Johnson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1925 (part 3 of 12)

for entertainment. In 1912 they brought the first flying machine here that had ever landed in the county. It was an aeroplane. In 1920 a byplane did a good business during fair week taking parties for flights at $10.00 per trip. J. B. Hankins of Vienna has always taken the prize for the best horseback rider at this fair when he would enter. He also always has some fine saddlers on exhibition, if he does does not enter the competition, everyone knows he would have been entitled to the blue ribbon as the best rider and as having the best saddle horse. Very few ladies ride horseback in this county since the days of automobiles. Miss Gertrude Powell took the blue ribbon for the best lady rider at the fair several years ago. The fair association was reorganized last year (1923) with J. M. Brown, E. F. Throgmorton, P. T. Powell, George Gray, J. N. Mozley, Lloyd Farris and T. C. Taylor as stockholders. The state assists all agricultural fairs.

Sports

The rod and gun have furnished sports and diversion since the days of Nimrod, perhaps before, as well as being the principal means of furnishing sustenance for oneself and family before the days of plenty. There has always been an abundance of game in Johnson County on account of the timber and secluded places for their propagation. Trapping is now and has been a lucrative business in this county many years. We have many fur bearing animals, coon, mink, otter and fox. Fox hunting is a favorite diversion with many of our sportsmen. They take their dogs to the bluffs and caves which are the haunts of the fox, and get one started running. The sport is in listening to the dogs as they run and send up their peculiar wail. The hunters enjoy their music and are able to tell whose dog is in the lead in the race. It is not the intent of the sportsman to catch the fox as the English do, but merely to have the chase. It is a picture to see the hunters going out about sundown, several in a group, with their automobiles filled with hounds and many following.

Fishing is another pastime indulged in by some of our citizens. The larger streams abound in cat and grinnell. The smaller creeks have perch and we have a few game fish, none native. The State Commission have stocked pri-

Much of the wild game has been exterminated, but thanks to our state game law, we still have some wild game such as the quail and squirrel, but in later years, our home game has been too tame for some of our sportsmen and a hunting club was organized in 1892. L. A. Knowles was captain and always led the van, never permitting anything to hinder him from the hunting trip to Mississippi, Louisi ana, or Colorado, which always occurred in the fall. Other members were Judge A. K. Vickers> Cass Oliver, M. A. Smith, W. L. Williams, Judge W. W. Duncan, of Marion, Judge Wm. Butler of Cairo, Daniel Clymer, John Thornton,, John Mowery, Dick Redden, H. V. Carter, W. G. Jackson, L. L. Sanders and Henry Curtis. These men went annually and spent a month or six weeks' killing deer, and what ever small game they would deign to notice, and no doubt forgot all their worries, if they had any, and giving way to the aboriginal in them for a time. Judge A. K. Vickers, M. A. Smith, Henry Curtis, L. A. Knowles and Judge Butler have passed on. It remains to be seen if the hunting club survives.

Quail hunting is, and no doubt, has always been one of the most widely followed sports of this county. These beautiful and useful little birds abound on every farm, and following an open winter, one will see coveys of them on the road side every few rods. During the season when the quail law is off or on, whichever way one looks at it, one can see the hunters with guns and dogs going out early and late. Many farmers now post their farm and hunting is allowed only by permission. In former times, when this was not a rule, crowds of hunters came from the cities and neighboring towns to this county for bird shooting.

The squirrel season is rather short, the hunters think, but killing squirrel is not considered as fine a sport as quail shooting, and many farmers are glad to have the pretty little gray pests killed, as they destroy a great deal of corn in the fields. In the winter season when the snow is on, many enjoy rabbit hunting, especially the boys. It furnishes sport for Saturdays, if they have a good dog, and also a little pocket change, as rabbits are shipped to city markets from here during the winter season.

Education

As in all other frontier countries the opportunity in this county for an education was very meager. The few schools, were taught in residences, churches, or improvised school houses. They were private or subscription, the parent or guardian paying so much per month or term for each scholar subscribed. The teacher boarded round with each pupil as part of his salary. . These terms were irregular and the teachers were all men. Teaching was not held in very high esteem these first years for it was usually considered a "lazy man's job." The reason for this misconception, no doubt, was that many men without families who were not qualified mentally or morally fell onto the plan of teaching as a means of getting a living. Since in the new country, there were no fixed standards of qualification this was an easy matter. This was not the rule but there was enough of this class to discredit the profession.

Under this law the first school district was laid off in this county, May. 1825, as follows: Beginning at John Copeland's (the farm where Alfred Hook now lives,1922) and running northwest with the road leading toward George Brazell's so as to include John Finny and Charles Fain, (who lived west of Vienna about where the Huster settlement is now) from there so as to include John Gore, the farm just this side of the rocky hill on the West Vienna road known as the Dicky Carlton farm, from there east so as to include James Jones, whose farm is now included in the Fred Shelter and J. M. Brown farms and Mathew Mathis, (the Looney farm,) James Bain, (Levi Smith's also known as the Vickers farm) to Joel Johnson's who lived at that time where Lloyd Farris now lives, so as to include Johnson, thence in a southwest direction to include Dave Shearer, (this farm is now owned by James Beach and John Dunn) then to John Copeland's, the place of beginning. All this was to be known as the School district of Vienna. From this description of the bounds of the first district, it is not hard to conclude that the guiding principle in shaping its boundaries was to include certain families regardless of the resulting size and shape.

Recognizing the petition of the citizens under the free school law of 1825 To-wit: "Beginning at James Jones, Sr., thence a south course to the school district line of Vienna, thence east along so as to include Elias Harrell thence north to include W. J. Wise and Samuel McGown, thence west so as to include Joseph Kuykendall, thence to the beginning and the said district be known as the Bloomfield district.

And that a school district be established and called the Cache district commencing at George Brazel's, thence north so as to include William McGinnis, thence west so as to include Robert Lott, thence southwest to the countyline so as to include John Standard, thence east to Cache, thence to the beginning," both ordered June term court. 1825.

June, 1825, ordered that a school district be established within the following boundaries, To-wit: "Beginning at Sec. 16, Township 13, Range 2, east running westward so as to include Thomas Standard, Lewis Worrell, William Jones and the widow Standard, thence to the county line, thence south along the county line to Cache River, thence up the same to the range line between 2 and 3 thence up said line north to a point due east from the 16th Sec, thence west to the place of beginning." This was West Eden district.

The fact that those early settlers took advantage so quickly of this free school law indicated their tendency toward progress. There was no compulsory school law as yet. A great many parents, having no education themselves, did not believe in it for their children, and did not take advantage of the opportunity offered by the free school law. The benefits of educations were not, therefore, reaching the masses as had been hoped. Realizing that the educational system then in operation was not doing for the people what it should, the legislature enacted into law in 1855, the foundation of the present state system. Townships were laid off into school districts, three and four to a township. An attempt was made to provide that no pupil be obliged to walk more than two miles to school and school boards were compelled to maintain school not less than six months in each year and to authorize a sufficient levy to support them. Older people have said that this law met with a great deal of bitter opposition in this county. This new uniform program raised the standard of qualifications of the teacher and added thereby dignity to the profession.

The earliest teacher that we have a record of in this county was Daniel T. Coleman. It is not certain, even, that he taught in the present limits of the county. The evidence to establish him as the first teacher is found in the estate of Nathaniel Green.

From Major A. J. Kuykendall we glean the following interesting information concerning the first school, in the present limits of Johnson County. The school was taught in 1819 by Hiram Chapman, a native of N. Y. and a great uncle of Judge P. T. Chapman. It was taught near the present site of Bloomfield. The most advanced pupil in the school was James Kuykendall, a brother of the Major and five years older. The nearest school to this was Equality in Saline. That school was conducted by an eastern man, as they were then called, and the most advanced pupil in that school was Choisser. an uncle of W. V. Choisser of Harrisburg. During the school term, Chapman received a challenge from the teacher of Equality in which the most advanced pupil in each school was to be matched against the other in "saying pieces." The challenge was accepted and the contest at the Bloomfield school resulted in victory for the Bloomfield pupil. This was a notable event in those days and well it may have been, when we consider the distance and mode of travel at that time.

From the statement of his grandson, James P. Copeland, John Copeland, the pioneer, helped to build the first school house in his neighborhood and taught the first school in it. This school may have been the first free school in 1825. It is clear that the last two teachers named taught in the present county limits. Some other early teachers were Hezekiah West, Nesbit Allen, 1818, father of W. C, Isaac Stalcup, James Pattilla, a Scotchman, William Peebles, Herrelstone, Samuel Hambleton, Joseph Carmichael, Russel, J. W. Terrell, A. A. Mather, C. W. Bliss, Dr. J. B. Ray, Hiram Wise, Minnicks, A. J. Kuykendall David Bayles, Barney Smith, L. L. Madden, H. M. Ridenhower, Sr., Asahel Burnett, J. S. Whittenberg, L. W. Fern, Dr. W. A. Looney, Joseph Warder, A. M. Marschalk,

B. F. Lewis, Col. Toler, D. C, Lee and Tamerlane Chapman, Barney Smith, C. N. Dawson. Standard, W. A. Spann, Jasper Johnson, Franklin Thomas, Samuel and James Copeland, L. F. Jacobs, Joshua and James Simpson. Most of these antedate the Civil War ; some were about war times ; and the following a little later: I. A. J. Parker, B. F. Olden, O. A. Harker, Charles W. Bliss, P. G. McAvoy, A. B. Garrett, M. A. Smith, A. G. and C. N. Damron, Dr. John Keesee, P. T. Chapman, A. G. Benson, J. S. Francis, W. S. Curtis, R. M. Fisher. Some of these men have gone into other professions and made a name for themselves.

