Newspaper Clippings for
October, 1903
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 7 October 1903
Mrs. John Chope and children visited at Lincoln Park last
Wednesday.
Mar Eichinger has returned from her visit.
Mrs. Murrie, mother of Mrs. John Bonner, died Friday, the 25th,
at her home near Russell. Many from here attended her funeral, at
which the Millburn choir sang.
Mr. H. C. Cumming's aunt, Mrs. Burghit, is visiting at his
home, also Miss Wright of Chicago.
Miss Agnes Bonner returned Sunday from Dakota, where she has
been visiting for the past two weeks.
Be sure and go to the Calico Carnival, October 2, Masonic hall.
Miss K. L. Smith was a Chicago visitor this week.
Mr. and Mrs. James Pollock spent Saturday and Sunday in
Waukegan with their daughter, Mrs. John Fulton..
Mr. William Chope took a load of Millburnites to view the City
of Zion last Friday.
Mrs. John Wedge has sold twenty acres of her farm to William
McGuire.
Mr. Leroy has returned home from his visit among his children
and friends at Belvidere.
Mrs. Wienecke and her nephew took a trip to Zion this week.
Mr. and Mrs. McGuire and daughter Ethel were Waukegan visitors
last Saturday.
Don't forget the lecture October 6, "The Model New Woman," by
Dr. Hall, given under the auspices of the Y. P. S. C. E. A treat
in store. Every one invited.
The Junior Endeavor next Saurday, October 3, --p. m. Berton
Wienecke, leader.
The C. E. topic for October 4: "Great Men o the Bible; What
Abraham Teaches Us." Leslie Cannon, leader.
A missionary meeting and tea will be held at the home of the
President, Miss Nellie McDougall, on Wednesday September 30.
Mr. Sippie and his bride were the guests of his daughter, Mrs.
George Gerrity, this week.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Gazette 10 October 1903
Andrew White and Robert McDougal have been very busy the last two
weeks with their clover hulling machine.
Mrs. Wentworth went to the city last week to be with her
sister, Mrs. Joseph Jefferson.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Mathews returned Minnesota last Saturday.
Mr. Denman's father from Lincoln, Ill. is visiting his son's
family here.
Mr. Ocker sang with the choir last Sunday night. He is a fine
singer and will be a great help. With the two Spafford men, Geo.
Dodge, Roy Hughes, Mr. Ocker, Mrs. Dr. Jamison, Mrs. R. L. Strang,
the two Thain girls, the two Spafford girls, the Dodge girls, Vera
Worden, and our fine alto singer, Miss Carrie Bater, our choir is
not likely to fail very soon. Next Sunday night there will be a
song service in the ---
Mrs. Winnkee's father, Mr. Leroy has returned from a long visit
at Marengo, Ills.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Strang visited Dr. Tombaugh and called on
other friends in Waukegan. Monday they soon start for Florida.
The C. E. business meeting will be held with Jessie Jamieson
Friday night.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 12 October 1903
Mrs. Wentworth visited in Chicago the latter part of last week.
Miss Carrie Bater has gone to Antioch for a few weeks.
Mrs. Esty is spending a week with her daughter, Mrs. Jane
McGuire.
Farmers are digging potatoes and find plenty of rotten ones.
Mrs. Stafford entertained Mrs. Saulsfield and children the past
week.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Matthews have returned from a two weeks'
visit in Minnesota.
J. J. Feezer and Will Shute were callers in our little burg.
Mr. Shute is looking after real estate.
Miss Etta Knox of Dakota is visiting at her uncle's, Mr.
William Bonner.
The lecture given by Dr. George Hall was well worth going to
hear.
15 October 1903
Have a limited number of young thoroughbred silver laced Wyandotte
cockerels which we will sell, for the rest of this month, for $1.00 a
piece, at our home, first house west of Millburn. Nellie McDougall,
Millburn, Ill.
22 October 1903
Mrs. Wentworth has gone to New York.
Chris Johnson started for Oklahoma Tuesday.
Mrs. Tukey is visiting at the home of her sister Mrs. Geo. Jamison.
Mrs. Mabel Young is entertaining friends from Lake Forest this week.
A large number from here attended the Sunday School Convention last
Thursday and Friday at Antioch.
