1918 Illinois/Lincoln Centennial Celebration

[leeg]

History is a good subject today:

 

 

“Illinois will be 100 years old next year, and plans are now under way to observe the centenary with one of the most elaborate celebrations the state has ever undertaken. In addition to a program to extend several days at Springfield, the state capital, counties are organizing associations for the observance of the occasion, and several of the larger cities, through their civic organizations, are considering plans.

 

The Illinois State Legislature has passed a law creating the Centennial Commission and made an appropriation for the of a Centennial Building at Springfield to house some of the officials.

 

Illinois is full of historical, romantic or traditional interest. The historical articles of pioneer days are to be assembled as a benefit to the present generation and the romance and tradition will be depicted through pageants and other means.

 

As late as 1800 Illinois was the western frontier. Long before explorers had passed across the vast prairies and up and down the Mississippi, trading with the Indians at various posts. A few of the adventurers had pushed their way westward to the Pacific Coast.

 

About 1800 the whites began taking claims in the lands of the Illini Indians, from which the state derives its name. The early settlements were made at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Edwardsville, Alton, Peoria and Fort Dearborn, which has since become Chicago. Locations on and along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers were chosen, as the streams afforded a means of transportation.

 

Courtesy “The Centennial History of Illinois,” Ernest Ludlow Bogart & John Mabry Mathews, published by the Illinois Centennial Commission, Springfield, 1920.

 

At one time Alton was the principal city of the West. At that time St. Louis was merely a trading post. Mail for the traders at St. Louis had a notation with the address, “St. Louis, near Alton,” or “St. Louis, twenty miles below Alton,” to assure delivery.

 

The pioneer followed agriculture, and corn was the principal crop raised. Today corn is the big crop and thousands of acres are planted in the “great corn belt.” It was not until 1840 that wheat was planted, and the first few crops in the American Bottoms, just across the river from St. Louis, attracted thousands.

 

Four Chief Dates.

There are four important dates in connection with the centennial, extending over several months. For that reason efforts are being made to have the celebration begin as early in the summer as practicable and last well into the fall.

 

Congress passed the enabling act under which Illinois was organized on April 18, 1818. Four months later, on, August 26, the first constitution was adopted and the first governor, Ninian Edwards, named. He was inaugurated on October 6. Two months later the constitution was approved by Congress and Illinois became a state.

 

The law creating the Centennial Commission gives the body an almost unlimited power to conduct the celebration and make it surpass all events previously held. The plan is to arouse such an interest that all the rural districts, the schools and fraternal organizations will attempt a program of some sort.

 

The commission has arranged for the publication of a centennial history of Illinois early in 1918. It promises to be the most complete ever compiled. The idea is to give a history of the state from the beginning of the European colonization to the present. The introductory will contain many facts about the Indians.

 

The history will be five volumes. The first will be exclusively devoted to covering the French and English dominion, the revolutionary war, the territorial period and closing with the admission of Illinois as a state. The second volume is to be entitled “The Frontier State” and will relate to the first thirty years as a state. The third will tell the part Illinois played in the civil war and the two last volumes will bring the story down to the present.

 

The series is under the direction of Prof. Clarence W. Alvord of the Illinois State University at Champaign, an authority on Illinois history. The commission is also preparing for the publication of a single volume, entitled “Illinois in 1818.”

 

The State legislature has passed laws giving necessary financial aid, and setting aside appropriations for the celebration. The crowning feature of the celebration is to be the of a memorial building at Springfield. Residents of Springfield bought an entire block adjoining the Statehouse for the building. Abraham Lincoln was married in one of the buildings on the lot.

 

The General Assembly has set aside $850,000 for the building. Of the sum $100,000 is available and will be used in making excavations, and building the foundation. The corner stone will be laid during the Springfield celebration.

 

The building, when finished, will be used to house the State Department of Education, the Illinois Historical Society, the State Library and a valuable collection of was relics, as well as others relating to Lincoln.