The first woman teacher recorded was Miss Emma Driver, a young English girl from New York. She probably came to Johnson County some time before 1855. She taught a private school in Vienna. Mrs. Joseph Warder and Mrs. Isabell Marschalk were teachers here about 1854 or 1855. There were also Mrs. Chase, wife of an architect, Mrs. Mariah Benson, Miss Ann Stewart. In 1878 there were only four women teachers in the county; by 1881 there were thirty-five. The number of women teachers employed in the schools at the present time is 55. The average wage paid men in the grades is $678.26. The average wage paid teachers of the county for the year 1858 was $151.00; in 1860 there was no report; in 1870, $180.00 in 1880, $185.00; in 1890. $183.00; in 1900,$226.00; in 1910, $271.00 ; in 1920, $495.00. It can be seen that the pay for teachers has doubled in the last twenty years. In 1884 there were 5,268 children of school age in the county; seventy-five teachers were employed with an average wage for men of $39.15 per month, and for women, $34.17 per month. In 1908 there were 7,588 children in the county, with 4,792 enrolled in the schools; the average monthly wage paid men for that year was $47.10, women $35.10.

In 1914, under the superintendency of Miss Emma Rebman the county was given a large flag, 13x30 feet. The state presented this flag as a prize to the county because it had the best average attendance in proportion to the number of pupils enrolled. It may be interesting to mention at this point some personal records of attendance. Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Harris, living in school district 57, Berea neighborhood had six children in school during the term of 1908-09. Not one of these children was absent or tardy during the entire term. Another record of strict attendance to business which deserves mention, is that of Miss May Hankins of Vienna who finished the Vienna Township High School, June, 1921. She had not been absent from schol an entire day since she entered the first grade. How much it would mean to teachers and pupils if this were the rule instead of the exception.

In 1819 the county commisioners court was given general powers over school land as well as establishing districts; by an act of 1825 the office of school trustee was created. The name of this board was changed to "school directors" by an act of the legislature of 1841. 1827 an act was passed whereby the county commissioners should appoint township trustees. Later the office of trustees as well as school director was made elective. The township trustees had about the same duties they now have except for a short time, they were given power to examine teachers. The following is an extract from an old trustee's record of 1864-68. In 1864 John McCorcle, Thomas A. Gillespie, and J. F. Holt were the trustees for township 13, S. Range 3 east; A. M. Marschalk taught in district 1, 1864-65. His schedule amounted to $200.00 for the term; Mrs. I. Marschalk taught at the same time in the same district, for the same amount. T. Chapman taught in district 2, in 1864-65 his salary was $270.00. C. W. Hutchinson and D. R. Watson were teachers of 1863-64. In 1864, $10.15 was allowed district No. 1 from district No. 5 for tuition for William, Sarah, Dicy. Susan and Frank Morris. Other teachers of 1864 were Samuel E. Bancornis, John N. Johnson. In 1865 they were Mariah Benson, J. W. Jenkins; 1866, Joseph Warder, O. L. Ridenhower, W. L. Blackwell, M. L. Kuyler. Trustees for 1866 were B. F. Bellemy, James W. Bales, Samuel Jackson. John S. Crum, Treasurer. The list of teachers from 66-68 is, Aschel Burnett, Nancy E. Williford, Richard Thatcher, C. S. Norris, W. H. Thomas, W. W. Boyt, N. J. Slack, O. A. Harker, W. S. Curtis. The number of children in the Vienna district in 1873 was 236.

The office of school commissioner was established in 1831; in 1841 such commissioners were given authority to examine teachers. This office was changed to county superintendent in 1855. The name of W. J. Wise is given as school commissioner in 1836, also as late as 1850. The power of passing on the qualification of teachers was exercised by the county superintendent until 1913, when it was delegated to the State Examining Board. W. H. Culver was elected county superintendent in 1855 and served in that office till 1865. He signed as commisioner through common usage.

The following is a receipt which was given to D. C. Chapman as Sheriff and there were several other similar ones that ran up as far as 1863 : "Received of D. C. Chapman of fine money assessed in the circuit court against A. H. Hill in five cases. $10.00 each, fifty dollars of which this is a duplicate, (date not known), this 6th day of June, 1857. W. H. Culver, School Commissioner," which should have been County Superintendent. The fact that these receipts cover a period of seven years indicates that he held the office two terms and that Culver was the only one holding the office of County Superintendent under the 1855 law, till 1865 from which time we have a complete record.

Under the office of school commissioner they were allowed to appoint examiners who issued certificates. J. B. Chapman was an examiner at one time, having issued a certificate to W. A. Spann in 1861. H. M. Ridenhower, Asahel Burnett, Newton Pearce, Dr. Bratton and Dr. J. M. C. Damron are names which have been given orally as examiners at different times, but there is no record of these and there were, no doubt, many other examiners whose names have not been obtained. J. S. Whittenberg is the first name recorded in the county as superintendent of schools and the following is a report sent in by him to the State Superintendent in 1865. It is evident from the phrasing that this is not his first report indicating that he probably followed Culver in the office of County Superintendent. "Since my last report of the public schools in this county, the cause of education has steadily advanced, and a position is now gained from which we may anticipate greater results in the future. A more intimate acquaintance with the workings of the free school system has dissipated, in a great measure, the prejudice of its opponents, and secured for it a surer place. in the confidence of the masses. Among the hopeful indications of the year just closed are, an increased interest shown by the people in regard to their schools, a more careful selection of men to fill the offices of trustees and directors, and a gi owing demand for a better class of teachers. These encouraging facts inspire the hope that the day is not far distant when our public schools shall receive the attention their importance demands. The last returns of township treasurers to this office, though not entirely free from error and inconsistency, are much more full and reliable than formerly. During the last year I have visited all the schools in the county and in most of the districts have met the citizens at night, and given them a lecture on questions of educational interest. As a result of my visits, I have seen the necessity that exists for thorough supervision. Teachers and school officers need to consult freely with some one intimately acquainted with the conditions and wants of each particular school and district, and at the same time familiar with the improvements in school discipline, text books, school architecture, etc., which are continually being made. I am fully satisfied that an efficient man in each county, with sufficient salary to enable him to devote all his time and energy to the work, would render the money annually expended for the support of schools more than doubly efficacious than it now is.

As to amendments to the school law, I have none to submit, except to provide for a more perfect supervision of school. This may be done by allowing the superintendents a reasonable per diem in cash, in the place of the per diem in county orders, which generally fall one-third below par, thereby making the superintendent's pay merely nominal."

The school law of our state has been improved from time to time since 1855 by lengthening the term and in making attendance compulsory. The first law of this kind was passed in 1883, compelling parents or guardians to send children under 14 to school a certain number of days in each year. In this same law such varied subjects as physical training and proper care of the teeth were made obligatory and as early as 1897 the effect of alcohol and narcotics became a required subject.

These pupils who were the objects of so much legislation must have a home so that one of the first provisions necessary was a school house. In this county, school houses and furnishings were at first very primitive. Settlers were few; property was scarce; and as usual taxes were the great burden. But surely our forebears could not complain of the kind of school buildings they had. They were made of logs with a dirt floor and a hole in the middle of the roof or at one end for the smoke to go out as the fire was built on a dirt floor. The windows were spaces where logs were left out for light and incidentally although they were not so planned, for ventilation as there was no glass in them. The seats were logs split, the flat side up, with legs made by boring holes on the underside of the log and putting heavy wooden sticks in them. Sometimes the logs were laid across other logs for seats. The only desk was a wide puncheon, also made from a log and smoothed off and placed on wooden pins stuck in the wall and called the "writing desk." Only those pupils who took writing could sit at this desk and they only at "writing time."

In these early schools the pupils were allowed to "study out," that is every one said over his lesson so every one else could hear. While some studied spelling, others were reading, still others were adding a "sum." Every few minutes a pupil snapped his fingers, the teacher nooded assent, the boy or girl then placed a finger under a word on the page, went up to the teacher and held it up for pronunciation. This custom obtained long after the quiet work was required in the school room. To get a head mark was a great incentive to memorize one's spelling lesson. Spelling was recited orally and if the one above failed to spell a word and you spelled it, you "turned him down" and went above him. One might turn down a half dozen at one time or even a whole class. The pupils securing the most head marks in a certain length of time was usually rewarded with a prize from the teacher. Another obsolete custom is that of compelling the teacher to "treat" at Christmas time, that is, provide candy or fruit for the school. In some cases they were real rough if they were not treated, the pupils might lock him out in the cold until he decided to treat.

The first school house the author remembers was a frame building, a long box wood stove in the center, the inevitable writing desk now made of a smooth plank, ink stained and barlow carved, still reserved for "writing time." The seats were made of plank with backs that struck you about half way up ; lucky, indeed, you were if you reached school early on a zero morning and could get on a bench next to the stove. Nails were driven in the wall for hats and coats and a bench placed abainst the wall for the lunch buckets. Across the end of the room the floor was raised about two feet, with steps the entire length, making a dias or stage; the wall which was across the back of the stage was all black board, simply painted black and on the stage sat a huge desk made of lumber with a lid that raised. This was the teacher's desk where pupil's books were put at night provided there were any beside the old blue back spelling book. The room was really well lighted.

But the main piece of furniture must not be forgotten - the water bucket. "Teacher can Lizzie and I bring some water?" was the oft repeated question. Delighted they were when the affirmative answer was forthcoming. The spring was a pleasant journey; they did not hurry and they always passed the water on their return letting each pupil dip out a drink, and return the dipper to the bucket.

