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A SHADY STREET Bement.lll. BEMENT CENTENNIAL — BEMENT, ILLINOIS — JULY 31st THROUGH AUGUST 5th, 1955

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William G.Stratton

Governor

Mar en 31, 1955

Mr. Charles C. Strohl Chairman of Publicity Bement Centennial Corporation Bement, Illinois

Dear Mr, Strohl:

My attention and interest has been drawn to the coming Bement Centennial Celebra- tion.

It is gratifying to know that this historic anniversary is to be riven appropriate recognition. I hope the entire series of planned events will be well attended and notably success- ful.

Si/lcerely yours,

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PREFACE

This year we, the residents of this community, are celebrating the 100th birthday of Bement. The purpose of this Centennial Celebration is three fold:

1. To honor those early pioneers who settled on the prairie of Illinois and created this community.

2. To have a lot of fun.

3. To develop a better community spirit, and thus make Bement a better place in which to live.

Bement is not a great city. It is a good town, a quiet, friendly town that smiles a welcome to you. A town of shady streets and lawns where chil- dren can laugh and play. A town of homes and schools and churches. A good town in which to live.

"The Garden of the Lord" — That is the way George L. Spear, Bement pioneer, described Bement. How aptly that describes the Bement of today. A Bement that has progressed from swamps and tall prairie grass to a community surrounded by rich farm lands, its many tall trees, its modern homes, churches, schools, and its fine, friendly people.

It would be impossible to give a complete history of Bement and the people who have lived here during the last 100 years giving credit where it be- longs. Therefore, we in no way claim this book to be n history of Bement.

We have gone through a great many of the existing records, talked with individuals, read old newspapers and books and have tried to bring you in the limited space available some of the things that we feel have been of importance and general interest.

We hope that this book will be of some value in bringing back memories cf things gone by and serve as a record of this Centennial Celebration.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BEMENT CENTENNIAL CORPORATION

CLARK PLUMMER Chairman

R. N. HOLLOWAY Vice Chairman

CARLETON SMITH Honorary Chairman

KEITH M. BELL Secretary

WILLIAM W. REDMAN Treasurer

JOHN W. WALSH Director

L R. BRANDENBURG Director

OLIN DAY Director

LEW WILKINSON Director

GLEN DURBIN Director

EDWARD KANITZ Director

H. E. SLUSSER Director

LYNN CROOK Director

FINANCE DIVISION

Reading from left to right — Front row: William Gorrell (Underwriting), Mrs. Rose Knapp (Sisters of the Swish), Mrs. Evelyn Fair (Novelties), John Pope (Brothers of the Brush). Back row: Francis Phillips (Historical Program), F. E. Lincicum (Con- cessions), Dick Merry (Decorations), John Hardimon (Chairman of Finance Div.), Harry Slusser (Official Hat Comm.)

PUBLICITY DIVISION

Reading from left to right: Front row: Charles Strohl (Chairman), Mrs. Betty Miller (Beautification), Mrs. Leona Hol- loway (Distribution), Mrs. Martha Glen- non (Press). Back row: A. R. Ayers (Radio & T. V.), H. E. Slusser (Speak- ers), William Gorrell (Promotion), R. R. Siders Jr. (Photography). Absent from pholo Willard Morton (Square Dance).

SPECTACLE DIVISION

From left to right-- Front row: Mrs. Margaret Marker (Properties), Walter Slater (Chairman), Miss Isabelle Hous- ton (Costumes and Make-up). Second row: George Wilkinson (Construction), Roy B. Jones (Cast), Lew Wilkinson (Scenaria and Title). Absent from photo A. E. Bodman (Building and Grounds.) Stanley Powell (Spectacle Music).

SPECTACLE TICKET DIVISION

From left to right — Front row: John Marker (Advance Tickets), Frank Yeates (Gates and Ushers), L. A. Hod- am (Reserve Seats). Back row: James D. Raglan (Div. Chairman), E. A. Stout (Queen Contest).

SPECIAL EVENTS DIVISION

Reading from left to right — Front row: John Vaughan (Historical Windows), D. E. Shonkwiler (Fireworks). Back row: William Fleming (Parade), Dan Siders (Cele- bration Ball), J. K. Steidinger (Chairman).

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HOSPITALITY DIVISION

Reading from left to right — Back row: Robert Still (Transportation), Clarence Janes (Traffic and Safety), Carl Edwards (Chairman). Front row: Mrs. Ruth Patter- son ( Homecoming), Mrs. Cordelia Davis (Housing).

Reading from left to right — Back row: Dave Mark- er (Chairman), Joe Rittenhouse (Wednesday), Howard Hill (Monday), Ralph Moery Jr. (Friday), Rev. Ross Fleming (Sunday). Front row: Ralph E. Wright (Saturday), Bran Wilson (Legal Advisor for Centennial Corporation), Mrs. Howard Moore (Tuesday), Milford Bentley (Thursday).

Sunday — Freedom of Religion Day Monday — Callithumpian Parade Day Tuesday — Old Settlers Day Wednesday — Illinois Day Thursday — Young American Day Friday — Agriculture Day Saturday — American Freedom Day

Certificate Number

3239

BEMENT CENTENNIAL CORPORATION

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SECRETARY OF STATE

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PASSPORT TO BE ME NT

THIS IS TO CEfcTIFY THAT

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haa paid the Bum of Oat Dollar to become an Honorary Cit.*en of Bement, Illt&ois This passport also permit* the bearer to enjoy diplomatic immunity to all Centen- nial fiaes, and grants th#- privilege of a cltxen to sell, berae. trade, or la general? jhoot the breeze with any firm or merchant.

1855 — Bement Centennial — 1955 July 31 Thru August 6

THE EARLY HISTORY OF BEMENT

This is the story of a town — a very small town, located in the heart of these Illinois Prairies — cradled on the black earth of these Illinois farm lands. This is the story of the early days of a prairie town — our town — this is "The Bement Story."

It all began over one hundred years ago when Joseph Bodman of Williamsburg, Massachusetts, heard of the building of a new western railroad across the prairies of Illinois. Here was a chance to grow up with the Land I Pioneers would follow that rail- road across the wilderness of the prairie. Towns would grow up along side of it. Prairieland would become farmland around it. Grow up with the land! A man of vision could see that! A man of great hope — and great faith — and great dreams could see that!

And so he came, from the far- away hills of Massachusetts, past the wooden buildings of spraw- ling Chicago, down the great Illi-

nois Central to the pioneer ham- let of Bloomington, out to the flat prairie lands and swamp lands that lay south of the ridge, south of Monticello, Piatt Coun- ty, Illinois.

Finally, on Christmas Day, 1853, Joseph Bodman, L. B. Wing, and Henry P. Little, halted upon the ridge which divides the waters of the Sangamon and the Kaskaskia, halted and looked southward — three solitary horse- men on a lonely knoll.

L. B. Wing later described it this way:

"It was a beautiful day, that Christmas Day of 1853 — like au- tumn, rather than winter. A magnificent view, limited only by the powers of vision, was before us. It was like looking out upon the ocean. No farm, no orchard, no living thing or sign of human habitation! Everything, so far as we could see, was just as it had been for centuries. We knew that in the groves of timber that skirted the water course, a few pioneers had built their cabins and for years had supplied their

simple wants by hunting and a little farming of the most primi- tive sort. But their proximity was not apparent to us and in no way dispelled the sense of complete solitude that oppressed us.

We dismounted and threw our- selves upon the sunny slope to enjoy the view and debate the question whether it was likely that this prairie, after remaining hunreds of years, was now about to attain any particular value. All who preceded us had evidently come to the conclusion that it was like air and water, valuable and necessary, so far as it could be used; but it was in too large a supply to be worth buying. Was it likely that the little span of time represented by our lives, that this condition would greatly change?"

And so they came, saw the countless miles of treeless prairie, saw the grass tall as a man's head. Saw, and for a moment doubted, miles and miles of worthless prairie land. But they were men of vision — and faith —

and plain Yankee shrewdness. And they saw, not what was on the prairie, but what might some- day be.

After consulting their maps and riding over the land they drove stakes, selecting adjoining tracts so they wouldn't lose each other and in 1854 they secured titles to all the land they could afford at $1.25 per acre. Joseph Bodman bought 6000 acres of this prairie land, swamp land, grass as tall as a man's head land, seemingly worthless land. Six thousand acres of "What could it ever be good for" land, home of the deer and prairie wolves and prairie rattler — a great sea of grass.

The year following, the deer and prairie wolves were startled from their homes by an engineer- ing corps surveying the route for what is now the Wabash railroad. L. B. Wing in 1854 sold to Hunt and Carter (agents for the Great Western Railroad) 33 acres of land in section 19 for $1.00.

Mr. Joseph Bodman, L.. B Wing and Henry P. Little donat- ed the ground upon which the original town of Bement was laid out. Bement was surveyed and platted in the winter of 1854-55, and the plat was filed on April 5, 1855. In 1855 Bement consist- ed of a few stakes driven in the ground and only one log cabin between here and Monticello — the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph

John Mallory Camp, builder of first two houses in Bement, first school- house, first Presbyterian Church, and many other buildings.

Joseph Bodman

A. Alvord. And here the car- penters stayed while they built the first house in Bement that year, April 1855. Mr. Bodman went back east and persuaded six young men, some of them car- penters, to come to Bement and "grow up with the country." They were: J. M. Camp, J. H. Camp, W. H. Ellis, T. T. Pettit, Marion Pettit, and Charles Smith. These were the first settlers of Bement.

J. M. Camp built the first house for Joseph Bodman. It is located at 217 W. Bodman street and is now the home of Mrs. Burleigh Creel and her daughter, Miss Guynell Creel. Mr. Alvord hauled the lumber for the house from Champaign. When completed, the house was occupied by a Joseph Nye and his wife, who kept boarders.

Later this same year, Mr. Bod- man built the second house in Be- ment. It was located just west of the first house and is now oc- cupied by Bill Slagle and his fam- ily. When completed, it was oc- cupied by Joseph Alvord. Soon after, Mr. Bodman erected a small office building, the first business building in Bement. This building was used for various purposes including a post office and train depot until t^e railroad moved one here in 1856.

In 1856 Mr. L. B. Wing built the third house in Bement ana it was occupied in the spring by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Force. The lumber for this house was ship- ped from Chicago. (This house was located on the southwest cor- ner of Wing and Morgan streets where Bob Glennon is building his new home this year). Mr. Force planted 100 acres of wheat at the south edge of the original town in the fall of 1856 and har- vested an abundant crop in 1857. This is the first record of a crop here.

The fourth house built in Be- ment was an Irish shanty along the railroad. Here in 1856 the first birth and death occured in Bement — a child of the James family.

The years 1856-57-58-59 saw the arrival of other pioneers, many of whom settled here or on nearby farms. Among them were S. K. Bodman, Thos. Postlewait, F. E. Bryant, Edmund Davies, Luther Bodman, James McDow- ell, R. McDowell, Amos Stout, H.

B. Burgess, Wm. Camp, Elihu Fisher, W. D. Coffin, J. C. Evans,

C. F. Tenney, Thomas Lamb, Charles Lamb, Albert Lamb, and others.

Mr. F. E. Bryant, in whose home Lincoln and Douglas met in 1858 to make arrangements for their famous debates, arrived in Bement July 26, 1856. He im- mediately began operating a grain, coal, and lumber business.

L. B. Wing

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Mr. George L. Spear in writing the history of Bement in 1878, gave a vivid description of the beauty and richness of our native prairie. He concluded that surely this is

"The Garden of the Lord"

We have been privileged to serve this fine community for over 40 years and, as Bement enters its second century of history, it is our sincere desire to render the best possible banking service so that together we may always be good stewards of

"The Garden of the Lord"

State Bank of Bement

MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

The next year he started a gen- eral merchandise store, the first in Bement, and later built sev- eral business buildings. He was. known (according to George L. Spear) as Bement's pioneer tradesman, and like Joseph Bod- man, was identified with every worthwhile project for the growth and improvement of the village. (Emma Piatt's History states that Mr. Bryant's family was the seventh in Bement.)

The first hotel, the Sherman House was built in the fall of 1856 by John Townsend, a Ca- nadian, who kept a hotel for the accommodation of the traveling public and for the few boarders who were waiting for something to show up. This hotel survived for a period until it was moved to make way for a new tower- ing structure, the Masonic build- ing. It was followed by the Penn- sylvania House which was built in 1858 by James and R. McDow- ell and Thos. Postlewait. (This hotel was later known as the Ho- tel Rennick.) The Pennsylvania House later became the principal hotel and soon "ranked with the first-class houses on the line of the Wabash road". Bement's first depot was located north of the present scout headquarters. Ste- phen B. Hawks was the first yardmaster, being appointed in November 1857. Switching was done by a yoke of white oxen hitched to the freight cars by a log chain. Mr. Hawks also had charge of the pumping of water for the railroad and it was also his duty to "rack up" four cords of wood each day for the night trains. He served until 1870.

The first Sabbath-school, a un- ion one, was organized in May of 1856. Meetings were held in Bodman and Camps warehouse.

Mr. John McNamee and his daughter Nellie McNamee in front of their Variety Store on Bodman street. This building is now occupied by L. J. For- cum.

A depot was moved from Deca- tur in the winter of 1856, and Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Pettit report- ed that the first sermon in Be- ment was preached by Mr. Sam- uel Harshbarger in the new de- pot.

The first school election was held November 10, 1856. Joseph Bodman, Aaron Yost, and Henry C. Booth were elected directors. Henry Booth was employed to teach the first three month term at $40 per month. The first school was taught in a dwelling built by Wm. Pickens.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bement was the first church to be organized in Be- ment. It was organized in 1858 under the pastorate of Rev. Rut- ledge. Meetings were held in the school house and in Bryant's Hall.

The first flour mill in Bement was erected in 1858 by D. H. Rust in Bodman's addition near the railroad on the south side. The mill did a big business and was the pride of Bement until it acci- dentally caught fire and burned in 1860.

Louis H. Alvord was born in 1858 — probably the second child to be born in Bement.

After this, the settlers came to Bement too fast for us to be able to trace their order of ar- rival.

1859 — Bement was growing and Rea's addition was added to Bement. There were about 50 students in school, which necessi- tated the building of a school building. It was located on the present site of the grade school building and was completed in June, 1859. J. B. Lowell was employed to teach at $28 per month and was instructed to hire an assistant at $17 per month — • the first teachers in Bement's first regular school building.

Mr. C. F. Tenney moved to Be- ment in 1859 and said that at that time Mr. Bryant had the only dry goods store in Bement. There were no sidewalks and the streets were not graded, ana there was not a tree in the town.

Camp and Tenney building with Town Pump in foreground.

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281 E. BODMAN Mr. and Mrs. Loren Bowen, Props. BEMENT, ILLINOIS

Distributor of

STUDEBAKER

The Oldest Automobile Manufacturer in America Today

Est. 1852

Salutes . . . BEMENT, ILLINOIS on its 100th ANNIVERSARY

/955 SfrakMer

STfU SETS 7WE PACE

acfancect 'sty/e

May the spirit of the Centennial Celebration in Bement

set the pace for prosperity, improvement

and success in the years ahead

Visit our Showroom while enjoying BEMENT'S CENTENNIAL JULY 31st thru AUG. 6th, 1955

There were just enough ladies in town who danced to form one set. He recalled that a favorite pas- time on a Sunday afternoon was to drive to the timber to lie in the shade of a tree. The mud was so bad that a wagon would mire down in the middle of the street and teams frequently had to be pulled out with extra teams or oxen. In wet times it was impossible for the ladies to be on the streets, and in dry times the fleas in the corn-cob side- walks made it most undesirable for them to be out. And there were millions of green-head flies and mosquitoes to add to the mis- ery of the early settlers.

The Death of Miles Conway . . .

Late in the autumn of 1859, Miles Conway who lived a little to the east of the village was on his way home, carrying on his per- son about $1200. A man by the name of Godfrey followed him and soon overtook him. Godfrey beat and stabbed him until the attacker was frightened away as help came to the rescue. When the men reached Conway, he was able to tell them the identity of his assailant. However he was too weak from loss of blood to help himself, so they carried Con- way to a nearby house and sent for Dr. Elam Bodman to dress the wounds and administer stim- ulate to revive the patient. Mr. Conway lingered under treatment for about a month before he died. The assassin was pursued all light and was finally captured in a thicket a little east of Mon- :icello. At first he was sentenced :o 14 years, but he obtained a

new hearing and was finally sen- tenced to only 10 years.

1860 — Bement was incorporat- ed as a town in 1860. The first Board of Trustees were: Joseph Bodman, J. C. Sparks, F. E. Bry- ant, C. F. Tenney, George L. Spear, and E. B. Sprague. Be- ment is the only town in the United States with this name. A Mr. Bement, an official of the Great Western Railroad, prom- ised to donate a bell to the first church organized in town, if the town were named after him. However, he did not live to ful- fill his promise.

Bement's first newspaper, The Bement Union, started publica- tion in April 1860, with Mr. James Shoaff as editor. The Be- ment Register dates from 1890 to the present — (65 years.)

A Literary Society was started in the winter of 1860-61. It was

an important organization in the lives of the early settlers and contributed much to their cul- tural welfare.

Corn was 10c a bushel and times were tough.

1861 — Bement was still grow- ing and Mansfield Freeze addi- tion and Bodman's addition were added to the town. A Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in September of 1861, but the church did not last long and we have no record of when or why it was disbanded. The Masonic Lodge was organized on January 26, 1861. It was one of the strongest and most influential or- ganizations in the early history of Bement.

1862— The Christian Church was organized on January 19, 1862.

The Civil War— (April 12, 1861 to April 9 ,1865 . .)

We have no record of impor- tant developments during the Civil War Period, except that Piatt County was a staunch sup- porter of the Union cause and had more volunteers in propor- tion to the population than any other county in the State. There was the difference of two broth- ers by the name of Williams; one joined the Union cause, and the other the Confederate cause. Then there was the incident of the train carrying soldiers that got stuck in a snow drift near Bement in the winter of 1864. It was stuck for three days and the soldiers nearly ate the town out of house and home.

In 1862, S. K. Bodman (nephew of Joseph Bodman and father of Mrs. W. A. Hammond, Miss Clara Bodman, Edgar Bodman, and J.

An industry that helped probably more than any other to rid this land of sur- face water was that of the Bement Tile Works. In the Spring of 1882 Elcock and Rhinesmith started these works. A few years later the firm was known as El- cock and Sultzeberger. Finally C. F. Tenney became sole proprietor. This con- cern manufactured not only tile, but also paving and building bricks. The old tile yard was located on the grounds of our now beautiful Forest Preserve Park.

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The

Modern Way

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H E N . . . A feller could . . .

Get his cornpads and cough medicine, pick up his mornin' mail, grab a pickle out of the wooden keg to tone down his mornin' appetite, get his vittles for the week, and his seegors, too, all in the one and only store in town. Friendly Joe, the proprietor, knew all the town gossip, too, and even furnished a spitoon fer the convenience of his customers.

T 0 D A Y . . . A feller can . . .

Not only get his cornpads and cigars, but find articles unheard of in the "good old days" in our friendly, complete, modern home owned food center. Goodness knows, times have changed, and so has the Superway. Being friendly and helpful is a very important policy, but improving our store and its facilities to meet our cus- tomers demands is also greatly stressed.

