This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 33 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Mar 20, 1867
Page
4
A terse 19th century style remark from MCCALL, local editor, noting a thief among the people who take notes and pretend to copy them. The fragment suggests caution about mischief and forgery in public records.
Tuesday's Daily notes new street signs already in place with a metropolitan flair. It reports that the net proceeds from a recent masquerade ball at Fry's Hall by the Kee port Turnvereins approach 200, offsetting substantial expenses for such occasions.
It rained Sunday and snowed last night marking a changeable spell as March begins. Merchants report dull business and anxious times, yet there is hope for spring trade to open soon.
The piece notes barber shops will close on Sundays after April 1, a rule urged as rightful rest for workers and customers. It acknowledges Saturday use remains possible and urges self shaves or Monday visits, signaling widespread public acceptance of the change.
Mr Meyer a German from Harlem died after a tree limb struck him while chopping in the woods last week. Doctors Bocher of Cedarville and McKim of Freeport failed to revive him. He had only been married three days.
A German servant and a visiting man tried to summon a doctor during a patient’s sudden illness. The man took the back stairs amid washing on Monday and caused a loud racket with drying clothes. The doctor grabbed the intruder by the throat before the misunderstanding was cleared and the prisoner released.
The directors issue a call for a stockholders meeting at the Farmers Insurance Company office on an upcoming Saturday at 2 o clock. The depth of the well stands at 750 feet with encouraging indications, and stockholders are urged to attend to discuss future plans. Signed by Secretary David Parsons.
A humorous local note describes two fowls sparring near Taylor's livery stable and laments March winds. The writer condemns windy days that rattle windows and whip dust into faces, noting hats blown into gutters and general Spring stasis.
A fragment notes shoppers and shopkeepers debating clothing issues as skirts rise awkwardly during outings, with a peculiar remark about a Mr Weller and a local merchant agreeing on a point amid the discussion.
The well known lecturer John B. Gough arrived at 4 PM and stayed at the Howard House as crowds gathered from Shannon Lanark Davis Cedarville and nearby areas. About 800 assembled for the 7:30 PM talk and the audience laughed cried and applauded through two hours and five minutes of vivid temperance scenes. The reporter could not give a full report due to seating and hearing issues but notes general satisfaction with the lecture.
Hon J M Bailey reports receipt from Hon Newton Bateman of enough copies of the sixth biennial report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to furnish one for each county school officer. Copies may be obtained by visiting Bailey & Brawley's law office on Stephenson street.
The new clothing store run by Messrs J. and J. Roche is in full operation at 77 Stephenson Street. They offer a fine stock of clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods with a workshop in the rear managed by a competent cutter. Potential buyers are advised to visit before purchasing spring attire.
Ye Local notes sidewalks remain icy in places making travel unsafe and complains that merchants and residents dump rubbish on streets. He urges prompt snow removal and a civic effort to keep sidewalks and streets neat so visitors do not see dirty areas.
Bartlett Bros. announce a fresh stock of cutlery and pocket knives superior to prior offerings in Freeport. The piece argues an American citizen is not properly entitled to suffrage without a good knife, calling it a symbol of the Yankee nation and urging every live Yankee to own one. It compares national traits to British, German, and French tastes in beverages and meals.
A German society concert at Fry's Hall drew a good crowd despite light attendance due to weather. The program featured Potpourri, Martha Opera selections, Kreutzer-Syengarbund choral works, and solo performances by Mr. M. Roth on violin and Mr. H.W. Zouch on clarinet, with material including Vaterland and Le Souvenir.
The Saengerbund and Turnverein chorus sang superbly while Mr. Altemeier and Mr. Wagner drew loud applause. Instrumental highlights came from M Roth on violin and H Zeuch on clarionette, with strong encores. The evening ended with a dance as chairs were cleared and the hall hosted a late ball. Net proceeds not reported.
From Friday's Daily we note that some dozen or more men are employed in excavating the ground at the corner of Exchange and Stephenson streets for a building to be occupied by Messrs. J. C. Dwight & Co.
A crowd at the Howard House heard of Bellew and Emmerick opening a meat market a few doors west on Stephenson street. They offer a fine meat assortment and look to gain substantial local business.
Saturday's Daily reports that Mr. Robert Little's nomination as Collector of Internal Revenue for Illinois's third district was confirmed by the Senate. It notes a fatal Western-bound train accident near County City Elm before this, killing the engineer who resided in Amboy, with the Freeport-born fireman escaping unharmed. the crash was caused by a freight train broken down on the track.
A fragment of a humorous sketch titled My Last Run Out A Drummer's Tale appears on this page. The author, long known for similar pieces, promises completion in next Saturday's issue, claiming more truth than fiction in the tale.
The partnership Grassly & Rice is dissolved by mutual consent and the business continues as Grassly and Schoede. Grassly, a former member of the late firm, and Chas Schoede now run the business, expanding beyond crockery and glassware into a full grocery line under Grasslyn & Co.
From John P Reynolds the Corresponding Secretary we have received the preliminary list of the Illinois State Agricultural Society for 1867 copies may be obtained by addressing H D Emery Chicago Illinois The Fair is to be held at Quincy and the time changed from Sept 23 to Sept 30 and continue to Oct 8 We shall refer to this list again.
A new newspaper begins in De Kalb IL by a local association. The first issue is highly creditable, with A. K. Stiles in charge of editorials and J. J. Bassett overseeing the mechanical department. The paper is added to the exchange list.
A sample shows Freeport Daily Journal March 1 speech by Senator Yates on temperance has appeared in the Chicago Republican yesterday. The Fremorr Journal may have supplied a copy, suggesting cross-city copying and missed timely exchange between papers.
Mr E Jordan has purchased the interests of M J Mills and Wm Mellenry in the news depot opposite the Post Office and will run the business on his own account. He is energetic, attentive, and has earned the patrons’ trust with punctual delivery and convenient access. The paper praises his suitability and expects broad public support.
Residents on Galena Street near the New York Hotel were awakened around 10 p.m. last Thursday by unearthly singing. Reportedly overpowering, some residents call for prior notice so they can protect children with chloroform, while condemning the late hour and drunken singing.
A Gas Works worker, after secretly using his overhauls to light a fire, returned to find his pocket book missing from his pocket and sixty-one dollars gone. The thief remains at large as of this writing.
From Elroy comes word that Michael McCarr a railroad trackman was run over by a southbound freight train at about 11 this morning his body severed A Coroners inquest was conducted following the incident.
A Damascus subscriber reads a fable from gesop about a miller and his son driving an ass to a fair. After a short distance they meet girls from town who mock the travelers and debate who is foolish, illustrating the perils of pleasing everyone.
A man and his son ride a donkey to town while debate-worthy crowds judge their choices. People insist the old man walk, then ride, then let the son ride, then all four attempt to carry the beast. After many missteps the ass escapes into the river, teaching that pleasing all is doomed and can ruin a reputation.
The February report shows Illinois yields and prices for crops and the best per acre returns. Tobacco leads with 83.79 per acre, followed by sorghum molasses, potatoes, buckwheat, hay, corn, and oats, though costs of growing and marketing are not included.
A late Saturday house intrusion left a wife away at prayer, a servant and children inside, and a thief—likely a woman in disguise—taking a jet and pearl pin. City Marshal McLaughlin traced her, found the items, and the owner rebuked the thief before sending her away with money. The notice warns residents to secure front doors and supervise servants.
A two story frame building at Wolf's Foundry in Charleston caught fire on Thursday night. Flames rapidly engulfed the structure causing an estimated loss of $1000. No injuries reported, firefighters battled the blaze into the early hours.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.