western illinois magazine issue 8 — spring 2013

40
1 Western Illinois Magazine Photo by: Steve Lutz Boiling, Brewing and Bottling with the Beer Buffs of Macomb Giving towns in Western Illinois their 15 minutes of fame A look inside Bartonville Asylum’s haunted history Spring 2013

Upload: western-illinois-magazine

Post on 07-Apr-2016

221 views

Category:

Documents


9 download

DESCRIPTION

Issue Eight

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

1

WesternIllinois Magazine

Photo by: Steve Lutz

Boiling, Brewing and Bottling

with the Beer Buffs of Macomb

Giving towns in Western Illinois

their 15 minutes of fame

A look inside Bartonville

Asylum’s haunted history

Spring 2013

Page 2: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

2

Editor:

James Needham

Managing Editor:

Jennifer Wilson

Art Director:

Steve Lutz

Staff Writers/Photographers:

Kathryn Brostowitz

Ryan Brushaber

Nicole Capone

Erika Davis

Elana Katz

Alison Philips

Hannah Schrodt

Sarah Tomkinson

Business Manager:

Danielle Balbach

Assistant Business Manager:

Lauren Barrett

Production Manager:

Kellie Julius

Distribution:

Brandon Rusciolelli

Brooke Pappas

Roger Connelly.

Advisor:

Richard Moreno

Secretary:

Kellie Arnold

STAFF

Western Illinois Magazine

Vol. 1 No. 8 The only magazine in the world that gives a damn about Western Illinois

Letter from the Editor

While Western Illinois Maga-zine has always had the motto: “The only magazine in the world that gives a damn about western Illinois,” there’s a different mot-to at the publication — an unspo-ken one. It goes a little something like this…

“No matter how big, how small, how old or how weird — if it happened here, it matters to us.”

After serving on the editorial board for three issues, my only regret is that I have to leave the publication behind when I graduate in May of 2013. It’s been a blast serving you — the read-ers — and I wish it didn’t have to end.

But, alas, the only thing constant in life is change and we at WI Mag are no strangers to change.

We’ve changed staff. We’ve changed editors. We’ve changed lo-gos, fonts and format. We’ve been in print with staples, without staples. Our pages have been in color, in black and white, half-color, half black and white. But all the while one thing has stayed the same: we continue to try and produce something we’re proud to see you pick up and something that makes people proud to live in the region.

This issue is no different. Our staff has been working hard to find re-

markable tales in unexpected places and put them into the pages between your thumbs. So, read on. You might find a chuckle, or a fun fact or a quick gasp. We’d settle for a smile.

Bare in mind that I hate when some-one yammers on about himself or herself when I didn’t ask. It’s like getting the wrong dish at a restau-rant but eating it anyway just be-cause you don’t want to make a fuss. But my parting words, my friends, are about me.

I don’t know where I’m going to end up in the next couple of years. I don’t know what city, what state, what pub-lication or occupation, for that mat-ter. But lately I’ve been living by the motto of “if you want it, go after it.”

But there’s a different motto I developed while living in the re-gion — an unspoken one. It’s one I’ll take with me no matter where I go. It goes a little something like this…

“No matter how big, how small, how old or how weird — if it happened here, it matters to me.”

Thank you,James Needham

Editor

Contact Info:A Western Illinois Publication1 University CircleMacomb, IL 61455309-298-1876 ext. [email protected]

Page 3: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

3

A haunting experience at Bartonville Asylum

Galesburg’s Comic Book Crackdown

Robert Wadlow: the walking wonder of Western Illinois

From banking to boutique:Sara Platt’s round trip to London

Haeger Pottery, the full history of an empty factory

Carthage Jail: pinnacle of Western Illinois’ Mormon past

There and back again, a woodworkers tale

The Western Writing brothers from Western Illinois

In print, on foot, in rhyme: the story of Vachel Lindsay

World Capitals, Mottos and Claims to fame

Building brew for booze. The beer buffs of Macomb

4

8

12

14

16 36

32

30

26

22

Table of Contents

18

Page 4: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

4

The mid-afternoon sun was high in the sky as I drove with two friends slowly up the hill on West 3IIHU�5RDG�LQ�%DUWRQYLOOH��,OOLQRLV�,W�KDG�EHHQ�\HDUV�VLQFH�,�KDG�YLVLWHG�WKH�3HRULD�6WDWH�$V\OXP��DQG�WKH�XQVHDVRQDEO\�EULJKW�VSULQJ�GD\�ZDV�QRW�WKH�VWDQGDUG�EDFNGURS�IRU�D�WRXU�LQ�D�KDXQWHG�EXLOGLQJ��

$IWHU�QDOO\�GHFLGLQJ�ZKHUH�WR�SDUN��ZH�PDGH�RXU�ZD\�RQWR�WKH�SURSHUW\��JD]LQJ�DW�WKH�VWXQQLQJ�VWUXF-WXUH�DV�LI�PHVPHUL]HG��

Staff PhotoFront entrance of the Bartonville Asylum

By: Kathryn Brostowitz

A Haunting experienceat bartonville asylum

Page 5: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

5

:H�ZHUHQW�MXVW�YLVLWLQJ�D�UXQGRZQ�EXLOG-LQJ��:H�ZHUH�JXHVWV� LQ� WKH�KRPH�RI�ZKDW�PDQ\�EHOLHYH�WR�EH�WKH�JKRVW�RI�'U��=HOOHU�� WKH� ZRUOG� UHQRZQHG� GRFWRU� ZKR� XVHG�to work at the hospital – as well as the SRSXODU�/DG\�LQ�:KLWH��ZKRVH�JKRVW�ZDV�RQFH�SKRWRJUDSKHG� ORRNLQJ�RXW�D�VHFRQG� VWRU\�ZLQGRZ��)URQW�HQWHUDQFH�RI� WKH�%DUWRQYLOOH�$V\-

OX�7KH�PHQDFLQJ�EXLOGLQJ�ORRPHG�RYHU�XV�DV� ZH� SDVVHG� YROXQWHHUV� ZKR� KDG� FRPH�RXWVLGH� WR� VLW� RQ� WKH� SRUFK� LQ� ��� GHJUHH�ZHDWKHU� MXVW� WR� JHW� ZDUP�� 7KH� WHPSHUD-ture dropped low enough to suddenly see RXU�EUHDWK�ZKHQ�ZH�VWHSSHG�LQWR�WKH�OLPH-VWRQH�EXLOGLQJ��:H�ZHUH�JUHHWHG�E\�7ULVK�-XVW�DQG�5LFK-

DUG� :HLVV�� WKH� IDWKHU�GDXJKWHU� GXR� ZKR�FR�IRXQGHG�WKH�QRQ�SURILW�6DYH�WKH�%RZ-HQ� RUJDQL]DWLRQ� DQG� FXUUHQWO\� RZQV� WKH�%RZHQ� EXLOGLQJ�� RQH� RI� WKH� ODVW� UHPDLQ-LQJ� EXLOGLQJV� WKDW� ZDV� SDUW� RI� WKH� KRV-SLWDO�� 7KHLU� FKHHUIXO� WHPSHUDPHQW� GLGQW�PDWFK�WKH�GDUN��GHFD\HG�KDOOZD\�ZH�ZHUH� VWDQGLQJ�LQ��

“The types of patients that were housed LQ�KHUH�ZHUH�QRW�DOZD\V�QHFHVVDULO\�PHQ-WDOO\� LQVDQH�� 7KH\� KDG� HYHU\RQH�� -XVW�VDLG� DV� VKH� EHJDQ� RXU� WRXU� RI� WKH� EXLOG-LQJ�� +HU� HQWKXVLDVP� IRU� WKH� EXLOGLQJV�KLVWRU\� HFKRHG� WKURXJK� WKH� HPSW\� KDOO�DV�VKH�VSRNH�� 7KH\�KDG�DOFRKROLFV�� WKH\�KDG�HSLOHSWLFV��WKH\�KDG�KRPHOHVV�SHRSOH��they had grandma that you didn’t want to WDNH�FDUH�RI�DQ\PRUH��<RX�ZRXOG�MXVW�GURS�WKHP�RII��DQG�WKH\�ZRXOG�WDNH�WKHP�&RPPRQO\�NQRZQ�DV� WKH�%DUWRQYLOOH�$V\-

OXP��WKH�RULJLQDO�EXLOGLQJV�RI�WKH�,OOLQRLV�+RV-SLWDO�IRU�WKH�,QFXUDEOH�,QVDQH�ZHUH�EXLOW�LQ�UH-VSRQVH�WR�FRPPXQLW\�PHPEHUV�OREE\LQJ�IRU�D�SODFH�VXLWDEOH�IRU�WKH�PHQWDOO\�LOO��ZKR�ZHUH�imprisoned instead of sent to hospitals for PHGLFDO�WUHDWPHQW��7KH�RULJLQDO�EXLOGLQJ�WKDW�VWRRG�LQ�WKH�%RZHQV�SODFH�ZDV�QHDU�FRPSOH-WLRQ�EHIRUH�LW�KDG�WR�EH�WRUQ�GRZQ�LQ�������,W�DSSHDUHG� WR� EH� LQ� D� VWDWH� RI� FROODSVH�� DQG�*RYHUQRU�7DQQHU�GLGQW�EHOLHYH�LW�ZDV�VXLWDEOH�IRU�WKH�QHHGV�RI�PRGHUQ�GD\�SDWLHQWV��&RQVWUXFWLRQ�RI�WKH�QHZ�EXLOGLQJ�EHJDQ�LQ�

������DQG�WKHUH�ZHUH�����SDWLHQWV�E\�)HEUXDU\�

������%\�1RYHPEHU�RI� WKDW� VDPH� \HDU��'U�� *HRUJH� =HOOHU�ZDV� LQ� FKDUJH� RI�WKH�KRVSLWDO��DQG�KH�ZRXOG�VRRQ�EHFRPH�famous as a pio-neer for the gentle treatment for the LQFXUDEOH�LQVDQH���

Unlike other SUDFWLFLQJ� SK\VL-FLDQV� LQ� WKH� HDUO\���WK� FHQWXU\�� 'U��=HOOHU� ZDV� NQRZQ�IRU� EHOLHYLQJ� WKH�mentally ill should EH� FDUHG� IRU� LQ� D�QXUWXULQJ� PDQQHU��LQVWHDG� RI� ORFNHG�XS� OLNH� SULVRQHUV��:KHQ� KH� UVW� WRRN�FKDUJH��KH�UHPRYHG�DOO� WKH� EDUV� IURP�WKH� ZLQGRZV�� EH-FDXVH�KH�GLGQW�EH-lieve his patients GHVHUYHG� WR� EH�“treated like ani-PDOV��DQG�DOO�PHWDO�VKDFNOHV� ZHUH� UH-SODFHG� ZLWK� VRIW�OHDWKHU� UHVWUDLQWV��+LV� UDGLFDO� PHGL-FDO� EHOLHIV� ZRXOG�JDUQHU�ULGLFXOH�IURP�IHOORZ� SUDFWLWLRQHUV�up until his death LQ�������'XVW� GDQFHG� LQ�

front of our flash-lights as we made our way up the UVW� VWDLUZD\� RQWR�WKH� VHFRQG� IORRU��2WKHU� WKDQ� \HDUV� RI� LQH[SHULHQFHG� WHHQDJ-HUV� JUDIWL� OLWWHULQJ� WKH� ZDOOV�� WKH� EXLOG-LQJ� LV� LQ� SHUIHFW� FRQGLWLRQ� IRU� WDNLQJ� YLVL-WRUV� EDFN� WR� D� WLPH� ZKHQ� =HOOHU� ZDV� RQH�RI� IHZ� SHRSOH� ZKR� WUXO\� FDUHG� DERXW� WKH�

ZHOOEHLQJ�RI�KLV�SDWLHQWV���,P� QRW� JRLQJ� WR� VD\� EDG� WKLQJV�

GLGQW� KDSSHQ� KHUH�� EHFDXVH� WKH\�GLG�� -XVW� VDLG�� FKRRVLQJ� KHU� ZRUGV�FDUHIXOO\��

Photo by: Kathryn BrostowitzDoor to the Chapel inside Bartonville Asylum

Page 6: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

6

“The reason I stress to you guys that the majority of what happened here was JRRG� � DQG� WKDW� WKH\� FDUHG� DERXW� WKH�SDWLHQWV� � LV� EHFDXVH� XS� KHUH�� WKH\� GLG� SHUIRUP�ORERWRPLHV��7KH� ORERWRP\�ZDV� D� FRQWURYHUVLDO� SUR-

FHGXUH� WKDW� ZDV� VWLOO� H[SHULPHQWDO� DW� WKH�WLPH�=HOOHU�ZRUNHG�DW�WKH�KRVSLWDO��7KH�SUR-FHGXUH�LV�VLPSOH�LQ�H[HFXWLRQ��$�VPDOO�WRRO�UHVHPEOLQJ�DQ�LFH�SLFN�LV�LQVHUWHG�WKURXJK�D�SDWLHQWV�WHDU�GXFW�LQ�DQ�DWWHPSW�WR�VFUDSH�DZD\�QHUYH�WLVVXH�LQ�WKH�IURQWDO�OREH�RI�WKH�EUDLQ�� $FFRUGLQJ� WR� -XVW�� WKHUH�ZRXOG�EH�RQH�RI�WZR�RXWFRPHV��(LWKHU� WKH� SDWLHQWV� ZRXOG� EH-FRPH� H[WUHPHO\� YLROHQW� RU� WKH\�ZRXOG�WXUQ�LQWR�]RPELHV��0RUH�RIWHQ� WKDQ� QRW�� WKH� SDWLHQWV�ZRXOG� WXUQ� LQWR� ]RPELHV�� (YHQ�WKRXJK�RQO\����ORERWRPLHV�ZHUH�SHUIRUPHG�DW�WKH�3HRULD�$V\OXP��the light shining through the ERDUGHG�ZLQGRZV�LQ�WKH�RSHUDW-LQJ� URRP� FRXOGQW� NLOO� WKH� GDUN�HQHUJ\�KDQJLQJ�DURXQG�XV�$V�WKH�WRXU�FRQWLQXHG�LQWR�WKH�

EDVHPHQW�� -XVW� VKDUHG� VWRULHV�RI� SDUDQRUPDO� H[SHULHQFHV� VKH�KDV� KDG� VLQFH� WKH� EHJLQQLQJ� RI�UHQRYDWLRQV��,� ZDV� ZRUNLQJ�� DQG� DOO� RI� D�

VXGGHQ� ,� KHDU�� +H\�� SVVW� � VKH�VDLG�� ,W� KDG� EHHQ� RQH� RFORFN�LQ� WKH� DIWHUQRRQ�� DQG� VKH� ZDV�ZRUNLQJ� DORQH� LQ� WKH� EDVH-PHQW�� 6R� ,� OLIW� P\� KHDG� XS�DQG� ,� ORRN� GRZQ� WKH� KDOOV�� DQG�,� GRQW� VHH� DQ\WKLQJ�� 6R� ,� JR�EDFN� WR� GRLQJ� P\� VWXII�� 7KHQ�,� KHDU� +H\�� SVVW�� &RPH�KHUH�� 6R� ,� UXQ� DV�IDVW�DV�,�FDQ�XS�WKH�VWDLUV�WR�WKH�DWWLF�DQG��DOO� WKH� RWKHU� YROXQWHHUV�� DUH� LQ� WKH� DWWLF� FXWWLQJ�ERDUGV�6KH�DVNHG�WKHP�LI�WKH\�KDG�MXVW�EHHQ�LQ�

WKH� EDVHPHQW� WR� WU\� WR� VFDUH� KHU�� EXW� VKH�ZDV�VXUH�WKH\�KDGQW��6KH�ZDV�VXUH�ZRXOG�have seen or heard them on her way to the DWWLF��DQG�WKH\�ZHUH�DOO�FRYHUHG�LQ�VDZGXVW��REYLRXVO\�LQ�WKH�PLGGOH�RI�ZRUNLQJ��

7KH\� GRQW� FDUH� ZKDW� WLPH� LW� LV��

VKH� VDLG�PDWWHU�RI�IDFWO\�� UHIHUULQJ� WR� WKH�JKRVWV�WKDW�KDXQW�WKH�KLVWRULF�EXLOGLQJ��,I�they want to get your attention or talk to \RX��WKH\�Z,OOLQRLV�2QH� SDUWLFXODU� JURXS� RI� SHRSOH� ZKRVH�

DWWHQWLRQ� ZDV� FDSWXUHG� E\� WKH� JKRVWV� LQ�WKH� %RZHQ� %XLOGLQJ� ZDV� WKH� 7$36� WHDP��the paranormal investigators on the hit 6\)\� WHOHYLVLRQ� VKRZ�� *KRVW� +XQWHUV��7KH�3HRULD�$V\OXP�LV�IHDWXUHG�LQ�WKH�WKLUG�HSLVRGH�RI�VHDVRQ�QLQH��ZKLFK�DLUHG�HDUO\�WKLV�VSULQJ�

-XVW� FDOPO\� FRQWUDGLFWV� UHSRUWV� WKDW�6DYH�WKH�%RZHQ�FRQWDFWHG�WKH�7$36�WHDP�LQ�DQ�HIIRUW�WR�JDLQ�SXEOLFLW\�7KH\� FRQWDFWHG� XV�� 7KH\YH� FDOOHG� XV�

IRU�\HDUV��VKH�VDLG�DIWHU�SRLQWLQJ�RXW�WKH�GROO�WKDW�VWDUWOHG�LQYHVWLJDWRUV�LQ�WKH�DWWLF�ZKHQ�LW�IHOO�RYHU�GXULQJ�WKH�HSLVRGH��7KH\�MXVW�ZDQWHG�WR�JKRVW�KXQW�KHUH�-DVRQ�+DZHV�� OHDG� LQYHVWLJDWRU� RQ� WKH�

VKRZ�� FORVHG� WKH� HSLVRGH� SUDLVLQJ� -XVW�and Weiss for the great things they are

