Madison County History
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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 09, 1896
The Fourth of July was one of the biggest events of its kind that
has ever taken place in Alton. Thousands of people had a good time
all day long, and few were the accidents to mar the pleasure of the
patriotic American small boy and his indulgent elders. Alton has
been well advertised by the promoters of the various attractions,
and hundreds of strangers came to town to assist in celebrating the
anniversary of the independence of the United States. The
attractions were as varied as the likes of those who were to be
amused during the day.
Races at the Alton Driving and Trotting Association race course:
The rains of the day before had been the cause of fears that the
track would be heavy and the time slow. The weather was propitious
during the morning, and a hot sun and energetic work did much to put
the track in a good condition. With the exception of loose dirt on
the course, it was everything
that could be desired when the first heat was begun at 1:45 p.m. At
1 p.m., the time billed for the beginning of the races, the crowd
assembled was small, aggregating possibly several hundred. In the
next hour, however, people and conveyances streamed in at the gates
until there was at least 1,500 persons viewing the races. The horses
entered were all beautiful animals and excited the admiration of
all. The officers chosen and occupying the judge’s stand were:
Judges Charles Doyle of Carrollton and G. W. Julian of St. Louis;
Secretary E. M. Dorsey; Clerk B. L. Dorsey; Starter Harry Scanlan;
timers F. VanDyyke, Lawrence Peterson, and G. W. Voorhees. At 1:45
p.m., the gong sounded for the first race, and after several futile
attempts at scoring, the horses were sent off. Each of the heat of
the first and second races were trotted in quick succession.
After trotting the first heat of the 3-minute trot, rain fell for
about fifteen minutes, and left the track in such a condition as to
put an end to racing. The judges decided to finish the races today.
Rock Spring Park:
The main center of attraction in the afternoon was the opening of
Rock Spring Park, the beautiful resort of the Alton Railway and
Illuminating Company. The opening was given under the auspices of
the A.O.U.W. and Standard Band. The threatening weather did not
deter several thousand people from gathering at the park. Mr. Robert
Curdie presided at the exercises. Short addresses were delivered by
Deputy Grand Master Rexdale and Mr. William Armstrong. The downpour
of rain shortly after precipitated a rush for shelter. Many were
unable to find it, and consequently received a thorough drenching.
This wound up the entertainment at the park, but it was visited by
hundreds after the rain, although it was too wet for pleasure.
Turner Garden:
A large crowd congregated at Turner Hall in the evening, where a
concert and dance took place. The White Hussar Band furnished music,
and the Alton Maennerchor gave some of their best selections.
Dancing was enjoyed till a late hour by those who desired to.
Krug’s Botanical Garden:
Krug’s new Botanical Garden at North Alton was opened in grand
style. The rain in the afternoon made the grounds wet and muddy at
Rock Spring Park, and most of the crowd repaired to North Alton to
visit the new garden. A dancing pavilion has been erected, and
Mathie’s orchestra furnished music for all those who wished to
dance. Many visited the hot houses and admired the beautiful display
of folowers. It was 3 o’clock in the morning before the celebration
was at an end.
Picnic at Piasa Bluffs:
The union picnic at Piasa Bluffs Assembly grounds given under the
auspices of the W.C.T.U. and Good Templars of Madison and Jersey
Counties and the Y.M.C.A. and Temperance League of Alton, was a very
pleasant affair, and was largely attended by the members and friends
of the orders in the two counties. Various amusements, a basket
dinner, and a program of merit was rendered which included an
excellent address by Rev. J. M. Gaiser, served to entertain. There
being plenty of shelter on the grounds, the rain caused little
inconvenience.
Illini Yacht Club Regatta:
The Illini Yacht Club Regatta at Clifton Terrace was attended by
numerous Altonians and visitors from St. louis. There were only two
races – one an open event for sailing vessels, and the other a
handicap for power vessels. At 3:50, the sailboats Marion and Alice
of Alton, and Illiola of St. Louis, lined up for a race over a two
mile triangular course. The Marion is the Illini Yacht Club’s new
half-rater, and was a favorite in the race. The Marion, Captain
Wiggins, was an easy winner. She finished three minutes shead of the
Alice, Captain Jones, and four and one-half minutes ahead of the
Illiola, Captain Boy. The time was nineteen minutes.
In the evening there was a water carnival and a display of
fireworks.
In Bethalto:
The 4th of July celebrations were very successful affairs, despite
the heavy rain in the afternoon. The picnic and dance at Spencer’s
Park netted quite a sum. The Sunday School celebration at McDonald’s
Grove, up to the time of the rain, surpassed anything in the line of
picnics that has been held here for many years. In the morning, all
who desired assembled at the M. E. Church, and a procession of
haywagons, headed by the band, was formed. The ride to the grounds
was enjoyed by all. The forenoon at the grounds was spent in a
social way, and listening to choice music. The afternoon program
consisted of vocal and instrumental music, recitations, and an
address by Rev. J. A. Large. In the evening, the picnickers held
forth at Klein’s Hall, where a splendid program was rendered.
Read more stories of Independence Day Celebrations!
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MADISON COUNTY ESTABLISHED
On
September 14, 1812, Madison County was established in the Illinois
Territory out of Randolph and St. Clair Counties, by proclamation of
the Governor of Illinois Territory, Ninian Edwards. It was named for
U. S. President James Madison, a friend of Edwards, and had a
population of 9,099 people. At the time of its formation, Madison
County included all of the modern State of Illinois north of St.
Louis, as well as all of Wisconsin, part of Minnesota, and
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
A meeting was held on April 5, 1813 at the home of Thomas
Kirkpatrick in Edwardsville, where appointed commissioners were to
report on their selection of a county seat. A meeting was held on
January 14, 1814, where the court ordered the sheriff to notify the
commissioners appointed by law to fix the place for the public
buildings (courthouse and jail) for Madison County. The county seat
was established in the town of Edwardsville, with the first public
building – the jail – being erected in 1814. The first county
courthouse was erected in Edwardsville in 1817.
During the period 1819 to 1849, Madison County was reduced in area
to its present size, about 760 square miles. All of the public lands
had become the property of individuals and had been converted into
thousands of productive farms. New towns and villages were
established, such as Collinsville, Highland, Marine, Venice,
Monticello [Godfrey], Troy, and Alton.
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QUICK LINKS
Confederate Cemetery (North Alton)
Western Military Academy (Upper Alton)
Shurtleff College (Upper Alton)
Monticello Ladies Seminary (Godfrey)
Illinois State Penitentiary in Alton (1833-1860)
Federal Military Prison at Alton (1861-1865)
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