USA > Illinois > Adams County > Liberty > This is Liberty Illinois : a history of the village of Liberty Adams County, Illinois > Part 3
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The first officers were: president, Frieda Frey;
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vice president, Myrtle Mitchell; secretary, Grace Hof- miester and treasurer, Mabel Dean.
The Auxiliary is still an active organization with independent activities as well as those projects they have in conjunction with the Legion Post.
The cast of a Legion Minstrel during the late 1950's. Back Row: Orel Hess and Bill Oakman; front row: Del- bert Bent, Orville Fischer, Ralph Roe, Floyd Graff, Carl Tournear, Bill Hartsfield and Forrest Baucom.
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THIS IS LIBERTY Business Clubs
Service organizations have come and gone as the needs and interests of Liberty's inhabitants have varied.
Those prior to 1900 have been lost to posterity through no fault of the organization's membership. Soon after 1900, the newspaper, having fallen by the wayside, a group of business men sought to help the cause of pro- gress. Calling themselves the "Commercial Club, " they sought a newspaper man who could be editor, publisher and printer. They also considered the educational needs and other civic necessities.
Much of the village's progress made at that time can be traced to the diligence of these men, Dr. W. E. Mercer, Steve Law less and others.
By the 1920's the group was called the Commun- ity Club and its members were seeking better roads so that Liberty would be available to the outside world; the y sought the Chautaquas and concerts, which provided cultural food for Liberty minds, and in general they tried to promote their town.
The lack of ready cash, the loss of the gaiety of the 20's is recorded as cause of dissension among club members in the minutes of a regular meeting in 1930. Individual problems and general loss of interest caused the club to cease to exist.
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During the late 1950's and early 1960's, the the forward-minded business men of Liberty again organ- ized. This group called itself the Business Men's Associ- ation. These local entrepreneurs met to discuss Liberty's current problems and to consider possible solutions. Although the group could not claim the solution to any set situation, they contributed to many of the final answers.
Lions
At the close of World War II, a Lions Club was organized in Liberty, with a Quincy Club as sponsor. The Lions Club, started in 1914, is a non-political, non-sectarian civic organization whose members are business and professional men interested in the develop- ment of their community. The purpose of the individual club is to recognize community needs and to fulfill these needs by independent effort or through cooperation with other groups.
On November 18, 1946, a charter night was held in Libertywith the Eastern Star serving the dinner. the first officers were; Delbert Lierle, president; Wen- dell Mathis, first vice president; Donald Mulch, second vice president; Walter Hofmeister, third vice president; Horace Hipkins, secretary-treasurer; Delbert Linne- meyer, Lion Tamer; C. A. Gamble, Tail Twister; Ed Tenhouse, C. E. Lierle, Philip Balzer and C. P. Grey, directors.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
TETS
Lions Club "Breakfast in Hollywood,"
The club presented a variety show called after awell-known radio program, "Breakfast in Hollywood," in 1947. The affair proved to be one of the club's early successes .
In 1950 the Fall Festival of the Lions Club was first held. This small fair-type event has become an annual occurrence in early September. A parade opens the festivities with two or three days of displays, pro- grams and special activities following. A Miss Liber-
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ty is crowned and numerous prizes go to lucky ticket holders.
Since its origin the list of presidents has become long. However, one man, Raymond Longlett from the Liberty Club, went on to become District Governor of the International Lions organization in 1960.
The club has accomplished many civic-minded activities from donation of equipment to the school, aid with glasses for the needy, to such things as contribution to the Teen Center, the Liberty Park shelter house and the annual visit of Santa Claus.
Women's Christian Temperance Union -
The Women's Christian Temperance Union formed a local unit in 1902 in Liberty. Although the organization wasn't formed until the 20th century, nearly 50 years earlier Liberty ladies made national news with their ax on the drinking of alcoholic beverages. In August of 1860 eleven Liberty ladies raided the local tavern and created havoc.
It is evident that the taverns were an intricate part of Liberty in these early days as was the case in most villages. In the early 1880's there were five saloons in Liberty. In many hamlets these places were the social headquarters for the men of the area. We can assume that Liberty followed this pattern.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
WOMEN WAR ON GROG.
LIBERTY, Ill .- Excitement rippled through this town after eleven women revolted against the grog shops and went about breaking some barrels of the spirits.
