USA > Illinois > Johnson County > A history of Johnson County, Illinois > Part 10
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"The Commercial Enterprise" was a weekly paper edited and published in Cypress by J. S. Moffit. It began
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life in 1915 and was suspended some time in 1917. E. R. Estes also tried the experiment of issuing a paper in Cy- press beginning in 1920. It was called the "County Re- view" and was suspended after a short existence. Publish- ing a newspaper has been a very expensive business for the last few years on account of the high cost of labor and ma- terial and one must be well established to be able to make a success.
In 1879 A. K. and M. W. Vickers began the publishing of a Democratic paper in Vienna, called "The Vienna Weekly Times," bringing the press from Metropolis. They remained in the journalistic field about a year. G. L. Stout followed as editor for a short while, when the paper was put in charge of T. J. Parker, 1882, and was issued in the interest of the Republican party. It was sold to George W. Ballance and Ed. F. Morton, 1883. There was quite a war of words between the "Johnson County Journal" and "The Vienna Times" under the regimes of Vickers and also of Morton but not of serious nature and only seemed to create a little amusement for the public.
In 1885 W. H. Gilliam bought a half interest in "The Times" and the following year became sole owner and pub- lisher. He continued in this capacity till his death which occurred in 1919. Under his management the paper in- creased in circulation and influence; one could always de- pend on what they saw in "The Times." It is an established fact that no editor ever enjoyed the confidence of his read- ers more than did W. H. Gilliam, always loyal to his party, and scrupulously vigorous for the truth and right as he saw it. C. J. Huffman and H. T. Bridges bought the paper in 1920. The following year Huffman sold to Bridges, who is now editor and proprietor. "The Vienna Times" has been a constant exponent of Republican doctrine and a weekly visitor in many homes for more than forty years. Its cir- culation is reaching out to every part of the United States where a loyal native born Johnson County son or daughter resides. This is the only paper published in the county and has a circulation of 2,200 (1924).
VIENNA CARNEGIE LIBRARY
The Vienna Public Library owes its origin to a dis- cussion held in the directors' room of the First National
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Bank of Vienna sometime during the year 1894. The con- versation was introduced by M. N. McCartney, Principal of the high school for the reason that he was striving to have the new high school meet the requirements of the State University, and the school district was not able finan- cially to furnish a high school library to meet the de- mands. Those present at this conference were P. T. Chap- man, A. K. Vickers, W. E. Beal, G. B. Gillespie, M. N. Mc- Cartney and John B. Jackson, each of whom expressed themselves as being in favor of a public library. It was advised that J. B. Jackson, M. N. McCartney, and Mrs. May Chapman circulate a subscription asking for donations of money, books, magazines and furniture to equip the room and pay for a few books and magazine subscriptions. The committee followed out the plan. P. T. Chapman was the largest cash subscriber, J. B. Jackson, Charles Cunning- ham, Sr., and M. N. McCartney were the second, each of the last named giving like amounts. Messrs. W. Y. Smith and W. C. Simpson gave a collection of books equal in value to Mr. Chapman's donation. Mrs. Winnie Bain subscribed cash and gave a large table to be used in the reading room, M. T. Van Cleve, Superintendent of Schools, donated a large office stove, business men and young people gave from five to twenty dollars each, high school students from twenty- five cents to one dollar each, all members of the city council ordered their salary for that year credited to the library fund.
John B. Jackson and M. N. McCartney wrote the ordin- ance authorizing the library as a city institution under the Illinois statutes known as the "two mill tax." The mem- bers of the council were Dr. A. H. Hooker, Julius Parker, and William Moore. The city attorney, George W. English, revised the ordinance. J. B. Jackson presented it for adop- tion. W. C. Simpson was mayor, and D. L. Chapman, as a member of the council moved to adopt the ordinance. Passage was thus effected at once. W. C. Simpson, as mayor, appointed as the first public library board, January 2, 1895, W. Y. Smith, Reverend J. H. Ford, M. N. McCart- ney, J. B. Jackson, J. H. Carter, Sr., Elder G. Lay Wolfe, Mrs. May Chapman, Mrs. Sarah Poor, and Miss Sarah Whittenberg. The city council immediately tendered the use of the council chamber to be used as a library room. Miss Della Mckenzie was elected first librarian. J. B.
