CHAPTER IV.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, POLISH GENERAL FARMERS.

· INTRODUCTION.

The Polish agricultural colonies of southern Illinois are in Washingon, Jefferson, and Perry counties. These counties are situated in he south-central part of the State. A large percentage of the farmrs in the southwestern part of Jefferson, northeastern part of Perry, nd southeastern part of Washington counties are Polish. The only ines of demarkation of the different colonies are the parishes. Strictly peaking, there is only one colony-that is, all the outgrowth of one ettlement which was started in Radom in 1872. At present Radom as probably 300 or 400 inhabitants, who are all Poles. Other mportant Polish communities are centered about Dubois, a small own 4 miles south of Radom on the Illinois Central Railroad; at Tamaroa, a village of probably 1,200 inhabitants, located in the northrn part of Perry County, also on the Illinois Central Railroad; and at Sheller, in Jefferson County.

The area most thickly settled with Polish farmers varies from 10 to 25 miles east and west, and about 12 miles north and south.

The following estimates of the Polish population, by counties, were ascertained by interviews with township assessors, priests of different parishes, and church secretaries. While not exact, they are as accurate as any that could be obtained under the circumstances.

TABLE 23.-Number and distribution of Polish and Polish-American families, Washington, Jefferson, and Perry counties, Ill.

Practically all the above-mentioned families are engaged in agriculture. Of the total, probably not more than 20 heads of families are engaged in other pursuits. There are a few Poles who are grocers, saloon keepers, and laborers in the small towns within the territory.

HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT.

The Poles began to come into this region and to settle on the farms about 1872 and 1873. At that time the prevalence of wars in Europe had caused a large movement of Poles from Prussia to the United States for the purpose of avoiding military service.

In the section where the Polish colonies are now located the Illinois Central Railroad had been granted the even sections not previously preempted or homesteaded, for a distance of 14 miles on either side of this line of road. Before the colony was started most of this railroad land, both north and south of the present limits of the colony, had been bought by individuals for farming purposes, but there was be: very little prairie land on the area, and besides being covered with a profuse growth of various kinds of timber and brush the land was. for the most part, not considered of much value for agricultural

purposes.

In 1872, Gen. John B. Turgin, a German, was retained by the railroad company to establish a settlement on its holdings in this section. Plans were laid by Mr. Turgin for a town, a railroad station was located, and the town was called Radom. Streets and lots were laid out in the woods and the promoter began to obtain settlers. It ap pears that no particular efforts were made to interest immigrants in Europe, but rather extensive advertising and personal solicitation were resorted to by the promoter, especially in Chicago and other cities and industrial communities of the Middle West. Very little trouble was experienced in securing immigrants to the farms, espe cially as the land was offered at a reasonable price and favorable terms of purchase were given.

No especial preparations were made for immigrants when they came, and in most instances they were taken direct from the railroad station to the tract of land the individual had selected. In most instances there were no improvements, and the attention of the new settler was first occupied with the erection of a temporary shelter. Many lived in tents until log cabins could be built, while others built pole pens, often covered with brush, until more permanent structures could be erected. In some cases the land had been occupied by Americans who had "squatted" on it, had built log cabins, and had cleared from 1 to 3 or 4 acres; but in a vast majority of cases there were no improvements whatever, and all the land was heavily covered with timber, in most cases of a quality inferior for manufacturing lumber.

The establishment of this colony was in some respects different from the plans followed by many such movements. In the first place, practically all the settlers were secured in this country and were people who had spent from two to ten years as laborers in various industries, and who had a desire to own homes and to become farmers. It was the intention of the founders to sell, with every farm, a lot in the new town. The uniform price for these lots was $50. A great many Poles who did not buy farms bought lots, with the intention of ultimately coming to Radom to live. However, there has never been any demand since the first for the urban property, and Radom has never attained any importance as a business center.

Until 1876 the agent who had promoted and directed the settlement of the land lived in Chicago and at intervals visited the colony to locate prospective purchasers. In the latter year, however, he moved to Radom and all work was directed from that point. More colonists came in 1876 than in any previous year. On the other hand a great many who had contracted for land in previous years moved away. Many bought their land and invested such savings as they

had in a first payment, continuing to work at their old occupations intil money could be made to buy tools or make improvements. In most cases, however, the purchasers moved immediately to the land, which they began to clear and make other improvements upon. The early settlers frequently received assistance from their children, who sometimes remained at work in the cities, contributing their earnings to help pay off the indebtedness on the land.

