Jan. 4, 1951:

- Mr. and Mrs. Richard WILLIAMS and family moved their personal effects here Monday from Chicago to the Robnett apartments.  They will move to their farm east of Farina March 1^st.

- Mrs. Lucy HOLTSLAW, a beloved lady of our neighboring village of Farina, will celebrate her 100^th birthday on Jan. 11^th. 

- PFC Paul WEST was transported back to the Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Ill. Monday by B.F. LINTON after spending the holidays with his mother, Mrs. Joe INGRAM and family.

- Miss Ileene RAMSEY, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul RAMSEY, of Odin, and William Francis CHEATUM, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin CHEATUM, of Kinmundy were married Dec. 30 in Piggott, Ark. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis MORGAN of Odin were the attendants.  Mrs. CHEATUM attended Odin grade and high school, graduating in 1946.  She is now employed as secretary of the Odin schools.  The groom attended Watson schools and graduated from Effingham H.S. in 1941.  He served 3 years in the European theatre of operations and is now employed as a signal maintainer for the Illinois Central Railroad.  The couple will make their home in Odin for the present.

- An overflowing crowd filled the Methodist Church Sunday evening to attend union New Year Services.  - Mr. and Mrs. Howard BROOM of Alma have a son born Jan. 2 at the Salem Hospital.  This is their first child.  Mr. and Mrs. J.A. BROOM are the paternal grandparents and Mrs. Nellie ROBERTS of East St. Louis is the maternal grandmother.

- Mr. and Mrs. Fred GAMMON and sons spent Sunday in Clinton the guests of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. JACKSON and Monday in Decatur with Mr. and Mrs. Virgil LIVESAY.  Mrs. LIVESAY returned with them to spend a week here.

- Mrs. Nettie MORROW Buried Here: Services for Mrs. Nettie MORROW, 76, were held from the Brown Church in Omega Township yesterday with Bro. Delmar DEBAULT, officiating.  Interment was made in Phillips Cemetery.  Mrs. MORROW died Monday in Anna State Hospital where she had been a patient for several years.  Nettie GORDON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles GORDON, was born June 13, 1876, and died Dec. 31, 1950.  She was married to Elra KRUTSINGER, Dec. 25, 1895.  To this union 8 children were born.  3 passed away in infancy, Myrtle, at the age of 34 years, and Bennie at the age of 21.  Her husband died Oct. 27, 1922.  She was again married to Lawrence MORROW of Hallsville, Ill., who survives.  She leaves: 2 daughters, Mrs. Rella MULVANEY of Iuka; Mrs. Ethel LANE of Kinmundy; Joe of Toledo, Ohio; several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She has been a member of Brown Church for many years.  Services were held Tuesday with interment in Phillips Cemetery.

- Lowell DISS, Jr. of the U.S. Navy was a guest of honor Monday at a basket dinner held at the Christian Church.  Junior is on a week’s leave.  Present were: Mr. and Mrs. Lowell DISS and family; Mr. and Mrs. Orville DISS and family; Mr. and Mrs. J.H. DISS and family; Miss Beulah DISS, Mr. and Mrs. Charles DISS and daughter of Salem; Mr. and Mrs. Francis HAMMER and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles BLOMBERG and family, Mrs. Gertie SHAFFER, Mr. and Mrs. Noel SHAFFER and family, Mr. and Mrs. Burdette SHAFFER and family, Miss Joan JUSTICE, and Miss Jacquelyn HUMPHREY.

- Mrs. Wes ROBB, Mrs. Florence BASSETT, and Mrs. Irene GAMMON attended the shower for Evelyn BASSETT at the home of Mrs. Rada CALDWELL in Alma Friday evening.  Miss BASSETT and Robert FORD are to be married in the near future.

- After 20 years service, Mr. D.J. ALEXANDER has resigned as manager of the White Star Service Station and turned over his keys to his employer, P.H. ROBNETT, yesterday morning.  After a couple weeks vacation from the worries of a businessman, D.J. will open the new Gulf Station being erected by the Kinmundy Lumber Co.  He will supervise putting the finishing touches on the new station.  It is reported that Mr. Chris JASPER will be the new manager of the White Star Service Station.

- Mr. and Mrs. James HALL have moved to the J.B. MAXEY farm east of Kinmundy.  Mr. HALL is employed by Mr. MAXEY.  Mr. and Mrs. Hugh COPPLE and family have moved to the Charles BERRY home in the east part of town.

- Bryan PITTS has accepted a position at the State Penal Farm.  He and Mrs. PITTS have gone to Vandalia to live.

- Wilson School: Mr. and Mrs. Jim WALKER visited New Year’s in Alma visiting Mr. and Mrs. Selby GARRETT.

- Brown: A large crowd attended the shower for Mr. and Mrs. Clark KRUTSINGER at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ira KRUTSINGER.

- Pleasant Grove: Richard JOHNSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo JOHNSON of Alma, and Miss Nadine SMITH, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert SMITH of this community, were married Sunday at Pleasant Grove by Rev. TREDWAY.  They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Robert JOHNSON, cousins of the groom. Claude WEYMEYER, brother-in-law of the bride, took pictures of the bride and groom and their attendants.  Mrs. John SHAFFER sang two songs accompanied by Mrs. Maxine BARKSDALE at the piano.

- Omega: Virl SEE received painful injuries last week when he was thrown from a wagon which was being pulled behind a car.     

Jan. 11, 1951:

- Mrs. Richard BROOM Wins Recognition with Feature Story of Old Landmark: Were houses able to disclose the lives and loves of those who dwelled within, what a fascinating story the 95-year old brick mansion located just east of Kinmundy could tell.  Built in 1854-55, this nine room two story structure has long been a showplace in Marion county.  Michael WOLFE, a bachelor and pork packer, of Louisville, Ky., obtained the property earlier than 1854, but the home was not started until that time.  Hearsay in this area claims the home was built as a hotel, WOLFE believing the Illinois Central Railroad was to pass near there.  When the I.C. was actually laid in April of 1957, it was built one fourth mile to the west.  However, Miss Merta ROTAN, whose grandmother was Mr. WOLFE’s sister, states Mr. WOLFE built the home for her grandmother’s family, the Absolom TUCKERS, residents of Kentucky.  The TUCKERS moved to Benton in 1854 and stayed there a year before moving into this home, then just occupying the back part until the front of the building was completed.  The outside walls are of 18 inch brick and the building is divided into 9 rooms by 12-inch brick walls.  Most of the build material was brought from Kentucky including the cherry that was made into the beautiful winding front staircase.  Twenty foot ceilings downstairs and 11 foot ceilings upstairs awe the visitor upon his entrance. Custom made doors are of solid wood and are nine feet in height; they hand and swing as evenly today as they could have in 1855.  All the original doors have iron plates as doorsteps.  Huge easement windows with iron plates above and iron sills below are abundant in the house an unusual feature of early homes.  Three staircases were built by WOLFE.  At a later date during the time Charles WEST’s ownership of the house, the middle staircase was removed and that room made into bedroom for their daughter, who is Mrs. Maude PORTER, now of Houston, Texas.  The original back and front staircases still stand.  Each of the rooms has a fireplace and the kitchen grate could easily harbor a five foot log.  A 11 foot walnut mantle over the kitchen fireplace gives the readers an idea of the size of this room - one in which a modern four room efficiency apartment could be transformed with space in spare.  The push button garage door openings that many of us have in our modern home are not a new invention at all, as WOLFE had automatic gates back in pre-Civil War days.  When a carriage rolled over a certain spot in the lane, the gates opened permitting the carriage to enter and then closed with the carriage hit another spot in the road.  WOLFE died following a stroke in 1867.  Failing to find a will, an administrator sold the house and land and the TUCKERS moved away.  The land passed hands several times before the WESTS came into possession in the late 1800's.  Following the WEST regime, a father-son affair when the property was known as “Hereford Park”, it was sold several times again until A.J. YOUNG, a railway mail clerk, purchased it some 30 years ago.  YOUNG, an orchardist at heart, bought 180 acres which surrounded the home on it’s 20 acre plot and planted much of this acreage in apple orchard.  Since YOUNG’s death, Mrs. YOUNG and their son lived there until he, now Dr. Charles YOUNG of Sycamore, entered the university.  The land and orchard have been under lease since that time.  Mrs. YOUNG still maintains her home here in the summer, but resides the remainder of the year in DeKalb.  The home was modernized in every detail with it’s purchase by the YOUNGs, and a huge brick porch with pillars in keeping with it’s colonial style was added in the west as an entrance into the dining room.  Originally there were no doors to the west, and no room in the interior opened into another room.  A small two story frame building stands behind the brick home, and it is claimed that was built for Negro servant quarters, there is no verification of this.  The structure stands today as a symbol of excellence of the workmanship of the builders of nearly a century ago.  Many shade trees planted because of the forethought of WOLFE add splendor to the place, and they too, given speech could reveal interesting tales of early Marion County history.  (Editor’s Note: Since the above story was written, Mrs. YOUNG has sold the home to Orous L. LEACH and Fernandine A. LEACH of DeKalb.  This family will make this their summer home and upon the retirement of Mr. LEACH, a teacher, they will make it their permanent home.  The story written by Mrs. Richard BROOM of Kinmundy, recently won the award given by the Centralia foundation for the best correspondent’s story published in the Centralia Sentinel the past year.

- Evelyn BASSETT and Robert FORD Wed Sunday Afternoon: Miss Evelyn BASSETT, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde BASSETT, and Robert FORD, son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. FORD, of Alma, were married Sunday afternoon, January 7, 1951, at 2:00 o'clock in the Methodist Church of Alma.  The Rev. Frank TREDWAY performed the double ring ceremony.  Mr. and Mrs. Dwight KLINE served the couple as attendants.  The bride chose a blue crepe street length dress and wore a corsage of white carnations.  Mrs. KLINE wore a black crepe dress and her corsage was also of white carnations.  Both Mr. and Mrs. FORD are graduates of Kinmundy High School, Mrs. FORD with the class of '50 and Mr. FORD with the class of '47.  He is engaged in farming with his father.  Those attending the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. John S. FORD, John and Janet Sue, Mr. and Mrs. Ed FORD, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde BASSETT and Helen, and Lewis O'DELL.  Following a short honeymoon in the southern states, Mr. and Mrs. FORD will reside on a farm near Alma.

- Word has been received here of the death of Jesse WHITAKER, who died Dec. 18.  He resided in Obispo, Calif.  He was a former Kinmundy resident and was a step-brother of the late Charles and Walter PRUETT, and a half brother of Eugene PRUETT of Michigan, who recently visited here with Mr. and Mrs. F.G. PRUETT.

- Richard L. JONES and Alice Laura STEWART were married Dec. 23, 1950 in the First Baptist Church in Arlington, Calif.  They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert HARDIN of Riverside, Calif.  They will reside in Riverside, Calif.  Richard is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom C. JONES of this city, and a graduate of the local high school.

- Funeral was held from the McMackin Chapel for Mrs. Marvin WHITSON, 54, who died Saturday at their residence in Salem.  She had been ill for the past 5 months.  The service was under the auspices of the Christian Science Church.  Burial was in East Lawn Cemetery with Arthur THOMAS as reader.  Mrs. WHITSON was born Nov. 3, 1893, the daughter of the late Elza and Mary BRYANT.  She resided in Marion county all her life.  She was married Dec. 21, 1919, at Salem.  She was a member of the First Church of Christian Scientist, Salem, and the American Legion Auxiliary president in 1933.  In addition to her husband, she leaves a brother, Marvin BRYANT, Salem; and a sister, Mrs. Claude GARNER, Nashville.  Pallbearers were members of the Salem Luther B. Easley post of the American Legion.  (Salem Republican)

- Kinmundy Citizens Deprived of a lot of Excitement as well as Financial Loss: A lot of excitement as well as what might have terminated in the loss of Kinmundy’s whole business district, was nipped in the bud Tuesday afternoon when a floor fire was discovered in the second floor of the Masonic Temple building.  As it was, the damage was confined to an estimated $600 loss.  The furnace for the Masonic Temple sets on the second floor of the building.  The Masons converted this furnace from coal to oil.  The installation had been made and a test was being made Tuesday afternoon, heating the lodge room for the Eastern Star Chapter scheduled to meet that night.  The writer made frequent trips to the Temple to check on the performance of the furnace as well as gather statistical data in the rise in temperature of the hall.  On his visit to the furnace room at 3:30, he noticed some smoke but just supposed it was some of the “new” burning off the oil burner.  He also noticed that the thermostat was not working like it should.  At that he summoned Carl DUNLAP.  Together they returned to the furnace room.  This time, we decided to make a thorough investigation as to the source of the smoke.  We found it was coming from the floor.  At this time, Jess GARRISON, who has his hardware on the ground floor came up to investigate. As a board was pulled in the floor, the smoke became stifling.  The fire was in the floor under the furnace. Water was thrown back under the furnace between the floor joist which retarded it to a great extent.  But we just couldn’t reach the source with our water.  At that, Mr. DUNLAP brought out the fire engine.  While he was gone after the engine, flames began to leap up from the hole in the floor.  Eight or ten dippers of water tamed them down to some extent, however, the water from the fire engine soon killed the flames, but there was still some smoke coming.  By this time, E.E. BROWN and Gene WILLIAMS arrived on the scene.  Then others came which was a good thing because it was decided that the furnace would have to be moved to make certain no fire remained.  This was done with as great a care as possible, and yet the furnace was damaged in the moving.  So considerable damage was done to the floor as well as the furnace, and, we might add, some electric wiring in the floor which caused us to grit our teeth when the water hit it.  It was really a ‘lucky’ fire.

