USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Union County > Part 13
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In contrast to their opinion in the opinion of economists who study the problem at large and in measuring the standard of living Union County find that it is lower than most counties in Illinois. Therefore it was their constant advice to give more assistance to make the standard of living comparable to other counties.
THE COUNTY RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
In 1936, in accordance with the amendement passed by the legislature, the administration of relief passed from the hands of the I. E. R. C. to the County Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Clyde Treece was appointed administrator and she was given four assist- ants.
Under this administration only direct relief was cared for in this office. All able bodied men or heads of families were referred to the I. E. R. C. for certification for one of the federal programs, W. P. A., N. Y. A. or C. C C. In spite of the fact that these programs and the new Old Age Assistance Administration took care of approximtely 70 per cent of the cases given assistance in the county, this office spent $4,028.80 in June, 1938 in comparison to $6,612.75 which included all relief work and old age assistance and other cases in June, 1936.
Due to the fact that the cost of relief was increasing all over the state at a tremendous rate of speed, the legislature again amended the law providing aid to the needy in 1937, giving the I. E. R. C. the right to supervise the county offices beginning July, 1938 to the extent that the county officers provide the state office with complete records of each case and offices not complying with the standards set by the I. E. R. C. were to have funds withdrawn from the county until such time as the rules were carried out.
In 1939, Miss Edith Hess was made the administrator and has carried on the work of the office since that time.
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THE OLD AGE ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION
According to a law passed in 1935 providing for old age assistance to be given to all needy persons 65 years of age or over, the County Judge E. S. Alden appointed a board to supervise the administration of pensions in Union County. This board made up of Mr. J. D. R. Brown, Mrs. Kate Coffman and Mr. Nathan T. Lawr- ence appointed Mrs. Nettie Glasscock administrator.
By April of 1939, 1217 applications had been made for assist-
ance. 743 of these had been accepted and 67 were pending investi- gation. The others had been rejected, withdrawn or died.
The office had two employees and a stenographer loaned by the National Youth Administration until the State Administration began a review of cases. In July, 1938, the employees became civil service employees and the Old Age Assistance Administration was changed for the supervision of the board to that of the State Department of Public Welfare. When the review of cases was begun additional helpers were employed in the office.
All persons who are over 65 years of age not having an income of $40 per months (this was increased from $30 during the extra session of the legislature in 1940) or not having children able to support them are eligible for assistance. This assistance is given on the basis of need, that is if the aged person has a place to live, rent is excluded from his grant, etc. In April, 1940, there were 758 persons receiving old age assistance in Union County.
THE NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION
The National Youth Administration has two separate pro- grams in Union County, the student aid program and the projects under the supervision of the County N. Y. A. Superintendent Cleatus Smith.
The former program is supervised by the principals of the high schools in the county and provides aid to needy students. In this county the need for aid is determined by an investigation made by the local relief office at the request of the principal who has received the application. One high school superintendent stated that more children from the poorer areas of the county have been able to obtain a high school education since this program has been in effect. The pupils receiving this aid do not have to belong to relief families.
The latter program includes three projects, a book-binding project sponsored by the County Superintendent, a picnic ground project sponsored by the Home and Garden Club of Alto Pass; and a desk reconditioning project sponsored by the public schools of Cobden, Illinois. In each project the sponsor furnishes the material for the work and provides the space where the work is to be done and labor is furnished by the National Youth Administration.
The N. Y. A. program probably has a larger turnover of workers than any other in the county because the workers are un- married persons between 16 and 24 years of age. Many of these people are able to obtain private employment because they have gained a little experience and because the N. Y. A. is constantly
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on the outlook for jobs for its clients who come from relief families.
THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
The work of the C. C. C. Camps has been discussed before under the National Forest Service Program.
The C. C. C. Camps employ youths between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in school nor gainfully employed. These boys do not have to come from relief families.
THE ANNA STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE
The mentally ill patients of Union County and twenty-two other southern Illinois counties are cared for in the Anna State Hospital for the Insane.
This institution was established by a vote of the legislature in 1869, the board of commissions appointed consisting of Lieuten- ant Governor John Dougherty of Jonesboro; Benjamin L. Wiley of Jackson County; Dr. G. L. Owens, of Marion; H. W. Hall of Me- Leansboro, and D. R. Kingsbury of Centralia. These commissioners selected the present site of the institution and a large building was erected. Since that time the number of buildings has periodically increased until the hospital has grown from a capacity of 150 to one of nearly 300 patients with all necessary hospital facilities and farm equipment for the almost 500 acres of land. Originally water was obtained from cisterns and a spring, but now a large dam has been constructed below Jonesboro making a lake from which water is pumped to a large reservoir north of Anna for the use of the hospital.