The townsmen met and passed this resolution:
"That we will defend our property at the risk of our lives against the eleven and all other women; that this is a free country, and men are allowed, under the laws, to do as they please; that women should not be allowed to smash-up property, espe- cially spirits; that women should be sent to the penitentiary for riotous conduct as well as men; that we will give 25 cents per head for the appre- hension of the eleven and all others that talk that way; that we are under many obligations to the proprietors (of the local shops) for the spirit they have so liberally used in this effort to maintain law and order; that every- body should learn to mind their own business, especially women."
The eleven are still receiving rein- forcement from the women around and the war is not yet ended.
The national Women's Temperance Union was organized in 1874. They organized to fight the saloon and to educate the public concerning the evils of intox- icating beverages, but Frances Willard, during her presi- dency, developed more active areas including world peace, women's suffrage, child labor, prison reform and moral education.
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A group of thirteen women in Liberty in 1902 decided to organize an anti-drinking group in the vill- age. These ladies included Mrs. Maggie Grubb, who was elected president; Mrs. Laura Mercer, secretary; and Mrs. Minnie Frey, club treasurer. The organizational work was done by Mrs. Rebecca Vickers, then Adams County president of the W. C. T. U., and a Mrs. Hall, a state worker.
The Union was very enthusiastic. The president attended all county and state conventions, once even Mrs. Grubb served as president for ten years.
Mrs. Anna (Steve) Lawless was then chosen presi- dent, but after serving a year or two, she resigned be- cause of other duties.
Mrs. Minnie Frey was then elected to the office of president and served for seven years. During the first World War the Union was busy sewing, knitting and making kits for the boys. During this period Mrs. Frey organized a Loyal Temperance Legion with over twenty boys and girls between the ages of eight and fourteen. This organization supported a war orphan in France. The money was raised by entertainments, selling popcorn, candy and other miscellaneous ways. They supported the orphan for four years.
During the 1920's the February meeting of the Union became famous in the village. Mrs. Elizabeth
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THIS IS LIBERTY Breckenridge was hostess for this inspirational and enter- taining meeting. Each year the February meeting was a memorial service for members who had died and to honor Frances Willard. Mrs. Breckenridge's birthday also fell in that month, and she chose at that time to entertain the W.C.T. U. members, families and teachers of the Liberty Township schools. Mrs. Breckenridge continued this custom as long as her health permitted.
It was also in the early '20's that a public li- brary was started by the organization. The books for public use were kept on special shelves in the Liberty bank. The work was kept up for a number of years with many using the facility. Later, when it was discontin- ued, a number of the books were given to the school library. There are still a few of the books in the book- case in the bank lobby, reminiscent of the W.C. T. U. library.
After the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1932, Liberty found itself with an open saloon. This was something new to that generation of villagers for none could remember the earlier days. This posed an op- portunity for the W. C. T. U. to prove its mettle.
First, they contacted George Wilson, a Quincy lawyer who was known for his stand on prohibition. He instructed the ladies on the way to eliminate the tavern, and how to do the task according to law. They secured the required number of signatures to bring the matter to
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a vote. How zealous the participants were showed when the votes were counted on the regular election day. Nearly two and one half voters to one balloted to ban the saloon.
Much work by the W. C. T. U. has been with the schools in recent years. Film, temperance literature, books and stories are furnished to the school each year. During the late 1950's and 1960's poster contests have been.held for the upper grades of the school.
The W. C. T. U. has always been ready to help in efforts towards the improvement of the community. The Union had a part in the planning of the State Convention in Quincy in October of 1960. Three members from the Liberty unit have served as a county president, Mrs. Fred Frey, Mrs. George Doole and Mrs. Walter Hof- meister.
There have been, doubtlessly, organizations we have failed to mention. The ladies have had various homemaking clubs, the Home Extension had a chapter in the village. An active Garden Club was started by Mrs. Bee Ehlert in 1950, and the ladies have done much to beautify the village.
There have been several youth organizations; 4-H Club for rural youth had chapters in Liberty as well as Boy Scouts.
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ENTERTAINMENT
The step from organizations to entertainment is sometimes non-existent. Even those groups whose mis- sion is dedicated to a cause often afford the members a source of entertainment.
In the early days when parties for pure enter- tainment were often frowned upon, the usual excuses were used. Sewing bees, quilting parties, husking bees and sings were fair reasons for fun.
It has been noted that the Presbyterian Church was the scene of singing schools. These afforded the young and young-at-heart a chance to come together and enjoy singing the old songs and learning the new ones. When, after much hard work, the singers and their teacher felt the public should be allowed to enjoy their music, a concert was arranged.
Holiday festivities were also a source of enter- tainment. Of course, Christmas was a church and family-centered holidaywith the planned programs cause for mid-winter reminiscing.
