USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Old Sandy remembers: Evans Township, Marshall County [history] > Part 9
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Skating was also a favorite sport. Mrs. Lou Luning who attended Hamilton School west of Wenona, reports enjoyable noon hours skating on Old Sandy. One day, time slipped by rapidly and the distance from the school became greater as the minutes flew. Not being close enough to hear the bell, they were late getting back and the tardy pupils had to make up time by staying after school. Hard to explain to mother!
Indoor games during inclement weather were, Button, Button, Who Has The Button; Clap in and Clap Out; Winkum; Captain Jinks; and if one was fortunate enough to possess a mouth harp, Skip to My Lou was played.
Singing songs during morning exercises was always a pleasure. Sometimes the organist was an older pupil. If not, that task was performed by the teacher. Feuds on the playground relative to nationalities or variation in state culture would bring some revenge during the morning and afternoon singing. Songs were selected by pupils and lucky was the one who announced his number first. One one occasion blue-eyed Mary called for "My Old Kentucky Home," and looked across the aisle with a tantalizing smile at Johnny who was born in Kentucky. When the song was ended Johnny annouced "The Wearing of the Green" and pretty little Mary who was of Irish descent, said with a scornful look, "We don't know that song." Teacher, who was caught between the two fires replied, "There is not time like the present for us to learn it." Johnny with a satisfied look on his face, glanced across the aisle at Mary. "Those who laugh last, laugh best."
Pupils looked forward to Friday, not only anticipating the weekend holiday, but also the time after last recess which was devoted to either art, spelldowns or a ciphering match. Each of the three was an education in itself. Often one school would challenge another one for a Spelling Bee or a Ciphering Match. These were held in the evening and the parents attended.
Many social activities were centered around the Country Schoolhouse. There was the Christmas program which brought much joy not only to Mary and Johnny dressed in their new outfits and shiny shoes, but to Mamma, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, uncles and aunts who attended to hear their precious little darlings recite a piece, sing a song or take part in a dialogue. The Christmas tree with its lighted randles, strings of popcorn,
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and colored chains of paper was the pride and joy of the school. Santa Claus always made his appearance at the close of the program and passed out treats to everyone.
THE BOX SOCIAL
In the days of the country school, education came the hard way and funds for books, maps, supplies, pictures, etc. were not always avail- able as they are in modern day schools. As a result, the teacher and pupils endeavored to have a fund raising affair once a year. This they did with "a box social".
The month of February was often chosen, partly because it was a slack time for parents who co-operated in making the event a success and partly because program materials of a patriotic nature were available and decorations in keeping with the same could be used. However, weather- wise a worse time of year could not be found. What with the deep mud or frozen ruts or even snow and rain, the roads were often all but impassable. But the good old horses plodded faithfully through and as a reward were tied to a post or tree while the meriment went on inside the school. Sometimes a car would venture out on the roads but would get stuck ani had to be abandoned. One such incident happened. The Metzgers attempted to reach Trimont school, but its occupants had to get out and walk the last half mile.
For about two weeks before the coming event there was great excite- ment at school. Studies were rushed through rather hurriedly in order to have extra time practicing for a program. A makeshift stage was made at the front of the school room. A wire stretched from wall to wall, and large calico curtains with brass rings sewed at the top through which the wire was strung, set the stage apart from the audience until the performance began. Such giggling and squirming that went on behind that curtain! The night of the big event the kerosene lamps were lighted and the room made ready by the teacher who came extra early.
Word got around throughout the community that there was to be a "box social" and all neighbors and friends were invited. The ladies were ex- pected to bring prettily decorated boxes filled with food and dainties. These boxes were numbered as they were brought in but their identifica- tion was not disclosed. After the program the auctioneer took over and sold the boxes to the highest bidders. In the local area Walter Kemp, Ben Stenzel and Orville Crone (most in demand) often served as auctioneers. Sale of boxes usually ranged from one to five dollars! A big price in those days. Each gent, of course, attempted to discover which box be- longed to his lady so that he might bid the highest and earn the privilege of enjoying the box lunch with her. Sometimes signals got crossed and there was confusion and merriment as a result when it was discovered that the wrong guy bought the wrong box.
In addition to the boxes sold there were usually prizes given to those who held lucky numbers firm the selling of chances.
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What about all the kids and the older folks? Parents packed up special lunches for their families to enjoy. Coffee and lemonade were brought from home and so no one was forgotten and a grand time was had by all.
