How it all got started...

It's hard to believe, but this week marks the one year anniversary of my Throwback Thursday blog. I have always been interested in the history of Raymond, Illinois, and had the opportunity to learn a lot about it when I served on the committee that published Raymond’s 125th Anniversary Book back in 1996. Prior to that in the late 80’s/early 90's, I worked for The Raymond News shortly after John and Sheryl Bandy sold the newspaper to The Hillsboro Journal. Each week, I included a column called “Flashbacks” that featured interesting news items from the past. I spent a great deal of time at Doyle Public Library in Raymond perusing archived issues of The Raymond News. I copied articles that I thought would be of interest to the community, and shared them in the paper each week.

I also copied news items pertaining to my family and friends. I found the article to the right in the November 26, 1942 issue of The Raymond News. It features a letter to to the editor that was written by our family friend, Raymond "Jiggs" Hough, when he was serving in the Army during WWII. (Jiggs enlisted in the Army on October 6, 1942 and served until December 23, 1945). I love this letter and I think it captures the true spirit of Raymond. I dug it out on a Thursday in December of 2013, and posted it on my Facebook status for "Throwback Thursday." My Facebook friends from back home also loved it and I received many comments. That's when I got the idea to launch a TBT blog. My very first Throwback Thursday blog post appeared on February 20, 2014. Now, one year later, I am happy to report that my little weekly blog about Raymond, Illinois (population 950), has had over 22,500 page views. It has also been viewed by people in over twenty different countries (see the full list of countries below).

When I started out blogging just for fun, I did not anticipate such an overwhelming response. I have heard from so many people -- classmates from elementary and high school, former colleagues, a long lost cousin, folks from New Jersey who have ties to the Panhandle area, and even from complete strangers who read my blog and either have some connection to back home or are simply interested in the subject matter. I would like to thank all my readers for your kind words and weekly encouragement. I love hearing from all of you and enjoy reading about your memories as well. It's a great feeling to know that something I enjoy doing so much helps keep the history of our little hometown alive.

And now, here's a little more on Jiggs...

After the war, Jiggs did “make a beeline” back to Raymond. He married Marjorie Trinkle on February 23, 1946 and returned to his job at the First National Bank of Raymond where he worked his way up from cashier, to vice-president, and then to bank president. He served in that capacity until he retired in 1986, and then remained on the board of directors until 1991. Jiggs had a genuine concern for the folks in Raymond, and through his job at the bank, he helped many people get a start in life and survive some tough times. Jiggs will always be remembered as one of the great leaders of our community.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jiggs Hough. It appeared in Stars and Stripes magazine during WWII:

-- SIGNAL CORPS PHOTO

RAYMOND MAN IN CHINA – Tech. Sgt. Raymond R. Hough of Raymond, a veteran of the Salween river campaign, is pictured at a Chinese training center directed by the U.S. army forces somewhere in China, with his youthful Chinese friends. The Raymond soldier was recently decorated with the Bronze Star for his service at one of the American portable surgical hospitals on the Salween front. He is the son of Mrs. Clara P. Hough of Raymond. 

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The TBT Blog about Raymond has been viewed by people in the following countries: 
United States

Ukraine

France

Venezuela

United Kingdom
Trinidad & Tobago

Italy

Russia

Poland

Germany

Romania

Canada

Afghanistan

Pakistan

Egypt

Singapore

China

Japan

Kazakhstan

Mariana Islands

Ireland

Mexico

One

More Citizens of Tomorrow

Well, I'll probably catch a lot of grief over this week's post, but they sure were cute, weren't they? This appeared in The Raymond News on 6/11/64...

Last week, my blog was viewed over 500 times, breaking an all-time record. Looks like those Beelers are even more popular than I suspected! It's hard to believe, but next week will mark the one year anniversary of my TBT Blog. Be sure to check back to read a special post related to how the whole thing got started. It's a great story that, in my opinion, captures the true spirit of Raymond.

