USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 34
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 34
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TENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. (Three Years' service). MUSTER ROLL COMPANY " M." Privates.
Black, John N., Vetcran. Bullock, Elisha W., mustered out Jan. 6, '65, corporal. Drain, John H., mustered out Dee. 30th, 1864. Edwards, John W., Veteran. Greer, William F., discharged June 5th, 1862. Gale, Samuel W., discharged Nov. 1st, 1862, dis. Hendricks, W., died at Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 19, '63. Johnson, Geo. W., discharged Oet. 10th, 1862 ; disabil. Jourdon, John H., deserted July 1st, 1863, Martin, John E., died at Brownsville, Aik., Sep. 3, '63. MeFarlin, Jacob, dise'd June 27, 1863 ; corporal dis. Miles, Martin F., Veteran.
TWELFTH CAVALRY REGIMENT.
This regiment was organized in February, 1862, at Chieago. Arno Vass was its first colonel ; it formed a part of the grand army of the department of the Mississippi, and, in pursuance of general FOURTEENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. Three Years' Service.' Roster of Men from Shelby County given below. MUSTER-ROLL COMPANY "F."
Privates. MeColley, Henry, deserted December 31, 1862. Seeley, Orsom, deserted December 20, 1863.
Reynolds, Archibald, disch. Jan. 6th, 1863 ; disability. [ Workman, William S. must. out Dee. 30, '64, corpo'l. Sauderson, James, Veteran. MUSTER-ROLL COMPANY " M." Shirey, Daniel, Veteran. Seely, Frederick F., Veteran. Privates. Veterans.
Ames, Geo. R., must. out Nov. 22, 1865 ; as corporal. Bodell, Michael, nuist. out Nov. 22, 1865 ; as corporal. The above soldiers enlisted from Moultrie county.
TENTH CAVALRY REGIMENT. Three Years' Service. Members from Shelby County. MUSTER-ROLL COMPANY "G." Privates. Wolf, James J., vet., mustered out Nov. 22, 1865.
Baker, Jesse, kil'd by guerillas at C. Hol's Jan. 1, '63. Burns, Jolin W. discharged July 20, 1864, disability. Dunham, W. C., vet., mustered out Nov. 22, 1865. Pope, Theodore, vet., mustered out Nov. 22, 1865. Richardson, George B., vet., must. out Nov. 22, '65. Veterans. Farrel, Michael, diseh'd Aug. 29, 1865, as wagoner. Martin, Miles P., must. out as serg't Nov. 22, 1865. Feely, Frederick, must. out Nov. 22, 1865, as saddler. Recruit. Bcabont, William T., died at Windsor Nov. 1, 1863.
orders issued March 2d, 1865, it was consolidated into an eight company organization. Hasbroek Davis beeame eolonel. Jacob Wetzel, of Shelby county, was a member of this regiment, and was mustered out May 28, 1865, as bugler.
MUSTER-ROLL COMPANY "K." Second-Lieutenants. Steen, James S., died February 27, 1864. Beek, James W., must. out as serg't. July 31, 1865. Q .- M .- Sergeant. Hutchinson, George T., mustered out May 11, 1865. Sergeant.
Franklin, James, must. out July 28, '65, as private.
Corporal. Cullumber, John W., mustered out May 20, 1865. Wagoner. Maeklin, Eli, died at Shelbyville, Ill., March 12, '65. Privates. Allen, James H., discharged July 3, 1865. Beek, James W., must. out July 31, 1865, as serg't. Livingston, William, deserted August 17, 1863.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL. HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. D. W. ENGLISH.
