Records of the olden time are interesting, and they are not without lessons of instruction. We follow in the footprints of the adventurous and enterprising pioneer, and see him, as it were, and his labors and struggles in tlie wilderness as he converts it into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire and listen to the aceotints which he gives of frontier life, and the hardships, trials, dangers and sufferings of himself and family in their efforts to make for themselves a home in regions remote from civilization, and unexplored hitherto by the Anglo Saxon. Through these pioneer recitals we make our way to the present, and from small beginnings we come to the mighty achievements of industry. Following on in the path of improvement, we see the once waste places rejoicing under the care of the husbandman; arable farms are spread out before us; schools have been established, churches built and a Chrsitian ministry sustained. All this and more, but space will not allow elaborate reflections.

The division of the county to which the reader's attention is now directed is the out growth of later development. As the inhabitants of other States flock in and make settlements, precincts are formed, which are afterward divided and subdivided, and in 1869 the present township of Dodds was organized. Jefterson Cotinty, for many years prior to its division into town.ships. comprised a number of precincts, and the territory that now constitutes Dodds Township was known as Jackson's Precinct. The township thus designated includes thirty-six sections, and is known as Township 'A south and Range 3 east. It is bounded on the north by Mount Vernon, on the east by Pendleton, on the south by Spring Garden and on the west by McCIellen Township. The original character of the country included within these limits was part " barrens " and part true prairie. Moore's Prairie includes a portion of thn southeast sections of the township. Another, named " Gub " Prairie, from the amount of cubs seen and caught there by the early inhabitants, is of considerable importance. The soil of the woodland is a light yellow clay, which is particularly adapted to wheat-growing. The prairie soil is rich and prodtietive of wheat, corn, rve, oats, and almost all kinds of vegetables. The natural drainage is toward the southwest. The Casey Fork, one of the prominent aftluents of " Big Muddy Creek," enters near the center of the northern boundary and takes a diagonal and zizgag course to the southwest corner. Seven-mile Creek is a stream of some importance and empties into Casey's Fork. On the high grounds and along the streams are to be found considerable timber, such as white, jack and black oak, hickory, sycamore and various kinds of shrubs. But little attention has ever been paid to stockraising, but the farmers have engaged in a kind of mixed husbandry. Within the last few years, they have conceived the idea that stock-raising could 'be made remunerative, and they are adding to and improving their flocks and herds as fast as their means will allow. Samuel Gibson is the principal dealer in cattle in the township. He has latel_y purchased a few short-horn and Durham cattle and some line Cotswold sheep. In the early days, there was an abundance of game, as was found everywhere in the county. Deer and small game abounded and contributed to the early settlers' larder as well as to their sport. Wolves infested these wooded slopes and made havoc with the young stock; bat the bustle and hostility of the new-comers soon drove them out of the country.

A generally accepted tradition is that the first settlement made and the first cabin raised in what is now Dodds Township was by James Dodds, whose advent into this new territory was prior to the year 1818. After him the township was named, and it is not too much to say that his namesake has done him justice. It to-day ranks among the most valuable districts of the county. Dodds' first important business was the same as that of all other adventurers upon their arrival in a new territory—that of building a house. Until tiis was done, himself and family had to camp on the ground or live in their wagons— perhaps the only shelter they had known for weeks. So the object of building a house, which was also to be a home, was one that gave zest to the rough toil and to the heavy labors. The style of the house was not considered. It was shelter they required and protection from the weather and wild animals. The settlers had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building themselves a house. They were content in most instances to have a mere cabin or hut. Their cabins were usually made to resemble . a human habitation, and were of round logs, light enough for two or three men to lay up, about foiu-teen feet square, roofed with bark or clapboards and sometimes with the sod of the prairie. For a fire-place, they made a wall of earth or stone, in an opening in one end of the building, extending outward and planked on the outside by bolts of wood notched together to stay it. Such were the hardships to which most of the early settlers of Dodds Township were exposed. Some of these we shall briefly notice in the following pages, which are framed not from records but from vague tradition, with here and there a fragment of personal reminiscence, which serves us as a guide through the obscurity which the shadows of sixty-five years have thrown around the early times. To say that in this chapter it is proposed to write the history of every family in the order in which they came into the township would be promising more than lies in the power of any man to accomplish. But to give a sketch of some of the pioneers and representative"men of the times is our dim, and to transmit them in a durable form to future generations.