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Jackson visited the public library of Cairo, Illinois, and pro- cured copies of their rules, regulations and cards as a model for our modest beginning, thus the library was opened to the public, February 16, 1895 with the reading tables as the chief feature. The first subscriptions in money and material aggregated $400.00. The next tax levy amounted to $200.00. Almost every citizen of the town had some part in this en- terprise. Two women, Mrs. May Chapman and Mrs. Sarah Poor rendered very active service in establishing this library.
The first meeting was held January 5, 1895 and the members present were McCartney, Ford, Smith, Poor, Whit- tenberg, Chapman and Jackson. M. N. McCartney was elected president and J. B. Jackson, secretary. Other com- mittees necessary for the maintaining of the work were appointed and things moved along well. The first location was a room in the Bratton and Ridenhower building, which stood about where Dave Roseberg's Clothing Store now stands. In March, 1896, the library was moved to what was then known as the Jobe building, where the hardware store of J. F. Farris is now located on Vine Street, paying twenty-five dollars per year and occupying it with the city council. The Vienna Womans Club furnished a room and held their meetings there, thus adding a room without extra expense to the library. We had three very good rooms here and had added quite a collection of books. In March, 1900, the books were damaged by fire from an adjoining build- ing, but the library continued in this building until July 7, 1908, when the building including the library, was entirely destroyed by fire. The five hundred dollars insurance on the library was paid in full. Rooms were secured with the Womans Club in the Chapman Building, and the library re- opened in September, 1909, with a limited number of books, where it remained till our present commodious quarters, so graciously made possible by Andrew Carnegie, were ready.
The secretary of the library board made application to Mr. Carnegie in 1901, but failed to secure a donation. In 1907, Mrs. May Chapman as a member of the library board wrote Mr. Bertarm, Secretary to Mr. Carnegie, asking a donation for a building for the Vienna Public Library. A blank was received by W. C. Simpson, our mayor, setting forth the requirements which were that we furnish a suit- able lot and a yearly levy of ten per cent of the amount
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given for the building. A lot was purchased from O. E. Harvick at the consideration of $1,000. W. C. Simpson, T. E. Boyd, A. J. Kuykendall, as members of the board, were appointed to solicit the money. Mr. Harvick donated $250.00 on the price of the lot, and the next on the list was a cash subscription of $200.00 from P. T. Chapman. The remainder being immediately subscribed by the progressive and interested citizens of our town. After some delay about the plans the corner stone was laid January 18, 1911. The Masonic Fraternity performed the ceremony. Mr. T. E. Gillespie acted as Grand Master and Prof. A. L. Whitten- berg made the address. The original donation of Mr. Car- negie was $5,000 for the erection of the building. D. W. Whittenberg, Noel Whitehead, W. M. Grissom, Jr., formed the building committee. After the building had been begun, it was found more cash was needed to finish it. Mr. Car- negie quickly responded and the building was finished at a cost of $6,323.00, for which the citizens of Vienna feel very grateful to our benefactor.
Vienna has a permanent improvement that not only adds beauty to the little city, but has laid for its future citizens a lasting foundation for improvement and culture. This building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies October 12, 1911. The principal address was given by Hon. L. O. Whitnell, of East St. Louis, a former townsman. It was originally only open to residents of the city of Vienna, but since the building of the Vienna Township High School the privileges of the library have been extended to all within the high school limits.
