The Prairie Historian Jefferson County  Illinois

The Prairie Historian
March 1974  Volume 4  Number 1
Submitted By: Abby Newell
5newells@teltech.net

THE PRAIRIE HISTORIAN
a magazine of folk history
March  1974
volume 4     number 1

issued by
The Prairie Historians
P. O. Box 301
Waltonville, Illinois  62894


        The Prairie Historian is issued by The Prairie Historians an organization 
dedicated to the preservation and publication of folk history and other related activities.
        The name is derived from the fact that the pioneer southern Ilinois landscape was 
composed of numerous small prairies surrounded by woodlands.  The first cabins were built 
on the edge of the prairies which ranged in size from 100 to 20,000 acres.  Thus folk 
history in southern Illinois is really Prairie History as most of the early settlements 
bore the name of a prairie.
        Membership fee          per calender year
        Individual              $3.00
        Family                  $5.00

        send to:
        Secretary-Treasurer The Prairie Historians
        P. O. Box 301
        Waltonville, Illinois  62894

        Manuscripts dealing with the history of Jefferson and surrounding counties are 
eagerly solicited. Send to - Jerry Elliston - Editor at the above address.

                                N O T I C E
        
        The next regular meeting will be held in The Prairie Historian Folk Museum at 
the end of Cole Street in Waltonville, Illinois, Tuesday evening March 26, 1974 at 7:30 pm.
The program will feature "Fiddle" tunes brought in by the pioneers before 1850 and their 
origin.

                                contents
1-Contents
2-A History Poem                        by Pat Haley Harris
3-James B. Lemmon                       A short biography
6-Memoirs of Meso School District       Nona Pitchford Dame
9-Some History of Graphenburg & Little Muddy by Ivan Loucks
12-My Early School Days                 by Eleanor Hodge
15-Picture-Primary Grades at Waltonville School 1919
16-Memories of a Boyhood In White Corner School District by Alva Hulbert
10-White Corner School    1914
(Does anyone know how Graphenburg School got that name???? It was later called Mount Pleasant)



         A HISTORY POEM
         by Pat Haley Harris

        "My mother's people settled in the Spring Garden area primarily.  I've heard her 
speak many times of the incident related in the poem.  It is a true incident, and goes to 
show, I guess, that they had their share of prowlers and thefts back then too.
        My great grandfather referred to in the poem was Goldman Lafayette Lovan, a 
Civil War Veteran, who settled in Spring Garden after leaving his birth place of Morton's 
Gap, Ky. The quick thinking great grandmother was Sarah Winifred Shirley Lovan.  They 
had 18 children (plus 2 boys he had by a first wife who died).  Eight of the 18 children 
died as infants.
So much for family history.  I enclose the poem.  Do with it as you will."

GUMPTION
Here is a tale from used to be
That always fascinated me,
Late 1800's I would say,
And it was told to me this way;
Great Granddad set his family down
Several miles outside of town,
No neighbors close, no telephone,
Time came he had to go alone
To fetch some salt to last a while,
The journey took him many a mile
And left his wife and family home,
And, in the night while he was gone,
A prowler thought he might get in,
Great Grandma made him think again,
She leaped from bed, jumped to the floor
And shouted, "Gold!  He's at the door!"
Then gave his boots a mighty pound
To prove her husband was around.
The prowler took off at fullsail,
Great Grandma lived to tell the tale,
She showed quick thinking, I would day,
To live, you had to in that day.
                Pat Haley Harris  March 19, 1973


                                
                                JAMES B. LEMMON
                        submitted by his grand daughter
                        Mrs. Vanetta Walker Rosenberger

        James Barnes Lemmon, born Norwich, Norfolk County England, November 16, 1836.  
The 7th of 11 children born to James and Charlotte Barnes Lemmon.
        The father James was a printer and the son James learned the trade at an early age.  
At the age of 14 he enlisted in the British Navy and served five years.  He fought in The 
Crimean War between Russia and England and was engaged in the Battle of Sebastopol.
        After his discharge he emigrated to America.  His first work in America was in the New York Tribune
office under Horace Greeley.  He later went to New Haven, Connecticutt where he again worked in a printing
office, but returned to New York where he remained until 1857.  He then went to Butler county Pennsylvania
where he worked on a farm for two years.  He then came west and did farm work in Randolph county, Illinois
until October 16, 1860 when he enlisted in Company K 49th Illinois Infantry and was mustered into service
at Camp Butler.
        He fought at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, The Red River Expedition and Pittsburg Landing.  He was 
wounded at Shiloh when an ounce ball passed through his shoulder.  He was mustered out of service in
January 1865 with the rank of First Lieutenant given him for his valliant service at Shiloh.
He came to Jefferson County after his discharge and engaged in farming in the Knob Prairie area.
On January 16, 1866 he was married to Miss Josephine Place daughter of Sidney and Rhoda Dufer
Place.
        Five children were born to them:  Florence Mae who died at age 21.  Rhoda who died at five years.
Charles S. who married Laura Newell, daughter of George and Sarah Gilbert Newell.  Lola who married 
James Benthal, son of William Benthal, and Emma Harriett who married John F. Walker, son of Ben F. and
Catharine McConnaughey Walker.
        Mr. Lemmon took his family to Nebraska where they joined Isaac Place a brother of Mrs. Lemmon
and took up homestead near Grand Island.  The wife and mother died there in 1883 and two years later
the family returned to Jefferson County Illinois and built a home in Bald Hill Township where he served as
Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Supervisor.  He also served as Postmaster when the Office known as Reform
was located in his home, and as commander of Stephen Place Post 581 of G. A. R. a lodge named for the 
brother of Mrs. Lemmon, Stephen Place, who died at Andersonville Prison during the Civil War.
        James Barnes Lemmon died October 11, 1911, at the home of his son Charles, and is buried at
Davenport Cemetery.