Elton and Dorothy Haynes . . . Dick and Alice Lucille Merry

Lee Lawson . . . Mazo Sinclair . . . Nancy McCollum

Charles Lawson . . . Buddy Shonkwiler

H. & M. SUPERWAY

BEMENT

PHONE 2557

ILLINOIS

Old Presbyterian Church

L. Bodman) purchased the drug store operated by his uncle, Dr. Elam Bodman. S. K. Bodman had come to Bement in 1856 and taught school here and in Goose Creek township for a few years. He then went back to Ohio for a year or two before returning to Bement to make his home. In 1866 he built a two story brick building that still houses the Bod- man Drug Store. It is the oldest business in Bement in continuous operation by the same family. Edgar Bodman has operated it since 1903; S. K. Bodman — his father — having died in 1902. For a time the drug store was used as a postoffice with S. K. Bod- man as postmaster. He was first appointed during Lincoln's ad- ministration. In all, he served 16 years as postmaster.

This building also houses tlie W. A. Hammond Jewelry Store. Mr. W. A. Hammond started in business in Bement in 1895 and this year marks his 60th year on Main Street, making him th& senior business man in Bement.

Bodman Drug Store. Also serving as Post Office.

W. A. Hammond, Bement's senior busi- nessman.

1866 — An addition was added to the school, the cemetery site was purchased and a Library As- sociation was formed.

1867 — Prior to this time the Catholics of the community were served by Rev. A. Vought of De- catur. In 1866 the idea of build- ing a Catholic Church here was conceived, and in 1867 a 26' x 46' building was erected at a cost of $2100. This building was located on West Moultrie street wnere Joe Rittenhouse now lives.

Irwin Lodge No. 344, Bement, Illinois, I. O. O. F. was instituted by a charter granted October 9, 1867.

1868—

The First Presbyterian Church was organized August 29, 1868.

Mr. William arid Horace Halde- man and G. C. Nichols built a mill in Bement. This was one of the most perfectly equipped flouring mills in the state, hav- ing the full roller process and every improvement known to the manufacture of the best grades of flour. The mill was the best and largest in the county. George Harper - Cattle Thief

For many years, a farmer now and then, here and there, would occasionally miss from their herds a fat steer. At length, sus-

picion rested upon one George Harper and some time during the year of 1868, money was raised to employ a detective by the name of Bidwell to try to obtain proof. In less than a week, Bid- well notified the interested par- ties and conducted them to the slaughterhouse of George .Har- per, where they at once identified a fat steer belonging to L. B. Wing. Sheriff George Miller was called and they hid in a nearby cornfield to wait for Harper to return. About 5 P.M. George Harper and his son returned to slaughter the animal. As soon as the beef had been knocked down and throat cut, and while their hands were yet red with blood, Sheriff Miller and his posse sal- lied forth entering the den of perfidy and ill-gotten gain, step- ped forward and read the war- rant and made the arrest. Harper escaped from the jail at Monti- cello while being held for trial. He was later traced to Kansas where he met his death in a gun battle. 1871— Murder of Sylvester Buckley

Sylvester Buckley kept the ho- tel on Bodman street where the Masonic Building now stands, from the close of the Civil War until his death, which occurred on the 23rd day of December, 1871. The circumstances of his death created considerable ex- citement in the village. He had become very drowsy and finaRy had passed out on the floor of the dining room of the hotel. Most people thought it was due to too much liquor, but finally upon closer examination, they found him to be dead. Suspecting foul play, a post-mortem exami- nation was conducted and it was found that he had died of an over- dose of morphine. Upon investi- gation, they obtained a conression from James Ready (alias Dick Turpin), who was a guest at the Hotel at the time. He was later convicted of the crime and was sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of 14 years. 1873—

The railroad going north, which is now the Chicago division of the Wabash, was completed and put into operation through the county in 1873. This road was formerly called the Chicago and Paducah, and was laid by the Bloomington and Ohio River Railroad Company, which was chartered in 1867.

T LET PROSPERITY SLIP !UGH VOUR FINGERS

WE INVITE YOU TO CONSULT . . .

F

S

oore rarm oervice

In Bement, Illinois for . . . ORE PROSPERITY IN YOUR FARMING EFFORTS

LIQUID FERTILIZERS

MAX MOORE — HOWARD MOORE — HOWARD MOORE, JR.

1876—

The cornerstone for the Ma- sonic Building was laid on May 25, 1876. The site is the same to- day, and the building is the same except that the original open stairway on the north, which led from the street to the basement, has long since disappeared from view. 1880—

Sometime around 1880, a new elegant depot was built on the present site of the Wabash depot. To the east of it was a baggage room, and across the tracks southeast was a larger freight house. 1890—

By 1890, Bement business men were conducting a number of en- terprises. Among these were seven grocery stores, three dry- goods stores, two hardware stores, five wagon, buggy and blacksmith shops. There were two plasterers, a furniture store, a drug store, a restaurant, a bak- ery, a barber shop, a grain com- pany, a novelty store, a bank, the flour mill and a cigar factory. From this list you can see that Bement offered quite a variety of services to its citizens. In her history of Piatt County, Emma Piatt had this to say about Be- ment: "Bement is 'booming' just now, and persons desiring to lo- cate in a thriving, energetic place cannot find a better one of its size in central Illinois."

Evidently there was a market for bicycles in Bement, since Mr. Harry Bower had the agency. A choice of five styles was offered: The American Rambler for $125;

The American Light Rambler for $135; The Crescent Safety for $75; the Juno for $60, and the Little Giant for $35. The Amer- ican Light Rambler and the Juno were suitable for the ladies, while the Little Giant would fit the needs of boys .and girls.

Between 1880 and 1913, Be- ment was the victim of three fires in the business district. The east block of this district on Bodman street was comprised of four brick buildings in 1880: the Ma- sonic Building on the east corner, the building on the west corner (now occupied by Kintner's Gro- cery), the building now occupied by Dr. Powers, and the Bodman Drug Store building. These four brick buildings were all separated

from each other with frame buildings in between.

In the first of these fires, three firms were burned out — a gro- cery store, a barber shop, and a bakery, located between the Ma- sonic Building and the building now occupied by Dr. Powers. Since all of these were frame and since the only method of combat- ing fires then was a bucket bri- gade, little could be done, except to watch it burn until it reached the next brick building. In all probability this fire occurred in 1885.

The second fire burned out those business establishments be- tween the building now occupied by Dr. Powers and the Bodman building, consisting of two boot and shoe stores, a Chinese laun- dry, a butcher shop, and a no- tion's store. Before a third fire could destroy the remainder of the frame buildings in this block, they were moved across the street on West Bodman street, and brick buildings were built to re- place them. With the construc- tion of the other buildings which had been destroyed, the entire block was no brick, being com- pleted in 1897.

The third fire occurred in the west block of the business dis- trict on Bodman street, starting at the corner it spread to the west as far as the Knapp Hard- ware Store. A fire wagon was in use by this time — a two wheeled hand car, necessitating two men to work the hand pump. The hose was put into a well and the water

QUALITY FARM - EQUIPMENT

mJkademank of Quoftfy Macta famous («| GmxL Lnpfcni£«t4.

Compliments of

W. A. DRAKE

BEMENT ILLINOIS

May the observance of Bement's Centennial so inspire all those whose privilege it is to help make possible, to doing even greater things for Bement's future.

We'd enjoy having you come in and get acquainted while enjoying the Bement Centennial

July 31st through August 6th

JUNIOR ADAMS	HARRY ALLEN, JR
LEO FENDLEY	SIMONE DRAKE
HAROLD WILLIS	HUGH PHILLIPS

was pumped by hand to put out the fire. Naturally, not enough could be pumped fast enough, so more water was brought from the Wabash watertower. Fortu- nately, two engines were in Be- ment at the time, and these were used to bring the water from the tower, located at the edge of town, to the scene of the fire. Then a bucket brigade was form- ed in getting the water to the buildings. During reconstruction of these buildings, a second fire broke out and this time the in- side of the new buildings were burned. Before 1899, three fires had also struck the schoolhouse in Bement. These are described in the school section of this book.

FROM THE BEMENT REGISTER, MAY 5, 1904

The street sprinkler, with R. H. Booker and the mules in charge, made its debut on the streets Monday evening, and was a welcome visitor for the mer- chants who have been "fighting dust" for some time.

The Bement Grain Company was organized in 1902. It was one of the first cooperatives to be established in the state. De- spite early trials, when farmers as well as others regarded the movement with suspicion, the company survived and expanded.

The main street of Bement (Bodman street) was paved in 1912. By 1913, the main business section of Bement was confined to Bodman street. In addition to the four brick buildings men- tioned before on the east block of Bodman street, by 1913, ten additional brick buildings had been constructed. Except for re- modeling, these buildings are the same now as they were then.

One grocery store, that of Mr. T. B. Ewing, consistently adver-

tised, although there were also two others in Bement in 1913. Other businesses whose ads could be found in the paper prac- tically every week were: the two banks, Swenson's furniture store, Hughes and Bodman (dry goods), Taylor and Siders (hardware), W. W. Body (drygoods), John McNamee (drygoods), Schuh & Son (implements), Dan Hall (in- surance), W. W. Davis (drug store), George Clark (imple- ments), and Lum Groff (pro- duce). Those appearing less fre- quently were: L. U. Alvord (gro- cery), Geo. Tracey (painting), Knapp (hardware), Darl Evans (wallpaper), George McCabe (watch repair), A. Bradley (har- ness maker), Bower and Dicken- son (men's clothes), K. B. Har- low (drygoods), Shaw & McGin- ness (implements), Herman Krause (tailor), Bement Manu- facturing Co., Bement Grain Co., and the Bement Brick Co.

Camp and Tenney building, old school house in background, and ox team on the west of the building.

Established 1865 90 YEARS OF SERVICE

BEMENT LUMBER CO.

BEMENT, ILLINOIS PHONE 4101

ROY B. JONES, Owner — EDWARD E. FRITZ

CONGRATULATIONS BEMENT

. . . May your 100th Birthday celebration be but the begin- ning of a feeling of unity and pride that will make this com- munity a place that future generations will be proud of . . a heritage they will cherish and preserve.

Charles C. Strohl

CHRYSLER - PLYMOUTH DEALER

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

PHONE 3311

GAY NINETIES IN BEMENT

The "Gay Nineties" in Bement were typified by a closeknit com- munity spirit. The nation as a whole was relaxing after a near economic collapse, and our com- munity — like the rest of the country, responded with a feeling of gaiety and fun making.

During this period, our village had board sidewalks along Bod- man Street, and it was quite the fashionable and popular pastime for the fair maidens to stroll along the main street on Satur- day afternoon — dressed in their best, complete with a parasol. It was said that a lady's age could be determined by the length of her skirt. The lengths ranged be- tween a knee length skirt for the little girls, to the ground-sweep- ing length for the married ladies. Mr. Carl Thompson says he can seldom ever remember even see- ing his mother's feet.

Fun was mostly the home- made kind. Cards and dancing were frowned upon by many. Still these forms of entertainment were beginning to be popular and many dances were held in the "Town Hall" over what is now the State Bank of Bement. Other buildings along Bodman Street also housed halls and large rooms used by various organizations for their social functions. Sunday School picnics were delightful oc- casions. A most popular spot for these picnics was along the Sang- amon River. On one of these oc- casions, the group gathered in

BEMENT BAND — 1897

This picture was taken on August 26, 1897 in front of McDaniels Dry Goods

store. Reading from left to right: Back row — George Thompson, John K.

Barnes, Charles Mowyer, Darl Evans, Cyrus Bruce, Carl Thompson, Charley

Pope, Thomas Priestly. Front Row — Ralph Pettit, Ralph Martin, Harry Cornelius, Mr. Dawson from

Decatur, Charley Dawson, Richard Fleming, Mayo Evans, Miller Evans. The two drummers are W. B. Stewart on the left and Ed Eckman on the right.

Bement — piled themselves into wagons all hitched together and drawn by a steam engine — and thus joyously embarked upon the tedious trip over country roads to the picnic spot. During the day they were drenched with rain, and since the roads were not what they are today, the picnickers had to be rescued in horse-drawn carriages, buggies and wagons. The original caravan of steam engine and wagons had to be left at the picnic spot until the roads dried off again.

Another young peoples' group who favored the great out-of- doors called themselves "The

*- * M'-

SNkwkv

PIATT COUNTY CHAMPIONS — 1894

Reading from left to right: Forney Thompson, pitcher; Lou Hill, catcher; Charles Houk, umpire; Shorty Grinnup, left-field; Otto Webb, substitute; Wm. Mann, icenter- field; Ed Body, 3rd base; George Thompson, right-field; Ross Rennick, 1st base; Fred Fales, short-stop; Oda Evans, manager; and Art Shook, 2nd base.

Smith Family." During the sum- mer months the whole group went on camping trips, pitching tents and staying a week at a time. The women remained in camp during the day, while the men who were in business re- turned to the village during the day. Then all returned to the camping ground for the evening meal and an evening of song and relaxation around the campfire. The group divided into commit- tees— each committee being re- sponsible for one evening meal during the week.

The highlight of the summer's fun was the Annual 4th of July Celebration which got off to a bang-up start with a Calithump- ian Parade. (Dictionary Defini- tion — a humorous formation, noting or pertaining to a loud, boisterous parade, with the blow- ing of tin horns and other dis- cordant noises.) The parade would form between nine and ten in the morning and led by the Town Band; this gala group of decorated wagons and costumed residents wound its way through the town. Often times the various groups of merry-makers would pantomime incidents that had oc- curred during the preceding year — poking fun at various citizens, clowning around, and in general having a riotous time. Folks drove into Bement from all the surrounding community in farm wagons, buggies, and carriages. Many large families came on hay racks, bringing their dinners with them in baskets. In the afternoon

We're the Pioneer Grocery in Bement . . .

22 Years In the Same Location .... In the Oldest Building in Bement

May We Join in Extending

BEST WISHES

on this

MOMENTOUS OCCASION

KINTNER'S

RAY KINTNER KEN STEIDINGER

and Employees

HELPING TO MAKE HISTORY IN THE BEMENT COMMUNITY

SINCE 1920

VOORHIES

CO-OPERATIVE GRAIN CO.

ELEVATOR AT VOORHIES - 4 MILES SOUTH OF BEMENT, ILLINOIS

SALUTES BEMENT AND COMMUNITY ON THEIR 100th YEAR OF PROGRESS

ELBERT BRADLEY OSCAR WINZENBURGER

President Secretary-Treasurer

WILLARD MORRIS CHARLES MARSHAL

Vice-President Manager

everyone gathered at the village park to listen to speakers and take part in 3-legged races, egg races (where each participant had to pick up a fresh egg on a wooden shingle and carry it on that shingle to a certain point and back to the starting point), foot races, pie-eating contests, rope- pulling contests, etc. Some ex- tremely dexterous lads tried their hand at catching greased pigs and climbing greased poles. At one of these celebrations, a bi- cycle race was held around the section which would now be des- ignated as beginning at Coles pasture, riding south to the Pos- tlewait farm, one mile east to the corner, north to the Frank Lux farm and back west to Coles pasture. Of course, this wonder- ful day of fun and festivity was brought to a fitting conclusion with a spectacular display of fireworks.

Groups of touring performers made their way into Bement dur- ing this period. Medicine Shows, in the old tradition, offered enter- tainment and patent medicines. Drama groups performed at the Town Hall. The business men sponsored "Lyceum Bureaus" or Lecture Courses wnich usually ran for a week and were held at the Town Hall or at the park. These courses featured musicals, drama, poetry and elocution. They were both entertaining and educational.

Our village grew and was mod- ernized considerably during the Nineties. Many boarding houses and lodging places were available in Bement at this time. By way of mention, some of these were known as the Quick Hotel, The Murphy House, the McDowell House (later known as the Be- ment House), and the Renick House. Probably the two best re- membered, however, are The White House and The Hotel Ven- dome.

The White House stands today as it was in 1898 and Mr. Harden, the present owner, is a nephew of Mrs. White and her sister who maintained it as a boarding house and lodging place. These sisters started serving meals and offer- ing lodging in 1865. What is now the kitchen and dining room was then only the dining room. A tremendous room which accom- modated two huge tables, and judging from a picture of one of these meals which Mr. Harden

ONE OF THE EARLY FOOTBALL TEAMS IN BEMENT

Front row from left to right: Charles Knapp, William Mann, Willard Toby, prin- cipal. Lewis Wise, Otto Webb, James Lamb, Dean Conway, Harvey Vance, Roy Webb.

Back row from left to right: Forrest Rose, Fred Tenney, Charles Mcintosh, Supt., Luther Conway.

has in his possession, a grand array of delicious food was of- fered and undoubtedly enjoyed by their boarders. Many local young business men who had not established homes at the time, partook of this hospitality as well as those people who were passing through Bement.

The Hotel Vendome, later known as the Arlington Hotel, was constructed in 1896 and re- mained until it was torn down in 1937. At the time of its construc- tion, the Wabash Railroad was seriously considering Bement as •a suitable location for their shops and roundhouse. (They purchas- ed 62 V-j acres of land at the west edge of Bement.) Thus a good hotel was deemed a fine idea and the Hotel Vendome was con- structed by a Mr. W. D. Fair- banks from Farmer City. The ho- tel contained 40 sleeping rooms, parlors on the three floors; and kitchen, traveling salesmen's sam- ple rooms, and office on the first floor. The opening, held in the spring of 1897, was a social func- tion long to be remembered. Cit- izens of Bement and nearby towns and hotel men attended. Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Riggs were the managers at this time and had prepared a wonderful ban- quet for the guests at the modest sum of $2.00 per couple. Among the eight young men who served as waiters receiving $2.00 for the evening were: Arthur Shook, Carl R. Thompson, Will Mann, and Jack Foster. Following the banquet, the dining room and of- fice were cleared and those Who

enjoyed dancing were allowed the privilege. The hotel changed hands several times during the intervening years, but gradually became a bad investment as the Wabash Shops were built in De- catur, and with the advent of good roads and modern transpor- tation, there became no necessity for maintaining a hotel here.

Jan. 12, 1893 - Adv. from Hal- deman Milling Co. — "All kinds of grain, including corn in the ear or shelled, ground for feed for 10c per cwt., cheaper than your cow can chew it."

Feb. 2, 1893 — Joel Dunn's smoke house was robbed of two hams Sunday night. The vaga- bond who would steal the last two hams from a smoke house on Sunday night when pork is al- most "out of sight" should be treated to a coat of tar and feath- ers."

April 5, 1893 — Taylor and Siders would like for the gentle- man who "borrowed" the short end of their extension ladder to either return it, or call for the other half.

June 22, 1893 — L. H. Alvord sold 600 quarts of strawberries Tuesday.

Dec. 27, 1893 — Adv. Don't sleep on the floor that will make times harder than ever for you. From me you can get* a whole bedroom set for $11.00. This means nothing less than three pieces: Bedstead, Dresser, and Wash Stand, well made goods and nicely polished.

Andrew Swenson

	CONGRATULATIONS
	Bement on Your lOOJh Birthday
BODMANS DRUG STORE	#^r€
Established 1862	^^^^^^v**" x S^^^^F
by	from
S. K. BODAAAN	BELL INSURANCE AGENCY
	Phone 2281 Bement, III.
Compliments of	where
E. S. BODMAN	friendly, competent advice is always available
In business in	concerning
same location	ALL TYPES OF
since 1902	INSURANCE
	BE SURE TO INSURE
	KEITH M. BELL

Supplying Bement's Building Needs

IHE WILKINS

1 J

D

— BUILDING MATERIALS —

Ivesdale

BEMENT

Monticello

As a regular feature of the pa- per at that time, the editor pub- lished the time table for the Illi- nois Traction and the Wabash. This would seem to indicate that many Bement people used the trains quite extensively for trans- portation. The modern automo- bile was not yet in common use; however, Bement was not with- out its car dealers in those days since the Ford, Studebaker, and Rambler were offered for sale. In advertising the last of these, at- tention was called to the fact that even a woman could operate this car, since you merely had to "push a button under the foot to start the motor."

