Remote Tombstone Connected with the History of Goodnight Trail in Texas

When Willis Wolff, Sr. bought his farm southeast of Bunker Hill in 1938, he was aware of a small one grave cemetery on the property, but didn't learn the full significance of the grave in Texas history until later.

The grave holds the remains of Charles Goodnight, Sr., the father of a man, who went on to become one of the richest cattlemen of the Old West, making his mark as a strong minded, demanding but fair dealing man, who was part of this historic Goodnight-Loving Trail.

Charles Goodnight, Sr., and his wife, Charlotte, moved from Kentucky to Madison County, Illinois in 1828 and crossed over into Macoupin County, where he bought a farm.

Charlie Goodnight, Jr. was born March 5, 1838, one of four children born before Charles, Sr. died in 1840.

The weather worn monument of Charles Goodnight Sr. is enclosed in an iron fence, which is in surprisingly good condition in spite of a tall pine tree, and the effect of cattle in the grazing area of the Wolff farm.

Goodnight Sr.'s wife remarried shortly thereafter and the family moved by covered wagon to Milam County, Texas.  Young Charlie was nine years old and made the journey bareback on a white faced mare named Blaze.

Charlotte Goodnight and her second husband divorced not long after that and Charlie and his older brother, Elijah, went to work for a local merchant for $4 a month.

Charlie was initiated into cattle ranching after his mother married Adam Sheek in 1853.  In addition to his expertise in cattle, he became a tracker of hostile Indians.  After serving in the confederate States War, he resumed cattle ranching.

History books state the fact of the Goodnight-Loving Trail, a previously unheard of journey in which Charlie and Oliver Loving and 18 hands attempted to drive 2,000 cattle from Fort Belknap, Texas to Denver, Colorado.  They made it through with enough of the cattle to give them $12,000 in gold to take back to Texas.  Loving was injured by a Comanche Indian attack during the trail ride and died from complications shortly thereafter.

The story of Charlie's survival is interlaced with his accomplishments: he is credited with inventing the side saddle, creating the chuck wagon, developing a bed tarp, and adapting stirrups and ropes and other gear.

In later years, he and his wife, Mary Ann, opened Goodnight College, one of the pioneer educational institutions of west Texas, and they also built two churches.  Mary Ann died in 1926, and a year later, on his 91st birthday, Charlie married Corrine Goodnight, a distant cousin, with whom he lived for three years before dying December 12, 1929.  Charlie is buried next to his first wife, Mary Ann, in the Goodnight Cemetery near Amarillo, Texas.

Little would Charlie Goodnight Sr. have dreamed that his own son would become a a "cattleman, pioneer, cowboy, trailblazer, Indian fighter, and Texan", a man with no children, but one who left a heritage of undeniable importance to historians across the nation.

Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Lonesome Dove" is a fictionalized account of Goodnight and Loving's third cattle drive.  Woodrow F. Call represents Goodnight and Augustus McCrae is Loving.  "Lonesome Dove" is the winner of seven Emmy Awards and is one of the highest rated mini-series in television.

Several books, songs, poetry, and the mini-series have been written about Charlie Goodnight:

In 1935, Laura Vernon Hammer published a novelized biography of Charlie, "The No-Gun Man of Texas".

The western novelist Matt Braun's novel "Texas Empire" is based on the life of Goodnight.

The song "The Goodnight-Loving Trail" by Utah Philips.

The songwriter Andy Wilkinson wrote "Charlie Goodnight, His Life in Poetry and Song".

Mari Sandoz's "Old Jules County"

In James A. Michener's book "Centennial, the Skimmerhorn Trail" is based on the actual Goodnight-Loving Trail.

Ralph Compton's novel, "The Goodnight Trail".

...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, October 1, 2015.

The Bunker Hill Brick Plant

From the Bunker Hill Gazette, November 30, 1898:

The Bunker Hill Brick Plant stood on the south side of Alton Street adjoining Meehan's Plaza and possibly some ground on the north side.

When Charlotte and Art Thyer bought the property in 1987, there was still part of the old kiln in the basement of the house.  There is a brick basement wall with the date May 26, 1899 and the name John Herbst scratched into it.