The institution gives employment to over 300 people.
One of the recent additions to the institution is a diagnostic center where patients are received for observation and diagnosis which facilitates the patient's stay in the hospital. Many are re- turned to their homes from this part of the institution shortly after their admission. The custom is rapidly growing among county judges to send patients is as guests for observation and commit them after it has been recommended by the diagnostician. This euts down the expense of inquisitions of persons who would be discharged without psychosis.
The first managing officer was Dr. Dewey of the Elgin State Hospital who stayed about two months and was succeeded by Dr. Barnes who remained five years. Most superintendents since have remained from 4 to 8 years.
The County sends its feeble-minded to Lincoln State School and Colony and some few may get as far away as the Dixon State Hospital; its blind, its deaf and dumb to the Jacksonville Schools for those purposes and its tubercular patients to Springfield. There are inadequate facilties in Illinois for the care of the tubercular patient.
THE TRACHOMA CLINIC
One of the five trachoma clinies belonging to the southern district of Illinois is located in Jonesboro. This is a cooperative agency supervised by the Society for the Prevention of Blindness,
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staffed by the Department of Public Welfare of the State of Illi- nois and all other help furnished by the W. P. A.
The Society for the Prevention of Blindness made a survey of the needs of the trachoma areas in the state in 1934. They were aided by the Department of Public Health which gave the services of one nurse and funds for the expense of the survey.
All eye cases needing treatment in this area had been sent to the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago before this time. Railroad and bus fares were expensive so as a result of the survey made in 1934, area clinics were established. The first year the clinics were paid for by the Society for the Prevention of Blindness and the Illinois State Department of Public Health. In 1935 the legislature made an appropriation to the Department of Public Wel- fare to carry on the work for one year then the present set-up was arranged.
At present, the Society for the Prevention of Blindness fur- nishes a nurse who supervises the work of the clinic and the area it serves. The Department of Public Welfare furnishes one nurse and a doctor for each clinic. The W. P. A. furnishes all other help: nurses aids who assist the nurse in the clinic and make home calls to follow up the cases treated in the clinic or to urge new cases which have been reported to come to the clinic for treatment; field work- ers, men who are trained to do the same as the nurses aids in the homes; a clerk to arrange schedules and appointments and give in- formation on days when the regular clinic staff is not present; and janitors and laundress.
The clinic cares for eye cases only and gives treatment only to trachoma cases but in case an examination discloses another type of eye defect, the case is referred to a local physician for care. If the persons examined is dependent, the case is sent to the Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago.
The clinic is open three times a week for examinations and treatment. The doctor is present every Thursday and every other Saturday he cares for surgical cases. Anesthetics for operations are paid for by the relief agency for the individual patient.
From June, 1934 to April, 1939, 533 positive trachoma cases and 380 suspected cases had been treated in the clinic. Many others have been examined. The average monthly case load is 200 cases. The load is heavier in summer, sometimes reaching 300 cases be- cause dust causes flare ups in old cases.
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CHAPTER XXXIII ROAD BUILDING IN UNION COUNTY
Road building is the oldest type of public work in Union County. In the beginning trails were blazed by hunter's axes and later came wagon trails. All the men in a vicinity worked together gratis on a road leading to trading posts and other sources of supply.
Later as more roads were needed a small wage was paid the men who worked on the road and later men worked out their poll taxes on the roads.
Plank roads came into use about 1850. This road is discussed in a previous chapter. Following this dirt roads were used. These roads were graded and made wide enough for conveyances to pass each other. Later came gravel roads and finally paved roads.
The first gravel roads were made and maintained by a toll collected from each conveyance which traveled over them. Toll gates were located between Jonesboro and Ware on that gravel road and one south of Anna on another road.
The County Highway Department began the building and maintenance of roads about 1915. State Aid roads began in 1915. These were established through a resolution by the County Board of Commissioners designating certain roads to be added to the State Aid system because there was more traffic on these roads than others. When the location of a road was designated by the County Board, the plan of the road was sent to the State Department of Public Works and Buildings thru its district office at Carbondale for approval. When the state accepted responsibility for granting state aid to these roads, the county was required to pay one-half the cost of maintaining the road. Two roads, one two miles east from Dongola and one one mile east from Cobden were laid out under this plan and the rest of the roads were maintained by county funds.
In 1927 the motor fuel tax law was enacted which allowed the county one cent of each three collected. Since then the county has had approximately $18,000 per year from this fund to construct and maintain roads which are designed to meet the state highway qualifications. Money can be spent by counties either for contracts or for day labor work disbursed through the road commissioners.
