1973, Gent’s Addition Series, Part 1 of 6

Gent’s Addition is the Heart of Marion’s Black Community

Is it a ghetto surrounded by psychological barriers?

This is the first in a series of six articles by Sandy Blumenfeld about Marion’s “community within a community,” Gent’s addition, the heart of Marion’s black community.

A community within a community, a fixed area within an expanding city. Continue reading

1874, News Clippings

The Marion Monitor (MM) and Egyptian Press (EP) were published during these next few years. The Monitor, published by Copeland and Alden on Thursday, was a Republican paper costing $1.50 per year. The Press, Democratic and published on Friday, was edited by William S. Washburn. The cost of a subscription was also $1.50 per year. Abbreviations indicate which paper these items were taken from. Sometimes different details were given and items were combined from both papers. Continue reading

1856-59, News Clippings

1856

July 10, 1856

100 sacks of salt just received – Norman & Sanders, Marion, Illinois

Elenor McElvoy Vs. John G. McElvoy, bill for divorce

Stop Thief! – Stolen from my residence on the 9th day of this month, a bright bay mare, five years old, supposed to be fourteen hands high, a long black tail and main turning to the left side; not a white spot on her, where the collar comes above, the mare is quite worn off. A liberal reward will be given for her by me in Jackson County. Jane Richert Continue reading

1887, Goodspeed History of Williamson County

The Goodspeed version of the book covering the history of Williamson County was officially called, “The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin and Williamson Counties” and subtitled “From the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with Sundry and Interesting Biographical Sketches, Notes, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc.” and was published in 1887 by the Goodspeed Publishing. Continue reading

1905 Historical Souvenir of Williamson County

Historical SouvenirIf you are even the slightest bit interested in the early history of the county and the towns and villages contained within, this volume is an absolute gem that has intrigued county citizens for over a hundred years. Compiled in 1904 and published in 1905 by J.F. Wilcox, the “souvenir book man”, from the LeCrone Press in Effingham, Illinois, the book was a collaboration of Wilcox and numerous local citizens who dug deep and gathered an amazing and impressive volume. Continue reading