Joseph Jordan settled in 1818 on the land now owned and occupied by Isaac Garrison. Jordan was a man of considerable enterprisf and tact, and had an eye to business. Although his settlement in the county was made one year before Jefferson County was organized, yet he had almost formed in his mind the extent of the prospective county and calculated the distance, and probably being enthused by a delightful view from a high part of that then uncultivated landscape, he treasured the thought that the county seat migth be located there. He raised his tirst cabin, dispensed his hospitality to those who came that way, and with heroic patience and fortitude ondm-ed the bard life of the pioneer. Only a short time elapsed before he was forced to see his plans and prospects vanish like a morning dew before the rays of the sun. The county seat was fixed at anothei' place. Burdened with disappointment, he let his roving disposition get the better of him, and he sold his claim at a small compensation to William Frizell and moved to Texas. The Frizell family was a valuable acquisition to the territory, and the impress of their energy is yet visible. Their sad death by the cholera in 1847 is still remembered. William Frizell, wife and children, Joseph and Martha, were the victims of this terrible disease.

The old Jordan farm went into the hands of Isaac Garrison in 1853, and by his industry it has been improved until it now ranks among the first of the county. Some time after Jordan's advent came Dr. Willoughby Adams, who was an excellent physician. He located first in the then small village of Mount Vernon, where he followed his profession, and subsequently on Section 23 in Dodds Township. His services wore valuable, as the ague was a frequent visitor in every household. His popularity grew in the estimation of the people, and as early as 1841 he was chosen as one of the County Commissioners, in which capacity he served with honor, and was frequently re elected. In 1849, he was chosen Associate Justice of the County Court. This position he filled for many years. He was the first practicing physician in Dodds Township, and was also the tirst County Surveyor. At his own request, he was buried a short distance from his residence, where more of his family are sleeping the sleep that knows no waking.

Frank Hicks settled at a later date on Section 27. He was a rough-spoken man, fond of drink, and participated in shooting matches and hunting sprees, which were very frequent in those days. He was, however, true to a ])romise, and always fulfilled his contracts. He reared a large family. One son- John R. P. Hicks—lost the use of his lower limbs over forty years ago and is a resident of Mount Vernon. He employs his time in knitting upon some kind of a machine. Another son — William — was a bright, industrious boy. and among the strongest lads in the neighborhood, but was running one day, when he was suddenly taken with a pain in his feet, which resulted in his being a complete reel foot. He is also living.

Stephen Arnold came from Tennessee among the first, and settled on Section 14. Here ho experienced all the hardships incident to the life of the then few inhabitants. Seth, tbe only living member of his family, resides on the old homestead.

John Smith was an early settler on Section 15. He was a man of careless habits, and never accumulated much property. A few of his posterity survive. Absalom Estes settled on Section 10 some time between the years 1820 and 1822. He remained there but a short time, and sold his improvment to his brother Joseph. The latter was the father of sixteen children, all of whom grew to maturity and reared large families.

Some of the Esteses accumulated large fortunes. It is said of the Estes family that they were sociable, in dustrious and energetic.

Joseph Pace settled on Section 8. He was among the first surveyors in Jefferson County and surveyed some of the early roads, among which was the old Goshen road, and together with the Benton road, branching from the former on the farm of Isaac Garrison, leading thence to Vienna, Cairo and other old Southern cities m this State, were the only early roads in Jackson Precinct. Joseph Pace was the twin brother of Joel Pace, who was the first County and Circuit Clerk, and among the early teachers of this county. It was extensively discussed a few years since by the leading newspapers of America, and a conclusion finally arrived at to the extent that they lived longer than any twins ever known, Joel having died at the age of eighty-eight years and Joseph four years later. Joseph Rogers settled pretty early on Section 7 and became the possessor of considerable property.