- Relatives and friends gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest BURKETT and children of Odin, Jan. 7^th.  The dinner was enjoyed by all.  Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Coon HOWELL, and granddaughter, Jerry, Richard SHAFFER, Eva ELKINS, Betty BURKETT, Mrs. Clyde FITZGERALD and Louie, all of Farina; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis BURKETT, Bob, Donna and Rosemary, Mr. and Mrs. Gene BURKETT and son, Richard, all of Kinmundy; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley SHAFFER, Jackie and Mary Kay of Louisville; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond SOPER and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn CURRY of St. Elmo.  Forrest is reporting at Veteran’s Hospital at Marion, Ill., Jan. 11^th for a checkup and possibly an operation.

- Charles METZGER Dies: Charles METZGER died Jan. 10^th in Decatur at the age of 92 years, 8 months and 17 days.  He was born near Collinsville, the son of John and Barbara METZGER.  He moved with his family at an early age to a farm near Kinmundy, where he remained until his wife, Mrs. Louisa METZGER, died March 13, 1944.  He leaves 4 children: John, Springfield; Joe, Danvers; Henry, Decatur; and Mrs. Mabel WALLWEBER, Kirkwood, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.  Services will be held Jan. 13 from St. Philomena’s Church in this city with Rev. Fr. A.B. SHOMAKER officiating.  Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.  

- Pleasant Grove: Several attended the charivari and shower for Mr. and Mrs. Sammie HIESTAND at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude HIESTAND Wednesday night.  They received many nice, useful gifts.

- Swift School: Congratulations from our neighborhood to Mr. and Mrs. Bob FORD, who were married Sunday in the Methodist Church at Alma.  Mrs. FORD was Miss Evelyn BASSETT before her marriage.  The very best of good wishes to you.

- In Memoriam of Ren WAINSCOTT, who died Jan. 4, 1948.  Helen SCHWABE and family.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Tom HELPINGSTINE were in Robinson one day last week attending the funeral of their nephew, Ed HAMILTON.

- Brown: Those receiving one year perfect attendance awards at Brown Sunday School were Ula KRUTSINGER, Maxine NEAL, Velma NEAL, Forest NEAL, and Eva BAKER.

- Wilson School: Jerry McCARTY and Mr. and Mrs. Bud JENKINS attended the birthday party Thursday night at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glen McCARTY in honor of Mrs. McCARTY’s birthday.       

Jan. 18, 1951:

- E.A. SNELLING, Pioneer of Kinmundy, Brought Here for Burial Saturday A.M.: Funeral services were held Saturday from the Linton Funeral Home, with Bro. Delmar DEBAULT officiating, for E.A. SNELLING, who died at his home in Chicago on Jan. 11^th.  Interment will be made in Evergreen Cemetery.  He was 94 years of age.  Elroy Aaron, son of David P. and Hannah COX SNELLING, was born in Nashua, N.H., July 12, 1856.  He was the 4^th of a family of 8 children, namely, Albert Alexander, Mary Abbie, Frank Mallory, Nellie Eliza, George Washington, Lettie Olie, and Fred D.P., all of whom have preceded him in death.  In 1850, he moved with his family to Kinmundy.  He lived at home until Oct. 1876 when he went to Olathe, Kansas, where he was engaged in the coal business with a cousin, David SNELLING, until 1877.  He returned to Kinmundy and lived at home, working for his father on the farms.  He also organized and instructed bands in the following communities: Kinmundy, Odin, Alma, Farina, St. Peter, and St. Paul.  His Maple Grove Farm Band had a membership from 4 townships, Kinmundy, Alma, Omega, and Meacham.  He was married to Jennie HALLETT in Princeton, Ind. Feb. 13, 1883.  In Apr. 1883 he brought his bride to a farm near Kinmundy.  On Dec. 3, 1883, a son was born and named Hallett Maudette.  On Jan. 26, 1886, another son was born and named Leander Alexander.  He served as a school director of the Young School District for several years.  On March 28, 1905, he was appointed Overseers of Highways in Road District No. 5, Kinmundy Township.  The Commissioners then were N.G. KLEIN, S.W. JONES, and John EAGAN.  He was elected assessor of Kinmundy twp. in April 1905.  In Feb. 1906, he sold his stock and implements and moved to Kinmundy.  He assessed the township in April, May and June of that year.  On July 1, 1906, he bought a restaurant in the Opera House Block, afterwards moving the restaurant to the Fenster Building in 1909.  In the spring of 1909, he was elected City Treasurer, which position he held for two years.  All this time he kept on directing bands as well as the choir in the Kinmundy Christian Church.  In January, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. SNELLING sold their restaurant and moved to Caseyville, Ill., where they engaged in the restaurant business until October of the same year.  They then went to Chicago and visited with their two sons until March 1912.  They then went to Oceanpark, Calif., where they remained three months, moving north to Ojal, Calif., where he worked in the orange orchards until Sept. 2, 1918.  He and Mrs. SNELLING then came back to Illinois and spent two weeks visiting in Kinmundy.  They then went to Miller, Ind., where he worked for the Union Drawn Steel Co. until Jan. 30, 1923, when they went to Chicago to make their home with their son, Hallett and his son, Elroy.  Here he did carpentering and painting until 1929 when he retired and devoted his time to his garden.  He became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kinmundy in 1874, and assisted in the services.  Thus reads the life history of one of Kinmundy’s early settlers, the most of which was recorded in his own handwriting.  You will note Mr. SNELLING was just years of age when he came to Kinmundy with his parents.  Kinmundy was laid out and incorporated as a village in 1857.  So he knew much of the growth of Kinmundy.  On Feb. 3, 1933, this couple held open house for their many friends in honor of their 50^th wedding anniversary.  It was such a pleasant affair that they held an open house in each succeeding year in honor of their anniversary.  Last year they celebrated their 67^th anniversary.  This was always a joyous occasion for former Kinmundians living in Chicago and nearby as well as for Mr. and Mrs. SNELLING.  Those from out of town attending the funeral were Hallett M. SNELLING and son, Elroy A. of Chicago, Leander A. SNELLING, Sheboygan, Wis., and Mr. and Mrs. V.V. BARCROFT, Carlyle.

- Norman Edward SHOWERS of Compton, Calif., and Miss Norma Ann HEADLEY of Alton, Ill., were married Dec. 24^th at the Golden Wedding Chapel in Long Beach, Calif. by Rev. Wade CAMPBELL, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Compton, Calif.  Many changes were made in the wedding plans.  Due to an accident in which Mr. SHOWERS was hurt, the wedding plans were moved to California from Illinois where it was originally scheduled.  The Golden Wedding Chapel gave the couple the services of it’s facilities free of charge as a Christmas gift.  Everything for the complete wedding was furnished by them.  As an extra special gift, they brought the bride’s mother out by TWA Airlines from Alton for the wedding.  Norma Ann is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark HEADLEY of Alton.  Norman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wardiero SHOWERS.  Robert SHOWERS, brother of the groom was best man, and maid of honor was Miss Ruth Ann WOOD, niece of the groom.  The bride is the granddaughter of Mrs. Win HEADLEY and Mr. and Mrs. G.C. DOOLEN of the North Fork and Swift School neighborhoods.

- Funeral Rites Held Monday P.M. for Webster H. ALLEN: Webster Hartford, son of Leslie and Anna EMERY ALLEN, was born Oct. 18, 1877 on a farm six miles south of Kinmundy.  He died Jan. 12, 1951 at his home in Charleston, Ill. At an early age he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a member as long as this church functioned.  He was married to Beatrice SCHOOLEY in 1904.  Besides his widow, he leaves a sister, Mrs. Lulu YODER of this city, and a brother, Mallie ALLEN of Remington, Ind. and a number of nephews and nieces.  Services were held from the Linton Funeral Home Monday, Rev. Angus PHILLIPS officiating.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.

- Mr. and Mrs. Dwight ALEXANDER were hosts to a number of relatives Sunday commemorating several occasions.   The ALEXANDERS celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, the Bert SMITHS, Mrs. ALEXANDER’s brother and wife, celebrated their 33^rd anniversary Thursday as well as their daughter and husband, the Norman GRANTS, their 12^th anniversary on Thursday.  A basket dinner was held Sunday and in attendance besides the ALEXANDERS were Mr. and Mrs. Bert SMITH and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Norman GRANT and daughters of Centralia; Mr. and Mrs. C.L. RAYMOND and son, and Mr. and Mrs. Erwin SMITH and family of Edgewood, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. SMITH and family of Olney, Mrs. Ida SMITH, Mr. and Mrs. William HUMPHREY and Mr. and Mrs. F.G. ALEXANDER.

- According to information received from Mr. E. WORMLEY, local agent for the I.C. Railroad, southbound train 29, and northbound train 30, will be discontinued effective Jan. 22. 

- Mrs. Shelley GENTRY: The funeral of Mrs. Shelly GENTRY, 49, was held at the Linton Funeral Home Sunday with Rev. Angus PHILLIPS officiating.  Mrs. GENTRY died Friday in the Anna State Hospital and had been in ill health for a number of years.  She is survived by her husband and two sons, Clayton and William, both of Decatur.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.

- Mary Elizabeth FURGASON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. FURGASON, Sr., and Charles Hofffman BUTLER were married on Jan. 13^th in Indianapolis.  The FURGASONs are residents of there.  Mrs. FURGASON was formerly Miss Mary MAXEY of this city.

- Funeral services for Daniel W. HAVICHORST, a native of Neoga, who was killed in a train wreck near Sparks, Nev., last Wednesday, was held Tuesday in Neoga.  Burial was made in Neoga Memorial Cemetery.  HAVICHORST was the engineer of the train at the time of the wreck.  Details of the accident were still not available.  He leaves a wife, the former Martha SWANK of Neoga, now residing in Sparks; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank HAVICHORST, Neoga; one son, Ralph of Santa Ana, Calif., and one sister, Mrs. Agnes ZIEGLER of Glendale, Calif.  Mr. and Mrs. A.J. JACKSON of this city attended the funeral.

- Deborah Samieen GALLAGHER was born Jan. 3^rd in the Mason Hospital in Acampo, Calif. and was the first baby in that city born in the new year.   The parents are Mr. and Mrs. Sam GALLAGHER of Lodl, Calif.  The mother was Sophia Ann SLOVICK, daughter of Mrs. Mark SLOVICK of this city.     

- Boyd DEBAULT was a guest of honor at a 5^th birthday party held for him at his home by Mrs. DEBAULT with David WHITE, Bruce GRAY, Tom BRUMMET, and Fred GAMMON present.

- Wilson School: Mr. and Mrs. Jess CHARLTON and family attended Shriver Wednesday night at the Bob SMITH home given for their daughter, Nadine, and husband, Mr. Dick JOHNSON.

- Meacham: Mr. and Mrs. G.D. BRASEL of Hoopston, Ill., and John CRICK and daughter, Miss Toni of Jeffersonville, Ind., called on Mr. and Mrs. Edwin HARRELL Monday.  They were enroute after attending the funeral of Mr. BRASEL’s brother, Earl BRASEL, of Lafayette, Ind. in Salem on Sunday.

Jan. 25, 1951:

- Anniversary Surprise: Mr. and Mrs. Herbert VANDEVEER were host and hostess week ago Sunday to a surprise anniversary dinner for Mr. and Mrs. D.H. VANDEVEER.  All their children were there except Lester, who is in the service in Wichita Falls, Texas and William who is in California.  Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. MILLER and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ray VANDEVEER and family, Mr. and Mrs. Pete JOINES and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Art THOMAS, all of Salem; Mrs. Lester VANDEVEER and Bob BUNDY, Kinmundy.  Mom and Dad VANDEVEER received a nice and useful gift from their children.

- Pvt. John HOYT, who is stationed somewhere in Korea, subscribed for The Kinmundy Express for two of his friends, Lt. LOUTHITT and Sgt. WALLACE, as they are very much interested in the town of Kinmundy and like to read the paper.

- Bennie D. BRASEL, seaman recruit, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. B.G. BRASEL of Rt. 1, Kinmundy, is undergoing recruit training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill.

- Larry DISS, 2-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell DISS, had the misfortune to fall down stairs Saturday and sustain cuts on his head.  Twenty stitches were taken, but he is reported improving.

- George R. POWELL of Belleville died on Jan. 21, 1951.  He was husband of Winifred PURSELL POWELL, and father of Mrs. Florence MAYOR, and stepfather of Mrs. Alice MOSS.  Services were held Jan. 24^th at Pete Gardner Funeral Home in Belleville.  Interment in Mt. Olive Cemetery, in Lemay, Mo.

- Stuart BROOM celebrated his 3^rd birthday with a party at his home Friday.  Present were Mrs. John PIPER and son, Larry, Mrs. Dwight DAY, Jr., and son John, Mrs. Lloyd BAILEY and daughter, Sue, and Mrs. Richard BROOM and sons Stu and Ted.

- Swift School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Lester McWHIRTER have returned to their home in Farina.  They have been staying with Mr. and Mrs. Donald ROBB since the arrival of the new son.

- Swift School (from last week): Mrs. MARKLEY, who stays in the Pid GARRETT home, was called to near Sullivan last week because of the death of her son-in-law.

- Swift School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. George FORD visited Frank GARRETT and wife Monday evening.

- Omega: A stork shower was held at the Lyman JONES home last Tuesday night for Pauline CHAPMAN.  She received many nice gifts.

