Alton, Illinois, USA - 23rd January 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
After we scanned the river for some bald eagles, we into the center of Alton to have a look at the ruins of the first state prison in Illinois. It also apparently housed many Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. There wasn't much left to it.
We found the sign in the middle of the ruins to not be very informative, but there were signs right off of the prison that came in handy to our learning.
Quote: | The First Illinois State Penitentiary: 1833-1860
The Illinois State Penitentiary in Alton was the first institution built with public funds in Illinois. Previously, prisoners sentence in county courts were incarcerated in crude buildings, often constructed of logs which were inadequate for the secure housing of the prisoners. The Illinois General Assembly acted in 1827 to secure a state penitentiary with funds appropriated. With the encouragement of Governor John Reynolds, a site was selected at Alton.
After the selection of Alton as the site of the penitentiary, William Russell, an Alton property owner, donated 10 acres to the state for its construction. An additional two acres were purchased approximately two miles north of this site, in an area called Buck Inn, for use as a burial ground for inmates who died in prison. When the penitentiary opened in 1833 there were 24 cells. In 1846 an additional 96 cells were added. By 1855 there were 296 cells.
The location of the prison was less than ideal. The southern wall was within eight feet of the high water line of the Mississippi River. The prisoner yard was not paved and had very poor drainage and became a muddy, flooded mess during heavy rains. The prison hospital was located in a basement without windows and it flooded easily. Sanitary conditions in the prison were made worse by the lack of an on-site well. Water was collected from a nearby stream in barrels and transported to the prison. Prisoners had no bathing privileges.
In 1847, Dorothea Dix, famed social reformer, visited the prison and reported to the legislature that the conditions at the prison were deplorable. She stated, "No outlay of money can convert this prison into secure, commodious or durable establishment." By 1857, the legislature saw the need to replace the institution. Plans were made to construct a new prison in Joliet, selected because majority of the inmates were from Cook County. The first prisoners were transferred to Joliet in 1857 to begin on construction. The last prisoners were transferred to Joliet in 1860. |
We also learned about the prisons use during the Civil War.
Quote: | The Alton Military Prison: 1862-1865
The Civil War began at Fort Sumpter on April 12, 1861 and Alton became a stopping off point for thousands of Union soldiers. Rail lines brought the soldiers to the river front and they boarded streamers for Southern battlefields.
By December 1861, overcrowding at the two St. Louis prisons (Gratiot Street and Myrtle Street Prisons) prompted Major General Henry Hallack to send Lt. Colonel James McPherson to inspect this site as a possible use for a military prison. Lt. Col. McPherson reported to General Hallack on January 2, 1862 that the prison could be made ready for about $2,415. Negotiations were completed quickly for the leasing of the property and fires were started to dry out the buildings. The first Confederate prisoners arrived from Fort Henry on February 9, 1862.
Guarded by the 13th Regular U.S. Infantry, the Confederate prisoners were marched from the levee below the prison into the prison yard. According to accounts in the Alton Telegraph, many local citizens commented on how much they looked like their own sons. The Alton Military Prison would eventually be home to over 11,764 Confederate soldiers as well as over 1,400 civilians.
After The War: From Prison to Parking Lot
The Alton Military Prison closed July 7, 1865 when the last prisoners were released or sent to St. Louis. The buildings were torn down over the next 20 years until only a small remnant of the cell block remained. Stone from the prison buildings is found in walls and other structures all over the Alton area. The land was developed into a park and playground named after the Joel Chandler Harris character "Uncle Remus". The remnants of the cell block was moved to its present location in 1970 when the lot was paved for the Con Agra Company parking lot. |
We also noticed this hook in the wall of the prison and began to wonder what it was for. Eisa and I began to think that maybe it was just a way to keep the structure steady or maybe that it was used to detain the prisoners.
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Posted Feb 5, 2010, 6:15 pm Last edited Feb 6, 2010, 5:03 pm by brilliantlyxx
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Alton, Illinois, USA - 23rd January 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
Our next stop in Alton was the place where a historical political debate took place! The debate was between Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, and Stephen Douglas, a former Senator of Illinois.
We stopped to do yet another little bit of reading. These places we were visiting were VERY informative.
Quote: | Lincoln-Douglas Debate!