GRLQJ� IRU� WKH� %RZHQ� %XLOGLQJ�� %DVHG� RQ�WKH�SDUDQRUPDO�HYLGHQFH�KH�DQG�KLV�WHDP�JRW� GXULQJ� WKHLU� LQYHVWLJDWLRQ�� KH� VDLG� KH�ORRNV�IRUZDUG�WR�UHWXUQLQJ�WR�FKHFN�LW�RXW� VRPH�PRUH���1RW�RQO\�DUH�SURIHVVLRQDO�SDUDQRUPDO�LQ-

YHVWLJDWRUV�HDJHU�WR�FKHFN�RXW�WKH�%RZHQ�%XLOGLQJ��EXW�DQ\RQH�LV�ZHOFRPH�WR�DWWHQG�one of the several tours given throughout WKH�ZHHN��+LVWRULFDO� WRXUV� DUH� HYHU\� )ULGD\� DQG�

6DWXUGD\� DW� ����� DQG� ����� S�P��� DQG� DUH����� SHU� SHUVRQ�� 3DUDQRUPDO�WRXUV�VWDUW�DW���DQG���S�P��7KH\�ODVW� WZR� DQG� D� KDOI� KRXUV�� DQG�DUH� ���� SHU� SHUVRQ�� )RU� WKRVH�EUDYH� HQRXJK� WR� GR� DQ� RYHU-night ghost hunt from mid-QLJKW�WR���D�P���WKDWV�DYDLODEOH� IRU�������$IWHU� D� ORQJ� DQG� H[FLWLQJ�

GD\� OHDUQLQJ� DERXW� WKH� EHDXWL-IXO�EXLOGLQJ�WKDW�VR�PDQ\�LQ�WKH�%DUWRQYLOOH� FRPPXQLW\� PLV-WDNHQO\� FRQVLGHU� DQ� H\HVRUH��,� VHWWOHG� LQWR� EHG� ZLWK� WKH� UH-FRUGHU�,�KDG�UXQQLQJ�IRU�D�ODUJH�SRUWLRQ� RI� WKH� WRXU�� ,� OLVWHQHG�WR� -XVWV� VWRULHV� DQG� LPDJLQHG�ZKDW� NLQG� RI� SODFH� WKH� 3HRULD�$V\OXP�RQFH�ZDV��7KHQ�� DV� ,� OLVWHQHG� WR� P\�

IULHQGV� DQG� ,� ODXJK� DERXW� EH-LQJ�ORFNHG�EHKLQG�D�KHDY\�FDJH�GRRU� MXVW� RXWVLGH� RI� WKH� ORERW-RP\� URRP�� ,� KHDUG� LW�� $� VRXQG�WKDW�HYHQ�D�EHOLHYHU�RI�DOO�WKLQJV�SDUDQRUPDO� VXFK� DV� P\VHOI�FRXOGQW� EHOLHYH� XQWLO� ,� SOD\HG

�LW�DJDLQ��7KH\�ZHUH�WUDSSHG��ZKLVSHUHG�DQ�XQ-

LGHQWLILHG� ZRPDQV� YRLFH� GLUHFWO\� DIWHU� ,�promised my friend we would let her out RI�WKH�FDJH�ZKHQ�ZH�ZHUH�GRQH�WDNLQJ�SLF-WXUHV�� ,W�ZDV�TXLHW��EXW� LW�ZDV�DV�FOHDU�DV�WKH�GD\�RQ�ZKLFK�LW�ZDV�UHFRUGHG��,P�VWLOO�QRW� VXUH� LI� VKH�PHDQW�P\� IULHQGV� EHKLQG�WKH� FDJH�� RU� WKH� VSLULWV� OLNH� KHU� ZKR� ZLOO�IRUHYHU�KDXQW�WKH�SURSHUW\��(LWKHU�ZD\��VKH� ZDV�ULJKW�

Photo by: Kathryn Brostowitz

Page 7: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

7

Travelers heading west of Roseville on Illinois State Route 116 will encounter an unusual sight standing adjacent to the road—the Hay Dudes. This pair of giant rolled hay figures with smiley faces made of hubcaps and rubber hoses are sure to bring a smile to the face of passing motorists.

Staff Photo

Page 8: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

8

@:E>L;NK@�L�<HFB<�;HHD�<K:<D=HPG

;R3�C>GGB?>K�PBELHGPhoto by: Steve Lutz

Page 9: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

9

Cnlm�mph�r^Zkl�Z_m^k�ma^�k^e^Zl^�h_�KZr�;kZ][nkr�l� *2.,� gho^e� ?Zak^ga^bm�-.*%��@Ze^l[nk`%�Beebghbl�`hm�bml�hpg�

mZlm^�h_�\^glhklabi'Ma^k^�p^k^�gh�eZpl�_hk[b]]bg`�ma^f%�gh�

[nkgbg`�ibe^l�h_�iZ`^l'�;nm�ma^�k^lb]^gml�h_�@Ze^l[nk`� lhhg� ]bl\ho^k^]� fZgr� h_� ma^bk�_Zohkbm^�\hfb\�[hhdl�aZ]�oZgbla^]�h__�ma^�la^eo^l�Zee�Z\khll�mhpg'

:g]�bm�pZl�Zee�[^\Znl^�h_�hg^�[hhd'�Bg�*2.-%�@^kfZg&:f^kb\Zg�ilr\abZmkblm�?k^]&kb\� P^kmaZf� \hfibe^]� abl� r^Zkl� h_� \Zl^�lmn]b^l� bgmh� L^]n\mbhg� h_� ma^� Bggh\^gm%��Z� [hhd� maZm� chem^]� ma^� \hfb\� [hhd� bg]nl&mkr�Zg]�_kb`am^g^]�iZk^gml�Zg]�eZpfZd^kl�Zebd^'�Bg�abl�[hhd%�P^kmaZf�\eZbf^]�a^�aZ]�ikhh_�maZm�\hfb\�[hhdl�p^k^�]bk^\mer�ebgd^]�mh� cno^gbe^� ]^ebgjn^g\r'� A^� lZb]� maZm� ma^�\hgm^gm�h_�fZgr�[^eho^]�\hfb\l�p^k^�Zm�ma^�khhm�h_�paZm�pZl�pkhg`�pbma�:f^kb\Zg�\abe&

]k^g'�Ma^r�lniihl^]er�\Znl^]�gb`amfZk^l%�^g\hnkZ`^]�\kbf^�Zg]�p^k^�ma^�k^Zlhg�_hk�l^qnZe�i^ko^klbhg'�

Ma^� _heehpbg`� r^Zk%� ma^� @Ze^l[nk`� >q&\aZg`^� <en[� l^m� hnm� hg� Z� fbllbhg� mh� leZr�ma^� \hfb\� [hhd� [^Zlm'� A^gkr� FZklaZee�\Zf^� ni� pbma� ma^� ieZg� maZm� phne]� kb]� ma^�mhpg� h_� bg]^\^gm� fZm^kbZe%� Zl� iZkm� h_� GZ&mbhgZe� <kbf^� Ik^o^gmbhg� P^^d'� Dghpg� Zl�ma^�@Ze^l[nk`�<e^Zgni%��>q\aZg`^�<en[�f^f[^kl�p^gm�mh�fhk^�maZg�1)�\hfb\�k^mZbe&^kl�bg�mhpg�Zg]�lnko^r^]�paZm�pZl�hg�ma^�la^eo^l'�Ma^�hger�\hfb\l�maZm�p^k^�]^^f^]�Z\\^imZ[e^�p^k^�mahl^�maZm�aZ]�Zg�nieb_m&bg`�iehm%�pahe^lhf^�\aZkZ\m^kl�Zg]�]b]�ghm�\hfikhfbl^�`hh]�fhkZel'��Ma^�fhkZebmr�h_�ma^� [hhdl� pZl� ]^m^kfbg^]� [r� Zg� ^oZenZ&mbhg� _hkf'� MaZm� bg\en]^]� ma^� pbeebg`g^ll� h_�lmhk^�hpg^kl�mh�\hhi^kZm^%�ma^�ikhqbfbmr�h_�l\ahhel�Zg]�Z�eblm�h_�k^]&ÜZ`�\hgm^gm'�Ma^�eblm�

h_�ngZ\\^imZ[e^�\hgm^gm�pZl�ehg`�Zg]�]kbo&^g� ]bk^\mer� [r� P^kmaZf�l� lmn]b^l'� <kbf^%�obhe^g\^%� ng]^kphke]� cZk`hg%� ]bohk\^%� ng&:f^kb\Zg�[^aZobhk%�bg^__^\mbo^�eZp�^g_hk\^&f^gm�h_Û\bZel%�[eZ\d�fZ`b\%�l^qnZe�\hgm^gm�Zg]� pbe]� ZgbfZe� ZmmZ\dl� p^k^� Zfhg`� ma^��_khpg^]&nihg�\hgm^gm'

Bm� f^Zgm� maZm� @^g^� :nmkr%� Chag� PZrg^�:]o^gmnk^� <hfb\l� Zg]� ^o^g� Lni^kfZg� ��\hfb\l�maZm�ghp�l^^f�fbe]���p^k^�Zfhg`�ma^�phklm'

>q\aZg`^� <en[� f^f[^kl� mZed^]� mh�lmhk^� hpg^kl� mh� lmkhg`er� ^g\hnkZ`^� maZm�ma^r� lmhi� l^eebg`� ma^� \hfb\� [hhdl� h_��h[c^\mbhgZ[e^�\aZkZ\m^k'�

Ma^k^� pZl� Z� \^kmZbg� Zfhngm� h_� in[eb\�ik^llnk^�inm�hg�ma^f�mh�lmhi�]hbg`�bm'�:g]�ma^�pZr�ma^r�pkhm^�bm�bg�ma^�g^pliZi^k%�bm�Zefhlm�lhng]^]�ebd^�b_�rhn�p^k^g�m� hbg`�mh�]h�mabl%�rhn�p^k^�ghm�a^eibg`� ma^�\hffngbmr%�Zg]�i^kaZil�ng&:f^kb\Zg%��lZb]�IZmmr�Fhla^k%�@Ze^l[nk`�In[eb\�Eb[kZkr�Zk\aboblm'�I^hie^�p^k^�o^kr�iZkZghb]�Z[hnm�l^^fbg`�ng&:f^k&b\Zg'�Ma^�Fb]p^lm�Zm�maZm�mbf^�pZl�Z�[Zlmbhg��h_�\hgl^koZmblf'�

Ahp^o^k%� ma^� >q\aZg`^� <en[� \hne]�hger� ^g\hnkZ`^� lmhk^� hpg^kl� mh� lmhi�l^eebg`� ma^� ahkkhk�� \hfb\l'� ?hk\bg`�^kZ]b\Zmbhg� phne]� [^� bg� obheZmbhg� h_� ma^��?bklm�:f^g]f^gm'�

Bm�pZl�k^Ze�F\<Zkmarblf&mri^�lmn__%��lZb]�;^g�Lmhg^��Lmhf[^k`%�hpg^k�h_�Lmhg^�:e&e^r�;hhdl� bg�@Ze^l[nk`'�Ma^r�\hne]� mZd^�mabl� dbg]� h_� _^Zk� fhg`^kbg`� maZm� pZl� bg�ihebmb\l�Zg]�^o^krmabg`�^el^�Zg]�mkZgl_^k� bm�mh� ihi� \nemnk^� Zg]� Zkm� Zg]� paZm^o^k� ^el^�ma^r�\hne]�\eZfi�]hpg�hg'�Ma^r�pZgm^]�mh�fZd^�lnk^�bm�pZl�iheb\^]�ikhi^ker�lh�ma^r�\hne]�lZo^�ma^�\abe]k^g'�

@Ze^l[nk`�l� Zmm^fim� mh� lZo^� ma^� \abe&]k^g��^o^g�`Zbg^]�gZmbhgZe�ikZbl^'� Bm�pZl�nl^]�Zl�Z�k^\hff^g]Zmbhg�_hk�\hffngbmb^l�Z\khll�ma^�\hngmkr'�Bg�_Z\m%�MahfZl�='�Lm^&ia^gl%�Z�k^ik^l^gmZmbo^�_khf�=^ee�In[eblabg`�<h'�bg�G^p�Rhkd%�lZb]�maZm�ma^�\hfb\�\e^Zg&ni�pZl�^qmk^f^er�^__^\mbo^'�

Courtesy Photo: Galesburg Public LibraryDrug store owner Harry Weiner (left) watches as Dr. Edwin Nash and Gene Tribbey review a Superman comic book for objectionable content during the Galesburg Comic Cleanup of 1955.

Page 10: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

10

Bm� bl� fn\a� [^mm^k� mh� aZo^� ma^� \hgmkhe�aZg]e^]�[r�\bmbs^gl�bg�ma^�pZr�rhn�aZo^�]hg^� bm%� maZg� [r� Z� lfZee� e^`bleZmbo^� Zg]�^g_hk\^f^gm�`khni�Zl�pa^g�bm�bl�]hg^�[r�hk]bgZg\^%�� a^� mhe]� ma^� >q\aZg`^� <en[�]nkbg`�Z�f^^mbg`'�=^ee�In[eblabg`�<h'�pZl�Z�]blmkb[nmhk�h_�\e^Zg��\hfb\l�maZm�p^k^�hg�ma^�Z\\^imZ[e^�eblm'�:l�Z�maZgd&rhn�mh�ma^� >q\aZg`^� <en[%� Lm^ia^gl� ]hgZm^]�fhk^� maZg� -%)))� =^ee� \hfb\l� mh� @Ze^l&[nk`�\abe]k^g�Z_m^k�ma^r�p^k^�k^ob^p^]�[r��l\ahhe�Znmahkbmb^l'

Bm� phne]� [^� k^Zeer� mZf^� \hfiZk^]�mh� paZm� rhn� l^^� ghp%�� Lmhf[^k`� lZb]'�PaZm�p^�`kZ]^�Zm�Z�fZmnk^&e^o^e�\hfb\�hk� Z� m^^g&e^o^e� \hfb\� phne]� g^o^k� aZo^�Ühpg� [Z\d� ma^g'� Bm� phne]� [^� pZr� mhh�fn\a%�pZr�mhh�`kZiab\%�pZr� mhh�obhe^gm�Zg]�pZr�mhh�cZf&iZ\d^]�pbma�Z\mbhg'�Bm�l�dbg]� h_� ma^� pZr� m^e^oblbhg� aZl� ^oheo^]�

ho^k�ma^�r^Zkl%�ma^�pZr�ma^�fhob^�kZm&

bg`l� aZo^'� Bm�l� Z� fn\a� ]b__^k^gm� f^]bnf�maZg�bm�nl^]�mh�[^'�

@Ze^l[nk`� \abe]k^g� Zefhlm� aZ]� gh�\ahb\^� [nm� mh� k^Z]� mZf^� \hfb\� [hhdl'�Fhlm�lmhk^l�iZkmb\biZm^]�bg�ma^�\e^Zgni'�Bm�bl�ngdghpg�^qZ\mer�ahp�ehg`�bm�eZlm^]'

;nm�bm�fb`am�aZo^�Zee�[^^g�_hk�ghmabg`'<Zkhe� Mbee^r%� ZllblmZgm� ikh_^llhk� Zm� ma^�

Ngbo^klbmr� h_� Beebghbl� @kZ]nZm^� L\ahhe� h_�Eb[kZkr�Zg]�Bg_hkfZmbhg�L\b^g\^%�k^\^gmer�_hng]� maZm� P^kmaZf� fb`am� aZo^� aZ]� bm�pkhg`�Zee�Zehg`'�;r�lmn]rbg`�hkb`bgZe�]h\&nf^gml%�la^�]bl\ho^k^]�maZm�ma^�k^l^Zk\a�bg�L^]n\mbhg�h_�ma^�Bggh\^gm��pZl�ld^p^]'

?khf�Z�\hgm^fihkZkr�lmZg]ihbgm%��L^&]n\mbhg�� bl� ahkkb[er� pkbmm^g� [^\Znl^� bm�l�ghm�]h\nf^gm^]%��la^�lZb]�bg�Z�ik^ll�k^&e^Zl^�^Zkeb^k�mabl�r^Zk'�Ma^k^�Zk^�gh�\bmZ&mbhgl%�gh�[b[ebh`kZiar'�A^�jnhm^l�Z�ehm�h_�i^hie^%�k^_^kl�mh�ehml�h_�mabg`l%�[nm�ma^k^�l�k^Zeer�gh�`hh]�pZr�h_�dghpbg`�paZm�abl�

[Zlbl�bl�_hk�Zgr�h_�mabl'�Bm�f^Zgl�maZm�ma^�fhlmer�p^ee&bgm^gmbhg^]�

\e^Zgni� pZl� \^gm^k^]� hg� lmn]b^l� maZm�p^k^� \hg]^gl^]� mh� ^qZ``^kZm^� mk^g]l�maZm�ikh[Z[er�]b]g�m�^qblm'

Bm�l� en]b\khnl%�� Lmhf[^k`� lZb]'� Bm�l�\^glhklabi�bg�bml�phklm�_hkf'�Bm�l�_^Zk&fhg&`^kbg`�\kZsbg^ll'�:g]�bm�l�Zee�[^\Znl^�hg^�`nr�ld^p^]�]ZmZ�bg�Z�[hhd�maZm�a^�pZgm^]�in[ebla^]�lh�[Z]%�lh�a^�\hne]�ihbgm�Z�Ûg`^k�Zm�paZm�pZl�]^`kZ]bg`�:f^kb\Z'�Bm�l�ma^�obhe^g\^�bg�ob]^h�`Zf^l�Zk`nf^gm'�:l�Z�lh\b^mr%�p^�k^�fhk^�cZ]^]�Zg]�]hg�m�aZo^�ma^�lZf^�k^Z\mbhg�mh�mabg`l�maZm�p^�nl^]�mh'�B�f�ghm�lnk^�rhn�\hne]�ihbgm�Z�Ûg`^k�Zm�hg^�\Znl^'�Bm�l�Z�ebmme^�[bm�h_�^o^krmabg`��B�mabgd'�

=^libm^�ma^�>q\aZg`^�<en[�l�[^lm� __hkml�mh�ik^o^gm�ma^�lZe^�h_�one`Zk��\hfb\�[hhdl�bg� ma^� \bmr� h_� @Ze^l[nk`%� ma^� [nlbg^ll� bl��lmbee�makbobg`'

Fb\aZ^e�Dhae^k%�Zg�^fiehr^^�Zm�:em^k&gZm^�K^Zebmb^l�\hfb\�[hhd�lmhk^�hg�FZbg�Lmk^^m%�lZb]�maZm�[hma�db]l�Zg]�Z]neml�[nr�ie^gmr�h_�\hfb\�[hhdl'�;nm�bglm^Z]�h_�k^&fhobg`�h[c^\mbhgZ[e^��\hgm^gm�_khf�ma^�la^eo^l%� :em^kgZm^� K^Zebmb^l� aZl� l^iZkZm^�\hgm^gm�_hk�Z]neml�Zg]�\abe]k^g'

B�mabgd�ma^�\hfb\�[hhd�bg]nlmkr�ng]^k&lmZg]l� ma^k^� bl� Z� g^^]� _hk� `kbmmb^k� lmhkb^l�maZm�Zk^�fhk^�[Zl^]�hg�k^Zebmr%��a^�lZb]'�Ghm� o^krmabg`�bl�lnglabg^�Zg]�kZbg[hpl'�;nm�B�Zelh�mabgd�maZm�ma^r�ng]^klmZg]�maZm�bg�hk]^k�mh�l^ee�[hhdl�ma^r�aZo^�mh�Zii^Ze�mh�Z�pb]^k�Zn]b^g\^'�

<hfb\� [hhd� l^ee^kl� _k^jn^gmer� k^jnbk^�iZk^gmZe�ZiikhoZe�[^_hk^�e^mmbg`�db]l�[nr�\hfb\� [hhdl� pbma� fZmnk^� ma^f^l'� >o^g�pbma�ma^�\nkk^gm�kZmbg`l�lrlm^f%�bm�l�Z�lZ_^mr�f^Zlnk^�maZm�l�Z�_Zk�\kr�_khf�ma^�\e^Zgni�h_�*2..'