Please remember the Christian Endeavor rally to be held at Highland
Park next Friday night, Oct. 30.
Miss Nellie Cannon returned last Thursday from Pecatonica where she
attended the funeral of an old friend.
Christian Endeavor topic for Oct. 25 (verse deleted) Ethel Ames,
leader.
Don't forget the husking bee at David Whitier's next Friday night
Oct. 23, given under the auspices of the Y.P.S.C.E. Supper 15 cents.
All are invited.
The officers of the Y.P.S.C.E. elected for the coming six months are:
Earl White, president; Lucy Spafford, vice president; Alice Dodge,
secretary; D. H. Minto, treasurer; Vera Worden and Minnetta Denman,
organists.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Gazette 22 October 1903
Misses Margaret and Ina Lawrence went to the city Monday to spend
a few days.
Mrs. Cummings has gone to Poin____, Wis. To visit Helen
Cordiner.
____D. Wolff, of Laplata, Missouri, visiting aunt, Mrs.
Pantall.
_____ Bascome, visited with friends over Sunday and returned to
city Monday.
Rev. Mr. Sayles of Oak Park sailed in and gave the people two
rousing good sermons. Everybody should come and hear him, next
Sunday as he is a very fine preacher and a good singer. He sang
two solos last Sunday which were greatly enjoyed by all who heard
him.
Mrs. Bater returned from a ten days' visit in the city
Wednesday.
Mrs. Wm. White returned from her trip Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Edward Martin of Buffalo, N. Y., arrived at
Mr. Pantall's Thursday to visit their cousin E. A. Martin. Mrs.
N. R. Adams and daughters accompanied them from Chicago.
Threshing if being rushed round here.
Gussie and Hazel Thain went to Kenosha last Wednesday to attend
their cousin Sosie Fisher's wedding.
Mrs. Dawson of Chicago has been visiting Mrs. Henry Wedge a few
days. She went back to the city Tuesday.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Gazette 24 October 1903
Mr. and Mrs. John Thain and E. A. Martin were in the city on
business Tuesday.
Mrs. George Strang started Wednesday for Iola, Kansas, to visit
her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Anderson.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Strang and daughter Ruth, of Waukegan are
spending the week here among friends.
Mrs. George Smith, of Evanston and Mrs. Victor Rossback, also
Rev. John Nelson and Mrs. Mills visited with their old friends,
Mrs. S. Smith and Miss Kittie Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Cummings last
Thursday.
Mrs. Jacob Miller visited her son Louis and family at Gurnee
and went to Chicago last week.
Mrs. Norman Adams and her two daughters, of Chicago Lawn, were
out to the old home Saturday and Sunday.
Robert Jamieson made a short visit at home and went back to the
city Sunday night.
Mrs. Denman very generously took a surrey load both Friday and
Saturday to the Sunday School convention at Antioch.
All the Trotter boys, three in number and all the Trotter girls
in Chicago were out to spend Sunday with their mother and Mr. and
Mrs. Case.
Mrs. Houser has gone to Germany for the winter.
Mrs. Lawrence visited her sister, Mrs. Geo. Low, of Waukegan
last Saturday.
Mrs. Wentworth got home from Buzzard's Bay, where she went with
Mrs. Joseph Jefferson, who has been very sick) Tuesday night with
grandson Warren Wentworth Brown, of Chicago.
Mrs. Potter, of Solon, is visiting Mrs. J. M. Strang.
Dr. Taylor visited in the city a few days with his sons, Edwin
Theron Taylor and Dr. Ralph Taylor, of Lilly Lake, Ill.
Wm. Mitchell is going to Waukegan to live. We are sorry to
lose such a good citizen from our small town.
Mrs. Lawrence goes to Tabor, Iowa Friday, for the winter.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bonner expect their brother-in-law, Webster
Dodge, of Peoria, Ill., to visit them next Saturday.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 26 October 1903
MRS. MCALISTER ILL HAS TRAINED NURSE
Aged Benefactress Is Taken Sick on Eighty-Seventh Birthday
Illness Develops Into Bronchial Pneumonia
Only Intimate Friends See Her.