A brick in the old carriage house is marked, built in 1910.  The patio is made out of six inch square bricks, one having the date of August 19, 1899.  There are several bricks with the Star of David imprinted on them.  One brick in the sidewalk has the initials J. H..  The carriage house had room for the buggy on one side and on the other side was a place for the horse.  There is a display of bricks from the old Herbst Brick Factory at the museum, donated by Charlotte Thyer.

From the Bunker Hill / Woodburn History Book, March 6, 1889:

Another brick maker in Bunker Hill was Frank Lancaster.  Mr. Lancaster came to this country from England in 1841.  He was the pioneer brick maker in this place, if not in the county.  The first year he was here, he made the bricks for the old Congregational Church.  he then made 50,000 bricks for a massive chimney for the "Old Red Mill".  He also made the bricks for the Bunker Hill Military Academy, and bricks for the stores in the business area.

NOTE: Read more info about Francis Lancaster at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2015/11/francis-lancaster-portrait-and.html

...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, August 13, 2015, March 12, 2015.

Francis Lancaster - A Portrait and Biographical Record

Info provided by Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, 1891

Mr. Lancaster was among the British-American citizens of Macoupin County.  He was a successful, practical farmer, and progressive stock raiser, who lived on a fine farm in Bunker Hill Township.  The tract was comprised of 800 acres, most of which was in a fine state of improvement.  He had owned and lived on the homestead since 1848, and procured most of the land when it was in its unbroken state.

Mr. Lancaster came to the United States in 1841, voyaging on a three mast sailor, the "Ontario", landing in New York City, March 7.  Three years later, he was able to send for his wife and children, whom he had left at the old home.

Our subject was born August 7, 1813, in Buckinghamshire, England.  His father was Joseph Lancaster, a brick maker and fruit dealer by occupation.  His mother was Harriet (Daveny) Lancaster.  She became the mother of 14 children, and four of her sons came to the United States.

After he became of age, he married Miss Elizabeth Collins, who was born in 1812 in the same shire.  He learned the trade of brick making.  She was the mother of 10 children.  Frank married Miss Caroline Hooker; William married Miss Mary Hovey; Elizabeth married Mr. Henry Wise; Mary married Mr. Asoph Barnes; John married Miss Hannah Parmenter; Matilda married Mr. Joseph Barnes; and Joseph married Miss Mary Parmenter.  Harriet and Albert passed away when young and an infant passed away unnamed.

This valuable family stood high in social and industrial circles of Macoupin County .  Its members did much to develop the resources of the section of the country.

NOTE: Read more info about Francis Lancaster in the story about the Bunker Hill Brick Plant at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-bunker-hill-brick-plant.html

...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, April 23, 2015

Bunker Hill Tornado - 67th Anniversary

Thursday, March 19, will mark the 67th Anniversary of the Tornado which hit Bunker Hill

March 25, 1948: A terrific disaster descended on Bunker Hill at 6:45 a.m., Friday morning (March 19), when a tornado ripped through this 112 year old city, taking a toll of 19 dead and 126 injured, and left a bumbled mass of wreckage in its wake.  The storm, which rolled over the business and residential areas like a steamroller, smashed brick and frame structures like paper houses, laying 80 percent of the city to waste, and caused damage estimated at one and a half million dollars.

The destructive windstorm also hit North Alton, practically wiped out Fosterburg, a village of 200 inhabitants about 15 miles southwest of Bunker Hill, struck south Gillespie, causing great damage, and wrecked many farm homes along the entire route....read entire article reprint at  https://www.bunkerhillhistory.org/Tornado.html

From the Bunker Hill Gazette News, April 23, 2015:

Ironically, this was taken after the tornado in 1948.  The man on the left is my late father, Reno "Blackie" DalPozzo, who worked at Bahn's in Bunker Hill.  The morning of the tornado, my dad told the story that he had the truck at home and it was raining.  He forgot his umbrella and raincoat and went back in the house to get them, may have actually saved his life.  The truck stalled out in the bottoms on Bunker Hill Road and he saw the tornado go overhead.  When he got to Bunker Hill and saw the damage, he realized how lucky he was.  Having spent his time in the Army during World War II as a medic, he volunteered to help with the injured.  He never gave any details about that day other than the fact that someone was looking out for him that morning.

