Godfrey, Illinois, Newspaper Clippings
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
EARLY HISTORY OF GODFREY | BETHANY NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS (area at Bethany Lane and Humbert Road)
(NOTE: Godfrey was originally named Scarritt's Prairie, then Monticello, then Godfrey.)
MONTICELLO PRAIRIE FIRE
Source: Unknown New York newspaper
on Ebay, November 16, 1840
A fire broke out in the Monticello
Prairie, a few miles back of Alton, Illinois, on Thursday, which
destroyed many buildings and a considerable amount of personal
property. The citizens of Alton turned out en masse, to render
assistance in saving property and arresting the progress of the
fire, which is said to have raged with great fury. Several
bodies have been found, and among them a father with his son in
his arms, burned to death.
VIOLENT HAIL STORM AT MONTICELLO
Source: Alton Telegraph
and Review, May 29, 1841
On Sunday last, we witnessed at
Monticello, five miles from this city, the most violent hail
storm since our existence. It commenced about three o'clock, and
lasted from twenty to thirty minutes, many of the hail stones
being as large, some larger, than a hen's egg. It was succeeded
by a tremendous gust of wind, accompanied by a severe rain,
which lasted for upwards of an hour. The damage to the foliage
of ornamental trees, small shrubbery, currant bushes, and fruit
trees, occasioned by the hail, was extensive; and the glass of
the various dwellings within the range of the storm must have
suffered materially. In this city, but little if any hail was
seen, though the wind must have been as high, if not higher,
than where we were. One house was unroofed, and several sky
lights blown off the roofs of stores in this city; beyond that
we have heard of no other damage. We also learn that Smooth
Prairie, in this county, on the same day was visited with a hail
storm as severe as the one we witnessed, and that the damage to
dwellings was far greater than at Monticello.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS HEAD TO THE POLLS
Source: Alton
Telegraph & Democratic Review, July 31, 1841
The Monticello
settlement [Godfrey] is the right arm of our strength in this
end of the county; and to them we look for a general turn out on
Monday. Among them are a few whose bosoms were bared to the
bayonet of the enemy in that conflict which gave birth to our
nation's independence. Though their frames are bent with years,
the fire of their zeal in their country's cause burns in their
bosoms as brightly and fervently as ever. At our last election,
they were the foremost in exercising the inestimable right of
Freemen, and voting against the enemies of our country. That
they will be so on Monday next, we entertain no doubt; and we
urge upon every young and middle-aged man in the settlement to
emulate their noble example and follow them to the polls. It may
be the last time you will be marshaled by these veterans of the
Revolution.
POST OFFICE ESTABLISHED IN GODFREY
Source: Alton
Telegraph, September 11, 1841
We are gratified to learn that
a Post Office by the name of Godfrey has been established near
the Female Seminary at Monticello, four miles from this city, of
which Timothy Turner, Esq. is the Postmaster. This will be of
great benefit to the inhabitants of that thriving settlement,
who have heretofore sustained considerable inconvenience in
being compelled to travel several miles in order to get their
letters and papers.
MONTICELLO [GODFREY] NOW A PRECINCT
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 30, 1842
Monticello is now a precinct, and
will hold an election among themselves. No truer set of Whigs
ever lived, than is to be found in that excellent settlement.
Her report on the evening of Monday next will be a loud one, and
we hope not a single r vote will be lost in that precinct. There
are no splitting tickets among them. They are as true as the
polar star, and will give nearly a unanimous vote for the whole
Whig ticket. Success to Monticello and her citizens!
POST OFFICE IN GODFREY DISCONTINUED
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 20, 1844
We understand that the post office
at Godfrey, four miles north from this city, which was
established about three years since, has been discontinued by
order of the Postmaster General. The reason assigned is its
proximity to Alton, but as the two places were nearly as close
to each other at the period referred to, as they are now, we are
unable to perceive any new motive for the discontinuance. Time
will perhaps disclose the moving cause.
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 27, 1844
Last week we noticed the removal of
this post office, and expressed our surprise at it. Since then
some facts have come to our knowledge which we feel bound to lay
before the public. Two reasons, we are informed, were urged by
those engaged in this small business, for the discontinuance of
this post office. One was its proximity to the Alton office; the
other a charge that its estimable Postmaster had abused the
franking privilege [franking is the act of putting on postage
stamps or markings shown that a fee was paid for mail service -
this includes a Postmaster writing "free" on the envelope for
soldiers during wartime]. The first is fallacious in the
extreme. The office is no nearer Alton now than it was when it
was first established, and the distance was well known to the
department at that time. As well, yes, even with fare more
propriety, could they discontinue the Upper Alton office, which
is only two miles from the one in this city, while the
population accommodated at the Godfrey P. O. is equally as large
as that at the Upper Alton office. And the inconvenience to
which the Godfrey community is subjected is more than double,
that which would be felt by the Upper Alton people, if the same
injustice was done them by discontinuing their office. In regard
to the Postmaster at Godfrey having abused his franking
privilege, we know the charge to be false, and defy the remotest
proof to sustain it. So scrupulously guarded has Mr. Turner been
in this respect, that he has even refused to frank a letter
written by his own wife, and we venture they assertion that
there is not a Postmaster in the state of Illinois who has made
less use of the franking privilege than Mr. Turner. This much we
feel bound to say in defense of an unexceptionable officer, who
has been grossly traduced.