HE carliest preaching in Shelby county, of which we have any account, was at Cold Spring pre- vious to 1825, by Joseph Foulks, who was then on the Shoal creck circuit. Mother Sallie Turner came from Kentucky in the fall of 1825, and settled on Robinson creek, and im- mediately threw open her house for preaching. In 1826 a sermon was preached in her house by Joseph Foulks, and closed with prayer by mother Turner. This service was followed by a class-meeting led by brother Hall. Joseph Foulks was followed in this work, in 1827, by Thomas Randall, a cousin of Barton Randall, now of the Illinois conference. In 1828 came Samucl H. Thompson and Wm. L. Deneaue, who preached all over the county. They were followed in 1829 by Lorenzo Edwards, and in 1830 by Milo Huffaker. Nov. 12, 1830, Rev. Hiram Tremble came to the county, and settled on Robinson creek; found the society flourishing under the pastorate of Mr. Huffaker, to whom he gave his church letter. Two years later, having been licensed to preach, he delivered his first sermon in a log honse in the vicinity, taking for his text these words: "The wicked shall be turned into hell with all the nations that forget God." Such was the power of the word that he had not proceeded far until the cries of the penitent were heard on every side, and a number were converted to God. A good society still exists in the neighborhood.
Selby Chapel .- A number of Methodist families had settled in this vicinity ; and in 1839 a good class of cighteen was found to ex- ist, of which Rufus Imnan was leader. In 1845 a church was built with the following as trustees: Thomas Hardy, R. Innan, Alcx. Boyce, John Selby, Jacob Moyer. In 1873 the church was moved from this to its present location; the house then being valued at $500. A Sabbath-school was organized in 1843 with Jesse Hardy as superintendent. At the present time the society is in a good condition with a membership of sixty-thrce.
St. Mary's M. E. Church .- Societies had existed in this neighbor- hood for over thirty years. In 1875 the classes from Union and Rosebud school-houses united, forming the present St. Mary's society. In this year a beautiful frame chapel was crected at a cost of $3,000, and dedicated by Dr. Wmn. Stevenson. The present membership is sixty. A good Sabbathi-school is connected with this society. The members of the first class were Thomas Carter and family, James Davis and wife, Martin and Nancy Dutton, William and Susan Doyle, E. S. and Julia French, Joseph and Mary Foster, Harriet Hendrick, Elizabeth Strump, Emily Starkey, and Sallie Ward. The society at present lias a membership of sixty.
Sanners M. E. Church .- The society was organized in 1875 at Maple Grove, by Rev. E. Howard, L P. A revival of religion took place, resulting in some fifty acessions to the church. This was followed by the building of a house of worship, costing $1200, under the labors of A. G. Graham. The society now numbers about twenty-five.
A Sabbath-school was in existence before the organization of the society. The first board of trustees was: E. B. Sanners, John W. Sanners, Hiram Johnson, Wm. Ryker, Orson Smith, Lenis Cooper.
Mount Carmel .- As early as 1850, a good class existed in the neighborhood of Mt. Carmel church, called "Galigher's class," mnecting at the house of Wesley Galigher. The members were : Wesley Galigher and wife, Wm. Carnes and wife Madilla, Thomas, P. Malinda Workman, and others.
The house of Wesley Galigher was the home of the early minis- ters, and long a place of public worship.
From this class sprang the two societies, Mt. Carmel and Wesley Chapel. The Mt. Carmel church is beautifully located, four miles sonth of Shelbyville, was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1200. Pre- sent membership is 103.
A Sabbath-school has existed here since 1850.
Wesley Chapel .- This church was commenced in 1875, under the labors of Rev. J. N. Lapham, and completed under the ministry of J. C. Burkett, at a cost of $1200. Dedicated by Dr. James Leaton. As carly as 1855 a class, led by Wmn. Carnes, met at the Salem school-house.
This society has now about twenty-five members. The church is a nice frame building, situated in a beautiful grove, six miles south- east of Shelbyville. They have an excellent Sabbath-school.
The Second (Moulton) M. E. Church was organized in the school- house situated in the south-west part of Shelbyville, Oct. 19, 1878, by Rev. M. C. Galeener. The class at first consisted of six mem- bers, with Moscs Flanders as leader. After the second meeting the leader lcased a vacant store-room, in which services were held every Sabbath. But this room becoming too small to accommo- date the congregations, about Jan. 1st, 1879, a subscription was start- ed to build a new church. Work began on this honse about June 1st, and it was completed in the fall, and dedicated by Dr. W. H. H. Adams. The church will seat 300 persons, and is valued at $ .. ,000.