 

Another act appropriates $100,000. It is being used to publish the history, carry out plans for pageants and for committee work.

 

The Illinois Art Commission has charge of the three principal memorials to be erected at Springfield. One is to commemorate the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. It is under construction on the east side of the Statehouse and will be ready for unveiling early in 1918. A large statue as a memorial to Gen. Grant will also be raised on the grounds.

 

A fourth memorial is urged in recognition of the services of Nathaniel Pope, territorial delegate in Congress during 1818, and who is given most of the credit for the passage of the enabling act.

 

The world war, if it continues through 1918, will not prevent an appropriate observance of the centennial, according to announcement of the Centennial Commission. Illinois has already made a rich contribution, especially in the civil war, for causes for which the country is now fighting. In making a statement the commission said:

 

“It is altogether fitting that the state which gave the nation a Lincoln to lead in that great struggle to preserve free government in America should observe its centennial history at a time when we are fighting to preserve free government throught [sic] the world. Not in holiday spirit, but with solemn pride, shall we tell the story of Illinois.

 

“Rejoicing is not essential to a great patriotic celebration. Illinois’ wonderful story of sacrifice, of service and of progress shall inspire her heroic sons to go forth in the spirit of their fathers, upholding the principles of liberty, justice and sacred rights of all mankind.”

 

Thirty-four counties of the state have organized associations to carry on celebrations in their respective communities. Some will erect statues, monuments and tablets to their leading men, others will mark historical spots and still others are arranging pageants and scenes to depict their history, romance and progress.

 

Springfield is to hold the principal celebration during the year. The first two weeks of October have been set aside for the festivities at the capital and October 6, the date of Gov. Edwards’ inauguration, will be one of the big days. The principal part of the program will be a pageant.

 

The dedicatory services of the centennial building are to be impressive services. Government officials will be invited to participate.

 

Woman on Commission.

Already the largest display of historical articles and others to show the progress in agriculture and manufacturing industries has been assured. Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, secretary of the Illinois Historical Society, is the only woman named on the commission. She has been active for several years in building up the society and its priceless collection of relics at Springfield. She will assist counties in arranging celebrations and in preparing scenarios and data for pageants.

 

 

Officers and members of the commission are: Dr. Otto L. Schmidt, Chicago, chairman; Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, Springfield, secretary; Dr. Edward Bowie, Jacksonville; John W. Bunn, Springfield; William Butterworth, Moline; Leon A. Colp, Marion; Rev. R. W. Ennis, Mason City; Prof. E. B. Greene, Urbana; harry Pratt Judson, Chicago; George Passfield, Jr., Springfield; William N. Peloure, Chicago; A. JU. Poorman, Jr., Fairfield; Judge Thomas F. Scully, Chicago; Rev. Frederick Siedenburg, S. J., Chicago; Col. Frederick H. Smith, Peoria; Hugh S. Magill, Jr., Springfield, is director of the association, and Herbert O. Crews, Springfield is in charge of publicity.

 

Chairmen already have been chosen to plan for the features at Springfield. Hugh S. Magill, Jr. will have charge of the dedicatory program. Mrs. Jessie Palmer Webber will have charge of the historical pageant and Edward Bowe the centennial exposition.

 

The commission is urging that centennial celebrations are arranged in connection with country fairs. Old Settlers’ Day, or other annual events in the various counties. Requests are made that historic roads and trails, sites of forts, inns, taverns, Indian fights and massacres be marked during the year.

 

Counties over Illinois are manifesting great interest in making early plans. The state commission is preparing to give each county which has organized a centennial banner.

 

Following are counties which have organized and the nature of their plans:

 

Adams county has organized an association and elected George Gabriel president and Joseph L. Thomas secretary.

 

Alexander has an organization headed by John M. Lansden, president, and Stuart Lewis, secretary.

 

Bond is arranging for a big celebration and has an association headed by W. E. White.