The real cause, however, for
the withdrawal of the office, was to increase the emoluments of
the office in this city [Alton]. And how much, reader, do you
think that would have been? Judge Martin has examined the books
of the office carefully, and the most the Postmaster's
commissions have ever come to in one year was forty-five
dollars! And for the sake of this paltry sum, a large community
have been deprived of the benefits of a post office, and that
too, when the continuance of the office was without a dollar's
expense to the government. The Jacksonville mail passed directly
by the door of the Godfrey P. O., and was a watering place for
the contractor. So that there was neither inconvenience nor
expense attending its continuance. If pecuniary gain was the
object of the very liberal and magnanimous persons who procured
the discontinuance of the Godfrey P. O., we are assured that the
community by subscription would have made up double the sum of
the emoluments of the office, rather than have had it
discontinued. And we cannot but believe that when the department
know the facts, they will restore the office to the community
from which it has been improperly and unjustly taken. There is a
large female Seminary, numbering from 90 to 100 persons in the
immediate neighborhood of the office, and the inconvenience to
them is vast. If the department were subjected to a dollar's
expense, either in carrying the mail to this office or in
sustaining it, there might be a shadow of an excuse for the
wrong inflicted. But when the contrary are the facts in regard
to both, we feel as if it was right the public should know them,
and endeavor to correct the injustice inflicted on their
neighbors.
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN GODFREY'S FARM FOR SALE
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 30, 1847
The attention of gentlemen of
fortune is invited to Captain Benjamin Godfrey's advertisement,
offering for sale his splendid farm at Monticello [Godfrey], a
few miles from this city. A more desirable property, in every
respect, is not to be found in this state, perhaps not in the
Union; and those wishing to invest funds in the purchase of well
improved real estate could not ask for a better opportunity than
is now afforded them to effect this object.
McREYNOLDS HOME IN MONTICELLO DESTROYED BY FIRE
Source:
Alton Telegraph, February 22, 1850
We regret to state that a
two-story frame building, situated in Monticello Precinct in
this county, and occupied by Mr. James R. McReynolds and his
family, was totally consumed by fire on Friday morning last,
together with most of its contents – the occupants having barely
time to escape without saving anything except a couple of beds
and a few other articles of little value. It is not known how
the fire originated, but it was doubtless accidental. The house
belonged to Judge Martin of Alton, and was uninsured. The total
loss is estimated at $1,000, of which the largest proportion
falls upon the latter gentleman.
HORSE THIEVES IN MONTICELLO [GODFREY]
Source: Alton
Telegraph, October 4, 1861
We learn that two valuable horses
were stolen from the stables of W. T. Melusum and Willian Glenn,
Esqs., at Monticello [Godfrey] last night. The Runners of the
Detecting Society of that place are in pursuit, and we hope, may
catch the thieves. Horse stealing is getting to be too common in
these parts, and we advise farmers to be on the lookout.
Later:
The horses that were stolen on Friday night from
Monticello have been recovered, and the thief, or one of the
thieves, captured with them. They were found at a house near
Wood River, in the possession of a man named Joe Miller. He was
arrested, brought to Monticello, and his examination was to take
place at 9 o’clock this morning before Esquire Webster.
THE CONDITION OF THE ALTON AND JERSEYVILLE PLANK ROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 11, 1861
Probably the
greatest nuisance now extant is the Alton and Jerseyville Plank
Road. Its name, like the thing itself, is an imposition, for it
neither begins or ends at either of these towns. Plank roads
generally, not to say always, are nuisances; the one under
discussion is particularly so. Commenced some ten years ago,
with the intention of connecting the two towns of Alton and
Jerseyville, it was, after considerable delay, finished to a
point about one mile beyond Monticello [Godfrey]. No attempt has
ever been made to extend it, and it has conferred no benefit
whatever upon those who, living beyond its present terminus,
have most needed what good it was supposed to confer upon those
traveling upon it. Two toll gates have been erected, through one
of which every passing through one gate, is compelled to pay
very nearly the same toll as is charged for the passage through
both gates.
The ordinary age to which a plank road is
capable of existing, without an entire renewal of the material
used in its construction, is about three years. Infrequent use
and extensive repairing may extend the time to four or five
years. This one, which annoys and injures us, has been used nine
years, and has been but partially renewed and then only by the
substitution of oak for white pine planks. The repairs which it
pretends to have received will not, in the whole period of its
existence, equal the amount of labor which is ordinarily
expended upon a common dirt road of the same length, every year.
