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BEFORE WE QUOTE A HISTORY, IT WAS HERE. BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT
WAS HERE. BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD.
BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, IT PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD. BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT
PROVIDED MANKIND WITH FOOD. BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND
BEFORE THIS COUNTRY WAS BORN, IT WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING
WAS A HIGHWAY OF EXPLORERS, AND THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK
THE ALONG THE BANKS OF SPRING SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER.
SETTLEMENTS WHOSE ROOTS SINK DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER. HI, I AM JIM WILHELM.
DEEP ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER. HI, I AM JIM WILHELM. IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE
HI, I AM JIM WILHELM. IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY.
IN A LAND OF FEW ROADS, THE RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY. HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY
RIVER WAS THE MAIN HIGHWAY. HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY COMMERCIAL PORT.
HERE BEARDSTOWN GREW INTO A BUSY COMMERCIAL PORT. THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND
COMMERCIAL PORT. THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE
THEN THE RAILROADS ARRIVED, AND THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE TOWN FOUNDED AS A TRANSPORTATION
THE FUTURE LOOKED BRIGHT FOR THE TOWN FOUNDED AS A TRANSPORTATION CENTER.
IN 1819, THOMAS BEARD CAME TO THE NEWLY FORMED STATE OF ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO
THE NEWLY FORMED STATE OF ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD
ILLINOIS TO SEEK A LOCATION TO START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME.
START A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME. HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE
EVENTUALLY BEAR HIS NAME. HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO
HE CHOSE THIS AREA BECAUSE THE RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS
RIVER WAS SHALLOW ENOUGH TO OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE.
OPERATE A FERRY, BUT THOMAS WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE. BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL
NOT THE FIRST TO COME HERE. BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL INDIAN MOUNDS.
BEHIND ME ONCE STOOD SEVERAL INDIAN MOUNDS. HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET.
INDIAN MOUNDS. HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET. IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH
HIGHEST RISING OVER 80 FEET. IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS
IN FACT, THE EARLY FRENCH EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS MOUND VILLAGE.
EXPLORERS REFER TO THIS AREA AS MOUND VILLAGE. SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE
MOUND VILLAGE. SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA.
SINCE THE ICE AGE, PEOPLE HAVE LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA. ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT
LIVED AND HUNTED IN THIS AREA. ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE
ALTHOUGH THE CIVILIZATIONS THAT BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE BIT TIME THE FIRST EUROPEANS
BUILT THOSE MOUNDS WAS LONG GONE BIT TIME THE FIRST EUROPEANS ARRIVED.
THE MOUNDS, TOO, WOULD DISAPPEAR. THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH
DISAPPEAR. THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY
THE SURROUNDING LAND UPON WHICH THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY SANDY.
THOMAS PLOTTED HIS TOWN WAS VERY SANDY. SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG
SANDY. SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL.
SO NEWLY ARRIVING SETTLERS DUG INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL. YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN
INTO THE MOUNDS FOR TOPSOIL. YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN LITERALLY SITS ON THE FOUNDATION
YOU COULD SAY THAT BEARDSTOWN LITERALLY SITS ON THE FOUNDATION OF AN EARLIER CIVILIZATION.
JUST LIKE THE PAST CULTURES, SO, TOO, DID THE RESIDENTS OF BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER,
TOO, DID THE RESIDENTS OF BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER, NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR
BEARDSTOWN DEPEND ON THE RIVER, NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL.
NOT ONLY FOR FOOD, BUT FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL. THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE
ECONOMIC SURVIVAL AS WELL. THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO
THE ABUNDANT RESOURCE OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF
ILLINOIS RIVER GAVE BIRTH TO SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING.
SEVERAL INDUSTRIES: ONE OF THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING. IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES
THESE WAS COMMERCIAL FISHING. IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS.
IT WASN'T UNCOMMON FOR CATCHES TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS. IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903,
TO EXCEED 50,000 POUNDS. IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903, SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO
IN FACT, ONE DAY IN 1903, SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF
SEVERAL FISHERMEN BROUGHT TO MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF BLACK BASS.
MARKET OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS OF BLACK BASS. IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND
BLACK BASS. IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS
IN ADDITION TO BACK WATERS AND BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE
BAYS ALSO ATTRACTED HUGE FLOCKS OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE,
OF WATER FOWL, WITH THE EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE, THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY
EXPANSION OF RAILROAD SERVICE, THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS
THESE BIRDS WERE TRANSPORT TODAY RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY.
RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO, AND AS FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY. IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE
FAR EAST AS NEW YORK CITY. IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE
IN WINTER, HUNDREDS WERE EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE RIVER.