Fortunate was the teacher who lived in the school district. If not, her transportation was by horse and buggy over bumpy roads, muddy in the rainy season and covered with snow in winter. There was a close relationship between parents and teacher. Often on a cold snowy after- noon with the teacher on her homeward ride, a mother would be waiting at the gate to invite the teacher to spend the night in her home. Before the school year ended, she had accepted hospitality from each family in the school area. The country schools seemed to have been much the same over the state and Old Sandy followed that pattern.
Many of the children in this community who could afford the tuition were sent to seminaries in the nearby areas when they were ready for upper grades. Mrs. Eva Parks' mother wrote a letter to her sister in the fall of 1875 which gives an insight into seminary life and education. These are statements in her letter-"We have some sixteen members on the faculty and thirty-five boarding students, but a great many students come in every day from the outside. There are twenty-five in the beginning arithmetic class where I am. I take four subjects besides writing. They charge five dollars to study writing, and five dollars to use the instrument if you take music. It is evening now and I have just come up from chapel which is held in the laboratory where we read the Bible and pray and sing twice a day.
"I had the loan of a sewing machine and I went to Streator and got material for two dresses. Then I made them, and four sheets and four pillow cases for my room. They charge five cents for each piece of washing and five dollars for renting a carpet, so my room may go un -- carpeted, The Professor's wife teaches my history, so I have three teachers, all feminine. There is an 'Awful site of style' required here, but I do not see any mouths puckered or elbows bending back as though they were fastened to the sides. This may be the only letter I will have time to write today. Yours affectionately, Emma A. Graham."
The 1930s brought some modern conveniences to the one-room school. The pot-bellied stove was replaced by a furnace with a metal jacket, installed in a corner. Pupils were more comfortable during the winter months. Electric lights replaced kerosene lamps and indoor toilet facilities were available.
Several schools were privileged to have a band teacher who came once or twice a week. The band members of Hamilton School traveled to other areas and gave of their talents in other school programs.
As years went by the attendance grew smaller in the little country school, some having only six or eight pupils enrolled. Since this condition prevailed over the state, laws were passed encouraging small districts to unite into larger units called consolidated schools. The theory was that each pupil would have better facilities for education and more opportunities in athletics and the arts. The present unit
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system comprises more territory than the consolidated school did and future trends seem to point toward larger secondary units.
School buildings are more prententious now; teachers must have advanced degrees to teach the new sciences and math. The large classes prevent close relationship between teacher and pupil; but conselors are provided to give personal attention to student problems. Progress is necessary in our rapid developement.
In this world of technological progress, may the student's mental, physical and spiritual growth be the most important consideration in our education.
A TRIBUTE FROM A COUNTRY SCHOOL PUPIL
Country schools were the hub of the community, havens of learning and wellsprings of virtue. The three R's were learned, it's true, but also the lessons of life which made many of the graduates leaders in American citizenship for a century and a half.
Those who attended a country school may have forgotten the sums they did or the history they once learned but they will never forget the pot-bellied stove, the wet jackets, the snow-sodden mittens, muddy overshoes, lunch boxes, water pail, long-handled dipper, baseball games, picnics, Christmas program parties and the dear close companionship. They are an unforgettable mixture that forever remains in memory.
Most of the schools in Evans Township were named after early settlers in the area: Evans Center, Hamilton, Morgan, Judd, Beckwith, Alfred Judd (also called Brush College), Climax and Trimont (named after a ship which carried a group of Irish immigrants across the ocean in early pioneer days.
A partial list of township residents who taught in its schools during past years: L. D. Brown, Luella DeLong Moffett, Ella Keenan, Bessie McAllister, Lucy. Wright, Wahneta Kuehn, Helen Crone, Helen Kemp, Evadell Fosbender, Margaret Martin, Mildred McAllister, Eva Parks, Harold Nelson, Dorothy F. Johnson, Dorothy E. Johnson, Evadell Metzger, Frances Kane, Florence Lindgren, Evelyn Wright, Ruth Nattier and Iva Kemp.
