"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
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//
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.
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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)
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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 <and Lynnwood Crusader
Rural Route l-Br[dgeport, III.
Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Siegle Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hull
- COMPLIMENTS OF -
Lawrenceville National Bank & Trust Co.
" Serving the Comunisnity for Over a Half Century
LAWRENCEVILLE, ILLINOIS
< 12 )
St. Francisville Physicians
J. B. McCarty — The first physician, about 1840. Certi-
ficate and registration 1840. College unknown.
O. A. Lovejoy — About 1860. Dr. Lovejoy also sold di-ugs
H. P. Cleary — Date of registration unkown. (Also
practiced in Bridgeport.)
W. P. Harvey— Born in Kentucky in 1836. Certificate
Dec. 29, 1877, recorded Jan. 5. 1878. He was a surgeon in
the Union Army. Attended Indiana Medical College, Indi-
anapolis, 1877.
Robert J. McMurray — Dr. McMurray was born in
H£.nover, Indiana, in 1852. He attended Medical Collese
of Ohio in Cincinnati— graduating in February, 1878. Later
he attended graduate sc^ool at Northwestern University. He
began his mcdiCal practice in Linn (Orio), Illinois, in
November, 1878. In the early 1900's he moved to St. Fraii-
ville, whei'e he practiceu for several years. Dr. McMurray
passed away in Sebring, Florida, in 1923.
William A. Apple — Certificate 1892, Hospital College
of Medicine, Louisville, Ky., 1892.
Dr. Vontress — Date unknown. College unknown.
W. A. Lyons — Dr. Lyons was born near Liberty vicinity
April 23, 1861, the son of John and Sara Jackman Lyons.
H-j graduated from tha University of Tennessee College
of Medicine Feb. 2G, 1884, and began the practice of medi-
cine in St. Fiancisville in 1887. In 1895 he became a reg-
istered pharmacist. He died in 1899 and his practice was
taken over by Dr. J. R. Brian.
Harry N. Leeds— Certificate and registration unknown.
Anson T. Abell— Certificate June 18, 1895, recoi-ded
July 31, 1895. Attended Hospital Medical College, Louis-
ville, 1895. Dr. Abell also practiced in Mattoon and Charles-
ton.
Dr. John R. Brian— Dr. Brian was born in Waba.sh
County, 111, Feb. 9, 1871, a son of Martin and Melissa
Schrader Brian. He taught in the district schools for
seven winters and meanwhile attended school himself. Oii'i
year at Danville and two year.s at Valpariso, Inti. He at-
tended sBarne* Medical College in St. Louis from which he
was graduated in 1899. Dr. Brian was in practice 43 year;.
Just after World War I he moved to Vin?ennc.<;, Ind.. and
practiced ihere until 1936, when he came back to St. Fran-
cisville and continued in practice here until his death
Nov. 19, 1944.
Dr. Randolph F. Snider — Dr. Snider was born January
20, 1889, in Charleston, 111., a son of Edward and Mai-y
Snider, farmers. He attended common school and hith
school in Charleston, 111., the Hahnemann Medical Schoc)l
in Chicago (graduating in 1913 i, the Army Sanitary School,
Langres, France. During World War 1 he was a captain
in the Medical Corps, 356th Infantry, 1917-1919. Dr. Snider
came to St. Francisville in 1914 and practiced medicine
until his retirement in 1956.
Vicltor MacMurray Brian^Dr. Brian, affectionately
known to his friends as "Cheeso," was torn in Linn, 111.,
in Wabash County on August 7, 1891, a son of Martin
and Melissa Brian. He attended grade and high school in
St. Francisville ValparLso University, National University
of Arts and Science, St Louis, and CJeorge Washington
University Medical School, Wa^ington, D.C., from which
he graduated in 1917. He was surgeon for the Cerro-de-
Pasco Copper Corporation, Peru, S.A., in 1918. He practiced
medicine in St. Francisville from 1919 to 1936. FYom 1926
to 1932 he was District Health Superintendent, and during
this time he was instrumental in having the St. Francisville
school children to be among the first in the state to be
immunized against communicable diseases. He moved to
Lawrenceville, Illinois, in 1936, and practiced medicine
and surgery until his death March 27, 1945.
