Collinsville Newspaper Articles
IMPROVEMENTS IN EDWARDSVILLE, ALTON AND COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 12, 1851
In taking a stroll through Edwardsville the other day, we were much
pleased at the many evidences of improvement which meet the eye upon
every hand. During the season there have been a number of new
dwellings erected, and others are now in process of completion. The
construction of a plank sidewalk along the principal thoroughfare
will add greatly to the comfort and convenience of pedestrians, and
efforts should be made to secure its extension the entire length of
the street. We were informed that houses are in great demand, thus
giving good evidence that the population is gradually, though
slowly, upon the increase, and the citizens anticipate a very
considerable accession to business and population upon the
completion of the plankroad to St. Louis.
We will venture one suggestion, while upon this subject, which if
carried out would add greatly to the appearance and character of the
town, and be calculated to leave a better impression upon the minds
of strangers visiting it. Remove or burn down those unsightly old
buildings which may be seen near the principal street, and look like
so many relics of the last century; paint your meeting houses and
schoolhouses anew, and restore the broken glass, &c.; pay a little
more general attention to the planting of shade trees, and your town
will soon present a handsome and inviting appearance.
One can hardly visit Alton now-a-days without noticing some new and
important improvements. Hills are being leveled, valleys filled up,
old buildings torn down and replaced with new ones, and everything
indicates the prevalence of the go-ahead spirit. The merchants there
are getting in extensive stocks of goods, and say they are
determined to offer country merchants as good an assortment, at as
low prices, as they can find anywhere. With the increased trade,
which will flow in her lap upon the completion of the rail and plank
roads, Alton will be upon the highway to metropolitan greatness.
We had occasion to visit Collinsville a few days since, and were
gratified to see the progress already made to connect this
delightful village with St. Louis by a plank road. The whole
distance hence to Collinsville is ten miles, and we traveled over
about six miles of the road completed. The whole cost of the road,
when completed, is estimated at about $28,000 to $30,000. We
understand that it lacks about $3,000 to fill up the stock, or the
cost of a little over a mile. The citizens of Madison County have
subscribed liberally to the stock, and it seems to us, independent
of the question of its being a good paying stock, that it is
manifestly to the interest of St. Louis to lend a helping hand to
complete this road.
EXPLOSION AT COLLINSVILLE DISTILLERY
Chief Distiller, Employee, Visitor, and Proprietors Killed
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12, 1851
From Collinsville, December 02, 1851 - A sad disaster occurred in
Collinsville yesterday, which will cause this day long to be
remembered as a day of mourning and sadness. At a quarter past four
yesterday afternoon, the large still in the new distillery of Kurtz,
Davis, & Co. burst, scattering, or rather pouring its scalding
contents upon five persons who were near it, and injuring them
fatally. Mr. Entzminger, the Chief Distiller, died in about three
quarters of an hour in intense suffering, being so cooked by the
boiling liquid that his remains could scarcely be recognized. Mr.
Vines Davis and Mr. John Lloyd (of Ridge Prairie), partners in the
firm who owned the establishment, were able to get out of the room,
and Mr. Davis, with the aid of friends, walked to a house nearby,
where Mr. Lloyd was soon carried. At first, hopes were entertained
for Mr. Davis, as he seemed to sustain the shock a little better
than the others, but he died about half past one in the night, and
Mr. Lloyd a little before three. Mr. George Fisher, employed in the
distillery as an under-distiller, was taken into the village to Mr.
Pabst’s. He died at a quarter to six in the morning. A stranger,
whose name, after diligent inquiries, I have not been able to
obtain, had come that day (from St. Louis I believe) to seek
employment as a teamster, and had but three or four minutes before
entered the still room to see Messrs. Davis and Lloyd. He was so
injured that he died at one o’clock in the night. He was at
Kettler’s Hotel. Thus, all five died before daylight, the shock upon
the nervous system being so severe that the powers of life never
rallied.
Entzminger was also severely affected by the inhalation of the
vapor, as he was longest in the room, and was the only one who had
not strength to extricate himself. But in all the cases, the severe
shock, consequent upon the infliction of so extensive and so painful
an injury, was the real and efficient cause of their early death.
Today, little business has been done in this place, the citizens
feeling little disposed to attend to ordinary employments in the
feeling of mingled excitement, horror, and sadness impressed by so
sudden and so awful a calamity. The deceased have been buried today,
most of the people attending the funerals. Mr. Lloyd, age 39, was
taken to his own house and buried near there [Harris Cemetery in
Collinsville]. Mr. Davis, a member of the I.O.O.F., was buried by
the Order, and Mr. Entzminger, Mr. Fisher, and the stranger
immediately after Mr. Davis. Mr. Fisher had lately come from
Belleville, whence his aged mother came to witness the interment of
her only adult son. Her only other child, a youth of 15 or 16,
living here with his brother. The remains of the stranger were
lowered into the grave, and a few shovelfuls of earth thrown in,
when three horsemen rode hastily into the graveyard – foremost of
whom was a twin brother of the unfortunate, sadly disappointed at
not seeing even his corpse.
