The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
John Biggs from England had bought the mill on South Henderson Creek and began improving the buildings.
He hired Abel Jackson and Henry Canton to erect a comfortable and substantial frame house to replace the shanty where the previous owners had lived. He also raised the dam three feet and built a levee along the southwest bank of the stream.
Through the seasons of 1843-44 the mill ran well and the proprietor flourished and those who had made long trips to Quincy and other distant points with ox teams were greatly pleased.
In June of 1844 tragedy struck; the little South Henderson got up in all its fury and being apparently confined by dam and levee, succeeded in undermining the mill itself by washing away the foundation.
Unaware of what was happening the owner was completely surprised when the mill toppled and fell with all its store and contents into the rushing torrent and was lost in the rapid waters into the raging Mississippi.
1882 History of Henderson County