USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Tower Hill > History of Tower Hill and vicinity > Part 5
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TRAGEDIES
The odd home town is no exception to the rule in that it has had its share of the tragedies of life. This is the sad page in the history of any community, but a part of its record. However, We can say that most all the tragedies of Tower Hill were of an accidental nature, and not many of the premeditated affairs.
In all this list I stand corrected as to details, but remember the actual occurance as a whole only. In the first years of the town's history there are many traditional reports of tragedies, some as serious as a murder. These no doubt were occasioned by the saloon and the rough character of the individuals building the railroad, and the usual condition found in the founding of a new town.
The first tragedy that comes to my mind, is the burning to death 01 the Guinnee twins. I will confess I was tou small to know of the actual occurance but have heard of it so often that I feel I was old enough to remember this sad incident. This must have occured around about 1874, earlier and perhaps later. These children were the twins of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Guinnee, who lived at the old home near the business part of town, and known intimately even down to the present generation. (By way 01 digression, I cannot refrain from stating that on a recent visit to the old home town, I was so saddened as I stood and viewed the spot and ruins of that once popular and happy home. Forty years ago there was no livelier nor happier home in the town, occasioned by so many section boarders and the large family of popular young people. It was from here that happened one of Tower Hill's most sensational elopements. The daugh- ter, Ella Guinnee, being assisted in her flight by my uncle, Linc Sharrock, she being a few hours later the bride of a popular young man, Clark Brown. But, as usual, the good common sense of the parents of the bride, soon extended the welcome hand and all was lovely. But back to the tragedy. Three small children is some way procured the coal oil can and poured the contents upon smoldering embers in the stove, with the usual result of an explosion. They were burned so badly that death ended their suffering
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in a few hours. I have often heard my parents, as no doubt a score of others ever afterward, warned their children about pouring oil on a stove, holding up this awful catastrophy as a warning lesson.
Another accidental tragedy happening perhaps a little later than this was the smothering to death of a Gross boy in the wheat bin of the brick elevator. It appears that he with other boys had a fashion of jumping into the large bin of wheat that was being let run through a chute into a car on the siding. In some way he was caught in the suction and carried into the chute where he soon suffocated. I stand corrected but I believe this little boy was a brother of the wife of Mr. James Hunter of our city.
Perhaps of all the tragedies of Tower Hill, there is none so pathetic and in which the whole town poured out their sympathy so universally as that of Alta Heady, who was burned to death through an explosion of a coal oil lamp and which happened in the home near where the present building of the "Times" is located. I remember this so well, and it must have happened in 1877 or 1888, and saddened the entire community. Early one Monday morning in the summer time, Alta picked up the lamp, and wishing to extinguish it, blew down the chimney when lo, an explosion that scattered the burning oil at her feet. Immediately she was a blazing torch, and ran screaming through the rooms, crying for help. Incidentally at this moment, Uncle Jimmy Jones was passing and hearing the screams burst open the door, and found poor Alta had taken refuge behind the door, as her scant clothing had been burned off her body. Medical aid was summoned but to no avail and a few hours soon relieved her of her suffering. Alta was among the most popular of the young people of that day. A member of the Methodist choir, a beautiful, sweet young girl and a spotless character.
I remember as well as yesterday that funeral, because of one incident that fastened itself upon my memory. According to reports current at the tlme, Alta was engaged to a Tower Hill young man by the name of Charley Baines. While the funeral was in progress at the old Methodist church (now the present Christian church) he stood on the outside refusing to go inside because of his deep grief. I with other kiddies stood in the yard observing what was going on, boy like fashion. Strange but I can see him today as plainly as on that summer afternoon when Charley Baines passed through his Gethsemane, and tound no solace for his broken heart. It was only a few days until he left the scenes of his deep sorrow, and turned to the great West for relief. He never returned, and for many years no one knew of his where- abouts.
Many in Tower Hill today remember this awful tragedy and the events and incidents connected with it, and which I have no space to record. But one related by my aunt, Amanda Brant now of Decatur, is very touching. Alta was conscious during her few hours of suffering, and had summoned all her her girl friends to be with her in her last hours. Her one last touching request was "Oh girl, don't forget me when I'm gone". Her last few moments were spent exclusively with her fiance. Alta Heady was a sister-in-law of your fellow citizen, Crawford Ward.
