The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-03-08
". H. TiIlinshaSt, D. D, S,
22O WESTMINSTER ST..
PROVIDENCE. X. |
PIONEERS m ILLINOIS.
The Struggle aud Enterprise of Morris
uirkbrck and George Flower.

Tho Struggle aud Enterprise of Morris
nrkb"ck and George Ilowor,
1t seems strange TO recall that, with
In the present century, the great
West, including the region whore
Chicago now stands, had It's intrepid
explorers, whose journeys were as dan
gcrous ns those OF Livingstone and OF
Stanley The Historical Society OF
Chicago has lately published nm ac-
count Of the adventures OF two English
pioneers in Illinois. Morris Birkbock
and George flowcr I'm 1916, when
these two yomsA Englishmon set out
for the new world, Il great part Of Hi
uui4 was a savage wilderness. In
1872 the Indians had murdered tho
garrison of Fort Dearborn. at the
mouth Of the Chicago river. where Chi
cugo now stands, and nearly all tho
settlers in the vicinity.
The story :, hich George Flower left
behind him Of his journey into tho
great Wo-l is as interesting as II mar
raliyc Of African exploration. On the
way ho had 30 ford deep river, the
directions for getting across which
illustrate the difficulties 81 travel In n
country whore there are plenty OF riy-
ors, but 10 ferries nor bridges.
Wade straight in," ho was told,
"four timc. tho length oi your horse;
then turn sharp 30 your right; go on
tyo lengths of tho horse; then bend u
little 10 the loft, and then push on 90
the other shore, slanting of "A little
with thc current a7 you go''
Even with such explicit directions
a. those ono had TO have pretty
good memory 10 escape drowning.
Flower said that tho fOrding adj
ventures which ho had on this trip
impressed themselves 80 viyidly on his
senses that hc continued 90 ford rivers
iu his dreams ~ long as ho lived.
which was moro than fifty years alter
ward
Both Flower aud Birkbcck wcro
mon of property. Birkbcck, who was
% widowcr brought with him his two
daughters, their companion, Miss
Andrews, aud low servants. Flower
wac bachelor; but on the way they
encountered minister at f~scttIcmcnt,
and Flower and Miss Andrews were
married n was strange romance,
since Birkycck was also n suitor for
MiH. Andrews hand; but tho young
woman having decided IN favor OF
Flower BirkDcck gave her hand at
tho wedding 10 him, taking tho place
o. parent ~ the women whom hc could
not make his wife.
Flower pitched his camp pcrma-
ucuty, und with much sagacity. at "A
forile and beautiful spot in South
eastern Illinois, which ho named Al.
blon. go honor Of bis native country
Ile established an English colony at
This point; and Albion became tho
county scat of Edwards County, and n
place ~ local importance. Flower
built nn elegant house at his new
home, and used his wealth 20 develop
and improve agriculture Ia his
adopted land
Ile did more than this; when, In
1sZJ, 50 was sought % make Illinois "A
slave State. he resisted the PROPOSE
tiDu with oil his influence. which vas
very considerable in the new common
wealth, and was instrumental IN sccur.
Ing The defeat Of the scheme. lie could
not have done a greater service % his
State or bis country.
Flower lived until the year 1862 Ira
the meantime he had lost his large
fortune, but hc remained highly es-
tonmcd 20 tho last, aud died In the
State which he had helped " found
-Youth's Companion