"Oh the Banks of the Wabash" : Sesqui- centennial 1812-1962, St. Francisville, I Illinois ILLINOIS Hi^i'wfitxlAL SURVES "Oh tlte lia^tki 0/ tk^ WaLcuik '' ^^ SesquiceriWTniial 1812 — 1962" St. Francisville, Illinois Compliments Of COUCH INSURANCE AGENCY INSURANCE OF ALL KINDS SINCE 1920 We want to meet and greet you at our Sesquicentennial ! Floyd E. Couch Margaret McCormlck Samuel M. Brian ^▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲A^ ▲▲▲▲ ^.▲▲▲Ai*^'*^^^^'*^ // On tke lianki 0/ ^ WcMoaU '^ Sesquicentennial 1812 — 1962 St. Francisville, Illinois JULY 2, 3, and 4, 1962 There's a lot of hard work in putting on a sesquicentennial. but there's a lot of fun, too. The spirit of cooperation among St. Francisville residents was an inspiring example to every other community. u .•.«J ^ ' 1 • ;1 .,fc ^ A2': ... . -.. ^ Foreword We are presenting a short history of St. Francisville, Illinois. We have attempted to deal with phases of the development of our com- munity by recording events in story form, a.s they are connected with our lives — past and present. It is impossible to give full credit to the many persons who have been so helpful in compiling this material. Our sincere thanks are extended to everyone who has contributed material, clippings, and pictures for the book: for advertisements con- tributed by interested people; and to all those who have helped w.nVe our Sesquicentennial a success. Meditation on the Wabash MRS. N J. PEPPLE The evening sun is setting O'er the Wabash old and gray. And I watch its lengthening shadows, As the bright light fades away. And I fancy many pictures As the waters roll along, And I wonder not the poet Has its beauty told in song. And I wonder not one's lonely As they wander many ways. And the thoughts so often linger On the scents of other days. So I view the rolling Wabash, And I note its every form, Sometimes shining in the sunlight. Sometimes angry m the storm Then I see the moonlight gleaming O'er the waters calm and still. And WE hear the distant echo As it soundeth o'er the hill. 'Tis a bell we hear so often Calling on the other shore. Someone's on the other side Waiting to be ferried o'er. Then we see ths busy boatman Row across the waters wide And he lands the weary traveler Safe upon the other side. Then we see the fortune hunter With his anchor at his side. Drifting in the deepest waters. For 'tis there the pearls abide. Then we see the boats come freighted Some with produce, some with sand; Man must labor on the water Just the same as on the land. So I've watched the rolling waters Of the Wabash far away And I see it moving onward In course that none can stay. Then I think that life's a river And we are drifting down the stream. And the way laid out before us Is no vain and idle dream. For the hand that guides the boatman O'er the waters dark and wild. With an anchor safely grounded. Never will forsake a child. So we're sailing toward the city While the sunset lingers near. And we'll anchor in the harbor Ere the morning dawneth clear. There to rest bsside life's river Is a promise that is given. And to meet the many loved ones Will increase the joys of heaven Then we'll know why all life's changes As we drifted on its way. And we'll praise our blesed Savior In that land that's fair as day. Mrs. Pepple was the mother of Oris Pepple who lived in the home now occupied by Truman Barnett. She wrote this poem while Uving in sight of the Wabash ferry and could see the musselers digging for pearls. • 1 ) COMPLIMENTS OF Collison's General Merchandise Toys IN OPERATION OVER 30 YEARS Qofhing Shoes For The Family ..... Yard Goods Buster Brown Shoes For Children Meats Fancy and Staple Groceries Now Operated By Ray and Geraldine O'Dell Notioas ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^j^^^^^^^^J.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I 2 St. Francisville — My Home Town The little town of St. Francisville nestles on a sandstone bluff overlooking the Wabash River or Wa-ba, which is an Indian word meaning "summer cloud moving swiftlj'." This is one of the oldest French settlements in Illinois. John Mason Peck's 'New Gazetteer of Illinois (2nd edition 1837) states "French settle- ment, in the southeastern part of Lawrence County, ten miles fi'om Lawrenceville, is a tim- bered tract and rather broken. Of the population which consists of sixty families, about one half are French." From 'Pioneer History of Illinois' by John Reynolds, 1852, we learn "These early French had many customs in relation to the com- mon fields that were just and equitable. There was a time fixed that all should have their crops gathered. After that tlie fences were not attended to; and the same in the Spring to repair the fence and keep the stock out of the field. The Indian corn was not so much cultivated as was wheat. A species of Indian or hominy corn was rai.sed for the voyagers which was an article of commerce." "The old plow used by the French would be a curiosity at this date 1852. It had not much iron about it. The French seldom plowed with horses, but used oxen. The Fi-ench cart was constructed without an atom of iron about it. When "Amer- icans" came to this country they called these carts "bare-footed carts", because they had no iron on the wheels." The true French element has, in a great measure past;ed from our community. Names of families today connote emigration into our areas (1) from Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia, (2) the oil industry brought people from later generations from the same areas a.'; well as from West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the earlj 1700's a military post was estab- lished on the present site of Vincennes, Indiana, by Sieur de Vincennes. The French led in the early settlement of Illinois. Their first object was trade with the Indian tribes. Second, the missionaries gained the grudging esteem and respect of the Indians. Many of the French settlers in Vincennes came with their families from Canada. Others came directly from France! Later these came to the trading po.st on the Wabash — the present site of St. Francisville. Joseph Tougas, (now Tougaw) is credited as being the first permanent settler of Lawrence County. There are conflicting records as to the date of his coming. One gives 1803 or 1804 — another states he settled on the present site of St. Francisville in 1804 or 1805. He came to St. Fran- (Continued on Page Five) There was a flurry of excitement at the depot when the Cannonball Express boomed into town. Trains, in the old days, had the fascination of today's jets. !./• ( 3 ) ▼ ▼■▼^ ► —ORGANIZED 1936— . ^ Pays Tribute to Its Home Town ► Membership ^ Marjorie Auerswald > Mae Hall Helen Pierson ► Mabel Baum Marian Hovermale Irene Rigg ^ Betty Brian . Laverda Keneipp Pat Spencer ^ Edith Brooke Helen T,ane Betty Spidel y lone Buchanan , Margaret Ray Lynn Jeanne Spidel ► Isabel Clark Neva Lynn Blanche Stephenson ^ Joan Diver Margaret McCormick Margaret Stephenson ^ Mabel Deckard , ■: Lois McKelfresh Mildred Stevens ► Alice Portner Bonnie Milhouse Violet Tougaw ^ Betty Freshour Essie Moody Helen Tustin ^ Jo Gray , Geraldine O'Dell Lucille Vanwey ► Orene Giiv - Margaruite Pace Gerry York ► Past Presidents ^ Inza Snider Corrine Bell Vera Cabbasier ^ Vera Laughliii Jacqueline McKelfresh Lucille Vanwey . . r Louise Williams . Betty Brian Jeanne Spidel ^ Imogene Brian , Pat