@Ze^l[nk`�ZepZrl�aZl�Z�pZr�h_�Ûg]&bg`�bml�pZr�bgmh�ma^�a^Z]ebg^l%��Lmhf[^k`�lZb]'� :ee� ma^� mbf^%� _hk� ma^� p^bk]^lm� k^Z&lhgl'�Bm�l�ma^�\aZkf�h_�hnk�jnb^m�ebmme^�mhpg���maZm�p^�k^�ghm�lh�jnb^m'�

Courtesy Photo: Galesburg Public LibraryGalesburg News Agency owner Dave Feldman (middle) meets with Rod Howell (left) and Dale Ruedig (right). The agency distributed comic books and magazines to Galesburg businesses.

Page 11: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

11

Havana, IllinoisWater Tower

For more than 124 years, the h is tor ic H a v a n a

Water Tower has provided fresh water to the peo-ple of the Havana, Illinois Erected in 1889, the tower holds 50,000 gal-lons and is a des-ignated American Water Landmark and on the Na-tional Register of Historic Places.

Photo by: Steve Lutz

Page 12: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

12

I JUHZ� XS� KHDULQJ� DERXW� 5REHUW� :DG-ORZ�DOO� WKH� WLPH�� ,�KDYH�D� ORW�RI� IDP-LO\� LQ� WKH�$OWRQ�� ,OOLQRLV� DUHD�� DQG�P\�

GDG�JUDGXDWHG�IURP�WKH�VDPH�KLJK�VFKRRO� DV�KLP��%HLQJ� ZHOO�DFTXDLQWHG� ZLWK� WKH� WRZQ�

WKDW� VLWV� RQ� WKH�0LVVLVVLSSL� QRW� IDU� IURP�6W�� /RXLV�� ,YH� VHHQ� SOHQW\� RI� IHDWXUHV�DERXW�WKLV�DEQRUPDO�PDQ��LQFOXGLQJ�RQH�DW�D�5LSOH\V�%HOLHYH�,W�2U�1RW�PXVHXP��0\�GDG�FDQ�UDWWOH�RII�VWDWV�DERXW�:DG-

ORZ� OLNH� FUD]\��+H�GLHG� IURP�DQ� LQIHFWLRQ�DW� WKH� DJH� ��� DW� �� IHHW�� ������ LQFKHV�� DV�WKH� WDOOHVW� PDQ� LQ� PHGLFDO� KLVWRU\�� +LV�ULQJ�VL]H�ZDV�����KLV�VKRH�VL]H���$$�DQG�KH�ZDV�WDOOHU�WKDQ�KLV�GDG�E\�DJH���0\�JUDQGPRWKHU� OLYHG�QRW� IDU� IURP�WKH�

6RXWKHUQ�,OOLQRLV�8QLYHUVLW\�$OWRQ�FDPSXV��ZKLFK� KDV� D� URRP� GHGLFDWHG� WR� WKH� WDOO-HVW�PDQ�ZKR�HYHU�OLYHG��$FURVV�WKH�VWUHHW�IURP�WKDW�URRP�LV�D�IXOO�VFDOH�VWDWXH��SOXV�WKH� WKUHH�URRP� KRXVH� KH� ZDV� ERUQ� LQ�� ,�VDZ�DOO�RI�WKLV�DW�OHDVW�WZLFH�D�\HDU�ZKHQ�,� YLVLWHG�KHU��$W�WKH�0DVRQLF�ORGJH��WKHUH�LV�D�UHSOLFD�

RI�WKH�FKDLU�VSHFLILFDOO\�EXLOW�IRU�KLP�WR�VLW�LQ�� DQG� IRU� D� ORQJ� WLPH�� D� SLFWXUH� RI� KLP�ZDV�LQ�HYHU\�VKRH�VWRUH�:DGORZ�LV�HYHQ�EXULHG�LQ�WKH�VDPH�FHP-

HWHU\�DV�VRPH�RI�P\�IDPLO\�PHPEHUV�DUH��+LV� WRPEVWRQH� GRHVQW� VWLFN� RXW� PXFK��EXW�D�SHUVRQ�FDQ�WHOO�E\�WKH�SRVLWLRQLQJ�RI�WKH�JUDYHV�DURXQG�KLP��:KHQ� ,� WROG� P\� GDG� DERXW� WKLV� OLWWOH�

SLHFH��KH�LQVWDQWO\�ZHQW�WKURXJK�KLV�ERRNV�DQG� IRXQG� IRU�PH�D� ELRJUDSK\� DQG� YLGHR�IHDWXUH�KH�KDG��:DGORZ�LV�D�IHDWXUH�SLHFH�LQ�$OWRQ�+H�ZDV�ERUQ� LQ������� WKH� ILUVW� FKLOG�RI�

+DUROG� DQG� $GGLH� :DGORZ�� $FFRUGLQJ� WR�KLV� ELRJUDSK\� E\� )UHGHULF� )DGQHU� 7KH�*HQWOHPHQ�*LDQW��WKH�/LIH�RI�5REHUW�:DG-ORZ��KLV�SDUHQWV�DOZD\V�DVVXPHG�WKDW�KH�ZDV�MXVW�JURZLQJ�DW�D�IDVWHU�SDFH�DQG�WKDW�ZKHQ�KH�ZDV�WR�UHDFK�SHDN�KHLJKW�KH�ZRXOG� VWRS�JURZLQJ��

Fadner said that in order for is par-ents to make Wadlow’s life as normal DV� SRVVLEOH�� WKH\� ZRXOG� SD\� ZKDWHYHU�IDUH� IRU� WKH� WDOO� ER\� WKDW� SHRSOH� VDZ� ILW��

RobertWadlow

ThewalkingwonderofWesternIllinois

BySarahTomkinson

Staff Photo

Page 13: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

13

LQVWHDG� RI� ILJKWLQJ� RYHU� DJH� OLPLWV�� 7KH�ILUVW�UHFRUGLQJ�RI�KLV�KHLJKW�ZDV�DW�DJH���� ��IHHW���LQFKHV��:KHQ�:DGORZ�ZDV�����KLV�SDUHQWV�WRRN�

KLP�WR�%DUQHV�+RVSLWDO�LQ�6W��/RXLV�WR�WU\�DQG� ILJXUH� H[DFWO\� ZK\� KH� ZDV� JURZLQJ�VR� WDOO�� 7KH� GRFWRUV� WKHUH� FDPH� WR� WKH�FRQFOXVLRQ�WKDW�KH�KDG�DQ�RYHUDFWLYH�SL-WXLWDU\� JODQG�� DQG� DW� WKDW� WLPH� WKH\� KDG�QR�ZD\� WR� WUHDW� LW�� %\� WKLV� WLPH�� KH� ZDV� ��IHHW���LQFKHV�$W�DJH�����KH�ZDV�OLVWHG�DV�WKH�ZRUOGV�

WDOOHVW�%R\�6FRXW��+H�ZDV���IHHW���LQFKHV�DQG� LW� WRRN����\DUGV�RI����LQFK�PDWHULDO�WR�PDNH�KLV�XQLIRUP��:DGORZ�JRW�KLV�ILUVW�EUXVK�ZLWK�SXEOLF-

ity and the media when he made a stop E\� WKH� 6W�� /RXLV� 3RVW�'LVSDWFK�� 5HSRUW-HUV� LQVWDQWO\� MXPSHG� RQ� WKH� FKDQFH� WR�ZULWH�DERXW�WKH�WDOO�ER\��$IWHU� JUDGXDWLQJ� KLJK� VFKRRO� LQ� ������

:DGORZ� HQUROOHG� LQ� 6KXUWOHII� &ROOHJH��ZKLFK� LV�QRZ� WKH�6,8�$�FDPSXV��'XULQJ�WKDW�WLPH��:DGORZ�DQG�KLV�IDWKHU�WUDYHOOHG�H[WHQVLYHO\� WKURXJKRXW� WKH� 8�6�� ,W� ZDV�GXULQJ� WKLV� WLPH�� ZKHQ� WKH� ,QWHUQDWLRQDO�6KRH�&RPSDQ\�DVNHG�KLP�WR�EH�D�JRRG-ZLOO� DPEDVVDGRU�� ,Q� H[FKDQJH� IRU� EHLQJ�DQ� DGYHUWLVLQJ� ILJXUH�� :DGORZ� UHFHLYHG�KLV� VKRHV�� ZKLFK� DFFRUGLQJ� WR� )DGQHU��QRUPDOO\�FRVW�������,Q� ������ *XLQQHVV� :RUOG� 5HFRUG� UHF-

RJQL]HG�:DGORZ��DV�WKH�WDOOHVW�PDQ�HYHU�DW���IHHW�����LQFKHV��WRZHULQJ�RYHU�IRUPHU�WDOOHVW�PDQ�$XVWULDQ�-RVHSK�:LQNHOPDL-HU��$FFRUGLQJ�WR�)DGQHU��WKLV�ZDV�FRQWUR-YHUVLDO��EHFDXVH�PDQ\�FODLPHG�D�5XVVLDQ�PDQ�ZDV���IHHW���LQFKHV��EXW�VLQFH�WKHUH�ZDV� QR� PHGLFDO� SURRI�� UHFRUGV� WKUHZ� KLP�RXW��

The world’s tallest man traveled to ��� VWDWHV� DQG�PDGH� YLVLWV� LQ�PRUH� WKDQ����� WRZQV� SURPRWLQJ� WKH� ,QWHUQDWLRQDO� 6KRH�&RPSDQ\��6LQFH�:DGORZ�ZDV� VR� WDOO�� KH� QHHGHG�

EUDFHV�WR�VXSSRUW�KLV�OHJV�ZKLOH�ZDONLQJ��2QH�RI�WKH�EUDFHV�VWDUWHG�VFUDWFKLQJ�LQWR�KLV�VNLQ�DQG�FDXVHG�DQ�LQIHFWLRQ�ZKLOH�KH�ZDV�LQ�0LFKLJDQ��+H� XQGHUZHQW� VXUJHULHV� DQG� EORRG�

WUDQVIXVLRQV�� EXW� QRQH�ZHUH� VXFFHVVIXO��:DGORZ� GLHG� LQ� KLV� VOHHS� DW� DJH� ��� RQ�-XO\����������LQ�0DQLVWHH��0LFK��+LV� ERG\� ZDV� EURXJKW� EDFN� WR� $OWRQ�

WR�EH�EXULHG��0\�GDG�UHPHPEHUV�KHDULQJ�people say that Wadlow’s mom used to frame his grave with flowers every day XQWLO�VKH�GLHG��7KH�WRZQ�RI�$OWRQ�KROGV�D�VSHFLDO�SODFH�

LQ� LWV�KHDUW� IRU�:DGORZ��0DQ\�RELWXDULHV�RI� KLV� WDONHG� DERXW� KRZ� KH�ZDV� D� JRRG�PDQ� � QRW� D� VWHUHRW\SLFDO� JLDQW�� EXW� D�

JHQWOH�JLDQW��7KLV�PLQG�IUDPH�VWXFN��DQG�WR�WKLV�GD\�SHRSOH�WKDW�UHFDOO�VHHLQJ�KLP�RQFH�DV�D�\RXQJ�ER\�WDON�DERXW�KRZ�QLFH�KH�ZDV��)DGQHU�VWDUWHG�RXW�KLV�ELRJUDSK\�RI�WKH�

WDOO� PDQ� ZLWK� D� 6KDNHVSHDUH� YHUVH� WKDW�SRUWUD\HG�:DGORZ�DV�D�JRRG�SHUVRQ��RQH�WKDW�SHRSOH�FDQ�ORRN�XS�WR��%\� WKH� UHFRUGV� DQG� DFFRXQWV� ,YH�

KHDUG� DOO� P\� OLIH�� ,G� KDYH� WR� VD\� WKHUH�LV� OLWWOH� WR� QR� HYLGHQFH� WR� GLVDJUHH� ZLWK� WKLV�VWDWHPHQW��

Courtesy Photo: Alton TelegraphRobert Wadlow with his mother in 1939.

Page 14: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

14

The interior of Sweet Apricot Shop is not unlike its owner.

The boutique, located in Qu-QLF\��,OOLQRLV��LV�SXW�WRJHWKHU��,W·V�RUJD-QL]HG��,W·V�VW\OLVK��,W·V�ZHOO�WKRXJKW�RXW��

Sara Platt, who opened the store in 2011, could easily be described in those words. Upon meeting her, Platt quickly comes across as poised and her years of experience and travel sink in. Platt possesses the kind of work ethic and accomplishments ex-pected of someone in her 40s, yet at 28 years old, she manages to exceed expectations cast on those her age.

While starting a small business soon after college is considered a feat for most, what happened in be-tween those two events was even more unexpected.

After graduating from Western

Illinois University in 2008 with a de-gree in business administration, Platt decided that she wanted to explore life outside of the Midwest.

“I had done a program at WIU called Learning to Lead and they put me in an internship in DC for a summer and WKDW�ZDV�UHDOO\�WKH�ÀUVW�SODFH�WKDW�,�KDG�lived outside of the Midwest,” she said. “I realized that I just loved the idea of experiencing a different culture and so when I was out there, I started look-ing for different programs and I found one that was called Mountbatten, and I was later accepted and moved to London.”

Once in London, the boutique owner found work in a slightly less JODPRURXV� ÀHOG� WKDQ� WKH� RQH� VKH� LV�currently in — banking. Platt started working at Lehman Brothers where

she was placed in an unusually stressful environment.

“It was actually a really, really fasci-nating time even though, for the most part, anything dealing with banks and ÀQDQFH� LV�QRW� LQWHUHVWLQJ�µ�3ODWW� VDLG��“But I moved out there in April 2008, ZKLFK�ZDV�WKH�EHJLQQLQJ�RI�WKH�ÀQDQ-cial meltdown. So it was kind of fas-cinating because Lehman Brothers — not good for me — was ultimately WKH�ÀUVW�ELJ�GRPLQR�LQ�WKH�ÀQDQFLDO�FRO-ODSVH�RI�WKH�DOO�WKH�ZRUOG·V�HFRQRPLHV�µ

Her job, which she held for nine months, involved manually moving money when transactions were made.

“So when a trader moved money from one bank in Euros to another bank in Yen, I was the one who was manually moving the money, which was very, very stressful because it

was about 25 alphanumeric key codes for every bank and every transaction had several of them and it was very easy to make a mistake,” Platt said. “And when you did, it cost the bank a lot of money because moving money to a different bank costs money. So that was an interesting experience be-cause it was so high stress.

“The volume of trades that were hap-SHQLQJ�ZDV�ÀYH�WLPHV�ZKDW�LW�XVXDOO\�LV�because people were panicking in this ÀQDQFLDO�FULVLV��VR�HYHU\RQH�ZDV�PRY-ing their money out and into different banks and different currencies.”

While Platt was only at the bank temporarily, she had the unfortunate experience of witnessing employees of the bank lose their jobs one by one as it became clear that Lehman Broth-ers was on its way out.

From banking to boutique:Sara Platt’s round trip to London

Story By: Elana KatzPhotos by: Jennifer Wilson

Page 15: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

15

´$�ORW�RI�SHRSOH�VOHSW�DW�WKH�RIÀFH�D�few days a week because everybody DURXQG� WKHP�ZDV�JHWWLQJ� ÀUHG�µ�3ODWW�said. “People were doing just about anything to keep their jobs. But every-day, you still saw a few people get that tap on the shoulder, taken into the of-ÀFH�DQG�D�GLIIHUHQW�SHUVRQ�ZRXOG�SXW�their belongings into a big brown box. ,W·V�GHÀQLWHO\�D�EL]DUUH�HQYLURQPHQW�WR�ZRUN�LQ��7R�FDOO�LW�KLJK�VWUHVV�GRHVQ·W�UH-ally cover it.”

It was only a few weeks after Lehman Brothers went bankrupt that Platt found herself taking a position at Deutsche Bank as an analyst. The work was rewarding, but much less stressful than her previous job.´:KHQ� \RX·UH� DQDO\VW�� LW·V� NLQG� RI�

like being a college student,” she VDLG�� ´<RX·UH� VWXG\LQJ� D� ORW� RI� VWXII��7KH\·UH� QRW� VD\LQJ�� ¶JLYH� PH� UH-VXOWV�·� WKH\·UH� MXVW� VD\LQJ�� ¶WHOO� PH�ZKDW� \RX� WKLQN�·� $QG� WKDW� ZDV� UHDOO\�nice because it was a much more relaxing environment.”

