USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Stewardson > Stewardson, the first 100 years : history of the village of Stewardson, Prairie Township and vicinity > Part 11
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that Mr. Beals received the Ford Franchise in his own right. He also operated an auto body shop on South Cedar Street. Mr. Beals continued to operate the Ford garage until 1971. His son, Ralph Beals, continues to operate the family business with the assistance of his friendly salesman, Charlie Beals. Beals Motor Company has received numerous awards through the years from the Ford Motor Com- pany, for outstanding salesmanship.
Car Repairs in 1922 in Stewardson:
Overhaul motor and transmission, $25. Overhaul rear axle, $5.
Replace transmission bands $3 to 4$; tires $3.60 to $6.
Car Repairs, 1974
Body repair-$8.50 per hour
Mechanical work-$8.50 to $9 per hour Transmission overhaul-$3.80 to $4 Tires-from $35 to $125 (radial)
1922 New Car Price
1922-A new Ford car, F. O. B. De- troit, was $348. Fordson tractor was about $500.
1974 New Car Price
Impala Chevrolet - $4,614; base price-$3,751.90 with $784 for the extras. L. T. D. Ford-$5,000.
KEROSENE AND GASOLINE
Otto Zerr is reported to have been the first oil dealer in Stewardson. He built a concrete tank and had kerosene ship- ped in which he sold for $2.50 a barrel to people who brought their own barrels.
W. V. Beals started the Standard Oil Agency in Stewardson. Ed Brown and a Ben Brown each operated the agency for about two years apiece before Karl Lugar took over in 1933.
Mr. Lugar says that he started with
This is one of the original oil wagons used by the Standard Oil Dealers to de- liver their products in the early 1900's. Kerosene and white gasoline were the principal products along with axle grease.
Alva Patterson is the driver with his team of ponies in a Homecoming Pa- rade.
two bulk tanks-one for gasoline and the other for kerosene. They each held 450 gallons. Mr. Lugar retired in 1960, after which, Don Sweitzer was agent for about two years.
At the present time the Stewardson area is served by the Standard Oil Dealer in Strasburg, Clarence Buesking.
Theodore Alwardt delivers gasoline, fuel oil and other oil products in this area for Sunoco Oil Company. He hauls it from the Effingham bulk plant.
Ferdinand McCormick, Jr. was tank salesman for Sunoco for a year before Ted started and Larry Shumard oper- ated the business before that.
Kenneth Noffke at one time started the business for Sunoco and operated it for several years with the help of Vic- tor Keller. Sunoco had a bulk plant on fourth Pine S'reet for several years.
This was the Standard Oil Bulk Plant on North Pine Street.
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Fun and Folic in Early Stewardson
STEWARD
BAKD
This picture supposedly was taken in front of a house Notice the board walk. on South First Street. There were no names given to us.
STEWARD SOM BAND
This is a picture of one of Stewardson's bands. It was taken on the porch of Henry Ulmer's house. Back row, left to right: Lloyd Walker, George Zalman, Edgar Williams, Aquilla Williams, Frank Snap, Jake
Hoyer.
Front row, left to right: Wilford Timperley, Charles Walker, Hunt, Kin Corricks, George Zalman, Wm. Timper- ley.
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STEWARDSON BAND
The first Stewardson band was organ- ized around 1878 or 1879. The old Stew- ardson Enterprise states, "Stewardson now has a band and one that any town might be proud of." A later article said, "The band is composed of good- hearted, jolly boys and they know how to handle their respective instruments and they will under their efficient in- structor, Mr. Huffen, soon be able to compete with, if not excel, the best bands in the state!"
Apparently the band was discontinued for a period of time through the 1880's and then was reorganized around 1887. The reorganized Stewardson Brass Band met for its first practice on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1887 and made its first appear-
PARKS
In the Stewardson Clipper, in 1888, was a news item stating that Wm. Carr had leased the village park, would cultivate the ground, trim the trees and fix the park up in good shape for what he can raise off it that year.
After the Stewardson - Strasburg Community Unit School District built the new grade school building at the present site, the school property in Stewardson was unused. The Vil- lage officials purchased the land that was being used by the commu- nity for a ball diamond and the grade school building.
Plans were initiated to use the building for a community center; but due to the lack of interest, the gymnasium is the only part that is being used very extensively at the present time.
The ball diamond was improved and new lights were installed. It was named Denn Field in honor of Wm. Denn.