Editors note:  Davenport Cemetery is about 3/4 mile northeast of Knob Prairie Cemetery.  A quarter mile north
of the old Roy Gilbert Place.


                                PIONEER TRADE PATTERNS
                                by Beatrice Tuttle

        A large old teapot, without a handle, was recently used by me at a large "show and tell" program.
My explanation of the Due Bills and other related modes of trade current in the early life of our community
were presented.  The teapot, well over one hundred years old, had belonged to the first set fo dishes that
my grandmother owned.  After the loss of the handle, she used it as a depository for due bills and small
amounts of cash, derived from her poultry and egg sales.
        A due bill was a piece of paper stating the amount owed by the merchant for produce bought.  
Many times a goodly part of the amount had first been taken in groceries or other purchases by the customer.
Due bills were used more before banks were established.  They were given by general stores which carried
the widest variety of goods - everything from groceries, shoes, drygoods, hardware to farm implements and
other articles useful to the farmer.
        Williamsburg was the local point for trading in this area and the merchants issued due bills.  Previous
to this Tamaroa, Ashley and Mt. Vernon were trading centers, as they had railroads, which were contributing
factors, in the type of exchange.  After the W. C. & W. railroad was built, Waltonville and Scheller were estab-
lished and became centers for trade for the area.  At times news was spread that on certain dates, a mer-
chant would pay cash for produce in Tamaroa, Ashley or Mt. Vernon.  Many citizens would then take a wagon
load to that town to sell.  With cash they could make purchases from several places of business.  Even due
bills could be used for more expensive purchases.  Some farmers acquired a back log of them, and could pur-
chase a mowing machine, or other pieces of machinery or tools.
        One other type of trade pattern was illustrated by the Village of Spring Garden.  They had no rail-
road, and people in that area took their produce to Mt. Vernon or Ashley.  They received mail every other day
from Williamsburg, for the carrier took mail to Ashley the other days.  News was received by mail of dates 
for cash buying of produce.  Often a group of farmers would drive their geese cross country from Spring 
Garden to Ashley.  The house where they would overnight was the old homestead of the Norris family, lo-
cated where Andy Stevens' home was built in Waltonville.
        Those who drove the Geese got an early morning start and by afternoon their noise could be 
heard coming from the east.  The sound grew in intensity, as they came over The Knob.  When they reached
the Norris place the men drove their flocks into the large barnyard.  The weary foot travelers were ready 
for a nights rest in this home.  But for the family who resided there, sleep was almost impossible; as the
geese never stopped honking and squawking throughout the night.
        The next day, the trip was continued toward Ashley.  Other members of the driver's families 
came in buggies, hack, or wagons, to be in Ashley to take the men and the newly purchased supplies back
to Spring Garden.
        At the "Show and tell" program, a lady made the following addition to my information.  She told
how the geese were shod to make the long trip to market.  Tar, something like that used in road work, was
spread over a narrow passage-way.  The geese were then driven through the tar.  Beyond the tar path was 
a narrow strip covered with sand over which the geese were now driven.  The tar plus the coating of sand 
would harden and the geese were now shod and ready for travel.


                        THE FOLLOWING FROM THE MT. VERNON REGISTER NEWS
                                        September 1895
                                submitted of Beatrice Tuttle     Waltonville

