History of the Bunker Hill Gazette

Pictured: Bunker Hill Gazette-News on NW corner of E. Warren and N. Pine St.

Was the former Chas. Folkerts Grocery Store

    The press and type of the STAUNTON BANNER were purchased by A.W. Edwards, and in November of 1860 the first number of the Gillespie UNION AND GAZETTE  made its appearance.  The paper continued under Mr. Edwards control until 1863, when he enlisted in the Union Army where he remained until the close of the war.  The publication was, however, continued for some time afterwards by Alonzo James, but he too enlisted and the publication was then suspended.  The UNION AND GAZETTE was extremely Democratic in tone.

    The BUNKER HILL JOURNAL was the name of the first paper published in Bunker Hill.  E.J. Bronson was the editor and proprietor.  It was a five-column folio and was neutral in politics.  The first number was issued December 8, 1859 and the last in May 1860.

    In 1865, after the return of Mr. Edwards from the war, her removed the printing office from Gillespie to Bunker Hill and resumed the publication of the UNION AND GAZETTE.

    The first number was issued January 19, 1866.  He continued the publication until January 31, 1867 when he sold out to Dr. S.R. Sawyer and F.Y. Hedley.  The paper was then Republican in politics.  When Messers Sawyer and Hedley assumed control, they changed the tone and made it independent and it so remained until Dr. Sawyer's death, which event occurred on May 24, 1868.  After that date, it again became Republican in politics and has remained the organ of the Republican party of Bunker Hill to the present time.  In 1871, the name of the paper changed.  The work [Sic] "UNION" was dropped out and from that date to the present it is known as the BUNKER HILL GAZETTE.

    Mr. Hedley continued as editor and proprietor until January 1, 1878 when Mr. W.S. Silence became the publisher, Mr. Hedley still acting as editor.  This arrangement continued until January 24, 1879 when both Hedley and Silence retired and the office was leased to Messers Said and Poorman of Charleston, IL, who published the paper until July 1879.  The circulation of the GAZETTE is about 750.  It is a neat, sprightly paper and enjoyed the confidence of its constituency.  Mr. Headly, who may be regarded as the father of journalism in Bunker Hill, has retired from the active participation of the business but not without first demonstrating his entire capability to run a newspaper successfully.  He is a practical printer, and the GAZETTE, under his management, was a model of typographical neatness.  He is a good writer.  He is now postmaster of this beautiful little city, and as a man and officer, is respected by all who knew him  Mr. Headley resumed editorial charge of the GAZETTE  about the 10th of July, 1879.

    The paper became the GAZETTE-NEWS in 1905 under the association of Philip C. Hansen and W.B. Powell.  At this time, two competing newspapers were combined, the BUNKER HILL NEWS  and the GAZETTE.  Other names of leadership through the years included Harold Gerlach, Arthur and Frieda Strang, and Lawrence Gosch.

    In 1964, the paper was published by Carl Stanton, who remained publisher/editor until 1987, at which time it was sold to John Galer, a Hillsboro, Illinois publisher.

Pictured: Bunker Hill Gazette-News on SW corner of N. Washington and W. Fayette St.

    The GAZETTE-NEWS is published under the name of BUNKER HILL PUBLICATIONS along with the MT. OLIVE HERALD,  the MADISON COUNTY CHRONICLE,  and the SOUTHWESTERN JOURNAL.  Cheri Petroline is the current manager.

...Read this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, March 31, 2022.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 131. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Bunker Hill City Library

 

Pictured: Present-day Bunker Hill Public Library

From the Bunker Hill Gazette-News October 1950

    The J.H.L. Fahrenkrog building on Warren Street has been purchased by the local library board at a cost of $1,500 and will house the Bunker Hill Library.  (Today, the City of Bunker Hill owns the building which housed the Bunker Hill Historical Society and Museum.

    The Bunker Hill City Library will open for public use Saturday evening, October 7.  The opening will be held although there are some minor details both inside and out of the building yet to be finished.

Pictured: Old Bunker Hill Public Library

    The new library is located on East Warren Street and occupies the site of the library and contents that were destroyed in the March 1948 tornado.  Although the building had been completed for some time, opening has been delayed because of the limited budget on which the board has to work.

    Much of the equipment has been donated.  Two desks were given by Dr. and Mrs. George Hess and one each by Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Haxel and Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Rigg.  Some steel cabinet and six chairs have been purchased by the board.  It is pointed out that more chairs are needed and if anyone has some spares they would be gladly accepted for use at the library.

    Some 300 books have also been donated to start off the new library.  Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Wende of Winnetka, IL have given 195 books and others have been given by Mrs. B. Deffenbaugh of St. Louis, MO., and Mrs. Bella Zimmerman of Beloit, WI., who donated a book in memory of her son.

    Mrs. Theo Stone of St. Louis has donated a number of books which she collected there from members of the book club.