Despite the 9 to 5 jobs in banking she held, Platt found time to discover a different kind professional goal. In fact, London was the place that inspired her to open up her own shop.

“I feel like Europe does it right be-cause they have all small shops,” Platt said. “And London still has what they call High Street, which would be the equivalent of Michigan Avenue in Chi-FDJR��EXW�LW·V�D�JLDQW�FLW\�DQG�LW·V�ÀOOHG�ZLWK� VPDOO� ERURXJKV��ZKLFK� DUH� ÀOOHG�with small shops. I loved going to my neighborhood shops. And everyone ZDV�VR�XQLTXH�DQG�ZDVQ·W� MXVW�DERXW�ÀQGLQJ�D�QLFKH��,W�ZDV�DERXW�GLIIHUHQW�ways to connect with your customer that I had never even seen before and it was bizarre. Some of the stuff was crazy, but it was fantastic. So it was re-ally inspiring there.”

Platt stayed at her job at Deutsche for about nine months until she de-cided it was time to head back to the States. She moved to Chicago, where she took a position with the National

Council for State Boards of Nursing. She stayed there for two years and saved money until she was able to open her boutique.

While in Chicago, Platt took the necessary steps to prepare for her business venture.

“London was really a lot of inspira-tion, but Chicago, like I said, it was sav-ing money. It was meeting with score counselors, which is the small busi-ness administration,” she said. “Kind of like an outreach program, they put \RX�ZLWK�D�PHQWRU��$QG�LW·V�VRPHERG\�that I met with at least every couple of weeks to talk about my business plan WR� JR� RYHU� P\� ÀQDQFLDO� VWDWHPHQWV��They just kind of helped me prepare for opening up a small business.”

When it came time to decide where to open the store, the decision to do

it in Quincy came from a few different factors. Mostly though, it had to do with her boyfriend at the time, David Coorigan, whom she later married in June 2012.

“I had been dating (Coorigan) for a really long time. We actually had met DW�:,8�µ� 3ODWW� VDLG�� ´+H·V� D� FRXSOH�years older than me and, you know, we had been dating for seven years. So I think it was, we were both kind of ready to get our lives started. I never really imagined that I would be FRPLQJ�EDFN� WR�4XLQF\�� EXW� LW·V� MXVW�D� UHDOO\� JRRG� ÀW� IRU�PH� ULJKW� QRZ�� ,�ORYH�EHLQJ�KHUH��,�ORYH�WKDW�P\�VKRS·V�KHUH�� ,� WKLQN�4XLQF\·V� D� UHDOO\� JRRG�town to start a business in and my husband really wanted to stay here. Things kind of just fell into place.”,Q�������3ODWW�ÀQDOO\�WRRN�WKH�SOXQJH�

and opened up Sweet Apricot Shop. Nestled in a quiet corner of down-town Quincy, the shop is home to a YDULHW\� RI� FRQWHPSRUDU\� ZRPHQ·V�clothing and accessories. Brands such as Free People, BB Dakota, Hudson, House of Harlow and others line the silver racks and white walls of the store.

Since its opening, the store has grown fast. Platt now has three em-ployees and an intern working for her, and plans to expand are not far off.´7KHUH�ZDV�D�ÀYH�\HDU�H[SDQVLRQ�

SODQ� LQ�P\�RULJLQDO�SODQ��EXW� ,·G� OLNH�to sort of fast track that,” Platt said. ´7KH�VSDFH�WKDW�,·P�LQ�LV�D�JRRG�VL]H�IRU�PH�ULJKW�QRZ��EXW�,·P�KRSLQJ�WKDW�E\�QH[W�VSULQJ�,·P�FDUU\LQJ�DERXW����percent more merchandise.”

In addition to the expansion, Platt plans to hold more events to help promote Sweet Apricot Shop while working with the local community. $IWHU� ÀYH� VXFFHVVIXO� UXQZD\� VKRZV�that each brought in 100-200 peo-ple to the shop, Platt has a show in the works for each summer and holiday season.

While her time in London contrib-uted greatly to her current success, Platt still owes much of it to years at Western, particularly her involve-ment with the Student Alumni Associ-ation. She mentioned that she hopes to work closely with the university to hire interns.

“That was an organization that in-troduced me to a lot of people and a lot of groups that basically took me RQ�WKLV�SDWK�µ�3ODWW�VDLG�� 6R�,·P�UHDOO\�grateful to that organization because I felt like they were just the biggest door opener for me at WIU.”

The door that it opened was no doubt a wide one. With unmatched experience gained in her time abroad, not to mention drive to spare, Sweet Apricot Shop seems to be just the beginning of a lifetime of success for Platt.

Owner Sara Platt at the register of The Sweet Apricot Shop

Page 16: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

16

Hundreds of people pass by the former Haeger Pottery building on Cal-

houn Street in Macomb every day. Now abandoned, the building RQFH�KRXVHG�D�VLJQLFDQW�SLHFH�RI� Illinois culture.

Haeger Pottery originated in 1871 as a manufacturer of bricks using clay from the banks of the Fox River, just 45 miles northwest of Chicago. German immigrant David H. Haeger originally called

the company the “Dundee Brick-yard,” but over a period of 130 years, the company evolved from a tiny brick-maker to the oldest and largest pottery business in the country.7KH� UVW�EULFNV�PROGHG�E\�+DH-

ger were used to rebuild Chica-go after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Millions of bricks later, Haeger found that brick-making was a lucrative business that as-sisted in rebuilding an entire city.

By: Nicole Capone

Photos by: Steve Lutz

HaegerPottery:TheFullHistoryOfAnEmptyFactory

Page 17: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

17

The founding Haeger died in 1900, leaving behind the begin-ning of a legacy. His son, Ed-mund H. Haeger, followed his father’s vision and expanded the company from brick-making to forming artisan pieces of clay. Starting with red clay flower pots for florists, the company began its transformation. Ed-mund had a vision of becoming Haeger Pottery, something he accomplished in 1912 upon the LQWURGXFWLRQ�RI�D� OLQH�RI� UHQHG�

glazed art ware.The entire time, Macomb was

producing pottery of its own. The building that currently stands deserted was originally home to Buckeye Pottery, which was founded in Macomb in 1882. Haeger Pottery bought the build-ing in 1939 to expand its vision, and it remained in use until it was shut down in 2004.

The Macomb factory started producing Haeger Pottery pieces on December 15, 1940. There is

currently only one plant produc-ing Haeger Pottery in Illinois — at the East Dundee plant.

However, this plant was not the only one Haeger operated in Macomb. He expanded in 1961 by purchasing another ceramics plant located at 1300 W. Piper. In 1969, this plant became the Roy-al Haeger Lamp Company fac-tory. It is currently closed and is being demolished.

Macomb has a lengthy history of being a large-scale producer

of ceramics. In the late 1800s, many pottery companies set up shop in Macomb, including Buckeye Pottery, Eagle Pottery, Macomb Pottery — which later became Western Stoneworks — Stoffer and Sons Pottery and Macomb Stoneworks.

For 64 years, Haeger Pottery in Macomb produced tons of pieces such as vases, planters and lamps. While they are a rare QG�� PDQ\� SLHFHV� FDQ� VWLOO� EH�purchased on eBay. They sell at

a price range of anywhere from $6 to $300. The pieces that were manufactured in Macomb have a blue ink stamp on the bottom that says “Macomb USA.” Many of the pieces also have serial numbers stamped on the bot-tom. Haeger pottery pieces are considered collectibles and are

cherished by many locals. New pieces of Haeger pottery made at the other facility can be pur-chased at department stores, such as Boston Interiors, Dil-lards, JC Penney, Lamp Plus and Macy’s.

Even though the Haeger plant is closed, it still sees some ac-

tion from time to time. In the past, police have responded to several attempted break-ins. Vandalism used to be a problem inside the factory but crime in-volving the abandoned building has settled down and the prop-erty now sits quietly on a busy VWUHHW��7KH�YH�DFUHV�RI� ODQG� LV�

currently for sale.There have been few plans to

renovate the property. The most recent one was a proposed con-dominium development. But it fell through just like the others. Nevertheless, the Haeger build-ing still stands with a legacy set in stone.

Page 18: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

18

Building brews for booze

By: Alison Philips

While it may seem odd to most stu-GHQWV�� SURIHVVRUV�

OHDG�OLYHV�RXWVLGH�RI�WKH�FODVV-URRP��7KH\�KDYH�KREELHV��IDPL-lies and things to do other than JUDGLQJ� UHVHDUFK� SDSHUV� DQG�WHVWV�� 6RPH� FKRRVH� WR� ELNH��KLNH�RU�FROOHFW�WKLQJV�ZKLOH�RWK-HUV� KDYH� KREELHV�PRUH� UHODWHG�WR� WKHLU� ILHOG� RI� VWXG\�� %XW� RQH�SURIHVVRU� LQ� SDUWLFXODU� KDV� D�KREE\� KLV� VWXGHQWV� FDQ� UHODWH�WR��EHHU�

Western Illinois University (QJOLVK� SURIHVVRU� %UDGOH\� 'LO-ger is part of a group known as WKH�:RUWKRJV� RI�0DFRPE�� 7KH�group of men and many of their wives meet every month to dis-FXVV� D� KREE\� WKH\� DOO� VKDUH��KRPH�EUHZLQJ��0DQ\�RI� WKH����PHPEHUV� DUH� DOVR� DIILOLDWHG�ZLWK�WKH�XQLYHUVLW\��IURP�SUR-IHVVRUV� WR� VHOI�SURFODLPHG� ,7�JHHNV�� 7KH\� PHHW� WR� GLVFXVV�DQG� VKDUH� QHZ� EUHZV� WKH\YH�PDGH�� SUREOHPV� RU� FRQFHUQV�WKH\�KDYH�KDG�ZLWK�WKH�EUHZLQJ�DQG�WR�GLVFXVV�FOXE�HYHQWV�� LQ-FOXGLQJ� SXE� FUDZOV�� ELJ� EUHZV��EHHU� WDVWLQJ�� OHDUQ�WR�EUHZ�HYHQWV� DQG� D� VSHFLDO� WULS� WKLV�\HDU�WR�D�EHHU�EUHZLQJ�IHVWLYDO�Photos by: Mary Friday

The beer buffs of Macomb

Page 19: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

19

0DQ\� RI� WKH� PHPEHUV� JRW� WKHLU� VWDUW� LQ�

KRPH�EUHZLQJ�IRU�WKH�VDPH�UHDVRQ��WKHLU�ORYH�

RI�EHHU��'LOJHU�JRW�KLV�VWDUW�ZKLOH�KH�ZDV�VWLOO�

LQ�FROOHJH��

,W�ZDV�KDUG� WR�QG�EHHU� WKDW� ,�ZDQWHG� WR�

GULQN�� DQG� ,� WKRXJKW� ,� FRXOG� EUHZ� LW� FKHDSHU�

WKDQ�,�FRXOG�EX\�LW��KH�VDLG��

$QRWKHU� PHPEHU�� :DOW� 0F*UDWK�� VWDUWHG�

ZLWK�D�IULHQG��

“I was always interested in drinking non-

\HOORZ�EHHU��0F*UDWK�VDLG��

7KH�:RUWKRJV�EUHZ�YDULRXV�W\SHV�RI�EHHU��

IURP�SDOH� DOHV�� VHVVLRQ� EHHUV� WKDW� DUH� LQ-

WHQGHG� WR� EH� FRQVXPHG� VORZO\� RYHU� DQ� H[-

WHQGHG� SHULRG� RI� WLPH� DQG� FRQWDLQ� UHODWLYHO\�

ORZ�DPRXQWV�RI�DOFRKRO�� WR�VWRXWV��SRUWHUV�

DQG� VHDVRQDO� EHHUV�� (DFK� YDULHW\� OHQGV� LWV�

RZQ� SHUVRQDOLW\�� +RZHYHU�� EUHZ� FOXE� PHP-

EHU� 6HDQ� :HVW� KDV� D� VSHFLDO� LQWHUHVW� LQ�

VHDVRQDO�EHHUV��

,� ZLOO� XVXDOO\� EUHZ� VHVVLRQ� EHHUV� LQ� WKH�

VXPPHUWLPH�DQG�KDYH�PRUH�KLJK�DOFRKRO�FRQ-

WHQW�EHHUV�DURXQG�-XO\��:HVW�VDLG��7KHUH�DUH�

DOVR�FHUWDLQ�W\SHV�,�VDYH�IRU�VSHFLDO�KROLGD\V��

OLNH�KLJKHU�DOFRKRO�FRQWHQW�VWRXWV�DURXQG�6W��

3DWW\V�GD\�RU�VHDVRQDO�EHHUV�LQ�WKH�IDOO��

6RPH� PHPEHUV� WDNH� D� VKRW� DW� FORQLQJ�

FUDIW�EHHUV�DQG�DGGLQJ�D�WZLVW��RU�FKDQJLQJ�WKH�

VW\OH�WR�VXLW�WKH�GULQNHUV�WDVWHV�

/LNH� PDQ\� KREELHV�� KRPH� EUHZLQJ� WDNHV�

WLPH�� SDWLHQFH� DQG�PRQH\�� 7KHUH� DUH� GLIIHU-

HQW� SURFHVVHV� WR� PDNLQJ� WKH� KRPHEUHZV��

2QH�VXFK�SURFHVV�LV�FDOOHG�DOO�JUDLQ��,Q�DOO�

JUDLQ�HYHU\WKLQJ�LV�PDGH�IURP�VFUDWFK��7KLV�

SURFHVV� LV�GLIFXOW��H[SHQVLYH�DQG�WLPH�FRQ-

VXPLQJ��$QRWKHU�SURFHVV� LV� WKH�H[WUDFWV�DS-

SURDFK��LQ�ZKLFK�WKH�EUHZ�FRPHV�IURP�D�SUH�

PDGH�PL[��,WV�VLPLODU�WR�PDNLQJ�D�FDNH�IURP�

D�ER[HG�PL[��%RWK�SURFHVVHV�FDQ�EH�DGDSWHG�

WR�PDNH�WKH�VSHFLF�EUHZ�D�SHUVRQ�ZDQWV��,W�

FDQ�WDNH�DQ\ZKHUH�IURP�D�IHZ�ZHHNV�WR�D�IHZ�

PRQWKV�GHSHQGLQJ�RQ�WKH�GLIFXOW\�DQG�LQWUL-

FDF\�RI�WKH�EUHZ��

&HUWDLQ�LQJUHGLHQWV�DIIHFW�WKH�WDVWH��DOFRKRO�

FRQWHQW� DQG� ERG\� RI� WKH� EHHU�� )RU� H[DPSOH��

HDFK� EHHU� KDV� D� VSHFLF� EDVH�� $Q� DOH� EDVH�

ZRXOG�KDYH�D�GLIIHUHQW�HIIHFW�RQ�WKH�FRORU�DQG�

ERG\�RI�WKH�EHHU�LQ�FRPSDULVRQ�WR�WKDW�RI�D�OD-

JHU�EDVH��7KH�KRSV�DGG�ELWWHUQHVV�DQG�IODYRU��

7KH�\HDVW�DIIHFWV�WKH�IODYRU�DQG�DOFRKRO�FRQ-

WHQW��0DQLSXODWLQJ� MXVW�RQH�RI� WKHVH� LQJUHGL-

HQWV�FDQ�FRPSOHWHO\�FKDQJH� WKH�RXWFRPH�RI�

WKH�KRPHEUHZ�

$QRWKHU�DVSHFW�RI�KRPH�EUHZLQJ�WKDW�FDQW�

EH�RYHUORRNHG�LV�XVLQJ�WKH�SURSHU�HTXLSPHQW��

(VVHQWLDOO\��\RX�FRXOG�XVH�D�VSDJKHWWL�SRW��

D�SODVWLF�EXFNHW�DQG�ERWWOHV�WR�EUHZ�\RXU�RZQ�

EHHU��:HVW�VDLG��,W�ZRXOG�EH�PXFK�PRUH�GLI-

FXOW�� EXW� \RX� FRXOG� GR� LW�� <RX� FDQ� DOVR� JHW�

KRPHEUHZ� NLWV�� 7KHUH� DUH� GLIIHUHQW� OHYHOV� RI�

NLWV�� EXW� \RXU� EDVLF� VWDUW�XS� NLW�ZLOO� UXQ� \RX�

DERXW����������

A brew kettle is used to boil the wort with the hops. The wort is a sugar rich liquid created by steeping the barley so enzymes can convert starch to sugar.