THE OLD SEMINATY, AND PHOENIX SCHOOL
Homer L. Webber, whose father, Milton Webber, along with Melissa McGill and Jonathan Street, were members of the school board with the one-room Phoenix School was built, wrote this information about its predecessor, the "Old Seminary. "
"As to the Old Seminary .. the building, a huge two-story wood structure, was built when Wenona was really new and had great prospects. It was not a grade school, but a seminary ... I believe the grounds were almost five peres and when I first come to wenona in 1884, it had a fence made of heavy posts and four by four timbers. At the southwest and
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northwest corners were turnstiles. Some of the houses were built for the teachers and the old John O. Dent home was built for the seminary's president. My impression is that in the first few years many attended the school and it had quite a reputation.
"In 1884 when my brother, Bernard, started his schooling there, it had become a grade school and I think occupied just one room on the east side of the building. "
The seminary burned down around 1896. A few years later, the brick, one-room school known as Phoenix was built. The name was given to the school by Milton Webber and it means, "Risen from the ashes. " Later another room and an upstairs assembly were added. Then it became necessary to hire two teachers instead of one.
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"Brush College" Country School
Peg Earp
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BRUSH COLLEGE
"Brush College," it was called -- or "French's School" or "Lower Judd." A rose by any other name is just as sweet, but mention "Old Brush" to its erstwhile students, now grown to man- or womanhood, and a nostalic gleam comes into their eyes as they reminisce.
There was no highway leading to the threshold of this one-room rural school in Evans Township. Pupils made their own paths as they trudged cross-country from farm homes in every direction. In winter when snow was deep in the hollows and icy winds whipped over the hills, boys and girls stepped lively in their high-top boots trek- king to classes. In spring when sweet Williams, violets and blue- bells perfumed the air, birds sang in the trees and fish flipred in- vitingly in the brook, it was easy to linger along the way or even sit a while on the big fallen tree that served as a footbridge over the stream.
Brush College stood near Sandy Creek, surrounded by bushes, a few brambles and the many beautiful trees that grew in French's timber. Gradually some of the brush and trees were cleared away and a fence was built around the school, cobshed, well pump and the two small necessary outbuildings a few yards to the rear.
Central heating came from a stove in the middle of the room until it was replaced by a new one that stood in a corner with a metal jacket around it. A long blackboard covered the back wall. A porch or hall was built on the front end of the school to make room for coats, caps and overshoes. Shelves were added where lunch- es (mostly in half-galleon Karo syrup pails) were placed in a row awaiting noontime. A red bucket on a three-cornered shelf held the drinking water. One dipper served all until the trend toward sani- tation dictated that each scholar should bring a collapsible cup -- one of the modern innovations of the day. Some winters, parents took turns sending the makin's for hot soup. Heating water and washing dishes were also a part of the "hot lunch program."
Installation of a telephone caused a flurry of excitement. It was the only country school with a telephone then. The Marion French home a short distance away was used as a "central" where Mrs. French relayed messages. Only in dire emergencies was the in- strument used, but when sickness or accidents occurred it was a great aid to the teacher. (See "Impromptu Operations.")
Such was their love for Brushy that some children cried when Sandy Creek went on a rampage, barring their way. To get his daugh- ter, Gladys, to quit crying on such an occasion, Will Grant hitched his horses to a wagon, put Glad aboard and drove toward school. llonching Old Sandy, they started to ford it. The strong current forced the team downstream but they eventually landed on the other side without capsizing and Glad got to ther beloved classes. Brush College was a typical country grade school but to those who learned readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic in it there never was and never will be another one mite like it.
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IMPROMPTU OPERATIONS
The germ-free, air-filtered, stainless steel, tiled, brilliantly lighted, spotless and shining surgical rooms in today's large modern hospitals are like a dream, compared to conditions under which some vital surgery was performed decades ago. Two such operations follow.
Cliff Stateler, one of Wenona's respected elderly citizens, has never forgotten the experience he had when a boy. He and two other lads heard that a man's leg was going to be amputated by Dr. Charles E. Fogg, a local physician, so they hurried to the doctor's home. His office was in the front of this large residence two doors north of the Methodist Church (now owned by Deneens). There, with noses pressed against the large pane of an east window, the trio spied the patient stretched on a table and, scared but fascinated, they watched every move as Dr. Fogg performed the arduous, sanguinary task. Cliff can still see in retrospect every detail of the cutting, sawing of bone, and stitching. The operation was a success and the man lived many years.