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The next tradedy that comes to my mind is that of the suicide of Tom Shelton, the son of Dr. Shelton, one of Tower Hill's most favored citizens during the 80's. I am unable to give any details of this sad event or the causes that led to such a rash act. I remember this, that the entire community went out on deepest sympathy to the doctor and his wife, who were much esteemed citizens.
Along in the early 90's the community was shocked again by a similar tragedy in the person of Otto Holt. No greater suprise could have come to any community than the sudden self-destruction of a very promising young man as Otto. This is one of the mysteries of life, and we can only say, "some day, some where."
Most everyone has a memory of some event that happened along with some special day. Just so with me, as there is hardly a Thanksgiving day that comes around but what I think of the sad accidental death of John Brown, one of Tower Hill's brightest young men. This awful tragedy happened in the late 80's when he was boarding a train at Shelbyville for home. The sympathy of the entire community went out to the widowed mother, brother and sisters.
Another mysterious tragedy of an accidental nature happened during the 80's when Mr. Jones, the father of Homer and Frank Jones, met with a mysterious death in Dakota. My vague memory is that he was found in a cave where it appeared that some wild animal had pursued and killed him.
In the early 90's the town was suddenly aroused by the unloading on a car door from the noon passenger train on the Big Four, the body of a young girl who had been struck by the engine this side of Pana. Of all the myster- ies in the village this so remains to this day as to her identity. I remember her as she lay there in the baggage room, while many of the scholars, and some teachers were viewing the remains. It was Mrs. Sallie (Richards) Winkleman (who was very deeply affected) and made the emotional remark, "poor girl, some mother's baby." She was buried as I recalled, the first pauper in the Tower Hill cemetery.
Along the same year another shock came to the community when it was reported that a prominent citizen, namely, John E. Lane, had met a like tragedy as related, when he was struck by a Big Four engine while walking home from Pana. It is strange that one who had braved the horrors of war should meet death in such an unexpected manner. But like thousands, no doubt, his mind was thinking of other matters than immediate danger. John E. Lane was the first commander of the J. R. Tilley Post, No. 304, in Tower Hill.
In the early 90's, a Mr. Schaffer, the father of Mrs. Sam Fuget, met a tragic death just a few rods east of the Andes elevator, while crossing the track and emerging from behind some box cars on the siding, and just in time to be struck by the afternoon passenger train. His partial deafness no doubt was responsible for his precarious position to be on the tracks at that time.
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Most all cities can point to many cf their public buildings which during the course of erection were the scene of many an accidental death. Tower Hill, while not in the city class, has the sad record of the accidental tragedy of Scott Heady, who met his untimely death in an accidental manner while employed in the building of the Methodist church. Scott is a brother of Alta of whom we related her tragic death. There is a memorial window in the church in his memory.
Along in the 90's Mr. Harwood, an elderly man living in the property west of the Stumpf property, while burning trash in the yard in some unaccount- able manner found his clothing on fire. Being very feeble he was unable to extinguish it immediately, the burns being so severe as to cause his death in a short time.
In the early 90's Mrs. Jones, the wife of Uncle Jimmy, while coming home on a Sunday afternoon from a meeting at the church and nearing the crossing near the old mill site, thinking she had time to cross the track, and knowing of the approaching fast train was struck and hurled for a considerable distance causing her immediate death.
"Verily in the midst of life we are in the midst of death." As often re- marked that, "death is no respector of persons." We can also say that trag- edies are are no respector of homes, or the standing of the near relatives. Such is the case as regards the home of Rev. Parks, one of the most respected ministers who ever lived in Tower Hill. On the late 90's his son Tommy, was, found several miles from home in a field with all indications of self destruc- tion.
It was about this time that I moved away from Tower Hill and the events since are mostly remembered by the present generation. As this record is one of the early history of the community, events of these later years must wait for some future historian.
FIRES IN TOWER HILL
Tower Hill like all towns has had her share of conflagrations. It was a long while starting but became a very frequent visitor to the financial hard- ship of many citizens.