        Several from here will attend the fair at Springfield - Mr. Sawyers family expect to move into their
new residence this week - School began at Williamsburg last Monday with Mr. McMeen as teacher, and at
Utah, with Mr. Whitlock as teacher, - We welcome these young gentlemen, as they will be quite an addition
to our religious and social circles. - Mrs. D. Jeffries and daughter, Miss Maude, are visiting at Ewing - The 
Misses Brown spent Saturday and Sunday with relatives at Conant. - Mrs. Ichabod Newell and children 
visited Dr. Harry Philp and wife at Ewing, Saturday and Sunday.  - Prayer meeting has been changed from 
Wednesday to Friday evenings, all are cordially invited to attend - Miss Maggie Philp, who has been in 
Colorado for some time, is visiting relatives and friends here - Mrs. S. Gilbert, Mrs. Harris, and Mrs. D. E. 
Hicks spent Sunday as guests of Mrs. Groves - Mr. Peck and wife of Ashley attended Church here Sunday -
Rev. Dillon filled his regular appointment at the Universalist Church last Saturday and Sunday - Will Tuttle
and Mrs. Hattie Newbury were married at the residence of the brides parents, Wednesday, September 11th,
Rev. Gililand officiating. - Mr. Tuttle and his bride have our best wishes for a long and happy life. - The M. E. Church 
building will soon be completed and when done will be a credit to the town, and the kindness of friends
outside of the church, who have so generously assisted us, is most highly appreciated-- Rev. Groves returned
Monday, from Metropolis, where he had been attending a conference.  He, with his family, will leave this 
week for Belmont, his appointment for the coming year.  We are sorry to lose them, but with Rev. Groves 
unlimited success in his new field of work and extend the hand of welcome to our new minister.
        (note:  The preceeding items were published in the Mt. Vernon News in Sept. 1895.  The
Methodist Church had been moved from Williamsburg in January of that year, and was nearly ready for
services.  Mrs. D. E. "Hattie" Hicks was correspondant for the newspaper.  This new report was found in a 
scrap book of ours.  Beatrice Tuttle)


                MEMOIRS OF THE MESO SCHOOL DISTRICT #136 AND SURROUNDING AREA
                                        by Nona Pitchford Dame


