William Going

William Going was a blacksmith and bell maker who settled in the community known successively as Washington, Horse Prairie Town, and Lafayette; neither of which succeeded in growing into a village. William was a good blacksmith and bell maker but doubtless would long ago have been forgotten except for his method of advertising. At house raisings, log rolling, muster days and court days he generally appeared in rustic garb and with a number of bells attached to his belt. He would then dance and skip about with noises that may well be imagined. At one time he appeared in the court room at Kaskaskia while court was in session and serenaded the judge. So far as records show, no fine was levied against him for such unconventional behavior. It is recorded that the judge disliked the performance.