He couldn't seem to remember who the man on the right is.  Perhaps your readers will help with that question.  

 ---Photo compliments of Cindy (DalPozzo) Leonard, Staunton.

...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 12, 2015, April 23, 2015

Fire Chief Ed Gerdes

Pictured: Bunker Hill Fire Chief Ed Gerdes

Reprinted from the Gazette-News, January 8, 1970

    Ed Gerdes, Chief of the Bunker Hill Fire Protection District, is observing his 88th birthday today.  He is likely doing the thing he does nearly everyday, tending to matters at the firehouse in Bunker Hill. He has been a member of the Bunker Hill Fire Department for nearly 42 years.

    Chief Gerdes joined the fire department in 1928, and became chief in 1939.  He was chief when the present fire protection district was formed in 1950.

    He is chief of one of the largest fire districts in the state, with boundaries in two counties, from Prairietown and Dorsey on the south to near Wilsonville, Dorchester, and Plainview on the north, and near Brighton on the west.  There are more than 800 farms in the district, as well as communities of Dorsey, Prairietown, and Shipman, each of which has its own fire company with a pumper and firehouse.  The Bunker Hill Company has two pumpers and an emergency truck.

Pictured: Bunker Hill Firemen surveying the 1948 Building Tornado Damage

    Naturally, he has many memories of fires in the past.  Some are tragic while some incidents were humorous.  He recalls the time the old Reo truck caught fire.  It was at the farm of Jake Mamie.  Jim Jencks was chief then and had the fire truck close to the burning house to pump from a well or cistern.  The wind shifted and the fire was too close.  The hose had to be cut to get the truck away from the building.  Before that was accomplished, the seat had caught fire.

    Gerdes was born and reared in St. Louis.  He came to Bunker Hill at the age of 18.  He went to work on the farm of his uncle, George Gerdes until he was 21.  Then he started working at other places.  At the condensery, the Bunker Hill coal mine for 17 years, then worked at the water works for 13 years.  He worked at the Ford garage and also did carpentry and electrical work.

Pictured: The Bunker Hill Fire Department (date unknown).  Firement andn horses pose before the old firehouse which was replaced in the 1940's

    The task that he has been doing since the flagpole was built uptown, and continues to do (except when the Christmas lights are up) is to raise the flag each morning and lower it each evening.  He is the only one who performs this task, except when he is ill.

    Behind Ed Gerdes is his wife of 64 years, the former Elizabeth Sneeringer, to whom he was married January 26, 1916 at St. Mary's parsonage.  They moved to Bunker Hill two years after their marriage and have resided on West Warren Street since 1918.

...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 5, 2015.

Company F, 7th Illinois Infantry

Pictured: Company F, 7th Illinois Infantry on Point Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, TN, June 17, 1864

    

    The Seventh Regiment, Co. F, was from Bunker Hill and vicinity.  The regiment went into winter quarters at Fort Holt, Kentucky.

    Hermann Smolinski was with the 7th infantry and wrote a letter to his wife here in Bunker Hill.  The letter was written in German and was translated into English just this past summer.

The letter reads in part:

Dearest most beloved wife,

  I hope that this letter will find you in the best of health.  As to me, I am, praise the Lord, in the best of spirits.  My dear and only Tarina, it is with great joy that I grab the pen so I can send you a few words of encouragement to set your mind at ease.  I'm sure you must have worried a lot in the the last few weeks.

    My dear, dear Tarina, we have arrived safe and sound at our new encampment.  We had been on a march for six days where things were not under the best conditions.  During the first few days, it was cold, then it started to rain, which did not do much for our progress.  Despite it all, we are here now all hale and hearty.  We arrived here at Fort Holt on Sunday, January 19 in the afternoon at 3 o'clock.  That is all I can tell you though.  I believe that is enough to put your mind at ease, my dear beloved wife.  You can be at ease because your dear Hermann is well taken care of.

    The letter goes on with some personal matters, but can be read in its entirety at the Bunker Hill Museum.

    Hermann Smolinski's daughter was Barbara and she married Herman Oldenettle.  Bertha and Herman's granddaughter, Glenna Irwin, has given many things to the Museum, this letter was with a group of things from her great-grandfather, Hermann Smolinski.