Tougaw Jo Robbins ^ Bonnie Litherland Inez Hart ► Laura Corrie Dorothy Pox * Lois McKelfresh Geraldine O'Dell Blanche Stephenson Mae Hall ^ Isabelle Ravellette Sally WUliams Marian Hovermale ▲ ▲^ ( 4 > Indiana was wet, and St. Francisville was dry, so this tavern was located across the river and under the trees. Why was it called "The Dragout"? Ask your daddy, son! St. Francisville - My H oine Town . . . (Continued from page three) cisville from Vincennes. History pictures Joseph as a giant in stature with characteristics of c/ur- age and daring. He gained the admiration of the Indians by defeating their braves in their own games and contests. Joseph cleared the land on which the town now stands and also a great deal of other land in this vicinity. He was the leading character in I-fiwrence and Wabash Counties — a man of pro- minence! He was married to Frances Valle, the daughter of Alexander Valle. In 180.5-1806 Joseiih established the first ferry, which by its location on the westward trail became one of the most famous on the Wabash Riv- er. It was near this site that George Rogers Clark crossed the Wabash River when making his his- toric advance upon Vincennes. Those early traders travelling by canoe from Quebec and Montreal, Canada, disposed of their wares at this French trading post on the Wabash. Often the settlers accompanied the traders part of the way back and then walked or rode down again on rafts con- structed from timbers on the shore. Men travel- led in numbers for protection from wild beasts and Indians. At a later period there was "the old shanty house" wherein supplies were kept — and the bell by which one summoned the ferryman. Pete Coy at one time used a wire pulloy and ^vo horses to operate the ferry. Mr. A. B. Jordan told me many times how he put up the first cable across the river. Today our ferry is one of the very few cable ferries in use. Many changes have come since the day of the steamboats, showboats, (routes Torre H-iito, Vincennes, New Orleans) and flatboats with Dave Hoyle as pilot. Hoyle knew the river from Vin- cennes to New Orleans, so Mr. Doug Fields (de- ceased 195;?) told rne during an interview in 19;)2. (Continued on page seven) ( 5 ) NF.F.I.F.Y'S SHOE SHOP Invisible Half Soles Polices and Laces 805 Eleventh St. Lawrenceville, 111. Compliments of ^ TOUVER PAINT & WALLPAPER CO. ^ 603 Twelfth St. Lawrenceville, 111. ^ "Bring Your Paint Problems to Paint People" , BARR BUICK CO. Sales and Service 1204 Main St. Vincennes, Ind Telephone TU 2-5367 BARNETT'S BARBER SHOP < St. Francisville, 111. j Truman and Gib 4 Compliments of HF.ODE GIFT & BABY SHOP "Everything for the younger set" Lawrenceville, 111. Best Wishes to a Fine Community ^ For a Successful a Sesquicentennial Celebration ^ CHARLES L. HFDDE ^ Lawrenceville, HI. 4 DELZELL'S Lawrenceville, 111. > > Compliments of J HARRIS MARKET \ South Side of Square in 4 Lawrenceville, 111. 4 > ^ Compliments of I ABERNATHY HARDWARE » Phone 426 ► "A Good Store in a Good Town" ► Lawrenceville, 111. * Have a successful Sesquicentennial! > Compliments of ^ I. B. MAYFIELD & SON < Westinghouse — Gibson ^ Gifts — Appliances — TV Antennas ^ Sales — Service 4 Lawrenceville, 111. ^ ► * Compliments of I COGDILL'S GROCERY ► "Your Friendly General Store" Sand Barrens Corner Bill, Marjorie, Dennis and Andy Compliments of ^ MILLER'S PAINT, WALLPAPER and TV ^ Easo of Post Office 4 "Buy Zenith— America's Best Selling TV" j Lawrenceville, 111. 4 ( 6 ) St. Francisville, My Home Town . . (Continued irom page 5) The cargo of corn, pork, hay, flour, pelts, and beeswax always provided quick cash. Often times one disposed of the flat boat along with the cargo and returned on steamboat or on foot. Wood was cut, stacked along the river bank, and sold at two dollars per cord to supply the steamboats. A "lighter", or small barge, carried 120 bar- rels of flour from Mt. Carmel to Vincennes. In Mr. Fields' words, "the boat was manned by 'two niggers', with a white man to steer." They would exchange the flour for merchandise. Doug re- called "'Cobweb ' was one steamboat which plied the river. He also told me that back of the present Mrs, Ivers' property was a grist and saw mill. TVe same steam power was used and there were cer- tain days for grinding grain and others for saw- ing logs. Before the railroad was built in the 1880's Frank Root's house, the present site of Lawrence Bell's store marked the west edge of town. The Wabash Cannontjall, one of the finest early trains came through St. Francisville on its run from Cairo to Vincennes. The tracks were west of the Catholic block in the heart of St. Francisville. The depot was just west of the Cabbasier filling station. There have been three depots. One in the north part of town and the last one at the end of north Eleventh street. Mr. Fields watched the emigrating of the Indians from Indiana to Oklahoma. They were taken by soldiers of the U.S. Army to the reserva- tion. Again, we see evidence of our stra- tegic location on the westward trail. It was a good day for St. Francisville when Charles Parkinson came to our town. He had a store and eventually a bank, whose vault remains in east side of pre- sent building of the fire department. The exact spot on which Joseph Tougav/ built his mansion house is unknown. It had tax- able value of $300.00. In 1812 there was much unrest amoung the Indians, and to provide pro- tection for himself and his neighbors, a picket or stockade fort was erected on the present site of St. Francisville, and named Fort Tougas. The pickets were 12-14 feet high and formed a city wall. At two corners watch houses or towers were erected. Within this wall were a number of log dwellings, for families seeking protection, and a negro hut for the slaves. (In 1814 Joseph Tougas Ur. R. J. McMurray on'ned the first horseless carriage in St. Francisville, and here his two granddaughters whizzed along — as fast as 15 mph, maybe. and John Stillwell were the only slave owners in Edwards County. Lawrence County was once a part of Edwards County.) At night heavy oaken doors swung to and were barred. Guards took their places in watch towers, while the inmates rested. A traditional story is that Joseph Tougaw was taken captive near Logansport,; Indiana, by hostile Indians. He was given a choice of death by violence or acceptance of a "poisoned morsel." Joseph accepted the latter — was set at liberty — mounted his horse hoping to reach help before the "morsel" could do its work. This Was not to be and thus ended the life of St. Franoisvillc's first permanent settler. Another version is that he died from natural causes. In 1834 the northeast section of the village was laid out by Wiiliam Jackman and named Van Buren. Jackman v.