BECKER, John

25 DOLLARS REWARD. On the night of the 16th of February, some person or persons broke into John Becker's store in Victoria, Knox county, and robbed it of $200 worth, or more, of Goods... [caption title and beginning of text]

[Galesburg, IL ? np, 1851]. Broadside. 23 x 31 cm. Laid down on scrap cardboard, stained and browned. Bottom margin frayed, with loss to margin no loss of text. A fair copy only, but textually complete. Signed in type by Becker at conclusion, dated Victoria, Knox Co., Ills, February 17, 1851. The reward is for information leading to "the detection and conviction of the offenders"; in addition there will be, "a reasonable reward for the return of the goods." The goods in question are listed and all appear to be textiles and articles of clothing: "Swede Broad Cloth"; Brown broad cloth; Blue d[itt]o. and several other small pieces of different colored cloths"; "2 drab Shawls, with a flower wrought in one corner of each"; a Black Shawl; "1 piece Flowered Alpacca, Black"; and "2 pieces Drab Merino, one piece of which has a satin stripe, and other goods." According to the Annals of Knox Co. (Galesburg 1821), Becker was one of the pioneers who platted Victoria in 1849 and he conducted the first general store there. He was a successful merchant. The Federal Census records him as owning $5,000 in real estate in 1850. In 1860 he is living in Copley Twp. on the west side of Victoria and his real estate had increased in value to $21,140, plus $3,500 of personal property. By 1870, now a farmer residing in (or near) Galesburg, those figures had risen to $30,000 and $15,000, respectively. Not in Byrd and not found in OCLC. Item #67638

Price: $475.00