    After the battle of Lookout Mountain was fought, the mountain became a popular tourist attraction.  Many soldiers and civilians had their photograph taken specifically on the rock in the photo, known as "Point Lookout". 

    In late 1863, Robert "Royan" Linn established a photo studio at Lookout Mountain and began taking photos of soldiers and civilians on Point Lookout.

...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 18, 2014.

1901-Bunker Hill Civil War Veterans

Members of the Hubbard Post No. 721 G.A.R.

Photo taken September 27, 1901

Top Row, (L-R): A. H. Bastian, Wm Neil, W. W. Goodall, G. R. Sutton, P. J. Marks, E. W. Hayes, R. Wood, John Brandenberger, Samuel Smith, Joseph Ward, P. Wiegand (deceased), Jacob Scheldt, Peter Jacobi, ??lip Simmermaker, J. P. Dove, Henry Schoeneman, Fred Haman, George Morrison. 

Bottom Row, (L-R): John C. Hayes, Fred Dabel, John B. McPherson, August Kardell, W. O. Jencks, ? Gillies, Abraham Scherfy, E. S. Williams, Peter Thielen.

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

The Old Grain Elevator

The old grain elevator was located near the railroad track.  In the late 1800's, this was known as the Globe Mills owned and operated by Wise, Mercer and Co.  Today it is known as the M&M Service Co. or the Bunker hill Elevator.

...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 4, 2014.

The Bunker Hill Masonic Lodge

Masonic Lodge #151

The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world.  The Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 151, was chartered January 17, 1856.

Pictured: The Masonic Lodge No. 151 of Bunker Hill

Pictured: Masonic Lodge No. 151 Charter

 Dr. Albert Rodney Sawyer*

1st Master Mason
Lodge 151

Master Mason 1864, 1865, 1866

• Initiated: April 5, 1860
• Passed: April 12, 1860
• Raised: April 19, 1860
• Died: May 21, 1868 

*May 28, 1868 - On Thursday afternoon last, at One o'clock and five minutes, Dr. Albert Rodney Sawyer (former editor of the Gazette) calmly wrapped around him the robes of blessed immortality. (Stanton, Carl, ed. Bunker Hill Revisited: From the Files of The Bunker Hill Gazette and The Bunker Hill News. 1866-1881 ed. Vol. 1. Bunker Hill: Stanton, 2000. 43.)


In the 1920's, the Masons met in the second story rooms above the building on the northeast corner of Warren and Washington Streets.  During the 1930's the meeting site was changed to a room above the former Louie's Barber Shop on West Warren Street.  When this second story was destroyed in the 1948 tornado, the owner, Mr. Mercer, did not replace it.  By 1950, the Masons were able to buy the Drew property on the northeast corner of Franklin and Fayette Streets and build their own lodge.

Pictured: Masonic Lodge No. 151 - Bunker Hill

Pictured: Masonic Lodge No. 151 Ashtray Pedestal

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


--Cite this story: Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Bunker Hill History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, p. 151. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society.

The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, November 20, 2014.

The Civil War Soldier's Memorial - 1869

The Civil War Soldier's Memorial - 1869

A monument to Civil War Soldiers was erected in the Bunker Hill Cemetery in 1866 at great expense to local contributors and was highly prized for many years.  It was the scene of patriotic memorial programs, including this one photographed in May 1869.  

Identity of some were noted by numbers, barely visible, on the individuals:

1)E. W. Hayes; 

2)Dr. Brother; 

3)W. O. Jencks; 

4)James True; 

5)James Feeney; 

6)James McPherson; 

7)Sam Smith; 

8)John Brandenburger; 

9)Clark Burton; 

11)John Knibb; 

12)Hans Hansen; 

13)Speaker; 

14)Mr. Eagleson; 

15)John Hayes.  

Photo from the collection of Frances Stadelman

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

--Provided by The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society.

Armistice Day

Pictured are Bill Baker and Otto Brummer, who drove this flag-draped truck in the 1918 Bunker Hill IL Armistice Day Parade.

