A little more on the Raymond P.O.

Last week's blog featured the dedication ceremony for the new Raymond Post Office back in 1962. Since that posting, I have heard from all three Carriker kids (Janna in Iowa, and Ken and Linda who both live in Texas). Linda mentioned how she loved going there on "those hot summer days when the air conditioned post office felt like heaven," and how the marble floor always "felt nice and cool when I slipped off my Dr. Scholls." 

I had forgotten all about those days when I rode my bike to the post office and probably stayed there a while, despite the No Loitering sign in the lobby. The place was always so bright and tidy, and I loved the smell -- a combination of cleaning products and important papers. I faithfully read the FBI's "most wanted" bulletins that were neatly posted on the walls, and I always made a special effort to remember the faces of the criminals, you know, so I could identify them if they ever happened to travel through Raymond.  

Linda also reminded me about the combination locks on the mailboxes (she even remembers their combination which is amazing -- I-B-F/G). While I don't recall our combination, I do remember our box number (146) and the day I learned how to open it. Not only had I finally achieved the same level of knowledge and responsibility as my older sisters, but I would be using this knowledge for my new Saturday morning job at Dad's store. In addition to dusting the merchandise, my duties included going to the post office to buy stamps and get the mail. This required crossing main street with large amounts of cash (as much as $10) and then transporting the valuable stamps, change, and important mail back to the store. It was such a huge responsibility that it's no wonder I was paid so much -- a whopping $3.00 (cash) per week! It was comforting to know that if I forgot the combination or had difficulty getting the box open, I could always go to the counter and Mr. Convery would be nice enough to just hand the mail to me. It makes me a little sad to think about how someone else now has P.O. Box 146 in Raymond. I sure hope they're nice. 

When I visited Doyle Public Library in December, I came across the following photograph and article that appeared in the Raymond News on Thursday, December 28, 1978. I thought it would be a good follow-up to last week's blog. 

John J. “Jack” Convery, Raymond Postmaster, will retire tomorrow, December 29, 1978 after giving over forty-two years of courageous and efficient service to the Raymond community. He started with the post office in June, 1936 on a part time basis when his aunt, the late Miss Mayme Convery was postmaster. Following her death, he was appointed acting postmaster on April 15, 1952 and was later appointed postmaster on August 5, 1953. At that time the post office was located in the building now occupied by WelBrak Builders, Inc. The present post office building was erected in 1962, having been dedicated in September of that year.

Due to the increase in the volume of business the status of the Raymond office was changed from third class to second class in 1963.

During Jack’s term in the office he has seen many changes in the postal service. For example, he saw the mail come in by train (five times daily for a number of years). Later the mail came in by Star route carrier from Taylorville twice daily. Now the Star route delivers mail only once daily from Springfield.

Jack’s wife is the former Rosalie Weitekamp and they are the parents of six children, Kathleen Spence of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Patricia Pope of Harvel; Mary Ellen Gentry of Tampa, Florida; Angela Smith of Chatham; Ronald and Mark, both of Raymond. They have seventeen grandchildren.

Someone will be appointed to be acting postmaster who is already in the present postal service elsewhere. In due time a permanent postmaster will be appointed.

Jack is interested in all sports and now will have more to enjoy them. He and Rosalie plan to travel some and will welcome the opportunity to become better acquainted with some of their grandchildren who live some distance away. Of course, they plan to live in Raymond.

Good and best wishes Jack, on your retirement from a job well done. The entire community greatly appreciates the many years of fine service given them.

Raymond's 125th Anniversary book, published in 1996, reprinted the Raymond Centennial book information that I posted last week as well as the following update:

John Convery retired in December of 1978. He was followed by Louise Westcott of Morrisonville, who held the position until 1988. Temporary “Officers in Charge” took over until February of 1990 when Bob Herman became Postmaster. A Raymond native, Bob resides in Harvel and was the Postmaster there from May 1980 to February 1990. He began his postal career in 1978 as a part-time clerk at the Raymond Post Office. In May of 1979, he transferred to the Carlinville Post Office for a year before taking the Harvel position. In addition to Postmaster, there are four other employees at the Raymond Post Office: Bob Langen: rural route #1 carrier; Terry Brockmeyer, rural route #2 carrier; Julie Millburg, clerk; and Connie Langen, custodian.

The Raymond Post Office

Here's another item I found a few weeks ago when we were going through some of Mom's photos and other scrapbook items that have been in storage. This is a program from 1962 when the new Raymond Post Office was dedicated. The event occurred a couple of years before I was born, so of course I don't remember it, but judging by the program, it must have been a really big deal. A fellow from Chicago spoke (the real estate chief for the Chicago regional post office), as well as a congressman, the mayor, and the postmaster. The American Legion Color Guard participated and the high school band even played. Mr. Crum served as the master of ceremonies and Angie Convey sang "Ode to the American Flag." I'm sure almost everyone in town dressed up in their Sunday best and attended this event.

