Gleanings from the As You Were Column of 
the Mt. Vernon Register News 
1974
Submitted By: Cindy Ford

No exact date for this one.
January - March  1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
An altercation took place between John Manion and George Carter 
near Howard's Grocery Store on Broadway this afternoon resulting 
in a fight in which both combatants were more or less injured.

60 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Welch is dead at her home on Jordan street.

50 Years Ago Today
Norman DeRatt, who died yesterday at the County Farm, was for 
many years a street preacher and visited many sections of the 
county on preaching tours.

Smith Conlee died last night at his home in Waltonville.

35 Years Ago Today
John Manion was elected president of the Jefferson County 
Retail Association last night. Marion Heifner was named vice 
president and George Ward secretary.

Thursday January 24, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
James H. Dodson died at his home east of Mt. Vernon yesterday afternoon 
after a protracted illness.

There is probably more illness in Mt. Vernon at present from Grippe, 
pneumonia, colds and kindred disorders than any other previous time 
during the winter.

60 Years Ago Today
The bodies of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Winn, both victims of a pistol in 
the hands of Mr. Winn, were brought here today from East St. Louis 
and taken to Waltonville for burial.

The case of John Sprouse charged with dynomiting the home of 
Fransis Rightnowar, was called for trial in Circuit Court.

55 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Hattie B. Mckowen, wife of Oscar Mckowen of 412 north 
seventh died last night after a week's illness  of influenza.

40 Years Ago Today
Wm. J. Stephenson, one of the best known men in Mt. Vernon died 
this morning at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

30 Years Ago Today
Leslie Wolfe, 37 year old farmer who lived three miles north of 
Barnard, north of Wayne City, drowned in Skillet Fork River yesterday 
after breaking a hole in the ice which covered the stream.

David P. McCormick, 63, of Salem was asphixiated and William O. Clarkson 
of 712 south 18th street, Mt. Vernon was overcome by gas while repairing 
a meter near the foundry at the Mt. Vernon Car Mfg. Co. about six o' clock last night.


Wednesday February 13, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Martha Lindsay wife of James Lindsay died at the family home on 
Lee street after a prolonged illness.

45 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Mattie Rackaway wife of John H. Rackaway died at three o' clock 
this afternoon at her home on 807 Jordan Street.

35 Years Ago Today
David H. Warren died at the Mt. Vernon hospital this morning after 
a short illness. Mr. Warren a retired farmer was 75 years old.


Friday February 15, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
Benjamin F. Pollock age about 60 years died this morning at his home west of the city.

40 Years Ago Today
Jesse R. Elliott died at seven o'clock this morning at his home on south 10th street.

35 Years Ago Today
Harry "Slim" Reece an employee of the Car Company died at nine o'clock last night 
at the home of his sister Mrs. Minnie Betthodt of Marissa, Ill. where he was removed 
10 days ago because of illness.

Saturday February 23, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
A snowstorm which began about midnight has continued with great severity.

The smokestack at the coal mine blew over this morning but luckily the 
company has enough coal hoisted to supply the demands

55 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Martha Wallace, one of the oldest and most highly respected 
residents of Mt. Vernon died at 2 p.m. Sunday

A double funeral will be held tomorrow for Mrs. Ted Mannen and her 
little daughter Evelyn, victims of influenza.

50 Years Ago Today
Uncle Lewis Seward died Friday afternoon at his home in Pleasant Grove.



Thursday February 28, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
The long looked for decision in the case of Hudnall vs Ham, involving 
the estate of the late Jerimiah Taylor was handed down yesterday by 
Judge Newlin and is entirely in favor of the Ham's

50 Years Ago Today
The Jefferson State Bank began moving today to its quarters in its new building.

40 Years Ago Today
William H. Maxey died at this morning at his home in Shiloh township.

30 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Elizabeth Echols died Sunday at the home of her son, Silas Echols, 612 Broadway, 
at the age of 87 years and five months.


Saturday March 2, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
Considerable excitement has been caused five or six miles northeast of town 
by the reputed discovery of a vein of silver bearing ore in a ledge of rock.

60 Years Ago Today
Dr. Kelly Simmons died at the hospital in this city this Monday morning.

45 Years Ago Today
Jim "Pete" Williams a well known resident of Jefferson County died today 
at his home north of Mt. Vernon.

35 Years Ago Today
Charles R. Poole, a pioneer Mt. Vernon merchant whose general store on 
the public square was destroyed by the cyclone of 1888, died at his home 
on Jordan street last evening. His age was 84 years, 5 months, and 10 days.

