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HR0459 |
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LRB094 12402 CSA 46692 r |
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| HOUSE RESOLUTION
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| WHEREAS, The City of Mattoon marks its 150th anniversary in |
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| 2005; and
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| WHEREAS, A celebration is planned for September 29, 2005, |
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| through October 2, 2005; and
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| WHEREAS, In December of 1854, on the west side of where |
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| Mattoon would be built, there was just prairie grass and one |
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| lone elm tree; the tree stood as a sentinel for those who |
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| traveled the prairie; it was a trail marker for both the |
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| Indians and pioneers; it provided shade for weary travelers; |
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| and
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| WHEREAS, Mattoon's founding father's met at the Bunnell |
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| House in Charleston on May 15, 1855; a name for the City was |
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| discussed, and Pegtown, Essex, and Mattoon were suggested; |
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| Mattoon was chosen, after William B. Mattoon; Mr. Mattoon was a |
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| resident member of a railroad construction firm called Phelps, |
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| Mattoon, and Barnes; and
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| WHEREAS, Many ancestors of Mr. Mattoon live in Illinois, as |
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| well as California, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and the East Coast; and
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| WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln and Douglas debated in |
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| Charleston; Lincoln stayed at the Pennsylvania House in the |
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| 1700 block of Broadway in Mattoon; Douglas stayed at the Essex |
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| House; and
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| WHEREAS, Mattoon had the first permanent bank in Illinois |
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| and the 25th in the United States; the First Mid-Illinois Bank |
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| was started as the National Bank of Mattoon; and
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| WHEREAS, Street fairs were held during the first 40 years, |
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| much like the Bagelfest which has been held for the last 25 |