Another type of business found in Bement about this time was the Horse Barn, operated by Mr. John Breen at the present loca- tion of the Bowen Motor Co. It was to this sale barn that he brought horses which he pur- chased throughout central Illi- nois. When the market was right and the horses in condition, they would be shipped to Chicago or New York. However, he dealt with draft horses, and when the tractor began to replace them, Mr. Breem was forced to sell out.

Many changes in the business picture of Bement were seen in 1916. More grocery stores, ga- rages, and auto repair establish- ments made their appearance. Several business men retired or sold out to younger aspirants. Fewer changes took place in 1918. However, one business man was forced to sell out — George Clark, who had a shoe and men's furnishings store, was drafted. At the same time, the war neces- sitated some curtailing of busi- ness. In accordance with the Fuel Administrator's order, the stores closed, to observe heatless Tues- day. Likewise the people were re- minded that Monday was meat- less day. The bakery offered "Victory Bread" for wheatless days.

By 1919, due to orders from the state fire marshal, several old buildings were to be torn down, in some cases resulting in the removal of landmarks which had stood for many years. The firm of Schuh & Son purchased one of these, owned by Hudson Martin, and planned to erect a new one-story building, 33 by 60, of bricks veneer, as soon as the old one could be torn down. In 1860 this building had been leas-

FIRST PRIZE IN CALUTHUMPIAN PARADE— July 4th, 1913

Daniel H. Siders, standing and Clell Baugh, driving

COMPLIMENTS OF

HOWARD HILL

GOODYEAR and STANDARD DEALER

I FEEL THANKFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF

THIS COMMUNITY FOR THEIR

PATRONA'GE FOR THE PAST

60 YEARS

Best Wishes for Bement's Future Years

W. A. HAMMOND

JEWELER

BEMENT

ILLINOIS

Since 1939

29 YEARS . . .

This is a record for any Oil Distributor in Bement

HOME OIL COMPANY

ii

Distributor SINCLAIR Products

Congratulates Bement on Its 100th Birthday

EDW. K AN ITZ

ROY E . ALLEN

ed for a wagon-making and black- smith shop by Charles Hubble and Mr. Bills. A few years later a Mr. Jackson leased if and he later transferred his lease to Mr. Martin. In 1872 Mr. Martin pur- chased the building, enlarged it greatly, and engaged in the im- plement and wagon building business extensively. About 1889 he added a smaller building which he used for a buggy room. At times he employed seven men. It was said that there was more business done here than at any other place in town. (This build- ing was located where Dr. Speltz is now located.)

Mr. Schuh, who was now pur- chasing this building, had been engaged in blacksmithing there for some 30 years. The other two buildings, which were to be torn down, were on the adjoining lot. Owned by Ralph Oyler, they had been constructed 38 years earlier by Simon Priestly and J. A. Force, the front being used for wagons, and the back one for a blacksmith shop. Mr. Force built and lived in the third house to be built in Bement.

In 1922 the State built a paved highway through Bement. This opened the way for better trans- portation via the automobile and we find an increased emphasis upon the sale and service of auto- mobiles in Bement. Some of these were: Robertson's Garage, Be- ment Garage (dealer for the Es- sex, Hudson, Mormon, and Dort cars), Hill Brothers Garage, Be- ment Battery Station, Hubbell Garage, Gillespie and Grothe (re- pair), and* E. L. Campbell (Ford

dealer). Four implement stores were ready to supply the farmer: S. M. Postlewait, Schuh & Son, A. J. Gulliford, and the Piatt County Supply Co.

At this point in our "Town His- tory," we stop and pause and wonder just what should be said about the last 30 years in the his- tory of Bement. A great author- ity on the teaching of history once said: "Everyone knows what history is until he begins to think about it. After that, nobody knows." That is the feeling we have at this point — we don't know what should be said about the last 30 years. Many of the- events of our own times will sure- ly be forgotten in the next hun- dred years. Historians of the fu- ture will pick out and record events of our time which seem

	y§
'1 f ■»|l:-V wSm

important to them, rather than those which now seem important to us. Historians have done this through the years. Events of the past take on different shape when they are viewed in the light of current happenings and affairs.

In looking back, we find that Bement business during the last thirty or forty years reflects the national situation in regard to broad outlines. Underlying this, change if not growth, has been the economic status of Bement's citizens. Established primarily as a farming community, her busi- ness interests of necessity have catered to this primary market. And as the farmer's picture changed, so has the business sec- tion of Bement.

That Bement business was in- exorably associated with the

1855 -BEMENT- 1955

N

Congratulations . . . to ~My Jrome Uown

100 YEARS OF PROGRESS- A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

(rom

\

S

FIN'N

SIRLOIN ROOM

1701 N. Woodford Decatur, III. Phone 3-4241

* DINE IN AIR-CONDITIONED COMFORT

* WE SERVE ONLY TOP QUALITY AGED STEAKS

* FRESH-FROM-THE-SEA SEAFOODS

S&uaihg, filicflitly Iftam 5 jx. 4ft. ta 1 a. m.

"JIM and SALLY NALLY"

farmer is also suggested by the failure of the factory to become a permanent part of this picture — a failure not due to any lack in trying. Even though other cir- cumstances contributed to their absence, still the very fact of this absence is probably related in some way to Bement's being a farming community.

Throughout the period under consideration, Bement business reflected the national picture with some few exceptions. Cur- tailment demanded by the war in 1917 was soon terminated by a period of prosperity during the 1920's. However, this prosperity in Bement continued until 1933, an exception to the national scene, where 1929 spelled disas- ter for many larger cities. During the depression here in Bement, our Forest Preserve Park, a dream of many for more than fifteen years, became a reality. This was done with the help of the W. P. A. in cooperation with the Piatt County Forest Preserve Park Board and a number of Be- ment business men. This project gave employment to people at a time when it was badly needed and Bement became the proud possessor of a beautiful park complete with a new pavilion. This property, part of which was the old Wabash reservoir, was covered with dense trees and brush. To this was added 10 acres on the west belonging to F. E. Shaw. Thursday, October 14, 1937 marked the formal dedica- tion ceremony of the Bement For- est Preserve Park, the site now being used for the Bement Cen- tennial Town Meetings.

Shortly after this, Bement bus- iness seemed well on the way to recovery and expansion which continued until the outbreak of World War II in 1941. Naturally, during the war, business activity was curtailed and few changes took place in Bement. Following the war, a natural increase in ac- tivity was once again witnessed. New business buildings were built, new homes and much re- modeling has been done with more in progress at this time.

Bement had a set-back on De- cember 13, 1953 when they lost three business buildings by fire. They were the Bement Theater, Dare's Tavern, and a building oc- cupied by the Hadden Barber Shop and Flo Marie Wright's Beauty Shop. The fire burned

furiously and for a time the Be- ment firemen were joined by the fire departments of Monticello, Atwood, Hammond, and Cerro Gordo in an effort to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading across the alley. They did succeed in preventing the fire from crossing the alley, but the three buildings mentioned were a complete loss.

In closing this section we would like to mention a few of the busi- ness and professional men who have served this community for many years. The late Andrew Swenson, who was born in Swe- den, adopted this community as' his own and served it not only in a business way but also in other fields. In 1892, when he launched his business career in Bement, the business section could boast of few establishments. He saw new enterprises spring up and prosper, others start and die down, still others change hands. But he remained for over 50 years. Carl R. Thompson has been active in the business affairs of Bement for over 50 years, and we have two doctors who "have been in Bement for over 50 years — Dr. W. G. McPherson and Dr. J. G. Bauer. The dean of all the present business men is Mr. W. A. Hammond who is still active on Main Street after 60 years in business. Dr. L. A. Pelton and Ed Bodman have both been active in the business life of Bement for over 40 years.

Bement has come a long way in the past century, and judging from the cooperation and enthu- siasm shown by its citizens dur- ing this Centennial Celebration, we are very optimistic about its future. We may not be a big town but we certainly are making a good town in which to live.

Early Administration of Justice

About the time Bement was founded, there was a group of people in Piatt County and sur- rounding territory that organized a company for the purpose of ad- ministering justice in cases that the law could not well get hold of. Among themselves they were known as the "CALITHUMP- IANS." They were in organiza- tion for eight or ten years and 'tis thought they did a good deal of good with tar and feathers; for while some were quite se- verely punished for misdeeds, others were afraid to do wrong.

THE BEMENT REST HAVEN HOME

The large house now occupied by the Rest Haven Home was built in 1869-70 by Albert Greg- ory of the firm of Fisher and Gregory, bankers in Bement. The Gregory's sold the house and 4 acres to Mr. Wm. Camp in 1874. It is remembered by most as the old Camp house.

In 1951 Mrs. Opril Baker, a trained practical nurse, secured this house and made plans for starting a Rest Haven in Be- ment. Open House was held on Sunday, October 21, 1951 and the home was opened for patients on the following Monday. The second floor was opened April 6, 1952. At the present time it is filled to capacity, 27 patients. The Rest Home employs 9 or 10 people to care for these patients.

January 7, 1904 — E. A. Body and Sam Bodman and others are harvesting a crop of ice this week. The ice is about 12 inches thick and of good quality.

Jan. 14, 1904 — Carl Thompson and his delivery sleigh with the sweet tones of sleigh bells have been the envy of "all the girls" the past week.

May 5, 1904 — "Bement has had an anti-spit ordinance since Sept. 26, 1902, but you couldn't have told it from the appearance of the walks. — $2.00 fine per spit.

May 12, 1904 — 212 Bement citizensHook an excursion via the Wabash to the University of Illi- nois.

June 30, 1904 — There are more trains in and out of Bement on the Wabash than Decatur, and the Monticello time table resem- bles a flag station compared to ours. Sixty-six trains daily in and out of Bement that can^y passengers.

CONGRATULATIONS BEMENT

on Your 100th ANNIVERSARY

from

COUNTY OFFICIALS, 1955

<f=5^E^

PIATT COUNTY OLD COURT HOUSE Picture taken about 1896

PRESENT PIATT COUNTY COURTHOUSE Erected September 22, 1903

B. E. MORGAN

County Judge

CARL I. GLASGOW States Attorney

CHARLES SCOTT JOHNSON

Circuit Clerk and Recorder

VERA H. PERRY

County Treasurer

DWIGHT M. MACKEY Coroner

HARRY E. BICKEL

County Clerk

FRANK WRENCH

County Supt. of Schools

TROY C. BENNETT

County Sheriff

J. ROBERT BOWER

.County Supt. of Highways

GROVER W. WATSON

Judge of the Circuit Court Sixth Judicial Circuit

Joseph Bodman

F. E. Bryant

J. O. Sparks

George L. Spear

S. K. Bodman

Chester Schoolcraft Frank A. Jones

John McNamee

Wm. B. Fleming

Horace Haldeman

George M. Thompson

W. G. Cloyd

Charles Grant

William Hughes Mrs. Ruth Patterson

THE BEMENT POST OFFICE

The Post Office at Bement, Illinois was established January 23, 1856, with Joseph Bodman as postmaster. His successor was F. E. Br.yant, pioneer trades- man of Bement, who was ap- pointed July 7, 1857. Mr. Bry- ant's Successor was J. O. Sparks, grain dealer, who was

appointed October 18, 1858, ana was succeeded by George L. Spear, who was appointed April 20, 1861, under the administra- tion of President Lincoln. On October 6, 1865, Sereno K. Bod- man, a druggist and nephew of the first postmaster (Joseph Bodman) was appointed to suc- ceed Judge Spear and held the

office until his successor, Ches- ter Schoolcraft, whose appoint- ment was made October 12, 1866, took charge of the office. Mr. Schoolcraft was succeeded by Sereno K. Bodman, who was the first 'come-back' occupant of the office, being reappointed March 31, 1869, under the administra- tion of President Grant. On July

Nearly a Century f Service!

1860-1955 95 Friendly Years

Ninety-five years have elapsed since the original founding of the Millikin National Bank of Decatur in 1860. Bement was then five years old and Decatur was a young, progressive com- munity of 3800.

During its long history, The Millikin .National Bank has pro- vided complete banking facilities and helpful credit to thou- sands of individuals and business firms in Decatur and Central Illinois.

Today we congratulate our good neighbor — Bement — on its 100th birthday.

May your Centennial celebration be a happy one!

The Millikin National Bank of Decatur

DECATUR'S OLDEST AND LARGEST BANK

Member Federal Deposit Member Federal Founded 1860

Insurance Corporation Reserve System by James Millikin

1, 1884, the office was advanced to third class or presidential of- fice, and on July 4, 1884, Frank A. Jones was appointed to the office. Mr. Bodman retired after a continuous service of more than 15 years. Mr. Jones was succeeded by John McNamee, who was appointed by President Grover Cleveland, March 22, 1887. Jones came back and suc- ceeded Mr. McNamee under ap- pointment by President Harri- son, July 1, 1891. Frank A. Jones, the first presidential ap- pointee, was a veteran of the Civil War, and was literally shot to pieces on the firing line. He was informed by a hospital sur- geon at one time that he had but a few hours to live, but Jones said he absolutely refused to die. At the close of the war in 1865 he marched up the avenue in Washington, and fifty years af- terwards marched with the vet- erans over the same route dur- ing the national encampment of the G. A. R. in Washington, D. C. in 1915.

William B. Fleming was the successor of Mr. Jones under ap- pointment made by President Cleveland, Jan. 23, 1896. Flem- ing was succeeded by Horace Haldeman, prominent in business and political activities of the community, who was appointed June 29, 1900, and was succeed- ed by George M. Thompson, who was named January 11, 1905. He was succeeded by W. G. Cloyd who was appointed by President

Wilson, August 1, 1913. Charles Grant became acting postmaster in 1923 and later received his appointment as postmaster. He was succeeded by William Hughes, whose appointment was dated March 1, 1924. Following Mr. Hughes, Mr. J. N. Raglan was acting postmaster for one year before Mrs. Ruth Patterson, the present postmistress, re- ceived her appointment on Au- gust 20, 1934.

MAYORS OF BEMENT

QUOTES FROM BEMENT GAZETTE— JULY 9, 1887

Quite a number of Bement's young folks enjoyed a moonlight picnic in the park last Wednesday evening.

The greatest sight we saw out- side the calithumpian parade was a woman standing on her head swearing at the driver for letting the horse run away.

Ye editor has been confined to his room the past week. He is not dangerously sick, but if you should offer him a seat without a cushion, you would hear "piles" of cuss words.

Fizz, Bang, Boom, is the way the fourth was celebrated here in good old fashioned style. The boys commenced in the morning at 1 o'clock by ringing the bells and firing the anvils. The crowd commenced to come in very early and by eight o'clock the streets were pretty well filled, and at ten the calithumpian parade started out . . .

Joseph Bodman	1861-1863
F. E. Bryant	1863-1865
W. L. Ryder	1865
Thos. T. Pettit	1866
D. C. W. Niles	1867-
Wm. M. Camp	1868
Joseph Bodman	1869-1871
Thos. Dunn	1871
W. A. Pierce	1872
H. A. Stark	1873
H. Martin	1874
Jas. S. Peairs	1875
E. Sweney	1876
T. T. Pettit	1877-1878
E. Sweney	1879
T. T. Pettit	1880
J. C. McCord	1882
Darius Vaughn	1883
W. S. Ruby	1884
G. B. Alvord	1885
C. H. Camp	1886
Joseph Hartman	1887
D. D. Kimmel	1888
Robert Fertig	1889-1891
C. F. Tenney	1891-1892
Robert Fertig	1893-1896
E. R. Sayler	1896-1898
J. T. Moore	1898
H. E. Shaw	1899-1903
J. F. Sprague	1907-1909
W. J. Day	1909-1912
J. F. Sprague	1912-1919
M. C. Camp	1919-1923
Daniel Hall	1923-1926
J. F. Sprague	1926-1929
J. W. B. Stewart	1929-1931
E. E. Logan	1931-1945
Edward Kanitz	1945-1949
Carl J. Edwards	1949-1953
Lynn Crook	1953-1957

1955— BEMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Seated from the left: Dan Siders (Village Treasurer), Bryan Wilson (Village At- torney), Lynn Crook (Mayor), and Carl Thompson (Village Clerk for 33 years).

Standing from the left: Board Members— Ralph Mintun, Walter Miller, Harry Hixon, F. E. Lincicum, Ralph Siders Jr., and Keith Bell.

CONGRATULATIONS BEMENT

on your 100 YEARS of Achievements

CITIZENS GAS COMPANY

— Use GAS - The Ideal Fuel —

THE PRESS

Bement's first newspaper, The Bement Union, was established in April of 1860, by James Shoaff of Decatur and Mr. Outten of Monticello. Mr. Shoaff was the editor of the paper which was published in the warehouse of Freese and Go. He advocate! the removal of the county seat to Bement. At the time, he cre- ated a great deal of interest and it became a topic of general dis- cussion. Of course it did not succeed, but he did succeed in getting the county organized into Townships under the control of a Board of Supervisors. Mr. Shoaff made his editorial fare- well in the paper of April 18, 1861, and enlisted in the army. Mr. Sanches became the editor and publisher, but within a few months the paper was discontin- ued. From then until 1878 a suc- cession of editors made their ap- pearance. All retired from the business in short order, with most of them leaving an unfavor- able impression upon the com- munity. This may be divined by the following excerpts from a 55 page history of Bement written by George L. Spear, father of Elmer E. Spear, of Bement, and published in 1878. (Mr. Spear was appointed postmaster in 1869, elected police magistrate in 1863, served as Justice of the Peace for 18 years and was also County Judge. His history, writ- ten in original style with humor- ous expressions, is delightful to read.)

"Some years after the suspen- sion of the Bement Union, one John Smith appears above the horizon, a shining opaque, and began the publishing of a news- paper, using the old Union press. Johnny didn't stay long, but he staid long enough to teach the people here that publishers of newspapers are not all angels." "Immediately succeeding him was that traveling comet, John S. Harper, who also left a sooty mark upon the walls WTien he too, scooted with his booty." Speaking of John Harper, we now quote from an article found in the Monticello Independent newspaper at the time — "Editor J. S. Harper, the humorous, rest- less owner of numerous newspa- pers, late of the Homer Journal, Sidney Sentinel, Tolono Citizen, Fairmount Republican, Philo Her- ald, Sucker State Journal, and

PICTURE OF OLD BEMENT REGISTER OFFICE

Reading from left to right: Wesley Smith, Roy E. Cartwright (Editor,) Gertrude Duncan, May Booker.

The Bement Register, walked from Bement to Monticello last Friday, with the thermometer at 92 degrees, in fifty-five minutes. He may not be a success as an editor, but surely is as a hoofer." He moved from Bement to Farm- er City where he was the editor of the Farmer City Bugle." Quot- ing again from Mr. Spear: "After Harper left, next came Jacobs who for a while succeeded well, but suddenly came to the con- clusion that all work and no cro- quet makes Jake a dull boy and finally succumbed to an over- whelming wave of ennui. Con- ners came in on the heels of Ja- cobs, staid awhile and came to the conclusion that the Lord had work for him in Jericho, so he went to pulpit labor."

On the first day of January 1878, Mr. Ben Biddlecome issued the first issue of "The Independ- ent". This paper was begun un- der unfavorable circumstances, but for several years made its way quite well. The Independ- ent was followed by The Bement Gazette, published by F. E. Bills. The Bement Gazette was next started by J. I. Chilson who later sold out to Eli Drum.

The Bement Reveille was start- ed in 1889. The early newspa- papers were usually an eight page paper, however four of these pages were ready-print. Two pages of this, devoted to national and international news, seemed

to constitute the extent to which they lived up to their motto, "All the news, all the time." The re- maining two pages of ready-print were devoted to a continued story, a fashion column, patent medicine advertisements, etc.