-as the grandfather of Aunt Jessie Clark (deceased in 1040). He was a prominent officer in the Black Hawk War. He located on a farm west of Bunker Hill and in 1836 moved to St. Francisville. On the north side of his home on 5th steet he established a grocery store, later moved to tiie corner of 4th and Main street. In 1835 the land of Frances Tougaw, widow of Jo.seph, was laid out by William Jackman and surveyor Walter Buchanan, great grandfather of Walter Buchanan, RED 1, St. Francisville. Illinois, A hundred fifty years ago records were not as well kept as they are today. There are several 'Continued on Page 51) ( 7 ) ^▼▼▼▼▼▼▼^ ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ ^▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼^▼^^^>r^^^-^ Better Foods for Better Living at... SAVE TWICE WITH AT SAND BARRENS CORNER Mes Amis du ville de St. Francis: J'espere pour vous Une celebration magnifique! Roscoe D. Cunningham State's Attorney of Lawrence County, IIL Christy Texaco Service AND Firestone Store 'On the Square Phone 309 LAWRENCEVILLE. IIJ, « TIRES • BATTERIES e ROAD SERVICE • LUBRICATIONS • BICYCLES • TRICYCLES • TOYS • RADIOS < 8 ) St, Francisville Sesquicentennial Celebration OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES GENERAL COMMITTEE— John G. England, chairman; Fred Puntney, vice-chairman; Mae Hall, co-chairman; Betty Brian, secretary; Joe Vangilder. treasurer. NOVELTIES — Ray and Gerry O'Dell, Stephen Ounn, BUI and Jerry Brian, Gene and Eileen Gray, Sam and Betty Brian. PAGEANT — Lois McKelfresh. John and Margaret Stephen- son, Helen Motor, Charles Tougaw. Betty Freshour. Evelyn Puntney, Don Moody, Elizabeth Eggebrecht, Virginia Cabbasier, Helen Lane. Nelly PuUeyblank. CONCESSIONS— faul Gher, Bob Gillespie, John McKlm. ADVERTISING— Prank McCormlck, Irene Rlgg». Anna Lee Pool. SESQUICENTENNIAL BOOK— Mae Hall, Gerry O'Dell. Ruth England, Prank and Margaret McCormlck. Mar- garuite Pace, Betty Brian, Evelyn Puntney, Stephen Gunn, Gerald Lane. John McKelfresh, Charles and Marian Hovermale, Dr. Carl McCammon. PUBLICITY- Gerry O'Dell, Margaret Stephenson. INVITATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE— Josie Poss. Nellie Wolfe, Alice Pierson, Betty Buchanan, Helen Foss Tougaw, Eloise Buchanan. DECORATIONS — Forest Fortner, Lomer Guite, Vie Bu- chanan, John McKelfresh. PARADE— Bill Pavitt, Paul Tougaw, John Stephenson. Frank Potts, Sam Gray. WABASH BELLES — Lucille Vanwey, Arma Lee Pool, Beu- lah Hovermale. WABASH BELLES CONTEST— Marjorle Cogdlll, Audvey Ireland, Virginia Pavitt. WABASH BUDDIES— Gene Stangle, Lawrence Vanwey, Clark Pool. FIREWORKS— William (Bud) Freshour. Verle Tredway. Lyman Tetidrick. BODGET— W. H. Riggs, Ray O'Dell. Sam Brian. PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM AND LIGHTS— Prank Mc- Cormlck, Alfred Siegle Jr., Don Moody. RESERVATIONS— Audrey Ireland. Naomi Bell, Carol Wirth. ANTIQUES — Joe and Joan Diver, George and Ann Sechrist. TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING— Pred Puntney. Denison Fire Protection District. American Legion. PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIRST AID-Denlson Pire Pro- tection District, Civilian Defense, Nurse Ruth Spldel. VETERANS COMMITTEE— Gene Stangle. PROGRAM— Clark Pool, Harrel Howard. Harry Eggebrecht. Gene Stangle. John Stephenson, Merle Holsen. Mar- jorie Codgill. Marcie Rldgley, Nellie Wolfe. KANGAROO COURT-John Stephenson, Paul Tougaw. Pat Diver, Don Moody, Lyman Tetidrick. PUBLIC HEALTH— Stanley Pierson. WINDOW DISPLAYS-Charles and Marion Hovermale, John and Jacquelinr McKelfresh. REGISTRATIONS-Lucille Jordan Lyons, Emma Sharp, Wreath Ramsey Jordan, Blanche Le Vleux. SIGNS AND PAINTING-Larry Reynolds, David Pierson Carl Donnoe, Doroth* Bledsoe. Margie GoodUnk. Danny Odle. CASHIERS AND GATES-Lawrence Bell. Paul Utherland, C. H. Simpson, Don Martin. GROUNDS— Lester Ensor, Gerald Spldel, 4-H Boys, Boy Scouts, Key Club. CLASS REUNION— Sam and Orene Gray, Clyde and Jean Leathers, Margaruits Pacf ( 9 ) People^s National Bank in Lawrenceville, lUmois ''Make Our Bank Your Bank'' Shop and Save at HU *> S Complete Food Market Roger and William Leighty, proprietors Lawrenceville, Illinois ( 10 > Queen to Reign Over Celebration A Queen is to he selected to reign over the festivities of the Sesquicentennial. On the opening even- ing of the celebration the winning contestant will l)e crowned "Miss Sesquicentennial." Queen candidates and their sponsors are : Karen Rhinehart Masonic Lodge MarjorieEdgin Kiwanis Dolores Parisien Catholic Church Estella Christy Pisgah Church Marlena Potts American Legion Auxiliary Barbara Tougaw Home Bureau Winnie Hoh Sand Barrens E.U.B. Church Sue Ravellette High School Judy Fleenor American Legion Carol Wirth Woman's Club Mary Lou Gognat Denni on Fire Protection District The town's first elevator and implement store was located on Main Street, adjacent to the railroad. Later (about 1898) it was moved to Indiana. The picture below was taken between 1890 and 1893. ( U ) COMPLIMENTS OF Standard Oil Dealers Of St. Francisville Nub" Fortner Damon Fortner Paul Gher 4 NEWELL & RIBLEY Ford Sales & Service 714 TENTH ST. TELEPHONE 1370 LAWRENCEVILLE, ILL Deewood Stock Farms POLLED SHORTHORN CATTLE CALVES ON DISPLAY BY Lynnwood Objective s, without bitterness, "anybody can sell hats nowadays." Mrs. Pierson's customers came from all over Lawrence and Wabash counties, and many women from Vincennes made the trip to St. F'l-ancisville on the old Cannonball and bought their hats from her. "I could make hats cheap- er than they could in Vincennes," boasted the white-haired business woman. (Mrs. Pierson's business was closed In 1957 and she pased away July 20, 1959, at the age of 86.) ( 15 ) I Compliments and Best ^Fishes to the Sesquicentennial \ \ Audrey Beauty Shop i ► PHONE 140 * \ St. Francisville, Illinois \ \ AUDREY IRELAND— Owner and Operator J ► CAROLE WIRTH— Operator J ► 'City Curls at Country Prices ' \ — — —A ^ Congratulations and ^ Best Wishes J to the ^ St. Francisville Compliments of ^ Black's Jewelry Store \ Lawrenceville, 111. * "QUALITY and SERVICE" OUR GUARANTEE ^ w Sesquicentennial y Studley's X Rexall Store r Eleventh and State ^ I awfenceville, 111. f REGISTERED PHARMACISTS TO SERVE YOU COMFLIMENTS OF a Breyfogle's Booterie \ Lawrenceville, HI. ^ "Put Your Feet in Our Hands" ^ We may not sell all the pastry sold, ^ but we sell the best at ^ PARIS BAiCE^Y \ PHONE 200 A North 12th. St. Lawrenceville. 111. ^ j A L^ ( 16 ) ji The Lumber and Blacksmith Business At the Turn of The Ceiilui), There Were Many Blacksmiths, An Important Business in Early Days In 1902 William A. Brian and Samuel Brian, brothers, stax'ted a lumber yard in a building where the present Collison's Store now stands; a building with two large rooms and a stable be- hind with a fenced enclosure. The brothers were working in yt. Louis and their father, Martin Brian, who had pre- viously moved to St. Franri^viile from Linn (Orio), operated the yard for them along with his blacksmith shop. In 1904 the broth- ers returned and mov- ed their business fur- ther "uptown" in a building where the pre- sent Post Office now stands. They organized the St. Francisville Sup- ])ly Company. The stockholders were: Wil- liam A. Brian. Samuel Brian, Dr. Mc Murray, Bri;m and Moore. At Robert J. Dr. J. R. Charles this time there was no telephone in the-r office and when it was necessary to make a call, they had to go to the Exchange. Another yard, McClures, was operating at the present site of the Builder's Supply Company. In 190S it was purchased by the St. Franc i.'