Page 20: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

20

6RPH� SHRSOH� PD\� SUHIHU� FUDIW� EUHZV�

DORQH�EXW� KDYLQJ� IULHQGV�ZKR�DUH� DOVR� LQ-

WHUHVWHG�FDQ�EH�EHQHFLDO�

,WV�D�ORW�HDVLHU�DQG�FKHDSHU�LI�\RX�KDYH�

WHDPV� RI� SHRSOH� GRLQJ� WKH� EUHZLQJ�� 0F-

*UDWK� VDLG�� <RX� FDQ� DOO� FKLS� LQ� DQG� JHW�

VRPHWKLQJ�QLFHU�RU�ERUURZ�GLIIHUHQW�WKLQJV�

that you may not have from a friend to use

IRU�\RXU�EUHZLQJ�

7KH�0DFRPE� EUHZHUV� RIIHUHG� XS� D� IHZ�

ZRUGV�RI�DGYLFH�WR�WKRVH�ZKR�DUH�LQWHUHVW-

HG�LQ�FRQFRFWLQJ�WKHLU�RZQ�EHHUV��-RLQLQJ�D�

FOXE�RU�DWWHQGLQJ�D�EUHZ�GD\�HYHQW�FDQ�JLYH�

outsiders some insight and more hands to

KHOS�RXW��%UHZLQJ�FDQ�EH�WULFN\��DQG�LW�LV�QRW�

DGYLVHG�WR�VNLPS�RQ�WKH�LQJUHGLHQWV��3URSHU�

FRPSRQHQWV� DQG� HTXLSPHQW� DUH� HVVHQWLDO�

WR�WKH�EUHZLQJ�SURFHVV�

� <RX� QHHG� WR� PDNH� VXUH� WR� EX\� JRRG�

\HDVW� WR� EUHZ� ZLWK�� ,WOO� UHDOO\� KHOS�� 0F-

*UDWK�VDLG�

� <RX� DOVR� QHHG� WR�PDNH� VXUH� \RX� XVH�

JRRG� RUJDQLF� VDQLWL]HUV� WR� FOHDQ� \RXU�

HTXLSPHQW��:HVW�DGGHG��

6DQLWDWLRQ� LV�D�FULWLFDO�SDUW�RI� WKH�KRPH�

EUHZLQJ� SURFHVV�� 7KH� VDQLWDWLRQ� SURFHVV�

FDQ�EH�WLPH�FRQVXPLQJ��

,I� \RX� OLNH� ZDVKLQJ� GLVKHV�� \RXOO� ORYH�

KRPH�EUHZLQJ��'LOJHU�MRNHG��

%XW�PDNLQJ�WLPH�LV�RIWHQ�WKH�KDUGHVW�SDUW�

RI�EUHZLQJ�

,WV� PXFK� HDVLHU� WR� SXUFKDVH� D� FDVH�

RI�EHHU�WKDQ�LW� LV�WR�EUHZ�LW��:HVW�VDLG��,W�

WDNHV� WZR�LVK� KRXUV� WR� EUHZ�� WZR�LVK� WR�

ERWWOH�DQG�DW�OHDVW�D�KDOI�DQ�KRXU�WR�FOHDQ��

+RZHYHU��WKH�WULR�DJUHHG�WKDW�WKH�VDW-

LVIDFWLRQ�RI�KDYLQJ�EUHZHG� WKHLU�RZQ�EHHU�

PDNHV�XS�IRU�LW��

,WV�PRUH�IXQ�WR�EUHZ�\RXU�RZQ�EHHU�WKDQ�

LW� LV�WR�JR�RXW�DQG�EX\�LW��'LOJHU�VDLG��$QG�

LWV�PXFK�PRUH�VDWLVI\LQJ�

%HFDXVH� LWV� WLPH� FRQVXPLQJ�� WKHUH� LV� D�

ORW�RI�SODQQLQJ�WKDW�JRHV�LQWR�D�KRPHEUHZ��

“I usually plan ahead and wake up extra

HDUO\�VR� ,� FDQ�KDYH�PRVW�RI� LW�QLVKHG�EH-

IRUH�P\�ZLIH�DQG�VRQ�DUH�DZDNH��0F*UDWK�

DGGHG��6R�WKDW�ZD\� ,P�VWLOO�DEOH� WR�VSHQG�

WLPH�ZLWK�WKHP�

0RUH�LQIRUPDWLRQ�DERXW�WKH�:RUWKRJV�RI�

0DFRPE� FDQ� EH� IRXQG� RQ� WKH� FOXEV�ZHE-

VLWH�� :RUWKRJV�ZRUGSUHVV�FRP�� 7KH� FOXE�

KROGV� PHHWLQJV� RQ� WKH� IRXUWK� 6DWXUGD\� RI�

HYHU\�PRQWK�DW�WKH�7KH�:LQH�6HOOHUV�DW�����

6�� 5DQGROSK� 6W�� LQ� 0DFRPE�� ,WV� D� JUHDW�

way to learn what the group is up to and to

JHW�PRUH� LQIRUPDWLRQ�DERXW�VWDUWLQJ�D�QHZ�

KREE\� LQ� WKH� FRPSDQ\� RI� SHRSOH� ZKR� OLYH�

WR�EUHZ�

Page 21: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

21

It’s not surprising that plenty of things are named in honor of iconic American writ-er Mark Twain in his hometown of Hannibal, Mo., including a lighthouse. In 1935, the community erected the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse atop Cardiff Hill in Hannibal to commemorate his 100th birthday. It remains a popular local landmark.

Mark Twain Memorial LighthouseHannibal, Mo.

Photo by: Steve Lutz

Page 22: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

22

Having a rich history centered on politics,

controversy and murder, the story of the

Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois is one that

locals and Mormons will always remember. Though

occurring over 100 years ago, the deaths of Joseph and

Hyrum Smith remains an event that holds an impor-

tant place in west central Illinois history.

Staff Photo

Carthage Jail: pinnacle of Western Illinois’ Mormon past

By: Hannah Schrodt and Ryan Brushaber

Page 23: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

23

The Start of a New Religion

Joseph Smith, founder and ������ȱ��ȱ���ȱ������ȱ��ȱ��Ĵ��ȱ��¢ȱSaints or Mormon religion, was raised during a time of religious revivals, which took place dur-���ȱ���ȱę���ȱ������ȱ�������ȱ��ȱ���ȱ1800s — also known as the Sec-ond Great Awakening — in New York. In 1820, at the height of the ������ȱ����ȱ� �������ǰȱŗŚȬ¢���Ȭ���ȱ �����ȱ ����ȱ ��ȱ  ��ȱ �������ȱ �¢ȱ��ȱ ����ȱ��ȱ ��ȱ���¢���ȱ��ȱ��� ȱ ����ȱ������ȱ��ȱ������ȱ�Ĵ���ǯȱ��ȱthis visit, God instructed Smith not ��ȱ ����ȱ��¢ȱ ��������ȱ�������ȱ ���¢ȱ��������ȱ �����ȱ ���������ǯȱ ������ȱ����ȱ ����ǰȱ�����Ȃ�ȱ �����¢ȱ����ȱ ����ȱit had visions concerning messages from God. ��ȱ ��ȱ �Ĵ����ȱ ��ȱ ����������ȱ

their sparse farming income, the �����ȱ �����¢ȱ������������ȱ ��ȱ����Ȭdigging. Later on, having learned ���ȱ�����ȱ����ȱ���ȱ�����¢ǰȱ�����ȱ��-ganized gold-digging expeditions, which, to the surprise of the people  ��ȱ���ȱ����ȱ�����ȱ �¢ȱ����ȱ ����-���ȱ���ȱ����ǰȱ��������ȱ��ȱ�������ǯȱ��-spite the use of seer stones placed in a top hat, which was believed to be a magical device that granted �����ȱ ���ȱ ������¢ȱ ��ȱ ������ȱ ������ȱtreasures, his digging crew found no gold. ����� ���ȱ ���ȱ ������ȱ �Ĵ����ȱ

��ȱę��ȱ�ȱ����ȱ�������ȱ����ǰȱ�����ȱwas arrested in 1826 and was tried in a Bainbridge, N.Y. court as “a ���������¢ȱ ������ȱ ���ȱ ��ȱ �����-ter.” The details surrounding the �����ȱ����ȱ����ȱ����ȱ����ȱ���ȱ¢����ǰȱ��ȱ �� ȱ�Ĝ����ȱ���������ȱ�������-ing to the case still exist, although �����ȱ ����Ȭ�����ȱ�������ȱ�ǯȱ ������ȱ�����ȱ�ȱ�� ȱ¢����ȱ�����ȱ����ȱ�����ȱ was discharged. ���ȱ ����� ���ȱ ¢���ȱ ��ȱ ������-

ber, Smith said he had found, with the guidance of an angel called “Moroni,” a religious record in the

form of gold tablets from the indig-�����ȱ���������ǯȱ���¢ȱ�����ȱ ��ȱable to see the tablets, which were said to contain the actual truth of the Gospels and revealed records ����ȱ�¢ȱ����ȱ��ȱ���ȱ����ȱ�����-ets in the biblical Old Testament. ��ȱŗŞŘşǰȱ�����ȱ�����ȱ¢����ȱ��ȱ�����-

lating the plates with the help of scribes, The Book of Mormon was produced and a religion was born.

Conflicts between Mor-

mons/non-Mormons

����ȱ ���ȱ ��¡�ȱ �� ȱ ¢����ǰȱ ���ȱMormons tried to establish them-selves in several locations across the ������ȱ������ǯȱ� ����ǰȱ��ȱ��Ĵ��ȱ ����ȱ���¢ȱ���¢��ǰȱ���¢ȱ������ȱ��ȱcause political and social turmoil. In states such as Ohio, Missouri and New York, Smith and the Mor-mons made locals uncomfortable ���ȱ ���ȱ���������¢ȱ������ȱ���ȱ��ȱthe areas.

In April 1839, Smith reunited with the growing Mormon com-�����¢ȱ ��ȱ ��������ǰȱ ��������ȱ ��-ter being incarcerated in Missouri under the charge of treason to the state. After Smith purchased a large amount of land on both sides of the Mississippi River, Mormons from all over the world were soon surg-���ȱ����ȱ���ȱ���¢ȱ��ȱ������ȱ��������ȱ�����¢ȱ ��������ȱ ������ȱ ���ȱ ��-

cals soon grew hostile to the Mor-mons. The old citizens were fearful that the newcomers would politi-����¢ȱ�������ȱ����ȱ��ȱ������Ȭ�����ȱcitizens, and the fear was slow-�¢ȱ ��������ȱ �ȱ ������¢ǯȱ �¢ȱ ŗŞŚŘǰȱMormons came to be a factor in state politics. �¢ȱ ���ȱ ��¡�ȱ ¢���ǰȱ ���ȱ ��������-

ship between Mormons and non-Mormons deteriorated further. Anti-Mormons were upset over the amount of power Smith had �������ȱ ��ȱ ���ȱ ��������ȱ ��ȱ ��¢��ȱ of Nauvoo. ��ȱ ����ȱ ŗŞŚŚǰȱ ���ȱ ���Ě����ȱ ��-

tween the two sides escalated to the point where a newspaper was published to publicize the contro-versial activities of the Mormons. The “Nauvoo Expositor” accused Smith of abominations such as lur-���ȱ ¢����ǰȱ ��������ȱ  ����ȱ ����ȱ���ȱ ��������¢ȱ �����ȱ ���ȱ �����ȱpretense of religion. Soon after, the ������ȱ���¢ȱ�������ȱ��������ȱ���ȱnewspaper a public nuisance and �ȱ�����ȱ��ȱ�������ȱ������¢��ȱ���ȱpress equipment.

The destruction of the press didn’t go unnoticed. Anti-Mor-����ȱ ���ȱ��������ȱ�¢ȱ���ȱ������ȱof power, and it lead to the dete-rioration of relations between Mor-mons and non-Mormons.

The Arrest of a Founder

An arrest warrant was issued on June 16, 1844 for Smith on the charge ��ȱ��������ȱ�ȱ����ȱ�����ȱ������¢���ȱ���ȱExpositor’s press. Not wanting to go ��ȱ��������ȱ���ȱ���ȱ�����ǰȱ��ȱę���ȱ�ȱ��-beas corpus for the Municipal Court

in Nauvoo, at which he was found ���ȱ�����¢ǯȱ���ȱ����¢ȱ����Ȭ�������ȱdemanded that the Mormons either set themselves apart from Smith or ����ȱ���ȱ��ȱ������ȱ�����¢ǰȱ ����ȱNauvoo is located. ���ȱ���Ě���ȱ������ȱ�������ȱ���-

plicated when Smith was asked to appear before a judge in Carthage to discuss the charges of the June 12 writ. Though worried that he would be at-������ȱ ��ȱ ���ȱ �¢ȱ ��ȱ��������ǰȱ ��ȱ���ȱ���ȱ�������ȱ¢���ȱ������ȱ��ȱ��-����ȱ��ȱ�����ǯȱ������ȱ����ȱ����ǰȱ�����ȱalso asked Illinois Governor Thomas ����ȱ��ȱ����ȱ�������ȱ���ȱ����������¢ȱ in Nauvoo.

The brothers traveled to Car-�����ȱ��ȱ ����ȱŘśǰȱ ŗŞŚŚǰȱ ����ȱ ���¢ȱwere arrested on a charge of riot-���ȱ ���ȱ ȯȱ �����ȱ ���ȱ ����ȱ ��¢ȱ ȯȱwere charged again with treason for declaring a marital law ear-����ȱ ����ȱ �����ǯȱ ���¢ȱ  ���ȱ �����ȱ����ȱ ������¢ȱ ���ȱ ������������ȱ ��ȱ Carthage jail.

Photo by: Hannah SchrodtThe holding cell inside Carthage Jail, where prisoners were held.

Page 24: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

24

���ȱ ��¡�ȱ ��¢ǰȱ �����ȱ ���ȱ ��-����ȱ ����ȱ ��ȱ ����¢ȱ ���ȱ  ��ȱcoming after Smith and his brother. However, no amount of warning could have prepared ����ȱ ���ȱ ���ȱ ���¢ȱ ���ȱ �����ȱto face.The Murder of a Prophet

On June 27, 1844, after spending �������ȱ ��¢�ȱ ��ȱ ���ȱ ��������ȱ ����ǰȱ�����ȱ���ȱ¢���ȱ ���ȱ ��������ȱ�¢ȱ �����ȱ ������ȱ ����ȱ �ȱ���ȱ ��ȱ ��ȱ���ȱ �¢ȱ ���ȱ���ȱ ���������ȱ��ȱ����-���ȱ����ǯȱ��ȱę���ǰȱ�����ȱ����Ȃ�ȱ����ȱ����������ǯȱ��ȱ�ȱ��Ĵ��ǰȱ��ȱ����������ȱ

the general of the Nauvoo Legion, a semi-independent Mormon militia, to dispatch the group to Carthage ��ȱ��������¢ǯȱ

The assumption was that the or-der would be followed and both he and his brother would be protect-ed, should it be carried out. How-����ǰȱ����ȱ�������ȱ���ȱ����¢ȱ¢����ȱof a mob of 200 men closing in, it became clear that help would not arrive in time. �����ȱ���¢ȱ ���ȱ ������ȱ������ȱ

and pistols, Smith and his brother, along with several other prison-

ers, prepared for a last stand in the ���ę���ȱ��ȱ���ȱ������Ȃ�ȱ������ȱ����¢ȱbedroom. Upon reaching the bed-����ȱ ����ǰȱ ���ȱ���ȱ ę���ȱ �������ȱ�����ȱ �������ȱ ���ȱ����ȱ ����ȱ ��¢-ing to get in, while Smith and the �����ȱ���������ȱę���ȱ����ȱ�������ȱthe door’s crevice. Within mo-ments of the initial gunshot, sev-eral of the prisoners had been shot ����ǰȱ ���������ȱ ¢���ǰȱ ���ȱ ���ȱmob rushed into the room as Smith ę���ȱ���ȱ����ȱ��¡ȱ�������ǰȱ �������ȱthree mob members. He then tried to escape out of a window but was shot twice in the back and once in ���ȱ �����ȱ ����ȱ �������ǯȱ �������¢ȱwounded, Smith fell through the window and came crashing to the ground below. He was dead upon landing.

The Murder Trial

of a Leader

After the murders of the Smith ��������ǰȱ���ȱ���¢ȱ��ȱ������ȱ ��ȱ��ȱchaos. Afraid of violent retaliation, ���ȱ������ȱ���¢ȱ�������ȱ�����ȱ���-�£���ȱ��ȱ���¢ȱŗȱ���ȱ��ȱ����ȱ�������ȱagainst those who murdered their leaders. It wasn’t until August that progress was made in the murder ����ǯȱ��ȱ����ȱ����ǰȱ���ȱ�����¢ȱ����-�ěȱ���������ȱ ����ȱŘŖŖȬřŖŖȱ������ȱwere involved in the deaths.���ȱ��¡�ȱ�����ǰȱ���¢ȱ��������ȱ

��ȱ���ȱ���ȱ�Ĵ���ȱĚ��ȱ��ȱ��������ȱ�����ȱ�������ȱ����ǰȱ���ȱ��ȱ���¢ȱof 450 men came to Hancock Coun-�¢ȱ��ȱ �����������ȱ���ȱ����ǯȱ�¢ȱ����ǯȱ27, warrants were issued for the ar-rests of well-known anti-Mormons Levi Williams, Thomas Sharp and Joseph Jackson. Other people ar-������ȱ ���ȱ ��������¢ȱ �����������ȱwith the murder included Mark �������ǰȱ �����ȱ�����ȱ ���ȱ�������ȱ�����ǯȱ �����ȱ ���¢ȱ  ���ȱ ��������ǰȱthe defense and prosecution agreed to postpone the trial for the murder ��ȱ�����ȱ�����ȱ��¢ȱŗŞŚśǯ

�¢ȱ��¢ȱŘřǰȱ���¢ȱ���������ȱ���ȱ���ȱ������ȱ�����ȱ ��ȱę����¢ȱ���������ȱ�����ȱ ����ȱ ������ȱ ����ȱ ���ȱ ���¢ȱmembers. The defense was con-������ȱ�����ȱ����ȱ��ȱ���ȱ�����ȱ�¢�-���ȱ ���ȱ ���Ě����ȱ ��ȱ ��������ȱ ����ȱ������ȱ�������ȱ��ȱ���¢ȱ�������ǯ���ȱ�����ȱ�����ȱ���ȱ��¡�ȱ��¢ǯȱ��-

���ȱ��¡ȱ��¢�ǰȱ��������ȱ�������������ȱ�¢ȱ ����ȱ �����ȱ ��ȱ ���ȱ ����ȱ ę����¢ȱ����ȱ��ȱ��ȱ���ȱ ���ȱ���ȱ���¢ȱ����ȱ�ȱ��������ȱ��ȱ��¢ȱřŖǯȱ���ȱę��ȱ��-��������ȱ ���ȱ�����Ĵ��ǯȱ��ȱ ���ȱ ¢���Ȃ�ȱ ������ǰȱ ���ȱ

prosecution for his case failed to ��� ȱ��ȱ ��ȱ �����ȱ �¢ȱ ����ȱ ŘŚȱ ���ȱthe judge dropped the case.