Its present state is beyond the power of language to describe.
To be appreciated, it must be seen and felt. In its whole
length, there are not sound plank enough to make a rod of decent
road. In many places it is buried six inches beneath the mud,
and these are always its best and safety portions. The planks of
which it is composed are twisted and warped into every
conceivable shape. As far as form goes, many of them would make
excellent circular window-heads; not a few could easily be
transformed into fellses(?) perfectly bent. Hundreds of them
have long since seceded; the one end from the other, and not
seldom one is found so decayed with rot, dry and wet, that a
horse, possessed of the slightest life, need use but little
exertion to literally put his foot into it. At times they are
floating islands in a sea of mud; at times stranded wrecks on a
barren shore; at times the debris of long-forgotten formations,
raised from the vast deep by volcanic eruptions. Sometimes they
slide to the one side, sometimes to the other, but to staying in
proper position they have an unconquerable aversion. Holes of
indefinite depth and immensurable capacity abound without number
and the daring navigator escapes Seylia only to be drawn into
Charybeis. The bridges are such in name only, often perilous,
sometimes impassible.
The toll gates are the only things
well tended, and the keeper never forgets to present himself
with frightful punctuality. The coolness with which he demands
the toll is equaled only by the impudence of the highway man. To
sum up all, as near as may be in a single sentence, as a machine
for the beating of eggs to a froth, as a patent churn, as a
means of exercise for the cure of dyspepsia, an engine of
destruction to vehicles and of danger to life, and as an
unmitigated imposition upon the public, the Alton and
Jerseyville Plank Road is a complete success; but for all the
purposes of a thoroughfare for travel it is as complete a
failure.
There are two things which will make plank roads
nuisances, as they are endurable. Those are constant repairs and
the liberty of going upon them or not, as we please. The
particular road now in question, has neither of these
alleviating circumstances in its favor. The planks are laid in
the State Road, one of the gates is thrown across the State
Road, and the public is compelled to go over the road and
through the gate and pay the toll. There is no choice in the
matter. It matters not if the wheel of your wagon or the foot of
your horse does not once touch the plank, you must still pay the
toll. The highway is no longer the possession of the public, but
thanks to our County Court, is made the property of a soulless
corporation. The charter which protects and guards this monopoly
has yet twenty years to run, and unless some action be taken by
the people, they must continue to be victimized that length of
time. The corporation owning the road has an undoubted right to
exist to the extent of its chartered life, but we protest, in
the name of reason and of justice, against being compelled to
support it longer by our involuntary contributions. Our
forbearance is great, but there is a limit even to Job-like
patience. The road should at once be abandoned or put into a
passable condition, which can only be done by relaying it with
new materials, and by the employment of more than one man, one
day in a month, to shovel dirt upon the ends of aspiring planks.
The County Court is made the custodian of the roads of the
county, and it is their duty to see that one of these two
measures to abate what has become an intolerable nuisance, is
promptly taken.
FIRE IN MONTICELLO
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 2,
1862
On last Friday afternoon, the house of George G. Pierce,
situated in Monticello Township, was entirely consumed by fire,
with its entire contents. The fire caught from a stovepipe which
passed through the door of the second story and out of the roof.
Before the fire was discovered, the entire upper portion of the
building was in flames, and it was too late to save anything.
This misfortune falls heavily upon Mr. Pierce, who is a worthy
and industrious man, and has a large family depending on him for
a livelihood. We regret to say that there was no insurance upon
the building.
STAR HOTEL IN MONTICELLO BURNS TO THE GROUND
Source: Alton
Telegraph, October 24, 1862
We are informed that the house
known as the Star Hotel, on the Jerseyville Road just beyond
Monticello, was burned last night to the ground. A small child
was consumed in the building. We understand that the proprietor
lost all of his household goods. Our informant did not know the
cause of the fire.
HEAVY HAIL STORM IN MONTICELLO [GODFREY]
Source: Alton
Telegraph, June 8, 1866
Just as our paper was going to press,
we learned that a heavy hail storm passed over Monticello
[Godfrey] this forenoon, doing much damage to the crops, fruit,
&c., and breaking nearly all the glass out of the houses. It was
confined, however, to a very narrow strip, and did not reach in
this direction more than a mile from the Seminary building. Some
of the pieces measured eight inches round.
GODFREY MILL FOR SALE
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 1,
1865
Mr. A. M. Blackburn offers his large and conveniently
located steam flouring mill for sale. It is known as the
“Godfrey Mill,” situated in the beautiful village of Godfrey,
four miles north of this city, near the Junction of the C. A. &
St. Louis, and the Jacksonville & Alton Railroads. It is one of
the best locations in this portion of Illinois, and has a good
run of custom. Mr. Blackburn’s failing health induces him to
sell.
