When John Stelle ran for office way back in the mid-1930s, I remember long tables in front of the Lindell Hotel where they were serving free hot dogs, sodas and candy bars.
Of course, giving away free food brought quite a big crowd, especially schoolchildren.
Stelle served as state treasurer from 1935-37, later as lieutenant governor and went on to become governor of Illinois, replacing Governor Henry Horner upon his death.
The Stelles owned a beautiful estate east of town that formerly was owned by General Campbell, who served in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American War in 1898 along with my own father, a surgeon.
Dad was working the wards one day and came across a Hamilton County lad who died several days later. Instead of turning the boy over for mass burial — so many dying during the insurrection — Dad bought a lot in a private cemetery.
Later, the boy’s parents paid Dad for the lot and went to Manila to visit the boy’s grave. Quite a story!
During World War II, Emerson Lee, son of John and Flossie Lee, was killed at Bari, Italy.
Brother John went over there to actually see where Emerson was killed so as to tell the parents the actual scene and provide some solace that family was there with Emerson’s memory.
On a brighter note, when I started school at the “Little School,” West Side School, on Market and Pearl streets, in both first and second grade, my teachers were fresh out of college, Mary Ruth Malone and Mildred Rawls.
Those two young women, as I now recall, put up with a lot, for the pupils were almost fresh out of the cradle, spoiled, etc., but we loved those beautiful teachers. I recall getting up in front of class and telling I had actually seen the Easter bunny put candy in my basket on the front porch!
During recess at the school, we were given cold milk, chocolate the favorite, and we looked forward to that!
Once, Greta Boyd, Frances Jane’s mother, brought a big sack of cookies she had baked, and Loyd Miller Epperson’s mother, Mildred, did the same thing another time.
Lee Walker was third-grade teacher, older than Misses Malone and Rawls, and the children held her rather in awe. She hardly smiled.
Miss Walker was a fine teacher, however, and taught many years. She lived on Pearl Street in an elegant home where I once heard William Jennings Bryan was entertained at dinner when campaigning.
That is all for now, folks. See you around!
• Helen Sue Johnson is a former Hamilton County resident currently living in Mt. Vernon. You may contact her by calling 315-6012.
Features
Dad bought burial plot for local soldier killed in Philippines
- Features
-
-
Remember When? Aden School and Friendly Zion
Back in 1951, Aden School and Friendly Zion General Baptist Church were neighbors.
-
Remember When? Dad had regular calls from Sloans
I enjoyed a trip to McLeansboro over the New Year’s holiday and met up with Geneva Sloan Nipper and her sister, Hattie, at McDonald’s.
-
Remember When? Tie-On Roofing did business on square
In 1958, Tie-On Roofing was one of the businesses on the north side of McLeansboro’s downtown square.
-
Remembering old movies, former neighbors
I admit it. I love the old movies we see on television.
-
Remember When? Dennison Grocery, McLeansboro
A local woman's father worked in a local grocery store when he was a teen-ager, his daughter says.
-
Remember When? Lawman William Perry Brewster
John Brewster of Fremont, Mich., seeks help in identifying people in this photo, which includes his grandfather, William Perry Brewster (seated next to the woman behind the steering wheel).
-
Remember When? Mom’s popcorn balls were delicious
I recently read a recipe for making popcorn balls in a local newspaper, and it occurred to me — too late — to thank my mom for making delicious popcorn balls back during the Depression when my sisters, brothers and I were just kids.
-
Hospital auxiliary kicks off Christmas Tree Project
Hamilton Memorial Hospital District Auxiliary is inviting the public to participate in its annual Christmas Tree project.
-
Remember When? Broughton HS basketball, 1934-35
Hazel Clark of McLeansboro submitted this photo of the Broughton High School basketball team of 1934-35, including the players’ names and positions and the team’s won-loss record.
-
RLC products try their taste for entrepreneurship
Rend Lake College culinary arts products Katie Karcher and Troy Ray are putting their training to the test.
- More Features Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