 

Brown county has turned all arrangements over to the Sterling Commercial club. The publication of a county history will be a feature.

 

Massac has launched plans for an organization.

 

Montgomery–Amos Miller, president, and A. T. Strange, secretary.

 

Gallatin selected George h. Houston as president and Marah Wiseheart secretary of the committee in charge.

 

Greene will observe the occasion in connection with a chautauqua and is making elaborate plans. Thomas Henshaw is president of the association and F. B. Dawson secretary.

 

Illinois Centennial Banner or Flag, measuring 12" x 16-1/2". Courtesy Stacks/ Bowers Galleries.

 

The Lincoln Statue.

The state commission has adopted a banner, and each county observing the 100th anniversaries will be presented with one. The banner is of three stripes of blue and white, the blue extending through the center. The one large white star in the blue represents Illinois, the twenty-first admitted to the Union.

 

The ten small blue stars in the top represent the ten Northern or free states, and the ten blue, below, the ten Southern states.

 

O’Connor Statue of Lincoln.

 

The statue of Lincoln is to be of bronze and will cost $50,000. It was designed by Andrew O’Connor of Paxton, Mass. It is to represent Lincoln as he left Springfield to assume the duties of President. He will be shown without beard and there will be no exaggeration of pose. The statue will be 10 feet 4 inches high and mounted on a pedestal of solid granite. On the granite will be carved Lincoln’s farewell address, made as he was leaving Springfield after his election as President.

 

The statue of Douglas was designed by Gilbert P. Riswold of Chicago and will cost $25,000. It is to show the “Little Giant” in the prime of his life. The dates for the unveiling of these monuments has not been determined by the commission.

 

Several of the most important historical events and the most interesting Indian traditions occurred within the present confines of Madison county, one of the first communities settled, and for years the most important center in the state. The first county court in Illinois was established at Edwardsville on September 14, 1812, and the centenary was marked by a big celebration.

 

Illinois made an appropriation for a $5,000 memorial, which was placed in the city park at that time.

 

One of the worst massacres in the state was at Wood river, five miles south of Alton. Seven persons, a woman and six children were killed by the Indians on July 10, 1814, while the men were at work in the fields. Several well-known residents of Alton and vicinity, grandchildren of Capt. Abel Moore, who lost two children, erected a shaft on the centenary anniversary.”1

 

 

1. “The Ogden (UT) Standard,” Illinois Statehood Centennial Celebration to be General, Magazine Section, Saturday, November 24, 1917.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed today's history lesson as much as I did putting it together.

 

 

 

[RWB]

Thanks! Always interesting.

[leeg]

Appreciate it Roger.

 

 

“The Anniversary of Lincoln’s Birth.

 

The special observance of Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, under the auspices of the Illinois Centennial Commission and the Lincoln Centennial Association, will be the first of the series of events to be held at the state capital during the Centennial year. There will be no banquet this year, but impressive services will be held both afternoon and evening in the state arsenal, open free to the public.

 

The afternoon program will be arranged particularly for the young. It is planned to have a chorus of a thousand voices, and patriotic music, and the reading of quotations from Lincoln will be prominent features. In the evening addresses will be delivered by men of national reputation.

 

State-wide Observance of Lincoln’s Birthday.

 

It is expected that throughout Illinois, in every city and village, in every community, in every school, there will be a fitting observance of Lincoln’s natal day. This is urged in the following letter sent out to the local centennial organizations throughout the state by Director Hugh S. Magill, Jr.:

 

The Illinois Centennial Commission would urgently recommend that Lincoln’s birthday be specially observed throughout the state this year.

 

The ideals of liberty, democracy and humanity for which the allied nations are offering up their blood and treasure have brought to the liberty loving people of every land the unity of a common purpose. All turn to the life and teachings of our immortal Lincoln for inspiration and guidance in this perilous hour.