MONTICELLO NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 20, 1868
The flouring mill at Monticello has just been greatly enlarged
by an addition upon the north side, giving it about double its
former capacity. It has two run of burrs, and is situated
advantageously for doing a large business. The proprietors are
Messrs. Sears & Dodson.
The members of the M. E. Church
and congregation are making an effort to raise funds to purchase
a cabinet organ for the use of their church, and we are glad to
note that they are succeeding well in their efforts. A large sum
was realized at the supper given lately at the residence of
Captain Moore for that purpose, and more will be forthcoming. It
is designed to secure a superior instrument.
Monticello
Junction, one mile north of the depot, at the junction of the
Jacksonville with the Alton Road, boasts of a water tank and a
“shebang” termed by courtesy a depot. The Junction, however, is
a telegraph station, which Monticello proper is not, and has a
night and day operator.
We understand that there is some
talk of changing the name of Monticello Station to Godfrey, the
name of the Post Office. This should have been done long since,
as endless confusion in mail matters is the result of there
being two places of the same name in the State. To detail the
woes under which the good people of this place groan on account
of their letters being so often sent to Monticello, Piatt
County, would require a column, hence we forbear, and trust that
Monticello will soon be known as Godfrey town, as well as Post
Office.
Among the items of intelligence received
concerning the doings of the storm on Monday night, the large
barn of the late Benjamin Godfrey in Monticello was overturned.
The barn of F. Curtis, on the Grafton Road, met with a similar
fate. The barn of Mr. Merryman, west of Monticello, was blown
down. When the storm came on, it contained 300 sheep, but before
the building fell, the door was blown open and the sheep all
escaped. Mr. Merryman’s loss is $300. A barn on Mr. Copley’s
place, near Monticello, was also badly damaged, and on his farm,
heavy fence rails were blown eight or ten feet. A good many
apple trees were uprooted on Dr. Long’s and other places.
MONTICELLO DEPOT TO BE MOVED
Source: Alton Telegraph,
August 21, 1868
It has finally been decided by the railway
company to move the depot at Monticello, about three-fourths of
a mile further up the road, towards the Junction, upon what is
known as the Ransom property.
NEW DEPOT AT MONTICELLO
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 9
& Nov 13, 1868
The foundation of the fine, new depot building
at Monticello has been laid, and the work is progressing. It is
being built of brick, and the walls have now reached the second
story.
GODFREY NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 24, 1871
The roads from Alton to Greenwood are good, by reason of the
McAdam roads, while from Monticello to Greenwood they are in
such a condition as to plainly demonstrate the need of a rock
road to be extended to this place.
On Sunday last, an
altercation took place between three whites and an equal number
of colored persons, a mile or so north of here, in which one of
the former was badly hurt. A physician was called in to dress
the wound. Too much “fire water” was the cause of the
disturbance.
GODFREY NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 3, 1872
Mr.
James Squires has laid off a portion of his land, adjacent to
the depot, into town lots, which he will dispose of at
reasonable prices, thus furnishing persons who wish to have a
suburban home in this beautiful locality, an opportunity to
invest their means at a convenient distance from Alton and St.
Louis, which we trust will be improved by good, substantial men.
The heirs of the late Mrs. Sawyer (who received fatal
injuries while stepping from the cars upon the platform at this
station) have instituted suit against the Chicago & St. Louis
Railroad Company, laying claim for damages in the sum of $5,000.
GRAND WOLF HUNT IN GODFREY TOWNSHIP
75 Horsemen, 30
Hounds, 3 Wolves
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 22, 1877
The grand hunt for the extermination of the wolves infesting the
wild section of country in the neighborhood of Rocky Fork, came
off on Saturday last. The day was beautiful. At an early hour,
the hunters gathered at the rendezvous at North Alton, to the
number of about 75 horsemen and a large number of footmen. A
pack of 30 hounds, under the charge of Dr. Guelich and a
gentleman from Jersey County, also accompanied the arty. The
tract of country over which the hunt took placed was bounded on
the south by the Grafton Road [West Delmar], on the north and
east by the Jerseyville Road [Godfrey Road], and west by the
Jersey County line. The party was made up of hunters from Alton,
North Alton, Godfrey, and Jersey County. The men were disposed
to the best advantage, and the hunt began.
Soon the
horsemen riding ahead of the hounds scared up a large wolf, and
the chase began. Up hill and down, through brush and brake,
through fields and over fences, away they went in wild pursuit.
The wolf was smart as a fox, and often doubled on its pursuers,
and although wounded by one of the party, managed to make its
escape near Melville, after an exciting chase of over three
hours. One of the horsemen, George Johnson of Alton, who was
unseated, it is reported, ran directly over the wolf, throwing
his horse down, and Harry Baker, who was riding hard behind,
came down on the fallen horse. In the confusion, the wolf slid
out. Mr. Johnson had a tooth knocked out by the fall.
