USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Witt > Witt centennial : Witt, Montgomery County, Illinois, 1868-1968 > Part 2
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In 1894 Paisley purchased more land southwest of the original town and sank a coal mine. He was not inclined toward amal- gamation with Witt and built his own town one mile away and called it-Paisley.
The deed transfers for this property were recorded Oct. 19, 1895. Paisley built a depot and a postoffice but had trouble con- vincing both the railroad and the federal government that stops were indicated within one mile of an already established station. Kate Daly became postmistress.
A school was built-afterwards Dist. 64. An elevator was opened by Ernst who had
bought out The Independent Harvester Co. Elevator in the original town of Witt. Dave Taylor's General Store soon was built. Betty and Mitchell's Soft Drink Bottling Works and The Oland Brick and Tile Co. opened in the early 1900's. The Blue Goose Saloon, a Bowl- ing Alley, Purdy Hotel and various other shops were built on Main Street.
Paisley's partner in the coal mine oper- ation was T. A. Padden. The mining was a primitive operation by modern standards. The miners were lowered 600 feet in a not too stable conveyance, to feel their way with only oil head lamps to guide their passage. The coal was hauled from "the face" by mule carts pulled over rails of wood.
The lowering of miners began at 7:00 A. M., but since they walked to the "face" where coal was dug, the work day began at 8:00. There was an extra hour at close of the day's work to get to the cage for hoisting to the surface. There were no wash hcuses yet required at the mine and the family kitchen served in that capacity.
Strikes came every April first and lasted for months. The mules were hoisted to the surface and put to pasture. When strikes ended, storekeepers and miners rejoiced- the mules protested.
The Burnwell Coal Co., connected with Big Four R. R. interests, purchased the mine in 1906 and then sank another mine north of Witt.
The second mine was more modern. Mules brought the coal from the face to the main corridors where motors pulled the lcad- ed cars to the cages to be hoisted to the sur- face. The corridors were lighted by electric- ity
Miners at No. 14
ready to be lowered to
work areas.
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The mine had a succession of owners: Burnwell, Dering Coal Co., Peabody and fin- ally Illinois-Indiana Coal Co., managed by Steffen's of Chicago. Kortkamp, Taylor Springs, Witt No. 12 and No. 14, plus No. 10 GI Nokomis belonged to the same interests.
Edward Bottomley was replaced by Wm. T. Haywood as Supt. The mine staff when closed was W. T. Haywood, Supt .; Frank Mal- chior, Asst .; Jim Seletto, face boss; P. P. Pircher, motor boss.
For several years an electric light plant at Mine No. 12 produced power for No. 10 and sold electricity to Witt. The engineers at the plant were Rcbt. Bottomley, Harry Lude- wick and August Gorsage.
The Illinois-Iowa Electric Co. purchased the plant whose machinery was shipped else- where. Witt became part of the Central Illi- rois lighting system.
POLICE
In a quiet country village there was lit- tle need for police protection and jails, but as Witt grew it was necessary to provide a "calaboose" and give some officer the duty of seeing that it was occupied-at least at times.
The street commissioner in 1898 was Howard Tucker hired at $1 per day. In 1901 his successor, John Hibsman, was given the added duty of policeman at 15 cents per hour if on duty after his regular day's work was finished.
A "calaboose" was constructed 10 by 16 by 8 ft. on alley running NW and SE in Block 22 next to Fesser's Butcher Shop. Meals for the prisoners were to be provided by contract at 20 cents each. Fines could be paid by labor for the Town at 75 cents per day.
The combined Street Commissioner-Po- lice job was not popular and the office holder selcom finished out a year's term. Among the early police officers, many of whom were special police only, at $2 per day, were: S. T. Lockard Andrew Redman, J. B. Walker, C. B. Barringer. John Hampton, Aaron Coffey, John Foxx and H. Brackenhoff.
ORDINANCES NEVER REPEALED
Behind the City Hall is the City Jail into which the lawbreakers, whose punish- ment is more than a fine, may be locked up.
