Newspapers

Obituaries at USGenWeb Archives - Douglas County, Illinois

1865 Oct 14, Cairo Daily Times

Daniel Dresbach, a lad of eleven years, living near Tuscola, Ill., was caught in the cogs of a sugar mill, about which he was working, and torn nearly in two.

1867 Sep 13, Chicago Tribune

The Madison Bank Forgery

Arrest of the Forger and His Accomplice – A Sanctimonious Rascal

[From the Madison (Wis.) Journal, September 11.]

Yesterday afternoon, Under Sheriff McDougal returned from, a long hunt after the man who, on the 20tb of August last, passed forged drafts purporting to be drawn by the First National Bank of Ceatreville, Iowa, upon the Tenth National Bank of New York, ami procured thereon $7,000, leaving a balance of $8,000 to his credit, and brought with him the perpetrator of the forgery, "Bums,” whose real name proves to be E. F. Barton, and who was arrested at Tuscola, Illinois.

Our readers' will remember how Burns stopped at Mazomanie a week, preaching twice on Sunday; made arrangements to purchase sundry pieces ot property; came to Madison with a very commendatory letter from Major Miller to-a gentleman in one of our stores, was by him introduced to the bank, where he presented five $3,000 drafts, took the money and left for parts unknown.

Under Sheriff McDongal took charge of the case, with the determination to ferret out and capture the rascal. He first went to the bank at Centreville, Iowa, which purported to have made the drafts. The officers of that institution described as the probable forger one F. C. Mather, formerly a Methodist preacher, who for sundry crimes had been suspended from the ministry. His writing was very similar to the signature of the drafts, and for other reasons this Mather was supposed to be the villain. McDongal learned that this man's family resided at Postville, in northern Iowa. On his return from Centreviile, McDongal found where the drafts were printed in Chicago, and that they were sent to Burns, under the name of Campbell (he representing himself as a brother of Campbell, the cashier of said Centreville bank), to Clinton Junction. From there he was traced to Janesville, to Fort Atkinson, Mazomanie, and round to Madison, where, on the 21st of August, he drew the money. McDougal's next trip was to Postville, where, by strategy, he procured Mather's photograph and made such arrangements as must insure his arrest.

In the meantime, the National Bank here was inundated with letters from all parts of the country, from Washington to Minnesota, stating that the Burns was there. Among the letters was one from a reliable man at Tuscola, Illinois, who had seen the article copied from our paper, and dispatches sent from here published in the Chicago papers, and whose suspicious of this man were aroused by the fact of his having paid out several thousand dollars, whereas he was never known to have any considerable sum before - which strongly indicated that the veritable "Burns" was there.

Upon McDougal’s return from Postvllle, he left for Tuscola. Slopping In Chicago, he found where a man had purchased $600 worth of theological books, and had them sent to Tuscola, who, from description, seemed to be the same man who procured the drafts to be printed. Arriving at Tuscola, he found that Burns had purchased a farm eight miles from that place, for which he paid $5,000 in cash, and that he was another person than Mather, but McDongal had followed the drafts and books, and knew he had his finger on the right man.

Mr. Mason, Cashier of the bank, who had been sent for, arrived at this time, recognized "Burns" as the forger. Upon being arrested he denied the crime, but McDougal had the papers so straight on him that he saw the folly of denial, owned up the whole transaction and deeded the farm over to the bank, and also delivered up his theological library.

The true name of "Burns” is E. F. Barton. His family have resided for some time at Tuscola, and he professes to have been endeavoring to serve God and Mammon at the same time, pretending to be a minister of one sort or another, and preaching or forging according to circumstances. He still assumes the pious role, claims that this is his first offence, and when asked why he committed this deed giving the tie to his religious pretensions, he sanctimoniously replied that he wished to provide for his family, so that he could devote his time to theological studies, and thus better fit him for the ministry.