Front Cover 

Back Cover

The following information about the Raymond Post Office appeared in Raymond’s Centennial Booklet, published in 1971:

(Written by W.S. Kessinger)

The Wabash Railroad was built from Decatur to St. Louis in 1970, but it was not until the following spring that anything like the town of Raymond had sprung into existence. Charles Davis of Litchfield opened a general store and became the first Postmaster. Mr. Davis had been Deputy Postmaster at Litchfield. The Post Office was known as Lula, there being another Post Office by the name of Raymond in the state, near Chicago. The name of the office was changed about 1865 and the town of Raymond and Post Office has since been called Raymond.

The railroad runs through Raymond from the Southwest in a Northeasterly direction and W.R.W. O’Bannon platted the town with the railroad instead of a compass. About half of the town lies on what is called the West side and the other half on the East side. Mr. Davis had built his store on the West side and the location of the Post Office pulled the business of the town in that direction. Two elevators on the East side gave the end of town some impetus. Mr. Kessinger moved the office of his store in the Odd Fellows building on the East side and for nine years that part of town was in the ascendency. In August, 1881, a midnight fire wiped out the business district on the West side. The owners rebuilt of brick. In 1885 when Thomas J. Parrott succeeded to office, he moved it to the West side and prosperity again reigned in that direction. Mr. Tilden later moved the office back to the East side and it has since remained.

On January 1, 1902, W.L. Seymour was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Seymour held the position longer than any of his predecessors and saw the business grow until it was raised from 4th to third class on April 1, 1904.

Mr. Seymour was followed by Anthony R. Gorman, Harold J. Henderson, Mary Convery, and in April 1952, John J. Convery, the present Postmaster was appointed. The local office was raised to 2nd class on July 1, 1953.

A new building was erected and dedicated in 1962. Mr. Convery’s present staff includes Yolonda Hitchings, Helen Engelman, Dorothy Cloyd, Edwin Hofmann, Hugh Halford, Lloyd Pope, Wayne Henderson, Edna Redfern, and Leona Carriker.

The Raymond High School Band

I spent a wonderful New Years Day with both my sisters and one of my nieces, going through photos and old clippings that our Mom had saved over the years. This is a photo of the Raymond High School Band taken during the 1940-1941 school year.

Clarinets
1. Anna Gorman
2. Eileen Gamlin Bandy
3. Paul Seals
4. John Murphy
5. Henry Allen
6. J.P. Hough

Cornets
1. Jack Convery
2. Jimmie Bowsher
3. Marjorie Trinkle Hough (President)
4. Elbert Brown
5. Lynn Graham

Saxophones
1. Mr. Chausse
2. Mary Ellen McReynolds (Librarian)

Base Horn
1. Henry Reish (Vice-President)

Baritone
1. Hugh Halford

Horn
1. Ted Greenfield

Trombones
1. Mr. Bielma
2. Lucille Gilbert

Bass Drum
Marjorie Poggenpohl

Snare Drums
1. Bud Pence
2. Charley Weitekamp
3. Dick Carriker

Bells
Lolita Bockewitz Johnson

The names and instruments are written on the back of the photo in pencil and are very difficult to read. I called Marge Hough who served as president of the band that year and asked for her assistance with identifying the band members. Even though Marge could not see the actual photo, she helped me figure out the names that are written on the back (yes, she is that awesome!). Thanks Marge!

The early days of the 217

From The Litchfield News Herald in 1966...
TRY IT OUT: First direct distance dialing call from Raymond was placed by the village president, Ned Bockewitz, when the new system went into operation last week. At left is Gary Clifton, manager of Litchfield exchange, which handles Raymond and Harvel toll calls, and at right, Charles Bandy, Raymond businessman. 

(taken from the Raymond Centennial book published in 1971)

The telephone was introduced to Raymond in 1901, when a Mutual Telephone Company was formed with the office above Preston’s Drug Store. The first telephone operator was Mrs. Jett. In April of 1901, the town had 33 phones, most of them in the businesses. A little later, the Bell System installed a telephone exchange, with the office located near the old firehouse. Most business establishments had two telephones, one for each exchange, and people serviced by one exchange had to pay a toll to cover the other. About 1915, service was provided by the Montgomery County Telephone and Telegraph Company. The property was acquired by Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company in 1924. The People’s Mutual Company was sold to General Telephone Company and later acquired by Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company in 1930. Approximately 100 telephones were in service at that time.

In 1964, a new exchange building was constructed at 212 South O’Bannon Street for the installation of dial equipment. The exchange was converted to dial operation on August 31, 1964, and at that time,  Raymond became part of the Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) network, which enabled customers to dial and receive long distance calls to more than 80 million telephones in the United States. On the same date, the Raymond exchange boundary was expanded to include the Village of Harvel and surrounding rural area.

In 1971, Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company served nearly 1,000 telephones from the Raymond exchange. 

While we cannot deny the value of automation, the citizens of the Raymond area will long remember the local telephone operator. By merely lifting the receiver, the caller was in contact with a friendly voice who would call the doctor, the fire department, give you the correct time, or put your long distance call through for you. Miss Emma Younker gave more than fifty years of service in the Raymond office. Miss Anna Kelmel spent eleven years as the night operator, handling many emergency situations. Mr. Roy Huber was the local serviceman for over forty years.