EMPLOYED HARVESTING ICE FROM THE RIVER. IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS
RIVER. IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR
IT WAS CUT INTO HUGE BLOCKS STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS.
STORED IN SEVERAL HOUSES OR SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS. BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE
SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER TOWNS. BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM
BEFORE PLASTIC, MUSCLES WERE COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE
COLLECTED FOR THEIR SHELLS FROM WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE LOCAL FACTORY.
WHICH BUTTONS WERE MADE AT THE LOCAL FACTORY. HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN
LOCAL FACTORY. HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE
HERE IS A COUPLE OF SHELLS IN WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE
WHICH PEARLS WERE FOUND, THE GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE SOLD FOR.
GATES AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE SOLD FOR. TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES
SOLD FOR. TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER
TODAY THESE ITEMS AND PICTURES ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND
ARE ALL A PART OF THE RIVER MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING
MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF
FLOOR OF THE OLD OPERA BUILDING AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S OFFICE.
AND ARE PART OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S OFFICE.
AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, SHIPPING PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S
AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, SHIPPING PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S ECONOMY.
PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE TOWN'S ECONOMY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY
ECONOMY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY WAS RICHARD HULETT.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAMES LOCALLY WAS RICHARD HULETT. HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED
WAS RICHARD HULETT. HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS
HE WAS A RIVER PILOT WHO OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD.
AND OPERATED SEVERAL STEAMERS OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD. ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE
OUT OF HIS SHIPYARD. ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE.
ONE OF THOSE BOATS WAS THIS ONE NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN
NAMED MARY AFTER HIS WIFE. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR
SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO EARN A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR THIS TERRITORY.
A REGULAR PILOT'S LICENSE FOR THIS TERRITORY. INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON,
THIS TERRITORY. INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON, GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON
INTERESTINGLY, THEIR SON, GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS
GEORGE, WHO WAS AN ENGINEER ON ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS
ONE OF THE FAMILY STEAMERS WAS UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS
UNABLE TO QUALIFY FOR HIS PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS COLORBLIND.
PILOT'S LICENSE BECAUSE HE WAS COLORBLIND. IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS
COLORBLIND. IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS WIFE GOT HER LICENSE.
IN ORDER TO MEET EXPENSES, HIS WIFE GOT HER LICENSE. THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH
WIFE GOT HER LICENSE. THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND
THE TWO OF THEM, ALONG WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND DOWN THE RIVER.
THEIR CHILDREN, WORKED UP AND DOWN THE RIVER. YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S
DOWN THE RIVER. YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT
YET IT WASN'T JUST THE TOWN'S RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO
RIVER LOCATION THAT BROUGHT PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER.
PROSPERITY, IT WAS ALSO DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER. REMEMBER THOMAS?
THE EFFORTS OF ITS FOUNDER. REMEMBER THOMAS? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE
REMEMBER THOMAS? BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY
POLITICS OF THOSE WHO RAN MORGAN COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT.
COUNTY, HE CREATED CASS COUNTY AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT. HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE
AND MADE BEARDSTOWN ITS SEAT. HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO
HE ALSO DONATED THIS LAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO
MIDDLE OF TOWN WITH THE PROVISO IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE
IT BE USED AS A MARKETPLACE TO ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW
ATTRACT AREA FARMERS N1844, HE HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY
HELPED FINANCE AND BUILD THE NEW COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF
COURTHOUSE FOR THE NEW COUNTY WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF LEGENDARY TRIAL.
WHICH LATER BECAME THE SITE OF LEGENDARY TRIAL. IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN
LEGENDARY TRIAL. IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT
IN 1858 ON THE SECOND FLOOR IN THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS
THIS COURTROOM, A PROMINENT ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO
ATTORNEY TAKES TIME OFF FROM HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND.
CAMPAIGN FOR THE SENATE TO DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND. THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS
DEFEND THE SON OF AN OLD FRIEND. THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS CHARGED WITH ***.
THE SON NAMED DUFF ARMSTRONG IS CHARGED WITH ***. HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
CHARGED WITH ***. HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER
HIS LAWYER, IS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A
IT SEEMS THERE WAS AN ALTER CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH,
CRAITION INDICATION AFTER A REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH, ILLINOIS.
REVIVAL MEETING IN BATH, ILLINOIS. DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED
ILLINOIS. DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING
DUFF AND ANOTHER BOY NAMED NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A
NORRIS WERE ACCUSED OF USING CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A KID ABOUT THE HEAD.
CROSSBAR OF OX YOKE TO BEAT A KID ABOUT THE HEAD. HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED.
KID ABOUT THE HEAD. HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED. NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED
HE RODE HOME AND THEN DIED. NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON
NORRIS WAS IMMEDIATELY CONVICTED AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON IN ALTON.
