HJ0079 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0079 LRB100 14386 MST 29166 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that we remember those who contributed to the betterment of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur was born in Indian Village, St. Francois, Lower Canada on March 14, 1814, one of 6 children of Charles and Luch Laur; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur emigrated from Canada to Lincoln, Massachusetts in 1833; six years later, after working in Massachusetts, he began flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, hauling merchandise from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he would sell the merchandise, dismantle the boat, sell the lumber, and return on foot by way of the Natchez Trace, which was being traversed by a constant stream of boatman during that era; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur established a permanent home in Knob Prairie in Jefferson County in 1841; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur mustered into the Union Army on October 19, 1861 as a First Lieutenant in Company K, Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. W.R. Morrison; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur was promoted to Captain on June 10, 1862 and thus earned the nickname "Cap"; he fought at the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, the Red River expedition, and the siege of Vicksburg; he was injured in combat and discharged in September of 1865; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur was awarded the contract on Star Route 11799 and served each post office from Ashley to Moore's Prairie; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur died on June 8, 1895; during his time, Williamsburg became Old Town and was superseded by Waltonville; and

WHEREAS, Captain Joseph Laur's service to the United States and the State of Illinois has greatly benefited the surrounding communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the Big Muddy Bridge east of Waltonville on IL Route 148 as the "Captain Joseph Laur Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Captain Joseph Laur Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the Mayor of Waltonville, and the family of Captain Joseph Laur.