The first board of Trustecs consisted of Moses Flanders, G. L. Gowdy, John Cutler, John Malone, and R. B. Reeve.
In 1880 Rev. M. C. Galcener was followed by Rev. W. R. How- ard. A Sabbath-school was organized some time previous to the society.
The present membership is 150.
Cowden Circuit .- This circuit has three preaching places within its bounds, viz :- Cowden, Lakewood, and Pleasant Grove.
At Cowden Methodism developed from occasional neighborhood preaching, into a permanent organization some 21 years ago, in an old log building known as Torrence School-honse-which still stands at the edge of the town-under the ministry of Rev. W. Aneals. The class consisted of 18 members, many of whom are still resident in the county. These were Caleb Torrence and wife, James Christy and wife, Daniel Galigher and wife, and others. From this beginning Methodism has steadily grown until it has attained its present standing. Among the ministers who have served this charge, are T. C. Lapham, S. Munsell, T. S. Johnson, - Mali- coat, B. W. T. Corley, I. Villars, J. W. Warfield, T. M. Dillon, - Gale, P. Swartz, - Rhodes, and Stubblefield.
In 1875 the present church building was crected at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated by Dr. Wm. Stevenson.
Present membership, 65. Parsonage built in 1878. Sunday- school organized 12 or 15 years ago.
Pleasant Grove .- At this place Methodism dates back 40 years or more. Before the day of school-houses, Wm. Petty, David Aus- tin, R. Elijah Bankston, a L. P., and others, had services at their homes. Afterward the school-house and grove were used as pli ces of worship, until in 1868 a chapel was built costing $1,200, dedica-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ted by Dr. H. Buck. Trustees were James Frizzell, N. T. Pink- ley, Levi Cochran, J. Kesler, and Peter Neff.
Sabbath-school dates back many years.
Present membership, 42.
Lakewood M. E. Society .- Here we have a class of 53 members but no church building It has been a preaching place for some years.
All this circuit, for a number of years, was a part of the Tower Hill work. At the Conference of 1877, it was set off as Cowden circuit, since which time its pastors have been W. H. Gannaway, A. Rusk, S. H. Huber.
Tower Hill has four appointments ; Tower Hill, Knobs, Zion, Wil- liamsburgh ; at each of these places is a church building. The society in Tower Hill was formed in the summer of 1865, by Rev. WV. M. Bone, who preached the first sermon. Before this the Metho- dists about Tower Hill belonged to Knobs' appointment.
The first preaching was in the school-house. There had been Sabbath-school before but no society. The church was built in 1866, cost $1,625 ; dedicated by H. Buck.
Zion church was commenced in 1869, completed in 1870, cost $1,200 ; dedicated by C. P. Baldwin.
Oconee M. E. Church .- Oconee was at first in the Pana circuit ; there had been preaching in the timber cast of the town, in private houses and school-houses from an carly day, but no society was formed in the village until 1855. It remained connected with Pana until 1866, when it was made the head of a circuit.
The most prominent minister was Rev. W. A. Milner, for years a member of the New Jersey and Illinois Conferences, who lived a short distance south of town. He was a faithful and laborious preacher. Among those who have traveled the circuit are Revs. G. Miller, A. H. Whitlock, P. A. Swartz, R. A. Hutchinson, T. S. Johnson, E. Galagher, P. T. Gay. There is now a flourishing society and a comfortable church.
Windsor Circuit .- Methodism prevailed in this vicinity in the early settlement of the county. Preaching was furnished chiefly by the local preachers, sometimes visited by the itinerant from abroad. Dr. H. Buck, W. S. Prentice, Daniel Davis, Col. J. R. Morgan, Hon. Reuben Ewing were among the pioneer preachers.