Frank Arnold— Dr. Arnold came to St. Francisville
from Chicago in the early I930's. He was born February
16,-1891, near Greenfield, Indiana. His parents were faim-
Dr. R. J. McMurray, beloved physician, began
his practice in 1878.
ers. He attended common school npar Grpenfipld. Indiana,
and High- school at Rawleigh and Muncie, Indiana. He a'i.so
attended Valparifo University and Lovola University Medi-
cal School, graduating in 1927. In 1936 Dr. Arnold moved
to Lawrenceville and Continued the ^practice of medicijje
until ill health forced him to retire.
Lee Roy ifplana — Lee -Roy Ireland. M. D.. was born
in St. Francisville, 111.. April 3. 1910, the son of Roy and
Sara Breen Ireland. He was educated in the St. Francis-
ville public schools. He also attended high school in Law-
renceville. His pre-med school was taken at the University
of Illinois in Champaign. He received his Bachelor of
Medicine degree ip 1933 from the Chicago Medical School,
anr" Doctor of Medicine and Surgei-y 'degree in 1936 from
the same school. Interned one year at West Side Hospital
of Chicago, and. six months of internship at Francis E.
Wiilard Hospital, also oi Chicago. He practiced two years
in Chicago, then came to St. Francisville in the year of
1939. His present. office is at. 905. Majtj, Street. St. Francis-
ville. I i
(From "Medical Records of Lawrence County,"
compiled by Dr. Tom Kirkwood and Byron R.
LetWs.) - . .: ^ ^ •
( 13 ' )
[ Sand Barrens
Compliments of
McCormack
[ Texaco Service
Motor Sales
I THE FRIENDLY CHRISTYS
• PONTIAC
^ GROVER AND CLARENCE
• OLDSMOBILE
• BUICK
► Phone I69F5
Sales and Service
r St. Francis ville, Illinois
Phone 512
Lawrenceville, Illinois
I James H. Buchanan
^ Plumbing and Heating
w Furnaces — Boilers
^ Peerless Pumps — Water Heaters
^ Kohler, Crane and other brands
^ Plumbing Fixtures
► Phone 4961
Glen Wolfe Gara
Brake Service
Wheel Balancing
Springfield Moto-Mowers
Tillers — Plows — Mowers
Hahn Spray Equipment
and Chemicals
^ BRIDGEPORT, IU„
► 118 W. Olive St.
Sales and Service
^ NIGHT: Phone I54FI3
^ St. Freincisville, III.
Phone 74
St. Francisville, 111.
4
<
.£. A •■ A. N
( 14 )
Mrs. Mary Pierson opened her first shop in 190), making hats. She lived up to her motto, "Keep
busy if you want to be happy," finding joy and satisfaction in a rich, full life.
OPENED MILLINERY SHOP IN 1900
By Addie McKelfresh
(From 1947 Vincennes 'Commercial')
Sprightly and still young at "past 74," St. Praiwis-
vine's milliner for the past 47 years, Mrs. Mary Pierson,
would say to the v.'omcn who envy her good health and
vital interest in life, '•Kucp busy if you want to be happr."
And it would seem to be good advice, for this woman
wl^iose only hobby, in her own words, has been "makins
a living" finds happiness and satisfaction whereever she
turns — in her business, .'n her church work, and in her
friends. St. Prancisville is her town; she's as proud of it
as she is of the hats she has made for its feminine citizens.
"Making hats was an art in those days," observed Mrs.
Pierson, recalling 1900, when she opened her first shop
on the site opposite v/hcre her church, St. Francis Xavier,
now stands. "You had to have a knack for it." (Plus, ap-
parently, the patience— and stamina— to work until mid-
night and after during rush seasons in the spring and fall,
getting out orders for women who came in one Saturday
to pick out the color, material, flowers and feathers and
who returned on the next Saturday for the finished crea-
tion, and "creations" they were, too, for Mrs. Pierson de-
siT-ied her own hats, fitting the hat to the customer's
personality — as much as the customer would allow.
It's easier, though, to suit the personality than It is
to suit the customer. "You can see the type of hat for
a woman," she says, "but you can't see what she will like."
She has seen styles come and go — and come again.