        The Meso District 136 was created around 1908 by splitting part of the White Corner School
District and part of Graphenburg (later called Mt. Pleasant) school districts.  Cornelius Meso was the
oldest citizen in the community and a Civil War veteran honored by naming the new school district Meso.
        Miss Opal Loucks was the first teacher at the school.  She was followed by Mr. Marion Strick-
land who taught a second term later.  Other teachers were Miss Opal Walford, Miss Elsie Hale, Miss 
Grace Wright (Smith), Mr. Hobart Laur, Mr. Billy Allen (2 terms), Mr. Ray Lisenby, A Mr. Ames, and Miss
Christie Hagel.
        The Post Office was also named in honor of Mr. Meso.  It was located where the Reverend Dan
Uhlery place stood.
        The district was blessed with two churches.  First the United Brethern Church was organized.  It
had its beginning about 1905 in a bright new tabernacle erected on the farm of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Showmaker,
near the old Tamaroa-Spring Garden Road, south of Meso school about a quarter mile.  Mr. Samuel Pitch-
ford (my father), Mr. Eddie Hoorebeke, and Mr. Oliver Strickland were the main sponsers and supporters.
(Mr. Strickland later moved to Alma, Washington) Then about 1908 the church house was built.  My father
helped in the construction of the building.
        Reverend and Mrs. Dan Uhlery and 3 daughters had moved to the sight of the old Meso Post
Office.  He took up the pastorate of the new church.
        They had Bible study and singing classes besides the regular services.  The entire family was
good singers.  They held a number of meetings which resulted in the addition of members to the church.
The daughters grew up and married.  Ida became Mrs. Robert Wells, Ann was the wife of Lyman Hall, Lizzie
is the widow of John Coffel and resides on the old home place.
        Some of the other pastors here were Reverend Ferguson, Reverend C. A. Hall, The Williams Sisters
(Ruth who now resides in California) and Minnie (deceased) who was the musician.  They were great church
workers.  Reverend Will Burns, with Luther Clinton as song leader, Reverend Mrs. Mary Mitchell (from Mt.
Vernon) served the pastorate with Miss Lizzie Ragan (later Mrs. Sherman Shoemaker). (the following have
recently passed away, Willie Hannah 99 years old, Lizzie Unlery Coffell 88, and Mrs. Myrtle Hall.)
        The United Brethren finally ceased to function because most of the older members were deceased
or had moved away.  The Church then became The Freewill Baptist.  Mrs. Dora L. Pitchford (wife of S. B. Pitchford)
and her daughters invited Reverend George Mathis to come hold a meeting which resulted in a great harvest
of souls.  The five week meeting resulted in about 60 converts.  The church was organized about October 
1914 and is now The Oak Grove Church.
        Reverend and Mrs. Melvin Othout now pastor the church.  Miss Susie Jo Pitchford, great-grand-
daughter of S. B. Pitchford, resides with her step-grandmother, Mrs. Edna Pitchford, on the old Pitchford
farm.
        The history of the United Brethren Church closed out with the regular "Friendship Night" which
was an inspiring session with many golden memories.  Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Elliston contributed much on some
occasions by showing beautiful color slides of places where they had been.
        Memories of the early activities in the community include threshing season, the hay-bailing 
activities, and visiting the old sorghum mill.  A Mr. Efe Junkins & Mr. Harl Hill had the threshing rigs.  Mr.
J. O. Wells operated a hay bailer.  Uncle Isaac & Aunt Sarah Hall ran the sorghum mill.
        Well do I remember the molasses mill, where the children from all around came and ate the 
molasses foam.  Surely it was a great day to be alive!
        Mr. Tee Dowen ran a cider mill.  Bless that day when we all gathered apples to make apple
butter in the old brass kettle where we stirred apples all day long.  The "yum yum" days that followed!
        We amused ourselves during the long winter evenings by tearing corn chucks for to make 
shuck beds to be used for matresses.  Then we shelled corn to make meal for corn bread.
        Uncle Jonathan Cavins, who lived near the Franklin County line, ground the corn.  What
entertainment it was to see the old bay horse go round and round grinding the meal.  He also made
chopped corn for the chickens, ducks, geese, cows and hogs.
        Oh! The days we had a feather picking of those old geese, but the warm beds we made paid
off.
        All that wood we chopped didn't only furnish heat to warm by.  We poured the ashes into an old 
wooden  hopper.  When spring came, we poured water on the ashes to make lye water which we used in
making soap, with meat rinds and fat trimmings.  The lye had to be almost strong enough to take the
hide from your tongue when you tasted it.  That was the test.  Then the days work began - stirring the ash
lye and meat scraps which cooked all day.  That soap produced sore hands and clean clothes.  We would 
wash our hands in apple vinegar and rinse with water.  We didn't need coal cream, we just rubbed a little
"Jersey Cream" on and by morning our hand were all better.  
        Think of those butcherings with all those sweet potatoes and spareribs, or back-bones, and
dumplings with that kraut from the barrell!  That was satisfying.
        Then the meat smoking days!  Those hams were delicious smoked with sassafras and hickory
chips.
        But back to the butchering scene, cooking hogs-heads and making mincemeat pies.  Were
they ever good?  In winter that crumbled in corn bread, or mush and milk, made a feast.
        About September mother would send us to the woods to dig "croup root" each night before 
going to bed, we all had a big cup of "Croup Root Tea", read the scriptures and had prayers.
        Sometimes we would have the neighbors in for molasses candy making, corn popping, and 
singing and prayer meeting.
        When the roads were bad, papa would unbuckle the front wagon wheels from the back ones, and
we would go to church on them (in a dump cart).  Carriages, buggies, and surries could not get through
the muddy roads without tearing off fenders and steps.
        In those days we walked to school, recited 8 or 9 lessons, and chopped enough wood in the
evening to do for the night.  In the morning we chopped enough to keep mother and little brother warm;
milked the cows; fed the hogs, cattle, sheep and horses; and put them out in the stalk field for the day, then
we walked to 3/4 mile to school.
        Some evenings we hurried home; did the chores; harnessed and hitched up the team to drive to
prayer meeting at church.
        I stayed home 1/2 day each week to wash for 6 or 8 on the washboard.  Now the young people
of this age have to have physical education training or they would not be healthy.
        At 11 years of age I lost my father.  Neighbors were friends in those days.  They came with teams
and plows, broke 12 acres of ground, and sowed the wheat in one day.  For this we were truly thankful
        Meso community produced teachers, aviators, farmers, and ministers.  One minister is the Reverend
Mrs. Nona Fay Pitchford Dame, wife of A. M. Dame (now deceased).  He was a farmer boy, coal miner, and a 
livestock dealer as good as there was in the country.  Mrs. Dame was a farmerette, and a Minister for the
Church of God for over fifty years.  She has served in the capacity of pastor, evangelist, assistant pastor, and
State evangilist.  She has ministered in thirteen states and Canada.  She also ministered in a  prison.  Her 
last campaign was by the Allegheny Air Plane to Lancaster, Penna in November 1973.  
        The Dames, for their 50th wedding anniversary drove a camper to Fairbanks, Alaska (8150) miles.
They were gone 24 days, and drove 22 days.  They had a most gratifying trip.
        Mrs. Dame, when at home, enjoys the services at Oak Grove Church.



                        SOME HISTORY OF THE GRAPHENBURG AND LITTLE MUDDY AREA

(Editors note:  Mr. Loucks was raised on the place where the James Ratajczyk family lives now, in section
30 of Bald Hill township a mile east of Perry county and 1 1/2 miles north of Franklin county line.  Little 
Muddy River runs by only a quarter mile west of the house.  In that area it travels through the southwest
corner of Jefferson County for about 4 miles.)

