977.3^7- C388h ISTORY NEW HAVEN ILLINOIS E CHASTAIN nc '^. Jiido^ Off A/ecu t^cuuen^ OluMili HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS By JIMMIE CHASTAIN '■'■Old Man River he just keeps roUin' alongy —JEROME KERN Carmi Democrat-Tribune Publishing Company MCMXLIII COPYRIGHT, 1943, BY ELIZABETH HOLLAND PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Carmi Democrat-Tribune Press, Carmi, Illinois Let not ambition mock their aseful toil, Their homely joys and destiny obscure, Nor Grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile. The short and simple annals of the poor. GRAY'S ELEGY PREFACE This book was written as a project in teaching Jimmie, who, as many of tou well know, is paralyzed, both hands and both feet, and has been for about ten years. It was entirely his idea, but as we worked it grew much like the proverbial snowball. Through this project we have learned something of reading, writing, spelling, language composition, history and geography and their relation to everyday life in his home town. Writing is much more of a task for Jimmie than many of you may realize and his perseverance and good spirit are highly commendable. Many changes have taken place here since the good old days and every one will agree it is a much better place to live now than it was then. We appreciate your advice, encouragement and help. If you enjoy reading the book as much as we have enjoyed writing it, it is time well spent. -ELIZABETH HOLLAND New Haven, Illinois, March 10, 1943. % ^">- ACKNOWLEDGMENT I am very grateful to all the people who have helped me in any way with this book. Without your help this book would not have been possible. Especially do I thank my teacher, Elizabeth Holland. Sincerely yours, JIMMIE CHASTAIN. ''What is history hut a fahle agreed upon?'' NAPOLEON BONAPARTE CONTENTS Page Map of New Haven 12 The Founding of New Haven 13 Map of Illinois 14 Location of New Haven 15 Map of Gallatin County 16 Boone's Fort 17 New Haven's Early Days 18 The Catalpa Tree 20 Religion 21 Education 24 New Haven Public School Teachers 28 To My Pupils 29 Schoolday Memories 30 Old Man River 31 The Little Wabash River 34 Floods 35 The Flood of '37 39 Fishing 40 The U. S. Post Office 41 The Banks 43 The Doctors 44 The Nox Theatre 45 The Graddy Hotel 46 The Pavement 47 The Pecan Market 50 Business as Usual 54 Boom Town 56 Township Organization 58 New Haven Has Gone to War 59 Chronology of New Haven, 1812-1943 61 Letter from Department of Commerce 65 12 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS NORTH MAP OF NEW HAVEN. ILL Section 17, Towr\ 7 Rar\ge 10 Eas+ SOUTH HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 13 01 L LEW HAVEN proudly claims to be the third oldest town in Illinois, and assuming that the town was started when Joe Boone settled here, this claim is correct. "Joe" Boone, as he is still affectionately called by the peo- ple here, was a brother to the more famous Daniel Boone, the first settler of Kentucky. August 24, 1814, an entry of land was recorded to Johna- than Boone as follows: Section 17-Township 7 Range 10-East. This is the present site of New Haven. (See map opposite page.) Kaskaskia was the first town and it does not exist as a town at present. Nor does old Shawneetown — -the second oldest. A new Shawneetown has been built on higher land since the 1937 flood. Therefore, New Haven is now the oldest town in Illinois. STREETS NORTH TO SOUTH EAST TO WEST Hunter Mill Water Lafayette Boone Main Front Marshall Franklin Walnut Vine Jefferson Gallatin Hickory Market Ford Poplar Melvin 14 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS Sf. Louis vansville NEW\ HAVEN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 15 NEW HAVEN New Haven is in southeastern Illinois on the Little Wabash River. It is surrounded by the fertile "bottom soil" that is noted for its corn. The native woods along the river are filled with nuts and New Haven probably sells more pecans than any other town of its size. Besides these main crops there are always fresh river fish on sale here. Within the last few years several commercial oil wells have been developed within a few miles of town. These have added much to the prosperity of the little village and have given it a feeling of encouragement it had not had since the depression of 1931 and the flood of 1937 had tak- en their toll. The village has about 600 inhabitants, all very loyal American citizens, most of them direct descendants of the hardy pioneers who came here more than a hundred years ago. (See map opposite page) 16 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS WHITE CO, Rou+e 141 HARDIN CO. Apples Co&l 01 Watermelons PecftPiS Soy beans WKeat HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 17 BOONE'S FORT Around this land was built a solid stockade from the trees which grew so abundantly along the river, and the place was named Boone's Fort. The white people stayed inside this fort most of the time, for protection from the Indians and the wild animals. Most of the time people traveled on the river in those days. It is