Some three days ago, in pursuance of arrangements made by McDongal, a despatch came from Postville that a letter had been mailed to F. C. Mather, at Madison. The office here was watched, and yesterday Mr. Mather appeared for his letter and was arrested by Sheriff Main and Deputy Buckley, as an accomplice in the forgery. He denies all participation in the crime.

This morning both Barton and Mather were brought before the Police Court. The former waived an examination and was held for trial before the Circuit Court. He is a very ordinary, serious looking man, whose appearance would disarm suspicion of any such crime as he has committed, and would indicate that he lacked shrewdness to cover his tracks. Mather is quite a smart appearing and plausible talking man. His examination was postponed to next Tuesday, and, meantime, he was committed, in default of $6,000 bail.

1873 Mar 13, The Cairo Bulletin

Destructive Fire. – The little city of Tuscola, located some miles above Mattoon, on the I. C. R. R., was almost entirely destroyed by fire yesterday morning. The whole business portion of the town together with several private residences was burned. We learn the above facts from parties who arrived in this city by the afternoon train yesterday, who passed Tuscola while the fire was raging.

1873 Mar 14, The Chicago Daily Tribune

St. Louis, March 13. – The National Bank, the extensive dry goods house of Lamb & Co., the Journal office, and ten or fifteen other buildings, constituting a large part of the business portion of Tuscola, Ill., were burned on Tuesday night. The loss is estimated at over $100,000. The fire was caused by the explosion of a lamp.

1874 Jan 22, The Daily Argus

Arrest of an Ex-County Treasurer

From the Tuscola (Ill.) Gazette, Jan. 15

Mr. James T. Walker, ex-Treasurer of Douglas County, was arrested at his residence on Tuscola, on Tuesday night, by Deputy Sheriff Cummings. There are two charges against him. One charge alleges that he embezzled $14,297.25 of the county funds. The other charges him with being a defaulter to the same extent. Mahalan Barnhart, supervisor of Arcola Township, made the complaints. Mr. Walker is, at the time of writing this article (Wednesday afternoon) under guard at his residence, and will b brought up to have a preliminary examination on Friday. The sympathies of the people are generally in his favor.

1879 Aug 22, The Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ill., Aug. 22 – Yesterday George Clark was fatally shot by his stepson, Hugh McGuire, who met Clark in the street and told him he had come all the way from Kansas to kill him, for deserting his (McGuire's) mother. McGuire gave himself up to the authorities.

1880 Apr 15, The Daily Cairo Bulletin

Two children of a farmer named Randolph, residing near Tuscola, were playing together. Tuesay last, when one of them struck the other a severe blow on the skull with an ax, severing the temple artery. The child bled till it has become so weak that it is doubtful if it will recover.

1880 Apr 23, The Daily Cairo Bulletin

Tuscola, Ill., April 21 – Two men were arrested late to-night for the horrid murder of Mr. Mason in his house, as reported last night. They are Noah Scott and Joel Towles. They are suspicious characters, and are now in jail. The murder was doubtless committed for purpose of robbery. The villains were tracked a considerable distance. Mason was worth $30,000 or $40,000. He was honest, but had made some enemies in business. He was 73 years old. The murder has created a profound impression.

1883 Jul 02, The Rock Island Argus

Last week a birth was recorded in the clerk's office of Tuscola, Ill., in which the acting physician stated that the father of the child was 84 years older than the mother – the father being 103 and the mother 19 years of age. The name of this blooming couple are John and Minnie Hawkins and both are colored. It calls to mind the passage of scripture – "the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and have a little child to lead them."

