louis have been invited, and will be up, and a band of music has been secured. This is a grand movement, and the Hibernians of our city will do the affair up right. They by no means intend to confine the celebration to themselves, but invite the other Benevolent Societies, and the people generally, to meet with them. We hope the Altonians will not be backward, but celebrate the Fourth in the joyous, good old-fashioned way. Let the stores, shops and warehouses be closed, and all determine to make it a holiday.

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ALTON'S LIME TRADE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 12, 1853

We took a stroll about the lime works, under the bluffs, a day or two since, and collected some facts and figures that we think will be of interest to our readers. The lime business is thought to be considerable, but we are not prepared to find it carried on as extensively as appears by the following:  The principal lime manufacturers of Alton and Messrs. C.Trumbull, John Lock, and some gentlemen in Hunterstown, their agents being Messrs. Mitchell & Hollister. Mr. Trumbull takes out about 800 bbls., Mr. Lock 300, and Mitchell & Hollister about 300 per week - a total of 1400 bbls. of lime per week, during the season. Up to July 30th, Mr. Lock has taken out of his kilns 8,000 bbls, and has burnt 680 cords of wood. Mr. Trumbull has burned over 15,000 bbl.; other manufacturers in proportion. Lime barrels are required in large numbers and are furnished from Upper Alton, Jerseyville, Kane and Wood river. Mr. Lock has also a cooperage connected with his shop. Barrels are scarce, and rising in price. The manufacture of these barrels requires many workmen, and affords a sale for all the refuse stock of the cooperages, which would not answer for "tight work," as flour and pork barrels. The price of lime will average 95 cts. per barrel the year through. It is a cash business, and the capital employed very quickly tuned - at least once per month. The profits are very fair. In fact, at 80 cts per bbl., and at present prices for wood, empty barrels and labor, the business would be at least ordinarily profitable. The demand has so far, exceeded the supply this season by more than two thirds. The manufacturers have now orders in hand from Minnesota, New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg, and many towns on the Mississippi, Illinois and upper Mississippi rivers, more than they can fill this season. Low water has cut off the up-river trade, or at least delayed it, and the lime is now shipped as fast as burned by cars and by New Orleans and Missouri river boats; nearly 2,000 barrels having gone up by the latter route recently. The city and adjacent country demand is also very heavy at this time, and large quantities are retailed at the kilns daily. The limestone of our city is remarkably pure, and almost entirely free from flint and other extraneous combinations of rock. Geologists have so pronounced it, and the lime has acquired a high reputation for purity and excellence throughout the West. In fact, we know of no location in the Union where such large quantities of the pure article is manufactured, with such case, and afforded so cheaply. The rock lies in regular parallel layers in a bluff about 100 feet high, and the layers thickening towards the bottom until they seem to be lost, and large masses could be got out, like granite. The kilns are built immediately against the rock, and thus blasting, breaking up, pitching into the tops of the kilns, burning, hauling wood and draiyng [sic] barrels, both empty and full, is being done at the same time and presents at times a very busy scene in that locality. During this season there will be from 80 to 100,000 bbls. of lime burnt in and about Alton, requiring from 7 to 9,000 cords of wood, When we count up the cost of the latter, and reflect upon the number of hands employed in barrel making, blasting, hauling, and about the kilns, we can somewhat appreciate the extent of the business - and which is yet in its infancy. Another year greater exertions will be put forth, and new kilns are about being constructed, of a new plan, in which fires will be kept up constantly, drawing from them the lime as fast as burned, while in full heat. Thus a great waste of heat in cooling off is avoided.

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ALTON - BUILDING PROGRESS ON THIRD STREET

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 26, 1853

Yesterday a company of workmen commenced to tear down the old frame houses, and dig out the cellars for two fine brick stores, on this street, immediately opposite Mr. Dibbard's tall building, and adjoining the premises of Judge Martin. This makes seven new stores now in progress of erection in this street. One year hence this street will present a very handsome appearance. Business is gradually working into this and other streets, back from the river.

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ALTON FURNITURE BUSINESS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, October 7, 1853

In no other branch of business is the growth and prosperity of Alton more manifest than in the furniture trade. A few years ago a single establishment, with quite a small stock, supplied all the demand. Now we have several large furniture establishments, and they find it difficult to supply the great demand. We stepped into Matzy's Furniture Establishment yesterday, and were both surprised and pleased to see the very large stock of fine and costly furniture he had on hand. Everything in the furniture line from the finest parlor furniture, and running through the different grades, in style and price, can here be found, besides many articles usually found in the house furnishing line. With such stocks of furniture as may now be found in Alton, there is no occasion for going elsewhere to purchase. Give him a call.

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ALTON - HUNTERSTOWN [RAILROAD] CAR BUILDING

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, October 14, 1853

We were favored with a visit, yesterday, to the Car Building Establishment in Hunterstown, and found it in full tide of operation. The wood workers, machinists, blacksmiths, moulders and carpenters, were all busy in their respective apartments, and their operations, together with the rolling machinery, produced a compound of noises, and gave a busy look to the premises. The finishing touches are now being made to twenty burthen cars, some fifteen of which were mounted and outdoors, upon the railroad track, in running order. The proprietors of the establishment have contracted to build 150 of these cars, together with all the switches, and this contract will furnish employment for the next ten months. Sixty men are employed in and about the premises. Everything about the cars are manufactured there, except the axles of the cars, and the India rubber springs. Some of these cars now finished were being fitted up with sleeping bunks, and others with stoves, and other family conveniences - to be used as boarding houses by the workmen employed along the road. So pressed with business is the Car Establishment that the proprietors have been unable to do work offered them by the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad Company and by others. So soon as a portion of the Terre Haute is completed sufficient to demand it, passenger cars will be put on, made at this shop. This business will be extended, in time, by the present energetic proprietors, to become one of the most extensive branches of manufacture in the city. They can easily make additions to their buildings, and can obtain timber, lumber, fuel and workmen, with less trouble, and outlay, than elsewhere in this section of country. As it is, this car building has brought a large capital, and a round number of mechanics and laborers into our city.

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ALTON - MURDER ON THE CORNER OF THIRD AND PIASA

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 2, 1853

Early on Thursday morning a young man, a drayman [man who drives a cart], was stabbed during a drunken row by another man, supposed to be a drayman. The occurrence took place at the grocery on the corner of Third and Piasa streets. The wounded man lived about twelve hours after the affray. An examination was held on Thursday, before Justice Pinckard, and was continued over to yesterday, in order to await the verdict of the Coroner's jury; and which was, that the deceased was willfully murdered. The Coroner's jury also signed a document addressed to the City Council, petitioning that the grocery where the murder was committed should be shut up. The accused party was remanded to jail, to await trial. His name is Flannagan. The name of the deceased was Causley.

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ALTON - RIVER CHANNEL SHIFTING

Source: The New York Times, November 29, 1859

The Alton (Ill.) Courier calls the attention of the authorities of that city to the shifting of the channel of the river, which is growing more serious every day, and threatens, if not checked, to make Alton an inland city. The Courier says that a stick of wood thrown into the stream, near Mitchel's mill, will drift rapidly almost directly across to the opposite shore, going down between the island and the Missouri shore. Besides this, the bar in front of the lower part of the city is constantly growing larger, and extending upwards, and if this process of accretion continues, there is a prospect that the channel will be thrown permanently to the opposite shore, leaving first a chute, then a slough, and finally a strip of dry land between the city and the distant bank of the river.

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ALTON - STEAMER GENEVA WRECK

Source:  The Quincy Daily Whig, Illinois, December 9, 1852
From the most authentic information it seems that the explosion on this ill-fated boat was from powder and not the explosion of the boilers. The engineer and clerk both state that there was a large lot of powder stowed away in the hold of the boat, forward of the hatch; the planks forming the gangway to the shore being wet and slippery, large quantities of hot ashes, mingled with coals, were brought from the furnace and strewed upon them, to enable the men to keep their footing while ascending to the bank and descending with the wood. It is thought that some of the coals or sparks were blown by the wind into the hold, causing the powder to ignite and blow up the boat. Some of the surviving officers say that they saw the boilers after the explosion, and that the flues were not collapsed. The body of Capt. Deane was found on Saturday, on the wreck of the cabin, about eight miles below Alton, and taken to St. Louis for interment. It was greatly disfigured, but there was no difficulty in recognizing his face, and his watch and papers were found upon his person. His funeral took place on Monday. Capt. J. J. Perry, Master of the Geneva, died on Sunday morning, from the injuries he had received. His remains are to be taken to Pittsburgh, where his wife resides, for interment.
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ALTON - FIRE AND THE "SUCKER" BOYS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 14, 1853

As we rarely have a fire in Alton, thanks to kind fortune, we must make the most out of the fire alarm, night before last. After running ourself clear out of breath, over Second street hill, in the wake of "der machine," to catch an item, fresh and warm, it shall go hard but that we make something out of it. The fire caught in a closet, under the stair way on the first floor. It was some time before its whereabouts could be ascertained. The "Sucker" engine boys were early on the ground - part of them mounted the house, part took possession of the fence, and the balance sealed the front door. An axe was made to ply among the shingles of the roof, and soon introduced star light among the rafters - but no fire was found. A ladder was placed against the outside, and some of the weather boarding removed, but the hunt after the "devouring element" was unsuccessful. The party inside the house cut open the floor, but no fire burst forth. They continued their peregrinations, however, convinced that where there was so much smoke there must be a little fire, and upon opening the closet, found it filled with flame. A few buckets of water quenched it. Before this, however, the "Sucker" boys had gathered around their "machine," quietly waiting to see whether there was going to be any fire, before they made any preparations. The damage to the building was inconsiderable. The neat rooms of the lady of the house were much soiled, by water, smoke, and muddy boots. The feminines of the neighborhood were considerably flattered, a damage however very easily repaired. The "Sucker" boys returned home, invincible, and we, in sure possession of our item.

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ALTON - STAGE COACH STATUS

Source: The New York Times, February 24, 1853

The Alton (Ill.) Telegraph gives the following account of Western travel, in these unfortunate localities not yet blessed with the Iron Horse: "The stage came in yesterday in a deplorable fix, from Jacksonville; the body and hind wheels were left behind, perhaps in some mud hole up the country, opposite an anti-railroad man's door. Upon the front axle tree was lashed a crockery crate, which contained the Jehu, his mails and three passengers. The whole concern looked as though it had searched the bottom of every quagmire in the country, and brought away a sample of its compost and fertilizing qualities."

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ALTON -  "DUEL" BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE EDITOR OF THE COURIER

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 15, 1853

Mr. Editor: It appears from a communication in yesterday's Telegraph that there is a slight prospect of a duel to come off some time between now and frost. Being a connoisseur in such matters, having been "second" a few times, and having held the handkerchief and bottle for pugilists, I propose to take charge of this "affair of Honor." I would, in that case, arrange that the Mayor take his "site" from the Bluffs, on this side the river, and that you select an easy crotch of a tall tree on the other side - each to be armed with superior dueling pistols, warranted to hold up to forty yards. There you can "pepper" each other to your heart's content, you "seconds" and attending friends being allowed to while away the time by swimming and fishing. Experienced surgeons and cooks will be on the ground. Also, an eminent legal gentleman, to investigate the validity of the Mayor's resignation. No spirits allowed on the ground, but coffee - except in case of accident. Should this honorable affair terminate fatally, the services of Col. Crane's St. Louis Battalion will be called upon to do the funeral honors. In short, Mr. Editor, if this affair is committed to my charge, I promise you it shall go off like hot cakes, and greatly to the renown and glory of all concerned.  Yours, Undertaker. Alton, July 8, 1853.

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ALTON - RAIL TRAVEL FROM NEW YORK TO ALTON NOW OPEN

Source: Oswego, New York Daily Times, November 7, 1853

The public will rejoice at the announcement that a continuous railway track is now open from this city [New York] to Alton, Illinois, on the Mississippi, twenty miles above St. Louis. These two great cities are thus brought within about forty-eight hours of each other, traveling time, and passengers are ticketed through from New York to Alton and St. Louis, at the Michigan Southern Railroad office in this city. We congratulate our friends at the that the "close of navigation" will no obstruction this winter, to travel.
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ALTON'S PROGRESS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 27, 1854

Judge Niles, editor of the Belleville Advocate, was here a few days ago, and in his paper of Wednesday last, speaks in very encouraging and flattering terms of the improvements and prospects of our city. We ought to say that the statements are nearly correct - our city schools not yet being free, although rapidly approaching to that state, and the position of the Courier on the Nebraska Question has been positive neutrality, and not positive and downright opposition. We copy the editor's remarks:

Alton and Her Progress - A recent visit to the city of Alton and a sojourn of two days among her enterprising and public spirited citizens, has left a strong impression on our mind of her present prosperity and future growth. The city proper, or Lower Alton, with her suburbs, Hunter's Town, Upper Alton, Middle Alton and Semple Town, making one extensive city, are all advancing with wonderful progress. We were astonished to see the houses built and building in all directions on the hills which form the site of this really promising city. The railroads have done much to raise her to the commanding position which she is now rapidly assuming. One railroad, connecting with Chicago, has been in operation about two years; another, the Alton and Terre Haute, is completed for eighteen miles out from Alton, and is in process of rapid completion throughout. Three other roads are projected - one from Alton to Illinoistown, connecting with the Belleville road, and now building; one from Jacksonville to Alton, and a continuation of this last to Illinoistown, which will make two parallel roads between the two last-named points. Alton is secure in three railroads, pointing North, East and South, in less than a year, and connecting her within a brief period with all the Eastern and Southern cities. The appreciation of property, and rapid increase of her population and wealth, are explained by these facts. All branches of business appear to be thriving. There is one, however, the success of which is highly creditable to Alton, viz: her newspaper publications. As nearly connected with this branch, it is most proper to state, to the high praise of Alton, that she has established free public schools in every quarter of her city, so that every child can be educated at the cost of the city and State. What the State Fund does not furnish for this patriotic purpose is contributed freely by the tax-payers. There are two daily papers, the Courier and Telegraph, which issue weekly editions. The latter issues a tri-weekly, also. These papers are conducted with marked ability and talent. The Courier (Dem.) is edited by George T. Brown, and the Telegraph, of opposite politics, by Messrs. Bailhache and Edward Baker. The printing office of the Courier has cost its proprietor $40,000. He has one of the largest sized steam presses, of Hoe's patent, which cost $3,700, and which turns off thirty-two impressions per minute, or 1,800 per hour. The bold enterprise shown in the establishment of the Alton Courier deserves success, and we have no doubt, will attain it. We add with pleasure that both of these papers are against the Nebraska Bill of Mr. Douglas, though the Whig is more positive and downright in his opposition than the Democrat. These facilities for education and public mental improvement are most worthy accompaniments of the increasing prosperity of this thriving city. In these particulars our own city, with an equal or a more numerous population, and not inferior in wealth, if far behind our neighbor. In schools and journals we compare most unfavorably with Alton. We hope that a new spirit will arise here, and that this contrast, so much to our disadvantage, may be made to disappear or be reversed. The tax which is now proposed will do much toward this object. The efforts of Alton in behalf of education, and in support of her newspapers, are the best return she can make for the legislative favors which she has enjoyed. We sincerely rejoice in her prosperity, and wish its continuance step by step with the grand progress which the State of Illinois is now making.

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ALTON - ANTI-NEBRASKA BILL SENTIMENT

Source: Evening Chronicle, Syracuse, New York, June 16, 1854

We copy the following notice of an Anti-Nebraska meeting held at Alton, Illinois, on the 2d inst., from the Telegraph, a leading paper published in that city :
"The mass meeting of the citizens of Alton and the vicinity, on last Friday evening, to express their sentiments against the recent passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, was one of the largest and most enthusiastic which has been held in this city for many a day. The meeting was composed of all classes: and Democrats, Whigs and Free Soilers, Germans, Irish and Americans, met together with one common impulse, and, forgetting all other considerations, seemed to be moved only by a strong and deep-seated indignation against the authors of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. The utmost unanimity prevailed throughout; and if we may judge with any accuracy of the sentiment upon that subject, from what was said and done on the occasion, four-fifths of our entire community are opposed to Judge Douglas and his bill.
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ALTON - NEW LUMBER YARD

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 13, 1854

Mr. Wills, one of the largest lumber manufacturers of the North, and who has supplied our lumber merchants with a large part of their lumber for several years, has rented a part of Block 53, between Piasa and Market streets, for the purpose of opening a lumber yard. Mr. Wills has been engaged in the lumber business for many years, and looks upon Alton as the best point on the river for a yard. He will have a million of feet piled on the ground within a few days. Success to him.

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ALTON - RAILROAD BRIDGE BURNED

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 13, 1854

The bridge constructed across Wood river, about four miles from this city, by the Alton and Terre Haute Railroad Company, was burned down on Tuesday night. It is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Some of the timbers remain, and it will be rebuilt as speedily as possible, but the road will be delayed considerably, as the Company were transporting iron for laying the track across this bridge, and that work will necessarily be suspended until it is replaced. The cost of the bridge was something over $3,000.

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ALTON - COTTONWOOD STAVES

Source: The Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, August 18, 1854

One of the greatest triumphs of the invention for cutting staves out of solid, blocks of timber that could be split, is the use of cotton wood—hitherto considered one of the most worthless, yet most common tree of the west, and one that grows more rapidly than any other. The wood is sweet and sufficiently strong for flour barrels and all dry casks. It is considerably used in the neighborhood of Alton, Illinois.

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ALTON - CITY IMPROVEMENTS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 24, 1854

The new buildings in process of erection on Third, Second and Piasa streets are progressing as fast as could be expected, and some of them are rapidly approaching completion. Cook's building on the south side of Third street is a very commodious structure, with an iron front, manufactured by Stigleman & Johnson. The building is eighty-five feet long, and twenty-five feet wide. The first story is twelve feet high. The entire story will be occupied as a book store. The second story is eleven feet high, and is to be used as a furniture store. The third story is eleven feet high, has two sky lights, one near each end, and is designed for a Daguerrean gallery. The building will be ready for occupants in a few weeks. The masonry was executed by Messrs. Veitch & Gray, of this city. Z. Lowe, Esq., of Upper Alton, executed the carpentry. The building of U. Baker, Esq., on the corner of Third and Belle streets, is approaching completion and is a very fine building. Its dimensions are as follows: length, ninety feet; width, twenty-five feet. It has an iron front, manufactured by N. Hanson, Esq. The first story is twelve feet eight inches high and is divided into two rooms. The room fronting on Third street will be sixty-four feet deep and will be occupied, we understand, as a drug store. The second story is eleven feet ten inches high. The front extending sixty-four feet will be divided into offices. The third story is ten feet high, and is designed as a composing room for our neighbors of the Telegraph, who will also occupy the north end of the second and first stories and cellar, as a printing establishment. The masonry was executed by Mr. Braznell, and the carpentry by G. Evans, Esq., of our city. On the corner of Second and Piasa streets, T. L. Waples, Esq., is erecting a substantial three story building, fifty feet in length and thirty feet wide. The first story is to be twelve feet six inches high. Both will be occupied as a clothing store. The third story will be nine feet six inches high. We have not learned the purpose for which it will be occupied. There are several other valuable buildings going up on Third street and in that vicinity, which we will notice hereafter. Messrs. Vale & Paul are erecting a fine two story building on State street, on the west side, on the lot next north of the store of J. Lock & Bro. It is seventy-five feet long and twenty-five feet wide. The first story is designed for sheltering carriages, and will be twelve feet high. The second story will be ten feet high and will be rented to mechanics. The basement will be ten feet deep and finished off as a saloon. Besides the buildings particularly noticed today and yesterday, Messrs. Platt & Keating are erecting a fine three story brick building on the north side of Third street. Messrs. J. H. & A. G. Smith are about to erect a three story building on Piasa street, between Second and Third, and T. L. Waples, Esq., has the foundations ready to erect three more buildings on the same block, fronting on Piasa street. We understand that Judge Martin is about to erect a fine dwelling house on the north side of Second street, east of the Baptist Church. Sundry other improvements are in process in the central part of the city, which we will notice as the plans and purposes for erection are made apparent.

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ALTON - SACRILEGIOUS OUTRAGE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 14, 1854

It appears from an advertisement in our columns this morning that some person or persons entered the graveyard near Upper Alton on the night of the 5th inst., and attempted the diabolical outrage of exhuming the body of Mrs. Dunlap, whose death was announced in our paper a few weeks since. Those whose souls are so callous as (for any purpose except what the affection of relatives may dictate) to disturb the remains of the honored dead, and open afresh and mercilessly the aching wounds of hearts already grief-stricken, deserve neither the rites of burial or the tears of affliction at their decease. We sincerely hope the perpetrators of this cruelty will be brought to justice and so punished that if the world holds others so heartless, they may be deterred by the example made.

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ALTON - EARTHQUAKE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 12, 1855

A shock of an earthquake was perceptible in this city between eight and nine o'clock on Wednesday night. It was of very short continuance, but was very sensibly felt in several parts of the city. One man, living in Sempletown, states that his house rocked with a motion like that of a ship on the waves.

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ALTON - ROBBERY

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 17, 1855

The house of Patrick Develin, situated on Henry st., near the Lutheran Church, was entered on the night of the 7th inst., between 1 and 2 o'clock a.m. The thief entered the house through a window, and, notwithstanding the repeated efforts of Mrs. Develin to awaken her husband, the thief escaped with seventy dollars in money, and two silver watches valued at thirty-five dollars. The moon shone brightly into the room, so that Mrs. D. could distinctly see the features of the man; so strongly were they impressed upon her mind, that on walking through Second st. the day following, in company with her husband, she recognized the fellow while passing them. An officer was called, who arrested him and took him before Justices Pinckard and McPike. The evidence being conclusive, he was held to bail in the sum of three hundred dollars. His name is James T. Fulton. He is a native of England, and has been in this city but a short time.

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ALTON - SERIOUS ACCIDENT

Source: Alton Weekly Courier May 24, 1855

On Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock, two men named Patrick Hennessey and John Tierney were seriously injured by the giving way of about 50 tons of overhanging rock on the bluffs, adjoining Russell & Shelley's Lime Kiln. It was considered unsafe by Mr. Russell, the superintendent of the work, who had sent the men to prepare for blasting off the dangerous portion of the rock, and while so engaged, it suddenly gave way, precipitating the men to a depth of about forty feet. Doctor Post arrived immediately on the spot, and finding their injuries to be severe, had them removed to their residences. Mr. Russell rendering every assistance to mitigate their sufferings. To what extent they are injured, we are unable to learn; but Dr. Post thought, from the examination he had made, Hennessey cannot live. The other man, Tierny, although badly hurt internally from the concussion, it is likely will recover. Hennessey has a wife and two children in St. Louis. He is a steady, sober, and industrious man.  P.S. - Shortly after the above was written, Hennessey died. Tierney is so badly injured that no hopes are entertained of his recovery.

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ALTON FERRY NEEDED

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 14, 1855

To the Editor of the Courier: For some months past, I have intended to call the attention of our citizens to the importance of having a ferry, in regular and constant operation, across the Mississippi river between Alton and the Missouri shore. All former attempts to establish a ferry across the river at this point have been prompted by individual enterprise; but, proving unprofitable as a business speculation, have been abandoned. There are some kinds of business that, if properly conducted, would be a source of great convenience to the public, and of profit too, in the aggregate, but which would not justify an individual in prosecuting as a means of emolument to himself. This is the fact in relation to the establishment of a ferry across the river from this city. It is not probable that a ferry could be sustained here without a loss to the proprietor - at least for the first year or two - yet the experiment may be worth the sacrifice it would require, if that sacrifice were made by those who would share the general benefit. That a very desirable and constantly increasing trade with our neighbors across the river might be made available, if reliable facilities were offered them for visiting the city, will not be doubted, and that this route might soon be made a thoroughfare for travelers, is scarcely less probably. If, then, a ferry cannot be sustained by individual enterprise, how shall it be done? I will make a suggestion: Let the citizens of Alton, by petition, or in public assembly, solicit the City Council for a sufficient appropriation to purchase a good steam ferry boat, not larger than is required for the purpose, and an annual appropriation thereafter, to keep it in operation, and I am satisfied that in less than a year from the commencement of the ferry privileges, the advantages resulting from the enterprise would be too palpable to admit of its discontinuance. It is not improbable that its maintenance a single year would make it a source of revenue to the city, in addition to the advantages the public would derive from it. I am informed that Mr. John Mullady, one of our most industrious, energetic and enterprising citizens, stands ready to take an interest in the project, and incur a share of the risk by an investment, if the city authorities, or our business men, or both, shall render the required assistance to insure its successful prosecution. No man who knows Mr. Mullady will doubt his qualifications for the business; and it is hoped that our City Council, or some of our prominent citizens, will take the incipient steps to ascertain the feasibility of any plan that he or any other enterprising and competent man may propose, to carry into effect the views herein suggested. Respectfully yours, Free Trade.

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ALTON CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 12, 1855

The National Anniversary passed of pleasantly and joyfully, and without an accident of any kind in this city or neighborhood, to detract from the festivities of the occasion. A more quiet and orderly holiday we never saw in town, and in whatever direction our citizens went, all agree in saying that the day was spent pleasantly, and much more rationally in many cases, than heretofore. There was little or no drunkenness, no fighting or quarrelling that we heard of. Our citizens having some sad experience of the use of cannon by inexperienced persons on like occasions, wisely refrained from any such dangerous demonstrations, and the money thus heretofore expended in a few discharges of artillery was spent in a series of beautiful fireworks in the evenings, delighting the young and gratifying the old, by the most brilliant display we have witnessed for many years. Between 8 and 10 o'clock, a large number of family parties could be seen wending their way to some cool and shady grove a few miles off, previously selected, with well filled baskets of "that which nourisheth," and as the day was cool and a fine breeze sprung up in the morning, it seemed to us that no fitter celebration could be had, and that there, while the father of the family recounted to his children the history of the birth of our nation, the trials and sufferings of our revolutionary fathers, and contrasted the then problem with the present, the fruition of their hopes, how the young heart must have swelled with gratitude to God and fervent prayer ascended for the continuance of this glorious union. The German Yagers, under the command of that excellent officer, Capt. G. H. Weigler, had determined on a celebration and picnic in the beautiful grove north of Cave Spring. They appeared on Third street about 10 o'clock, in full dress, preceded by their splendid Brass Band, and made an exceedingly handsome and soldier-like appearance. During their march through the principal streets, they performed some very difficult evolutions, showing them to be in a high state of training, and reflecting great credit on their officers. Shortly after 11 o'clock the company, preceded by their pioneers, some thirty or forty German boys carrying flags, and a large number of our citizens, proceeded to the grove, where they were addressed by Capt. Weigler in a patriotic speech, and by several others, after which the company sat down to a splendid dinner, where speeches, song and sentiment abounded. After the dinner, the dance commenced and continued with but little intermission till near midnight, all appearing to enjoy themselves in the greatest degree, and everywhere good order and peace predominating. It was expected by many that the Mayflower would be here and make a pleasure trip to the mouth of the Illinois, but she did not arrive till 3 o'clock, and did not intend to proceed further. In the evening there were beautiful and brilliant displays of fireworks, one from near the residence of A. S. Barry, Esq., on Semple's Hill, and the other near the residence of J. E. Starr, on the Middletown Hill. It was intended, we understood, to represent the bombardment of Sebastopol, and the way the white, red, blue and green rockets rushed up in the air and across the valley, showed great energy on the part of the Allies, and a very determined resistance on the part of the Russians. Rockets were not the only weapons used by the armies. Every few minutes some "infernal machine" would be exhibited in a blaze, throwing its projectiles far into the air, and descending into the valley in beautiful colored globes of fire, which would be answered from the other hill with some new and startling device. We ___ ___ ___ near enough to the scene of conflict to ascertain what hill the Allies were in possession of and what hill represented Sebastopol, but we judged the Russians occupied Semple's hill, for the fire appeared to slacken and grow fitful, while Middletown hill continued in a blaze, and ever and anon came along the night air the sound as of victory. We will only add that Pelissier Starr, Raglan Caldwell, and Canrobert Kellenberger commanded the Allies, while Mentschikoff Barry, Tombnoffstonekoff Beaumont and Gortschakoff Platt commanded the Russians!! The trip to Hillsboro was a pleasant one in all respects, but as our Assistant represented us there, we will let him speak for himself.

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ALTON - CHARTER ELECTION HELD

Source: The New York Times, September 15, 1855

Alton, Ill., Friday, Sept. 14.  The Charter election here, yesterday, resulted in the choice of Samuel Wades, Whig, without opposition.

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ALTON - 500 KANSAS EMIGRANTS ARRIVE

Source: Syracuse, New York Evening Chronicle, March 28, 1855

Last week, 500 Kansas emigrants reached Alton, Ill. An equal number were expected at the same point on Saturday last. Last Thursday, 130 Germans marched through the streets of Cincinnati, headed by a band of music, and took passage, with their families, for the same destination. 600 others in the same city were waiting for a boat. A Kentucky party (200) had chartered a boat, and were to have left on Friday. Others of the same associations, would soon follow. Five hundred families are enrolled in Indiana, and thousands are preparing, on their own boat, to leave during the summer. There is a movement for Kansas also in this city. One or two meetings have already been held, and a company is being formed for emigration. To balance these northern movement we have word that ten thousand emigrants will go from Missouri and stay long enough to settle the coming election in favor of Slavery. The election takes place on Friday of this week.
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ALTON - SUCKER FIRE COMPANY ORGANIZED

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 13, 1855

We take pleasure in announcing that we have at last a regularly organized fire company in our city, fully equipped and ready "on call" to protect our property from the devouring element. It has been long needed and loudly called for, and some of our citizens have suffered materially within the past three or four years for the want of it. The organization is as follows: Henry Platt, Captain; J. P. Ash, Secretary; Samuel Pitts, 1st Engineer; William Pitts, 2d Engineer; M. Brooks, Captain of hose; W. H. Turner, Treasurer. The fire engine and equipments have been placed in their hands by vote of the Council. The company contains 56 members. They meet every Thursday evening at the Council room. We can assure the company that our citizens appreciate their public spirit. We can now look with hope to a new and more reliable source for protection, when the fiery element gleams on the midnight air and envelopes our dwellings or places of business in its destructive folds. We hope the members of the company may enjoy many long years of peace and prosperity in the midst of a grateful people, and never have occasion to appear in the active discharge of their duty as firemen.

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ALTON - TALLOW CANDLE MANUFACTORY

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 6, 1855

A new manufactory of tallow candles has lately been started at Upper Alton by Mr. Alexander Pringle, who manufactures a splendid article, upon a new plan. While the wick is in the mould, it is kept strained, thereby securing it always in the centre of the candle, and the wick itself is counter twisted, while at the same time it is kept soft and pliable. The candles has been tested and pronounced superior to any in the market.