Taken ill on her eighty-seventh birthday a week ago last Sunday,
Mrs. Jane McAlister, Waukegan's biggest benefactor now lies in bed
at her modest little home on Clayton street, very ill, and under
the care of trained nurses.
She is suffering with bronchial pneumonia and while not
dangerously sick, is in a condition where only her most intimate
friends are allowed to see her.
It was on her eighty-seventh birthday that she first complained of
feeling sick and while she continued to grow worse since then, not
until last Tuesday was she obliged to take to her bed. Since that
time her case has been watched with intense interest by her
friends who fear that, because of her advanced age, she may not
recover from this illness which is one of the worst she has had.
Her Concern For Association
In connection with the venerable old lady's illness, it is of
interest to know that she is greatly concerned with regard to the
annual election of the Hospital association which takes place
tomorrow. This morning she spoke of the matter to her doctor and
expressed her wishes regarding those whom she wished should hold
the offices.
All along she has taken great interest in the association, and it
was hoped by some members that she might be able to attend this,
the first annual meeting to be held following the changing of the
association's name from Lake County Hospital association to the
McAlister association, as a result of her having donated $20,000
for the erection of a new hospital now in course of construction.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 29 October 1903
MRS. M'ALISTER CALLED TO HER REST
Donator of New $20,000 Hospital
Passed Away This Morning At Two O'clock
Following Short Illness.
Mrs. Jane McAlister, the greatest benefactress Waukegan ever had,
the respected lady who a few months ago donated to the city
$20,000 to erect a hospital building, is dead.
Without living to see finished the magnificent work she started,
she has passed away, leaving behind her what will be a monument of
her great goodness and generosity. She succumbed to a short
illness which from the first her friends thought would be
fatal.
Her death came Wednesday night at 12:30 o'clock and was
peaceful.
Mrs. McAlister's death was directly due to a hemorrhage which came
up on her at 12:20 o'clock. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon she was
exceptionally bright and spoke about the affairs of the house,
mentioning many things which she had not thought of for years. At
9 o'clock she talked with some of her most intimate friends and
then went to sleep, resting easily up to 12:30 o'clock.
At that time she roused hurriedly from her sleep and was raised up
in bed and began coughing. She had sustained a hemorrhage and
after coughing violently for a few moments, she sank back
dead.
The announcement to her on the previous evening of the first
annual election of the hospital association named after her, the
Jane McAlister Hospital association, seemed to satisfy her. She
had shown much interest in the campaign and when the result was
told her, she opened her eyes and smiled as she replied. "That is
as it should be."
Did Not See Corner Stone Laid.
Mrs. McAlister is dead and the one regret which fills every
person's heart in the city is that she did not see the corner
stone of the hospital laid. The matter was for some reason
overlooked and the aged woman felt deeply grieved to think that
she was not present at the time. She said after hearing that the
stone had been laid, "I am sorry, I had looked forward to seeing
the stone laid for I am so old that I will not likely live to see
the building dedicated." Her words came true, for she was not
spared to see her good work completed.
Her Illness Short.
It was on her birthday that the aged woman was taken sick. A week
ago last Sunday, when she had reached her eighty-seventh
anniversary, she complained of feeling badly and on the following
Tuesday she went to bed and never was able to get up again.
Bronchial pneumonia was reported the cause of her demise, and all
of the time her condition was such that it was announced that she
could not pull through. She possessed a wonderful constitution
and vitality and held on longer than the average person would have
done.
Her Life.
Mrs. McAlister was the wife of John McAlister and she was among
the city's oldest residents and among the very early pioneers of
the county.
She was formerly Jane Strang and she was born in Pershire,
Scotland Oct. 18, 1817. Her marriage to Mr. McAlister took place
in Canada, October 2, 1838.
Mrs. McAlister was the daughter of John and Margaret Strang and
her parents came to Millburn, this county, in 1838, bringing with
them nine children. In that locality the Strangs have since lived
and the name has become among the prominent ones in the
county.
Mrs. McAlister was the sixth in the family and with her husband
worked as few other farmers in Lake county worked. Their efforts
were rewarded for by their hard toil together they amassed a
fortune which in later years the aged widow used to good advantage
in charitable work.
When they came to Lake county Mr. and Mrs. McAlister settled in
the town of Newport. They came here from Canada by team when the
roads and houses were few.