Today's fashion trend, for instance, seems to favor the
feathers-for-trim of the milliner's heyday and to prove
her point she presents the case of the ostrich plumes she
dug out of a box in her smokehouse not too long ago —
ani sold. She had had them for 30 years.
Hats turned out by Mrs. Pierson and her aides, a num-
bsi' of whom later established businesses of their own, sold
for from $5 to $25, averaging from $8 to $10 during what
Mrs. Fierson called "high times."
"It's the workroom that makes the money in the mil-
linery business," confided Mrs. Pierson, adding that she
"handled a lot of money but didn't keep it." In the work-
room the milliner saw her dreams take shape as her deft
fingers manipulated the wire that went into the framt?,
the basic material, the braid or feathers that were added
instead of the bright ornaments that later became the
fad I "Why," she sa>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<Ige — Chrysler
Lindsay Motor Cg.
Buick — Oldsmobile
^^ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ A AA^A AA. A AAA ▲ 'A^^ A A^ A ^^AAJkA^^ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲/<
' ( 20 >
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
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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- ^^ '^^ '^^ '^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ .^^ .<A .^L ^^ ^k. ^k i
COMPLIMENTS OFi <
1 )oweirs \
Florists j
"WE ALWAYS HAVE i
SOMETHING DIFFERENT' ^
\ 525 Lexington Ave. Lawrenceville, 111. \
i 24
In 1905, Anna Belle Buchanan, Oma Fern :3tolt2, Maude Griggs, Oscar Li. Potts and Heber Brian made
up the St. Francisville graduating class.
Truman B:;rnett Oldest Barber
Truman Barnctt, at 83 ths o:d st active birber in
the state of Illin iiS- or i.craa « cv u .aiy ^c-at , givej a
haircut to a ninety year old customer.
Barnett had four sens (Clarence, B •; on, Dexter. an<l
Giltert) follow in his footsteps as barb r5. The youngest,
Eldon, is a foreman in a steel mill at Hammond.
He has workca a^ -i ^ profession for 71 years, and
recalls that haircuts used
to be 10c and shaves 5c.
During his lifetime he
has had only one vaca-
tion — and that wa.s
foiced on him by major
surgery. He feels fine,
now.
Mr. Barnett has no
special formula for lon-
gevity, but says that he
quit smoking early in his
long life.
He recalls vividly the
Doom times in his shop,
when the Irish workmen
laid the track of the Big
Pour, and gave him their
patronage.
August LeVieux Operated Livery
August UVicux built the fir^'. ho 'se in St. Prancl"'"!"
to have a modern bathroom, whr.i hs op:;n';d his livry
business in 1904.
He had a surrey with a fringe arouni th» top whyh
was reserved— sometimes weeks ahead — for thr yo^fS
blood; to take their sweethearts riding.
The Winston bus. which met the train; at the de- o^.
once transported the Chicago White SO'i to ih' ' .I'.perV
and Jean Griggs, St. Francisv.lle's star, pitched^ aga.- st
them. Between innings, the city "band played on."
( 25 )
r^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^r ^ ^r ^ v^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ v^
► COMPLIMENTS OF
1 1' h e
f OHIO
f OIT-
f Company
► Shoppers Wise —
X Economize . . . at
I Sizemore's
|SAV-MOR
^ • • Main Street
^ Bridgeport, III.
^ BONDED MEATS WITH SATISFACTION
^ GUARANTEED
W Finest in Garden-Fresh Produce
^ NATIONALLY-KNOWN BRANDS FEATURED
^ Open 8 a.m.— 9 p.m. Phone 4551
i^omplimentd \
ENGLAND'S j
CAFE i
in St. Francisville <
JOHN AND THELMA <
ENGLAND <
Wolfe 1
Furniture Store <
FURNITURE... RUGS i
LAMPS ..UNOLEUMS <
METAL CABINETS 4
GIFT ITEMS i
Sherwin - Williams Paint <
Phone 101 ^
Main Street St. Francisville, 111. j
( 26 )
Pr
roqredA in
In f etroie
earn
The picture at left is of an early oil well. At right, the modern petroleum engineer employs the
principle of the simple suction pump to lift oil to the surface.