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ALTON - HORSE THIEVES

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 6, 1855

On Monday night the horse belonging to Monticello Seminary was stolen from the stable and has not yet been recovered. On Tuesday evening the horse of Cashier Caldwell was stolen from his stable in Middletown. Mr. Caldwell started for St. Louis yesterday morning, found the horse, and telegraphed back in the afternoon to that effect. On the same night, a dwelling house was entered and a watch and some jewelry stolen. The particulars we could not learn. Quite a number of Penitentiary birds have lately been let loose, their sentences having expired. This may account for the frequent robberies lately. However, our citizens cannot be too guarded in securing their dwellings.

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ALTON RAILROAD ACCIDENT

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 17, 1856

Jan. 11 -- On yesterday morning, as the A.M. freight train, coming to this city [Alton] on the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, had nearly arrived at Dorsey's Station, about fifteen miles from here, it met with a terrible accident, by the breaking of one of the wheels of the track supporting the locomotive, by whic the engine was thrown from the track, the tender turned upside down on the other side of the track, and five men killed by one of the freight cars running up on the engine. Those on the engine at the time of the accident were Conductor Wyman of this city; Mr. King, the engineer; Wesley Davis, the fireman, also of this city; John Morrison, an engineer from Dunkirk, New York who had been employed by the Company and was going over the road for the first time; and R. Bales and ______ Doak, both from Decatur, Macon county, the owners of the hogs which composed the freight of the train. Just previous to the smash, Mr. Wyman, the Conductor, observed the engine leaning to one side, and jumped off just in time to save himself. He received no injury whatever. The other five remained on the engine, four of whom were instantly killed, and the other, Mr. King, the engineer, lived three or four hours. As soon as the accident was known here, Superintendent Sargent took out a special train, accompanied by Drs. Williams, Metcalf and Allen, Messrs. Warren and Corson, of this city, but it arrived too late to render any aid to the engineer. He had passed to another world. Mr. St. John, the President of the Company, also arrived at the scene of the disaster a short time after it occurred. The relief train brought in the bodies in the afternoon, upon whom coroner Pinckard proceeded to hold an inquest, which he adjourned until this afternoon. The officers of the Company have also ordered a searching enquiry into the causes which produced the accident. Although not upon the ground, we made diligent inquiry and could not find that anybody was to blame. It seems to be one of these accidents which baffle all human foresight.

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ALTON - COLD WEATHER DESTROYS PEACHES

Source: The New York Times, January 24, 1856

We learn from the Alton (Ill.) Courier, that at a meeting of the Alton Horticultural Society on Saturday last, it was stated by Dr. Hall, others confirming the statement, that on examination of the fruit buds of peach trees, in that vicinity, it had been found that the recent severe cold weather has destroyed the promise of a yield of luscious fruit the coming season.

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ALTON POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 24, 1856

The above Institute, we are pleased to hear, have rented the second and third stories of the building on the corner of Third and Piasa streets. The designs of this organization can be better understood from its Constitution. The necessity and utility of free instruction to our young men and mechanics must be apparent to every mind. We understand Mechanical drawing, Architecture, Mathematics, Bookkeeping, Penmanship, Elocution, and Rhetoric will, on successive evenings during the week, be taught; the recitation room being the third story of the above building. There will be a reading room in the second story of same building, where all the newspapers, magazines, &c., of the country will be kept for the use of the public. A large collection of geological and other specimens, and such other things as can be obtained, birds, beasts and reptiles, will be added to the museum department.

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ALTON MANUFACTORIES - THE FLOURING MILLS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, March 13, 1856

We spent yesterday in looking through the principal flouring mills of our city, which form an important feature in the business of the place. We called first at the large frame mill at the north end of Second street, now owned and operated by Messrs. J. J. & W. Mitchell; this is the oldest steam-flouring mill in Illinois which is yet in operation. It was erected about the year 1831 by a company of Boston capitalists, who were incorporated by an act of the State Legislature, under the name of the "Alton Manufacturing Company." While owned by that company it was, at different times, in charge of and operated by themselves, S. & P. Wise, McElroy, Libby & Co., J. Brown & Co., and others. The present proprietors took charge of it and began to buy in the shares of the different stockholders as much as ten years ago, and for the last five years have owned it all. It is one of the most convenient and desirable locations for a business of this kind we have ever seen, and is a very valuable piece of property. The building is about eighty feet square, and five stories high. The engine is about two hundred horsepower, and is supplied with steam from three boilers, each twenty-eight feet long, and there are five run of stones. The mill runs day and night all the year round, and is capable of manufacturing two hundred and fifty barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. The company employs constantly about fourteen hands, to whom they pay aggregate wages of one hundred dollars per week. Since last harvest they have had on hand all the time from thirty to sixty thousand bushels of wheat. The active capital necessary in the management of their business is between thirty and forty thousand dollars. Our next visit was to the "Madison Mills," situated on Piasa street, and extending from Front to Second. The building is of stone, is one hundred and thirteen feet long, fifty-five feet wide, and four stories high. This mill was first put in operation by Joseph Brown, Henry Lea and J. G. Lamb, in the year 1848. Since then there has been a change in the firm, and it is now owned and managed by Lea, Weaver & Co. They have two good steam engines, with fourteen inch cylinders having four feet stroke; there are three boilers, each forty-two inches in diameter and thirty-six feet long. They run five pair of burrs and can manufacture from two hundred and seventy-five to three hundred barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. They have twelve hands regularly employed, to whom they pay about one hundred dollars a week. They use about twelve thousand dollars of active capital, and do a business amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. We next proceeded to call at Mr. J. D. Bruner's mill on Second street. This establishment is not so large as some of the others, but is kept in excellent order and is doing a very good business. It was first established in 1847 by J. A. & J. D. Bruner, expressly for the manufacture of corn meal, rye and buck wheat flour, and feed; it succeeded very well, and in 1849 Mr. W. H. Bruner became associated in the business, and a new boiler and engine was procured. In the Fall of 1849 they purchased the lot they had before occupied, removed the frame building that was on it and in seventy days they had erected and finished a fine three story building, with iron front and iron doors. Sixty feet of the first story was finished up for a retail grocery store, and the balance of the building was used for the mill. In 1854, they put in machinery for manufacturing an extra article of family flour for home use, which some stood high in this as also in the southern market; the demand for home consumption, however, was such that they could fill no orders from abroad. In the Fall of 1854, they purchased the patent right for a hominy mill, and immediately built one; they found it to work to their entire satisfaction. It makes excellent hominy, and when clean and sound corn is used, the hominy will keep in any climate as long as the corn will. In March of 1855, J. D. Bruner bought J. A. Bruner's interest in the business, and in August following, he made a further purchase of the interest of W. H. Bruner, since which, he has been sole owner and proprietor. The mill has two three foot burrs; one for corn and one for wheat; is capable of making twenty barrels of extra flour in twelve hours, or two hundred bushels of corn meal in the same time. It has one boiler, double flued, twenty-two feet long, and forty inches in diameter; engine is eight inch bore, twenty-eight inch stroke, and is fourteen horse power; it requires three men to run it. He has an extensive corn sheller, which shells with ease one thousand bushels of corn per day. It is run by steam, is fed by two men with scoop shovels, and shells and cleans the corn at the same time. The hominy mill turns out twenty-five bushels of hominy every twelve hours. When grinding wheat, it takes about two hundred dollars a day to keep the mill in motion, and when grinding corn about one hundred dollars. There is another mill on Second street, above State, belonging to the Messrs. Wise, who have long been engaged in the milling business in our city. We called there for the purpose of sketching its history and condition, but Mr. Wise begged us not to say anything until he gets his new mill - which he is preparing to build this season, and of which we gave an advance sketch a few days ago - in operation; he thinks the less that is said about his old mill the better. It is true the mill is in a very old and shabby looking one stone building, but it manufactures a great deal of very good flour. Their brand has always stood No. 1 in the market.

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ALTON MANUFACTORIES - TURNER AND SIDWAY'S SADDLE, HARNESS AND TRUNK MANUFACTORY

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, March 13, 1856

Yesterday afternoon we visited this large establishment, and were shown through it by the gentlemanly proprietors with every mark of respect and attention. We found them engaged in the business on a much larger scale than we expected; their establishment is a credit to their own enterprise, and an honor to the city. Their manufactory is in a large three story building on Second street, the lower floor of which is used for a sale room; the two floors above, with three floors in adjoining buildings are used for manufacturing and storing their goods. This business was first established here in 1847 by Mr. G. D. Sidway; in 1853 Mr. Sidway's son became associated in the business, and the firm was entitled G. D. & L. B. Sidway; in December of 1855 Capt. William H. Turner purchased the father's interest, and the business has been since, and still is, conducted by Messrs. Turner & Sidway. They manufacture every variety of saddles, harness, horse collars, and trunks. Their horse collars took the first premium at the State Fair in Springfield in 1854. They use an active capital of seventeen thousand dollars, and do a yearly business of about one hundred thousand dollars. They employ between thirty-five and forty hands, to whom they pay about three hundred and fifty dollars a week. They manufacture and sell each year about two thousand dozen horse collars; about one thousand sets of harness; eight hundred saddles, and one hundred and twenty-five dozen trunks. They will make this year one hundred and fifty dozens steel spring trunks. They do a general retail and jobbing business. They sell a large quantity of goods at their store, but by far the largest share of their manufactures - at least four-fifths - are shipped in various directions to their wholesale customers up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and out on the different railroads. They supply retail dealers as far up the Mississippi as St. Paul. The manufacturing department of the business is, we believe, under the care of Mr. Sidway, who is a practical mechanic, and who worked many years at the bench, who gives it his constant personal attention, which is an ample guarantee that none but the very best quality of work will be turned out. Capt. Turner is always at his desk or behind the counter, but we need say nothing about him, for everybody knows him as well as we do.

J. H. WELCH'S SADDLE AND HARNESS MANUFACTORY:

This is a new establishment, also on Second street, and having been but recently started, it as yet does a light business. It was established in NOvember of 1855 by the present proprietor, Mr. J. H. Welch. Mr. Welch showed us some specimens of his work, and as far as we are capable of judging, it will compare favorably with any other in the same line. He confines himself to the manufacture of saddles and harness, a stock of which he keeps on hand, as well as being prepared to make and repair to order.

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ALTON PACKING HOUSES

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, March 20, 1856

The packing of beef and pork has always been and is still a very important feature in the business of our city. The location of Alton is such as to make it the most convenient point for the packing of meats and the shipping of produce for a very large and very productive portion of our State. We have every reason to believe that there always will be a large amount of beef and pork packed here. We spent a part of a day in visiting the different packing houses in Alton, and gathering statistical information in relation to the business done by each. Our first call was at the large beef and pork packing establishment of Messrs. H. Fay & Co., which is situated on Front street, a little below the Alton House. This is much the largest packing house in Alton, and is a branch of the celebrated Harrison Fay & Co.'s packing house and provision store of Boston; the members of the firm having control of both houses are Harrison Fay, S. P. Greenwood and Edward Read. We were received by Mr. Greenwood, the resident partner here, who, with the strictest and most systematic business habits, combines the amiable deportment of a perfect gentleman; he led us through the different departments of their large establishment, and furnished us with all the information we desired. The main building is of brick, one hundred feet long, eighty feet wide, and two stories high; the lard house is the same height, and is forty feet long and twenty-six feet wide. The buildings and lot are worth about ten thousand dollars. This establishment was erected, and the business commenced here in 1850 by Mr. Aaron Corey, and was occupied by him for four years, when it fell into the hands of its present proprietors. Mr. Greenwood informs us that they have packed, this season, twelve hundred beeves, and nine thousand hogs. Since the first of October they have paid out one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which is about the amount of active capital they have in use in this branch of their business. They pack almost exclusively for their Boston house. The average number of their employees is about thirty. During the busy season they pay out about five hundred dollars a week to their hands. This year they have done their own slaughtering. Their slaughter house has been managed by Mr. John Challacombe, a gentleman of experience in the business. In consequence of the suspension of navigation, they have an immense quantity of pork, beef, lard, tallow, &c., &c., on hand, which will be shipped to Boston in a few days. Our next visit was to the old and extensive establishment of Messrs. S. Wade & Co., next door below. This house has been doing business here about fifteen years; its shipments are made to New Orleans, New York and Boston. The building occupied is one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet in size, and is well arranged for the business. They have packed here this season about nine thousand five hundred hogs, mostly on commission. This is the oldest packing house in our city, and we would be glad to give a history of its origin and progress, and a full sketch of its present condition, but the proprietor declined giving us the necessary statistical information. Still farther down on Front street there is another packing house which was put in operation some ten years ago by Mr. William McBride. It now belongs to Messrs. George Hagan & Co., of St. Louis, who packed here, this season, five thousand four hundred hogs. Messrs. J. J. & W. H. Mitchell, who own the large frame mill at the head of Second street, packed four thousand five hundred hogs this season. These hogs averaged two hundred and twenty pounds each. They have about $38,000 now invested in pork, ready to be shipped.

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ALTON - STEAMERS

Source: Albany, New York Evening Journal, April 9, 1856

A committee from Kansas is in St. Louis, delegated by a number of the businessmen of that Territory to take steps for the establishment of a line of steamers from Alton, Ill. to Kansas for the transportation of northern emigrants and merchandise. The committee will proceed to Chicago, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh for the purpose of perfecting the arrangements.

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ALTON MARBLE YARD

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 17, 1856

Yesterday morning we paid a visit to Mr. John B. Beaumont's Marble Yard on the north side of Belle street, between Third and Fourth, and examined some specimens of his superior work. Mr. Beaumont established himself here in his present vocation in the year 1849. His business was very light at first - almost nothing at all. He received very few orders for marble, and nearly all he did was a little work in common native stone. Mr. B.'s energy and exceeding good taste in the execution of his work soon brought it into popular favor, and changed the nature of his business so as to give sale to his fine marble work. He has recently associated with him in business Mr. Alex Milne, a gentleman of long experience in the business and as skillful a letterer and carver he can be found in the United States. We examined some of his work, and are free to admit that it is about the best we ever saw in this country. Mr. Beaumont's business has been steadily increasing ever since he began, and is now more prosperous than ever before. He now sells about seven thousand dollars worth of marble, and about two thousand barrels of cement and plaster each year. We are glad to see these evidences of his prosperity, for he is an energetic and public spirited man, and deserves to prosper.

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ALTON DRUG STORES

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 24, 1856

The drug business is a very important branch of the trade of Alton, and there are several houses largely engaged in it, both wholesale and retail. We made the circuit of some of these houses yesterday, and found all of them in a very prosperous condition. The first at which we called was that of Messrs. D. C. Martin & Co., on Second street. This house was established in the year 1852 by Messrs. Murphys & Martin, and was managed by them until February of the present year, when the change was made that gave to the firm its present title. Their stock comprises every possible variety and quality of such articles as are usually kept in wholesale and retail drug stores. Their retail trade is very large and very profitable, but their principal business is in the jobbing line. They expect to sell about forty thousand dollars worth during the present year. They are sole agents for the sale of Dr. Leeds' celebrated Quinine Substitute, of which they sold about twenty-five hundred dollars worth last year. This medicine, as its name indicates, is intended to supersede the use of quinine, as it is designed to be used in all cases where quinine has heretofore been considered the only reliable remedy. Dr. Martin, the business partner in this house, is a gentleman who has had many years experience, and has a thorough knowledge of the business in which he is engaged. The other members of the firm are gentlemen of energy and capital. We next came round to the drug store of D. Simms & Co., on Third street, second door from the corner of Piasa. This house was established by the present proprietors in the year 1853, since which its business has been steadily increasing at the rate of about twenty-five per cent a year. They are just now receiving a very large stock for their spring and summer trade, and the variety and excellence of their assortment is well worthy the attention of purchasers. They keep a full supply of drugs, medicines, and everything that goes to constitute the stock of a well appointed drug store. They claim to have the largest and best assorted stock of perfumery, combs, brushes &c., that can be found in Alton. Of cigars, they have a very large and fine assortment, and they sell a great many. They showed us some of as fine flavored Havanas as we ever saw. This house does quite a large wholesale business, but devotes a great deal of attention to its very extensive retail custom. It is a very popular house, and its popularity is constantly on the increase. Our next call was at the old established drug store of Messrs. A. S. Barry & Co., on the corner of Second and State streets. In 1842 this firm bought out Messrs. Marsh, Hankinson & Co., and have ever since continued the business without any change in the style of their firm. At first their sales were very small, amounting to only three thousand dollars for the first year. The increase has been gradual, steady, and with an advancing ratio. Their sales for the present year will amount to about sixty thousand dollars. This house does a very large wholesale business, but does not neglect the retail department, in which it has a full share of custom. Their stock, which their large cash capital enables them to keep at all times full and complete, comprises every kind and variety of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, gas, perfumery and fancy goods, cigars, with everything necessary to make full and complete the stock of a wholesale and retail drug store. They are agents for the sale of all the popular patent medicines, which they sell at manufacturers' prices. They called our especial attention to Shallenberger's Fever and Ague Antidote, which is warranted to cure in all cases. This is the oldest drug store in Alton, and it has established a reputation which rivalry cannot impair. Its proprietors are well known for their business energy and integrity. They have recently diverted a part of their large capital into other avenues of trade, to which they are giving their personal attention. In the meantime, our old friend, Captain James E. Starr, who is well known not only here, but all over the State, occupies the counting room and manages the business in the drug store.

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ALTON MUSIC STORE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 1, 1856

Yesterday evening we went round on Second street and paid a visit to Mr. E. Trenchery's Piano Forte and Music Rooms, over A. T. Hawley's store. Mr. Trenchery established himself in business here something over five years since, since which his trade has been gradually but steadily increasing. He keeps a general assortment of organs, piano fortes, melodeons, &c., for sale or to rent. He is also agent for some of the best piano and melodeon manufactories in the United States. Among these I must mention Lamuel Gilbert's celebrated Boudoir piano, for the sale of which Mr. Trenchery is agent. These pianos are much shorter and narrower than the old style, and possess a power and richness of tone that is truly wonderful. They occupy but little space, and can be taken apart and removed with great facility. Mr. Trenchery has, at present, a number of second hand instruments for sale; he also keeps a general assortment of the popular sheet music of the day. He gives lessons in music, both vocal and instrumental, in which branch of his business he has about as much as he can attend to. We heard him perform several very difficult pieces on the piano in a style that we have seldom heard equaled.

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ALTON - HORSE STEALING

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 29, 1856

A man named Dennison was arrested on Sunday last, in the American Bottom, about eight miles below this city for horse stealing. He had taken one horse from near Jerseyville, and one from the stable at the Franklin House, in this city, and a saddle and bridle from Mather's livery stable. He went to a house in the Bottom and stole a coat, provisions for himself, and corn for his horses.

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ALTON - A MOST DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD MANY YEARS AGO

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 17, 1856

Jul. 7, 1856, Alton -- To the Editor of the Alton Courier:  When Alton was yet a village, by common content and for the time being, a temporary Market house was thrown up on Market street, between Second and Third streets, and in front of and immediately in the neighborhood of some of the best residence and building sites in Alton. This was permitted by the property holders in the neighborhood (though the City Council had no more right to obstruct the street at this place than the humblest citizen of the place) for the time being, with the understanding that it was only temporary. And what has been the result: Still it is there, though it has been remonstrated against by the citizens in the neighborhood time and again. A miserable looking affair, at first - now more hideous than ever; temporary at first - now rotten, filthy, stinking, smeared a little with whitewash, but a great deal more with blood, guts and filth, strewn all over the neighborhood; yes, literally paved with beef bones, hogs and sheeps feet and the like. The programme of the evening begins with the angry howling of dogs, as they contend for choice of bones, until near midnight, when the clatter of the wheels of the butchers' wagons scares them from their feast. The noise of the saw and meat axe begin about 11 o'clock - as they grind and crush among the bodies and meat, where life is scarcely yet extinct, mingled with the boisterous laugh, or more frequently, the horrid oaths of some of the butchers - the rehearsal of whose obscene jests would defile the paper on which it was written. In this way is spent the night, till break of day, when the noise of buyer and seller grows fast and furious. What chance for sleep amid such scenes as these; and, as has been the case, the sick and dying have lain and been compelled to listen to all, and much more than this. This is not all. Was there comfort in the day, the night might be borne. Our houses in the heat of summer have to be shut up well night air tight, else the swarms of green flies that are bred in, and infest the market, adjourn at 9 o'clock to our parlors and sitting rooms, and make them uninhabitable. How long is this state of things to last? How long is our property (that is taxed to all it will bear) to be made and kept uninhabitable? Will not the Council take some steps in the matter! A former Council declared this same hideous collection of boards - saturated with filth - a nuisance. Why is it not removed! Some of us have offered one hundred dollars each to have it removed - still it is there. We have petitioned, begged, plead, offered to pay, done everything, said everything - still it is there, a mass of corruption. It has no right there. It is an outrage to the neighborhood.

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ALTON - FINE CLOTHING AND FURNISHING GOODS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 11, 1856

If our citizens will just step into the large store of our friend George S. Ferguson, Esq., on Second street, and look at his splendid stock of clothing and furnishing goods, they will satisfy themselves that it is not only one of the largest, but the finest stock of that description of goods ever brought West. If you want a loose beaver, a military overcoat, a Raglan or a splendid Kaffetan, there they are in endless variety of style and price. You will also find the regular black dress and frock, and a great variety of match suits. For the chamber, you will find several varieties of dressing gowns and of hats and caps, the styles are too numerous to be mentioned. Of shirts and other underclothing, he has a large stock, and of gloves, &c., you can find every thing in great variety, including the heavy gauntlet, finished with the finest fur. The fact that such fine goods are brought here for sale in such large quantities by one of Mr. Ferguson's experience, is evidence of a great change in the character of the demand. Those who would realize the change have only to give Mr. Ferguson a call, examine his stock and test his prices.

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ALTON - DOUGLAS SPEECH

Source: The Evening Journal, Albany, New York, October 9, 1856

Douglas was brought out to speak recently at Alton, Illinois, after much parade, preparation and drumming up recruits. He spoke adjacent to the Fair Ground,—in the best possible situation to draw a crowd—to a little squad of people, variously estimated at 300 to 600 persons. The "Little Giant" has lost his power in Illinois.

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ALTON UNDERTAKER AD

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, November 20, 1856

William Brudon - Undertaker, at his old stand on the northwest corner of Market and Second streets, coffin manufacturer and funeral undertaker. N. B. - I also have a vault in Alton Cemetery and will accommodate any person who wish to deposite their deceased friends, on reasonable terms. Also patent metallic burial cases.

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ALTON STABBING

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 25, 1856

An Irishman named McAffee or McVey, was stabbed on Wednesday night at the grocery known as the Light House on the Northwest corner of State and Front streets. He was taken to the hospital. We have not learned the extent of his injury, or his prospects of recovery. It is difficult to ascertain who gave the wound, as several were engaged in the quarrel.

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ALTON - NEW AND PROMISING ENTERPRISE BY DR. E. S. HULL

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 22, 1857

We learn that Dr. E. S. Hull, the President of the Illinois Horticultural Society, has purchased a tract of land known as the Hunter tract, adjoining, on the north, that part of our city called Hunterstown, and is preparing the ground with a view to open a grand horticultural farm. The tract consists of a hundred and one acres, and includes hillside exposures, sloping in every direction. The greater portion of this land can be cultivated without difficulty, and all of it can be so cultivated as to produce fruit. Dr. Hull has a great variety and splendid supply of shrubbery, fruit trees, evergreens, &c., which will be transplanted in the grounds of the Horticultural farm as soon as spring opens. This plan, in extent of design, is the embryo of what will be in Dr. Hull's hands, the most magnificent enterprise of the kind in this part of the country.

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ALTON - MORMONS WORSHIP THERE

Source: The New York Times, March 9, 1857

From the Alton Democrat.  Our readers will be surprised, perhaps, to hear that there are 150 Mormons in Alton; that they own a small church building and hold regular Sunday exercises, and that they have their elders and other usual church leaders. The number is constantly increasing by foreigners arriving, and were it not that a body of them leaves every Spring, this sect would surpass any other in Alton. We are informed that some thirty or forty families will leave Alton thus in April next. Of the personal character of these Mormons we cannot speak from very intimate acquaintance. But so far as we have seen or heard, they are honest, sober, and quite industrious people. They are from nearly every European country, and not an American born is to be found among them. They are mostly very illiterate - drawn from the lowest degree of humanity, as regards wealth and social position.

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ALTON MACHINE SHOP

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, March 26, 1857

N. Hanson & Co.'s Machine Shop - To the gentlemanly junior partner, Mr. John M. Pearson, by whom we were escorted through this extensive establishment, we are indebted for many items - so intimately connected with, and so strikingly demonstrative of the steady advancement of the city towards that absolute supremacy, in point of superiority in manufactures, over any other city in the State, and perhaps we might say in the West, which the favorable location of the city, and her facilities for communication, afforded either by railroad or water, towards almost every point of the compass, warrant her citizens in anticipating - that they cannot fail to be of interest to all persons interested in the growth of Alton. The buildings occupied by Messrs. Hanson & Co., front two hundred and forty feet on Front street, two hundred feet on George street, and one hundred and eighty feet on Second street. This machine shop was first established in 1842, and is probably of as old, if not older standing than any other shop for the manufacture of agricultural machines and implements in the State. Since its first establishment up to the present time, its business has been steadily increasing until it has a reputation wider, and more flattering to the enterprise of its present proprietors than any other establishment of its class in the West. The proprietors employ in their finishing department - the ground floor of the main building, one hundred feet long by fifty feet wide - thirty-five men, who are constantly employed at lathes, planers, drills, punches, &c., &c., in preparing rough castings for the threshing machines, which are the principle article of manufacture by this establishment. The immediate superintendent of this department is Mr. Lewis B. Hubbell. The engine by which the machinery in this establishment is run is of eighty horse power, and is a very superior piece of machinery, of regular and noiseless motion, having been manufactured expressly for this shop at Lawrence, Massachusetts. The foundry is sixty-five feet long by forty-five feet wide, is furnished with a furnace, running three tons of iron per day. Mr. William Denny, who is the immediate superintendent of this department, employs eleven moulders and eight helpers. In the blacksmith shop, which is under the superintendence of Mr. S. Force, there are six forges, occupied by twelve workman. After leaving this department, we were conducted to the wood department which is superintended by Mr. Joseph Gottlob. This department embraces the second and third stories of the main building, and is furnished with all the implements necessary for planing, morticing, sawing, boring, and fitting all the wood work of the machines manufactured in the shop, which gives constant employment to fifty experienced workmen. Mr. Pearson called our attention to a dry house, which, he informs us, is heated by steam and is capable of seasoning lumber as perfectly in six weeks as it could be done by the sun in one year. It will hold from ten to fifteen thousand feet of lumber. The proprietors of this establishment inform us that they expect to turn out this year five hundred of their superior Threshing Machines, to do which they will have to make an addition of from fifteen to twenty workmen to their present number, which is one hundred and fifteen. Their expenses during the present year, for labor alone, will probably reach $50,000, in addition to which they will use about one hundred and twenty-five thousand feet of pine and two hundred and fifty thousand feet of oak lumber. By Mr. S. M. Connor, the gentlemanly and obliging clerk, who has been connected with the establishment for some time, we are informed that Messrs. Hanson & Co.'s facilities for shipping are very extensive, as they have arrangements, not only with the railroads and steamers from this point, but also with Missouri river steamers to receive their Machines at this port and discharge them at any point on their route of travel.

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ALTON PLANNING MILL FIRE

Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Courier, April 19, 1857

A fire occurred at Alton, Ill., on the night of the 15th, which destroyed the planning mill of Messrs. Morrison, Beale & Co., the adjoining Methodist Church and three dwellings. Loss twenty-five to forty thousand dollars.— Insurance small.

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ALTON - FIRE ON THIRD STREET

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 27, 1857

A fire occurred last night about twelve o'clock in the kitchen of the building on Third street, near Henry, occupied by the Rev. R. R. Coon, which soon communicated to the adjoining tenement occupied by R. Packard, Esq., both of which were entirely consumed in a short time. For a while the residences of Mrs. Hood and D. D. Ryrie, Esq., were in considerable danger, but were saved. The Rev. Mr. Coon saved the most of his furniture, library, &c., and Mr. Packard saved the most of his furniture, but both were in a damaged condition. The building was owned by Mrs. Hood, and was worth about $3,500. There was an insurance upon it for $1,700 in the Illinois Mutual Office. The heavy grade of the streets in that neighborhood prevented the Engines reaching there in time to save the building. Both the Sucker and Pioneer were on the ground as soon as possible, and did all which was in the power of any engines to accomplish. They worked with a hearty good will and showed themselves both ready and willing at the call of duty. The Chief Engineer was promptly on the ground and took the general direction.

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ALTON HOT BEDS OF CRIME

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 17, 1857

Every city has its dens of infamy and its hot beds of crime where the hardened sinner is continued in his evil ways and the young and growing trained up to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. We have many such in our midst, but none so deserving of notice and condemnation as the miserable row of drinking houses that flank the west side of State street, between Short street and the Levee. In the course of our daily rounds, we often pass them, always unwillingly, and there we invariably see things that almost make us doubt whether man is not indeed a higher type of some brute, whether the progressive theory is not the true one. Constantly lounging around are seen the battered hulks of humanity, that started smilingly on the voyage of life, and not yet having reached their port, are drifting hither and thither without compass, helm or chart. Not in the storms inevitable to a life of sober honesty have they thus been wrecked, but in the eddies and whirlpools, whither none but fool-hardy voyagers would venture. But these wrecks are not the only objects of commiseration mingled with a feeling of loathsome disgust that meet our eyes there. Young and beardless boys, over whom the watchful care of a mother ought yet to be extended, are seen just wetting their feet in this pool of vice and crime, or boldly plunging into its midst. And why should they not with the unceasing example before them? The very atmosphere of the place is redolent of vileness, ever burdened with the scent of villianous compounds, mockingly called liquors, always bearing on it the echoes of curses and blasphemies, unfit for the ear of decency and morality. No one can pass by without having his moral asture shocked and outraged, unless he himself be part and parcel of the place, and the community that dwells therein. Now we have one simple question to ask. Why should these things be? Good natured, care-nothing people may shake their heads and tell us they are the inevitable concomitants of a large community dwelling together in one place. What? - drunkenness, disgusting language, and brutal conduct necessary evils, which we must endure and cannot cure or restrain? We are not so credulous. We believe that something can be done if the will be not wanting. And should not something be done? Go ye doubting ones take there your stand, and for one short hour listen to all that is said and see all that is done and if you are not then convinced, no words, no new arguments can convince you; nothing but the coming home of the arrow to your own breast. No longer ago than last evening, two of our worthy citizens, Messrs. John Lock and Harvey Burnett, complained to us of the disgusting state of things around that locality. Within a distance of fifty feet they counted four men laying on or near the sidewalk, beastly drunk, and another lying inside a cellar way covered with blood. Where is the City Marshall?

