William McConnel

Transcription

BEFORE WE QUOTE A HISTORY, IT WAS HERE. BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT WAS HERE. BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD. BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD. BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD. BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER. SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER. HI, I AM JIM WILHELM. DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER. HI, I AM JIM WILHELM. IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE HI, I AM JIM WILHELM. IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY. IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY. HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY. HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY COMMERCIAL PORT. HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY COMMERCIAL PORT. THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND COMMERCIAL PORT. THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE TOWN FOUNDED AS A TRANSPORTATION THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE TOWN FOUNDED AS A TRANSPORTATION CENTER. IN 1819, THOMAS BEARD CAME TO THE NEWLY FORMED STATE OF ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO THE NEWLY FORMED STATE OF ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME. START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME. HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME. HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE. OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE. BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE. BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL INDIAN MOUNDS. BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL INDIAN MOUNDS. HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET. INDIAN MOUNDS. HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET. IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET. IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS MOUND VILLAGE. EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS MOUND VILLAGE. SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE MOUND VILLAGE. SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA. SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA. ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA. ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE BIT TIME THE FIRST EUROPEANS BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE BIT TIME THE FIRST EUROPEANS ARRIVED. THE MOUNDS, TOO, WOULD DISAPPEAR. THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH DISAPPEAR. THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY SANDY. THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY SANDY. SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG SANDY. SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL. SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL. YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL. YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN LITERALLY SITS ON THE FOUNDATION YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN LITERALLY SITS ON THE FOUNDATION OF AN EARLIER CIVILIZATION. JUST LIKE THE PAST CULTURES, SO, TOO, DID THE RESIDENTS OF BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER, TOO, DID THE RESIDENTS OF BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER, NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER, NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL. NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL. THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL. THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING. SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING. IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING. IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS. IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS. IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903, TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS. IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903, SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903, SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF BLACK BASS. MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF BLACK BASS. IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND BLACK BASS. IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE, OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE, THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE, THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY. RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY. IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY. IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE RIVER. EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE RIVER. IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS RIVER. IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS. STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS. BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS. BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE LOCAL FACTORY. WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE LOCAL FACTORY. HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN LOCAL FACTORY. HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE SOLD FOR. GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE SOLD FOR. TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES SOLD FOR. TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S OFFICE. AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S OFFICE. AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, SHIPPING PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, SHIPPING PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S ECONOMY. PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S ECONOMY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY ECONOMY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY WAS RICHARD HULETT. ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY WAS RICHARD HULETT. HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED WAS RICHARD HULETT. HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD. AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD. ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD. ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE. ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR THIS TERRITORY. A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR THIS TERRITORY. INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON, THIS TERRITORY. INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON, GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON, GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS COLORBLIND. PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS COLORBLIND. IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS COLORBLIND. IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS WIFE GOT HER LICENSE. IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS WIFE GOT HER LICENSE. THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH WIFE GOT HER LICENSE. THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND DOWN THE RIVER. THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND DOWN THE RIVER. YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S DOWN THE RIVER. YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER. PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER. REMEMBER THOMAS? THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER. REMEMBER THOMAS? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE REMEMBER THOMAS? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT. COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT. HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT. HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF LEGENDARY TRIAL. WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF LEGENDARY TRIAL. IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN LEGENDARY TRIAL. IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND. CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND. THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND. THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS CHARGED WITH MURDER. THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS CHARGED WITH MURDER. HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. CHARGED WITH MURDER. HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH, CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH, ILLINOIS. REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH, ILLINOIS. DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED ILLINOIS. DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A KID ABOUT THE HEAD. CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A KID ABOUT THE HEAD. HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED. KID ABOUT THE HEAD. HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED. NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED. NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON IN ALTON. AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON IN ALTON. DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE IN ALTON. DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS COURTROOM. AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS COURTROOM. THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG COURTROOM. THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG CASE. THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG CASE. ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS CASE. ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES LIGHT OF THE MOON. DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT IN QUESTION. THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT IN QUESTION. DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE IN QUESTION. DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED. DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED. ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED. ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL BEING USED AS A COURTROOM TODAY. LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL BEING USED AS A COURTROOM TODAY. DURING THE TRIAL, A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN DURING THE TRIAL, A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE. PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE. IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE. IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN AUGUST. SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN AUGUST. AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876, WAS HELD IN AUGUST. AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876, AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876, AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA. SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA. HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA. HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP THE COUNTY RECORDS. BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP THE COUNTY RECORDS. LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE THE COUNTY RECORDS. LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS BUILDING AND TOOK THEM. FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS BUILDING AND TOOK THEM. TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED BUILDING AND TOOK THEM. TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT. TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT. PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT. PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY. PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY. IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY. IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID. REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID. HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881, VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID. HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881, HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881, HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME. HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME. PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME. PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK 40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK 40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY 40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE." FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE." >> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE." >> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN >> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL DOCUMENT. EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL DOCUMENT. AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL, DOCUMENT. AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL, MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL, MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A JUDGE. MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A JUDGE. ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES JUDGE. ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD. AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD. FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD. FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT. LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT. THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT. THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD WARS. AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD WARS. WELCOME BACK TO THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS WELCOME BACK TO THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN COLLECTION. ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN COLLECTION. THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY COLLECTION. THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. WAR. THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN POUNDS. IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN POUNDS. INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF POUNDS. INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FRONTIERS MEN. WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FRONTIERS MEN. ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847 OF FRONTIERS MEN. ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847 HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847 HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE SHARPSHOOTER. JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE SHARPSHOOTER. HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS SHARPSHOOTER. HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN. FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN. IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN. IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE WAGON. RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE WAGON. ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED WAGON. ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN. UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN. BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS. COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN. BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS. IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS. IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE PIECES OF POTTERY AND TOOLS IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE PIECES OF POTTERY AND TOOLS OTHER CIVILIZATIONS LEFT BEHIND. WITH THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHT FUTURE, THE RIVER HAS ALWAYS DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS. FUTURE, THE RIVER HAS ALWAYS DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS. BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS. BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE HIT SEVERAL SNAGS. BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE HIT SEVERAL SNAGS. IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY HIT SEVERAL SNAGS. IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN. RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN. THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN. THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES. GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES. COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES. COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND, CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND, OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND, OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE RIVER. SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE RIVER. TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE RIVER. TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS ONCE BUSY PORT. ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS ONCE BUSY PORT. BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY ONCE BUSY PORT. BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT LIFE. FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT LIFE. BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR LIFE. BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR FROM DEAD. BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR FROM DEAD. BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH FROM DEAD. BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER. BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER. TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER. TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION. BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION. FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION. FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN, FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN, CALL (217)323-3271. BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN, CALL (217)323-3271. TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE CALL (217)323-3271. TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE COURTROOM, CALL (217)323-3110. TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE COURTROOM, CALL (217)323-3110.