The 4th of July ran a close second to Christmas on most early social calendars. Great picnics were planned, complete with long-winded patriotic speakers and relay races.
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CHAPTER 8 THE LIBERTY SINGING CLASS
-WILL GIVE A-
CONCERT
Under the Direction of Prof. Forgy, At the Public School Building in Liberty, Saturday Eve. April 6, '89, CONSISTING OF SOLOS, DUETTS, QUARTETTES, ETC., ETC.
PROGRAM:
1. Exercises from the Chart.
2. Ruchmental Drill.
3. Instrumental Solo,
Hattie Nichol-, of Payson
4. Whipporwill Song, by the Class
5. "The Golden Gate."-Quartett isses Breckenridge & Widenhammer, Messi's Fry & Hinton 6. Labor Song -Chorus.
7. Bad Cold-Quartotle, Missis Bertha Housaker and Ada Buttz, Messrs. Fry & Forgy 8. "They That Trust in the Lord -- an Anthem. Emma Kuntz
9. Has Father Been Here ? - Solo,
10. The Resurrection-Chorus, By the School
11 Gentle Gales -Du tt, Nora B. Mercer and Bertha Hunsaker
12. Fortune Teller -- comic Quartette, Misses Hunsaker & Buttz, Messrs. Buttz & Forgy
INTERMISSION.
13. Instrumental Solo, Nora Mercer
14 Hnuter's Chorus, ley the Class
15. Pictures in the Clouds-Duett, Helen Breckenridge and Nellie Widenhammer 16. Let us Bow Before Ilim- Quartette-Misses Moore & Buffington, Messes Moore & Hotlineister 17. The Night Bird's Cooing-Solo, Miss Mercer
18. Hallelujah Anthem-Chorus, by the School
19. S.do-(selected ), .
Mis Breckenridge
20. The Minute Gun at Sea-Duett, Ada Buttz and Nova Mercer
21. Magnifying the Name of God-Anthem, - by the School
22. Come Up from the Sea, Oh Dead-a Bass Solo, Glen Spencer, of Payson 23, The Family Row- Comic Quartetto-Misses Moore & Buffington, Messrs. Moore & Hoffineister 24. Solo-selected- Myrtle Forgy
25. Let All Rejoice and Sing Anthem, by the Class
26 Little Gipsy Girl -~ Solo,
27. 0, llow Lovely -- Anthem, by the Class
28 The O P. R. A .- a comic Quartette
Misses HATTIE NICHOLS and NORA MERCER, Organists.
Admission, 20c. Children under 12, 10c.
Doors Open at 7 o'clock. Exercises begin at 7:30 P. M. Concert Handbill of 1889
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THIS IS LIBERTY
999%
July 4th Parade, 1894
In 1894 Liberty was the scene of a tremendous 4th of July celebration. Five thousand persons were present to witness a mile long parade which formed at the Opera House. A dinner was served and then all went the picnic groundsa mile south of Liberty where the program was climaxed with a balloon ascension.
Several buildings housed activities in the early days, the "old brick schoolhouse," the Presbyterian church and a building sometimes called the Opera House but more often called Spangler Hall. It was built circa 1890 by Oliver Vancil on Dudley Street at Chicago Street. The two upper stories served as meeting places and the lower was used to house the horses of the revelers.
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Building of "Spangler Hall"
After the construction of the Opera House on Main Street in 1914, the old Spangler Hall became sort of a gymnasium where basketball and other games were played. In the late 1920's roller skating was even intro- duced to the old hall. The building was torn down about 1928.
The Opera House on Main Street was a grand thing to the village. The magnificent structure housed the newspaper office and bank downstairs and the fine assembly hall on the second floor. This meeting place boasted three exits, fire escapes, two round oak furnaces, electric lights, foot lights, scenery and curtain for the stage, and fifty feet of tables for socials.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
Many a Chautauqua speaker, msuch social fun, and later even movies were shown in this auditorium.
But like all objects animate and inanimate, the Opera House grew old. The magnificence deteriorated to obsoleteness. The interior was gutted of usable ma- terial and left to the rates. Wind and weather have eroded the exterior until now it has secret entries to ag- gravate those who seek to maintain its shell. At this writing the bank and the newspaper still use the lower floor, but it is no longer a grand thing.
The Chautauqua movement was started at Chau- tauqua Lake, New York, in 1874. It was a system of popular assemblies for education and entertainment by lectures, concerts, et cetera, which were held for sev- era| consecutive days. This movement developed and flourished until the 1920's. The first World War proved the death of the itinerant Chautauqua programs which moved from town to town with the professional lecturers, public figures and musical personages.