hard for us to imagine life inside a stockade like this, where there were no trucks to bring bread, milk, and vegetables several times a week, but let us think back. The men helped each other and log houses were built for homes. A mill was built inside the fort. Most of the cloth and all the clothing were home-made. Home-made tallow candles gave light. Vegetables and fruits were those that could be grown at home. Canning was not generally known then, so people ate what was in season. Fresh meat then, as now, was a problem. Almost every family had brought a cow, and maybe a few hogs, but wild game was much more plentiful then than it is now and much more in demand. Fishing, hunting, and fur trading were not sports then, they were big business. In September, 1812, Ninian Edwards, then governor of Illi- nois Territory, laid out this county and named it in honor of Albert Gallatin, a very distinguished citizen and Secretary of the Treasury under Jefferson; but the northern boundary was not definitely marked and Boone's Fort was then in White County. This line was not settled for many years, in fact it was not until 1S54, long after Illinois became a state, which was in 1818. (See map of Gallatin County on opposite page.) 18 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS NEW HAVEN'S EARLY DAYS JONATHAN BOONE remained here but a few years. He came in 1812, probably on account of the family relationship. Perhaps he needed more elbow room, or perhaps he saw an op- portunity to make a profit on his investment, at any rate he sold Home of Samuel Dagley and Jane Webb Dagley, near New Haven. Part of the house is still standing". Mr. Henry Dagley inherited it from his father and it is known in the neighborhood as the Uncle Henry Dagley place. The Samuel Dagley who built this house was the son of the Samuel Dagley who came here in 1812. (Picture Courtesy Mrs. J. G. Black, Carmi, 111.) his land, his mill and stockade to Paddy Robinson and Roswell H. Grant and moved into the wilds of Arkansas where he re- mained the rest of his life. So far as we have been able to trace, Mr. Grant came here about 1818. Mr. Grant and Mr. Robinson made a survey of the town, had it laid out into 261 lots, each 70 feet by 140 feet. The streets were laid out at right angles with each other, those run- ning nearest north and south running parallel to the Little Wa- bash. The name was changed from Boone's Fort to New Haven. We have a great deal of respect and admiration for these first settlers, because we know that those years were very hard. Harder than many of us would care to endure. Unfortunately some of their names are not now available, and much of their interesting history has died with them. Therefore who gets the HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN. ILLINOIS 19 honor of being the first settler is not definitely known, but prob- ably the Dag-leys came as soon as anyone. Samuel Dagley came here in 1812, the same year Jonathan Boone came. There was a close relationship. Mrs. J. Boone was a daughter of Thomas Dagley. It was therefore not unusual for Daniel Boone to come to New Haven and it is interesting to know that he spent his twenty-first birthday in the Dagley home. Samuel Dagley was the son of Thomrs Dagley, a native of Ireland and baggage master for General Washington during the Revolution. When Samuel Dagley came to New Haven he was a mature man, wealthy, courageous, physically strong, and the father of fifteen children. He was a leader in the formation of this community and all the activities showed the strength of his character for the good of his town. These paragraphs were taken from the old White County History published in 1887. "New Haven has been incorporated twice, first in 1837 and again in 1873. "The present (1887) board of trustees are Leroy Hinch, president J- P- Decker James Dossett George W. Gervney Thomas A. Haley Robby McFadden Mathais Epley, treasurer J. L. Greenlee, clerk W. P. Aldridge, police magistrate W. S. Dale, constable "The town has about 400 inhabitants and its present lack of prosperity is attributed by some to its saloons, but is living in the memory of the past and in the hope of future glory which will doubtless come to pass after a railroad has crossed the Little Wabash at this point." No buildings are left now in New Haven that date back to the time of Boone's Fort, but the last part of the old Sheridan Hotel was not torn down until 1933. Before it was finally de- stroyed the state historical society, sponsored by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, took a picture and had the building measured so that a replica could be built. In its prime there were many rooms and the building was almost a block long. It was a combination of hotel, tavern, and old-fashioned Irish grocery. We are told that Lincoln ate his noon meal here and changed horses on his way to meet Douglas in debate during the winter of 1857-58. It was built in 1816 and '17 while the old stockade still surrounded Boone's Fort. In those horse and buggy days there was a livery stable on the west side of Mel- vin Street between Vine and Front. 