Veterans' Day is an annual holiday held every November 11.  World War I ended with the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918 between Germany and the Allies, together with the United States.  In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans' Day and dedicated it to the sacrifice made by all United States veterans.

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

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill Historical Society, "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." The Bunker Hill Gazette-News 06 November. 2014.

Lee and Arthur Sutton - Railroad Mail Clerks

Lee Sutton was a mail clerk on the New York Central Railroad.  In the front door of the train, pictured is Lee and the rear door is his brother, Arthur.  Both went into the mail service in 1904.  Arthur quit to farm in 1912 and Lee stayed on for 18 years, then transferred to a rural carrier to 12 more years.  This train was going to St. Louis or coming from Indianapolis, IN.  This train also served as the milk train and ran daily from Mattoon, IL to St. Louis, Mo.

...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, October 30, 2014.

Ham Radio Operator W9KQL Assists in 1948 Tornado Aftermath

March 19, 1948 - Tornado Devastates City of Bunker Hill, IL

    80% of Bunker Hill was destroyed causing 19 deaths and approximately 165 injured.  Reported damage of 1 1/2 million dollars was left in the tornado's wake at 6:45 a.m. H. F. Lund of Springfield set up a ham radio in the middle of Bunker Hill IL and relayed information to radio stations around the state.  H. F. "Buzz" Lund was FCC licensed as Amateur Radio operator W9KQL. He was a member of the Springfield, IL  Amateur Radio Club and also an active member of the Red Cross.  His son, Thomas "TJ" Lund is also FCC licensed as N9PFC and now lives in Champaign, IL.

Pictured: H.F. Lund, Amateur Radio Operator W9KQL of Springdield, set up a ham radio in the middle of Bunker Hill and relayed information to the stations around the state. --photo courtesy: The State-Journal Register

The following is a reprint of the March 25, 1948 Bunker Hill Gazette-News article...

    Terrific disaster descended on Bunker Hill at 6:45 am Friday morning when a tornado ripped through this 112-year old city, taking a toll of 19 dead and 126 injured, and left a tumbled mass of wreckage in its wake.  The storm rolled over the business and residential area like a giant steamroller smashing brick and frame structures like paper boxes, laying 80 percent of the city waste and caused damages estimated at 1 1/2 million dollars

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

--Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society

The Bunker Hill Drum Corps - 1900

Bunker Hill IL residents took their politics seriously at the turn of the century with "torch" parades, speeches, and tirades in the rival newspaper columns and the election of 1900 was no exception.

Republicans formed a "Drum Corps" which paraded and played in Bunker Hill and surrounding communities.  They are pictured here in front of one of the hotels, probably the "Monument House".  Note the placard with McKinley's picture.

During that same campaign, Theodore Roosevelt, Republican candidate for Vice-President, made a ten minute stop in Bunker Hill and spoke from his special railroad car....

see posting at https://bunkerhillhistory.blogspot.com/2014/10/governor-t-roosevelt-visits-bunker-hill.html

From Bunker Hill Revisited

Volume 3

Sept. 12, 1900

A republican drum corps has been organized.  Much practicing has been in vogue of late and as a consequence the boys are getting into shape to head the procession.  Several new drums have been ordered and when they arrive will add to the efficiency of the corps.

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

---Cite this story: Stanton, Carl, ed. Bunker Hill Revisited: From the Files of The Bunker Hill Gazette and The Bunker Hill News. 1892-1900 ed. Vol. 3. Bunker Hill: Stanton, 2000. 324. Provided by the Bunker Hill IL Historical Society

The Bunker Hill Band - 1905

Photo: Bunker Hill Band

In 1904, Mr. Jansen took the Bunker Hill Band to the St. Louis Worlds Fair to play on "Bunker Hill Day"

The Bunker Hill Band around 1905.
Left to right:
Back row: Henry Cardell, Honas Fahrenkrog, Sam Lee, Pete Neil, Charles Hendricks, William Cardell, Joe Lee, Lute Jansen.
Front Row: L. Pates, W. Wood, Albert Goodwin, Lemuel B. Smith.

