The History of Peru Part 3

On the 7th April, 1856, J. L. McCormick was elected Mayor, P. M. Kilduff Alderman for the First Ward, and C. L. Huntoon for the Second Ward. The Council elected M. C. Harmon, Clerk; J. B. White, Treasurer; Chas.

Blanchard, Attorney; Henry Jones, Collector; Geo. O. Banks, a.s.sessor; Peter Fought and J. P. Thompson, Street Commissioners; H. H. Brown, Surveyor; W. H. Foot, Marshal.

In the month of May the Round House, belonging to the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad Company, was destroyed by fire.

On the 17th June the question of issuing $20,000 bonds on account of subscription towards the stock of a Bridge Company, chartered for the purpose of building a bridge across the river at the foot of White street, was submitted to a vote of the people. It was decided in the affirmative by a large majority. The bonds have never been issued nor the subscription made--nor the bridge built. Among the appropriations for this year were $575 to H. G. W. Cronise, and $218.50 to Joseph Kelly for damages sustained by the flooding of their stores with water, caused by deficiency in the culverts.

The Railroad Company commenced paying semi-annual dividends on their stock on the 1st of November, 1854,--first dividend four per cent; all after five; and continued doing so until the 1st November, 1856, when an extra dividend of twelve and a-half per cent. payable in stock, was made. From this the City realized $4,825, a portion of which was used in paying off two judgements which had been obtained against the City, and upon which the City Hall had been sold, amounting together to $1,474.50.

The balance was used for the payment of outstanding coupons on the various kinds of bonds, and other claims.

On the 7th January another serious loss by fire took place. The Hoffman House, owned by John Hoffman and occupied by P. T. Moore, was destroyed.

The building was thoroughly and substantially built, although of wood, and occupied a beautiful site, and was one of the leading inst.i.tutions of the town. The loss to both owner and occupant was heavy.

On the 26th September, of the same year, an extensive chair, furniture, sash and blind factory, erected through the indomitable energy and perseverance of Geo. B. Willis, was destroyed by fire. Loss about $20,000. The fate of Mr. Willis, who is now beyond the reach of praise or censure, calls for a pa.s.sing notice. He came to Peru, poor and blind.

By his sagacity and energy he so improved his circ.u.mstances that he succeeded in building and putting into operation a manufactory which gave employment to about fifty mechanics. The manner in which he conducted this business would have done credit to any person in the possession of all of his senses, but was very remarkable when done by one who suffered under the loss of so important an organ as that of sight. But the load was too heavy for him to carry. He staggered for a time and fell. Disappointment, mortification, anxiety and despondency did their work. The grave holds him. Whose hand was stretched forth to lighten the burden under which he began to reel? Whose voice whispered words of sympathy and hope when discouragement and disaster crowded upon him? Whose was the intelligent self interest that enquired whether a small amount of aid, in money or credit, would not sustain and foster an enterprise which, in its turn, would invigorate every interest in the community?--Whose was the practical sagacity that perceived, that fifty male operatives, with their families and dependants, were of more value in advancing the growth and prosperity of the town than the rows of stately and costly stores, which have for years stood idle and tenantless? Where were the men--generally to be found on every corner--who proclaim that upon manufacturing industry alone must Peru depend for advancement? Ah! When it was perceived that Mr. Willis had undertaken an enterprise to which his energies and means were inadequate, how hands which, had been stretched forth to catch the copious streams of disburs.e.m.e.nt, slunk into the fathomless depths of pockets! How importunate and inexorable were those cormorants of every petty western community, called by courtesy, "Banks," which had moused into every nook and corner for paper which it was hoped would prove a profitable investment.

In February, 1857, by act of the Legislature, the limits of the City were extended over the whole of Section 16 and 17. This made the superficial area 1462 acres. In the same month an act pa.s.sed, creating a Recorders Court for the Cities of Peru and La Salle, with jurisdiction over the territory of the Townships of Salisbury and La Salle--six square miles. Churchill Coffing was appointed Judge, and Daniel Evans, Clerk, who entered upon the discharge of their duties.--One term of the Court was held at La Salle. A question arose concerning the const.i.tutionality, of this Court which was taken, by an agreed case, to the Supreme Court, where it was held that it was an Inferior Court; that the Legislature possessed the power only to grant jurisdiction to such Courts over the territory of a single City; that by no implication could the Const.i.tution be construed so as to grant the power to extend it over territory not embraced within city limits; that the whole act must be considered together; that the powers therein granted could not be separated, and if one part was found to be const.i.tutionally objectionable, the whole must fall together; and that therefore the act was unconst.i.tutional and void.