20 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS THE CATALPA TREE For more than a hundred years one of the landmarks of New Haven was a large and beautiful catalpa tree which stood The catalpa tree, which grew from a riding whip — stuck in the ground by one of Joe Boone's daughters. The Little Jim steam roller mill. Neither the tree nor the mill is now standing. (Picture Courtesy Seymore Hughes) on the bank of the river near the south end of Boone's mill. This tree is said to have grown from a riding whip carelessly stuck into the ground by one of Boone's daughters on her return from a horseback ride. Many of the people who live in New Hav- en now, in 1943, can remember when this tree was struck by lightning and practically destroy- ed. Seeing an opportunity to preserve the wood in the form of keepsakes for posterity, Seymore Hughes made and sold walking canes from the wreck of this old tree. It is said he made quite a lot of money and many of the canes are in Seymore Hughes homes here. HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 21 RELIGION One of the strongest influences, if not the strongest, in a community is the church. The first settlers of New Haven were evidentb" of the Presbyterian faith. At this time the Presby- terian churches were all united as they are supposed to be now, and, of course, were of Scotch descent. The Presbyterian church is very rigid in its belief and in its . ^^^ i j ritual and expects ^^ } ^ \ strict obedience to all its rules from its members. The first record of any church or- ganization here was in 1829 when church was held in first one home and then another. The minister came about once a month, riding horseback from S h a w n e e t own. Some people walk- ed for miles to go to church and people of any denomination were welcome at these meetings. From this union of denomina- tions grew the Union Ridge Church several miles west of town. This was the first church in the neighborhood and had many members from New Haven. Some years later the people of Cumberland, Tennessee, separated from the Presbyterian Church on matters of doctrine, especially on the matter of the saving of children and the amount of education necessary for the minister. Many churches follow- ed this movement and Union Ridge Church was one of them. In 1868 the members from New Haven left Union Ridge Church to establish one of their own. This church was organiz- ed by Rev. R. M. Davis and the present building was dedicated November 12, 1868. The first elders were Andrew Melvin, G. W. Overton, B. J. Mize, and J. L. Purvis. The charter members were Andrew Melvin, G. W. Overton, Margaret Good, Susan Hanmore, Lucinda Mitchell, B. T. Mize, Emily Mize, John Mclllrath, Martha McHlrath, Mary Mitchell, J. L. Purvis, Hannah Martin, Martha Melvin, and John Weaver. Mrs. Mary Mitchell Grady, who passed away September 16, 1941, was the last of these charter members to go. This United Presbyterian Church In foreground grade school band parade on Pecan Day, 1941. 22 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS church has always been active, and, although it has been with- out a minister part of the time, there has always been at least one weekly service held in the church. Mr. Lewis Bayley has been a leader in Sunday School for many years and he is largely responsible for keeping the services alive while there was no regular minister. Rev. Marion Lemon was pastor during 1939 and 1940. Several years ago the Presbyterian churches voted to be- come united and this church joined the union, being known now as a United Presbyterian Church instead of a Cumberland Pres- byterian. When the town of New Haven was laid out, a lot was left "for a place of worship". The Methodist Church is on this site at present. The first church built on this lot was a one-room log cabin. The church services held here were more or less of a revival nature and were not of any particular denomination, neither were they very regular. In 1869 the pres- ent Methodist Church was built. It was to be financ- ed, as usual, by gifts from the con- gregation. Rev. John Warren do- nated one hundred dollars and there were several gifts. Seven hundred was borrowed on a note from Mrs. Margaret Slater, but when the money was to be repaid she destroyed the note and said the money was a gift. This was of course much the largest single gift. The building was dedicated in the fall of 1869, Rev. War- ren and Rev. Whitaker officiating. In 1875 a festival was held in the church. At this time a festival in a church was very un- iisual, and this was the first affair of its kind to be held in New Haven, and we are told that pineapple was served for the first time at this dinner. The money from this "social" was used to buy an organ for the church. It seems impossible now to get a complete list of the mem- bers, but we list here some of the charter members. Mrs. Mar- garet Slater, Mrs. Mary Gilpin, Mr. William Aldridge, Mrs. Ida First Methodist Church HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN. ILLINOIS _23 Smith, and