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

--Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society

1901-Civil War Veterans - Bunker Hill IL GAR Chapter

This group of Civil War Veterans was part of the Bunker Hill IL GAR Chapter and was photographed September 27, 1901.  There are two sets of identification where the picture appeared in newspapers at different dates, however we believe the first listed here is correct.  The names were for the most part prominent in Bunker Hill in the post-war period.  They were photographed in front of Jenck's Livery Stable.  

Pictured from left to right:

Top row: A. H. Bastian, Wm. Neil, W.W. Goodall, G. R. Sutton, P. J. Marks, E. W. Hayes, R. O. Wood, John Brandenberger, Samuel Smith, Joseph Ward, P. Wiegand, Jacob Scheldt, Peter Jacobi, Phillip Simmermaker, J. P. Dove, Henry Schoeneman, Fred Haman, George Morrison.

Bottom Row: John C. Hayes, Fred Dabel, John P. Mcpherson, August Kardell, W. O. Jencks, John Gillies, Abraham Scherfy, E. S. Williams, Pete Thielen.

The other version:

Top row: Bastian (the barber), William Neil, William Goodall, Dr. Milton, E. W. Hayes, Sam Smith, Brandenberger, John Ward, William Hill, Zimmermaker, Charles Apple, and Tom Woods.

 Bottom row: Capt. Wheeler, Mr. Dabel, John Mcpherson, Tom Sanders, Squire Jencks, Papy Ellis, John Sherfey, Capt. West, and Buck Pete.

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

--Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society

The Woodburn Mutual Telephone Company - 1908

Woodburn Mutual Telephone Company

John Newton Barnes was President and Director of the Woodburn Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, a cooperative venture which he organized and installed.  The Woodburn Mutual Phone Company was formed in 1908.  In its earliest days, only one or two phone lines were strung on hedge poles along the main roads.

At first, one customer could phone and talk to another by ringing from their home directly to the other.  This could be done so long as no one else was on the line.  With this system, a switchboard operator was not required, however, one existed at the central office for directing calls to more populated areas.

The central office of the Woodburn Telephone Company was in the Welch Store located on the north side of the Public Square (Block 2, Lot 6).  When, on July 1, 1920, the store was destroyed by fire, the telephone system was moved to a private home.  This was in the southeast room in the Charles Stockwell home.  Charles and his daughter, Grace Stockwell Payne, ran the office.  They carried on home activities but were there to answer calls on the large, old switchboard.  John Newton Barnes cared for the lines at $60 per month. 

The office was later moved to the east room of the Froebel House (Lot 3, Block 10), property now owned by Frank Scroggins.  The room was furnished with a coal stove and bucket, coal oil lamp, a washstand with a wash pan, a single bed, the switchboard and chair, and a chair for the customer.  At a later date the office was moved to the present site and a new, smaller switchboard was added.  This office provided a wall telephone on the south wall for customers.

The wages were $30 for the day and night operators in the summer and $35 in the winter.  The extra $5 was for coal.  The work shift was from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. andd from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.

By 1940, the coal was furnished and the wages started at 15 cents an hour for the night operator.  The day operator got more because part of the night shift, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. was considered the sleeping hours and the operator would hve little workd.  Later the wages were raised to 50 cents an hour.

The first telephone was a Kinloch phone.  The switchboard looked like an upright piano with plug jacks in the front.  The operator would plug into the party line that the customer asked for.  The signals were longs and shorts and each customer had a different signal.  there were eight people to each party line.  An example of the numbers or rings was (S was a short ring, L was a long ring): SSS - LSL - LLSS - LS - LSSSS.  The operator rang or "cranked" these combinations.  Each customer knew their number, as well as the number of everyone on his line.  You would listen for "your ring" and answer the phone.  Because the phone rang at everyone's house, this provided a means of listening to other phone conversations simply by lifting the receiver.  This was called "piking".  Some never missed a conversation.

Shortly after the Midland Telephone Company bought the company in 1960, a severe storm came through and knocked down many of the phone lines.  The new lines were laid underground and there were again two lines to Bunker Hill.  The large party lines were gradually changed to smaller party lines until on March 1, 1976, everyone had a one-party line.

