The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-03-02
A QUEER ILLINOIS TOWN.

u VO00CN AASANVA0 ~" Ne =.
Where sonethiss Novel u Always
Takin9 Place-Gateway for
Travelling Freaks.
Congressman Robert Roberts Hit
made = speech in little church out. in
Palmyra township the other day. The
church was the particular edifce in
which the only preachers strike chron-
icled in history took place. The church,
the occasion of the speech and some in
cidents of the immediate county sur
rounding furnish material for story
of more than usual interest. S.
Congressman Hit had been invited
to speak at the dedication of grave
yard. The United States government
had recognized the occasion by sending
a big cannon, to be placed within the
Enclosure of Palmyra cemetery. Be-
sides Mr.. Hit, other government Off
Gals took part In the exercises.
In the cemetery rested all the pio-
neers of the township. The burying
ground had been furnished up and re-
arranged, with creditabfe attempt
at landscape art. In one corner a great
granite block marks the grave of
Charles Page. who during the civil war
became war correspondent of an
eastern paper, and was finally appoint
ed consul to Switzerland by President
Lincoln. While Page was abroad he
learned the process of condensing milk.
He sent for two or three of his BROTH
ers, all of whom took advantage of the
opportunity, married Swiss wives, and
came back to America to make Lee
county famous in producing food ar
ticle now known throughout the world.
The Pages became immensely wealthy.
and some of them lie buried in this lit
tie resting place. One of the Page fam
lily was the first male child born in the
county.
The church in which the speeches
were made is neat two-story building.
the first floor being used as district
schoolhouse and the second, or upper
part, substantially furnished church
room. This was the scene of the famous
strike of the preachers, which occurred
only few years ago. The congrega-
ton was one of the union order, in
which Methodists, Baptists, Presby-
terians and Congregationalists were
concerned preacher of each denom-
1nation rotated in preaching, the COM
pensation being five dollars Sabbath.
One fateful day the preachers came
together, and after earnest discussion
signed an agreement not to preach for
less than ten dollars Sunday. The
matter on being communicated to the
congregation, composed of wealthy
farmers, raised a commotion. 1t was
at once determined that the increase
should not be countenanced. The four
preachers were obdurate, and in con-
sequence the church was closed for q
year. An inquisitive stranger who hap
pened in the neighborhood during this
lnterregnum was told the story by one
of the former worshipers, who added:
1T simmered down to a question of
hell or ten dollars, and we. wouldn't
give up the tent"
Not far from this church is the for
mer abode of William Meyers, known to
everybody in Lee county as 'Prophet''
Meyers, who had become impressed
with the belief that he owned the earth.
He made and set up in his dooryard a
number of images, including Adam, Eve
and the serpent. It is said to have been
motley collection. People would drive
IS miles TO see the prophets display.
When Hayes was inaugurated president
the prophet" suddenly appeared in
Washington. He called at the white
house and demanded the keys of the
exective mansion, saying that the whole
OF it belonged to him. He was hustled off
to Jail, but not before some one from
Lee county had seen and recognized
him. He was quietly liberated and sent
off to his home in PALMYRA township.
Some time ago postal inspector was
sent out here to 60 over a route select
ed for rural free delivery. The old
Sterling road forms part of the route.
The official was at loss to know what
had broken loose in the neigh borhood.
He saw people walking along on stills,
woman wheeling wheelbarrow and
innumerable ragged and emaciated BIZ
cyclists. ''Where on earth are all of
these people coming from and what are
they doing?" he asked.
"Oh, this is an everyday occurrence"
was the answer. ''These are freaks 90
ing around the world. This is the great
public highway across the state, and
they all come this way."-Cor. Chicago
Post.