Whiteside

Civil War Veteran John Lambert Became City’s Steel King

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 home. And he came to Joliet, where he founded a fortune in the steel business. At the age of 15, LAMBERT had enlisted in a cavalry regiment during the Civil War. He fought under the command of Gens. George Armstrong CUSTER and Philip SHERIDAN. In … Read more

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

Fire Protection Became Priority

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 the Civil War, new homes and businesses were being constructed all over the city. But there was an old enemy to face: Fire. John Dean PAIGE was appointed to battle the fires in Joliet. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces, which often created emergency situations, were … Read more

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

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

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

Lincoln’s Time in Joliet Memorable

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 classic line, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News On a warm fall day in 1856, a tall, gaunt man came to Joliet to make a speech at a political rally and beauty pageant in Demmond’s Woods. But … 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