The company switched to dial service on November 2, 1967.  Because everything was automatic, the need for operators was eliminated.  Some people who served as operators at varous times were Grace (Stockwell) Payne, Mayme Smith, Dorothy (Welch) Fite, Winifred Partridge, Lola (Payne) Zarges Hallows, Dorothy (Payne) Jarden, Cleda Johnson Gray, Edna Chadwich, Lucille Partridge Fensterman, Anita Partridge, Nellie Jo Walter, Ros (Show) Callahan, Ruth and Cleda Bouillon, Irene Lawton, and Cecile Sweet.

There were two lines to Bunker Hill.  A record of the long distance calls was kept on little pads so that tickets could be given to the customers.  When Bunker Hill Mutual took over, there was only one line to Bunker Hill.  You could talk three minutes and then you would be disconnecdted.  If it were an emergency, you could dial through to the operator for three minutes free.  Because there was just one line, it was difficult to get calls through.

In December 1989, Midland Telephone Company, along with the Inland, Lakeside, and Prairie companies, became a subsidiary of Rochester Telephone Company out of Rochester, New York.  In 1991, all of the equipment was changed for more up to date equipment and new lines were installed at Woodburn in September.

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

--Cite this story:  Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "Woodburn History." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, 16-17. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill IL Historical Society.

Governor T. Roosevelt Visits Bunker Hill - 1900

Governor T. Roosevelt Visits Bunker Hill

October 12, 1900

A goodly number of people came to town last Monday evening in response to advertising that Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Republican candidate for Vice-President of the United States, would be in Bunker Hill that evening.  The largest number present at any time during the evening was 450 or 500.

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

--Cite this story:  Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "City Growth." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, 35. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill IL Historical Society.

President Andrew Johnson Hooted During Train Stop in Bunker Hill - 1866

Photo: Big Four Depot

President Andrew Johnson Hooted During Train Stop in Bunker Hill

 Bunker Hill Gazette - Sept. 14, 1866

Quite a large collection of people were at the depot on the arrival of the special train at 9:40 on Monday morning.  Bunker Hill, true to her instincts and past record, offered no insult to Mr. Johnson, and only showed their abhorrence of him by their prolonged cheers for Grant and Farragut.

The President of the United States was introduced by John Hogan; three cheers were given, which Johnson acknowledged by taking off his hat, and he was about to give us a speech when a gentleman proposed three cheers for Admiral Farragut, and three cheers for Congress.  They were given separately, and with a will.  Mr. Johnson again attempted to speak, but the cries for Grant compelled him to forego.

Capt. Carlyle presented Mr. Johnson with a basket of fruit, and also a very neat bouquet.

Mr. Hogan proposed three cheers for the Thirty-Six States, which were given, and then someone fired a pistol in the crowd, which disturbed the nerves of the party.

The train moved off, and as far as the eye could reach, the humble individual with hat in hand, was bowing to the right and left.  Poor Johnson!  We sympathize with Grant and Farragut in their forced company.

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

--Cite this story: Redford, Carol, and Betty Triplett. "City Growth." In Reflections: A History of the Bunker Hill-Woodburn Area, 35. Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Publications, 1993. Provided by the Bunker Hill IL Historical Society.

Weishaupt's Cafe'

Photo: Weishaupt's Cafe

    Ask anyone who lived in Bunker Hill in the 30's and 40's about Weishaupt's Cafe' and you will hear nothing but good comments about the delicious meals served there.  Clara and Ed (Cappy) Weishaupt were the proprietors.  They lived on a small farm at the southwest edge of Bunker Hill where Vollmars had lived for many years.

    The restaurant business had began in the Warner Rull building around 1926, then was moved across the alley where Dia's beauty shop is now.  The property was two story with rooms for boarders and other rooms downstairs besides the restaurant.  Mrs. Freeman, who taught Latin, and her daughter Shirley, roomed there and many others through the years.  Mrs. Weishaupt was a hard worker.  Cappy usually sat in a rocking chair by the front window.  Someone said he and Warner Rull liked to go to the races.

    Weishaupt's was a favorite place for the working man to eat and generous helpings were common.  Marie Kampworth remembers her husband took a silo filling crew to town to eat in September '46 when she wasn't up to cooking for the gang.  The men and the cooks lined up across the street in front of the former Gazette News building for a picture.