    As books come into the library, they are catalogued [sic] by a library committee of which Mrs. O.C. Weidner is chairman.  This committee has received the help of several interested citizens in their work.

    For the opening, six cases of books from the State Library will be on hand.  These are made available on a loan basis.  By receiving books from the state, much good reading is provided for both children and adults.  Miss Loretta Bartels will continues as librarian as she has done for many years in the past.

    The new library building is a modern fireproof structure, with buff brick front.  The interior has been finished in a light green plaster and it is heated with an oil furnace.  Ralph Moxey installed the heating plant free of charge.

    Members of the library board, of which R.E. Rigg is chairman, are Lee Sutton, Walter Heal, Goebel Ladd, max Bertagnolli, Clara Mason, Cora Fensterman, Mr. O.C. Weidner, and Mrs. L.O. Schreier, who is secretary.  Board Committees will be working at the library Thursday and Friday getting ready for opening on Saturday.  At the opening, a free souvenir book markers will be passed out to all who attend.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, March 17, 2022.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 32. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Ed Bruckert's School Buses

Pictured: Bruckerts on NW Corner of N. Washington and W. Fayette St. in 1950

From the Gazette-News March 20, 1952

    Each day, some 200 children living outside the City of Bunker Hill are brought to school in four buses.  The mileage they cover on their on their trips averages 230 miles daily.  In a few cases, students drive their own cars to school.

    Ed Bruckert's Garage furnished transportation for the school district, being under contract and receiving payment on the mileage basis.  Bruckert assumes full responsibility for the buses, which he owns, doing his own maintenance and providing drivers for each.  In addition to being a regular driver himself, Bruckert employs the following men, Chester Kehr, Charlie Forrler, and Chester Scroggins.  Alfred Snedeker is an alternate driver.

Pictured: Overturned Meissner schoolbus parked at the Bruckert Garage after the 1948 Tornado

    

    Prior to 1948, the school maintained their own transportation, owning their bus and employed drivers for the daily trips.  The system proved to be hard to manage properly and was costly in upkeep because of such.  The arrangement with Bruckert was instituted in the fall of 1948 and has been efficient and has provided better service.

Pictured: Ed Bruckert's Mobilegas / Mobiloil  Dealership Plaque

    In order to facilitate orderly conduct and loading of buses, at the end of the day, classes are dismissed after short intervals to avoid pushing and a big rush which would be likely if they were all turned loose at once.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, March 10, 2022. 

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 105. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Mercers' Confectionery

 From the Gazette-News - August 1951

    Roger S. Mercer is holding a formal opening of his newly built confectionery on Saturday.  The new business, located between the C.M. Miller Card Co., and "Tickles" Barber Shop, is a fine addition to the business section of town.

    The confectionery is 18 x 50 feet in size and is of concrete block construction.  It has a perma-stone front, done up in brown and white, and is pleasing to the eye.  Another building, east of the confectionery, purchased by Mercer from C.M. Miller, has also been given a perma-stone front.  Equally attractive is the interior of the new building, which has been finished entirely in natural color knotty pine.  All new fixtures have been installed.  These include a large fountain, counter and stools, booths with red and green plastic coverings and a showcase and coolers necessary for the operation of such a business.

    Full kitchen facilities are provided behind a partition toward the rear of the building.  In addition offering smokes, soda, candy and a fountain service, a complete line of sandwiches will also be offered patrons.

    In a statement on his opening Mercer said that it isn't going to be as formal as you might expect in that he has already been pouring coffee and dishing up ice cream for about a week.  Saturday will be the first day the full facilities of the store will be put into operation and he says it will be  "just come as you are".

    Mercer formally operated a similar business across the street from his present location on East Warren Street and without a doubt many of his friends are glad to see him back at his old work.  This newspaper, as we are sure many other people have already cone [Sic],  congratulate him for making such a fine addition to the business district.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, March 3, 2022.  

The Fires of Bunker Hill

Pictured: The Bunker Hill Fire Department, date unknown.  Firemen and horses pose before the old fire house which was replaced in the 1940's

Reprint of our earlier Bunker Hill News article blog postings  at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-fires-of-bunker-hill.html and also at  https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-fires-of-bunker-hill.html

From Bunker Hill Revisited Volumes - One and Three    

 

Pictured: Washington St., as viewed from the Opera House corner.  Sanford's south wall on right.

    The fire January 23, 1880, originated in Sanford's Grocery Store on the same ground.  The damage on the fire proper footed up $12,000.  The insurance was fair.[1]

    December 1, 1882, the ground from Bumann's three story building to Sessel's corner and on Warren Street west to the alley, was burned.  The loss totaled $37,000, nearly equally divided between buildings and stock.[1],[2]

These fires occurred on the west side of Washington Street.

Pictured: Warren St. as seen from Klinefelter's store.  Sessel's west wall on right.

