Kathi Kresol - Murder & Mayhem in Rockford, Illinois

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2015 by Kathi Kresol

All rights reserved

First published 2015

e-book edition 2015

ISBN 978.1.62585.660.9

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015949275

print edition ISBN 978.1.46711.915.3

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

To John, who always accompanies me to the dark side, and Sarah, Brandon, Amber, Aryn and Stacy, who always bring me back when Ive been there too long.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

These things never can be accomplished alone, and I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life, so even if you are not mentioned here, please know that you helped make this possible.

My deepest appreciation goes to the staff at Rockford Public Library who have always supported meeven when they couldnt see where I was headedespecially Jean Lythgoe and Jan Carter, who always are ready to help me find my dead guys.

Thank you to Steve Litteral, Michael Kleen, Sara Bowker, Paul and Lisa Smith, Stephen Osborne, Dale Kaczmarek and Troy Taylor for helping me form the stories and convincing me that people would read them. Thanks to Brandon Reid and the crew at the Rock River Times for taking a chance and offering me my own column and all the generous people who have read, tweeted (or re-tweeted), liked and shared my stories. Also thanks to Rebecca Rose and Anna Derocher from the Rockford Register Star, both of whom helped me gain access to certain photographs. I would also like to thank Laura Furman and her assistant, Tiffany Arnold, from the Midway Village Museum, who did an amazing job helping me find original photographs.

Last but not least, thank you to my family: my parents, Tom and Bette Saunders, who gave me a love for history; my wicked stepmother, Sharon, who is anything but; Tom, my brother and website designer, whose help allowed me time to finally finish the stories; and my sister, Mari, who always believed I would. A special thank-you to John Hoblit, who not only edits my stories and cares enough to ask the hard questions but is also always willing to head down any path, bring me coffee and keep the car running in case I need to make a quick escape. Thanks to my childrenSarah, Brandon, Amber, Stacy and Aryn (thanks for the photography shoot!)you are my light and inspiration.

INTRODUCTION

Rockford, Illinois, was settled in 1834 when three menGermanicus Kent, Thatcher Blake and Lewis Lemondecided that this place looked like a good one to start a business. Charles Church states in his book The History of Winnebago County, They were not drawn to this place for a noble quest for their Country or their King. They were not searching for gold or were exiles from their native land. Their choosing this place above all others was not a romantic adventure. According to Church, Kent wanted to establish a sawmill and Blake wanted to farm. The picturesque area around the Rock River seemed a good place to do both.

These men were the first of many who left their homes far behind as they set out to find the American Dream. They were all searching for a place where they could build better lives for their families. They could have settled anywhere, but they chose to stop and plant their roots here.

People often talk about the good ol days, when the streets were safer and people treated one another with a greater respect. Rockford may have had that once, but the dark side has always been just been under the surface. Rockfords history is much like the dangerous waters of the Rock River, which runs through the center of town. The river may look safe and tempting, but there are dangerous undercurrents waiting to trap swimmers and pull them down.

I have heard (and repeated) the line that Rockford never had a time that was tranquil. Basically, people started killing one another as soon as they started to settle here. The first documented killing took place in the summer of 1835, when the mutilated body of an unidentified man was discovered two miles south of the settlement. He was never identified, and his killing was first blamed on the Native Americans. Later, it was thought that his death occurred over a dispute for a land claim. The crime remained unsolved, and the unfortunate man was buried where he was found.

A postcard showing East State Street in 1910. From authors collection.

These stories may share the worst of the people that have called Rockford home, but they also show the best. It is always inspiring that even in the worst possible scenario people show incredible courage, compassion and forgiveness. These stories are about the ordinary person responding to tragedy in extraordinary ways.

Part I
MURDER

Beware the dark pool at the bottom of our hearts. In its icy, black depths dwell strange and twisted creatures it is best not to disturb.

Sue Grafton

THE MURDER OF SHERIFF TAYLOR

Rockford was a pretty wild place in 1856. The city was making advances in what would become the foundation for the manufacturing boom that was to put Rockford on the map. But in the early days, crime was very common; robbery and cattle rustling were especially prevalent.

John F. Taylor was the sheriff in those days. He was, from all accounts, a very fair man. Sheriff Taylor was nearing the end of his term, and Samuel Church had already been chosen as his replacement. Taylor expected the rest of his term to be quiet. Unfortunately, he was wrong. When he left for work on November 11, 1856, he kissed his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son goodbye as usual; neither could know it would be for the last time.

Sheriff Taylor was alerted to possible cattle thieves in the town when two brothers, Alfred and John Countryman, rode into town with a deal that seemed too good to be true. They were trying to sell a herd of cattle for a sum much lower than market value. The prospective buyers grew suspicious and alerted the sheriff. At around nine oclock that morning, Sheriff Taylor arrested the brothers for the suspicion of theft. He carried through the usual routine of searching the suspects and found pistol balls in Alfreds pockets, but when he questioned the suspect, Alfred denied having a gun. The sheriff and one of the deputies started to walk toward the jail. Just as they reached the steps, Alfred broke away from the sheriff, leaped over a fence on Elm Street and ran down the street toward Main Street with Sheriff Taylor in pursuit.

The sheriff had almost caught up with Countryman at the livery stable of Hall and Reynolds and was about to grab him when Alfred pulled a gun and fired at the sheriff. Taylor, hit in the chest, staggered a few steps and gasped out, Im shot, catch him. He then fell, mortally wounded.

Alfred Countryman continued to run and made it all the way to Kent Creek before he was brought down by one of the many citizens who took up the chase when Taylor fell. Witnesses would claim the pursuers numbered over one hundred men. There were some on horseback and some on foot, some armed with shotguns and some with rifles. Alfred was caught and put into a police wagon. When they arrived back at the jail, a very large crowd had gathered. They brought a rope with them and threatened to lynch Alfred right there. City officials rushed to the jail, and sheriff-elect Samuel Church arrived. He was able to calm the crowd with promises that justice would swiftly prevail.