The present newspaper — The Bement Register, made its first appearance in 1890 with M. O. Curry & Co. as publishers and is now in its 65th year of con- tinuous publication. When it started in 1890, the office was located upstairs over a building two doors south of the present location of Hill's Cafe. The of- fice has been in its present loca- tion since 1896 or '97. Mr. Curry served as editor from the start in 1890 until 1905 when Roy E. Cartwright took over. The pre- sent editor, Verne Purcell, has edited the paper since 1943 and has owned it since 1946.

May 20, 1909— Dr. W. G. Mc- Pherson received his new Mitchell Roadster Tuesday. It is a hand- some machine and runs easily and with practically no noise.

February 23, 1905 — Watchman George Lee and His Flowers . . . George Lee and his wife came to Bement from Yorkshire, England in 1881. He took great pride in converting the dismal grounds in the vicinity of his shanty into a picture of loveliness with flow- ers.

Compliments of

THE mm REGISTER

(ESTABLISHED 1890) VERNE PURCELL

(Publisher Since 1943) LEONE PURCELL VERNE P. DUST

EDNA L. MOORE LEONA C. HOLLOWAY

LUCILLE PURCELL CHESTINE PEIFER

ALVIN DUST

"Some weeks I don't know who is running this paper."

CONGRATULATIONS BEMENT ON fOUR 100TH BIRTHDAY

DYE

Radio and Electric Service

BEMENT, ILLINOIS PHONE 2951

"Serving ths Community for a quarter century ..."

Inside . . . Outside ... All Around the House

VIRDEN LIGHTING FIXTURES

Puts Good Lighting Within Your Reach

THE DRAINAGE OF LAKE FORK— 1882-87

A ridge running across the northwestern corner of Bement Township causes the land there to be a great deal higher than it is in the southern and eastern part of the township. In fact the lowness of the land in the south- ern and eastern part debarred settlement therein for a number of years until proper measures were taken to drain the land with tile and drainage ditches. The ex- treme northwestern portion of the township drains toward the Sangamon River, while all the rest of the township is drained by the Lake Fork branch of the Okaw River, which comes into the township in its north-eastern section, runs southward, leaving the township about the middle of its southern boundary line. The fall of the stream was very slight. After the rainy season the banks would overrun, and then for days and weeks the stream, through miles of its course, had the ap- pearance of a lake or swamp ; and because of its slowness in dis- charging its water, we suppose, the stream was called Lake Fork. The land was the rich black loam, but was not very valuable, be- cause it would overflow, and a crop was by no means sure. To- day with proper drainage, this land that was once useless is some of the most valuable in the United States for farming.

The early settlers soon came to realize that something must be

done about draining this land if it were to be farmed successfully. The question of forming a drain- age district under the State Law was submitted to a vote of the people and the question carried. On the 7th day of October, 1882, an election was held in the Con- cord Schoolhouse for the purpose of electing the drainage commis- sioners. Alfred Jay, Samuel L. Busick, and Anthony Clark were elected as the first commission- ers. They now had the arduous job of viewing the land and de- termining the benefits and amount of assessment for each property owner.

m r±

Anthony Clark

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Busick

The owners whose land was furtherest from the proposed dredge ditch and who had some natural drainage objected to pay- ing for the drainage of the land through which the ditch passed. Tempers flared and threats were made to the commissioners and their families. It became so ser- ious that the commissioners had to carry guns to protect them- selves and their families. Objec- tions were filed and cases fought out in court. However, the com- missioners were firm in their con- victions that if they didn't see the job through, their children would have to. It was very evi-

dent to these far-sighted men that before this part of the world would ever amount to much, there must be drainage and roads.

On September 21, 1883, C. D. Moore, County Surveyor, was employed to survey the proposed drainage ditch and prepare a plat and profile. This was done that fall and submitted to the com- missioners at a meeting held March 1, 1884. The original ditch was to extend from the line north of the SEx/4 of section 36, town- ship 18 North, Range 6; east to the Crane Bridge, a distance of eleven miles. The plat was ap- proved, and it was decided to ad- vertise for bids to be opened March 31, 1884. No bids were submitted and nothing was done until September 20, 1884, when they again advertised for bids which were to be received and contract let October 16, 1884. The contract was not let until the next spring however. Active work was begun in the summer of 1885. The work continued all summer and fall and all the next year until in November, 1886, they reached the Moore Grave- yard in Unity Township. On the second day of February, 1887, the dredge boat was burned. The ditch, however, had been com- pleted as far as the original ditch extended. In all, over two hun- dred thousand cubic yards of dirt had been removed. As the ditch had been completed within the time allowed, the price paid for the work was 13 M> cents per cu- bic yard, and the ditch had cost in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars.

As time passed a number of lateral ditches were put in and hundreds of miles of field tile were laid. The Village of Bement purchased perpetual rights to drain into one of these laterals.

WELCOME TO

WEST END

TAVERN

Just East of Wabash Depot

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

FINE FOODS -MICHELOB ON TAP

RAY AND THERESE MATTINGLY

MARATHON

GASOLINE

V. E. P. MOTOR OIL

J. ROY JORDAN Phone 2501 Dement

THE OHIO OIL COMPANY

The rich black loam rid of its surplus of brackish water, be- came some of the richest and most productive land in the world. Yields of 90-100 bushels of corn to the acre are not uncom- mon. The great yield of grain caused the value of the land to increase many fold. In 1882, the year the dredging plans started, land sold for $35. per acre. By 1900 the value had risen to $150. During World War I, it increased to $400., and at the present time it is selling for over $500. per acre.

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS IN BEMENT

The Francis E. Bryant Cottage in Bement has been described as the second most important Lin- coln Shrine in the United States. It holds this peculiar position in history because here two of Illi- nois' great men, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, dis- cussed and agreed to their fa- mous series of joint debates. These debates focused national attention on Abraham Lincoln and led to his election as Presi- dent of the United States.

In 1858, Illinois witnessed one of its hottest political campaigns. Democratic Senator Douglas was running for re-election and was opposed by Lincoln. Douglas was only 5'4" tall and just about as broad. They called him "The Little Giant." Lincoln was 6'4" tall and weighed 200 lbs. — a tall gaunt figure of a man. His friends called him "Honest Abe" or "Old Abe" although he was only 49 at the time. Douglas said of. him, "Of all the dammed Whig rascals about Springfield, Abe Lincoln is the ablest and most honest."

The issue was clearly defined. Lincoln, in accepting the Repub- lican Senatorial Nomination on June 16, 1858, in Springfield, had declared: "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the House to fall, but I do ex- pect that it will cease to be di- vided. It will become all one thing, or all the other."

One of the Republican leaders said it was a "dammed fool ut- terance"; another held the doc- trine too much "ahead of its time." Lincoln's law partner,

Billy Herdon, urged: "Lincoln, deliver that speech . . . and it will make you president."

On July 22, 1858, Lincoln wrote a letter to Douglas chal- lenging him to a series of de- bates. Douglas was reluctant to accept. He told his friends: "I do not feel, between you and me, that I want to go into this de- bate. The whole country knows me and has me measured. Lin- coln, as regards myself, is com- paratively unknown, and if he gets the best of this debate, — and I wa*it to say he is the ablest man the Republicans have got, — I shall lose everything and Lincoln will gain everything. Should I win, I shall gain but little. I do not want to go into debate with Abe."

Both Lincoln and Douglas had speaking engagements in Monti- cello, the Piatt County Seat, on July 29, 1858. Emma Piatt, in her history of Piatt County (1883) says a magnificent dis- play was made by the throngs of people, consisting of delega- tions from Champaign and De- witt Counties, as well as Piatt, which met Lincoln as he came from Bement. Monticello had no railroad at that time and tra- velers to the county seat got off the Chicago, Great Western at Be- ment, and journeyed to Monti- cello by horseback or stage.

Douglas who was to speak in Monticello that afternoon, July 29, was staying at the home of his intimate friend, F. E. Bryant, in Bement. Bryant had become acquainted with Senator Douglas several years prior to moving to

Carleton Smith with Senator Alexan- der Wiley, as they visit at the Bryant Cottage in Bement. They are shown inspecting the chair that Abraham Lincoln sat in on the evening of Julv 29, 1858.

Bement when Bryant represent- ed Schuyler County in the state legislature in 1852. The ac- quaintance ripened into a firm friendship. And so, in July 1858, when it was known that Douglas was to speak in Monticello, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant invited Sen. Douglas and his wife to be their guests. They came the day be- fore and on July 29, with the host and hostess, drove to Mon- ticello in a carriage for the speaking. Upon returning, when a mile out of Monticello, they met Abraham Lincoln riding in

THE PIATT COUNTY BAR HONORS ITSELF IN THUS

HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE FORMERLY

PRACTICED LAW BEFORE THIS BAR

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

THOMAS MILLIGAN

HAMILTON C. McCOMAS

CHARLES WATTS

ALEXANDER G. BOYER

ALONZOT. PIPHER

ALBERT EMERSON

J. F. LINCOLN

FRANK PITTMAN

WILLIAM E. LODGE

DAVID McWILLIAMS

ERNEST A. BARRINGER

MARION R. DAVIDSON

WILLIAM G. CLOYD.

HARVEY HUSTON

CHARLES HUGHES

CHARLES F. MANSFIELD

ALBERT C. EDIE

F. M. SHONKWILER

JAMES L. HICKS

PETER A. HAMILTON

SAMUEL R. REED

CARL S. REED

CHARLES W. FIRKE

THOMAS J. KASTEL

ELIM J. HAWBAKER

(Left to right: Delmor Durbin. Clark Plummer, Robert Kimery

CONGRATULATIONS NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS and CUSTOMERS

PLUMMERS SINCLAIR SERVICE

CLARK PLUMMER — BEMENT, ILLINOIS — DELMAR DURBIN

a prairie schooner. The meeting was purely accidental. Tradition has it that the prairie schooner had broken a doubletree while crossing over a ditch and they were waiting for repairs. A con- crete pyramid marks the spot of the meeting and the ditch can still be located nearby.

Sen. Douglas remarked that he wanted to speak to Lincoln, the carriage was stopped, and Lin- coln came to its side and talked to Douglas. There on the high- way, arrangements were made to meet in Bement that night, and at Mr. Bryant's invitation his home was selected as the meet- ing place. Mr. Lincoln went on to Monticello to speak, and late that evening returned to Bement. There, in a tiny parlor of the Bryant cottage, a two hour con- ference was held with Mr. Bry- ant as the third party. Plans for the debates were completed and Lincoln caught the midnight train from Bement to Spring- field.

Debates were held at: Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston, Galesburg, Quincy and Alton.

Mr. Bryant was confident that one of the two men would be the next president, and he marked the chairs in which each sat. When news of the assassin- ation of Lincoln came, he pinned crepe and a small flag to the Lincoln chair.

It has been said that the agreement to debate made by Lincoln and Douglas in their two hour conference at the Bryant Cottage in Bement, probably changed the whole course of American History, for while Douglas won the race for the Senate, the ultimate result of the debates was the splitting of the Democratic Party and the elec- tion of Lincoln to the presidency two years later.

It is a long way from the hum- ble Bryant Cottage to the White House, but it serves as the set- ting for one of the great scenes in Abraham Lincoln's "Prologue to Glory."

J. F. Sprague, grandson of F. E. Bryant, preserved the cottage as a, Lincoln-Douglas Shrine, re- storing the parlor to its original appearance and using the same furniture that was in the room when Lincoln and Douglas held their history-making conference. On July 29, 1925, Mr. Sprague, then Mayor of Bement, formally

dedicated and presented to the community the house in which his gfandparents lived. In 1947, Mrs. Sprague, his widow, and son Bryant, conveyed the prop- erty to the State of Illinois as a permanent shrine.

BANK OF BEMENT

Milmine and Bodman were the first bankers of Bement. Freeze and Co. followed this firm and were succeeded by Fisher & Gre- gory; F. E. Bryant; then Byrant and Bodman, and then back to F. E. Bryant. Finally, Jan. 2 1888 the Farmers and Merchants Bank took charge of the banking business of Bement under the name of Bower Bros, and Camp. About ten years later this firm was succeeded by the First Na- tional Bank with W. M. Camp as president. About this same time the H. L. Timmons Co. Bank was started in the building now oc- cupied by Dr. William Scott. H. L. Timmons Co. was succeeded by the State Bank of Bement in 1914, with H. E. Shaw as presi- dent. In 1929 the State Bank ab- sorbed the First National Bank and moved to the present loca- tion in 1930.

The State Bank has grown progressively since that time, and the last two years they have at- tracted considerable interest by instituting a Farm Service De- partment (not usually offered in a community of this size) with a full time Farm Representative, Mr. L. A. Hodam. Mr. Hodam had been the Agriculture teacher at Bement High School for 24 years prior to joining the bank. Mr. Lew Wilkinson is the Presi- dent of the State Bank; Mr. Geo. Wilkinson, Vice President; John Hardimon, Cashier; and James Raglan, Assistant Cashier.

BEMENT CEMETERY

The first cemetery site was at the northeast edge of town. How- ever, because of the objections raised, this site was never used.

The beautiful grounds located one and one-half miles north of town were purchased by a com- mittee consisting of A. G. Greg- ory, J. M. Camp, and Dr. J. H. Leal, appointed by authority of the town meeting of April 3, 1866. They purchased the land from T. B. Hale for the sum of $700. During that year it was platted into burial lots, alleys and drives. In 1938 it became neces- sary to enlarge the cemetery and eight and three-fourths acres were purchased from A. T. and Nellie McPherson. Mr. Elmer Spear, Mr. Byron Dyarman, and Mr. Stanley Hammond were members of the Board of Trus- tees of the Cemetery at that time. Mr. Stanley Hammond's father (Mr. W. W. Hammond a nursery- man in Bement) had been a mem- ber of the board a number of years before. After much thought and care this new addition was beautifully landscaped.

"I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree ..."

"A tree that looks to God all day ..." Those must have been the thoughts of those men as they planted all the trees which today furnish a living monument to those who have gone on before us.

The Board of Trustees for the Cemetery at this time are:

Francis R-yan, Ralph Wright, and Elmer Spear. Mrs. Stanley Hammond is the Secretary and Treasurer.

Reading from left to right: E. Bruce Sprague, Ray Siders, H. E. Shaw, and Edward Sprague.

CONGRATULATIONS

BEMENT

ON YOUR 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS

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Williamson Warm Air Furnaces

OIL — GAS — COAL

AIR CONDITIONING

Engineering Service — We Do It Right

HOME AND COMMERCIAL

KOHLER PLUMBING FIXTURES

U. S. BOILERS

WARREN - WEBSTER BASEBOARD HEATING

GASKILL PLUMBING & HEATING

PHONE — MONTICELLO 2167 — 24 HOUR SERVICE

UTILITIES

LIGHTS

Bement can boast of being the first town in Piatt County to have a system of electric light- ing. In 1890, A. S. Burr, promi- nent Bement landowner and civic leader, who already had the new- fangled system of lighting at his farm home south of town, or- ganized the Bement Electric Light and Power Company to pro- vide service for the community.

Articles of Corporation were issued on January 30, 1891 with the following men as stockhold- ers: A. S. Burr, H. Haldeman, H. S. Bower, J. Benson, W. J. Day, W. T. Bower, and Wm. M. Camp. The Royal Electric Company placed the plant in operation March 24, 1891 with W. J. Day as the first manager.

This first plant with power enough to light 300 lights was installed at the Haldeman Mill where they could use the steam boilers during the evenings when they weren't being used by the mill. In the early days of the company the plant was operated only from dark until about 10:30 in the evening. It was many years before electric service was placed on the 24 hour schedule that we have today. (Shortly after World War I.)

In 1896 they built their own power house on West Wilson Avenue, just north of the hotel (The Bement House). This plant was large enough to supply elec- tricity for 800 lights.

Electric street lights were in- stalled in Bement in the early 1900's and operated on a "Moon- light Schedule," if the moon was supposed to shine, no street lights were turned on. Later, a clause was inserted in the street light ordinance providing that "sufficient current be furnished to operate such street lights dur- ing such hours on dark and cloudy nights as the moon may be obscured by clouds even though such hours are hours during which the lights are not due to burn according to the 'Standard Moonlight All Night Schedule.' "

! When the Illinois Traction Company built their transmission line through town, power was purchased from them. The 6600 volt transmission line was built

Old Power Plant on West Wilson Street

to Ivesdale and in 1925 the com- pany served approximately 487 customers. The At wood Electric Light and Power Company also purchased power at Bement with a line built from Bement to Ham- mond and Garrett. From this line a total of 350 customers was served.

In 1925 the Bement and At- wood Companies were purchased by Central Public Service Com- pany. This company later became a part of the Central Illinois Elec- tric and Gas Co., an Illinois Cor- poration. It is a business-man- aged utility with its home office in Rockford.

The Bement District is an im-

portant part of the Lincoln Di- vision of Central Illinois Electric and Gas Company serving a total of 1705 customers in this district as of this date. Approximately 250 of these are rural customers, the balance being residential, commercial and power. Towns served in the Bement District in- clude Bement, Ivesdale, Ham- mond, Atwood, Pierson Station, Garrett, and the surrounding rural areas.

The present Bement District employees are R. N. Holloway, manager; Ray Robbins and Frank Yeates, electric service- men; and Miss Helen Phimmer, office clerk.

^Te4... 7nt /t*t OU PioKcen, 7«*/

Maybe I wasn't around when Bement was found- ed a century ago but believe me, since I got here in 1891, I have been in there pitching and have watched with pride as the village grew to a town and the town grew to the beautiful little city of today.

Now, at the start of your second century, my company, the CENTRAL ILLINOIS ELEC- TRIC AND GAS CO., has great faith in the continued expansion and growth of your progressive community. As evidence of this confidence, they have spent some one hun- dred thousand of dollars in recent months to provide additional capacity for your ever in- creasing needs.

Every day, new uses for my services are being found which, added to the multitude of things I now do to make your homes Hap- pier, Healthier and Safer, make it necessary for me to grow as you grow. My company accepts this challenge and pledges itself not only to meet . . . but to keep ahead of this demand.

The past century has brought many changes — no one knows what the future holds but our policy will always be to Plan-Work and Build with your Community.

We are proud to have a part in your CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Vv&cLdU-v

Your EVER-READY Servant

WATER

The Village Board of Trustees passed an ordinance for the con- struction of a waterworks in Be- ment during the year of 1894. This called for a Bond Issue of $7000. Later $1000. of this Bond Issue was recalled, leaving $6000. for the construction of the sys-

tem. The old brick water tower and pump house were built in 1895 and about 20 blocks of wa- ter mains were laid. This water plant was installed by the Fair- banks-Morse people. The capacity of the stand pipe was 60,000 gal- lons while the reservoir contained 40,000 gallons more.

James Fairbanks helped lay the bricks for the old water tower and pump house and some .years later helped tear it down. He was also the contractor for most of Bement's concrete sidewalks as well as many other masonry buildings around town. Mr. Fairbanks, who was born in London, England, April 25th, 1871, came to Amer- ica when he was 5 weeks old. His family moved to Bement in 1883, and he has lived here ever since.

Mr. C. M. Smith, an employee of the Fairbanks-Morse Company during the construction, married a Bement girl and remained ill Bement as the first engineer for the Village Water Works. The or- iginal plant was run with steam power. Later they converted to electricity and during the years, two major additions were made to the water mains. The well now in use was dug in 1937. The Vil- lage Board has recently made ar- rangements for the purchase of the Wabash well which will pro- vide Bement with a more depend- able water supply.

TELEPHONE

During the early history of Be- ment there was only one tele- phone in town which was in- stalled in Bodman's Drug Store. The phone was connected with Decatur.