After the morning chase, the horsemen returned to Mrs. Charless’
residence, which was headquarters, and arranged for the
afternoon hunt, which was not as eventful, but was kept up
vigorously until dark. It is stated by the participants that in
all, three wolves were seen during the day, but some of them
were brought back by the hunters. The hounds, not being used in
the business, were reported afraid of the wolves, and not at all
inclined to attack them at close quarters. We don’t know whether
that “stuffed” wolf, hidden in the woods, is scored as one of
the animals seen by the footmen. Altogether, this hunt was an
exciting and enjoyable one to all participating, and will
probably soon be repeated. Mrs. Charless has two nice wolves on
her premises, one of which was purchased by a gentleman from
Delhi, who proposes to let him loose next Saturday, and set the
hounds in chase, in order to accustom them to the pursuit of
such game.
THE GODFREY CREAMERY
Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, May
22, 1885
Whitmore & Disbrow, proprietors. The Godfrey
Creamery is a fine, two-story building, 20x40, with an engine
house 10x20 at the north end. On the south end is the ice house,
16x28, well filled. The milk is received in the milk room in the
second story, 20x22 feet, into a large tank to warm it up to
right temperature for separating, then is conveyed below in
pipes and to a small tank, thence to the De Laval separator,
which is supplied with small tubes, and the cream is thrown out
into the top, while the milk flows out from the centre. The
separation is done by the revolution of the separator, which
makes about 7,000 revolutions per minute, and has a capacity of
from 650 to 800 lbs. per hour. About 600 to 700 pounds of milk
per hour are now worked; receipts of milk at present about 1,200
pounds per day, the receipts of cream about 150 gauges per day.
The cream from the separator is sold in Alton and St. Louis, or
made into butter as the demand requires. The gauge cream is all
made into gilt-edge print butter and finds a ready sale; in
fact, the demand is larger than the supply. A large cooling tank
is stationed in the separating room, filled with ice water and
supplied with one hundred feet of one-inch pipe which the milk
passes through preparatory to shipping. It is cooled down from
70 degrees to 50 degrees, and is put in this cool state into
wood-bound cans, and in this condition is delivered to
customers, perfectly sweet and fresh.
The Churning Room
In this room is the churn, which is of a square form run by
steam, and has a capacity of one hundred and fifty pounds of
butter, the average make is about 100 pounds per churning. Also
in this room is the butter worker run by steam power, a large
revolving table with two fluted rollers, which the table on
which the butter is placed passes under, and it does its work
complete, requiring one man to attend to it. Two large tanks in
the butter room are used for the reception and preparing cream
for churning. The cream is collected from the farmers under the
supervision of R. B. Disbrow, who is from Elgin and understands
the business. It is brought in the afternoon, and the next day
is made into golden butter.
The Butter Room
This room
is 10x10, is the room of all rooms; it is made in the style of a
refrigerator and kept at a temperature of 50 degrees. Here, the
butter is placed, each churning by itself, after coming from the
worker, when it is salted, each lot is reworked and weighed in
pounds, then passed through the printing machine and comes out
just "good enough to eat" without bread; or is packed in any
shape required by customers. Of all the many lots in this room,
each was equally good; for summer shipping of print butter,
large boxes are used with shelving on the sides and a tin tank
in the center filled with ice, and it is kept hard and nice, the
neatest way known to ship butter. A five-beam scale is used, and
any number of cans can be weighed. The water supply is taken
from a well, large and capacious, 8 feet wide by 25 feet deep,
kept clean and clear, and is pumped into the building by a four
horsepower engine, which besides does all the work inside, heats
water, runs the churn and butter worker. The building is
pleasantly situated and everything is as finely arranged as any
creamery in the country, with none to surpass it in neatness and
order.
Individually, Mr. J. J. Whitmore has a farm of one
hundred acres, all under cultivation, the creamery and a large
barn being the only buildings on it. There is stable room for 37
cows; at present has 18 cows, the product of which goes to the
creamery, and intends filling all his stalls in the fall. He has
one silo with a capacity of 250 tons ensilage, and is looking
forward to a good business in the future. All the gentlemen
connected with the establishment are pleasant and agreeable, and
would be happy to see friends and visitors at any time. That
Dutch cheese was just awful nice.
FARMER SAVES TRAIN FROM ACCIDENT
Source: Alton Telegraph,
April 13, 1893
Wednesday night, John Meitner, an aged farmer
living near Godfrey, had an opportunity to save human lives that
rarely fails to a man. He went out of his house at about 9
o’clock, and saw a light on the Chicago and Alton railroad
track. Upon investigation, he found that the Godfrey bridge was
burned down. He quickly grabbed the lantern and started down the
track toward Godfrey. He knew that the night express was due in
a few minutes, and although nearly 70 years of age, he ran three
miles to the depot and arrived there breathless, just as the
night express was getting ready to leave. The Conductor saw him
coming and waited until he reached the platform, and tried to
ascertain the cause of his night visit. When the old gentleman
had recovered from his excitement and regained his breath, he
excitedly related the facts about the bridge burning. The
trainmen were loth to believe him, but finally uncoupled the
engine from the train and ran out to the bridge and found that
his story was true. The bridge was located in such a manner that
if the train had not been flagged, it would have inevitably
resulted in a terrible disaster and much loss of life. Mr.