To the villagers and those who lived near Lib- erty, the annual Chautauqua gave them an opportunity to hear first-hand discussions on current topics and to enjoy the presentations of musical aggregations. As late as 1925, the Liberty Bee announced the annual Chau- tauqua season in Liberty.
-- Liberty Band ---
Music has long played a role in the amusement
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CHAPTER 8 of mankind. It is generally a pleasure to hear music and frequently affords its players as much joy as its hearers.
The first Liberty Band was organized in 1862 and was known as the Farmer's Band. It functioned until 1865 when it was reorganized. It is assumed that the Odd Fellows membership was instrumental in the re- organization and the aggregation became known as the Liberty Band. Earlymembers included Jonah and Edmund Grubb, Oliver, Fred and Walter Collins, George Pond, "Squire Norcross," Dan and Sam Foster and Ed Xanders.
By 1889 Liberty Band was famous in the area, reaching all the way to Macomb and Colchester. Pro- fessor Jonah Sellers was director. He led the musicians to win many contests - not the least was the Colchester Picnic circa 1890, where a Macomb group felt indig- nant that they had been bested by the Liberty Band.
Concerts were played in many nearby towns. Concerts played in Griggsville and Clayton merited the gentlemen rave notices in the Griggsville and Clayton press. Each proclaimed a desire for a repeat perform- ance by the Liberty Concert Band. Special recognition was given to the Grubb Brothers' rendition of "La Paloma" and to Mr. C. G. Buttz' solo, "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep. "
In 1890 C. G. Buttz became Band director, and
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THIS IS LIBERTY
for many years no social was complete without the mus- ic provided by the Liberty Band.
Following World War I the Band was reorganized with the encouragement of the Commercial ( lub. They again presented concerts, and in April of 1924, cele- brated National Music Week with an entire week of musical programs with the help of various other Liberty music groups.
Many Liberty family names are associated with Liberty Bands. Some of these are: Ladd Grubb, Dr. W. F. Snider, George Graff, Charlie Baird, Daniel Vol- mer, George Zehnder, Seymour McCrory, Walter Klar- ner, Clarence Pond, Floyd Mercer, Waldo Frey, W. A. Robinson, Jake Muder, Raleigh Balzer, Alva Lierle, Floyd Wagner, Ernest Kulisch, Fred Frey, Ray Clary, Floyd Spangler, Carl Henning and Henry Felsing.
The 1930's was a dispiriting time to Liberty as it was to much of the nation. Many of the old ways finally disappeared from the community. With automobiles be- coming the mode of transportation, they also affected the mode of living. The lure of distant places could be met and, with this, many types of local entertainment be- came passe.
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Economic Development
DOLIBERTYAS
Liberty Business Houses decorated for Corn Festival circa 1920
As has been mentioned before, A. H. D. Buttz in the 1830's opened a trading post in what is now the village of Liberty, thus taking the first step toward Lib- erty's business history.
A military road came through the village in those days from Atlas to Warsaw. Although much was trans- ported via the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, a short route was needed between wilderness outposts. We can imagine that many of Mr. Buttz's customers were either military personnel or on military missions.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
The steam operated flour mill was an early ad- dition to the town's business. The date of its origin is unknown, but its builders were Xander and Horkney. Ownership of the mill changed hands from time to time through the years, but it was in operation for over sixty years.
Nothing remains of the site in the village today except the rim of the mill pond near the corner of Hanni- bal and Dudley streets. This pond was useful to the resi- dents in various ways. It was used for religious purposes as a bapismal, for recreation as a place to ice skate, and we are sure that more than one Liberty lad took a dip in its cool waters in the summertime.
Blacksmiths were a necessity in these early times and A. H. D. Buttz provided this service for the settlers. In 1870 it is noted that H. Fisher, who came from Ger- many in 1856, was a blacksmith in Liberty. In 1896 John Kuntz, C. W. Linn and W. E. Plowman were all earning a living by plying their muscles to this trade. In Liberty today, Fred Easly still earns a living by ca- tering to the needs of those who still occasionally have a job for a blacksmith .
The Howerton Hotel provided the first overnight accommodations for the traveler passing through Liberty. Later the Grover Hotel came into existence on Main Street and it thrived for forty years. The first barber shop was in the Grover Hotel.
