By Howard F. Dyson, 1918

In beginning a review of local events from Rushville’s pioneer papers, we have access to four copies of The Rushville Journal, published in July, 1836, but there is a dearth of local news, and in the four issues there is no mention of deaths, marriages or births. Such trivial things as personal news items did not concern the pioneer editor, who devoted the columns of his paper to fiction, national news and politics.

We find the Journal filled with columns of war news of the war waged by Texas against Mexico, and in the issue of July 16, 1836, Congressman Wm. L. May in announcing his candidacy for re-election from the Third congressional district has a five-column resume of what he had accomplished for his constituents, which was given first page position.

The Journal was a six-column four-page paper and carried two pages of advertisements, which consisted largely of town site sales and legal notices; the local merchants were good patrons of the paper and carried reading notices and cards advertising their business. From these we find who were the progressive citizens of Rushville in 1836.

Miss E. Collins announced the opening of her fall term of school and tuition rates were $4 for the quarter. Subjects taught were Astronomy, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Botany, Chemistry, Logic, Rhetoric, English Grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, Orthography and Writing.

Andrew Lacroix, hat maker, was doing business in the new brick building on North Liberty street, a short distance north of J. W. Skidmore’s hotel.

Isaac Greer and Robt. Dorey were partners in a tin shop, located on the north side of the square.

J. W. Clark advertises his drug store in connection with a stock of books and stationery.

Nelson & Robertson, prominent pioneer merchants, had just opened a store in the Haskell building on the present site of the court house.

Wm. Snider advertises his chair factory and announces he has in stock chairs and settees. This pioneer chair factory was located on East Washington street, and doubtless some of the old Snider chairs are still doing duty in Rushville.

Advertisements of general stores indicate that Rushville was well to the front as a merchantile center in 1836. We find in The Journal, ads for the following individuals or firms: G. H. Scripps, Geo. W. Baker, Parrott & Olcott, Fellows & Burton; Dawley & Wells, McCabe & Ritchey, J. & R. H. Burton, Drake & Penny, Montgomery & Gray, McCrosky & Bailey.

Joseph Burton was postmaster of Rushville and published the following schedule of mails:

  • To Beardstown–Leave Friday and Tuesday 10 a.m. Arrive Saturday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.
  • To Quincy–Leave Wednesday 12 noon. Arrive Saturday, 12 noon.
  • To Macomb–Leave Monday 10 a.m. Arrive Sunday 12 noon.
  • To Lewistown–Leave Monday 10 a.m. Arrive Sunday 12 noon.
  • To Carthage–Arrive Monday 6 p.m. Leave Tuesday 6 a.m.

Source: The Rushville Times, 1918. Transcribed by Robin L. Peterson in 1999.