The History of Joliet – Chapter 33 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo When the guns started going off at 3 a.m., one man rushed outside because he thought a neighbor had finally caught that chicken thief. ‘The chicken thief turned out to be the Kaiser,’ the … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 13 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The boys of the regiment are proud of that lad, and he will not fail of making a great man for want of friends to assist him. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 14 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo I have still an arm left for my country, and she shall have that too, if necessary. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Of all the warriors from Joliet who fought in the … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 15 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The rebellion, in its death throes, has dealt one terrible last thrust. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the summer of 1863, bands played, cannons fired and church bells rang when the … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 16 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois senator who squared off against Abraham Lincoln in the famed debate of 1858, was often seen in Joliet seeking political advice from newspaper editor Calneh Zarley. By John WHITESIDE … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 17 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The ground at the new prison site was filled with limestone, which meant convicts couldn’t tunnel out. That limestone also could be used to build the prison walls and buildings. By John WHITESIDE of … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 18 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo I don’t think I’m guilty. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News They thought his name was George CHASE. But they weren’t sure, and he wouldn’t tell them. They hanged him anyway in Joliet … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 19 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo But he was built in a greater mold than that of the skilled workman. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News After the Civil War, John LAMBERT looked to the west for a new … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 20 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo The fatal result sent a shock wave to almost every household in the community. By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Among the business barons who built Joliet, none walked taller than George WOODRUFF, … Read more
The History of Joliet – Chapter 21 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The city had a volunteer fire department, which formed bucket brigades that often arrived too late to save a structure.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News With the rapid growth in Joliet after … Read more