The number of school houses in the county in 1878 was 52 ; 25 of them were log. In 1884, of the 62 school buildings then erected, 2 were brick, 52 frame and 8 still remained of log. In less than 50 years from the beginning of the present system, 1855, all log buildings were eliminated. At the present time, there are in the county, 7 brick, 65 frame school buildings, all meeting the standard of construction and sanitation required by the act of 1915.

Up to the year 1890, women had little or no active part in this county as school officers. But in 1891, Mrs. Viola (Smith) Brown was elected on the school board of district No. 9. She served as clerk for several years and as the first woman in the county to serve in that capacity, made an excellent member of the board. Mrs. Sarah Poor and Mrs. R. M. Fisher were made members of the school board for Vienna in 1892, having the honor of being the first women of the town advanced to that position. Since then, it is not uncommon in Vienna to elect women to the school board. They take fully as much, if not more, interest than the men in matters of education. Miss Sarah J.

Whittenberg, now Mrs. D. Cover was elected county superintendent of schools in 1894. She was the daughter of J. S. Whittenberg who had served in the same office 30 years before. She filled her position admirably, in fact, she set such an excellent example that Miss Emma Rebman was elected to the same position soon after. The quality of the service rendered by these women is of as high standard as that given by men.

The custom of an annual graduating exercise for the pupils of the county who had finished the eighth grade was begun in 1891 under the supervision of M. T. Vancleve, County Superintendent. These exercises are always held at the county seat some time after the close of the school term with appropriate program and are a stimulus to the students to finish the course, especially those who intend to take a higher education. These county certificates entitle the holder to entrance in any accredited high school without an examination.

The State Fair School of Domestic Science was organized in 1896 under the supervision of the State Agricultural Association. Any county having an agricultural association may send one representative to this school and under certain conditions two. Miss Jennett Heaton was given honorable mention for grades made during the term of 1919. The State Fair School for boys was organized in 1910 under the same association as the Domestic Science. Each county is entitled to two delegates. Johnson County has usually taken advantage of this opportunity and profited therefrom. F. M. Simpson, a Johnson County boy, had charge of this State Fair School as instructor in 1911. The instructors are from the University of Illinois. William M. Grisson did much during his term of office as county superintendent of schools, to interest the farmer boys; he organized a "Farmers Boys' Club" which reached a mem bership of 400. He offered prizes for the best corn and pigs and created a lively interest among the young agriculturists. This stimulation of interest was much needed as there had been a tendency for many years to get away from the farm.

The first teachers meeting or institute that was held in the county was under the supervision of H. M. Ridenhower, Sr., who began teaching in this county, 1855, and J. F. McCartney, of Massac County, father of M. N. who is now principal of the V. T. H. S.»in 1859 or 60. The Civil War interfered somewhat with education and although the meetings may have been continued in some form the first regular institute with program and teachers was held at the old C. P. or Union Church in Vienna, September 12 and 13, 1878 with P. T. Chapman as County Superintendent of Public Instruction. From that time, teachers institutes have been annual events in the county. They have added prestige to the school teacher and meant much to them in many ways, especially before attendance at the Southern Illinois Normal became so general. During the summer term, 1885, Dr. D. B. Parkinson now deceased, of the Southern Illinois Normal University, came to Johnson County as an instructor for the county institute for teachers, and was recalled regularly in that capacity for ten years. This may explain the large number of Johnson County teachers at Southern Normal.

This story of education so far has dealt mainly with elementary education : there is still a good deal to be said concerning higher education in the county. The city of Vienna realizing the need of and having a suitable building which had just been finished, opened a high school at its own expense in 1894, with Professor M. N. McCartney as Superintendent. Other teachers for the first year were Miss Letha Simmons, (McFatridge), Miss Kate Gray, Miss Lute Fisher, Miss Etta Craig (deceased). This school filled a long needed want in the community and was a success from the very beginning. The first commencement was held May 10, 1895, at the M. E. Church with the following as members of the class: Misses Essie Beal, Ila Covington, Belle Trammell, Anna B. Hook, Ada B. McCali, Ida E. Spann; Messers Walter Jackson, George L. Elkins, James Polk Simpson, Eugene McCali. Dr. Bratton as president of the board presented the diplomas. And the citizens of the little community felt justly proud of the high school. Professor McCartney continued as principal for years. He was succeeded in this capacity by Professors Rubelt, Harry O'Brine, M. T. Van Cleve, Ray Springer Smith, A. L. Whittenberg and A. C. Lentz. The exercises for the final year were also held at the M. E. Church, May 15, 1914. Four girls constituted the class, Francis Simpson, Harris Ridenhower, Mary Hooker, and Mae Arnold, Mrs. P. T. Chapman presented the diplomas as president of the board ; and L. 0. Whitnell, of East St. Louis, formerly of Vienna, made the class address. Thus ended our once high hopes but the need for a high school was greater than ever and while the burden of supporting one was heavier than the small town could bear it was thought there must be some way to provide one.

There had been some agitation for a township high school for some time and in 1911 the question of equiping and supporting one was presented to the people. The petition was lost by a vote of two to one, but the necessity was so great and the promoters were so determined that the matter was presented again in 1913. It carried by a majority of 18 votes. Because of the time it took to issue and place the bonds; the school did not open till the fall of 1914. M. T. Van Cleve was chosen first principal with Mr. Myer, of Clinton, Miss Pritchard, of Lagrange, Mo., as teacher. The residence of James Carter was rented for the term. This was a large house built many years ago by Colonel Samuel Hess and occupied by him as a residence. Although it was a commodious and elegant residence it was not suitable for a school. Notwithstanding the opposition and the inadequacy of the building and equipment,

A petition was circulated and an election held to discontinue the high school, June, 1915. This election was contested, but the objections were up-held. As soon as possible another petition asking for a high school was circulated and presented to the County Superintendent. She ordered an election September 4th, 1915, and the proposition carried by the small margin of two votes. This decision insured a high school and the work went on. A site was decided by ballot. The following year, February, 1916, the matter of voting bonds for a building was carried by sixty-six majority. This vote demonstrated the change in sentiment in favor of higher education.

The township high school building was begun in the summer of 1918 at a most expensive and inconvenient time. Labor and material were both high and hard to get. The cost was perhaps one-half more than it would have been if the project had not been opposed so vigorously in the beginning and the building had been erected two years before.

The term of 1919-1920 was taught in the second story of Chapman's brick building which faces the square and runs along North Fifth street to Vine. Prof. M. N. Mc- Cartney was again at the helm as principal. The graduating exercises of 1920 were held in the high school building. The wisdom of the majority was confirmed that year in the large enrollment of one hundred and seventy five pupils. The present high school is housed in a large two story brick building supplied with auditorium, class rooms, reception room, domestic science room, all equipped for use. There is an excellent heating plant, a lighting system, and a private acetyline gas plant for the household science room. It is, in other words, in every way an up-to-date and modern school building. It was finished in 1920 at a total cost of $70,000.00.

The following statement of the financial condition of the V. T. H. in 1922 will go a long ways to affirm the wisdom of establishing the high school. Tuition from Johnson County non-high school districts $5,902.36, from Pulaski County $264.00, from Pope County $88.00, individual $19.32. For the year 1923, tuition from non-high school

During the time of our city high school, 1904, the Southwestern League was formed including several schools in this section of the state. The object of this league was to test the intellectual, physical, and artistic capacity of the several schools. In 1905 Vienna won the Intellectual and Athletic banner. At different times they won several points in other contests, but not a sufficient number to secure the banner. S. J. Hess, now a student at the Ann Arbor Law School, represented the Vienna township high school, at the Interscholastic Meet in Urbana, in 1916, and won five points for the school.

Archie Mathis, another Johnson County son made the wrestling team at University of Illinois, 1924. This team won the championship of the Big Ten Conference that year. He has a medal for individual work as a wrestler, welter weight, 145 pounds, and was selected by Walter Eckersal for his all All Western Wrestling Team, 1924. Each year the V. T. H. S. has maintained a good foot ball team ready to meet at all times any challenge offered. Ralph Chapman, a Johnson County boy was selected as captain of the University of Illinois foot ball team 1913. This team defeated Chicago University team of 1914 which had not happened many times before. This team also won the championship of the Six Conference Gridiron Teams the same year. Chapman was unanimous choice as All Western Guard and was selected by Walter Camp on his honorary "All American Team" as the greatest guard of the year."

Encouragement has been given on different occasions to the students of the county in a small way offering prizes for papers of their own composition. Daniel Chapman Chapter D. A. R. offered a prize in 1912 to any student in the county who would write the best essay on "The American Flag." Ray Ford of Robinson district, received the first prize and Joseph W. Looney of Oliver district the second. The same society offered another prize the following year on the subject of "Good Roads." Miss Sara J. Ausbroks, of Vienna, secured first prize, Orin Nobles, of Buncombe, the second and Marie Stanley of Vienna high school, received honorable mention. In 1921 a prize was offered to the high school girls for the best paper on "Why should

I become a nurse." This topic was suggested by the Red Cross to stimulate interest in the duty of nursing. Thy prize of money was donated by citizens; Mrs. Maggie Hill taking the trouble to collect it and put the proposition before the superintendent. The first prize went to Miss Essye Watson, second to Miss Francis Harvick, third to Miss May Hankins. In 1920 a study of the ability of seniors in the accredited high schools of the state to write English was made. A subject was assigned and themes were written simultaneously by seniors in accredited high schools. These themes were submitted to the University of Illinois and were there scored by the Hilaegas method. Of the three hundred and twenty-one public high schools submitting, V. T. H. S. ranked first. It was third of all the schools. Two private high schools ; Mckendrie, of Lebanon, was first ; and Villa De' Chantel, an academy in Rock Island was second.