1884 Oct 25, The Daily Cairo Bulletin

An ex-Convict in the Role of Baptist Preacher Comes to Grief

Tolono, Ill., October 24. – John Biggs was yesterday convicted in the Douglas County Circuit Court and sentenced to sixteen years in the Penitentiary. Biggs appeared in Sandorus, this county, about eighteen months ago with a letter from a Quaker church. The Baptists of the village readily took him into full membership, and he soon obtained license to preach. Occasionally a valuable horse would disappear from the locality where he had been preaching, but no one ever thought of suspecting him. A few weeks ago a fine bay pacer was stolen from Mrs. M. Spaulding and a horse from William Odell; another from Adam Boone, a buggy and harness from Stephen Hanson and numerous other articles. At the same time, Biggs disappeared. Investigation showed that he had previously served in the Penitentiary for hores-stealing and that the letter with which he first gained the confidence of the people of Sadorus was a forgery and a fraud. The Sheriff of Douglas County took him in charge and started for Tuscola, but before reaching that city Biggs went into the closet, slipped through the window and jumped from the train. He was stunned by the fall, and when the train was backed up and the officer found him it was thought he was dead, but he recovered and was tried and convicted yesterday.

1886 Sep 7, The Argus, Rock Island

Silk Culture in Illinois

Tolono, Ill., Sept. 7. – The silk-culture craze has received a decided impetus in this neighborhood by the successful experiments of LeRoy Relph, at Tuscola. From 50,000 worms this season he has sufficient cocoons to make fifty pounds of bright, yellow silk, a part of which has already been reeled in Philadelphia, and sent back here as a sample. Next year Mr. Relph expects to have 600,000 worms and make 600 pounds of silk. Other parties also contemplate giving the business a trial, with good prospects of making money.

1887 Jun 03, Rock Island Daily Argus

An Illinois Vein of Silver

Tuscola, Ills., June 3. – T. G. Babo, who discovered a vein of silver in the hills north of Camargo, a few days ago, is still confident that he has struck it rich, and has a force of men employed in clearing up the grounds preparatory to sinking a shaft. It is said to be only sixteen feet down to the silver-bearing quartz. He has leased twelve acres of the territory from William English for a term of ten years, and is to give the owner of the land a tenth of all silver mined.

1888 Jan 6, Rock Island Daily Argus

An Assassin's Outrageous Effort to Kill His Rival in Love

Tuscola, Ills., Jan. 6. – Later developments in the tragic affair that occurred near Mount Gillead church, Tuesday night, show that no challenge was issued by the duellists, Ulm and Cruzan, and no feud had previously existed between them. It appears that all the parties were on their way home from church. Cruzan was enraged and jealous over his rival's good fortune in escorting Miss Florence Weller home from church, and followed close behind, using strong language. Ulm resented this with a blow, and his follower retaliated by drawing his revolver and opening fire.

Miss Weller was standing just behind her escort, and the first bullet missed Ulm and passed through her sacque. Ulm's pistol was then brought into play, and for the next few minutes bullets flew thick and fast, and only ceased when both revolvers were emptied. Twelve shots were fired in all, and when the smoke cleared away Ulm lay bleeding from wounds in the breast, and Miss Weller was at his side ready to render assistance. Cruzan disappeared, and it is not known as to his injuries. It is stated that he is being concealed by his friends at a house in the neighborhood, and that he is receiving surgical aid.

The shooting occurred in the presence of a large number of church people, many of whom were ladies. At last account Ulm was still alive. His physicians have not yet removed the bullets.

1888 Jan 19, Rock Island Daily Argus

A Long Felt Want Supplied

Tuscola, Jan. 19. – Father S. Maguire, formerly an eminent Roman Catholic priest of Chicago, has renounced Catholicism and all orthodox faiths, and together with Dr. O. H. Harris, of Neman, this county, will establish a new church, to be known as "Progressive Christians." Father Maguire is over 70 years of age, and for fifty years served in important departments of the Prussian government.

1888 Oct 3, Rock Island Daily Argus

Tuscola, Ills., - Oct. 3. – Marshal Lewis went to the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. W. D. Goldman, yesterday morning, and attempted to carry off his child, which she had kept for a year. Mrs. Goldman resisted. The father became enraged and beat the aged woman so severely that she is in a dangerous condition ever since. Lewis is held for trial.