Mr. Denn, a very civic-minded man,
ance on the Streets of Stewardson on Dec. 24, 1887. Prof. Thomas Murry was engaged as leader of the band for the coming campaign. The editor of the Clipper attested to his ability and said, "Tommy is a good teacher." This was an enterprising group of men that was far-sighted enough to build a band wagon, "so they will be prepared to attend all calls and save car fare."
If in need of a band, a person could contact Prof. Thomas Murry, Steward- son, Illinois for a band that was, "pre- pared to play at fairs, picnics, and political meetings as cheap as any band in the State."
In 1920, a Lutheran Church band was formed. They had about 35 members and played together for three or four
in his Will had left the income from an 80-Acre tract, three miles south of Stewardson, to the Village for twenty-five years. The first money was received in 1970 and was used to purchase this property, and to make the improvements.
years. Several of the members lost interest in the band and they formed a new band with the town people. Jake Hoyer was the first director of this band and later a Mr. Henne was their director. They had band concerts every Wednesday night during the sum- mer months on Main Street.
A small group of people in the south part of town formed a band and were known as the "Jay Bird" band.
Later the town band broke up and they joined with some people from Strasburg and Mattoon and this band played at the county fairs.
Mr. Otto Zerr taught band at the Stewardson High School and had a band which gave concerts in Stewardson and surrounding towns in the 1930's.
Wm. Denn first served on the Vil- lage Board as a trustee. At one time he served as mayor.
He was postmaster for several years and worked in the bank after that. He was a ball fan and umpired local games for many years.
w
This is apparently a picture of a group of war veterans taken at a celebration in our park. This picture was published in the Clipper, and some of these men were identified by relatives. Bill Reid, Andrew Har- rington, Jake Strohl, John Mesnard, James Koontz, Robert Butcher, Henry York, C. Ricketts and Aquila Williams. (Mayor Glen Giesler's grandfather, second from right, front row.)
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"Obey the Voice of the Lord Our God"
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
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Moomaw Park is in the Moomaw Subdivision.
Wayne Moomaw set aside a lot in the Moomaw Subdivision, equipped it with some playground equipment, and presented it to the Village of Steward- son in November 1973.
For many years the park wasn't very well maintained. During the W.P.A. days, it was a W.P.A. project to furnish jobs for some people of this area. The sod was cut away for a tennis court, croquet court, and ball diamond.
After the organization of the Lions Club and their first Homecoming, the Club sponsored many of the present im- provements. Members of the Club cut logs in Leo Rincker's timber, hauled them to the saw mill, and then built the south pavilion. Later they built the rest
The Stewardson Park was included in an 1895 Atlas as a part of C. Weed's Subdivision; so apparently it was laid out as a Village Park in the early years of Stewardson. As the picture on this page shows, at one time it had a dense stand of maple trees. These apparently were thinned out so that the large maple trees that are standing now were left. The Lions Club and some of the recent town board members set out some replacements. The band stand apparently dates back to 1900 or before. It was used for many band concerts, entertainments, and for speakers. It was the center of Fourth of July Celebrations in the early nineteen hundreds.
Some of our older citizens tell about local citizens who were always ready to make a speech at these rallies.
rooms, the other pavilion and the tennis court. The Mother's Club of Steward- son was responsible for getting the play- ground equipment.
ALLEN'S MERRY GO ROUND
During the early 20's Mr. H. J. Allen who had travelled with carnivals with his merry-go-round settled in Steward- son. He would set up his merry-go- round for a few weeks at a time espe-
cially in the spring and fall. He set it up in the lot east of Beals Garage and on Saturday and Thursday nights he did a good business. He stored it in the building that is now Beals Body Shop.
One night some of the older children had the younger ones very much wor- ried. They were saying that Mr. Allen was being arrested. Why? "For letting Merry go round without a dress on."
Haunted Houses, Crime and Other Tripe
STEWARDSON'S HAUNTED HOUSE OF THE GAY 90's
The men of the 1890's converted an old house into a poker den. They cir- culated the story that the house was haunted. In order to enhance the story, they rigged the old house with a rosin-rubbed string and ran the string to a tree across the street. Eerie sounds would echo from the old house when the string was plucked.
There were a number of stories con- nected with this old house. A group
of the boys were "whooping it up" in Radloff's Saloon and were successful in enticing another man to spend the night in the old "haunted house." A five-dollar reward served as the car- rot on the end of the stick. By now, another attraction had been added in the form of an animated dummy. Just as the man got settled for a good night's sleep, the eerie music began to play. The dummy began to move toward him. Needless to say, he did not win his five-dollar reward.