At an election held in April, 1857, John L. McCormick was reelected Mayor and F. W. Schulte was elected Alderman for the First Ward. No election was made in the Second Ward, Erasmus Winslow and I. C. Day each receiving 63 votes. On the 2d May, a new election was called which resulted in each again receiving 63 votes. The question was then decided by lot in favor of Winslow. The Council elected Jno. J. Dowling, Clerk; David Lininger, a.s.sessor; D. O. Sullivan, Collector; H. G. W. Cronise, Treasurer; W. H. Foot, Marshall; William Hackman and Owen Judge, Street Commissioners; G. D. Ladd, Attorney; Geo. Seebach and J. T. Milling, Health Officers; William Lambach, Surveyor; and A. F. Powers, s.e.xton. On the 27th May, Ladd resigned as Attorney, and Thomas Halligan was elected in his place.

The Rail Road Company pa.s.sed the payment of their November dividend and the city also pa.s.sed the payment of interest on her bonds.

During the latter part of this year a financial hurricane, commencing in the United States, swept over the world. Money vanished from sight as if by the wand of a magician. General health, bounteous crops, and great activity in every branch of industry had prevailed.--Suddenly everything was arrested as though some t.i.tan held his hand upon a brake lever. Peru did not escape the general disaster. Prices of produce became so low that farmers declined to market it, preferring to allow their creditors to wait and suffer the consequences of shattered credit. But few failures, however, took place.--The Banks did not suspend. n.o.body failed--n.o.body ever does fail in Illinois until the Sheriff sells them out or shuts them up.

On the 11th October, the Foundry and Machine Shop of Fitzsimmons and Beebe was destroyed by fire. Loss $16,500--insurance $5,500. This establishment had given employment to some thirty or forty men. Thus another of the industrial establishments of Peru went out. It is a gloomy fact, and by no means promising sign, that with the exception of the stores of E. Higgins & Co., and McMillan & Co., no important establishment, destroyed by fire, has been rebuilt. The blackened walls and foundations of the National Hotel, Hoffman House, Lauber's Cabinet Shop, the Chair Factory and the Foundry and Machine Shop betray the lack of recuperative energies.

At an election held on the 5th of April, 1858, John L. McCormick was again reelected Mayor, and N. Young was elected Alderman for the First Ward, James Cahill for the Second Ward, and P. M. Kilduff, Police Magistrate. The Council elected John J. Dowling, Clerk; H. G. W.

Cronise, Treasurer; T. P. Halligan, Attorney; D. O. Sullivan, Collector; Henry Jones, a.s.sessor; P. W. Milander and Owen Judge, Street Commissioners; W. F. Lambach, Surveyor; G. W. Lininger and Bartlett Denny, Fire Wardens; G. W. Lininger Inspector of weights and measures; A. L. Bull, inspector of lumber and wood; W. H. Foot, Marshal; John Scott and Michael Noon, a.s.sistant Marshals; and A. F. Powers s.e.xton.

On the 7th day of June, the question of issuing $5,000 of ten per cent.

bonds, for the purpose of paying the interest over due on the bonds before issued, was submitted to a vote of the people and decided affirmatively by 21 majority.

The Spring of this year was remarkable for heavy and protracted rains.

The roads from the 1st May to the 1st July were nearly impa.s.sable, and the ground was so saturated as to make cultivation impossible. About the middle of June it ceased raining, and crops which were thought to be ruined came forward with remarkable promise. At this present writing (10th July) every indication exists of a full average crop.

The grain and other produce, which had been kept back on account of low prices in the fall, could not be brought to market in the spring on account of the bad condition of the roads. At this time, however, the streets are crowded with teams, fair prices are paid for produce, debts are being liquidated, the merchants and mechanics are busy and satisfied, and every interest is reviving.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: On the 17th August, this office was destroyed by fire. The building--a three-story brick--in which it was situated, was owned by J.

L. McCormick, Esq., and was the first brick building erected in the town. It was built in 1839.]

CHAPTER X.

Census--Occupations--Schools, Churches &c.--Business Houses --Grain Trade--Ice Trade--Coal Field--Peru Coal Shaft-- Advantages for Manufacturing--City Debt--Review of the Census--Bridge--The Future--Moral and Intellectual view-- List of Early Families--Character of the Inhabitants-- Unenviable Reputations.

We will now examine the present condition and resources of Peru.

The following is a table of a census taken 20th August, 1858.

Whole number of inhabitants, 3,652 Under ten years of age, 1,175 Under twenty-one years and over ten years, 561 Over twenty-one years, 1,916 Males, 1,876 Females, 1,776 Born in the United States, 1,841 Born in Germany, 1,118 " " Ireland, 489 " " England, 87 " " Scotland, 24 " " France, 27 " " Russian Poland, 27 " " Sweden, 17 " " British Provinces, 19 Negroes, 3 Born of foreign parents counted as Americans, 869 Number of deaths in 1857, 48

OCCUPATIONS.