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ALTON - J. W. & H. SCHWEPPE STORE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 24, 1857

It always affords us unqualified pleasure to chronicle the business success of those of our businessmen who located here long years ago, when our city was in its infancy; who started with it in its struggle for prosperity, and have remained faithful to its interests, striving to promote its growth in the dark hours of its adversity as perseveringly as in the sunshine of its prosperity. In this class, most of our readers will at once recognize the justice of ranking Messrs. J. W. & H. Schweppe, dealers in ready made clothing and all kinds of furnishing goods, foreign and domestic dry goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, &c., &c., who have been engaged in the same business at the same stand in our city for more than seventeen years last past without change of any kind except a steady, rapid, wholesome growth and expansion of business, as year followed year, consequent upon the fair, liberal and honorable course of dealing which has ever characterized their business transactions. No firm in our city is more generally known or more highly respected than the Messrs. Schweppe. And such is their popularity, their sales have steadily increased until they now do as large a retail trade as, perhaps, any other house in the West. We yesterday took a look through their store on Second street (running clear through in Front) and were astonished at seeing the immense stock of goods they have just opened for the fall and winter trade, and could scarcely credit the assurance that it would all be sold by retail, and the most of it to regular customers. We have been in many jobbing houses that could not boast a larger or better stock of goods than that recently opened by the Messrs. Schweppe for their retail trade. It is not worth while for us to undertake to toll our readers what they have, for their assortment comprises everything that can be called for in the way of clothing or furnishing goods, from the coarsest to the finest fabrics, and at any price desired, from five dollars to fifty for a full suit. Their stock of dry goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, trunks &c., also, is perfect and complete. Persons desiring anything in their line will do well to call on the Messrs. Schweppe, who can suit them in goods and prices, if it can be done at all. See their advertisement in another part of this paper.

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ALTON LARD TANK EXPLOSION

Source: The Daily Palladium, Oswego, New York, November 13, 1857

The slaughter and packing establishment of John Smith, of Alton, Illinois, was completely destroyed on the 3d instant, by the explosion of a tank of lard! Steam being let' into it by the engineer, it exploded with such force as to throw it up perpendicularly, through two floors and the roof to a considerable height above the building, whence it fell again, nearly as perpendicularly as it rose and struck the ground not more than ten feet from the place originally occupied by it. Of the bricks composing the walls, not five hundred were left one upon another; the roof was broken into innumerable pieces; the stone foundation was so racked that it was rendered totally useless, in short the whole building was an entire ruin. What won't explode, now?

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ALTON - STEAMBOAT "REINDEER" SINKS

Source: St. Louis Christian Advocate, November 19, 1857

Friday, 13th - On last evening the steamboat "Reindeer," used for some years past as a regular packet between this and Alton, struck a snag and sunk, about five miles this side of Alton. It is said the boat will be a total loss. She was valued at fifteen thousand dollars. No insurance. No lives were lost, and the freight and furniture saved.

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ALTON - IMPROVEMENT OF HENRY STREET HILL

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 10, 1857

The improvement of the streets suspended by the cold weather, is being rapidly resumed. A large force of workmen were yesterday engaged on Henry street, digging down and carting away the hill. When the grading of this street is finished, it will be one of the best in the city.

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ALTON WATER WORKS IN THE MAKING

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, January 7, 1858

We learn that a company is now being formed under the charter granted by the last Legislature for the purpose of erecting Water Works to supply the city with an abundance of pure water. Propositions to supply the pipe, of the most favorable character, have been received, and a member of the company is now engaged in selecting a suitable location for the reservoir, which will be placed so high that the upper stories of the highest dwelling in Middle Alton can be supplied. It is intended to commence operations in the spring, and to have the machinery and reservoir finished, and also the main pipe laid in the principal streets, by the 1st of October next. At the elevation at which it is proposed to place the reservoir, by merely attaching a pipe to a street hydrant, the water would force itself over the roof of the highest house in the business part of the city, making property far more secure than it is now, and greatly reducing the present tax for insurance. Aside from the extra insurance thus saved, the luxury and convenience of constantly having a full supply of pure water in every house cannot be over estimated. Over one half of the families in Alton have no regular supply of water. The other half are dependent on cisterns and wells, which are frequently empty. Then comes an appeal to the water cart, which is both expensive and unsatisfactory. With Water Works there is some expense also, but it is very trifling and the convenience cannot be computed in dollars and cents.

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ALTON - STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, March 11, 1858

Feeling confident that the "ups and downs" of our city must possess a peculiar ______ to her people, we took a miscellaneous journey, on yesterday, over the picturesque hills and through the romantic vales with which the beautiful hand of Nature has so lavishly endowed us - the object of our voyage being to ascertain the extent of the improvements which have been so industriously pushed forward during the past year. Alton, despite the ruggedness of her appearance, possesses attractions which the eye of a native or an old resident perhaps can alone appreciate. Her rock-based hills, which to strangers seem to be so many repelling and discouraging frowns from Nature, to us possess all that charm which ever attaches to the surroundings of home, and when they finally fall, as fall they must, before the steady march of progress, the void created by their overthrow, though its slow but sure approach may have rendered its appearance familiar to those who have grown with its growth, will be one which older citizens will regard with mingled feelings of pride and regret, as memory recalls the ancient and much-loved hills, which once rose in its place. However, our tramp yesterday was not made for the purpose of gathering material for an elegy on these troublesome hills; dear as they are, we desire to chronicle their partial downfall. In every direction, from east to west, from north to south, they are out through and through by the busy hand of man. Henry street, which was once "somewhere out east," has been carried right through a constant succession of hills, and now forms an uninterrupted though somewhat indirect connection between Middletown and the business parts of the city. The next street west of Henry is Langdon, which has been "dug out" from Front to Third streets. From Third to Fifth occurs what in history would be called an interregnum, in which the most remarkable objects are a hill, a pond, and another hill. At fifth street the thread is again resumed, and takes passengers by a good road to Middle Alton. George and Alton streets have both been excavated as far back as Fifth, and Easton street is in passable order to Fourth. Alby street has been cut clear through to Twelfth, and Market is navigable as far as Sixth. Third street, which from its width and position, will probably become in time the principal thoroughfare of the city, has absorbed a great deal of labor, and the grading upon it is almost wholly complete from Easton street to its junction with Second street, below Henry. Fourth street presents a very respectable appearance from Langdon street to Easton; from Piasa to Easton, however, there is an elevation which any one desirous of emulating Napoleon's ascent of the Alps, would do well to select as a suitable subject for the experiment. It should be graded as soon as practicable, as it is essential to the safety of passengers along Market street either on horseback or in vehicle. Notwithstanding some slight deficiencies, however, which it has been impossible to obviate in the brief time during which the work has been so vigorously carried forward, the condition of most of our principal streets at this time is a wonderful improvement on what it was twelve months ago, and, while it reflects abundant credit on the energy and skill of those who have had control of our public improvements, gives substantial promise of what they will yet do to increase the wealth and prosperity of our city. Alton never had more reason to be proud of the present, and sanguine of the future, than she has now.

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ALTON - THE BURNING OF THE JACOB D. EARLY STEAMBOAT

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 6, 1858

Last night about ten o'clock, a light in the upper end of the city raised an alarm of fire; when, proceeding in that direction, it was discovered that the steamboat, Jacob D. Early, which has been laid up for several weeks, a short distance above town, was on fire. By the time the firemen reached the ground she was too far gone to permit a hope of saving her. They, however, did good service by driving the fire back from her lines, and thus preventing her burning loose from the shore and floating past the city, by which much damage might have been done, as the wind set to the Illinois shore, and there were several boats at the levee. The flames spread rapidly at first, and in a short time the hurricane roof fell in and the boat was completely enveloped in flames. Although it was impossible to extinguish the fire, yet the firemen were able to keep it subdued and prevent its communication with the timber on shore. She burned rather slowly, but the fire did not cease until it had reached the water's edge. Jacob D. Early was five years old, valued at eight thousand dollars, was owned by Captain Hollister and others, and was insured in Cincinnati for five thousand dollars. The origin of the fire is not known. It was first discovered in the roof of the chambermaid's room, and it is thought it may have caught from the sparks from some passing boat. The boat had just been undergoing repairs at St. Louis at an expense of two thousand dollars. The books, papers, and everything of a combustible nature on board of her was lost. It is thought that the hull will be saved though in a damaged condition. The Pioneer Company are entitled to much credit for their promptness, and the untiring energy with which they labored to check the flames. They were the only company of the ground, and were instrumental in preventing much damage. The Washington Company, owing to the great distance at which their engine house is located from the scene of the conflagration, were late in reaching the scene. The Hook and Ladder Company, though out with their usual promptness, were unable to pass through a narrow passage in the road with their carriage, and had to leave it behind. The company went on however, and did efficient service.   Additional in Regard to the Burning of the "Jacob D. Early:"  We are happy to learn that the hull of this ill-fated boat was but little, if at all, damaged; the deck being burned through in one or two places only, and the boilers and shafts are still standing. This result - a very rare occurrence in steamboat fires - is owing entirely to the steady efforts and hard work of our Fire Department, the member of which, for four hours, fought the flames inch by inch, and finally conquered them. Had the burning boat escaped from its fastenings and drifted past our levee, the damage which would have been done can scarcely be estimated.

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ALTON - PRIZE FIGHT

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 27, 1858

We are pained to have to record the occurrence yesterday of another of those disgraceful scenes known as "Prize Fights," on an island a short distance above our city. The parties were from St. Louis, and came up on the steamer Equinox, which they had chartered for that purpose, and which was filled with a crowd of just such men as one would expect to see on such an occasion. Towards evening the boat returned on its way back to St. Louis, and we heard that the brutal contest had actually taken place, but we obtained no particulars, and if we had we would not disgust our readers with a repetition of them. Nearly a year has elapsed since the last prize fight occurred in this vicinity, and we hope the time is not far distant when such debasing and degrading exhibitions will be unknown.

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ALTON COFFIN MANUFACTORY ON FIRE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, July 15, 1858

About twelve o'clock last night fire was discovered bursting through the front of Mr. Brudon's Coffin Manufactory on market street, a few doors north of Second street. It was some time before any of the engines reached the ground, and in the meantime the building, which was of wood and filled with the most combustible materials, was completely enveloped in flames. The fire then spread to the dwelling house next north of the manufactory, and to the store room and residence of Mr. Brudon, south of the manufactory, and thence to the frame adjoining, all of which were entirely consumed. Mr. Brudon owned the manufactory and the two story frame buildings south of it, and were occupied by him. His stock in the manufactory was entirely consumed. His household furniture and stock in the corner frame building were saved in a damaged condition. Mr. Wolford, since the high water, has occupied one of the stores. His goods were saved, but somewhat damaged. Mr. McArdle occupied the next store west, on Second street, as a tailor shop. His stock was removed with but little loss. Adjoining and west of him was occupied by Mr. Senior, as a shoe and boot shop. His stock and household furniture were removed in a damaged condition. Next west of him, the adjoining tenement was occupied by Mr. Casey as a bakery. His stock was principally saved. Next adjoining and west, were the stores of Messrs. Adams and King. Their stocks were removed and suffered some damage. On Market street, the back dwelling house next north of the Coffin Manufactory was occupied by Mr. Wilson, who saved his furniture, although somewhat damaged. The building was owned by Mr. J. P. Ash, Esq., who had insurance for $400 in the Illinois Mutual. Mr. Brudon had an insurance for $1,260 in the same office on his building and stock. We could not hear of any other insurance. There is no doubt the coffin manufactory was set on fire. At three o'clock this morning there were rumors of several robberies, but we could not trace them to any reliable source. Great exertions were made to save Wilson's stable, not so much on account of its intrinsic worth, as of its serving for a protection to the buildings of the Illinois Iron Works. The efforts made were successful. The Fire Department were on hand, and rendered efficient service. The want of more good hose was painfully apparent. The Lafayette Hook and Ladder Company, under the command of Captain Carpenter, were present and performed effective duty.

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ALTON MARKET HOUSE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 5, 1858

The work on this fine city building is progressing steadily. Yesterday we observed that the brick work of the third story - the second above the stone basement - is entirely completed and the joists placed upon it. The brick work of the fourth, or last story, will be commenced in a day or two, and pushed forward with all possible dispatch. As this story is the one to be used as a public hall, it will be the highest one in the building. Mr. Carter informs us that it will be twenty feet between timbers. We observed that the lathe and other lumber for the inside work are already on the ground, ready to be used as soon as the roof is put on.

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ALTON - PINCKARD GROCERY STORE MOVES TO NEW BUILDING

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 5, 1858

Our young friend, William G. Pinckard, Jr., has removed his Family Grocery Store from his old stand on Third street to the Messrs. Harts' new brick building on the corner of Fourth and Belle, where he opened yesterday....The building is entirely new, the ground story - which, with the cellar, is all occupied by Mr. Pinckard - is high, airy and beautifully lighted; his counters and shelving are tastefully arranged, and his goods so disposed as to present a more attractive appearance than we thought possible in a grocery store....His customer will, at all times find in his store, a full and general supply of everything that can with propriety be classed under the head of Family Groceries and Provisions; also cigars and tobacco of every brand and variety; confectioneries and tropical fruits; all kinds of domestic fruits and vegetables in their season, &c.......Mr. Pinckard has also made an arrangement with the United States Express Company by which he receives twice a week a shipment of White Fish and Trout from Lake Michigan. These come packed in ice, through from Chicago in twelve hours, arriving here by the 10:30 A.M. train every Tuesday and Friday, and are opened and for sale in his store by eleven o'clock on those days.....Although Mr. Pickard is yet quite a young man and has been in business for himself but a few months, the business is one in which he had had much previous experience, and one for which he seems to be eminently fitted.....

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ALTON - RAFTSMAN MURDERED ON THE STEAMER PEMBINAW

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 12, 1858

About eleven o'clock of Tuesday night, the steamboat Pembinaw landed at our wharf, and acting Coroner W. G. Pinckard, Esq., was sent for to hold an inquest upon the body of a man who had been killed on the boat after it had left St. Louis. Summoning a jury, 'Squire Pinkard proceeded immediately to the boat and found the body of the murdered man lying upon the after part of the deck, where the hands and deck passengers lodge. A rigid investigation was immediately entered into, and continued about two hours, during which nearly twenty witnesses were sworn and examined. The witnesses were the watchman, carpenter, and a number of the hands belonging to the boat, and one cabin and several deck passengers. An examination of the body showed a ghastly wound in the stomach just above and to the left of the naval evidently made by a long dirk or knife, from which the unfortunate man's intestines had protruded in a most horrible manner; a severe bruise on the back of the head, made by a blow from a billet of wood or capstan bar; two or three slight wounds about the throat and breast, one of which indicated, beyond a doubt, that an attempt had been made to cut his throat; a severe bruise or cut in the lower lip, and two or three other slight bruises and cuts about the face. His intestines had been restored to their place, and the wound had been sewed up by an old lady who was a cabin passenger. The testimony of the witnesses, which was not very connected nor lucid, showed that the deceased was a raftsman; that his name was William Fitzpatrick; that he had gone from Quincy to St. Louis on a raft about three weeks ago; that he had been on a drunken spree in St. Louis, and that he had been engaged in at least one murderous fight while there; that he was often drunk, and when so, very quarrelsome; that he had taken deck passage on the Pembinaw for the upper Mississippi on the afternoon of Tuesday, before which time only one witness - a raftsman, who testified to the above facts in relation to his character and previous history - knew him. It appeared, further, that the deceased was about "half drunk" when he came onboard the boat just before she left St. Louis, and that very soon after the boat started, he picked a quarrel with two other raftsmen (of which class of men there were twenty or thirty on board as deck passengers), who were eating their suppers, and presently struck one of them. A general promiscuous fight then ensued, without, however, much damage being done, as no weapons were used. After fight some time with his fists, the deceased went to his carpetbag and took from thence a large and broad hunting knife or dirk, swearing that he would kill somebody if not everybody. One of the boat hands stepped up behind him, caught him round the body and arms, and held him, calling to the bystanders to take the knife away from him. Just then some man - none of the witnesses seemed to know who - struck the deceased on the back of the head with a stick of wood or a capatan bar. The blow knocked him loose from the grasp of the man who was holding him, he fell forward into one of the "hunke," from which he rolled down upon the floor or deck beneath the "hunks." From this incident until the watchman found him about half an hour afterwards, lying in a pool of his own blood in a dying condition, none of the witnesses seemed to know anything about him; soon after which he breathed his last. He talked some before he died to two or three of the witnesses, but his mind seemed to be wandering and he gave no connected account of anything. From the mass of testimony taken, the jury sifted enough to satisfy themselves that the man was killed by one or more of the raftsmen who were his fellow passengers, and with whom he had been quarreling; but it was found to be impossible to obtain any testimony that would justify an arrest. The body was brought on shore, and yesterday morning was buried by order of the Acting Coroner. Much praise is due to Captain Griffith and the other officers of the Pembinaw for the prompt and prudent course they pursued. Before the boat landed, guards of trust-worthy men were stationed around the deck with strict orders to allow no one to leave the boat until the inquest was concluded. The jury were fully satisfied that no one in any way connected with the boat had anything to do with the commission of the crime, or knew anything about it further than what they stated in their testimony. No money was found about the person of the deceased, and he left no effects of any material value. In his pockets were found the scabbard of the dirk with which it is supposed he was killed (the dirk itself could no where be found, and no one seemed to know anything at all about it); a common pocketknife, a comb, and two or three pieces of tobacco. He had a carpetbag which contained a quantity of clothing, such as raftsmen generally have, a knife, a pair of scissors, and several other unimportant articles of no value whatever. In the carpetbag was found a daguerreotype likeness of a young, rather good looking and well-dressed woman. It could not be ascertained whether he had any family or friends, or not.

Another incident:  Active Coroner Pinckard held an inquest yesterday morning upon the dead body of a man exhibited to him on the levee at the foot of State street. The testimony given before the jury exhibited the following facts:  The name of the deceased is Thomas Hetherington; he has recently lived somewhere in the neighborhood of Buck Inn on the Plank Road between Alton and Monticello. He has been addicted to intemperate habits, and has lately been on a spree which ended in an attack of the delirium tremens, up in Calhoun county. Two of his friends up there started to bring him home in a skiff; but he grew rapidly worse and he died on the way down in all the horrible agonies of that dreadful disease. Verdict in accordance with the above facts.

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ALTON CITY HALL AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, October 14, 1858

City Hall - The work on this splendid building is progressing with great rapidity. About half the floors are down and half the roof covered with tin. The main stairway to the second story is up, and gas pipe is being laid to all parts of the house. For rent, beside the rooms in the basement, there will be two stores on Second street, front of first story, and five offices in the second story, all of which will be supplied with independent gas pipes for the use of those occupying. In looking over this really fine building, it appeared to us that the very large and fine room on the first floor, occupying about two-thirds of the entire floor, would make an excellent Court Room. In the second story, just north of the Council chamber, will be a large and fine room, which we trust will be given to the Library Association. It would be central and convenient, and would be encouraging an institution second only to our public schools, in its influence upon the citizens. Although controlled by a private association, all can avail themselves of its advantages, and the city should give it a helping hand.

In noticing improvements about the city, we are called upon to mention that Messrs. A. & F. X. Joerger of the Kossuth House are excavating a cellar upon the north side of Second street, between George and Langdon streets. They intend erecting a two story brick building, 60 feet front and 34 feet deep - the lower story of which will be divided into two store rooms. Several hands are at work and the job will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Mr. Leopold Helmle is the Architect. Directly opposite this, Mr. Busch has almost completed a fine two story brick building of about 30 feet front, the lower room of which will also be occupied as a store. A little further down the street, upon the north side, Mr. J. A. Miller finished, some time ago, two cellars, but was compelled to suspend further operations for a time. We are glad to notice that work upon them is now resumed; and we may expect to see a couple of fine buildings there before long.

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ALTON TORNADO

Source:  Vincent's Semi-annual U. S. Register, Jan-Jun 1860, pages 486-489

This day, a dreadful storm broke out over the town of Alton, Ill. The Alton “Courier,” describing it, says - The most destructive storm in this section of the country that has occurred within the memory of anyone, broke upon our city Saturday evening and in a matter of minutes destroyed property to the amount of scores of thousands of dollars. The track of the storm through the business part of the city lies between Belle and Henry streets. On and west of State street the damage done to building is very slight, confined to the throwing down of two or three chimneys and one or two stables. Here as well as elsewhere the shrubbery, fruit-trees, shade trees, etc. suffered to a considerable extent. The “Courier” office, for which so much apprehension was felt, escaped uninjured. Our loss is confined to the bindery, and is but slight, occasioned by the tearing open of a trap-door in the roof. Farther up the street, beyond the Piasa Foundry, was the principal scene of disaster on Belle street. Here, in the creek-bottom, are about twenty small houses, occupied by twenty-five or thirty families, mostly Irish. At sunset there was scarcely enough water in the creek to make a current; when the storm was at it’s height the water must have been at least ten to twelve feet deep, tearing on with almost resistless force. Some three or four of these houses were torn in pieces, three or four more swept from their foundations, and all of them filled with water and mud. The affrighted families fled with what they could carry, in very few cases saving more than three-quarters of their household effects, and in some instances hardly escaping with their lives. Still farther up the road in the neighborhood of the toll gate, some damage was done by water, but very little done by hail or wind. The road is very much washed in all places, all the way to the Buck Inn. In the insurance office neighborhood, the traces of hail first began to be much apparent, the insurance office having very many panes of glass broken out, and other houses having suffered in this respect to some extent. We remarked two or three chimneys down, also a stable near the house of Dr. Wood. The main damage hereabouts is upon the shrubbery and fruit and other trees, and it is very severe, not to be estimated in dollars and cents. Dr. Wood, Mr. Kellenberger, Mr. Moses Atwood, Robert Smith, John Atwood, Judge Billings, Capt. Adams, H. I. Baker, Mr. Wade, Dr. Marsh, Mr. Metcalf - all these, and, in fact, everybody in this neighborhood, have lost much in this respect. Mr. Smith's yard and garden particularly are very much damaged. The house building for cashier Caldwell lost it’s chimney and part of its roofing.  In Hunterstown, the German Catholic Church, corner of Third and Henry streets, built last year at an expense of about $6000, is almost a complete wreck, the basement and part of the front wall alone standing. From the two story brick building standing directly opposite, belonging to Mr. Coppiner, the roof was partially lifted, and a small frame building near it was damaged by a falling tree. Farther up Henry Street, opposite the German Protestant Church, a frame story-and-a-half house, about finished, for John Callacombe, was torn completely to pieces. Lower Middleton suffered considerably, both by hail and by wind.  Captain James Starr's house lost a couple of chimneys. James Newman lost a chimney and a stable. J.C. Underwood lost a stable, and had both gables of his house blown out, damage say $800. A new story-and-a-half frame house opposite Mr. Dimmock's was badly wrenched, but not blown down. A story brick house, also opposite, occupied by Mr. Spreen, is a wreck: loss $1000. Seth T. Sawyer's house lost it’s roof and part of the back side-wall: $500. Mr. Johnson's house lost a couple of chimneys. Joseph Spray, porter of De Bow & Son, living back of the African church, had the upper story of his house taken off, and a part of it carried two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet: loss $350. A small stable near by was wrecked. A small frame house in front of, and a short distance from, the church building for Mr. Waples by Mr. McCorcle, was blown from it’s foundation and badly sprung. Thomas S. Coffey's house suffers, by loss of it roof and other wise to the amount of $500. Mr. Coon's house has damage, $150. Mr. Waple's home has a chimney and one corner down. Dr. Hope's stable was scattered over an acre of ground. All through this section of the city there is no small loss of trees and shrubbery, very few property owners escaping. There are also several houses damaged to the amount of from $20 to $50 or $60, by falling limbs or parts of other houses.  In Second Street, the residence of Dr. De Leuw, a short distance above Henry Street, has a chimney down and also the front of a one-story wing. Arnes's new brick store and residence has the lower gable-end out. Kohler's seed-store has part of its front down. One of the old shells in Cary’s Row is demolished. The lower gable-end of Joerges's fine brick house is out. One of the back gable-ends of the Alton house is out. The Baptist Society were burned out but a short time ago, and now are out again. Ryder's three-story building lost its upper story, in which the society have been worshipping for several weeks. It is said that this building was struck by lighting.  The city building lost more than half of it’s tin roof. The front firewall of the building occupied by Blair, Ballinger & Co., Adams & Collett, and Ferguson & Gawley, was partly blown off. The river gable-end of the store formerly occupied by Adams & Collett was blown out. Part of the river front of Pickard's store is down, as is also, one gable of Malachi Holland's Liquor Store. The steeple was blown off of the Episcopal Church. It is said that the church is almost a total loss, the walls being very much sprung and cracked. The church cost about $12,000. The organ is ruined. The steeple was also blown from the Methodist Church. The roof was considerably hurt by it’s fall, and the interior is also somewhat damaged. The loss cannot be less that $3000. The house of D. Simms was also completely crushed by the falling steeple of the Methodist Church. It was worth $1800. The back end of the Depot is blown in. The destruction of awnings, signs, &c., in the entire business part of the city is very great. A dozen houses or more in this part of the city, the names of whose owners we did not learn, lost chimneys. The front gable-end of the Illinois Iron-works is blown out, and the building is slightly damaged otherwise.  No loss in the city is commented upon with more and warmer expressions of sympathy than that of “The Democrat” office. The building was new, yet hardly finished, and Mr. Fitch moved into it only a week ago, just a week ago on Saturday evening, opening it with a gathering of his friends. And it is now all gone, the most complete wreck we ever saw. We know how Mr. Fitch has labored early and late in his profession here and elsewhere for many years, through what discouragements he had attained his position as head of the leading Democratic paper in this section of the state; and, knowing all this, and appreciating the public spirit which led him to put up so fine a building in these times, we share the general sympathy felt for him. The building, presses, engine, and stock, and all is completely wrecked: the entire loss must be at least $8000. The Geo Bachter Office was moved into the building on Saturday, as was also the German Bindery; and of course the entire stock of these establishments is a complete loss.

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ALTON - CHANGE IN THE OLD POST OFFICE BUILDING

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 4, 1862

The front of the building known as the old Post office building on Belle street, has been removed and there is to be an additional story added, and a new brick front. The lower story will contain two business rooms, and the two upper stories will be fitted up amiably for dwellings.

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ALTON - STONE SPRING PICNIC

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 11, 1862

We learn there was a very pleasant picnic at the "old Stone Spring," between Middletown and Upper Alton yesterday. There can be found no more pleasant place in our vicinity; and we are informed that the day was spent most pleasantly and delightfully in dancing, strolling, singing and other pastimes, by those so fortunate as to be in attendance.

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ALTON - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 11, 1862

For a number of years for some reason, our citizens have had no general celebration on the Fourth of July. Why this was the case we shall not attempt to state. Yesterday we had a general celebration which was participated in by a great majority of our citizens. About sunrise a salute of thirty-four guns was fired, awaking many from sound slumbers, to view the bright sunshine of the eight-sixth anniversary of our national birthday. The steamer Runyan, clean and neat as a pin, with flags and streamers flying, about nine pushed out from the levee for Portage with the excursion for the benefit of the Ursuline Convent; crowded with both ladies and gentlemen; having with them all the necessary items to make themselves comfortable, and insure a pleasant and profitable trip. The bells of the churches were rung some fifteen minutes, which added much to the excitement in the city. The streets were crowded with people, wagons, horses, &c., long before the hour appointed for the procession to move, and many grew very impatient of the delay, much of which was absolutely necessary, owing to the numberless items of arrangement which the managers had to attend to, and of which the people and citizens generally, are ignorant on such occasions. The procession was at length formed in the following order, as per programme: Martial Band, 13th Regiment U. S. Infantry, Bass and Tenor Drum, Lafayette Hook and Ladder Company, Washington Engine Company, Jerseyville Band, Carriage containing the Orator and others, Masons, Car containing 18 little girls, Odd Fellows, Car containing 34 young misses, Citizens in carriages, Citizens on horseback, Citizens on foot.  The military under command of Captain Washington, made a very fine appearance, being handsomely equipped. Brightly burnished muskets and glistening bayonets, in the hands of well-dressed and soldierly men, always proves an attractive feature; and on this occasion was no exception in the general rule. We cannot but congratulate the officers of this excellent regiment upon the fine state of discipline, and the perfection of drill, to which they have brought the soldiers under their ..... [unreadable]. The car containing thirteen little girls, representing the original thirteen colonies, was superintended by Miss Ellen Funte; and to her patriotic and ca??, as well as excellent insto, is chiefly due the success of this feature. Having several patriotic songs to sing, during the exercises at the grove, the greater part of a week past was spent in rehearsing and practicing the several places. The car containing the Goddess of Liberty, Miss Emma Webb, and thirty-four young misses, representing the thirty-four States of the Union, was superintended by M. J. Lee, Esq., in a highly credible manner; and was a very attractive feature of this procession. In fact, the two cars were, aside from the military, the attractive feature of the day. We were sorry to see our Fire Department make such a poor display; the Lafayette Hook and Ladder Company, and the Washington Engine Company, being the only ones in the procession. The appearance of the Lafayette was fine, being gaily trimmed with flags, etc.  The hose carriage of the Washington company was also very neat and pretty, trimmed with ribbons, flowers, etc.  The Jerseyville Band added greatly to the pleasure and enjoyment of the day, and the members are good muscians. The Masons and Odd Fellows turned out quite strong, and made an imposing appearance, dressed in the appropriate regalias of those orders. The citizens in carriages comprised a large portion of the procession; but the intense heat, the dust and the long walk compelled most of those on foot to leave the procession and take the short cuts and by-ways; and the road was absolutely lined with people from the country, people from the city, and people from St. Louis, and other places. From every direction came a perfect stronin(?) of human beings. On reaching the grove, the following programme was filled: Singing "Independence Day," by the little "Thirteen." Prayer by Rev. Mr. Jameson. Music by the Jerseyville Band. Singing "Hail Columbia" by the thirty-four young misses. Reading Declaration of Independence by Levi Davis, Esq. Music. Address by Rev. Mr. C. H. Taylor, orator of the day. Music. Singing "Christian Hero," by the thirty-four young misses. Music. Lunch......The afternoon was spent in sauntering over the hills, loitering in shady nooks, all making merry and enjoying themselves as best suited each. At night an immense crowd was in attendance on "Church Hill," to witness the fireworks. The first and largest, unfortunately, caught fire and was consumed before it reached any considerable height; but the next and all the rest, some four or five, ascended beautifully. The beautiful moonlight night destroyed much of the brilliancy of the fireworks, but nevertheless, the display was magnificent. We do not think the committee could have found a more central location, or better place for the display than that selected.....

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ALTON - WAREHOUSE FIRE

Source: Poughkeepsie, New York Daily Eagle, April 8, 1863

A fire occurred at Alton, Ill. on Wednesday night, consuming a warehouse on the levee occupied by Simpson & Ketchum, filled with hay and other produce, besides besides the adjoining buildings occupied by Wipping Bros & Co., hardware dealers, and Calvin & Rissale, auction store. Loss about $100,000. Insured for $60,000.