                        OLD ROADS AND BRIDGES
"Masses of people traveled the Tamaroa and Winfield road in the early days.  It ran through the southern 
part of Bald Hill and Elk Prairie townships.  
        It was a winding road and many travelers migrating in covered wagons traveled it almost every
day in late summer and fall taking all their belongings with them.  Many of them were going to or coming 
from Missouri and Arkansas.  Dust was terrible - four and five inches deep in dry weather.
        In about 1901 or 1902, one of our close neighbors, Jim Henry Gilbert decided to move to Kansas.
He rigged up a covered wagon, loaded his family and belongings and drove off down the hill.  We and their
other neighbors were on hand to see them off.  They arrived in Kansas O. K. and remained there the rest
of their lives.
        Quite frequently gypsies came along the Tamaroa and Winfield Road, and they most always camped 
on the banks of the Little Muddy River.  Sometimes they camped for a week at a time near Horse Shoe Bend
and The Rock Bridge.  In the Bend the river was wide and deep.  The boys in the vicinity spent many hours
swimming there and made a steep slide on the bank.  They would slide from the top into the water.  The slide
was about 15 feet high and steep.  They would throw and splash water to make it wet and slick.  One would
slide very rapidly and hit the water with a big splash---lots of fun.
        The Rock Bridge was noted throughout the country.  A large hanging rock that hung two thirds
across the river was beside a long wooden bridge.  It was a popular picnic spot and people from all around
came and carved their initials in the rock.  Hundreds of names were carved there.
        In about 1912 or 1914 the old wooden bridge was condemned as unsafe and it was decided that
the road should be changed to conform to the land lines anyhow so it would be straight.  While the new
bridge was being built the old rock bridge was used as part of the bridge across the river.  Large notches
were cut in the rock and logs were hewned and fitted into the places thus made.  The logs were used for
several months satisfactorially.
        Just east of The Rock Bridge, was a long stretch of level road.  It was very firm most of the time
and was ideal for horse racing.  The older fellows had big races there at night.  It was suspected that there
was betting on the races and sometimes it was reported to the Grand Jury.  However, when the witnesses
were called before the Jury, they didn't seem to know much about it as it was dark, they said, the only light
was from a lantern, and they were watching to see which horses came in first and they didn't like to say who
the riders were.  I don't think anyone was ever indicted.
        Little Muddy runs north from Franklin county to about half a mile north of the Franklin county line
then turns west for about half a mile then goes north near the big hanging rock.  Hurricane Creek comes from
the north and empties into Little Muddy half a mile north of the county line. In the spring of the year when 
the heavy rains came, there would sometimes be hundreds of acres of land under water.  Several roads were
impassible and many school children could not get to school until the water subsided about a mile and a 
half north of the Rock.  The Bald Hill Creek empties into Little Muddy.  Then half a mile north Little Muddy 
joins Collier Creek.  It would seem that many thousands of years ago a terrific force created these creeks
and rivers.  The terrain is much different along the river than half a mile on each side.
        The beavers were a sight to see in Little Muddy.  Their main headquarters were about two miles
north of the Rock Bridge.  We saw them most often when the river was high and they would sometimes be 
washed out of their headquarters.  We saw them swimming down stream and it was quite a sight - almost
scary.


                                        TIMBER AND THRESHING
                                             Ivan Loucks
        In the early days there was lots of good timber.  Many people made up railroad ties and hauled 
them to Tamaroa in order to get a little money.
        Much of the timber was split into rails for rail fencing which was all the fence we had for a long
time, except for Saw-Brush fences.  Later on we could sell mine props to the coal mines.  Arley Lemons 
would buy them and ship them in railroad cars from Scheller.
        The saw mills also employed a few men to cut logs and work at the mill for one dollar per day 
from about daylight to dark.  The first saw-mill I remember was operated by Willie Hanna and his father
Lewis Hanna.  The engine was small and had a tongue to be pulled by horses when moving.  Uncle Lou ran 
the engine and always gave two little Toots on the whistle before starting up.  Then he turned on the 
throttle and gave the big flywheel help to start as the engine did not have sufficient power.
        Other saw-mill men were Logan Junkins, Ephriam Junkins, Jasper Wells, Arley Lemons, Homer
Wells and Pete Witges.
        In 1907 the Egyptian Timber Company purchased a tract of good heavy timber just north of
Rock Bridge.  Most of the land was low and swampy.  They had brought in two yokes of oxen to go in the
bottoms and drag out the logs.  The logs were hauled to Emmersom City, their headquarters, and were
loaded on flat cars to be shipped away as piling.
        The camp where the oxen were rested and fed and kept overnight was about a half a mile north
of The Rock Bridge.  Each team usually hauled two loads a day to Emmerson City.  It was very interesting
to see them along the road.  Today it would be quite a show.  The drivers did lots of yelling "Gee Tom - -  
Haw Jerry".  The oxen were very strong and well trained.
        Threshing is something else associated with the olden days.  I remember threshing rigs operated
by Mr. Junkins Sr., called Uncle Bill Junkins, Ed Reidelberger, E. P. Junkins, Logan Junkins, Frank Ratajczyk,
Homer Wells, Pete and Tate Witges.
        All who had threshing to do would go to town before threshing and get some coal for the engines.
        One man fired the engine, another maintained the grain seperator and one man hauled water
from the creek or pond.  The neighbors all helped.  Some with wagons hauled in from the fields when it
was in the shock.  Others pitched to the men on the wagons.  When the grain was already stacked others got 
on the stack and pitched into the seperator which was usually between two stacks.
        The women in the neighborhood helped with cooking and serving dinner for about 20 men and it
took a lot of food and preparation.


