The Murder of Rev. Elijah Parish Lovejoy
"He died a martyr on the altar of American Liberty."
The Alton Trials by William S. Lincoln (offsite link to notes from the trials)
BRIEF STORY OF REV. ELIJAH PARISH LOVEJOY
Elijah Parish Lovejoy was born on his grandfather’s farm near
Albion, Maine, on November 9, 1802, to Daniel Lovejoy (1776-1833)
and Elizabeth Gordon Pattee Lovejoy (1772-1857). Elijah was the
first of nine children. His father was a Congregational minister and
farmer. After completing his early studies in public schools, Elijah
attended the Monmouth Academy and then
Waterville College in Maine.
He graduated from Waterville at the top of his class in 1826. In May
1827, Elijah moved to Boston to earn money for his planned service
to God in the West. Unsuccessful in finding work, he started to
Illinois by foot. He stopped at New York City, and landed a position
with the Saturday Evening Gazette as a newspaper subscription
salesman. He walked up and down the streets, knocking on doors
selling subscriptions. Struggling financially, he wrote to Jeremiah
Chaplin, president of Waterville College, explaining his situation.
Chaplin sent him money, and Elijah embarked on his journey to
Illinois, reaching Montgomery County in the Fall of 1827. Finding
Illinois sparsely populated, he settled in St. Louis, the center of
both abolitionist and pro-slavery factions. Lovejoy opened a school
with a friend, modeled on high schools in the East. Eventually his
interest in teaching waned, when local editors began accepting his
poems for print. This led to a partnership with T. J. Miller, as an
editor on the St. Louis Times newspaper. Lovejoy occasionally hired
African slaves to work with him at the newspaper office, one of whom
was William Wells Brown. Brown later described Lovejoy as a good
man, and “decidedly the best master that I had ever had.”
Lovejoy struggled with his interest in religion, and wrote to his
parents about his sinfulness and rebellion against God. In 1832,
influenced by the Christian revivalist movement, he joined the First
Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, and decided to become a preacher.
He sold his interest in the St. Louis Times, and returned East to
study at the Princeton Theological Seminary. Upon completion, he
went to Philadelphia, where he became an ordained minister. Friends
in St. Louis wrote to him and offered to finance a Presbyterian
newspaper in St. Louis if he would agree to edit it. He accepted,
and after returning to St. Louis, the first issue of the St. Louis
Observer was published on November 22, 1833.
Lovejoy’s work at the St. Louis Observer was at times controversial.
He wrote a number of articles criticizing the Catholic Church, which
offended the Catholic community. He also wrote articles criticizing
tobacco and liquor, and began editorializing on slavery – a
controversial subject in St. Louis at the time. Lovejoy supported
gradual emancipation of slaves in the State of Missouri. His views
began to incite complaints and threats. By October 1835, there were
rumors of mob action against the Observer. Prominent St. Louisans,
including many of his friends, wrote a letter pleading with him to
cease discussion of slavery. While he was out of town, the owners of
the St. Louis Observer declared that no further articles on slavery
would appear during Lovejoy’s absence, and when Lovejoy returned, he
would follow a more rigorous editorial policy. When he returned,
Lovejoy wrote a response to the letter, making it clear he did not
agree with the owners. He was asked to resign as editor of the St.
Louis Observer, to which he agreed. However, the owners released the
Observer property to the financier who held the mortgage, and the
new owner asked Lovejoy to stay on as editor.
In 1836, when an African-American man, Francis McIntosh, was
arrested in St. Louis, he grabbed a knife and stabbed both policemen
and escaped. One policeman died. McIntosh was captured and a mob
tied him to a tree and burned him to death. Some of the mob was
brought before Judge Lawless of St. Louis, who refused to convict.
The judge made remarks insinuating that abolitionists, including
Lovejoy and the Observer, incited McIntosh into stabbing the men.
This action led to further anger the community against Lovejoy, and
in May 1836, he was run out of town after chastising the judge in
the Observer. He took with him his wife, Celia Ann French, a native
of Vermont, who formerly lived in St. Charles, Missouri, and their
son, Edward Payson Lovejoy, who was born in St. Louis on March 12,
1836.
Lovejoy settled in Alton, Illinois, where he became editor/owner of
the Alton Observer. He and his family lived on the west side of
Cherry Street, between Broadway and Adams Court. The Alton Observor
printing office was located on the second floor of a two-story stone
building, near the northwest corner
of Broadway and Piasa Streets.
In 1886, when the building was being repaired, they found old type
belonging to Lovejoy's printing office. One of Lovejoy's presses was
thrown from the second story window. The building that housed the
printing office was razed sometime before June 1895. According to
the Alton Telegraph, Lovejoy promised
the community leaders he would not write articles on the subject of
slavery, even though Illinois was considered a free State. The town
of Alton was established in 1837, and many of the businessmen had
sank their life savings into opening their business, and the last
thing they wanted was publicity of troubles in their town, which
would keep away customers. Many of these men believed each State had
the right to decide on the subject of slavery. This promise by
Lovejoy was not kept. He continued writing on the controversial
subject, enraging the community. On three occasions, his printing
press was destroyed by pro-slavery factions who wanted to stop him
from publishing his abolitionist views. Not only Alton, but the
entire country was in turmoil regarding slavery. William Lloyd
Garrison was dragged in the streets of Boston with a rope around his
neck for his anti-slavery views. The only place of safety for him
was the jailhouse.
On November 6, 1837, rumors were spread in Alton that pro-slavery
men were going to destroy Lovejoy’s fourth printing press, which was
brought by steamboat to the Alton riverfront. Sixty anti-slavery men
took up arms to defend it. The press arrived safely, and was stored
in the stone warehouse of Captain Benjamin Godfrey and Winthrop
Gilman, a Lovejoy supporter. No mob appeared. On the morning of
November 7, 1837, all was quiet in the city. As night approached,
the men drilled in the warehouse in military style.
With the opinion
that no troubles would occur, most of the company was dismissed. Mr.
Gilman asked if some would remain through the night as a precaution.
Nineteen men volunteered to stay, along with Winthrop Gilman. Within
a short time, a mob began to gather outside. They informed Gilman
that unless the press was given up, the building would be burned and
every man inside killed. The men inside the warehouse elected Deacon
Enoch Long to act as their Captain, as he was a veteran of the War
of 1812. The men wanted to take severe measures for defense, but
Captain Long overruled. Instead, he decided that if the mob
continued to attack, which they began to do, then he would select
someone to fire into the mob, and he thought the mob would then
disperse. In due time, one of the men inside the warehouse shot into
the crowd and killed a man by the name of Bishop. The mob withdrew
briefly, but soon returned with reinforcement. The mob outside
yelled, threw rocks, and fired their weapons. Mayor John Krum
visited the site and attempted to calm things down. This failed. The
mob approached the building with a ladder, and a young man climbed
up to set fire to the roof. Lovejoy, Ross, and Weller stepped out
from the warehouse, and Lovejoy received five bullets in his body.
Roff and Weller were wounded. Lovejoy stumbled into the warehouse,
saying, “I am shot! I am shot! I am dead!” He died without speaking
another word. The men inside fled for their lives, except for Roff,
Weller, Thompson, and Rev. Thaddeus Hurlbut, who remained guarding
Lovejoy’s body. Bullets rang out as the men fled into the darkness.
The mob entered the warehouse and destroyed the press, throwing it
into the river. The deed was done, and they left for their homes.
The next day Lovejoy’s body was taken to the City Cemetery in Alton,
and buried in an obscure grave. Very few attended the services, in
fear of their lives.
The names of the defenders of the press in the building at the time
of the battle were: Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy (killed), Amos B. Roff
(wounded), Royal Weller (wounded), Rev. Thaddeus B. Hurlbut, William
Harned, Henry Tanner, James Morse Jr., Joseph S. Noble, Edward
Breath, George H. Walworth, J. C. Woods, George H. Whitney, Reuben
Gerry, Winthrop S. Gilman, Enoch Long,
George T. Brown, Samuel J.
Thompson, H. D. Davis, D. F. Randall, and David Burt Loomis.
Lovejoy was hailed as a martyr by abolitionists across the country,
and he has since been immortalized through the naming of monuments
or buildings in his honor. His brother, Owen, subsequently entered
politics and became the leader of the Illinois abolitionists.
Lovejoy’s cousin, Nathan A. Farwell, served as a U.S. Senator from
Maine.
Elijah Lovejoy’s wife, Celia Ann French Lovejoy, left Alton
following the murder of his husband. According to the Alton Evening
Telegraph, May 18, 1935 and April 12, 1976, she married one of
Lovejoy’s defenders, Royal Weller. Weller later returned alone to
Madison County, Illinois, but was officially judged as being “insane
because of religious fanaticism.” He was placed in the Jacksonville,
Illinois, State Hospital for the insane, and died there July 28,
1859. He is buried in the Immanuel North Cemetery in South
Jacksonville, then called the “Red Barn Burials,” as inmates were
buried in the pasture on a hill south of an old milk barn. All these
farmlands are now leased to Prairieland Heritage Museum. Celia
Lovejoy died in July 1870. Her burial place is unknown, although a
cenotaph in her memory stands in the Alton City Cemetery.
Elijah and Celia Lovejoy’s son, Edward Payson Lovejoy, died of
illness at the age of 55 years on August 26, 1891 in Wabuska,
Nevada. He followed mining in the early days in California, and was
for a number of years the editor of the Trinity County Journal in
Reno. He also kept the American Exchange Hotel in Reno.
Below are newspaper articles will take you through Lovejoy's arrival
in Alton, the first publication of the Alton Observer, and the
eventual murder of Lovejoy by a mob.
************
ALTON'S NEW PUBLICATION - THE OBSERVER
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 21, 1836
We omitted to mention last week the appearance, in this place
[Alton], of the "Alton Observer," edited by Rev. Mr. Lovejoy. The
paper is much enlarged from its former size, and otherwise greatly
improved. Mr. Lovejoy has had many difficulties to encounter since
he relinquished his "Observer" in St. Louis, and having now made his
re-appearance, we hope he will receive, as he deserves, a liberal
patronage.
ANTI-ABOLITION MEETING HELD AT ALTON MARKET HOUSE
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 19, 1837
Pursuant to public notice, a large and respectable concourse of the
citizens of Alton assembled at the Market House early yesterday
evening, in order to take into consideration the course pursued by
the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, in the publication and dissemination of
the highly odious doctrines of modern Abolitionism, and the more to
allay the spirit of an insulted people, which seemed brewing like a
cloud, and darkening our social atmosphere. Although the combination
of wealth, interest, and moral power were assiduously brought to
bear upon the community in order to deter them from such a course,
in boldly expressing their free and unbiased opinions on a subject
of so delicate a nature, yet like men born to live and die,
untrammeled by party, unseduced by mercenary motives, they met as
freemen, determined to oppose, in a manly manner, and by a spirited
resistance, the odious doctrine of modern misrule, which has stole
on this community in direct violation of a sacred pledge.
The meeting was organized by calling to the chair, Dr. Halderman,
and appointing J. P. Jordan, Secretary. The object of the meeting
then being stated, on motion a committee of three was appointed to
draw up resolutions. Whereupon, J. A. Townsend, Dr. Horace Beall,
and S. L. Miller were appointed. The committee, after retiring for a
short time, returned and recommended to the meeting the following
preamble, &c., which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The citizens of Alton are called upon a second time to
express their disapproval of the course pursued by the Rev. E. P.
Lovejoy, Editor of the Alton Observer, in publishing and
promulgating the doctrines of Abolitionism, and that too in
violation of a solemn pledge, voluntarily given by him at a former
meeting of the citizens of Alton, when an exile he sought their
protection, that he would not interfere with the question of
Abolitionism in any way whatever, and that his intention alone was
to publish a religious journal.
And whereas, On the strength of that pledge, and in full confidence
that he would, as a clergyman of his profession, hold it sacred, we
welcomed him as an acquisition to our place. But now finding much to
our mortification, that he has wantenly violated his pledge, and
introduced into the columns of his paper, Abolition doctrines of a
most inflammatory character, and continues without regard in his
solemn assertion to do so, which we as citizens of a State
untrammeled with slavery, deem to be improper and highly impolitic
to agitate among us, as we can derive no benefit from it whatever,
but on the contrary, much injury and damage, by eliciting from our
sister States, a feeling towards us highly injurious to our
community.
1st. Resolved, That the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy has again taken up and
advocated the principles of Abolitionism through his paper, the
Observer, contrary to the disposition and will of a majority of the
citizens of Alton, and in direct violation of a sacred pledge and
assurance that this paper, when established in Alton, should not be
devoted to Abolitionism.
2d. Resolved, That we disapprove of the course of the Observer in
publishing any articles favorable to Abolitionism, and that we
censure Mr. Lovejoy in permitting such publications to appear in his
paper, when a pledge of assurance has been given to this community,
by him, that such doctrines should not be advocated.
3d. Resolved, That a committee of five citizens be appointed by this
meeting to wait upon and confer with Mr. Lovejoy, and ascertain from
him, whether he intends in future to diseminate through the columns
of the Observer, the doctrines of Abolitionism, and report the
result of their conference to the public.
After the committee had read the preparatory preamble and
resolutions, they were submitted to the meeting and warmly welcomes
- upon which it was moved that the President appoint the committee -
when the following persons were designated: B. K. Hart, Lewis J.
Clawson, Colonel Nathaniel Buckmaster, Benjamin I. Gilman, Colonel
A. Olney, and Dr. J. A. Halderman, by request. After which Colonel
Alexander Botkin arose and making some pertinent preliminary
remarks, offered the following resolution, which was cordially
adopted:
Resolved, That we, as citizens of Alton, are aware that the Rev. E.
P. Lovejoy still persists to publish an Abolition paper to the
injury of the community at large, and as we deprecate all violence
of mobs, we now call on him, by our committee, and politely request
a discontinuance of the publication of his incendiary doctrines,
which alone have a tendency to disturb the quiet of our citizens and
neighbors.
Mr. Murdoch then arose, and after some beautiful and happy
explanatory remarks, setting forth in a clear light, his reasons
relative to the introduction of the two following resolutions,
offered them for reception.
Resolved, That Congress while in session acts in a two-fold
capacity: 1st. As the general representative of the people of the
whole union, and as such has full power to legislate upon subjects
regarding the general interest. 2d. As the immediate legislators
over the private rights of the people of the District of Columbia -
rights in which they are solely interested; and while legislating
upon these rights, as faithful legislators, no regard should be paid
to petitions emanating from other sources.
Resolved, That it is an impertinent interference with the rights of
others, to petition Congress to pass a law, not asked for by those
over whom it is intended to operate.
The resolutions thus being submitted, the Secretary here left his
seat, and offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, modern Abolitionism
in any shape or form is a bold and daring usurpation of the
principle of right, unwarranted by the constitution, and an
unjustifiable interference with the domestic relations of the south,
which neither religion nor humanity sanction.
Here Mr. Jordon made some allusion to the principle upon which our
social edifice rested - the situation of the several States at that
time who acted in their sovereign capacity, and the subsequent
adjudication of Congress, upon this question - the rights guaranteed
to the south and slave holding States; and concluded by submitting
the resolution as above read - which was received; whereupon, on
motion, Mr. J. A. Townsend was called to the chair; whereupon, Dr.
Halderman offering the four following resolutions, said briefly, he
was glad to see such a spirit of independence in Alton - he was
cheered to know he was not alone on this question - that the slave
holding States yet had friends even in a non-slave holding State, to
feel the wrongs and avenge the cause - he was moved to say, the
liberty of our forefathers had given us the liberty of speech - and
continuing, he added, it was our duty and our high privilege to act
and speak on all questions touching this great commonwealth.
Whereupon, the resolutions being read, after some amendments by
Messrs. Howard and Clifford, were unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That the recommendation in an editorial article of the
"Observer," of a division in all the religious denominations on the
sole ground of slavery, is in our opinion destructive of the best
interest of Christianity, and an unwarrantable assumption of
arbitrary prerogative.
Resolved, That the immediate emancipation of the entire slave
population, with their admittance to all the privileges, suffrages,
offices, immunities, and preferments, civil political and religious,
in common with ourselves, constitutes the doctrine of modern
Abolitionism.
Resolved, That while we disapprove the doctrine of modern
Abolitionism, we abhor and deprecate the evil of slavery, and are
ready and willing at any time, to give our influence and our money
to promote any system of emancipation, that will better the
condition of that oppressed race of the human family, that is
agreeable to the slave holding States.
Resolved, That all the presses in the West and South, North and
East, friendly to the cause of colonization or gradual emancipation,
in order to ameliorate the condition and freedom of the African
race, are hereby requested to publish the foregoing protest and
resolutions against the misrule of modern Abolitionism.
Whereupon, on motion of B. Clifford, Esq., it was:
Resolved, That the Secretary prepare the proceedings of the meeting
for publication, and notify the committee to wait on Mr. Lovejoy,
after presenting them with a copy of the proceedings. Upon which an
adjournment was moved and adopted, and the citizens retired in much
harmony and good felling, to be again convened at the call of the
committee. Signed J. A. Halderman, Chairman. J. P. Jordon,
Secretary. July 11, 1837.
LETTER TO REV. ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY AND HIS REPLY
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 16, 1837
The correspondence below would have been laid before the public
sooner, but for the difficulty of getting a meeting of the
committee:
"Alton, July 24, 1837
To the Rev. E. P. Lovejoy:
Dear Sir - In the proceedings of a public meeting of the citizens of
Alton, a copy of which is here with transmitted to you, you will
find the following resolutions:
Resolved, That a committee of five citizens be appointed by this
meeting to wait upon and confer with Mr. Lovejoy, and ascertain
whether he intends to disseminate through the columns of the
Observer, the doctrine of abolitionism, and report the result of
their conference to the public.
Whereupon, on motion, B. K. Hart, L. J. Clawson, Col. N. Buckmaster,
B. I. Gilman, Col. A. Olney, and Dr. J. A. Halderman were appointed
said committee.
The committee have thought it most advisable to address to you the
proceedings themselves, instead of any written statement of their
own. The views and feelings by which the citizens were actuated, and
their wishes and expectations, are set forth with sufficient
clearness in their reported proceedings, to which we respectfully
invite your attention, with the utmost deference to your feelings as
a man, and your rights as a citizen. We respectfully request that
you will at your earliest convenience, answer the inquiries embodied
in the above resolution, so that we may report the same to the
public in the discharge of our duty. Nothing but the importance of
the question which the meeting was called to consider, and the
dangers which its unwise agitation threatens, not only to the
community, but to the whole country, could have induced us to take
the step we have. With the wish that your answer may be dictated in
wisdom, and prove such as will be satisfactory to the community, we
subscribe ourselves with respect.
Your obedient servants, B. K. Hart, L. J. Clawson, N. Buckmaster, A.
Olney, John A. Halderman.
LOVEJOY'S LETTER IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMITTEE
Alton, July 26, 1837
To Messrs. B. K. Hart, L. J. Clawson, N. Buckmaster, A. Olney, and
John A. Halderman
Gentlemen:
I have this day received through the Post Office a communication
signed by yourselves and addresses to me, enclosing a printed copy
of the proceedings had at a public meeting held in this place on the
10th inst., to which proceedings you invite my attention.
Before replying more immediately to your communication, permit me to
express my gratification at the kind and courteous terms in which it
is made. In this respect it gives me pleasure to say, your letter is
all I could desire. Be pleased, gentlemen, to accept my thanks. If,
therefore, my answer be not such, in some respects, as you might
perhaps wish, I beg you will not attribute it to any want of respect
to yourselves as individuals, or to your opinions on the principal
subject of your communication.
You will, therefore, permit me to say, that with the most respectful
feelings towards you individually, I cannot consent, in this answer,
to recognize you as the official organ of a public meeting convened
to discuss the question, whether certain sentiments should or should
not be discussed in the public newspaper of which I am the editor.
By doing so, I should virtually admit that the liberty of the press
and freedom of speech, were rightfully subject to other supervision
and control, than those of the land. But this I cannot admit. On the
contrary, in the language of one of the speakers at the meeting, I
believe that the liberty of our forefathers has given us the liberty
of speech, and that it is 'our duty and our high privilege to act
and speak on all questions touching this great commonwealth.' I am
happy, gentlemen, in being able heartily to concur in the above
sentiments, which I perceive were uttered by one of your own
members, and in which I cannot doubt, you all agree. I would only
add, that I consider this 'liberty' was ascertained, but never
originaled by our forefathers. It comes to us, as I conceive, from
our Maker, and is in its nature invaluable, belonging to man as man.
Believing, therefore, that everything having a tendency to bring
this right into jeopardy, is eminently dangerous as a precedent, I
cannot admit that it can be called in question by any man or body of
men, or that they can, with any propriety, question me as to my
exercise of it. Gentlemen, I have confidence, that you will, upon
reflection, agree with me in this view of the case, and will
consequently appreciate, with justice, my motives in declining to
receive your communication, as from the official organ of the
meeting to which you refer.
But as individuals whom I highly respect, permit me to say to you
that it is very far from my intention to do anything calculated to
bring on an 'unwise agitation,' of the subject of slavery in this
community. It is a subject that, as I apprehend, must be discussed,
must be agitated. All virulence and intemperance of language, I
should conceive to be 'unwise agitation.' It shall be my aim to
resort and provoke to neither. I hope to discuss the overwhelmingly
important subject of slavery, with the freedom of a republican and
the meekness of a Christian. If I fail in either respect, I beg that
you will attribute it, gentlemen, to that imperfection which attends
us all in the performance of our best purposes.
Permit me respectfully, to refer you to an editorial article in the
"Alton Observer" of the 20th instant, headed "What are the
sentiments of Anti-Slavery men?" for the full expression of my views
and principles on the subject of slavery. If these views can be
shown to be erroneous, I hold myself ready to reject them, and if
you, or either of you, or any of my fellow citizens deem them, and
feel able to demonstrate them to be unsound, or of dangerous
tendency, you and they are cordially invited to make use of the
columns of the "Observer" for that purpose.
With much respect, Your friend and fellow citizen,
Elijah P. Lovejoy
MADISON COUNTY ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION
(The following article appeared directly below Rev. Lovejoy's letter
above, shown above)
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 16, 1837
The following is the Preamble and the leading Article in the
Constitution, together with the Resolutions adopted by the Madison
County Anti-Slavery Society, at its formation in Upper Alton, on
Saturday the 5th inst.:
Preamble
Whereas, we believe the system of Slavery as it exists in the United
States to be an institution of cruelty, injustice, and inhumanity, a
system glaringly, and utterly opposed to the whole genius and spirit
of Christianity; and whereas, its existence in this country is
utterly incompatible with those natural rights, which as a nation we
have declared belong alike to all men, and which no power, save that
which gave, can justly take away; and that, having been thus
rendered inalienable, whatever laws are made to estrange them are
unjust, oppressive, and contrary to the will of God, and ought
consequently to be abrogated without delay. Therefore, we feel
ourselves called upon as men, as American citizens, and especially
as Christians, to exhort whatever we may have of influence, in the
love and fear of God, to do away this evil from among us; and that
we may act the more efficiently, we agree to associate ourselves
together, and to adopt, and abide by the following Constitution. The
leading article as mentioned above is given only.
Article 4. The object of this Society shall be, peaceably, lawfully,
constitutionally, by moral means and those only, to secure the
immediate emancipation of the slaves of our country from the
thralldom in which they have so long suffered; and to restore to
them those domestic, and social rights, which have been most
wrongfully and unrighteously taken from them - the rights of parents
to their children, of men to their wives; and also to prevent eighty
thousands of human beings, who according to the voice of nature and
our own declarations, are born free, from being annually doomed from
their very birth to hopeless bondage.
Resolved, That the holding human beings as property, the buying and
selling them as such, is at all times, and under all circumstances,
a sin, contrary to the laws of God, to justice and humanity.
Resolved, That the modern doctrine of expediency, which is that we
should not brave public opinion, in endeavoring to do away
established customs, and oppressive and unjust laws, tends to evil,
and finds no countenance in the practice of Christ and his apostles.
Resolved, That we have a right, conferred by our Creator and
guaranteed by the Constitution of our country, to act upon public
opinion, in regard to subjects of general welfare, by the speaking,
writing, printing, or publication of our thoughts; and whoever
endeavors by threats, violence, or injury, to prevent the free
exercise of this right, aims a fatal, and treacherous blow at one of
the dearest and most salutary rights of American citizens, and that
our duty to defend it is even more imperative and sacred than was
our fathers to secure it.
Resolved, That the reception of Texas as an integral part of the
United States, would be a virtual approval of Slavery, on which
account, as well as for other reasons, it ought to be opposed by
every patriot and Christian, and especially by the free States.
Resolved, That we regard the internal Slave trade of this country,
by which no less than one hundred and twenty thousand men, women and
children are torn from their homes, and carried to a distant market
annually, as no less sinful than the foreign traffic in "homes and
sinews," which, by all Christendom, has been denounced as piracy.
Resolved, That we cordially approve of the proposition to form a
State Anti-Slavery Society.
Resolved, That we recommend to the State Anti-Slavery Society, when
formed, to establish a paper devoted to the cause of immediate
emancipation, to be conducted under the auspices of the said
Society.
The following resolutions were adopted.
Resolved, That the churches in this State are bound by the law of
love, and especially by the precept not to suffer sin to a brother,
to bear their testimony against the sin of Slavery as it exists in
the church in this and in some of our sister states, and to proclaim
to them and the world that we will not participate in this, their
guilt.
Resolved, That we will hold a monthly meeting for prayer to Almighty
God, that he will grant a speedy deliverance to the Slave, and
repentance and forgiveness to their oppressors.
Resolved, That the resort to violence in order to suppress the
discussion of Anti-slavery principles, which has so generally been
adopted by their opponents in this country, we consider as an
admission that their principles are incapable of refutation by
argument.
Resolved, That we consider it the solemn duty of every Christian and
every American patriot not to remain neutral in the mighty struggle
now going on in this country, between the spirit of slavery and the
spirit of freedom, inasmuch as we believe the dearest interests of
religion and humanity are involved in this struggle.
The committee appointed for the purpose reported the following list
as officers of the Society, which was adopted.
Rev. H. Loomis, President; Enoch Long and C. W. Hunter, Vice
Presidents; Owen Lovejoy, Secretary; J. S. Clark, Treasurer; George
Kimball, J. Gorden, James Carponier, Directors.
On motion, voted that the Rev. H. Loomis be invited to deliver an
address to the next meeting of the Society. Voted that when we
adjourn, we adjourn to meet a week from Tuesday next (the 15th
inst.) at the Presbyterian Church, Upper Alton. Voted that the
proceedings of this meeting signed by the Chairman and Secretary,
together with the Constitution and Resolutions be published in the
Spectator, Telegraph, Pioneer, and Observer.
Voted to adjourn. Hubbel Loomis, Chairman; Owen Lovejoy (brother to
Elijah P. Lovejoy), Secretary. Upper Alton, August 5, 1837
THE SLAVERY QUESTION
(From the Alton Telegraph Editors)
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 16, 1837
Having, in compliance with the request of the Abolition Society of
this County, given an abstract from their late proceedings a place
in our present number, we deem it expedient, once for all, to make
known explicitly the course which we intend to pursue in cases of
this kind; as well for the purpose of setting forth the ground on
which we actually stand, as to prevent fruitless applications from
any quarter for the admission of prohibited articles into our
columns. In the first place, then, we shall observe that we deem the
proceedings of any public meetings, or assemblage of citizens,
whatever may be its object, entitled to admission into newspapers,
as a matter of courtesy, if not of indisputable right, unless
couched in improper language. Their publication seems entirely
proper, not only because the voice of the people, when speaking in a
collective capacity, should always have a hearing; but also, because
those who may be opposed to the course pursued or recommended, ought
to be made publicly acquainted with it, in order to enable them,
should they deem it expedient, to adopt such measures as may appear
necessary to counteract it. On this ground, we have uniformly, when
thereto requested, published the proceedings of any public meeting
of our fellow citizens, whether we approve of its object or not. But
we acknowledge no such obligation towards private individuals. The
right of an Editor to admit or reject all communications, on any
subject whatever, which may be offered for insertion in the paper
under his control, we hold to be unlimited and absolute, in the
fullest sense of the term; and believe that he is responsible to
none, but his own conscience, and the bar of public opinion, for the
correctness of his decisions. In applying this fundamental rule to
the Abolition question, we may observe, in the second place, that
being fully persuaded that the discussion of it, at least during the
prevalence of the present excitement, can be productive of nothing
but unmingled evil, it will, on no account whatever, be allowed in
any shape through our columns. The proceedings of public meetings,
if not objectionable on the score of length or language, will always
be cheerfully admitted; but the door will be kept steadily and
rigorously closed against any allusion to the subject in any other
way.
CHARLES HOWARD MAKE A CORRECTION
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 23, 1837
Fellow Citizens: Permit me to address a few lines to you, for the
purpose of correcting an erroneous impression which I have been
informed is bearing on the minds of some of my friends with regard
to my views of Abolitionism. I have been informed that some persons
charge me of being an Abolitionist. This charge I most
unhesitatingly deny; and I believe that all my conduct, as well as
my language, relative to Abolitionism, will fully support my denial.
For, in the first place, none can say that I have ever attended an
Abolition meeting either in this or any other place. I did not even
attend the meeting held here on the occasion of Mr. Lovejoy's press
being thrown into the river, when he first landed in Alton, because
I was opposed to the course pursued by the Abolitionists; and in the
second place, being thus opposed, in principle, to the course
pursued by the Abolitionists, I cannot believe that my language has
been so contrary to my principles as to cause any person honestly
and truly to say that he believes me to be an Abolitionist. So far
from this being the case, I have had many warm and unhappy debates
with some of my friends on the subject of Abolitionism - they
defending and I opposing it. This I can prove to the satisfaction of
all, should it be deemed necessary, and I pledge my word to do so if
properly required. It is with regret that I have had to trouble you
with these remarks; and were it not that I am announced as a
candidate for the office of Mayor of our city, I should not have
taken the liberty thus to address you. With much respect, I
subscribe myself, Your fellow citizen, Charles Howard
ALTON OBSERVER OFFICE BROKEN INTO - PRESS DESTROYED
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 23, 1837
We are deeply concerned to state that the office of the Alton
Observer, in this city [Alton], was entered into by a number of
persons on Monday evening last; and its presses, type, and other
materials taken down, broken, and thrown into the street. As no
opposition was made to the proceedings of those engaged in this
business, no personal injury was sustained by anyone, with the
exception of a respectable citizen who was knocked down by a volley
of stones directed against the building in which the office was
kept. Deeming it probable that this transaction will undergo a legal
investigation, we forbear all further details for the present.
STOREHOUSE OF GERRY & WELLER ROBBED - PRESS BROKEN AND THROWN
INTO RIVER
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 27, 1837
We deeply regret to be obliged to record the perpetration of another
act of lawless violence in this city. Between the hours of eleven
and twelve o'clock on the night of the 21st inst., the storehouse of
Messrs. Gerry & Weller, on Second street [Broadway], was forcibly
entered by twenty or thirty persons who proceeded forthwith to carry
off a box, containing a press intended for the republication of the
Alton Observer, which had been received a few hours before; and
after totally destroying it, together with its contents, threw the
fragments into the river. The business was dispatched with so much
expedition, that although the Mayor was immediately sent for and
repaired to the spot with all practicable speed, the work of
destruction was nevertheless completed before his arrival. Sundry
boxes of type procured for the same purpose, and deposited in the
same place, with the exception of one which has disappeared, were
not molested; either because the individuals engaged in the
transaction did not wish to destroy them, or were deterred by the
appearance of the Mayor. Being decidedly opposed to violence, in any
case, we need hardly say that we consider these proceedings as
deserving of the strongest reprobation. However worthy of censure
the Abolitionists may be for persisting in the propagation of their
tenets at a time so unpropitious to calm and dispassionate
investigation as the present, and however much they may injure the
interests of this growing City by thus making it, as it were, the
focus of their operations, we are fully persuaded that these
repeated attempts to put them down by force must inevitably be
productive of far greater and more deplorable evils than these they
are intended to prevent. One wrong never can justify another; and
violence never should be tolerated in a country of laws and equal
rights. We are gratified to learn that a large number of our most
respectable and influential citizens are about organizing themselves
as a City guard, with a view of tendering their services to the
Mayor, in order to enable him promptly to put down all future
attempts to disturb the public peace, let them proceed from what
quarter they may.
$100 REWARD!!
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 27, 1837
Whereas, on the night of the 21st inst., several persons unlawfully,
forcibly and maliciously broke open and entered the store of Messrs.
Gerry & Weller, in said city [Alton], forcibly and maliciously took
a printing press, types, and other apparatus there from, and broke
and destroyed the same. In pursuance of the powers vested in me by
the Common Council of the City of Alton, a reward of One Hundred
Dollars will be paid for the apprehension and conviction of either
or all of the offenders; Provided such persons be delivered to the
civil authorities of said city.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said city, this 22d day of September, A. D. 1837. John M. Krum,
Mayor.
LOVEJOY AND WIFE ATTACKED BY MOB IN ST. CHARLES
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 4, 1837
To the Publishers of the Telegraph:
Gentlemen - As I know by experience that a thousand rumors and
exaggerations will be immediately set afloat in the community
respecting the recent outrage at St. Charles, I must ask of you the
favor to insert in your columns a brief narrative of the particulars
of the case. I will confine myself entirely to a simple statement of
the facts, leaving every reader to make his own comments and
reflections.
On Wednesday last, September 27, I went over to St. Charles
[Missouri] for the purpose of bringing home my wife, who, in ill
health and with a sick child, had been spending a few weeks at her
mother's, who resides in St. Charles. It was my intention to have
returned the next day in the stage, but finding my wife's health
unable to endure the journey, I concluded to wait till the next
stage (Monday). Accordingly, I did so. On Sabbath, at the request of
the Rev. Mr. Campbell, the Presbyterian minister of St. Charles, I
preached for him in the forenoon and at night, he himself preaching
in the afternoon. Just previous to my leaving the church, after the
services were over at night, the following note was slipped into my
hand: "Mr. Lovejoy, Be watchful as you come from church tonight. A
Friend."
I showed the note to Mr. Campbell, who asked me to go home with him.
I declined, however, and walked home to my mother-in-law's in
company with Mr. Campbell and Mr. Copes, a deacon of the church. It
was but a short distance, and nothing occurred to excite any storm.
Mr. Campbell went in with me. This was about nine o'clock. Brother
Campbell and myself sat conversing together till near ten o'clock,
when a knocking was heard at the foot of the stairs - the room in
which the family lived being in the second story. I took a candle
and went to the door at the head of the stairs, to ascertain who was
there; when the inquiry was made, "Is Mr. Lovejoy in?" I answered,
"Yes." "We want to see him," was the rejoinder; and immediately a
man by the name of -------- [left blank in the newspaper], and
another from Mississippi, whose name I did not learn, rushed through
the door where I stood and seized each by the coat collar, while the
platform at the head of the stairs was filled by the mobites.
The only individuals in the house were the Rev. Mr. Campbell, my
wife, her mother and sister, and myself. They doubtless expected to
find only myself and the three females in the house. My wife, who
was lying down in another room, hearing the knocking, came to the
head of the stairs, just as it was filled by the assailants. She had
to rush through them to get into the room where I was, which she
did, and succeeded in reaching me, not, however, until the fellow
from Mississippi had drawn his dirk upon her. Her only reply was to
strike him in the face with her hand - a blow which more than one of
the mobites received in their attempts to force me from the room -
she meanwhile clinging to me, or throwing herself before me, among
the infuriated assailants, with a self-abandoning fortitude and
devotion which a woman and a wife only can feel. Induced,
principally, by her efforts, the mob let me go and left the room. As
soon as the door was shut upon them, Mrs. Lovejoy fainted. I carried
her immediately into another room and laid her on the bed. She
recovered only to relapse into alarming hysteric fits, and while in
this condition, I was endeavoring to soothe her fears, the mob
returned with augmented numbers and fury. Regardless of her
heart-rending shrieks, they laid hold of me to drag me from the
room, and would have done so had not W. M. Campbell, Esq., come to
my rescue, and assisted me in freeing myself again from their grasp.