Capt. Stone. Rev. Warren, Rev. Jesse Johnston and Rev. Hitchcock were among the first ministers. Rev. Hitchcock and Capt. Stone also taught school here. The church has had some periods of real activity and its in- fluence can be seen throughout all the community, but unfortun- ately there have been some long periods of inactivity, especially when the church was without a regular minister. During one of these times the building, which was seldom in use, was loan- ed to the Pentecostal congregation to hold meetings. They held the building for several years and no doubt accomplished a great deal of good, but under the leadership of Rev. Homer Young, who came here in 1927, the building was taken back by the Methodist congregation, who repaired and repainted it and have had regular services there since then. Rev. Young was called to Johnston City in 1938. He was followed by Rev. Richardson, who stayed about two years. Next came Rev. Linder, whose revival in New Haven converted a large number of people, and w^as especially successful in his work with young men. He resigned in the summer of 1942 to join the U. S. Navy. Rev. Henderson was appointed to fill the vacancy, and with the help of Mrs. Henderson, who is especial- ly talented in music, has a very active church at the present time. From March 15-20, 1943, was held the sixth annual School of the Prophets. This is an interdenominational organization of the Pentecostal Church. It was under the direction of Reverend Mears and attracted some 200 ministers and about the same number of visitors from this and nearby communities. Many people are undoubtedly reached by these meetings who do not attend other church services. Their church is on Market Street just off Main and is under construction. They have at present a basement, including furnace and banquet room, and on the first floor a large congregation hall. It has been built only since the flood of 1937. It is built only as contributions are collected. Pentecostal services are held weekly during the year but the an- nual school of the prophets is the event which attracts the most people. The First Apostolic Church was organized since the flood. The building was constructed in 1942. It is on Ford Street be- tween Vine and Front. Mr. and Mrs. Joda Burris donated the ground. The trustees are as follows: George Merritt, Ermil Ridley, Tive Emmerson, Elbert Martin, and Mrs. Ola Burris. Regular meetings are held on Saturday and Sunday nights, usually to a full house. Sometimes the regular minister. Rev. Martin Holtzclaw, is absent and Mrs. Melton fills the pulpit. 24 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS EDUCATION The first school in New Haven was in a log cabin at what is now Main and Front Streets. It was a subscription school taught by Lizzie Boyd in the winter of 1848-49. The next teacher was Samuel Murray, an old soldier and sailor who was very popular, because of his interesting stories. The other sub- scription school teachers were : Levi H. Hitchcock, a Methodist preacher, Rodger Frame, Jesse Ful- ler, Lucy Rowe and last William Car- ter. These subscrip- tion schools lasted almost ten years, with six teachers, but they did not have school every year, nor did they have very good at- tendance. The lar; vvliitt fiame building on Market Street was built in 1870. George H. Pharr was the first teacher in this building. School was held here un- til 1937. It 'was then condemned because of the damage done by the flood. The building stands idle at present. Subscription is a very poor substi- tute for our free system, as it has developed through the years, but it was un- doubtedly better than no school, and it pointed the way toward common school education for all the children of all the people. Can you imagine this first school where all the pupils were beginners regardless of age? From 1814 until 1848 is 34 years, long enough for one generation to grow up without any formal education. Let us not say that none of them could read or write. Perhaps many of them could not, but some of them co'ild. They had been taught by their mothers as was the custom of the day; but mothers had long busy days then, with their large families and small, inconvenient, crowded homes. These mothers, who felt the need of a school for their children, would be the ones who supported the subscription schools. Picture the one-room log cabin, with benches for seats, and benches for desks, simply a board on two log stumps. One end of the room too cold, the other too hot, heated by a stove, maybe an open fireplace. For equipment a iDOok and a slate, but that is not all. The pupil took with him the desire to learn. HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 25 Public school was held in the town house from 1855 until 1870. At this time, this was a one-room log building, stove heated, lighted by few windows with one door, and said to be "on the hill". A good schoolmaster, then as always, was the best equip- ment the school had. Mr. George Knight, one of the teachers, came on horse back over the dirt road, from his home about six