Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

::: 'situated on Spring Creek, a branch of the Sangamon::Illinois Newspaper Dim < iori and Hisioryothers furnished 'inspired articles' for their local papers. In fact, there is a traditionin Springfield, that Judge Logan, whose ability is well-known, once carried on a livelydiscussion with himself through the editorial columns of two rival papers in that city."According to Peck's Gazetteer, the five papers in existence in 1824 had increasedto twelve in 1834, as follows: Beardstown Chronicle; St. Clair Gazette, at Belleville;Chicago Democrat; Danville Enquirer; Galenian, at Galena; Patriot and Gazette, atJacksonville; Illinois Champion, at Peoria; Illinois Journal (?) (so stated, but really theEmigrant or its successor), at Shawneetown; Sangamo Journal, at Springfield; Whigand Advocate, at Vandalia. Besides these, the Pioneer and Western Baptist and theIllinois Sunday School Banner—the latter a monthly—were published at Rock Springs,St. Clair county, under the auspices of the indomitable Dr. Peck."The following notes from 'Peck's Gazetteer' of 1823, may be of interest as showingthe condition of Illinois at that time, and the size of some of its principal towns.The State then comprised twenty-five counties, of which Clarke and Fayette extendednorth to the Illinois and Kankakee rivers; Sangamon was bounded on the west andnorthwest by the Illinois, and was 126 miles long from north to south, while Pikeincluded all north and west of the Illinois to the State line in both directions, and eastto Lake Michigan."Vandalia was the capital of the State, and is described as containing 150 dwellings,with a population estimated at 700."Kaskaskia, the capital up to 1820, was probably still the largest town. It is estimated,in the height of its prosperity, to have had a population of eight to nine thousand.Governor Reynolds (who is not always reliable), puts it at 12,000 in 1810."Shawneetown and Edwardsville were principal towns."The Sangamon and Kaskaskia were large and partially navigable streams."The Kankakee was the The-a-ki-ki (Tee-au-kee-kee), and the Macoupin theMa-qua-pin."Alton, according to the same authority, was a 'small and unimportant town,'possessing 'natural advantages rarely equalled.""Old Illinoistown (now Fast St. Louis), had formerly been called 'Jacksonville.'The present Jacksonville was not, and several places then named as towns have ceasedto be recognized on the map."Springfield was 'a post town and seat of justice in Sangamon county, laid outin 1821 *northwest of Vandalia.'6 5 miles"Joliet was simply described as 'Mount Joliet, a mount situated on the west bankof the Rivere des Plaines,' and as having been visited and named by the French explorer,Joliet, in 1673."Chicago was 'a village in Pike county, situated on Lake Michigan, at the mouthof Chicago Creek,' containing 'twelve or fifteen houses and about sixty or sevent)inhabitants.'"Peoria is also described as 'a town of Pike county, laid out in the spring of 1820about half a mile south of the ruins of Fort Clark. iMo improvement ha^ yetbeen made, but its local advantages and the fertility of the surrounding country,' saysPeck, 'there is no doubt it will become a place of the first consequence.' Another paragraphspeaks of 'a small settlement in Pike county' called Peoria, 'situated on the westbank of the Illinois river, about 200 miles above its junction with the Mississippi.' Theearly settlers are said to have 'consisted generally of Indian traders, hunters andvoyageurs,' who had 'a happy facility of adapting themselves to their situation andassociates, so that they were able to live generally in harmony with their savage