Up until 1936 much work was done through contracts. Since 1936 the county has done its own construction work. The county has spent much of its money for equipment which it rents to the state highway department at a rate which practically pays for the original purchase price and upkeep of the machinery. The mach- inery is then available after being used by the state for use on the county roads.
The road districts have their own machinery for work within the district.
Union County now has eighteen miles of road built with motor fuel tax funds.
A year ago it was decided by the government that federal aid road constructed by the government and turned back to the county for maintenance could be maintained by motor fuel tax
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funds. Within the last year eight miles of road have been com- pleted and seven more miles are planned and right-of-way condem- uations are being held in court to carry out this plan.
There are six hundred miles of ordinary public roads in Union County, one hundred twenty-seven miles of state aid road and fifty- six miles of concrete roads. Four miles of black-top road is being built out of state reforestation funds connecting Cobden with the Black Diamond Trail. This is a scenic view road.
The concrete roads were built and are maintained by the state.
In 1940 the county road commissioners were Mr. Landis, Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Casper, Mr. Stegle, Mr. Barringer, Mr. Norton, Mr. Lingle, Mr. Bauer, Mr. Orr and Mr. Rendleman. There are eleven districts in the county. Mr. Loren Hinkle is county Superintendent of Highways. Each commissioner hires a clerk and a laborer. The rest of the work is done by W. P. A. and relief labor.
The county owns $20,000 worth of machiney and if this machinery were not used as it is by the state, the county income from motor fuel tax would not be sufficient to maintain the county roads. This income would not much more than keep up the bridges.
Two W. P. A. gravel pits are in operation in the county. One novamlite pit is in operation near Alto Pass, but this gravel is used in Jackson county. The gravel from the W. P A. pits is loaded into county owned equipment and hauled to all the road districts. Each district pays fifty-four cents per yard loading cost.
Few counties keep a Highway Commissioners reports but Mr. Hinkle has compiled a very complete reports which shows just how much money has been spent and how much work has been completed in each road district each month and how much money is available to complete the work of the districts during the year.
A tax levy is made the first of each September to obtain money to be expended for construction of roads and bridges, the maintainance of roads and bridges, road drag funds, purchase of machinery, repairs for machinery, oiling of roads, prevention and extripation of weeds, buildings, administration and contingencies.
All tax warrants are listed in the report so that each district knows just where it is with reference to the budget all during the year. A record of all bank receipts and balances is kept, tax money and private work pay, etc., is listed. Also anticipation warrants are listed to be counted against future income so that the county knows just how much is available at all times for road work.
During the last twenty-five years the towns of Union County have improved their streets. Few streets in any of the towns are without gravel and many are paved.
Most of the towns have also put in water systems.
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CHAPTER XXXIV PERSONAL TAXES IN UNION COUNTY AND CONCLUSION
The study of personal taxes reveals a number of things, the prosperity of the county, the standard of living, the percent of people well-to-do or poor, the types and number of businesses, etc.
Since 1860 personal taxes have increased. In 1860 when the population was 11,145 there were 2149 persons paid personal taxes which indicates that all these people had furniture, livestock, stock in trade, etc., amounting to more than fifty dollars. In 1900, when Union County reached it peak, 22,610 in population, 3,296 people paid personal taxes. In 1939 when population was 19,883, there were 4,539 people paid personal taxes. This indicates that there has been a raising of the standard of living for almost one-fourth of the taxpayers.
Significant also is the change in the amount of personal prop- erty the well-to-do class pays. In 1900, eleven individuals paid taxes on between $10,000 and $20,000 worth of personal property and three paid on $20,000 or more. In 1939 only one individual listed personal property exceeding $10,000. Corporations such as the Central Illinois Public Service Corporation, the Bell Telephone Company, the Western Union Telegraph Company and several chain grocery stores and oil companies and other companies paid taxes on over $10,000 worth of personal property.
Since it is a well known fact that more than one individual has more than $10,000 worth of personal property which may or may not be taxable, it would be inaccurate to leave the impression that individual wealth has decreased as much as the comparison in taxes between 1900 and 1939 indicates. Since the assessor is only able to list what he sees if the taxpayer does not choose to tell him what he owns, many things may be missed in compiling tax lists, and since taxes have increased, people are more inclined to conceal their wealth than they were in the past. The county assessor made the statement that if an accurate assessment could be made, the rate of taxation would be about one-fourth the amount that is now levied.
In listing personal taxes for businesses, in 1900 seventy-six business houses listed personal property of over $1,000 and six manufacturers had over $1,000 worth of personal property. The largest manufacturer listed property worth $5,459.
