Population and Density
Throughout most of the 19th and 20th century, Peoria was the second city of illinois. The
population jumped in 1970, although the majority of this increase can be attributed to the
Richwoods annexations. After an all time population high in 1970, the number began to
drop again. The density of Peoria is shown to the left.
population jumped in 1970, although the majority of this increase can be attributed to the
Richwoods annexations. After an all time population high in 1970, the number began to
drop again. The density of Peoria is shown to the left.
Life Expectancy
As shown in the graph to the left, the life expectancy for a male during the years 1900-1910 ranges from 48-50 years of age. The female life expectancy during the years 1900-1910, ranges from 51 to about 55 years old. On a different graph, i found the life expectancy for both males and females to be about 44 years old. In 1880 however, the life expectancy dropped tremendously to about 39 years old and then began to increase again up until 1910.
Immigration
People who immigrated in South-West Illinois consisted of:
-Germans
-Swiss
-French
-not many Scots
-not many Canadians
-Germans
-Swiss
-French
-not many Scots
-not many Canadians
Prohibition during 1920's
Peoria took one of the biggest hits when prohibition started. Back then, Peoria was the nation's center for alcohol production. For many places prohibition was the beginning of crime and bootlegging, but for Peoria it was the end to a profitable era. Over all, prohibition had a major effect on the alcohol producing city of Peoria.
Crime during 1920's
Peoria, Illinois was considered the dividing line of East St. Louis and Chicago during the 1930's. The "Shelton Empire" was in this territory and was an organization that grossed $4.74 million in 1930 alone and $1.9 million which was considered pure profit. Carl Shelton was considered the "racket boss" of East St. Louis. The Birger gang was from chicago. Both the Shelton and the Birger gangs were anti-klans. Soon enough the Shelton gang defeated the Birger gang and they became rivals.
The Shelton Gang
Carl Earl, and Bernie Shelton were the brothers who drifted into the rackets in "Bloody Williamson" County down in Little Egypt. Wide-open gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging were very popular and similar to the ways of Chicago. Fed up with corrupt politicians and law enforcement, the citizens almost welcomed an
invasion of the Ku Klux Klan in 1923. The Shelton brothers sided with the law breakers and "Bloody Williamson" earned its name. Later. a man named Charles Birger tried taking over the Shelton's bootlegging operations in 1926. A gang war broke out between the sides and homemade armored trucks were used. An aerial bombing raid by the Shelton's on Birger's rest headquarters occured. This war was fought for the control of bootlegging all over southern Illinois. The Shelton brothers were unable to defeat Birger howeever and Birger dominated bootlegging in southern Illinois until he was hanged in 1928 for ordering the murder of a mayor named Mayor Joe Adams, who happened to be a Shelton partisan.
invasion of the Ku Klux Klan in 1923. The Shelton brothers sided with the law breakers and "Bloody Williamson" earned its name. Later. a man named Charles Birger tried taking over the Shelton's bootlegging operations in 1926. A gang war broke out between the sides and homemade armored trucks were used. An aerial bombing raid by the Shelton's on Birger's rest headquarters occured. This war was fought for the control of bootlegging all over southern Illinois. The Shelton brothers were unable to defeat Birger howeever and Birger dominated bootlegging in southern Illinois until he was hanged in 1928 for ordering the murder of a mayor named Mayor Joe Adams, who happened to be a Shelton partisan.
The Great Depression
Peoria wasn't hit as hard during the Great Depression as Chicago was. Although Chicago was a main area for manufacturing, i believe Peoria, Illinois was effected significantly as well. Chicago's unemployment rate four years after the crash was around 50%. Peoria's unemployment rate was probably not as high, but close to this percentage. Many people were left with no housing, money, or shelter after the great depression hit. Many would gather in bulidings that contained heat and a few cots with floor space for people to sleep. poeple during this time would do whatever they could to earn a little money and food. People would literally line up to be chosen for a specific job. Soup lines and free food were big during this time because of the scarce amount of money. Music became huge during this time. Unemployed men and women would come together and make songs that could help them forget about everything going on around them.