The first telephone line through Piatt County was a toll line of the Central Union Telephone Co. with phones at Cerro Gordo, Mil- mine, Bement, Monticello, and White Heath. This toll line was finished about 1880. In 1899, the Piatt County Telephone Co. was organized by Wm. Lodge of Mon- ticello. This company later had exchanges at Monticello, Bement, and Deland with connections to the Central Union and American Telephone and Telegraph Com- panies.

In 1928 the Bement Telephone Exchange was purchased by the Illinois Commercial Telephone

William Drennan, manager of the lo- cal exchange explains some of the new dial equipment to Keith Bell, Vil- lage Board member. Shown at the right are the batteries which furnish the power for the phones when the lights are off.

Acting Mayor of Bement, Ralph Mintun places the first call on the new dial phones placed in operation in Bement about 3 p.m. on the afternoon of June 14th, 1955. Standing behind him from left to right are Village Board members — Harry Hixon, Carl Thompson (Village Clerk), and Keith Bell. Next is R. N. Kolloway, Vice Chairman of the Bement Centennial Corp. and William Drennan, exchange manager.

Bement phone operators during their last afternoon at the old switch-board. Reading from left to right: Mrs. Ruby Thornton, Mrs. Dorothy Meece, Mrs. Betty Gallagher, and Mrs. Elma Spearman (Chief operator since 1950.) Other opera- tors not shown in the picture are: Mrs. Loretta McGee, Mrs. Margery Dial, and Mrs. Peggy Smith.

CONGRATULATIONS VILLAGE OF BEMENT ON YOUR CENTENNIAL

J. F. Nells, Supt. J. J. Clodfelter Roy B. Veech Fred Alexander C. B. Deering R. J. Shonkwiler Geo. O. Halterman Keith Wildman Warren Perkins Sam Halterman Edward Brown R. E. Noblitt Marion Pierce William Dawson Raymond Dick Fred C. Klump J. L. Hord Charles Gallager

Joe C. Defore

Bryant P. Sprague

J. G. Hannah

N. P. Kelly

Herbert Schuh

George Lash

Jos. R. Pierce

Harvey Shirley

L. D. Pitts

J. W. McLaughlin D. of E.

E. E. Schaal *

R. C. Miles

T. H. Ritter

L. A. Eaton

C. W. Gardner

Donovan Wildman

E. G. Shepherd

Clyde Halterman

John Strohl Carl W. McCullough Linzy Corum W. J. Bialeski Simeon Royal W. C. Welch H. A. Malohn Robert Gallager Leslie Durbin Henry E. High Harley Trent J. B. Arnold James Root Roy Slagle Robert C. Miller P. M. Scott Henry Bohn Ralph Van Vleet

WABASH EMPLOYEES

Co., now known as the General Telephone Co. of Illinois.

Conversion to the dial system was started last October (1954). Since then 625 dial telephones serving 570 subscribers have been installed and a new build- ing erected on West William Street to house the automatic exchange. The first phone call on the new dial phones was made by Ralph Mintun, acting Mayo" of Bement about 3 p.m. on June 14, 1955.

BEMENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Bement Fire Protection Dis- trict is a public corporation or- ganized and operating under the Laws of Illinois. The District was organized and created as a corp- oration by order of the County Judge of Piatt County on March 23, 1946, the first Fire Protection District organized in Piatt Coun- ty. The District comprises ap- proximately 82 sections of land with Bement almost in the cen- ter and Milmine in the western edge. Practically all the boundary lines run along the quarter sec- tion lines instead of along the section line roads to keep from having farm houses on one side of the road within the District and farm houses just across the road outside the District.

The District is governed by three Trustees who are appointed by the Judge of the County Court for terms of three years each, and the terms are staggered, one Trustee being appointed each year. Only one of the Trustees may be appointed from the Vil- lage of Bement. The Trustees are under bond, as is the Treas- urer. The District has had only four Trustees. The first board consisted of John J. Glennon, Clarence Lefever and William J. Henebry. Henebry moved from the District and on September 7, 1948, his resignation was ac- cepted and Roy E. Allen was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. Glen- non, Lefever and Allen have been reappointed from time to time and are the present Trustees. H. E. Slusser has been the Treasurer since the organization of the Dis- trict and Bryan Wilson has serv- ed as Counsel from the begin- ning. Anna Mary Wrench is now assistant secretary. Joe Ritten- house has been Fire Chief since the organization. The present

FIRE TRUCKS OF BEMENT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Assistant Fire Chief is Allen C. Mardis. Either the Chief or the Assistant Chief is on duty at all times. Other Assistant Chiefs were J. E. Crim, J. L. Ater and Demar L. Bentley.

Shortly after the organization of the District, the fire fighting equipment owned by the Village of Bement was sold to the Dis- trict for $1.00. A bond issue was voted and $20,000.00 in bonds sold to State Bank of Bement. With the proceeds the District bought a building and remodeled it for a fire house and bought up to date modern fire fighting equipment. Additional equipment has been bought from time to time and at present the District has two modern pumpers which are kept at the fire house in Bement, and two auxiliary units which are kept at Milmine, at which place the District built two reservoirs. In June, 1955, the Dis- trict bought from the Wabash Railroad Company the 100,000 gallon steel tank which the rail- road had used to water locomo- tives before it changed to Diesels. With the tank belonging to the District, the supply of water to fight fire is now ample.

In addition to the Trustees, the Chief and Assistant Chief, the District is operated by voluntary firemen, the present list including — at Bement: Hamman Adams, Keith Bell, Lee Barnhart, Robert Brittenham, Lynn Crook, James E. Crim, Kenneth Fisher, Ed- ward Fritz, Ernest McCullough, Ralph Mintun, Lester R. Proctor, Clark Plummer, Ray Robbins, Bill Slagle, Clifford Wilcox and Frank Yeates ; and at Milmine : Clarence Lefever, Gaylord Hendrix, Scott Sutphen, Joseph Blickman, Har-

rison Depew, Milton Lammle, Ronald Taylor, William Horath, William Durbin, and Rev. Orley Gray.

The District is rated as Class A by the Illinois Inspection Bur- eau, which entitles it to receive the tax on fire insurance com- panies which are not organized under the Laws of the State of Illinois. This tax amounts to two (2%) per cent, of the gross re- ceipts received from fire insur- ance upon property situated with- in the District. The rating also caused the lowering of rates on fire insurance.

WABASH RAILROAD

It was not long after the build- ing of railroads through the country that all stage coach routes were done away with.

What is now the main division of the Wabash railroad was con- structed through this county, across Bement and Cerro Gordo Townships in the years of 1855- 56. At that time, it was known as the Great Western Railroad. Both ends of the road were be- ing worked at one time and the connection was made near Cerro Gordo.

In the fall of 1854 the San- gamon River was bridged, and by November, 1855 the grading and bridging between Tolono and Danville was completed. How- ever, the first train did not ar- rive at Danville, Illinois, until November, 1856.

The Chicago division of the Wabash was chartered as the Bloomington and Ohio River Road in 1867. It was afterwards consolidated with the Streator and Fairbury Company and

POUNDSTONE CONSTRUCTION CO. EARL POUNDSTONE BEMENT, ILL R.F.D. 1 PHONE 2149 FARM BUILDING A SPECIALTY	Compliments of RALPH DUNAWAY PAINTING and DECORATING PHONE 4811 BEMENT, ILLINOIS
Compliments of ATOMIC CLEANERS BEMENT, ILLINOIS — PHONE 3441 — P. J. AND MILDRED FERGUSON	Compliments of THE FRANCIS FLORAL SHOP 265 N. ORCHARD ST. PHONE 2981 MRS. F. E. LINCICUM
BEMENT GAS CO. Phone 4881 BEMENT ILLINOIS for Bulk Propane"- Philgas Hook-ups Heating - Air Conditioning Refrigeration AAenno D. Plank, Mgr.	CONGRATULATIONS BEMENT ON YOUR CENTENNIAL . . . HAMPTONS BARBER SHOP In Bement Since 1937 "BUTCH" HAMPTON, Owner
COMPLIMENTS OF Dr. & Mrs. Wm. M. Scott BEMENT, ILLINOIS	COMPLIMENTS OF BRYAN WILSON BEMENT, ILLINOIS

named the Chicago and Paducah. This railroad was completed and placed in operation in 1873. In 1880, it became a part of the Wabash system.

During its entire period of ex- pansion east of the Mississippi River, the Wabash system served as the principal artery tapping the great "Heart of America". In 1879, the Wabash Railroad Company operating east of the Mississippi, and the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern Rail- road operating west of the Mis- sissippi, were merged into the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad Company. In 1889, both the lines east and west of the Mississippi were again reorgan- ized, this time as the Wabash Railroad Company.

Old Coal Chute

A new "elegant" depot was built in Bement around 1880 on the site of the present depot. To the east of it was a baggage room, and across the tracks southeast was a larger freight house. Passenger trains and freight trains from North, South, East, and West all stopped in Bement. In 1905, according to a special edition of the Bement Register on Feb. 23 of that year :

"Bement was the division point for several train crews and a number of extra trains were made up here. The coal chutes were the largest on the entire Wabash system and there were 66 trains in and out of town every 24 hours that carried pass- engers and an average of about 60 freight trains within the same length of time."

On January 1, 1931, about 3 A. M., the depot was burned to the ground after being plowed into by the baggage car of train

No. 13 from Chicago to St. Louis which came dis-connected from the rest of the train and left the rails about 700 feet north of the depot. The engineer of the train died from injuries two days later.

During the war years it was not possible to secure either ma- terials or labor for making out- standing additions or improve- ments to their property.. Post- war, however, the Wabash has invested more than one hundred million dollars in new facilities of all kinds in order to serve even more efficiently the ship- ping and traveling public. In ad- dition to modernizing its freight yards, communication facilities, and signaling devices, the Wa- bash has also greatly improved its passenger train equipment. Now 100% dieselized for both passenger and freight service, and upholding its promise of even better service to the "Heart of America", the Wabash again stands on the threshold of a bright, successful future.

"Green's Train" entering Bement. The Junction Eating House is shown at the right. This lunch room stayed open all night and served lunch and warm meals at all hours.

CENTENNIAL GREETINGS

EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME

BEMENT .... ILLINOIS

• Air Conditioned

• Ambulance Service

Day and Night

PHONE 4441

Best Wishes to Bement

On Its 100th Birthday

HILLS CAFE

BEMENT, ILLINOIS Serving the Community for 30 Years

VANHORN HYBRIDS

in the interest of Better Farming

• SEED CORN

• FIELD SEEDS

• FERTILIZERS

• CHEMICALS •HAHN SPRAYERS

Local Representative

KENNETH B. HINTON MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS

PHONE WESDALE 43817

To all our many friends in the Bement community we send our Best Wishes for another 100 years as prosperous as the last.

PIATT COUNTY SERVICE CO.

MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS

Bement Salesmen

ARTHUR McCRARY - PHONE 3751 A. W. RUCH - MONTICELLO 2134

THE ILLINOIS TERMINAL RAILROAD

An electrical interurban rail- road was built through Bement in 1907. The "ol' Traction" gave the community a direct passage to nearby cities and opened the way to a more com- plete pattern of living.

Enthusiasm for this type of travel swept the mid-west, par- ticularly Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, in the horse and buggy days at the turn of the century. Lines sprouted in al- most every part of these states. It was the belief of many that a town simply had to have electric railroad service if it were to con-

tinue to progress. Each town was determined to have interur- ban service and made every ef- fort to obtain this service.

The beginning of the Illinois Terminal was made in 1903 with a line between Danville and Champaign. William B. McKin- ley was the organizer of the road. His inspiration for the service stemmed from a humble little electric line he operated to connect Champaign and Urhana. In 1907 the Illinois Terminal was built through Bement. The in- terurban provided frequent serv- ice, a convenient depot, and a cheap fare. The Bement Regis- ter of 1909 lists the Illinois Ter- minal Time Schedule and shows 15 trains West Bound and 15 trains East Bound — daily.

The interurban served Bement as a priceless institution until the days of the modern automo- biles and highways. Once the family car became really prac- tical, however, the electric car lost its magic. Students of busi- ness point out that there has

never been anything on the American scene to compare with the sudden decline of the elec- tric interurban. In the years just prior to World War II, for in- stance, the interurban jolted through Bement many times with the motorman and conduc- tor as its only passengers. The coming of the war, though, brought an abrupt change in Traction traffic. People who had not ridden a car for years found it an aid to their travel desires when gasoline allotments ran low. With hostilities continuing, the Traction almost became crowded. For the younger gen- eration, it demonstrated the worth the line had once held for the community.

Following the close of the war, things gradually became normal again, and the traffic on the in- terurban decreased until it be- came unprofitable to run the trains any longer. Gradually the number of trains was cut until finally on June 11, 1955, the last train was removed on the route

Last Train Through Bement, June 11, 1955.

through Bement. Several Be- ment Sisters of the Swish (some accompanied by their children or guests) took a short last ride on the interurban as it made its final run on Saturday — June 11, 1955. For some of the children it was really their first ride as well as their last on the inter- urban. The group, .around thirty in number, got off at Cerro Gor- do where despite the steady rain, they were met by a group of the Cerro Gordo Sisters of the Swish.

Although Bement could boast of a number of business houses in 1913, few of the merchants used the local paper for exten- sive advertising. And this was certainly not due to any laxity on the part of the editor, Mr. J. T. Curtis. On the front page of his paper appear the words: "Pub- lished for cash, not for glory."

Many changes in the business picture of Bement were seen in

1916. More grocery stores, ga- rages, and auto repair establish- ments made their appearance. In

1917, there was increased empha- sis upon automobiles. Local mer- chants served as agents for the Reo, Buick, Ford, and Willys- Overland.

Advertisement in Bement Reg- ister, February 17, 1898 — "There are three little things which do more work than any three other little things created — they are the ant, the bee, and DeWitt's Little Early Risers, the last being the famous little pills for stom- ach and liver trouble. — S. K. Bod- man."

1 . L. E. Hawver

2. Wayne Foran

3. Frank Lubbers

4. Bud Lubbers

5. Wm. A. Alexander

6. D. O. Holman

7. Thad Ruby

8. Bob Lieb

9. Stan Foley 10. W. E. Byron

1 1 . Paul Hannon

12. Lloyd Wigg/ins

13. Albert Weakley

See these Dealers for . . . High Protein, Special Blend . . . Highest Yield- ing, Better Standing, Better Picking, Better Graded . . .

LOWE HYBRID CORN

		/•	i
		9 f
	•V
P 1 h h >. ■f	'A3 •? / r
it
•7		•n

CONGATULATIONS

TO

BEMENT

FOR

100 YEARS OF

SUCCESS

COTTER IMPLEMENT CO.

HAMMOND, ILLINOIS

Compliments of

BEMENT BEAUTY SHOPS

• MELBA CURRY

• MARGUERITE ALLEN

• MARY HILLIS TOTTEN

• JACKIE'S BEAUTY SALON

CENTENNIAL CONGRATULATIONS OF . . .

Bement Unit School

PARENT - TEACHER ASSOCIATION

DISTRICT 10 OF ILLINOIS CONGRESS

Compliments of

DR. J. G. BAUER

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

Compliments of

DR. & MRS. JOHN C.ELDER

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

Bement was nothing but a grassy prairie when the first settlers ar- rived and there were no trees at all, which led Mr. George L. Spear to write the following: "The parent or teacher coidd not procure a switch for the correction of children and youth in the territory of the town. This accounts for the waywardness of the youth of these days. The rod had to be spared, and to 'spare the rod is to spoil the child,' if Solomon be any authority . . . Wonder if he. was raised on the prairie?"

EDUCATION keeps our society moving toward progress. The old frontier of free land is gone, but education develops new frontiers of opportunity! It gives man the chance to improve his way of life and the way of life of others: Education is more than learning — like Democracy, it is a way of life. True, democracy is a political system, but it is also a way of life and the door to democracy is unlocked by Education. It means giving each one an equal chance. Every child, the rich and the poor, the negro and the foreign born, the child in the mountains and the child from the "wrong side of the tracks," — they all have equal opportunities for education under our system of free public education in this country. Thus, the schools teach democ- racy and help directly to create a democratic society. The schools have always played an important role in the history of any town or com- munity and so we think it proper that they should be assigned an important place in "The Bement Story."

Bement School — 1866

The first school election of of- ficers in School District No. 2, (and that was the village dis- trict at that time) was held Nov. 10, 1856. Joseph Bodman, Aaron Yost, and Henry C. Booth were elected as the first directors. They employed Henry C. Booth to teach the first term of three months at the salary of $40 per month. The second three-month term was taught by Mr. Booth's sister, Catherine T. Booth, who was married in December of that year to Stephen B. Hawks. Mrs. Hawks was long remembered in Bement and was affectionately spoken of as "Aunt Kate Hawks."

On Nov. 2, 1857, Aaron Yost, Crippen, and Booth were elected directors and they employed S.

K. Bodman to teach 5Vi> months; price omitted from the records.

On the following January 23, 1858, an election was called to fill the vacancies made by the resignation of Crippen and Booth, resulting in the election of John Parker and S. B. Hawks. How- ever, on April 19, Parker and Hawks resigned as directors and Booth and W. H. Ellis were elect- ed. On April 26, 1858, J. C. Rich- ards was employed as teacher for 4 months; no price given in the records.

In October, 1858, the south- east 14 of Section 12, the east V2 of Section 13, and the east Y2 of Section 24 were annexed to the original district. Later that year J. F. Alvord. Joe

Charles Strohl, smiling, capa- ble toastmaster used Bement's first school bell to call the 550 diners to attention at the Bement Centennial Kick-Off Dinner, April 11, 1955.

This bell is a handbell used by the first teacher, Henry C. Booth, in the winter term of 1856. It was also used by his sister, Catherine Booth, who taught the second term in Be- ment in the spring of 1857. In December of that year, she mar- ried Stephen B. Hawks. The bell is now the property of their niece, Miss Mary E. Hawks, who used this bell for ten years wnile teaching in the rural schools be- fore she came to town to teach. This bell has a tag on it which reads: "The first school bell rang in Bement in 1856; Henry C. Booth, teacher."

Sparks, and E. Bodman were elected as directors.

Rented buildings were used for school purposes up to this time. Looking to the building of a school house sufficient in capac- ity for the better accommodation of the increasing number of scho- lars, measures were adopted.

The size, shape, and plan of the structure were soon agreed upon, plans and specifications adopted, and bids for building the same were asked for and re- ceived. F. E. Bryant took the contract, and it was built by John M. Camp.

Previous to the completion of the new building, a room was rented in a private home and C. D. Moore was hired to teach the

Compliments of . .

CEDAR KNOLL SUPPER CLUB

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on

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PHONE 5366

205 E. LIVINGSTON

MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS

CONGRATULATIONS, BEMENT, ON YOUR 100TH BIRTHDAY

E. E. HUBBARD & SON

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MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS

winter term at $40 per month.

The general outline of the building was as follows:

26 feet wide and 40 feel, long, two stories high — HV2 feet each, with brick founda- tion 2 feet high and 18 inches thick. The contract price of the school house was $2000 and was to be finished by the first day of May, 1859.

Three sites were examined for the location of the new school house; the properties of Hunt and Carter, Wm. Rea, and John Rickets. Finally a vote was tak- en, for one of two sites, one on the north side of the railroad and one on the south side. The south side location won out — Lots 5 and 6, Block E in Rea's Addition to Bement. The block of ground upon which the building stood was donated by L. B. Wing and William Rea, and comprises the ground now occupied by the grade and high school buildings. The new school was completed on June 5, 1859, and the secre- tary was instructed to procure a bell and place it in the belfrey.