AND SENT TO THE NEW STATE PRISON IN ALTON. DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE
IN ALTON. DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE
DUFF WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO BE TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS
TRIED IN BATH, BUT EMOTIONS WERE RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE
RUNNING SO HIGH THAT LINCOLN WAS ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS
ABLE TO GET A CHANGE OF VENUE AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS COURTROOM.
AND THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN THIS COURTROOM. THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG
COURTROOM. THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG CASE.
THE PROSECUTION HAS A STRONG CASE. ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS
CASE. ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE
ON THE STAND, THEIR KEY WITNESS STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON.
STATES HE SAW THE BEATING BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON. DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES
LIGHT OF THE MOON. DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A
DURING THE BREAK, LINCOLN GOES TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS
TO LOCAL PHARMACY AND BUYS A COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT
COPY OF THE ALMANAC THAT SHOWS THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT IN QUESTION.
THERE WAS NO MOON ON THE NIGHT IN QUESTION. DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE
IN QUESTION. DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED.
DUFF ARMSTRONG NEVER TOOK THE STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED. ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT
STAND, AND HE WAS AQUITTED. ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY
ANOTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE
THIS ROOM IT IS THE ONLY COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL
COURTROOM IN THE STATE WHERE LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL BEING USED AS A COURTROOM TODAY.
LINCOLN PRACTICED LAW THAT STILL BEING USED AS A COURTROOM TODAY.
DURING THE TRIAL, A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN
DURING THE TRIAL, A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE.
PHOTOGRAPHER P PERSUADED LINCOLN TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE. IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF
TO SIT FOR THIS PICTURE. IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A
IT IS THE ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL
LINCOLN WEARING A WHITE SUIT, A SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN AUGUST.
SUMMER OUTFIT SINCE THE TRIAL WAS HELD IN AUGUST. AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876,
WAS HELD IN AUGUST. AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876, AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO
AS FOR THE COURTHOUSE, IN 1876, AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO
AFTER THE PEOPLE REFUSED TO DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT
DONATE FUNDS AND REFUSED TO ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY
ALLOW NEW COURTHOUSE TO BE BUILT IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO
IN THEIR OPEN SQUARE, THE COUNTY SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA.
SEAT WAS MOVED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA. HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF
THE TOWN OF VIRGINIA. HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP
HOWEVER, THE STUBBORN FOLKS OF BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP THE COUNTY RECORDS.
BEARDSTOWN REFUSED TO GIVE UP THE COUNTY RECORDS. LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE
THE COUNTY RECORDS. LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS
LATE ONE NIGHT, SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS BUILDING AND TOOK THEM.
FROM VIRGINIA BROKE INTO THIS BUILDING AND TOOK THEM. TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED
BUILDING AND TOOK THEM. TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT.
TODAY, THE BUILDING CONTAINED RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT. PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM
RECORDS OF A DIFFERENT SORT. PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF
PART OF IT IS THE TOWN MUSEUM PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY.
PRESERVING BITS AND PIECES OF BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY. IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE
BEARDSTOWN'S HISTORY. IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN
IN ONE CASE, WE FOUND A PICTURE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL
OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IN THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING
THE ALMANAC TRIAL WHO IS STILL REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID.
REMEMBERED TODAY FOR SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID. HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881,
VERY UNUSUAL THAT HE DID. HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881, HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING
HIS NAME WAS J HENRY SHAW N1881, HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME.
HE WROTE A DEED TRANSFERRING PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME. PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK
PROPERTY ALL IN RHYME. PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK 40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR
PARTS READS "LOT TWO IN BLOCK 40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY
40, SAID COUNTY AND TOWN, FOR ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE
ILLINOIS RIVER FLOWS PLACIDLY DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD
DOWN, AND WARRANT THE TITLE FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE."
FOREVER AND I, WAVING HOMESTEAD AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE." >> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS
AND MANSION TO BOTH A GOOD-BYE." >> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN
>> WE ARE TOLD THIS PAPER IS CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL
CITED IN SEVERAL LAW BOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL DOCUMENT.
EXAMPLE OF UNORTHODOX BUT LEGAL DOCUMENT. AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL,
DOCUMENT. AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL, MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A
AFTER THE ALMANAC TRIAL, MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A JUDGE.
MR. SHAW WOULD GO ONTO BECOME A JUDGE. ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES
JUDGE. ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE
ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE THE PLATES AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD.
AND DISHES THAT ONCE GRAZED THE TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD. FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE
TABLE OF THOMAS BEARD. FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF
FROM THE 19 20'S ARE THESE MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO
MODELS DESIGNED BY COUPLE OF LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT.
