IT WAS ONLY 150 YEARS AGO

                              IT   WAS  ONLY 150  YEARS  AGO

                                          NORMAN  V.  KELLY

 

April 9, 1865 was the beginning of the end of the Civil War and the folks here in Peoria, Illinois had spent the last couple of weeks devouring the local newspapers.  We had more than one and believe me they were competitive rascals those local editors.  Pity the poor politician or man that made a fool of himself here in town, because the ‘blood thirsty editors’ were all there to attack.  The local bickering ceased for a few days before the historic day of April 9, 1865.  There was talk of Lee being on the run and that Grant and other Union Generals were talking about ending the war and gaining a peace that most folks could only dream about. The headline in The Peoria Daily Transcript finally made it official:

                                                 APRIL 9, 1865

                               GLORIOUS  INTELLIGENCE!

                                  THE  REBELLION  CRUSHED!

 

Lee’s army again beaten and the reported surrender of the whole of Lee’s forces.  All of this from an Official Bulletin:

On April 7, 1865 General Sheridan attacked and routed Lee’s Army.

A telegram from President Lincoln that went to the Secretary of war was printed for all Peorians to read:

             

                        City Point, 8:36 A.M. April 7, 1865

                  Honorable Secretary of War; At 11:15 p.m.

                  Yesterday at Burkesville Station, General

                  Grant sends me the following from General

                  Sheridan.                            Signed A. Lincoln

 

All of the exchanges back and forth from the President and his generals were then printed for all Peorians to see. All the wonderful news and details were read over and over by all the folks here in town and the happy news spread like wild fire. On April 10, 1865 local newspapers continued to print details and comments from high ranking officers and of course President Lincoln.  The local editors fell all over themselves trying to out do the other editors in expressing their patriotic views. I will just give you one example.  This from The Daily Transcript dated April 9, 1885.

           

              “The incubus of slavery has been removed. America

               can stand up in her fair proportions without a single

               stripe erased or a star obscured from her flag and take

               a stand at the head of the earth as the champion of

              HUMANITY and FREEDOM!”

 

It went on for a few hundred more words, but they were a bit elegant and long-winded back in those days. Living here at the time was the famous orator Robert G. Ingersoll, and he added his glorious voice and praise in several rallies and impromptu gatherings over the next two or three days.  Peorians gathered in Rouse Hall and other public places to hail the President of the United States and the courageous and heroic Union soldiers that fought so hard to save the Union.  

 

During the Civil War Peoria got it’s famous nick name, ‘The Alcohol Capital Of The World’, and believe me a lot of our famous whiskey was consumed during that week of celebration and freedom.  The local newspapers made that abundantly clear in their stories.  We also had a parade almost at a moments notice here in Peoria and on April 10. 1865 the streets began to fill with happy folks shortly after the sun came up. The festivities brought thousands of people into Peoria for the planned parade and merry making. Trains, steamboats, wagons and horses brought the people here and many were prepared to stay for at least two or three days and nights. It was a mass of humanity coming together in a joyous reunion of freedom loving Americans.

 

The courthouse square quickly filled with happy folks. Actually in 1865 the locals called it the ‘courthouse yard,’ as folks shook hands, hugged and prepared their crude wagons for the parade.  Many of the wagons pulled by a single horse or mule were decorated with colorful ribbons, patriotic signs and long strings of red, white and blue crape. There were four beautiful horses being prepared to pull the lead wagon of the parade along with at least eight bands ready to step off for the happiest day in all Peoria’s young history.  The actual meeting of the participants was held outside the city limits as the wagons and horses were lined up for the big parade.

 

The lead wagon was occupied by as many people as could possibly get on board, and all had a tin horn of some type or other prepared to make as much noise as possible.  On the very front was a small gallows that hanged President Jefferson in effigy.  The sign under the gallows in bold print said, “Old Abe’s Last Joke on Jeff.”  Reporters stated in their reports in local newspapers that the sign and gallows brought great laughter the moment the sign was close enough to read.

As more and more folks stood in line, some of the wagons pulled up with colorful signs and decorations while others were filled up with happy people. One reported stated, “These folks came from hither and yon and beyond.”

 

Spencer’s band fell in behind the lead wagon as other smaller bands, eight in all, found room to join the parade.   Once the line stretched out, it continued for just over four miles.  One reporter who decided to record the time and length of the parade reported that it was over four miles long and took two hours to walk the distance from the beginning to the end, which was the Courthouse in Peoria, Illinois. 

 

Once they arrived folks abandoned the wagons and gathered all around the courthouse to hear the speakers.  Of course there were patriotic speeches by a couple of local politicians, the mayor and local preachers who asked for prayers of thanks. The principal speaker was Ebon C. Ingersoll, the brother of famous Robert Ingersoll.  Ebon was the newly elected U.S. Congressman who would take office in May.  It was a happy, uproarious time and when the sun went down a huge bonfire was set which lit up the night.  Some folks stayed until the fire was but a bright red ember.  The next day plans were made to begin a fund raising drive to erect a Civil War Monument on that very spot.  In 1866 it was dedicated and quickly dubbed ‘The Shaft’ by Peorians.  It remained until a new courthouse was built.  The monument in our courthouse square which is still there was dedicated in 1899 by President McKinley. The Civil War was over…finally over.

Editor’s Note:  Norm is a local historian and author and a monthly contributor to ASO.                     norman.kelly@sbcglobal.net