They settled in Newport township, where Mr. McAlister bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, but the deed
was not recorded until 1887.
Having lived on the farm until 1882, he removed to Waukegan, where
he died December 6, 1888, leaving no children. He was a
Republican in politics and both he and his wife were of the
Presbyterian faith. When he came to Lake county he had only his
team and $25 in cash, of which amount $22 was spent for a cow.
For forty years Mrs. McAlister did the work of a man in the fields
in addition to her housework. She made a present of the old home
farm to her nephew, Robert Dugall, as an inducement for his
removal to America.
Though possessing such great wealth, up to a short time ago Mrs.
McAlister did her own housework and seemed to delight in it. She
lived modesty and yet was generous with her money, having helped
to put the Presbyterian church to the good financial condition
where it now stands and having helped many persons in need,
particularly her relatives. She was pestered by persons from all
parts of the county who sought aid from her and following her
munificent donation to the church a number of years ago, she
received hundreds of letters a day asking for help for various
individuals and various causes.
Helped Church Much
Besides buying the pipe organ for the Presbyterian church, Mrs.
McAlister purchased the present manse and had it rebuilt and
presented it to the church to be used for its pastor. She also
lifted the debt that existed on the church a short time ago and
helped in the various appeals for aid.
Truly it may be said of her that she was the greatest benefactress
the city ever had.
A Cheerful Old Lady.
She was a cheerful old Scotch woman, one whom anybody would spend
a pleasant hour chatting with.
Up to the very last her mental faculties were very clear and she
talked of business affairs as if a woman in middle age.
Mrs. McAlister is survived by a brother, Robert Strang, of
Millburn, and a sister, Mrs. Janet Thayer of Millburn.
Gives Hospital to City.
Waukegan people were taken by surprise when last summer, the aged
woman announced that she had decided to enrich Waukegan by giving
$20,000 for the erection of a hospital. She conceived the idea in
her own mind and seemed to delight in the fact that she had done
it alone. She watched the work progress on the new building and
it was the general prayer that she might live to see it completed.
The interment will be at Millburn on Saturday, with a short
service at the late residence on Clayton street, at 10 a. m., and
a service at the Millburn church at 1:20 p. m.
MRS. JANE MCALISTER.
All Waukegan mourns on account of the death of this aged woman,
who has done more for charity and general good for the city and
county than any other person who has ever lived within its
borders.
Unlike many persons, she did not wait until after death to have
her wealth used for doing good. She used it while she lived.
While she denied herself many luxuries and contented herself with
living very modestly herself, she seemed happy when she was doing
good with her means in other sources.
A kind old woman with a kind word for all who called to see her,
she was happy when doing something for somebody else.
It was because she saw the great need for an up to date hospital
that she decided of her own accord to erect one, not for the
purpose of perpetuating the name McAlister, but for the good it
would do the community. She disliked show, she cared not for the
notice that was drawn to her through the benevolent acts, all she
cared for was the fact that she was doing good.
Her last appearance in public was at the dedication of the
library, when she walked all the way from her home to the scene of
the ceremonies. A fact which showed her dislike for
conspicuousness, was seen in her determined refusal to occupy a
seat on the platform. As a prominent benefactress, she was
entitled to this recognition, but insisted that she did not want
to appear conspicuous. This little act showed a true
characteristis of the venerable old lady.
A women, who in her early life toiled on a farm along the side of
her husband, she never believed in being extravagant and contented
herself with living in a surprisingly modest manner for one
possessing the wealth she and her husband had acquired by their
arduous labors on the farm and for this trait, she drew particular
attention.
It was a source of gratification in everybody that she retained
her strength and metal faculties up to practically her last hours,
for, while she was unconscious the past few days most of the time,
up to then she was mentally clear and talked freely concerning her
affairs.
With her death a good, a kind, a charitable person has passed
away.
It may be said of her that she lived to enjoy doing good for
others and in that regard she was truly successful and through it
she perpetuated the name McAlister and with it will always be
associated charity and benevolent characteristics.
29 October 1903
Mrs. Jane McAlister Ill.
