History

Queen Knighted Railroad Tycoon from Joliet

The History of Joliet – Chapter 22 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “William Cornelius VAN HORNE once told a friend that the only religion he practiced was the golden rule. He said he was about the only man in business who did practice it.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News One night in 1864, William Cornelius VAN HORNE was working the telegraph station at the railroad station in Joliet when a young woman stepped off the late train from Chicago. She was a beauty, and there was no one there … Read more

Escaping Slaves Found Help in Joliet

The History of Joliet – Chapter 10 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Although Illinois didn’t have slavery, state laws imposed a severe penalty upon anyone aiding a fugitive slave.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the two decades before railroads began to span across the nation, another rail system grew quickly with freedom at the end of the line. And the underground railroad ran right through Joliet. Its chief conductor in Joliet was Samuel CUSHING, better known as Deacon CUSHING. “He has a history that would make a respectable … Read more

Cobbler Tried Thrice in Murder of Benjamin Pickles

The History of Joliet – Chapter 11 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The bullet hit Pickles in the head, between the left eye and ear. His sons watched him die.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News With the beginning of the Civil War, crime came to Joliet. Like that night in the blacksmith shop on Eastern Avenue. These were some wild times in Joliet. Although there was a strong patriotic spirit in the city, the war had created problems with all the people passing through Joliet. William STEVENS, a local … Read more

Joliet Patriots Hear Call of Civil War

The History of Joliet – Chapter 12 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Nothing was talked of or thought of but war …” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News When the Confederate cannons fired at Fort Sumter, Joliet quickly became a city filled with a patriotic fever. Filled with speeches, flags and bands. Filled with volunteers ready to fight and save the Union. The news of the war reached Joliet on a Sunday — April 14, 1861. From the pulpit to street corners, everyone talked about the war. That following Wednesday, … Read more

Establishing A City

The History of Joliet – Chapter 3 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Joliet’s first taste of politics turns out to be a circus “Almost from the very beginning, there was a rivalry between the East and West sides of Juliet. First, there was a communication problem. There was great difficulty in just getting across the Des Plaines River.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News The village of Juliet was born in 1834. James B. CAMPBELL named the new town after his daughter. CAMPBELL, who lived in Ottawa, was a public … Read more

Two Sides to Story of ‘First Irish War’

The History of Joliet – Chapter 4 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Posse drives off rioting canal workers “As the residents prepared to celebrate the national holiday, word arrived that Irish workers digging the canal near Romeoville were rioting. They were supposedly killing each other and the contractors at that work site.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In local history, they called it “the First Irish War.” But those in Joliet — then Juliet — remembered it as the day of the posse comitatus. It was July 4, 1838, … Read more

Joliet Businessman’s Life Ends In Disgrace

The History of Joliet – Chapter 5 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo MATTESON once was the most influential man in town Matteson, a Democrat, avoided the slavery dilemma. By taking the middle ground on this controversial issue, he became an enemy of Abraham Lincoln.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Joel Aldrich MATTESON was the most influential man in Juliet. And in Joliet. He made a fortune, rose to the top in politics and became governor of Illinois. But his life ended in disgrace. As a young man with business … Read more

Joliet’s First Railroads Quick But Deadly

The History of Joliet – Chapter 6 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Despite the risks, residents clamored for fast transportation “As railroads expanded across the country, people in Joliet desired the faster method of travel. There were public hearings on the need, and newspapers called for a railroad to link Joliet to the rest of the country.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Nothing was more important to the growth of the young city of Joliet than the coming of the railroads. But the rails of steel brought along disaster, … Read more

Several Suspected in Murder Mystery

The History of Joliet – Chapter 7 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo City’s first mayor nearly hanged by citizens “The excitement was intense and the public opinion divided,” Woodruff wrote. “And in the excitement and division of sentiment, many were ready to hang Van Horne without judge or jury.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Elected in 1852, Cornellius C. VAN HORNE was Joliet’s very first mayor. But he was lucky the residents didn’t hang him a few years before that election. VAN HORNE was one of the city’s first … Read more

The Hickory Creek Mystery

The History of Joliet – Chapter 8 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo City ready to jump to conclusions over mysterious death “David Richardson was arrested and charged with the murder. He was guarded in the county jail because there was lots of talk about hanging him without a trial. The people of this city wanted justice.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the spring of 1858, the people of Joliet were shocked by a brutal crime. A murder had happened in such a cruel manner that residents couldn’t believe … Read more