Lincoln's Rise to Prominence.
The two life-like statues represent a monumental event in our nation's history--the Lincoln-Douglas debate.
For a decade, the Illinois U.S. Senate seat was held by Stephen A. Douglas, one of the most famous politicans of his time. That is, until a little-known country lawyer named Abraham Lincoln challenged him to a series of debates.
The seventh and final took place in front of Alton's old city hall on October 15, 1858. The Alton debate drew national attention and about 6,000 visitors from across Illinois and neighboring states. It summarized the arguments that began four months before.
Douglas spoke first, repeating his belief in the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty, the right of each state to do as it pleased about slavery and other issues. Lincoln asserted that it was a struggle between two eternal principles--right and wrong.
Who Won the Debate?
Douglas won the senate seat, but the debates launched Lincoln into the national spotlight. Just two years later, Lincoln beat Douglas in the 1860 presidential election. |
Here we are in the middle of the debate. We broke a rule and climbed on the monument, but we were good and I don't think anyone noticed.
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Posted Feb 6, 2010, 6:26 pm
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Alton, Illinois, USA - 23rd January 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
After seeing the place were the Lincoln-Douglas debate took place, we traveled around the town a little bit to find the statue of Robert Wadlow, who holds the record of world's tallest man.
There was a plaque nearby that told us all about Robert. Here's what it said:
Quote: |
Robert Pershing Wadlow, Alton's gentleman giant, was born February 22, 1918. He lived most of his life in Alton, where he attened Alton High School and Shurtleff College, now the campus of S.I.U.E. Dental School. At age 5, Robery was 5'6" tall and wore clothes that would fit a 17 year old, and by age 10 Robert was 6'5" tall and weighed over 200 pounds. Robert was the largest Boy Scout in the world; at age 13 he was 7'4". Robert was the tallest man who ever lived. Upon his death on July 15, 1940, he was 8' 11.1" tall and weighed 490 pounds.
Robert Wadlow is a significant part of the history of Alton. He was a ll well-traveled ambassador for our city, active in community and religious organizations. He was known for his positive attitude and gentle manner.
This statue was erected by Alton-Godfrey Rotary, Alton Area Optimist, Junior League of Greater Alton, Olin Foundation, Alton-Wood River Board of Realtors, Upper Alton Business Association, and those who cherish Robert's memory.
October 1985. |
Eisa and I decided to get onto his shoe and have a photo taken. He was like a skyscraper to me! I'm only 10 cm tall and that is a very big difference between the two of us.
Since it's probably a bit challenging to scale his size with a photo of little ol' us. Here's a photo of someone about 5'10" standing next to it.
Here's a better look of us on his feet. It was said that he wore a shoe size of 37!!
They also has a replica of Robert's custom made chair with a sign about it.
Quote: | Replica of Robert Wadlow's Chair
In November 1939, Robert Wadlow visited Virginia on an advertising campaign. Mr. C. L. Smith, President of Galax Furniture Company, saw Robert and was so taken with the apparent discomfort he experienced when sitting in a chair of normal size that he decided to build a chair to accomodate Robert's unusual frame. The exposed parts of the original chair were made of solid black walnut with the exception of the back posts, which were made of southern red gum. Eleven yards of wine-colored brocatelle were used for the covering. This chair was used by Robert in his home until his death. At that time, the chair was given to Franklin Masonic Lodge in Upper Alton, where it remains on display. |
Once we finished up out here, it started to rain again. We crossed the street and entered the Alton Musuem of History and Art. There was more to learn here about Robert as well as other things in the museum. They had a lot of things here about Robert and even items that belonged to him. We couldn't really get in these shots at this part of the museum, but we got some photos that we would like for you to see.
They had Robert's high school graduation gown, cap, and a class photo. Can you spot him?
They also had the guitar he played on until his fingers grew too big.
And his desk from third grade!! We would've tried to get a shot in this one, but it was roped off.
There were also many other things to see in the museum and we were able to take photos with them.
We found a frame that contained different types of Confederate money that dated back to the Civil War!
We also got to see an image of Abraham Lincoln's deathbed as well as a bronze casting of both his face and his hands.
There were old dresses from different time periods. The red one was dated 1950's while the white one to the right was dated 1890! That's way old than I am!