Taken sick on her 87th birthday, a week ago last Sunday, Mrs. Jane
McAlister, Waukegan's benefactor, is very ill with bronchial pneumonia,
and while not dangerously sick, is in a condition which causes her
friends much anxiety. About a year ago she donated $20,000 for the
erection of a hospital which was much needed there.
The undersigned having decided to quit farming will sell at public
auction one-fourth mile north of Millburn, on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 10
o'clock sharp, the following described property to wit: Nineteen head
of cattle consisting of six 2-year-old steers, 12 milch cows and 1
registered Durham bull, four head of horses, namely matched team of
sorrel mares, 6 and 8 years old, weigh 2700 pounds, 1 colt coming 2-
years old by Pat Uno, 1 colt coming 2-years-old by Sir David, 19 grade
sheep, 1 buck and ewe register Shropshire, 15 fall pigs, McCormick grain
binder, McCormick mower, Deering corn binder, seeder, hay rake, 1-horse
cultivator, 2-horse cultivator, spring tooth, set of drags, lumber
wagon, truck wagon, box hay rack and dump boards, galvanized steel stock
tank, bob sleigh, cutter, 14-inch plow, 16-inch Flying Dutchman sulky
plow, corn sheller, nearly new, corn planter and new check rower, milk
wagon, 6 milk cans, top buggy, 2 sets heavy harness, set of light
driving harness with extra collars, heating stove, coal stove, nearly
new, 15 acres of corn in shock, 25 tons of tame hay in barn, stack
straw, 25 bushels good potatoes, 200 bushels oats and many other
articles that are used on a farm. Free lunch at noon. Usual terms of
sale.
Wm. W. Mitchell, Prop.
Geo. Vogel, Auctioneer.
Mrs. Elmer Cannon is on the sick list.
Mrs. Gerrity and Mary Eichinger went to Grayslake last Tuesday.
William Wandel, of Waukegan was the guest of Mrs. Bater Sunday.
Remember the Christian Endeavor rally at Highland Park October 30.
Mr. Dodge and daughter May, of Peoria were visiting at John Bonner's.
Mrs. Lawrence left Friday for Iowa where she will winter.
Mr. and Mrs. Cannon and A. H. Stewart were Waukegan visitors this
week.
Wm. Mitchell has bought a home in Waukegan and will soon have a sale.
The Ladies Aid will have a special meeting Thursday, October, 29, at
Mrs. Baters.
The monthly Missionary Meeting was held with Mrs. George Jamseton on
Wednesday.
The husking bee at David Whites proved to be a success and every body
reported a good time.
Please bear in mind the next regular business of the Christian
Endeavor. It is to be a little out of the ordinary.
The Misses Alice Dodge, Susy Payne and Annie McCredie attended the
teachers institute at Highland Park Friday.
News reached here Monday of the arrival of a son at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Ralph Taylor of Lily Lake, formerly of this place.
The C. E., topic for (verse deleted). Mrs. Erma Strang leader.
Instead of the usual Sunday morning services the time was given to a
Congregational S. S. Missionary concert which was very entertaining, a
special contribution was taken up for Turkey.
from the pages of the Waukegan Daily Sun 30 October 1903
Mrs. Elmer Cannon is on the sick list.
Mrs. Gerrity and Mary Eichinger went to Grasslake Tuesday
night.
William Wandel of Waukegan was the guest of Mrs. Bater Sunday.
Mr. Dodge and daughter May of Peoria were visiting at John
Bonner's
Mrs. Lawrence left Friday for Iowa where she will spend the
winter.
Mr. and Mrs. Cannon and A. H. Stewart were Waukegan visitors
this week.
William Mitchell has bought a home in Waukegan and will soon
have a sale.
The Ladies' Aid will have a special meeting, October 29, at
Mrs. Bater's.
The husking bee at David White's proved to be a success and
everybody reported a good time.
The Misses Alice Dodge, Susie Payne and Annie McCredie attended
the teacher's institute at Highland park Friday.
News reached here Monday of the arrival of a son at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Taylor of Lily Lake, formerly of this place.
Instead of the usual Sunday morning services the time was given
to a Congregational Sunday school missionary concert which was
very entertaining, a special contribution was taken up for Turkey.
The monthly missionary meeting was held with Mrs. George
Jameson on Wednesday.