A Typical Family Picnic Dinner in 1912
27 )
St. Francisville Sesquicentennial Ce
Sesquicentennial Pageant
LOIS McKELFRESH, Director
Presented July 1, 3 and 4, 1962
-SYNOPSIS-
INTRODUCTION
This is the true story of St. Francisville. We present in episode form scenes which
represent different periods in the history of our town.
PROLOGUE
Miss Sesquicentennia I and her attendants
EPISODE ONE
George Rogers Clark
On their way to Vincennes, Clark and his men waded
th3 waters of the flooded Wabash. It is thought that they
marched near the ore.sent site of St. Fi-ancisville a<nd
crossed the river a short distance north of the ferry.
EPISODE TWO
Joseph Tougras
This scene shows the arrival of Joseph Tougas, the
first white man to settle in this vicinity.
EPISODE THREE
Fort Tougas
Fort Tougas erected in 1812 was a place of protection
for the early settlers.
EPISODE FOUR
The Early Church
In the early days the Catholic Church Service was held
in one of the homes. Bishop Brute, a Jesuit missionai-y,
would come here and say Mass, when the weather was too
severe for him to make longer trips.
EPISODE FIVE
The Stage Coach
William Jackman and others eagerly await the arrival
of the stage coach.
EPISODE SIX
The Trading Post
Canadians on their way south stopped here and ex-
changed furs and pelts for powder, guns and food.
EPISODE SEVEN
The Early School
In 1843 Colonel S. B. Smith taught the one room school.
EPISODE EIGHT
The Civil War
Young men from this vicinity answered the call for
volunteers to fight for the preservation of the Union.
EPISODE NINE
The First Raih-oad
The railroad was built and trans started operating
here about 1880.. The Wabash Cannonball, one of the finest
early trains came through St. Francisville on Its run from
Cairo to Vincennes.
EPISODE TEN
The Kings Ball
Kings Balls were very popular in St. FYancisville, es-
pecially among the people of French descent. The social
season extended from New Year's to Shrove Tuesday «,nd
during this time many parties and dances were enjoyed by
the people.
EPISODE ELEVEN
Wold War I
In 1917 the United States entered the War that was
to make the world safe for democracy.
EPISODE TWELVE
World War U
In the 1940's we were again plunged into war. This
time oui- boys were sent to many parts of the world, some
to places almost unheard of before the war.
EPISODE THIRTEEN
The Soaring Sixties
We have briefly relived scenes of the past. Now let
us return to the present "the soaring sixties."
FINALE
A Salute to the Future
All groups of the pageant assemble.
FIREWORKS
( 28 )
bration
. July 2, 3 & 4, 1962
Sesquicentennial Program
Sunday, July 1:
Morning — Religious services at all churches.
1:00-5:00 p.m. — School reunion in the gym-
nasium.
12:30 p.m. — Boat show in the river.
2:00-6:00 p.m. — Horse show.
8:00 p.m. — Union Vesper Services at the
river.
Monday, July 2:
7:00 a.m. — Flag Raising.
10:00 a.m. to G:00 p.m. — Registration of visi-
tors.
All Day — Antique displays and visits to
points of interest.
2:00 p.m. — Go-Cart races.
5:30-7:00 p.m. — Special music.
7:00 p.m. — Beard contest.
7 :30 p.m.- -Crowning of queen.
8:30 p.m. — Historical pageant.
10:00 p.m.. — Fireworks.
Tuesday, July 3:
7:00 a.m. — Flag Raising.
10:00 a.m. to G:00 p.m. — Registration of visi-
tors.
All Day — Display of antiques and visits to
places of interest.
10:00 a.m. — Dressparade and .style show con-
test on Main Street.
11:00 a.m. — Sesquicentennial Band and Wa-
bash Belle Bonnette serenade on Main
Street.
4:00 p.m. — Boat display and water show.
6:00 p.m. — Special mu.sic.
7:30 p.m. — Boy Scout Indian Dance.
8:30 p.m. — Historical Pageant.
10:00 p.m. — Fireworks.
Wednesday, July 4:
7:00 a.m. — Flag Raising.
10:00 a.m. to G:00 p.m.— Registration of visi-
tors.
All Day — Display of antiques and visits to
points of interest.
10:00 a.m.-12:00 — Special music.
1 :00 p.m. — Grand Parade.
4:30 p.m. — Special music.