                                GRAPHENBURG SCHOOL
                                    Ivan Loucks
        The Graphenburg School District No. 30, later named Mount Pleasant, was one of the first schools
in the southwestern part of Jefferson county.  It covered a large area in the early days and some children had
to go two and a half miles to school.
        For many years the school was very crowded.  My father David Loucks, started the school there
in 1871.  It was a very good school over the years.  Among the families whose children attended the school were
Joe Martin, William P. Hutson, George Murphy, James F. Loucks, Arthur Porter, Buck Thompson, D. A. Loucks,
Charles Wells, Henry West, Elmer Wingo, Sam Clampet, George Thompson, George Clampet, Garrison Kirk-
patrick, Ed Hoorebeke, Alfonse Van Hoorbeke, Ed (Grandpa) Hoorebeke, Elmer Hicks, Frank Ames, Marion
Loucks, John W. Wells, Lewis B. Hanna, Jasper Wells, William Junkins, and later his sons family William
Junkins, Logan Junkins, Ephriam Junkins, William Dudley, Lewis Shoemaker, Lawson Short, William Short, 
James Dudley, Fred Dodge, The Kolinski's family, F. J. Ratajczyk, P. P. Ratajczyk, F. P. Ratajczyk, Frank
Kabat, The Elder Mr. Witges attended and later the children of his sons: Pete, Frank, John, Tate and John.
Others were the families of "Fiddler Joe" Jurkenwehz and Tate Stelmaczewski.  I am sure there were many
other families whose names I can't recall.
        Among the teachers at the school were Moses Pierce, William Hall, Nathan Kelley, Julia Bradford,
Dan Blazier, Amos Strickland, Lam Marris, Dr. J. W. Hamilton, John F. Allen, William L. Allen, George Wood-
rome, Bartha Hartley, Charles Blazier, Grace Wright, Rachel Murphey, Isaac Lambert, James C. Black, 
Eugene Penning, W. D. Byars, Marion Strickland, Melissa Chalfant, Mr. Mobley, Ray Lisenby, Lela Loucks,
Ivan Harkins, Luella Hagle, Jim Smith, Anna Black, George Hall, Leda Branum, Pluma Rogers, Gertrude
Skellhous, and Raymond Witges.