1889 Jul 20, The Ottawa Free Trader

When the Pentacost band shook the alleged Godless dust of this city from their dollar store shoes, and went away in righteous indignation, it was thought probable that they would be able to keep out of jail, but not so. From this city they journeyed to Tuscola, where four sisters, Minnie and Bertha Baldwin; Fannie Birdsall and Nettie Davis, were arrested, on Wednesday, for holding boisterous and disorderly street meetings, presumably of the character held here. They refused to pay their fines, and now languish in the Tuscola jail.

1889 Dec 19, Rock Island Daily Argus

James Fitzpatrick, who fatally shot his neighbor and old enemy, Everett Thresher near Tuscola, Ills., a week ago, was arrested Wednesday night on a charge of murder. Thresher died of his wounds Wednesday.

1890 Jan 04, Rock Island Daily Argus

Tuscola, Ills., Jan. 4. – S. W. Smith, the son of a wealthy Chicagoan, arrived in this city on Dec. 14 with his young wife, whom he married in Decatur, Ills., in September last. The woman was ill at the time she arrived here and has not yet recovered. It appears that young Smith fell in love with the girl, who was a waiter in the Decatur hotel, and married her, but the match was not a satisfactory one to the groom's parents and the couple were left to look out for themselves.

Young Smith became short of funds, when he brought his bride here and left her at the Hotel Cook and himself returned to the parental roof. The young wife has not heard from him and says she never expects him to return and claim her. She is being kindly cared for by sympathizing people, but she feels keenly her desertion.

1890 Mar 01, Rock Island Daily Argus

Suit has been brought at Spri8ngfield, Ills., by the sisters and four brothers of the late Mrs. Irene Garrett, of Tuscola, to set aside her will on the ground of mental incapacity. The estate is valued at $200,000.

1890 Apr 12, Rock Island Daily Argus

Tuscola, Ills., April 12. – Reuben Landis, a justice of the peace, and John Hughes, a constable, had a difficulty at Atwood, in which the constable received fatal stabs with a knife in the hands of his opponent. The two men had a misunderstanding about a settlement. Justice Landis claims that he acted in self-defense.

1890 Sep 15, Rock Island Daily Argus

Some citizens of Tuscola, Ills., showed their reverence for law and order and their belief in religious liberty by blowing up the tent of a peculiar sect with dynamite. They also shot at two of the preachers who appeared on the scene.

1891 Mar 9, Rock Island Daily Argus

Tuscola, Ill., March 9. – William Burkhurst, of Murdock, 70 years old, Saturday evening went to the house of his wife, from whom he had separated, and coolly told her to make her peace with God. He then deliberately drew his revolver and shot her through the head, the bullet coming out of the left jaw. He then attempted to shoot himself but the bullet glanced from his forehead. He is in jail. His wife will die.

1891 Sep 18, Rock Island Daily Argus

Tuscola, Ills., Sept. 18. – The loss by the Camargo fire Wednesday night foots up about $30,000 with an insurance of $3,000. Hall & Clements' loss is $10,000. Among the other buildings destroyed were those of James Beach, W. F. Jarman, John Niedefer, Charles Siders and William Jeffers. Ten buildings were burned out.

1892 Dec 15, Rock Island Daily Argus

Obituary: … At Tuscola, Ill., Major Asa Miller, of the Review, aged 60;

1893 Apr 06, Rock Island Daily Argus

Obituary: … At Tuscola, Ills., Owen A. Squires, aged 66.

1893 Oct 17, Rock Island Daily Argus

Obituary: … At Tuscola, Ills., Banker John J. Jones, aged 55.

1893 Oct 24, Rock Island Daily Argus

Obituary: … At Eureka Spring Ark., Simon Paddleford, of Tuscola, Ills., aged 55.