- Pleasant Grove: Mr. and Mrs. Roger MONICAL and daughter, who have been living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will HIESTAND, moved to Salem last week.

- Miletus: Mrs. J.T. BOUSMAN, who was stricken with a stroke Jan. 6, remains in critical condition.  A son, Masel of Mt. Vernon, and a daughter, Mrs. Bernice HEINZMAN of Shattuc came that night and are still with her.  Besides the nearby neighbors, assisting are Mr. and Mrs. Orion BUTTS and Mr. and Mrs. Fenton NEAL.

- Miletus: Mr. and Mrs. Harlas KRUTSINGER bought the farm from the Grover COURSON heirs near the Meacham Baptist Church and moved to their new home last week.

- Mickey and Connie SHREFFLER visited last week with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. B.O. GARRETT.    

Feb. 1, 1951:

- The annual meeting of the Marion County Farm Bureau was held Jan. 24^th at the Armory in Salem with more than 500 in attendance.   A picture was included of the directors of the Marion County Farm Bureau: Claude BURGE, Salem; Ben YOUNG, Odin-Sandoval; Gilbert FORD, Meacham; Ira DALTON, Haines; David SUTHERLAND, Centralia; H. Donald McLAUGHLIN, Stevenson; Leon McBRIDE, Raccoon; Euell CLARK, Romine; Lee BRITT, Carrigan; Marvin BASSETT, Foster; Orville SHARP, Patoka; Sherrill VANDEVEER, Omega; John W. SHAFFER, Alma. (3 directors were not present for the picture.)

- Benny D. BRASEL of Great Lakes, Ill. was received in the Methodist Church here Sunday although he was not here to take the church vows.  He was baptized and was given the church vows by his chaplain at Great Lakes.  A letter from the chaplain was then sent to Rev. Angus PHILLIPS last week, and Benny, along with five others was officially received into the church.

- Has Fire: The local fire department was called to the home of Mrs. J. Lem BALLANCE, Monday about 6:15 o’clock.  For quite some time, Mrs. BALLANCE had been smelling smoke and called her nephew, Wayne ROBB, from the ROBB Café.  On arriving home they all started investigating and found the fireplace was a fire.  Brick and mortar had fallen out in the back and the 2x4 studding had begun to burn.  The quick work of all present prevented a complete loss.

- After attending services in the Methodist Church Sunday morning, Mr. and Mrs. Gene ERNST and family returned home.  On arrival they found Mr. and Mrs. Albert LOY and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Ted ERNST and family of Farina, awaiting them with a bountiful dinner.  The Gene ERNSTs were  married 18 years ago that day, Jan. 28, in Newton by the Rev. Gray WINEGARNER, former pastor here.  In the morning church services, Mr. ERNST and children, Betty, Shirley, Charles, and Gary, were baptized and became members of the church after their conversion on the previous Thursday night.  Mrs. ERNST, the former Louise SPENCER, had been a member for many years. 

- A birthday party was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse GEORGE, Jan. 27, honoring Miss Sharon EAGAN and Miss Carol GEORGE.  This was the little ladies’ 8^th birthday.  A mock wedding and several games were enjoyed by the group.  Those present were: Jerry GRAY, Quinton ROBNETT, Robert SHUFELDT, Judy SMITH, J.R. STEVENS, Alice CHASTEEN, Darlene and Boyd DEBAULT, Freddie and Dickie HOWELL, Larry BAYLIS, Marilyn HOWELL, Patricia SCHWABE, Charles LUX, Donna Gail WILLIAMS, Mrs. DEBAULT, Mrs. WEISS, Mrs. HOWELL, Mrs. Minnie GEORGE, Sharon, Jimmie and Gerald EAGAN, Carol, Kaye, and Junior GEORGE, and Mrs. Wanda EAGAN, and Mrs. Jesse GEORGE.

- Mr. D.J. ALEXANDER considers himself  lucky to be alive today, although he is still suffering some ill effects from being almost asphyxiated by carbon monoxide Tuesday.  Mr. ALEXANDER has been in his new filling station and garage building only a short time and exhaust vents were not included in the plans of the building.  A forced air oil furnace furnishes heat to the entire building, and the cold air duct being in the garage part of the building. Tuesday morning was rather cold which found a few radiators frozen.  Eugene SHUFELDT’s car was no exception to this.  So he brought it in to Mr. ALEXANDER to have it thawed out.  Hey left the motor running in the garage.  Mr. SHUFELDT went on about his business and Mr. ALEXANDER went in his office and sat down.  ALEXANDER said he noticed himself getting sleepy and his head began to ache.  Just at this time his helper, Dwight KLINE, returned from lunch, and then he went on to his home.  Just how he reached home he doesn’t know, because as soon as he reached home, he blacked out.  He didn’t return to the station the rest of the day and didn’t feel any too good over the ordeal yesterday.  Exhaust vents have been ordered and will be installed as soon as they get here.

- Mr. and Mrs. Thurman McCULLEY celebrated their 37^th anniversary Sunday.   They were guests of their son, Mr. and Mrs. John W. McCULLEY for dinner, Miss Dorothy was a guest also. 

- Roscoe OLDEN of this city is in the Salem Hospital suffering from a concussion as a result of a truck and car accident Friday morning.  He is reported as being very satisfactory yesterday.  OLDEN, in company with Ernie MULVANEY, of this city, and S.M. CHASTEEN, all three employees of the Dennis Rushing Rig and Construction Co. of Salem, were enroute to work near Olney in a pickup truck at 7:14 a.m.  CHASTEEN was driving the truck.  Morris McCARTY of Salem, a telegrapher at Greendale, was going toward Salem.  The car and truck collided head on, near the New Bethel Church on Route 50.  Both the car and truck were demolished.  McCARTY sustained lacerations about the face and 3 cracked ribs.  MULVANEY had one rib pulled loose and CHASTEEN came out with a few minor chest bruises.  OLDEN was cut over the eye and had the concussion.  McCARTY and OLDEN were taken to the Salem Hospital.  McCARTY was discharged Sunday.  OLDEN has been unable to leave and has been unconscious most of the time.

- A triple birthday dinner was enjoyed in the home of Mrs. Gladys EAGAN Sunday.  Those attending were Noah EAGAN and family of Mansfield, Mr. and Mrs. Carol CROSS of Mattoon; Mr. and Mrs. Hugo ZIMMER and son of Salem; and Mr. and Mrs. James EAGAN and family of this city.  Mr. and Mrs. John BLAIR and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill GARRETT and daughters were unable to enjoy the day because of illness in their homes.  The honorees were Mrs. EAGAN, whose birthday was Saturday; Little Miss Sharon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James O. EAGAN, birthday was Sunday; and Noah EAGAN, whose birthday falls on Feb. 1.

- Swift School: A kitchen shower was held Saturday night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde BASSETT for Mr. and Mrs. Bob FORD.  A large crowd attended and they received many nice gifts.

- Omega: The house on the Allan EDWARDS farm, north of Omega, burned down Thursday.

Feb. 8, 1951:

- Carolyn Sue HESTER and Dale HULSEY Have Church Wedding Here Sunday: The First Methodist Church in Kinmundy was the scene Sunday afternoon for the marriage of Miss Carolyn Sue HESTER and Dale Ford HULSEY with the Rev. Angus PHILLIPS officiating.  Immediately after the ceremony, a wedding supper was served at GREGGS in Salem for the bridal party and immediate families of the bride and groom.  Mrs. Richard MOTCH, sister of the groom and matron of honor, and Miss Eileen BEARD was a bridesmaid.  The groom chose William Gene HESTER, cousin of the bride, as his best man, and Charles Lee FORD as groomsman.  Mrs. HULSEY is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William HESTER of Alma.  She attends Kinmundy H.S. and will resume her studies.  Mr. HULSEY is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy HULSEY of Kinmundy.  He is a graduate of Kinmundy H.S. with the class of ‘49.  He is engaged in farming with his father.  After a short honeymoon they will make their home with the bride’s parents.  (A list of those attending from out of town was included.)

- Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon from the Methodist Church in this city for Thomas A. SHAFFER, 68, who died at his home near Brubaker Monday.  Rev. Frank TREDWAY officiated and Rev. CHERRY assisted.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.  Mr. SHAFFER had been in ill health for some time.

- Larry, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles BASSETT, has been ill with the measles.

- The 4 children of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph ROSE near Omega are victims of the measles and chicken pox.  Their 14-month old baby boy has been a patient in the Salem Hospital with pneumonia.

- Mr. and Mrs. Jesse GEORGE and daughter, Kaye, were in Vandalia Tuesday, where Kaye underwent a tonsillectomy.

- Pvt. John MOTCH has been transferred from Camp Atterbury, Ind. to the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. for a 3 months training course.        

- Private John F. HOYT Getting Around Very Well With his Mail Cargo in Korea: The song “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” doesn’t mean much to Pvt. John F. HOYT, Kinmundy, now serving with the armed forces in Korea, and one of the first Kinmundy men to enter the combat zone since the present fighting started.  Private HOYT, while serving as mail clerk for the 545^th, Quartermaster Service Co., has seen quite a lot of Korea lately, both north and south of the 38^th parallel.  In one instance, at Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, he left only a few hours before the first Chinese troops entered the city.  His comment on that occasion was typical.  “Darn it”, he said, “if they’d only let us stick around a little longer, I’d have been able to hire myself a Chinese General for a houseboy.”  At the present, his company is split up in many areas but all the mail is received at company headquarters.  To keep the mail flowing to the outlying troops, Private HOYT makes nightly mail delivery trips in his jeep, sometimes traveling as far as 50 miles in freezing weather and over rough terrain with his “morale raising” cargo.  His closest friend is a Korean soldier who serves as interpreter for the Korean laborers around the company.  Taking charge of the Korean labor, incidentally, is another of HOYT’s responsibilities.  Both men are 19 years old, but Nam is only 18 by American standards.  When a Korean baby is born, he is already a year old.  Each New Year’s Day he advances his age by one year, regardless of the date of his birth.  Private HOYT is a graduate of Kinmundy H.S. and entered the army in Nov. 1949.  He was stationed at Guam before he arrived in Korea last August.        

- Mr. and Mrs. Chas. KELLER of Meacham twp. has purchased the H.K. LANE property of Jefferson street.  They intend to make this their home sometime but at present they will rent the property.

- Mr. and Mrs. Clint KALLENBERGER moved Wednesday to their new home in Farina.  Mr. KALLENBERGER is connected with the Texas Co.  They have been living in Salem.

- Wilson School (from last week): The community was shocked to learn that Chris MEYER had left Friday for St. Louis to undergo an operation for cancer of the throat.  But on Sunday, it was found necessary to wait until next week so Chris is returning home for a few days before returning home for a few days before returning to the hospital.  His children, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. MEYER, Mr. and Mrs. David LOWE and Miss Viola MEYER were called home with him and their mother.

- Pleasant Grove: Herschel ROSE bought the Elder School house which was sold Saturday, and Lee WARD bought the coal house.

- Wilson School: John FORD and son visited at the Jim WALKER home Sunday afternoon.

- Wilson School: Eura SHAFFER was called to the bedside of his father, who is seriously ill, Tuesday.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Clyde BASSETT, Mr. and Mrs. Guy ARNOLD, and Mr. and Mrs. R.H. GREEN visited at the Frank GREEN home Sunday. 

- Swift School: Wes ROBB and wife, Frank GARRETT and wife, and Bob WILLIAMS spent Sunday with Clyde GARRETT and family.  It was Clyde’s wedding anniversary.

- Mr. and Mrs. Sam LOWE and son, Sammy, and Johnny CHARLTON ate dinner Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher COLE and helped them celebrate their anniversary.

- Omega: Leslie EBLIN is having the interior of his store painted this week.

- Mr. and Mrs. Junior SQUIBB and son, Gene, have spent several days in Salem because of the illness of Gene.  The SQUIBB family will move to Lawrenceville where Mr. SQUIBB has employment. 

 Feb. 15, 1951:

- June BLOMBERG and Carl CURTIS were married at the Methodist Church in Farina on Feb. 4^th.  The bride is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. BLOMBERG of Kinmundy.  They were attended by Miss Jeanne BLOMBERG, twin sister of the bride, and Edward CURTIS, brother of the groom.  The ushers were Charles F. BLOMBERG, brother of the bride, and Robert YOUNG, of Plymouth, Ill., classmate of the groom.   She graduated from LaGrove H.S. with the class of ‘47, and from the Illinois Commercial College in Champaign in 1949.  She is now employed as a secretary in the Agriculture and Economics Dept. in Mumford Hall at the U. of I.  The groom is son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur CURTIS of Bellflower, Ill.  He graduated from Bellflower H.S. and is now attending the College of Agriculture at the U. of I. which he will graduate in June.  The couple will reside at a apartment awaiting them in Urbana.  (A picture of the wedding party was included.)

- A birthday party was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George KEEN on Feb. 9, honoring Donnie Gene’s 9^th birthday.  Several games of bingo were played with prizes given the winners.  Refreshments were served by Donnie Gene’s mother, and his aunt, Mable OWEN.  Those present were David LEE, Ronnie DOOLEN, David and Bobby LINTON, Susie and Ellawise HARVEY and little cousin, Patsy and Dorothy SHAFFER, Patty and Billy OLDEN, Judy ROBB, Henry, Wayne, and Shirley FOLLOWELL, Mrs. Ray OLDEN and Mrs. George KEEN, Donnie and Berl KEEN.