                                MY EARLY SCHOOL DAYS
                                   Eleanor Hodge

        My school career began at Waltonville on September 1, 1919.  The first week or so was a very
frightening and trying experience for me.
        I had never been away from home alone before nor had I had the opportunity to associate very
often with other children.  However, I had looked forward to going to school.  I could print my name and
make my numbers to 20, also I knew some of the alphabet.
        Besides I had a tablet to take with me that had a picture of a fine looking rooster, perkily stand-
ing on one foot.  In the upper corner was a blue ribbon and the words - "The Prize Rooster Tablet" (I still
have that first tablet back, dated September 1, 1919, in my possession.)
        I am sure my parents took me the first day.  I can't remember too much about those first days
except that I was very shy and timid.  I sat in my seat afraid to go to the drinking fountain at recess to get
a drink even though I had a new folding cup to use.  Hence after trudging home up the dusty road in the
hot afternoon sun I was practically famished for water.  
        Vivian Wells and I soon became steadfast friends.  She and I walked home from school together.  
She lived in the Big Wells House at the west edge of town and I lived in the same house in which I live today.
        One afternoon I stopped in to play with Vivian.  She had her own room upstairs which seemed to
me to be filled with toys.  What a treat to stop and play with her dolls and doll buggy.
        But Alas!  I had not been given permission to stop.  When the time came for me to arrive home
and I didn't show up, naturally, my folks became worried.  Merritt Philp had been riding past on his horse and 
had seen me going in at the Dr. Wells home.  After several telephone calls up and down the road he heard
that I was missing.  He gave out the information he had, and I was found having a good time. I suppose I was
given a sound reprimand, for this never happened again.
        I liked school very much.  I had such a young, pretty teacher, Miss Irlene Hicks.  She wore very
pretty clothes and combed her hair with little puffs over the ears. Often she wore a soft, turquoise, slip-
over sweater blouse with a V neck.  I always just hoped I could have one like it when I grew up.
        Miss Irlene would have each of us come up in front and stand beside her swivel wooden chair.
Here we would read from the "Young And Field First Reader" repeating after her the Mother Goose 
rhymes which were in the book.  I soon learned the words and could read without any knowledge of 
phonics whatsoever.
        I took my lunch in a small peanut butter bucket.  The one thing that I remember most vividly
about my lunch was  the little saucer of scrambled eggs with pieces of raw tomatoes lying on the top.  
This does not sound too palatable, now, but I liked it very much then.
        One time near the beginning of school I had a small brown paper bag in my desk containing
round, scalloped cookies with white icing on them.  I was hungry, and not knowing any better, I took 
one out and ate it.  Miss Irlene didn't happen to see me as she had a room full of more than forty pupils.  
However, my cookie eating didn't go unnoticed, for a Harrison boy saw me.  He was wise to the rules of 
the school and held up his hand to tell on me.  Miss Irlene was very kind and standing by my desk 
whispered to me that we didn't eat in school, so I didn't do that again.  But I never did like that boy much
for tattling on me.
        We went outside and played games.  One that I will remember was a circle game, "Squirrel In
A Tree".  Children continue to play this game at school today.  Best of all we would play at sliding down the
steep clay banks along the road that goes over The Knob.  This was  just back of the school, and when we
heard the bell ring we hurried down the hill to the school building.  (The old brick building is still standing
today, with all the windows broken out.  Here I went for twelve years, from first grade through High School.
What a lot of memories it holds for me.)
        One of my friends was Ara Strickland, who is now Mrs. Ruth Ara McCowen.  Ara's mother always
put yellow apples, cut in half and with the core removed, in her lunch.  Ara usually had some left over for 
the last recess which she very generously shared with me.  My lunch pail was always empty by that time
of day, and Ara's apples, which had turned somewhat brown by that time, were so very welcome.
        The High School occupied the second story of our building.  Back in 1919 the High School 
principal was in charge of the grades, too.  He took care of any discipline problems.  I remember Mr. Slater
who was Principal when I was in first grade.  Early each morning he would enter our room stomping his feet
and thundering out the rules, telling you what you could and could not do.  We just about froze in our seats.
Most of us were afraid to dare question his authority.  His little girl Jeanne, was a good friend of mine and 
I enjoyed having Mark Twain, his son, walk along home in our group.  The Slater's lived in the big house which
is now occupied by Clarence Leslie.
        Sometimes we were permitted to go up in the High School and present a program for opening
exercise.  This is the poem I learned and was given the priviledge to recite on one of those occasions.
                "When to the flowers the Father gave a name,
        Back came a little blue eyed one,
                All timidly it came,
        And standing at the Father's feet,      
                And gazing into his face,
        It said in a low and timid voice,
                Yet with a gentle grace.
        "The name Thou gavest me,
                Alas!, I have forgot"
        The Father kindly looked upon it,
                And said, "Forget-me-not".
        
        This recitation has stuck in my mind for almost 55 years.
        Although schools of 1919 didn't have all the frills that are found today, 
we were very happy and carefree.
        Could I relive those early school days I would be able to say.

        "Happiness is having a teacher like Miss Irlene Hicks (Slater).
        Happiness is pleasing the teacher.
        Happiness is having friends to walk home with after school.
        Happiness is having someone to share wilted, brown apple halves at last recess.
        Happiness is learning to read.
        Happiness is a new penny pencil.
        Happiness is a new tablet with a prize winning rooster on it.
        Happiness is being six years old and free from the worries of the world.


                MEMORIES OF A BOYHOOD IN THE WHITE CORNER SCHOOL DISTRICT
                        by Alva L. Hulbert

White Corner School 1914 Lela Loucks - Teacher left to right

   It is with a touch of nostalgia that we take a trip down memory lane.  There is a warm spot
in my heart as I think of those friends of by-gone days; when I was a small lad, living on a 
farm owned by my grand dad (Lyman B. Hulbert), located on the south border line in Bald Hill 
Township, on the Jefferson/Franklin county line.