30 Years Ago Today
Burrell Hamilton Shurtz, 34 of Scheller, was instantly killed yesterday 
about noon when his car collided with the CB&Q passenger motor coach at 
the crossing in Waltonville. His car which was dragged about 50 feet, 
was totally demolished.



Wednesday March 6, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
Silas Downer one of the oldest and best known residents of Mt. Vernon 
died at the home of his brother John Downer 409 south Breckenridge 
Street yesterday afternoon.

50 Years Ago Today
Mrs. Mary Kite, wife of William Kite died this morning.

40 Years Ago Today
Mr. & Mrs. Cyril Roth celebrated their first wedding anniversary 
with a card party at their home on South 24th street Monday evening.

35 Years Ago Today
Howard Z. Casey 48, member of a family that has been prominent in the 
affairs of Mt. Vernon for more than a quarter of a century died at 
his home on West Broadway last night.

20 Years Ago Today
Owen Harvey who rose from a job as a timekeeper to the position of 
vice president of the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company was killed 
at 6:00 o'clock this morning when he was struck by a west bound L and N 
Train at the 15th street crossing. He was going downtown for breakfast. 
Mr. Harvey who resided at 1702 Broadway was 92 years, four months, and 
16 days old. The fatal accident occured when he walked into the path 
of the approaching train.

Thursday March 7, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
The 79th birthday anniversary of Uncle Johnny Bogan was celebrated by a 
family reunion and dinner at 1706 West Jefferson yesterday.

Mrs. Lauta Cooper, familiarly known among her friends as "Hun" died
at the family home on Harrison at ten o' clock this morning.

55 Years Ago Today
John A. Marsh one of Bluford's substantial citizens was buried Monday 
in Hickory Hill cemetery.

50 Years Ago Today
A most interesting but grim collection of war relics may be seen 
in the show window of the Palace Pharmacy. The relics belong to 
Dr. Charles W. Hall who obtained them while in service during the World War.


Friday March 8, 1974
AS YOU WERE
75 Years Ago Today
I.B. Watson received a message last evening from Field township announcing 
that his brother Squire Whitson, has been found dead in the poultry house 
near his residence Death was believed due to a heart attack.

Thos. W. Bryan died at his home in East Mt. Vernon at 10 o'clock this morning.

60 Years Ago Today
Ten applications have been filed for the reward for the capture of Horace Wyche, 
who robbed the Jefferson State Bank here last night.

Thursday March 14, 1974                                       
AS YOU WERE 

55 Years Ago Today
Caroline Westendorff, 14 year old daughter of Mrs. A. Westendorff, living near Belle Rive, 
died at the Egyptian Hospital as the result of a gun shot wound.

50 Years Ago Today
W.L. York died yesterday at his home in Waltonville.

45 Years Ago Today

A wedding of interest to their many friends in Mt. Vernon was that of Roy (Dick) Garrison
and Miss Wilma Smith daughter of Oscar Smith which occured Wednesday February 27 at the 
home of the Rev. and Mrs. H.O. Lowe in this city.

30 Years Ago Today
Wallace W. Wallace, 77, a retired merchant, died at his home on 220 North 7th Street 
following a long illness. He was the last of a well known Jefferson County family 
which came to Mt. Vernon about 1871.

Saturday March 16, 1974
AS YOU WERE 

75 Years Ago Today
Dan Fitzgerrell is up from his plantation at Winfield today to attend to some 
business matters preparatory to beginning operations on a large scale for the 
following season.

60 Years Ago Today

Sheriff Payne left Tuesday in an effort to locate O.R. Reeves, who is charged 
with fleecing a number of farmers in the north part of the county out of about $10,000

55 Years Ago Today
Judge William H. Green has received word of the death of his brother, Judge A.M. 
Green of Gainsville, Texas, Sunday afternoon.

45 Years Ago Today
The largest inheritance tax ever paid in Jefferson county was received yesterday 
by County Treasurer R.L. Edminson when the sum of $116,280.70 was turned over to 
him as tax on the estate of the late W. C. Arthurs, Mt. Vernon Industrial Leader 
and financier

30 Years Ago Today
S-Sgt. Sidney E. Porter of Mt. Vernon, an Air Force Gunner has been reported missing
in action over Holland on Feb. 10.

Cpl. Harvey Hughes, who is stationed somewhere in England, has been awarded the Good 
Conduct Medal.

Pvt. James "Red" Ellis has returned to the States after two years in the Southwest Pacific.

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