Citizens of Tomorrow

 The following appeared in The Raymond News in May, 1958:

The children pictured above are: (top row, left to right) Karen Sue, 2 1-2 years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murvin Krause; Rosemary, 3 years old, and Joan Marie, 1 1-2 years old, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Beeler of near Raymond. Second row, Verne Lynn, 23 months old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Verne Pinkston; Pamela, 2 years old, and Cynthia, 8 months old, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Walker of Decatur, Georgia, granddaughters of Mr. and Mrs. Ned O. Bockewitz of Raymond. 

The children pictured above are: (top row, left to right) Lee Lange, 2 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Lange of Raymond; Dick, 4 1-2 years old and Tom, 2 1-2 years old, sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson of Raymond. Second row: Judy, 5 years old and Connie, 2 years old, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Egelhoff of Raymond; and Robert Anthony, 8 months old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard G. Jones of Butler. 

The children pictured above are: (top row, left to right) Nancy Carol, 4 1-2 years old, and Susan Kay, 14 months old, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bandy; Billy, 6 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Graham of Raymond. Second row: Johnny, 5 years old, and Bennett, 6 months old, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Krause of Raymond; Vicki Lynn, 1 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sturm of  Raymond. 

Raymond 4th of July Celebration - 1964

 From The Raymond News - June 18, 1964

Shown in the picture above are the Fourth of July Queen Candidates. They are left to right, Doris Herrmann, sponsored by Lessman Fertilizer; Sharon Boston, sponsored by Waggoner Legion; Connie Brown, Aylco Fertilizer; Becky Glover, American Legion Post 299; Nellie Ann Todt, Raymond-Harvel Kiwanis Club; Mary Ellen Convery, First National Bank of Raymond; Linda Pitchford, Raymond Volunteer Fireman; Janet Schmedeke, Harvel Boosters; Linda Janssen, K.of C. Council No. 4696.
Be sure to attend the crowing of the Queen Saturday night at 8:45 p.m. on Main Street in  Raymond.

Fourth of July News

The annual American Legion Fourth of July Celebration will be held at Raymond on July 3 and 4, 1964. The sponsoring organizations are American Legion Post No. 299, Harvel Boosters, Raymond-Harvel Kiwanis Club, and St. Raymond’s K. of C. Council No. 4696. The theme of this year’s parade is “VACATION SPOTS.” The parade chairman, John Lyons, is encouraging everyone to enter floats to make the parade bigger and better this year. Anyone interested in entering a float may do so by contacting Charles Bandy at the Raymond Variety Store.

The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m on July 4^th and there will be cash awards for seven divisions. The divisions are: Fraternal Organizations, Religious Organizations, Business Organizations; Out of Area entries; Kids bikes, tricycles, wagons, etc.; Pets - dogs, cats lambs etc.; Horse and Pony Division.

The participating bands for the parade are Lincolnwood, Morrisonville, Nokomis, Litchfield, and Staunton high schools; Litchfield Pantherettes and The Jeannettes. The Drill teams to participate are American Legion Triple Star Post 299 Color Guard and the Green Knights Precision Drill Team of Nokomis.

The program for this year’s celebration will be held on the night of July 3 and the afternoon and night of July 4. On Friday night, July 3, the talent contest will be held with Al Pigg, M.C. for the contest. A dance will be held both nights beginning at 9:00 p.m. with the Harmony Brothers furnishing the music. On Saturday, July 4^th, the parade begins at 1:30 p.m. The Green Nights will perform at 2:30 p.m., followed at 2:55 p.m. by Commander Massa with a welcome. The professional entertainers, Seilor and Seabold and the Whistlers will entertain. There will be a parachute jump team at 4:15 p.m. and will make their landing in Johnson’s field near the Johnson Construction Company building. On Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. the Harmony Brothers will have a serenade, and Seilor and Seabold will entertain again at 8:00 p.m. The Coronation of the Queen will be held on Main Street of Raymond at 8:45 p.m., and there will be a fireworks display at 10:30 p.m. There will be rides and concessions both days. 