When Frances Peterson (Lundgren) wended her way to Old Brushy country school one morning years ago, she had no idea that before the day was over she would have submitted to major lung surgery. She became critically ill in class and the teacher used the school tele- phone to call "central" at the Marion French house. The message was relayed and as a result, Fran was carted home and deposited on the kitchen table where Doctors Peterson of Rutland and Yarnell of Wenona performed an emergency operation for empyema of the lung -- no simple task. Fran is living proof of its success as she teaches her own classes in school today.
HOME CURES FOUND IN THE BACK OF A NINETEENTH CENTURY COOKBOOK
FOR THE LUNGS -- A quart (or less if too strong) of tar, stirred 5 minutes in a gal. of water, and 1/4, or a tumbler, taken 4 times a day, an hour or two after meals, is said to clear the lungs and give greater ease in public speaking.
TAPE WORMS are said to be removed by refraining from supper and breakfast, and at 8 o'clock taking 1/3 part of 200 minced pumkinseeds, the shells of which have been removed by hot water; at 9 take another 1/3; at 10 the remainder, and follow it at Il with a strong dose of castor-oil.
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I ENONA SCHOCIS
The first public school of Wenona was built in 1863 in the northwest part of town on the lot now (1968) owned by Miss Freidaborg Helander. The frame structure, 34 x 80 feet, two stories high, was the main building. Another wing of the same size was added in 1866. The total cost was $9000. Mr. Bryant was the first teacher.
In 1881 the building was used for high school and seventh and eighth grades. A wing was added to the east side of the building for the grammar grades. A four year high school was taught with a selection of subjects. Those required are the same taught today. Mr. George Parker was the first high school superintendent. The first class to be graduated in 1884 was one girl, Inez l'ingate (Mrs. John Dent). Six teachers were on the staff.
The year the high school was started a one room building was erected for the primary grades. This was located where Bethany Lutheran Church now stands.
In 1891 a brick building was built in the west end of town. It was located wher l'enona now has a city park shelter. This was a three story building. The lower floor was used for the grades and the upper floor for high school. The attic had an area large enough for the boys to play basketball.
The four rooms for the elementary pupils each had two grades. Reading, writing and arithmetic were the important subjects. The playground had many kinds of shade trees which were used for nature study. At least once a year each room would hike a mile or two down the country road to observe the wild flowers and animals along the road. They stopped at a large shade tree to eat a sack lunch and returned to school to summarize the trip. Each spring they had a program outdoors called May Day. There was always a May pole dance, circle dances and drills.
The children enjoyed the shady playground. They played blackman, three deep, drop the handkerchief, marbles and baseball. The only playground equipment was a merry-go-round.
The high school had one large room for the assembly room and three class rooms. The subjects taught were English, Grammar, History, Algebra, Geometry, Physics and Latin. The grounds on the north side of the building were graveled for the high school boys to practice basketball and baseball.
By 1918 the enrollment increased and the building was too small for grade and high school. The high school was moved to the large frame home of Mr. Cowen which was on the grounds now occupied by Wenona Community School. In 1921 a proposition to establish a Wenona Community High School was voted on and in January, 1927 the first classes were held in the new building. This building is today (1968) used for high school classes. The Board members at that time were;
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M. J. French, president, H. D. Hodge, John Flahaven, P. W. Healy and C. A. Lindgren.
In 1949 it was voted to enlarge the school district uniting the town school, grade and high, and all the rural schools which included parts of Marshall, LaSalle and Livingston Counties. This was called the Wenona Community Unit District ko. 1. A fleet of five buses was purchased to pick up and return high and grade school pupils. Two wings were added to the high school building, extending north and west. There were fourteen classrooms, a central office, cafeteria, home economics room, industrial arts shop, band shell, agricultural shop and a large gymnasium in the new structure.
When the new building opened in 1952-53 the grade school had a teaching staff of twelve. The high school had eleven members on the faculty. The school board members were; Dr. William Gilman, president, Ralph Drummet, Mark Healy, Ronald Coons, Leroy Hoge, Gary Metzger and Albert Bassi.
Again in 1968 another great change is taking place. The St. Mary's Catholic school has closed. These pupils will enter public school, increasing the elementary school enrollment to approximately 350. There will be two rooms of each grade from first through eighth grade. The seventh and eighth grades will be on the first floor of the high school building.
P. T. A. ORGANIZED
On November 5, 1947 a Parent-Teachers Association of the Grade School was organized. Mr. Mark McClure was president. It opened with a membership of seventy very active participants. They held many money making programs and worked hard to start the hot lunch program.