   To the best of my knowledge the former Lillian Downen and husband now occupy this place.
( I do not remember their last name).  However, 3 or 4 years ago; while visiting my daughter 
in Mt. Vernon, one bright midsummer day we were driving on the road just past the old home 
place and had stopped to take some pictures when these real nice folk came along and stopped.  
I did not know who they were; but I told them I had spent a lot of my boyhood days on that 
farm, and asked them if they remembered John Hulbert, my dad, or Lyman Hulbert, my grandfather.  
The lady said she did not remember, but she remembered the Hulbert children.  Then I made the 
remark, "I am one of the children", she said, "Oh! Are you alva?"  Then she told me that she 
went to White Corner School at the same time I did.  Needless to say I enjoyed the following 
conversation a lot.
   Many times I have visited in the Downen home when she was a small girl.  Her dad T. D. 
Downen(everyone call him "T") owned the bordering farm to our place, on the north.  On the 
east our place was bordered by the road which went by the old White Corner School, where I 
received the greater part of my education.  Across this road from our farm was the farm owned 
by Lute Ward.  On the west adjoining our farm was the Newt Clampet place.  Mr. Clampet, I 
recall, at one time operated a horse powered hay bailer.  Mr. Clampet always used his foot 
to push the hay down into the hopper of the bailer and one time he failed to get his foot 
back in time and the plunger caught it.  Needless to say he had a badly injured foot.
   Now, to relate a few memories of those wonderful days at the White Corner School.  Gus Van
Hoorebeke lived just a short distance south of the school and on his place was a large pond.  
In the winter time when this pond was frozen over, the teacher would sometimes allow the 
children during noon hour to go skating on the pond.  One day, however, it was rather warm 
and the ice had gotten very rubbery, and there was a lot of daring one another to cross the 
pond on the weak ice.  Then it happended!   One of the older boys broke through the ice, 
and although it was not a bit funny to him, some thought it was rather comical to watch him 
try to climb out.  The edge of the ice kept breaking off until he was near the edge before
he could manage to climb out.
   One incident I vividly remember was the day the Melvin Elliston home burned.  Mrs. Elliston
came to the school and told the teacher that the house was on fire.
   Our teacher let some of the older boys go to the house to try to be of some help, but by 
the time we arrived there was nothing we could do as the house was completely enveloped in 
flames. To me this was very depressing as I had visited in that home many times, because the 
Elliston boys and I were very good friends and visited back and forth as young lads are prone 
to do.
   Now, a little incident about Ed, Bill and I.  Granddad was a great user of Granger Twist 
tobacco,for chewing and smoking in his white clay pipe.  He always kept some in an old cigar 
box.  One day the Elliston boys and I decided to sample it, so we put some in our pockets, 
set out across the pasture, and as soon as we were out of sight of the house, we gave it a 
try.  Then believe you me, in a few minutes I was one sick boy.  I do not remember how it 
affected the other boys as I was too sick to know what was going on.
   I remember the saw mill operated by Arley Lemons and always had a fondness for the Lemons
children, Bert, Blanche, and Kate.  The last time I saw Mr. Lemons was in later years when 
he was operating a saw mill near Tamaroa.
   Often were the times when I would ride an old stiff legged horse we called "Spider" the 
eight miles to Waltonville, to visit my grandmother, Lucretia Mannen.  My mother was a 
daughter of Leslie and Lucretia (Hamilton) Mannen and a sister to Ira, Jim, Earl, Roy.  
Her sisters were Grace, Lydia, and Cora.  Dr. J. W. Hamilton was her uncle and a brother 
to my grandmother Mannen.
   There were a few automobiles around our vicinity.  Some I remember were, a model 85 
Overland owned by Jerry Chalfant, a model 90 Overland, I do not remember who owned that 
one, a Hupmobile owned by Ervie Roswell and a Reo owned by Ed Crouch near Sesser.  Also 
there was an old Metz chain drive, around there, but I cannot recollect to whom it belonged.  
Oh yes!  I do not want to forget the Model T Ford owned by Bill Laur of Scheller, who for 
many years was our mail carrier.  Let's not forget Bill's daughter Ruth who taught school 
for a good many years.  There are probably several people around who remember Bill Newell.
Bill was a uncle of mine as he married my dad's sister, Mary, (Molly).  My cousin, their 
daughter, Mabel (Newell) Crowell lives in Mt. Vernon.
   One time after my dad had just finished a rather good threshing run, he decided he would 
like to buy an automobile.  So one morning bright and early he boarded a train for St. Louis.  
After shopping around he bought an old Maxwell "Special" touring car.  This was a large heavy 
car with braces running from the top of the windshield to the front of the car near the 
radiator.
   Next day he started for home with it.  It was one of those days when the wind was blowing 
hard and the dust blowing from the dirt roads made visibility very poor, so to a person that 
had never operated an automobile before it must have been a unique experience.
   All went very well until somewhere just south of the Benthal place (I do not know exactely 
where) but there was a small bridge with the floor removed for repairs.  Traffic had been 
going around the end of the bridge as the ditch was rather shallow, but because of the dust my 
dad failed to see the detour.  Straight across the bridge he went; stripping the bottom off the 
old Maxwell.
  He had to walk home, get a team of horses, and pull the car the rest of the way.  The damage 
was not to bad except for a mounting stud on the back of the motor, which tore out the hole 
where the stud went in.  We removed the engine from the car, loaded it in a wagon, and hauled 
it to DuQuoin where was located the nearest welding shop at that time.
  I could go on for along time about the good old days, but as I do not know much about the 
early settlement of Jefferson county, this treatise is dedicated to the memory of those living 
in a later era, who also had a part in the history of Jefferson county and vicinity.  It is 
not my intention to slight anyone not mentioned in this article, but it would take many 
chapters to relate stories and names of the many people I knew during that happy period in my 
life.  Any comments or corrections to this article will be gratefully appreciated.
  As a final thought I would like to mention that in later years I helped build the 
W M I X radio station in Mt. Vernon, where I was employed for 8 1/2 years as transmitter 
engineer.  The last 3 1/2 years as chief engineer.

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