Springfield Capitol dome
Springfield Capitol dome
Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) brought back a resolution honoring an old-time war hero.
Passed last year in the House but not in the Senate, HJR79, would designate the Big Muddy Bridge east of Waltonville on Illinois Route 148 as the Capt. Joseph Laur Memorial Bridge, according to Bryant, who brought back the resolution at a recent House floor debate.
“He came to the United States from Canada in 1833,” Bryant said.
Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro)
Laur was a flat-boater who traveled along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and Laur's family is an important part of Waltonville, Bryant said.
“He moved to Knob Hill in Jefferson County in 1841, and he was nicknamed 'Cap,'” Bryant said.
After advancing to captain in the Union Army and serving in several battles, Laur was discharged in 1865 and awarded the Star Route 11799, which served each post office from Ashley to Moore’s Prairie, according to the bill text.
“I ask for an aye vote,” Bryant said.
Rep. Bryant was rewarded: HJR79 passing unanimously, 111-0.
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