Country Kids

Earlier in the week, I saw this recent picture of Carl and Martha Beeler's kids on Facebook (from left -- Rosemary, Moe, Resa, Phillip, Margy, Tom, and Joanie). I swear those Beelers never change and they are all just as cute as ever. Even though they were “country” kids, I've known them for as long as I can remember -- at least 45 years now. Tommy Beeler sat at my table in Kindergarten. Seeing their photo reminded me of a couple of funny stories from when we were growing up. 

It was sometime during grade school that I was invited to a boy/girl party at the Beeler farm in honor of Tom’s birthday. I remember that Martha, and I believe Rosemary and Joanie, were trying to corral all of us. It was mid-March and the spring thaw was underway so there was mud everywhere. After we had cake, they sent us outside (I’m sure Martha was relieved to get us out of the house). All the girls at the party immediately proceeded to pile up together on the porch swing and the chains gave away, tumping us all on the ground. After that, all hell broke loose with girls chasing boys, boys chasing girls, people having cooties, and everyone running amok all over the farm. Being the “city” girl that I was, I didn’t realize that when I fell into the pig pen that the brown stuff in there wasn’t just mud. I proceeded to run through it. Many times. They had to call Mom to come and get me and I was lucky that she let me ride in the car on the way back to town.

In 1977 when I was in 8th grade I volunteered, along with my friends, Pam and Sherri, to be a school cafeteria helper. This meant that every day we got to go over to the high school side of the cafeteria and help serve lunch. That's when we met high school senior, Maurice “Moe” Beeler.  Moe would come through the line and flirt with us. I thought he liked us but he really just wanted extra mashed potatoes and dessert (obviously he was cute AND smart). Pam and I had a major crush on Moe as did probably most of the girls in the school. After all, he was a mysterious older man and he was tall, dark, and handsome.

One day there was quite a commotion in the lunch line and it turned out that Moe was giving away wallet-sized senior pictures. By the time he made his way through the line and got up to the counter, he only had one picture left. He flashed his last senior picture in front of us, and held it there just long enough for us to admire his adorable sideburns and blue leisure suit. Pam and I both asked for the picture, begged for it, while he tantalizingly waved it back and forth in front of us. And then… he… gave it to…PAM! I was crushed. I begged her to give it to me, but she said there was no way she would ever part with that picture.

Moe Beeler's Senior Picture

Later that day, Pam and I walked Sherri home and then the two us continued on to the other side of town. We stopped at Mizera’s Market. Pam didn’t have any money on her and I selfishly bought a Hostess Apple Pie for .30 cents. It was fresh off the truck and the Hostess delivery man had just put it on the shelf. It turns out that Pam was really hungry. As we were walking down Main Street toward home, I told Pam I would trade the Hostess Apple Pie for Moe’s picture. She thought about it. Nope, no way would she do that. I crinkled the package, um-ummm, look at this nice fresh apple pie. No, she would not part with that picture. I opened the corner of the package and waved it under her nose hoping that the aroma of all that wholesome apple pie goodness would influence her. And boom, it did. It got to her. She caved. By the time we got to Convery’s corner, I was holding Moe Beeler in my hand.

And that’s the story of how I got Moe Beeler’s last senior picture. To this day, almost forty years later, when Moe sees Pam and me together, he always tells us that he can’t believe that he’s worth less than a Hostess Apple Pie.

I kept the picture on my bulletin board in my room for a few years. In fact, I still have it somewhere, but in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I could not locate the original for this week’s blog. A special thanks goes to Terri Lanter Olack for working some magic and sending me a yearbook copy.

Harvel Grade School

This photo was taken at Harvel Grade School sometime around 1927. I love looking at the expressions on the children's faces. I've always heard that back in the day, photographers instructed people not to smile when they were being photographed, so I guess that's why they are such a sober looking bunch. 

My Dad, Charles Bandy, is in the first row, second from the right. It's possible that one of the other boys is Bob Hendricks but I can't say for sure. If you can identify someone in this picture, please let me know.

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!