^ville Supply Company and they moved to this site. Martin Brian operated his blacksmith shni) in an adjoining building, where he was actively engaged in this work until he was 90 years of age. He continued in busine.ss in the same location making brooms, until he was past 95 years of age. Before movintr to St. Francisville in 1900 he built the first buggy ever made in Lawrence and Wabash counties. He also as.sist- ed in designing and constructing an airplane before the turn of the century. The lumber business at this time was quite prosperous. Among employees were Marion Blacksmithing was an important trade, and Uncle Mart Brian plied it until he was past ninety. He built the first buggrj' made in Lawrence County, and de- signed an airplane. Fyffe, Asa Armstrong and James Edwards. The first two remained many years, until their retirement. Lumber was shipped from a distance — from as far as Texas. Redwood shingles, used for roofing, came from California. They were partners with William Freshour in a sawmill located where the Nick Potts hom.e now .stands. Mr. Freshour operated the sawmill and met his death while felling a tree. When the oil boom came to Lawrence County the first wells were near Bridgeport and Billett. Sdm Brian opened a yard in Billett to supply the oil com- panies with the mater- ials they needed to drill and put the wells into operation. This yard closed as the drilling n e ar e d St. Francisville. They did not have delivery equipment of their own in the earlier days, but hired city draymen Eugene Laughlin, Frank Wilson and Jud Black to deliver supplies for them. In one year they supplied materials for 45 hou.ses built in St. Francisville. After Samuel Brian's death in 1917, William Brian managed the business. In the early 1930's the lumber yard was sold to Fred Brian, Sumner, Illinois, and became the Brian Lumber Company. Later it was renamed the Builder's Supply Com- pany. TELEPHONING The first telephone in St. Francisville was Installed In the Dr. Wm. A. Lyons Drug Store with an extension in his home. It was a private line from Vincennes, Ind. Later, in the year 1900, a switchboard with about twenty-two num- bers was installed in the home of Mrs. Lizzie Lyons (widow of Dr. Lyons), the present home of Merle Fox. It was a small boxlike affair which hung on the wall. It was large emugh as there were cnly about eight or ten subscribers. The present office of the General Telephone Co. of Illinois is located in the- National Bank Building on North 7th and Main. —Mary Edith Beard ( 17 ^ * Best Wishes From ^^^^^^^ > RIGG'S SUB-DIVISION ^^^K ;, k Web, Irene, Kenneth, Lea and Ruby Compliments of ^ D T Y' S i "We Suit Lawrence County' A Lawrenceville, 111. . ^ Compliments and w Best Wishes of ^ MODERN CHEVROLET SALES CO. ► Lawrenceville, 111. The Place to Eat ... a Where Old Friends Meet ^ CLARK'SCAFE ^ Allendale, 111. ^ ^ "Say It With Flowers" ► LAWRENCEVILLE GREENHOUSES ^ Phone 153 Highway 50 West ^ Lawrenceville, 111. Serving i .awrence County ' For 22 Years j PIONEER FINANCE i ► BRIDGEPORT WHOLESALE CO. p Large selection novelties and r souvenirs at low wholesale prices. ^ Bridgeport, III. HARRY A. RICE 1 INSURANCE J (All Kinds) m 1010 11th. St Ph. 986 Lawrenceville, 111. ^ I PAULUN SHEI ,1 , STATION ^ Allendale, 111. ^ Otis and Inez GHER HATCHERIES i PURINA CHOW A BABY CHICKS \ Ph. 299-3131 Allendale, III. i, ^ SPERRY'S VARIETY STORE ^ We Sell For Less ► Come See ^ Bridgeport, 111. k. . . . For the Latest in Hair Styling A See ... J MR. HARRY ^ Mt. Carmel, 111. A Harry — Arthur — Bill j X ( 18 ) ABOVE — McKelfresh's Hardware Store used to sell carloads of buggies every year. It wa. a real thrill to drive a new buggy behind a fine, high-stepping horse. The miles flew, es- pecially if a pretty girl was sitting beside you. McKelfresh's kept all the latest models in Hot Blast Florence heating stoves, too, as may be seen. FAR RIGHT — Tobias Ramsey, grandfather of Mrs. Wreath Jordan, answered his country's call to colors in 1862, with many other St. Francisville patriots. This picture is a typical picture of the Civil War soldier. ^' ABOVE — Yesterday's Tou- gaws: Joseph Tougaw, son of the original Francis Tougaw, great - great - great - grand- father of Mrs. M. B. Fucht- man, and his wife. AT RIGHT — Today's Tou- gaws, brothers Paul, Bill and Charles stand behind their uncle, Joseph Tougaw. ( 19 ) The First National Bank Allendale, Illinois Phone 299-4411 Mt. Carmel Auto Dealers Assn. Carlton Motor Co. , Ford — Mercury — Lincoln Class Donner Chev-CadlQac Co. Chevrolet — Odillac Calborti-Fisher Motors Pontiac — Rambler Kamp Motor Co. Do St. Francisville Churches St. Francisville residents have always loyally supported their churches and have devoted much of their time to their religious observances. Each of the five denominations now having congregations has a fine structure in which to conduct services. Much of the early history of the city is entwined around St. Francis Xavier Church, for the original sett.e- ment was French, and the early pioneers predominanlly Catholic. Through the excellent records kept by the parish, present day citizens are able to learn a great deal concern- ing the early days of the tovm and of the state of Illinois. (See "My Home Town" for further details). Father Joini Spors is the present pastor. In 1891, the Free Methodist Chui-ch of St. Fi-ancisville was founded. At first, services were held in the house now- occupied by Truman Barnett, and the first minister was the Rev. A. F. Niswonger. In the beginning, tliere were six charter members. The present pastor is L. B. Egglestcn. The United Brethren, which later became the Evan- gelical United Brethi-en Church was established in 1878, and the first pastor was the Rev. P. P. Kettering, who lacer moved to Terre Haute, Ind. Its first meeting of record consisted of ten persons who met on the banks of the Wabash and affected an organization. One member of irs congregation, Dr. Paul W. Milhouse, is now Bishop. T!'.e present pastor is the Rev. LaVerl Cook. The Methodist Church was organized very early in the 20th Century, either in 1903 or 1905, and the church was assigned a pastor by the Southern Illinois Conference. The St. Francisville church was on a circuit with Bethel. Simpson, and Allendale, and the first minister was Rev. I. N. Johnson. Rev. Roscoe Rose is now the minister serv- ing the church. The St. Fi-ancisville Christian Church was organized in October, 1894, the congregation at first meeting in homes and in an upstair:> room of a building on the comer of Sixth and Main Streets. The first communion set, pur- chased by the congregation in 1911, is still in use. Rev. Larry Reynolds is the present minister. Evans-elical United Brethren Church Christian Church ■r ^K' iM •^ ^ , ^^ ■^^ i^^ ■^^ ^-^ ^ 1 d«ed*» n % i \ 1 h LI I . ■a^^B^^I \ . ,-..- f-. '^ UM ■■■r -. ..ikj^k t?*: ^.-^ i 1 J Tl IF ■-•■■; H ^ rjTtS^ \U^ ^ sa P F 1 f - l^: - '1'"-^ V A Ws^ ■^ .-- — •« > \^ ' .-~ le*--^ «'»!*'-'••. !» c *->v>t.