People from the Past: George and Helen Broaddus

 The following appeared in The Raymond News on April 17, 1969

Mr. and Mrs. George Broaddus of rural Rural Route Harvel, will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with an Open House on Sunday, April 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m in the social rooms of the First United Methodist Church of Raymond. They invite their friends and relatives to come and share this happy occasion with them. 

Helen Ragland, daughter of Mrs. Hilda Ragland of Raymond and the late Howard Ragland, and George Broaddus, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Broaddus of  Raymond, were married April 28, 1944 in the Raymond Presbyterian Church with the late Reverand Prentice Case officiating. Their attendants were Mrs. Aileen Denney-Wilson of Morrisonville and Tom Hall. 

George and Helen are the parents of three children, Michael of Raymond, and Sandra and Rickey at home. They have spent the past 20 years on a farm East of Raymond. 

Raymond High School Athletics Team

 
This photo of the 1905 Raymond High School athletic team that appeared in the The Raymond News belonged to Clara Hough. Many of the team members remained in the Raymond vicinty and are related to folks who follow the TBT Blog. Pictured are (front row from left) Henry Munstedt, Harold Henderson; (second row from left) Chas. Egelhoff, Howard Hough, Don Hefley, Oscar Berry, and Frank Hartwick; (third row from left) Roy Reineke, Lloyd Jones, Fred Grotts, Pat Leroy Chambers, and Frank Gees.

Abe's Boys

A couple of weeks ago, the TBT Blog featured an excerpt from the self-published book, “As I Remember,” by David A. Sorrell that was related to the Lincoln Heritage Trail that runs through Raymond. In his book, Mr. Sorrell mentioned four men whom he referred to as “Abe’s boys,” and noted that they were responsible for planting the trees and laying out the park that was once located where Lincolnwood High School now stands. Following are the family histories of these men that appears in Raymond’s 125 Years of Memories book.

 Win Carter died September 10, 1931. Carter was born 11/11/1843 in Madison County, a son of Henry T. Carter (born in 1811 in Knoxville, TN and died 7/21/1844 in Alton, IL) and Hannah Davis Carter (born at Trenton, NJ on 7/12/1815 and brought to Illinois by her parents at the age of 7). He entered the service in Co. B 8^th Illinois volunteer Infantry in 1862 and served 22 months, being discharged on account of injuries received from a bayonet and other injuries suffered while removing a battery. He was taken prisoner by John Morgan but was paroled soon after. He returned home and then went to California to engage in mining and farming. He returned to Illinois in two years and married Anna Mayhew on 1/25/1868. She was born 9/26/1849 at Shiloh, NJ, a daughter of James and Sarah (Howe) Mayhew, natives of New Jersey. Their children were Philp Henry, Mary Louisa, Edward B., Maud E., Ernest M., and Clyde W. The Carters moved to Raymond in 1870 and opened a lumber yard (the first in the town). In 1872 he sold out and went into partnership with C.M. Davis in general merchandising. Later he purchased his partner’s interest and continued in the business until 1878 when he disposed of his stock and engaged in dealing stock. He served as the first village treasurer, was on the town board for two years, and served as deputy postmaster for six years. He is buried at Asbury Cemetery.

Reynolds Chapman died on 5/20/1925 from blood poisoning which developed after he fell on his lawn mower and cut the back of his hand. He farmed in Raymond Township and served as Justice of the Peace, was on the school board, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, the Modern Woodman, and the G.A.R. He was born on 8/1/1843 in Greene County, the grandson of Luke Chapman, who was born in England and immigrated to the United States in 1824, settling in West Virginia, and a son of Judge William Chapman who was born in Yorkshire, England in 1817. He left West Virginia in 1833 to seek a home in the west and settled in Greene County, Illinois where he was employed as a civil engineer and aided in the construction of the Great Western Railroad. Judge William Chapman married Ann Alverson in Greene County and the couple moved to Montgomery County locating near what was to be Raymond in 1852. He died in 1896 having served as township treasurer, supervisor, and for four years as an associate judge. J.R. Chapman enlisted on 5/11/1864 in Company H, 143^rd Illinois Infantry, serving in Arkansas and Tennessee. He was discharged on 9/26/1864 and returned to farming within two miles from Raymond. Chapman married Catherine Hendrickson in 1867. She died on 7/22/1878 leaving three sons: Robert H., Gideon P. and Byron. In July 1880, Chapman married Isabella Rogers. She died on 3/15/1903. From this marriage there were the following children: Grace, Ethel (wife of Archibald Rhodes), George, Mary (wife of Dr. Leon Smith), Benjamin, Joseph R., John, Emma (wife of Robert Seward) and Jessie (wife of Art Price).