This state of things continued nearly two hours, the mob retiring
for a few moments to the grog shop, and then returning to the
assault with redoubled fury. It was their expressed determination to
take my life, or as one of them, with horrid oaths, expressed it,
they "wanted my blood and would have it." At length, one of them,
----------- [left blank], came up into the room with a written
demand that I should leave the town by ten o'clock next morning. I
sent them a reply that I should leave in the morning before nine.
This pacified them for a time. But having received their potations
of whisky, then again returned. By this time their drunken madness
had reached such a height, that my friends despaired of defending
me. Yielding, therefore, to their solicitations, and especially to
the entreaties of my wife, though much against my own inclinations,
I left the house, at a moment when the vigilance of the watching mob
was relaxed, and thanks to a Guardian Providence, escaped unharmed.
Signed by Elijah P. Lovejoy
LETTER FROM REV. ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
DATED October 4, 1837
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 5, 1867
[The following letter was furnished to the Telegraph by Dr. A.
Nichols of Quincy, from the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, written a short
time previous to his murder in Alton. It was postmarked Alton,
October 5, 1837, and address to H. H. Snow, Esq., or Rufus Brown,
Quincy, Illinois.]
Dear Brethren:
Before this reaches you the call for the convention will have been
received. And what I wish to say now is, that every abolitionist in
Adams County ought to attend if he possibly can. All depends upon
having a full, a GREAT Convention. Otherwise, if we get but 50 or
100 together, it will be labor lost, and worse than lost. Our
enemies will triumph and our friends will be disheartened. And
besides, I have little doubt we shall be mobbed, or at least that an
attempt will be made to do it. Now the Quincy brethren know how to
manage mobs. We want them here, all of them. Will not some of you
see the brethren in the county and urge them to come? If any are so
poor as not to be able to pay their expenses, let them be paid for
them. Come up, brethren; come up; in the name of God and for the
sake of humanity, of religion, come up to the convention.
You have heard that our new press has been destroyed. I shall send
for another one tomorrow. But seeing our brethren here are so timid,
I propose to leave the question of its location unsettled till the
convention shall decide. I have just escaped from St. Charles,
Missouri, from the fury of a mob, thankful that my life is spared.
You will see an account of it in the Telegraph of tomorrow, and a
more full detail in the Emancipator. I know not, dear brethren, if I
am to live or die, but I know that God reigneth, and that the cause
for which I suffer cannot be put back. Its march is onward, onward
to triumph; complete and permanent. Pray for me, dear brethren. My
trials are sore, and yet I am wonderfully, wonderfully supported
amidst them.
The Lord is faithful. Bless His name.
Your affectionate brother,
Elijah P. Lovejoy
THE TELEGRAPH TAKES A POSITION
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 11, 1837
It appears that the brief notice taken in our paper of the 27th ult.
of the demolition of a press, intended for the revival of the Alton
Observer, together with the few remarks which we then deemed it our
duty to make on
a certain communication forwarded from this city to
the Editor of the New York Plain Dealer, have given offense to at
least two individuals, each of whom has addressed as a letter full
of bitter denunciation and complaint. In the first, which bears the
signature of "One Who Knows," and is evidently written in a
disguised hand, we are required to offer an "apology" to "those
gentlemen who think fit to stop the course of Abolition in this
place," for the "harsh language" we employed towards them when
speaking of their proceedings, and emphatically "warned" that, if we
repeat the offense, our "press shall follow the course of the
other." "Silence - complete, grave-like silence" - according to our
correspondent, affording "the only safety for presses or persons."
In the second, to which is affixed the name of a citizen of Alton,
with whom we have no personal acquaintance, and which reiterates and
justifies, with many additions, all the injurious imputations
against the inhabitants of this town contained in the communication
to the Plain Dealer, we are audaciously charged, as "a guardian of
the public morals - a watchman on the walls of our city" - with
having failed "to use the influence which our position gives," so
"as to allay excitements, calm the passions, and shield the innocent
from the ruthless hand of violence." The author takes it for granted
that we must have been aware, for weeks before the attack was made,
of the intended destruction of the Observer office; and colors into
an elaborate argument for the purpose of showing that we not only
neglected to raise our voice against it before hand, but also, after
the commission of the act, to denounce the perpetrators in terms
sufficiently expressive of the indignation which every independent
man should feel at the atrocity of their conduct.
Whether these letters were intended for publication, with a view to
compel us, in self-defense, to open our columns to the discussion of
a question foreign to our purpose, and with which we have repeatedly
declared we are determined to have nothing to do; or merely designed
to influence our future course by secretly presenting to our mind
the motives which the writers were conscious would operate with the
greatest effort on their own, we neither know nor care. In either
case, both of our correspondents might have saved themselves the
trouble of addressing us; as neither the empty swaggering of the
one, nor the sophistical ranting of the other, will induce us to
move one inch from the ground which we have taken. We may, however,
remark in relation to the first communication - which was received a
few days before the appearance of our last number - that it would
have been treated with contemptuous indifference, had not the
receipt of the second - which reached us on Wednesday afternoon, and
which, bearing a real name, seemed, from that cause alone, to have
some claim on our attention - prompted us to include both in a
passing notice; not so much for the purpose of giving a serious
reply to either, as in order to explain more fully than we have
hitherto done, the position which we mean to occupy, so long as we
shall have the honor of conducting a public journal.
In the first place, we ought, perhaps, to observe that whether the
letters in question were intended for publication or not, we cannot
give either of them a place in our columns; not only because we
might, in that case, be tempted to speak of the respective writers
in terms not altogether consistent with self-respect, but chiefly
because we are fully persuaded that their appearance, even without
comment, would aggravate the feverishness of an excitement, which we
firmly hope and believe will speedily subside, provided nothing be
said or done to keep it in existence. We deem it the duty of every
good citizen, at all times, and more especially when unusual
agitation prevails, not only to be particularly careful to observe
the laws himself, but also scrupulously to abstain from saying or
doing anything which may lead to their violation by others. If he
act otherwise, no matter from what motive, he becomes, to a certain
extent, identified with the offenders; and if any outrage ensue, he
cannot be held altogether guiltless. Had this salutary maxim been
kept in view by either of the parties to the late proceedings, we
should have been spared the mortification of recording them, as well
as the labor of penning this explanatory article.
Inasmuch, however, as it may be the opinion of some, that we ought
to give more specific answers to the charges preferred against us in
the letters above referred to, we may observe, by way of reply to
"One Who Knows," that being wholly unconscious of having used "harsh
language" towards the persons of whom he speaks, we shall offer
neither him nor them any "apology" for anything we may heretofore
have said in relation to their proceedings; and that we shall not be
deterred, by the fear of any injury, either to our property or our
person, from condemning a resort to violence, be its object what it
may. If we are compelled to choose between the licentiousness of the
press, and its suppression, either by the edict of an absolute
Monarch or by brutal force, we shall not hesitate in preferring the
former; in the full persuasion, that in a free country, among an
intelligent and high-minded people, the evils arising from that
source, deplorable as they are, cannot be compared with those which
must inevitably proceed from the other. For the former, a sure
remedy may be found in a correct and enlightened public sentiment.
The latter, on the contrary, is fatal to liberty itself; and if
allowed to obtain the ascendency, must soon involve the most
invaluable rights of the citizens, as well as our Republican
institutions, in one common ruin.
With regard to the strictures of our second correspondent, it may be
remarked that as we most certainly did not anticipate that force
would be resorted to for the purpose of preventing the dissemination
of the doctrines set forth in the Alton Observer, we are not
conscious of any neglect of duty for having failed to give warning
of the contemplated assault. It is true that soon after our arrival
in this city, we became sensible that some dissatisfaction existed
with the Editor of the above paper, on account of his Anti-Slavery
publications, But, as we had no thought that this feeling would
manifest itself in any act of violence, and knowing personally
nothing about what seemed to be the chief cause of the excitement -
the alleged violation of a solemn pledge, said to have been
previously given by the gentleman in question - we deemed it neither
right nor becoming to interfere, or meddle in any way with matters
which concerned us not. It is, indeed, most probable that had we
said anything at all on the subject, we should have been considered
as an impudent busy-body; and that instead of restoring peace
between the two parties, we might have incurred the hostility of
both, and aggravated the mischief which we were seeking to prevent,
by increasing their mutual animosity. Such, at any rate, has been
frequently the case with those who volunteer their good offices in
settling disputes among their neighbors.
But, how was it, we may very properly ask, with our accuser. He is,
if we are not mistaken, an old resident of this place, and more or
less acquainted with every one of its inhabitants, as well as
perfectly familiar with the causes which have led to the
perpetration of the act of which he speaks with so much bitterness.
We, on the contrary, are almost a total stranger here, and have no
knowledge, except from common report - which, in this as well as in
most cases, is extremely vague and unsatisfactory - either of the
persons concerned in the late outrage or of the circumstances in
which it originated. If, therefore, we are guilty of a palpable
neglect of duty, because we did not sound the tocsin [bell] of
alarm, and warn the public of the approach of a danger which we did
not and could not foresee, what degree of censure does he deserve,
who according to his own written declarations, perceived in "the
attacks of the Spectator," "the Market house meeting" - "the report
of their committee" - and "the wicked threatenings and
misrepresentations that were made to keep up the excitement" - sure
indications of the coming storm, and yet did nothing either to avert
or to resist its fury? Did he then warn his Abolition friends to
desist from a course calculated to involve their property, and
perhaps their lives, in imminent peril? Did he charge the public
authorities to be vigilant and active in the performance of their
duties as conservators of the peace, in order to prevent the
perpetration of any act of violence? Did he invoke, either
personally or through the newspapers, the aid of all sober-minded
people, for the purpose of putting down every movement calculated to
disturb the tranquility of our growing city, and injure or destroy
its reputation abroad? If he did none of these things, but on the
contrary "looked on and said nothing," although, according to his
own admissions, fully aware of all that was in contemplation, we
think an impartial community will agree with us in the opinion, that
he must possess a more than ordinary share of impertinence in
attempting to transfer the odium which he most certainly should bear
from his own shoulders to ours. But let that pass.
Our position, at this time, is a very plain one, although by no
means free from difficulties. In our Editorial capacity, we know of
only two parties in these United States - those who support the
existing Administration of the general government, and their
opponents. On the success of the latter, we conscientiously believe
that not only the prosperity and happiness of this great people, but
also the perpetuity of our Republican institutions essentially
depend. To contribute our feeble aid towards the accomplishment of
this paramount object is, and shall continue to be, our sole and
single aim. Such being the case, we cannot allow our attention to be
called off from the great end we have in view, by subjects of minor
importance. We are convicted that an editor cannot take an active
part in any of the controversies on local or sectional matters,
which are constantly arising in a country like ours, without
incurring the hazard of deeply injuring the cause with which he
stands connected. For this reason only, and not, as one of our
correspondents basely and falsely insinuates, for the ignoble
purpose of avoiding danger, we neither can nor will in any way
whatever, interfere in the contest between the Abolitionists and
their adversaries. We shall leave them, at all times, to settle
their differences among themselves as they may think best, taking
care, whenever we shall have occasion to notice their proceedings,
to deal justly and impartially by all of them, approving where we
can, censuring where we must, and always lending our influence to
the preservation of good order and the support of the laws.
There are some who seem to imagine that an Editor should always be
mounted on his War Horse, ready like another Don Quixote, to charge
every wind will which may happen to attract his notice. Such,
however, is not our
opinion. Any responsibility, which properly
belongs to our position, we shall always promptly and cheerfully
assume, let it come in what shape it may. Farther than this,
however, we do not intend to go. If, therefore, any man or act of
men, absurdly choose to involve themselves into difficulty, either
by attempting to brave public opinion or by taking the laws into
their own hands, no matter from what motive, they need not expect
that we shall go out of our way, and leave our appropriate sphere of
action, either to watch over their safety or fight their battles.
Should any injury befall them, we shall doubtless regret it; but we
cannot consent to be held responsible for the consequences of their
own acts, or to aid them in turning the evils which they may draw
upon themselves into a profitable speculation. This is the ground on
which we stand - this the position which we occupy - not only in
relation to Abolitionism and its various ramifications, but also
with regard to every other subject of controversy, not immediately
connected with the great question at issue between the two parties
into which the American people are now unhappily divided.
We never have expected to be fortunate enough to give entire
satisfaction to every one of our readers; not even to all of those
whose political opinions do not essentially differ from our own. The
minds of men are so constituted, that it is impossible that they
should all think alike on any one subject, even when honestly
seeking to ascertain the truth, and to divest themselves of all
prejudices and partialities. It is not, therefore, surprising that
our course in relation to the exciting scenes recently enacted here,
should have given offense to some of the most zealous among those
who participated therein. We firmly believe, however, that a large
majority of those engaged on either side, as well as the citizens of
Alton generally, must, on reflection, be persuaded that the rule
which we have adopted is the only proper one, and that we cannot
depart from it without a violation of the high moral and political
obligations which an individual situated as we are, owes to the
community of which he is a member. Such, at least, are our honest
convictions, and such the course which we are resolved to pursue.
If, as we hope, the people of this city, after making a reasonable
allowance for human frailty and short-sightedness - from which we do
not claim to be exempt - shall deem our views to be in the main
correct, they will doubtless sustain us. If otherwise, they have the
same liberty to withdraw their support from this establishment,
which we have of seeking another location, so soon as it shall
appear that our labors among them are unacceptable. We have done
with the subject.
[Note: The owners/editors of The Alton Telegraph at this time were
John Bailhache and Lawson A. Parks (founder).]
ALTON CITIZEN PLEADS FOR CALM AND RULE OF LAW
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 18, 1837
Fellow Citizens - But lately the name of Alton stood high in view of
the whole land. The inhabitant of your city, in traversing the
Atlantic states, found himself an object of interest, and his little
infant town a subject of remark, inquiry, and admiration. This, I
have had opportunity to know, while in the course of a somewhat
extended tour through the older portion of our country. The word
"Alton," written on my baggage many a time, called around me my
fellow travelers, and the people among whom I passed to talk of the
town which in its youth - its very infancy indeed - was acquiring so
desirable a reputation. I must confess, that my heart glowed with
pleasure as I heard the frequent commendation of distant strangers.
And what was it that distinguished Alton thus? It was not its
greatness - its enterprise - its business - its warehouses - nor
even the rapidity of growth. In all these particulars but the last,
St. Louis was fully equal; in most of them, far superior. Having
many years start, the latter sat in the pride of wealth and urban
dignity, when Alton was struggling for existence. She smiled in
contempt at what she called the silly thought of rivalry. Her long
rows of warehouses and streets of merchandise, in defiance to the
efforts of a few young men to build a commercial town on the banks
of the same magnificent river, within scarcely more than twenty
miles. And yet Alton was armed with respect - almost with reverence
- while St. Louis was scarcely mentioned.
In regard to magnitude and enterprise and rapid growth, Chicago was
superior to Alton; and her local situation such as to excite even
deeper interest; and yet it was to a citizen of Alton a gratifying
fact that the latter occupied a higher station in the public view.
In short, though the whole West, and especially Illinois and her
towns, awaked the eager attention of the thinking and intelligent at
the East, it required not the feeling of partiality which I readily
confess to have been mine, in order to perceive that Alton was a
kind of favorite abroad.
I ask again, why did Alton stand this prominent - and without
hesitation answer. It was her high moral character. In every other
respect she had competitors fully her equal - in this, none. At an
early stage in her existence - at the very outset indeed - her
citizens stood up in support of those eternal principles which will
sustain towns, cities, empires; and without which they must sooner
or later fall. The world knew, so far as the world had heard of her,
that Alton was distinguished for that noble philanthropy which
stretches beyond the border of her own town plat; which embraces
other people, other nations, in her plans of beneficence, and which
recognizes all men as brothers of the same family, and entitled to
her sympathy and aid. The world knew, too, that the inhabitants of
Alton were, and were expected to continue to be freemen. Here was
the grand distinction between Alton and her wealthy neighbor. Other
points of difference could be modified or disregarded, but this was
supposed to be of so fixed a character, and was deemed so essential
to permanent prosperity, that capital and enterprise and business
flowed in until the insignificant little upstart began to turn into
a magnitude which alarmed and provoked her older sister.
Fellow-citizens, look at the foundation on which the prosperity of
your town was built. If you will keep up this grand distinctive
mark, see, known and felt by all observers, your city will rise and
spread and shine and last, when all the institutions of vice and
injustice shall be shaken to pieces. But, if you strike this flag,
your hopes of future greatness will be blown away and disappear.
Public confidence will be lost; and with public confidence,
business, immigration, wealth will cease. If you wish Alton to
become a city of rioters, then let their well-known morals and
principles rule, and let discussion be forcibly put down. But, if
you wish to bear the reputation of a moral, honest, free people,
rise in the majesty of order, justice and truth, and stop these
violent proceedings.
A single fact will show that my position is sound. A leading
political paper of New York - the organ of the real democracy, as
they deem themselves the Loco-Focus, as they are called, - a paper
and a party which are assuming a most imposing attitude in the
country, contains the account of the destruction of the office of
the Observer, in which the writer states "that the place is under
the control of a mob." He advises immigrants to avoid Alton. The
Editor of a religious paper, not Abolitionist, but opposed to them
[the New York Observer] and having a wider circulation probably than
any other paper in the United States, save one, adds: "We hope they
will, till the punishment of the rioters shall show that the reign
of law is restored."
Thus, fellow-citizens, you may see what effect this course of
proceeding will have on Alton. The feeling is general; it is strong
and deep. If the people of Alton allow the mob to prevail in this
case, property of every kind will be depreciated in value one-third,
if not one-half, within six months, from this cause alone.
Signed "One of You."
ALTON AFRICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY FORMED
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 01, 1837
A public meeting having been called by a number of citizens of Upper
and Lower Alton and Middletown and vicinity, it was held in the
Presbyterian house of worship, Upper Alton, Tuesday evening, Oct.
21. The house, which is a large one, was crowded to overflowing with
gentlemen and ladies. The meeting was organized by calling Dr. H. F.
Edwards to the chair, and appointing Dr. H. K. Lathey Secretary. The
following resolutions were moved, seconde3d and unanimously adopted.
On motion of the Hon. Cyrus Edwards -
Resolved, That the plan of providing for the removal to the coast of
Africa, with their own consent, of such persons of color as are
already free, or of such others as the humanity of individuals, and
the laws of the different States, may hereafter liberate, recommends
itself to the cordial support of every patriot, Christian and
philanthropists.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Parker, lately from New Orleans -
Resolved, That African colonization is worthy of the patronage of
every American citizen; because it tends to unite men in all
sections of our country in philanthropic feelings; because it
creates feelings of respect for the colored race; and because it is
pre-eminently a practical scheme of benevolence.
On motion of the Rev. J. M. Peck -
Regarding the involuntary and hereditary slavery of the African race
as a violation of the principles of the Bible, and of the
inalienable rights of man; as a fruited source of unhappiness to all
parties concerned; as tending to deprive the slave of many of the
rights, privileges and enjoyments of individual, domestic and social
life; to destroy the bonds of the parental, fraternal, community
relations; as tending to produce alienation of feeling, discord and
disunion betwixt the different States, and as a moral and national
evil, deeply deplored by the most distinguished statesmen, patriots
and philanthropists of our country, Therefore -
Resolved, That we regard the project of African colonization as a
benevolent project, brought about by Divine Providence, and well
calculated to remove the most formidable obstruction in the way of
the emancipation of slaves; provide for the elevation of the free
people of color, who may be disposed to emigrate; and to induce
slave holders to listen to the arguments, imbibe the principles, and
co-operate in the labors of the friends of the African race.
Resolved, That while we regard the constitutional and legal question
of slavery as being under the exclusive jurisdiction of the slave
holding States, we hold ourselves in readiness, as the friends of
humanity, to co-operate by our prayers, labors, and contributions,
with our brethren in those States in the removal of slavery by
emancipation, and providing an asylum for the emancipation, where
they and their posterity can enjoy all the religious, civil, social,
and individual rights and privileges of a free people.
Resolved, That we deplore exceedingly the hostility that has been
manifested, and the prejudices excited against the project of
African colonization; the unchristian and abustre epithets against
the slave holding community; the assumption that a class of the
community are the friends of the slave, and of his emancipation,
except those who approve of the measures, and unite with the modern
anti-slavery conventions and societies; and we recommend the
citizens of this State, and especially the free people of color, who
live amongst us, to make themselves acquainted with the principles
and progress of African colonization, and the present condition and
prospects of the colonies in Liberia.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the life members of the Illinois
State Colonization Society to take measures to revive that society,
and to arrange for a public meeting for the purpose, to be held at
Springfield, at such times as they may deem expedient.
Other resolutions were adopted as follows -
Resolved, That the citizens of our State be invited to form
Colonization Societies in each principal town and county.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the
Western Pioneer, the Telegraph, and the Spectator.
The meeting was addressed with great effect by Messrs. Edwards,
Parker, and Peck. Rev. Mr. Dogan proposed not to make a speech, but
to "gather up the fragments," by proposing the form of a
Constitution for a Society, and a subscription for the object. The
Constitution was adopted, and a subscription raised amounting to
almost $150. The officers of the Society are: B. I. Gilman, Esq.,
President; Dr. B. F. Edwards, John Hogan, and C. W. Hunter,
Vice-Presidents; Dr. B. K. Lathey, Secretary; S. Griggs, Treasurer;
Dr. P. W. Randle, Rev. Aaron Trabee, Rev. E. Rodgers, Enoch Long,
Esq., and Elias Hibbard, Esq., Managers.
(The Telegraph also published the Constitution of the Alton
Colonization Society, and the Illinois Abolition Convention was held
in Upper Alton on October 27, 1837.)
CITIZENS MEET REGARDING LOVEJOY AND THE ABOLITION QUESTION
Lovejoy Gives a Speech
Held on November 02, 1837
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 8, 1837
At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of the City of
Alton, held at the counting-room of Messrs. John Hogan & Co., on
Thursday afternoon, November 2, 1837, Samuel G. Bailey, Esq., was
called to the Chair, and William F. D'Wolf appointed Secretary. Mr.
Hogan then announced the object of the meeting to be, to take into
consideration the present excited state of public sentiment in this
city, growing out of the discussion of the Abolition question; and
to endeavor to find some common ground on which both parties might
meet for the restoration of harmony and good fellowship by mutual
concession - expressing a fervent wish that so desirable an object
might be carried into effect. He was followed by the Rev. Edward
Deecher of Jacksonville, who stated that the proposal of such a
meeting had originated from Mr. Hogan, and that it had been deemed
advisable by him and by Mr. Gilman that the following resolutions
should be laid before the meeting for their consideration.
Resolved, That the free communication of thoughts and opinions is
one of the invaluable rights of man; and that every citizen may
freely speak, write and print on any subject, being responsible for
the abuse of that liberty.
Resolved, That the abuse of this right is the only legal ground for
restraining its use.
Revolved, That the question of abuse must be decided solely by a
regular civil court, and in accordance with the law; and not by an
irresponsible and unorganized portion of the community, be it great
or small.
Resolved, For restraining what the law will not reach, we are to
depend solely on argument and moral means, aided by the controlling
influences of the spirit of God; and that these means, appropriately
used, furnish a simple defense against all ultimate prevalence of
false principles and unhealthy excitement.
Resolved, That where discussion is free and unrestrained, and proper
means are used, the triumph of the truth is certain; and that with
the triumph of truth, the return of peace is sure; but that all
attempts to check or prohibit discussion will cause a daily increase
of excitement, until such checks or prohibitions are removed.
Resolved, That our maintenance of these principles should be
independent of all regard to persons or sentiments.
Resolved, That we are more especially called on to maintain them in
ruse of unpopular sentiments or persons; as in no other cases will
any effort to maintain them be needed.
Resolved, That these principles demand the protection of the Editor
and of the press of the Alton Observer, on grounds of principle
solely, and altogether disconnected with approbation of his
sentiments, personal character, or course as Editor of the paper.
Resolved, That on these grounds alone, and irrespective of all
political, moral, or religious differences, but solely as American
citizens, from a sacred regard to the great principles of civil
society, to the welfare of our country, to the reputation and honor
of our city, to our own dearest rights and privileges, and those of
our children, we will protect the press, the property, and the
Editor of the Alton Observer; and maintain him in the free exercise
of his rights, to print and publish whatever he pleases, in
obedience to the supreme laws of the land, and under the guidance
and direction of the constituted civil authorities, he being
responsible for the abuse of this liberty only to the laws of the
land.
The meeting was then addressed at some length by Mr. Linder, in
opposition to the resolutions; after which Mr. Hayden moved that the
resolutions be laid on the table. At the suggestion of Mr. Hogan and
Col. Botkin, this motion was subsequently withdrawn by the mover;
when Mr. Hogan moved that the resolutions be referred to a
committee, with instructions to report at an adjourned meeting. This
motion was agreed to; and, it being ordered that said committee
should consist of seven gentlemen, to be nominated by the Chair, the
Hon. Cyrus Edwards and Messrs. John Hogan, Stephen Griggs, U. F.
Linder, H. G. Van Wagenen, Thomas G. Hawley, and Winthrop S. Gilman
were appointed. Mr. Linder then offered the following resolution;
which was agreed to:
Resolved, unanimously, by this meeting, That in the interim between
the adjournment and reassembling hereof, if any infraction of the
peace be attempted by any party or set of men in this community, we
will aid to the utmost of our power in the maintenance of the laws.
The meeting then adjourned to meet at the courtroom on Friday the 3d
inst., at two o'clock p.m.
Friday, November 3, 2 o'clock p.m.:
The citizens met, pursuant to adjournment; and the meeting being
called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Linder offered the following
resolution, which was unanimously agreed to without debate:
Resolved, That this meeting shall be composed exclusively of the
citizens of Madison county; and that it is reiterated that none
others shall vote or take part in the discussion of any subject that
may be offered for their consideration; but all persons in
attendance, other than citizens, will consider themselves as welcome
spectators.
The Hon. Cyrus Edwards, from the committee appointed at the previous
meeting, then made the following report; which was read:
"The committee appointed to take under consideration certain
resolutions submitted at our last meeting beg leave to report that
they have given to those resolutions a deliberate and candid
examinations, and are constrained to say that, however they may
approve their general spirit, they do not consider them, as a whole,
suited to the exigency which has called together the citizens of
Alton. It is notorious that fearful excitements have grown out of
collisions of sentiment between two great parties on the subject,
and that these excitements have led to excesses on both sides deeply
to be deplored. Too much of crimination and recrimination have been
indulged. On the one hand, the anti-abolitionists have been charged
with a heartless cruelty; a reckless disregard of the rights of men,
and an insidious design under the deceptive pretexts to perpetuate
the foul stain of slavery. They have been loaded with muny of must
opprobrious epithets such as pirates, _______, &c. On the other
hand, the abolitionists have been too indiscriminately denounced as
violent disturbers of the good order of society, willfully
incendiary and disorganizing in their spirit, _______ prompting
servile insurrections, and traitorously encouraging infractions of
the constitution, lending to disunion, violence and bloodshed. These
uncharitable impeachments of motives have led to an app___lting
crisis, demanding of every good citizen the exertion of his utmost
endurance to arrest all acts of violence and to restore harmony to
our once peaceful and prosperous, but now distracted city. It is not
to be disguised that parties are now organizing and arming for a
conflict, which may terminate in a train of mournful consequences.
Under such circumstances, have we been convened. And your committee
are satisfied that nothing short of a generous forbearance, a mild
spirit of convolution, and a yielding compromise of conflicting
claims, can compose the elements of discord and restore quiet to
this agitated community. They are therefore, forced to regard the
resolutions under consideration as failing short of the great end in
view; as demanding too much of concession on the one side, without
equivalent concession on the other. Neither party can be expected to
yield everything, and to acknowledge themselves exclusively in the
wrong. In this there is no compromise. There must be a mutual
sacrifice of prejudices, opinions and interests, to accomplish the
desired reconciliation - such a sacrifice as led to the adoption of
the great charter of American freedom which has secured to
ourselves, and which promises a continuance to our posterity, of the
blessed fruits of peace, prosperity and union. Whilst, therefore, we
fully and freely recognize the justness of the principles engrafted
upon our constitution, that the free communication of thoughts and
opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and that every
citizen may freely speak, write and print on any subject, being
responsible for the abuse of that liberty; that the abuse of this
right is the only legal ground for restraining its use; that the
question of abuse must be decided solely by a regular civil court,
and in accordance with the law, and not by an irresponsible and
unorganized portion of the community, be it great or small - your
committee would with earnest importunity, urge as a means of
allaying the acrimony of party strife, the unanimous adoption of the
following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, it is of the utmost importance that peace, harmony, order,
and a due regard to law should be restored to our distracted
community; and whereas, in all cases of conflicting opinions about
rights and privileges, each party should yield something in the
spirit and ____ of compromise; Therefore,
Resolved, That a strong confidence is entertained that our citizens
will abstain from all undue excitements, discountenance every act of
violence to person or property, and cherish a sacred regard for the
great principles contained in our Bill of Rights.
Resolved, That it is apparent to all good citizens, that the
exigencies of the place require a course of moderation in relation
to the discussion of principles in themselves decided right, and of
the highest importance; and that it is no less a dictate of duty
than expediency, to adopt such a course in the present crisis.
Resolved, That so far as your committee have possessed the means of
ascertaining the sense of the community, in relation to the
establishment of a religious newspaper, such a _______ would, at a
suitable time, and under the influence of judicious proprietors and
editors, contribute to the cause of religion and good citizenship,
and promote the prosperity of the city and country.
Resolved, That while there appears to be no disposition to prevent
the liberty of free discussion, through the medium of the press or
otherwise, as a general thing, it is desired a matter indispensable
to the peace and harmony of this community that the labors and
influence of the late Editor of the Observer be no longer identified
with any newspaper establishment in this city.
Resolved, That whereas it has come to the knowledge of your
committee, that the late Editor of the Observer has voluntarily
proposed to the proprietors and stockholders of the Alton Observer,
to relinquish his interest and connection with that paper, if, in
the opinion of his friends, that course were expedient; your
committee consider that such a course would highly contribute to the
peace and harmony of the place, and indicate on the part of the
friends of the Observer a disposition to do all in their power to
restore the city to its accustomed harmony and quiet.
Resolved, That we would not be understood as reflecting in the
slightest degree upon the private character or motives of the late
Editor of the Alton Observer, by anything contained in the foregoing
resolutions."
Mr. Linder then took to the floor, in support and explanation of the
views taken by the committee, and urged the adoption of the
resolutions reported by them with must earnestness. When he closed
his remarks, Winthrop S. Gilman, Esq., one of the committee, handed
the following protest against some of the sentiments expressed in
the report; which he desired should be made a part of the record of
the meeting: W. S. Gilman, from the committee, protested against so
much of the report as is contained in the resolutions; alleging it
as his opinion, that the rigid enforcement of the law would prove
the only sure protection of the rights of citizens, and the only
safe remedy for similar excitements in future.
The Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, Editor of the Observer, here addressed the
meeting at some length, in a speech declaratory of his right, under
the Constitution of this State, to print and publish his opinions,
and of his determination to stand on this right, and abide the
consequences, under a solemn sense of duty.
He was followed by Mr. Hogan, who took a wholly different view of
the subject; and contended that it was the duty of Mr. Lovejoy, as a
Christian and patriot, to abstain from the exercise of some of his
abstract rights under existing circumstances. In the course of his
remarks, the former referred to the pledge said to have been
publicly given by the latter, when he first came to Alton; and
observed that at that time he most certainly did understand Mr.
Lovejoy to say, that inasmuch as he had left a slave-holding State,
and had come to reside in a free State, he did not conceive it his
duty to advocate the cause of emancipation, and did not intend doing
so.
The Rev. E. W. Graves then rose in explanation; and asked Mr. Hogan
whether Mr. Lovejoy did not, at the time referred to, distinctly
state that he yielded none of his rights, to discuss any subject
which he saw it. Mr. Hogan replying in the affirmative, Mr. Graves
proceeded to remark that when Mr. Lovejoy arrived in this city, he
entertained the views attributed to him by the gentleman who had
just taken his seat; that a change had subsequently taken place in
his opinions, and that at a certain meeting of the friends of the
Observe, he (Mr. Lovejoy) had made known this alteration in his
sentiments, and asked advice whether it was best to come out in
public on the subject. That, under the circumstances of the case, it
was deemed most proper to let the paper go on - there then being an
excitement in the public mind. Mr. Graves next alluded to the
present excited state of the popular feeling, and said that the
friends of the Observer had lately received communications from all
parts of the country, and even from Kentucky, Missouri, and
Mississippi, urging the necessity of reestablishing the press.
Mr. Linder followed in reply, and said he now understood the whole
matter. It was a question, whether the interest and feelings of the
citizens of Alton should be consulted; or whether we were to be
dictated to by foreigners, who cared nothing but for the
gratification of their own inclinations, and the establishment of
certain abstract principles, which no one, as a general thing, ever
thought of questioning. He concluded his remarks by offering the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the discussion of the doctrines of immediate
abolitionism, as they have been discussed in the columns of the
Alton Observer, would be destructive of the peace and harmony of the
citizens of Alton, and that, therefore, we cannot recommend the
reestablishment of that paper, or any other of a similar character,
and conducted with a like spirit.
The resolution having been read, Mr. Edwards rose and expressed the
hope that its adoption would not be pressed at this moment. He dwelt
with great earnestness and effect on the importance of calmness in
our deliberations; and trusted that the present meeting would be
productive of good to the community. The resolution was then laid on
the table.
Judge Hawley then made a few very eloquent and appropriate remarks,
on the subject for which this meeting had been called; and concluded
by offering the following preamble and resolution, which were read
and laid on the table for the present.
"Whereas, great and general excitement has for some time past
prevailed with the people of the city of Alton, in relation to the
publication of the doctrines of abolition, as promulgated by Mr. E.
P. Lovejoy, in a paper called the Alton Observer; and whereas, as a
consequences of that excitement, personal violence has been resorted
to in the destruction of said press; Therefore,
Resolved, That whilst we decidedly disapprove of the doctrines, as
put forth by the said Lovejoy, as subversive of the great principles
of our union, and of the prosperity of our young and growing city,
we at the same time as decidedly disapprove of all unlawful
violence."
The question on agreeing to the report of the committee was then
called for; and on motion of Mr. Hogan, the resolutions being taken
up separately, were severally disposed of as follows: Resolution 1,
2, and 4 were agreed to unanimously; and resolutions 3, 5, and 6
were stricken out. The report, as amended, was then agreed to.
The resolution offered by Mr. Linder, and laid on the table, was
then taken up, and agreed to as was ___ that subsequently introduced
by Judge Hawley, after striking out the preamble from the latter.
Mr. John Krum then offered the following resolution; which was also
agree to:
"Resolved, That as citizens of Alton, and the friends of order,
peace, and constitutional law, we regret that persons and editors
from abroad have seen proper to interest themselves so conspicuously
in the discussion and agitation of a question in which our city is
made the principal theater."
The meeting then adjourned, sine die. Samuel G. Bailey, Chairman. W.
F. D'Wolf, Secretary.
THE MURDER OF REV. ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY – November 7, 1837
Written by Mayor John M. Krum, November 8, 1837
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 15, 1837
In order that the public mind may be correctly informed of the
lamentable and fatal tragedy that was enacted in our city on the
night of the 7th instant, and with a view of preventing and
correcting distorted statement of the proceedings of the mob and
those persons against whom the attack was directed, I deem it
incumbent on me and proper, that I should present in my official
capacity a plain statement of all the facts connected with the
unhappy excitement that has so long agitated the peace and
tranquility of the citizens of Alton. Without recurring to the
causes or results of previous excitements in reference to the "Alton
Observer" press, and its final destruction, I shall confine my
statement to the last and most melancholy occurrence which has
befallen our city.
For several days past it had been announced and generally believed
that a printing press was hourly expected to be landed at our wharf.
It had also been the current rumor that this press was intended for
the re-establishment of the Alton Observer. The circulation of these
rumors produced no small degree of excitement among those who had
taken a decided stand against the abolition sentiments that were
understood to have been disseminated through the columns of the
Observer. Various reports of a threatening character against the
landing of the press were in circulation, which led the friends of
the Observer and its Editor to make preparations to defend the
press, in case any violence should lie offered by those opposed to
the publication of that paper.