In early 1900's those unable to pay fines slept in the jail, received free meals and worked out their fine at seventy-five cents a day. A favorite labor was cutting grass along Broadway with a sickle, or later, a hand mower.
Those who became noisy after drinking too much in one of our twelve saloons (not vet named taverns) were given this hospit- able treatment.
One frequent guest-noted for his loud singing and speech making-would start out after breakfast with his mower, travel one- half block to first saloon; go in for a cooling drink (his family's credit was good) rest a
U. S. Post Office, Witt, Illinois
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while; cut a lttle more grass, go in saloon No. 2. After several repetitions-growing more noisy at each stop-the City Police locked him up again.
Some of the City Ordinances never re- pealed provide fines for failure to obey these rules:
No boy, or other person, shall on Sunday play or engage in any exercise, game or sport calculated to disturb the peace and qui- et of any citizen.
No person may ride or drive a horse or mule, or other animal at a speed greater than
eight miles per hour, nor turn corners, at greater than five miles per hour.
No person shall appear in a public place, or place open to public view, in garb not be- longing to his or her sex.
No person shall ride a bicycle, tricycle, or pull coasting sleds or wagons on sidewalk.
No one shall use or exhibit machines having a tendency to frighten horses.
No one shall fasten tin cans to dogs' tails nor permit such animals to run at large.
No one shall stroll about the streets late at night.
BUILDING NOKOMIS-HILLSBORO HARDROAD
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CHURCHES
The first church in Township 9 was organized by Rev. Aldridge, a circuit rider, on East Fork Creek near the home of the Browns. The congregation met in a school house until a church was built in 1855. Later most of the members formed the congre- gation of the Gooseneck Church further north. Among the mem- bers were: Paisleys, Armentrouts, Hightowers, Smiths and Borers.
A newspaper notice con- cerning services in this church (1877) stated:
A protracted meeting begins at Pleasant View Church this evening. There is plen- ty of raw material hereabouts for revival work, and perhaps some former jobs in that line will bear redressing and work- ing over again.
In 1872 a Methodist Protestant group was organized in the eastern part of the Township and in 1876 Mrs. Wm. Opdyke helped organize a church in the village of Witt.
In 1895, Pleasant View Church was brought within the village limits and the congregation united.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1873 by Wm. McDavid. Among the early members were: The Lohrs, Marks, Updykes, Strains, Shupings, Bolts, Bartons and Bentz.
Two nearby country churches had many Witt Township members.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1842. Among the early mem- bers were: Henry Carriker, Mary Carriker, Tillman Hefley, Nancy Lipe, John Lipe, and Rachel Lipe.
Just across the road in Fillmore Town- ship the Primitive Baptists held Sunday School and Church in a school house in the northeast corner of Section 5. Later an in- terdenominational church called Woodside was built. Among Witt Township members were: Granthams, Henry Settle, R. T. Stur- geon, John Pyatt, Gladys Smith, Robert Mox-
7
Interior of Greek Orthodox Church
ey, Helen Wright, Luwanda Friese, Dale Houck, Wayne Knodle, Dow Alexander, and Archie Friese. A new church was dedicated in 1962.
In early 1900's the Roman Catholic Church was in charge of Father Mee.
The Greek Catholics built a church val- ued at $14,000 and had a membership of eighty families.
In later years the Christian Church bought the land upon which the Greek Cath- olic Church had stood and erected a frame building.
The Bethel Assembly of God Church was erected across from the Parkview school but has had no minister the last few years.
The Plymouth Brothers, a congregation without a resident minister, meet in East Witt.
George Paisley donated an 1100 pound bell to the Methodist Church in 1895. Since they did not use it on their new building on Second Street, it was sold to the Greek Cath- olic Church.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
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WITT CREAMERY CO.
In 1910 The Witt Creamery Co. was organized and occupied a building on Talmadge St. just north of the present location of Miller's Filling Station. Shares of stock were owned by Dr. Chas. Walcher, Fesser Brothers, F. W. Pfertner, Stauder & Hoehn, Car- riker & Maxey, Walter Pyle, Sam Lee. Anton Avena, W. S. Baxter. Robt. Dixon, C. H. Lockhart and P. W. Young.