The first M. E. Church was created in 1840, near Sulphur Springs, dedicated by Daniel Davis, L. P. It was a log house, 30x40 fect, door in the side with a box pulpit in the opposite side, and a fire- place between, made of clay, walled with brick, without flue or chimney. Charcoal furnished by the members serving for fuel ; the house was thus warmed for seven years. In 1870, the church now standing was built at a cost of $1,900, and dedicated by J. L. Cranc. One of the carlicst camp grounds was in connection with this ap- pointment.
Richland .- Richland society was formed by John W. Morgan, in the summer of 1855; it was then in the Sulivan circuit.
In 1874, the church on Sand Creck was built by Rev. J. W. Lapham, at a cost of $1,800, dedicated by J. W. Morgan. There was no collection taken at the dedication. Previous to that time they had worshiped in a log meeting-house, built by J. W. Rey- nolds in 1860.
The first sermon preached in Windsor was delivered by J. W. Morgan in a cabinct shop, in 1855. The church in Windsor was erected in 1863, at a cost of $2,000. There are members in this circuit : Windsor, 102 ; Sand Creek, 96 ; Sulphur, 35. A parson- age valued at $1,000.
MOAWEQUA CIRCUIT.
The exact date of the organization of Methodism cannot be learned, but it is believed to be about 1840. This society was first formed at the house of M. Snyder, Sen., then living one-half mile west of the first plat of the town, in the edge of Christian county. The first formation of members into a class was by Rev. Peter Ketchum, and the first leader was Father Trober. Father Snyder and his wife-an excellent old lady-still live at the same place. He has been an efficient member for a number of years.
Rev. Wm. Owens preached frequently at the house of Mr. Sny- der, and held a protracted meeting there, which in its results tended greatly to establish Methodism in this community. The first regu- lar pastor was J. C Baker. Moawe qua circuit was formed in 1854. The first class-leader was Hiram Sears. A frame church was built in 1854-5, costing $2,000. This soon became too small to mect the wants of a rapidly growing society.
In 1868, under the labors of J. H. Dickens, was begun the enter- prise of building a more cominodious house of worship. After a delay of five years, the efforts of the society were renewed vigor- ously under the labors of Ira Emmersen, and in 1875 the house was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, having cost $7,500-Rev. Willianı Murphy, P. E. It is a fine church, withi tower and turret, stained windows, with a lecture-room with sufficient capacity for prayer- meetings, infant class, etc. The present membership of the charge is one hundred and seventy-five, which includes a small society in Christian county and the society at Galessa.
The M. E. Germans have a good society and preaching place 43 miles south-cast of Moa wequa.
The church sustained a severe loss in the death of the late Mr. J. E. Hyers. He was a man of means and marked liberality and loyalty to the church ; his piety was unquestioned and his influence and usefulness acknowledged by all.
STEWARDSON CIRCUIT, MOUNT ZION.
Grove Society .- The first M. E. Society (within the present bounds of Stewardson circuit) was organized by Rev. Levi Lowery in 1838, at the house of John Thompson, who lived ten miles south of Shelbyville, within the limits of a " laid out" town named Roy- alton, which has now passed out of existence. Mrs. Thompson was a woman of extraordinary intelligence and piety, and was class- leader, being the leading spirit in the church. In 1839 Mr. Thomp- son moved out of, and Wesley Galligher moved into, the house. where services were still maintained, as also they were during a succeeding period, during which Daniel Galligher occupied the house.
When this house was vacated, the services were moved to the residence of Charles Reber, and there held until a school-house was built in the neighborhood, to which services were removed, and it was for years known as the Daniel Galligher Society. Here, in the spring of 1857, was organized-with Bro. McMillen as superin- tendent-the first Sabbath-school in this section of the country. The name of this society was changed to " Grove," and continued to be so called until it united with Bethel Society, and built what is now known as Mt. Zion Church.
Bethel Society .- About 1842 this society was organized by Rev. Thomas Ross, L. P., at the residence of William Middlesworth. John Adams succeeded T. Ross, its pastorate being the same as Shelbyville.