Another fact showing the lasting influence of the high school is the life of the Alumni Association. This society was organized the second year of the city high school, 1896, and has been a part of each years' school events since then. It is now twenty-eight years old.

Press

The first newspaper published in Johnson County began it's existence some time in the year 1858, possibly in the later part of 1857, the exact date is not known, but the delinquent tax list for the county was printed in "The Jonesboro Gazette" of Union County, May 1857, which is proof there was no paper published in our county at that time. J. D. Moody was the owner and publisher of this initial journal. It was known as "The Johnson County Enquirer." It was a small sheet about one fourth the size of the ordinary county paper of today and was issued weekly. Moody must have continued as editor two or three years. Mrs. Eliza Dwyer says he left here about the time of the breaking out of the Civil War and that his wife issued the paper a short while after he left. We find Jasper Johnson published, presumably, the same paper in 1861 under the name of "The Advertiser." Johnson enlisted in the Union army 1862, and Andrew Roberts took charge, changing the nam*, to "The Union Courier," Roberts gave a receipt to the sheriff, for advertising land sales, August, 1862, showing he still had charge of the paper at that time.

The political tendency of the paper must have been republican, judging from the name and an editorial published in the "Courier" in 1864, of which the following is a part: "It is an undisputed fact, so far as we can learn, that Hon. A. J. Kuykendall is able to more fully concentrate the strength of the Union element of the thirteenth Congressional district than any other one man." This shows which side of the great question this paper was on at that time. There is also a communication from Captain John T. Mozley of the 120th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the same issue, as follows : "Casualties resulting from the trip through Mississippi, Private John Wood killed instantly and left on the field; wounded, Johnathan B. Green; missing, Lieut. W. A. Francis, James H. Read, Sergts., Charles A. Bain, Absalom English, Henry C. Mullinax; Privates, John B. Cline, James F. Farris, John Jones, Aron T. Fain, John Sereds and John D. Young." Jasper Johnson was again editor in 1864 as a receipt to the sheriff for printing confirms this fact and it may have been he was editor when the above was published. The paper was sold to Crum & Hogg, who published it for a short time, as we find T. A. Stewart succeeded them in 1866.

The authentic history of the paper at this time is that 0. A. Harker and Charles W. Bliss, two young men employed in our schools as teachers, bought the paper in 1867 and issued it as a side line with their teaching. 0. A. Harker's history is well known to our citizens, and Bliss became well known as an editor. He edited "The Montgomery News" and gained nation wide fame through his humorous "weather prognostications."

Bliss, years afterwards, told his first experience as a journalist at a press meeting, as follows : "Harker and I bought this paper at Vienna, and tried publishing it for awhile, when a man came along wanting to buy a paper. This man felt that he was not financially able to buy the entire plant but made a contract to take over a half interest. He had but one eye. Harker and I were so anxious to be rid of this paper that we got the whole thing off on him because of the defect in his sight." The man referred to in Bliss' story was the Rev. A. Wright. He took charge of the paper in 1868 and changed the name to "The Vienna Artery." He, with his sons as associates, forming A.

Wright & Co., continued its publication till 1872. It was at this time a seven column paper, with one side printed away from home, and was issued weekly at $1.50 per year.

A. Wright & Co. sold the paper to T. A. Stewart, who published it about two years under the name of "The Herald." In 1874, A. J. Alden bought this paper and another small paper, published here by George Johnson, called "The Vienna News" which he consolidated into "The Journal" and thus were brought together the two papers representing the two different factions which had existed in the county.

Later Alden moved to Anna and J. J. Penny succeeded him as editor and publisher for a year or two. "The Journal" fell into the hands of T. Chapman and was edited by J. B. Chapman for a short time, when the plant with its good will was sold to M. A. Smith in 1876. The paper had been issued as the exponent of republican principles, at least since 1864, and for twelve years, Smith having rechristened it "The Johnson County Journal," continued its publication along these same lines. In 1888, he decided to dedicate one page of the paper to the Prohibition cause and issued it as a Prohibition paper under the name of "The Journal" till 1892.

J. F. Hight and W. D. Deans bought the paper from. Smith, changed its name to "The Reformer" and again turned its interest to the Republican cause. After a short time they sold it to T. J. Murray, 1894, who devoted it entirely to the interests of the "Peoples Party. In 1895 the plant and office was burned. Thus ended the life of this struggling press, which had existed almost forty years in our midst. We realize now the necessity of the local paper, but it was not appreciated nor so well supported in its early existence as at the present time. "The Journal" was issued weekly for $1.00 a year until 1886 when the price was raised to $1.25.

"The Johnson County Yoeman" was established here in 1874, by F. W. Shuckers of Cairo, and was first issued in the interest of the Farmers Club campaign. This paper was later devoted to the propagation of democratic principles, Shuckers was followed as editor by John T. Keith, who had charge for about two years, when T. G. Farris, Jr.

took it over and continued its publication on this line till his death, in 1879, when the paper was discontinued and the press was moved to Metropolis.

Dr. C. A. Parker established a Democratic paper here in June, 1888, calling it "The Egyptian Democrat." He sold it the following September to his brother, Lucas, who continued its publication for twenty-two years. This was a long time for a Democratic paper to survive in such a decidedly Republican community, demonstrating the popularity of the editor.

"The Burnside Bugler" was published semi-monthly at New Burnside by George Harris of that village, 1893, for a short time. R. A. Hundley bought the "Vienna Herald," a Republican paper published here, 1897, and moved it to Tunnel Hill where it was issued as "The Johnson County Republican." It lived less than a year.

For a short while, from 1878 to 1880, there was only one Republican paper in Johnson County. In 1897 there were two Republican papers published here, "The Johnson County Herald" and "The Vienna Times," also one Democratic paper "The Vienna Democrat."

"The Goreville News" was a weekly paper founded in Goreville about 1901 by Isaac Cooper; its policy was independent. It was issued successively by John Cremeans, Cooper Stout, Ebert Thulen and finally sold to T. H. Sheridan in 1905. He brought it to Vienna and published it as "The Vienna News" till 1910. Sheridan engaged in a contest, publishing scurrilous articles against the county officers and others which created a great deal of bad feeling. It engendered bitterness between some of the citizens of the county which took many years to overcome, and finally resulted in Sheridan's killing of Harry Thacker, because of an attack he had made on Harry's father, F. B. Thacker, as a county commissioner. In September, 1905, T. M. Jones, a citizen of Goreville Township, began publishing "The Goreville Record," W. H. Hardesty, a Mr. Bramble and J. U. S. Terry were editors of this paper at different times. It was suspended in 1913, having been issued as an independent journal.

life in 1915 and was suspended some time in 1917. E. R. Estes also tried the experiment of issuing a paper in Cypress beginning in 1920. It was called the "County Review" and was suspended after a short existence. Publishing a newspaper has been a very expensive business for the last few years on account of the high cost of labor and material and one must be well established to be able to make a success.

In 1879 A. K. and M. W. Vickers began the publishing of a Democratic paper in Vienna, called "The Vienna Weekly Times," bringing the press from Metropolis. They remained in the journalistic field about a year. G. L. Stout followed as editor for a short while, when the paper was put in charge of T. J. Parker, 1882, and was issued in the interest of the Republican party. It was sold to George W. Ballance and Ed. F. Morton, 1883. There was quite a war of words between the "Johnson County Journal" and "The Vienna Times" under the regimes of Vickers and also of Morton but not of serious nature and only seemed to create a little amusement for the public.

In 1885 W. H. Gilliam bought a half interest in "The Times" and the following year became sole owner and publisher. He continued in this capacity till his death which occurred in 1919. Under his management the paper increased in circulation and influence; one could always depend on what they saw in "The Times." It is an established fact that no editor ever enjoyed the confidence of his readers more than did W. H. Gilliam, always loyal to his party, and scrupulously vigorous for the truth and right as he saw it. C. J. Huffman and H. T. Bridges bought the paper in 1920. The following year Huffman sold to Bridges, who is now editor and proprietor. "The Vienna Times" has been a constant exponent of Republican doctrine and a weekly visitor in many homes for more than forty years. Its circulation is reaching out to every part of the United States where a loyal native born Johnson County son or daughter resides. This is the only paper published in the county and has a circulation of 2,200 (1924).

Vienna Carnegie Library

Bank of Vienna sometime during the year 1894. The conversation was introduced by M. N. McCartney, Principal of the high school for the reason that he was striving to have the new high school meet the requirements of the State University, and the school district was not able financially to furnish a high school library to meet the demands. Those present at this conference were P. T. Chapman, A. K. Vickers, W. E. Beal, G. B. Gillespie, M. N. Mc- Cartney and John B. Jackson, each of whom expressed themselves as being in favor of a public library. It was advised that J. B. Jackson, M. N. McCartney, and Mrs. May Chapman circulate a subscription asking for donations of money, books, magazines and furniture to equip the room and pay for a few books and magazine subscriptions. The committee followed out the plan. P. T. Chapman was the largest cash subscriber, J. B. Jackson, Charles Cunningham, Sr., and M. N. McCartney were the second, each of the last named giving like amounts. Messrs. W. Y. Smith and W. C. Simpson gave a collection of books equal in value to Mr. Chapman's donation. Mrs. Winnie Bain subscribed cash and gave a large table to be used in the reading room, M. T. Van Cleve, Superintendent of Schools, donated a large office stove, business men and young people gave from five to twenty dollars each, high school students from twentyfive cents to one dollar each, all members of the city council ordered their salary for that year credited to the library fund.