Messrs. Davis, Lloyd, and Entzminger have left wives and children of
tender age, to feel their absence and deplore their loss. Assistance
was promptly rendered by the citizens of our village immediately
upon the occurrence of the accident, and everyone was eager to be of
some service. All our physicians were, as soon as possible, in
attendance, and Dr. Carpenter of Lebanon soon arrived, being sent
for by Mr. Lloyd, but no aid of anxious friends or skill of
physicians could avert or delay the rapid doom, or do more than
allay in some degree the anguish which they endured.
The cause of the accident was the weakness of the hoops on the
still. The distillery was new, and had been put in operation but a
few days, its construction had been pushed, and hoops on this still
had more than once given way and been replaced. I am informed that
Mr. Murphy, superintendent of the work, and Mr. Entzminger,
distiller, were not satisfied with it, considering it unsafe still,
and an increase of pressure exploded it. Mr. Murphy narrowly
escaped, his back being sprinkled with the hot liquid, which did not
penetrate so as to scald him. He leaped instantly out of an adjacent
door, ten or twelve feet from the ground. Mr. Byrd, a workman in the
chamber above, blinded and almost suffocated with steam, crept into
the mill building adjoining, unhurt.
The enterprise of erecting this distillery, begun and prosecuted in
defiance of the public sentiment of the place, and in violation of
the tenure by which the land was held, has been unfortunate from its
commencement, and is finally the cause of the most painful disaster
that ever afflicted and astonished this community. We could scarcely
realize as we returned from the last funeral, that twenty-four hours
before, these men were all alive and well. Signed by L. D.
PLANK ROAD COMPLETED TO COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 02, 1852
The plank road has been completed to Collinsville. The owners and
stockholders desire to extend it to Troy, and desire additional
subscriptions of stock for that purpose.
COLLINSVILLE NEWS
Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 16, 1855
From Collinsville, August 6, 1855 - - Last Friday morning, the 3rd
instant, our village was quite stirred up by the news that during
the preceding night, a fine horse belonging to Dr. Henry S. Strong
had been stolen, the thief taking off at the same time, a saddle and
bridle belonging to Dr. George H. Dewey. While this news was passing
around, a new excitement came into the field - a young man was
arrested for attempting to pass counterfeit money. He made several
attempts to dispose of the bill, and finally, thinking perhaps that
he had tried it a little too often, he went to a livery stable, and
tried to get someone to take him to St. Louis, but he was too late.
Mr. Huffy, to whom he had offered the money, with the aid of others,
took him before Justice Nelson, who committed the rogue to jail, and
he was safely lodged at Edwardsville before night. He gave his name
as _______ Ferguson, and said he was from Fairfield, Wayne County,
in this state. The horse-thief and horse have not been heard from.
Dr. Strong has offered a reward of $50. The same night, in a quarrel
between Charles Pabst, a German tavern keeper, and a boarder named
Joseph Sheerer, Mr. Pabst received a severe blow upon the side of
the head with a heavy hickory club. Had the blow been direct instead
of glancing, it would have probably broken his skull. Sheerer
thought proper to leave forthwith next morning. A beer carouse was
at the bottom of the quarrel.
COLLINSVILLE PLANK ROAD COMPANY vs. HUNTER
Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 4, 1857
An action of trespass; damages, fine $25; toll $3.78; total, $28.78.
Hunter, having refused to pay toll, was stopped from passing the
gate; he then and there assaulted the gatekeeper, and attempted to
pull down the gate; whereupon the Company brings suit for damages.
Tried before Judge Snyder. Defense proved that it was impossible to
travel from Collinsville to Troy on the old county road, without
passing over part of the plank road, then wished to prove that the
plank road was out of repair. Testimony objected to by plaintiff.
Question argued - the purport as follows: Are individuals or the
public justified in refusing to pay toll and in attempting to tear
down the gates, because the Company does not keep their road in
repair? Sloss and Rutherford for defendant; Underwood and Gillespie
for plaintiff. Decided that, persons must pay toll for passing over
the road, and are liable for any trespass against the Company, and
the remedy against the Company for neglect in keeping a good,
passable road, must be by quo warranfo. Defense abandoned the suit,
and the Court gave judgment for plaintiff for $28.78. Court was in
session from 71/2 to 101/4 yesterday evening. Judge Snyder is
working, and so are the rest of the officers.