William H. Guthrie died 7/26/1914 at the age of 73. He was a private in Co. H 143^rd Illinois Infantry. He was born and raised in Greene County near Roodhouse and came to Montgomery County in the year 1858. In the fall of 1865 he married Elizabeth Martin of Greene County. They were the parents of six children; three sons and three daughters, one son having died at the age of 18 months. The children who survived him were Rev. John Q. Guthrie, Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Dennis E. Guthrie, Laura Guthrie and Luella Cook, all of Raymond; and Mrs. Elizabeth Buchanan, Wharton, Texas. He also had a brother, Joseph, of Bentonsport, Iowa, and D.M. Guthrie of Hillsboro, Iowa. He was known as “Uncle Bill” and owned one of the best farms in the county before moving to town. He was a member of the G.A.R. and had seen many hardships in army life. He is buried at Asbury Cemetery.

Hezekiah Moore died at the age of 91 on 6/29/1925. He was a son of Thomas Moore (stonemason, died in 1852 in Gasconade County, MO.) and Catharine Best Moore (born in Ohio died in 1872) born in Holmes County, Ohio on 11/7/1833. He came west as a young man was living in Missouri when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted on 8/26/1862 in Co. M, 5^th Iowa Calvary and served continuously until discharge on 6/17/1865. He was a Com/Sgt and participated in the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and Shiloh besides scores of minor engagements and was one of the veterans of Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” After his discharge, Moore came to Montgomery County and settled on a farm near Raymond. He was twice married, first on 5/9/1860 to Rosanna Coleman (born in Missouri on 1/9/1841, died in 1888), and later to Mrs. Lucia Howard, with the following children: Lily (wife of William Dawson), Helen (wife of Harry Scherer), Mrs. Emma Kidd, Ed Moore, Howard Moore, and Paul Moore. He was road commissioner for several years, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and a member of the United Methodist Church. He is buried at the Raymond City Cemetery.

William T. Sorrells died 6/17/1896 at his home in Raymond from the effects of a stroke. He was known as Thomas and had served as a private in Co. D 32^nd Illinois Infantry. He was a member of the G.A.R. and left a wife Louisa J. (daughter of James and Elisabeth Mansfield born 6/25/1856 in Clinton, Kentucky and died 6/16/1923) and three children: Mrs. J.H. (Mary) Striplin, Carlinville; Samuel, Raymond; and David A., Peoria. Three children preceded him in death in infancy. Another son from a previous marriage, Harvey Sorrells, Roodhouse, also survived him. He is buried at the Raymond City Cemetery.

 

National Poppy Day

I received a poppy today outside our local grocery store from an older veteran who was wearing his American Legion cap. It reminded me of how members of American Legion Post #299 used to stand in front of the Raymond Post Office each year, handing out the small fabric poppies. 

As a young kid, I would wait patiently for one of my sisters to help me attach the thin wire to a button on my shirt or to my belt loop, and then go on about my day, excited to be wearing a cheerful little flower. It wasn’t until much later, probably my early teenage years, that I learned the history behind this nearly 100-year-old program and what the poppy symbolizes.  

The following information about National Poppy Day is on the official American Legion website:

After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written in December 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D., while he was serving on the front lines.

On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.

Led by the American Legion Auxiliary, each year members of The American Legion Family distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.

Poppy Day is celebrated around the world. The American Legion brought National Poppy Day^® to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day.

On May 28, wear a red poppy to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation's uniform.

