Geographically, Mound City is located on
the Ohio River at the extreme southern portion of the State, and the earliest history of which we have an accurate
account dates back to 1812. That was the time of the Indian massacre, and it tells of the life and fate of many
early pioneers who were Tennesseans, who were driven here by the earthquake of December 16, 1811.
Two families by the name of CLARK and PHILIPS
and a man by the name of KENNEDY were living in cabins on the higher elevations that presented
themselves to these early settlers on the banks of the Ohio at Mound City. A band of Creek Indians which had inhabited
the lower part of Kentucky, but had been exiled and outlawed for some supposed outrages committed in their own
nation, made their appearance as they were returning from a tour in the northern part of the Territory. Just previous
to their arrival came a man by the name of SHOVER, visitor, who witnessed the awful massacre, and who barely
escaped with his own life. Guns and tomahawks were the implements used in this butchery. For years fear and superstition
possessed the people who migrated up and down the Ohio River. In 1836 this was overcome to a great degree, and
again cabin homes were erected for other families. The shipping facilities were excellent, the soil for cultivation
was very good, the timber lands excelled in all manner of woods.
In 1838 a regiment of soldiers returning from the Florida War, was icebound and remained in camp all winter, three-quarters
of a mile south of Mound City, on Cache River. Wild cattle and hogs abounded in the woods as well as deer and turkey
and all other wild game. Traditions has it that these were much less when the soldiers broke camp in the spring.
In the summer of 1863, Mound City became a naval station, the government taking possession of the property on the
river front, and later a navy yard was established upon its banks. A government hospital was established in 1862.
By special request Dr. Steven J. McMASTER resigned the presidency of a college in Missouri in order
to become chaplain of the United States hospital at Mound City, where a chapel was fitted for service through the
courtesy of Dr. WARDNER, surgeon in charge. The services were attended by citizens
as well as soldiers. In 1863, the Reverend Dr. Isaac P. SABOUGH became rector of the church in Cairo, our neighboring
city, and desiring to hold services in Mound City, the Methodist meeting house was kindly tendered him, also the
public school building. In 1865 the Reverend John FOSTER held services for a short time, when he was succeeded
by Rev. William BRITTON, and during his incumbency the church was built and dedicated
St. Peter's in 1866. The lot upon which the church is erected was given by Frank RAWLINGS,
a young attorney, on condition that when it ceased to be used for the given purpose, it would revert to the RAWLINGS heirs. Prior to the building of said church much interest must necessarily have developed,
for when the women get busy, things usually count for something, and so it was when Mrs. Sarah Jane BARBOUR KELSEY, a native of Hartford, Conn., moved with her husband, Capt. KELSEY
and young family, from Cincinnati, Ohio in the year 1856. She was a church woman of the highest type, educated
and highly intelligent, prominent socially and clear sighted as to the needs of the church extension in this new
country. Her quiet efforts coupled with those of Mrs. WARDNER and Mrs. Josephine GOODLOE,
a young music teacher, a native of Lexington, Ky. did much to arouse enthusiasm as to the necessity for this church
development already manifested which culminated in an entertainment. A festival and dance was given in a brick
store house, corner Poplar and First Street, afterwards occupied by W. J. PRICE
as a general store.
At this entertainment three young ladies were placed as candidates for a diamond ring. Miss Marie HOWARD, by the citizens, Miss Mollie HOLMES
by the Naval officers, and Miss Alice CASEY by the Army officers, money flowed like water from all
sources for these general favorites, each feeling sure of winning the prize, and disappointment was a factor not
to be considered. However, when it came, and was fully realized, it was also gracefully received by the defeated
candidates who were more than satisfied that a bulk of $2,200 raised at that entertainment in two evenings was
gained through their popularity. The church was erected after this and dedicated. The first service was conducted
by Rev. LYLE, who was followed by Rev. DAFTON. In 1868 Rev. William MITCHELL
took charge and sometime during the year a class of thirteen was confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Henry John WHITEHOUSE, D. D., D. C. L., Bishop of Illinois.
During 1869-70, services were held on Sunday afternoons. These services were in charge of the Reverend James COE and Rev. Edwin COARR.
This brings our local history down to 1870, previous to this no written church records can be obtained, if such
ever existed. The first entry of baptism was made in the Parish register in Dec. 1870, the records also show that
the Reverend R. C. BOYER and the Reverend Dr. REYNOLDS
in 1871 performed some official acts. Whether the latter was ever in charge of St. Peter's is not positively known.
In 1871 Rev. Albert E. WELLS assumed the rectorship and served the people faithfully
for eight years, he was an earnest man and regarded with warm affection by his people, and especially so by the
writer of this sketch and her husband, as he performed the marriage ceremony, which united their two young lives,
as well as at the marriage of other friends. Mr. WELLS was succeeded by the Reverend J. E. C. SMEDES who remained probably two years, he was followed by the Reverend Howard McDOUGALL who began his work in the parish on Palm Sunday, 1887, and continued in charge until
late in the year of 1888. Then came Rev. EDWARDS for a few months and on Easter evening, April, 1890.
Rev. William GILL by appointment of the Bishop of Springfield, assumed
the vacant rectorship, holding the first service on Easter Day. He continued in charge about one year. The Parish
remained vacant until August 28, 1892, when by direction of the bishop, Rev. Edmond PHAREES
took charge, remaining ten years.
In 1903 Mr. William BAKER, Lay Reader, took charge, and was succeeded after a short
interval by the Reverend F. A. JUNY, who remained until 1908, when he departed for California.
The Reverend William WHITLEY was his successor and served his people faithfully for
over a year. He was succeeded by the Reverend Mr. ANDERSON, who labored in the Parish for about one and a half years,
but on account of ill health was compelled to resign. In the fall of 1916 the Reverend Thomas DYKE took charge and remained eighteen months, resigning, leaving his appreciative congregation
for Canada, enlisting in the British Army to do service for his country. After a few months he found that he could
not do service in the trenches caused by some physical disability. He declined to go as Chaplain feeling that he
could do more for his church people at home. He was a capable man and was much appreciated by all.
Our church was without a rector for several months, the Sunday School being carried on by the ladies until the
advent of the Reverend John KHUEN, our Priest in charge, in 1918, who gives the little
mission church one service each Sunday. We often feel discouraged looking back over the vista of years at the efforts
put forth by each succeeding generation to have and to hold our own. Considering the hardships of the early church
history in the state of Illinois, dating from 1823 when Bishop CHASE
labored early and late with little remuneration for his service, receiving barely enough to keep the wolf from
the door, we ay feel satisfied that we have even done so well. At present the prospects are not alluring, still
we shall continue to labor and pray.
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