    From the Gazette News, September 20, 1893:  On Friday evening, for the third time, fire held a fierce carnival on the west side of Washington Street.  The alarm was given about 6:20 p.m. and within two hours $75,000 worth of the business property in the city had been wiped out.

    The fire originated in the immense barn in the rear of the Johnston block.  It was probably due to the pipe of a tramp or bum, or a cigar of card-playing youngsters.  The facts will never be known.  Almost simultaneously, all buildings south of the Johnston block were ablaze so fiercely that little could be done in the way of saving contents.

    The local fire company did noble work with the fire engine, chemical, and new extinguishers and were nobly seconded by many of our people.  To such effort is due the arrest of the fire at the Johnston block and the saving of the business property on the east side of Washington Street.

    As near as can be ascertained the fire losses were $75,000.  This includes damage to buildings and stocks not destroyed.[3],[4]

Pictured: The old firehouse on West Warren St. used by the local Corps of ground observers in their drills.  The stairway and stage atop the tower were built last year.  The view is taken from east of the building. (photo circa Feb. 3, 1955)

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, January 10, 2013, April 30, 2020, February 17, 2022. 

[1]Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1893." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume Three, 1892-1900, p. 62. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 2000. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

[2]Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1882." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume Two, 1882-1891, pp. 44-46. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1999. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

[3]Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1893." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume Three, 1892-1900, p. 60-64. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 2003. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

[4]Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1880." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume One, 1866-1881, pp. 209-210. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1997. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

History of the Round Prairie Church

 

    The first church to be erected was by the Christian denomination at Round Prairie, Section 32 in Dorchester Township, in the year 1845.  This church would have been about two miles east of the Willis Wolf farm on the Catholic Springs Road.  The first ministers were Robert Foster and Jonathan G. Wood.

The following is from the records of the church:

    Round Prairie Church was organized July the first in the year of our Lord eighteen-hundred and forty  five by appointing the following named persons to the office of the Eldership to wit:  John P. Bayless, Samuel Wood, and Hiram Daugherty, and John Nesbit as Deacon, at the same time.  About 1849, John W. Keller was added to the list of Elders and resigned in 1854 and Johnson McGilvary and W.S. Spruill were ordained as Elders and Levi Miller and William Nesbit were ordained Deacons at the same time.  Johnson McGilvary went off to the Army in 1862 and died.  In 1874, there was added to the Eldership, Peter C. Randle, Albert L. Fairchild, Benjamin Mize, and William Soapes to the Deaconship.  Elder Fairchild moved his membership and died March 12, 1881.  Scott Mize was added to the list of Deacons by the church and Sanford Mize at the same time was appointed as an assistant clerk for the church of Round Prairie.

    January 1, 1865, a subscription for the support of a minister at Round Prairie Church, eighty nine dollars contributed by 16 people.

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, February 10, 2022, April 7, 2022.  

Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1932." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume Six, 1920-1940, p. 120. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 2006. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 123. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Ordinances of the City of Bunker Hill - 1873

Ordinances of the City of Bunker Hill 

Organized April 15, 1873, under the general law of the State of Illinois

City Officers 1873

Mayor: James F. Cummings

Aldermen for two years: S.A. Fletcher; E.S. Williams; and David Morris

Aldermen for one year: H.H. Brown; C.A. Bartels; and John Gosch

City Clerk: S.N. Sanford

Treasurer: John G. Auer

City Attorney: H.R. Budd

An Ordinance relating to misdemeanors:

Sec. 17: Whoever shall, without the consent of the owner or occupant of the premises, fasten any horse or other animal to any tree or to any boxing place around any tree, shall forfeit and pay the sum of not less that one dollar.

Sec. 19: Whoever shall purposely, rapidly, or immoderately ride or drive any horse or mule, or any cattle, or other like animals, or any team in any street or alley of the City of Bunker Hill shall forfeit and pay for each sum of not less that ten dollars. 

Sec. 37: The running of large cows within the city limits of the City of Bunker Hill, between the 15th day of November and the 1st day of April each year, shall forfeit and pay the sum of one dollar for each cow, and in addition, shall pay the sum of one dollar for every twelve hours said cow shall continue to run at large.

Sec. 42: Any person or persons who shall within the city limits carry any concealed on their persons any knife, Bowie knife, pistol, revolver, slingshot, or any dangerous or deadly weapon for the purpose of unlawfully using the same, shall forfeit and pay the sum of not less than twenty-five dollars.

Sec. 44: That any person or persons who shall ride, lead, or drive any horse, mule, or ox upon or over any plank or brick sidewalk within the city limits shall on conviction thereof, be fined not less than three or more than ten dollars.

Pictured: One of the later Ordinances of Bunker Hill

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, February 3, 2022.  

