Category Archives: Law enforcement

‘Fort Taylor’ and Civil War prostitution

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

One of Springfield’s best-known brothels was operated by Harvey Taylor and his wife, Lucinda, during the Civil War. Known as “Fort Taylor” because of all the soldiers who briefly stationed themselves in this bastion, the Taylors’ establishment was just one … Continue reading →

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Philip Fowler (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 27, 2013 by editor

Philip Fowler was a carpenter who lived in a two-room frame home on Third Street south of Jefferson Street in 1828, according to John Todd Stuart’s recollections. (The home is No. 19 on the reconstructed map of 1828 Springfield.) In … Continue reading →

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Hanging of Nathaniel Van Noy (1826)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by editor

Early pioneers of Sangamon County often used the hanging of Nathaniel Van Noy on Nov. 26, 1826 as a time reference. Van Noy, who lived west of Athens in what now is Menard County, had killed his wife in what … Continue reading →

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Mayor John ‘Buddy’ Kapp

Posted on October 21, 2013 by editor

John “Buddy” Kapp (1888-1978) served four terms as Springfield mayor, from 1931 to 1947, the longest mayoral tenure in city history.  One of his secrets? Kapp never forgot a name,  State Journal-Register reporter Mike Kienzler wrote in a profile of … Continue reading →

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Police officers killed in line of duty

Posted on October 13, 2013 by editor

Ten Springfield police officers, one deputy sheriff, six Illinois state troopers based in Springfield and a federal prohibition agent have been killed on duty in Sangamon County.  The list includes: Springfield Police Departrment Off. David Tapscott, died Dec. 26, 1979: … Continue reading →

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Race riot deaths

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

The Springfield race riot of Aug. 14-15, 1908 was unique in that more whites died than blacks. “This was due no doubt to the armed blacks, defending themselves and their interests in the Levee,” reported Carole Merritt in Something So … Continue reading →

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Race riot of 1908

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Update: On Aug. 16, 2024, President Joe Biden designated an area along Springfield’s 10th Street railroad tracks the Springfield Race Riot National Monument. The new monument takes in the remains of five homes destroyed during the riot. The structures were … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Disasters, Fever River, Historic Sites, Law enforcement, Markers, Race riot of 1908, Resources, Springfield | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Abraham Raymer (1908 race riot)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

Charges against Abraham Raymer, 20, served as test cases to determine whether Sangamon County juries would convict anyone of serious crimes resulting from the the Springfield race riot on Aug. 14-15, 1908. The answer, authorities ultimately decided, was “No”. Raymer … Continue reading →

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George Reisch discusses Prohibition

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

George Reisch (1846-1936), a son of Franz Sales Reisch, founder of the Reisch Brewing Co., helped find ways to continue the business during Prohibition, making flavored soda water and malt syrup. But his opinion on banning alcoholic beverages was clear: … Continue reading →

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George Richardson (1908 race riot)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

George Richardson was a black man who was falsely accused of sexually assaulting Mabel Hallam, the white wife of a streetcar conductor, on Aug. 13, 1908. The allegation, reported in sensational fashion by local newspapers, helped instigate the Springfield race … Continue reading →

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