Community News
Myths on Macoupin County history abound
What is Fact and What is Fiction?
Like most places, myths abound when it comes to the history of Macoupin County. Many of those legends are easily answered with facts.
Myth Number 1. Macoupin County was Lincoln country.
Fact: Only in a geographic sense. Macoupin County actually voted against Lincoln both times that he ran for President, in 1860 and 1864. The county was not alone. Most of its neighbors, including Montgomery, Greene, Jersey, Christian, and others, also cast their lot with Lincoln’s opponents.
Lincoln’s support in downstate Illinois was hardly universal. His base was in northern Illinois, above Galesburg on the west and Kankakee on the east. He easily carried Chicago and its collar counties, such as Kane, Kendall, Lake, DuPage, Winnebago, and others.
Even in his hometown of Springfield, Lincoln found the going rough. He only carried the city by ten votes — 1,324 to 1,314 — over his Democratic opponent, George McClellan, in 1864. On the whole, Lincoln lost Sangamon County in both 1860 and 1864.
Myth Number 2. Lincoln argued cases in the famous Macoupin County courthouse.
Fact: Lincoln was not even alive when the current Macoupin County courthouse was built. He died on April 15, 1865, two years before ground was broken on the courthouse in 1867.
Myth Number 3. One of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates was held in Carlinville.
Fact: False. This belief has persisted through the years, and some in Carlinville swear that Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas staged one of their celebrated debates in the town on Aug. 31, 1858. However, there were seven debate sites around the state, and Carlinville was not one of them.
The debates were held between August 21 and October 15 in, chronological order, Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy, and Alton.
Lincoln may not have been particularly well-received in Carlinville. One account reported that he spoke to a “scattered and not overly sympathetic audience.” A marker denotes the spot of his appearance, near the intersection of South Broad and First South streets.
Douglas spoke in Carlinville on Sept. 8, 1858, eight days after Lincoln’s appearance, and was also in Gillespie that October 16.
Myth Number 4. John M. Palmer, Carlinville’s most famous citizen, was elected governor from his home here.
Fact: Palmer last lived in Carlinville in 1867 – a year before his election as governor. By then, he had moved to Springfield, where he lived until his death in 1900.
The Palmer home still stands in Carlinville, albeit in two parts. Constructed sometime between 1845-49, the main portion stands at 305 South East Street. Around 1902-03, the east wing of the home was cut off and moved down the street, where it stands at 233 East Second South.
Considered one of the better governors of Illinois history, Palmer, a Civil War major general, also served as U.S. Senator from 1891-97 and was a Presidential candidate on the third-party Gold Democrat ticket in 1896. He is buried in Carlinville City Cemetery.
Myth Number 5. Carlinville is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, towns in the state.
Fact: Not even close. Cahokia was founded in 1699, followed by Kaskaskia in 1703. Those two towns alone are far ahead of Carlinville, which was established in 1829.
And there are plenty of others. Prairie du Rocher was founded in 1723, while some of the many other settlements older than Carlinville in southern Illinois include Belleville, Albion, Shawneetown, and Carmi.
Carlinville does not even have to look far for elder neighbors, including Greenville (1815), Edwardsville (1818), Alton (1818), Vandalia (1819), Springfield (1821), Carrollton (1821), and Jacksonville (1825).
Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.
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FELONIES
Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, is charged with aiding/abetting/possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a December 28, 2024 incident.
Donavon M. Holmes, 24 of Benld, is charged with felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 11 incident.
Natosha L. Michaelis, 39 of Carlinville, is charged with two counts of forgery/making/altering a document in connection with a February 10 incident.
Bradley S. Watters, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a March 12 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Anita S. Grizzle, 49 of Gillespie, is charged with unlawful possession of a knife in connection with a March 9 incident.
Tonya L. Pfeiler, 43 of Carlinville, is charged with theft control/intent (<$500) in connection with a March 1 incident.
Timothy A. Dugger, 23 of Palmyra, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 29 incident.
Dalton W. Branham, 27 of Springfield, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a January 23 and January 29 incident.
Crystal A. Holland, 50 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a January 18 incident.
Bruce A. Day, 59 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with a February 13 incident.
Mark B. Bersch, 68 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to a building in connection with February 4 incident.
