1875, was a rough year for this county. There was an influx in the first phase of the Ku Klux Klan formed in the post-Civil War reconstruction period which saw notices being served on numerous locals telling them they must leave the county or face consequences. This year also saw the murders and resulting trials of a number of county citizens related to the culmination of the “Bloody Vendetta” era. Continue reading
Category Archives: Businesses
Although few people have any knowledge of this Marion company anymore, the American Creosote Company, also known as American Creosoting Co., appears to have thrived in Marion for about five decades. The company preserved railroad ties with creosote, a thriving business in the day when rail was still king. According to an article published in the Carbondale Egyptian Press in February of 1907, a Mr. E.P. Garrett who, for the previous three years, had been superintendent of the Ayer & Lord Tie Co. of that city had taken a similar position with American Creosote in Marion. The Marion plant was said to have been under construction and was expected to be completed and operating in several months, probably by the middle of summer. Continue reading
The following post is a reproduction of an article appearing in the Marion Daily Republican dated March 22, 1940. It summarizes the presence of the bell making, Stockton family who were a very early pioneer family that settled in Marion and distributed their bells all over the west and midwest from their home and factory on North Market between E. Boulevard and W. Stockton Streets. Continue reading
The Marion Monitor (MM) and Egyptian Press (EP) were published during these next few years. The Monitor, published by Copeland and Alden on Thursday, was a Republican paper costing $1.50 per year. The Press, Democratic and published on Friday, was edited by William S. Washburn. The cost of a subscription was also $1.50 per year. Abbreviations indicate which paper these items were taken from. Sometimes different details were given and items were combined from both papers. Continue reading
1856
July 10, 1856
100 sacks of salt just received – Norman & Sanders, Marion, Illinois
Elenor McElvoy Vs. John G. McElvoy, bill for divorce
Stop Thief! – Stolen from my residence on the 9th day of this month, a bright bay mare, five years old, supposed to be fourteen hands high, a long black tail and main turning to the left side; not a white spot on her, where the collar comes above, the mare is quite worn off. A liberal reward will be given for her by me in Jackson County. Jane Richert Continue reading