I will stand corrected as to the correct dates as found in an old scrap book of clippings from the Tower Hill Breeze.
The first general fire was that of the destruction of the original building on the east side of the main street when the row of buildings from L. D. Jester's Grocery on the east end to the alley across the present Masonic build- ing. This included the doctor offices of Fringer and Shelton, the Corley drug store, the building on the corner, and all buildings to the alley.
The first one recorded by the Breeze is dated May 18th (not able to give year) and burned over practically the same ground.
The next one appears to be recorded Sept. 26, 1895, at noon, when a fire broke out in Selby's restaurant and destroyed all the buildings in that block on the south side of the railroad. Sparks being carried by a high wind set fire to the school building causing a total loss. Also Dr. Young's barn was destroyed by fire from flying sparks. The next appears to have been Aug. 19, 1901, and originated in the Diamond restaurant, being discovered by Otis Jester so the account states.
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It is stated here that the new Howe fighting fire equpment had recently been purchased and this was a fair iest of its ability.
The next one is dated Jan. 27, 1905 starting on Sunday morning about 3 A.M. and destroyed the A. R. Robinson and Miller buildings. Another one not dated was the destruction of the Price elevator. Then later the fire on the west side, destroying the Eiler & Son building and adjacent structures. Then shortly the Gross Hotel, and in later years the Wilkinson building. So Tower Hill has been rebuilt over and again because of her many disastrous fires.
THE DOCTORS
Tower Hill has been very fortunate in its past history to boast of a splen- did array of medical talent, in fact, above the average for a village of this size. Unfortunately I am unable to appeal to a real pioneer who can assist me as to the early history of the physicians who were residents in the Hill even from the beginning down thru the Civil War days and into the early 70's.
But probably as in all pioneer villages there were numerous so-called "country doctors" more from a neighborhood experience and a natural in- stinct as "good in sickness" rather than their knowledge of medical science.
Then in birth cases there were women in every community who were call- ed on to assist. In fact, women in pioneer days were almost universally de- manded in this particular case of medical need, known as mid-wife.
Right here I can record a bit of family knowledge that has come down in our family from authenic sources regarding the part women played in sick- ness in the community.
I refer to my great-great-grandmother, Mrs. Mary Magdalene (Wal]) Hanson, the wife of our Revolutionary ancestor, John Hanson. She was born in 1765 in Virginia, and died in the "Knobs" community in 1845, and is buried in the abandoned Milldesworth cemetery, a mile and a half north of Tower Hill.
Her tombstone is standing and in good state of preservation, and I would be pleased to have my friends visit the spot and place a wreath as a token of her services in pioneer days. No doubt at all but what she was present in scores of cases of births of ancestors of many citizens of our community.
She was known all over this section of the country for her ability in handling very successfully all manners of ailments. I mention this particular case, because she was typical of many in pioneer days, who assisted by means of common knowledge of using "herbs" and homemade appliances, battled very successfully with all manner of ailments common to the early settler.
The men folk were active also in lines of service requiring more acute skill and strength, such as setting broken bones, dislocated joints, pulling teeth, bleeding a patient and other such strenuous cases as the necessity demanded.
Again I call attention to another one of our family, and known by many in this community. I refer to my grandfather, John Sharrock, who came to this community in 1832 and died in this village in 1896.
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He was a pioneer in the early 40's with his wife (Catherine May) living on the Sharrock homestead, about a half mile due east of the Eiler cemetery in what is now a plowed field.
I have in my possession an account from Headen Neil, known by many here, of the part "Uncle" John Sharrock played in the role of country doctor. He was being constantly called on to assist in setting broken bones, dislocated joints, and pulling teeth, and bleeding folks. Only recently it was my privilege to see the forceps he used in this pioneer dentistry. They sure are cruel lookng instruments, not so much in the pulling process but a twisting affair that certainly was very painful, bordering on torture.
It is recorded in our family that he would be called at all hours of day and night in the midst of his daily work, but never too busy to lend aid to to one in distress. I refer particularly to broken bones and such surgical work that required strength and nerve. Even at the noon meal time a rider would come galloping into the yard urging immediate help, a as neighbor had met the misfortune in breaking an arm or leg or something else as serious.