WANDSALY, HAYCELL & CO. DISTILLERY DESTROYED BY FIRE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 11, 1862
About 1 o’clock Monday morning, a fire broke out in the second story
of the large distillery of Wandsaly, Haycell & Co. (?) in
Collinsville. The fire, it is supposed, originated from the friction
of the machinery. The building and machinery, which a few years ago
cost $30,000, were entirely destroyed, together with five hundred
barrels of whiskey ready for shipment, and also six hundred dollars’
worth of beer just ready to be drawn off. The establishment and its
contents are a total loss, nothing being saved. There was no
insurance. The loss is supposed to be fully $25,000.
NEWS FROM COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 19, 1868
Collinsville, the place from which we have dared to usher ourselves
into existence, is composed of some two thousand or more
inhabitants. Its location is almost east of St. Louis, at a distance
of twelve or fourteen miles. But perhaps a more accurate
understanding of its situation might be had by simply stating that
it lies on the St. Louis, Vandalia, Terre Haute Railroad, so
recently constructed. It is luckily surrounded by one of the most
flourishing farming communities to be found in the State, and to add
still more to its importance, its inhabitants are industrious and
go-ahead – unwilling to see business stagnate, they bestir
themselves energetically and wisely in the various avenues of trade
and manufacture best suited to their own interests and the interests
of the community in general. That we are soon to be a railroad town
seems to have lent to improvements, in the way of buildings, etc., a
new impetus, “Observer” to the contrary notwithstanding, if we are
to judge from the number of buildings under course of construction.
The school building, of all the most prominent, is a masterly piece
of workmanship, pleasantly situated in the southern part of the
town, it is for the accommodation of our public school. Inside as
well as out, it presents a splendid appearance, and is certainly not
only an honor, but an ornament to the town.
Our railroad, so long contemplated, has at last assumed tangible
dimensions under the auspices of the St. Louis, Vandalia, and Terre
Haute Railroad. The rails are down as far as St. Jacobs, and a few
days more is expected to find it completed as far as Highland, when
trains will be put in operation between that point and St. Louis
much, we trust, to the accommodation of our traveling friends and
community at large.
A first-class coal shaft is being sunk at no very great distance
from the town on the railroad. It is to be twelve feet in diameter,
walled with brick and cemented from the rock up. Its cost will
range, when finished, in the whereabouts of sixteen thousand
dollars. Its proprietors, we are told, are acquainted with their
business, and have the wherewith to make it a complete success.
COLLINSVILLE NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 29, 1871
Martin Werner was run over by a car at Lumagi’s coal shaft on
Wednesday last, and his right leg was so badly crushed that
amputation was necessary. Collinsville is agitating the project of
organizing a library association and reading room. A freak of nature
may be seen in Collinsville, in the form of a perpetual blooming
apple tree, and we are informed that ripe fruit may be gathered from
it nearly every week from June to November.
COLLINSVILLE MURDER
Source: Buffalo, New York Evening Courier and Republic, 1873;
Bloomington Daily Leader, April 29, 1873
On Saturday last a terrible murder was commuted near Collinsville,
Madison County, Illinois. On the farm of a Mr. Henry Nair, three
miles west of Collinsville, lived a married colored man, George
Burke, and a woman, also colored, named Maria Bowman. Burke had paid
her considerable attentions, which she had refused to receive,
thereby exciting his jealousy. He had threatened her life several
times, but no attention was paid to the threats. On Saturday he
returned from St. Louis very drunk and violent and assaulted Maria
with an axe. After stunning her by a blow that fractured her skull,
Burke cut off the unfortunate woman's head and right hand and threw
the trunk into the creek nearby; then, sobered by his crime, fled,
taking the axe with him. He has not yet been apprehended.
NEWS FROM COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 28, 1875
I. C. Moore, Esq. had the furnace fires of the old stock bell
manufactory rekindled last Monday morning. This will give employment
to a number of men, and a local impetus to business.
COLLINSVILLE TORNADO
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, April 15, 1879
A terrible storm from the northwest struck Collinsville about 2:45
o'clock yesterday afternoon [April 14], playing havoc and
destruction though, fortunately, but one life was lost, that of
Annie Reynolds, daughter of John Reynolds, a girl of eleven years
who was crushed to death instantly. In the same house where this
little girl was killed, a son of Patrick Doner had his leg broken.
The other casualties were but slight, comparatively. The storm was
attended by a large quantity of hail, and came up with but little
warning, the noise before it struck the place being like that of a
train of cars. The Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches
were badly damaged, the steeple of the Presbyterian Church being
blown off. A horse and buggy were caught up forty or fifty feet in
the air, carried two hundred feet, the animal crushed and the
vehicle torn to pieces. There were many almost miraculous escapes
from death. The total loss is estimated at $50,000.