- Jim KENNEDY of Alma suffered a heart attack Sunday and he has been quite ill.  He is reported as improving in the Salem Hospital.

- Mr. and Mrs. John Wm. McCULLEY and son, Russell, celebrated their 5^th wedding anniversary by being dinner guests Tuesday evening of Mr. and Mrs. T.A. McCULLEY.

- Final Rites Held For Lenore E. WEGMAN in Boerne, Texas: Mrs. Lenore E. WEGMAN died at her home in Boerne, Texas on Feb. 5, 1951.  She was born in Kinmundy May 18, 1881.  Services were held in the Methodist Church and she was laid to rest in the Boerne Cemetery.  Mrs. WEGMAN and husband had made their home in Boerne for several years.  She is survived by her husband, A.J. WEGMAN of Boerne; one brother, Frank PORTER, and one sister, Mrs. J.H. NELMS of Kinmundy, Ill.  (Boerne Star).  Lenore was the youngest child of D.A. and Susan PORTER, born and reared here.  She united with the Methodist church when a young girl, and was the pianist for several years.  She received her education in the local school, and later went to St. Louis to continue her study of music.  She graduated from Beethoven Conservatory of Music with High Honors and later took post graduate course.  She married Jordan WEGMAN in St. Louis where they made their home for sometime before moving to Texas. 

- Morris CHASTEEN has tendered his resignation as mail messenger to the postoffice department effective Feb. 28^th.  He has accepted a position as janitor of the new state hospital in Mt. Vernon, and will begin March 1^st.

- Roy HARRIS Dead:  Ernest HARRIS, of Alma, received word last week of the death of his brother, Roy, which occurred in San Francisco, Calif. on Jan. 26^th, after suffering a stroke on Jan. 23.  Interment was made there.

- Mrs. Myrtle SCHOOLEY of Champaign had the misfortune to fall and break her arm.   

- Swift School: Mrs. Jana EVANS and son, Ford, of St. Peter, and Miss Fern FORD of Effingham spent Sunday with George FORD and family.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Carroll CROSLEY attended the wedding Sunday of Miss Geneva EBLIN and Don ANDERSON in Omega.

- Brown: Paul MONICAL and wife, Steward MONICAL and wife and daughters, left Friday for Alabama to visit Charles MONICAL who is stationed in Camp Rucker, Ala.

- Shriver School: Several of the youngsters are absent from school with measles and chickenpox.

Feb. 22, 1951:

- Sam E. LOWE to Oppose W.L. GREEN in Race for Supervisor in Spring Election: Both the Republican and Democrat caucuses were held Saturday for Kinmundy township for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various township offices. The Republicans nominated the following: For Supervisor - Sam E. LOWE; For Highway Commissioner - Cecil KEEN; For Justice of the Peace - Harvey BROWN; For School Trustee - Chas. BLOMBERG.  The Democrats nominated the following: For Supervisor - W.L. GREEN; For Highway Commissioner - Tom JONES; For Justice of the Peace - Art COCKRELL; For Constable - Ray BOUGHERS; For School Trustee - G.C. DOOLEN.

- Mervin CHEADLE, S.A. has completed his Boot Training and is now on the U.S.S. Hemminger, St. Helena Annex, stationed at Norfolk, Va.

- Linda Joyce HOWELL: Graveside services were held Monday by Rev. SMITH of Salem in Evergreen Cemetery for Linda Joyce, stillborn daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold HOWELL, who was born in the Salem Hospital Sunday night.

- Final Rites Held Monday P.M. for Helen ROHRBOUGH: Helen Ethyl ROHRBOUGH, daughter of Sara KING and L.C. ROHRBOUGH, was born in Kinmundy on July 20, 1898, and died Feb. 16, 1951 at Salem.  After graduating from Kinmundy H.S., she prepared herself for clerical and secretarial work and held positions in various cities.  For the past 15 years, she made a home in Salem for her mother and father.  At the time of her death, she was working in the Marion County Court House in the Circuit Clerk’s office.  She is survived by a sister, Elsie, of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Services were held Monday in the McMackin Chapel in Salem by Rev. Herber BURGE.  Interment in Evergreen Cemetery in this city.

- Mr. and Mrs. Fred GRIFFIN and Mr. and Mrs. John GRIFFIN, of Salem, spent last Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Earl FURRY.  Mr. and Mrs. John GRIFFIN were recently married and are making their home in Champaign where he is a student at the Univ. of Ill. 

- Cpl. William E. HOYT, son of Mrs. Hazel L. HOYT, of Kinmundy, is attending an aviation specialist course in the Technical Training Center, Chanute Air Force Base.  He will attend for approximately 8 weeks, and after completion will be reassigned to a permanent Air Force Base.  Cpl. HOYT has been in the military service 30 months.

- Plans for Kinmundy’s Waterworks was presented to the Kinmundy City Council Monday night.  These plans must be approved by the state before approval by the council.  The present plans call for the Illinois Central Lake as being the source of supply.

- On Feb. 10, a miscellaneous shower was given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Carl CURTIS at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. BLOMBERG.  (A list of those attending was included.)

- Wilson School: Jimmie WALKER of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri spent his first furlough home over the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim WALKER.

- Swift School: Mrs. Florence BASSETT visited Friday with her sister, Mrs. Lenore LOWE.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. George COLE were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Mack ROBB in honor of the COLES’ 37^th anniversary, which was Feb. 19.

- Swift School: Miss Betty FEATHER spent Friday and Friday night with Miss Helen BASSETT.

- Mr. and Mrs. W.W. WILLIAMS and daughters are visiting her parents in Texas.  Capt. WILLIAMS has been recalled to the Air Force and will report to Scott Field next week.

- Pleasant Grove: Although the roads were icy, the charivari and shower of Mr. and Mrs. Russell ROSE at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Avery BRANCH, near Bee Branch, was well attended Wednesday.  Also, the charivari and shower for Mr. and Mrs. Donald ANDERSON at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie EBLIN in Omega, Thursday.

- Meacham: Mrs. Harold ERWIN is visiting her husband who is stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station.

- Omega: A birthday dinner was held Sunday at the G.W. VANCLEVE home to celebrate his 92^nd birthday on Feb. 22.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Albert CORRELL, Mrs. Hattie HUDDLESTON, Mr. and Mrs. Gene HUDDLESTON and children, Mrs. Fae HUDDLESTON, and Mr. Mrs. Walter LEONARD and children.      

March 1, 1951:

- Gulf Service to have Grand Opening Saturday: Mr. D.J. ALEXANDER is announcing in this week’s issue that he will hold the grand opening of his Gulf Service Station Saturday.  The station has been open for about a month, which is generally the case to make sure everything is going along smoothly.  On this day, cut flowers will be given to the ladies, candy to the kiddies, and a frost and ice scraper to the men.  No purchase is necessary, just visit the station.  Mr. ALEXANDER has had 20 years experience in the service and mechanical departments of a service station, while his helper, Mr. Dwight KLINE, has had a year’s experience in the mechanical department of the Bitzer Motor Co. in Salem.  These two fellows, with the help of the “flunky” Jimmy ALEXANDER, will be pretty busy all day Saturday handing out these free gifts.  Or they want to be.  So don’t disappoint the boys.  Stop in Saturday and get your free gift.

- Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist Church in Alma for Mrs. Hazel ALDRICH, 60, who died Sunday evening at Salem Hospital.  She suffered a stroke on the preceding Friday.  She is survived by her husband, Jesse, and seven children: Harry of Milwaukee, Wis.; Glenn, Peoria; Cecil and Mrs. Edith DOUDERA, Alma; Philip and Velma, Salem; and Mrs. Bessie McWHIRTER, Patoka.  Interment in Martin Cemetery.

- Final Rites Held Saturday for Mrs. Alfred LEMAY: Eva Josephine BAYLISS LEMAY, daughter of Abe and Susannah BAYLISS, was one of 12 children.  She was born near Kinmundy, Jan. 18, 1888, and died Feb. 22, 1951 at the home of her daughter.  She spent her entire life around Kinmundy.  She attended the schools here.  At an early age, she was converted.  She was a  member of the Church of God.  On July 6, 1907, she married Alfred LEMAY and they had 5 children.  One son, Eldo, preceded her in death in Sept. 1928, at the age of 7 years.   She leaves her husband and 4 children: 2 sons, Harold and Clifton; 2 daughters, Mrs. Marjory GENTRY and Mrs. Dorothy GRAY, all of Kinmundy; 5 grandsons and 3 granddaughters; 4 sisters, namely: Mrs. Mayme MERRITT, Jacksonville, Ill.; Mrs. Bernice LAYTON, Ponca City, Okla.; Mrs. Lottie SWANK and Mrs. Della ORCUTT of Champaign; and 2 brothers, Alva of Champaign, and Milton of Vernon.  Services held at the Church of God Saturday with interment in Eastland Cemetery.

- F.G. ALEXANDER and Mrs. D.J. ALEXANDER attended the funeral services for Mrs. Amy LEE in Kell Wednesday.

- Mr. and Mrs. Fred KLEISS, Miss Anna KOLB, and Mrs. Clarence QUANDT attended the funeral of John LIKE which was held in Effingham Thursday.

- Martha HANNA, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. HANNA, has been chosen at Kinmundy H.S. as the winner of the D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award.  (A picture was included of Martha.)

- Brown: Several attended the charivari and shower at the Jim WILKINSON home for Mr. and Mrs. Don HUDDLESTON.

- Pleasant Grove: Lee WARD has bought the Noah KNISELEY farm and will move there soon.

- Pleasant Grove: Mrs. Frank EMBSER underwent an operation at Salem Hospital Wednesday for gallstones.

- In memoriam of Don D. GRAY who died March 1, 1949 by mother, father, wife, and brothers.

- Omega: Mr. and Mrs. Leroy SEE and sons were dinner guests a the Martin WALSH home Sunday and called on Mr. and Mr. Eddie JEZEK in the afternoon.  Leroy SEE reports that a light airplane crashed near the JEZEK home Sunday damaging the plane and injuring the pilot and his companion slightly.

- Omega: Mr. and Mrs. G.W. HERRINGTON celebrated their 50^th anniversary Sunday.  Dinner guests were Mr. and Mrs. Herbert MONICAL, Mr. and Mrs. Will HIESTAND, Mr. and Mrs. S.J. MILLER, and Mr. and Mrs. Herschel MONICAL.  

 March 8, 1951:

- Rev. Fr. A.B. SCHOMAKER will lay the corner stone of the new St. Philomena Church located at the corner of Madison and Sycamore streets in Kinmundy at a ceremony on March 11^th.   Included in the cornerstone will be: a printed history of St. Philomena’s when it observed it’s 75^th anniversary in 1945; a list of present parishioners; a copy of this issue of the Kinmundy Express; the front page of a metropolitan newspaper; a few coins bearing the date of 1951; a Centennial Medallion of the Illinois Central Railroad, as well as some other documents.

- Mrs. Fletcher COLE entertained at Sunday dinner a group of friends and relatives honoring 4 people who have celebrated their March birthdays together for the past 20 years.  The honorees were Fletcher COLE, Sam LOWE, Mack ROBB, and Mrs. Marjorie GREEN.  Present were: Mr. and Mrs. Robb GREEN, Mr. and Mrs. Mack ROBB, Mr. and Mrs. Sam LOWE and son, Sammy, Johnny CHARLTON, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth ROBB and Judy, Mr. and Mrs. Keith GREEN and daughter, Debby, of St. Peter, Mrs. William COLE and Marilyn and Bob of Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. G.E. ROLLINSON and Larry and Bill of Alton.  Afternoon callers were Mr. and Mrs. Ivan MOUNT of Kell, Mr. and Mrs. Elwyn CHEATUM, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul MONTGOMERY and son.

- Services for Mrs. Jane HALLETT SNELLING, 85, were held Monday at the Linton Funeral Home with Rev. SMITH of Salem, officiating.  Mrs. SNELLING is survived by 2 sons: Leander of Sheboygan, Wis., and Hallett of Chicago.  Her husband, Elroy, preceded her in death six weeks ago.  Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery.  Mr. and Mrs. Leander SNELLING of Sheboygan, Wis., and Hallett SNELLING and son, Elroy, of Chicago attended the services.

- The fire department was called to the Bertha CURRY home Monday on account of a grass fire which threatened to do some damage to some buildings.  However, the neighbors had the flames pretty well whipped when the fire engine arrived.

- Final Rites Held Thursday for Margaret GRAMLEY: Margaret GRAMLEY was born in Remington, Ohio on Nov. 27, 1866, and died Feb. 28, 1951, at the home of her daughter, Mr. and Mrs. O.E. GARRETT.  She was the 5^th daughter of Matthew and Mary HUMPHREY, and moved to Kinmundy in 1872 where she has lived most of her life.  She was married to Martin P. GRAMLEY Nov. 26, 1889, who died Feb. 3, 1913.  They had 1 daughter, Mary Abigal, now Mrs.  O.E. GARRETT.  Two brothers, Ennis and Arthur, and one sister, Clara STEVENSON, have preceded her in death.  Mrs. Harriett DeVORE, Mrs. Anna SCOTT and Frank HUMPHREY of Kinmundy, Mrs. Fannie SCHWARTZ of Salem, and Mrs. Elizabeth WINCHELL of Vallejo, Calif.; 1 granddaughter, Mrs. Kenneth LECKRONE; 2 great-grandsons, Garrett and Robert Martin LECKRONE of Hammond, Ind. survive.  She was a charter member of the Christian Church and of the Rosedale Rebekah Lodge of this city, having become a member in 1895.  Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery, Rev. Oscar L. HAWKINS, officiating.

