Macon County Newspaper Data Decatur News 1855-1880 1855 Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) Saturday, April 7, 1855, Page 3 Column 1, 2 Local Affairs Prof. Hewitt's lectures in this place, on Monday and Tuesday nights last, gave general satisfaction. Mr. H. is an accomplished lecturer and does his work well. If you want a hearty laugh, go and hear him; if you want to hear a thorough argument on the subject of prohibition, and a scathing denunciation of the liquor traffic, go and hear him. His language is chaste and beautiful. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) Thursday, November 15, 1855 Lost Colts: Our old friend David Garver has been unfortunate enough to loose seven colts, in May last, and proffers a reward of $50 to anyone who will give him information that will lead to their recovery or $5 for the recovery of any oen of them, for further particulars see advertisement 1856 Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) February 28 1856 We learn that the I.O.O.F. ball was an attractive one, as everything "went merry as a marriage bell"; how much our friends of Celestial Lodge realized from receipts, we are unable to state Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, IL) March 13, 1856 Doctor A.S. Halbert has moved to Springfield,a nd sold his residence and adjoining lots, on West Main street, for the sum of $1800, to a Kentucky gentleman. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) March 20 1856 Dr. A. S. Halbert: We stated last week that Dr. H. had sold out and removed to Springfield. The doctor informs us that we were mistaken, and that he has not removed from Decatur. We are happy to make the correction. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) July  24 1856 Col. Arien, a wealthy citizen, and formerly from Madison, Indiana, has made a selection of land in this county, for the purpose of locating here. He is desirous of opening for cultivation, some four hundred acres, this season, and advertises for Prairie breakers. We hope that the needful facilities will be offered to the Col. In his laudable efforts. We want our vacant land taken up by just such men. This is one of the substantial improvements which our country boasts of. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) November 27 1856 State Horticultural Society A meeting of the friends of Horticulture will be held in the City of Decatur, Ill., on the tenth day of December next, for the purpose of forming a State Horticultural Society. It is hoped that the friends of this measure throughout the State will attend. The citizens of Decatur will make all the needful preparations, Mr. Powers' spacious Hall will be finished by that time or sooner, and will accommodate all who will attend. We hope to see a large Convention of those interested. Will the Press throughout the State give circulation to this notice and urge the attendance of their Horticultural readers? By order of the chairman of the committee of arrangements. Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) December 25 1856 On the 17th inst., a Camp of Odd Fellows was instituted in this city by Charles Trumball, M. W. G. P., and James R. Starr, Esq., of Alton, Ill., committee of Institution. The Camp starts with a goodly number of members and fair prospects for success and usefulness. G. A. Smith, Esq., is the C.P. and Stephen Grimes, Esq., Scribe. 1857 Illinois State Chronicle (Decatur, Illinois) April 2 1857 We notice that Mrs. Macready is reading in Quincy, by the way, our citizens would be pleased to have Mrs. M. visit this city again. A fine Hall can now be obtained and a large and appreciative audience will be the result. Powers' Hall is getting to be quite an attraction. There is one little defect in the arrangement, which is easily remedied. The stage or platform should be raised a few feet higher and made wider. We hope it will be attended to by the liberal proprietor and manager. 1869 Daily Republican, Decatur IL September 4, 1869 Mr. Berry H. Cassell sent us a pitcher of cider the other day, which was sampled by all hands and pronounced good. The apples from which the cidar was made grew on a tree planted by old Jonathan Miller, in 1828 - before Macon county was organized and when Decatur was not - probably the oldest fruit tree in this section of the country. 1872 Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) May 16 1872 We were shown some fine corn this morning. It was raised by B. H. Cassell, Esq., and was 20 inches high, and was a fine sample of the rest of the place. This is the best place of corn we have seen this year. Daily Republican, Decatur IL August 22, 1872 Berry H. Cassell was brought before Justice Baker, charged with selling intoxicating liquor without a license. Berry, who has a reputation for being honest in his dealings, remarked to the Justice, "I know if I am guilty you will convict me, but if I am innocent I will be acquitted." Thirteen witnesses were sworn and testified that Berry H. Cassell had not sold them any liquor, and had not sold to any one to their knowledge. Berry walked out of the Justice's office acquitted. 1874 Daily Republican, Decatur, IL Feb. 5, 1874 Hard Chicken Feed On yesterday, Mrs. John Cassell, living on East William Street, killed and dressed a chicken and found in its liver the prong of a fork about 2 inches long. Chicken was well killed and was fat as a porpoise. Fork prongs evidently agreed with him. Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) July 8 1874 City Department Berry Cassell is building a new fence and otherwise improving his homeplace. Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) November 23 1874 Off for New Orleans Tomorrow morning, Mr. J. G. Starr and wife, Mr. And Mrs. D. P. Elwood, B. H. Cassell and J. G. Willard leave by the 3:20 train for New Orleans, via Springfield and Shawneetown, taking boat at the latter place. They will be in New Orleans to attend the triennial meeting of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars of the United States, which takes place in that city on December 3rd, on which occasion it is expected there will be ten thousand Sir Knights on parade in full uniform. The party gets the round trip from Springfield, including board on the steamboat for $46. They expect to be absent about three weeks. A party of about fifteen ladies and gentlemen from Boment passed through the city at noon to join the party from Decatur at Springfield tomorrow morning. Daily Republican, Decatur IL December 12, 1874 Home Again - Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Elwood, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Starr, and B. H. Cassell, Esq., returned last evening from their trip to New Orleans, whither they went three weeks ago to attend the triennial conclave of the order of Knight Templars. They speak in the highest terms of the pleasure of their trip, saying that the ride down the river was magnificent, the reception at the Crescent city hearty and cordial beyond expression, and the novelties of the excursion pleasant to a degree that cannot be expressed in words. Mr. Cassell informs us that 5000 White Leaguers drill every night in New Orleans, and that trouble of the worst kind is bound to come. Daily Republican, Decatur IL December 12, 1874 Personal Mention B. H. Cassell, Esq, presented the Republican Office this morning a half dozen delicious oranges, which he gathered in New Orleans during his last visit to that city. He says they can be bought there for from 50 cents to $1.50 per hundred. 