Throwing a sheepskin over his favorite traveling horse, perhaps bare- headed and coatless, he rode at breakneck speed to the neighbor needing im- mediate assistance. From his pioneer experience and unspeakable nerve in handling these extreme surgical cases, being taught from his childhood how to handle these serious mishaps, he became skilled in this activity of needed assistance.
Never receiving any "pay" as it was the pioneer custom for every one to assist the community in any manner where help was needed. If anything ap- proached to payment, it was rendered by lending assistance at hog-killing times, or rail splitting, or some farm task.
So this is a partial picture of early days around Tower Hill before the advent of the "Diploma Graduate" physician.
The average pioneer community were slow in admitting the "newcomer" with his sheepskin guaranteed knowledge of all the ailments the human body was subject, and the university remedies recommended for a cure.
This primitive descripton of the old-fashioned country doctor brings us down to the period of the Civil War and the 70's.
And here your writer can stretch his memory to around the days of 1876.
My first dim recollection is of one whom I now look back and see bridged the gap so to speak of the days of great-great-grandfather Hanson and Grandfather Sharrock to the sheepskin graduate of medical science.
I refer to that old pioneer family doctor, of the early days of Tower Hill, Doctor Brown, the father of the Brown family so well known even in this generation, namely - Cass, John, Clark, Lucy, Mae and Ollie.
He was our family doctor, and honestly I feel I owe my life to his natural skill and nursing me in a serious ailment, it being a relapse of that dreaded child disease, the measles.
I have often heard my dear mother tell the story when I was so low when even Dr. Brown led my mother from the sick room, saying, "Julia you had better retire, for it will all be over in a few minutes."
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But she said "Doc Brown never left me a minute," working alone with all his natural skill to thwart a fatality. And he won. I mention this because Dr. Brown even with only one leg, was of that old type, using a common sense diagnosis of the cause of the ailment, and applying home made remedies to a miraculous success. He had if any, only a limited college medical education.
Along at this same period Tower Hill had 2 other physicians who were of the university type, namely Dr. Fringer and Dr. Morgan. And they soon wove their medical personalities into the favor of the community, so the days of the old fashioned doctor was past. Dr. Morgan later gave up the practice and engaged in the drug store business. I remember so distinctly that old drug store, because at Christmas times it was the only place where toys and candies were kept.
Soon another college doctor hung out his shingle in the Hill, a Dr. Hunt- and I expect almost forgotten by the few old timers. Dr. Hunt was a scholar and educator, taking a keen interest in the public school system, being a member of the school board, and by his interest assisted greatly in making the schools of that day well spoken of as to organization and high grade teachers. Just as a proof take a glance of these names who even today are recognized as examples not even excelled to this period.
Professors-W. G. Kelley (late Judge Kelley of Shelbyville), Wash Rarer (Uncle, I think of Emma Freeze), T. C. Eiler, Cass Brown, Frances Baines, I. L. Brant afterwards a prominent doctor in the Hill), C. O. Bennett (afterwards a prominent physician in Missouri), and so on.
Dr. Hunt was here only a short time, removing about 1880 to Warsaw, Ill. Dr. Fringer was a resident for many years-and remembered by many old timers.
Dr. Morgan after his wife's deatli sold his drug store to Dr. Fringer, and with his daughter, Anna, removed to Denver, where he died only a few years ago. Then came Dr. Shelton from the south and spent the remainder of his life here. He was a well respected citizen, and his family entered into the life of the community in an affectionate manner.
Then was added another doctor who endeared himself to the community -not only from his medical experience but his interest in music. His life in our midst needs no comment as well know by this generation. Up to about the year 1937 he is the only living doctor of our past medical history. I refer to Dr. Young.
During this period of the late 80's there entered another university grad- uate and with his many years of university experience he possessed what is considered the greatest asset any physician can possess, that is a natural instinct for diagnosing a sickness. I refer to my dearly beloved uncle, Dr. I. L. Brant. He first settled in Lakewood, but soon felt the Hill offered a more lucrative practice and a broader field of activity. It is common knowledge that he was the most successful doctor in all manners of sickness that ever lived in our community.