- Pfc. Robert G. HANNA graduated this week from the Air Force Communications school at Scott Air Force Base in a specialized course in radio mechanics.  Pfc HANNA, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. HANNA, Kinmundy, attended high school here, and has been on active duty with the Air Force since March 19, 1950.

- Mrs. Eileen SCHWABE and Merle HEICHER were married Saturday in the Methodist parsonage with Rev. Angus PHILLIPS, officiating.  Mr. and Mrs. Eugene JEZEK were their attendants.  The couple is now at home at the Alonzo FRENCH property but will soon move to the groom’s farm east of Kinmundy.  The bride is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ray GEORGE and is employed in the Jesse GEORGE store.  The groom is engaged in farming.  A wedding supper was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray GEORGE honoring the couple.  Others who attended were Patricia and Keith SCHWABE and Mr. and Mrs. Gene JEZEK.  Mrs. Dora HEICHER honored the newlyweds at a dinner Sunday at her home.  Mr. and Mrs. Carol ALLEN and children of Farina also attended.

- Mr. and Mrs. Fred GAMMON and sons spent Sunday in Decatur with the Virgil LIVESAYS.

- Misses Evangline and Luella PARRILL were honored recently when they had an article published in the Mineralogist, a national magazine devoted to mineralogy, gem cutting, and the collector.  The Misses PARRILL had written the paper, Story of Pottery, for a local woman’s club program.  Their niece became interested in it and sent it to the magazine to be published.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Emmitt GARRETT and babe of Independence, Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Elsworth CHANDLER and daughters of Fairbury, W.L. and Miss Mae GREEN were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Frank GARRETT and Donna Mae.  Afternoon callers were Tom HELPINGSTINE and wife, Pid GARRETT and wife, Merle JONES and wife, Keith GREEN and wife and babe.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Bill CALDWELL have a son, James Marion, born in Vandalia Hospital on Mar. 4.

- Swift School: Charles LOWE and family moved to their new home Tuesday and Charles Lee FORD and family moved into the place where the LOWE’s lived.  We hate to lose Charles and family but we welcome the FORDS in our neighborhood.

- Omega: Mr. and Mrs. Lester MULVANEY have purchased the Omega Café and took over management Monday. 

- Wilson School: John FORD and Audy JEAN were working Thursday at the home of Jim WALKER.

- Wilson School: Mrs. Chris MEYER returned home Sunday after spending the last week in St. Louis with her husband, Chris MEYER, who underwent an operation on Wednesday for cancer of the throat.  She reports him as getting along fine.

- Wilson School: Selby GARRETT visited Friday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Jim WALKER.

- Meacham: Mr. and Mrs. Ervin SOLDNER attended the funeral for Fred MEYER in Farina on Sunday. 

- Pleasant Grove: Mr. and Mrs. John W. SHAFFER went to St. Louis Monday where John will enter a hospital there for an operation on his knee.

- Pleasant Grove: Mrs. Maxine BARKSDALE gave a party Monday for their little daughter, Janet’s, 5^th birthday.  Present were Dennis Ray and Eddy Dean LOWRY, Sammy SHAFFER, Jr. VANDEVEER, Karen Ann MILLICAN, Patsy and Jimmy ROSE, Nellie May HIESTAND, Vickie FATHEREE, Mrs. Dwain LOWRY, Mrs. Ray VANDEVEER, Mrs. See MILLICAN, Mrs. Herschel ROSE, Mrs. Russell FATHEREE, Mrs. Leo STOCK, Mrs. Van MUNDWILER and Miss Amber HIESTAND.

March 15, 1951:                                                                                                         

- John H. SHAFFER Killed By C. & E.I. Freight Train at Brubaker Tuesday morning: John H. SHAFFER, 34, a farmer residing in Alma twp., was killed instantly Tuesday morning when the truck in which he was riding was hit by a southbound C. & E.I. freight train at the Brubaker crossing.  The accident happened at 10 a.m.  John had taken his wife to Salem where she has employment, and was returning home.  The engineer, as well as others in the train crew, testified at the inquest.  He said the train was not going fast and neither was the truck.  In fact, the truck was moving so slow that he thought sure it was coming to a stop.  The diesel engine’s whistle was blowing and the headlight was on.  This is not a dangerous crossing as it has good clearance in both directions.  So friends are at a loss to know just why John did not stop his truck.  The engineer said he stopped his train as soon as he could and then backed up.  The truck had been carried along by the engine for some distance and then pitched to the east side of the track.  John’s body was laying alongside the track, some distance from the truck. The deceased leaves his wife, Dawn, and 3 children: Thomas Arthur, 12; William Henry, 9; and Helen Ann, 8.  Also his mother, Anna SHAFFER, as well as several brothers and sisters.

- On March 9^th at the Second Baptist Church in Chicago, a large group of friends witnessed the wedding of Eunice MYERS and Cecil JONES.  Attendants were Mrs. Ruth KARY, sister of the bride, Dorcus MYERS and Valle BURRELL. Among the out-of-town guests attending were Mr. and Mrs. J.G. VALLOW and son, Joe Alan of Minonk, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray INGRAM and daughters of Kinmundy.  Cecil is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G.F. JONES, and is a graduate of Kinmundy H.S. with the class of ‘39.  Mrs. JONES is a graduate of University Hospital School of Nursing.  They will reside in Chicago.

- Mr. and Mrs. Richard WILLIAMS and daughters moved Saturday from the Robnett apartments to their farm east of Farina.   They were assisted by Merle JONES, Marvin BASSETT, Maxey SPENCER, Russell WILLIAMS, and Mrs. Otto REESE.

- Visitors at the Sarah MILLER home helped celebrate her 92^nd birthday.  They were: Walter MILLER and wife and one son, Buddy, and daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Ray SIMPSON of Lincoln; Bill MILLER and wife of Tuscola and Mrs. Frank WILSON of Decatur. Afternoon callers were Mrs. I.D. INGRAM, Mr. and Mrs. Orville DISS, Miss Beulah DISS, Mrs. Lewie SULLENS and Mrs. Ida WILLIAMS.

- Richard T. BROWNRIGG, 86, a retired attorney, was found dead Tuesday in his room at the LaSalle Hotel in St. Louis.  A native of Columbia, Miss., he was educated at the Univ. of the South, Sewanoe, Tenn.  He was an attorney here from 1893 until he retired two years ago.  He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Helen BROWNRIGG.  Services will be held at the Albert Hoppe Funeral Home in St. Louis with burial in Elks Rest, Bellfontaine Cem., St. Louis.  Mrs. BROWNRIGG is the daughter of Mrs. Harriett DeVORE, of this city.

- Mrs. Cecil BAILEY and son, Gene were guests of honor at a birthday dinner held at Robbs Café last Monday evening.  Present were Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd BAILEY, Mr. and Mrs. Robert JOHNSON of Salem, Mr. and Mrs. Charles BASSETT, Mrs. SUTTON, Mrs. Stella BALLANCE, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne ROBB, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil BAILEY and children, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard GRAY.

- Several members of the Birthday Club were entertained in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Orion BUTTS and Junior Monday night to honor the birthday of Mrs. BUTTS.  Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Rufus ADAMS and Connie Faye, Mr. and Mrs. Merle JOHNSTON, Mr. and Mrs. Xon HANKS, Mr. and Mrs. Clark HAMPSTON and Donald, Miss Pauline TIPSWORD and Vergil, Dennis WILKINSON, Mrs. Ed MOODY and Dalton, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan DeVORE and children, and Donald THOMPSON, Mr. and Mrs. Clark KRUTSINGER, Mr. and Mrs. Kenney DECKER and Mrs. Ada BENSON, of Salem, Francis KRUTSINGER, Pfc Ralph KRUTSINGER of N. Carolina, Otis BROWN, Mr. WHITNEY, Gale and Mary Jane SILL.  Music was furnished by Kenney DECKER, Mrs. Ada BENSON, and Clark KRUTSINGER.  A good social time was had by all and Edith received a lot of nice and useful gifts.

- Mr. and Mrs. Leon MILLER of Carmi have a baby daughter, Madeline Sue, born March 7 in Ferrel Hospital in Eldorado.  Mrs. MILLER is the former Ruth Edna SHAFFER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. SHAFFER.  They now have 2 daughters.

- A picture was included of Fr. A.B. SCHOMAKER laying the cornerstone of the new St. Philomena Church Sunday morning.  The ceremony was held immediately following mass in the old church.  Included were: Alex STOCK and Fred KLEISS (Lay Trustees), Fr. SCHOMAKER; Johnny LIKE, Eugene KRAMER, Kenneth KRAMER, and Wayne LIKE, Altar Boys.  The church should be ready to occupy by July 1^st.

- Meacham: Mrs. Johnnie BOUSEMAN died Monday.  Services were at the Baptist Church on Wednesday with interment in Elder Cemetery.

- Pleasant Grove: Mrs. John SHAFFER went to St. Louis Sunday to visit her husband, who is a patient in Missouri Baptist Hospital where he had an operation the first of last week for a dislocated kneecap.

March 22, 1951:

- Mr. and Mrs. Art MULVANEY have a son born at Salem Hospital on Sunday morning.  This is the first child.  Mrs. MULVANEY is the former Miss Betty CHANCE.

- Mr. and Mrs. Henry SPENCER have a baby girl born Feb. 27 in the Greer Hospital at Vandalia.  She has been named Jerry Lynn.

- Mollie BOUSEMAN: Mary Olive HOLLINGSHEAD, better known as “Mollie”, born the daughter of Barney and Rachel (HOLTZHAUSEN) HOLLINGSHEAD, was born Aug. 22, 1869, and died March 11, 1951.  On March 6, 1895, she married John T. BOUSEMAN.  They had 5 children: Cecil R., Macel K., Bernice Edna, Don M., and Dollie, who died in early infancy.  Also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Bertha MYERS of Mansfield, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.  In early girlhood she was united with the Methodist Church.  At the time of her death, she and her husband had spent 55 years on the same farm which they purchased immediately following their marriage.  Services were held from the Meacham Baptist Church Tuesday, Rev. Adolph KRETZER, officiating.  Interment was in Elder Cemetery.

- According to Mrs. Effie ROBB, Mr. and Mrs. Howard BRANDENBURG of St. Louis have a son born March 13^th named Howard Curt.  The mother was formerly Rojeanne HANNA of this city.

- Life History of Mrs. Jane SNELLING: Jane, known to her many relatives and friends as “Jennie”, daughter of James and Mary HALLETT, was born June 22, 1865 in Charleston, Ill., and lived most of the time until her marriage in Vincennes and Princeton, Ind.  She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters: Charles, Edward, Andrew, Anna Marla and Olive, all of whom have preceded her in death.  On Feb. 13, 1883, she married Elroy A. SNELLING at Princeton.  This marriage was terminated after almost 39 years of happiness on Jan. 11, 1951, when her husband passed away.  To this union were born 2 sons: Hallett and Les.  On Feb. 1, 1923, Mr. and Mrs. SNELLING went to live with their son, upon the death of Hallett’s wife.  It was at this home where she died March 3, 1951.  She is survived by her 2 sons: Hallett of Chicago, and Les of Sheboygan, Wis.; 1 grandson, Elroy of Chicago; and Geneieve LINDSAY of Sheboygan, Wis.; and 3 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters: David Elroy, Madalein Lee and Phillip Hallett SNELLING; and Shirley May LINDSAY WIELANS and William Frank LINDSAY.  Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.   A poem was also included which over a year ago, Mrs. SNELLING asked Earl HENSLEY to write for her after she was gone.  (That poem was included also.) 

- Obituary of John Henry SHAFFER: John Henry SHAFFER, son of Thomas and Anna SHAFFER, was born in Alma twp. June 2, 1916, where his entire life was spent except a few years when he lived in Davenport, Iowa.  He died March 13, 1951.  When a very young boy, John united with the Pleasant Grove Methodist church.  On Dec. 8, 1935, he was married to Miss Dawn PERRY, and they had 3 children: Tommie, Billie, and Helen Ann.  Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his mother; 4 brothers, Ira of Salem, Eura of Sadorus; Arno of Berkley, Calif.; Donald of Kinmundy; 2 sisters, Mrs. Nelda WILKINS and Miss Lela Pearl SHAFFER of Salem.  His father died on Feb. 5^th, just 5 weeks and 1 day previous.  One sister, Mrs. Nora LAWRENCE and one brother, Darrell, have also preceded him in death.  Services were held from the Methodist Church in Kinmundy on March 15^th, Rev. TREDWAY officiating, and Rev. Angus PHILLIPS, assisting.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.

- Mrs. Merle HEICHER, a recent bride was honored by a miscellaneous shower at her home Monday.  Hostesses were Mrs. William LUX, Mrs. Gene JEZEK, and Mrs. Jesse GEORGE.

- W. Frank HOWELL, 57, died suddenly Friday morning at his home in Des Moines, Iowa.  He was an executive in the First National Bank there.  Funeral services were held in Des Moines Monday and his body was brought to Kinmundy and graveside services held Wednesday.  Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery under the auspices of Kinmundy Lodge A.F. & A.M.  He is survived by his wife, two brothers, Bryan of Long Beach, Calif., and Harold of Kinmundy; and one sister, Mrs. Fred PURVIS of Odin.

- Wilson School (from last week): John FORD, and son, Bob, and Audy JEAN helped Jim WALKER butcher last Friday.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Carroll CROSLEY entertained Mr. and Mrs. Claude HANNA, Mr. and Mrs. Mack ROBB, Mr. and Mrs. Harry CROSLEY and daughter, Patty, and babe last Thursday to supper in honor of the HANNA’s wedding anniversary.