miles west of town, arriving before daylight, in order to get the room warm and the quill pens made 'before "books". The books were a McDuffy's reader and a Ray's arithmetic, and a slate. The enrollment was sometimes as many as sixty ranging in age from six to twenty. The older pupils often repeated the eighth grade several times, or studied the higher branches, if the teacher had the time and ability to teach it. He was then "past the pictures", but he had indeed got his education the hard way. OUR NEW SCHOOL New Haven's Public School We are all justly proud of our beautiful modern new school building. It was one year in construction and cost twenty-five thousand fifty-four dollars, but the taxpayers of New Haven had to pay only eight thousand one hundred fifty dollars. This 26 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS great saving was made possible through the use of W. P. A. la- bor and twenty-five cents on every dollar's worth of material was paid for by the federal government. This means that, DIRECTLY, we paid only about one-third of the actual cost. On February 1, 1939, one hundred eighty pupils and four teachers proudly took possession. The teachers were Paul Mc- Gill, principal, 7th and 8th grades, Horace Gail Mobley, 5th and 6th grades, Miss Pearl Stallings, 3rd and 4th grades, and Mrs. Joanna Rider, 1st and 2nd grades. The school board were: Ted Parker, president, Walter Browning, secretary, Howard Pyles, John Blackburn, Walter York, Jake Woods and Horace Stallings, members. To these men we owe a large debt of gratitude, because they gave so willingly and so largely of their time for more than a year without pay. EXTRA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES In August, 1936, Mr. C. A. Gavitt, Grayville, Illinois, organ- ized a mixed band at the New Haven School. This was both a community and a school band; but when Mr. Paul McGill, the school principal, took the band over he allowed only school pupils to belong to the band. Mr. McGill directed the band from 1937 until 1941; and again in 1942-43. Very few grade schools near here have a band so our com- petition was with high schools; therefore our band had to work very hard for recognition. The band lost a good deal of the ground it had gained during the year 1941-42 while Mr. Lowe was here, but in 1942-43 Mr. McGill came back from Ridgway two days a week and the band is doing very well at present. Mr. McGill also interested the boys in basketball and with the help of Mr. Mobley as coach they organized two teams from the school and a town team. The first year they played on an outdoor court which of course could not be used in bad weather. Interest was so keen that the new school building has a beautiful gymnasium which is always crowded at a game. A fine spirit of cooperation and good sportsmanship is being developed. This will help to make the boys grow to be better citizens. HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN. ILLINOIS 27 SCHOOL BOARD -# #- i ) Pre3idenL of School Board — Elmer Browning. Secretary — Elvis Bennett. Members— Howard Pyles, Clyde Goforth, Gilbert Jones, Walter York, John Blackard. About a year before the new school building was started the district was consolidated with the other districts in the river bottoms. The children were brought to school the first year in a car driven by Harrison Clifford. Then a truck was used cov- ered with a tarpaulin. Charles Wooten used this a while as did Roy Armstrong. Louis Mitchell owned the school bus for a few years. In 1940 the school board bought a bus and Cecil Bosaw drives it. About twenty-five children use this bus. New Haven is in a non-high school district. Most of the students go to Ridgway to high school, but some have gone to Norris City and Carmi. Charles Bradford drove the first high school bus, which took the underclassmen to Omaha and the seniors on to Ridgway. Louis Mitchell has owned two high school buses, one went to Ridgway and the other through Her- ald to Carmi. He also owned one which took patients to the eye clinic at Shawneetown. This year Otis Chastain drives the Carmi High School bus which is privately owned, and Ray Wig- gins drives the Ridgway High School bus which belongs to the school. Almost all the New Haven pupils now take advantage of their opportunity to get a high school education. 28 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS NEW HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS 1855-56— Capt. E. P. H. Stone. 1856-57 — ^Walte H. Bunn. 1857-58 — George U. Corturight. 1858-59-60 — John McMasters. 1860-61-62-63— J. F. Maiden. 1863-64 — Mr. Fitzsimmons, who left to go to the Civil War. Mr. Per- kins finished out the term. 1864-65— George B. Knight. 1865-66 — Winslow Bailey. 1866-67-68-69 — Rev. John McIUrath. 1869-70-71— George H. Pharr, first teacher in new school. 1871-72 — George F. Eaton. 1872-73 — James R. Campbell, Miss Wilson (2 teachers). 1873-74 — John G. Ferrell, Miss Wat- kins. 1875-76 — J. C. Wooten, Prudence H. Bozeman. 1876-77-78-79-80-81 — George H. Pharr, Prudence H. Bozeman. 