John B. Jackson and M. N. McCartney wrote the ordinance authorizing the library as a city institution under the Illinois statutes known as the "two mill tax." The members of the council were Dr. A. H. Hooker, Julius Parker, and William Moore. The city attorney, George W. English, revised the ordinance. J. B. Jackson presented it for adoption. W. C. Simpson was mayor, and D. L. Chapman, as a member of the council moved to adopt the ordinance. Passage was thus effected at once. W. C. Simpson, as mayor, appointed as the first public library board, January 2, 1895, W. Y. Smith, Reverend J. H. Ford, M. N. McCartney, J. B. Jackson, J. H. Carter, Sr., Elder G. Lay Wolfe, Mrs. May Chapman, Mrs. Sarah Poor, and Miss Sarah Whittenberg. The city council immediately tendered the use of the council chamber to be used as a library room. Miss Delia McKenzie was elected first librarian. J. B.

Jackson visited the public library of Cairo, Illinois, and procured copies of their rules, regulations and cards as a model for our modest beginning, thus the library was opened to the public, February 16, 1895 with the reading tables as the chief feature. The first subscriptions in money and material aggregated $400.00. The next tax levy amounted to $200.00. Almost every citizen of the town had some part in this enterprise. Two women, Mrs. May Chapman and Mrs. Sarah Poor rendered very active service in establishing this library.

The first meeting was held January 5, 1895 and the members present were McCartney, Ford, Smith, Poor, Whittenberg, Chapman and Jackson. M. N. McCartney was elected president and J. B. Jackson, secretary. Other committees necessary for the maintaining of the work were appointed and things moved along well. The first location was a room in the Bratton and Ridenhower building, which stood about where Dave Roseberg's Clothing Store now stands. In March, 1896, the library was moved to what was then known as the Jobe building, where the hardware store of J. F. Farris is now located on Vine Street, paying twenty-five dollars per year and occupying it with the city council. The Vienna Womans Club furnished a room and held their meetings there, thus adding a room without extra expense to the library. We had three very good rooms here and had added quite a collection of books. In March, 1900, the books were damaged by fire from an adjoining building, but the library continued in this building until July 7, 1908, when the building including the library, was entirely destroyed by fire. The five hundred dollars insurance on the library was paid in full. Rooms were secured with the Womans Club in the Chapman Building, and the library reopened in September, 1909, with a limited number of books, where it remained till our present commodious quarters, so graciously made possible by Andrew Carnegie, were ready.

The secretary of the library board made application co Mr. Carnegie in 1901, but failed to secure a donation. In 1907, Mrs. May Chapman as a member of the library board wrote Mr. Bertarm, Secretary to Mr. Carnegie, asking a donation for a building for the Vienna Public Library. A blank was received by W. C. Simpson, our mayor, setting forth the requirements which were that we furnish a suitable lot and a yearly levy of ten per cent of the amount given for the building. A lot was purchased from O. E. Harvick at the consideration of $1,000. W. C. Simpson, T. E. Boyd, A. J. Kuykendall, as members of the board, were appointed to solicit the money. Mr. Harvick donated $250.00 on the price of the lot, and the next on the list was a cash subscription of $200.00 from P. T. Chapman. The remainder being immediately subscribed by the progressive and interested citizens of our town. After some delay about the plans the corner stone was laid January 18, 1911. The Masonic Fraternity performed the ceremony. Mr. T. E. Gillespie acted as Grand Master and Prof. A. L. Whittenberg made the address. The original donation of Mr. Carnegie was $5,000 for the erection of the building. D. W. Whittenberg, Noel Whitehead, W. M. Grissom, Jr., formed the building committee. After the building had been begun, it was found more cash was needed to finish it. Mr. Carnegie quickly responded and the building was finished at a cost of $6,323.00, for which the citizens of Vienna feel very grateful to our benefactor.

Vienna has a permanent improvement that not only adds beauty to the little city, but has laid for its future citizens a lasting foundation for improvement and culture. This building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies October 12, 1911. The principal address was given by Hon. L. O. Whitnell, of East St. Louis, a former townsman. It was originally only open to residents of the city of Vienna, but since the building of the Vienna Township High School the privileges of the library have been extended to all within the high school limits.

The following have served as members of the library board : J. H. Carter, Rev. G. Lay Wolfe, Rev. J. H. Ford, Mrs. May Chapman, Mrs. Sarah Poor, W. Y. Smith, Sarah P. Whittenberg, M. N. McCartney, John B. Jackson, G. B. Gillespie, Mrs. Delia Head, Mrs. Letha McFatridge, T. B. Powell, Mrs. Alice Damron, Rev. A. J. LeTell, A. J. Kuykendall, Ed. Boyt, W. C. Simpson, Mrs. O. R. Morgan, Mrs. N. J. Benson, T. H. Sheridan, Mrs. C. H. Gray, Lucas Parker, Mrs. Minnie Dwyer, G. W. English, W. M. Grissom, Noel Whitehead, Dr. R. A. McCall, C. J. Huffman, D. W. Whittenberg, F. R. Woelfle. The presidents of the board have been Prof. M. N. McCartney, J. H. Carter, Sr., Hon. G. W. English, and F. R. Woelfle, who is still serving. Our secretaries have been J. B. Jackson, W. Y. Smith, T. B. Powell, A. J. Kuykendall, Lucas Parker, D. W. Whittenberg, and C. J. Huffman. The following have been librarians: Miss Delia McKenzie, Mrs. Ada Gough, Miss Maggie Cole, Miss Bertie Bratton, Miss Winifred Jackson, Miss Bessie Chapman, Miss Fay Vander Plum and Miss Kate Gray, who is the present incumbent. For much of this history we are indebted to our first president, Prof. M. N. McCartney, who did invaluable work in the establishing of this needed institution. He says that "After twenty-nine years of experience this is the most harmonious and profitable enterprise I have ever known to be organized in any struggling town, it has been a large factor in bringing the Vienna citizen body to the best read village population within my acquaintance."

Religion and churches have gradually spread their civilizing influence over our county till one cannot help but realize how much these things have to do with the moral conditions of a community. The census of 1850 gives the churches of Johnson County as follows: Presbyterian 1, Baptist 3, Christian 1, Methodists 4. The first churches were held in the homes and school houses. One of the oldest churches in this county is Gillead, situated near Double Bridges, about two miles above Simpson. It is Presbyterian in denomination and was organized by James Alexander November 7, 1842. William Simpson, William Barnwell and Willis Simpson were the first elders; there were thirteen other charter members, the families of these men, a Mrs. Brills and perhaps other names not known. The first building was erected in 1856. David H. Birch donated the land for the church. Some later members of this congregation were B. M. Howell, John F. and J. L. Thomas, a Mrs. Trigg, George Hudson, Charles Bailey, Mary A. Thomas Eliza Perkins, and J. J. Simpson, now living at Creal Springs, was a member there sixty-five years ago. Lewis Simpson went out from this church as a minister. It is a live church today and a home coming held there in 1923 gave evidence of its influence.

Liberty Presbyterian church was first held in a school house northeast of Buncombe, near Latham Springs ; it was organized as early as 1850. This building was burned and a house was built near the present home of William Nobles on the farm of John Elkins. The church was dormant several years but was reorganized in 1886 by R. M. Pryor and the building was moved on the public road near che residence of Charles Peterson. The church house was finally moved to Buncombe in 1908, and designated the First Presbyterian Church of Buncombe. They have had no pastor since 1917. Some of the first members of this church were William Barnett, Edward Dooley, Henry Mangum, John Elkins, Dee and Daniel Simpson, and their ramihes, Mrs. Mary E. Chapman, and Mr. Brills. Much of this data was obtained from old people and does not include all the members. The character members at the re-organization 1886, were Gilbert and Mary Barnett, Jacob and M. A. Rebman, T. B. and Sarah J. Steward, Charles Jb°tts and Regina Mangum. In 1895 this church had thirty-three members. Some ministers of this church from 1859 were E. M. Brooks, G. W. May, T. B. Holloway, J. A. Hill, G. M. Abney, J. A. Whiteside, J. H. Morphis, B. G. Mangum, J. C. Thompson, Louis J. Simpson, and John Webb.

Concord Society of the Presbyterian Church, which is situated near the home of P. W. Rose, east of Vienna about five miles, was organized by the Rev. William Standard, October 15, 1854. The first ruling elders were G. B. Veach, A. B. Jones, F. M. Stalcup, S. D. Poor, and Pleasant Rose. Other members were the families of these men, Jackson Murrie, Martha Veach, Barney Shelton, Artimissa Prim. The present building was erected in 1876, the architect was John M. Jones. Some other members at that time were, James Rose, James W. Damron, P. W. Rose, their families and Parthena and Elizabeth Veach, Wiley and Lucinda Holt. The baptism of two infant children of the last named family, Lucinda and Parnesia Holt, is recorded in this church, also the baptism of Charles L. and Emma D. Hogg, children of Rev. James and Rebecca Hogg.