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ALTON - OLD PIONEER

Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, June 23, 1865

Colonel Solomon Pruitt, now in his 74th year, called upon us a day or two since, from whom we gathered the following information: He came from Tennessee to this State in the year 1807, and settled near the junction of the Alton and Terre Haute Railroad, in the neighborhood of which he still resides. He has walked all over the site where Alton now stands, long before there was a house erected, or the slightest sign of human habitation visible. Wild game of every kind was at that time, very abundant, and he sustained his family for two years after settling there almost exclusively upon it. He took an active part as a soldier in the War of 1812, and also in the war with Black Hawk. He was chosen Colonel by a regiment which went from this part of the State to take part in the latter war. He raised a large family and although becoming quite feeble physically, he yet retains in vigorous exercise all of his mental faculties and has taken an active interest in behalf of his country during the last conflict for its life and against the traitors who were trying to destroy its true institutions. He voted against the introduction of slavery into this State when it was first organized and he still abhors the system of human slavery with all its attendant _______ and _________ influences.

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ALTON TOBACCO FACTORY BURNS

Source: The Evening Courier and Republic, Buffalo, New York, February 21, 1866

The tobacco factory of Meyers & Drummond, Alton, Illinois, and one or two adjoining buildings were burned last Saturday. Loss about $30,000. Insurance $14,000.

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ALTON - PRESIDENT GRANT STOPS IN ALTON FOLLOWING END OF CIVIL WAR

Source: Buffalo, New York Evening Courier, September 8, 1866
ALTON, Ill., Sept. 8. The party were received here by a dense mass of persons, many of whom were from the surrounding country and from St. Louis and other cities. Salutes were fired and the greatest possible excitement prevailed. The excursionists were conducted to a stand previously erected, where the President. Gen. Grant, Admiral Farragut, Secretary Seward, Secretary Welles were introduced. The Mayor of Alton extended a cordial welcome to the President and the statesmen, and he accompanied him, in a neat speech. The President responded briefly. He was frequently interrupted by applause. Mr. Seward was then vociferously called. The party was then squeezed through a dense mass of human beings to the deck of the steamers Andy Johnson. Cheers were frequently repeated by the excited multitude. The President was formally introduced to Mayor Thomas and escorted to the steamer Ruth, when the bells commenced ringing for the fleet to turn their heads homeward. The steamers Andy Johnson, Ruth and Olive Branch, lashed together, made the first move forward, closely followed by as many other boats us there were original States in the Union. As soon as the fleet of steamers was under wav, the Presidential party crossed over from the Andy Johnson to the Ruth, and passed up to the cabin escorted by a detachment of Knights Templars, At this point Captain Bart Abel suggested that as the boats were about to pass the Missouri River the party should be escorted to the upper deck. The President and party were then escorted to the hurricane deck of the Ruth where they passed an hour in a most agreeable manner. Gen. Grant was kept busy in acknowledging the congratulations that were heaped upon him.

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ALTON - CHARTER ELECTION

Source: Utica, New York Daily Observer, September 28, 1866

The charter election of the city of Alton was held September 13. Notwithstanding the fierce resolution of the Radicals, and their efforts to rule and ruin, the Democratic Conservative ticket was triumphantly elected. It was a perfect Waterloo victory. The Mayor and Common Council are Democratic; the register, collector, treasurer, attorney, marshal, harbor master, commissioner, and assessor, are all Democrats.
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ALTON FLOUR MILL FIRE

Source:  New York Times, New York, March 19, 1867
The flouring mill of Church & Coffey, at Alton, Ill., was burned Saturday morning. Loss, $12,000. Insurance, $8,000.
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ALTON - STEAMBOATS COMPETE FOR FASTEST TIME

Source: New York, NY Clipper, June 29, 1867

The steamer Robert E. Lee, running on the lower Mississippi trade, which recently made the trip from Memphis to Cairo in the unequalled time of 17 hours and 12 minutes, has just eclipsed this performance, making the run between those points in nearly two hours less time than any other boat. She left Memphis on Saturday, June 15th, at 10 o'clock A. M., arriving at Cairo on Sunday at 2.43 AM. The quickest run ever made by any steamer between the two points before the Lee made her first quick trip was made by the City of Alton in seventeen hours and fifty minutes, winning the horns from the Mollie Able, which made the run in 19 hours 10 minutes. The horns are a large pair of elk horns, finely gilt, supporting a Union shield, bearing the inscription "Time from Memphis  to Cairo 19 hours 40 min." Bearing this message upon the horns, "Steamer Mollie Able" on the other side, "Time from Memphis to Cairo, 17h. 50m. Beat this and take back the horns,  Steamer City of Alton."  The Lee sports the antlers.
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ALTON - HORSE RAILROAD FESTIVAL HELD AT THE "ALTON HOUSE

Source: Alton Telegraph, December 13, 1867

The supper and festival at the Alton House last evening in honor of the completion of the Alton & Upper Alton Horse Railroad, was largely attended by citizens of both places, and a most delightful season was enjoyed. The gathering was select. Many ladies, especially from Upper Alton, graced the occasion by their presence. Hon. Cyrus Edwards presided with his usual suavity, and Judge Billings acted as vice President. The banquet is spoken of in enthusiastic terms. It comprised every delicacy, in season and out of season, and was served in admirable style. The host of the Alton House certainly added to his laurels as a public caterer, on this occasion. The toasts proposed at the table and the responses thereto were equally felicitous, and added in no small degree to the pleasures and sociability of the evening. The following is a list of the toasts offered, as furnished us by the committee:

1. Motive and Locomotive Power: In celebrating the event that calls us together, let due credit be given to the gentlemen who exerted the motive power that caused the Alton & Upper Alton Horse Railway to be built - Messrs. Edwards and Clawson.

2. Horse Railway Carriages: Coaches for the people - in which the poor as well as the rich can ride at the same cost.

3. The Altons: May the union by bands of iron lend to a more perfect union under one city charter.

4. The Alton Sisters: Now unified by a cord of iron; may it be bound as impolitic to sever this union as it would the cord that connects the Siam brothers.

5. Railing Between the Altons: May it be so profitable to both places as to end all other unprofitable railing.

6. Our Stockholders: May the upper and nether Alton railway - like the upper and nether millstones - grind them out a good grist of dividends.

7. Railroads and the Magnetic Telegraph: The two greatest inventions for the increase of comfort and wealthy in this century.

8. The New Viaduct Between the Altons: The natural chasm having been spanned may the social one no longer exist.

9. Alton and Upper Alton: Now that they are united by a two-horse railway, let them no longer be named as one-horse places.

10. To the Board of Directors of A. & U. A. H. R. R.: The citizens of both places tender their most grateful thanks.

11. The Horse Railway Charter: Let the "sp____" [unreadable] clause, which provides for extending the web of rails over both Alton's not be forgotten.

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ALTON FLACKENECKER'S GROCERY STORE FIRE

Source:  The New York Times, New York, February 19, 1868

Feb. 18. Flackenecker's grocery-store, and three or four adjoining buildings in Alton, Ill., were burned on Sunday night. The loss is about $15,000. The insurance has not been ascertained.

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ALTON WOODEN WARE WORKS FIRE

Source:  Alton Weekly Telegraph, Alton, IL, May 1, 1868

About half-past five o’clock yesterday afternoon the brick “drying house” of the Wooden Ware Works was discovered to be on fire. The alarm was at once sounded, and in a few moments the Alton engine was on the ground, and was vigorously at work. A large number of men were, also, engaged in deluging the house with water from buckets, but no amount of water seemed to have the slightest influence on the flames.  The house contained six separate compartments, or kilns (each of which was filled with staves and headings) and the walls were with out windows, hence it was found almost impossible to get at the fire, so as to play upon it effectually. In about an hour from the time of the first alarm the Washington engine arrived on the ground, and was station at the pond near the Methodist Church, where it rendered efficient service. But although three streams of fire were kept playing upon the fire constantly, still the dense volumes of smoke and steam issuing from the building showed that the flames were but little effected by the deluge of water. At nine o’clock the roof of the building fell in, after which time the firemen were able to play with more effect upon the dense mass of fire within. But it was not until after twelve o’clock that the flames were so far subdued as to render it same for the engines to leave their posts.  At one time it was feared that the fire would be communicated to the main building, but owing to the wind’s being from the south and to the great exertions of the firemen and citizens, this great calamity was obviated. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the firemen, and the citizens who assisted them, for the perseverance and energy they manifested throughout. Hour after hour the brakes went steadily up and down without a moments cessation, until the labor was no longer necessary. And there was no excitement about this “manning of the brakes,” but it was hard, monotonous work, where grip and grit were alike needed. We take pleasure, also, in testifying to the efficiency and zeal of Chief Engineer Pfeiffenberger and his assistants in directing the operations of the firemen and citizens. It is a difficult matter to ascertain exactly the amount of the loss, as it will be mostly, indirect. The building was divided into six kilns, and in each kiln were 2,000 feet of prepared, or 12,000 staves in all, almost ready for use. The value of this material was about $1,200. The building cannot be replaced for less than $2,500. There was no insurance. The great loss, however, is in the suspension of business which will be necessary on account of the disaster. Very nearly all the dry material that the factory had on hand was consumed, and consequently no work can be done until a new “drying house” can be built and new material prepared. This will require at least a month, all of which is a dead loss of time. The company have the sympathy of the community in their loss, especially as it is the third time the have suffered in a similar manner. They have won the reputation of making the best wooden ware in the west, and the entire trade will regret to learn of their misfortune.

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ALTON COMB FACTORY

Source: Courier and Union, Syracuse, New York, October 14, 1868

A comb factory, said to be the finest in the West, has just been started at Alton, Illinois.

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ALTON FIRST NATIONAL BANK ROBBERY AND MURDER

Source: The New York Times, November 2, 1868

From St. Louis, Mo., Saturday, Oct. 31.   Five men attempted to rob the First National Bank at Alton, Ill., early this morning. While they were at work drilling the vault, Mr. H. Fuller, a private watchman, arrested one of the parties, who was outside watching, when the remainder of them attacked the officer, cut his head dreadfully with a steel bar and shot him through the heart, causing instant death. The robbers then escaped, leaving behind them all their tools. One thousand dollars reward is offered for the arrest of the murderers.

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ALTON BANK ROBBERY AND MURDER CONFESSION

Source: The New York Times, November 20, 1868

From the Missouri Democrat, Nov. 16.  Marshal Keck of Kansas City, and Detective Wright reached Alton with their prisoners, St. Clair and Kelley, on Saturday evening, lodging them in jail without trouble, although St. Clair himself was much exercised for fear Judge Lynch would get hold of him. It is not claimed that Kelley had a hand in this bank robbery and the murder of the private watchman, but he is known to have been cognizant of the circumstances, and it was surmised either a confederate or friend of the parties implicated, consequently his arrest. St. Clair made a confession after his arrival in Alton, to the effect that four men were engaged in the robbery; three were at work inside the bank proper, on the safe, while one was standing guard or watching outside; the private watchman came along, and a struggle ensued, during which he was shot. St. Clair asserts that Bill Ayres fired the fatal shot. Had the watchman not appeared on the scene, in a few minutes the safe would have been opened and all its valuable contents secured; they had done such jobs before, and knew how to go to work. As already known, the four only secured some $800 in stamps and nickels before making their escape. From Alton they came down the river in a skiff to St. Louis, and from thence proceeded to Kansas City, where they had a "job already put up," but they were afraid to attempt it at once, and the arrest of St. Clair cut short his career in the burglar line. From Kansas City the quartette were to have gone to Atlanta, Ga., where another "job" awaited their execution. On Saturday, as stated in our Alton letter, St. Clair was arraigned for preliminary examination, but entered a waiver, which virtually means, in this instance, a plea of guilty as a participant in the burglary, but, as stated, he stoutly denies any hand in the murder. The man Kelley was held as a witness in the sum of $2,000, and in default of bail was committed to jail. Marshal Keck received a receipt from the Mayor of Alton to the effect that he had delivered to the authorities St. Clair, known to be and properly identified as one of the men wanted and for whom the $1,000 reward was offered, but the reward was not paid, though it probably will be. As he has spent considerable time and money in the affair, it would certainly be an act of injustice not to pay him the promised reward.

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ALTON ACCIDENTS

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 28, 1868

Yesterday afternoon as a lady was walking along Second street, she stepped upon the iron covering of a cistern under the pavement, which had been carelessly left unfastened. The covering gave way beneath her, and she slipped into the opening as far as her waist. Help was at hand, and she quickly succeeded in extricating herself from her perilous position. Although not seriously injured, she received some severe bruises. The cistern was very deep and contained several feet of water, and had she not succeeded in arresting her fall, the consequences would have been serious. Had a child stepped upon the covering, it would almost inevitably have fallen clear through and been drowned. The carelessness which would leave such a place exposed should be severely punished. About half-past four o'clock, a sad accident took place on the corner of Second and Market streets. Four ladies from Monticello were driving down Market street in the Seminary carriage, when the horse took fright and ran away, overturning the carriage at the place mentioned, and throwing the inmates out. All the ladies were severely hurt, but none seriously. They were promptly taken to Dr. Williams' office, where every attention was paid them. A similar accident occurred to three other ladies from Monticello, yesterday, in Upper Alton. They were out driving in a private conveyance, and in their case, also, the horse took fright, ran away, and threw them all out, but they also escaped without serious injury, although greatly unnerved.

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ALTON - DESTRUCTION OF THE "ALTON HOUSE" BY FIRE

Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, Thursday, January 20, 1870

From the Alton Telegraph, Jan. 14 - - One of the most disastrous conflagrations which ever visited this city took place this morning in the destruction of the Alton House, one of the largest, oldest and most popular hotels in the Western country. The fire broke out about eight o'clock and was first discovered on the roof of the east wing, at a chimney, near the cupola [dome], and undoubtedly, originated from some defect in the flue. When first seen, the flames had already made considerable progress and were sweeping rapidly over the dry shingles of the roof. Attempts were at first made to extinguish the flames with buckets of water, but it was soon found that this method would be of no avail. The alarm was promptly sounded all over the city, and as the report spread from one to another, "the Alton House is on fire!" multitudes hastened to the scene. The engines and the Hook and Ladder were promptly on the ground, but the morning was bitterly cold and some delay was occasional from that cause, in getting the engines in operation. Still, it was apparent, from the first, that it would be impossible to save the building, and the work of removing the furniture, fixtures, etc., was soon commenced. A large number of citizens entered the burning building and commenced the removal of all that was movable. The furniture of the office, parlors, dining room, kitchen, and of nearly all the apartments on the first and second floors was removed out doors, though much of it was in a damaged condition. A part, also, of the furniture was removed from the third and fourth floors - some carried down, some lowered, or thrown, from the windows. More of the furniture of these upper stories could have been saved had not the main stairways soon taken fire and cut off access thereto. Meanwhile, the engines were playing full streams wherever they could do so most effectively, and firemen and citizens were exerting themselves to the utmost in noble efforts to stay the course of the conflagration, or to save valuable property. The Washington engine was stationed on Alby street at a cistern on Capt. Ryder's premises, and the Altona at the cistern in Jarrett's stables. So cold was the atmosphere that the water turned to ice whenever it struck outside the burning building. Many of the firemen were completely coated with ice from the spray freezing on their clothing. The wind was blowing at the time from the northwest, carrying the greater part of the sparks and cinders towards the river. This was a fortunate circumstance, for the residences north of the hotel would otherwise have been much endangered. In spite of all efforts, however, the fire slowly and surely fought its way downwards, from story to story. The flames made slow progress from the fact that they burned downwards and against the wind, and it was not until about eleven o'clock that they reached the basement floor, having destroyed every vestige of woodwork in their progress. The livery stables of William Jarrett adjoining the Alton House on the east, were in imminent danger during the entire progress of the fire, but the main portion of them were saved by tearing away the stable adjoining the House. This was thoroughly and effectually accomplished by the Hook & Ladder Company, aided by citizens. The roofs of the stables, also, were kept well saturated with water. Mr. Jarrett's horses were all promptly removed to a place of safety, and his rolling stock taken into the street. Of the Hotel, nothing was saved but one or two out-buildings. The fire demon made the work of destruction complete. On the north, a dwelling house, belonging to Mrs. John Mullady, had a narrow escape. It was saved by being kept deluged with water. It was occupied by a man named Hogan. All the furniture was removed from it, with but little damage. The Alton House was a spacious and convenient edifice, with ample and comfortable accommodations for two hundred guests, and has, in times past, accommodated three hundred. Under the able management of Mr. Siemens, the host and lessee, it had acquired a wide spread and enviable reputation for the excellence of its accommodations. It was owned by Hon. B. T. Burke, of Carlinville, who valued it at $40,000 [note: in 2008 this would be $673,080.90]; some place the value at $50,000. The loss on the building is total. Insured for $16,000. Mr. Siemens states that the furniture he had in the house cost him between $13,000 and 16,000. Insured for $7,000.

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ALTON - LARGE CAVE DISCOVERED

Source: Liberty Weekly Tribune, April 1, 1870

A large cave has been discovered underneath the city of Alton, Illinois. It is in places seven feet high, and has the usual characteristics of caves. It has already been traversed some hundreds of feet, and a full exploration has not yet been made.

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ALTON TORNADO, May 1871

Source:  Chicago Tribune, Chicago, IL, May 14, 1871

The Alton Telegraph of the 10th says:
"The tornado that desolated East St. Louis on Wednesday, swept northward through the county, inflicting immense damage on the farming community. Everything in its path was swept away, or destroyed. The main track of the tornado was about midway between here and Edwardsville. The house of Mr. John W. Kendall was struck by the tornado, the roof blown off and carried a distance of 300 yards, and the whole building completely wrecked. The furniture was broken to pieces: clothing and bed coverings were blown away and lost. A pocketbook containing $100, which was in a wardrobe, was blown away and lost. All the outbuildings on the farm were torn to pieces and the fences carried off: a valuable peach orchard was reduced to a pile of brush. The residences of Mr. Cox, Mr. Roesch, and Mr. Morrison were all unroofed and badly damaged, and their stables, outbuildings, fences, granaries, hay-stacks, stock, etc., utterly destroyed. The loss is extremely heavy. Where the tornado struck, nothing was spared. Strange to say, none of the inmates of residences named were seriously injured. About the most startling statement is yet to come: Mr. Kendall informs us that his premises are strewn with fragments of steamboats, strips of tin roofing, and pieces of boards torn from buildings, which had evidently been blown from East St. Louis. As Mr. Kendall's house is no less than eighteen miles north of St. Louis in an air-line, the fact seems almost incredible, but is none the less true. These fragments of buildings were found by Mr. K, three miles north of his farm."
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ALTON ACCIDENT

Source: The New York Times, February 11, 1872

The Rockford, Rock Island, and St. Louis Railroad Company have offered a reward of $500 for the apprehension of Fred Baker and Pat Halpin, the conductor and engineer of the freight train which collided with the passenger train near Alton on Wednesday last.

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ALTON RAILROAD ACCIDENT - CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE

Source: The New York Times, February 13, 1872

The St. Louis Democrat of Friday publishes the testimony taken at the Coroner's inquest at Alton, Ill., on the day before, in the case of the persons who lost their lives by the collision between a passenger and a freight train, on the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad. The Democrat says: At a few minutes past six o'clock, Tuesday morning, the north bound freight train of the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad entered the cut which is situated about half way between Upper Alton and Alton Junction (which they had just left), and the next moment struck the locomotive of passenger train No. 4, coming to St. Louis, consisting of two sleeping cars, one coach and one baggage car. There was a crash. The engines reared in air, settled and struck again. By the first crash the baggage car was telescoped through the coach a distance of ten feet, by the second a further distance of fifteen feet. Seats and passengers were crushed by the avalanche into the rear of the car, which was overturned, and soon ignited from the stove, which had also been sent whirling into the midst of the scattered fragments. There were, it is believed, fifteen persons in the car. Of these, it is thought, four were either killed instantly or scorched to death, and nine were injured, the rest escaping with their lives. Notwithstanding the darkness and the shrieks of the wounded and dying, officers and passengers united in extricating the victims. The remains of two individuals only were recognizable - Joseph Tweissel, a man about forty-five years of age, a citizen of Leclaire, Iowa, and Susan Elizabeth Rains, aged eighteen, who was traveling in company with her husband and a baby about eighteen months old. In addition were found a charred bone, which the physicians thought from its size belonged to a woman, and a blackened mass which has not yet, and probably never will be, identified. The few battered and scorched victims remaining were taken to Brighton. After a brief parley with the conductor of the passenger train, Conductor Baker, in command of the freight, left hurriedly for Alton Junction, where he dispatched the following telegram to the Assistant Superintendent, which throws a flood of light upon the cause of the accident, and fixes its responsibility beyond a doubt:

Alton Junction, 7 a.m.:

H. Loosely: I collided with Number Four, 6 a.m. at one mile north of here. I was mistaken in time card. I thought their time was 6 1/4 at Upper Alton, instead of 6:09.   Baker.

The movements of Baker from that time are only partially known. Leaving Alton Junction, he fled to St. Louis, where he has been seen and spoken to, but has since, probably, sought safety in flight from the verdict of the coroner's inquest hanging over him.

The wounded, as before stated, were transported as soon as possible to the town of Brighton, about eleven miles from the scene of the accident, and were lodged in boarding houses, where they were attended by physicians and nurses, who were employed by the railroad company for that purpose. Their names were M. Canmann, St. Louis, his leg twice broken; Reuben Rains, bruised about the head and shoulders; Isaac Barnhart, baggage master, injured internally; August Mowby, train boy, left leg broken; Fred Booker, hurt in the leg; Mrs. Mina Booker, ankle sprained; Franklin Groves, slightly injured in the jaw, not fatally; Charles Foss, right leg broken and contusions about the head. Most of these lay in agony upon the little cots that were prepared for them throughout the night. In the morning, Mr. Canmann, who is a prominent wholesale liquor dealer on South Main street, was brought to the depot and transported to St. Louis by the 11 o'clock train. Mr. Foss was sent early in the morning to his home in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The wounded are for the most part expected to recover, and will be removed as soon as it can be safely done. The charred remains were brought to Alton, and the preparations made to consign them to their last resting place. The bodies were deposited in a little room over Hart's stable; four rough board coffins constructed, in which the remains will lay until recognized by friends, or "unwept, unhonored and unsung," will be consigned to an unknown grave.

Meanwhile, in an adjoining building, an inquest was held. The first witness was Dr. Etz Williams, who testified to finding, soon after the accident, the remains of four persons, two of them males; what the other two had been he could not say; of these latter one was a charred bunch, about the size of two fists, and the other a long bone, which, from its small size, he supposed to be the femur of a female. Dr. W. A. Hazlitt, of Alton, a partner of Dr. Williams, testified to the same general effect. Henry W. Hart testified to the general appearance of the wreck. He assisted in getting the bodies out of the debris. The conductor poked them out with a long piece of iron; he took out the remains of a woman with a shovel. The next witness was Mr. E. J. Fitzgerald, conductor of the passenger train, who testified substantially as follows:

My train was due at Alton at twenty minutes past six; left Upper Alton at eleven minutes past six; the train consisted of one baggage car, one coach and one sleeping car; at the time of the accident, I was in the front end of the sleeping car; the distance from Upper Alton to the Junction was one and three quarter miles; I had thirty-five passengers on the train, of whom fifteen were in the front coach, immediately behind the baggage car; there is no telegraph office between Brighton and Alton Junction; the collision occurred at twelve or thirteen minutes after six; I was in the front end of the sleeping car at the time, and went to work to extinguish the fire and help the passengers escape. The number of passengers who escaped from the wreck was seven; there were three I know of who were not got out, one a middle-aged man, a German, from Iowa, and a lady about twenty or over; I do not remember the appearance of the others; I passed in and out of the cars three or four times before they were destroyed; they were splintered up considerably; the coach caught fire from the stove which was placed in the forward end of the car; when I first saw it the fire was about fifteen feet from the rear of the coach; the cars were telescoped twice, the first time about ten feet, the last time about fifteen feet; that is the baggage car telescoped about fifteen feet through the coach; I first observed the fire about four minutes after the collision occurred; there were two collisions, and I saw the fire after the second crash; the reason I was not able to rescue all the passengers was owing to their being caught in the timbers by the telescopic action of the collision, which knocked the baggage car stove to about the centre of the coach following it; the stove was full of wood; it opened and scattered the fire all around; the fire broke out almost immediately after the collision; it appeared to be small at first, and then broke out over the whole car at once. The passengers were fastened in the seats by the telescopic action of the car; I had to climb over the seats to get into the car. The reputation of the freight conductor was good, and he was said to be competent; don't know what the reputation of the engineer and others on the freight train was. It is the duty of the freight train, when behind-hand, to wait indefinitely for the passenger train, so it is on its own time; I was running on the time card. The rails were frosted. The accident occurred in a cut about twelve feet deep, on a curve; he could see ahead for a distance not exceeding two hundred yards; the grade runs up to about the centre of the curve where the ground was even and where the accident occurred. The engineer of the passenger train whistled down breaks, and in a few seconds afterward we struck. The freight engine was also found reversed. This lady that was burned was on the other seat from the front; two men were in the seat facing her, and some others on the opposite side of the car. The conductor and engineer of the freight went to St. Louis on my train; they left for there at 1:40 in the afternoon. If all the men on my train had been at their posts they could not have stopped my train. Baker said to me he had made a mistake in the time card; that he thought the passenger train was 6:15 instead of 6:09 at Upper Alton. Baker had his watch at the time of the collision, and we compared watches together. Four physicians were sent for by the Company immediately after the accident. Andrew Cessford, engineer on the passenger train, was next examined, and testified corroboratively as to the time and incidents of the accident. Other witnesses were called, and the jury in about half an hour returned the following verdict:

We, the jurors summoned, sworn and impaneled by Patrick F. Regan, Justice of the Peace of Madison County and State of Illinois, to diligently inquire into and true presentment make, how, or in what manner or by whom the dead bodies of Joseph Tweisel and Susan Elizabeth Rains, and two other, names unknown to us, came to their deaths, do find, from all the evidence adduced before us, that they came to their deaths by a collision on the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad, near the Alton Junction, County of Madison and State of Illinois, by a passenger train going South and a freight train going North, on the morning of Feb. 7, 1872, and the above named persons came to their death by said collision, through the criminal negligence of Frederick Baker, conductor of said freight train, and Patrick Halpine, the engineer of the same train, as accessory thereto.

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ALTON FRANKLIN HOUSE DINNER TALE

Source: Waterville, New York Times, February 20, 1873

The Missouri Republican is responsible for the following:

"Once on a time there dwelt in our sister city of Alton a worthy but rather irritable gentleman, who was the host of a famous hotel there, known as the Franklin House. Numerous citizens daily drew their rations from his liberally furnished table, and not a few visitors from the rural districts preferred the substantial fare of the Franklin House to the more pretentious board of the Alton House. One d a y, in addition to all the good things with which the dinner table was loaded, there was at the lower end a nice roast pig that would have tickled the palate of the gentle "Elia," who discourses so eloquently of that savory visited. At the conclusion of the meal, this roast pig remained intact, when along came a belated drover, who sat down beside it, and having a good, wholesome appetite, soon devoured the whole of it. The landlord looked on amazed, and was puzzled to see where his profit was to come in after deducting a dollar and-a-half-pig from a fifty cent dinner ticket. Giving vent to his disgust, he said very sarcastically to the drover, "Isn't there something else you would like to be helped to?" "Wal—yes" drawled out the drover, "I don't care if I take another of them little hogs.'' This was too much for the equanimity of the landlord, and to keep himself from "spontaneously combusting," like Dorothea, he was compelled to rush out in the open air, where he could give vent to a few unorthodox expressions without being overheard by the elect, of which he was one.

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ALTON SHOE STORE FIRE

Source:  New York Times, New York, February 28, 1873

A fire at Alton, Ill., on Tuesday night, destroyed the shoe-store of Smiley brothers, the dry-goods store of Richard Flagg, and the drug-store of H. W. Chamberlain. The loss is from $40,000 to $50,000, and the property is mostly covered by insurance.
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ALTON HUMOR

Source: The Deseret News, November 12, 1873

An Alton, Illinois woman recently threw a brick at a dog and hit her husband, who stood fifty feet behind her.

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ALTON - A WESTERN WHIRLWIND

Source: Utica, New York Daily Observer, 1874

About 6 o'clock the sky was half obscured by the dense mass of clouds; then, what seemed to be lighter clouds were detached from the upper mass and swept through the air with inconceivable rapidity, while the atmosphere on the surface of the ground was almost perfectly still.  At 6:10 a heavy cloud, in the shape of a funnel, fell, apparently from the great mass, swept across the river as quick as a flash of lightning, the small end of the funnel dragging along the surface of the water. In a second the cloud struck the river front, swept by in  flash, bounded like a ball, passed over the hills, toward the northeast, rose again, and broke into fragments. When it struck the buildings, a terrible rambling; crash resounded, which was distinctly heard a mile distant, then came the rush and roar, of the tempest, blinding rain and rattling hail; the air seemed ail in a swirl, almost total darkness closed in and hid the scene of destruction. The time occupied by the passage of the whirlwind from the river through the valley was not over two seconds, and all the damage was done within that time. The only part of the town touched by the tornado was the main business part, directly in the valley. The coarse of the storm-cloud was most erratic. It was, as we have said, funnel-shaped, small end down. Whatever object that small end touched was smashed to atoms. It rose, fell, darted here and there, and finally rose up and broke into fragments. The diameter of the small end of the funnel was only a few feet. The storm cloud, as it swept over the river, was of a greenish-white tinge, but when it rose again into the air it was densely black, like a column of ink.

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ALTON CIRCUS - SOUL DESTROYING?

Source:  The Daily Observer, Utica, New York, September 14, 1874

Boys will be boys - at Alton, Illinois, a teacher asked Sunday School scholars to stand up who intended to visit the wicked, soul-destroying circus. All but a lame girl stood up.