Restoration of the Lincoln Statue

Pictured: The 1988 Lincoln Statue Restoration Project      

    Restoration has begun on the Lincoln Statue after delays last year due to COVID-19.  The company hired to do the restoration is Russell-Marti Conservation, Inc. from California, Mo.

    The last conservation treatment was in 1998.  At that time, the statue was cleaned of corrosion with glass beads, and then given a hot chemical patina, followed by successive applications of protective coatings. 

Pictured: Lincoln Statue Prior to the 1998 Restoration

    General treatment step this time will be:

1.)  Remove all loose, deteriorated coatings from the surface by cleaning with CO2 (carbon dioxide, or dry ice) blasting.  The CO2 cleaning method was used as part of recent conservation/maintenance treatments in St. Louis, including the Apotheosis of St. Louis (in front of the St. Louis Art Museum), the Meeting of the Waters (at Aloe Plaza, across from Union Station) and on sculptures at the St. Louis Art Museum.

2.)  Wash the bronze, using water and non-ionic surfactant, rinse and dry.

3.)  Apply a clear lacquer by spray, building up the coating in successive thin applications.

4.)  Apply a toning layer to adjust the patina as necessary

5.)  Apply a final clear lacquer.

    While conservation treatment will stabilize the sculpture and bring it to an appropriate and well cared for appearance, routing annual maintenance is important to preserve the effect of the treatment over the long term.

    The Lincoln Statue was donated to the City of Bunker Hill in 1904 by Capt. Charles Clinton.  Most of the men in Capt. Clinton's Civil War Unit were men from Bunker Hill.  He had such high regard for these men that he decided to donate a statue of Lincoln identical to the one which he donated to his hometown of Cincinnati, OH.  There are two other statues in Iowa, but they do not have the Lady Liberty.  These statues were donated by other individuals.  All of the statues were sculpted by William Granville Hastings.

Further information about the History of our Lincoln Statue can be found on our blog posting at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2015/01/lincolns-statue.html

Pictured: The 1988 Lincoln Statue Restoration Project

Pictured: The 1988 Lincoln Statue Restoration Project

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette News, July 15, 2021.  

The Bunker Hill Train Wreck of August 1857

    Pictured: Hotel and Big Four Railroad Station in Bunker Hill IL

 

From the Missouri Democrat, August 17, 1857

    Accident on the Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad

    On Saturday evening, about eight o'clock, as the westward bound passenger train on the Terre Haute, Alton, and St. Louis railroad had reached a point about one mile from Bunker Hill, IL, the locomotive broke through a bridge, which was constructed over a small creek or ravine.  The baggage and express cars were, at the same time, precipitated beyond the engine and down a steep embankment.

    The car next to the emigrant car, containing a number of ladies and gentlemen, fell in after the engine and was turned up on its forward end.  At the time of the accident, a hard thunderstorm was prevailing, which added to the terror of the occasion.  Another thing which contributed to the dismay of the passengers was the communication of fire to a portion of the train by the explosion of the engine.  The flames, notwithstanding the rain, were spreading rapidly, but by the exertion of the passengers were subdued.

    Edward Warden, fireman, was instantly killed.  Mr. Wilcox, engineer was badly hurt and burned.  The baggage master of the train, whose name we were unable to obtain, and B. Deming, a brakeman, were hurt, but not seriously.

    As if the heavens had conspired to add terror and death to the scene, a little girl, daughter of Mr. Templer, was struck by lightning just after the explosion of the engine took place, and was instantly killed.

    Edward Warden died on August 16, 1857, and is buried in the Bunker Hill Cemetery.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, July 8, 2021.  

"Carrie was There" - A Caregiver to Many

 

Pictured: Carrie Braash

This article was submitted by Carol DuFrain, granddaughter of Carrie Braash

    When my grandmother's name is mentioned in this area, someone usually recalls a time when "Carrie was there".  She was involved with many families on the occasion of the birth of a son or daughter and, in this way, was an important part of the history of this area.

    She was well known for assisting Dr. Bley and Dr. Hess with home deliveries and the aftercare of the mother and baby.  According to a record kept by her, she cared for over 350 babies over a 23 year period.  The first baby noted was Irma Bartels in 1921 and the last was Joyce Adcock in 1944.  There were some years in the 1930's when she helped with as many as 40 in one year.

    She became a widow with three small children in 1917 when my grandfather, Charles, passed away.  She moved to Bunker Hill in 1929.  Her children were Dorothy, Marcella, and Otto.  She had four grandchildren and raised one of them from age three.

    She was also known for her beautiful quilts and her work as a member of Zion  Lutheran Church.  She is fondly remembered by many for her kindness and "always being there" to lend a helping hand.

    Carrie passed away in 1965 at the age of 80.  A great-granddaughter she never new bears her name.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, May 13, 2021.  

