User:Brian keith 1963/sandbox

Scipio Illinois Winnebago County. About the years 1834 and 1835 glowing accounts began to be circulated in the east of the beautiful Prairieland of the west. They read more like a fairy tale than the real facts and were eagerly sought and devo ured by the poor farmers of cattaraugus county of New York. many of the residents of that county were from pennsylvania and were sturdy pioneers seeking for a home and by these glowing accounts were inspired and and perpared to emigrate.The first to start was Dr calvin Doolittle and his son.Hiram Wattles with them was Harry D.the youngest son and David Atkins.who subseuqently married Clarissa Doolittle.youngest daughter of the doctor. These two families emigrated in the spring of 1836 and located on the Big Bottom. Doolittle at the mouth of willow creek and Wattles on the east bank of the Rock River just above Illinois park. Here is where the log cabin stood that first came to our vision upon that memorable evening and marked the spot where at that early day an imaginary city was to be builded. And a beautiful place it was. Here was a sight seldom seen Mr Wattles felt that he had stuck a bonanza in respect to a site for a city .one not to be equalled in America.On the next morning after our arrival he moved about with an elastic step. showing the new arrivals superiority of his selection and the many claims it had pointed to success.What a beautiful scene it was the green hills in the distance which seemed to form a half circle a few miles away to the east could be plainly seen. The line of forest trees the stood back of them were clustered in little groups and made a back-ground while here abd there a stately Balm of Gilead tree loomed up and marked the course of William creek on its meandering way to the river from a bluff. It was a scene long to be remembered and as the morning sun arose to light up the enchanting sight thousands of prairie chickens could be seen gathering upon their feeding grounds which were located upon slight elevations in every direction The wild duck and geese were also marshaling their forces for the morning meal,and were seen coming from the river and pond by the thousands Conspicuously upon the scene was Hiram  Wattles as he proundly viewed the enchanting surroundings and pointed out to those gathered about him, the stately blocks and views of magnificent buildings with their level streets of unrivaled beauty,as they arose to view from the slumbering past. and brought life and animation to those seeking glory and honor! Just them a thought struck Hiram What shall i call it  What  it shall be Scipio  and my name shall go down to future generations immortalized as the founder of a city. The classic name Scipio did not entice the hoped for buyers and poor Hiram couldnt ever give hid lots away his was the only house ever built there. Scipio never become a town Hiram Wattles moved to michigan  there he lived in till he passed away