8:30 p.m. — Historical Pageant.
10:00 p.m. — Grand Finale and Fireworks.
(Note: This program is not complete, and is
subject to change.)
( 29 )
^ COMPLIMENTS OF
\ Lumber
Jaquaes j
I Co.
+ + + ;
t Bridgeport^ Illinois
lawrencevllle \
\ COMPLIMENTS OF |
1 BLEI
)SOE i
! OIL WELL SERVICE \
► Rods — Tubing — Sand Pumping i
► —FULLY INSURED— i
^ St. Francisville, IlL i oo 17.1 1
I Phone 182-F4 ^
' 30 )
Sharp's
store
Line awaiting ferry duriiis Hood
Bi'-Gone Days
( 31
Congra tu la tions
The Bank o
Mt. Carme!,
• •
Colburn's
Academy of Beauty Culture
A Beauty Career Offers
Unlimited Opportunities for
Men and Women
COLBURN'S
OFFERS THE BEST IN TRAINING
USING—
Franchised Al Tate Visual Aid System
and
Franchised Linda Brooks
Modeling Course
i
Mt. Carmel. 111.
Phone 262-7335
Compliments of
Gray's Cabinet Shop
Everything in Woodworking
St. Francisville. Illinois
y^jk.M.^..^^.^.^k.M.^.M.^.A.M.^M.^
' 32 )
They Helped Make Sesquicentennial a Success
The "Wabash Buddies" helped niightily
Members of the Sesquicentennial Executive Committee
are shown above. Seated (left to right) are Betty Brian
and Eva Mae Hall. Standing are (left to right) Fred Punt-
ney, Joe Vangilder, John England and Frank McCormick.
-trnr.
IMcmbers of the Denison Fire District volunteers
(above) labored long and well to clear the banks of the
Wabash for the historical pageant site.
Chairmen of all the various committees
I
!»
(^ - '^
The younger set aUiays enjoys "dressing up."
i;. mn.iiii-. I !ub cimperatfd luil>
( 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<ience oy Sister Mary Borromeo
Brown.
"The next of the Indiana clergy to ask Sisters
from Mother Theodore was Father Louis Uueoud-
ray, St. Francisville, the second missionary venture
of the Sisters of Providence in America, opened
toward the end of the year 1842. Known earlier
as Riviere du Chat, St. Francisville, was in 1842
a poor and small Canadian French settlement
tM-elve miles south of Vincennes as the o'ow flies.
Riviere du Chat appears in the Catholic Directory
for 1837 as visited from Vincennes and Bishop
Flaget and Father Nicholas Petit, S.J., had in-
cluded this little settlement in their missionary
tours from Kentucky.
"Sister Liguori was the local superior and
Sister Augustine, her companion, 'a French sister
and an English speaking sister' Father Ducoudray
had asked for.
"The little Bchool was a township school and
the Sisters gave great satisfaction to the trnstpos.
It was closed by Bi^•hop de la Hailandierc in It' 13.
(The Bishop had learned that the eastern third of
Illinois which was under the jurisdiction of Vin-
cennes was to be transferred to the new diocese
of Chicago which was to be established about
1844.)"
Reverend Ducoudray is credited with build-
ing the first log school near the site of our pre-
sent public school. (See "History of Schools").
The original frame church was down on the
bluff overlooking the Wabash. The parish house
stood approximately on the present site of the
Yarber home and the church was about due South
of the Parish house. Mrs. Frank Tougaw (deceas-
ed 1954) confirmed this statement.
She remembered attending church at that
location. The building was later moved and used
as a recreation hall. It stood on the northwest
corner of the present lots. There have been three
edifices. Mrs. Calista Breen (deceased) said un-
doubtedly there had been a log structure before
the first frame church was built. The present St.
Xavier Church with its sturdy brick walls and
beautiful stained glass windows offers a contrast
to the first little church which overlooked the
Wabash.
With Joseph Tougas came his two brothers,
William and August, and John Longlois, who soon
moved to Wabash County. In 1809-1810 came
Francis, another brother, who settled one and
one-half miles north of St. Francis\'ille.
