In 1852 Edmund Turpin "got gold fever". He prepared a horsedrawn covered wagon in which, accompanied by his wife and 4 daughters, he started west. Tom and Perry Greenfield went with them. They had their own covered wagon which was drawn by oxen. It took gold to start west in search of gold; for that was the only kind of money that was acceptable in all places. Mr. Turpin filled two sacks with ten and twenty dollar gold pieces with which to supply their needs while enroute. All went well until Mr.Turpin became ill. He had a "rising" in his throat. He thought he would die. Indians were numerous and dangerous. He feared for the welfare of his family. He asked his wife to take the gold, the wagon, and the children, and return to Illinois-leaving him to die alone. She refused. Tom Greenfield sharpened his knife and lanced his throat. Mr. Turpin began to improve. The family all returned to Illinois and settled on Section 31, Range 4 East, where he established a home. Mr. Turpin purchased land for $12.50 an acre and saw it double in value as soon as the first railway train came into Decatur over the newly laid track.Ref: "Long Creek Township in Macon County, Illinois" By Bessie M. Lindsey, 1932
In 1852 Edmund Turpin "got gold fever". He prepared a horsedrawn covered wagon in which, accompanied by his wife and 4 daughters, he started west. Tom and Perry Greenfield went with them. They had their own covered wagon which was drawn by oxen. It took gold to start west in search of gold; for that was the only kind of money that was acceptable in all places. Mr. Turpin filled two sacks with ten and twenty dollar gold pieces with which to supply their needs while enroute. All went well until Mr.Turpin became ill. He had a "rising" in his throat. He thought he would die. Indians were numerous and dangerous. He feared for the welfare of his family. He asked his wife to take the gold, the wagon, and the children, and return to Illinois-leaving him to die alone. She refused. Tom Greenfield sharpened his knife and lanced his throat. Mr. Turpin began to improve. The family all returned to Illinois and settled on Section 31, Range 4 East, where he established a home. Mr. Turpin purchased land for $12.50 an acre and saw it double in value as soon as the first railway train came into Decatur over the newly laid track.Ref: "Long Creek Township in Macon County, Illinois" By Bessie M. Lindsey, 1932
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