Rumors of the infamous old house
hegan to spread, and Mr. Wucherpfinig offered his services to rid the house of its ghosts. "Ole Man" Wucherpfinig, as he was known, had the reputation of being a ghost chaser. Our fun- loving ancestors saw the chance for some fun. A large crowd gathered, and "Ole Man" Wucherpfinig started with his ritual. Suddenly, two men grabbed Wucherpfinig, threw him into the house, and locked the door. Poor Mr. Wolkerfinny broke through the side of the house, and the ghosts re- mained.
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SHORT CHANGED
During the latter part of the 1890's, Stewardson was treated to a balloon ascension and rides near Lake Paul. The general area took on a carnival atmosphere with booths and crowds of people. One of our citizens was standing by one of the booths when a vendor and a customer got into an argument over some change. "I was just a little shaver then. The man behind the counter suddenly pulled a gun and shot the customer in the shoulder, My! My! My eyes got as big as saucers. That was quite an experience for a little squirt," he said.
Who said they weren't short tem- pered and tough in the old days?
NOTE TO YOUNG LOVERS
Wm. Gerren, 1888. Our police magistrate is "chock full" of business. He deals out justice to the rich and the poor without any partiality what- ever. If you want to get married, he will tie the knot as tight as any- one, and his charges will never bank- rupt you; and after marrying you, he will sell you coal to keep you warm, as cheap as the cheapest. Give him a call if you need anything in his line, espe-
cially in the matrimonial or coal busi- ness.
LEGEND OF PIEDMONT
The late-night theater goers and the business district of Stewardson literal- ly shook in their boots when a lone gunman terrorized the town, holding some of the citizens at bay with a long gun, on the fateful night of Saturday, May 13, 1922. Piedmont allegedly herded people into two cafes at gun point, while others scattered like a covey of quail.
Typical of the Wildwest shootouts of old, tables were overturned, and peo- ple leaped behind them. The more curious would peer over the table rim only to see the barrel of his gun peer- ing back at them through the cafe win- dow. Piedmont was then off at full tilt to make sure the captives in the other cafe stayed in place. Some peo- ple said that it took on the atmosphere of intermission time at a tent show when Piedmont reportedly passed out free candy to those brave enough to take it. Piedmont, apparently, was having the time of his life with his practical joke. In a matter of speak- ing, others were having the time of their lives also. Little did anyone realize that Piedmont's old relic could
not fire. In fact, in most minds, it was only a question of "when" and not "if."
One young lad, observing the comedy from the top of a building, got away and called Sheriff Biggs. The die was now cast. The sheriff had lost his brother, Sidney, in a similar situation, and he was taking no chances. The sheriff and scattergun arrived, Pied- mont bolted, a posse was formed, and the chase was on. Suddenly it ended as quickly as it started when Piedmont was caught, and his hand was mangled by a blast from the scattergun. Like so many events in this topsy-turvey world, the Villian turned out to be the Victim, and the true Villian (White Mule) continued to run freely. Accord- ing to a 1922 edition of the Clipper, Pied- mont was hospitalized and forced to go through life with half a hand.
This is only one version of many of what happened here that night. Who was Piedmont? Where did he come from? Where did he go? No one seems to know. The event did hap- pen, people were frightened, and he was shot in the hand. But no one can agree on the details, and the story only remains "The Legend of Piedmont" based on some facts and probably a lot of faulty memory.
Musings From the Mayor
BURGOMASTERS & BUREAUCRATS
Some of the Village records have been lost, but we felt that the names of the Presidents of the Board that we could find should be listed. Many of these are relatives of citizens of Stewardson and people who will read this book.
If any names are left out, it is only because we didn't have complete rec- ords. They aren't listed in order for this reason.
J. L. Becker
Henry Duensing
E. E. Herron, 1903 - 1905
J. B. Singer, 1907
Henry York, 1909 - 1911
John Becker
Frank Williams
E. Gallagher
W. H. Reid
A. C. Mautz
Paul Yakey, 1949 - 53 - 57 - 61
Lars Johnson
John Manhart
Charles Walker
G. W. Voris
John H. McDaniel
VILLAGE TRUSTEES, CLERKS, AND POLICE MAGISTRATES
J. T. McIntosh
F. T. Engel
Frank Voris
Harrison Fouste
John Baumgarten
Cyrus Engel
J. T. Duddleston
Lloyd Walker
George Zalman
August Gretzmaker
Otto Zerr
Jacob Bridges
E. Boggs
H. A. Huffman
W. F. Holmes, 1913 - 1917 - 1919 - 21
D. M. Duddleston 1915 W. V. Beals, 1923 - 1925 Gilbert Brummerstedt, 1945
Wm. Denn Glen Giesler, 1965 - 69 - 73
E. Boggs
O. Messerchmitt
Thos. Gains
Glen W. Giesler Present Mayor
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Village Board - 1974
From Left to Right: Glen W. Giesler, President of the Board, Trustees Walter Strohl, Darwin Storm, Edward Allen, Marvin Underwood, Village Clerk Dwight Storm and Trustee Joe Falk.