1881-82-83-84-85-86 — A. M. Garri- son, Prudence Bozeman. 1886-87-88 — Clint Smith, Mrs. Sarah Twoey. 1888-89 — John Greenlee, Mrs. Long. 1889-90 — John Greenlee, Mrs. Twoey. 1890-91-92 — John Greenlee, Hattie Bainum. 1892-93-94-95-96 — John Greenlee, Hattie Bainum. 1896-97-98 — John Greenlee, Mrs. Sarah Twoey. 1898-99 — John Greenlee, Mrs. Maud Greenlee. 1899-1900-01-02 — John Greenlee, Miss Parsons. 1902-03-04 — John Greenlee, Miss Parkhurst. 1904-05 — Mr. Brown, Pearl Price. 1905-06 — Mr. Young, Pearl Price. 1906-10 — The records are lost. 1910-14 — Mr. James, Grace Kinsall. 1914-15 — Mr. Young, Dora Mills, Lena Bruce (three teachers for the first time ) . 1915-16 — Mr. Greene, John Price, Grace Kinsall. 1916-17 — Mr. Greene, John Price, Luella Woolridge. 1917-18-19 — Mr. Holmes, John Price, Luella Woolridge. 1919-20 — Mr. Clint Sanders, Mrs. Holmes, Joanna Rider. 1920-21 — Mr. Holmes, Ruth Clem- mons, Luella Woolridge. 1921-22 — Mr. Stuckey, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1922-23— Mr. Harold Allen, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1923-24 — Alvin Karch, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1924-25 — Hubert Jordan, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1925-26 — Sophia Adkisson, Everett Nelson, Joanna Rider. 1926-27 — Sophia Adkisson, Marie Medlin, Joanna Rider. 1927-28 — Sophia Adkisson, Marie Medlin, Joanna Rider. 1928-29 — James M. Downen, Joanna Rider, Sophia Adkinson. 1929-30— Henry S. Williams, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1930-31— E. Ralph Williams, Goldia Hays, Joanna Rider. 1931-32— E. Ralph Williams, Goldia Hays, Joanna Rider. 1932-33 — H. S. Williams, Goldia Hays, Joanna Ridei\ 1933-34— A. M. Stills, Lillian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1934-35-36 — Arthur M. Stills, Lil- lian Bruce, Joanna Rider. 1936-37 — Paul McGill, Marie Med- lin, Joanna Rider. 1937-38— Paul McGill, Marie Med- lin, Joanna Rider. School closed in January for the term on account of the flood, the worst one in the history of New Haven. 1939-40— Paul McGill, H. G. Mob- ley, Pearle Stallings, Joanna Rid- er. Four teachers for the first time. The old building was con- demned on account of the dam- age of the flood, but was used during the construction of the new building. 1940-41— Paul McGill, Charles Las- aster, Pearle Stallings, Elizabeth Holland, Joanna Rider. 1941-42— Paul Lowe, H. G. Mobley, Pearle Stallings, Joanna Rider, Elizabeth Holland. 1942-43— H. G. Mobley, Gaines Bay- ley, Pearle Stallings, Joanna Rid- er, Elizabeth Holland. Paul Mc- Gill came from Ridgway High School twice a week to teach music. March 1 — H. G. Mobley resigned to work in an ordnance plant in Ev- ansville. Mr. Bayley became principal and La Vaughn Soward filled the vacancy. HISTORY OF NE?W HAVEN, ILLINOIS 29 25 YEARS' SERVICE Mrs. Joanna Rider TO MY PUPILS I MEET YOU ON THE PLAYGROUND I MEET YOU AT THE DOOR BUT 'TWON'T BE LONG NOW 'TILL I'LL MEET YOU THERE NO MORE. I WON'T SEE YOUR SMILING FACES AS YOU STUDY AT YOUR DESKS I'LL NOT BE THERE TO GUIDE YOU IF YOU FAIL TO PASS YOUR TESTS. I'LL NOT HEAR YOU ON THE PLAYGROUND AS YOU SQUEAL IN CHILDISH GLEE BUT I'LL ALWAYS THINK OF YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY BE. I'LL BE GLAD WHEN YOU ARE LUCKY I'LL SORROW WHEN YOU LOSE AND I'LL PRAY YOU MAY BE SUCCESSFUL WHICHEVER ROAD YOU CHOOSE. AND WHEN LIFE'S DRAMA SHALL BE ENDED I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU "THERE" THAT YOU MAY SAFELY CROSS THE BOURNE WILL BE MY FERVENT PRAYER. 30 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS SCHOOL DAY MEMORIES— 1940 In the old school house I am dreaming Of the happy days gone by. My schoolmates playing ball upon the green Or coasting down the big hill high I vision again their happy faces When the school bell called us in. I hear again the songs we sang Ere our studies we begin. Again I see the dear old teacher His head bowed low in prayer Alas, he and twenty-one of us Have answered the roll call over there. Dear old school house, a new one takes your place A little way across the hill from where you now face And soon a troop of boys and girls Will idly pass you by, Unmindful of deserted looks Which all around you lie. Till in years to come, some ancient muse May sit, as I do now With limbs that feel the touch of age And snow upon the brow And view the new school house As I am doing now. Dear old school house Your days are nearly o'er I, too, am going fast To that other shore. And may I meet my classmates dear Who gathered around your door. These poems are only two of many written by Joanna Rid- er, Jimmie's first teacher. They speak very plainly of her love for her pupils and her work in the schools in New Haven. ?Trs. Rider has taught twenty-five years here and in the country schools near here. That fact, in itself, shows in what high re- gard she is held by her own community. Who can say what cherished memories hundreds of children and their children hold close for their first teacher who showed the way? HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 31 OLD MAN RIVER