The bell was purchased in To- ledo, Ohio, in 1859 by S. K. Bod- man. This bell had been used previously upon a steamer, "Trie Lady of the Lake" which sailed upon Lake Erie. In 1858, "The Lady of the Lake" left the wharf at Toledo, laden with a gay and festive party of passengers and crew, with hearts buoyant and full of hope as she steamed away upon the bosom of the placid wa- ters of Lake Erie: little did that

'Aunt Kate Hawks"

once happy party think that they would be 'struggling with the waves over which they were so proudly and buoyantly sailing; but alas, disastrous and certain doom overtook them, and that bell sounded the alarm and death knell of the passengers and crew that went down to a watery doom on that fated steamer, "The Lady of the Lake." That bell was placed in the belfrey of the Be- ment School, and for many years was used to call the students lo class.

On June 16, 1859, the directors employed J. B. Lowell (the first teacher in the new school build- ing) to teach at $28 per month. He was instructed to employ an assistant at $17 per month. At this time there was an average of about 50 scholars in attend- ance.

Bement School — 1892 —

The

BEMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS ABOUT 1896-97

Reading from left to right: Charles Mcintosh, George Thompson, Willard Toby, Kathryn Fisher, Mattie Johnson, Lena Hammond, Winfred Hammond, Mary Thomas, Minerva Goodrich, and Grace Barnett.

board consisted of Wm. DeLaughter, Aaron Yost, and William Parker in October, 1859, when they employed A. S. Norris to teach for 6 months at $65 per month and pay his own assist^ ant. This teacher was not suc- cessful, and he was actually drummed out of town on the night of Feb. 22, 1860.

George L. Spear had just ar- rived in Bement the day before, and this is the story he tells in his history: "I was a witness to this rough usage. Norris kept his own restaurant at the school house, where he also slept. Upon the whole, we then thought Be- ment was a rough place. As we had not been here more than 24 hours till we were obliged to witness the desecration of Wash- ington's birthday, it was not very encouraging to say the least. In fact, from that day to this

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CONGRATULATIONS TO

Bement Centennial

GLENNONS' TAVERN

BEMENT, ILLINOIS

1 Block West of Route 105

Operating in Bement Since 1947

Anhydrous Ammonia - Liquid & Dry Fertilizers

MERRIMAN TRUCK SERVICE

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(1878), Bement has not been clear of an element which has sought to correct the errors of" the place aside from the regular method. Late years, however, a resort to legal means has been in order, and we believe better order has been maintained. Mobo- cracy failed to rectify the morals of the place and we condemn it on all occasions and in all gov- ernments."

After Norris was removed, the school did not prosper so well for several years afterwards. It can be seen by the rapid change of teachers and board members that there was quite a bit of trouble in the school system in its early days. However, when the out- side element that used to dictate to the teachers and board mem- bers lost their power, a better class of teachers were employed and they had the undivided aid and support of the directors. It was then that the school pros- pered and flourished.

The records show that there were 105 scholars over 5 years of age and under 21 years, en- rolled in November, 1859. There were also 52 scholars under five years of age.

On April 16, 1860, John A. Hel- man was employed as teacher for 4 months at $50 per month and was to pay his own assistant who was his wife. Helman was successful inasmuch as the school was under better discipline than formerly, and the scholars ad- vanced and took pride in doing well.

George L. Spear was elected as a director in 1861, along with Thomas Mutherspaw and Aaron Yost. They employed J. Russell Johnson at $60 per month for the spring term of 1861, who was to furnish his own assistant. This man taught but a few weeks. For good cause, well known to the older inhabitants, he was dis- charged even though he was an excellent scholar.

On Sept. 2, 1861, James Pat- rick was employed to teach 6 months at $75 per month and furnish his own assistant. Mr. Patrick was a very energetic and thorough teacher and the school advanced under his instruction and leadership.

On May 10, 1863, the board em- ployed Edmond Chenney at $75 per month and was to pay his own assistant. On Sept. 21, 1863, the school had increased so much

that it was necessary to employ a third teacher, Miss Mary Tay- lor.

In 1864 the question of a nine month school term was consid- ered but defeated. The question of a new school house was also defeated. In 1865 the question of a six month school term was considered and passed, and also a proposition to build an additional room.

During the first ten years oi the school system in Bement, the interest kept growing and the number of scholars increased and a thirst for literary attainments so completely absorbed the at- tention of the citizens that addi- tional school room became a growing necessity. And so it was in 1866 that the directors decid- ed to build a house 66' x 26', 2 stories high at right angles to the original building on the south, and forming a "T" which gave 4 large rooms with halls in the center, above and below; with a suitable belfrey over the stairway and main hall into which was placed the old bell used in tho original building. This building was commodious, substantial, and beautiful and it was the pride of the citizens of Bement.

On August 6, 1866, the board hired Mr. H. A. Coffeen at $90 per month and his sister Miss Dama Coffeen at $45 per month to teach for six months. Mr. Coffeen commenced his term by standardizing the grading system and he assigned the students to three departments. He took charge of the principal's depart- ment, and Miss Dama was as- signed to the intermediate. A third teacher, Miss Martha Tip- pett, was employed for the pri- mary department. It was soon necessary to employ a fourth teacher to take charge of a sec- ond primary department and Miss Adelie Hubbel was hired.

The school having thus been di- vided and graded under the su- pervision of Mr. Coffeen (who was armed with the necesary skill and ability) was then, for the first time since her history begun, possessed of superior ad- vantages. The school prospered beyond the expectations of the most skeptic, and surprised and routed the weaker and faithless ones. Although it was. expensive and increased taxation, the peo- ple generally were satisfied that they had received value for every

cent expended.

In his reorganization, Mr. Cof- feen included a library — the schools first. In consideration for his fine work, he was rehired in 1867 with an increase in sal- ary ($1100). Evidently succeed- ing instruction was not consid- ered on a par with that of Mr. Coffeen, for this was the high in teachers' salaries for the en- suing 20 years.

On November 3, 1875, the di- rectors met for the purpose of purchasing an organ for use in the school, and decided to buy the Esty — style 8. The organ was procured and placed in the Principal's Department.

This brings us to the close of Mr. George L. Spear's account of the early activity of the school system, so we continue in a more general outline of the happenings from this time to the present.

As the students increased in number, new wings were added to the school house until in 1892, the two-story frame structure consisted of 12 rooms with base- ment. Steam heat was installed in 1884. The school was placed on the accredited list of the Uni- versity of Illinois in 1879, and in 1881 the first high school senior class was graduated.

The following were members of that first graduating class: Anna Pettit, Eva Rosecrans, Geneva Dunn, Mary Newton, and Lucie Sprague. At this time the grade school consisted of nine years study instead of the eight we have today. However, the high school curriculum was arranged so that those desiring to omit the study of the languages could years. Those completing either Latin or German, or both, re- complete high school in three ceived a higher diploma than those who did not.

Before 1899, three fires had visited the school building in Be- ment. The first of them was just a shingle fire and was soon put out. On Sept. 4, 1898, the school building was struck by lightning during a storm and was damaged to the extent of $1350, which was paid by the insurance- companies. The fire was largely confined to the belfrey, but con- siderable damage was done when the bell fell. This bell, the one from the "Lady of the Lake Steamer", was destroyed when it fell.

Early on the moning of April

Compliments of

BEMENT REST HAVEN

A HOME — NOT AN INSTITUTION

MRS. OPAL K. BAKER, Owner & Prop. Mrs. Anna Hilda Van Landingham, Mrs. Phyllis Tipsword, Mrs. Ruth Slagle Mrs. Phyllis Strohl, Mrs. Mildred Cozad Mrs. Maude Phipps, Mrs. Nellie Corum Mrs. Ruby Pierce, Mrs. Virginia Peterson

Compliments of

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4, 1899, the entire building was destroyed by fire. The fire orig- inated during the night from some unknown cause and before it was discovered, the building was past saving. All contents of the building except part of the library books and one of the two pianos, were destroyed by the fire. The loss included grade cards, school records, etc. and the loss of some money.

Arrangements were made at once for starting a new building. In the fall of 1899 and spring of 1900, a magnificent new building was erected at the cost of $27,- 000. It was the handsomest school of any in the smaller towns in the state. The cornerstone of this building, which is now used by the grade school, was laid on August 27, 1899. Until the build- ing was completed in Feb. 1900, school was held in the Town Hall, the churches, lodge rooms, and vacant store buildings.

BEMENT'S PRESENT SCHOOL SYSTEM

ceded the completion of the new school, portable buildings were erected and the eighth grade was moved to the brick building south of the Masonic Hall. Because this building was once a saloon, this was dubbed — "Budweiser Col- lege."

South-East view of the Bement High School

The new school contained 11 rooms, besides offices, recitation rooms, etc. It was heated by steam, had drinking water on each floor and had a very effi- cient system of ventilation. The members of the board at that time were: Wm. J. Day (Presi- dent), J. T. Moore (Secretary), W. T. Bower, L. H. Alvord, Geo. Dawson, Wm. Loveless, and Jos. Fahrnkopf.

The present high school build- ing was begun in 1919 and was ready for use in the fall of 1920. During the years of its building Wm. J. Day was president of the board; W. A. Steel was secretary, and other members were: H. E. Shaw, John Moery, By Dyar- man, and O. E. Wright. The 10 acre athletic field was also pur- chased in the spring of 1920. Dur- ing a congested period which pre-

In the fall of 1927, a course in Agricuture was added to the cur- riculum in the high school, taught by Mr. Trevor L. Jones. That same fall (1927), Mr. Harry E. Slusser came to Bement from Vandalia, Illinois, where he had been superintendent for seven years. He served as the superin- tendent of the Bement High School for 19 years until 1946 when he resigned to enter private business here in Bement. In the fall of 1928, the school page ap- peared in the local newspaper — The Bement Register. This sec- tion was called the BETOHI NEWS, and it has been a regular feature of the paper ever since.

The present Bement Commun- ity School District No. 5 was or- ganized in 1948 as part of the plan to consolidate all the schools in this area. Previous to this time there were 17 country schools in

North-East view of High School, showing connection with new Gym.

addition to the schools in Mil- mine, Ivesdale, and Bement. In 1939 there were 30 teachers and 570 pupils in all of these grade schools. Today with grade schools in Bement, Milmine, and Ivesdale there are 21 teachers and 450 students. In 1939 there were 11 teachers in the high school with 185 students and today we have 12 teachers with an enrollment of 138 students. With the consoli- dation of the schools came the school buses, hot lunches for the children, and better all round facilities for education.

The present superintendent is Mr. Walter Slate* who came to Bement to be the first superin- tendent of the newly organized school district in 1948. In the fall of 1951 and the spring of 1952, a beautiful new gymnasium and several modern classrooms were built after the people of this com- munity had voted for a bond is- sue with increased taxation to provide our community with the school facilities which we so bad- ly needed.

The Bement High School is vis- ited and fully accredited by the State Department of Public In- struction. It is fully recognized by the North Central Associa- tion. The students from Bement High School are admitted to any college or university in the Unit- ed States without examination, if they have satisfactory grades up- on application.

And so we come to the close of our story about the schools in Bement. We feel that it was in- deed fitting and proper that two of our Bement school teachers, Mr. Harry E. Slusser and Miss Isabelle Houston, were chosen to

Members of the Bement School Board at the present time, reading from left to right, standing: A. E. Bodman (President) Clarence Lefever, and Russell Rodg- ers. Seated, from left to right: Howard Lamb, Ralph Moery Jr., Charles Tabaka, and Albert Harshbarger.

be honored this Centennial Year as the Man and Woman of the Year.

These two people stand as a symbol of all the teachers, wno by their teaching, advice, and that rare quality of understand- ing people, have influenced and guided many lives in the right direction. Our thanks go to all those teachers for a job well done.

Walter Slater

Bement's School Buses Owned and operated by Lynn Crook

Miss Isabelle Houston and Harry E. Slusser, honored as Man and Woman of the Year.

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THE BEMENT CHURCHES . . .

Great are the values which science has brought and will bring to humanity, but man cannot live by science alone for science does not provide him with the ethical guidance nor the spiritual insights which are needed to realize our ideals of the good life . . .

We need the church and the church needs us ... ! The churches of our community played a very important part in the lives of the early settlers of Bement, and today the churches are increasingly es- sential. The churches offer us a refuge from the busy hurried way of living. To thank God for our many daily blessings could best be done by slowing down our pace of life and giving to Him a portion of our most valuable possession — Time.

Several children were standing inside a church once admiring the stained-glass window depicting Christ at prayer as the sun shone through the window. "It's beautiful here," one boy said, with a greater wisdom than he realized, "but it ain't no good if you are out- side."

And so it is — ! "It ain't no good if you are on the outside!" — Let's all Go To Church!!!

FIRST METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church is the oldest church in Bement, being organized in 1858 under the pas- torate of Rev. Edward Rutledge. The first church was known as the M. E. Society. Before the So- ciety had a church structure it held its meetings in the school house and at Bryant's Hall (the room over the present IGA store). The services were attend- ed by the majority of the com- munity until 1862 when the Christian Church was organized.

The first trustees (elected for life or until removed) were: J. M. Taylor, William Parker, William Stillwell, C. Schoolcraft, James McDowell, Elias Baldwin, Thomas Postlewait, Samuel Sparks, and C. D. Moore.

The first church building was

erected in 1864, and was dedicat- ed by Rev. H. Buck, with Rev. J. C. Lewis as the first pastor. This building was located in the block east of the Swenson residence, and the house where the Richard Dancey's recently lived was used as the first parsonage. The mem- bership in 1870, according to the report of Rev. J. Montgomery, pastor, was 105 full members and 27 probationers. The congrega- tion bought and installed a double banked organ at the cost of $475. In 1871, all but one of the orig- inal trustees had died, so a new board was elected for a term of five years each: George W. Mox- field, John M. Ercanbrack, S. G. Vrooman, Robert H. McDowell, Albert L. Starr, J. V. McDowell, George E. Spear, James S. Peairs. This new board considered a new

location for the church, but due to bank failure and business re- verses, the plans had to be post- poned. The board of trustees sponsored an excursion to St. Louis over the C. P. I. St. Louis Railroad as a means of making money towards a parsonage fund. The tickets for the excursion cost $3.75 for a round trip. The amount of money raised by this excursion must have been en- couraging, as the treasurer, Mr. Dustin, paid the railroad com- pany $450.00 for six coaches and one baggage car.

In 1890-91, while Rev. J. T. Pender was pastor, plans were made for a new church building. In March of 1892, the lots where the present church stands were purchased and a new frame build- ing was built with a large audi- torium with north and south wings. The church was dedicated in 1893 under the leadership of Rev. M. S. McCoy.

This continued to be the church home until 1916 when it was found to be inadequate to meet the needs and the erection of the present colonial style church was begun. The building committee of the present church consisted of the following people: Byron Dyarman, Thos. Priestly, A. M. Totten, W. G. McPherson, R. R. Siders, T. W. Lamb, and Charles Adkins. It may be noted that A. M. Totten was connected with the erection of the last two churches.

On Sunday, May 20, 1917, un- der the pastorate of Rev. Wilbert Dowson, Bishop William A. Quayle held the dedication serv- ices and preached the morning sermon and Dr. J. O. Randall preached in the evening. The dedication services lasted all week except for Wednesday night, which was Commencement. The Inaugural Organ Recital was held on Friday night, May 25, by Wm. M. Jenkins of St. Louis. While this church was being erected, the Methodists worshipped with the Presbyterians. The cost of the new church and pipe organ was around $35,000.

A highlight of the church his- tory was the 75th Anniversary Homecoming in 1933 which was attended by a thousand or more throughout the day including many former ministers and their families. The closing service was attended by over 500 who came to see the pageant — "Heaven Bound" which was presented by 50 Negroes from the A. M. E. Church of Decatur.

When the present church was built, a bell was not installed, but in December 1953, the Church be- came the recipient of a set of 25 Carillonic Bells. The bells were presented by Mr. George W. Lar- son, who has done so many splen- did things for the church and community.

The present pastor is Rev. D. Ross Fleming who is now in his fourth year in Bement. The church and pastor enjoys a fine fellowship with the other churches in the community and they pray for continued growth in Christian fellowship for the years ahead as we pause to cele- brate these first 100 years of this community.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The second oldest church in Bement is the Christian Church which was organized in 1862 at a meeting in the home of Wm. Monroe. Wm. Monroe and Mar- tin Ruble were elected as the first elders, and Samuel Hopkins and Thomas Dunn were elected as first deacons. Other charter members were: Jane Monroe, B. G. Hopkins, Mary B. Hopkins, John J. Gosney, Elizabeth Evans, Ann E. Gosney, Susana Gosney, Caroline Yost and Elizabeth Hughs.

At this meeting the group re- solved to take the Bible and the

Bible alone as their rule of faith and practice and this constitutes the church of Christ. James Con- ner Jr. who had charge of the organization meeting was the first minister and served for two years.

Services were held in private homes and later in Bryant's Hall. In the winter of 1864 the church held a revival meeting. Many persons made their confessions of faith and were taken in sleds to the Sangamon River north of Monticello to be baptised. One of those immersed was Mrs. Maggie White who died Dec. 22, 1948, at the age of 98. She related that the ice had to be cut, and the water was so cold that the clothes of those baptized froze stiff on them, and they rode many miles before they could change to dry clothes.

Elder G. W. Thompson, father of Carl R. Thompson, was the

minister in 1878, and served for one year. The present minister is Rev. David R. Scates.

In 1876 a church was erected on the corner of West Bodman Street (just north of the present home of Dr. J. G. Bauer and family) at a cost of $800. It was surrounded by a board fence to keep stray cows and horses from roaming through the yard.

In 1885 an addition was built on the south. Sunday School was held in the afternoon from 3 to 4 o'clock and was attended by children from the other churches where Sunday School hours were from 12 to 1 p. m.

In the spring of 1896 the church lot was sold and the building was moved to the pres- ent site. The building was en- larged, the baptistry changed, new pews purchased, a furnace and electric lights were installed. On March 29, 1941, the building burned to the ground at a loss of $10,000. The following year the present brick church was built at a cost of $12,000.

On the night of Jan. 9, 1953, fire again destroyed much of the interior of the church. Every room was damaged by smoke and the Hammond Organ was dam- aged beyond repair. The organ was a gift to th]e church in 1948 from Jack Thompson of Miami, Florida, in memory of his grand- parents, Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Thompson and Dr. and Mrs. E. H. Graves, long time members and workers in the church.

This disaster was a staggering blow for the congregation, but after much labor and redecorat- ing, (most of it done by the men and women of the church) the building was rededicated and a new organ was installed.

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In Bement Since 1948

Harold Vincent, Owner

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Buyer for Sugar Creek Creamery

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I WISH TO THANK MY MANY POLICY OWN- ERS WHOM I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING IN MY 12 YEARS WITH THE COM- PANY.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The first Catholic Church was erected in Bement in 1867 on a lot donated by Mansfield & Freeze for that purpose. It was located on West Moultrie Street where Joe Rittenhouse now lives. It was a landmark for many years. It was later used by a group from Cerro Gordo who used the building as a place of worship and it was then known as the Dunkard Church.

Although the Ivesdale Parish is an outgrowth of Bement, it increased rapidly and became a parish with a resident pastor, while Bement remained an out- mission.

In 1888, under the pastorate of Father Byrne, the Bement congregation began the building of a larger, better church nearer the center of the town. It was located on the site now occupied by the present church and was dedicated in 1889 by the Rev.

James Ryan, then newly conse- crated Bishop of Alton.

In 1891, Bement was made ar independent parish. Rev. F. G. Lentz, the first resident pastor, planned and built the present rec- tory.

Plans for a new building be- gan taking form in 1912 under the pastorate of Rev. L. Selva, and on December 18, 1913, the present Romanesque type brick church was dedicated. The build- ing was erected at a cost of $18,- 000. During the building of the new church, the congregation worshipped in the old church which had been moved across the street to the south. Later it was sold to James Landis who used the material to construct the home now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Edwards.