Meitner is a hero, and deserves the thanks of the company for
his presence of mind and the people, for their rescue from a
terrible fate.
FRANK GODFREY AND CHARLES YOUNG INJURED
Gun Accidentally
Discharges
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 11, 1897
Messrs.
Charles Young of Alton, and Frank Godfrey of Godfrey, were
severely injured early Sunday morning by the accidental
discharge of a gun which Godfrey was lifting from a skiff. The
young men, in company with another companion, had left Saturday
night for a duck hunt. At about daybreak Sunday, they arrived at
Eagle’s Nest Island. Godfrey had loaded his gun on the way, and
when ready to land, caught it by the muzzle and pulled it
towards him. The hammer of the gun caught on one of the ribs of
the boat, and caused the load to explode. Godfrey received part
of it in the right hand, tearing away some of the flesh, and
causing a painful wound. Young, who was standing near Godfrey,
received five of the shot in his right side, and it is feared
some of them penetrated the liver. Their companion immediately
rowed the injured men to Clifton, where assistance was secured
and they were brought to Alton. Dr. Taphorn dressed Godfrey’s
wounds, and Dr. Haskell, Young’s. The latter’s are the most
serious, but he is resting easily today, and it is hoped no more
serious results will ensue.
C. & A. WATCHMAN SHOT BY STRANGER, RETURNS FIRE
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, April 12, 1899
The Chicago & Alton
yards at Godfrey last night was the scene of a fatal shooting
affray, in which the C. & A. watchman, Mr. H. H. Sattgast was
shot in the leg by a stranger, and the officer in return put two
bullets into the man's body, from the effects of which he died
at 5 o'clock this morning. The affair happened at about 9:30
o'clock. The man was put off a freight train by the conductor.
He was in an intoxicated condition, and the conductor asked
Officer Sattgast to take care of him. His hat was lost and the
officer had a hard time to keep him from falling under the train
while searching for it. Sattgast pushed him away several times,
when suddenly he started to run, and when about ten feet away,
opened fire on the officer with a 38-caliber revolver. The
bullet struck Sattgast in the left leg. Quickly drawing his
revolver, he fired four shots at the form of his assailant. Two
of them took effect, one passing through the side of the head,
and the other striking him in the hip. Both men were rendered
assistance. Officer Sattgast's wound was found not to be
serious; the stranger's injuries were fatal, and he lingered
unconscious until 5 o'clock this morning when he died. Not a
scrap of paper nor anything else was found on his person to
identify him. He was well dressed, looked like an Italian, had
$21 in his pocket, and besides the revolver carried a dirk knife
strapped to his body by a belt. The only reason given for his
attack on the officer was because of his intoxicated condition.
Coroner Bailey went to Godfrey this morning, empaneled a jury
and held an inquest on the body. A verdict of justifiable
homicide was rendered by the jury. Mr. Sattgast's wound is not a
serious one, and it is hoped he will recover from the effects in
a short time. He is a son-in-law of Mr. C. H. Warner, of this
city, and has held the position of C. & A. watchman at Godfrey
for several years. The place is a difficult one to fill, as much
trouble has been experienced with tramps and other dangerous
characters stealing goods from box cars. The body of the dead
man was brought to Alton late this afternoon and will be buried
here.
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CHICAO & ALTON RAILROAD
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, January 10, 1900
Improvements on the C. &
A. Railroad at Godfrey are going on. Besides the electric lights
which the engines have for headlights, they are putting in an
underground pipe from their pond to the end of the switch below
Godfrey, so trains coming from the north will not have to stop
twice. They will get water from a stand-pipe while passengers
and baggage are being cared for. Passenger trains will not be
coaled at Godfrey now, but elsewhere, as it will save time.
GODFREY BECOMES A MULE SHIPPING POINT
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, August 30, 1911
A car load of mules was
shipped from Godfrey yesterday by Amos Jones for J. B. Forward,
a mule raiser there. This is not the first car of mules to be
shipped from Godfrey or the last, there being a great demand for
these Godfrey mules. A full car of mules - numbers about
twenty-five, and they must be well fed and fat before they will
be accepted on the market. They are taken to the East St. Louis
stock yards, where there is always a ready sale for this Godfrey
mule. For many years it has been an established idea that mules
to be mules must come from Missouri and it was printed from one
side of the world to the other that the Missouri mule made
possible the good showing of the Boers, of Africa, before John
Bull outwitted them. Hereafter, this fame of Missouri must give
away to the Godfrey mule, he is just as big, as wise and
promises to become just as famous as the Missouri mule.