Bunker Hill Digs Out in Cold, Dismal Sunday Rain

Pictured: Washington Street in the Bunker Hill Business District resembled the set of a Hollywood disaster film after a tornado struck on March 19, 1948.  Nineteen people were killed and almost every building in town was damaged or destroyed. (File/The State Journal Register)

Read more about the Bunker Hill Tornado in our March 19, 2020 blog posting at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2020/03/72-years-ago-march-19-1948-tornado.html and also  our November 2015 blog at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2015/11/bunker-hill-tornado-67th-anniversary.html

From the Alton Telegraph, March 20 and 22, 1948

    In a cold and dismal rain that began falling yesterday, efforts continued in the little town of Bunker Hill to open streets and clear debris from around dwellings that could be used as shelters.  This is the second time in "10 days less than 10 years" that a tornado struck the town which is the center of a dairy and farming community.  The town was established about 1835 and until the tornado of 10 years ago, a storm of such proportions had never swept the locality.

Pictured: Bunker Hill Main Business Area - This photo taken Saturday morning after debris had been cleared from the streets shows the damage done to the city's business areas.  Roofs were torn off and buildings demolished by the hard-hitting tornado.

    Sightseers have been barred since the militia took over mid-afternoon Saturday.  Route 112 (now 159), two miles north of the city limits at the spur connecting with Route 138, was patrolled by State Police, who were helped in their efforts to let only those with legitimate business enter the town by long time residents of the community.  Stories were listened to and only those with a compelling reason were given the nod to drive on.  All other roads are barricaded and patrolled against unnecessary traffic.

Pictured: Toppled Abraham Lincoln Statue

    Headquarters for John Ritter, assistant chief, State Police, have set up in a trailer in the parking space on Route 112 in the mid-section of the business district.  It stands only a few feet from the base of the statue of Abraham Lincoln.  The statue itself, almost life size, is lying headless against the north side of the base, when it toppled backward early Friday morning.  On the south side kneels the figure of a woman with hand posed, as in writing, but without the pencil, that was formerly hers, who is ready to complete the sentence, "With malice toward none."

Pictured: Salvation Army tents

Pictured: Salvation Army assisting Bunker Hill residents

    A few feet to the north of the statue, is the tent, where help is administered by the Salvation Army.  Military personnel and citizens alike were loud in their praise of "The Army".  The Red Cross headquarters is established in the Meissner High School building, where the roof, badly damaged, admitted the pouring rain.  A first aid station functioned there after the tornado and remains to continue further efforts if needed.  Various desks and offices to house records and equipment for the management of the huge task, occupy hall space and parts of other rooms, wherever a small space can be found.  A registered nurse, Miss Phyllis Baker, and a high school music teacher, Mr. Pal Byron Hale, a medical corpsman in World War II, aided Dr. C.W. Draper and Dr. Lusk of Carlinville, in setting up an aid station at Meissner High School, where 74 patients were registered.  Doctors estimated that 150 had been treated at the school, a home, a business district store, and the three aid centers.  Six dead lay in one room of the school awaiting the coroner.  Arrival of the coroner and additional State Police was a welcome relief for Mrs. Ethel Herndon, who stood guard at the door of the improvised morgue. 

Pictured: Meissner School set up as a Red Cross Headquarters

    The once proud town, with its wealth of historical background, is leveled.  Only the school building stands among the major building, and a few of the houses are habitable.  but with agencies of the government and charity converging on the town, it was digging its way out.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, March 18, 2021.  

Smalleytown and Pleasant Hill Schools

Pictured: Smalleytown School in 1900's 

Smalleytown School #162

Smalleytown School was located on Miles Station Road, Bunker Hill Township in Section #3.

In 1906, Mrs Frances (Smalley) Pennington was the teacher and she had 24 students and her salary was $40 per month.

Pictured: Smalleytown School Class (circa 1906 or 1907)

Front row: Lester Smith, Frank Smith, Lydia Heal Dey, Billy Bort, Bertha Peters Stammer, Goldie Peters Rull, Bessie Marston.

Middle row: Lester Heal, Henry Smith, Mildred Wood Lloyd, Beulah Barnes Olmsted, Elsie Bort Schaller, Ferna Jacobi, Della Peters Buhs, Annie Bort.

Back row: Chester Kehr, Harry Jones, Rose Peters Penning, Van Jacobi, Francis Smalley Pennington (teacher), Oliver Marston, Viva Wood Leggett, Milton Jacobi.

In 1919, Edith Pyle was the teacher and she had five students.  Edith Pyle received $50 per month.

In 1921, Charles F. Keirle was the teacher and he had five students.  Mr. Keirle received $75 per month.

In 1922, Mrs. Gladys Smith was the teacher and she had six students.  She received $75 per month.

In 1944-45, the school had a radio and warm lunch programs heated on an electric plate.  The last annual report was 1947-48 and the last teacher was Mrs. Laura Snedeker.  When the school closed, the students had a choice of where to go.  Three girls chose Woodburn School and the three boys went to Bunker Hill.