*'' *^ •tM^t^\% ♦lUc-sy.,- - St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church rr;c Methodist Church ( 21 ) COURTESY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 947 OFFICERS COMMANDER E. E. Stangle SENIOR VICE COMMANDER Fiank A. Potts JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER ... Woodrow Wolfe ADJUTANT Verle Tredway SGT. AT ARMS Paul York FINANCE OFFICER Paul Gher CHAPLAIN Eddie Tussey EMPLOYMENT OFFICER . . Wm. A. Preshour SERVICE CHAIRMAN Paul Tougaw POPPY CHAIRMAN Clark N. Pool MEETINGS 2nd and 4th WEDNESDAYS 1962 MEMBERSHIP Robert R. Ackinan Max Adams Cleaver Allison Robert Amnions Prank Armstrong George A. Abernathy Richard Auerswald Ted H. Andrews Robert Ayers Randall R. Brooke James H. Buchanan William F. Baum Joe D. Breen John Bledshoe, Jr. Donald R. Brooke Jesse P. Brothers Samuel M. Brian Gilbert Barnett Harold W. Brinkley Jack Berkshire James H. Bailey James A. Blevins Howell D. Bell Wesley Jr. Boyer Chester Brothers Kenneth IP. Clark Sterling M. Couch Donald R. Clark Dode E. Clai-k William W. Carter Andrew J. CogdiU Jack E. Cerden Charles J, Concur Isaac O. Caldwell Floyd E. Couch Harold A. Clifford Sam Clark Richard Caudell Robert J. Carrico Jules Cunningham ■/•a trick E. Diver William F. Dunlap Robert Durham Victor Donnoe Edward A. Daywalt John H. DeBoeuf Russel F. Emmons Hairy E. Eggebrecht John G. England Morris Eggebrecht Billy G. Faith Thomas E. Poss Ernest R. Portner William A. Fi-eshour William E. Frederick William H. Portner John F. Fearheiley William M. Pox Louis S. Frederick Thomas R. Flanders Paul P. Fleenor Melvin L. Glenn Bemell W. Gray Eugene H. Gray Gilbert L. Garvey John H. Garvey Robert B. Gillespie Lomer Guite Paul Gher Marion E. Glenn James A. Gray Joseph Jr. Grounds Ernest Henderson Charles Hovermale R. K. Hothem Earl Hoh Frederick Halter Curtis D. Haycock Otto C. Hunt Jack Hershey Eddie J. Holsen Harrison G. Hughes Thurman Highsmith Robert P. Johnson William D. Johann John C. Johnson Randolph W. Johnson Leaman V. Jones Paul W. Jones Paul Jones Clyde Kendall James L. Keneipp John A. Kasinger William Kellams Joseph E. Keneipp Bobby D. Lawrence Gerald S. Lane George M. Legout Clarence Legg Joe A. Leighty Joseph Legout Richard Litherland Thomas E. Litherland Paul Litherland Joseph F. Lyons William H. Lynn B. B. McCormack Walter R. McClure Lindell McCullough John G. McFarland Miles S. McCammon John E. McKelfresh G. W. McCormick Frank A. McNew Charles E. McMillen Pay Moody Roger J. Muckway, Mrs. Donald E. Martin Homer E. Moffitt Joseph D. Mayhall Bennie A. Mason Michael E. Murphy Donald L. Moody Ira Moody Floyd A. Maxey John N. Naylor Robert Newman Rollie Jr. Osmon Killian J. Ochs Clarence E. iFond Calvin S. Potts Alfrad S. Pierson Alva R. Perry Frank M. Price Frank A. Potts Clark N. Pool Harold L. Padgett Lawrence E. Potts Billie N. Favitt Paul W. Potts Walter Pohmeier Marshall Potts Calvin F. Pulleyblank Robert R. Pulleyblank Walter W. Rather John R. Ridgley William B. Ravellette James Riley John C. Ridgley John H. Rasico Bill G. Reeves Hugo M. Rehwald Robert C. Roach Jr. Walter L. Simmons Billy L. Stallai-d Billie J. Stangle Luther Selby Melvin A. Steimel Theron L. Smith Joseph L. Stark Phillip R. Stone Edmund E. Stangle August Stangle John M. Stephenson Gerald A. Sharum Otto Sharum Ronald L. Simmons Randolph F. Snider Harry B. Sparks George E. Spencer Bobby J. Saltzgaver James H. Schoonover Robert G. Seed Forrest W. Spidell Chauncey Soots Durward W. Selby Lloyd W. Sanders Eugene D. Tarpey Oliver A. Tussey William Tustin Howard W. Taggart Francis G. Tebbe Charles J. Tougaw Paul C. Tougaw Arthur W. Tussey Eddie T. Tussey Frank Toops Harley Toy Charles V. Tredway John H. Thompson William H. Tredway Thomas L. Talley Ted Vanmathre Robert E. Vanwey John E. White Floyd T. Wakins Joe K. Wilcox V/oodrow J. Wolfe Otto Waller Nathern B. Wirth P. F. Weeden Noble Walls William L. Whittinghill Jefferson Wise Kenneth Worstell Paul A. York Jr. ( 22 ) Courtesy of American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 947 PRESIDENT Eninia Stangle FIRST VICE-PRES. Betty Potts SECOND VICE-PRES. Marie Johnson SECRETARY Anna Lee Pool Blanche Alsop Opal Ammon Ellen Ai-mstrong Lula Barber Mabel Baum Edith Marie Beard Naomi Bell Gail Bloom Irene Boyer Betty Brian Nellie Brothers Aliene Briner Emma Caldwell Lydia Campbell Stella Condiff Sally Couch Helen Conour Barbara Cunningham Helen Dardeen Olive Davis Martha Daywalt Betty DeBoL-uf Edna Donnoe Lura Durham MEETINGS 4th. THURSDAY 1962 MEMBERSHIP Kate Emmons Blanche Fitch Frances Ford Tillie Fortner Dorothy Fox Juna Frederick Betty Preshour Lucy Garvey Erma Jean Gher Mary Hershey Feme Hunt Audrey Ireland Helen Johnson Marie Johnson Bernice Jordan Pauline Keneipp Edith Lane Helen Lane Alberta Lewis Jeanne Litherland Lucille Lyons Ann Martin Jane Mayhall Elizabeth McDole Jean McFarland Lavada McQuay Essie Moody Marie Moody Ruth Moody Helen Pavitt Virginia Favitt Alice Pierson Lucille Pohmeler Anna Lee Pool Peggy Pool Betty Potts Marlena J. Potts Vivian Price Pearl Pulleyblank Madge Pulleyblank Helen Rasico Loretta Rasico Margaret Rehwald Violet Sandwell Ailene Sowders Pat Spencer Betty Spidel Lovella Spidel TREASURER Virginia Pavitt CHAPLAIN Cecil Wolfe SGT.-AT-ARMS Ann Martin HISTORIAN Edna Donnoe Emma Stangle Viola Stangle Bonnie Stark Kay Steimel Blanche Stephenson Margaret Stephenson Ethel Sutton Violet Tougaw Emma Toy Mary Treadway iPatty Treadway Wanda Tussey Clara Weeden Betty White Cecil WoUe Gerry York Patty Thorne JUNIORS Nancy Ohl Pamela Potts Melissa Potts Annie Wolfe Katie Wolfe ( 23 ) \ Cleff Bros. I COMPUTE t HOME COMPLIMENTS OF ^ ^ "wr^w TW'h 7m TWi^ rm^ "^v^ /^ MODERN AS TOMORROW \ X FURNISHIISGS ► Tiawrenceville LAWRENCEVILLE'S i NEWEST AND FINEST t Phone 536 111. Rt. 1 South i 1 McCLAIN'S \ PHILLIPS 66 SERVICE ► COMPLEl'E LINE OF ^ AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS ^ 24-HOUR ^ WRECKER ► SERVICE ► 1 400 STATE ST. ► LAWRENCEVILLE, ILL, Vj^ ^^ J^ ^ -A- ^^ '^^ '^^ '^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ .^^ . ( 33 ) GEORGE'S SHOE SERVICE 905 Market St. Mt. Carmel. 111. EGGEBRECHT PASTRY SHOP We Specialize in Part; Orders and Decorated Cakes for Any Occasion Phone 262-59S2 Mt. Carmel, Ill- Get Yonr Favorite CJroceries at THE FAIRVIEW GROCERY Also Open Sundays and Holidays, 6 a.m. — 7:30 p.m. John and Marie Johnson St. Francisville. III. SHURTLEFF TIN SHOP Sheet Metal and Built Up Roofing Mt. Carmel, 111. Sam and Irene Clark AUCTIONEER When you have an auction ... to get the most money — Call 262-5354 M. M. MOBLSY Mt. Carmel, HI. Lawrence County Council of THE AMERICAN LEGION Lav/renceville Post 28 Bridgeport Post 62 St. Fianclsville Post 947 STANSFIELD'S ... Of Course? "Better Clothes for Men and Boys" Mt. Carmel. EI. Compliments of Your Village Post Master CLARK N. POOL Best Wishes From VIRGINIA AND NELUE'S BEAUTY SHOP Phone 71 3t. Prancisvllle, 111 Everything for the Office At DEAN'S OFFICE SUPPLY Gifts for all occasions . . . Party SuppUes Monograming 411 Market St. Mt. Carmel. HI. Compliments of AUERSWALD TEXACO SERVICE in heart of St. Francisville, 111. "Dick" HEATER DRUG STORE "Your Prescription Store" Phone 24366 Mt. Carmel. lU ^ ( 34 ) Beards and Costumes . . . Tots and Grownups Candid Camera Targets During Sesquicentennial ( 35 ) L^onaratulationd to f ^L ^rancidi/liie on Jj^t^ ^e^auicentennial ..y^nniverdaru ! Post 2244 Veterans of Foreign Wars Lawrenceville, 111. < 36 ) ABOVE — Prentice Weed- en was "The Tinner" and came to town in 1907. He owned the shop from 1911 until his death in 1953. The 1913 basketkball team played 22 games and lost only one. It won over Vuicennes University. Standing: (Left to right) Frank Cogburn. B. F. Shafer (coach), and Lee Beal. Seated: Olen King, Bernie Stivers, Wil- liam Smith, Merle Lewis and Howard Freshour. Remember When? ABOVE— W. F. Boycr is the town's oldest livinp. Frencii-born citizen. BELOW Wesley Schroyer vividly recalls those days of 1906, when overalls sold for 50 cents a pair and most brands of coffee were 18 cents a pound. ( 37 ) ► Rest Wishes COMPLIMENTS OF < I to ► St, 1^'rancisville The Bakers of < ► on its ► Sesquicentennial SUNBKAM i BREAD ! I Campbe 's Ceaners > WEST SALEM, ILL. '' It's Batter Whipped ' \ I Don't Miss the COMPLIMENTS OF * : DAIRY M F A \ \ MAKl^ INSURANCK CO. \ ► Sand Barrens Corner * \ ► SOFT ICE CRFAM > . AND SNACKS GERALDS. LAVE \ AGENT \ P Raymond and Peggy Clark Phone 28 ' St. Francisville, 111. i ^▲▲▲^^▲▲▲▲A A ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲< ( 38 ) f CO N GRATL LATIO N S \ I from ) ; Lawrenceville Plant ; 1 of j 1 Texaco, Inc. \ ► COMPUMENTS OF A COMPIF.TE LINE OF < I Smith Sa es & Service RCA VICTOR • I Your • COLORED TV ^ • BLACK AND WHITE TV i • TAPE RECORDERS 4 ^ International • RADIOS ^ I Dealer and a ' Complete Line of White Goods in , RCA WHIRLPOOL \ t i h TWO MILES EAST ON OLD U.S. 50 r ^ Lawrenceville, Illinois ► IPHONES 890 or 891 FOR THE LATEST MODELS . . SEE J Buzz TV Sales & Service < St. Prancisville, 111. ' ( .59 ) COMPLIMENTS OF Carmel Aerie 3066 FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES Not the Biggest . . . But the Best! Mt. Carmel, Rlinois COMPLIMENTS OF Funk's " G " Hybrids PRODUCED BY Clarence Akin 8e Sons St. Francisville, III. COMPLIMENTS OF St. Francisville Ferry Co. Inc. Caldwel ^ A ( 40 ) First Grain Elevator^ Hardware and Lumber Business Established About 1890 My Grandfather, Mr. John V. Griggs came to St. Fi"ancisvi!le from Bridgeport, Illinois soon aftor 1890, to establish the first grain, lumber yard, and hardware busi- ness here. The family remained in Bridgeport for a levv years, where he also maintained a grain elevator and stock yard. Mr. and Mrs. Griggs were the par- ents of four children— two boys and two girls, namely: Charlie, Bessie, Jess and Maude, who attended the Bridge- port Public School before moving to St. Fi-ancisville in 1896. Grand-dad, know-n to many as "Uncle John," later sold his Bridgepoit business and devoted his entire inter- est to the St. Francisville area, flor.j he expanded his business by buying the Main Street location at Eighth and Main adjacent to the railroad, which serviced the well known, "Wabash Can- non Ball." Here he built his grain 5'c- valor and second hardv.'are store. The lumber yard, stock yard, and small hardware store, first in operation soon after 18^G, were located on the corner of Eighth and Mam West, where the brick building bearing his name, now stands. This is the present location of CoUison's General Store, established and operated for thirty years by his daughter, Maude and her husband iMr. and Mrs. Clarence Collison) and now operated by Ray and myself (Mr. and Mrs. Ray W. O'Dell.) While engaging in these various businesses, my Grand- dad employed a number of local men, some of whom are living today. Mr. Bill Boyer, one of the oldest who was born in St. Fi-ancisville and lives today at the location of his birth, worked for Grand-dad. Mr. Boyer recalls that during the summer of 1895, he and Mr. Prank Wilson, de- ceased, helped pick and load watermelons into to.x cars John V. Griggs sidetracked at Billett. Grand-dad purchased these melons from the Kemp Farms now the "Arthur Akin Farms." As many as eight hundred watermelons were placed in each box car. Sometimes there were as many as three cars to fill to this capacity. Mr. Edward Murphy, a retired farmer, of the St. Francisville area, relates that, as a young farmer, he sold hi; first wagon load of corn to Grand-dad Griggs. He recollects other business transactions made at the first hardware store. Mr. Charlie Deckard, a resident of St. Francisville, recalls that at sixteen he sold "Mr. Griggs" a mule. Mr. Deckard then lived in Indiana. (It has been confirmed that Grandfather Griggs bought horses and mules for the United States Government.) In 1896 he was appointed a delegate from this district to the Republican National Convention in St. Louis when McKinley was nominated as a candidate for Presi- dent In 1909 Granfather started the "new building," as we in our family termed it. It was finished in 1910. The "boy^" Charlie & Jess were now^ associated with their father in tho business. Grand-dad had a great vision of a new and expanding type of business, because there were new products, such as the Reo Car being added to the list of items for salt. The old "Banner Buggie.s" must give way to the new gaso- line propelled buggies. "Morse & Fairbanks Engines," (types of generators for electric power) v.'ere being distributed and installed by the firms of John V. Griggs and Sons. In fact the new building had been wired for such an electric system and the power it provided pumped a deep well m thT rear of the building as well as operated the large eleva- to" lift to the second floor. St. Francisville was growing and many new buslnes.se8 (Continued on page 43) Farmers brought their grain from miles around and waited in line for hours at the elevator. At least, the long wait gave them a chance to chat with their neighbors. ( 41 ) David A. Spetl Sales and Service • F & W Automatic Water Softeners • F & W Automatic Water Systems • Rural Plumbing . . . Bathrooms • Automatic Water Heaters • Automatic Cattle & Has Fountains • Ditch Digging • Farm Hydrants • Plastic Pipe and Fittings Phone 299-3151 Allendale, Illinois Charley's Block The most complete line of Fishing Tackle IF THE nSH LIKE IT— CHARLEY'S GOT IT Power Mowers and Tillers McCulloch Chain Saws 516 Market Ph. 262-5971 Mt. Carmel, III. COMPUMENTS OF W. F. Holland Wholesale Fruits and Vegetables VincenneSf Ind. CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. FRANCISVILLE From Your Friendly, Dependable L. R GAS DEALER Jet Gas Co. 927 N. Market St. Mt. Carmel, III. Ph| 262-4972 Call Collect! Propane— Tanks- Furnaces ( 42 ) (Continued from page 41) had already teen established by other young business men. Grand-dad had sold his lumber yard (1902) to Mr. Wm. Brian and Mr. Sam Brian. This was moved to a new location soon afterward. The elevator at Eighth and Main was moved across the river, in order to accomodate the Indiana farmers, wlio had been coming by ferry to deliver their grain to Grand- dad, here. (The elevatoi was then reached by the upper ferry crossing.) Old pictures indicate that quite a number of wagons filled with grain, during harvest, crossed the Wabash each day, and lines of waiting wagons were in great evidence. In order to encourage business with his "Indiana Neighbors," Grand-dad had paid the ferriage for these customers. However, ho did not forsake the grain elevator business in St. Francisville. He built one at the West end of Main Street. Those same scales are still in use by Mr. Clarence Moody who v.eighs coai at this point. In February of 191.3. a tragedy occurred in our family. Grandfather was stricken with a severe paralytic stroke, which claimed his voice. He did not regain his speech during those remainji? thirty-two years of life. This ended his business career. But he never lost contact with the outside world. His great, interest was basketball. Although a whole new generation grew up not hearing his voice, he seemed to command their respect. He rarely missed a basketball game, and each season, the basketball beys saw him in their dressing room at half-time. He went to every practice and if he wasn't there they always inquired atout him. He was "Uncle John" to each of them All of this extra attention and kindness shown him, during those remaining semi-invalid years, gave Grand-dad a great measure of pleasure. jeraldine Griggs O'Dell Clarence L'mfleet was coach of this 1910 basketball team, and the varsity members were Lee Beal, O. E. Gher, Wm. Smith, Enoch Potts, Frank