Mr. Jesse Tougaw had an interesting collec-
tion of records which were evidence of business
transactions in the early years. The oldest was
dated 1801 and was signed Joseph Tougas. There
is also a land grant signed bv President James
Monroe and dated October 1, 1821. Mr. Jesse
Tougaw told me about his old home up north of
town and bow his mother kept two "hired girls",
so she would have time to visit with company.
Mrs. Calista Breen — granddaughter of the
first Francis Tougaw, brother of Joseph Sr.—
whose home was on the site of the Ed Burns farm,
told of hearing her mother telf how the Indians
came when her father was a baby and wanted
to take him for the day. They motioned to the
we.st, meaning they'd bring the child back at sun-
set. Though hesitant, the mother permitted the
baby to be taken. The child was returned at set-
ting sun. This was evidence of trust and faith
and from then on. there was no trouble with the
Indians. Joseph Tougaw, Jr. had a store on what
is now the Truman Barnett property. The im-
portant street of that time was Fourth street.
(Continued on page 53)
.■ji )
i '
now it's Pepsi -for those mm think young
It's a great way of life: thinking young. Today more people are entering ^^^ V
into the spirit of things, having more fun. This is the life for Pepsi-light, brae- mg^ '
ing, clean-tasting Pepsi. So go ahead-think young. Say "Pepsi, please!" ...^'^ j
"PEPSI-COLA" AND "PEPSI" ARE TRADEMARKS OF PEPSI-COLA COMPANY, REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. © 1962 PEPSI-COLA COMPANY
( 52 ),
St. Francisville, My Home Town . .
(Continued from page 51)
Mr. John Boyer told me the oldest houses in
St. Francisville today are the homes of Barbara
Cunningham, Wra. Hankins, Truman Barnett,
Adam Wise (now Nellie Wise), Oliver Tussey,
the former Mandy Clark property at the north
end of Sixth Street, and the Tewell property.
Riverside Hotel, now the home of Mrs. Matilda
Bullard.
Mr. Boyer recalled as a boy there were no
stock laws. Cattle were taken to the timber north
of town in the spring. Milk cows were driven in
at night and would take shelter under the porch
of the Charlie Parkinson's Store (Present site of
the Fire Department).
John Collison (uncle of the late John and
Clarence Collison) had a coffin shop near Ger-
ald Lane's home. He kept lumber and trimmings.
Coffins were made to order. A $45.00 burial was
a big funeral. He was the first undertaker in
St. Francisville and brought the first hearse to
town. He sold his business to Hugh Cluxton. who
located where the Methodi.-;t Church now stands.
Mr. Cluxton in later years sold to Charles Spencer
and Frank Abernathy. They in turn dispo.sed of
the business to Burton and William Gillespie. Mr.
Charles Winfree was the next undertaker. At the
close of World War H, Lewis and Lyle Tougaw
established the Tougaw Funeral Home. They, in
1955 sold to Don Martin, present owner.
Among the names of early French settlers wo
find families of LaCoste, Greemore, Valley, Shir-
key, Godaire, Bonaut. DeBeouf, Potvine, Des-
chaut, Rasico, Ravellette, Deloria, Boyer, Rous-
seauville, LeGout, Levieux, and Moyes (nicknam-
ed Coy, meaning "spot" — originating, when
Moyes went under the yoke from which his ox
'"Coy" had dropped dead, and assisted in drawing
the load). Mrs. Frank Tougaw was of the La-
Costo family. Her grandmother's brother was
tomahawked by an Indian, while hunting. They
lived on the sand hill across the river in Indiana.
There were a few persons who had come from
rVance. Barbara Cunningham's father, Jule^j
Cirandclair came from a little village called Blur-
viile near Paris, France, in 1874 at the age of
nineteen. He married Frances DeBoeuf in 1876,
located on the present Roy Ridglev farm and
later moved into St. Francisville. A custom in
many French homes was that on New Year's Day
tiie children would kneel and wish their parents
a Happy New Year in French. The parent would
respond with a i)at on the head and "God Ble.^s
You" 1
St. Francisville remained predominantly
French and for years many traditions were pre-
served. New Years to Shrove Tuesday was the
social season. On New Year's Eve groups of young
men (7 or 8) would trek from house to house
singing a begging or treating sonor. Thev would
be invited to entor and were given gifts of cookies,
wine, liquor and tobacco.