Source: Utica Daily Union, June 15, 1896 (in an article regarding
past tornados and their "work")
April 14, 1879 - 1 man was killed and 60 buildings destroyed in
Collinsville, Ills. This tornado struck a cemetery and leveled every
tombstone.
Source: Cambridge, Ohio News, April 24, 1879
From the Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri - A terrible cyclone
from the Northwest struck the town of Collinsville at a quarter to
three o'clock this afternoon, and taking a zigzag course, with the
general direction almost due east, tore through the place,
demolishing ten buildings, ruining about thirty others, and damaging
more or less some seventy-five residences and business houses. A
slight rain preceded the storm, and nearly everybody was indoors
when the cyclone struck. But, notwithstanding, ten houses were
leveled with the ground, only one person was killed - a little girl
named Annie Reynolds, and one or two others were badly injured. The
storm lasted but two or three minutes, but was frightfully severe.
After it passed, people rushed out of their houses in all
directions; mothers looking for children and husbands; fathers and
brothers who were away from home hastening to their houses to see
who was killed or hurt.
The greatest excitement and confusion prevailed for some time, but
upon the appearance of Mayor Wadsworth and several other prominent
citizens on the streets, quietness began to prevail, and ready hands
and strong arms went to work to search the ruins for those who might
have been caught by falling houses. From a double tenement house
occupied by John Reynolds and Pat Dovan, a six year old boy of the
latter was taken in an unconscious condition and with a broken leg.
He was soon removed and placed in charge of a physician. Little
Annie Reynolds was also taken from this house dead, and crushed
almost out of resemblance to a human being.
Among the houses destroyed or damaged were the following: A
two-story frame dwelling of Mrs. Griffiths, demolished; a row of
four houses owned by Fred Metz and occupied by four families, badly
wrecked, two of them being totally destroyed; a large tenement house
of C. L. Roberts, occupied by eleven person, twisted from its
foundation, carried about ten feet and nearly gutted of its
contents, but the inmates received but slight scratches and bruises;
a tenement house, also owned by C. L. Roberts, occupied by Reynolds
& Dovan, previously mentioned, completely demolished; the residence
of Mr. Roebuck, occupied by William Johnston, editor of the Argus,
roof carried away; the handsome two-story brick residence of Fred
Metz, roof lifted off and front and side walls blown down, but the
rear of the house in which the Metz family lived was uninjured; the
two-story frame, occupied by James Combs, almost totally wrecked.
The roof of this house was dashed against the residence of M. C.
Heedly, smashing its rear rooms into splinters. The residence
occupied by Charles Hennecke and William Hass was nearly torn to
pieces, but the inmates were unhurt. The blacksmith shop of Mr.
Wendler was torn to shreds, and the wagon shop of John Gronour, a
large two-story frame well filled with wagons, carriages and
material, was totally destroyed and the contents torn to pieces. A
cluster of tenement houses owned by Richard Withers was badly
damaged, but the occupants were unharmed. The carpenter shop and
residence of W. W. Nilson was wrecked, and Nilson, his wife, and two
small children more or less hurt. A large two-story frame occupied
by Henry Huffenbeck as a saloon and boarding house, having a porch
about seventy-five feet long, eighteen feet high, carried away. The
residence of Louis Heck had the roof lifted off all four walls, and
was crushed in a total wreck. The millinery store of C. A.
Sengletary was badly damaged and stock nearly destroyed. The
principal church was badly shaken up. Funeral services were being
held in the church at the time, and falling plaster and flying
window glass bruised and cut nearly all the people present, but none
seriously. Numerous other shops and dwellings were damaged, fences,
plank sidewalks, trees, outhouses and stables blown to pieces or
carried away, gardens destroyed, etc.
The cyclone, as usual, was rotary in its movement and struck and
bounded from the earth three times during its passage through the
town. Its width was only from sixty to eighty feet. One of the
evidences of its force was the picking up of a horse and buggy and
carrying them at a height of twenty to thirty feet distance about
fifteen rods, dashing them to the earth, crushing the horse to a
jelly and the buggy to splinters. The cemetery just outside of town
is laid waste, nearly every tombstone in it being leveled to the
ground. The storm disappeared in the east, and there are reports
that it did damage elsewhere, but these reports are not yet
confirmed. The total damage in Collinsville is estimated at $50,000.
COLLINSVILLE - A PUBLIC CHASTISEMENT
Source: Auburn, New York New & Bulletin, March 28, 1883
J. N. Peers, editor of the Herald, was publicly horsewhipped here by
Mrs. Marshall, the wife of a well-known business man, for the
publication of an article reflecting upon herself, husband and
mother. Peers was badly marked about the face and neck.
NEW COLLINSVILLE CHURCH
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 31, 1884
The new Presbyterian Church, recently completed at Collinsville,
Illinois, was dedicated last Sunday. The building is entirely paid
for, but a collection of $1,000 was taken up to defray other
necessary expenses.
