Francis Whitcomb, the third of the first settlers of Vermilion County, who made any impress upon it's affairs was identified with two sections-the Salt Works and Butler's Point. He came to the Salt Springs with the Blackmail Company and was one of the three with whom Blackman made the agreement to make partners in the profits of the saltworks. That he did not stand by his word has already been recorded. While the matter was being adjusted Francis Whitcomb continued working at the saltworks. It is during his stay here that a story is told of him which shows a kind heart and refined nature that expressed itself in unusual degree. It was after Seymour Treat had gone to Denmark, and there were no women at the saltworks, other than Baily's wife. This family of Baily's consisted of himself, his wife and two or three small children. Baily sold out to Mr. Luddington, and left his family, to go to the "Illinois River County." Soon the children became ill and Mrs. Baily herself was taken ill. The men working at the saltworks were all unmarried. There was no one to give the woman and children the needed care.
Francis Whitcomb took as good care of them as a woman could. He provided their food as well as possible where there was nothing to be had fit for ill people to eat. He did their washing, attended their wants, and rendered all assistance possible under the circumstances, with no doctors, and no drug stores near where aid or medicine, could be procured. In spite of the care this young man could give the children, one by one wasted away, and died. No lumber or plank was to be had with which to make their coffins, but the men split rough boards from a walnut tree that grew a short distance from Butler's branch, and made crude caskets. These strong men inured to hardships, silently and with sad faces buried the children, with no minister to say a prayer nor relatives to mourn as the graves were filled.
Francis Whitcomb, went to Butler's Point the saltworks, and took up the farm afterwards known as the one Richard Jones lived on. The house he built is yet standing. He lived here a number of years and sold his farm to Henry Jones himself going to McLean County, where he died and was buried.
Francis Whitcomb, was the father of six children.
History of Vermilion County --- Chapter XV- Part 1
Francis Whitcomb took as good care of them as a woman could. He provided their food as well as possible where there was nothing to be had fit for ill people to eat. He did their washing, attended their wants, and rendered all assistance possible under the circumstances, with no doctors, and no drug stores near where aid or medicine, could be procured. In spite of the care this young man could give the children, one by one wasted away, and died. No lumber or plank was to be had with which to make their coffins, but the men split rough boards from a walnut tree that grew a short distance from Butler's branch, and made crude caskets. These strong men inured to hardships, silently and with sad faces buried the children, with no minister to say a prayer nor relatives to mourn as the graves were filled.
Francis Whitcomb, went to Butler's Point the saltworks, and took up the farm afterwards known as the one Richard Jones lived on. The house he built is yet standing. He lived here a number of years and sold his farm to Henry Jones himself going to McLean County, where he died and was buried.
Francis Whitcomb, was the father of six children.
History of Vermilion County --- Chapter XV- Part 1
Francis Whitcomb, the third of the first settlers of Vermilion County, who made any impress upon it's affairs was identified with two sections-the Salt Works and Butler's Point. He came to the Salt Springs with the Blackmail Company and was one of the three with whom Blackman made the agreement to make partners in the profits of the saltworks. That he did not stand by his word has already been recorded. While the matter was being adjusted Francis Whitcomb continued working at the saltworks. It is during his stay here that a story is told of him which shows a kind heart and refined nature that expressed itself in unusual degree. It was after Seymour Treat had gone to Denmark, and there were no women at the saltworks, other than Baily's wife. This family of Baily's consisted of himself, his wife and two or three small children. Baily sold out to Mr. Luddington, and left his family, to go to the "Illinois River County." Soon the children became ill and Mrs. Baily herself was taken ill. The men working at the saltworks were all unmarried. There was no one to give the woman and children the needed care.
Francis Whitcomb took as good care of them as a woman could. He provided their food as well as possible where there was nothing to be had fit for ill people to eat. He did their washing, attended their wants, and rendered all assistance possible under the circumstances, with no doctors, and no drug stores near where aid or medicine, could be procured. In spite of the care this young man could give the children, one by one wasted away, and died. No lumber or plank was to be had with which to make their coffins, but the men split rough boards from a walnut tree that grew a short distance from Butler's branch, and made crude caskets. These strong men inured to hardships, silently and with sad faces buried the children, with no minister to say a prayer nor relatives to mourn as the graves were filled.
Francis Whitcomb, went to Butler's Point the saltworks, and took up the farm afterwards known as the one Richard Jones lived on. The house he built is yet standing. He lived here a number of years and sold his farm to Henry Jones himself going to McLean County, where he died and was buried.
Francis Whitcomb, was the father of six children.
History of Vermilion County --- Chapter XV- Part 1
Francis Whitcomb took as good care of them as a woman could. He provided their food as well as possible where there was nothing to be had fit for ill people to eat. He did their washing, attended their wants, and rendered all assistance possible under the circumstances, with no doctors, and no drug stores near where aid or medicine, could be procured. In spite of the care this young man could give the children, one by one wasted away, and died. No lumber or plank was to be had with which to make their coffins, but the men split rough boards from a walnut tree that grew a short distance from Butler's branch, and made crude caskets. These strong men inured to hardships, silently and with sad faces buried the children, with no minister to say a prayer nor relatives to mourn as the graves were filled.
Francis Whitcomb, went to Butler's Point the saltworks, and took up the farm afterwards known as the one Richard Jones lived on. The house he built is yet standing. He lived here a number of years and sold his farm to Henry Jones himself going to McLean County, where he died and was buried.
Francis Whitcomb, was the father of six children.
History of Vermilion County --- Chapter XV- Part 1
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