    The Sunday chicken dinners were popular with the townspeople.  Even in the '30's it was reported that "people drove many miles regularly to partake of Clara Weishaupt's sumptuous chicken dinners."  During the week when school was in session, hamburgers were fried ahead of time and kept warm in a very large dishpan lined and covered with towels.  I wonder how many hamburgers could fit in a very large dishpan.  Some referred to them as greasy but everyone says they were good.  We used to like grease, remember?

    Ralph Gerdt remembers the Commercial Club met for supper in her dining room which was followed by their regular meeting.  She also served family groups there.  She catered large groups such as alumni banquets in Lincoln Hall over the drug store.  Ralph remembers men telling about the strong coffee Mrs. Weishaupt made in her large coffee pot, but she also had a smaller pot that wasn't so strong which Bill Behrens preferred.

    There was a well in front of the cafe about 10 feet from the sidewalk.  Grandma Ladendorff used the well water in her store and living quarters, but we don't know if Clara did.  Marie has pictures showing the pump and a drinking cup.

    Lillie Welch (Brueggeman) and Clara Weishaupt were good friends.  Clara was almost like a second mother.  Lillie rode in early every morning with her brother, Ross, who worked at Ed Bruckerts Garage.  She stayed at Weishaupts until time to go to school, then after school she stayed there until Ross got off of work.  She remembers Clara was such a good cook.  She made delicious pumpkin pie by using her hand packed ice cream which made it rich.  Her dressing, made with currants, was delicious.

    Thelma Roberts remembers when she was in grade school, Angie Bertagnolli took the kids money for hamburgers.  Bob Wood's mother, Lula, worked in 1929 and '30 and again in 1937 and '38.  He said she and others worked very hard.  His mother killed and dressed chickens, and she did the boarder's laundry and other people in town brought laundry at times.  Mrs. Weishaupt had a gasoline powered washing machine.

    Delores (Kehr) Davis who began work there in '46 said when you were hired, it wasn't just to be a waitress, but included many household chores.  Most people that I've talked with seem to think that the restaurant closed following the tornado, but Delores said it was open into the early to mid '50's.  The tornado took the top story, so her business wasn't the same.  No doubt her health was the cause of the closing.  Thelma remembers Mrs. Weishaupt lived with the Gerhardt's in her latter years.

    Marie Kampwerth says the weekday menu always included roast beef, roast pork, and baked ham and meals were ready to be served by 10:00 a.m.  The Nolls bread man always ate his noon meal at Weishaupt's at 10:00 a.m after he'd finished his town delivery.  The Sunday specialty was delicious fried chicken dinner including dessert.

    Orland Snedeker said his mother, Laura Dingerson, worked at Weishaupt's Cafe and that is where she met Orville Snedeker whom she later married.  Through the years, Laura used Clara's recipe for cole slaw dressing which included a bit of mustard and it was quite tasty.  Orland remembers that patrol boys were feted to a chicken dinner in 1955.

    Last week I mentioned that family dinners could be held in Clara's dining room.  Mary Vaughn said the story brought memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners when the Hess family and grandmother gathered in the Weishaupt's dining room.

    In March 1956, Joe and Dorothy Blevins moved to Bunker Hill.  They remember eating at Weishaupt's.  She recalls how the counter defined the edge of the kitchen and you could watch the cooking and serving.  She remembers the large block tile floors, the metal top tables, and ice cream chairs.  Joe thinks the cafe was possibly open as late as '57.

    Speaking of the Blevins makes me think of the Wisch's who made ice cream and sold it from their home in the next block south of the Dairy Queen.  Dorothy and I don't remember whether Russell Rigg started making ice cream or Wisch.  The Blevins bought the home and ice cream making equipment and for a couple of years tried their hand at the business.  Dorothy remembers making cups of ice cream for the Baptist Sunday School picnic at Simmermaker's Grove.  They made a cherry garden flavor with cherries and nuts which was the favorite of many.

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

--Original Author, Carolyn Scroggins (now deceased)
Provided by the Bunker Hill Historical Society 

--Cite this story: The Bunker Hill IL Historical Society. "A Look Back in Bunker Hill History." Bunker Hill Gazette-News, October 8, 2014, February 16, 2017.