CHAPTER VIII.

Early Salt Making-Gov. Coles on Titles-Gen. Lafayette's Visit to Illinois -Shawneetown in 1817.

EARLY SALT MAKING.

One of the most interesting subjects of the pioneer history of the State is salt making in Gallatin county. Tradition says that the salt springs near Equality were extensively worked by the prehistoric race of the continent, long before the Anglo-Saxon race had penetrated the wilds of Illinois. The evaporating kettles used were found at Negro Salt Springs and at Salt Lick, near Equality. The kettles were between three and four feet in diameter, made of clay and pounded shells, moulded in basket-work or cloth, which left the impression on the outside of the kettle and looked like artistic hand-work. Little or nothing is known as to the length of time the springs were worked by the Indians, but Congress gave attention to the subject in 1812. On the 12th of February of that year, an act was passed setting apart six miles square of land to support the Equality Salines. Under Congressional authority the springs were leased to parties to work. The labor was nearly all performed by slaves brought from Kentucky and Tennessee, of which reference is made in Article six, Section two, of the Constitution of 1818. Many of these negroes, by extra work, saved sufficient money to buy their freedom, and these were the negroes from whom descended

the large number that resided in Gallatin and Saline counties before the war for the Union. Salt, under the Government leases, sold at $5 per bushel, and found a ready market in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Missouri. It was transported in keel-boats up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, and to St. Louis in the The inhabitants of the neighboring States would often come hundreds of miles upon horseback and carry away the salt on pack-saddles.

same manner.

In 1818, Congress gave these lands to Illinois, and the State continued the leasing system, furnishing the kettles. Among the lessees we call to mind Leonard White, Timothy Guard, Chalin Guard, E. D. Taylor and John Crenshaw. The last lease made was to Mr. Crenshaw, December 9, 1840; it was for ten years. He became very wealthy, and at one time exercised a large political influence in that portion of the State.

All the lessees are dead except Mr. Taylor, who is now an old man, and resides at LaSalle.

Under an act of the General Assembly of February 23, 1847, the lands were sold, and the school trustees of T. 9, R. 9, bought that portion containing the salt wells. In 1852, the lands were sold at public auction, and in 1854, Castles & Temple took charge of the property and developed it by an improved system which had its origin in France, and through this system produced two hundred barrels of salt per day. As late as 1870, it was no uncommon thing to see from three to four wagons drawn by from four to six mules, on the road between Equality and Shawneetown, laden with salt for the various markets of the South and West. But in 1873, Castles & Temple, in consequence of the panic, over-production and ruinous prices, closed the works, and engaged in the manufacture of coke and mining, on the same property.