1894 Mar 6, Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ills., March 6. – Big Ed Hennessy, the notorious swindler, who was arrested in Denver, and who walked out of a court room in Chicago about a year ago while awaiting sentence, will be brought to Tuscola as one of three men who buncoed Ephram Desback, a rich farmer of this county, out of $5,000 in cash some two years ago. States Attorney Chadwick telegraphed the authorities at Denver to hold Hennessy and Detective John T. Norris of Springfield, O., left Tuscola for the prisoner. Norris has been on big Ed's track for over a year for this job.

1894 Oct 23, Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ills., Oct. 23. – Hans Frahm, a wealthy suburban resident of Tuscola, was found in his barnyard with his skull crushed and his face disfigured. He had been for hours unconscious and during that time the oil from his lantern caught fire and burned his right arm almost t a cinder. The surgeon pronounced his case hopeless. He is still unconscious and unable to make any statement. He was known to have drawn a large sum of money from the bank.

1894 Nov 03, Rock Island Argus

Joseph Hopp, a well known farmer near Tuscola, Ills., was accidentally killed by falling on a knife which penetrated his heart.

1895 Apr 10, Rock Island Argus

Obituary: … At Tuscola, Ills., Rev. Arthur Bradshaw, 83.

1895 Nov 12, Rock Island Argus

Obituary: … At Tuscola, Ills., Colonel Charles W. Wolverton, 50.

1896 May 04, Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ill., May 4. – About two weeks ago Miss Mary Monahan, the 16-year-old daughter of P. H. Monahan, a prominent Arcola merchant, suddenly disappeared from home. At the time of her disappearance her sweetheart, Dick Gassway, was also missing and it was thought they had eloped. Both were found in this city, but they were not married. The girl was found at the home of John Bailey, who claims she came to his house and asked for shelter and he took her in.

1896 Dec 28, Rock Island Argus

Franklin, Ind., Dec. 28. – Aquilla Moore is under arrest here on charge of rioting. At Trafalgar last week Moore and others smashed the big tin horn that a political club from Tuscola, Ills., is bearing to Canton, O., and burned the United States flag the club was carrying, and then ordered the club out of town.

1896 Dec 31, Rock Island Argus

Franklin, Ind., Dec. 31. – The mammoth tin horn, borne by a party from Tuscola, Ills., which was smashed by a mob at Trafalgar, has been abandoned by its owners, who have been trying to raise enough money to get it repaired and start out anew on their journey to Washington, In this they were unsuccessful, and have left town on foot, leaving the horn in a vacant storeroom. What disposal will be made of it is unknown. The conduct of the men while here tended to withdraw all the sympathy for them, and they appeared to be in it for the money they expected to make off a gullible public.

1897 Apr 23, Rock Island Argus

At Tuscola, Ills., Fred Switzer committed suicide with strychnine.

1897 Aug 24, Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ills., Aug. 24. – The large wholesale poultry house of this city belonging to C. M. B. Legg, of Boston, was burned early yesterday, and after the fire the charred and blackened remains of Robert Lathrom were found, his arms and legs having been consumed. As he was one of the principal witnesses against William Appleton, of Arcola, for the killing of Scott Swartz, it is believed that Lathrom was murdered and the building set on fire to conceal the crime. The officers say that the evidence goes to show that he was put out of the way for a purpose, and a searching investigation is being made. Two thousand live chickens in the building burned.

1897 Nov 09, Rock Island Argus

William Appleton, the slayer of Winfield Scott Denune, has been sentenced at Tuscola, Ills., to twenty-five years in the penitentiary.

1897 Dec 28, Rock Island Argus

J. Roy Hammett, a student at Northwestern university, Evanston, Ills., introduced his wife to his parents at Tuscola, Ills., as a Christmas dinner surprise.

1900 Apr 16, Rock Island Argus

Tuscola, Ills., April 16. – The wedding ring which Congressman J. G. Cannon gave to his bride in 1862 was found by a small boy who was digging in a dust heap in this city. The ring, a plain gold band, had been lost for thirty years. It was thrown out of the ground by some workmen who were digging a ditch in the rear of the First National bank. It bears this inscription: "J. G. C. to Mary, Jan. 6, 1862." W. A. Wallace, president of the bank, bought the ring from the boy for $1, and will send it to Cannon.