FIRE AT COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 18, 1884
Tuesday evening fire broke out in the livery stable of Henry Cobs in
Collinsville, and the entire building was almost instantly wreathed
in flames. The horses in the stable could be heard plunging and
neighing in terror, and their shrill death-whinnies almost sounded
like cries of human agony. The hand engine of the town was soon
hauled to the scene, and was actively worked by the volunteer fire
company. In spite of the exertions of the citizens, the structure
and contents, including seventeen horses and a large number of
vehicles, were entirely consumed. The theory of the origin of the
fire is that a lamp, standing near a loft of straw, exploded,
igniting the straw and converting the interior of the stable into a
sheet of flame.
BELL FACTORY IN COLLINSVILLE DESTROYED BY FIRE
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, January 15, 1885
January 13, 1884 – The oldest and most extensive stock-bell factory
in the United States, in Collinsville, was burned to the ground at
4:30 o’clock this morning. Fifteen thousand dozen bells were
destroyed. The loss is between $50,000 and $60,000; no insurance.
The business was established in 1849, and was known as the I. C.
Moore factory. For the past seven or eight years, it has been owned
by O. B. Wilson. The origin of the fire is supposed to be a match
thrown on the floor by a young man who roomed in the building. The
fire engine was on the scene promptly, but was of no use on account
of the hose being full of ice. No wind prevailed, and this was all
that saved the greater portion of our city.
FIRE AT COLLINSVILLE
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June 18, 1888
From Collinsville, June 17 – About 1:30 o’clock this morning, fire
was discovered in the rear of the building occupied by C. A.
Singletary, general merchandise, and Keyte & Kirschbaum Hardware.
The fire spread rapidly, consuming the entire building and contents,
causing a total loss. Enterprise Fire Company No. 1 did good work in
preventing the flames from doing other damage. The loss to Mr.
Singletary on building and stock will reach $23,000. The origin of
the fire is not known.
COLLINSVILLE - WHERE COW BELLS ARE MADE
Source: Waterville Times, New York, Abt. 1890
Collinsville, Ills., is a great place for cattle bells. That cow
bells are made and do not grow on trees or elsewhere seems to
surprise some people, but there are four establishments in the
United States which are exclusively devoted to manufacture of that
article, and two of these are in Collinsville. One hundred and fifty
dozen are turned out daily and thousands of them dangle from the
necks of unfortunate cows all over the prairies of North and South
America. The manufacture of cow bells is entirely distinct from that
of other bells. Instead of being molded the metal is rolled into
sheets, cut into symmetrical polygons, which when folded are pressed
into their well-known form. Having been riveted they are next packed
in clay and brought to a white heat. When suddenly cooled, these
steel bells are found to be not only tempered but also beautifully
brazed. - St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
CONVICTED PRISONER ESCAPES
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 21, 1890
Pat McKee, convicted of burglary and murder in Collinsville, and
sentenced to the penitentiary at Chester for 18 years, escaped last
Friday. Pat, in connection with his brother, Frank, burglarized his
uncle’s saloon, and in the attempt committed murder.
COLLINSVILLE - "ILLINOIS HOUSE" DESTROYED BY FIRE - HISTORIC
LANDMARK
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, September 30, 1891
The Illinois House, five miles west of Collinsville on the St. Louis
plank road, was destroyed by fire Saturday evening. The flames were
discovered about 7 o'clock, and two hours afterward the whole
building, which was a large frame, was a heap of smoldering ashes.
Part of the contents were saved. The loss is about $4,000; no
insurance. The building was within a few hundred feet of Monks Mound
and was known far and wide. For over half a century it has offered
hospitable shelter to the traveler. Before the days of railroads, it
was a popular stopping place for the stage coach drivers and
teamsters going to and returning from St. Louis. The building had a
dance hall connected, in which were held many joyous social reunions
of the neighborhood, and which, in election years, afforded,
accommodations for political meetings. Singular as it may seem, a
ball was to have taken place Saturday evening, for which everything
was in readiness, and as the hour for guests to arrive grew night,
the fiery element did its work. Captain John Schmidt was the
proprietor of the place. Since his death, his widow and son, John,
have been conducting the business. The post office of Brooks was in
the building. The books and papers were saved and have been removed
to Henry Seebode's, a near neighbor, where Uncle Sam's affairs will
be conducted until otherwise ordered.