GODFREY SKATERS FRIGHTENED BY FIRE FROM THE SKY
LESLIE
KITZMILLER REMAINS WHILE OTHERS RAN FOR THEIR LIVES
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, February 7, 1917
Seven or eight
young men living on the Grafton road in the vicinity of Alton
and in the immediate neighborhood in Godfrey township were
scared into conniption fits last night between 9 and 10 o'clock
while skating on the pond at Godfrey. That is all of them were
scared stiff, except their legs. These were electrified as it
were, and although the youths had skates on, they succeeded in
beating down the running record of Godfrey township by many
points. Just how rapidly they ran is a matter of conjecture, but
according to one of the young men whose legs gave out, with the
remainder of him all of the others were out of sight in less
than three minutes, which means they went some. Leslie
Kitzmiller is the one who remained on the pond after the others
departed hurriedly, and he admits that he remained because his
legs refused to do business for a few minutes after the fright
froze him. "We were all skating merrily enough," he says, "when
all at once a long streak of fire came tumbling down from
somewhere and struck the ice with a sound that resembled the
beating of a million big sticks on a drum head. Then the fire
disappeared through the ice, and a lot of steam and water burst
through the hole and flew all around. I was frightened worse
than ever before in my life, and couldn't move for a few
minutes, nor could I take my eyes off the spot where the streak
of fire hit the ice. When I did look around to see if any of the
other fellows were hurt, I found myself alone on the pond, and
no one in sight in either direction. After a bit I skated
towards that hole, but did not go too close to it. It is about
as big around as a large candy bucket, and appeared to be clean
cut through the ice. The ice all over the pond was cracked in a
dozen places, and I skated for the shore. Later, I found all of
the other fellows seated on a bank some distance from the pond,
and they still had their skates on. We all struck out for the A.
J. and got back from that country as soon as possible." The
"streak of fire" was probably a meteor, and it must be resting
in the mud at the bottom of the railroad pond at Godfrey, and
could possibly be gotten out. All doubters are invited by Leslie
to visit the pond and see the big hole made in the descent; also
view the cracked ice on the pond.
SON OF CAPTAIN GODFREY ASKS FOR LEGAL RESTORATION
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, November 7, 1919
Homer C. Godfrey, a
son of Captain Benjamin Godfrey, founder of Monticello Seminary,
and a veteran of the Civil War, today petitioned the county
court of Madison county to restore him to reason legally, and to
his property. He was declared insane by the County Court in
1871, for many years has been in the soldiers' home at Quincy.
He is 80 years old. When Godfrey was declared insane in 1871, he
was sent to the institution at Jacksonville, and his mother,
Lodemia C. Godfrey, was declared conservator of his estate. Six
years later Godfrey was transferred to the Anna, Ill.,
institution for the insane, and later entered the soldiers' home
in Quincy. In 1916 Godfrey's mother died and his brother-in-law,
Charles E. Turner of Godfrey was appointed conservator of his
estate. The last report of the aged man's estate showed a cash
balance of $2637. The estate includes 22 acres of farmland in
Godfrey township, which valued at $50 an acre would place the
total value of the estate at $3737. Godfrey is also paid a
monthly pension of $12, which goes to the conservator of his
estate. After 48 years as a state ward, the aged man today again
entered the same court which declared him insane and asked that
he be legally declared sane, and restored to his property. He is
described as a splendid looking, well preserved man. He is
represented by the law firm of Williamson, Warnock and Burroughs
of Edwardsville. His petition is being heard by Judge
Hillskotter before a jury of six men and two doctors, Dr.
Ferguson and Dr. Wahl of Edwardsville. Charles Turner, the
conservator for Godfrey's estate, is represented by Judge Early.
Godfrey was placed on the stand this morning and testified
clearly as to his banking connections in Quincy. He has been
doing odd jobs while at Soldiers' Home and has made some extra
money. In 1871, when he was declared insane, he was in love with
a girl, Godfrey testified. "And I was 'red hot' for her," he
declared. "But I have cooled down, somewhat." He was asked if he
is still "red hot" for the girls. "I'm 'red hot' for them all
the time," he replied. "I'm 'red hot' for all of them, all of
the time, whether they are young or old."
HOMER GODFREY ASKS CONTROL OF PROPERTY
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, November 17, 1919
Homer C. Godfrey, son of
the founder of Monticello Seminary and a veteran of the Civil
War, who was recently adjudged sane by a jury in the county
court after more than 40 years as a state ward, today petitioned
the Probate court at Edwardsville to order Charles Turner,
conservator of his estate, to transfer all real estate and
personal property of the estate to the owners. The estate
consists of 2,300 in cash and 22 acres of farm land at Godfrey
township. Godfrey also receives a monthly pension. He is 80
years old.