1906 Aug 18, The Forum, Springfield

Mrs. Dixon of Tuscola Ill. is in the city the guest of her daughter and friends.

1907 Mar 02, The Forum, Springfield

Mrs. J. C. Duncan has returned from Tuscola where she was called to the death of her uncle.

1908 Jun 20, The Forum, Springfield

Ball-Brewer. – The friends of Miss Susie Ball who is well known in this city having visited here several times, will no doubt be surprised to learn of her marriage to Rev. Brewer, of Tuscola, the ceremony taking place in Quincy, Jun 10. Miss Ball has resided in Kansas City the past three years where she has been employed as stenographer to one of the leading colored doctors. Rev. Brewer is now stationed at Tuscola, and is meeting with success. We wish them a long and prosperous voyage.

1909 Dec 5, The Forum, Springfield

[Mattoon News] At the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Brandymoore, on Thanksgiving afternoon, Miss Mabel, sister of Mr. Brandymoore, became the wife of Mr. Sherman Calinese of Tuscola.

1909 Dec 25, The Forum, Springfield

Sad news was received in the city [Mattoon] Saturday of the serious illness of Miss Cozzetta Chavous of Tuscola, but who is making her home in Bloomington. We hope to learn of her speedy recovery.

1911 Dec 07, The Forum, Springfield

Tuscola, Ill., News

A grand social was given by the Sunday school at the A. M. E. church Wednesday night. There was a large crowd present and enjoyed themselves. Several excellent selections were rendered by Master Leon Hayden, Misses Cozetta and Vergie Grigsby.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Estell of Mattoon, Ill., spent Thanksgiving here, the guest of their sister, Mrs. William Estell.

Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Moore of Chicago have moved to this city. Mr. Moore is a barber and is in the employment of J. W. Mays, the Park street barber.

Mrs. Esther Dixon was called to Kansas City, Mol, by the serious illness of her daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Estes. She is reported much improved.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Burton have moved here from Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Burton is in the employment of Allen & Co., contractors of the new court house. Mr. Burton has been with the company for years. That Mr. and Mrs. Burton are ardent Christians is clearly shown by their effort to enlist in the Christian work, Mr. Burton being appointed one of the stewards to assist Mr. Mitchell, and Mrs. Burton is teaching the childrens' class and accomplishing much.

Miss Alice Moore of Urbana, Ill., and Miss Pauline Bell of Kewanee, Ill., were visiting friends and relatives in the city Sunday. Mrs. Bell is the granddaughter of Mr. J. W. Mays of Tuscola. Miss Bell is a junior in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill.

Tuscola can boast loudly of a fine Sunday school. Its superintendent, Mrs. Gertrude Mitchell, is still at the helm and is assisted by an excellent corps of teachers, Mr. W. M. Mitchell, Mrs. J. Burton and also a competent secretary, Miss Cozetta Chavous.

Mr. Thomas Wright was very busy Saturday between the hours of 11:30 and 12:15 a. m.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell entertained a few friends Thanksgiving day. Every one enjoyed themselves. The evening was spent in jokes and music. Refreshments were served. Hours from 8 to 11 p. m.

Miss Pauline Moore, Miss Bell and Mr. ___ were royally entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hayden Saturday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. John Allen have moved here from Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Allen is now employed by the C. E. Cox hardware store.

Mr. Mitchell has lately entered his handsome residence on Niles street. A very fine lamp made by the Prescott Lamp Co. with its brilliancy adds a beautiful appearance to the home.

Kenedy Bros. have opened a first class grocery store on Park street. All of their patrons are sure to receive courteous treatment.

1913 Feb 12, The Day Book, Chicago

Jesse Byard, 28, Tuscola, Ill., killed by C. & E. I. train.

Templates in Time