The following have served as members of the library board : J. H. Carter, Rev. G. Lay Wolfe, Rev. J. H. Ford, Mrs. May Chapman, Mrs. Sarah Poor, W. Y. Smith, Sarah P. Whittenberg, M. N. McCartney, John B. Jackson, G. B. Gillespie, Mrs. Delia Head, Mrs. Letha McFatridge, T. B. Powell, Mrs. Alice Damron, Rev. A. J. LeTell, A. J. Kuy- kendall, Ed. Boyt, W. C. Simpson, Mrs. O. R. Morgan, Mrs. N. J. Benson, T. H. Sheridan, Mrs. C. H. Gray, Lucas Parker, Mrs. Minnie Dwyer, G. W. English, W. M. Grissom, Noel Whitehead, Dr. R. A. McCall, C. J. Huffman, D. W. Whittenberg, F. R. Woelfle. The presidents of the board have been Prof. M. N. McCartney, J. H. Carter, Sr., Hon. G. W. English, and F. R. Woelfle, who is still serving. Our
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secretaries have been J. B. Jackson, W. Y. Smith, T. B. Powell, A. J. Kuykendall, Lucas Parker, D. W. Whittenberg, and C. J. Huffman. The following have been librarians: Miss Della Mckenzie, Mrs. Ada Gough, Miss Maggie Cole, Miss Bertie Bratton, Miss Winifred Jackson, Miss Bessie Chapman, Miss Fay Vander Plum and Miss Kate Gray, who is the present incumbent. For much of this history we are indebted to our first president, Prof. M. N. McCartney, who did invaluable work in the establishing of this needed in- stitution. He says that "After twenty-nine years of ex- perience this is the most harmonious and profitable enter- prise I have ever known to be organized in any struggling town, it has been a large factor in bringing the Vienna citizen body to the best read village population within my acquaintance."
CHURCHES
Religion and churches have gradually spread their civilizing influence over our county till one cannot help but realize how much these things have to do with the moral conditions of a community. The census of 1850 gives the churches of Johnson County as follows: Presbyterian 1, Baptist 3, Christian 1, Methodists 4. The first churches were held in the homes and school houses. One of the oldest churches in this county is Gillead, situated near Double Bridges, about two miles above Simpson. It is Presbyter- ian in denomination and was organized by James Alexander November 7, 1842. William Simpson, William Barnwell and Willis Simpson were the first elders; there were thir- teen other charter members, the families of these men, a Mrs. Brills and perhaps other names not known. The first building was erected in 1856. David H. Birch donated the land for the church. Some later members of this congrega- tion were B. M. Howell, John F. and J. L. Thomas, a Mrs. Trigg, George Hudson, Charles Bailey, Mary A. Thomas Eliza Perkins, and J. J. Simpson, now living at Creal Springs, was a member there sixty-five years ago. Lewis Simpson went out from this church as a minister. It is a live church today and a home coming held there in 1923 gave evidence of its influence.
Liberty Presbyterian church was first held in a school house northeast of Buncombe, near Latham Springs; it was organized as early as 1850. This building was burned and
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a house was built near the present home of William Nobles on the farm of John Elkins. The church was dormant several years but was reorganized in 1886 by R. M. Pryor and the building was moved on the public road near the residence of Charles Peterson. The church house was fin- ally moved to Buncombe in 1908, and designated the First Presbyterian Church of Buncombe. They have had no pas- tor since 1917. Some of the first members of this church were William Barnett, Edward Dooley, Henry Mangum, John Elkins, Dee and Daniel Simpson, and their families, Mrs. Mary E. Chapman, and Mr. Brills. Much of this data was obtained from old people and does not include all the members. The character members at the re-organization 1886, were Gilbert and Mary Barnett, Jacob and M. A. Rebman, T. B. and Sarah J. Steward, Charles Botts and
Regina Mangum. In 1895 this church had thirty-three members. Some ministers of this church from 1859 were E. M. Brooks, G. W. May, T. B. Holloway, J. A. Hill, G. M. Abney, J. A. Whiteside, J. H. Morphis, B. G. Mangum, J. C. Thompson, Louis J. Simpson, and John Webb.
