Zarley

Newspaper Editor Spoke Out On Slavery

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 of The Herald News During the early history of Joliet and throughout the Civil War, one of the most outspoken voices in the city was Calneh ZARLEY. They called him Cal. And Cal was a newspaper editor and owner of the Joliet Signal. His father, … 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