Braidwood News 1871-1872

August 19, 1871 – People’s Advocate  We are reliably informed that surveys have been made for a canal from the Kankakee River to the Braidwood coal fields. The stakes are driven at a point on the west side of the river near the “Camp place”, about one mile above the guard lock and upper dam. The excavation is to begin shortly, if the arrangements are carried out as expected.

We learn that a serious stabbing affray occurred on Saturday last in the south-eastern part of the town of Reed between one Charles Saltzgiver and Thomas Murphy. The latter it seems was badly cut in the head in three places. The trouble originated during the playing of a game of baseball. Both parties were arrested.

October 7, 1871 – People’s Advocate The Catholic Church in Braidwood is to be considerably enlarged and that immediately.

The old Braidwood school house and the lot on which it stands will be offered for sale soon. See advertisement next week. 

November 8, 1871 – Farmer’s Cabinet  A thief was arrested in the town of Braidwood, Ill. the other day, and for want of a prison, was locked up in an empty freight car standing on the Chicago & Alton railroad tracks.  That night a freight train came along and attached the prison car and whirled it away.  Next morning the Braidwood people found that their thief not only escaped but had taken his jail along with him.

November 17, 1871 – People’s Advocate A grand sparring exhibition is announced to come off at Shield’s Hall, Braidwood, on the next Tuesday evening. Jerry Donovan and several lights of the P. R. are advertised to be present. The entertainment will conclude with singing and dancing. Tickets 50 cents. A train leaves Wilmington at 7:10 on that evening, for the coal city.

December 9, 1871 – People’s Advocate Santa Claus will exhibit at Braidwood on the night of the 24^th inst., no postponement on account of weather.

December 23, 1871 – People’s Advocate  Ed. Donahue runs a lighting express wagon to Braidwood daily. His groceries are always as represented and his prices low as those of any other man.

January 13, 1872 – People’s Advocate  Four dances in Braidwood on Burns’ birthday, the 25^th inst.

Seven hundred and forty car loads of coal shipped from Braidwood last week.

A loving wife in Braidwood, on the decease of her husband telegraphed to a friend:” Poor John is dead; loss fully covered by insurance.”

Married – At St. Rose’s Church, on the 11^th, by the Rev. D. J. Riordan, Mr. Cornelius O’Donnell of Braidwood, and Miss Margaret A. Lio, of Chicago.

January 20, 1872 – People’s Advocate  Braidwood is about to have a large and commodious grain warehouse shortly. It will be of great accommodation to farmers in that locality and tend to competition which is proverbially the life of trade.

Bank of Braidwood – We learn that a banking and broker’s office is soon to be established in the thriving town of Braidwood. Whether it will be a bank of issue or not,, we are unadvised. The move will be a success. Braidwood supports a dozen coal banks and will certainly sustain one of a financial character.

February 3, 1872 – People’s Advocate  Braidwood has a new and elegant hearse. Those who ride in it once seldom use any other.

In the case of the People vs. the Sullivan’s, all but one were discharged by the jury. Michael Sullivan was found guilty of the homicide of Newell and sent up for seven and one-half years.

February 6, 1872 – Joliet Signal  Murder Trial – The trial of James Sullivan, Son, James Sullivan Jr., Michael Sullivan, Dennis Sullivan, Johanna Sullivan, Margaret Sullivan, Richard Earnest and Mary Earnest, indicted for the murder of Paul Newell, at Braidwood on the first of August last, was concluded Tuesday. The jury was out about 24 hours and brought in a verdict finding Michael Sullivan guilty of the killing and fixing his term of service in the penitentiary at 7 ½ years. The other defendants were found not guilty and discharged. Capt. Hill, States Attorney, assisted by his partner, D. Dibell, Esq., prosecuted, Messrs. Barber and Munn defended the prisoners.