Mormons in the Aftermath

The death of Joseph Smith re-sulted in a disagreement over who succeed him as leader of the ������ȱ ��ȱ ���ȱ ��Ĵ��ȱ ��¢ȱ ������ǯȱ�¢ȱ �������¢ȱ ŗŞŚŜǰȱ ������ȱ �����ȱBrigham Young told his followers that it was time to leave Nauvoo ���ȱ ��Ĵ��ȱ ���� ����ǯȱ �����ȱ  ��ȱ��������ȱ�����ȱ ��ȱę�ȱ��ȱ����ȱ���ȱchurch went with him on what be-����ȱ�ȱ ����ȱ ������¢ȱ ��ȱ ����ȱ����ȱ���¢ǰȱ����ǯȱ�����ȱ ��ȱ���ȱ���ȱ��-����ȱ�����ȱ��ȱ�ȱ������ȱ���¢��ȱ��-����ǰȱ ���ȱ ���������¢ȱ ���������ȱ ��ȱ Independence, Mo.����¢ǰȱ����ȱ������ȱ���ȱ¢���ȱ

Smith are buried in Nauvoo. The �����ę����ȱ������ȱ������ȱ����ȱJoseph Smith had been building there at the time of his death has been reconstructed (it was burned ����� ���ȱ���ȱ�����Ǽȱ���ȱ���¢ȱ��ȱthe historic houses and businesses �����ȱ�¢ȱ���ȱ����� ���ȱ��ȱ���ȱŗŞŚŖ�ȱhave been rebuilt. Some are open for tours or historic demonstra-tions. Much of Nauvoo, in fact, has been transformed into a kind of “Mormon Williamsburg” as the ��������¢ȱ���ȱ������ȱ�ȱ�������ȱ�����������ȱ ���ȱ������Ȭ��¢ȱ ��Ĵ��ȱ��¢ȱ������ȱ�������ǯ

Photo by: Hannah SchrodtDoor to second story bedroom where Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Willard Richards, John Taylor and John Solomon Fullmer were held awating trial on the charge of treason against the state of

Illinois. Bullet hole still remains from the events of that day.

Page 25: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

25

Snapshot of Western Illinois

Abingdon, Illinois

Totem Pole

In addition to being the

town where the mousetrap

was invented, Abingdon,

Illinois is also home of a gi-

ant totem pole. Described

as the tallest totem pole

“East of the Rockies,” the

83-foot-high wooden mon-

ument commemorates the

region’s Native American

heritage—in spite of the

fact that totem poles are

not native to Illinois.

Photo by: Steve Lutz

Editor’s note: While WI Mag is

aware that we ran a photo of this

oddity in our last issue, we felt that

the close-up picture didn;t do it jus-

tice. Here are some wider shots for

your viewing pleasure.

Page 26: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

26

I t started with a saw 130 years ago in Keokuk, Ia, just across the river from Nauvoo, Illinois It was brand new and shiny with bold acid etching on its side. But when it left the factory, little is known about where it went or what it was used for.

A local merchant may have picked it up and sold it to a carpenter in town. One of the factory workers may have decided he liked it and taken it home. It may have even been sent down the river on a barge to St. Louis for a massive construction project.

For now, all we know is that C.J. Becker & Company of Keokuk, Ia. made it in 1883. But we’ll come back to that.

Lon Simpson’s workshop in Nauvoo, Illinois

There and back again,

a woodworker's tale

Story and Photos by: James Needham

Page 27: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

27

)DVW�IRUZDUG�WR������WR�D�SODFH�WKDW�ORRNV�OLNH�LW�PD\�KDYH�JRQH�EDFNZDUG�LQ�WLPH�LQVWHDG�,QVLGH� D� WLQ\�� RQH�URRP� FDELQ� MXVW� RII� WKH�

PDLQ� GUDJ� LQ� 1DXYRR�� ,OOLQRLV�� D� ZRRGZRUN-HU�VOLGHV�D�WDEOH�OHJ�LQ�DQG�RXW�RI�LWV�GRYHWDLO�QRWFK��+DQJLQJ�RQ� WKH�ZDOOV�DURXQG�KLP�DUH�DQWLTXH� ZRRGZRUNLQJ� WRROV� RI� YDULRXV� VL]-HV� DQG� VKDSHV�� 7KHUH� DUH� VKHOYHV� RI� SODQHV�DQG� VFUDSHUV�� DQG� VDZV� KDQJ� RQ� WKH� ZDOOV��7KHUHV�HYHQ�D� UDFN�RU� WZR�RI�KDWFKHWV��D[HV� DQG�DXJHUV��+H�VHWV�GRZQ�WKH�OHJ�DQG�PDNHV�KLV�ZD\�

WR�D�ZRUN�VWRRO�KHV�FUDIWHG�WR�VWDQG�MXVW�DW�WKH�ERWWRP�RI� KLV� NQHHFDSV�� ,I� KHG�PDGH� LW� DQ\�VKRUWHU�RU�WDOOHU��KLV�HYHU\GD\�ZRUN�ZRXOG�EH�D�ORW�KDUGHU��,WV�RQH�RI�PDQ\�WKLQJV�KHV�OHDUQHG�

DERXW�WKH�DJH�ROG�WUDGH��,W�ZLOO�RQO\�W�\RX��KH�VD\V��,I�LWV�WRR�KLJK��

\RXUH�RII�EDODQFH�� ,I� LWV� WRR� ORZ�� LW�NLOOV�\RXU�ORZHU�EDFN�+H�OD\V�WKH�GHWDFKHG�VXUIDFH�RI�D�VKDNHU�

VW\OH�VHZLQJ�WDEOH�RYHU�WKH�EHQFK�DQG�SUHVV-HV�LW�LQ�SODFH�ZLWK�KLV�ULJKW�NQHH��$URXQG�KLP��WKH�IORRU�LV�ODGHQ�ZLWK�ZRRG�VKDYLQJV��VRPH�FXUOHG��VRPH�IODW�DQG�VRPH�PDWWHG�DJDLQVW�WKH�SODQN�ZRRG�IORRU�IURP�WKH�ZHLJKW�RI�KLV�ZDON�7KH� VRXQG� RI� KLV� VDZ� EUHDNV� WKH� VLOHQFH��

+H�FRQWLQXHV�ZLWK�FDOFXODWHG��VWHDG\��VWUDLJKW�VWURNHV� DQG� WKHQ� VWRSV� WR� OXEULFDWH� KLV� VDZ�ZLWK�D�SLHFH�RI�SDUDIQ�EHHVZD[��,WV�D�UHPHG\�he’s learned while only using tools and materi-DOV�DYDLODEOH�LQ�WKH�HDUO\�����V�

,Q� D� VKRS� WKDWV� DOO� KDQG� WRROV�� LI� \RXUH�QRW� XVLQJ� UD]RU�VKDUS�� SHUIHFWO\� WXQHG� WRROV��\RXOO�UHDFK�PXVFOH�IDWLJXH�E\�QRRQ��KH�VD\V�� <RXUH�GRQH�+LV�QDPH�LV�/RQ�6LPSVRQ�DQG�KHV�D�PDVWHU�

RI�D�G\LQJ�FUDIW��9LFWRULDQ�DQG�6KDNHU�VW\OH�ZRRGZRUNLQJ��7KHUH�DUH�RQO\�D�IHZ�OLNH�KLP�LQ�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV��+LV�VKRS�LV�WUXH�WR�WKH�SHULRG��VDYH�IRU�D�

IHZ�RYHUKHDG�OLJKWV��+H�XVHV�DOO�KDQG�WRROV��QR�SRZHU��QRW�HYHQ�VDQGSDSHU��7KH�YLFH�KH�XVHV�LV�PDGH� RI�ZRRG� DQG� KLV�ZRUNEHQFK� LV� ����\HDUV�ROG��,WV�RQH�KH�UHVWRUHG�ZLWK�RQH�VOLJKW�QHFHVVDU\�PRGLFDWLRQ��,W�VWDQGV�RQ�IRXU�LQFK� ZRRG�VWLOWV�3HRSOH� ZHUH� FRQVLGHUDEO\� VKRUWHU� ����

\HDUV�DJR��KH�VD\V��,�KDG�WR�EULQJ�LW�XS�WR�D�KHLJKW�ZKHUH�,�FDQ�XVH�LW�:KLOH� KH� ZRUNV�� KLV� NQRZOHGJH� VWDUWV� WR�

VKRZ��+H�WDONV�DERXW�WKH�VDZGXVW�DQG�VKDY-LQJV� WKDW� GLIIHUHQW� W\SHV� RI� VDZV� ZLOO� FUH-DWH�� +H� WDONV� DERXW� UHDGLQJ� WKH� ZRRG� IRU�DHVWKHWLFV� DQG� DOORZLQJ� IRU� LWV� H[SDQVLRQ� DQG�FRQWUDFWLRQ��6LPSVRQ�VHHV�ZRRGZRUNLQJ� LQ�D� OLJKW�QRW�

PDQ\�GR��-XVW�UHVWRULQJ�DQ�ROG�SLHFH�RI�IXUQL-WXUH��D�SDUW�RI�KLV�MRE�KHV�QRW�WRR�IRQG�RI��UHYHDOV�VHFUHWV�RI�WKH�WUDGH�<RX�UHDOO\�JHW�D�\HRPDQV�OHVVRQ��KH�VD\V��

<RX�FDQ�VHH�WKH�WRRO�PDUNV��<RX�FDQ�VD\�RK�RN��WKDWV�KRZ�WKH\�GLG�WKLV�6R�KRZ�GLG�6LPSVRQ�OHDUQ�WKH�DJH�ROG�FUDIW"�,W�WXUQV�RXW�� MXVW�DV�LW�ZDV�ZKHQ�KH�VWLOWHG�

KLV�EHQFK��KH�OHDUQHG�WKH�FUDIW�RXW�RI�QHFHV-VLW\��$IWHU�JRLQJ�WR�:HVWHUQ�,OOLQRLV�8QLYHUVLW\V�UHVHUYH� RIFHUV� WUDLQLQJ� FRUSV� SURJUDP� KLV�IUHVKPDQ� \HDU�� KH� HQOLVWHG� LQ� WKH�PLOLWDU\� LQ�������+H�ZDVQW�DEOH�WR�DIIRUG�KLV�VRSKRPRUH�VHPHVWHU��+H�DQG�KLV�ZLIH��1DQF\��HYHQWXDOO\�VKLSSHG�RII�WR�)RUW�/HZLV��:DVK��7KDWV�ZKHUH�KH�UHDOO\�GXJ�LQWR�WKH�FUDIW�:KHQ� ,� ZDVQW� LQ� WKH� HOG�� ,� ZDV� LQ� WKH�

ZRRGZRUNLQJ� VKRS� EXLOGLQJ� IXUQLWXUH� IRU�P\�ZLIH�EHFDXVH�ZH�FRXOGQW�DIIRUG�DQ\WKLQJ�KH�VDLG��,�NLQG�RI�JRW�KRRNHG�WKHUH�$IWHU� 6LPSVRQV� UVW� DFWLYH� WRXU� ZLWK� WKH�

6HFRQG�5DQJHU�%DWDOOLRQ��KH�UHWXUQHG�WR�FRO-lege and majored at Western in industrial edu-FDWLRQ��,WV�D�GHSDUWPHQW�WKDW�QR�ORQJHU�H[LVWV��D�YLFWLP�RI�WKH�G\LQJ�FUDIW�

Lon Simpson working on a table leg.

Page 28: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

28

-XVW� EHIRUH� KLV� VHQLRU� \HDU�� 6LPSVRQ� WUDY-HOOHG�WR�%UDQVRQ��0R��ZLWK�D�IHZ�RI�KLV�IULHQGV��7KDWV�ZKHUH�KH�PHW�3HWHU�.UDPHU��D�PDV-WHU� LQ� ����V�VW\OH� ZRRGZRUNLQJ�� 6LPS-VRQ�VWD\HG�DQG�FKDWWHG�ZLWK�.UDPHU� LQ�KLV�ZRRGZRUNLQJ� VKRS� ZKLOH� KLV� IULHQGV�� QRW�DV� LQWHUHVWHG�� ZHQW� WR� ULGH� WKH� ORJ� IOXPH� RU�VRPHWKLQJ�$W� WKH�HQG�RI� WKHLU�FRQYHUVDWLRQ��.UDPHU�

VWDUWHG� DVNLQJ� 6LPSVRQ� VRPH� TXHVWLRQV�DQG�RIIHUHG�KLP�DQ�DSSUHQWLFHVKLS�LQ�KLV�9LU-JLQLD�ZRRGZRUNLQJ�VKRS��%XW�6LPSVRQ�KDG� KLV�UHVHUYDWLRQV�

“I didn’t know this guy from a load of RDWV��6LPSVRQ�VDLG�%XW�KH�GRHV�UHPHPEHU�ZKDW�.UDPHU�VDLG�

WR�KLP�QH[W�'RQW� DQVZHU�� +HUHV� P\� FDUG�� 7KLQN�

DERXW�LW��*LYH�PH�D�FDOO�LQ�D�ZHHN�6LPSVRQ�WRRN�WKH�LQIRUPDWLRQ�EDFN�WR�KLV�

DGYLVRU�� -LP� -DFREVRQ�� -DFREVRQ� ZDVQW�VXUH�ZKDW� WR� WKLQN�HLWKHU��6R��KH�GLG�VRPH�UHVHDUFK�� 2QH� GD\� DIWHU� FODVV�� KH� FDOOHG�6LPSVRQ�RYHU�WR�WDON�WR�KLP�DERXW�LW�<RX�FDQ�DOZD\V�JR�EDFN�WR�VFKRRO��-D-

FREVRQ� WROG� 6LPSVRQ�� 7KLV� RSSRUWXQLW\�ZRQW�FRPH�DJDLQ��$V� LW� WXUQV� RXW�� .UDPHU� ZDV� RQH� RI� ���

SUDFWLFLQJ�PDVWHUV�RI�WKH���WK�FHQWXU\�VW\OH�ZRRGZRUNLQJ�LQ�WKH�8QLWHG�6WDWHV��WKDW�\HDU��6R��6LPSVRQ�SDFNHG�KLV�EDJV�DQG�KHDGHG�IRU�:DVKLQJWRQ��9D���*HRUJH�:DVKLQJWRQ�VOHSW�there) where he would hone his skills for RQH�VHPHVWHU�7KHQ�LW�ZDV�EDFN�WR�VFKRRO��EDFN�WR�WKH�

DUP\� DQG� RQ� WR� WHDFKLQJ� VKRS� FODVV� LQ�3HRULD�� ,OOLQRLV� ,W� ZDV� ����� EXW� WKH� $UP\�ZDVQW�GRQH�ZLWK�KLP��7KH�ZDU�LQ�,UDT�KDG�VWDUWHG� DQG� 6LPSVRQ� ZDV� FDOOHG� WR� DUPV� RQFH�DJDLQ�,G�EHHQ� UHWLUHG� IRU����\HDUV��6LPSVRQ�

VDLG��$QG�WKH�$UP\�VDLG�FRPH�RQ�,Q�KLV�ODVW�\HDU�RI�DFWLYH�VHUYLFH��������

WKH�$UP\�VHQW�6LPSVRQ�WR�(O�3DVR��7H[DV��+H�EURXJKW�ZLWK�KLP�D�WUDYHO�WUDLOHU�DQG�SDUNHG�LW�DW�D�FDPSLQJ�ORW�6LPSVRQ�GHVFULEHG�DV�D�EODFNWRS�IU\LQJ�SDQ�LQ�WKH�PLGGOH�RI�(O�3DVR�7R� SDVV� WKH� WLPH�� KH� SLFNHG� XS� OHDWKHU-

ZRUNLQJ�DQG�IUHTXHQWHG�D�QHDUE\�IOHD�PDU-NHW��+H�EXLOW�D�ZRRGZRUNLQJ�WRRO�NLW�RXW�

RI�PHVTXLWH�� ,W�ZDV� WKH�UVW�DQG�RQO\� WLPH�6LPSVRQ� ZRXOG� ZRUN� ZLWK� WKH� VLOLFD� HQ-FUXVWHG�ZRRG��<RX�UHDOO\�JRW�WR�HDUQ�LW��KH�VDLG�2QH� GD\��ZKLOH� EURZVLQJ� WKH� LWHPV� DW� WKH�

IOHD�PDUNHW��KH�IRXQG�D�VDZ��,W�ZDV�FRPSOHWH-O\�UXVWHG�DQG�ZRUQ�EXW�WKH�PHWDO�EUDFHV�WKDW�GHFRUDWHG� WKH� KDQGOH� SLTXHG� KLV� LQWHUHVWHG��6R��KH�WRRN�LW�EDFN�XQGHUQHDWK�WKH�DZQLQJ�RI�KLV�WUDYHO�WUDLOHU�DQG�VWDUWHG�WR�ZRUN�+H�FOHDQHG� LW�ZLWK�VWHHO�ZRRO�DQG�RLOHG� LW��

7KHUH�ZDV�GHQLWHO\�ZULWLQJ�RQ�WKH�EODGH��EXW�FRXOGQW�PDNH� RXW�ZKDW� LW� VDLG�� 6R�� KH� OHG��VKDUSHQHG� DQG� HYHQWXDOO\� SROLVKHG� LW�� :KHQ�KH� QDOO\�ZDVKHG� DZD\� DOO� WKH� \HDUV� RI� QH-JOHFW��6LPSVRQ�FRXOG�VHH�WKH�VDZ�IRU�ZKDW�LW� RQFH�ZDV��

,W� ORRNHG� EUDQG� QHZ� DQG� VKLQ\� ZLWK� EROG�DFLG�HWFKLQJ�RQ�WKH�VLGH��&�-�� %HFNHU� � &RPSDQ\�� .HRNXN�� ,RZD��

LW�UHDG�,W� ZDV� PDGH� MXVW� DFURVV� WKH� ULYHU� IURP�

where he would eventually soon settle in 1DXYRR��,OOLQRLV�%XW�ZKHQ�LW�OHDYHV�KLV�VKRS��OLWWOH�LV�NQRZQ�DERXW�ZKHUH�LW�ZLOO�JR�RU�ZKDW�LW�ZLOO�EH�XVHG�IRU�$�PHUFKDQW�PLJKW�SLFN�LW�XS�DQG�VHOO�LW�WR�

D�FDUSHQWHU�LQ�WRZQ��$�IDFWRU\�ZRUNHU�PLJKW�QG�LW�LQ�DQ�DQWLTXHV�VKRS�DQG�OLNH�LW�VR�PXFK�WKDW�KH�WDNHV�LW�KRPH�)RU�QRZ��DOO�WKDW�LV�NQRZQ�LV�WKDW�DIWHU�DW�

OHDVW�D�������PLOH�URXQG�WULS��WKH�VDZ�KDV�FRPH�KRPH�WR�UHVW�LQ�WKH�KDQGV�RI�/RQ�6LPSVRQ�� PDVWHU�ZRRGZRUNHU��

Page 29: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

29

Photo by: Steve Lutz

Now a popular Western Illinois fishing and

boating spot, 93-acre Lake Argyle is a man-

made reservoir that covers the former site

of Argyle Hollow, once a stop on the stage

route between Beardstown and Galena.

