1837. Alton, Illinois. Elijah Parish Lovejoy, Presbyterian minister and newspaper publisher, when asked by irate citizens to quit printing his newspaper, told the mob: I dare not flee from this city. No sir. The contest has begun here and here it must be finished. Before God and all of you, I here plege myself to continue, if need be till death. If I fall, my grave shall be made in Alton. His grave was made six days later.
