5 minute read
Otto’s Column
LOCAL HISTORY
Abraham Lincoln v isited, spoke in Oregon in 1856
By OTTO DICK
Abraham Lincoln spoke in Oregon on Aug. 15, 1856. This was a campaign event for John Fremont, a Republican presidential hopeful. Lincoln traveled to Polo the night before on the Illinois Central Railroad and was guest of Senator Aplington. He rode the Illinois Central Railroad three years after it was completed through Ogle County in 1853 from Woosung to Polo.
Lincoln’s previous appearance in the Oregon area was during the Blackhawk War.
This Republican rally was held at 505 N. Fourth St. A brass band started the program, followed by a prayer. During the prayer, the 60-foot platform holding 50 people collapsed. Wentworth and Lincoln were not on the platform.
The program lasted two and a half hours. The only account of Lincoln’s speech was that he talked about the Missouri Compromise. After the program, both speakers were entertained at Moore’s Hotel, now the Patchwork Inn.
When you drive through Oregon on Route 2, you pass the Lincoln Stone located at 505 N. Fourth St. and when you drive by Mix Park you see a wonderful statue of Lincoln and Blackhawk by Jeff Adams. On the north courthouse lawn, we also have a Lincoln Highway Interpretive Gazebo reminding us the Lincoln Highway crosses through southern Ogle County.
The Lincoln Speech in Oregon occurred five years before the Civil War and was dedicated Dec. 8, 1904. How many communities our size can say Lincoln spoke here?
On Route 64 one block west of the Rock River is a wonderful mural. (Sightseeing along the Lincoln Highway), this mural shows Blackhawk Statue with a vintage automobile and sightseers at the statue.
The mural reads, “The official road guide of the Lincoln Highway, 1924 edition.) Delightful side trips can be made up the beautiful Rock River. Blackhawk standing 48 feet tall on the bluffs over the Rock River in 1911 was created by Lorado Taft and is the secondlargest cement statue in the world. The statue was Taft’s gift to the people of Illinois, with financial help from Frank Lowden, after whom Lowden State Park is named.
Photos provided by Otto Dick Abraham Lincoln (left) visited Ogle County in 1856 and spoke in Oregon. The site of his speech is marked by a rock.
• Otto Dick isa retired teacher and has researched Ogle County history for several years.
• COATS FOR HOPE
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Hope operate as a club students can get involved with while using their areas of study, she said.
“Say someone’s majoring in marketing. They’re going to be able to come help with Coats for Hope and use this as like internships and ways to have some firsthand experience,” Tori said.
“I’m really excited to go into it,” she said. “I’m very excited for the school and how they’re already willing to, like, start helping me set things up and start helping me g e t t h e s e c o n n e c tions.”
For Bob, proud doesn’t even begin to cover his feelings regarding Tori and Coats for Hope. “ H er de te r m i n a ti on , t h e f a c t t h a t s h e c a n g o t h r o u g h s o m e thing so negative a nd tu r n i t i n t o something so positive – not only for herself, but many others – is just absolutely mind-boggling,” Bob said. “[Saying I’m] proud doesn’t even begin to put it into perspective.”
Recipients of the 2021-22 Coats for Hope collection drive are Rockford Family Peace Center in Rockford; YWCA of the Sauk Valley in Sterling; YWCA of Rock County in Janesville, Wisconsin; and New Beginnings APFV in Elkhorn and Whitewater, Wisconsin.
To donate financially, visit www. CoatsForHope.org/donate. Or visit any Associated Bank or Holcomb Bank and tell them the donation is for Coats for Hope.
NEWS BRIEFS
February Finds set for Saturday, Feb. 5, in Mt. Morris
MT. MORRIS – The annual February Finds antiques and collectibles market will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge 1551 Family Center, 485 E. Hitt St.
Admission is $3, with no charge for children age 5 and under.
“Twenty plus dealers will be featuring vintage items, retro decor, primitives, glassware, majolica pottery, artwork, old toys, advertising, furniture, local maple syrup and much more,” said Eden White, one of the event’s organizers. “Bobbi’s Country Catering will have baked goods for sale. Food and drinks will be available for purchase through the Moose Lodge. Proceeds from the event this year will be donated to the Moose Lodge.
Chana to celebrate its birthday
Chana will be marking 151 years of existence this year with some special events.
The village board decided to hold off on any sesquicentennial plans in 2021, but now Chana community volunteers and entities are beginning to coordinate a Sesquicentennial Celebration event for the second weekend of June.
“Activities will include The Maggie & Amos Foundation’s 5K and 1-mile run/walk, free children’s events, an antique tractor show and parade, and a corn hole bags tournament,” said Lynn Kalnins, one of the event organizers. “A street dance, displays of historical memorabilia from Chana history, the dedication of the new Pine Rock Township Soldier Memorial, food, and much more will be offered.”
The next planning meeting is 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at Chana Education Center, 204 Main St., in Chana.
“Those who would like to assist with planning this event are welcome to attend,” Kalnins said.
Polo seed exchange is Jan. 29
The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will host its third annual “Seed Swap” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Polo Public Library.
“Please gather up your viable, non-GMO, heirloom seeds, place them in envelopes, label them, and bring them to the event,” said Beth Green, club president. “We are hoping local gardeners will attend to meet fellow gardeners, swap seeds and share gardening tips. This is a free event we are offering to the community to create interest and excitement in gardening.”
Green hopes the event will encourage gardeners to become more self-sufficient in ornamental, fruit and vegetable gardening and encourage the preservation of natural heirlooms, rare species and seed genetics. For additional information, call Green at 815-299-1416.
CARD SHOWER
The family of Karl Hagemann Jr. is honoring him with a card shower in celebration of his 80th birthday on Jan. 28. Cards and memories may be sent to him at 6289 Adeline Road, Mt. Morris, IL 61054.