- Pleasant Grove: Mrs. See MILLICAN ate dinner with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. WANTLAND Monday and helped her mother celebrate her birthday, taking them groceries and getting their washing.

- James ROBNETT, USN is spending a 14 day leave here with his mother, Mrs. Pleasant ROBNETT.  Jimmie is stationed at Treasure Island, Calif.    

 March 29, 1951:

- Miss Nelly Suarez OVARES of San Jose, Costa Rica, and Cpl. Denton BRASEL of Selfridge Field, Mich., were married in Brownsville, Texas on March 16 at the home of a friend, Mrs. Alfred BASLER.  After a 5 day honeymoon, the bride returned to her native land and the groom came to Kinmundy to spend a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glen BRASEL.  After finishing his 30-day furlough here, he will return to Selfridge Field, where he is stationed and where he will await the coming of his bride.  The bride his a school teacher in her home city.  Cpl. BRASEL became acquainted with her while he was stationed there.  Soon after they decided to get married, they found it was not an easy matter.  Of course, he could not go back after her after he was sent back to the states.  And she couldn’t come to him in the states on account of the immigration laws.  Finally she entered the United States via Mexico, on a visitor’s visa, and they were married.  But now she must return to Costa Rica and start clearing her way through the immigration officials.  Inasmuch as she is now married to an American soldier, she has been told that her papers will clear in a very short time.

- Mr. Charles ROHRBOUGH has received word of the passing of her brother, Mr. H.H. WATSON in Fairmont, Va.  His death occurred March 28.  Mrs. ROHRBOUGH is unable to attend the funeral service because of a recent attack of influenza. 

- Richard C. CRAYS, 80, died at his home in Dieterich Sunday after an illness of several months duration.  Services are being held from the Methodist Church in Dieterich with interment in Dieterich Cemetery.  He is survived by his widow; 2 sons, Curtis of California, and Alfred, with the U.S. Army in Tokyo, and one daughter, Mrs. F.A. MOTCH of this city.

- Roy HULSEY has received word from his sister saying her son has been reported missing in action in Korea.  Later report received stating him killed.

- Ray GEORGE has been awarded the contract of delivery of the mail from the depots to the postoffice and vice versa.  He will enter upon his new duties on April 1^st.

- Services for William ROONEY, about 80, were held on Wednesday in Chicago.   One son, Vincent, survives, as does one sister, Mrs. Margaret O’BRIEN of Kinmundy.  Mrs. Amelda VALLOW, Miss Thelma LYONS, and Mr. and Mrs. F.G. ALEXANDER attended the services from Kinmundy.

- Richard R. MAULDING is spending a vacation at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs.  R.C. MAULDING, after completing 4 years of pre-medical courses at S.I.U. in Carbondale.  He has been accepted at the U. of I. College of Medicine in Chicago, where he will begin his studies in September.

- Mrs. J.H. NELMS received a telegram Monday announcing the sudden death of Eugene CRAIG of Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday.  No particulars except that burial would be there and a letter would follow.

- In spite of the cool day Sunday, more than 100 children turned out to participate in the First Annual Lions Easter Egg Hunt at the schoolhouse in the afternoon.  For convenience, the children were divided into three groups, according to age 5 years and under, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.  In each group, each one finding the golden egg were awarded an extra prize.  In the younger group, Edith CRIPPEN, was the lucky one; in the intermediate group, Buddy HOWELL found it, and in the older group, David LEE found it.  For the best homemade Easter basket in the younger group, Judy SHAFFER won honors.  In the next group, Mary Susan HARVEY was first, and in the older group, Warren SHUFELDT was the best.  The judges for these baskets were Mrs. D.F. NEATHERY, Miss Katherine WORMLEY, and Mrs. R.H. SCHOOLEY.

- Services for Dewey COMBS, 52, a farmer residing northeast of Kinmundy, were held Wednesday at the Farina Evangelical and Reformed church.  COMBS had been in ill health the past 3 months, and died Sunday.  He is survived by his wife, Mary; one daughter, Dorothy, of Bloomington; and one son, Harry, at home; 2 sisters - Mrs. Roy FERGUSON of Kinmundy; and Mrs. Vene HOWELL of Farina; and 2 brothers, Ira COMBS of Farina, and Estil COMBS of Martin City, Calif., also survive.  Burial was in Farina Cemetery under auspices of Farina Lodge A.F. & A.M.

- Services for Jess ALDRICH were held Sunday at the Alma Methodist Church with Rev. Frank TREDWAY officiating.  ALDRICH, 68, was a farmer near Alma.  His wife preceded him in death 3 weeks ago.  He died suddenly of a stroke at his home Thursday.  Two brothers, two sisters, and seven children survive.  Burial was in Martin Cemetery at Alma.

April 5, 1951:

- W.L. GREEN and Cecil KEEN Winners in Kinmundy twp. Election Tuesday: We had quite an exciting election in Kinmundy twp. Tuesday when W.L. GREEN, D. and Cecil KEEN, R. were elected to the office of supervisor and highway commissioner.  The voting was very spirited in the forenoon with both sides getting in a greater part of their votes.  The total vote was 290 in Precinct 1 and 342 in Precinct 2.  The total vote was:

For Supervisor: W.L. GREEN - D - 326; Sam E. LOWE- R - 297.

For Highway Commissioner: Cecil KEEN - R - 347; Tom JONES - D - 273. 

Also without opposition from the Democrats, Harvey BROWN, R., and Chas. BLOMBERG, R.,  were elected Justice of the Peace and School Trustee, respectively.  In our neighboring townships, they also had an election. Alma township which is predominately Republican, Claude HIESTAND - D - and Dayton CRUTCHFIELD - D - were elected to the offices of supervisor and highway commissioner, respectively.  In Meacham twp., there was no contest for supervisor but a hot contest was staged for highway commissioner.  Loren COOPER - R - was elected by 8 votes over Ray MULVANEY, D.  In Foster twp., T.P. WILLIAMS, a  Republican, was elected on the Democrat ticket as highway commissioner over Maurice ADAMS - Republican, on the Republican ticket.  In Omega twp., no excitement was had as Frank SIMER - R, was unopposed for highway commissioner.  In the county, the Democrats still are in the majority on the County Board of Supervisors.  The board 15 Democrats, 12 Republicans.  The picture was not changed in any twp. except Alma.  A Democrat, Claude HIESTAND, replaces a Republican, Andy WINKS, who did not seek re-election.  The new board will be 16 to 11 in favor of the Democrats.

- Members of the Pleasure Hour Club met Tuesday night at the home of Mrs. H.M. FISHER.  Dinner was served by members of the Rainbow Circle.  Election of officers were held: Pres.- Mrs. A.J. YOUNG, Vice Pres. - Mrs. J.N. VALLOW, Sec’y - Mrs. J.R. MAHAN, and Treas. - Mrs. H.M. FISHER. 

- Revival Meeting at Arnold Chapel Methodist Church west of Kinmundy, beginning April 9^th.  Services each evening at 7:30 p.m.  Forrest STONE, student at McKendree College, evangelist.  We welcome you.  Carroll LEWIS, Pastor.

- Forty friends and relatives gathered at the J.C. McCARTY home Sunday to celebrate the 4^th birthday of Jimmie McCARTY of Louisville, and the 90^th birthday of J.C. McCARTY of Kinmundy. (A list of those attending was included.)

- Relatives here received word Tuesday of the death of Noble NEEPER, Farina.  Funeral services are being held this afternoon.

- Margaret GRAY Home Burned Wednesday Morning: The fire department was called to the home of Mrs. Margaret GRAY in the east part of town Wednesday morning when she discovered her home to be on fire.  She said that she had smelled smoke and kept looking for it.  After making a trip outside and glancing at her roof, she returned inside and just happened to look in a closet in which the chimney is built.  She found this closet all ablaze.  When the fire department arrived on the scene, the whole attic was afire, as well as the interior of the rooms.  The fire was soon extinguished but not until the house was what would be termed a total loss.  None of the contents were carried from the house until after the flames were extinguished.  Consequently, only a few things were taken from the back part of the home and they were damaged considerably.

- Mr. and Mrs. Gene ERNST and family, Maxey SPENCER and Fred KLEISS attended the memorial service in St. Peter Sunday for PFC Glen SACHTELEBEN, who was killed in Korea on Feb. 12.

- Faye, 4-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon ALLEN, fell from a car Tuesday on to the concrete slab near their home on Rt. 37.  The child was in the back seat of her father’s car.  Mr. ALLEN was turning the corner and driving onto the slab in front of the Paddy GRAY residence.  As he was making the turn, Faye opened the rear door.  As it opened it pulled her from the car and she fell on the back of her head striking the pavement.  She was taken to the Salem Hospital and given first aid.  In the afternoon, her condition was such as it was thought best to return her to the hospital where her head was x-rayed.  There was no sign of a skull fracture.  She was again returned home where she is being cared for.

- Services for Edward A. RELKER, 66, were held at the Methodist Church in Edgewood Sunday.  BELKER, a former section foreman lived in Kinmundy several years ago.  He had been in ill health for some time.  He was survived by his wife, and one daughter, Mrs. Winona MOLIN of Mattoon.

- Services for Cecil JONES, 56, Vandalia, were held at the Hunter Funeral home in Vandalia Tuesday.  Mr. JONES died in Vandalia Hospital, and had been ill for only a few hours.  He was employed in the Vandalia Shoe Factory.  He is survived by his wife; 2 daughters, Mrs. Walter B. PRUETT of Carrolton, and Mrs. Leroy LEATH of Carlyle; three sons, Billy of Scott Field; Robert of Kansas; and Cecil, Jr. of Ohio.  Three sisters, three brothers, and four grandchildren also survive.  Interment was in Vandalia Cemetery.  He was a brother-in-law of B.F. LINTON of this city.

- Omega (from last week): Little Keith BUNDY, son of Mrs. Thelma BUNDY, died at Salem Hospital Monday from pneumonia.

- Omega (from last week): It is reported that Wayne WILKINSON and Mary Jo WANTLAND were married in Salem on Saturday.

- Wilson School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Jim WALKER visited Friday evening in Alma with Mr. and Mrs. Selby GARRETT.

- Shriver School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Virgil SEE and Billy Dean had a surprise birthday dinner on Sunday and all the family of Mr. and Mrs. Pearl ROSE.  It was Mrs. ROSE’s 65^th birthday.  Present were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph HIESTAND, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. KELL, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph ROSE and family, Claude ROSE and family, Mr. and Mrs. Russell ROSE, Mr. and Mrs. Pearl ROSE, Clyde ROSE, and Letha MEDDER, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul SEE.

- Meacham (from last week): The community was sad to hear of the death of Dewey COMBS.

- Meacham (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Glenn JAHRAUS and family attended Sunday School and Easter services in Farina Sunday and were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin HARRELL.

- Pleasant Grove (from last week): Mrs. Floyd COURSON’s father, Cashie KRUTSINGER, died Wednesday in Alton Hospital.  Services were held in Oskaloosa with interment in the cemetery there.  

 April 12, 1951:

- In the election next Tuesday, the citizens of Kinmundy will be given a chance to vote on the question “Shall the prohibition of the sale of the retail of alcoholic liquor in the City of Kinmundy, Illinois be continued?”  This is just a little confusing to some of our citizens.  Why, we don’t know.  We think the question is stated just as plainly as it can be.  The only confusing thing is that we are dry according to the dictates of the votes four years ago.  And yet we are wet.   Now we are not attempting to tell you which way to vote but we will tell you how to vote.  If you want prohibition to be continued, merely, vote “yes”.  If you do not want prohibition, vote “no.”  This petition to bring this question to a vote was sponsored by a few influential citizens of our city in hopes that if the people really wanted a retail liquor establishment as we now have, they could say so.  Then this establishment could come under the regulations.  This liquor establishment has been like the weather.  There has been lots of talk about it but nothing has been done about it.  It has been our observation that our mayor has received the most blame for it’s continuance.  We have actually heard the expression, “We elected Fred Gammon mayor and he is the boss of the city.  If he had wanted it out, he could have done something about it long ago.”  In this respect, we want to say a few words in behalf of Mayor GAMMON.  He has broad shoulders.  And he says it doesn’t hurt him what you say about him.  We know he takes the advice of an attorney and knows just what he can do and can’t do.  Some people imagine that just because a man is elected mayor, he has dictatorial powers.  They think he should carry a shovel over his shoulder and fix every little hole in the road and clean out all the gutters.  They think it is his place to see that the fire fighting equipment is in first class shape all the time.  Some think it is up to him to arrest the young bucks for having a little fun around the town.  Some think it is up to him to quarantine such a family because it is said that one of the kids has the measles.  Some think it is up to him to tell my neighbors to keep their chickens out of my yard but don’t mention my name.  Some even think it is up to him to say when the stores will close.  On the other hand, let’s stop and think just what the duties of a mayor happen to be.  He is elected to preside over the City Council.  The City Council is composed of six aldermen, two elected from each of the three wards.  He has no vote on any question only in a case of a tie.  He appoints various committees from the Council.  He appoints the Chief of Police, chief of the Fire Department, Cemetery Sexton, and sometimes a street commissioner, which must be ratified by the city council.  In other words, he can’t do a thing without being responsible to the six aldermen.  In the past, Mayor GAMMON has had a council that was divided as far as being wet and dry was concerned.  So his hands were tied even if he had wanted to do something.  Another thing, the city treasury is financially embarrassed.  There is no money to do anything with.  The income is barely enough to pay the police and street lights.  Therefore, there is no money with which to hire lawyers and start a law suit of any kind.  You must remember that law suits can work both ways if you happen to be in the wrong.  So please, don’t blame Mayor GAMMON for the liquor establishment running wide open.  Blame yourself.  You have just as much right to sign a complaint and get legal proceedings started as anyone else.  As we understand it, this is all it takes to get action started, just merely sign a complaint.  Getting back to the voting Tuesday, just remember that you are voting on “prohibition” and not on “liquor”.  If you want “prohibition”, vote yes.  If you don’t, vote no. 