TERMS OF PURCHASE.

The terms of purchase were especially favorable. The land was sold without improvements. There was no set price, but the minimum was $5 and the maximum $12 per acre. Toward the close of the operation the railroad sold some land as low as $4 per acre. This land was of poorer quality and not so accessible as the other, and the reduction was made for the purpose of disposing of the few tracts which remained unsold. The price depended very largely upon location, proximity to railroad or market, and on the quality of the land. The land was sold on four-year payments, the theory being that the purchaser would pay one-fourth upon his agreement to take the land and the balance in three equal annual installments. Upon the payment of one-fourth of purchase price the company delivered to the purchaser a contract in which it agreed to deliver a fee simple title upon receipt of the full purchase price. Interest at the rate of 6 per cent was charged upon all payments promptly met. However, if any payment was deferred, the rate of interest was increased to 7 per cent, the legal rate at that time.

No contracts were given to bind either the company or the purchaser until at least one-fourth of the purchase price was paid. However, payments of less than one-fourth of the purchase price were accepted and receipt therefor given. The company was very lenient with purchasers, and while their agreement called for a forIn 1888 the feiture if the land was not paid for in four years, this right was not often insisted on, and in most cases time was extended. railroad company sent a representative to the colony, who interviewed all purchasers of whose land forfeiture could be claimed, and they were informed that the company intended to enforce the clause on a certain date. Abundance of time was given before the action was taken, to allow all who were able to negotiate loans to do so. Many who had purchased land during the early years of the colony were still in arrears, but a majority of these were able to secure money either from friends or from banks or other money lenders. Where contracts were forfeited, the original purchaser was given preference if he desired to repurchase the land. Only four forfeited their equity in the land and left the community entirely. A few others were obliged to forfeit their holdings temporarily, but they rebought, so as not to lose their improvements. In a few cases the original purchaser was allowed to repurchase for less than the price origiAnother large tract of undeveloped land in the nally agreed upon. region was owned by a Philadelphia syndicate, which gave the agent for the railroad company the agency for their land also. They sold at about the same prices as the railroad company and granted the

same terms.

CHARACTER OF THE COLONISTS.

The Polish immigrants who came to the colony did not come from any one locality in the United States. The majority of them. however, came from Chicago, as, at the time of the establishment of the colony, a great many Poles were flocking into that city. Others were attracted from the eastern parts of New York and Pennsyl vania by the cheap land, the favorable terms of purchase, and the presence of fellow-countrymen.

While both Russian and Austrian Poles are found in this locality. large majority of the settlers are from Prussian Poland. They came to a region which was then a wilderness, and brought only a few personal belongings in the shape of coarse, cheap bed clothing, and wearing apparel. Belonging to the peasant classes in Europe, they had been trained in the school of hard work and scant living. All started their new life with willing hands and much enthusiasm, and they soon demonstrated their ability to withstand the hardships of the pioneer.

A majority of the immigrants had been employed on farms in Europe, either as farm laborers or tenants. Some, however, were tradesmen or laborers, both skilled and unskilled. Practically all of the settlers, however, had been engaged in some other occupation in this country previous to coming to Radom, the majority having been employed as common, unskilled laborers, such as railroad construction men or laborers in lumber yards, while others came from the copper mines of Michigan and the coal mines and furnaces in Pennsylvania. Settling as they did, it was inevitable that the first Polish colonists should experience some hardships. The majority of them exhausted all or a greater part of their savings in making the first payment on their land. Many made an initial payment of only $10 on a 40-acre purchase and began the work of clearing and improving the land without any money to provide for their families while this work was being carried on. Opportunities for outside employment were scarce and wages were low.

PIONEER PROBLEMS.

The ignorance of the colonists of American methods of farming and of other customs was a great handicap. There was no one to instruct, and this section being very sparsely settled when they came into it. there was little opportunity to learn by observing American farmers. Even those who had been on farms in their native land had farmed on a much smaller scale and on land much better adapted to hand cultivation. Grown men, in many cases, could not harness a horse. Besides being poorly housed and clothed and underfed, in many cases they were the victims of their shrewd American neighbors in making trades. They were not good judges of horseflesh, and often bought the cheapest animal to be found. In many cases the horses died before a crop was well started, and those that lived frequently were not able to do good work.

Despite the difficulties the early settlers had to meet, the colony grew steadily. Recruits were constantly added, and all who came progressed, at first slowly, but as they became better established