Page 30: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

30

TZR� SURPLQHQW� JXUHV� LQ� WKH�:HVWHUQ� QRYHO� ZRUOG� ZHUH�born less than two years apart in a town that had little to no traces of the Western lifestyle.

Both writers started creating their literary works for completely different reasons — one to attempt to make a full-fledged ca-reer, and the other as a side project his brother insisted he try. To the world at large, they were Peter Dawson and Luke Short,

two popular writers of the ‘40s and ‘50s. But to the people back in Kewanee, they were Jonathan and Fredrick Glidden, the sons of Wallace and Fannie Glidden.

The Western writing brothersfrom Western Illinois

By: Sarah Tomkinson

Photo by:Sarah Tomkinson

Page 31: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

31

LUKE SHORT/XNH� 6KRUW� KDG� RYHU� ���� PLOHV� RI� WUDS� OLQH� LQ�

$OEHUWD�� &DQDGD�� +H� ZDV� EDUHO\� EUHDNLQJ� HYHQ�DQG� UHDOL]HG� WKHUH� ZHUH� EHWWHU� ZD\V� WR� VXIIHU� IURP�VWDUYDWLRQ��+H�GHFLGHG�KH�ZDQWHG�WR�EH�EDFN�LQ�WKH�8QLWHG�

6WDWHV��EXW�KH�GLGQW�ZDQW�WR�UHWXUQ�WR�WKH�FHQWUDO�,OOLQRLV�0LVVRXUL� OLIHVW\OH� KH� JUHZ� XS� LQ�� 6KRUWV�VWRPSLQJ�JURXQGV�ZHUH�LQ�.HZDQHH��6KRUW�ZDV�ERUQ�LQ�.HZDQQHH�LQ������DQG�VWD\HG�

XQWLO�KH�ZHQW�WR�8QLYHUVLW\�RI�,OOLQRLV�IRU�WZR�\HDUV��%XW�KH�QLVKHG�KLV�MRXUQDOLVP�GHJUHH�DW�WKH�8QLYHUVLW\� RI�0LVVRXUL��6KRUW�WKHQ�KHDGHG�WR�1HZ�0H[LFR�WR�EHFRPH�D�

UDQFKHU��$ORQJ�WKH�ZD\��KH�JRW�PDUULHG�LQ�-XQH������DQG�IRUJRW�DOO�DERXW�UDQFKLQJ��7R�IXQG�KLV�QHZ�IDPLO\��6KRUW�VWDUWHG�ZULWLQJ��+H�

ORRNHG�DW�KLV�VXUURXQGLQJV� LQ�6DQWD�)H��1�0��DQG�JRW�LQVSLUDWLRQ��+H�EHJDQ��ZULWLQJ�:HVWHUQV�7KH�QRYHOLVW� WROG�5RFN\�0RXQWDLQ�(PSLUH�0DJ-

D]LQH� WKDW� KH� FKRVH� :HVWHUQV� EHFDXVH� UHDGLQJ�SXOSV�LV�DERXW�WKH�RQO\�UHFUHDWLRQ�\RX�FDQ�KDYH�LQ�FDPS�DQG�,�WKRXJKW�,�FRXOG�GR�DW�OHDVW�DV�ZHOO�DV�VRPH�RI�WKH�DXWKRUV�,�UHDG�+H� VWDUWHG� SURGXFLQJ� :HVWHUQ� VWRULHV� TXLFNO\�

DQG�E\�6HSWHPEHU�������KH�KDG�VROG�KLV�UVW�VWR-U\� WR� $GYHQWXUH�0DJD]LQH�� � +RZHYHU�� KLV� ZULWLQJ�WRRN� D� VWDQGVWLOO� GXULQJ�:RUOG�:DU� ,,�ZKHQ�6KRUW�VHUYHG�LQ�WKH�2IFH�RI�6WUDWHJLF�6HUYLFHV�ZKLOH�VWD-WLRQHG� LQ�:DVKLQJWRQ��'�&��%XW�QRQHWKHOHVV��/XNH�6KRUW� UHWXUQHG�WR�KLV�ZULWLQJ�DW� WKH�FRQFOXVLRQ�RI� KLV�VHUYLFH�,Q�KLV�QRYHOV��KLV�SURWDJRQLVWV�ZHUH�DOZD\V�\RXQJ�

VWUDSSLQJ� FRZER\V� ORRNLQJ� WR� EULQJ� MXVWLFH� WR� D�WRZQ�LQ�GLVWUHVV��ZLQQLQJ�RYHU�D�JLUO�LQ�WKH�SURFHVV��It was a formula that worked well for him and soon KH�ZDV�SURGXFLQJ�WKH�VWRULHV�YHU\�TXLFNO\�%\�������KH�ZDV�ZULWLQJ�WZR�VWRULHV�D�\HDU�DQG�

OLYLQJ�LQ�$VSHQ�&R��ZLWK�KLV�ZLIH�DQG�WKUHH�FKLOGUHQ��+H�ZDV�EHFRPLQJ�PRUH� SRSXODU�� $FWRUV� VXFK�DV�'LFN�3RZHOO��5DQGROSK�6FRWW�DQG�5REHUW�0LWFKXP�ZHUH� PHPRUL]LQJ� OLQHV� IRU� PRYLHV� LQVSLUHG� IURP� KLV�ERRNV�,Q�������WKH�:HVWHUQ�:ULWHUV�RI�$PHULFD��,QF��DF-

FXVHG�*ODGZHOO�5LFKDUGVRQ�RI�SODJLDUL]LQJ�RQH�RI�6KRUWV�HDUOLHU�ZRUNV��5DPURG� �EXW�WKH�FDVH�QHYHU�UHDFKHG�WKH�FRXUWURRP��,W�ZDVQW�WKH�RQO\�FDVH�RI�SODJLDULVP�WKDW�VKRUW�KDG�WR�GHDO�ZLWK��,Q�IDFW��KLV�ZRUN�ZDV�SODJLDUL]HG�VR�RIWHQ�WKDW�HYHQWXDOO\�6KRUW�ZDVQW�UHFHLYLQJ�D�GLPH�IRU�KLV�RULJLQDO�ZRUNV��3HUVRQDO�ZRHV�DFFRPSDQLHG�KLV�QDQFLDO�GLOHP-

PD��,Q�������KLV�EURWKHU�GLHG��DQG�LQ�������6KRUW�ORVW�KLV�ROGHVW�VRQ�LQ�D�GURZQLQJ�DFFLGHQW�7R�PDNH�PDWWHUV�ZRUVH��WKH�GHPDQG�IRU�:HVWHUQ�

QRYHOV� KDG� GHWHULRUDWHG� VLJQLFDQWO\� DQG� 6KRUWV�H\HVLJKW�GLG�WKH�VDPH��%XW�6KRUW�VWLOO�NHSW�ZULWLQJ��$OWKRXJK�� KLV� ZRUN� DV� D� ZULWHU� ZDV� VORZLQJ��

6KRUW� ZDV� YHU\� DFWLYH� LQ� WKH� $VSHQ� FRPPXQLW\��+H�KHOSHG�IRXQG�WKH�$VSHQ�+LVWRULFDO�6RFLHW\�DQG�VHUYHG�RQ�+RVSLWDO�%RDUG�DQG�WKH�3ODQQLQJ�DQG�� =RQLQJ�&RPPLVVLRQ��%\� WKH� HQG� RI� KLV� OLIH�� 6KRUW� KDG� ZRQ� WKH� /HYL�

6WUDXVV� :HVWHUQ� :ULWHUV� RI� $PHULFD� $ZDUG� DQG�WKH�:HVWHUQ�+HULWDJH�:UDQJOHU�$ZDUG�E\�1DWLRQDO�&RZER\�)DPH�DQG�:HVWHUQ�+HULWDJH�&HQWHU��,Q� ������ KH� ZDV� GLDJQRVHG� ZLWK� WKURDW� FDQFHU�

DQG�SDVVHG�DZD\�PETER DAWSON

:HVWHUQ�QRYHOLVW�3HWHU�'DZVRQ�LVQW�DOO�WKDW�ZHOO�NQRZQ��0RVW�RI�ZKDW�LV�NQRZQ�DERXW�KLP�LV�WROG�LQ�7KH�:HVWHUQ�6WRU\��HGLWHG�E\�-RKQ�7XVND�'DZVRQ�ZDV�D�EHKLQG�WKH�VFHQHV�ZULWHU��0XFK�

RI�KLV�ZRUN�LQYROYHG�HGLWLQJ�RWKHU�DXWKRUV�SLHFHV��%XW� KH� VWLOO� HQGHG� XS� EHLQJ� D� WKHQ�UHFRJQL]DEOH�QDPH�LQ�WKH�LQGXVWU\��%RUQ�LQ�.HZDQHH��,OOLQRLV�LQ�������MXVW����PRQWKV�

EHIRUH�KLV�EURWKHU��KH�UHFHLYHG�D�GHJUHH�LQ�(QJOLVK�OLWHUDWXUH�IURP�WKH�8QLYHUVLW\�RI�,OOLQRLV�LQ�������'HVSLWH�KLV�GHJUHH��'DZVRQ�QHYHU�VHW�RXW�WR�EH�

D�ZULWHU��+H�KHOG�D�UHVSHFWDEOH�MRE�VHOOLQJ�JDV�FRQ-YHUVLRQ� EXUQHUV� IRU� &LWLHV� 6HUYLFH� 2LO� &R�� LQ� /H[-LQJWRQ��.\��%XW�KLV�EURWKHU� LQVLVWHG�WKDW�KH�ZDV�D� JRRG�VWRU\WHOOHU��'DZVRQ� GHFLGHG� WKDW� KH� ZRXOG� ZULWH�� EXW� RQO\�

DIWHU�SXWWLQJ�D�IXOO�GD\V�ZRUN�LQ�IRU�WKH�&LWLHV�6HU-YLFH� 2LO� &R�� +H� VROG� KLV� UVW� VWRU\� WR� &RPSOHWH�6WRULHV�IRU��������%\�������KH�PRYHG�WR�6DQWD�)H��1�0��DQG�OLYHG�VROHO\�RII�WKH�PRQH\�KH�HDUQHG�IURP� KLV�ZULWLQJV�+H�UHOHDVHG�KLV�UVW�QRYHO�&ULPVRQ�+RUVHVKRZ�

LQ�������,W�ZRQ�WKH�'RGG��0HDG�3UL]H�IRU�%HVW�:HVW-HUQ�RI�WKH�<HDU�8QOLNH�6KRUWV�\RXQJ�JXQV��'DZVRQV�PDLQ�FKDU-

DFWHUV�WHQGHG�WR�EH�ROGHU��PRUH�UXJJHG�DQG�OHVV�IR-FXVHG�RQ�JKWLQJ�IRU�ZRPHQ��,Q�������'DZVRQ��OLNH�KLV�EURWKHU��MRLQHG�WKH�ZDU��

+H�HQWHUHG�WKH�$LU�)RUFH��VWDWLRQHG�LQ�)UDQFH�GXU-LQJ�:RUOG�:DU�,,��$IWHU�WKH�ZDU��'DZVRQ�EURNH�WKURXJK�WR�WKH�6DW-

XUGD\�(YHQLQJ�3RVW�LQ������DQG�ZRXQG�XS�ZLWK�IRXU�VHULDOL]HG�QRYHOV��2QO\�RQH�RI�KLV�QRYHOV��)DFH�RI�D�)XJLWLYH��ZDV�WXUQHG�LQWR�D�PRYLH�LQ�������'XU-LQJ�KLV�ZULWLQJ�FDUHHU��'DZVRQ�ZURWH����QRYHOV�DQG�PRUH�WKDQ�����VKRUW�VWRULHV�)UHGULFN� *OLGGHQ� ZURWH� EDFN� WR� .HZDQHH� RQFH��

PHVPHUL]HG�WKDW�D�IHZ�SURPLQHQW�:HVWHUQ�ZULWHUV�KDG�FRPH�RXW�RI�WKH�VPDOO�0LGZHVWHUQ�WRZQ���,� OHDYH� WR� WKH�SV\FKRORJLVWV� WR� H[SODLQ�ZK\�DOO�

WKLV�FWLRQDO�YLROHQFH�VKRXOG�HUXSW�IURP�WKH�PLQGV�RI�D�VPDOO�FRPPXQLW\�WKDW�QHYHU�KHDUG�D�VKRW�UHG�LQ�DQJHU��*OLGGHQ�ZURWH�LQ�KLV�OHWWHU�(YHQ� WKRXJK� KH� EHFDPH� D� VXFFHVVIXO� ZULWHU��

'DZVRQ�VWLOO�KDG�KLV�SUREOHPV��+H�ZDV�FRQVWDQWO\�ZRUULHG�DERXW�KLV�KHDOWK��+H�VXIIHUHG�KLV�UVW�KHDUW�DWWDFN�GXULQJ�D�8QLYHUVLW\�RI�,OOLQRLV�UHXQLRQ��EXW�UH-FRYHUHG��,W�ZDV�GXULQJ�D�VKLQJ�WULS�LQ�&RORUDGR�LQ������WKDW�KH�GLHG��

Courtesy Photo: Aspen Historical SocietyFredrick Glidden with his family in Aspen Co.

Page 32: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

32

For a time in the early 20th century, Springfield’s Vachel Lindsay was one of America’s most famous poets, whose poems and artwork cap-tivated the world. He was known for his dramatic style of reading that

led to him being described as “the father of singing poetry.” The title referred to his unique way of chanting his poems.

While his poetry was powerful enough to inspire other poets during his life-time, Lindsay’s quirky oratorical style eventually fell of out favor with the public. Following his suicide in 1931, his poetry, which had depended so much

on his live performances, gradually faded into obscurity — as did he.

Staff Photo9DFKHO�/LQGVD\V�6SULQJHOG��,OOLQRLV�KRPH�DQG�QRZ�PXVHXP�

In print, on foot, in rhyme:the story of Vachel Lindsay

By: Erika Davis

Page 33: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

33

<HW� /LQGVD\� KDVQW� EHHQ� FRPSOHWHO\� IRU-JRWWHQ�� +LV� ELUWKSODFH� LQ� 6SULQJHOG�� ORFDWHG�DW�����6���WK�6W���LV�D�PXVHXP�GHYRWHG�WR�KLV�OHJDF\��0DQ\�KLVWRULDQV�FRQVLGHU�KLP�WKH�ID-WKHU�RI�WKH�%HDW�SRHWV�RI�WKH�����V��ZKR��OLNH�/LQGVD\�� FRQVLGHUHG� WKH� UHDGLQJ�RI�SRHWU\� WR�EH�SHUIRUPDQFH�DUW�/LQGVD\�ZDV�ERUQ�LQ�6SULQJHOG�LQ������DV�

WKH�VRQ�RI�D�6FRWWLVK�GRFWRU��+LV�IDPLO\�OLYHG�LQ� WKH� VDPH� KRPH� WKDW� $EUDKDP� /LQFROQV�VLVWHU�LQ�ODZ�OLYHG�LQ��MXVW�D�IHZ�EORFNV�IURP�/LQFROQV�6SULQJHOG�KRPH�,Q� IDFW�� /LQFROQV� FRQQHFWLRQ� WR� /LQGVD\V�

KRPHWRZQ�SURYLGHG�WKH�SRHW�ZLWK�FRQVLG-HUDEOH�SULGH��ZKLFK�LV�HYLGHQW�LQ�RQH�RI�KLV�EHVW�NQRZQ�SRHPV��,Q�������/LQGVD\�SXE-OLVKHG� $EUDKDP� /LQFROQ� :DONV� DW� 0LG-QLJKW��ZKLFK�IRFXVHG�RQ�$EUDKDPV�ORYH�DQG�GHGLFDWLRQ�WR�KLV�SHRSOH�/LQGVD\V� SDUHQWV� UDLVHG� KLP� WR� EH�

D� GRFWRU� DQG� PDGH� KLP� VWXG\� VFLHQFH�DW� +LUDP� &ROOHJH� ZKHUH� KH� DOVR� KRQHG�KLV� RUDWRU\� VNLOOV�� 'HVSLWH� KLV� SDUHQWV�ZLVKHV� WKDW� KH� HQWHU� LQWR� WKH� PHGLFDO�HOG�� /LQGVD\� ODWHU� FKDQJHG� KLV� FDUHHU�JRDOV� WR� EH� DQ� LOOXVWUDWRU��+H� VWXGLHG�DUW�LQ� &KLFDJR� DQG� 1HZ� <RUN� EXW� IRXQG� QR� JUHDW�VXFFHVV�:KLOH� OLYLQJ� LQ� 1HZ� <RUN�� KH� EHJDQ�

PDNLQJ�SDPSKOHWV�RI�KLV�SRHPV��WLWOHG�5K\PHV� WR�EH�7UDGHG� IRU�%UHDG�� WKDW�KH� WUDGHG� IRU� IRRG� DQG� QHFHVVDU\� OLYLQJ�LWHPV��+H�EHJDQ�WUDYHOLQJ�RQ�IRRW�WR�SODF-HV�OLNH�)ORULGD��.HQWXFN\�DQG�-DFNVRQYLOOH��+H�PDGH�D�QDPH�IRU�KLPVHOI�DV�KH�FRQWLQ-XDOO\�WUDGHG�WKH�SDPSKOHWV���)URP�$SULO�WR�0D\�RI�������/LQGVD\�XQGHUWRRN�DQRWKHU�VHOOLQJ�WUHN��ZDONLQJ�IURP�1HZ�<RUN�&LW\�WR�+LUDP��2KLR�+LV�PRVW� IDPRXV�SRHP�� 7KH�&RQJR��

he wrote during his selling trek from Illi-QRLV�WR�1HZ�0H[LFR�LQ������7+(1� ,� 6$:� 7+(� &21*2�� &5((3,1*�

