Stevens

Steel King Woodruff Stood Tall Among Barons

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, the banker. He was just 24 years old when he arrived here in 1836. Leaving his native New York to make a fortune in the west, he arrived in Chicago by boat. Since that boat went on to the small settlement here to deliver mail, … 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