Jefferson County Illinois Biographies

William King Bean 1834 - 1915 and his wife Clemenza Thompson 1834 - 1915

A Wide Fence Row Written By: Jerry Elliston

William King Bean Cabin 1834 - 1915 William K. on the right; with wife, Clemenza Thompson, on the left Woman and child in center unknown. Wills cabin was located 3/4 of a mile north of Ryder on the West side of the road, down a lane to the west, located (1970's) between George Hicks place and the Rich Davis place. The September 1984 Prairie Historian contained a story titled "AWide Fence Row", written by Jerry Elliston, that pertained to this old home place. . A wide fence row of trees still stand today, as Jerry said, "a monument to a fued between an honest farmer and an unscrupulous Land Grabber in those early difficult times"  Will purchased 80 acres from the government in Sect. 20 December 22, 1853.

A WIDE FENCE ROW By Jerry Elliston

Does anyone know what a "wide fence row" is? This little true story reveals one of the little known problems of the early pioneer farmer as he struggled with a hundred others. William King Bean and his good wife Clemenza Thompson were pioneers in Long Prairie, not far from Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He was known as "Uncle Will" to the family and to the community. Soon after he and Clemenza were married they moved to Long Prairie and selected the site of their future home. They built a log cabin, cut the timber, cleared the land, broke the soil, put up fences and began raising their large family. These were hard years, filled with back breaking days of hard toil, from sun up to long after sunset. There was little time for things that could be put off until another day. Like many of the other settlers, Uncle Will put off going to the nearest land office which was located at Shawneetown, about seventy miles distant. Year after year he put it off. He was known as a "squatter" on the land. Most of his neighbors were "squatters" too, but it made little difference because all pioneers honored and respected each others rights. 

The day came, however, when unscrupulous neighbors got greedy for a "fast buck" and began buying their neighbors land with all of the improvements. It was perfectly legal since the first person to file on a quarter section was the legal owner. Many good pioneer families were forced to move away from land they had considered their own and which they had cleared and improved. Needless to say, many lifelong animosities and family hatreds were created. On Long Prairie the spirit of helpfulness between neighbors that had prevailed since the first settler came, disappeared overnight. Suspicion was everywhere and no man trusted even his closest neighbor. 

Uncle Will went about his work always telling himself that he would go to Shawneetown "tomorrow" and file on his land. Days passed into weeks and one day an old friend and neighbor rode in to warn him and tell him of a conversation he had overheard. It seems that John Vaughn's eyes sparkled when he looked at Uncle Will's farm and he had bragged that he was going to the land office the next day and buy the Bean farm for a little nothing. Uncle Will suddenly sprang into action. That night after it was dark he saddled his fastest horse and took off for Shawneetown. He rode through the long night as fast as his black gelding could run. Southeast through the little village of Mt. Vernon, 27 miles further to McLeansboro, then south to Eldorado 21 miles more, and east another 15 miles to the little pioneer settlement of Shawneetown, located on the west bank of the Ohio River. The faithful gelding was nearly "dead broke" when he rode into town and stopped in front of the United States Land Office in midmorning. Uncle Will was a weary man himself, but he had arrived in time. Before resting or feeding the gelding, he saw to it that his land was really his own. He paid for it in gold and got his official title. 

One can only imagine the relief he enjoyed as he walked out of that office. He need have no further worry about unscrupulous neighbors taking his farm through a loophole in the law. After a few hours to rest the faithful gelding Uncle Will saddled up and started home, back over the long trail again. Whom should he meet on the trail about half way home? None other than John Vaughn! We will perhaps never know for sure what John Vaughn was going to Shawneetown for, but he had made the boast. When Uncle Will arrived home the first thing he did was build another fence between his farm and that of John Vaughn. Ever after he would not allow his stock to graze within 30 feet of John Vaughn's land. Gradually trees and brush grew up in the "wide fence row" was and still is a monument to a feud in southern Illinois between an honest pioneer farmer and an unscrupulous Land Grabber of those difficult times. 

The Will Bean farm was located about 3/4 of a mile north of Ryder on the west side of the road between the George Hicks place and the Rich Davis place, on a lane that went west about 1/2 mile. The old sand stone lined well and signs of the cabin were still there three years ago. Will Bean was Margie Ellistons great grandfather.

Source: Prairie Historian

Submitted By: Cindy Ford