There was also this old wedding dress, but it didn't seem to have a date nearby.
Going along with the theme of antique things, we found this sink. On the right is the pump that dispensed the soap and the three levers on the left controlled the tempurature of the water.
There was also this old cash register. I could not imagine trying to work that thing. It looks a little too complicated for me.
Once we finished looking around the museum, we decided that it had been a very long day and that it was time to head back south to Steph's home.
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Posted Feb 11, 2010, 7:51 pm
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Saint Louis, Missouri, USA - 23rd January 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
But, on our way headed south, we got to see a certain landmark. We only drove by though, but I think we got some good shots.
So, here I am with the St. Louis Arch (or the Gateway Arch).
I really hoped you enjoyed this trip as much as I did. I learned a lot of things and had a ton of fun!
Update more soon!
Mystery.
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Posted Feb 11, 2010, 7:56 pm
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Fredericktown, Missouri, USA - 15th February 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
I've finally caught up on my updates and I'm very very sorry that they took so long to get to you. We've been very busy though. Steph has been overloaded with work from college and us TVs have been trying our best to help her out.
I think we've been doing a good job helping. We aren't doing her homework for her or anything, just assisting when we can.
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Posted Feb 15, 2010, 6:41 am
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Fredericktown, Missouri, USA - 18th February 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
Today, we had to say goodbye to Cutie. I'll miss and I'm pretty jealous that he's headed off to warm Costa Rica while I'm here in snowy Missouri, but I'll be ok.
Good luck, Cutie!!
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Posted Mar 28, 2010, 5:12 am
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Fredericktown, Missouri, USA - 20th March 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
It's been kind of rainy here lately, so no trying out locks for me. I've been meaning to get around to it, but Steph's school work has definitely got us run down.
But, today, we decided to try a recipe that she brought home from her Public Speaking class. It's called Cherry Dump Cake.
I know, it sounds kind of gross, it is really good.
Here's what you'll need:
Quote: |
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (you can use any kind of fruit, but we used cherry)
1 pkg (18.5 oz) plain yellow cake mix
12 Tbs. (1.5 sticks) butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetned grated coconut
1 cup chopped pecans |
1. First, you preheat your oven to 350°F. Then you spoon the can of pineapple evenly over the bottom of an ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.
2. Next, you'll cover the pineapples with the cherry pie filling.
3. After that, pour the dry cake mix over the the fruit evenly. Make sure that it reaches the edges of the pan.
4. Drizzle the melted butter over the entire pan. Evenly sprinkle the coconut and pecans over the top of the cake.
5. Place the pan in the oven. Bake the cake until it is a deep brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake topping comes out clean. This should be about 55 to 60 minutes. Remove pan from oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Here we are with our finished Cherry Dump Cake.
We waited for it to cool down a lot before we ate it. I think this may be one of the better desserts I've had...well, besides what I find out in the forest, of course. Steph doesn't even like to eat pineapples or coconut, but she loves this cake.
Well, I hope you enjoyed our recipe. It was fun to make. I wish Mercury could eat some too. Maybe he is doing that somewhere out there. Maybe...
-Mystery
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Posted Mar 28, 2010, 5:28 am Last edited Mar 28, 2010, 5:30 am by brilliantlyxx
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Fredericktown, Missouri, USA - 27th March 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Today, Eisa and I were having a discussion when I noticed that today was March 27th. Yes, that's right, today's your birthday! How could I forget! Want to know what's even more funny? It's Eisa's mentor JaymeC's birthday too! How ironic is that?
Hope your day was really well! Sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate with you, but I have to find Mercury.
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Posted Mar 28, 2010, 5:41 am
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Fredericktown, Missouri, USA - 1st April 2010
By: brilliantlyxx
Today I had to say goodbye to Eisa. She'd headed up to Detroit, Michigan. I'll miss her a lot, especially since we both arrived just a few days apart from each other back in Decemeber. I know she'll have fun and I wish her well.
We shared a hug and took one last photo together.
Easter is coming on Sunday. I hear I'm going to be doing something cool tomorrow night in celebration for it. I can't wait!
Mystery
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Posted Apr 1, 2010, 8:33 pm Last edited Sep 6, 2010, 9:59 pm by brilliantlyxx
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