William Davis settled what is known as the Harper place. He was a minister of the Baptist Church, and was among the first preachers in the precinct. He died in the county, leaving his family in affluent circumstances.

John Stewart came to Jackson Precinct at an early period. Stewart had the " big head " in reality. It was so large that he could not purchase a hat to tit it, and was compelled to have a hat block and employ a hatter to make his hats, which was done at his residence. David Shaffer located very early in the township and was content to live for awhile in a tent. On one occasion a fire swept over the prairie like a whirlwicd, respecting nothing in its course, and it was only by the strongest efforts that Mr. Shaffer's tent was saved from the conflagration. He erected his first horse grist-mill in the township about 1838, near where is now the residence of W. T. Sanders. It was here that the inhabitants came early and staved late to get crushed their little bag of corn, while the wife and little ones awaited with anxiety and eagerness their return. Frank Hicks also put into operation a horse mill on Section 27, and did considerable grinding for several years.

Isaac Watson was a real pioneer of what is now Dodds Township.

From the earliest period of the world's history, the people of every civilized nation have realized the importance of learning. Education in its fullest sense comprehends the development and cultivation of the various physical, moral and mental faculties of man. Hence it is that the standard of a people's morals, civilization and progress is indicated by the degree of interest manifested in developing and cultivating the moral, social and intellectual faculties of its masses. Society in every age and every nation upon which the refining hand of civilization has been laid, has been ever ready to realize and accept the truth of this. Thus from remote antiquity to the present time, we find associated with other benetii cent institutions for the elevation and advancement of mankind, institutions embracing every grade of instruction, from the elementary school, where the first rudiments of an education are taught, to the university and college, where art. science and literature are disseminated.

The history of education in Jefferson County finds its duplicate in the school history of other counties in Southern Illinois. The pioneers, as soon as they had each prepared a habitation and inclosed a " patch " of land on which to raise the necessaries of life, turned their attention to the erection of a schoolhouse. In 183S, the pioneers of Jackson Precinct, now Dodds Township, erected a log cabin on Government land, which is now the property of W. T. Sanders. Some one took the initiatory step by notifying the settlers within a radius of three or four miles that, on a certain time at a designated place, they would meet for the purpose of erecting a schoolhonse. Punctual at the time and place, armed with their " working tools, " they assembled, and in a short time, considering the disadvantages under which they labored, their work was consummated. The structure would not compare with the excellent temples of learning of the present day, but it afforded them an accommodation for their early schools. This building was about fourteen feet square. The walls were made of rough round logs from the forests; the chimney was of earth and sticks, and the roof of clapboards. Slabs split from trees, the rough edges smoothed with an as, constituted the floor. The windows were made by cutting out a log and pasting a greased paper over the aperture, which admitted all the light that was afforded the pupils. The furniture consisted of "benches" made from large "puncheons;" "desks" or writing tables were formed by placing against the wall at an angle boards or "puncheons." Could the pupil of this early school have entered the spacious and elegantly furnished school rooms of today; could he have sat in the easy patent seat; could he have gazed upon the modern school apparatus and have listened to the sound of the "school gong bell," he would, doubtless, have imagined that ho had been magically transported to another sphere. After this cabin was finished and furnished, a school was the next thing in order. Some one of the settlers canvassed the neighborhood and determined how many pupils would attend the school at a stated sum per capita.

It is thought that W. T. Sanders taught the first school in this cabin, and it is not remembered that he went through any examination. The qualifications required in those days were that the teacher possessed the physical ability to govern the school and be sufficient scholar to teach reading, writing and ciphering, especially the latter, as far as the "double rule of three." Mr. Sanders was very successful. From the beginning of this school, a new impetus was given to education, and each succeeding year the advantages have improved in this direction.

About the year 1850, A. G. Johnson taught a school at a private residence, and not far from the same time a log cabin, similar in construction to the one mentioned above, was built on the line between Sections 10 and 11. In this schoolhonse Moses Smith and A. C. Johnson taught. As we have already stated, the interest in education began to grow. It is true there were some who thought education was not essential to farm life, but they were few, and the masses were warmly in favor of schools. There are now six good frame school buildings in the township, and the best teachers are employed to instruct the young.