The officers of the company were: President, Dixon; Treasur- er, Lockhart; Secretary, Carriker.
3Din Creamery Company.
For Commissioners to these three were added: Maxey, Henry Fesser and Baxter.
The employees were: Fletcher Rhodes, Lester Carriker and Ed Chinn.
The capital stock was valued at $3,000.00 and the first year's operation resulted in a net loss of $800. The company had a very short life.
Every town had a brick-yard whose kilns provided bricks for store fronts, foundations and chimneys.
The Oland Brick and Tile Company of Witt was founded in 1906 by Alonzo Betty and Fred Mitchell. The managers were C. Strausbough and J. Wilson. Their two kilns, of the "down draft" variety as shown by the four chimneys, were on the southeast edge of Witt along today's Route 16. The highway now passes be- tween the location of the kilns and the clay-pit which is now the pond on the land of J. P. Marks.
Clay was dug by hand from the pit, load- ed into buckets, pulled by cables to the mix- ing vat. The resultant batter was pressed into a tube the width and thickness of a brick, then pushed under a wheel with piano-wire "knives" that cut the green bricks the proper length.
The wet bricks were placed on trays and wheeled over wooden rails to the drying sheds. They were then placed on standards and piled in criss-cross rows so that air could
Oland Brick and Tile Company
circulate around them.
When dried they were taken to the kiln and piled up again.
Eight openings were provided through which coal was shoveled and fires were kept going 24 hours a day until the bricks were the proper hardness as shown by the color.
With some of the first bricks made Alon- zo Betty built for his son, W. E. Betty, as a wedding present the house in which Mrs. Betty now resides.
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The Witt Press was launched March 10, 1905, by W. P. Hag- throp who at that time was also publisher and owner of the Noko- mis Progress. In 1908 Mr. Hag- throp sold the Progress and de- voted his time and energy to the Witt Press which proved very successful.
The paper owned its own building on Broadway.
In the after-war slump of the 20's the paper discontinued.
In the picture of the Witt Press Office (1914) appear: Wm. Bolling, Jos. Mitchell, Bertha Brummet, and W. P. Hagthrop.
THE WITT PRESS
CLUBS AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
Lodge Hall above corner building on Broadway.
Lodge interest in Witt Township was rep- resented in early days by the Grange. Grange No. 128 was headed by John Dees in 1873. Olive Branch No. 547 was headed by John Neisler in the 80's. I. T. Towell was secre- tary.
Modern Woodman Camp 5628 was or- ganized in 1900 with a membership of more than 100. It remains as an insurance.
I.O.O.F. No. 943 in early 1900's had more than 50 members. The last member, Eugene Shelton, transferred to state membership in 1960. Sunflower Rebekah Lodge 691 held reg-
ular meetings until four years ago.
Knights of Pythias and Pythian Sisters are now extinct.
I.O.R.M. were organized in early 1900's but has now united with a lodge in eastern Illinois. The Daughters of Pocahontas remain active.
The Witt Unit of the Montgomery Co. Home Bureau was one of 15 formed in 1936. Meetings are held in homes of members. Clara and Florence Speiser remain of the charter members.
The American Legion and Legion Aux- iliary were formed at the end of World War I. They own the Legion Hall on Broadway.
The Slovene Fraternal Lodge met for years on Sundays in the building adjacent to Frank Korbar's Tavern on Broadway. They remain as an insurance and benefit organi- zation.
The Lions Club was organized in Witt in the spring of 1960. The Nokomis Lions Club sponsored the Witt Club. The Lions have been very active and through their ef- forts many things have been accomplished. A drinking fountain was installed on the main street-land was bought and cleared for a park. The park has a baseball diamond, a lighted tennis court, a variety of playground equipment, an open pavilion and a park house that is used for many meetings and social (Continued on page 22)
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ONTBROS
LABOR DAY ST. M.E CHURCH, With SHEEPLOS
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functions. The Lions also erected a medical building using money that was loaned by in- terested persons in the community and else- where. The club also sponsors an Easter egg hunt and a Halloween parade for the children of the community.