Concord Society of the Presbyterian Church, which is situated near the home of P. W. Rose, east of Vienna about five miles, was organized by the Rev. William Standard, October 15, 1854. The first ruling elders were G. B. Veach, A. B. Jones, F. M. Stalcup, S. D. Poor, and Pleasant Rose. Other members were the families of these men, Jackson Murrie, Martha Veach, Barney Shelton, Artimissa Prim. The present building was erected in 1876, the architect was John M. Jones. Some other members at that time were, James Rose, James W. Damron, P. W. Rose, their families and Parthena and Elizabeth Veach, Wiley and Lucinda Holt. The baptism of two infant children of the last named family, Lucinda and Parnesia Holt, is recorded in this church, also the baptism of Charles L. and Emma D. Hogg, children of Rev. James and Rebecca Hogg.
Goreville Presbyterian Church is also an old one, but there could be little definite data of the first organization found. Its home was the lower story of what is known as the Hall which stands between the old and new towns of Goreville. Some of the first members were Mrs. Mary J. Gore-Collins, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Bass, Mr. and Mrs. George Gibson. The church was dormant
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several years but was re-organized about 1890. Mrs. Mattie Jones, (who gave the data) says she remembers a minister by the name of Shadowens, who preached at this place. He never used a bible and the first thing he would say when he entered the pulpit was that, "he could not read a word to save ten thousand souls." but his sermons even in this day and age would be wonderful.
Vienna had at one time a flourishing Presbyterian Church, which no doubt, was the strongest church here, at the time of the building of the Union Church on the hill, where the Baptist Church now stands, as the deed to the church house was made to the Presbyterians, while the Methodists and Baptists were given the privilege of using it. This was the first church built in the town. The Pres- byterian organization was formed sometime before 1854. Samuel Copeland and family, Henry and Mary Bridges, James H. Carter and family, James Hogg and family, and no doubt other families were members of this first church. It has been dissolved for many years, the members having gone into other churches.
Some of the early ministers of the Presbyterian Church were William Standard, James Hogg, T. P. Wells, William Mangum, and W. M. Hamilton, the first mentioned was pos- sibly the first minister of this denomination in this section.
There were two Presbyterian Churches organized in the county after 1883, one at Latham Springs, north and the other southwest of Vienna, called Bethal; both have been abandoned. (This information was given by J. T. Davidson.) No doubt the reason for so many of the Pres- byterian churches being dormant in this section is that the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian Churches were united in 1906 into the "Presbyterian Church of the United States." Many of the members of the Cumberland Presby- terian rebelled against this action and refused to go with the main body of the church.
Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church near Bloomfield was organized 1868 by Louis J. Simpson. Some of the first elders were J. V. and Henry Waters, George Cooper, John Whiteside, John Cooper, John Harper, and their fam- ilies and others whose names could not be obtained. Some of the ministers have been Rev. Wykoff, Charles Hutchison,
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and Rev. Rumsey, Rev. J. H. Morphis entered the ministry from this county 1875, and has been a wonderful inspiration to the Presbyterians here. He has been called to labor else- where, but says he hopes to spend his last days among the people of this county.
There are eleven Missionary Baptist Churches in the county at the present time. There could be no data had from Cypress, Ozark or Cedar Creek. This church was organized in 1836, and is, no doubt, the oldest Baptist church in the county. The church directory gives W. K. Brunson, as pastor, and G. B. Shaffer as clerk of Cypress Church, W. L. Motsinger and O. E. Stout, as clerk of Ozark Church, A. N. Jones of Ewing is given as pastor and E. E. Rushing as clerk of Cedar Creek Church. The death of Mr. Rushing last year is, no doubt, the reason no data could be obtained from that society.