This practice does not exist in Union County alone.
In 1939 four manufacturers listed personal property of over $8,000 and one company paid taxes on $35,505. Fifty-six places of business listed over $1,000 worth of personal property and there were almost three times as many businesses listed in 1939 as in 1900. It is possible for many businesses to operate now on a small amount of stock because of the availability of new stock to replenish what is sold almost over night.
A discussion of farm taxes was given in the chapter on the history of agriculture.
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Types of businesses have changed to meet the times. Instead of the old general merchandise stores there are specialized stores, ready-to-wear, groceries, notions, etc. The harness and wagon manu- facturers have been replaced by garages, automobile and farm im- plement sales companies. The sale of gasoline is one of the most numerous of businesses in the county.
In conclusion, let it be said that Union county, altho handi- capped by rather poor soil, has arisen above its handicaps and has its share of business and comforts. While there are no extremely wealthy people in the county there are many people who live well. Our poor people are fewer than in our neighboring counties, Alex- ander, Pulaski, Jackson, Williamson and Johnson. The county has produced its share of brilliant people who have made names for themselves in the fields of business, politics and education.
Union County is above all, a consistent county. When a leader is chosen he is backed for long periods of time. This is indicated by the long tenure of office enjoyed by Monroe C. Craw- ford, who was county judge for thirty-two years. Judge Crawford was a very fine type of man which indicates that Union County stands behind officials of high calibre. In going over the county records, it is found that most of our officials served for long periods of time.
Most of the pastors in the county serve their churches for a number of years and there is not a radical amount of change among teachers. Many of our business houses belong to people whose fath- ers and grandfathers were in the same business before them.
On the whole our citizens are law abiding. We do not have any more arrests in proportion to our population than other counties have.
On the whole we are an average county considering the fact that we excel in some things and do not do so well in others. Most salesmen visiting the county express themselves as finding Union County the best business county in this end of the state. Our county was born of courage and hardship. It grew on the fearless spirit of the pioneer and has become what it is today.
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LEE IMPLEMENT CO. ALLIS CHALMERS SALES AND SERVICE FARM EQUIPMENT State Truck Testing Machine Operating Since 1911 in Union County Phone 260 128-129 W. Davie St. ANNA, ILLINOIS
WILLY'S BOOK STORE
SCHOOL SUPPLIES New and Used School Books Operating Since 1890 in Union County Telephone 145 317 S. Main St.
THE RITZ THEATRE COBDEN, ILLINOIS The Best In Moving Picture Entertainment. Your patronage will be appreciated. "In the Heart of Union County"
BLUE WILLOW CAFE "Located in the Heart of Dongola" Always Ready to Serve both Young and Old THE BEST IN FOODS-FOUNTAIN SERVICE KENNETH CORZINE, Manager
TUTHILL OIL CO.
IN THE HEART OF ANNA
BARNSDALL PRODUCTS
Quaker State and Pennzoil
Telephone 350
Norris & Son
FURNITURE & FUNERAL SERVICE
Linoleum - Rugs - Radios
Hotpoint Refrigerators - Wall Paper
Established 1898
Jonesboro, Illinois
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For the Best and Latest in Movie Entertainment We Invite You To Attend the
RODGERS THEATRE
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATRONAGE
.
Serving the Public Since 1923
H. L. HENDERSON, Resident Manager
COLLEEN BEAUTY SERVICE
Cobden, Ill .- Across from the Hardware Store EXPERTLY EXPERIENCED IN HAIR DRESSING Permanents a Specialty-At lowest popular price When you need a facial, permanent, manicure or or wave set think of us.
Colleen Stewart Phone 23
CARTER MOTOR SALES
CHRYSLER & PLYMOUTH SALES & SERVICE ·
DAY AND NIGHT WRECKER SERVICE
Phone 298 and 162 Anna, Ill.
KAUFMA
NEWSTAND and CONFECTIONERY
Cobden, Ill. Operating Since 1916 Subscriptions taken for newpapers and magazines.
CINDERELLA NITE CLUB Wolf Lake, Illinois
. For your best enjoy- ment.
Square Dancing Every Friday Night
Wolf Lake, Illinois On Route 3
WILSON'S CASH STORE
A. M. Wilson and A. T. Wilson
Groceries and Meats
Men's & Boy's Shoes "Quality Merchandise" is our motto.
Wolf Lake, Illinois
PIONEERS
made lasting progress by choosing the course that would stand the test of time. We are satisfying our customers by choosing for them only quality goods, at prices in keeping with quality we sell.