W. V. Parr C. W. Wilson Fred Robey
C. A. Mietzner, Sr. Charles Bailey Andrew Weber Charles Grove H. G. Yates T. H. Bauer Charles Beals T. P. Mautz
O. Z. Stephens S. D. Buzzard George Tull Fred C. Schultz Walter Donaldson James Brady Wm. Moomaw H. H. Ulmer L. F. Painter Harry Falk Paul Strohl J. N. Beals Russell Turner Clarence Ashenbramer
Eugene Rothrock Ray Richards Robert Engel Wm. Heiden Aubrey Jones Ralph Beals Charles Quast Donald Friese
Wayne Moomaw Paul Zike
Isaac Brown Cyrus Engel Wm. Moomaw Lowell Moomaw
J. N. Beals
At least through 1925, the Village elec- tions were held annually with two-year terms.
Harry Falk Present Village Trustee
Harry is not sure of the first year that he was elected as a Village trustee. In the records that are available it shows that he has served continuously since 1945.
Apparently this is a record for con- tinuous service as a Board member.
INTERESTING ITEMS FROM MINUTES OF EARLY VILLAGE BOARDS
Treasurer's Report Of A Meeting In 1904
Standard Oil for gasoline, $8.10 Nick Eckhart - hauling and street labor, $5.25
Chas. Grove - labor on streets, $3.75
W. W. Latch · labor on
streets, $3.75
Geo. Huffer · labor on streets, $1.75
C. F. Friese - use of engine for grading streets, $9.00
At the June, 1904 meeting, a comit- tee was appointed to investigate lights for Stewardson.
The total annual appropriation or- dinance was $1,000.00.
In the October, 1904 meeting, Wm. Spannagel was given permission to build telephone lines to the homes of H. Ulmer and H. Duensing.
March, 1905, Williams and Co. was authorized to order one or more lamps for trial.
June, 1905, a contract was let to build the concrete and brick bridge on Cedar Street.
The expenses in May of 1906, the treasurer's report showed payments to Charles Beals for eight loads of manure, and to Charles Grove for four loads at 50 cents a load; but it didn't tell where it was used.
During these years, 1905 to 1920, many of the concrete walks were built.
Starting in December, 1906 with a petition, signed by the railroad to open the Spruce Street crossing.
In the October, 1907 meeting, the Board instructed the Mayor, J. B. Singer, to consult a lawyer about ci- der being sold in Stewardson.
As far as is known, no one has the date that the band stand in the park was built, but the minutes show that it was repaired in 1908.
October 5, 1908, at the Board meet- ing, an order in the amount of $7.00 was authorized for the removing of a body that had been buried on the wrong lot in the cemetery.
These two ordinances really show the changing times: In the June, 1909 meeting, an ordinance was passed to set the speed limit for cars at 8 M. P. H .; and at the July meeting, this limit was changed to 10 M. P. H. In February, 1910, ten new gasoline
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street lights were purchased.
Pollution was apparently a problem in 1910 as the committee on health was instructed to investigate the Johnson Hog Pens.
In 1910, the license fee for tent shows was set at $10.00.
The treasurer's report showed pay- ment of 7% interest on borrowed money in 1911.
The building of two water closets in the park was approved in 1911.
In 1911, Frank Williams was given a franchise to furnish electricity for the town for 20 years, and a contract for five years to provide lights for the streets at $25 per light. Twenty- five lights were approved at that time.
Improvements in 1912:
The bank was given permission to raise the walks around their building four or five inches, put in a cesspool under the north walk, pipe water from the village well at their corner, put in a cellar door in the walk with an iron door and three windows in the walk to be covered with iron grates
Two more street lights were added; A concrete watering trough was built at the pump by the bank;
Iron seats for the park at a cost not to exceed $25 were approved;
$7,000 in Bonds were issued to im- prove the streets;
Three carloads of rock were order- ed for the streets at a cost of $1.24 per ton, F. O. B. Stewardson;
A license was issued to operate a movie machine to Neal or Noling at a cost of $30;
Laborers were paid 15¢ an hour. In 1913, the trees in the park were thinned.
