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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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. … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 9 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The article that was published on Oct. 14, 1856, referred several times to LINCOLN as “that black Republican.” Some local historians believe, however, that the speech he made in Joliet may have included the … Read more
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 … Read more