Wesley Galligher was the first, and for many years, leader. After three or four years the place of meeting was changed to Isaac Wortman's. In 1848 it was again changed to the house of Wesley
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Galligher, remaining there about ten years, when a school-house was built in the neighborhood, to which services were removed, the name being changed from the " Wesley Galligher Class " to Bethel. The first Sabbath-school was organized in 1857, with Joseph West- enhaver as superintendent. In 1853 Grove and Bethel were changed to the Windsor circuit, until in 1866 they united and built Mt. Zion Church, a brick edifice 35x40 feet, costing $3,300- dedicated by Dr. H. Buck. The first trustees were J. D. Allen, W. Galliglier, H. H. Allen, Jacob Galligher, Jonathan Compton, E. Westenhaver, D. Mcchlin, with Allen Gaskill, P. E.
Stewardson M. E. Church .- In 1871 E. S. Warnsley began preaching, and formed a society in a school-house near " Dead Man's Grove." The members of this class were William Mitchell and family, Michael Strouse and family, Michael Dappert and family. A Sabbath-school was organized about the same time.
In 1873 a church was built within one mile of the Grove, costing $1,700-dedicated by G. E. P. Baldwin, T. S. Johnson, P. E., with the following as trustees : Michael Strouse, Wm. Mitchell, James Patrick, Michael Dappert and John Silvers.
In 1877 this church was moved into Stewardson, where it now stands. The first M. E. Society in Stewardson was organized by G. J. W. Lapham, September 24, 1875.
Olive Branch M. E. Church .- On April 5, 1875, J. W. Lapham organized a society on the south line of the county, in Holland township, where a church was built the same year, known as " Olive Branch," costing about $1, 00, dedicated by Dr. Wm. Stevenson. Hugh Butler, Dickson Reynolds, S. M. Locke, Jacob Zeigler and Salem Lantz, were trustees. A Sabbath-school was organized the same year.
March 25, 1875, J. W. Lapham formed a society at what is known as Washington School-house, thirty-one miles west of Stew- ardson. A Sabbath-school was organized there the same year. Stewardson circuit lias a parsonage in Stewardson, valued at $500. Membership as follows : Stewardson, 95; Mt. Zion, 47; Washing- ton, 32; Olive Branch, 24.
First M. E. Church, Shelbyville .- As carly as 1827 Shelbyville was supplied with preaching by the itinerants from Shoal Creek circuit, following each other in the following succession : 1827, Thomas Randall ; 1828, Samuel H. Thompson and William Deneaue ; 1829, Lorenzo Edwards; 1830, Milo Huffaker.
In 1828 a class was organized and services were held at the house of Barnett Bone ; a camp-meeting was afterward held on his farm, just south of the present town. Services were first hield in the present city limits, in the house of Nelson R. Jones, and then in the old log court-house. After this it was held in the house of Amos Prentice, on the ground now occupied by the clothing house of M. Cottlow, Mr. Prentice's house being store, post-office and church at the same time. Among the members of this class were Leah Prentice, Nancy Bivins, Betsy Patterson, Thomas and Beulah Pugh, who are still remembered for their piety and sweetness of life.
In 1830 a lot near the present residence of Auntie Graham was secured, and a small frame church began under the labors of Amnos Prentice, and completed under the ministry of Rev. James Woolard.
In 1834, so far as we can learn, Shelbyville circuit was formed, and Shelbyville was the head of the circuit. About this time the churchi became prosperous, and many accessions to the church were made, among whom was Wm. S. Prentice, now of the Illinois Conference ; some of thesc remain. Auntie Graham is now the oldest living member, having united with the church in 1830. Her house was long the home of the earliest preachers. Joseph Oliver still lives, at the advanced age of eighty-six, who at the above
date was holding all of the county offices, because a devoted fol- lower of Christ. In 1865 the society had grown too large for the house, and a new house of worship-the present brick edifice-was begun on West Main St., under the labors of S. S. Maginnis, and completed under W. N. McElroy, and dedicated by B. F. Crary, having cost $10,000. The board of trustees were, W. J. Henry, James Darbin, J. B. Vosberg, Adam Klare, William Eddy, Hiram Sears, H. M. Hickman. The society numbers among its members many devoted Christians and men of large experience and liber- ality, who have succeeded in making the charge one of the best in the Illinois Conference. We have here a flourishing Sabbatlı- school, numbering 333, under the superintendence of E. J. Scar- borough. The membership of the society is 250.