Friendship Baptist Church is an old church of the county. It was organized in July 1841, at the house of Elijah Stalcup, who lived on the farm where Charles Deans now resides, with nine members as follows: Richard Char- les and Elizabeth Walker, Issac Worley, Mary and Elizabeth Simmons, Elizabeth Nichols, Edith and Elizabeth Johnson. The church is located east of Vienna on the Vienna and Golconda Road. The pastor in 1922 was B. J. Murrie, the clerk was W. P. Walker.
Mt. Zion Church is located near Buncombe and was organized in 1850. The charter members were George Cal- houn, William Evans, Mrs. Mariah Looney, Thomas and Betty Scott, Jackson Worley, and William Pearce. The last named serving as first pastor, Carol Morris, David Culp and George Johnson were other early pastors. As to salary they received anything from a hog's jaw to $10 per year. There is a cemetery near this church in which two soldiers of the Civil War were the first to be buried. Their names were Bole Lovelace and Harrison Scott. H. C. Croslin was pas- tor and Mrs. Mary Stewart was clerk, 1922.
County Line Church was organized in 1854. Some of the first members were Peter and Cynthia Simmons, James M. and Jersey Triplett, Daniel M. and Ruth M. Kerley, J. R. and Sarah Tucker, William and Brilla Ann, Louisa, Mary, Delila, and Mary E. Nichlos, Ezekiel Bowman, W. H.
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and Elizabeth Hunt, Jane and Aaron Corn, Sarah Allen and Mary Dixon, the Ragians, Morris and Burns, families were also members. David Ragins was ordained to preach from this society many years ago. The clerk, states the records do not go farther back than 1870. George Smothers was pastor and Wayne Morris the clerk, 1922.
Goreville Baptist Church had its beginning in 1870. The society was first organized about two miles north of Goreville and called Cana Baptist Church. The following were charter members: James P. Henry, Harriet and Eliza- beth Burns, Simpson and Jane Rawhuff, Hannah Hubbard, R. Y. Gurley, and Reuben Henderson, Elder William D. Pearce was the first pastor. In August, 1920 this church was moved to Goreville and assumed the name of Goreville Baptist Church. Homer Martin was the pastor and Dr. I. N. Graves the clerk, 1922. Elder Martin went out as a minister of this congregation.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was organized August 7, 1890. The charter members were W. C. and Catherine Wilson, James Belle and Mary E. Mathis, Lavia Ann John- son, and Elizabeth Hogg. This church is situated east of Vienna, near the road leading to Metropolis. The pastor for 1922 was H. C. Croslin, and Mrs. Ida Beach, was clerk.
The First Baptist Church of Simpson was begun by Elder A. R. Tucker in 1876 at the McKee Schoolhouse, but an organization was not effected till 1886, when seven members were secured and through the efforts of J. A. Kerley, B. A. McNeely, and J. R. Tucker, the work was completed, and the church was known as the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. In 1891 this church was moved to Simp- son and services were held in the schoolhouse till 1898, when the present home was built. Pastor for 1922, J. D. Vaughn, clerk J. A. Smoot.
The Vienna Baptist Church was organized sometime before 1850, but the records have been burned and the ex- act date and early members cannot be obtained. Mrs. D. Y. Bridgs, Samuel and Ursula Hess, J. H. and Lucy Card, were a few of the original members. The society was dor- mant for some time but re-organized in 1886. Some of the members at that time were J. S. Bridges, H. Ragins and their families, Mrs. Addie Morgan and Mrs. Elizabeth Brat- ton. H. C. Croslin was pastor and H. Ragain clerk, 1922.