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A LOOK AT ALTON IN 1875

Source: The Phelps County New Era, [Rolla, Missouri] December 4, 1875

Rolla, Mo., Nov. 29th, 1875. Editor New Era: Having recently arrived from a trip through Illinois and a portion of this State, and thinking that a few items concerning the people, crops, etc., might be of interest to your readers, here goes: Alton, a city of between 14 and 15 thousand inhabitants was our starting place. It is situated on the Mississippi River, about 25 miles from St. Louis, and is surrounded by some of the finest farming lands in the "Prairie State." Its educational facilities are unsurpassed, it having two colleges for the instruction of young men, two academies for the education of young ladies, two Primary Schools (Public), two intermediate and one High School, besides numerous private schools. The Catholics also have recently erected a magnificent building for the instruction of the youth of that denomination. There are three papers published here representing both political parties, and one, a German paper remaining neutral. There are several mills, flouring, woolen and planing. Here, also, is located the large plow manufactory of Hapgood & Co., and the threshing machine manufactory of Hanson & Co. The citizens have recently improved their city by the acquisition of Water Works. Its citizens are sociable and charitable and are essentially a working people. The only drawback to the rapid growth of the city is that it is burdened by a set of moneyed fogies, who make it their especial business to cry down every projected improvement and by reason of their wealth and influence are enabled to greatly retard the advancements of the interests of the people. The crops, with the exception of wheat, were unusually good, and consequently the Grangers are all happy. Alton furnishes them a market place for their produce at St. Louis prices, which is attested by the fact that farmers from Jersey, Calhoun and other surrounding counties bring their grain and much of their stock to this place. The crumbling walls of the old State Prison may be seen looking like the remains of some ancient feudal castle. A trip through the cells above and beneath the ground will well repay one's trouble. Taking the train at Alton, our road led through immense fields of corn, with here and there large fields of wheat just emerging from the ground. When near Chicago no grain of any importance was to be seen, that portion of the State being confined chiefly to the production of cheese. The country for miles around Chicago is studded with palatial residences around which were grounds resembling miniature paradises. Throughout the course of our travels we found the people sociable, well education and refined; all the farmers rejoicing over the good crops of this year, and making preparations for sowing larger crops in the Spring. We left Chicago and Illinois with the impression that she is indeed a happy State. Fearing to tire your readers, we will close for the present with the intention of continuing if this prove acceptable.  Lorme.

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ALTON - MR. A. W. HARDY HAS WAGON ACCIDENT

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 12, 1877

On the Fourth, as Mr. A. W. Hardy, accompanied by his wife and three children, was driving down the hill at the junction of Seventeenth and Piasa streets, the wagon tilted so much that he fell out. His wife, in attempting to catch him, was dragged out also, with the oldest daughter. Mr. Hardy fell in such a position that a wheel of the wagon stopped directly on his neck, and he raised the wheel with his own hands and thus became free. No one was particularly injured, which was a very fortunate circumstance.

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ALTON DRUG STORE AND NEWSPAPER OFFICE FIRE

Source:  The New York Times, New York, NY, January 23, 1880
Alton, Ill., Jan. 22.-Flames were seen issuing, about 2:30 a.m. to-day, from the cellar of the wholesale drug store of Robert E. Smith, on Second-street. The store was a large double brick structure. The east half and the third floor of the west half were occupied by Mr. Smith, and the second and third stories of the west half by Holden & Morten, proprietors of the Alton Telegraph, and Beall & Denvers, job printers. Owing to the oils and large amount of inflammable material stored in the building, the flames spread with great rapidity, and soon the entire interior was burning. The fire department was on the ground promptly, and after several hours’ hard work subdues the flames. The walls only are standing. Nothing of any value was saved from the stock. Mr. Smith's store was the handsomest and most spacious drug-house in the West. The total loss is about $110,000. The total insurance is $89,000. R. B. Smith is insured as follows: Imperial, of London, $5,000; London Assurance, $2,500; London and Lancashire, $5,000; Manufacturer’s, Boston, $2,000; Amazon, Cincinnati, $2,500; Farmers’, York, Penn., $1,000; North British, $2,500; Commercial Union, $2,500; Glens Falls, N. Y., $2,500; Franklin, Philadelphia, $2,500; Phoenix, Hartford, $1,000; American Central, St. Louis, $1,500; British American, Canada, $1,000; St. Paul, $1,000; German American, $1,000; North American, Philadelphia, $2,500; Hartford, $2,000; Western Assurance, Toronto, $2,000; Scottish Commercial, $1,500; National, Hartford, $2,000; Springfield, Mass., $2,000; Phoenix, Brooklyn, $5,000; Pennsylvania, $2,000; Meriden, $500. In addition Mr. SMITH had $30,500 insurance divided among the following companies: Fire Association of Philadelphia, Lamar, North German, Orient, Connecticut, La Caisse Generale, Westchester, Board of Underwriters, People’s of Trenton. Holden and Morten, of the Telegraph, had $13,000 in the Springfield, Mass., and $13,000 in the Hartford. Their loss is total and not half covered by insurance. Beall & Denvers had $10,000 insurance in the Continental, $1,000 in the North American, Philadelphia, and $1,000 in the Girard of Philadelphia, which will not cover their loss. The Telegraph appeared as usual this evening. In reduced form, printed on the type obtained at Malcolm & McIneay’s job office. The files of the Telegraph for over 25 years were destroyed.
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ALTON - TRAMPS ARRESTED

Source: Liberty Weekly Tribune, June 25, 1880

Alton, Ill., June 19 - Twelve tramps were arrested on Thursday night for violently taking possession of a freight train on the Chicago & Alton road and threatening the employees. They were tried this morning in the Police Court, and ten of them were fined $20 each and committed to the county jail.

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ALTON - THE GREAT JUBILEE PARADE

Source: Alton Telegraph, November 11, 1880

(From Daily of Friday, Nov.6)  At an early hour last evening the hosts began gathering from near and from far, intent on joining in the parade and carnival of fun and jollity. The line of march was formed on State street at 7:30 o'clock. In the advance was Dr. Haskell's calcium light, engineered by R. Johnson & Son, shedding a brilliant effulgence over the muddy thoroughfare for a long distance in advance. The two chief Marshals of the previous Republican and Democratic parades, Dr. Haskell and Mr. F. H. Ferguson, according to previous arrangement, were mounted on a fine black charger, decorated with a large flag, the Republican Marshal in front. Near the head of the procession was Gosarau's band. In line were the Alton Cornet band, Hunter's band and a number of martial bands. In addition to these were "329" bands of various sizes and various degrees of excellence. Owing to the multiplicity of instruments and the short time allowed for practice, an occasional false note was heard, but this was overlooked in the general good feeling that prevailed. The outriders and scouts skirmished in the advance and on the flanks with miscellaneous noises appropriate to the occasion. The principal features in the procession were Barnum's mule; transparencies representing Garfield mounted on an elephant bound for the White House; "After the election;" "Democratic Nightmare, ______, ______;" a tombstone, with the inscription, "The Democracy died November 2d, 1880." In a large Glass Works wagon was an immense quantity of fireworks, which were let off continuously during the march, forming the grandest and most imposing pyrotechnic display ever witnessed in Alton. On the sides of the wagon were "United North. 329. Solid South." There were a number of vehicles with bands of all kinds. The one that capped the climax however was Jarrett's band wagon in which was a band of Chinese musicians. They were led by Prof. Hop Lee Bealsing, and conducted by High Panjundrum, Prince John Gee Chungstrong. They greatly distinguished themselves, and when they struck the loud cymbal, the gong, the tom tom, the howgag, the triangle, rang the bell, blew the clarionet and the horn, the whole town was electrified and all others in their vicinity were silent from sheer amazement except an occasional sickly toot from some presumptuous rival. This band was composed only of "genuine" heathen Chinese and as a proof they wore blouses and queues procured expressly for the occasion. The illuminations were splendid, embracing about the same residences of which we have heretofore published a list after former parades, and hundreds of others. The line of march was changed at some points on account of the muddy streets. Owing to the fearful state of the weather, there was but a small turnout from the surrounding towns. Upper Alton, Wood River, North Alton, Rocky Fork and other places were represented by small delegations, and 30 Republicans from Portage braved the storm and came down and joined in the jollification. After arriving at Market street on the return, the companies were halted between Second and Third streets, and, afte4r quelling the "music," by a great effort, Marshal Haskell proposed "Three cheers for Frank Ferguson." These were given with a will. Then Marshal Ferguson called for "Three cheers for the next President of the United States." This of course was followed by a great outburst from the hundreds in the vicinity. The best of feeling prevailed amongst the crowd, all were good natured and ready to laugh at the various amusing scenes and incidents that were witnessed. The heavens were red during the entire evening with the fireworks and bonfires all over the city. Red lights were burned at a number of places, giving a strange, weird character to the advancing throng as they tramped steadily through the mud. The illuminations were brilliant and beautiful beyond description. We shall not attempt to give a complete list for the reason that we have neither the space nor the facilities for doing it. When the fact is taken into consideration that the house of nearly every Republican in town, rich or poor, was illuminated, it will be realized that it would require the facilities of the Globe-Democrat to give a fitting report. Suffice it to say that those who had illuminated on previous occasions surpassed their former efforts, while hundred of others, including some prominent Democrats, added gorgeous illuminations and brilliant decorations, to the general splendor. State street hill was ablaze with lights from the lowest slope to the crowing height; while from Piasa street to Middletown, the effect of thousand of gleaming lights was dazzling. We never expect to witness a scene more like an immense kaleidoscope of light and color than that Alton presented to the spectators on the corner of Main and State streets. There were many elegant displays; windows were draped with flags; some decorated with red, white and blue paper; other windows had an appearance, though the glass was frosted with variegated hues; immense bonfires on State street, Hope's hill and in Middletown, lit up the city; red lights glowed from various quarters, while from the abundance of rockets and Roman candles, it appeared as though the air was full of meteors. Never was public joy and satisfaction more generally displayed or in a more enthusiastic manner.

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ALTON - AN OLD LANDMARK, ERECTED IN 1832

Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, September 8, 1881

The building now being repaired and added to, by Dr. Gibson, near the corner of Third and Market streets, was used as a bank in 1835, and for several succeeding years, a branch of the State Bank of Illinois, being conducted at that place. Mr. James H. Lea, now of Atchison, Kansas, who arrived here about the date mentioned above, was one of the first, if not the first, Cashier of the bank, Mr. S. Griggs being President. The building in question was erected in 1832, by Mr. L. J. Clawson (who then resided at Upper Alton, at the place he still occupies) who built the house for Albert Coles, and was by him rented to the banking company.

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ALTON TELEGRAPH DESTROYED BY FIRE

Source: Alton Telegraph, February 26, 1880

The Alton Telegraph, one of the best papers in the State, was burned out entirely last week, losing all the type, presses and printing material, and among other things, the entire file of the paper for twenty-five years. We sympathize with Messrs. Holden & Norton, but we know the stuff they are made of, and it will be but a short time until they will be putting out a better sheet, if possible, than ever. We hope so at all events, for we have no exchange we value more highly than the Alton Telegraph.  From Mason City.

From Carlinville - One night last week the entire establishment of the Alton Telegraph was destroyed by fire, together with the job office of Beall & Danvers. With true journalistic grit, the Telegraph folks issued their daily the same evening and have been doing so since - although, of course, on a small scale. We sympathize with them in their loss.

From the Madison County Sentinel - On last Wednesday night the large drug store of R. B. Smith, on Second and Piasa streets, and the Alton Telegraph, were destroyed by fire. The Telegraph, however, immediately made arrangements at this office for the publication of a small daily sheet, and was on the street the same evening at its usual time.

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ALTON - COAL FAMINE

Source: Oswego, New York Daily Times, May 5, 1884

The coal famine has reached this city. The flour mills and glass factory may be compelled to shut down.

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ALTON GLASS WORKS

Source: Oswego, New York Daily Times, June 20, 1884

ALTON, Ill., June 20.—Factories Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of the Illinois Glass company have resumed operations. A good supply of coal has been secured, and will be pushed to catch up in orders. It has also been decided to operate one-half of the factories all summer in order to make up for the frequent stoppages caused by the strike. This will be the first time in the history of the Illinois Glass company when any of its factories have been operated in the summer.
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ALTON - BARREL FACTORY BURNED

Source: Auburn, New York Daily Bulletin, September 19, 1888

The barrel factory of H. Schapperkotter was burned yesterday. Loss $25,000.

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ALTON TRAIN WRECK

Source: Watertown, New York Daily Times, August 16, 1890

A wreck occurred last evening on the St. Louis, Alton and Springfield railroad, near Clifton Terrace. The company is building an extension from a point seven miles above Alton to the village of Elsah, on the Mississippi. The men working on this extension go out from here on a construction train every morning and return in the evening. It has been the rule to leave a man stationed at the switch when the construction train goes up in the evening, to watch for the passenger train which is due to pass there at six o clock. This precaution was forgotten, and when the work train returned, as it was past time for the passenger, the men supposed it had passed, and the work train started toward Alton. The passenger train was half an hour late, and the two trains, running at the rate of twenty miles an hour, collided on a curve on the bluff. It is miraculous that both trains did not go over into the river. Both engines were completely wrecked, as was also the car on the wreck train and mail car of the passenger train. The passengers all escaped with nothing more than bruises, but others fared worse; both engineers jumped and saved themselves.

The following were killed: Peter Smith of Springfield; Charles McGee of Alton, (water carrier of construction train.); James Murry of St. Louis, laborer.

Wounded: Frank Lee. Springfield, engineer on passenger train, leg badly crushed; Joseph Daly. Alton, conductor, hips dislocated and back sprained, can not recover; M. S. Seymour, Alton, superintendent of St. Louis, Alton & Springfield railroad, face badly cut and left leg injured;  H. W. Cassady, Alton, legs badly cut, back sprained and internal injuries;  Patrick McCullagan, Alton, leg and ribs broken.

Serious: John King, Jerseyville, newsboy on passenger train, contusion of left hip and right temple;  B. Powell, severe internal injuries, may die; C. J. Owens, mail messenger, internal injuries; Henry Unterbrink. Alton, fireman on construction train, foot badly hurt, and legs cut; Michael Cantrill Alton, foreman hurt very badly, may die; John McCuffery, head and legs cut and shoulder dislocated; George German, Delhi, shoulder dislocated; Richard J. Lessin, leg bruised and spine injured; Charles Foss, leg cut and internal injuries.
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ALTON TRAIN WRECK

Source: The Daily Journal, Syracuse, New York, August 16, 1890

A wreck occurred last evening on the St. Louis, Alton & Springfield railroad near Clifton Terrace. The company is building an extension from a point seven miles above Alton to the village of Elsah, on the Mississippi river. The men working on this extension go out from here on a construction train every morning and return in the evening. It has been the rule to have the men stationed at the switch when the construction train goes up at night, to watch for the passenger train which is due to pass there at 6 p. m. This precaution was forgotten, and when the work train returned, as it was past time for the passenger, the men started toward Alton. The passenger train was half an hour late, and the two trains, moving at the rate of twenty miles per hour, collided on a curve on the bluff. It is miraculous that both trains did not go over the embankment into the ruin. Both engines were completely wrecked, as was also the car on the work train and the mail car of the passenger train. The passengers all escaped with nothing more than bruises. Others fared worse. Both engineers jumped and saved themselves. The list of killed and wounded is as follows:

Killed—Peter Smith of Springfield; Charles McGee of Alton, water carrier on construction train; James Murray of St. Louis, a laborer.
Wounded—Frank Lee, Springfield, engineer on the passenger train, leg badly crushed; Joseph Daly, Alton, conductor, hips dislocated and back sprained, may not recover; M.S. Seymour, Alton, Superintendent St. Louis, Alton & Springfield railroad, face badly cut and left leg injured; H. W. Cassody, Alton, legs badly cut back sprained and internal injuries; Patrick McCullagan, Alton, leg and ribs, broken, serious; John King, Jerseyville. newsboy on the passenger train, contusion of left hip and right temple; B. Powell, severe internal injuries, may die; C. J. Owens, mail passenger, internal injuries in right side; Henry Unterbrink, Alton, fireman on the construction train, foot badly hurt and legs cut; Michael Cantril, Alton, foreman, hurt very badly, may die; John McCaffeny, head and legs out and shoulder dislocated; George German, Delhi, shoulder dislocated; Richard J. Lesson, leg bruised and spine injured; Charles Foss, leg cut and internal injuries
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ALTON MIDDLETON HOMESTEAD

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 7, 1891

The "Middleton homestead" on the corner of Second and Alby streets is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It has the honor of being the place where one of our bank presidents, now living, was born. There are but few of the old time houses now standing, and this one has been kept in such excellent repair that it is now a comfortable and pleasant home. The old house where the Odd Fellows' organization saw the light of day, was just across the street, but has long since disappeared. Another venerable row of buildings is that fronting on Third street, just east of the Episcopal church. Many of the most prominent families in the city were occupants of these houses in their time. How many annals of the early days of Alton could be gathered from the walls of these houses if they could but speak?

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ALTON - FAMILY FEUD

Source: Auburn, New York Daily Bulletin, November 25, 1892

An old grudge and family feud terminated fatally here yesterday afternoon. Lawrence Farley shot and killed his brother-in-law, Mitchell Mimnaugh. Both are glass blowers. There were formerly in the saloon business together. About a year ago, they became enemies and yesterday Farley went into Mimnaugh's saloon and began shooting at him. Mimnaugh fired one shot in return. The murderer was arrested.

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JESSE JAMES STILL ALIVE?

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 28, 1893

Jesse James was shot and killed several years ago in St. Joseph, Missouri, yet a gentleman registered at the Hotel Madison by that name last night.

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ALTON - PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S COUSIN DIES IN ALTON

Source: Syracuse, New York Evening Herald, March 15, 1893

Miss Lucy Cleveland died here suddenly yesterday afternoon at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. C. Britton. She was a cousin of President Cleveland.

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ALTON JUNCTION - BURGLARY - SAFE BLOWN OPEN

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, April 4, 1893

Mr. William Henry's store at Alton Junction was ransacked last night by professional thieves and safe-crackers and $400 in money stolen. Mr. Henry, upon arising this morning, was astonished to find the things scattered over the store, the doors wide open and his safe missing. An investigation revealed the fact that his store had been entered by thieves. The safe stood in a corner of the store room, some distance from the door. The burglars took a pile of jeans pants from a shelf and carefully laid them on the floor from the safe to the door. Ropes were attached to the safe and it was drawn to the entrance. So carefully was this done that the family overhead was not aroused. The safe was a very small one and weighed but a hundred pounds. It was but little trouble to drag it a distance of a hundred feet to the rear of the stable, drill a hole near the lock and blow it up with dynamite. The money was mostly paper, there being about $330, the balance being in silver. The books, insurance policies, and other papers belonging to Mr. Henry were strewn about the ground. A dog belonging to Marian Chirak, living on the opposite side of the street made an uproar during the night. A member of the family got up and looked about, but was unable to see anything unusual. Shortly after a shot was fired which must have been the blowing of the safe. This occurred at 2 a.m. Mr. Henry has wired the surrounding towns to be on the lookout. He thinks that a pair of suspicious looking characters who watched him open the safe the morning before, after purchasing several articles, are the ones responsible for the robbery.

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ALTON - MAN KILLED AT HENRY STREET BY NORTHBOUND TRAIN

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, Tuesday, May 2, 1893

The Chicago and Alton northbound train, due here at 9:55 a.m. struck an unknown man at the foot of Henry street this morning, mangling him so that he lived but a short time. The train was in charge of Conductor Fox and was going at a rather slow rate. The engineer reversed the brakes as soon as he saw the man, but it was too late. The train came to a standstill and the unfortunate man was picked up in a dying condition and brought to Union Depot. Dr. Fisher was summoned and arrived as he was spasmodically breathing his last. He died a few minutes later. He was a large man with sandy hair and mustache and shabbily dressed. His injuries consisted of a fracture of the skull and mangled lower limbs. Coroner Kinder was notified and will arrive tonight to hold the inquest. He was identified this afternoon by William Dabona, a companion, as Patrick Gavin. Gavin had been ordered out of town by City Marshal Sworts several hours before and was evidently returning when struck.

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ALTON - NEW BASEBALL CLUB

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 16, 1893

The Weem's Laundry Base Ball Club was organized last evening, and the St. Louis Browns will now have all they can do to hold their prestige. Following are the names of the players: Fred Fox, c.; Johnnie Horn, p.; Dick McGrath, 1st b.; Lee Brenner, 2d b.; Will Coyne, 3d b.; Jim Goudie, s.s.; Will Culp, 1. f.; Mike Dwyer, r. f.; Mike Monaghan, c. f..  The Weem's Laundry folks will furnish uniforms for the club.

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ALTON - A NIGHT OF BURGLARIES

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 16, 1893

Misses Mary and Sarah Hall, living at 204 East Fourth street, attended the theatre last evening and shortly after they returned home, or about 11:30 o'clock, they heard a noise in the yard that caused them to look out of a window. They saw two men below, and one was busily engaged in trying to fit the key hole of the back door with some keys. The ladies asked what they wanted and the men slunk behind some bushes in the yard and remained concealed for some time and finally went away. The men were white, and pretty well dressed.  About 2 o'clock this morning a burglar effected an entrance into Capt. Fred. Rudershausen's home on Eighth street by prying a parlor window. The window had been left unlocked and easily raised as was the wire screen. The burglar rummaged the room on the upper floor. Capt. Rudershausen was aroused by a noise near his bed and saw a man at his bedside in the act of searching his pantaloons. The burglar saw that he was awake and grabbing Mr. Rudershausen's clothes rushed out of the door slamming it after him. The clothes caught in the door and the man was cheated out of a little addition to his plunder. The man in his flight down stairs kicked a lighted lamp, which was standing on the stairway in the hall, to the foot of the stairs. Luckily it went out and nothing was set on fire. An investigation showed that the thief had appropriated $21 in paper money, $2.30 in silver and a $75 diamond stud, all the property of Mr. Rudershausen, Jr.  This is the second time Mr. Rudershausen has lost a goodly amount, and is $170 out by the two raids. This morning he tracked the thief a short distance and calculated his rate of speed after leaving the window as 90 miles per hour. Some of the fellow's bounds measured fifteen feet (?) plainly marked by checked tennis shoes.  Mr. H. J. Bowman was aroused early this morning by burglars trying to effect an entrance into his house. The men were on the porch at the rear of the house and were trying to unlock the door. Mr. Bowman arose and shot a revolver out of the window which had the desired effect of scaring the thieves. A night policeman put in an appearance promptly and in company with Mr. Bowman made a search of the premises, but the burglars had disappeared.

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ALTON - OLD PLANK ROAD FOUND

Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, September 11, 1893

In digging the trench in front of the woolen mill on Belle street for the sewer, the workmen came in contact with the old plank road. The road was uncovered at the depth of about four feet and the section cut out is apparently in as good condition as when it was covered up. The old plank road was built before the time of macadam streets by a company who charged a toll for the use of it. It was built of oak and this probably accounts for the state of preservation in which the planks were found. The pieces are being hauled off for firewood. Some of the older residents of Belle street say that the road has been covered up for thirty-five years.

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ALTON - BLOOD SPILLED OVER POSTMASTERSHIP

Source:  The New York Auburn Bulletin, December 2, 1893
A Consultation Over the Postmastership of Alton, Ill., End Disastrously
Dec. 2.—While Congressman W. S, Forman, of this district; John H. Coppinger, consul to Toronto, and Col. A. F. Rodgers, president of the Piasa Bluff association,—the Western Chautauqua—were in consultation yesterday over the postmastership, an old feud between the consul and Rodgers broke out. The consul struck Rodgers in the head and Rodgers floored the consul with a cane. The consul, in spite of Forman's efforts to restrain him, shot Rodgers in the thigh. The wound is serious. The belligerents were arrested.

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ALTON - RAILROAD BRIDGE OPENS

Source: Poughkeepsie, New York Daily Eagle, February 23, 1894

Formal opening of the big railroad bridges at Alton, Ill., and Bellefontaine, Mo., took place today.

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ALTON, ILLINOIS TRAIN WRECK, April 1895

Source:  The News Frederick Maryland, April 6, 1895
Four Killed in a Freight Wreck.
In a freight wreck on the Chicago and Alton cut off at Wood River bridge, half a mile north of East Alton, four men were killed outright and two were fatally injured. A long and heavy train was coming down the grade when the middle of the tain bulged out and fifteen cars were piled on top of each other.
The men killed were: DAVID HAFFLEY, of Watertown, Wis.; FRANK HAREMAN, of Philadelphia.; CHARLES BELL, of Springfield, Ills.; HENRY BLITZ, of New Orleans. Fourteen men were injured more or less seriously. All who were killed or injured were tramps.
 

FOUR TRAMPS DEAD
The Hamilton Daily Republican Ohio 1895-04-06

A Freight Train on the Chicago and Alton Road Wrecked.
Four tramps were almost instantly killed and fifteen others badly injured in a freight wreck on the Chicago & Alton railroad, near here, Friday morning. It is believed the wreck was caused by a broken truck, which allowed a dozen cars to pile up in a heap. It is estimated that over seventy-five tramps were stealing a ride on the train. When taken out four of them were dead. The injured men were brought to the hospital in this city, and the inquest held at East Alton. At the inquest Friday afternoon the names of two of the men killed were found to be David Haffley, of Watertown, Wis., and Frank Hariman, Philadelphia, Pa., Charles Bell, Springfield, Ill., Henry Blihts, Kansas City. Fourteen of the tramps were injured. Their names are Charles Custard, Lima, O.; Otto Schroeder, Argentine, Kan.; Theodore Hunt, St. Paul, Minn.; Thomas Cope, St. Louis; Harry Williams, Toledo; M. Hickens, Chicago; W. Willets, Dallas, Tex.; Ed Aulbeisht, Albany, N. Y.; Harry Glass, Chicago; James Hart, no residence; James Martin, Fall River, Mass.; John Howard, Cincinnati, O.; Robert Sell, New York; Winifred Garrison, Martinsville, O. Several of the injured are not expected to live.
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ALTON HAS A POSTMISTRESS

Source: The Alton Evening Telegraph, December 2, 1896

President Cleveland yesterday announced that he had appointed Miss Julia Buckmaster to succeed her brother as Postmaster in this city. Miss Buckmaster applied early to Senator Palmer. Her father, the late Col. Samuel A. Buckmaster, was an old time friend of Senator Palmer's and now when he had an opportunity, he remembered his old friend, and endorsed the appointment of his daughter. A reporter of the Telegraph called at Miss Buckmaster's residence early this morning. When informed of it by the reporter, she showed unmistakable signs of pleasure. The Telegraph extends congratulations to Miss Buckmaster on her good fortune. For more than a month, it has almost been positively known by the best posted people in Alton that Mr. Milnor would not get the office, and that it was more than likely that Miss Buckmaster would be the fortunate individual. Miss Buckmaster will probably not be able to take possession of the office until after her confirmation by the Senate, which convenes next Monday. All appointments made during the session of Congress must be confirmed prior to the person becoming invested with the office, and as Congress meets in a few days, Miss B.'s appointment will undoubtedly be promptly confirmed. Charley Milnor, Miss B.'s chief opponent, is a good fellow and deserves almost any appointment he might aspire to. He was endorsed by the Democratic clubs in 1885 for postmaster, but another got it. He was a candidate and very popular four years ago, but failed again. Mr. Milnor did not have official influence on his side. This time a few of his backers were Republicans, some of whom went on a mission to Springfield, to Senator Palmer, for Mr. Milnor, but evidently they had no more influence than his former Democratic "pushers."

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ALTON - SECOND STREET SIDEWALKS AGAIN

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 4, 1898

David Ryan was awarded the contract for lowering sidewalks on the north side of Second street from Alby to Henry streets today. Bids were advertised for to be opened at 10 o'clock this morning in the office of the City Clerk, and there was one bidder, Mr. Ryan. It was thought there would be several bids, but the hostile attitude of property owners along the streets frightened contractors so that they were afraid to bid for the work. The contract calls for the removal of the high sidewalks and steps and lowering of curbing wherever property owners have not done so. It is stated that some property owners will sue the city for damages to their property.

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ALTON UNFORTUNATES DIED FROM HUNGER AND EXPOSURE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11, 1899

Riley Thorpe, one of the unfortunates who live down on the sandbar, died this morning in a wretched hovel from the effects of hunger and exposure. In the tent where Thorpe died, and on the bed beside his dead body, lay his wife weakened by sickness, cold and hunger, until she was not able to help herself or send for the assistance of her rough neighbors. Thorpe had been ill for some time and application for assistance for the family had been made to the Supervisor, but was refused. Left to care for themselves, there was nothing for the couple to do but die there in their dirt and poverty. A Telegraph reporter visited today the place that the Thorpe's called home. It was a wretched tent, full of holes and ample openings for the entrance of cold river winds. The body of the dead man was stretched out in a box outside, while inside was a scene of squalor and dirt that could not be worse. A small stove in the front by the open tent flaps where light entered was supplying heat, and the tent was filled with a half dozen neighbors. Thomas McNutt, who had discovered the plight of the family, told how the couple were dying from cold and starvation when he entered. The people on the bar have no money, and coal for a fire must be stolen to keep the sick people alive. All night McNutt did what he could, and the neighbors contributed of their scanty food supply to prevent the death of the couple. The old lady was, at the time of the reporter's visit, greedily gulping down some soup a neighbor had contributed. She ate as though she had not tasted food for days, and her condition was pitiable. Everything in the tent was filthy and even a dog would disdain to drink from a cup which the old woman took her soup in. Cold, starving, and with no friends unless the county helps her, there is nothing for her but to follow her husband. The other inhabitants of the bar are free-hearted, but they have nothing to spare beyond their own needs, and still they have denied themselves necessaries of life for the poor couple. In the midst of all this squalor and poverty, it was pleasant to find that humanity had not entirely deserted the breasts of the poor people down there, and that out of their scanty means they had done what they could for two of their unfortunate number.

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ALTON - TWO CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Wednesday, February 7, 1899

Fire caused the death of two young children this morning. Singularly enough the accidents happened in different parts of the city. About 9:30 o'clock a.m. flames were seen issuing from a shanty boat on the river front just below the Union depot. In the boat was a sick child, Eva, the four year old daughter of a family named Beebe. The mother had gone out to a neighbor's to get someone to go with her for a physician to attend the sick child, and when the fire was first noticed it was too late to rescue the little girl. The shanty boat was soon consumed, and the body of the victim was almost cremated. Her face, hands, and legs were burned completely away, and the body was unrecognizable. The child was lying on a low pallet, and the supposition is a spark of fire ignited the clothes and started the flames. The family came to Alton in their shanty boat on Christmas day from Peoria, and have been here since that time. The father has been working on the ice across the river, and did not learn of the accident until five or six hours after it occurred. William Rush, better known as "Curly," made a brave effort at rescue. He broke in the door, but met with a sheet of flames, and was compelled to run out. His whiskers were almost burned off in the attempt. Beebe and his wife have seen better circumstances. The husband has been sick and the first work he has had since coming to Alton was the last three days. Supervisor Elbie will send the couple to Peoria tonight, where they have relatives. Beebe could not bear to look at his child, and it was buried without him seeing it. Coroner Bailey held an inquest and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death from burning.

The three years old son of Tim Hartigan, night watchman on the bridge, died at 3 o'clock this morning, at the home, Seventeenth and Belle streets, from injuries received Tuesday afternoon caused by its clothes catching on fire. The boy, in company with other children, was playing in the yard, where they had a fire. While standing near the fire, the child's clothes were ignited. Rushing into the house, the little fellow jumped into a bed, where Mr. George Timmermeier tore the burning clothes from its body. It was thought at first the burns were not serious, but after suffering great pain the victim died early this morning. The accident is a very sad one, and the parents have much sympathy in the terrible bereavement that has come upon them. Coroner Bailey held an inquest, with a verdict similar to the first mentioned accident. The funeral will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. from the Cathedral.