Some of the many families who attended Smalleytown Schools were Olmsted, Howald, Pennington, Barnes, Bort, Jacobi, McCurdy, Heal, and Brummer.

Pictured: Map for Bunker Hill area Country Schools

Pictured: Pleasant Hill School #165

Pleasant Hill School #165

Pleasant Hill School was located in Bunker Hill Township in Section #26.  Today, that is Rust Road.

In 1907-08, Mary Aveiss, teacher, had 25 students and received #35 per month.  The tuition for each student per month was $1.40.  In Mary Aveiss' teachers report, she stated that the blackboards needed repairing badly.  Chicken pox and bad roads had a lot to do with the poor attendance.  The schoolhouse is very much in need of repair.  I, with the help of a 12-year old boy, built a little porch to keep the mud at least a short distance from the door.

In 1920-21, Chester Kehr was the teacher.  There were 15 students and Mr. Kehr received $85 per month.

In 1924-25, Miss Claribel Seim was the teacher.  She had 13 students and received $74 per month.  The school director was Anton Bruckert.

Some of the many families that attended Pleasant Hill School throughout the years were Rust, Haneghan, Zarges, Sauerwein, Goebel, Bunte, Enke, Ladenforf, Bixen, Bruckert, Duelm, Goodwin, Foreman, Altevogt, and Moulton.

Pictured: 1918 Pleasant Hill School Class

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, February 25, 2021. 

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 100. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The Millville School #163

Pictured: Millville School #163

Teacher Gertrude Love pictured on the right, along with her sister and cousin.

    Millville School was located in the area of Mansholt Road and North East Streets in Section 12 of Bunker Hill Township.

    In 1911, teacher Gertrude Love made $40/month and had 22 students.  In 1920, the schools was listed as a brick building with six windows.  The students had new desks and sold buttons at 10 cents each to buy books for the new library.

Pictured: Map of Bunker Hill area Country Schools

    Some of the many families that attended Millville Schools through the years were Rose, Farris, Keirle, Gosch, Rull, and Acuncius.

Millville School was sold July 8, 1950 to LaVerne Gosch and used for a home.

...Read this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, January 21, 2021.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 99. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Luken School #160

Pictured: Luken School #160

    Luken School was located on Highway 138, halfway between Bunker Hill and Dorchester.  In 1907, there was a different teacher for each semester; pay was $30-$35 a month.

    In 1909, there was still no library because the books were destroyed by people who slept in the school.  By 1915, the school had 38 books, blackboards, and slates.

Pictured: Luken School Class Photo in 1932

Teacher: Edna Wohlert (in back), 

Left row (from front): Elveta Mae Sauerwein Schaffer, Evelyn Rose Landreth, Elvera June Sauerwein Baldridge, Elroy Meyers.

Middle Row: Jack Benjey, Norman (Butch) Rull, Jewell Benjey Sanderson, Opal Mae Johnson Welch.

Right row: Charles Benjey, Verna Rull Brackenhoff, Vernadine Sauerwein Fleming.

--Submitted by Evelyn Rose Landreth

    In 1944-45, three students were transported to Dorchester #135 and to Bunker Hill #164, which was Meissner School.  The building was destroyed in the 1948 tornado.

Pictured: Map of Bunker Hill area Country Schools

    Some of the family names who attended Luken School were: Bohlmeyer, Knoche, Jarman, Johnson, Rose, Sauerwein, Wieseman, and Scheldt, many attended during the years.

...Read this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, January 7, 2021.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 99. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The Nesbit (Mize) School #50

Pictured: Nesbit-Mize School #50

    The Nesbit-Mize School was started in 1860 after a school meeting on November 26, 1859.  At this meeting, a site was selected and a 16 foot square building was authorized at a cost of $50 or less.  The location for the schools was in Section 32, in Dorchester Township off of Catholic Springs Road.

    

Pictured: Map for Bunker Hill area country Schools

    March 11, 1860, Miss Mary Sinclair, the first teacher, was paid $24 a month.  The district boarded the teacher if the family had no children in school.  The family received $2.00/$2.50 per week for boarding.

    In 1870, Benjamin Mize repaired the school for $40 for replacing glass and sealing the windows, patching the plaster and preparing the walls for painted blackboards.  Wood for heating the schools was provided by the parents.  The teacher was paid $30 at this time.

    In 1882, a new schoolhouse was built by G.W. Mize at a cost of $80.  Waste materials salvaged from the old school, built a fence for $8.  Members of the Mize family served for many years on the Nesbit-Mize School Board of Directors.  The school was sold at auction on July 8, 1950 to William Cooper and torn down for lumber.

Some of the many families who attended Nesbit-Mize Schools were: Mize, Sawyer, Tiek, Kurlhaum, Throne, Coatney, Wood, and Landers.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, December 31, 2020. 