In the pioneer cabins of the township, Revs. Rhodam and George Allen, two early ministers, held meetings and added cheering words to thcise gathered from near and far. Services are now held in almost every schoolhouse in the township, besides in two fine frame church buildings.

The Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church is located at the intersection of Sections 2, 8, 10 and 11. E. M. Knapp and Isaac Garrison are the present Deacons, and Rev. C. Richardson is pastor. The organization has an enrollment of about 140 members. A good Sunday school is kept up, with an attendance of more than fifty. Samuel Meadows is Superintendent, and through his efforts the interest is gradually growing.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the township at an early date, but the precise spot and time we have been unable to learn. That kind-hearted and good old pioneer, Joseph Pace, was an early member of this church, and during his life its financial interests were not allowed to suffer through his influence. John Eogers, William Edgington and James Bradford and their respective families were members of the iirst organization.

Some time subsequently, a large frame building was erected at considerable cost on Section 7, and is known as "Bethel Church." The membership of the same is very large, and regular services are kept up during the year. Like the most of the Methodist Churches, it keeps up a lirst-class Sunday school.

The first voting place in the precinct was the old James Dodds house. The ballot bos used then is the same one that now on election days holds the vote of the determined Democrat, the ardent Republican and aggressive Greenbaoker. The present votingplace is the "Hebron Schoolhouse," situated on the line between Sections 10 and 11. The township polls about 250 votes, of which nearly 103 are Republicans, 110 Democrats and the remainder the Greenback and Independent votes.

John Baugh and Henry Gorham were the two first Justices of the Peace in the precinct. George W. Bliss succeeded one of them, and no other change was made until the township was organized.

The following is a list of officers since township organization:

Supervisors.—R. D. Roane, 1870; W. H. Smith, 1872-73; M. C. Garrison, 1874; S. Gibson, 1875; R. D. Roane, 1876 to 1879; A. Newby, 1880; S. Bumpus, 1881 to 1883, the present incumbent.

Justices of the Peace.—G. AV. Bliss and W. Adams, 1870; S. Gibson and W. Adams, 1873; J. B. Bradford and W.Adams, 1874-76; J. W. Bradford and S. Gibson, 1877 to 1883 the present incumbent.

Township Clerks.—None 1870; Ambrose Adams, 1872; J. M. Frizell, 1873; A. Adams 1874-75; J. Mills, 1876;" J. W. Estes, 1877 to 1883, and now in office.

Assessors.—W. M. Hicks, 1872-73; J. G. Daniels, 1874; A. Newby, 1875; J. G. Daniels, 1876-77; A. Gibson, 1878 to 1880; T. J. Mills, 1881; J. W. Estes, 1882; A. C. CuUie, 1883, present incumbent.

Collectors.—F. E. Patton, 1872; N. F. Meredith, 1873; F. E. Patton, 1864; J. D. Downer, 1875 to 1877; W. S. Bumpus, 1878 to 1880; A. Gibson, 1881; S. T. Pace, 1882; E. Roane, 1883, now in office.

Highway Commissioners.—-Isaac Garrison, 1872; S. Duncan, 1873; J. M. Frizell, 1874; A. D. Harper, 1875; N. F. Meredith, 1876; J. M. Frizell, 1877; Isaac Garrison, 1878; S. Duncan, 1879; William Hicks, 1880-81; C. Jenkins, 188^-83, at present in ! office.

School Treasurers.—S. T. Pace, 1872-73; J. A. Johnson, 1874-75; G. M. Bliss, 1876; S. T. Pace, 1877; S. Duncan, 1878; R. D. Roane, 1879; S. Duncan, 1880; R. D. Roane, 1881; J. L. Hinkle, 1882; S. T. Pace, 1883, ! now holding the office.

Constables.—T. J. Mills and W. T. Hicks, 1874 to 1876; W. Blythe, 1877; Thomas Mills, 1878 to 1881; M. Bradford and J. E. Gibson, 1882-83,the present incumbents.