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrea

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row.
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Smoking Break

 

A friend of mine recently posted this photo on Facebook and it reminded me of the 1970’s, when dad sold toys similar to this as well as packs of candy cigarettes at the Raymond Variety Store. Back then, it was very fashionable for kids to carry around candy cigarettes and toy smoking accessories. I remember dressing up for the Easter Sunday sunrise service with my little white shoes and matching purse that contained a pack of candy cigarettes. The “cigarettes” were chalky sugary sticks that had an orange spot on the end. To make it even more realistic, you could blow into them and they would release a little cloud of sugar “smoke.” Given that nearly half of the adult population smoked real cigarettes back then, no one thought anything about it. To be honest, I never thought too much about it until recently, some fifty years later, when I was explaining the Facebook photo to my son. The look on his face made me realize how crazy it all sounds by today’s standards.

My dad smoked Winston’s for years; the ones in the red pack. Although he was busy -- running the store six days a week and then coming home to do outside chores or go off again to a meeting somewhere, he always took a break every night after supper to enjoy a smoke or two with his coffee. One year when Santa brought me a Ring Toss game, Dad and I got into the habit of playing a few rounds while he smoked and listened to John Chancellor and the NBC Nightly News that was on the TV in the other room.  

Every night I would ask if he wanted to play and every night he would say yes. It was just me and my dad, and I’m not going to lie; the smoke smelled kind of good and having my Dad’s undivided attention was even better. We even played on that day in January when Grandma Bandy died. I remember being anxious about asking him that night; after all, there was Grandma, down the street at the Hough Funeral Home and my aunt and uncle had travelled up from Carbondale for the funeral and were staying with us. Aunt Pauline had teary eyes all through supper, even when she tried to smile, and I wondered if it was proper to ask Dad to play ring toss at a time like this. Finally, as the plates were cleared and Mom brought coffee to the table, I worked up the courage to ask him and he still said yes. He probably needed that smoke break more than ever on that particular day in his life.

Having a father who smoked led to all kinds of possibilities when it came to gift giving for his birthday or Christmas or Father’s Day. Not sure what to buy? A new lighter and lighter fluid were always useful gifts, and he could always use another ashtray or a new shirt with a pocket for his smokes. Grandma Gamlin saved up the money she made selling her handmade kitchen aprons at the variety store and bought him a carton of Winston’s every year for Christmas. One year, we got him a wooden case for his desk that held 20 packs and neatly dispensed one pack at a time. It was my job to load them.     

Dad traded vehicles at Bandy’s Chevrolet every four years, and was very particular about the condition of the car. The same no-eating-or-drinking-not-even-water rule that applied to the living room applied to the car. But smoking was allowed. He never used the built-in ashtray or lighter, but instead kept a small beanbag ashtray on the dash that he emptied after each trip. When I think of the Sunday drives and short trips we took when I was a kid, I can still hear the static on the AM radio along with the constant whistling noise coming from the vent window that he cracked open when he smoked.      

This photo showing nurses selling cigarettes to a patient in the hospital was also posted on Facebook recently. It reminded me of a trip to the emergency room in 1979 when I broke my collarbone. It was a Saturday night. and Mom and Dad drove me down to Hillsboro Hospital about 11:00 p.m. When the X-rays revealed that I had a broken right clavicle, Dr. Telfer said there was not much he could do except give me a harness-type brace that he would adjust every week until it healed on its own. 

When Dr. Telfer was fitting me for the brace, he had a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, right there in the emergency room next to all the oxygen cylinders. I had to stand facing him for what seemed like an eternity as he made adjustments, and I watched the glowing ash on his cigarette, just inches away from me, grow longer and longer until if finally fell on the ER floor. At least it took my mind off the pain.

I eventually graduated from candy cigarettes to real ones, and smoked here and there in my teens and early 20’s, before giving it up all together. Unlike dad, I was mainly a social smoker and while I enjoyed it, I was never really hooked on it. Nowadays, I mostly hate being around cigarette smoke, although occasionally, I’ll catch a whiff of it and it will remind me of my dad and ring toss and supper back home.