Cogburn and Bcrnie Stivers. People came for miles around to see the soda fountain Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beal installed in the restaurant back in 1909. It had ,a marble bar and black bar, and sodas \viTi> Hi ( 43 ) ► i t Compliments of ^ i Byron R. Lewis : ^ President of Lawrence Countv ^ ► Historical Society 4 ^ COMPLIMENTS OF I I. B. "IKE" DAUGHERTi^ w LawrencevUle, III. COMPLIMENTS OF 4 J. C. PENNEY COMPANY ^ LAWRENCEVILLE ^ ^ COMPLIMENTS OF ^ JULES CUNNINGHAM ^ GARAGE Coni[)Iiinents of > Dale Foss ^ ► y Congratulations ^ I^wrence Cosinly ► Voiture No„ 1284 I of the 40 et 8 ► 1 Compliments Of ^ Tlie ^ LawrencevUle ^ CIVITAN CLUB ^ C 44 ) THE ST. FRANCISVILLE TIMES The "St. Prancisville Times" was a weekly newspaper published from 1909-1942. The paper was founded in 1909 by A. P. Spencer who operated it for approximately five years. Ai'ound 1915 he sold it to John Prout who edited and published it until the middle 1920's when he sold It to H. Brownfield Scott. Mi". Scott published the paper until it was purchased by Haskell Hall, who published it from 1930 until 1942. when he sold it to Mr. Roy Rucker of Bridgeport. Illinois. The Times is now a part of the Bridgeport Leader. C. p. HILLS EARLY GARAGE Cyrus P. Hill came to St. Prancisville in 1913 estab- lishing a repair shop located on Main Street. This building burned so a new business was started again, located on Main Street in the present Gray Woodworking Shop. The shop, through the years, offered different services to the community and surrounding area. Mi-. Louis P. Hovermale joined Mr. C. P. Hill in business in 1920 forming the C. P. Hill and Company which continued for 22 years "on the same corner." It grew from a repair shop to a Ford Car agency and garage and many remember the high-light from the change of the Model T car to the Model A Ford. During these years, the garage was maintained. Delco Light Plants were sold and serviced to the rural commun- ities, the car dealership was changed to Chevrolets, and Firestone products were sold not only to close areas but many counties in Southern Illinois via an equipped truck that covered routes. These two friends in business were known to everyone as "Cy" and "Louie." Several men were employed during and through this partnership business. Acetylene welding service helped many people and farmers with their brokeri implements. This partnership was dissolved in 1924 with the war problems and Louis then worked in a government plant in EvansvUle, Indiana. Cy Hill continued the garage alone and enjoyed the machinist work. The business was sold in the 1940's to Mr. Amon Legg then to "Buzz" Eggebrecht. Mr. Hill cun- tinued his service until his death in 1949 across the street in the tin shop that is presently owned and used by the Gray's Shop. Enterprising C. P. Hill built the first garage in St. Prancisville, and his gas pump was supplied by the tank wagon at the right in the picture below. CITY LIGHT PLANT- An item from the St. Francisville Times— January 18. 1917 "It is most gratifying to know that almost every family in the limitr, of this city have availed themselves of the op- portunity to use the city current, and in most every instance thr service has given entire satisfaction. It is even of more interest to know that the plant has been on a self support- ing basis financially, and that now it is showing even bet- ter returns." Among those employed at the Plant were Clarence CoUison. Sidney Abernathy, and Franklin Shaw. ( 45 ) Congratulations^ St. FranchvUle ! n r West Saleni, UI. Phone 77 Allendale, III. Phone 299-3141 Security Bank and Trust Co. 400 Market St. Mt. Cormel Bank With Security MEMBER F.D.I.C. ConipUments Of ayne Store Groceries and Hardware Allendale, Illinois Phone 299-3151 ( 46 ) .^ A. .&. A.-!^ Builder's Supply Company Says— Congratulations on a Job Well Done! WE OF BUILDER'S SUPP LY ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS RICHLY HISTORICAL COFfflUNITY Tverything to Bueld Anything' * PAINT • ALUMINUM • CEMENT » HARDWARE WINDOWS • GRAVEL • LUMBER DOORS e SAND • MILLWORK AWNINGS FREE DEUVERY— • CHAT THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU— LAWRENCEVILLE ST. FRANCISVILLE FLAT ROCK PH. 142 FH. 53 PH. 584-2990 BUILDER'S SUPPLY COMPANY OIL HELD SERVICES DIVISION Offers You The Following Services — • BACKHOE SERVICE • DITCHING • WINCH CAT • WINCH TRUCKS • STEAM CLEANING • PAINTING • WELDING Complete Oil Field Construction and All Types Lease Work • 24-HOUR SERVICE Q OWNED AND OPERATED BY JOE VANGILDER Call: Day— 53 Night— 144 or 149 BUILDER'S SUPPLY CO. ST. FRANCISVILLE, ILLINOIS V 47 ) I Congratulations I St. Francisville ► on its I Sesquicentennial ► Hell's Grocery ► Tiawrence and Naomi ' ^ '^ y^ "^ 'w 'WW ^^ 'w "^ "^ "^ yr "w '^ 'yt 'w "^ yr ^^ '^ "^4 Compliments Of ^ John McKelfresh \ Implement Co. t St. Francisville, 111. 1 John McKelfreah Lomer Quite * Jackie McKelfresh Cecil Armstrong ^ Betty Potts James Viehe ^ I Compliments Of E HALTER I Distributing Co. Lyur manu tnanhd to ^ ail w no nelped make i tne S^t» . Trancidmiie i * ^edauicentenniai \ K^eiebra tion 4 ^t At t /~'/^/j A A. 4 t DREWRY'S BEER ► Tiawrenceville, 111. Cv DVtCCi^OD • • • J The Sesquicentennial i Committees ^ ( 48 ) The picture above is of the Coy House between Third and Fourtli streets on Main St. The architecture of the house is typical French pioneer now rarely seen. At right, Jules Grandclair stands at the doorway of his home. Grandclair was a Frenchman by birth. The man- sion of Charles Parkinson was given to the Methodist Chuich as an Old Folks Home (lower right). At the lower left, 'Uncle Joe' and Caroline Tewell stand in the yard of one of the oldest houses in the city. V: v«"'t jl'.'. ( 49 ) 1 i ISM Congratulations, St. Francisvillie, On Your Sesquicentennial WE JOIN OUR FELLOW CITIZENS IN COMaiEMORATING 150 YEARS OF PROGRESS CIPS has been an active citizen of St. Francisville since 1929. In that year, a St. Francisville home used 375 kilowatt hours of electricity at an average cost of 80 per kilowatt hour. Today, St. P^-ancisville residents are using more than 71/2 times as much . . . and paying less than one-half as much per kilowatt hour. CUPS is constantly planning and building ahead so that ample, low-cost electricity will aways be available for St. Francisville homes, businesses and industries. /W CEHTRAL ILUNOIS PUBLIC SERVICE COMPAHY AN INVISIM-OWNED UICTIIC UOHI AND rOWU COMfAN* . . . UIVINO ONHAl ANO lOUtHBN lUINCHS Compliments Of Grade A BOIHOGWZfl' DAIRY PRODUCTS THAT MUST PLEASE Prairie Farms Dairy Olney, Illinois ( 50 ) St. Francis^ iile. My Home Town . . traditional stories as to how St. Francisville re- ceived its name — (1) Frances Valle Tongas named the town for the patron sainl of the diocese, St. Francis, for whoni so many churches were named *2) when the Jesuits came to tlie newly established villajje, they named it after St. Francis Xavier, their patron saint. Frances Toupaw sold ttio first goods and Mason Jones built the first blacksmith shop. Jackman's saw and grist mill wore built about 1837. Ihe post office was established in 1838 with Willian! Thompson, postmaster at a salary of $7.52 per year. St. Francisville was incorporated in 1869 and its first election of officers was held February 27, 1869. Under the bluff, some dislance up in what was once the town, there was once a cave, hollow- ed out in