COLLINSVILLE NEWS
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, April 01, 1892
The Grand Jury on Wednesday at Edwardsville returned an indictment
against Charles Shield (alias Charles De Shields) for murder at
Collinsville on New Year’s Eve, he having shot two men, killing one
outright, but the Coroner’s jury believing that it was done partly
in self-defense, considered it manslaughter, and made the bond
$1500, which he gave and was released. About a week later, the other
man died, and De Shields again gave bond for a like amount. When the
Grand Jury found the indictment for murder, the Sheriff telegraphed
to Belleville to arrest De Shields, who was brought to Edwardsville
and lodged in jail.
TRAIN WRECK ON THE VANDALIA AT COLLINSVILLE
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, September 17, 1895
The west-bound train No. 9, known as the milk train of the Vandalia
railroad, was wrecked at Collinsville at 7:31 Sunday morning as a
result of a misplaced switch. Charles Sandifer, the fireman, was
killed almost instantly, and H. A. Bauers, the engineer, received
injuries which may result seriously. Ed Canfield, the baggage car
porter, received slight injuries. There were ten passengers on the
train, but none of them received more than a good shaking up. The
train was running along at a good rate of speed, and as the switch
was only half turned, the engineer saw the danger too late to bring
the train to a stop. He bravely stayed at his post and tried his
utmost to slow up. When the train reached the fatal obstruction, the
front trucks of the engine flew to the side track, but were turned
almost entirely around by the swift momentum. The engine was dragged
a distance of about 30 feet along the track, throwing it to one side
as the coupling pin broke from the immense strain. The three cars
passed the engine, coming to a standstill about 20 yards down the
track. The baggage car was derailed and it stopped the two remaining
coaches. After the shock had passed, the passengers and crew
searched the debris for the missing engineer and fireman.
Source: Oswego, New York, Daily Times, September 16, 1895
A westbound passenger train on the Vandalia line was wrecked at
Collinsville, Ill., yesterday by a misplaced switch. Fireman
Sandifer was crushed beneath the engine and instantly killed.
Engineer H. A. Bauers, who was working with the lever as the engine
turned over, received fatal injuries. The opening of the switch was
undoubtedly the work of some miscreants bent on plunder or revenge.
COLLINSVILLE ZINC WORKS BURNED
Source: Rochester, New York Democrat and Chronicle, January 8, 1897;
Logansport Pharos-Tribune, January 02, 1897
The zinc works at Collinsville were destroyed by fire this morning.
The works were owned by Meister Bros., and the damage is estimated
at $50,000 with partial insurance. The fire was of unknown origin.
The engine and boiler room, office, pottery works, and one kiln were
totally destroyed.
NOTES:
In 1865, Dr. Octavius Lumaghi founded a coal mining company in
Collinsville. In 1875, the Lumaghi Coal and Mining Company expanded
their operations by establishing a zinc works for the smelting of
zinc ore at his coal mine. In 1881, he leased the works to Parks &
Brothers, who after operating for three months, their company
failed. In January 1882, the works was leased by Reichenbach &
Company. In January 1897, the zinc works, then owned by the Meister
Brothers, was destroyed by fire. The works were rebuilt, and in July
1897, was forced to temporarily close due to a coal mine worker
strike, causing a shortage of coal. This strike also temporarily
closed the Illinois Glass Works in Alton.
In November 1903, the land was purchased by several Collinsville
residents, who wanted to develop Collinsville’s metalworking
industry. In 1904, the St. Louis Smelting and Refining Company, a
subsidiary of the National Lead Company, began operating on the
property, and continued until 1937.
COLLINSVILLE TORNADO
Source: Troy Weekly Call, February 10, 1900
The city of Collinsville, lying seven miles west of Troy, was
visited by a terrific tornado on Thursday morning (February 8, 1900)
at about 2:30 o’clock, and that portion in the immediate vicinity
known as Cantine and Heintz Bluff was almost completely wiped out.
More than a score of persons received injuries, and some of them are
probably fatal, although no deaths have been reported up to this
time. It is only a miracle that a large list of deaths is not the
result, as nearly everything in the wake of the storm was leveled to
the ground or carried away.
The storm swept down on the sleeping victims in the little houses in
that section, and reduced them to splinters without warning. People
were covered up in the debris or carried away by the unseen force,
and were compelled to help themselves and their friends as best they
could in the shadows of the darkness. The news did not spread until
daybreak, and then the entire population rushed to the storm-swept
district to offer such assistance to the distressed, as was within
their power. Physicians were early upon the scene, and were busily
engaged all day administering medical aid to the injured.
The heaviest losers were the laborers and farmers in the vicinity of
the Zinc Works and “Little Italy.” Many of the dwellings, together
with their contents, are a total loss, having been reduced to
splinters. The smokestacks of the Heintz Bluff Mine were blown down,
and other damage done about the place. Telegraphic communication on
the Vandalia Line was considerably damaged – poles and wires being
strewn everywhere. Fire added to the horrors of the situation, but
despite the wind, did not spread, and no great loss resulted.