1875 - 1876 Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) May 18 1875 John Cassell, Esq., is raising his dwelling on east William Street one story higher. When this improvement is finished, the house will present a much better appearance. Decatur Republican (Decatur, Illinois) January 13 1876 While on East William, we overlooked extensive repairs on the residence of Mr. John Cassell, consisting of the addition of one story to its height and many other improvements. In fact, what was done amounted almost to the building of a new house, so that now Mr. C. has about as convenient and pleasant a residence as is to be seen in that part of town. 1877 Decatur Republican (Decatur, Illinois) February 1 1877 - From Saturday's Daily. A Pleasant Surprise For some days several of the young people in town have been busy in planning a surprise upon Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cassell, who live about two miles northeast of town. The arrangements were so adroitly made that the parties to be surprised had no inkling of the affair. Last evening was fixed upon as the time, and about twenty couple went out in carriages, taking refreshments with them Mr. and Mrs. Cassell were much surprised at the sudden raid upon their quiet home by so large a company, but they soon saw that no harm was intended, and so accepted the situation gracefully, an did all in their power to render the occasion as enjoyable one to their young friends. The visitors virtually took possession of the premises and had everything their own way. At a proper time the table was spread and the bountiful supply of good things which the jolly party had taken along with them was spread before the company. The evening was spent in dancing and other amusements, charming music being furnished by Leonard's orchestra. At a seasonable hour the young people returned to the city, leaving their esteemed friends to the quiet of their rural home. The occasion was one that will be remembered with pleasure, both by surprised and suprisers. Decatur Daily Review October 17, 1877 (October 17, 1927 - History of Decatur - 50 Years ago As Told by the Daily Republican) Mrs. John Cassell returned last night from a visit to her mother in Putnam County. 1878-1879 Decatur Weekly Republican (Decatur, Illinois) January 3 1878 Somebody who was bound to have a turkey for Christmas, stole one from Mr. John Cassell, which that gentleman had been feeding for several weeks in order to have the bird plump and fat for a Christmas dinner for his own household. Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) April 22, 1879 Mrs. Rosa Oberndorfer and children, of Mikwaukee, Wisconsin, accompanied by Miss Sallie Albert, are in the city visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Albert Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) July 18 1879 There was a surprise party at Henry Cassell's country residence, two miles northeast of the city, yesterday, given in honor of that industrious and successful farmer. Not mentioning 10 or 15 children, the following is a complete list of those present. Mrs. Capt. Goodman, Mrs. M. Goldburg, Mrs. Will Ferguson, Mrs. Geo. Brett, Mrs. Adam Imboden, Mrs. Henry Cassell, Mrs. Frank Haines, Mrs. I. D. Jennings, Mrs. John Gross, Mrs. Edward Bassey, Mrs. Wm Scanlan, Mrs. T. B. Albert, Mrs. Al. Chandler, Mrs. Will Banker, Mrs. Mueller, aged 86, and daughter, Miss Sallie Albert and Miss Ella Cassell. A splendid dinner was discussed, when Mr. Cassell came in from his work, and enlivened the party with his presence for about thirty minutes, and then returned to the field. At this picnic, the masculine sex was given the cold shoulder, and the ladies paid their own expenses from first to last. They say that they had a tip top time, but confess that it would have been a little pleasanter had there been a man around to make fun of, help carry water and talk politics. Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) December 2 1879 Miss Ella Cassell departed for Harristown on yesterday afternoon. 1880 Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) April 5 1880 The Athenian society met at the usual hour at the high school building Saturday evening. The programme included a recitation …………. Bert Scanian and Frank Cassell entertained the company with a fine guitar duet. Henry Cassell says his name was brought before the Republican convention without his consent and against his protest. But isn't it a little strange that he want to run on the Republican ticket in this township. He gets off one good thing in his car, however, when he repudiates the "Citizens' Ticket", and wants it understood that he is running on his merits. That is "an awful slam" on that ticket when one of the men on it takes pains to make it known that he prefers not to be recognized as belonging to it. Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) May 15 1880 Berry H. Cassell has an odd-looking watch in his possession, which he claims has the "Beecher" movement. It was formerly owned by the late John G. Encke, and was bought in Liverpool, England, in 1828, long befor the Beecher movements came in vogue. It was lately overhauled and cleaned up by Joe Peake. Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) November 10 1880 Henry Cassell, who owns 100 acres of improved land northeast of the city, has invested $1,500 in a mammoth new barn, which is now being erected on his farm. The carpenters have been at work on the barn for the past two months. Decatur Daily Republican (Decatur, Illinois) November 11 1880 At a recent meeting of the Macon county Lodge of Good Templars, held at South Macon, the following officers were elected and installed for the ensuing year. P.W.C.T. - G. M. Danley, Niantic HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails