**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Fulton County Ledger, January 20, 1870, Canton, Illinois Transcribed by: Tina Reed **************************************************************************** Articles from Fulton County Ledger, January 20, 1870 City County & Etc. The Storm- we have, recently had a severe storm- no news in that, we suppose. Well this storm is the most severe of the kind for years. The storm commenced in the far west the 10th, say dispatches and slowly made it’s way here on Friday. Friday and Saturday snow, fine rain and frozen drops fell almost incessantly, accompanied by almost a hurricane of wind. Early Sunday morning snow again fell and rapidly till afternoon. In and around Chicago the storm was worse than here. The railroad all filled up and trains behind times. Sunday’s train from the west on the T. P. & w. road reached here one hour behind time and was delayed about half an hour by a drift east of the crossing. Sunday’s train from the east was about 3 hours behind time. North of here the C. B. & Q. road suffered most. The train going to Chicago was delayed at Princeton from Saturday evening to Monday morning. No train left Chicago on that road Sunday night. Dispatches from Chicago were for two or three days sent to New York and returned by way of Omaha, St. Louis & c. Weather cold. Wednesday morning, 5 degrees below zero. Sleighing best known here for years. Burned- One day last week the house in which Dr. NELSON and family resided in Buckheart Township was burned to the ground. The fire occurred during the daytime and was caused by a spark from the kitchen chimney catching under the cornice. The doctor was absent from the home and none about the premises but his wife and two or three small children. Mrs. NELSON discovered the fire when it started but it was to high up for her to reach it and in her fright she was only able to save only a bed and a few other articles. The building was entirely destroyed together with nearly all the household goods and $60 worth of medicine, which the doctor had just purchased but a few days before. The loss to the doctor is about $200. He had recently sold the property to Howard Martin and the loss of the house therefore falls on him. No insurance. A man named John HENRY, whom we have been informed, formerly lived in Lewistown was killed near Glassford on the T. P. & W. road on Tuesday. He was engaged in cleaning the track of snow and ice and worked until an approaching train was quite near and on attempting to get out of the way his foot slipped and he fell, the train passing over him and instantly killing him. H.J. BENTON Esq. County Superintendent visited the schools of our city on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. He reported to us that he found them in fine working order and gave them great praise for discipline, cleanliness, and efficiency & c. --------------------------------------------------------------- Our Scrap BAG The Chronicle says George L. DARELL of Vermont has charge of the telegraph office at Yorkville ILL…a man named SHIELD’S who keeps a liquor shop at Vermont was arrested a few days since and fined $30 and costs…….. The Havana Clarion says a “loyal” school teacher who has shed many tears in years gone by over the stripes inflicted upon the backs of his colored brethren by the cruel “slave driver”, was discharged by the directors for cruelly beating a poor orphan………..Mr. Thomas HAGGARD formerly of this city, now of Havana on the night of the 10th fell down an excavation on Main Street about 10 feet deep and in that town and breaking one of his shoulders……….It is reported that John ZOOK, when we reported last week reported as having committed suicide done the deed because a younger brother had supplanted in the affections of a young lady he loved…….. George D. WYCOFF formerly of Canton died in Chicago on Saturday morning last. His disease was gravel from which he suffered greatly for many years.………..James STOCKDALE offers for sale his valuable farm on the east edge of Canton……….. We learn that a few days since Graham WILLIS left his home in this city and went to Louisville and joined the regular army. We copy from the Lewistown Union of the 13th as follows: Accident- On Monday last Mr. Daniel HESS drove up to Mr. [illeg.] HENDEE’S residence beyond Spoon River and jumping out opened the gate and started his horses through without a driver. Just then someone discharged a gun, which, frightened the horses and they ran off, breaking the leg of one of the horses. The horse is valued at $150 and the loss will fall heavily on Mr. HESS. The broken bone has been set and it is hoped that will yet render the horse serviceable. En Route for Washington- James M. WHITE of Bernadotte formerly a member of Co. A 55th Illinois Infantry Volunteers left this city en route to Washington for the purpose of obtaining an artificial leg, which the government purposes to furnish to all who need them. --------------------------------------------------------------- Death of Cornelius STEWARD Cornelius STEWARD died at his residence 1 ½ miles west of Lewistown on Thursday, January 5, 1871 of a short but most violent attack of lung fever, brought on by exposure in butchering on the Thursday before his death. Mr. STEWARD was born in Green County, Pennsylvania it is believed on the 9th day of February 1796. His father John STEWARD was a captive among the Indians from his 13th until his 22nd year. The circumstance of his capture were briefly as follows: In about 1781 John’s father with the other settlers in Green County, Pennsylvania were driven by the Indians from their farms to take shelter in a fort. A great many were massacred and the utmost alarm prevailed. There came a few days when no savages were seen and STEWARD took his boys John and James and went out to the farm a mile or two from the fort to see about conditions of affairs. The buildings, barn and fences were safe but the stock had all been killed or driven away. While the father and the boys were in the house the Indians came suddenly upon them. STEWARD was immediately shot down and scalped while still yet alive, although he soon died. The two boys were carried off and neither of them heard from until their return nine years afterward. The boys were separated by the Indians and only met a few times during their captivity. When John returned home his mother was yet alive but she could hardly be induced to recognize him as a son. John of course knew nothing about what country his captivity had been passed in but after removing to Ohio in 1811 he discovered in Clairmont County the scene of his captive life. He pointed out a huge hollow sycamore tree in which he slept hundreds of times. He often said that the finest buffalo and elk the Indians ever killed were in the beautiful and fertile Little Miami Valley. Cornelius moved with his father’s family to Clairmont County, Ohio in 1811, in 1814 being then 18 years of age he was married to Miss Mary MCCELLAND who was his senior by two years. He lived happily with his wife for the long term of fifty-six years leaving her behind him at his death. In 1844 Mr. STEWARD and family moved to Morgan Co. ILL. And remained there one year. In the spring of 1847 he moved upon the land west of Lewistown that now constitutes the old well-known “Steward” place and upon which he lived and toiled until his death. Mr. STEWARD was an honest outspoken man. He never concealed his opinions and as a consequence had an [illeg] enemy. He was remarkable for the stubborn tendency with which he clung to opinions and prejudices. To his friend he was the truest of friends and he had not one jot of love in his soul for his enemies. He made it an everyday duty to do those things that he deemed right and he sternly demanded that others should do right in their dealings with him. Mr. STEWARD was widely known and respected throughout Fulton County. He was one of the pioneers whose large and hospitable heart gathered in hosts of friends, many of whom remain to mourn his loss and do honor to his memory. Mr. & Mrs. STEWARD had thirteen children six of who are still living. One of his sons, Perry left his home in Indiana and took part in the late war as a Federal soldier. Since 1861 he has been missing- one of that vast army of missing ones whose fate is sealed until the Great Day. The oldest son Daniel has been in California nearly 20 years. He must be about 52 years of age. Jackson resides near Toulon in Stark County. The other children reside in this vicinity and are well and favorably known. Deceased is a member in good standing in the United Brethren Church. From the moment of his last illness he had hope of recovering. He was ill just seven days and much of the time suffered intensely. He was conscious to the last and testified to his willingness to die. Shortly before his last illness he designated a place on the farm where he desired to be buried and the grave accordingly made about 300 yards from the home and [Illeg] yards from the main road. No funeral sermon was preached as upon the request of both Mr.& Mrs. STEWARD. It is the purpose to preach one funeral sermon for both of them after her death.