Prairietown Newspaper Articles
INDIAN AXES FOUND IN PRAIRIE CITY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 25, 1886
City Engineer Long, while surveying near Prairie City, found two
stone implements known as Indian axes. One is quite large and so
mottled that it resembles a portion of a petrified snake. These
relics have been added to Professor McAdams’ collection of
curiosities.
PRAIRIE CITY
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 3, 1874
A farmer near Prairie City complains that a hook and ladder company
has been organized in his neighborhood. He states that the ladder is
used after dark for climbing into his chicken house, after which the
hooking is done.
TORNADO STRIKES NEAR PRAIRIETOWN
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 13, 1879
From Edwardsville, March 11, 1879 – About four o’clock yesterday
afternoon, Edward McDonald, aged about seventy years; his grandson,
aged about 6 years; a widow lady by the name of Shehan or Sheahay;
and a 12-year old girl by the name of Kurlbaum, residing about two
miles from Prairietown in this county, on the road to Staunton, were
killed, and James McDonald, son of the old man above named, had his
back broken by a tornado. Full names and exact particulars were not
in possession of our informant, but it seems that there was but
little, or no rain, and a very little hail fell at the time of the
sad calamity, and that the wind came from the West, and almost
demolished everything in its track, which fortunately, was very
narrow. It is said that the house of Joseph Doubleday was entirely
destroyed. Another informant, who was on the road from Staunton to
Worden, says that at a point two miles north of Worden, fences,
outhouses, etc. were all blown down, and that a large barn belonging
to Mr. Sievors was blown from its foundation and torn to pieces.
PRAIRIETOWN - PNEUMONIA EPIDEMIC
Source: Alton Telegraph, Thursday, March 25, 1897
Dr. L. C. Taylor, who was sent by the State Board of Health to
investigate and report upon the outbreak of pneumonia at
Prairietown, this county, which has resulted in numerous deaths, has
made his report to Secretary Scott. The infected district was about
six miles square, with Prairietown as the center. Dr. Taylor states
that the clinical history of the cases which caused the alarm is
that of an extremely severe and fatal type of croupous pneumonia,
associated with the peculiar matter attributed to la grippe. Several
cases presented the attitude of direct contagion. From 50 to 60
cases were treated during the scare, most all being accompanied by
distinct chills. Many deaths occurred during the past month, some
dying within 48 hours after being stricken. Very few children died.
Dr. Taylor concludes his report classifying the disease as an
epidemic of croupous pneumonia.