East End (Barnsley ) English Women's Red Cross before 1917.
During World War I Witt had an active Red Cross that made our quota of knitted helmets, socks, sweaters and wristlets; sewed hospital gowns, clothes for French and Bel- gian refugees; made quilts and comforters.
The Junior Red Cross cut gun wipes of flannelette, collected peach seeds, made baby blankets and layettes.
The sewing was in charge of Mrs. Chas. Fesser and Emma Meyer.
The Fast End English women before the U.S. entered the war made hospital dressings, sewed and knitted for the British Army.
American Legion enroute to Cemetery, Memorial Day, 1920.
Storm Damage, April, 1925.
Sam Lee and sons, Earl, in front seat with father, Harold, Mrs. Lee, and visitors in back (1908).
*
In 1892 Jos. Eddington, Sr., removed barbed wire fence from around the Brown Family Cemetery in Section 19 on East Fork Creek, doubtless on land of the homestead of Jas. or David Brown. There were scraps of 4 or 5 headstones. The remains were dug up and re-interred in Irving Cemetery.
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The new Town and City of Witt had many excellent musicians who formed bands and church orchestras.
M
When the Miners Locals and Merchants decided to hold Labor Day celebrations, be- ginning in the year 1906, the Redman Band under the leadership of Tom Crane, had been organized and had played for church ice cream suppers and other local functions. Music, therefore, could be provided by local talent. Members of the Band were: Ernest Hutchins, Wm. Rushford, Tom Perry, Geo. Rochelle, Henry Devlin, Tom Devlin, Alf. Dudley, Powell Drennan, Wm. Lowe, Wm. Perry, Geo. Rushford, Jas. Shannon, Bert Taylor, Geo. Spitz, Dwight Lyerla, A. Faletti, John Buchko, I. Zucco and Tom Lindsay.
When the band was reorganized as the Excelsior Band in 1914, many younger men were old enough to join, among whom were: Tom Beasley, Wm. Conway, Harold Lee, Earl Lee, Arthur Beasley, Frank Beasley, Joe Hol- ler, Adam Geletko, Harry Harston, Joe Fowl- er, Malcom Beasley, Bert Powis, Fred Gould- en and W. Bolton. Tom Crane remained as
leader. Saturday evening concerts made that time a festive occasion.
After 1919 the band was again reorganiz- ed as the County American Legion Band.
Music for Labor Days was furnished by our own band, food by stands conducted by church or lodge groups or individuals.
Amateur groups gave most of the enter- tainment but plane stunt shows, and plane rides were also given.
Street carnivals spent a week in town.
As today in the Lions' revival of the celebration the parade was a feature. Prizes were given for floats and for decorated auto- mobiles. The floats were not as elaborate as those of today and were horse drawn.
The Japanese Human Fly was an ex- ample of outside talent. He climbed up rope to the top of newly constructed City Hall and carried Japanese and American Flags as he crossed a tight rope across Broadway from the City Hall to Marine Building.
Bandstand in which Redman Band, Ex- celsior Band and American Legion Band played Saturday concerts sponsored by the merchants from 1900-1940's stood at inter-
section of Broadway and Second Street. "How have the mighty fallen." Today it is a shed in vard of Bob Durbin.
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Drug Store of Dr. Burns who came to Witt in 1908.
Dr. Lockhart's Journal for the year 1900 was rescued from a scrap heap when his home was sold in the 1960's and shows that a Doctor was a Jack-of-all-medical-and-near- medical-trades.
The Doctor's records show that he tested eyes, fitted and sold 47 pairs of "spectacles" during the year for a total of $214.50.
Dues for ordinary services were $1 per month for a family. One person .50c.
Most items for office calls simply record Med. for sums from 5c to $1. For some rea- son at times the name of the medicine is spe- cified Linseed meal poultices 10c, sulfonal 25c, Elix. Malto 50c, Iodine 25c, Cocoane 25c, Hg. powder 25c, Chlor. 25c, Resinol 50c, Vac- cine 75c, Paragoric 10c, Saline Laxative 50c, Worm powder 10c, Hair tonic 25c, Salve 25c, Quinine 25c, Mustard plasters 10c.