On Tuesday, about three o'clock in the morning, I was called from my
lodgings and informed that the press had arrived at the wharf, and
that my official interference was desired. I immediately repaired to
the wharf, and remained there until the press was landed and stored
in the warehouse of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman & Co. There were no
indications of violence of resistance on the part of anyone at that
time. The arrival of the "abolition press" (as it was called) was
generally known to the early part of that day, which served to
re-kindle the excitement. Representation was made to the Common
Council of the threatening reports which were in circulation. The
Common Council did not, however, deem it necessary to take any
action on the subject. Gentlemen directly interested in protecting
the press from mob violence deemed it expedient to guard the
warehouse with men and arms, in readiness to resist violence, if any
should be offered.
During the early part of the night of Tuesday, it was reported
through the city that there were from 30 to 40 armed men on guard
within the warehouse. About 10 o'clock at night, 20 or 30 persons
appeared at the south end of the warehouse, and gave some
indications of an attack. Mr. W. S. Gilman, from the third story of
the warehouse, addressed those without, and urged them to desist,
and at the same time informed them that the persons within the
warehouse were prepared, and should endeavor to defend their
property; and that serious consequences might ensue. Those without
demanded the press, and said they would not be satisfied until it
was destroyed; and said they did not wish to injure any person or
other property, but insisted on having the press. To which Mr.
Gilman replied, that the press could not be given up. The persons
outside then repaired to the north end of the warehouse, and
attacked the building by throwing stones &c., and continued their
violence for 15 or 20 minutes, when a gun was fired from one of the
windows of the warehouse, and a man named Lyman Bishop was mortally
wounded. He was carried to a surgeon's office, and the mob withdrew
and dispersed, with the exception of a small number.
Upon the first indication of disturbance, I called on the civil
authorities most convenient, and repaired with all dispatch to the
scene of action. By this time, the firing from the warehouse and the
consequent death of one of their number (Bishop died soon after he
received the shot), had greatly increased the excitement, and added
to the numbers of the mob. Owing to the late hour of the night, but
few citizens were present at the onset, except those engaged in the
contest. Consequently, the civil authorities could do but little
towards dispersing the mob, except by persuasion.
Gilman-Godfrey Warehouse Where Lovejoy Was Murdered
A large number of people soon collected around me. I was requested
to go to the warehouse and state to those within that those outside
had resolved to destroy the press, and that they would not desist
until they had accomplished their object; that all would retire
until I should return; which request was made by acclamation, and
all soon retired to await my return. I was replied to by those
within the warehouse that they had assembled there to protect their
property against lawless violence, and that they were determined to
do so. The mob began again to assemble with increased numbers, and
with guns and weapons of different kinds. I addressed the multitude
and commanded them to desist and disperse; to which they listened
attentively and respectfully, but to no purpose. A rush was now made
to the warehouse, with the cry of "Fire the house!" "Burn them out!"
&c.
The firing soon became fearful and dangerous between the contending
parties - so much so that the further interposition on the part of
the civil authorities and citizens was believed altogether
inadequate and hazardous in the extreme. No means were at my
control, or that of any other officer present, by which the mob
could be dispersed and the loss of life and the shedding of blood
prevented. Scenes of the most daring recklessness, and infuriated
madness, followed each other in quick succession. The building was
surrounded and the inmates were threatened with extermination and
death in the most frightful form imaginable. Every means of escape
by flight were cut off. The scene now became one of most appalling
and heart-rending interest! Fifteen or twenty citizens, among whom
were some of our most worthy and enterprising, were, apparently,
doomed to an unenviable and inevitable death if the flames
continued.
About the time the fire was communicated to the building, Rev. E. P.
Lovejoy (late Editor of the Observer), received four balls in his
breast, near the door of the warehouse, and fell a corpse in a few
seconds; two others from the warehouse were severely wounded.
Several persons engaged in the attack were severely wounded; the
wounds, however, are not considered dangerous. The contest had been
raging for an hour or more, when those in the warehouse, by some
means (the exact manner it was done I have not been able to
ascertain) intimated that they would abandon the house and the
press, provided they were permitted to depart unmolested. The doors
were soon thrown open, and those within retreated down Front street.
Several guns were fired upon them while retreating, and one
individual had a narrow escape - a ball passed through his coat near
his shoulder. A large number of persons now rushed into the
warehouse, threw the press upon the wharf, where it was broken in
pieces and thrown into the river. The fire in the roof of the
warehouse was extinguished by a spectator, who deserves great praise
for his courageous interference, and but little damage was done by
it to the building. No disposition seemed to be manifested to
destroy any other property in the warehouse. Without further
attempts of violence, the mob now dispersed, and no further open
indications of disorder or violence have been manifested.
The foregoing is stated on what I consider undoubted authority, and
mostly from my own personal knowledge. Signed by John M. Krum,
Mayor.
THE BURIAL OF LOVEJOY
(As printed in the Alton Observer from the Cincinnati Journal,
December 28, 1837, written by Rev. Thaddeus B. Hurlbut)
The next morning, after Mr. Lovejoy's death, his remains were
removed, by a few of his friends, from the warehouse in which he
died, to his family. It was manifest, as the hearse moved through
the street, that the malignity of his enemies, not satisfied by
having spilled his heart's blood, still burned against him. I myself
saw their sneers, and overheard some of their profane jests. One who
was known to have taken a conspicuous part in the tragedy remarked,
that "if he had a fife, he would play the dead-march for him." The
next morning, his friends assembled and quietly deposited his
remains in the narrow house of the tomb [Lovejoy was buried in the
Alton City Cemetery, between two oak trees, with the head to the
north and the foot to the south. A piece of board, a little larger
than an ordinary shingle, with his initials carved on, served as his
headstone]. There were no public exercises except a prayer at his
funeral, it being deemed that silence was the most expressive sermon
for the occasion. He is now where the wicked cease from troubling,
and where the weary are at rest. He rests from his labors, and his
works will follow him.
There is now comparative quietness in our city. The mob, having
triumphed over the laws, have undisputed control. No steps have yet
been taken to arrest the offenders, although they are well known.
Indeed, they boast openly in the streets of their deeds of valor.
Report says, there has been quite a contention between two or three
of the leaders, as to who was entitled to the honor of shooting
Lovejoy. There is, probably, no city on the civilized globe, there,
when the evidence of guilt is so abundant, and so palpable, no
efforts would be made to bring the offenders to justice. The
magistrates who are not in the interest of the mob, feel, like all
the rest of us, that they are at their mercy.
[NOTE: William "Scotch" Johnston, an African-American, helped to
bury Rev. Lovejoy. He received five dollars for the burial and work
at a later date, from Thomas Dimmock. Johnston was born in Scotland,
and was a stone mason. It was he who helped Dimmock find Lovejoy's
unmarked grave in 1864, 27 years after the burial. The grave was in
a part of the cemetery where a roadway passed over it, and vehicles
passing in and out of the cemetery were going over the unmarked
grave. Johnston pointed out the grave, and Mr. Dimmock had the bones
exhumed, had them re-interred where they are now. Dimmock set up
over the grave the marble scroll stone which still marks it.]
THE TELEGRAPH SPEAKS OUT
Alton Telegraph, November 29, 1837
The Editor of the Galena Gazelle, in order probably to give
additional point to the censure he bestows on the St. Louis and
Alton papers, for the course pursued by them in relation in the late
unhappy occurrence in this City [Alton], having taken occasion to
observe that "one of the Editors" of the Telegraph was a member of
"the same religious society with Mr. Lovejoy," &c., it seems due to
truth and justice to say that the gentleman alluded to (L. A. Parks)
has nothing to do with the Editorial department of this paper, which
is controlled exclusively by J. Bailhache. How far the opinion is
correct, that "the blood of Mr. Lovejoy never would have cried from
the ground" had either of the journals published at St. Louis or
Alton "sternly, firmly, yet soberly depicted the enormity of
violence," is known only to the Omniscient God; and it savors
somewhat of presumption in any individual, and especially one
residing at a considerable distance from the place where the
melancholy event occurred, and who knows nothing of the incidents
connected with it, except from report, to undertake to say how it
might have been prevented.
So far as we are concerned, our conscience acquits us from all blame
in this matter. We never have hesitated, on every suitable occasion,
to deprecate a resort to violence; or failed to do all in our power
to lead the Abolitionists and their opponents to respect each
other's prejudices and opinions, as well as to abstain from whatever
appeared calculated to add to the then prevailing excitement.
Whether this has always been done in a proper spirit, however, is
not for us to decide. But the fact that we have incurred the
displeasure and resentment of some, because we spoke of the first
outrage, is language which they deemed "harsh and insulting," and of
others, because we did not notice it in terms of sufficient
severity, justifies the belief that we have pursued the only proper
course, and that, had we acted differently, we might have been
instrumental in increasing the horrors of the late catastrophe,
instead of preventing its occurrence. Such, at least, is our candid
and deliberate opinion.
THE LATE TRAGEDY
Alton Telegraph, November 29, 1837
We have been requested, by gentlemen whom we highly esteem, to
extract from a number of our exchange papers, sundry articles in
relation to the lamentable occurrence of the night of the 7th
instant; but, after due reflection, the conviction has been forced
upon us, that a compliance with this request on our part would be
productive of no benefit to the public. The extracts in question
materially differ from each other; not only in their statement of
the facts which they profess to relate, but also, in the view which
they take of the melancholy transaction itself.
Their re-publication here, instead of throwing additional light on
the subject, would, therefore, lend only to involve it in still
greater obscurity; and probably to prolong, or revive, the now
subsiding excitement. Besides, were we to open our columns to
articles of this cast, we should thereby incur an implied obligation
to give equal publicity to any other sentiment of the affair,
however objectionable, which might be presented for insertion.
Under this view of the matter, we are persuaded that our true course
is to let the subject rest for the present, with the single remark
that, so far as our observation has extended, public opinion,
although unquestionably opposed to the proceedings of the
Abolitionists, still more decidedly and unequivocally condemns the
violence repeatedly offered to their persons and their property, and
more especially the bloody scene of the 7th inst., which is
everywhere strongly and indignantly reprobated.
If, however, it should appear necessary to the cause of truth to
give a more particular account of what took place than is contained
in that statement of the Mayor [John Krum] - which, from the
relation in which this gentleman stood with the two hostile parties
at the time of the catastrophe, his official character, and well
established reputation as a man of honor and integrity, together
with the fact that he witnessed almost every incident connected with
the sad affair, is doubtless entitled to implicit credit, as far as
it goes - we would respectfully suggest the appointment of a
committee of judicious and impartial citizens, for the purpose of
drawing up a fair and accurate report of all the circumstances
connected with this unhappy event, for general circulation. A
statement so prepared, and made public, would doubtless soon
supersede the widely erroneous accounts which have gone abroad; and
if it should not save our fellow-citizens and municipal authorities
from reproach, it might perhaps satisfy reasonable men that our
community in general have been more unfortunate than criminal, by
showing that much of the mischief which has been perpetrated here
owes its origin to a combination of unfavorable circumstances,
rather than to premeditation, and the prevalence amongst us of an
intolerant and persecuting spirit.
We merely throw this out as a hint, to be acted upon or not, as
shall be thought best for the reputation of our growing city, and
the fair fame of her enterprising and public-spirited inhabitants.
THE ALTON OBSERVER SPEAKS OUT ONCE AGAIN
Thursday, December 28, 1837/No. 148 Main St., Cincinnati
Elisha W. Chester, Editor and Publisher
After a long and painful silence, the cause of which our readers but
too well know, the Alton Observer once more makes its appearance.
The hand that threw a brilliant light over its pages no longer
wields the editorial pen. The mind that teemed with thought, the
heart that sowed with love, the soul that communed with God in the
arduous work of conducting this paper, devoted to the cause of
religion and benevolence; no more shall enliven us with the
scintillations of genius. Cut off in the midst of his years and
usefulness by the violent hands of those for whom he prayed and whom
he would gladly have blessed. Elijah P. Lovejoy has gone, early, but
ready, to his reward. We contemplate him now a purified spirit of
light and love, dwelling in the glorious presence of Him in whose
service he lived and died. He apprehends the violence there. "There
the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest."
The Alton Observer, then, has changed. It falls into other hands,
and is to receive the impress of its character from other minds. How
far this change, wrought by its enemies, may affect the opinions
promulged [made known] by it, we leave to be discovered by the
result. Our object now is simply to account for the fact that a
paper belonging to Alton should be printed in Cincinnati.
And here we remark, that it is not because we recognize the right in
any man or body of men, except the editor, to direct or control the
movements of this paper, or any other. We plant our feet upon the
Constitution of our country, and upon the indefeasible rights which
pervade all earthly constitutions; and maintain that any power which
abridges or interferes with the free expression of opinion on
matters of public interest, whether that power is wielded by a
despot or a multitude, is tyranny; and as citizens of what is called
a free republic we protest, and shall continue to protest, against
its exercise.
It is not, therefore, because we intent to yield to any expertise on
the subject. We here reassert our claim, not to the privilege, but
the right of uttering our sentiments on all subjects, freely, and in
all places. That claim is now reasserted, and the charge is
registered against Alton before the world, and before the Court of
Heaven, to which we appeal, that sacred, precious rights have been
wrested from us by violence and blood.
Until Alton shall "come to herself" and see the injustice done to
her citizens, and the citizens of the state; or at least discover
the fatal effects of this suicidal act upon her own interests; we
must be content to procure the printing of the Observer from other
places. The thousands who have subscribed for the paper must not be
denied their rights on account of the folly and madness of one
little community.
Perhaps it may be thought that we are unjust to the citizens of
Alton, generally, in the charge which we bring against Alton as a
community, for the outrage upon the office of this paper and its
lamented editor. We mean not to do injustice to any; and whenever
the city of Alton shall prove that she is not accountable for the
crime, we shall take great satisfaction in recording and publishing
the vindication. We need not remind the sagacious reader that this
proof must be found in acts performed ____ [unreadable], not only to
the mobs, but to the date of this article.
As a vindication of the course pursued hitherto by the editor of
this paper, we give numerous extracts from various journals of the
day, expressing the public sentiment of the nation. It is consoling,
indeed, in the midst of our deep affliction, to have such abundant
testimony from all parts and all parties in favor of the course
which has been pursued in the efforts to re-establish the Observer
in the place where a mob had destroyed the office. It is extensively
seen and fully recognized that the gist of the struggle on our part
was not abolitionism against anti-abolitionism, but the freedom of
the press against mob tyranny. The question to be settled, was
Whether an American citizen might be allowed to speak as a freeman.
He asserted this right - and for this he died. Such is the verdict
of the public through the land. The exceptions are few and of little
weight. (The foregoing articles were furnished from Alton).
THE LIFE OF REVEREND ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Rev. Elijah Parish Lovejoy was a native of Albion, in Maine, and was
the son of Rev. Daniel Lovejoy, a Congregational minister. He was
born November 9, 1802, and would have been 35 years old the morning
that he was buried. He graduated with honor at Waterville College,
and soon after emigrated to Missouri, where for several years he
taught school. He then became editor of the St. Louis Times, a
political paper, advocating the election of Henry Clay to the
Presidency, in which he showed talents of the first order. His
mental powers were superior, especially in the study of languages,
in the acquisition of which he had a remarkable facility, which, if
he had devoted himself to the department of learning, would have
made him one of the first linguists of the country. During the few
first years of his residence at St. Louis, he was destitute of vital
piety, though not a confirmed infidel.
During a revival of religion in that place in 1832, he was
converted, and soon abandoning his profession, he studied divinity
at Princeton, where he was licensed to preach. Being earnestly
invited by some friends of religion in St. Louis, to edit the "St.
Louis Observer," he consented, and arrived November 11 1833, and
soon commenced its publication. His course as an editor was marked
with great boldness and a firm adherence to what he considered the
course of duty. He soon became in developing the character of
Romanism and so fearlessly disclosed its abomination as to excite
the hatred of many of the Catholics in that city. Especially after
the consecration of their Cathedral, in which the troops and the
flag of the United States were engaged, his bold rebukes excited the
bitter hostility of the Catholic populace. He was denounced as an
Abolitionist, and his office was entered and his types destroyed.
His powerful and patriotic appeal to the public produced a reaction
in his favor. He was at this time a Colonizationist, and strongly
opposed to the Abolition societies and presses, and rebuked them
with great plainness. But when the murder of McIntosh, a colored
man, who was burned to death by the mob took place, and the charge
of Judge Lawless was published, the severity of his rebuke so
exasperated the mob, that they attacked and destroyed his office. He
then removed his paper to Alton. Previous, however, to his going
there, he had a meeting with a number of citizens in which he
explained his course to them. When questioned as to his course in
reference to slavery, he said that in his opinion it was a subject
that ought faithfully to be discussed in our religious and political
Journals, and as an editor he should never relinquish his right to
discuss that or any other subject as he might think it his duty to
do so. "I do not know," said he, "that I shall feel it my duty to
discuss it here as fully as at St. Louis. There, where its
enormities were constantly before me, I felt bound to life up my
voice against it. This I claim as my Constitutional right - a right
which I shall never relinquish to any man or body of men. To discuss
the subject of slavery is not the object of my paper, except as a
great moral subject in connection with others. My object is to
publish a religious journal, which shall be instructive and
profitable to my fellow citizens. As to the subjects I shall discuss
and the manner of doing them, I shall ever claim the right of
determining for myself, always accepting counsel from others with
thankfulness."
The night after the press was landed, it was destroyed, having been
left on the bank of the river during the night. A public meeting of
the citizens was then called to express their sentiments on this
outrage, at which they took a noble stand that raised the reputation
of Alton abroad as a law-abiding city. At this meeting, Mr. Lovejoy
reiterated in substance the remarks just quoted. He said he did not
come there for the purpose of publishing an abolition paper, but one
strictly religious in which he claimed the right to discuss any
subject, always holding himself responsible to the laws of his
country. He did not ask the citizens of Alton to grant him the right
to publish such a paper or any other. He claimed this as the right
of an American citizen. It has been stated by some of the abettors
of the mob that Lovejoy violated a pledge made to the citizens, by
becoming avowedly the supported of abolition doctrines, but though
he was not an Abolitionist when he commenced publishing at Alton,
yet he never pledged himself not to discuss the subject of slavery,
but avowed his right and intention to do it. The statement that he
pledged himself not to do so is extremely improbable in itself
considered as well as contrary to the recollection of many who heard
him. Lovejoy was not a man to promise that he would not discuss any
subject, and especially a subject whose evils he had so long seen,
and for speaking of which he had been driven by violence from his
former home. The paper was immediately published, the title being
changed from St. Louis to Alton Observer. The progressing interest
felt by Lovejoy in the subject of slavery, although he had not yet
united himself as a member with any anti-slavery or abolition
society, yet was so strongly expressed in his paper as to lead to
its destruction by a mob on the 22d of Aug. 1837. Soon after this he
openly avowed his adherence to the cause of Immediate Abolition, and
issued a call for a convention for the organization of a state
Anti-slavery society.
On October 26, the Convention assembled at Upper Alton. A large
number of persons not friendly to the object of the call came in,
professing to adopt the sentiments of the call and enrolled
themselves as members and succeeded in passing resolutions in
opposition to the intentions of those who called the meeting. At
this meeting, U. F. Linder, Esq. and Rev. John Hogan, a Methodist
minister, took very prominent parts and succeeded in their
underhanded and dishonorable designs. The next day however, the
friends of the Abolition cause met at the house of Rev. Thaddeus B.
Hurlbut, and about sixty delegates being present, they organized a
State Society and elected their officers.
On the following Sabbath, President Beecher preached in both towns
with great plainness and effect on the subject of slavery. On Monday
the 30th, several members of the convention, and some of the
principle citizens of Alton, met in the store of Alexander and Co.
to consult on the expediency of establishing the press again in
Alton and defending it. After much deliberation, it was advised that
Mr. Lovejoy go on and re-establish the press, and that it was the
duty of the friends of free discussion to stand to the last in his
defense. This was the uniform counsel of the friends of order to the
last.
THE ALTON TRAGEDY
(As printed in the Alton Observer from the Cincinnati Journal,
December 28, 1837, written by Rev. Thaddeus B Hurlbut.)
The following account of the late scene at Alton is reported from
the Cincinnati Journal, and is made up by extracts from letters, the
first bearing date November 8. Other information corroborates the
account which is more particular in its details, than any other,
that has been given to the public.
My Dear Brother Chester,
I take up my pen to address you under peculiarly solemn
circumstances. I have just returned from viewing the lifeless corpse
of two of our citizens, and from the bedsides of two others who were
wounded. Of the two former, our brother Lovejoy was one, and of the
latter, our mutual and worthy friend Mr. Roff. Yes, Lovejoy has
fallen a victim to the violence of a band of armed ruffians, fallen
nobly too, in defense of these inalienable rights which were given
to him by God, and guaranteed to him by the Constitution.
I grieve and am mortified when I say it, in such scenes have been
acted ever in Alton without the last week, as would disgrace any
town on the coast of Algiers. Steam boats have been boarded
indiscriminately by armed ruffians. Traveler's goods and boxes of
furniture have been seized and broken open, in quest of printing
presses, and their persons and lives have been threatened, for
remonstrating against, scenes similar to this have been acted over
on almost every boat that has touched our shores within the last
week or ten days.
On Monday night, the obnoxious press, so long looked for arrived.
Its friends had taken the precaution to have it landed late in the
night, when it was supposed a mob would hardly be raised. They took
the further precaution to have about 50 armed men secreted in the
wareroom, ready for the service of the Mayor, at any moment. While
the press was landing, the spies of the enemy were seen lurking
about, and the sound of their horn was raised, shrill and long. But
whether the enemies of peace and order were buried too deep in the
arms of Bacchus and sleep, or whether they feared the formidable
preparations that were made to receive them I know not. There were
no further molestation than the throwing of a stone or two, while
the press was removed into the wareroom of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman &
Co. Things remained quiet yesterday, saving the threats and
imprecations that were heard along the street, against Mr. Lovejoy
and the press. Mr. Lovejoy’s life was threatened openly and
repeatedly. Soon after dark, there were unwonted gatherings in
certain coffee houses. Here the spirit of vengeance which had been
ranking in their breasts, was excited to desperation by spirit
behind the counter. By about 10 o'clock, they were prepared for the
work.
Accordingly, they repaired to the warehouse of Godfrey, Gilman & Co.
They commenced the attack by hurling volleys of stones through the
windows and doors. Mr. W. S. Gilman appeared in the door of the 2d
story, and addressed the mob in his peculiarly kind and impressive
manner. He earnestly and affectionately advised them to desist from
violence; told them the property was left with him on storage; that
he was bound to protect it. Assured them that nobody in the building
had any ill will against any of them, and that they should all
deprecate doing any of them, any injury. At the same time, he
assured them that the press would not be delivered up, but that he
and his associates would defend it at the risk and sacrifice of
their lives. He was answered by a fresh volley of stones. Those
inside then disposed of themselves at the different doors and
windows, and prepared to defend it to the last. They all agreed that
no gun should be fired till the doors were burst open, or till there
was some firing from without. Volley after volley of stones were
hurled into the windows and against the doors, then a gun was fired
into the window from the mob. Presently a 2d gun was fired. The
balls were heard to whistle thro' the window, but neither of them
did any injury. At this juncture one of the party within, with the
consent, and by the advice of the rest, leveled his gun upon the
mob. One man fell mortally wounded. His associates took him up and
carried him away to a physician, and the mob dispersed. The young
man died in about half an hour. The mobites have today taken a great
deal of pains to send abroad the impression that this young man was
a stranger, and was present only as a spectator and took no part in
the riot. But I have ascertained that there is no truth in this
statement. He was a carpenter by trade, and was at work yesterday
for Mr. Roff, and was heard repeatedly to boast during the day, of
the part he intended to act last night. I have just been told also
by a very respectable citizen, that he saw him just before he was
shot, very actively engaged in throwing stones into the windows. I
learn that his name was Bishop, recently from Genossee Co., New
York.
In about an hour after the mob had had time to revive their spirits,
and recruit their courage in the aforesaid coffee house, they
returned with increased numbers, and armed with guns and muskets,
&c. and recommenced the attack with renewed violence. They formed on
the east side of the store, where there are no doors or windows and
occasionally a fire was given from each party. Whisky was brought
and distributed profusely among them, and all were exhorted to be
"good men and true." Occasionally, one of the mob was heard to sing
out "if any more guns and whiskey is wanted, away to the French
Coffee House." Baffled in the attempt to gain admittance into the
store by the doors and windows, they resolved unanimously, with a
shout which cleft the air, to fire the building, and "shoot every
damned abolitionist in it, as they should attempt to escape."
Accordingly, a ladder was made, and combustibles prepared, and a man
ascended to the roof. Presently it was in a blaze. Meantime, the
company within sent out a detachment of 4 or 5 of their number to
prevent it. Mr. Lovejoy was one of the number. The man on the ladder
was fired at, and wounded. Just about this time, Mr. Lovejoy was
deliberately aimed at by a man who stood a few yards from him, and
shot down. He jumped up after he was shot, went into the counting
room exclaiming, "I am shot, I am a dead man," and fell down and
expired in a few minutes. Those within perceiving the building on
fire and that it, together with its valuable contents, must
inevitably be destroyed, and the press which they were defending
with it, proposed to capitulate. They were assured by those without,
that if they would withdraw from the building and leave their arms
behind them, not one of them should be molested. They accordingly
left the building, and as they were going out of the door and
turning the corner, almost every one of them was fired at. Mr. Roff
received a ball in one of his legs; his clothes were perforated with
several holes, and one shot entered his nose near his eye, which
bled profusely. Mr. Weller, of the firm of Gerry & Weller, received
a ball in his leg, but it is thought the bone is not fractured.
Several others have their clothes perforated with balls. They were
pursued and fired after in every direction, till none of them could
be found. The mob then entered unmolested, threw out the press and
demolished it.
At about 2 o'clock, they dispersed. It is said several of the
mobites were seriously wounded. There were 18 men in the building,
with about 36 stand of arms, besides small arms. They were not
desirous of destroying life, or they might have shot down 50 of the
rioters as easily as one. The Mayor was heard to express the opinion
today that there were of the rioters from 150 to 200 of whom from 50
to 80 were armed. Our young and worthy Mayor exerted himself, and
did what he could to disperse the mob. But his kind admonitions were
only returned by curses. A certain grog-seller in town stood a short
distance from the Mayor and vociferated [speak or cry out loudly]
that "if any one of their number was arrested by the civil
authorities, he was authorized to say, he should be rescued by force
and arms." What is civil authority here! and what can civil
authority do!
The immediate cause which emboldened the mob was the same here as
that which preceded the famous riots of your own peaceful city. A
public meeting was got up and resolutions were passed, not driving
Mr. Lovejoy from the city, but just strong enough to excite and
embolden the mob to do it. The late Attorney General of our goodly
State took a very conspicuous part in this meeting. He came out in
an inflammatory speech in which he abused, by every epithet he could
command, Mr. Lovejoy and his associates, and the ministers of
religion generally. He denounced Mr. L. at one time as a very wicked
fellow, at another as a fanatic who was utterly beside himself and
ought to be taken care of. But he did not yet hand him over to the
tender mercies of the mob. O no! I will testify for him, that he
said expressly that "he would not advise that individuals, property,
or person be sacrificed until the peace of the city required it."
But at the same time, he plainly intimated by the turn of his eye,
and the peculiar expression of his countenance, that that time was
not far distant. A reverend clergyman of our city followed in a
speech in which he attempted to explain the doctrine of expediency,
reminded the meeting that St. Paul's friends thought it expedient on
one occasion to let him down in a basket from the wall and let him
go. Whatever may have been the intention of the speaker, it was
manifest that the audience were willing to construe it as a good
precedent for them to dispose of Mr. Lovejoy.
The next morning, after Mr. Lovejoy's death, his remains were
removed, by a few of his friends, from the warehouse in which he
died, to his family. It was manifest, as the hearse moved through
the street, that the malignity of his enemies, not satisfied by
having spilled his heart's blood, still burned against him. I myself
saw their sneers, and overheard some of their profane jests. One who
was known to have taken a conspicuous part in the tragedy remarked,
that "if he had a fife, he would play the dead-march for him." The
next morning, his friends assembled and quietly deposited his
remains in the narrow house of the tomb. There were no public
exercises except a prayer at his funeral, it being deemed that
silence was the most expressive sermon for the occasion. He is now
where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at
rest. He rests from his labors, and his works will follow him.
There is now comparative quietness in our city. The mob, having
triumphed over the laws, have undisputed control. No steps have yet
been taken to arrest the offenders, although they are well known.
Indeed, they boast openly in the streets of their deeds of valor.
Report says, there has been quite a contention between two or three
of the leaders, as to who was entitled to the honor of shooting
Lovejoy. There is, probably, no city on the civilized globe, there,
when the evidence of guilt is so abundant, and so palpable, no
efforts would be made to bring the offenders to justice. The
magistrates who are not in the interest of the mob, feel, like all
the rest of us, that they are at their mercy.
RIOT TRIAL
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 10, 1838
The trial of J. M. Rock, one of the individuals engaged in the
destruction of the Alton Observer press on August 21, 1837, came on
before the Municipal Court of this city on the morning of the 4th
inst. After spending two entire days in the examination of
witnesses, and hearing the arguments of counsel, the case was
submitted to the jury on the evening of the 5th. On the following
morning, at the opening of the court, the jury, by their foreman,
Stephen Griggs, Esq., handed the Clerk a scaled letter, the purport
of which was that they had agreed to disagree. The court having
expressed the opinion that such a verdict was improper, and refused
to receive it, the foreman rose and stated that the jury voted 11 to
1; and that there was no hope of their agreeing, unless the court
would instruct them on a certain point. To do this, the Judge
observed that he had no objection, provided the parties would
consent; and the City Attorney and the counsel for the defendant,
having consulted together, agreed that the Court might answer any
questions from the jury. Mr. Waples, one of the jury, then inquired
whether the court believed that it had jurisdiction in this case.
The Judge replied that he most clearly thought it had not. Mr.
Waples then expressed himself satisfied, and the jury, having
withdrawn for a few moments, returned a special verdict, to the
effect that the defendant was guilty of the various charges
preferred against him, but that under the indictment, they must
return him not guilty. In order that the opinion of the court, on
the question of jurisdiction, and the consequent finding of the
jury, maybe understood, it is perhaps proper to remark that the
offense charged in the indictment was committed on the 21st of
August [1837], and that the new organization of Alton, as a City,
did not take place until the 2d of September following. Counsel for
the prosecution, R. B. Murdock, City Attorney, and Edward Keating,
Esquires; for the defense, U. F. Linder and A. W. Jones, Esquires.
THE RIOT TRIAL
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 24, 1838
Contrary to general expectation, the persons recently indicted for
having participated in the fatal riot of the 7th of November were
brought to trial on Wednesday and Friday of last week, and severally
acquitted - the assailants and defendants being tried on different
days. Our business engagements having put it out of our power to
attend in either case, we are indebted for the following brief
notices of both trials to the politeness of two gentlemen present,
who have kindly furnished them at our request:
"On Wednesday last our city court was occupied from half past 9 in
the morning until 10 at night, in the trial of the cause of the
People vs. Enoch
Long, T. B. Hurlburt, William Harned, George H.
Walworth, A. B. Roff, Winthrop S. Gilman, James Morse Jr., George H.
Whitney, John S. Noble, Henry Tanner, Royal Weller, and Reuben
Gerry, upon an indictment for a riot on the memorable night of the
7th November last, in defending a printing press then in the
possession of Godfrey, Gilman & Co. The indictment contained two
counts; one of which charged the defendants with resisting an attack
made by certain persons unknown to destroy a printing press, the
property of Godfrey & Gilman, and then being in their possession;
the other count charged the defendants with unlawfully defending a
certain warehouse - being the property of Godfrey & Gilman - against
an attempt by certain persons to force open and enter the same. Mr.
Davis, one of the counsel for Mr. Gilman, moved for a separate trial
as to Mr. Gilman, which, after much argument, was granted, upon the
condition that the other eleven defendants should stipulate to be
tried jointly. At this stage of the cause, a petition signed by some
60 citizens was presented to the court, praying that the Hon. U. F.
Linder, Attorney General of the State, might be permitted to assist
the City Attorney in the prosecution of the indictment. The court,
in answer to the petition, remarked that it was wholly without its
province to interfere with the subject matter of the petition;
inasmuch as the City Attorney alone could say who should and who
should not assist him; and consequently, the court, in discharge of
its duty, and with all respect for the petitioners, would be
compelled to deny the request; but that the Attorney General could
appear to the cause, if the counsel for the people and the defendant
should so consent. Mr. Davis then arose, and stated in the court
that neither Mr. Gilman or his counsel had any objection whatever to
the Attorney General's appearing on behalf of the People. The City
Attorney consenting, Mr. Linder appeared in all of the prosecution.
A jury was without much difficulty impaneled, and the prosecution
proceeded in the examination of the testimony, which developed most
clearly this whole transaction from its origin down to its
lamentable termination. One of the witnesses, on the part of the
prosecution, H. H. West, Esq., stated that early in the evening,
about dark, a person called upon him and informed him that a mob was
to be gotten up that night, with a view of destroying the press then
in the warehouse of Godfrey, Gilman & Co., and that the assailants
had determined to obtain the press and destroy
it, either by burning
the warehouse or blowing it up; that the person giving him the
information urged him to go and see Mr. Gilman and inform him of the
fact; that he, in company with E. Keating, Esq., did repair to the
warehouse of Mr. Gilman, where he found a number of individuals
assembled, all of whom were armed with muskets and that he there
stated to Mr. Gilman what he had been told, and the rumor that was
current through the town; that Mr. Gilman expressed great
astonishment at the information and could not credit it; and said he
did not expect any attack would be made that evening. Mr. West also
stated that this attack commenced on the outside, by throwing a
volley of stones at the windows and doors, and that two guns were
fired from the outside previous to any guns being fired from within.
Mr. Keating corroborated in every respect the testimony of Mr. West,
and also testified that the firing of guns commenced on the outside,
and at the time the first attack was made upon the building. All the
witnesses agreed in this particular; and the Mayor of the city, in
his testimony, stated that he saw the assailants when they first
went to the warehouse, many of whom were picking up stones as they
proceeded towards it, and that one man had a gun. There was one
other witness, besides the Mayor, called on behalf of the defendant,
who corroborated the statement of the witnesses on the part of the
prosecution, as to the attack first being made on the outside with
stones and firearms, and who stated further that he was one of the
individuals in the building who had repaired there with a view of
defending it; that it was well understood and agreed among them that
they were in no case to act except upon the defensive; and that a
resort to firearms was not to be unless driven to it in the
preservation of their lives. He further stated that they all
supposed they were acting under the authority of the Mayor.
The above is the substance of the testimony both on the part of the
prosecution and the defense, and which will serve to give the public
some idea of the acts developed in the cause, until they shall be
enabled to see a minute statement of the whole trial which we are
informed is now preparing - a gentleman having taken full notes for
that purpose - and which will be published in pamphlet form as soon
as the circumstance will admit of it. The counsel for the defendant
then proposed to submit the case without argument to the jury, which
being objected to on the part of the prosecution, it was summed up
by F. B. Murdock, City Attorney, Samuel G. Bailey, and E. F. Linder,
Attorney General, Esq., on the part of the prosecution, and by
George T. M. Davis and Alfred Cowles, Esq., on the part of the
defendant. No instructions being asked for by either side, the cause
was submitted after the argument of counsel without any instructions
from his honor the Judge, to the jury; who, after an absence of ten
minutes, returned into court their verdict of not guilty. The next
morning the City Attorney entered a Nulle Prosequi as to the other
eleven defendants."