LOCAL INVENTORS TRYING TO PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT. THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS
PERFECT VERTICAL FLIGHT. THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD
THERE IS A COLLECTION OF PAPERS AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD WARS.
AND UNIFORMS FROM BOTH WORLD WARS.
WELCOME BACK TO THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS
WELCOME BACK TO THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN
MUSEUM IN BEARDSTOWN WHICH HAS ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN COLLECTION.
ON DISPLAY A RATHER LARGE GUN COLLECTION. THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY
COLLECTION. THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO
THE EARLIEST ARE THESE KENTUCKY LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY
LONG RIFLES WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
THOSE USED IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR. THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S.
WAR. THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET
THESE ARE FROM THE EARLY 1800'S. THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN
THEY ALL RANGE ABOUT FIVE FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN POUNDS.
IN LENGTH AND WEIGH ABOUT TEN POUNDS. INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF
POUNDS. INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN
INTERESTINGLY, THIS STYLE OF RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN
RIFLE WAS DEVELOPED BY GERMAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD
IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS
PENNSYLVANIA TO MODIFY THEIR OLD WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FRONTIERS MEN.
WORLD DESIGNS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF FRONTIERS MEN. ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847
OF FRONTIERS MEN. ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847 HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY
ALSO ON DISPLAY IS THIS 1847 HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE
HARPER'S FERRY MUS CAT OWNED BY JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE SHARPSHOOTER.
JOHN GILES, A MEMBER OF THE SHARPSHOOTER. HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS
SHARPSHOOTER. HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
HE DIED OF SMALLPOX AND WAS BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED
BURIED IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN.
FROM THE DAYS OF THE COVERED WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN. IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS
WAGON COMES THE IN-GATE GUN. IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE
IT WAS LOADED WITH BROKEN CHAINS AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE
AND NAILS AND FIRED AT WHILE RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE WAGON.
RESTING ON THE BACK GATE OF THE WAGON. ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED
WAGON. ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO
ALL THESE GUNS WERE PURCHASED AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE
AND GATHERED BY MR. BLACK WHO UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN.
UPON HIS DEATH LEFT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN. BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS.
COLLECTION TO BEARDSTOWN. BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS. IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE
BUT HE DIDN'T JUST COLLECT GUNS. IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE PIECES OF POTTERY AND TOOLS
IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPONRY, ARE PIECES OF POTTERY AND TOOLS OTHER CIVILIZATIONS LEFT BEHIND.
WITH THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHT FUTURE, THE RIVER HAS ALWAYS DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS.
FUTURE, THE RIVER HAS ALWAYS DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS. BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE
DRAWN MANKIND TO ITS BANKS. BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE HIT SEVERAL SNAGS.
BUT IN THOMAS TOWN, THE FUTURE HIT SEVERAL SNAGS. IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY
HIT SEVERAL SNAGS. IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY
IN 1922, THEY BEGAN A NASTY RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN.
RAILROAD STRIKE THAT ENDED ONLY WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN. THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT
WHEN THE RAIL COMPANY LEFT TOWN. THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING
THAT WAS ALSO THE YEAR THAT GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES.
GREAT FLOOD DESTROYING INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES. COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE
INVENTORIES, BYS AND HOMES. COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK
COMBINE ALL THAT WITH THE CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND,
CONTINUING DRAIN OF THE BACK WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND, OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT
WATERS AND BAYS FOR FARM LAND, OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE
OVER FISHING, POLLUTION, IT SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE RIVER.
SEEMED MANKIND HAD LEFT THE RIVER. TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE
RIVER. TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS
TODAY MUCH OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS ONCE BUSY PORT.
ILLINOIS RIVER PASSES BY THIS ONCE BUSY PORT. BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY
ONCE BUSY PORT. BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST
BEARDSTOWN IS NOW PROTECTED BY HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN
HIGH FLOOD WALL AND ALMOST SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT
SYMBOLIC SEPARATION OF THE TOWN FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT LIFE.
FROM THE RIVER THAT GAVE IT LIFE. BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR
LIFE. BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR FROM DEAD.
BEARDSTOWN IS, OF COURSE, FAR FROM DEAD. BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH
FROM DEAD. BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER.
BUT TODAY ITS ECONOMY IS MUCH LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER. TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI
LESS DEPENDENT UPON THE RIVER. TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND
TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS UPON AGRI BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION.
BUSINESS, SMALL INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION. FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE
CONSTRUCTION. FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN,
FOR MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN, CALL (217)323-3271.
BEARDSTOWN RIVER MUSEUM IS OPEN, CALL (217)323-3271. TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE
CALL (217)323-3271. TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE COURTROOM, CALL (217)323-3110.
TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF THE COURTROOM, CALL (217)323-3110.