Rev. V. J. Liss is the present pastor of both St. Michael's Church in Bement and St. Philo- rnena's Church in Monticello.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The First Presbyterian Church of Bement was organized on Au- gust 29, 1868, at a meeting in the Methodist Church. Modera- tor of the meeting was Rev. T. P. Emerson of the Bloomington Presbytery who had met with a small group of men and women in September of 1867 to ascer- tain if the way be clear for the organization of an Old School Presbyterian Church in Bement. At the organization meeting, El- dad C. Camp and William New- ton were elected ruling elders. Other charter members were: Elizabeth J. Camp, Mrs. Mary Camp, Margaret Newton, Mrs. Sarah E. Bryant, Mrs. Emily T. Swaney and Mrs. Charlotte Scott.

At a congregational meeting January 30, 1870, a Board of Trustees was elected and empow- ered to raise funds for, and pro- ceed with the erection of a house of worship. They were: Joseph Bodman, F. E. Bryant, W. A. Pierce, A. J. Gregory, William M. Camp, and Joseph M. Scott. The site of the present church was selected and the building of the church was begun with J. M. Camp as contractor and build- er. The basement, finished some time that year, was used for all services until 1874, when the main floor audience room was completed, the seats cushioned, organ purchased, and a church of classic beauty was dedicated free of debt.

On Sunday, April 18, 1880, in a severe windstorm, seventy-five feet of the steeple and the bell

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were blown across the street dur- ing services. Before noon the next day, $200 had been sub scribed for rebuilding the steeple. The new one, although much low- er than the old, could still be seen for many miles. The bell was undamaged and is even now used for all services. This bell was also known as the Fire Bell since it was used as the Bement fire alarm for some years.

On April 14, 1919, the follow- ing committee was appointed to look to the building of a new modern church: Mrs. William Camp, Mrs. J. F. SDraeue, An- drew Swenson, J. L. Bodman, A. L. Wilkinson, Fred Davies. The last service in the old church was held on August 8, 1920. The cornerstone of the present brick structure, on the same site, was laid October 24, 1920; and the new building was dedicated May 4, 1922. The organ was a gift of the J. F. Spragues. During the building period, the Presby- terians worshipped with the Methodists in their church, the ministers preaching on alternate Sundays. A large cardboard replica of the old frame church, made by the late Miss Nellie Al- vord in 1922, is kept in a glass case at the church.

The first manse, the house now occupied by the H. E. Mur- phys at the northeast corner of the intersection of South Morgan and West Wing Streets, was built in the winter of 1881-82 at a cost of $1700, and was first lived in by Dr. Ringland and his family. It was later sold and the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fish was pur-

chased for temporary use. In April 1914, plans were made for the present manse, which was completed in good time and first lived in by the Shirleys.

The church has always been missionary-minded. Norman L. Camp became an evangelist and

was associated with the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; W. L. Clarke, J. D. Murphy, and Lu- cian Scott became duly ordained ministers. Miss Mary E. Bod- man (Mrs. W. A. Hammond), spent several years as a mission* ary in Guatemala, and Miss Edna Burgess went as a missionary to Persia. Rev. Wm. B. Allison re- signed as pastor to go to Guate- mala as a missionary.

One cannot speak with justice of this church without paying tribute to the remarkable con- tributions of Miss Nellie Alvord and her violin, who so faithfully directed a Sunday School Or- chestra for many years.

The church celebrated its 75th Anniversary on August 29, 1943, with appropriate services. The church is now in its 87th year with Rev. Clyde E. West as the present pastor. He was installed January 30, 1955, with Mrs. West's father, the Rev. Alfred C. Crouch, delivering the charge to the new pastor.

CHURCH OF GOD

The Church of God was organ- ized 25 years or more ago by a group of people who held to the belief that Salvation makes one a member of the church. It still holds to this doctrine.

The first meetings were held in private homes. Later the mem- bers had tent meetings in the summer and early fall. Still later they worshipped in various build- ings. In 1936 the three lots on

which the church and parsonage are now located were purchased and a building was moved to the corner lot. This building has been remodeled twice. In 1949 ten feet was added to the length of the building and a full basement with four classrooms was added. A new parsonage was built the same year.

The first regular pastor was Rev. Stanley Holley. The present pastor is Rev. C. H. Featherston.

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■MMannmiflnHIlWBmiMI,1M«.iMiuFniui sioth u Bimint, Piatt Couhty , Illinois.

July 1881 — Quote from "Coun- try Genteman" magazine.

A WESTERN BROOM-CORN FARM

Eds. Country Gentleman — Business having delayed me sev- eral hours at Bement, 111., I took the opportunity to visit the farms owned and controlled by Mr. Lu- ther Bodman of Northampton, Mass., and so well pleased was I with what I saw, that I give it for the benefit of your readers. The farms consist of some 3,000 acres; the lower or broom-corn ranch, of some 1,300 acres, being devoted to the raising of broom- corn, of which about 500 acres are raised each year. The rest of the land is devoted to pasture, meadow, and the raising of small grain, but broom-corn receives the principal attention. The upper

ranch, containing the remainder of the land is devoted to Indian corn, wheat, and flax. The day of our visit, there were fifteen riding plows going, each with three mules attached, turning furrows 16 inches wide averaging 3V2 acres per day; five planters, six harrows, four or five rollers, besides teams hauling manure, men ditching, etc., and we were forcibly struck with the order and quiet, and the attention of the army of laborers to their respec- tive duties. Such thorough prepa- ration of land for broom-corn I never saw. In fact, thoroughness was stamped upon everything. The absence of all litter and con- fusion, such as .one would ex- pect about such an establish- ment, the neatly painted build- ings, and the cleanly whitewash- ed out-buildings, all showed that the owner was a thorough man of business. The crops this year upon the farm will consist of 500

1881 Workers all lined up prior to starting the day's work on the Bodman Broom Corn Farm. (This property was later purchased by Mr. A. S. Burr and is now known as the Bun- Estate.) he Shepherd Family lived on the farm of Mi-. A. S. Burr for a great many years, from the year 1881 when Mr. Burr came West to manage the Bodman land. The head of the Shepherd family, Mr. Phillip Shepherd, his wife, six sons, Johnson, Adam, John, Hiriam, Jacob, Absalom and three daughters, Adelia, Frances, and Elizabeth. Mr. Emmett Shepherd, son of Absalom Shepherd lives on the Burr Estate now, and with his son Emmett Dean Shepherd, farms 720 acres of land. Mr. Philip Shepherd and his six sons are shown in the above photograph of the men and mule teams and two yoke of oxen taken in front of the large barn.

acres of broom-corn, l,zuu acres of Indian corn, 200 of oats, 250 of flax, 300 of wheat, the rest hay and pasture. There are 35 teams, mostly fine Kentucky mules; about 150 head of hogs, although three or four hundred are raised and fattened each

A. S. Burr

year on steamed food, comfort- able quarters, etc. There are also about 100 head of fine fat steers, which will soon be sold. In fact, everything receives attention.

These notes would be incom- plete without a slight reference to the manager of the establish- ment, Mr. A. S. Burr of Bridge- port, Ct., whose duties, to say nothing of the clerical work in- volved, require a high order vi talent. That these duties are well done is clearly apparent; and I have yet to see the farm where brains, backed by a generous fi- nancial support,* have better re- sults to show than the above. G. W. C. Country Gentleman

I

5, "BENENT"-

BAPTlSf

CHURCH .

BEMENT BAPTIST CHURCH

Reading from left to right: Ralph Neathery, Church Treasurer; Rev. Earl Har- ris, Pastor; Miss Patsy Westray, Sunday School Secretary; Russell Westray, Sunday School Supt.; Charles Neathery, Asst. Sunday School Supt.

BAPTIST CHURCH

A two weeks Revival was held in the American Legion Hall in Bement starting March 24, 1952 with Rev. Olen Cooprider, Sanga- mon Valley Associational Mis- sionary as Evangelist and LeRoy

Geiger, pastor of the Hammond Baptist Church as song leader. The average attendance was sixty-five.

The first Sunday School serv- ices were held on March 30, with nine in attendance. Sunday morn- ing worship services were held in

the Legion Hall and Cottage Prayer Meetings were held in the homes until the Craig building was rented in May, 1952. Rev. Cooprider served as pastor of the mission until June, 1952, when Rev. Lawrence Bolsen was called as pastor.

On June 7, 1953 a meeting was held in the Legion Hall and the Bement Mission was organized as the Bement Southern Baptist Church. Twelve pastors served on the council. The church was or- ganized with fourteen charter members.

On August 12, 1953 the church called Rev. Earl Harris as pastor, and on February 18, 1954 the church purchased two lots in the south part of town as a site for their new church building. On Sunday afternoon, September 12, they held a short groundbreaking service, and on September 20, Allen Marquiss dug the base- ment. Work was soon started and the basement building was com- pleted in April, 1955, with the members of the church doing most of the work.

The first services in the new church were held on Sunday, May 1, 1955. The average attendance is forty members.

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ORGANIZATIONS

BEMENT MASONIC LODGE

The oldest fraternal order in Bement is Bement Lodge No. 365 A. F. & A. M. It was one of the strongest and most influential organizations in the early history of Bement.

This Lodge was organized at a meeting held on January 26th, 1861. The following officers took part:

Francis E. Bryant, W. M. J. O. Sparks, S. W. William Stillwell, J. W. T. T. Pettit, Treas. E. Bruce Sprague, Secy. William Waltman, S. D. George L. Spear, J. D. Aaron Yost, Tyler The gavel used at this meeting is still in the possession of the present lodge. It bears two in- scriptions :

"First gavel used in Bement

Lodge No. 365— U. D." "First Sounded Jan. 26, 1861" The Lodge received its charter October 1, 1861 with the follow- ing as charter members: F. E. Bryant, H. A. Bodman, Charles Fisher, Jr., A. G. Gregory, G. M. Gregory, J. W. C. Gray, John A. Helman, T. T. Pettit, M. L. Ry- der, J. O. Sparks, William Still- well, E. Bruce Sprague, J. M. Tay- lor, and Aaron Yost.

On October 7, 1864 Bement

Chapter 65 Royal Arch Masons received its charter. Joseph Bod- man was the first High Priest of the chapter which had 17 charter members.

On October 4, 1875 the Bement Masonic Association was char- tered under the laws of the State of Illinois, "for the purposes of purchasing a site and erecting a building for Masonic purposes for the promotion of universal be- nevolences and charity." The cornerstone of the present build- ing was laid with the usual for- malities on May 25, 1876. The hall was dedicated the following fall with quite a ceremony. It was the custom in those early days to celebrate the completion of near-

ly every new building with a square dance. The building is the same today except that the orig- inal open stairway on the north which led from the street to the basement has long since disap- peared from view.

For some years the basement was used by business firms in- cluding a bakery, a laundry, and a restaurant.

Masonic and Eastern Star Chapter rooms are on the 2nd floor. The 1st floor is used for the Bement Township Library.

First row 1. to r. : E. C. Haymes, Sec'y; Herbert Lust, S. D.; James Porter, S.

W.; Ralph Clark, W. M.; Ralph Morgan, J. W.; Cecil Shonkwiler, J. D. Second row: Delmar Burbin, S. S.; Kenneth Fisher, Tyler; Robert Still, Treas.; W. A. Drake, J. S.; A. L. Born, Chap.; and John Lash, Marshal.

IVY LEAF CHAPTER

No. 129 O. E. S. Bement, Illinois

On Wednesday, September 12, 1888, the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron of Illi- nois came to Bement to institute a new Eastern Star Chapter, which was named the "Tenney" Chapter.

The first officers were: Mrs. T. T. Pettit

Worthy Matron Mr. George B. Alvord

Worthy Patron Mrs. C. F. Tenney

Associate Matron Mrs. W. M. Camp

Treasurer Mr. T. T. Pettit

Secretary Anna V. Pettit Conductress Mrs. George B. Alvord

Associate Conductress Mabel Tenney

Martha Ella Camp

Electa Mrs. O. D. Tinkham

Warder Mr. William Perkins Tyler Other charter members were: Mr. C. F. Tenney, Mayme Camp, Mr. O. D. Tinkham.

The first installation of Ten- ney Chapter was held November 20, 1888. In 1890, the members of Tenney Chapter went to Mon- ticello to organize Monticello Chapter, No. 159.

At the Grand Chapter Session in October, 1905, Mrs. Knapp, Worthy Matron of Tenney Chap- ter, requested the name of the chapter be changed to "Ivy Leaf Chapter," as it is now known.

The following have been mem- bers for over 40 years:

Mr. George Tucker, Mrs. George Tucker (Worthy Matron

CONGRATULATION BEMENT

ON YOUR

100TH BIRTHDAY

THE MADHOUSE

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Air Conditioned For Your Comfort

Congratulations 1855 - Bement Centennial

1955

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Custom Dressing by Appointment

Faultless (Brand) Feeds

Dr. Legear's Livestock & Poultry Remedies

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for four times), Mattie Body, Nellie Corwin, Floy Hawver, Ar- bie Hawver (Worthy Patron for 15 times), Mrs. Rose Stewart, and Grace LeFever.

The membership of Ivy Leaf Chapter has grown from the orig- inal 14 to the present membership of 129. The present members wish to express their thanks to those 14 people who 67 years ago had the initiative to undertake the re- sponsibility of starting an East- ern Star Chapter in Bement. The present officers are: Virgie Brittenham Worthy Matron Lynn Peterson

Worthy Patron Opal Hill

Associate Matron Louis Miller

Associate Patron Emma Peterson

Secretary Selda Miller Treasurer Ruchiel Born

Conductress Berniece Wildman

Associate Conductress Nora Buckner

Chaplain Mary Hillis Totten

Marshal Gloria Larson

Organist Mollie VanGorder

Adah Cora Fish

Ruth Challice Larson

Esther Lillie Larson

Martha Alva Miles

Electa Lucia Day Warder Harley Miles

Sentinel Betty Miller Instructress Eastern Star meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

ODD FELLOWS LODGE

Irwin Lodge, No. 344, Bement, Illinois, I. O. O. F. was Instituted by Charter duly granted by the R. W. Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, with the following as charter members: R. F. Jones, Aaron Misenhelter, D. C. Moffit, E. O. Wallace, Peter Caughen- baugh, and J. N. Bills, bearing the date of October 9, 1867.

The first meeting of the Lodge however had been held earlier that year in February (1867), when the following were elected and installed into their respec- tive offices: E. O. Wallace (Noble Grand), J. N. Bills {Vice Grand), R. F. Jones (Rec. Sec'y), Peter Caughenbaugh (Treasurer). The installing officer was Grand Mas- ter Herr. After installation the following were admitted to mem- bership: C. Schoolcraft, Samuel Dearing, Joseph W. Fristoe, J. A. Force, C. Newton, Wm. L. Finley, John Hughes, H. A. Starks, and Peter Shaffer by a Dispensation duly granted by G M.

Elmer Bentley has held the of- fice of Noble Grand the past year and the following are the officers for the coming year: Ed Busick (Noble Grand), Delmar Bentley (Vice Grand), Marion Bentley (Secretary), Elmer Bentley (Fi- nancial Secretary), and Fred Klump (Treasurer). They have regular meetings each Friday night with the County meeting on the third Monday of each month.

BRYANT MEMORIAL REBEKAH LODGE No. 65

Bryant Memorial R e b e k a h Lodge No. 65 was instituted on Nov. 8, 1950 in the Legion Hall at Bement.

Mildred Lebdusha, President of the Rebekah State Assembly of Illinois presented her staff of As- sembly Officers who instituted the Bement Lodge with forty- three members signing the regis- ter and becoming charter mem-

bers.

Cerro Gordo Rebekah Degree Staff conferred the degree on the new candidates. Those entering from other lodges were:

Betty Malohn (Monticello), Katherine Baird and Charles Baird (Assumption), Isabelle Shonkwiler and Elmer Bentley (by dismissal certificate, having been members in good standing in the disbanded Rebekah Lodge 688 of Bement), Opal Hixon (At- wood), and Florence Vaughn (Carthage, 111.).

The first officers elected on Nov. 8, 1950 were : Katherine Baird

Noble Grand Betty Malohn Vice Grand Ruth Wright

Recording Secretary Catherine McCullom Finance Secretary Edith Allison Treasurer Appointed Officers were: Ida Bentley

Warden Opal Hixon

Conductor Isabelle Shonkwiler

Chaplain Frances Bentley

Inside Guardian Bernice Englehart

Outside Guardian Mary Neal

R. S. to N. G. Elma Spearman R. S. to V. G. Alberta McVicker

L. S. to N. G.

Sadie Shepherd

L. S. to V. G.

Women of the Rebekah Lodge at the Centennial Kick-Off Dinner

J. B. RINEHART REALTOR REALTY INVESTMENTS 208 W. Main St. MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS	PIATT COUNTY JOURNAL MONTICELLO, ILLINOIS Serving Piatt County Since 1856
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The State President, Mildred Lebdusha, appointed Mabel Quayle of Decatur to act as spe- cial deputy for the lodge, which she held until 1954. Jane Gross of Cerro Gordo was the next ap- pointed deputy, and Ruth Jones of Gerro Gordo is the present deputy.

Bryant Memorial No. 65 be- longs to the 18th District of the Rebekah Lodge of Illinois. They hold their meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday nights of each month. There are 46 members at the present time: 41 Sisters, and 5 Brothers. They have lost three members by death: John Neal, Willis Harshbarger, and Opal Hixon (past Noble Grand).

The Lodge helps to support the Odd Fellows Home in Mattoon, 111., and The Children's Home in Lincoln, 111. The latest achieve- ment was to help prepare and serve the Bement Centennial Kick-Off Banquet to 550 people. It was a great success, and the members were happy to have been a part. They are striving for more members to make their lodge stronger and Bement a bet- ter place in which to live through Rebekah Odd Fellowship.

The present officers of the Re- bekah Lodge are:

Marcalene Lamb, Jr.

Past Noble Grand Gladys Webb

Noble Grand Sadie Shepherd

Vice Grand Evelyn Fair

Recording Secretary Clova Smith

Financial Secretary Vula Durbin

Treasurer Appointed Officers: Eileen McCullough

Conductor Bonnie Allison

Warden Viola Adams

Chaplain Edna Lash

R. S. to N. G. Olive Larimore

L. S. to N. G. Fern* Wildman

R. S. to V. G. Ruth Abel

L. S. to V. G. Hazel Liestman

Inside Guardian Dorothy Miles

Outside Guardian

BEMENT LIONS CLUB

The Bement Lions Club was first organized February 11, 1931. The first officers were: Dr. W. G. McPherson,

President H. E. Slusser,

1st Vice-Pres. J. B. Byerline,

2nd Vice-Pres. A. C. McDowell, Sec'y & Treas. P. E. Peterson, Tail Twister Rex Millikin, Lion Tamer Other charter members were: Rev. N. C. Griffin, Shirley Engle, L. D. Pfoff, L. A. Hodam, An- drew Swenson, E. E. Logan, Clyde Hill, A. T. McPherson, J. F. Sprague, D. E. Godfrey, W. W. Davis, Harry Hill, H. E. Dare, J. H. Malkus, and Chas. Baker.

Three of the original charter members, Dr. W. G. McPherson, L. A. Hodam, and H. E. Slusser are still members of the club. On May 31, 1936 the charter of this club was cancelled.

In 1941 the Bement Lions Club was again organized through the efforts of the late Andrew Swenson and other civic minded men of the community. Harry C. Roberts was elected president of the newly organized club and the charter night ban- quet was held at the Methodist church on Wednesday evening, May 21, 1941 with 49 charter members.