Undoubtedly New Haven is where it is because of the riv- er, and it is what it is, also, largely because of the river. When New Haven was young almost all traffic was by water. Then evidently, the river's course was different than it is now and most of the year channel was deep enough to carry large river boats. They arriv- ed several times a week. From the time Daniel Boone paddled his canoe up the river to vis- it his brother until the winter of 1942- 43 when corn was hauled from the elevator to Evans- ville by boat the river has been our best friend and our worst enemy. Two dams have Junction of Big and Little Wabash Rivers been built, but neither is in use now. For many years the mill was run by water power. This mill was built by Charles and George Knight and operated by Hanmore and Gallager. After the steam mill was built in 1868, the water mill was abandoned. It decayed and was finally torn down. The Little Jim Roller mill was built by D. M. Porter and Alois Winterberger for Capt. James Ford who came to New Haven in 1868. It was three stories high including a basement and had five sets of rollers for grinding wheat and one for grind- ing corn. It was propelled by a thirty-horsepower steam engine and had a capacity of fifty barrels every twenty-four hours. Mr. Ford operated the mill for many years. His daughter, Lucy Frank, married Dr. Hall. Mr. Harry Woods bought the mill from Mr. Ford. He made and sold Old Honesty Flour for about fifty years. He sold the mill to Mr. Frank Stevens. Mr. Seymore Hughes worked at this mill for twenty-nine years. It was torn down in 1929. For about fifty years Sam and Sylvester York ran a ferry across the river at a point about one block west of the present bridge. At one time they sponsored a survey to make this a deep water way, but the idea was never carried out. It is sup- posed that the government decided the expense too great for the amount of business to be handled. Undoubtedly at times 32 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS during these years the river was deep enough for large boats to dock at our front door, at least it was our front door then. When the larger river boats came in it was quite an event. They brought the mail, "city goods from Philadelphia", and when the whistle blew that meant the boat was stay- ing until the next dayandthere ^^ would be a dance onboardthat night. These were the social events. Southern Illinois is particularly d e f i- cient in written material about traffic on the Ohio and lower Missis- sippi. It is practic- a 1 1 y unrecorded. The bridge across the Little Wabash was built by a Chicago construction company in 1895 at a cost of $1,800 to be shared equally by Gallatin and White counties. The day of dedication was a holiday. The celebration was held in a field on the farm now belonging to Joe Sparrow. There was an especially built Picture of Bridge Across Little Wabash Ferry Boat "New Haven" Owned by William Merritt Picture Made in 1913 (Courtesv Andrew Bosaw) HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 33 platform. Mr. Jesse Wade of Mt. Vernon, Indiana, was speaker of the day. The band was here, and a good old-fashioned picnic dinner had been served. There was much dancing and merry- making. New Haven's share of the money was in cash, in the hands of Mathais Eply, then town clerk, who growing tired of carrying it around, turned it over to A. M. Studebill, the super- visor, who was to pay it to the company at the ceremony. When the time came Mr. Studebill had disappeared with the money. He was never caught and the money had to be repaid by his bondsmen, one of whom was W. P. Aldridge. The bridge is in good repair at present, as is the gravel road on to Mackey Ferry, so called because it was first owned by Captain Mackey, who owned a boat named the Steamer Edith. Later he sold out to Captain Fretageot who also owned the New Harmony Ferry. Mr. David Bosaw managed this ferry at this time. It was then sold to Zergible and Thompson who sold it to T. B. Smith of Ridgway. He owns it at the present time and it is run by gasoline. Most of the boats used here have been packets. These are small steamboats originally designed to carry mail, passengers, and small freight, and they usually make short regular trips. The Hornbrooks owned one named the D. A. and Nesbitt which ran between here and Mt. Vernon in the early nineteen hundreds. Before this the Rose Dale brought the mail, but it was sunk. B, E. Bieker and his brother, Louis, owned one named the Red Spot, which brought merchandise for his store in 1912. Mr. William Merritt owns the one that has been used most recently to haul corn. It was docked three or four years, but used again to haul corn and pop corn, in the last few years. Gravel is cheap and abundant along the river and most of the gravel roads in counties near here are built from the gravel along the banks of the Wabash. During the spring, summer and fall months gravel is hauled night and day out of New Haven on Route 141. Many of these trucks come as far as 100 miles. Some are privately owned, and some belong to