Robert D. Lindsey, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a March 3 incident.
Thomas W. Gray, 35 of Carlinville, is charged with disorderly conduct in connection with a February 26 incident.
Ronnie E. Reyes, 40 of Carlinville, is charged with criminal trespass to land in connection with a March 13 incident.
TRAFFIC
Bethany E. Robinson, 27 of Carlinville, is charged with drivers license expired more than a year, passing a school bus while loading/unloading, and improper traffic lane usage in connection with a February 27 incident.
Timothy R. Galston, 46 of Harvey, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 11-14 mph above the limit in connection with a March 2 incident.
Hector R. Herrera Pena, 39 of Guadalupe, NL, is charged with CDL not obtained in connection with a March 4 incident.
Stephen L. Barrick, 50 of Virden, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 2 incident.
Kyle L. Stiltz, 32 of Virden, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with a February 28 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Angela M. Berndt versus Travis E. Berndt
- Melissa K. Porter versus Kevin W. Porter
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Bunker Hill – Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill is excited to announce a rummage sale taking place on Thursday, March 20, Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22. The sale will be held at the church located at 609 East Warren Street in Bunker Hill. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Illinois Valley Meals on Wheels in Macoupin County, a vital program that prepares and delivers over 1,500 meals daily to those in need across three counties.
Donations for the rummage sale are warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the church’s north entrance starting Monday, March 17. Items of all kinds are appreciated, and your contributions will directly support the dedicated efforts of volunteers who ensure that nutritious meals reach our community members.
The sale will run from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday and then 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, making it convenient for everyone to stop by and find great deals while supporting a crucial service in our area.
For more information about the rummage sale or how to donate, please contact Jane Baker at 618-973-2666.
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FELONIES
Bryer D. Greff, 30 of Virden, is charged with retail theft (<$300) with a previous conviction in connection to a March 1 incident.
Michael J. Weaver, 34 of Carlinville, is charged with methamphetamine delivery (400<900 grams), possession of methamphetamine (400<900 grams), and felon in possession of a weapon in connection with a March 3 incident.
Patrick D. Greer, 39 of Mount Olive, is charged with burglary and theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 23 and March 3 incident .
Brian H. Duff, 50 of Alton, is charged with theft/unauthorized control (>500<10k) in connection with a January 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Allison S. Cisco, 18 of Carlinville, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a March 1 incident.
Andrew C. London, 19 of Wilsonville, is charged with retail theft (<$300) in connection with a March 5 incident.
Shelby L. Veach, 23 of Staunton, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee and criminal damage to property in connection with a December 16 and December 21 incident.
Robert J. Zumwalt, 43 of Livingston, is charged with resisting a peace officer/firefighter/corrections employee in connection with a December 21 incident.
TRAFFIC
Andrew J. McDaniel, 56 of Littleton, CO, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 23 incident.
Connor E. O’Brien, 25 of Riverside, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 24 incident.
Anthony M. Reed, 29 of Fayette, MS, is charged with driving on a suspended license and driving 15-20 mph above the limit in connection with a February 22 incident.
Patrick M. Nejmanowski, 58 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license and driving 21-25 mph above the limit in connection with a February 25 incident.
Michael A. Coates, 49 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration in connection with a February 16 incident.
Carl R. Albracht, 50 of Palmyra, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 25 incident.
Jessica M. Jenkins, 40 of Gillespie, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 24 incident.
Jason L. Peter, 48 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a February 22 incident.
Matthew D. Knick, 21 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on suspended license in connection with a February 27 incident.
Julia A. Schall, 68 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with a February 27 incdient.
Amy N. Gomer, 39 of Shipman, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a March 4 incident.
Dalton C. Bunyard, 32 of Wood River, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a February 28 incident.
Edward Tumpach III, 33 of Hillsboro, is charged with reckless driving, improper traffic lane usage, and disregarding a traffic control device in connection with a March 5 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Neil Ringer versus Whitney Ringer
- Christina Essington versus John Essington
- Scott Huddleston versus Jessica Huddleston
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Illinois Farm Bureau to host ‘Rules for the Road’ trucking seminar in Carlinville on March 20
Zion Lutheran School to host open house on March 18 for preschool and kindergarten programs