The King Ball was an imnortant social event.
Invitations were given at random and the elabor-
ateness of your "King Ball" doi-iended on your
social and financial standing. Fifty pound^ pigs
roasted whole were a common delicacy. Whiskey,
the common drink, was supplied bv barrels. Danc-
ing and eating went on all night. Guests departed
before dinner the next dav. A big event of the
evening was the crowning of the Queen.
Byron R. Lewis, President of the Lawrence
County Historical Society, gave the following in-
formation taken from John Reynolds', 'Pioneer
History of Illinois.'
"About the 6th of January in each year,
which is called le Jour de rois, a party is given
and four beans are baked in a large cake; this
cake is distribufpd amnriirst ^he gentlemen, and
each one who receives a bean, is proclaimed King.
These four kings are to give the next ball. These
are called "King Balls". These Kings select each
a Queen, and make her a suitable present. They
arrange all things necessary for the dancing party.
In these merry parties no set sunner is indulged
in. Thev go there not to eat but be and make
nierrv. The^ hnvp rpfrp^'hrnp-n*-'? of fake and ^nffee
serT ed round at proner intervals. Sometimes Bouil-
lion, as the French call it. takes the place of
coffee. Towards the pnd nf tho nnrtv. thp oM
Queens splpct each a new Kintr. and kisses him to
nualifv him into office; then each new King
chooses a nev.' Queen and goes throueh the cere-
monv as before. In this manner the King Balls are
]-pr,+ nn n11 throutrh the carnival.
"In the ballroom much order and decorum
are observed. Two aged discreet persons, are
chosen, who arp called Provosts, one to select the
ladies for the dance, the other for the gentlemen,
so that each one dances in proper turn. It is in
this mannpr that thesp innocent and merry people
spend much of their nicrhts in the winter. The old
people regulate all; the time to retire and time
to meet again. By this regulation much of the
excesses of dancing parties are avoided. The
young people are not so capable to .iudge in these
matters as the old."
(Concluded on page 55)
( 53 )
^▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼^
Compliments Of
nison Township
Don El. Martin, Supiervisor
John D. Lindsay, Town Clerk
Otto Waller, Road Commissioner
Lambert Tustin, Assessor
Joe Edgin, Lawrence Vanwey, Clarence Christy
Auditors
Bob's Sports Store
COMPLETE LINE OF
SPORTING GOODS
Mercury Outboard Motors
Sales and Service
611-15 Market Si.
Kit. Carmel. IH,
Congratulations
from
Knights of Columbus
Council 1343
Mt. Carmel, III
< 54 )
'JMHA'-ii ' I ' «. - f - ' I , :i.. ' i' ' '?! ,"f f 'T "' y'»yy***T.y^
Fine horses drew the hearses of the 1909 era. T. B ir'on Gillespie and J. R. Lyon? performed the last
services for their friends and neisrhbors.
St. Francisville, My Home Town . .
(Continued from page 53)
With the pasRinpf of the vears many families
vould invite friends in for "Chicken Bouillon"
on New Year's Eve to watch the old year out and
the new one in. This supper would consist of
chicken rice soup, crackers, celery and pickles.
The evening was spent in card playing and
dancing.
We remember the grist mills: saw mills; but-
ton factory; box and tomalo factories; livery
barns, which have given way to fiHinir stations;
blacksmith shops to garages; millinery stores; the
old American Theater; the saloon > -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.<ierved our present times for fu-
ture memories.
( 57 )
Credit Must Go to Every Organization, Group, Family, and Individual
For Hard Work Done Toward the Success of St. Francisville's Sesquicentennial.
( 58 )
Sincerest Best Wishes
to the
St. Frandsville Community
in its
^edaulcentennlat (^eiebrauon
B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge No. 1208
Uwrenceville, Illinois
P.S.— Several "herds" of Elk will make the trek down the old Buffalo Trail to help
observe your celebration!
Kk. ^k ^L ^^ ^k.^^ M^ ^k ^ ^L. ^k, ^ ^k m^ ^L. ^k ^k ^ ^k ^k ^^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^^ ^ ^"
i
Courtesy of
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Proceedings — Vol. I
a903>
URBANA
:i! ;! .ii III I II II I m
3 0112 000263472