"On Friday the 19th of January, there came on for trial in the
Municipal Court of this city, the case of the people against
Frederick Drucher, William Carr, James M. Hock, David Butler, Horace
Beall, Levi Palmer, ____ Nutter, _______ Jennings, and others. Two
of the defendants had left the city; the others came in voluntarily,
and entered the plea of not guilty. The indictment was for riot, and
charged that the defendants, on the 7th of November, with force and
arms, ____sly, and riotously entered the warehouse of Benjamin
Godfrey & Winthrop S. Gilman, and forcibly broke and destroyed a
printing press, then and there being, the proper goods and _______
of Godfrey and Gilman, contrary to the statute in such case made and
provided, ____ in ______ had been found against Winthrop S. Gilman
and others, who had ____lered the said warehouse to defend the press
from threatened destruction by the job without. That indictment was
tried on Wednesday the 17th day of January, which trial resulted in
the acquittal of Mr. Gilman, who was tried separately; after which
the City Attorney dismissed the prosecution as to the other
defendants, jointly indicted with him. This trial having led in an
examination of the whole case, as well of those assaulting the
warehouse, as of those defending it, the members of the jury of the
regular panel had formed opinions in relation to the matter, so as
to disqualify themselves. It therefore became necessary to select a
new jury from the bystanders, for the purpose of trying the last
case.
On the part of the people, it was proved that the press had arrived
by steamboat a day or two previous to the 7th of November, consigned
to Mr. A. B. Huff, but was landed at Messrs. Godfrey & Gilman's
warehouse, where it was stored; that said warehouse was built by
those gentlemen in 1812, and has been since that time owned and
occupied by them, as forwarding and commission merchants; that on
the afternoon of November 7th, one of the defendants had told the
witness (H. H. West, Esq.) that the boys were going to attack the
warehouse, and that it would be either blown up or burned, unless
the press was given up; and that some of the defendants were in the
company of about twenty-five, that formed a line from a certain
grocery, swearing that they would have the press at all hazards. It
was also proved that two guns or pistols were fired from the outside
of the warehouse at those within; that showers of stones were
discharged against the front of the building, by which the windows
were demolished; that during the attack a man named Bishop was shot
from the inside of the warehouse; that some of the defendants were
seen carrying away his body, observing that one of their men had
been wounded; that Mr. Gilman addressed the crowd from the third
story of the building, requesting them to desist, and stating that
he was defending his property, which he felt it his duty to do at
the risk of his life; that he was replied to by cue of the
defendants, as spokesman for the rest, who observed they were
determined to destroy the press, if it cost them their lives.
It was also proved by the Mayor and S. W. Robbins, a Justice of the
Peace, that they identified several of the defendants with arms in
their hands, declaring that they would have the press; that a man
was seen going towards the warehouse, with fire in his hands,
swearing that he would burn down the building; that a ladder was set
up against the side, and the fire actually communicated to the roof;
that at this time Mr. West went in with the Mayor, to propose a
capitulation, by which it was stipulated that if those inside would
leave the warehouse, and give up the press, they should not be
injured and no other property, except the press, molested; that the
building was accordingly abandoned by Mr. Gilman and its other
defenders, as the only means left them to prevent its destruction,
and that of their own lives; that they were fired upon by some of
the crowd as they retreated; that upon their leaving the warehouse,
it was immediately entered by some of the defendants and others;
that the press was thrown out and demolished with a sledge hammer,
&c.
This constitutes the sum of the evidence on the part of the
prosecution. On the part of the defendants, it was proved by Mr.
Gilman that he was not the owner of the press, and had no further
interest in it than the liability of himself and portuer for its
safe-keeping. After argument by counsel, the case was submitted to
the jury, who returned a verdict of not guilty. Counsel for the
people, F. B. Murdock, City Attorney, and Alfred Coules, Esquires;
for the defense, U. F. Linder, Esq., Attorney General."
THE COST OF THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1838
We are gratified to learn that a worthy editor in a neighboring
county, who has recently lost three or four subscribers in
consequence of his refusal to open his columns to the discussion of
the Abolition question, has been amply remunerated by the accession
of fifty new names to his list - twenty-six of which are from the
city [Alton]. It is almost as great an infraction of the real
freedom of the press, to withdraw the needful support from a
newspaper, when no fault can be justly alleged against it except the
straight forwardness and independence of its course as to destroy
the materials with which it is printed; and those who place a just
estimate on this great palladium of our liberties are not less bound
to sustain it in the one case than in the other. We offer these
remarks at this time, because having offended in the same way with
our respected contemporary, we have been subjected to a similar
punishment, but in a far greater degree; and are desirous of
affording those who approve of the stand which a deep sense of the
duty which we owe to our party, and still more to our country, has
induced us to take, with regard to the highly exciting subject
referred to, a favorable opportunity for procuring as a few hundred
good subscribers in the place of the fifty whom we have lost. We may
possibly get along with the present number, but if it were doubled
or trebled, we should be better enabled to serve the cause in which
we are engaged than we may otherwise have it in our power to do.
THE LATE RIOT TRIALS
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 7, 1838
As it appears from an article in a late number of the Cincinnati
Gazette, that its Editor is somewhat surprised that after the trial
of one of the individuals charged with a participation in the riots
which occurred in this city towards the close of the last year, had
resulted in the discharge of the accused on the ground that the
court had no jurisdiction of the case, other persons were
subsequently brought before the same tribunal to answer to a similar
charge, we deem it proper to state that the trials in question were
for different offenses. The first was for the attack on the Alton
Observer office on the 21st of September, before the organization of
our city government; the last for the fatal affair of the 7th of
November following. The question of jurisdiction was not raised in
the latter case. We are unable, from our own personal knowledge, to
assign the reasons which induced the jury, impaneled to try the
individuals indicted for the attack on the warehouse of Messrs.
Godfrey, Gilman & Co., to return a verdict of not guilty -
circumstances, unnecessary to be stated here, having put it entirely
out of our power to witness the proceedings. According to common
report, however, the evidence, although conclusive as to the general
facts, was insufficient to trace the offenses charged in the
indictment clearly up to any of the defendants then at the bar. To
this cause, and not to any want of diligence on the part of the
prosecution, or to any undue desire on the part of the jury to
screen the supposed offenders from merited punishment, is the
acquittal of the latter generally attributed. It is understood that
a full report of the trial, prepared by a gentleman of the Alton
bar, will soon make its appearance in pamphlet form.
THE ALTONIAN EXPRESSES SYMPATHY FOR MISFORTUNES OF THE TELEGRAPH
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 21, 1838
A new weekly paper, bearing the above title, made its appearance in
this city on Wednesday of last week. It is published by Messrs.
Parks & Breath, and presents a handsome appearance. So far as it
shall be found to support the real interests of this city, the
state, and the Union generally, we hope it will meet all desirable
encouragement. We take this fitting occasion to return our
acknowledgments to the editors for the kind sympathy which they have
been pleased to express for our "misfortunes," in the loss of a few
of our Abolition subscribers; and as we are unwilling to permit any
obligation whatever to remain unrequited, when it is in our power to
cancel it, we beg leave to condone with our worthy neighbors, on
account of the rejection of their paper by a number of the Whigs to
whom it was sent. Although gratified at the patronage of the
Abolitionists, when voluntarily and unconditionally tendered, and
ready at all times to render them full and impartial justice, we
nevertheless freely admit that inasmuch as we do not concur in their
peculiar views, we have no better claim on their support as a party
than our friends of the Altonian have on that of the Whigs; and most
certainly have no right "to compel" them to take our paper, "whether
they will or no." In this respect, the two publications stand on
equal ground; with this trifling difference, that the Telegraph
fights openly, under its own colors, without profession to be what
it is not. So far as the regret expressed by our neighbors, that
there should be, in this city, an Editor whose course, in relation
to the fatal affair of the 7th of November last, "required
explanation," may be intended or considered as a reflection upon us,
we deem it proper to observe, once for all, that during the entire
period of our connection with the senior publisher of the Altonian,
no Editorial article on the exciting subject of Abolition and the
matters connected with it ever appeared in the Telegraph, without
having been previously submitted to his perusal, and obtained his
express sanction. If, therefore, too much has been said, he is not
less to blame than we are for having failed to interpose his veto;
if too little, he is equally consurable for having neglected to
supply the deficiency.
ALTON TELEGRAPH TO MOVE INTO OLD OBSERVER OFFICE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 4, 1838
The office of the Alton Telegraph will be removed, in the course of
a few days, to the room formerly occupied by the Observer office, in
the stone building near Piasa creek bridge on Second street
[Broadway], where all orders in the printing line will be thankfully
received and promptly executed.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 19, 1841
[In an article address to the St. Louis Pennant (newspaper), the
Alton Telegraph wrote the following in response to the Pennant
saying that the Lovejoy Riot was caused by "foreign influence," and
that Alton was "ill-fated." The Telegraph maintained that both
statements were false, and those statements made by the Pennant were
done through sheer ignorance or with the base design of willfully
and intentionally misrepresenting Alton and its citizens:
"We assert, that no place, in proportion to its number of
inhabitants on either the Mississippi or Ohio, has been more free
from foreigners than has Alton. We assert farther, that the
foreigners that have come among us have behaved much more like
Christians and good citizens than the Native Americans (meaning
those born in America) of St. Louis. And we farther assert that, in
the Lovejoy riot - as we shall prove from the record - not a
foreigner had anything to do with it. Now for the facts: By a
reference to the records of the Municipal Court of the term of
January 1838, it will be found that two indictments were preferred
against twenty-three citizens of this place, as being concerned in
the Lovejoy transaction; twelve of whom were indicted for defending
the press in a 'violent and tumultuous manner,' and eleven for a
riot in breaking open the store of Godfrey, Gilman, & Co. The names
of the twelve persons were: Winthrop S. Gilman, Enoch Long, Amos B.
Roff, George H. Walworth, George H. Whitney, William Harned, John S.
Noble, James Morse, Jr., Henry Tanner, Royal Weller, Reuben Gerry,
and Thaddeus B. Hurlburt. The names of the eleven were: John
Solomon, Levi Palmer, Horace Beall, Josiah Mitter, Jacob Smith,
David Butler, William Carr, James M. Rock, James Jennings, Solomon
Morgan, and Frederick Bruchy. Each and every one of whom, in both
indictments, were native born Americans. The traverse jury who tried
Mr. Gilman (a nolle prosequi having been subsequently entered
against the other eleven indicted with him) were, James S. Stone,
Timothy Terrell, Stephen Griggs, E. Cuck, George Alcorn, Peter
Whitaker, Horace Buffum, Sutton Johnson, Washington Libbey, George
L. Ward, Anthony Olney, and Jacob Rice; they are each and all
native-born Americans; and - as they should have done - acquitted
Mr. Gilman. The traverse jury, who tried the eleven charged with
being the immediate actors in the job, were: Timothy Terrell, J. P.
Ash, William G. Gaskins, George Alcorn, John Clark, William S.
Hankinson, R. P. Todd, A. Botkin, S. H. Wheeler, Daniel Carter, S.
W. Hamilton, and Walter Lachelle; eleven of whom were native born
Americans, and one, a naturalized citizen; who also acquitted the
defendants. It will thus be seen that, out of the 23 persons
indicted, and the 24 jurors who tried them, there was but one
foreigner, and he was among the jurors, and accepted without
objection from either side. Where then is the charge of the Pennant,
that 'it was the infamous and traitorous adherents of Daniel
O'Connell and foreign abolitionism, which caused the fatal Lovejoy
riot!' It falls to the ground, and leaves the author of the column
without a resting place for the sole of his foot.
But let us see if our other assertion is true - that the foreigners
who have come among us (in Alton) have behaved much more like
Christians and good citizens than the native Americans of St. Louis.
During the nine years we have lived in Alton, the only offense of
aggravated enormity that has been committed is the Lovejoy affair,
to which we have before fully alluded. Now, how stands the account
with St. Louis during the same period of time? The first case,
within our recollection - and the recital of which will shock the
moral sensibility of every good citizen of every land and every
clime - was the wresting of a Negro from the hands of the law, in
the broad gaze of day, by a lawless mob, and in the presence of a
countless multitude, binding him to a faggot, and consuming him to
death by a slow fire, with more than heathenish barbarity. Who,
would we ask, were the leaders and actors of that scene, Mr.
Pennant? Were they foreigners, or were they native Americans? Deny
it if you can, that they were native born Americans, and that your
courts of justice winked at this atrocious offense against the laws
of God and man; and that, unlike Alton, they refused even to give
the offenders the form of a trial!"
FINDING LOVEJOY GRAVE
Source: Memoranda of the Experience, Labors, and Travels of a
Universalist Preacher by George Rogers; 1845
"Finding that I could not reach Princeton in time for my
appointment, I got into another boat and went up the river to Alton,
Illinois, where I remained until the following Wednesday with J. P.
Owen of the Upper village, in whom and his wife I found a brother
and sister indeed. Alton occupies a high and very broken site on the
east shore of the Mississippi about two miles above the mouth of the
Missouri: it is doubtless a busy but very unsightly place its
buildings are devoid of elegance its main business street is narrow
and in wet seasons excessively miry. Upper Alton is distant from
Lower about three miles. A Baptist College is there located, it is a
massive fabric of brick in a better style of architecture than
college buildings usually exhibit. I read while at Alton the life of
Lovejoy, who some years ago was killed by a mob at that place on
account of his persevering advocacy of negro emancipation. It was a
misfortune for the memory of Lovejoy a misfortune for the cause to
which he was a martyr that he died with arms in his hands [weapons],
and if public report belie him not with the blood of one of his
murderers on his skirts, it had been better for him to die praying
for his murderers in imitation of his Lord rather than in resisting
unto blood; nevertheless, I deny not that his course was justifiable
on legal and even on simply moral grounds. In company with Mr. Owen
I visited the burial ground in which he was interred. It is large,
and has once been well enclosed, but the paling is now in a ruinous
state; the yard is much overrun with scrub oak bushes. The stone
slabs and monuments are broken and lie strewn about, and the whole
scene is adapted to bring to the meditative heart the chilling truth
that the dead soon lose their places in the remembrance of the
living. Among other ruins I noticed a beautiful obelisk lying
prostrate and broken - it was evident that some vandal agency had
been employed in effecting such dilapidations and to me it is a
mystery how surviving friends, after testifying their respect by the
erection of costly tombs and columns, should suffer the sacred
precincts to be thus desecrated for lack of a little cost or care to
keep up the enclosure. It was with some difficulty we were enabled
to identify Lovejoy's grave - the memoir describes it as lying
between two oak trees with the head to the north and the foot to the
south. We at length turned over a decayed piece of board on which we
found his initials - this was the head board of Lovejoy's grave! It
is little larger than an ordinary shingle - the letters on it will
soon be obliterated, and then as no mound or other token
distinguishes the spot as a grave. It will be hard to designate the
spot where sleeps the martyred Lovejoy! Alas, for him, if worldly
ambition was his object he hath his reward."
ABOLITIONISTS AGAINST ALTON FOR THE MURDER OF LOVEJOY
From Editors J. Bailhache and George T. M. Davis
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 28, 1845
Prompted by a strong and imperative sense of the duty we owe, not
only as conductors of a public press, but as citizens of the
community among whom we live, we feel constrained to allude to the
past and present condition of Alton, with a view of exposing what we
have for a long time believed existed - a most unholy crusade
against this city and its future prosperity. In doing this, we are
actuated by the single purpose of disabusing the public mind, and
settling the occurrences to which we shall be compelled to allude,
fairly and impartially before the public. Far from us be the desire
or design either to awaken prejudices at home, which by the lapse of
time may have to a great extent subsided, or to furnish any ground
or cause for renewed excitement. But, believing the evil to which we
allude requires an immediate remedy, and that this remedy can be
applied only by the exercise of the utmost candor, we shall
discharge what we believe to be our duty, unpleasant as may prove
the result of our undertaking. All we ask it the patient hearing of
our readers, and their fair and impartial judgment upon that
hearing.
From the year 1832, when we first became a resident of Alton, down
to 1838, there was no place in the West that advanced with greater
rapidity, or bid more fair to become an important point. Of the
common desolation that was visited, as it were, upon the whole
nation, in consequence of the abuse of the credit system, and the
rapid and unprecedented revulsion in the commercial affairs of the
Union, Alton, of course, received its share, though its effect upon
us was no greater at the time than was experienced by a thousand
other towns or cities in all sections of our country. Other places,
however, have since that period gradually recovered from the shock,
and prosperity and enterprise returned to their people, while we,
who possess far greater local advantages than any other community
near us, except St. Louis, have remained nearly in status quo.
For this unnatural, and to many unaccountable, state of things,
there must be some cause. To us it appears evident that this cause
is to be found in the fact that a systematized attack upon Alton has
been kept up throughout the United States by the Abolitionists, as a
sect, whose united influence has at all times, and under all
circumstances, been exerted to prevent emigration to, and oppose the
prosperity of, this place. We are assured of this, not only by the
uniform practice of the Abolition paper at Chicago, as well as other
journals of the same stamp throughout the Union, of denouncing Alton
as the "city of blood" - her citizens as "mobocrats and murderers,"
and holding up the place as one that was to be avoided as a
pestilence; but also, from the fast that scarcely a day passes in
which we do not hear of, or meet with, those who have been deterred
from coming to Alton by the most gross and basely wicked
misrepresentation, as to the health of the city, the character of
its citizens, and their regard for law and order. In nine cases out
of ten, these misrepresentations, upon steamboats, in the streets,
or wherever they may occur, are traced directly to Abolitionists;
and so frequently has this been noticed, not only by the writer, but
by other citizens, that the conclusion is both rational and
irresistible that this continued tirade of abuse and vituperation is
the result of design, and not of accident.
It may be asked why the Abolitionists should pursue this course
towards Alton? We reply, for the obvious reason of keeping up
excitement, and by pointing to this place as having ceased to
improve since the melancholy catastrophe in 1837 [the murder of
Elijah Lovejoy], use that circumstance as an evidence of the
holiness of the Abolition cause, and the displeasure of Heaven
against its opposers. In this we cannot be mistaken. Facts within
our knowledge substantiate it beyond controversy. The rehearsal of a
few of them will satisfy the most skeptical. When a prominent
ultra-Abolitionist of this city was inquired of by one of our
citizens, why they held their late Convention in this place, "Oh!"
says he, "excitement! excitement!" When, by the advice of a
celebrated physician, the widow of the lamented Lovejoy, who life
was almost despaired of, was urged to go for a season out of the
United States until her constitution and nervous system could to
some extent be healed, the Abolitionists objected to it. The
heartless ground of their objection was that her presence was
necessary in different sections of the country to keep up excitement
- to fan the flames of fanaticism and to advance their cause. So,
during the sitting of their recent Convention here - notwithstanding
the doors of some of our citizens were thrown open to them and that
too by those who abhorred their doctrines - a resolution was
introduced to the effect that "they thanked God an Abolition meeting
could be held in Alton without their being mobbed!" It is true,
through the effort of one of our citizens who repelled the insult
thus offered, and subsequently withdrew from their association, the
resolution was voted down. Yet, the design of it was the same as in
the previous instances enumerated - "excitement - excitement."
Without excitement, Abolitionism, like its prototype, Anti-Masonry,
would long since have expended itself by its own fury, and if the
causes of excitement among its votaries were removed, their
dissolution as a sect would soon follow.
Thus, we think, it is rationally accounted for, why Alton, being
unfortunately connected with the death of Mr. Lovejoy, should be
made the target at which the Abolitionists throughout the land so
unceasingly fire. But this is not the worst. While the
Abolitionists, from the motives above set forth, do all in their
power against this place, the citizens of Slaveholding states are
prejudiced against us through the groundless apprehension that Alton
is the head and front of Abolitionism in this State. Than this,
nothing is farther from the truth. There are not to exceed a dozen
Abolitionists that we know of in Alton - most or all of whom are
law-abiding citizens, who would scorn to sustain their principles by
any illegal or other improper means - and of that number, several,
we learn, have withdrawn since the meeting of their late Convention.
We trust, therefore, that the public mind will become disabused in
regard to this city, and all we desire it that those who have any
idea of settling here, will rather come and examine for themselves,
than to take the misrepresentations of those who are constantly
vilifying the place for the basest and most selfish purposes. If
strangers hear Alton denounced, just let them put the inquiry to the
calumniator - "Are you not an Anti-Slavery man?" and see what would
be the reply. In our opinion, in twenty-nine cases out of thirty,
they would either get no reply at all, or it would be in the
affirmative.
We cannot, in justice to the subject, close our remarks on this
point without alluding to a fact connected with the tragical affair
of November 1837, which is not, we presume, generally known, and
which came within the personal knowledge of the Senior Editor. A few
evenings before the fatal riot, just one week if recollection is not
at fault, Mr. Lovejoy called at the office and inquired of Mr.
Bailhache whether a short communication could appear in the
Telegraph, which was to be issued early the ensuing morning. Upon
being told that it was too late, as the paper was then ready for the
press, the former remarked that he thought when the Editor had
examined the article, he would not hesitate to give it a place, even
at the expense of a little extra trouble, and immediately submitted
it to his inspection. It was found to be a Card from Mr. Lovejoy,
stating in substance that he was weary of contention, and that, in
order to contribute all in his power to the restoration of harmony
and good feeling among the community, he had determined to
discontinue his connection with the Alton Observer. Being fully
persuaded that the publication of the article would, if anything
could, allay the then prevailing excitement, the Editor handed it to
the foreman of the office, the late Mr. William A. Beaty, with
directions to make room for it. But before it was all in type, a
leading Abolitionist then in this city, whose name will be given if
required, called for it, stating that "the friends" wished to see it
before it appeared in the Telegraph, and declaring that it should be
returned in a few minutes. On the faith of this promise, and the
supposition from the known intimacy of the gentleman who gave it
with Mr. Lovejoy, that the application was made with the approbation
of the writer, it was unhesitatingly complied with. What disposition
was made of "the peace offering" in question, we know not. After
waiting for its expected return as long as it was practicable, the
paper was finally issued without it. The sequel was soon afterwards
written in letters of blood, and an intelligent and impartial
community, after the perusal of this "plain, unvarnished tale," can
be at no loss to judge whose hands the purple stream has stained.
A few words, in relation to the health of Alton, and we shall take
leave of the subject. It will, we think, be admitted that to resolve
a doubt or settle a disputed point, one single fact, well
established, is worth more than one hundred speculative theories.
Let the salubrity of our city, then, be subjected to this test, and
show what is the result. In the first place, although our location
at one of the most frequented points on the east bank of the
Mississippi, necessarily exposes us to the visits of persons
peculiarly liable to disease, our bills of mortality from year to
year will compare not unfavorably with those of any other town of
the same size in any part of the Union. Further, one of the Editors
has been a citizen of Alton for the space of eight years and
upwards. During the whole of this period, no member of his family
has been afflicted by serious disease. On the contrary, their
general health has uniformly been decidedly better than it ever was
before, during the same length of time, although residing in places
reputed to be quite healthy. The other Editor has resided here
upwards of thirteen years, and his experience, as to the health of
Alton, is the same as expressed above. The local advantages of Alton
may be spoken of in a future number.
MONUMENT TO LOVEJOY
The New York Times, December 3, 1856
The Alton Courier has the following: "We learn from J. A. Miller
that he has been employed by a Committee living in various parts of
the State, to furnish plans of a monument to be erected in our City
Cemetery to the memory of Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, who fell a martyr to
free speech, in this city, in November 1837. Two plans have been
drawn - one is for a monument 100 feet high, pyramidal in form, 7
feet in diameter to the top, 12 feet in diameter at the base,
standing on a platform 40 feet in diameter, and 4 feet high. It is
to be of Illinois stone, with marble slabs inserted at the base for
inscriptions. Such a monument will cost, as estimated, $8,000.
Another plan has been prepared of a monument 75 feet high, of
pyramidal shape, built of blocks two feet thick, and from four to
eight feet long, similar in other respects to the first named. The
cost of such a monument is estimated at $6,000. The Committee is to
meet at Washington, D. C. early next Winter, to decide upon a plan
and other preliminaries.
RECOUNTING OF THE MURDER OF REV. E. P. LOVEJOY (as written in the
Daily Standard, Syracuse, New York, April 11, 1860), Following the
Statements of His Brother, Owen Lovejoy
In the speech which created so much excitement in the House of
Representatives last Thursday, Mr. [Owen] Lovejoy, of Illinois, is
reported to have said: "You shed the blood of my brother twenty
years ago, and now I am here, free to speak my mind." The Cleveland
Herald give an explanation of this language in the following account
of the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, at Alton, Illinois, in the
year 1837:
The Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was the editor of the Alton Observer, an
anti-slavery paper, printed at Alton, Illinois right over the river
from Missouri.
The press of the Observer was three times destroyed by a mob; the
last time on November 7th, 1837, at which time Mr. Lovejoy was
killed. On the night of the 7th, a mob collected around the
warehouse in which the press was - it having arrived by the river
the day before - and threatened violence if it was not delivered up
to them. Mr. Lovejoy and a number of friends were in the warehouse
and prepared to defend the press. The mob were told from the
warehouse that the press would not be given up, and the mob
commenced the attack.
A shot fired from the building took fatal effect on one of the mob,
named
Lyman Bishop, and the mob for a time withdrew. They, however,
rallied again with increased force and set the warehouse on fire.
Then, to escape death by burning, the inmates were forced to leave,
and in doing so the Rev. Mr. Lovejoy, at the door of the building,
received four balls in the breast, and fell a corpse. The mob bro't
out the press, and having smashed it, threw the pieces in the river.
That is the outline of the affair. The mob was from the Missouri
side, and the whole outrage perpetrated under the lead and direction
of slavery. The thrilling effect of Mr. Owen Lovejoy's remarks to
Mr. Clark, of Missouri, can be better seen in the full glare of the
history of that Alton outrage, and hence we have looked up and
revived the important facts.
The blood of Lovejoy stained the name of Alton for many years - for
its municipal authorities were powerless before the demand of
slavery, and that city, to this day, has not recovered from the blow
the death of that man gave her.
SHOOTER ARRESTED
The Utica Morning Herald, New York, September 22, 1862
Dr. Thomas Mordecai Hope, of Alton, Illinois, who boasts that he was
the man who shot the anti-slavery martyr, Lovejoy, was arrested a
few weeks since for using treasonable language.
BUILDING THE TOMBS OF THE PROPHETS
Alton Telegraph Scolds the Alton Democrat
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 22, 1864
The Alton Democrat, in its way, is a great curiosity. It never
discovers any good traits in a man’s character until after he is
dead. No vituperation or billingsgate was too vile for it to hurl at
the head of the Hon. Owen Lovejoy while living, but it was no sooner
announced that the country had lost his almost invaluable services,
then it began to eulogize him and to speak of his incorruptible
honesty and integrity of character. It has also for some time past
been extolling the virtues of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, while
everyone knows that from its general tone, and the vile slanders
which it is continually belching forth against the advocates of
human freedom, that had its Editor lived here at the time when Mr.
Lovejoy was murdered, he would have been among the most vociferous
in crying out, “Crucify him, crucify him, away with the pestilent
fellow; who is turning the world upside down by his fanatical
agitations.”
Some may think this supposition uncharitable in us, but we are
seldom mistaken in judging of a man by the company he keeps; and no
one should complain if judged by this criterion. He who seeks every
opportunity to abuse and to vilify those who have always sympathized
with the martyred Lovejoy, and to charge them with being the guilty
parties precipitating this war upon us, has no good reason to expect
that the people will believe that he has a particle of sympathy for
the man, or any respect for the principles which he advocated,
although he may proclaim his reverence for him upon the housetops,
or erect a dozen monuments over his grave.
The Democrat, of last evening, after the publication of quite a
lengthy romance in reference to Mr. Lovejoy, concludes it article by
saying:
“The truth of the matter is that Elijah P. Lovejoy was thoroughly
honest, and as brave a man as ever drew breath. He died, not so much
as an advocate of abolition, as in the defense of the noblest
principle for which man ever gave up life – Freedom of Speech and
Freedom of the Press.”
From a long and very intimate acquaintance with Mr. Lovejoy, we can
testify to his undaunted bravery and calm determination to do his
whole duty, regardless of consequences to himself.
Misrepresentation, abuse, nor even personal violence had the
slightest effect in leading him to deviate an iota from the
discharge of those high obligations which he felt that he owed to
his God, his country, and to the cause of human freedom. But we are
satisfied that, notwithstanding this praiseworthy trait in his
character, there is one thing, which if living, he never could
endure, without the deepest chagrin, mortification and contempt,
that is, the praise of a man who has proved recreant to those sacred
principles, in the defense of which he was willing to sacrifice his
life. Or to have his example and self-sacrifice in vindicating the
freedom of the press, perverted so as to give license to traitors to
strike at the vitals of their country, while she is engaged in a
death-throe with the vilest and most unrelenting despots, and
enemies of human freedom, whoever cursed the earth with their
desolating influence.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT ASSOCIATION
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 9, 1864
With gratification, we find that an association is organized at
Alton to raise a monument to the martyr Lovejoy. This work is
scarcely more due to the memory of Lovejoy, than to Alton and to the
better spirit of the age. The Alton Telegraph well says that the
murder of Lovejoy was a crime for which the spirit of that time,
rather than the citizens of Alton, should be held responsible. The
erection of a monument to Lovejoy will be an appropriate expression
of the wonderfully changed state of public opinion since he was
sacrificed by it, and the initiation of this by Alton cannot fail to
reflect well upon the credit of that city.
We insert below a few articles taken from different papers in
reference to the steps which have been taken in Alton, with a view
of erecting a monument to the lamented Lovejoy. We regret that there
is a disposition manifested by one of these papers to denounce in
severe terms the perpetrators of that outrage. We hope that all such
feelings may be suppressed in the future, as many of those who are
now most vehement in their condemnation of that act, if they had
lived here at that time, would probably have aided and abetted the
rioters. At any rate, it is true, that nineteen-twentieths of the
people of the country at that day were more in sympathy with his
murderers than with Lovejoy. We say this, not for the purpose of
blaming anyone, but because the truth of history demands it at our
hands, although we at the time were numbered with the few friends
who then sympathized with him in contest for the right of free
speech, subject alone to the Constitution and laws of this country.
We had better, therefore, take it for granted that the lamentable
event was the result of a false education, hastened on by excited
feeling and prejudice, rather than a deliberate and intelligent
intention to murder one of the most conscientious, devoted, and
brave men which our country has furnished. Let all crimination and
recrimination, therefore, cease, while we all unite, so far as we
now can, to repair the wrong which has been done by those who had
received less light on that subject, than we now possess.
From the St. Louis Coniral Christian Advocate:
We are glad to see the citizens of Alton are making efforts to erect
a monument to that most excellent man, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. We
hope they will succeed. The whole people ought to unite in it, and
if the men who are yet stained with his blood live, they ought to
give, perchance God’s curse may be averted by earnest penitence. We
believe the Almighty has visited upon the city and the guilty
parties His displeasure, and it is fitting that something be done to
avert his wrath, and honor a good man whom wicked hands most cruelly
murdered. Such is Divine justice and retribution. The children honor
the men whom the fathers put to death. Historic justice, we believe,
ought to be vindicated and the memory of the wicked held up to the
public execration. American history has enough shames blackening its
pages, let vile men be warned. Justice will raise monuments to the
martyrs of liberty, and pronounce anathemas [curses] on the heads of
her betrayers.
From the Springfield Journal:
All friends of true liberty will rejoice to learn that the citizens
of Alton are taking steps towards the erection of a monument to the
memory of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, who was murdered by the
pro-slavery mob in that city in 1837. Mr. Lovejoy fell a victim to
the fiendish malignity of a class of men who, for the last few
months, have been claiming to be the especial defenders of freedom
of speech and of the press, so far as they can be subverted to the
interests of treason and rebellion, simply because he desired to
exercise that freedom on the side of liberty and humanity. His
murder cast a dark and indelible stain upon the escutcheon of our
State. Now that the principles for which Lovejoy yielded up his life
have triumphed, it is appropriate that some such recognition of his
services should be made, and that Alton should, where he suffered,
take the initiative in the matter.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT MEETING
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 6, 1865
At a meeting held in Alton on November 25, 1864, of persons
favorable to the erection of a monument to Elijah P. Lovejoy, the
undersigned were appointed a committee with discretionary power to
take such steps as we might deem necessary to secure the permanent
organization of a Monument Association.
In the prosecution of this purpose, we address this circular to the
old friends of Mr. Lovejoy, to those who sympathized with his
efforts to maintain the free discussion of slavery, and to the crowd
of witnesses who have risen in these latter days, to bear testimony
against the sin and curse of our nation.
We appeal to you, whether old or new friends of the doctrine of
freedom for all men, to join us in the erection of a suitable
testimonial to the memory of the “first American Martyr to the
Freedom of the Press and the Freedom of the Slave.”
It is proposed by the committee to call a meeting at Alton, about
the first of February, of the friends of this enterprise at home and
in other States, and to proceed to organize a Lovejoy Monument
Association, with corporate powers and suitable officers, and then
to proceed to execute the work in a manner worthy of its purpose.
Before taking further action, however, we respectfully invite the
counsel and cooperation of friends of the undertaking, and will be
thankful to receive any suggestions by letter or otherwise, they may
have to offer. Signed W. C. Flagg, L. A. Parks, M. G. Atwood.
WENDELL PHILLIPS VISITS LOVEJOY’S GRAVESITE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 19, 1867
Wendell Phillips [great American orator], while in Alton, paid a
visit to the last resting place of Elijah P. Lovejoy in our City
Cemetery. Mr. Lovejoy’s tragic death was the incident which made Mr.
Phillips an abolitionist. That “the blood of the martyrs is the seed
of the church,” is true in other than merely theological points of
view; for from the blood of an anti-slavery martyr, shed in our city
thirty years ago, there sprang forth an opposition to the great sin
of slavery, that has increased and strengthened until it has crushed
the monster crime beneath its feet. And all this has come about
within the short span of thirty years.
WENDELL PHILLIPS AND ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 10, 1867
We insert a letter written by this distinguished orator and
philanthropist, while in Alton. It will be seen by its perusal that
after laboring under an erroneous impression of the character of
Alton for thirty years, he is now prepared to do her justice, and
especially that little Spartan band in Alton, which from that day
[murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy] until Abraham Lincoln’s immortal
Proclamation forever put a quietus on the accursed system of slavery
in this land, kept the anti-slavery fires brightly burning.
Letter from Wendell Phillips, Alton, April 14, 1867, to the
Anti-Slavery Standard
Dear Standard,
I lectured here [Alton] last night, and today have been visiting the
places made historical and sacred by the labors and martyrdom of
Lovejoy. Hitherto, the name of Alton brought always but one idea to
my mind, and I never heard or saw it printed without an involuntary
shudder. A cordial welcome here, and by men who have done good
service in this Valley of the Mississippi, where the battle was for
a time so hot, has broken that spell, and I trust hereafter to think
of it as the home of brave and true men.
The plain, stone store from which his first press was flung into a
creek, now covered by a business street under which it runs, still
stands. Its walls – brown and dingy with what in this young country
is age – are to me the most interesting relic in the place. Here a
brave man and the slave-power began their death grapple. How proudly
the seeming conquerors left those walls that night! How little aware
that the seemingly humbled roof covered a courage and patience that
“slowly would outweigh their solid globe!” The building where he was
shot has been taken down, and a large mill built there; but
….[unreadable]… stone wall stands on the side, and the same river
runs on the other side – the last objects on which his eyes rested,
these mute, unchanging witnesses saw the first bloodshed in defense
of the right to discuss American slavery. That death stunned a
drunken people into sobriety. Slowly at first, but afterward with
what a marvelous promptness, the people rallied to the struggle,
determined that if there was anything in the land which would not
bear free speech, it was not free speech they would surrender.
Lovejoy lies buried now in the City Cemetery on a beautiful knoll.
Nearby rolls the great river. His resting place is marked by an
oblong stone, perhaps thirty inches by twenty, and rising a foot
above the ground. On this rests a marble scroll bearing the
inscription, “Hie Jacet Lovejoy. Jam parce supulto (Here lies
Lovejoy, spare him, now, in his grave).” A more marked testimonial
would not, probably, have been safe from insult and disfigurement
previous to 1864. He fought his fight so far in the vail, so much in
the hottest of the battle, that not till nigh after thirty years and
the final victory could even his dust be sure of quiet. Myrtles and
some flowers grow over his resting place, fresh and green, this
beautiful Spring day. Other graves are guarded by tasteful and
costly architecture, but this one lies close to the path, unfenced,
fitly holding up its record and appeal to the eye of every passer.