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URE CKENRIDGE HOTEL LINE TV IC
Breckenridge Hotel in 1910
The Grover became known as the Breckenridge Hotel and, as such, became Liberty's last place where the weary traveler could rest before proceeding with his journey. The distance to Quincy shortened with the "hard road" and good cars made a stop-over in Liberty unnecessary and inconvenient by the 1930's.
Undertaking is an unavoidable business, whether the community be large or small. Before embalming be- came common, the carpenter usually made the coffin and the minister provided the rest of the service for the be- reaved family. In 1863 Charles Karney was carpenter and undertaker in Liberty.
In 1899 Fred Frey bought the undertaking busi -
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THIS IS LIBERTY
ness from Karney. Twenty years later, in 1919, his son, Gerald P. Frey, became a partner in the business. The family also operated a hardware store in the village. The present undertaking establishment in Liberty is owned by Gerald Frey's widow, Mrs. Ada Frey.
As with the blacksmith and harness shops, other types of early businesses have ceased to exist. Butcher shops have been integrated with the modern grocery store.
A millinery shop is non-existent as is the locc! lady who made clever little bonnets for the Liberty ladies. Two ladies who provided head creations for Liberty were Julia McMahon, who was busy during the 1890's, and Mrs. W. C. Baird, who worked her magic during the 1920's.
Dressmaking has not declined completely. Per- haps the ladies who with needle and cloth created fash- ions were a requisite to the former Mrs. or Miss Liberty, whereas today they are sought more for specialty work. At any rate where Helen Jones did the work for a previous generation, Mrs. Roy Taylor does it now. Abraham Koetzel, shoemaker, has no modern counterpart.
Another business which has ceased to exist, al- though the need has remained, is a drug store or pharm-
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CHAPTER 9 acy. As early as 1870, George A. Ferguson was listed as a druggist. George D. Mercer was the druggist from 1880 until 1909. For twenty-four of these years, he was also postmaster for the village. Dr. W. E. Mercer took over both positions in 1909. Dr. Mercer was proprietor of the drug shop for many years. This is another business which did not survive the perilous depression years.
This takes us to the field of medicine. Doctors were once plentiful in the Liberty area. In 1870 P. G. Corkins and J. M. Grimes were both listed as physicians in Liberty. Dr. Corkins practiced medicine in Kingston prior to coming to Liberty in 1869.
In 1896 Dr. G. W. Enlow and Dr. J. T. Spence were tending the sick of the community. Dr. W. F. Snider and Dr. W. E. Mercer also served the sick of Liberty at one time. The last doctor to have residence in the village was Dr. W. E. Davidson, who served the community well until shortly before his death in the late 1950's.
Dentists have had offices in the village, although none seemed to maintain residency. In 1896 Dr. M. Rice rented a room from Mrs. C. A. Mercer and had an office which was open on Tuesdays. From circa 1912 until the 1930's, Dr. Hollenbeck, a Payson dentist, came to Liberty once a week.
We can only hope that the villagers' teeth were obliging and caused trouble only on the appointed days.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
As the horse declined and the automobile became more common, the garage and car dealer replaced the blacksmith and harness maker. By 1920 Liberty Motor Company was selling Fords and Taylor Garage handled the competition, Chevrolets. Although the number and makes of automobiles have grown to astronomical num- bers, the dealers of cars in Liberty have dwindled to a single Chevrolet dealer, Knipmeyers.
For those who had not been convinced of auto- motive permanency or for some other reason did not own a car, a hack line ran between Liberty and Quincy. This was operated by Jake Spangler for awhile in the 1920's. Enoch Swisher also filled a local need by haul- ing freight between these two points for a time.
During the mid-20's a mining company enjoyed a brief success. Called the Liberty Coal Company with Howard and Arthur Merideth in control, they mined the fuel southwest of the village.
Just prior to World War I, under the guidance of Steven Lawless, Liberty enjoyed a spirit of prosperity which resulted in the building boom which brought forth several new houses, the bank building and a busy news- paper office.
Early in 1903 Hez G. Henry, cashier of the People's Bank of Camp Point, assisted by M. H. Calla- han, also of Camp Point, and H. E. Schmedeskamp of
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Quincy, organized astate bank for Liberty with $25,000 capital stock. George D. Mercer of Liberty and George R. Stewart of Quincy placed the necessary stock.
On June, 1903, the first stockholders' meeting was organized with M. W. Callahan, president, and George Mercer, cashier. The quarters for the new bank were in the Masonic Building on Main Street.
In 1904 the bank changed to a private bank with the same officers. Steven G. Lawless was appointed assistant cashier in 1907 and elected cashier on July 2, 1912.
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