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ALTON - YOUTHFUL BANDIT (DAN KENNEDY) ROBS JOHN MERKLE SHOE STORE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, February 21, 1899

Dan Kennedy, a young man only 19 years old, committed a daring robbery at 6 o'clock Monday evening in true wild western bandit fashion. His victim is John Merkle, who keeps a shoe store at 322 Ridge street, and the hold up took place in Merkle's store. Kennedy is the son of a neighbor of Mr. Merkle, and it was a customary thing for the boy to drop into the shoe store in the evenings and talk with Merkle, often spending an evening in this manner. He learned by observation and from conversation with his friend, Mr. Merkle, that often times large sums of money were taken in during the day in the little store and that the cash drawer would be an easy mark for any one left alone in the store. Kennedy was waiting in the store for an opportunity when the proprietor might leave the room or be engaged with a customer, and then he would have stolen whatever the cash drawer contained. Mr. Merkle gave him no opportunity as the time passed, so the young amateur bandit was forced to go about his work in true bandit fashion. After long conversation, rising to his feet as though he was about to leave, Kennedy suddenly pulled a revolver from his pocket, and leveling it at Merkle's face ordered him to throw up his hands and be quiet. Merkle was astounded and at first supposed the boy was in play. "You don't mean it, do you?" he asked. "Of course I do; throw up your hands," was Kennedy's second command. Merkle's hands hurriedly described semi-circles in the air, and in a second were in the most approved hold-up position. Kennedy went behind the counter, opened the cash drawer, and took its entire contents, $70 in cash. The young bandit then backed to the store door and bolted down the street. Merkle called police so soon as he recovered his senses and could command himself. The police made a careful search for young Kennedy, but the lad had planned his course well and no doubt was well on his way out of the city when the police started the search. After committing the robbery, Kennedy hurried to East Alton, riding part of the way with a young man named Scovell, and was in a great hurry. He arrived at East Alton in time to catch the Big Four train going east, at 8:30 p.m.  Chief of Police Starr telegraphed instructions along the road to officers to search the train and arrest the boy. The young man is the son of Mr. Dan Kennedy, who lives on Fourth street, near Henry street. The parents of the boy ascribe his deed to insanity, but others say it was the effect of reading too much cheap literature. Some time ago he bought a badge and commission from a fake detective agency and presented himself to Chief of Police Kuhn, asking that he be sworn in as a detective.

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ALTON - NEW ELEVATOR TO BE BUILT ON WEST SECOND STREET

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, March 7, 1899

An elevator in which corn, wheat and all other farm commodities may be stored is to be erected at once by a company of Alton men. The elevator is to follow a suggestion made in the Telegraph some time ago that a market where farmers might sell anything they might have to sell would be a very good thing for merchants and the city of Alton in general. The elevator is to be built by Peter Reyland and Joseph Luly and is to be located on Second street on a vacant lot next to the shop of the George D. Hayden Machine Company. For many years farmers who have brought produce or agricultural products to Alton for sale have had great difficulty in disposing of them and have been obliged often to wait on the public square all day long and then sell their loads at whatever price could be obtained. When the new elevator is opened it will be a market for everything the farmer has to sell. It will create competition for the farm products brought to Alton and will attract here much country trade that has gone elsewhere to better markets. The elevator can not but be an advantage to business men of Alton and a profitable venture for the company which is backing it. The merchants of Alton have long felt the country trade that might be in Alton was not coming here. The reason for the slipping away of the country trade was only too apparent when teams with wagon loads of produce could be seen standing on the public square all day. Many farmers east of Alton would go to Bunker Hill or Edwardsville and those north of Alton would go to Jerseyville. Thousands of dollars were thus spent away from Alton in towns that have not half the advantages of Alton. The elevator is a good thing.

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ALTON - PAPER MILL TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ALTON

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, March 7, 1899

Mr. James C. Armstrong, who is interested in the organizing of a company for the purpose of running a paper mill in Alton, states that he has at last obtained an option on 15 acres of ground, belonging to Col. Fulkerson, of Jerseyville. The land lies just east of the Curdie & Maupin addition to Alton, and is favorably situated for the purpose of manufacturing. Mr. Armstrong now has assurances from eastern capitalists that all the money needed will be subscribed. The eastern capitalists are eager to become interested in the enterprise. The prospects now are that a fine plant will be erected, and possibly a larger one than was at first intended.

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ALTON - ROMANTIC WEDDING

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday, March 13, 1899

A wedding with a tinge of delightful romance was solemnized by Justice Brandewiede in the City Courtroom at 3:30 p.m. today. The groom was Herman Lippoldt of Torrington, Laramie county, Wyoming, and the bride was Miss Clara Ebbler, of Brighton. To a representative of the Telegraph, the groom told the story of his courtship and the long interval between the time when he first found favor and the day he was married. He was a young fellow 20 years ago who lived at Brighton and was well known there. He had played with Clara Ebbler as a child, and had good reason to think he was looked upon with favor. Fifteen years ago he left for the west to make a fortune or a comfortable living so he could claim his chosen bride. He returned a few days ago, owner of thousands of heads of cattle and a big stock farm in Wyoming, Laramie county. He found his young sweetheart a woman grown to maturity and still waiting the return of her lover. They agreed to be married and came to Alton. They hunted up 'Squire Brandewiede after securing a license, and were made man and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Lippoldt will leave for Laramie this evening to make their home there.

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ALTON - ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY IMPROVEMENTS

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday, March 13, 1899

In the yards of the Illinois Glass Co., work is now being pushed rapidly on the new warehouse and shipping department that was begun several weeks ago. The new building is to be a substantial one built mainly of stone and iron and is to be larger than the one now used alone. It is to be 92x400 feet, while the present one measures but 300x92. The foundations for the new structure are almost complete and the setting of the iron work will be begun at once. Some important improvements are to be made at the glass works during the coming summer. Changes similar to those made last year in No. 5 will be made in at least one of the green glass factories, transforming it into what is known as a Dutch flint. In the new factory coal is to be used instead of oil as fuel. The Illinois Glass Co. is confronted with a demand of the coal operators for a rise in the price of coal. Since the agreement between the operators and miners for a wage scale, the operators who had a contract with the glass company to supply them with coal have decided that the price must go up and are insisting on a rise. The payroll of the glass works foots up $1,500,000 per year.

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ALTON - TWO BOYS NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 15, 1899

About 7:30 o'clock this morning, two boys, Joe Toole and William Brady, were caught in a fall of earth from a bank on the Seventh street side of the residence of A. J. Howell on the corner of State. There were some seven or eight boys playing under the bank at the time. They heard a noise and ran, all escaping except the two named. The alarm was given and soon a crowd of men were at work digging for the boys. After several minutes work, the head of one of the boys, William Brady, was uncovered, then all went to work again to discover the other. As soon as he was found, both were taken out. Neither were seriously injured, although they appeared dazed and somewhat suffocated. Joe Toole's tongue was cut and bleeding, evidently caused by his teeth biting the tongue when caught by the earth. Physicians were sent for at once, and boys were taken to their homes nearby and received whatever medical attention their condition needed. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have been greatly annoyed by the persistency with which the boys continued to play at the bank, digging in it. They have been warned away, threatened by the police, but the temptation was too strong for the little fellows to keep away. The owners of the property several months ago had contracted with Mr. E. J. Lockyer to remove the earth and build a stone wall, but the weather was such, and the frost so far in the ground, that the contractor found it necessary to cease work until the frost was gone. The bank was ten or twelve feet high, and only about six feet of it slid down. It was owing to this that the boys lives were saved. Had the entire ten or twelve feet of earth come down, the lads would have probably been killed outright. All parties are to be congratulated on the fortunate escape of the boys. It ought to be a warning to others to keep away from banks of earth when the frost is coming out of the ground.

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ALTON - MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS CAUGHT AT WORK

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 18, 1899

Harry Clarke and Ed Scroggins, two characters of note in the police court, were arrested last night after robbing the grocery store of William Gerhardt at Seventh and Henry streets. Clarke has confessed his guilt and by his direction the police were able to locate the plunder which he had concealed. Scroggins still stoutly denies his guilt, not withstanding the fact that he was caught with a large bundle of plunder in his hands. He declares it was given to him by another man. Scroggins was the first man caught and nothing was known of the burglary until Officer Coleman hailed him on Ridge street near the Manhattan club building. The officer noticed a man walking briskly ahead of him who seemed to be carrying a bundle on his shoulders. In response to the officer's hail, the thief started to run and was followed by the officer. The thief was overtaken and it was found that the bundle he was carrying consisted of a quantity of cigars, tobacco and canned goods. At the police station Scroggins was searched and he was found to be loaded down with plunder. He had in his pockets knives, scissors, tobacco, and in his bundle a quantity of canned goods. Capt. Allen demanded of Scroggins who his accomplice was and he finally informed him it was his brother-in-law, Harry Clarke. A search for Clarke was at once begun, but while the police were looking for him, Clarke walked into the police station and asked for Scroggins. The bold burglar was placed under arrest in solitary confinement, and this morning he confessed to Officer Long that he was guilty and told where the remaining plunder was hidden. Officer Long found the stuff in a sack where he had been directed by Clarke in an alley between Walnut and Cherry streets, between Third and Fourth streets. When Scroggins was arrested the police began an investigation to discover the place where the robbery was committed. The door of William Gerhardt's store was found broken open and the investigation revealed that it was the place where the burglary had been committed. No one had heard the burglars, although the house is occupied as a dwelling by Mr. F. A. Bierbaum. Clarke and Scroggins bear bad characters and have before been suspected with committing like offenses. The police think they have the men who robbed Strittmatter's store one week ago Sunday and may be able to substantiate their suspicions. The value of the goods stolen from the Gerhardt store is about $35.

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ALTON - ANTHONY W. YOUNG ELECTED MAYOR - ANTI-BRUEGGEMANN SPIRIT CARRIES EVERYTHING BEFORE IT

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 18, 1899

The election Tuesday was a glorious triumph in favor of good government. Henry Brueggemann, the head of the corrupt city government for four years past, was repudiated by the people with an overwhelming defeat. Anthony W. Young, one of the anti-Brueggemann candidates, was successful, being elected mayor by a plurality of 382 votes in the city and carrying every ward excepting the Fifth. Mayor Brueggemann stated and reiterated publicly, through his combined press and on the platform, that he was running on his own record. His defeat may be taken by him as an emphatic repudiation of his official policy and his record. The people were down on the policy he has followed and his record too.....When the news began to come in shortly after 5 p.m., the streets were filled with a wildly rejoicing crowd, who made the air resound with their shouts and huzzas. About 8:30 o'clock last night an immense crowd formed, accompanied by the White Hussar and Juvenile bands, and marched to Mayor-elect Young's residence on West Fourth street. There, after several pieces were played by the bands, Mr. Young delivered a stirring address, followed by several other gentlemen. From Mr. Young's residence the procession headed for the Telegraph office and serenaded it. Not finding its editor there, they turned their march to his residence, on the corner of Sixth and Alby streets, where he was serenaded. The bands mingled in a few strains of "Sweet Marie." The editor was introduced to the crowd, which he thanked for the call. From there it went to Mr. Curdie's residence, on the corner of Fifth and Alby streets. Mr. Curdie was introduced to the assembly and made a neat and graceful speech, complimenting his successful rival, and thanking all for the call at his home. The procession then marched to Judge Hope's residence where the Judge spoke with his usual vim and pointedness. The march was then resumed down Second street to Washington street. It was a triumphal march. Men, women and children lined the streets. "Tony" Young was the hero of the hour and all wanted to grasp his hand. It was 12 o'clock before the marching ceased. The enthusiasm was intense and vast crowds were on the streets cheering for the successful mayoralty candidate. The usual variety of instruments of "music" were on hand, their shrill tones mingling with the cries of the excited populace. Also elected:  City Clerk, Patrick Ward; City Treasurer, Herman Dettmers; City Attorney, William Wilson; Police Magistrate, Ben. C. Few.

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ALTON - TURKISH MUSEUM "BUSTED" ... Manager John Daniels Skips Out with a Coochy Dancer and Salaries of the Company

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 10, 1899

The Turkish theatre which has been doing business on Second street since last Saturday, has gone to the wall. It suspended business last night and the treasurer, John Daniels, suspended payment and took one of the girls with him to parts unknown. A mournful situation confronted the attaches of the show this morning - no breakfast, no money, no treasurer. One of the dancers complained to the police last night that when she asked the treasurer for her money, Daniels' wife struck her on the neck. She wanted a warrant issued for the arrest of the couple. No warrant could be issued and this morning Daniels and the other dancer had left town. Daniels had everything of value with him and left all of his employees creditors to the amount of a week's salary. Madame Prence Sultana, as the star is known - her right name is unknown and one member of the company said she is rich in names - was creditor to the extent of $7 for seven days work. William Flemme and two daughters, S. Ezekiel, John Philip and George Managg, all attaches, were out hunting Daniels today. The departed treasurer took with him the bag pipes and reed pipes and all the gaudy finery of the show, leaving nothing as a remnant to buy a lunch for his deserted troupe.

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ALTON - SERVICES AT ALTON CEMETERY FOR MEMORIAL DAY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Wednesday, May 31, 1899

Memorial Day was observed Tuesday with appropriate exercises at the city cemetery and the decoration of graves of Union dead. The line of march was from the City Hall on Second street to Ridge street, Ridge street to Fifth, and Fifth street to the cemetery. A party of the Naval Militia boys with their Hotchkiss gun and the Western Military Academy cadets with field artillery were in line with the old soldiers in the march to the burial ground of the soldier dead. The principal address at the cemetery was by Rev. Catt, of Jerseyville. Capt. D. R. Sparks also made an address and Mr. W. H. Catts of Granbury, Texas, read an original poem appropriate to the day and to the occasion of his return to visit Alton, his boyhood home. The addresses were listened to by a very large number of people. Rev. M. N. Powers offered opening prayer which was followed by the regular G. A. R. services for the dead. Flowers were scattered over the graves in the soldiers burying ground by children, assisted by the members of Alton Post, G. A. R.  Rev. H. M. Chittenden pronounced the benediction. After the decoratin of the soldiers graves, the salute was fired over the graves by the Naval Militia and the W. M. A. cadets.

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ALTON - ACCIDENT AT JOB'S QUARRY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Saturday, June 3, 1899

About 2:30 o'clock today three men, Jake Schreiber, foreman, Pat Gerlack and Owen Callahan, were quite severely injured at Job's quarry by a belated blast. They had prepared a blast which did not go off, and while trying to get the powder out of the holes, it was ignited and the explosion took place. The crowbar they were working with was blown a long distance. Jake Schreiber, the foreman, was nearest the blast. His face, hands and arms were badly burned with powder. His skin was filled with small particles of stone, dust and powder. His eyes are badly singed, both with powder and particles of stone and dust. Peter Gerlach was seriously injured, being badly hurt about the face and hands. His skin was filled with stone and dust. Owen Callahan was slightly burned, and his flesh cut with stone, and his skin filled with the flying particles. While Schreiber is the most severely injured, it is hoped that his eyes will be saved.

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ALTON - J. W. SCHMOELLER RAIDED

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Saturday, June 3, 1899

That Alton burglar is a fastidious fellow in his tastes. He wants nothing but the finest goods when he goes out stealing. He broke into the shoe store of J. W. Schmoeller in Hotel Madison building some time before midnight last night and stole eight pairs of the finest enameled leather shoes from the stock. Mr. Schmoeller entered the store last night about midnight and found empty shoe boxes strewn over the floor and knew at once he had been favored with a visit by the midnight visitor of Strittmatter's, Doering's, and other stores in the east end. Eight pairs of shoes of assorted sizes were missing. Investigation showed that the burglars had entered the store by prying open a window in the rear. The print of a burglar's jimmy was found on the window where the pry had been inserted. Neighbors say they heard a noise in the alley at 9:30 o'clock and it is supposed the burglar made his visit at that time. The shoes were stolen no doubt to sell in some "fence" in St. Louis. Chief of Police Volbracht is working on the case and will devote all his energies to the capture of the bold burglar.

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ALTON - EXCITING CHASE FOR A BURGLAR - ESCAPED DOWN LOVER'S LEAP

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Wednesday, June 14, 1899

A burglar who had planned to rob the house of Mayor Young on Mill street had a run for his life last night, and a narrow escape from capture. He escaped by climbing down Lover's Leap while a posse of armed men were camping around him waiting for morning to come. When Mayor Young returned from the council meeting, he wanted a light lunch and Mrs. Young went to the pantry to get it. As she opened the pantry door, a man took her by the arm, she screamed for her husband. The Mayor hurried to her assistance but the burglar had left the pantry and was trying to make his escape from the house. He was heard going through a window downstairs, and was seen crossing back lots to Summit Street. Capt. Coleman saw the burglar there and fired two shots at him. In the meantime, half the police force and a posse of citizens were out hunting the man with shotguns and revolvers. The burglar skirted along the brow of the bluffs to Lover's Leap and there he was seen by Officer Welch and fired at twice. The posse of citizens and police drew up in line around the place where the burglar was last seen and watched there until 5 o'clock. When day dawned, search through the weeds and ravines near Lover's Leap was made, but the burglar had escaped by climbing down the perilous path over the face of the bluff at the "leap." The posse dissolved then and hunted their beds disgusted with the burglar who had the nerve to make a trip over the edge of the bluff at that point.

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ALTON - MYSTERY SOLVED

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Friday, June 16, 1899

A thief who stole a clothes-basket full of silverware 27 years ago in Alton came back the other day to visit the place, the first time since he committed the offense. He was a grisly old bum, but he had been somewhat of a thief in his younger days and was proud of it. An Alton man who was driving from Edwardsville to Alton met the bum traveling with two others, hard looking characters, at Edwardsville Crossing, and invited the tourists to drink. The grisly old bum became talkative after a glass and told of his last visit to this part of the country. It was almost thirty years since he had been here, he said, and the last time he was in Alton he stole a clothes basket full of silver "at a big house on a hill." He had a skiff down at the riverbank and he carried his plunder to the skiff and rowed across the river. When he examined his plunder he found every piece engraved with the name "Hayden," so the silver was no good to him in that form. He built a big fire and melted down the silver to one chunk. He sold the chunk in St. Louis and never came back to Alton until the other day. Mr. George D. Hayden supplied the remaining part of the story. He said his place was destroyed by fire in 1872. A quantity of silverware was saved from the fire and Mrs. Hayden packed it in a basket and secreted it under the trees in an unfrequented spot on the place, while the fire was in progress. When she went to look for the silver, it had disappeared. Mr. Hayden offered at the time to pay full value for the silverware and to ask no questions, as the silver was a family heirloom and invaluable because of association. Nothing was ever heard from it until the thief turned up here the other day and explained the mystery. The time has long since passed when the thief could be prosecuted, so he was perfectly safe in telling his story.

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ALTON - BODY FOUND - END OF A DRUNKEN FROLIC

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Monday, June 19, 1899

The body of Albert Gray, a well known brick layer, was found near the lower end of Bayliss Island Sunday morning by a fisherman, who at once reported to Chief of Police Volbracht. The findings of the body confirmed a rumor that had reached the chief that Gray had been drowned, and suspicion was that the three men who were arrested later knew more than they cared to tell. About 5 o'clock Friday afternoon, Gray, with Ventress, Johnson and Keyte, started from near the old vinegar factory in a skiff to go across the river. They had a jug of whisky with them, and Gray had money, having just received his week's pay, which furnishes a motive for the murder, if such it was. The crowd was going off on a drunken frolic across the river to last as long as Gray's money held out. People along the river bank say there were four man in the skiff and some say the whole party would take a drink of whisky about every hundred yards. The three men arrested returned Saturday, but Gray did not come home. When the rumor reached the police that Gray was drowned, Chief Volbracht started to investigate. Ventress said there were but three in the skiff, and so did Johnson, but they finally admitted there were four. Then they began to tell different stories. Ventress said Gray had been with them and was drowned. The whole party was put under arrest to await developments. When the finding of the body was reported, Officers Welch and Parker were sent in a skiff to identify it and bring it home. The body arrived at dusk and was taken in charge by Undertaker Bauer, while Dr. Fisher made an examination. On the head were marks apparently made by a blow from an oar and these marks are taken as conclusive evidence that Gray was murdered. Coroner Bailey held an inquest last night, and the three men with Gray in the skiff were allowed to tell their stories. Keyte was the first man examined. He said Johnson, Ventress and Gray met him Friday afternoon and he invited them to go across the river to his home with him. They took whisky with them and drank frequently. Below the bridge and near Bayliss Island, he said, Gray fell out and was drowned. He wanted to save him, but Johnson would not allow it. Ventress was called to the stand and was asked what he knew. He pretended at first to know nothing of Gray's fate. He fell out of the skiff, himself, he said, near Bayliss Island. The waves from the Spread Eagle, then passing the draw, rocked the skiff so he could not stay in. He swam to Bayliss Island and there laid down to sleep until Saturday morning. When asked if he had not first told of Gray's drowning to his brother, Ventress denied it, but the brother testified that he did. Johnson and the boat was swamped by the Spread Eagle and all were thrown into the water. He did not know what happened after that. He claimed that the three found themselves in the boat at Garrabee Island, near Chain of Rocks, yesterday. The inquest was adjourned Sunday night to 10 o'clock this morning and Dr. Fisher was directed by the Coroner, to make an examination of the body. A wound over the right temple of Gray was found where he had evidently received a violent blow which rendered him unconscious and knocked him into the water. Dr. Fisher thinks Gray was not killed by the blow, but was drowned after falling overboard. Wash Johnson says that he was so drunk when he told his first story to the police he did not know what he was saying. He sticks to his statement that Gray and Ventress were washed out of the boat by waves from a passing boat, but he and Keyte remained in the skiff in a drunken stupor. The four men had disposed of a gallon of whiskey and were so drunk they did not know what was going on. The coroner's jury rendered a verdict shortly after 11 o'clock which was in effect that James A. Gray came to his death by drowning June 16, and that a violent blow had been dealt him on the head which rendered him unconscious. One of the members of the jury was Louis Utt, a relative of Wash Johnson, but his relationship was not known when the jury was made up. Chief of Police Volbracht found additional evidence today that shows Gray to have been murdered. Ed Scheibe, Thomas Bates and a man named Holmes were standing on the shore near where Gray fell from the skiff and they say they saw Johnson strike him on the head with an oar and saw Gray fall into the water. A warrant charging Johnson with murder and Ventress and Keyte with being accessories was issued by Police Magistrate Few and the three men were held in custody.

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ALTON - FIGHT IN THE CITY CEMETERY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Wednesday, June 21, 1899

There was a fierce fight in the city cemetery this morning, which resulted in the sexton, Joseph Klasner, being severely beaten by William Bray, the east Second street grocer. Mr. Bray was one of the attendants at the funeral of Thomas Luttrell, the boy who was drowned at Riverside Park Sunday. Mr. Bray was in a buggy and attempted to drive into the cemetery, but was opposed by the sexton, who ordered him out, as vehicles are not allowed in the cemetery. Bray said he would not go out and the fight began. The sexton being older than his opponent was badly beaten. He declared he would have Bray arrested for assault and battery. It is a standing rule of the cemetery that buggies or carriages, other than those of the immediate family, shall not be allowed to enter the cemetery.

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ALTON - SHAM BATTLE TO BE ATTRACTION ON JULY 4TH AT ROCK SPRING PARK

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Thursday, June 22, 1899

One of the attractions at Rock Spring Park on July 4th may be a skirmish drill or sham battle if the Naval Militia accept the invitation of President Porter of the electric lines. The boys will meet on Tuesday evening next when the invitation will be considered. There are about 80 members in the division at present. If they accept the invitation they will appear at the park in their new white duck uniforms, with Lee rifles, the Hotchkiss gun [cannon] and other paraphernalia. The battle line will be formed in the afternoon with part of the naval boys as Spaniards, Tagals or Mugwumps, along the hillsides, with the valley between. The guns, while only loaded with blank cartridges, will be fired with all the earnestness that could be inspired if real Tagals were on hand. The only Hotchkiss will be in the hands of the party assaulting the stronghold of the Tagals, and the way it will make the welkin [sky or heaven] ring will be frightful to the natives. It will be almost real, and will be a grand fight. President Porter will stand all expenses and will treat the boys right royally, as he is so capable of doing. In the evening there will be a grand fireworks exhibition, of which the navy boys will be in charge. It is hoped that the navy boys will accept, as everybody wants to see them in their new uniforms, and at least smell the powder and hear the noises of battle.

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ALTON - WHITE HUSSAR BAND PLAYS AT ROCK SPRING PARK

Last evening, at Rock Spring Park, a very large crowd of people was present to enjoy the fine music rendered by the White Hussar Band, and the beautiful scenery which nature and the proprietors of the park have united in making. The music of the White Hussars is always superior, and last night it was more than enjoyable. A gentleman was in the park last evening who is familiar with the smaller parks in Chicago, and he says he knows of none of them that will compare in beauty with Rock Spring, and as to the music, Alton's band was far ahead of anything he heard there. President Porter is entitled to credit for the excellent taste displayed in beautifying the park, until he has made a resort that is really delightful. He has now a lake, about 1000 feet long and of varying width, which he will stock with game fish, and which will no doubt be a pleasant place not only for boating but also fishing in another season. Mr. Porter has steadily set his face against allowing anything in the nature of intoxicating drink to be sold in the park, or permit questionable amusements. He determined at the outset that Rock Spring Park should be a place where he could invite the citizens of Alton to go without meeting unpleasant sights and placing before the young people temptations that would be injurious. Mr. Porter has firmly kept this determination when possibly a little laxity would have netted more revenue for his cars. He is entitled to sincere thanks for Rock Spring Park and the music.

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ALTON - FIRES GO OUT AT ILLINOIS GLASS WORKS

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Friday, June 30, 1899

The six green glass furnaces at the Illinois Glass works closed down tonight, shortly after five o'clock, for the regular summer stop. The furnaces that shut down tonight are pot furnaces Nos. 2 and 3, oil tank furnace No. 5 and continuous tank furnaces Nos. 8, 9 and 10. The time for resuming work is not known, as it depends altogether on the result of the conferences on the wage question, which will be held this summer after the national convention. Apprentices to the trade were selected this afternoon, but their names were withheld until the time for them to blow their first bottles, and could not be obtained this afternoon. No. 2 furnace will be entirely remodeled this summer, and when it starts up in the fall, it will do so as a tank furnace. This will leave but one green pot furnace, No. 3, and its future as a pot furnace depends entirely on the success of No. 2.  No. 2 will be turned into an oil consuming furnace. Workmen began to tear down the outbuildings of No. 2 this morning, preparatory to beginning work of remodeling it just as soon as the fires go out and the brick piles cool. The flint houses will continue to run for two weeks at least, possibly four weeks, and perhaps longer. The men have agreed to forego two weeks of the regular vacation but will likely make up in the fall for any longer summer run than the two weeks allowed. It is now thought they will resume September 15, as the wage scale is settled. The Illinois Glass Works will be a busy place this summer with its flint houses running part of the time and the work of improvement going on on all sides. The Pittsburg Bridge Co. has completed the steel work of the new Illinois Terminal warehouse and the workmen will leave for their eastern homes this evening. The foreman, W. M. Addy, will be married in a few days to an Illinois girl, and will take her to Savannah, Ga.

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ALTON LIQUOR STORE (KENT & CARR) FIRE

Source: Oswego Commercial Times, January 7, 1901

A fire at Alton, Illinois Friday night destroyed the liquor store of Kent & Carr, destroying that and nine adjoining buildings, embracing the whole block bounded by Short, Stato and Levee Streets. Loss $50,000; insurance $25,000. A German, whose name is unknown, was burned to death.

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ALTON STANDARD MILL FIRE

Source:  The Daily Review, Decatur, Illinois, October 3, 1901

Entire Business District of Alton Was Threatened.
Alton, Ills., Oct. 3.-- The fire which Wednesday swept five-sixths of the block in the city of Alton bounded by State, Second, Plaza and Front streets threatened the entire district occupied by the main business houses with destruction for two hours. The loss is estimated at $300,000 and the insurance will amount to $250,000. The greatest damage is done to the plant of the E. O. Standard Milling company, the property destroyed being worth over $210,000. The fire broke out in the fourth floor of the Standard mill and is supposed to have been caused by an explosion of mill dust. It had been burning a few minutes when discovered. A general alarm was turned in and within five minutes after the fire was discovered every available piece of hose in the city was playing on the flames. The fierce heat and the highly combustible nature of the contents of the mill made the work of the firemen almost without avail. Adjoining the Standard property on the west is a brick building belonging to the Ryder estate and at this building the firemen made a stand. The wind was blowing a gale from the northwest and to this circumstances alone is due the fact that the main business part of Alton was not destroyed. The flames spread eastward, and when the firemen gave up their efforts to extinguish the fire in the Standard mill and devoted their efforts to saving the adjoining buildings, the conflagration extended to the elevator property. In the meantime the heat had become so fierce that the business houses on the north side of the street, which is narrow, were repeatedly set afire and were extinguished by the good work of volunteer firemen. Windows in the buildings opposite were broken by the heat and the occupants of the stores were moving their goods to places of safety. From the Standard mill the fire went to the packing department and the big elevator. Within the elevator were 100,000 bushels of new wheat and in the packing department were 4,000 barrels of flour. When the elevator took fire the firemen were forced to retreat. In a few minutes the whole elevator was a seething furnace. At this time the firemen feared that the whole downtown part of the city was about to be burned, and urgent messages were sent to Mayor Wells and Chief Swingley for assistance from the St. Louis fire department. At 11:05 a. m. notice was given to the Chicago and Alton office in St. Louis by Chief Swingley that a special train was needed to carry the hose companies from St. Louis to Alton. The run was one of the fastest ever made over the Alton from St. Louis. The time made was forty-two minutes. The Terminal railroad gave the special train a clear track, and orders were issued to give it the right of way all along the road. The train consisted of four flat cars and an engine. It carried fire companies Nos. 18 and 29 (unsure of numbers : transcriber) under Assistant Chief Basch and Ron Swingley, son of Fire Chief Swingley. The train arrived in Alton at a time when the Alton firemen nearly had the fire under control. Streams were soon secured by the engines, which were stationed at the river, and pumped water direct from the river through four lines of hose laid across the Alton levee. While the St. Louis companies were on their way to Alton the fire spread from the Standard elevator to the George D. Hayden Machine company shop, which was destroyed, and the machinery within is badly damaged. The next building attacked by the fire was that of the Alton Electric Roller Mill company. The building was filled with grain and hay, and the damage was heavy. The building owned by John C. Meehan was nearly destroyed. Two buildings owned by Matthew Wilkinson were badly damaged and are almost half a loss. The fine building at Second and Plaza streets, owned by H. G. McPike, and valued with its contents, at $75,000, was threatened, and it required the utmost exertions of the firemen and the volunteers to save it. When the high brick walls fell there was the greatest danger to the firemen because of the crowded quarters, the street being very narrow. No injuries were reported. At one time in the early part of the fire the high stack on the Standard mill fell almost without warning. A corps of firemen were working near by, and the stack fell upon the spot where they had been standing, the men escaping barely in time. In the engine room of the Standard mill John Edgar, the engineer, bravely stood at his post of duty while threatened with instant death. When he realized that the mill was doomed he rushed to the engine room, impelled by a thought that the new battery of boilers might be saved. His plan was to keep the boilers filled with water so that the heat would not damage them. He started the pumps and despite the firemen's entreaties to flee for his life he stood at the throttle until the boilers were filled and the engine shut down. By that time the engine room was burning. Edgar left the room just in time to escape being burned to death.