But his life was cut short by an early demise in 1897.
And here is where from a personal knowledge we close our history of the medical fraternity, and record from now on the facts and information as furnished by our able assistant Ed 3. McLean:
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Ed writes me that the 90's recorded in addition to Doctors Brant and Shelton, Dr. A. J. Humphrey, Dr. Frank Martin, a Tower Hill boy, so well known and who married one of our home town girls, namely Miss Ollie Mc- Cullough. As we all know Dr. Martin passed away only a few years ago in Pana where he had removed and built up very lucrative practice.
Then another boy of the community hung out his shingle in our midst, Dr. Homer Corley, who still resides in the village. Homer belongs to that old pioneer family of Corleys who are connected not only with early pioneer life but in the mercantile business and preaching profession as well.
From the period of 1900 to the present there has appeared other doctors, as Dr. E. A. Dowell, and Dr. A. J. Hitt. I am informed that Doctors Corley and Hitt are the present physicians in the village.
Two other doctors in denistry are recorded as practicing their pro. fession at different periods since 1900, namely Dr. E. B. Strange, who married Miss Floy Cannon of that old time respected family. Then Dr. John W. Green of the same profession, who resided here from 1914 to 1926 and who also married another of our home grown girls, namely Miss Ruth Foor.
And thus ends our record of the medical fraternity.
NEWSPAPERS
The records show that the earliest paper established was called the "True Democrat" edited by Mit A. Bates. This was shortlived and possibly more of a political nature than one founded upon the interest of the community.
For many years the newspaper interests shied clear of the prosperous village until the early 90's when I. G. Holt started a paper by having the printing done in Indiana. He christened it the "Tower Hill Breeze," a name that became a household word for many years, although there were many shifting scenes in the management.
Later Mr. Holt made arrangements whereby he established a home print- ing plant. He furnished the community with a good paper, and it was well patronized, but in the midst of its popularity, he died. My recollection is that the plant was idle for some time until purchased by Grant Huntoon, who continued it for several years.
About 1906-7, Mr. Huntoon sold out the "Breeze" to a Mr. Danenberger, who operated the plant for a short time only, and for some time the com- munity was without a paper. It was idle for several years until Mr. W. E. Feuerhan established a paper known as the Tower Hill Times. The records show the first issue was dated Oct. 5, 1921, and has continued in this name to the present.
Before the writer leaves the information about the Breeze under the management of Mr. Huntoon, I want to speak of my recollections of at least 3 persons who were in his employ from time to time and who are well re- membered by many of the present generation.
First, a Mr. Lewis L. Sharrock (a cousin of mine) who had in mind the making of the newspaper business his calling, but later changed to a med- ical profession as a chiropractor, and very successful, finally locating in Los Angeles, where he died in 1926.
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Second, Miss Mae Price, who became very efficient as a typesetter, and general newspaper work, later resigned, removing to Kansas City, where she passed away.
Third, Mr. Worth Weeks, in the cmploy of the Breeze for some time, later took up the telegraph work under the splendid tutelage of our esteemed citizen, Ed S.McLean, and was not long in finding his place in railway work, following it all these years until today we find him as station agent in the great city of Pekin, Illinois. A letter from him recently spoke of his excellent position and his love for the "Old Home Town."
Going back to the Times under Mr. Feuerhan, we find he gave the com- munity a splendid newsy paper, and in connection had a large outlay in presses and printing material, doing a big job business.
But from lack of local advertising and support of the subscribing ele- ment, about 10 years ago he combined his plant with that of his Assumption office, and finally in December, 1935, announced the discontinuance of the printing of the Times.
At that time the present owners, Pana News Inc., bought right, title and interest and continued publication.
A personal remark here, and I feel it is unanimous that of all newspapers published in the Hill, for general local news, writeups, and general make-up, the present owners are giving the community the best country paper possible, and best ever published. But I want to sound a note of warning to the public in general, that from my past experience of 40 years with the business end of the country newspaper, it can't be run as a donation to the public, but must have the united support of both the merchants and the public in general in a monetary way. The village paper should be the civic pride of the community and arrangements made to support its publication, if in no other way then by a subsidized endowment. This is a suggestion that should not be cast aside.
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