At different times, the Board minutes recorded the granting of per- mits for Fourth of July celebrations in the park.
In November, 1914, space in the
cemetery was set aside for a well. The expense for digging was to be paid by women of Stewardson and the surrounding area.
In December, 1914, Standard Oil was granted a franchise to build oil storage facilities in town.
In August, 1916, the Street and Alley Committee was authorized to put up concrete traffic posts at the bank cor- ner, Voris office corner, at the corner north of the Belles Hotel and at the cor- ner south of the hotel. Each post was to have one red light and a cluster of four white lights.
In January, 1917 minutes, approval was given to pay $10 for coal for the lobos.
Dr. W. F. Holmes was paid $5 for fumigating a home.
Starting in 1916, the election reports listed the men's votes and the women's votes separately. The returns were re- corded this way until 1921.
In December, 1917 meeting, the Fire Committee reported a need for two new ladders and five or six new buckets.
In 1918, to try to control the selling of stolen articles, an ordinance was passed to license junk and second-hand stores, and it stated that only licensed people could operate junk carts.
In 1918, all of the village ordinances were revised and many new ones were written. These were printed in a book form. This is the only ordinance book or record of ordinances, except some that have been passed in the past few years, that can be found. Due to the many changes since then, this is a very interesting book to be read.
Signs of changes in transportation :
1917-C. A. Mietzner was issued a li- cense to erect a gasoline tank at his garage;
November 1919-the Board gave per- mission to W. W. Kesler to erect a gaso- line pump and air pipe in front of the Krumreide building.
Parking was a problem even in horse and buggy days. In 1918, the Board
authorized the renting of the Rosine hitch yard at $8 a month.
In 1920, the Village records show the local power company as Prairie Electric Company.
In 1921, H. H. York, in a board meet- ing, urged that the streets be improved; so the Board allowed him $200 for the project.
In 1921, the city jail was repaired. Ordinances were passed requiring muf- flers on cars, and auto tractors were allowed to use only the streets desig- nated by the Board.
In 1945, the Village Board applied to the Federal Works Agency for a loan for plan development for a sewer sys- tem. The plans were drawn up; but due to not being able to get financing, the project was never started.
The waterworks petition was present- ed to the Board in September, 1954. The Village Water System was built in 1955.
The Steve Baumgarten subdivision was annexed to Stewardson in 1964.
The New Fire District was started in 1966.
The A. M. Beals subdivision-East Main St. from Charles Allsop property- was annexed to Stewardson, Nov., 1965.
All of the street lights in town were changed to vapor lights in 1967.
Kim and Tim's Heights subdivision (Elmer Baumgarten land) was annexed to Stewardson in 1968.
Street signs were approved by the Board and erected in 1969.
The Moomaw subdivision was an- nexed in July, 1969.
The Lions Club built the second pa- vilion in the park in 1969.
Main Street was widened and as- phalted in 1970.
The Village Board purchased the Grade School property in 1970. Christmas decorations for uptown were purchased in 1970.
In 1973, a summer recreation pro- gram was started. using Revenue Shar- ing Funds.
Graveyards on the Lone Prairie
A copy of the original plat of the Stew- ardson Cemetery was given to the Vil- lage Board by Harold H. Ulmer. The plat is dated November 22, 1878, and was filed at the Courthouse, March 12, 1879. It was signed by Henry Duensing, President of the Board, and Fredrick Hoese, Village Clerk. Mr. Duensing was Harold Ulmer's grandfather.
The first addition to the cemetery was added in 1911. The minutes of the Vil- lage Board show that this land was bought from Dr. T. L. Ingram for $500.50, and the right to a choice lot. They then sold one acre of this land to Joe Powell for $200.
The second addition was recorded in 1943 and the third addition, in 1949. At
the present time, about one-half of this addition has been laid out for sale.
A memorial monument for Daniel Leffler shows the date of his death, March 5, 1863, so apparently some peo- ple were buried here before the original plat was recorded.
The Wolf Creek Cemetery is located in the church yard of the former Wolf
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LERBON
Apparently, Stewardson always tried to keep the Cemetery mowed. This picture was taken in the early 1900's and shows the three men with the common mowing tools of the times, scythes. One of these men, center, is the grandfather of the present mayor, Glen Giesler.
This monument and carillon were erected in December, 1973, on a lot furnished by the village, in the east part of the cemetery. Mrs. Victor Keller had it erected to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Keller, Mrs. Berniece Keller Dixon and Idelle Keller, and then gave it to the Cem- etery Board. It is a beautiful at- dition to the cemetery.
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