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ALTON - FLOOD

Source: Rochester, New York Democrat Chronicle, June 30, 1902

Nearly all in-bound trains were greatly delayed today as a result of the storm, arriving from forty minutes to five or six hours late. Several washouts were reported and telegraph wires were down, so that the trains could not be located. One of the most disastrous floods in the history of Alton, Ill., and vicinity, resulted today from the heavy rains of Friday and Saturday. At 4 o'clock this afternoon, it was estimated that 10,000 acres have been covered by the overflow of Wood river, which m three to six miles wide. Most of this land is either occupied by manufacturing interests or planted in crops. The greatest single disaster caused by the flood was the destruction of the plant of the Stoneware Pipe Company at East Alton. The loss is estimated at $40,000. In East Alton the residents were compelled to use skiffs to get about the principal streets today. The station of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad was carried away by the flood to a field a quarter of a mile distant. The flood produced the worst railroad tie-up in recent years in the vicinity of the Altons.

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ALTON FATHER, DAUGHTER AND PLAYMATES DROWN IN MISSISSIPPI

Source: Syracuse, New York Post Standard, August 6, 1904

While bathing in the Mississippi river tonight, Michael Riley, his daughter and six of the latter's little girl friends were drowned. One child was rescued. Riley lived near the river in the southern part of the city and was accustomed to bathe on the beach in front of his home after his return from work. Tonight his little daughter begged to go with him. and Riley took her and seven of her girl friends to the beach with him. When they entered the water, Riley bade the children join hands and they all waded Into the river and walked along a sandbar which stretches out into the stream at that point. They had gone some distance from the shore, when suddenly the whole party disappeared beneath the water, having in the darkness stepped from the sandbar, into the deep channel. The children struggled and screamed, fighting desperately to reach the sandbar, where the water was only a foot or so in depth. Riley who is said to have been a good swimmer. Is thought to have been made helpless by the girls clinging to him and hampering his efforts to save them. The only one in the party to regain the sandbar was Mary Timiny, 8 years old. The child is unable to tell how she saved herself. Riley was 32 years old, and the ages of the children drowned ranged from 8 to 14 years. Four of the bodies have been recovered.

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ALTON RELICS DESTROYED

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 15, 1905

Many bundles of interesting old books and papers were being crated up and carted away today from the vaults in the McPike building at Second and Easton streets, which recorded the history of an old Alton institution that has passed away, but which survives still in the memory of many Alton people. The papers were all the books and papers of the old Illinois Mutual Fire Insurance building at Liberty and Grove started here by Hon. H. G. McPike. The company did a flourishing business in Alton and was in a condition that would have admitted of it growing to a large, healthy fire insurance company in the near future, but for an unfortunate questioning of its condition by the state auditor in 1891, which resulted in the company being wound up, at a time when it was doing well and paying salaries to many Alton people. The company was originally started in the early days of Alton by John Atwood, and the company had its offices in the building at Liberty and Grove streets. After the Chicago fire in 1871, the company went out of business, but its charter was still in existence. Hon. H. G. McPike obtained the charter, revived the company and was building up a flourishing business when the attack of the state auditor put it out of business. It was a remarkable commentary on the financial stability of the company that its affairs were wound up at heavy expense and the company paid dollar for dollar. After keeping the old documents for many years, Mr. McPike decided to get rid of them and men were put to work crating them up and hauling them to be disposed of to a paper factory. Among the relics was a picture on the back of which was the information that it had safely passed through the Chicago fire and was saved, intact, from the furnace that destroyed everything else around it. The picture was an early day advertisement of the old Illinois Mutual and was about all the company saved out of the wreck of the fire. Another relic is an old fashioned picture frame containing the pictures of the original board of directors of the Illinois Mutual. The frame is a large one, with gold leaf mountings and was a very costly piece of decorative work in its day. Some of these latter old relics will be spared, but the remainder will be shipped to a paper factory and but little will be left of the once well known fire insurance company.

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ALTON WILDCAT

Source: Auburn, New York Citizen, January 20, 1906

A large wildcat that has been filling the night air with hair raising sounds and the people in the vicinity with terror on the bluffs between Hop Hollow and Alton, was killed early yesterday morning by Henry Schwallensticher, an Alton stone mason, whose dogs treed the cat on Haskel Hill. Schwallensticher had gone coon hunting Sunday night and was returning home when the dogs started the wild cat inside the northern limits of the city of Alton. After a sharp chase, the animal ran up a large tree on Haskel Hill and the dogs howled and barked furiously until their master came up. The figure of the animal was outlined against the limb of the tree upon which it crouched and the hunter, thinking it was a coon, fired at the dark object. The aim was true, and the animal, giving a scream of pain, came tumbling to the ground. Dying as it was, the trained dogs had a hard fight, and many bad wounds from the cat, which is said to be the largest specimen ever seen in the vicinity.

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ALTON - DISMANTLING OF OLD HOUSES BUILT IN 1830s

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph

The tearing down of the third of the three oldest houses in the city of Alton was completed today by the C. L. Gray Construction Co., on the site to be occupied by the new hotel building. The three houses were erected in the early days of Alton and have been the silent witnesses of many stirring events in the city. The houses, in their day, were palaces and were indeed very worthy examples of enterprise in a comparatively new city in a wilderness, as Alton was when the houses were built in 1836 and 1837. The materials used in constructing the houses was the very best, and the houses were well built. It was hard work tearing apart the oak timbers, when even the laths under the plastering were of oak. The members of the new hotel corporation hope to have their plans perfected in a short time and will then proceed with the erection of the building. They are still receiving subscriptions to the fund of $25,000 to be added to the hotel capital stock to enlarge the building. There now remain in Alton very few old houses which date back as far as 1837. Within the last year or two several in the neighborhood of Third and Market have given away to the march of progress. At the site occupied by the Y. M. C. A. building now, several old houses were torn down, and on the site to be occupied by the post office building were several other houses which were as old and were occupied by the big men of the early day of Alton. The settlement in that neighborhood was erected at a time when it was expected Alton would be a big city and the founders were making their homes the nucleus of the city they thought would later stand there.

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ALTON - WOULD REVOKE SALOON LICENSE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 27, 1904

A batch of warrants has been sworn out because of a saloon conducted by David Searles at Fourth and State street, opposite the Jennie D. Hayner library. It is said by the police that shooting affrays are of nightly occurrence there and that occasionally the proprietor, Searles, would draw a revolver and discharge it indiscriminately to inspire respect for his courage in the minds of his patrons. Sunday morning there was a shooting affray in the saloon, and Monday evening there was another. In the latter, George Builson is said to have shot James Searles, the bullet striking Searles on the side of the head and passing around the skull to the other side without causing any worse than a scalp wound. The police will ask the mayor to revoke Searles' license on the ground it is a dangerous and disorderly resort.

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ALTON - SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC FEARED

Source: Syracuse, New York Post Standard, May 7, 1909

Beds and furnishings of the Alton pest house were stolen yesterday by burglars who broke into the unoccupied building. The city authorities now fear an epidemic of smallpox, as it is expected the beds and coverings will be sold.

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ALTON - NEW PRODUCT CALLED 'PETROL' TAKES PLACE OF BUTTER

Source: Savannah, New York Times, July 16, 1909

A new product called "petrol," is to be manufactured at Alton, Ill. It is deigned to take the place of cow-butter, is made from petroleum, is brown in color, and has all the qualities of good dairy butter, lasts longer and does not become rancid. The continued high price of dairy butter should make "petrol" popular with the average epicure, the days of the cow as a butter machine seem numbered. The Standard Oil Company is behind the manufacture of  "petrol " which guarantees its success as a business enterprise.

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ALTON - HORSES INJURED ON PAVING AT 2ND & HENRY ST.

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 5, 1910

The Noll Baking and Catering Company has been compelled to turn its stables into a horse hospital as it has been the past six weeks, according to manager George Geoken, and he says he has given all employees of the company orders to avoid driving on the south side of Second street between Alby and Cherry streets until the street is made safe for horses. Three horses of the company have been disabled by falling on the paving at the corner of Second and Henry streets on the Klinke market side, and Dr. Hooker has had charge of two of the animals for the past six weeks. Dozens of horses fall on the street weekly, either at that corner or at other places where the paving slopes too much and several wagon shafts and lots of harness are broken daily it is said. There is an ordinance requiring drivers to keep to the right, but Mr. Geoken says this ordinance will not be observed by his drivers until the city does something to make driving on that side safe. He thinks a dozen loads of sand would remedy matters greatly if spread on the worst places. Complaint of the condition of the street at Second and Henry street is general among drivers and owners of horses but Mr. Geoken is the first to order his drivers not to use that side of the street coming or going.

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ALTON - GIRL DANCES OSTENDE AND FALLS IN FAINT           

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 30, 1911

Not until a young lady fainted on the steamer Sidney Tuesday afternoon after dancing the Ostende dance for over an hour, did the young desist for this popular dance. Mr. Sauvage, in charge of the excursion, forbade the orchestra playing the Ostende any more amid a storm of protest. When the steamer Sidney left Alton Tuesday morning, the air was cool and bracing and the young people started dancing. They called for the Ostende first thing, they called for the second thing, they called for it all the way to Kampsville which was not reached until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. About this time the dancers, many of them were beginning to look haggard and suddenly a young lady fell on the floor, fainting from sheer exhaustion. This caused a call for the stewardess of the boat and she came prepared for just such a case. The stewardess wanted to cut the stays that held the young lady's clothing bound tightly about her body but the ladies crowding around would not let her do it. The young woman was finally revived and recovered by the time the boat reached Alton. After the fainting of one of the dancers, Mr. Sauvage put the lid on the Ostende and the orchestra was not allowed to play it. The Ostende is not as strenuous a dance as the waltz and two step, but seems to demand a longer run. Most of the Ostende is side stepping and forward stepping and is such a gentle dance one does not realize fatigue. Dancers waltz or two step three to four minutes, but you "Ostende" an hour, so it seems. Mr. Sauvage, who was in charge of the excursion yesterday, stated this afternoon that the Ostende is taboo so far as he is concerned and the boat management are of the same mind. Beside the girl who fainted, two other girls were made sick from dancing the Ostende too long and this has caused a lid to be clamped on this popular dance on the Sidney.

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ALTON - A NEAR TRAGEDY - MADISON HOTEL GUESTS THOUGHT HOLD-UP ON

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 30, 1911

Miss Florence Fowler had a very trying experience at the Madison Hotel Tuesday evening due in the most part by the love of her little nephew for a gun. Miss Fowler was acting as clerk in the hotel while the regular clerk was eating his supper, when some one of the gentlemen who were staying at the hotel called for some stamps. In the drawer where the stamps are kept is a thirty-eight revolver which is used by the night clerk and she, not even suspecting that the gun was loaded, held it in her right hand while she got the stamps and made the necessary change. She was just ready to put the gun back in its place in the stamp drawer, when her nephew, Everett McCauley, tried to get the gun and she jerked it out of his reach. This slight pressure that she exerted during this operation was enough to fire the gun. When she looked up and saw that there were eight or ten persons standing about the room, her first thought was that she had killed someone and this idea caused her to faint. The ball, however, had gone through the ceiling and did very little damage except to frighten the guests who were standing in the lobby. When Miss Fowler regained consciousness, it was found that the ball had passed so close to her left hand when the gun went off that her hand had been burned by the powder. Miss Fowler is confined to her room today suffering from nervousness and will undoubtedly remember how it feels to be close to the business end of a pistol for some time to come.

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ALTON - HEAVY PROPERTY LOSS FOLLOWS UNPRECEDENTED DOWNPOUR - TEN INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN JUST A FEW HOURS                Incredible story!!

Source: Alton Telegraph, July 18, 1912

A heavy rain, said to be unparalleled in destructive qualities, caused tremendous damage in Alton Sunday morning, involving the loss of four lives and a loss estimated to be about $250,000. Included in this is the destruction of the gas manufacturing plant of the Alton Gas & Electric Co., with a complete severance of all gas service in the city until the plant can be rebuilt.....Hundreds of families have lost heavily, some losing their all. Immense damage was done to private property throughout the city. Telephone and railroad companies suffered costly loss in Alton and vicinity. The dead, as the result of the storm are: Mrs. Frances Maguire, aged 45; Goldie Maguire, aged 3; Hesler Moss, 46; Archie Boyce, 29. The story of the great rain of July 13-14, 1912, is one to be told with due consideration for the heroin conduct of men and women who risked their lives to save those of others. Unless the sacrifices had been made, the loss of life would have been very much greater. People living in humble homes, men and women who know what their fellow beings have to contend with and who had many depending on them for support, offered their lives and won in the gamble with fate. In all the world there is no more heroic set of people than those who inhabit the territory known as the Piasa valley and Shield's branch, where the greatest menace of the flood appeared. The rain was falling about 11 o'clock and it was light. It came from a cloud that had been hanging in the northwest, and was ominous, and there was no end of the rending, cracking sound of the thunder. It was a fearful night. Terror was abroad in the city and many a person was brought to a state of religious frenzy by fear of the lightning and the heavy downpour of rain which was carrying away property, swallowing up every thing that its all devouring maw seized upon. The cloud which deluged Alton, strange though it may seem, circled three times the city and at no time departed very far from it. The rain had been falling steadily from 11 o'clock, the clouds would sweep around, come back and then go away again. According to those who were watcvhing the cloud, about 1 o'clock it came back in one of its swings; there seemed to be a sudden flash of light as if there had been some tremendous explosion of elemental nature, and then down came water. It was no ordinary rain, and could not be compared to anything that has ever happened in Alton. According to estimates made of the rainfall, rain gauges not being adequate to make a measurement, there was from 8 to 10 inches of water that fell in a short time. Nothing could withstand such a deluge. Even the highest parts of the city felt the effects of the torrential rain. It was as if a great river had suddenly changed its course and had poured forth on what had been dry ground. The water courses suddenly became congested with water they could not carry. Sewers choked to their capacity, gave way beneath the tremendous pressure and burst outwardly. Stone arch culverts which had withstood the pressure of many years floods, were too weak to withstand such a strain as that, and the result was havoc. By far the greatest damage was done in the Belle street district, drained by Piasa creek sewer. Beginning at Sixteenth and Belle streets there is a great culvert or rather, was. Made of the most lasting masonry, it was supposed to be able to withstand any pressure. It proved its infantile weakness before the flood that came tearing, racing, plunging down from the hill tops to the valley. The first big event was the bursting of this sewer at Sixteenth and Belle street. The water began to wash it out underneath a saloon owned by the Commercial Liquor Co., and occupied by John Schweiger. The building was undermined and left tottering on the verge of a deep hole. Then the water began taking out the stone culvert, yard by yard until the whole of Belle street for a distance of more than a block was a huge hole, 25 feet in depth, with the wreck of the culvert in the bottom. Spanning the great hole is the wreck of the A. J. & P. track. To illustrate the volume of the water that was racing down Belle street from the hills, on Madison avenue, a paved street, the paving bricks were torn out for a distance of 500 feet the full width of the street and deposited at the bottom of the hill. When the culvert gave away, a great tidal wave, checked momentarily at the sewer, went racing down Belle street. It was no small sized wave, either. It engulfed the street, made a deep river run down the paved Belle street which was 8 and 9 feet deep at Hamilton street. On either side were deep waters where the ground was low, and the whole was a boiling, seething caldron in which wences, barns, outhouses, drift of all kinds were struggling as in a mighty whirlpool, and was clushing [sic] to gather in all the stray human lives it could capture in its voracious way. On down the street it sped, covering up houses, wiping out property, destroying what came its way and reaching out for more. It was here that the work of heroes began.

Down in the Charles Bohart saloon a group of young men were staying. They had been drinking and having their idea of a good time. Some of them have been sought from time to time by the police, but it took a calamity such as that to bring the better side uppermost. They were men and they showed it and they bore the part of men. William Dacey, one of the group of five, raced off down the street when he saw the wave coming and he knocked at doors, smashed in windows, half swam, half ran, anything to aid him in going the full length of the street from Hamilton to Ninth to give warning. He cut his hand badly breaking in windows. On his way he met a woman whom he boosted into a tree and there she stayed until the flood was over. Louis Youngblood, Charles Wilkinson, Charles Bohart climbed to the top of the Bohart saloon on Belle street, Jerry Bohart and W. J. Brady climbed telegraph poles and stayed there. Ted Riley reached out and grasped a negro woman who was whirling toward certain death, and drew her to a place of safety on the porch of Thomas Gavin's house. Further on, in Hamilton street, a Mr. Osborn was doing the heroic act of saving the life of Mrs. Spellman and her three children. Plunging into what looked like a suicide's grave, he made his way to the party and rescued them. Mrs. Lizzie Weeks and her two children were rescued at the same time. George Steinhelfer saved his two children, while William Deshirley got his four children to a place of safety. Robert Blankenship saved his wife and two children under heavy odds. All this, while the mad turmoil of the torrent was making a noise that would give terror in the most courageous breast. The water marks on the buildings show how high the water was when all these acts of valor were being performed.

Further down the street there was a tragedy, but a hero, a little man with not very robust strength, was saving three people and a mother was losing her own life and with a lack of understanding allowed that of her child to be lost also. Frances Maguire, a widow, lived at Ninth and Belle streets in the old homestead of William Atkinson. She kept as boarders with herself and three children, Mrs. Mary Moore and her son, Wesley Moore. The tidal wave burst open the doors and took possession of the house. It began to fill the low ceilinged rooms to the top. First Wesley Moore saved his mother, his filial love turning to her. This accomplished, he set about saving the children. Two of them, Fanny and Willie Maguire, he set on the roof. Mrs. Maguire was too heavy for him to handle. She was deaf from scarlet fever when a child. Failing to understand the efforts of Mr. Moore, she would not give him her 3 year old daughter, Goldie, and held the child in her arms while both drowned. Moore finally crawled to the roof with his mother and the two children and there he stayed until taken off later on when the fury of the flood had subsided. The screams of Mrs. Maguire, in her efforts to attract help, will never be forgotten by brave men who could not get to her to render any help, owing to the depth and violence of the water between them. Men sat on house tops in the low place bounded by Main street and Belle street and Hamilton street, and waited for the end. Houses rocked under the hammerings of the flood and of great volumes of drift that came down. Small houses came down in the flood and lodged among them. There was good cause for terror.

In the house in what is known as Tar G alley, at number 907, Mrs. Moss kept boarders and Archie Boyce and William Grice, all negroes, were staying with her. Grice managed to escape, but Mrs. Moss and Boyce were drowned in their rooms. The water was up to the ceiling.

Down at the gas works, Harvey Buchanan, Otis Brown and Joseph Moore were on duty at night. They were driven from the gas works by the rush of water which took possession of the building where the engines and gas making retorts were. The men had no choice about going, and they went to save their lives. It was about this time that the stone culvert running under the gas works property to cross from Belle street to the Piasa sewer, collapsed and with it went down about 150 tons of coke which was stored on top of it. Thus completed the choking of the sewer. The sewer gave away, place after place. Finally the walls of the gas house began to go down and within a few hours the entire building where Alton's gas supply was manufactured was in ruins and the six benches of retorts were ruined. It is this that causes Alton's gas service to be suspended and will remain so until the new gas plant which is necessary, can be built.

....The little body of Goldie Maguire was carried down two blocks to Seventh and Belle streets, where it was found at daylight lodged against a fence. Down in town there was terror too. On Piasa street in front of the Telegraph office there was over three feet of water in the paved street. The horses in the Seibold livery stable and other stables were removed. Buildings at Fifth and Piasa streets belonging to George Hildebrand and next door belonging to Charles Seibold were undermined and started to fall. The inmates fled in terror. One building at 414 Piasa street is a partial wreck and the whole structure will probably have to come down. All the buildings and cellars along the way were filled with water. On lower Piasa street, north of Third street, the water gouged out a great hole in the street paving, where it had run like a Niagara rapid, and further down the street it burrowed down under the paving again. The wreck was complete along the line of the path of the cloudburst.....

Newton A. Hines, W. T. Williams and Robertson and Cahill are three grocers on Belle street who were put out of business by the flood on Belle street. The Hines grocery had water in it five feet deep and everything was overthrown, counters, shelving and goods being piled in a heap. The loss of Mr. Hines will be almost total. W. T. Williams at Ninth and Belle streets suffered a similar loss in his place. The Williams store was filled with mud, the furniture overturned and goods strewn around the place....

While aiding in getting four horses out of Benno Miller's stable and six out of the Rubenstein stable to keep them from being drowned, Walter Budde fell into a deep hole and it took some hard swimming to enable him to escape......

The entire plant of the Illinois Glass Co. was shut down because of a flood of water that poured over from Shield's branch after the big culvert became blocked by buildings lodging against its mouth....Harry Griffis, a traveling exhibitor in the line of getting out of rope bonds, was giving an exhibition in a club house when the flood came in. He had been securely bound, hand and foot, and was to release himself. The water broke in the door and began filling the room and before he got the ropes off he had a good fright. He is clever at the work, but he had to work harder and faster than he ever did before to release himself so he could get out of the water.....

During the flood John Stutz, who lives on Second street, near the creek, lost every outbuilding he had. A coal shed, woodshed, chicken house with fifty chickens, a wagon shed and a good buggy and a big barn were his losses from the flood. The raging stream picked up the big barn and carried it for half a block with such a force that it broke several planks in the foot bridge where the branch crosses Second street. The Stutz family did not realize their condition until they heard the crash of the barn and looked out to see their yard filled with water to the depth of three feet and all of their outbuildings going down the creek.....

Harry E. Strunge and William E. Strunge, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Strunge, 1606 Greenwood street, saved the family of Asa Grafton,the eight children being sons and daughters of the late John Ryan. The two young men swam and fought with the current until they had the whole family safely out of the mad rush of waters that had spread over from Shield's branch. William swam with a 5 year old child on his back and was carried down 100 yards before he could cross a stream 20 feet wide.

The torrent of waters that rushed down Ridge street overflowing the sewers was one that has never been equaled as far as the memories of the oldest residents can call. The water there dashed from one side to the other, taking up curbing with the pavement and taking trees and sidewalks and making four feet cuts in many places. The waters rushing around the corner of Fourth and Ridge streets tore up the sidewalks from in front of John Merkel store and Harry Getsinger's residence, and then crossed the street where it took the entire sidewalk in front of Charles Luft's home and made a cut four feet deep. At the corner of Third and Ridge the real cutting began, and a place fifteen feet wide from there until Second street was dug out curbing and everything. Sidewalks on the east side of the street went with it and the overflow caught several of the buildings in the vicinity of Second and Ridge street. All of the debris from entire washouts gathered at the foot of Second and Ridge street in a pile seven foot high. Among the pile was a tree fifteen inches in diameter which had been dug out by the roots from the Getsinger home, two blocks above, and placed in the pile....After leaving the pile of debris at Second street, the torrent journeyed on until it reached the side of the Luer Bros. Packing Company, where it tore another gash for a hundred feet and then went to the railroad for one last damaging stroke before it entered the river.....

In Godfrey Township, the residence of J. E. Deterding, ex-tax collector of Godfrey township, located a short distance north of Alton on the Godfrey road, was struck by lightning and about $300 damage done. The lightning struck the cupola on the building and shattered it. Going down, it played in every room in the house and then went to the cellar and tore things up. Phil Deterding and his sister, Miss Sophia, were both shocked and Phil's should was sore and stiff....The lightning jumped from room to room, and from one place in a room to another, leaving a plain and destructive trail behind. The plastering was torn from the ceiling of every room in the house and the wonder is that any of the three inmates of the house escaped. A dog was killed by the lightning as it went down through the house. Two horses belonging to George Schmitt, living near Deterding, were killed outright. They were standing in the barn lot near the barn when struck....Water filled the barn on the Mrs. Scheffel farm near Deterding's place and their milk cow was found Sunday morning swimming around with hay and other things. Her calf was drowned in the barn. The highway bridge over the Godfrey road near the Scheffel place was washed out and it is said that further down the creek in the Watts pasture the mud on trees where the bridge and other drift stopped, mud on trees show that the water there was at least thirty feet deep. Thousands of game fish escaped from the big Godfrey pond going over the dam or through the drain pipes and hundreds of them were picked up Sunday morning a half mile or more from the pond......

Mill creek over the Branch went out of the banks and swept bridges and all other things encountered with it. A gardener named Smith woke up Sunday morning to find his entire crop of vegetables - and he had a big, lot of all kinds - covered with several inches of mud and debris, and all was lost.....

Saturday evening Chris Rain, who lives in the North Side, took his wife and three children down to Hop Hollow to spend the night and Sunday with him in his ice cream and refreshment establishment, and all of them had a thrilling night of it, and several narrow escapes from death. It was after midnight when the terrific thunder and lightning caused Chris to leave his bed, and opening the door of his establishment, he looked out. What he saw terrified him and he closed the door and rousing his wife told her to get up and dress, that trouble was on the way. He attired himself also and again looked out. He saw mountains of water, fallen trees large boulders and other things tumbling down the hollow and all headed apparently for the house. "Grab the children and run for the hills," he shouted to Mrs. Rain and she grabbed two of them, Lydia about 2 years old and Geraldine, four months old, and stepped outside. She went into the water up to her waist and the current swept her from her feet. Chris caught her and the children whom she held tightly in her arms and he carried them all out of the deepest of the water to a higher spot. Then he ran back to the house and picked up his son, Chris Rain, Jr., who was asleep. He also picked up a blanket and managed to get back to the place where he had left his wife and the other children. Mr. and Mrs. Rain kept close together and the blanket was placed over the heads and shoulders of both in such a way as to keep much of the water off the children in their arms. They struck out in the darkness and deluge for higher ground. They had no idea where they were going or what would happen to them. Behind them was a roaring, seething torrent of water filled with big trees uprooted and rocks dislodged and they kept going. They were aided in this by the vivid flashes of lightning. They were shocked four different times when lightning struck trees not far from their course and once Mrs. Rain stepped on the wire of a knocked down wire fence and the shock of electricity went through her system and caused her teeth to ache for hours afterwards. After wandering in this way for about an hour and half, a lightning's flash showed a large barn nearby and they headed for that. When they reached there, another flash show a large white house close by and Chris, leaving his wife and three children in the barn went to the house and called for help. It was Joe Junnettes' home and it was less than a mile from the place they had left more than an hour before. Mr. Junnette threw open the doors and got all of the half drowned family inside where attention was given them by himself and wife. They are all right apparently today, and will suffer no bad permanent effects from their frightful experience.  Hop Hollow resembles a tract of country after a cyclone has visited it. Trees are lying across the roads and paths and boulders and debris are piled high up all around. Big trees were torn out by the roots by the waters, while others were felled by lightning. All the bridges were washed away and it will be impossible to get in or out of the hollow with a vehicle for several days it is said......

The stone wall running west to east of the Gaddis residence, across from the Ursuline convent, was torn down in the storm. The high wall fronting the Rudershausen place at Eighth and Easton streets was washed away.....

Four families on the south side of Hamilton street all had narrow escapes from being drowned. Mrs. Thomas Jones, who has resided on that street for fifty years, says that the flood never was so bad there as Saturday night. She generally awakens and warns the rest of the neighbors of the danger of the rushing water, but this time she did not happen to be awake and barely had time to get out when someone rapped soundly on her window and told her to get out. She and Mr. Jones and the other members of their family climbed up a steep ledge back of the house and got out of danger. A great many went to the home of Mrs. Francis, which is high out of the way. Mrs. George Weeks and two children and her sister, Mrs. George Steinhoffer and husband, were rescued by aid of a clothes line thrown to them by Mrs. Pearl Bowman, a neighbor on the north side of the street. Mrs. Bowman and others grabbed the other end of the line and rescued the entire six persons who clung to it. Mrs. Mary Spellman, a widow, and four children were rescued themselves by wading, except two of the Spellman children who were brought to safety by Earl Osborn. Osborn swam across in his night shirt when other men trembled at the task, grabbed the two youngest children and swam back, making a perilous fight and urging the rest to wade on. Mrs. Spellman led the other children, with water surging up to their heads. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith and five children, and Mr. and Mrs. John Deshirley and three children, waded on both sides of the Weeks and Spellman houses, waded out with water reaching almost over their heads. The rest of the residents on Hamilton street had upstairs rooms and went there.....

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ALTON - IMPROVEMENT ON OLD BUILDING REMINDS SOME OF THEIR "FIRST SHAVE"

Source: Alton Telegraph, April 10, 1913

The improvement work being done to the building at the corner of Third and Piasa streets, recently vacated by the Goulding Jewelry Company, has started recollections to work and many middle-aged Altonians stand a moment in passing and look down into the cellar, or basement, where they say they got their first shave. The first shave of many young boys or men is a memorable event, too, do not forget that, and sometimes the youth is a proud as a flock of pea fowls when he emerges from a barber shop after his first shave. The basement of that building was occupied 46 or 47 years ago by Louis Axtheim, who conducted what was then the high-toned barber shop of Alton, and that is why the uncovering of the old basement has aroused recollection, mostly of a pleasant kind.

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WILL DAILY PLANS TO OPEN FORKYVILLE RESORT

Source: Alton Telegraph, June 19, 1913

Will Dailey has sold his saloon in the East End to his bartender, Ed Young, and Mr. Dailey plans to re-open the "Forkeyville" resort in big style. Some time ago the State'a Attorney, J. M. Bandy, gave his word that the "Forkeyville" saloon would not be opened. It is within a mile of the city limits of Alton and no license for the place can be granted. Barr Dailey, father of Will Dailey, told a Telegraph reported today that his son would start at once fixing up the Forkyville place he recently bought. He will do some more building, erect a dance pavilion, have a merry-go-round, and will sell beer and other liquors there. It is said that the Forkyville saloon can not be closed unless the Yager Park saloons are closed, they, too, being within a mile of the limits of Alton. Dailey plans to build a concrete dike around the place from Wood River's floods. It is very probable that the attempt to open the saloon will be resisted by persons interested, as the Western Military Academy is strongly opposed to any saloon at "Forkyville," and there are others who are opposed, too.