7+528*+�7+(�%/$&.��DQG� &877,1*� 7+528*+� 7+(� -81*/(�

:,7+�$�*2/'(1�75$&.��KH�ZURWH�� 7KH� &RQJR� KDG� VXFK� YLYLG� ODQJXDJH�

and imagery that it soon earned him QDWLRQDO�DFFODLP�:KHQ�DQRWKHU�RI�KLV�SRHPV��*HQHUDO�:LO-

OLDP� %RRWK� (QWHUV� LQWR� +HDYHQ�� ZDV� SXE-OLVKHG� LQ� �3RHWU\�0DJD]LQH��/LQGVD\�VHHPHG�ZHOO� RQ� KLV� ZD\� WR� DFKLHYLQJ� VXFFHVV� DV� D�SRHW�/LQGVD\� LQFRUSRUDWHG� WKH� UK\WKPV� RI� MD]]�

PXVLF��ZKLFK�KH�VDZ�DV�D�V\PERO�RI�WKH�6RXWK��LQ�KLV�ZRUNV��VXFK�DV�7KH�&RQJR��+H�EHJDQ�XVLQJ�LW�DV�EDFNJURXQG�PXVLF�ZKHQ�KH�UHFLWHG�KLV�SRHPV��$QG�KH�VWDUWHG�WDNLQJ�WULSV�WR�SODF-HV�DOO�RYHU�WKH�ZRUOG�DQG�ZULWLQJ�SRHPV�DERXW�KLV�H[SHULHQFHV�� ,Q�������SRHW�-HVVLH�5LWWHQ-KRXVH�GHVFULEHG�KLP�DV�D�YLWDOL]LQJ�IRUFH�LQ�PRGHUQ�SRHWU\�

,Q� ������ KH� VKRZFDVHG� KLV� ORYH� RI� D�QHZ� PHGLXP�� OP�� E\� ZULWLQJ� WKH� ERRN�7KH� $UW� RI� 0RYLQJ� 3LFWXUHV�� /LQGVD\� GH-VFULEHG� GLIIHUHQW� OPV� DV� SLFWXUHV� RI� DF-WLRQV�� SLFWXUHV� RI� LQWLPDF\�� DQG� SLFWXUHV� RI�VSOHQGRU�� +H� WDONHG� DERXW� ZKDW� GLUHFWLRQ�OPPDNHUV� VKRXOG� WDNH� ZLWK� WKHLU� SLHF-HV�� :LWK� WKLV� ERRN�� KH� ZRQ� WKH� UHVSHFW� RI�

OP� PDNHUV� DQG� UHFHLYHG� DQ� DFKLHYHPHQW�ZKHQ� WKH�ERRN�ZDV�XVHG�DV�D� WH[WERRN�DW� &ROXPELD�8QLYHUVLW\�,Q�������/LQGVD\�PDUULHG�(OL]DEHWK�&RQ-

QHU��2QH�\HDU� ODWHU�� KH�SXEOLVKHG� WZR�PRUH�ERRNV� RI� SRHWU\�� *RLQJ�7R�7KH�6WDUV�DQG� 7KH�&DQGOH� LQ� WKH�&DELQ�� 7KDW� VDPH�\HDU�� KH� DQG� KLV� ZLIH� KDG� D� GDXJKWHU�� 6X-VDQ� 'RQLSKDQ� /LQGVD\�� $QRWKHU� \HDU� ODWHU��KLV�ZLIH�JDYH�ELUWK�WR�D�EDE\�ER\��1LFKRODV� &DYH�/LQGVD\�2YHU� WKH� \HDUV�� KH� ZHQW� RQ� WRXUV� SHU-

IRUPLQJ�KLV�SRHWU\��ZKLFK�KH�FDOOHG�+LJK-HU� 9DXGHYLOOH�� +H� HYHQWXDOO\� ZRQ� D������OLIHORQJ�DFKLHYHPHQW�DZDUG�IURP�3RHWU\�0DJD]LQH��%XW�GHVSLWH�KLV�VXF-FHVVHV��/LQGVD\�FRXOGQW�PDNH�D�OLYLQJ�ZLWK�KLV�SRHWU\�DQG�EHJDQ�WR�DFFXPX-ODWH�ILQDQFLDO�GHEWV�,Q� ������ KH� SXEOLVKHG� KLV� ODVW�

WZR� ERRNV�� 7KH� /LWDQ\� RI� :DVK-LQJWRQ� 6WUHHW� DQG� (YHU\� 6RXO� &LU-FXV�� ,Q� $SULO�� KH� SHUIRUPHG� KLV�SRHP�� 7KH� 9LUJLQLDQV� $UH� &RP-LQJ�$JDLQ�� DW� D� FRQYHQWLRQ� VHW� XS� E\� 3RHWU\�0DJD]LQH�

Lindsay made very little money dur-ing his last tour and had even more ILQDQFLDO� SUREOHPV� ZKHQ� WKH� VWRFN�PDUNHW� FUDVKHG� LQ� ������ +H� PRYHG�KLV� IDPLO\� EDFN� WR� KLV� ROG� KRPHWRZQ�RI�6SULQJILHOG��2Q�'HFHPEHU����������D�VHULRXVO\�GHSUHVVHG�/LQGVD\�FRPPLW-WHG�VXLFLGH�E\�GULQNLQJ�D�ERWWOH�RI�O\H��+LV�ILQDO�ZRUGV�ZHUH��7KH\�WULHG�WR�JHW�PH��,�JRW�WKHP�ILUVW�9DFKHO� /LQGVD\V� 6SULQJILHOG� KRPH�

is now a museum filled with his histor-LFDO�DUW�SLHFHV��ERRNV��DQG�SRHPV��7KH�KRXVH� LV� RSHQ� VHDVRQDOO\�� &DOO� �������������IRU�KRXUV�DQG�GDWHV�$V�IRU�KLV� OHJDF\��SHUKDSV�SRHW�DQG�

FULWLF�/RXLV�8QWHUPH\HU�VDLG�LW�EHVW�LQ�7KH�1HZ�(UD�LQ�$PHULFDQ�3RHWU\��SXEOLVKHG�LQ�������ZKHQ�KH�ZURWH�RI�/LQGVD\��+LV�JD\��LQWUHSLG� VSLULW�� KLV� UDF\� OLWWOH� SURVH� SDP-SKOHWV��KLV�WUDPSLQJ�MRXUQH\V�������WKHVH��LQ�WKHPVHOYHV�� FRPSRVH�D� JRVSHO� RI� EHDXW\�more persuasive and potent than a hun-GUHG�VHUPRQV�

Courtesy Photo: Library of Congress3RUWDLW�RI�9DFKHO�/LQGVD\�LQ�6SULQJHOG��,OOLQRLV������

Page 34: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

34

World Capitals, Mottos and Claims to Fame

By: Steve Lutz

While driving through Western Illinois, it’s easy to experience high-

way hypnosis. Miles of !at black-top, endless white and yellow lines and countless rows of corn stretch on for miles, making anyone in the car lose track of time and direction.

Glancing o" to the side of the

road, passersby see the signs at the edge of town. The Rotary Club, local churches and high school athletes welcome them in. Every town has its story, and most have some claim to fame, with nicknames and mot-tos claiming that it is the “Something Capital of the World,” “World Lead-er of This” or “Home of the That.”

But where do the nicknames come from? Are they steeped in proud traditions and facts? Or are they the work of some tourism board that is just trying to make a town stand out? That’s where this story begins — a sampling of the cities and towns in Western Illinois and the history behind their nicknames and mottos.

Page 35: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

35

Kewanee — “Hog Capital of the World” The name “Kewanee” is actually the Winneba-

go tribe’s word for prairie chickens, which have been known to mate in the area. However, Ke-wanee isn’t known for birds. It’s the “Hog Capi-tal of the World.”

While this one might seem as though it was cre-ated by the city to brag about its pork-producing industry, the title is based on fact. In 1947, Henry County was the number one producer of hogs in the United States according to the Department of Agriculture. In 1949, the city of Kewanee, the largest city in Henry County, had the Illinois House of Representatives pass a resolution nam-ing Kewanee the “Hog Capital of the World.” Henry County also started the tradition of “Hog Day” by celebrating with a cookout and a swine show.

In 1954, the “Hog Days” became a big tradi-tion when combined with the centennial of Ke-wanee’s founding; they hosted a massive free cookout. An estimated 50,000 people showed up for the event, which amounted to 75 tons pro-

cessed fresh pork. The cookout was a success but because of the high cost, it was deemed a “once-every-100-years” occurrence.

Not deterred, the city still puts on a “Hog Days” festival every year on Labor Day weekend, keep-ing the !rst tradition, a swine show, alive as the main event. There’s also an outdoor pork bar-beque. While the city still keeps the title alive, a number of other counties in the country have passed Henry up as the number one hog produc-er. But none of them have taken on the o"cial title of “Hog Capital.”

Griggsville — “Purple Martin Capital of the World”

In the 1960’s the citizens of Griggsville were concerned about the growing mosquito population. In an e#ort to avoid pesticides and their potential side e#ects, they decided that the Purple Martin was the solution they were looking for. The Purple Martin is the largest North American Swallow, and according to the Nature Society News, it can consume 2,000

mosquitos a day. Spending its winters in South America, the Purple Martin heads north and spends the mosquito season in North America.

A local businessman converted his antenna fac-tory in to a birdhouse factory, and soon the city had installed hundreds of birdhouses in the area, including a famous 70-foot-tall high-rise with more than 500 bird “apartments.” The townspeo-ple embraced the birds, calling the town the “Pur-ple Martin Capital of the World.” They named the Purple Martin “America’s Most Wanted Bird” because of its mosquito-eating abilities. Despite the success, Nature House Inc. — which made the birdhouses in Griggsville — moved its manu-facturing to Chicago in 2011. In October 2012, the bad news for Griggsville continued as the show-room and store were closed down and the Nature Society News, which had published the Purple Martin Newsletter since 1966, stopped publish-ing. However, the birdhouses still line the streets of Griggsville. Between March and October, the birds still live in the town, keeping the mosquito population at bay.

Photos by: Steve Lutz

Page 36: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

36

Beardstown — “Watermelon Capital of the World”

Located in Cass County, Beardstown holds several claims to fame in its 194-year history. Abraham Lincoln spent time there practicing law in the courthouse. For those willing to believe local legend, he contracted syphilis from a prostitute in Beardstown. However, the one thing that Beardstown wants to be known for is watermelons. While the title “Water-melon Capital” is more on the unofficial side, there are six watermelon farms in the greater Beardstown area. The water-melons, labeled as “Beardstown water-melon,” make their way to every major town in the county. Those wanting to try the watermelons first hand should note Beardstown has a farmers market featur-ing local goods, including watermelons,

every Tuesday from June through Oc-

tober between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pekin — “Celestial City”

“Marigold Capital” Pekin has the distinction of being the

only city on this list with two nicknames. First, it is the “Celestial City.” This name comes from the fact that “Pekin” was an acceptable spelling of the Chinese capi-tal Peking, or as its now known, Beijing. What is known about the name is that it was picked by an early settler by the name of Ann Eliza Cromwell. But the question is why.

There are a number of theories. The first is that Cromwell believed that this new town was on the antipode, or direct oppo-site side of the world, as Peking, China. This theory isn’t completely absurd, as there is less than a full degree of latitude separation, but Buenos Aires, Argentina is the technical antipode of Beijing. An-

other popular theory is that Cromwell looked at Pekin as the future and named the new city after the large, successful ce-lestial city of Peking.

The second nickname that Pekin holds is the “Marigold Capital of the World.” In January 1896, Everett Dirksen was born in Pekin and went on to have a long, suc-cessful political career. Dirksen started as a member of the Pekin City Council and continued his career with 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 18 years in the U.S. Senate. When he wasn’t in Washington, Dirksen was an avid gardener and a big fan of the common marigold. In 1965, Dirksen even intro-duced a resolution to make the marigold the national flower. But unfortunately, it never took off. As a tribute to Dirk-sen after he passed away, the city began to have a marigold festival in his honor.

The seasonal Melon Market in Beardstown, Illinois is located on U.S. 67 on the south side of town.

Page 37: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

37

The Festival continues every Septem-ber during the weekend after Labor Day with a Miss Marigold Festival contest, marigold planting displays and even a marigold museum.

Collinsville — “Horseradish Capital of the World”

On the southern end of Western Illinois, just a few miles outside of St. Louis, sits Collinsville, or as it prefers to be known, the “Horseradish Capital of the World.” While the “Gem City” doesn’t hold any gems, Collinsville lives up to its name. 60 percent of the world’s horseradish is grown in the Collinsville area. A total of 80 percent of the world’s supply is grown in Southern Illinois.

The town embraces its title with the International Horseradish Festival every year. The free event takes place during

the first weekend of June and features horseradish-related food vendors and a horseradish recipe contest. Some of the other events also follow the theme, such as root-tossing, root-golf and a root-sacking contest.

Canton — “We Do That Here” Just four years before Pekin was sup-

posedly named after Peking, China, Can-ton was named after Canton, China, or Guangzhou as it is now known. Settler Isaac Swan thought that his new settle-ment was the antipode of Canton, China, a renowned shipping point at that time. The motto “We Do That Here” is confus-ing. What exactly is “that?” In 2010, Can-ton’s marketing and tourism coordinator, Dana Smith, was tasked with creating a commercial showing Canton as the thriv-ing, vibrant community it was. Attempt-ing to overcome the stereotype of being a small Midwestern town with nothing to offer, the slogan “We Do That Here” was developed.

The slogan was used to advertise edu-cation, healthcare and shopping, arguing that Canton could compete with other towns in any area. One new event Canton has to offer is its inaugural Art on Main Fine Arts Festival, happening June 1 and 2, featuring monetary awards for the best works of art. All art featured will be on sale during the event.

Pana — “The Rose City”The small town of Pana is barely inside

what would be considered Western Il-linois. But like many of the other nick-names, “The Rose City” has its roots in the agriculture business. According to the city, Pana is a weather anomaly, featur-ing a low number of hailstorms — mak-ing it an ideal place for greenhouses. At its peak in the early 20th century, there were 109 different greenhouses pro-ducing an estimated 18 million roses a year. The flowers made their way as far north as Chicago and as far south as New Orleans.

The nickname was actually given to the

city by the Jordan brothers, who were editors of the local paper, The Pana Palla-dium, for more than 30 years. The broth-ers saw value in the greenhouse industry and thought attaching a nickname to the town would help bolster business. Ulti-mately, the greenhouse industry closed down in Pana. While weather was one of the major factors driving the greenhouses, the real advantage Pana had was the coal mining industry. However, by 1960 all of the major coal mines had been closed and sealed.

Quincy — “The Gem City” Many town nicknames are based in

some sort of truth. With a nickname like “The Gem City,” it sounds like gems were found in the limestone mines that run un-der Quincy. Instead, Quincy is simply the self-proclaimed “Gem of the Midwest.” Local businesses have firmly embedded themselves in this nickname, and it’s hard to drive a few blocks in Quincy without seeing a “Gem City Ford,” “Gem City Chi-ropractic” or “Gem City Pizzeria.” Even though the name is not based on actual precious stones, Quincy is still full of his-tory, museums and parks that are worth a visit.

Morton — “Pumpkin Capital of the World”

Just outside of Peoria sits Morton, also known as the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.” Morton is not known for grow-ing pumpkins as much as it’s known for the Nestlé plant located in the town, which processes an estimated 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin under the Libby’s name. To celebrate this achieve-ment, Morton and Libby’s host the Pump-kin Festival every September.

There are more than 30 different events every year at the festival including a craft fair, parades and a carnival. The most no-table event, which frequently gains atten-tion from the Guinness Book of World Records, is the “Punkin Chuckin’” con-test. The contest features a hand-tossing portion and a mechanical portion.

This years International Horseradish Fes-tival will be held May 31-June 2 and will feature news root themed games

Page 38: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

38

The mechanical part is what brings in the world records. Pumpkins are regularly chucked more than 3,000 feet with ma-chines. The previous world record, set in Morton, stands at 4,680 feet.

Peoria — “Whiskeytown” Peoria is the quintessential Middle

American town. The phrase “Will it play in Peoria?” gained its popularity from the fact that Peoria has been used for years as a test market for countless companies. Advertisers, politicians and focus groups love to test the water for any new endeav-or in the town. But before people were asking if it would play there, Peoria was

known as “Whiskeytown.” Prior to prohibition, Peoria was home

to 24 breweries and 73 distilleries, includ-ing the Great Western Distillery, the larg-est in the world at the time. The distill-eries then lead to the Whiskey Barons, who built numerous mansions for them-selves and contributed theaters, parks, artwork and statues to the city of Peoria. The town proudly embraced its title and even named the minor league baseball team “The Distillers” in the 1890s.

Peoria mostly owes the title of “Whis-keytown” to the federal government. At its peak — in between the 1860s and 1919

— Peoria was the number one payee of alcohol taxes to the federal government, surpassing Chicago and Cleveland. It is estimated that in some years, the taxes collected from Peoria’s distilleries made up half of the federal government’s entire revenue.

Unfortunately for Peoria, the alcohol business never returned after Prohibition was repealed. Almost all of the breweries and distilleries were torn down with only one brewery left in the city today. Those looking to experience the “Whiskeytown” phenomenon can still visit and tour sever-al of the Whiskey Baron mansions.

Hiram Walker and Sons distillery on the banks of the Illinois river, was the largest in the world for more than 50 years after it’s 1881 opening

Page 39: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

39

Page 40: Western Illinois Magazine Issue 8 — Spring 2013

40Photo by: Steve Lutz