counties or townships. In fact there are very few roads in Southern Illinois that are not graveled at present. The high water in the spring of 1943 changed the course of the river, and the bank of the river on the Indiana side of the ferry landing was washed away for a hundred feet or more, so that a new ferry landing must be built. This is under construc- tion. By using the ferry it is only 32 miles to Evansville, Indiana, and many people commute to their work in war plants, thus avoiding the high rent and congestion of the city. 34 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS THE LITTLE WABASH RIVER -^GEORGEANN MELTON This poem is set to music by Mrs. Melton. It is original music. She plays by ear. She was born and reared on the river banks, and this is a sincere expression of her life. Mrs. Georgeann Melton I Sweet to my memories, to forget I never could. Of the Little Wabash River, where the old mill dam once stood. There now stands a dwelling, where eight children grew, And I've no sweeter blessings, they come so very few. CHORUS Little Wabash, wheie you going, you seem to travel fast. The waves upon you tossing, as you go rolling past. I've watched you from my childhood, I'll never forget the days. When I was just a small child, by you I liked to play. II When a child I'd wander, with my hook and line so grand, I'd wade out in the water, where the old mill dam did stand, I'd fish and fish all day, perhaps I'd catch a bass. And when the sun was sinking low, I'd climb the hill so fast. Ill Yes, all the children's gone now to homes of their own, And sometimes we wander back to our childhood home. And there I like to wander down to that very path, That leads to the Little Wabash, it's there I stand at last. IV The birds still sing so sweetly, as in my childhood days, And nothing has changed much, since I have gone away. The place where I went bathing is still so good and cool For many times I'd slip away against my mother's rule. V My mother's hair is gray now, and father's wrinkled, too. But the river has never changed, and is still as clean and cool. My parents now are aging, but they are just as dear And the Wabash still is flowing, as it was when I was near. VI Many times I linger, it's there I like to stand. I think about precious memories, on the Wabash bank so grand, That Little Wabash River, it sure is dear to me, I never shall forget it, my childhood days so free. HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 35 FLOODS THE FIRST recorded flood was in 1832 and the next in 1882. Evidently these were not very high, but the next year, 1883, the water was said to be the highest thus far in history and was only Corner Vine and Mill Streets During 1913 Flood IK J. !H i ill Mill Street During 1913 Flood Looking Towards River 36 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS three feet below the highest mark of 1913. Much damage was done to the property by this flood, many cases of typhoid, malaria, and pneumonia followed, as usual, in its wake. How- ever, there was no loss of life in New Haven, that we know about, and since the flood was in April, spring was on the way and the weather was much more favorable than in January, 1937, when our worst flood came. Andrew Bosaw Residence February 6, 1937. Water Had Dropped 1 1/2 Ft. The Elevator at New Haven During 1937 Flood. By January 28, 1937, the water had been rising steadily for weeks and hundreds of acres of land were under water. New Haven was entirely covered and the water was still rising. It is impossible to estimate the damage done to crops and homes. In times of such stress the true spirit of a people is shown. The spirit of the people of New Haven is one they may well be proud of. All the boats and hip rubber boots were in action. People showed no fear or panic and there was time to help each other. Literally, they were all in the same boat and able to take it. Looking From Town Hall Toward River. February 9, 1937 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN, ILLINOIS 37 Henry Sparrow Garage During Flood January, 1937 The radio appeal for boats from WEBQ, Harrisburg, brought a state conservation boat in charge of two men each named Lynch. More than 150 persons were rescued from their homes by this boat. A temporary radio station was put up on top of Bieker's store, since this was the only way of outside com- munication. The backwaters from the with great force and the water was rising with alarming rap- idity. Everywhere people were putting their furniture and household goods up to the ceil- ing on scaffolds, ready to be abandoned. By Sunday the water was over the pavement and every house between there and the river was deserted. As the water entered the houses they were often lifted from their foundations, sometimes turned or floated a little dis- tance. A call for a doctor was sent to Carmi and Dr. F. C. Sibley donated his time and his medi- cine for the day in New Hav- en. He made part of the trip by boat. He reported that most of turbulent Ohio were coming in UMM»l"»*'**», ♦Miniw WAS Tne ABcve "Tieer&T- The <2G^ceAJT F^