- Mr. and Mrs. Charles KLINE have a daughter born in the Salem Hospital on April 11.  This is their second daughter.

- George SOLDNER Shoots Self Wednesday Morning: George SOLDNER, 82, a retired farmer residing in the northeast corner of Kinmundy twp., shot himself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle shortly before noon Wednesday.  Upon hearing the shot, his wife set out to look for him and found him lying in the mow of the barn.  Neighbors carried him to the house.  Death came at 2:55 p.m.  Mr. SOLDNER had been in ill health and for the past 2 days had suffered intense pain.  He remarked Wednesday morning that he didn’t see how he could stand it much longer.  Funeral services will be held from the Evangelical Church in Farina on Friday with interment in Farina Cemetery.

- Miss Carole STEVENSON has been elected to membership in the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, the highest honor conferred by faculty.  Carole is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin STEVENSON of Alton, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Stella BALLANCE, and the late J. Lem BALLANCE of Kinmundy.

- The State Department of Health approved plans for our waterworks project last week.  A special election is to be held on May 1^st to vote on the issuing of general obligation bonds. After the bond issue passes, then a few other things will have to be done before work really starts.  There will have to be at least 300 water customers with a minimum rate of $3.25 per month.  May sound like a lot but it isn’t.  There are a lot of advantages to having water in your house.  So think of it in this respect.  We will have more to say about this from time to time, but in the meantime if you are asked to sign an application for water, do so.

- Last rites were held Wednesday at the First Methodist Church in Glendale, Ariz. for Eugene M. CRAIG.  He had lived in Glendale for the past 6 years.  His death came sudden and unexpected.  He died while eating breakfast at his home Sunday.  A veteran of WWI, he served as a musician.  Mr. CRAIG was 53 years of age and was born in Kinmundy, Ill.  During World War II, he was employed at Luke Field with the fire department.  He resided in Danville, Ill. for 20 years where he worked at the Veteran’s Administration.  Survivors are his wife, Martha, Glendale; daughters, Mrs. Norma Jean SCHAFER, Champaign, Mrs. Lois FURR, Phoenix; Mrs. Louise LEWIS, Glendale; and 3 grandchildren.  Mr. CRAIG was a brother of the late Mrs. Anna GILMORE.  Interment was in Glendale Memorial Park.  A brother of Mrs. CRAIG, Charles E. NELMS of Peoria, Ill. arrived at the funeral. (Glendale, Arizona News)

- Cecile WAUGH, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl GOTTFRIED of Glendale, Mo., and Robert D. MAHAN, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. MAHAN of this city, were married April 6, 1951 at the home of the bride’s parents.  Mrs. F.G. PRUETT, sister of the groom, was the bride’s attendant.  F.G. PRUETT and Charles WAUGH were the attendants of the groom.  Mrs. MAHAN attended schools in Glendale, Mo. and Hasmer Hall for Women in St. Louis.  The groom attended Kinmundy schools and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois.  He is employed with the firm Horner and Shifrin, consulting engineers in St. Louis.  The couple will make their home in suburban St. Louis.

- Bennie GRAY, of the Army Air Force, is spending a few days with his brother and family, the Richard GRAYS.  GRAY, who has been at Las Vegas, Nev., has been transferred to Scott Field.

- Omega: The roads are again impassible in this community.  A man, a wife, and two children spent over 3 hours in the mud hole near Mr. ARNOLD’s house on the South road Sunday night.  A little attention to such places in time would stop such road conditions, and the citizens of this community feel they should not be neglected because of political issues.

- Pleasant Grove: Mr. and Mrs. John SHAFFER and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert ANDERSON attended the funeral of their grandmother in Champaign Thursday.

- Swift School: Mrs. Florence BASSETT accompanied her mother, Mrs. Effie ROBB, to Mt. Vernon last Thursday to do some shopping.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Bob FORD spent Monday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Pid BASSETT and Helen.

- Pleasant Grove (from last week): 25 or 30 men, relatives, neighbors and friends gathered 4 acres of corn for Mrs. Dawn SHAFFER Wednesday and prepared things for the sale Thursday, and several ladies helped Mrs. SHAFFER pack the things.  Noah PERRY and son-in-law came in Wednesday to attend the sale and take his daughter’s furniture back with them Friday.

- Omega (from last week): Funeral services were held at Omega church Wednesday for Keith BUNDY with Rev. McMARTIN officiating.  Interment at Phillips Cemetery.

- Swift School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Buster BENDER and Barbara of Centralia visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Frank GARRETT.

- Brown (from last week): Several attended the charivari and shower at the Jim WILKINSON home for Mr. and Mrs. Wayne WILKINSON Thursday.

- Shriver School: Mrs. Anna MARLOW was pleasantly surprised Tuesday when the pupils and parents of Miletus School gave a dinner in honor of her birthday at the Miletus schoolhouse.

- A birthday dinner was held Sunday at the Russell WILLIAMS home honoring Mrs. A.J. JACKSON and Clarellen WILLIAMS. Present were Mr. and Mrs. Russell WILLIAMS and family, Mr. and Mrs. Merle JACKSON, and Mr. and Mrs. A.J. JACKSON and daughter, Martha.

- Mr. and Mrs. Ed SHREFFLER and family were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. B.O. GARRETT.

- Mr. and Mrs. J.W. McCULLEY and son were dinner guests in Salem Saturday of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. BOYD and sons.  The occasion was in honor of Mr. BOYD’s and Mrs. McCULLEY’s birthdays.

April 19, 1951:

- Word was received here Tuesday by Mrs. O.M. ARNOLD of the death of her sister, Mrs. Louis LOWE, which occurred Monday in Seattle, Wash.  Mrs. ARNOLD left via plane Tuesday to attend the funeral.  Services and interment were in Seattle.  Willie and Sam LOWE are brothers of Mr. LOWE.

- When Mr. Mel BOYD opened the schoolhouse this morning, he found that culprits had broken into the schoolhouse last night and robbed the school safe.  They gained entrance by prying off the iron bars on a basement window in the Ag room.   The safe was in the Superintendent’s office. The door to the office was kept locked at night.  They broke in the office by merely breaking the glass and unlatching the night latch.  Then they pried off the door to the safe.  This was rather a hard task but they did.  There is no question but what it took several hours to do the job but it paid off as it was estimated that about $400 in cash was taken from the safe.

- George LAMBIRD, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter LAMBIRD, entered the Salem Hospital Friday and underwent and appendectomy and returned home Tuesday.

- Mr. and Mrs. Wm. DOOLEN and daughter, Lela Mae, Mr. and Mrs. D.C. PURCELL and son, John D., Miss Wilma OSBORN, and Mr. and Mrs. Vernon GRAGG and family were dinner guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie DOOLEN and children in Alma.  The occasion was to celebrate the birthdays of Mrs. Wm. DOOLEN, Mr. and Mrs. Bennie DOOLEN, Lela Mae DOOLEN, and John D. PURCELL.  A most enjoyable day was passed.

- Mrs. William REYNOLDS was severally injured Tuesday afternoon while returning to her home from town, when she walked in front of a truckload of Mexicans traveling east on State Rt. 37.  The accident happened at the A.J. JACKSON corner.  According to eye witnesses, the truck was not traveling fast.  Mrs. REYNOLDS evidently just didn’t look before starting to cross the hard road, or if she did look, she surely didn’t see this truck.  The truck swerved to miss her.  About that time, she saw the truck, started backward and then went forward.  The truck took a nose dive in the ditch but not before it had struck her.  She was taken immediately to Salem Hospital in the Linton Ambulance where it was reported that she had a broken leg and a scalp wound.  And an x-ray was going to be taken to ascertain if there was a concussion.  State police were on the scene and held the Mexicans in custody until a report came back from the hospital.  Then they were allowed to proceed on their way.  They were enroute from Texas to Michigan.

- Rev. James BALDWIN was the speaker for a temperance meeting held Sunday afternoon in the Gym.  Rev. Angus PHILLIPS of the Methodist Church introduced the speaker.

- Final Rites Held Sunday Afternoon for J. Oscar COX: James Oscar, son of Frank and Nan SOLOMON COX, was born in Meacham twp. June 3, 1887 and died in Salem Hospital Apr. 12, 1951.  He attended Rockhold School and grew to manhood in that community.  When a young man, he entered the restaurant business in Kinmundy.  On Oct. 20, 1910, he married Miss Frances GRAY, who survives.  Mr. and Mrs. COX operated their restaurant until 1919 when they returned to Meacham twp. and engaged in fruit farming.  Owing to the ill health of Mrs. COX, they returned to Kinmundy about 12 years ago.  Sine that time, Mr. COX has engaged in the fruit business, specializing in the sale of peaches and apple.  During WWI, Mr. COX saw service overseas with the 326^th Machine Gun Battalion.  Besides his wife, he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Elston GREEN of Patoka, and Mrs. Zella NEAVILL of this city.  Services were held Sunday at the Linton Funeral Home with Rev. O.L. HAWKINS officiating.  Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.

- Mrs. Effie ROBB, Mrs. C.C. BASSETT, and Miss Edith MORGAN were in Bethany Friday attending the funeral of Mr. W.R. BONE.

- Quite a little interest was shown Saturday in the local school election, especially District 500.  There were 3 running for the Board of Education with only 2 to elect.  After the count was tallied, Richard BROOM and D.J. ALEXANDER were declared elected with BROOM having 119 votes, ALEXANDER 104, and Walter McHATTON, 89.  There was no contest in District 25.  Consequently, J.B. MAXEY and John E. PIPER were elected as members of the Board of Education while Wyett COLCLASURE was reelected President of the Board.

- Mr. and Mrs. Riley WILLIAMS announce the arrival of a baby girl born to Mr. and Mrs. Harold FOX of Hammond, Ind.  The little Miss is the great-great granddaughter of the WILLIAMS.  Mr. WILLIAMS has lived to see eight generations.

- Kinmundy Citizens Decide City to Remain Dry; JACKSON and GENTRY Elected: The city election held Tuesday was very spirited inasmuch as the question of prohibition was being voted upon.   And there was a little contest in the third ward for Aldermen.  The question “Shall prohibition of the sale of alcoholic liquor in the city of Kinmundy be continued?” carried 292 voting yes and 67 voting no.  We had anticipated a 75% majority for the yes side, but this figures 81% majority.  In the third ward, C.G. JACKSON received 58 votes while his opponent received 47.  For the unexpired term as alderman, S.W. GENTRY received 60 votes and A.E. FRENCH 40.  The roster of city officers are now: C.F. GAMMON - Mayor; J.E. PIPER - City Clerk; C.R. ALDERSON - City Treasurer; Alderman: First Ward - Ralph E. WILLIAMS and Earl OUTHOUSE; 2^nd Ward - G.E. SHREFFLER and Chris JASPER; 3^rd Ward - C.G. JACKSON and S.W. GENTRY. 

- A birthday party honoring Miss Barbara Kay HAMMER on her 11^th birthday was held Saturday at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd HAMMER.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Frank JONES, Mr. and Mrs. Leland BRASEL, and Mr. and Mrs. Pid BASSETT visited Mr. and Mrs. Frank MAYS Sunday.  He is slowly improving.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Sam LOWE received word of a baby girl born in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elno WILLIAMS in Sterling on Apr. 13.  The mother is formerly Miss Kathryn LOWE.

- Meacham: Mr. and Mrs. Raymond SOLDNER, Mr. and Mrs. Billie SOLDNER, Herman SOLDNER, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin SOLDNER attended the funeral of their uncle, George SOLDNER, at Farina on Friday.

- Omega: Fred MULVANEY was elected director at the school election here which was held Saturday.

- Pleasant Grove: Cpl. Gene SMITH, who was in Korea several months, visited his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar SMITH, one day last week, and also visited Mr. and Mrs. Ralph HIESTAND.  After a 30 day furlough, he will report to Virginia.

- Pleasant Grove: Mrs. Dawn SHAFFER and daughter after visiting several days in Salem with Mr. and Mrs. Basil WILSON and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen STOKELY, and also visited Mr. and Mrs. Jack BASOM and family, left last Sunday for Davenport, Iowa.  Her mother and sister, Mrs. Noah PERRY, Joetta came Saturday for them.

- Wilson School: At the school election Saturday, John W. SHAFFER was elected school director for 3 years.

- Wilson School: Jerry and Johnny WALKER, in company with Johnny Bill FORD and Jack GRIFFIN, attended the show in Salem Sunday.

 April 26, 1951:

- At the regular monthly meeting of Methodist Men held Tuesday, John E. PIPER was elected President, and Eugene WILLIAMS, secretary.

- Mr. and Mrs. Cecil BRANCH have a daughter born in Salem Hospital on April 12^th named Brenda Lou.  For the time being, the little Miss is getting acquainted with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank SIMER.

