Carthage, IL

CARTHAGE, c.h., p.v., seat of justice of Hancock co., Ill., 106 ms. W.N.W. of Springfield; from W. 880 ms.  Watered by Mississippi river.  (Fanning's, 1853)

CARTHAGE, A post village, capital of Hancock county, twelve or fourteen miles from the Mississippi river and 110 miles W.N.W. from Springfield. It is surrounded by a fertile region in which stone coal abounds. The railroad from the Illinois river at Pekin to the Mississippi at Keokuk, will pass through this village. Population, estimated at about 650. Caswell R. Hendrix, Postmaster.  (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer..., 1859)