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The Grantsburg Baptist Church located at Grantsburg was organized in 1896. Some of the first members were India, Elizabeth, George Ella and Della Modglin, J. P. and Amanda Trovillion, A. D., Edith and Sarah Howell, Murlie Evans, Elizabeth and Mayme Bowman, Minnie Trovillion, F. M. and Ella Simmons, Grace Bivins, Lilly Farquah, Flora Stout, Maude Grisham, Medora Hazel, Mary Champhire, Olaf Ragsdale, Pearl Slankard, T. B. Shelton, Frank Will- iams, Fannie Reed, Cambell Allard, P. G. Burris, Alma and Anna Howell, Mrs. Gerturude Huffman Allard was clerk in 1922.
Some ministers of the Missionary Baptist Church who have served the churches and have been influential in build- ing up this organization in the county (given by Elder L. L. Smoot) are as follows: Carol Morris, was an uneducated man, but his success was due to his great faith in God and power in prayer. David Ragains was born in North Caro- lina in 1812; began his ministry from County Line Church in 1853. He accomplished a great deal of good in this coun- ty with very little renumeration, continuing his work until 1887. Elders Wilifred, William and Hekiah Ferell were among the pioneer preachers here as early as 1842. W. F. Van Cleve was a native of Kentucky, born in 1813, came to this county in 1850. He was pastor of Cedar Creek Baptist Church seventeen years, a useful and well informed man. Elder W. B. Pearce was born in Illinois, came to this county in 1842, was ordained in 1849. He made many sacrifices for the cause of The Kingdom. W. P. Throgmorton was born in Tennessee, began preaching in 1871. In 1877 he became editor of the "Baptist Banner," and is now editor of the Illinois Baptist, published at Marion, Illinois. W. S. Blackman, served in the Union Army, entered the ministry in 1872. He was a man of very strong personality and did much good work among the people of this county. J. K. Trovillion belonged in Pope County and has also been valuable to the churches here. Elder J. L. Morton was born in Virginia in 1809 and came to Johnson County, in 1862. He was ordained to preach in 1839 and probably preached as long as any man in this section. He delivered a sermon at New Burnside the day he was ninety-four years old, with zeal and earnestness. He had baptized one thous- and converts. His ministry extended over sixty years. Joel Johnson was a member of Friendship Church and did much
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valuable work for his church. G. W. Smith and T. F. Pullen of Massac County did ministry work in this county as pastors and evangelists. E. R. Steagal was for many years a missionary here also a pastor of much success. W. A. Spence who served as State Senator from this district in 1922 is one of the most able ministers of this state, and is a man among men, blazing his way through his own efforts from obscurity to an honored position. He has served several churches here as pastor. John Adams was another minister of this county. W. W. Woodside is another who served as a minister here. E. H. Caldwell, lived many years among the people, and devoted his life to the promo- tion of Christianity and the uplift of this community. Elder A. W. Carlton, a native of Kentucky, came here in 1850, was a member of the Baptist Church seventy years and preached over forty. Elder L. L. Smoot is a native of John- son County and was ordained to preach in 1890. He has served many churches as pastor and held many successful revivals. He is now a state evangelist of the Baptist Asso- ciation. Other names of Baptist ministers are G. W. Pal- merlee, W. C. Cox, J. P. Trovillion, A. L. McNeeley, O. J. Taylor, James and Bert Baker. Elder L. L. Smoot, esti- mates the number of members of the Baptist Church of this county as about one thousand three hundred.
There are two Primitive Baptist churches in the coun- ty, one called Little Flock, situated about two miles south east of Ozark. It was organized about 1859, in William Frizzell's barn. The charter members were William Friz- zell and wife, Abe Miller and Wife, William Simpson and wife, John Chester and wife, Elijah Reeves and wife, Mrs. Catherine Rushing, Mrs. A. Nickols. Mrs. Jane Rushing, who is now eighty-four years old is the only living charter member. They built a church house later and are still carrying on their work. Mrs. N. L. Chester is a member of this church at present and G. W. Rushing is the clerk. Some of their pastors have been Richard Fulkerson, William Gouge and Lemuel Potter. Rock Springs is another church of this faith located near Simpson.
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