Soon the gratitude and penitence of his friends and neighbors will
build, not for him a monument, but a testimony on their part that he
died not in vain. It should be placed nearer the river on the bluff
that looks down directly on the Mississippi, so that every boat, in
passing up and down, shall be able to show the millions of busy and
prosperous men the name of him who consecrated this grand valley to
liberty. Grandly, the valley spreads north, south, and west, miles
and miles away, holding great States bound together by the golden
riot on the Mississippi, a valley made historical by many a
hard-fought fight. But it will soon know that it holds no prouder
spot than that which saw the first defeat – like Bunker Hill and
Bull Run – better and more fruitful than a hundred victories in this
war for free speech and justice.
I can never forget the quick, sharp agony of that hour, which
brought us news of Lovejoy’s death. We had not then fully learned
the blood-thirstiness of the slave-power. When John Brown confronted
it at Harper’s Ferry, we knew, and had long known, the risk any man
run who defied the fiend. But twenty years before Garrison had just
waked up to its horrors, and we saw it but blindly. The gun fired at
Lovejoy was like that of Sumter – it scattered a world of dreams.
Looking back, how wise as well as noble his course seems! Incredible
almost that we should ever have been obliged to defend his
“prudence.” What world-wide benefactors these “imprudent” men are –
the Lovejoys, the Browns, the Garrisons, the saints and martyrs! How
“prudently” most men creep into nameless graves, while now and then
one or two forget themselves into immortality! Signed, Wendell
Phillips
NOTES:
Wendell Phillips (1811 – 1884) was an American abolitionist,
advocate for Native Americans, orator, and attorney. In 1835, the
Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society scheduled George Thompson to
speak. Pro-slavery forces post notices of a $100 reward for any
citizen that would first “lay violent hands on him.” Thompson
cancelled, and William Lloyd Garrison, a newspaper written against
slavery, was quickly scheduled in his place. A lynch mob formed,
forcing Garrison to escape through the back of the hall and hide.
The mob found him, put a noose around his neck, and took him to
Leverett Street Jail. Wendell Phillips was a witness to the
attempted lynching. After being converted to the abolitionist cause
by Garrison, Phillips stopped practicing law and dedicated himself
to the anti-slavery movement. His oratorical ability caused him to
be known as “abolition’s golden trumpet.” He condemned the use of
can sugar and clothing made of cotton – both produced by slave
labor. On December 8, 1837, in Boston’s Faneuil Hall, Phillip’s
leadership and oratory established his preeminence with the
abolitionist movement. Bostonians gathered there to discuss Elijah
P. Lovejoy’s murder in Alton, Illinois. Massachusetts Attorney
General James T. Austin defended the anti-abolitionist mob,
comparing their actions to 1776 patriots who fought the British.
Disgusted, Phillips spontaneously rebutted, praising Lovejoy’s
actions as a defense of liberty. Garrison, inspired by Phillips,
entered a partnership with him that began the 1840s abolitionist
movement.
LET THE FOUL STAIN ON THE CITY OF ALTON BE WIPED OUT
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 11, 1867
Our city has unquestionably suffered very much from the fact that
the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a mob within its limits.
Whether the odium brought upon it by that foul act of a drunken and
infuriated mob, is just or unjust, it is not necessary at this time
that we should stop to discuss. It is enough for us to know that
hundreds have been deterred from settling here from that
circumstance alone. Strange as it may appear, this lamentable and
unfortunate event has operated to the prejudice of our place both in
the North and the South. In corroboration of this statement, we will
relate an occurrence which took place under our own observation in
the city of Peoria, in the year 1842.
We were visiting at the house of a personal friend in that city,
whom we had not seen since the death of Lovejoy, and almost the
first words with which we were greeted were, "Oh! How can you live
in Alton, where the mob spirit rules without let or hindrance, and
where a devoted Minister of the Gospel was murdered for doing his
duty, by pleading the cause of the poor and oppressed?"
This question and exclamation brought the blood to our cheek, but we
made the best defense we could under the circumstances. But our
humiliation and chagrin was still further to be put to the test on
the same evening. For we had hardly recovered from the reproach cast
upon us by our Peoria friend, when another acquaintance of the
family arrived from Wheeling, Virginia. He was an intelligent and
polite gentleman, and prided himself on being a descendant from one
of the first families of the Old Dominion.
In the course of the conversation, the name of Alton was mentioned,
as our place of residence, when he, with the manifestation of a good
deal of feeling and surprise, remarked that it was very strange
indeed how any good citizen could consent to live in a city which
was under the influence and control of a set of fanatical and
turbulent abolitionists, who were turning the world upside down by
their continual agitation of the subject of slavery. This, coming so
closely upon the heels of the other, was rather more than our warm
Southern blood could stand, and we retorted in a way which our
Virginia friend had not the slightest difficulty in understanding.
We have simply referred to this circumstance to show how Alton has
been regarded abroad on account of this unfortunate occurrence. But
all of our citizens who have mingled much with the people abroad,
are well aware of how the place is looked upon by those at a
distance. So strong has been this feeling, that persons traveling up
the river in years past, have positively refused to land on our
wharf because they regarded it as stained with the blood of an
innocent and conscientious man; and this feeling has influenced
people from the South as well as those from the North.
We have always contended that this prejudice against the place was
grossly unjust; and that the people of Alton were no more inimical
to free discussion, or to the abolition of slavery, than hundreds of
other places in the West were at that time. It was after the murder
of Lovejoy that the press of the "Philanthropist" - an Anti-Slavery
paper, published by Garniel Bailey, who afterwards conducted the
National __ro in Washington City - was thrown into the river at
Cincinnati; and William Lloyd Garrison was dragged through the
streets of Boston with a rope around his neck, and whose life was
only saved by the city authorities rescuing and confining him in
jail until the mob dispersed. Then why should Alton be made the
scapegoat to bear off the sins of the entire nation and age.
Cincinnati and Boston were equally guilty with Alton, and under the
same circumstances would have murdered Bailey and Garrison, with as
little hesitation as Lovejoy was in this city.
But the experience of thirty years has convinced us that it is no
use to argue against prejudice; and as this foul stain is upon us,
and its baneful influence is still operating to our disadvantage,
the practical question for the present inhabitants of Alton to
settle is, how can this reproach be best removed, and the good name
of the place be restored? We know of but one way in which this can
be done, and that is by erecting a monument over the remains of Mr.
Lovejoy. So far as the citizens of this place are concerned, we
believe this might have been accomplished many years ago, but
circumstances, not necessary to be mentioned here, deterred his
friends from making the attempt. But now these obstacles are
removed, and the country is rejoicing over the freedom of the last
slave in the land, it is fitting and proper that the project should
be undertaken in earnest, and carried forward to completion without
unnecessary delay. It is a duty the citizens of this place owe, no
less to him whom they intend to honor thereby, than to themselves
and the city of their adoption. But this is no mere local matter,
but one in which every lover of the freedom of the press, of the
rights of man, and of the free institutions of our country should
feel a deep interest. The work, however, must be commenced at home.
In view of these facts, an organization has been formed in this
city, of which our readers have already been informed, and within
the next few days an application will be made for subscriptions to
erect the monument. It is the intention to get a few thousand
dollars subscribed here, as an earnest that the work is to be done,
after which an invitation will be extended to all persons throughout
the country who feel interested in the erection of a suitable
monument over the remains of one who did more to promote the cause
of Anti-Slavery by his death than any other man in the country has
by his life, to contribute to the enterprise. We hope the response
will be liberal and worthy of this great and free people, and of him
who sacrificed his life in behalf of the freedom of the press.
[The Lovejoy Monument was erected in Alton in 1897.]
SISTER OF REV. ELIJAH LOVEJOY VISITS ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 31, 1872
Rev.
Henry Laurens Hammond and wife, now residents of Chicago, came to
our city Tuesday evening. Mrs. Hammond [Elizabeth Pattee Lovejoy
Wiswall Hammond] is sister to Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, of
martyr-memory. She was in Alton, and the guest of her brother at the
time of the riot in 1837. This morning, while on her way to the
cemetery, she recognized the house in which he then lived, and
pointed out the window through which a brickbat was thrown, which
just missed her, she having stepped aside a moment before. This is
her first visit to Alton since the death of her brother. She is now,
with one exception, the only surviving member of her father’s
family. They are stopping at the St. Charles Hotel. The Committee of
Arrangements for Decoration Day have invited Rev. and Mrs. Hammond
to remain in the city over tomorrow, and attend the ceremonies of
the memorial.
NOTES:
Elijah and Elizabeth Lovejoy were children of Daniel Lovejoy
(1776-1833) and Elizabeth Gordon Pattee Lovejoy (1772-1857). Other
siblings include: Joseph Cammett Lovejoy (1805-1871); Owen Lovejoy
(1807-1810); Sybil Pattee Lovejoy Blanchard (1809-1857); Owen
Lovejoy (1811-1864); and John Ellingwood Lovejoy (1817-1891).
Elizabeth Lovejoy first married Noah Wiswall, who died in 1860. She
then married Henry Laurens Hammond in 1865. Elizabeth died in July
1893, at the age of 78, and is buried in Oakland Cemetery,
Princeton, Illinois.
WAS WITH LOVEJOY ON THE NIGHT HE WAS KILLED
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 25, 1873
We were glad to welcome into our office this morning our old and
highly esteemed friend, Henry Tanner, of Buffalo, New York. He was a
resident of Alton during the time of the riots, which finally
resulted in the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. It is refreshing
to meet a sincere and conscientious anti-slavery man, who was
willing to stand by the down-trodden slave and defend his right to
freedom, at a time when it cost men their lives, and the sacrifice
of business and standing in society to do so. Mr. Tanner was in the
building on the night that Mr. Lovejoy was killed, and probably
knows as much or more about that lamentable occurrence than any
other person now living. He will leave here in the morning for his
home.
LOVEJOY HOUSE STILL STANDING
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 27, 1873
The house in which Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy lived at the time he was
murdered by a mob is still standing. It is situated on Cherry
Street, near the corner of Second [Broadway]. It is a two-story
frame, and contains two tenements. Although badly in need of
repainting, it is in a good state of preservation. It was from this
house that Mr. Lovejoy’s funeral took place on the second day
succeeding the murder.
HENRY TANNER – DEFENDER OF LOVEJOY
Tanner, The Evening Courier, Buffalo, New York, March 23, 1874
The possessor of the patent on the celebrated "Tanner brake" was
formerly a well-known citizen of Alton, Illinois. He was one of
Lovejoy's defenders, was in the building the night when the
gentleman fell a victim of mob violence. Mr. Tanner now resides in
Buffalo, New York.
Tanner, The Evening Courier, Buffalo, New York, January 21, 1875
Mr. Henry Tanner was residing in Alton, Ill. in 1837, when the early
abolitionist, E. P. Lovejoy, was killed, and was one of the twelve
men indicted for defending him against the mob.
LOVEJOY'S DEFENDERS ON THE NIGHT HE WAS MURDERED
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 14, 1878
We have received a copy of the pamphlet from the History of the Rise
and Progress of the Alton Riots, culminating in the death of Rev.
Elijah P. Lovejoy on November 7, 1837. The names of the twenty men
who were in the building the night Lovejoy was killed are as
follows:
Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, killed
Amos B. Roff, wounded
Royal Weiler, wounded
William Harned
James Morse Jr.
Joseph S. Noble
Edward Breath
George H. Walworth
J. C. Woods
George H. Whitney
Winthrop S. Gilman, now living in New York
Enoch Long
George T. Brown, living in Alton
Samuel J. Thompson
H. D. Davis
D. F. Randall
David Burt Loomis
Thaddeus B. Hurlburt, now living in Upper Alton
Henry Tanner, living in Buffalo New York, and author of this
pamphlet
Pardon T. Tuthill
Mr. Tanner recommends that a monument be erected to the memory of
the man who at that early date, dared to die in defense of freedom
of speech and of the press, to mark the change that has since taken
place. He thinks that the monument should be erected where the
martyr sleeps, that it might be a prominent object for all passing
boasts on the Mississippi River.
GODFREY AND GILMAN WAREHOUSE
Alton Telegraph, August 01, 1878
Godfrey and Gilman, in whose store Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered in
1837, erected the two fine residences on the southeast corner of
Third and Market Streets, and resided there at the time of the great
tragedy. This property was purchased by Hon. George T. Brown in
1839, and afterwards passed into the possession of his sister, Mrs.
Child.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT COMMITTEE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 19, 1878
The Alton Cemetery Association, having tendered the Lovejoy Monument
Committee a desirable site for the erection of a monument to Rev.
Elijah P. Lovejoy, the following appointment by Horace White,
Chairman of that committee, is hereby made public. The lot donated
by the Cemetery Association is a circular plot on the most
commanding and beautiful site on the grounds. The object of the
present appeal is to raise funds to surround this lot with a wall,
and otherwise suitably prepare it for the reception of Lovejoy’s
remains.
OLD LOVEJOY OFFICE DAMAGED BY FIRE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 19, 1878
The roof of the old stone building on Second Street [Broadway],
opposite the Telegraph office, occupied by the martyr Rev. Elijah P.
Lovejoy as a printing office at the time of his death, caught fire
from a chimney Thursday morning, but the blaze was quickly
extinguished. The second story of the building, in which Mr.
Lovejoy’s paper, the Observer, was printed, is now used by Mr. W. F.
Ensinger as a painting establishment. A window, now bricked up at
the east end of Mr. Ensinger’s shop, was the place where one or two
presses were thrown out by the mob.
THE LOVEJOY MONUMENT ASSOCIATION
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 26, 1878
Hon. Horace White, Chairman of the Lovejoy Monument Committee, has
appointed three members of that organization as a sub-committee to
raise funds for and complete the erection of a stone wall around the
circular lot donated by the Alton Cemetery as a site for the
proposed Lovejoy monument. The Lovejoy Monument Committee was
appointed at the Abolition re-union held at Chicago in 1874. Owing
to the hard times the committee have deemed it inexpedient as yet to
attempt to raise funds for the erection of a monument, but design
making a general effort in that direction in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Cemetery Association, having donated a beautiful lot
for the proposed monument, and it being deemed judicious to surround
the site with a stone wall, to prevent the erosion resulting from
heavy rains, Mr. White has appointed Thomas Dimmock of St. Louis;
General Beem of Chicago; and W. T. Norton of Alton, as a
sub-committee to attend to this work. Their authority and appeal for
means to complete the work assigned them, will be found on the local
page of this paper. The design is to surround the lot with a
substantial wall: remove the remains of Lovejoy to the new site (if
there be no objection thereto), transfer the present tablet erected
by Mr. Dimmock, and beautify the lot to the best advantage the means
contributed will permit. The improvement will be made with a view to
the future erection of a monument, and yet be complete and permanent
in itself should the desired consummation be long delayed. The
amount needed to build the wall is estimated at $400, and something
more will be required to beautify the site. This small sum, for so
laudable an object, ought to be raised promptly and without
difficulty. The lot is directly opposite the south entrance to the
cemetery, the most elevated point on the ground, overlooking the
river. To improve this lot in the manner proposed would be a general
benefit to the cemetery, one which every lot owner is interested in
seeing accomplished. This effort to do tardy justice to the memory
of the heroic martyr, who died in this city in defense of freedom
and the liberty of speech, is one in which our citizens should feel
a peculiar interest. It commends itself. We feel that no appeal is
necessary, further than the above plain statement of what is
proposed to be done at present. Now let all act.
INCIDENT OF THE LOVEJOY MURDER
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 8, 1879
A gentleman who was acquainted with the circumstances has told us of
an occurrence in connection with the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy,
that has not, we believe, been published in any accounts of the
tragedy. It is to the effect that Mr. Lovejoy entered the office of
the Telegraph, the day when the weekly edition was going to press,
and requested the insertion of a card, the purport of which was that
he had published the last number of his paper, the Observer, in
Alton, and that he intended going away immediately. The forms were
almost ready for the press, but at Lovejoy’s earnest request, the
editor agreed to insert the card. When about one half of it was in
type, Rev. Fred W. Graves, a Presbyterian minister of Alton, rushed
up into the Telegraph office, asked for the copy of Lovejoy’s card,
and after much earnest solicitation, procured it in order, as he
said, to show it to a friend on the street. Graves’ object in
procuring the manuscript is not known, but the fact remains that he
did not return, and the paper went to press without the announcement
of Lovejoy’s intention in reference to his paper – an announcement
that might have averted the terrible tragedy that followed almost
immediately. It was Lovejoy’s intention to remove to Quincy, and
publish his paper in that city. The Observer was not by any means an
Abolition or incendiary sheet, but at the present time would rank
among the conservative journals, a fact that shows the immense
stride made by public opinion since that day.
ONE OF LOVEJOY’S PRESSES MAY LIE DEEP IN THE MUD
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 5, 1879
The ground on which Mr. R. Boelitz of the Banner, will erect his
office, the second lot on Second Street [Broadway], west of Piasa
Street, adjoins the old stone building in which the Alton Observer,
Elijah P. Lovejoy’s paper, was published up to the time of the death
of the editor. One of the presses, the third brought here by
Lovejoy, was broken to pieces by a mob in the second story of the
building, then the property of Hon. Cyrus Edwards, and the heavy
fragments were thrown out through a window into the quagmire that
was east of the building at that time, while the type and lighter
material were scattered on Second Street. Gentlemen who were living
here at the time are of the opinion that the remains of the broken
press still lie embedded in the earth, where they were thrown by the
mob. The cellar now excavated there reaches six or seven feet below
the level of the street, and the remains of the press, if there, are
probably several feet deeper. It certainly would be worth an effort
to try and procure this old relic, which would have great interest
attached to it as a memento of the man who dared to do and die for
free speech and freedom of the press.
PIECES OF LOVEJOY PRESS FOUND
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 12, 1879
A fragment of iron, of a curved shape, about ten inches long,
supposed to be a piece of Lovejoy’s printing press, was found
Saturday by the workmen digging under the sidewalk on Second Street
[Broadway], for the purpose of laying the foundations of Mr.
Bolitz’s house. Mr. James Bannon, who was overseeing the work,
secured the fragment and has it in his possession.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 02, 1879
The undersigned have been authorized by the Lovejoy Monument
committee to receive funds for building a wall around the elevated
lot donated by the Cemetery Association for the erection of a
monument. The site, being higher than the ground surrounding, is
fast washing away, and the wall should be built at once to preserve
it. In addition to funds on hand, about $250 are needed to make the
proposed improvement. Every citizen of Alton, and especially every
owner of a lot in the cemetery is interested in seeing this site of
the proposed monument substantially enclosed. Signed, Thomas
Dimmock, Martin Beem, W. T. Norton.
VISIT FROM HENRY TANNER
Author of “The Martyrdom of Lovejoy”
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 7, 1881
We had the pleasure of a brief call Saturday from Mr. Henry Tanner
of Buffalo, author of the history of “the Martyrdom of Lovejoy.” Mr.
Tanner was a citizen of Alton in 1837, an earnest anti-slavery man,
and one of the gallant defenders of the press the night Lovejoy
fell. Mr. Tanner is one of nature’s noblemen, and now in a hale old
age, can look back on a long life of usefulness and devotion to
principal.
THE DEATH OF LOVEJOY’S PRINTER
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 01, 1881
From Elgin, Illinois, November 25 – Joseph Taylor, colored, a
veteran printer, having learned the trade under Elijah Lovejoy at
Alton, died here (Elgin) today of general debility. He was a boy in
the Observer office when Lovejoy was murdered, and saw the tragedy,
hiding to save his own life. Lately he was a pressman in Elgin
offices. He was born in St. Louis, aged 55, and leaves a wife and
three children.
THE BURIAL OF ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 5, 1882
On the memorable night of November 7, 1837, after the murder of
Lovejoy, his friends, who supported him in claiming the privilege of
freedom of the press, left the building where the riot took place
and fled down the river bank, pursued by a raging, unreasoning band
of ruffians. Among those in pursuit was Sparr, then cashier of a
bank in Alton, afterwards hotel proprietor in St. Louis, who
occasionally fired a horse pistol at the retreating company. The mob
soon relinquished the pursuit, however, and the hunted fugitives
returned to their homes. They lived for weeks in almost hourly fear
of their lives, threats being made that they would not be allowed to
escape.
The building in which the riot took place, Godfrey & Gilman’s
warehouse, was a stone structure situated about where the office of
Captain Sparks’ mill is now located. Mr. Abraham Breath, still a
resident here, went to the warehouse the next morning after the
murder, and found the body of the martyr lying alone in solitary
state, the first great victim of slavery, with five gaping wounds in
his chest, silently appealing, as it were, to heaven for justice on
the murderers. Mr. Breath took tufts of raw cotton from the packages
in the warehouse, and pressed them into the ragged, bloody holes
made by the buckshot that penetrated the body with such deadly
effect. The day following the riot, the remains were removed to the
victim’s residence in the lower part of the city, and prepared for
interment, which took place two days after the terrible scene at the
warehouse. There was a family from Baltimore living in half the same
house at the time of the funeral services, but they did not go into
the room where the corpse was lying, their sympathies, apparently,
not being with the Spartan phalanx whose principles led them to pay
the last tribute of respect to the martyr. Fifteen persons attended
the burial in the Alton City Cemetery, it being then considered
almost as much as a man’s life was worth to be classed among the
“Abolitionists,” as they were universally designated. The grave was
dug by William “Scotch” Johnston, a colored man, a native of
Scotland, who is yet living in Alton at the age of 78 years, having
arrived here in 1836. He states that the coffin was an ordinary one,
such as was generally used at that time, and stained red with the
juice of poke berries. Among those in attendance at the burial were
Rev. F. W. Graves, the pastor of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. T. P.
Hurlbut of Upper Alton; Messrs. P. B. Whipple; H. Tanner; A. B.
Rolf; the late Hon. George T. Brown; and others whose names cannot
now be recalled. Mr. Whipple was one of the pallbearers. Mr. Brown,
then a mere lad, placed a wooden tablet at the head of the grave,
with the initials “E. P. L.” inscribed. When the City Cemetery was
laid out, according to a regular plan, it was found that Lovejoy’s
grave was in the main walk, rendering it necessary to remove his
remains. This was also done by Mr. Johnston, who dug the original
grave. The removal took place more than twenty years after the body
was first consigned to mother earth, so long, in fact, that nothing
was left but the bones, every particle of the coffin and its
surroundings having disappeared. The remains now rest under a marble
tablet near the line between the old cemetery and the addition made
thereto a few years ago. This tablet was erected by Hon. Thomas
Dimmock of the St. Louis Republican. The monument to Lovejoy’s
memory yet remains a thing of the future.
Additions and Counter-Statements
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May 6, 1882
A gentleman of Alton, who was present on the memorable November 7,
1837, and witnessed part of the proceedings of the mob that murdered
Lovejoy, says that our informant, who gave us the statement that Mr.
Sparr was one of the party who pursued the friends of the martyr
after his death, was mistaken, led into the error, no doubt, by a
similarity of names. It was, he thinks, a saloon keeper who was one
of the leaders of the mob, and whose name has been confounded with
that of Mr. Sparr. Our informant states that the last named was a
Christian gentleman, and one who would have been as unlikely to take
the part ascribed to him on that occasion as any of our first
citizens today. The gentleman who gives us this information says
that the mob, on the night in question, formed in the lower part of
Alton, marched to a saloon on Second Street [Broadway], west of
Piasa, about where Wilkinson’s mill now stands. There the crowd were
harangued and instructed as to the work to be done. They then
proceeded to the warehouse, where Lovejoy’s press was stored, and
commenced the attack on the building with the sad results already
known. Our informant, who witnessed a portion of the proceedings of
the mob, saw a man whom he knew, demolish the printing press. He
“did it with his little hatchet,” or hammer, and the fragments were
thrown into the Mississippi. While the riot was in progress, two
gentlemen came across the body of a man lying in the street, the
victim of a shot fired by the defenders of the press. After a slight
examination of this man by one of the gentlemen, he said, “He is not
hurt. It is a pretense to try and inflame the mob.” But it
afterwards appeared that the man was dead or fatally wounded. After
the terrible culmination of the work of the mob in the death of
Lovejoy, and the dispersion of the most of his friends and
supporters, the members of the mob crowded into the warehouse and
around the door of a room in the second story, in which the dead
body of Lovejoy was lying. Inside of the room were two of the dead
man’s friends – Rev. T. P. Hurlbut and Royal Weller. As the faces of
the mob appeared at the door, Mr. Hurlbut, standing near the corpse
of his dead friend, exclaimed, “Come in men, come in and see your
work!” but the invitation was not generally accepted. It appears in
this case, as in most instances of mob violence, that the crowd was
composed to a large extent, not of prominent citizens, but of street
loafers, and irresponsible fellows, with nothing to lose by a public
disturbance, primed with bad whisky and excited by the harangues of
blatant demagogues.
THE FIRST ARMED RESISTANCE TO THE AGRESSIONS OF SLAVERY
The Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy Riot - November 7, 1837
Written by Henry Tanner of Buffalo – One Who Was There
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, December 22, 1882
The Lovejoy conflict occurred November 7, 1837. The scene of the
battle was the Godfrey and Gilman warehouse, which stood on the site
now occupied by the National Mills. We think many people lose sight
of the fact that in Alton, on November 7, 1837, was made the first
forcible resistance to the aggressions of the slave power in
America. When all the country was cringing and cowering under the
despotism of the slave power, here in Alton, on November 6, 1837,
sixty men were armed and enrolled to resist its tyranny, and when
the crisis came on November 7, those present did resist with force
and arms, the attack of the demon of slavery. Here was fought the
first battle for freedom and human rights in slave-ridden America,
and though the Spartan band were overpowered by numbers, the echo of
their guns reverberated through the land and awoke the spirit of
resistance, which culminated in the war for the Union [Civil War].
Here, in reality, was fought the first battle of the Civil War. And
twenty-three years later, when the men of the North were arming for
the final conflict, Illinois sent no braver soldiers to the field
than the sons of the grand old Abolitionists, who stood in the ranks
in Alton on the memorable November 7, 1837.
It has been the fashion for the last forty-five years to deride and
execrate Alton because Lovejoy was killed here by a pro-slavery mob,
but there are two sides to the matter. At the time of the riot,
there was not a place in the United States where Lovejoy could have
published an anti-slavery paper without molestation. The entire land
was permeated and governed by the malevolent spirit of slavery. Even
in righteous Boston, William Lloyd Garrison was dragged through the
streets with a rope around his neck, and
found no place of safety
except within the walls of the jail. The Boston mob tried to kill
Garrison, but failed. The Alton mob tried to kill Lovejoy, and
succeeded. There was no difference in intent. Judged by the moral
quality of the action, the one was just as much murder as the other.
In Alton, sixty noble men rallied around Lovejoy, with arms in their
hands, and defended Lovejoy to their best ability, and at the risk
of their lives. In Boston, no anti-slavery men (if there were any)
dared to rally round and attempt to defend Garrison, but he was
rescued by the police and placed in jail as the only place of
safety. Which city is worthy of the greater honor? The one where men
were found brave enough to face and defy the slave power, or the one
where they meanly cringed before it? The men who armed themselves to
defend Lovejoy in Alton were not defying simply a mob, but the
sentiment of the age and country, and that right on the borders of a
slave State (Missouri). Lovejoy was driven from St. Louis, and his
office there destroyed by pro-slavery rioters, and a large portion
of the mob which killed him in Alton was made up of Missouri
ruffians. We have said that there were sixty men enrolled to defend
Lovejoy. This was the case, and that number assembled at the
building on the fatal night in question, ready for action, but there
being no sign of disturbance the first of the evening, a false sense
of security induced the leader to dismiss to their homes the greater
part of the number, leaving but twenty men to defend the press
stored in the building. The story of the battle is graphically told
by Mr. Henry Tanner of Buffalo, one of the defenders of Lovejoy, who
has written an admirably history of the riots. After narrating the
history of Lovejoy’s career in Alton, and the destruction of two
presses by mobs, and the action of a public meeting in deciding to
procure a third press, he describes the landing of this last press,
and the preparations to receive it as follows:
“A company of about sixty volunteers had enrolled themselves under
the laws as a military company, and tendered their services to the
Mayor to keep the peace of the city. This number of men had met for
drill that evening at the store where the press would be landed, and
they were armed with good rifles, all well loaded with ball. The
captain of the boat was ordered to land the boxes containing the
press, and if any attack was made on the boxes, to pull his boat out
of harm’s way as soon as possible. The sixty men inside were divided
into companies, and stationed at points overlooking the boxes, and
had received orders that if any unauthorized persons should attempt
to handle the boxes, they were to shoot at the boxes, and if anybody
was in the way, it would appear to be the fault of the intruder. The
press, however, was successfully landed, no demonstrations of a mob
being made. The press was soon transferred from the boat to the
fourth story of the warehouse belonging to Godfrey and Gilman, and
the military company was left to continue their drill till morning,
or go to sleep as best they could.
This brings us in detail to the morning of November 7, 1837. All was
quiet in the city. The press was out of harm’s way, in the keeping
of responsible men, and no demonstration towards its being unpacked.
As night approached, nearly all of the men who had given their names
to form that military company went to the building containing the
press, one loft of which was the drill room, and were drilled there
until nine o’clock. Then, as no one apprehended any trouble, the
company was dismissed, and each was about going quietly home, when
Mr. Gilman, one of the owners of the store, asked if some few of the
number would not volunteer to remain through the night as a
precaution against anyone breaking into the store and committing any
depredation. Nineteen men volunteered to stay, and with Mr. Gilman,
made twenty in all left in the store. Within a short time,
appearances seemed to indicate that the mob were gathering, but no
one thought of any serious trouble till two well-known men came to
the building and asked to be admitted to see Mr. Gilman. Someone not
possessed of much judgment (for they were both known to favor the
mob) allowed them to come in. They, of course, soon took in the
small number left to guard the building and press, and they then
informed Mr. Gilman that unless the press was given up to the
gentlemen outside, the building would be burned over our heads and
every man killed. Consultation was had inside, and they were
promptly given to understand that the press and the store would be
defended. Some of us were for keeping these parties prisoners till
morning, that they might share our fate, if need be.
Early in the night, after the main body had left, the twenty men
remaining in the building had elected Deacon Enoch Long to act as
their Captain, and as he had seen service in the War of 1812-15, we
supposed him the most fit man for such a case. About as soon as the
mob could get their report, we understood by the wild shouts among
them that our numbers were satisfactory to that side, at least, and
that we would have work to do. A council was called by the inside
party, to take measures for defense, and some advised most vigorous
defense, and as severe punishment to the mob, if we were attacked,
as possible, but our Captain overruled, saying our course would be a
useless sacrifice of human life, and if the mob whose shot and
stones had began to come, should persist in their attack, after
being counseled of the consequences, then he would select some one
man to fire into the mob, and no doubt they would instantly
disperse. The building was of stone, over one hundred feet long at
the side toward a vacant lot. The attacking party were covered by
this stone wall. The ends of the buildings on street and river would
show as two stores – three stories on the street, and four at the
river end, owing to the formation of the land. In the loft of one of
these stores was stored stone jugs and jars. Reuben Gerry had
stationed himself in this loft, while the writer was in the other.
The mob were working in the street in front of both, but more
particularly under Gerry’s part, for the door they were trying to
force was more directly under him. Gerry had opened the door in his
room over the head of the mob, and was amusing himself by rolling
the jugs and crocks out of the door, down on their heads. The mob
for a time tried throwing up stones, but they did not go up with the
same effect that the jugs went down, and one of their number was
selected to cross the street and shoot whoever might be throwing
down the jugs. By the time the party had got to his appointed place
where he could command Gerry’s door, my rifle was through the glass
forming the top of my door, and resting on the sash, perfectly
covering the man in the street. Two men had come up to the room
where I was, to get a good sight of the mob, and the street was
full. They were asking me not to shoot, for we were getting the
worst of the fight already. My promise was readily given not to
shoot, unless the man raised his gun to shoot Gerry. If he did, he
could never perform the act. But Gerry knew of the preparations to
shoot him, and did not know of my position, so he kept out of sight
and saved the life of one who bragged the next day that he was the
one who shot Lovejoy, perhaps not one hour later. I soon heard Mr.
Gerry going downstairs, and immediately went down myself. While we
were discussing the situation, we heard the report of a gun close to
us from the inside, and the exclamation that a man on the outside
was shot. Our captain had put in force his saving theory, and had
selected one man to fire, and that shot had killed a man by the name
of Bishop. On the outside I heard one call and ask, ‘Who fired that
gun?’ Someone answered, ‘I did.’ I went to the window and saw four
men pick up Bishop and carry him off. The shooting of this man
seemed to have the effect contemplated by our captain, and the mob
withdrew. But the lull was short. They soon returned reinforced, and
with savage yells, threatened to fire the building and shoot every
‘d---d abolitionist.’ Even at this time no orders were given for any
concentrated fire on the mob, but many shots were fired, but with
poor effect.
Mayor Krum came in the building, and we asked him to take us outside
to face the mob and order them to disperse, or else in their hearing
order us to fire, and we would pledge our lives to clean them out,
but he prudently and cautiously, and for our good, declined, saying
he had too high a regard for our lives to do that, but at the same
time, he justified our right of defense. When he returned to the mob
from us, he could do nothing.
About this time, the mob had approached the building with a long
ladder, and operating on the side of the house next the vacant lot,
where there was no opening in the long wall, they had got the ladder
to the roof and a man on the ladder with material to set the house
on fire on the roof. When volunteers were called for to go out and
shoot the man off the ladder, the men on the lower floor, Mr.
Lovejoy, Amos B. Roff, and Royal Weller, stepped out of the door and
towards the river, and as they stepped clear of the door to get at
the side of the building, Mr. Lovejoy received five bullets in his
body and limbs from behind a pile of lumber nearby where men were
concealed, probably for the purpose. Mr. Roff was also shot in the
leg, and Mr. Weller also was shot in his leg and had a bullet
through his hat that just cleared his head. Mr. Lovejoy walked in
and upstairs one story to the office, saying as he went, ‘I am shot!
I am shot! I am dead!’ He was met at the door of the room by all on
that floor, and died without a struggle and without speaking again.
The two that were wounded then got back upstairs. Very soon, there
appeared on the river side of the building the same two men who
were, in the beginning, admitted and let out of the building, and
calling the attention of whoever was in sight, displayed a white
handkerchief and called for Gilman, and said that the building was
on fire, but the boys would put it out if he would give up the
press, and would not destroy anything else, nor hurt anyone if the
building was surrendered. Mr. Gilman then concluded that inasmuch as
there was great value in the building of goods, and also the
interests of many firms all over the State were jeopardized, and Mr.
Godfrey, his partner, not present, that to save all these interests,
it was his judgment the buildings and press had best be abandoned to
the mob. Others, under the circumstances, could say nothing, and so
it was resolved to give it up, and the spies were so ordered to
notify their fellows. Accordingly, our guns were secreted in
different places, and all of the number left the building in a body,
except Lovejoy, dead, Roff and Weller wounded, and S. J. Thompson,
who remained till the mob entered, and Rev. Thaddeus B. Hurlbut, who
remained in charge of the body. As the men passed by that vacant
lot, it seemed as if a hundred bullets were shot at them from the
mob congregated at the other and higher end of the lot. The escaped
congregated in a hardware store on Second Street, a little removed
from the scene of action, and after a while went to their homes, and
the work of destruction was completed on the press and on the
fortunes of the city for all future time.
The names of the defenders of the press in the building at the time
of the battle were: Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy (killed), Amos B. Roff
(wounded), Royal Weller (wounded), Rev. T. B. Hurlbut, William
Harned, Henry Tanner, James Morse Jr., Joseph S. Noble, Edward
Breath, George H. Walworth, J. C. Woods, George H. Whitney, Reuben
Gerry, Winthrop S. Gilman, Enoch Long, George T. Brown, Samuel J.
Thompson, H. D. Davis, D. F. Randall, and D. B. Loomis. None of
these are now known to be living except W. S. Gilman of New York
City, Henry Tanner of Buffalo, New York, and Rev. T. B. Hurlbut of
Upper Alton. It is to be regretted that there is no muster roll in
existence of the remainder of the sixty men who enrolled themselves
to defend the press, as they are entitled to almost equal honor with
those who remained in the building.” Written by Henry Tanner of
Buffalo, New York.