DAVIS CLOTHING CO. EMERY DAVIS
114 East Davie St. Anna, IlI.
L. S. SPIRES
GROCERIES MEATS
DRY GOODS SHOES
We Feed and Clothe the Entire Family.
114 W. Davie Anna
Made Right Priced Right
UNION FEEDS ANNA FLOUR & FEED CO. MANUFACTURERS
JOHN D. STROEHLEIN HARDWARE Hardware and Implements Operating Since 1928 Cobden, Ill.
Union County Oil Co.
Your Friendly Distributor
D-X Products
WHOLESALE and RETAIL
Phone 142
Cobden, Ill.
Everett Randall, Mgr.
Demand BIG BOY AND BUTTERNUT BREAD NONE BETTER LEWIS BROS. BAKERIES
THE REX THEATRE DONGOLA
Invites you to attend .. We have the best in modern theatre equipment and the latest in motion pictures at all times. For your best enjoyment visit our theatre. Dongola, Ill. Junior. Bizzel, Mgr.
RIXLEBEN'S PHARMACY DRUGS - SCHOOL BOOKS - SUPPLIES
Phone 406
Jonesboro, Ill.
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Elkin's Radio & Appliance Sales PHILCO RADIO - REFRIGERATOR - ABC WASHER YORK AIR CONDITIONING
Phone 397-W
S. Main St.
The Producers Dairy "Health With Perfect Safety"
·
FINE DAIRY FOODS Pasteurized
Phone 77 Anna, Ill. -
E. P. OWEN
DRUGGIST
101 N. Main St. Telephone 119
FIRST NATIONAL BANK JONESBORO, ILL. OF
Capital $50,000.00
I. O. Karraker President
Thos. Rixleben
Vice-President
Ed L. Karraker Cashier
Ida Sensmeier Asst. Cashier
Flag Pole In Anna
Last year the Anna Chamber of Commerce and the Amer- ican Legion put up a flag pole on the Illinois Central park.
This picture shows the initial flag raising ceremonies.
LINCOLN
by Ben H.Smith
Out of the West he came Awkward in phrase, Bringing a speech to flame Worlds in those days.
Deaf to the taunts whe knew.
Christ in disguise. Lived he a horror through Patient and wise.
God of a yellow earth. His fame endures Now that you know this worth
You golle him yours .
Child of a western sod Nations may fall He, since he is with God Is of us all.
So from & the dust of years We bring you to keep Verse that is wet with tears Where all peoplesweep. 1
ANGEL
Ben H. Smith of Jonesboro, has been recognized nationally for his fine poetry. Above is his poem on Abraham Lincoln that has been published throughout the United States.
He contributes a regular weekly column to The Gazette- Democrat.
International Shoe Factory
Leading industry in Union County is the International Shoe Factory in Anna. It has been in operation here for the past 10 years.
Hale-Willard Hospital
1
Formerly a private institution when this picture was tal:en, The Hale-Willard hospital is now operated by the City of Anna.
Dr. H. B. Shafer
-DENTIST- Anna
Dr. Jas. F. Wahl
Optometrist Anna
Dr. H. Phillips
Physician & Surgeon Anna
Dr. Don Stewart -DOCTOR- Anna
Dr. E. V. Hale
-DOCTOR- Anna
Dr. O. E. Johnson
-DENTIST- Anna
Dr. H. O. Taylor
Medical Doctor Anna
Dr. Roy Keith -DOCTOR- Anna
Dr. Berry Rife -DOCTOR- Anna
Dr. C. R. Walser -DENTIST- Anna
J. C. Kincaid
The Chiropractor Anna
THE JOINER FURNITURE STORE
Established For Over 20 Years
Invites you to come into our large show room, and sce our wonderful display of furniture.
We have furniture to fit every need at prices to make it more appealing.
"For the Best In Furniture See Us"
North Main St. Anna, Illinois
WILKINS' GARAGE
Your CHEVROLET Dealer
Telephone 56-R2 Cobden, Illinois
Would you like to trade your old car for a later model? If so see us and save money. We have . cars to please any buyer.
Phoenix Flour Mills, Inc.
Manufacturers of FLOUR, MEAL AND FEEDS Distributors of the celebrated Purina Feeds Dealers in HAY, OATS AND STRAW A Full Line of Field Seed We have installed a Clipper Seed Cleaner. Bring us your Seeds for cleaning.
W. H. BISHOP HORSE & MULE AUCTION
SAVE with SAFETY at
Darks' GED. E. PARKS You DRUGGIST 206-8 S. MAIN ST. ANNA, ILL. PHONE 122
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.3995L55H C001 HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
3 0112 025400760
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