Goreville Presbyterian Church is also an old one, but there could be little definite data of the first organization found. Its home was the lower story of what is known as the Hall which stands between the old and new towns of Goreville. Some of the first members were Mrs. Mary J. Gore-Collins, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Bass, Mr. and Mrs. George Gibson. The church was dormant several years but was re-organized about 1890. Mrs. Mattie Jones, (who gave the data) says she remembers a minister by the name of Shadowens, who preached at this place. He never used a bible and the first thing he would say when he entered the pulpit was that, "he could not read a word to save ten thousand souls." but his sermons even in this day and age would be wonderful.

Vienna had at one time a flourishing Presbyterian Church, which no doubt, was the strongest church here, at the time of the building of the Union Church on the hill, where the Baptist Church now stands, as the deed to the church house was made to the Presbyterians, while the Methodists and Baptists were given the privilege of using it. This was the first church built in the town. The Presbyterian organization was formed sometime before 1854. Samuel Copeland and family, Henry and Mary Bridges, James H. Carter and family, James Hogg and family, atid no doubt other families were members of this first church. It has been dissolved for many years, the members having gone into other churches.

Some of the early ministers of the Presbyterian Church were William Standard, James Hogg, T. P. Wells, William Mangum, and W. M. Hamilton, the first mentioned was possibly the first minister of this denomination in this section.

There were two Presbyterian Churches organized in the county after 1883, one at Latham Springs, north and the other southwest of Vienna, called Bethal; both have been abandoned. (This information was given by J. T. Davidson.) No doubt the reason for so many of the Presbyterian churches being dormant in this section is that the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian Churches were united in 1906 into the "Presbyterian Church of the United States." Many of the members of the Cumberland Presbyterian rebelled against this action and refused to go with the main body of the church.

Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church near Bloomfield was organized 1868 by Louis J. Simpson. Some of the first elders were J. V. and Henry Waters, George Cooper, John Whiteside, John Cooper, John Harper, and their families and others whose names could not be obtained. Some of the ministers have been Rev. Wykoff, Charles Hutchison, and Rev. Rumsey, Rev. J. H. Morphis entered the ministry from this county 1875, and has been a wonderful inspiration to the Presbyterians here. He has been called to labor elsewhere, but says he hopes to spend his last days among the people of this county.

There are eleven Missionary Baptist Churches in the county at the present time. There could be no data had from Cypress, Ozark or Cedar Creek. This church was organized in 1836, and is, no doubt, the oldest Baptist church in the county. The church directory gives W. K. Brunson, as pastor, and G. B. Shaffer as clerk of Cypress Church, W. L. Motsinger and 0. E. Stout, as clerk of Ozark Church, A. N. Jones of Ewing is given as pastor and E. E. Rushing as clerk of Cedar Creek Church. The death of Mr. Rushing last year is, no doubt, the reason no data could be obtained from that society.

Friendship Baptist Church is an old church of the county. It was organized in July 1841, at the house of Elijah Stalcup, who lived on the farm where Charles Deans now resides, with nine members as follows : Richard Charles and Elizabeth Walker, Issac Worley, Mary and Elizabeth Simmons, Elizabeth Nichols, Edith and Elizabeth Johnson. The church is located east of Vienna on the Vienna and Golconda Road. The pastor in 1922 was B. J. Murrie, the clerk was W. P. Walker.

Mt. Zion Church is located near Buncombe and was organized in 1850. The charter members were George Calhoun, William Evans, Mrs. Mariah Looney, Thomas and Betty Scott, Jackson Worley, and William Pearce. The last named serving as first pastor, Carol Morris, David Culp and George Johnson were other early pastors. As to salary they received anything from a hog's jaw to $10 per year. There is a cemetery near this church in which two soldiers of the Civil War were the first to be buried. Their names were Bole Lovelace and Harrison Scott. H. C. Croslin was pastor and Mrs. Mary Stewart was clerk, 1922.

County Line Church was organized in 1854. Some of the first members were Peter and Cynthia Simmons, James M. and Jersey Triplett, Daniel M. and Ruth M. Kerley, J. R. and Sarah Tucker, William and Brilla Ann, Louisa, Mary, Delila, and Mary E. Nichlos, Ezekiel Bowman, W. H.

and Elizabeth Hunt, Jane and Aaron Corn, Sarah Allen and Mary Dixon, the Ragians, Morris and Burns, families were also members. David Ragins was ordained to preach from this society many years ago. The clerk, states the records do not go farther back than 1870. George Smothers was pastor and Wayne Morris the clerk, 1922.

Goreville Baptist Church had its beginning in 1870. The society was first organized about two miles north of Goreville and called Cana Baptist Church. The following were charter members : James P. Henry, Harriet and Elizabeth Burns, Simpson and Jane Rawhuff, Hannah Hubbard, R. Y. Gurley, and Reuben Henderson, Elder William D. Pearce was the first pastor. In August, 1920 this church was moved to Goreville and assumed the name of Goreville Baptist Church. Homer Martin was the pastor and Dr. I. N. Graves the clerk, 1922. Elder Martin went out as a minister of this congregation.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was organized August 7, 1890. The charter members were W. C. and Catherine Wilson, James Belle and Mary E. Mathis, Lavia Ann Johnson, and Elizabeth Hogg. This church is situated east of Vienna, near the road leading to Metropolis. The pastor for 1922 was H. C. Croslin, and Mrs. Ida Beach, was clerk.

The First Baptist Church of Simpson was begun by Elder A. R. Tucker in 1876 at the McKee Schoolhouse, but an organization was not effected till 1886, when seven members were secured and through the efforts of J. A. Kerley, B. A. McNeely, and J. R. Tucker, the work was completed, and the church was known as the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. In 1891 this church was moved to Simpson and services were held in the schoolhouse till 1898, when the present home was built. Pastor for 1922, J. D. Vaughn, clerk J. A. Smoot.

The Vienna Baptist Church was organized sometime before 1850, but the records have been burned and the exact date and early members cannot be obtained. Mrs. D. Y. Bridgs, Samuel and Ursula Hess, J. H. and Lucy Card, were a few of the original members. The society was dormant for some time but re-organized in 1886. Some of the members at that time were J. S. Bridges, H. Ragins and their families, Mrs. Addie Morgan and Mrs. Elizabeth Bratton. H. C. Croslin was pastor and H. Ragain clerk, 1922.

The Grantsburg Baptist Church located at Grantsburg was organized in 1896. Some of the first members were India, Elizabeth, George Ella and Delia Modglin, J. P. and Amanda Trovillion, A. D., Edith and Sarah Howell, Murlie Evans, Elizabeth and Mayme Bowman, Minnie Trovillion, F. M. and Ella Simmons, Grace Bivins, Lilly Farauah, Flora Stout, Maude Grisham, Medora Hazel, Mary Champhire, Olaf Ragsdale, Pearl Slankard, T. B. Shelton, Frank Williams, Fannie Reed, Cambell Allard, P. G. Burris, Alma and Anna Howell, Mrs. Gerturude Huffman Allard was clerk in 1922.

Some ministers of the Missionary Baptist Church who have served the churches and have been influential in building up this organization in the county (given by Elder L. L. Smoot) are as follows: Carol Morris, was an uneducated man, but his success was due to his great faith in God and power in prayer. David Ragains was born in North Carolina in 1812; began his ministry from County Line Church in 1853. He accomplished a great deal of good in this county with very little renumeration, continuing his work until 1887. Elders Wilifred, William and Hekiah Ferell were among the pioneer preachers here as early as 1842. W. F. Van Cleve was a native of Kentucky, born in 1813, came to this county in 1850. He was pastor of Cedar Creek Baptist Church seventeen years, a useful and well informed man. Elder W. B. Pearce was born in Illinois, came to this county in 1842, was ordained in 1849. He made many sacrifices for the cause of The Kingdom. W. P. Throgmorton was born in Tennessee, began preaching in 1871. In 1877 he became editor of the "Baptist Banner," and is now editor of the Illinois Baptist, published at Marion, Illinois. W. S. Blackman, served in the Union Army, entered the ministry in 1872. He was a man of very strong personality and did much good work among the people of this county. J. K. Trovillion belonged in Pope County and has also been valuable to the churches here. Elder J. L. Morton was born in Virginia in 1809 and came to Johnson County, in 1862. He was ordained to preach in 1839 and probably preached as long as any man in this section. He delivered a sermon at New Burnside the day he was ninety-four years old, with zeal and earnestness. He had baptized one thousand converts. His ministry extended over sixty years. Joel Johnson was a member of Friendship Church and did much valuable work for his church. G. W. Smith and T. F. Pullen of Massac County did ministry work in this county as pastors and evangelists. E. R. Steagal was for many years a missionary here also a pastor of much success. W. A. Spence who served as State Senator from this district in 1922 is one of the most able ministers of this state, and is a man among men, blazing his way through his own efforts from obscurity to an honored position. He has served several churches here as pastor. John Adams was another minister of this county. W. W. Woodside is another who served as a minister here. E. H. Caldwell, lived many years among the people, and devoted his life to the promotion of Christianity and the uplift of this community. Elder A. W. Carlton, a native of Kentucky, came here in 1850, was a member of the Baptist Church seventy years and preached over forty. Elder L. L. Smoot is a native of Johnson County and was ordained to preach in 1890. He has served many churches as pastor and held many successful revivals. He is now a state evangelist of the Baptist Association. Other names of Baptist ministers are G. W. Palmeiiee, W. C. Cox, J. P. Trovillion, A. L. McNeeley, 0. J. Taylor, James and Bert Baker. Elder L. L. Smoot, estimates the number of members of the Baptist Church of this county as about one thousand three hundred.