- Miss Fern WILLIAMS, daughter of Mrs. Mary WILLIAMS and the late Mr. Thomas WILLIAMS of East St. Louis, became the bride of Daniel Patrick SNOW, son of Mrs. Josephine SNOW and the late Mr. William G. SNOW of East St. Louis on March 31^st.  The groom is the grandson of Mrs. Margaret O’BRIEN of this city.

- The Kum-Bak Class met Friday in the Christian Church basement with 30 present.  Mrs. Harold MORRIS presided over the business meeting.  Following officers were elected: Mrs. Darrell REESE, president; Mrs. Bob ELSTON, Vice President; Fred SEE, Secretary-Treasurer; and Mrs. John McCULLEY, reporter.

- The Kinmundy Menuettes met April 21^st.  Katherine WORMLEY is the leader.  18 attended the meeting.  The officers elected were: Shirley BAILEY - President; Barbara DOOLEN - Vice Pres.; Shirley BEARD - Secy & Treas.; Marilyn O’DELL - Reporter; Whitney HANNA - Recreation; Loretta DISS - Song Leader.

- Mr. and Mrs. Virgil HAMPSTEN have a baby girl born in Mark Greer Hospital in Vandalia.  She has been named Brenda Ilene.

May 3, 1951:

- Citizens Authorize Bond Issue for City Waterworks Project by 84%: The proposition authorizing the City Council to issue $46,000 in general obligation bonds for the purpose of installing a waterworks system was approved by the voters by an 84% majority in the election held Tuesday.  The vote was 308 - yes, 55 - no, and 15 spoiled votes.  In other words, it went “wet” by a little more than it went “dry” in the election of April 17^th.  This does not necessarily mean that we will have waterworks, but it is a step in the right direction.  It seems as though they want at least 300 customers and they do not have nearly that many signed up yet.

- Mr. and Mrs. William LUX celebrated their 15^th wedding anniversary Sunday at the home with a surprise supper at 6 o’clock.  A long table was made on the lawn and loaded with good things to eat.  Those who brought basket supplies were Mr. and Mrs. Gene JEZEK, Mr. and Mrs. Art BOYD and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse GEORGE and family, Mr. and Mrs. Merle HEICHER, Patricia and Keith SCHWABE, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray GEORGE.  Mr. and Mrs. Wm. LUX and family were certainly surprised. 

- Funeral services were held yesterday from the Shiloh Church in Omega twp. for Charles WHITNEY, 77, who died at his home in Omega twp. Tuesday.  Rev. REED officiated the services with burial in Parker Cemetery.

- Clarence Robert CRUTCHFIELD, age 5, died in the Salem Hospital.  Services are being held this afternoon.   Interment will be made in Phillips Cemetery in Meacham twp.  The deceased is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed CRUTCHFIELD, residing in the southwest part of Kinmundy.

- An evening’s program sponsored by the Kinmundy Woman’s Club will be given May 4^th at the Gym, Mr. Eugene SHUFELDT, club president, announced.  The children’s choir, directed by Mrs. F.O. GRISSOM and Mrs. George MILNE will give their spring concert.  A hilarious one act play entitled “Diet Begins Tomorrow” features the cast of Margaret SHUFELDT, Florence CONANT, Florence WEISS, Maud HOWELL, and Irma INGRAM.   Specialty numbers will be given by Charles WHITE, pianist, student at S.I.U., and by a quartet composed of Robert BAILEY, Ed SHREFFLER, John PIPER, and Charles BASSETT.

- John H. KETTLES, 57, resident of the Hyde Park District, Chicago, for many years died April 24, at Hines Memorial Hospital after an illness of 4 weeks.  Interment at Bilger Chapel in Chicago with cremation at Oakwood.  He is survived by his wife, the former Eunice V. SEE, daughter of the late Michael and Alice H. SEE, Kinmundy; a daughter, a son, granddaughter, and a brother.  A veteran of WWI, he served in the Civilian Air Transport Service during WWII, later acting as assistant officer of the Post Exchange at Hines until ill health forced retirement.     

- William F. HARVEY, a former resident of Kinmundy, was very pleasantly surprised Sunday, April 29^th, with a dinner at the home of his son, W. Elsworth HARVEY at Ridgefarm, Ill.  The dinner was in honor of Mr. HARVEY’s 90^th birthday.  (A list of those attending was included.)

- Mrs. Emma BARBEE, 81, died Monday.  Funeral services were held May 2 at the Linton Funeral Home, Rev. Angus PHILLIPS officiating.  Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery.  She is survived by one brother, Walter BALDWIN, Ruth, Nevada and three nieces in Calif.

- Mr. and Mrs. F.G. PRUETT entertained Saturday evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert MAHAN, of St. Louis.  The MAHANS were recently married.  Present were Mr. and Mrs. Byron JACKSON and sons, of St. Louis; Mr. and Mrs. Clint KALLENBERGER of Farina; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd BAILEY and Mr. and Mrs. Richard BROOM.

- Rev. M.B. BAKER, 92, died recently at his home in Peckskill, N.Y.  He was former minister of the Methodist Church here.

- Swift School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Fred WILSON had a son, David Neil, born in Mark Greer Hospital on April 19.

- Swift School (from last week): Frank GARRETT and family spent Sunday in Kinmundy with Frosty JONES and wife.

- Meacham: The children and the teacher, Mrs. McGEE, of Rockhold School, celebrated the last day of school Monday with an outdoor picnic on the Roy Miselbrook farm.

- Meacham: A kitchen shower was held for Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne AMBUEHL near Farina Sunday.

- Meacham: Mr. and Mrs. Jack KRUTSINGER and babe of Gary, Ind. called on Mr. and Mrs. Edwin HARRELL Sunday afternoon.

- Wilson School (from last week): Mr. and Mrs. Jim WALKER spent Friday in Alma with Mr. and Mrs. Selby GARRETT.

- Omega (from last week): Services were held at the Christian Church Monday for Geo. W. VANCLEVE, aged 92, who died at his home in Omega Friday.  Rev. McMARTIN of Flora officiated, and music was furnished by the Wabash Five with interment in the Church cemetery.

- Pleasant Grove (from last week): Mrs. Ed REPEC and children, who have been staying with her parents in Salem for some time, came out Tuesday to her home and staying until Thursday.  She and her children are to move to Chicago where her husband has employment.

- Pleasant Grove (from last week): The Allen School teacher, Mrs. Myrle WALKINGTON, and pupils and several of the parents went on a tour by bus to Springfield Saturday.

- Omega: Mrs. Hazel MILLICAN, Mrs. Christine KNISELY, Mrs. Zilpha SEE, and See MILLICAN attended funeral services for Mrs. Clarence BRUBAKER at Romine Church Monday.

May 10, 1951:

- Ruby SHAFFER Dies in California: Funeral services for Miss Ruby Estell SHAFFER were held Monday at Eversole Mortuary.  The services were read by Mrs. Thelma JAHN, Ukiah Christian Science Church reader.  Cremation followed at the Chapel of the Chimes in Santa Rosa.  Miss SHAFFER died Saturday, following an illness of 4 months.  For 7 years she was a devoted nurse to the late Mrs. Sarah Jane CHESSALL.  Mrs. CHESSALL was the mother of W.A. CHESSALL.  Deceased was born in Kinmundy, Ill. coming to this city about 9 years ago to be near her sister, Mrs. Anna BALDOCH.  She was a practical nurse in Illinois, where also for a number of years she operated extensive ranch holdings.

- On Tuesday in the Christian Church in Salem occurred the wedding of Miss Leta Rose COBB and Paul Eugene LANE, Rev. SMITH, pastor of the Church performing the ceremony.  The immediate families of the contracting parties witnessed the ceremony.  They were unattended.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey COBB of Dix.  The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl LANE residing southeast of this city.  He is a graduate of the Kinmundy H.S. with the class of ‘50.  Since his graduation, he has been engaged in farming with his father, and will continue to do so this summer.  The couple will make their home in the Frankie Cox apartment in Kinmundy.

- Walter Robert LESEMAN died in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur Friday.  The body was brought here and services held from the Linton Funeral Home, Rev. Angus PHILLIPS officiating.  Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.  The news of his death came as quite a surprise to his many friends here.  A few months ago, he had undergone an operation for the removal of a kidney from which he had recovered and had spent most of the winter in the south.  A week before his death, he became suddenly ill in Jackson, Miss.  He and Mrs. LESEMAN drove back here and interred the Salem Hospital for a day.  He was then transferred to Decatur.  His ailment was diagnosed as being cancer of the stomach.  Walter, son of William and Katherine LESEMAN, was born in Alma twp. on May 17, 1885, and died in Decatur on May 4, 1951.  He spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood on the farm 3 miles south of Kinmundy.  On Nov. 30, 1909, he married Miss Clara M. KLEIN of Kinmundy.  To this union, were born 4 children: Mabel L. MANN, of San Bernadino, Calif; George W. of Chicago; Walter T., Dallas, Texas; and Robert Lawrence, who died in infancy.  The three children as well as the devoted companion were at his bedside when his life ebbed away.  Also left are one sister, Alice JENNINGS of Chicago; and 3 brothers, James of Champaign, Henry of Long Beach, Calif., and Albert of San Francisco, Calif.   Several years ago, Mr. and Mrs. LESEMAN gave up farming and they have lived in various places since.  About 2 years ago, they returned here from California, and begun working on their farm home, which they were modernizing.  Walter worked as a traveling salesman and his wife accompanied him.  So it was only on weekends when they could work on their farm home.  Mrs. LESEMAN left this week with her son, George, for Chicago, where she will make her home for a few months.  After that she will spend some time with each of her other children. 

- Mrs. Wayne WHITLOCK had the misfortune of falling down some steps Tuesday at the home of her sister, Mr. and Mrs. Ray HARGRAVE of Centralia, and breaking her leg between the hip and knee.  She is now a patient in St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.  Mr. and Mrs. WHITLOCK of Spearfish, S.D. have been vacationing and visiting relatives here for the past month.  They have spent some time in Kinmundy with Mrs. WHITLOCK’s sisters, Mrs. Pearl FISHER and Miss Della SEXTON.

- Betty ERNST and Ronald POLANKA had their essays published by the National Essay Association of Los Angeles, Calif.

- Frank SHELDON died in the Palmer Sanitarium in Springfield on Monday.  Mr. and Mrs. SHELDON operated Frank and Mary’s Café on Route 37 for several years.  For the past year, Mr. SHELDON has been a patient in the Sanitarium.

- Mr. Byron PITTS has tendered his resignation as a guard of the Illinois Penal farm at Vandalia, and has accepted the position of Chief of Police of the city of Centralia.

- Mr. and Mrs. Cecil HUCKAEBY of Henry, Ill. have opened the Conoco Service Station and Grocery on Rout 37 North.  This business was formerly operated by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon ALLEN.

- Mrs. Effie CRAIN and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Reva CRAIN, have purchased the ROBB Café on Route 37 South from Mr. and Mrs. Wayne ROBB.  Mr. ROBB has a position with a seismography company and he and Mrs. ROBB and son will leave soon for South Dakota.

- Omega: Funeral services at Shiloh Church were held Wednesday of last week for Chas. WHITNEY, age 77.  He served as Supervisor of Omega township and as Assessor.

- Swift School: Mr. and Mrs. Buster BENDER and Barbara, Mrs. Virgie GARRETT, and James JONES and family visited Sunday with the Frank GARRETT family.

- Pleasant Grove: Mr. and Mrs. Herman KAGY of Jacksonville, Fla. and Mr. and Mrs. Marshall KAGY of Salem were called at the Oscar SMITH home last Monday.  Mr. and Mrs. Herman KAGY were called here by the death of Mrs. KAGY’s mother, Mrs. Clarence BRUBAKER.  

- Pleasant Grove: We’re sorry to hear that Mr. and Mrs. Harry MAXEY Jr.’s home was destroyed by fire Tuesday caused by the explosion of a gas stove.

- Meadow Branch: Mr. and Mrs. Wyett COLCLASURE and family spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. G.H. COLCLASURE in Farina.  The occasion was Mr. COLCLASURE’s 62^nd birthday.

- In Memoriam of Alta WEST who died May 7, 1949, by husband and children.

- Cpl. and Mrs. Denton BRASEL left Monday for Florida where they will make their home.

May 17, 1951:

- The Junior Circle of WSCS met Tuesday with Mrs. Robert LEE for the purpose of organizing.  Mrs. LEE was elected President, Mrs. Charles BASSETT; Vice President, Mrs. Edwin SHREFFLER, Secretary; and Mrs. John PIPER, Treas.  14 members were present. 

- Mr. H.W. LENHART was taken to the Mark Greer Hospital in Vandalia last week suffering from a congested lung.  His is little improved at this time.

- Fletcher COLE spent the weekend in Salem Hospital going on Thursday and returning home on Sunday.  On Monday last week, while doing some heavy work around the place, he ruptured a blood vessel and sprained the ligaments in his left leg.  He hobbled around on it until Thursday.  Mrs. G.E. ROLLINSON and son, the daughter and grandson of Alton, came Sunday to help care for him.  Mrs. ROLLINSON will return to her home this weekend while Billie will remain for a longer visit to help grandma with the chores.  The last report we had from Fletcher, he was looking for a pair of crutches.

- The programs of the Kinmundy Community High School Baccalaureate held on Sunday, May 20, 1951, and Commencement Service held on May 23, 1951 were printed.  Those graduating were: Kenneth Leroy JASPER, Gene Arnold JONES, Richard Keith CHANCE, Lewis J.T. O’