Wild hairs were pulled for 50c. Teeth were extracted for 25c and some brave pa- tients had 6 pulled at one setting. Boils were lanced for 50c and broken bones set for $1 in- cluding cost of splints and bandages.
One patient received medicine and "coin" for a charge of 75c. One borrowed 25c. One item "advice" 25c. Telephones were not com- mon and calls were made from the office for 10c.
Physical exams are recorded for more than 30 applicants for the Modern Woodman Lodge insurance for $1.25 each.
Until July 1 the birth of a child set the parents back $8 financially but after July 1, $10. There are no records of fees for pre- natal care-they must have been included in the one fee.
House visits were $1 regardless of the length of the call. One is recorded as "visit" two and one-half hours, $1. Another, 8 hours, $1. Splints and bandages for injuries were extra but medicines seem to have been in- cluded.
New medical gadgets were tried. One pa- tient ordered an electric belt, $20, batteries for same, 10c each.
His office in "Chance" was over a store across the track from where Martin's Eleva- tor is today.
There is one record of payment for rent: "To W. A. Shuping July 1-$21 to September 1."
The office was open Sundays and holi- days as well as usual office days. Many called several times a day-perhaps the old and lonely.
His office was heated by a coal stove for which a patient often provided fuel at 25c a bucket. Old timers tell me this patient prob- ably picked the coal up from the railroad tracks where it had fallen from passing coal cars.
Sometimes the doctor gave his patients credit for wood at $2 per load, or for plowing
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50c (time unspecified ) or "sks of fodder" for the horse that pulled his buggy. One item- "Hay for horse $5.70-milk for doctor $3.40."
In 1901 the Village Board gave him per- mission to ride his bicycle on the sidewalks- bumpy wcoden ones.
He was a wonderful man-so beloved by our people that a larger percentage of boys from Witt have chosen his profession than from surrounding towns.
He served as a member of the City Coun- cil, Mayor and President of the Board of Ed- ucation. He did not believe in long discourse. Perhaps his most famous speech was made when he presented diplomas to a graduating class: "Only God and I knew what my speech was to have been tonight. I hope that He now knows for I do not." The diplomas were handed out without the usual bombastic platitudes. *
Throughout its early history, Witt was largely sustained by services provided to farmers of the township. These agricultural pioneers were beset by problems.
Our first settlers came from wooded areas and did not feel at home in exposed prairies. Pioneers complained that prairies did not provide enough timber for the cus- tomary stake and rider fences. Part of the complaints were due to a feeling that away from the familiar woods the settler was more
exposed to Indian attacks.
The Black Hawk War came in the period of our early settlement and James Brown- one of the two first settlers in our township- fought in Captain Boone's Company of volun- teers.
For the brave souls who ventured cut of woodland shelter into the plains, fencing was provided economically by Osage Orange Hedge. The plants were often in short supply.
Settlements were made near streams which provided transportation. The first read to Nokomis was made in 1838.
Our first settlers built cabins near East Fork Creek. In mid 1830 an epidemic, prob- ably of milk sickness, was blamed on the water supply, old cabins were deserted, new ones built in the prairie, new lands cultivated and wells dug.
The first Witt Orchestra organized in 1913 included: Prof. Enlow, Harry Tonks, Rex Pullen, Bert Powis, Tom Beasley, Ben Had- ley, Frank Beasley, Wm. Conway, T. C. Tim- mons and Joe Fowler.
In an advertisement for the sale of lots in Witt, Editor Jones of The Hillsboro Demo- crat, Sept. 16, 1869, quotes Thomas Hood:
"Wit bought is better than Wit taught." The editor seemed to take pleasure in the fact that Wood thought himself outwitted.
WITT- FIRST AID. MINE.RESCULE CORPS
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DO YOU REMEMBER?