There are two Primitive Baptist churches in the county, one called Little Flock, situated about two miles south east of Ozark. It was organized about 1859, in William Frizzell's barn. The charter members were William Frizzell and wife, Abe Miller and Wife, William Simpson and wife, John Chester and wife, Elijah Reeves and wife, Mrs. Catherine Rushing, Mrs. A. Nickols. Mrs. Jane Rushing, who is now eighty-four years old is the only living charter member. They built a church house later and are still carrying on their work. Mrs. N. L. Chester is a member of this church at present and G. W. Rushing is the clerk. Some of their pastors have been Richard Fulkerson, William Gouge and Lemuel Potter. Rock Springs is another church. of this faith located near Simpson.

There are two General Baptist churches in this county. They belong to the Ohio Association, which was organized in 1854. Bethal is the name of one church. It is situated in the northern part of the county and was organized in 1864.

Friendship church, of this denomination, was organized the same year and is located three miles northwest of Goreville. No names of ministers or members can be obtained except that of Isiah Lowery, a prominent farmer, of Tunnell Hill Township, who kindly gave the above information.

There are four Christian Churches, sometimes called the Disciples of Christ in this county at the present time. There was one church of this denomination in 1850. The following data is from N. S. Haynes' History of this church, Miss Lilly Parker and J. F. Hight. Bethlehem church was organized in 1847 by Minister Wooten. It is thought to be the oldest church of the county. Their first meetings were held in a brush arbor. A log house was built and later a frame was erected. Norman Mozley, Sr., was the leading spirit and associated with him were other faithful men and women, the Carltons, Helms, and Hights. There has been little increase in this church in the last twenty years. Elder J. F. Hight went into the ministry from this congregation. Marshall Starks, Matthew Willson and Rev. Heap were some of the first ministers.

Berea church of this faith is located about five miles southeast from Vienna, organized a few years after Bethlehem by Matthew Wilson. Its history is very similiar. The families of Pickens, Starks, Gage, and Albritten were prominent in the work at Berea. Beverly Albritton was a local preacher who came from the south and settled in this neighborhood. He and his son, George served the church as elders almost continuously since its origin. Wiley F. and Daniel M. Mathis were two ministers who went out from this church.

New Burnside church, another of the Christian denomination, was organized in 1875 and a house of worship built. Some of the first members were James Hester and wife, Frank Graham and wife, John Clymer and wife, Dave Shearer and wife, and Mrs. Asher. Some of the first ministers were Stanton Fields, R. B. Trimble, Jesse Higby and Rev. Curfees.

There was a church of this denomination at or near West Vienna as early as 1860, called Gum Springs. They had built a log house and an evanglist John Lemon, as well as Dr. Bundy, and Matthew Wilson visited them and held meetings about the year 1865. Some of the members at that time were Mr. and Mrs. Dick Venable, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Glassford, Mr. and Mrs. John Racy and Mrs. Ann Calhoun Lemon and his son Josephus came as refugees from the south. They were the leading members of the Gum Springs church. Many of the other members were refugees and after the close of the Civil War many of them returned to their homes and the church was dormant for sometime. The remaining members, however, formed a nucleus for the founding of a church at Vienna. The first meetings at Vienna were held in the C. P. Church, later in the hall in the Chapman and Hess building. Some of the charter members of this church were Felix Boyt and wife, Benjamin Bellemy and wife, B. Jones and wife, Berton Sexton and wife, Duke Smith and wife, beside the members from Gum Spring. Two of the early ministers were Rev. Banteau and Duke Smith. Rev. R. R. McCall, who came here in 1860, and Rev. I. A. J. Parker who came a little later were helpful in building up the church at Vienna. In 1871 the present brick building was erected. S. M. Glassford and wife were most liberal givers, also Mrs. Mary (Frances) Mackey. November, 1884, I. A. J. Parker was ordained by R. R. Trimble and preached for this congregation eight years. J. T. Alsup, Willis A. and B. E. Parker have gone out from this church as preachers of the gospel.

Belknap Christian church was organized in 1895 by Elder G. Lay Wolf. Some of the charter members were W. H. Gibbons, A. M. Kean, J. B. McDowell, W. C. Wyatt and A. M. Wilson. They have had as ministers, Elders I. A. J. Parker, Sheak, Karker and Freeman. They worshiped in a rented building for some time. Later they built a beautiful little frame church home, which was dedicated by Fred Jones, Illinois State Secretary for Christian Missionary Society.

There was a small congregation of this belief in Elvira in 1879. When minister Shelton moved away the congregation scattered. There was also a small band at Union Hill in 1900, but it continued only a short time. In the

In 1869 Clark Braden a Christian minister, and G. W. Hughey of the Methodist Episcopal church debated at Vienna on Baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit and the Methodist discipline. If any kindlier feeling was created or any Christians made from this discussion it has not been recorded.

The Catholic church, a small frame building was dedicated at Vienna in 1896. There is also a Catholic church at New Burnside. The membership of these churches is very limited in this county. For a short time there was a resident priest in Vienna who also held services at New Burnisde, but at present the priest resides at Stone Fort, coming here every two weeks. He also holds services at New Burnside.

A Congregational Society was organized at Vienna in 1893 and the cornerstone of their building was laid the same year, and it was dedicated in 1899. Some of the charter members of this church were Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Bridges, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Slankard, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thacker and family, Mesdames Edith Smith, Delia Head, Matilda Mahl, Margaret Ballow, and Ann Jones. Some of the ministers serving in this church were Revs. Mosslander, Perdue, J. H. Lippard. C. L. Westman, Murry, Knighten Bloom and Evan Wiggle. The church became inactive several years ago and the building which stood on the corner of Second and Green streets was razed in 1920.

, The Pentacostal church was organized in Vienna in 1908 by Mrs. Humphrey, with forty members. They have a frame church but seldom have services. Some of their first members were Mr. and Mrs. Henen Russell, Aldred Hooker, Mrs. Stewart Sutliff and the Furguson families.

There is a church of this denomination at Belknap. William Sutliff is the pastor, with about twenty members, some of whom are Mrs. Mercher, Mrs. Payne, Dick Smith and family, and Mrs. Evers. There is also a small group of this faith in Goreville. Rev. Sutliff estimates the whole number of Pentacostal members in the county as one hundred.

There were at one time a few United Brethern churches in the county. Fairview, Ballow, and Number 9; they were established about 1903. These churches seem to have gone down, and there is not, at present, a pastor of this denomination in the county.

Southern Methodist churches were organized at one or two points in the county about 1912, but there are no living churches at present unless there is one at Foreman.

The Church of Latter-Day Saints The church in Johnson County is in strict harmony with the church as re-organized, April 6, 1860, by Joseph Smith, the son of the prophet. After the death of Joseph Smith, the prophet, at Carthage, Illinois, a band of saints went to Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young, and here in the desert land they founded the Church of Jesus Christ as they styled it, and introduced the plurality of wives or polygamy in this country.

The re-organized church has never been connected in any way with any of the movements or practices of the Utah church. It may be well to state here that separate headquarters for each church are maintained, and that neither organization is responsible to the other for any publications or appointments made. The re-organized church has its headquarters at Independence, Missouri.

The initial movement of the church in Johnson County began about 1861 and 1862, when William H. Kelley, son of Richard Y. Kelley, came to Illinois on a mission, and while here, baptised a number of people. Later in the sixties, Bejamin H. Ballowe did ministerial work in this county and added some names to the list of members of the church.

But the beginning of the work, properly speaking, began in the summer of 1874, when Joseph C. Clapp came into the county and established objectives at Tunnel Hill and what was known as the Webb school house.

This movement was followed in December of the same year by Geo. H. Hilliard and Issac A. Morris, both of Wayne County, Illinois. A number were baptised at this time. The next year, in August, 1875, the church was organized by Geo. H. Hilliard and some others at the Webb school house in Tunnell Hill Township. Leander H. Kelley was chosen presiding elder of the organization, Elisha Webb, presiding priest, and Issac M. Smith, teacher.

A movement was started to erect a church, and the building was completed in the autumn of 1879. Some of the first members of the church were: Richard Y. Smith and wife; Leander H. Kelley and Rhoda Kelley, his wife; Elisha Webb and Nancy C. Webb, his wife; Daniel Webb Sr,. and Rebecca Webb, his wife ; Caroline Burklow ; Joseph Smith, Sr., and Samuel H. Simmons.

There is only one congregation of this church in the county. It has a membership, local and scattered, of about two hundred persons. Among the ministers going out from this church are Elders Issac M. Smith, associate editor Zion's Ensign, Independence, Missouri; Elders Thos. N. and William R. Smith, Knobnoster, Missouri, Elder Thos. C. Kelley, Independence, Missouri; Elder Peter G. Mc- Mahan, Tunnel Hill, Illinois; Elder Lloyd C. Moore, Mt. Carmel, Ilinois and E. W. Sutton, Vienna, Illinois.

This church functions in the different departments of church work. It maintains a Sunday School, and Zion's Religio-Literary Society for the benefit of, not only its own members, but for all who will assist in these activities. The church is also supported by a ladies' aid whose membership is representative of the leading women of the church and community.