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LUER BROTHERS BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION [LATER KNOWN AS MINERAL SPRINGS HOTEL]

Source: Alton Telegraph, August 21, 1913

Architects have completed, in colors, a picture of the Luer Bros. big building now being erected on the site of the old Illinois packing house on Front and Second streets and the picture shows a very attractive looking and very imposing structure. It is in a display window at the store of Bennie Winters and is attracting a great deal of attention. It will entirely change the appearance of Front, Alton and Second street in that block, and will be one of the distinct and substantial improvements of Alton. The annex on Second street, that low building between the Heuser & Meyer garage and the old retail store of the packing company, is to be built up as high as the rest of the building and the restaurant and saloon will be in there. There will be an entire new front put in the building on the Second street side and handsome stucco work will adorn the building on all sides. The entrance to the baths will be on Alton street. The summer garden will be on the river side and will extend from Alton street one block east. The top floor will be devoted to large airy sleeping rooms and the entire building will be modernly furnished and equipped throughout. There will be several entrances and exits of course, but the main ones are as stated above.

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WILL REMODEL OLD TIME BUILDING - Residence that was built in 1820 will undergo some additional changes.

Source: Alton Telegraph, October 2, 1913

C. A. Halsey has bought the homestead of the Baker family on Fifteenth street, the land included being 111x136 feet. The sale of this piece of property is especially interesting in that it will be the third time the old house has been remodeled since it was built. The first part of the house was erected away back about the year 1820, now the west wing of the house. In 1845, a grandfather of H. S. Baker and S. B. Baker bought the house and he added what is now the center wing of the house in 1847. Later, a son-in-law, Judge H. S. Baker, added the east wing to the house in 1876. The house has been vacant for some time. It was many years ago one of the finest homes in Alton, and is a large, roomy structure. The new owner plans to make important improvements, completely renovating the building, and he will occupy it as a residence. It is the first time the property has been out of the possession of some of the Baker family or its ancestors since 1845, when it came into the family, a period of sixty-eight years.

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ALTON - EVANGELIST THREATENED AFTER PREACHING AGAINST LIQUOR AND EVILS

Source: Watertown, New York Daily Times, February 1, 1915

Biederwolf Gets Second Threat. Warned to Leave Alton

Biederwolf has been campaigning as an evangelist in the city of Alton, Ill. His life has been threatened and he has received a "black-hand" letter, warning him to get out of town. With his customary dash and fire, Dr Biederwolf read the letter from the tabernacle platform and defied the writer. It seems that Rev. C. W. Reese, another enemy of vice and the liquor traffic in Alton, had previously received a letter written with the same hand. The letter to Dr. Biederwolf is as follows:  "You __________ we will give you until Saturday night to leave town. You are trying to run out men who support the town, and you come here without any license, and take hundreds of dollars away. We will give you fair warning and that is moor than you wood do for us. We will get you if u don't moov. This is not bluff, so the sooner you get wise to the game the sooner you will be safe. If you don't make a holler about this letter, know one will no why you left, if there was any just laws in this country we would sign our name but as it is we will have to fight in the dark like you do. One Who Wants To See Alton Grow." Dr. Biederwolf said after he had read the letter from the platform that he would like to "see the color of the man's hair who could make him hunt the city limits of any town." When he was threatened some time ago in Alton, Dr. Biederwolf said that he was so near to heaven from Alton as any other town, and he was not afraid to die, and concluded with the one familiar request that if he was murdered, the people should skin him, tan his hide, stretch it over drum heads, and march up one side of the country and down the other singing, "This is the remains of a man who died fighting the liquor traffic and other evils."

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ALTON EQUITABLE POWDER COMPANY EXPLOSION

Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Journal, April 1, 1915

Five men were killed and a sixth is missing as the result of an explosion of dynamite in the wheel house of the Equitable Powder Company, five miles from here, today. The dead are: James A. Coburn, superintendent; Elmer Koltkamp, Gustave Miller, Clyde Davis, Louis Murphy.

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ALTON - A RIDE TO JAIL WILL COST YOU

Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Journal, September 16, 1915

Any one who gets too drunk to walk to the Police Station in Alton when arrested hereafter will be required to pay for the privilege of being transported In Alton's new patrol wagon. The fare will be, $2 a ride, whether it is one block or twenty. The tariff was announced by Police Magistrate McGuire. Two men were before him charged with intoxication. The one who could walk to jail drew a fine of $2 and the one who could not got $5. The judge, remarking that the difference represented what he considered a fair fixed charge for patrol wagon service.
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BELLS RING IN ALTON WHEN THE NEWS CAME THAT ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE PASSED RESOLUTION FOR PROHIBITION

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 14, 1919

When the Evening Telegraph announced the news that the Illinois Legislature at Springfield had passed the resolution calling for state wide prohibition, the earnest worker in the city expressed their appreciation of The Telegraph's announcement as well as their gratitude for the action of the state solons by frequent telephone calls into the office to confirm the news. The church bells of Upper Alton were started ringing within a few minutes after The Telegraph had telephoned the news there, and simultaneously the bells of churches in various parts of Alton began to acclaim the tidings that statewide prohibition had been given the seal of approval by the officials at the State Capitol.

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SWEETZER LUMBER COMPANY RETIRES FROM BUSINESS - DISPOSED OF HOLDING TO SPRINGMAN LUMBER COMPANY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 22, 1919

Old of the oldest firms in Alton retired from business today when the Sweetzer Lumber Company disposed of its business to the Springman Lumber Company. The former company sold its lumber yard and planing mill to the Springman Lumber Company. The latter will move their main office to East Broadway and Cherry streets, the present location of the Sweetzer Company, and will use the office at 819 Douglas street as a branch. The Sweetzer Lumber Company was organized over 20 years ago with W. M. Sweetzer as the leading spirit. The company succeeded the firm of Sweetzer and Priest, upon the death of Henry C. Priest. The firm of Sweetzer and Priest was one of the pioneer lumber companies of Alton. The location of both concerns was on East Broadway. The Springman Lumber Company is one of the young and vigorous business enterprises in Alton. The company has yards in Alton and also a lumber mill at Palestine, Texas. Joseph J. Springman effected the deal for his company. He will be the general manager of the consolidated businesses.

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ALTON MASONIC TEMPLE DEDICATION

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 28, 1919

The Masonic Temple Association has tentatively set the date, April 19, as the time for the dedication of the new Masonic Temple on State street at the head of Third street. While the building is completed by the contractor, some minor details outside of the contract remain to be fixed up. The second and third floors will be in the hands of the decorator next week, and it is expected that about a month's time will be required to finish the decoration work. The committee has ordered the shipment of the furniture for the lodge room March 15, and on its arrival it will be installed in the building. It was announced to the committee last night that it was probable the second store room in the building had been rented to a business man who is planning to move to Alton. The Noon Day Restaurant will be moved into the store room leased to it next week, a delay having been decided on until the walls and ceiling could be decorated. Plans for very elaborate ceremonies at the time of the dedication are being laid. It is expected to have some prominent public men, member of the order, present at that time and there will be a large number of visiting members of the fraternity at the dedicatory exercises. Owing to unsettled market conditions, it has been decided to defer for the present the installing of the elevator in the building. A very handsome lighting scheme is being put into the building which will make for a brilliant illumination when finished.

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ALTON - DOCTORS DISAGREE ON DIAGNOSIS OF SMALLPOX

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 22, 1919

Doctors have difficulty in agreeing on what is smallpox in Alton. A few days ago a man was sent to the pest house after two doctors had passed on his malady and diagnosed it as smallpox. The man refused to stay at the pest house, and broke away. He was found at his home in the east end, and the county physician was summoned. That was a few days after the original diagnosis. The county physician decided the man did not have smallpox, and gave permission for him to remain outside the pest house.

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HAYNER TRACT PURCHASED AS SITE FOR ORPHANAGE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 29, 1919

The homestead of the late John E. Hayner on State street has been purchased as a site for the Cathedral orphanage, funds for which are being raised in the Alton diocese. The plans for the orphanage were greatly enlarged and recently the announcement was made that a much larger sum would be needed than had been previously made know. At the same time, nothing was said of the change in plans to put the orphanage on the Hayner place. Today the deeds were recorded at Edwardsville, transferring 12 1/2 acres to Bishop Ryan. The plan is not to give up the present orphanage. It will be maintained for some purposes. During the campaign for funds for the orphans, it was often declared that the present orphanage site is unsuitable for the little children, and the "flu" epidemic caused a great influx of little children whose parents were victims of the disease. In considering a site, it was decided to get a place where there would be ample grounds for the children to play in safety, and this the Hayner tract affords. It is a quiet, secluded place, elevated so as to give perfect drainage and will be an ideal place for the purposes for which it is desired. It is expected the announcement of the purchase of this tract will give a new impetus to the giving toward the Cathedral orphanage fund. It was said this afternoon by Rev. E. L. Spalding, vicar general of the diocese, that the plan is to erect a fine, fire proof building on the ground just purchased. He said that it is estimated the new building will cost over $200,000. The ground bought cost $40,000. The call for funds is for $300,000, all of which will be needed in getting the orphanage erected and equipped. Fr. Spalding said that he does not know just what is to be done with the old orphanage building. It will be devoted to some use, maybe for some purposes connected with the original purpose, but the main building will be on the Hayner site. There, Fr. Spalding said, will be pure fresh air uncontaminated by smoke from factories, and the children will have plenty of room for play. The announcement was made by Fr. Spalding that just as soon as plans can be finished the orphanage will be started and that no time would be lost, as the money to pay for it seems to be assured.

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ALTON - DEPOT HOTEL CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 1, 1919

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Gallagher today celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of their coming to Alton, and during the entire thirty years the well known couple have conducted the Depot Hotel. Under their management the Depot Hotel has retained its high standard as a hotel and restaurant. Traveling men coming to Alton in the last thirty years have stopped at the Depot Hotel without failure, on account of the excellent treatment received and on account of the meals served. Mrs. Gallagher's reputation as a cook is known far and wide. The family came to Alton thirty years ago, and have raised their family of four children here. Their children are: Dr. Edward Gallagher, and the Misses Gertrude, Margaret and Irene.

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NEW ICE CREAM FACTORY STARTS IN ALTON

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 9, 1919

A large new ice cream factory started manufacturing the cold and popular delicacy today in the former Horn building in the 400 block in Broadway. The building was recently purchased by John Jianokoplos, proprietor of the Princess confectionery store in Broadway, and he has had it remodeled and equipped with all of the latest improved machinery necessary for the business. Harry Gregory, an expert candy maker and ice cream manufacturer, is in charge of the factory and he said today the first big batch of ice cream will be turned out tomorrow. In addition to ice cream the building will be used as a candy factory, and it will in its entirety be devoted wholly to making ice cream and candies.

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SNYDER STORE HAS BIG OPENING

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 11, 1919

The opening of the John Snyder store at Third and Piasa streets today, after several months during which a store was conducted by another firm there, was a very auspicious one. Crowds were in evidence all day, and the management of the store reported good business. The building has been greatly improved and the store is furnished in new fixtures. The John Snyder store is one of the oldest and best known in the city, and the management has promised a first class department store to Alton people. The store is being managed by Henry Wuellner, who was recently released from the naval service.

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FIRST BEER MADE IN ALTON TODAY - 2 3/4 PER CENT - BLUFF CITY BREWERY MAKES A BREW IN ORDER TO HAVE ON HAND IN CASE DECISION IS FAVORABLE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16, 1919

The first beer made in Alton since the last day of November when the government war time order ceasing the manufacture of beer took effect, was that made today by the Bluff City brewery. It will be two and three quarters per cent alcohol. Work was started yesterday at the brewery getting ready to make the brew. Things about the plant on Pearl street had the appearance of old times when the machines were running washing kegs and getting everything in shape for the resumption of business. Harry Netzhammer said that the firm was taking a chance on this brew, and he added that they might never be permitted to sell it, but they had the material on hand for making a brew and they decided to go ahead with it so as to have the beer on hand in case the decision is in their favor. The test case which is on in New York will soon be decided, and breweries all over the country are watching the case closely. From the news given out in the last few days the brewers are confident that they are going to be allowed to make beer with two and three quarters per cent alcohol. If the permission is given to make this beer, it will take the brewers two or three months to get the product made and on the market, hence this Alton plant took a chance on the decision by making a brew today.

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THRILLS AT DOLLY MADISON FIRE - BEAUTIFUL LADIES LEAP INTO THE ARMS OF GALLANTS WHEN BARBER SHOP FIRE SPREADS TERROR

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 21, 1919

All the thrills of the ten-twenty-thirty melodrama, or the modern movie, were provided Saturday night when a fire in the barber shop in the Dolly Madison building routed all the young lady boarders from their beds and caused to take flights of various kinds, ranging from fire escapes to the leaps into the arms of men on the ground, dressed in their night clothes. The fire occurred just after midnight. It did not matter to the young ladies that the fire was a small one, and destined to do but little damage. Neither did it matter that safety and convenient means of exit were provided by the doors of the building. The Easter Bonnetry of all the young women was in danger and the first thought was to get out and get out they did. Some of them came down the fire escapes clad only in the flimsy night gown, but fondly clasping a new Easter hat. A crowd soon gathered which watched the spectacle of the young women leaving the building by any means possible, as though it were a show. One young lady, of ample proportions it is said, seeing the men standing below and unwilling to await her turn down the fire escape, yelled to one man that she was coming and he held out his arms and bravely tried to imitate the knight of old. But either the knight of old was stronger than the knight of Saturday night, or the lady rescued by the medieval social Hon was closer to the "perfect thirty-six" than the Alton girl is distress, for the weight of the leaping girl bore him to the ground. He bravely clasped her as she came and both escaped alive. The girls, in their hasty exit from the Dolly Madison, even forgot their dainty feet as they climbed down the sharp steps of the fire escape or jumped to the hard pavement below. Most of them too, perhaps, forgot the chilly winds of the night as they stood with only the thin muslin between them and the winds. The fire in the barber shop did not spread and it was not long before the frightened young ladies were able to return to bed and continue their slumbers in peace.

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ALTON - BEALL HOME WRECKED BY FIRE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 5, 1920

Fire, which started from the furnace of the home of Mrs. Anna Beall, Eleventh and Henry streets, early today caused damage estimated to several thousand dollars, and for a time threatened the lives of the occupants of the house. The fire had gotten a good start before it was discovered. When first discovered by Mrs. Beall and her daughter, Miss Effie Beall, who were in their rooms on the second floor, the fire had blocked all means of exit from the home. Miss Effie Beall carried her mother to a window and shouted for help. Elmer Ruttledge, who lives at Eleventh and Langdon streets, brought a ladder and Miss Beall and her mother left the burning house. A maid in the home, on leaving, carried with her two oriental rugs. The fire had gotten a good start when the fire companies arrived. Their efforts in fighting the fire were blocked by a broken fire hydrant. When water had finally been secured, the firemen worked diligently. A box of jewels, said this morning to be worth $3,50, was saved by the firemen. The roof and the second floor walls of the home were destroyed, while the lower floor was badly damaged. Most of the furniture was either damaged so badly as to be useless. A piano and the rugs carried out by the maid were saved, and furniture in the lower hall of the home was removed from the house before it was seriously damaged. When the fire had been gotten under control by the firemen, J. M. Malcolm entered the house and carried out several boxes containing papers of value. The firemen carried out several articles of furniture containing clothing, which were not damaged. The broken hydrant and cold weather made the work of the firemen very difficult. Water and hose connections were hard to make, and the water thrown on the house soon froze. The clothing of the firemen was covered with ice, preventing quick movement on their part. No estimate of the loss could be secured today. It was said at the J. M. Malcolm home that no estimate could be made, but that the damage was quite large. Mrs. Anna Beall, notwithstanding her advanced age, was said to have suffered no ill effects from the fire, Miss Effie Beall, who for awhile suffered from the effects of the smoke, was not in a serious condition. Miss Sophie Hollain, the maid, who carried the two oriental rugs from the house, was not hurt.

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ALTON - PROBABLY OLDEST BUILDING DISAPPEARS - WAS OLD TIME HOTEL (COLEMAN HOUSE) - AIRDOME ALSO WILL BE TORN DOWN

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 13, 1920

What is probably the oldest building left in Alton is nearly its end. What in recent years was known as the Coleman House, but which away back was one of the earliest hotels in Alton, and it has had a continuous existence as a lodging place until very recent date when ownership in it passed into the hands of people who desired to use the site, but had no use for the old wreck of a building. Mayor Sauvage is promoting a great amusement enterprise, the site of which will take in not only the Airdome, but also the site of the old building that is being torn down. The Airdome will be torn down too, just as soon as the wrecking crews can get to it. "The Airdome has seen its last show as an Airdome," Mayor Sauvage said today. "I am not saying, he continued, "that it has had its last amusement, for I have some big plans for an amusement house there that will cover 128 feet on Front street, 60 feet on Broadway, and have a depth of 198 feet from Broadway to Front street. E. P. Wade, the oldest living native resident of Alton, said today that the old building goes back beyond his memory. He thinks it was erected prior to 1830, and it must therefore be over ninety years of age. He said that he understood that in the very early days of Alton, Andrew Miller conducted a hotel there, prior to his conducting the Alton House at Front and Alby streets, and the Alton house went back to the year 1830. The father of Thomas Long, former city engineer of Alton, was one of the early day owners, if not the earliest of the place. In tearing down the building, a sign was found which indicated that at one time the place had been known as the Langdon House, but Mr. Wade was of the opinion that this was of comparative modern time. The workmen engaged on the building found it near impossible to get it apart. The heavy oak and walnut timbers in the building had been mortised and pinned together and they are so hard and so thoroughly seasoned that it is impossible to do much with them in the way of cutting them or driving nails in them. The high grade white pine lumber in the place is being carefully preserved, and the heavy timbers too are being laid aside. Mayor Sauvage said that he is not quite ready to give a statement of his plans for the place of amusement that will occupy the site of the Airdome and this old time hotel. He is awaiting advice of some expert construction engineers. In addition to erecting the amusement place on Broadway and Front streets, Mayor Sauvage is planning to build a large apartment house with quarters for about twenty-four families. He says he does not believe the price of building will ever be any cheaper, and he plans to go ahead with building operations on this apartment property that will be the largest, or in fact the only apartment house in the city of such pretentious plan. He considers that there is a good opportunity for building now, and that he who builds first will have a great demand for renting of his property. In addition to the improvements mentioned, he is deeply interested in the river front park and the Belle street sewer projects.

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ALTON - OLD WRECK TO BE REMODELED - WORK IS STARTED ON BUILDING ON CITY HALL SQUARE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 16, 1920

Remodeling work on the building on City Hall Square, which was for years occupied by two saloons, conducted by A. F. Miller and W. F. Threde, has been started. The Busy Bee, a confectionery to be managed by Valentine Delaney, will take the place where the Miller saloon was. This building is owned by Dr. J. A. W. Fernow of Chicago. The other, which is half of this building, belongs to Gus Mihelos, who recently bought it from the Ronshausen estate. Arrangements were made between the two owners whereby the front would be taken out of both buildings and a handsome front put in the place of the old, dilapidated one that has so long defaced City Hall Square. Val Delaney said today that the entire west half of the building would be remodeled for the use of the business institution he proposes to start there. The owner has nothing to do with the improvement that is being made. It is promised that a handsome improvement to the neighborhood will be made, though the old wreck of a building will not be torn down entirely. However, there will be little left to make it recognizable when the improvements are finished.

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ALTON - LAND LEAVES FAMILY LINE AFTER CENTURY - MRS. D. A. WYCKOFF DISPOSES OF COLLEGE AVENUE PROPERTY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 3, 1920

Few places in Alton and vicinity have been in any one family for a century, yet this is the record of a piece of ground that has just been sold in Upper Alton by Mrs. D. Wyckoff, who is a direct descendant of the Rodgers family on her mother's side of the house, and the transfer of the property by her constitutes the first one outside of the family in more than a century. The firm making the deal gave out the following announcement of the sale today: Bishop and Weber, agents, have sold the 9 room dwelling at 3331 College avenue, for Mrs. D. A. Wyckoff, to Joseph Brandt, for $5,100.00  Mr. Brandt purchased the property for a home. The house was built by Col. A. F. Rodgers. The land is part of the Rodgers old home place, and the title has been in the Rodgers family for more than 100 years. The Rodgers family is one of the very oldest in this vicinity that has had and still has representatives living in this vicinity, and owns land that was part of the early day holdings, bought at low prices such as land could be had for in those days, and the family still maintains its position of prominence that it had when the settlement of Alton and vicinity was young.

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BOOZE HOUNDS ABROAD IN ALTON HOMES

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 30, 1920

Some of the well stocked cellars in Alton, stocked in advance of prohibition, are being raided by booze hounds. Reports have been in circulation of raids made on some of the homes of Alton where foresight was in vain in forefending against the drouth that now prevails. Here, just when it is hardest to get a stock replenished without doing business with that slippery genius, the bootlegger, into these fine homes slipped the booze hound and away with him slipped the complete stock of liquors. Some of Alton's captains of industry are reported to have suffered at the hands of the looters. Many gallons of whisky laid up against the dry days that are here, were removed from their secret places by the keen scented booze hounds and there is nothing to be done about it. According to Chief of Police Fitzgerald, he had heard something about such robberies, but he said that no complaints had been made and even if there had been complaints it would be difficult indeed to locate the stolen property, because there wasn't a clue to the identity of the author of the raid. One owner of a big stock of booze is said to have had his walled in strong mason work, and he guards it carefully against the booze hounds. Other, not so well fortified, are trembling in fear lest they be compelled to get on the water wagon, so far as a home stock is concerned, if the booze hounds continue their raids.

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QUEER OBJECT FOUND IN CLAY BY WORKMAN WHILE GRADING ON SITE OF THE AIRDOME

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 25, 1920

Yesterday noon as the whistle blew for the noonday luncheon, workmen grading on the Airdome site uncovered an oval shaped stony mass that glittered in the sunlight, and there wasn't a man who was in a hurry to get to his dinner until he had investigated this glittering mass. The object, weighing about 250 pounds, was found buried eight feet in the clay where it had lain for ages it is supposed. Whether it was a piece of a meteor, or was just an ordinary lump of crystallized rock that was deposited ages ago by the glacier could not be determined by those who saw it. The rock, when broken by a hammer, was found to be exceedingly friable, and was made up of crystals that would fall apart when rubbed with the fingers. Mayor Sauvage intends to keep the object and ascertain what it is. There was none other of its kind near it. Often similar objects are found, known as geodes, but they are usually very closely knit together in structure and not as easily disintegrated as this one is.

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TREASURES IN THE GREAT ROCK BLUFFS OF ALTON - FOSSILS

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 1, 1920

That there are treasures in the great rock bluffs of Alton, other than the rock that can be utilized by the builder, is evidenced by an interest taken just at this time by the students in charge of the research work of the Smithsonian Institute and the Carnegie Institution at Washington. Oliver P. Hay, of the U. S. National Museum, and in charge of research to classify the animal remains of the pre-glacial age, has written to John D. McAdams asking him to take up the work where his father left off, and seek to find further evidence of animal remains in the bluffs in the Mississippi valley region in the Alton vicinity. Dr. Hay writes that he has classified the fossil teeth and bones which were sent into the national museum over twenty-five years ago by Prof. William McAdams, who gave much time to this research in this vicinity. In these specimens which came mostly from the Alton quarries, Dr. Hay has found the remains of fourteen distinct species, among them the new deer, the musk ox, the tooth of a peccary, the horse, the ground sloth, an extinct Moose, an Eland, much like the one now living in Africa, the common mastodon, the common beaver, the pouched gopher, the ground hog, and the American bear. Dr. M. M. Leighton of the Geological survey of Illinois, stationed at Champaign, visited Alton two months ago and examined the glacial clay and the lois clay here, to aid in establishing just where these specimens came from and decided that they existed between the glacial clay and the red lois clay where the nodules of clay in which these specimens are found, usually encrusted with lime formation. Mr. McAdams has replied to Dr. Hay that he will give whatever assistance he can in further gaining knowledge of the remains of pre-historic mammals and animals whose secrets the great mounds of rock and dirt at Alton still hold secret. The working of the quarries at Alton gives excellent opportunity for the study of the question, and it was this fact that enabled Prof. William McAdams to gain so many specimens that have now proven valuable to science. These specimens have no money value, and are valuable only in a scientific way. If persons finding such specimens will turn them over to Mr. McAdams, they will be sent to the museum at Washington for classification, there to be added to an already valuable collection of specimens that were gathered here at Alton after many years careful research.

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ALTON MILLER, BLIND, INVENTS IN DARKNESS

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 10, 1920

Relatives of C. F. Sparks, a retired official of the Sparks Milling Company, have received word that he has been granted patents on several recent inventions, most important of which is a contrivance for packing flour. The inventor is the author of a number of innovations, most of which have been applied to milling machinery, and which have proven themselves of great value to manufacturers, as well as satisfactory money-makers for their creator. Mr. Sparks has been blind for several years, and since his retirement from business life, has devoted his efforts to the exercise of his mechanical genius. While the loss of sight has hampered his activities, the results of his efforts have been no less accurate than before, the thinker relying on his sense of touch for testing the models. Working with his mechanic, the inventor describes the part he desires for a machine, and explains its uses. When the piece is complete, its designer feels carefully over the surfaces and niches, and then tests it working power. In the tryouts, his deft fingers locate the spot at which a spindle binds or a gear fails to mesh perfectly, and he outlines for the mechanic the measures necessary to rectify the inaccuracy. Among Mr. Sparks inventions have been a bag-cutting machine and a process for the purifying of flour, both of which have been generally adopted, and have been a means of progress in the milling industry.

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DRY LAW RAID NETS ONE MAN ... REVEALS TRAFFIC OF MOONSHINE WHISKEY IN ALTON PLACES

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 18, 1920
Charles Miller was arrested last night by a prohibition agent on a charge of selling liquor at the Hale place on West Broadway. A tour of the city was made by the enforcement officer, who made but one arrest for liquor selling, but he also arrested William Keating who is charged with offensive language in referring to the prohibition officer and with interfering with the enforcement of the prohibition law. Keating is said to have staggered out of another soft drink parlor, and had considerable drink aboard when he used the language attributed to him. A detail of police officers was secured by the enforcement officer to assist him in making arrests, for the first time. Heretofore the enforcement officers have made their arrests without asking for any police aid. In making the rounds of Alton yesterday, the enforcement officer, Lester Kiggen, a nephew of the officer in charge of this district, discovered much evidence that a big business in moonshine whisky had been done in Alton by the men operating the still at Hillsboro, who have been arrested. John Scanlon of Alton was the master mind of the illicit business according to the enforcement officers. They were turning out an immense quantity of booze every day and were shipping it to Alton in auto trucks. They used a certain type of tin can resembling the five and ten gallon cans used in delivering gasoline. Hundreds of these cans have been found around "soft drinks" establishments in Alton, and each of them could hold either five or ten gallons of booze. All these cans have been identified as "Scanlon" cans, a big supply of them being found at the still when the raid was made on the place on Scanlon's farm near Hillsboro. The quantity of cans found in Alton and vicinity may indicate the extent of the business that was being done by the still, and may also in a measure determine the punishment of the men, if they are found guilty as charged. It is believed by the prohibition officers that while this well financed moonshine distillery was probably not the only one selling liquor here, it was doubtless the main one and its capture will be a serious interference with the making of whisky hereabouts.

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HARD LID ON PROHIBITION VIOLATIONS - GETS 30 GALLONS OF MOONSHINE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 18, 1920

Prohibition Enforcement Agent Kiggen, who visited Alton last night and was supposed to have left town, renewed his raid this morning and made two arrests. He took Walter J. Fries into custody on a charge of having in his possession thirty gallons of moonshine whisky, and further charged that there were evidences of sale of the stuff in his "soft drink emporium" at Broadway and State Streets. He arrested Gus Crivello, a former saloon keeper, on a charge of having in his possession a stock of home brew, in violation of the law. Fries denied he had sold any liquor. The prohibition enforcement agent said that he had difficulty in getting the proof at the Fries place because there was an "owl" at the door, meaning a lookout. Gus Grivello said that he intended to use his drinks for himself, and that he had about four cases of bottled stuff of his own making. Mr. Kiggen telephoned for warrants to be issued at once for the detention of Fries, Crivello and Charles Miller on the charge of violating the prohibition law. Mr. Kiggen said after the arrests had been made that he proposes to keep on the trail in Alton until he has run down all those who are violating the prohibition law here and in this vicinity. He has secured some valuable information as to the whereabouts of the persons who are engaged in the illicit sale of liquor and he only waits for an opportunity to catch them with the goods. It was said today by Mr. Kiggens that he was told that William Fries, father of Walter Fries, had a large quantity of bonded whisky stored in a concrete vault in the cellar at the home of Walter Fries on East Broadway, and that he would make an inspection of that and ascertain whether it was being reduced in quantity and what was being done with it. He said that his information was that the vault had been constructed for safe keeping of the liquor against theft, after the prohibition law took effect, and that it was part of the stock purchased by William Fries before the prohibition law took effect. The vault is said to be burglar proof, and is similar to a bank vault. Other cases of whisky being stored up are being investigated and checks made so that there will be no chance in the future of any of it being used unlawfully.

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CONFECTIONARY CLOSES, OWNERS DEPART HASTILY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 21, 1920

Messrs. I. G. Grosse and B. E. Pentruf, former operators of the Victory Candy Kitchen at Broadway and Ridge streets, have departed from the city, leaving their destination a mystery and also leaving a stock of Christmas goods in the store which they recently purchased from the owners of the Princess Candy Kitchen. About a year ago the establishment now known as the Victory Kitchen opened with the same owners of the Princess Candy Kitchen in charge. New fixtures of modern type were installed. New furnishings were also added and an ideal business set up. About two months ago Grosse and Pentruf took over the business and seemingly were doing well in their venture. However, the store was closed Monday afternoon and this morning when a collector went down he found the doors locked and no trace of either of the owners. Mrs. Sotier, owner of the building, stated today that the rental had not been paid since December 1, but she will be more than reimbursed by the value of the fixtures provided the men failed to appear again and effect a settlement. It is not known whether they left other credit___..... [unreadable].

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph December 22, 1920

Correction:  The management of the Princess Confectionery states today it is not connected with the Victory Candy Kitchen at Broadway and Ridge street in any manner, aside from selling products to them. Jon Jianokopolis today stated that the proprietors who departed from Alton and the Victory Monday left him as one of their many creditors.

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ALTON - JACOB SNIDER BUYS NOBLITT STORE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 28, 1921

Increasing patronage made necessary a move on the part of Jacob Snider, grocer and butcher of Yager park,, as a result of which he purchased the William Noblitt store on East Broadway at Central avenue, thereby enlarging his business facilities. Mr. Noblitt and Frank Brooks purchased the G. F. Smith business in Wo