For many years the F. T. A. kept the relationship among the teachers, parents and the community in a harmonious atmosphere by social and instructional gatherings.
The P. T. A. in 1968 is very poorly attended. Since the Unit District has been formed this organization isn't as helpful because the needs of the school are taken care of by the district.
STATE ROAD FROM HENRY TO MOON'S POINT VIA MAGNOLIA, NO. 25 S URVEY OF STATE ROAD IN MARSHALL COUNTY ILLINOIS
by THOMAS PATTERSON JUNE THE 11th 1845
BEGINNING AT AN ASH TREE 8 INCHES IN DIAMETER ON THE SOUTHWEST BANK OF SANDY CREEK & ON THE LINE OF : PUTNAM & MARSHALL COUNTY 165 RODS FROM THE MOUTH OF SANDY CREEK .
0
40
80
OVERMIRE'S HOUSE
575%E 46/2 RODS TO A POST NEAR OVERMIRE'S HOUSE
SAWYERS HOUSE
573E 41 RODS TO A WHITE OAK 36 IN VIA
0
N31 E 20 RODS TO A LARGE STUMP NE OF SANDY CREEK BRIDGE 2 MILES FROM HENRY
N 83/E 60 RODS TO THE GUIDE POST SW OF BRIDGE
SAWYERS MILL
RACE
556E 73% RODS TO POST ON ROAD ON BURNS FARM
HENNIPEN ROAD
LACON ROAD
BEGINNING PUTNAM COUNTY LINE
NIZE 40 RODS TO A LARGE DRY OAK IN JOHN FOSTER'S FIELD 1 John FOSTER'S
N 88E 11/2 ROOS TO A POST WEST SIDE OF OLD ROAD AT JOHN FOSTER'S
554E 16 RODS TO POST ON FOSTER POINT
576 E 36 RODS TO A POST
SSZE 23% RODS TO A POST
560E 14 RODS TO A BURR OAK 34 IN DIA.
FOSTER'S
BOGUE
566E 35 RODS TO A POST
532E 22 RODS TO AN ASH 36 IN. DIA. S 3% W 15 RODS TO A POST 5 13/4 W 18 3/4 to AN ASH 6 IN DIA. SIGW 37 RODS TO A POST
Redrawn by Robert Pickard
TO A POST
SANDY CREEK
-.
THENCE S68 % W 13% RODS
S 74 E 57 RODS TO A LARGE DRY OAK ON SAWYER'S LAND
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Chapter XI
HIGHWAYS
AND
BYWAYS IN
EVANS TOWNSHIP
Unlike Old Sandy Creek which flows along freely, good roads are the result of planning, labor and expenditure of funds.
In the early 1800s pioneers were arriving with all of their belongings in covered wagons after a slow, tedious and often dangerous journey over rough wagon trails which later became modern highways.
Henry (Hank) Flesburg who was Evans Township's Commissioner of Highways for twenty-eight years, remembers the old country roads long before he took office in 1939 which was exactly 100 years after the forming of Marshall County as its boundaries are now.
Mr. Flesburg's predecessor, Wm. Hoskins, was commissioner for seven years and before him, Clarence Axline for twenty-eight years, a total of sixty-three years' service by these three men. The first V-shaped snowplow used on the township's roads was made by Mr. AX- line, using wooden planks. In earlier years roads were -sometimes impassable for weeks but farmers seemed content to stay close to home fires although there was no radio or television then to enter- tain them. When necessary, openings were made in fences so horses could pull sleds or wagons across the fields where roads were drift- ed shut.
Prior to Mr. Axline's term, three road commissioners were elected instead of just one. Information about those elected in 1850 was found in an old record book rescued by Paul Heike from a trash pile over 100 years after it was written in the fine Spencerian penmanship of Town Clerk Alfred Judd and others.
At "the first Town meeting in the Town of Evans on Tuesday the 2nd day of April in the year of our Lord 1850 at the School House in district No. 2 of Town said," with Joshua Evans acting as Moder- ator and Alfred Judd as Clerk, three Commissioners of Highways were elected: David F. Griffith who received 33 votes, Samuel W. Jones, 30 votes and Alston Bowman, 18 votes. For Overseer of Highways -- Joshua Evans and John S. Hunt each received 14 votes. I.s a result of "a drawing by the Moderator," Mr. Hunt became Overser.
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