I have been participating in 52 ancestors in 52 weeks a writing challenge put on by Amy Johnson Crow. The prompt was, "Questions the Records Can't Answer."
In my genealogy work, I have been reading a lot of town history books or a county history book. Occasionally you stumble across a story, and you say, "What?" Did I read that right? It is usually just a snippet of a story. I always want to know more. I need more context and more facts.
I was reading the Mason and Menard County history, and I came across the story below
I believe the Hoyt that is mentioned might be one of my relatives. Is this frontier justice?
So, if I am interpreting this right, a Hoyts field was set on fire after threats were made to the Alwoods to leave the neighborhood. The Alwoods or their associates burned the wheat field of a Hoyt.
In retaliation, the crops of the Alwoods were burned, the Alwoods home was burned and their son and daughter shot. (neither fatally)
As consequence indictments were brought and trials commenced. However, all this was stopped after Jack (Andrew Jackson) was shot in 1856 in his field cutting corn. Jack Alwood was warned that if he pursued prosecution of those who wronged his family, he would pay the price.
I did spend some time researching this. It was pretty unsatisfying. I didn't really get much
I have a lot of questions.
Why did they dislike the Alwoods? Was it because they were rich and from New Jersey? Were they southern sympathizers? Hiram Alwood and Andrew Jackson "Jack" Alwood have limited information.
Which Hoyt's were involved? I was able to research the 1850 US census and Illinois 1855 census there were a number of Hoyt's living in Mason County. Most of my relatives are found in Salt Creek, Illinois not Manito. Those living in ne.ar Manito were in the 1850 census were Benjamin "Leonard" Hoyt, Albinus Perry Hoyt, Horace Hoyt. I don't know if I am related.
What does the court say? There are no digitized court records from this time period that are easily accessible.
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