Before the office was converted to the dial system, the following were employed as operators: Isabel Donini, Chief Operator; Beulah Miller, Mary Fern Halford, Hilda Cade, Bea Moore, Delores Lange, Dorothy Hough, and Helen Hartman.

Pete Henderson started working as the local serviceman in 1963. 

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As the Centennial Book pointed out, the local telephone operators provided excellent service to the folks in the Raymond area back in the day. Dad told a story about calling home when he was returning from the war. It was the middle of the night when his ship docked in New York and he placed the call to the Raymond Exchange. My Grandma, Anna Bandy, was living in the apartment above the Raymond Cafe, and the operator on duty that night ran from the telephone exchange to Grandma's apartment to wake her up and tell her the news. Grandma got so excited that she ran over to the telephone exchange wearing only her nightgown. She spoke to Dad and everything was fine until she hung up and realized that she was not wearing any shoes. Grandma had issues with her feet and she wore orthopedic shoes at all times. The problem was so severe that she could not even walk around the house barefoot. In all the excitement, she had somehow managed to run almost two blocks without her shoes! The night operator was nice enough to go back over to the apartment and retrieve them for her. Talk about service! 

Low Prices

I was browsing through some of the old issues of The Raymond News at Doyle Public Library and found the following West-End Grocery advertisement. Too bad we can't go back to 1967 prices!

Happy New Year to all my readers. During my recent trip back home, I was able to find a lot of great material that I look forward to sharing with you in 2015!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Harold Wagahoff -- Raymond's Santa Claus

One of my favorite memories of growing up in Raymond is meeting Santa Claus on Main Street. He would come to town on a Saturday before Christmas, and dozens of children, many clutching their wish lists, would wait in line for what seemed like hours to talk to him and receive a small brown sack containing an orange, a peppermint stick, and two or three Hershey's Kisses.

I remember one year in particular, standing in line shivering in my red wool coat with black trim. The general belief was that Santa always flew into Raymond and landed near the water tower (the old water tower along 48), but on this day, the line was buzzing with the news that Santa had been spotted coming out of the fire house. Someone's parents quickly let us know that Santa had stopped at the fire house on his way over from the water tower to warm up and "take care of his business" before greeting all of us. Of course we all eventually learned the truth about Santa, and found out that Santa was really Harold Wagahoff. And everyone agrees he was the best Santa ever.

A special thank you to Harold Wagahoff's granddaughter, Stella Merit Turner, for sharing the following article that appeared in the Montgomery County News on December 19, 1990:

Lessons Learned

It's been hectic here in New Jersey, and I was a little worried about the topic for this week's TBT Blog. This evening, when I returned home from work, I was browsing through Facebook (a.k.a. procrastinating), and lo and behold, I spotted a really great status update that totally inspired me:

"Three words that I thought I'd never get to say: I AM RETIRED!!! 32 plus years of teaching and subbing for Panhandle School District :))"

This was posted by Nancy Weitekamp, whom I first knew back in the late 70's as Miss Edmiston. All of the sudden, it dawned on me that she is the person who is responsible for teaching me some skills that I have used daily throughout my adult life. Without her, I would not have been able to type papers in college, or write a blog, or efficiently update my Facebook status. I owe this woman a lot.

Mrs. Nancy Weitekamp

And teaching me was not easy. My freshman year was a bit of a "transitional" year for me, and I was much more interested in my social life than school. Pam (Mitts) Lanter, Curt Snyder, and I sat in the very back of the room in typing class, and it seems like we were always pulling some kind of shenanigans. Then there was 7th hour study hall. Mrs. Weitekamp had study hall duty that hour, which happened to coincide with my "social hour." I enjoyed talking way too much, and one day when she had really had enough, she made me write, I will not talk in 7th hour study hall, seven hundred times (yes, that's 700).  It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon when she imposed the punishment, noting that she wanted the sentences on her desk first thing the next morning. There was a home ballgame that night, and I wrote sentences up until it started and then decided to take my pen and notebook with me so I could finish up during the game. That's when Jimmy Jones tried to take the notebook away from me. I pulled back and the whole thing ripped in half. I stayed up half the night finishing those $%^&$ sentences, and as you might imagine, I was pretty bitter about the whole thing. I don't know if I learned an immediate lesson, but I'm sure the experience was in my brain percolating and somehow helped me grow up and be a responsible adult.

I'm happy to report that I am now Facebook friends with several of my high school teachers, including Mrs. Weitekamp.  I ran into her a couple of years ago at the 4th of July and we sat next to each other on the bleachers by the stage and had a nice chat. She told me about coming to Raymond for the first time, her initial impressions of the town, and her memories of my dad running the Raymond Variety Store. She's lived in Raymond a long time now, and she and her husband, Larry, have raised a wonderful family. She certainly made an impression on me and hundreds of other students who attended Lincolnwood High School. So, I would like to take this opportunity to tell Mrs. Weitekamp (I just can't bring myself to call her Nancy to her face), thank you and congratulations on your retirement. You deserve it!

By the way, I ended up doing pretty well in typing class (maybe it was really just Pam who caused all the trouble).  :-)  For all you skeptics out there, here's some proof: