Year: 1873

you list of the markets, the average
yield of crops, amount of acres, &C.
Among other things, a receipt for ct,ring
Chilblains, lin It, l mentioned pine tar,)
l would say that any kind of good tar viii
do as WELL In this 1 will give you
short sketch or the history of DeKa1b
County, Illinois.


But here let me say, that it does not re-
quire very great sketch of memory, to
recollect that we have had some very cold
weather, and as for myself, I think shall
not soon forget it, as it stfrely rfissused
me by freezing both of my ears when I
was doing my best to keep them warm.
1t will not be half so pleasing a recollec-
tion-as to go sliding down the hill.


There is a man not far from here, who
came near freezing to death while coming
from town. One side Of his head and
face was so badly frozen as 20 require
medical aid for several days, to keep his
thinking machinery in running order. 1t
is supposed to be the most severe winter
thus far that has been known in or about
these parts for many years. At present
the ground is so covered with ice, that
what at other times would appear ludi-
crous, is now amusing to see people try.
ing to keep on their pegs, by going this
way then that way, and at last loosing
their equilibrium and come down on those
parts where mothers smite their young
In this way we are learning to appreciate
the ups and downs" of life, in DeKalh
County


am told that there are persons that
have had to melt ice ever since winter set
in, to get water to use. The first attempt
that was made toward forming a perma-
nent sttlement in this county, was about
the 5th Of September, 1885. Prior to this
it was occupied by the Pottatame Ildi-
ans, who held indisputable possession of
those wild but fertile prairies. Whether
any white man had ever thought of re-
moving to those beautiful plains, previ-
Gus to the time of Gen. Stillmans defeat
by the Irdians, is uncertain. But after
the surrender of Gen. Hull and the Chica-
go massacre, some Of the Indian Chiefs
went with their bold warriors to Join Te-
cumseh, and to assist the British in bat
ting with the United States, this so re-
duced their number that they seemed to
think it no longer safe to remain on the
borders OF land occupied by their enc
mics, and the remaining few determined
to seek home on the opposite side of
the Mississippi, where they could hope to
live in peace. But alas, poor Indian, the
white man thinks you have no rights,
which he is bound to respect, and after
you have been driven from ocean to ocean,
you may now read your destiny in the
setting sun. AS their intention became
known, the restraint for Withholding emi-
grafton Was Withdrawn, and the people
came pouring in from Ohio, Indiana and
many other States. The first settlement
was made in the Northern part Of the
cuurty, on the banks of Mishwaukee
River This little settlement soon saw
the necessity Of being bound together by
certain laws, which would provide for
the well being and harmony of the infant
colony. For this purpose they called a
meeting, and drafted a constitution, which
was writtenby Capt. Eli Barns, using
a big stump for his desk, he being the first
Secretary, either subordinate or other
wise elected in the county, while Levi
Lee, had the honor of presiding as Presi-
dent over that intelligent assembly, who
by unanimous vote, adopted the first
laws to govern what is now known as the
county of DeKalb. 1t was formed into an
independent County, in the year 1887
1t contains six hundred and forty eight
square miles, has one hundred and forty
district schools, which average about
eight months of school during the year al
an avarage sa.ary of abouts371as per moth
besides there are a number of graded
schools, which pays from eight to twelve
hundred dollars per year. Some of the
village school buildings are beautiful
the one at DeKalb, is said to have cost
over twenty-five thousand dollars, and
the one in Cortland, "a village of only {
few hundred Inhabitants is said to have
cost over fifteen thousand.


]. Fl. F.