The first house to go down was that of Frank Kobart, in which the
family was buried in the debris, but escaped with their lives. Next,
a group of dwellings occupied by the Markchetti’s was completely
demolished. Another group of large frame dwellings in which the
Lawrence, Odderhole, and Fix families resided, was reduced to ruins.
About a dozen small houses occupied by Italian laborers were more or
less demolished. The brick residence of Fillmore Crowson,
three-quarters of a mile west of Formosa, is a total wreck. It is
remarkable to note that, considering the manner in which buildings
were torn to pieces, their occupants escaped with their lives.
The wind, which wrought so much havoc in the outskirts of
Collinsville, apparently came from the southwest. The houses in the
path of the storm were mostly those on the surrounding high hills,
and offered very little resistance to the destructive force, which
is estimated to have traveled at a terrible rate. The path of the
storm ranged from fifty to two-hundred yards in width, and several
miles in length. The course is easily discernable with the eye,
having literally cut a swath through the settled portion and the
adjacent timber through which it passed.
Great throngs of people from all parts of the surrounding country
flocked to the scene yesterday. The injured and otherwise afflicted
victims are receiving all possible care and protection.
Two separate and distinct storms accompanied by heavy downpours of
rain swept over St. Clair County. Property at French Village,
Belleville, East St. Louis, and other points was considerably
damaged, but with no serious damage to life and limb. A four-story
brick building in St. Louis was leveled to the ground, and
considerable damage of lesser importance resulted. The storm
extended generally throughout the southwest and extended into
Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.
The seriously injured are:
Sophie Fix, 17 years old; Katie Markchetti, 16 years old; Mrs.
Joseph Markchetti; Mrs. John Lorenz; and Otto Aderhold.
Others Injured:
John and Mary Olsa and infant; John and Emma Quarenghi; Charles
Quarenghi, 19 years old; Annie Quarenghi, 15 years old; Joseph
Markehetti; Stephen Markehetti; Barney Falleteo; Mrs. Minnie Fix;
Harry Fix, 24 years old; Will Fix, 13 years old; Nent Alderson; John
Lorentz; Grace Lorentz (infant); theodore Lorentz; Mr. and Mrs.
William Aderhold; and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kobart.
FIRST ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, April 29, 1916
The first annual Easter egg hunt was given under the auspices of the
businessmen of Collinsville in Mauer Park in the West End Sunday
afternoon at 3 o'clock. The affair drew several hundred spectators,
all in Eastern toggery to the scene and at the stated hour all
children over thirteen years of age were turned in to hunt for the
eggs. There were about 93 marked eggs hidden and 155 prizes were
offered by the businessmen for their recovery. The prizes ranged
from a show ticket to several dollars, and included everything from
an ice coupon book to a pound of candy. Needless to say, the
youngsters had a fine time and brought all the eggs in, and the
grown folks too declare it was real pleasure to watch them.
THE LYNCHING OF ROBERT PAUL PRAGER
Suspected of Being German Spy
Source: The Troy Call, Troy, Illinois, April 5, 1918
Robert
Paul Prager, an alien enemy, 39 years old, and suspected of being a
German spy, was hanged by a mob at Mahler Heights, west of
Collinsville, about 1 o'clock this morning. Prager had been under
surveillance for some time because of alleged disloyal remarks. He
was in Maryville yesterday, where he posted a proclamation declaring
his loyalty, and as a result he was run out of town. He was followed
to Collinsville by a number of men, and a mob soon assembled at the
Suburban "Y." It proceeded to the Bruno bakery where Prager was
found and taken out and marched down the street in his bare feet
with an American flag wrapped around his body. Police rescued Prager
from the mob and took him to the city jail in the city hall. The
crowd then went to the jail and demanded that Prager be turned over
to them. In the meantime, Mayor Siegel had been summoned and pleaded
with the men not to resort to violence. It was then Prager was taken
out of his cell and concealed among the rubbish of the city hall.
The mob dispersed after the talk by Mayor Siegel, but returned after
several hours and made a search for Prager, who was taken out and
hurried down the street. The police say they were unable to handle
the situation.
Prager was marched out to Mahler Heights, west of Collinsville, and
forced to kneel. Arms crossed, he prayed in German for a few
minutes. The men placed a rope around his neck and Prager was swung
to a tree for several seconds. He was then let down and asked if he
had anything to say, and requested that he be permitted to write a
farewell to his parents in Germany. His brief letter follows:
"Carl Henry Prager, Dresden, Germany. Dear Parents:
I must, this the fourth day of April 1918, die. Please pray for me,
my dear parents. This is my last letter and testament. Your dear son
and brother, Robert Paul Prager."