 

February 12 will have a peculiar significance this year throughout the world. The observance of this date will afford an opportunity for refreshing our minds and hearts with the wisdom of his words, and the unfaltering faith of his great soul in the ultimate triumph of justice.

 

Will you bring this matter to the attention of your centennial committee, and use your influence to have in your community an inspiring and impressive observance of the birthday of our first American?

 

Other Centennial Events at the Capital.

 

The second important observance to be held by the Centennial Commission in cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Buildings, will be the unveiling of the statues of Lincoln and Douglas on the capitol grounds on April 18.

 

The third event will be the State Fair and Centennial Exposition, August 9 to 26, under the management of the State Board of Agriculture, with the cooperation of the Centennial Commission.

 

The fourth important event will be the great state pageant, the laying of the corner-stone of the centennial memorial building, and the impressive ceremonial to be held in commemoration of the inauguration of the first governor. These will take place during the first week of October. All departments of the state government will cooperate with the Centennial Commission.

 

The final observance of the year will be held December 3. The Centennial Commission will cooperate with the State Historical Society to make this a memorable occasion.

 

The O’Connor Lincoln.

 

O’CONNOR’S “Lincoln of the Farewell Address”, will be unveiled on the capitol grounds on April 18, with impressive ceremonies. The statue is of heroic size, about ten feet six inches in height, and will stand on a carefully designed base of granite.

 

The sculptor has represented the great American as he appeared when he left Springfield on February 11, 1861, to go to Washington and assume the duties of the presidency. The pose is of marked simplicity, but not lacking in strength and dignity. The head is most remarkable. The face reflects all the human sympathy, vision and reverence expressed in his farewell address.

 

Probably no artist has ever succeeded in so blending all the essential attributes of the immortal Lincoln. Here is a man of the common people, tall, angular and of humble simplicity, and yet here is revealed with impelling impressiveness the lofty spiritual qualities that made Lincoln the incarnation of the highest ideals of American democracy.

 

The work has been under the management of the State Art Commission from the beginning, who are highly pleased with the results. The full length picture is of the plaster model, but the statue will be cast in bronze, and set up ready for unveiling in April. The head on the front cover is of the completed bronze.

 

It is particularly appropriate that this remarkable statue should be erected by the State of Illinois at the Capital, Lincoln’s home city and unveiled during the Centennial year, at a time when the free nations of the world are fighting to preserve that democracy and freedom for which he gave his life.

 

Preparing Official Invitations

 

In compliance with the decision reached at the meeting of the joint legislative Centennial Advisory Committee with the State Officers, justices of the Supreme Court, and Centennial Commission at the Executive Mansion on December 3, last, Governor Frank O. Lowden has appointed a special committee to draft the formal invitations and prepare for securing the attendance of the President of the United States, Governors of other states and other dignitaries. The committee named by the Governor is composed of Hon. Francis G. Blair, Superintendent of Public Instruction, representing the state officers; Chief Justice Orrin N. Carter representing the supreme court; Representative John S. Burns of Chicago representing the lower house of the General Assembly; Senator Adam C. Cliffe of Sycamore, representing the State Senate; and George Pasfield, Jr., representing the Centennial Commission. The Governor recommended that the committee appoint Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, secretary of the Centennial Commission, secretary of the committee.

 

 

This committee met in Chicago on January 5 and organized by the election of Chief Justice Carter as chairman and Mrs. Weber as secretary. A formal announcement of the Centennial plans for the year and formal invitations will be prepared by the committee within a short time, and sent to the President, the governors of other states and other dignitaries.

 

The committee hopes to secure the attendance of the President in Springfield on October 5, when the cornerstone of the State Centennial Building will be laid, and the great state Centennial pageant will be given. This will be the grand climax of the Centennial Celebration.

 

The committee also will be in charge of the issuing of invitations to the Lincoln Celebration, the first event of the Centennial Observance, the unveiling of the statues of Lincoln and Douglas in the state capitol grounds in April, and the Centennial Fair and Exposition.