Left to right, standing, Prof. W. A. Green, School Principal, Babe Schievenin, Russell Se- letto, Frank Korbar, P. Schiri- ni, John Bensko, John Maurer, Coach Kirkpatrick;
Seated, first team, Buster Coulson, Paul Chervinko, Al Hanisko, George Chervinko, Charles Nuehs.
The team won third place in the state tournament in 1928.
CABELLO'S BAKERY - 1908
The name OLAND appears over and over-Oland Nat. Bank, Oland Brick & Tile Co., Oland Park Addition, in names given by Betty and Mitchell. A. A. Betty had a son, Milo Oland, who died at the age of 6.
CARRIKER'S STORE - 1906
Peabody Mine of Witt (No. 12) employed 581 men in 1915, worked 92 days, produced 265,342 tons of coal.
In 1915 the following from Witt passed the state examination for Mine Managers: Robt. Merry, O. O. Larrick, Thos. Hunter, Jas. Dubois and Wm. T. Haywood.
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FAMILIES OF WITT
Within this section of this historical document are listed the families of this community. Many no longer reside in Witt but their attach- ment and mark is still here.
Into this melting pot came the English, Greeks, Italians, Slovaks, Poles, Germans, Yugoslavs, Irish, Lithuanians, Scandanavians, Dutch, Span- ish, Russians, Hungarians, French, Scotch, Austrians and many more. Many of the family names still betray their origin. Here they made their home.
This history does by no means include them all. For those that made their mark and are not included, we apologize.
Aerial View of Witt 1968
Looking Southwest
With School In Center
HENRY ERNST FAMILY
Henry Ernst was born near Belleville, Illinois in 1866. When 13 years old he came to Montgomery County with his parents. He moved to Witt in 1901. He bought interest in Paisley Mill & Elevator. He sold to C. P. Zimmer in 1933. Ernst & Short also operated a lumber company from 1910 to 1917.
Mr. Ernst was active in business. He was a director of Security National Bank, Super- visor of Witt Township, and in 1905 he help- ed found St. Barbara's Church.
In 1892 he married Amelia Hoehn, daugh- ter of Ben Hoehn. They had five children: Anna (Mrs. Henry Holthaus) died in 1932; Carl owns and operates Ernst Garage; Olivia (Mrs. Joe Hauptman) lives in Wood River; Irene (Mrs. Louis Spinner) lives in Spring- field: Tillie (Mrs. Joe Chervinko) lives in Witt and is employed at Security National Bank.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Ernst died in 1945. A * PAISLEY G. BOURKE FAMILY
Paisley Bourke was born in Witt, Illinois February 15, 1901 and died March 23, 1968. He was the youngest of 9 children of Andrew and Mary (Kennedy) Bourke and came to Witt from Ireland in the late 1800's to work in the mine.
He attended Witt Schools and at the age of 16 began working in the Witt mine. He continued working in coal mines in Mont- gomery County. At the closing of the Coalton mine he went to O'Fallon mine until his re- tirement in 1958.
On February 2, 1924, he married Estelle Lipe. daughter of Albert and Clara (Dilling- ham ) Lipe of Hillsboro, at the Witt Methodist
Parsonage. They became the parents of six children. The oldest son, George, married Betty Highfill of Jacksonville. They had one daughter, Patty Ann. George was killed in an automobile accident in 1953.
Mary married Keith Fath of Litchfield and they live in Witt.
Tillie married James Moody of Hillsboro and lives in Springfield, Illinois. They have five children, Sally, Mary, Jimmy, Terry and Kathleen. One son is deceased.
Billie is married to Roy Botts and lives in Springfield. She has two sons, Bruce and Eddie Page.
Tommy married Ruby Smith of Hillsboro and lives in Alton, Illinois. He has three daughters, Tena, Tammy and Teresa.
Clarence "Butch" married Barbara Crow of Nokomis and lives in Witt. They have two children, Billy and Penny Sue.
He has a sister, Matilda (Bourke) Mc- Manamy who lives in Sunland, California, and a brother, Tom, who lives in Canton, Illi- nois.
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