"A Gazetteer of the States of Illinois and Missouri, 1823" Lewis C. Beck, Albany, New York
Fayette county is bounded north by the Illinois river, east by Clark, Crawford and Wayne counties, south by Wayne, Jefferson and Washington, and west by Bond, Montgomery and Sangamon. It is 190 miles long, and 42 broad -- its area is 68,144 square miles. The Kaskaskia river meanders through this county for nearly 100 miles, receiving numerous tributaries from the east and west. The eastern part is watered by the principal sources of the Saugamo and several other smaller streams. On the north, it is supplied by the waters which fall into the Illinois The great predominance of prairie land is a serious objection, to this county. The grand prairie of which we have already spoken, stretches itself through a considerable part of this county, and is little else than a dreary uninhabited waste. Besides this, there are other extensive prairies towards its northern and southern boundaries. The country on the head waters of the Saugamo, and some of the branches of the Kaskaskia, is very fertile, and calculated to support a dense population. It is high and undulating, and beautifully interspersed with small prairies, containing groves of the finest timber. In addition to this, it is healthy and well watered. In the vicinity of Vandalia, the soil is clayey; but soon changes into sand and loam, which produces heavy crops of corn, wheat, &c. although very little surplus is as yet raised. The banks of the Kaskaskia, like most of the streams in this state, are generally low, and subject to inundation. A rise in this stream is frequently occasioned by slight rains, in consequence of its numerous tributaries. This, however, is only of short continuance. Its excess of water is soon carried away by the "greedy" river, into which it empties. Since the location of Vandalia as the capital of the state, the country in the vicinity has improved rapidly. The market which is now created at this place, has given a stimulus to the agriculturalist which was before unknown; and the increase of Vandalia, which is now a flourishing town, has been fully equalled by that of the surrounding country. The formation of agricultural societies has already produced a most salutary effect, and will no doubt contribute much to its future prosperity, wealth and greatness. Many of the citizens of Vandalia are turning their attention both to theoretical and practical agriculture; and the effects of this are already to be seen in the fine plantations which are scattered through the vicinity. To a country so new, so thinly inhabited, but yet possessing such vast advantages, this is a subject of the deepest interest. This county having been erected since the census of 1820, the exact number of its inhabitants is not known, but is supposed to be about 1500. It is attached to the 3d judicial circuit with Montgomery, sends one member to the house of representatives; and with Bond and Montgomery, one to the senate- Its seat of justice is Vandalia. Beck's creek, a small stream of Fayette county. It rises in township 11 north, in range l, east of the 3d principal meridian and runs a southeast course about 20 miles, and empties into the Kaskaskia river on the west side. The lands between this creek and an easterly branch which rises in township 10 north, in range S east, are first rate, handsomely diversified with timber and prairie. On this stream are situated Beck's and Wakefield's settlements, each consisting of about 20 families. College township, 5 north, in range I, west of the 3d principal meridian, 6 miles square, granted by the United States to this state, for the support of a seminary of learning. The northern boundary is three miles below Vandalia. It is watered by the Kaskaskia and several of its tributaries, and is in general first rate land. It is situated in Fayette county. Perryville, a post town in Fayette county, situated on the west bank of the Hurricane fork of the Kaskaskia river, in sections 5 and 6, of township 4 north, in range 1, west of the third principal meridian. It was formerly the county seat of Bond, but upon the erection of the new county of Fayette, Greenville was substituted. Commissioners were appointed to assess the damage done to Perryville, in consequence of the removal. It is a very trifling place, containing only about 12 or 15 houses. Sugar creek, a small stream of Fayette county, rising in the prairies, and running a southeast course about 20 miles, empties into the Kaskaskia river near the centre of township 8 north, in range 2, east of the third principal meridian. Near the mouth of this creek is a flourishing settlement The lands on its banks are generally first rate, and handsomely diversified with prairie and timber. Vandalia, the capital of the state, and the seat of justice of Fayette county, laid out in 1813, by commissioners appointed for that purpose, under the authority of the state. It is situated on the west bank of the Kaskaskia river, in sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, of township 6 north, in range 1 , west of the 3d principal meridian. the site is high and undulating, and entirely above the inundations of the river. The streets cross each other at right angles, and are 80 feet in width. The public square is a high and commanding situation, and is already ornamented with a temporary state house, and a brick bank. There are also in the town, several stores, a printing office, from which is issued a weekly paper, entitled the "Illinois Intelligencer," about 150 dwelling houses, and 700 inhabitants, among which are professional men, and mechanics of every description. Vandalia is under the government of live trustees, who are elected annually by all the free white male inhabitants of twenty-one years and upwards, who shall have resided six months immediately preceding the election, within the limits of the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of section 16, in township 6 north, in range 1, east of the 3d principal meridian, thence north to the northeast corner of section 9, in the same township, thence west to the northwest corner of section 8, in the same township, thence south to the southwest corner of section 17, in the same township, and thence east to the place of beginning. The act of the legislature appointing trustees to the town of Vandalia, of which the above is an extract, also provides, that for the purpose of enabling the said trustees to drain any ponds or sluces which may be in the neighborhood of said town, and erecting a bridge across the Kaskaskia river opposite the same, and constructing a road from said bridge across the bottom ou the east side of the river to the highlands, there shall be granted to the said trustees and their successors in office, in fee simple, fifty lots in said town, to be selected by them, in conjunction with the auditor of the state, under certain provisions mentioned. These lots may be disposed of by the trustees in such manner as, in their opinion, shall be most conducive to the object for which the grant is made. The same act also authorises the trustees to lease out any part of the prairie lying within the town tract, and any quantity of land within said tract, not exceeding six acres to any one person, nor for a longer period of time than six years, for the purpose of brickyards, mills, &c. on such terms as they may think most advantageous to the state; and the said trustees shall allow a sufficiency of timber for the purpose of fencing any lands which they may lease. The advantages of Vandalia are by no means few or inconsiderable. Many intelligent men are still, however, of opinion that a mote eligible situation might have been selected. Soon after it was located, 150 lots were sold for an average amount of $234.89 each. The highest brought $780, and the aggregate sale amounted to $35,934.76. Considering that the town was then a wilderness, and not a stick of timber missing in it, except what was necessarily removed for the purposes of surveying, this was a more favorable sale than could have been anticipated. Although it does not possess commercial advantages, the Kaskaskia being too low for navigation for more than nine months in the year, yet the fact of its being the seat of government for 20 years, must secure to it a rapid increase of population. Besides this, the fertility of the surrounding country, must also contribute ranch to its improvement. Here must of course be a considerable market, to which the farmers of the vicinity will send their produce. In regard to health, Vandalia may be said to differ little from the neighboring towns. Although its local situation is such as to lead to the conclusion, that it will be healthy, yet the inundated alluvion, and the ponds by which it is surrounded, bring with them their train of summer and autumnal fevers. But as this is a calamity attendant upon all newly settled countries, it can form no particular objection to this place. Among the advantages which it possesses, are fine springs in abundance. Good water may be obtained in any place by digging about 20 feet. A large proportion of the inhabitants of this place and the vicinity are Germans, who emigrated in 1820. In general they are good citizens, and sustain the character of their countrymen, in different sections of the United States, for industry and frugality. West of this place are a number of prairies, considerable portions of which are under cultivation. On the east side of the river, is an extensive bottom, about two miles in width, heavily timbered, and subject to inundation, which sometimes renders it impassible. Beyond this, prairie predominates. Vandalia is in latitude 38� 55' north, 70 miles northeast of St. Louis, and on the mail route from Vincennes to that place. |