Blacksmiths, 30 Farmers, 18 Laborers, 326 Brakemen, 8 Carpenters, 71 Shoemakers, 26 Livery keepers, 4 Constables, 2 Teamsters, 44 Merchants, 44 Machinists, 20 Millers, 5 Moulder 1 Justices of the Peace, 3 Pattern Makers, 2 Lawyers, 7 Clerks, 35 Porters, 5 Ice Merchants, 5 Barbers, 4 Printers, 9 Tobacconists, 2 Millwrights, 2 Tinners, 13 Masons, 36 Saloon Keepers, 41 Draymen, 5 Tailors, 9 Caulkers, 4 Physicians, 7 Butchers, 13 Lumber Merchants, 5 Grocers, 11 General Business, 15 Saddlers, 7 Civil Engineers, 2 Teachers, 3 Bakers, 4 Gardeners, 5 Jewelers, 3 Painters, 9 Clergymen, 4 Ticket Agent, 1 Coopers, 5 Brewers, 11 Peddlers, 2 Cap Maker, 1 Conductors, 5 Book Keepers, 4 Miners, 32 Lecturer, 1 Tavern Keepers, 7 Wheelwrights, 13 Ship Carpenters, 16 Cigar Makers, 6 Bankers, 2 Cabinet Makers, 6 Brick Makers, 6 Carpet Weaver, 1 Ferrymen, 2 Basket Maker, 1 Pilot, 1 Gun Smith, 1 Musicians, 3 Match Makers 2 Editors, 3 Boatmen, 8 Druggists, 4 Daguerreian, 1 Rope Maker, 1 Land Agents, 3

There are seven public schools, four of which are organized under the Union School system. There are six Churches--one Catholic, one Dutch Reformed, one Methodist, one German Methodist, one Congregationalist, and one Episcopal. There are one Lodge of Good Templars, one of Odd Fellows, and one of Masons. The City possesses a commodious Public Hall, erected in a substantial manner of Milwaukie brick, at an expense of over $12,000. It is divided into a Council Chamber, a Public Hall for meetings, lectures, concerts, &c., a room for market stalls, and a calaboose or jail. The warehouses, stores, hotels, and dwellings of the citizens, for solidity of structure and architecture, taste and adornment, are, as a whole, superior to most places of its size, east or west. There are of houses and places of business and industrial occupations as follows:

703 Dwellings and tenements occupied.

15 Dwellings and tenements unoccupied.

4 Dry Goods Stores.

7 Family Groceries and Provision Stores.

2 Wholesale Groceries and Provision Stores (one selling $200,000 per year.) 4 General Merchandise Stores.

3 Stove and Tin Stores.

2 Hardware Stores.

2 Furniture Stores.

1 Leather and Finding Stores.

1 Flour and Feed Stores.

4 Drug and Book Stores.

2 Tobacco Stores.

7 Taverns (one a large and commodious Hotel.) 1 Gun Shop.

4 Bakeries.

3 Harness and Saddle Shops.

6 Shoe Maker Shops.

5 Tailor Shops.

5 Blacksmith and Wagon Maker Shops.

2 Cooper Shops.

4 Milliner Shops.

2 Banks.

3 Private Land Offices.

2 Livery Stables.

40 Lager Beer and Drinking Saloons.

1 Daguerreian.

5 Law Offices.

7 Physicians.

3 Grain and Merchandise Ware Houses, with a united capacity of about 200,000 bushels, besides room for general merchandise.

1 Plow Factory, (employing some 40 hands.) 1 Match Factory.

1 Fanning Mill Factory.

3 Breweries.

1 Flouring Mill.

5 Lumber Yards.

1 Boat Yard.

The central engine house of the Chicago and Rock Island Bail Road is located here. As the engines, with their engineers and firemen, are changed here, many of the employees are domesticated. The quant.i.ty of grain purchased direct from the producers, and shipped--exclusive of that purchased by the mill--was 582,641 bushels in 1857, against about 900,000 bushels in 1856. The falling off is attributable to the reluctance of the farmers to market their grain in the fall of the former year, as before mentioned.

A very important branch of business pursued here is the ice trade. About 13,000 tons are annually packed for the southern market, giving employment to about three hundred men, during the Winter and Spring in packing and shipping, and sixty men in Summer and Fall, in building boats and other preparations for the next winter's business. Two steamboats are owned and employed exclusively in the trade.