There are at the present time in the county 1,738 church mem- bers ; churches 21, valued at $38,700 : parsonages 5, valued at $5,200.
Shelby Male and Female Seminary -The members of the M. E. Church and citizens of the county early felt an interest in the sub- ject of education. A building was commenced in 1852 and opened in 1854. The institution was known as the "Shelby Male and Female Seminary," and was understood to be under the management of the M. E. Church and care of the Illinois Conference. The enter- prise was carried forward under the labors of C. W. Munsell, itine- rant preacher, and H. Buck, Presiding Elder. Charles Sevill was president of the board of trustees ; C. W. Jerome was principal of school. The school continued in successful operation about fifteen years. During its existence 37 teachers were employed and 1,084 pupils enrolled. Many of these are filling important places in church and state. In 1869 the institution and property passed into the hands of the Shelbyville school district, and was merged into the Shelbyville graded school.
The M. E. Church was the pioneer in ecclesiastical affairs in opening places of worship for the early settlers. In 1827 the county, which had been a part of Fayette, was organized into Shelby county, and the Methodists of the county commemorated the event by holding two camp-meetings, one on the farm of Mrs. Sallie Turner, and the other on that of Barnett Bone. At these gather- ings many were converted, who returned to plant the Church in their own neighborhoods, and now there are more M. E. churches than of any other denomination in the county, and more M. E. preaching places in Shelby than in any other county in the Illinois Conference, many of them yet being new societies, meeting in school-houses until churchies can be erected ; almost every society being the outgrowth of a class held in school or private houses.
Some of the local preachers of the early day were Wm. Addison, John Apperson, John Clarage, Daniel Davis, Jonas Graham, Clemie Gore, Milo Hart, Samuel Hughes, G. M. Hanson, J. W. Jackson, Amos Prentice, Thos. B. Ross, J. T. Swafford, H. M. Tremble and Dr. Williams, father of Auntie Graham. Of this noble band Rev. Hiram Tremble alone remains, looking with great pleasure on the growth of the county, and the church for which he so long labored.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH,
BY REV. G. MOCHEL.
Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Congregation of Shelbyville, Il- linois .- A small number of Lutherans, who had come to Shielby- ville and vicinity, from Germany and the Eastern States, organized themselves into an Evangelical Lutheran congregation in 1844, under the pastoral care of Rev. Daniel Scherer, residing in Hills- boro, Ill., who was the first Lutheran minister in Shelby county.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
This congregation is known by the name: "The Evangelical St. Paul's Congregation of Shelbyville and vicinity."
The first election of church officers was held August 17th, 1844. Solomon Stilgebauer and Jacob Lumpp were elected as elders, and John Bieler and George Wendling, as deacons. They held their services in school-houses and private residences.
In the autumn of 1844, Rev. D Scherer moved to Mount Car- mel, Ills., and consequently could not serve the congregation any longer. Soon after this Rev. Ephraim Mueller was called to the pastorate of the congregation. He served it until the autumn of 1847, when Rev. Jacob Scherer, son of Rev. D. Scherer, became the pastor of the congregation. Under the administration of these two ministers the congregation increased.
In 1851 they built a church in union with the German Reformed congregation. This church was erected near Robinson's Creek, about five miles from Shelbyville, on the road leading to Springfield, Ills. The corner-stone was laid April 24th, 1851, before the church was completed. The Rev. J. Scherer died in the autumn of 1851. The next miuister was Rev. G. Wolf. Ile served the congregation about one year. During this time the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations dissolved their co-partnership in the church-building, the Lutherans selling their part to the German Reformed for $100. After this the congregation held their services again in the school-houses and private residences.
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