Amos B. Roff was born July 2, 1799, and was 38 years old at the time
of the Lovejoy riot. He was wounded by a member of the mob, who
killed Lovejoy. He died September 20, 1856, and is buried in
Petaluma, California. He had formerly owned a cooking and heating
stove business on Broadway in Alton as early as October 1836. In
December 1837, Roff sold his business to Henry Tanner, also a
Lovejoy defender.
Royal Weller operated a jobbing business in Alton as early as 1836.
In December of that year, he partnered with Reuben Gerry, another
Lovejoy defender, and they continued the business. They sold dry
goods, groceries, crockery, boots and shoes, and books. On the day
of the murder of Lovejoy, Weller hired Joseph Brown, then a boy, to
work all afternoon moulding bullets. Weller and Amos B. Roth came
out of the warehouse with Lovejoy, who pointed a pistol at a boy on
a ladder was who trying to set fire to the warehouse. Weller, along
with Amos B. Roff, was wounded as two men shot from behind a
barrier. According to the Alton Evening Telegraph, May 18, 1935 and
April 12, 1976, Royal Weller married Lovejoy’s widow, Celia Ann
French Lovejoy, who had left Alton following the murder of her
husband. Later, Weller returned to Madison County, Illinois, but was
officially judged as being “insane because of religious fanaticism.”
Weller was placed in the Jacksonville, Illinois, State Hospital for
the Insane, and died there July 28, 1859 (could be burial date). He
is buried in the Immanuel North Cemetery in South Jacksonville, then
called the “Red Barn Burials,” as inmates were buried in the pasture
on a hill south of an old milk barn. All these farmlands are now
leased to Prairieland Heritage Museum.
In August 1937, it was determined that Elijah P. Lovejoy’s estate
was never officially closed. Upon examination of records, it was
found that on May 6,1847, nearly ten years after the death of
Lovejoy, a petition had been filed by Royal Weller, asking that he
be appointed administrator of the estate, and that the value of his
personal estate was estimated at $400. The record further showed
that Weller was appointed as administrator, and that he was named
guardian for Lovejoy’s minor son, Edward, whose share of the estate
was to be $250. Edward Lovejoy was then 14 years of age.
Rev. Thaddeus Beman Hurlbut was born in Vermont on October 28, 1800.
In 1834, he moved to St. Louis, and formed the friendship of Elijah
P. Lovejoy. He used his influence and writings to fight the
aggression of slavery, but took up arms in the defense of free
speech on November 7, 1837. When Lovejoy moved to Alton, Hurlbut
became associate editor of Lovejoy’s newspaper, The Alton Observer.
Following the death of Lovejoy, Hurlbut considered re-establishing
the paper, but moved to Jacksonville, and then to Upper Alton, where
he spent the rest of his life. He died March 31, 1885, and is buried
in the Alton City Cemetery. His son, Wilberforce Lovejoy Hurlbut,
was named after Rev. Lovejoy. Wilberforce served in the Civil War as
captain. He went missing on May 6, 1864, and witnesses say he was
shot in the head. His body was never recovered.
Captain William Anthony Harned was born November 24, 1792, in
Parrottsville, Cocke County, Tennessee. He was the son of Samuel
(1765-1851) and Rachel Crow Harned (1767-1851). Captain Harned
married Hannah Boyer (1792-1850), and they had one child born in
Tennessee - Jane Harned Johnson (1817-1860). The family moved to Red
River County, Texas, where three children were born - John Wesley
Harned (January 26, 1819 – 1904); William Stephen Harned
(1821-1896); and David Benson Harned (1830-1913). Captain William
brought his family to Alton in 1833, and he became proprietor of the
Mansion House (boarding house). He was one of “60 Militant Friends”
of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, and donated a first-story room in the
Mansion House for the last Lovejoy meeting, held the evening before
Lovejoy was assassinated. His son, John Wesley Harned, was also an
eyewitness of the Lovejoy murder. In 1849, Captain Harned went to
California during the gold rush, leaving his family in Illinois. He
left California to return home, and was never heard from again. His
wife, Hannah, died in 1850 in Pontoosuc, Hancock County, Illinois,
which is just west of Peoria. His daughter, Jane, died there in
1860, and his son William Stephen Harned died there in 1896. His
son, John Harned, a witness to the Lovejoy murder, died in March
1904 near Greenville, Illinois. Captain Harned’s son, David Benson
Harned, died in Reno, Bond County, Illinois, in 1913.
Henry Tanner was born in 1813 in Bristol, Rhode Island. He moved to
Alton some time before 1837. He was known as a sincere and
conscientious anti-slavery men, who was willing to stand by the
“down-trodden slave” and defend their right to freedom, at a time
when it cost men their lives, the sacrifice of their business, and
standing society to do so. In December 1837, following the murder of
Elijah P. Lovejoy, Tanner purchased the entire stock of Amos B. Roff
(another Lovejoy Defender), and continued the business of selling
cooking and heating stoves, and tin and sheet iron. In March 1838,
Tanner moved his store to the stone warehouse, west of State Street
in Alton. By April 1873, Tanner had moved to Buffalo, New York. He
died in Buffalo on January 31, 1895, and was buried in the Forest
Lawn Cemetery in that city. Henry was the last of the immortal band
of defenders of Elijah P. Lovejoy, who was murdered in Alton on
November 7, 1837. He wrote article above, as a witness to the scene.
I have found little information on Lovejoy defender James Morse Jr.,
other than he was a respectable citizen of Alton, appointed to a
committee in June 1837, to provide a reception for visiting
dignitaries Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. He must have been a
business man or politician, as he was associated with prominent
members of Alton’s society. It is possible he moved away from Alton
after the death of Lovejoy. Morse died before March 1878.
Joseph S. Noble was a Lovejoy defender, and died before 1878. No
further information could be found on him.
Both Abraham Breath and his brother, Edward Breath, were sons of sea
Captain James Breath, who came to Madison County, Illinois, in 1819,
and formed the Marine Settlement. Abraham, along with George W.
Welsh, James Semple, and Jordan W. Jeffress, laid out the town of
Marine in 1834. Abraham moved to Alton, where he served as Assessor
of Alton Township. Both Abraham and Edward formed a friendship with
Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, and became one of his defenders. Edward was
with Lovejoy at the time of his death. Abraham Breath died in March
1884, and is buried in the Alton City Cemetery. After the death of
Lovejoy, Edward Breath served as a missionary to Persia (Iran).
Edward died of cholera in Iran on November 18, 1861, at the age of
53. He was buried in the American Mission Graveyard in West
Azerbaijan, Iran. Three of his children are also buried there,
presumably from cholera. After the death of Edward and their three
children, his wife, Elizabeth Leggett Breath, left Persia with their
two surviving children.
George H. Walworth was a respectable business man of Alton, and
owned a dry goods store there in partnership with Reuben Gerry. That
partnership was dissolved in March 1836. He died sometime before
1878. No further information was found.
J. C. Woods was a Lovejoy defender, and died before 1878. No further
information was found.
George H. Whitney formerly lived in Boston, Massachusetts. He moved
to Alton sometime before 1837, and became a supporter of Rev. Elijah
P. Lovejoy. He was one of his defenders on the night of his murder.
In March 1838, he married Elizabeth B. White, daughter of Jacob
White of St. Charles, Missouri. He was in a business partnership
with Julius A. Willard, under the firm name of Willard & Whitney,
which was dissolved in April 1838. Whitney died sometime before
1878. George was probably a relative of James W. Whitney of Boston,
who was an early pioneer of Upper Alton.
Reuben Gerry first appeared in the Alton newspaper in March 1836,
when it was announced that he and his partner, George H. Walworth,
were dissolving their partnership in the firm of Gerry & Walworth.
The plan was to change the nature of their business. In December
1836, when Gerry formed a partnership with Royal Weller, under the
firm name of Gerry & Weller, for the transaction of a general
jobbing business on Broadway, selling dry goods, groceries,
crockery, boots and shoes, and books. Gerry was a Lovejoy defender,
and on the night of the riot in Alton, he found earthenware pots
stored on one of the upper floors of the Godfrey & Gilman warehouse,
where the defenders and Lovejoy were, and began to bombard the crowd
below. Dr. Horace Beal, instigator of much of the anti-Lovejoy
feeling, took aim at the pot-tossing defender. Gerry was unable to
see Dr. Beal because of a corner in the warehouse construction which
obstructed his view. Henry Tanner spotted the sniper about to shoot
Gerry, and pointed his muzzleloader at Dr. Beal. Dr. Beal observed
the glint of moonlight off the steel barrel aimed directly at him,
and ducked behind the lumber. Gerry continued to toss the pots on
the heads of the crowd below, unaware of the drama being played out
nearby. This continued until Gerry ran out of pots, and retired to
the lower floor of the warehouse. In September 1838, it was
announced that Sigerson and Harrison had bought the entire stock of
goods from Gerry and Weller, and continued in the business. In
October 1847, it was announced that L. Kellenberger was appointed
trustee of the remaining property and effects of the late firm of
Gerry and Weller. No further information was found regarding Reuben
Gerry. I assume he died or moved away.
Winthrop Sargent Gilman was born in 1808 in Marietta, Ohio, and was
a prominent resident of Alton. He and Captain Benjamin Godfrey were
in partnership, and owned the warehouse where Lovejoy was killed.
Gilman was also was one of the original founders of the Alton Marine
and Fire Insurance Company, and was a member of the Alton Total
Abstinence Society. Gilman married in 1834 to Abia Swift Lippincott,
daughter of Rev. Thomas Lippincott. They had 10 children. Gilman
died in October 1884, at the age of 76, in Palisades, New York, and
is buried in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Enoch Long was a pioneer resident of Upper Alton, arriving there in
1819. He served as Captain in the War of 1812. He was one of the
original trustees on the board of Shurtleff College. He later moved
to Alton, and founded the first Alton Presbyterian Churches there.
Long and Captain Benjamin Godfrey laid out the village of Monticello
(Godfrey) in 1840. Long was selected captain of Lovejoy’s 60
defenders. It was Long who commanded that no one should fire without
his order, which he hesitated to give from motives of mercy. In
1844, Long moved to Galena, and in 1863 moved to Sabula, Iowa, to
live with his son. Long died in July 1881, at the age of 90 years,
at the home of his son. He is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in
Sabula.
George T. Brown was born in Scotland in 1820. He settled in Canada
in 1833, and then moved to Alton in the Fall of 1834. In 1837, Brown
stood as a defender of Lovejoy when he was killed by a mob. He
learned the printer’s trade, and afterwards studied law with the
Hon. Lyman Trumbull. He practiced this profession until about 1850,
when he founded, in connection with others, the Alton Daily and
Weekly Courier, which he carried on until 1860. He was elected Mayor
of Alton, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1848.
In 1861, he was elected Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate, and
served in that position over eight years. During the Civil War, he
was one of the most prominent officials in Washington, and was
entrusted with many important missions. Brown had charge of the
funeral train which conveyed the remains of President Lincoln from
Washington to Springfield. After his retirement, he returned to
Alton. He died in June 1880 in Alton, and was buried in the Alton
City Cemetery.
Samuel J. Thompson was an early Methodist preacher in the history of
Madison County, who stood as a Lovejoy defender. He was later a
practicing physician in Edwardsville, and then moved to Kansas.
H. D. Davis was the proprietor of a store in Upper Alton, under the
firm name of H. Davis & Co. He was a Lovejoy defender, and died
sometime before 1887.
D. F. Randall was a Lovejoy defender. No further information could
be found on Randall, except that he was deceased by 1887.
David Burt Loomis was the son of Rev. Hubbel Loomis of Upper Alton,
who was principal and teacher at the Shurtleff College in its early
years. David later moved to Minnesota, and died there in 1897.
THE MURDER WEAPON
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 3, 1883
At the time of the Lovejoy riot, the writer (J.H.S.) loaned a number
one rifle and 50 bullets to Royal Weller, one of the defenders of
the stone warehouse where Lovejoy’s press was stored, and never saw
the gun afterwards. Weller was shot in the heel during the riot.
Weller afterwards married Lovejoy’s widow. My idea is that a man
named James Francis killed Lovejoy, and that James Rock shot Royal
Weller. Signed by J. H. S.
PLEA FOR A LOVEJOY MONUMENT
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 20, 1884
Hon. Thomas Dimmock, in the Globe-Democrat, makes an earnest plea
for a monument to Lovejoy. The subject is one the Telegraph has
often spoken of, and we are glad to say that people seem to be
awakening to the greatness of Lovejoy’s life and work, and the time
is approaching when something can be successfully attempted in the
way of a memorial. Mr. Dimmock’s article is as below:
St. Louis, March 11
“The notice in your issue of this morning of the death of one of the
last survivors of the gallant company who stood by Elijah P. Lovejoy
in his vain defense of liberty of the press, induces me to what may
be termed the post mortem treatment of that hero and martyr. Lovejoy
was buried in what is now the well cared for and beautiful City
Cemetery of Alton, but which then, in 1837, was little better than
an open field; quite neglected and without protection from
desecrating man or beast. The spot selected was between two oak
trees, and at the head of the grave a pine board was planted, on
which were rudely cut the letters, “E. P. L.” Years rolled by, the
trees were cut down, the board rotted away, and when the cemetery
was laid out, the main avenue so completely obliterated the grave
that its locality would have been lost altogether, had not the
considerate superintendent marked it by two pieces of limestone,
rising a few inches above the soil. These, however, did not prevent
vehicles and pedestrians from passing directly over the grave, for
with the exception of the superintendent and one or two other
persons, nobody knew what the stones meant. Finally, a citizen of
Alton, long since deceased, removed the remains from the public
thoroughfare and deposited them immediately outside his own family
lot, where they are today. Another hand, some years later,
contributed a small marble scroll bearing this inscription, “Hic
jacet. LOVEJOY. Jam parce sepulto.”
Neither the marble nor the inscription is worthy of the deeds and
the death of him who sleeps beneath, though they have saved his
resting place from utter oblivion.
The city authorities have set apart a handsome lot in a more
desirable portion of the cemetery, and efforts have been made in
Alton, Chicago, and elsewhere, to raise sufficient money to prepare
it for the reception of the little that is left of Lovejoy’s dust.
Thus far, these efforts have failed, and that sacred dust is
indebted to the charity of private individuals, not only for the
stone which identifies it, but for the very grave which holds it.
In his last speech – his dying words it may be truly called –
Lovejoy said, “So long as I am an American citizen, and so long as
American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty
to write, print, speak whatever I please on any subject, being
amenable to the laws of my country for the same.” Setting aside his
services in the cause of human freedom, at a time when public
opposition to slavery was not only unpopular, but dangerous, is not
the man who thus proclaimed the fundamental principle of our
political and social institutions, and who died in defending it –
entitled to more generous recognition? Cannot his fellow-citizens,
whose inalienable rights he vindicated with tongue and pen, and
sealed with blood, afford to give him a worthier tomb and nobler
monument?”
Mr. Dimmock modestly omits to mention that his was the hand which
erected the marble scroll over Lovejoy’s grave, and wrote thereon
the present inscription. The epitaph Mr. Dimmock now deems
inadequate, but we have always regarded it as singularly and
pathetically appropriate. When a loftier and grander monument is
erected to Lovejoy’s memory, the present scroll, with its
inscription, should form part of the column.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM “SCOTCH”/Source: Alton Telegraph, July 16, 1885
Buried Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy
William Johnson (also spelled Johnson in various accounts), an
estimable, intelligent colored man, with quite an interesting
history, died at his home in Alton last night, having long been in
feeble health, at the age of about 80 years. He was a native of
Aberdeen, Scotland, and was a Freemason there. While a very young
man, he was the confidential attendant of a Scotch nobleman, Lord
Aberdeen, and in that capacity traveled extensively in Europe. He
saw Lord Byron, and heard him make a speech in Aberdeen, Scotland,
in acknowledgement of a reception given him when he succeeded to the
title.
Johnson came to America more than 50 years ago, landing first at New
Orleans, where he got into trouble on account of his color, the laws
then being very strict in requiring passports of all freemen of his
race. He afterwards came to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade
as stone mason for some time. He laid the last stones on the tower
of the old cathedral on Walnut Street, and used to say that when his
work was done, Bishop Rosatti gave him a glass of wine and $5 in
gold. While walling a well in St. Louis, he was buried by the caving
earth, and released with difficulty after many hours interment,
losing the sight of one eye by the terrible ordeal.
When Elijah P. Lovejoy was killed in 1837 by a pro-slavery mob,
Johnston was living in Alton, and without fee or reward, dug the
grave of the first anti-slavery martyr. He stated that he painted
Lovejoy’s coffin red with pokeberry juice. He performed, on the same
terms, the same office twenty years later, when the remains were
removed to another part of the Alton Cemetery.
Johnston was an interesting talker, and could entertain all
listeners with an account of his hair-breadth escapes and thrilling
adventures. He was connected with the underground railway before the
[Civil] war, and assisted many fugitive slaves to escape. He leaves
several children to mourn his death. [Burial was in the Alton City
Cemetery.]
AFRICAN METHODISTS HOLD SERVICES AT LOVEJOY’S GRAVE
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 20, 1885
In pursuance of a resolution offered Friday by Rev. T. W. Henderson,
the members of the A. M. E. Conference proceeded Saturday afternoon
to the City Cemetery, and held services at the grave of Rev. Elijah
P. Lovejoy. Rev. W. J. Davis, the oldest member of the conference,
offered a fervent prayer. He returned thanks that when Lovejoy died,
the spirit of abolition did not perish, but thousands were raised
from his ashes to continue the work to a successful issue. Bishop
John M. Brown stated that it afforded him infinite pleasure to come
to the spot made famous and precious because of the association
connected with it. He remembered the events that led to Lovejoy’s
death. The speaker was first in Alton in 1850. He gave a brief
sketch of incidents in Lovejoy’s life just previous to the tragedy
of November 7, 1837. The martyr labored under the mistaken
impression that here on free soil, he would be safe from the malice,
hate, and prejudice of slavery. Many are standing here today because
the principles he advocated are triumphant. A few instances of the
tyranny exercised by the slave-holding representatives in Congress
were cited, and a number of the old-time anti-slavery men were
eloquently eulogized. The colored man was first a slave; then a
“contraband,” next a “freedman,” and now the equal of any man before
the law. “You all came here today to pay a tribute to the memory of
Lovejoy, who died for freedom, religious, education, all that make
life worth living. Let us prove ourselves worthy of the sacrifice by
doing our work grandly, nobly, effectually.” The son, “Lovejoy’s
Body Lies Mouldering in the Grave,” was then rendered with thrilling
effect, led by Rev. T. W. Henderson.
Dr. B. W. Arnett, the next speaker, said that so many thoughts
thronged his mind in connection with the place and its association,
that he was almost bewildered. He made an analysis of Lovejoy’s
name, saying that it meant love to God, love to man; joy for the
privileges that have resulted through the death of martyrs for free
men, free schools, and human toleration. Today, these are the
fundamental principles of our country. Now not only are all “created
equal,” but all are born free, the constitution of our country
giving these heaven-born principles to everyone in this favored
land. The one who sleeps here was one of the martyrs in the struggle
of the ages, of right against wrong. The times of 48 years ago and
today were vividly contrasted. Twenty-nine years ago, the speaker
passed by here on a boat. Then, he feared to land. “On the Missouri
shore, they were waiting to enslave us, on this side, ready to catch
us should we endeavor to escape.” The cost of the privileges we
enjoy was very great; many have forgotten the changes that have
taken place, and do not perform the additional duty imposed on them.
Before the war there were practically no colored schools in the
country; now there are 17,600 schools, 105 colleges and seminarys,
4,000 churches, and $5,000,000 worth of church property. The colored
people should strive for education, integrity, religion, morality,
and money. Let us leave this place with love to God and man, joy in
the heart, morn, noon, and evening.
President Mitchell of Wilberforce College, Ohio, was introduced, and
read some extracts from the holiday number of the Alton Telegraph,
1883, giving the account of Lovejoy’s death, November 7, 1837, at
Godfrey & Gilman’s warehouse. The President closed with singing
“Praise God From Whom all Blessings flow,” and benediction by Bishop
Brown.
The scene at the cemetery was most impressive. It was a calm, quiet,
pleasant event. The declining sun cast dark shadows over the
monuments, valleys, and hills of the city of the dead, as the
throng, representatives of a race freed from cruel bondage, stood
around the tablet that marked the resting place of him, the first
noted victim to the fell spirit that enslaved a people because of
their color. All were deeply interested in the remarks of the
speakers, eloquent with the feeling born of the associations of the
place.
In this connection, it may well be stated that Rev. Elijah P.
Lovejoy, the martyr, was Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Alton,
and was connected with the Presbyterian Church in Alton, at the time
of his death, and the first volume of the Records of Alton
Presbytery is in his handwriting.
CUSTODY OF LOVEJOY’S REMAINS ASSIGNED
TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 3, 1885
Dated August 27, 1885; To Mr. Isaac H. Kelley:
Sir – I have known you for thirty years, and my opinion of your
character is sufficiently indicated by the fact that this letter is
addressed to you. More than forty years ago, with a companion
somewhat older than myself, I sought and found the grave of Elijah
Parish Lovejoy. It then lay between two quite large oak trees, and
was marked by a small pine board, on which were rudely carved the
initials, “E. P. L.” The present city cemetery was then an open
common. When it was laid out, the trees and board disappeared, and
the main avenue from the gate passed directly over the grave – the
location of which would have been hopelessly lost, but for the late
William Brudon, Superintendent of the cemetery, who marked the spot
by the fragments of limestone, of which very few knew the meaning.
After being thus trodden underfoot by man and beast for several
years, the late Charles W. Hunter had the remains removed, where
they now are, just outside his own family lot, but in ground owned
by him. William Johnston, recently deceased, who buried Lovejoy the
first time, had charge of the removal. He told me that some bits of
bone and handsful of dust was all he could find. The second grave,
when I first knew it, was designated by an old tombstone turned
upside down, and across the upper edge of which was written in red
chalk, “Lovejoy.”
Circumstances made the great principle proclaimed in these words
from his last public speech especially dear to me: “But gentlemen,
so long as I am an American citizen, and so long as American blood
runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to write, print,
speak, whatever I please on any subject – being amenable to the laws
of my country for the same.”
Before placing the marble tablet which now marks the grave, I
endeavored to communicate with Lovejoy’s son, Edward, but my letters
did not reach him – at least were never answered. Consequently, I
was obliged to assume that he had no objections – and I have heard
of none from any quarter since. The Latin epitaph – in English,
“Here lies Lovejoy; Spare him now that he is buried,” was submitted
to Wendell Phillips and other competent critics, and cordially
approved. A longer and better one might and would be written now,
but then, these few words seemed to me appropriate, and enough.
For reasons needless to specify, I thought it best to obtain a title
to the burial lot, and it was cheerfully given to me by Major
Hunter’s heirs, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeBow. The deed was
duly recorded by Mr. Frank Ferguson, but the original, I am sorry to
say, has been mislaid. The title, however, is never likely to be
disputed.
I have stated all these facts, believing they will be interesting to
you and your people, in view of what I ask you and them to do. Some
weeks since I said to you, verbally, that I desired you, as the
representative of the colored people of Alton, to take charge of
Lovejoy’s grave, protect it and care for it. The race for whose
liberty, and the liberty of the press, he died, are the natural and
proper guardians of his dust. I now repeat my wish in writing, and
assign to you and your people all my right, title, and interest in
the lot and its contents; but by the terms of the deed, when the
remains are removed, the lot reverts to the DeBow heirs.
As you know, several attempts have been made to build a Lovejoy
monument, and an eligible lot in the cemetery has been set apart for
that purpose. I suggest, and request, that no removal of the little
that is left be permitted until the proposed monument is built, or
so nearly finished that its completion is certain. I also request
that when the removal, on this condition, occurs, the present tablet
be used as a footstone.
It will be well, I think, if you call together some or all of your
colored friends and acquaintances, read to them what I have written,
and then put the matter in formal shape by the appointment of a
committee or board, to assume the keeping of the grave hereafter, as
I cannot doubt the willingness to accept the trust now transferred
by me. Very truly, Thomas Dimmock.
THE GRAVE OF ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 29, 1885
A meeting of the leading colored citizens was held in the Union
Baptist Church last evening, to consider the matter of accepting the
guardianship of the grave and burial lot of Elijah P. Lovejoy, as
proposed by Mr. Thomas Dimmock. Mr. I. H. Kelley was called to the
chair, and Mr. W. A. Ashton appointed Secretary. On motion, the
letter from Mr. Dimmock was read, whereupon the Rev. N. J. McCracken
offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
Whereas, the remains of the immortal E. P. Lovejoy, who in the year
of 1837 gave his life in advocating free thought, free speech, and
freedom to all, are now resting within the city cemetery. And
Whereas, Mr. Thomas Dimmock has had charge of the grave for many
years, and proposes to turn it over to the colored citizens.
Therefore, be it resolved, by this meeting, that the proposition be
hereby accepted, and that we take action as early as possible for
erecting a suitable monument in memory of Lovejoy, and that Mr. I.
H. Kelley be appointed custodian of the grave and lot.
Mr. D. Jenkins moved that a committee of seven be appointed to
investigate the condition of the grave. Whereupon the chair
appointed the following as the committee: Edward Poindexter, J.
Ross, William Walker, Dennis Jenkins, W. A. Ashton, I. H. Kelley,
and R. A. Scott.
DID WHISKEY HELP TO MURDER LOVEJOY?
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 26, 1886
To the Editor of the Telegraph:
Your Fosterburg correspondent reports a debate at some schoolhouse
on the amusing question as to the ownership of a pumpkin, which grew
in one man's field, while the plant had its origin on the land of
another man. This brought up recollections of debates held between
forty and fifty years ago in the Smooth Prairie brick schoolhouse,
which stood half a mile north of the present town of Fosterburg. Not
long after the death of Mr. Lovejoy, on one occasion the question
was on the evils of slavery and whiskey - which was the greater? At
that time there was a saloon in Alton on the right-hand side of the
street, looking up the hill toward Sempletown, at or near the corner
of Third Street. In the discussion referred to, Mr. Ross Houk was
one of the speakers. Mr. Houk was an active, enterprising business
man, and was often in Alton, and perhaps there was no man in Smooth
Prairie that would be more likely to ascertain and understand all
the facts in connection with the Lovejoy mob than Mr. Houk. In his
speech on the occasion referred to, he made the following
statements:
That the mob that murdered Lovejoy organized in the saloon referred
to (he called its name). That they prepared themselves, made
themselves drunk enough for the deed by drinking whiskey, and that
they proceeded from that saloon to the warehouse - and that "whiskey
had as much to do with the murder of Lovejoy as slavery had. Of
course, things said in a debate of that kind are not always as
reliable as history ought to be, but from the ability of Mr. Houk to
get at the facts, from the directness of his statements and from the
fact that they were not called in question, I have always associated
that saloon and whiskey with the martyrdom of Mr. Lovejoy. No doubt
there are a good many persons who know where this mob organized and
whether the liquor traffic helped to place that stain on our young
State or not. To this day I have neither read nor heard any
statements that I can now recall that contradicted Mr. Houk's
statements, hence the question: Did whiskey help to murder Lovejoy?
Signed by T. A. Eaton, DuQuoin, February 1886.
LOVEJOY’S TYPE FOUND IN OLD BUILDING
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 11, 1886
In partially demolishing, for repairs, the western half of the old,
two-story stone building on Second Street [Broadway], near Piasa
Street, occupied in the summer of 1837 by Elijah P. Lovejoy as a
printing office, the workmen and others last week found a quantity
of type, no doubt used in printing the Observer, Mr. Lovejoy’s
paper. The type was found beneath the upper floor in the crevices at
the end of the sills. They are highly prized by those who found them
as relics of the momentous times of the pro-slavery troubles of
1837. This building is one from which a press was thrown, but was
not the place of the riot in which Mr. Lovejoy lost his life.
A ST. LOUIS TRAGEDY, CONNECTED WITH LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 26, 1886
I was in St. Louis at the time of the burning of the negro,
McIntosh, in 1836. I read your article in relation to the incident,
and your informant is not quite correct in all particulars. The
morning before the burning, I was on an Ohio riverboat to see a
friend off, and saw the negro, McIntosh, who was steward on a boat
lying alongside. We both remarked that he was a dangerous fellow.
During the afternoon of the same day, a comrade of McIntosh got into
a fight and was ordered to jail. McIntosh interfered, and released
the prisoner, and was himself arrested, and not being able to find
bond, was ordered to jail. He was placed in the charge of Messrs.
Hammond and Mull, one a deputy Sheriff and the other either a City
Marshal or deputy; two of the best officers of St. Louis. The jail
was then on Sixth Street, between Market and Chestnut, east side. On
the way up Chestnut, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, McIntosh made
a right and left cut with a knife he had concealed, cutting Mull
across the abdomen so that his bowels protruded, and striking
Hammond on top of the shoulder so the knife struck a vital point.
Mull fell on the north front of the courthouse. Hammond followed to
the east front and was dead when found. When Mull was found, no one
supposed he could live, but he finally recovered. This happened
between sundown and dark. I saw the pursuit after McIntosh, but had
learned to keep out of such troubles. One of the owners of the store
I lived in assisted in making the arrest the second time. Between 7
and 8 o’clock p.m., Hammond was found in front of the courthouse,
dead, and I came up just as they were moving him home. I heard the
first man say, “Let us burn him.” I knew the voice, and knew the man
well, and I knew the leaders. There were but very few prominent men
engaged, one a city officer and one an ex-city officer. Many young
men and boys were engaged in the burning. One man had daring enough
to try to save the negro, but was prevented by the pistols of
several of the mob, pointed at his head. His name was Joseph
Charless, and should be honored for all time for this one act.
Before 10 o’clock p.m., all was over, and the streets of St. Louis
were quieter than I ever knew them, and the next day, though the sun
was bright and clear, there was a gloom over the city, and very
little appearance of business. The place of the dark tragedy was
between Seventh and Eighth and Pine and Olive Streets, and the tree,
a thorny honey locust. I have seen the tree many times. The remains
were removed the next day, and the tree by small pieces during the
summer. I knew many of the young men and boys engaged in the work.
The next Grand Jury of St. Louis County decided, “there were too
many prominent public men engaged in the riot to find a bill of
indictment against anyone.”
Such is my remembrance of that night and day of horror in St. Louis,
and it made so great an impression on me, that if another fifty
years would pass over my head, I do not think I can forget any part
of it. Signed, Volney P. Richmond. [NOTE: Volney P. Richmond died in
1901 in Madison County, IL.]
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OF ELIJAH LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 5, 1887
Monday, November 7, is the 50th anniversary of the death of Lovejoy,
the first great martyr to freedom of speech and of the press; the
first noted victim to the murderous spirit of the upholders of
African slavery. This bloody deed, largely the work of imported
ruffians, has for 50 years been an undeserved blot on the otherwise
fair fame of Alton. Many of the principal residents of Alton stood
in defense of Lovejoy, risking their lives for the principles he
represented. A riotous mob, after frequenting a few saloons and
imbibing false courage by the use of spirituous liquors, made an
attack on Godfrey & Gilman’s warehouse, situated where Captain
Sparks’ mill is now located. Lovejoy’s printing press, the object of
the mob’s attack, was in the warehouse and was defended by Lovejoy
and some of his friends. Lovejoy was mortally wounded by a charge of
buckshot while outside the door of the warehouse, attempting to
shoot the man on the ladder who was firing the roof of the building.
Lovejoy returned into the building and died in a few minutes. His
friends then surrendered, and the press was destroyed. The late
Abraham Breath used to tell how he returned to the building the next
morning, and pressed tufts of raw cotton in the ghastly wounds of
the dead martyr, whom he found lying in an upper room. The body was
buried in the City Cemetery, at a point that afterwards proved to be
in the main pathway. It was subsequently removed to another point,
and a stone was erected over the grave by Hon. Thomas Dimmock, now
of St. Louis. A colored man, now deceased, named Scotch Johnston,
said that the body was taken to the cemetery in a plain pine coffin,
and that he stained the coffin red with pokeberries. The only
survivors of the warehouse defenders are Mr. Henry Tanner of
Buffalo, New York, and David Burt Loomis of Stillwater, Minnesota. The
late Rev. Thaddeus B. Hurlbut of Upper Alton, who was in the
building, remained with Lovejoy’s body all night. Peter Wise has a
grindstone on his place turned with a crank that was used with
Lovejoy’s press.
LOVEJOY DEFENDER
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 11, 1887
Justice I. B. Randle lived in Upper Alton at the time of the Lovejoy
riot, and was among those who supported the martyr in his struggle
for freedom. A meeting was called at Upper Alton a day or two before
the riot, of those who were “Friends of the Slave.” The meeting was
taken possession of by those who were not friendly to the principles
advocated by Lovejoy, and Dr. Blackburn was elected chairman. He was
in favor of the “immediate abolition of slavery, in accordance with
the constitution of the United States and the best interests of the
people.” This declaration discouraged the friends of freedom, and
they, to the number of eight or ten, withdrew to another room and
passed resolutions endorsing Lovejoy and pledging him their support.
LOVEJOY’S LIFE AND DEATH
From the St. Louis Republican
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, March 17 & 24, 1888
A small but select and deeply interested audience assembled in the
church of the Unity last night to listen to the reading of a paper
by Mr. Thomas Dimmock, upon the life and death of the martyr
Lovejoy, prepared by him at the request of a number of citizens
interested in the subject. The Rev. Dr. Learned introduced Mr.
Dimmock, prefacing the lecture with a few remarks upon the history
of Lovejoy and his qualifications to speak on the subject.
Mr. Dimmock commenced his lecture by briefly relating the early life
of Lovejoy, his Christian character, his aptitude for learning, and
his great and noble devotion to the cause of anti-slavery. Lovejoy,
he said, was not, in the true sense of the word, an abolitionist,
but believed strongly in the emancipation of the slaves, and had
devoted his life to this end. The exciting times of 1836 and 1837 in
St. Louis and Alton, which finally led to his murder on the night of
November 7, 1837, and the attempt to tar and feather him and send
him adrift down the river in a canoe, were described in a graphic
manner. Something of a sensation was created when the lecturer
stated that the man who had been the bitterest persecutor of Lovejoy
was a minister, and had represented St. Louis in Congress. The
lecture was replete with interesting incidents and was listened to
with the greatest attention up to the close.
Mr. Dimmock brought out the following new incident relative to the
meeting of November 3, when Lovejoy made his last appeal. Lovejoy’s
words were not altogether lost upon the hostile assembly. Dr.
Benjamin K. Hart of Alton, long since deceased, my family physician
for many years and one of the best specimens of the Christian
gentleman I have ever known, was present at the meeting. He told me
what I now relate:
“The speech,” said Dr. Hart, “made a deep impression, and the
sympathies of the audience were evidently roused in favor of
Lovejoy. I saw this, and felt it, and was on the point of rising to
say something that would help the turn of the tide. But I was young
then, and as you know, have always been rather deficient in
self-confidence. So I hesitated – and hesitated a moment too long.
‘John Smith’ got up and made one of his characteristic harangues on
the other side. The sympathies were swept away, the old sentiments
of the audience return in full force – and you know the result. I
have never forgiven myself for my hesitation. I have always felt
that if I had promptly said what I wanted and intended to say, the
meeting might have had a different conclusion, and Lovejoy might
have been saved.”
The name I have given of the man, who in Dr. Hart’s opinion, finally
decided the action of the meeting, is fictitious. The real name is
familiar to most, if not all of you. This man is still living. He is
a minister of the gospel. He has represented St. Louis in the
Congress of the United States. (The name which Dr. Dimmock omits,
the Telegraph will supply – it is that of Rev. John Hogan, still
living, and a citizen of St. Louis.)
Concluding, Mr. Dimmock related how he had found the grave of the
martyr and its present neglected appearance, and hoped that the time
would come when a fitting monument would be erected over it.
Mr. Dimmock’s lecture, we are glad to say, is in such popular demand
that it is soon to be issued in pamphlet form.