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 100. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The Woodburn School #167

   

Pictured: Woodburn School #167 in 1852

    The Woodburn School went through many changes as enrollment changed.  It was first housed in the Baptist Church in 1837, then a brick building in the center of Woodburn, in 1846 with an overflow in the Congregational Church, during 1850-51.  In 1852, a two story red brick building was built which lasted until 1913.  Children kept on going past eighth grade as long as they wanted.  They had such courses as botany and advanced math, and a music teacher from Shurtleff College in Alton came out to teach music for paying students.

Pictured: Woodburn School in 1912

    In 1917, Mr. Charles Welch taught at Woodburn School for $70 a month.  By 1952, Woodburn was the only other school, besides Meissner School that was in operation in Community District #8.  It had an enrollment of 59 students and had three rooms to accommodate them.

Mrs. Mildred Pullen had grades one through four and Asbury Walk had grades five through eight.

Pictured: New addition to Woodburn School built in 1950

    The building was enlarged to nearly double its former size in the summer of 1950.  An addition costing $12,250 was made to the rear of the school and was used by Mr. Walk's classes.  Mrs. Pullen's classes occupied the south room in the original building.  The other room was used for a recreational room in winter months and also as a study hall.

Pictured: Map of Bunker Hill area Country Schools

There were many families that attended Woodburn School through the years.  Some of these families were Thyer, Wood, Buhs, Howald, Welch, Ray, Pennington, Dana, Morey, Schwallenstecker, and Heal just to name a few.

Pictured: Woodburn Class (October 1927)

Top row: Viva Doty, and Erma Schaum (teachers), Arthur Partridge, Orrin Schmidt, Leighton Sanner, Nelson Gugger, Olen Hallows, Harold Brueggeman, Evert Wood, Irving Bostick.

Second row: Opal Gugger Adcock, Lois Thyer Weishaupt, Fern Reader Long, Ruth E. Bouillon, Eldarine Buhs Kohle,Dorothy Welch Fite, Lola Payne Zargees Hallows, Arlene Wood, Dorothy Brueggemen Welling,

Third row: Ralph Partridge, Virgil Schmidt, Harry Show, Dale Welch, Charles Payne, Lymon Hallows, Melvin Buhs, Albert Wood.

Fourth row: Hallie Bostick Hand, Mary Wood Seward, Rosey Show Callahan Staggs, Anita Partridge Reynolds, Anita Schmidt, Dorothy Clayton King, Evelyn Elliott Schmidt.

...Read this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, December 24, 2020.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, pp. 100-101. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The Liberty (Benner) School #166

Pictured: Liberty (Benner) School #166

     The Liberty (Benner) School was near the Benner/Woodburn Presbyterian Church.  Today, it is on the Huette Road in Section 29 of Bunker Hill Township.

Pictured: Map of Bunker Hill's Country Schools

    

    

Pictured: Alice Barnes Classroom

Class List: First Row: (l-r)Nellie Thomae, Chester Thomae

2nd Row: Pearl Fenstermann, Susie Wood, Viola Huette, Edith Dingerson, Harry Marth, Ben Jones

3rd Row: Etta Jones, Lena Scheldt, Edna Thomae, Myrtle Dingerson, Bert Huette (in front), Roy Brenker, Ireane Dingerson.

4th Row: Ida Wood, Clara Huette, Martha Wood, Rose Huette

Last Row: Emma Gabriel, Ethel Wood, and teacher Alice Barnes.

--Submitted by Violet Wiemers

    In 1909, there were 33 students and the teacher was Alice D. Barnes; her salary was $37.50 per month.  The salary jumped to $70 per month on 1925.  The library contained 103 books.    

    

Pictured: Liberty School Class Photo: 1921-1922

Class List: Front Row- Jessie Johnson Partridge, Clara Buhs Duelm, Laura Dingerson Snedeker, Dorothy Johnson Breitwiser, Joe Johnson

2nd Row: Ethel Dingerson Hendrickson, Mildred Johnson Shelton, Mildred Walter Crowder, Ruth Hallows Marth, Velma Buhs Cochran, Evelyn Bott.

3rd Row: Cordelia Hallows Heal, Jessie Scheldt Fensterman, Edgar Eddington, Alfred Buhs, Lenora Bott (teacher)

--Submitted by Ruth Marth   

    Mrs. Mildred Pullen taught from 1944 to 1947.  Her salary was $150 per month.  The school then had a piano, radio, art equipment, maps, glove, and linen window shades.

    Some of the families who attended the school were: Wood, Heutte [sic], James, Brenker, Gabriel, Partridge, Johnson, and Buhs.  Many more families attended during the years.

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, December 17, 2020.

Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 98. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

Bunker Hill's 8 o'clock Whistle Tradition

Pictured: Bunker Hill Lighting Plant

February 6, 1903:  We, the undersigned, merchants of Bunker Hill, do hereby agree that we will close our respective places of business at seven o'clock p.m. each day with the exception of Saturday evening, for the period commencing with Monday, February 9, 1903, and ending with April 30, 1903.  Two medium blasts of the lighting plant whistle will give notice of the closing of the stores.

February 20, 1903:  The early closing problem, so mythically solved by some of our businessmen, has become rudely intricate after a brief existence of one week.  There was apparently no peace in such an arrangement from the beginning, and it was not uncommon each evening to see some of our good merchants standing in the by-ways and alleys, or peering around the corner to ascertain whether or not the other fellow had really closed up.  One evening, an unfaithful brother was spied selling a pair of shoes after the hour for closing, and then the dander was up.  Two or three others threw open their doors and declared they would keep open until midnight.  This led more to lay themselves liable to breach of promise, and the whole thing, it seems, has been thrown up.  We suppose our merchants think it is soon enough to shut up when the sheriff comes around.

By special arrangement the hour of closing of the stores in Bunker Hill has been changed from 7 to 8 o'clock.  The curfew blast of the lighting plant whistle at 8 o'clock will give notice of the closing of stores.  All merchants who signed the former agreement have pledged their word of honor to stand by this agreement, which became effective last evening.

That began the tradition of the 8 o'clock whistle.  For years, the children of Bunker Hill, mine included, knew when they heard the 8 o'clock whistle, it was time to be in their own yards.  The whistle is a 117 year old tradition.  I suppose today's children don't hear the 8 o'clock whistle because they are in their houses on their electronic devices.  Depending on where you live in town, and depending on the direction of the wind in the evening, you many not hear the whistle.  This is a tradition unique to our town.

...Read more about this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, July 16, 2020.  

Stanton, Carl L. . "Bunker Hill News 1903." In Bunker Hill Revisited, Volume Four, 1901-1910, pp. 37, 39-40 Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 2003. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The First Bunker Hill-Woodburn July 4th Celebration

Pictured: The Bunker Hill Band (circa 1905).  Left to right (Back row): Henry Cardell, Honas Fahrenkrog, Sam Lee, Pet Neil, Charles Hendricks, William Cardell, Joe Lee, Lute Jansen;

(Front Row): L. Pates, W. Wood, Albert Goodwin, Lemuel B. Smith.

     

    In 1839, the whole community turned out, some 60 people in all, for the town's first 4th of July celebration.  A liberty pole (flag pole) was raised, the Declaration of Independence was read, toasts were made, and much good food eaten.  This celebration took place on the ground in the area now occupied by United Community Bank.  On that same holiday in 1842, over 400 people participated in the celebration and listened to the Upper Alton Band.  On July 4th, 1844, 350 citizens, headed by the Bunker Hill Band, went to Woodburn, and there met the Alton Band.

Pictured: The Bunker Hill Drum Corps around 1900 at the Hotel (probably Monument House). Note McKinley's Picture at left.

    The paper below dated June 16, 1840, was found by carpenters when Dr. Hess remodeled his office in 1951.  The article was in preparation of the upcoming July 4th celebration.  June 16, 1840: There was said to be a crowd of 600 to 700 people in attendance.

Pictured: Bunker Hill - Woodburn July 4 Celebration Letter dated 1840 found in Dr. Hess's Office during remodeling in 1951.

    We, the citizens of Bunker Hill and vicinity, feeling desirous to join our friends of Woodburn in the celebration of the birthday of our national independence, do cordially, freely, and willing, contribute such sums or articles as are attached to each of our respective names, for the purpose of providing a dinner suitable for the occasion:

• James Phillips, $1.00
•  Francis W. Burham, $1.00
• Alexander Nys, .50
• C. Washburn, .50
• John C. ?
• Luke Knowlton, $1.00
• H.V. Hopper, $1.50
• Samuel B. ?, $1.00
• ? Squires, $1.00
• Moses True, $3.00
• Larkin Stark, eight dozen eggs, eight pounds of butter, 10 loaves of bread, and $1.75
• James Wood, one pig, $1.00
• Franklin Vaughn, one pig, $1.00
• Joseph Burton, cake, six chickens, $1.00
• Edward Burton, $1.00
• J.W. Richards, one pig, six chickens, $2.00
• Wm. Squires, six pounds of butter, bread, $1.50
• James Hamilton, six pies, five loaves bread, two punds of butter, cake, $1.50
• A. Chruch, provisins, $1.00
• Solomon Davis, $2.00
• Ebenezer Howell, $2.00
• G. Parmenter, $1.00
• A.W. Cummings, $1.00

The original document is on display at the museum.  Workers found the document in the wall at Dr. Hess's office in 1951 while they were remodeling.

...Read this and other Bunker Hill, IL historical stories at https://bunkerhillhistory.org/

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, July 9, 2020.