Today the Lions Club has 78 members and boasts of being the largest small town Lions Club in its district. The club has played a vital and active role in the civic affairs of Bement and the sur-

rounding community. In 1949 the Bement Lions Club organized the first Little League baseball team in the community, baseball for boys age 8 through 12. It ac- tively sponsors this recreation for boys every summer. About 50 Bement boys participate in this baseball program each year. The club was responsible for sending a High School boy to Boys State for a week during the summer for several years. The club also stages the annual Halloween pa- rade and has long sponsored Be- ment's traditional football ban- quet.

The Bement Lions Club is a part of the International Associa- tion of Lions Clubs, the largest service club organization in the w<?rld, with over half a million members in 11,335 clubs in 65 countries of the world.

Presidents of the Bement Lions Club since it was reorganized in 1941 are: Harry C. Roberts, Lew Wilkinson, E. A. Stout, A. E. Bodman, L. A. Hodam, H. E. Slusser, Roy B. Jones, George Wilkinson, R. N. Holloway, David P. Marker, John J. Glennon, Lynn Crook, James D. Raglan, and Carl J. Edwards.

The following are officers for the coming year:

Glen Durbin President

Frank Yeates 1st Vice-Pres.

John W. Walsh 2nd Vice-Pres.

Joseph Foster Sec'y & Treas.

Stanley Powell Tail Twister

Wyman Patterson Lion Tamer

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LITTLE LEAGUE baseball was founded by Carl E. Stotz in Williamsport, Pa. in 1939 and the sport spread westward from the Atlantic coast until today it is one of the fastest growing boy's activities in the country. It is regulation baseball but played on a 60-foot diamond and limited to boys between the ages of 8 through 12. Little League base- ball has been described as Big League baseball adapted to the mental and physical capacities of the boys of America.

The Bement Lions Club organ- ized the first Little League team in 1949 and the response of the boys was so enthusiastic that the club has sponsored the ac- tivity ever since. Bement was one of the early communities in

the area to have Little League baseball.

Boys out for the sport are di- vided into two groups in Bement: the Major League Lions team for the older, more experienced boys; and three Minor League teams for beginning players. The Major League team is coached by Dean Stout, assisted by Don Stout. The three Minor League teams are the All Stars, coached by Gene Holloway, assisted by Francis Speltz ; the Reds, coached by Frank Yeates, assisted by Ronnie Robbins; and the Blues, coached by Linzey Corum. All Bement teams play a regular schedule of baseball in the Cham- Piatt League, consisting of Ives- dale, Sadorus, Pesotum, Mahomet and Bement.

1

?<**

<•"•

9%fMd?f?fi?f

-AMERICAN LEGION POST_

Albert Parker Post No. 620, the American Legion, was named for Sgt. Albert H. Parker, Co. B, 5th Machine Gun Battalion, U. S. A., the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Parker, Bement, Illi- nois, who was killed in action in France on November 5, 1918.

The Charter of the Post was issued on the 28th day of April, 1920 with the following listed as charter members:

Francis E. Morrow

Elmer Haynes

Percy H. Hill

Frank Flavin

George L. Clark

Eugene D. Evans

Olin L. Day

John S. Carlin

Elmer L. Kelly

T. R. Clark

C. E. Morrow

L. L. High

Roy A. McKinney

J. A. Muthersbaugh

Paul R. Flowers

The present officers of the Post are:

Napoleon Jackson, Command- er.

William W. Redman, Vice- Commander

Bryan Wilson, Finance Officer

Ralph E. Wright, Adjutant.

The Post at this time has 90 members.

In 1946 the Post purchased the building located on East Bodman Street, Bement, which had for- merly been occupied by Andrew Swenson's Furniture Store and Funeral Establishment. The building is made available for the use without cost to Albert Par- ker Unit No. 620, the Amer- ican Legion Auxiliary and the lo- cal unit of Mothers of World War II, as well as to local civic and religious meetings. A num- ber of the members of the Post have been Commanders of the Piatt County Council of The American Legion and one mem. ber, Bryan Wilson, has been 19th District Commander.

The Post has been active in sup- port of civic events and improve- ments in the community and makes an annual presentation of the American Legion school award to one boy and one girl graduating from the grade school.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

The "White House," now the residence of R. E. Hardin, was the scene of much activity on May 13, 1931 when 20 patriotic women of the Bement community took the initial steps necessary in organ- izing the American Legion Aux- iliary to Albert Parker Post 620 of Bement, Illinois.

This exclusive group, all eligi- ble for membership, through Father, Son, Brother, or Hus- band, dedicated themselves to unselfish service "To God and Country."

The charter was signed on July 31, 1931.

To commemorate this first meeting of these women at the "White House" an annual Lunch- eon is held each year in May, for all members and their guests, thus keeping the memories and incidents of that first meeting alive.

The charter officers were: Lissie M. Crookshank

President Opal Fisher

1st Vice-Pres. Goldia Peterson 2nd Vice-Pres. Stella Moore Secretary Ruth Patterson

Treasurer Bertha Parker*

Chaplain Marie Harden Sergeant-at-Arms Other charter members were: Rose Biggs*, Julia Brya, Alta

Congratulations to Bement on your Centennial Pierson Grain & Supply Co. Pierson Station, III.	COMPLIMENTS OF ABES TAVERN Hammond, Illinois
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"White House-

Clark, Maxine Clark, Ruby Clark, Naoma Cole*, Lelah Lamb, Ida Long*, Jennie Nash*, Johanna Peterson*, Olive Reddin, Edith Wallace, Maggie White* (* Deceased.)

From the original 20 members who signed the Constitution, the Legion Auxiliary has maintained a steady growth in membership, ever adding to their roster all eli- gible women who desire to be as- sociated with the Legion Auxil- iary, and membership now stands at 92. Regular meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month. The Aims and Services of the Auxiliary are to promote Child Welfare and Rehabilitation. The local unit has done this in the following ways:

By distributing books and pa- triotic literature in the pub- lic schools and library. By encouraging school children to write and submit essays on important matters per- taining to Americanism. By contributing to the Na- tional Organization towards establishing auxiliary loan funds for education of orph- ans of veterans to further their education, and for scholarships which are avail- able to pupils who strive for higher learning. By sending a High School Junior girl of outstanding traits to Girls State at Mac- Murray College in Jackson- ville for one week to studv and learn the ways of good government. By selling the "Miracle Flower of Flanders Field," namely the poppy. By promoting and encouraging students to enter the Poppy Poster Contests.

By contributions and services rendered to the Veterans Hospital at Danville. The present officers are: Mrs. Wayne R'edman

President Mrs. Louis Miller

1st Vice-Pres. Mrs. Clyde Wrench

2nd Vice-Pres. £rs. T. R. Clark

Secretary Mrs. Ward Dare

Treasurer Mrs. Harry Lamb

Chaplain Mrs. Loren Hampton

Sergeant-at-Arms Mrs. Harold Wittig Sergeant-at-Arms The following are Gold Star members: Mrs. Edna Bruce, Mrs. Eva Buxton, Mrs. Ray Kintner, Mrs. Thilda Larson, Mrs. James Raglan, Mrs. Charles Ray, Mrs. Scott Sutphen, Mrs. S. O. Turner.

HOME BUREAU IN BEMENT

The birth of the home eco- nomic extension work in Bement and Piatt County was accom- plished by women who had read in the papers of the activities of such organizations in other counties.

Through the efforts of these ladies, with the help of the Farm Adviser at that time, Mr. S. S. Davis; and the assistance of the home extension staff of the Uni- versity of Illinois, Home Bureau organization was planned and started. At the time it seemed best for Douglas and Piatt coun- ties to organize together.

On August 14, 1930 the first meeting was held at the Atwood High School with Mrs. S. T. Veach presiding. There were 103

in attendance. It was voted that these two counties organize to- gether as the "Douglas-Piatt Home Bureau." The first officers were:

President — Mrs. John Mc-

Carty, Douglas 1st Vice-Pres. — Mrs. Charles

Blickensderfer, Piatt 2nd Vice-Pres. — Mrs. Lester

Smith, Douglas Secretary — Mrs. J. E. Miller,

Piatt The purpose of the organiza- tion was to interest all the ladies of the communities in worth- while activities and to develop leadership.

The aims of the Home Bureau are as follows :

To Have Every Home: Economically Sound Mechanically Convenient Mentally Stimulating Morally Wholesome Artistically Satisfying Physically Healthy Socially Responsible Spiritually Inspiring Founded Upon Mutual Affec- tion and Respect. By 1937 the membership had increased until it was necessary to separate the counties into two organizations.

A meeting was held December 1, 1937 in the Monticello High School with 200 ladies present. Mrs. .Frank LeFever of Milmine presided. Officers were elected to serve until September 1, 1938. There were twelve original units in the Piatt County organization: Bement, Bethel, Blue Ridge, Cen- terville, Cerro Gordo, Cisco, Ham- mond, Lodge, Milmine, Monti- cello, R. F. D., and Voorhies.

The following women have served as Home Advisers:

Miss Mary Duckworth 1930-32 Miss Christy Hepler 1933-35 Miss Lucille Gring 1935-36 Miss Lucille Swenson 1937-41 Miss Bernice Smith 1941-42 Miss Lorennie Berry 1942- The interest in Home Bureau work has increased thru the years and at the present time there are 18 units in Piatt County with a membership of 432 plus 20 as- sociate members.

The Home Bureau has been re- sponsible for the starting of vari- ous 4-H Clubs, Better Leader- ship, Greater Participation in Community Affairs, and a Broad- er World Vision.

The University of Illinois Ex- tension Service and Home Dem-

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OWENS FUNERAL HOME CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS Phone 8672 Air Conditioned	WORDEN - MARTIN, INC. j£fk Cgfy Packard - Hudson __ |

onstration Work makes it possi- ble for members to continue Home Economics Studies in their local groups under University guidance.

Many interesting reports of Home Bureau accomplishments are given each year during Farm & Home Week at the U. of I.

a-» mr?i kkx rrxyrrrrOnfft ft H"H W"*

BEMENT SENIOR WOMAN'S CLUB

Fifty-nine years ago, the Be- ment (Senior) Woman's Club was organized on a beautiful Oc- tober day in 1896. Of the ten charter members, four served as president: Mrs. Fred Unholtz, Mrs. J. F. Knapp, Mrs. W. W. Hammond, and Mrs. L. H. Al- vord. The other charter mem- bers were: Mrs. Albert Boggs, Mrs. Edith Burks (now Mrs. Ed- ward Back), Mrs. Clara Conroy, Mrs. Tracy Holland, Miss Helen Thompon, and Mrs. S. K. Bod- man. Later after the county and 19th District were duly organ- ized, the Bement Club was Fed- erated and in 1929 they joined the General Federation of Wom- an's Clubs — an International Federation.

From the first, education and social life were stressed. Later civic and community problems were undertaken. The library has been the outstanding work of the club since its organiza- tion. For many years, Mrs. W. G. Cloyd headed the Library Committee, .and year after year helped to keep tl • library open until the township voted a Li- brary Tax and a librarian was hired. Most of the members helped in some way and collected and donated books and maga- zines.

Other presidents of the club have been: Mrs. Hudson Martin, Mrs. Charles Lamb, Mrs. J. L. Bodman, Mrs. J. C. Evans, Mrs. E. H. Camp, Mrs. W. A. Ham-

mond, Mrs. H. Schwab, Mrs. A. L. Wilkinson, Mrs. H. E. Shaw, Miss Annie Mitchell, Mrs. An- drew Swenson, Miss Rebecca Clark, Mrs. W. W. Davis, Miss Kathryn B. Fisher, Mrs. A. L. Pelton, Mrs. Carl Thompson, Mrs. Fletcher Beck, Mrs. Darl Evans, Miss Minnie Fisher, Mrs. J. R. Bower, Mrs. E. E. Folk, Mrs. S. M. Postlewait, Mrs. W. G. McPherson, Mrs. Roy B. Jones, Mrs. C. J. Tinkham, Mrs. E. C. Haynes, Mrs. A. T. Mc- Pherson, Mrs. E. S. Bodman, Mrs. Margaret Cloyd Wilson, Mrs. Rex. Millikin, Mrs. Urban Kottler, Mrs. Frank Bryan, Mrs. J. F. Sprague, Mrs. G. L. Bur- gess, Mrs. Fred Dabler and Mrs. R. H. Smith, Mrs. J. B. Byer- line, Mrs. Harry Roberts, Mrs. Clarence Lefever, Mrs. L. A. Hodam, Mrs. Lucy Moore, Mrs. Blake Livingston. Mrs. Living* ston is the president for the 1955-56 term.

There are five members who have been in the club for over

\ **^y^V;

BEMENT JUNIOR WOMAN'S

CLUB (EVENING WOMAN'S

CLUB)

The Bement Junior Woman's Club was organized in December, 1928, at the home of Mrs. Nellie McPherson, who was elected sponsor and later elected to life membership. The presidents have been as follows: Mrs. Mary Glynn Bleitz, Mrs. Thelma Priest- ly Durbin, Mrs. Beulah Fay Hill. Mrs. Cecelia Farrell Sinkevitch, Mrs. Lucille Madden Coffin, Mrs. Jeanette Piggott Henebry, Mrs. Lotha Lowman Clark, Mrs. Alice

40 years, served as president, and have been made life mem- bers: Mrs. J. L. Bodman, Mrs. W. A. Hammond, Mrs. A. L. Pel- ton, Mrs. A. L. Wilkinson, and the late Mrs. Andrew Swenson. National Authors' Day which is widely observed throughout the United States had its birth in Bement. The original reso- lution was submitted by Nellie Verne Burt McPherson while she was president of the Bement Woman's Club. It was sponsored by the local club, the Piatt Coun- ty Federation, the 19th District, State and National Organiza- tions. The resolution was pre- sented to the National Conven- tion where it was adopted May 31, 1929, and the date of No- vember 1 was set aside for its observance. The purpose of Na- tional Authors' Day is "To show patriotism and appreciation to those who have given us a liter- ature, and to encourage and in- spire others to lend their talents in making a better America."

Haynes Merry, Mrs. Leona Hol- loway, Miss Helen Monaghan, Mrs. Dorothy Moore Vander- creek, Mrs. Jeanne Edwards Jones, Mrs. Ellen Morris, and Miss Marian Bloomer.

The Junior Club was District and State Federated in 1929 and joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1944 as a Sen- ior Woman's Club, changing their name to the Evening Wom- an's Club — with the same ob- jective and motto: "Greater spir- itual development in that service that will aid the recipient and strengthen the giver."

The meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each monLh from September through April at 7:45 P. M. at the High School. Some of their special interests have been: The Bement Library with a donation of 100 books the first year; National Author's Day with special programs and in 1932 a special radio broad- cast by the Club Chorus and members; 19th District Scholar- ship Fund with donations each year — the first student to use this fund was Mildred Wrench while a member of this club; and musical scholarships for high school students. They also have donated to the County Nursing Home, Bement Red Cross. March of Dimes, Boy and

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Girl Scouts, and the Bement Cen- tennial Committee. This year they plan to sponsor ,a Centen- nial Luncheon to honor Mrs. Helen Chapman, International President of the General Federa- tion of Women's Clubs.

The following women have been made Life Members in recognition of 25 years or more of continuous membership: Mar- guerite Allen, Lotha Clark, Guy- nell Creel, Irene Durbin, Thelma Durbin, Helen Fay, Beulah Hill, Helen Jeffers, .and Nellie Mc- Pherson.

BEMENT TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

Literary Societies and "schools for polemics" were active in Be- ment's very early years. In the fall of 1866, at a meeting of one of these societies, a suggestion was made that a society be or- ganized for general reading, and the Tableau Society pledged its funds to such an enterprise. In the pursuance of the suggestion, a public meeting was held with George L. Spear as chairman. The meeting was poorly attended, but an association was formed and $134. was subscribed for the purchase of books. A constitu- tion was adopted in December, 1866, and the following officers were elected: Mr. George L. Spear, president; Mr. R. S. Hop- kins, 1st vice-president; Joseph Bodman, treasurer, and H. A. Coffeen, librarian. With funds from dues, private contributions, and a series of lectures, the li- brary was well started.

On May 29, 1877, James S. Peairs, Robert Fisher, P. A. Dun- can, N. N. Vance, John R. Klapp, T. Sterling, Jessie Hughes, Anna Dunn, Geneva Dunn, Henry N. Camp, G. A. Stadler, and Ada Newton applied for incorporation of "The Bement Literary and

Library Association, the business and object of which shall be in- tellectual, social and moral im- provement of its members and the community at large, the same to be under the direction and con- trol of (7) seven directors, the names of whom as selected for the first year are Thomas Lamb, Hortense Klapp, Wm. G. Cloyd, Anna Dunn, Robert Fisher, Mary Thomas, ad Curtis J. Hinman."

In addition to regular meet- ings, this group of younger men and women presented programs of readings, essays, debates, dra- matics and music for the public and without doubt they aided the library financially. Perhaps they were not single-minded enough, because on September 26, 1878, at which time there were 914 vol- umes on the shelves, a petition for incorporation of "The Libra- ry Association of Bement," sign- ed by L. W. Bodman, B. B. Bacon, F. E. Bryant, S. K. Bodman, Jo- seph Bodman, and D. W. C. Niles, all older men, was forwarded to the Secretary of State; and the "Library Association of Bement" was chartered September 27, 1878. The directors were: Chas. F. Ten- ney, Joseph Bodman, A. D. New- ton, L. W. Bodman, Lucy F. Knapp, and Clara Bodman. By paying $10.00, one became a life member and paid no dues; $5.00 made one an elector, with dues of 50c a year; annual members paid $1.00. The rest of the money was raised by subscription. The library was open for two hours on Saturday afternoon. Two books a week were allowed to each member. In 1893, with 1214 volumes, and a circulation of 3000 books a year, it was, according to Miss Emma Piatt, "by far the best in the county."

In 1897, the newly organized Woman's Club took over the books belonging to the Bement Library Arsociation, as it was called, continuing it as a subscrip- tion library — one dollar a year. Until 1910, it was housed in a room in the First National Bank Building, given rent free by Mr. W. M. Camp. When remodeling was done, it moved to the Loud- enback building, staying there for more than a year. Then it moved to another rent-free room, an inside room over the State Bank, offered by Mr. H. E. Shaw. Mr. George Thompson shared the heat of his office, which was an adjoining room, and a coal oil

lamp furnished light.

In April 1912, a one mill tax proposition for a free township library was defeated by 212 votes. The next November, Rev. Shirley and Rev. Enninger secured sub- scriptions from the business and professional men which enabled the club to buy and equip a read- ing table and keep the library open one afternoon and two eve- nings a week for a year. After that, the dollars from readers, part of the Club dues, and the proceeds from the sale of waste paper an entertainment, two waffle suppers, a chicken frv, and a Christmas sale paid the rent and bought books. Mr. J. F. Sprague made no charge for the coal and the librarians made their own fires, carried out the ashes, and swept the floors. Other club members helped with periodical heavy cleaning.

In 1920, books were borrowed from the Illinois State Library Extension Division, and the libra- ry was made free. In 1921, after a tax proposal was again defeat- ed, it was closed and the books were stored. Three yars later it was reopened with the State books, in a grade school base- ment room, with Woman's Club members taking turns as librar- ian. One year Mrs. Nellie Mc- Pherson stayed every Saturday; and for another year and more the every-member system was used again. Mrs. W. G. Cloyd headed the Library Committee, and year after year helped to keep the library open.

In 1936, the tax proposal car- ried and the following were elect- ed as the first Library Board: Mrs. J. L. Bodman, Mrs. Clarence Funk, Mrs. W. G. McPherson, Kenneth Burgess, Arbie Hawver, and George Larson.