HON. THOMAS DIMMOCK ON LOVEJOY’S BURIAL
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, June 15, 1888
“What I have now to say has, to me, an unpleasant flavor of
personality; but you will, I trust, pardon the unavoidable egotism
for the sake of the subject matter. More than forty years ago, with
a companion somewhat older than myself, I sought and found the grave
of Lovejoy. It was then between two quite large oak trees, and was
identified by a small pine board, on which was rudely carved the
initials, “E. P. L.” The present city cemetery of Alton was then an
open common. When it was laid out and enclosed, trees and board
disappeared, and the main avenue passed directly over the grave, the
location of which would have been hopelessly lost but for the late
William Brudon, superintendent of the cemetery, who marked the spot
by two fragments of limestone, almost on a level with the ground, of
which very few knew the meaning. After being thus trodden under foot
by man and beast for several years, the late Major Charles W. Hunter
had the remains removed to where they now are – just outside his own
family lot, but in ground then owned by him. William Johnston, a
colored man born in Scotland, and who, by the way, laid the last
stone in the tower of the old Cathedral on Walnut Street (St.
Louis), had buried Lovejoy the first time, and had charge of this
removal. He told me that some bits of bone and handsful of dust were
all he could find. The second grave, when I first knew it, was
marked by an old tombstone turned upside down, across the upper edge
of which was written in red chalk, “Lovejoy.” At a later day, when
circumstances needless to mention made the great principle of free
speech and free press very dear to me, I placed upon the grave the
present simple monument – a scroll of Italian marble, resting upon a
pedestal of New England granite, and bearing this inscription: “Hic
Jacet Lovejoy, Jam parce sepulto. “Here lies Lovejoy. Spare him now
that he is buried.”
A longer and better epitaph might and would be written now, but
then, these few words seemed to me appropriate and enough. Before
doing this, however, I endeavored to communicate with Lovejoy’s son,
Edward, but my letters and inquiries never reached him, or at least
were never answered. Consequently, I was obliged to assume that he
nor other relatives had any objection to my labor of love, and I
have heard of none from any quarter since. The heirs of Major Hunter
cheerfully gave me a deed to the lot for the purpose to which it is
dedicated. Taking into consideration my non residence and the
necessity of having some person or persons to exercise the rights
and perform the duties of ownership, when I have “joined the
majority,” in August 1885, I formally transferred all my right,
title, and interest in the lot and contents to the colored people of
Alton. It was accepted by them, and they are now the legitimate
custodians of that sacred sod – yes, sacred, for such graves as this
are pilgrim shrines. Shrines to no code or creed confined; the
Delphian vales, the Palestines, the Meccas of the mind.
There have been several attempts to erect a suitable monument to
Lovejoy. The city of Alton has set apart a well-located and spacious
lot in the cemetery for that purpose, and a “monument association”
has been organized and duly incorporated under the laws of Illinois.
I have no doubt there will be, sooner or later, a monument worthy of
the man and his deeds, but I do not expect to live to see it. My
only desire is to make the surroundings of the present grave a
little more attractive, and this, I hope, will shortly be done. When
it is, I shall feel that I have paid my share of the debt the
country and the world owe to Lovejoy.”
At the close of the lecture, several gentlemen expressed the wish to
contribute to a fund for building a wall around the lot where
Lovejoy lied buried. Enough subscriptions were handed Mr. Dimmock to
carry out this place, and work thereon has been commenced. The
material for the wall is on the ground, and the coping is being cut
at the quarry. A colored stone mason, Mr. Benjamin Banks, has been
awarded the contract. The wall will be known as “The St. Louis
Wall,” in recognition of the residents of that city who have
contributed the funds therefor. This wall is being placed around the
lot where Lovejoy’s remains now lie, not about the circular lot
which was donated to the Lovejoy Association by the cemetery as the
site for the monument.
THE LOVEJOY BURIAL LOT
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, August 16, 1888
Hon. Thomas Dimmock of St. Louis delivered a lecture at Unity Church
in St. Louis last Spring, on the life of Lovejoy. The lecture
excited much interest, and after its delivery a number of St. Louis
gentlemen handed Mr. Dimmock a sum of money, to be used in building
a wall around the lot in the city cemetery in which Lovejoy’s
remains now lie. The work has been completed, and a handsome and
substantial wall, with dressed stone coping, now surrounds the
sacred spot so long neglected. The tablet placed over the remains by
Mr. Dimmock many years ago, will now have to be raised and reset, to
correspond with the height of the wall, and the lot itself will
require a little filling and grading.
After these changes are completed, this pilgrims’ shrine will
present an attractive appearance, and will prove to visitors that
although no monument has yet been erected here to the martyr to
“free speech and a free press,” still his deeds are not forgotten,
nor wholly uncommemorated. The new wall will be known as “the St.
Louis wall,” in honor of the residence of that city whose liberality
secured its erection. The contract for the work was let to Mr.
Benjamin Banks, a colored man and skillful stone mason, and the
coping was cut by Mr. George Mohr in good style. The work is
creditable to them both.
FIFTY-ONE YEARS AGO
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, November 8, 1888
Mr. John B. Gould came to Alton with his father’s family the evening
of November 7, 1837, but a few hours before the riot in which
Lovejoy was killed. When the boat, the Champion, landed here, the
mob boarded it and wished to search Mr. Gould’s baggage in quest of
a printing press, having not then learned that Mr. Lovejoy’s press
was already stored in the Godfrey & Gilman warehouse from which it
was taken a few hours later and destroyed. The Champion, that day,
left St. Louis at 9 o’clock a.m., and by a great effort, landed at
Alton about 7 p.m.
FIFTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF LOVEJOY’S MURDER
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 14, 1889
November 7 was the fifty-second anniversary of the murder of Elijah
P. Lovejoy, the noted martyr to freedom of speech and of the press.
He was killed at the behest of the upholders of slavery, because he,
in a manner that would be considered very mild at the present day,
expressed himself as opposed to the “sum of all villainies.” The
murder took place in Godfrey & Gilman’s warehouse, situated at a
point now occupied by part of the Sparks’s flour mill. The late
Abraham Breath used to tell how he went the morning after the riot
to the warehouse, where the body lay in the sacredness and silent
majesty conferred by death, and closed the gaping wounds caused by a
load of buckshot. The martyr died by violence, and his memory will
ever be cherished by those who appreciate the heroism that dares to
do and die for the right.
LOVEJOY MEMORIAL EXERCISES
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 15, 1890
Several thousand people gathered Sunday afternoon around the grave
of Elijah P. Lovejoy in the City Cemetery, to pay their respects to
the memory of the martyred abolitionist. The noon train brought a
large delegation from St. Louis, which included Lovejoy Camp No.
100, Sons of Veterans. The visitors were met at the depot by a
reception committee, and escorted to the G.A.R. Hall, where
refreshments were served. At two p.m., a drum corps took up the line
of march to the cemetery, followed by a long procession, which
included the Sons of Veterans from St. Louis, the United Brothers of
Friendship, Hunter’s Cornet Band, and a large body of citizens in
carriages and on foot.
The exercises at the cemetery were opened by prayer, offered by
Elder J. W. Jackson of Alton, followed by a hymn sung by a chorus of
young colored men. An eloquent memorial address was then delivered
by Rev. R. J. Robinson of Wellington, Ohio, in which the orator
eulogized in highest terms the life and character of Lovejoy. Many
of those who made this pilgrimage in honor of the martyr carried
growing plants, which they planted on his grave, and the mounds over
the soldier dead received their share of the floral tributes, strewn
in great profusion.
ELIJAH LOVEJOY HOUSE BEING DEMOLISHED
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 13, 1890
“The house in which Elijah P. Lovejoy, the free-press and
free-speech martyr, lived in Alton, and from which he was buried –
November 7, 1837 – is now in process of demolition. It is a
two-story double house of wood, divided into two tenements, standing
on what is now Cherry Street near Second Street [Broadway]. Lovejoy
lived in the southern part with his wife and infant son, at the time
of the mob. Hither his body was brought from the spot where he was
killed, a mile or more away, and prepared for the burial, which
occurred the next day. He was 35 years old the day after his death.
It is to be regretted that this historic house has had to yield to
the march of improvement, and that there is not a picture of it of
any kind.” Thomas Dimmock, from the Post-Dispatch.
This house was built in 1835, and is therefore 55 years old – one of
the oldest in Alton. It was well built, and is still in a good state
of preservation. It was occupied for many years by Mr. Schuelle, the
carpenter, and is now owned by Mr. Peter Robertson. Learning that
the house was about to be torn down, one of our citizens sent a
photographer down and had a picture taken of the historic dwelling,
knowing that the time is coming when everything connected with the
martyr to free speech and a free press, will possess an interest and
value not attaching to them today. Two mantels, taken from the
house, can be seen in the lobby of the post office. Last evening, by
the way, was the fifty-third anniversary of Lovejoy’s death.
DAVID BURT LOOMIS
Son of Rev. Hubbell Loomis of Upper Alton
Defender of Elijah P. Lovejoy
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 20, 1890
Mr. David Burt Loomis of Minnesota is in town visiting his niece, Mrs.
George K. Hopkins. Mr. Loomis is a son of the late Rev. Hubbel
Loomis of Upper Alton, and a brother of Mrs. Cyrus Edwards of the
same place, and of the late Professor Elias Loomis, L.L.D., the
great scientist and mathematician. Mr. Loomis was a resident of
Alton in 1837, and at the time of the pro-slavery riots was one of
the defenders of Lovejoy and his press, and was in the building the
night the troubles culminated in the great tragedy. He was then a
young man of 18 or 19. He recalls perfectly all the leading events
of the riot, and having been one of the two or three who remained in
the building all night with the body of Lovejoy, his recollections
cover a longer period than those of the majority of his associates.
Mr. Loomis and Mr. Henry Tanner, of Buffalo, New York, are now the
sole survivors of the heroic defenders of the press on that night of
terror. A part of today has been spent by Mr. Loomis in visiting the
scenes of Lovejoy’s labors, and the spot made sacred by his death.
THE LOVEJOY CLUB
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 27, 1890
A number of our prominent colored citizens will shortly organize a
Lovejoy Club, and more than one hundred have expressed an intention
to join. It is stated that a call will be issued next Thursday for
the first meeting. The object of the club is primarily to keep alive
the memory of the martyr to the freedom of the slave, but just what
means will be taken to accomplish this end has not yet been decided
on.
THOMAS DIMMOCK CORRECTS ERRORS
Regarding Lovejoy
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 27, 1890
From the Chicago Unity – The following extract from the article in
your last issue entitled “An American Shrine,” seems to require some
explanation and correction from me [Thomas Dimmock]:
“The pilgrims wended their way to the center of a lot surrounded
with neat stone curbing, where is a low granite block, on the top of
which is a scroll of marble, in imitation of a roll of newspaper, on
which is carved these words: Hic Jacet Lovejoy, Jam Parce Sepulto.
This simple, though fitting and eloquent monument is but recently
put in place. For many years the spot was neglected, almost
forgotten. Cattle and sheep grazed over it, and tracked it with
their footpaths. Only one faithful negro, touched with a sense of
tender gratitude to this, one of the earliest martyrs to the freedom
of his race, guarded the place, and at last guided to the right spot
those who would restore and preserve the humble tomb to posterity.
Thomas Dimmock, a St. Louis journalist, jealous for the freedom of
the press, has lately called attention to the neglected condition of
the grave, and raised the necessary funds to protect it and mark it
as above indicated.”
The ”scroll of marble” was not intended as an “imitation of a roll
of newspaper,” though there is a certain resemblance which had not
occurred to me before. The design was quite common at the time, but
it is now, I believe, almost out of fashion; for fashion prevails in
the homes of the dead as well as in the homes of the living. The
monument is not “recently put in place,” but on the contrary has
been in place about twenty-five years. The words of the inscription,
“Spare him now that he is buried,” were, of course, much more
appropriate then than now, for 25 years ago the bitter prejudice
which cost Lovejoy his life was not altogether extinct. Today, for
all practical purposes, it is. I may add that monument and epitaph
were seen in Boston – where the work was done – by Wendel Phillips,
and cordially approved as appropriate and sufficient. Some day I
hope and believe there will be a far worthier memorial to the man
and his cause; but I trust the present one may be allowed to stay
where it now is – for the sake of the associations which no
successor however splendid can ever have.
The locality of the grave was not preserved by a “faithful negro”
(William Johnstone), but by the first Superintendent of the
cemetery, the late William Brudon, who marked the spot – then in the
middle of the main avenue – by two small fragments of limestone
rising an inch or two above the level of the ground. Johnstone, who
occasionally did duty as a sexton, probably knew what the stones
meant, but he did not put them there; and to Mr. Brudon belongs the
honor of rescuing Lovejoy’s grave from oblivion. When, some years
later, the remains were transferred to where they now are, by
direction of the late Major Charles W. Hunter, Johnstone was
employed for the second burial, as he had been for the first; and
somewhere among my papers I have his receipts for money paid “for
burying Lovejoy twice.”
The stone wall and curbing around the lot were erected some two
years ago at a cost of about $105. All was raised by voluntary
subscriptions immediately after the delivery of my address in the
Church of the Unity, St. Louis, March 14, 1888.
Soon after the placing of the monument, the lot was formally given
to me by the heirs of Major Hunter, and remained in my possession
until August 1885. Then, having meanwhile removed to St. Louis, I
transferred all my rights of ownership to the colored people of
Alton, who are now legitimate custodians of what “Unity” has rightly
called “An American Shrine.”
Signed, Thomas Dimmock
St. Louis, November 3, 1890
LOVEJOY CELEBRATION
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 28, 1891
The Lovejoy Club, and thousands of friends of the cause in which the
martyr, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy lost his life more than fifty years
ago, assembled in Alton Sunday, and at the grave of the martyr held
services in his honor. Something near a hundred people came up from
St. Louis, including members of Lovejoy Camp, Sons of Veterans, some
members of the G.A.R., and others. The visitors were met at the
train by members of the Lovejoy Club here, and conducted to the hall
of the United Brothers of Friendship, at the corner of Third and
Piasa, where they partook of an elegant dinner. Early in the
afternoon the procession was formed on State Street, headed by a
Drum Corps, after which came Lovejoy Camp No. 11, sons of Veterans
of St. louis. This was followed by Hunter’s band and the United
Brothers of Friendship.
Many floral tributes had been provided, which were laid upon the
grave, entirely covering it, and making a beautiful appearance. W.
C. Bryant, D. D., of St. Louis, gave an address, followed by Rev.
George Williams of Alton. The attendance was very large.
LOVEJOY CANES
Made From the Oak Timbers of His Home
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 18, 1891
Mr. E. P. Taylor has made a number of handsome canes from the oak
timbers of the house in which the martyr Lovejoy lived at the time
of his murder. The house was pulled down last Fall, and Mr. M. H.
Boals, with whom Mr. Taylor is employed, purchased the material. Mr.
Taylor is an expert worker in wood, and turns out an exceedingly
handsome memorial of the times when the blood of the martyr was
spilled in Alton. The Telegraph returns thanks to Mr. Taylor for one
of those highly prized souvenirs. The cane has the word “Lovejoy”
inscribed on it.
DEATH OF EDWARD PAYSON LOVEJOY
Son of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy
Reno Evening Gazette, August 28, 1891
Edward Payson Lovejoy died on August 26, 1891, after a brief
illness, at Wabuska, on Wednesday night, of which the Chronicle last
night says:
Mr. Lovejoy had been ill but five or six days, suffering from a
complication of troubles, chiefly of the heart and stomach. He had
been confined to his bed but a few hours before his death, which
occurred very suddenly, and probably due to heart failure. Deceased
was a native of St. Louis, Missouri, aged 55 years (Born March 12,
1836). He had been on this coast for over thirty years and followed
mining in early days in California. He was for a number of years
editor of the Trinity County Journal in the palmy days of that
county and held the office of District Attorney of the same county.
He was well known of the Comstock and some years ago kept the
American Exchange Hotel in this city. The funeral will take place
tomorrow in Dayton, upon the arrival of the five o'clock train over
the C.&C. from the south, under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of
Mason Valley, assisted by others of the order. He was a member of
Carson Chapter, R.A.M., also a member of the order of I.O.O.F. and
the A.O.U.W.
THE SON OF ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 26, 1891
As many of our readers are aware, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy left a son,
Edward P. Lovejoy, who was hardly more than an infant at the time of
his father’s tragic death. This son was with his mother in Alton
from the year 1836 until about 1851, having previously had a brief
residence in various places, then removed and disappeared so
completely that the most diligent inquiry of relatives failed to
reveal his whereabouts. Not until a few months ago could any trace
be obtained of him. Then a letter was received by his aunt, Mrs.
Hammond of Evanston, Illinois, written by the man himself, and
giving an account of his wanderings and vicissitudes of fortune from
the time he last left Alton in 1851 until now. Mr. Lovejoy is at
present a resident of Wabuska, Nevada, where he is Postmaster, and
engaged in other business. His mother, who always made her home with
him, died July 10, 1870, in Colorado, in the 58th year of her age.
After the final departure from Alton, the mother and son resided for
several years in Iowa, near Keokuk, where they remained, engaged in
farming until 1857, when they moved to Colorado. Young Lovejoy there
engaged in mining, but subsequently studied law, was admitted to the
bar in 1865, was successively Justice of the Peace, District
Attorney, and County Judge. He met with reverses in a milling
venture, and removed to Virginia City, Nevada about 1878, and in
1881 to Wabuska, his present residence, where he is moderately
prosperous. He is married, but has no children.
DURING A MAYORAL SPEECH UPON THE DEDICATION OF THE ALTON RAILROAD
BRIDGE
Alton Daily Telegraph, May 01, 1894
“Here on this sacred spot, where the martyr to the cause of liberty
fell, where for a quarter of a century we as a people have done
public penance for this great crime, until millions of slaves were
set free, until in truth and in fact, 'We hold these truths to be
self-evident that all men are free and equal.' Although no fitting
monument marks the spot where Lovejoy lies, yet long after the brass
has melted and the marble has crumbled to dust, and the canvas
faded, aye, the stars shine, will the name of Lovejoy live on this
historic spot. Let us pledge ourselves to a higher plan of
citizenship, to our country and our God.”
LOVEJOY MEMORIAL DAY
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 14, 1894
Sunday afternoon was the date set apart by the Lovejoy Memorial Club
of Alton for memorial exercises at the grave of the Martyr Lovejoy.
The club was assisted in the services by the Lovejoy Post of Sons of
Veterans of St. Louis, who brought a band with them. A very large
number of people, both white and colored, were present at the
cemetery. The clubs marched from their hall on Fourth Street to
music furnished by Hunter’s and the St. Louis band.
Mr. W. E. Kelly had charge of the exercises at the grave. Mr. W. A.
Ashton was then introduced, who delivered a very fine address of
welcome, inviting all to aid in the memorial services. Mr. Ashton
spoke briefly of the martyr. Hon. J. J. Brenholt was then
introduced, who delivered the principal address. It was well
received by the audience, and notwithstanding the exceedingly warm
sun pouring down its rays, a very large crowd listened to the
address.
The grave of Lovejoy was handsomely decorated by the colored people.
Rare cut flowers, made into beautiful designs, were placed on the
spot where rests the ashes of the martyr to the cause of human
liberty.
UPPER ALTON NEWS
Newspaper of 1836 Found
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 19, 1894
While tearing down an old dwelling, the residence of the late A.
Alcott, in Upper Alton, a few days ago, Mr. A. L. Lowe found between
the walls some old newspapers and a magazine and pamphlet or two,
which are worth at least their weight in gold as souvenirs of “ye
olden time.” An Upper Alton Pioneer, dated July 29, 1836, with an
account of the throwing of Lovejoy’s first press into the river at
St. Louis, a magazine of 1829, numerous other ancient papers of
value as records and curiosities, for all of which the antiquarian
would give a good price. They are in a good state of preservation,
and well worthy of examination.
The Pioneer’s full name is printed as “The Pioneer and Baptist
Standard Bearer.” It was edited by John Mason Peck, a well-known
pioneer clergyman, historian, and educator. He was the founder of
Shurtleff College. The Pioneer, while a moderate anti-slavery paper,
seemed to have a horror of abolitionism. It gives an account of a
meeting held in the Presbyterian Church in the interest of law and
order, and against the mob spirit. It says the meeting, “by a
unanimous vote, disapproved of the methods of modern abolitionists,
and the publication of abolition papers, tracts, and pictures in the
free States.” The Pioneer adds: “And yet the citizens of Alton are
not pro-slavery men, to use the newly-formed vocabulary of the
Tappanites. We know of not a man who approves of slavery. But the
most strenuous opposers view that the theories of the Abolitionists
are unfavorable to the interests of the National Union – to the
interest of the slave – to the cause of humanity – and the
emancipation of the slave.”
The Pioneer, in summing up the results of the meeting, said: “On the
whole, the proceedings were highly creditable to the town of Alton.
They showed:
1. That the outrage was not the work of the mob. It was a private
transaction in which, perhaps not more than three or four persons
were concerned.
2. That the Altonians will exert a tremendous influence against
every species of lawless outrage and violence by sustaining the laws
and order of society.
3. That abolitionism in the Tappanite form will find no foothold
here.”
The Pioneer stated that Mr. Lovejoy’s Observer would be issued the
next week, and adds this doubtful welcome. “Should the editor
(Lovejoy), as he is pledged to do with abolition, abstain from all
improper and unnecessary interference with the affairs of the
Baptist denomination, we shall probably get along harmoniously.”
LOVEJOY MONUMENT MATTER
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 21, 1895
Dr. McMIllen, one of the council’s committees to secure an
appropriation from the Legislature to aid in building a monument to
Elijah P. Lovejoy in Alton, was in Springfield Friday. He called on
Governor Altgeld, who said he would do all he could.
Lovejoy’s death was as much of a national affair as that of
Lincoln’s. He was driven out of St. Louis by a St. Louis pro-slavery
sentiment, which followed him to Alton and hounded him to his death.
The active agents in fomenting the death of Lovejoy were John Hogan,
a politician of St. Louis, and the St. Louis Republican. These egged
on the mob spirit, which culminated in the martyrdom of Lovejoy.
SPEECH ON LOVEJOY GIVEN BY SENATOR HERB OF ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 11, 1895
Last Thursday Senator Herb delivered an eloquent and impressive
address in the Illinois Senate on his bill appropriating $25,000 to
aid in building a monument to the memory of Elijah P. Lovejoy in
Alton. Here is a portion of the speech:
“Elijah P. Lovejoy was the forerunner of the great emancipator, the
John the Baptist of the new dispensation of liberty. He led the
first armed battalion that resisted with force and arms the
aggression of the slave power of America, and proclaimed the right
of American citizens to demand redress of their grievances and
express their opinions in the public press, holding themselves
amenable to the laws of their country therefore. Lovejoy died
battling not alone for the rights of the slave, but for the freedom
of speech and of the press, which we now enjoy. Lovejoy and Lincoln
fell in the same great cause, the one in the abyss of defeat, the
other on the hilltop of victory. The monument which commemorates the
field and final triumph should have a companion shaft to mark the
outpost where the bugle first sounded the onset. You have honored
the victors in the world’s greatest contest for the uplifting of
humanity; we plead for equal justice to the ill-fated leader of the
vanguard of the victors’ conquering host. Each gave to the cause
‘the last full measure of devotion.’
The sacred ashes of both lie within the confines of Illinois – its
most precious inheritance. Over the one as well as over the other
should rise the enduring tribute of grateful remembrance. Lovejoy
was killed for pointing out the evils of slavery. Without going into
the history of his life, which is familiar to every student of
history, on the fatal night a number of his friends were in favor of
surrendering the press rather than risk the shedding of blood, but
Lovejoy was as firm as a rock, and with tears in his eyes and his
voice trembling with emotion said: ‘My friends, we cannot, we shall
not, surrender; we shall fight it out, if necessary, to the bitter
end, and I for one am ready and willing to lay down my life here and
now in defense of the right, and if I died, I am determined to make
my grave in Alton.’ He knew no fears, and was ready to give up his
life rather than sacrifice principle. And when requested by his
friends to desist in his course, he replied: ‘As long as I am
American, and as long as American blood runs in these veins, I shall
hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, to publish whatever I
please on any subject, being amenable to the laws of my country for
the same.’”
Mr. Herb’s speech was so effective, that the Senate voted
unanimously for the appropriation. The bill now goes to the House
for its concurrence, where all the assistance that can be given will
be needed to push it through.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT APPROPRIATION PASSES THE HOUSE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 6, 1895
There was not a happier man in Alton Tuesday than Mr. William
Armstrong, when he received the telegram from Senator Herb
announcing that the appropriation for the Lovejoy monument had
passed the House. Mr. Armstrong has taken a leading part in laying
this matter before the attention of our citizens, and before the
legislature, and now that the appropriation is made, it is only fair
that he should have credit.
Senator Herb has done what few believed he could do. There were very
few in Alton who would admit that the appropriation could be pushed
through the Senate and House. When it passed the Senate without a
dissenting vote, many said that was the last of it. Senator Herb
said, “No, it will pass the House all right. The Appropriation
Committee will recommend it. Send a committee up to assist.” The
committee went up and talked for the measure, and the Appropriation
Committee voted to recommend it. A few days after, the committee
voted to reconsider its action. Senator Herb was not discouraged,
but again appeared before the committee, had the measure again
commended, put on its way through the House, carefully watching each
stage of its passage, and now that the bill had passed both Houses,
Senator Herb should receive the thanks of Altonians for his untiring
and successful services. He has proven himself an able and earnest
representative, a man with influence and courage.
VISITORS GATHER LOVEJOY’S GRAVE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 13, 1895
The martyr Lovejoy’s memorial Sunday brought forth an outpouring of
grateful colored people, who assembled from all neighboring towns
and cities. The roads brought in large numbers of visitors on every
train, and the aggregation numbered many hundreds. Among the
organized clubs that attended were: Montrose Band, Lovejoy Camp No.
100; Sons of Veterans; Circle Lodge No. 8, C. B. O, F.; Shaws Post
G.A.R., St. Louis; and the Edwardsville Lovejoy Club.
The parade was formed on Second Street at the site of the old
Lovejoy printing office. The parade was aligned as follows, headed
by Grand Marshals A. S. Walker and Captain John Smith on horseback:
Montrose Band
Lovejoy Post Sons of Veterans
Shaw Post G.A.R.
Circle Lodge No. 8, U.B.O.F.
Edwardsville Lovejoy Club
Hunter’s Band
G. T. Watson Lodge A. F. and A. M.
C. B. O. F. Lodge No. 2
Following was a large assemblage of visitors. At the cemetery, the
procession halted at the tomb of Lovejoy. The program was as
follows: Prayer, Music, Hunter’s Band, Addresses, Hon. C. A. Herb,
Rev. William Henderson, Hons. D. R. Sparks and William Armstrong,
Music, Montrose Band. The addresses all paid tribute to the memory
of the honored martyr. They were listened to with attention by the
assembled visitors, who numbered fully a thousand. The close of the
program was the benediction and the march to the city hall was taken
up. At the hall, the procession disbanded.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT BILL NOW LAW
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 20, 1895
The following telegram received today will explain itself: “State
House, Springfield, Illinois, June 17. To J. A. Cousley: The
Governor today signed the Lovejoy Monument bill. Signed, Charles A.
Herb.”
As stated, Senator Herb carried to the Governor the pledge of the
officers and directors of the Lovejoy Monument Association that they
would not ask for the appropriation of $25,000 unless they could
secure subscriptions to the amount of $12,500 by January 01, 1896,
as an additional building sum.
ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
Martyr for the Freedom of the Press
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 01, 1895
From the Chicago Inter Ocean – There is eminent fitness in the turn
this matter has taken. Lovejoy was not so much a martyr to the
emancipation of American slaves, as he was to the cause of free
speech, and more particularly of a free press. The great principle
which he enunciated, and for which he gave up his life on November
7, 1837, was that so long as he was an American citizen, and so long
as American blood ran in his veins, he should hold himself at
liberty to speak, write, and publish whatever he pleased on any
subject, being amenable to the laws of his country for the same. An
editor by profession, he proposed to exercise the rights and
privileges incident to his profession. He was not a Garrison or a
Wendell Phillips. He did not indulge in fiery invectives. He calmly
and temperately expressed his honest convictions on the subject of
slavery, and because he would not put shackles upon his press, he
was mobbed. Repeatedly his press was destroyed, and finally, when he
showed a dauntless courage, he himself was killed.
The State of Illinois has the remarkable distinction of furnishing
the two great martyrs of our land and country. Elijah P. Lovejoy in
1837, and Abraham Lincoln in 1865. One was a martyr to freedom of
the press, the other to the preservation of the Union, and both to
the cause of anti-slavery. Mr. Lincoln fell when the great cause was
a fully accomplished fact; Lovejoy, when it was in its incipiency.
Between those two martyrdoms came one of the great epochs of
history. While both martyrs were citizens of Illinois, one was a
native of Maine, the other of Kentucky; one was representative of
the best thought and purpose of the North, the other of the South.
There are no two opinions in the country today about either. All
agree that the two causes which each represented and stood for,
including their common cause, was not only just, but necessary to
the best interests of the country and mankind. It was most fitting
that the same Legislature should provide suitably for the monument
of each.
DONATION TO LOVEJOY MEMORIAL
From Widow of Winthrop S. Gilman
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 8, 1895
Mr. John E. Hayner today received a check for $25 from Mrs. Winthrop
S. Gilman of New York, as her contribution to the Lovejoy Monument
Fund. Mrs. Gilman is the widow of Winthrop S. Gilman of the firm
Godfrey & Gilman, whose warehouse was used as a refuge by Mr.
Lovejoy on the fatal night when the mob killed Mr. Lovejoy. At that
time, Godfrey & Gilman were the most prominent merchants in Southern
Illinois, and were staunch friends of Lovejoy.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 7, 1895
From the Jerseyville Journal - Robert H. Bringhurst, sculptor, a
Jersey County boy who was the artist who designed the Grant statue
on 12th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, has submitted a design for
the Lovejoy Monument to be erected at Alton, which was provided for
by act of General Assembly at the last session. The committee was
present at his studio yesterday, examining the design which is one
of the most elaborate and substantial that has ever been erected in
this country. It is of bronze and granite. Our member. Hon. O. A.
Snedeker, was present, and says the committee was well pleased, and
from his description of the structure, we would infer that it is a
grand affair. We hope that he may be awarded the contract.
“GO AHEAD” FOR LOVEJOY MONUMENT
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 02, 1896
Messrs. L. Pfeiffenberger and Charles Holden of Alton, and Messrs.
Thomas Dimmock and R. P. Bringhurst of St. Louis, went to
Springfield Thursday to consult with Governor Altgeld in regard to
the Lovejoy monument. Mr. Holden went up early, in order to make an
appointment for an hour when the Governor could see the committee.
Mr. Holden presented the situation to the Governor. The citizens of
Alton, with some aid outside of Alton, had secured about $5,000. It
was Mr. Holden’s opinion that it would be impossible to go beyond
this amount to any great extent, and it now remained with the
Governor whether the monument should be built. The Governor at once
said, “I approve the plans which you have shown me, with exceptions
noted. Go ahead and get bids on the monument; complete it within
nine months from this time. Use the $5,000 you have to run you until
the State’s appropriation is available, and at that time (about July
01), I will see that the $25,000 is placed in possession of the
Monument Association.” Governor Altgeld objected to the bronze work
on the monument. He said it would not last 25 years; that the bronze
work should be changed to granite. He insisted the medallion work
and main shaft should be changed on the figure worked in the
granite. He was very insistent that not less than five firms should
be given an opportunity to bed on the monument.
The Governor was well pleased with the location of the monument, in
the City Cemetery, on one of the highest hills in Alton, overlooking
the two great rivers of the West, and where every passenger by
railroad train entering or departing from Alton could see it. The
Governor substantially released the Association from the pledge to
raise $12,500 in addition to the $25,000 appropriated by the State.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT DEDICATION
November 8, 1897
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 11, 1897
Early in 1895 an effort was begun to secure an appropriation from
the State Legislature for a monument to the martyr, Elijah P.
Lovejoy. The late State Senator, Charles A. Herb, took hold of the
matter in earnest, and so efficient was the work done by him, that
he secured an appropriation of $25,000 in the Senate. Then he took
up the work in the House, and after serious labor, it also passed
there. Governor Altgeld signed the law, with the understanding that
Alton would raise $12,000 more. This was found impossible to do, and
after $5,000 had been subscribed additional, the Governor consented
to accept that amount. There were other citizens who labored most
efficiently, among whom were Mr. William Armstrong, who might truly
be called the father of the monument. Senator Herb was first induced
to undertake the securing of an appropriation from the Legislature
by Mr. Armstrong’s arguments.
The contract for the building of the monument was let to the Culver
Stone Company of Springfield, Illinois. The plans were drawn by Mr.
Robert P. Bringhurst of St. Louis. The central shaft of the
monument, including the colossal figure which surmounts it, is
approximately 90 feet from the ground. The base of the monument
consists of circular plaza, 40 feet in diameter, elevated four feet
above the general level of the ground. It is approached from the
south by a broad flight of steps, and the rear semi-circle is formed
into an exedra wall and seat, which terminates against two pedestals
supporting immense tripod urns. The steps are terminated by
buttresses, and flanked by two sentinel columns, supporting great
bronze eagles. The central or grand column, supporting the colossal
statue of Victory, representing the triumph of free speech and a
free press, is made of solid granite, four and a half feet in
diameter, and is elevated upon a pedestal, the four panels of which
bear bronze insignias illustrative of Lovejoy’s life. This includes
a reproduction of the old Columbian press, which was used in
expounding his doctrine on the subject of slavery. It also contains
a bas-relief of Lovejoy, which was made from the only likeness in
existence, a silhouette, under which is the following inscription:
ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY
EDITOR ALTON OBSERVER
Albion, Maine, November 8, 1802
Alton, Illinois, November 7, 1837
A MARTYR TO LIBERTY
“I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery, and by the blessing of
God, I will never go back.”
Monday, the sixtieth anniversary of the martyr, the burial of Elijah
Parish Lovejoy, was seemingly an appropriate one. Rain fell in
torrents, and the very elements seemed to weep on this, the
sexennial anniversary when the first martyr to human liberty was
consigned to earth in the old Alton City Cemetery. Otherwise, the
day was an inauspicious one, as hundreds of people, who would have
attended the services, were unable to be here.
Lieutenant Governor Northcott arrived on the 9:15 train, and was met
by members of the reception committee. He was taken in charge by
Captain and Mrs. Eaton of the Western Military Academy, whose guest
he was for the day. Hon. Thomas Dimmock of St. Louis, another guest
of honor, was entertained by relatives.
The rain continued to fall, and the committee in charge of the
dedication gave up the idea of public speaking at the cemetery, and
changed it to the Temple Theater. The exercises began at 2 p.m.,
with a large audience in the theater. The White Hussar band opened
the exercises with an overture, and Rev. M. Jameson followed with an
invocation. For the dedication, Professor W. D. Armstrong had
prepared some special music, and he was assisted by a large chorus
of voices selected from the musical societies of the city. America
was the first musical number, and was followed by an address by Mr.
E. P. Wade, President of the Monument Association, on “The Rise of
the Monument.” Hon. Thomas Dimmock, who has been one of the most
interested in the Lovejoy memorial, delivered the address of the
day. Miss Mamie B. Herb, daughter of the late Senator Charles A.
Herb, in an address made the formal presentation of the monument. As
the daughter of the man to whom alone is due the honor of having
secured the appropriation for the monument from the Legislature, the
selection of Miss Herb for the presentation was most appropriate. In
behalf of the Lovejoy Monument Association, she presented the
monument to the public.
The “Concord Hymn,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, was sun by the chorus:
“On this green bank by this soft stream, We set today a votive
stone, That memory may their deeds redeem, When, like our sires, our
sons are gone.” The music to this was prepared for the occasion by
Prof. W. D. Armstrong of Alton.
Rev. J. M. Wilkerson of the A. M. E. Church spoke in behalf of the
African race in an able address, and his was one of the features of
the exercises.
The late Charles A. Herb, first President of the Lovejoy Monument
Association, was the subject of a eulogy from Senator David R.
Sparks. As his successor to the Senatorship, from this district, he
spoke on the life work of Mr. Herb, which culminated in making
possible the Lovejoy monument, a memorial alike to Elijah P. Lovejoy
and Charles A. Herb. The monument will always be such.
The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by the chorus was followed by an
eloquent address by Lieutenant-Governor Northcott, who spoke in
behalf of Governor Tanner. The benediction, which was pronounced by
Rev. H. K. Sanborne, was preceded by “Old Hundred,” by the chorus,
and the exercises were concluded by music by the band.