After being permitted to write the note, Prager was again drawn up
by the rope and left hanging, and the mob dispersed quietly. Prager
had worked as a baker at the Bruno bakery for several years, but of
late had been trying to secure employment at the coal mine at
Maryville. He was denied union membership there because of his
disloyal remarks against the United States. He was registered in St.
Louis as an alien enemy. The authorities are indignant over the
affair. Attorney General Brundage and State's Attorney Streuber have
denounced the lynching as a disgrace, and declare that the members
of the mob must suffer for the act which was as unlawful as it was
heinous and horrible. President Wilson and his cabinet have also
denounced the affair. Attorney General Brundage is expected in
Collinsville today, and the inquest into the death of Prager is
expected to be held Monday.
NOTES:
During the height of World War I, Robert Paul Prager, a coal miner,
made speeches to his fellow coal miners on Socialism, and made
derogatory remarks regarding American President Wilson. Prager had
been under surveillance for some time, with some authorities fearing
he was a German spy. The fear of German spies was prevalent
throughout America, and bridges and vital businesses were guarded by
the military to prevent sabotage. Many Germans pledged allegiance to
America publicly, and some even changed their names to become more
“Americanized.” The day before his lynching, Prager put up posters
at the Maryville mine, proclaiming his loyalty to the American
government.
The miners became incensed at Prager’s action. When they threatened
to do him bodily harm, he escaped to Collinsville where he lived. He
was followed, captured, and lynched. In Prager’s pocket was found a
long “proclamation” in which he stated his loyalty to the United
States and to union labor. The location of the hanging was along St.
Louis Road in Collinsville, near the St. John Cemetery.
The news of the lynching of Robert Prager spread throughout the
country. The Swiss embassy in Washington D.C., which was attending
to German interests in America, offered to pay the funeral expenses,
however the state of Illinois paid the funeral expense, and sent the
Swiss embassy a bill. The funeral was held in St. Louis at the
Harmonie Lodge of the I. O. O. F., of which Prager was a member, and
he was buried in the St. Matthews Cemetery in St. Louis.
Joseph Riegel, Wesley Beaver, Richard Dukes Jr., William Brockmeier
and Enid Elmore, all of Collinsville, were arrested at the request
of the coroner's jury investigating the death of Robert P. Prager.
Following the inquest, the men were taken to Edwardsville to await
the action of the Madison County Grand Jury. Riegel, a proprietor of
a shoe repair shop in Collinsville, previously had admitted to being
the leader of the mob. Two of the other men were miners, and one a
porter in a saloon.
The trial was held in May 1918. The eleven defendants arrived in the
courtroom wearing American flags. The jury included: Keith Ebey,
clerk, Edwardsville; T. Benett, railroad car accountant,
Edwardsville; George Neary Sr., janitor, Edwardsville; Walter
Solterman, teamster, Worden; W. C. Dippold, flour miller,
Edwardsville; Marion Baumgartner, tailor, Edwardsville; D. W.
Fiegenbaum, manufacturer, Edwardsville; John Groshans, farmer,
Edwardsville; A. H. Challacombe, plumber, Alton; Frank Oben, horse
and mule buyer, Alton; F. W. Horn, tailor, Alton; Frank Weeks,
clerk, Edwardsville.
State's Attorney Streuber made a brief opening statement: "We do not
represent Prager nor any pro-German nor any pro-German sentiment,"
he declared. "We have made an effort to keep possible pro-Germans
off the jury and I believe we have one that is 100 percent loyal.
Our only interest is to see that the law is upheld. If Prager was
either a pro-German or a spy, there was a remedy at law, and we aim
to show that a mob took the law upon itself, which is in itself a
violation."
James M. Bandy, chief counsel for the defense, then spoke briefly.
He declared there was evidence to show Prager's disloyalty and that
"after all the evidence is in, the jury will not return a verdict of
guilty."
More than 100 witnesses were summoned to appear at the trial. The
men were declared not guilty by the jury, and were set free. The
announcement of the verdict was greeted with loud cheers, and when
the men filed out of the courthouse, they joined in a parade headed
by the Great Lakes “Jackie” Band. The acquittal was no great
surprise to those who heard the evidence in the case. The state
failed to prove the actual participation of any of the
accused men. As a result, one county paper asserted that Prager must
have hung himself.
Following announcement of the verdict, State's Attorney Streuber
dismissed the charges against five others who were implicated in the
Prager case. They were George Davis, Martin Futchek, Fred Frost,
Harry Stevens, and John Tobnick. The latter four were police
officers and were charged with malfeasance in office.
In September 1919, it was announced that Robert Paul Prager’s body
was to be exhumed, and moved “from one of the humblest graves” in
the cemetery to one of the “prettiest spots in the burial grounds.”
The Harmonic Lodge No. 353, I. O. O. F., was to pay for the
exhumation and re-burial. They also erected a monument for Prager.