HOMER C. GODFREY RESTORED TO HIS RIGHTS
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, December 19, 1919
Homer C. Godfrey, 80
years old, recently adjudged sane by a jury in the County Court,
was today restored to his rights of citizenship and property by
a jury in the Probate Court at Edwardsville. Godfrey, who is 80
years old, and a son of the founder of Monticello Seminary,
appeared in court, and notwithstanding his age and more than 40
years' confinement to state institutions, was a picture of
health. He will now come into his estate, valued at $3,000, and
a monthly pension of $30, allowed him because of service in the
Civil War. He declared he had not yet decided whether he will
make his home in Edwardsville or Alton.
[NOTE: Godfrey
died in 1920 at the Soldiers' Home in Quincy, IL and was buried
in Godfrey, IL. He had never married. A suit was filed in April
1920 by the heirs of Godfrey, asking for a division of 24 acres
of land in Godfrey township. The complainants were Cora E.
Turner, Charles E. Turner and Augusta L. Strong. The defendants
were Augustine Godfrey, George Godfrey, Fred Godfrey, Margaret
Morse, Katherine Carter, and James R. Godfrey. In June 1920,
there was a public sale of 20-acre tract of land, in closing the
estate of Homer Godfrey. The land was located on the west side
of the road, and adjoining on the north the home of Mrs. Charles
Turner, and on the south the William Jackson property. William
P. Boynton bought the property at the auction with a bid of $133
acre.
OLD BENJAMIN GODFREY HOME WIRED FOR ELECTRICITY
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, December 28, 1920
Will Waters of
Godfrey township has just completed installing a complete outfit
of electrical apparatus and wiring in his house to illuminate
the place. To do so he had to run the lines 2,000 feet at his
own expense, to connect with the electric line that extends from
Alton to Godfrey. The home Mr. Waters lives in was the old
Godfrey home, and was built in 1832. In another year the house
will be ninety years old, but in its youngest days it was not so
comfortable nor so well equipped as now with its hot water
heating plant and its electric lighting system installed by the
present owner, Mr. Waters. It is one of the finest, if not the
finest, country homes in Madison County, being built of stone
and finished in fine style inside.
GODFREY - NEW COAL MINE IS IN OPERATION ON SMITH FARM
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 15, 1921
Another
coal mine - practically within the city limits - will be
operated this winter by James Vermillion and his son, Arthur.
They have sunk a shaft on some land known as the "Old Smith
Farm" at the northern end of Humbert street, on what is commonly
known as the Brighton road, and they found a three-foot-thick
vein of coal of fine quality. They are now busy installing
apparatus, erecting necessary buildings, putting in scales, and
doing other work, and expect to begin getting out fuel for the
public about December 1st. They have engaged six coal miners,
and expect to get out 300 bushels or more of coal daily from the
start. Three hundred bushels a day is the minimum and they
expect to increase the output and their mining force steadily as
room is made for more men. The owners of the coal mine say the
probably prices for coal from the Vermillion mine will be 15
cents a bushel at the mine; 19 cents per bushel delivered. The
Tom McNally mine on Rozier street, was opened a few months ago,
is being worked steadily, seven miners being employed there at
present. The output is being increased right along, and the
quality of the coal is being praised by users. The McNally mine
and the Vermillion mine combined should be able to supply 1,500
or 2,000 bushels of coal daily by the last of December, and
possibly more than that.
BETHANY HORSE THIEF DETECTIVE SOCIETY - 12TH ANNUAL PICNIC
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 15, 1914
Henry Telgman,
A. B. Davis, and F. R. Roberts, the picnic committeemen of the
Bethany Horse Detective society, announced today that they had
arranged to give a picnic this year in Tolle's Grove in the
Afternoon and evening of July 29. The picnic was held in Tolle's
Grove last year also, and the location gave great satisfaction
to everybody. It is being arranged to make the picnic this year
the biggest and best ever given by the society, and to do this
the committees in charge will have to work unceasingly. The
society is in a flourishing condition, has several hundreds of
dollars in the treasury, and have scared horse thieves and horse
tail clippers out of the township. They turned their attention
last season to ____ thieves also, and succeeded in ______ a stop
to some of the depred_____ least. The picnics of the society are
usually attended by several hundred of people, and they must be
satisfied with the pleasure received for they attend the affairs
year after year.
BETHANY HORSE THIEF DETECTIVE SOCIETY
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, July 26, 1916
At a meeting of committees
of the Bethany Horse Thief Detective Society, it was decided to
give the annual picnic this year in Tolle's grove on August
16...John Ulrich, one of the wheel horses of the society, was in
Alton today looking up some matters, and he told a Telegraph
reporter that the intention is to make this the biggest and best
picnic ever given by the society....The Bethany Horse Thief
Detective Society in the days when it was first organized did a
great deal of good work running down horse thieves and punishing
them, and this vigilance and persistence resulted in complete
immunity after a while. It has been a long time since a horse
was stolen in that township, and even poultry thieves have been
doing less work in that vicinity than ever before. The society
is made up of leading farmers and citizens, and the treasury is
becoming a very well filled one, such a one as Madison county
ought to have.