th(> sandstone whore traders hid their furs and wines. South and west of this cave stood the trading post. Main street was a trail leading from the ferry to the post, where (-anad- ians brought their furs and pelts of northern game to exchange for powder, guns and edibles. This early prosperity was due largely to *^he visits of the Canadians, who came by canoe or rafts down the Great Lakes and filaumee River, to the Wabash and to St. Francisville. The second foundation by the Sisters of Pro- vidence of Saint Mary Of-The-Woods was St. Francisville, Illinois. Quote, the History of the Sisters of Provi -ni their tales of bloody encounter; the River Showboats, that would tie up and put on a week's entertainment; the floods, especially the disastrous one of lOlS, and the big fires — '1) 1909 '-^^ich destroyed Brian and McMurry Building, Griggs home. Dr. Abell's barn (2) "L922 a business h]ock including Gillespie Furniture Store, I.O.O.F. Hall and dining room, store building, l.eVieux Barn nnd the Bovd home, (3) 1940 Farmer's Cooperative Grain Elevator — a $10,000.00 blaze. An oil boom de- veloped in this vicinity. A gusher v/as drilled in f'r^ fhe Michael Murphy farm in 1014. Our popula- tion wont urt to annroximatelv two thousand. The boom passed and today St. Franci.sville is a com- bination of an agricultural and oil community. There are three places T would like to call to your attention. First, the site of the frame church overlooking the Wabash. Second, the old spring which for years was the main source of water supply. Third, the site of the old Jackman Cemetery, which lies a few blocks north of tov, n. Tf v.-e take the date 1804-1805, the time Joseph Tou,gaw settled on the present site of St. Francisvills, our town is more than 150 years old. However, due to the fact that it is practically im- nussible to establish definitely the exact date of the first settlement in a given locality, the date the village plat is recorded is usually taken as the date of founding. In the case of St. Francis- ville, evidently this was 1887. In this Sesquicenten- nial Celebration of 1962 we are commemorating the building of Fort Tougas in 1S12. The End I 55 ) Compliments Of The Daily Record Lawrenceville, Illinois Your Hometown Newspaper Lawrence County's Foremost Advertising Medium Compliments Of r St. Francisvilk Illinois Don Ann < 56 ) Banking in St. Francisville Organized banking came to St. Francisville in the year 1S07. Mr. Charles W. Parkinson had been conducting a private bank in a room of the building known as the Sharp Building at Sixth and Main Streets since the summer of 1902. His business had grown quite rapidly, and through the activities of Mr. Parkinson, The Peoples Bank was or- ganized and opened for business on April 1. 1907. Mr. Parkinson was president; Dr. A. T. Abel, vice-president: George H. Corrie, cashier. The capital stock of $25,000 came from residents in St. Francisville and farmers of the community. In 1909 Mr. Parkinson died. J. M. England became the president of the bank and Joseph E. Diver was seci:red as an assistant cashier and worked with Mr. Corrie in the bank. In 1910 the bank office was moved from the Sharp building to a new site on the south side of Main Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets. The National Bank was also organized in 1907 and was opened for business in September of that year in the Lyons building on the north side of Main Street. William H. Highfield and his son. Hugh, made up the office personnel. Others associated with the bank were C. L. Lewis. James H. Buchanan, Solomon Dager, and W. S. Cluxton. In 1011 W. H. Highfield retired from the bank, and his place was taken by W. S. Cluxton. Later Thomas H. Gutteridge and James M. Corrie were added to the office force. In 1914 the National Bank moved to its new location at the corner of Seventh and Main Streets. In November of 1920. The Peoples Bank and The Na- tional Bank consolidated their operations and reorganized under the name of The Peoples National Bank of St. FYancisville. The National Bank building was used by the new organization. Its officers were T. H. Gutteridge, presi- dent: J. M. England and C. L. Lewis, vice presidents; George H. Corrie, cashier; J. M. Corrie and Carl T. Eng- land,, assistant cashiers. T. H. Gutteridge, J. M. England, C. L. Lewis. George' H. Corrie. W. S. Cluxton, C. L. Stephenson. George M. Highsmith, Joseph Gray, J. H. Buchanan, W. C. Gillespie, and W. D. Milligan made up the Board of Krectors. For a number of years the new organization was quite prosperous, having the reputation of being one of the soundest financial institutions in the State of Illinois. How- ever, with the stock crash of 1929 and the depression that followed, the bank in St. Francisville suffered along v;;th all other banks in the country. On October 31, 1931, the bank closed its doors and did not reopen on the next bank- ing day. The loyal people of St. Francisville and community came to the support of the bank. Stock changed hands, notes were purchased from the bank, and preferred stock was taken up by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Within six weeks the bank was again open for business with no loss to any depositor. At the time of the bar;k moratorium in 1933, thu St. Francisville bank was clCJcd ju£t one day when permission was granted for its re- opening by the Comptroller of the Currency. It was the oniy bank in this section of the state for many months and the only one in the county for more than year. Economic conditions during the depression were such that banking was not profitable for small communities. By 1938 the stockholders of The Peoples National Bank decided to move their bank to the county seat. By so doing, it was hoped that the bank could serve more people, and that those who had invested their money in the capital of the bank would receive better returns on their invest- ment. In August of 1938, the bank was again reorganized. The State Bank of Birds was purchased by the new or- ganization which then moved to Lawrenceville under the new name of The Peoples National Bank in Lawrenceville. — Vera Laughlin St. 5> rancLdui tie ^oda ^ Time has brought chanjje.s to our town. There are nevv names and new faces. Many old names and faces are gone. Organizations and clubs in our commun- ity are: American Legion. American Legion Auxil- iary, Junior Auxiliary, Home Bure.au, Kiwanis Club, Key Club, Woman's Club, Order of Eastem Star, Masonic Lodge, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-TI Clubs. Busine.'JS establishmf-nt^ in and near town in- clude: five grocery stores, a general .store, a cab- inet shop, one barber shop, three garages, throe service stations, two bulk plants, three insurance agencies, one lumber yard, one T.V. and appliance store, a farm implement dealer, a restaurant, five beauty shops, one furniture store, a plumbing and heating establishment, two welding shops, a coal yard, a laundramat, a new dairy mart, a funeral home, general trucking and oil servicing. St. Francisville has one doctor. Dr. Lee R. Ireland, and a veterinarian, Dr. Carl McCammon. We have one nursing home. Recent improvements in our community in- clude: Denison Fire Protection District, tennis courts, a new sewer system, a park on the banks of the Wabash. We hope that this book has brought back old memories and pre. URBANA :i! ;! .ii III I II II I m 3 0112 000263472