Among the members of the Lovejoy family in attendance were: Mrs.
John A. Andrews of Boston, Massachusetts, a niece; Elijah Parish
Lovejoy and Charles Perkins Lovejoy of Princeton [sons of Owen
Lovejoy]; and William O. Lovejoy of Galesburg, Illinois, nephews of
the martyr.
The Naval Militia met with a mishap to their gun. After firing the
fourth volley, the Hotchkiss was disabled, and the balance of the
salute of ten guns had to be abandoned. The militia was admired by
all. The neat uniforms and soldierly bearing give the boys a very
fine appearance. They received Lieutenant Governor Northcott with
formal courtesy. The Governor expressed his pleasure with the
company.
The Western Military Academy cadets presented a fine appearance.
They were recipients of many kind expressions. They were ready, with
the Naval Militia, to have escorted Gov. Northcott to the cemetery
to view the monument, but he found he would not have time to make
the visit, and the march was abandoned.
The relatives of the martyr and other visitors were taken in
carriages to the cemetery, where they viewed the monument and
surroundings. All expressed themselves as highly pleased both with
the monument and its location, and the magnificent view obtain
there.
LOVEJOY MONUMENT SEALED - TIME CAPSULE ENCLOSED
Alton Evening Telegraph, Friday, June 30, 1899
The Lovejoy monument was completed today by the directors of the
Lovejoy Monument Association, who witnessed the placing in the
monument the sealed box containing the records of Lovejoy's life,
his martyrdom, the work of building the monument, and copies of
current newspapers, with relics and other things that may be
interesting to the curious mind hundreds of years hence. The
formality of sealing the monument took place at 10 o'clock this
morning. The directors were present and with them was Hon. Thomas
Dimmock, St. Louis, who has always been one of the most interested
in all things pertaining to Lovejoy and was an active member of the
board of directors.
The north face of the square granite pedestal of the monument was
left an opening about one foot square. Into this the box was put and
sealed with stone and cement. Over the seal was placed a bronze
plate suitably inscribed, and the monument was finished. Hon. Thomas
Dimmock made a brief and eloquent address. To the directors he said
that they have the personal thanks of himself for what they had done
to honor the memory of the great martyr, Lovejoy. In the main, the
monument's erection is due to their efforts and the business-like
way in which they have conducted the affairs of the association.
Their connection with it would be a memory and a pleasant
recollection for them and their children. For himself, the speaker
said, he is now far down the sunset slope of life's hill, but
nothing that he had done in all his career in public life could give
him the gratification that the memory of his connection with the
monument, to perpetuate the memory of the great Lovejoy, gives him
and he considers it the crowning achievement of his public life. Mr.
Dimmock's address was impromptu, but was delivered with his
characteristic eloquence that gave it all the fire of a polished
speech. Remaining in the treasury is $500. The association voted to
turn the monument over to the cemetery board, and also voted to have
the monument repointed. The balance of the fund on hand was ordered
to be turned over to the cemetery board for the purpose of caring
for the monument. The following is a list of the books, pamphlets
and documents deposited in the Lovejoy monument this morning:
Pamphlet with report of dedication ceremonies on November 8, 1897
Program of exercises
Pamphlet - Speech of Lt. Governor Northcott
Music of dedication hymn, composed by Prof. W. D. Armstrong
Book, Memoir of the Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy by Joseph C. and Owen
Lovejoy, published 1888, contributed by Hon. Thomas Dimmock
Copy "Alton Observer," August 3, 1837, Lovejoy's paper, contributed
by Monticello Seminary
Pamphlet - corner stone laying of First Presbyterian Church, July 5,
1897, with reference to Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, moderator of Alton
Presbytery in 1837
Circular address to the public issued by reorganized association
June 26th, 1895
Circular address by the association to the General Assembly of
Illinois issued 1895
Circular to the press, issued 1895
Pamphlet - proceedings of the city council, February 12, 1895, with
action of council in regard to monument to Lovejoy
Engrossed copy of proceedings of legislature relative to
appropriation of $25,000 for Lovejoy monument. Complete history of
bill on its passage through the Senate and House, with vote for and
against, and list of members of both houses, engrossed for the
association by S. L. Spear of the Secretary of State's office.
Letters from members of the Lovejoy family: A. P. Lovejoy,
Janesville, Wisconsin; Mrs. Emma Lovejoy Ladd, Osceola Mills,
Wisconsin; Mrs. Caro Lovejoy Andrews, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts;
Mrs. Julia Lovejoy King, Osceola Mills, Wisconsin; E. P. Lovejoy,
Princeton, Illinois; Ida T. Lovejoy, Chicago, Illinois.
List of contributors to monument fund and financial statement
Book, "Alton Trials" report of the trials of the defenders of the
press and their assailants, reported by William S. Lincoln,
contributed by Hon. Thomas Dimmock
Book, "Martyrdom of Lovejoy," by Henry Tanner
Pamphlet - "Lecture on Early Reminiscences of Alton" by Hon. Joseph
Brown of St. Louis
Pamphlet - Hon. Thomas Dimmock's lecture on Lovejoy in Unity church,
St. Louis, March 14, 1888
Sketch of Benjamin Lundy, abolition hero and martyr, with references
to Lovejoy
Papers of Lovejoy Monument Association of 1867, list of members and
contributors
Papers of Lovejoy Monument Association organized 1886, reorganized
1895, incorporators, in 1886 - W. A. Haskell, H. R. Phinney, H. G.
McPike, I. H. Kelley, N. J. McCracken, J. H. Yager, W. Thornton;
Directors - e. P. Wade, J. E. Hayner, Thomas Dimmock, W. A. Haskell,
Rev. J. P. Johnson, G. D. Hayden, D. R. Sparks, J. J. Brenholt, Rev.
J. A. Scarritt, O. H. Hapgood, William Armstrong, I. H. Kelley, E.
Guelich, H. Watson, William Ashton
Package of extracts from many newspapers commenting on the monument
project.
Current copies of local newspapers - Alton Evening Telegraph,
November 8, 1897; Alton Daily Sentinel-Democrat, Alton Daily
Republican, Alton Banner.
Program of Lovejoy memorial meeting at Oak Park Illinois, November
7, 1897.
Letters from anti-slavery leaders: Benjamin Harrison, ex-President,
U.S.; Lieutenant Governor W. A. Northcott; Hon. Joseph Brown, St.
Louis, Missouri; George T. Newhall, Lynn, Massachusetts; W. E.
Barnes, Saratoga, New York; Willis Fletcher Johnson, N. Y. Tribune;
C. W. Caines, Manchester, Missouri; M. L. Worcester, Kingston,
Illinois; E. W. Clarke, Kirkwood, Missouri; Mrs. G. W. Ogilvie, Des
Moines, Iowa; Dr. Samuel Willard, Chicago, Illinois; Henry O.
Merriam, Major General U. S. A.
WILL VISIT LOVEJOY'S TOMB
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 7, 1901
Elijah P. Lovejoy Camp, Sons of Veterans of St. Louis, will come to
Alton Sunday to make their annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Elijah
P. Lovejoy, in whose honor the camp is named. An address will be
delivered by Rev. J. R. Clemens of the A. M. E. Church.
NEW INSCRIPTION ON LOVEJOY MONUMENT
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 14, 1901
The Lovejoy monument association has accepted an offer of Col. J. S.
Culver of Springfield, the builder of the monument in Alton, erected
by the State of Illinois and the citizens of Alton to the memory of
Lovejoy, and two new inscriptions will be placed upon the exedra
wall or upon the tripod pedestals of the base of the monument. The
two inscriptions were suggested by Col. Culver. One is taken from
the dedicatory address delivered when the monument was completed,
and is as follows:
"Here is historic old Alton - Alton that slew him and Alton that
defended him, Alton, whose people today with one heart and one mind
pluck from oblivion this wreath of immortality and place it around
the memory of Lovejoy. Lovejoy and Alton. Names as inseparable and
as dear to the people of Illinois as those of Lincoln and
Springfield, Grant and Galena."
The other new inscription is by Thomas Davis, the Irish patriot, and
is as follows:
"Whether on the scaffold high, or in the battle's van, The fittest
place for man to die, Is where he dies for man."
The inscriptions will be carved on the monument next week.
JOHN WESLEY HARNED DIES - WAS EYEWITNESS TO LOVEJOY TRAGEDY AT
ALTON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28, 1904
John Wesley Harned, aged 85 years, an eyewitness of the Lovejoy
tragedy at Alton, November 7, 1837, died at his country home west of
Greenville, Sunday morning. Mr. Harned was born in Red River county,
Texas, January 26, 1819, and moved with his parents to Alton in
1833. He "way-billed" Daniel Webster from Alton to Carlinville, when
Webster was making his canvass for the nomination for President. In
1838 he moved to Bond county, and has resided there continuously. In
1840 he cast his first vote for Harrison at Pocahontas, Bond county,
and for fifty consecutive years he voted the Republican ticket at
that place, never missing an election, national, state or county.
Mr. Harned has many times given a graphic account of the killing of
Elijah P. Lovejoy at Alton, of which he was an eyewitness. His
father, Capt. William Harned, was the owner of the old Mansion
House, still standing in Alton. He was one of the defenders of
Lovejoy, and was standing by his side when he fell.
DISCOVERY OF HISTORIC OLD PAINTING REPRESENTS THE SCENE AT THE
ASSASSINATION OF LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 24, 1904
The Telegraph has acquired a fine old painting representing the
scene at the assassination of Elijah P. Lovejoy, November 7, 1837,
which will hereafter adorn the walls of the Telegraph office. From
an artistic point of view, the picture is not remarkable, but it is
the original painting, supposed to have been made shortly after the
Alton riots, representing the attack on the building in which
Lovejoy was killed. The picture is a very crude representation of
the killing and was done by some person not highly gifted in an
artistic way. The only picture known of this historic occurrence is
the one in the possession of the Telegraph. It was the property of
the late Jerry Still, and since his death was found under a heap of
rubbish in an attic at his home. The painting is still bright.
SCULPTOR WHO DESIGNED LOVEJOY MONUMENT LOSES FINGERS IN [RAIL]CAR
DOOR
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 20, 1904
Mr. Robert P. Bringhurst, the St. Louis sculptor and the designer of
the Lovejoy monument at Alton, suffered a very serious accident
Sunday morning by which he has lost the first joints of the last two
fingers of his left hand, and he narrowly escaped losing some of his
other fingers. The accident occurred as Mr. Bringhurst was going to
Grafton from Chautauqua to work on his boat, "Camilda," which is
being overhauled and equipped with a new engine. As he was standing
in the door of a coach in the train, the door swung shut on Mr.
Bringhurst's left hand, which was pressing against the jam of the
door, and the third and fourth fingers of his left hand were very
badly crushed and it was necessary to amputate them. The accident is
serious because Mr. Bringhurst uses his fingers in making models of
his sculptures before they are cast. Had he lost the first or second
fingers, the loss would have been much worse than it is. Mr.
Bringhurst's family have been spending the season at Chautauqua in
their cottage.
REV. EDWARD BEECHER WROTE BOOK IN 1838
"NARRATIVE OF RIOTS AT ALTON IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF REV.
ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY"
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 11, 1906
Engineer George Dickson is in possession of a book published in 1838
by George Holton at Alton, and written by Rev. Edward Beecher, then
president of Illinois College, entitled "Narrative of Riots at Alton
in Connection With the Death of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy." In the book
he tells how a letter of his advocating the admission of others than
ministers and church members to an anti-slavery convention and
published in the Alton Telegraph, and how this letter caused the
convention to get into the hands of the Philistines later. "Free
inquiry" was the slogan at the convention, and "free inquiry" was
choked off by the following: "Resolved. That we adopt resolutions
without discussion." The entire book contains matter calculated to
show that Lovejoy was not a leader or starter of any of the
movements made at that time - movements which afterwards caused the
overthrow of slavery, but that rather he was forced by his friends
to take positions he did. He favored a delaying policy, according to
Mr. Beecher, but when he did begin he was earnest, fearless,
unconquerable. "Had the riot been under Nero, Mr. Lovejoy might
reasonably have fled. That bloody tyrant made no pretensions to
reason, or to the fear of God. But has a Christian nation sunk so
low that in the midst of laws, churches and most sacred guarantees
made for the express purpose of defending the rights of speech; and
to be maintained and administered by Christian men - will they
require a citizen at the bidding of an infuriated mob sacrifice
conscience, abandon every right and seek safety in inglorious
flight? For refusing to do this, Mr. Lovejoy is stigmatized as
stubborn, dogmatical, rash and imprudent. Had Mr. Lovejoy been
intemperate in his use of language, it would not have furnished an
excuse for such proceedings. But he was not. His exposition of views
was marked by calm, temperate kind and dignified language. It
indicated the spirit of a man unwilling to provoke, and anxious only
to convince. I fearlessly say that from one article on slavery in
the journal of the Colonization Society, which I have now in my eye.
I can select more severity of language on the subject of slavery
than Mr. Lovejoy ever wrote." The book is yellow with age, but is in
good condition otherwise and is filled with interesting matter.
DELAPLAIN, ELIZABETH - FRIEND OF LOVEJOY DIES
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 22, 1906
Mrs. Elizabeth Delaplain, who claims to have been a personal friend
both of Elijah P. Lovejoy and of Black Hawk, the celebrated Indian
Chief, died Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock at her home in Godfrey
township. She was 95 years of age, and had spent almost her entire
life in Alton and vicinity. The greater part of her life she spent
in Godfrey township, neighboring Alton. The most remarkable fact
about Mrs. Delaplain was that she retained her bodily strength and
all her faculties until the very last, only when death dimmed her
eyes so she could not see and dulled her ear so she could not hear
the words of her children and friends, shortly before dissolution.
Her stories of her childhood and young womanhood were intensely
interesting. Among the prominent residents of Alton today are men
who have passed the seventies and of whom Mrs. Delaplain always
enjoyed telling that she used to hold them in her arms when they
were infants. The president of an Alton bank, now past seventy-two,
was a guest at Mrs. Delaplain wedding, she told him, as an infant in
arms. It is also related of Mrs. Delaplain that until a few weeks
ago she was able to be around, and that last summer she insisted
upon milking her favorite cow, although she had plenty of help on
the place, and she could complete the milking as soon as a person
much younger than herself. She was a native of Tennessee, and was
born in 1811. She came to Alton at the time the Indian tribes in
Tennessee and Kentucky were transferred from there to the western
reservations. Her uncle was Indian agent in Tennessee, and through
the acquaintance she formed with Indian ways and customs, she made
many fast friends among them. Among the most distinguished of her
friends was Black Hawk, who was a frequent visitor at her home, as
he was a strong friend of her husband. Elijah P. Lovejoy, shortly
after coming to Alton, boarded with the family of the uncle of Mrs.
Delaplains, Andrew Miller, who was a proprietor of the old Alton
House in the early days of Alton, and it was in the Alton House that
she was married. Mrs. Delaplain had many interesting reminiscences
of the early days, and her mind was stored with entertaining facts
which she enjoyed relating until she was taken with her last
illness. She had been failing slightly in strength until September
8, when for the first time she failed to rise from her bed, but she
regained her strength slightly afterward. Her last illness was of
one month's duration. Mrs. Delaplain leaves four children, Samuel
Delaplain of St. Louis, Mrs. A. F. Rodgers of Upper Alton, Mrs. H.
H. Stookey and Miss Rebecca Delaplain of Godfrey, who lived with
their mother. She leaves grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 24, 1906
It is believed that Mrs. Elizabeth Delaplain, who died Monday and
will be buried tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at Godfrey, was
the last survivor of the personal acquaintances of Elijah P.
Lovejoy. Mrs. Delaplain said that he was a man of great power of
eloquence, and that his prayers as he knelt in his room at the Alton
House where he boarded, were so eloquent that when Lovejoy's time
for devotions came, the servants in the hotel would steal to his
door, remove their shoes so they could not be heard, and they would
stand outside listening to the preacher editor as he offered his
prayers inside, imploring Divine guidance in his work, although
unconscious of the fact that he was being listened to by an audience
outside drawn there by the power of his eloquence. The funeral
service tomorrow will be conducted by Rev. J. A. Scarritt, whom Mrs.
Delaplain frequently reminded that she had carried him in her arms
when he was a baby.
DEFENDER OF LOVEJOY PRESS (REV. THADDEUS HURLBURT) OLD HOMESTEAD
TO BE PUT ON MARKET
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 12, 1907
Col. A. M. Jackson and Major George D. Eaton have bought from Mrs.
C. H. Evans of New York, a daughter of Rev. Thaddeus B. Hurlbut, the
old homestead of Rev. Hurlbut. Around this home many historic
memories cling. Rev. Hurlbut was a Congregational clergyman in Upper
Alton, and he was a friend and associate and a defender of Lovejoy.
He also contributed some important historical facts concerning the
events at the time of the killing of Lovejoy. Col. Jackson and Maj.
Eaton intend to open a street through the tract, which consists of
four acres, and will lay out the property into lots and put them on
the market.
THOMAS DIMMOCK - WHO RESCUED LOVEJOY'S GRAVE FROM OBLIVION - DIES
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 19, 1909
Thomas Dimmock, aged 79, died Thursday at St. John's hospital in St.
Louis, at 4:30 o'clock, after a long illness. The funeral will be
held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Jacob Wead, in Alton. In the death of Mr. Dimmock there was
closed a life that had been full of interest in public affairs. Mr.
Dimmock was a writer of much note, he had filled editorial positions
on the two St. Louis morning papers, and his views and comments on
current events frequently appeared in the St. Louis papers. He was a
speaker of considerable ability, and his services were frequently
sought for public occasions. Perhaps the most important fact about
Mr. Dimmock's life was his interest in Elijah Parish Lovejoy, which
led him to rescue from oblivion the grave of Lovejoy in the City
Cemetery. It was by him the little marble scroll in the cemetery was
set up over Lovejoy's
grave, bearing the inscription in Latin which
translated reads: "Here Lies Lovejoy, Spare now the Dead." The grave
was known to none but "Scotch" Johnson, an old negro who lived in
Alton many years and who helped bury Lovejoy. Mr. Dimmock, through
the aid of Johnson, located the grave. It was a part of the cemetery
where a roadway passed over it and vehicles passing in and out of
the cemetery were going over the unmarked grave. Johnson pointed out
the place, and Mr. Dimmock had the bones exhumed, 27 years after
they had been buried, and he had them reinterred where they are now.
He set up over the grave the marble scroll stone which still marks
it, while a stately and costly monument to the south commemorates
the work and principles of Lovejoy. At the dedication of the
monument, Mr. Dimmock made an address in Temple Theatre. Mr. Dimmock
was the son of Elijah L. Dimmock. He was engaged in business with
his father in Alton before going to St. Louis. The declining years
of Mr. Dimmock were marked with much suffering, and he had been in
very bad condition for several years. The only surviving member of
Mr. Dimmock's family is Mrs. Theo B. Wead, wife of Jacob Wead, of
this city. Mr. Dimmock's services to Abraham Lincoln in 1860 were
esteemed highly both by his party and the President. He also gave
his services freely in 1861 and 1867 to the Union cause and stirred
the patriotism of the people by his eloquent addresses. Mr. Dimmock
was editor of the Alton Democrat during the Civil War.
1837 NEWSPAPER ON DISPLAY -
"DISCREET" SILENCE OF NEWSPAPER REGARDING LOVEJOY TRAGEDY EXPLAINED
- APOLOGY ISSUED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 28, 1911
Gates-Clark Dry Goods Co. have on exhibition at their store a copy
of the Alton Telegraph of November 29, 1837. The owner of the paper
requested that his name be kept private by the firm, for what reason
is not explained. The paper is in excellent state of preservation,
and looks as if it had been printed only a few days before. The
person in whose keeping it was must have taken good care of it, and
for many years the paper must have remained untouched by anyone, as
it is not at all worn. The quality of the white paper used in those
days was much better than that any newspaper used now, and it is
very doubtful that in almost 75 years a copy of a paper of today
would be safe to handle, if it was to be preserved intact. Among the
names of advertisers appearing in the old sheet are names which are
familiar to many through the names being borne by their descendants
still living in Alton, but they are few. The issue following soon
after the killing of Lovejoy in Alton, which occurred November 7,
contains an editorial apologizing for the lack of comment on the
tragic event of a few weeks before. It developed that the friend of
Lovejoy who was on the paper was not entrusted with expressing the
paper's sentiments. The newspaper, in common with other people who
had witnessed the result of indulging in free speech in those days,
preserved a discreet silence, or appeared in an apologetic way. The
Lovejoy tragedy had evidently inspired the people with the belief
that free speech at that time was not the part of wisdom, and free
speech and liberty of the press was very much curtailed. The paper
will be on exhibition for a few days in the store of Gates-Clark on
Third street, in the carpet store windows. The Telegraph will be 75
years of age next January, and this issue referred to was printed
during the first year of the paper, but it appears as Volume 2, the
newspaper volumes then running for a period of six months instead of
a year. [See newspaper article dated November 29, 1837]
FOUND HISTORIC PIECE OF STONE BELONGED TO LOVEJOY
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 12, 1912
Workmen excavating for the new engines of the Sparks mills on the
riverfront reached to the level of the old riverbed this morning.
They found a valuable relic at the depth of eighteen feet, which is
a portion of the imposing stone [a flat, hard surface upon which
pages printed from hot metal are imposed] of the Alton Observer,
Elijah P. Lovejoy's paper. The stone is a fragment with a surface
that shows the marks of the forms as they rested on the marble in
making up the forms for the press. The stone was examined by a
number of old printers who were asked if they knew what use the
stone had been devoted to. They looked over the surface and with one
accord pronounced it a piece of an imposing stone. "See," said one,
"the marks where the forms have been repeatedly drawn across its
surface, the marks of the make up." For years there has been a
desire on the part of many who were interested in the remnants of
the Lovejoy printing outfit, which was known to rest on the old
riverbed, to make excavations to recover as much as possible.
Recently, excavations have been in progress on the riverfront at the
Sparks mill in carrying out some projects for improving the motive
power of the mill. There is added interest in the find in that the
piece of stone was found near the place where the Godfrey & Gilman
warehouse stood at the time of the Lovejoy killing in 1837. The
building was an old stone structure, a crude painting of which, made
many years ago by some unknown artist, hangs in the Telegraph office
today. The warehouse stood on the side of the Sparks mill, according
to old timers whose recollections go back to the days of the
building. There is little doubt that when the Lovejoy printing
outfit was stored in the building on the night of the killing, when
Lovejoy and his friends were defending the property, that this
marble slab, smooth on two sides and deeply scarred by the movement
of the forms over it as they would be moved about by the workmen on
the paper, was thrown into what was then the riverbed. There the
stones were buried deep. Gradually the river covered the stone over
with deposits of various kinds and the riverbank receded southward
as continued filling went on. Now the Sparks company is digging a
deep ditch to carry lines of pipe out to the river, and in so doing
undoubtedly uncovered the imposing stone. Whether there are any more
fragments of the stone and of machinery thereabouts, remains for
further investigation to reveal. Piling was encountered by the
workmen when they reached a depth close to the old riverbed that was
used in the years past as posts to tie steamboat cables to. A few
years ago a former resident of Alton showed Charles Donnelly the
position of the Lovejoy press as it lay in the river, the top of it
exposed during low water. He was employed in the old mills and he
often stood at the upper windows gazing upon the projecting portions
of the press. He pointed out the exact spot, so well was it stamped
upon his memory. This was at a point at the second track south of
the mills, and where the excavations are now being made, as closely
as Mr. Donnelly recollects. This establishes closely the position as
is related by all the old citizens who were familiar with the facts
surrounding the distinction of the Observer's press by the mob.
LOVEJOY'S PIANO
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 19, 1912
In speaking of the many historical articles on exhibition oat
Edwardsville this week, the Intelligencer says: "To many, the most
interesting single article in the collection is the square piano
once owned by Elijah P. Lovejoy, of Alton. After his death his widow
made her home with the family of Jesse Walton, very close friends of
Lovejoy. The piano passed into their possession and at Mr. Walton's
death, it was sold among other effects of his at auction, where it
became the property of W. C. Flagg of Moro. This was early in the
70s or late in the 60s. It is now in the possession of Mrs. E. L.
Gillham of Wanda."
LARGE CAST IRON FRAME DISCOVERED AT SPARKS MILL
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1915
Doug Sparks believes he has found a piece of Lovejoy's old printing
press in a fifteen-foot-deep excavation at the southwest corner of
the Sparks Mill building, where room is being made to put in a
concrete pier to carry grain scales and an unloading device. The
Sparks mill is on the site of the old Godfrey & Gilman warehouse,
where Lovejoy was killed in 1837. Several years ago, a marble slab
reputed to be the imposing stone that Lovejoy would have used, or
did use, was found. Now there has appeared down in the soil there a
heavy frame of cast iron, which some believe was part of the old
Washington hand press that was thrown into the river over
seventy-seven years ago. George S. Milnor gave orders to have the
piece of iron completely removed from the hole, and efforts will be
made to get it out and complete the investigation as to whether the
iron is really part of the historic old printing press which a mob
made away with. It is impossible to know definitely what the iron
frame belonged to, as so much of it is buried in the earth that has
been filled in around the place, no one could establish just what
the frame came from. The iron is so deep in the ground it must have
been buried many years ago. The corner of the mill building
foundation comes squarely up against the frame and it is near the
bottom of the foundation that the iron frame first appears.
LOVEJOY PRESS SUSPECT HOISTED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1915
A cast iron frame, weighing close to a half ton, was lifted this
morning from the excavation at the southwest corner of the Sparks
Milling Co., and after it was raised from the ground the conviction
became strong that the frame must be part of the printing press of
Elijah P. Lovejoy. The frame is shaped similar to the upright part
of the frame that carried the screws which were operated by a lever
and which caused the pressure to be applied that did the printing.
The press that Lovejoy had was one of the old-fashioned hand type,
and the frame found today might easily have served as the frame of
such a machine. It is shaped like the outline of a bell, the bottom
being straight across and would have held the bed on which the forms
would be imposed. There is no exact reproduction of the Lovejoy
press, but it is supposed to have resembled closely other presses of
its time. The place where this frame was found was so deep in the
earth that it could not have been put where it was in recent years.
It rested on bedrock and against the foundation of the mill. It
required much effort to get it with a block and tackle, seven men
being required to lift and carry it. The frame has been partially
cleaned, and later will be cleaned more thoroughly. On the top is a
place where a nameplate undoubtedly was at one time, some copper
pins which probably served to hold the nameplate in place still
being in their positions. The nameplate which would have settled
forever what the machine was, is missing. The iron frame will be
kept until a further investigation can be made.
RELATIVE OF LOVEJOY VISITS ALTON - SEES OLD PRESS
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 3, 1915
Alton today had as a visitor a Miss Lovejoy, a relative of Rev.
Elijah P. Lovejoy. She came here to see the old printing press frame
which was recovered at the Sparks mill some time ago, and which is
believed to be a part of the press that was wrecked the night that
Lovejoy was assassinated by a member of a mob in1837. Miss Lovejoy
called on E. P. Wade, president of the Alton National Bank. He is
the oldest living native of Alton, and he undoubtedly has the best
knowledge of old-time places and institutions in Alton. Mr. Wade
took Miss Lovejoy, who is a grandniece of the Martyr Lovejoy, for a
tour of Alton. She visited the old Presbyterian Church in Upper
Alton where Lovejoy preached. She saw also the monument and she was
shown other objects of interest about the city connected with the
death of the Abolitionist editor. Miss Lovejoy said that she was
much interested in what she saw. At the Sparks mill it is held
certain that the large iron frame is part of an old printing press.
An investigation was made and many experts throughout the country
have pronounced the casting part of an old printing press, such as
was used about eighty years ago. Miss Lovejoy is from Jackrabbit,
Arizona. She had read in the papers of the finding of the press, and
as she was going through Alton she stopped over to take a look at
the curio.
SPARKS MILL MARKS SPOT OF LOVEJOY ASSASSINATION
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28, 1918
As part of the Sparks Milling Company’s contribution to the Illinois
centennial celebration, a bronze tablet has been erected on the
southwest corner of the mill building on the river front, marking
the spot where the assassination of Elijah P. Lovejoy occurred,
November 7, 1837. The tablet is inscribed as follows:
"This tablet marks the scene of the tragic death at the hands of a
pro-slavery mob on Nov. 7, 1837, of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who gave
his life for liberty of thought, for liberty of speech, for liberty
of press, and for liberty for man. Placed in commemoration of his
heroism by the Sparks Milling Company."
In addition to the bronze tablet, the Sparks Milling Company will
have erected on a granite base, and suitably inscribed, the remnant
of the old printing press which the mob was seeking to destroy and
which Lovejoy died to defend. The rusty main frame of the old hand
press on which the Alton Observer was to be printed was dug up at
the southwest corner of the mill building a few years ago, 18 feet
underground, when excavation was being made for the foundations of
new scales on which to weigh wheat. The explanation of the frame of
the printing press being there is that the press, after the killing
of Lovejoy, was dragged from the warehouse of Godfrey & Gilman,
which stood on the site where the old mill building stands, and was
thrown into the river. The river at that time extended further
inland. What was deep water in 1837 when the riot occurred is dry
land, and the river bank is far to the south of where it was over 80
years ago. The plan of the Sparks Milling Company is to set this
frame of the press on a granite base, permanently fixed, and to have
it on the lot at the front of the office of the milling company.
There is a possibility the warehouse may have extended very close to
where the office of the milling company now stands.
In the Illinois Centennial observance, many historic spots will be
marked, but there will be none marked that will carry any greater
human interest than this the Sparks Milling Company is marking. The
discovery of the old frame of the Lovejoy press was quite by
accident. It followed discovery of some marble slabs which were
first supposed to be tombstones, but which are now believed to have
been the marble imposing stones Lovejoy intended to set up in the
Observer office. In those days spoiled tombstones were often
smoothed on one side and used for imposing stones in newspaper
offices, and now, since the discovery of the old press frame so
close by, it is practically certain the marble slabs found first,
and sledged to pieces by workmen who were digging a deep trench
there, were the Lovejoy imposing stones.
NOTES:
For many years the remnant of the Lovejoy printing press stood in
the Alton Telegraph building. It now stands in the Hayner Library.
CONTRACT FOR LOVEJOY PRESS PEDESTAL
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 2, 1918
The Sparks Milling Co. today closed a contract with Arthur Dixon for
building a granite pedestal on which to mount the piece of the
Lovejoy press which was discovered several years ago at the corner
of the mill building, deep in the ground. The order has been given
for the granite that will enter into the structure, and as soon as
it arrives here the work of setting it up will be undertaken and
completed with dispatch. A bronze tablet will be suspended from the
iron frame of the old printing press, which will tell what it is.
The press is one of the most interesting of historic relics and will
be put in the open, at the corner of the lot where the Sparks office
building stands. The officers of the Sparks Milling Co. anticipate
that this relic will thereupon become the shrine to be visited by
many who value the right of free speech and liberty of the press, as
it was this particular printing press, by its very destruction,
became the seed from which grew a great public sentiment that the
freedom of the press should not be infringed.
SETTING UP LOVEJOY PRESS FRAME
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 17, 1918
Work of erecting the granite mounting for the frame of the old press
of Elijah Parish Lovejoy was started Monday by Arthur Dixon, who is
working under supervision of James M. Maupin. The old cast iron
frame, it will be recalled, was excavated from a great depth at the
southwest corner of the Sparks mill building on the river front. It
was there that the Godfrey & Gilman warehouse stood, and it was from
this warehouse the press was taken and smashed and dumped into the
river by the mob after they had assassinated Lovejoy. This old press
has great sentimental value because it was in its defense that
Lovejoy, the first martyr to the cause of freedom of the press, lost
his life at the hands of a mob at Alton, November 7, 1837. The frame
of the press was dug up a few years ago while excavation was being
made to install foundations for a heavy track scale. Where the press
was found is far from the river now, but in olden days the water was
deep enough there to afford a good landing place for steamboats. The
relic is to be mounted on a granite base from which rise two short
columns and between which the frame of the press is to be swung. On
the press frame a tablet will be placed to tell the passerby what
the relic is. The Sparks Milling Co. has already set up a tablet on
its mill building to mark the spot where Lovejoy lost his life. The
mounting of the relic will make of it a very interesting feature of
the Alton centennial celebration.
BRICK OF LOVEJOY HOME IS GIVEN TO TELEGRAPH
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 7, 1922
A brick from the foundation of the old Lovejoy home at Albion, Me.,
has been presented to the Telegraph by Captain C. S. Porter of the
Western Military Academy. The brick is on display in the Telegraph
window. The home in Maine housed Elijah P. Lovejoy was the earlier
advocates for emancipation of slaves in this country, who was killed
by a mob in Alton for his activities against slavery. He published
at Alton "The Observer." The brick is of the old-fashioned hand-made
type. It is of an unusually hard substance, when compared with
present-day brick. It is wedge shaped. One corner has been broken
off.
OLD SHOTGUN KILLED LOVEJOY COMES TO LIGHT
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 16, 1922
A treasured firearm of the nineteenth century was presented this
week to Daniel J. Murphy of Elsah, who for many years has been
identified with the affairs of Madison and Jersey Counties, having
served as President of the National Bank of Jerseyville for a number
of years, and also as President of a Granite City bank. The firearm
is claimed to be the gun which was used in Alton on November 7th,
1837, by the person who shot and killed Elijah Parish Lovejoy while
he was defending his fourth printing press from a mob of St. Louis
pro-slavery advocates. The gun which is claimed to have caused
Lovejoy's death, is a double-barreled shotgun, nearly five feet in
length. It was made by Parker & Field of London, England. The gun
for many years was possessed by the late George W. Burke of
Jerseyville, a pioneer of Jersey County. Burke, during the Civil
War, was a "station keeper" in Jersey County of what was termed the
"underground railroad." Fleeing slaves from the South, most of whom
were on their way to Canada, would stop in Jerseyville and were
cared for by Burke until an opportune moment when they could be sent
on to the next station with provisions to last during the journey.
It is said that this gun was obtained by one of the guards keeping
watch over the warehouse containing Lovejoy's press, and that later
the gun was given to Burke, who was one of the well-known men
throughout this section of the country. The relic, which is now 85
years old, was presented to Mr. Murphy this week by Mrs. Jennie
Kingsley, a step-daughter of the late George W. Burke. A piece of
Lovejoy's printing press which was thrown into river at Alton in the
early thirties, is mounted in front of the Sparks Mill office.
CITY CEMETERY BOARD TO GIVE MONUMENT SITE
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 19, 1923
The trustees of the Alton City Cemetery held a meeting last evening
to pass upon the question of making a deed to the lot on which the
Lovejoy monument stands, vesting the title to the lot and monument
in the State of Illinois. Records of the cemetery association do not
show that the title to the property was ever vested in the state. If
the cemetery trustees will deed the lot on which the monument stands
to the state of Illinois, the state government will take hold of the
monument and look after repairs and keep the monument in good
condition. The state gave $25,000 to the monument to be added to
what the citizens of Alton give and since then has done nothing to
it. The monument is in need of repairs. The cemetery association is
without the necessary funds to maintain the monument and the result
is no repairs have been made.
STONE FROM LOVEJOY HOME TO BE ACCEPTED
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 22, 1923
On the morning of May 30th, Decoration Day, there will be a short
ceremony at the Sparks Milling Co. office grounds that will be of
interest to those interested in history. On that morning a large
stone from the home of Elijah P. Lovejoy, a stone from the home
where he lived and played as a boy, will be set beside the relic of
the Lovejoy printing press in the Sparks Milling Co. office yard.
This stone was brought back to Alton by Capt. Sumner Porter of the
Western Military Academy, who was visiting at Albion, Me., last
summer. He presented it to the Rotary Club and on May 30th at 9
o'clock in the morning a service will be held where the stone is set
and the Rotary Club will present the stone to the Madison County
Historical Society, the president of that society, W. D. Armstrong,
receiving it. It was thought best to place the historical stone
close to the Lovejoy press relic where it will be accessible to view
of many who may be interested. Persons who are interested in Lovejoy
are invited to attend this service on Decoration Day morning at 9:00
o'clock at the Sparks Milling Co. office.