In 1805 there was only one M. E. Church Conference in the Mississippi Valley. It was called the Western Conference. It had four circuits, Holstine, Cumberland, Kentucky and Ohio. This county was in Western Conference territory, but whether we had any M. E. Church here at that time or a church of any denomination is not known. Joseph Lillard is given as the first M. E. preacher in the state, coming to New Design, in Monroe County, in 1793, but there is no record of his having visited this section. The Western Conference was divided into the Tennessee and Ohio Conferences in 1816. Johnson County became a part of the Tennessee Conference. We remained with this division until 1824. We were then placed in the Illinois Conference where we held our membership until 1851, when

J. M. Peck, an Illinois Historian says that Josiah Paterson, an M. E. minister, preached in settlements near the Ohio River in 1814 and 1815. There were four circuits in 1815, namely, Illinois, Okaw, Massac and Wabash. From the history of the Methodist Conference, we find that Jesse Walker was presiding elder of the Illinois Circuit in 1806, and John Clyman was pastor of the same circuit in 1807. Amos Abrahams was pastor of this circuit in 1809 and Samuel Parker was Presiding Elder. The M. E. Notes describes the Illinois Circuits as follows, "To the east of New Design, which was in Monroe County, at various points on Big Bay and Cache River, Illinois." Jacob Whiteside, of Western Conference served on Cache River and Big Bay from 1815 to 1818. In 1817, W. R. Jones served with Jacob Whiteside. Thomas Davis was assigned to Big Bay in 1815, and Francis Moon was pastor of Cache River Circuit in 1820. Joseph Paterson in 1824, Asa D. West in 1825. - M. E. Church Notes.

Peter Cartwight says Mt. Carmel, Wabash, Carmi, Mt. Vernon and Cache River circuits were known as Wabash district in 1826, and Charles Holiday was the presiding elder.

The first M. E. Church mentioned in history that could have been in this county is Massac church, which was formed in 1810 with fifteen members, and was attached to Kaskaskia Circuit. The location of this church is not known, but it must have been within the bounds of the first Johnson County. Cache Creek Circuit was formed in 1810, with Thomas Kirkham given as pastor. - (M. E. Church Notes.)

From the census of 1850 there were four M. E. Churches in this county but their names and locations are not given. Tradition points strongly to West Eden as one. The founder of the West family was a Methodist minister, who probably thought after the founding of a home the next duty he owed his family was to establish a church. Hezekiah West's house was the home of the church until it was possible to build a place of worship. They first erected a large log house and called the church Eden. It was located where the West Eden School house now stands and was the gathering place for all the settlers for many miles around. This church and neighborhood was so vitally associated with the West family that it was finally called West Eden. The exact date of organization is not known, but must have been before 1813. The names of the pastors will be found in the conference list. The first members were the West, Carter, Axley, Peterson, Mercer and Martin families. A little later came the Deans, Peelers, Caspers and others. Many of the descendants of these families are still connected with this church. A neat frame building has long since replaced the log one. This church has an unbroken record of activity for more than a century and is still filling the purpose for which it was organized.

Mt. Pisgah is another old church, a little farther west and near the county line of Union. Rix Carter, a son-in-law of Hezekiah West raised a large family in that neighborhood and was one of its founders. Two of his sons, Revs. Moulton and William Carter were M. E. ministers. The Mulkey Brown, Joel Dubois, John and Linsfield Shadrick families and Mrs. Robert Hood were some of the members of this early church. It was organized before 1860 and the first house was built during the Civil War. A second one was built in 1892 and they are now erecting a third, (1923). Exemplifying the interest that is alive in this church; some of the later members are John and Samuel Brown, James Enos, W. Y. Davis, Frank Wilkinson, their families and others.

Cedar Grove was also an M. E. Church of that section, which must have been organized before 1860. There can be no definite data secured except that in 1900, Mr. J. C. Carter had been a member of this church thirty-five years. Some of the leading members who with others formed Cypress church that year were W. J. Hartman, J. C. Carter, J. W. Hunter, T. M. Bean, and their families. Two of the pastors of Cedar Grove church were Dr. 0. H. Clark and Rev. Root. Some serving Cypress have been Revs. C. E. Connett, Davidson, S. S. Smith, Bernieking, and Todd. This is one of the live churches of the county.

Reynoldsburg church was organized in 1833 at the home of William Harper and must have been another one of the M. E. churches given in 1850. It was first called

Cross Roads and a log house was erected the year of its beginning, and in 1853 a frame church was built. The builder was a Mr. Epperson, who was an adept carpenter. The frame work was hewed out instead of sawed.

The Presbyterians worshipped with the Methodist in this building for some time with Lewis Simpson as pastor, after his death the Methodists bought out the Presbyterians. In 1891 the present building was erected Lewis Epperson, a son of the first Mr. Epperson was the builder. Hon. L. 0. Whitnel, who was raised in the neighborhood donated the bell. Some of the first members of this church were William and James Harper, T. J. Cook and their wives, some later ones were Wesley Reynolds, F. M. McGee, Thomas Reynolds and their families and Mrs. Mary (Gray) Peterson with her family, Dr. Josiah Whitnel lent his influence. This church is not far from the century mark and still doing good work. It was at one time the head of a circuit, has been on the Vienna circuit and is now on the Burnside circuit.

The Vienna class was formed in 1842 under the leadership of Dr. Stewart, who was a local preacher. It is first given on the conference records as the head of a circuit in 1852. Some of the first members found were John Bain, A.J. Kuykendall and their families. The old church records have been lost and only names found in the Quarterly meetings and Conference records could be obtained. Dr. J. N. Giay and wife are found on early records, Dr. W. A. Looney and Dr. J. H. Norris are found faithful attendants at the business meetings and among the financial supporters. John and Winnie Bain were members of this church from its beginning and were faithful in attendance and support throughout their lives. A memorial window was placed in the church after their death as a most appropriate tribute. It was destroyed in the recent fire (1924). The first pastor of this church was R. E. Chase with C. R. Mclntire, as Presiding Elder. The list which follows is as near correct as could be obtained and those up to the time of Reverend J. G. Dee, also served the circuit. Reverends R. E. Chase, S. W. McGinnis, P. C. Lopas, J. L. Thomas, E. Joyce, J. W. Love, V. D. Lingenfelter, J. G. Hardy, L. Walker, H. Chapman, W. Williams, 0. Bruner, J. P. Rutherford, John Thacker, U. C. Dickerson, F. M.

Up to 1886 the M. E. church had worshipped in the old Union church. A building committee was appointed that year composed of W. A. Looney, M. A. Smith, Mrs. May Chapman, F. M. Simpson, and Mrs. Emma Benson. In 1887 the building committee was changed to W. A. Looney, A. K. Vickers, F. M. Simpson and P. T. Chapman. The building was begun under the pastorate of W. M. Powis and finished under the regime of J. G. Dee who rendered most valuable aid, and it was dedicated by Bishop Bowman in 1889. About this time Mrs. A. K. Vickers and Mrs. P. T. Chapman circulated a petition and secured enough subscribers to make Vienna a station. The first Epworth League was organized during the pastorate of J. G. Dee in 1888, with Mrs. Ruth Chapman First Vice- President, J. H. Carter, Jr., Second Vice-President, Mrs. May Jackson, Secretary and Will F. Perkins, Treasurer. The Ladies' Aid Society of the M. E. Church was organized at the home of Mrs. Lide Kuykendall in 1885.

There have been a great many revivals in different churches in the town, but the most far reaching ones were those held by Reverend Oscar Lowery, who was born and raised near Cypress, this county. He was assisted by a Mr. Moody and wife, who lead the singing. There were three hundred conversions. This meeting was held in 1909. Reverend Roy Mitchell assisted by a Mr. Preston and wife held the second one in 1916, with one hundred seventyseven conversions.

The M. E. churches were placed on different circuits from time to time and they were not always all in this county. The first circuit (given in the conference records) was Vienna as a mission circuit in 1853, at the first Southern Illinois Conference which was held at Belleville that year. The following appointments were given on Vienna circuit about ten yeais later at a quarterly meeting held at Cummins schoolhouse, March 14, 1863; Vienna, Harrells.

Cedar Bluff, Zion, Cross Roads, Finley, County Line, Hooker, Sutliff, Mt. Pleasant and Cave Creek, Union Hill, Casey Springs and Central Schoolhouse, although classes were not formed at all these places. Vienna is given first and recorded as giving two dollars for the support of the Gospel for that Quarter, the amount was turned over to the pastor's wife, Mrs. Williams.

Cedar Bluff M. E. Class was first held at the residence of J. M. Benson, but later held in the Cedar Bluff school house in Tunnel Hill Township, which was located just beyond the present home of Frank Carson. J. M. and I. M. Benson and C. C. Damron, John Albright, Daniel Rendleman, John Carson and their families early Methodists of that section, were the founders. A little later A. E. Francis, Lee Chapman, and their families, together with some members of W. H. Whittenburg's and D. C. Chapman's families had joined this class. There was a church class at the Miller school house a few miles south of Cedar Bluff. Wesley Miller was one of the main members. The two classes combined and built a church in 1872 naming it Wesley Chapel. In 1886 there were nine Bensons belonging to this church out of a membership of twenty-one. This was for many years a flourishing church, but the members have died or moved away, until A. G. Benson's family is all that is left of this once influential organization, and the pretty little white chapel, now deserted sits quietly beside the road, among the beautiful forest trees and silently waits the dawning of a new day for country churches, or final decay. This building was sold to F. C. Thomas to be embodied in a dwelling, 1924.

Finley M. E. Church was organized about 1855. William Finley and J. S. Whittenberg were the moving spirits in this church for many years. A log church was built in 1866, about two miles west of Parker, in Burniside Township and called Finley Chapel. This was quite a large congregation for many years.. Elihu Vaughn and wife were also among the first members. Rev. L. L. Vaughn, a local preacher of that community was ordained from this church, and still holds his membership there. In 1900 under the leadership of Rev. W. G. Hale, they raised the money to build a small chapel, which is located about one mile west of Parker. The church has lost many of its members