On page 7, it is mentioned, incidentally to the main fact—that H. P. Woodworth received 528 votes for the Legislature—that he was elected. This is an error. He was defeated, notwithstanding the large and almost unanimous vote he received in Peru. On mature reflection the writer concludes that he will mitigate his statement concerning the "breadth" of that cake of ice described on page 39. For "length and breadth" the reader will please substitute "extent"—this is positively all the abatement tha

It can hardly be said that a town of a population of three thousand six hundred and fifty-two souls, dating back but about twenty years to its first rude tenement and solitary family, can have any history. The events of any public interest are so few, and their importance so small, that no reasonable hope can be entertained that their recital will be any thing but a matter of indifference to others than the present or former residents, or those connected with them by ties of consanguinity, or ha

Situation of the City—Its early Settlement and Settlers—Passage of the Internal Improvement Act and Commencement of work on the Central Rail Road—Election of H. P. Woodworth to the Legislature—Election for Organization under the Borough Act—First Census—First Election of Trustees—First Religious Meeting. The City of Peru is situated in the Westerly part of La Salle County, Illinois, on the Northern bank of the Illinois River, at the head of Navigation, and at the Junction of the Illinois and Mic

Election in 1839—Financial Crash—Condition of the Town—Anecdote illustrative of the scarcity of money—Hog Story—Establishment of the Ninawa Gazette—Building of the first Church. At an election held on the 19th December 1839 H. P. Woodworth, Simon Kinney, Z. Burnham, C. H. Charles, and Isaac Abraham were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes polled 40. The Board elected Simon Kinney, President; M. Mott, Collector; T. D. Brewster, Treasurer; and Walter Meriman, Clerk. In the course of the year K

Election in 1840—The Bangs Enterprise—Erection of the Stone Church—Donation of the Bell—Visit of Messrs. Van Buren and Paulding. At an election held on the 18th December 1840, H. P. Woodworth, Churchill Coffing, Ezra McKinzie, Isaac Abraham and Geo. Low were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes polled 32. This Board elected Isaac Abraham their President; James Bradford Clerk; James Myers, Assessor; F. Lebeau Constable, T. D. Brewster Treasurer; and M. Mott, Street Commissioner. Subsequently F

Elections in 1841—Elections in 1842—Resumption of work on the Canal—Improvement in Business—First arrival of Steamboats in the Spring. At an election held on the 11th December 1841, the same Trustees were elected who served the preceding year. Churchill Coffing was elected President; J. Bradford , Clerk; T. D. Brewster , Treasurer and Collector; H. Leonard , Assessor; F. Mills , Constable; H. S. Beebe , Street Commissioner; and J. Hoffman , Fire Warden. During the year 1842, no event is recollec

Elections in 1843—Revenue—Efforts for dividing the County—Elections in 1844—Special Charter—Elections in 1845—Revenue—Return of Prosperity—Elections in 1846—Establishment of the "Beacon Light"—Name Changed to "Junction Beacon"—Formation of Hook and Ladder Company. At an election held on the 20th of January, 1843, Churchill Coffing, John R. Merritt, Z. Lewis, Ambrose O'Conner and John Hoffman were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 92.—This Board elected Churchill Coffing, President; and T.

Election in 1847—Cemetery laid out—Election in 1848—Completion of the Canal—Effect on Peru—Diversion of Trade to La Salle—Establishment of the "Peru Telegraph"—Erection of the first Grain Ware House—Great Freshet. At an election held on the 5th April, 1847, Churchill Coffing, Wm. Chumasero, Geo. W. Gilson, Joseph P. Turner and Daniel O. Sullivan were elected Trustees. Whole number of votes 63. This Board elected Wm. Chumasero, President; S. W. Raymond, Clerk; James Elliott, Street Commissioner;

Election in 1849—First appearance of Cholera—Elections in 1850—Project for a Rail Road to Aurora—Burning of the National Hotel—Establishment of the "Peru Democrat"—The issue of $25,000 Bonds authorized on account of Peru and Rock Island Rail Road—United States Census—Incorporation of the City—Territory embraced in City Limits—Elections under the Charter in 1851—Question of issuing Bonds on account of subscription to the Stock of Chicago and Rock Island Rail Road decided unanimously in the affirm

Elections in 1852—Reappearance of the Cholera—Operations on the Rail Road—Elections in 1853—Resignation of the Mayor and new Election—Issue of $10,000 eight per cent. Market House Bonds—Opening of the Chicago and Rock Island Rail Road to Peru—Establishment of the "Peru Weekly Chronicle" and "Daily Chronicle"—E. Higgins & Co's and McMillan & Co's Stores burnt—Elections in 1854—Blue Ballot Question—Manner of Paying Interest on Bonds—Opening of the Rail Road to Rock Island—Census—Co

Census—Occupations—Schools, Churches &c.—Business Houses—Grain Trade—Ice Trade—Coal Field—Peru Coal Shaft—Advantages for Manufacturing—City Debt—Review of the Census—Bridge—The Future—Moral and Intellectual view—List of Early Families—Character of the Inhabitants—Unenviable Reputations. We will now examine the present condition and resources of Peru. The following is a table of a census taken 20th August, 1858. OCCUPATIONS. There are seven public schools, four of which are organized unde

Western Towns—Surrounding Country—Scene as viewed from the Chamber's House—Salubrity of the Climate—Water—Soil—Markets—Roads—Hogs and Cattle—Dairies—Sheep—Grass fatted meat—Horses—Choice of Markets—Scarcity of Timber—Morals and Society—Former difficulties of the Emigrant—Present Condition. What ambitious communities these western towns are, to be sure! How they do chirp when they once get their bills through the shell, and while the greater portion yet adheres to their backs! What laughable cont

Early Settlers in Vicinity—Early French Settlements—Buffalo Rock—Chronological glance at Illinois—Black Hawk War—Indian Creek Massacre—Cork War—Murder of Story—John Myers—Ninawa Titles—Col. Kinney—A. H. Miller—Starved Rock—Deer Park—Sulphur Springs. The writer indulges in the hope that he will be pardoned for the following digression, which, though forming no part of the "History of Peru," is so connected with it as to induce the belief that it will be not altogether uninteresting to its citizen